G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 1

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Rosie HuntingtonCareer Decisions Made for Her

An evening celebrAting theSattriya culture

tRADitiONAl AssAMese MARkets

MAchiNe MADe pRODucts thReAteNiNg

SPecial

Bihu in the air

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G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 20152

lead Story

Juthika Baruah

Private schoolsunder administration’s glare

The Kamrup (M) district admin-istration is keeping a strict vigi-lance on the private schools of

the city whereas the State Government has also decided to bring an act to rein in private schools violating norms building, land, safety, fees structure and salary system of the teachers.

Of the 377 high and higher sec-ondary schools in Kamrup (M), 256 are private and based on a survey, it has been found that out of these 256 private schools, 145 are running with-out any permission from the admin-istration and the district education department.

Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (M) M. Angamuthu said it is a matter of serious concern as these schools are playing with the future of thousands of students. On the other hand, replying to a query on the Assam Government’s implementing an Act to regulate pri-vate schools, Rector and Principal of Don Bosco School, Father Sebastian Mathew said that being a missionary school they take minimum fees from the students which is Rs. 1,530 per month and the faculty members are being paid according to the pay com-mission.

The Father said that the admin-istration should rather focus on the government schools rather than the private schools as poor infrastructure quality of public schools force guard-ians to think twice before admit-ting their children there. “We collect minimum fees from the students and also maintain the infrastructure. Pri-vate schools are concerned about the students but the government school teachers are least bothered about the future of the students,” the Father said.

Earlier, during the Budget session of the Assam Assembly, AGP MLA Keshab Mahanta had raised the issue of private schools violating norms to which Education Minister Sarat Borkotoky said that he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and try to control them by enacting a spe-cial law. He further alleged that the schools do not even respond to any communication by the ministers. The schools charge high fees from the stu-dents but when it comes to the salary structure of the teachers, they are not at all satisfied with the salaries that they get.

A teacher of a city based school, Maitrayee Dutta said that the salaries are not up to the mark as per the effort they give to the students. “It’s very dif-ficult to produce a good student and it being a big responsibility, teachers should be provided with a decent sal-ary,” said Dutta.

Meanwhile, Deepa Choudhury, a

guardian whose daughter studies in a reputed school of the city said that the fee structure is so high that one has to be financially able to afford it. “Every guardian dream of getting their child admitted into a good school but if the schools charge high fees, some parents can’t afford. So the school fees should be reasonable. Everybody can’t depos-it Rs. 50,000 during each admission,” said Choudhury.

Principal of Axom Jatiya Vidya-laya, Ghanashyam Medhi said that the current fees at the school are not enough to pay the teachers of the school. He said that there is a deficit

of Rs 6-8 lakhs every month which should be managed with a short term loan.

Director of National Public School, J.N. Das said that the school has several buses with a capacity of 34-36 seats each and the salaries of the teachers are more than the amount fixed by the Sixth Pay Commission. He said that the fees charged from the students are reasonable which is much less than Delhi Public School or Royal Global School.

Angamuthu later said that the schools should take the necessary ap-proval from the education department

There are reports that many private schools do not pay the academic as well as the non-academic staff. Many schools do not recruit quality teachers. Such state of affairs must come to an end and the high-powered committee will do the needful,” Angamuthu said.

DC Angamuthu said that of the 851 schools buses that ply on city roads, 524 vehicles recently under-went a fitness test conducted by the Regional Transport Authority of Kam-rup (metro). Fitness certificates were issued to 401 buses. The rest have been asked to fulfil the necessary conditions to avail the certificates.

Meanwhile, a special committee formed by the Kamrup Metro dis-trict administration led by ADC Rajib Prakash Barua to ensure implementa-tion of the Supreme Court guidelines on school buses as also other aspects of schools started its operations on Monday.

The team visited Maharshi Vidy-amandir at Silpukhuri and Srimanta Sankardev Academy, Dispur who found some lacunae in their schools buses including carrying of students above the prescribed capacity and lack of safety equipment and first aid facili-ties in the schools.

Both the schools were served show cause notices and asked to reply within a week. They were also asked to obtain permission from the state gov-ernment to run the schools.

or else the students and parents will be in trouble in the future. The 145 schools were also found violating the Right to Education Act, 2009 and the Assam Non-Government Educational Institutional (Regulation & Manage-ment) Act, 2006.

The administration has started the mission by visiting the city schools and found that the school vans are in dys-functional state which was seized from St. Mary’s and Don Bosco schools.

We will evolve a mechanism to re-strict the private schools from charg-ing exorbitant fees. The administration will allow only rational fees structures. juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 3

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 20154

in The News

kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

“Myadi Patta can be cancelled for the welfare of the public”-Deputy Commissioner

kalyan DeB

Authorities of National Pub-lic School have been slapped with legal action under sev-

eral acts for constructing walls ille-gally blocking the original channel of water at Deepor Beel.

The development came after the Kamrup (Metro) district adminis-tration on March 31st carried out an evicted drive against illegal encroach-ers around Deepor Beel to mitigate threats to the ecosystem of the water body. Apart from 20 structures that were constructed in the area, a major portion of a wall constructed by the trust body NET of National Public School (NPS) was also demolished followed by an FIR lodged against the trust body later in the evening.

The drive was carried out follow-ing an order from Deputy Commis-sioner which mentioned that some individual pattadars at Mikirpara Chakordoi and Pamohi villages, un-der Ramsarani Mouza, constructed walls that obstructed the natural flow of storm water. The order said the trust members will face action under the Guwahati Water Bodies (Preser-vation and Conservation) Act, 2008, Assam Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2012, Assam Hill Land, Wildlife Protection Act, Disaster Manage-ment Act, 2005, and Ecological Sites (Protection and Management) Act, 2006.

The TruST’S viewThe trust body claimed that they

were not issued any prior notice be-fore the eviction. “We constructed the wall on myadi land identified by government officials and have proper documentation issued by the authori-ties. We have had possession of the land for the last eight years. We had also asked the district administra-tion and the revenue circle officials to demarcate the land and the con-struction was only carried out after the permission was issued by the

authorities,” said JN Das, director, Gems NPS.

“The violation of the acts that were cited while carrying out the eviction is not applicable to the land. According to the three stages of the act that has been invoked, neither the rule planning and nor area de-fining was carried out during the entire procedure. The circle officer was approached in the first week of March prior to the eviction in order to demarcate the land but he failed to show up”, Das said adding, “Also sev-eral other properties surrounding the area encroach more such alleged land and are carrying out several business activities within, whereas such lands were left untouched.”

The land that covered an area of 76 bighas was meant for construction of the institution in the near future.

auThoriTieS’ SayDeputy Commissioner M An-

gamuthu said the eviction drive will continue till the entire area surrounding the water body is cleared of encroachers. The evic-tion drive is a continuous process and many establishments were de-molished by the district adminis-tration earlier to clear the elephant corridor along the water body.

“The NPS authorities have destroyed the water body by earth-filling and erecting bound-ary walls, thereby disturbing the natural flow of the Pamohi drains. They have caused damage to the Beel’s biodiversity and ecosystem,” mentioned the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, prior to the eviction drive.

“Deepor Beel is a natural herit-age and not public property. Even if they possess myadi patta for the land, they cannot construct any sort of structure. For that, a spe-cial NOC has to be obtained and myadi patta can be cancelled for the welfare of the public,” said An-gamuthu.

It can be noted that earlier, Angamuthu directed all enforce-ment agencies to refrain from per-mitting earth-filling and construc-tion activities around Deepor Beel.

In 1989, the state government declared a 10.1-sq km area of the water body as Deepor Beel Wild-life Sanctuary. It was also proposed that a 4.1-sq km core area be des-ignated as a bird sanctuary. Nearly 122 species of seasonal, migra-tory and other varieties of birds fly down to the water body every year. Considering the ecological importance of the wetland, Dee-por Beel has been included in the Asian Wetland Directory and was declared a Ramsar site in 2002.

weather report for the weekSAT

11 AprilSUN

12 AprilMON

13 AprilTUE

14 AprilWED

15 AprilTHU

16 AprilFRI

17 April

Sunny. High level clouds. More clouds than sun. Morning clouds. More sun than clouds. Morning clouds. More sun than clouds.

19 / 32 °C 21 / 33 °C 22 / 31 °C 20 / 33 °C 19 / 36 °C 20 / 37 °C 22 / 39 °C

NPS authoritieS to

face legal action

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 5

in The News

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 20156

Special

machine made Products threatening

traditional assamese markets

Juthika Baruah

Come Rongali Bihu and there is a flurry of shoppers going market hopping, trying the

latest traditional outfits for the Bihu. But it is a matter of great trepidation that the market for Assamese tradi-tional wear is being taken over by non-Assamese persons, selling du-plicate items, which is fast becoming a matter of concern and threatening the dignity of the Assamese culture.

Machine made Assamese tradi-tional jewellery, Mekhala-Chadar and Gamuchas are being sold in other parts of the country by non-Assamese businessmen whereas the original Gamuchas and mekhala-chadars are made in taat xaal but the power loom items are not the origi-nal one. The market for Assamese traditional jewellery has also been taken over by outsiders, who make them out of bronze which costs much less and are then sold as tradi-tional jewellery.

Lakhimi Baruah Bhuyan, Owner of Zangfai, an Assamese traditional jewellery shop said that there is a traditional demand intact for tradi-tional jewellery which is natural and is not related to fashion. “The de-signs made by our people are being taken out by the non-Assamese and sold at a low price which leaves the local artisans in trouble. People also buy the jewellery thinking it is origi-nal Assamese jewellery that they found it in low price. The market of traditional jewellery should remain intact within the state so that the lo-cal artisans don’t have to lose their source of livelihood besides main-taining the dignity of the Assamese jewellery,” said Baruah.

She said that it’s not only during Bihu that people prefer to buy tradi-tional jewellery but the demand re-mains throughout the year, although customer response is comparatively more during Bihu as it is also the season of marriage. Now-a-days people mostly prefer traditional jew-ellery rather than gold ornaments as they match better with mekhala-chadars. The range starts from Rs. 1,500 per set while the Gaam Kharu which is worn during the Bihu dance is Rs. 18,000 per pair.

“The traditional item is in de-mand among the young generation as they like to wear the jewellery when they come to know about the value of the traditional jewellery. Most of the women now wear tradi-tional jewellery rather than gold in both Bihu as well as in marriage or

any other party,” added Baruah.On the other hand, the gamu-

chas which holds a great significance in the Assamese culture are also be-ing woven in power loom although it is illegal according to the Hand-looms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985. The demand of Gamucha is high during Rongali Bihu as gamucha is being given as Bihuwaan to the near and dear ones as a token of love and respect. The ongoing Gamucha Mela at Hand-loom and Textiles, Assam have dis-played the gamuchas woven in xaal

whereas the gamuchas that are avail-able in the market are power loom products.

