Congress seeks vote for KAAC town body polls

From our Correspondent

HOWRAGHAT, July 22: As the election of town committee under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is nearing, campaign has seen starting by the stalwart Congress leaders and MP, MLAs, minister and EMs of KAAC.

Seeking votes from the common people, Congress organized an election campaign rally at Howraghat town here on Sunday in which HAD Minister Kharsing Engti, Biren Sing Engti, MP, local MAC and EM for Social Welfare Department, KAAC, Premala Beypi, Sum Ronghang, president, DCC (I), Jiban Pathak, EM, KAAC, D Uphing Maslai, EM, KAAC, Bidyasing Rongpi, EM, KAAC and senior congress leaders participated.

While addressing the crowd in the rally, State HAD Minister Kharsing Engti sought cooperation from public in the ensuing town body election. He said “We are working of development of the people and the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led Congress government is formulating various social schemes one after another to ensure more social upliftment. But without people’s cooperation proper implementation of any project cannot be hopped”. Highlighting of various social development schemes, he urged all to support Congress in the ensuing town body elections.

In his speech, Biren Sing Engti, MP dwelt on the needs of modernization of towns with proper planning. While pointing out on the ongoing illegal buildings constructed in the cities and towns of the State, Engti asked to all concerned authorities to be strict in order to plan the towns orderly. Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Engti appealed to the public to vote in favour of the Congress candidates in the upcoming town body election which will be held on July 31.

On the other hand, talking to the mediapersons here on Sunday at Howraghat, District Congress Committee president, Sum Ronghang claimed that Congress will win all the sits of the seven towns under the KAAC.

Replying the questions from reporters, Ronghang said that as in previous elections no active or strong campaign has been seen in the camp of opposition. Hence, winning with absolute majority in all the towns is sure, Ronghang said with determination.

It may be mentioned here that during the rally, candidates of the five wards of Howraghat town comprising Sarjeng Engti, Deuri Lekthe, Ashok Hasnu, Ratan Saha and Nirmala Bora also participated.

Free eye check-up and operation camp organized at Digboi

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, July 22: As a part of the Community Development Programme under CSR IOC (AOD), a free eye check-up and operation camp was conducted recently here at Borbil No. 1, a permanent service centre, Digboi.

The camp which was organized by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Assam Oil Division, Digboi in association with the Lions Club of Digboi under District Control Blindness Society, Tinsukia had been successfully carried out by a 15-member squad of nurses and para medicos led by Dr Bivash Kumar Das, CMO (Ophthal) of AOD Hospital, Digboi.

The inaugural meeting which was initiated by Lion Atul C Sarmah earlier in the morning was graced by Barun Barpujari, Executive Director, AOD as chief guest who had subsequently inaugurated the free eye check-up camp for the day. Barpujari in his speech reiterated the CSR activities of Assam Oil and urged upon the needy people to avail the opportunities of services to be offered by the organization from time to time. The meeting was attended by a large number of beneficiaries, members of Lions Club of Digboi and Amulya Gohain, District Programme Manager of DBCS, Tinsukia. Dr BK Das also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the efforts taken by the Corporation and local NGO like Lions Club of Digboi for taking up such noble projects for restoring eyesight to the marginalized sections of the society.

According to an official sources, around one hundred and twenty patients had attended the camp among which 20 beneficiaries of various age groups including both sexes were selected for free cataract operation with Intra Occular Lens implantation which was successfully accomplished at Tinsukia Civil Hospital recently. Meanwhile, around fifty patients were given free spectacles for near vision correction and others were provided with free medicines for various eye related ailments as per their requirements. Besides, spot blood sugar test and blood pressure check were also carried out by a Lab technician Gopal Rajbongshi of AOD Hospital at the camp site during the camp.

The local populace including the beneficiaries expressed their gratefulness towards the organizers terming the whole move as ‘a generous and noble act of a few for the sake of economically crippled segments of the society that forms the bulk of it’.

HS and HSLC toppers felicitated by Tuliram Ronghang, EM, KAAC

Our Bureau

DONKAMOKAM, July 22: Today at 11 am the HSLC and the HS toppers were felicitated by Tuliram Ronghang, EM, In-charge Education at Tumpreng Higher Secondary School, under Bithung Rengthama MAC Constituency in Hamren subdivision. Khiteswar Chutiya, Principal Tumpreng HS, Khumbo Kr Barman, retired teacher, Dhoniram Rongpi, VDC Chairman, teachers staff and students were present.

In the meet, Tina Nerolla of Mugasong was applauded by the guardians of the locality for obtaining star marks (80.16%) in the recently declared HSLC result. She was the student of Don Bosco Sojong.

