15,000 Assam Youths to Get Government Jobs

Guwahati, Oct 6 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Wednesday said an estimated 15,000 educated unemployed would get government jobs in the next two months, taking the number of recruitments to 100,000 in the past nearly 10 years of the Congress rule in the state.

'This would be a record of sorts when we would cross the 100,000 mark by the end of our two terms in government,' the chief minister told journalists here.

Gogoi said an estimated 97,000 recruitments were made in various categories of government posts since 2001 when the Congress came to power defeating the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

'We are now planning to recruit 15,000 more youths in the next two months, by which time I feel the election model code of conduct would come into force for next year's assembly polls,' he said.

'I would say no government in the past was able to recruit such a huge number of people.'

Gogoi took a dig at the AGP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying both the parties were opportunists and interested only in power.

'The AGP during their past two tenures (1985 to 1989 and 1996 to 2001) failed miserably on all fronts,' the chief minister said.

'Now the BJP is trying to propel Varun Gandhi to garner votes for them in Assam. But the fact of the matter remains, people of Assam are very conscious politically and just promises would never attract them,' Gogoi said.

The chief minister was also hopeful of a breakthrough in beginning peace talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

'We expect to hear some good news in the very near future with all indications very positive,' Gogoi said.

Assam Tea Gardens An Hour ''Ahead'' of India

By Rituraj Borthakur

Jorhat (Assam) Oct 6 : If tea garden workers in Assam are already an hour into their job in the morning of plucking tea leaves and the rest of India haven't even started for the workplace, don't be surprised because the day begins early in the gardens thanks to a British legacy.

Tea gardens here follow a time zone, an hour in advance than the Indian Standard Time, which was introduced during British days keeping in mind the early sunrise in this part of the country.


"Since the sun sets early in this part of India, so work needs to be started early too. That was the main reason why the British had an advanced timing system for the tea industry," Dipanjol Deka, secretary of Tea Association of India, said.

He explained that the British days were different from today's. There was no electricity, modern facilities or even awareness regarding timing among tea garden workers. So, such a system had also to be adopted so that people worked expeditiously and efficiently.

And the system, he said, had served its purpose too by increasing productivity of tea garden workers.

In India, the east-west distance of more than 2,000 km covers over 28 degrees of longitude, resulting in the sun rising and setting almost two hours earlier on India's eastern border than in the Rann of Kutch in the far west.

"We are losing daylight in the east. In other countries with big geographical area, there are separate time zones. The British had realized this.

The separate time was also practiced in the oil industry, but later on the system was abolished," senior faculty of Shillong IIM Sanjib Kakoty observes. .

Miss World 2010 - Contestants Scale The Great Wall

Continuing our series on Miss World 2010, we bring you pictures of contestants at the Mitianyu Great Wall at Beijing.

Miss World contestants walk on the steps of the Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing, China.

A Chinese policeman watches the Miss World contestants visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing.

Miss World contestants sing a Miss World theme song after they visited the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Miss Bolivia Maria Cordova (left) and Miss Argentina Mariana Arambarry smile for the cameras.

Miss World contestants Kamilla Salgado of Brazil (right) and Tang Xiao of China take a photo of themselves.

Miss USA Alexandria Mills (centre) takes a photo while she and others visit the Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing.

Miss Thailand Yuwaret Rueangsri poses with a panda toy.

Miss Malaysia Nadia Heng Min Dern is happy to pose for a picture.

Miss World contestants from left, Maria Cordova of Bolivia, Kamilla Salgado of Brazil and Mariana Arambarry of Argentina are all smiles as they pose for a group photo.

Manasvi Mamgai of India shows a t-shirt she bought at the Great Wall.

The gorgeous Miss Costa Rica Dayana Aguilera.

Miss Peru Alexandra Tipacti shows a souvenir she bought at the Great Wall.

Miss World contestants walk along a section of the Great Wall.

Miss Gibraltar Larissa Dalli admires a Chinese handicraft.

Miss Ecuador Ana Anazco poses with a Chinese mask.

Miss World contestants gather to watch a Chinese tea girl demonstrate the proper way to drink tea.

Miss World contestants gather to watch a Chinese woman arrange a bouquet of flowers.

Miss World contestants gather to learn how to make Chinese dumplings.

Miss Nepal Sadichha Shrestha (R) joins the other contestants to learn the Chinese fan dance.

Miss Eqypt Sara Khouly shows off Chinese calligraphy with the word Eqypt as she spends a day out with other Miss World contestants.

Miss Philippines Czarina Gatbonton (right) takes a photo of herself with Miss Mongolia Sarnai Amar.

Source: India Syndicate

Image credits: AP, AFP

Bristol Palin's 'Dancing With The Stars' Week 3 Look

When she signed up for "Dancing With The Stars," Bristol Palin told People magazine, "I think I will be the most dressed [contestant and have] the most modest outfits for sure because that's who I am." So we've been keeping track of her ensembles and asking you to help rank them on our "Modest Meter."

