Congress Comfortably Placed in Mizoram?

Congress sets new guidelines for ticket distribution

By Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

The Congress is trying to improvise a formula by which it can field prospective winners in the upcoming assembly polls, widely seen as a precursor to next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Four of the five poll-bound states are a straight fight between the Congress and the BJP. In Mizoram, the Congress is pitted against the Mizoram People’s Conference, but is comfortably placed.

Congress managers have laid down new criteria for distribution of party tickets. Though winnability is the main requirement, the party has decided not to blindly follow the policy of re-nomination. According to the new guidelines, those who have lost two consecutive elections or the last election by a margin of 15,000 or more votes or lost their deposits would not be considered for the party ticket.

Those who lost the last election by around 1,000 votes may, however, be re-nominated.

As the caste factor has an overwhelming influence in electoral politics, candidates belonging to different social groups will be considered, depending upon the dominance of a particular class in those constituencies.

This is in line with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s “unfinished agenda” of giving backward castes, Dalits and tribals their share in the party organisation and also in distribution of party tickets.

He has often regretted that young people, particularly belonging to marginalised sections of society, had not been given adequate representation in his party. He has, however, also consistently spoken against playing politics of caste and religion.

Out of power in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh since 2003, the Congress is desperate to defeat the BJP here. In Delhi and Rajasthan, on the other hand, the ruling Congress faces strong anti-incumbency. Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit has created a record as the longest-serving woman chief minister in independent India. At the helm for 15 years, she is seeking a fourth term.

In Rajasthan, despite Gehlot’s big successes such as IIT Jodhpur and an inclusive social agenda, local issues of road, water and power mismanagement may turn voters against his government.

Some sitting legislators could be dropped and fresh faces fielded to beat the anti-incumbency factor, Congress sources said. Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed said all sitting legislators would have to apply for tickets; a decision will be taken based on their performance and image. “There will be no sitting-getting formula this time,” he said.

A large number of women candidates are demanding tickets in these elections. The All-India Mahila Congress president Shobha Oza has urged the party leadership to consider at least one woman candidate from each district.

“We have demanded representation in each district of all the election-bound states,” she said. But it remains to be seen how effectively the Congress will follow these guidelines. Some of the norms set by Rahul Gandhi were violated in the very first elections that were held in Karnataka after his anointment as party vice-president.

Hot and High

By ANURAG TAGAT

Heavy metal With a touch of glam

Assamese glam/heavy metal band Filharmonix, follows genre rules by writing songs about people’s inner fantasies

When you come across an Assamese glam/heavy metal band, you make the erroneous assumption that one of their best known songs, ‘USA’, is about foreign dreams. A quick read through the lyrics will explain the real meaning, as does guitarist Anurag Saikia of Filharmonix, who are based in Jorhat and Guwahati. Saikia explains, ‘“USA’ stands for Under Skirt Adventure. We came to know that the States has the biggest porn industry. We write most of the songs about the inner fantasies of people which aren’t expressed openly here.”

After all, that’s the core essence of any glam metal band – to be brash, crass and on the lookout for anything that rhymes with it. Think bands like Whitesnake, Dokken and Motley Crue. But some might argue this kind of music – thumping drums, wild solos and pervy lyrics – belonged to the ‘80s. “Our basic genre is heavy metal with some touch of glam, which got established as heavy metal’s biggest success among sub-genres,” says Saikia, who adds: “As far as people’s talks go, we’d say it doesn’t matters what genre one goes with. What matters is how focused and dedicatedly you go on with your genre. We’d say we stand apart from what is going on in the metal scene in India right now.”

Formed in 2009, Filharmonix has members based in Jorhat, which Saikia calls the cultural capital of Assam, as well as Guwahati. They’ve had a few line-up changes straight from the get-go. “We had a nameless band and we were jamming for a contest called Phobiax (held in Guwahati). The vocalist of our band got so irritated by our jam and fun we used to have, he left the band just one week before the show,” says Saikia. Their current vocalist, Kandarpa Kalita, stepped in at that point of time. “We tried our best to act decent on the first jam day, but then we realised he was just a little more manic than us. So he just perfectly fit into the band,” jokes Saikia.

And to keep up with the game, Saikia, with bandmates Purab A. Baruah (vocals), Bedanga Sarma (bass), Kandarpa Kalita (guitars) and Sami (drums), made a strong impression in the scene with their debut album, Hot N High, in July 2011. With eight tracks of heavy metal (scorching guitar solos included), the album was a dream to release, according to the band. The release itself was a milestone, the band says. “Now we’re putting out singles since we invested all our money for that dream (of the album) to come true,” says Saikia. On the way forward, the band is now focusing on gigs, “to collect some money for the next album” considering sponsors are rare in India for a rock/metal album.

Filharmonix has behind the strong backing of a great, catchy, romp of an album that is Hot N High. “Our first thousand copies were sold out so we decided to put out the songs on the internet so that we can reach audience outside Assam,” says Saikia, adding that they are now working on their next single, ‘Devil’s Girl’ which will be out later this month. As for the already successful album and their mischievous current favourite ‘USA’, the songs can be downloaded freely from www.reverbnation.com/filharmonix.

