13th December 2013

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www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 339

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

Acid attack victims say new law is ignored [ PAGE 08]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

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Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know ‘If I had kids, they would hate me’

Land resource dept launches SPEED [ PAGE 02]

Former Thai PM Thaksin may never return home [ PAGE 09]

[ PAGE 11]

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Friday, December 13, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Louisa May Alcott

Neymar scores hat-trick as Barca beat Celtic [ PAGE 12]

NPF affirms to work for the people Key resolUtion Points

Yea! We benefited a lot out of this festival. Poor tourists!

Four abducted persons released Mokokchung, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): The Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam Nagaland) has informed that the four persons abducted on December 11 from a private tea garden from Rongkham village of Selenghat, bordering Nagaland have been released. A press note from the BPCC (AN) stated that the incident “appears to have created panic in different circles, thereby hampering peace coordination, especially in the Assam-Nagaland border area.” It called for peace and has appealed for all to utilize democratic ways in settling any conflict. The BPCC (AN) further extended festive greetings and appealed for all to take a pledge for peace coordination and development of all.

ACAUT demands justice from govt

DIMAPur, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): The Action Committee against Unabated Taxation has reminded the Nagaland state government that two of the three perpetrators accused of assaulting GB Kiho H Sumi at Zuhneboto town on November 16, are still at large. A press note from the ACAUT media cell urged the government to nab the two accused, who it identified as Hoito and Toiho. It further demanded that three NNC, Non-Accordist cadres “responsible for murdering businessman Kishori in Dimapur should not be granted bail under any circumstances, considering the gravity of the crime.”

Solo resigns as NTC President

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DIMAPur, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): Convener of the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) Constitution Drafting Committee, Thepfulhouvi Solo has resigned from the post of NTC President. A press note from Solo informed that the constitution of the NTC stipulates that “There shall not be two office bearers from the same tribe.”

It informed that in view of the Pochuri tribe’s initial non-attendance in the NTC, one additional office bearer from the Angami tribe had to initially fill the required number of office posts. However, it stated that the Pochury tribe “has finally joined the Council,” as a consequence of which Thepfulhouvi Solo, “voluntarily vacates the post of NTC President in fulfillment of Article 8 (b) of the NTC Constitution.”

NPF President, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and other NPF leaders during the NPF Golden Jubilee celebration cum general convention held in Kohima on December 12. (Morung Photo)

Chizokho Vero Kohima | December 12

The Golden Jubilee celebration cum general convention of the Naga People’s Front witnessed a gathering of 10, 428 party leaders and workers at the Kohima Local Ground on December 12. NPF leaders recalled the formative years of the regional party in 1963 and paid respects to its pioneers.

The party further re-affirmed to continue working for the welfare and the aspiration of the Nagas.

NPF President, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu asserted that the party will assist in any possible manner for a peaceful solution to the Indo-

Naga issue, work for unity and integrity of the people, restore the spirit of self-discipline and self-reliance and work for the economic advancement of the people.

“While facilitating the process of political dialogue, NPF also declared that in the event of any political solution arrived at, it will not stand on the way but give way to any new arrangement,” he added.

Dr. Liezietsu further alleged that the Congress high command in Delhi “is mistreating us for our good performance, which is very much against the spirit of democracy.”

“We hope, good sense will

• To continue upholding the principles women. The party will also continue with and ideologies of this oldest regional its policy of empowerment of farmers. party in the region, while honoring the • To impress upon negotiating parties pioneers of the party for their commitinvolved in the Indo Naga peace talks to ment and vision. expedite the peace process to its logical • To acknowledge the electorate of Nagaconclusions at the earliest. land for continuously reposing their faith • To affirm the recent formation of the on the NPF and to provide unflinching supNorth East Regional Parties Front, and port to the DAN government led by Chief the initiatives and efforts of the Assam Minister, Neiphiu Rio and NPF President, Gana Parishad in these areas, with hope Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu. for a new era of peace and development • To continue as a grass-root based political in the north east region, while at the party committed to a policy of inclusivesame time, bringing about better unity ness, with special attention to the develand fraternal relationship. opment of the backward regions, and the • To urge the Government of India to impleweaker sections, including the developmenttheprovisionsofthe16thPointAgreement and empowerment of youth and ment and Article 371- (A) in letter and spirit.

Commemorates 50 years of regional party in Nagaland prevail in due course of time when the Congress high command in Delhi can truly understand the character of their party leaders in Nagaland,” he stated.

Citing the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he challenged party leaders and workers to contribute towards the welfare of the party.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio paid his respects to the founders and pioneers of the party and stated that the golden jubilee is an occasion to look ahead. “It is

a time to make new resolutions for a better future.”

Citing the ceasefire agreements and the on-going political dialogues between Naga nationalists and Government of India, Rio appealed for the negotiating parties to expedite the process of resolving the decades old Naga political issue in bringing about an honorable settlement at the earliest. “Our party is fully committed to play the role of facilitator to the political dialogue, and

for bringing about unity and reconciliation while maintaining equi-closeness with all nationalist groups,” he said.

He further stated during the past 50 years of statehood, much progress and development has taken place in Nagaland; especially in the social sectors, such as education and health and also in agriculture. “The most significant achievement of our party is implementation of the policy of inclusiveness and grass root participation in planning and implementation of government projects,” Rio said.

Rio, however lamented that the Government of India is not

A Stalemate Game of Immovable Kings No State JEE for 2014 Abokali Jimomi

Kohima | December 12

Hornbill 2013 concludes with mixed reviews from visitors and people who did all 10 days, or zero days critiquing it from the comforts of a chair. Some are of the opinion that this initiative is commendable; the only occasion that brings all Naga tribes in Nagaland together to celebrate ancient traditions – be it commercialized, unorganized or an exceptionally wonderful display.

Restaurants at Morungs, Naga Chef and others narrated how foreign and Indian tourists flocked in to taste Naga Cuisine, but due to water shortage, stall owners had to use packaged drinking water to cook and wash dishes. Water supply was available for only two hours, although the mammoth PHED water tank stood above unmistakably noticeable. Water supply is somehow linked to security issues of VVIPs. The water-tank in-charge informed, “Security reason karne bon kuribi kurishe.”

Goods had to be carried up the hill just like in the olden days since Vendor Passes were not enough for vehicles to carry the heavy goods for sale. Hence the marked-up prices due to logistical expense, extra manual labour, high cost of essential commodities and transportation costs. Vehicles hired to the venues charged extra due to loss of time in traffic jam and the innumerable inconveniences the un-VIP men and women had to face; the story of all local marginal farmers, artisans and small-scale traders in Nagaland during the rest of the year. Lack of better means of production, higher the cost of production for workers, higher the price for customers.

The end of celebration usually bears a desolate atmosphere; empty Morungs, blasting Heavy Metal music, or out of proportion last-day-excesses such as underage binge drinking, indirectly assisted by a policy that invalidates implementing an Age Bar policy in this Stalemate Game

of the so-called “Dry-State” condition. Anything can be smuggled anywhere, including Bibles and pornographic materials; even to hermit kingdoms and totalitarian regimes like North Korea. Human vices seem inevitable.

Nagaland is at present enjoying a globalized market flooded with Bangkok goods, Hong Kong underpants, Spiderman, Korean movies, Colgate, iPhone, Rock Music, Miley Cyrus, and Katrina Kaif Bathing Soap. Do we have the physical and spiritual resources to control the unmanageable inflow of smuggled items from 10 kilometers away? Whose greed or selfrighteousness is benefited?

Who bears the cost of the successive progression of underage drinking generations drowning in lawlessness of a Stalemate?

After the lights go out, noises die off; a time for critical reflection creeps in.

What are we trying to do?

Promoting Culture?

We contemplate what really is Naga Culture?

UNESCO describes “culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs”. Edward Burnett Taylor, regarded as the founder of cultural Anthropology, defined that culture “is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”

HavevaluesystemsofNagas changed? Haven’t our lifestyles radically shifted? Our culture must be evolving…

However, our languages are dying, not evolving. Our education system unfortunately reinforces the massacre of our mother tongues, makes us believe that our ethnic languages are not as posh as English. What is the objective behind more training centres sprouting for Hindi than Naga languages? Our remote control tunes to the likes of

“Chotha Bheem” for kids and “Kyoki Saas Bhi Bahu Thi” for housewives and “The Voice” for all. When languages die, a richreservoirofknowledgeis lost forever.

Naom Chomsky says that “A language is more than just sounds and words.

It is the repository of culture, history, traditions, the entire rich texture of human life and society” and also states that “Within the reigning social order, the general public must remain an object of manipulation, not a participant in thought, debate, and decision.”

The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity: Identity, Diversity and Pluralism describes “Cultural heritage as the wellspring of creativity: Creation draws on the roots of cultural tradition, but flourishes in contact with other cultures. For this reason, heritage in all its forms must be preserved, enhanced and handed on to future generations as a record of human experience and aspirations, so as to foster creativity in all its diversity and to inspire genuine dialogue among cultures.”

Exercising our undeniable human rights as unique indigenous peoples in the world, should we not base the foundation of our identity on, debate, reflect and draw inspiration to exchange dialogue from something original we call our own? Our languages, oral traditions, indigenous knowledge of our natural ecosystem, our history, rituals, beliefs and practices those that are fair and beneficial for all.

Should our children’s history text books be dominated by the conquests of Alexander the Great and letters of Jawaharlal Nehru?

Where then shall we learn about our own history, of who we were, to make sense of who we are and to go on?

Without developing, inquiring and protecting our indigenous rights and knowledge, what objectives shall we base the promotion of our “unique culture” on?

This piece is the sixth and final article on the discourse around and on the Hornbill Festival, with the view to initiate reflection and dialogue.

kohIMA, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): The Department of Higher and Technical Education (DHTE) has informed that in pursuance to a government notification dated September 19, 2012, “There shall be no State JEE for the year 2014.” A press note from the Commissioner and Secretary, FP Solo stated that selection of students for state reserved seats in Under Graduate Engineering and MBBS and allied courses will be on the basis of JEE(main) and All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) respectively, to be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

It stated that by sitting for one examination, “students will be benefited by becoming eligible for admission to national level institutes such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, etc. as well as state reserved seats, without having to appear for multiple examinations.

All students desirous of pursuing Under Graduate Engineering/ Medical and Allied courses through All India basis or State reserved quota have therefore been requested to apply online at the official websites www.jeemain.

nic.in and/ or www.aipmt.nic. in respectively.

It was further informed that students without internet access can avail services of the nearest Community Service Centers (CSC) in their locality for assistance in filling application forms.

Students may also avail the common facility at the Directorate of Technical Education, Kohima for filling up the applications online by contacting either the Programme Officer or the Placement Officer.

The last date for filling up of online application forms for JEE (main) is December 26, while the last date for AIPMT online registration, without late fee, is December 31, 2013.

With late fee, the last date is January 31, 2014. However, the last date of filling of form may be confirmed from the respective website, the DTHE informed.

It further notified that the CBSE and all State Boards have adopted core curriculums in sciences and mathematics from 2011. As such students who have passed out from NBSE are in the same footing with those who have passed out under CBSE, it added.

fully committed to implement all the provisions of the 16th Point Agreement and Article 371- A of the constitution.

“As a regional party, we are committed to continue our fight for the full honoring and implementation of the 16th point agreement and Article 371-A by the central government,” Rio said.

Rio further asserted that the NPF has never strayed from its original focus and purposes and for which “we have earned the trust, confidence and goodwill of the common man.”“Let us continue the good works with more fervor as we cross the 50 years land mark,” he added.

Nagas have not abandoned their rights: NSCN (IM)

DIMAPur, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): The NSCN (IM) today said that it has taken serious view of statements by the Union Home Joint Secretary North East In-charge, Shambhu Singh, published in a Manipur based newspaper on December 10 and 11. A press note from the MIP questioned what it termed as the “intention of Shambhu Singh to sabotage the progress made thus far in the Indo-Naga peace talks that has already completed its 16th year.” It further queried if the GoI “has empowered Shambhu Singh to give such treacherous and arrogant statements on the current political negotiation.”

It affirmed that both parties “are inching towards a negotiated political settlement acceptable to both the parties.” “There is no ‘Charter of demands’ as the Nagas do not demand anything from India but that the solution shall be based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas,” it asserted. The NSCN (IM) further stated that Nagas “have never abandoned their rights including sovereignty and integration of all Naga areas.”

NSCN (IM) asserted that the competent Indian authority to issue statements on the Indo-Naga political talks would only be the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Interlocutor. “Yet, in spite of this, the Union Home Joint Secretary North East In-charge is randomly issuing unwarranted statements on the Indo-Naga talks contradicting the commitment of the GoI,” it added. It further said that Shambhu Singh’s “provocative utterances undermining commitments given by the GoI are nothing but trying to sabotage the progress made in the political negotiation.”

Full text on page 4

Truck driver murdered, four arrested

DIMAPur, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): Police, on December 9, arrested four persons for the murder of a truck driver in Dimapur.

Dimapur Additional Superintendent of Police, in a press note, informed that on December 9, a group of persons had boarded the murdered driver’s truck in Bokajan, on the pretext of hitchhiking to Dimapur.

However, on reaching Dimapur, the miscreants overpowered the driver and the handyman, consequently strangling the driver to death and dumping his body near the National Highway at two and a half mile, Dimapur. However, the handyman managed to escape and reported the matter to the police.

One found dead in Mkg

The four accused in police custody

Acting on the handyman’s information, a joint team of Dimapur Police and Assam Police arrested four persons the same evening from Sukajan, Assam. On further interrogation, the stolen truck was recovered from Nihokhu village area; while its cargo of seventy Bitumen barrels was recov-

ered from an abandoned house at Naga United Village. The arrested persons have been identified as Ramesh Gogoi (41), Sahamot Ali (21), Bipul Sangma (33) and Rohim Ali (30). Police informed that a case has been registered and an investigation is currently underway.

Mokokchung, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): Mokokchung police on December 12 recovered the dead body of a local male at Akertsüyong area near Minkong, about 10 kilometers off Mokokchung town. The body was found below the highway and bore a bullet wound near the chest. The deceased has been identified as one Wapangzulu (31) of Sungratsu village, s/o late Watitemsu and presently residing at Artang Ward, Mokokchung.

A case has been registered at PS1, Mokokchung.

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Friday 13 December 2013

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Land resource dept launches SPEED Environmental and eco development prog to cover 50 villages in Nagaland

Kohima, December 12 (Dipr): In commemoration of the 50th Statehood anniversary of Nagaland Statehood, the Department of Land Resources, Nagaland has launched a Special Programme Environmental and Economic Development (SPEED) on December 11, at the Directorate, Land Resources, Kohima with Parliamentary Secretary, Land Resources, Nganlang Phom as the chief guest.

The chief guest said that Nagaland State is 50 years old but the department and its staffs are quite young but the department has dedicated and hard working officers so it is the vision of the department that the programme will bring result oriented. He encourage all the officers and staffs to work hard though, they may be confronted with many problems and risk taking situation but call on to have the courage to succeed it.

Commissioner Secretary, Land Resources, Me-

NKU community building inauguration on December 14

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Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The Naga Kuotsu Union (NKU), comprising of all Kuo-u descendants from Nagaland, Manipur and Assam will be inaugurating its community building located at Kuozüjou, near catholic cathedral, Kohima on December 14 at 11:00 am. FP Solo (Kuoysu), commissioner & secretary, Higher & technical Education will be the chief guest for the inaugural programme. Rev Dr Visor H Zeliang Kuotsu will dedicate the building and Bizo M Kuotsu, president NKU will be the chair. The secretary, Er Neisievilie Lhousa Kuotsu in a press release has invited all Kuo-I descendants from various villages of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam to attend the programme.

Parliamentary Secretary, Nganlang Phom addressing during the launch of Special Programme Environmental and Economic Development (SPEED) on December 11. (DIPR Photo)

nukhol John, urged all the staffs to have commitment and added that there is no indication that it cannot be done, walk the extra mile, build the bridges which should always be close to our hearts. He requested specially the field officers to contact him or head of department for any requirement at any time.

Director of Land Resources, Mhathung Yanthan in his keynote address said that the programme would be covering 50 villages from all over the

districts of Nagaland. He added that the programme would focus on food production on value addition and to make the villagers an informed citizen. It will be emphasising on to conserve and save forest products with sensitising and motivation with concrete approach. He added that SPEED will gave importance for the rural villagers and their economy on capacity building, skill upgradation and training through convergence, synergy with department and

Renthungo Odyuo

sent in the city.

Wastes segregation is a must, which most cities in the country follow, and most of the wastes visible in the commercial areas of Dimapur and collected are dry wastes, and there is no facility in the state for segregation of wastes collected.

It has been two days and the growth of garbage is evident all around, adding further misery to its citizens. Even as the DMC Employees Association appealed in its press release Wednesday for cooperation, yet, the absence of garbage clearance has dented and painted the image of the city into an ugly one.

There is no doubt, as health experts point out, Garbage piles up at the Dhobinala area in Dimapur. (Morung Photo) that such growth of garbage that most of the shoppers smell and dirt of the town. clean and green”, however, non-clearance would only go around with mask-cov- He further adds “a city given the current scenario, give rise to more health ered face, to avoid the foul looks good, only if it is kept cleanliness is almost ab- problems in the city.

Dimapur | December 12

In Dimapur, as the impasse in DMC continues over the lease for collecting toll tax, the garbage in Dimapur scales up to an unprecedented growth. Garbage bins across Dimapur portray an ugly and stinking picture of the town. With the DMC not functioning, due to the recent indefinite strike called by the DMC Employees Association, the citizens of Dimapur are the most affected victims of the impasse.

On condition of anonymity, a shopkeeper, in a prime location in the city, says, “The non-clearance of garbage has led to foul smell, and has created inconvenience for shoppers, especially during the festive season.” It is evident

moKoKchuNg, December 12 (mexN): Taking a pioneering step, the foundation stone for an orphanage was laid by T. Merangtsungba Aier, Additional Director, Social welfare on December 11 at Tsumarshiong, Sabangya Compound, Mokokchung.

The orphanage is yet another initiative of Care and Support Society, Mokokchung in its endeavors to ensure a sanguine and dignified society.

Speaking on the occasion T. Merangtsungba Aier, highlighted that in India over nine Lakh of orphans died every year. He pointed out that among those nine lakh orphans, some may have the

quality to become an IAS Officer, IFS Officer, Army Officer, Sportsman etc. However, unfortunately we are losing all this because of inadequate care and support for the orphans. He deliberated that every orphans has equal Right to Food, Right to have a Family, Right to Live, Right to Recreation and Sports, Right to Expression. He urged the gatherings that Orphanage is not only to give Food, Shelter and Education but also to act as a training Institute.

President of Ao Senden, Mokokchung and Watsu Mungdang, Mokokchung respectively exhorts the gathering during the occasion. The programme was chaired by Temsu Jamir,

Invocation Prayer said by Rev. L. Meren, Pastor Sabangya Baptist Church, Introduction speech by Imchawati Kichu Chairmain C&SS. Other highlights of the programme includes short speeches by Land owner Aliba Village Council, Chairman, Chungtia Village Council, Chairman, Aliba Village Council, Chairman, Kinunger Village Council, Chairman, Sabangya Compound Ex. Committee, special song, vote of thanks was proposed by Imsunungsang Board Member C&SS, and a Dedication prayer was pronounced by Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary, ABAM.

We would like to express our deep appreciation & sincere thanks to every individual who stood by us during the prolong illness & sad demise of our Beloved Late. Dr Thepfulao Linyu who left for his Heavenly abode on 6th December 2013.

We felt Love in your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your presence and your prayers.

May the Good Lord bless you & your family.

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Dept celebrates Pre-Christmas The department of Land Resources, Nagaland also celebrated Pre-Christmas programme at the Directorate, Land Resources on December 11. The programme was chaired by Addl. Director, Land Resources, Hoto Yeptho, Pianist by Neikehienuo Mep-

Foundation stone for orphanage laid at Sabangya

There are those whose lives Death cannot diminish.

Their Love radiates forever in the hearts of family and friends.

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presented by Naga Idol (2009), Topeni and vote of thanks proposed by Addl.

Director, Land Resources, Hoto Yeptho.

Strike hits garbage clearance in city

AKNOWLEDGEMENT

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other required agencies.

He informed that the programme would cover areas like environmental issue, social sector, livelihood enhancement, and micro enterprise. The Director mentioned that the project duration would be done on 5 years duration.