In the programme Tuliram Ronghang, EM, freely distributed an Assamese-English dictionary to each of the newly passed students and also as an encouragement to the students Rs 2,000 for those passed with letters, Rs 1,500 to simple first division, Rs 1,200 to 2nd division and Rs 1,000 to the 3rd division passed students were given.

EM in his speech lauded Karbi Anglong district this time for achieving remarkable percentage of 59.8% in the HSLC result. He also praised the teachers’ community for taking pain to educate the students of the most backward districts. He sought cent per cent need of cooperation of both guardians and teachers.

Moreover, he assured that three thousand teachers through TET will be appointed within this year. The meet was presided over by Ditolal Hasnu, BLCC, Chairman.

Foundation stone of library laid

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, July 22: The foundation stone was laid here of a library hall at the premises of Digboi Sahitya Sewa last evening during a programme organized by one and the oldest literary organization of the Oil City Digboi, Digboi Sahitya Sewa Samity at Priyadas Talukdar Smriti  Bhavan with two fold purposes including honouring the deserving students with Rubi Baruah Khound Literary Award.

Rajiv Kalita, the Deputy General Manager (DGM) (HR) AOD, Digboi was the chief guest of the foundation stone laying ceremony with several other dignified personalities of Digboi graced the occasion. However, it needs mentioning here that the total estimated budget for construction of the library hall which formally kicked off last evening entails around twelve lakh of which one lakh has been already been consented by Rameswar Dhanowar out of MLA’s fund. Meanwhile, Kalita also waived positively and told that the AOD management always encourages such activities aiming at the behest of society and finally assured of lending all possible help within the frame work of the corporation.

Following the foundation laying ceremony, the Rubi Baruah Khound Literary Award giving ceremony was held during the meeting conducted under the presidentship of Rajiv Rajkhowa, president of Digboi Sahitya Sewa Samity with Deep Saikia, Principal of Digboi College as the guest of honour and forerunner of the said trustee award Kishore Baruah together with Joykanta Gondhia, president of Tinsukia District Xahitya Xabha adorning the dais.

Ishu Sharma of Pengaree and Moyuri Gohain of Margherita who scored the highest marks in Assamese subject from the Margherita subdivision in recently declared HSLC 2011-12 academic results under SEBA were accorded warm felicitation besides awarding the Rubi Baruah Khound Literary Award for the year 2011-12.

In the meantime, the recipients of the award also expressed their spontaneously ignited feelings which were followed by vote of thanks rendered by Monika Senshua at the concluding part of the programme anchored by Dipen Bora, general secretary of Digboi Sahitya Sewa Samity.

The programme was also attended by parents and guardians of the students, various dignified literary figures of different locations and the well wishers of the Digboi Sahitya Sewa Samity.

Rules of the road make presence felt

Subhalakshmi Gogoi

DIBRUGARH, July 22: The automatic traffic signals recently installed at major intersections of Dibrugarh are presently forcing behavioural changes among drivers and riders of the town.

The Dibrugarh Municipal Board (DMB) is presently in the process of giving the town a facelift and improving the traffic system. Zeroing on the rotaries in the town, the PWD prepared the plan and estimate for improvement and beautification while the municipal body holds the responsibility of executing it. As part it, ‘microprocessor based automatic traffic signal system’ has been installed at Phool Bagan, Graham Bazar, Amolapatty, Thana Charali, Tinkunia, Chowkidinghee, Gabharu Pathar and Paltan Bazar. The ongoing work includes open graded premix surfacing and seal coat. Besides, pavers and grills will be provided and police points repaired. The plan for the Amolapatty point includes construction of a fountain. The entire venture has been estimated to cost Rs 35,94,000. Part of the fund required is expected to come from BCPL, which has been approached through the district administration. The civic body has also approached OIL and the local MP, Pabon Singh Ghatowar, the latter having given five lakh rupees out of his local area development fund. The shortfall will be met with the money the Board has.

The traffic signals have been installed by two companies, Solutions from West Bengal and Microtrans Infratech of Delhi. One and a half years back, the Board had floated tenders inviting applications to carry out the job but did not receive any response. It was only when the advertisement was published in the earlier part of this year the second time, three to four companies showed interest. The automatic traffic system will have inverter back up but has not yet been set up since the security system to keep them safe is yet to be completed. The monsoon has brought the work to a halt.

