16th January 2014

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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 14

The Morung Express “

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reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Kohima | January 15

The Morung Express POLL QUESTION

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Are Naga politicians working diligently to earn the respect and trust of the public?

Yes

No

Others

NHRC notice to DGPs of Nagaland, Assam GUWAHATI, JANUARY 15 (PTI): The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Directors General of Police, Nagaland and Assam, calling for reports about bodies of nine persons found in a gorge in Nagaland’s Dimapur district. Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report that highly decomposed bodies of nine persons were found in a gorge covered in polythene sheets in Dimapur district adjacent to Assam, the NHRC also issued the notice to the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur. In an email to PTI here today, the Commission “observed that the press report, if true, raises a serious question of violation of human rights of the victims and issued notices to the Directors General of Police, Nagaland and Assam and to the SP, Dimapur calling for reports within four weeks”.

Thieves try to steal Sigmund Freud’s ashes

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LONDON, JANUARY 15 (AP): Police are hunting burglars who tried to steal the ashes of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud from a London crematorium. The Metropolitan Police force says a 2,300-year-old Greek urn containing the remains of Freud and his wife Martha was severely damaged in a break-in at Golders Green Crematorium on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. Detective Constable Daniel Candler said Wednesday that the attempted theft was “a despicable act.” The father of psychoanalysis moved to Britain from Nazi-controlled Austria in 1938. He died in London in September 1939. Golders Green Crematorium has seen the funerals of many British celebrities, including “Dracula” novelist Bram Stoker, comedian Peter Sellers and singer Amy Winehouse.

The crematorium said the urn had been moved to a secure location and security was being reviewed.

33 yearold Silsila Silsi ends with Namaste

Toss a coin into the air; it flips and turns in the air before it finally rests on the ground with its head or tail, deciding the fate of a game or a bet.

Each coin has two faces, one completely contradictory to the other. Just a flip of a coin and there is a whole new story behind. Ever so often, there is a shootout, an encounter; where one or more ‘cadre’ of one of the factions, Naga National Workers, is shot at and killed.

A brief paper war ensues thereafter,mostlyfordisrupting peace. Couple of days and the matter is wrapped up and boxed away. But, strip them off their factions, uniforms and guns, beyond them lies families; wife and children.

In all conflict, women and children are the ones who are affected the most.

If history is any indication, for that matter the present, children have always been the innocent bystanders caught up in the crossfire of violence and warfare.

“It’snotalwaysthatthefather has been killed. In most cases, the parents are still alive but they bring in their children saying that they are better off here,” says a care-

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Women, Children are often the innocent bystanders

A young boy plays with a toy at an orphanage. Photo by Kedimen Kichu

taker of an orphanage, the name of which is withheld.

According to UNICEF, during the last decade, it is estimated that child victims of warfare have included - 12 million left homeless, more than one million orphaned or separated from parents and some 10 million psycho-

logically traumatized.

In some cases, even before children are aware of their being, they are ripped away from everything, familiar or close to them. “At times babies as young as 24 hrs are brought in because the mother dies during childbirth and the father has little choice but to give up his

Naga political struggle will continue: GPRN/NSCN

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 15 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN today said that “the action of the Sumi Volunteers” on December 28-30, 2013, “was not against the Naga political struggle. It was simply a displeasure shown against a particular group, a remorseless kind, for crossing all limits of tolerance.” It asserted that “The Indo-Naga political struggle will continue until and unless an acceptable solution is arrived at, between Nagas and the Indian Government.”

While stating that “a Naga woman, be it a mother, sister or a daughter should be treated with dignity and respect at all times,” the MIP said that “The ordeal of the

helpless victims, the just demand of the Sumi volunteers, the lukewarm response of IM leadership and subsequent killing and injury of volunteers suggests a preconceived mindset and flawed policy at play.”

Noting that “Like the rest of the Nagas, Sumis are staunch nationalists and they will continue to fiercely support the Naga political struggle,” it reiterated that “when their mothers, sisters or daughters are humiliated physically and verbally as on 21st December, the unbearable insult, pain and anger turn into aggressive quest for justice.

The negative wisdom displayed by IM leadership in

the aftermath in not handing over the culprits despite a written assurance to do so is incomprehensible.”

The MIP also stated that “seldom has any Naga leader at any era of our struggle, given order to open fire at Naga volunteers. This unsavory incident is not related to Indo-Naga Political issue but a serious violation of human rights by the perpetrators and equally by the organization to which they are affiliated to.” The GPRN/NSCN observed, “Whether it was lack of wisdom, arrogance or plain hatred for a tribe, in the end it was not Sumi volunteers but resilient Naga spirit that triumphed.”

Full text on page 4

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–Henry David Thoreau

Time to shift from Serena individualism to collectivism Williams, Djokovic [ PAGE 2] advance Thai PM stands firm [ PAGE 10] on February election

CHILDREN OF CONFLICT: The other side of the story Naro Longchar

Time to go to the market?

Oh. I am updating my facebook status give me twothree hours.

Thursday, January 16, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined

US returns 3 ‘most wanted’ stolen antiquities to India

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child,” adds the caretaker.

“Children have, of course, always been caught up in warfare. They usually have little choice but to experience, at minimum, the same horrors as their parents. Children have always been particularly exposed and the trauma of exposure to violence and

brutal death has emotionally affected generations of young people for the rest of their lives,” states UNICEF. “My father was a Naga National Worker and he was hardly around as I was growing up. My mother passed away when I was very young and he was all that I had. Every day I used to fear for his life and prayed for God to protect him. And whenever I missed him, I used to go into the jungle to stay with him,” says the son of a National Worker.

The Naga Nationalist Movement is one of the longest in modern history and one can only imagine the many young lives that have and are being affected in the fight that continues till today.

Sadly, society has the tendency to undermine or overlook the effect of conflict in children, because they are minors. In any case, it is always the weak and the vulnerable who suffer the most in silence, because they do not get a say in the very thing that is destroying their lives.

This is but just a flip of a coin.

Toss it in the air and facets of countless stories with innocent lives intertwined into the violence will flash across before it finally rest s on its head or tail.

DiMAPUr KillinGs Assam demands cBi or niA probe GUWAHATI, JANUARY 15 (IANS): The Assam government has demanded a probe either by the CBI or the NIA following the recovery of nine bodies from near Dimapur in Nagaland earlier this month, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Wednesday.

“Assam has already asked the central government to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA),” Gogoi told media persons.

He said the situation has improved along the Assam-Nagaland border in Karbi Anglong district, which was tense for a few days after the bodies were found.

Nagaland Police discovered a mass grave and the nine bodies from Pachaspura area near Dimapur town on the night of Jan 3. All the victims were identified to be from Karbi Anglong, mainly from Bokajan subdivision. A day later, suspected Naga militants fired indiscriminately at

a village near Khatkhati, killing one civilian and injuring another.

Assam has intensified security along the Nagaland border and deployed 17 companies of security forces. Night curfew was imposed for a few days in Bokajan.

Areas along the AssamNagaland border were tense since the last week of December when militants from Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (KPLT) attacked a Naga village, in which at least seven people - four civilians and three militants - were killed.

On Dec 27, over 50 houses were torched in clashes around Chokihola in the district. Following these incidents, about 3,600 people took shelter in relief camps.

However, people have started returning home and over 600 have already left the camps.

“Now there are close to 3,000 people in the camps and we hope to send them back to their homes soon,” Gogoi said Wednesday.

Justice demanded for gang rape victim Morung Express News Dimapur | January 15

The Lotha Hoho Karbi Anglong and the Lotha Eloe Ekhung Karbi Anglong today staged a protest at the DC Office, Dimapur, demanding punishment for the three accused for the rape of an 18-year old girl on January 12. The two organizations submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, appealing that justice be delivered to the victim.

The memorandum, appended by LHKA Chairman, N James Murry and LEHKA Chairperson, Mhabeni Humtsoe, termed the incident as a case of “barbaric,

LHKA, LEEKA stage protest; submits memorandum to DC

senseless and inhuman act perpetrated against an innocent student” and demanded that the accused be awarded “capital punishment.” While appreciating the Nagaland police for their “proactive action,” the organizations appealed to the DC that the accused persons face trial through a fast track court and that they be not granted bail “under any circumstances or pressure.”

The protest saw the DC Office being gheraoed by members of the two bodies.

Protesters however relent-

ed after the District Administration, District & Sessions Judge and the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur made assurances that justice would be seen to.

On January 12, the victim was on her way back home after attending a church service, when she was picked up by the three men in an auto-rickshaw.

She was then taken to the Dimapur State Stadium and gang-raped. Sources informed that one of the accused was an acquaintance of the victim and had thereby, succeeded in luring her

into the auto-rickshaw.

Police have arrested all the three accused and identified them as - Benathung Kikon (20) S/o Ekonthung Kikon of Yikhum Village, Yanthungo Odyuo (24) S/o Wonyimo Odyuo of Yikhum Village, and, Wobenthung Ngullie (27) S/o late Lampvuo Ngullie of Niroyo Village. It was learnt that two of the accused are fathers.

Meanwhile, Additional SP & PRO, Dimapur Police, W Jamir informed that a case has been registered and that the investigations are on. He further informed that the police have succeeded in getting a remand for the three accused.

culture, sustainability and participation for rio Morung Express News

Chuchuyimpang | January 15

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said today that Nagas were introduced to the global scenario through global conflict in World War II. While the Naga forefathers struggled to safeguard “our culture and identity,” Rio asserted that Naga people today, due to their own selfishness, do not realize what the Naga leaders had started.

Rio was speaking at the 66th General Conference of the Ao Kaketshir Telongjem (AKM) being held January 14-16 here, attended by over 3000 delegates.

He said that the current issues being faced by Nagaland should also be discussed by the students and the public, apart from the government. While pointing out that Nagaland State is facing a number of challenges currently, including financial constraints, he stressed that even after 50 years, that State is not being able to extract resources on its own. Rio said it is the DAN government that is attempting to safeguard Naga rights, especially through bringing under its control the Rules of Executive Business. In the step motherly attitude meted out to the Nagaland State by the Centre is also the fact that there are no central or regional institutions in Nagaland though some of the smaller neighbouring states have such institutions. Rio emphasized the need to think and act upon the flaws in the implementation of Article 371-A, and pointed out the need for

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, is seen receiving a memento at the 66th General Conference of Ao Kaketshir Mungdang at Chuchuyimpang Village on January 15.

Rio was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

more deliberation among the people, especially students.

The Chief Minister applauded the Ao community for pioneering work in many fields, especially in education as well as establishing newspapers. Helping students with education has also been taken up by the AKM through coaching classes and setting up of libraries. He also commended the community for taking up conservation drives in many villages.

Apart from development, we should also talk about conservation, he said. The efforts towards the conservation of the

Amur Falcon, for instance, said Rio, has accomplished the task of bringing positive news from Nagaland to India and the world for the first time. Students, he said, should be a part of this sustainable work.

Rio also acknowledged the efforts of the AKM through its ‘Survival Mokokchung’ campaign, which exemplifies how local people can take up professional work at all levels independently. This should encourage students in other districts as well, he said. While deliberating on ‘Work culture’, he stated “unless we have work culture we are going to suffer.” “This is a world of competition; unless you are computer literate, you are handicapped,” stated the Chief Minister while talking about work culture. He additionally expressed that every position/privilege carries a responsibility, and it is against religion if we do not perform our assigned duty.

Rio stated that “Chakhesang tribes are the most progressive tribe in our state” because they are hardworking and focused. He exhorted the student’s gathering to be hardworkingliketheChakhesangs. Furthermore, Rio, referring to the Right to Education Act (RTE), stated that the no detention policy under the RTE will compromise quality education. He said that education should be taken seriously; a compromised education is very dangerous in a competitive world. “You will become mediocre because this is a world of competition and compromised education may not be helpful.”

Alemtemshi urges Nagas to “realize what we are” Morung Express News

Chuchuyimpang | January 15

Defining vision as “something concrete, based on present reality, which we will see happen,” Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir delegates at the 66th General Conference of the AKM to “realize what we are, who we are and what we can do.”

Distinguishing vision from daydreaming, he said that the Nagaland state government’s conceptual thinking on this ‘vision’ is going on.

Without specifying, the Chief Secretary was implicitly referring to the vision of, in his own words, the “Foot Hills Super Highway, railway, linear cities and urbanization;” a ‘vision’ he has been stressing on many platforms lately.

He also delved into the unemployment issue and suggested farming as a viable way out for Nagaland’s economic development.

Observing that land is not a problem in Nagaland, Alemtemshi said that “unemployment in Nagaland is a myth.” Stating that this is the age of

precision farming, he encouraged educated youths to engage in farming. He added that there is “enough land, enough technology, enough market provided we have a vision.”

He further encouraged students to use technology for good. “Violence may emerge over one small comment or one single picture but violence is never good,” he added, while advising the students to “filter” information received via various modes of information technology.

Citing the Mukalimi incident, the Karbi-Rengma issue and the ACAUT movement, he stated that the impact of technology has been felt in Nagaland’s socio-political areas. He left it to the audience to wisely make use of such avenues.

The Chief Secretary also confirmed speculation about his retirement by declaring that his retirement papers have been submitted to the government. He disclosed that he is due to retire in January, 2015. He did not disclose the reason for his early retirement but he did say that he wanted to “serve the people, God willing.”

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Dimapur

LocaL

Thursday 16 January 2014

MEx File AGBCN annual youth conference held Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): The fourth annual youth conference of Association of Gorkha Baptist Churches, Nagaland (AGBCN) was held from December 27 to 29, 2013 on the theme ‘Identity in Christ’ at the H.Q. AGBCN Mission centre, Singrijan, Dimapur.

The main speakers were Rev. B. Vinod Rai, missionary, Dimapur and Rev. Dhanbir Rai, lecturer CTC, Aolijen, Mokokchung. There were around 300 delegates from all over Nagaland. Praise and worship was lead by NBC Kohima. Some other highlights of the programme were two days Bible study which was conducted by Assistant Pastor, NBC, Kohima. Band competition, cultural dance competition, and choral competition on the common hymn ‘blessed assurance’ DTNBC, Duncan walked away with over all championship running trophy. Sanjay Aley, youth board chairman conveyed vote of thanks to every individual for grant success of the programme.

CM extend Tsiingkamneo festival greeting

Kohima, January 15 (mExn): The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio extends greetings on the occasion of Tsiingkamneo festival which is celebrated by the Yimchunger community. The Chief Minister hopes that the festival will be celebrated under a spirit of harmony, peace and brotherhood and he wishes successful conduct of all the programmes and festivities that have been planned, stated a press note issued

by Abu Metha, Chief Minister’s Office.

Nagaland Calendar and Diary on sale

WoKha, January 15 (Dipr): DPRO Wokha, Wilfred Murry has informed the public of Wokha district that Nagaland Calendar and Diary will be on sale in the office of the DPRO Wokha w.e.f. January 17. The Government has fixed the rate at Rs. 100 each.

SBAK Aizuto executive committee meeting

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aizuto, January 15 (mExn): The Youth Department under the Sumi Baptist Churches Association (SBAK) Aizuto executive committee meeting will be held on January 21 at 10:00 am at Anderson Heritage Sumi Christian Centre Aizuto. All Youth Executive Committee Members are requested to attend the meeting positively.

SUD fasting and prayer prog on Jan 18

Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): Sastami Union Dimapur (SUD) will hold a fasting and special prayer programme on January 18 at NCRC, Burma Camp, Dimapur from 6:00 am onwards. SUD General Secretary Kuhoi Naga in a press release has requested all the family members of Sastami community residing in and around Dimapur to attend during the (Sukusho Kighini) meeting and be blessed.

The Morung Express C

Time to shift from individualism to collectivism

Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): The yearlong Platinum Jubilee celebration of Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SKK) was kickstarted on Wednesday at Imulomi village where the first conference of SKK (then known as Sema Students’ Conference) was held in 1940 January.

Justice H. Khetoho Sema, former Judge Supreme Court, who was also the 6th President of SKK (196566), unveiled the jubilee monolith in the presence of former SKK leaders, Sumi leaders, Planning Board Platinum Jubilee members, elders and well wishers.

HK Sema said that the need of the hour in Nagaland was unity of the Nagas and the Sumis. He said it was time for the Naga people to shift from individualism to collectivism.

He urged the Church leaders to work with renewed zeal towards ushering in love, peace and unity.

H K Sema, who returned to the area after 41 years

rued the absence of major positive changes even with the passage of decades. He, however, said that the area was blessed as many of his contemporaries and elderly people were still alive. He urged the people to make the best use of the wisdom of the elderly people. HK Sema said even though he was in service for 25 years with the Government of India, he never forgot his own Sumi people but remained concerned. Stating that the Sumi frontal organizations were the head of the Sumi community, he cautioned the leaders against fragmentation within themselves.

To the younger generation, the retired Judge told them not to compromise with their future but to take God along with them. “Let hundreds be against you but if God is with you that is enough,” he said. He also cautioned them against “speaking in the language of money.” Speaking briefly on the contentious issue of Article 371 (A), the former

SKK Platinum Jubilee yearlong celebration begins

Justice H. Khetoho Sema, former Judge Supreme Court addressing the inaugural programme of the year-long Platinum Jubilee celebration of Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu on January 15. (Morung Photo)

Supreme Court Judge expressed lurking fear that a time might come when the Government of India would amend the Article.

Ex-MLA Yeshito Chishi

who was the 7th president of SKK and was supposed to exhort the gathering but could not attend the programme owing to ill health sent message express-

ing happiness at the jubilee celebration. Chairman Planning Board Platinum Jubilee, Kitoho S. Rotokha, the 24th president of SKK highlighted on the various activities to be taken up by the Sumi apex students’ union during the year-long jubilee celebration. Incumbent SKK President, Holuvi Chophy delivered presidential address.

The Media & Publicity Committee Planning Board Platinum Jubilee SKK in a press release stated that Imulomi, Sukomi, Yesholuto and Litsami villages, marked the launching programme of the Platinum Jubilee with cultural performances. Sumi Sheshu, a renowned male singing group among the Sumis presented songs on the occasion. A minute’s silence was observed remembering and honouring former SKK leaders who passed away.

Jubilee prayer blessing were pronounced by Rev Yevito Jimo, Executive Secretary (ES) SBAK Nito Mount; Rev Dr. Joshua Ro-

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chill, ES, SBAK Aizuto; Rev Hotokhu Zhimomi, ES, SABAK Pughoboto and Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu ES WSBAK. Former SKK leaders, Sumi frontal organization leaders and a host of elders were felicitated during the programme. Earlier, Rev Dr. Khehovi Director Sumi Baptist Convention invoked God’s blessing prior to unveiling of the jubilee monolith. Imulo Tokukujo Kiphimi Kuqhakulu hosted the launching programme.

During the year-long Platinum Jubilee celebration, the SKK would be taking up various activities such as training on entrepreneurship skill development at Niuland in April, awareness camp on competitive exams in JulyAugust, observing Sumi Patriots’ Day on August 4, constructing jubilee memorial hall in Zunheboto, jubilee memorial institution at Niuland etc. The jubilee celebration will culminate on January 15, 2015 at Zunheboto.

Tuensang district gets grand community halls

Morung Express News Shamator | January 15

Parliamentary secretary for CAWD, R Tohanba, inaugurated the newly constructed Leangkongrü village community hall under Shamator sub-division in Tuensang district on January 14. The Leangkongrü village community hall is one of the best community halls in Tuensang district and was constructed through various government funds including BRGF and contribution from the parliamentary secretary.

The parliamentary secretary in his address congratulated Leangkongrü villagers for constructing the two-storey community hall in a grand manner and judiciously using the fund provided to them.

Tohanba said the Leangkongrü community hall should serve as a model to other

villagers to judicious use of government fund. He said the grand community hall is not only a pride to the villagers but also to the department concerned. Tohanba further said that legislators and district administration officials will come and go but developmental infrastructures would remain. ADC Shamator, T Yanpvuthung Kikon also exhorted the gathering. Head GB, Leangkongrü village, TK Kheantsu delivered the welcome address, Leangkongrü VCC, S Tsunthong, gave a short speech.