World Vision India Launch Program for Differently-Abled in Nagaland

World Vision India recently launched a special program in Nagaland's Mon district in an endeavour to provide better facilities to people with disabilities.

The project, titled "call me by my name", aims to empower people with disabilities through social inclusion, full participation and support from regular development programs by September 2016.

It will also help in providing equal opportunities and increasing the participation of these people in different spheres. The government has constituted several programmes and provides several facilities to the physically challenged. Through this project, people will be made aware of such rights.

"It is a special project under World Vision India for four years where we are aiming for inclusive education, for a social model where everybody is equal, has equal rights and has access to all the government entitlement and facilities," said NR Kithan, representative, World Vision India.

The project launched under the Mon Area development program is for a period of 4 years. A total of 423 people with disabilities from 20 villages under the Mon district have been identified as part of the project. Wheel chairs, crutches and other items were distributed to the beneficiaries during the event. The project has come as a ray of hope for many.

"World Vision has launched a program for the physically disabled so I am very happy. Even in the future it will be very helpful for us. I am very grateful for the effort and support given by world vision. They are doing their best," said Wangshok, President, Mon District Handicapped Society.

Such initiatives are necessary to improve the living condition of the differently-abled and help them lead a better life.

Read more: World Vision India Launch Program for Differently-Abled in Nagaland | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/world-vision-india-launch-program-for-differently-abled-in-nagaland-125904-1.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allhealthnews+%28Medindia+Health+News%29#ixzz2giOeMN8Y

Miss Universe Olivia Frances Culpo To Visit Arunachal

By UMANAND JAISWAL

Guwahati, Oct 4 : Arunachal Pradesh is rolling out the red carpet for reigning Miss Universe Olivia Frances Culpo to promote its untapped tourism potential.

Culpo, an American beauty pageant title holder who won the Miss USA 2012 and Miss Universe 2012 pageant, will reach Itanagar tomorrow to participate in the curtain-raiser to the three-day International Tourism Mart (ITM) from October 18 at Tawang and the four-day Tawang Festival from October 20.

“The reigning Miss Universe completely fits the bill. Since she was visiting India, we requested her to visit our beautiful state and promote its tourism potential. We want people to know that there is a beautiful place called Arunachal Pradesh in the world. We are aggressively promoting our state as a tourist destination,” the state’s tourism secretary Sonam Chombay said.

Sources indicated that Culpo, dressed in traditional Arunachali attire, will read out a message to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and outside about the state’s tourism potential at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar. She will also participate in a fashion show displaying rich Arunachali textiles.

The Nabam Tuki-led government’s decision to invite Culpo, the sources said, has been dictated by the necessity to make “just the right kind and right amount of buzz” ahead of the ITM and Tawang festival.

Last year, nearly 2.5 lakh domestic and 5,000 foreign tourists visited Arunachal Pradesh. Besides hydel power, the underdeveloped state is banking on tourism for deliverance. The ITM is an initiative of the Union ministry of tourism to attract domestic and international tourists to the Northeast and West Bengal by bringing travel writers, hoteliers, tour operators and tourism officials and foreign delegates under one roof.

The Tawang ITM has received a response as encouraging as the first one held in Guwahati in January. “We are expecting around 150 delegates from 26 countries,” Chombay said.

Culpo will also visit Guwahati on October 5 to participate in a Save the Girl Child campaign, of which NF Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation is a part.

Mother Dairy Enters Northeast, Launches ice Creams in Guwahati

Guwahati, Oct 4 : Mother Dairy entered the North East on Thursday with the launch of its ice creams in Guwahati and plans to expand its reach to over 1,000 outlets within one year.

"North East has big potential as none of the existing players has tried to expand the categories here. We are here not only to capture market share, but expand the segment," said Subhashis Basu, business head of the dairy products division at Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt Ltd.

To start its journey in this region, the company has launched ice creams and frozen vegetables in Guwahati.

Talking about Mother Dairy's sales plans, Mr Basu said, "We want to tap all the potential. Our target is to reach to 1,000 retail outlets within next one year, besides 300 street vendors."

Mr Basu also said that the company aimed to sell 15-20 lakh litres of ice creams every year in Guwahati.

He said the products will be sourced from its facilities in Kolkata and Delhi. The company has already set up two cold storage units here.

The New Delhi-based firm, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board, was commissioned in 1974.

Lalrindika Resurfaces

By Mihir Vasavda

Baichung Bhutia once described Lalrindika Ralte as a 'prodigy' with 'skills that can't be taught'.

Two years back, the then national coach Armando Colaco preferred him over the likes of Steven Dias, Clifford Miranda and Anthony Pereira in the senior squad.

In Ralte, or Dika India had found a new star. Unfortunately Dika failed to live up to the hype. His quick climb was followed a sudden drop. Dika just disappeared. On Tuesday, as East Bengal played Kuwait SC in the AFC Cup semifinals, he resurfaced.

It was refreshing to see him leading a fairly experienced East Bengal side from the front. So where had Dika disappeared? While at a crossroads early in his career, the youngster took a wrong turn and thus got lost.