Director of Handloom and Tex-tiles, Assam, Deba Kumar Nath, while speaking to G Plus said that the gamuchas woven on power loom are illegal according to the Act. The department has also appealed the people to boycott power loom gamu-chas which is a shame for the people. “From this year, the authorised tax department decided to collect tax from the people who will sell gamu-chas made on power loom. Last year,

20,000 gamuchas were sold from the handloom department and this year also it is expected to sell at least 20-30,000 gamuchas. There are 22 stalls in the Gamucha Mela from Kamrup district,” said Nath.

Meanwhile, machine made mekhala-chadars are also being sold outside the state. To keep alive the source of livelihood of the local weavers, different Bihu melas are be-ing organised so that the weavers get a platform to sell the local product.

Sikha Rani Choudhury, one of the participants of the Bohagi Mela held at Silpukhuri said that this type of exhibition is helpful for the weav-ers to display their products so that the Assamese traditional mekala chadar could remain in their hands.

“We are targeting the teach-ers and girls residing in hostels to sell mekhala-chadars as the scope is high amongst them. We want to make the girls aware about the tra-ditional dress of Assam so that its demand rises among the youth,” said Choudhury.

During the festive season of Bihu, it has been seen that people demand gamuchas, Assamese jewel-lery and mekhala chadars as these three items signifies the culture of Assamese tradition, Bihu. Thus, it becomes the responsibility of the people to keep alive the dignity of the items by giving the weavers a right platform.

juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

Now-a-days people mostly prefer traditional jewellery rather than gold ornaments as they match better with mekhala-chadars. The range starts from `1,500 per set while the Gaam Kharu which is worn during the Bihu dance is `18,000 per pair.

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 7

Special

government to take stePs against gamocha duPlicity

In the wake of a number of com-plaints of duplicity, the state gov-ernment has said that action will

be taken against such dealers of tradi-tional Assamese gamocha. The sale of gamocha has increased ahead of As-samese New Year which is celebrated as Bohag or Rongali Bihu across the state.

Gamocha, also known as Bihu-waan plays an important role in the festival of Bihu as it is gifted to the family members and elders as a mark of respect and love.

The state government has asked the dealers to issue receipts on the originality of the products mention-ing ‘Original Muga/Eri silk of Assam’ or ‘Silk of Varanasi/Mysore’ as appli-cable so that consumers can make a conscious choice to buy the products.

As per the Handlooms (Reserva-tion of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, gamocha (gamcha) is a reserved article for exclusive production by handlooms and production of the same by power looms would attract penalty including imprisonment un-der Section 10 of the Act.

The circular issued by the gov-

vention of relevant provisions of Han-dlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985.

It may be mentioned that gamo-chas are exempted from Assam VAT Act and VAT is not leviable on the same in order to promote handloom sector.

But, recently, there were com-plaints of some sellers duping the buy-ers with power loom made gamochas in the name of traditionally produced one.

So, the government has asked the dealers to issue bills for all the prod-ucts while clearly mentioning about the details of the products which has come as great relief for the buyers.

“The prescribed authority of the taxation department would invariably check whether the dealers are issuing such bills indicating clearly the details as stated above during the special in-spections and any deviation of the same would be dealt with as per law. This is very much required since the traditional Mugu and Eri silk based items such as Mekhala Chadar and Muga saree are also exempted from Assam VAT Act,” said a senior govern-ment official.

aDitya GoGoi

ernment also said that all the dealers in the state dealing with buying and selling of gamochas will have to give a declaration to the respective pre-scribed authority that they do not deal with any gamochas other than those produced by handlooms in contra-

As per the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, gamocha (gamcha) is a reserved article for exclusive production by handlooms and production of the same by power looms would attract penalty including imprison-ment under Section 10 of the Act.

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 20158

Society

kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

homekalyan DeB

Incidents of elder abuse is increas-ingly making headlines in media and other circles, but sadly, al-

though enough noise is being made over the issue, most people are still in a state of denial, especially the mid-dle class, insisting it doesn’t happen in our families. Many elderly have ex-perienced some kind of abuse or the other, usually from family members, especially from children and daugh-ters-in-law. While several functions are staged to honour the elderly, espe-cially, mothers and motherhood and customary calls made to wish mothers and motherly figures, mothers lodged in old-age homes have endless stories of neglect to share.

With an objective of providing food and a complete stay in a homely and secured environment amidst a natural ambience to senior citizens, Mother Old Age Home, an entity of Monalisa Society was founded on June 21st, 2012 and has been serving the elderly ever since. The old age home started with its first inmate Shantanu Kumar Das (75), who was abandoned by relatives after the death of his wife and has been sheltered in the home since its establishment.

The initiative of starting the old age home was taken by the duo, Monika Sarma and Utpal Kumar Har-shavardhan, who, after coming across incidents of the aged ones being tor-tured and abandoned by their family members, the NGO opened up the old age home.

Talking to G Plus, Monika Sarma, co-founding member of Mother Old Age Home shared a few stories of some of the inmates of the home.

“Several inmates living in the old age home have either been abandoned by their family members or voluntar-ily left for the old age home. Few of the inmates before being brought to the home were left on the streets by their family members, one of whom is Jamuna Devi Jalan who was found in Fancy Bazar area by policemen after being abandoned by her sons and left on the street to starve to death”, said Monika Sarma.

“Another inmate Adou Rabha, who hails from Tamulpur was left by her son after being brought to Guwa-hati during last year’s Vishwakarma Puja and was left in the streets for three days until she managed to find the home through the help of the neighbouring people. Since then she has been a state of depression and at times talks in a deranged manner. Sev-eral efforts were made to find her na-tive place but we have not succeeded so far. Since then she has been a part of the family”, Sarma added.

Victim of elderly abuse Charu-bala Choudhury was left in the old age home by her son as she was being har-assed and tortured by her daughter-in-

for the homeless

law. Besides Charubala, several others such as Deubori Borkuch (80), Kanak-lata Choudhury (85) and several oth-ers share the same story.

Not just the ones abandoned by family members but destitute ones are also taken into the old age home. Since its recognition and significance is well known among the surrounding people, such abandoned people are brought in to the home if the police

old age home is currently running with the help and support of Debojit Hazarika, D.Mathur, Jagannath Das, Ranjit Borthakur and Gopal Jalan. The home is currently located in a rented building where it has been operating from for the past two years and looks forward to the help and support of the people and the government.

The old age home not only takes care of the elderly but also provide a homely environment to the inmates. Occasions such as the foundation day

find any such unclaimed aged ones.After serving the society under

the flagship of Monalisa Society for more than five years, during which it initially executed several programmes for the welfare of children and the less fortunate, Mother Teresa Old Age Home currently has 21 inmates and takes in boarders aged between 55 to 60 years. Located in Jyoti Nagar in Ganesh Nagar, Bamunimaidam, the

The objecTiveS:To care for the destitute old people who have no one else to care for

them. They are given shelter, accomodation , food, clothing medical care etc. free of cost.

• To care for theoldpeoplewhose familyhasno time to care forthem.Itisprovidedforanominalfee.

• Toprovidecomprehensiveandqualitycareandtoensurethattheresidentseniorcitizens livewithrespectanddignity inasecure,compassionate,congenialenvironmentandsurroundings.

• Toactasacenterwheretheknowledgeandexperiencesoflifeoftheseniorcitizensareutilized inaconstructivemannersoas tocontributemoremeaningfully toboth, the residentsand the so-ciety.

• To establish a social institutionwhere societynot only interactsandlooksafterseniorcitizensbutalsolearnsfromthem“themuchneededvaluesofahealthyandpeacefulsociety”.

• Toprovidecompanionship,emotionalsupport,therapeuticoccu-pation,recreationfacilitiesandactivitiestoovercomesocialisola-tion.

• Toprovideindependencetoseniorcitizensindailylife,andtore-establishhighvaluesoflifenurturedbythem.

of the home, women’s day and the birthday of the inmates are celebrated in the home.

Although such homes provide relief to the ones living the second in-nings of their life, the pain and suffer-ings towards the end is really poign-ant. But everyone wishes to spend this stage of life peacefully and undoubt-edly these homes can serve this pur-pose very well.

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 9

city

foreign cigarette brands continue to flood city markets

Packs contain little or no Pictorial health warningsEven as the controversy over percentage of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets

and the lack of any Indian studies between tobacco consumption and cancer refuses to die down, the gov-ernment seems woefully oblivious to the cross border smuggling of fla-voured cigars and cigarettes flood-ing the city market.

Most of these flavoured ciga-rettes, which comes in different fl-vours like cinnamon, mint or clove, come with little or no pictoral health warnings which is mandatory under Section 7 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, (COTPA), 2003 which states that there shall be no production, sale and import of cigarettes or any other tobacco product unless every package of cig-arettes or any other tobacco product bears on it label, specified warning.

These flavoured smokes are very popular among the teens, especially those starting to smoke and young girls because they do not leave the tell tale smell of nicotine and ash, which becomes an instant give away if one gets caught by their parents or guardians.

Talking on the condition of an-noynimity, a young student said that she loves the cinnamon flavoured cigarettes, which she procures with the help of her friends because it is ‘milder’ than the regular domestic brands and do not leave a bad after taste in her mouth.

“Besides, there is no danger of my ever getting caught for smoking because my mouth smells like I was having peppermints or other mouth freshner, not smoking. It is cool to smoke these brands and I enjoy them very much,” she said.

The trend is very much alive among youngsters, especially those whose parents strictly moniter their social habits and there have been instances when, for all their smart-ness, young smokers have also been caught by their guardians, although such cases are few and far between.

A young parent, Sushmita Sharma of Panjabari, while talk-ing to G Plus, expressed concern at the prolification of such foreign brands of cigarettes because they at-tract youngsters with their attractive packaging and their ‘mouth fresh-ner’ tags.

“I have two young boys and al-though I strictly monitor their hab-its, I cannot always be sure what they consume outside the house in company of their friends. There may be many who consider smoking fun and grown-up but they are unaware of the harmful effects. Although we try to issue them general warnings about the dangers of smoking, who knows what they have in the com-

pany of their peers,” she said. According to the Global Adult

Tobacco Survey India (2009-10), in Assam 40 per cent (39.3 per cent) of adults (15 years and above) used tobacco. About 7 per cent of adults were smokers and 24 percent used smokeless tobacco.

Furthermore, 51 per cent of adults were exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

The total economic costs at-tributable to tobacco use in Assam amounted to Rs 541 crores in the year 2011 for persons aged 35-69, of

the real culprits involved in the smuggling racket. The most that the officials have been able to do is to seize such packets and destroy them occasionally, while fining the vendors for selling them. But it is of-ten not an easy task as most of these packets are sold in secret.