Binkiu chaired the programme. A host of district administration and departmental officials including EAC Shamator, Athsangla, BDO Shamator, Mhabemo Humtsoe, DSO Tuensang R Thsanso, assistant commandant VG, Liang Khiam, Yimchungrü Tribal Council officials and party workers attended the inaugural programme.

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Parliamentary secretary for CAWD, R Tohanba (5th left), along with his wife, ADC Shamator, TY Kikon (4th left), village elders and others after inauguration of Leangkongrü Village community hall (background) under Shamator sub-division in Tuensang district, Tuesday (Jan 14). The newly constructed community hall is one of the grandest community halls in Eastern Nagaland region. (Morung Photo)

Motor Vehicle Rules – creating awareness Call to support implementation of January 11 to 17, 2014 is National Road Safety Week

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Dimapur | January 15

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Ever driven a vehicle without carrying your driving license or proper vehicle documents? While most of us would take the matter lightly, the District Transport Department in their bid to create awareness and to bring about a sense of responsibility, conducted checks on vehicles in the morning hours today.

This is in continuation of the 24th National Road Safety Week, being observed nationwide, and was the fifth day of the Road Safety Week. The checks were conducted at two places, viz. - Inter-State Bus Terminus Junction and Chumukedima. The District Administration led the drive and was assisted by the Police and Enforcement Personnel of Motor Vehicle Department.

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District Administration, Enforcement Personnel of Motor Vehicle Department, and, Police issuing tickets for violators of the Motor Vehicle Rules. (Morung Photo)

An official from the District Transport Office informed that the drive was being held to create aware-

ness rather than to penalize drivers. Informing that a nominal penalty was imposed on violators, under

NBCC and KABC visit relief camps in Karbi Anglong

The team in Sardoka, Silonijan during their visit to the relief camps at Karbi Anglong on January 13.

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Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): A team from NBCC led by the General Secretary Dr. L. Anjo Keikung with representatives from CRBC, Kohima and Dimapur Baptist pastors’ fellowship, Oriental Theological Seminary and four members from the Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention visited six relief camps in Karbi Anglong on January 13.

A press note received here stated that the rationale behind the visit was to meet and pray for both the Rengma Nagas and

Karbis who are displaced because of the current conflict. The team prayed for the people at the camps and encouraged them to abstain from violence and look forward in living together in love, peace and harmony for the welfare of the future generation. The team also provided in kind and cash relief to all the six camps visited.

The Council also initiated sending immediate relief material provided by the constituent member Associations and churches since December 28, 2013.

Sec. 177 and 179 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the official stated that a total of 357 vehicles were penalized.

The documents checked included vehicle Registration card, Pollution, Insurance, Driver’s License, Commercial vehicle permit etc. Those without valid documents were promptly fined on the grounds of violating the Motor Vehicles Rules.

While some drivers and their handyman were seen trying to bribe some of the police and make a quick get away, they were, however, very sternly turned down and told firmly to get their documents checked by the Enforcement Personnel of Motor Vehicle Department.

Aimed at creating awareness, the drive also saw enforcement personnel stopping vehicles jumping signals, drivers without shoes, and commercial vehicles ferrying more than the prescribed number of passengers. However, these offences were let go without penalty.

Polio Immunization programme

Kohima, January 15 (mExn): The first round of Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) programme in Nagaland for the year 2014 will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2014. Concerning this, the authority concerned from different districts has prearranged the schedules to successfully implement the programme.

Dimapur: The first round of IPPI Polio Sunday will be held on January 19 in Dimapur district. All Parents are requested to bring their Children aged 0-5 years to the nearest Polio Booth in their locality for Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) starting from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The Department would also appeal to all concerned citizens to mobilize children to avail the Polio Drops. Dr. P. Tia Jamir, Chief Medical officer, Dimapur in a press release on behalf of thee department has acknowledge the constant support

and co-operation from your esteemed daily and appeals once again for your full cooperation and continued support to successfully implement the programme.

Kohima: This is for information that 1st Round of IPPI (Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization) for all Children 0 to 5 Years will be held on January 19 and followed by house to house on January 20 and 21. Dr. Avino Metha, Chief Medical Officer, Kohima in a press release has requested all parents, community leaders, women representative, youth representative and church leaders of all villages and colonies under Kohima District to mobilize children to avail Polio Vaccine at the nearest Polio Booth.

Peren: All the public of Peren district are informed that District Health Society, Peren will be conducting the first Round Intensive Pulse

Polio Immunization (IPPI) 2014 for all children from 0-5 years of age. The health workers through the booths will administer free Polio drops on January 19 in all the towns and villages followed by house visits on January 20 and 21. In this regard, the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Peren has requested all Parents, community leaders, women and youth leaders and churches to mobilize children to avail the free Polio drops. This was stated in a press release issued by T. Ajungla Imsong, District Media Officer, NRHM, Peren.

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Mokokchung: District Programme Officer RCH & UIP, Dr. Limatula Aier has informed that the first round of Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) will be held on January 19. She also informed parents and adult to ensure all children between 0-5 years to receive polio drops on the day at the usual IPPI booths.

Elders urged to lead in forging unity Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): Minister for Roads & Bridges, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo on Wednesday urged the Chakhesang community elders to guide the young.

Speaking as chief guest at the 75 years and above gathering programme organized by the Western Chakhesang Hoho (WCH) at the Chakhesang church premises, Sazo hailed the efforts community elders have put in to settle in Western area, especially Dimapur. “It is your sincere and dedicated efforts and far sighted vision which have paved way for the younger generation to live with rest of the Naga community in Western area,” he lauded. The NLA Speaker also urged the elders to correct the younger gener-

Eldest man among Western area Chakhesang community, Mozonyo Puro (106) and eldest women, Sonehulu (103) pose for a photo with NLA Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo, R&B minister, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and WCH office bearers at Chakhesang Church premises on Wednesday.

ation in re-inculcating the good qualities associated with the tribe.

Blaming the younger lots for wasting their most productive years as the result of the community still lacking behind others, the NLA Speaker pointed out the need to do away with vices to improve economy.

The Speaker also prayed that

God would continue to prolong their lives to guide the community for better days.

Roads & Bridges minister encouraged the elders to lead in forging the unity among the tribe. “As a community, we are still lacking behind other tribes in every field. We however have their respect because of our elder’s hard working

culture and truthfulness,” he said adding, there was need to groom younger lot on the same line. To compete with the rest of the Nagas, the minister sought the need to seek God first.

WCH president, Vekhosayi Nyekha highlighting the significance of the programme said contemporary society on many occa-

sions fails to acknowledge the elderly, who are few in number. The WCH hence organised the gathering programme to acknowledge them and seek their blessing, he informed. Earlier, octogenarian Vepoyi Swuro pronounced the guardian angel blessing for the Chakhesang community residing in western areas.

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Regional

The Morung express

Thursday

16 January 2014

Dimapur

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Fresh influx of refugees from Mizoram to Tripura of Agartala) and Mizoram officials are also coming to the areas where the refugees are now staying. Officials of both the states would persuade the refugees to return to their villages in Mamit district."

Goel said that he has already talked to his Mamit district counterpart and requested him to take appropriate steps to take back the tribals to their villages -- Damdiai, Tumpanglui and New Eden.

Tension was prevailing in Reang-dominated villages in Mamit district over the kidnapping of three people Nov 23 last year by the National

Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants, aided by suspected Reang militants.

The three kidnapped people included a Kolkata-based telecommunications professional and two Mizoram-based drivers of private vehicles.

According to police, the abductors had demanded Rs.5 crore for their release, and set a deadline of Jan 15. The Mizoram government, however, ruled out paying any such ransom, saying it would set a bad precedent.

"As Mizo Zirlai Pawl, a powerful students' union, began a mass voluntary search

operation from last week to rescue the captives, tribal families apparently feared a repeat of the 1997-ethnic violence and fled in fear," a refugee leader told reporters.

Over 36,000 tribal refugees (locally called Bru), have already been living in seven makeshift camps in northern Tripura for the past 17 years (since October 1997), after fleeing their villages in Mizoram following ethnic troubles with the majority Mizos. The trouble began after a Mizo forest official was killed.

Around 5,000 refugees returned to their homes and villages in the past three years, fol-

lowing continued persuasion

by Mizoram, Tripura and union home ministry officials.

However, the process got stalled after that.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and his predecessor P. Chidambaram in New Delhi on a number of occasions and requested their intervention to repatriate the refugees to their villages.

Sarkar also holds the home portfolio in Tripura. He told both the prime minister and the union home minister that "continuous presence for

over 17 years of refugees from Mizoram has been a matter of concern for Tripura".

"The long stay brings its own socio-economic and law and order problems. The state government is providing necessary support for early repatriation of these families. However, the process has been extremely slow," Sarkar said.

The refugees have been insisting that without a formal agreement between the central government and the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura and also the tribal leaders, their return to homes and subsequent rehabilitation will

ShiLLonG, January 15 (ianS): BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will never become the prime minister of India because of his fundamentalist background, but the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will make it, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said here Wednesday.

"I don't see Modi becoming a prime minister, and any person having fundamentalist background in this country cannot aspire and become prime minister," Sangma told IANS. A pair of buffalos lock horns during a traditional buffalo fight during Magh Bihu at Ahotguri, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Guwahati, Assam on Wednes- Describing his Gujarat counterpart Modi as "amday, January 15. Magh Bihu is the harvest festival of Assam state and is observed in the Assamese month of Magh, or January. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Northeast Briefs

ULFA anti-talk faction executes leader Guwahati, January 15 (ianS): The anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Wednesday executed one of its leaders accusing him of involvement in activities detrimental to the group. ULFA's Arunodoi Asom said the executed leader, Partha Asom alias Partha Pratim Gogoi, was the assistant finance secretary and an operational commander in the outfit. "There were eight major allegations against Partha Asom - killing the outfit's cadres by having secret understanding with Assam Police and Assam Rifles, forcefully surrendering cadres, helping police in intercepting arms consignments on three occasions," an ULFA statement said. It said Gogoi leaked ULFA plans to police and security forces. Gogoi was also accused of planning to surrender to police Jan 26. "He was executed after all the allegations were proved with documentary evidence," the statement said. "The executed leader was also offering money to senior leaders as well as to cadres for surrendering to police and security forces." Gogoi was accused of striking a deal with police for Rs.1 crore for supplying photographs and satellite imagery of the outfit's secret camps. The ULFA anti-talk faction in November executed seven cadres on the orders of its chief Paresh Baruah for allegedly trying to flee from their camps. Two others, however, escaped and surrendered to police Nov 20. Police sources here confirmed the execution of the seven and said it was done to prevent others from fleeing their camps.

ZYF (AMN), GoM discuss illegal encroachment

iMPhaL, January 15 (MExn): The Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) and the government of Manipur have held discussions on the issue of illegal encroachment at the border of Tamenglong district boundary and Jiribam Sub-Division at the Office of the Deputy Chief Minister and at the office of the Manipur Chief Minister. A press note from the ZYF (AMN) informed that both the Zeliangrong Youth Front and the government of Manipur after holding for several times meeting, finally agreed to depute a joint enquiry team comprising of concerned departments of Tamenglong district administration and Jiribam SubDivision to verify the matter. It was also agreed to hold another joint meeting of ZYF and the government of Manipur, as and when the enquiry report is submitted to the GoM by the enquiry team for solving the issue once and for all. The enquiry team led by Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong; ADM, Tamenglong and SDO, Tousem and concerned departmental officials of Jiribam Sub-Division had conducted joint enquiry from January 7 to 9. The ZYF (AMN) is now waiting for the intimation from the GoM for holding joint meeting. It stated that prolonging the issue without solving the matter may invite widespread protest from the people, as the issue is serious and sensitive in nature. It urged the enquiry team to submit the report or to expedite the process of compiling the details, if not submitted, so as to bring early solution regarding the issue. It further expressed optimism at the GoM and hoped that the matter will be solved at the earliest.

'NLFT to release two of three captives'

mang Haokip from Saitu village under Sadar Hills in Senapati district, and Nongthombam Ibopishak who had contested on Manipur People’s Party (MPP) tickets from Thoubal constituency in the two previous state assembly elections.

Recounting that the BJP had promised the people of Manipur to revoke Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from the state in its earlier election manifesto, the former MP said the stance of the party on the issue still remains solid.

He said, “The state ruling Government with the help of the sitting MLAs can work to repeal the military Act without any trouble if they exert efforts. We can really count on these 60 members of the state assembly to remove this Act.” Chaoba said that the simple method is to stop invoking the Disturbed Area Status in the state as done by the neighbouring Nagaland state.

He said that Nagaland Government has already invalidated the Disturbed Area Status and therefore

AFSPA is no more needed in that state. “Manipur Government can also do the same thing,” he urged.

On the sidelines of the function, Chaoba distributed donation boxes to the members of the state BJP’s Mahilla Morcha, Youth, and other cells to request the public for money contribution to be used in organising the election rally to be addressed by BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Imphal on February 8 ahead of Lok Sabha polls 2014.

NPF Manipur on Senapati census

iMPhaL, January 15 (nnn): Accusing the Congress led Manipur government as anti-tribals, the NPF Manipur today said that the Congress is trying to reduce the population of the three sub-divisions of Mao-Maram, Paomata and Purul of Senapati district. It said the party would not stay quiet if the minority communities of the state are discriminated on any ground.

"The Manipur state government has set certain agendas to fiercely reduce the population of the three blocks as injustice was already met-

ed out through the last two consecutive Census of 2001 and 2011. The state government has rejected the physically counted Census data of both 2001 and 2011; that too after the provisional Census data was published which amount to violation of fundamental rights of the concern citizens,” the NPF leader pointed out.

The NPF had submitted a memorandum on August 31, 2013 urging the government of India to look into the matter and extend their authoritative decision to accept the 2001 and 2011 Census in respect

Assam gave over Rs 6,800 cr loans to farmers in 13 yrs

Guwahati, January 15 (Pti): Assam government today said it has disbursed over Rs 6,800 crore loans to more than 14 lakh farmers under Kisan Credit Card scheme since 2001.

Addressing a press conference here, the state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said "finally green revolution or agriculture revolution is happening in Assam. We are seeing an economic development in rural areas due to our constant focus on agriculture."

The state is witnessing robust production in almost every area of agriculture like rice, fruits, vegetables, dairy, fishery and food processing sector, he added.

"Since 2001, we have helped over 14 lakh farmers under KCC and we disbursed Rs 6,830 crore worth of loans. We have also covered over 3 lakh farmers under crop insurance," Gogoi said.

He admitted that the rural economy was in bad shape as the state was giving less importance to agriculture earlier and the only thrust area was oil and gas sector. "...But now we are giving a big push to this sector. Mech-

anisation in agriculture and overall infrastructure development has further helped the agriculture community," Gogoi said, adding the government is going to push agriculture in a "big way" over the next 1-2 years.

The Chief Minister also said to control inflation, the government has excluded all vegetables and fruits from the list of The Assam Agricultural Produce Market Act 1972, resulting in exemption of all kinds of cess on sale of such products in the state. "We are also increasing vigilance on anomalies in essential commodities.

We registered 888 cases in 2013 compared to 576 cases in 2012," he added.

Talking about the Lokayukta Act, he said the state will repeal the existing one and will introduce a new Bill comprising same provisions and power having in the Union Act. On Rahul Gandhi's statement that he is ready to take any responsibility, Gogoi said: "I welcome this and it is very encouraging for us. I had said earlier also that Rahul Gandhi should be projected as the Prime Minister candidate for the Congress party."

of Mao-Maram, Paomata and Purul sub-divisions of Senapati district, Manipur so that the rights of the tribal community is retained.

The NPF further extends their gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India and Registrar General of India, which had helped the party in producing fact population figure in the three subdivisions. The NPF also encouraged the different communities that had rendered their unceasing support in contributing and bringing out the true records and stands of the people.

EXAMINATION, NOTICE THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT The Hon’ble Gauhati High Court has been pleased to notify the dates of the written Examination for GradeI of Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh Judicial Service respectively. The schedule of the written Examination along with other details has been published in the Notice Board of Gauhati High Court as well as in the Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh Benches of Gauhati High Court. The Notification can be seen in the official website of Gauhati High Court viz www.ghconline.gov.in

bitious" and "impatient", the senior Congress leader from Meghalaya, however, exuded confidence that Rahul Gandhi will take over as the next prime minister.

"I have nothing against Modi. He is ambitious, hard working but impatient. In context of India, a man with this fundamentalist background will not be the prime minister of India," Sangma told IANS. Asked for comment on development of Gujarat under Modi, Sangma said, "I would be happy if you try with Chief Minister of Manipur (Okram Ibobi Singh) and send him (Okram

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By notification No.CON-6/LOR-11/2006 dated 04/01/2014, the Government of Nagaland has constituted HPEC to enquire into the recovery of 9(nine) dead bodies at Pachaspura, Chumukedima, Dimapur by the Nagaland Police on the 3rd January 2014.

The terms of reference are as follows. i. Motives and reason for the murder and the circumstances leading to the commission of such heinous crime. ii. Whether the crime is the handiwork of individuals, groups of people or organizations. iii. The identity of the perpetrators of the Crime. iv. The identity of the 9(nine) deceased persons. v. Suggest remedial measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

Therefore, it is hereby informed that any person having any information/ knowledge pertaining to the aforementioned crime and discovery may come in person/swear affidavit before magistrate/notary or transmit information to the HPEC vide e-mail: hpec.nagaland@gmail.com or before the committee in the conference room of the Office of the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur on 17th and 18th January 2014 between 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Singh) in his place and send Modi to Manipur."

He said the development in some of the states in the country was mainly because of the central-sponsored schemes launched by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government.

"This is the third term for him and any chief minister having the privilege of being in third term in last decades has been able to demonstrate some success stories because of the good things happening in the country," Sangma said.

"Whether it is Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh or Bihar, whereever there is stability, it (progress) has happened."

T SENSO TELONGJ EM UKE H C DI G M UN

UR AP

aizawL, January 15 (Pti): Militant outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) today agreed to release two of the three persons abducted on November 23, a senior police official said here. NLFT agreed to release the two Mizos abducted jointly by the outfit and Bru National Development Front of Mizoram (BNDFM) on November 23 last from the abandoned Chikha Anti Poaching Camp inside the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mamit district, SP (Special Branch) H Ramthlengliana said. While the abductors agreed to release Sanglianthanga and Lalzawmliana, they were yet to make a decision on the non-tribal captive, an employee of a private telecom company Deep Mondal of West Bengal, the SP said. It would take about two days to get the two Mizos freed in Mammit district as they were believed to have kept deep inside a jungle in a neighbouring country, official sources said. The abductors were demanding a huge sum of money as ransom from the telecom company for the release of its employee and also urged the families of the two abducted Mizos over phone to put pressure on the company management and also the state government to pay the ransom, the sources said. Some members of the Mizo Students Federation (MSF), which formed a 'voluntary search party', left Aizawl for Mamit district this morning.

MSF leaders said that search would continue till Deep Mondal was released unconditionally by the kidnappers.

Ruling party can easily remove AFSPA: BJP

iMPhaL, January 15 (nnn): BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba today maintained that the state’s present ruling Congress with the help of the sitting MLAs can remove AFSPA from the state if they exert efforts towards that end.

Chaoba stated this while announcing the formal induction of two new executive members into the party in a simple function held at the party office here at Nityapat Chuthek. The new executive members of the state BJP are Tong-

remain uncertain.

The leaders of the refugees have sent several memoranda to the prime minister and the union home minister in support of their sevenpoint charter of demands.

Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) president A. Sawibunga told IANS over phone: "We have been demanding adequate safety and security for the returning refugees, free rations for two years and Rs.1.50 lakh financial assistance to construct houses and restart cultivation, and allotment of land to all returnee families."

