What do Gautam Kalita from Nagaon’s Panigaon and American actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common? Plenty. Both are musclemen and holders of world bodybuilding titles.
Like the Hollywood hunk, Kalita, who took up bodybuilding at the age of 20, Kalita trounced participants to become the champion in the bantam weight category in a high-profile contest organised by the sports channel ESPN last week. His win is more commendable because he won the title — Muscle Mania Mr World — in his very first attempt. The contest was held from November 15 to 17 in Los Angeles.
Now Kalita is looking to emulate his idol by vying for the Mr Universe title. Talking to The Telegraph from Mumbai on his way back home, Kalita today said his goal now was to go for the ultimate crown. Kalita, 31, is the first from the region to win such a global bodybuilding title.
Weighing 60 kg, the 5 feet 3 inch tall bodybuilder has a chest of 42 inches.
Kalita said he was satisfied with his achievement but could have put up a better performance had he got better nourishment and more time to prepare for the contest. “I was informed by the Indian Bodybuilding Federation only a month before the contest after which I worked out day and night to prepare myself for the contest. I am satisfied with what I have achieved with so little time for preparation.”
Like Schwarzenegger, a rickety teenager who took to bodybuilding at a tender age and became Mr Europe at the age of 19, Kalita, too, took to pumping iron to add a bit of muscle to his lanky physique some 10 years back.
The bodybuilding event is organised in four weight groups for men — light, bantam, middle and heavy.
A graduate, Kalita runs a gym — Nagaon Health Club — and a small factory producing gym equipment in his home town. Aspiring to be Mr World and Mr Universe, Kalita hoped his current crown would fetch enough money for a more nutritious diet.
“My diet is not rich enough for a world class bodybuilder. Nor can I afford the prescribed food supplements. I take 150 to 180 grams of animal protein every day which is not enough to take part in the Mr World and Mr Universe contests,” he said.
Like Mr India Bijit Gogoi, Kalita, too, faces the problem of dearth of sponsorship. “I don’t have any sponsors and cannot afford to finance my preparations with my limited income. I hope the state government will come forward after my latest achievement so that I can meet my expenses and bring more laurels to the state,” Kalita said.
Gautom Kalita, of Panigaon, Nagaon, became the Bantam class Mr. World during the bodybuilding championships called ESPN-Musclemania World held at Wilshire
Grand Hotel in Los Angeles on 16th and 17th November, 2007. Gautom, son of Late
Golok Kalita and Sabitri Kalita of Nagaon, learned to bodybuild by himself, without
formal lessons, by reading books. Then, he participated in local contests and finally
made it to the world scene. In the Bantam class, he was Mr. Nagaon in 1989-90; Mr.
Assam for five times during 1994-98; Mr. North East three times in 2001, 2002 and
2003; Mr. East India in 2001, 2002, and 2003; Mr. India in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Finally, he became Mr. World in his class in 2007!
Deepshikha Choudhury Wins National Nuclear Physics Award
Deepshikha Choudhury, a newly minted Ph.D. at Ohio University, Miami, Ohio, won the best dissertation award in her field for 2008. The prestigious award is given by the American Physical Society.
Deepshikha worked under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Philips, Associate Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Ohio University. The title of her dissertation is Investigating Neutron Polarizabilities and NN Scattering in Heavy-baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory. The dissertation competition is open to any doctoral student in nuclear physics in North America who has completed a dissertation within the last two years.
Deepshikha’s dissertation developed a new theory to allow measurement of important properties of the neutron, a basic building block of matter. Neutron properties are difficult to determine experimentally, mainly because a neutron is only stable when paired with at least one proton.
Dr. Halyan Gao, Associate Professor of Physics at Duke University will test Choudhury’s theory by blasting high-energy gamma rays at a sample of Helium-3, which contains one neutron and two protons. Information from the gamma-ray-Helium-3 collisions will be used to isolate neutron’s properties.
Deepshikha is currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at George Washington University until August 2009.
Deepskikha is the daughter of Ajit Kumar Choudhury of Dispur. Deepshikha is full of pride in her Assamese roots. She told Posoowa “We are as competitive as the rest of the world and my winning this prize is another evidence of this fact. Assam is no longer a remote state in India and there are a lot of success stories in all walks of life. I always proudly say that I ‘belong’ to Assam”. Assam needs more individuals like Deepshikha to excel in life and career, and bring glory to Assam.
Congratulated
GUWAHATI, April 24 – Guwahati Press Club (GPC) on Monday congratulated its former member Deepanjali Kakoti on being appointed as a senior journalist by the American journal Span. The GPC also extended its greetings to the winners of the RN Barooah and Prativa Barooah memorial award.
Assamese girl secures IAS
NEW DELHI, May 20 – Varnali Deka, an Assamese computer engineer, is amongst this year’s successful IAS candidates. She secured 82nd rank amongst 474 selected.Deka hails from Guwahati and has passed HSLC Examination from St Mary’s Convent, Guwahati. She completed her BE computer Engineering from RV College Bangalore and Master of Management Course from IIT Bombay and presently serving with Tata Consultancy Services.She is the daughter of Dr Deepali Deka, Professor Pandu College and Kamalesh Deka, Director, DCPW, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi and fomer Director, APRO and I.G.(Comn), BSF, New Delhi.
City doctor on goodwill mission
GUWAHATI, May 20 – Physician Shankar Chatterjee of Paltan Bazar here has been heaped with lavish praise by the government of Eritrea following publication of his informative articles on the African nation and its people during his recent two-year stint in that country, a press handout revealed.Presently serving as senior assistant professor with the National Institute of Rural Development at Hyderabad, Dr Chatterjee worked in the capacity of associate professor of Economics in Eritrea. Aptly termed as ‘goodwill ambassador’ by his Indian, Iranian and Pakistani colleagues there, the physician is credited with penning 17 articles on Eritrea which were published not only by the African press, but also in Indian and American journals.Even otherwise, Dr Chatterjee has authored over 200 articles, including seminar papers and books. His labour of love will definitely contribute to build bridges of friendship with the African nation, opined the concerned Indian high commissioner. The Government of Eritrea along with a leading NGO, besides the nation’s only TV channel are on record to have termed him as ‘an asset’.
State surgeon finds place in elite Pioneers’
GUWAHATI, May 20 – Dr Sisir Kumar Nath, Senior Surgeon, Down Town Hospitals has been selected as a member of the Pioneers Circle of India.Since its commencement, the circle has conferred membership on distinguished surgeons of India especially those who have done more than 50 cases of ‘Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy’, a new painless operation for piles.This new operation for piles in almost painless without any cutting outside the anus and after two day’s stay in hospital, one can get back to normal life within a week. Even bleeding piles patients can be operated upon with this technique. Dr Nath has done successfully 55 cases of piles with this technique in Down Town Hospital till date, a press release stated.Dr Nath is the 81st member of the Circle and the first surgeon from entire North Eastern Region to achieve the prestigious milestone. He also presented a scientific paper on this operation in the Annual Conference of Asian Federation of Coloproctologists held in Singapore recently the release added.
US-based Assamese doctor honoured
GUWAHATI, May 23 – Elly Barua Bhuyan, a practising psychiatrist in the United States of America for over 30 years, has been honoured recently with the distinguished life fellow status by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in recognition to her high level of dedication to the profession and years of quality service to the patients.The distinguished life fellow is the highest honour accorded by the APA to a doctor for lifelong brilliant services.An alumnus of Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Elly Barua Bhuyan received her graduation degree from the college in 1965 and thereafter worked in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi for a year before finally migrating to the US in the early seventies.Besides serving as one of the ten busiest psychiatric practitioners in the St Louis metropolitan area, she has also been contributing valuable services for long to community mental health, as medical directors of Comtrea Mental Health Center and Providant Counselling, two prominent clinics that serve the indigent population.The honour of distinguished life fellow was formally conferred on her by the APA in its annual meeting held in San Diego, California on May 21 last.
Two from Silchar get BH award
SILCHAR, May 30 – The annual Bhartendu Harishchandra awards for the year 2004 and 2005 were presented to the writers for their original books in Hindi on journalism and mass communication, national integration, women’s problems and children literature in New Delhi recently. From Silchar Dr Gyan Prakash Pandey and Gulsan Rai Monga were chosen for their contribution in journalism and mass communication and national integration respectively.For the year 2005 in the journalism and mass communication category, the first prize was given to Dr Gyan Prakash Pandey for his book ‘Jansanchar Sidhant evam Shodh’. Gulsan Rai Monga was awarded for his book ‘Poorvottar Bharat Darshan aur Chintan’ for the first prize in national integration category for the year 2004.Dr Pandey received a cash of Rs 35,000 and a citation. Monga received a cash of Rs. 15,000 and a citation. The awards were given by the secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Smt Asha Swarup.Dr GP Pandey is working as the head in the department of Mass Communication, Assam University, Silchar and Gulshan Rai Monga is the managing director of Barak Valley Public High School.
IGNOU bestows rare honour on Assamese doctor
GUWAHATI, June 3 - Not many people are blessed with good fortune to see his own life struggle scripted for others to get inspired. Noted Assamese doctor Numol Chandra Borah is one of those fortunate people. In a rare recognition, Borah’s life story has been included in the Indira Gandhi National Open University syllabus. Borah is the first Assamese to have been given such recognition by the IGNOU. IGNOU has chosen the life story of Borah for the syllabus of Entrepreneurship and Rural Development under a chapter titled ‘Rural Entrepreneurship-Strategies and Experiences’. Interacting with media persons today, Borah, who is also the managing director of GNRC hospitals, said, “ I am really happy to be recognized by the IGNOU in this fashion and this will inspire me to work further for the greater interest of the people of the region.”The story will basically focus on how Bora, in spite of hailing from a poor family, emerged as a successful doctor and then an innovative entrepreneur.
