Silchar man eyeing world record in non-stop dancing
From Our Correspondent
KARIMGANJ, July 30 – Rupendu Das wants to dance his way to the record books, literally. Hailing from Silchar, Rupendu has set his eyes on breaking the world record of non-stop dancing.

“Dancing has been my passion all along and now I want to enter the record books through it,” he said.

Rupendu had already completed non-stop dancing for 32 hours at his home town. He will attempt for 40 hours non-stop dancing in Guwahati. But, he has his eyes fixed on the world record of 48 hours. “If I can achieve the feat, I will be featured in Zee TV’s Shaabash India and can easily get my name entered in the record books,” he said.

Rupendu eats high calorie food two days prior to his non-stop dancing routines and takes only liquids during the performance. He does not stop dancing even if the music stops. “Even if the music stops due to some technical glitch, I continue with the dancing,” he said.

However, all had not been smooth sailing for the dancer as very few people come forward to help genuinely. “I have stopped depending on others’ help and go about doing my works, like meeting sponsors, hanging my posters, all by myself,” Rupendu said. His family has been the greatest strength for him, he admitted, adding, ‘My son is also good at dancing and we are encouraging him.

Lumding-Silchar project by may be completed by Feb. 2009 : Santosh

Central troops for delayed rail project

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT TELEGRAPH INDIA New Delhi, July 24: The Union home ministry has sent forces to aid construction of the gauge conversion on the Lumding-Silchar line. The decision could not have come at a more opportune time as Union minister for heavy industries Sontosh Mohan Dev has been drawing flak for the delay in completion of the project. Six companies of the CRPF have been despatched to Assam to provide security on the railway tracks. Construction on the railway line stopped last October after the Dima Halam Daogah abducted and killed six railway workers. Finally, work on the railway line began only on July 2. There have been constant threats of extortion and a general fear that paralysed work on the vital rail link between Barak Valley and the rest of Assam. Dev, who is an MP from Silchar, has been facing brickbats at home for the delay in completion of the project and also failing to convince the Centre to send security forces . Dev had requested every-one, from the railway minister to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to help complete the project. To make matters worse, a bridge collapsed on the link recently, cutting off supplies for the valley through the rail route. Dev is banking on the completion of the project by February 2009, months before the parliamentary elections. A source in the home ministry said earlier it was decided that security would be provided for 73 worksites on the line. But as problems regarding security increased, the number of worksites were reduced to 63, the source added. Of these, Assam police were manning only 23 locations. The Assam government will also deploy 1,000 ex-servicemen. The Centre will pay the expenses from the security-related expenditure sche-me, a source added. The Sainik Board will help the state government recruit the security officers over the next three months.

 

Joy Chakraborty and Amit Paul appealed for votes

Vote to take talented local lads to the top

Paul Lyngdoh seeks votes for Amit Paul in Shillong on Thursday (top) and Joy Chakraborty in Guwahati on Friday. Pictures by Eastern Projections

OUR BUREAU TELEGRAPH INDIA Shillong/Guwahati, July 20: It is a season of SMS campaign in the Northeast to help two talented singers from the region attain stardom. Yesterday, Meghalaya minister for urban affairs Paul Lyngdoh had appealed to the people to vote for Shillong’s Amit Paul, one of the 10 finalists on the Sony TV reality show Indian Idol. Today, Joy Chakraborty of Lumding, who has entered the last leg of a similar talent hunt Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2007 on Zee TV, appealed for votes in Guwahati. The twin appeals have brought back memories of the support extended by the All Assam Students’ Union to Debojit Saha, who went on to win the title of Voice of India in the last edition of the Zee TV show. Lyngdoh, whose passion for music and poetry is well known, urged for support for the “hugely talented” Paul, who not only shares his name with the minister but also hails from the same locality in Shillong, Mawprem. “The fact that Amit has reached so far in a national-level contest has shown to the world that music is a part and parcel of Shillong and that the city is truly the music destination of the east,” Lyngdoh said. Termed as the “comeback kid”, 23-year-old Amit’s rise to fame reads like a fairytale. Brought up in a fairly conservative Bengali family, he had to face stiff resistance from his parents who wanted him to concentrate on his studies. But for Amit, it was music and only music. He left studies after his matriculation and embarked on the journey to become a singer. Joy, one of the top 13 finalists of the Zee show, is a disciple of singer Himesh Reshammiya, who had sparked a controversy in the last edition of the show for opposing Debojit Saha. Appealing for votes by singing the hit Bihu number, O Jaan Oyee Aakash, he said: “I have come to the city to appeal to my fans to vote for me and help me win like Debojitda, who is my idol and inspiration”. “For the last two years, I have been in Mumbai to shape my career as a singer. I don’t want to miss the chance and hope that my fans will join me in my struggle,” he added. Joy, 23, hails from Lumding. He graduated from Lumding College in 2004. The soft-spoken singer also sports a cap like his mentor.