‘Man of fundamentalist background can't be PM’

MO P

aGartaLa, January 15 (ianS): In fresh tension, around 250 Reang tribals, including women and children, have fled to Tripura from nearby western Mizoram, officials said here Wednesday.

"Out of fear and because of prevailing tension, around 250 tribal people have fled to Tripura from nearby Mamit district in western Mizoram Monday and Tuesday," north Tripura District Magistrate Prashant Kumar Goel told IANS by phone.

He said: "Tripura officials have immediately rushed to Kanchanpur along the TripuraMizoram border (195 km north

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The Morung Express public discoursE Mimkut- Post harvest IM’s national principle not bigger festival of Kukis than Naga people: GPRN/NSCN M Thursday

16 January 2014

s the dust settles, the Government of India (GOI) and its various agencies may have viewed the siege and destruction of IM Camp at Mukalimi Village by thousands of Sumi Volunteers during the 28-30 of December 2013 as a reflection of Naga People’s anti-political struggle or opposition against Naga National Workers. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The GPRN/NSCN will clarify one aspect which is crystal clear: The Indo-Naga political struggle will continue until and unless an acceptable solution is arrived at, between Nagas and the Indian Government.

From the dawn of the Naga political movement to the present, the Sumi Nagas remain one of the most passionately involved tribes in the Indo-Naga political struggle. Did young Sumi men and women become such cheap dispensable commodity in the eyes of the IM leadership that a firing order was issued? Did they not remember the days in the late 80’s and in the 90’s when Sumi people shared their modest meals with escaped

and starved men and women from eastern Nagaland? The bones and marrows still contain Sumi food!

The action of the Sumi Volunteers was not against the Naga political struggle. It was simply a displeasure shown against a particular group, a remorseless kind, for crossing all limits of tolerance; for being insensitive to the fact that the molested victims could have been Issac’s or Muivah’s daughter, granddaughter or niece; that a Naga woman be it a mother, sister or a daughter should be treated with dignity and respect at all times. The ordeal of the helpless victims, the just demand of the Sumi volunteers, the lukewarm response of IM leadership and subsequent killing and injury of volunteers suggests a preconceived mindset and flawed policy at play. Like the rest of the Nagas, Sumis are staunch nationalists and they will continue to fiercely support the Naga political struggle yet when their mothers, sisters or daughters are humiliated physically and verbally as on 21st December, the unbear-

grEETing

able insult, pain and anger turn into aggressive quest for justice. The astonishingly negative wisdom displayed by IM leadership in the aftermath in not handing over the culprits despite a written assurance to do so is incomprehensible.

How could a leadership, claiming to be fighting for Nagaland open fire at ten thousand sons and daughters of Nagaland?

It was about calming a traumatized and agitated tribe nursing festering wounds, requiring prompt dialogue and soul searching steps to restore trust. They chose confrontation citing party principle. ‘…a tribe cannot dictate a Nation’ or ‘why should a nation bow down to a single tribe?’ These utterances flow forth from the so-called party principle bluntly suppress people’s will.

It was neither about a tribe against a Nation nor a tribe dictating or demanding to be worshipped. It was about right and wrong. Standing atop their group’s principle, the next firing order could be issued against Ao, Angami, Konyak, Lotha, Yimchunger, Chakhesang and other Naga tribe vol-

unteers if, God forbid, such animal behavior is exhibited by their cadres again and another public anger arises. Vague idea such as the ‘National Principle’ in decades has wiped out a cream of Naga intellectuals. It is unfortunate that Mr. Kraibo Chawang of IM, instead of going back to the drawing board and advising his leaders that the people cannot be fooled or threatened, chose to implicate GPRN/NSCN and others to save face. He failed to realize the difference between a paper boat and Noah’s Ark. The local dailies on 8th January issued by Sumi Hoho, announced the decision of the Sumi people against IM ceasing all co-operation. It implied that Sumi participation in the Naga political movement would continue but would be people based. On the same day Mr. Isak Chishi Swu sent a message to Sumi people.

And the people, both Sumis and non-Sumis could sum up whether the message was an extension of olive branch to Sumis or a dire threat against Sumi leaders. Ten thousand or more volunteers mobilized by

the Sumi Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho (STH), Sumi Students Union (SKK) and Sumi GB hoho cannot be called a mob.

Those were enlightened folks defending the prestige and honors of their women. Nagas have come a long way and all leaders must abandon me, me, and me attitude.

Having Mukalimi camp destroyed by Sumi volunteers is nothing since many similar camps could be erected yet seldom has any Naga leader at any era of our struggle, given order to open fire at Naga volunteers. This unsavory incident is not related to Indo-Naga Political issue but a serious violation of human rights by the perpetrators and equally by the organization to which they are affiliated to. The people have greater knowledge now though unarmed. Whether it was lack of wisdom, arrogance or plain hatred for a tribe, in the end it was not Sumi volunteers but resilient Naga spirit that triumphed.

Ministry of Information & Publicity, GPRN/NSCN

businEss

NE Consumer Awards unveils preferred brands

Guwahati, January 15 (MExn): A total of 55 consumer products, brands and services emerged winners in various categories at a red carpet award ceremony for the North-East Consumer Awards 2013, held in Guwahati last Saturday. Ranjit Barthakur, founder and chairman of Globally Managed Services, and Bimal Kumar Baruah, executive director-cum-asset manager of ONGC Assam Asset were conferred with Life Time Achievement Awards. Bhubaneswar Kalita, Chairman, House Committee, Rajya Sabha attended the occasion as chief guest while H.E. Mr. Saw Myint Oo, Minister of Sangaing region of Myanmar and H.E. Mr. U Myint Than, Minister of Mandalay region of Myanmar was the guests of honour.

North-East Consumer Awards 2013 was hosted by Dainik Purvoday along with News Channel DY365, Royal Group of Institutions, Apex Body of Industry Indian Chamber of Commerce and

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The most preferred cellular service and mobile internet service provider was Airtel, while Vodafone was the most popular brand across all categories. In the automobile category, the most preferred car was Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors was most preferred commercial vehicle brand.

Hyundai Grande i10 and Ford Ecosport won the Compact Car of the Year and SUV of the Year award respectively. Hero, Honda, Indigo and Tata Motors were other winners in this category. Most preferred cement brand was Star Cement while Asian Paints was most preferred pain brand.

In the FMCG category, Vivel was the most preferred bodycare brand while Dove was most preferred haircare brand. The most preferred Air Conditioned and Refrigerator brand were LG and Samsung, Sony, Panasonic.

In the financial services category, SBI emerged was the most preferred banker, while LIC was

the most preferred life Insurer.

Winners list included Samsung, Panasonic, Nokia, Samsung Mobile, Horlicks, Amul Taaza, Britannia Good Day, Nestle Munch, HP, Canon, Allen Solly, Manik Chand Jewellers, Titan, Reliance Trends Bisou Bisou, Vishal Mega Mart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons, Tata Tiscon, Jindal Panther, Videocon 4k DDB, Bajaj Electricals, Eureka Forbes Aquaguard, Godrej Interio, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Kumar Gaurav, ONGC, Motilal Oswal, Pushpak Air Travels, Perception and Good Buy. Awards are broadly divided under two categories - Consumers’ Choice Awards and Jury’s Choice Awards. Selection for the former is based on quantitative study conducted by market intelligence agency Oikonomist’s and data further processed and analysed by IMRB International with a total sample size of 2000 from entire NE, while the latter is based on consensus or majority views among members of elite jury panel.

imkut festival is a post harvest festival of the Kukis, recognised by the Government of Nagaland. The recognition of the festival was made possible due to the efforts and initiatives taken by Lt. Langkam Kuki MLA and Lalkholam Singsong MLA during the first Assembly after the Statehood of Nagaland.

‘Mim’ is a kind of food grain known as ‘jobs tears’ and the predominance of ‘Mim’ could be traced back in the true story of Lendou and his brother which is known within the Kuki society.

Lendou and his younger brother shared a piece of Mim to show their br otherhood love in times of hunger and distress, when they were abandoned by their mother.

Mim is the last harvest crop of all seasons. The sowing of Mim normally starts in the beginning of May and harvested in the later part of December and therefore, Mimkut is best regarded as a postharvest festival of the Kukis.

Tradition handed down orally from generation to generation says that the Kukis originated from subterranean underworld call “Khul”.

They came out from this “khul” in search of better land. They brought with them a number of cereals such as millet, tapioca, beans, yam etc. After they came over ground they found paddy and jobs tears together, which were brought across a river called ‘Jwinanhem’ by a pair of wild rats on a bamboo sheath tucked in the mouths. Gradually they found Mithun from a place called ‘Sisep’, Pig from ‘Bonnol’ and fowl from ‘Molkon’, which they domesticated. They would lavishly use these animals during such festivals. Thus the cultivation of ‘jobs tears started’ and they found that it was more productive and yielded better harvest.

The Kukis have rich traditions and cultural heritage that are distinct, unique and impressive. The land of the Kukis is blessed with rich customs and traditions and the folklores of the Kukis represent the rich variety of the Kuki culture. The Kukis have several festivals such as Mimkut, Chappjon Kut and Chavang Kut etc and the rich customs, culture and tradition of the Kukis, a legacy from their forefathers are reflected in the numerous festivals celebrated by the Kukis.

The scenic beauty of Ahthibung town under Peren district, covered in nature’s lap of lush greens would be all the more mesmerizing and impressive as it would be the happening place on January 16 and 17, the stage being all set for cele-

bration of Mimkut festival cum 50 years Nagaland Statehood celebration by the Kuki community of Nagaland. The whose who, of the State would converge at Ahthibung local ground joining in the festivity of the Kuki’s.

Come 17th January 2014, Chief Guest of the main function the State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio would be joining the Kuki community of Nagaland in celebrating Mimkut festival where on arrival he would be carried on Palanquin to be received by Chief Host MLA & Chairman, NHHDC Namri Nchang, Mimkut Committee members and Kuki Inpi office bearers. Besides, Minister Planning & Coordination, T.R. Zeliang; Parliamentary Secretary RD and REPA, C.L. John; State Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS; Project Director Music Task Force Nagaland, Gugs Chishi and hosts of dignitaries would be part of the 7th State level Mimkut Festival 2014, celebration joining the Kuki community in their merriment and feasting.

The two day (January 16 and 17) celebration would be marked by varieties of folk dances to be performed by cultural troupes of different villages, traditional games and sports, display of traditional traps, exhibition stalls, cultural competition, Kuki ethnic fashion show, traditional rituals, the much awaited Miss Kut contest and many more interesting events.

On 16th evening the main attraction would be the Mimkut Rock contest and Voice Hunt, which will features band and Solo competition. State Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS and Project Director Music Task Force Gugs Chishi will grace the entertaining musical extravaganza as Special Guest and Special Invitee respectively.

As Mimkut 2014 is being organised as part of 50 years Statehood celebration Health Mela would also be organised by the Department of Health & Family Welfare and the Department of IPR would be screening documentaries on Statehood.

Members of the State Level Mimkut Committee 2014, Nagaland, led by Special Secretary Home, L. Singsit IPS as Chairman and Kuki Inpi officials Nagaland led by its President Poalal Hangsing, IAS Rtd and various subcommittee members are leaving no stone unturned working out every detail meticulously to make Mimkut 2014 a memorable event.

(A DIPR feature by Lolano P. Khuvung, APRO )

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.

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ACROSS 1. 1. Russian country house 6. Contributes 10. Computer symbol 14. Not urban 15. Violent disturbance 16. Back of the neck 17. A kind of macaw 18. Infiltrator 19. No charge 20. Temple 22. A titled peer of the realm 23. Fabricated 24. Andean animals 26. Exchange 30. Female sib 31. Nevertheless 32. Tibetan monk 33. Away from the wind 35. Roof overhangs 39. In general 41. Wordy 43. Prison-related 44. By mouth 46. Connects two points 47. Little bit 49. Upon (prefix) 50. Biblical garden 51. Record player 54. Shower with love 56. Tropical tuber

57. A 20th century art movement 63. River of Spain 64. Region 65. Cowboy sport 66. Coil 67. Essence 68. Delicacy 69. Makes a mistake 70. Leisure 71. A low evergreen shrub

DOWN 1. . “Darn!”

2. Emanation 3. Fourth sign of the zodiac 4. Rabbit 5. Warning signal 6. Armored nocturnal mammal 7. Bishopric 8. A girl’s toy 9. Unbending 10. Designed to be filled with air 11. Billiards bounce 12. A drama set to music 13. Requires 21. Twangy, as a voice 25. Lascivious look 26. Swill 27. Undulation

28. Ends a prayer 29. A type of infantry 34. Change into a vapor 36. Cancel 37. Feudal worker 38. Observed 40. Wings 42. High society 45. Remedy 48. A measured portion of medicine 51. Inscribed pillar 52. Small drum 53. Mistake 55. Our planet 58. Murres 59. Old stories 60. Notion 61. Chair 62. Sweater eater

Ans to CrossWord 2773

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LOCAL

The Morung Express

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Photo Essay

hese are a series of photos taken on December 28, 2013, a day after the early morning incidents of violence at Khoaani and Nkhenlari (Khanari) villages.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Time for Nagaland to have state of art sports infrastructure: TR Zeliang

Dimapur

5

MEx FILE GPRN/NSCN suspends one Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): Secretary, Kilo Affairs, GPRN/NSCN Ghukiho T Jimo has informed in a press release that, as per recommendation letter received from the Regional Administrative Officer (RAO), Kuki region, Vumkholam, Razou Peyu has been indefinitely suspended “for indiscipline and misuse of government property.” The order comes with immediate effect, the release said, adding “his revocation will subject to improved discipline and positive report from region authority.”

KEJanglwa (pErEn), January 15 (mExn): Minister of Planning and Coordination, T.R. Zeliang today said that Nagaland needs to deeply explore the talents and potentials of youths, especially in the field of sports, by providing better and modern infrastructures if the state has to be at par with rest of the world.

Addressing the 39th annual session cum games and sports meet of Kejanglwa Youth Organisation Displaced villagers trek to safety under military escort on today, T.R. Zeliang said that December 28, a day after the December 27 incidents at a time has come for NagaKhoaani and Nkhenlari (Khanari) villages. This picture was land to have state of art

sports infrastructures in order to explore the talents of the youths and let them compete at the national and international level.

He asserted that Naga youths have immense talents in various fields, but could not come up to the mark because of reasons like improper guidance and training, and mostly because of lack of consistency and dedication towards one’s talents.

The minister also urged upon the gathering not to disrupt developmental activities in the name of land ownership, but take public

property as their own and cooperate with the government. He said that there were many cases where developmental activities have been halted, stalled or delayed because of the disturbance from the people especially in the development of road.

“People want development but when it is about to be implemented they always disrupt for one reason or other especially in the road sector,” he said.

He stated that expansion of road, especially national highways and town roads could not be carried out

because people build their houses too close to the road without following the rules and never willing to part even an inch for development unless government heavily compensates them.

“It is becoming a problem for all of us especially Kohima and Dimapur where we take one to two hours to reach our destination because of traffic congestion when in reality we can reach in five to ten minutes,” he lamented, adding people should plan their village or town properly before any developmental activities are carried out.

Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): The first meeting of the BJP’s recently set up Chargesheet Committee was held in Guwahati on January 10 with BJP presidents and general secretaries of all states. Nagaland State BJP president Dr. M Chuba Ao and general secretary Prashant Arora attended the meeting and submitted Villagers rummage through whatever that remained of a a list of 14 major projects charred house at Khoaani village on December 28. proposed by the Nagaland State Government to the UPA government which otherwise remains to be implemented.

The Committee comprises three other members, namely, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha; Ahluwalia, BJP National Vice President and Election Incharge of North East India and Sitaraman, MP and Party Spokesperson. The BJP’s

“chargesheet” against the UPA government ahead of the Lok Sabha polls seeks to draw views from people on the theme “the dark decade of malgovernance.”

A press release from secretary of BJP Nagaland informed today that among the subjects in the list forwarded by the Nagaland State BJP unit are the 428.80 km Foothill Road from Tizit to Khelma with projections of linkage with the Trans Arunachal Highway at Khonsa in the north and with the Quadrilateral highway in the south that ends with Silchar. The “poor attitude of the UPA government in solving the Naga Political issue despite the fact that the previous Rajiv Gandhi Government had brought about the Punjab and Mizoram accord to a lasting solution. Even the

state congress unit is very distant from the urge to have this problem solved,” noted the press release.

Other projects brought to notice, as per the press release, include: “Promoting Indo-Myanmar trade routes from three points of Pangsha, Lungwa and Awangkhu of the total length of 211 km. Construction of 2 lane Trans Eastern Nagaland road from Mon to Avangkhu. Extending National Highway corridor of NH 37 and 29 from Nowgong to Moreh. Construction of new international Airport at an alternate new location in Dimapur as the existing airport is a waterlogged area and non expandable. Commencement of the surveyed new 257 kms railway line from Tizit to Dimapur of the total project cost of Rs. 4274 crores. Setting up of Medical

college at Dimapur of the cost of Rs. 402.7 crores for capacity building and employment besides enhancing the medical seats and efficient and medical services not only to the people in the state but of the North East.

Construction of the State’s ministers’ and Speakers’ bungalows as the existing are over 50 years. Sanction of the Rs. 300 crores Special package for the Eastern Nagaland region, Power units at Lower Tizu, Zungki and Dikhu of the total of 256 MW, Commencement of the revival package of the Tuli Paper mill following the Rs. 100 Crores already released out of the total cost of Rs.600 crores, Upgradation of the SASRD, Agricultural college, Medziphema to a full fledged University, Establishment of Veterinary college at Peren.”

Kohima, January 15 (mExn): The GBs of Kijümetouma village in Kohima district have condemned the action of the 19 Assam Rifles (AR) in allegedly raiding the residence of the VDB Secretary of the village, Neisatuo Kets, during his absence on January 14 at around 5-6am.

This was intimated to the press today by three citizens of Kijümetouma village. Further, they alleged, “The AR when found that his residence was locked, went to his father’s house who is Another of the houses burned at Khoaani village as seen ex-chairman and raidon December 28.

ed the house which was unauthorized. Furthermore, arrested his father (Yachütuo Kets) under a threat and also carried the old man away along with them on their gypsy so as to unlock his son’s house after which the house was ransacked. The army left because they could not find anything in his house.” Yachütuo Kets has been informed of being in a “critical condition physically after this shocking incidence which is thoroughly condemned.”

According to the information given by the vil-

lage, the AR was acting on “false allegations by some cheap persons” which the village has said “cannot be tolerated anymore.” “It is a shocking surprise and embarrassing that AR who should rather give public security, trust this type of information and harass innocent public which is repeated time to time,” noted the citizens of Kijümetouma village.

The village has demanded a reason from the AR for the grounds on which this action on an “innocent public leader” was taken.

longlEng, January 15 (Dipr): Deputy Commissioner of Longleng, during the monthly District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting on January 9 appealed for safeguarding the Karbis in the district.

He requested all members, NGOs and right thinking citizens, administration heads of the respective jurisdiction to safeguard the Karbi people living in Longleng district and not to create any unnecessary rumours.

In the meeting held at DC’s Conference Hall, Deputy Commissioner & Vice Chairman DPDB, Longleng, K. Libanthung Lotha also informed the house about Nagaland governor’s visit to Longleng district on February 1, 2014. The Commissioner briefed on the purpose of the governor’s visit and also apprised some major development department heads to be mentally prepared for interaction with

the governor. Assignment/work distribution list relating to the governor’s visit was also read out.

With regard to the Republic Day celebration, the Chairman read out the Department wise work distribution for grand celebration of Republic day 2014 and also requested all the heads of the department to do the needful as per the assignment.

Highlighting on the Special Development Zone, the chairman read out a letter received from the Chief Secretary of Nagaland for Special Development Zone which was passed by the cabinet and received from Industries & Commerce Department for sharing of ideas, suggestions and comments.