He first made a big-money move from Arrows, where he first got noticed, to Churchill Brothers. Subsequently, he went on to sign another lucrative contract with East Bengal, rumoured to be in the range of Rs 75 lakh.

Regulars on the circuit say that this proved to be his undoing. They still say, Dika swapped the all-important playing time on the field for a hefty paycheque.

After joining the star-studded big teams, the youngster became a regular on the bench. Out of sight resulted in him going out of mind. Dika was soon out of the national team reckoning too.

Dika's situation isn't unique. The current state of Indian football is such that there are many other young players like him, showered with money, praise and promise but denied the chance to play.

Think of defender Raju Gaikwad, striker Manandeep Singh (both East Bengal), Joaquim Abranches (ex Dempo, now East Bengal) Jewel Raja (ex Mohun Bagan, now Dempo) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (ex Pune, now Dempo).

All these players, including Ralte, were a part of the Indian team at the 2010 Asian Games that entered the pre-quarterfinals.

However, their careers have stagnated instead of taking off from there, being restricted to a substitutes' role after lured by the big clubs who do not mind splashing the cash.

Assam: Truck Slams into Minivans; 13 Children Among 28 Killed

Guwahati, Oct 3 : Police say a massive road accident involving a cargo truck and two minivans in Assam has left 28 people dead, including 13 children, and another 20 injured.

Barpeta district police say the 10-wheeler truck slammed into the oncoming minivans just after dawn Thursday about 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Guwahati.

The minivans had been carrying workers, some with their children, to a local brick kiln. The truck was traveling to West Bengal.

TV channels showed a huge crowd surrounding 28 bodies covered in white sheets and lined up on green grass.

Police have yet to account for the truck driver, though one of two people who were in the truck is believed to be among the dead.

Manipur tour service revisits forgotten Battle of Imphal through its historical sites

By Joanna Lobo

A new tour service in Manipur revisits the forgotten Battle of Imphal through its historical sites, reports Joanna Lobo

The year was 1944. A battle was raging across Manipur, with the British-led Allies defending themselves against the Japanese invasion. The ultimate defeat of the Japanese at Imphal and Kohima, halted their progress to Delhi and proved to be a turning point in the Burma Campaign in World War II.

For Japan, this loss marked the end of its invincible era and imperialist ambitions.

The battle of Imphal, which will complete 70 years next year, and the battle of Kohima, were recently voted “Britain’s Greatest Battles” in a contest run by Britain’s National Army Museum. And yet many Indians are unaware of these battles, which involved soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA). To change this, Eastern Heritage Trails (EHT), founded by Hemant Singh Katoch and his friends, introduced the Battle of Imphal and four other tours. “It is a half or full- day tour that takes you to all the important sites in and around Imphal that are related to the Battle,” shares Katoch.

The Victoria Cross Tour takes you to the battlefields where five Victoria Crosses (the highest British military award for bravery) were won in Manipur, and includes stories of the men who displayed outstanding courage. It ends with a visit to the graves of two Victoria Cross recipients in Second World War.

The Imphal Walk goes through Mapal Kangjeibung, the world’s oldest polo ground where the game is still played; Khwairamband Keithel or  Ima Market, one of Asia’s largest markets run entirely by women; the Kangla Fort, seat of an ancient Manipuri kingdom for 2000 years; and the lanes of Paona Bazaar.

The Tiddim Road Tour visits the only Japanese War Memorial in India, battlefields such as Ningthoukhong’s where two Victoria Crosses were awarded in June 1944; Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in north east India; Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world, and INA’s only Memorial Complex in the world at Moirang.

The Battle of Imphal Tour is a half-day excursion that covers a Second World War-era airfield (Koirengei or Imphal Main), two war cemeteries, a battlefield (Nunshigum) and the colonial-era Slim Cottage, which was once the headquarters of the British 14th Army in charge of operations in Burma.

The Shenam Saddle Tour treats people to trenches and spectacular views from Shenam Saddle, a series of hills, between the villages of Shenam (Sinam) and Tengnoupal, along the road on which British forces had established defensive positions to prevent the Japanese from advancing towards the Imphal Valley.

Also included are the Kakching Garden and a visit to the Khongjom War Memorial.

Katoch, previously a project manager in a research organization, is the only guide and has permanently moved to Manipur from Delhi.

He researched about Manipur and the battle for years, poring over dozens of books related to the state, and visited all the places to see their current condition. The research made him realise the enormity of the war and inspired him to start the tour. He says, “It seemed like the right time to put a spotlight on it, and a heritage tour in Imphal has enormous advantages because the battle was mostly in the countryside and the hills still look the same. Trees maybe fewer and one may sight the odd mobile phone tower, but the sites are largely untouched.”

EHT has conducted nine Battle of Imphal tours, for 50 people, including a man whose brother fought in Kohima and an old Japanese man who was knowledgeable about their side of the war.

Katoch plans to encourage and train more locals to carry out the tours. At present, Leishangthem Chengleinganba Meetei, pursuing Masters in History, takes people for the Imphal Walks.
If you know of someone linked to the battle, Katoch will try and “retrace their steps.”