Mizoram MLAs Fortunes Grow By 790.48 pc in 5 Years

Aizawl, Sep 2 : The fortunes of Mizoram MLAs have grown by 790.48 per cent, compared to 289 per cent growth of members of Parliament s wealth since 2008 state Assembly elections.

According to a paper presented by Dr. Lalthakima, assistant professor of Pachhunga University College, at a seminar on corruption here today, the assets of re-contesting MLAs in the 2008 state Assembly elections grew by 790 per cent over the intervening five years.

Quoting an analysis of affidavits done by the Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch, the paper highlighted that the the percentage rise in assets of members of Parliament (MPs) who re-contested the 2009 elections was 289 per cent while that of re-contesting MLAs in all the states in average was less than 200 per cent.

According to the seminar paper, a Mizoram MLA who topped the rich list got richer by 13022.08 per cent during the five years, from 2003 to 2009. According to his declaration of assets before 2003 elections, this particular MLA had Rs 50,000 which skyrocketed to Rs 65,61,038 when he re-contested the 2008 elections.

A legislator, who experienced the lowest economic growth among the Mizoram legislators, had his wealth grown by 5.84 per cent during the five years.

The assistant professor, who disclosed this analysis on his paper Hlemhletna leh Mizoram politicians (Corruption and Mizoram politicians), said his analysis was based on a booklet on MLA contestants of the 2008 elections, prepared by anti-corruption organization PRISM (People’s Right to Information Development Implementing Society of Mizoram).

The seminar on Corruption and Mizo Christians , organised by Academy of Integrated Christian Studies (AICS) of Baptist Church of Mizoram, discussed papers presented by assistant professors of colleges, senior civil judges, retired bureaucrats and social activists on different topics in corruption.

Lalhmingliana Saiawi, a retired IAS officer, who presented the paper, accused the Mizoram government of having double standards when it comes to corruption cases investigated by the CBI.

This attitude, he said, in the paper, was very clear from the fact that the Mizoram government s challenging Gauhati High Court s order for a CBI probe into alleged misappropriation of PMGSY fund in Mizoram.

While the state government has no objection to the CBI probe into compensation scam in Tuirial hydel project, it has challenged the High Court s order for a CBI probe in the Supreme Court for God-knows-why.

Civic organisation SOSA (society for social action) had filed PILs in Gauhati High Court against the alleged misuse of public money in the two projects, he informed the seminar. Unlike other states where he had served as bureaucrats, Mr Lalhmingliana also felt that the Mizoram government has no real intention to dig out missing public money.

Dr J V Nunchunga, assistant professor of J Thankima College, who presented a paper on corruption and Mizoram economy , underlined that while corruption affects the entire society, the poorer section are the worst-hit.

One of the commonest corruptions in Mizoram, according to J V Nunchunga is government doctors running private clinics despite enjoying non-practice allowance, which is 25 per cent of their monthly salaries.

Moreover, the NPA which is meant for only medical doctors is also being extended to veterinary doctors in Mizoram. Mr Nunchunga also expressed concern over too many government holidays, including Saturdays, in Mizoram, highlighting that the state government losses about Rs 539.92 lakh in each holiday.

He also stated that ruined or delayed projects in Mizoram have also badly affected the state s economy.

MZP Strongly Objects To OBC For Gorkhas in Mizoram

Aizawl, Sep 2 : Even as the state government decided to grant OBC status to the Gorkhas in Mizoram, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl, the state's apex students body, has reiterated its strong objection.

MZP has strongly condemned the Permanent Body's decision to give OBC status to the Gorkhas.

MZP will fight to the end to ensure that this decision does not materialize, the students body said in statement.

The MZP's statement came after the Permanent Body, set up in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court, has taken a decision to this effect.

The decision is yet to be sent to the higher authority in the Centre for finalization.

Saying that the decision to give OBC status to Gorkhas could be detrimental to the social security of the Mizos, the MZP appealed to all NGOs and political parties to be up in arms against it.

The MZP planned to convene a meeting of all parties and NGOs soon to discuss the issue. The Young Mizo Association is also very likely to oppose the same.

The Permanent Body's decision was high on the agenda of central committee of the state's most powerful organisation's meeting today.

The two organisations, who had earlier voiced their objections to grant OBC status to Mizoram's Gorkhas, feared that it would cause demographic invasion to the Mizos.

Election Commission: Mizoram Election Model Can Implemented in India

By Chetan Chauhan

New Delhi, Sep 2 : CEC Quraishi found Rahul Gandhi's idea on state funding of elections as a "useful" and suggested that it can be implemented if the Mizoram model of campaign was adopted.