Earlier the Chief Guest distributed lanterns to the 50 facilitators from the selected district and formally launch the programme SPEED. Director, Land Resources chaired the programme, special number

fuo followed by invocation

by Joint Director, opening hymn ‘Joy to the World’, what Christmas means to me by Victoria WDT Tuensang, Special number by Topeni (Naga Idol 2009), My Christmas experience

by Alno WDT Peren, Special number presented by facilitators WDT members In-charge Roselyn and Eyelobeni, Christmas greetings by A. Imtisangla, closing hymn ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, benediction prayers by Joint Director Land Resources Kruyie Pienyü, Christmas gift exchange by Atsele and Penri and vote of thanks by Joint Director Land Resources, Renben Lotha followed by lighting of lanterns of the 50 facilitators followed by bon fire and dinner.

The Pre-Christmas celebration programme was attended by Parliamentary Secretary, Land Resources, Nagaland, Nganlang Phom and his wife, staffs and family members of department and a host of other invites.

Special thanks to: 1)Khedi Baptist Church, Kohima 2)Mao Baptist Church, Dimapur 3)United Baptist Church, Dimapur Late. Dr Thepfulao Linyu 4)Kuda Baptist Church, Dimapur 5)CMC Hospital, Vellore 6)CIHSR Hospital, Dimapur Lovingly, Wife, Daughters & Family Members.

MEx File Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): The Dimapur Shoipu Ghami Kuposhukulu (DSGK) held its 6th Annual Session cum Advent Christmas celebrations on December 4, 2013 at Agri Expo site, 4th Mile, Dimapur.

The programme was attended by over 50 households of Shoipu villagers residing in Dimapur. A press note issued by H Kakiho Zhimomi, Chairman, DSGK, stated that during this programme, a new team of office bearers were elected for 2014-17 tenure headed by H Kakiho Zhimomi as Chairman, Kiyeshe Cappo as Vice Chairman, Vishepu Cappo as Secretary, Hokikhe Yeptho as Joint Secretary, Atoshe Yeptho as Finance Secretary, Four Information Secretaries- Nikishe Cappo, Kivika Zhimo, Kughashe Yeptho and Akheto Swu, Khekavi Zhimomi as Banker and Advisors- Inavi Zhimo, Nivishe Shohe and Vikheshe Yeptho.

IHRO Nagaland observes Human Rights Day

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): International Human Rights Organization (IHRO), Nagaland today observed Human Rights Day at Kohima Law College. A press release informed that it was held under the guidance of IHRO Nagaland Chairman P. Akash Chatteerjee, President B.Limanuksung Longkumer, and Vice President Kezhokhoto Savi. IHRO is an independent, non-political, non-profitable and non-governmental Organization under the banner of United Nations & international Bar Association, & incorporated under the legislation of Government of India.

LSU 52nd general session on Dec 28

Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The Lasumi Students’ Union 52nd general session will be held on December 28 at Zhikhutsa, Lasumi Village under the theme ‘The essence of quality education in the contemporary world.’ Neizulo Therie will be the speaker. The union will be felicitates the topper in the HSLC and promoted gazette officers. Meanwhile, literary night on the same day will be held with quiz competitions for class 5 to 10 and extempore speech for secondary and higher secondary students.LSU president Ditsope Khupfu in a press release has invited all the officers, public leaders, elders and well-wishers to attend the programme.

Mongsemyimti youth revival prog

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): The ‘Mongsenyimti Senso Lanur Tanela Asensashi’ (Mongsemyimti youth spiritual revival) programme will be held at Mongsenyimti Baptist Church from January 10 to 12, 2014. Rev. Lano Longchar, President, IEF Mokokchung and Talijungla Pastor, Jorhat Ao Baptist Arogo will be the speakers. The Counselors include Akümla Kichu, Merang Jamir, Temsülila, praise and worship, Limatongpang while Moa Aier will be the Revival Coordinator.

The revival programme has been organised in view of the Mongsenyimti Baptist Chucrh Centenary. Therefore, all youth concerned are requested to attend the revival.

The organiser in a press release has also requested each unit fellowship and union to take active part in participation. There will be registration on the arrival date.

ThoNoKNyu, December 12 (Dipr): MLA and Advisor NEPED Nagaland, L. Khumo graced the Chilliso Students Union (CSU) Silver Jubilee celebration as the chief guest at Chilliso village on December 11.

Khumo said that it is a remarkable achievement for the Union to reach 25 years and it is a matter of pride for the student leader and honour for the pioneers for their tireless efforts in enlightening modern education. He encouraged the students to take advantage of the various facilities available because students are in a better position to achieve more with the present day education system as compared with the past. He also called on the DB’s GB’s and village council, chairman and secretaries of 57th Thonoknyu area who presents the occasion on the state tossing the national anthem of India, ‘Jana Gana’ as this is like the day of victory and celebration as well as for reconciliation for all

of us. In the National Anthem competition, the 1st prize was given to Chillise GB, Mushu, 2nd Prize to Noklak, Head DB, Kai and 3rd prize was given to Chilliso GB, Mongtsou.

He also assured to give Rs. 2 Lakhs and a complete set of CGI sheets to build the Office building of CSU and GBs Customary Court at Chilliso village through Khiamniungan Tribal Council President. He also donated Rs. 60000 to CSU The programme began invoking God’s blessing by Finance & Development Secretary, KBCA, S Samuel.

Head GB T Torep delivered welcome address while Music Club presented special song. KTC President W. Chuba delivered short speech and Deacon Shiangchiu proposed Vote of Thanks.

BDO, RD Block Thonoknyu, Hijila graced the evening programme as the Guest of Honour of the Chilliso Students Union Silver Jubilee Celebration on December 11 at Chilliso

village under Thonoknyu headquarter.

In her speech, she encouraged the women folk to be more sincere and dedicated when raising their child. Unless we women folk are literate our society will never grow. She urged to continue to keep up the spirit of hard work and dedication as long as sincerity and hard work is there. You will be able to shine in this competitive age and will be able to further keep up the good name of the family and society, taking the example of ADC Tainiu who is one of the most beautiful women among the Khiamniungan.

She also donated a sum of Rs. 2000/- to CSU and Rs. 5000/- to the Council.

Vice President KTC, L L Puming, GB, T Mushu and Chairman Chiphur, Tujong delivered short speeches.

High School Students and PSU presented special song. Deacon Sune proposed invocation by Pastor Longsingking, Khiongmong and vote thanks.

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MSU annual session

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): Mukalimi Students’ Union (MSU) has convened its 40th annual session from December 27 to 29 under the theme, “Preparedness to face the challenges”. Azhevi Shohe, O/A DEO Dimapur and David Achumi, Mission Director, NCRC Sumi will be the speakers. All students and leaders have been requested to attend the session.

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) observed fortnight observation for elimination of violence against women on December 9, 11:00 am at its office. A press release issued

by NWHD joint secretary informed that keynote address was given by Hukhali T. Wotsa, President NWHD. She highlighted the problems faced by women in Nagaland at present situation. Vote of thanks was delivered

by Mmhalo Ngullie, Vice President NWHD. Thereafter, pamphlet distribution and pasting of poster campaign was carried out in all the localities of Dimapur town.

Chilliso Students Union celebrates Silver Jubilee

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DSGK Annual Session cum Advent Christmas held

NWHD observes day to eliminate VAW

In this image, the Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship Dimapur team (BPFD) receives Hillsong London Senior Pastor Gary Clarke and his team on their arrival at Dimapur Airport for the “Festival of Praise” on December 12. The festival is scheduled to be held from December 13 to 15 at DDSC Stadium, Golaghat Road, Dimapur.

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SBI combined advent C’mas on Dec 14

Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The State Bank of India (SBI) Greater Kohima combined advent Christmas cum picnic will take place on December 14 at 1:00 PM at Highland Park, Kohima. Christmas cake cutting will be done by David Kire, CM, Lead Bank, Dimapur.

NPF Minority Cell initiates charity work

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): To commemorate 50 years of Nagaland statehood, NPF Minority Cell distributed free food and water to all the patients admitted at Dimapur District Hospital on December 8 morning. According to a press release, Bishnu Bhattacharjee President NPF Minority Cell said the social service was organized with limited resources as a gesture of love and concern for people under medical care and treatment.

Minority cell appreciated the Medical Superintendent and whole team of Dimapur District Hospital for their support and cooperation. Other Minority cell leaders who attended the programme were Wati Jamir, Minority i/c Dimapur Division, Omprakash Sethi (VP), Rahul Chetri (VP), Devendra Rana (VP) Mahendra Thousan (GS) and other office bearers. NPF Minority Cell further extended warm greetings to the citizens of Nagaland on completion of 50 years of Statehood.

NPCSD attends Congress Seva Dal training camp

Kohima, December 12 (mexN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Seva Dal delegates under the leadership of J. Kemp, Organizer, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Seva Dal, L. Manen Jamir, organizing secretary, NPCSD (state) and P. Shalu, organizing Secretary NPCSD (state) participated in the North East Zonal Congress Seva Dal training camp at Nagarlagun, Arunachal Pradesh from December 1 to 7. District Congress Seva Dal of Kohima, Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Mon, Kiphire and State Congress Seva Dal officers attended the training camp.

The main resource persons in the programme were Nabam Tuki, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, Taki Taba, Chief Organizer, Arunachal Congress Seva Dal, Mahindra Joshi Ji, Chief Organizer All India Congress Seva Dal, New Delhi, Ramji-Lal All India Congress Seva Dal Commandant, P. Andrew Gurung Organizer, All India Congress Seva Dal i/c North East (Nagaland). This was stated in a press release issued by NPCSD, chief organiser GK Rengma.

C M Y K

Regional

The Morung express

Friday

13 December 2013

Dimapur

3

Barak Cultural Festival 2013

The Barak Cultural Festival 2013 was celebrated on Wednesday at Senapati district headquarters with the theme ‘Oneness.’ The festival was organized by the district’s apex social organization, Naga People’s Organisation (NPO). (NNN Photos)

GNLA rebels launch retaliatory attacks At least 46 persons killed in Garo Hills since January

ShilloNG, December 12 (iANS): The outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) launched retaliatory attacks a day after security forces destroyed their general headquarters.

The attacks by the GNLA came a day after security forces overran their general headquarters in the Durama hill range near Adugre village in the East Garo Hills district.

The Garo rebels attacked a repeater sta-

tion of the Meghalaya Police Radio Organisation (MPRO) at Chasinggre on the outskirts of Tura, the district headquarters of the West Garo Hills, Meghalaya Police chief P.J.P. Hanaman told IANS. Meanwhile, a civilian was shot dead at RongjengShallang tri-junction in the East Garo Hills by suspected United A'chik Liberation Army rebels after heated argument for not making way for their vehicle, East Garo Hills

District Police Chief J.F.K. Marak told IANS. He said the civilian was on the steering with his wife when the incident took place Wednesday night. The GNLA rebels opened fire at an Indian Oil Corporation

petrol pump in Chasinggre, injuring two workers - Nobo Hajong and Biswajit Shah - before they hurled a grenade, damaging the petrol pump cash counter. The rebels later opened fire and lobbed a grenade

at the MPRO repeater station near the petrol pump, damaging communication sets.

No MPRO official was injured in the attack. In the third incident, rebels ambushed a team of Special Weapons and Tactics unit at Pathargittim in the South Garo Hills, injuring commando Donboklang Jana. Jana, who received bullet injuries in his stomach and thigh, was airlifted to the state capital Shillong, Hanaman said.

iTANAGAr, December 12 (PTi): The Arunachal Pradesh police on Thursday arrested a parliamentary secretary for his alleged involvement in snatching and burning of documents relating to electoral roll summary revision of Kurung Kumey district.

Tax and Excise Parliamentary Secretary Lokam Tassar was arrested from his official residence here, said Nabam Gungte, Su-

perintendent of Police of Papum Pare district under which the state capital falls.

Since he is a member of the Assembly, the speaker has been intimated about the matter, the SP said.

Tassar, a Congress MLA from Koloriang seat in Kurung Kumey district, denied his involvement in the incident and described it as a political conspiracy

by BJP and NCP. When produced be-

fore the court of judicial magistrate (First Class) at Kimin, Tassar was remanded to 14-day's judicial custody.

Tassar along with others allegedly burnt the documents on December 9 after waylaying a vehicle carrying the documents at Hawa Camp near Kimin. The vehicle was on its way to Itanagar under police escort.

A group of people in-

tercepted the vehicle, took out all the documents of electoral roll revision for Palin, Nyapin, Tali and Koloriang assembly constituencies and burnt them along with a computer and four digital cameras, Kurung Kumey Deputy Commissioner Gejum Ete said in his report to Chief Electoral Officer here on Tuesday.

According to the FIR lodged at Kimin police sta-

tion, the act was carried out by 16 or more persons led by Tassar.

Tassar claimed he was not involved in the incident and it was a conspiracy plotted against him by BJP and NCP to tarnish his image.

Meanwhile, a group of 14 Zilla Parishad members of Kurung Kumey demanded that the CEO set up a committee to probe the incident.

Arunachal Parliamentary Secretary held

Northeast Briefs

Sixth Mizoram Assembly dissolved AizAwl, December 12 (PTi): The sixth Mizoram Assembly was on Thursday dissolved by the state Governor Vakkom Purushothaman, an official statement said. The statement said that the state governor dissolved the current Assembly yesterday in accordance with the powers given to him by the Constitution and on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Dissolution of the sixth Assembly paved the way for formation of the new Assembly, which would be the seventh since Mizoram attained statehood in 1987.

Tripura orders probe into drug procurement case

AGArTAlA, December 12 (TNN): The Tripura government on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the latest report of procurement and distribution of sub-standard folic acid and ferus sulphate tablets for pregnant women and children at village level.

Health minister Tapan Chakraborty said on December 5 that drug control authorities had confirmed the poor standard of two particular tablets manufactured by an Indore-based pharmaceutical company and supplied by a Guwahati firm. All chief medical officers (CMOs) were asked to stop use of folic acid and ferus sulphate tablets under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which are being administrated at least twice a week for school students, Anganwadi centres besides pregnant women and newborns to prevent anaemia. "An administrative inquiry has been ordered and nobody will be spared if found guilty," said Chakraborty, adding that preventive measures have been taken to prevent such incidents in future. After being tipped off by the drug controller, CMOs issued an urgent radio message to the medical officers in-charge of rural hospitals and child development project officers.

Backward Region Grant Fund for all Arunachal districts

iTANAGAr, December 12 (TNN): The Centre, taking into account the lack of development in Arunachal Pradesh, is planning to implement the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) programme to all the 17 districts of the state. Till now, the programme was limited to Upper Subansiri district. "The Cabinet will soon take a decision to expand BRGF to the other 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Here, the thrust area will be on unidentified backward blocks," Union tribal affairs and panchayati raj minister Kishore Chandra Deo said. The minister informed this to a delegation from Arunachal Pradesh led by Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy, who called on him at his New Delhi office on Tuesday, official sources said here on Wednesday. Deo said the second phase of BRGF programme, when implemented, would concentrate on the backward blocks of these 16 districts.

A dhobi woman carries washed clothes in a container to dry on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam on Thursday, December 12. Dhobis are traditional laundry workers who wash clothes by hand and dry them in the sun, an occupation which has been in existence for generations with a current earning of 65- 81 US cents per cloth. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Gogoi orders probe into Assam killings GuwAhATi, December 12 (iANS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Thursday ordered an inquiry into an alleged staged shootout in Chirang district, where residents said police and army personnel killed two students claiming they were Bodo insurgents.

Gogoi asked state Additional Chief Secretary V.B. Pyarelal to carry out the inquiry and submit the report within 30 days. The incident took place early Wednesday at Raijungbari village in Runikhata, about 200 km from Assam's main

city Guwahati.

Police and army personnel killed two youths and injured another. They said the two slain youths were cadres of the antitalk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by I.K. Songbijit. One AK-46 rifle, one grenade and 15 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from their possession. Police said the injured youth was a linkman of the outfit.

Residents, however, said the three boys were from the same family and that they were innocent.

The slain youths - Jiri Narzary and Pranjit Narzary - were students of Class 7 and 10 while the injured Nikedin Narzary is a student of Class 6 in a local school.

Residents Wednesday came out on the streets to protest the killings, attacked the Runikhata police station and also set fire to some motorcycles. This forced police to resort to a baton charge and fire blank rounds to disperse the crowd. The Chirang deputy commissioner also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF ART & CULTURE NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.AC/HBF-1/2012-13

Dated Kohima 12th Dec. 2013.

APPRECIATION

The Department of Art and Culture express gratitude and appreciation to all 17 Cultural Troupes from 11 Districts of Nagaland, who participated in the Hornbill Festival, 2013.

Their presence and participation added colour and true substance to the Festival.

Sd/Vevo Director Art & Culture.

The GNLA, fighting for a separate Garoland in Meghalaya, has forged an alliance with Bangladesh-based rebel group A'chik Special Dragon. It also has links with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah, the United Liberation Front of Asom and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland. At least 46 people, including nine security personnel, have been killed since January in the Garo Hills region.

CHRISTMAS BOOK FAIR DATE : 2-14 December 2013-11-30 VENUE : Books, City Tower Junction Circular Road, DIMAPUR TIME : 9:00 am -5:00 pm (Closed on Sunday) CONTACT : Ph.03862-229370 Cell.9862008081

VISIT US FOR BIBLES | BOOKS | MUSIC | MOVIES | GIFTS

GILGAL SCHOOL PADUMPUKHRI, DIMAPUR

VACANCY 1. English –M.A/B.A(Honours) 2. Social Science –B.A (with experience) Interested candidate may apply on 13th Dec, 2013.

Contact: 8575744049/ 9612944254

SCHOOL, PUNGLWA (NAGALAND) [Under Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence, Govt of India and Affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education] (PHONE-03839-262002/262006)

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE FOLLOWING POSTS

Ser Name of the Post No. 1

Master in Mathematics (PGT) (01 Regular Post)

Essential Education Qualification and Age

Desirable

Minimum High II Div/Class in Post Graduate Degree in Mathematics with B.Ed from a recognised University. Age below 35 years as on 01 Jan 2014.

Past Experience to teach at Senior Secondary level in CBSE affiliated school(s) will be given preference.

Having proficiency in Sports, interest in extracurricular activities/ hobbies and aptitude for residential school life and proficiency in computer.

2 Upper Division Graduate and proficiency in using Experience in handling accounts in Clerk (UDC) Computer (MS Office) with atleast Educational Institute/ Defence/ Govt.

(01 Regular Post) 2 years office experience in a Govt. or education Institution. Age below 50 yrs as on 01 Jan 2014.

Perks/Benefit: (A) Pay and Allowances will be as per the VI CPC. For Ser No. 1 - PB-9,300-34,800/with Grade Pay Rs 4,800/- and Ser No. 2 - PB-5,200-20,200 with Grade Pay Rs 2,400/- and policies of Sainik Schools Society and applicable Terms and Conditions of service with certain privileges of a fully residential school. Pay + DA, Gratuity, Contributory Pension as per New Pension Scheme, LTC, Bonus and Medical Allowance, subsidized schooling for maximum two children and Rent Free accommodation. Post mentioned in Ser No.1 is entitled for limited free Electrical units and Free Messing for self with the Cadets in the Cadets’ Mess during the session. For Post mentioned in Ser No. 2 reservation and relaxation of age for differently abled person is applicable as per the existing government rules and such applicants must produce necessary valid Disability Certificate issued by competent Authority/Medical Board.

Date of Written Test and Interview: Date for Written Test and Interview would be intimated later.

How to apply? Eligible candidates may apply in the prescribed format as available at www. sainikschoolpunglwa.nic.in with one recent passport size photograph to the ‘Principal, Sainik School, Punglwa BPO, Medziphema SO, Dist – Peren (Nagaland), Pin – 797106’ along with Xerox copies of the Mark Sheets and testimonials, unstamped self addressed envelope and a Demand Draft for Rs 300/- for General and Rs 100/- for SC/ST (all non-refundable) in favour of ‘Principal, Sainik School, Punglwa’, payable at SBI, Medziphema (Code No.6759).

Last Date of receipt of applications in the School is 28 December 2013. No TA/DA is admissible.

Principal reserves the right to reject incomplete applications.

The School Administration reserves the right to cancel any vacancy due to administrative reasons.

INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY ADMISSION NOTIFICATION FOR JANUARY 2014 CYCLE Indira Gandhi National Open University announces ADMISSIONS in its Distance Education Academic Programmes for the Academic Cycle commencing from January 2014.

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For details, visit IGNOU Website www.ignou.ac.in or the Regional Centre - Rs.150/Buy Prospectus from Regional Centre; In person: By post: Rs.200/-

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with late fee of Rs. 500/- : 31 December, 2013

Regional Director IGNOU Regional Centre-20 Near Mt. Hermon School, DBHSS Road Kenuozou Kohima - 797 001, Nagaland.

E-mail: rckohima@ignou.ac.in.

