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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 104
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www.morungexpress.com
Thursday, April 17, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
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I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people Global media gives thumbs down to Modi as PM
Purple Fusion performs in Bhutan
[ PAGE 8]
REFLECTIONS
By Sandemo Ngullie
NSRLM, SERP and OMPLIS sign 2 years tripartite MoU [ PAGE 2]
Nine coaches, engine of train derail in Assam; over 50 injured
[ PAGE 11]
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[ PAGE 3]
–Mahatma Gandhi
Srinivasan is among 13 named by Mudgal: SC [ PAGE 10]
NSDZ?
A tragic shipwreck in Korea …
• Citizens urge ‘conscious planning’ • Points out need to be aware of consequences Morung Express News Kohima | April 16
Come back. I just want to thank you.
ACAUT Nagaland & NCSU voice against corruption DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU) has extended its support to Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland and resolved to not pay tax to any Naga Political Group, “as long as factionalism exists in the movement.” A joint declaration by the two organizations stated that NSCU supports the anti-corruption movement spearheaded by ACAUT Nagaland. It further said that ACAUT Nagaland is opposed to the “widespread practice of contract works being allotted through table tender as opposed to open tender which is nothing but declared corruption.” “Table tender is open flouting of rules patronizing a few contractors/firms including outsider or non-Naga firms at the cost of development in the state,” the declaration stated. It added that the two organizations would openly oppose the “wide-spread practice of Nagaland government officials undertaking contract works and supply, since such is strictly prohibited as per service rules and any official/s.” It further cautioned that such practices would be summarily exposed by ACAUT. The declaration was arrived at after ACAUT Nagaland members met NCSU officials in Kohima on April 15.
GPRN/NSCN responds to KCCI Agrees not to collect ‘tax’ in Kohima till market improves Our Correspondent Kohima | April 16
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The GPRN/NSCN has agreed not to collect tax from the business community within the state capital, till the market situation improves. The decision was taken during a closed-door meeting of KCCI officials with central and regional officials of the GPRN/NSCN at KCCI Tower on Monday. KCCI Task Force convener, Peter Rutsa informed that during the meeting, both sides discussed the impact created by forceful collection of tax by various Naga Political Groups. Such extortion has been affecting not only the business community but also the people, he said. Informing that the KCCI has not yet decided whether to pay or abstain from paying taxes in the future too, Rutsa however said that even if KCCI pays, it will be in the form of free will donation and not imposed taxation. Meanwhile, the KCCI has expressed gratitude to GPRN/NSCN for their decision.
Rescue helicopters fly over a sinking South Korean passenger ferry that was carrying more than 450 passengers, mostly high school students, Wednesday, April 16, 2014, off South Korea’s southern coast. Hundreds of people are missing despite a frantic, hours-long rescue by dozens of ships and helicopters. At least four people were confirmed dead and 55 injured. (AP Photo)
NSSATA issues 15-day ultimatum
SSA teachers protesting in Kohima on April 16.
Our Correspondent Kohima | April 16
Protesting against non-fulfillment of its demands, the Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) today staged a peaceful procession
here from Phoolbari to Officers’ Hill and submitted an ultimatum letter to the Governor of Nagaland. The SSA teachers are demanding release of pending salaries and induction as regularstategovernmentemployees. The NSSATA gave a fifteen day
NSF direct its units to verify private schools DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation has reminded all its federating units to thoroughly check and verify private schools, particularly the lower sections in their respective districts. A press note from the NSF stated that these checks are required to verify whether the schools are running with necessary permission from the school education department. It further directed the units to submit their report within this month, as resolved in the 3rd Federal Assembly. The NSF, during its 3rd Federal Assembly held at Chandel, had resolved to vigorously check and verify private schools, particularly the primary and upper-primary level schools in all the district headquarters, sub-division, towns and villages. This was initiated after the discovery that Blooming Bud Montessori School, Dimapur had upgraded the school till class X without permission from the concerned authority, thereby affecting many
students. The NSF stated that several primary and upper-primary level schools, particularly in remote areas, are running without proper permission from the school education department. It stated that this situation will ultimately result in students facing problem, once they reach the board level. “No doubt it is the duty and responsibility of the school education department,” it added. However, NSF said that it felt that the federation was obligated to carry out this exercise so as to safeguard the educational careers of the students, as well as to avoid recurrence of Blooming Bud Montessori school incident in Dimapur. While reminding all federating units to discharge their assigned duties with sincerity and commitment, the NSF further appealed to all the school authorities, village councils and VECs to cooperate and extend support to the student leaders in their respective areas.
ultimatum, with effect from April 16, to fulfill its demands, failing which it cautioned that the association will be forced to take up its own course of action.” The Association also stated that further steps or course of action shall not be notified and any untoward incidents arising out of it shall be the sole responsibility of the Nagaland state government and its implementing agencies. In ultimatum letter addressed to the Governor, NSSATA informed of “failures” of the state government and it’s implementing agencies to comply with the demands of the association and also on failure of “our decent and civilized approach towards the competent authorities.” SSA teachers from all over the state joined the procession and carried placards with slogans like “We can’t teach with empty stomach,” “Why is the government silent,” “We are appointed to teach not to be starved,” “Forcing us to work without salary is slavery.”
“We have to define what really is growth and progress. Our local environment needs to be understood to replicate such a plan,” says Abokali Jimomi from Organic Nagaland, who is of the view that the Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZs) will have consequences for people at the grassroots. In the recently held Nagaland Legislative Assembly, a resolution was passed to consider setting up of NSDZs, which has been planned in the foothills to ‘promote and facilitate faster growth of industrialization and urbanization in Nagaland, to achieve faster growth and development of State’s economy and to generate more employment opportunities for the youths.’ “Urbanisation is something we cannot stop. We don’t have revenues to generate internally but it cannot be done at the expense of the rural people,” says Chingmak Chang, a social worker from Nagaland, pointing out that people in the rural areas are the “keepers of the environment” and such processes cannot exclude these voices. Citing Shillong as an example, Chang points out that though Shillong is beautifully developed, Meghalaya’s rural areas depict a bleak reality in their lack of access to electricity, water and other basic infrastructure. “An NSDZ is a good opportunity but it might turn out to be one of those programs and schemes that looks good on paper but develops nothing on the ground level,” says a man from Kohima. He views that the government should first provide basic amenities
7 Clauses of the NSDZ resolution:
1. To review existing state laws/orders/instructions with a view to amending them to make the NSDZ project viable and effective. 2. To review and reorient the Nagaland State Industrial Policy with a view to liberalizing entry of and investment from, non-Nagas and other investors in NSDZ. 3. To bring about a Master Plan for NSDZ. 4. To issue instruction to all departments to reorient their annual plans in consonance with the Master Plan for NSDZ 5. To suggest mechanisms for- A) cadastral survey of land fallings in NSDZ area and b) evolving a system of registration of ownership of lands and issue of patta there of 6. To evolve a system of lease out land/permanent settlement for non-Nagas for the purpose of investment in the NSDZ in the form of special land access permits to be issued by the state government in this behalf. 7. To liberalize the system of entry and stay of non-Nagas in the NSDZ for the purpose of investment. before planning a program as big as an NDSZ. Special Economic Zones, similar to the proposed special development zones, are demarcated areas of land in a specific region used to facilitate industry, manufacturing, and services. There are around 3000 SEZs in 120 countries today. The policy to maintain/open up more such zones in India has remained a paradox, and led to protests from the grassroots. The NLA resolution mentions that the ‘identification and demarcation of the areas will be done by the State government in consultation with the DCs, Tribal Hohos and land owners concerned, with survey of the lands and proper system of issuing pattas.’ “When the government talks about consulting Tribal Hohos, most of the time these Hohos are hardly representatives of people. They are mere puppets of the government,” mentions a woman from Kohima. She feels that Nagas need to be well-informed about the
advantages and disadvantages of NSDZs. Real decisions and their implementation can happen only after this. Jimomi states that there are enough employment avenues and resources to facilitate such in Nagaland. The only problem, according to her, is lack of access to machineries. The state needs to explore what it can produce using its resources and needs to think about enhancing people’s capabilities. “Industrialization without conscious planning will not work. You can’t just start it because the others are doing it and destroy our region. People have the right to know and there needs to be proof of why we are doing it and how exactly are we going to benefit,” concludes Jimomi. As leaders of Nagaland State begin to consider the NSDZ, crucial steps like Environmental Impact Assessments, Social Impact Assessments, the public’s right to be informed of the disadvantages and feasibility of such projects need to be taken into account.
Of friendship and goodwill
Morung Express News Kohima | April 16
“70 years on, it is our privilege to remember the vital role played by the people of Jotsoma in World War II. We are all here today to pay our gratitude for the part played by the people of Jotsoma in defeating the Japanese,” said Brig. GK Bibby, CBE on April 16. He said this during the inauguration of the monument built in tribute to Maj. Gen John ML Grover, MC, General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, 33 corps and his officers and soldiers at Shohuza, Jotsoma. Two delegations from Britain including children and grandchildren of WWII veterans have been in Kohima since April 15 to 22 to pay tribute and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. During WWII, when Japanese troops occupied Kohima, Jotsoma village was the only villagethe Japanese failed to occupy. It was under the supervision of Gen. Grover at Shohuza, HQ of the 2nd division British Army that the 31st Division of Japanese Army was driven back from Kohima on May 31, 1944. However, right after the victory, Gen. Grover was removed from his division and transferred.
Monument erected to remember Gen. John Grover and his fallen soldiers from WWII
(LEFT) Attendees at the inauguration of the monument in Jotsoma.(Right) V Nagi, a WWII veteran who worked with General John Grover during the battle of Kohima.
Celia Grover, daughter-in-law of Grover who was present at the inauguration, thanked Jotsoma for the special monument and added that Grover will never be forgotten because of what the Jotsoma people have contributed. Brig. GK Bibby mentioned that apart from helping Major Grover and his troops, Rajput reinforcements were also launched in Jotsoma. Brig. Bibby reminded the crowd that the home of the 2nd
Division, in York, has a memorial for the Battle of Kohima, where every year surviving veterans come together and commemorate the event and pay tribute to the people who died in the battle. Brig. Bibby expressed hope that the friendship between the people of Britain and Nagaland will last forever. Pfheluopfelie, who spoke on behalf of Kohima Educational Trust (KET) and Kohima Educational Society (KES), said that
it was through this society that a connection was made between UK and Nagaland under the initiatives of Gordon Graham. “Position, power and wealth come and go, but imprinted qualitative character, good behavior and conduct indelibly remain,” said Krurovi Peseyie, Chairman Monument Committee. He remarked that during WWII, it was the affectionate character and conduct of the British soldiers, even in the time of
a terrible war, which won the support and cooperation of Jotsoma’s villagers. Peseyie hoped that the monument will be a symbol of relationship, friendship and goodwill. A 21 gun salute was observed followed by paying of homage. A souvenir on the historic Battle of Kohima was released by Brig. GK Bibby. After the function, there was a display of WWII antiques and a visit to Puliebadze and Gagiphe.
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er point presentation on ‘Stress Management’. He said that stress is caused in today’s modern life due to various factors like unemployment, competitions, rising expectations, poverty/debt, daily work stress, relationships, traffic jams and so on. He said that stress is the arousal of the body and mind in response to the demands made on them. He also emphasized on the two types of stress and on the benefits of positive stress, distress, symptoms of distress etc. With the initiative of the Urban Development Department of Nagaland a deliberation was held on how to make preparation of Kohima city development plan under urban development. The ICAR Management consultant Services Limited (iMaCs) Delhi, Manager, Abhilash who was also accompanied by his Associate Analyst, Avantika, highlighted this. The manager said that CDP is
MEx File
Bikes recovered
DiMApur, April 16 (MExN): The GPRN NSCN Town Command has recovered a ‘Discover Bike’ black colour with chases no. ND2DSPAZZSWL00526, engine no. JB MDSL-65702 and another ‘150 Pulsar’ black colour with chases no. MD2D HDHHZZPCD 56009, engine no. DHGBPD94513. The rightful owner is informed to claim the recovered bikes within 5 days with proper documents from the office of the Town Commandant, Lt Col. Ilhovi Aye.
DC Wokha informs
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WokhA, April 16 (Dipr): Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Vyasan R has informed all the Private Vehicle owners/Drivers whose vehicles had been requisitioned and detailed for duties during the 16th Lok Sabha election 2014 for Wokha District that vehicle hire payment would start from April 17 up to 23 during office hours. All the concerned have been directed to bring the original Duty Slip and collect the same from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha.
NACR first foundation day on April 22 DiMApur, April 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Alliance for Child Rights (NACR) first foundation day will be held on April 22 at Miqlat Ministry, opposite Treasury Office, Purana Bazaar, Dimapur at 10:00 am. This was informed in a press release issued by NACR president NK Keny.
Peren DPDB meeting held
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pErEN, April 16 (Dipr): The Peren District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting was held on April 15 at DC’s Conference Hall Peren under the Chairmanship of MLA Namrei Nchang, Chairman NHHDC. The meeting deliberated several agendas including ban on hunting, fishing and burning of jungle in Peren, Committee on Jalukie Town Road Provision, Land Allotment Committee (LAC) for new District Headquarter, ban on transport of timber and logs during rainy season w.e.f. May 1 till October 31 in Peren district. The House also discussed on recommendation of upgradation of EAC Headquarter Athibung to SDO (C) Headquarter, inclusion of Kukis of Peren district as backward tribe on same analogy of Sumi of Kiphire district.
both a perspective and a vision for the future development of a city. He asked the members to list out the priorities of schemes, project requirements etc to be taken up so as to achieve its strategies. Abhilash said that vision statement signifies where the city should go within a given time frame. He further opined that Formulation of city vision should be concerned on the aspects that distinguish Kohima, provision of adequate infrastructure, slum and urban poor, and others. Aspects that define Kohima city are culture and tourism, rich flora and fauna, rich community participation etc, he added. He also elaborated on the ongoing project integrated road and multilevel parking project in Kohima. A letter written to the Government of Nagaland by the citizen of Viswema village for a creation of new Rural Development Block at Viswema under 15 Southern An-
DiMApur, April 16 (MExN): Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) Kohima, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, and OMPLIS Orvakal Block, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initially, for a period of two years. According to a press note received here, the MoU was signed on April 15 at SERP, Hyderabad, Andhra In this image released to the media, the Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio is seen with the visiting Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhaya, who is on a three-day Pradesh. The objective of visit to Nagaland. Also seen are other dignitaries at the House of Hope, the official residence the MoU is to strengthen the implementation capacity of of the Nagaland Chief Minister at Kohima.
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Rev Dr S Gangte (middle), Founder Principal, Faith Theological College, Dimapur, confers a degree certificate to a graduate, as the chief guest, Er Picto Shohe (right), MLA & Chairman, Nagaland Hotel Limited, Government of Nagaland, looks on. The college held its 5th graduation ceremony today at Town Hall, Dimapur. Rev Amos Humtsoe, Director, Christ for the City International, was the guest speaker. (Morung Photo)
NSRLM by arranging technical assistance and support from SERP and OMPLIS in the nine resource blocks of Nagaland (Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Satakha, Chukitong, Jakhama, Pfutsero, Chumukedima and Changtongya). The tripartite MoU is expected to facilitate continuous flow of high quality CRP (Community Resource Persons) and PRP (Professional Resource Persons) services and training cum field immersion assistance from OMPLIS through SERP to NSRLM. This joint effort to achieve NRLM goals and
objectives, especially in the State of Nagaland was signed by B Rajshekar (IAS), CEO SERP and former Secretary to Minister Jairam Ramesh and 1992 Batch of IAS, Motsuthung Lotha (NCS), Mission Director and Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, and OMPLIS represented by its President, G. Savithramma. This agreement was witnessed by Smita Jacob, State Anchor Person (NMMU/ MoRD), Vijaya Bharati Advisor SERP and M. Rollan Lotha Dy. CEO (Programs) NSRLM.
KBPF invites for Kohima Kohima Orphanage Home observes foundation day Easter Sunrise Service
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Our Correspondent
kohiMA, April 16 (MExN): Under the aegis of the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF), “Kohima-Easter Sunrise Service” will be organized at Kohima War Cemetery on April 20 (Easter Sunday) by 5.00 am with Rev. Dr. Anjo Keikung, General Secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) as the Speaker. According to a press note issued by KBPF President Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, Bano Z. Jamir, Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland will also bring greetings during the service. KBPF President Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, Mhoncumo S. Lotha, Associate Pastor
will lead the formal service, KLBC will read the Bible passage and invoke God’s blessing, Sumi Baptist Church, Daklane and Yimchunger Baptist Church, Kohima will present their youth choral presentation. Vesato Thuluo and Ameu Usou were assigned as song leader and pianist respectively while Nepali Baptist Church, Kohima was entrusted as the sitting arrangement in charge, Life Pro and Synergy were also assigned as the in charges of Sound system and Tent making respectively. The note further invited all believers to be part of the program and to be blessed.
Kohima | April 16
The Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home (KODH) today observed its 41st foundation day at its premises. KODH was founded on April 16, 1973 by late Zaputuo-ii Angami. She passed away on March 24, 2011 at the age of 89, running the home for 38 years till her demise. Presently, the Home is looked after by her daughter Neibanuo. During the foundation day, the children recalled the formative year of the Home and acknowledged the care, love and affection shown by late Zaputuoii. The children presented songs, dance and chore-
Children present special number during the foundation day of KODH on April 16. (Morung Photo)
ography. Welcome address cluded with vote of thanks was delivered by Neibanuo by Arhi. while Vinyiibei shared tesPresently, KODH house timony. The function con- 82 children. Till date, three
girls and one boy from this Home completed graduation and recently one had completed B.Sc (Forestry).
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Hotel Silhouette opens in Dimapur
Zbto observe national fire service week
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(L-R) B. Rajshekhar IAS, CEO SERP; Swamidevi, General Secretay OMPLIS; G. Savithramma, President OMPLIS and Motsuthung Lotha, Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland and Mission Director NSRLM after official signing of the MoU.
pErEN, April 16 (Dipr): Principal Secretary & Commissioner Nagaland Temjen Toy visited New DC Complex Peren with T. Koza Advocate who were appointed by the High court to take stock of the infrastructural set up available at the site on April 15. The visiting team held interactions with head of department of Power, PHED, PWD (R&B) and BSNL, which was also attended by the District Administration headed by the DC Peren, Peter Lichamo and the NGOs of the district. The team made it clear during the short meeting that their purpose was not to decide when to shift but to see the infrastructure set up for report. The team also physically got the first hand information of the infrastructure available at the new DC Complex site.
zuNhEboto, April 16 (Dipr): Fire Station Zunheboto District along with the States across the country observed National Fire Service Week from April 14 to 20. The day is also observed as “Martyrs” Day to pay homage to those firemen who lost their lives while performing duties. Station Officer in-Charge, T. Vihoto Chisho led a short silent prayer for those fire personnel who lost their lives while in the line of duty followed by road show for public awareness under Zunheboto Town at different locations i.e. AOC, Police point and DC junction. The programme was conducted under the command of SI Niketou Sopfü and ASI Kelesezo Tsükrü.
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gami-11 Assembly constituency was read out in the August house and the letter was endorsed to the Project Director, Kohima, to be examined before discussion at the next DPDB meeting. Regarding the quarterly progress on Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme, ADC Planning, Ketoho Luho requested the members concerned to submit the report before the date line given as mentioned in the official letter received from the government. The house discussed about the Action calendar for the Exposure trip to the cleanest village which is located in Meghalaya and requested the committee to expedite the plan and inform the house in next meeting. In the concluding remarks, ADC, Kohima, Asangla Imti thanked all concerned on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner for rendering their services for smooth conduct of the 16th Lok Sabha Election.