Assamese NRI to chair US President’s dinner
GUWAHATI, June 9 – Assamese NRI, Dr Naba Goswami, has been invited to be the chairman of 2007 Annual US President George W Bush’s Dinner at Washington DC on June 14 next. In addition, he has also been invited to participate on June 13, in the annual board meeting of US House Republican Trust Members including US Senators, Congressmen and the 2008 US presidential candidates. This is an outstanding honour for him. This was stated in a press release.Dr Goswami is a physician actively practicing Internal Medicine and Cardiology at St Clairsville, Ohio, USA besides serving as chairman of the US Physicians Advisory Board, and also is an advisor to the US President on Health Care Reforms. He is a graduate from Gauhati Medical College and hails from Guwahati.
Assam anaesthesiologist contributes to medical PG textbook
July 15 – For the first time, a senior anaesthesiologist from Assam has had the distinction of contributing two chapters for national post-graduate medical studies. The author is Dr Rajib Kumar Bhattacharyya, currently serving at the Silchar Medical College as associate professor in the Department of Anaesthesiology.Prior to joining at Silchar, Dr Bhattacharyya was at the Assam Medical College here, and is reputed to be one of the leading anaesthesiologists of the country. He is also a governing council member of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, an association of 12,000- odd medical specialists.His two chapters are in the medical post-graduation text book Principles of Anaesthesia, edited by Prof Satish Deshpande and published by Paras Medical Publishers. The two chapters are titled “Utility of ECG for Anaesthesiologists” and “Computer-based Networking Anaesthesiology”.
Shaurya Chakra for Army Captain from Assam
GUWAHATI, Aug 18 – Capt Kaushal Kashyap has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra by President of India for the year 2007.His did his schooling is St Peter’s School, Shillong upto Class VII from Class VIII to X, he studied in Assam Rifles Public School, Laitkor, Shillong, and Class XI to XII in Manav Varati School, New Delhi. He joined National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1998 and in 2002 he joined as Lieutenant in 3 Jat Regiment and subsequently opted for special force (Para commando).During his four-and-a-half years of service, Captain Kashypa was awarded Chief of Army Staff, Gallantry Award, Medal by Govt of Mongolia and Shaurya Chakra.He is the youngest son of Dr PK Sarma and Jyotisna Sarma of Kailash Nagar, Panjabari here. He is the youngest brother of Capt Kapil Kashyap of Assam Regiment and grandson of Late Praphulla Ch Sarma and Late Anupama Devi of Kenche’s Trace, Shillong.
Saga of an Assamese Army officer’s sacrifice
MANGALDOI, Sept 3 – A unique story of an Assamese army officer in the rank of captain under the British Raj who resigned from his job at Shimla, for joining the Swadeshi movement has come to light. The highlight of the story is that the Indian Army chief after independence General Cariappa had worked under the Assamese officer, Capt Gunin Barua of Khumtai, Golaghat, at Dehradun.This information was recently received from Apurba Kr Barua, editor of weekly Dhansiri (Golaghat) who is well-versed in the history of Golaghat and associated as a higher-up with the small Newspapers Publication Association, Assam.According to Barua, late Gunin Barua tendered his resignation while at Shimla and after quitting his job set his clothes including hat, and bow-tie aflame near the Deshabhakta TY Phookun Park in Guwahati in the presence of prominent Assamese patriots.
ICA honour to GU professor
GUWAHATI, Jan 4 – Prof (Dr) Nayan Barua, PG Department of Commerce, Gauhati University, has been conferred the prestigious honour of being the ‘Fellow of Indian Commerce Association (ICA), 2006’ at Visakhapatnam on December 30 last for his outsourcing contribution in the field of commerce and management.Dr Barua also chaired a technical session of the conference of ICA at Visakhapatnam on the theme ‘Outsourcing–Myths and realities’. Prof Barua is the only academician of the discipline from the North-East India to be honoured by the ICA with such distinction in its 59 years of existence. Dr Barua earlier served as a faculty member and as a guest faculty at the two pioneering institutions of the State engaged in promotion of commerce and management education, viz., Gauhati Commerce College and Assam Institute of Management, respectively, for a decade before his joining Gauhati University in 1988, a press release said.
Akashvani award for State scribe
GUWAHATI, Jan 12 – The correspondent of All India Radio, Guwahati, Ramani Kanta Sharma has bagged the Akashvani Annual Award 2005 in the category of ‘Bold and courageous reporting’. The award was presented at a glittering function at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata by the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Sri Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi on January 7 last. This was stated in a press release.Sharma is the first Indian Information Service (IIS) officer from the north-eastern region to get this prestigious award. He has been selected for the award for his overall performance and exclusive reporting in radio news on last year’s ethnic violence in Karbi Anglong Hills district.The award consists of a certificate, a trophy and cash.
State chemist leading research team on osteoporosis in US
GUWAHATI, Jan 15 – An Asom chemist is leading path-breaking research activities on osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease and incidences of this illness-related fracture is greater in number nowadays compared to the combined incidences of heart attack and cancer. The disease becomes fatal within one to five years since its emergence.It is now well recognized that a combination of low bone mass and the deterioration of the trabecular architecture trigger osteoporotic fractures. With the rising proportion of the elderly people in many countries, the disease has become a growing public health concern world over. According to Dr Babul Borah, the Asom chemist, who is now leading research activities to know the factors responsible for the disease, a comprehensive understanding of the links between bone masses, the three-dimensional architecture of bone and bone function is fundamental to the study of new and existing therapies for osteoporosis. This insidious disease causes fracture of the bones in the spine and the hips, mostly in the post-menopausal women.Dr Borah, who was talking to The Assam Tribune on Wednesday here said that in the USA alone, 1.2 million osteoporosis-related fractures occur annually and the healthcare cost for treating the patients of this ailment is over US $ 17 billion a year. Besides, the severity of the disease and the cost for its cure world over demands utmost priority from the entire humanity, he said.Dr Borah’s interest lies in applying three-dimensional imaging technology to gain insight as to why bones get fractured and how this tendency of brittleness could be reduced. He is conducting research in this area for the past about ten years and presently working on developing modern imaging technology in search of the medicine to fight the disease. His study has contributed immensely towards understanding the disease.Perhaps, Dr Borah and Dr Sudhakar Rao are the two Indian scholars in the USA, who are engaged in the field of bone-related research. While Dr Borah is the principal scientist with the leading drug manufacturers Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Dr Rao is a physician working with the Henry Ford Hospital, Michigan.Dr Borah had his primary and secondary education at Majuli Kamalabari. His father Late Keshab Ram Borah had set up the Kamalabari Hemchandra High School. Dr Borah did his matriculation from Gauhati University (GU) appearing from that school. He then joined the Cotton College. In 1967, he graduated with Chemistry as honours subject and was ranked first class second. Then, he moved to Delhi University and obtained his Master in Chemistry with first class in 1969. Dr Borah got a national scholarship for further study in Chemistry and obtained his Ph D from the Imperial College of Science and Technology under London University in 1976. In the meantime, he served the Cotton College and Dibrugarh University as a teacher. After returning from the UK, he again joined Dibrugarh University as a teacher and in 1979, he went to the USA for doing research in medical science.There, he conducted research in drug-DNA interaction using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During his association with the NIH, he studied DNA conformation to understand how DNA deviates from its normal configuration resulting in diseases like cancer. This area is still haunted by the scientists. A conclusion on DNA detour has still remained elusive. In 1986, he joined the Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals as a scientist.Dr Borah is of the opinion that although the West, particularly the USA, was leading in bio-medical research, India also had tremendous potential in the field. Though he maintained that India’s infrastructure for drug development was not up to the mark, he demonstrated his keenness to collaborate with the Indian doctors and scientists in the field of medicine.
Mamoni Raisom in race for ‘Crossword Award’
NEW DELHI, Jan 21 – Writer Indira Goswami may have drawn criticism from several political quarters of late for her inability to bring the ULFA forward for talks, but her writings continue to bring laurels as she has been shortlisted for a Hutch Crossword Book Award, billed as India’s answer to the Booker. Goswami’s The Man from Chinnamasta, translated into English by Prashant Goswami from her Assamese work Chinnamastar Manuhto, along with In a Forest, a Deer by CS Lakshmi and M Mukundan’s Kesavan’ s Lamentations are the three novels shortlisted in the Indian Language Fiction Translation category. The awards will be given away on February 21 in Mumbai. Talking to PTI over phone from Guwahati, Indira said the shortlisting is a big boost for Assamese translators. “There was this notion that Assamese translators cannot make it to the big league but Prashant’s effort negates that,” she said. Goswami wrote The Man from Chinnamasta to protest against the sacrifices at the Kamakhya temple. The temple is considered to be the greatest shrine of mystic Shaktism, one of the main religions of the state during the medieval period. Goswami said rituals are like diseases that affect the society. “This book deals with various aspects of rituals carried out at the temple including animal sacrifice,” she said.The novel, published by Katha, was released at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October last year. Translator Prashant said, this was his first major effort. “Though I have written short stories and articles, this is my first translation of a well-known book and I am excited that it has been received so well,” said Prashant, who is an engineer by profession. In the English fiction category novels like Vikram Chandra’s Sacred Games and The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai are on the shortlist. Fali S Nariman’s India’s Legal System: Can it be Saved? and Two Lives by Vikram Seth are among those that figure in the English Non-Fiction shortlist. Each award will carry a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs, a trophy and a citation. In case of Indian Language Fiction Translation category, the author and the translator share the prize money equally. According to the promoters, the awards recognise and reward the best of Indian writing and ensure that works of merit reach a wider audience. Past winners include I. Allan Sealy for The Everest Hotel, Vikram Seth for An Equal Music, Amitav Ghosh for The Hungry Tide and Salman Rushdie for Shalimar the Clown. – PTI
Assam Ratna’ award to Dr Hazarika
GUWAHATI, Jan 24 – The living legend of the State Dr Bhupen Hazarika was conferred with the Assam Ratna award on Wednesday. The honour came from Gurukul Grammar Senior Secondary School, located at Pub Gitanagar.The award giving function got a musical touch with the celebrated singer rendering a couple of his evergreen songs.Dr Hazarika in his speech said that the award has increased his responsibilities and promised to go about his work with renewed zeal.The award carried Rs 50,000, a citation and a silver memento.
tee was formed at a convention in the city last month. It was attended by various organisations opposed to the move to change the name of the State.
