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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 337
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
Love is an energy which exists of itself. It is its own value
No question of supporting any party to form govt in Delhi: Kejriwal [ PAGE 08]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Red beacons only for high statutory offices, rules SC
New Delhi, December 10 (iANS): The Supreme Court Tuesday said that red beacon lights without flashers would be used on the vehicles of only high constitutional functionaries and blue beacon lights will be used only on emergency services and police. The apex court bench headed by Justice G.S. Singhvi in its direction said that the sirens would only be used on the emergency and police vehicles but the sound should not be unduly harsh and shrill. The court said that both the central and state governments will within three months issue a pruned list of constitutional functionaries entitled for red beacon lights on official vehicles. The court added that any violations of its direction would attract exemplary penalty. The court ordered that the police will implement the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act without fear or favour.
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TVs, but the foul weather and public transportation problems kept many people away. The 95,000-capacity stadium was only two-thirds full. Addressing the memorial service for Mandela, who died Thursday at age 95, Obama pointed out that “around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.” Among the nearly 100 heads of state and government were some from countries like Cuba that don’t hold fully democratic elections. On the way to the podium, Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro, underscoring a recent warming of relations between Cuba and the U.S. In contrast to the wild applause given to Obama, South African President Jacob Zuma was booed. Many South Africans are unhappy with Zuma because of state corruption scandals, though his ruling African National Congress, once led by Mandela, remains the front-runner ahead of elections next year. Thabo Mbeki, the former South African presi-
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Weapons watchdog receives Nobel Peace Prize [ PAGE 09]
Images of Nelson Mandela through the years are flashed upon a screen during the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. (AP Photo)
dent who succeeded Mandela, got a rousing cheer as he entered the stands. French President Francois Hollande and his predecessor and rival, Nicolas Sarkozy, arrived together. United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon waved and bowed to spectators who sang praise for Mandela, seen by many South Africans as the father of the nation.
NSF for closure of three institutes
DimAPUr, December 10 (mexN): The Naga Students Federation has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland urging for the immediate closure of the Indian Institute of Para Medical Technology, Kohima; Institute of Management of Medical Research, Health Science and School of Nursing, Singrijan and Para Medical Training Institute Industrial Estate, Dimapur. The NSF stated that as per a report submitted by an inspection team, the institutes lack the necessary infrastructure, faculty and recognition from competent regulatory bodies. The NSF reminded
that on January 11, 2014, the then Chief Secretary had directed the three institutes to obtain necessary approval/ permission from the concerned regulatory bodies within one year time, failing which the No Objection Certificate given by the Nagaland government would be withdrawn. The institutes were also directed not to admit fresh batches of students till necessary permission for running various courses is obtained. However, the NSF lamented that 10 months after the expiry of the deadline given by the government, no concrete measures or follow up action has been initiated by the
government, thereby allowing the Institutes to continue running at the expense of the students’ career. The NSF has urged the Nagaland government to immediately close down the 3 institutes till they obtain No Objection Certificates from the competent authority and provide the required infrastructure as per guidelines. NSF further appealed for the Nagaland government and the concerned department(s) to initiate rehabilitation measures or allow internship in some government institute for trainees/students of the three institutes and to legitimize their certificates.