On the other hand, Ruchira Neog, Executive Secretary of Vol-untary Health Association of As-sam (VHAA) sid, “Cross border infiltration of cigarettes and cigars from Myanmar and Nepal is a mat-ter of grave concern as all of these products do not carry any picto-rial health warnings on its packets. These tobacco products are flooded in city markets and are mostly con-sumed by students and youth as they are available in different flavours”.

Also, with the current non-im-plementation of pictorial warnings covering 85 per cent of the tobacco packs with effect from April 1st 2015 and as was proposed by the Minis-try of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, it becomes all the more important to take all nec-essary measures to stop penetration of smuggled tobacco products most of which come with little or graphic warning, from neighbouring coun-tries into our state, she added.

which 47 per cent was direct medi-cal costs and 53 per cent was indirect morbidity costs, according to the study on Economic Burden of To-bacco Related Diseases in India con-ducted by the Public Health Founda-tion of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the WHO Country Office for India.

Dr Arundhati Deka of National Tobacco Control Programme, while talking to G Plus said there is little that can be done at the state level to tackle the issue as it requires inter-national cooperation from neigh-bouring countries like Myanmar and Nepal, from where most of such products are smuggled in.

“We had participated in a high level meeting at Delhi last year where the problem of smuggled to-bacco products was taken up among top health ministries and delegates of several neighbouring countries sharing international borders with India. The union ministry has in-structed us to take whatever action is possible in the field to ensure such products do not flood the market unchecked,” she said.

She, however, added that they face problems in implementing the directive as they cannot prosecute

neelakshi BorDoloi

These flavoured smokes are very popular among the teens, especially those starting to smoke and young girls because they do not leave the tell tale smell of nicotine and ash, which becomes an instant give away if one gets caught by their parents or guardians.

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201510

Ministry of Power, Government of India is organizing a two-day conference of Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers of States and union territories for the

first time in the North Eastern region of India, especially in Assam. The conference, which took off on Thursday at the Assam Admin-istrative Staff College, Guwahati, was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and NRE. The two day conference is being attended by Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers from 23 states and union territories.

Goyal said, “All states should sort out the procurement to gen-erate more power. It will give all the States employment opportuni-ties as well as power. We have specially taken a big CSR initiative as we are going to establish five cancer hospitals in coal mining areas in the country.”

conference of Power, renewable energy and Mines Ministers of States and uTs held at Guwahati

art

an evening celebrating thesattriya culture

Mukti Mangal, a society started by Dr. Lima Das to promote art and culture

among the youth of Northeast, en-thralled the audience at Rabindra Bahvan on Thursday through Sadha-na Darpan, a programme celebrating the Sattriya culture through dance, root music, sculpture, art and pho-tography.

Eminent personalities of the art form and critics of national repute graced the function with their pres-ence. The evening’s programme was inaugurated by Sankar Prasad Ka-koti Bora, Regional Director of In-dian Council for Cultural Relations. Noted journalist of The Hindu and a renowned dance critic, Shyamhari Chakra was also present to cover the event. Dr. Lima Das, a dental surgeon

by profession and a graded artist of Sattriya and Odissi of Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati, presented the most recent choreographies by Pad-mashri Nrityacharya Jatin Goswami with her captivating performances along with a duet performance with renowned sattriya dancer, Provakar Goswami. Dhrubajyoti Baruah, a versatile vocal artist and music direc-tor, performed Vyas Ojapali along with his group from Darrang district.

A Sattriya-based fine art and photo exhibition preceded the main programme which was inaugurated by renowned artist Neel Pawan Ba-rua. The exhibition showcased clay sculptures on Sattriya dance by Dr. Bahom Kaling Darang, a dental sur-geon by profession and a self-taught artist by passion. It also displayed a

series of quirky portraits called ‘Ra-sas’, depicting the emotions in Satriya dance through modern art, by Dr. John Patowary who is an alumni of Regional Dental College, Guwahati and a self-taught Pop-art artist. A contemporary take on traditional art by mother-daughter duo - Bandita Ghosh and Subhanjana Ghosh, also adorned the exhibition. Photographs displaying the moments captured by Arup Jyoti Kalita of Sattriya dance performances by some of the most renowned names of the art form were also featured in the exhibition.

The event was organized in as-sociation with Byatikram MASDO and supported by LIC. It was was also partnered by Eclectic North East, 92.7 Big FM, G-plus and JBs.

Air conditioning and com-mercial refrigeration major, Blue Star Limited, has an-

nounced the launch of a new range of contemporary, energy-efficient and eco-friendly room air condi-tioners for the residential segment, which apart from sophisticated fea-tures, array of colours and state-of-the-art technology, offer consider-able power savings.

The company plans to continue its thrust in this segment with its new line-up for 2015 and is target-ing a market share of double-digits in FY16 as compared to the current

blue star targets double-digit market share in fy 16

8.5 per cent, in terms of value.Blue Star’s new line-up of room

air conditioners comprises over 80 models. Apart from being energy efficient, the range of split air con-ditioners for 2015 has a stylish look with multi-colour options in the 3-star and 5-star models such as pearl white, champagne gold and wine red to appeal to home consumers.

In addition, the new range boasts of features including i-feel for com-fort where one sits, seven fitters for ultra-pure air, turbo operation, hid-den display, long distance piping, auto mode, dry mode, sleep mode,

blow/self clean function, elegant re-mote control, rust-resistant construc-tion, self diagnosis, scroll compressor and acoustic insulation on compres-sor, amongst others.

The company will also continue to aggressively promote its inverter range of residential split air condi-tioners for the benefit of upwardly mobile customers. The inverter com-pressor in these units varies its speed depending on the ambient load, re-sulting in perfect cooling, apart from considerable energy savings. Invert-ers save up to 30 per cent power over the 5-star rated split air conditioners.

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 11

city

suraj duwarah

There are very few filmmakers who have been able to win the national award in their debut

film. Guwahati boy Suraj Kumar Du-warah is the latest member of this elite group. His film ‘Orong…strangers in the mist’ has won the best film award in Rabha language for ‘its sensitive portrayal of a young man as he drifts through a life that offers little promise or excitement’ in the recently declared national film awards.

“I immediately realized that the hard work which we put together just paid off. It’s an inspiration to keep on working,” Duwarah said of the mo-ment when he heard the good news from Utpal Borpujari, New Delhi based film critic and filmmaker.

But at the same time, the award bestowed more responsibility on the shoulder of the young filmmaker.

“As I have mentioned, it came as a responsibility as well. As I was a cine-matographer, now as a director – both in terms of finance and quality along

with consistency, my days will be tougher. Now people will have more expectations from me. As a technician, I could have worked with anybody but as a director, there will be ideological conflicts. But at the same time I have to think of my survival,” he said.

But as a filmmaker of the new generation, he is extremely hope-ful and courageous enough to walk against the tide.

money not a hindrance for making good film

national awarD winninG filmmaker

aDitya GoGoi

mother’s reluctance. Since the pump site is situated deep inside the forest, he is tormented by isolation and faces a few unruly circumstances. As a result he tries to escape from this situation in an unusual way.

Duwarah, who started his career as a cinematographer, always prefers to be called that instead of a director. “I’m a cinematographer and I enjoy doing it. I did my studies from Regional govern-ment Film Television Institute. After that I have been working with different directors for the last one decade. It has been a learning experience and it gave me a good insight of the reality. You got to learn something or the other from everybody with whom you work,” he said.

He also thanked the entire crew, sound designer Debajit Gayan, editors Jhulan Krishna Mahanta and Jitplavan Roy and chief assistant director Jai-cheng jai Dohutia and the cast Royonti Rabha, Debraj Rabha and Kanuranjan Rabha for the success.

“We have plentiful of stories to be told in the region. These are to be explored and told to the people of the world. With the growth of technology, we the filmmakers, face tougher chal-lenges these days. People have access to the global top quality movies to-day. So, if we need to stand up to this standard, we need to work harder,” Duwarah, former student of the Re-gional Government Film and Televi-

sion Institute in Guwahati said. While saying so, he also admits

that money is not the major hurdle for a filmmaker. “Though we often hear some filmmakers try to say that mon-ey is a major hurdle but what I feel is that even without a huge budget, a re-ally good film can be made,” he said.

Besides, our filmmakers still do not give more importance to the con-tent or the script and the treatment. The script is important as it directs the director and the story directs the script. Story is directed by the concept. All these things matter a lot in mak-ing a film. I hope if the filmmakers can focus on these things, the scenario will develop, Duwarah added.

Talking about the film, he said that it’s a tribute to adolescence. It is a saga of a 14 year old boy named Rasong, who lives with his step-father, mother and a younger brother in a small vil-lage of Assam. Rasong had to leave his school to join a job of a diesel pump op-erator to support his family despite his

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201512

14th April

8:30amCultural procession with former MP Kumar Deepak Das

9:30amFlag hoisting by Bisheswar Hazarika

11:30amMukoli Bihu Competition

03:00pmZeng Bihu Competition

04:00pmModern Dance Competition

07:00pmCultural evening

9:00pmKashmiri Pathak

14th April

9:00amCultural Procession

9:30amFlag Hoisting by Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora

9:45amSmriti Tarpan by Purna Chandra Sharma

10.30amRelease of ‘Gogona’ by Eli Ahmed

12:00 noonDhulia Competition

05:00pmCultural evening inauguration Kirti Kamal Bhuyan

10:00 pmAngarag Mahanta

14th April

9:00amFlag hoisting by Rabindranath Dutta

10:00amBihu Fashion Competition

06.30 pmCultural evening

06.45 pm‘Ronagali’ Memorial ceremony by Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora

Ulubari

New Guwahati

15th April

10:00amDrawing Competition

03:00pmBihu Husori Competition

06.30 pmCultural evening featuring Barasharani BishayaChief Guest Ramen Goswami

16th April

10:00amSports Competition

01:00pmZeng Bihu Competition

04:00pmComedy Competition

06:30pmCultural evening inauguration by Megharanjani Medhi

17th April

10:00amFancy dress Competition

05:00pmPrize distribution

06.30 pmCultural evening inauguration by DGP Assam Police Khagen Sharma

18th April

10:00amFancy dress Competition

05:00pmPrize distribution

05.30 pmCultural evening inauguration by Kashmiri Saikia Baruah

15th April

9:00amSports activities for children and adults

06.00 pmCultural evening Release of Bahona by Anjanjyoti Choudury

08.30 pmDikhu

10:30 pmShayanika Bhuyan (Singer)

16th April

06.30 pmCultural evening featuring Babu, Beena Rajkumari and Rupak Talukdar accompanied by Bipul Kathar and Gayatri

12.00 amBehorbari Outpost featuring KK and Mohan

15th April

12:00 noonBihu Dance and Best Kuwari Contest

05:00pmCultural evening featuring Bihu Husori

08:00pmBest Bihu Dancer and Best Bihu Konwari Contest (final)

