C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 163
“
www.morungexpress.com
”
Story on Page 5
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Is the over-dependency on government jobs leading to rise in unemployment in Nagaland? no
Others
Does the BJP-led govt have the political will and understanding to find just solutions in the north East? Yes
16% 60%
no Others
24%
Details on page 7
2014 FIFA World Cup
Afghans ignore Taliban threats to vote again in final test [ PAGE 9]
–Tom Landry
16th June - 09:30 PM Germany vs Portugal 17th June - 12:30 AM Iran vs nigeria 17th June - 3:30 AM Ghana vs United States
naga entrepreneurs call for conducive business environment
By Sandemo Ngullie
Rectify NSDZ: GPRN/NSCN
[ PAGE 2]
[ PAGE 11]
reflections
“Innagalandover90%ofthepopulation are Christian,predominantly alcoholics?”
Community Cup – ‘Football for change’
Vidya Will do a Film With Shah Rukh Khan Only on One Condition
[ PAGE 8]
Yes
Monday, June 16, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve Modi arrives to a rousing welcome in Bhutan
C M Y K
A Ecuadorean fan gestures before the group E World Cup soccer match between Switzerland and Ecuador at the Estadio nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 15. (AP Photo)
formal talks between nscn (iM) & Goi soon newmai news network Dimapur | June 15
Prior to the holding of formal talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), a series of informal meetings are reportedly going on in New Delhi between the two parties. “Very soon, the formal talks with the Government of India will begin at the highest level and we are hopeful of the outcome of the talks,” a well placed source from the NSCN (IM) said. “It was with the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee that some substantial development on the Naga peace process was
seen,” stated the source. The source then said that preparations and consultations among the NSCN (IM) leaders are underway in New Delhi for the formal and crucial talks, which will take place shortly. Six top NSCN (IM) leaders had left Dimapur for New Delhi to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other NDA leaders. VS Atem, AK Lungalang, TT Among, Victor Angami, Imcha Longkumer and Qhevihe Chisi Swu are now in Delhi joining Isak Swu and Th Muivah for the meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home minister Rajnath Singh and other Central leaders.
DIMAPUR, JUNE 15 (MExN): An interactive session attended by various organizations, representing Naga entrepreneurs, has called for the development of a conducive business ecosystem in the state, which will enable local entrepreneurs to flourish. This was stated at interactive sessions, which were held in Kohima and Dimapur on June 13 and 14. The event was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry and was attended by the Nagaland state Council, Business Association of Nagas (BAN), Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), and Mon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). A press note from the CII informed that Dr AM Gondane, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India was the special guest at the programme. Addressing the gathering, Dr AM Gondane said that entrepreneurs of Nagaland, being major stakeholders in the economic development of the state, should provide valuable inputs regarding endowments that the state possess in the areas of human resource, agriculture, minerals etc. so that he could present them at appropriate forum in the govern-
‘Development initiatives should come from within and not imposed by people from outside’
ment and other policy planning circles. Many participants representing different business organisations presented their views on a range of issues. Various speakers requested that the four International trade centres in Nagaland state be modernized and made functional, as opposed to the present predicament of them existing as mere bartering points. The issue of connectivity featured prominently, with many speakers emphasising on the need to make the IndoASEAN corridor operational at the earliest and requested the Central government to stick to the original plan of routing it through Moreh-Imphal-Kohima-Dimapur-NumaligarhGuwahati in the Indian sector and not divert it. The members also impressed upon the need to increase the frequency of flights operating through Dimapur and to have more Airlines to operate. Alarms were raised at the threat by DGCA to either
degrade or scrap Dimapur Airport due to non-expansion of the runway and other infrastructure at Dimapur Airport. Some speakers raised the issue of reduced availability of bandwith in the region, which has adversely affected internet connectivity and speed. Intense deliberations took place pertaining to the music industry, ranging right from manufacturing of musical instruments to performances. It was also pointed out that first generation entrepreneurs do not gain access to credit from the banks due to reasons that include absence of collateral security as, land in the entire state, barring some locations in Dimapur and Kohima, are not mortgageable due to the unique land tenure system prevalent. It was therefore suggested that a corpus fund be raised with provisions suited to the needs of the young Naga entrepreneurs willing to set up enterprises in Nagaland. It was further lamented that the business community has
been negatively affected by rampant taxation, extortion, kidnappings and killings. They urged the visiting official to impress upon the government of India to hasten the process of political settlement to ensure that entrepreneurs can pursue their chosen activity without any impediments. Discussions were also held on skill development and skill upgradation that would focus on the local manpower market demand. Wrapping up the session, the visiting senior bureaucrat, who is a research scholar in development sector, said that necessary inputs for policy formulations with regard to any development initiatives should come from within and not imposed by people from outside. He observed that Nagaland has core competencies in areas of agriculture, tourism and hospitality sectors, soft skills, art and craft, and that they need to be exploited productively. He further shared the views of the participants about the inevitability of a secure and peaceful environment which is crucial for accelerating the pace of development in the state. Earlier, Mr Ajay Sethi, MD, NIIT Dimapur delivered the welcome address.