Reviewing the last meeting minutes, pertaining to proposal for shifting of Range Office from Shetap to Tamlu ADC HQ, clarification was sought from the DFO (Forest) Tu-

ensang. However, since no clarification report was received from the department concerned, the house agreed to wait for the clarification from DFO Tuensang, while requesting the department concerned to submit in the next meeting for discussion.

ChumuKEDima, January 15 (mExn): All the business establishments within Chumukedima Town are informed that renewal of trade license Choginjun Kehun Council and fresh registration of firms will be done from Jan37th session uary 16 till February 15, 2014. Therefore, SDO (civil) cum Administrator of Chumukedima Town Council at Kisama Temjensangla has in a press release informed all conKohima, January cerned to comply with the above directive without fail.

15 (mExn): The 37th ses- Defaulter(s) will be strictly dealt with as per provision sion of Choginjun Kehun of the law, the note said. will take place at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama DSSATA formed from January 17 to 19 under the theme “Unity in Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): Dimapur SSA Christ.” Choginjum Fellow- teachers held a general meeting on January 14 at Lotha ship Kohima will host the Hoho Ki here with regard to non-payment of salaries session. The main speak- and arrears. A press statement received here informed ers of the session includes that during the meeting, the house decided to officially Rev. Gwasolo Semp, pastor form Dimapur SSA Teachers Association (DSSATA). VaSBC, Khontele Seb, lecturer lan Ngully was elected President, Kenitseno Kin - Vice Mt. TTC Zunpha, Haiwalo President, Jecky Girisa - General Secretary, RokolhuvuApon, pastor TTBC and no Meyaseas - Joint Secretary, Thechano Ezung - TeaRev. Dr. Chen Rengma, ex- surer, Megophilie Noel - Information & Publicity, and ecutive secretary NBCA. Thungchamo - Statistical Secretary.

Meanwhile, workshop will be held on January 18 on DPC and KPC condole the topic “HIV/AIDS aware- Dimapur, January 15 (mExn): Dimapur Press ness & identity crisis” for Club (DPC) has expressed deep pain over the demise of the youth and on “Wildlife Yehozu Awomi on January 15 in Dimapur. Late Yehozu is protection” for the parents. the father of Akenito Awomi, Sub-Editor, Nagaland Post.

Dr. Asüno Thong and Ruth Expressing that words are not enough to comfort the Thong will be the resource bereaved family in this hour of grief, DPC prayed for God persons for the former, and to give strength to the family. The members of DPC in Gwasinlo Thong for the a condolence note expressed their heartfelt sympathy, latter. A combined work- while wishing that the family take solace from the exemshop on “Management of plary life left behind by late Yehozu. Meanwhile, Kohima community resources” Press Club (KPC) also mourned the death and extended will take place at 1:00 PM deepest sympathy to Akenito Awomi today. KPC prayed with Gwasinlo Thong as re- that God grant the bereaved family comfort and peace. source person.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chaurasia, Programme Coordinator imparted training on pig production and management. During the interaction session, it was found that most pigs were infested with worms, have poor growth rate. There was also lack of good quality feeds. To overcome some of the problems, necessary

measures were suggested and free vitamin and mineral mix, de-wormer, anti diarrhoeal and antibiotics were distributed among the farming community.

The programme concluded with vote of thanks

by Ihokhe Achumi, GB/VCC of Phuye New village. A total of 27 farmers benefited from the programme.

The Home Minister using the word “sick mentality” to describe the Congress for voicing out the glaring failure of the state govt in the aftermath of the Dec 21 incident is unbecoming of a person of his stature holding high office which has crossed all limits of political decency. With this level of attitude and thinking adopted by the Home Minister, it is not surprising that the state machinery has been rendered impotent in the face of challenges especially when the rights and lives of its citizens are at great peril.

With the Home Minister repeatedly trumpeting his role in the Dec 21 incident and its aftermath despite all his failures, the Congress is once again constrained to question his approach from the very beginning of the incident which occurred within his own Satakha constituency at a place called Aghuito.

The Home Minister had

publicly stated that FIR was lodged against the culprits, but what made the govt to dither in arresting the culprits, where was the state govt when the ultimatum was served by the Sumi public on failure of NSCN (IM) leadership to adhere to their written commitment in handing over the culprits, why did the Home minister landed in Zunheboto only after the situation went out of control and returned the same evening, that too with two other Sumi NPF Legislators when it could have included legislators from other tribes, what was the need to proudly claim that the situation was monitored from Ghatashi during the Mukali siege when the state govt had dithered and could not prevent the siege in the first place that led to loss of innocent lives and maiming others for life?

Accusing the Congress of failing to discharge its

taken by one of the villagers near Phentsero (Phancherop).

BJP to chargesheet UPA govt over failed promises

19AR allegedly raid VDB secretary’s house

Men, women and children are seen taking shelter at Nkhenlari (Khanari) village church on December 28 after fields and orchards belonging to the village was razed the day before.

Longleng DPDB meeting held

Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) and parliamentary affairs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu with department officials visiting the road construction sites near Cathedral Kohima on January 14. The team visited various places in Kohima that are under construction which are also expected to be completed by April 2014. (Morung Photo)

(L-R) Rev. Suitei Ndang speaking at Peren Kipeuzang Silver Jubilee, women choir presenting a special song at the jubilee. (Photo Courtesy/Mireuyi Herie)

NU KVK conducts training programme ZunhEboTo, January 15 (mExn): Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaland University conducted a daylong programme at Phuye New village in Zunheboto district on January 10. Edenly Chishi SMS (Horticulture) imparted training programme on “Round the year vegetable production under low cost

Polyhouse” for livelihood sustenance. Sentimenla SMS (Soil Science) delivered on benefits of crop rotation. Farmers were encouraged to go for new and improved methods of technology instead of relying on age old traditional system to maintain and improve soil fertility for better productivity of the land.

NSSA calls meeting

Kohima, January 15 (mExn): Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA) has convened a General Body Meeting of the Association on January 21, 1:00 PM at the Secretariat conference hall. A press release issued by NSSA vice president, Sweho Naleo and its general secretary, Johnny Humtsoe informed that the meeting has been called in view of the partial fulfillment of the demands by the Government and on recommendation of NSSA Empowered Action Committee. All NSSA members have been requested to attend positively.

Road Safety prog in Kohima today

Kohima, January 15 (Dipr): The 25th National Road Safety Week 2014 will be observed at Zonal Council Hall here on January 16 at 12 noon. Deputy Commissioner Kohima, W. Honje Konyak will be the chief guest on the occasion. The Regional Transport Office is organising the programme for sensitisation and orientation to bus and taxi drivers.

Tuensang DPDB meeting held

TuEnsang, January 15 (Dipr): District Planning and Development Board for the year 2014 was held at DCs Conference Hall on January 15 under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang. The meeting deliberated agendas including approval for opening of Green View School Longkhim, construction of C.C. Steps at Angangba Village and preparation for the Republic Day celebration programme. The house also discussed and approved proposal under the current year 2014-15, which includes construction of roads under NLCPR from Huker to Chesore and Chessore to Shamator. Upgradation of Helipong to Chessore road and Water supply Project (Gravity System) for Shamator ADC Hd. Quarter, main source from Keikiupahyiung River were also approved.

Chumukedima Town Council informs

Public SPace Home Minister Undermining Voice of the People: NPCC duties as constructive opposition has become a ritual which the Home Minister never fails to parrot to cover up his inadequacies to be in control of any given situation that needs his attention. As an opposition party, the Congress is duty bound to point out the failure of the state govt before the people which the NPF is yet to reconcile after getting drunk with arrogance and callousness while basking in the glory of their purchased mandate.

By terming the Congress statement which exposed the dubious role of the state govt in handling the volatile situation arising out of Dec 21 incident at Zunheboto as “wild allegations,” the Home Minister has openly undermined and insulted the voice of the people against injustices, especially for those who either witnessed or were part of entire episode that led to the siege of Mukalimi.

Since the Home Minister is more than eager to repeatedly defend his miserable handling of the volatile situation, the writeup of a retired bureaucrat titled ‘A Time Bomb” published in all local dailies on 14/01/2014 should clear the confused minds of the Home Minister and the party (NPF) youth wing who only see destructive criticisms in Congress statements for highlighting their total failure.

The desperate ploy of the Home Minister and his party in using the platform of its youth wing to smear the Congress with the choicest of indecent words for exposing the true face of the incompetent and clueless NPF govt before the people rather portrays their entire thinking process which understandably has done more harm than good to the state during the last decade of their rule.

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.

Issued by: Media Cell, NPCC

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express THursDAy 16 JAnuAry 2014 vol. IX IssuE 14

By Aheli Moitra

We love Karbi vegetables

F

or an observer, one thing peace talks teach you is that men love rhetoric and women talk reality. Exceptions occur.

Take, for instance, the joint meeting of the Karbi Anglong Peace Forum, the Rengma Naga Students’ Union and the Naga Hoho held on January 14 at Diphu, Karbi Anglong.

It started on a formal and courteous note with pleasantries and tokens of appreciation presented by the Karbi hosts to the visiting delegates from the Naga Hoho and allied Naga civil society. Guests and hosts were henceforth clearly marked, on two sides of the imaginary table.

Messages from the Naga civil society had peace as their core content. Some of the messages given by men are as follows: • We could not meet earlier for obvious reasons.

• We would like to do something for peace.

• This platform will be a beginning. We must continue to meet.

• Let us reconcile.

• Peace needs sincere efforts.

• We must think together for human development.

• How do we rehabilitate and secure displaced people?

• Let us support each other on political issues.

• There are things to do now (Cites specific problems and their possible solutions).

A very small percentage of the remarks made by men had any concrete substance, though loaded with peace rhetoric.

Only two women (Naga) spoke at the joint meeting, and saw the only moments of breaking ice between the parties: • We love Karbi vegetables! We are neighbours, a family and seven sisters.

• Let not our boundary be a warzone but a peace zone.

• When you came to Dimapur, we were so tensed about the situation and rushed to meet you at the Dimapur civil hospital. My stomach was growling but we did not have the opportunity to give you even a snack. When I went back home, my husband asked me what we served the Karbi delegation. With a thump on her head, she said, Aiyah! We completely forgot about food! Next time you come to Nagaland, we must prepare a feast for you.

• Leaders from both sides have to humble themselves to broach the topic of peace.

• If there are two versions of history, intervention must be sought.

It was the first sit-down informal peace talk between the Karbi and Naga people and though specific political issues could not have been discussed before returning the lives of the displaced to normalcy, there was need to thaw the frozen relationship between the two communities. Rhetoric is an essential at such meetings but more so is getting the two parties to share an honest laugh. Only then can the move to specifics be made.

Beyond the historical and political make up of the relationship between two communities, there is the real space of vegetables, pork, roads and rice that people share. What happened to most people also boils down to reaffirming these real threads, especially when rebuilding ties. It is where the foundation lies, and women can strike that core less hesitantly than men. Their proximity to vegetables and pork, in passing from the Karbi hand to the Naga, is more; as is their proximity to destruction.

Women need to stop being guests at the peace table—more of them should be pooled in to discuss honestly, introducing rhetoric of a different dimension. And to get things moving for the majority of those displaced—women and children.

Specific ideas on peace making may be forwarded to moitramail@yahoo.com

lEfT wiNg |

Sreeparna Chakrabarty Source: IANS

A special test to help special children

A

bandoned in a gurudwara at eight years of age by his parents, Gaurav, who suffers from mild mental retardation, had little hope in life. But 12 years down the line he is a registered hospitality professional who earns a decent salary and works at a food outlet of a leading chain of eating joints in the capital.

A confident young man now, Gaurav says all this was possible because of his training as a hospitality professional which he underwent after being tested for his skills. The test found that he was most suitable for work in the kitchen.

"This special test examines them for cognitive, functional and inter-personal ability," Alok Kumar Bhuwan, managing secretary, Manovikas Institute of Higher Education (MIHE) which conducts the course, told IANS. In India at present, this test called the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is being run for special people only at MIHE. The MIHE is a charitable institute which provides opportunities to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to take courses using the national vocational education qualification framework. The ministry of human resource development has approved the competency test which is conducted on children with mental and physical disability and who have not had any kind of formal education.

The child is given a set of questions which are then assessed using a special software. "We feed the answers given to the questions by the students into the software which in turn tells us the field in which the student is interested," Bhuwan said.

According to a senior official in the human resource development ministry, who did not wish to be named, though under the Right to Education Act all schools have to admit children with special needs, most children are not able to make it to regular schools.

Gaurav said the six-month training helped him to overcome challenges and his limitations in decision-making, cleared his money concept and improved his functional writing. "It was a Herculean task earlier," said Gaurav, who earns Rs. 6,500 per month with additional benefits at one of the 'Haldiram' outlets. He disclosed that many customers find it difficult to differentiate between him and other employees.

Harish Vij also shared the same sentiments. "In my village I had no friends, but after coming to Manovikas, I made friends and my teachers were very supportive. Today I am independent and when I go back home people don't make fun of me," he said.

Vij, who earlier couldn't write or read, is now running a training lab for retail students. After being assessed for their abilities, the students get a certificate which is accepted in the National School of Open Learning, state open schools as well as other vocational training institutes. A multi-level entry and exit system allows the student to seek employment after any level and rejoin education as and when feasible.

The students also have the option to move from the vocational stream to the general higher education stream or vice versa at various stages, Bhuwan said. "The RPL test makes students with special needs aware of their abilities and gives them the confidence to face life," he said.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Anuraag Baruah Himal South Asian

Fragments from a fractured time Reminiscences on an education money could never buy

A

s I type this, I worry about a load-shedding power cut. My laptop battery, weary from the day and night atrocities of this fanatic typist, has finally succumbed to the inevitable: a power cut means sudden death for these words. At one point in time though, I survived without power for almost six months at a stretch. Don’t be surprised. I still remember the look of disbelief on the faces of those around me when, after a prolonged hiatus and without warning, we would receive electricity during our days in the sleepy border hamlets of Sibsagar district, Assam. Electricity was more a luxury than a necessity in those days.

My father’s seemingly mundane job as a government doctor had brought us to that remote corner of the district in 1990. Just after my parents and I (a toddler at the time) arrived in that sleepy hamlet, President’s rule was decreed in Assam. The Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) government – which had close and intimate connections with ULFA – had almost lost its grip over the state. My father recounts that young boys flashing oversized weapons would roam freely in the region, even coming openly armed to the hospital for health checkups. There was almost an unspoken truce between the government and the yet to be banned outfit. Popular support for ULFA was immense – most families of the village had a relative in the outfit. Our village was more or less a free territory for ULFA cadres who exercised power over local issues, often punishing petty thieves and drug dealers. While we wanted to believe, at that time, that guns were used exclusively by the police, quite the opposite was true. We came across very few police personnel during those days.

Things deteriorated when ULFA started massive fundraising operations, making kidnapping and killing the order of the day. Tea garden officials bore most of the brunt of ULFA cadres who had become remorselessly trigger happy. The honeymooning of the AGP-led government and ULFA came to an abrupt halt as President’s rule was imposed on the state in November that year, followed by the launching of Operation Bajrang by the Indian Army.

My father, often summoned after-hours to treat patients in remote areas, had an eventful working life for a government doctor. Many a time he was forced hands-up at gunpoint by ambush parties of the Indian Army. His pride, a Yamaha RX100 motorcycle, only added to his woes: ULFA operatives were known to have a liking for that particular model owing to its capacity to tackle difficult terrain. In broken Hindi he used to shout “Mein daktar hun. Patient dekhna hai”.

To this day, he has no idea if his Hindi passed muster, or if their guns were jammed. He survived nonetheless. There were instances when army personnel – suspicious of Father’s movements – followed him on his way back from a patient’s house, eventually finding their way to our hospital quarter and the terrified tears of my mother and I. Most of the time the local weekly bazaar, about 300 metres from the hospital, functioned as a battlefield for ULFA and the Army. On Thursdays – market day – however, the numerous villages that relied upon the bazaar for everything from groceries to children’s books reclaimed the space.

It was no country for young men. Many youths were tortured and murdered in cold blood by the Indian Army in the name of counter-insurgency operations. Local ULFA leaders died too in these operations. Mourning or protest processions by locals became remarkably frequent.

Sometimes though, the experience was altogether different. An innocuous-looking man would arrive, asking Father to come with him to treat a patient urgently. Soon this simple doctor-patient exchange would be complicated by the revelation that the afflicted was an ULFA leader. My father, who took his Hippocratic Oath seriously, recounts that these visits were generally silent, with very few exchanges made except the routine questions and answers.

One particular instance – which my father often narrates – was an encounter with a badly bruised young boy with injuries dominating his body and face. On being asked whether it was the result of a simple accident, one of the ULFA men retorted, “Sir, he is a boy from a good family, but he sells drugs among young people in his college. We are punishing him here for his evil doings.”

In our initial days in that sleepy border hamlet, my parents hunted for a ‘proper’ educational institu-

O

ne of my favorite quotes of 2013 comes from Pope Francis. Asked what he would say about a member of the Catholic clergy who is gay, he responded with a question of his own.

“Who am I to judge?” Francis replied.

A good question for all of us, no?

Our world is inundated with judgment. Social media can be a swamp of it. Recently, a television celebrity was judgmental about those who are different from him and got in trouble for it. Many defended his judgmental attitude and words.

Which raises some important questions for all of us: Is it good to be judgmental? Isn’t life about making judgment calls and living by our values?

Aren’t we all judgmental in some ways?

We all make judgments every day, decisions about what we think is best to do in the various circumstances of our lives. We might see someone in need and decide to help. We might recognize one of our shortcomings and decide we’ll change. We might run into

Sibsagar in Assam saw the launch of the ULFA, wedding its people to the movement in unexpected ways.

tion for their only son. The sole government primary school was in tatters, as a lack of sustainable infrastructure and development had brought the region almost to ruins. As luck would have it, they heard about a new English medium school that was going to be established that very year just half a kilometre from the hospital premises. My happy school-free days were soon to be ended.

The hospital field doubled as our playground as all of the local kids were told strictly that we could play anything we liked, so long as it was within the boundaries of the hospital compound. Naturally, going beyond the hospital boundaries became equated with the tedium of school and, sometimes (when I was lucky), making the journey with my father to the only stationery shop in town where one could buy Tinkle Digest and toffees.

Around this time, a small bamboo establishment had sprung up on a paddy field next to the hospital.

We soon came to know that this rather inauspicious hut was actually a den of country liquor. People, especially young college kids, came in hordes to drink there while the police failed to do anything. Allegedly, they were hand in glove with the operation. But one day, the place became abruptly deserted. I still remember hearing, “The boys came and destroyed the place”. “Boys” or “Our Boys”, were popular euphemisms used for the ULFA cadres.

The town railway station was very close to the hospital. The black smoke from the steam engines that chugged past on the railway tracks – parallel to the large rectangular pond just in front of the main building of the hospital – often left us kids excited.

There was something mysterious, conspiratorial even, about these train journeys. We were regularly warned about dangerous men who might carry us off in the trains. Often strangers would turn up at the hospital, waiting for the next train to arrive. Many of these strangers were actually ULFA cadres who found the train route convenient – the close proximity of the hospital to the railway tracks was an added benefit. My father says now that many of them used to pat me, urging me to study well.

The pond in front of the hospital belonged to the railways, though each year it was leased to interested parties. The bidder with the ‘proper connections’ used to win the tender. The temporary owner would then become the master of the pond, including the fish. Immune to the wishes of whoever was leasing it, we continued our small fishing expeditions, relishing the prospect of getting chased away by the chowkidar on duty. But sometimes, strange men used to come and bathe in the pond. No chowkidar or owner dared to venture out then though.

During off-time at the hospital, we used to write our names with chalk pencils on its walls. I still remember wondering the meaning of the words ‘ULFA’ and ‘AGP’, which strewn all over the hospital walls, electricity posts and even on the old benches of the hospital verandah. After winning the 1985 general elections in the wake of the Assam Agitation, the

young leaders of the AGP – who were student leaders only a few months before – were almost like war heroes at one time. But the situation was different now.