State youth in KBC hot seat
GUWAHATI, Feb 8 – Mridul Gogoi, a resident of Seujpur, Dibrugarh has made it to the Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) hot seat. In a contest popuarly known as the ‘Fastest Finger First,’ he came out with flying colours among ten contstants and sat in the ‘hot seat’ in front of Shahrukh Khan, informs a press release.The show is scheduled for telecast on February 12 at 9 pm on Star Plus.Shahrukh is supposed to have responded positively to a request made by Mridul Gogoi to perform the traditional Bihu dance. Later Shahrukh requested Mridul’s wife Nitu Gogoi to sing a song which she obliged. Mentionably, Mridul Gogoi is the son of late Manabendra Gogoi of Dibrugarh.
IFAW award to BTC Dy Chief
KOKRAJHAR, Feb 16 – Sri Kampa Borgoyari, deputy chief of BTC has been selected for prestigious International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), USA award for the year 2006 for his energetic initiative in forest and wildlife conservation in this region, official sources informed.He will receive the award at a ceremony in New Delhi shortly. It may be mentioned here that IFAW is a global partner of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) since 2000.
President Kalam awards Darrang’s farmer brothers
SIPAJHAR, Feb 22 – President APJ Abdul Kalam gave away awards to Mahammad Mehtar Hussain and his younger brother Mushtav Hussain of Muslim Ghopa village in Darrang district recently at a function organised at Indian Agricultural Research Institute Auditorium in New Delhi. The brothers secured consolation award in fourth biennial competition for Grassroots Unaided Technological Innovations and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge organised under the auspices of National Innovation Foundation (NIF India). They got the award for their invention of low cost windmill operated hand pump.Looking for a low-cost alternative to pump water in the fields they devised the simple windmill made up of bamboo and tin sheets. Talking to this correspondent, they informed that facing cost problem in pumping water for irrigating their field during winter season for cultivation of bodo paddy, they looked around for a solution. It was after a time that Mehtar Hussain observed the working of a sewing machine and noticed that the circular movement of the hand drive wheel caused the up and downward movement of the needle and that was the starting point of the solution. One day, while resting on the grass by the side of his field and lazily watching the clouds, Mehtar observed a kite in the sky. A sudden gush of wind took it high in the sky which triggered the thought of harnessing wind power in some way as a component of the solution he had in mind. He thought that if he could develop a large wheel which could be run by wind power and then connect this to the handle of the handpump, then he should be able to pump out the water continuously as the turbine rotates.The entire arrangement is like a portable unit which can be disassembled within an hour and then reassembled and connected to a tubewell in another location. The unit consists of a tall bamboo tower structure made of bamboo posts. An iron shaft is mounted on bearings near the top of the tower. At the centre of the shaft, a wind turbine has been mounted. The shaft is connected to the lever of hand pump through linkages by means of which the rotary motion of wind turbine is converted into reciprocating motion of the hand pump.The NIF supported the innovator through GIAN NE and provided them support from the MVIF fund in two phases. The department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati also has been involved in performance evaluation and value addition of the device. With the initiatives of GIAN-NE. The Hussain brothers also recently innovated a fuel less low cost power generating machine by using locally available materials.The public of the locality have urged both district administration, Darrang and as well as State government to take inspirational measures for those poor innovators as was done by the government of Rajasthan.
Achievement for Ashadeep trainee Monmohan Das
GUWAHATI, March 4 – Monmohan Das is a 23- year old young jeweller from Pub Maloibari village under Dimoria block, Kamrup. He has a jewellery shop and is the proud owner of a gold polishing machine, the only one in the whole of Dimoria block. He has a lot other things to be proud off—he recently won the silver medal at the National Abilympics 2007 in New Delhi. This has qualified him to compete in the International Abilympics 2007 to be held in Japan.The International Abilympics is the Olympics for the disabled people. Monmohan is an orthopaedically disabled person possessing a creative ability to carve magic on gold.Another young man from the city had qualified for the National Abilympics. Though Diganta Kalita, the physically challenged photographer did not get selected for the International Abilympics, the event nevertheless was a great morale booster for him. “ The Abilympics provide a platform to the disabled to showcase their talent,” said Diganta while talking to The Assam Tribune.Along with Diganta and Monmohan who are quite happy to win appreciation at the national level, Suchismita Mazumdar, president of Swabalambi, and Anjana Goswami, director of Ashadeep are happier at their performance.“ We are very happy because success like Monmohan’s will give a fillip to the movement for the rights of the disabled,” gushed Suchismita.It was at the initiative of Swabalambi that Monmohan was able to get a loan of Rs 15,000 from Rashtriya Gramin Bikash Nidhi to purchase the gold polishing machine. Since 1997, the society has been working towards enhancing the capacities of the persons with disabilities and in generating awareness in the society on the issues of disability, prevention and management. “ At present we are initiating community based rehabilitation for persons with disabilities in rural areas,” informed Suchismita, adding that more than 500 persons with disabilities have been identified in Dimoria block.On the other hand, for Ashadeep, a society working mainly for the mentally ill, Diganta’s reaching to the National Abilympics is more than enough. “ Diganta has been associated with us for a long time, and it is a great pleasure for us that he had reached to the national level,” said Anjana.Last year four mentally retarded girls of Ashadeep, skilled at flower arrangement, jewellery making and embroidery had qualified for the National Abilympics. What is more cheering for Ashadeep is that the progress of its students has spread far and wide, even crossing the seas. A non- governmental organization from Sri Lanka has evinced keen interest to send its representatives to Guwahati to get trained at Ashadeep, revealed Anjana.
Bhattacharya receives honour
GUWAHATI, April 1 – The 17th Assam Valley Literary Award-2006 was formally presented to Nalinidhar Bhattacharya, eminent poet and litterateur, at a function at the Pragjyoti-ITA Cultural Complex today. Presenting the award to Bhattacharya, celebrated artist Shuvaprasanna from Kolkata, who was the chief guest at the function, said that creative pursuits like literature and arts were all about elevating the consciousness to a higher plane. “The success of creative pursuits like literature and arts lies in stirring the human consciousness and purifying the mind,” he said.
DLit for Dr Hazarika
GUWAHATI, April 1 – It was like an institution honouring another when Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner and former chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi Dr Bhupen Hazarika was formally handed over the certificate honouring the maestro with the Doctorate of Literature (D-Lit) honour by Vice-Chancellor of Dibrugarh University Dr Kulendu Pathak here at the of 8th NE Book Fair this evening. Dr Hazarika was handed over the certificate in presence of various noted personalities of the State including his son Purnanga Tez Hazarika and grandson Sez Akash Hazarika, who have flown in all the way from New York.Addressing his fans during the ceremony, Dr. Hazarika apprised about is health conditions and said that presently he is feeling some sort of weakness in the knee for which he has been advised therapy. Hazarika also sang his evergreen number Manuhe Manuhor Babe in three different languages to rousing reception.Dr. Hazarika while striving for the unity of all the NE States said, “ All the NE States and the rest of India are a part of same journey”.
Zubeen bags Stardust award
GUWAHATI, Feb 18 – State’s singing superstar Zubeen Garg added another feather to his cap when he was adjudged the new musical sensation (best playback singer male) for his chartbuster Ya Ali (Gangster) at the Kenstar Setmax Stardust film awards in Mumbai this evening. The youth heartthrob was nominated along with Himesh Reshamiya (Jhalak Dikhla Ja, Aksar), Naresh Aiyar (Pathsala, Rang De Basanti), James (Bheegi Bheegi, Gangster) and Niraj Sridhar (title song, Bhaagam Bhaag).Recieving the award from star singer Adnan Sami, after it was declared by director Kunal Kohli and actress Amrita Arora at the Bandra-Kurla complex, Zubeen dedicated his award to the legendary music director from Tripura Sachin Dev Barman. Mentionably, the year 2006 for which Zubeen got the award, was commemorated as the birth centenary of the late musician par excellence. He also thanked the people of Asom and the North-east for their unstinted support.Meanwhile, he has also been nominated for the prestigious Filmfare Awards, 2006 in the same category, and people can vote for him through the www.filmfare.com website till midnight of February 23.
GU students awarded
GUWAHATI, Feb 10 – Three students – Taznur Ahmed, Pankaj Ghosh and JN Ganguli of the Department of Chemistry, GU were adjudged the best for their poster presentation in the recently held 94th Indian Science Congress at Annamalai University, said a press release. Scientists from all over India and many from abroad gathered to presesent their research work.
