At a time when the world is reeling under the consequences of global warming how can Assam be spared? Global Warming is contributing to the decrease of level of rainfall in Northeast in a big way commented a few leading scientists while speaking to our correspondents. The scientists on conditions of annonymity said that they have been ringing the alarm bells but till date it has fallen in deaf ears and the Goverments of Northeast are yet to take any concrete measures to prevent this. The Northeast is known for its torrential rains where earlier Cherrapunjee, in Meghalaya had the primacy of place as recording the worlds highest rainfall and now this stature has shifted to Mawsynram again in Meghalaya. But sadly this may soon become a thing of the past.It is also felt that deforestation and depletion in the ozone layer due to modernisation and the general attitude towards the environment has also jeopardised the entire eco system. The ruthless felling of trees and man’s encroachment of forest areas has resulted in the depletion of forest cover in the entire region. Trees play a vital role in instigating the clouds to cause rainfall but due to absence of adequate forests weaker monsoon winds are hardly in a position to cause rainfall and this may be the cause of reduced average annual rainfall in the North East. In Assam the state is experiencing a dry spell which in turn is effecting the climatic conditions. The excessive day temperature and of course the frequent power cuts are making people miserable. The ASEB has stated that the rainless condition had lessened the generation capacity of the hydel power stations of the region due to lack of sufficient water in the rivers on which the hydel projects are located. The state has a power demand of around 825 MW during the peak hours and around 550 MW during the off peak hours and problems become unmanageable if rain fall decreases. Agricuture is also getting affected by the decrease in rainfall consequently burning a hole in the state’s economy If such a trend continues than alternative energy sources such as solar energy etc have to be developed. The raingods are unhappy with man’s ravaging nature therefore its time to wake from our slumber and act constructively to appease them. And our Governments need to take the first step.
More trouble awaits the Asom Gana Parishad hardly a year before the Assembly polls. The tussle between Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Atul Bora seems to have posed a serious threat to the regional party’s poll prospect.The widening difference between the former chief minister and one time loyalist and working president Atul Bora takes the centrestage of a simmering conflict within the regional party.Senior party leaders told Assam Times that Mahanta’s loyalists what the founder president should be restored six months after he went on leave. They further claimed that the party’s general council allowed the former chief minister to go on leave only for six months. Then the council...
Rongjeng, the name of a tiny spot atop the East Garo Hills in Meghalaya seems to have dressed afresh. People in this beautiful place are busy with preparing for the Rongjeng Festival slated to begin from March 20.The two days event, first of its kind in this place aims at showcasing their produces, wares, handlooms and handicrafts before the tourists of the country and abroad.Ethnic culture and cuisine of the people are expected to steal the focus in the market.Entrepreneur from Assam and Nagaland are also expected join the event. Several state government departments have confirmed participation in the first village trade fair by holding stalls to make the people aware of the schemes...
Jorhat turns into a hotspot for business tycoons from many parts of the globe as the international trade fair is underway. Business tycoons from Afghan, Myanmar, Nepal along with other parts of the world are attending in the mega commercial event which got off to a colourful start on Thursday.In his opening speech, chief minister Tarun Gogoi tried his best to woo the investors citing comfortable situation and potentials.Nepal’s Acting Ambassador to India Krishna Prasad Dhakal Ambassador to India from Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Myanmar’s Sagaing Region Minister for Electricity and Industry U Kyaw Win were among those who listened to Gogoi.Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stressed investment...
Hours after Tarun Gogoi allocated portfolios to his new council of ministers, the chief ministers exuded his confidence on Monday that the ministers would deliver the goods. Talking to reporters in Guwahati in the afternoon, Gogoi said that he reposed full faith on the new council of ministers.He however, has kept social welfare with him apart from retained home, finance portfolios.
Rongson Das is disappointed on the day of Magh Bihu. The local resident of Aahotguri area in Morigaon district spared no pain to train up his buffalo to be fielded in the fight on Thursday. Till Tuesday he was confident that his animal would steal the show. But the things have taken an unexpected turn. There would no buffalo fight this time. The Assam Government has restricted the game scheduled for Thursday and Friday.“I am totally disappointed. What I left undone to help my animal win this time. But of no avail. Today I am not joining the festival when I got the details of the government instruction,” the 50 year old told Assam Times.Same it is in the case of Bihuwa Kalita whose...
Defying a biting cold wave mejis were burning bright to mark the magh bihu celebration across the state on Thursday.Amid traditional pomp and gaiety, people in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat districts lit up the wooden mejis early in the morning after the whole night feasting and merriment.Traditional straw mejis were lit up in Kamrup, Nalbari, Sonitpur, Barpeta, BTAD areas along with other parts of the state offering pujas to the god of fire. Local people in large thronged the burning mejis seeking divine help from the fire god. Cultural programmes, traditional games and competitions and are lined up for the entire day. Home made sweets, beaten rice, pastries are...
Yet another chance awaits the North East to showcase its culture, tourism potential and exclusive traits in New Delhi. The national capital is all set to host a mega North-East festival in April.Tour operators, travel agents, cultural troops, film and television industries have eince keen interest to hold the event in the national capital. Steps are also on to finalise a brand ambassador for the region.
Hari Shankar Brahma is taking over as Chief Election Commissioner succeeding VS Sampath who retires on Thursday. Brahma, who hails from Assam is taking oath from president Pranab Mukherjee at a brief function. Brahma’s tenure as the chief election commissioner will end in April this year.
Supreme Court on Wednesday talked of two options before the government to end the decade old Assam-Nagaland border row. Taking up a petition in the apex court, a division bench headed by Justice TS Thakur said the dispute could be resolved either by deciding the 1988 law suit filed by Assam or by referring the matter for arbitration.The court further asked the Assam counsel to file the list of its witnesses along with their testimonies in the form of affidavits with the apex court registrar within three months. It directed the Registrar General to conduct the trial in the lawsuit on "day-to-day" basis from April 20 and said the witnesses, whose affidavits will be filed by Assam, will have...
At least ten people sustained injury when security forces sprang upon a huge crowd in Sonitpur district on Wednesday. The incident that sends shockwaves across the state on the eve of the bhogali bihu took place in Rongapara when local residents in large number thronged the police station in the morning demanding immediate release of a youth who was allegedly arrested as NDFB-S rebel during the ongoing joint operation.Senior police official tried to quell the protesters who refused to bend and struck to the demand. Police resorted t lathicharge and blank firing following an altercation. All the injured were rushed to the hospital. Several parties, organizations and individuals...
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