AGP had come to power for the second time in 1996, allegedly with the aid of ULFA. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the Chief Minister, soon realised that it was going to be tough to please the centre as well as ULFA at the same time. Things turned sour between AGP and ULFA with an assassination attempt made on Mahanta by ULFA cadres in 1997. The surrendered ULFA leaders – SULFA – as they were popularly known, became the active agent in a violent, almost fissile reaction between the state and ULFA. SULFA leaders were sponsored by the state machinery with power and funds. They soon proved a powerful obstacle in the never-ending struggle for peace. The pond in front of the hospital eventually became the temporary property of a businessman supported by a SULFA leader. The tender process became a mere formality. SULFA leaders roamed about, openly flaunting arms in Maruti Gypsys and engaging in extortion and other illegal activities. It was as if the early 90s were repeating again, but this time even the Army couldn’t do anything about it.

Soon another dark chapter in Assam’s history – the ‘secret killings’ – started. Many families of ULFA cadres were tortured and clandestinely killed. With the bitter relations of the Prafulla Mahanta-led AGP government and ULFA, these ‘secret’ killings sent a powerful message. Even we felt the tension that these murders brought to our community. Suspicions and rumors only added to the woes. This was the time when my parents decided that we should shift to the nearby district headquarters at Sivasagar.

My father was to seek a transfer soon, too.

Robberies began to occur indiscriminately. With almost no electricity, kerosene lamps were the only form of solace in the all-pervading darkness that engulfed the area after sunset. Worst were the times when Father was beckoned by hapless patients to far-flung villages at night. The persons who came to fetch Father understood our plight: often one of them used to volunteer to stay at our place while Father would journey out to treat the patient. I now understand when my mother recounts how this arrangement compounded her worries. She didn’t feel comfortable at all with a strange man in her house. Other times we used to get anonymous knockings on our front door or on the bedroom window. Though my father would always want to check on the knockings, which he sometimes did, we would not let him venture out most of the time.

I still remember the low flickering light of the kerosene lamp casting ominous shadows on the grey asbestos of the bedroom. Though Father was eventually transferred, my memories of the time, dimmed like the embers of a once raging fire, remain close to hand. For this fanatic typist, the threat of literary homicide provides a cogent reminder of a fractured yet formative time in those sleepy border hamlets of Sibsagar district.

Who Are We to Judge?

Joe Kay

Sojourners an unforeseen challenge and try to figure out the best way to respond.

That’s all well and good.

Being judgmental is a very different thing. We cross a line and become judgmental when we conclude that our decisions are the right ones and that we’re free to criticize anyone who sees anything differently. We reject them for having a different point of view. We might even attribute bad motives to their decisions, even though we’re clueless about what’s going on in their heads or in their lives. We decide that we’re better than them in some ways.

When we’re judgmental, we’re not only pointing a finger at someone else in scorn, but we’re also using our oth-

er hand to pat ourselves on the back.

We’re making ourselves feel good at the expense of someone else.

Ultimately, being judgmental is more about the person doing the judging than it is about the one being judged. A judgmental attitude pushes others away instead of opening ourselves to a conversation with them that might prompt us to reconsider and change our point of view. We prefer our certainties.

That’s the thing about a judgmental attitude: It can’t survive outside the darkness of a closed mind.

What’s the opposite of being judgmental? Alcoholics Anonymous is a great example. Everyone acknowl-

wRiTE-wiNg

Anuraag Baruah is a Delhi-based writer and poet.

This article was originally published in Kathmandu based magazine Himal Mag

edges being in the same boat. There’s no criticism or judgment. People share their stories and learn from each other’s experiences. They draw strength from each other’s love and encouragement. Millions of people have changed their lives and become whole through this approach, gotten renewed hope and fresh starts.

Shouldn’t our religions be more like that? Shouldn’t we be more like that? Shouldn’t we offer encouragement and grace instead of judgment and rejection? Shouldn‘t we be instruments of healing?

It’s interesting that Jesus chose to spend his time with those who were on the accusing end of the pointed finger.

His closest friends and followers were judged and rejected by those who preferred to cast stones. He said they all should drop their stones. Don’t judge, because your judgment always turns back on you. Instead, love one another.

Who are we to judge? It’s a great question to keep asking ourselves in 2014.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

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.

PERSPECTIVE

7

Thursday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

16 January 2014

NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

In 2014, It's Not Just About the Ballot Box

I

Christian Caryl Foreign Policy

Prashant sharma

recently returned from a two-week trip to the West African country of Mali. It was my first visit to the place, and it was a remarkable experience. I was deeply impressed by the resilience and fortitude of a people who live in one of the poorest places on earth, and who are also justifiably proud of their success at maintaining an electoral democracy over the past two and a half decades.

Among other things, I watched some of them vote in the last round of this year's parliamentary election -- quite an achievement after two years of turmoil, including a separatist rebellion in the north and a military coup that eliminated democratic government for a time.

One observation that's still bouncing around in my head comes from my meeting with Moussa Mara, a member of the government who's also the head of a nascent political party. When you chat with folks in Bamako, Mali's capital, you hear lots of disgruntled talk about the problems of the "political class." Most of that complaining is clearly justified. The people who tend to get elected to high office in Mali generally come from a small circle of a few dozen well-established families.

The ruling elite is deeply corrupt, and those who challenge its authority are often co-opted into its ranks with promises of a share in the loot. (The rather benignsounding term for this is "consensus politics.")

When I spoke with Moussa in his tidy office in a spiffy, Libyan-built government complex in the center of the capital, he spoke at great length about how his country's young people are disillusioned with the pace of change.

We talked about the problem of corruption and how it can be fought. We discussed the problems of development in a country where many people still don't have enough food, schooling, or protection from infectious disease. But then he surprised me: "The biggest problem of democracy is the absence of the Malian citizen." The people of his country, he said, are still hobbled by lack of education, the everyday struggle for survival, and alienation from the political process. Many of them still vote, but many of those who do aren't sure whom they're voting for or why. "I want to see citizens become more active," Moussa told me. "I want to see them demand more of their leaders."

I don't think Moussa was selling me a line. He's right: You can have all the elections you want, but they won't be worth the paper the ballots are printed on unless you have a citizenry that actually wants democracy. Yes, Malians are voting again. But back in March 2012, when disgruntled army officers chased the president out of office (and ultimately into exile), no one in the country took to the streets to support their elected government. Instead there was one big collective yawn. How strong is Malian democracy if its people don't really care about its fate?

I suspect that Mali will be in the back of my mind this year as we watch for the next indications of democratic change around the world. 2014 is already being billed as the "biggest year for democracy ever" by the Economist, which notes that 40 percent of the world's population will be voting in national elections. Bangladeshis have just voted; still to come are the people of Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Brazil, and the United States (along with several other less populous countries). That's a lot of ballots. But how much will the results tell us about the actual state of democ-

O

f all the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, the most fascinating and intriguing is perhaps Elijah. All the other prophets of Israel were probably buried somewhere in the soils of the Middle East after their death. However, the Bible tells us that that was not the case with Elijah. The second book of the Kings tells us that Elijah was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. Perhaps this is the reason why the Israelites, through out their long history of the Old Testament, hoped and expected that Elijah might appear again in their midst. In the times of the New Testament also, we find that when Jesus started his ministry some of the Israelites began to proclaim that Elijah had returned.

We also find a similar instance when Jesus took Peter and the two brothers James and John up a mountain one day to pray.

When they reached the top of the mountain, Peter, James and John laid down to rest. When they were falling asleep, they saw that Elijah appeared out of nowhere along with Moses and they started talking with Jesus. All these revelations indicate that the people of Israel had never been able to forget Elijah who disappeared into the heavens almost 900 years before the time of Jesus. And thus Elijah was certainly one of the most unforgettable and revered personalities of ancient Israel.

Elijah’s ministry started around 875 BC – about 55 years after the reign of Solomon. His ministry in Israel (875 – 848 BC) coincided with the reign of King Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.) This article is an attempt to highlight some most defining and distinguishing moments and features of the ministry of Elijah.

Undoubtedly, the most remarkable episode of the ministry of the prophet Elijah would be the contest which he had with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. During the time of Elijah, the Israelites had become notorious for worshipping other gods. It was none other than their king Ahab and queen Jezebel who had led the people away from the real God and the people were worshipping an untrue god named Baal. Therefore, Elijah, in order to prove the truth of his God, challenged the king and the queen to send him eight hundred and fifty prophets of the Baal god so that there would be a contest to prove who the real god was.

The contest was this: Elijah told the priests of Baal to kill a bull and lay it on the wood but put no fire under it. He would do the same with his bull and pile of wood. The priests of Baal were supposed to call on their god to light a fire under the bull and Elijah was also to call on his God to do the same and the god who answered would be the real God. All agreed that it was a very fair test.

The priests of Baal were the first to try. They tried and tried and they prayed from morning till noon but there was no answer. They danced and shouted louder and louder. They even jumped around the

Structural reforms can unleash India's true potential

T In this Sunday, January 5, 2014 photo, Bangladeshi opposition party activists with sticks chase ruling Awami League party activists during a clash near a polling station in Rajshahi, northwest of Dhaka, Bangladesh. (AP Photo)

racy in these countries? They'll certainly reveal something. Elections are the bedrock of any genuine democracy; it's hard to imagine a democracy that's run by leaders who weren't chosen by their own people. But elections aren't enough on their own, either.

First of all, the quality of elections matters. There are plenty of tyrannies (see: Hitler, Stalin) that used votes to create the appearance of popular legitimacy. "Soft" authoritarian states often use elections as alibis for continued rule. (Last week's election in the putative democracy of Bangladesh, for example, certainly doesn't suggest that the leaders of the country's ruling party, the Awami League, were keen on allowing genuine political competition: members of the opposition party have now gone into hiding, apparently to evade the fate of the 18 people killed during election-related violence.)

Second, elections aren't an end unto themselves.

They're supposed to result in transparent, accountable, and effective government. If they don't, it's likely that trouble is on the way somewhere down the road.

If elections aren't the only ingredient in the democratic recipe, what are the others? Democracy is scarcely viable in the absence of genuinely democratic institutions such as an independent judiciary, relatively free media, and organized groups that reflect the varied needs and interests of community (that mysterious beast known as "civil society"). And you probably won't have sufficiently strong institutions unless there's a critical mass of engaged citizenry who are willing to fight for them.

There it is again, that word "citizen." In Egypt, three elections are set to take place in 2014 -- all of them under the sheltering hand of a vicious new military government that has dismissed all members of the Muslim Brotherhood as "terrorists." For the military, members of the Islamist party almost don't count as Egyptian citizens. When Mohamed Morsi and his fellow Muslim Brothers were on top, though, their actions suggested that they viewed Egyptians above all through the lens of faith: those who didn't share the religious ideas of

the Brotherhood were left virtually without a say in the construction of the new, post-revolutionary state. Being a citizen was less important than being a believer.

Egypt isn't the only Muslim country facing potentially turbulent elections this year. Turkey, which is experiencing intense political instability thanks to last year's surprising protest movement and the current corruption scandal engulfing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist government, is preparing for what is likely to be a highly contentious national poll in August. Afghanistan's continuing ethnic and religious divides can actually make matters worse when expressed at the ballot box. But we can also expect to see a lot of tension when Thais head off to pick their leaders early next month. Thailand, too, is a country deeply split by religious and class identities (majority Buddhists versus minority Muslims, northern supporters of populist ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra versus Bangkok-centered elites). Bridging those gulfs will be crucial to the fate of democracy there.

It's in the places where citizens are prepared to mobilize, and to work actively to claim and realize their own rights, where the prospects for democracy are best. This week, Tunisian representatives are voting on a new constitution -- a process that, with the right outcome, could finally lead to a happy ending for the country that started off the Arab Spring. And despite the chaos enveloping the country, Libyans are still showing a remarkable willingness to take to the streets in protest against their leaders, to form civic organizations, and to continue open debates about their nation's course. The big surprises for democracy will come in the places where citizens manage to mobilize effectively despite the odds. I doubt very much that 2014 will see a triumph of democratic culture in Russia or China.

But I wouldn't be completely astonished to see dramatic change in Sudan, where bouts of unrest over the past two years have shaken the rule of President Omar alBashir. That's the funny thing about democracy: It has a knack for breaking out where you least expect it.

how I Long To See Elijah Again!

Khrietuonyü Noudi

Straight From The Heart History, Politics, Culture… altar. But still there was no answer. No fire burned the wood beneath their bull.

Then it was Elijah’s turn. He had four large jars of water poured over the altar.

He did this three times until the trench was full. Then he poured water over his pile of wood, under the dead bull. Elijah lifted his hands up towards heaven. He prayed calmly and slowly, so everyone could hear. “Oh Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, show us that you are God. I am your servant. Answer me, Lord. Show this people that you are Lord.

Pleas answer now with your fire, I pray!”

Suddenly the fire of the Lord fell from heaven! All the wood and stones and dust and parts of the bull were eaten up by the fire. The heat was terrible. It did not matter that everything was wet, it caught fire anyway. “Look, Fire is falling from the sky!” the crowds screamed. The people yelled, “The Lord, He is God!” When King Ahab saw all these, his knees began to knock together in fear. But Elijah was not done yet; he had more in store for the ignited audience.

During this time, it had not rained in Israel for more than three years. And so, after the great miracle that had happened on Mount Carmel, Elijah turned to the king and told him, ‘Go, eat and drink, for I hear the roar of thunder”. King Ahab did as he was told. He hurried home before anything more terrible happened. Now that the people of Israel had said they believed the Lord was God, Elijah hoped God would bring rain. He told his servants to watch for clouds. At first there was nothing. Time after time Elijah told his servant to go and look. Finally the servant said, “Look! There’s a cloud the size of a man’s hand. It’s coming up from the sea!”

Within moments, the sky grew black

with clouds and wind. Water poured down.

The people raised their hands and cheered.

Finally, after three years, they had rain. And God worked yet one more miracle. As the rain gushed down from the clouds, Elijah started running across the countryside. He ran as fast as he could. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah! God’s spirit came upon Elijah in power. He turned him into a speed runner. He ran faster than the horses pulling King Ahab’s chariot. He ran faster than the wind. Elijah ran so fast, he arrived in Jezreel before the king did.

All his life Elijah tried to lead the people back to God. But Elijah knew that his days were numbered and so he wanted someone to carry on his work after him and he found one in a young friend and follower named Elisha. Elijah even promised Elisha a double portion of his power as prophet.

And with the succession arranged, Elijah was now ready to hand over the mission to the young Elisha. Thus, one day when Elijah (now a very old man) was walking with his young friend Elisha, a fiery chariot with blinding horses came between them and took away Elijah to heaven.

Now let us examine some of the interesting features of the ministry of Elijah.

Firstly, Elijah spent most of his ministry in hiding and this has led many to ask why Elijah needed to hide so much if at all he was an anointed prophet. Elijah hid primarily because God told him to. Prophets were to obey the Lord first and ask questions later.

In this case, hiding was a means of showing the Israelites the cost of selling out to Baal.

While the nation was starving and thirsty, God’s prophet had enough food and water.

Could a lesson be clearer? God was not the cause of the people’s hardship; they were the cause when they broke their covenant

with God. Secondly, King Ahab hunted Elijah for nearly three years without success and this apparently made Elijah legendary for eluding the king.

Thirdly, it is also mentioned that Elijah anointed a king in Aram (a foreign land).

Now, this is something very unusual. At this stage in Israel’s history, it was uncommon for prophets of Israel to have much influence outside the nation. But news of Elijah’s triumph at Carmel over the prophets of Baal undoubtedly spread quickly, giving him an international reputation.

Fourthly, why did Elijah throw his cloak around Elisha? A cloak of animal hair, although occasionally worn by kings, was generally recognized as prophet’s clothing. By laying his cloak over Elisha, Elijah gave him a new identity and set him apart for a prophetic mission – like pastoral candidates set apart for ministry by an ordination ceremony. With prophetic power upon him, Elisha was thereafter a different person. Later he inherited Elijah’s cloak as a sign that he was to carry on Elijah’s prophetic work.

Moreover, Elijah’s coarse garments demonstrated the unvarnished toughness of his godly character. His way of dressing was an ethical statement – a stark contrast to the self-indulgent luxury enjoyed by the evil kings of his time. Elijah also may have intended that his uncomfortable clothes show his sorrow over the people’s unfaithfulness. Ancient prophets were often recognized by their rough, animal-skin garments, as was John the Baptist in later times. And finally, we also find that Elijah himself was afraid after his great victory over the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel and this clearly shows that Elijah was also human just like any other man of his time. Maybe Elijah himself was dumbstruck after witnessing the power of God in such awesome manner.

Even individuals of great courage and conviction have moments when they feel discouraged. After the euphoric victory on Mount Carmel, it seems that Elijah’s emotions fell. He was not indestructible.

He had human weaknesses. Elijah was a man just like us. We might think that in the rush of victory, Elijah would have felt invincible. Instead, it seems, he felt exhausted. We might think Elijah would have welcomed Jezebel’s challenge as an opportunity to attack his enemy at its source. Instead, he retreated. It may be that Elijah was facing a personal crisis of faith, identity and vision. Now that he had won his lifelong battle against the prophets of Baal, why was his life still in danger?

Didn’t he deserve a little rest? Hadn’t he earned the right to retire in peace? Sometimes the thought of another battle, after just finishing one, is overwhelming. We can only speculate about what actually fueled Elijah’s fears. But we can readily see that he was human. God met Elijah in the midst of fear and doubt, giving the frightened prophet comfort and rest………..

IanS

he stock markets have been volatile over the last few months due to a slew of factors. Investment has softened and data is pointing to a fall in manufacturing and service-sector output.

At the same time, the current account deficit is at a record high, a persistent fiscal deficit has raised the threat of sovereign rating downgrades and the central bank's current cash-draining steps presage a rise in borrowing costs across the economy. Indeed, the 4.4 percent GDP growth in the the April-June 2013 quarter points to the stark reality of the fundamental deterioration.

The markets are also affected by the US' quantitative easing programme, strengthening of the US dollar and slowdown in China and in the developed countries.

Lower growth expectations arising from uncertainty in the near-term on the macro-economic front and political fronts has kept the markets at dormant levels. The present market situation has not only made investors nervous but also sent many of them rushing to safer havens.

A majority of investors, however, are at a standstill over their next moves. Should they still stay invested in the market for the long-term or exit to cut their losses? Is this the right time to start picking from a long-term perspective or should one still hang on in anticipation of the market offering more attractive levels to get in?

Ray of Hope Even though cynicism remains high on the Indian equity market, a close examination of the fundamentals reveals a few positives. India's urbanising population is the greatest asset that will help drive down the dependency ratio and push up the growth rate. Attractive valuations and the massive size of the Indian market will keep attracting FIIs to India's stock markets in the long run. The main test is to successfully steer our way around the short-term barriers and stay engaged on the longterm priorities for high growth.

However, in the light of the current weak macro-economic environment, a well-planned economic resurgence policy initiative from the Indian government is required to get the economy back on the path of steady and prosperous growth. The government has introduced new duties on imported televisions, moved up the tax on gold and hiked deposit rates to battle the outflow of money.

The newly appointed RBI governor, Raghuram Rajan, has announced a slew of measures to restore confidence among investors in the Indian growth story. This includes more trade settlements in rupees to save the battered financial markets and a shift in focus from controlling inflation to boosting growth.

What is to be done?