CP Saikia only Padma Bhushan awardee from NE this year
NEW DELHI, Jan 28 – In a rare recognition, Late Chandra Prasad Saikia has been posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution towards literature and education.Late Saikia is the second personality from the State to be so awarded after Late Nabakanta Baruah in this category. This year, Late Saikia is the only awardee to be honoured with Padma Bhushan from the North-east.The list of Padma Awards announced on the eve of the Republic Day, included several personalities from the region, who were conferred with Padma Shree award. They included Dr Temsula Ao from Asom for literature and education, Thingbaijam Babu Singh and Neelamani Devi (both from Manipur) for art, Lama Thupten Phuntsok of Arunachal Pradesh for social work and Sonam Tshering Lepcha from Sikkim, for art.Incidentally, this year the National Communal Harmony Award for 2006 in the organisation category has gone to Rabindra Nath Upadhyay of Baksa, Asom. The Institute for Socialist Education, New Delhi, has received the award in the individual category. The award carries a citation, a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh in the organisation and individual categories, respectively. Upadhyay is an octogenarian Gandhian and a distinguished freedom fighter, frontranking leader of Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan movement and an eminent social worker. He works to promote truth, non-violence, communal harmony and national integration in the North-eastern region, to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony in some of the communally disturbed areas of Asom, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura. In 2005, Hema Bharali had been conferred this award in the Individual category.Meanwhile, speaking on the honour conferred on Late CP Saikia, his son Santanu Saikia said he felt proud as a son. Himself a senior journalist, Saikia said he was surprised to receive a telegram from Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the morning of January 26, congratulating him for the honour.Late Saikia led an active public life since 1942 and he did his matriculation from prison. He was taught by Late Fakruddin Ali Ahmed and Bimala Prasad Chaliha. He was later offered a government job by Chaliha, which he turned down and joined The Assam Tribune. Santanun Saikia said they are in the process of setting up a Trust in memory of his father with the objective of providing a platform for writers. Among other things, the Trust would bring international writers to Asom and expose them to the writers and litterateurs of the State. Exchange of ideas would go a long way in encouraging writers and generating new ideas, he added.
Zubeen’s Ya Ali nominated for Star Screen Awards
GUWAHATI, Jan 5 — Asom’s numero uno singer Zubeen Garg has been nominated in the best singer category in the prestigious Star Screen Awards for his chartbuster song Ya Ali, result of which will be announced tomorrow in Mumbai.This is Garg’s second nomination for a prestigious award after he went on to win the best singer award in Indian Global Indian Film Awards 2006 held in Malaysia few weeks back. Zubeen has been nominated alongside country’s some of the most popular singer like Sonu Nigam, Shaan, KK, Kailash Kher and Sukhwinder Singh. . It may be mentioned here that in Malaysia too, Garg was chosen ahead of all these nominees. Talking to this correspondent over phone from Mumbai, Zubeen said that he is happy for being nominated among industry’s some of the best singers and hoped to maintain the tempo in the similar fashion in the future.On his expectations, the undisputable king of Asomiya music industry said, “Like all the other nominees I am also pretty confident about winning the second award on the trot but having said that, I know that it would not be a catwalk for any of the nominees as they are all nominated for the year’s biggest hits.” The Star Screen Award function will be telecast on Star Plus channel on January 1 4 next.
Top 10 Assamese of 2007
Monthly magazine Jiban has selected top 10 persons of the year 2007 as below:
Indira PP Bora whose tireless efforts have brought sattriya dance to the international stage. In 2007, she toured UK and conducted demonstrations, lectures, workshops in leading universities, museums and prime dance locations. In the same year, she also marked her golden jubilee year of dancing career. She has been an icon in establishing sattriya as career option and developing awareness among the new generation.
Umananda Duwarah of Moran, a curator of cultural heritage. His own museum has over 1,700 gramophone records that include the original voices of Jyotiprasad, Bishnu Rabha and Phani Sarma, besides the original record of the first Assamese recorded song of 1942.
Kanak Gogoi, a self-made engineer-innovator, who developed a device to produce electricity in an innovative way using the speed breaking rumble strips on the roads as the generators. Earlier, he had innovated the aero boat, a two-seater three-wheeler car, power hang glider, water cycle and an amphibious boat.
Justice KN Saikia, whose investigation report on the secret killings of Asom raised sensation in 2007. Justice retired in 1991 as a Supreme Court Judge.
Deepshikha Choudhury , who has won the Nuclear Physics Award 2008 from the American Physical Society. Deepshika’s Ph.D disseration developed a new theory to allow measurement of important properties of the neutron, a basic building block of matter. Daughter of Ajit Kumar Choudhhury of Dispur, Deepshika is currently working as a post doctoral Fellow at George Washington University.
Nandini Sarma , a high school student at Kansas, USA. Her research on natural food preservatives, cancer and pathobiology of Herpes Simplex virus infection brought her several awards and recognition. As the grand winner at the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, Massachusetts’ s Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) programme in collaboration with US Science Service and with the approval of the International Astronomical Association has named a star (a minor planet/asteroid) in our solar system after her name. The minor planet named Nandinisarma (Number 23228, Name ref.60503, Prov. Des 2000 WQ57) was discovered on November 21, 2000 by MIT-LINEAR. The Yoth Science Foundation of Portugal invited Nandini to participate as a special student guest speaker at their 2007 International Youth Science Forum.
Bidyut Goswami, the Columbia University head coach of men’s tennis. The university has announced the establishment of an endowment in his name. Co-Chair of the Columbia Campaign has remarked, “This is one step in ensuring his influence impacts future generations of Colombians.” Now in his 27th year as head coach, Goswami has guided the Lions to six Ivy League Championships.
Bhogiram Barman, a youth shopkeeper of Beltola who helped a girl in need by sheltering her, giving his T-shirt and assisting her while all others were either participants or audiences to what turned out to be the most unfortunate incident of the year.
Machang Lalung, who died recently after he was freed from jail a couple of years back. He spent 54 years in jail without trail. Arrested in 1951, Machang came to the notice of the National Human Rights Commission in 2005. A short film on his life has also got international applause this year.
Ranjit Shekar Mooshahary, who has initiated a war against corruption at the public level. This first Bodo IPS officer is now the Chief Information Commissioner of Asom. Earlier, he was the Director General of Border Security Force, the first officer from the North-east who had been posted at the top position. He was also the head of National Security Guards. He has now shown firmness in implementing the Right to Information Act in the State.
Akashvani award for State scribe
GUWAHATI, Jan 12 – The correspondent of All India Radio, Guwahati, Ramani Kanta Sharma has bagged the Akashvani Annual Award 2005 in the category of ‘Bold and courageous reporting’. The award was presented at a glittering function at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata by the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Sri Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi on January 7 last. This was stated in a press release.Sharma is the first Indian Information Service (IIS) officer from the north-eastern region to get this prestigious award. He has been selected for the award for his overall performance and exclusive reporting in radio news on last year’s ethnic violence in Karbi Anglong Hills district.The award consists of a certificate, a trophy and cash.
Assam Ratna’ award to Dr Hazarika
GUWAHATI, Jan 24 – The living legend of the State Dr Bhupen Hazarika was conferred with the Assam Ratna award on Wednesday. The honour came from Gurukul Grammar Senior Secondary School, located at Pub Gitanagar.The award giving function got a musical touch with the celebrated singer rendering a couple of his evergreen songs.Dr Hazarika in his speech said that the award has increased his responsibilities and promised to go about his work with renewed zeal.The award carried Rs 50,000, a citation and a silver memento.
Bhattacharya receives honour
GUWAHATI, April 1 – The 17th Assam Valley Literary Award-2006 was formally presented to Nalinidhar Bhattacharya, eminent poet and litterateur, at a function at the Pragjyoti-ITA Cultural Complex today. Presenting the award to Bhattacharya, celebrated artist Shuvaprasanna from Kolkata, who was the chief guest at the function, said that creative pursuits like literature and arts were all about elevating the consciousness to a higher plane. “The success of creative pursuits like literature and arts lies in stirring the human consciousness and purifying the mind,” he said. The noted artist said that creative arts could have a softening influence on the violence and hatred plaguing the world by making people realize the elevated sense of consciousness. Referring to the similarities and closeness among the people of Assam and West Bengal in terms of cultures and traditions, Shuvaprasanna said that literature and arts could play a pivotal role in cementing that bond further. He also praised the people of Assam for their love for all forms of art, including literature, saying that every household of the State, irrespective of their economic conditions, had always maintained an intrinsic link with art and literature. Receiving the award, Bhattacharya, describing himself as a humble servant of literature, said that the award was also recognition of Assamese literature. Stating that the present-day strife-torn society pained him a lot, Bhattacharya said that it symbolized the loss of human values that made life beautiful. “However, I am an optimist and I dream of human beings, and dreams are necessary to draw a positive portrait of life,” he said, adding that the aim of life ought to be freedom from the inner contradiction of the mind. Bhattacharya said that he was still awaiting his masterpiece and that “the sense of unfulfilment drives me to carry on with writing even at my advanced age.”The award, given by the Williamson Magor Education Trust every year, comprises Rs 2 lakh, a citation and a trophy designed by renowned artiste Sobha Brahma. Bhattacharya, among the most accomplished poets of the State, has so far penned five anthologies of poems. Born in 1921, he has won many literary awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award, Soviet Desh Nehru Award, Chaganlal Jain Award and Mrinalini Devi Award. Earlier, RS Jhawar delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Williamson Magor Education Trust. Noted poet Nilamoni Phukan was also among the guests on the dais.
Dr Hazarika honoured for lifetime achievement
GUWAHATI, Sept 15 – Cultural icon of the State, Dr Bhupen Hazarika was today honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Assam Government in the 2007 State Film Awards Festival. Dr Hazarika received an award named after the legendary Pramathesh Chandra Baruah.The festival saw 28 awards being given away to various artistes, directors, producers and technicians associated with the Assamese film industry. Speaking on the occasion, Gautom Bora, Minister, Cultural Affairs, said that the festival honoured those who had made significant contributions to the development of Assamese films.The Minister spelt out some initiatives of the State Government to encourage the State film industry and appreciated the role of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Bora said that Jyoti Chitraban was being developed into a mini film city. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has helped this initiative by allocating Rs 10 crore, he said.Bora said more encouragement would be provided to cinema hall owners so that they could promote Assamese films among a larger audience. Among those who received honour were several noted artistes, producers, directors and technicians. Among the films that hogged the limelight were Anurag, Laj, Monot Birinar Jui, and Six Days of Creation. Artistes and technicians associated with these films received accolades. On the occasion, a souvenir, Chalachitra Jyoti was released, a publication that dealt with some aspects of Assamese cinema. Among the highlights of the function was the attendance of eminent Hindi cinema actor Asrani, who was felicitated by the organizers.