ots class of 2014 graduates Morung Express news Dimapur | June 15
The Nineteenth Commencement for the Oriental Theological Seminary’s (OTS) graduating Class of 2014 was held Sunday at the Town Baptist Church here. 23 graduates—20 in Degree of Master of Divinity and 3 in Degree of Master in Ministry—were conferred their degrees along with special awards. Academic Dean of OTS, Rev. Dr. Kethozelhou Keyho, read out small personal notes on the graduates and their future endeavours as each was conferred their degree by Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie, Chairman of the OTS Board of Trustees, and Principal of OTS, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier. It signified the close knit framework through which students
of OTS are educated, and sent out to serve the community. While congratulating the Class of 2014, general secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung said that it is easy to humble and serve one another in a seminary, before our friends and teachers, but there is a journey for them to undertake “beyond the book.” He encouraged the students to work as hard on the field, and forge good relationships with the world outside, as much as they did in school. And to do this with humility. “Don’t try to be better than others,” he said, “Try to be humble and faithful.” The NBCC general secretary reminded that “God counts our donation, our service, not our duration,”
elaborating how the ‘second degree of ministry’ is not just to serve but to “give our life.” He quoted faithfulness and sacrifice as driving tenets of life instead of result-based enterprise. “We are not here to build our kingdoms—we are here to serve and sacrifice. Take the humanity and servanthood you have learned at OTS to the people,” Rev. Dr. Keikung encouraged. The hour-long commencement was presided by Dr. James Kalong, and benediction pronounced by Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie. The OTS Award for Academic Excellence was given to Elika, the Late Ms. Nula Panger Award in Ministry went to Sashiakum Imchen and the OTS Award for Dignity of Labour was presented to Ikatoli Husca.
‘economic empowerment is crucial for indigenous Women’ Our Correspondent New Delhi | June 15
C M Y K
The National Consultation on the Situation of Indigenous Women (IW), which ended on June 12 at Indian Social Institute Delhi, saw the participation of 75 delegates from the North East, South India, North India and Central India, belonging to various tribal communities. “This national consultation is a historic event for the Indigenous Women in India,” says Khesheli Chishi, Convenor, Indigenous Women Forum of North East India (IWFNEI). A first of its kind where IW from all parts of India have come together not just to share their problems but to address the issues affecting IW in India, Khesheli Chishi from Nagaland is of the view that this program has helped them integrate their issues, strengthen their network and move forward together. Govind K e l k e r, LANDESA, one of the speakers at the consultation, stated that economic empowerment is crucial for empowerment of indigenous women. Forest and land rights are the first
and foremost rights that women need because land is central to the struggle of indigenous women in India whose economy lies in the land, said Kelkar, while asserting that individual rights and capabilities are also crucial for indigenous women. “Land rights should be the central point of your struggle and strategy because it leads to empowerment,” added Kelkar. He pointed out that individualization of capabilities in terms of land management, monitoring laws, education, good health, skills to manage one’s life and resources were essential. However, Kelkar was also of the view that power lies in the organization and that there is power in collectivity, and individualization of capabilities should not be seen against the community, but should lead to equal empowerment of each individual. “Women need to actively participate in political activities and unity among the IW is the most important element for their empowerment,” said Geetashree Oraon, Jharkand Minister for Educa-
tion, Human Resources, Arts and Culture and Youth Affairs, who spoke on policies and programs related to indigenous women and possibilities and opportunities for the advancement of tribal women. Rashmi Singh, Executive Director, National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) also spoke on the possibilities and opportunities for the advancement of indigenous women. Dr. Gina Shangham, Advisor, IWFNEI also shared that this consultation program has led to a broader understanding of the problems of IW and also the realization of the active participation and potentials of IW in delivering positive change and mitigating negative change in each of their communities. The key issues affecting IW which were discussed at the Consultation were sex trafficking, climate change and its impact on IW, sexual harassment, state violence, migration, domestic violence, militarization, increased alcoholism among tribal men, witch-hunting and displacement. It may be noted that these issues affect women all over India in
general, however the IW are the ones affected the most especially, in cases of trafficking, militarization, sexual harassment, displacement and witch hunting. The consultation concluded with the IW delegates formulating action plans, capacity building and policy advocacy for each of their regions to address issues affecting the IW. In the action plan, delegates pointed out how there is a need to include women in decision making process, land rights and natural resources and the need for women to be economically empowered and more aware of their rights and provisions. Another outcome of the consultation was the preparation of a shadow report which will be sent to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) committee. The national consultation is an initiative of Indigenous Women Forum of North East India (IWFNEI) and Inter State Adivasi Women’s Network , supported by Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and funded by UN Women Bangkok.
C M Y K