09:30pmTarulata Kutum

11:00pmBihu Husori by Dihing Husori Group, Digboi

11:20pmArohan BordoloiLater Behorbari Outpost featuring KK and Mohan

Chandmari16th April

12:00 noonZeng Bihu competition

06:00pmBihu Husori by Maligaon Bihu Sangha

08:45pmZeng Bihu Competition (final)

10:15pmBihu Husori by Sekerapar Bihu Husori Group, Shivsagar

10:45pmBornali KalitaLater Behorbari Outpost featuring KK and Mohan

17th April05:00pm

Prize Distribution

06:00pmBihu Husori by Swargadeu Shilpi Samaj

06:45pmGoalparia Lok Geet by Alka Pandey

07:30pmRhinos Band featuring Sangita Borthakur, Santa Ujir, Queen Das, Samar Hazarika, Anupan Rabha and Digen Mahanta

10:30pmZublee Baruah

01:00amClosing Ceremony

12th Kumarpara

14th Maligaon

15th Kharguli

16th Japorigog

16th Fatashil

17th ulubari

18th Pathsala

19th tihu

20th Mangaldoi

21st hengrabari

Zubeen

14th april Chandmari

15th april Bharalu

16th april Noonmati

17th april Geetanagar

19th april Fatasil ambari

papon

gigAlert

Guwahati Bihu Guide

THEYour ready reckoner for the events at the most popular Bihu tolis and of the artists

Special

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 13

14th April10:00am

Flag hoisting by Abdul MajidSwahid Tarpan by Rumi Kr. Das

11:00amSports activities

07:00pmCultural evening inauguration by Jayanta Das

09:00pmGargi Dutta (Singer)

Bharalumukh

15th April

11:00amBihu Husori Competition

01:00pmZeng Bihu Competition

07:00pmCultural evening

09:00pmPapon

16th April

11.00am to 5:00pmNaam Competition, Fancy dress Competition and Sports Activities

07:00pmCultural Evening

10:00pmBabu (Singer)

14th April

9:30amCultural Procession

10:00amFlag Hoisting by Satyabati Gogoi

10:30amSmriti Tarpan

11:15amGoru Bihu Inauguration

11:30amSports Activities and Competition

11:45amMukoli Bihu

5:30pmCultural Evening featuring Baby Queen

15th April

8:30amSports Competition

11:00amQuiz Competition

5:30pmCultural Evening featuring Bhrigu Kashyap Ridipta Sharma and Laughing Train

16th April

10:00amSports Activities and Competition

10:30am Fancy Dress Competition

11:00amDrawing Competition

4:30pmPrize Distribution

5:30pmCultural Evening featuring Joy Chakrabarty and Kailash Rabha

Khanapara14th April

9:00amCultural Procession

10:00amFlag Hoisting by Kandarpa Das

10:30amBihu Toli inauguration by chief minister Tarun Gogoi and chief guest Sarbananda Sonowal

11:00amMukoli Bihu

02:00pm

Dihanaam Competition

04:00pm

Cultural Evening featuring Dhulia Circus group from Rampur

05:00pm onwards

Deuri, Boro, Karbi and Nepali folk dance

07:00pm

Inauguration of cultural evening by George Becker

11:00pmSimanta Sekhar

Latasil15th April

8:00am onwardsSports activities for children and adults

2:00pmZeng Bihu Competition

7:00pmCultural Evening

9:00pmDrama ‘Lachit Borphukan’ by Prabin Phukan

11:00pmKrishnamoni Chutia

16th April

02:00pm onwardsSports activities

04:00pmBihu Konwari and Bihu Rani contest

06:00pmCultural Evening

09:00pmDeep Darshan (Moi Zubeen Hobo Bisaru)

10:00pm onwardsAmar Hazarika, Santa Uzir and Parbin Pori

14th April

9:00amCultural Procession

10:00amFlag Hoisting by Mahabir Patowary

10:30amJalpan Distribution

11:00amSports Activities and Competition

08:00pmCultural Evening inauguration by Jitu Tapan

Ganeshguri

15th April

10:00amSports Activities and Competition

7:00amCultural Evening

9:00pmBabu (Singer)

11:30pmBoron Bikash

LaterBihu Perfomances

16th April

10:00amSports Activities and Competition

7:00pmCultural Evening

9:00pmKrishnamoni Chutia

LaterAnupam Dutta

17th April

10:00amFancy Dress Competition

11:00amDrawing Competition

15:00pmPrize Distribution Ceremony

08:00pmKollol Borthakur

10:00pmAssam Bihu Husori Competition

17th April

06:00pmPrize distribution ceremony

08:00pmBihu Samragi

10:00pmBihu Konwari (final and prize distribution)

10:30pmManoj Kashyap

11th april District Library

14th april Latashil

15th april Chandrapur

16th april Gorchuk

18th april roha

25th april Jorhat

simanta sekhar

Special

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201514

ward watch

kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

The land near Motghoria ad-jacent to Mother Teresa Road has been a matter of dispute

between the NF Railway and the residents who have been residing in the area for over eighty years now. The dispute has been going on since the settlement of residents that are alleged to have illegally encroached upon the land. Though till date no settlement has been reached, the ball is being dodged to each other’s court and the same has been a continuous process.

Recently, an eviction drive was carried out in the proposed drain-age system, which had caused havoc among the residing population of the area. As alleged by the residents, no prior notice was served to them be-fore carrying out the eviction drive. However, they admitted that they were occupying part of the railway land without permission and also agreed to reach a settlement prior to the eviction drive.

Earlier, the Gauhati High Court had given the green signal to the railways to evict encroachers from railway land in the particular area, negating a stay order on the eviction, which some 50 families were occupy-ing illegally.

Apart from NF Railway, part of the land and the residents, adjacent to the Mother Teresa Road is in clash

with PWD and the matter has been in dispute in the High Court for the past several years.

“The land has been in dispute for the past 30 to 40 years and has not come to any kind of settlement ever since. Most of the residents are even paying tax to the GMC although they are claimed to be encroachers. The question is, if the land is encroached why is the government taking tax from us”, said Hrishikesh Deb, a resi-dent of the area.

“Most of the people residing here are not economically sound and sev-eral families earn their living from the shops set up by the road. Also a notable fact about the land is that the entire area including the Nar-engi hillock was a tea estate during the British rule and has only been claimed by the government after the construction of the main road. While several residents on one side of the road managed to get the documents of the land done and also acquired myadi patta, those settle on the other side of the road are still struggling,” Deb added.

Apart from the land dispute, the residents of Motghoria have ex-pressed concern over the lack of street lights on the road that remains busy with heavily loaded trucks and other vehicles for most part of the day. Though no untoward incident

has taken place as yet, but the women find it troubling to commute through the road in the afterhours.

“There are trucks that remain parked by the road for most part of the day and at night, several people take to alcohol consumption by the road itself as it remains dark after sunset, so for a woman it becomes difficult to pass by such areas. How-ever, no such mishap has taken place yet but the installation of street lights would prevent any kind of wrong do-ings or accidents since the road re-mains busy all day”, Deb asserted.

The Motghoria area that has a diverse population of all religion and ethnic background also suffer from the problem of drinking water as most of the families have to buy their share of drinking water on a daily basis.

“There are several areas in the area that suffer from the problem of drink-ing water apart from those houses that have tube well or well installed within their premises. Most residents have to buy drinking water”, said Biplab Ka-lita, a local resident.

“There are not many convenient ways of water supply in the area, apart from a few tube wells and wells that have been set up over the years for the use of public but those installations do not fulfill the requirement”, Kalita added.

councilor’s say

Talking to G Plus, councilor of Ward Number 24, Paresh Ka-lita said, “The allegedly encroached land has been in clash among PWD, NF Railway and the local residents for the past several years and is far from reaching any kind of settlement. Since the matter is in the High Court, so any kind of settlement will be decided by the court itself. The proposed drainage site has been evicted by the railways recently but the remaining land will remain untouched unless any settlement is reached. Meanwhile, in the evicted area, the construc-tion of an underground tunnel to flush out the city’s rainwater is be-ing affected as construction could not be carried out because of the encroachments.”

Agreeing that there is a prob-lem of drinking water, the coun-cilor said that it has been a problem for a several years. However, the pipelines for the water supply pro-

ConCentrated area MoTGhoriaCounCilor PareSh KaliTaPhone number 9435116854Sub-diviSion 24(b)area Sabha member DiPaK DaSPhone number 985073892ProblemSclaSh iN GoverNMeNT laND, DriNKiNG waTer

MOtghORiAreSiDeNtS BattLe For SurvivaL over LaND, BaSiC aMeNitieS

WarD NuMBer 24

ject have been installed throughout the area and the project will take another two years to be properly executed.

“For the residents in the basti area, several number of wells and tube wells were installed by MLA Akon Bora who also provided a fund of 2̀ lakh to carry out a water boring project in Gokulpur situat-ed in the area. Regarding the prob-lem of water supply, the refinery authority has also been approached to provide a helping hand in order to meet the problem of drinking water”, the councilor asserted, in-forming that a proposal for the in-stallation of street lights on Mother Teresa Road, starting from BG Tinali till Six mile via Pathorquary and VIP Road has been forwarded to the government. The project, which is awaiting sanction within a short period of time will have street lights installed throughout the main road over the area.

kalyan DeB

The land has been in dispute for the past 30 to 40 years and has not come to any kind of settlement ever since. Most of the residents are even paying tax to the GMC although they are claimed to be encroachers. The question is if the land is encroached why is the government taking tax from us

hrishikesh Deda resident of the area

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 15

city

adil’s hilarious act as an assamese

One of highly critical actors of the present time, Adil Hussain who was in the city recently had a chit

chat with G Plus. The ‘Life of Pi’ famed actor who plays the role of an Assamese in his next movie ‘Jai Ho Democracy’, a political satire, sounded excited before its release later this month.

He also shared his experience with the veterans of Hindi cinema like Om Puri and Annu Kapoor among others in his movie where another Assamese, Seema Biswas also played a role.

“It was a hilarious experience to be in the sets. As I’m playing an Assamese, I had to bring certain changes in the ac-cent. I had to speak Hindi in an Assa-mese accent. At times I would burst into laughter in the sets and everybody would start laughing,” Adil said.

The film directed by Ranjit Kapoor

and Bikramjeet Singh Bhullar features Om Puri, Annu Kapoor and Satish Kaushik among others.

“It was great to be surrounded by mas-ter actors. It’s all about the political system,” said Adil who plays Major Baruah. The film is about the murky world of India’s political class, where ministers and leaders procras-tinate over everything, even on something

as grave as border security. Seems Biswas plays the role of Mohini Devi in the film.

