Assam moots Vrindavani Vastra’s exhibition
Guwahati: Assam will soon request the government of India to persuade the United Kingdom to allow an exhibition of the famous Vrindavani Vastra, currently in the London museum, in the state. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who viewed the Vastra during his recent London trip, said here ton Saturday the people of the state must be given an opportunity to view this masterpiece of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva. ‘We will contact the government of India and ask them to get in touch with the UK government to bring and hold an exhibition of the Vrindavani Vastra here,’ he said. ‘It is among the great contributions of Srimanta Sankardeva and must be popularized further,’ Gogoi added. The chief minister also mooted an Assam Festival in London to highlight the Vastra among the people of UK and other international audience as well as showcase the state. The Vrindavani Vastra is a unique tapestry woven by skilled Assamese weavers in the sixteenth century under the supervision of Srimanta Sankardeva and his chief disciple Madhavdeva and depicts scenes from Krishna’s childhood home of Vrindavan. (UNI)
Nagaland Congress demands resignation of Imchen
Kohima: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has lauded Wokha police for ‘finally filing a charge-sheet’ against former Home Minister Imkong L Imchen in connection with the February 18 incident in Wokha ahead of the Nagaland State Assembly Elections, 2013. In a statement, NPCC demanded Imchen to step down immediately to pave way for a fair trial in the court of law. If not, NPCC said the Chief Minister should immediately drop him from the Cabinet since he has been sheltered long enough to damage the reputation of Naga Peoples Front (NPF) Government who have lost the ‘high moral ground by his criminal conduct.’ NPCC said it was pertinent to mention that the Congress led UPA Government at the Centre in its zero tolerance approach towards corruption and misconduct by its members have sacked Ministers when allegation surfaced so that the due process of law did not interfere by the accused occupying a position of influence. NPCC said NPF Government had no justification in sheltering Imchen when the charge-sheet has already been filed. (UNI)
Noted Guitarist Jennifer Batten in Nagaland
Kohima: Noted Pop legend Lt. Michael Jackson’s former guitarist, Jennifer Batten is in Dimapur to judge the grand finale of Axe’s Power 2013, a National Guitar Competition on Saturday at NER Agri Expo site at Dimapur. According to sources besides judging the competition, the hard rock guitar goddess Jennifer will also be performing and she said in the affirmative adding, ‘The legend (Jackson) will be here forever though he is not physically with us.’ Jennifer was with Jackson for 10 years from 1987-1997. Her love for traveling and discovering music made her come to Nagaland. She disclosed her liking for Indian music and ethnic music in general. Recalling her days touring the world with Jackson, Jennifer mentioned 1993 Super Bowl performance with him as the most memorable. As for the National Guitar Competition, which she is going to judge along with three other musicians, Jennifer said she was ‘expecting nothing but the best’ out of the competitors. The other three judges include renowned rock guitarist from Mumbai, Chandresh Kudwa (rock category); guitarist of Soul Mate, Rudy Walling (blues category) and classical guitarist from Dimapur, Joui Woch (classical category). The competition is being held under the theme, ‘Choose music over violence.’ Altogether 12 finalists will compete at the grand finale. Of the 12 bands, eight are from Nagaland and one each from Surat, Kolkata, Shillong and Delhi. Organizers have informed that tickets would be available at the venue, sources said. (UNI)
One killed in police firing
Tezpur: A person, allegedly involved in several crimes was shot dead in police firing in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Friday. Police opened fire when the person allegedly tried to slip away from one of his relatives’ house at Akabasti while he was being chased. He died on the spot, the police said. (PTI)