PS&C visits new DC Complex Peren
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DPDB focuses on development of Kohima city NSRLM, SERP and OMPLIS sign 2 years tripartite MoU
kohiMA, April 16 (Dipr): The District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) Monthly meeting of Kohima District was held under the chairmanship of MLA & Advisor, New & Renewable Energy, Music Task Force and DPDB Chairman, Khriehu Liezietsu, at the Zonal Council hall on April 15. At the outset, Khriehu welcomed the new Chief Executive Officer, KMC, Lithrongla Tongpi and also others members who were present in the house. He also thanked the Deputy Commissioner and the Additional Deputy Commissioner for conducting the meeting during his absence in the last two DPDB meetings. He said that the Board would be looking forward for fruitful developmental activities in the district. After reviewing of the last meeting minutes, Sr. Medical Officer, Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima, Dr. Vekietoulie Pienyu gave a pow-
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The Morung Express
Chandak AK, wife of Governor and Kaisa Rio, wife of Chief Minister and others during closing function of flower exhibition in Kohima on April 16. A two day long flower exhibitioncum-sale under the aegis of Nagaland Flower Grower Society (NFGS) concluded here this evening at TT. Indoor Stadium, Officer’s Hill. Chandak AK, wife, Governor of Nagaland graced the valedictory function as the guest of honour. Watienla Jamir, director, department of horticulture also delivered short speech while Kaisa Rio wife, Chief Minister of Nagaland, proposed vote of thanks. (Morung Photo)
Diocese of Kohima observes priesthood day
kohiMA, April 16 (Dipr): Diocese of Kohima observed Priesthood Day for the traditional sacrament’s ceremony with the rest of the world with Most Reverend Dr. James Thoppil as main celebrant at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral Kohima on Tuesday evening April 15, 2014. Most Reverend Dr. James Thoppil speaking at the occasion appealed the priests to continue their ministry. The Apostolic minister also explained the meaning of holy chrism was for anointing for baptism and sick, confirmation and dedication. According to His Lordship, holy oil would bless understanding of God more deeply, strengthen wisdom and courage, endurance, concentration, praise and sign, symbol of Holy Spirit, creation, risen and signified the authority of Christ and restore peace on earth. Earlier President of Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) while acknowledging the priests mission was the good news for salvation, education for human resource development with counselling. Renewal of priesthood, blessing of solemn chrism, Eucharist celebration, felicitation, followed by fellowship meal hosted by Cathedral of Kohima for priests, nuns and laity leaders were other highlights of the programme.
DiMApur, April 16 (MExN): Hotel Silhouette, a new hotel that boasts of 3-Star facilities and amenities was inaugurated on April 16, at Kalibari Road, Dimapur. Rev. Dr. ZK Rochill, auxiliary secretary of Bible Society of India, Dimapur, dedicated and inaugurated the new hotel. According to the Hotel Silhouette management, the 20-room hotel run by local-based Reinvented Infra Tech, has 2 suites, 8 corporate and 12 executive rooms and also a conference hall to be equipped with video conferencing facility. The 24-hour service hotel serves both Indian ad The newly inaugurated Hotel Silhouette is located at Kalibari continental dishes. Road, Dimapur. (Morung Photo)
Clean India Campaign rally conducted at Atoizu
Participants from various departments, schools and others during the “Clean India Campaign” rally on water and sanitation conducted at Atoizu Town on April 4.
Atoizu, April 16 (MExN): Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) “Clean India Campaign” rally on water and sanitation was conducted at Atoizu Town on April 4, organized by Atoizu Range Students' Union (ARSU) under the aegis of WSSO, PHED, Nagaland, Kohima. PHED, Zunheboto divi-
sion executive engineer Inashe Kiba in après release said that the programme was kicked off with procession with placards which was followed by a programme at Jubilee Hall Atoizu Town. The programme was chaired by Kawoto Chishi, VicePresident ARSU while Rev. Fr.Bosco ,Principal, St Peter's
School Atoizu pronounced the invocation. Hosheto Chophy, President, ARSU said the introductions. Limawapang, ADC, Atoizu Town proposed a welcome address and highlighted the basic necessity of Sanitation, effects of water borne diseases and the millennium goal on sanitation.
Kiyeshe Chishi, IEC Consultant, DWSM, PHED, Zunheboto delivered speech on sanitation, negative impacts of unhygienic village/ town condition and its measures, importance of cleanliness and the ways to keep the village/ town and its surrounding clean. The prevailing water quality, ill effects of water borne diseases and its preventive measures was presented by Benathung Tsopoe, Chemist, DWSM, PHED, Zunheboto while, Er. G. Mughalu, SDO, PHED, Atoizu presented a speech on communitization, its targets and the steps to be initiated in the near future. More than 600 persons which includes Goan Boras, Adhoc Town Committee Members, STH, Staffs from various departments and students participated making the programme a grand success.
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REgional
The Morung Express
Thursday
17 April 2014
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Conflict induced displacement must end: AHRC honG KonG, april 16 (Mexn): The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has condemned the “violent attacks” on the Rengma Nagas in Karbi Anglong and called upon the Governor of Assam to “initiate an investigation and hold the perpetrators – no matter which ethnic group they belong to – accountable for the multiple acts of killings, torture, and restrictions on freedom.” The AHRC has also urged the Assam government to “ensure adequate compensation and rehabilitation of those displaced.” It called for both the government of Assam and the Union
ATSUM threatens agitation iMphal, april 16 (nnn): The All Tribal Student Union, Manipur (ATSUM), led by Muan Tombing has threatened to launch intense agitation from the middle of next month if the state government fails to address the plights of the contractors engaged in the constructions of RMSA (school) buildings in the hill districts. ATSUM said it has been compelled to intervene in the matter as the contractors are set to lock all the school buildings constructed by them as the state government did not release the remaining amounts to the contractors. The contractors are now saying that since they had used their money in constructing the buildings (RMSA) these buildings belong to them as long as the state government does not pay them. The tribal student body said it will start its agitation from May 17. ATSUM appealed to all the concerned contractors to participate in a meeting on April 19 at ATSUM office, Nagaram in Imphal, at 11:30 am.
government to “ensure justice, relief, rehabilitation and equal compensation for Rengma and Karbi victims and survivors.” This was mentioned in a statement released from the AHRC headquarters today, calling for an end to conflict-induced displacement in Assam. It noted that if the government of Assam and the Union of India “ever wish to amend their policy of governance by neglect,” a long term strategy for conflict resolution among different communities in North East India “might be wise and in the interest of peace and justice.” The AHRC reminded that
December 2013 witnessed “another episode in the history of displacement in Assam” when more than 3,000 people, “a majority belonging to the Rengma Naga tribe, a minority in Karbi Anglong district,” were forcibly displaced following violent conflict and fear. It was reminded that in order to restore peace and normalcy, community based organizations convened a meeting on December 17, 2013 and concluded that in the future anti-social activities would be monitored and respective tribes would hold their members accountable. The meeting had also urged the
creation for a police outpost in the area with immediate effect. “The absence of police presence in the area to this date is but an indication of a negligent state,” the Commission stated. The AHRC mentioned that a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Assam on January 20, 2014, by an independent fact finding mission led by social activists had also observed that “the state government had failed to maintain law and order despite prior intimation regarding impending violence and heightened conflict.” The team had expressed concern about the merging of judicial and ex-
ecutive powers in the district, where the Deputy Commissioner has been handling the law and order situation as well as conducting trails for cases. “This status has raised suspicions regarding the possibility of equitable justice guaranteed by the Constitution since often executives are not trained in law to deliver judicial duties,” the statement said. Keeping the history of the issue in context, the Commission raised “deep concern” on its observation of the “inactive role of law enforcement agencies in such times of ethnic tension, passivity which displaced
45 injured as express train derails in Assam Helpline: Dimapur 03862-228404, Lumding 03674-264848/49/50 and Guwahati 0361-2731621/22/23
An Assam police officer, left, takes a photograph on his mobile of a train that derailed near Jagiroad Railway Station, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) east of Guwahati, Assam on Wednesday, April 16. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Guwahati, april 16 (aGencies): At least 45 people were injured when nine coaches of the 15666 BG Express derailed at Ajuri station near Morigaon in central Assam, authorities said. The accident took place around 2.15 a.m. between Aujuri and Jagiroad stations of the Northeast Frontier Railway.
Northeast Briefs Repoll at 9 booths in Assam today Guwahati, april 16 (aGencies): Repoll will be held in seven polling centres under Karimganj and two under Silchar Lok Sabha seats in Assam's Barak Valley today, an Election Department press release said here today. The EC ordered the repoll due to EVMs malfunctioning on voting day on April 12.
Repoll ordered in 37 booths of Arunachal itanaGar, april 16 (pti): Re-polling will be held on April 19 in 37 polling stations across Arunachal Pradesh where voting was suspended on April 9 due to damage of EVMs and other poll-related violence. Election office sources here today said re-polling would be held from 6 AM till 2 PM. The districts where re-polling would be held are Kurung Kumey (12 booths in 3 Assembly constituencies), East Kameng (11 booths, 3 Assembly constituencies), Upper Subansiri (9 booths in 3 Assembly constituencies), West Siang (4 booths in one Assembly constituency) and East Siang (1 booth in one Assembly constituencies), the sources said.
Poumai Women condemns rape of minor in Kohima senapati, april 16 (hornbill express): The Poumai Naga Women Union in a statement has strongly condemned the rape of a minor girl by one Povetso of Pholami New Village, Phek District, presently residing at New Minister Hill Kohima, on April 13. Expressing its resentment over the beastly barbaric form of crime against an innocent minor girl who was just studying Class B, the apex Poumai Women’s body has demanded non-leniency to the culprit to end such heinous crime against humanity. The women body while extending its solidarity to the victim and her family also appreciated the Kohima South Police Station for their timely action in arresting the perpetrator and demanded strong punishment.
The train started its journey from Dimapur in Nagaland Tuesday night and was to reach Guwahati early Wednesday. NF Railway's chief public relations officer S. Lahiri said there were no deaths but at least 45 passengers received minor injuries. The accident affected railway service in the whole state, forcing the authorities to can-
cel eight trains and terminate at least four. "The movement of trains was affected for quite some time due to the accident. We detained trains at many places due to the accident. However, movement started as soon as the tracks were cleared," Lahiri said. Five trains, including the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express, were halted at various stations.
itself in the face of repeated and desperate attempts by victims to seek protection.” While iterating the need of “re-establishing security to life and property” with police presence a priority, the AHRC underlined the need for “re-assessment” of the roles of the police and security personnel “so the forces can become accountable and just.” The AHRC also took into account a memorandum submitted on January 30, 2014, to the Governor of Assam by Rengma Naga organisations alleging that Rengma Nagas have been “systematically sidelined from decision making processes for de-
Manipur votes for its second LS seat today iMphal, april 16 (ians): The Congress-ruled Manipur votes Thursday for its second Lok Sabha seat. "Over 12,000 central para-military forces and state security personnel have been deployed in the four mountainous districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishenpur, and Thoubal - where the elections would be held," an Election Commission official told reporters. A local militant outfit has called a 12-hour general strike in Manipur Wednesday, accusing the state government of failing to undertake suitable developmental schemes in the state. In Thursday's elections, eight candidates including a woman, are in the fray to test their electoral fortune in Inner Manipur seat. On April 9, around 78 percent of the total 911,000 voters in the tribal reserved Outer Manipur constituency cast their ballot. Around 874,000 voters, including 448,000 women, are eligible to vote in the second phase Thursday at 1,406 polling stations. Once ravaged by terrorism, Manipur still suffers from militancy, but the Armed Forc-
ZYF condemns Jiribam incident iMphal, april 16 (Mexn): The Zeliangrong Youth Front has taken strong exception to the Jiribam incident in which innocent Nagas including students were attacked and severely beaten up without any reasons. A press release from Poukhamlung Palmei, Information & Publicity Secretary, ZYF, (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), informed that the attackers had also resorted to setting houses on fire, threats, and intimidations. The group was led
by one Phanjoubam Noni Singh, a VDF personnel attached to Jiribam Polic e Station, s/o Ph. Gopeshore Singh of Boroikhal village, Jiribam, ZYF stated. Stating that this incident has high potential to create misunderstandings between different communities, ZYF urged the state government to take up immediate action and book the accused. Alleging that Jiribam police station have not arrested the accused persons despite the fact that the accused is
attached at the police station and also stays there, ZYF called the Jiribam Police Station “a safe place for hiding criminals.” “Attacking innocent Naga students by a group led by VDF personnel whose duty is to safeguard the citizen has exhibited the true nature of training imparted by the State Government to their security forces,” the statement alleged. Further ZYF questioned why Jiribam Police Station remained a silent spectator
when innocent Naga students were severely beaten up by their own personnel, and despite an FIR being lodged, did nothing. The youth organisation demanded that the State Government rebuild the houses which were burnt and also appropriate compensation for the loss of school uniforms, school books, instruments, furniture, and electronic gadgets etc. and further extend financial assistance for medical expenditures.
Red panda a poll mascot in Darjeeling hills DarjeelinG, april 16 (ians): The cuddly red panda is the official mascot of the 2014 Lok Sabha election in the Darjeeling parliamentary constituency. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar constituencies go to the hustings in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state Thursday. As many as 6,033,310 voters in the four seats will decide the political fate of 47 candidates in the fray. Posters of animated figures of the chestnut hued red panda - an endangered species endemic to the area -
attired in variety of colourful, traditional costumes of the ethnic groups of the district, flank the administrative offices as well as public places in the Darjeeling parliamentary seat which has 14,22,809 voters. "Since it is endangered and is synonymous with the area, it was chosen as the mascot. Logos and posters have been created with messages like 'Let's get united to vote'. The animations are done up in local costumes like that of the Lepchas, Sherpas, Gorkhas etc. and have become quite popular," Pushpak Roy, election officer-in-charge in Dar-
jeeling, told IANS. The campaign has been extended to merchandise like eco-friendly bags and mugs to generate environmental awareness as well as voter participation. The constituency has seven model polling stations and four booths managed exclusively by women out of a total of 1,829 polling stations. Maximum number of candidates is from Darjeeling which is the smallest constituency of the first phase. The Tangta Primary School, located 145 km away from the distribution centre, is the most distant poll centre in the district.
MHA asks Meghalaya to speed up border fencing work MCP owns responsibility over bomb new Delhi, april 16 (inDian express): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has pulled up the Meghalaya government for its tardy approach to completing fencing of the Bangladesh border, around 70 km remaining to be fenced. The work has been stalled for local reasons. During a recent coordination meeting, the ministry asked Meghalaya government officials to expedite fencing work as the area was prone to infiltration by militants and illegal migration. Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, of which around 70 km is unfenced and has terrain difficult to patrol. From 2008 to 2013, the state government identified around 18,000 illegal Bangladeshi migrants who were deported. In November 2013, two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were shot by alleged militants in South West Kha-
si Hills district bordering Bangladesh. “There are lot of local issues that have to be addressed by the state government. The MHA can only implement construction work when the state has given all clearences as land is a state subject. The slow approach in solving these problems is proving costly for national security, “ said a senior ministry official. MHA said construction work in Meghalaya had been suspended for long due to protests by the Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB). The CCIB is a conglomerate of organisations like Khasi Students Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), Synjuk Seng Samla Shnong (SSSS), Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), Federal Council of War Mihngi-War Jaintia, headmen and representatives
of villages along the border. In a reply to parliamentary panel, the MHA had replied, “the problems of land acquisition and public protest in Meghalaya and Tripura are being settled by active participation of Land Revenue department of the concerned state government, executing agency and BSF. The role of CCIB is important in this case. In Meghalaya, construction works under PhaseII project, in a stretch of about 133 km remained suspended due to protest by the CCIB… 62.55 km has been sorted out in November 2011.” With almost 1,899 kilometres of land and riverine bodies bordering Pakistan and Bangladesh yet to be fenced due to reasons including land acquisition, forest clearances and permission of state governments, the MHA is drafting the Border Infrastructure Bill, to help it tide over the crisis.
planted near Manipur MP home
iMphal, april 16 (the hinDu): The Maoist Communist Party (MCP) a banned underground organisation has claimed responsibility for planting the foreign made bomb near the house of the sitting Congress MP Meinya Thokchom on Tuesday. It was one of the 15 bombs the MCP has planted at different places ahead of the last phase polling on Thursday. Police say that the plan was to ambush the MP and his entourage while returning home from campaigning. All these days, the MCP has been making a frontal
cades.” The “multiple levels of corruption, economic blockades, disappearances, violations of right to free movement, general police inaction, and extra judicial killings, among other problems” in Karbi Anglong district stated in the memorandum, “if accurate,” raised concern with the AHRC. Displacement, and even the threat of it, noted the AHRC, affects communities enormously and causes insecurity, both physical and economical. “It has been well documented how displacement increases human trafficking, as displaced women seek income and financial security,” it observed.
attack against the MP. Police sources said that with the timely detection of the bomb near the house of the MP an assassination attempt has been foiled. The MCP called a 12 hour general strike on Wednesday. There was mixed response. Normal life was also disrupted. No passenger bus and truck plied. However, some cars were seen on the roads. There was no report of any untoward incident. Meanwhile, one 42 year old man Sanayaima Oinam succumbed to burn injuries on Wednesday morning in a private hospital in Imphal.
es (Special Powers) Act, 1958, (AFSPA) continues to be one of the major issues with development. "Withdrawal of the draconian law (AFSPA) is a key issue in Manipur. People want repeal of the Act," political analyst Raj Kumar Tarunjit Singh told IANS. "The Congress government in Manipur has also failed to convince its central leadership about the significance of withdrawal of AFSPA. Development is the other major issue in this election," Singh said. "Women voters outnumber their male counterparts and in Manipur's society too, womenfolk play a significant role," he added. Besides withdrawal of the AFSPA, the other issues dominating
the election campaign are the alleged misgovernance by the Congress, under-development, unemployment and drug menace. The main contest is between the Congress's incumbent Lok Sabha member Thokchom Meinya Singh, Moirangthem Nara Singh of the Communist Party of India (CPI), and R.K. Ranjan Singh, former Manipur University professor, of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meinya Singh, who is seeking re-election for the third consecutive term, defeated Nara Singh of the CPI in the 2009 polls. State Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said the polls for Inner Manipur was crucial for the party.
Funeral Service of Late Mrs. Apeny Murry Date Time Venue
: : :
April 17, 2014 10:30am Agri Colony, Kohima
Internment at ADC Court Junction, Dimapur at 2:30pm.
ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE CANCER SURGEON FOR CONSULTATION Dr. GANESH DAS MBBS, MS (PGIMER) Trained Cancer Surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai will be available for consultation on 19th April 2014 (Saturday). UROLOGIST FOR CONSULTATION/OPERATION Dr. JOY N. CHAKRABORTY MS.DNB (Surgery), DNB Urology, FRCS renowned Endourosurgeon from Guwahati will be available for consultation on 23rd April 2013 (Wednesday). *** LASER TREATMENT AVAILABLE FOR URINARY STONES*** Patients requiring Consultation/Operation for Urinary problems, Prostate, Kidney & Bladder Stone may contact the Reception for Registration. NEURO-PSYCHIATRIST FOR CONSULTATION Dr. PAKHA TESIA MD (NIMHANS) Bangalore will be available for consultation on 26th April 2014 (Saturday). Specialist in :
*All kinds of Addiction illness, *Depression & Mood disorders, *Abnormal behavior & Psychosis, *Stress & Anxiety problems, *Memory & Sleep disorders, *Sexual disorders, *Childhood behavioral & School problems, *Family & Marital counseling. For Registration, please contact: 03862- 231864, 227337, 224117
C M Y K
4
public discoursE
Thursday
Dimapur
17 April 2014
Democracy In Nagaland
T
hough there are varying terms for the definition of democracy yet the most influential term known to us is the definition given by Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Independent India was also formed based on this definition and today India is the largest democratic country in the world. In order to ensure free and fair election, the Election Commission was formed on 25th January 1950 and ever since its inception; it has been working round the clock so that every legitimate voter exercises their franchise rightfully. Nagaland came into existence as the sixteenth state of the Indian Union on 1st December 1963 so constitutionally Nagaland is a democratic state however in reality it is not. The one man, one vote was largely stressed but here in Nagaland, it proved futile. While the NBCC was busy with the clean election drive, on the other hand, the Village Councils and surprisingly some NGO’s who instead of being the backbone of NBCC came out openly declaring their unflinching support to one particular candidate on behalf of all the people wherein it stated that it was doing for the general welfare of the people. Any right thinking citizen can see what good it brings forth by issuing such statements. How could those leaders who
The Morung Express
The Hands Full Of Glory
I
n the United States, one of the best is constantly looking for those who But very soon those hands Basketball players of all time was are ready and willing to serve God were nailed to the cross. They were Michael Johnson. Although he is with the God’s given hand. While at pierced, wounded and broken, they retired now but he still is a legend in the same time many are making ex- bled and suffered immense pain, the game he once played. He is also cuses not to use their hands for God. tendons were ripped, and muscles remembered by many because of Many use their lovely hands to steals, torn. Those hands took on the pain his “Faith in Jesus”. It is possible that kill and destroy others. of the world. On the cross, Jesus sufsome may not agree with this stateIn the history of mankind there fered the punishment for all the sin ment, no-one can deny that John- existed a pair of hands that were not of the world, and He himself had not son’s importance within the world of equal. Hands that healed, hands that done anything wrong, ever! Jesus basketball was enormous that very cared, strong hands, and full of power. yielded up His powerful hands out of few players have managed to attract Hands that touched his fellow man, love, even for those who killed him. so many spectators to the game the there are hands that communicate He knew that through His death, He way he played. and expressed love. There are hands was giving us life! Johnson uses his hands that were that worked hard, and are roughed in The story does not finish there! Jeextremely large, which allows him to the service of others. Hands that al- sus conquered death and rose again catch the ball with amazing ease. He ways gives and did not ask, there are in power. When he appeared to His was even able to perform various cir- hands full of glory like the hands of Je- disciples, He shows them His nailcles with one arm, without losing his sus. When no-one else offered their scared hands as proof of the pain God grip of the ball. That was an incredible hands to aid the downtrodden, Jesus suffered for mankind. He said, ‘look hands God had given me, I do every- helped them. When no-one touched at My hands’, and He blessed the peothing as worship unto God. And apart leapers for fear of catching the disease, ple as He had done so many times befrom the church worship on Sundays and they were considered outcasts, Je- fore. The same Lord Jesus has promby lifting up my holy hands to praise sus drew near to them and took their ised us that ‘no one can snatch from who He is. He also uses his hands to hands. Yes, the people knew the hands His hands’. The most secure place we glorify God through the Basketball of Jesus because His hands are always could be in, is in His hands. games he plays for God! available for help. Do you know that even today, in “May the LORD my rock be Whenever people brought the heaven, Jesus’ hands retain the scars? praised, who trains my hands for the sick to Jesus, He laid His hands on No-one need explanation to God battle and the fingers for warfare. He them, His hands never is tired of do- about the debts of their pain; He alis my faithful love and my fortress, my ing good. When the crowds were ready knows. He took the pain of the stronghold and my deliverer. He is hungry, Jesus took a little food in His world on Himself, and in His hands. my shield, and I take refuge in Him; hands and it multiplies. One day he Even today the heavenly hosts give He subdues my people under me” touched a young girl, who had died, glory to God of the world on HimPsalm 144:1-2. As if God had written and immediately life returned to her, self, and in His hands. Even today the these scriptures for the Basketball and on another occasion He touched heavenly hosts give glory. The hands and Volleyball players! He trains my the eyes of a blind man, and He saw of Jesus are the glorious hands of X. Chophika Sumi Dimapur hands to catch rebounds and my fin- the light for the first time in His life. God! The scars that Jesus bears in His gers to shoot!’ David had learned that Many people came to Jesus and asked hands are the greatest proof of God’s God wanted to use his hands just as Him to put His hands on them. In all pain on our behalf. they were-bare hands! We can easily the places where Jesus journeyed, Blessings in the scars of Jesus’ say that our hands are of little use and people exclaimed about the miracles hands! that even our arms could not be trust- His hands performed. “Hands full of Dr. Thamsing Lamkang Reliance and its main rivals, including Bharti Airtel Ltd, ed on an important mission. But God glory; they were the hands of God.” India’s top phone carrier, and the local unit of Vodafone Group Plc, last year raised voice prices for the first time in 3 years as they continued to cut discounts previously offered to lure customers in a highly-competitive market. ay to the daughter of “The one who has from me, yet no as I will, but “Do not be afraid, for I Carriers have seen the benefits of reduced competiZion, see, your king dipped his hand into the as your will”. know that you are looking tion after several smaller rivals were forced by a court orcomes to you gentle bowl with me will betray “Watch and pray so that for Jesus, who was crucider to either shut down or scale back operations. and riding on a donkey on me. The son of man will go you will not fall into temp- fied. He is not here; he has “We continue to focus on growing profitable/paid a colt, the foal of a donkey” . just as it is written about tation. The spirit is willing risen, just as he said”. minutes on our network and the current tariff hikes are “Blessed is he who him. But woe to that man but the body is weak”. “He has risen from the part of our continued efforts to reduce free and discountcomes in the name of the who betrays the son of man “Which one do you dead” . ed minutes, and offset the ever-rising costs of input mait would be better for him if want me to release to you: “All authority in heaven terials,” the company’s chief executive officer, Gurdeep Lord”. “Hosanna to the son of he has not been born”. Barabbas or Jesus who is and on earth has been givSingh, said in the statement. David”. “Drink from it, all of called Christ”. en to me. Therefore go and “Hosanna in the highest”. you. This is my blood of “He saved others”. make disciples of all na“My house will be covenant which is poured “But he can’t save him- tions, baptizing them in the MuMbai, april 16 (ageNcies): Tata Consultancy called a house of prayer but out for many for the for- self? He`s the king of Israel. name of the Father and the Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services provider, an- you are making it a den of giveness of sins. I tell you, I Let him come down now Son and of the Holy Spirit, will not drink of this fruit of from the cross, and we will and teaching them to obey nounced that they will be hiring 55,000 employees for robbers”. “What are you willing to vine from now on until that believe in him”. everything I have comFY15. The company made total gross addition of 61,200 “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SA- manded you. And surely I employees for FY14. “We had announced similar num- give me if I hand him over day when I drink it anew with you in my Father`s BACTHANI”. am with you always, to the bers last year but depending on the business environ- to you?” “Go into the city to a kingdom”. “Now leave him let`s very end of the age”. ment we have added employees,” said N Chandrasek“My soul is over- see if Elijah comes to save May the Lord bless as aran, CEO & MD, TCS. Of this 55,000 employees the certain man and tell him all. company has already given offer letters to 25,000 freshers. the teacher says; my ap- whelmed with sorrow to him”. “Surely he was the son The rest of the numbers would be done through lateral pointed time is near. I am the point of death. Stay here of God” Lumtsase C Sangtam hiring. TCS also announced a wage hike of 10% for em- going to celebrate the Pass- and keep watch with me”. ployees in India, 2-4% wage hike in developed markets over with my disciples at “My father, if it is pos“Go make the tomb as Japfu Christian College and 4-6% in developing markets. your house”. sible, may this cup be taken secure as you know how”. Kigwema: Kohima
were elected to represent the people commit such dastardly act? It is in the knowledge of every person that our vote is our birthright and it is the de-jure of every person to whom he wants to vote for. No one has any right to interfere in the decision making of any individual granted by the constitution. How could those leaders sell away our birthright so easily? It is no way justifiable. Though the casting of vote by the head of the family is not democratic but it is somehow acceptable because in most of the cases, it is the result of mutual agreement among the family members but the declaration to support one particular candidate by few vested individuals on behalf of all the people is in no way democratic and should be shunned by any means. In fact, the ECI should amend new rules and incorporate it as such not to allow daily papers to publish such statements. Such declarations are only a mockery to democracy. In order to ensure that one man, one vote is enforced, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) was issued for the first time and CCTV’s installed at certain polling booths. Though the installation of CCTV’s helped to check bogus voters from playing an active role to some extent but the issue of EPIC was a total flop. Also Democracy was brutally butchered by Village Councils and certain NGO’s. Apart from those shameful public declarations,
this year’s Parliamentary election was marked by rampant proxy voting, large scale booth capturing et cetera. Unlike other states in India, the Parliamentary elections isn’t given due importance probably because of the lone seat and this was proven during the recent Lok Sabha election held in our state. During the first few hours into voting, there were only few people queued to cast their vote which continued till afternoon. However at the end of the day, the voting percentage shot up at an instant like Price Rise. This shows that there were malpractices in the system. The NBCC’s clean election campaign turned a deaf ear to many despite the fact that most of us are Christians. According to Ecclesiastes, everything has its time and so the evils that are prevalent in our society will eventually come to an end one day. At that time, I urge the Youths of today to walk the talk. The zealousness to root out corruption can be sensed in every sensible young bloods. The flame should be kept burning and put into action at the right time. Let’s surprise the devil by making a clean sweep of the past and by turning over a new leaf. Let’s make a difference in the next election.
businEss
SBI launches scheme for women boutique owners
KolKata, april 16 (pti): The country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a financing scheme for women fashion boutique owners. Labelled ‘boutique financing’, the scheme is designed to offer working capital expenses as well as term loan to boutique owners. Chief General Manager of SBI (Bengal Circle) Sunil Srivastavasaid the bank has identified the growth potential of the segment. He said the bank would give loans at concessional interest rates and the maximum loan to be made available would be Rs 50 lakh for a period of seven years. The owners would also get overdraft facilities, he added.
RComm to raise mobile call tariff by up to 20%
New Delhi, april 16 (reuters): Reliance Communications Ltd, India’s fourth-biggest mobile phone carrier, will hike voice prices starting April 25, the company said in a statement, to counter an increase in input costs and higher spectrum payments. Reliance will increase tariffs on discounted and promotional plans for its pre-paid customers by up to 20 percent and raise headline call tariffs to 1.6 paise every second from 1.5 paise, it said in a statement on Tuesday.
S
Let The Words Shines Upon Us
TCS to hire 55,000 for FY15
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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LEISURE
Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”
SUDOKU Game Number # 2850
DAILY CROSS WORD
CROSSWORD # 2859
DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:
STD CODE: 03862
Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital: Shamrock Hospital Zion Hospital: Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital Apollo Hospital Info Centre: Railway: Indian Airlines Chumukedima Fire Brigade Nikos Hospital and Research Centre Nagaland Multispecialty Health & Research Centre
Answer Number # 2849
KOHIMA
Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home:
232224; Emergency229529, 229474 227930, 231081 228846 228254 231864, 224117, 227337 228400 232106 227607 232181 242555/ 242533 224041, 248011 230695/9402435652 131/228404 229366 282777 232032, 231031 248302, 09856006026
STD CODE: 0370
Northeast Shuttles
100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202
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Tectonic Processes ACTIVE
HAWAII
ASH
HEAT
CONSTRUC-
ICELAND
TIVE
IGNEOUS
CONTINEN-
ROCK
TIAL CRUST
KOBE
CORE
LAVA
CRATER
MAGMA
DESTRUC-
MAIN VENT
TIVE
MANTLE
DORMANT
OCEANIC
DUST
CRUST
EARTH-
PLATE
QUAKES
BOUNDARIES
ETNA
TECTONICS
EXPLOSION
TURKEY
EXTINCT
VOLCANO
FERTILE SOIL
D C A Z N E S P T F E N U E S P F L E H D
T R R O R O L T U R K E Y H A W A I I I
S A U A D E S T R U C T I V E E I N R N U
H M A T S P L A T E B O U N D A R I E S
E B N G I E T A K N U P N A N I O B L T E
O P E A S R O C O R E E O A W X L I W X
N R X M M H K M B N I U I H G V I I N T
A T N A M R O D E F L T E Q R A A M S I I
E S E A R T H Q U A K E S H A A E R G N
D R V L R E L G O Z H E A T N N W E N C
L O C E A N I C C R U S T T E E P G E T
R A A N E V O L C A N O D L G T S U D O R
V S C I N O T C E T G E A A I I I C U S
C A H E C O N T I N E N T I A L C R U S T
N I T W O O M A I N V E N T U I T R R T
C W I I C E L A N D N Y M X N O V S O L
K O B E L E E G L E O I E O H K E E C B
G E V I T C U R T S N O C Y E K N R K C
A I F O F E R T I L E S O I L I E T N A
A C T I V E O T E X P L O S I O N E U E
ACROSS 1. Wash oneself 6. Cease 10. Part of a rachet 14. A cook might wear one 15. Greek letter 16. Unusual 17. Gave out 18. Blockhead 19. Twin sister of Ares 20. Live through 22. Camp beds 23. Autonomic nervous system 24. Anagram of “Arson” 26. Became smaller 30. Monetary unit of Macedonia 32. Midsection 33. A mathematical function 37. Afflicts 38. A seal 39. Chocolate cookie 40. Salutations 42. Honor fights 43. Damp 44. Artists’ workstands 45. Malicious burning 47. Arrive (abbrev.) 48. Astringent 49. Composition board
56. Not a single one 57. Margarine 58. Snow house 59. Not now 60. Flower stalk 61. Construct 62. Where the sun rises 63. Spinning toys 64. Searches
DOWN 1. Invited 2. Pinnacle 3. Snare 4. Puncture 5. Competitor 6. Locations 7. Small city 8. Ear-related 9. Characteristic of a father 10. Perilous 11. Moses’ brother 12. Formal orders 13. Not more 21. Writing liquid 25. Paddle 26. Booty 27. Found on most heads 28. Anger 29. Appraisal 30. Pooch
31. Auspices 33. Water chestnut 34. Tall woody plant 35. Satan’s territory 36. Nonvascular plant 38. Roadside pointer 41. Also 42. Handcuffs 44. Before, poetically 45. Hello or goodbye 46. Graphic symbols 47. “Smallest particles” 48. Initial wager 50. Countertenor 51. Dribble 52. Monster 53. Away from the wind 54. Stone 55. Specks Ans to CrossWord 2858
CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862-282777/101 (O) WOKHA: 03860-242215 (O) 9402643782 MOKOKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/101 (O) 9856872011 (OC) PHEK: 03865-223838/101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)
MON: 03869-290629/101 (O) 9856248962/ 9612805461 (OC)
Toll free No. 1098 childline
H
DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/101 (O) 9436601225 (OC)
TUENSANG: 03861-220256/101 (O) 8974322879
CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE
W
KOHIMA: 0370-2222952/101 (O) 9436062098 (OC)
ZUNHEBOTO: 03867-220444/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC)
08974997923
MOKOKCHUNG:
FIRE STATIONS
STD CODE: 0369
Police Station 1: Police Station 2 :
2226241 2226214
Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home: Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):
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TAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade
222246 222491
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LOCAL
The Morung Express
nScB mkg is 2nd highest profit earning branch
moKoKchuNg, april 16 (mExN): Nagaland State Co-operative Bank (NSCB) Mokokchung branch is the second highest profit earning branch of the bank next to Kohima (Main) branch with a profit of Rs.242.23 Lakhs at the close of March 2014. This was revealed by Imtilemba Longkumer, general manager, NSC Bank Ltd, Head Office, Dimapur during the inauguration of the new premises of NSCB Mokokchung branch here on April 15. According to a press release, Imtilemba in his keynote informed that the branch has a deposit of Rs.3399.86 Lakhs and the total loan and advances of Rs.2120.90 Lakhs with a CD Ratio of 62.38% as on March 31, 2014. He further informed that the Nagaland State Co-operative Bank was established in the year 1967 in Dimapur after obtaining license from Reserve Bank of India and presently has a network of 21 branches in all the districts in the
state except Longleng. He informed that NSCB is the only local bank sponsored and financed by the State government holding more than 80% of the share capital. Mokokchung branch was opened on March 5, 1968. The Mokokchung branch, he stated, has now become a model branch of the Bank and its per employee business is among the highest in branch business of the Bank. He also asserted that the Mokokchung branch is now technically equipped to serve the people and meet their various banking needs. The branch is on CBS Platform within the state of Nagaland and is no less technically equipped than any other branches or banks and is capable of providing all types of banking services as provided by other banks, he assured. CBS connectivity with the main switch, i.e Mumbai and to install ATM is on the pipeline which is expected to be completed during the current financial
year, he added. M. Bendangnukshi Longkumer, ex-vice chairman, NSCB Ltd meanwhile expressed happiness at the improvement in the growth of the bank’s business in the last ten years. He appealed to the public in general and business community in particular to avail the facilities offered by the bank by saving their surplus fund and to recover the loan promptly. Alangla Tonger, ARCS, Mokokchung also spoke about the primary objective of the establishment of NSCB in the State and the overall functioning of the Cooperative Societies in the district in general. The new premises of NSCB Mokokchung branch was inaugurated by Rev. Ponen Longchar, pastor, Mokokchung Town Baptist Arogo. Government officials, church leaders, customers, and bank officials attended the function, which was presided over by I Tali Longkumer, vice chairman, NSC Bank Ltd.
Thursday 17 April 2014
IGNOU Kohima celebrates 27th convocation
in their decision makings and also stressed on the need to know their role wherever God puts them and to be contented with it. Stating that it was easy to embark on a ministry but difficult to walk that path sincerely, Rev. Dr. Loh spoke about the need to get time of solitude with God and to be consecrated regularly as one chooses to work for the expansion of His kingdom. He said that the desire to serve the Lord comes with greater opposition from evil and encouraged the students to keep faith in God and to have a God’s given perspective. Altogether, 57 students graduated in Diploma in Bachelor of Divinity. During the programme, the college gave away various proficiency awards to the students. Principal and Academic Dean of the college gave away the Diploma award to the students. Director, Sumi Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Khehovi Shohe released the college magazine while Executive Secretary, SBAK Rev. S. Yevito Sumi performed the act of dedication for the graduating class.
5
MEx FILE DNSU to hold meeting with NIOS study centres Dimapur, april 16 (mExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has convened a consultative meeting with all the Study Centres of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) under Dimapur on April 21, 11:00 am at DNSU office, near Fire Brigade. Therefore, the Union has requested all the coordinators/ administrators/ principals/ proprietors of the Study Centres concerned to attend the meeting positively without fail. The Union also informed that it will not entertain any representative or in-charge for the said meeting. For further query contact: 9615459070, 9856257354, and 9862304110.
DEOs informed The 27th convocation of IGNOU Regional Centre Kohima on April 16. Our Correspondent Kohima | April 16
The Regional Centre Kohima, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today held its 27th convocation at Modern College Kohima with Prof. A. Lanunungsang, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus as the guest of honour. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Lanunungsang
said IGNOU and NU need to work together in job oriented ventures. Under NU, he said, there are around 500 Ph.D scholars while every year around 25,000 students enroll for undergraduate courses and 1,200 are undergoing PG studies. Expressing that though education started late in the Naga society, however achievement of 86% literacy rate is commendable. The Pro-VC also handed
over the certificates to the successful candidates. IGNOU Regional Director, Dr. T. Iralu highlighted a brief report on the performance of the regional centre and expressed hope to increase sources from the present 52 programmes of the centre. Ezhüni Chache delivered welcome address while assistant regional director Dr. Imnainla proposed vote of thanks.
57 students graduate from Trinity Theological College Dimapur, april 16 (mExN): Senior Pastor, Queenstown Baptist Church, Singapore, Rev. Dr. Richard Loh on April 13 urged upon theologians and spiritual leaders to surrender their will to the will of God for meaningful service in His ministry. He pointed out that believers often make the mistake of first making their plans and then asking God to endorse it. He implied that believers should first ask God what His plan was for them and not the other way round. Delivering graduating address at Trinity Theological College, Thahekhu during its 11th Graduation Service, Rev. Dr. Loh drew reference from the Bible - Joshua 3:1-7 as the base of his sermon. He told the graduating students that their graduation phase was like the Israelites crossing over river Jordan. He said that the students were beginning a new journey and urged them to make spiritual preparation for working in God’s ministry with a renewed commitment. The preacher urged them to let God lead them
Dimapur
Kohima, april 16 (mExN): District Education Officers (DEOs) of Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Kiphire have been directed to select and depute 1 principal, 7 headmasters of GHS, 12 headmasters of GMS, and 18 head teachers of GPS from each district to attend a “One day state level workshop to sensitize teachers on issues relating child rights and protection” on April 23 at Capital Convention Centre Kohima without fail. The participants have been requested to reach the venue by 9:30 am. The directive came from director of school education, Zaveyi Nyekha.