Building and retaining an appropriate asset allocation can help you augment returns and reduce volatility over time. As most investors aim to build a corpus over different time horizons through smaller contributions, the solution is to not only invest systematically but also select alternatives that are taxefficient and provide the required flexibility to make changes as and when required. Investing systematically in a spread-out way is the best approach to cope with the current volatility in the equity market. * Let a long-standing strategy based on your investment horizon, goals and risk appetite decide your actions in a volatile market * Invest on a regular basis instead of lump-sum investment in order to ensure your investment is not dictated by market performances * Watch out for sectors and stocks that may have been beaten down but have a lucid earnings visibility * Look for beaten stocks with attractive valuations and sound fundamentals

Investors should always enter the market with a long-term investment approach through systematic investments. Long-term investing is akin to being committed to a sound investment plan - a plan that begins with a proper asset allocation appropriate to your risk tolerance over a period of time. Spreading your investments over longer time periods is a better way to manage risk. This offers an attractive opportunity for long-term investors who have a horizon of 2-3 years in mind.

Way Ahead Equity market strategies present the potential for attractive long-term returns compared to other asset classes as well as a high level of liquidity.

At present, valuations are reasonable and can be a huge positive for the market. Good companies will continue to perform well and when interest rates and inflation might come down, there will be a convincing case for a strong market.

In the meantime, signals are emerging that India's current account deficit could narrow in the current fiscal from the record high of 4.8 percent of the gross domestic product. The government has taken a slew of measures to boost exports and reduce imports to lower the trade deficit which, in turn, will reduce the current account deficit. The government is also seeking to increase capital flows to assist the financing of the current account deficit.

Economic reforms can help improve the investment climate by boosting investor sentiment.

The RBI and the finance ministry need to work in tandem to revitalize the economy by drafting effective measures to boost confidence. If the government is able to push through structural reforms, this phase could probably lay the foundation for higher sustainable growth in the future. It will further propel the Indian economy in making its mark as a globally attractive destination for the financial services sector.

Once we clear these hurdles, there is no stopping India from becoming one of the most attractive markets in the world. When you are in quicksand you go down quicker if you flay your limbs wildly. Sure, things are currently in bad shape but in every circumstance the outcomes are based on how you respond and take advantage of the situation.

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

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Thursday 16 January 2014

The Morung Express

US, India meet to get ties back on track after dispute

waShiNgtoN, JaNuary 15 (reuterS): A senior US diplomat met India’s ambassador to the United States on Tuesday with the aim of getting bilateral ties back on track after the arrest and strip search of a female Indian diplomat and titfor-tat expulsions.

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns hosted a “productive” lunch meeting with Indian Ambassador S. Jaishankar and both sides affirmed the importance of the US-India strategic partnership and “discussed initial preparations for a range of upcoming bilateral meetings and exchanges,” a statement from the US State Department said. “They agreed that the past several weeks have been challenging, and affirmed that we are both committed to moving forward to resume cooperation on the broad range of bilateral issues,” the statement said.

The two officials also discussed matters raised by the Foreign Ministry during the dispute, including alleged issues with the American Embassy School, the statement said.

Burns said Washington took the concerns “very seriously and will continue to address them via appropriate diplomatic channels.” The statement said both Burns and Jaishankar “affirmed our shared commitment to continue joint US-India work on issues such as clean energy and climate change, defense, economic and trade engagement, counterterrorism, and civil nuclear development.”

On Saturday, India blamed

US returns 3 ‘most wanted’ stolen antiquities to India New york, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): India and the US turned to the gods to ease tensions after their month long diplomatic spat when the US returned three recovered, ‘most wanted’ stolen antiquities valued at over $1.5 million to India.

The objects, including a 350-pound sandstone sculpture stolen from an Indian temple in 2009 and listed as one of INTERPOL’s top 10 most wanted stolen works of art, were returned at an event Tuesday at the Indian consulate to consul general Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay.

Devyani Khobragade, who worked as Mulay’s deputy at the time of her Dec 12 arrest and strip search on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her nanny, returned home last week after India declined to waive her immunity despite her indictment by a New York grand jury.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Executive Associate Director James A. Dinkins presented the artefacts to Mulay, alongside INTERPOL Washington Director Shawn Bray. “The excellent international cooperation between the United States and India led to the recovery and return of these priceless antiquities,” said Dinkins. “The pilfering of a nation’s cultural pat-

the United States for what it called a “mini crisis” over the arrest and strip search of its deputy consul general in New York last month and said more work was needed to repair ties. The diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, 39, was arrested in December on charges of visa fraud and lying to U.S. authorities about what she paid her housekeeper.

Her treatment provoked protests in India and dealt a serious

Posco’s $12 billion Odisha plant to take off soon

rimony cannot and will not be tolerated.”

“Prevention of illegal trade in antiquities has emerged as an important area of cooperation between India and the United States as can be seen from this recent recovery of stolen Indian antiquities,” said Mulay.

“The successful investigations and repatriation of these cultural artefacts underscores the importance of growing institutional partnership, which is of great significance to both countries.”

Two of the three artefacts returned to India were reported in 2009 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who notified the Indian Consulate about two sandstone sculptures stolen from the Gadgach Temple in Atru, Rajasthan, ICE said.

The 350-pound “Vishnu and Lakshmi” sandstone sculpture dates back to the 11th or 12th century and was listed as No. 6 on INTERPOL’s top 10 most wanted works of art.

Also stolen from the temple and repatriated during the Jan 14 ceremony was the 600-pound “Vishnu and Parvati” sandstone sculpture, dating to the same period.

The third artefact is a male deity black sandstone sculpture, depicting a Bodhisattva, a popular subject in Buddhist art, and is believed to date back to the 11th or early 12th century from either Bihar or Bengal.

The investigation that led to this repatriation began April 13, 2010, when HSI New York special agents received information that the Indian sandstone sculptures recently looted from India were being offered for sale in the US. HSI special agents discovered that the “Vishnu and Lakshmi” was transported from India to Hong Kong. From there, it was sold to a dealer in Thailand, and then resold to a buyer in London. The London buyer shipped the sculpture to New York City for an exhibition in March 2010. On April 15, 2010, HSI special agents recovered the piece while it was being shipped back to London.

On July 12, 2010, as a direct result of the “Vishnu and Lakshmi” seizure, a sister piece, the “Vishnu and Parvati,” was seized.

It was transported to Hong Kong, sold to a buyer in New York and then sold and shipped to a buyer in Basel, Switzerland.

On July 7, 2011, the Indian black stone Bodhisattva figure was discovered being smuggled into the United States at Newark Airport by US Customs and Border Protection officers. HSI special agents seized it after discovering that its accompanying paperwork declared Great Britain as a false country of origin. In addition, the item was grossly undervalued.

blow to US efforts to strengthen dered the US Embassy to close a club for expatriate Americans ties. in New Delhi and a government source said it was also preparTIT FOR TAT India sharply curbed privi- ing to take steps against the leges offered to U.S. diplomats embassy school, which it susin retaliation and asked Wash- pected may be employing some ington on Friday to withdraw a staff in violation of visa requirediplomat from New Delhi in re- ments.

The dispute also led to the sponse to Khobragade’s effective expulsion from the United postponement of two high-levStates last week. As part of its el visits by US officials, includmeasures, India last week or- ing one by Energy Secretary

Ernest Moniz. On Tuesday, a lawyer for Khobragade asked a US judge to throw out the charges against her, arguing that her diplomatic status, granted by the State Department last week as part of a deal that saw her leave the country, gave her absolute immunity from prosecution, even for incidents that allegedly occurred before her accreditation.

If Judge Shira Scheindlin

New Delhi, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): South Korean steel maker Posco’s $12 billion Odisha plant is likely to start production soon as the government is taking all possible steps to expedite the project stalled for more than eight years, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said Wednesday. Talking to reporters after meeting his South Korean Commerce Minister Sang-jick here, Sharma said the project will be developed in two phases and the first phase is likely to take off soon.

Asked about the timeframe, Sharma said: “No, I cannot give you that. We will do everything possible to have it expedited.” He said total projected investment by Posco for its Odisha plant is more than $12 billion. “I think the stage one itself will attract substantial - over half of the projected investment,” he said. Sharma discussed the developments related to the stalled project with his South Korean counterpart.

“Yes, we have discussed that,” he said. The minister said for the development of the first phase of the project 2,718 acres of land will be required, of which over 1,700 acres have already been handed over to the company. According to the minister the remaining portion of the land would be allocated to the company soon. Posco’s project has been stalled since 2006 due to land issues and environmental clearances.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye, right, is greeted by Indian Junior Foreign Minister Preneet Kaur upon

Three killed in Bihar fair stampede, probe ordered

PatNa, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): At least three people were killed and over a dozen injured in a stampede at a fair in Bihar’s Banka district, police said Wednesday. A local police official has been suspended and a probe ordered into the incident. “Preliminary inquiry suggests that the stampede was caused after either a clash between two groups or rumours of a fire when hundreds were watching a vulgar dance at a theatre in the fair after midnight,” said a district police official.

According to police officials, one of those trampled upon in the stampede was a local resident and the other two were from neighbouring Bhagalpur district. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals. Some people complained that there was no arrangement for proper light and security at the fair. Banka Superintendent of Police Pushkar Anand said the theatre was closed immediately after the incident and district authorities would initiate process to cancel its license.

her arrival in New Delhi, on Wednesday, January 15. Park is on a four-day state visit to India. (AP Photo)

Danish woman gang raped, robbed in Delhi

New Delhi, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): A 51-year-old Danish woman was robbed and raped by a group of men near the New Delhi railway station, police said Wednesday. The Danish woman, who came to India Jan 1, had gone to visit a museum Tuesday evening but lost her way to her hotel in Paharganj, a tourist hub in the heart of Delhi.

Around 4 p.m. a group of men lured her to an isolated spot where she was robbed of her iPad and cash and then raped by six men, one of who had a knife, police said. She was kept hostage for more than three hours, and somehow reached her

hotel around 7 p.m. A police officer told IANS that the woman was “highly traumatised” when she reached the police station. “She was bruised on her face and neck.”

The manager of her hotel called the police around 9.30 p.m. Police said several suspects have been detained for questioning. “They are all vagabonds,” the official said. The Danish embassy has been informed and the woman is expected to leave for Denmark Wednesday. According to police, the woman -- who had returned to Delhi Monday after visiting Agra -- has said she will return to India to depose if needed.

Chilly winter can affect the eyes too

New Delhi, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): Blurred vision, scratching and burning sensation and irritation in the eye - these are not minor irritants in your daily routine but might be the pointers to a condition called the dry-eye syndrome which plagues many people during an extreme winter. According to doctors, even though a person’s entire body might be covered up as a protection against the chilly winter winds, there is one part that is always exposed: the eyes.

The surface of the eye is covered with a thin layer of liquid known as the tear film, which is essential for its health. A dry-eye condition caused by cold winds evaporates the tears, which could partially affect vision and cause constant eye pain. “Occurrence of dry-eye syndrome is very common during the winter season because of the cold, dry outdoor air and dry indoor heat,” Sanjay Dhawan, director of ophthalmology at Fortis Hospital, told IANS. Dhawan said when there is insufficient lubrication in the eye, the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye) becomes much less moist than nor-

mal. He said this causes severe pain, discomfort and inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye, due to inadequate tear secretion. It is a common problem faced by both men and women above 50. “Sometimes it becomes severe as this abnormality may result in disruption of the ocular (eye) surface, causing difficulty in vision,” Dhawan said.

The other symptoms of the eye problem include a persistent watery discharge and irritation if one is using contact lenses. “If menopause occurs at an early age, then the chances of developing dry-eye syndrome during the winter gets increased even among middle-aged women,” Dhawan said, adding that at an initial stage, it may seem like a minor irritation but can become potentially serious.

According to Kinshuk Biswas, opthalmologist at Gurgaon’s Columbia Asia Hospital, the condition could also be a result of constant use of a computer. “Dry-eye syndrome is caused by the low humidity factor during winter which leads to evaporation of the lubricant in the eyes.

Another contributing factor for this condition is the use of a computer and continuously looking at the screen for long,” Biswas told IANS. To prevent this condition, one should use eye drops (as prescribed by a doctor) three-four times a day.

One could also close the eyes for halfa-minute while sitting in front of the computer screen to bring moisture back to the eyes, Biswas said. Listing out the preventive steps, Dhawan said patients should wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the cold wind, while artificial tears - also known as tear substitutes - should be applied at least four times a day.

If the condition aggravates, use lubricating ointment at bedtime and run a humidifier to put moisture back into the air. Also, lay a warm, damp washcloth across your eyelids for a couple of minutes, drink extra fluids and use a hot- or cold-air humidifier, Dhawan said. According to the American Association of Ophthalmology, approximately 3.2 million women and 1.7 million men over the age of 50 suffer from chronic dry eyes.

This is the second incident of its kind Delhi Police have reported within a fortnight. A 33-year-old Polish woman was allegedly raped by a cab driver and abandoned near the Nizamuddin railway station Jan 3. The woman had been reportedly offered a ride in cab when she was on her way to Delhi with her two year-old-daughter from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, police had said. The victim, a Lord Krishna devotee, said she was raped by the driver on the Mathura-Delhi highway. The driver reportedly “sprayed something” on her face that made her lose consciousness.

A recovered Indian sandstone antiquity is shown during a repatriation ceremony on Tuesday, January 14, in New York. US authorities returned three stolen antiquities to the Indian government. (AP Photo)

were to dismiss the indictment, that would presumably permit Khobragade, whose husband and children are US citizens, to travel freely to the United States. State Department officials have said they do not believe her immunity is retroactive. Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said on the weekend the United States should have warned senior officials visiting Washington a day before

Khobragade’s arrest. He added, however, that the core of the USIndian relationship was very strong and that he did not expect lasting damage from what has turned into the biggest rift in years.

The two countries cooperate on a wide range of issues including counterterrorism, regional security and defense.

India is also a major market for US weapons.

ahMeDaBaD, JaNuary 15 (Pti): Dubbing as a “brazen attempt” to woo the minority community home minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s remarks on minority youths in jails on terror charges, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said it marked a “new low” for the country. He also asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to advise his cabinet colleague not to focus his attention on minorities alone as “principles at stake” could not be sacrificed “at the altar of political expediency”.

In a letter to Singh, the BJP’s prime ministerial contender said Shinde’s statement could send a wrong message about the country’s criminal justice system and have a demoralising effect on the law enforcement machinery. “The home minister’s concern is a brazen and callous attempt to woo the minority community and even the minority community will raise questions on the timing of such statements,” Modi said.

“The suggestion (from Shinde) is unprecedented and marks a new low for the country.... the principles at stake are far too valuable to be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency,” he said. The Gujarat chief minister said, “a crime is a crime irrespective of the birth marks of the criminal and his religious beliefs could not determine the guilt or innocence.”

Shinde had last week made a statement that he would write to all state governments to set up review or screening committees to assess the role of minority

youths languishing in jails on terror charges without trial. He said Shinde’s suggestion was against the constitutional principle of right to equality before law. Modi also wrote that the suggestion was against the constitutional principle of right to equality before law.

Shinde had earlier written to all state governments including Gujarat that “strict and prompt action against erring police officers should be taken where there is malafide arrest of any member of minority community. “Wrongfully arrested person should not only be released immediately but should also be suitably compensated and rehabilitated to join the mainstream”.

Modi said that the proposed directive for setting up review committees was against the provision of criminal law, which does not provide for any review committee for withdrawal of pending cases where chargesheets have been filed.

“One cannot rule out the possibility of the trials getting delayed due to such illegal action on the part of the state if the courts were to find fault with such interventions made on extraneous considerations. If this were to happen, undertrial prisoners will end up being under incarceration for longer periods; thus achieving exactly the opposite of the purported objective,” Modi wrote. The Gujarat chief minister said the home minister should find a solution within the constitutional framework, while suggesting an acceptable solution could be to fast-track all terror cases.

Religion can’t determine guilt, Modi writes to PM

SC moves on sexual harassment plea against retired judge

New Delhi, JaNuary 15 (iaNS): The Supreme Court Wednesday issued notice on a law graduate’s plea to put in place a permanent mechanism to attend to complaints of sexual harassment by sitting and former judges at all levels, including the apex court. The law graduate has alleged sexual harassment by a judge whom she worked with as an intern in May 2011.

The notice, returnable by Feb 14, has been issued to the centre, the secretary general of the Supreme Court, Justice (retd) Swatanter Kumar, and Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati. The notice was issued to the centre through the Ministry of Environment and Forest. An apex court bench of Chief Justice P. Sathasivam, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh, while issuing the notice, said: “It is made clear that at this moment, we are not expressing any opinion on the averments/allegations made by the petitioner against the respondent No.2 Justice (retd) Swatanter Kumar.”

Issuing notice, the court said: “On going through various prayers made, particularly, in the light of the assertion made with reference to the prayer (d) of the writ petition, that “as on date there is no mechanism to inquire into the complaints of sexual harassment against all judicial officers, sitting or retired judges, whether while holding office or not”, we are inclined to consider these aspects”. In view of the importance of the issue to evolve a permanent mechanism to address the complaints of sexual harassment by the judges at all level, the court said it appointed eminent counsel Fali Nariman and P.P. Rao as amicus curiae to assist the court.

“In view of the importance of the issues raised and to formulate a permanent mechanism, we seek assistance of Fali S. Nariman and P.P. Rao, senior members of the Bar, to

act as amicus curiae. Office is directed to supply copy of the petition and all connected papers to the learned amicus curiae and the attorney general”, the court said in its order.

The court order came on a petition of a former law intern who has since become a graduate. She alleged sexual harassment by then Supreme Court judge Swatanter Kumar.

At the outset of the hearing, Chief Justice Sathasivam asked: “What is the date of alleged incident?” When told that it relates to May 28, 2011, he asked why the woman took so long to report the matter. The then law intern had written to Chief Justice Sathasivam complaining about the alleged sexual harassment, the court said, while noting that the intern had informed her parents and professors about the incident, but not the court, at the time.

“Being a law graduate”, why did she wait for so long, Chief Justice Sathasivam asked. “Our apprehension is that there are so many retired judges and someone levels charges after 20 years when the retired judge is 85 years old.” At this, senior counsel Harish Salve said there is no permanent mechanism to attend to complaints of sexual harassment against judges and the existing grievance redressal committee was “inappropriate” to entertain complaints against judges.

Let there be a permanent mechanism to look into the complaints of sexual misconduct and there has to be a time frame for making such complaints, be it three months, six months or one year, Salve said. Reiterating that there must be a screening mechanism, where such complaints could be addressed, Salve said that going to the media was “unpalatable to us and the judges” as the dignity and decorum of the Supreme Court as also the judges’ and officials’ own, was inter-dependent.

International

The Morung Express

Thursday 16 January 2014

Dimapur

9

Thai PM stands firm on February election BANGKOK, JANuAry 15 (reuters): Thailand’s government stuck to a plan for a February election on Wednesday despite mounting pressure from protesters who have brought parts of Bangkok to a near-standstill, and said it believed support for the leader of the agitation was waning.

Some hardline protesters have threatened to blockade the stock exchange and an air traffic control facility if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra does not step down by a deadline media said had been set for 8 p.m. (1300 GMT).

The unrest, which flared in early November and escalated this week when demonstrators occupied main intersections of the capital, is the latest chapter in an eight-year conflict.

The country’s political fault line pits the Bangkok-based middle class and royalist establishment against the mostly poorer, rural supporters of Yingluck and her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former premier ousted by the military in 2006 who is seen as the power behind her government.

Yingluck invited protest leaders and political parties to discuss a proposal to delay the general election, which she has called for February 2, but her opponents snubbed her invitation.

Thai anti-government protesters fill the street during a march Wednesday, January 15, in Bangkok. Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Wednesday that elections due in less than three weeks will go ahead despite intense pressure by her opponents to postpone the vote.

The statement came after an overnight shooting attack on anti-government protesters in Bangkok wounded two people and ratcheted up tensions in the country’s deepening political crisis.

(AP Photo)

After the meeting, the government said the poll would go ahead as scheduled, and it derided the leader of the protest movement, Suthep Thaugsuban.

“We believe the election will bring the situation back to normal,” Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana told reporters. “We can

see that the support of Mr. Suthep is declining. When he is doing something against the law, most people do not support that.”

Speakers at protest sites across central Bangkok have given the impression Yingluck is worn out and eager to quit.