Journalism award to RD Choudhury
GUWAHATI, Sept 17 – The Gaurishankar Bhattacharya Memorial Journalist Award for the year 2006 has been won by RD Choudhury of The Assam Tribune, and the Tarani Charan Das Memorial Photojournalist Award for the year 2006 by Utpal Baruah. The awards carry a citation, a sarai, a japi, a gift packet and Rs 5,000 in cash. The awards were given by the Journalist Federation of Assam (JFA) on the occasion of its first convention organized on Monday. Speaking at the award giving function, top cop GM Srivastav stressed the need for the journalists to inculcate the habit of self- analysis and in-depth study. Srivastav regretted that around 60 to 70 percent of the journalists in the State were not keen to pursue in-depth study and they even lacked sound knowledge about the subject they covered. “It is not just enough for a journalist to observe an event and write the news mechanically. They should go for in-depth study so that the words they write contribute to the society to grow in creativity,” opined Srivastav. Srivastav, who spoke at length on the challenges of journalism, said that the scribes in the State were not going for self-analysis, which was affecting the quality of journalism. He described that the journalists many a times avoided socially relevant issues because they were too busy either looking for scoop or sensational news. “The journalists need to question themselves for whom they have been working,” said Srivastav, expressing concern at the trend of sensationalism taking the upper hand in the field of journalism.Srivastav who set the momentum to the discussion on the various problems faced by the journalist fraternity, said that under the present conditions, the freedom of the journalists have been restricted. He pointed out that apart from the pressure from the management, the journalists have to work under constraints like lack of financial security, threats from various quarters etc.The man in khaki appealed to the journalists of the State to develop a correctional attitude and come together to identify the most pressing problems of the fraternity.On the other hand, Srivastav emphasized the necessity for journalists and the men in khaki to work in harmony in the interest of the common men. “We can together create awareness amongst the masses and propel the society on the path of development,” asserted Srivasatv.It may be mentioned here that the convention was attended by journalists from across the State. The convention, which kicked off with flag hoisting concluded with an open session and the award giving function. Veteran journalist Prafulla Chandra Baruah presided over the function.
Birthday gift for ailing Sheelabhadra
GUWAHATI, Sept 17 – It is, perhaps, the fittest of birthday gifts to Sheelabhadra, one of the most acclaimed short story writers of Assamese literature. Sheelabhadrar Galpa Samagra, the complete collection of the writer’s short stories, will hit the stands tomorrow, September 18, the 85th birthday of the celebrated writer. The two-volume collection, containing 409 short stories, has been published by well-known publication house of the State, Banalata.It was initially planned to release the book in a function wherein a felicitation to the octogenerian litterateur was scheduled. However, keeping in view the ailing health of Sheelabhadra (he is being operated upon for installing a pacemaker in a city nursing home at the time of writing this report), the publication house postponed the felicitation programme. Instead, it has decided to go on with the release of the book, as a bid to honour the master story-teller on his birthday.One of the most familiar names among the readers of contemporary Assamese literature, it was surprising that the writer actually started his career at the age of forty. His personality has been acclaimed as multifaceted. Starting as a teacher of Mathematics in Cotton College, than working as a contractor in the state PWD, joining as a Sub-editor of The Assam Tribune, an assistant manager of a tea estate in upper Assam, and finally, joining the Assam Engineering College and retiring as the head of its Department of Mathematics, Sheelabhadra’s has been a chequered, at the same time distinguished, career.As a writer, he has 25 collections of short stories, seven novels including the celebrated Madhupur Bahudur, and three books on memories. His literary works have been crowned with the prestigious Shahitya Akademi Award, Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award, Asam Prakashan Parishad Award and the Assam Valley Literary Award. His works have been translated into different languages including English, Bengali, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Punjabi.Born in Gauripur in the then undivided Goalpara district in the year 1923, Sheelabhadra, a penname for Sri Rebati Mohan Duttachoudhury, did his early education in PC Institution, Gauripur. He did his higher education in Cotton College, Car-Michael College of Rongpur (now in Bangladesh) and Calcutta University. A First Class Master’s holder in Mathematics, the teacher in Sheelabhadra also has been recognized as the most popular among his breed.“We are, in fact, highly grateful to Sir, for in spite of his ailing health and age, he has personally done the proofreading of the entire volume, consisting 1100-odd pages, that too under the light of a torch. He said his failing eyesight has been a hindrance and he was comfortable in reading under a torch light only,” said Ananta Hazarika of Banalata. Hazarika also said that these two volumes of all the short stories of Sheelabhadra have been published as a mark of love and respect to the maestro, as well as an honour to a living legend of contemporary Assamese literature.We hereby take the opportunity to say “happy birthday” and greet the maestro on his 85th birthday tomorrow. May his pen be active for years to come.
Tehelka scribe selected for Sarojini award
GUWAHATI, Sept 17 – Teresa Rehman, Principal Correspondent (Northeast India), ‘Tehelka’, has been selected for the Sarojini Naidu Prize for the best reporting on women in Panchayati Raj, 2007. She has won this prize in the English category. The Sarojini Naidu Prize 2007, announced by the Hunger Project, focuses on ‘Women in Panchayati Raj Bringing Education to Every Child.’
Dulal Roy, Gyanada Kakati receive awards
NAGAON, Sept 17 – Dulal Roy and Gyanada Kakati received the Natyaprabar Saradakanta Bardoloi Award and Silpapran Chandra Phukan Award, respectively, in a function held at District Library auditorium, Nagaon recently.Roy received the award from eminent actor George Baker while Kakati received the award from Abdul Mazid. The function was organised by Natyaprabar Saradakanta Bardoloi aru Silpaprana Chandra Phukan Smritirakshya Samiti in collaboration with Rangmahal. Rockybul Hussain, State Forest Minister, released a souvenir Natyaprabar – Silpipran on the occasion.Tributes paid: The people of Nagaon paid rich tributes to veteran freedom fighter, prominent social worker and former minister Debendra Nath Bora in a meeting held at Nowgong College recently. The meeting was presided over by Bishnu Prasad, ex-Minister and ex-MP.Mahim Bora, former president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Bharat Ch Bhuyan, president, District Congress, Indreswar Goswami, litterateur, Pranati Bora, wife of late Bora, and many others present at the meeting paid homage to the departed soul. Rockybul Hussain, State Forest Minister, while paying tributes urged others to emulate the ideals of late Bora.Mahim Bora released the souvenir Shaddhargha, in memory of late Bora.Debendra Nath Bora, who died on August 31 last at a private nursing home in Guwahati had actively participated in the freedom struggle for the country. He was a tamrapatra holder. He was a minister in the Sarat Sinha cabinet. He was formerly chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Board, vice-chairman of Central Khadi and Village Industries Borad, chairman of Asam Agriculture Advisory Council. He was also a former chairman of Nagaon Municipal Board, vice-president of Asam Freedom Fighters’ Association. He was the president of the Sreemanta Sankar Mission. He was also a good litterateur and works like Kolonge Kande, Nagaonar Mukti Yujarun have received wide readership.Protest march: The owners and workers of different motor garages in Haibargaon area of Nagaon town and business establishments associated with motor parts took out a large procession recently through main thoroughfares of Nagaon town in protest against the decision of the administration to evict them along the NH-37 for security reasons.
State scribe wins environment award
GUWAHATI, Sept 21 – Amarjyoti Borah of Assam has been awarded the prestigious Forum of Environmental Journalists of India (FEJI) Young Environment Journalist Award-2007. The FEJI gives two awards every year — one for print and the other for electronic media journalist for outstanding contributions in the field of environmental reporting. The winner for the electronic media was Bahar Dutt, sister of acclaimed journalist Barkha Dutt.The award was formally presented to Bora by Usha Rai, former director, Press Institute of India during the 4th CMS Vatavaran, Environment and Wildlife Film Festival-2007 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on September 16. Bora has been reporting for Down to Earth, a leading science and environment journal, and has reported on some of the major environmental issues of the North-east during the past two years. He has also authored a book on environmental degradation caused by large-scale development.
NETA honours tea doyen HP Borooah
GUWAHATI, Sept 19 – North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) conferred the title of tea doyen and lifetime achievement award to Hemendra Prasad Borooah at a function held in connection with the closing ceremony of its silver jubilee celebration at Golaghat yesterday. In a statement here, the NETA said today that the contributions made by Borooah to the State’s tea industry was immeasurable. His most remarkable feat is his effort in corporatising his family tea business, transforming it from an agricultural entity to a corporate body. He played a leading role in 1970 to set up the Tea Auction Centre at Guwahati. He was also instrumental in infusing life into the Tea Research Association
Anjana lone member from NE
GUWAHATI, Sept 24 – When the Flame of Hope of the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2007 sends its sparks towards the October skies, it would not only be a salute to the indomitable human spirit, but also a celebration of the accomplishments of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities.The Special Olympics, one of the world’s largest sporting events for the persons with intellectual disabilities, scheduled from October 2 to 11 in the city of Shanghai, China will this year have the only representative from the North East. Anjana Goswami, director of Ashadeep, a mental health society would be the lone delegate from the North East in the Indian contingent that is going to leave for Shanghai on September 28.It needs mention here that the Special Olympics is the platform for individuals and families to embrace the diversity and celebrate all differences. This year more than 7000 athletes from 169 countries, 40,000 volunteers and 3500 event officials will be participating in the sporting event.“It is really a great moment for us and we are confident that the exposure will help us in preparing our athletes,” said Anjana.So far no athlete from the State has participated in the Special Olympics.“Our athletes with intellectual disability have the ability to become world champions, provided they get the required training and the opening,” said Anjana.The theme of the 2007 Special Olympics is in keeping with the mantra, which the persons with intellectual disabilities are taught to follow. “I know I can, that is the theme of this year’s games,” informed Anjana.The participants and their families would reach out to each other so that the spirit of unity on the playing fields is extended to embrace the world to make a better way of life for all. The participants would be competing in 23 different sports.“The Special Olympics is an occasion to learn to accept each other so that we all can contribute to the society,” said Anjana.Apart from the sporting events, the host country has made arrangement for review of groundbreaking studies in the area of intellectual disabilities and on subjects ranging from health and fitness to attitude change to the impact of the Special Olympics movement.“The need of the hour is to create a new global vision of acceptance,” said Anjana, adding that despite differences, the human race enjoyed a fundamental commonality and the spirit of the Special Olympics should touch the everyday life so that persons with any type of disability are able to live in dignity.
