13th August 2013

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The Morung Express Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 221

Bolt regains world 100m crown [ PAGE 12]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | August 12

Half of Nagaland under darkness for 24 hours Kohima, august 12 (Pti): Almost the half of Nagaland, including the state capital Kohima, was reeling under darkness for 24 hours before power supply was restored this evening. Of the 11 districts of the state, power supply to five -- Kohima, Wokha, Phek, Kiphire and Tuensang -- had been affected on Friday due to collapse of a transmission pylon of Dimapur-Kohima 132 KV transmission line at 6th Mile in a petrol pump fire, a power department release said today. Though supply was restored on the same night using an alternative 132 KV transmission line through Imphal-KarongKohima line, it broke down again last evening resulting in the five districts experiencing black-outs. Finally, the supply was restored in those districts at around 6pm on Monday, power department sources said. Power supply in Dimapur has improved this morning but other districts had to bear with the power cut till the evening.

Govt adverts should be routed through IPR

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Kohima, august 12 (DiPR): Nagaland Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir held a meeting with the AHoDs and some HODs on August 12 to streamline and centralize all government advertisement through the department of IPR. It was discussed that the department of IPR has to work out on modalities and cooperation with other departments. The Chief Secretary said that the advertisement system should not have double norms and that it should be a single window, adding that it would be good for the departments as well as the government. In this connection, he suggested that every government advertisement of flagship programmes and centrally sponsored schemes should be routed through IPR department for issue and payment of bills on behalf of the departments. He also said that a one window system of advertising should be evolved, which should have a mechanism based on a computerized cell. He stated that all press releases, government notice/circulars should be circulated by the IPR department through existing departmental website portals and mass ‘sms’ messaging facilities or be issued by IPR to newspapers for publication in the engagement columns.

I must govern the clock, not be governed by it

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Golda Meir

UN unit documents film on women farmers

Chennai Express shatters all records

[ PAGE 02]

Fresh Myanmar clashes signal growing desperation

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 09]

Won’t allow forced migration: Chidambaram [ PAGE 08]

nagaland, why we need tissue culture! K. Filip Sumi

No Barbie, I want an AK-47.

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Nagaland is home to a variety of medicinal aromatic plants, rare species of orchids, rich agricultural crops etc. However, rampant collection of these plants and deforestation has resulted in depletion of the state’s rich biodiversity. Additionally, lack of quality planting material has become a major constraint for overall development of the agro sector in Nagaland, where farmers have no choice but to resort to low quality planting materials which end up in catastrophe, as the full potential of the plants are not realized. Enormous funds are spent annually by government agencies and organizations dealing in land-based activities for procurement of tissue culture seedlings and plantlets from outside the state at exorbitant cost. In such a scenario, Tissue Culture can be a saviour to endangered species of plants, herbs and also to farmers, who will receive disease-free high quality planting materials.

pathogens and quicker growth than the normal plant. Plant tissue culture is a technique that helps in regenerating a whole plant from a small tissue or a cell. Tissue culturing does not reduce the original quality of the mother plant but enhances rapid growth and increases chances of being disease-free.

What is tissue culture? Tissue culture is the production of exact copies of plants under sterile condition with highly reduced chances of diseases, pests,

Tissue Culture Laboratory The Tissue Culture Laboratory at 4th Mile Dimapur was established during 2001-02 by the Agriculture department for micropropagation of Sugarcane; however poor infrastructure, lack of trained man power, selection of crop etc prevented it from taking off. Ten years later, the department revived the laboratory during 2011-12. Additional Director, Department of Agriculture, Tekatoshi attributes the laboratory’s revival to DK Chetri, Senior Technical Officer, Tissue Culture Laboratory 4th Mile. “Under the initiative of Chetri, the tissue laboratory has been revived,” Tekatoshi attests. He, however, said that the laboratory is still in its infancy. A recent report submitted to the Government by Chetri, stated that during 2012-13, the laboratory successfully cultured tissue culture planting material of Banana (Variety:

