14th june 2014 by The Morung Express

C M Y K

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DIMAPuR, June 12 (Mexn): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has AND RCE asserted that the proposal AGAL COMME N F S& TO IAL for Nagaland Special DeMEN DUSTRIE IMA TOR N U R T E E GOV TE OF IN ND: KOH PRIM velopment Zones “should A A L R A CTO NAG DIRE not in any way jeopardize the basic rights of Nagaland state provided under Article 371(A) and the subsequent protective laws of the state with self-infringement procy n gramme or policies.” a c a The NTC, in a represenJob vFor batch 2014 tation to the Nagaland Chief T TAC Minister, cautioned that the S CON HIMA ETAIL FOR D R’S HILL KO 62667159 proposed policy, if imple8 E 9 / IC 8 OFF 97499817 o.:8 mented in the present form, Phone N “will give away our economic and political rights to outsiders in exchange of temporary benefits.” The NTC expressed serious reservation on the Nagaland Legislative Assembly resolution adopted on March 24, 2013 to create Bangladeshi girl Sharmin, 13 years old, looks into the camera as she works at a plastic re- NSDZs along the foot hills cycling factory as a boy plays on a heap of bottles in Dhaka, Bangladesh on June 12. June of the state, covering 5 out 12 marks the ‘World Day Against Child Labor’, that was initiated in 2002 by the International of 11 districts with a view to Labor Organization to highlight the plight of child workers across the world. (AP Photo) promote and facilitate fast-

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You are sick and won`t be coming to work? Oh! What a co-incidence, I’m in the same situation here.

World Day Against Child Labour 2014

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–Ralph Nader

2014 FIFA World Cup 13th June - 09:30 PM Mexico vs Cameroon

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‘NSDZs will do more harm to the people of Nagaland’

reflections

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Friday, June 13, 2014 12+4 pages Rs. 4

The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers

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And certai es. “Whe clueless that war g with es, clim it), beer trying al set, and envi ung peop r heritag ting mor are them tire fore rtainly leng ty, I am out of e- chun ing marbl plum (fru ses, ers the hand Yo ng ou in crea and aw an en n ce for dut to expect The unprb is play s, stealing hool glas little on vi rn ay n ca ful preserlead the w ious, care spark to bu directio wha or flight. this jo ing tree king sc e to the ea of ar y ng and ing caut ly a little the right da ility challe e. br ng a sc all, be takes on tle step in dictabt I find e same tim at givi It e, a lit wha Fun at th ession th or . theref the world and is a prof save This

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NT MALE EQUIVALE

NTC objects to implementation of NSDZs proposal in its present form er growth of industrialization and urbanization. It stated that according to the concept note, the existing land ownership and tenure systems and the ILP system based on the BEFR will be relaxed and that there are proposals to restructure the land holding and tenure systems. It said that the objective of such “structural modification” would lead to giving away “tribal lands to non-Nagas and outsiders for permanent settlement and possession.” The NTC informed that the land holding system was recognized and ensured at the time of statehood creation under Article 371(A) and the subsequent notification of the Nagaland Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act,

1978 that had amended the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 (Regulation 1 of 1886). It said that the leaders during the formation of Nagaland state had envisaged the “predicament and the vulnerable tribal indigenous inhabitants in the state of Nagaland and had provided the laws to protect and safeguard the tribes from all forms of exploitations and aggressions.” However, the NTC said that the present NLA resolution has “come as a shock to the tribal population in the state posing serious threat to its land and natural resources.” It cautioned that if the protective laws of the land are compromised in the guise of facilitating faster growth of industrial-

ization and urbanization, “the sons of the soil may be eventually rendered to slaves in our own land.” Clarifying that the NTC has no objection to industrialization in Nagaland, it however questioned the wisdom of the government and posed how the NLA “had chosen to undo the constitutional provisions, viz., Art 371(A), ILP/BEFR and the Nagaland Land and Revenue (Amendment) Act 1978, instead of safeguarding and strengthening those provisions for all times in the guise of a project.” It termed this move as “myopic and unfortunate.” Stating that the proposed NSDZs, when implemented in the present form, “will do more harm to the people of Nagaland than good,” the NTC registered its objection to the said proposal “in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland.”

Expedite Naga peace process: Rio Power dept seeks public understanding

neW DeLhI, June 12 (Mexn): Nagaland MP to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio has called upon the Government of India to expedite the Naga peace process and bring about an early and honorable political solution to the Naga issue. Rio was participating in the motion of the LS, where he highlighted that the ceasefire is now 17 years old and that even after about 70 rounds of talks, the peace process is yet to find a logical conclusion. He reminded that with political solution and peace, investments from within and outside the state would take place. Rio informed members of the house that he represents the North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) which has ten political parties under its fold. The Nagaland MP further affirmed that he and his party are bona fide members of the NDA. He appreciated the President’s address to the Parliament, and acknowledged that the NDA government has “given a broad

vision to take the country forward, showing concern for all sections of the people including the schedule tribes, schedule castes, OBCs, the weaker sections of people and minorities.” Rio further lauded the specific mention of the North East region, which he said is an indication that the NDA is taking up a policy of inclusive development in the whole country, be it in the mainland or in all corners of the country. Rio, who is a three time Chief Minister of Nagaland state, stated that international and inter-state border issues, insurgency problems, influx of illegal migrants, economic backwardness, lack of development and slow economic growth are some of the problems faced by the North East region. He lamented that the North East “is in the news for the wrong reasons” and stated: “whenever we are in the news for the right reasons, it is not exhibited to the nation.” “Maybe because of that, the rest of the country thinks that the

Night curfew in border area Mokokchung, June 12 (DIPR): As received from the Addl. District Magistrate, Sivasagar, DM Morang, it is informed that a night curfew from dusk to dawn (6:00 PM to 6:00 AM) has been imposed in the 5 km belt of Assam side bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in order to check movement of anti-social elements. The order has been issued as there are sufficient grounds for taking precautionary measures for prevention of untoward incidents in the interest of maintaining peace and tranquility in the district of Sivasagar. However, Security personnel and officials on duty are exempted from the purview of this prohibitory order. The order will remain in force for a period of sixty days with immediate effect.

Hotel Manager shot dead in Dmp

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DIMAPuR, June 12 (Mexn): In a killing suspected to be related to business rivalry, one businessman was shot dead in Dimapur on June 12. In his 30’s, the victim was identified by the police as one Santosh Chetri, the manager of Hotel Raj Villa located at Purana Bazaar. The shooting occurred around 2:00 pm when the victim was at the hotel. According to the police, two men were involved in the shooting. One waited outside in a getaway car, while the shooter went inside the hotel and shot the victim point-blank on the chest. Police said that the weapon used was a small calibre pistol as two .22 empty shells were recovered from the site. It was further disclosed that one person was detained by the police in connection with the killing.

North East is a liability to the country”, he said. Rio explained that the region has tremendous human resource potential, mineral deposits and other capacities. He urged the centre to utilize and exploit the potentials of the North East, particularly the youth. Rio further suggested to the house that “while we welcome the food security bill, we should have a job security bill so that work culture is developed whereby we work, we earn and we eat. Otherwise, if we just give food, the work culture will be destroyed and the country will not march forward.”

DIMAPuR, June 12 (Mexn): The power department has appealed to the public to extend their support in the department’s efforts to provide regular power supply to all its consumers. A press note from Namheu Khate Zeliang, SubDivisional Officer (E), Electrical Sub-Division No.1 acknowledged that there was a disruption in power supply to Referral Sub-station from Nargajan Station on June 6 and 7, for which a press release was

given on June 8. It further conceded that on June 7, the Dhobinalla feeder from Metha Sub-station was disrupted after jungle cutting/ clearance and the area adjoining Notun Bosti, Naga Cemetry, Island Colony, NST Colony and Khermahal were affected. The fault in the line could be located and restored only on June 8 at around 3:00 pm, it added. However, the department clarified that the timing of faults in electrical lines “can never be determined unless there is a specific

program for maintenance work.” As such, it stated that a “press release for the fault to occur can never be given in the media.” The department informed that on the night of June 7, some youths broke the telephone, window panes and main gate of the duty room, when the concerned officers and staff were checking a faulty line at the city tower area. It lamented such actions from the public and stated that this attitude has created fear among the field staff.

How can the field staff perform their duty to their best in such an environment? it posed. It further said that the question of not receiving telephone calls and non-presence of staff “does not arise if such a situation is created.” Assuring that the department is trying its best to provide regular electricity, the power department stated that its efforts to rectify the breakdown of electricity in different location at different times need “some encourage-

ment and a human touch.” Stating that the public is a partner to the department, it also acknowledged that many have been supportive of the department in times of crisis. It stated that the public can help the department to assist in improving the present condition of power supply, “even though it may not fully solve the problem.” It appealed for the people to understand the workload of the staff and provide support to the department.

Rio calls for oneness In a facilitation programme for NE MPs, Rio called for unity, understanding and oneness among the MPs from the region. He also suggested the conduct of a North East festival in New Delhi to promote a positive image of the region. Rio said that the north east has much to offer in terms of culture, music dance, ethnic foods, etc.

NABARD urged to pump more funds Our Correspondent Mima | June 12

Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) and Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today urged the NABARD authority to pump more funds and enable Nagaland to complete all NABARD projects on time. The minister when inaugurating the Dzü-ü Bridge at Mima village this morning said that while almost all NABARD projects are on the verge of completion, they cannot be completed due to lack of funds. He urged contractors to understand that the state is facing financial constraint. He stated that once the 14th Finance Commission takes place, the state plan size is expected to increase to not less than Rs.10,000 crore. The current state plan budget is Rs. 2000 crores only. “With Rs. 2000 crore, how much the state can develop? How much can we do? It is limited,” he said. Further, he added that out of the Rs. 2000 crore, the government uses 65% for payment of salaries.

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Dimapur

Friday 13 June 2014

World Day Against Child Labour 2014 T

LocaL

The Morung Express C

Background about World Day Against Child Labour

ADC Mokokchung, Chubawati Chang speaking during the commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour at Town Hall, Mokokchung on June 12. (DIPR Photo)

Mokokchung, June 12 (DIPR): To commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour, the Department of Labour in collaboration with Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), a programme was organized on June 12 at Town Hall, Mokokchung under the theme “Extend Social Protection: Combat Child Labour” with ADC, Mokokchung, Chubawati Chang as the chief guest. The Chief Guest in his address stated that millions of children throughout the world are engaged

in work that deprived them of adequate education, health, leisure due to socio-economic factor. He also added that Child Labour is one of the biggest issue the world is facing. He therefore stressed on the need of sensitizing the different stake holders and the public in general to eliminate the evil of Child Labour. The programme was chaired by Asst. Labour Commissioner, Mokokchung, C. Nangshithung Shidio and the keynote address was delivered by

Asst. Labour Commissioner, Kohima, Auele. Students from different schools, representatives from Ao Senden and Watsu Mungdang attended the programme. It may be mentioned that Nagaland is one of the pioneer States in the country to successfully commemorate this day since 2008 by organizing mass awareness campaigns through Seminars, Focused Group Discussions (FGD), Rallies, Poster Campaign etc. aimed at sensitizing the masses.

he World Day Against Child Labour is an International Labour Organization (ILO) sanctioned holiday first launched in 2002 aiming to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. It was spurred by ratifications of ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment and ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour. The World Day Against Child Labour, which is held every year on June 12, is intended to foster the worldwide movement against child labour in any of its forms. The International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations body which regulates the world of work, launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 in order to bring attention and join efforts to fight against child labour. This day brings together governments, local authorities, civil society and international, workers and employers organizations to point out the child labour problem and define the guidelines to help child labourers. According to ILO's data, hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the

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global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them. Around the world, large numbers of children are engaged in paid or unpaid domestic work in the home of a third party or employer. These children can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Their work is often hidden from the public eye, they may be isolated, and they may be working far away from their family home. Stories of the abuse of children in domestic Mohammad Abdul Salem 11, works on a car at a vehicle repair garage on World Days Against work are all too common. Child Labour in Dimapur on June 12. The World Day Against Child Labour. The day, first observed in 2002 and sanctioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO), aims to World Day 2014 calls for: highlight the plight of children engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, • Action to introduce, imhealth, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. (Photo by Caisii Mao) prove and extend social

world are involved in work that deprives them from receiving adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating this way their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour. These worst forms of child labour include work in hazardous environments, slavery, or

other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict. The World Day Against Child Labour provides an opportunity to gain further support of individual governments and local authorities, as well as that of the ILO social partners, civil

society and others, in the campaign to tackle child labour. 2014 theme- Extend social protection: combat child labour! The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the

protection, in line with the ILO Recommendation No. 202 on social protection floors. • National social security systems that are sensitive to children’s needs and help fighting child labour. • Social protection that reaches out to especially vulnerable groups of children.

PWD minister Azo inaugurates Dzü-ü Bridge Nse ties up with NBse Our Correspondent Mima | June 12 C M Y K

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The travellers along MimaChakhabama road under Kohima district, which connect to Phek district, have a great reason to rejoice as minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) and Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu inaugurated Dzü-ü Bridge this morning. Apart from saving time, energy and distance by travelling on this shorter route, the minister hoped that the relationship of the Angamis and Chakhesangs would grow from better to better as well as help strengthen the economy. Stating that the government has provided Rs. 1 crore for blacktopping of this road, the minister maintained that such funds are not sufficient for which the department will be providing some more fund this year. Azo acknowledged the then roads & bridges minister Kaito Aye for initiating this Dzü-ü bridge project and at the same time thanked NABARD for providing fund. The minister also thanked contractor Vilelie Khamo for putting all sincere effort on this bridge inspite of not getting full payment. He also thanked

‘Beauty, Body and Soul’ launch today DIMAPuR, June 12 (Mexn): ‘Beauty, Body and Soul’ parlour and spa will be inaugurated on June 13 at 10:00 am at Padampukhuri near Nagamese Baptist Church. Tina Basumatari, managing director in a press release said that this place features special back massage, hairdressing, manicure, pedicure, bridal make-up and many more therapies, treatment and make up at attractive discounted rates.

Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) and Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and others during the inauguration of Dzü-ü Bridge (Zarü River), Mima village on June 12. (Morung Photo/Chizokho Vero)

DetAiLs of Dzü-ü BriDge Type of bridge: RCC T- Beam Double lane Girder Bridge (24.00 M Span and 7.50 M Carriage width) Total project cost: Rs. 664.67 lakhs Funding: Negotiated loan from NABARD Date of commencement: 20th July 2010 Date of completion: 25th February 2014 Name of contractor: Vilelie Khamo, Class I Registered Contractor Executive agency: South Division PWD (Roads & Bridges), Kohima engineer and staff of South Division, PWD (Road &Bridges), Kohima for their active and tireless effort and the entire staff of PWD and the surrounding villages for extending kind cooperation towards the project. Er. D. Mero, chief en-

gineer, PWD (R&B) Nagaland in his technical report said Dzü-ü river falls on Mima- Chakhabama road, which is an important road to connect Kohima district to Phek district. It is a shorter route for travellers from Kohima to go to Phek. Even people coming from

Zunheboto, Kiphire and Tuensang use this road. “By construction of the bridge at this location and the re-aligned road, the NHMima- Chakhabama road shall be 17.10 Km. which is in fact 300 m shorter than the old alignment,” he said adding that the travel-

euroKids junior students the visit West Police station A boost

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kohIMA, June 12 (Mexn): India’s leading stock exchange, the National Stock Exchange, entered into a partnership with the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) on Wednesday to offer a Financial Markets Management course for students of class XI and XII in schools affiliated with the NBSE. The NBSE, set up through an Act of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, has more than 650 affiliated schools. “This initiative will help students to become financially aware at a young age, and give them an early understanding of the Indian financial markets. Students from Kohima and other parts of Nagaland can learn about financial planning and help in the growth of the local economy, driven mainly by handicrafts and tourism,” stated a press release. Ravi Varanasi, ChiefBusiness Development, NSE, said, “It is very important to understand the concept of financial planning from a young age. This initiative will help the

students of Nagaland to become aware about the financial markets and plan their future.” The Financial Markets Management course will commence from the 201415 academic session, and will include lessons on various aspects of the financial markets such as stocks, derivatives and mutual funds. As a part of the Fi-

includes the advanced capital market and derivatives market modules. At the end of the course, an NBSE - NSE joint certification will be awarded to the students.NSE will also provide internet-based mock simulation software to the students. To facilitate the implementation of the new course, NSE and NBSE had organised a five-day workshop in Kohima last week to train teachers on important aspects of the capital market, derivatives market operation, mutual funds and fundamental valuation concepts. NSE has been a pioneer in promoting financial education among students and even professionals, and has taken several initiatives in the last 20 years to make people across India more aware about the financial markets. It has tied up with the CBSE and state boards to introduce financial courses for highschool students, and offers MBA and other short-term financial courses in association with colleges and universities.

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Initiative to help students to become financially aware nancial Markets Management course, students will have to study four modules from NSE’s Certification in Financial Markets (NCFM) programme. NCFM is an online testing and certification programme run by NSE. It tests the practical knowledge and skills required to operate in the financial markets. In the first year, the students will have to study the beginner’s module on financial markets and mutual funds, which will provide an introduction to the financial markets. The second year’s syllabus

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greeN CArAvAN

for Rural Nagaland

DNSU presidential council meet

DIMAPuR, June 12 (Mexn): Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has convened a presidential council meeting on June 14 (Saturday) at 11:00 am at its Union Office near fire brigade Dimapur to discuss the matter related to the forth coming DNSU general conference which is due to held and various issue related to students community. Therefore, all the concern Constituent Unit President are requested to attend the said meeting without fail. This was informed in a press release issued by DNSU General Secretary Kambuiga Rongmei.

lers shall also be eased to a great extent since the gradient is gentler. Er. Mero also informed that the contractor has out all out efforts to construct and complete this bridge although full payment could not be made. Out of the total work order amount of Rs. 630.20 lakhs, an amount of Rs. 299.78 lakhs only could be paid to the contractor and the balance amount yet to be paid comes to Rs. 330.42 lakhs. “With more than 50% of non-payment of the bills, the contractor has agreed to let the department inaugurate this bridge for which we are grateful to him,” the chief engineer said. Parliamentary secretary for veterinary & animal husbandry and treasuries & accounts Vikho-o Yhoshu, parliamentary secretary for arts & culture and printing & stationary Er. Kropol Vitsu, parliamentary secretary for land revenue, VG, DB and GB, L. Khumo, Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union (NCSU) president Pele Khezhie and several other dignitaries also present on the occasion. Earlier, the function was chaired by Er. Longzochang Superintending Engineer PWD (R&B) Circle -II, Kohima.

Junior students of EuroKids International School and police personnel during their visit to the West Police Station in Dimapur.