Another State youth strikes the right chords in Bollywood
GUWAHATI, Sept 23 – Music lovers from the State nowadays have quite a lot to cheer. Inherent passion for music here is now rocking Bollywood, overcoming a stagnant period that came after Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s soulful musical launches in Bollywood. The new generation of music stars from the State are gradually being recognised as the voices of India. Zubeen, Debojit Saha, Banajyotsna... the melody club is recently joined by Alaap a.k.a. Dudul Saikia, as a promising music director. Dudul’s music in the latest release of State’s music sensation Zubeen Garg, Zindagi, is receiving critical applause in Bollywood. He has done the composing, music arrangement and audio concepts for Zindagi. To celebrate this success, Dudul, now a Mumbai based music director and a composer, flew back to Guwahati. “The audio album Zindagi, is a very close association of my own feelings expressed in a musical manner. It contains songs and ballads of various emotions punctuated by good musicians through their skill and expressively articulated by singers like Zubeen, Chitra and Safaquat Amanat Ali,” said Dudul Saikia. Apart from his works in Zindagi, Alaap has a number of achievements in his kitty. He has composed and provided background music for many television soaps with the Star Plus and Zee TV among others. He has worked for a Bollywood movie and composed jingles for many advertisements. Apart from these, Alaap has also created and composed music for more than twenty audio albums in Assamese and other regional languages.“It has been fifteen years from now, when I went to Mumbai in the pursuit of my dream and from then, I have been constantly working in this field to carve a niche for myself,” Saikia said. Lately, he is arranging and programming music for the music directors like Annu Malik and Adesh Srivastava. His list of recent releases include songs composed for Vaisali Samant’s album titled ‘V’ and yet to be released songs for albums of Sunita Rao, Roop Joharie, Shafaquat Ali and MS Abeer.
Prashant wins Indian Idol crown
Sept 23 (PTI) – In a competition which saw small-town youths take centrestage, Prashant Tamang, a constable in the West Bengal Police, tonight beat rival Amit Paul to wear the crown of the Indian Idol in a grand finale of the over-two month long talent hunt. Tamang, 24, who hails from Darjeeling, has undergone a journey from being a member in the police band in Kolkata to becoming the heart throb of millions of TV viewers all over the country. The grand finale was an all North-East affair as Tamang took on 24-year-old Paul, who hails from Shillong. The results of the talent hunt were announced at a gala in New Delhi with the final witnessing a whopping seven crore people sending in their votes. The contest saw the entire North-East coming together irrespective of their ethnic differences in support of the two singers. In his final performance Amit Paul got a big applause in Duma dum mast kalander while Prashant rocked the show with his tremendous performance on Janabe Ali- Janabe Ali of Bardahsht. Meghalaya which has a history of violence between the tribals and settlers, especially Bengalis, rallied behind Paul, who is a Bengali. The State government has even been asked to declare Amit Paul state ambassador for peace and communal harmony. A large proportion of the over seven crore sms received by the organisers of the talent show came in from the North East
US-based professor on India visit
JORHAT, Oct 1 – Dr Bijoy Bordoloi, Professor of Business Management (MIS), Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, USA, is currently on a visit to India as a senior scholar under the prestigious US Fulbright Programme for six months. The Pilani-based Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Rajasthan is hosting Dr Bordoloi who is scheduled to deliver talks in various universities and institutions like IITs in India as a cultural ambassador under the programme. Dr Bordoloi, who earned his Ph.D. from Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, in 1987, is reputedly the first Assamese to have a doctorate in Business Management with a major in Management Information Systems from a US university.
Sabha confers prestigious title on Dr MM Sarma
GUWAHATI, Oct 4 – The Asam Sahitya Sabha has selected eminent Sanskrit scholar and former VC of Dibrugarh University Dr Mukunda Madhav Sarma for its Sadashya Mahiyan title. The Sabha has been honouring the illustrious sons of the soil who have contributed to the promotion of oriental studies. Stalwarts Krishna Kanta Handique, Dr Maheswar Neog and Dr Satyendra Nath Sarma were previously honoured with the title.Dr Mukunda Madhav Sarma would be conferred the title at a function slated in December, said functionaries of the Sabha.On the other hand, the functionaries informed that the Sabha would centrally observe the birth centenary of eminent litterateur Sitanath Brahmachoudhury on October 8. The units of the Sabha have also been directed to observe the occasion.
Teresa gets Sarojini award
GUWAHATI, Oct 4 – In a glittering function at Delhi’s Chinmaya Mission auditorium, the 7th Sarojini Naidu Prize for ‘Best Reporting on Women and Panchayat Raj’ was awarded to Teresa Rehman, Principal Correspondent of Tehelka (Northeast) on Tuesday. She received a citation and a cash award of Rs 2 lakh from Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State for Women and Child Development (Independent charge). The Sarojini Naidu Prize, an initiative of The Hunger Project, honours the commitment and contribution of media persons in showcasing the work done by women. Rehman’s story had focused on Hema Kumari Das, a panchayat president from Rajabari village, who had done commendable work in the uplift of primary education in a village inhabited by internally displaced people belonging to the Missing community. Rehman, in her speech, emphasized on the fact that just as the government distributes free textbooks to school students, they should also distribute free school uniforms to students too so that at least the girl child do not drop out just because she does not have a dress to wear.An alumnus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (Delhi), Rehman has written incisive pieces on issues like crimes against women, customary laws and gender discrimination. She is particularly interested in delving into the lives, trials and triumphs of women panchayat leaders, who according to her have a great opportunity to usher in a developed India.She was earlier conferred the fourth Kunjabala Devi Memorial Award for Investigative Reporting on Women’s issues by The Assam Tribune group in 2003.
Prof Abedin invited to UNESCO meet in Paris
GOALPARA, Oct 3 – Prof DJ Abedin of Goalpara has been invited to attend the 34th general conference of the UNESCO to be held in Paris this year from October 16 to November 3.Prof Abedin retired as the Head of the Department of English, Goalpara College, in the month of May, 2003. He had also been elected as MLA for three terms from South Salmara constituency.He had been the president of Assam College Teachers’ Association in 1998. He is also a life member of AIFUCTO (All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation) which is affiliated to the World Federation of Teachers’ Unions (WFTU), Federation International Syndicate de L Enseignment (FISE).The WFTU/FISE has got an ‘operational relation’ with the UNESCO as a non-government organisation. Civil society as per section I of its ‘Directives’ outlines relations with non-government organisations.According to these arrangements, the WFTU is sending a 10-member delegation from India to the Paris conference this year.Prof Abedin is the lone member selected from Assam in view of his dedicated past performance for the cause of education in general and collegiate education is particular.The conference will be attended by government as well as non-government delegations from India, and all other member countries of UNESCO. They will deliberate on various aspects of education, science and culture.The delegation will leave India by a flight from Mumbai on October 14.
RN Dutta Barua elected printer body’s president
GUWAHATI, Oct 2 – Ramendra Narayan Dutta Barua of the All Assam Master Printers’ Association and former editor of ‘Saptahik Nilachal’ and ‘The News Star’ has been elected as the president of All India Master Printers’ Association. He defeated his rival Kolkata-based Ranjan Kothari, stated a press release.Dutta Barua is also a trustee of Media Trust, Assam and Director of Institute of Mass Communication and Media, the release added
Leo Expo award for veteran journalist Naresh Rajkhowa
GUWAHATI, Oct 7 – Not sticking to mere business activities, organizers of the 8th international Expo, being organized by Leo Advertising, today announced a fresh award - Leo Expo Journalist Sanman-, which comprise a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh along with a trophy and a citation.The award for the year 2007 has been conferred on veteran journalist Naresh Rajhkhowa who worked for The Assam Tribune. Born in the year 1922, Rajkhowa began his journalism career in the year 1946 with The Assam Tribune and reported on a host of historic events till date. He was also the member of Press Council of India.The organizers, during a press conference, also announced the other popular awards instituted by it including Leo Expo Silpi Sanman and the Leo Expo Sports award for the year 2007. While artist Nilpaban Baruah and veteran singer Deepali Barthakur have been chosen for the Leo Expo Silpi Sanman, the maiden Leo Expo Sports award went to Arjuna awardee archer Jayanta Talukdar and ace shuttler Krishna Deka Raja for their valuable contributions in the respective fields. The awards will be given during the course of the expo, which begins from October 25 in the Assam Engineering Institute field at Chandmari.More than 300 stalls of the participating traders would be put up in the fair. The price of ticket has been fixed at Rs 5.National award winning actress Malaya Goswami, senior journalist Dilip Chandan and veteran sports organizer Suren Ram Phookun, who are also the members of the award committees, were present on the occasion.
Jyotshna Kalita gets Sanskriti Award
NEW DELHI, Oct 16 – A young litterateur Jyotshna Kalita is the winner of this year’s Sanskriti Awards 2007, announced here today. While Kalita has been selected for literature, others nominated for the prestigious award included K.A.Shaji for journalism, K.P.Reji (art), Bijayani Satpathy (dance) and Vipin Vijay (film making).The Sanskriti Awards which has entered its 28th year are presented to young achievers in the fields of literature, journalism, performing art and cultural achievements. The Award includes a cash reward of Rs 25,000 and a citation.This year the Award would be formally presented on November 2 by Magsaysay Award winner P. Sainath, announced chairman of Awards Committee of Sanskriti Pratishthan, Ashok Vajpeyi.At 26, Jyotshna Kalita is a leading poet among the young generation of modern Assamese poet. A Master in English literature from Delhi University, Jyotshna has published two collection of poetry, ‘Saralrekhar Dare and Kathan’. She began her professional career in the editorial desk of the print media, but later specialized in producing and directing cultural documentaries, scriptwriting and concept designing. Her documentary on the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh called Jewel in the Lotus brought her lot of accolades.