Adil, who recently completed his de-but movie in Tamil, ‘Yatchan’ said that the he is willing to learn Tamil besides Span-ish. Though he expressed his willingness to learn the language before acting in the movie, due to lack of time he could not ful-fill his dream.

“Finally it had to be dubbed. But I have to make sure that I understand what I say during the scene. I remembered the words and its meanings. I can’t fake emotions and I feel terrible if I pretend to do something that I don’t understand,” he said.

Adil plays a crucial role in the film directed by Vishnu Vardhan. “I’m quite familiar with the language. But I did not get any opportunity to learn it. May be in a short time I will try to learn Tamil and Spanish,” he said.

aDitya GoGoi

adda film festival invites mobile films

The Adda Short Film Festival, or-ganized by a group of city youths, in its 11th year has introduced

films made by mobile cameras – ‘Shoot in Cell’ to attract the youths towards cinema.

“Our goal was to take good movies to the reach of the common people. Besides, to encourage the young filmmakers is also our agenda. Due to lack of sufficient equipment, some interested youths may not be able to make films. Here we want to give a platform to them.” said Amardeep Gogoi, one of the founding members of the group in the city.

This year the festival will be con-ducted in a three-day event for the first time on November 13, 14 and 15 this year. Besides, selected short films and docu-mentaries will also be screened during the festival.

“We are glad that we have been able to continue our process. When we started, the scenario was not that encouraging but

today at least 10 such festivals are organized across the city. And many new filmmakers have come up with their creations,” Gogoi said.

The organizers have also invited the film-makers to submit their films for the festival.

The national award winning filmmaker Suraj Kumar Duwarah and producer of the film Rajiv Kalita were felicitated this week. Their Rabha language film ‘Orong…stran-

gers in the mist’ won best film award in the recently declared national award.

Duwarah, who is also a member of the group since its day of inception said that his association with Adda has helped him to emerge as a better filmmaker.

“Adda has created an environment for the filmmakers to work and create new ideas. The entire crew of our film is associated with Adda and it’s a great feeling for us,” he said.

It was a hilarious experience to be in the sets. As I’m playing an Assamese, I had to bring certain changes in the accent. I had to speak Hindi in an Assamese accent. At times I would burst into laughter in the sets and everybody would start laughing

hrishikesh Deda resident of the area

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201516

health

food safety andthe world health day

new threats to

New threats to food safety are constantly emerging. Changes in food production, distri-

bution and consumption (i.e., inten-sive agriculture, globalisation of food trade, mass catering and street food), changes to the environment, new and emerging bacteria and toxins, anti-microbial resistance—all increase the risk of food becoming contaminated. Increase in travel and trade enhance the likelihood that contamination can spread. New data on the harm caused by food-borne illnesses underscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods, and the need for coordinated, cross-border action across the entire food supply chain, according to WHO. World Health Day was celebrated on 7 April, with WHO highlighting the challenges and opportunities associ-ated with food safety under the slogan “From farm to plate, make food safe.”

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the an-niversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year, a theme is selected that highlights a priority area of public health. The day provides an opportu-nity for individuals in every commu-nity to get involved in activities that can lead to better health. Every year, the World Health Organisation selects a priority area of global public health concern as the theme for World Health Day, which falls on 7 April, the birth-day of the organisation.

The theme for World Health Day 2015 is Food Safety, a theme of high relevance to all people on the planet, and multiple stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, and intergovernmental agen-cies. The purpose of the day is to raise

awareness of the importance of food safety. The World Health Organisa-tion’s ‘Five keys to safer food’ are - keep clean, separate raw and cooked food, cook food thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures and use safe water and raw materials. It is very impor-tant that we know how important food safety is. Did you know that food that contains harmful bacteria, viruses (the first Ebola cases were linked to con-taminated bush meat), parasites and chemical substances is responsible for over 200 diseases, from diarrhoea to cancers. So, we all need to be aware of the threats to food safety, the diseases they can cause and how to protect our-selves. Therefore, World Health Day this year will focus on these points. World Health Day gives all of us a worldwide opportunity to focus on key public health issues that affect the in-ternational community.

Safe food underpins but is distinct from food security. Food safety is an area of public health action to pro-tect consumers from the risks of food poisoning and food-borne diseases, acute or chronic. Food safety is thus a prerequisite for food security. The World Health Organisation helps and encourages countries to prevent, de-tect and respond to food-borne disease outbreaks—in line with the Codex Ali-mentarius, a collection of international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice covering all the main foods. New data on the harm caused by food-borne illnesses underscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods, and the need for coordinated, cross-border action across the entire food supply chain. World Health Day will high-light the challenges and opportunities

associated with food safety under the slogan “From farm to plate, make food safe.

Food production has been indus-trialised and its trade and distribution have been globalised. These changes introduce multiple new opportunities for food to become contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals. A local food safety problem can rapidly become an international emergency. Investigation of an out-break of food-borne disease is vastly more complicated when a single plate or package of food contains ingredi-ents from multiple countries. Exam-ples of unsafe food include under-cooked foods of animal origin, fruits and vegetables contaminated with faeces, and shellfish containing marine bio-toxins.

WHO issued an analysis of the global burden of food-borne diseases. The full results of this research, being undertaken by WHO’s Food-borne Disease Burden Epidemiology Refer-ence Group (FERG), are expected to be released in October 2015. Some important results are related to enteric infections caused by viruses, bacteria and protozoa that enter the body by ingestion of contaminated food. The

initial FERG figures, from 2010, show that there were an estimated 582 mil-lion cases of 22 different food-borne enteric diseases and 351,000 associ-ated deaths; the enteric disease agents responsible for most deaths were Sal-monella Typhi (52,000 deaths), en-teropathogenic E. coli (37,000) and norovirus (35,000). The African region recorded the highest disease burden for enteric food-borne disease, fol-lowed by South-East Asia. Over 40 per cent people suffering from enteric diseases caused by contaminated food were children aged under 5 years. Un-safe food also poses major economic risks, especially in a globalised world. Germany’s 2011 E.coli outbreak re-portedly caused US$ 1.3 billion in losses for farmers and industries and US$ 236 million in emergency aid pay-ments to 22 European Union member states.

Efforts to prevent such emergen-cies can be strengthened, however, through development of robust food safety systems that drive collective government and public action to safe-guard against chemical or microbial contamination of food. Global and na-tional level measures can be taken, in-cluding using international platforms,

like the joint WHO-FAO International Food Safety Authorities Network (IN-FOSAN), to ensure effective and rapid communication during food safety emergencies.

At the consumer end of the food supply chain, the public plays impor-tant roles in promoting food safety, from practicing safe food hygiene and learning how to take care when cook-ing specific foods that may be hazard-ous (like raw chicken), to reading the labels when buying and preparing food. The WHO Five Keys to Safer Food explain the basic principles that each individual should know all over the world to prevent food-borne dis-eases. It often takes a crisis for the col-lective consciousness on food safety to be stirred and any serious response to be taken. The impacts on public health and economies can be great. A sustain-able response, therefore, is needed that ensures standards; checks and net-works are in place to protect against food safety risks.

Recognising that food safety is a cross-cutting issue and shared respon-sibility, the World Health Organisation welcomes the participation of non-public health sectors (i.e., agriculture, trade and commerce, environment, standardisation) in this campaign and seeks support of major international and regional agencies and organisa-tions active in the fields of food, emer-gency aid, and education.

World Health Day 2015 is an op-portunity for all of us to alert govern-ments, manufacturers, retailers and the public to the importance of food safety—and the part each can play in ensuring that the food on peoples’ plates is safe to eat.

Dr. Bikash rai Das,Consultant Heart Surgeon, GNRC Hospital

school students get health tiPs from nh exPerts

Narayana Super specialty hos-pital in Guwahati initiated a school reach-out programme

to mark the occasion of World Health Day. Over 200 students and teachers across city schools attended the semi-nar, which drew attention to the sub-ject of food safety, healthy eating and basic hygiene.

The objective of the programme was to sensitize students and teachers on the impact of food borne diseases on human health and the golden keys to food safety. The interactive ses-sions were conducted by the hospital’s clinical nutritionist, Shabista Nasreen. Apart from an hour long interactive session with the students, food safety quizzes were also conducted to rein-force learning. The excitement in the air was palpable as the students in-tently listened to the talk and enthusi-

astically participated in the quiz. “Individuals can play an important

role in promoting food safety from practicing safe food hygiene, learning how to take care when cooking certain specific foods items, to reading the labels when buying packed or frozen food,” said Redt. Wg. Cdr. Ghosh, Fa-cility Director, Narayana Superspeci-ality Hospital, Guwahati. He further added, “Most foods borne disease are preventable with proper food han-dling.”

The seminar assumes significance at a time when increased instances of food related illness are emerging across the globe with an estimated two million deaths occurring worldwide every year. The seminar reached out to young adults and teachers across select city schools and distributed education materials on food safety and healthy eating habits.

Shabista Nasreen , dietician at Narayana Super speciality hospital addressing school students in Guwahati at a program on food safety, healthy eating and basic hygiene.

Food production has been industrialised and its trade and distribution have been globalised. These changes introduce multiple new opportunities for food to become contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals. A local food safety problem can rapidly become an international emergency.

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 17

agsu mukoli bihuon schedule

Juthika Baruah

In keeping with its annual tradi-tion, the All Guwahati Students’ Union (AGSU) will organise the

Mukoli Bihu on 14th April on the day of Goru Bihu at Judges’ Field to welcome the Rongali Bihu with dif-ferent performances like Bihu and other ethnic dance forms.

The Students’ Union will also felicitate 16 National Award winners of the state- Ukhrao Gaura Brahma, Koushala Brahma, Anurag Saikia, Padma Bhushan Jahnu Baruah, Padma Shri Lakhinandan Bora and Jadav Molai Payang, Monica Devi, Santi Basumatary, Kaushik Baruah, Bipul Deuri, Hemanta Kumar Das, Manabendra Adhikari, Suruj Kumar Deorah, Rana Kalita, Bhabananda Borbayan.

There will be two dance per-formances of Bihu and other eth-nic dance form and there will also be programmes like Zeng Bihu, Bihu Husori etc. Mukoli Bihu is well-known and it is performed by a group of young unmarried men and women. The women folk wear

the traditional golden silk muga. The group sings and dances Bihu. Jeng Bihu, on the other hand, is performed and watched only by the women folk. The song includes Bihu numbers sung by the performers.

Bihu is the reflection of Assa-mese society and culture. It makes

Deuri Bihu Dance where 110 girls participated, among which were 25 girls from Snehalaya who were given a chance to learn Bihu dance free of cost.

Bihu dance Guru Jina Rajkumari said that although a ten day work-shop is not enough to learn Bihu dance but at least they were given an idea of the dance so that they could be made aware of the traditional dances of the state.