MUK and CWSK condemn Kohima, april 16 (mExN): The Mao Union Kohima (MUK) expressing shock at the “life attempt” on Abe Mero by some armed miscreants at Jail Colony Kohima on April 9 has condemned the barbaric act and urged the law enforcing agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing the culprits to book at the earliest. Meanwhile, the Chakhesang Women Society Kohima (CWSK) also condemned the alleged attempt on the life of Abe Mero, Finance Committee convener of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and ACAUT member.
SBAK interview on April 29 Dimapur, april 16 (mExN): The executive secretary of Sumi Baptist Churches Association (SBAK) has informed those who plan to join the church ministry that the interview for appointment has been fixed on April 29, 2014 at the Executive Secretary office at 8:30 am. Both written and oral tests will be conducted. Required documents including secular degree(s) and theological degree(s), all admit card and marksheet/ certificates should be submit in the office, informed Executive Secretary Rev. Dr. Joshua Rochill.
Wokha DPDB meeting A one-day seminar cum awareness program on National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) was conducted at Jalukie Town, Peren district, organised by the Department of Industries & Commerce, FPI Cell- (SMFP). This was the second phase program during the 12th five year plan, to promote food processing sector in Nagaland state.
Rape of a minoR condemned Ko h i m a , april 16 (mExN): The Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) has strongly condemned the April 13 incident, where a minor girl was raped by Povetso at Mohonkhola, Kohima. NWHD demanded that the accused be not granted bail under any circumstances and befitting punishment be awarded to him as per the law. “Law is our umbrella, protector and guardian so law should not be purchasable nor inap-
plicable,” stated a press release issued by NWHD president Hukheli T Wotsa and its general secretary Vimenuo Liegise. “It should be honourable and respectable.” NWHD further called for the support of all the citizens to eliminate rape from our society. Meanwhile, the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) has also vehemently condemned the April 13 incident where Povetso, 30, of Pholami village, reportedly raped a
5-year-old girl. The organization, in a press release appended by the president, Seve R Vadeo and general secretary, Ngapunyi Krocha has urged every sensible citizen to strongly fight against such “brutal and insane act.” It also appealed to the law enforcing authority to award befitting punishment to the accused as per the law of the land, in order to prevent such inhuman act in future. The Chakhesang Women Society Kohima (CWSK)
also expressed deep shock over the April 13 rape of a minor girl. The CWSK “unreservedly” condemned the “dastardly act” in the strongest terms, and sincerely appealed to the law enforcing agencies and the judiciary to award befitting penalty to the perpetrator, so “it serves as a reminder that such brutish acts do not have a place in our society.” It further added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim.”
WoKha, april 16 (mExN): Deputy commissioner & vice chairman DPDB Wokha has informed that the District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting for the month of April will be held on April 22 at Governor’s camp, Liphayan. He informed that the meeting scheduled to be held on April 9 had to be postponed due to the conduct of the Lok Sabha Election. All DPDB members under Wokha district have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.
NAYO clarifies Apropos a news item ‘NAYO expels one’ which appeared in some local dailies on April 8, 2014, the office of the Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO) has clarified that, it was not NAYO but the Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) who expelled Jalal Noor of Katamoni village, PS Bajarichara Dist. Karimgonj of Assam, who misbehaved with a female member of NAYO at his shop at ‘Blue Market’ in Kohima main town. In this regard, NAYO has lauded the Muslim Welfare Society for nabbing the escaping offender in Dimapur, Kohima North PS for the co-operation rendered, and KVYO for taking action upon the offender.
Modern Institute of Teacher Education's field trip to Tuophema Kohima, april 16 (mExN): Student-teachers and staff of Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE), Kohima visited Tuophema Model Village on April 11, 2014 and interacted with the ten GBs and elders in pursuance of their B.Ed programme and fulfilling the co-scholastic objective of conducting an educational field trip. A press release informed that the staff and studentteachers in their interaction discussed matters like
Members of Siddhartha Professional Academy Nimi Ao, Momo Zeliang, Praingson Marak, Vicky Choudhary and Tanveer, visited and donated dry ration for the fire victim families of Dimapur, at the relief camp.
Focus on educational institutes at Zbto DPDB ZuNhEboto, april 16 (Dipr): The Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board meeting was held on April 15 at DC’s conference hall, Zunheboto. During the meeting, DEO Zunheboto apprised the members on upgradation of 5th Assam Rifle School Zunheboto to Class-VIII standard. It was informed that the school, which was established in the year 1970, has 70% of students from local area. Equipped with boy’s hostel facilities, the school has made progress in educating the students charging nominal fees. The Board
approved for recommendation of the proposal to the higher authority. With regard to DIET Centre at Zunheboto, Principal DIET, Yevito Sema presented that the Department had proposed to hire a building belonging to Dr. Nihoshe at South Point in the year 2012 and to commence from April 1 of current year, which was hampered due to the Lok Sabha Election 2014. He said that further delay would affect huge number of untrained teachers. He also stated about acute shortage of furniture for use in
the institution. It was deliberated that the plight of untrained teachers and the people should not be jeopardized due to delay and therefore members recommended starting the classes within a short time at the proposed building. The members also suggested the institution to intimate the department concerned to provide the furniture as per requirement of the institution. Principal of Zunheboto Government College, Alempokba, a new member was introduced to the house.
Students-teachers and staff of MITE, Kohima during the field trip to Tuophema Model Village on April 11.
village sanitation and personal hygiene, education, environment, customary judicial system, women
empowerment, population, etc. Reciprocally, the student-teachers appreciated and urged the vil-
lagers to further improve education and technology and preserve their heritage. Their interaction culminat-
ed with an Angami traditional and melodious song sung by the villagers along with the MITE team.
KVK Wokha conducts scientific advisory committee meeting
WoKha, april 16 (mExN): Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wokha, ICAR for NEH region, Nagaland Centre conducted the annual Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting on April 7, 2014 at the conference hall of KVK, Wokha with Dr. Bidyut C Deka, Joint Director, ICAR, Nagaland as the chairman. Dr. Bidyut C.Deka laid special emphasis on seed production since quality and timely availability of seeds is a very crucial input in agriculture planning. He directed all the SMS concerned to undertake seed production under their own discipline so the crucial input can be made available to the farmers locally. He also stressed on availability of quality germplasm for livestock
components and directed SMS (Animal Science) to take necessary steps in this regard. Lauding the successful completion of all the sanctioned projects, he suggested undertaking proper monitoring of the projects so as to assess the level of success. The main objective of the meeting and the progress report was delivered by N. Khumdemo Ezung, Programme Co-ordinator (i/c), KVK, Wokha. The detail achievement on Farm Trial conducted in various disciplines was presented and deliberated in detail, which was suggested to be undertaken under the frontline demonstration programme. Frontline demonstration on agriculture and livestocks was
also presented, in which undertaking impact analysis was suggested to assess the level of adoption and acceptability. He also informed that the KVK had massive soil sample collection covering all the blocks of the district and the analysis of the samples were near completion. It was informed that very soon the KVK will come up with soil map which will benefit not only the farmers, but the district Agriculture and allied department as well. He also presented the initiative of the KVK for development of Integrated Farming Systems in Koio, Liphanyan and Okheye village for the purpose of demonstrating farming system to the farming community. Presentation
was also made on the implementation of projects such as Tribal Sub Plan by the KVK in which initiative such poultry farming, piggery, seed production, integrated duck cum fish farming system, alder, orange and tree bean plantation under Agroforestry models and rice based double cropping was undertaken. Project on National Horticulture Mission was also implemented where three water harvesting structures was also constructed in the farmers’ field. National Food Security Mission was also implemented under the funding of District Agriculture Officer, Wokha. Transplanting and System of Rice Intensification was successfully implemented
under this. The action plan for the year 2014-15 was presented by Dr. Sanjay Kr. Ray, SMS (Soil Science) which was accepted by the committee. Around 30 people, including scientist from ICAR, Jharnapani Dr. Rajesha and Dr. Rakesh, officers from District Agri and allied department, KVK and ATMA staff and successful farmers from different villages attended the meeting. During the occasion, Physao Ngullie, Innovative farmer in preparation of jaggery (Gur) from Yanthamo Village was also facilitated by Joint Director for receiving award during the conference for Innovative farmers held on March 26, 2014 at Tura, Meghalaya.
6
IN-FOCUS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express
THE EDIT PAGE
C O M M E N T A R Y
Lauren Wolfe Foreign Policy
Abuse of Power
THursDAy 17 APrIl 2014 volumE IX IssuE 104 By Aheli moitra
Media Much?
O
n the evening of April 9, 2014, when Nagaland went to vote for a representative to its lone Lok Sabha seat, those of us working in the press room were confused. Journalists based in Nagaland could not corroborate most of the news from national wires that suggested that Indian democracy had won the race in its North East. Much before the day of voting was over for the North East region of India, an international news wire had declared that “hundreds of thousands of people in long-winding lines” had voted in the region. A regional news service repeated the Election Commission of India’s claims that places like Nagaland had seen over 80% of its million-and-more-strong electorate vote. While using words like “impressive” for the alleged voter turnout, the news service claimed, based on (what it seemed like) State reports, that “Long queues formed at polling booths in these mountainous states as voters enthusiastically turned up to cast their ballot.” “Officials” had suggested to them that “conducive weather” had helped voters come out in “huge” numbers to vote in Nagaland while new voters and women were “enthusiastic”. Only The Telegraph (Calcutta) came close to reporting the side of truth that was reported in the local media. It reported on April 10, 2014, “In Nagaland, the election department registered a high voting percentage of 84.6, although people hardly turned up to vote for the lone Lok Sabha seat. Most of the polling stations in the state capital Kohima remained almost deserted. One of the polling stations was closed around 12 noon as people did not come to vote. Similar reports were received from other districts like Zunheboto, Wokha, Dimapur and Mokokchung.” Even the elections in ‘Outer Manipur’ were made to look like an exercise in peace— the national news media seemed convinced that fair practice and vast popularity of Indian democracy brought people to the booths. Phone calls from the hills of Manipur painted another picture of armed groups using the Indian electoral process to instate their own candidates—people remained unhappy about the coercion. The Indian Express reported on one facet of this. None of the fantastic democratic world that the State, and related news agencies painted, was available for local journalists to see. In Nagaland, polling booths remained sparse. In trying to show to the world that India is conducting a successful practice of securing political mandate in its most troubled zones, that people here have great faith in its brand of democracy, the media had forgotten its role within a democracy as its watchdog. In doing this, it not only misled the Indian democracy, but also its people who depend on the media to report on coercive and manipulative practices that they cannot themselves fight. The local media should be appreciated in discarding this trend, and playing a crucial role in plugging such loopholes. Accolades to the local media could be forwarded to moitramail@yahoo.com
lEfT wiNg |
Seth Borenstein AP Science Writer
Study: Snack might help avoid fight with spouse
A
quick candy bar may stave off more than hunger. It could prevent major fights between husbands and wives, at least if a new study that used voodoo dolls is right. That's because low blood sugar can make spouses touchy, researchers propose. In fact, it can make them "hangry," a combination of hungry and angry, said Ohio State University psychology researcher Brad Bushman. "We need glucose for self-control," said Bushman, lead author of the study, which was released Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Anger is the emotion that most people have difficulty controlling." The researchers studied 107 married couples for three weeks. Each night, they measured their levels of the blood sugar glucose and asked each participant to stick pins in a voodoo doll representing his or her spouse. That indicated levels of aggressive feelings. The researchers found that the lower the blood sugar levels, the more pins were pushed into the doll. In fact, people with the lowest scores pushed in twice as many pins as those with the highest blood sugar levels, the researchers said. The study also found that the spouses were generally not angry at each other. About 70 percent of the time, people didn't put any pins in the doll, said study co-author Richard Pond Jr. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The average for the whole study was a bit more than one pin a night per person. Three people put all 51 pins in at one time — and one person did that twice — Pond said. Bushman said there's a good physical reason to link eating to emotion: The brain, which is only 2 percent of the body weight, consumes 20 percent of our calories. The researchers said eating a candy bar might be a good idea if spouses are about to discuss something touchy, but that fruits and vegetables are a better long-term strategy for keeping blood sugar levels up. Outside experts gave the study, funded by the National Science Foundation, mixed reviews. Chris Beedie, who teaches psychology at the Aberystwyth University in the United Kingdom, said he thought the study's method was flawed and that his own work disagrees with Bushman's conclusions. The better way to test Bushman's concept is to give people high glucose on some occasions and low glucose on others, and see if that makes a difference in actual acts of aggression, he said. But Julie Schumacher, who studies psychology and domestic violence at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, called the study well-designed and said it is reasonable to conclude, as the study did, that "low glucose levels might be one factor that contributes to intimate partner violence." Still, she and Beedie said it might be a big leap to interpret the results with voodoo dolls as indicating risk for actual physical aggression against a spouse. The study procedure also raised another problem. Bushman had to handle a call from his credit card company, which wanted to make sure it was really he who had spent $5,000 to buy more than 200 voodoo dolls.
Sexualized violence against girls is going unchecked in schools around the world -and the perpetrators are teachers. What can be done to stop them?
A
dust-diffused brightness illuminated female speakers dressed in patterns of orange and green, yellow and blue as they addressed a group of journalists and activists about the many challenges facing women in their country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These challenges include low literacy, a lack of representation in politics, and disenfranchisement from access to other sources of power, including money. Then, almost as an aside, a woman named Jacqueline Borve from a group called Programme Amkeni Wamama made a remark that stood out among the litany: The most prevalent form of violence against young women she sees in her home town of Walikale, in Congo's North Kivu province, is sexual harassment and assault in schools. She was not referring to the treatment of girls by male students, however. She was talking about abuse mainly perpetrated by teachers. "They use their power as teachers to impose on girls what they want through sex," she said. And there is no recourse for girls who are subjected to a teacher's violence. "The system does not allow girls to raise any complaints." Other human rights activists I met in eastern Congo told me that this kind of abuse against girls in schools is shockingly common. A survey by the Brazil-based nonprofit organization Promundo found that 16 percent of girls in North Kivu said they had been forced to have sex with their teachers. And according to a 2010 UNICEF report, 46 percent of Congolese schoolgirls in one national study confirmed that they had been victims of sexual harassment, abuse, and violence committed by their teachers or other school personnel. "There's something exceptionally perverse here," said Pablo Castillo-Diaz, a protection specialist on U.N. Women's peace and security team. "School is supposed to be a safe haven. Teachers are seen as protectors, so it's even more harmful when these people become perpetrators." This problem is hardly unique to Congo. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, "it is not uncommon to find teachers promising higher grades or reduced school fees or supplies in exchange for sex with girls," UNI-
T
he idea of foreign aid is rather attractive - at least theoretically. However, when examined carefully, foreign aid in its very nature entails a process of injecting large sums of money into developing countries otherwise gripped by poverty, war, and conflict. While in theory, that money should improve people's lives and alleviate poverty leading to sustainable growth and development, the stark reality is that foreign aid has often presented more challenges than opportunities. While the potential benefits of aid, if carried out in an appropriate and well-managed manner, cannot be overlooked, the positive impacts have not been proportionate to the amount of money donated. For the purpose of this argument, I am going to take Palestine as a case study. Since the signing of the Oslo Peace Treaty and throughout its long track record, foreign aid has done little to improve the lives of Palestinians. On the contrary, it has deepened the level of dependency on the west through its generous flow of cash, whilst the colonization of the Palestinian territories has deepened. Just to see the extent of how dependent Palestinians are on foreign aid, according to this report Palestinians are among "the world's largest per capita recipients of international foreign aid". Anne Le More’s International Assistance to the Pal-
CEF has reported. Because salaries are so low, forced sex is sometimes viewed as a kind of compensation, and teachers will blackmail or force girls with threats of bad grades. In Mozambique, a study by the Ministry of Education found that 70 percent of female respondents reported knowing that some teachers use sexual intercourse as a necessary condition to advance students to the next grade. Teachers in Mali are known to use "La menace du bic rouge" -- "the threat of the red pen" -- or bad marks if girls do not accept sexual advances, UNICEF says. Similarly, girls in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Nicaragua endure sexual coercion by teachers, "sometimes with threats that their grades will suffer if they do not cooperate," according to the United Nations Secretary-General's 2005 "Study on Violence Against Children." Sometimes, grades do not factor into the situation; girls are degraded simply for being girls. In Kampala, Uganda, a female student told the international development organization Action Aid that a male teacher made girls "wash his feet, take water to the bathroom for him, but sometimes he would be naked and ask you to help him as a man." Meanwhile, UNESCO says that several studies in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan have also found evidence of inappropriate sexualized behavior by teachers toward girls. In Nepal alone, UNICEF found that 18 percent of the perpetrators of "severe sexual abuse" of girls in schools were teachers. The International Rescue Committee's Healing Classrooms Initiative found that sexual abuse of girls in refugee schools with male teachers is a significant problem in West Africa and beyond. And while rape by teachers in the United States may not be a rampant concern, sexual harassment and manipulation of female students certainly appears to be common enough that the U.S. Department of Education's website has plenty to say about it. "The issue affects all young people in all countries," said Dina Deligiorgis, a knowledge management specialist at U.N. Women. "It is broad and defined differently by different parties in different contexts, so can include a range of behaviors, including but not limited to sexual violence (including harassment), bullying, and corporal punishment, among others." The immediate effects of teachers' sexual predation are terrible. Certainly, there is trauma, both physical and mental. But there are other impacts too: 16 percent of children in Togo, for instance, named a teacher as responsible for the pregnancy of a classmate, according to a Plan report. Despite the stories and statistics, the rape and assault of girls by teachers remains underreported and understudied, according to multiple experts I spoke to at the U.N. and NGOs that work on this issue. Children are reluctant to report abuse by authority figures because they fear they are to blame or that they will suffer repercussions; they worry about bringing shame to their families. These reasons are among the same ones that have helped sexualized violence to go unchecked across
many parts of the world in schools and beyond. Sometimes, adults other than teachers are also complicit, pointing to the deeper roots of sexualized violence. I have been told stories of doctors saying after one medical exam that a girl's hymen was ripped by a teacher, but not in another exam when payoffs were involved. I've heard about parents forcing their traumatized girls to return to classrooms after being raped by their teachers. "This is a patriarchal affair," said Everjoice Win, a Zimbabwean who studied violence against girls in schools when she was head of women's rights for Action Aid. "Patriarchs from the family and the local chiefs meet the patriarchy of the local education system." This is all tied up, too, with the deep-seated problem of men believing that they have the right to women's bodies, whatever their age. Win said girls in her culture are usually viewed as "small women," an idea backed up by UNICEF: In West and Central Africa, "[t] he girl child becomes a woman as soon as she starts menstruating." Teachers often make claims meant to "legitimize" their actions -- namely, that they want to marry the girls they rape. "Remember," Win said, "we are living in a society that values and cherishes marriages of girls and reproduction above many things." Sometimes, teachers actually marry students. More often, however, their claims of "legitimacy" -occasionally coupled with money paid to the families of victimized students -- are enough to quiet whatever critics might exist. Then, according to Win, these teachers "hastily seek transfer to another school -- far away." Dina Deligiorgis said UNESCO is concerned enough about the issue of sexualized violence in schools that it is launching an inter-agency initiative on school-related, gender-based violence in Paris on April 14. The initiative will consider more than rape by teachers: There is gender-based violence on the way to school; at night when students without electricity are forced to sit under public streetlamps to do homework; and violence -- verbal and physical -- committed by other students. These problems prevent many girls from getting an education, joining numerous other obstacles that stand in their way. (For instance, when a family can only afford to send one child in much of the world, many send a boy.) Indeed, sexualized violence is part of a spectrum of violence and humiliation that girls face as they are growing up. It is "a structural barrier in societies in which men and boys try to keep girls in their places," as Win put it. And that can create long-term, intransigent gender disparities. "Obviously, these acts have a multiplier effect," said Cristina Finch, head of Amnesty International USA's women's human rights program. "If little girls are unable to access education, it affects their economic abilities, it affects their health, and it affects political participation because they don't have an education. Violence against women and girls is a cross-cutting issue that affects their ability to access the full range of human rights." According to experts, the solution to violence against girls in schools is multifold. It involves adopting various forms of protection at international, national, local, and school-district levels. Laws need to explicitly prohibit violence; accountability must follow when illegal acts are committed. Communities must be educated in the rights of girls, and there needs to be "international cooperation, coordination and sharing of knowledge of good practices, programs and evidence-based research to end violence against children," according to the U.N. And this must all be integrated in a much larger discussion about gender inequality writ large. "Whether you're sitting in the Swat Valley or in South Africa, where violence against women is endemic, why would you expect that the violence in your informal settlement or slum would not be reflected in the school that is sitting in the same slum?" asked Win. In other words, the challenge of solving violence committed against what is arguably the world's most vulnerable population, in what are supposed to be nurturing environments, is as big as the world itself. But so too are the benefits of taking it on.