Top US varsity award to State girl
Oct 28 — In a rare honour to the State, Deepshika Choudhury of Dispur has been selected for the ‘Best Dissertation Award’ in nuclear physics amongst the American Universities by the American Physical Society (APS). Deepshika, currently a post-doctoral fellow at George Washington University at Washington DC, is arguably the first Assamese to have ever received such recognition in nuclear physics by any American society. The award is given annually by the APS division of nuclear physics in recognition of recent outstanding doctoral research in nuclear physics. The award carries a cash prize of $ 2,000 and an allowance to travel to a APS meeting scheduled for April, 2008.Deepshika’s dissertation was completed under the guidance of Prof Daniel Phillips of Ohio State University titled “Investigating Neutron Polarizabilities and NN Scattering in Heavy-Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory”.Talking to this correspondent, Ajit Kumar Choudhury, father of Deepshika, expressed happiness over his daughter’s feat and said, “I hope her works come handy for overall development of the country and the State in particular.”Deepshika did her BSc in Physics from Cotton College and MTech from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
Prof Atul Sarma in finance panel
NEW DELHI, Nov 14 – For the first time-ever an economist from Assam has been made a member of the Finance Commission. The 13th Finance Commission constituted under the chairmanship of former Union Finance Secretary, Dr Vijay L. Kelkar includes Prof Atul Sarma. The other members of the Commission include Member Planning Commission, BK Chaturvedi as part-time member, Emeritus Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Dr Indira Rajaraman, Chief Economist, National Council of Applied Economic Research, Dr Abusaleh Shariff, besides Prof Atul Sarma. They are all full time members of the Commission. Sumit Bose has been appointed secretary to the Commission. Prof Sarma was the former Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University (formerly Arunachal University). He joined the University in 2003 after retiring as Director of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) New Delhi. Prof Sarma was also appointed member of the steering committee for the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) for the North Eastern states in 2006.The 13th Finance Commission will review the state of finances of the Union and the States keeping in view the operation of the States’ Debt Consolidation and Relief Facility 2005-2010 (DCRF) and suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment consistent with equitable growth. The 13th Finance Commission has also been mandated to review the present arrangements concerning financing of disaster management with reference to the National Calamity Contingency Fund and the Calamity Relief Fund and the funds envisaged in the Disaster Management Act, 2005, an official spokesman said. As in the case of the previous Finance Commissions, the 13th Finance Commission will also take into consideration various aspects while making its recommendations. These relate to assessment of the resources of the Centre and the State for the five year period, taxation efforts and the potential of additional revenue mobilization, demands on the resources of the Central Government. The 13th Finance Commission will also take into consideration the likely impact of the proposed implementation of Goods and Services Act (GST) with effect from 1st April 1, 2010, including its impact on foreign trade. The recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission will cover the period of five years from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015. The Commission is expected to make available its report by October 31, 2009.
Asian Innovation Award to local NGO
GUWAHATI, Nov 13 – City-based NGO Centre for Rural Development today bagged the bronze award in the Asian Innovation Award Competition 2007 organised by Wallstreet Journal and Global Entrepolis, Singapore. According to Dr Pradip Sarma, director CRD, he himself received the award at function held at Singapore. In all, 268 parties from 18 countries joined the competition. An NGO from Australia won the gold medal, while the silver medal went to an NGO from Bangladesh
Gilbertson Sangma: man with the golden boot
GUWAHATI, Nov 20 – That was a sunny day of September 1976. Han Yang University of Korea came here to play an exhibition football match against Assam Police at the Nehru Stadium. The Korean students were the champions of the DCM Trophy that year and immediately after the Delhi tournament they visited the city. The Nehru Stadium was jam-packed and the cops were trailing 0-1 till the 85th minute of the match. Suddenly winger Brajen Brahma sent a floater from the right flank. A police forward took the ball on his thigh and on the rise, the acrobatic forward unleashed a side volley. The ball rested in the net without giving the Korean goalkeeper any scope to punch it away. The gem of a goal sent the whole stadium into frenzy. Incidentally, that was the only goal conceded by the Korean team in their Indian sojourn. The striker was no other than Gilbertson Sangma, undoubtedly the best footballer Assam has ever produced so far.Sangma was the ‘Guest of the Month’ of the Guwahati Press Club on Tuesday and had a lively interaction with media persons and his followers. Born in Dibrugarh in 1954, Sangma took the game at an early age and started practising with anything spherical by kicking at a wall in the police barrack as his father was an policeman. Witnessing stars like Kamala Nath, Subir Choudhury, Chandra Mohan Ganju, young Gilbert also started dreaming of becoming a footballer. His dream came true when in 1971 he joined the Assam Police and got the chance to be with his idols during the training period at Dergaon. That was the beginning. The God-gifted player did not have to look back since then and became a regular player of the Assam Police team since 1972.He played football at a stretch for long 17 years from 1971 to 1987 scoring numerous goals in all the major tournaments of the country and during that marathon period, he enthralled the crowd in every nook and corner of the State. He also led the Assam team in the Santosh Trophy and represented the Indian team in 1975. He toured Indonesia and Malaysia with the senior India team. But interestingly, he did not play any tournament in the junior level.Recalling his Bordoloi Trophy days Sangma revealed, Assam Police was the leading force in this coveted tournament and lifted the trophy on several occasions. The Calcutta giants — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohameddan Sporting — always had respect and fear for the team. In 1971 Assam Police defeated Md Sporting of Calcutta in the final. But that time Sangma was not in the team. Recalling the 1981 summit clash of the tournament, when the policemen downed Dempo Club of Goa, he was the hero of the final being the scorer of the winning goal. With his scintillating skills and speed, with and without ball, and accurate shooting, he became the darling of the crowd but a headache for the opponent defenders. He had the capacity to dodge an opponent defender within a fraction of a second and could plan to outsmart the tough defenders before they could understand him.On the dismal state of the Bordoloi Trophy Sangma said during their time people loved to see the Assam Police team in the Nehru Stadium. They had players like Kalimuddin Ahmed, Chandra Mohan Ganju, Subir Choudhury, Kamala Nath, Tolendra Lahon, Momin Bordoloi, Fakaruddin Laskar, etc who had the capacity to entertain the crowd with their individual skills and as a team they had tremendous fighting spirit. They always put up a spirited show against the big three of Calcutta. That was one of the reasons that people used to come to the Nehru Stadium to enjoy Bordoloi Trophy matches. He advised the youngsters to work hard and go for regular practice sincerely.Terming Arun Borthakur as his most respected player, Sangma said the Oil India forward had all the qualities of a great player. He was not only a skillful player but also a perfect gentleman.On the present Assam Police team he said the creation of the Assam Police Blues team was a blunder on the part of top officials. The newly created team in the city could not put any impact on the people of Assam and as soon as the base of the team was shifted to Guwahati all the past glamour was lost. Asked to name his dream team of the State, he pronounced the names of Mukul Sowar (goalkeeper), Subodh Choudhury, Subir Choudhury, Fazal Haq (defenders), Chandra Mohan Ganju, Dambaru Khanikar (midfielders), Amalendu Dey, Arun Borthakur, Reboti Phukan, Amal Phukan and himself.Presently serving in the capacity of a deputy superintendent of police in Guwahati, Sangma still maintains a good physique with regular workouts and he looks as young as he was during his heydays.
NEDFi pavilion wins award at India Int’l Trade Fair
GUWAHATI, Dec 6 – The NEDFi pavilion received the Special Commendation Prize in the Public Sector Undertakings category at the India International Trade Fair, which concluded in Delhi recently.SK Baruah, General Manager, NEDFi, received the prize from Tajendra Khanna, Governor of Delhi. This is the fourth award won by NEDFi in the last five years of its participation in the biggest trade fair in the country.The NEDFi Pavilion was named NEDFi Haat and the fabrication was done with bamboo, bamboo mats, sheetal patti and natural orchids with a wooden hornbill, the best known bird of the North-East, donning the façade placed atop the entrance to the pavilion. The pavilion was designed under the supervision of Labu Senapati, well-known designer of Guwahati.The objective behind NEDFi’s participation in the mega event was to provide exposure and marketing linkages to the artisans, entrepreneurs, NGOs and self-help groups of the North East financially supported by the Corporation. This time, 35 units participated under the banner of NEDFi. The organisation also provided free space to the units besides extending other assistance such as travelling lodging allowances and reimbursement of expenditure for transporting exhibits and products for sale. Participants were handpicked from all the eight North-Eastern States. The products included varieties of dry flowers, handicrafts, hand woven clothes, bamboo and wooden articles, processed fruits, natural stone items, bell metal, dolls etc. Besides Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi and Sushma Singh, Secretary, DoNER, a number of dignitaries from the Central Government and North-Eastern States visited the pavilion.