 

 

Debojit to cut first solo album of Bengali songs

Song offering for Durga
- Singer to cut first solo album of Bengali songs for Pujas
IDOL CHAT TELEGRAPH INDIA
Voice of India Debojit Saha writes about the offering he has lined up for the Goddess...
Durga is all set to return to her earthly abode. And I, being her devotee and a votary of music, am preparing to welcome her with my musical offering.
Durga Puja is not very far away and it has been a tradition of the music industry to churn out the best of melodies during this time. With the Pujas in mind, I am planning to cut an album in August.
This will be my first solo Bengali album but I am planning to release it in Guwahati. It is a great honour for me that HMV has made me this offer.
Durga Puja is the time when the music industry is abuzz with album releases every other day. The season is the best time to attract music connoisseurs and do good business.
But since all singers are coming up with new albums, the competition is intense. Fans will welcome only the best. That is why I am leaving no stone unturned and have also told lyricists to pen some heart-warming songs.
The album will mostly have modern Bengali songs. I am planning to undertake a good amount of innovation and experimentation for it.
The album will have songs depicting different human emotions, with the recurrent theme of love and longing. I want to reach out to all age groups
The title of the album will depend on the songs chosen and the kind of music it will have. Earlier, too, I lent my voice to a few Bengali albums, including Premer.
It was during my days of struggle, when I was in my hometown Silchar. In those albums I had shared space with other eminent artistes, yet I received encouraging feedback.
I am also planning to cut solo albums in Assamese and other Indian languages. I am giving my best and am hopeful that with the support of my fans, I will be able to achieve my desired goal.

Rs 910 crore spent, Silchar and Lumding track by 2009 : Santosh

Rail track repairs in full swing
OUR CORRESPONDENT TELEGRAPH INDIA
Silchar July 30: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has spent Rs 210 crore for conversion of the metre-gauge track between Silchar and Lumding in the past three months.
Union minister of state for heavy industries and Silchar MP Sontosh Mohan Dev yesterday said there was a possibility that the deadline for the commissioning of the rail track — 2009 — could “more or less be met”. In a document submitted to the minister yesterday, the NFR (construction) said the railway infrastructure development work had gained momentum on the insurgency-hit stretch. Dev told the media that already Rs 910 crore had been spent on the project.
The Centre and the state government had ensured tight security along the stretch, the minister added. The track from Lumding to Silchar spans 214km.