DimaPuR, august 12 (mExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has once again reminded JEE and NEET candidates to submit their educational documents for verification at the NSF office on or before August 20. The NSF in a press note issued by its Vice President and Secretary for Education informed that out of the 178 JEE and 123 NEET students who have been selected, only 84 JEE and 64 NEET students have turned up for verification so far. The NSF said that the verification process is being carried out to authenticate non Nagas using Naga

names, “who are trying to avail opportunities at the cost of genuine Naga Indigenous inhabitants.” It said that the purpose for such verification is to have better communication with the students, so as to extend all possible help. Therefore the federation has appealed for all students and parents to cooperate with it “for the greater interest of our future generation.” The note further reaffirmed and reiterated “the solemn stand of NSF on Nagas by blood not by adoption, particularly in terms of employment and academic opportunities.” “The NSF have been strongly op-

A culture of scientific agriculture to benefit the environment and the economy

Senior Technical Officer, DK Chetri performs a sub-culturing of Bamboo at the Laminer Hood inside the Tissue Culture Laboratory in 4th Mile, Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

SN 1 2

Crop Banana Orchids

ProduCtion dEtAils

Variety Qty. produced Qty distributed Status/To whom Issued Grand Naine 5000 4300 saplings KVK, Farmers & Others Hybrid Vanda 3500 nil Under hardening

G-9) and Orchids (Variety: Hybrid Vanda). Around 5000 Orchid Hybrid Vanda, currently under hardening have already been booked by florists. Other activities undertaken by the Labo-

ratory during 2012-13 include production of 20,000 Mandarin Orange saplings through seed culture from the seeds procured from the state Horticulture Department. It was distributed to the farmers.

posing the adoption of non Nagas by Nagas and thereby using Naga names,” it added. While stating that the NSF is making a constant endeavor to check “such misuse and practices of seizing the opportunities in both academic and employment avenues by pseudo Nagas,” it also requested all indigenous Nagas to be vigilant and to bring such matters to the NSF’s notice. It also cautioned all “pseudo Nagas to immediately stop from usurping the right of the Indigenous Nagas or else face dire consequences if caught in this said abominable act.”

Kohima, august 12 (mExN): A driver of the Kohima Municipal Council was reportedly killed in a suspected hit and run case here this morning at Para Medical colony. Sources said that police recovered the dead-body at around 7:00 am below Assamese Church in Para Medical colony after colony members informed that a bus had run over a passerby. The victim was identified as Yanpvüo Ngullie in his late 20s, s/o Ezupo Ngullie of Pangti village, Wokha district.

NSF reminds JEE & NEET candidates for verification

One killed in Kohima

Another bomb explosion in Dimapur Crude bomb hurled at warehouse, no injuries reported

DimaPuR, august 12 (mExN): Dimapur experienced yet another explosion, less than a week after the August 7 blast at a jewellery workshop at Thakurbari, Marwari Patti. Unidentified assailants hurled an explosive device at a warehouse located at Marwari Patti at around 7:20 pm on Monday, August 12. The impact of the blast created a small crater, two to three inches deep and about a foot in diameter. No human casualty was reported as the warehouse was deserted at the time. The warehouse belonged to one Rhino Roadways Corporation. The motive could not be established but police suspect it to be a case of intimi-

The push-cart which was destroyed by the impact of the explosive. (Morung Photo)

dation. On the other hand, the proprietor told police that no threat or monetary demand was involved.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, who was at the site, construed that it is unlikely that the blast could

be related to the Independence Day celebration on August 15, while adding that it is something of a totally different nature. The explosive is suspected to be a low intensity crude bomb, which was hurled from the road. It landed on a push-cart, destroying the cart and shattered a glass frame kept a few feet away. No traces of shrapnel were found but police said that the bomb squad will comb the site for any signs of clue. With regard to the August 7 blast, police said that investigators have got some leads but added that at the current stage of investigation, the credibility of the leads could not be stated for sure.