Foreign Aid: development or 'de-development'? Hani mahmoud estinians after Oslo demonstrates how $8 billion of post-Oslo aid made its way to the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for the purposes of 'development'; expanding the Palestinian Authority's capacity for emergency relief operations, and 'reconstruction'. Much of this, it was claimed, was needed to build the institutions necessary for a two-state peace process and to support socio-economic development. Regardless of how big the figure is, this huge influx of money is conditional. According to a 2013 Congressional Research Service report, in order for US aid to be dispersed to Palestine it must first meet certain and specific requirements. These include: preventing Hamas and other resistance organizations from conducting 'terrorist' operations against Israel; fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance in the West Bank; and promoting the 'two-state solution'. Interestingly, the humanitarian side of US aid was not given as much emphasis in the report.
Within this context, the aid industry is a key factor in Palestinian 'dedevelopment' as Palestinians have scored zero sustainability so far. The discourse of 'aid', 'development' and 'reconstruction' is shielding Israel’s ongoing occupation and colonization of Palestinian territories. A third of the Palestinian Authority's budget is aidsubsidized. In addition to funding a distorted Palestinian political system, that is incapable of protecting itself, the aid industry is directly exempting Israel from the burden of responsibility for the destruction of Palestinian lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. By doing that, it allows Israel to focus its resources and efforts on the expansion of settlements, the expropriation of Jerusalem and the destruction of Gaza. As a result, the problem is acute, and if one looks at the figures it is not difficult to see that the many billions in foreign aid is not empowering Palestinians.
wRiTE-wiNg
Is there an alternative? Judging from the current situa-
tion; foreign aid is not the answer to the problem. It is true that some of the projects funded by foreign aid have helped alleviate some of the suffering and misery among Palestinians; however, this has only incapacitated Palestinians in the process and made them ever more dependent on the west. Therefore, the aid industry in Palestine must choose between either blindly subsidizing oppression or recognize what is actually taking place and cease its support. Mary B. Anderson’s Do No Harm framework offers an approach that is quite substantial in correcting the course of foreign aid. In Do No Harm, the interrelations between international aid in conflict contexts and the dynamics of those conflicts are analyzed — as well as codes of ethics developed by the UN, bilateral donors and international and national nongovernmental organizations. Subsidizing a brutal occupation and illegitimate authority translates into the deliberate crushing of Palestinian aspirations and hence the very tools for creating lasting peace. As the world has witnessed through the “Palestine Papers,” when aid is de-politicized, donors and international organizations are able to pour billions of dollars into a colonial project under the masks of institution building and poverty reduction. Standing in stark opposition to the stated objectives of aid to Palestinians is the reality of subjugation.
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Thursday
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
17 April 2014
PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE
History Wars in Northeast Asia
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Gi-Wook Shin and Daniel C. Sneider Foreign Affairs
rom territorial disputes in the East China Sea to heated propaganda wars across the region, peace in northeast Asia seems increasingly tenuous. At the heart of rising tensions are unresolved historical issues related to World War II, which drive a wedge between the United States’ two main allies in the region, Japan and South Korea, and fuel a revived rivalry between Japan and China. As the main victor in World War II, the United States has some responsibility for these disputes. It constructed the postwar regional order and has been largely content since then to view the matter as settled, even though issues of territory, compensation, and historical justice were left unresolved. During the Cold War, when the region’s main players were cut off from each other, the United States’ approach worked well. But as the region democratizes and grows increasingly integrated, long-buried issues are coming to the surface. As U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Japan and South Korea this month, it is time for the United States to tackle wartime history in Asia head on. American officials were confronted by the uncomfortable realities of wartime issues last year, when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, without warning, made an official visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including some who had been convicted and executed as Class-A war criminals. The Japanese leader certainly understood that his decision would irk China and South Korea, which see such visits as signals of Tokyo’s embrace of an unapologetic view of Japan’s wartime aggression. What was even more troubling was that the visit came only a few weeks after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden apparently received assurances from Abe that Tokyo would avoid any such provocations. Biden subsequently encouraged South Korean President Park Geun-hye to sit down with the Japanese leader, although Park questioned whether he could be trusted to hold his historical revisionism in check -- a concern that was clearly justified. Japan and South Korea have made repeated efforts over the past two decades to resolve their wartime history issues, but progress has always proved short-lived. South Korean officials now openly plead for the United States to step in. That would be anathema to Japan, which fears being isolated. Obama managed to convene a brief meeting of the Japanese and South Korean leaders recently at the nuclear safety summit in Europe, but the agenda focused solely on North Korea. For its part, the United States simply urges restraint and dialogue, consistently refusing to intervene directly into disputes over the wartime past. American diplomats understandably argue that the subject is a minefield and that any U.S. involvement will be viewed with suspicion in China, Japan, and South Korea alike. Even so, China’s bid for regional domination makes it nearly impossible for the United States to continue to stay out of the fray; Beijing has already started to position itself as sympathetic to South Korean fears about Japan and has embarked on a global propaganda campaign against Japanese “militarism,” pointing with undisguised glee at any evidence of Japanese nostalgia for its wartime past. By taking a leading role in dealing with the wartime past, the United States could make it difficult for Beijing to use it for political gain. SORRY I'M NOT SORRY The oft-stated notion that the United States has no responsibility for history issues is a convenient myth. The United States made several key decisions right after the war that laid the groundwork for the current dispute. These range from its decision to put aside the issue of the emperor’s responsibility to its efforts to rehabilitate nationalist conservatives -- including Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, the wartime minister in charge of Japan’s military industry -- to counter Japan’s leftward drift, all of which undermined efforts within Japan to make a clear break with the past. Meanwhile, the territorial issues that plague Japan’s relations with its neighbors -- from the dispute with China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands to the Kurile islands disputes with Russia -- are all results of American decisions in
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s someone who has been studying critical thinking for over six years now and living in Egypt, the situation here continues to surprise me. The most recent violence has left me stunned. It has led me to reflect on critical thinking, citizenship, and what contribution education might make to Egypt’s future. My research has shown that Egyptian high school education makes it difficult for students to question their professors’ authority, and does not give them confidence to participate critically in classroom discussions. But these same students are more willing to question local and foreign media. Some of them are even willing to question religious authorities. Despite the educational system that stresses memorisation and discourages questioning and creativity, people in Egypt, with many different educational backgrounds, displayed skepticism of the Mubarak regime. While it seems a long time ago now and much has happened since then, the overthrow of Mubarak was revealing. Despite years of repression, Egyptian youth managed to discern that they needed to get rid of the Mubarak regime. Then they did. It was, and still is, an impressive feat. Advocacy is considered one of the highest forms of engaged citizenship, and Egyptians have shown they excel at it. However, everything that has come after that, and especially this summer’s events, leave me feeling that Egyptian notions of citizenship are missing something important. Advocacy on the street succeeds in toppling regimes: first Mubarak’s, then Morsi’s. But that kind of citizenship, based on opposition, seems unable to change tactics and work towards reconciliation and reconstruction. It just recreates the protest cycle over and over again. The most recent escalations of violence further complicate chances for reconciliation. How much of this failure is due to uncritical citizenry responding to sensationalist media, and how much to factors beyond individuals’ agency and control, I don’t know. But I believe that higher education has a crucial part to play in preparing today’s youth for Egypt’s future, including promoting awareness of factors
the postwar settlement. The 1965 normalization treaty between Japan and Korea, which was brokered by Washington, pressed the Koreans to put compensation for Japanese colonial rule and for forced mobilizations of Koreans for the war effort aside after Japan balked. Such decisions made sense in the context of the Cold War because of the imperatives of the struggle against the Soviet and Chinese Communists. But they don’t anymore, and it is incumbent on the Untied States to help the region reconcile its past once and for all. An in-depth look at the formation of wartime historical memory, conducted as part of our Divided Memories and Reconciliation project, shows that narratives about the past cannot and will not be easily changed. Indeed, the younger generations, which have no memory of the horrors of war, hold on to the stories even tighter. Still, there are some ways to at least reduce tensions over the wartime past. The most urgent issue is compensation for individual victims of the system of forced labor that Japan used during the war, including the women from across Asia whom it coerced into sexual servitude. The government of Japan, with the support of the United States, has long insisted that the issue of compensation was settled by the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty and by subsequent agreements normalizing relations with China and South Korea. But some legal scholars, including in Japan, argue that the settlement between states does not bar individuals from seeking compensation. In fact, California enacted legislation in 1999 that allowed victims of the Holocaust and of the German and Japanese forced-labor systems to seek such redress from private corporations that exploited them, but the law was overturned. Compensation for the so-called comfort women, who were forced to serve in Japanese military brothels, is an urgent issue, but it would be better for Japan to finally deal with the broader problem of forced labor. It could follow the model of the German Fund for the Future, or, as it is formally known, the foundation for Remembrance, Responsibility, and Future, which was formed in 2000. The 5.2 billion euro ($7.15 billion) fund is jointly maintained by the German government and the German private corporations that used forced labor during the war. In cooperation with international partner organizations, it has compensated more than 1.66 million survivors in almost 100 countries. It also offers research and education programs. Of course, the momentum for such an initiative must come from Japan and the Japanese parliament, as the German initiative did in Germany. But the process can be encouraged and aided by the United States, which was directly involved alongside the German government in designing the fund and in negotiating its terms with Poles, Czechs, Jewish groups, and others seeking compensation. Unlike in the case of Japan, the U.S. government did not actively oppose suits filed in U.S. courts against German firms seeking compensation. Today, the United States could formally change its legal interpretation of the San Francisco Treaty to allow individuals to seek compensation, including from private corporations, and ask the involved nations to assure Japan that they fully accept the new fund as a final settlement of all issues of compensation. Public apologies must come next. Many in Japan believe that their country has already offered apologies, but that the victims, particularly in China and South Korea, simply refuse to accept them, preferring instead to keep the fires of the war alive. Official Japanese apologies, however, are constantly undermined by some Japanese political leaders’ outright denial of wartime responsibility. And Tokyo has made little effort to reach out to the broader public with public gestures of real contrition. Compare, for example, Japanese Socialist Prime Minister Murayama’s limited statement on the war in 1995, when a Japanese premier formally and specifically apologized, for the first time, for Japanese “aggression and colonial rule,” to German Chancellor Willy Brandt’s decision to kneel in apology before the memorial to the Warsaw Uprising during a visit to Poland in 1970. A photo of that moment lingers on as an expression of German contrition, but nothing comparable exists from Japan. Worse, Japanese conservatives continue to assail the Murayama statement. It is not hard to imagine how powerful it would be if a Japanese prime minister bowed his head at the museum commemorating the Nanjing massacre or met the surviv-
ing Korean comfort women in Seoul. The cases of Germany and Japan are by no means completely parallel, not least in the distinctive nature of the Holocaust, but also in the way the Cold War impelled Germany to reconcile with its wartime foes, such as France and Britain, whereas as the Cold War separated Japan from its principal Asian victim, China. But Japan can take some lessons from Germany’s ongoing willingness to embrace the need for apology and self-examination. Here, Washington has the opportunity to offer its own leadership in confronting the United States’ wartime past; it is time for an American president to throw aside political caution and go to Hiroshima or Nagasaki to offer his or her own reflections on the horrible human costs of the decision to drop atomic weapons on Japan. The United States would not only set an example -- without doing so, it would be hard to justify American intervention on wartime history issues. Finally, the education of the next generation must not be overlooked. Again, Europe provides a useful example. Germany and France, through a long process of discussion and exchange, created a joint textbook commission whose work on the history of World War II is used in classrooms today. The two countries also created a youth office to sponsor mass exchanges, with some eight million participating in programs over the last half century. These were decisions that the Germans made on their own, in the context of the need to create postwar European community. Japan has formed a history commission with China and with South Korea. These two efforts failed to achieve their goal of creating a common history because they could not entirely bridge their differences over the past. But they did establish the groundwork for future commissions and create extensive networks of historians with experience in such exchanges. Our own comparative study of high school history textbooks in Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States yielded a curriculum unit that could be used in all those countries. The involvement of American scholars and educators in history dialogues among China, Japan, and South Korea could aid this effort. WAR HISTORY COMES HOME The United States might worry that its efforts in the region won’t be effective, or that the United States will become the next target of all the countries in the region. To soothe these fears, it is worth looking back to the United States’ role in promoting reconciliation during the Northern Ireland peace process. The negotiation leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was headed by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell and backed by the White House in close consultation with the British and Irish governments, as well as with parties on the ground. In the initial stage of negotiations, the British resented the United States’ presence. But the rocky start soon gave way to cooperation, the results of which endure today. In both Northern Ireland and postwar Germany, the United States’ decision to intervene rested on powerful domestic political considerations. The role of IrishAmericans and the Jewish community in American life undoubtedly encouraged Washington to take on the considerable risks of getting involved. The same thing is increasingly happening for Asian wartime history issues. The Chinese-American and Korean-American communities are highly organized and motivated when it comes to history issues. They have brought them very much into play domestically, as evidenced most recently by the erection of monuments to Korean comfort women in towns in New Jersey and southern California. At home and abroad, the United States can no longer escape wartime history battles. For decades, Americans have tended to believe that the passage of time would heal all war wounds. But it hasn’t. Popular nationalism, fed in part by unfiltered dialogue online, is gaining strength across the region. The advent of democracy in China, which may not be far off, is likely only to complicate the situation as happened in South Korea. And so, the United States must be prepared to act, with the understanding that the diplomacy will be delicate and difficult but that there are compelling reasons and ample precedent for the United States to push its allies and partners to reconcile. Only if it takes up the charge will the United States ensure success in its role as the guardian of peace and security in East Asia.
Critical citizenship for critical times Maha Bali that restrict one’s agency to act. I focus on higher education to suggest short-term solutions. Its role extends beyond simply educating enrolled students, to community outreach. Long-term, of course, change needs to start in schools. Critical thinking in higher education If promoting citizenship is an overarching goal of higher education, universities need to go beyond just promoting critical thinking (a form of education already in short supply) and community service to focus on developing “critical citizenship.” While not necessarily a new concept, the term could help us refocus on what form of education is needed. After years of studying critical thinking, I believe that our understanding of critical thinking needs to be contextualised. I work at the American University in Cairo, and the commonly adopted version of critical thinking here is North American, which includes reflective skepticism to inform decision making. Critical thinking is understood as consisting of a set of skills (such as evaluating evidence, uncovering hidden assumptions, and logically supporting one’s argument) and dispositions (such as inquisitiveness and open-mindedness). Worldwide, it is questionable how far college can develop critical thinking in students who don’t already have it. But even this kind of traditional criticality has failed on two fronts. First, most analyses of the Egyptian situation continue to be based on conspiracy theories to explain multiple conflicting realities, with little attention paid to evaluating evidence. Indeed, sometimes there just isn’t enough evidence or a search for evidence. Second, this approach does not prepare citizens to act upon their criticism. Such action, or “critical citizenship” can benefit from two alternative con-
ceptions of critical thinking. The first conception borrows from the critical pedagogy movement originating in Paulo Freire’s work. Here, the end goal of critical thinking is to challenge the status quo in order to achieve social justice, collectively raising consciousness of conditions promoting oppression in order to achieve liberation. It is a form of critical thinking that promotes praxis – reflective action based on knowledge, rather than mere activism (which we have seen much of in Egypt in the past two years) or speech and dialogue unaccompanied by action (which we have been seeing for a longer time). It is not mere skepticism about separate facts, it is valuedriven and historically situated questioning of power structures that lie beneath the surface. This kind of thinking may be easier to adopt when teaching social sciences and humanities, but more complex to include in the study of professions, such as business, and even more difficult in the study of sciences. But it is not impossible. For example, engineering courses can infuse elements of the social, economic and ethical impact of engineering practices. The second conception of critical thinking comes from a feminist understanding of critical thinking, based on Women’s Ways of Knowing by Mary Field Belenky and her colleagues. Their research indicated that women (and some men) tend to prefer more communal and less confrontational ways of learning, rather than the pedagogies usually associated with critical thinking such as debating. This preference to understand the view of “the other” before critiquing it resonates with Edward Said’s notion of philological hermeneutics (understanding a text from the author’s viewpoint before critiquing it). This approach widens one’s worldview and also involves elements of empathy missing from the tra-
ditional understanding of critical thinking, which prioritises logic and rationality. The current situation in Egypt seems to fall on one of two sides: either complete skepticism regardless of evidence (sometimes even creating fictitious evidence); or complete and blind trust (as in the July 26 rallies in response to General El Sisi’s speech). There has also been widespread lack of empathy for how the ouster of Morsi would affect his numerous supporters. The way Egyptians keep dividing themselves, and doing so with passion, making possibilities for future reconciliation and a pluralistic society difficult, if not impossible. Egyptians need to develop their own notion of critical citizenship that does not simply adopt ideas from others, but is dialogically and reflectively developed, and responsive to contextual changes, considering issues of social justice and empathy needed in Egypt today. While most academics I know do consider universities agents of social justice, and do themselves have empathetic and social justice orientations, I believe this does not always reach students, when our focus is to develop a traditional critical thinker. My research has found three pedagogies that can help infuse elements of empathy, social justice, and action in our teaching. The first is apolitical civic engagement via grassroots community service, which research has shown promotes adult political engagement. Another is simulated political engagement such as Model United Nations (also Model Egyptian Political Parties suggested by an AUC professor), to explore solutions in a safe environment. The third is intercultural dialogue to widen empathetic understanding of diverse world views. Higher education’s role, as I see it, is to help society reflect beyond activism and resistance, necessary and important as they are. There is a need to develop critical citizens capable of negotiating multiple conflicting interests in a process of creatively co-constructing a better future. I invite other people to join the conversation on the role of higher education in the current political situation. How do you envision your role as an academic? How do you envision higher education’s influence?
a different climate
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Paul rogers
new United Nations report from its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was published on 11 April 2015. The document is the latest in a long series, but it is striking that Mitigation of Climate Change received far more publicity than most of its predecessors. In part this reflects the fact that the evidence of climate change is becoming ever clearer, indeed overwhelming. Thus, the denial community is finding its reality increasingly difficult to counter. The formidable resources devoted to organising denial stretch from fossil-fuel producing companies and states to a wider network of free-market think-tanks. All are impelled by their financial and ideological interests to oppose vigorously both recognition of and action on climate change. Since markets cannot operate fast enough to counter climate disruption, effective policy requires considerable governmental (and intergovernmental) action, including major changes in economic planning and management. This is anathema to free-market thinking; its proponents therefore argue that climate change cannot be happening. The denialists' stance here resembles the tobacco industry’s decades-long fight against the medical experts who said that smoking kills. The industry mounted intensive campaigns to counter any moves towards limiting smoking; then, when the latter proved unsuccessful, it redoubled efforts to exploit new markets in the global south with little or no regulation. In turn, a very similar approach was pursued by some of the agro-chemical giants that promoted organophosphate pesticides in the tropics in the 1960s, when these were being banned in many western countries. Voicing prophecy Much of the pressure on the climate denialists comes from the repeated instances of extreme weather now inflicting damage across the world. In themselves, extreme-weather events are familiar; but their frequency and intensity is new, as is the way that they are starting to affect wealthier regions (extensive flooding in prosperous parts of the Thames valley, west of London, is an example) (see "A flooded future: Essex to the world", 20 February 2014) The problems are so great that almost any conceivable responses will, in the short term, be inadequate. Moreover, political leadership is lacking in most countries. At the same time, a wider range of channels of action is emerging. But these factors - the very scale of the task, and the authorities' incapacity or unwillingness to act - force social engagement with the issue into new and creative channels. A good way of looking at this phenomenon is via the odd but useful definition of prophecy as “suggesting the possible”: that is, proposing well-crafted recommendations that show how positive things can be done. Some of the best work here is the product of the Centre for Alternative Technology in mid-Wales. An best example is its Zero Carbon Britain programme, which seeks to show how the country could revolutionise its use of energy by replacing fossil fuels through a combination of renewables, storage, energy conservation and - less obvious but interesting - alterations in land use. All of this could be done by 2030, though the programme does not claim that it will be easy or straightforward. Indeed, there may be many other ways to achieve the same result; but the point about Zero Carbon Britain is that it "suggests the possible" - and thereby empowers people to think in just that way. Everywhere, innovation The Mitigation of Climate Change report focuses similarly on achieving a rapid decarbonising of the world’s advanced industrial economies. A vital part of this is to ensure that global-south economies can become more emancipated and sustainable. Here, too, a huge amount of work going on, some in the field of higher education and applied research. Here are two examples among many. The first is the MSc in renewable-energy management at the University of the West Indies, supported by two forward-thinking groups at universities in Flensburg, in northern Germany. This provides a professional education in relevant disciplines that enables people in many areas of economic life to integrate renewable and energy conservation into their particular areas of work. The second is the spread of lighting devices that combine a small solar panel with rechargeable battery and efficient LED lighting. The smallest versions are designed to replace kerosene lamps, and provide ample hours of light after dark. These began to sold only in 2010, and are marketed so far in just four African countries (by the marketing group, Sunny Money - though expansion in others is planned. The speed of take-up has been so fast that the company sold its millionth product in early 2014; it has gained more than half of all its sales so far in the past year alone. A wealth of comparable innovations is underway, though they too often overshadowed by an unbalanced emphasis on the experience of the wealthy in the global north. The two dimensions need to meet via far closer cooperation. Here, much more support from northern development agencies would be very welcome, as a briefing from the Oxford Research Group argues (see Responding to Climate Change Developing the Agenda, February 2014). Making a difference Climate change and its hugely dangerous consequences are becoming clearer. There is a clear need to decarbonise the major carbon-emitters and adapt to already inevitable climate disruption. What is still missing is a longer-term recognition that relatively low-carbon economies have a right to develop in entirely new ways, maintaining low-carbon outputs while hugely improving life-chances and standards of living. There are many routes to progress, as the cases cited above indicate. There are many others finding their way. But there is an urgent need to acknowledge and support such efforts. Development assistance from the global north could go a very long way to secure measurable improvements that then achieve real synergy. If the UK's department for international development (DfID) and its equivalents engage in this agenda, they could well be astonished by the results. The stakes are high, but so is the potential reward.
Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
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Dimapur
Thursday 17 April 2014
NATIONAL
The Morung Express
All set for polling in 6 phase of Lok Sabha battle New Delhi, April 16 (iANS): Polling begins at 7 a.m. Thursday in 121 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over 12 states in the sixth phase of staggered general election, officials said Wednesday. Some 197 million electorate will be eligible to pick 121 members to the lower house of parliament from among 1,767 candidates in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Simultaneous balloting will be held for 77 of the 147 assembly seats in Odisha and two assembly constituencies in West Bengal. The earlier polling in Odisha took place April 10. “Tomorrow is a big day, and the Election Commission is all geared up,” a senior official told IANS. “We have mobilized all resources for a free and fair election.” Election has already taken place in 111 Lok Sabha constituencies in the earlier five rounds of balloting that began April 7. Thursday will see the largest number of Lok Sabha seats in contention until now. Among the prominent candidates Thursday are Ghulam Nabi Azad (Udhampur), Maneka Gandhi (Pilibhit), Shatrughan Sinha (Patna Sahib), Jaswant Singh (Barmer), M. Veerappa Moily (Chikkaballapur), Ananth Ku-
th
Huge stakes for Congress, BJP
Polling officials check an electronic voting machine at a distribution centre ahead of the fifth phase of Indian parliamentary elections in Bangalore, India, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. The multiphase voting across the country runs until May 12, with results for the 543-seat lower house of Parliament announced May 16. (AP Photo
mar and Nandan Nilekani (Bangalore South), Misha Bharti (Patliputra), Sachin Pilot (Ajmer), Sushilkumar Shinde (Solapur), Buta Singh (Jalore), Ashok Chavan (Nanded), Gopinath Munde (Beed), Supriya Sule (Baramati), V. Balakrishnan (Banglaore Central), B.S. Yeddyurappa (Shimoga), and S.S. Ahluwalia and Bhaichung Bhutia (Darjeeling). According to the Election Commission, about 1.37 million staff will oversee the polling in 225,387
6 killed in Karnataka bus fire
BANgAlore, April 16 (iANS): At least six passengers were burnt to death and a dozen injured early Wednesday when the private-run bus in which they were travelling caught fire in Karnataka, an official said. The accident took place in Hiriyur (town) in Chitradurga district, about 160 km from here. “The tragedy occurred around 3 a.m. when the bus from Davangere to Bangalore caught fire and fell into a ditch on the side of national highway four (NH 4),” Chitradurga Superintendent of Police Ravi Kumar told IANS. Of the injured, five are in a critical condition with severe burns and have been admitted to hospitals. “Six burnt bodies have been pulled out so far from the bus. A rescue team is searching if more bodies are trapped in the wreckage, as about 30 passengers were travelling and 20 escaped with injuries,” Kumar said. Police registered a case against driver and bus operator under section 304 and are investigating the cause of fire. “The cause is not yet known as the fire, which appeared to have started in the front portion near the driver seat, spread quickly across the bus trapping the victims. Most of the passengers were asleep when the incident occurred,” Kumar added.
Be agents of change, Prez tells civil servants
New Delhi, April 16 (iANS): Civil servants should be “agents of the change which they wish to see in their society and country”, President Pranab Mukherjee said Wednesday. Addressing a group of probationers of the Indian Postal Service (2010-2013 batches) and the Indian Post and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (2011-2013 batches), Mukherjee said the officers were entering service at a time of “great flux” and “ever increasing expectations” of the citizenry. “The state is today no longer merely responsible for the maintenance of law and order or the dispensation of justice. Its role today is far more pro-active and far more inclusive... the philosophy of development today is empowerment of people through entitlements backed by legal guarantees,” said Mukherjee. “As the nature and scope of the activities of the state changes, the role of its administration assumes greater importance such as Right to Information, Right to Education, etc. Therefore, the greatest challenge before the civil servants today is to adjust to this new role of the government,” he added. The president urged the officer trainees “to be the agents of the change which you wish to see in your society and country.”
I should have consulted people before quitting: Kejriwal
VArANASi, April 16 (iANS): AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday said he committed a “mistake” of not consulting people before resigning as chief minister of Delhi. “I think we made a mistake on (the issue of) resignation. Resignation in principle was (however) right,” Kejriwal told NDTV here. Kejriwal and his cabinet quit Feb 14 after failing to pass the Jan Lokpal bill in the Delhi assembly because of opposition from the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. “We should have consulted people before resigning the way we did before forming the government, which we didn’t do,” he added. “It was a communication problem.” Kejriwal, who was chief minister for 49 days, agreed that the decision did not go down well with the people. “People could not absorb it. I should have interacted with people the way I did in (the) 10 days during campaigning in Delhi... I should have gone among (the) people.” But he insisted that he made a “sacrifice” by resigning as chief minister. “I could have also stuck to the chief minister’s post as others do but my conscience did not allow (me to do so). “We thought we had done a big sacrifice, and the public would praise us. But the public couldn’t understand the logic.”
centres until 6 p.m., barring in the lone Manipur parliamentary seat where balloting will end at 4 p.m. Weeks of hectic campaigning including rallies and road shows for the sixth round ended Tuesday evening. Thursday will see election in all 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, 20 in Rajasthan, 19 in Maharashtra, 11 each in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, seven in Bihar, six in Jharkhand, four in West Bengal, three in Chhattisgarh and one
each in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. In West Bengal, all eyes are on Darjeeling where football icon Bhaichung Bhutia (Trinamool Congress) is pitted against S.S. Ahluwalia (BJP). Bihar’s 117 candidates also include former union home secretary R.K. Singh (BJP). In Rajasthan, voting will take place in 20 of the 25 constituencies including Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Ajmer and Banswara.
In Karnataka, 434 candidates are in the fray. Most constituencies will see four-way contests involving the BJP, the Congress, Janata Dal-Secular and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The 19 seats in Maharashtra are located in Marathwada, the sugarrich belt in the western part of the state and coastal Konkan. In Uttar Pradesh, the 11 constituencies, including Moradabad, Nagina, Rampur, Aonla and Pilibhit, have 151 candidates. BJP’s
New Delhi, April 16 (AgeNcieS): Both the Congress and the BJP have huge stakes in the fifth phase of voting in 122 Lok Sabha constituencies scheduled on April 17. This phase covers largest number of Lok Sabha seats in an election spread over nine separate days beginning from April 7 to May 12. Karnataka where all the 28 Lok Sabha constituencies would witness polling would undoubtedly be the most exciting. In the state assembly election held ten months ago the Congress captured power from the BJP which for the first time since 2008 had succeeded in forming a government. However, the May 2013 assembly election was a different ball game for the Congress as the BJP was in a very bad shape after the exit of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa from the party. Now that he is back in to the party fold, the Lok Sabha poll would not the same for the Congress. Karnataka is one state in the country where the popularity of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would be tested. It would be watched with keen interest as to how much difference he could make to fortunes of his party faced Maneka Gandhi is trying her luck for the sixth time in a Lok Sabha contest. In Jammu and Kashmir, union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is facing his career’s biggest challenge in Udhampur. In Chhattisgarh, veteran Congress leader Ajit Jogi is contesting from Mahasamund while Chief Minister Raman Singh’s son Abhishek Singh is making his electoral debut in Rajnandgaon. Among the seats going to the polls in Jharkhand
with Congress which emerged victorious 10 months ago. Twenty of the 24 Lok Sabha constituencies in Rajasthan would be covered in Thursday’s poll. In the 2009 general election the Congress had won 20 seats. However, its performance in the December state assembly election was disastrous. It is to be seen if the Congress could manage to recover some ground. In Maharashtra 19 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats are slated for voting. The CongressNCP alliance had won 25 seats in the 2009 election. After the split in the Shiv Sena, it would be interesting to watch how much difference ‘Modi factor’ would make in the state. 11 seats each in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are scheduled for the fifth phase. In both the states the BJP is making a determined effort to capture as many seats as possible. In Odisha the party is looking to challenge the citadel of Biju Janata Dal (BJP) led by Navin Patnaik. Bihar is another interesting state to watch where seven of the 40 seats would see polling. It is for the first time the BJP is testing its fortunes on its own after the Janata dal (United) ended its 17 year long alliance with it.
are Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Giridih and Hazaribagh. Four more rounds of Lok Sabha election will take place until May 12. The millions of votes cast across the country will be counted May 16 - to know which party or coalition will get to rule India the next five years. 134 million have voted so far Nearly 134 million people have voted in the first five phases of the Lok
Sabha election, official statistics show. The staggered, 10-phase polls began April 7. They will end May 12. The highest voter turnout of some 120 million was recorded April 10 when 91 constituencies in 10 states and four union territories went to polls. The least turnout was on April 11 when the lone constituency in Mizoram voted, drawing nearly half a million voters. As many as 197.1 people are eligible to vote Thursday in the sixth round of polling.
Global media gives thumbs down to Narendra Modi as PM New Delhi, April 16 (TNN): The international media has been largely unsparing towards BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi. The most recent issue of The Economist had the PM hopeful on the cover, with a strongly worded editorial inside that said: “This newspaper cannot bring itself to back Mr Modi for India’s highest office. “While the piece created ripples among Modi supporters in India, it comes in a series of similar damning reports and editorials. In an April 14 article in the Guardian titled ‘Narendra Modi : Britain can’t simply shrug off this Hindu extremist’, author Priyamvada Gopal made a case for the UK severing its links with
the man. She writes: “In the face of a global resurgence of the right we must be alert to all its extremist forms. Britons committed to anti-fascism must not allow their country to abdicate morality.” A piece by Thane Richard in the Quartz also went viral on social media last month. It spoke of how India would cross the “moral line of no return” if Modi becomes PM. Taking on Modi’s insistence on leveraging development over other issues, Richard writes: “Has India become so desperate for rapid economic growth... that she has forgotten basic humanity? It seems that, in the race towards higher GDP, the majority of India is willing to inject itself with the steroids of
India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addresses supporters during a campaign rally at Balasore, about 200 kms from Bhubaneswar, on April 11. (AP File Photo)
bigotry or ruthlessness . Ethics sion of his marriage in his elecbe damned.” tion affidavit came in for internaEven Modi’s recent admis- tional attention.
The Pakistan press has, predictably, focused on Kashmir. Calling Modi a “challenge to the conscience of South Asia”, Sanjay Kumar writes in The Express Tribune, “Any attempt to question the status quo in Kashmir and reverse the nuclear doctrine will have a strong reaction.” The piece was titled, “Narendra Modi will be bad for Pakistan — and India”. The Huffington Post, however, hosted a more favourable article on the three-time Gujarat CM by Sunil Adams on 31 March. Adams argues that with Modi at the helm, “India can finally leave its past behind, or at least the unsavory parts, and really make, what one illustrious Brahmin once called, ‘a tryst with destiny.’”
CAG audit pushed Electronic Voting Machines
New Delhi, April 16 (iANS): But for searching questions by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) almost two decades ago, electronic voting machines (EVMs), that have become a hitech symbol of India’s electoral efficiency and reliability, may never have been fully introduced in the country. According to a senior retired official of the Election Commission, the EVMs, which have made casting and counting of votes a hassle-free task, would have remained at the experimental system if the CAG had not pointed in 1996-97 to the tens of millions of rupees spent on developing the technology.
“It (EVM) as a concept was first conceived around 1977-78 to fight the problems of poll rigging, booth capturing and other such activities,” the official told IANS here. “As a follow-up to this, two public sector enterprises, Bharat Electronics and the Electronics Corporation of India, were given the mandate to develop the machines on an experimental basis.” According to the official, suggestions and advice from experts around the world and the country was sought on the ways to make the EVMs efficient and easily usable by even illiterates. A small initial order for EVMs was placed for a Kerala byelection in 1981 but the Supreme Court struck down
the results. Not losing hope on the gen-next technology, the EC’s views on using the EVMs was supported by the Goswami Committee on Election Reforms. “It was only after the amendments in the Representation of the People Act and the conduct of Election Rules that the EC made detailed provisions for using the EVMs.” Placing an ambitious order of about 150,000 EVMs at a cost of Rs.75 crore from Bharat Electronics and the Electronics Corporation of India, the EC was set to introduce them in a phased manner in all the constituencies. However, financial and political obstructions scuttled the process.
“For around nine years, EVMs were not introduced in the country even though a large number had been purchased. This came to the notice of the CAG, which asked some tough questions,” the official said. In 1998, at the initiative of then chief election commissioner M.S.Gill, elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram were conducted using the EVMs. During the same period, the entire electoral rolls were computerised and photo identity cards were also issued. Since 2004, the EC has conducted the elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies only through EVMs.
Lack of awareness about heamophilia persists
New Delhi, April 16 (iANS): Sageer Ahmad, a tailor by profession, got to know about haemophilia when his year-old son hurt himself and started bleeding profusely. But Ahmad still didn’t learn his lesson. His second son born after a gap of three years was also detected with the blood disorder. Similar is the story of Bimlesh Sharma. Despite knowing that she is a carrier of the lifelong disorder, she did not get a detection test done when she was pregnant. The result: her son has the same genetic disorder. Ahmad and Sharma are not the only people who choose to ignore the importance of pre-natal diagnosis of haemophilia - a congenital lifelong bleeding disorder that prevents the blood from properly clotting. “I got to know about Zahid’s condition when he was a year old. He hurt himself and started bleeding. It was only when he was admitted to the hospital for 15 long days did we know about the disease (disorder),” the 34-year-old resident of Faridabad told IANS.
April 17 is World Haemophilia Day Asked if he and his wife got the test done, he replied: “People used to say that an evil spirit has entered my son’s body and that he was not suffering from any disease. It was later that I got to know about his problem. But by the time we realised it, my second son Shahid was born,” he added. Doctors and health experts said awareness about the disease still prevails. “Pre-natal diagnosis of haemophilia in India is not common and more awareness is required. Eighty percent of haemophilia cases are seen among the lower income groups and many go undetected,” said Anita Suryanarayan, chief of lab services, Lister Metropolis, a Chennaibased laboratory. India is home to approximately 100,000 people affected with haemophilia, with an estimated prevalence rate of 1:10,000, say experts. “Haemophilia is neither communicable nor transmitted;
it is transferred through inheritance. However, there are chances of getting it even when there is no family history. About onethird of the haemophilia cases reported are new cases - caused by the new mutation of a gene in the mother or the child,” V.P. Choudhary, head of department, haematology, Paras Hospital, Gurgaon, told IANS. “In case the father carries the gene and the mother does not, then none of the boys will inherit haemophilia; however the girls will be carrying the mutated genes,” Choudhary said, adding that women who carry haemophilia genes are called ‘carriers’. “There are around 14,000 registered patients. Sadly, almost 75 percent suffering from the disorder cannot afford the treatment costs. It is a disease that is mostly undiagnosed, unreported and most importantly the patients do not get registered,” Choudhary told IANS. He added that not many hos-
pitals in India provide pre-natal diagnostic facilities. “There may be no symptoms at birth. However, some symptoms like unusual bleeding during teething and vaccination or severe bruising of the joints when the child is learning to walk may be indicators,” said Manoj Rawat, head of the blood bank at PSRI Hospital. “Depending on the missing clotting factor, haemophilia is classified into haemophilia A or B. Type A is again classified into mild, moderate or severe based on the percentage of deficiency of the clotting factor,” Rawat explained and added that in mild cases, one may not be aware of the problem until there is trauma, a dental procedure or surgery. According to experts, without treatment or due to delays in treatment, people with haemophilia suffer tremendous pain, swelling, joint damage and possible joint destruction from
bleeding. Asked how difficult it is to counsel parents, Choudhary said: “It is very difficult as it has to be explained to parents that their child is suffering from a rare affliction. Also it is even more challenging to make them understand that the child may have inherited the disorder from the parents.” “It makes the entire process difficult as the parents are not able to understand the condition and accept the fact that it is incurable,” he said. Bimlesh Sharma added: “When I was expecting my child, my in-laws told me that there was no need for me to go for the test. They said nothing will happen.” “My brother had the disease, and he was almost about to die because of lack of medical facilities. It was much later that we found a doctor who was able to help us,” she said. Advising others, Ahmad said: “Though I did not get to know about the disease at the right time, I would suggest other parents to go for the pre-natal test even if they have the slightest doubt.”
InternatIonal
the Morung express
Thursday 17 April 2014
Dimapur
9
South Korea ferry disaster, 284 still missing
SEOUL, ApriL 16 (Ap): A ferry carrying 462 people, mostly high school students on an overnight trip to a tourist island, sank off South Korea’s southern coast on Wednesday, leaving more than 280 people missing despite a frantic, hours-long rescue by dozens of ships and helicopters. At least four people were confirmed dead and 55 injured. The high number of people unaccounted for — likely trapped in the ship or floating in the ocean — raised fears that the death toll could rise drastically, making it one of South Korea’s biggest ferry disasters since 1993, when 292 people died. One student, Lim Hyung-min, told broadcaster YTN after being rescued that he and other students jumped into the ocean wearing life jackets and then swam to a nearby rescue boat. “As the ferry was shaking and tilting, we all tripped and bumped into each another,” Lim said, adding that some people were bleeding. Once he jumped, the ocean “was so cold. ... I was hurrying, thinking that I wanted to live.” Local television stations broadcast live pictures of the ship, Sewol, listing to its side and slowly sinking as passengers jumped out or were winched up by helicopters. At least 87 vessels and 18 aircraft swarmed around the stricken ship. Rescuers clambered over
In this image taken from video released by News Y via Yonhap, passengers from a ferry sinking off South Korea’s southern coast, are rescued by a South Korean Coast Guard helicopter in the water off the southern coast near Jindo, south of Seoul, on Wednesday, April 16. Nearly 300 people were still missing Wednesday several hours after the ferry carrying 477, most of them high school students, sank in cold waters off South Korea’s southern coast. (AP Photo)
its sides, pulling out passengers wearing orange life jackets. But the ship overturned completely and continued to sink slowly. Within a few hours only its blue-and-white bow stuck out of the water. Some 160 coast guard and navy divers searched for survivors inside the ship’s wreckage a few kilometers (miles) from Byeongpung Island, which
is not far from the mainland and about 470 kilometers (290 miles) from Seoul. Cho Man-yong, a coast guard spokesman, said 16 divers approached the ferry Wednesday night but failed to get inside because the current was too strong. He said the water was very muddy and visibility was poor, but navy and coast guard divers planned to make another approach af-
ter midnight. “We cannot give up,” said South Korean President Park Geun-hye, after a briefing in Seoul with officials. “We have to do our best to rescue even one passenger.” Those rescued — wet, stunned and many without shoes — were brought to nearby Jindo Island, where medical teams wrapped them in pink blankets and
Infant hair reveals life inside the womb!