Development activities undertaken in Hailakandi villages: Gautam Roy

From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune HAILAKANDI, July 29 – The newly-constituted Municipal Board of Hailakandi gave civic reception to the Excise and Border Areas Development Minister, Gautam Roy on July 25 at Town Hall of Hailakandi. The reception function was presided over by the Chairman of the Municipality, Ranjit Kumar Saha. Reception was also given to the MLA of Algapur, Rahul Roy and the Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi, Sankar Prasad Kakoti Bora. The function was addressed by the Superintendent of Police, Dr. Anand Kumar Tewari, Karimganj Municipal Board's Chairman, Debarshi Bhattacharjee, former MLA Ketaki Prasad Dutta, President of Hailakandi DCC-I, Ashoke Duttagupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jayanta Choudhury, Arabinda Choudhury, Bijay Kumar Dhar, Satu Roy, Prakash Chand Surana, Chairman of Lala Town Committee among others. In his speech, MLA Rahul Roy said that the face of the rural areas of Hailakandi district has changed remarkably during the last few years and also narrated the series of development activities undertaken in the villages. Minister Gautam Roy in his speech also explained the development activities of the district. He informed that the works of Rs 14 crore NEC funded Gaglacherra bridge has almost been completed and very shortly it will be opened for vehicular traffic. He also informed that he has requested the Chief Minister for its inauguration. He said that it is the third bridge of the country which has 180 metres of span after Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar. Deputy Commissioner Sankar Prasad Kakoti Bora in his brief address sought the co-operation of all the sections of people for the proper and speedy implementation of the developmental schemes. Delivering the presidential address, chairman Ranjit Kumar Saha said that the long pending civic problems will be removed soon in Hailakandi as the government is planning to sanction a drainage scheme for this oldest town of the state.

Fish prices hit Silchar denizens, pavda fish is selling at Rs 600 to 800 per kg.

Exorbitant fish prices hit Silchar denizens

From Our Correspondent SILCHAR, July 25 – Fish is considered to be main food for the people of Assam, especially Bengalis. Since around 90 percent of the Barak Valley’s population is Bengali, fish is in high demand in the area. But recently price of fish has tremendously increased. It has become a dream food for poor, as well as middle class people residing in Silchar town. Silchar is dominated by business class as well as government servants. It has been observed that the business class people never go for bargaining. They simply take the fish and then ask for the money. Such activities effected service holders and poor people who have limited money. It is really unimaginable that the pavda fish is selling at Rs 600 to 800 per kg. A few days back, the district administration issued a benchmark for the price of fish. But it has resulted in a golden opportunity for the fish-sellers. Earlier the small fish was available at Rs 60-80 per kg and the benchmark is now Rs. 100 -120 per kg. Ironically, these small fish were basically purchased by poor people due to lesser prices. Meanwhile, the price of the fish coming from Andhra Pradesh and Kanpur has remained constant. As per statistics from agricultural dept, the district has 10% land which is suitable for fishery. The district has a demand of 23000 ton fish but it produces only 18000 ton. To meet the demand fish is brought from Andhra Pradesh and Kanpur. It will be a great source of earning for the unemployed youth if the fishery department helps them. The benefit will be for unemployed youth as well as fish lovers who cannot buy fish due to high price.

Bamboo flowering : Under the joint auspices of The Greens, an NGO working for the protection of environment, and the Health department, an awareness meeting was organised in Matijuri village of Hailakandi district on July 25 last on bamboo flowering and the increase of the activities of the rats.

The meeting was presided over by the working president of The Greens, Arabinda Choudhury.

The meeting was addressed by S. Bhattacharjee, district media Expert, NRHM, Hailakandi, Jagneswar Deb, Dr Samsul Huda Laskar, Deputy Ranger Sumvanthang Hrangkhal, Jamir Uddin Laskar, Kshitish Paul, Ajmal Haque Laskar, Sahana Begum Laskar among others. All of them highlighted the menace of bamboo flowering and subsequently increase of the activities of the rats.

They urged the people to be very conscious regarding the activities of the rats as some ratrelated diseases may break out if their numbers increase. Some leaflets were also distributed in the meeting.