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4

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Dimapur

public discoursE

Friday 13 December 2013

ACAUT on ‘DMC impasse’

s the Urban Development Department deaf? Why is it still appointing lessees to loot Dimapurians when the ACAUT has clearly revealed that the lessee system is a major contributing factor for the price rise/ high prices of essential commodities in the state? This fact has been clearly mentioned in our memorandum submitted to the CM Rio on 30th August, yet, the UDD and the state government continue to ignore our demands that DMC be revamped and The Nagaland Municipal Act amended by doing away with tollgate collections. The DMC is not a political football field for politicians to appoint their cronies as lessees to loot and harass the general public.

1. DMC is the most corrupted government agency in Nagaland due to blatant political interference. In 2012, the CM himself ‘requested’ the then CEO, DMC to appoint Peter Rio, Tiatemjen and Daniel Kuotsu as lessees on the ground that these 3 gentlemen were “Educated unemployed youths.” In the same year, the Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, also ‘requested’ the CEO to appoint one Huska Sumi, ‘hardcore party leader’ as one of the lessees (copies attached).

2. Every UDD Minister/Parliamentary Secretary or CEO thinks that DMC is their personal fiefdom. The result is that DMC is the most bloated government agency in Nagaland today with 305 employees out of which only 142 are sweepers and scavengers; the people actually responsible for keeping the town clean. In a sort of world record, the rest of the 163 employees are either peons,

chowkidars or simply attached to the office for salary purpose which is unheard off. The accumulated salary for all the employees works to a whopping Rs. 41 lakhs per month. The ACAUT demands that all the excess staff be offloaded in the interest of genuine employees. It is incomprehensible that any Minister or Parliamentary Secretary having concern for the common man would allow such a farce to thrive at the cost of public health.

The UDD/ state government is clearly responsible for the mess in DMC today. Things have come to such a pass that public health is at risk since the DMC Employees Association is clearly peeved and refuses to clean the garbage. An outbreak of diseases is a real possibility and in the event of such, the UDD, the concerned parliamentary Secretary and the state government shall be held solely responsible.

The ACAUT requests the government to solve the DMC impasse as per the 30th August Memorandum submitted to the CM failing which it’ll initiate an action plan. Also, since the government has not responded to our request for formation of a High-level Commission as per the 31st October public resolution, the ACAUT has no other choice but may call for a Nagaland bandh at any point of time.

In the event of the impasse continuing, citizens of Dimapur are requested to be prepared to undertake a mass social work on the 16th Dec to clean up the garbage and filth for which the ACAUT will issue further notice.

Issued by Media Cell, ACAUT

The Morung Express

Urban Development takes note of ongoing cease work by DMC employees

T

he Urban Development Department, Municipal Affairs Cell has taken serious note of the ongoing cease work by the employees/staffs of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) which was flashed out in the local dailies under the captions ‘DMC cease work begins’ on 11.12.2013 and ‘DMC staff resent lease for toll-tax’ on 12.12.2013.

The Urban Development Department, Municipal Affairs Cell being a competent State authority would like to clarify to the public in general about the initiatives undertaken for collection of Tolls & Fees in DMC area by the Department in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 and in terms of the Judgment and Order dated 28.11.2013 passed by the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench in W.P (C) No.171 (K)/2013 Homo Kheminguan & 40 others –vsState of Nagaland & others.

1. The genesis of imbroglio for collection of Tolls & Fees in DMC area was started by the then CEO,DMC Shri Orenthung Lotha, who had illegally extended the terms of 2012-13 Lessees beyond one year from 1.04.2013 to 30.06.2013 without obtaining necessary sanction from the State Government. Thereafter, for the remaining period i.e from 1.07.2013 to 31.03.2014 (nine months), the Department has asked the then CEO, DMC to submit the names of interested Lessees. However, by totally ignoring the instructions

of the Department, the then CEO, 2. In view of the non constitution of The collection of Tolls & Fees can DMC has illegally issued the Work Municipal/Town Councils in the be made only through the LESOrder(s) dated 25.06.2013 to 41 State of Nagaland owing to certain SEES by the Municipality with the (forty one) unauthorized Lessees difficulties since 2010, the State previous sanction of the Governwhich has culminated in filing Government has been resorting to ment in accordance with Sections court cases in the Hon’ble Gauhati appoint Administrator(s) in exer83, 120 and 199 of the Nagaland High Court, Kohima Bench. As dicise of Section 83 of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.The DMC rected by the Hon’ble High Court Municipal Act, 2001 to discharge employees/staffs should out vide Order dated 30.07.2013 in the. powers and functions of the rightly pointed out to the public W.P (C) No.143 (K)/2013 the Municipalities. the relevant secin general as from what source of Department has served Show tion 83 of the Act is quoted as follaw/statute, their duties is to colCause Notice to the 41 unauthorlows ; (1). Notwithstanding anylect Tolls & Fees in DMC area. It is ized Lessees wherein they replied thing contained in this Act, where to strenuously note that in case and consequently the Departdue to certain special, emergent the DMC staffs/employees fail ment by Order dated 12.08.2013 or unforeseen circumstances, to point out the source of power cancelled/terminated the illegal election to a municipality cannot from where they can claim for colWork Order(s) dated 25.06.2013 be held or completed before the lection of Tolls & Fees, the ongoing issued by the then CEO,DMC withexpiry of its duration specified in cease work by the DMC staff/emout obtaining prior sanction from section 10 or before the expiry of a ployees would be highly illegal. the State Government. Being agperiod of six months of its dissolu- 4. The Chapter- VII Section 73 of grieved by Department’s Order tion, the Government by notificathe Act provides for Municipal dated 12.08.2013 the 41 unaution, appoint a Government officer Officers and other Municipal emthorized Lessees have field a writ to be known as Administrator to ployees which envisages the conpetition before the Hon’ble High exercise, perform and discharge ditions of service, discipline and Court which was registered as the powers, duties and functions control of employees, their duW.P (C) No.171 (K)/2013 Homo of a Municipality subject to such ties and functions by the GovernKheminguan & 40 others –vsdirections, as may be given in this ment.Therefore, the DMC staffs/ State of Nagaland & others. The behalf by the Government. employees should be more consaid writ petition was dismissed 3. For collection of Tolls & Fees in the scious about their bonafide duby the Hon’ble High Court by judgMunicipal areas Sections 120 and ties and responsibilities rather ment and order dated 28.11.2013 199 of the Act has envisaged that creating obstacles in the pursuit by holding that ‘Since the work the Tolls and Fees can be collected of the competent authority in order has been issued in violaby the Municipality through the the matter of collection of Tolls tion of statutory provision, since LESSEES with the previous sanc& Fees as prescribed by sections the order dated 12.08.2013 had tion of the Government for any 83, 120 & 199 of the Nagaland corrected such a huge illegality, in period not exceeding one year.

Municipal Act,2001. my considered opinion, the order Therefore, the DMC employees/ Mhonbemo Patton dated 25.06.2013 cannot be alstaffs have no right to collect Tolls Commissioner & Secretary, lowed to revive on setting aside & Fees in the DMC area as they Urban Development Department, the order dated 12.08.2013 as are not empowered by the MuMunicipal Administration Cell, prayed by the petitioners.’ nicipal Act to collect Tolls & Fees.

Nagaland: Kohima

NSCN (IM) takes serious view of statements by Union Home Joint Secretary NE

T

he National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has taken a serious view with the repeated arrogant and irresponsible statements of the Union Home Joint Secretary North East In-charge Mr. Shambhu Singh in The Sangai Express on Dec 10th and 11th, 2013 http://www. thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm33346-delhinscn-im-politicaldialogue-no-immediate-solutioni n - s i gh t - s h a m b h u - s i n gh / ) (http://www.thesangaiexpress. com/tseitm-33387-in-a-democracy-all-stakeholders-need-to-beinvolved-shambhu/) that there is “uncertainty” and “no concrete progress” in the ongoing peace talks between the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN. He also had stated that the “charter of demands was submitted after abandoning the demand for sovereignty, unification of Naga areas and Nagalim.” His other statements also included “there is need for involvement and consent of the Governments of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland regarding the demands of NSCN” and “the collective aspirations of the Naga people, he said and pointed out the non-involvement of other Naga armed groups in the

peace dialogue.”

The NSCN questions the treacherous intention of Mr. Shambhu Singh to sabotage the progress made thus far in the Indo-Naga peace talks that has already completed its 16th year. We also would like to know if the GoI has empowered Mr. Shambhu Singh to give such treacherous and arrogant statements on the current political negotiation. It is wise for Mr. Shambhu Singh to hold himself back.

Is Mr. Shambhu Singh uninformed or briefed about the political negotiation between the GoI and the NSCN that began at the highest level, without precondition and outside India in a third country in 1997? Is he ignorant of the fact that on July 11, 2002 the GoI officially recognized the “unique history and situation” of the Nagas? And consequently it was stated that the solution shall be based on that recognition.

The NSCN questions whether Mr. Shambhu Singh has the official endorsement of the GoI. What are this “Charter of demands” and the abandonment of the historical sovereign rights and the aspiration of the Nagas to live as one people under one political roof? What is his idea about “consensus” or the “col-

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LEISURE

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box co ntains the digits 1 through 9.”

1

SUDOKU Game Number # 2734

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AsiAN CivilizAtioNs

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Buddhism

mAndAte

confuciAnism

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currency

millet

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money economy

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lective aspirations of the Nagas?”

As stated, the political negotiation has completed 16 years and both the parties are inching towards a negotiated political settlement acceptable to both the parties.

There is no “Charter of demands” as the Nagas do not demand anything from India but that the solution shall be based on the “Unique history and situation of the Nagas” When the Union of India was formed the Nagas decided not to join the Union. Perhaps, Mr. Shambhu Singh thinks that he is wise enough to question this historical fact of the Naga people’s aspiration.

When does Naga sovereign right to live as one has been abandoned? It is prudent for Mr. Shambhu Singh to avoid taking comfort in the illusion of his own making. It is also wise for a man of his status to stop talking in an irresponsible manner.

Mr. Shambhu Singh should know that Nagas has never abandoned their rights including sovereignty and integration of all Naga areas. He should also know the fact that the Nagas would never abandon their rights including the right to determine their own future whether it is today or tomorrow as long as Nagas are here on earth.

When the Collective Leader-

ship of NSCN met the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narasimha Rao in Paris, he said “ we will talk only with you because the issue is with you, because the people are with you and you have proved yourselves and we know if we talk with you honorable and acceptable solution to both would be worked out”. But the NSCN leadership asked him “why don’t you talk with others like NNC, Khaplang and others? Of course we would not be a party to it.” The Prime Minister straight away said “why should I talk with them, the issue is not with them, people are not with them and they have not proved themselves, they are in my hands.” Is it wrong for the Prime Minister to have uttered like that?

Is it also wrong on our part to take him at his words? We honor the commitment given by the GoI at the highest level and we think that is what we should do.

It has been officially made clear that the competent Indian authority to issue statements on the IndoNaga political talks would only be the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Interlocutor. Yet, in spite of this, Union Home Joint Secretary North East In-charge Mr. Shambhu Singh is randomly issuing unwarranted

statements on the Indo-Naga talks contradicting the commitment of the GoI. Mr. Shambhu Singh provocative utterances undermining all these commitments given by the GoI are nothing but trying to sabotage the progress made in the political negotiation. His repeated insisting on involving other groups in the talks is in fact to counter-balance the progress of the talks at the expense of the Nagas. Is this a wise move on his part?

Nagas are not demanding anything that belongs to others.

We stand for our rights and that will be to the end. Is it democracy to please others at the expense of the Nagas? Perhaps, this is how Mr. Shambhu Singh is trying to justify his treacherous attempt in the name of democracy.

He never hesitates to use the term “rebel” but NSCN are never a rebel. We are defending our historical rights and Indians are the aggressors. It is the Indian authority who uttered that “NSCN are not a terrorist”, “their issue is political” and on the basis of this, political talks between GoI and NSCN started off.

Kuknalim.

MIP, NSCN/GPRN

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2745

Answer Number # 2733

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ACROSS

A B M A N D A T E E A O I D E Q

1. Smack 5. Braised meat stew 10. Plate 14. Buckeye State 15. Malicious burning 16. Ancient Peruvian 17. Widely circulated 19. Sun 20. French for “Summer” 21. Small trout-like fish 22. Not here 23. Fate 25. Challenges 27. Furrow maker 28. Aesthetically pleasing 31. Shelter 34. A single-masted ship 35. Genus of macaws 36. Ends a prayer 37. Bow 38. Blend 39. Clothe 40. Type of wheat 41. Ganders 42. Ran a spit through 44. Fitting 45. Seizes 46. Evening worship service 50. Gladden

52. Supporting column 54. Big wine holder 55. Money owed 56. Fan 58. Effrontery 59. Poison plant 60. Smell 61. Type of sword 62. Watchful 63. Declare untrue

DOWN 1. Scattered, as seed 2. Not black 3. Assistants 4. Foot digit 5. Nymph loved by Apollo 6. Orderly grouping 7. End ___ 8. Council chamber 9. Terminate 10. Plates 11. Having no valid will 12. Stigma 13. Rabbit 18. Descendant 22. Journey 24. Not now 26. At the peak of 28. Not silently 29. Colored part of an eye 30. Concern

31. Derbies or berets 32. Out of control 33. “Animal, _______ or mineral” 34. Nerve-wracking 37. Certain 38. Dribble 40. Apollo astronaut Slayton 41. Zest 43. Interwoven branches 44. An offense 46. Parish priest 47. Avoid 48. A radioactive gaseous element 49. Tale 50. Border 51. Jump 53. An indefinite period 56. An Old Testament king 57. A gesture of assent

Ans to CrossWord 2744

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The Church And Homosexuality

he Supreme Court verdict on 11th December brought back a colonial-era ban on gay sex, giving a severe blow to the homosexual community in India and their long battle for legitimacy. After the July 2nd (2009) verdict of the Delhi High Court repealing Section 377 of the Indian Penal Core, religious leaders were in the forefront aggressively challenging the verdict in the name of culture, tradition, and values. Various church bodies had also passed resolutions condemning the verdict.

Medical professionals and psychiatrists opine that homosexuality is not a disease or a disorder but another expression or an orientation of human sexuality and therefore cannot be categorized as criminal. A vast majority of human sexuality researchers, therapists, religious liberals, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals generally agree that a person’s sexual orientation is determined before reaching the school age. Researchers also suggest that homosexual orientation takes place very early in the life cycle, possible even before birth.

Unfortunately in our context, people of “sexual minority” are subjected to many forms of violence. Violence could be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual. Perpetrators of this violence are anyone on the street, teachers, office staffs, maintenance staff, classmates, neighbours, domestic maids, drivers, parents, etc. Many “sexual minority” experience beating, not giving food, name calling, mocking, teasing, bullying, etc. Sexual abuse too, by cousins, uncles, teachers, other adults from schools, friends of older siblings, etc. In some societies, once the family understands that their son/daughter or sibling is gay, lesbian or bisexual, there is a lot of emotional blackmail that begins. Parents threaten disowning them, threatening to send them out of the house especially when they are still minors and are unable to fend for themselves, threatening them to cut-off from inheritance, forcing the son/ daughter to marry, cajoling, etc.

In the meantime the figure of sex workers in India has reached four millions. Human traffickers and sex tourist seem to go on increasing. A greater number of Indians report sexual encounters before marriage. The Election Commission of India has incorporated “O” category for eunuchs/transsexuals or “Third Gender” for gays/lesbians/bisexuals/ transgenders. Sex is no more a private affairs in the bedroom. It is happening on the internet, cable television, journals and magazines. It is programmed, designed like diet, training and for reduction of stress. Today sexual affairs have been commercialized, glamourised and sensationalized, and in the process it is trivialized. It has lost its sanctity and deep significance.

Human sexuality is a divinely-ordained gift of God for which we should not be ashamed and apologetic. It is not inherently evil. Human beings are inescapable and irreducible sexual being. It is natural and instinctive. God has created the human with the body and the body is the temple of God. There is an essential goodness and God has an affirmative relationship with the whole created order. Sexuality is basic to the human structure. Adam was incomplete without Eve and vice-versa. This complementarily is not just physiological but it is a true beingwith-another. Human beings exist in this self-conscious differentiation.

Affirming that sexuality is a divine gift, and hence God intends us to celebrate this divine gift in committed and monogamous relationships, we should challenge any immoral sexual relationship – whether heterosexual or homosexual. However, the Church should not demonized, criminalized, and excluded from the fellowship of God on the basis one’s sexual orientation. The church must be supportive by encouraging the families not to force them into getting married. Motivate people to be honest about who they are and initiate healthy discussion about one’s sexuality.

We should also realize that our negative attitudes towards sexuality and our body-denying spirituality stem from our distorted understanding of God’s purpose for us. The embodied God who embraced flesh in Jesus Christ is the ground for us to love our bodies and to celebrate life and sexuality without abuse and misuse.

Instead of stigmatizing and demonizing, the church is called to be a sanctuary where we minister love, compassionate care and justice to all. May the God of love help us to become a Church to those who are demonized, criminalized, and excluded.

Wati Longchar Dean, SCEPTRE, Kolkata

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

LOCAL

The Morung Express

Thungdemo Ovung wins Most Innovative Idea Award in UK KohIMA, DECEMBER 12 (DIPR): Thungdemo Ovung, son of Tsumongo Ovung has yet again proved that Nagas can compete and shine globally, by winning the “Most Innovative Idea Award,” at the Global Graduate Entrepreneurs Festival Held at Manchester.

Thungdemo Ovung and his team 3D Life fought stiff competition winning the Most Innovation Idea Award with their project, Sustainable, Potable and Cost-Effective water purification device for developing countries. The festival was hosted in Manchester

by United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) Department. 175 students and graduate entrepreneurs were selected for the festival representing 80 universities from across 40 countries for the 3-day intensive programme of lectures, workshops and brainstorming sessions on how to start business in UK. At the end of the programme, 24 teams pitched to the judging panels for the chance to win prizes aimed to help them launch

their business ideas. The festival provided opportunity for meeting investors and business experts from multi-national companies from various sectors. Barclays Bank and CEO of Versarien, UK based innovative technology and engineering solution Company supported the idea conceptualized by Thungdemo’s team.

Magazines of international repute such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India,China and South Africa) Business Magazines, Kindred Agencies have interviewed the Naga lad and was featured on the International Business Times, UK for his innovative idea.

Thungdemo Ovung was born in Wokha town and did his early education from Bloomfield School Wokha, then moved to St. John School, Shillong and later did his intermediate from St. John International Chennai. Today, he is armed with graduation degree from Nottingham University, M.sc, Crop Bio-technology and Entrepreneurship, UK, M.sc Industrial Bio-technology, Liverpool John Moores University UK.

Friday 13 December 2013

Nagaland Tourism minister on success of Hornbill festival our Correspondent Kohima | December 12

Minister for tourism and art & culture E.E. Pangteang today expressed happiness that the Hornbill festival and the 50 anniversary celebration of Nagaland statehood pulled a record number of tourists - 1, 457, 15, 881 domestic and 1, 68, 700 local visitors totaling 1, 86, 038.

“This is indeed a record breaking year in so far as the number of tourists is concerned to the Hornbill festival,” he stated, adding that Hornbill festival has indeed

traveled a long way since it started in 2000 with a double digit number of tourists.

The minister thanked Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who had been constantly giving his guidance for the festival and for the related infrastructure development.

He acknowledged various organizations for putting their best and made the festival a grand success. He also thanked all the tribal cultural troupes for performing Naga cultural items throughout 10 days long festival.

Also thanking all the political parties for taking part in the celebration of 50th

anniversary of statehood and the inaugural function of Hornbill festival, Pangteang thanked the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) for calling off its proposed Kohima bandh for a better image of the state to the outside world and also acknowledging the plight of various organizations.

Further, the minister thanked the department of home, horticulture, industries & commerce, Bamboo Mission, Kiwegma Youth Organization, Power department, PHE and medical, youth resources and sports, Synergy Group Enterprises,

XL Nagaland, Jakhama villagers for traditional welcome, Phesama and Kigwema village authorities, fire service, police, traffic, army personnel, Music Task Force and Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

He also thanked various NGOs including department of tourism and art & culture.

Pangteang also extended special thanks to media fraternity for the wide coverage of the event in “most befitting” way. Further, the minister wished the people of Nagaland “a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2014.”

Income tax seminar organized in dimapur

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): A daylong seminar on Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) was conducted by the Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS), NER, Guwahati on December 12 in Dimapur.

The seminar received good response from the govern-

ment/public sector.

It covered tax related topics ranging from TDS from salaries and computation of salary income, TDS from interests, procedure of TDS like e-filing of TDS statements and returns. The seminar was also aimed at doing away

with misgivings relating to Income Tax while creating awareness among taxpayers.