But she seemed relaxed and cheerful at the meeting, which

was held inside an air force base near Don Muang International Airport.

Her senior officials stressed the caretaker government had no legal powers to postpone or cancel the election and stressed that even an imperfect poll was better than none.

“The ballot box doesn’t solve everything, and she knows that.

But at least that’s the right step,” Suthep’s supporters have Suranand Vejjajiva, secretary- blockaded at least seven big general to the prime minister, Bangkok intersections and are told Reuters. also trying to stop ministries from functioning, forcing many AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AS- to remain closed, with civil serSURED vants working from back-up faThe protesters say they will cilities or from home. occupy the city’s main arteries Yingluck herself has been until an unelected “people’s unable to work from her offices council” replaces Yingluck’s ad- in Government House since late ministration.

November.

Thaksin’s rural and workDemonstrators marched to ing-class support has ensured the home of Energy Minister he or his allies have won every Pongsak Raktapongpaisal carelection since 2001 and Yin- rying a coffin with his name on gluck’s Puea Thai Party seems it, ASTV news reported. They certain to win any vote held un- handed one of his aides a note der present arrangements. demanding that he cut LPG The protesters want to sus- prices and resign, it said. pend what they say is a democAccording to the official racy commandeered by the Twitter account of National self-exiled billionaire Thaksin, Police spokesman Piya Utayo, whom they accuse of nepotism an off-duty policeman dressed and corruption, and eradicate in civilian clothes was attacked the political influence of his and had his gun taken off him family by altering electoral ar- by about 10 protesters at a rally rangements. near the Energy Ministry.

There was no sign of trouble at the two targets named by “RED SHIRTS” TO STAY OUT hardliners in the protest move- OF BANGKOK ment, the stock exchange and The latest protests have the central Bangkok offices of been less violent than a spasm AeroThai, which is in charge of of unrest in 2010, when troops air traffic control communica- were sent in to end a two-month tion for planes using Thai air protest in central Bangkok by space. “red shirt” Thaksin supporters.

AeroThai said it had back- More than 90 people died durup operations to ensure no dis- ing those protests. ruption to air travel if its control Thaksin, who turned to polcentre was shut down. itics after making a fortune in

telecommunications, redrew Thailand’s political map by courting rural voters. He lives in exile to avoid a jail sentence handed down in 2008 for abuse of power.

There have been relatively few factional clashes in this upsurge of unrest with the government keen to avoid confrontation. Government supporters said they held protests on Monday and Tuesday in provinces neighbouring Bangkok but had no plans to demonstrate in the city.

“All we ask is that Prime Minister Yingluck does not resign,” said Worawut Wichaidit, spokesman for the pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship.

“If (Suthep) and his group achieve their goal ... the outcome would be similar to a coup, and we all saw what happened the last time there was a coup,” Worawut said, referring to instability and factional strife in the years that followed the last army takeover in 2006.

It is widely thought that, if the agitation grinds on, the judiciary or military may step in.

The military has staged or attempted 18 coups in 81 years of on-off democracy, although it has tried to stay neutral this time and army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has publicly refused to take sides.

Children can soon take rights violations to UN ‘Netherlands is country with most plentiful, healthy food’

uNited NAtiONs, JANuAry 15 (Ap): A new legal instrument will soon allow children from 10 countries to complain to a key U.N. committee if they believe their human rights have been violated. The optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child received the required 10th ratification from Costa Rica Tuesday, triggering its entry into force on April 14.

Marta Santos Pais, the U.N. special representative on violence against children, said the “historic” entry into force of the protocol will place “the rights and aspirations of children at the center of the human rights agenda” by giving youngsters the right to seek redress for violations of their rights for the first time.

Initially, only children from Costa Rica and the nine other countries — Albania, Bolivia, Gabon, Germany, Montenegro, Portugal, Spain, Thailand and Slovakia — will be able to submit complaints. But Santos Pais said the

U.N. and other organizations will keep promoting ratification of the protocol by the 183 other U.N. member states.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1989, ensures children of the right to a name, a nationality, an education, the highest possible standards of health, protection from abuse and exploitation, and the right to have their views heard. Two previous optional protocols deal with children in armed conflict, and the sale of children, child pornography and child prostitution.

Under the new protocol, children or their representatives will be able to submit complaints to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is composed of 18 independent human rights experts who monitor implementation of the convention and the two other optional protocols.

The committee will then decide whether to review the case. If a violation is found, it will recommend that

the state concerned takes action to remedy the situation. It can also ask a state to take interim measures to protect a child or group of children or prevent any reprisals.

Kirsten Sandberg, the committee chair, called the protocol “a major step forward in the implementation of children’s rights.” “The optional protocol gives children who have exhausted all legal avenues in their own countries the possibility of applying to the committee,” she said in a statement. “It means children are able to fully exercise their rights and are empowered to have access to international human rights bodies in the same way adults are under several other human rights treaties,” Sandberg said. Sandberg stressed that states have the primary responsibility to address child rights violations and urged countries “to develop their own systems to ensure that children’s rights are respected and protected and that their voices can be heard.”

Eye doctors warn of damage from lasers

New yOrK, JANuAry 15 (reuters HeAltH): Powerful lasers that are easily purchased online pose a serious danger to vision, according to a new report.

Doctors from the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, report on the case of a 9-year-old boy who showed up at their hospital after being blinded by an adult playing with a handheld laser. “Until he came in, no one had realized there was an actual injury

and we saw the bleeding,” Dr. Cynthia Toth, one of the authors of the new report, told Reuters Health.

The high-power laser had passed through the boy’s eye lenses and burst the blood vessels in the back of his eyes. “This was a larger device that was sold as some toy, but it’s a dangerous weapon,” Toth said.

“You can start a fire with the power that was coming out of that one.” Toth is a professor of ophthalmology and biomedical engineering at Duke. She also has

a long history of studying and working with lasers.

The high-power laser was made from a component of a dismantled home theater projector and purchased online. A laser, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a “powerful, targeted beam of electromagnetic radiation that is used in many products, from music players and printers to eye-surgery tools.” The FDA regulates lasers, as it does other radiation-emitting electronic products,

and separates them into classes and subclasses.

Class 3a lasers include those typically used for pointing during presentations. Their power is capped at 5 milliwatts (mW) on the visible light spectrum under federal regulation. Class 4 lasers are the type used in industrial or medical settings and are an immediate hazard. The laser used on the boy in the new report falls into class 4, according to the researchers. It produced 1,250 mW of power.

New yOrK, JANuAry 15 (reuters): The Netherlands nudged past France and Switzerland as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food, while the United States and Japan failed to make it into the top 20, a new ranking released by Oxfam on Tuesday showed.

Chad came in last on the list of 125 nations, behind Ethiopia and Angola, in the food index from the international relief and development organization.

“The Netherlands have created a good market that enables people to get enough to eat. Prices are relatively low and stable and the type of food people are eating is balanced,” Deborah Hardoon, a senior researcher at Oxfam who compiled the results, said in an interview. “They’ve got the fundamentals right and in a way that is better than most other countries all over the world.”

Oxfam ranked the nations on the availability, quality and affordability of food and dietary health.

It also looked at the percentage of underweight children, food diversity and access to clean water, as well as negative health outcomes such as obesity and diabetes. European countries dominated the top of the ranking but Australia squeezed into the top 12, tying with Ireland, Italy,

Crown Prince Willem-Alexander serves a meal to spectators during the annual Queens day in Veenendaal April 30, 2012. (reuters File Photo)

Portugal and Luxembourg at No. 8.

The United Kingdom failed to make the top 10, tying for the 13th spot, because of the volatility of its food prices compared to other goods, which Oxfam said is on a level with Peru (51), Malta (33) and Kyrgyzstan (65). African nations, along with Laos (112), Bangladesh (102), Pakistan (97) and India (97), were predominant in the bottom 30 countries.

Although the United States has the most affordable and good quality food, high levels of obesity and diabetes pushed the nation into 21st place in the ranking, tying with Japan, which scored poorly on the relative price of food compared to other goods. The

Netherlands got top marks for its low food prices and diabetes levels, while Chad had the worst score for the cost of food in the country and the number of underweight children - 34 percent. The only countries where food is more expensive are Guinea and the Gambia, which were both at the lower end of the ranking. Burundi (119), Yemen (121), Madagascar (122) and India have the worst rates of nutrition and the most underweight children, according to Oxfam.

PEOPLE GOING HUNGRY Oxfam said the latest figures show 840 million people go hungry every day, despite there being enough food for the hungry. It called for changes in the way food

is produced and distributed around the world.

The causes of hunger, it added, include a lack of investment in infrastructure in developing nations and in small-scale agriculture, security, prohibitive trading agreements, biofuel targets that divert crops from food to fuel and the impact of climate change.

Research suggests that climate change could raise the number of people at risk of hunger by 20 to 50 percent by 2050, according to the group.

“This index quite clearly indicates that despite the fact of there being enough food in the world we are still not able to feed everybody in all the countries around the world,” said Hardoon. “If we had a more equal distribution of wealth and resources, and particularly food, this wouldn’t be a problem,” she added.

Oxfam compiled the data between October and December 2013 using the latest information from the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Foundation, the International Labour Organization and other international organizations. The index provides a snapshot based on the relative differences in various countries based on the number of factors. But Hardoon said it is not the comprehensive picture of any one nation.

MyAnMAr sTePs inTo inTernATionAl role AT AseAn

NAypyidAw, JANuAry 15 (AFp): Myanmar begins its first international political role in decades this week as host of Southeast Asia’s regional bloc, with experts warning against “over-inflated” expectations as the group grapples with territorial disputes and ambitious economic integration plans.

The country will host foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for an informal meeting on Friday in the ancient capital Bagan -- the first major gathering of the group under Myanmar’s debut yearlong stewardship. The longisolated country has won international praise and the removal of most Western sanctions for wide-ranging reforms since the end of junta rule nearly three years ago, raising the promise of an investment boom.

The former pariah state has freed political prisoners, welcomed opposition parties into parliament and launched economic reforms. Fresh from hosting the World Economic Forum on East Asia and Southeast Asian Games in the sprawling remote capital Naypyidaw last year, the country is confi-

dent that it can meet the diplomatic and logistical challenge of hosting the regional bloc, despite its creaking infrastructure.

“Myanmar is ready for the ASEAN chairmanship,” said Than Htut, a senior official at the national planning ministry.

“ASEAN is a rising star in the world’s politics and economy.

We hope that our chairmanship will support that,” he said, adding that businesses had donated a fleet of BMW cars and limousines to ferry delegates to meetings.

Sean Turnell, associate professor at Australia’s Macquarie University, said that while Myanmar has previously been seen as a drain on the bloc, it now “promises to make a positive contribution”. “The biggest danger to Myanmar in being ASEAN chair might be over-inflated expectations,” he told AFP, adding that the country’s successful management of the Southeast Asian Games could raise unrealistic hopes of its ability to tackle strategically substantive challenges.

“The international community didn’t expect much from (previous chairs) Laos, Cambodia

etc, so these countries quite easily exceeded expectations.

This might not be the case for Myanmar,” he said.

In 2006, Myanmar was forced to renounce the ASEAN rotating presidency in the face of criticism of its rights record and the then-ruling junta’s failure to shift to democracy.

Myanmar’s eagerness to take the chair this year -- jumping in ahead of Laos -- is a signal the government wants to “step up the process of opening up to the region and outside world”, said Southeast Asia expert Carl Thayer. He said Myanmar would largely follow a pre-set agenda and would not be “out of its depth” at the helm.

President Thein Sein said in October the theme of Myanmar’s chairmanship would be “moving forward in unity in a peaceful and prosperous community”. The regional grouping has a number of complex issues on the table, including territorial spats between Beijing and several ASEAN members -- particularly the Philippines and Vietnam -- over the South China Sea, as well as ambitious economic integration plans.

ASEAN, a region of 600 mil-

A troop of Myanmar soldiers stand at attention during a flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the country 66th anniversary of the Independence Day at public square in Yangon on January 4. (AP Photo)

lion people, wants to establish a common market and manufacturing base to better compete with China and India, but there are growing doubts about whether it will meet a 2015 target. Myanmar has generated a flurry of economic interest

since reforms began in 2011, with investors eyeing its pivotal strategic location, vast natural resources and a long-isolated population of some 60 million potential consumers.

“Down the track, Myanmar will greatly benefit from integra-

tion,” said Turnell, adding that investors remain cautious despite a number of reforms. Relations with neighbouring China, a longtime ally, are likely to put Myanmar in a delicate position when tackling the South China Sea. Cambodia, an ally of Beijing,

caused consternation in 2012 when it was ASEAN head by refusing to take China to task over its increasingly assertive claims to the potentially energy-rich waters. “Myanmar diplomats privately say they will reflect the ASEAN consensus on the South China Sea while expecting strong pressure from China on this issue,” Thayer told AFP, adding that crunch decisions were likely to fall outside the chairmanship.

Myanmar will also host the East Asia Summit in 2014, which brings ASEAN members together with the United States, China and Russia.

The chairmanship should be an “opportunity for the government to improve its human rights situation and show it is serious about making the transition from military to genuinely civilian rule” said Human Rights Watch researcher David Mathieson, adding it still had “some hard convincing to do”.

Optimism over recent political prisoner releases has been tempered by the continuing arrest of activists and ongoing religious tension in the nation, where the military still holds a crucial position in parliament.

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SPORTS

Thursday 16 January 2014

The Morung Express

Grizzlies strike down Thunder Ravokhrieo Virie is Nerhema wrestling champ

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) passes the ball to teammate Zach Randolph around Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo)

MeMPhIs, January 15 (aP): The Memphis Grizzlies celebrated the return of Marc Gasol with a victory over one of the league's top teams — and one of their biggest rivals.

Courtney Lee scored a season-high 24 points, including the closing two free throws, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 90-87 on Tuesday night in Gasol's first game in almost eight weeks.

While Lee provided the early offensive punch for Memphis, many team-

mates were talking about the return of the Gasol, the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who missed 23 games with a left knee injury. The 7-foot1 center played 24 minutes and finished with 12 points.

"Everybody is excited, especially for him," said guard Mike Conley, who had 19 points and seven assists in Memphis' third straight victory. "He's been itching to get out there forever, and I thought he did great.

It gave us a good boost." Gasol, whose return was not

announced until just before the game, received a rousing ovation from the Memphis crowd when he was introduced with the starting lineup. He said the cheers gave him "goose bumps" and made him feel like a rookie again. He said the knee did not bother him, but the large knee brace he is wearing is uncomfortable.

"It felt really good, especially since we got the win," Gasol said of the knee. "That makes everything worth it." Zach Randolph had 23 points and 13 rebounds on

the night his inside partner returned. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 37 points, converting 15 of 28 shots.

Reggie Jackson scored 17, but also committed seven of Oklahoma City's 19 turnovers. Serge Ibaka finished with 11 points and four blocks as the Thunder lost their third in the last four.

Durant, who has dealt with an aching left wrist and did not practice Monday, had ice on it after the game, but said he did not aggravate the injury.

Lee converted a

22-footer from the right wing as time ran out in the third period to help Memphis carry a 72-67 lead into the final frame.

Memphis, which trailed 47-43 at the break, converted 10 of 18 shots in the third, while the Thunder managed only 9 of 22. That led to the Grizzlies outscoring Oklahoma City 29-20 in the period. Memphis still held the lead at 87-84 with less than a minute left. Jackson missed a 4-foot runner, then Gasol missed a 7-footer in the lane for Memphis.

Oklahoma City had the ball after a timeout with 20 seconds left. Durant drove and kicked the ball out to Ibaka, who missed a 3-pointer from the left corner.

"I seen (the defender) come off of Serge and he was wide open, and I trust him 100 percent," Durant said. "That shot looked good, but it hit the side rim and rimmed out. "Great shot. We've just got to live with the results."

Randolph split a pair of free throws with 10.6 seconds remaining for an 88-84 lead, enough that Ibaka's 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds left wasn't enough.

Lee's free throws provided the final margin. "Courtney Lee had his way," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "We didn't do a good job of starting the game off on him. Throughout the game, he sprinkled in some good shots." The Thunder weathered an early burst of points from Lee, who had 14 in the first quarter as Memphis built a 12-point lead. Oklahoma City erased the advantage with a 15-1 rally spanning the first and second quarters.

New Zealand beat Windies by 4 wickets

WeLLInGton, January 15 (afP): New Zealand inflicted a further defeat on the West Indies in their second Twenty20 international on Wednesday to bring a dismal end to the visiting team's tour. The four-wicket win gave New Zealand the Twenty20 series 2-0 to go with their 2-0 win in the Tests. The one-day internationals were shared 2-2, the West Indies' only success on their sixweek tour.

After New Zealand won the first Twenty20 by 81 runs, they were struggling at 79/5 in the second match before a 68-run partnership between Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi turned the innings around. Taylor played the anchor role with 39 off 41 balls while Ronchi belted an unbeaten 51 off 28 deliveries in an innings that included four fours and two sixes.

The pair were particularly harsh on West Indies skipper Dwayne Bravo in

New Zealand celebrate their win over the West Indies in the series in the second T20 International cricket match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Jan. 15. (AP Photo)

the 15th over when they took 17 runs to reduce the target from 54 off 36 balls to a more manageable 37 off 30. They then took 15 off the 17th over by Jason Holder and although Taylor

gave his wicket away with a mistimed slog-sweep to Chadwick Walton at deep midwicket New Zealand were then in a position to coast to victory.

The outcome could

ed off the only break point she faced with an ace, one of her 10 in the match. She hit 24 winners, sticking to the ideal strategy of keeping the points short on a hot day and extended her winning streak to 24 matches.

She said didn’t even go outside Tuesday because conditions “were a little bit extreme,” adding that the prospect of the scorching temperatures had even interrupted her sleep.

“I kept waking up in the middle of the night last night just paranoid. I just wanted to stay hydrated,” she said. “The last thing I want to do is to cramp in this weather. It can happen so easy.” Williams next meets No. 31-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, who was on court for 3 hours, 13 minutes in her 6-3, 3-6, 12-10 win over Karolina Pliskova. Temperatures topped 42 Celsius (108F) on Tuesday, and there were a total of nine retirements in the first round, equaling a Grand Slam record.

It wasn’t quite as stifling Wednesday, but the forecast is for the heat wave to continue until Friday.

Li Na, the 2011 French

Open champion and a twotime finalist at Melbourne Park, had a 6-0, 7-6 (5) win over 16-year-old Belinda Bencic and will next play No. 26 Lucie Safarova in the third round.

No. 9 Angelique Kerber advanced and will next meet American Alison Riske, who trounced Yanina Wickmayer 6-1, 6-1.

Australian wild-card entry Casey Dellacqua upset No. 18 Kirsten Flipkens 6-3, 6-0. No. 17 Sam Stosur is through to the third round of her home Grand Slam for the first time in three years after a 6-2, 6-0 win over Tsvetana Pironkova. No. 30 Eugenie Bouchard of Canada beat Virginie Razzano 6-2, 7-6 (10) and Zheng Jie defeated American Madison Keys 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-5.

Bouchard will next play American Lauren Davis, who beat Julia Goerges 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Stosur will face former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic in the third round after the Serbian player beat Annika Beck of Germany 6-1, 6-2.

The Stosur-Ivanovic winner could face Williams in the round of 16.

The tournament’s heat

have been different had the West Indies been more alert with their fielding.

Jesse Ryder was dropped twice as he raced to a quick 23 in nine balls, and Brendon McCullum received a

life on his way to 17.

But the biggest bungle was missing two chances to remove man of the match Ronchi on the first ball he faced. Andre Russell dropped a caught and bowled opportunity and when Ronchi scampered through for a quick single Tino Best was astray with his run out throw at the stumps. The West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bat first, appeared to have lost their way when reduced to 67/4 in the 11th over before Denesh Ramdin and Andre Taylor breathed life into their innings. They put on 70 for the fifth wicket which ended when Fletcher (40) opted to sacrifice himself after he and Ramdin ended up at the same end in a running mix up. Ramdin carried on through to the end to be unbeaten on 55 off 31 balls in an innings which included three sixes and three fours.