2 more BoPs to be set up in Cachar dist

From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune KARIMGANJ, July 29 – The Cachar district administration has decided to set up two additional border outposts (BoPs) along the Assam-Mizoram border in the district to prevent encroachment from the other side of the boundary. Personnel from the Assam armed police and CRPF will be deployed at the BoPs. An official source said the posts would be set up at Gallacheva and Kachurtal along the border. There are already four border outpost at Gutgints, Ramanathpur, Gendachena and Bilaipur under Katjichna block to check illegal entry from Mizoram. The decesion to set up the new BoPs came in the wake of atleast two attempts by Mizo farmers to grab land with the alleged support of Mizoram Police. The attempts were in violation of an agreement between senior officials of hailakandi district and Kolasib in Mizoram during a meeting at Hailakandi town. Gautam Roy State Minister and MLA of Katlichevr said the boundary district with Mizoram may triggen violence it both the states did not settle it immediately.

Post-’71 illegal migrants must go: AASU

By A City Correspondent Assam Tribune GUWAHATI, July 29 — The All Assam Students Union (AASU) on Sunday made it clear that it would not allow any illegal migrant to stay in the State. The student body also declared that all the Bangladeshis who came to the State after 1971 would have to leave the State. Functionaries of the student body said that it would resist the moves of some quarters determined to convert Assam and the North East into a greater Bangladesh. President of the student body Sankar Prasad Rai, general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi and adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the entire North East had become a haven for the infiltrators posing a threat to the indigenous communities. “ If the unabated influx is not stopped, very soon Assam will have a Bangladeshi Chief Minister,” said the AASU functionaries, stressing that the issue of the illegal migrants must be solved based on the Assam Accord. It needs mention here that the AASU has been demanding detention of the people of dubious citizenship entering the State from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in temporary camps till verification of the identity of the suspected nationals. Slamming the Centre and the State Government for their soft stand on the Bangladeshi issue, the AASU made it clear that only the indigenous people have the right to political power in the State. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh today once again appealed to the people of the State to be on the vigil against the illegal migrants. State president Ramen Deka, while strongly criticizing organizations like the AAMSU, which has been favouring the suspected nationals entering from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, said that there was no place for a second Jinnah in the country. “ We are keeping a close watch on the developments in the State regarding the Bangladeshi issue,” said Deka. Deka further said that the left parties should make their stand clear on the issue of influx in the interest of the State. “ The left parties and the intellectuals should make public their views on the issue of infiltration,” said Deka. Taking a dig at Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Deka said that vote bank politics has made Gogoi silent on the issue that has been rocking the State.

Gauge conversion at snail’s pace
By Our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, July 26: Wrong information provided in the NF Railway website on the progress in the Lumding-Silchar gauge conversion project seems to have caught Union Minister Santosh Mohon Dev in a fix. The militancy hit national project of the Railway considered to be a prime factor for Dev in his future political journey from Silchar constituency. The project was targeted to be completed by March, 2009 strengthening the only rail link of Barak Valley with the rest of the country. However, running militancy in the NC Hills stretch of the project has pushed the project to the brink of uncertainty.
As the Union Minister representing Barak valley, Dev has been trying hard to ensure timely completion of the project and in particular before the Parliamentary election, the hue and cry made by an organization, named Barak Valley Economic Development Council Demand Committee (BVEDCDC) appears to have been creating problems for the Union Minister. The BVEDCDC, citing the NF Railway website, said that since beginning in 1996-1997 the physical progress of the project has been recorded at 20 per cent and that at such pace it would take another 40 years to complete the project.
Meanwhile, NF Railway sources confirmed that the website was not updated, and Dilip Bora, its PRO (construction), told The Sentinel : “Overall physical progress of the project is over 53 per cent so far.”

 Yeoman’s service by Rotaract Club Hilakandi

From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune HAILAKANDI, July 25 – Saugata Dey and Biraj Chakraborty have taken over the charges of president and secretary respectively of the Rotaract Club of Hailakandi from the outgoing office bearers Arunava Ghosh and Sankar Chakraborty in the second installation ceremony of the club held last night at Town Hall in Hailakandi. MLA Rahul Roy attended the programme as chief guest.