Hopefully, the denizens of the town will have acclimatized themselves with the new traffic system by the time construction work restarts and the system completed. At present, they are going through a tough time following the signals. Not many seem to know the traffic rules, if the behaviour of drivers and riders on the road and at intersections is taken into account. They consider it normal to stop beyond the zebra crossing for the signal to change. The left part of the road or street is never left clear, so vehicles that plan to turn the corner on left are forced to wait. Bicycle riders do not think traffic rules are meant for them and cross the road even when the signal ahead is showing red. Jaywalkers – pedestrians who walk the street and cross it without heeding to traffic signals – add to the confusion. But the Chairman of DMB, Chandrakanta Baruah, is positive that the people will learn the rules of the road. He mentioned that once the system is fully in place, the Board will involve the DTO, traffic police, volunteers and NCC to bring into force the traffic rules. Baruah also hoped to complete the work in a month and have all the points ready by Independence Day. The grills that will fence in the footpaths at the crossroads and other places are expected to keep in line the pedestrians, who do not think twice to walk almost in the middle of the streets.

At present, the DMB is facing in problems finding skilled workers and agency with the know how of installing the geyser fountain at Amolapatty. “We are trying to find people who can do the job but have failed. If the situation remains unchanged, we will do it on our own,” Baruah added. He also revealed that none in Assam is equipped to put in place the automatic traffic signals.

However, part of the traffic congestion presently caused in the town can be attributed to the lack of parking lots. The sides of the streets and roads are being used to park vehicles and two wheelers. As a result, the space for vehicular movement is narrowed down. With the number of four wheelers, three wheelers and two wheelers multiplying in rapid numbers, the DMB needs to look into this aspect. Sooner, the better.

Bipul Chandra Sarma - A tribute

My most beloved friend Bipul Chandra Sarma, who retired from Accounts Department, IOC (AOD), Guwahati, breathed his last on July 13, 2012, leaving us bereaved and shattered. He was 63. A man known for his simplicity, cheerfulness and helpful nature, Sarma endeared himself to everyone who came in touch with him.

He will be remembered for his immense contribution made in the construction of the newly built Namghar of Amolapatty, Dibrugarh, construction of which is yet to be complete.

After his retirement only, he got himself involved in the work of Namghar, which he did with immaculate dedication. It was after my retirement last year, I could work with him in close proximity and noticed how clean and dedicated worker he was.

His debilitating health, too, could not prevent him from going out for collection of subscription for Namghar. In the celebration of Durga Puja, he was always a cynosure.

He took active part in the centenary celebration of our Almamater George Institution (Bagmibor Nilamoni Phukan HS School), Dibrugarh in February, 2012. Today on his Adya-Shraddha day, we join many others in praying to the “Almighty” to grant eternal peace to this noble soul.

– Ashok Bordoloi

Flood-affected people get relief in Chirang

From our Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, July 22: With the rise in the water level of the Aie river and its tributaries due to incessant rains during last few days and sudden increase of flow of water from Bhutan, some of the northern parts of Chirang district were badly affected by flash floods. The waters of the Aie river and its tributaries like Nagolbhanga, Makra, Thaklai, Huthuti, Rangijhora and along with Bhur and Champa had inundated several areas of greater Nangolbhanga, Owguri, Dadgari and affected 83 villages, around 80,000 people and more than 3,000 hectares of land. Meanwhile, the district officers and staff, engaged in relief duty including COs, ADC, DC reached out to the flood-affected victims and arranged immediately safe shelters by setting up 14 relief camps in different areas and food stuff for them. Accordingly, the district administration had distributed 128.00 quintals of rice, 25.29 quintals of dal and 7.46 quintals of salt under Kajalgaon Relief Sub-division and 170.98 quintals of rice, 22.50 quintals of dal and 6.37 quintals of salt under Bijni Sub-division. Besides, a random survey of the damages caused by the flood is carried out by the officials of the district administration. In his visit to Khwirabari, Bhababil, Majarpur and many other flood affected interior villages, the Deputy Commissioner, accompanied by Circle Officer, Sidli  and para-medical staff took stock of the condition of the affected people and distributed medicines as per requirement with the help of medical staff. He requested the Circle Officer to immediately arrange for tarpaulin for distribution to the affected people. Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering Department has set up tube wells at the various places of flood-hit villages.

Devotees throng Shiv Doul in thousands

From our Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, July 22: After a huge gathering of devotees on the first and second Mondays of the holy month of Shravan, the sacred pilgrimage site, Shiv Doul premises also witnessed a huge thronging of devotees on Sunday. Thousands of Bol Bom devotees thronged the historic Shiv Doul to pour holy water on the lingam of Lord Shiva in the month of Shravan on Sunday every year. The devotees included children and women who had walked 10 km barefoot to the Doul carrying pots of water from Desang river.