Monimugdha named for Jeevan Raksha Padak
GUWAHATI, Dec 8 – The Union Government has nominated Monimugdha Bora, a science stream student of class-XI of the Army School, Basistha here for the Jeevan Raksha Padak in recognition to his indomitable courage. According to a letter from the Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, the Government of Assam will present the decoration for the award to Manimugdha.Son of Kartik Chandra Bora, an Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Tutumoni Bora Bordoloi of Survey Ashok Path, under Dispur Police Station, Manimugdha single-handedly saved the densely populated locality of Ashok Path from being burnt to ashes on April 2, 2006.The incident occurred around 7-30pm that day, which was a Sunday. Only a handful of adult male persons were there in the locality that time and they were mostly confined indoors. Manimugdha, then a student of class –X in Srimanta Sankara Academy of the city, was also busy in his study on the first floor of their house. His parents were away.When he was coming out of his study to drink a little water, Manimugdha saw flames engulfing the ground floor of his maternal uncle Pranay Kumar Bordoloi’s house located just by the side of their house.Manimugdha missed no time. He switched on their water pump, fitted it with a plastic pipe and rushed to Bordoloi’s house raising alarm. He alerted the ailing aged mother of Bordoloi, her daughter-in-law and her grand children inside the house. The daughter-in-law panicked and she was nervously rushing to the fire with a bowlful of water. Manimugdha saved her from being burnt alive. It took the 16-year-old boy nearly half an hour to douse the fire.
Assam 3rd at IIT fair
GUWAHATI, Dec 12 – The Assam Pavilion bagged the third position in the State Government category at the recently-concluded India International Trade fair in New Delhi. There were 28 participating States in the event.Delhi Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna presented the award to Nur Mohammed, director of the Assam Pavilion.
3 hair dressers poised for big challenge
Dec 17 – Looks, attitude, style and fashion – given a chance, Northeastern talents never trail behind others the fact was once again proven at the India Open Cup, 2007, organized by the National Hair Dressers and Beautician Association at New Delhi, where three contestants from the State gained laurels. Not only that, the contestants from the State, Hemoprabha Gogoi, Indrani Chowdhury and Sunita Panging also seized the opportunity to participate in a contest to be held in Chicago, USA in March next.The contest was organised in three sections ‘trend hair cutting’, ‘full fashion’ and ‘bridal make up’ by National Hair Dresser and Beautician Association on December 2. Hemoprabha secured first position in ‘trend hair cutting’ while Indrani and Sunita got the second position jointly in the ‘full fashion’ section.The three contestants participated in the competition, representing the Northeast, by winning the Signature Awards in the State organized by the Signature Training Centre recently. Out of a total of 120 participants from all over the country, six contestants who secured their respective positions in the three sections of the competition would represent India in Chicago and take part in the competition organised by the World Hair Dresser Association.
Victim of child labour, holder of 76 degrees
GUWAHATI, Dec 22 – He is a living testimony to the fact that nothing can come between an unwavering will and one’s goal. A victim of child labour who had little formal education, now holds an astounding 76 degrees. Dr Patnala Sudhakar, currently the News Director of Hyderabad Doordarshan, is a man with a mission to spread the importance of education because “many ills plaguing the society can be cured by education.” “I want to carry forward he message that even poverty is not a hindrance to education provided one has the will and commitment,” Dr Sudhakar, who was in the city recently, told The Assam Tribune. A modest person for all his achievements, Dr Patnala attributes his success to his illiterate mother. “Though illiterate, my mother instilled in me the urge to pursue education – whatever may be the constraints. I owe my success to her,” he said. Taking about his degrees, Dr Sudhakar said that he was not contend with 76 degrees and was keen to complete a century. “My goal is to get a hundred degrees,” he said. His first degree was BA (Economics) in 1970, and the latest is MA (Sanskrit) in 2007. All his degrees have been acquired through distance education. A man with diverse interests, Dr Sudhakar has been in the forefront of the National Mental Health Movement, which he believes is essential for moulding the minds of the youth towards constructive purposes. “A man needs to be healthy physically, socially, culturally, psychologically and mentally. This is important for all-round development of the nation,” he asserted. Dr Sudhakar is also a researcher, journalist, educationist, dancer, singer, poet and civil rights activist. Author of ten books, he had been, in the course of his stint at the Indian Information Services (IIS), the editor of Yojana (Telugu), news editor of All India Radio and Doordarshan prior to his present posting. According to Dr Sudhakar, his mission was to inspire people to realize the importance of education. “Even if one person is motivated by my story, I will get the satisfaction of having contributed one drop to the ocean of knowledge,” he said. Dr Sudhakar has high regards for the North-East and its people, especially the youth. “The youth of the North-East are very intelligent and energetic. What is important is to channelize their energy to the right direction,” he said, adding that both “mainstream India” and the North-East needed to understand each other better.
National Energy Conservation Award for NRL
GUWAHATI, Dec 19 – The Numaligarh Refinery Limited has received the second prize of the prestigious National Energy Conservation Award 2007 in the refineries sector. The award was presented by the President of India, Pratibha Patil to NRL MD, Dr BK Das at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on December 14 last on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day. This was stated in an NRL press release.Instituted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, this award gives national recognition to institutions/industries who have made commendable efforts in the direction of energy conservation by systematic and serious attempts for efficient utilisation and conservation of energy.NRL has been able to achieve optimum efficiency in plant operations. This has been possible due to adoption of eco-friendly technology right from the inception of the refinery, continual efforts in the direction of energy conservation by adopting a number of energy conservation measures and schemes along with the whole hearted and collective efforts and commitment of the employees towards enhancing plant performance. It may be mentioned that in the last three years, refinery specific energy consumption, which is measure of energy efficiency has come down from 76.4 MBN in 2004-05, 75.4 MBN in 2005-06 to 72.5 MBN in 2006-07.In the past too, NRL has won many accolades for its efforts towards energy conservation. NRL received the Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight (OGCF) award 2006 for attaining excellence in the field of energy conservation. NRL was also awarded the 1st prize by Petroleum Conservation and Research Association (PCRA) in the medium project category for the year 2004-05 for its unique efforts towards conserving energy. NRL was the proud recipient of the ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Award’ for energy efficiency for the year 2004-05. Recently, the company bagged the 1st prize of TERI Corporate Environmental Award 2007 in recognition of its leadership efforts towards environment management and innovative initiatives amongst corporations with turnover above Rs 500 crore.
Sadashya Mahiyan to Dr Sarma
GUWAHATI, Dec 23 – In recognition of his invaluable contribution to the field of oriental studies, noted Sanskrit scholar and expert in oriental studies Dr Mukunda Madhav Sarma was conferred the title of Sadashya Mahiyan on Sunday by the apex literary body in the State, the Asam Sahitya Sabha. The title, the highest honour bestowed on an individual for his/her creative and original contributions, was instituted by the Sabha in the year 1977. The first person to receive the honour was Krishnakanta Handique, the renowned Sanskrit scholar and linguist of the State. After Handique, Dr Maheswar Neog and Dr Satyendra Nath Sarma were honoured with the title.Dr Mukunda Madhav Sarma, who is also the former VC of Dibrugarh University, was honoured with traditional fanfare and a copper citation. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sarma, whose contribution has been credited with several awards including the President’s certificate of honour, appealed to the people to inculcate respect for the Assamese language. Dr Sarma promised to continue working for the development of the Assamese language. Dr Sarma, whose speech was later read out by his daughter, stressed the need for reviving the dwindling interest in the Sanskrit language, which was the mother of all Indian languages. He said that the rich treasure of Sanskrit literature had a universal appeal and as it was contemporaneous in nature, it had relevance to the present-day society. “The knowledge and ideas of Sanskrit literature has the power to address the problems faced by the present society and youth,” he said.In his speech, Dr Sarma had discussed the various aspects of Vedic literature and the values and ideals upheld by it.On the other hand, the VC of Gauhati University, Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, speaking at the function said that oriental studies including the study of the Sanskrit language was a journey of self-introspection. He said that under the prevailing conditions, it had become important to go for self-introspection and rediscover one’s roots through the literature of the past.The function was presided over by president of Asam Sahitya Sabha Kanaksen Deka.Former head of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University and a noted critic, Dr Ashok Kumar Goswami in his speech spoke at length on the life and achievements and creative journey of Dr Mukunda Madhav Sarma.
Honour to Sattra Mahasabha chief
GUWAHATI, Dec 26 — The Asom Sattra Mahasabha president and the Sattradhikar of Sri Sri Jakai Sattra (Charing), Sivasagar, Bhadra Krishna Goswami has been invited to conduct two seminars at the Hindu Mahasanmilan at Indore.The Mahasanmilan, which began from Wednesday, will conclude on January 5, 2008. Around 1,10,000 participants from different countries are attending the Mahasanmilan, the first of its kind in the world.
Sahitya Akademi Award for Purabi Barmudoi By Our Correspondent GUWAHATI, Dec 26 – Noted Assamese litterateur Dr Purabi Barmudoi has been conferred with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel Santanukulanandan today. Santanukulanandan published by the Banalata deals with the river Brahmaputra and its influence on the Assamese society.The book, which hit the market last year, was widely acclaimed by readers across the State.Some of her best novels include Rupuwali Noi Sonowali Ghat, Parampujonio Aru Anyannya Upanyash and Bagjaal Bagsaal Aru Manuh. Talking to this correspondent from Dibrugarh over phone, Dr Barmudoi expressed happiness over winning the coveted award. “This would inspire me a lot,” the author who has been ailing for along time now said. Ananta Hazarika of Banalata, which has published Dr Barmudoi’s most of the popular novels, said that he was confident that such an award would definitely come to her sooner or later.“The award is a tribute to the work of a very talented writer,” Hazarika said.
Machang Lalung passes away
MORIGAON, Dec 26 – Machang Lalung, an undertrial prisoner for life who had been released two years back on bail after languishing for nearly 60 years in jail, died last night at his residence at Nellie. He was 80. The tragedy of Machang epitomizes the inherent defects in the country’s judicial system, as Machang was made a prisoner without any trial for a petty offence. Ironically, when he was finally freed in 2005 following an intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), his freedom was on bail only. In a sense, he never experienced true freedom before death ultimately cleared him of his bondage. Machang was sent to the jail in 1946 when he was still in his teens, and he never knew what his offence. All the written documents relating to his case were lost and the person stayed in jail without trial up to 2005. An award-winning documentary, Living at the Edge, was also made on his life by Aenisha Sharma.
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