The resource persons were Rajesh Tewari, IRS, Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, TDS, Guwahati; and Income Tax officers, Subhojit Kr. Nagand Ami-

tava Sanyal. Tewari spoke on Computation of Salary Income. Nag covered the Legal Provisions of TDS under Income Tax Act, 1961 & Income Tax Rules, 1962 and Consequences. Sanyal highlighted the procedures relating to e-filing of TDS statements and returns.

KohIMA, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): The Kohima Electrical Division today celebrated Pre-Christmas here at Power House with much zest and enthusiasm.

Additional chief engineer Imli in his greeting said that God wants a clean heart from everyone and at the same time called upon the staff to work with sincerity and dedication in Yimchunger Cultural Club performs cultural dance during golden jubilee cum general convention of naga People’s whatever they involve in.

Er. Keviletuo Yiese, SE Front (nPF) on december 12 at Kohima local ground. (Morung Photo)

power department said the real meaning of Christmas is love and peace and encouraged the gathering to spread the message of love and peace for conducive environment to live in.

Ayeto, president Field Staff Association, Er. Mhonlumo, SDO No 1 Kohima and Er. Khriehusa Kire, SDO No 2 Kohima also spoke on the occasion. The function was chaired by Er. Rukongutuo Suohu.

Kohima Electrical Division celebrates Pre-Christmas

Disaster management training nagaland handloom and handicraft industry behind other states conducted at Sainik School DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): A team of experts led by Lichemse Sangtam, Platoon Commander, Home Guards, Dimapur conducted oneday disaster management training at the ongoing combined annual training camp of NL (I) Sainik School Coy NCC on December 11.

The team of experts or-

ganized lecture cum demonstrations on fire fighting, rescue operation and first aid measures. The cadets and staff developed firsthand knowledge and skills of disaster management operations, which is highly essential in day-today life. The programme was organized under the initiative of Akhu Kath, Deputy Controller Civil

Defence and District Commandant, Home Guards, Dimapur.

Lt Col Jitendra Dogra, Officer Commanding, NL (I) Sainik School Coy NCC has extended heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Civil Defence and Home Guards, Dimapur, Nagaland for providing Officers and Instructors for the camp.

KohIMA, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): Officials from Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW), Kohima, Dr. Kithan, Addl.

Director and Dr. K. T. Lotha, Jt. Director were on a tour to Kiphire district from December 5 to 8. The visit was for periodical monitoring and supervision.

The team visited the District Hospital Kiphire.

They also visited Pungro CHC, Amahator PHC, Chomi Sub-centre, Zhimkiur Subcentre, Pungro Village Subcentre, Singrep Sub-centre

and Longmatra Sub-centre.

The team monitored and supervised various fields such as the manpower status, physical infrastructure, equipments, essential drugs and supplies, quality parameter of the facility, record maintenance, service delivery, functioning of Village Health Committees etc., a press release informed.

The team also had a review meeting with District Program Officers, Medical Officers and staff under Medical Superintendent

Office on December 6, and with the Village Health Committee Chairmen of the 25 Health Units under Kiphire District on December 7. During the meeting, Dr. Kithan and Dr. KT Lotha highlighted the purpose of the meeting and briefed the participants on the roles and responsibility of VHCs. Various issues were discussed and the participants mentioned their concerns and also presented success stories, which were achieved through communitization.

DHFW officials visit Kiphire district

NSCN (K) cadre arrested

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): In continuation of its efforts to enforce CFGRs and its parameters, “especially weeding out extortion in Nagaland,” 19 Assam Rifles apprehended one NSCN (K) cadre while collecting tax on December 10. In a press release, Assam Rifles stated that SS 2nd Lt Bokato (27) of NSCN (K), Naga Army No 16240, was extorting shops in Forest Colony, Kohima. One 9mm Pistol, 22 live rounds, one Jack Daniels Hip Flask and cash Rs 640/- were recovered from his possession. An FIR was lodged at Kohima Police Station (South), and the individual was handed over to the police.

IED defused

tUENsANg, DECEMBER 12 (MExN):Troops of 23 Assam Rifles with the help of explosive detection dogs detected an explosive at Town Hall in Tuensang recently. According to a press release

issued by AR, experts concerned of 23 Assam Rifles destructed the explosive device, “which appeared to have been planted by some unknown faction probably to instill fear amongst the population with a view to carry out extortion during festive season.” The action of Assam Rifles troops has been appreciated by the civil administration, Police, local bodies and student organizations.

Vehicle accident

KohIMA, DECEMBER 12 (MExN):A truck bearing vehicle No NL-02-G2802 moving at high speed from Kohima to Wokha toppled near Garrison Gate, Headquarter 5 Sector Assam Rifles at 8:40 am on December 7, 2013 and hit a Maruti Alto Car bearing vehicle No AS-01V-3957. A press note issued by Lt Col AS Chauhan, PRO, Assam Rifles Kohima stated that two civilians were seriously injured while one received minor injuries. Troops of 11 Assam Rifles immediately reached the accident

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): A workshop-cum-seminar was today conducted by the Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. (NHHDC) at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.

The workshop, sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, is a part of the ongoing National Handloom expo being held at Urban Haat, Dimapur.

General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), V. Chelladurai,

was the chief guest for the event. Addressing the participants of the national handloom expo, Chelladurai sought to inform them of the various programs that the participants, as artisans, could avail benefits from.

Stating that the National Handloom & Handicrafts industry provided employment to over 11 million people across India, Chelladurai though lamented that the handloom and handicrafts industry in Nagaland was not doing well compared to other parts of

PfUtsERo, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): Pfutsero Government College held its first alumni meet on December 12 since its inception in 1982. A press note received here informed that former students and officers graced the meet held in the college auditorium.

Watijungshi Jamir, Principal of the college during

the meet cited that the association has a huge role to play in uplifting the name of the college and highlighted on the importance of its existence. He stated that forming and taking the alumni association forward is not only vital for social networking, but has become a necessary criterion for NAAC Assessment.

Earlier, the first com-

the country.

Talking on the difficulties that traditional weavers face like continual change in fashion, middle men getting products at throw away prices, availing loans from banks etc., Chelladurai asked the participants to approach NABARD, so they could work together in taking pro-active steps. He also appealed to District Industries Centre (DIC) to work hand in hand with NABARD in reaching out and helping weavers and artisans.

Dimapur

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Mex FIle DNSU condemns Dec 9 arson attempt DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) has condemned the attempted arson at Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) Office by some unknown miscreant on December 9.

A press note from the DNSU stated that at the time when Nagas are commemorating 50 years of Statehood, “such kind of Goondaism have spoilt the moods of the festive season by creating the fear.” The DNSU has appealed for all right thinking citizens and organization to condemn the act. It appealed for the competent authority to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to book. It further urged the Dimapur Municipal Council staff to continue discharging their duty by clearing all the garbage.

KBUD informs

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): Kangching Buhu Union Dimapur (KBUD) has informed that T. Imdong (Retd), Deputy Director of School Education, Nagaland, and his family has invited all the members of KBUD for “Advance Christmas Lunch” on December 13, 2:00 pm at his residence. Therefore, all the members of the Union have been requested to reach the host’s residence by 1:30 pm without fail.

KYKD condemns IRB action

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): Kulolau Yeputhomi Kupsohukulu Dimapur (KYKD) has expressed “annoyance” at the action of 10th IRB B’coy jawans on December 3 in Thahekhu. KYKD in a press release condemned the “highhanded” attitude of the uniformed personnel, who abused on tribal lines.

“The ire of IRB should not be laid on a particular tribe,” it stated. It further declared that Kakheho Yeputhomi, a member of KYKD and Hokugha Awomi, are men of good repute in the social circle. “If men of this stature are manhandled by the uniformed personnel then there will be no security for the ordinary citizens of this land,” it added. Therefore, KYKD has appealed to the authority concerned to discipline the erring jawans and control the situation from going out of hand.

TET exam in Phek

KohIMA, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Exam in Phek will take place on December 14 at GHSS Phek. Exam for primary teacher (Under graduate) starts at 10:30 and will end at 12:00 noon. Upper primary teacher (Graduate Teachers) exam will be from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. This was stated in a release issued by Nuchisalu, Deputy District Education Officer, Phek.

Phek DPDB monthly meeting held

PhEK, DECEMBER 12 (DIPR): The monthly District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting of Phek district was held on December 10 at DPDB Conference Hall, Phek under the chairmanship of Phek DPDB Vice Chairman & Deputy Commissioner, Neposo Theluo (NCS). As entrusted by the Board in the last meeting, Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency and Nagaland Bio-resource Mission gave PowerPoint presentations on their departmental activities. The Deputy Commissioner and DPDB Vice Chairman brought to the notice of the house the forthcoming Chakhesang Students Union conference which will be held at Khuza village in the second week of January 2014. In this regard, he requested PWD, R&B, PHED and Power departments to extend logistic support and appealed to all the Head of Offices to assist.

NCSU to award best Kohima traffic police

KohIMA, DECEMBER 12 (MExN): Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) head office, Kohima will be organizing advent Christmas cum felicitation programme on December 14, 3:00 pm at NPWD Engineer-in-chief’s conference hall in commemoration of 50th year of Nagaland statehood. In a press release, NCSU said it will “recognize and honour the services rendered in the humbliest status by the government servant” in the presence of Rotihu Tetso (NPS), Superintendent of Police, Kohima during the event. It will felicitate the best traffic police in Kohima, “who devoted and sincerely worked for the welfare and safety of the mittee was also formed people” with cash and citation certificate. during the business session. The members pres- ATMA Kikruma organizes training ent at the meeting elected PhEK, DECEMBER 12 (MExN):Kikruma Block, Wezhode Sarah as Presi- ATMA, Phek conducted training cum demonstration at dent, Thipuhu Thira as Vice Phusachodu Village on December 5. Training on MarPresident, Mesepe-u Mero ket Linkage & Management aspects, Pest Management as Gen. Secy., Velutsou Vero on Horticultural Crops & fallow management with Tias Astt. Secy, Tavezo Theluo thonia were conducted, while cultivation of mushroom, (Asstt. Prof, PGCP) as Trea- vermicomposting & preparation of banana chips, orsurer, and Sesoteu Kapfo ange juice were demonstrated to the farmers. Shetalu and Nichupe Kapfo as Vadeo, Potsulu & Vethilu were the resource persons. All together 29 farmers attended.

Advisors.

Pfutsero College holds first alumni meet

site and provided timely medical help to the severely injured at the Unit MI Room and the same were further moved to Naga Hospital, Kohima.

in and around Pongitong Village appreciated the efforts put in by the Assam Rifles and they urged the Assam Rifles authority for such assistance in future too.

woKhA, DECEMBER 12 (MExN):17 Assam Rifles under Op Sadbhavana organised a medical camp for the year 201314 at Pongitong village under Ganga COB in Wokha district on December 8. Large numbers of villagers from Pongitong attended the camp and were treated by the Medical team headed by Regt Medical Officer of 17 Assam Rifles. They were provided free medicines and some of them were advised further diagnosis.

169 patients including gents, ladies, children and elders were treated. Mostly aged people and children attended the camp. All the elders, village council members and headmen of the villages

12 (MExN):23 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 7 Sector AR organised a Dental Camp under ‘Op Sadbhavana’ at Changlangsho village, Mon district. Dental Officer of 7 Dental Unit and paramedical staff of 23 Assam Rifles treated 163 patients (49 Male, 60 Female & 54 Children) of the area and distributed medicines to the needy people on the spot. With no dental hospital in the near vicinity, locals of the far flung border areas have to travel either to Mokokchung or Jorhat for treatment. The villagers led by prominent personalities of the locality conveyed gratitude towards the Unit for their efforts in looking after the medical needs of the local population, a press release stated.

17 AR organises Medi- Dental Camp held cal Camp M o N, D E C E M B E R

CondolenCe Messages

ACCC 10th Northern Angami Assembly Constituency of Congress Committee (ACCC), 10th Northern Angami – 1 has expressed grief and sorrow at the sudden demise of Vilhouzhelie Dzuvichu on December 10 at Kohima Village. A press release issued by ACCC president informed that Vilhouzhelie had served in various capacities in the party, including president, Kohima District Congress Party. According to the note, the deceased had always dedicated his life for the welfare of the party and the public. In his demise, the constituency has lost an outstanding leader, it stated.

ACCC, 10th Northern Angami – 1 further extended condolences to the bereaved family members.

9th Kohima Town ACCC 9th Kohima Town ACCC has expressed shock over the sudden demise of Vilhouzhalie Dzuvichu, former President Kohima District Congress Committee. A condolence note issued by Abalie Medoze, president, 9th Kohima Town ACCC stated, “Late Vilhouzhalie Dzuvichu was

looked upon as guide and humble leader.” Under his KDCC Presidentship, the note said, he not only showed his leadership quality but humbled himself to understand the needs of each and every individual which earned him love and affection by all. Stating that he will be remembered for his humbleness and the 9th Kohima Town ACCC will cherish the good example left behind by him, ACCC prayed to the almighty God to give peace, comfort and solace to the family.

KCCI Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) expressed its profound sorrow at the sudden demise of late Vilhouzhali Dzüvichü, the incumbent chairman of Kohima Village Council on the evening of December 10, 2013. A condolence note issued by President KCCI, K.Chris Kire and his colleagues stated, “In his death, we have lost a leader of wisdom and integrity, creating vacuum hard to fill.” Further, KCCI prayed for God’s peace and solace upon the bereaved family members of the departed soul.

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IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express

C O M M E N T A R Y

Along Longkumer consulting Editor

The Hornbill Festival Need for fresh ideas

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(Feedback can be send to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)

lEfT wiNg |

Joe Kay Source: Sojourners

What Are We Waiting For?

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uch of our imagery of Advent is tied into the idea of waiting. Waiting for Emmanuel to come. Waiting for God to intervene. We’re in the middle of the night waiting for dawn to arrive. We’re waiting for something different to happen. One image is the pregnant woman waiting to give birth, which ties into the nativity story.

We spend a lot of our lives waiting for various things.

Maybe the question for Advent is: What are we waiting for?

And when does the waiting end?

So much of our religion has become about waiting. Waiting for heaven. Waiting for God to respond to a prayer and to change something. Waiting for God to right the wrongs. Waiting for God to set things straight. Waiting and waiting and waiting.

What if we’ve got it backward? What if someone is waiting for us?

Soon we’ll celebrate the birthday of Jesus, who was passionate about the here and now. Give food and drink to whoever is hungry and thirsty today. Go and visit those who are imprisoned at this moment. Stop and help the person bleeding by the side of the road right now. Heal the person rather than waiting another day until the Sabbath is over to help them. Do this no matter what the cost.

Don’t wait. Do it now.

In his book The Power of Parable, John Dominic Crossan points out that Jesus was about what we do in the moment: “You have been waiting for God, he said, while God has been waiting for you. No wonder nothing is happening. You want God’s intervention, he said, while God wants your collaboration. God’s kingdom is here, but only insofar as you accept it, enter it, live it, and thereby establish it.”

God is waiting for us. God is at work right now. Are we ready to join in?

Is Advent about passive waiting, or about something more?

One common religious image is a feast that draws many people together. Many of us have just celebrated Thanksgiving by sharing a large meal with people who are important to us. We got up early, prepared the turkey and put it in the oven, then waited for it to get done. But our waiting was very busy.

We had to peel and cook the potatoes, prepare the vegetables, clean the house, get the table set and ready for our guests. We don’t just sit there and stare at the turkey while it baked. If we do that, we won’t have much of a feast at all.

There’s so much to be done right now — needy people to be helped, hurting people to be healed, conflicts to be calmed, societies to be changed, hatred to be transformed into love.

What are we waiting for?

If all we do is sit and wait on God, we’re like people trapped in a perpetual Advent. We never do what God is all about. We never put ourselves in the moment.

We never get to Christmas morning.

Joe Kay is a professional writer living in the Midwest.

Miyase Christensen, Annika E Nilsson and Nina Wormbs Source: Le Monde diplomatique

Eyes on the Ice

FrIDAy 13 DEcEmbEr 2013 vol. vIII IssuE 339

he fourteenth edition of the Hornbill Festival, now rechristened as Hornbill Festival – the Festival of Festivals, got underway at Kisama Heritage Complex on 1st December amidst a mammoth gathering of dignitaries, foreign and domestic tourists, cultural troupes, participants and visitors who turned up to witness the grand inaugural function. This year’s opening ceremony was made all the more special as it happened to be the day marking the 50th year since Statehood. The presence of President Pranab Mukherjee made it even more momentous. The annual Hornbill Festival, which had started at the turn of the millennium, has indeed grown by leaps and bounds to transform from its quiet and simple avatar into what is today a truly spectacular event— showcasing the state’s traditional and cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur. The question is, whether there is a need to infuse fresh ideas into what has become a monotonous event of the last one decade or so. Despite its grandeur, the Hornbill Festival has become too predictable.

Nevertheless, the government deserves credit for the way the annual tourism event has been presented. And even though one may find faults in the way the Hornbill Festival has been organized and varying opinions may be expressed on what should have been done or not done, at the end of the day, the efforts being put in by all the stakeholders should be appreciated instead of blind ridicule. In particular, the youths of the State have been empowered to contribute their skill and knowhow towards the success of the event. No doubt there is an air of expectancy and something to cheer about whenever the festival is around.

However the success of the Hornbill Festival in its present form also brings with it the challenge to grow and develop further. Perhaps, it needs to now go to the next stage not only in terms of scaling newer heights or incorporating fresh ideas but to fully exploit the potential of the Hornbill Festival for the benefits of all sections of the people. Right now the Hornbill Festival, despite its grandeur and success as a promotional event, appears to be lacking in genuine grass root participation. Bringing in a select few cultural troupes and artists from the different tribal region is not going to be enough. Greater participation can happen only if such an event takes place close to where people live. As such, the idea of celebrating smaller versions of hornbill festivals in the respective tribal areas should be explored. The government can come out with a calendar of events where each tribe can better showcase their land, culture and way of life. And by doing so, we will be promoting the diversity of our peoples and their land, much beyond Kohima or Dimapur for that matter.

In terms of economics and development as well, it makes sense to decentralize the Hornbill Festival. The government will be compelled to develop new infrastructure where such events can be held. Proper road connectivity will have to be maintained. Perhaps the concept of the Foothill Road should also incorporate connecting all district headquarters to the State Capital. In this regard, policy makers should also contemplate on creating new growth centers (other than Kohima and Dimapur areas) that will allow balanced regional development to take place. In the social context, one can promote people to people contacts through cultural exchange programmes. The government should encourage inter-tribal interaction to take place and this can happen only if people go out to visit and meet each other, thereby fostering the much needed spirit of solidarity among the Nagas. Developing hornbill like festivals (platform) at the grass root level therefore looks promising. It should greatly benefit the local people in particular and the State in general.

THE EDIT PAGE

A Syrian refugee boy stands outside his tent as a heavy snowstorm batters the region, in a camp for Syrians who fled their country’s civil war, in the Bekaa valley, eastern Lebanon on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.

The United Nations refugee agency says it is "extremely concerned" for hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees scattered across the region amid a snowstorm with high winds and torrential rains. (AP Photo)

A new report confirms that we are responsible for global warming. The continued melting of the Arctic’s sea ice is now widely seen to be true.

So too is the idea that this has major global consequences. Is the situation reversible?

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here is no longer any doubt that the Earth is warming and that human activities are responsible. The “Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” (IPCC), released on 27 September in Stockholm, confirmed that scientific message. The IPCC stressed that only with drastic cuts in emissions can we avert the worst climate change impacts. Yet, from the media coverage, there seems little hope that the IPCC report will build a new political will actually to address this dire situation.

At the forefront of this environmental megatrend of climate change is the Arctic. Among the IPCC’s headline messages: Greenland’s ice sheet has been losing mass over the past two decades, and the Arctic sea ice cover is “very likely” to continue to shrink.

The Arctic sea ice has already shrunk dramatically, both in thickness and in extent, hitting a record low in 2012, with only 24% of the Arctic Ocean surface covered with ice. This year’s satellite images did not show another record low at the end of the summer — just one more dot in the jagged downward slope.

These “eyes on the ice” showed a large area of nearly open water close to the North Pole. The Arctic has moved into a new era, in which it is possible to think about the Arctic Ocean as a seasonally open sea filled with omens of rapid global climate change, but also, for some, with new commercial opportunities.

The first alerts of the dramatic impacts of climate change in the Arctic came in 2004, with the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA). But the real jolt came in 2007 when the Arctic sea ice cov-

T

he visual media has reduced the massive electoral exercise into a spectator sport. With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in mind, it billed the recent four-state Assembly elections as the semi-final, giving them the air of a football game. Since it has fallen for the Bharatiya Janata Party's ploy of casting the polls in the form of a presidential contest between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, the final may well turn out to be a mini-screen boxing bout.