In Mizoram, the civil society through the tribal councils allows candidates only door-to-door campaign and a public meeting where all candidates are allowed to speak. No other expense to solicit votes is allowed.

The CEC described elections in Mizoram as most peaceful without excessive use of white or black money. "It may be an interesting model to consider for funding of elections by the state," he said.

In December 2010, the commission had rejected proposal of state funding. "The Election Commission is not in favor of state funding as it will not be possible to prohibit or check candidate's own expenditure or expenditure by others over and above which is provided by the state," a government's paper on electoral reforms quoting the commission said.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's suggestion that Lokpal should be a Constitutional body like Election Commission and elections should be state funded has got support of chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi. "It is true that the EC has been an effective body because of the Constitutional status bestowed on it," Quraishi told HT, when asked about Gandhi's suggestions in Parliament last Friday. "Only then the Lokpal can be as autonomous as EC".

Such a status, he felt, would empower the Lokpal in effective discharge of its duties just like the commission, which has ably conducted elections in the last six decades. 

The issue of state funding was first mooted in 1998 when Indrajit Gupta committee suggested that the government should fund political parties to provide level playing field for parties having meager resources.

A year later, the Law Commission welcome Gupta's suggestion and said that political parties should be debarred from raising funds from any other source. The second Administrative Reforms Commission in 2006 said state funding would reduce the scope of illegitimate and unnecessary funding of expenditure for elections. 

Agreeing that the issue was being debated for years Quraishi said the influence of money since then has increased manifold and the suggestion needs to be examined in light of the recent evidence of use of black money. "We seized over Rs. 60 crore just in Tamil Nadu assembly elections," he said and hoped that the Parliament will discuss the issue in depth and come up with an effective solution.

Source: Hindustan Times

Lou Majaw To Rock Manipur After 4 Decades

By K Sarojkumar Sharma

Imphal, Sep 2 : For Lou Majaw, rock 'n' roll has always been a way of life and he believes that good music comes out from the heart of a performer. It's with this conviction, and of course his acoustic magic, that the guitar guru from Shillong wants to join hands with the people of Manipur and combat HIV/AIDS and drug abuse together.

Lou, who has been celebrating Dylan's birth anniversary every year since 1972 and has also earned the sobriquet of 'India's Bob Dylan', will study Manipuri folk music, share his vast knowledge on chords and notes with the people of the state and fight the two menaces together.

The 64-year-old legendary singer-song writer-composer from Shillong will perform at Gandhi Memorial Hall, popularly known as GM Hall or 'Town Hall' in the heart of Imphal, on September 7 after about four decades.

"On September 5, I'll perform in the Churachandpur district headquarters and at GM Hall Imphal on September 7," Lou said minutes after landing at the Imphal airport on Thursday afternoon. "I still remember the day I had performed at this Imphal auditorium when I was with the 'Blood and Thunder' and 'The Great Society'. That was in the early Seventies. After 40 years I will be performing again at GM Hall, a place that is close to my heart and also the best performing venue for yesteryear rock bands of Manipur," he said.

Along with the key members of Churachandpur’s popular rock band 'Friends', Lou will interact with budding poets, song writers, musicians and singers on the trend of rock and blues in the region.

"We will spread awareness on HIV/AIDS and drug abuse through music in Churachandpur. Manipur, as all know, is one of the six states of the country which has a high HIV/AIDS prevalence. We have to combat the disease," Lou said, expressing his gratitude to the Manipur Aids Control Society (Macs) for sponsoring his 'Manipur Journey Trip'.

Friends' frontman Ricky Chakchuak, who is promoting music among youngsters, including inmates of various drug rehabilitation centers in Churachandpur, said Lou's new mission in the tribal-dominated district would definitely bear fruit.

On his love for Manipur folk music, Lou said he was mesmerized by a powerful performance by a Manipuri musician, Bhagirat, in Shillong early this year. "I felt he was singing from his heart. I really love to study the components of Manipuri folk music.During my stay in Manipur, I'll try to understand this beautiful form of music. I will also try to find out if I can use these elements in my music," Lou said.

During both the Churachandpur and Imphal concerts, Lou will cover Dylan and Bob Marley's numbers. The added attraction would be his numbers, though. "I love Dylan's powerful lyrics. Unlike the past events, we will organize Dylan's 71'st birthday on May 24 next year in a fabulous and meaningful manner in five acres of land near Shillong," Lou said.

