Anti-AIDS project under way at Hailakandi
Correspondent
HTML clipboard Hailakandi, Dec 25 – Monacherra Athletic & Cultural Club, a non-government organisation has started Targeted Intervention Project for Prevention of HIV/AIDS for 400 female sex workers (FSWs) of Hailakandi district.
They are implementing this project under the sponsorship of HTML clipboardAssam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS).
Project Manager Anwar Hussain Mazumdar said, “early prevention by targeting adolescents with proper information on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and to make them assertive can be an effective way to safeguard their future health status. Considering the need of the youth and the female sex workers, this 6-months long project has been launched in Hailakandi district”.
MAC has identified 400 female sex workers in Hailakandi district and the entire district has been divided into seven zones. These zones are Panchgram, Algapur, Hailakandi, Monacherra, Aenakhal, Lalabazar and Katlicherra. The MAC has identified 20 peer educators for counselling of the identified female sex workers and also to educate those regarding affects of spreading HIV.
The president of MAC, Subhrabaran Dasgupta informed that there is also provision for providing loan through micro finance if HIV positive blood is dectected among the female sex workers. They may also get SHG linked micro finance for their rehabilitation. They (female sex workers) are also provided TA/DA for attending the counselling and awareness campaign.
Dasgupta informed that they regularly organise blood testing camp for these female sex workers with the help of the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) of Hailakandi’s SK Roy Civil Hospital. If any case of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) found, they refer the case to the hospital immediately. He said that major behavioural changes have been detected among the targeted female sex workers in regard to safe sex.
A sex worker confided that they do not hesitate to create pressure on their clients regarding use of condoms. source: assam tribune
Correspondent
HTML clipboard Hailakandi, Dec 25 – Monacherra Athletic & Cultural Club, a non-government organisation has started Targeted Intervention Project for Prevention of HIV/AIDS for 400 female sex workers (FSWs) of Hailakandi district.
They are implementing this project under the sponsorship of HTML clipboardAssam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS).
Project Manager Anwar Hussain Mazumdar said, “early prevention by targeting adolescents with proper information on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and to make them assertive can be an effective way to safeguard their future health status. Considering the need of the youth and the female sex workers, this 6-months long project has been launched in Hailakandi district”.
MAC has identified 400 female sex workers in Hailakandi district and the entire district has been divided into seven zones. These zones are Panchgram, Algapur, Hailakandi, Monacherra, Aenakhal, Lalabazar and Katlicherra. The MAC has identified 20 peer educators for counselling of the identified female sex workers and also to educate those regarding affects of spreading HIV.
The president of MAC, Subhrabaran Dasgupta informed that there is also provision for providing loan through micro finance if HIV positive blood is dectected among the female sex workers. They may also get SHG linked micro finance for their rehabilitation. They (female sex workers) are also provided TA/DA for attending the counselling and awareness campaign.
He also informed that most of the female sex workers are in the age group of 18-28 years. Most of the girls have come in the profession due to poverty, he said. He said that their volunteers visited almost all the houses of the targeted female sex workers and in most cases they found that these girls first gained sexual experience from their relatives or close ones.
Dasgupta informed that they regularly organise blood testing camp for these female sex workers with the help of the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) of Hailakandi’s SK Roy Civil Hospital. If any case of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) found, they refer the case to the hospital immediately. He said that major behavioural changes have been detected among the targeted female sex workers in regard to safe sex.
A sex worker confided that they do not hesitate to create pressure on their clients regarding use of condoms. source: assam tribune
Public awareness on domestic violence emphasized
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 25: It was a packed auditorium of Gandhi Bhawan. A public meet was organized by the NGO ‘All Cachar Rural Development Organization’ in order to make people aware of the evils of domestic violence and how best to tackle it. It was a well meaning and well-intentioned campaign against a social evil which has been raising its ugly head, the cause of family dispute and unrest. Ram Mohan Chakraborty, retired district and session judge, speaking as chief guest, was quite appreciative of the move of the NGO to form GP level counselling centres for addressing it to the complaints and cases of domestic violence for their easy resolution.
Chakraborty admitted that the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 was yet to prove that it was effective enough to contain the atrocities against women. Nor was there any guarantee that it would be effective to check or minimize violence against women. The victims belonging to weaker sex often, as he said, fail to be bold and courageous enough to stand up and protest. He however expressed his confidence that with more campaigns and awareness the incidents of violence against women would be a thing of the past. Advocate Anup Chowdhury who presided over the meeting said of the 163 GPs in HTML clipboard Cachar , counselling centres in 80 of them have been set up and both the complainants and accused have been responding to the calls or voluntarily coming to seek counselling and resolving the dispute or conflict. He was hopeful more and more women would take advantage of these centres for better living through resolution of family misunderstanding leading to violence. The concept of counselling was more or less on the pattern of Lok Adalat whose arbitration and judgement in all cases was final and beyond the scope of any Court to interfere. The meeting today was attended by large number of women who came spontaneously from different parts of the district in order to get themselves enlightened about the counselling centres. Others who spoke on the occasion included AGP leader Sahidul Alam Chowdhury, advocates Nazmul Haque Mazarbhuiya and Dulal Mitra. source: sentinel assam
BJYM campaign to woo youth under way in Karimganj dist
Correspondent
NILAMBAZAR, Dec 26 – In view of the Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, has begun a mass campaign aimed at wooing the impressionable voters towards the ideology of the saffron party.