Since conditions in the rest of the country differ vastly from those in these four states, it is risky to draw nationally valid conclusions from socalled semi-final.

Yet if one goes beyond the instant analyses provided by the channels, which were generally marked by professional deficiency and political bankruptcy, it is possible to detect changes in the political scenario which hold some lessons beyond what they found.

All the four states have been battlegrounds where the Congress and the BJP were in direct confrontation in successive elections. Delhi was with the Congress for 15 years at a stretch, and Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with the BJP for 10 years. Rajasthan regularly changed hands.

This time Delhi abandoned the Congress but did not end up in the BJP's hands as the newly formed Aam Admi Party threw the spanner in the Congress-BJP works. While both MP and Chhattisgarh opted to stay with the BJP for five more years, Rajasthan

er shrank to 29%, a record low at the time — nearly a quarter less ice than the previous record low, set in 2005, and 39% below the 1979-2000 average. This was an important moment, and not just because the sea ice decline went well beyond what most climate experts had anticipated — including the authors of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report, released earlier that year. It also revealed a fundamental lack of knowledge about the twists and turns of climate change in relation to the dynamics of sea ice. At times the rate of change is slower, just as the atmosphere has warmed more slowly in the past few years. At other times, change is very fast and catches us by surprise.

The 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum was a stark reminder of the impacts of global climate change.

It also put the Arctic in the political limelight, with attention to rich resources that would become available, new shipping possibilities and questions about sovereignty and rights in a part of the world that was previously seen as a periphery.

Now the Arctic was cast as a frontier.

The next record low, in 2012, reaffirmed the trend: new predictions based on models have indicated that the Arctic Ocean could be almost icefree in the summer within 30 years. A new Arctic geography has become visible, shown in photograph-like maps generated from satellite data.

Projected on the maps are visions of new shipping routes: media stories have portrayed the Northeast Route, which connects Asia and Europe by way of the northern Russian coast, as the new Panama Canal, and the North Pole at the centre of this new world. In 2012 we also saw the deliberately spectacular voyage of the Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon from Akureyri, Iceland, across the Arctic Ocean to Shanghai.

The fact that 2013 did not bring yet another Arctic sea ice minimum could have fed denials of the reality of global climate change and credibility of climate science. But the record sea ice lows in 2007 and 2012 appear also to have brought a shift in perception: continued melting is seen as a given, and so is the idea that the shrinking ice has major regional and global consequences. In that sense, Arctic climate change has become a metaevent of the evolving global climate.

Reporting on climate change — in the Arctic and beyond — remains robust even despite the lack of political action and the media’s variable attention.

Analyses show that the shrinking Arctic sea ice has become a symbol for far-reaching global transformations in the environmental, social, political and economic spheres — a bellwether not only of climate change but of profound global change. It is emblem-

atic of what some scientists call the “Anthropocene” — a geological era shaped by humankind.

With this change of perception in mind, we can use the lack of a new sea ice minimum in 2013 as an opportunity to reflect on the implications for our understanding of the world. So far, public understanding of polar sea ice is based to a large extent on the media’s representation of natural science studies of the ice itself and circumpolar “images” of the ice that have become available, thanks to international coordination of data-gathering. More recently, traditional indigenous knowledge about the sea ice has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of the ice from local perspectives, which highlight the role of the expanding and receding ice in the everyday lives and cultures of the north.

Historical perspectives and observations from contemporary media coverage show how the Arctic ice has been used by various actors to link previously unrelated activities — and also how narratives weave together the local and the global into one story. The reader may be taken on a visit to an Inuit village but the story is really about global climate change. Likewise, plans for new local commercial activities are set in a global geopolitical context.

But the dramatic change in the Arctic has not brought any strong political action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Even in countries directly affected by Arctic change, political action is slow, sometimes close to non-existent. The emphasis is instead placed on adaptation and on new economic opportunities, including exploitation of offshore oil and gas. This raises doubts that additional scientific consensus, such as the findings presented in the new IPCC assessment, will change the political playing field. The non-response from Canada, which defines itself as an Arctic country, is a case in point, and not the only one.

If even the jolt from the 2007 sea ice minimum wasn’t enough to bring political action on emissions, we may need to look deeper into cultural perceptions of our future and our moral responsibility.

The sea ice minimum brought attention to the indeterminate nature of our global future. A knee-jerk reaction to such uncertainty is to secure current interests as far as possible, and avoid fundamental change. We can strengthen adaptation efforts to avert the worst disasters and we can ensure we make the most of new opportunities, while assuming we still live in the same world as before.

An alternative is to start seriously to reflect on the new conditions brought on by the “Anthropocene” and the moral responsibility that these conditions entail. It is clear now that we cannot rely on planet Earth as a self-regulating system — a benign Gaia that will provide for us as we go about our daily life and business. To the extent that the Earth ever was a self-regulating system, we have tinkered with it. And, by our activities, we continue to push its capacity to return to something we perceive as normal.

We need knowledge of the world as it changes, in order to prepare, alter and adapt. But knowledge of natural sciences and of technology alone is not enough. The age of the “Anthropocene” is a forceful reminder that current changes are due to human action, and that we need to understand ourselves and our societies better. And that science and new technology are no use unless we employ them wisely. As the authors of the IPCC report note, what happens in the next several decades, and how fast the climate continues to change, depends on the choices we make.

With the growing connection between the global and local, we need more than ever to realise that we are a global society, and that we need to form a collective will and consensus. We also need better cooperation and dialogue between the different knowledge traditions of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences in order to foster a deeper understanding of the Earth’s biophysical systems, and also of social context and our values and choices in a continuously shifting world.

Lessons of Indian assembly elections: Assumptions & reality BRP Bhaskar Source: IANS

stuck to the pattern of alternating between the Congress and the BJP. The change in Rajasthan was brought about by a drop of three percentage points in the Congress's vote share and a 12 percentage point rise in the BJP's. Beating the hyped antiincumbency factor, the BJP boosted its vote share in MP by eight percentage points. The Congress, too, raised its vote share in the state by about four percentage points, which means the BJP did not gain at its expense. In Chhattisgarh, too, both the BJP and the Congress raised their vote share by two percentage points each.

In Delhi, there was a dramatic change in the Congress party's fortune. It suffered a massive fall of 15 percentage points in its vote share. The BJP too lost votes, its share slipping three percentage points.

The AAP, on its debut, claimed an impressive 30 percent of vote share.

In all the states, the vote share of the small players dwindled. The chief sufferer was the Bahujan Samaj Party, which had shown signs of growth in earlier elections. This is a development that strengthens the

trend towards a two-party system which was in evidence in the Hindi states where the Congress and the BJP are in direct confrontation.

For the present the AAP has altered the Delhi scenario by upsetting the emergent two-party system involving the Congress and the BJP. It is too early to say whether it will evolve into a multi-party state, like, say Uttar Pradesh, or return to the old pattern.

The AAP's performance is not unprecedented as excited young television anchors tried to project. In the 1980s, in Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party founded

by N.T. Rama Rao had made an even more spectacular performance. It not only stormed into power within nine months of its formation but went on to become the main opposition in the Lok Sabha on the strength of its 33 seats from the state.

A widely circulated newspaper had a big role in the TDP's stunning electoral debut. In this respect, a vague parallel can be drawn between the TDP and the AAP. Part of the credit for the AAP's impressive showing belongs to

wRiTE-wiNg

the channels which had boosted Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal movement, which provided Arvind Kejriwal with the momentum to launch the AAP. In some respects Delhi is a microcosm of India. But it is by no means typical of India. It is almost entirely urban.

Only 2.50 percent of the state's population is classified as rural. No state or city, barring perhaps Mumbai, is under as much bombardment by television as Delhi is. Therefore, the chances of replication of the Delhi experiment nationally are not very bright.

There is, however, no denying that the AAP's emergence has created a new situation. Its campaign against corruption has evoked a good response in towns and cities across the country. This poses a problem mainly for the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance, which are facing graft charges, but, as the Delhi voting figures indicate, the BJP too is not immune from its effect.

The media assessment of Narendra Modi's contribution to the BJP's electoral performance deserves a close look. Its vote share gain of 12 percentage points in Rajasthan and eight percentage points in MP are above the normal range of swing in states where the two-party system has emerged.

It can, therefore, be attributed to the Modi effect. Inasmuch as it did not manifest itself in Delhi, as evidenced by the drop in the party's vote share in that state, the assumption that Modi has a tremendous appeal among urban youth is open to question.

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PERSPECTIVE

7 mandela and Wine fakers get sharper, Nelson mahatma Gandhi as the industry fights back

FRiday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

13 December 2013

NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

John Scales avery

Sarah dilorenzo

A

Associated Press

n FBI agent recently showed Arnaud de Laforcade a file with several labels supposedly from 1947 bottles of Chateau Cheval Blanc, one of France's finest wines. To the SaintEmilion vineyard's CFO, they were clearly fakes — too new looking, not on the right kind of paper.

But customers may be more easily duped.

Regardless of his skill, the counterfeiter had ambition: 1947 is widely considered an exceptionally good year, and Cheval Blanc's production that year has been called the greatest Bordeaux ever. The current average price paid for a bottle at auction is about $11,500, according to truebottle.com, which tracks auctions and helps consumers spot fakes.

Counterfeiting has likely dogged wine as long as it has been produced. In the 18th century, King Louis XV ordered the makers of Cotes du Rhone to brand their barrels with "CDR" before export to prevent fraud.

But it is getting more sophisticated and more ambitious, particularly as bottle prices rise due to huge demand in new markets, mainly in Asia. After decades of silence, producers across the $217-billion industry are finally beginning to talk about the problem and ways to combat it.

The astronomical prices paid for fine wine these days makes the bottles "more than just a luxury item," said Spiros Malandrakis, senior analyst of the alcoholic drinks market at Euromonitor, a research firm. "They become a currency in themselves. And as with every currency, at some point, people want to find ways to manipulate that and make more money."

SIZING UP THE PROBLEM Experts say it's impossible to know the size of the counterfeit market. Partially that's because many sales happen privately and because it is woven into a legal market, unlike, say, cocaine trafficking. Many known counterfeits likely go unreported because the victims are embarrassed — and chagrined to lose their investment. Industry insiders, meanwhile, have long ignored the problem collectively as producers were afraid of scaring customers.

But many experts agree on one point: the quantity of rare bottles from illustrious vineyards being auctioned is just too high to not include fakes. "I think it's pretty obvious to everybody that there is a relatively large amount of counterfeit wines from these top wineries that is on the market," said Leonardo LoCascio, founder of Winebow, a leading U.S. importer of wine.

Maureen Downey, an expert wine appraiser and authenticator who founded Chai Consulting, says it is important not to overestimate the problem, guessing it is still probably a very small proportion of the global wine trade, but she added that many producers think that recent publicity on the problem means it's been solved.

Not so, she and others said. In fact, it will likely simply get more sophisticated and even harder to

W

hen celebrity chefs cut themselves, how much they bleed is a matter of brand.

Case in point: this year's messy public eruptions around two of the food world's most powerful women, Paula Deen and Nigella Lawson. Both made unsavory admissions about their pasts after being accused of unsavory acts. Both found themselves at the center of a whirlwind of negative publicity and lawsuits. And both had two big things to lose — fortunes and reputations. But while Deen seemed helpless and shocked as her empire crumbled in June, Lawson has remained stoic and mostly unscathed after revelations this past week, and her image among loyal fans could even be buoyed in the longer term. And the difference tells us much about the power of personal brand in 2013.

Fact is, we love the spectacle of off-screen chaos in stars' lives — the sex tapes, the arrests, the divorces, the boozing, the affairs. They become a value-added layer to the personalities we love to watch. But while some might be appalled by Kim Kardashian's carnal video, it's more awkward sideshow than personal affront. Stars are there to entertain us, even when they don't intend to.

Food celebrities are a bit different.

They seem more accessible and, however falsely, we bond with them. Their books, shows and tweets purport to bring us into their kitchens and connect us to their traditions in service of that most intimate of activities — sharing food. And we bring them into our kitchens, too, turning to them to help feed our families. So when they step out of line, how they've sold themselves to us matters, probably far more than they anticipated.

Deen was on the losing end of that lesson. This is a woman who urged fatconscious America to embrace butter and all things fried. And she led us to the trough with a sassy grandmotherly vibe, a hard knocks coming-up story and tales of an amiable, genteel South.

It was enough — barely — to insulate her in 2012 when she revealed she had both diabetes and a lucrative endorsement deal for a drug to treat the condition she'd until then hidden.

It smacked of opportunism and dishonesty, but it wasn't completely at odds with her public persona. People moved on.

Then the Food Network star became embroiled in a legal dispute with a former employee who accused her

track and estimate.

China's case is a good illustration of the evolution of counterfeiting. Initially, criminals took advantage of the country's twin weaknesses: consumers who were new to wine but had the money to buy it for show. That led to flagrant fakes, whose labels simply piled on the names — or near names — of as many famous vineyards and locales as possible, claiming, for example, to be a great Burgundy wine from a famous Bordeaux chateau.

But in the past two years, as more Chinese became connoisseurs, there has been an explosion in Asia of more refined counterfeits, says Mark Solomon, who co-founded truebottle.com.

Experts fear this problem will only continue to grow and won't be confined to Asia, as technology makes it possible to make better fakes and steadily rising auction prices make it worth the while.

"It's kind of an arms race" between the increasing sophistication of the methods used to authenticate bottles and the increasing sophistication of counterfeiters, said Solomon.

FIGHTING BACK On the front lines of that race is Bernard Medina, who is the director of a lab run by the French Finance Ministry in Bordeaux devoted to sniffing out fake wine. He recently laid out at least 15 bottles when journalists came to visit that ran the gamut from the silly to the serious. Some were outrageous amalgamations, like the bottle that had "Luxembourg" on the label and "produit de France" below that. Others were trying to give consumers just a soupcon of glamour: Chatelet Cheval Blanc, another attempt to copy the illustrious Chateau Cheval Blanc. Most of the bottles were picked up in China by French customs or fraud agents and would easily be sorted out.

But Medina also sometimes receives bottles from chateaux in the surrounding area, which is home to many of the world's best wines. These are suspected fakes but so well done that even the owners aren't quite sure if they might be real.

Medina's lab runs a series of tests on bottles that come their way: measuring the isotopes of certain elements can determine generally which country a wine comes from, measuring the trace radioactivity in a bottle can broadly determine its age. Wines that claim to be from before the invention of the atom bomb, for instance, should have no cesium-137. By contrast, bottles from the 1960s, when nuclear tests happened almost weekly, show a noticeable spike in cesium.

The lab also makes its own wines from grapes collected about every 30 miles (50 kilometers) across Western France. Each of those wines then serves as a reference point for a given year and micro-region.

None of these tests is definitive, but, taken together, they can generally sniff out the fakes. Medina warns, however, that over the past year he has been seeing fewer of the gross counterfeits and expects criminals are focusing on harder to spot, more lucrative fakes.

For instance, counterfeiters buy up old, empty bottles from the best vineyards, so the wine would

pass a test that sampled the bottle's glass or inspected the label. A recent search on eBay showed several old, empty bottles were for sale, including a 1958 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, a 1928 Chateau Margaux and a 1971 Romanee Conti — all of which are some of the most counterfeited wines.

Several wineries are laser-engraving their bottles with unique serial numbers. Other wineries are experimenting with hologrammed or bar-coded stickers placed half on the bottle, half on the capsule — the foil that covers the cork — that serve as id tags and will shred if removed. The Bordeaux winegrowers' professional association has created an app, called Smart Bordeaux, that it bills as the "Shazam for wine." Point your cell phone camera at a wine bottle's label and the app will give you information about the wine and contact details for the winery. Smart Bordeaux is also keeping a database of labels that appear to be fakes.

CODE OF SILENCE Hindering the industry's ability to shake out the forgeries is the wine industry's secretiveness. It is a discrete business, conducted quietly among a relatively small number of people who know one another.

When a bad apple worms its way into that circle, many it seems would rather swallow their losses than rat out their "friends" and admit their own ignorance.

Bill Koch, the billionaire businessman whose cellar includes 43,000 bottles of wine, says he has upset that order by becoming a vocal crusader against fakes. He started collecting wine about 40 years ago and has bought some of the most sought-after wines in the world, including bottles that purported to be part of Thomas Jefferson's private collection.

Those were the first bottles Koch discovered were fake, but the experience led him to hire experts to sniff out the other forgeries. They have found 500 to 600 counterfeit bottles, for which he paid between $4 million and $5 million — and the experts aren't yet finished.

"There's a code of silence in the entire industry," Koch said, but his lawsuits against the auction houses where he bought fakes have threatened that.

As have high-profile cases like the FBI's against Rudy Kurniawan, who is accused of selling $1.3 million worth of counterfeit wine — and believed to have put many more millions of dollars in fakes on the market. "I think the ostrich strategy, hiding yourself and saying we'll figure it out later, is not satisfying," said Fabien Teitgen, who is in charge of winemaking at Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux. "The best is to speak about it openly and to say what we're doing and let the consumers know what means there are to verify that they have the right product."

Not all wineries feel that way. Some, at the very highest levels of wine making, have told Koch that their wine is "too good to be faked."

Downey says consumers also have to get smarter, choosing a reputable merchant and resisting "deals."

"Spending $5,000 on a $7,000 bottle is not a bargain," said Downey.

Nigella Lawson: A brand blemished but unbowed JM Hirsch AP Food editor

In this Tuesday, October 9, 2012 file photo, food writer, journalist and broadcaster, Nigella Lawson of Britain poses during the 28th International Film and Programme Market for TV, Video, Cable and Satellite in Cannes, southeastern France. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau/File)

of racial discrimination and sexual harassment. The case, which ultimately was dismissed, got little attention until this summer when depositions were released in which Deen acknowledged using racial slurs in the past. It was an admission glaringly contrary to her homespun brand of Southern charm.

Coupled with a clunker of an apology, that admission upended her brand.

Endorsement deals fell apart. The Food Network canceled her. Appearances dried up. Folks didn't want that sort of language in their kitchens. It's a few months later and now Lawson, a culinary import from England, is going through a wringer nearly as rough.

It started this summer with tabloidworthy photos of her husband appearing to choke her. Then two former employees accused of using the couple's credit cards for more than $1 million in fraudulent charges claimed Lawson had sanctioned their spending to hush them up about her heavy drug use.

Lawson's now ex-husband, Charles Saatchi, piled on, saying those startling photos of him with his hands around her neck were shot as the couple argued about her drug use.

In a London court for the employ-

ees' fraud trial last week, Lawson recounted it differently. She said Saatchi lunged at her after she mentioned looking forward to having grandchildren and he said she should be paying attention to him instead. She denied giving the employees permission to spend the money. And she denied having a drug problem. She did acknowledge using cocaine and marijuana a handful of times, but said she wasn't a habitual user. The damage to Lawson so far? Looks pretty minimal.

While Deen's deals imploded rapidly, Lawson's career remains stable.

Her admissions didn't derail this weekend's launch of her Cooking Channel series, "Nigellissima." ABC is going ahead with January's second season of "The Taste," a series in which she stars with Anthony Bourdain. And Britain's Channel 4 is standing by plans for its own version of "The Taste" — with Lawson and Bourdain — for next year.

Much credit for that goes to her carefully crafted brand — a persona built not on Southern comfort and innocence like Deen's, but on a rapturous, even naughty exploration of the sensual side of the kitchen. Lawson revels in her ample curves, gives long,

knowing glances at the camera, poses with sweet syrups dripping from her body, and... well, you get the idea.

Simply put, when misdeeds get exposed, the more out of sync they are with your brand, the worse you fare. "I don't see what's happening to Nigella as being inconsistent with her persona," says Eric Dezenhall, founder of Dezenhall Resources, a crisis-management firm. "There is a certain decadence associated with her brand, and nothing that's really happening violates that."

Of Deen, though, he says: "When you have this endearing Southern woman who is dropping racial epithets in the modern era, that's a shock to the system. Nothing that's happening to Nigella is a shock to the system."

Bourdain certainly knows plenty about brand resiliency. The author and food TV star has repeatedly, even gloriously, recounted his own drug use. Not only hasn't it harmed his career, but it also probably has fostered it. His badboy brand had no trouble absorbing the drug revelations, so fans never felt betrayed by the truth.

To a lesser extent, this was true even with Martha Stewart. She is respected for her style and shrewd business sense, not for a warm and fuzzy personality. Fans were disappointed when she served five months in prison following a 2004 conviction on federal criminal charges of lying to prosecutors, but she was forgiven. And she quickly returned to fans' craft rooms and kitchens. "It could've taken down the brand. It did not," Stewart said of the conviction during testimony in an unrelated legal case this year. "But I must tell you that rebuilding is a lot harder than building."

