Guwahati Diary

The Umananda temple in Guwahati has been spruced up, thanks to Governor Jagdish Mukhi. Goaded by him, the authorities have prettified the historical temple. 

A temple spruced up, thanks to governor

The Umananda temple in Guwahati has been spruced up, thanks to Governor Jagdish Mukhi. Goaded by him, the authorities have prettified the historical temple.  During a visit to the temple days after taking over as Governor, Mukhi was shocked to see its lack of cleanliness. Later, he served a one-month deadline to the district magistrate to clean up the mess.

The temple is looked after by the district administration. Perched on the Bhasmachala hill on an island of the mighty Brahmaputra, the Shiva temple is a tourists’ attraction. It was built by Ahom King Gadadhar Singha in the 17th century.

A missile that reminds Assam of the 1971 war

A P20 surface-to-surface missile of Indian Navy is reminding Guwahati residents of the India-Pakistan war of 1971. The weapon was vastly used in that war. Installed at a war memorial and gifted by Indian Navy, the missile was unveiled on the occasion of Navy Day. A MiG-27 fighter jet and a tank, used in the Kargil War and the 1971 war respectively, are also on display. While the memorabilia will inspire youth to join the armed forces, they will also remind the defence personnel of their sacrifice and gallantry.

Boy carries hopes of millions

No cricketer from Assam has ever made it to senior national squad. A 16-year-old is now carrying the hopes of entire state. Guwahati lad, Riyan Parag, has made Assam proud after he was selected in the Indian squad for 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He is the son of former Ranji cricketer Parag Das and former acclaimed swimmer Mithu Baruah. Among those elated over his feat is Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “I am extremely proud at the selection of Assam youngster Riyan Parag in the India Under-19 squad for 2018 World Cup,” Sarma tweeted.

When Brahmaputra turned muddy

The residents of Guwahati are facing an acute shortage of drinking water. The problem cropped up as the Brahmaputra water has turned muddy. The river quenches the thirst of city residents but in the wake of the phenomenon, water is not being supplied adequately by the civic authorities. The locals say they have never seen the river so dirty in winter. The Siang in Arunachal Pradesh, which originates from Yarlung Tsangpo in China and is a major tributary of Brahmaputra, has also turned muddy. The Central Water Commission has attributed the contamination to a recent earthquake in Tibet.

Prasanta Mazumdar

Our correspondent in Guwahati

prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com

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