NEw YOrK, ApriL 16 (iANS): Hairs can reveal a lot, from your personality to even drug abuse or hormonal changes. Now, add foetus growth in the womb to the hair list. In a thrilling discovery, a team of researchers including an Indian-origin scientist have found that hair can also reveal the womb environment in which an infant was formed. They used infant hair to examine the hormonal environment to which the foetus was exposed during development - promising to unleash a wealth of new information in the fields of neonatology, psychology social science to neurology. “We had this ‘Aha!’ realisation that we could use hair in newborns, because it starts growing one to two months before birth,” said Christopher Coe, director of the Harlow cen-
tre for biological psychology at University of Wisconsin-Madison. “The findings raise questions about everything from the significance of birth order to stereotypical `boy’ and `girl’ behaviours in children,” Amita Kapoor, an assistant researcher at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Centre, noted. Additionally, what happens to a developing foetus while in the womb may impact its risk for chronic disease later in life, Kapoor added. According to researchers, hair closest to the scalp reveals the most recent information but moving down the shaft effectively transits an individual’s hormonal timeline. For the study, researchers took small samples of hair from mother rhesus monkeys and their infants using common hair clippers. The
checked them for injuries before settling them down on the floor of a cavernous gymnasium hall. The ship had set off from Incheon, a city in South Korea’s northwest and the site of the country’s main international airport, on Tuesday night for an overnight, 14-hour journey to the tourist island of Jeju. Three hours from its destination, the ferry sent a
distress call at about 9 a.m. Wednesday after it began listing to one side, according to the Ministry of Security and Public Administration. Officials didn’t know what caused it to sink and said the focus was still on rescuing survivors. Lee Gyeong-og, a vice minister for South Korea’s Public Administration and Security Ministry, said 30 crew members, 325 high
school students, 15 school teachers and 89 non-student passengers were aboard the ship. Kang Byung-kyu, a government minister, said two of the dead were a female crew member and a male high school student. He said a third body was also believed to be that of a student. A coast guard officer confirmed a fourth fatality but had no immediate details about it. Kang said 55 were injured. Coast guard officials said 174 people were rescued and 284 were unaccounted for. Yonhap news agency said the 146-meter (480-foot) -long ship, which travels twice a week between Incheon and Jeju, was built in Japan in 1994 and could carry a maximum of 921 people, 180 vehicles and 152 shipping containers. The water temperature in the area was about 12ºC(54ºF), cold enough to cause signs of hypothermia after about 1½ hours of exposure, according to an emergency official who spoke on condition of anonymity citing department rules. Lee, the vice minister, said the ocean is 37 meters (121 feet) deep in the area. Passenger Kim Seongmok told YTN that he was certain that many people were trapped inside the ferry as water quickly rushed in and the severe tilt of the vessel kept them from reaching the exits. Some people urged those who couldn’t get out to
break windows. Kim said that after having breakfast he felt the ferry tilt and then heard it crash into something. He said the ferry operator made an announcement asking that passengers wait and not move from their places. Kim said he didn’t hear any announcement telling passengers to escape. The students — about half of them boys and half girls— are from Danwon High School in Ansan city, which is near Seoul, and were on their way to Jeju island for a four-day trip, according to a relief team set up by Gyeonggi province, which governs the city. There are faster ways to get to Jeju, but some people take the ferry from Incheon because it is cheaper than flying. Many South Korean high schools organize trips for students in their first or second years, and Jeju is a popular destination. The students on the ferry were in their second year, which would make most of them 16 or 17. At the high school, students were sent home and parents gathered for news about the ferry. Park Ji-hee, a first-year student, said she saw about a dozen parents crying at the school entrance and many cars and taxis gathered at the gate as she left in the morning. The Maritime Ministry said the two previous deadliest ferry disasters were in 1970 when 323 people drowned and in 1993 when 292 people died.
hair was cleaned and pulverised into a fine powder using a high-speed grinder. The hormonal signature was then read using a new mass spectrometry method. They found that cortisone, an inactive form of stress hormone cortisol, was higher in young mothers and in their babies than in hair of the older mothers and their infants. Babies born to young mothers also had higher levels of estrone (a form of estrogen) and testosterone in their hair than did babies born to older mothers. “Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, coronary artery disease and psychiatric disorders - there may be a whole host of long-term repercussions of stress in utero,” Kapoor emphasised. The study appeared in the journal Pediatric Research.
New York Police ends spying on Muslims
wAShiNgTON, ApriL 16 (iANS): New York Police Department has disbanded a controversial surveillance unit started after the September 11, 2001, attacks to catalogue information on Muslim businesses and mosques across the New York region. Developed with the CIA’s help after 9/11, the so-called Demographics Unit-or Zone Assessment Unit-has been the target of controversy and civil lawsuits. “Understanding certain local demographics can be a useful factor when assessing information regarding potential threats coming to the attention of the New York City Police Department,” the department said in a statement Tuesday.
But “it has been determined that much of the same information previously gathered by the Zone Assessment Unit may be obtained through direct outreach by the NYPD to the communities concerned,” it said. Muslim Advocates and the Centre for Constitutional Rights, two advocacy groups that filed a lawsuit challenging the unit and its activities in 2012, said they were pleased it had been disbanded but want to ensure the surveillance stops. Welcoming the dismantling of the unit “as a long overdue step towards reining in the unconstitutional excesses of the NYPD” they said in a joint statement, “what has to stop is the
practice of suspicion-less surveillance of Muslim communities, not just the unit assigned to do it.” “We will continue to work, through litigation and advocacy, to ensure the NYPD is fully and finally respecting the rights of the Muslim community.” That suit, Hassan v. City of New York, was dismissed in February and is currently under appeal. The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, also welcomed the disbanding of the surveillance unit. “This is an important first step. However, the damage of unconstitutional mass spying on people solely on the basis of their religion has already been carried out and must be ad-
dressed,” said Board President Ryan Mahoney. “We need to hear from the mayor and NYPD officials that the policy itself has been ended and that the department will no longer apply mass surveillance or other forms of biased and predatory policing to any faith-based community,” he said. “Our administration has promised the people of New York a police force that keeps our city safe, but that is also respectful and fair,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This reform is a critical step forward in easing tensions between the police and the communities they serve, so that our cops and our citizens can help one another go after the real bad guys,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
A protester hangs an image of Jesus Christ with a gas mask on a car during a march of remembrance for those fallen during the protests in Venezuela, Tuesday, April. 15, 2014. As Venezuela’s opposition is resuming negotiations with the government doubts are arising that the talks will produce a breakthrough. (AP Photo)
Australian state leader quits over $2,800 wine
CANBErrA, ApriL 16 (Ap): The leader of Australia’s most populous state quit as premier on Wednesday in the face of mounting evidence that he failed to declare a 3,000 Australian dollar ($2,800) bottle of wine that arrived as a gift on his Sydney doorstep. New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell had told a corruption inquiry on Tuesday that he never received a bottle of 1959 Penfolds Grange Hermitage as a gift from businessman Nick Di Girolamo congratulating him weeks after his 2011 election win. Grange is an iconic label and is synonymous with expensive Aus-
tralian wine. O’Farrell said he announced his resignation Wednesday because he was told that a thank-you note he wrote to Di Girolamo and his wife would be handed over to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, an agency that investigates allegations of official corruption. “Dear Nick and Jodie,” O’Farrell wrote in the note. “We wanted to thank you for your kind note & the wonderful wine. 1959 was a good year, even if it is getting even further away!” the note read, referring to O’Farrell’s birth year as well as the vintage. “Thanks for all your support,” O’Farrell wrote.
O’Farrell accepted that he had written the note, but maintained he could not recall receiving the wine. He said he would officially resign at a meeting of his center-right Liberal Party lawmaker colleagues next week. Later Wednesday, O’Farrell told the inquiry that he did not give any special treatment to Di Girolamo’s company, Australian Water Holdings. The inquiry has been told that Di Girolamo had wanted to develop a AU$1 billion private-public partnership with O’Farrell’s newly elected government, but that the government rejected the proposal.
Rivals show force in eastern Ukraine before talks
KrAMATOrSK/SLAViANSK, ApriL 16 UKrAiNE (rEUTErS): Ukrainian government forces and separatist pro-Russian militia staged rival shows of force in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday amid escalating rhetoric on the eve of crucial four-power talks in Geneva on the former Soviet country’s future. Government troops drove seven armoured personnel carriers flying the Ukrainian flag into the town of Kramatorsk after securing control of a nearby airfield from the rebels on Tuesday, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn of the risk of civil war. But just 15 km (9 miles) away, armed men in different types of combat fatigues drove six armoured personnel carriers, one flying the Russian flag, into the town of Slaviansk, stopping outside the town hall,
which is occupied by separatists. The armed men waved as they drove in, and some people waved back and shouted: “Well done lads!” and “Russia” Russia!” Overhead, a Ukrainian jet fighter carried out several minutes of aerobatics above the town’s main square in a clear show of strength by Kiev’s forces. In the industrial city of Donetsk, at least 20 armed separatists occupied the city council building, a spokeswoman for the council said. The muscleflexing and inflamed rhetoric heightened fears of violence after Moscow-backed gunmen occupied public buildings in 10 eastern towns and cities in the last week. The Kiev government is seeking to reassert control slowly and without bloodshed before Thursday’s Geneva
meeting at which the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers are due to meet for the first time in the presence of the United States and the European Union. Russia, which has refused to recognise Ukraine’s pro-Western government since Moscowbacked President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted by mass protests in February, sought to dramatise instability in its neighbour ahead of those talks. BRINK OF CIVIL WAR Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone call late on Tuesday that Kiev had “embarked on an anti-constitutional course” by using the army against the rebels. “The sharp escalation of the conflict puts the country, in effect, on the brink of civil war,” a Kremlin statement quoted him as saying.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk reacted by accusing Moscow of “exporting terrorism to Ukraine”. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking in Vietnam before heading to Geneva, said Kiev should listen to what he called the voice of the people of Ukraine and avoid force. “It is unacceptable to use (the armed) forces in the eastern Ukraine,” he told reporters in Hanoi. The Ukrainian government launched what it called a “special operation” on Tuesday against separatist militia in the Russian-speaking East, although aside from a landing by airborne troops the action was limited and avoided casualties. Soldiers disembarked from two helicopters at the airfield 10 km (6 miles) from Kramatorsk, where reporters heard gunfire that seemed to prevent
an air force plane from landing. There was no sign of violence in the area on Wednesday, but civilians watching the armoured vehicles enter the town reflected the sharp political divisions in the mainly Russian-speaking southeastern Donbass region. A group of about 30 local residents blocked the APCs briefly and tried to prevent them going through, a Reuters witness said. Soldiers dismounted and pushed them away. One shot was fired in the air in a brief scuffle before the vehicles moved on. The protesters managed to take away one hand-held radio and two rifle magazines from soldiers. CRIMEAN PARALLELS Elsewhere in Kramatorsk, there was no overt sign of hostility as several hundred people milled around another
cluster of six APCs from the 25th paratroop brigade from Dnieperpetrovsk. Some residents gave the soldiers tea and bread. But one man, who gave his name as Sergei, said the troops were unwelcome, contrasting the use of the army with the authorities’ tolerance of a protest camp on the central Maidan square in the capital. “I don’t like these troops. As far as Kiev is concerned, we are not people,” he said. “For some reason they didn’t send tanks onto the Maidan (Independence Square in Kiev) but they send troops to us. Donbass will not forgive this. The country does not exist any more.” The United States and the EU have accused Moscow of orchestrating the separatist operation in eastern Ukraine as it did in the Ukrainian Black Sea province of Crimea before an-
nexing the region last month. Russia, which Western governments says has massed about 40,000 troops just across the border with eastern Ukraine, denies the charge. The Kremlin is demanding that Kiev accept a loose federal structure for Ukraine. The standoff has raised fears in the West and in Kiev that Russia might intervene militarily to “protect” Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine, A spokesman for U.S. President Barack Obama said Ukraine’s government was obliged to respond to “provocations” in the east, but Washington was not considering sending arms to Kiev. The White House said it was seriously considering adding to sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea, but the State Department said such action was unlikely before the Geneva meeting.
10
Dimapur
SPORTS
Thursday 17 April 2014
The Morung Express
Arsenal wins to jump back into top four
LONDON, APRIL 16 (AP): Lukas Podolski scored twice as Arsenal came from a goal down to beat West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday and provisionally reclaim the last Champions League spot. Arsenal trailed to Matthew Jarvis' 40th-minute opener, but Podolski equalized before the break and Arsenal dominated the second half. Olivier Giroud made amends for an earlier miss by showing off a delicate touch in the area to put Arsenal ahead in the 55th and Podolski finished off the win with another clinical strike in the 78th. Arsenal leapfrogged Everton into fourth place, although the Merseyside club is only one point behind with a game in hand. "It was a hard-fought win, but a very, very important one," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "The key was (to score) just before halftime. In the second half we controlled well the game." Coming off their penalty-shootout win against Wigan in the FA Cup semifinals on Saturday, Arsenal looked sluggish at the start. West Ham was the better team for the first 30 minutes, but when the opening goal came it was against the run of play following a period of sustained Arsenal pressure. Kim Kallstrom, making his first start for Arsenal since joining on loan in January, lost track of Antonio Nocerino down the right flank as the West Ham player broke into the area. Nocerino's shot was stopped by Wojciech Szczesny, but Jarvis was there
Arsene Wenger gamble on oldies pays off
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, center, scores a goal past West Ham's goalkeeper Adrian, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates stadium in London, Tuesday, April 15. (AP Photo)
to head in the rebound in a goalmouth scramble. Jarvis then could have earned a penalty shortly afterward when Bacary Sagna clearly clipped his legs in the area, but he stayed on his feet and the referee waved play on. "I'm grateful for that," Wenger said about Jarvis staying on his feet. "I don't think it was a penalty, but he touched him. Can you be too honest? I'll leave
you that judgement." West Ham manager Sam Allardyce certainly thought so. "The facts are that when you stay on your feet the referees don't give penalties," Allardyce said. "When there's contact, you have to go down and make the referee's mind up for him. There's no reward for honesty." Arsenal responded shortly thereafter as Santi Cazorla found Podolski in
the area and the Germany forward took one touch to create space before slotting a clinical finish inside the far post. Before that, Giroud had wasted Arsenal's two best chances as the France striker couldn't make contact with Podolski's cross in the 14th, and then wasted a one-on-one opportunity in the 30th. Cazorla picked out Giroud that time as
well, but the Frenchman went for finesse rather than power, trying to chip the ball with the outside of his boot past Adrian, but the goalkeeper palmed it away. Giroud made no mistake the next time, however, after Thomas Vermaelen picked him out with a long ball into the area. Giroud downed it with a perfect first touch and then slotted a shot between Adrian's legs
to put the hosts up for good. Arsenal kept pressing and the third goal came after Giroud broke down the left and sent a high pass in toward substitute Aaron Ramsey, who picked out Podolski with a header and the German blasted a high shot into the net. "He's a fantastic finisher," Wenger said of Podolski. "The one you want to have a chance is him."
LONDON, APRIL 16 (REUTERS): Arsene Wenger took a risk by picking Arsenal’s old guard against West Ham United on Tuesday but it paid off with a 3-1 win as his weary side regained fourth place in the Premier League. The Frenchman fielded a team with an average age of 29 at the Emirates, with Olivier Giroud their youngest outfield player at 27, as he banked on his golden oldies to get a result. Wenger, renowned for developing young players, opted for a wealth of experience to overcome stubborn West Ham and wrestle back fourth place, and the last Champions League qualification spot, from Everton who are a point behind with a game in hand. “It was a gamble,” Wenger told a news conference. “I said before the game it was the oldest team that I have ever played at Arsenal since I’ve been here.” In fact he fielded an Arsenal team with an average age of 30 against Leeds United in 2003 but his point was valid. “I trusted the experience of the players,” said Wenger. “Tonight it was an unusual around 30 (years of age) team and that experience helps when your backs are against the wall.” Arsenal reached the FA Cup final on Saturday on penalties against second-tier holders Wigan Athletic but, without a win in four league games and with the semi-final having taken its toll, Wenger decided older heads were needed against West Ham. Goals from Lukas Podolski either side of a sublime Olivier Giroud finish secured the win for Arsenal, who fell behind to a Matt Jarvis header five minutes before halftime. MENTAL TOUGHNESS It was Giroud’s strike, his 14th league goal this season, that especially pleased Wenger, who hailed the France striker’s mental toughness after a tame finish in the first half when played through on goal caused uproar amongst the home fans. “Olivier is a great guy with a great mentality,” Wenger said. "At halftime he came in and was very down because he missed a great chance but he responded well in the second because mentally he is a strong guy.” Giroud, who was dropped from the starting lineup against Wigan, held off the challenge of two defenders to deftly bring down Thomas Vermaelen’s long ball and strike his shot between West Ham’s goalkeeper Adrian’s legs. "It was a perfect first touch,” the Arsenal manager said. “What I like is that he used his upper body first to make some space and despite that he managed to have a great first touch, and he finished well. “He’s come through a difficult period. I think it affected his game for a while and his confidence. Tonight you could see that he was refreshed and up for it.” Arsenal now have 67 points and four games left, one ahead of Everton who host Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and they will be confident they can hold off the challenge of their rivals who have more difficult fixtures in their remaining five games.
Clippers set franchise Srinivasan is among 13 named by Mudgal: SC mark with 57th win
Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick, left, looks to shoot as Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Brooks defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game on April 15, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
LOS ANGELES, APRIL 16 (AP): Blake Griffin won't be playing in Portland, regardless of whether his 16th technical of the season is rescinded. Griffin will stay home to rest, along with J.J. Redick, while the rest of the Los Angeles Clippers close out the regular season against the Trail Blazers. They recorded their franchise-record 57th victory with a 117-105 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, when Griffin scored 24 points. "I'm very happy that we're doing this stuff, but it's not what we want," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists, and Redick added 18 points in the Clippers' finale at home, where they went 34-7 for another franchise mark. DeAndre Jordan had 13 points and 16 rebounds. "It's all good and well," Paul said about the franchise records, "but it's all about the postseason." The win kept the Clippers in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They would need to win at Portland and Oklahoma City would need to lose to Detroit on Wednesday night for the Clippers to claim the sec-
ond spot. Otherwise, they will remain the third seed. Griffin's 16th tech triggered a league-mandated one-game suspension. But he said he thinks the league might rescind it. "I honestly do," he said. "It was one of those ones that was kind of a continuation. If I make a play on the ball and I hit the ball first, and he gives me a tech for that, I'm not sure if that's going to stand up." Griffin was assessed the tech with 3:23 left in the second quarter. He swung his right arm around to try to get the ball from Timofey Mozgov and hit him in the head. Griffin pleaded his case with the referees to no avail. Teammate Jared Dudley saw the play and was confident the call would be rescinded. "He did hit ball, but he did follow through and hit his face," Dudley said. "If it wasn't an offensive foul, the ref said that he wouldn't have called the technical; it would have been more of a flagrant." Kenneth Faried led the Nuggets with 21 points and Aaron Brooks added 19. Mozgov had 18 points and 11 rebounds as Denver's three-game winning streak ended. "Every time, it's tough to play against the big guys like them," Mozgov
said about Griffin and Jordan. "They work under the basket so hard." The Clippers scored the game's first 13 points and never looked back. Paul hit two 3-pointers and Matt Barnes added another before the Nuggets called timeout to regroup. Redick scored 10 unanswered points by himself, including two 3-pointers that extended the Clippers' lead to 18 points. Griffin had three one-handed highlight dunks in the first. "We were rattled at the beginning of the game," Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. "We couldn't settle down and they jumped out to that big lead, and it was just too much for us." Mozgov helped the Nuggets close within singledigits after trailing by 23 with a three-point play that left them down 88-80 to end the third. Denver twice got within five in the fourth, when all of the Clippers' starters except Barnes and Jordan rested. But Los Angeles pulled away down the stretch for the easy win. "I wanted them to figure it out," Rivers said of the reserves. "That's a confidence booster for them to close it out."