DIMAPuR, June 12 (Mexn): EuroKids International School organized a field trip where all the Euro Junior students visited West Police Station in Dimapur. The field trip was a part of the school curriculum to help the students get some practical exposure and expand their imagination and knowledge. The officer in charge, Jenmei Konyak and his team welcomed the tiny tots, took them to different sections

of the police station and talked to the little ones about the importance of becoming good citizens. “The children were highly delighted to meet the police officials and had a wonderful time there,” said Eurokids International School - Dimapur Principal, Sandeep K Jain in a press note. He also added that by presenting an opportunity for kids to witness the informational material in-person, actively participate in

the lessons and get handson experience regarding the subject, they acquire a direct education that cannot be obtained in a classroom or laboratory. “Furthermore, because children actively observe, learn, and participate in the educational activities during field trips, they strengthen their absorption of the information, understanding of the subject matter, cognitive abilities, and critical thinking skills,” the principal added.

kohIMA, June 12 (Mexn): Nagaland boasts of fertile lands abundant in natural resources and skilled artisans. However, a fact remains that there is lack of means to promote these assets, which has always created a huge dent in proper utilization of these resources. Now, thanks to the initiative of some enterprising young Nagas, our farmers and artisans may soon be able to market their products without having to undergo the hassle of personally taking them to commercial sites, which is economically not viable. Khriehu Liezietsu, Parliamentary Secretary, Youth Resources & Sports, New & Renewable Energy (NRE) & Music Task Force (MTF), and Chairman Kohima District Planning and Development Board, launched The Green Caravan; a joint venture between Zynorique Initiatives and 10th Northern Angami 1 A/C on June 5. The Green Caravan will visit villages of Nagaland starting from Northern An-

Khriehu Liezietsu, parliamentary secretary with Richard Belho, chairman Zynorique Initiatives Society and members during launch of The Green Caravan.

gami areas initially. The purpose of this venture is to create economic opportunity by buying handicrafts, handloom and organic vegetable produce by helping to set up market linkages for the villages. Besides this, The Green Caravan will also be a mobile platform to promote awareness on environmental issues in rural areas and impart information and skill upgradation training in villages. This initiative is aimed at easing the burden of farmers who do not have proper market

linkages and encourage the youths to set up Handloom /Handicraft units in the villages. MME33will purchase and market the handloom /handicraft products. Organic Nagaland headed by Abokali Jimomi will procure and market the organic vegetables. Khriehu Liezietsu expressed hope this venture would benefit the common people especially the youths and the farmers. He further added the need of the hour is to encourage private entrepreneurs,

promote traditional handloom/handicrafts and help to market organic produce thereby creating an economy for the villages in Nagaland. A pick-up truck (Mahindra Bolero) was donated to Zynorique Initiatives, which will be managed by Vikuotuolie Michael Dzüvichü with Bohoto as the driver. Interested entrepreneurs/ villages who would like to link to the network may contact Michael on 9402205272 or email zynorique@gmail.com

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REgional

The Morung Express

Friday

13 June 2014

Bangladesh allows transit of foodgrains to NE AGArTAlA, JUNE 12 (IANS): In a highly significant move that was evidently cleared at the highest level, Bangladesh is allowing India to ferry foodgrain to the landlocked northeastern states using its territory and infrastructure. "To begin with, the Bangladesh government has under a special transit facility agreed to transport 10,000 tonnes of foodgrain for Tripura via its territory," Tripura's Principal Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs) B.K. Roy told IANS. "After getting a green signal from the Bangladesh government, the FCI (Food Corporation of India) initiated the process of transporting

foodgrain and essentials using the Ashuganj river port (in eastern Bangladesh) and the roadways connected to the northeastern states." The foodgrain would be ferried by small ships from Kakinada port in Andhra Pradesh to Ashuganj and then by road to Tripura in Bangladeshi trucks. Ashuganj is 31 km from Tripura capital Agartala. "The FCI had earlier floated tenders to select Bangladeshi transporters. After a series of diplomatic and administrative parleys involving various Bangladeshi ministries and India's food, finance, shipping and external affairs ministries, the long-pending matter was settled

Northeast Briefs Assam's popular folk singer Khagen Mahanta dead GUWAHATI, JUNE 12 (PTI): Assam's eminent folk singer Khagen Mahanta died at his residence here today after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 72 and is survived by his singer wife Archana Mahanta, son Angarag 'Papon' Mahanta, a popular singer and a daughter. He was suffering from coronary and related ailments for the last year and passed away at 3:30 PM at his residence in Ambikagiri area. Mahanta along with his wife was well-known for popularising Bihu songs on stage across the state and outside. Besides Bihu songs, he also essayed into traditional genres of Assamese music including Borgeet and folk music of different communities of the region. Mahanta was born on February 26, 1942 at Nagaon in Central Assam and displayed musical talent from an early age and performed in concerts from the age of 15. He got the oppurtunity of singing in Delhi Doordarshan in 1959, during the inaugural year of the channel's launch, with his programme much appreciated by viewers. Mahanta was actively involved in the state's "language movement" in 1960 under the stalwarts Bishnuprasad Rabha, Hemanga Biswas and Jugal Das. He was a member of the group called "Harmony". He popularized human values through his compositions and also participated in the World Peace festival in Calcutta in the early sixties. In 1961 his first gramophone recorded song was broadcast from Guwahati All India Radio center. He was a recognized A grade artist of the AIR and contributed to almost all genres of Assamese music like Lokageet, Okoni geet, musicals and dramas. Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academy award, Mahanta was also awarded the title of Sangeetacharya along with Film Craft Award and Shrimoy award.

Arunachal Pradesh bans post-retirement appointments ITANAGAr, JUNE 12 (PTI): The Arunachal Pradesh government has put a general ban on post retirement appointments of its employees. The government in its order of June 6 last has also directed the heads of departments not to process the proposals for extensions and re-employment of retiring employees, Commissioner Personnel K R Meena said in a communique here on Thursday. Further, where extension or re-employment has been granted in the past, fresh proposals for their extension of service would not be entertained anymore by the government, it said.

Remote Mizoram villages face Malaria bite AIzAWl, JUNE 12 (PTI): Many villagers in Mizoram's remote Lawngtlai district along the Myanmar border were taken sick due to suspected malaria, officials in the Lawngtlai district headquarters said on Thursday. The Malaria-hit villages included Damdep-I, DamdepII, Vathuampui and surrounding remote villages, they said. Reports said that more than 80 per cent of Damdep villagers were suffering from Malaria where very few of them went to south Mizoram's Lunglei town and Lawngtlai town for treatment as there were no doctors in the nearest Bungtlang South Primary Health Centre (PHC). Unprecedented heat wave was experienced in the area during this summer aggravating spread of malaria, the reports said, adding there were no deaths.

recently," the official added. Earlier, in 2012, Bangladesh had allowed India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to ferry heavy machinery, turbines and cargo through Ashuganj for the 726 MW Palatana mega power project in southern Tripura. The Indian government had spent several millions of rupees to develop the port and related infrastructure. "After Tripura, foodgrains would be ferried through Bangladesh for other northeastern states, including Mizoram, Manipur and southern Assam, to save time and costs, besides ensuring certainty," an FCI official said. "Due to shortage of rail wagons, inadequate storage facilities

The eight northeastern states, including Sikkim, are largely dependent on the bigger states of India for foodgrain and essential commodities. Surface connectivity is a key factor as the mountainous region is surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China, and the only land route to these states from within India is through Assam and West Bengal. During the monsoon season, road transport becomes very difficult due to floods and landslides. For ferrying essentials, goods and heavy machinery from abroad and other parts of the country, India has for long been asking Bangladesh land, sea and rail access to the northeast.

Agartala via Guwahati, for instance, is 1,650 km from Kolkata and 2,637 km from New Delhi. The distance between the Tripura capital and Kolkata via Bangladesh is just about 350 km. The FCI would carry the foodgrain via Bangladesh in association with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Indian and Bangladeshi waterways connect West Bengal and Assam. The IWAI and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) are operating vessels on these routes. The two neighbours share 2,979 km of land border and 1,116 km of riverine boundary and also share 54 rivers, including eight rivers flowing from Tripura.

Tangkhul & Pochury Hoho decide to envision future together Sothing Shimray Ukhrul |June 12

Tangkhul and Pochury Hoho leaders held consultative meeting at Manipur’s border town Jessami to promote better relationship through collective envisioning of a shared future. President of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Artax A. Shimray led the Tangkhul team while President of Pochury Public Forum (PPF) Penthu Pochury led the Pochury team at the one day consultative

meeting held at Jessami on Saturday under the theme ‘Towards strengthening peoples to peoples relationship’. The consultative meeting was significantly part of the program to ensure peaceful co-existence between the two Naga tribes which share common border which is also synonymous with ManipurNagaland border. Ukhrul District of Manipur shares common border with Phek District of Nagaland. The borderline was frequently in the news

‘Towards strengthening peoples to peoples relationship' for land dispute between villages located along the border. Just recently there was a clash between Soraphung Tangkhul village of Ukhrul District and Kangjang Kuki village of Phek District. TNL President giving

out press statement on Thursday said that the two Hohos i.e., TNL and PPF has decided to appeal both Soraphung and Kangjang village to refrain from creating tension and stockpiling of arms in public areas with immediate affect but to give room for settlement of the dispute through peaceful means. The daylong consultation also resolved to honour and safeguard the age old traditional and customary practices including sharing of resources such as water, river, for-

est and land and any dispute between villages shall be settled at the local/regional peoples organizational level based on Naga customary practices. The two Hohos also decided to support each other to explore and promote marketing hub and border trade between the peoples. The consultative meeting was significant as it means peaceful interstate border and a peace of mind not only for the two tribes but for the two states as well.

NE committee meets DU vice chancellor NEW DElHI, JUNE 12 (IANS): A committee examining the concerns of people from the northeastern states living in other parts of India, Thursday met Delhi University vice chancellor Dinesh Singh and discussed the steps taken by it for students from the northeast. The committee, headed by M.P. Bezbaruah, was set up by the home ministry after Nido Tania, a 19-yearold student from Arunachal Pradesh, was beaten to death in Delhi in January. "It was a regular meeting. The committee members asked the university about arrangements made for the northeast students. The main issue discussed was about security, sensitisation and bringing students to the mainstream," Malay Neerav, DU joint dean student's welfare and media coordinator, told IANS. The meeting lasted for more than an hour. During the meeting, the university official told the committee about setting up of nodal officers in every colleges to look into issues related to students from northeast region. The committee is visiting educational institutions in metropolitan cities across India.

Rajnath assures Tuki of help in tackling Arunachal's problems Arunachal CM asks for more funds under BADP ITANAGAr, JUNE 12 (PTI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of his full cooperation in addressing the problems of the sensitive state.

Singh's assurance came when Tuki called on him at New Delhi yesterday to apprise him of the problems confronting the border state and submitted a memorandum enlisting important issues, a press release from the CMO said here today. In the memorandum Tuki emphasised the need to address critical

challenges of the state for enhancement of funds under border areas development programme (BADP), sanction for modernisation of police forces, two more India Reserve Battalions (IRBn) and additional para-military forces for speedy execution of Trans-Arunachal Highways (TAH) and hydropower projects.

'M'laya has no records of Bangladeshis' SHIlloNG, JUNE 12 (IANS): Meghalaya has no record of Bangladeshis who entered the state on or before March 24, 1971, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said Thursday. "While no census had been undertaken to detect the presence of those who had come to Meghalaya from Bangladesh on or before March 24, 1971, here were 5,735 Bangladeshi citizens who entered the state since 1972," Sangma told the assembly during the question hour. He said these Bangladeshi nationals were detected and prosecuted under relevant laws. Sangma stressed on the need to register all genuine citizens with the

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE GENERAL, NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD National Security Guard (NSG) proposes to engage Specialist Medical Officers in the followings posts for Composite Hospital, NSG at Manesar (Gurgaon), Haryana (purely on contract basis) as per the terms and conditions mentioned below :i) Surgeon : 01 Post ii) Anaesthesia : 01 Post iii) Opthalmologist. : 01 Post The terms and conditions for the said posts are given as under:1. Consolidated remuneration of Rs. 57,672/- will be paid per month. The contractual appointee will not be entitled to any other allowances, benefits or concessions as admissible to Govt. Employees. Non practicing allowance will not be admissible. 2. The maximum age limit is 65 years. The appointment will be purely on contractual basis for a period of three years or till the appointee attains the age of 65 years or till the regular incumbent joins, whichever is earlier. 3. The appointee shall not be entitled to any benefits like provident Fund, Pension, gratuity, medical attendance treatment, seniority, promotion etc or any other benefits available to the Government Servant appointed on regular basis. 4. The appointee shall not have any claim or right to regular appointment to any post in NSG/Government of India. 5. The appointee shall be on whole time appointment to Composite Hospital, NSG and shall not accept any other appointment, paid or otherwise, during the period of contract. 6. No TA/DA is admissible for the interview. Suitable and willing candidate may WALK IN FOR INTERVIEW on 18/06/2014 at 1100 hours at NSG Head Quarters, Mehram Nagar, Palam, New Delhi-37. The detailed advertisement is available on the website http:/www.nsg.gov.in. of NSG. The candidates may report for interview along with original and photocopies of all relevant documents (like Graduate degree, Internship completion certificate, age proof and experience certificate) and application in plain paper superscripting the name of the post applied for and five, recent passport size photographs. 7. The Competent authority reserves the right for any amendment, cancellation and change in this advertisement in whole or part thereof without assigning any reason. 8. The selected candidate will undergo medical test as prescribed for regular appointment. Davp:- 19115/11/0013/1415

and various other bottlenecks, the northeastern states have been suffering from poor supply of food grains for most part of the year, especially during the monsoon (June to September)," Tripura's Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Bhanulal Saha told IANS. "In view of conversion of railway lines from metre gauge to broad gauge, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) would stop train services in Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and southern Assam from October. In view of this, transportation of foodgrains and other essentials from different parts of the country to northeast India via Bangladesh is very vital," the minister added.

Dimapur

(Ashwani Kumar) Group Commander (Estt)

National Register of Indian Citizens to help the government in detecting Bangladeshi nationals. The house witnessed a heated argument over the issue when opposition National People's Party legislator James K. Sangma asked whether the 5,735 Bangladeshi citizens were deported. However, the chief minister maintained it was the court which has to decide about the deportation of such nation-

als, and the government has to follow the court's orders. On the Meghalaya High Court's May 15 judgment that Bangladeshi nationals who came to India on or before March 24, 1971 will not be sent back, the chief minister said the government has decided to contest this. The court also said those who came after the stipulated date would have to be deported to the neighbouring country.

FELICITATION We the Longdon Golden Boy’s would like to convey our heartiest congratulations to Shri.P. Longon MLA from 56 A/C Noklak for being inducted as cabinet Minister for Health and Family Welfare in the DAN III Ministry. The Longdon golden boy’s would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri.T.R. Zeliang and President NPF Shri. Shurhozelie Liezietsu for inducting our leader as a cabinet minister in the recent reshuffle portfolios. We wish him all success in his future endeavours and good health so that he may serve our 56 A/C Noklak for better development activities. Sd/P. KAI President Longdon Golden Boy’s, Noklak

Sd/W. LACHU LAM Secretary Longdon Golden Boy’s, Noklak

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

STATE RURAL LIVELIHOODS MISSION

The Chief Minister also pleaded for additional funds for infrastructure development in existing police stations and funds for disaster management during the Monsoon, the release said. Tuki also called on Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijuju and discussed various matters relating to law and order.

NURSERY TEACHERS TRAINING (N.T.T) STUDY CENTRE AT CAPITAL COLLEGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Below State Library, P.R.Hill, Kohima

Introducing Distance Education for Job-Oriented & Self Employment NURSERY TEACHERS’S TRAINING in collaboration with All India Early Childhood Care & Education, New Delhi, Regd. by Govt. of NCT of New Delhi, and CR Regd. by Ministry of HRD Govt. of India(Dept. of Secondary & Higher Education) (Accredited by International Accreditation Organization, Houston U.S.A) A unique opportunity for in-service as well as aspiring would-be young teachers and parents to be trained in Pre-Primary schooling methods and Child-Centered Education. Features: 1. Diploma in Child Education & Applied Psychology ( 1 year) 2. Advanced Diploma in Child Education & Applied Psychology (2 years) Minimum Qualifications: Intermediate(+2) & above Prospectus containing Admission-cum-Regn. Form can be obtained from the college during office hours on payment of Rs. 100 last date of Admission on 30th June ‘14 For more details contact: 9436607770/9436645272

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE NO.IND/EST/ADV/35/2014/294

In continuation to our advertisement of even number dated 14.02.2014,it is hereby informed to all those who had applied for the post of LDA cum Computer Assistant (District) under the establishment of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce that the Written exam will be held on 27.06.2014 at 09:30 a.m. at the NPSC’s Examination Hall, Kohima. All applicants are instructed to report to the office of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Kohima for collection of their admit cards on or before 21.06.2014 during office hours. (Keneilel Angami) Director of Industries & Commerce

NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.NSRLM/SMMU/ADV-ME/2013 Dated, Kohima the 12th June 2014

DECLARATION OF RESULT

The following Candidates have been selected for the Post of DEO (Data Entry Operator) under SRLM, Resource Blocks: Sl.No Roll No Name 1 142 NEIKURAYI CURHA 2 145 JANTHUNGBEMO. N. EZUNG 3 54 Y. WAPA 4 146 APISE. S. SANGTAM 5 55 C. BAUSHONG 6 135 ROKUOZHANUO YANO Waiting List 1 76 MENSAN KONYAK 2 143 BHANDENO KHUVUNG The selected candidates are directed to personally submit their Acceptance Letter to the Mission Director, SRLM at RD Directorate (top floor) within 15 days from the date of publication of result. Non submission of Acceptance Letter within the stipulated period will nullify the selection and the same will be offered to the waiting list candidates. Appointment Order indicating the place of posting will be issued to the individuals concerned at the time of receiving the acceptance letter. Sd/(MOTSUTHUNG LOTHA) Addl.Secy & Mission Director, SRLM, Nagaland, Kohima

Dated Kohima the 12th June 2014

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

NAGALAND EDUCATION MISSION SOCIETY RASHTRIYA MADHYAMIK SHIKSHA ABHIYAN NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.RMSA/CA-1/2009-10/178-180

Kohima, the 12th June, 2014

Advertisement for conduct of statutory Audit of Accounts of RMSA, Nagaland for the year 2013-14 The Nagaland Education Mission Society, RMSA invites interested CA Firm(s) having empanelment with the office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India for conducting statutory Audit of Accounts of RMSA, Nagaland for three years beginning with 2013-14 financial year. Interested CA Firm(s) may collect necessary guidelines from the undersigned office during the office hour on or before 30th June 2014. (THEJAO VIHIENUO) State Mission Director RMSA, Kohima

public discoursE

Friday

Dimapur

13 June 2014

Media In Modi Wave Election

edia plays a very important role in Indian democracy. No doubt it has really showed its significance in the Prime Ministerial election. A testimony to the more active participant‘s role played by media is the fact it receives so much attention from its audiences. The role is partially reversed; it is now media that comes under greater scrutiny than the politicians. It is the recognition of the power of media that so many snide references are made to it. All major leaders in the interviews to media have spent some time decrying the role played by it. Media has played a positive and negative role in the Prime Ministerial election. Politicians of every party have given their full hearted in campaigning. They can do anything to win the election even to the extent of giving false promises and on top of that Media has helped them in attracting more votes in the name of national integration of which I can give an example of what NAMO tea party did when they came to JNU headed by Union Health Minis-

ter, Harsha Vardhan. He and his party came to JNU campaigning for NAMO tea party providing tea and pakoras in Sabarmati lounge which we happen to peep in as we were curious. So decided to sit for a while just to see what was going on. One lady, a party worker of BJP approached us inviting us to sit inside as the talk was about to begin. As we were walking toward the hall, the lady came to us again, guiding us towards the President who was interacting with the Medias. She then forced us to sit near him where the rest who were sitting before us were asked to stand. We were stunned to see the media people all over taking pictures of us seated near Mr. HarshaVardhan. Then only did we realize the lady’s intention on giving us much importance in leading us to the front amidst the huge crowd gathered there. Honestly in my mind I thought they will ask us question and discuss NE issue relating to the death of Nido Tania case. But it was all to draw attention of our look “mongoloid face”. And no doubt the next day we saw our picture in the newspaper in the front page

Banking to be more friendly to the differently abled

MuMbai, June 12 (ianS): Banking services for the 70 million differently abled people in the country will be more friendly with the recent revision in banking norms by the central bank’s Banking Codes & Standards Board of India (BCSBI), an official said here Thursday. Nearly 50 percent of the country’s persons with disabilities (PWDs) are under the age of 30 and constantly struggle for respectable employment as well as proper banking services. The BCSBI has decided to aggressively encourage banks to be more sensitized towards PWDs through its revised norms, said its CEO N. Raja. Accordingly, all banks will make best efforts to make banking easy and convenient for these special customers like senior citizens, PWDs and illiterate persons through convenient policies, products and services. This will include developing systems and procedures to improve access to banking services, more convenient physical access to branches and ATMs, and friendly staff interacting with them at various levels. The banks would accord priority to PWDs by providing personalized services for banking transactions, redressal of grievances, seating arrangements in the bank premises and endeavour to introduce a single-window mechanism and issue of cheque books, netbanking, lockers, etc, without discrimination. The PWDs shall also be entitled to withdrawals of funds up to limits by their authorized representatives, avail ‘doorstep banking’ in special circumstances like ill health or inability to come to the branches. For the pensioner PWDs, the banks will issue a pension slip containing full details of the pension credited to their account and arrange to disburse the pension at their doorstep under special circumstances. Moreover, banks would accept Life Certificate, required to be submitted by PWDs at any branch and guide relatives or parents on how to appoint a legal guardian under the National Trust Act, 1999 for persons suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

