Hi everyone!

Finally, I got back home yesterday after the Assam 2001 convention and a short vacation in New Jersey.

With no one to help her and no financial security offered by the Pathini tea estate authority, the entire family decided on desperate course of action: Suicide.

But Nina was fortunate. Her marriage to a local businessman saved the family from the jaws of death. However, fortune hadn’t smile then on others in Pathini as of Nina. Some members of other laborers’ families died of starvation.

From handguns to rocket launchers. Russian Kalashnikov to Chinese AK-47s…almost all these can be bought and sold in these areas.

Ganges Softshell turtles, scientifically known as Trionyx Gangeticus ,are fast becoming extinct as hundreds of these turtles are regularly being killed by local fishermen and sold in markets, especially in Silchar's Fatak Bazar. Turtle meat and eggs are considered delicious by many in this part of Assam.

The situation has further aggravated because of the apathy of the authorities.

This is despite the fact that hunting of these turtles is a punishable offence under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

June 16 2001

THE EDITORIAL: INVESTMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

Lack of infrastructure, funds and adequately trained manpower would likely to force the Medical Council of India (MCI) to issue a final order of cancellation of recognition this time, if the State Government doesn't take steps to revive the institution within a very short period.

"Few years ago, the student union and professors of the college fought with the MCI when the MCI issued order of cancellation of recognition of the college. But this time the MCI wouldn't spare us," said Debotosh Paul, general secretary of the college student union.

Forgotten and unrecognised by the State Government, they are getting wiped out. The community at Kamranga village, which is about 45 km away from Silchar town,is still struggling to get recognition as one of the Scheduled Tribes of Assam, while their counterparts in Manipur have got it. And with just 32 Chiru families residing in the village it seems they have lost all hope to get themselves recognised as a Scheduled Tribe.

THE EDITORIAL

COLONIAL ECONOMY AND INCUMBENT COLLABORATOR

Though he has been in it for the past three decades, he is yet to be a member of Assembly. But his incorruptible image and leadership quality has made him the unanimous choice for the post of the chief minister this time.

Born in 1936, he was always active in politics since his college days. From the post of vice-president of student union of JB College in Jorhat, Gogoi has come a long way.