Security tightened ahead of Sonia’s visit
Aizawl: Security has been tightened in and around Mizoram’s capital Aizawl city in view of the proposed visit by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday. Superintendent of Police Aizawl district L R Dingliana Sailo said that a large number of armed policemen were deployed in Aizawl and mobile patrolling would also be undertaken from tonight. Sailo said that parking of vehicles was prohibited in the city where Sonia Gandhi would be travelling during her stay. She is expected to launch Food Security Scheme and inaugurate the fourth phase of New Land Use Policy (NLUP), flagship programme of the ruling Congress in the state.(PTI)
Nagaland celebrates Hindi fortnight
Kohima: In compliance with Union Government’s instructions, Hindi Fortnight (Pakhwada) is being organised from September 12 to 24, in various central government offices. According to a press release issued by Kahoto J Yepthomi, Secretary, Town Official Language Implementation Committee (TOLIC), various hindi competitions for both hindi and non-hindi speaking categories will be organised separately. The closing ceremony will be held at 1300 hrs on September 24. Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Chotisuh Sazo will preside over as the chief guest for the day. The major highlight of the programme will be Hindi Patriotic songs and cultural programmes presented by Kendrya Vidhyalaya’s children, TOLIC member office staff and North East Zone Cultural Center (NEZCC), Dimapur. The programme will be attended by all the Heads of Central Government offices, Nationalized Banks, Public Sector Undertakings and Para Military Forces stationed in Kohima. (UNI)
Guwahati dog finalist in PETA’s Cutest Indian Dog contest
Guwahati: A Guwahati dog, Matt, is a finalist in PETA’s Cutest Indian Dog Alive contest based on his rescue story and photograph. After sifting through hundreds of photographs of lovable Indian community dogs as well as their rescue stories, the judges selected Matt as a finalist in the annual contest, said PETA sources here on Thursday. Matt’s 9-year old guardian Zaynab Rahman of Guwahati said, “Matt was hit by a car and I was really scared for him. I took Matt to a veterinarian along with my dad and he is now a healthy dog and also my best friend”. PETA sources said the most heart-warming story should be rewarded and crowned the top rescued dog to encourage more people to adopt dogs from the streets or animal shelters rather than buying from pet shops. “Matt is a lucky dog, indeed, and has returned the favour of being rescued by bringing much love and joy into the lives of Zaynab and her family”, said PETA CEO Poorva Joshipura. (PTI)
Arunachal hikes FMA
Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has modified the Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to be paid to the state government’s retired employees and their family along with the monthly pension. The new rate of FMA has been fixed at Rs 300 per month from the existing Rs 200 which would be effective from September 2008, an official communiqué informed here today. Earlier, the state government had fixed Rs 200 as FMA with effective from April 2012. The arrear of the FMA would be paid in two installments, the communiqué said adding, the arrears for the period from September 2008 to March 2011 would be paid in the current financial year while that for the period from April 2011 to March 2013 in April next. (PTI)