Game Number # 2906

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LINEL

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SILK

BOBBIN

POLYESTER

THREAD

NYLON

BOBBIN-

RAYON

CASE

SPANDEX

SPOOLPIN

NATURAL

STRAIGHT-

FIBER

STITCH

YARNS

ZIGZAG

MANMADE

SCISSORS

TEXTILES

SHEARS

W N I P L O O P S S R A E H S

O A L K P V L S H S K S E W T

Memories of my Dad

ally knowing their ideas, motives or the concept behind the issues and start being judgemental as soon as they hear about it. These are the things we actually do in life “mock and criticize” of any issues without knowing the truth. In conclusion, all I want to say is that whatever I mentioned above is just a tip of an iceberg to provoke you of viewing things in positive aspects rather being taken away by false assumption of any ideological believe of any party persons. A quote by Sontag on Photography says that “To photograph people is to violate them, by seeing them as they never see themselves, by having knowledge of them that they can never have; it turns people into object that can be symbolically possessed. Just as a cameraman sublimation of the gun, to photograph someone is a subliminal murder, a soft murder, appropriate to a sad, frightened time.” Apila Sangtam M.A in International Relation Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi -110067

ment according to traditional practice of settlement without any further delay. TL Angami

On environmental hazard in Dimapur

am writing this today as a concerned citizen who got alarmed with the environmental hazard happening around Dimapur. I have notices that the Dhansiri River, Dhobinala waterways and Lengri River have become so polluted thus spoiling the image of the town. I wish that the DC (Deputy Commissioner) could look into all this by directing each colony Gaonbura to strictly monitor the residents around these rivers. Because I have seen that people apart from throwing garbage into those rivers, they also drain their toilet content by laying their drainage and toilet pipe straight into the river. I have also noticed that they disposed dead animal’s carcasses into the river too. It is very saddening to see that Dimapur town inspite of its rapid growth and development would ignore such environmental hazards. This will not only affect the surroundings but the health of the people around it. With the global warming which is leading to the rise in temperature of the weather, Dimapur town is becoming barren without proper trees around. This will also lead to severe consequences later. I wish the concerned department such as Forest department will look into this matter by planting trees around Dimapur especially around the main town area. I also wish that the general public will also cooperate by planting trees around their residential areas. I do wish for a developed Dimapur together with a greener and cleaner city in years to come. L Meren Ao Duncan Basti Ex-Dimapur Town Committee Member

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2913

Answer Number # 2905

O T I O O G E T T G L N R Z O

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

SUDOKU

cess in helping shape the electoral narrative this time might turn out to be its greatest challenges as the need to control its output will become even more critical. The media should be very careful before giving any data to the public. In spite of being sensational and biased, the significant of media cannot be ignored, especially in an age, in which globalization have become the order of the day. In this globalized world, task and duties of media are increasing day by day. There is still a lot to be done by the media for the betterment of the society. My intention here is just to bring to the idea of viewing things in a more radical way. Do not just believe what it says in newspaper or other source but try to find out the truth as the quotes says “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth”. Do not be mistaken by false information. I’m a bit apprehensive about how people view things when they certainly see something from media either in newspaper or television. Some they just believe it rather than actu-

he Naga populations are tremendously increasing yearly and it will continue to grow up till the earth exist. In the meantime the boundary case between the Nagas and Assam is kept pending in the Supreme Court of India for long time and we do not know that how many years or decades will take for final settlement. The present Nagaland State came into being through 9th Points and 16th Points Agreements though the Naga National Workers vehemently opposes it. And the GOI is well aware that the original boundary between the Nagas and Assam was demarcated by the British-Indian. Government while surveyed the boundaries during the 19th Century. To speak the truth that the Nagas have long— long tolerated about the settlement of their boundary for their promised land for the last so many decades. Shall the Nagas allowed the Tea Plants to live over our promised land instead of we live over it? Shall we the Nagas kept silent and awaited for the verdict of Supreme Court of India? It is also important to be mentioned here that the Assamese people never lived over the promised land of Nagas except the tea plantations and foreigner labours in the like of Adivasi, Bangladeshi etc. Is it really the Nagas are afraid of their Bows and Arrows? Shall the Nagas give more time to them and allow them to live over our promised land? Why not the Nagas wake up and re-occupy the promised land of our forefathers? Let us follow the background historical fact about our forefather’s conquered area of land and go ahead for re-occupation of our promised land as demarcated to us by the British-Indian Govern-

LEISURE

“Telegraph and Times of India”. One can imagine how that picture and reality contradicts. It tells a different story behind the scene of how they portrayed us for political campaign. An essay written by SonTag on “On Photography” can give a vivid explanation on this. Today there are many people in India who have voted for Modi with reluctance, who hope that the realities of governing at the head of coalition government, as leader of the nation and not just a state will force him to keep his baser instincts in check. To woo them, Modi has attempted an image makeover, to reinvent himself a man of humanity and compassion. While the makeover is unconvincing, the hope that Modi will have to bend to the realities of national politics carries more weight. The more fragmented and diffused the Indian political reality, the more difficult it is for media to succeed in its attempt to centralize the debate. As it turns out, these elections have lent themselves to the kind of framing that is suited to media representations. Media ‘s probable suc-

Shall we allow the tea plants to live over our promised land?

businEss

The Morung Express

L U N Z L J A R G O I D U E O

N R E I Y B A A N D S A S S F

Y A L G E O W I E D N E A A R

L L T Z S B T G L E R R E C E

O Z C A T B E H H E A H M N S

N I O G E I X T C F Y T E I S

Y K T G R N T S T I U E P B E

H C T I T S I T I B R N A B R

R N O Y A R L I T E V S T O P

M A N M A D E T S R W I D B I

F A B R I C S C I S S O R S H

N E E D L E S H X E D N A P S

ACROSS 1. Skin disease 5. A sloping mass of loose rocks 10. Feudal worker 14. As a result 15. Hag 16. Midday 17. Leather shorts 19. Stepped 20. Reverence 21. Lumberjack 22. Thrills 23. Schemes 25. Vocalization 27. Regret 28. Roamer 31. Codeine source 34. Satisfies 35. Fury 36. Have the nerve 37. Flexible tubes 38. Secure against leakage 39. Estimated time of arrival 40. Waist cinches 41. Stodgy 42. Apprehension 44. Solemn promise 45. Top of a wave 46. Hillbilly 50. Operatic solos

52. Angry 54. Japanese apricot 55. Red gemstone 56. Frugal 58. Doing nothing 59. A small anchor 60. In order to prevent 61. Bambi was one 62. S S S S 63. Dregs

DOWN 1. Collection of maps 2. Requiring much chewing 3. Naked models 4. East southeast 5. Strategy 6. Black birds 7. Thorny flower 8. Discomfits 9. Poetic dusk 10. Inveigle 11. Witchcraft 12. Cozy corner 13. Terminates 18. A watery discharge 22. Children 24. Not false 26. 1 1 1 1 28. Garbage 29. Historical periods 30. Depend

31. Poems 32. A Maori club 33. Short-tempered 34. Winter and summer _________ 37. Female chickens 38. Scattered 40. Honey insects 41. Modulator/demodulator 43. Appeal 44. Votes that block a decision 46. Cooktop 47. Master of ceremonies 48. Stop 49. Skirts 50. Dry 51. Boorish 53. Fishing poles 56. Barely manage 57. Sick Ans to CrossWord 2912

n my recent trip to Kolkata, while shopping in one of the busy streets of Kolkata. I was trying to find my way across the street carrying my prized bundles amidst thousands and thousands of people that thronged the street every day. I dashed upon an old lady wearing a tattered sari begging for Alms. I thought at that moment that I had rather walk away because you encounter this kind of incident every day. Beside no doubt Kolkata is a hot city but that particular day temperature was at its peak and I was drenched to the ground on the lookout for an oasis to quench my thirst. To be very honest I didn’t regret glancing back a second time for when i did observed that lady carefully. To my horror she was half blind and in her face i saw a reflection of my daddy’s face looking up at me hungry, thirsty and alone. I knew in that very moment i should help her because it will be like walking away without helping my daddy. The story goes like this- I put down my shopping bags, took out a few notes, hand it over to her and i wonder what the old lady was thinking when i told her in broken Hindi to raise her palm and placed it on my head to bless me. She did of course without haste and i walked away satisfied in my heart, a much happier woman carrying my bundles feeling much lighter. A thought in my heart “Daddy I know you’re watching me from above”!! I remember my dad as someone who had a broad smile for everyone, a man with a giant heart always ready to ‘Give’. His motto in life was to GIVE and to GIVE and to never get tired of GIVING. I believe there are many great men, good men, good husbands and many great fathers the world over. I also believe every girl young or old as you read this page you must be thinking about your dad with a smile because we all share a common bond when it comes to our daddy. And that is we all believe that we are “Daddy’s Angles”. I remember as a young girl i would hum along with my daddy as he cook his favorite dishes for us. He simply loves cooking and he used to have a healthy appetite too. He always used to say ‘the way to a child’s heart is through his stomach. Today as a grown up lady when there are so many talented singers, just to humor me I used to crack a joke every now and then at home had daddy went for a singing audition he will be the first to get knocked out from the 1st round. But as a young girl I love listening to my daddy’s voice and even convinced myself that no one sings better than my daddy. As a young girl I remember listening to many exciting stories, especially adventures of my brave forefathers who fought the Indian armies during the insurgency period. I would gasp and open my mouth and begged for more stories. I remember daddy teaching me math and science, buying me short stories. I remember how i would pester him to give me pocket money as i go to school. He would gave me sometimes a 50 paisa, a rupee or a 2 rupee note which to youngster of today’s generation would find it funny but in the eighties a 50 paisa or a rupee note can fetch me a varieties of goodies. But the sweetest part was when I asked him about heaven. He would always say with a glow in his face that after our death on earth, we will all mount up to heaven, sitting upon the white clouds singing without stopping until we reached heaven. As a child if i excitingly asked him “what will we do when we enter heaven”? He would remark ‘Ah my dear girl, when we all reach heaven, God will adorn us all with a golden crown according to our deeds on earth. And we will sing praise of God day and night without ceasing and we will never feel the pangs of hunger and thirst no more. And i would glow with happiness and would asked ‘daddy am I really gonna get a golden crown, he would lovingly reply ‘yes my dear girl, yes of course because God loves you and everybody. As a grown up when i reflected what was the reason behind my father saying that all the entire family will go to heaven. I now perceived that he was wise enough to know that children are innocent and a child gets emotional even by silly words. Therefore he doesn’t wished that we go through the pangs of pain that one day we’ll all face the inevitable truth about Death .And that it will be either to a place called heaven or a hell we will all descend one day according to our deeds. I am a fruit lover and i simply cannot resist fruits, a habit i picked up as a small girl. I was told as a little girl when i take my regular afternoon nap, my dad would come home from office everyday and place my favorite juicy guava or a giant banana( which I dig even today ) lovingly beside my pillow. On awakening i would clutch my prized possession with a happy, a little shy and nervous expression and used to bellowed in a rather husky dreamy voice ‘I know it was papa who left the fruits for me’. I miss all those childhood memories but above all i will never forget this ordinary man because he was my first love and i grew up idolizing and loving my sweetest dearest dad. Who loved everybody equally alike while he was alive, who touched as many lives as he could as he walked by. As a young girl i remember growing up with uncles and aunties dropping in at our place, who would rest for a day or stay for a night in our humble abode. But never knowing that they were in no way related to us except the fact that my daddy never hesitated to offer a glass of water, a plate of rice and a roof to rest at night to any stranger or friends that he came across. I was told that on one occasion he went away for election duty, carrying his luggage, a few shirts and trousers and an extra shoe. But when he returned home without carrying his slippers. My mom asked him in horror ‘Did someone rob you? He brightened up and said in a happy tone ‘Ah I gave away everything because somebody needed it more than I do’. I remember during our prayer meetings at night he would often tell us that “God our father, gave us his only begotten son, so that we shall have eternal life. He would always encourage us that we’re all here to love one another and to share what little we have with everyone. One cannot become a great missionary just because you sacrifice your time and energy and go preaching the word of God. But you can be a missionary everyday by doing something good every day. You can be born rich or even born poor but it doesn’t matter as long as you share what you have with people around you or to walk an extra mile for somebody who needed your help. He would often tell us that ‘ if any of my children walk by without helping people in your life’s journey be sure you will not be fit to call my children’. These words of my dad got stuck in my heart and stayed on all these years as I grow up from a little girl into a college girl and to a grown –up woman. To the world my dad was an ordinary man but to me he will always be the ‘HERO’ in my story. A man who had a big heart who never ceased giving till his last breath. A man who radiates light everywhere he walked and touched everyone in his short journey called LIFE!! Mapupokla Jamir

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

Paiwang calls on Union I&B Minister; Urges plan allocation for state IPR dept new Delhi, June 12 (mexn): Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Civil Aviation, Information and Public Relations, P. Paiwang Konyak, today called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Parliamentary Affairs, Prakash Javadekar, at his office in New Delhi, and highlighted the activities of the state IPR and at the same time, apprised the Union Minister and the I&B ministry to take up with the Planning Commission plan allocation

for the state IPR department since there was no such support from the central government. A press release from Kuolie Mere, PRO, stated. Paiwang also strongly appealed to the Union Minister that the communication gap between the cities/towns and remote villages be looked into at the earliest so that the remote villages of the state and the country can get better information and communication on time. He also submitted a list of the state’s needs and a concept note on setting up of District media centres in all the District Head-

quarter of Nagaland to the Union Minister, Mere’s press note stated. During the discussion, the Union Minister took serious note of the issues raised and informed that the ministry will announce some package on Doordarshan and other developmental programme, the note stated. Later in the day, Paiwang called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for DoNER and External Affairs Overseas Indian Affairs, Gen. (Dr.) V. K. Singh at his office in New Delhi as a courtesy call, the press note informed.

Friday 13 June 2014

NNC (NA) clarifies

Dimapur, June 12 (mexn): The NNC (NA) has clarified regarding reports in local dailies by stating that “out of the deserted who have joined other group/factions showing big volumes in the dailies, particularly May 13 and June 9, were only one percent out of ten, but the rest were neither NNC (NA) nor any other group.” The NNC (NA) informed that its Kilo Ministry had run checks regarding what it termed as “the unhealthy noises about desertions or any ugly incidents involved in using the name NNC (NA).” It asserted that “those persons whose names were published in the dailies were totally bogus persons.” “Any faction /group who often published as “Welcome to Home comers” may kindly check the deserter’s identities such as his/her curriculum vitae,” advised the NNC (NA).

The Ministry of Kilo Affairs of the NNC (NA) stated: “we have a clear inkling that, who are playing this kind of games with intention to use such sinister designs to destroy the august Naga National Council, who did not know the weight and the light of the Naga’s struggling for 60 years old now.” The NNC (NA) further urged the public and government officials to be “awake to” the situation where the group’s name is being used, thereby making the people “both confused and enraged.” It affirmed that the NNC (NA) is working under its President, Kiumukam Yim and General Secretary, Hozheto Chopi, who it said are “doing their best for the Nagas in all section to come together and join hand with every Naga political groups to work together harmoniously and understandingly to be our bright future.”

SAKK conducts awareness campaign on environment ZunheBoto, June 12 (mexn): The Sumi Aphuyemi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SAKK) organised awareness campaign on environment and climate change

on June 4 at SABAK Project Mukali sponsored by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Zunheboto. Hutoka Jakha, Block

Kohima Press Club informs Kohima, June 12 (mexn): As per the decision taken during the general body meeting of the Kohima Press Club (KPC) on June 7, a Review Committee for Amendment of KPC Constitution has been set up with H Chishi as the Convener, Vishü Rita Krocha as secretary, Xavier Rutsa as ex-officio member and Atul Sarma, Oken Jeet Sandham and Vincent Belho as members. The committee has been informed to submit its report on July 7. A press release

from KPC President Xavier Rutsa and General Secretary Alice Yhoshü stated. The KPC members are also reminded to furnish names of all former office bearers along with specific period of their tenure for maintenance of accurate records within a month’s time, the release informed. Further, the KPC executive team expressed gratefulness to all the members and associate members who participated in the social work held on June 12.

Ikishe village gets government recognition Dimapur, June 12 (mexn): Ikishe village became the newest government recognized village of the state after Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Hushili Sema (IAS), as chief guest, officially unveiled the monolith declaring the recognition of the village at a function held in the premises of Ikishe Baptist Church, today. A function to mark the recognition was attended by leaders and representatives of neighboring villages, officials of Western Sumi Kukami Hoho and Western Sumi Totimi Hoho, public leaders, a host of government officials and residents of the village. Cultural items were also presented during the function. The village was established in 1998 and has about 300 households. The chief guest, in her address, observed the gathering of leaders and elders of surrounding villages and stated it was a sign of unity

and understanding between the people of different villages. She reminded all present at the function that it was the bounden duty of all to strive for peace and harmony. Calling it an auspicious occasion for Ikishe village and its residents, the chief guest stated that it was a time for retrospection and bring positive reformation for the advancement of the village. She also encouraged the villagers to be harbinger of peace and blessing among different villages, communities and tribes. Ikishe Zhimomi, head GB of Ikishe village and Itepu Zhimomi, GB, Chekiye village also spoke on the occasion. The function was chaired by Shetovi Awomi, council member, Kakhevi Kinimi, chairman, Ikishe village council proposed vote of thanks while Itoli V. Awomi, women leader, Ikishe Baptist Church pronounced the benediction.

Technology Manager ATMA Ghathashi Block, Zunheboto was the resource person. He encouraged the leaders of the villagers and students to preserve forest and not to kill wild animals and birds. He also encouraged the people to open farms,

A press release from the President Eyosa Kikhi and the Information and Publicity Secretary Swetol Sothu expressed its displeasure at the occurrence which happened under its jurisdiction and stated that this act has disturbed the peaceful atmosphere in the area. VYO further added that the act was a “bad influence on young people.”

MEx FILE Ex-Servicemen meeting on June 14 Dimapur, June 12 (mexn): There will be a meeting of exservicemen, widows and their dependents residing in and around Dimapur district on June 14 at 9:00 am at Sainik Bhavan, Dimapur. All concerned are requested to attend the meeting without fail as important agendas on welfare measures and problems faced by the ex-servicemen will be discussed. This was informed in a press release issued by Naga Ex-Servicemen Association Dimapur Chapter Convenor Ex Subedar Remono Lotha.

Kohima DPDB meeting postponed Kohima, June 12 (Dipr): The ADC Planning & Members Secretary DPDB, Kohima has informed that the monthly Kohima DPDB meeting scheduled on June 15 has been postponed to June 16 in view of holiday (Sunday). The time and place remain the same. Therefore, the concerned members are requested to note the change of date and attend the meeting positively.

Seminar for UBCA-NEI church leaders BaliJan, June 12 (mexn): A one-day seminar for church leaders of United Baptist Churches Association, North East India would be held on June 14, at United Baptist Church, Balijan (Assam), near LRC Colony, Dimapur. Rev. Dr. Phughoto Aye, Director, Fire Around the World will be the resource person of the seminar. In the regard, seminar programme committee has informed all the delegates to arrive at the venue by 6:00 am. Dimapur, June 12 (mexn): Coinciding with the World blood donors’ day which is celebrated on June 14 worldwide every year, the Dimapur District Voluntary Blood Donors’ Association supported by Nagaland Blood Transfusion Council is organising a function in Model Blood Bank, Dimapur at 11 am on June 14 to honour voluntary blood donors with the theme “Save blood for saving mothers.” A press release from Dr. T. Temsu, Blood bank incharge and Medical Advisor DDVBDA informed all past voluntary blood donors and well wishers to meet likeminded and motivated friends and share the joy of giving life to others.