National observer of BJYM Nitish Nitin, while addressing a press conference here on Thursday, informed that the campaign has been launched to motivate the young voters against corruption and other burning issues of the State. The campaign will continue till January 10.
The Morcha has also constituted an observer team for each constituency of the district, which would promote an anti-Bangladeshi campaign in the State. He stated that the problem of Bangladeshi infiltration should be delt with a firm hand both by the State and the Central governments to avert bigger threats to the country.
Sudip Chakrabarty, vice-president of State BJYM stated that the target groups for the saffron party would be voters between 18 to 25 years of age.
He also urged the top leadership to give tickets to young and dynamic leaders in the ensuing elections to strengthen the party’s image amongst the impressionable voters.
Taking strong exception to the deteriorating law and order scenario in the country, Chakrabarty pressed the Centre to launch strikes to bust terrorist camps in neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan. He also criticised LM Suklabaidya, MP Karimganj for his long silence in Parliament regarding the border fencing and other burning issues of the border-located district of Karimganj.
Mission Ranjan Das, MLA and leader of the legislature party stated that the recent incident of violence in the country has once again brought to the fore the fatal implication of terrorist activities based in Bangladesh and Pakistan on India. It is high time to take stern action against the anti-national forces, he reiterated. Mriganka Barman, general secretary of BJYM, Biswarup Bhattacharjee, president, BJP Karimganj district committee, Shipra Goon, national executive member, Nitya Bushan Dey, organising secretary in Barak Valley, Nihar Das, state secretary BJYM, and Kishore Dey, general secretary of Karimganj BJYM explained the objectives of the ‘yuvajura’ campaign. source: assam tribune
Controversy over killing of Dimasa youth
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Dec 29: The bullet-riddled body of one Nityalal Kemprai, an auto-rickshaw driver who was reportedly missing since Saturday last, was handed over to Haflong police by 8th Sikh Regiment. Nityalal (25) was reportedly killed in an encounter with the Army at Govinbasti, 16 km from Haflong in the wee hours on Monday. The Army had reportedly claimed that the slain youth was a cadre of the Black Widow. A China-made hand grenade, a rifle, a radio set and six rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the possession of Nityalal.
However, the local residents are not ready to accept the version of Army and police version at its face value.
An autorickshaw driver said Nityalal, who hailed from Sabujai village under Maibong subdivision, was staying with his elder sister’s family in Haflong and his source of income was from autorickshaw deriving. On Saturday evening, he came out form his sister’s residence for weekly marketing, but did not return home.
Another source claimed, some people hired his autorickshaw for a trip to Gunjungbasti, 25 km from Haflong.
Nityalal was traceless since then, so was his autorickshaw (No. As-08-4416). source: sentinel assam
Silchar book fair concludes
Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 29 – The 70th book fair in HTML clipboard Silchar which started on December 17 at Bipin Chandra Paul field, concluded on December 25 last.
Earlier, attending the inaugural function as the chief guest, Prof Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, VC, Assam University said that it is encouraging to see such a gathering in these days, indicating that people still love books. To get good readers in these days is really tough, but readers are showing a positive sign still here.
Paritosh Paul Choudhury, general secretary, organising committee, spoke about the history of this book fair. He emphasized that it is not easy to handle this type fair in a remote area. He requested the Silchar Municipal Board to take up this fair for smooth functioning. Eminent scholar at Bhakti Madhav Chottopadhyay in his speech said book fair is the expression of self analysis and self realisation of a reader. source: assam tribune
Consumers’ meet deliberates over relevant issues
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 29: The Consumers’ Meet held today under the banner of Grahak Suraksha Samiti, HTML clipboard Cachar, deliberated over basic and relevant issues concerning the consumers. The meet was presided over by the president of the Samiti Atin Das. General Secretary Biplab Kumar Goswami, in his written submission spoke about the various activities of the Samiti and its relentless campaign for awareness among the consumers for creating proper ambivalence in consumer affairs.