On Monday night, Bristol had her third "DWTS" performance wearing first, a sparkly gray trenchcoat, which she took off to reveal a floor-length white frock with a sparkly waistband and straps. She wore matching earrings and bracelets.

Sneak Peek: Taylor Swift Covers 'Glamour'

Taylor's a Glamour Girl

Taylor Swift refuses to be phased by her success.

The country cutie covers Glamour magazine this month, where she talks about her new album "Speak Now," how she stays grounded, her ex boyfriends and, of course, Kanye West.

Check out Taylor's interview and photos, then pick up the November issue of Glamour, on newsstands October 12.

On the release of her newest album, “Speak Now”…

“My next album is something I’m really proud of. I can only write about what I’ve been through. And a lot has happened in the past two years.”

On using personal experiences as inspiration for songs….

“Everything that happens to me gets put into a song. For some reason, I’m really comfortable talking about my personal life in songs. There, I don’t hold back: names, dates, times, expressions on people’s faces, exactly where we were and how it felt, what I wish I would have said to them in the moment.”

On finding love…

“I’ve learned that you can’t predict it or plan for it. For someone like me who is obsessed with organization and planning, I love the idea that love is the one exception to that. Love is the one wild card.”

On meeting Paul McCartney…

“When I found out I was going to meet him, I couldn’t talk–I was so stoked.”

On how she stays grounded…

“I like to write about relationships. I like it when my friends come over and we crowd around the piano and sing Journey songs at the top of our lungs…And I like things that make me feel seven again.”

On her ex, Taylor Lautner…

“Absolutely! He’s one of my best friends. He’s wonderful, and we’ll always be close. I’m so thankful for that.”

On if she ever regrets writing songs about her exes…

“Eventually I’m sure one of them will write a response–that’s a pretty scary concept, actually! But I make sure I only write bad songs about the ones who deserve it.”

Finland Aims to be 1st Country That Outlaws Smoking

The first country in the world to end all tobacco use through law.

Helsinki, Oct 6 : The first in a series of laws designed to completely eradicate smoking and tobacco use in Finland came into effect Friday, including possible prison sentences for selling cigarettes to minors.

Finland is the first country in the world to write into its legislation that it intends not just to reduce smoking but to end all tobacco use through law.

"We realised that to state a goal of simply diminishing tobacco is a kind of approval of smoking," Ismo Tuominen, a key author of the law and a ministerial advisor, told AFP.

In the first phase, which began Friday, the possession of tobacco products by people under the age of 18 is completely banned, and it has become a criminal offence to buy or give minors tobacco, punishable by up to six months in prison.

Friday's new legislation also makes it illegal to buy or sell tobacco products over the Internet, to use tobacco in places frequented by minors, or smoke in spectator stands for all outdoor events.

In the next phase in 2012, it will become illegal to display tobacco products in stores, and in 2015 all cigarette vending machines will be banned.

Other countries such as Iceland and Norway have already adopted similar measures.

Tuominen however insists Finland goes much further when it comes to the wording of the legislation, which states clearly that Helsinki wants to drive out tobacco companies, although it aims to give the industry enough time to get used to the idea and find ways to disengage from the market.

The tobacco company Philip Morris has filed two complaints with the Chancellor of Justice, the country's top justice official, largely aimed at overturning the impending ban on the display of tobacco products.

Company spokeswoman Anne Edwards told AFP that Philip Morris understands its products are harmful and should be regulated, but added that it is unrealistic to think that the government can stop everyone from smoking.

"What's important for us is that we can compete for market share among adults who smoke, but how can consumers make a choice about what to buy if the products aren't visible?" asked Edwards.

Tuominen said that he does not see a total prohibition on tobacco coming into force in Finland, but that the government will certainly make it very difficult to make, advertise, buy and sell the product.

Dell's Tablet PC Streak

Tablet war has finally begun in India! World's second-largest PC maker Dell has launched its tablet PC Streak in the country.

Streak is Dell's bold attempt to grab a share of the tablet market which has been witnessing hyper activity from PC makers across the board ever since Apple launched its tablet device iPad. Though Apple iPad is still to make its India debut, the market is already buzzing with a host of Desi tablet devices like OlivePad and Adam tablet.

Here's looking inside Dell’s first tablet launch in the country.

Looks

Sporting a 5-inch (12.5-centimeter) WVGA screen, Dell Streak features a multi-touch display. However, Streak is smaller than Apple iPad which has a 9.7-inch (24.6-centimeter) diagonal LED-backlit glossy widescreen multi-touch display.

Dell first unveiled its Streak in January, touting the device as a convergence between a typical cell phone and larger tablet computer.

Android OS

Streak is powered by Google Inc's Android operating system. According to Dell, Streak will launch with Android 1.6. The Tablet is expected to get the latest Android 2.2 update.

The tablet will run on 1GHz Snapdragon ARM-based mobile processor from Qualcomm.

Memory

Streak comes with 2GB of internal storage. But the memory can be expanded upto 32GB via MicroSD card. According to Dell, the extended capacity can support upto 42 movies, 32,000 photos, or 16,000 songs.