Blacktopping from Chetheba to Pfutsero road

The Best Shepherd Award 2014 was awarded on June 8 at Tuensang Town Sangtam Baptist Church during Pastors Conference. The Recipients of this award is Pastor Tetsangmong who is presently serving at Thsinger Baptist Church for 26 years. The United Sangtam Baptist Pastors' conference instituted this award since 2012.

condemnation RYO: The Rupreo Youth Organization, Chiechama Village has condemned the June 3 rape of a sixteen year old girl at Peraciezie, Kohima. A press note from RYO informed that the victim was raped by one Thsukuosie Phoji, in connivance with one of the victim’s classmates. It was informed that the victim was called by her classmate to the latter’s house “on the pretext of giving her some lessons.” On reaching her classmate’s house, the victim was approached by the accused, who according to the RYO “proposed to the victim.” However, it stated that the victim rejected the advances of the accused and returned to her home. The same evening, the victim was sent by her brother-inlaw to buy some articles from the abettor’s sister’s shop. However, she did not return home in time. The RYO stated that the victim’s classmate forcefully took her to a building under construction, where the culprit was waiting. On reaching the building the abettor left the place and the culprit raped the victim, the RYO said. The Rüpreo Youth Organization, Chiechama Village strongly condemned the incident and

World blood donors’ day on June 14

plantation and avail financial assistance from the government. After the awareness campaign, SAKK president Tohovi Swu and his colleagues started plantation drive and distributed seedlings to all the units under SAKK.

‘Suicides - an alien culture’ Kohima, June 12 (mexn): The Viswema Youth Organisation has called the act of suicide “an alien culture.” The comments comes after one Kham Bahadur Chhetri, of Moahing Nepali Village in Senapati committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree near John Govt. Higher Secondary School, Viswema on the night of June 9.

Dimapur

urged the law enforcing agencies to deliver justice by awarding the culprits the severest befitting punishment. It further appealed for all sensible and responsible individuals/groups not to bail out the culprits. The Rüpreo Youth Organization shall not be held responsible in case the culprits are released on bail and if doing so at their own risk, it cautioned. CVC: The Chiechama Village Council has condemned the ‘shameful and satanic act’ of Thsukuosie Phoji of Meluri Village in connivance with Yantsula Yimchuger of Kuthur Village by “raping our minor daughter on the night of 03-06-2014 at Peraciezie, Kohima.” A press note from the Chiechama Village Council Press Secretary Medo-u Dzeyie and Chairman Mhalezolie Metha stated, “the alleged rape of a minor girl is not acceptable and beyond tolerance under any circumstances in a civilized society.” The village council strongly urged law enforcing agencies to deliver justice to the victim by “awarding the culprits (rapist and the abettor) the severest befitting punishment as per the law of the land.” The council also urged all

right thinking citizens to condemn the ‘inhuman act’ and not to bail out the culprits in order to prevent such shameful recurrence in future in our society. PYO: Peraciezie Youth Organisation has condemned the alleged rape of a 16 year old minor girl on the night of June 3 at Peraciezie, Kohima by one Thsukuosie Phoji (21) of Meluri Village, abetted by Yantsula Yimchunger, the victim’s classmate. A press release from PYO president Asa Metha and general secretary Kevisetuo Suokhrie condemned the ‘inhuman act’ committed to a minor girl and added that, such act was beyond tolerance, unacceptable under any circumstance in a modern and civilized society. “Both the accused and abettor deserve no mercy or back up from any section of society,” PYO stated and urged the law enforcing agency to promptly award the highest degree of punishment to both the accused and abettor as per the law of the land and not to grant them bail under any circumstances. Further, the organisation extended sympathy to the victim and family.

Kohima, June 12 (mexn): The Chokri Area Public Organisation (CAPO) has lauded Chotisuh Sazo, Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly and the Government of Nagaland for blacktopping the road from Chetheba to Pfutsero covering a distance of 31 kilometres under PMGSY. “The road is the lifeline of the area and that of the Constituency as it almost touches all the villages of the area. Prior to the blacktopping of the road, the journey between Chetheba and Pfustero would take over an hour or so and blacktopping of the road has reduced the same journey to that of 30-45 minutes,” said CAPO president Vezhosa Chuzho. He said with the completion of the road, the lives of the general public have been eased in several ways. It has not only reduced the journey distance and enhanced the comfort of the journey but has open access for inter village connectivity. CAPO also lauded the contractors and the officials of the PWD (R&B) Pfutsero Division for completing the road on time.

‘Phezha’ Village renamed as ‘Nerhe Phezha’ Village Kohima, June 12 (Dipr): The Government of Nagaland has changed the village name of 'Pheza' village to 'Nerhe Phezha' village under Kohima District with immediate effect. The spelling of the new name is 'Nerhe Phezha.' This is issued with the approval of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India vide their letter NO. 11/6/2013-M&G dated 16th May' 2014. This was informed in a notification NO.GAB-I/55/2006 dated Kohima 11th June 2014 by the Home Department, General Administration Branch – 1.

Complaints committee on sexual harassment constituted Kohima, June 12 (Dipr): A complaints committee on sexual harassment of women employees of the State Government at their Work Place was set up under the Directorate of Women Development, Government of Nagaland. According to the notification issued by Director of Women Development, Neilavou Keditsu, vide NO. DWD/ WW- 14/ 2003/ 42 Dated Kohima 17th February, 2014, the Committee has been set up comprising the Director of Women Development as Chairperson, Chonben Odyuo, ARO Member Secretary and the members are R. Khrienuo Tachu, Deputy Director, V. Kavito Zhimomi, Asst. Director, Tune Thisa and the Director of Women’s Studies Centre, Nagaland University.

AR apprehends NSCN (K) cadre Kiphire, June 12 (mexn): 46 Assam Rifles apprehended one NSCN (K) cadre from Longkokre Village, Kiphire on June 10. A press release from the PRO stated that the cadre has been identified as Sergeant Major Horiba Sangtam (22 years), CHM of NSCN (K) Sangtam region and resident of Singrep village, Kiphire district. One .22 rifle with magazine, six live rounds and two hand grenades were recovered from the apprehended cadre. The cadre was later handed over to Police Station Kiphire.

Dry State and its effects on Nagaland

Z. Lohe

he Naga Mothers’ Association is concerned about the recent feud developed between ACAUT and Excise Department in connection with seized liquor destruction. Nothing like concerted effort of all those who are supposed to be responsible to fight against the menace of bootlegging. However, there was no ambiguity in the allegation of ACAUT that the Excise Deptt. has embezzled 43% of the seized liquor, and how the Deptt. could sleep peacefully with such sharp smack on the forehead. The Excise Deptt. tried to shield its action by only citing formality which is too meagre a justification. Such explanation is considered more of admission than of denial. The Deptt. of Excise must prove its transparency, if not who should have confidence on your Check gates. That being the allegation of ACAUT and the Dimapur Clock Tower-stigma on the Excise Deptt. how will the two reconcile as per the wish of mothers. Petrol and water do not become one when poured together in a container. Exactly, corruption and probity are of East and West. Therefore, the

only option for mothers is to pray to God that Enough is Enough and ask Him to convert the superficiality to reality(as many of those crooks pray and preach better than trained theologians) and to have the early retirement in the interest of Prohibition. While giving the above comment let me give a piece of my personal opinion on Prohibition. Following the promulgation of Prohibition law in 1989, the law abiding alcohol dealers- the legal wholesale dealers and retail owners abandoned their lucrative businesses. The legal liquor business community was immediately substituted by bootleggers. The liquor black-market thrived. There is no dearth of liquor for consumers and neither is there any lack of liquor of one’s choice in Nagaland from the time of promulgation of Prohibition till date. The only differences are that the illegal liquor dealers do not need to pay tax to Govt. unlike other legal businesses, the liquor is reportedly much costlier and the worst is its quality as known as spurious and not advisable for human consumption. The highly adulterated supply of liquor in Nagaland

has been a serious health hazard to consumers, and I believe the rate of alcohol related death has risen during this period of prohibition although there is none to study it and produce comprehensive report. During these 25 years of Prohibition the bootleggers have become experts and their modus operandi stabilized. And so, these bold violators of Prohibition have made Nagaland practically as wet as any of those States having no prohibition as liquor is supplied to any place in Nagaland by truck loads without hindrance. This is substantiated by somebody not long ago who disclosed that Police manning check-gates are getting hefty amount of gate tax from those transporters. I have also heard, subject to correction, that ‘tender’ used to be floated for liquor dealership under very powerful bodies. The business is reportedly expensive as huge transactions are involved to obtain the syndicate dealership. The system seems to be a joint venture of power houses from handling liquor adulteration to transportation involving, I believe, crores of rupees annually.

In the name of Prohibition both the authorized and unauthorized enforcement agencies used to seize liquor only from less significant, small time liquor dealers and casual businessmen carrying few bottles or cases from time to time. Such seizure is usually followed by destruction with much publicity is both good and disgusting. It is good that such seizure and imposition of penalty, if any, can be a deterrent to petty bootleggers. It is very disgusting because the enforcement agencies target only those petty dealers who cannot dole out hefty amount as gate tax since many of them earn sheer livelihood from such business, and allow the trucks fully loaded with liquor to pass through. Unfortunate for the petty bootleggers as you are not partners of their grand joint venture. Fortunate for the syndicate partners as your illicit activities are insulated from being caught by legal agencies as you have better informers to intimate in advance of the so called raids which are cinematic than sincere. The particles irritate the eye but not the pegs is disgusting. What a farce? Many shops sell liquor although

bottles are not displayed in shelves in honour of prohibition. In the guise of selling ordinary eatables all varieties of liquor are probably available. Those shops look simple but it seems they do more brisk business than many other shops. Now, the most serious ramifications of Prohibition are: Firstly, the bootleggers are making lot of money. Many of them particularly the kingpins have become rich. They may not necessarily be crooks but definitely they have the gut to defy the Church and the law. What these rich people can do? Citing one example, during election these liquor dealers can sponsor candidate of their choice. Those candidates whether win or loss remain indebted to their sponsors. Thus, the bootleggers have formidable social and political base. Beside the powerful business partners they have law makers at their back and call. Being rich they become asset to Church. It is not a possibility but already in existence. Thus, the bootleggers are the most insulated section in our society. Secondly, bootleggers are the inadvertent partners of the Church. Both the Church and the bootleggers

are vehemently against lifting of Prohibition. The objective of the Church is positive and 100% different from that of the bootleggers’ and definitely there is no mutual connivance between the two. The bootleggers want the continuance of Prohibition which is the license for their lucrative business. If Prohibition is lifted they will not be able to make as much profit as they are getting now. They have even chance of losing the business when Nagaland is legally made wet. Yet, both the Church and bootleggers are for Prohibition. Perhaps, those other powerful elements accruing immense profit from Prohibition are also for Dry State. Although I am for Prohibition I am against Prohibition in the present system. Perhaps, hardly anyone is doing the research on what magnitude Prohibition has been harming the Naga society. I am sure the ramifications of Prohibition on our fragile society is immense. Consciously we allowed the indiscipline, lawless and godless people to become the ultimate controllers of the law abiding citizens today. As Prohibition remains as per the wish of majority, the Naga society is facing its peril.

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express FrIDAy 13 JunE 2014 volumE IX IssuE 160

Along Longkumer Consulting Editor

Green Attitude

he annual World Environment Day (WED) was commemorated on June 5 (Thursday) under the theme ‘Raise your voice not the sea level’. One of the positives coming out of having the annual WED has been the steady participation of the local populace in planting trees and educating oneself about protecting our environment. Hopefully more and more people have come to realize the value of our God given nature. We need to daily renew our collective effort to ensure a sustainable future. We should therefore keep in mind that the concern for our environment does not end with the so called Forest Department or merely planting trees every year on June 5. Hopefully our children will be taught better not only on protecting the environment but enlightening them with a greater understanding about global warming and its impact on biodiversity and life of humans and wildlife on the planet. Securing a green future will also demand changes in our lifestyle and consumption pattern. For instance a UN panel has even suggested that eating meat causes environmental degradation. Experts believe that the greatest cause of greenhouse gas emissions is food production and the use of fossil fuels. According to the panel, energy in the form of fossil fuels and agriculture, especially the raising of livestock for meat and dairy products is “having a disproportionately high impact on people and the planet's life support systems”. How or what are the things that the Naga people can also do in order to protect and preserve our environment? We need to begin on the fundamental premise that God has blessed us with so much of natural resource and therefore it is only appropriate that we use this blessing with greater wisdom and foresight. While ours is a land of rich culture and heritage, we have also been endowed with unspoiled forests, only that the once abundant forest lands are fast getting depleted as time goes by. Our forests are vital for our existence providing us with ecological, economic, social and health benefits. We should value it as one of the comparative advantages of the Nagas, a God given heritage that should be safeguarded for posterity. The Nagaland Government under the Department of Forest, Wildlife & Environment should do more to reclaim our lost forests. In this regard, as suggested in a paper presentation ‘Plant Trees, Replenish Nature’ by ZK Pahrü of BTC, Pfutsero, we need to undertake proper research so that we can preserve and conserve indigenous trees that are “eco-friendly, maintains bio-diversity, enhance soil fertility and regenerate water sources”. To begin with, why not we take a relook at our reserve of traditional wisdom and knowledge because, our forefathers may have been better at protecting the environment and nature. The Naga model for sustainable development may well be found in our tradition. And this could just be what we need to do—restoring the simple things in life and to be as normal and green as possible in our living. For those of us in Nagaland what we can all do is to contribute towards climate change mitigation by embarking on our own conservation efforts. This means preserving what is left of the forests, protection of wildlife and plant species, sustainable development, preservation and rehabilitation of our rivers and water sources, ensuring less emission of greenhouse gases by using more solar energy for power generation etc. World environment day may be over but our engagement in preserving Mother Earth should continue in our daily lives. As summed up quite appropriately by Pahrü in his paper presentation (mentioned above), “if we want to experience the fullness of life, we need to reorient our attitude towards nature: from oppressive and exploitative attitude to caring and nurturing one”. (Feedback can be send to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)

lEfT wiNg |

Ramit Plushnick-Masti Associated Press

Scientists explore using trees to clean pollution

IN-FOCUS

efore the sprawling Texas city of Houston and its suburbs were built, a dense forest naturally purified the coastal air along a stretch of the Gulf Coast that grew thick with pecan, ash, live oak and hackberry trees. It was the kind of pristine woodland that was mostly wiped out by settlers in their rush to clear land and build communities. Now one of America's largest chemical companies and one of its oldest conservation groups have forged an unlikely partnership that seeks to recreate some of that forest to curb pollution. The plan drafted by Dow Chemical and the Nature Conservancy is only in its infancy and faces many hurdles. But it envisions a day when expensive machines used to capture industrial pollutants might be at least partially replaced by restoring some of the groves of native trees that once filled the land. Many plants, and especially trees, capture pollution naturally when it hits their leaves. Trees with the biggest leaves and the widest canopies capture the most pollutants, especially nitrogen oxide, a common byproduct of combustion that can irritate lungs and contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone. The reforestation proposal imagines emissions from Dow's largest North American factory drifting downwind into the trees near Freeport, Texas. Dow and the Nature Conservancy began a six-year, $10 million collaboration in 2011, when they came together to look at ways natural resources could be used to save the company money. After reading an obscure notation by the federal Environmental Protection Agency that suggested reforestation could improve air quality, the two groups decided to research how the idea might work and whether it could be cost-effective. Scientists used a complex model from the U.S. Forest Service that considers everything from wind patterns to the size of tree leaves and the overall canopy to estimate the air-quality improvements that might come from 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of forest. "The big discovery was that you could combine the traditional infrastructure with reforestation and still meet regulation," said Laura Huffman, the conservancy's director in Texas. The trees, Huffman said, may not completely replace traditional technology, but they could complement it, allowing factories to use smaller, cheaper equipment. The research found that over 30 years a 1,000-acre (400 hectares) forest would remove 4 to 7 tons of nitrogen oxide annually, said Timm Kroeger, a senior environmental economist with the conservancy. A traditional mechanical "scrubber" removes about 50 to 70 tons annually. So a 10,000-acre (4,000 hectares) forest equals one average industrial scrubber, he explained. And in this part of Texas, where open land is ample, reforestation is within reach. The cost of the project not including the land would be about the same as using traditional forms of pollution control, Weick said. Organizers hope to work with a landowner interested in reforesting, probably with help from conservation tax credits. Or the Nature Conservancy or the federal government would buy the land and give it to Dow free of charge. A recent progress report determined that the cost of cleaning a ton of nitrogen oxide through reforestation was $2,400 to $4,000, compared with $2,500 to $5,000 using traditional equipment. The research is still being reviewed by other scientists. And before any formal plan could be adopted, it would have to win approval from state and federal regulators, who would require any pollution-cleansing method to be quantifiable and enforceable. Trees may not fit the bill. Unlike machines, they are living organisms that are subject to diseases, droughts and other threats such as hurricanes or fires.