Goswami said till now since its inception eight years ago, the Samiti has been able to communicate with more than 20,000 consumers and provided relief to them by mitigating their grievances. He admitted that despite all the vigilance and monitoring, black marketers and profit makers continue to rule the roost, often compelling the consumers to pay through their nose. He called upon people in general to be watchful and in any case of black marketing has to be brought to the notice of the Samiti and the authorities concerned for administrative and legal steps.
Deputy commissioner of Cachar Gautam Ganguli, appreciated the positive role of the Samiti and he expressed his satisfaction at the large turn out of people which he said was an indication of consumers’ growing awareness about their rights and duties. He assured that any complaint brought to his notice would be properly investigated and action would be initiated. Member of Consumers’ Court Dr Jahar Kanti Sen lamented the declining public complaints before the Court which he said was quite inexplicable.
FCI Zonal Manager T Deshmukh said that his department has no role in the PDS for sugar, rice and flour which could eliminate much of the anomalies. Food Inspector Tarun Dutta Chowdhury said that there was legal provision to take action against those who adulterated consumer items. People have to be conscious about it. Legal strategy Inspector Subodh Sinha pointed out that people did come with complaints about weights and measures, but there were few who submitted them in writing. Superintendent of Food and Civil Supplies Utpal Barkakoti spoke about the problems of PDS. source: sentinel assam
From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, Dec 29: The bullet-riddled body of one Nityalal Kemprai, an auto-rickshaw driver who was reportedly missing since Saturday last, was handed over to Haflong police by 8th Sikh Regiment. Nityalal (25) was reportedly killed in an encounter with the Army at Govinbasti, 16 km from Haflong in the wee hours on Monday. The Army had reportedly claimed that the slain youth was a cadre of the Black Widow. A China-made hand grenade, a rifle, a radio set and six rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the possession of Nityalal.
However, the local residents are not ready to accept the version of Army and police version at its face value.
An autorickshaw driver said Nityalal, who hailed from Sabujai village under Maibong subdivision, was staying with his elder sister’s family in Haflong and his source of income was from autorickshaw deriving. On Saturday evening, he came out form his sister’s residence for weekly marketing, but did not return home.
Another source claimed, some people hired his autorickshaw for a trip to Gunjungbasti, 25 km from Haflong.
Nityalal was traceless since then, so was his autorickshaw (No. As-08-4416). source: sentinel assam
Silchar book fair concludes
Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 29 – The 70th book fair in HTML clipboard Silchar which started on December 17 at Bipin Chandra Paul field, concluded on December 25 last.
Earlier, attending the inaugural function as the chief guest, Prof Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, VC, Assam University said that it is encouraging to see such a gathering in these days, indicating that people still love books. To get good readers in these days is really tough, but readers are showing a positive sign still here.
Paritosh Paul Choudhury, general secretary, organising committee, spoke about the history of this book fair. He emphasized that it is not easy to handle this type fair in a remote area. He requested the Silchar Municipal Board to take up this fair for smooth functioning. Eminent scholar at Bhakti Madhav Chottopadhyay in his speech said book fair is the expression of self analysis and self realisation of a reader. source: assam tribune
Consumers’ meet deliberates over relevant issues
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 29: The Consumers’ Meet held today under the banner of Grahak Suraksha Samiti, HTML clipboard Cachar, deliberated over basic and relevant issues concerning the consumers. The meet was presided over by the president of the Samiti Atin Das. General Secretary Biplab Kumar Goswami, in his written submission spoke about the various activities of the Samiti and its relentless campaign for awareness among the consumers for creating proper ambivalence in consumer affairs.
Goswami said till now since its inception eight years ago, the Samiti has been able to communicate with more than 20,000 consumers and provided relief to them by mitigating their grievances. He admitted that despite all the vigilance and monitoring, black marketers and profit makers continue to rule the roost, often compelling the consumers to pay through their nose. He called upon people in general to be watchful and in any case of black marketing has to be brought to the notice of the Samiti and the authorities concerned for administrative and legal steps.
Deputy commissioner of Cachar Gautam Ganguli, appreciated the positive role of the Samiti and he expressed his satisfaction at the large turn out of people which he said was an indication of consumers’ growing awareness about their rights and duties. He assured that any complaint brought to his notice would be properly investigated and action would be initiated. Member of Consumers’ Court Dr Jahar Kanti Sen lamented the declining public complaints before the Court which he said was quite inexplicable.
FCI Zonal Manager T Deshmukh said that his department has no role in the PDS for sugar, rice and flour which could eliminate much of the anomalies. Food Inspector Tarun Dutta Chowdhury said that there was legal provision to take action against those who adulterated consumer items. People have to be conscious about it. Legal strategy Inspector Subodh Sinha pointed out that people did come with complaints about weights and measures, but there were few who submitted them in writing. Superintendent of Food and Civil Supplies Utpal Barkakoti spoke about the problems of PDS. source: sentinel assam