“Along with the Bihu dance, I also keep other ethnic dances so that they could learn about all the dances which could help them in the future. We try to keep the tradition alive, el-ements of which is vanishing day by day. There are also some people who want to learn the traditional dances but don’t get the scope as city dwell-ers often have a busy schedule and such workshops are important to give them a gateway to escape their mechanical lifestyles. The parents also show interest in bringing their children to learn the dances so that they can perform t appropriate plat-forms,” said Jina Rajkumari.

the innovativeness of nature during the spring season visible. Mukoli Bihu is organised to initiate Ron-gali Bihu which is held in an open platform and artistes from different fields perform during the Bihu high-lighting the different traditions and culture of the state.

On the other hand, workshops on Bihu dance are being organised by different people and groups to spread awareness about the tradi-tional dance of Assam and to keep alive the tradition. The Bor Luit Kala Kristi Bikash Kendra has also organ-ised a ten day workshop on Bihu and juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

Special

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201518

markets flooded with latest fashion to welcome

rongali bihuJuthika Baruah

With Rongali Bihu around the corner, markets of the city are flooded with peo-

ple shopping to their hearts’ content and business establishments falling over each others trying to woo maxi-mum footfall ahead of the festive sea-son.

The Assamese community tra-ditionally exchange Gamocha, also called Bihuwaan to the near and dear ones as a mark of respect and love and the people put on new clothes on the first day of the Assamese New Year during Rongali Bihu. Therefore, peo-ple thronged to buy their traditional wears like mekhala-chadar, gamocha and other stuff on the occasion of Bihu. From shopping malls to small shops to Fancy Bazaar, places are crowded with people from all age group.

On the occasion of Bihu, all the brands of shoes and apparels have offered discount on their products making it convenient for all classes of people to buy their choices of prod-ucts. “We are getting a wide range of customer as Bihu is near and people from all age group, whether young or old, rush to the market to buy new clothes for each day of Bihu. Till date, the response from customers is good and since there are still 4-5 days left

for Bihu, we hope the flow of custom-ers will increase,” said Bhabesh Deka, a shopkeeper.

Another shopkeeper, Rantu Das said that this is the season of both Bihu and marriage and therefore, the customers throng to buy all types of clothes like salwars, mekhala-chadars and other traditional wears. “During Bihu, women mostly prefer sarees and mekhala-chadars to wear in the festive season and as it is also the sea-son of marriage, the sale of mekhala-chadars is also high. When it comes to mekhala-chadar, the demand of buwa(woven) mekhala-chadar is high which is easy to wear other than the Paat or Muga mekhala-chadar,” said Das.

Rupali Dutta, a customer, said that she had come to shop for the entire family and she had bought Gamochas as Bihuwaan to the family members which is a tradition. “Along with the gamocha, I will have to buy clothes for my children as well as for myself as everyone wants to wear new clothes while going out to attend Bihu functions and the children want new clothes for each of the four days,” said Dutta.

On the other hand, Bohagi Melas are also being organised where the

the melas and exhibition as the me-khala-chadar found there are unique which is not available in the market and today’s youth demand unique pieces of clothes, be it mekhala-chadar or sarees or salwars.

P. Hira, one of the participants said that the price of hand woven Gamocha starts from Rs. 130 to Rs. 220. According to him, mostly el-der women come to buy traditional clothes for their family members as gift during Bihu. The demands of peo-ple differ from every age group and ac-cordingly they keep stock of clothes of every design.

Leena Rajkumari Baruah of Siro Seuj Kala Kristi who have organised Bohagi Mela at Dighalipukhuri said that the main objective of the mela is to show the tradition of Assamese cul-ture to the young generation as well as to provide a platform to the local weavers who have struggled hard to keep intact the traditional products of the state.

Other than the traditional items like mekhala-chadar, jewellery and gamocha, markets are also flooded with different products like shirts, t-shirts, shoes, pants for the men.

necessary items of Bihu like Dhol, Pepa, Gogona, Pitha, laru and other items are on display for any potential customers. The dhols ranges from Rs. 500-5000 while bahi (flute), mohor singor pepa, which are not otherwise easily found in the city, are being displayed at the mela at a reasonable price so that the city people could also enjoy these traditional instruments during the Bihu.

“The mela has been organised to celebrate pre-Rongali Bihu with the traditional items from clothes to food.

Although people generally don’t pre-pare laru-pithas during Rongali Bihu, there is a group of people who want laru-pitha during this Bihu as well. To satisfy all these varied demands, we have put stalls of laru-pitha, doi-sira, gur (jaggery) etc. without which Bihu is otherwise incomplete,” said Labanya Das, General Secretary of Anindita Mahila Samaj, Silpukhuri.

Das said that they organised both Rongali and Bhogali Bihu to empha-size on the significance of Bihu. Wom-en, especially the young girls preferred juthika.baruah@g-plus.in

Special

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 19

rahul ChanDa

kalyan DeB

kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

rahul.chanda@g-plus.in

mrinmoyee hazarika

mrinmoyee.hazarika@g-plus.in

kalyan.deb@g-plus.in

life

tinat atifa masooDhis holiness

sri sri ravi shankar Ji

read like a worm

With e-books galore, today children have actually forgotten to smell books

and read them from start to end.I remember as a kid, my Mom

would tell me that if I kept read-ing books at the pace that I did, it wouldn’t be too long before I had to take glasses. And, when I actu-ally had to, I was glad that the doc told us that my being myopic had more to do with my genes than be-ing a book worm. So, I got back to my reading with even greater force than before. Now, I wish I had kept a record of all the books that I had read since I was a kid. Must be over 2000 till date! Maybe more, but nothing less!

I pity some of the kids today as they will never know the romance of a book, falling in love with it and retaining that love for life.

My affair with books has been a long, serious and faithful one; defi-nitely one affair I am not easily to fall out off, since it started when I was just a little girl.

But Mom was not always ad-verse towards my reading habit. Since, I loved books so much, she would make it a point to take me every Sunday to the Shillong Dis-trict Library. And both of us would read books for hours. Mom would read books of her interest and I would read mine. At the end of a two and half hour session of read-ing, we would again pick up two books each, to be returned in a fort-night.

All throughout the bus-ride back home, I would be thinking of when to start reading the books.

But Mom had other plans though. She would make me study first for the next day of school and then only was I allowed to touch the books.

These days, children have so many diversions; the television, PSP games, bowling, the movies or just ‘chillin around with friends over coffee’. Not that these diversions only have their negative impacts but the most important diversion, that of, reading has gone sadly missing.

I remember, I used to have the new Enid Blyton series all stacked up for the winter holidays, all bor-rowed from my cousin, an avid reader herself. And during the holi-days, the first thing on waking, even before I had brushed my teeth, was to start reading. It would probably take me half a day to finish one book.

What I am today has a lot of contribution to the books I had read as a little girl. The Famous Five, The Secret Sevens, The Naughty Girl, Brer Rabbit, all amazing series that I enjoyed reading and could possibly read again.

I had read Shakespeare in school and my favourite story was ‘Merchant of Venice.” I have started reading Shakespeare again just to enthuse myself with the dramatics.

Like I always say, ‘Reading ma-keth a man”, so we must encour-age every child to read books of all genres, which will enhance their creative minds and get them to start

thinking.Even comics can be a very

healthy diversion. I remember reading ‘Phantom’, the entire series in comic books and also in the local newspaper, “The Assam Tribune”, which used the bottom left-hand corner of the second page for the comic strip, to be continued the next day. My excitement gathered momentum the minute I held the newspaper to open to the second page and find out about the life of Phantom, his wife, Diana and their children, Kit and Heloise. I remember reading Mandrake, the magician and Lothar, his friend fighting the bad men, all in comic books. The Superman series caught my fancy much later. But more than anything, I was desperately in love with Tintin and Captain Haddock. Even though I couldn’t afford the expensive comic books, however, I was lucky to have cousins who kept the entire series bound together for easy reading. And I would borrow them and keep them for days, more so because I wanted to read them several times over, which I actually did.

I never really appreciated his-tory classes because they were mostly about dates and years of occurrences I could hardly recol-lect, even after pondering endlessly on techniques to remember them. These comics were my friends when I was pathetically lonely. I was fas-cinated by “Jhansi ki Rani” beyond my dreams and I started to visualise of being like her; a brave dare-devil, yet feminine.

The pictorial narrative of the two epics, Ramayana and Mahab-harata, are still vivid in my mind as I had probably gone over these stories in comics well over 50 times. I would read them once and then start all over again as if I had just started reading them.

It is very important that a child should start its affair with books as early as possible. Books can be a great alternative (if not always) to toys, which a child outgrows faster than clothes. A child can be moulded to love different kinds of books as early as 21/2 to 3 years. It is during these formative years that a child starts soaking in every bit of

information from care-givers and peer groups. And we can dream of a bright future for our children if we seek to pass on interesting and correct information. Accord-ing to some studies, the child starts learning from the mother’s womb. I couldn’t understand when my mother suggested to my aunt, then a mother-to-be, to read interest-ing books to make her child more intelligent. It may be purely coin-cidental that now my cousin works in a multi-national IT company of international repute. So, should we connect it to the fact that my aunt used to teach Science and Maths in school? Maybe yes and no! This could be something we would like to believe but I personally feel that there could be no side-effects in ex-pecting mothers to read good books during the nine months of her preg-nancy. I for one read and wrote a lot, while I was expecting my child. I had the opportunity to rewrite the diary of the Fifth President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, which he wrote when he was in jail. Since, I stayed home most of the time; I decided to read a bunch of books. I went onto complete five of them, which I feel is quite a feat, which wouldn’t have been possible under regular circumstances.

I think it is very wise to carry reading material wherever we go. At the slightest opportunity, we can just flip it open and start reading. For example, while waiting at the dentist’s, instead of looking at the clock and the peeling paint on the walls and flipping through the oh-so-worn-out-magazines-from-2013 and also while travelling by bus or waiting at a queue, the book can transport us to a different world al-together.

And perchance, we are not carrying a book, then a notebook can be a good space to jot down important ideas that might cross the mind. These points can later be arranged in a meaningful pattern of writing and that can be another source of interest altogether.

The Ganesh festival, People often ask, ‘Why do they first worship the idol of Lord Gane-

sha and then immerse it in water?’ You know, there was a brilliant idea the  Rishis  (wise sages) had behind keeping this custom. They said that pooja simply means that  whatever God does for us, we do the same for Him as a token of love and gratitude. It is like a way to play with the divine, just the way the divine plays with us. So this divine play is called  pooja. This is why we ‘play’ with the idol of Lord Ganesha (by offering wor-ship) and after some time, the clay idol is immersed in the water. This entire process is a way of express-ing to the divine, ‘O Lord! You who are present as the very soul dwell-ing within me, I pray to you to just manifest in the form of this idol for some time so that I may play with you, just as you lovingly play with me. I wish to celebrate with you’. After the worship is over, we ask the divine to return once again deep within our hearts. And we then im-merse the idol in water.