Ownership plays a part, too. If fans backed off Stewart initially, it's because she never seemed to fess up. She compensated by doing her time. But Deen, even when apologizing in tears on TV, never seemed to quite understand why people were so upset with her. She never owned her errors.

That's another reason Lawson likely will do just fine. Testifying this week, she deflected the brunt of the accusations by owning them. She's used drugs, just not to the extent of which she's been accused. "I promise you ... regular cocaine users do not look like this," the curvaceous Lawson said. "They are scrawny and look unhealthy." She came clean with the sort of panache and humor her fans have come to love. And that is the power of her brand.

N

countercurrents.org

elson Rohihlahla Mandela (1918-2013) and Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) were two of human history's greatest leaders in the struggle against governmental oppression. They are also remembered as great ethical teachers. Their lives had many similarities; but there were also differences.

Similarities: Both Mandela and Gandhi were born into politically influential families. Gandhi's father, and also his grandfather, were Dewans (prime ministers) of the Indian state of Porbandar.

Mandela's great-grandfather was the ruler of the Thembu peoples in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. When Mandela's father died, his mother brought the young boy to the palace of the Thembu people's Regent, Chief Jogintaba Dalindyebo, who became the boy's guardian. He treated Mandela as a son and gave him an outstanding education.

Both Mandela and Gandhi studied law. Both were astute political tacticians, and both struggled against governmental injustice in South Africa. Both were completely fearless. Both had iron wills and amazing stubbornness. Both spent long periods in prison as a consequence of their opposition to injustice.

Both Mandela and Gandhi are remembered for their strong belief in truth and fairness, and for their efforts to achieve unity and harmony among conflicting factions. Both treated their political opponents with kindness and politeness.

When Gandhi began to practice law South Africa, in his first case, he was able to solve a conflict by proposing a compromise that satisfied both parties. Of this result he said, “My joy was boundless. I had learnt the true practice of law. I had learnt to find out the better side of human nature and to enter men's hearts. I realized that the true function of a lawyer was to unite parties riven asunder.”

Mandela is also remembered as a great champion of reconciliation. Wikipedia describes his period as President of South Africa in the following words: “Presiding over the transition from apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy, Mandela saw national reconciliation as the primary task of his presidency. Having seen other post-colonial African economies damaged by the departure of white elites, Mandela worked to reassure South Africa's white population that they were protected and represented in “The Rainbow Nation”. Mandela attempted to create the broadest possible coalition in his cabinet, with de Klerk as first Deputy President while other National Party officials became ministers for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, and Minerals and Energy, and Buthelezi was named Minister for Home Affairs...”

Mandela also introduced, and presided over, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Both Gandhi and Mandela believed strongly in the power of truth. Gandhi called this principle “Satyagraha”, and he called his autobiography “The Story of My Experiments With Truth”.

Mandela's realization of the power of truth came during the Rivonia Trial (1963-1964), where he was accused of plotting to overthrow the government of South Africa by violence, and his life was at stake. Remembering this event, Mandela wrote: “In a way I had never quite comprehended before, I realized the role I could play in court and the possibilities before me as a defendant. I was the symbol of justice in the court of the oppressor, the representative of the great ideals of freedom, fairness and democracy in a society that dishonored those virtues. I realized then and there that I could carry on the fight even in the fortress of the enemy” During his defense statement, Mandela said: “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and see realized. But my Lord, if it needs to be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Although the prosecutor demanded the death penalty, Mandela was sentenced to lifelong imprisonment. His defense statement became widely known throughout the world, and he became the era's most famous prisoner of conscience. The South African apartheid regime was universally condemned by the international community, and while still in prison, Mandela was given numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate in Lesotho, the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding and Freedom of the City of Glasgow. “Free Mandela” concerts were held in England and the UN Security Council demanded his release.

Finally, as it became increasingly clear that the South African apartheid regime was untenable, Mandela was released in February 1990. He spoke to an enormous and wild cheering crowd of supporters, who had waited four hours to hear him. Four years later, he was elected President of South Africa. He was awarded 250 major honors, including the Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with de Klerk.

Both Mandela and Gandhi are considered to be the fathers of their countries. Gandhi is called “Mahatma”, which means “Great Soul”, but he was also known by the affectionate name “Bapu”, which means “father”. Mandela was affectionately called “Tata”, which also means “father”.

Differences: The greatest difference between Mandela and Gandhi concerns non-violence. While Mandela believed that violent protest could sometimes be necessary in the face of governmental violence, Gandhi firmly rejected this idea. He did so partly because of his experience as a lawyer. In carrying out non-violent protests against governmental injustice, Gandhi was making a case before the jury of international public opinion. He thought that he had a better chance of succeeding if he was very clearly in the right.

Furthermore, to the insidious argument that “the end justifies the means”, Gandhi answered firmly: ”They say that 'means are after all means'. I would say that 'means are after all everything'. As the means, so the end. Indeed, the Creator has given us limited power over means, none over end... The means may be likened to a seed, and the end to a tree; and there is the same inviolable connection between the means and the end as there is between the seed and the tree. Means and end are convertible terms in my philosophy of life."

What can we learn from Mandela and Gandhi?

Today, as never before, governmental injustice, crime and folly are threatening the future of humankind. If our children and grandchildren are to have a future, each of us must work with dedication for truly democratic government, for a just and effective system of international law, for abolition of the institution of war, for abolition of nuclear weapons, for the reform of our economic system, for stabilization of the global population, and for protection of the global environment against climate change and other dangers. This is not the responsibility of a few people. It is everyone's responsibility.

The courage, wisdom and dedication of Mandela and Gandhi can give us inspiration as we approach the great tasks that history has given to out generation.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Friday 13 December 2013

‘Our wounds are still fresh’

New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): A whole year has gone by, but their wounds refuse to heal. The anguished parents of the Dec 16 gang-rape victim live for the day the rapists will hang.

“Time has passed for us. But like her injuries, our wounds are still fresh. We don’t think we will ever come out of these,” the father of the 23-year-old rape victim told IANS. Tears roll down as he recalls, with some difficulty, the last days of his “bright, intelligent daughter” who had a “great future ahead” before it ended abruptly.

“Whenever she would come from Dehradun, she would hide behind the door and surprise me,” he said of his daughter who had studied physiotherapy in Dehradun and was working as a trainee in a Delhi hospital. “Her every action replays in my mind all the time. For me, she is still alive. Time has frozen for me.

I feel she is hiding behind the door and will suddenly appear before me - any time now,” said the 54-year-old, who works as a porter at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The victim’s father has only one desire. “The hanging of the culprits will give me some satisfaction. It will help my family a bit,” he told IANS, seated in his modest two-bedroom house at

Steps taken by govt after Dec 16 gang rape The Dec 16 gang rape of a young physiotherapy student last year sparked nationwide outrage, forcing the government to take steps to make women in the country feel safe.

• A new anti-rape law was brought in which recognised the structural and graded nature of sexual crimes against women and redefined rape to include all forms of non- consensual, penetrative sexual acts that violated a woman’s bodily integrity. The earlier law restricted definition of rape to peno-vaginal penetration.

• The government constituted the Justice J.S. Verma committee to look into possible amendments to the criminal law for quicker trial and enhanced punishment to those accused of committing sexual assault. Many of the committee’s recommendations were adopted in subsequent changes made to laws.

• The Justice Usha Mehra Commission was set up to probe the lapses on part of the authorities.

The committee criticised the authorities and called for a slew of reforms to improve the law

Dwarka in west Delhi. He moved to this house -- allotted by the government -- four months ago.

The 23-year-old was raped by five men and a juvenile in a moving private bus on Dec 16. The accused dumped her and her male friend on the road -- bloodied and without clothes after nearly an-hour long ordeal. She battled for life for 13 days in Delhi before

• • • • •

and order situation in the capital. Some of them have been taken up.

The government took steps like improvements in the public transport system by increasing the number of buses at night and installing Global Positioning System (GPS) on all public transport vehicles.

Provisions were made in the law, making it mandatory for hospitals to give treatment to victims of sexual assault and other offences without waiting for the arrival of police.

Directions were issued for setting up of one stop centre for rape complainant in at least one hospital in each district of the national capital territory region.

A three-number helpline with phone number 181 was set up for women in distress.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, which provides stringent punishment for persons who have committed crimes against children was brought in.

(Source: IANS)

being flown to Singapore where she died. The family is satisfied with the Sep 13 verdict of a Delhi court to hang four of the men. A fifth committed suicide in prison.

But they are unhappy about the Juvenile Justice Board’s decision to keep the minor in a reform home for three years. The Delhi High Court is hearing the appeal of the four accused against the

death sentence. “We have urged the Supreme Court to re-consider the juvenile court’s verdict,” the father said, speaking in Hindi.

“How can a rapist be let off just because he is a juvenile? He was involved in a brutal act. He too should be hanged like his associates so that others get a message,” he said, sounding hurt and angry.

The victim’s mother, who sat

Ban on gay sex violates international law: UN

GeNevA, December 12 (reuTerS): A decision by the Supreme Court to reinstate a ban on gay sex represents a “significant step backwards for India” and violates international law, United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Thursday, suggesting the case be reheard. In a major blow to gay rights in the world’s largest democracy, the Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out a 2009 ruling by a lower court that had decriminalised gay sex.

“Criminalising private, consensual same-sex sexual conduct violates the rights to privacy and to non-discrimination enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has ratified,” Pillay said in a statement issued in Geneva. “Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision in this case represents a significant step backwards for India and a blow for human rights.”

The top court stated that only India’s government could change the law, deeming the Delhi High Court had overstepped its powers with the decision four years ago. Section 377 of India’s penal code bans “sex against the order

of nature”, which is widely interpreted to mean homosexual sex. The colonialera rule dates back to the 19th century.

Pillay, who previously served on the High Court of her native South Africa, said: “The Supreme Court of India has a long and proud history of defending and expanding protection of human rights.

This decision is a regrettable departure from that tradition.” She voiced hope that the Court might exercise its review procedure, in effect agreeing to rehear the case before a larger panel of judges.

This would provide an opportunity for judges to reconsider whether the Supreme Court’s initial decision took sufficient account of all relevant arguments, she said.

Govt promises urgent steps Government today promised urgent steps to overturn the Supreme Court ruling declaring homosexuality as illegal amid indications that it could file a curative petition in the apex court. “We will have to change the law.

If the Supreme Court has upheld that law, then we will certainly have to take firm steps. Change has to be made fast

next to her husband, listened silently, wiping her tears all the time. She said the final image of her daughter was permanently etched on her mind. “I can’t forget that evening when she left home. She waved at me and her last words were ‘Bye Mom! I will return in a few hours!’.” “But she never returned home again,” the 50-year-old mother told IANS. The parents are planning a memorial meeting on Dec 16 at the Constitution Club in the heart of Delhi. “We want to thank everyone who supported us,” the father said. The brutal gangrape sparked off outrage across the capital, forcing thousands of mainly young protesters to take to the streets and clash with security forces, demanding strong anti-rape laws.

A rattled government did act. Recalling the last day of his daughter in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, the father said he has one regret: he could not fulfil the last wish of his daughter. “She wanted to drink water but doctors would not allow me to give her anything to drink or eat. She kept asking me, but I couldn’t do it,” said the emotionally choked father. “She was the first born.

She brought happiness for us. She was the ray of my life. Now, my life is empty and meaningless.”

The Morung Express

BJP rejects offer to form govt in Delhi

New Delhi, December 12 (AGeNcieS): The Bharatiya Janata Party has rejected the offer to form the government in Delhi insisting that it does not have the required numbers for the same. Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel reiterated the party’s stand and said that the party would instead favour fresh polls for the Delhi Assembly.

“We have made our stand clear that we don’t have enough numbers. Dr Harsh Vardhan will meet the LG today to discuss the developments. We are ready for all scenarios, we are ready to even go for re-elections,” said Goel.

The BJP leader also indicated that he was open to talks with AAP which had garnered 28 seats in the 70-member assembly. “If AAP gives us a proposal then we’ll definitely think about it,” he said.

The BJP also claimed that it has no problem to sit in the Opposition. “We have made it clear that the BJP won’t form a government in Delhi since we don’t have the numbers. Senior AAP leaders have indicated that they are keen to form the govt, let them do so. The BJP has made no such promises,” said BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy. With both BJP and AAP unwilling take charge of the government, Delhi seems to be bracing for the President’s rule. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Dr Najeeb Jung has got a tough job on his hands. He has asked Dr Harsh Vardhan, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, to meet him to discuss the formation of next government in Delhi.

Going by the precedent set by the former President KR Narayanan, he might ask Harsh Vardhan to form the next government and prove majority later.

According to political experts, since the Congress, BJP and AAP have declared that they would not enter into any post-poll alliances, the chances of President’s Rule look higher. The previous Assembly was appointed on December 18, 2008. It completes five years on December 18, 2013. The Constitution makes it clear that a new assembly must be constituted by that date. If no party manages majority or comes forward to form the next government, the President’s Rule will come into effect on the recommendation of the Lt Governor. The caretaker government of Sheila Dikshit can continue till December 17.

and any delay cannot take place. We will use all means available to make changes at the earliest,” Law Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters in the wake of an uproar over the ruling.

Asked whether government could bring a legislation to amend section 377 of the IPC, he said at this stage “time is of the essence. We must de-criminalise adult consensual relationships.” Responding to questions on the options available with the government, he said “one of the opinions could be to bring it to Parliament at the earliest. The other opinion could be to approach the Supreme Court or take any other route.

We will adopt the approach which will give us quick results.”

Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Supreme Court ruling was “wrong” and all options would be looked at to set right the apex court order. Terming the judgment “disappointing”, he said the court should have applied “current social and moral values” in the case. He said the government should file a review or curative petition Indian workers from Bihar state under the banner of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) gather during a and that the matter should be heard by protest near the Indian parliament in New Delhi, on Thursday, December 12. The AITUC was protesting against the economic policies of the government, price rise and corruption among other issues. (AP Photo) a five-bench judge.

Villagers struggle to save land as islands shrink in Sundarban Lokpal Bill likely to be taken up Monday

SuNDArbANS, December 12 (PTi): Imagine buying a plot of land only to see it vanishing into the river gradually after a few years! Thousands of farmers living on the banks of the islands in Sundarbans are struggling to protect their land as their villages are shrinking in size due to rising sea levels induced by climate change.

As a child, 50-year-old farmer Sahadeb Guru recalls how while sitting on the banks of the island in Pathar Pratima he could hear people talking in the nearby island on the opposite side of the river. Decades later, the river has widened so much that it now needs a binocular to find the island on the other side. All these years, people living on both the islands have lost many acres of land due to heavy erosion, points out Chittapriyo Sadhu,

project manager of NGO Save the Children.

Guru says he had to shift his house thrice in the last few decades and lost few bighas of land as the river keeps on eating into the island on a regular basis. The story is the same for thousands of islanders living on the banks of the archipelago comprising over 100 islands. A three-hour drive from Kolkata, it is a complex network of streams, rivers, tidal creeks and channels. Spread over an area of 9,630 sq km in India, Sundarbans has the world’s largest mangrove forest and also hosts a Tiger Reserve and three wildlife sanctuaries.

“Coastal erosion which appears to be a product of change in sea level and tidal hydraulics is constantly reshaping the islands

of Indian Sundarbans,” says professor Sugata Hazra, director of the School of Oceanography Studies in Jadavpur University. According to a study done under him, the rate of coastal erosion have been measured to be about 5.50 sq kms per year within the time frame of 2001-2009. The total land area of 6402.090 sq kms of Sundarbans in the year 2001 was found to be reduced to 6358.048 sq kms in 2009 registering a land net loss of 44.042 sq kms.

In the last 30 years approximately 7,000 people have been displaced as a result of erosion.

Environmentalist Ashish Kumar Ghosh says Sundarbans is an active delta and we do not know how it is going to shape up finally.

“It is an immature delta as the rivers are still taking its course. Then

In this Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 photo, acid attack victims, from left, 30-year old victim whose name is withheld on request, Laxmi, 24, and Chanchal, 19, sit in the office of the Indian NGO Stop Acid Attacks, in New Delhi, India. Victims of acid attacks are pressing the Indian government to do more to prevent such violence, saying a new law aimed at restricting the sale of dangerous is being ignored. Highly concentrated acids are readily available in India for use as household and industrial cleaners. (AP File Photo)

New Delhi, December 12 (AP): A gang of young neighborhood men would harass Sonali Mukherjee whenever she

left home — taunting her, following her, hissing lewd comments.

But Mukherjee, 18 at the time, was not afraid.

A sociology student, she stood up to her tormenters. After she threatened to go to the police, they sneaked into her house

there is the effect of sea level rise.

Due to all these factors the Sundarbans delta is still in its formation stage. So we have to leave it to nature on how it will shape up finally,” he says.

According to a report prepared by a group of ecologists led

by M Zafar-ul Islam, under the 1 metre sea-level rise scenario, the Sundarbans will lose more than half of its area. Sea level is rising due to thermal expansion of the ocean, mountain glacier melting, and discharge from ice sheets as a result of global warming. Villagers and experts say embankments have failed to protect the islands from the cycle of twice-a-day floods and cyclonic storm surges while mangrove trees which act as efficient barriers against erosion have decreased.

New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): The Lokpal Bill is likely to be taken up in the Rajya Sabha Monday, said Satyavrat Chaturvedi, who chaired the select committee that looked into the anti-corruption bill. “The government has proposed a discussion on Lokpal bill on Monday,” Chaturvedi told reporters here. Six hours have been allotted for the discussion, he added.

This comes as anticorruption crusader Anna Hazare sits on an indefinite fast demanding passage of the bill. Earlier, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that a notice for tak-

ing up the bill has already been given to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Hamid Ansari. “Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) V. Narayanasamy, has already sent a notice that the (Lokpal) bill be immediately taken up in the Rajya Sabha,” Shinde told reporters here.

“The select committee in the Rajya Sabha had recommended 13 amendments to the bill and that were also considered by the government,” said Shinde. The Lokpal bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in the winter session last year, has been majorly amended by the select committee. The govern-

ment said it has accepted some of the amendments.

Once passed by the Rajya Sabha, the amended bill will have to be returned to the Lok Sabha for approval before it becomes law.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath, meanwhile, refuted reports of parliament heading for an early adjournment. “At the moment all the speculations and the media reports are not true. There is no plan at the moment to curtail the session,” he said Thursday. “Our priority is to pass the Lokpal Bill. The Lokpal Bill has to be taken in Rajya Sabha, then it will come to Lok Sabha.”

than 25 years her senior.

“The one who attacked me, what did he get and what did I get? He got arrested after four days of the attack and was bailed out after a month,” Laxmi said. Now, she says, he is married and has a child.

“Where is justice?

Where is the law? Nowhere,” she said.

Kamlesh Jain, a lawyer who represents acid attack victims, says the poor are particularly vulnerable after an attack.

“Even if the case is pursued, the sentence awarded until now is ... not sufficient to tackle this problem,” she said.

And the victims’ scars amount to a lifetime sentence for many women.

“I have seen many times when the victim is completely cut off from the society,” said Mukherjee, who has undergone 28

surgeries in 10 years. The attack left her blind and partially deaf.

She said she struggled with her identity for years after the attack, at one point even asking the courts to allow her to commit suicide. Euthanasia is illegal in India and her plea was rejected.

But now, Mukherjee says she is coming to terms with her future, and is bolder about appearing in public and telling her story.

“I have been saying this to myself, ‘Why should I feel ashamed? Why should my family be ashamed?

Why should I hide my face?

Why should I hide myself in a closed room?’” she said. “When the criminals who did this to me are free, wearing fancy sunglasses and driving around in a car, why should I hide myself in a room?”

Acid attack victims say new law is ignored

and poured acid on her while she slept, melting away much of her face.

“I did not know that they were hatching a plan to take revenge,” she said, more than 10 years later.

Now, Mukherjee and other victims of acid attacks are pressing the Indian government to do more to prevent such violence, saying a new law aimed at restricting the sale of acid is being ignored.

In response to their campaign, the Indian Supreme Court on Dec. 3 ordered all states to comply with the law, which went into effect in February after a deadly gang rape in New Delhi last year galvanized public anger over violence toward women.

It prohibits the sale of acid unless the seller maintains a record of the buyers and orders states to pay acid attack victims $1,400 in

compensation.

The law is among a wave of changes implemented after the New Delhi rape case, including a provision that called for stiffer prison terms — a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment — and no bail for those who carry out acid attacks.

Highly concentrated acids are readily available in India for use as household and industrial cleaners.

The liquids are often produced locally and are dirt cheap.