Camera

This is where the iPad cannot match this rival. The Dell Tablet will come with a high-resolution 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Streak also has a front-facing camera which can be used for video chatting. It also has a dual LED flash.

Connectivity

Streak offers built in Wi-Fi, optional 3G and Bluetooth for connectivity. It will also support Google Maps integrated with a turn-by-turn navigation, street and satellite views.

Streak also has integrated social media apps including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Flash

Unlike Apple iPad, Dell Streak can run Adobe's popular Flash software. According to Dell, the Tablet will support Flash 10.1 later this year.

Apple on the other hand has been criticising Adobe's Flash technology for security, technical drawbacks and power-management.

Apps & pricing

Android-based Streak will have access to thousands of apps, games, widgets and other tools available on the Android platform.

As for the pricing, Dell Streak will come for Rs 34,990. There is also free data download available for Tata Docomo customers.

Currently, iPad sells for $499, $599 and $699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB Wi-Fi versions.

Buddhists Under Threat to Embrace Christianity in Arunachal Pradesh

By Jyoti Lal Chowdhury

Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India is a home to 20 major and about 100 sub tribes. They have been living peacefully for centuries.

A Tikhak family with monks. The Tikhak Tangsa tribe is under severe pressure to convert to Christianity by fundamentalists with the help of local militants

But, they are now in perpetual fear, particularly after the Chinese aggression of 1962, of extinction of their distinct culture and tribal faiths at the hands of Christian missionaries. In fact, this oasis of peace in the turbulent frontier region has also come under the impact of feverish proselytisation design. Although there was not a single Christian in 1951, their number rose to 1438 in 1961, 2,593 in 1971 and in 2001, the trend is quite alarming.

This is clear from the census report of 2001. Of the total population of 10,97,968, 7,05,158 are schedule tribes, constituting 64.2 per cent of total population. Of the total population of ST, 47.2 per cent has been returned as "other religion followers", besides 26.5 per cent of STs are Christians, 13.1 per cent Hindus and 11.7 per cent Buddhists. Sizeable population among Adi, Nishi, Nocte and Wancho have been converted to Christianity. Khampti, Monpa, Momba, Sherdukpen and Singpho are mostly followers of Buddhism.

Foreseeing the alarming trend of conversion activities of the missionaries, it is to be recalled, all the tribal organisations started mass movement against it and ultimately the territorial Assembly passed the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Indigenous Faith Bill 1978 providing legal and constitutional protection from conversion to other faiths alien to Arunachal Pradesh, "by force, fraud, inducement and allurement."

But despite the Act and the inner line restrictions on movement of non-tribals, missionaries could make considerable headway in bringing a sizeable number of tribals into Christian fold, particularly in Lohit and Subansiri district. Arunachalees still recall with gratitude the fold stand taken by Lt. Governor K A A Raja and the then Chief Minister Prem Khandu Thangon for the enactment of the Religious Freedom Bill in the face of stiff opposition by the Christian political leaders of Meghalaya and Nagaland and the influential ‘Shillong Churches Committee’.

The dreaded terrorist outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by Isac Chish Swu, chairman, and Thuingalem Muivah, general secretary, better known as NSCN (IM) and regarded as the fountain-head of insurgency in north east region, which is claiming and campaigning for the inclusion of Naga inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in greater Nagaland, has hidden its design to convert the people of these contiguous areas into Christianity.

After Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh is now the soft target of the missionaries with enormous funds from Uncle Sam’s country. It was not long ago that a group of 11 American and Canadian missionaries in the name of four-day harvest and healing festival near Itanagar induced the innocent people of the state for religious conversion. They not only camouflaged their identity but also their intent and purpose, besides four if them could make their entry in the state on the strengthen of two visas and two passports.

The Buddhists monks said that in the last days, of May 22 NSCN (IM) rebels armed with AK 47 and SLRs warned the villagers to convert to Christianity by June 4 or else face dire consequences. They have identified the militant commander leader Mitchel Lingam Tangkhul. Both the Buddhists monks have drawn the attention of the government, security forces and international Buddhists Forum towards the NSCN (IM) threat.

He threatened them to embrace Christianity and cautioned them not to celebrate any festival in glory of Buddha. The role of catholic priests of Miao Bishop’s is also reported by the Forum.

Some background information on Arunachal Pradesh's various tribes

Tangsa is a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. There are more than 17 sub-tribes in Tangsa. The Tikhak is one of the sub-tribes of it. The Tikhaks are inhabitants of Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Some of these people have settled in Tinsukia district of Assam, adjacent to Changlang district.

The Tikhak is the oldest group to arrive at the present locations, probably in AD 1300, after the appearance of the Ahoms in Assam, India.

They have a rich culture and traditions. Their dances, like Ongle Tam, Ongle and Bongtom, are the classical form of dances. They have classical songs called Bayangsai and Rung Wang.

Famous heritage sites of Changlang district are Second World War Cemetery, Stilwell Road, Hell Gate, Ashoka (Buddha) Stupa. Namdapha National Park and Pangsau Pass on the Indo Myanmar

(Source: Easternbookcorporation)

via The Buddhist Channel