Currently, the Laboratory is working on standardization of tissue culture protocols for Sugarcane (CoJor-1 & Co-1108) and Bamboo (Bambusa Tulda). Mass culturing of Banana (Amrit sagar) is

also being carried out. However, the Laboratory faces regular constraints like irregular and fluctuating power and dearth of well trained manpower. At present the laboratory production capacity is 10,000 plantlets but with modest works, it can be upgraded to produce 1 lakh planting materials annually. With proper equipments and trained manpower, the infrastructure could comfortably produce 1 lakh plantlets annually. The Additional Director informed of demands for Bamboo plantlets and Orchids from both government and other agencies. Nagaland bamboo development agency during 2006 had endeavoured to expand the Bamboo area and targeted 50,000 ha to be completed by the 12th plan. Till date, only 50% of the area could be covered by use of vegetative propagation. However, the cost involved is high due to bulkiness of planting materials. Propagation through seed is not a viable option as the seed is not available freely and has poor germination ability. Moreover, some species cannot be propagated through seeds. Hence, the alternative is to use Tissue culture plants. However, this too needs to be procured from outside the state at exorbitant

rates. Tekatoshi admits that the cost of procuring tissue culture seedlings from outside incurs a lot of expenditure. Products/facilities of the Laboratory could be outsourced to other line departments and organizations such as Bamboo mission, Bio-resource Mission, Central Institute of Horticulture, KVKs, Department of Horticulture, Forest and interested NGOs. “We are planning to expand the Tissue Laboratory to some possible extent if the government is willing to provide fund,” Tekatoshi says. He also spoke about strengthening the existing laboratory, as demands have been incoming from NBDA and other departments on a large scale. Chetri suggests that the Government may initially focus on production of quality planting material in bamboo, medicinal and aromatic plants, orchids and high value horticultural crops. The Laboratory faces shortage of subject related experts as a many Biotechnology students resort to teaching after completing studies. Tekatoshi says that TissueCultureisagoodscope for local entrepreneurs having requisite knowledge in the field. He expressed optimism that, with sincere officers coming up, the Department would grow.

DAn iii to demonstrate unity of alliance in polls CM Chang gets NPF party ticket for bye-election Chizokho Vero Kohima | August 12

Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) III’s consensus candidate for the upcoming 51 Noksen A/C bye- election, CM Chang today received the NPF party ticket at the ticket distribution ceremony held in Kohima at the NPF central office. Bye-election to 51 Noksen Assembly Constituency under Tuensang district is scheduled for September 4. The ticket was jointly handed over to Chang by Naga People’s Front (NPF) President Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu; BJP state unit President, Dr. Chuba Ao and JDU state unit President, Mhonjan in the presence of Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and several other party leaders. Dr. Shürhozelie administered the oath of pledge to CM Chang. He further thanked the BJP and JDU for endorsing CM Chang as DAN consensus candidate for the ensuing polls. Shurhozelie appealed to party workers and leaders to remain sincere to the decision of the party and at the same time requested the party leaders of Tuensang District to remain faithful to the party principles. The NPF president informed that CM Chang would file his nomination on August 16 at Tuensang and requested all

NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie administers the oath of pledge to DAN consensus candidate CM Chang for the forthcoming 51 Noksen A/C bye-election at the NPF Central Office, Kohima on August 12. (Morung Photo)

party leaders in Tuensang District to be present on that day. Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio in his address also thanked the DAN partners for endorsing CM Chang as consensus candidate and urged upon party leaders and functionaries to campaign hard and ensure his victory with a thumping majority. “I feel that it is a time to demonstrate our unity and DAN alliance spirit,” he said. Rio also proposed formation of bye-election campaign committee to work out campaign strategy and to face the election in a systematic manner. He also called upon the party workers assigned to carry out election related campaign to adhere to the election model code of conduct. Rio said that although NCP has no prepoll alliance with DAN, it is presently supporting the government, and as such should also be invited to cooperate with DAN in this

bye-election. BJP state unit President, Dr. Chuba Ao requested all party workers in Tuensang district to work together to ensure the victory of CM Chang. JDU state unit president Mhonjan challenged the party workers to be honest, faithful and work hard so that CM Chang comes out successfully. “All the party workers should work hard for the success of the candidate,” he said. In his speech CM Chang thanked the DAN partners for endorsing his candidature. Stating that the roads have developed blockage in the constituency due to landslides, he urged that the matter be taken up with the concerned department for clearance of such portions so that the electioneering process is not hampered. Earlier, the function was chaired by NPF working President Apong Pongener while State Planning Board (SPB) Deputy Chairman P. Longon proposed vote of thanks.

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