Earlier, acid attacks came under a general category of crimes that caused hurt, or grievous hurt, or attempted murder. Indian laws did not take into account the disfiguration of a woman in an acid attack as a separate crime.

Mukherjee’s attackers were freed after serving three years in prison.

Some 1,500 acid attacks are reported worldwide every year, according to the London-based charity Acid Survivors Trust International. The group says the actual figure is likely to be far higher because so many victims are too scared to speak out.

India has no official statistics on the matter, but reports of acid attacks appear regularly in the media. Attackers often target the head and face in order to maim, disfigure and blind their victims, often because of spurned sexual advances.

Laxmi, who volunteers with Mukherjee at the Indian private group Stop Acid Attacks, said Indian law is failing women. Laxmi, 24, who goes by one name, was doused with acid eight years ago after ignoring repeated overtures from a man more

International

The Morung Express

Friday 13 December 2013

Dimapur

9

Former Thai PM Thaksin may never return home

BANGKOK, DecemBer 12 (AP): Since being ousted as Thailand’s prime minister in a 2006 military coup, Thaksin Shinawatra has been a very busy man.

The billionaire bought and sold England’s Manchester City football club, acquired a titanium mine in Zimbabwe, started a lottery in Uganda and acquired a Nicaraguan passport. He met with Vladimir Putin and Nelson Mandela.

But most of all, opponents say, he has been busy running Thailand from afar, pressing to return to power through schemes that have widened the country’s already dangerous political rifts and led to bloodshed on the streets. His latest attempt to erase a 2008 corruption conviction and come home a free man was a gross miscalculation, igniting massive demonstrations in Bangkok against his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

His return now seems unlikely, but analysts say his wealth, powerful allies and a devoted following among the rural masses mean he will continue to exert significant influence.

And the 64-year-old Thaksin will probably remain the most divisive figure in modern Thai history, demonized by the middle class and urban elites as a cocky, corrupt upstart who challenged the traditional

In this Thursday July 3, 2008 file photo, an anti government protester walks past a poster depicting ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra behind bars outside Government House in Bangkok, Thailand. Since being ousted as Thailand’s prime minister in a 2006 military coup, Thaksin has been a very busy man. The billionaire bought the England’s Manchester City football club and a titanium mine in Zimbabwe, started a lottery in Uganda and acquired a Nicaraguan passport. He met with Vladimir Putin and Nelson Mandela. (AP File Photo)

power structure, including the monarchy, and adored as a near-saint by havenots for providing them with handouts and a sense of empowerment. “He bought everything in this country. He would even buy your soul,” businesswoman Chinda Dhamawong said as she marched down a Bangkok avenue with thousands screaming, “Thaksin out!”

Meanwhile, in Thak-

sin’s prime stronghold, the impoverished northeast, residents of Kambon village credit him for bringing many benefits: electricity, cheap loans, virtually free medical care, good prices for their rice. “All this is because of Thaksin. This is why rural people want him back — why I want him back,” said 61-year-old Thongchan Potaklang.

“It’s always going to be

about Thaksin in Thailand, but increasingly about more than Thaksin,” says Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.

A leading opposition lawmaker, Suthep Thaugsuban, resigned from Parliament to lead the massive protests. He wants to replace Yingluck with an unelected “people’s council” that he says would remake

Thailand’s government to expunge Thaksin’s influence. At least five people have been killed and nearly 300 injured since the demonstrations began last month, and protesters have temporarily occupied government ministries.

The self-exiled, globetrotting Thaksin, based in a luxurious mansion in Dubai, has remained largely silent during the crisis. In

lawyer left the courthouse after a brief hearing, shouting “Murderer!” They also submitted a petition to the court, asking that he be denied bail. The court, though, set bail at about $19,000, which Abhisit met by putting up a house deed.

The court also ordered him to remain in Thailand until his trial starts March 24.

In 2010, “Red Shirt” protesters occupied downtown Bangkok for more than two months until being dispersed in the crackdown.

The Red Shirts are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, today’s protests are the mirror opposite those three years ago, with Thaksin’s supporters now in control of the government, and supporters of Abhisit’s former government demanding the administration step down.

LONDON, DecemBer 12 (reuTers): The global death toll from cancer rose to 8.2 million in 2012 with sharp rises in breast cancer as the disease tightened its grip in developing nations struggling to treat an illness driven by Western lifestyles.

Cancer deaths were up 8 percent from 7.6 million in a previous survey in 2008 and breast cancer killed 522,000 women last year, up 14 percent in the same period, according to the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

“Breast cancer is also a leading cause of cancer death in the less developed countries of the world,” said David Forman, head of IARC’s Section of Cancer Information, the group that compiles the global

cancer data. He said this was “partly because a shift in lifestyles is causing an increase in incidence, and partly because clinical advances to combat the disease are not reaching women living in these regions.”

An estimated 14.1 million people developed cancer in 2012, up from 12.7 million in 2008. And 1.7 million women were newly diagnosed with breast cancer last year, up by more than 20 percent from 2008.

IARC’s report, called GLOBOCAN 2012, gives the most up-to-date estimates for 28 different types of cancer in 184 countries and offers an overview of the global cancer burden.

It found that the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide in men and women combined were lung, breast and colorectal cancers. The most com-

mon causes of cancer death said were “huge inequaliwere lung, liver and stom- ties” between rich and poor countries. While rates ach cancers. of new cancer cases are SUBSTANTIVE INCREASE still highest in more develProjecting forward, IARC oped regions, death rates experts said they expected are relatively much higher “a substantive increase” in in less developed countries cancer cases worldwide, because people’s tumours with annual new cases pre- are often not detected and dicted to rise to 19.3 million diagnosed early enough by 2025 as the global popu- due to a lack of screening lation both grows and ages. and access to treatment.

“An urgent need in canWorldwide trends show that in developing countries cer control today is to degoing through rapid soci- velop effective and affordetal and economic change, able approaches to the early the shift towards lifestyles detection, diagnosis, and more typical of richer indus- treatment of breast cancer trialised countries leads to among women living in less a rising burden of cancers developed countries,” said linked to reproduction, diet Christopher Wild, IARC’s director. He said it was critical and hormones.

The IARC report said to bring rates of disease and cancer incidence - the death in poorer countries number of new cases each in line with progress made year - has been increas- in recent years in treating ing in most regions of the and curing some cancers on world, but noted what it wealthier countries.

Former Thai premier charged with murder

BANGKOK, DecemBer 12 (AP): Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was charged with murder Thursday in connection with the 2010 deaths of two protesters killed during a crackdown on anti-government demonstrators. The move comes amid weeks of renewed protests that have shaken the Thai capital and threatened to again plunge the country into crisis.

Abhisit, who was charged with the deaths of a 43-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl, denied all the charges in the brief court hearing. About 90 people were killed in the crackdown, and it was not clear why Abhisit faced charges in those two deaths.

Relatives of some of those killed were waiting for Abhisit as he and his

a recent post on his Facebook page, Thaksin denied often-repeated claims that he has been disloyal to the royal family, headed by much-revered but ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

“Thai politics is played out with cruelty and in cold blood. Please don’t be cruel to me,” Thaksin wrote.

Throughout his career, Thaksin has been a tenacious and sometimes ruthless fighter. After obtaining a doctorate in criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas, and a stint on the police force, the descendant of Chinese immigrants used his connections to obtain a monopoly for what became the country’s most successful mobile phone company.

In 2001, after a landslide victory, he became the first prime minister in Thailand’s history to lead an elected government through a full term in office.

Over the next five years, the economy boomed and so did the Shinawatra’s family fortune, allegedly through massive corruption.

Thaksin’s populist policies, CEO management style and willingness to roll up his sleeves and hit the campaign trail in remote areas gained him millions of supporters.

But he also curbed press freedom, placed relatives and cronies in positions of power and battered the

Cancer deaths rise to 8.2 million

With VIPs gone, mourning South Africans reclaim Madiba

PreTOrIA, DecemBer 12 (AFP): Nelson Mandela was given back to ordinary South Africans, who queued in their thousands from early morning Thursday to file past his open casket on a day of viewing reserved for the public.

Until now, the cameras of the world have often been trained on leaders, VIPs and celebrities paying tribute to a man known for his common touch -- a man who related to princes and paupers with equal ease.

Ordinary mourners from all walks of life had also queued for hours on end Wednesday to view the body, but many were turned away by evening without having made it to the front of the long, winding line of people united in

grief and gratitude for the father of their democratic nation.

Many returned on Thursday for another chance, with the entire day given over to general public access. “My heart is so broken,” said Anita Bodiba, 35, who arrived at the seat of government, the Union Buildings, hours before dawn to join the long queue that had already formed.

“I can’t even sleep, I’m thinking of Madiba. He is the one who united us here in South Africa -white people, black people, Indian people,” she said -- using the clan name by which the democracy icon is fondly known.

On Wednesday, Mandela’s distraught widow Graca Machel and other family members were followed by presidents, royalty

and other international figures in paying their last respects in the amphitheatre of the Union Buildings where the Nobel laureate is laying in state. It was here that he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president in 1994, after emerging from 27 years’ imprisonment.

A third day of lying in state will be held Friday, after which Mandela’s body will be transported to his boyhood home of Qunu, ahead of its eventual burial on Sunday. Thursday’s programme began, as the day before, with Mandela’s casket brought in a solemn cortege from the 1 Military Hospital to the Union Buildings. Thousands lined the route as a black hearse, flanked by motorcycle outriders,

carried the flag-draped coffin on its journey through the streets of Pretoria.

In the Union Buildings amphitheatre, soon to be renamed after him, Mandela’s body lies underneath a perspex screen, dressed in the type of printed shirt that became his trademark. Two navy officers stood by the coffin, their eyes downcast, and Mandela’s grandson Mandla sat in a chair on the platform supporting the coffin. Some visitors collapsed as they passed the coffin, felled by the weight of their grief, and were helped away by medical personnel and fellow mourners.

“It was so sad,” Alinah Lekalakala, 52, said after seeing the body of her icon. “I needed to pay my last respects because I am so

grateful for what he has done.

This will help me to accept that he is gone.” For Tryphina Kau, 78, the event was a joyful one.

“I am very, very happy because his spirit is still with us, only the body is going,” she said, recounting the day that Mandela shook her hand while she queued to vote in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. “I saw him at the beginning, and I came to see him at the end.”

Lebogang Phillips, a 36-yearold police officer who had served on Mandela’s security detail when he was president, remembered the man as “the friendliest person I have ever met”. “When meeting people, he would always try to speak their language, whatever it was.”

Kiwi PM ‘unidentified guest’ on world stage

WeLLINGTON, DecemBer 12 (AP): Spare a thought for New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, or as he is known in the rest of the world, the “unidentified guest.” Domestically, polls show he’s been a popular leader. But during each of his big moments on the international stage, he seems to attract another small insult that feeds into a wider anxiety among New Zealanders that their country just isn’t much noticed or taken seriously.

The latest incident came this week when Key was photographed by the European Pressphoto Agency joking with his British counterpart at Nelson Mandela’s funeral. The caption? “British Prime

In this Sept. 9, 2012 file photo, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, center, chats with Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon, left, as they take their seats for the leaders meeting at the APEC summit in Vladivostok, Russia.

Spare a thought for Key, or as he is known in the rest of the world, the “unidentified guest.” (AP Photo)

Minister David Cameron (R) laughs with an unidentified guest ...” A small insult to be sure, but one that

received plenty of media attention in this South Pacific nation of 4.5 million, especially after the photo

ran on the New York Daily News website. The caption has since been updated.

But it seemed to fit a pattern. In 2011, Key was jubilant after President Obama agreed to meet with him in the Oval Office. At the subsequent press conference, however, Obama repeatedly referred to him as “Prime Minister Keyes.” Perhaps the worst part was that nobody seemed to notice.

When he visited Queen Elizabeth II this year, the Daily Mail newspaper described “Kay” as a “galloping colonial clot” for breaking royal protocol by discussing his visit and releasing a photo of himself in the queen’s private sitting room. Never mind that it wasn’t Key, but a

reporter who had taken and distributed the picture.

Then there was Key’s goofy 2009 appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, during which Key read out the top 10 reasons to visit New Zealand.

Letterman asked the Prime Minister whether the nation was near Tasmania, how many years the plane ride had taken, and whether New Zealand got mail.

“Why is he out here Paul?” Letterman asked his band leader, Paul Shaffer.

Perhaps part of the problem for New Zealanders is that their country usually functions well enough not to receive the negative attention that keeps other nations in the media spotlight. Corrup-

tion, crime and unemployment are all low compared with other countries. Life, for the most part, is pretty good — if a little quiet.

Director Peter Jackson, for one, has done his part to keep New Zealand in the international consciousness with his 5 films - and counting - about the fictional hobbits, elves and dragons that inhabit Middleearth. But New Zealanders’ existential worry about their place in the world runs deep. The comedy duo Flight of the Conchords regularly tapped into this feeling. In one episode of their former HBO television series, a fruit vendor insults them after mistaking them for Australians.

democratic system of checks and balances by removing those in the civil service perceived to be against him.

International human rights groups accuse him of ordering extrajudicial killings in his 2003 war on drugs, which left more than 2,200 people dead.

Today, Thaksin remains highly energetic and presumably still ambitious, having built up a second, wide-spanning business empire, which includes $30 million invested in African mining ventures. He bought Manchester City in 2007 and sold it the following year. He has served as an economic adviser to the Cambodian and other governments and launched a popular “Go Lotto” in Uganda. In Montenegro, he purchased a boutique hotel.

“I’m hyperactive. I cannot sit,” he said in a 2011 interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Yingluck recently told reporters that her brother no longer wants to be involved in politics. But both siblings have said that before, even as Thaksin openly called in to offer advice to his followers in the ruling Pheu Thai Party and summoned Cabinet ministers for meetings abroad.

“I am the one who thinks ... Pheu Thai acts,” he said in an interview with Forbes magazine last year,

repeating the slogan the party used on its way to a landslide victory in 2011.

The conflict is only the latest chapter in Thailand’s grappling with how to evolve into a true democracy, one going back to the overthrow of absolute monarchy in 1932. Thaksin proved a catalyst to awaken the longignored voices in the countryside who propelled him to electoral victories and allowed him to challenge the long-entrenched, conservative order.

His enemies accuse him and his supporters of corruption and abuse of power, though both have been endemic in Thai politics for generations. Some analysts, including Thitinan, say the real goal of Suthep and the forces behind him is to ensure that Thaksin has no control over the crucial transition period when the 86-year-old king passes from the scene.

Bhumibol is a constitutional monarch but he and the monarchy remain extremely influential in Thailand. Thaksin is accused of disrespect in part because of allegations that he has tried to curry favor with the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. “I think the anti-government protesters do not want to see Thaksin’s shadows presiding over the succession period,” Thitinan said.

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The Morung Express

AC Milan in last 16 ArsenAl AdvAnces after draw against Ajax despite loss At nApoli

Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain scores, during a Champions League, group F, soccer match between Napoli and Arsenal, at the Naples San Paolo stadium, Italy, Wednesday, Dec. 11. (AP Photo)

Wenger frustrated at failure to seal top spot NAPLES, DEcEmbEr 12 (AP): Ten-man Arsenal advanced to the Champions League knockout phase for the 14th consecutive year despite a 2-0 loss on Wednesday at Napoli, which was eliminated from the competition.

Gonzalo Higuain scored in the 73rd minute but the San Paolo stadium was soon silenced when word arrived that Borussia Dortmund had scored a late goal in a 2-1 win at Marseille to win Group F. Jose Callejon added another goal for Napoli in added time but it made no difference. Arsenal was reduced to 10 men when Mikel Arteta picked up his second yellow card in the 76th. Dortmund, last season's runner-up, won the group with 12 points.

Arsenal and Napoli also finished with 12 but Napoli was eliminated on goal difference, becoming the first club to exit with 12 points under the current format.

Marseille finished last in the group with zero points.

"It just shows you in this group there were three very good teams," Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said.

"With Marseille taking no points at all, one team had to suffer." Napoli will drop into the Europa League, while Arsenal joins fellow English clubs Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in the last 16.

"It's incredible to exit af-

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rsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted to feeling frustrated after his side missed out on top spot in their Champions League group and an easier draw in the knockout stages. The English Premier League leaders were beaten 2-0 at Napoli on Wednesday which allowed Borussia Dortmund - who edged winless Olympique Marseille 2-1 to seal top spot courtesy of a better head-to-head record after the trio all finished on 12 points.

That meant the German side will be seeded for next week's draw while runners-up Arsenal face the prospect of a last 16 clash against either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich or big spending Paris St Germain. "Of course to finish second makes the potential draw more difficult, in the last four or five years we have had very difficult draws, so maybe this time we will be more lucky," Wenger was quoted

worse as well tonight," Wenger said.

"We will see what comes out of the draw and will assess that in February (when the first legs of the last 16 matches are played) because a lot can change on both sides, on us and the team we play against," he said.

"So we need to put that to the back of our minds now and focus on the Premier League."

Five points clear domestically, Arsenal face a difficult away trip to Manchester City on Saturday before hosting Chelsea the following week. The addition of record signing Mesut Ozil, the return of combative midfielder Mathieu Flamini and a young squad that is constantly improving has renewed hopes that Wenger can finally steer the club to a first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup. Wenger, though, must feel a change in fortunate is also due if they are to win Europe's top club prize for the first time.

Source: Reuters

Ajax's David Klaassen, left is tackled by AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong, of the Netherlands, during a Champions League, Group H, soccer match at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Dec.11. (AP Photo)

teams don't always win but we should be proud of this squad, which is a really good one, and we shouldn't be scared of anyone. "The red card conditioned the game but it's also true that it was deserved," he added.

"When someone plays on the man rather than the ball, he deserves to be sent off. (Mario) Balotelli was also lucky not to be sent off in the second half, so

Milan should be thankful they played the match in 10 men not nine." Milan rarely threatened but managed to earn the draw it needed to qualify for the knockout stages for the 11th consecutive season. "We were in 10 men after 20 minutes, it's normal we had to play like that," Allegri said. "Today the team defended as you should do when the other team has the ball.

Galatasaray beat Juventus to advance

ter taking 12 of 18 points and getting them against the best English squad and the European runner-up," Higuain said. "I don't think that has ever happened."

Despite its group-stage success, Arsenal has never won the Champions League, losing the 2006 final to Barcelona being its best result. Arsenal needed only a draw to be sure of advancing as group winners, while Napoli needed to win by a three-goal margin. Wenger acknowledged some regret at not winning the group.

"Of course there is frustration. But it could have been worse tonight as well," he said then mentioned the streak of reaching the knock-

out round. "Maybe No. 14 will be good luck." Napoli fans whistled when Arsenal had the ball, while the group of about 1,000 Arsenal supporters inside the visitors section at the San Paolo stadium was mostly quiet.

Wenger rested standout midfielder Aaron Ramsey at the start, using Tomas Rosicky instead on the right wing, while Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina missed the match with a right thigh injury, opening the way for 23-year-old Rafael Cabral to make his European debut.

Napoli took the initiative from the start with Goran Pandev and Higuain threatening in attack but

the right of the penalty area and the Netherlands international shot through Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci's legs and into the far bottom corner.

The match had been abandoned in the 32nd minute on Tuesday because of hail and snow. The field was cleared of snow before the restart but the efforts had left it in poor condition.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte and Drogba com-

plained to the referee at halftime. "It was difficult to play the ball and I think it would have been better not to play as I said before the match," Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini said. "It was an open game in the end and we deserved to win because we were more aggressive."

Both teams struggled, especially when the snow began to fall heavily again, and chances were scarce.

"It was impossible to play last night and no one wanted to. I didn't think it was right to play today either," Mancini said. "But it was impossible to suspend the game at the end of the first half, but I agree with Conte because it was impossible — or almost — to play and it wasn't a game of football."

Galatasaray had to win to progress to the last 16, while Juventus needed only a point to secure its advancement from Group B, which was won by Real Madrid.

However, the Italian team was without playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who is out with damaged knee ligaments.

"We tried to have the game postponed," Conte said.

"There was a meeting with the UEFA delegate in which we explained the game was dangerous but maybe no one wanted to wait.

points, and Calderon finished with 18 points as Dallas finished 2-2 on its road trip. Curry made consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 82 midway through the fourth quarter.

Nowitzki scored the next four points before Curry's pull-up jumper.

Ellis, a former Warriors fan favorite who was traded to Milwaukee for Bogut two years ago, answered with a pair of key scores late, including a layup through traffic that gave the Mavericks a 92-86 lead. Curry came back with a four-point play, getting fouled by Calderon as he made a 3 before hitting the free throw.

After another defensive stop, reserve Draymond Green hit a 3-pointer with 49.9 seconds to play that put the Warriors up 93-92 — their first lead since the opening quarter.