C O M M E N T A R Y

THE EDIT PAGE

Kieran Oberman

Should Scotland vote for what is best for Scotland?

n the face of things, the positions taken by the Yes and No camps in the referendum campaign would seem to be diametrically opposed. Yes argue that an independent Scotland would be better off: it would be richer, stronger, greener and fairer, resembling Norway or Sweden as much as the UK. No argue that an independent Scotland would be worse off: it would be poorer, jobs would head south and it would lose, along with its EU membership, the disproportionately large influence it has internationally by being part of the UK. Yet despite the appearance of opposition there is something that Yes and No have in common, which is that both are offering answers to the same question: what is best for Scotland? But why think that “what is best for Scotland?” is the relevant question to ask? Here’s a strikingly different approach we could take. We could ask, “What is best for everyone in the world, no matter where they live?” Asking this question would force us to think beyond Scotland’s borders and take into account the interests of all those upon whom the referendum will have an effect. Clearly, the outsiders who will be most affected are those living in the rest of the UK. In the event of a Yes victory, politics within the rest of the UK is set for a shake up. Currently, Scotland sends 59 MPs to Westminster, only one of whom is Conservative. So Scottish independence is likely to shift UK politics rightwards. This rightward shift is unlikely to take the form that people sometimes imagine: endless Tory majorities. Rather Labour and the Liberal Democrats will themselves shift rightwards in search of the new median voter and the UK will end up striking an even closer resemblance to the US than it currently does. All this should be good news if you are on the right. Scottish right-wing internationalists (if there are such people) have good reason to vote yes. But for those on the left, it should be deeply concerning. If the left is correct in thinking that right-wing policies worsen social injustice, then Scottish independence is likely to worsen social injustice in the rest of the UK. Given that the UK has many times the population of Scotland and given the plausibility of the principle that it is always better to save the greater number from harm, it would seem that left-wing internationalists in Scotland have a reason to vote no. And they may still have reason to vote no even if, as the Yes camp claim, Scotland would be richer, stronger, greener and fairer. From a an internationalist perspective, turning Scotland into a Scandinavian paradise, even if that were possible, may not be worth the misery created south of the border. There is a global dimension to all this as well. The Yes camp likes to argue that an independent Scotland will play a positive role in the rest of the world, but clearly it will not be a major international actor. The rest of the UK, on the other hand, will retain much of its current influence. If Scottish independence generates a rightward shift in UK politics, then this will affect of the rest of world to the extent that UK foreign policy affects the rest of the world. Again, the right should welcome the shift, but the left should be troubled. A UK without Scotland might be even more likely to support US-led wars, even more reluctant to take action on climate change, even more restrictive of immigration, even more hostile to EU efforts on consumer and worker rights, even more eager to back neo-liberal economic policies overseas. One thing that left-wing Yes supporters tell me, when I raise these issues, is that an independent Scotland will have a positive influence by providing a left-leaning role model for others to follow. Whether Scotland will really be all that left-leaning is questionable. Surveys of political values reveal that Scotland is not actually that different to the rest of UK. The problem the Conservatives have in Scotland might not be due so much to their right-wing policies as the perception that they are simply too English. If that is the case, one could imagine, post-independence, the emergence of a successful Scottish rightwing party, sawn of the Tory label and all its baggage and capable of attracting votes. But even if we accept the idea that an independent Scotland would be some kind of Scandinavianstyle social democracy, the role-model argument

The whole world will feel the impact of Scottish independence, and the referendum debate must consider which result will be best not just for Scots, but for people everywhere seems far-fetched. After all, if the rest of the world wanted a Scandinavian role model to inspire it, it already has one: Scandinavia. What need has it of a Scottish imitation? Moreover, no one should underestimate the capacity of large countries to ignore the affairs of smaller neighbours. The UK’s ignorance of the politics in the Republic of Ireland is rivalled only by the US’s ignorance of Canada. Some may doubt that Scottish independence would really produce a noticeable shift in UK politics. They might point to the fact that Scotland has only been decisive in three British elections in the last fifty years: 1964, 1974 and, the last one, 2010 (without Scotland, the Tories would now have a majority). But there are two things to be said about that claim. First, the fact that Scotland has been decisive in three British elections in the last fifty years actually seems pretty significant. That is three out of thirteen elections; almost one in four. Second, one only knows whether Scotland is decisive or not after an election. Going into an election, party strategists must plan for all possibilities. One distinct possibility, in a UK election post-Scottish independence, is that those missing Scottish votes will make all the difference. Given that possibility, Labour and Liberal Democrats are likely to play it safe and shift rightwards. The idea that party strategists will simply ignore the loss of dozens of safe seats and plough on as before, is extremely hard to believe. Now to some, all of these considerations are utterly beside the point because they will reject the internationalist approach from the outset. For them, the question “what is best for Scotland?” is the pervasive question in the public debate for a good reason: it is the relevant question. The idea that Scottish residents should countenance voting either yes or no for the sake outsiders, while anticipating harm to Scottish livelihoods, will seem preposterous, even treacherous. Scotland, like any other country, can legitimately put itself first when deciding its own affairs. I certainly accept that the internationalist approach goes against current orthodoxy, but I want to question whether that orthodoxy is defensible. For the question remains: what can justify the view that Scots should show greater concern for other Scots than for outsiders? Every one is human. Why worry about some human beings more than others, simply on the grounds of their geographical location? That question is rarely raised in everyday politics, but it as a question that nationalist political theorists have sought to answer. One of their most powerful arguments rests on an analogy between nations and families. People are often entitled to do things for their fellow family members that they need not do for strangers. If your mother is in hospital, it is okay to visit her; you do not have to visit other patients as well. If your sister is part of a group trapped in a burning building, it is okay to try to rescue her first, ahead of rescuing the others. If you want to read a bedtime story to your child, you can do so without incurring the obligation to read to every child. Families are often entitled to put their fellow family members first. Perhaps nations are like families. Nations, like families, offer people a sense of connection with others and a source of their identity. Just as people feel proud or ashamed of their families, people can also feel proud or ashamed of their nation. Families matter to people. Nations matter to people. If nations are like families and family members can put other family members first, then maybe nationals can put other nationals first too. Not everyone buys this analogy, however. One thing

that seems to be special about families is that they are (usually) a site of love and intimacy. And this helps to explain why family members can prioritise other family members. For it is hard to see how we could sustain relationships of love and intimacy if we did not put those we love and are intimate with ahead of others. By visiting your mother in hospital, you express your love for your mother. In reading to your child, you experience intimacy with your child. No such argument from love and intimacy can be made in the case of nationals. The vast majority of our fellow nationals are strangers we will never meet. A person who refuses to award her fellow nationals priority status does not thereby miss out on a loving, intimate relationship. Anti-nationalists, moreover, have their own analogies. Clearly there are cases in which it is unjust to award one group of people priority status on the basis of a morally arbitrary characteristic. Racism, sexism and sectarianism are wrong. What makes nationalism any different? The left, which often prides itself on its opposition to arbitrary discrimination, has had an uneasy relationship with nationalism. This is true as much in Scotland as elsewhere. Johann Lamont, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, has described nationalism as a “virus that has affected so many nations and done so much harm”. Strong words. But if nationalism is to be rejected and internationalism embraced, then the Scottish Labour Party, along with the others involved in the debate, should be prepared to say things like, “even if this is bad for Scotland, it is worth doing because of the benefits for outsiders”. This article has so far suggested that right-wing internationalists have reason to vote yes and leftwing internationalists reason to vote no. But let me end here by saying a little to redress the balance. One important international implication of a Yes victory would be that Scotland would seek to remove British nuclear weapons from the Faslane naval base. No doubt, the UK would do all it could to keep its nukes in Scotland and, in the event that it had to move them, it would search hard for an alternative location. But it is at least conceivable that Scottish independence, coupled with a revived anti-nuclear movement in the rest of the UK, could lead the UK to scrap its weapons altogether. Whether that possibility lends one reason to vote one way or the other depends on how one feels about nuclear weapons. Moreover, once one adopts the internationalist approach, some of the No camp arguments lose their force. If Scotland is no longer part of a country whose influence is disproportionate to its population size, then that may actually be a good thing. From an internationalist (and democratic) perspective, the UK’s disproportionate influence is unfair – a product of colonialism and power politics. The UK does not deserve its permanent seat on the UN Security Council, for instance. If the UK lost it after a Scottish exit, as some warn it might, that should be welcomed, especially if it led to a shake up in which poorer countries assumed more influence. Even the jobs argument looks different from an internationalist point of view. If jobs really would head south postindependence, then that would be bad for Scottish people made unemployed, but it would be good for the English people who get a job as a result and that benefit also needs to be taken into account. Finally, and most importantly, while the internationalist approach takes seriously the impact of the referendum on the rest of the world, it does not ignore the impact on Scotland. Since it is in Scotland that the strongest impact will be felt, an internationalist would be willing to vote against the interests of outsiders, as long as the benefits for Scotland are sufficiently great. Perhaps an independent Scotland really will be the successful, progressive country that the Yes camp promises and perhaps, as things turn out, the shift rightwards in the rest of the UK will only be slight. If so, a left-wing Scottish internationalist should vote yes after all. This article has proposed an internationalist approach to deciding how to vote, but it has not claimed that that internationalist approach yields any easy conclusions. On the contrary, the internationalist approach complicates matters further by bringing a range of new considerations to light – considerations that are all too often ignored in the public debate.

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FRiday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

13 June 2014

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

The Lady Rallies the Masses Once Again Women: The Less

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi greets supporters as she leaves a public rally in Yangon, Myanmar. Democracy activists in Myanmar joined opposition leader Suu Kyi in calling for constitutional amendments ahead of next year's general elections. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

Min Zin Foreign Policy

he big question in Burmese politics these days is whether the military will allow Aung San Suu Kyi to run for the presidency. The current constitution, which was drafted and passed by the old military regime, bars her from the job. Article 59F of the constitution states that any Burmese who has a foreign spouse or children who are foreign nationals can't become president or vice president. Aung San Suu Kyi's two sons (from her marriage with the deceased Oxford professor Michael Aris) have British citizenship, so she needs to change that rule before she can qualify for Burma's highest office. Burma's military rulers included that rather peculiar condition precisely in order to prevent her from taking power. During the third week of May, Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters gathered for two mass rallies in Rangoon and Mandalay, Burma's two biggest cities. (The demonstration in Mandalay, the most important commercial city in upper Burma, drew an estimated 25,000 supporters.) Both rallies called for amending Article 436 of the 2008 constitution, which essentially gives the military a veto over any amendments. The article stipulates that any amendments require the support of more than 75 percent of members of the parliament, where unelected military representatives control a quarter of the seats. Aung San Suu Kyi's camp have to get rid of this provision before they can amend the article that prevents her from holding the presidency. There's no doubt that Burma's constitution is deeply flawed. The excessive power that it grants the military and the obstacles it places in the way of amendment are only two of the most obvious problems. Ideally, of course, these provisions can be changed or abolished. In reality, matters are a bit more complicated. The 2008 constitution was the result of an effort to reduce the military's direct control of the state as part of the country's transition away from the previous military dictatorship. For all its flaws, the constitution has enabled the political opening that continues in Burma today. At the rallies, Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters called for replacing the 75 percent requirement with a simple majority parliamentary vote. After spending the past two years lobbying for a constitutional amendment, the Lady (as the Burmese often refer to their revered opposition leader) has finally lost her patience with the military, which failed to respond to her request for a formal meeting with key political players, including President Thein Sein, House Speaker Shwe Mann, and Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing. Speaking to thousands of supporters at the rallies, she ultimately resorted to some highly charged, shameand-name rhetoric: "I challenge the military..." "Sol-

he festival of the Indian elections have concluded, and the roads are being swept to clear the remnants from the firecrackers, party symbols and printed slogans. After a six-week, sevenphase voting period, and a larger campaign of promises made and broken precluding it, the results of the India’s 16th general elections were declared on Friday, and the Bharatiya Janata Party, also known as the Indian Nationalist Party, emerged the winner. But more than the party, it was the triumph of one man and the marketing of his image: 63-year-old Narendra Modi, formerly the chief minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat for two consecutive terms. What amazed many Indians was how, for the first time in the India’s election history, the BJP won the majority of votes — capturing 282 out of the total 543. It was the first time that a party other than then Indian National Congress, and without the appendages of coalition parties, took home the majority of votes. The Congress party has been the dominant political party in India since the country’s independence. However, this year has been the Congress’ worst performance in its history, and in its place the BJP surged to victory. But what last weekend’s headlines about a “sweeping victory” ignored was how Modi and the BJP were pushed throughout the campaign by another candidate to be more honest about his plans for India, his ideas for ways to root out the scourge of corruption and his plans to level inequality. This contender was Arvind Kejriwal from the Aam Aadmi Party, also known as the Common Man Party. The AAP was born as a result of the anti-corruption movement that galvanized India in 2011. A fission in the leadership of the campaign led to the formation of the party officially in late 2012. While Anna Hazare, a Gandhian known for his reformation work of villages in western Maharashtra, was of the view that the movement against

diers must be brave enough to face reality... "The military was founded as the Burma Liberation Army, not as the Army for Repressing Burma." The crowds were suitably fired up. They also applauded her decision to team up with the 88 Generation Group, the most influential activist group in Burma after Aung San Suu Kyi's own party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), to organize these mass rallies and launch a nationwide campaign to petition for constitutional reform. The question is whether this show of political influence will achieve its professed goal. The short answer is "no." In all likelihood, the campaign will end up serving merely as part of the broader political effort to garner support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD, ahead of the 2015 elections. In all likelihood, the campaign will end up serving merely as part of the broader political effort to garner support for Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD, ahead of the 2015 elections. There are at least three reasons to assume this outcome. First, what is the Lady's broader game plan? What will she do if the military rejects her call for constitutional reform? Will she launch a campaign of street protests? Judging by her statements to date, she has no plans to go that far. She insists that she's planning to reform the constitution in compliance with parliamentary procedure. Will she boycott the 2015 elections? Also unlikely. Such a move would leave her and her supporters in the political wilderness once again. So what's left? The 2008 constitution does not provide any path for translating public opinion into policy apart from regular parliamentary elections and the right of voters to recall elected officials. (A controversial bill that would translate the latter principle into law remains on hold.) So long as Aung San Suu Kyi is committed to pursuing constitutional change according to the military's rules, it's hard to see how her strength on the streets can translate into actual reform in the parliament. Meanwhile, the military and its associated political party are becoming savvier in dealing with the challenges posed by the opposition. Consistent with their strategy of co-optation, the ruling elites do not reject anything outright. They typically respond to opposition demands by making partial concessions and preventing fullblown confrontation. On May 21st, the parliamentary Joint Committee for Reviewing the Constitution (JCRC) announced that its members had agreed to amend Article 436, saying that they will submit a proposal to parliament for a final decision. Though the incumbentdominated JCRC did not reveal details of the proposal, it almost certainly won't do anything to help the opposition get what it wants. Moreover, the military chief recently made it clear that any constitutional changes have to be passed according to the existing amendment

procedures. In short, even if the military agrees to make concessions, the opposition will find it virtually impossible to pass a corresponding amendment. Since Aung San Suu Kyi is unlikely to resort to fullon street protests or election boycotts, the main effect of her current campaign for constitutional reform will be to motivate her base to vote for her party in the 2015 elections. Even so, the effort does come with a substantial risk. The campaign could spark conflict with pro-government activists such as the Buddhist nationalists who have already declared their support for the incumbent president and Article 59F. More importantly, military leaders might view Aung San Suu Kyi's call for soldiers to sign the charter reform petition as a ploy to divide the military. It's precisely such fears that fuel continuing suspicion of the democratic forces among the officer corps. The Election Commission, for its part, issued a warning to Aung San Suu Kyi, chiding her for using language "challenging the army." Whether or not the Lady has the stomach to pick another intractable fight with a new generation of military generals is a question that has to do with a second concern: the credibility of the constitutional reform campaign. Given the country's complex ethnic makeup and its continuing civil war, minority groups are among the most important actors in Burmese political conflicts. So far, however, their representatives have been conspicuously absent from the stage at Aung San Suu Kyi's public rallies (even though the Lady has paid lip service to the federalist cause in her speeches). This seems odd, considering there's no way to build enough support to reform the constitution that bypasses the ethnic groups (whether inside or outside parliament). So the exclusion of the ethnic groups from the current campaign merely reinforces the conclusion that the NLD constitutional reform campaign is really just a way of preparing for the 2015 elections. Instead of the ethnic groups, the Lady has brought in her informal sidekick, the 88 Generation group. Observers agree that most of the group's leaders do not entertain electoral ambitions, so they have no plans to field candidates against Aung San Suu Kyi -- at least in the 2015 elections. Finally, even if Aung San Suu Kyi throws all of her energy and resources into the campaign, the current political context does not seem to favor her. The current government's liberalization process might appear inclusive, but the reality is quite different. While the new regime has accepted Aung San Suu Kyi as a valid spokesperson in certain areas, it still refuses to give her any real power over policy. And there is little she can do to change that now, having given the government her blanket endorsement early on. The lady's public announcement of trust in President Thein Sein and his "genuine wishes for democratic reform" in 2012 granted the new regime much-needed domestic and international legitimacy; she may well regret that decision now, but what's done is done. Meanwhile, the anti-Muslim nationalist movement is preparing to push back if the Lady dares to launch a full-scale confrontation over the issue of constitutional reform. The promise of the Arab Spring has ebbed. Turkey's once-promising democracy is torn between chaos and rising authoritarianism. And now Thailand has once again succumbed to military rule. Under such conditions, it's hard to imagine that the international community will wholeheartedly throw its weight behind the unpredictable Lady. The countries of the West, who have generally taken Aung San Suu Kyi's side, insist on categorizing Burma as a success story not only because of the presumed success of its "democratization," but also due to geostrategic interests. Here, for example, is what President Obama, said about Burma in his recent speech to graduates of the U.S. military academy: ...[W]e have seen political reforms opening a once closed society; a movement by Burmese leadership away from partnership with North Korea in favor of engagement with America and our allies.... If Burma succeeds we will have gained a new partner without having fired a shot. Given its ambiguous endgame, its weak credibility, and the changing domestic and international context, the opposition's amendment campaign is likely to fall short of its declared goal before the 2015 elections. The leader of the campaign, however, may have a very different perception of what counts as success.

In India, upstart anti-corruption party pushed the establishment Priyanka Borpujari Waging nonviolence corruption should be unaligned in the electoral system of politics, Arvind Kerjriwal, who was a bureaucrat but has long been waging a battle against corruption in the capital city of New Delhi, felt that direct political involvement in the polls was necessary in order to change the broader spectrum. In the recent general elections, the AAP won a mere four seats, all from the northern state of Punjab. But what was remarkable was that in almost every state, the AAP ranked third or fourth. Through its days and nights of campaigning — without the large banners or media ads of either the BJP or the Congress — it attracted people from all sections of Indian society to think of this election through the lens of systemic corruption. Riding on momentum from the anti-corruption wave of 2011, the AAP showed the country that a third option other than the BJP and Congress could exist. The campaign was far from perfect, but it showed that an alternative was possible. Since its formation in late 2012, the AAP has managed to attract people from a large cross-section of society through its agenda to root out corruption. Fighting against the nexus between the government and large corporations was its cornerstone. The party largely operated in urban areas, even though it also campaigned for issues of the urban lower middle class. Volunteer youths took up the mandate of popularizing the party through active social media campaigns, and activists from across the country agreed to be the face of the AAP in the

polls, a fact that spoke to the party’s ability to steer away from religious or carvedin-stone ideologies. The party’s crusade against corruption resonated well with Indians, even those living abroad. It received tremendous support from Indians living outside the country, including a large convention of Indian-Americans in Chicago who extended its support to the party. Both inside and outside the country, Indians were exhausted by the evolving list of scandals and scams that plagued the last decade of the Indian National Congress’s rule. Given this fatigue, the AAP and its supporters were shocked when the anticorruption party received a majority of the votes in only four constituencies. In contrast to the AAP, the BJP spent more on this campaign than Barack Obama did during the 2012 presidential election cycle. With the election of Modi, the idea of development, in the form of large-scale industrialization without any consideration of its human cost, won the day. The memory of the 2002 riot in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where Modi was Chief Minister, was glossed over — despite the fact that more than 1,000 people were killed, most of them Muslims. (According to a Human Rights Watch report about the riot, “a key state minister is reported to have taken over a police control room in Ahmedabad on the first day of the carnage, issuing directions not to rescue Muslims in danger of being killed.”) And, perhaps most significantly, by choosing Modi, Indians exposed their hypocrisy about being truly angry about corruption.

For most Indians, a key reason they chose BJP or other dominant local political parties over the AAP was because of how the AAP’s handled of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi, which was proposed to further the investigation of charges against political leaders on a priority basis. The AAP had come to power in Delhi in the legislative assembly elections in 2013, but its chief minister Arvind Kejriwal quit after the Jan Lokpal Bill was not passed in the Parliament. For many Indians, that impatience was a mistake and likely hurt the party in the recent national election. Yet, it is still significant that the AAP won four seats in Punjab. It’s also significant that in all of the six electoral constituencies from the capital region of Delhi the party ranked second with very close margins. Perhaps these results show that there is space for a party that is truly speaking the language of systemic change. In other words, even in its defeat, the numbers show that the AAP played well. Of course, the route chosen by Kejriwal was significant, as was the preceding movement against corruption that awakened the nation from its slumbering acceptance of business-as-usual. However, the AAP cannot simply accept making a mark on parliament; it has to keep alive the momentum of political movements and continue challenging the swift corporate development of India in order to truly represent the anguish of the common man in the elections five years from now. March 16 showed the success of a perfect PR campaign and a population’s conscious amnesia around human rights issues. With the election of Modi, Muslims and other minorities might have much to worry about. But these will be crucial times for the AAP to fortify itself. Perhaps it spells doom to have BJP’s saffron color enveloping the country, in the textbooks, the billboards, the municipal toilets. But for the AAP, and its meager win and competitive loss, this is only the beginning of working towards what is phenomenally possible.