Winners of the Nerhema wrestling meet with match officials.

Our Correspondent Rülho bagged the Ist runners up while Neil-

houvolie Sote stood 2nd runners up and Dziesekhrietuo Kerhüo was placed fourth.

Ravokhrieo Virie emerged as the wrestling Class I contractor Zasebeizolie Rülho graced champion title of Nerhema wrestling meet the occasion as the chief guest and Kekhrien2014 which took place today. Thekruneisa gulie Theünuo as the guest of honour.

Kohima | January 15

‘Human resource is the best resource’

Er. Kevisekho Kruse and others during the 50th sports anniversary of Thevomia Youth Organization (TYO) at Khonoma on January 15. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent under the theme “Towards would achieve greater

Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Nagaland chief engineer Er Kevisekho Kruse today asserted that human resource is the best resource and called upon the people to adopt a positive attitude and march forward. We are living far below our potential, he said adding that one should not underestimate or determine low of oneself but think big to sail in the right direction.

Everything is possible when one stay focused to the specific area, he said while gracing the 50th sports anniversary (1964-2014) of Thevomia Youth Organization (TYO) at Khonoma Community Hall Terhotsiese

greater heights.”

The seed to go very high is inside you, he told the gathering and called upon them to make the best use of the seed to grow higher and higher and march ahead with the rest of the world.

Development starts from the heart of the people, he said and called upon the people to become responsible citizen.

Lauding the sports persons of Thevomia for excelling in both state and national level, he also encouraged them to actively involve in what field/discipline they are good at and excel.

Further, he complimented TYO for completing 50 glorious years and expressed hope that they

heights. He then gave away prizes to the winners of the TYO sports meet.

Earlier, TYO souvenir was released by Angamimiapfü Mechü Krotho (AMK) president Salhoutuonuo Kruse. Jubilee greetings were shared by TYO Khonoma president, Nikeselie Punyü while short speeches were delivered by Megokholie Pier and Abi Yalie. Welcome speech was delivered

by KTU Nagaland president, Dr. R. Zinyü. The function was chaired by Nisavi Hieme, convenor organizing committee while Dr. Kedozeto Punyü proposed the vote of thanks. The occasion was also marked by traditional games, feast and KTU Nagaland Day.

Wokha, January 15 (DIPr): The 5th edition of the LFC kicked off on January 14, at local football ground Wokha with Additional SP, Wokha Tokavi Achumi as the Chief Guest.

Addressing the gathering, the chief guest lauded the efforts of the Association (WDFA) for giving a platform to the youths by organizing such an event.

He also called upon the players not to concentrate

only at local level but to have zeal and determination to carry forward their career to higher level and urged them to have patience and discipline to achieve their goal.

District Programme Officer (District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit, Wokha), Lichumo Odyuo highlighted the activities to be undertaken during the ten days long tournament.

All together seventeen

teams are vying for the championship. The opening match of the championship was played between defending champions Bonnie Club and Blue Hill United. Bonnie Club registered their first win of the tourney, defending their title by beating Blue Hill united by two goals to one. In the second match 164 Territorial Army beat last year runnerup Koio Village sports Association 3-0.

Pfutsero, January 15 (Mexn): Baptist Theological College 25th Anniversary Games and Sports was graced by D. Chandani, HoD, Department of English, Pfutsero Government Arts College as Chief Guest.

Chandani challenged students to be torch bearers and stated that games and sports must be played skillfully and with a competitive spirit. Stating that people from the North East people have potential, she encour-

aged that students develop focus, commitment and determination. A press note informed that Chandani also extended financial help to the College, for which the BTC community expressed its gratitude.

ZhavaMe, January 15 (Mexn): Seceku Area Wrestling meet was held at Zhavame village under Pfutsero sub-division on January 15 with Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education & SCERT, Deo Nukhu and Additional Director, Ag-

riculture L. Mero as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively. The chief guest in his speech said that discipline, practice and daily exercise were a must to become a good sportsperson.

He went on to say that perseverance was the key for

any great achievement and exhorted them to inculcate the spirit of perseverance in the long run. Sports was confined not only to feast and merry making, he added. Altogether 59 participants vied for the championship trophy.

Khonoma | January 15

5th Lotha football championship kicks off

Serena Williams, Djokovic advance BTC 25th Anniversary Games & Sports

MeLBourne, January 15 (aP): Serena Williams wore a fitted pink blazer into her secondround match at the Australian Open, giving the impression she wasn’t feeling the heat. And after her 6-1, 6-2 win over Vesna Dolonc on Wednesday, the second consecutive scorching day at the season’s first major, Williams said she could remember hotter matches.

By improving her career mark to 60-8 at Melbourne Park, she equaled Margaret Court’s record 60 match wins at the Australian Open in the Open era.

On day three at Melbourne Park, the center court at Rod Laver Arena was — at least according to the two fans holding up a sign — “Serena’s Arena.”

The heat topped 40 Celsius (104F) during the 63-minute match, and peaked at just under 42 C (108 F) later during Novak Djokovic’s 6-0, 6-4, 6-4 win over Leonardo Mayer.

Second-seeded Djokovic, aiming to be the first man in the Open era to win four consecutive Australian Open titles, didn’t face a break point. Williams fend-

Seceku area wrestling meet held

Wokha SRSA 2014 concludes

Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to the crowd after winning his second round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argen- WPkha, January 15 Sports had been a part and tina at the Australian Open tennis championship in Mel- (Mexn): The 62nd Ses- parcel of human race since bourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 15.(AP Photo) the beginning of human civ-

rule went into effect in the first match on Margaret Court Arena, giving No. 15-seeded Sabine Lisicki and Monica Niculescu a 10-minute break after the second set. Niculescu won 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 and will next play No. 22 Ekaterina Ma-

karova, who followed up her win over Venus Williams with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over American Irina Falconi. Djokovic had a brief scare while serving at 3-0 in the first set when he turned over on his left ankle, tumbling to the court.

sion of “Sanis Range Sports Association” (SRSA) concluded on January 13 with Albert Tsanglao, First Class Contractor NPWD Nagaland as the Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony.

The Guest of Honour while addressing the Athletes and crowd opined that Games &

ilization, and heals the bitter times and wounds, social unrest between world communities and even war.

The Guest of Honour also donated Rs 29,000/besides, best player, best team, first goal scorer of the final match were presented

by him. Altogether 46,000/cash was donated by the Guest of Honour and his associates to SRSA. The final match was played between EAC Team, Baghty and Sunglup. EAC Team won the match by 3 goals to 1. Soku Village emerged the Volleyball Champion. Altogether 15 teams participated in the event.

Entertainment

The Morung Express C M Y K

Liam Payne apologises for dangerously high roof ledge singer Liam Payne has apologised to fans after he was pictured standing dangerously on a roof ledge 360 foot high. The 20-yearold singer was pictured in a photo on a friend's Twitter feed - which has since been deleted - having climbed from his 34th floor balcony. With the lights of London behind him, he is just inches away the edge of the skyscraper block of flats. Taking to Twitter on Tuesday night, the pop star apologised for the image: 'You may have seen a photo of me today taken on top of a building. I regret b e i n g there and having a photo taken.

'It was a stupid and irresponsible thing to do. I am sorry, and do not endorse any fans trying to repeat this, as it is extremely dangerous. ' The photo was believed to have been taken over the weekend, when Liam entertained three old friends visiting from his hometown of Wolverhampton. The foursome posted a series of photos of their weekend exploits on their respective Twitter feeds, including a night out at Funky Buddha club.

When the photo first appeared on Twitter on Sunday, worried fans took to the micro-blogging page, urging him 'don't jump' or wondering if he wanted to imitate his hero Batman.

One tweeted: 'That photo of @Real_ Liam_Payneon that balcony really gave me a mini heart attack ... please don’t do that again!' While another

Thursday

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16 January 2014

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Taylor Swift set to perform at this year's Grammy Awards

wrote: '@Real_Liam_ Payne should stop thinking he’s Batman, when he’s not ... Stop climbing on your balcony!'

Unfortunately for Liam, other images posted online by his friends, have led fans to deduct his address, so many have been waiting outside his apartment block to meet him. The singer also tweeted on Tuesday he was unhappy about fans coming to his London home. He wrote: 'I know my friends have tweeted a lot of pictures of my house the past few days but can people please stop coming and waiting outside. 'I'd just like to be able to walk outside as everyone does and enjoy time with my friends, not feel bad for not wanting to take a picture.

'Sorry if I've been rude to anyone but I've come to realise if I take one picture more people keep coming everyday xxx hope everyone's good.'

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he is known for singing about heartbreak, and is currently single. But that doesn't mean Taylor Swift has anything to be sad about. The 24-year-old singer has just been announced as a performer at the upcoming 2014 Grammys in Los Angeles, and is nominated in four different categories. Taylor is up for Album of the Year and Best Country Album for Red. The Pennsylvania native is also nominated for Best Country Duo/ Group Performance for 'Highway Don’t Care' (along with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban), and Best Country Song for “Begin Again.' Taylor is no stranger to the award show, as she already has seven Grammys. Also scheduled to perform are John Legend, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, and Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Previously announced performers include Katy Perry, Lorde, Metallica, Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Blake Shelton, Pink and Nate Ruess, Kendrick Lamar with Imagine Dragons, Sara Bareilles, and Stevie Wonder with Daft Punk.

The Grammys take place on Sunday, January 26th.

Zoe SaLdana signed up for THREE Avatar sequels

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'I want to do it different than the world's ready for': Willow Smith, 13, wows in Karl Lagerfeld shoot after shunning the limelight to 'decompress' and 'chill'. Most teenagers would be completely overwhelmed at the thought of shooting a fashion spread in Paris with famed designer Karl Lagerfeld for V Magazine. But not Willow Smith. The 13-year-old daughter of two-time Oscarnominee Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith has already fit a lot into her tender years, with a successful music career and a fashion following thanks to her edgy everevolving personal style.

he's in the biggest movie of all time.

And she's just signed on to do three more Avatar sequels.

But that didn't stop Zoe Saldana from trying to go unrecognized in dark sunglasses at LAX on Monday. Casually dressed in a navy blue sweater, slim fitting jeans and a pair of black riding boots,the 35-year-old Star Trek beauty made her way through the airport after attending the Golden Globes the night before. With her beautiful black locks cascading onto a purple shawl, Zoe hid under a pair of classic aviator sunglasses as she head toward security. It was just announced that she and co-star Sam Worthington have finalized deals to reprise their characters for the next three Avatar movies.

Zoe will return as Na'vi huntress Neytiri, which she made famous in the James Cameron directed original. While Worthington returns to the franchise as Jake Sully, the wheelchair-bound Marine who finds new life on the alien world of Pandora. While plot details of the sequels are being kept under wraps, The

Hollywood Reporter has learned that the characters of Jake Sully and Neytiri will have children together. Avatar 2, 3, and 4 will be shot back to back, with Avatar 2 set for a December 2016 release. The subsequent sequels follow in December 2017 and 2018, respectively. Released in 2009, the original went on to make $2.8 billion at the box office and is the highest grossing movie of all time. Besides her role in Avatar and the Star Trek franchise, the DominicanAmerican actress recently landed the lead in a TV remake of the classic Roman Polanski psychological horror movie Rosemary's Baby. Zoe will reinvent the role made famous by Mia Farrow in a four-hour miniseries on NBC. In the new version, Zoe will play the iconic young wife and would-be mother who, with her husband, moves into a Paris apartment that has a darkly storied past. In her personal life, the 35-year-old Latina is enjoying being a wife to Italian artist Marco Perego. The couple have been virtually inseperable since they wed in a secret ceremony in London last summer.

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33 year-old endS with

I

t was a moment long looked for by industry insiders and cine-fans and it happened completely unexpectedly. At the Screen Awards held in Mumbai on January 14, superstar Amitabh Bachchan didn't give actress Rekha, his co-star of many hit films and rumoured once-upon-a-time paramour, the public cold shoulder he has never failed to deliver ever since Silsila, their last film t o g e t h e r, i n 1981. No. This time, c i r c a 2014,

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he ended 33 years of sub-zero snubbing by greeting the beaming Umrao Jaan star with a namaste and a smile.

This was no accidental Bachchan blip. Big B's wife, the redoubtable Jaya, also greeted her reported onetime rival and was photographed clasping her hand.

Both actresses were resplendent in gorgeous silk sarees, dripping with diamonds and gold.

Amitabh Bachchan's a l leged romance

with Rekha forms a part of Bollywood folklore. Their affair reportedly started on the sets of Do Anjane (1976), their first film together. Amitabh Bachchan had already been married to Jaya Bhaduri for three years at the time.

Rumour has it that Amitabh and Rekha used to meet at a bungalow belonging to one of Rekha's friends while shooting Alaap the next year.

Their romance continued to bloom through the years and they co-starred in movies such as Immaan Dharam (1977), Khoon Pasina (1977), Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Mr Natwarlal (1979) and Suhaag (1979).

By the time Ram Balram released (1979), the two were reported to have begun spending more and more time together off the sets.

There were also reports

that Jaya Bachchan had made it very clear to Rekha that she would never leave her husband. In 1981, director Yash Chopra pulled off the biggest casting coup in Bollywood with Silsila, the dramatis personae of which was made up of Amitabh, Jaya and Rekha, playing three points of a reel love triangle that seemed to mirror the rumoured real-life one. Big B and Rekha never starred in a film together again and two years later, Amitabh Bachchan's almost-fatal accident Coolie accident served to cement his relationship with his wife.

Since then, the Bachchans have carefully avoided Rekha in public. Now it seems that winter has ended.

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football open MDCA Inter Club 24th Seceku Wrestling Meet ESSA Championship underway Cricket Tournament

MOKOKCHUNG, JANUARY 15 (MExN): The MDCA Inter Club Cricket Tournament entered its knockout stages with the 8 remaining teams eyeing for the district’s most coveted cricket trophy. On Wednesday, in the first quarter final match, local boys Titans CC knocked out Team Bendangsunep, the pre-tournament favourites with the some of the best players in cricketing Nagaland, by a margin of 7 runs in one of the most exciting matches played so far in the tournament.

Titans after today’s win became the first team to qualify for the semi finals.

Earlier, Titans won the toss and elected to bat first.

They lost their opening batsman in the 1st over itself but came back into the match through a good partnership between the two brothers in the team, Longsasunep and Lanusanen.

Coming into the match with two back to back hald centuries, Longsasunep continued to torment the bowlers by dispatching the ball all over the park. He came close to his third consecutive half-century but fell 8 runs short. He scored a brilliant 42 runs for his team.

He was supported by his elder brother Lanusanen who scored 26 runs.

Titans could score 126/9 in their 20 overs against the fine blowing attack of Team Bendangsunep. Thejasol was the pick of the bowler with a figure of 2/27 in four overs.

Jalal, Imnayanger and Michael chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing the target of 127 runs, Team Bendangsunep were pushed to a defensive mode after some tight bowling and fielding from the Titans players.

Thejasol who scored 28 runs helped his team from losing the match early.

Temjenyanger also contributed 17 runs for his team.

Ato Chang was the pick of the bowlers for Titans, who didn't let any batsman settle down in the crease.

Bowling the last over of the inning with Team Bendangsunep requiring 10

KOHiMA, JANUARY 15 (MExN): The 38th Eastern Sumi Sports Association (ESSA) Football Open Championship 2014 organized by Eagle Club Aghunato town got underway this morning with Kughavi Achumi, PA to parliamentary secretary for women development, sericulture and cooperation as the chief guest at Aghunato Football Ground. Speaking on the occasion, Achumi said that sports platform brings friendship and unity. “I see discipline and respect that is in you,” he said adding that such qualities are essence of sportsmanship. He also encouraged the players to take sports as one of their careers and excel in the different fields. The event will culminate on January 26. Altogether, 22 teams are taking part in the tournament. Eagle Club President Ahokhe Z. Achumi chaired the inaugural function while Khehoi, pastor ATBC Aizuto pronounced invocation prayer.

Thursday's Fixture 3rd Quarter Final Ascesis CC vs Skylark CC (8:00 am) 4th Quarter Final Züngamedem CC vs Sovran CC (12:00 noon)

runs to win, Ato took the crucial wicket of Thejasol off the very first ball of the final over of the match with Moatemshi taking one of the finest catches.

Ato then conceded two bye runs in the next ball with wicketkeeper missed to collect the ball. After that he bowled 4 dot balls in a row to end the match in his team’s favour. He finished with a figure of 2/14 in 4 overs. Team Bendangsunep finished with 119/8 in 20 overs. Longsa was named Man of the Match for the third consecutive time. The first match also witnessed the highest number of crowd turn-out of the tournament so far.

In the second quarter final match played between Mustang United and Zero Boys, the later won the toss and elected to bat first.

They could put up a score of just 98 runs losing 8 wickets in the 20 overs with Ajung scoring an unbeaten 19 runs and Along scoring 13 runs for the Zero Boys.

Aosashi of Mustang took 4/21 in his quota of 4 overs.

Achet bowled well and ended with 2/8 in his four overs. Chasing the small target, Mustang batsmen were made to deal with a lot of surprises in the crease with the pitch keeping very low and sometimes bouncing over the batsman's head. The Zero Boys bowlers bowled a tight line and length attack, nearly pulling out a victory but Nukshimeren's knock of 28 and Lanu's 28 ensured the safe passage into the semi finals for Mustang United by reaching the target in 17.5 overs and winning it by 5 wickets. Luin and Bendang took 2 wickets each.

Aosashi of Mustang United was awarded the Man of the Match award for his allround performance.

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Wrestlers competing at the 24th Meet of the Seceku Wrestling Association at Zhavame village.

ZHAVAME, JANUARY 15 (MExN): A total of 59 wrestlers from several villages under Seceku area participated in the 24th Meet of the Seceku Wrestling Association at Zhavame village on Wednesday. Vekhota Chiero emerged champion in the Naga style category, while Shetsüyi Vadeo came second and Kuku-o Getsa and Niepoyi Chiero snatched third and fourth places respectively. The first four winners bagged cash prizes of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000, Rs. 20,000 and Rs.10000/-.

Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and SCERT, Deo Nukhu, while speaking as chief huest, stated that sports require a lot of discipline that includes healthy food and eating habits. He also

WINNERS Naga Style

Free Style (Below 66 Kg)

First: Vekhota Chiero Second: Shetsüyi Vadeo Third: Kuku-o Getsa Fourth: Neipoyi Chiero

First: Kudeto Vadeo Second: Pfukholu Movi

Quarter Finalists First: Vezhoto Hesuh Second: Khuthayi Vadeo Third: Nungota Nakro Fourth: Vevoshe Chiero Pre Quarter Finalists

First: Vecuta Cukhamu Second: Besuvo Vadeo Third: Mutsuveyi Khamo

stressed on the importance of practice and exercise for players and went on to state that sportsmen must have perseverance at all times.

Free Style (Below 60 Kg) First: Ngutsu Hesu Second: Lucas Dukru

Free Style (Below 55 Kg) First: Besuhta Lohe Second: Cekrove Medeo

Free Style (Below 51 Kg) First: Munuvolu Vadeo Second: Zhonelu Kezo

He expressed optimism that they would go on to represent not only the area, district and state level but also represent the country

and further play at the international level.

Highlights of the inaugural event included unfurling of the flag and lighting of the flame with reigning champion, Zanü-o Vadeo as the torch bearer, invocation by Thezü Shupao and administration of oath by President, Seceku Wrestling Association. The closing function was graced

by Lhiwepelo Mero, Additional Director, Agriculture.

The 24th meet was hosted by the Zhavame Wrestling Association.

The prize money for the quarter finalists included an award of Rs. 4000 and Rs.2000 while the winners in the free style category carried a cash prize of Rs. 3000 for the first position and Rs.2000 for the second position respectively.

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