Domestic elephants kill 8 near Silchar

From Partha Sarkar SILCHAR, July 25 – Eight persons, including five women died on the spot when two domesticated elephants attacked their houses yesterday night at Hawaitang , Tulatal, Bagawala , Kooliechera and Siggarbasti, which are located atleast 40 kms away from the city. The area falls under the reserve forest of Dholai Range. Irate local residents in the meatime torched the Hawaitang Forest Beat Office today afternoon. While nine injured people have been admitted to the Silchar Medical College, 15 houses were completely damaged by the two elephants. The names of the deceased are Jyotirmoy Barman (50) , Kalpataro Das (35) , Shikharani Das (25) , Renewala Das (40) , Phoolkumari Das (50) , Mamani Das(55) , Chinu Das (25) and Abdul Latif Mazumdar (55). As per sources, two persons Rup Uddin and Taj Uddin from Saptagram had brought the pachyderms for business purpose. The elephants were reportedly forced into hard labour by their owners. As the elephants turned berserk and trampled the people to death, they subsequently rushed towards Vairengtee along the Assam–Mizoram border. On coming to know about the rampaging elephants, personnel of Mizoram Police shot them dead by midnight. In the meantime, the ADC of Cachar district, SP and office incharge of Dholai PS along with the DFO rushed to the incident site. Briefing newsmen, the ADC declared that a magesterial probe will be ordered into the incident and ex gratia will be paid to the victims’ kin.

Slur against Air Deccan, Passengers feeling cheated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24: A conflicting report regarding Air Deccan's Imphal-Silchar flight within the private carrier has reportedly left passengers fuming and feeling cheated.

While Imphal staff of the Nation's largest private airliner said the Imphal-Silchar flight scheduled for take-off at 10.55 am today had been cancelled resulting in the passengers heading back to their respective homes, the same firm's headoffice located in Bangalore insisted that there was no cancellation of the said flight.

Ajmir Khan (48) one of the passengers told reporters this evening that he reached Tulihal Airport in time to board the Silchar flight and completing the pre-flight procedures was waiting for the same only to be approached by some Air deccan personnel who inquired for passengers who had obtained the boarding pass.

Three passengers, including Ajmir called on the staff after which the latter conveyed to them that the Imphal-Silchar flight has been cancelled.

Subsequently the airline staff reclaimed the trio's boarding passes and issued alternative tickets to them.

A hapless Ajmir then approached the Air Deccan counter at the airport to rearrange his journey tomorrow only to be told to meet the concerned ticket sale agent.

When the ticketing agent was consulted by Ajmir, the agent quoting report of the Bangalore office was informed that there is no cancellation of flight in addition to informing him (Ajmir) that the flight had taken off from Tulihal Airport as was scheduled.

When the head office gave such reply then Ajmir's chances for either reallotment of a ticket for a new flight or reimbursement of the ticket cost is remote, insisted the agent who was also present during at the hurriedly convened media briefing.

The interesting part of entire episode pertains to non use of public address system in announcing the Imphal-Silchar flight cancellation at the airport.

The ticket agent was of the view that communication gap between the Imphal staff of Air Deccan and the Bangalore headoffice may have caused inconveniences to passengers.

Guwahati & Silchar in semis

SARAT SARMA TELEGRAPH INDIA Inter-District Football Nagaon, July 24: Defending champions Guwahati and Silchar entered the semifinals defeating Dibrugarh and Kokrajhar 6-1 and 3-2 respectively in the 44th Junior inter-district football championship for Santosh Lahkar Trophy at Kaliabor today. In the first match Silchar right-out Kakulang Thangmai scored the first goal as early as in the second minute. In the 11th minute of the match, striker Hlungsang Hmar scored the second goal for Silchar. Kokrajhar striker Bipul Chandra Rai scored the first goal for the team in the 14th minute. Sanjoy Gayan scored the second goal in the 33rd minute of the match. The match-winning goal for Silchar was scored by Kakulan Thangmai through a penalty shot. Kokrajhar’s Sanjoy Gayari and Samir Brahma and Silchar’s Paithe Kumei were cautioned with yellow cards. In the second match, Guwahati striker Jebeswar Boro scored the first goal. Apurba Phukon, scored the second goal for Guwahati. In the second half, Guwahati’s Priya Kumar Singh netted the third goal. Rabiluchan Basumatary scored the forth and fifth goals. Shiva Narzary scored the last goal for Guwahati. Dibrugarh’s Kiran Sonowal scored the only goal in the 78th minute of the match. Lalit Konwar of Guwahati was flashed the red card for unsporting behaviour. Bongaigaon will meet Golaghat in the first semifinal tomorrow while Guwahati meet Silchar on Thursday.