Represented in Indian Politics david Lal & abhiruchi Ojha

Countercurrents.org

s the elections for 16 th Lok Sabha has concluded with a voter's turnout of 66 percent, highest recorded after 1984 across the country by men and women electorate. With the increased voting percentage of women there were expectations running parallel for an increased women's representation in the Lok Sabha. In the 15th Lok Sabha, there were only 10.9 percent women representatives which are now increased to 11.2 percent with an addition of two more women MPs. Some significant findings of women's participation in elections, first, despite a marginal increase their overall percentage is far below in proportion to their population; second, women who comprise half of total electorate are not visible in the politics at the highest level; third, women's voting percentage in the Lok Sabha elections has witnessed an increase and it is almost equal to men; still, women are few as candidates in elections and at fringes as representatives. No doubt, the number has increased to the record highest since independence yet far from the critical mass. It once again highlights women continues to remain as ‘electors' and not as ‘decision makers' in Indian politics. According to the Global Gender Gap of 2013, in the index on ‘Women in Parliament' India is currently placed at 106 th compared to 100 th in 2009. Neither of them is encouraging for the political egalitarianism in India. From 1962 to 2014 general elections saw the domination of men in total electorate compared to women. Men electorate have increased from 6.7 crore in 1962 to 43.6 crore in 2014 and have been constantly between 52 to 52.7 percent of total electorate across the country. On the other hand, women electorate also increased from 6 crore in 1962 to 39.6 crore in 2014. Despite better women electorate, traditionally the participation of women in the voting was less compared to men due to different socio-cultural factors under lined by gender. In the recent elections, women have increased their voting percentage. From the first general elections there is a steady increase in the voting percentage of women. In 1957 general elections, women's voting percentage was 39 percentage compared to 56 percentage of men. In the last six out of fourteen general elections, women's voting percentage has crossed 55 percent which highlights their potential participation in the voting arena. In 1967, 1977, 1989, 1998, 1999 and 2009 elections witnessed an increase in the women's voting percentage. The 2014 elections have witnessed the record increase in the voting percentage of women compared to men. Women's voting percentage has increased from 55.8 to 65.7 percent in the last two elections; there is an increase of almost 10 percent. Increased women's voting percentage over different elections does indicate the growing enthusiasm and belief of women in the elections. Greater participation of women in voting does not suggest improvement in the women candidature and representatives in Lok Sabha. How much women choose to enter into active politics could be reflected from their candidature in electoral arena. Contestants in the Lok Sabha elections after filing the nomination suggests, in the last 60 years, ‘women candidature' has been highly insignificant both in numbers and percentage. The percentage of women candidates never went beyond 7 percent of the total candidates which was witnessed in the last Lok Sabha election. From 1957 to 1996 general elections, the total women candidates were only 3 to 4 percent. On the contrary, the average total men candidate to all Lok Sabha is above 95 percent and for women it is under 5 percent. In the 1998 general elections, for the first time, the percentage of women candidates' reached beyond 5 percent of total candidates. The last five general elections witnessed a steady increase in the women candidates from 4.2 percent in 1996 to 7.8 percent in 2014. Meanwhile, 2014 elections, have witnessed the highest number of women candidates but the difference in the candidature still continue to be high. One major finding is there was more number of men candidates in 2014 elections alone than the total number of women candidates to Lok Sabha from 1957 to 2014. There were 7590 men candidates in the 2014 which is nearly double of total women candidates put together in all general elections. Although women have high electorate, increased voting, improved candidature the gender ‘representation gap' remains substantial. The data on the representation of women highlight greater ‘inequality in representation' than in electorate and voters. The representation of women has increased from 4 percent in 1957 to 5.5 percent in 1971. The post-emergency election of 1977 saw the lowest share of women in Lok Sabha. In 1984, for the first time women's representation have crossed 8 percent when 42 women MPs were elected to the lower house. Coalition era in the 1990's saw a consistent but marginal growth in the number of women in Lok Sabha and the percentage remained between 7.1 to 7.9 percent. In 1999 elections, the state parties for the first time distributed highest number of tickets to the women candidates. The 2004 elections again saw a slight decline in the number of women in the parliament with 8.2 percent. However, 2009 elections brought the number to the highest with 59 representatives out of 556 candidates. The current Lok Sabha undoubtedly has observed the highest share of women in Lok Sabha. Total women members have increased to 61, two more than previous. There is a ‘negligible' 0.4 percent growth rate of women representative. While we celebrate the highest number of women representatives, it is equally significant to analyse their overall presence in the Lok Sabha. The total share of women in the 16 th Lok Sabha is 11.2 percent compared to 89 percent men. Out of total 7828 representatives to Lok Sabha, men comprise 93 percent of them and women 7 percent. If this trend continue to remain it would take another 50 years to achieve the critical mass of 33 percent forget about equal share. These insignificant numbers of women seek for remedial measures to ensure an increase in women's representation. Political parties are the agency for political mobilisation and recruitment, also allotting tickets and supporting them to win. It has to create a larger role to enhance the substantive gender representation in politics. David Lal is Doctoral Fellow, Centre for the Study of Discrimination and Exclusion, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Abhiruchi Ojha is Doctoral fellow at Centre for African Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

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.

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Friday 13 June 2014

The Morung Express

Child exploitation annually generates Rs.21 lakh cr in India New Delhi, JuNe 12 (iANS): At the end of the day it all boils down to money. Child exploitation, through child domestic labour (CDL) and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) is a “lucrative industry”, reveals a report by child rights organisation, Global March Against Child Labour, as between Rs. 2-21 lakh crore ($35-360 billion) is generated through it in India every year. To put things into perspective, the report, which was released June 12 on the World Day Against Child Labour, says that this illegal monetary pool accounts for 2-20 percent of India’s GDP. In 2012, India’s GDP was Rs.110 lakh crore. Titled “Economics Behind Forced Labour Trafficking”, the report relied on 420 cases of child domestic labour and 196 cases of commercial sexual exploitation and holds significance because it is one of the first comprehensive studies on the subject in the country that reveals the lure of big money behind child exploitation, the extensive network of beneficiaries from such exploitation and ultimately the rea-

son why this vicious cycle continues to spin. “It is a shocking revelation that Rs.21 lakh crore is generated by enslaving (mostly) young girls in brothels and homes that is equivalent to one-fifth of the country’s GDP. This black money propels capital corruption and most heinous crimes against girls and women,” Kailash Satyarthi of the NGO said. Terming CDL as an invisible, large-scale industry, “hidden behind private homes”, the report estimates that 220-250 million people, or 15-20 percent of India’s population, represents the uppermiddle and middle class. Of these, 60 percent live in urban areas and “research shows extensive trafficking of CDL to urban areas is to serve these growing upper, and upper-middle class urban families”. According to ILO in 2012, the total number of domestic workers in India is 90 million, and 2040 percent of them - 18-36 million - are CDL. The report further estimates that the number of such children will increase by 7-17 million. The study, which has

also taken inputs from other NGOs working on child rights, finds that most children employed as domestic labourers are girls (80 percent), and are mostly in the 14-16 age group. The most common source states from where they are trafficked are Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Placement agencies play one of the biggest roles in the network of trafficking children for domestic labour and they have sourcing agents in villages to lure parents into sending their kids on the pretext of a better life. “Seventy percent children were lured to leave their homes for high-paying jobs. The remaining children - 2 to 5 million - are either kidnapped or tricked into working as CDL, a gruesomely large number that is going unnoticed,” the report said. “Placement agencies make Rs.23-74 lakh per year by placing CDLs. In the national capital region, the market for CDL causes circulation of as much as Rs.205 crore to Rs.1,554 crore illegal money in the market,” it added. Commercial sexual ex-

UPSC civil services examination: 1,122 candidates make the cut

New Delhi, JuNe 12 (iANS): The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Thursday declared the final results of the 2013 civil services examination that 1,122 candidates have cleared. Of them, 861 are males and 261 females. Among the candidates, 30 are physically challenged. The candidates who have cleared have been recommended for appointment to the Indian

Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central services against 1,228 reported vacancies. Gaurav Agarwal topped the examination in his second attempt, with economics as his optional subject. The second ranker is Munish Sharma, who graduated with a B.Sc. degree from Delhi University’s Sri Venkateswara College. Of the

top 25 candidates, 15 are males and 10 are females. A total of 776,565 candidates applied for the examination, of which 323,949 appeared and for the preliminary examination and 14,959 qualified for the main examination that was held in December, 2013. Based on the performance in the mains 3,003 candidates were shortlisted for the personality test which was conducted during April-June.

DU student drugged, raped on blind date New Delhi, JuNe 12 (tNN): A blind date proved costly for a 20-year-old DU student after the man offered her spiked drinks and assaulted her sexually. The case was reported from Dwarka, southwest Delhi, on Wednesday. A senior cop confirmed that the survivor didn’t know the man. Use of date rape drugs is on the rise. Police are concerned about the easy availability of such sedatives and are tracking down the suppliers. “Drugs like clonazepam and rohypnol containing benzodiazepine can cause heavy sedation, drowsiness and nausea. They can even lead to loss of consciousness or cause death in high doses. They are much more potent than sleeping pills like Valium,” said a cop. Police sources said the incident took place after the woman, who works parttime at a well-known garment outlet, went to meet someone she had apparently in-

teracted with on Facebook and on phone. On Tuesday night, the survivor met him at a cafe, where he offered her a drink heavily laced with sedatives. He later took her to a flat and raped her. The woman was under the effect of drugs and didn’t realize she was being assaulted. She started coming back to her senses as the effect wore off by Wednesday morning. She told her friends about the incident and they informed police. An FIR under sections of drugging (328 IPC) and rape (376) was registered at Dwarka (north) police station. Sources said the cops had rounded up the accused on Wednesday night on the basis of his mobile location and were interrogating him. Last week, two Jharkhand girls were drugged and gang-raped in northeast Delhi by three men who befriended them on the pretext of getting them a confirmed train ticket.

ploitation (CSE), a “transnational illegal industry” because Nepal and Bangladesh are also part of the source areas, has in its well-established trafficking ring, traffickers, law enforcement officials, border guards and village goons eating into the monetary pie generated. The study found that 60 percent victims of CSE had fallen into the trap while looking for employment - which makes CDL and CSE interconnected - since abject poverty makes victims of both to become vulnerable in the first place. The remaining 40 percent, the study says, were duped under the pretext of love or marriage or were kidnapped. “Most individuals are unable to fathom the amount of money movement in CSE,” the study says. “On a conservative level, the amount of money generated per brothel per year from CSE can range between Rs.1501,440 lakh. This gigantic sum of money in circulation is black money raised by selling of bodies of enslaved women and girls.” “As per our most liberal estimates, the total costs in-

Young boys work at a small eatery in New Delhi on Thursday, June 12. India recently passed a law aimed at fighting child labor by making education compulsory up to age 14. But grinding poverty still leads many kids to work. Thursday, June 12 marks the World Day against Child Labor. (AP Photo)

curred in CSE amounts to $19- $309 billion per year. This causes $11-34 billion to circulate in the economy as unaccounted, untaxed, illegal floating profit,” the report said. The total number of girls trafficked for CSE per year is 0.5-4 million per year. The study reveals that the “purchasing cost” is the highest for the youngest girls. So, for 10-12 year

old girls it’s Rs.3-5 lakh; for 13-15 year olds it’s Rs.24 lakh and for 15-20 year olds it’s Rs.1-3 lakh. The report further estimates the monetary gain made by law enforcement officials (Rs.9,000-144,000 crore), lawyers and the judiciary (Rs.18,000-309,000 crore), healthcare practioners (Rs.9,000-144,000 crore) every year via CSE in various forms, like smooth

New Delhi, JuNe 12 (ReuteRS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told India’s civil servants to throw out dusty files, clear clutter from corridors and may even demand that they work a six-day week. The apparatchiks? They are apparently loving it. Within days of taking office, Modi issued 10 administrative commandments. The first: Build Up Confidence in the Bureaucracy. “This is unprecedented. Power has been shifted,” said Suhaib Ilyasi, editor of Bureaucracy Today, a professional journal. “The bureaucrats

are feeling happy - even though they will have to work harder,” added Ilyasi. In a readers’ poll, more than 70 percent backed Modi’s shakeup. It’s a huge turnaround for a state apparatus that, despite recruiting its top cadres through tough competitive examinations, has been ranked Asia’s worst by one political risk consultancy. In a two-pronged attack, Modi has targeted slovenliness in government offices - often grimy places where red spit from chewed betel nut stains walls, toilets are rarely

cleaned, and discarded furniture and rotting files clog corridors. In an edict seen by Reuters he demanded “hygiene and cleanliness”. Offices must be “cleared and spruced up”; each department should scrap 10 archaic rules; and forms should be no longer than one page. Change has been dramatic at government buildings across the colonial-era heart of New Delhi. Outside the Agriculture Ministry, unused files and old computers were piled up to be taken to a junk yard. Missing ceiling tiles have

protests outside electricity substations in Uttar Pradesh late on Wednesday, days after protesters had set substations on fire and taken power officials hostage after weeks of daily blackouts. “God alone can provide

been replaced in passageways to cover loose cables. The Health Ministry issued a statement saying that 35 steel cabinets, three water coolers and 40 chairs had been cleared from its corridors. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a tender to auction off “obsolete/unusable/unserviceable items”. Modi also wants bureaucrats to think creatively and take risks to overcome administrative paralysis that set in over the past decade as the previous government became engulfed in a series of cor-

ruption scandals. He has abolished a slew of cabinet committees, concentrated power in the Prime Minister’s Office and is expected to overhaul a Soviet-style Planning Commission. Modi’s gruelling schedule has ministerial secretaries - the top-ranking civil servants - rushing to keep up. And for some, old habits die hard. “I too want to clean my room,” said one senior bureaucrat, surveying an office table covered with stacks of files. “But there is a fear I may lose a document which could prove fatal.”

Badaun rapes, killings: CBI registers FIR New Delhi, JuNe 12 (iANS): The CBI Thursday registered a first information report (FIR) in the Badaun rapes-and-killings case and is sending a team of 20 officers to conduct the probe in Uttar Pradesh, CBI chief Ranjit Sinha said. Two cousins, aged 14 and 15 years, were allegedly gang-raped and were later found hanging from a tree May 27 in Katra Sadatganj village of Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun district, causing a national uproar. “We have received a notification from the central government and registered a case in Badaun rape and murder case,” Sinha told reporters on the sidelines of the passing

Supporters of Congress party burn an effigy of Indian Power Minister Piyush Goyal as they protest against long power cuts in New Delhi on Thursday, June 12. Severe heat wave conditions have prevailed in the northern plains of the country leading to power and water shortage in several cities. (AP Photo)

demand as people crank up air coolers to fight the heat. Modi has inherited the shortages from his predecessors, and power distribution is partially the responsibility of state governments. Residents staged sit-in

yet standardised or adequate,” a home ministry official was quoted as saying in the report. Regularisation of placement agencies, integration of data for proper monitoring, sensitisation of stakeholders and the need for the external affairs ministry instead of NGOs to repatriate victims from across the border are some other recommendations.

Modi’s tough love energises bureaucrats

out parade of the 17th batch of subinspectors at the CBI academy here. He said that the special team, including forensic experts, will be led by DIG Madhukar Tiwari. A CBI officer said that the team will “leave for Uttar Pradesh tomorrow (Friday)”. “The UP government has been requested to provide logistical support to the visiting team.” An official said that CBI sleuths are part of the special crime branch of the agency. The agency will also seek the custody of the accused who have been arrested in connection with the case by Uttar Pradesh Police. Seven people have been booked by the state police. Five of

the seven accused - two constables Chhatrapal Yadav and Sarvesh Yadav and three brothers Pappu, Awadhesh and Urvesh Yadav -have been arrested. The agency has registered the case under sections 376-D (gang rape), 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and section 3/4 of the ProtectionofChildrenfromSexualOffences Act. According to a CBI official, it was alleged that May 27 evening, the two minor girls had gone to the field to relieve themselves when the three accused brothers abducted them. “The witnesses to this abduction went to the police post Katra,

Anger rises as India swelters under record heatwave

New Delhi, JuNe 12 (ReuteRS): Swathes of north India are sweltering under the longest heatwave on record, triggering widespread breakdowns in the supply of electricity and increasingly angry protests over the government’s failure to provide people with basic services. The power crisis and heatwave, which some activists say has caused dozens of deaths, is one of the first major challenges for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was elected three weeks ago partly on promises to provide reliable electricity supplies. In Delhi, where temperatures have hit 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) for six days straight, residents marched through the streets in protests organised by opposition parties on Thursday. In the north of the city, people enraged by night-long outages clashed with police and torched a bus, media reported. Delhi is suffering staggered cuts as power companies ration spikes in

operation of brothels. One of the key recommendations of the report, which was also shared with the union home ministry, is for the need of monetary compensation to victims of labour, abuse, and their rehabilitation. “Many states have adopted plans for (trafficked) victim compensation (ranging from Rs.25,000200,000) but they are not

any relief from the prevailing power crisis,” said A.P. Misra, director of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation. Having drawn on all available supplies, Misra said power would only return once rain arrived and demand fell.

BODIES For L.D. Chopra, a 76year old asthmatic in Delhi, the power cuts almost mean the difference between life and death. Chopra was taken to hospital on May 31 after falling unconscious when a machine he depends on for oxygen support switched off in the outages, he told Reuters. Like Chopra’s home in the east of the city, much of Delhi has been without power for 10 hours per day in the last week, after a jump in demand and damage from a thunderstorm overwhelmed the grid, causing blackouts. Seventy-nine unidentified bodies were discovered in Delhi in the last four days, said the Centre of Holistic Development, a group working to end homelessness. Founder Sunil Kumar Aledia attributed the high number of deaths to the extreme weather. India has long-suffered deadly heatwaves. Periods of extreme temperatures have led to thousands of deaths since the 1990s,

largely in rural areas where basic infrastructure is poor. R.K. Jenamani, director of the meteorological office in Delhi, said his research did not point to any longterm trend of rising temperatures. But a combination of urbanisation, extensive use of concrete and more cars did appear to be changing microclimates within and near cities, exacerbating the impact of heatwaves, he said. The World Bank warned in a report last year that parts of India were rapidly becoming “heat-islands”, and that urban planners needed to act to counteract the dangers. “We are witnessing more serious and more extreme events,” said Anumita Roychowdhury at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), warning about the impact on public health. The heatwave has led to a jump in deadly ozone pollution in Delhi to levels that exceed government limits, the CSE said, with levels rising up to 315 percent in the city since June 1.

Sahadat Gunj and reported the matter to the duo police constables, but instead of taking action, they allegedly slapped and abused them,” said the official. “The matter was also brought to the notice of the officer incharge of police station but the police allegedly did not act. Later on, it was found the 2 minor girls were allegedly gang raped and found hanging from a tree outside the village,” he added. In a twist to the case, UP Director-General of Police A.L. Banerjee earlier claimed rape of one of the victims was not confirmed, suggesting that property could be one of the motives behind the crime.

Now Maoists distribute books, pens among poor

PAtNA, JuNe 12 (iANS): In perhaps a change of tack, Maoists in Bihar are distributing books, notebooks, pens and pencils to the children of the poorest of poor in a bid to win over the confidence and sympathy of the people in rural areas, an official said. Maoists have already distributed books among hundreds of children in over a dozen villages on the border of Jamui and Lakhisarai districts, both of which are considered to be their strongholds. “It may be part of their move to win over the poor people, who are not happy with them,” Jamui Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana told IANS. “By providing free books, it seems Maoists have at last realized that poor children also need education. But Maoists must also change their approach of targeting schools in rural areas,” Rana added. According to an education activist known for his close links with the Maoists, the rebels also plan to distribute books in other parts of the state, including Gaya and Aurangabad districts. “Maoists are likely to distribute books among children as it is part of their agenda to spread literacy in villages, known to be their strong base,” he said. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S.K. Bhardawaj said the force will monitor the Maoists’ new tactic. “Spreading education is a positive development but Maoists must be doing all this to regain sympathy and confidence that they have lost,” he said. Maoists blasted schools where the paramilitary forces were camped during the just concluded Lok Sabha polls. In the last five years, dozens of schools have borne the brunt of Maoist attacks in different parts of the state. The Maoists say the schools were targeted because they were used to shelter paramilitary forces during their operations against them.