Today there is a need for spir-itual education. Spiritual education is that which connects everybody together. There have been so many saints in time, and they have all had the same opinion – that everything is one.

You will be surprised if you listen to the description that Shri Adi Shankaracharya Ji has given about Lord Ganesha. He sings, ‘Ajam nirvikalpam nirakaram ekam’. It means, Lord Ganesha is  Nira-kara  (without form). So here Adi Shankaracharya Ji says, ‘O Lord Ganesha! You are the eternal, form-less divinity manifest everywhere’. You will find the same description about the divine in the beginning verses of the Holy Quran. The un-fortunate part is that we know so little about our own religion and scriptures.

No religion in the world preaches that you should hurt or in-jure another being. Then why is all this happening today? It is because religious education has not been imparted in a proper way to every-one. Today there is a need for spir-itual education. Spiritual education is that which connects everybody together. There have been so many saints in time, and they have all had the same opinion – that everything is one.

So the leaders in Iraq asked three things from us. The first thing they wanted is In-dian Spirituality, because they see it as a very unique way of con-necting and bringing everyone together in love and harmony. The second thing that they asked for was help in the field of education. They said that the youth studying in the IIT’s in India are very intel-ligent and sharp. Please help our youth also get such good technical

all religionsare one

education by getting trained in IIT. The third thing that they said was that they would want Indian teams to come to Iraq and extract oil from their oil wells. A lot of westerners are already doing this since a long time, but now we would want Indians to also come and benefit from the oil resources of our country.

I tell you, if all the countries make even 0.1% of the expenditure that they make in the field of defense towards spreading peace and harmony, the en-tire world can change. No one prefers hatred. But many times unknowingly it happens, or it happens due to fear and insecurity of others.

If we want World peace today, we have to start with ourselves first. Once you behold the divine light within you, I tell you, you will not find anyone a stranger. You will feel as if everyone belongs to you.

There is one thing I would want to share with you all. Before com-ing here today, the only other Islamic university where I have given a talk at, is at the University in Lahore, Pa-kistan, in 2012. Thousands of youth had gathered there that day. I remem-ber that they had made preparations for that event with such enthusiasm. There also I was asked why we wor-ship so many different Gods and God-desses in India. I gave them a simple example to explain this. See, from the same wheat flour, you make Hal-wa (an Indian sweet preparation), Pu-uris (a fried Indian flatbread) and Sa-mosa  (an Indian savoury snack). Is it not so? Similarly you use the same dough to make Pizza also, and for noodles also. Why do we do this? It is because we like a variety of foods. In the same way, we in India al-ways believe that God is one. But we dress the one divinity in different costumes! (Laughter) So we dress the divine in different attire and give every form a different name. There are 1008 different names of the divine in Hinduism, and they have attached a form to every name. This is what it is. The audience there appreciated this understanding. Some people said, ‘Gurudev, you have explained it so nicely. Until now could not under-stand why Indians worship so many Gods and Goddesses when God is one’. So if we want World peace today, we have to start with ourselves first. Once you behold the divine light within you, I tell you, you will not find anyone a stranger. You will feel as if everyone belongs to you. Every person in the world belongs to us. But this realization can dawn once we become aware of our own light within that no one can extinguish. The aim of pranayama and meditation is only this, to make you aware and re-alize the divine light within. 

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201520

reviews

cast: Sunny Leone, Jay Bhanushali, Mohit Alawat, Rajniesh Duggal, Rahul DevDirector: Bobby Khan

The SimS 4

The Sims as a dollhouse, a role that The Sims 4 fulfills with some aplomb. If you

want to build but prefer not to mi-cromanage the details, the game comes with various prearranged rooms that you can fit together like Tetris pieces, but if you’re devoted to the arts of architecture and in-terior design, you have the series most streamlined set of buying and building tools yet. Buy and Build modes share the same interface, making it simple to mix creation and decoration rather than forc-ing you to approach each activity as an opposing side of the same simolean. Stretching and dragging walls into properly modular rec-tangles? It’s as easy as knowing how to use a mouse and keyboard. Not sure what category a chess set falls under? Just type a keyword into the search field and select the best match. Given the conflation of two modes into one, and the amount of categories to sift through, The Sims 4 does a creditable job of leading

you right to the objects and tools you’re seeking.

In short, The Sims 4’s biggest problem is that The Sims 3 exists, and describing where it stumbles by necessity means looking at where the series has been. This is a lovely and lively game that elicits constant smirks, but The Sims 4’s moments never feel like part of a bigger picture. Spontaneity is lim-ited in turn, which brings me back to that gargantuan telescope now sitting in front of the library. Gaz-ing at the stars means enduring a loading screen, and while I appre-ciate the top-level commands that I can issue to family members play-ing in other lots, simultaneously spending time with other sims means enduring even more load-ing screens, or forcing my family to travel together. I love looking at and listening to The Sims 4, but those little digital people aren’t so enchanting as to keep me hooked--not when a decked-out version of The Sims 3 is far more inviting.

Perhaps the pairing of Cassandra Wilson and Billie Holiday carries a whiff of inevitability, but there’s

nothing predictable about Coming Forth by Day. Released to coincide with Holi-day’s centennial in 2015, Coming Forth by Day explicitly celebrates Lady Day by drawing upon standards she sang in addi-tion to songs she wrote, but Wilson delib-erately sidesteps the conventional by hir-ing Nick Launay as a producer. As a result of his work with Nick Cave, Launay mas-tered a certain brand of spooky America-na, something that comes in handy with the Holiday catalog, but Coming Forth by Day is never too thick with murk. It luxuriates in its atmosphere, sometimes sliding into a groove suggesting smooth ‘70s soul, often handsomely evoking a cinematic torch song -- moods that com-plement each other and suggest Holiday’s work without replicating it. This is a neat trick: such flexibility suggests how adapt-able Holiday’s songbook is while under-scoring the imagination behind Wilson’s interpretations. Certainly, Launay de-serves credit for his painterly production, but the success of Coming Forth by Day belongs entirely to Wilson, who proves that she’s an heir to Holiday’s throne by never once imitating her idol.

GaMereview

youShoulDreaD

Ek Paheli Leela is a musical-romantic film that revolves around

the reincarnation story of a London-based Indian model named Meera, who lands up in Rajasthan to attend a photo-shoot. She falls in love with Prince Ranveer and marries him. But her life takes an interesting twist, when she meets her lover of her previous birth. How the mystery unfolds, forms the crux of the film.

It will leave you wrack-ing your brains because the makers, banking on basic in-stinct, have brazenly decided that they don’t need any in-telligence in order to craft a film. The painfully point-less Ek Paheli Leela is a full-blown cinematic conundrum whose depth is inversely pro-portional to the generous de-colletage that is on show.

Yup, the Hindi film her-oine has come of age. How much so, is apparent when we

see Sunny Leone, the brunt of so many giggly jokes just two years, take centre-stage in this surprisingly engag-ing and yummy yarn about a sexy British-Indian model who in her previous life was a sexy Rajasthani ‘chokri’ whom the local sculptor lust-ed after.

Movie buffs, who watched the first show of “Ek Paheli Leela” have said that the movie has a good script and wonderful direc-tion. Sunny Leone, who has played the title role, has a lot of scope for performance, but her acting is not up to the mark and she needs to brush up her acting skills.

But, before you think of spending the beautiful hours of yours give it a thought: Can luscious Ms Leone, daz-zling in her double avatar, re-ally act? But does Sunny Le-one’s ‘Ek Paheli Leela’ have more to it than just Sunny Leone?

Tara: “I’m not interested in get-ting involved with a nice guy. No more serious relationships! I

just want to enjoy. This time it’s going to be my rules, my way.”

Sneha: “Who cares whether he is a nice guy or a bad guy. As long as he is a guy, you need to enjoy him and move on. At least, that’s what I do.”

Dheeraj: “This can just be our way to fulfil our dark temptations. Is that what you wanted to hear? So you just

take care of the time we plan to share, and leave the rest to a rich rascal like me.”

Abhimanyu: “Let’s enjoy every mo-ment.” A wild night of pleasure and passion brings up The Naughty Pro-posal! that takes them on a bumpy ride from one bed to another. A proposal which involves sinful delight, amorous games and unbridled passion, where pleasure is the ultimate prize. Or is the prize something else?”

Moviereview

album: Coming Forth by Dayartist: Cassandra Wilson

you

ShoulD

liSTeN

book: dark temptations: the naughty Proposal!author: Shanaya taneja

Ek Paheli Leela Dharam Sankat Mein Fast and Furious 7 Detective Btomkesh Bakshi

Apsara Cinema Daily at 11.00 AM, 5.00 & 8.00 PM Daily at 2.00 PM

Anuradha Cineplex Daily at 10.00 AM Daily at 12.45 PM Daily at 3.15, 6.00 & 8.45 PM

Fun Cinemas Daily at 8.45 PM Daily at 5.50 PM Daily at 9.45 AM & 3.10 PM Daily at 12.15 PM

Gold Cinema(Fancy Bazar) Daily at 12.30, 5.45 & 8.45 PM Daily at 10.15 AM, 3.15 & 8.30 PM Daily at 10.30 AM, 3.45 & 6.15 PM Daily at 1.00 PM

Gold Cinema(Paltan Bazaar) Daily at 10.30 AM, 5.45 & 8.45 PM Daily at 10.15 AM, 3.15 & 8.30 PM Dailt at 1.15, 3.45 & 6.15 PM Daily at 12.30 PM

Gold Cinema(Narengi) Daily at 11.00 AM & 8.00 PM Dailt at 2.00 PM Daily at 5.00 PM

Telebooking numbers: Anuradha Cineplex; 03612656968, 9954544738, Fun Cinemas: 9864800100, 9864800200, Gold Cinema (Fancy Bazaar): 03612735367, 9854077177, Gold Cinema (Paltan Bazaar): 9854066166, Gold Cinema (Narengi): 8811001898

noW ShoWinG

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 21

entertainment

Poonam searching for her man

Actress Poonam Pandey, who made her acting de-but with bold film “Nasha”,

is now hunting for the leading actor for her next film “Helen” -- through a social networking web site.

“The producers and the direc-tor auditioned over 1,000 actors and models but felt that the ap-plicant did not have the X factor to star opposite me,” said Poonam.

The film producer says Poon-

am came up with this “maginifi-cent idea” of online hunt.

“She suggested that we look for her hero from the very microblogging site of Twit-ter that made her a superstar. We latched on to the idea, and Voila,” said Suresh Nakum.

“Helen” will be directed by Ajit Rajpal and is produced by Sureh Nakum and Vipin Med-hekar under the banner of The World Networks.