Silchar girls enter semis

A goalmouth tussle during Wednesday’s match in Diphu. Picture by Sarat Sarma

SARAT SARMA U-19 Football Nagaon, Aug. 1: Silchar blanked out last year’s runners-up Sivasagar 3-0 in the last quarterfinal of the 6th Junior (under-19) girls’ inter-district football championship at Karbi Anglong Sports Association Ground in Diphu today. Silchar led 2-0 till the end of the first half of the match. In the third minute of the match, Silchar goalkeeper Lucky Nath made a beautiful save off a corner shot from Sivasagar striker Mamu Pator. Pator’s next attempts in the 27th and 52nd minutes were also foiled by Lucky Nath’s skilful performance. Overcoming Mamu and midfielder Bolombina Hanuman, Silchar striker Dayaboli Singha brought the ball in the D box from where she scored the first goal for Silchar in the seventh minute. Dayaboli snatched the ball from Sivasagar right-out, Bobita Mech. Her shot from the midfield brought the next score for Silchar in the 37th minute of the match. Dayaboli made two other attempts in the 44th and 55th minutes, both of which were beautifully defended by Mech. In the 54th minute, Silchar right-out Mithila Bhoumik scored the third goal off a free kick. Sivasagar striker Mamu Pator was cautioned with the yellow card in the 65th minute for dangerous tackles. Despite mild drizzles throughout the afternoon, more than 4,000 football lovers from different parts of the hill district thronged the venue to watch the match. Sivasagar girls missed two golden opportunities during the last 15 minutes of the match. Silchar team goalkeeper Lucky Nath saved two sureshots — first by Bolombina in the 70th minute and second by captain Jushna Taye in the 78th minute. The Sivasagar team lacked unity and the pitiable performance of goalkeeper Rupali Mech led to its defeat in today’s quarterfinal match. Silchar was awarded a walkover in the first round match as the Chirang team did not turn up. Sivasagar entered the quarterfinals directly by virtue of being last year’s finalist. Defending champions Charaideo will meet Dibrugarh in a semifinal encounter tomorrow. Silchar will meet hosts Karbi Anglong in the other semifinal on Friday. The final will be played on Sunday.

UNDP unit opened at Assam varsity

From Our Correspondent HAILAKANDI, July 23 – Assam University, Silchar has opened a unit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the development of human resources. The main target of the branch will be to organise reginal, national and international level workshops, seminars, trainings and the lectures of various dignitaries. The unit will also provide assistance for the research and study on various topics. Prof Keya Sengupta, Dean of the School of Social Sciences of the University informed that a course has already been introduced under the unit last year in the university.

BJP leader held
SILCHAR: Police in Hailakandi district arrested a BJP leader, Biplab Purakayastha, on Saturday for duping a person of Rs 3,000.

Traders without permits leave
AIZAWL: Over 400 non-Mizos left the Mizoram capital on Sunday after the Mizo Zirlai Pawl asked traders and labourers who did not have inner-line permits to do so. The non-Mizos took advantage of the 24-hour relaxation in the “curfew” imposed on them by the Mizo Zirlai Pawl and left Aizawl under police escort. The deadline for the traders and non-Mizo labourers to leave Aizawl was July 26.

Woman injured
SILCHAR: A woman and her son were injured when they resisted a gang of robbers who broke into their house in Jalapur village under Karimganj district’s Badarpur block on Saturday. The woman has been identified as Tara Begum.