Friday

InternatIonal

the Morung express

13 June 2014

Dimapur

Syrian woman survives 700 days of blockade HOMS, June 12 (AP): Over the course of the 700day blockade, her world shrunk to her living room and her kitchen. She survived by eating plants and reading books. She refused to look in the mirror, because seeing her withered state might break her spirit. Zeinat Akhras, a 65-year-old pharmacist, still bears the effects of nearly two years trapped in her home, surrounded by rebel fighters during the government’s siege on the ancient quarters of the central Syrian city of Homs. She’s still a wispy 38 kilograms (83 pounds), even after gaining four kilograms (eight pounds) since the blockade ended in early May with the fall of the rebels in the city. “Every day, we said it will end tomorrow,” Akhras said in a recent interview with The Associated Press in her home. “If we counted the number of days, we would have given up.” Homs’ Old City, a series of crowded neighborhoods, was under siege and bombardment in a campaign by government forces to starve out rebels. Homs had been one of the first to rise up against the rule of President Bashar Assad with protests in March 2011, turning the city into a battleground as government forces cracked down and opponents took up arms. Government forces

In this Thursday, June 5, 2014 photo, Zeinat Akhras and her brother Ayman pose inside a Greek Orthodox church in Homs, Syria. Akhras, a 65-year-old pharmacist, still bears the effects of more than two years trapped in her home, surrounded by rebel fighters, for nearly two years during the government’s siege on the ancient quarters of the central Syrian city of Homs. She’s still a wispy 83 pounds (38 kilos), even after gaining eight points (four kilos) since the blockade ended in early May with the fall of the rebels in the city. (AP Photo)

clamped the seal over the opposition-held districts in early 2012. Most of the tens of thousands of residents of the areas had already fled. With the siege dragging on, rebels began deserting as hunger spread, and morale collapsed in late 2013. Finally, the last few dozen fighters were evacuated in May to areas further north under a cease-fire, and government forces took full

North Korea rejects talks on missionary

SeOuL, June 12 (AFP): North Korea on Thursday rejected Seoul’s call for talks on the fate of a South Korean missionary sentenced to hard labour for life for allegedly spying and operating an underground church. South Korea proposed on Tuesday that the two sides should meet at the border truce village of Panmunjom for discussion on Kim Jeong-Wook, who was captured in the North last October. In a reply two days later, the North insisted that Kim’s fate should not be the object of debate because he broke the country’s law and was punished in accordance with it, the South’s unification ministry said in a statement. The North has ignored Seoul’s repeated calls to free the missionary, and sentenced him to hard labour for life on charges of espionage, running an underground church and being involved in “anti-state propaganda and agitation”. Fellow activists and missionaries said Kim had been providing shelter and food to North Korean refugees living in China’s northeastern border city of Dandong. They said Kim had crossed the border to establish the whereabouts of some North Korean refugees arrested in Dandong by Chinese authorities and repatriated. Although religious freedom is enshrined in the North’s constitution, it does not exist in practice. Religious activity is restricted to groups linked to the government. Pyongyang views foreign missionaries as seditious elements intent on fomenting unrest. A number of missionaries — mostly US citizens — have been arrested in the isolated communist state in the past. Some were allowed to return home after interventions by high-profile US figures. US citizen Kenneth Bae, described by a North Korean court as a militant Christian evangelist, was sentenced last year to 15 years’ hard labour on charges of trying to topple the government. The North is known to be currently holding two other US citizens, both tourists arrested this year.

‘Internet not behind newspapers’ death’

neW YORK, June 12 (IAnS): You must have heard - and might be believing by now - that internet sounded the death knell for newspapers. But that may not be true. According to new research by University of Chicago professor Matthew Gentzkow: “People have not stopped reading newspapers because of the internet”. He points out assumptions about journalism that are based on three false premises. The first assumption is that online advertising revenues are naturally lower than print revenues, so traditional media must adopt a less profitable business model that cannot support paying real reporters. The second is that the web has made the advertising market more competitive which has driven down rates and, in turn, revenues. The third misconception is that the internet is responsible for the demise of the newspaper industry. “This perception that online ads are cheaper to buy is all about people quoting things in units that are not comparable to each other - doing apples-to-oranges comparisons,” Gentzkow noted. Online ad rates are typically discussed in terms of “number of unique monthly visitors” the ads receive while circulation numbers determine newspaper rates. By comparing the amount of time people actually see an ad, Gentzkow found that the price of attention for similar consumers is actually higher online. In 2008, he calculated, newspapers earned $2.78 (Rs.164) per hour of attention in print and $3.79 (Rs.223) per hour of attention online. By 2012, the price for attention in print had fallen to $1.57 (Rs.93) while the price for attention online had increased to $4.24 (Rs.250). Gentzkow also pointed out that the popularity of newspapers had already significantly diminished between 1980 and 1995, well before the internet age, and has dropped at roughly the same rate ever since. The study was published in the American Economic Review.

control of the city. Akhras and her two brothers were among the few civilians who stayed until the end, in their multi-story family home in the al-Maljaa quarter, decorated like many of the area’s homes in an Arab medieval style of blackand-white geometric facades. They stayed because they feared rebels would seize the building

— the fate of other abandoned homes — or would loot the family pharmacy or clothing shop. In the beginning, the siege was tolerable because Akhras’ family had hoarded provisions for the sometimes long lockdowns during previous gunbattles. They were well stocked with rice, beans and cracked wheat and fuel. As the blockade deep-

ened, Akhras rarely left the building — perhaps six times during the 700 days, she estimated. “I used to come back sad from seeing the destruction. This area used to be full of life,” she said. Life took on a routine. Her brothers Anas and Ayman went out to check on their businesses and kept an eye on the nearby Mar Elia church. She

cooked, kept the building tidy. She rose at dawn and slept at sunset, since there was no electricity. Over the course of the two years, at least 12 shells slammed into their home, causing damage upstairs. “It was bothersome, because we’d hear explosions day and night. You get used to it.” A priest asked the Akhras siblings, who are Christians, to hide valuable church property. So gradually, icons and boxes of centuries-old church records piled up in their home. Then, their pharmacy and clothes shop were looted in 2013, so the brothers brought home boxes of remaining medicines and clothes to store as well. As the siege dragged on, rebel fighters showed up repeatedly demanding food and fuel, Akhras said. They usually came in groups, ordering Akhras to sit in the living room as they raided the kitchen and the upstairs apartments where food was kept. One young rebel snatched a jam jar that “barely had a spoonful left in it,” she recalled. Toward the end, the fighters didn’t even bother to come with guns — they simply knocked on the door and demanded food. Finally, in mid-2013, armed rebels surrounded the building and came in, carrying away nearly the entire stock of food and fuel. The siblings were left

with only cracked wheat, which ran out by January. Still, she said her family was not harassed by the Sunni rebels for being Christian — it appeared to be because her house was the one with food. Tragedy came in December. One of her brothers, Anas, who was suffering from cancer, left in a U.N. organized evacuation of hundreds of civilians from the Old City. He died 19 days later. For the last months, Akhras kept her mind on daily tasks. Without fuel, her surviving brother Ayman collected firewood. With their supplies down to only tea, oil and spices, Ayman also collected greens — dandelion, chicory and mallow, plants so unnoticed by a city-dweller that Akhras referred to them simply as “grass.” Even those became so scarce that Ayman dug for them in a church cemetery. Akhras’ duties now included chopping wood to fuel the subya, a traditional heater-oven. She learnt to soak, boil and spice the salvaged greens. She lost her appetite on the bitter, monotonous meals. She withered from about 127 pounds (58 kilos) when the blockade began to 75 pounds (34 kilos), shrinking as her space grew smaller. Akhras said she didn’t want to upset herself by looking in the mirror. “I knew I had lost weight. It was like I was on a diet I

never wanted.” Only after the siege was over did she finally see her transformation — she saw herself on TV, in footage of the army’s entry. “I was smaller than a child!” she exclaimed. In free hours trapped in her home, Akhras devoured books — the Bible and stories of saints, mostly. Neatly arranged on her coffee table stood a row of large bullet casings. Her darkest days, she said, came after Anas died and when Ayman went to sleep in another building they own to keep away looters. She was left alone as rebels raided the building again, this time digging upstairs for more medicine and clothing. “I missed my siblings — we are six girls and six boys. I missed my mother who died at the end of 2011,” she said. Akhras initially didn’t know on May 9 that the blockade had been lifted and government troops had entered the neighborhood. She has no radio and did not listen to the news. In a rare outing to the well across her alleyway, she saw a man who told her, “The army is here.” Surprised, Akhras found a soldier and asked him for bread — still unaware of how skeletal she appeared. The soldier bought her two dozen pieces of pita bread. “I ate a whole piece of bread myself,” she said, her eyes shining. “It tasted like sweets.”

Hagel defends trade for US soldier

WASHInGTOn, June 12 (AP): Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel aggressively defended the secret prisoner exchange of five Taliban detainees for a U.S. soldier, telling Congress that the risks were too great and the situation too uncertain for the administration to tell lawmakers about the plan. In a nearly five-hour congressional hearing Wednesday that was at times contentious, House members accused Hagel and the White House of not trusting them enough to follow the law and fill them in on the decision to exchange Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five detainees at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. An equally combative Hagel said the deal provided “the best possibility that we had to get him out, and we were concerned we might lose it.” He said officials discussed the law requiring that Congress get a 30-day notice of detainee exchanges but said the Justice Department told them that in such extreme circumstances President Barack Obama had the constitutional authority to

forego the notice. The Justice Department declined to comment on advice it gave the White House. The first Obama administration official to testify about the prisoner swap, Hagel acknowledged up front that the matter could have been handled better. But he offered no apology for keeping Congress in the dark, insisting that Qatari officials negotiating the swap between the U.S. and the Taliban made it clear that “time was not on our side.” U.S. officials said last week that intelligence suggested that the captors might have killed Bergdahl if word of the swap leaked out. Calling the operation an “extraordinary situation,” Hagel said there were concerns about Bergdahl’s health and safety, the lastminute arrangements over where to pick up the soldier and persistent fears the Taliban may have been negotiating in bad faith. He said the deal only came together in the final 96 hours, and that the commandos sent to retrieve Bergdahl only knew the exact location an hour before the exchange.

“As the opportunity to obtain Sgt. Bergdahl’s release became clear, we grew increasingly concerned that any delay or any leaks could derail a deal and further endanger Sergeant Bergdahl,” Hagel told the House Armed Services Committee. “We were told by the Qataris that a leak, any kind of leak, would end the negotiation for Bergdahl’s release.” Republicans and Democrats questioned the wisdom of releasing the five Taliban members, saying they could return to the battlefield. Administration officials have told Congress that four of the five Taliban officials will likely rejoin the fight. Opening the hearing, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, the committee’s Republican chairman, described the agreement with the Taliban as the “deeply troubling” result of unprecedented negotiations with terrorists.” McKeon, who has launched a committee investigation, said the deal could spark kidnappings of American personnel. And he described White House explanations thus far about

In this file image taken from video obtained from Voice Of Jihad Website, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, sits in a vehicle guarded by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan. Bergdahl was freed by the Taliban on May 31, 2014, in exchange for five Afghan detainees held in the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (AP File Photo)

the potential national security implications as “misleading and oftentimes blatantly false.” Hagel called the former Taliban government officials “enemy belligerents” but said they hadn’t been implicated in any attacks against the United States. He said Qatar, which has promised to keep the for-

mer Guantanamo detainees inside the country for a year, committed to sufficient security measures that led him to decide the risks weren’t too great. He said details of those assurances are classified, but were being provided to the lawmakers. At the same time, Hagel said, “if any of these

detainees ever try to rejoin the fight, they would be doing so at their own peril.” Hagel, who received two Purple Hearts for his Army service in Vietnam, faced sometimes scathing criticism, provided a sharp contrast to what many had described as a lackluster showing at his nomination hearing last year.

Prayers, precautions amid Ebola threat

COnAKRY, June 12 (AP): One preacher advocated fasting and prayer to spare people from a virus that usually leads to a horrible death. Some people pray that the Ebola outbreaks, which are hitting three countries in West Africa, stay away from their home areas. Others seem unruffled and say it will blow over. But more than a month after Guinea President Alpha Conde told reporters the Ebola outbreak that originated in his country was under control, the death toll continues to climb in his country as well as in Sierra Leone and Liberia. At least 231 people have died since the outbreak of the fearsome disease, which causes bleeding internally and externally and for which there is no known cure. Guinea has recorded just over 200 deaths, along with about a dozen each in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The head of a non-governmental health organization in Sierra Leone said on local radio on Tuesday that the death toll is double the number officially reported in that country. Charles Mambu, chairman of Health for All Coalition, also called on the government to declare a public health emergency. Asked to comment, Amara Jambai, the director for disease control and prevention in the Ministry of Health, told The Associated Press that “the spread of the disease is serious. Ebola is with us and we must come together as a nation to fight it.” Experts say the outbreak may have

In this file photo provide byMedecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), taken on Friday, March 28, 2014, healthcare workers from the organization, prepare isolation and treatment areas for their Ebola, hemorrhagic fever operations, in Gueckedou, Guinea. One preacher advocated fasting and prayer to spare people from a virus that usually leads to a horrible death. Some people pray that the Ebola virus stays confined to a rural district. Others are unruffled and say the outbreak will blow over. (AP File Photo)

begun as far back as January in southeast Guinea. Ebola typically begins in remote places and it can take several infections before the disease is identified, making a precise start date virtually impossible to pin down. It’s one of the worst outbreaks since the disease was first recorded in 1976 in simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and Congo, said Dr. Armand Sprecher of Doc-

tors Without Borders. It may wind up being the worst outbreak ever. The West Africa Ebola situation is especially challenging because of the number of “satellite outbreaks” that have cropped up, said Sprecher, who has worked on the emergency responses in Guinea as well as in Uganda in 2000 and in Congo in 2007. There have been at least six satellite out-

breaks elsewhere in Guinea — including the sprawling seaside capital of Conakry — and in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Sprecher said. In each outbreak, health workers must identify patients, trace and monitor everyone they’ve been in contact with and teach people how to avoid the disease. “Family members and traditional leaders are strongly advised to work with health teams to avoid dead bodies and their body fluids and prevent spreading of Ebola and deaths of member of communities. The public is also urged to wash their hands with soap and water or use sanitizer, ashes, avoid eating bush meat (monkeys, fruit bats), and to chlorinate their water before drinking,” Bernice Dahn, Deputy Minister for Health Services in Liberia, said in a June 7 news release. One preacher in Sierra Leone called for divine intervention. “Even though the virus is said to have originated from birds and other animals, I believe the virus could be contained through God’s miracle,” said pastor Balogun Macauley, chairman of the Coalition of Religious Youths in Sierra Leone, which has called for a 21-day period of fasting and prayer. Jambai, the Sierra Leone health official, said the country has “not reached that level as yet to declare unilaterally the disease a Public Health Emergency. “We have to get the approval of WHO and other development partners,” he added, referring to the World Health Organization.

Dimapur

SPORTS

Friday 13 June 2014

The Morung Express

'Brazil adopts Italy's maestro'

MANGARATIBA, JuNe 12 (AP): Brazilian fans like to consider Italy's midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo as one of their own. For a generation now, Pirlo has displayed the kind of creativity, vision and passing skills normally associated with players on the Selecao. Perhaps it's no wonder then that Pirlo's inspiration for one of his best skills — free kicks — comes from a Brazilian. When the talented midfielder Juninho played for French club Lyon from 2001-09, Pirlo used to study his dead ball kicks down to the most minimal details. And Pirlo dedicated an entire chapter in his recently published autobiography "Penso quindi gioco" — "I think therefore I play" — to his study of Juninho. So it couldn't have been better timing then when Juninho paid a visit to Pirlo at Italy's training base Wednesday — three days before the Azzurri face England. "It was really neat. He talked about my book and came to thank me," Pirlo said. "I think he was just as excited to meet me as I was to meet him." Pirlo has scored from 25 free kicks in his Serie A career, two short of the record held by former Sampdoria and Lazio fullback Sinisa Mihajlovic. Pirlo should have no problem breaking the record, considering that Juventus announced Wednesday that it had exA fan who invaded the pitch shines the cleats of Argentina's Lionel Messi at the end of a tended his contract for antraining session at Independencia Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Wednesday, June 11. other two years, meaning Argentina will play in group F of the Brazil 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo) Pirlo will play until he's 37.

"I've got two or three years to go so hopefully I'll pass him," Pirlo said of Mihajlovic. But Juninho scored a French-record 44 free-kick goals with Lyon. So who is better? "I think on shorter kicks Pirlo is better. But maybe from greater distances I was," Juninho said after exchanging shirts with Pirlo. "But Pirlo has won everything his career, and his results tell everything. He's one of the most complete midfielders of his generation." Pirlo was one the architects of Italy's 2006 World Cup title, helped AC Milan to two Champions League trophies and has won the last three Serie A championships with Juventus. At last year's Confederations Cup, Pirlo was a fan favorite, earning a standing ovation when he exited at Rio de Janeiro's famed Maracana stadium. "It was very emotional, the first time I come to Brazil, to play in Maracana and receive an ovation like that was really special and something I'll never forget," he said Wednesday. "I'm also a bit Brazilian, (call me) Pirlinho," Pirlo wrote in his book. "When I attempt free kicks I think in Portuguese. Then I celebrate in Italian. ... I studied (Juninho). I gathered CDs, DVDs, and even old photos from his matches and eventually I understood. It wasn't an immediate discovery. It took patience and constant dedication." Pirlo recounted how he

would train for days on end at Milanello — AC Milan's training complex — trying to imitate Juninho. His first attempts sailed two meters (yards) above the target. But after weeks of practice, Pirlo began to understand Juninho's technique. "Juninho didn't kick the ball with his entire foot but rather just three toes," Pirlo said, adding how once he made that realization he ran onto the pitch in moccasins to test his theory. "The equipment manager was preparing to gather the ball in the forest as usual but instead it went in right between the post and the crossbar," Pirlo wrote. "It was perfect geometry." Pirlo then repeated the same exact execution five times. "The ball needed to be kicked from underneath, using the first three toes, keeping the foot as straight as possible and in that manner the ball remained still in the air but then at a certain point dipped down rapidly into the goal," Pirlo wrote. "When I execute it exactly like I want to there's no wall that can stop it." With his long, flowing hair and bushy beard, Pirlo looks more like a philosopher than a footballer. But he's a perfectionist on the pitch. Placing his free kicks into the top corner isn't enough to satisfy him. He prefers it when the ball skims just over the heads of defenders in a wall — to annoy the opponents all the more. "A goal scored like that gives me the most satisfac-

Italy's Andrea Pirlo stands on the pitch at a training session in Mangaratiba, Brazil, Wednesday, June 11. (AP Photo)

tion," he wrote. "When I was a kid I practiced with a sponge ball in our living room and nine times out of 10 the ball ended up between the window and the wall — exactly where I wanted it." This will likely be the last time Pirlo's free kicks can be admired on an international stage, as he's plan-

ning to leave the national team after the World Cup. "I'm starting to get old. It would be useless to continue," Pirlo said Wednesday. "Of course I'll always be ready if they call me back but if I'm on the national team and I don't play that would really bother me. So it's better to stay at home."

Spain concerned about WC pitch condition This is best England team I've played with - Rooney

CuRITIBA, JuNe 12 (AP): Spain is worried that poor pitch conditions in Brazil could hurt its playing style as it tries to defend its World Cup title. Spain often preaches the importance of a well-maintained playing surface for its quick-passing, possession-based game, which it said let it down in an opening 1-1 draw against Italy at Euro 2012. The campaign to ensure that playing surfaces are up to scratch in Brazil has already begun. Striker Diego Costa said "the field has to be wet and well-groomed" for Friday's opener against the Netherlands at Salvador's Arena Fonte Nova. That is looking like a tall order at some venues. Italy and England play Saturday at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, where the pitch is dry with white stripes visible. "For the moment all we know is that the pitch is brown," Italian football federation vice president Demetrio Albertini said. The grass being used at World Cup venues combines a mix of European and South American seeds — with the latter known for slowing the ball. European "ray grass"

Spain's Diego Costa, second left, and Sergio Busquets, left, duel for the ball during a training session at he Atletico Paranaense training center in Curitiba, Brazil on June 10. (AP Photo)

grows vertically to provide a polished surface, while South American seeds grow coarser grass blades that also emerge horizontally. "In a country this big with such a variety of climates it's difficult to maintain a certain standard," said Carlos Botella, a groundsman for Spanish company Royal Verd, which is managing seven of the 12 pitches, including at Salvador. "Luckily for the World Cup we have mixed the two

seeds so that the blades remain strong to maintain resistance while also ensuring the ball moves quickly." Royal Verd also maintains the pitch at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium, so Botella knows just what type of surface Spain's players enjoy most as their style of play bears a close resemblance to Barcelona's. But Botella said FIFA's rules were clear, and that the grass length was set between 18 and 22 centimeters and that watering

the field was not up to the teams but to the FIFA general coordinator. So Spain, shouldn't worry — or get too used to the Atletico Paranaense training ground in the southeastern city of Curitiba where the squad has been preparing. "The field was good, it was short and fast, great for quick touches, which is what we like," Spain midfielder Koke said Wednesday of Spain's training facility. "That's important so that the ball rolls quickly."