Swara gets special gift from her mother on birthday

Swara Bhaskar turns a year older to-day, but she is not

in party hearty mode. The actress will have a working birthday as she is shooting for her films ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ as well as ‘Nil Baatey Sannata’.

Swara’s mother, however, is flying down to Mumbai from home-town Delhi to be with her daughter. For Swara, there is no better gift than having her mom around for her birthday.

ranveer’s character inDil Dhadakne Do

Ranveer Singh is playing an urban character in Dil Dhadakne Do. This is the first time he will be playing such a character.

In the past he has played a small town or vil-lage boy in his films, but never an urban character. In Dil Dhadakne Do Ranveer belongs to an upper class Punjabi family that is on a cruise trip across the Mediterranean.

His character has a casual and comfortable, yet classy look that is being loved by people.

imran Khan tattoos

daughter’s footprints on

his chest

Imran Khan who has been inked twice before , on his neck and arm,

recently go a third tattoo, on his chest.

The design this time is a unique one as it features footprints of his 10-month-old daughter, Imara.

The actor got inked during a family holiday in Goa in January, by a tattoo artiste who has designed one of his previous tattoos as well.

Imran wanted to get something special, yet unu-sual done as soon as Imara was born., but he did not have a particular design in mind.

Imran’s mother had his footprints etched on a piece of paper, which she has treasured all these years.

That’s where the idea originated and Imran eventually decided to get it done.

When contacted, Im-ran confirmed the story and added, “Imara is my firstborn, and I wanted a tattoo that I would cherish forever.”

Dumb and Dumberis Soha the ‘New alia’?

Well, its time you peeps take a time out from Alia Jokes,

as there is a new ‘Beauty’ in town, Soha Ali Khan.

As the newly wed couple was at an event, the launch of a TV brand in Mumbai. They had a round of questions with the media. Apparently when Soha was asked to express her views on Shashi Kapoor win-ning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, she replied, `I am a big fan of Rishiji (Rishi Kapoor) and he has just came on Twit-ter. I am also following him

and am proud that he won the award.`

Soha had totally mistaken the identity of Shashi Kapoor with Rishi Kapoor. Boo! We wonder what Alia might be thinking, how dumb Soha is, as even Alia would be know-ing the differences between the two megastars.

However, Ranvijay who was also present at the launch corrected Soha, to which Soha blushed and apologised.

Say what may! We believe Alia would be so relieved, that now she has company.

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201522

Fun

SUDOKU

Solution(Last Issue)

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF TIMEPASS HoRosCoPe

Mind power rules this week, as does developing an insatiable curiosity. You’ll go far if you read everything you can find and become inspired. Read moti-vational books if it will help you take action and do what you have to do. The information you pick up could be crucial in helping you get a better job, persuading your love interest out on a date, or explaining why you deserve a pay raise. Creativity and romance rock, too (if you’re ready and willing).

Mental activity could keep you awake at night. Your subconscious mind seems to be very active at this time, too, so by tapping it you may be able to put its helpful attributes to good use. Consider journaling every day and your creative ideas could leap off the page, helping you resolve problems and gain a new perspective on life. Watch your dreams, too, as they can prove helpful. Later, your ability to get the best bargains comes to the fore.

It’s well worth socializing this week as it could significantly change your life. Whatever issues or challenges you face, someone you meet is bound to have an answer - or at least some advice. Even so, it doesn’t mean you have to discuss your innermost secrets. Carefully choose the people in whom you confide. Venus dances into your sign this weekend, making you an attractive option. If romance is on your mind, this could be one of the better times to start dating.

This week is all about action related to your goals and ambitions. The cosmos may have some amazing surprises for you in the form of encourag-ing events or people you meet. If you have been procrastinating concerning an important career plan, this is the time to get busy. However, you will also benefit from befriending likeminded people who might be able to offer you support. In addition, Mars and Venus in Taurus can bring a sensuous quality to your love life.

A new influence kicks in, motivating you to start on all those plans and ideas you’ve been thinking about. Traveling, whether for pleasure or business, is strongly indicated, too. You’ll benefit more by taking the road less traveled. If you’re going on vacation, opt for places off the beaten track. They can open you to new life experiences. If you’re thinking of taking a course, look for one with a different take on a familiar subject. Dedicated action can bring career progress.

Allow your intuitive awareness to guide you through the maze of money mat-ters this week. If you’ve despaired of ever getting your finances sorted out, the current alignment encourages you to renew your efforts. In this instance knowledge is power. The more you know, the more access you’ll have to facts that can banish fears associated with not having enough money. However, you also need to do something. Charm can pave the way to a golden op-portunity where career matters are concerned.

What do you do if other people seem to question your motives? Perhaps you feel that a love interest, partner, or other people around you are being too inquisitive, and you don’t like it! This week you’ll need to flex your muscles and give as good as you get. If somebody seems to be trampling on your boundaries, let them know you won’t tolerate it. The confidence you gain as a result should stand you in good stead in other areas of life.

Your love life is getting much more interesting. If you’re in a long-term part-nership, taking on a challenge together could be good for you both, especially if you increase your joint income as a result. Looking for love? Opt for a more proactive approach to finding the person of your dreams. This doesn’t just apply to socializing. You’ll also benefit from adopting a positive lifestyle with plenty of exercise. If you feel good in yourself, others are likely to respond to this.

Aries

Leo

Sagittarius

Taurus

Virgo

Capricorn

Gemini

Libra

Aquarius

Cancer

Scorpio

Pisces

JUSTFORLAUGHS

You’ll enjoy pitting your wits against others in a competitive sense, whether this involves sporting or entrepreneurial activities or both. This week’s power-ful Mercury focus encourages you to think in terms of strategies to get what you want. Whatever you do, don’t leave things to chance. With just a little thought you can do so much better. Want to capture someone’s heart? Show you’re the best person for him or her, even if you have to act a little goofy to fulfill your dream.

A calm, peaceful life may seem like an unattainable dream. This week looks just as hectic as ever, particularly on the home front. It’s at such times when in the thick of it that you can make great progress. If you feel challenged, see it as a plus. It brings an opportunity to progress, even if unwillingly at first. You’ll need to soothe your nerves after so much excitement, and with romance high on the agenda there are plenty of chances for that.

There are two sides to the week ahead - very fast and very slow. When it comes to closing deals, getting a bargain, or sending your message out to the world, be quick off the mark. The faster you respond to the oppor-tunities around you, the better off you will be. The Universe loves speed, so pick a goal and plan, talk, and advertise your way to success. After this you’ll be ready to kick back and relax to soothe those frazzled nerves.

Are you on the same merry-go-round and feeling overwhelmed, with financial issues causing feelings of frustration? If so, the way to deal with this isn’t to flail around in the water trying not to drown but to gather information and make intelligent decisions. You don’t have to sort this out alone - get help. If you feel panic rising, this is the time to find someone who can inform you of solutions you never knew existed. Later, revive yourself with a homey get-together.

Onceamidgetgetsonanelevatorandsomehowpushesthebuttontogoup,justbeforethedoorcloses,ahandcomesthroughandopensthedoor.Instepsaverylargeblackman.Theshortmanstaresandsays

“You’rethebiggestmanIhaveeverseen.”Themannodshishead,andreplies“I’m6-10,weigh286lbs.,andIrepairfaxmachine,

I’mTurnerBrown.”Hefaints!Aftercomingtoo,thedwarfasksthemantorepeathimself.Sohedoes,“IsaidI’m6-10,weigh286lbs.,I

repairfaxmachines,mynameisTurnerBrown.”

Helookedrelievedandstartedlaughing.“Foraminutethere,Ithoughtyousaid‘Iamasexmachine,Turn

Around’.”

useful Life hacks

Over the door shoe racks are great for storing your stilettos, flats and wedges. But did you know this lit-

tle invention could be used to store cleaning supplies? According to Homemade Simple, it’s the perfect way to save space in your pantry.

All you have to do is place your clean-ers, sponges and air fresheners into each little pocket and put the rack in the most convenient place in your kitchen. You can also put it in the bathroom and store extra shampoos and soaps. It’s also a good way to keep harmful products out the way of children, if they are placed high enough.

organize your cleaning Supplies in a hanging Shoe holder

G PLUS APR 10 - APR 17, 2015 23

DEADPOOL poster revealed

A new Gunness World Record has been set for the fastest tractor speed.

Four-time Rally World Champion Juha Kankkunen zoomed a Valtra T234 tractor up to a speed of 130.165 kph (80.88mph) at an emergency airfield in Vuojärvi, Finland.

Achieved on northproof Nokian Hak-kapeliitta TRI tyres, Kankkunen man-aged to break the record with the tractor’s 247bhp from its six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

The record took place on 19 February and the total length of the packed snow strip was approximately 2,300 metres.

Guinness World Record set for fastest tractor at 88mph

Rosie Huntington-White-ley’s ambition is to be in a position where she makes her own career choices, rather than other people selecting her for jobs.

The 27-year-old model-and-actress feels “proud” when she is selected for a job but is aiming to be in a posi-tion where her fate doesn’t lie in anyone else’s hands.

She said: “Being a model, being an actress--it’s not de-cided by you. You’re chosen. You’re cast, and that’s fantas-tic, of course. There is always a sense of pride when you make the cut, but there has always been a big part of me that wants to make things hap-pen for myself. I’d like to get myself into a position where I’m starting something on my own. That’s my focus for this year.”

Rosie Huntington

Wants to make her career decisions

Finally the most awaited marvel anti hero movie Deadpool is out for releaseBased upon Marvel Comics’ most

unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experi-ment that leaves him with accelerated heal-ing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Reynolds stars as the title character alongside TJ Miller as Weasel, Gina Carano as Angel Dust, Brianna Hildebrand as Ne-gasonic Teenage Warhead, Morena Bacca-rin as Copycat and Ed Skrein as Ajax. The film will also feature the mutant Colossus, though Daniel Cudmore has confirmed he will not appear as the character.

Tim Miller is directing the movie from a script by Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. Confirmed to be rated R, Deadpool is scheduled for a release on Feb-ruary 12, 2016.

Soon, you may be able to change flights ‘mid-air’

Scientists are planning to shape nuclear-powered planes that may allow passen-gers change flights mid-air and jets refuel

in the sky.The next generation of air travel would

allow passengers to be delivered to the be-hemoths via smaller planes, along with their luggage.

Engineers are also working on “flying pet-

rol stations” that could enable non-stop flights.Refueling in the skies would cut the

amount of fuel planes need for take-off, when they are heaviest, making them better for the environment.

The concept has been tested with the help of professional pilots using simulators but, four years in, researchers have yet to trial any-thing in flight.

Cop car nonchalantly parked in a No Parking zone Picture by Adib Zamali

HUNTERBECOMESHUNTED

catching up

G PLUS APR 11 - APR 17, 201524

catching up events

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