NEW DELHI, APRIL 16 (IANS): The Supreme Court Wednesday said N. Srinivasan's name features in the list of the 13 people named by Mudgal Committee in the IPL betting scam and he cannot take charge if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has to conduct an inquiry on its own in the scandal that rocked Indian cricket last year. Though the apex court admitted that all the charges are yet to be verified, it said that if the BCCI is given powers to investigate then it has to be done without Srinivasan at the top. Supreme Court had removed Srinivasan as the BCCI president and put Sunil Gavasakar as the interim president incharge of the IPL and senior vice-president Shivlal Yadav in-charge of rest of the affairs. The apex court bench of Justice A.K. Patnaik and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla said: "Having come to know the nature of allegations, we cannot close our eyes." Disclosing the content of a report in a sealed cover by retired Justice Mukul Mudgal, Justice Patnaik said there are 13 people against whom allegations are there and Srinivasan's names is 13th. "There are 13 names. Srinivasan's is the last name. The twelve others are very important... we are not concerned with Lalit Modi or Srinivasan. We are concerned with BCCI. There are 12 allegations. All these allegations were told to Srinivasan. But no action was taken. That means that he didn't take these allegations seriously. That means to his knowledge these things were happening," Justice Patnaik said.
The bench stressed on the institutional au- given by it for probing the allegations and come tonomy of the BCCI and said: "If the BCCI has back, the court adjourned hearing and directed to be given power to investigate then it has to its listing on April 22, 2014. be done without Srinivasan and till investigaThe court also passed the order retaining Sunder Raman after Gavaskar told the court to take a call on the issue. The court in its order said: "...as the IPL7 has commenced, we will not like it to be disturbed in any manner. We direct Sunder Raman to continue as chief operating officer of the IPL-7. We hope Sunder Raman will live up to the responsibility." BCCI's senior counsel C.A. Sundaram requested the court to allow Srinivasan to take charge even as the BCCI initiates its own enquiry. "If there is whisper against someone, he should not have anything to do with or Aget involved in the inquiry. But that should not impede Srinivasan from discharging his other functions. We are keen to maintain the institutional autonomy of the BCCI instead of asking the CBI or the police to investigate the allegations," said Sundaram. In response Justice Patnaik said: "We are not inclined to (ask police to investigate) but if we are compelled ... We want to develop the principle of institutional autonomy. If BCCI has to do (the probe) then it certainly has to be done without Srinivasan." The apex court also allowed the intervention application by a Tamil Nadu potion is complete Srinivasan will not come back. lice officer (now under suspension) G. SamIf there is an SIT (Special Investigation Team), path Kumar, who had alleged that top bosses of the cricketing body were involved in IPL match things will be different. But IPL must go on." Asking the BCCI to reflect on the options fixing and are trying to sabotage investigation.
Dortmund reaches German Cup final
DORTMUND, APRIL 16 (AP): Borussia Dortmund reached its sixth German Cup final by beating Wolfsburg 2-0 on Tuesday. Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened the scoring in the 12th and Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th goal for Dortmund to secure the victory in the 43rd. Bayern Munich hosts seconddivision Kaiserslautern in the second semifinal on Wednesday. Dortmund beat Bayern 3-0 in Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday. The final is on May 17 in Berlin. Wolfsburg missed several good chances even though three-time cup winner Dortmund controlled most of the match. "We were fortunate, but we are playing at a high level the past week," Dortmund's coach Juergen Klopp said. Mkhitaryan picked up a pass from Marko Reus and slotted a low shot for the first goal.
Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski of Poland, right, scores his side's second goal during the semifinal match of the German soccer cup between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg in Dortmund , Germany, Tuesday, April 15. (AP Photo)
Dortmund doubled the lead only one minute after Junior Malanda had hit the post with a header. Milos Jojic launched Reus, who crossed for Lewandowski and the Poland striker fired into the roof of the net. Lewandowski hit the post from a very acute angle ear-
ly in the second half. Malanda wasted his second big chance of the match in the 75th by firing high from four meters (yards) out after Kevin de Bruyne's shot had bounced off the post. And in the 81st Malanda's shot was parried by Roman Weidenfeller,
Gustavo's follow-up hit the post and Dortmund defender Sokratis fell on Malanda's right leg in the melee. The Belgium international had to be substituted. "It was very close, we were lucky that Wolfsburg did not score," Dortmund's defender Mats Hummels
said. Before the game, Dortmund announced that it was extending the contract of injured midfielder Ilkay Gundogan by one year until 2016. Gundogan has made only two appearances this season because of a pinched nerve in his back.
Thursday
Entertainment
The Morung Express
17 April 2014
Dimapur
11
guitarist Malcolm
Young Purple Fusion 'too sick to play live' performs in Bhutan
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AC/DC's Malcolm Young is ''too sick'' to perform live with the band anymore, sparking rumours the rock group could split.
AC/DC Are Not Splitting Up
I T
he 61-year-old guitarist, who founded the Australian rock group with his brother Angus in the 1970s, is said to be seriously ill, sparking rumours the band could split after 41 years. In an interview with Australia's ABC radio, Choirboys frontman Mark Gable, who is close friends with Malcolm and Angus, said: ''From what I understand, and it's even been confirmed in part by his son Ross, that it would appear Malcolm is unable to perform anymore. ''It's not just that he is unwell, it's that it is quite serious. It will constitute that he definitely won't be able to perform live. ''He will probably not be able to record.'' He claims the band could
still continue with plans for their 40th anniversary world tour and go on to record their first album since 2008's 'Black Ice' without Malcolm, after his nephew Stevie took his place during a past tour. Mark explained: ''There was speculation that they had this even tacit agreement that if no member currently was able to perform, DC would cease. ''However, Alex Young's son Stevie replaced Malcolm Young a few years back for a tour, and nobody knew the difference.'' Mark has been close friends with AC/DC, also made up of singer Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd, for a number of years after the Choirboys recording their first album
t looks like ACDC fans can breathe a sigh of relief, because rumors of the band’s imminent end appear to be greatly exaggerated. The rumors first surfaced on Monday in Australia, claiming that the band was on the verge of retirement, due to one member’s serious illness. According to Billboard, the speculation emerged from comments made by entertainment commentator Peter Ford on radio station 3AW that “we may not hear them perform or record ever again”. Today it looks like the media jumped the gun on this one. A report from Billboad clarified the situation. Australia's Noise11.com adds that the source of the retirement rumor was an email sent to Perth radio station 6PR from an anonymous tipster using the handle Thunderstruck. In a peculiar media round of broken telephone, the station then spread the report and it was picked up by various outlets first throughout Australia and then across the world. Of course, this doesn’t mean that AC/DC aren’t planning to split – the band’s management and current label Columbia Records have denied comment, however the sources of the original report now seem less than reliable.
in the same studio where the 'Whole Lotta Rosie' hitmakers worked on their first five records. Regarding a world tour, Brian previously said: ''It's been 40 years of the band's existence, so I think we're gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty.'' The rock legends were also due to head back into the studio next month.
to return to
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ady Gaga is set to return to South Korea two years after censors banned young fans from attending her Born This Way Ball concert in Seoul. In 2012, the Applause hitmaker brought her tour to the city's Olympic Stadium, but after protests from religious groups, authorities at South Korea's media rating board decided the concert would be harmful to young people and prohibited anyone under the age of 18 from attending. Two years on, Gaga is slated to play in Seoul once again, headlining the sec-
Anderson's sons were bullied over her Playboy shoot
Pamela Anderson with her sons Brandon and Dylan
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ormer Baywatch star Pamela Anderson regrets her infamous Playboy shoot as her two sons suffered at school due to her racy photographs. The 46-year-old says it was hard on her sons Dylan, 17, and Brandon, 16. When my kids became teenagers it was hard on them. They fought a few bullies - and were teased by some. I regret that anything I have ever done has made them uncomfortable or suffer, dailystar.co.uk quoted Anderson as saying. They overcame their problems together. But our life is our life - we love each other - we are close - we have gone through a lot. It made us all closer and more resilient as a family. Anderson was chosen as Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990, a year after she made her debut on the magazine. Her Playboy career spans 22 years.
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urple Fusion, the folk fusion band from Nagaland was recently invited to perform at the anniversary of Radio Valley 99.9 at the Mojo Park in the heart of Bhutan’s Capital Thimphu on April 11 and 12, 2014. This visit was also a prelude to the release of the band’s debut album which is scheduled for early summer this year. Purple Fusions visit to Bhutan was a very anticipated event and people from all section of the society attended the show making it the biggest Pub show in terms of crown attendance and feedback. The organizers of the show commented that this was one of the best shows in Thimphu prior to all the performances by other Indian and International bands. The show though it was held in a not very big venue saw in attendance some from the more elite section of the society and also from the Royal Family like the HRH the Princess and the Mother of the King of Bhutan. The band will also be organizing a fund raising event on May 10 at IMC for the shoot of their music video, which will be the prelude for their upcoming album.
AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young performs in Glasgow in June 2009 as part of their Black Ice Tour. It is understood the 61-year-old rocker is 'seriously ill' and may never perform live again
Lady Gaga
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Purple Fusion performing at the MOJO Park Thimphu Bhuthan.
Ellen DeGeneres named most
powerful gay celebrity
E
llen DeGeneres has been named the most powerful gay celebrity in the US in Out magazine's annual Power List poll. The 56-yearold talk show host, who is married to 'Arrested Development' actress Portia de Rossi, secured the top spot on Out magazine's 2014 Power List, an annual ranking of the most influential LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) voices in American culture. Announcing the news on its website, the publication stated ''Everybody loves Ellen, and that's one of the reasons she's regained the top spot. In
ond day of the AIA Real Life Now Festival this summer (15-16Aug14). A spokeswoman for the media rating board tells Agence France-Presse that it is too early to say whether similar restrictions will be placed on the singer's upcoming appearance. Gaga, who recently announced that K-Pop girl group Crayon Pop will serve as the opening act for her upcoming ArtRave The Artpop Ball tour, will join the likes of Gangnam Style hitmaker Psy and K-Pop heavyweights Bigbang, 2Ne1 and WINNeR on the music festival bill.
March, 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' shattered its own 10-year ratings record in the episode that immediately followed her Academy Awards hosting gig, which also gave the awards its best ratings since 2004. And her star-studded Oscars selfie almost shut down Twitter when the pic became the most retweeted ever.'' Other notable names on this year's list include fashion designers Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, 'Good Morning America' host Robin Roberts, 'How I Met Your Mother' star Neil Patrick Harris, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and 'Glee' actress Jane Lynch.
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Paul Walker's brothers help complete movie P
roducers confirmed on Tuesday (15.04.14) that Caleb and Cody Walker have signed on to shoot the remaining scenes featuring the late star's character, Brian O'Connor, for the upcoming blockbuster. Paul, 40, was on a break from shooting the film when he died in a car crash in November and filming was put on hold until recently. A note on the movie's official Facebook page stated ''The Fast & Furious saga is about family. Our family experienced an unthinkable shock in November. We had to take time to grieve Paul, the brother we love and lost, and to figure out if we should move on with our film. ''We came together and all felt the only choice was to continue. We believe our fans want that, and we believe Paul would want that too. Paul had already shot his dramatic scenes and most of his action for 'Fast & Furious 7,' and it's among the strongest work of his career. ''We have resumed shooting and now welcome Paul's brothers, Caleb and Cody, into our Fast family. Caleb and Cody are helping us complete some remain-
'We welcome Paul’s brothers into our FAST family': Cody (left) and Caleb Walker (centre) - pictured here with their late brother at Caleb's October wedding - will 'help complete some remaining action and fill in small gaps left in production' a statement released on the film's Facebook page on Tuesday reads
ing action for their brother and fill in small gaps left in production. Having them on set has made us all feel that Paul is with us too.'' A source first revealed in December that producers had approached his ''nearly identical brother'' Cody, who worked as a stuntman in the past, to help them to
finish the project, explaining ''They can shoot Cody from behind and at distance and if it's a shot they need Paul's face in close up they can CGI it later on. If Cody agrees it's because he wants to honour his brother's memory.'' The movie is scheduled to be released on April 10, 2015.
LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT - AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO EXPRESS YOUR IDEA OF A ‘VIBRANT LIFE’ THROUGH YOUR LENS. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, ON THE THEME ‘VIBRANT LIFE’, WITH AN EXPLANATORY CAPTION BY AUGUST 30, 2014 TO opinion2mex@gmail.com. SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE MORUNG EXPRESS 2015 CALENDAR.
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LIVERPOOL REMEMBERS HILLSBOROUGH LIVERPOOL, APRIL 16 (AP): Scarves donated by football clubs across the world were laid out in the center circle at Anfield, forming the shape of the number "96" beneath a clear blue sky. Outside the stadium, two middle-aged men — one wearing a Liverpool shirt and the other an Everton jersey — shared a warm embrace next to the famous Shankly Gates. Tuesday was the day the global football community, and in particular Merseysiders, united to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death during an FA Cup semifinal. The focal point on a day of commemoration and remembrance was Anfield, where Liverpool players past and present and the families of the victims were among the estimated 30,000 people who attended a moving memorial service. Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez, the managers of Liverpool and Everton, delivered readings and then made short addresses in which they paid their respects to the men, women and children who died in Britain's worst sports tragedy. Both earned standing ovations. "We will always strive to honor the families and the memory of the 96 that we lost," said Rodgers, his voice beginning to tremble. "You'll Never Walk Alone," he added, a nod to the club's anthem. Bells from churches across the region rang 96 times and Liverpool's pub-
Kopites from Nagaland pay tribute
lic transport came to a halt for a minute's silence at 3:06 p.m. (1406 GMT) — the time the fateful match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped following a crush in a standing-only section of Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground. A short memorial also was held across Stanley Park at Everton's Goodison Park, after which schoolchildren led a procession to Anfield holding 96 linked football scarves. And tributes poured in from across the world, with FIFA President Sepp Blatter sending a letter to the English Football Association in which he expressed "my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the 96 who so tragically lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster." Flags at FIFA's member associations were flown at half-mast on Tuesday. UEFA President Michel Platini and British Prime Minister David Cameron also sent their condolenc-
es to the victims' families of the 96. It isn't just the disaster that has left a deep scar on the club and city. The grieving families have spent 25 years seeking justice after authorities initially sought to place the blame on the victims by characterizing the tragedy as a result of hooliganism. The original accidental death verdicts were overturned by the High Court in London in 2012 after documents uncovered a coverup by police, and fresh inquests into the fatalities are currently being held in a bid to get the deaths officially described as unlawful killings. The inquests have been adjourned this week because of the anniversary. "The authorities took on the wrong city if they thought they were going to get away with it," Martinez said to loud cheers. The service was interrupted on two occasions by chants of "Justice for the 96." Accompanying the grieving and ongoing suf-
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DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): Liverpool fans from Nagaland joined the rest of the football world in commemorating the 25th year anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans. The Hillsborough disaster took place on April 15, 1989, when Liverpool FC faced Sheffield United away on FA Cup engagement. A part of the gallery in the stadium collapsed due to overcrowding and claimed 96 lives. and its fans join in the cam- ered at Agri Expo, Dimapur, lit 96 candles, unfurled a Inquisition on the disaster paign for justice, themed and sang the club’s anthem banner dedicated to the 96 fering of the families is a JFT96. Liverpool fans gath- "You'll Never Walk Alone", who perished. sense of optimism that jus- continues as Liverpool FC tice is about to be served. There is also a feel-good factor in Merseyside because of the exploits of the two clubs this season, with Everton on course to qualify for next season's Champions League and Liverpool top of the Premier League by two points as it seeks a first championship in 24 years. "Stress is good," Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said in the direction of the Liverpool squad at the end of her address, "... it makes you fight and I know that is what you are going to do to get this championship." The service started with local clergymen reading out the names of the 96 victims, with a light being lit inside a Band of Life sculpture in memory of each person. It ended with 96 balloons being released as fans sang a stirring rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Nagaland state “A” chess premier grand finale today
KOHIMA, APRIL 16 (MExN): The valedictory function of the 14th Nagaland State “A” Chess Premier 2014 will take place on April 17 at 4:00 PM at Red Cross Society Conference Hall, Kohima. Helie Rupreo, former president Nagaland Chess Association (NCA) will grace the occasion as the guest of honour. Declaration of result will be made by NCA vice president and arbiter P. Khezhie. NCA general secretary Denis Angami will deliver welcome address while special number will be presented by Neise Chale. Vote of thanks will be proposed by NCA joint secretary Mengise Haikam. Chingpai Lily will compere the function.
Phelps's return greeted with shrug by fellow Olympians
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WASHINGTON, APRIL 16 (REUTERS): The news that Michael Phelps was returning to the pool with an eye toward possibly participating at the 2016 Summer Olympics was greeted with a big yawn by fellow swimmers. While Phelps's unretirement did indeed create a flurry of excitement in social media, those who know him best were not shocked by Monday's announcement. "I wasn't surprised," 17-year-old Olympic champion Katie Ledecky told Reuters in a telephone call after a workout at her swim club in Bethesda, Maryland. "The swimming world has known for a while that he's been training the past year so it wasn't too big of a surprise. I'm definitely excited that he's going to swimming in Mesa." Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all-time with a total of 22 medals, has not competed since the 2012 London Games. The Baltimore native will headline an April 24-26 meet in Mesa, Arizona, with fellow Olympians Ledecky and Ryan Lochte. The 28-year-old, 18time gold medalist returned to the U.S. AntiDoping Agency registry over nine months ago and has been subject to outof-competition testing. Dara Torres, a winner of 12 Olympic medals, said she knew all along that Phelps would return to the pool. "I just kind of giggled when I heard the news," she told Reuters on Tuesday via telephone from her Boston home. "I knew it. I just knew that was going to happen." Phelps is entered in the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and the 50m butterfly at the Mesa event, the fourth stop of USA Swimming's 2013-14 Arena Grand Prix Series. Torres, who won her
medals over five Olympics and missed out on a ticket to the 2012 London Games by nine one-hundreths of a second in the U.S. trials, is convinced Phelps misses competing. "I have never seen anyone as competitive as me except for Michael Phelps," said the 47-year-old Torres. "I am so competitive it's ridiculous. You have someone like Michael and now he's in the real life. He's playing golf, he's doing things here and there. "But it's not the same as something you've been doing your whole life. For me personally, I missed the sport. I love the sport. But most of all I missed competing. "If you're a very competitive person, it's very tough to let that go." Torres, who competed against swimmers half her age as her career wound down, believes Phelps will have to adjust his training on the road to the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. "All the years he never took a break, it's going to be different for Michael," she said. "As far as recovery goes, it's going to be different but as far as him doing his best times, I don't think his age will be a factor. "It's human nature, that your body is used to doing something at a certain level when you're younger. The biggest thing for me, mentally, was understanding that I can't do what I used to do training-wise. "The hard part is knowing you can't do what the young kids are doing. You're older, you don't recover like you used to." Ledecky is convinced Phelps will be "focused and give it all he's got." "It should be fun to see what he can do," she said. "No matter what he does, he's already accomplished so much anything extra will be amazing to see."
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