Manipur Forced To Use Deplorable NH-53 For Bringing Essentials

Imphal, Sep 2 : Over 900 trucks left Imphal to bring essential commodities from Assam along the deplorable National Highway 53 under heavy security cover on Thursday as NH-39, the lifeline of Manipur, is blocked due to an economic blockade imposed by the Kukis and Nagas over creation of Sadar Hills district.

In pursuit of its decades old demand to create Sadar Hills district, the SHDDC has been imposing economic blockades on national highways 39 and 53 since August 1. The United Naga Council (UNC), which opposed creation of any new district in Naga areas, has called an indefinite bandh on all national highways in Naga areas since August 21.

Meanwhile, the handyman of one of the trucks heading for Assam has died in a road mishap in the Noney area, about 62 km from Imphal.

On the other hand, the CPI has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention in solving the crisis which is taking a toll in Manipur. Charging the state government with failing to solve the problem, the Left party even sought imposition of President's Rule.

The party's state council secretary, M Nara, said detailed reports about the prevailing situation in the state have been sent to CPI general secretary AB Bardhan after which he forwarded the same to the Prime Minister. The memorandum said the issue can lead to a communal flare-up in the state. It added that there is scarcity of essential commodities, including life-saving drugs, owing to intensified bandhs and blockades.

Some hospitals have suspended surgeries owing to unavailability of life-saving drugs, it added. Highlighting all these points, the Left party urged the Prime Minister to intervene and solve the crisis amicably. Having four legislators in the 60-member assembly, the CPI is a coalition partner of the Secular Progressive Front(SPF) government. One senior Left MLA is among the 12 council of ministers.

'Fresh Bid To Build Consensus On Amending AFSPA'

New Delhi, Sep 2 : Union home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said a fresh attempt was being made to build a consensus within the government to amend the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a law which gives security forces powers of search, seizure and detain without warrant in their fight against insurgents\militants in 'disturbed areas'.

"I am trying to revisit AFSPA but as you know one needs to build a consensus within the government before amendments can be brought before Parliament," Chidambaram said.

"We are trying. You know we have tried in the past," he said in response to a question whether AFSPA could be repealed in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. The Act is in force in some areas in Kashmir and insurgency-affected states in the north-east.

The home ministry had in the past moved the proposal of withdrawing the Act from certain areas, but it was resisted by the defence ministry, which argued that the withdrawal will affect counter-militancy operation. The Army has conveyed its apprehensions that replacement of AFSPA or any dilution could hamper its operational capabilities to effectively deal with militancy and insurgency.

Chidambaram said in J&K there was a consensus within the Central government that if the state withdraws the Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), AFSPA will automatically go.

"You know that in Kashmir, we have asked the state government to review the application of Disturbed Areas Act. Then, automatically if DAA does not apply to areas in Kashmir, AFSPA is not applied to that area in Kashmir. So we took that route in Kashmir. In Manipur, the demand is that AFSPA should be repealed. There is a Jeevan Reddy committee report. We have discussed this a couple of times," he said.

"As I said, there is no consensus yet and I am trying to build a consensus. I have not succeeded so far. There is a statement of the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) that we will replace AFSPA with a more humane Act. So we are trying," he said.

"On the first route (in J&K) there is a consensus at the Centre. Now at the operational level, the J&K government would have to, in the Unified Command, agree to review the application of Disturbed Areas Act," he said.

"If they are able to lift DAA from, say five places, then AFSPA would not apply to those five places. So that is something which they have to do and I am in touch with the chief minister (Omar Abdullah)," Chidambaram said, adding Omar has to "weigh the pros and cons and then decide when to do it, where to do it."

The National Conference-led government in J&K has already constituted a panel earlier this year to review DAA.

Day out with Miss Universe 2011 contestants in Sao Paolo

Sand, sun and frolic!: The contestants are in Sao Paulo for the 2011 Miss Universe pageant which will be held on September 12.