–Thornton Wilder
India look for consolation win against South Africa [ PAGE 12]
“I would not have the life I have today if it was not for him,” said Matlhogonolo Mothoagae, a postgraduate marketing student who arrived hours before the stadium gates opened. “He was jailed so we could have our freedom.” Rohan Laird, the 54-year-old CEO of a health insurance company, said in the stadium that he grew up during white rule in a “privi-
leged position” as a white South African and that Mandela helped whites work through a burden of guilt. “His reconciliation allowed whites to be released themselves,” Lair said. “I honestly don’t think the world will see another leader like Nelson Mandela.” Workers were still welding at a VIP area as the first spectators arrived amid an enormous logisti-
cal challenge of organizing the memorial for Mandela, who died Dec. 5 in his Johannesburg home at the age of 95. Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, and former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were at the stadium, and gave each other a long hug before the ceremonies began. So were actress Charlize Theron, model Naomi Campbell and singer Bono. Tuesday was the 20th anniversary of the day when Mandela and South Africa’s last apartheid-era president, F.W. de Klerk, received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to bring peace to their country. De Klerk, a political rival who became friends with Mandela, was also in the stadium. Mandela said in his Nobel acceptance speech at the time: “We live with the hope that as she battles to remake herself, South Africa will be like a microcosm of the new world that is striving to be born.” The sounds of horns and cheering filled the stadium. The rain was seen as a blessing among many of South Africa’s majority black population. “In our culture the rain is a blessing,” said Harry Tshabalala, a driver for the justice ministry. “Only
great, great people are memorialized with it. Rain is life. This is perfect weather for us on this occasion.” People blew on vuvuzelas, the plastic horn that was widely used during the World Cup soccer tournament in 2010, and sang songs from the era of the anti-apartheid struggle decades ago. “It is a moment of sadness celebrated by song and dance, which is what we South Africans do,” said Xolisa Madywabe, CEO of a South African investment firm. The soccer venue was also the spot where Mandela made his last public appearance at the closing ceremony of the World Cup. After the memorial, his body will lie in state for three days at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, once the seat of white power, before burial Sunday in his rural childhood village of Qunu in Eastern Cape Province. John Allen, a 48-year-old pastor from the U.S. state of Arkansas, said he once met Mandela at a shopping center in South Africa with his sons. “He joked with my youngest and asked if he had voted for Bill Clinton,” Allen said. “He just zeroed in on my 8-year-old for the three to five minutes we talked.”
More than just compassion Morung Express News Dimapur | December 10
Diethono Nakhro, Member, Child’s Rights Commission, Nagaland , speaking on the occasion of 4th Annual Day cum 1st Graduation of Stepping Stones School, Dimapur said, “Just being in the midst of the innocence of children is enough to soothe the soul in this jaded times.” As the guest speaker, she touched upon how society places social, attitudinal barriers for a person/child living with disability. It is not just the disability limiting the person, but society that is not looking beyond the limitation, she added. Struggling with mobil-
Nakhro highlights society’s indifference to persons living with disability
ity impairment for seven years herself, she shared her concerns and said, “I was also a part of that indifferent society for the better part of my life. It was only after I began my chapter as a person living with disability that I also realized this concern.” She stated that her mission was to carry the message and spread awareness among people on, “I have a disability, but I am not disabled.” She also carried a strong message for those living with disability and general populace, “You may
have a disability but you must make the use of your abilities” Nakhro stated that Nagas view a person with disability, to be objects of charity needing welfare and assistance to survive. This, she said is a negative mindset about disability. Terming it as a vicious cycle, she stated that often persons /children with disability grow up feeling helpless and grow more dependent on others. There is no escape in this cycle unless we take a positive outlook to change our mindset, she
said and encouraged, “Look at person with disabilities, not only at what they cannot do but at what they can do”. My own philosophy is that if there is one thing I can’t do there are two other things I can do. She urged, “It is time for our society to change its outlook on persons living with disability especially our children living with disability so they can join their peers to study- workplay and eventually lead fruitful lives. For, persons living with disabilities are real people. They also have needs, desires, and dreams. And they need the chance from society to make it all come true.”
Hornbill 2013 culminates with Unity Dance Arson attempted at
ASTD cautions against threats
DimAPUr, December 10 (mexN): The Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur has informed that “some unscrupulous persons had attempted several times to arrest former ASTD (Dimapur Ao Unit) President and a senior citizen, Arep Changki without assigning any valid reasons.” A press note from the ASTD President, Supu Walling and General Secretary, C Onen Walling stated that in view of the incident, “the ASTD assigned the Dimapur Ao Youth Union to examine and ascertain the reason behind the incident.” While appreciating the efforts of the DALT, the ASTD asserted that “No citizen will be allowed to threaten without any rhyme or reason.”
Hornbill Festival 2013
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embrace Mandela’s message of Justice
JOhANNeSbUrG, December 10 (AP): U.S. President Barack Obama exhorted the world Tuesday to embrace Nelson Mandela’s universal message of peace and justice, electrifying tens of thousands of rain-lashed spectators and prompting a standing ovation by scores of heads of state in a South African stadium. In a speech that received thunderous applause, Obama urged people to apply the lessons of Mandela, who emerged So how much money did you from 27 years in prison make selling thutse, sir? under a racist regime, embraced his enemies when The Morung Express he finally walked to freeand promoted forgivePOLL QUESTION dom ness and reconciliation in Vote on www.morungexpress.com South Africa. SMS your answer to 9862574165 “We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must Is Hornbill Festival the act on behalf of peace,” said best way of promoting Obama, who like MandeNaga culture and ways of living? la became the first black president of his country. Obama said that when he Yes No Others was a student, Mandela “woke me up to my responsibilities — to others, and to myself — and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today.” Police were expecting a crushing crowd at FNB staand had set up overBlue beacon lights dium flow points with big screen
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Visitors join in on the Unity Dance, performed by Naga tribes to mark the end of the Hornbill Festival 2013.