Ellis made one of two free throws to tie the game.

After Curry and Ellis each missed shots, Curry came off a screen and juked Marion to make the biggest play of the night.

NEW YOrK, DEcEmbEr 12 (AP): The huge lead was gone, and the New York Knicks were in danger of a loss that would have hurt far more than their two straight blowouts.

"From a mental standpoint, if this game would have got away from us, ain't no telling what would have happened," Carmelo Anthony said. It didn't, thanks to Amar'e Stoudemire's biggest moment of the season.

Anthony had 30 points and 10 rebounds, Stoudemire made the tiebreaking jumper with 2:35 left, and New York pulled out an 83-78 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night after blowing a 23-point lead. Stoudemire finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who ended a twogame losing streak, but made it harder on themselves than necessary with some sloppy second-half offense.

Stoudemire was a catalyst in a 19-0 secondquarter spurt while playing on both nights of backto-back games for the first Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich (12) gets tangled up with New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) as Chicago time this season. He was Bulls forward Tony Snell (20) defends in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, playing restricted minutes Wednesday, Dec. 11. (AP Photo)

and was forced to sit out some games earlier this season following summer knee surgery, but has progressed past that and was on the court for nearly 30 minutes.

He had scored 17 and 15 points in the previous two games, but this time his improved play resulted in a victory. "It's great in order to be out there playing in a desperation game down the stretch," Stoudemire said. "It feels good to be back on the court, I'd tell you that much. A lot of hard work has been put in to be in top shape."

Mike Dunleavy Jr. scored 20 points for the Bulls, who have lost three straight and five of six.

They are having a dreadful time scoring, topping out at 75 points in their previous two games and barely surpassing that in this one.

Joakim Noah had 12 points and 11 rebounds in his return after missing a game with a bruised right thigh, but Luol Deng missed his third straight game with a sore left Achilles for a team already without Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. "We got them.

Warriors rally past Mavericks

OAKLAND, DEcEmbEr 12 (AP): Stephen Curry made a pull-up jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining to cap a sensational fourth quarter, rallying the Golden State Warriors from 18 points down to beat the Dallas Mavericks 95-93 on Wednesday night.

Curry scored 16 of his 33 points in the final period. He finished with nine assists, four rebounds and another big shot in a young career already full of them.

With the clock winding down, Curry dribbled on the perimeter, came off a screen and faked a shot to send Shawn Marion jumping past him. Curry then made a 19-footer to give Golden State the lead for good. Jose Calderon heaved a desperation shot at the buzzer that was never close. Harrison Barnes scored 17 points, David Lee added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrew Bogut grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds to help the Warriors overcome 18 turnovers and a sloppy start.

Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki each scored 21

as saying by Arsenal.com. "But if you look at the teams who are potentially there, at least we know we will have a difficult draw."

Arsenal were set for the point they needed in Naples to secure top spot before one time transfer target Gonzalo Higuain put the Italians ahead in the 73rd minute. Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta was then sent off shortly after with Jose Callejon adding a second in stoppage time as Napoli fell one goal short of the required victory margin which would have sent them through at the expense of the Londoners.

Wenger's relief at advancing was tempered by the realisation that winning Group F would have meant Arsenal being drawn against one of Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Olympiakos Piraeus, Schalke 04, Zenit St Petersburg or AC Milan in the last 16. "That is the frustration because you feel there was room to do better but it could have been

mILAN, DEcEmbEr 12 (AP): AC Milan is through to the Champions League last 16 after holding Ajax to a goalless draw despite playing most of the match with 10 men after captain Riccardo Montolivo was sent off. Montolivo was shown a straight red card in the 22nd minute for a stamp on Christian Poulsen. The Ajax midfielder was loudly jeered every time he touched the ball and was substituted at halftime.

"It would have been a complicated match with 11 men. With 10 it became even more difficult," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said. "The lads deserved to qualify because we played very well today. We haven't defended as well as that since the beginning of the season." Poulsen had gone closest to scoring but headed off the inside of the post in the fifth minute.

Ajax dominated but failed to find the goal it needed, thanks mainly to an impressive performance from Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

"I would say we deserved more than third spot," Ajax coach Frank de Boer said. "Our game is more positive. It seems to me that anti-football won today. In football the best

the Italian side had trouble getting a good look at the net. Arsenal was content to play more patiently and seized upon its first opportunity when Mesut Ozil set up Olivier Giroud for a blazing shot on goal, which Cabral did well to knock away.

Napoli continued to pour forward but Arsenal defended with 10 men and the closest the hosts' came to scoring in the first half was when a header from Higuain went wide in the 44th after a failed clearance by Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. There was a lull in action at the start of the second half, until Napoli left back Pablo Armero broke free and car-

ried the ball into the area, only to shoot directly at Szczesny. Callejon had another good look for Napoli in the 62nd but shot wide. Ramsey came on for Santi Cazorla in the 67th but then Napoli took control, first with Higuain then with Callejon, who scored with a lob shot.

Despite the loss, Napoli fans gave their club a standing ovation as they walked off. "In the first half we controlled well. In the second half Napoli was the better team," Wenger said.

"They deserved it and overall when we were down to 10 men and 1-0 down of course doubt crept in and it was a difficult moment for us.

Galatasaray's Wesley Sneijder, left, and Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus fight for the ball during their Champions League soccer match at the TT Arena Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Dec. 11. (AP Photo)

ISTANbUL, DEcEmbEr 12 (AP): Wesley Sneijder scored a late goal Wednesday to help Galatasaray advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Juventus in a weather-delayed match.

The former Inter Milan midfielder scored in the 85th minute in snowy conditions, eliminating Juventus from the competition.

Didier Drogba flicked a long ball to Sneijder on

Knicks surge back to hold off Bulls

Entertainment

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'She's

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Everything I could have asked for!'

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Donnie was married to Kim Fey for nine years until they divorced in 2008 citing 'irreconcilable differences.' And father-of-two Donnie even said he loves spending quality time with the 41-year-old's autistic son Evan, 11, whose father is director John Asher.

He said: 'It's been a joy to get know Evan. He's a sweetheart and a really fun young man, 'So far so good with our kids, so that's good news.'

Jenny claims her son's autism was triggered by immunisation, despite the fact the paper on the MMR vaccine by shamed medical researcher Andrew Wakefield on which she based her assertions being found to have contained falsified results.

And the supportive singerturned-actor even went so far as to praise his new squeeze's much ridiculed work as a new host on The View. He said: 'I've been on a bunch of imes for Blue Bloods and when NKOTB launched our tour with Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees. 'I've always been a big fan of the show, and having her on it only makes it better.'

'If I had kids, they would hate me'

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he has famously never married or had children, although has been in a relationship with businessman Stedman Graham since 1986.

But Oprah Winfrey has no regrets, commentating it would have been difficult making time for a family amid her busy career. 'If I had kids, my kids would hate me,' she tells The Hollywood Reporter in its new issue. 'They would have ended up on the equivalent of the Oprah show talking about me; because something [in my life] would have had to suffer and it would've probably been them.'

Oprah, who grew up in poverty in rural Mississipi, says her attitude about children is in stark contrast to her best friend Gayle King who is a mother of two. 'Gayle [now a mother of two] was the kind of kid who, in seventh grade Home Ec class, was writing down her name and the names of her children,' she says. 'While she was having those kind of daydreams, I was having daydreams about how I could be Martin Luther King.'

Celebrating her Sherry Lansing Leadership Award with a new interview, the 59-year-old businesswoman and talk-show host candidly discusses the strug-

Oprah has no regrets about not starting a family

gles launching her TV network OWN, her financial success, and reports she suffered a nervous breakdown last year.

'I never had a nervous

breakdown,' she says, explaining how the original report took comments she made about her workload out of context. 'I thought that was

such sensational exploitation.' Fame and success has its price, and Oprah reveals that being worth billions can cause strain among her family and friends.

'When you're the most successful person in your family, in your neighbourhood and in your town, everybody thinks you're the First National Bank,' she says, 'And you have to figure out for yourself where those boundaries are. She adds: 'I got to the point where nobody ever asked me for anything less than $5,000. I felt pressured for a long time to say yes, because I thought, "I can't lie and say I don't have it. 'My salary is printed in the paper,"' I've bought more houses and cars than I can even tell you."

Oprah is well known for her philanthropic efforts, having opened a successful school for girls in South Africa, donating around $100 million to the institution. OWN has since turned its fortunes around after initial struggles in the ratings, and Oprah has received a nomination for a SAG Award for her work in The Butler. She was seen celebrating with Daniels at The Beverly Hills Hotel before Sherry Lansing presented her with her award.

Latifah Regrets Drinking to Numb Pain

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ueen Latifah regrets us-

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13 December 2013

Donnie Wahlberg talks about his for Jenny McCarthy

hey have been together for just nine months. But Donnie Wahlberg has already revealed he believes Jenny McCarthy could be his one true love.

The New Kids On The Block star lathered the controversial The View host with praise and said he even loves spending time with her son Evan.

The 44-year-old told In Touch magazine:'Do I feel like she's the one? She's everything I could have ever asked for. 'We were both married, both divorced, both have kids and both never married again, so we're both open to see what happens. 'We're having a good time. We're both workaholics but luckily we have similar schedules so we/ve really been enjoying things.'

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Friday

ing alcohol to get through tough times in the past. The 43-year-old 'Joyful Noise' actress has learnt to focus on "accentuating the positive" but spent years drinking to numb her pain after she was involved in a violent carjacking in 1995, in which her friend was shot and almost died.

The chat show host told the January issue of Good Housekeeping magazine: "Drinking a bunch of alcohol, numbing myself. Every day I would be faded, like a painting that's just not vibrant, whose edges are dull. I wasn't living my full life."

The 'Chicago' star also confessed her life was "rocked to the core" when her older brother, Lancelot Jr., crashed a motorcycle, which she gave him as a gift, and died in 1992.

Queen added: "I think I got to that place by not being happy with the other side -- hating your body and criticising yourself all the time.

When I was around 18, I looked in the mirror and said, 'You're either going to love yourself or hate yourself.' And I decided to love myself.

That changed a lot of things."

The curvaceous star has worked hard not to let Hollywood stereotypes bother her. She explained: "For a lot of the things I've wanted to do in life, I haven't looked typical. I was not born a size 2. I'm not skinny, period. I'm not willing to sleep with the director or step on somebody else's neck to get the job."

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Nagaland based musician Alobo Naga released his new Christmas single "The Greatest Gift". The singer decided to give out the song for free as a Christmas Gift to all the music lovers from across the country and the globe on Nagaland based e-commerce website 'www.indihut.com'. Alobo has remained as one of the most successful musician from the region due to his committed ethic to non-stop touring across the country and a constant desire to bring in new elements and sounds to his music. The singer's facebook page and social networking sites are abuzz with his new Christmas single which is produced

by Alem Alia Jamir.

Edge of Tomorrow Trailer

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dge of Tomorrow a day of combat when he

is one of the movies of is unceremoniously 2014 that I am look- dropped into ing forward to as it sees Doug Liman return to the director's chair. Liman has been behind movies such as The Bourne Identity and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but this is his first movie since political thriller Fair Game. Edge of Tomorrow sees him return to the action genre as he teams up with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt for the first time. The first trailer for the film has been released and it looks set to be an action packed and exciting ride: We have seen Cruise take on these types of roles before, but it Blunt's inclusion in the cast list that is really interesting. This is her first big budget action blockbuster where we are really going to her in the heart of the action; she looks fantastic in the metal warrior suit. The epic action of 'Edge of Tomorrow' unfolds in a near future in which an alien race has hit the Earth in an unrelenting assault, unbeatable by any military unit in the world. Major William Cage (Cruise) is an officer who has never seen

what amounts cide mission. to a suiKilled within minutes, Cage now finds himself inexplicably thrown into a time loop - forcing him to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again... and again. But with each battle, Cage becomes able to engage the adversaries with increasing skill, alongside Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Blunt). And, as Cage and Rita take the fight to the aliens, each repeated encounter gets them one step closer to defeating the enemy. The movie is based on the novel All You Need Is Kill

by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and sees Bill Paxton, Kick Gurry, Charlotte Riley and Jonas Armstrong make up the international cast.

2013 has been a fantastic year for the sci-fi genre, and that looks set to continue into 2014. Edge of Tomorrow is released 6th June 2014.

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Neymar scores hat-trick as Barca beat Celtic FC Barcelona's Neymar, from Brazil, left, duels for the ball against Celtic's Derk Boerrigter during a Champions League soccer match group H at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11. (AP Photo)

Belgium's Kim Clijsters smiles during an exhibition doubles tennis match against Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens and France's Henri Leconte at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp on Wednesday Dec. 11, 2013. Clijsters played with Belgium's Xavier Malisse. (AP Photo)

Thunder propels past Grizzlies

BARCELONA, DECEmBER 12 (REutERs): Neymar finally showed the goalscoring touch he has been threatening with a hat-trick as Barcelona shrugged off their recent dip in form with a 6-1 win over Celtic at the Nou Camp on Wednesday to seal top spot in Champions League Group H. Gerard Pique stabbed home with seven minutes on the clock and, with Celtic stretched at the back, Pedro and Neymar both finished clinically before half-time. Neymar had never scored before in Europe but got two more after the break, with Adam Matthews unable to stop the Brazilian's third from going over the line. Cristian Tello completed Barca's scoring with another deflected shot. Celtic grabbed a consolation goal through Giorgios Samaras two minutes from time. Barcelona finish top of the section with 13 points, four ahead of secondplaced Milan and five ahead of Ajax, who drew 0-0 at the San Siro.

Barca's 20-match unbeaten start to the season was ended at Ajax in their previous European match, and it was followed by defeat in La Liga by Athletic Bilbao. But Gerardo Martino's side, still without the injured Lionel Messi, responded with a fine attacking

display against the Scottish champions.

For Celtic it is the end of a poor run in Europe. They have lost all their away games, and at home, where they are normally strong, they managed only one win, over Ajax. "It was our most complete performance, I would say, in the four months that I have been here," Martino told a news conference. "We managed the ball well and had a good game. We were strong in winning the ball back and pressured especially in attack, while we didn't give the opposition chances.

"Neymar improved as the game went on. He has been playing wide for us and then to be moved to the centre meant he needed time to adapt, but the goals came and his confidence grew. "All through his career you can see the quality he has, but what has surprised me here is how hard he works for the team and battles hard."

LENNON OUTBURST Celtic manager Neil Lennon was furious with his players. "Barca were fantastic, as expected, but some of the performances from our players were unacceptable," he said. "It was not similar to recent performances against Barcelona. We showed no bravery and we were hesitant. "I tried moving to a 4-5-1 (formation) to play more defensively but we were weak and it isn't nice for me to say but it is something I need to address.

"Most of the players were very poor and were below the standards we have set in recent years. I am angry and disappointed but it is something that we need to get over. "It is very tough to take and we need to do better, analyse what went wrong. The character wasn't good enough. We started off with loose passes and we didn't play to our strengths, some players gave up and as a manager that is the most disappointing aspect." Youngster Sergi Roberto was the surprise face in the Barcelona lineup with Andres Iniesta, carrying a knock, left on the bench. Scott Brown returned for the visitors after serving his ban for his red card for a foul on Neymar when the sides met in Glasgow. The visitors gave Roberto the perfect opportunity to find his feet as they left large holes in the centre of mid-

Tests a different ball-game: AB de Villiers

Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook, center, goes to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph (50), and Tayshaun Prince (21) watch in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tenn. on Dec. 11. (AP Photo)

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mEmPHIs, DECEmBER 12 (AP): Russell Westbrook is putting to rest any doubts he has recovered from the knee injury that forced him to miss the first two games of the season. Westbrook scored 27 points and added nine assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 116-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Westbrook's performance against the Grizzlies followed double-doubles Tuesday night in a win over Atlanta (14 points, 11 assists) and Sunday in a victory over Indiana (26 points, 13 assists). "I'm great, I feel good," said Westbrook, who was sidelined by a lateral meniscus tear to start the year. "I'm taking it one day at a time and I'm taking care of my body, which is most important. I'm trying to get us wins."

Kevin Durant, the NBA's leading scorer, added 18 points and six rebounds.

Reserve guard Jeremy Lamb scored a career-high 18 points to help the Thunder to their fourth straight win and 12th in 13 games.

Neither Westbrook nor Durant played in the fourth quarter, when the Thunder maintained a double-digit

lead. "Russell is calming down, relaxing and just playing his game," Durant said. "He is getting confidence. We tell him when he does no one can stop him."

Westbrook scored 12 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, including a three-point play after the Grizzlies had trimmed the Thunder lead to 13 points. The Grizzlies never got closer than 13 the rest of the way. "Russell's a no-excuse player," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "We could play back-to-back, we could play four in five nights, we can play every night for a month and he's going to come in and play the game that he loves to play every night. He sets the tone for us and our guys do a great job following his lead."

Mike Conley had 20 points for the Grizzlies and Zach Randolph and reserve Jon Leuer scored 17 apiece. Memphis ended a season-long sixgame homestand with the loss. A depleted Grizzlies' squad — missing starters Marc Gasol and Tony Allen with injuries — stayed close to the Thunder through most of the first half and trailed 4037 after Conley's floater in the lane with 4:19 to go in the second quarter.

CENtuRION, DECEmBER 12 (PtI): South African skipper AB de Villiers said his team is proud of beating the world number one ODI side 2-0 in the just-concluded series but should not rest on its laurels as the upcoming Tests will be a "different ballgame" altogether.

South Africa beat India by 141 runs in the first ODI at Johannesburg and then inflicted a 136-run de-

feat in Durban, before the third ODI at Centurion was washed out. "We were very keen to get a result tonight," he said after the abandonment. "We wanted to maintain our momentum, since we have been playing some good cricket. We didn`t start well today but we recovered to get runs on board, which could have allowed us to exert pressure once again. "So we were very keen to go out there

and try our skills against a strong Indian batting line up. It would have been a strong batting run-chase I think. It`s a shame it finished like that. But we are happy with the 2-0 result."

The hosts had scored 301 for 8 in 50 overs and the match was abandoned without the Men in Blue facing a single delivery.

"It was important to win this series. We played against the number one

ranked team in the world, and we need to play well in our home conditions to beat them. We are very proud of the way we handled the big moments and came out on top," de Villiers added. Now that the first part of the tour is done, the longer format takes over.

India play a two-day practice game at Benoni this week, before the two Test series gets underway in Johannesburg next week.

the former Portuguese colony.

On her career, Sania said, "Having had a great year with 5 doubles titles, I cherish the fact that despite injury and three surgeries performed, and changing many partners, it clicked

for me...I did work hard and the chemistry with my doubles partner worked".

On partnering with a Chinese player, she said "it was a tough decision to move to Cara (Black). We are doing well and haven't lost any match yet. We are hoping to do better".

"She is in Hyderabad right now and we are going to prepare together. We need to work on fine tuning things and we need to win a lot of tournaments," she said.

Sania said from current generation of Indian tennis players, she pins her hopes on Ankita Raina who is winning many tournaments. The tennis player, who became a craze also for her style, said, "If there is any movie were to be made on her life in future, she would like actress Deepika Padukone to play her role". "I think Deepika Padukone is gorgeous and she is athletic as well. She will do better justice to the role, if there is one in the future," Sania said.

field for the home side to carve openings.

Xavi sent a deep ball to Neymar at the far post that was just too high for the Brazilian before two minutes had passed.

Pique was getting forward well and he was on hand to get the opening goal as he knocked the ball in from close range after a deflected shot from Alexis Sanchez was saved by the keeper. Barcelona continued to threaten but further goals didn't come until the run-up to half time, when Neymar set up Pedro to steer the ball home and then scored himself from a pass by full-back Martin Montoya. In the second half Neymar combined well with Xavi before firing home and showed real quality to complete his hattrick as he nutmegged Efe Ambrose. Substitute Tello completed Celtic's misery with a deflected strike off Virgil van Dijk.

Asiad & CWG important for India: Sania

PANAJI, DECEmBER 12 (PtI): Tennis player Sania Mirza feels that events like the Asian and Commonwealth Games are important in understanding India's standing in sports other than cricket.

"Events like Lusofonia Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games are important as they help us a lot in understanding how good India is at sports other than cricket," Sania said on the sidelines of an event to unveil the mascot for the upcoming Portuguese commonwealth games in Goa. "It builds great sportsmanship and friendship between the countries," she added. Sania was in Goa earlier this week along with iconic athlete Milkha Singh as part of the event which is a precursor to Lusofonia Games scheduled for January next year.

"Events like these (Lusofonia Games) are the only place where players from all countries live and

practice together. This is great for a country like India to understand other sports and players from other countries," she said.

Around 12 countries will participate in Lusofonia Games to be held across six stadia in the coastal state,

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