Miss Universe India 2011 Vasuki Sunkavalli poses in swimwear in Sao Paulo in this August 27, 2011 publicity photo. The contestants are in Sao Paulo for the 2011 Miss Universe pageant which will be held on September 12. Photo has been retouched at source. REUTERS/Darren Decker/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Singapore 2011 Valerie Lim Shu Xian poses on the beach in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe New Zealand 2011 Priyani Puketapu (L-R), Miss Universe Singapore 2011 Valerie Lim Shu Xian, Miss Universe Korea 2011 Sora Chong, Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup and Miss Universe Romania 2011 Larisa Popa pose on the beach in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Kazakhstan 2011 Valeriya Aleinikova (L-R), Miss Universe Malaysia 2 11 Deborah Henry, Miss Universe Japan 2011 Maria Kamiyama, Miss Universe Mexico 2011 Karin Ontiveros, Miss Universe Honduras 2011 Keilyn Gomez and Miss Universe Aruba 2011 Gillain Berry pose at the beach in Guaruja in this August 30, 2011 publicity photo. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2011 Stephanie Siriwardhana poses in swimwear in Sao Paulo in this August 27, 2011 publicity photo. REUTERS/Darren Decker/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Japan 2011 Maria Kamiyama poses on the beach in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Australia 2011 Scherri-Lee Biggs poses for a photo at a swimming pool at Casa Grande Hotel in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Turkey 2011 Melisa Asli Pamuk (L), Miss Universe Korea 2011 Sora Chong (C) and Miss Universe New Zealand 2011 Priyani Puketapu sit on a hammock while they pose for a photo at Casa Grande Hotel in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Japan 2011 Maria Kamiyama (L), Miss Universe India 2011 Vasuki Sunkavalli (C) and Miss Universe Indonesia 2011 Nadine Alexandra pose for a photo on the beach in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Indonesia 2011 Nadine Alexandra (L-R), Miss Universe Vietnam 2011 Hoang My Vu, Miss Universe Japan 2011 Maria Kamiyama, Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe Singapore 2011 Valerie Lim Shu Xian, Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 Deborah Henry, Miss Universe Aruba 2011 Gillain Berry and Miss Universe India 2011 Vasuki Sunkavalli pose for a photo on the beach in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Vietnam 2011 Vu Hoang My poses for a photo at a swimming pool at Casa Grande Hotel in Guaruja, on August 30, 2011.

Miss Universe Great Britain 2011 Chloe-Beth Morgan (L), Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 Deborah Henry (C) and Miss Universe Israel 2011 Kim Edri pose for a group photo at Casa Grande Hotel in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12. REUTERS/Erin Malone/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarette (C) poses for a photo with Miss Universe 2011 contestants at Casa Grande Hotel in Guaruja, August 30, 2011. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in Sao Paulo on September 12. REUTERS/Patrick Prather/Miss Universe Organization, LP LLLP/Handout

Miss Universe Australia 2011

Just Padma Lakshmi

Seldom do we find a glam-doll, whose pride lies in the kitchen. Padma Lakshmi makes a statement with her appealing looks as well as with fab culinary skills.

Considered a novelty on the Indian fashion circuit, this dusky damsel was the first of Indians to make it big on the super-ramps of Paris, Milan and New York. Here are answers to the 'how's and 'why's.

Click on, for the Padma Lakshmi visual treat!

In 1984, when she was 14 years old, Lakshmi met with an accident; this caused an injury to her right arm, which left a 7-inch scar, that is still visible.

Lakshmi walked the ramp first at 16. She was discovered by a modelling agent in India. She grew to become India's first model to make it big in Paris, Milan and New York.

She has appeared on the covers of 'Cosmopolitan', 'L'Officiel India', 'Asian Woman', 'Avenue', 'Industry Magazine', 'Marie Claire' (India Edition), 'Harper's Bazaar', 'Town & Country', and 'Newsweek'. Lakshmi also posed nude for the May 2009 issue of 'Allure' magazine.

She has hosted two one-hour specials on India and Spain for the British culinary tourism show, 'Planet Food', which have been broadcast on the Food Network in the US and internationally on the Discovery Channel.

She was host of the Food Network series, 'Padma's Passport', which was part of the larger series, 'Melting Pot', in 2001.

She has been a hostess of 'Domenica In', Italy's top-rated television show.

Padma hasn't appeared in many movies, though. She starred in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Boom' as Shiela Bardez, one of a trio of super models accused of stealing diamonds.

She was last seen on screen with Aishwarya Rai and Dylan McDermott, in Paul Mayeda Berges' 2005 film 'The Mistress of Spices'.

In 2006, Padma took over as host of the popular TV cooking competition series, 'Top Chef'.

In 2009, she was nominated for an Emmy Award and won it for hosting 'Top Chef' along with Tom Colicchio.

Her first cookbook, 'Easy Exotic', was adjudged the Best First Book at the 1999 World Cookbook Awards at Versailles.

Her second cookbook Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet was released October 2, 2007. It did not gain as much recognition as the first one.

On April 17, 2004, in New York City, Lakshmi married writer Salman Rushdie, to whom she was introduced to at a party. However, the couple filed for divorce in July 2007. She has a daughter Krishna, born in february 2010, with businessman Adam Dell