RIO De JANeIRO, JuNe 12 (ReuTeRS): Striker Wayne Rooney says the current England team is the best he has played in during his 11 years with the national team and that Italy should be worried about Saturday's game in Manaus. "It's probably the best squad I've been involved in so it's great to be a part of. I am looking forward to this tournament and the future with England because it certainly looks bright," Rooney told reporters on Wednesday. "It is exciting. I think the younger players in the team bring a lot of energy and excitement and it is great to be a part of," he added. England lost to Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals of the European Championship two years ago and the Italians are strongly favoured to emerge from a tough Group D that also includes Uruguay and Costa Rica. But Rooney believes that with the emergence of young players like Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana, the Italians will face a very different and improved England team.

England national soccer team player Wayne Rooney walks past images of his England teammates, from left, Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck and Gary Cahill upon his arrival to speak in a press conference after a training session for the 2014 soccer World Cup at the Urca military base in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 11, 2014. The England soccer team are staying in Rio de Janeiro as their base city for the 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo)

"I think they should really be more worried about our team," he said. "In terms of Italy, it is more or less the same squad so it will be an interesting game for us to see how we've moved on and how we've progressed in those two years." "I think, really, the Italian players should be looking at us and how they can control our team," he said, shrugging off concerns about Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who con-

trolled the game two years ago. "We're not really too focused on Pirlo. He has been a fantastic player and Italy have got some great players, but we also have them," he said. Rooney has been a surprising focus of criticism in England based on his fitness and more broadly whether he deserves a place in the starting lineup. "I don't care what anyone says. I am ready physically, I am focused and of

course there is competition for your places, there always is," he said. "You are playing for your country and I am ready for that. I am not worried. The manager has got a job to do. He picks the team and whatever side he picks I'll respect that and do my best to try and help the team," he said. Rooney has scored 39 goals in 91 games for England but has yet to find the target in eight World Cup finals games.

Belgium, Netherlands, like yoyos at World Cup

SAO PAuLO, JuNe 12 (AP): Together, they are called the Low Countries — the Netherlands and Belgium united by the flatness of their lands. At the World Cup though, it has been all ups and downs. It seemed that whenever one neighbor was sinking, another soared. By the looks of it this year, they may be passing by each other again, with the Dutch going down, craning their necks as the Belgians go up. Even before the World Cup kicks off, Belgium has already won one thing from its northern neighbor: Admiration. Ruud Gullit, captain of the Dutch team which won the 1988 European Championship, says that in the Netherlands "people feel good that the Belgians are finally able to show" their abilities. In one of the oldest football rivalries in the world — there has been 123 matches between the two sides dating all the way back to 1905 — it has mostly been the Netherlands that charmed the

world. That's in part because the Dutch often played the way Belgium could only dream about — attackminded, adventurous, even revolutionary. And the Dutch had two World Cup final appearances in 1974 and 1978 to show for it, plus the tag "the best team never to win the World Cup." They had players like Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp, and the Total Football tactical innovation to thrill fans around the world in their signature brilliant orange shirts. The Belgians during most of those days? Masters at negative play, more suitable for their allblack away shirt than their usual crimson red. Little wonder that while the Dutch were known for their attacking players, Belgium had goalies like JeanMarie Pfaff and Michel Preud'homme becoming the World Cup standouts of the 1986 and 1994 editions respectively. When Belgium did really well,

Netherlands soccer player Wesley Sneijder, right, reacts after he was tackled by a teammate during a training session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday June 8. (AP Photo)

like reaching the semifinal of the 1986 World Cup, it often seemed more by happenstance than design. The Dutch were back in the final of the 2010 World

Cup at a time when Belgium was languishing in 59th place. Last September, however, Belgium overtook the Netherlands for the first time in the history of

the FIFA ranking and now stands at 11 compared to 15 for the Dutch. It is why many believe the 2014 World Cup could be so important in the bal-

ance of power between the two neighbors. For once, the Dutch seem like a spent force compared to the Belgians. Youth used to spring eternal from the Dutch pro-

grams with young kids pushing out the veterans at will. In Brazil, the Dutch fans are counting again on veterans Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben to shine, like they did in 2006 and 2010. It even forced them to rethink the mantra that seemed to be used by any Dutch team: winning isn't everything, winning beautifully is just as important. Not anymore. "I don't think we're capable at the moment of playing tiki-taka or beautiful football," Robben said in Rio. And then he started echoing the Belgian approach of old. "In the end, it's all about the result," he said. "The counterattack is a very dangerous weapon that we're certainly going to use." So the pendulum has swung Belgium's way. These days, the playmaking of Chelsea's Eden Hazard thrills more than that of Wesley Sneijder. When it comes to youth, Belgium is now among the three youngest squads at the

cup, with an average age of 25 years, 11 months. And what Belgium has gained in attack, it has not lost in defense. With Vincent Kompany leading Manchester City to its second Premier League title in three years, Belgium has the foundation for a solid team, while adding creativity up front. Perhaps most importantly, Belgium no longer really looks up to its northern neighbor in awe. So often, there was a measure of almost unhealthy respect. Even the fans fit the bill. When many stadiums were turned into seas of orange, the Belgians were, well, harder to find. "They really have changed, because they always were the underdog," Gullit said. Over the past decades, Dutch players spread over the top leagues in the world, sometimes already as teenagers. Some flopped but those who succeeded built splendid careers matching skills with poise bordering on cockiness.

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Friday

Entertainment

The Morung Express

angelIna JolIe Upsets Chinese Fans with Ang Lee Comments

13 June 2014

Dimapur

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is back! T

wenty years after The Lion King became an animated classic, Disney is making a TV sequel. The Lion Guard is set to hit small screens in 2015 and will be followed up by a TV series in early 2016, according to a Wednesday article in The Hollywood Reporter. Aimed at preschoolers and airing on both The Disney Channel and Disney Junior, the plot will center around Kion - the second-born cub of Simba and Nala who wears an impressive orange mohawk. Kion assumes the role of leader of the Lion Guard,

ngelina Jolie has become a target for Chinese film fans after questioning director Ang Lee's links to their nation in a media interview. The actress was promoting her new movie Maleficent, which is set to open in China later this month (Jun14), when she was asked to name her favourite Chinese director. She chose the Life of Pi filmmaker, and then stated, I am not sure if you consider Ang Lee Chinese; he's Taiwanese, but he does many Chinese-language films with many Chinese artists and actors, and I think his works and the actors in his films are the ones I am most familiar with and very fond of. The remarks courted controversy because Taiwan and China have been at odds since 1949, and the Chinese people see Taiwan as a renegade province. Jolie's comments prompted a series of scathing attacks online, with some Chinese film fans threatening to boycott her movies, according to The Wall Street Journal. One upset fan wrote, By implying that Taiwan and China are two separate countries, in a moment of excitement, a brilliant woman became a stupid laughingstock. Another called the actress a deranged Taiwan independence supporter. Maleficent is scheduled for release in China on 20 June (14).

a group of the bravest creatures tasked with preserving the Pride Lands. The cub challenges tradition by recruiting his non-Lion friends that he believes to be the brightest and best suited for the job. He opts for Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a happygo-lucky hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret. Stories will include some special appearances by Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu and Kion's older sister, Kiara, the future Queen of the Pride Lands. The producers are also consulting wildlife educa-

tion experts from Disney's Animal Kingdom park as they hope to incorporate nature conservation as a theme. However, the voice cast has not yet been announced. The first Lion King movie premiered in 1994 and two sequels followed; The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride in 1998 and The Lion King 1Â˝ in 2004. Characters Timon and Pumbaa have also featured in their own spinoff series. This year is the movie's 20th anniversary and a special edition of the soundtrack exploring the stories behind the songs will be released June 24.

IdIna Menzel Makes More

History on the U.S. Album Chart

dina Menzel's amazing year has just hit another milestone in the U.S. - the Broadway cast recording of her latest show If/Then has debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart, the first time such an album has entered the chart so high in almost two decades. Ironically, the last cast album to debut at 19 was Rent in 1996 - and that also featured Menzel. So far in 2014, Menzel has starred in Frozen, the most successful animated film ever made, performed at the Oscars and landed a Tony nomination for her role in If/Then. Her Frozen song Let It Go has also become a modern classic, helping Menzel to become the first Tony-winning actor to have a top 10 single. If/Then and Rent are two of only four Broadway cast albums to reach the Billboard 200 top 20 since 1980. The others were The Book of Mormon in 2011 and Dream girls in 1982.

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Superfan builds a Batmobile

superfan has built a working Batmobile and has turned down offers of nearly $1m dollars for it - to instead make dreams come true for terminally ill children. Zac Mihajlovic, from Australia, put the vehicle together in his back yard over two years by modelling it on the famous car from the 1989 Batman movie. There are only between 10 and 12 similar replicas on the planet. However, with a full registration plate, this is the only one eligible to be driven. To date, Mr Mihajlovic have completed more than 40 Make-A-Wishes as kids clamour to jump on board Bruce Wayne's car. Mr Mihajlovic, 29, said: "I've always been a movie fan. Batman has the coolest vehicle and he's the only one without super powers." Zac MihajlovicPermission given to Mirror Digital by Zac Mihajlovic Australian guy builds Batmobile Zac Mihajlovic builds Batmobile in his garage 29-year-old Sydney man Zac Mihajlovic spent two years building a Batmobile in his backyard. It's a superhero fan's dream. In 2009, the megafan purchased spare parts from the actual Batmobile that was used in the 1989 blockbuster. After holding onto the items for a year, he then contacted Warner Brothers Australia to see if they were licensing issues for building the model. When he got the all clear, he started working alongside his grandfather, Scott Cox, who is a retired mechanical engineer. Around 30% of the items used are actual parts from the movie. It was finally completed in 2011 but remained in the garage until the twosome decided what they could do with it.

Eventually, Mr Mihajlovic applied for the replica to be passed as road-worthy and in December 2013 it was finally registered. The vehicle is now regularly used for professional and charity purposes. Zac MihajlovicPermission given to Mirror Digital by Zac Mihajlovic Australian guy builds Batmobile Zac Mihajlovic builds Batmobile in his garage 29-year-old Sydney man Zac Mihajlovic spent two

years building a Batmobile in his backyard.There are between 10 and 12 replicas on the planet Since being completed, the vehicle has also turned the heads of potential buyers who are eager to call it their own. "I've been offered close to a million dollars for it from a few people, a businessman in Sydney made an offer and someone on behalf of a sheik in Dubai made an offer as soon as it was registered.

"I would say that they were fair offers but I had had zero enjoyment with it at that time so I was not considering selling it and it now provides me an income." The 6.2 metre model does not feature machine guns and oil slickers like the one in the movies, but it does have a functioning front turbine and afterburner. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the car's debut in the Tim Burton hit.

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WCup heads to jungle for England vs. Italy

A pet rooster named Paquita Fred stands next to a replica of the World Cup trophy in front of Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 11. The 11 year old rooster wearing a cape with the colors of the Brazilian national soccer team and a medallion of the local Fluminense soccer club gets his name from Fred, the Brazilian footballer who plays as a striker for Fluminense and is now one of the members of the national soccer team. The World Cup soccer tournament starts Thursday. (AP Photo)

Pope to World Cup: Overcome racism, greed in sport

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 12 (AP): Pope Francis has a message for the World Cup: Let football be a showcase for teamwork and solidarity, not an exhibition of racism and greed. The Argentine-born, football-loving pope recorded a video message that will be broadcast on Brazilian television ahead of Thurs-

day's opening match between Brazil and Croatia. In it, Francis said football teaches three lessons that can promote peace and solidarity around the world: the need to train and work hard to reach goals, the importance of fair play and teamwork, and the need to respect and honor opponents. "To

Community Cup: football for change

DIMAPUR, JUNE 12 (MExN): Various business houses in Dimapur have come together to organize a Tiger 5 football tournament in an effort to further the idea of Community Social Responsibility. The tournament will take place at Maple Tree School, Dimapur on June 15, with participation of all known business houses in Dimapur. Zatara Pvt Ltd is the main organizer for the event with event partners, Design Stasg, Maple Tree and Crescendo. The event partners have collaborated with a local NGO called Youngs’ Club Dimapur (YCD), a youth led organization, who work with educational programmes, especially for children affected by HIV/AIDS and victims of Drugs and Alcohol abuse. They also work on programmes related to youth development, women’s empowerment, drop out students and overall community service. It added that the event will also serve as a platform for local businesses to network with other business organizations in Dimapur.

win, we must overcome individualism, selfishness, all forms of racism, intolerance and manipulation of people," he said. He said being "greedy" in football, as in life, is an obstacle. "Let nobody turn their back on society and feel excluded!" he said. "No to segregation! No to racism!" In his message,

Francis said he hoped the World Cup would be a "festival of solidarity between peoples." "Sport is not only a form of entertainment, but also — and above all I would say — a tool to communicate values that promote the good that is in humans and help build a more peaceful and fraternal society," he said.

Fabregas signs for Chelsea

LONDON, JUNE 12 (AGENCIES): Chelsea have signed former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona on a five-year deal. The Spaniard, 27, spent three years at Barca and joins the Blues after Arsenal turned down a first option to buy him. Fabregas, on World Cup duty with Spain, said Chelsea matched his football ambitions, adding he had "unfinished business" in the Premier League. "I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice," he said. The arrival of Fabregas at Chelsea comes 10 days after England midfielder Frank Lampard announced he would end his 13-year stay at Stamford Bridge. And Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also keen to finalise the transfer of his Spanish team-mate Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid. "They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can't wait to start playing," the Spaniard added. Fabregas, who scored 50 times in 305 games for Arsenal during his previous spell in England, will join Ramires, Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel as midfield options for Mourinho. The Barcelona youthteam product said it was "extremely important" the move was completed before the World Cup.

Cesc Fabregas (AP File Photo)

RIO DE JANEIRO, JUNE 12 (AP): The heat and humidity will be a factor, and so will the poor playing surface, when the Amazonian jungle city of Manaus hosts England and Italy in its firstWorld Cup match on Saturday. The most exotic of Brazil's 12 host cities got one of the tournament's best games, a Group D match between two former World Cup champions. It's a match that neither team believes it can afford to lose. With Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli on one side working against Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard on the other, there will be plenty of superstar quality to marvel at and deflect attention from the subpar quality of the field. Even the head groundsman at the Arena da Amazonia said the grass was "in bad shape." But the field may not be as stifling as the heat. Temperatures are expected to be about 32 Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), and the humidity always seems to hover around 80 percent in Manaus. The team that can run for 90 minutes under those circumstances might just be the team that leaves the jungle city with three points. Before coming to Brazil, England spent some time in Miami to acclimatize to the hot conditions. Now that they are in South America, it's time to prepare for Pirlo.

Italy's coach Cesare Prandelli, left, talks with his players Mario Balotelli, center, and Andrea Pirlo during a training session for the World Cup in Mangaratiba, Brazil on June 11. (AP Photo)

"It's important we don't give him much time and space when we come up against him because he can influence any game," said Gerrard, the England captain. "He has got that ability." Pirlo has been getting better with age. He's 35 now, but only two years ago the midfield maestro was instrumental in leading Italy to the European Championship final — a run that included a penalty shootout victory over England in the quarterfinals. The World Cup in Brazil could be his last major international tournament, however, "I'm starting to get old. It would be useless to continue," Pirlo said. "Of course, I'll always be ready if they call me back, but if

I'm on the national team and I don't play that would really bother me. So it's better to stay at home." With an abundance of talent surrounding Pirlo in Brazil, including the often uncontainable Balotelli, some people believe that just holding the Italians to a 0-0 draw would be a huge success for England heading into later group matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica. England coach Roy Hodgson is not one of them. "When we get the ball we are going to go for it, we are going to attack," Hodgson said. "We are going to encourage our attacking players to do what we do. But we are also going to make it clear to them that they can't go gung-ho

at any time." The key for England to avoid losing may just be neutralizing Pirlo. But the key to winning is getting the most out of a young squad. Hodgson dumped oldtimers like Ashley Cole and called up a younger crop of players, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling. So even though Italy faced England only two years ago in another big match at Euro 2012, there will be plenty of new faces in Manaus. "I do feel this squad is better. The standard from 11-23 has improved," Gerrard said. "We have better impact players this time around, and that gives me more confidence going into this game."

the masses. The intervention came after the telecom regulator lost its second court case seeking to have RS International Broadcasting air the matches on free TV channels. RS, the company holding the exclusive broadcast rights, had planned to allow just 22 games to be broadcast for free. Viewing the remainder of the matches would have required fans to buy a 1,590 baht ($50) decoder box, a sum too pricey for many fans, especially in low-income rural areas. On Thursday, the National Broadcasting and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission held a news conference to announce it had struck a 427 million baht ($13 million) compensation deal with RS so the entire World Cup can be shown on free channels. The tournament, which starts in the middle of the night Thailand time, will be broadcast on two militaryrun channels, in addition to a digital channel owned by RS. The fee falls far short of the 766 million baht ($23 million) that RS had pro-

posed to make up for the losses of its decoder boxes and licensing fees, the regulator said. The company had initially threatened to black out the World Cup if it was forced to broadcast it for free. But its chief operating officer, Pornpan Techarungchaikul, tweeted a reaction to the deal that stayed on script with the theme of happiness, saying the company was "willing to cooperate" so all Thais could watch the event for free. The junta that seized power May 22 has curbed freedom of expression, banned political assembly of more than five people, and has no plans to restore civilian rule any time soon. It has also summoned and temporarily detained hundreds of activists, politicians, academics and journalists who have been warned not to criticize the coup. On Thursday, a military court extended the detention of prominent activist Sombat Boonngam-anong for an additional 12 days. Under martial law, Sombat could face

up to 14 years in prison on possible charges of inciting unrest, violating cyber laws and defying the junta's orders. Sombat had spearheaded an online campaign calling for people to raise a three-finger salute borrowed from "The Hunger Games" to show opposition to the coup. Last month's coup ousted the civilian government of ex-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which had faced months of street protests that left dozens dead and the government paralyzed. The junta said it acted to restore order. The military government now says that new elections will take at least a year, after political reforms occur. In the meantime, it has launched an official campaign to bring back happiness, something it says the divided nation desperately needs. The campaign has involved weekly free concerts that offer free food and free haircuts. Authorities have announced that this week's concert will include free flu shots and entertainment including dog shows.

Junta engineers WC coup for Thailand

BANGKOK, JUNE 12 (AP): The military junta that overthrew Thailand's elected government struck a blow for freedom Thursday — the freedom to watch soccer. As part of its goal to "return happiness to the Thai people," the junta engineered a World Cupcoup that will enable the country's many soccer fans to watch all of the tournament's 64 matches for free. The move is the latest to highlight the irony of the junta's pursuit of happiness, as it tries to win support by embracing populist policies after kicking out an administration less than a month ago that it criticized for doing the same thing. "We hope that every Thai will receive happiness from viewing the 2014 World Cup games. Please watch and enjoy, all of you," said Lt. Gen. Chatudom Titthasiri, president of the army's Channel 5 television station. The generals stepped in Wednesday by asking regulatory officials to find a way to deliver theWorld Cup to

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