Chizokho Vero Kisama | December 10
Seventeen Naga tribes performing a ‘Unity Dance’ around a bonfire marked the spectacular closing ceremony of the ten day long Hornbill Festival, at Kisama on December 10. Displaying
various facets of Naga life and culture, the festival concluded amidst traditional fanfare and merry making. Thousands of people thronged Kisama to witness the grand finale, which was also marked by the lighting of lanterns by all the dancing troupes. Na-
galand Minister for Tourism, EE Pangteang; Miss Nagaland 2013, Benjongmenla and others lighted the ceremonial bonfire amidst beating drums and yells from dancing troupes in full traditional attire. Signaling the end of the festival, cultural troupes
from all the tribes performed a unity around the bonfire, where visitors also joined in later. The 14th edition of the Hornbill Festival witnessed 1, 86, 030 visitors in Kisama alone; which included 1457 foreign, 15, 881 domestic tourists and 1, 68, 700 local visitors. The Tourism Minister gave away a cash prize of Rs 2 Lakhs to the winner of the Hornbill Master Chef 2013Yanrhonthung Odyuo. Nyeitok Konyak was also recognized during as the best craftsman 2013. Alim (bearing ticket No 3827), Akali (bearing ticket no. 840) and Kuku Khana (bearing ticket no 861) were declared 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Hornbill Shopping Festival Raffle draw and received a Maruti 800 each. The Tourism Minister expressed his appreciation to the visitors, cultural troupes, the Chief Minister, Himato Zhimomi, Commissioner and Secretary for Tourism and Art & Culture and his officials, tribal Hohos, NGOs and all departments for making the event as successful one.
DMC office, toll booths Employees threaten to go on strike
DimAPUr, December 10 (mexN): A series of arson attempts were reported in Dimapur on the night of December 9 targeting Dimapur Municipal Council toll booths and the DMC office. The incidents occurred around 10:30 pm, informed DMC employees. The unidentified attackers targeted the toll booths near New Dhansiri Bridge, Burma Camp, NH 29; and Signal Basti, near Thahekhu Village gate. An attempt was also made to set fire to the Rate Control wing of the DMC office located at Kalibari Road. But it was doused before any significant damage could be made. At the Burma Camp toll booth, one toll attendant sustained mild burn injury. In the aftermath, DMC workforce, under the banner of DMC Employees Association, are contemplating to go on strike; while
demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice. Addressing media persons on Tuesday at the DMC office, the association’s representatives stated that a police complaint will be lodged. The association further hinted at a tussle over ‘toll collection contracts’ as a reason behind the arson attempts. According to the association, DMC employees have been manning the toll booths since September 2013, following a court ruling. Prior to the period, toll collection was leased out to private entities, which was nullified sometime in September. The lease period was from July 2013 to March 2014. The issue ultimately landed in court. Meanwhile, a new set of lessees was contracted to take charge of toll collection. The newly contracted lessees were supposed to take charge from December 10, as per an order through a directive from the office of the Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Development.
However, the association has demanded that the order be cancelled. The association stated that the DMC has enough workers to care of toll collection, instead of it being leased out to private entities. The association, had in a representation to the Administrative Officer, DMC dated December 4, 2013 had apprised the same. In a handout, the association listed out a comparative assessment of tolls collected starting from September 21 till November 30. During this period, when DMC employees manned the toll gates, the DMC recorded toll collections of over Rs 1 crore. In November alone, it was Rs. 56, 74, 565; and in October, it was Rs. 47, 83, 540. The figures are in stark contrast to the monthly instalments deposited by the lessees prior to DMC employees taking charge of tolls, the association explained. The accumulated monthly instalment from lessees stood at a little over Rs. 25, 000 lakh.
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