18th March 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 74

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www.morungexpress.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all Rahul will lose heavily in Amethi: Kumar Vishwas [ PAGE 8]

Armaan Kohli & Tanishaa Mukherji engaged!

First Scientific Advisory Committee meeting in Longleng [ PAGE 2]

Crimea votes independence; seeks to join Russia

[ PAGE 11]

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[ PAGE 9]

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–George Washington

Messi nets 3, Barca routs Osasuna [ PAGE 12]

nagaland and rte

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Is the No-detention policy affecting education?

Vibi Yhokha Kohima | March 17

According to Election Department, our neighbor`s wife is my wife and you are my friend.

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Do you feel that Nagaland should have more Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha?

Yes

no

Others

Govt employees informed on exemption of election duty KOHIMA, MARCH 17 (DIPR): Government Employees, who have been drafted for Election duty and have submitted application for exemption from performing duty on medical grounds upto March 17, have already been scrutinized and final medical board setting will be held on March 21 at 11:00am at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima. Thereafter, no applications will be entertained or accepted.

Election expenditure observer for Kohima KOHIMA, MARCH 17 (DIPR): The Expenditure Observer for Monitoring of Election Expenditure for Kohima District, SK Singh arrived on March 15. Political parties, contesting candidates and the public of Kohima district are informed that the Observer’s contact numbers are 03702242161 and 8414084806.

NSCN (K) informs DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): NSCN (K) Chairman S.S. Khaplang has informed all concerned that the assignment given to Lt. Gen. Niki Sumi, Naga Army, in relation to finance matters is allowed to continue till further notice.

NFHRCC consultative meeting on March 19

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DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The Nagaland Foot Hill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has called for a consultative meeting with the presidents of the ten tribal Hohos that are involved in the project. The meeting will be held on March 19 (Wednesday) at the residence of the NFHRCC treasurer (Yashitsungba Aier) at Khermahal, Dimapur, at 10:00am. This was informed in a press note from NFHRCC convenor, Supu Jamir, and assistant general secretary, Dr. P.S. Lorin. Called to strengthen the “People’s Project” (as the Foot Hill Road has been termed), the presidents of the Hohos have been asked to come along with two representatives from the ten apex tribal bodies. The tribal bodies invited include: Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho, Kyong Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Phom Hoho, Sangtam Hoho, Chang Hoho, Konyak Union, Yimchunger Hoho and Khiamniungan Hoho.

lost interest in their studies.

“Even re-tests have no effect on the students,” says a teacher at Schola Lojes School Kohima, also making a mention that half of the students failed their 9th standard in 2013.

The teacher points out how students are taking their studies “very lightly” because they know that whether they study or not, they will pass.

“It is not just students but even parents are taking advantage of it. Knowing fully well that their children will not be failed till Class VIII, they don’t bother about their children’s education,” says a teacher (who wishes not to be named), adding that at times, some schools are forced to give away TCs to lackadaisical students. The teacher further asserts that the teachers’ workload has also increased as quarterly tests double up the workload of the teachers in schools with greater number of students.

Till their 8th standard, it is easy for the students to give tests quarterly but once they reach the 9th standard, they are unable to catch up

“Our education system is messed up now. We can no longer produce quality students. Some students who have passed class VIII cannot even write a simple sentence in English,” says Azo Solo, Headmaster, Government High School PWD, while talking about the decreasing quality of educated students with the introduction of the ‘No-detention Policy’ under the Right to Education Act (RTE) in Nagaland. As per the policy, no child should be held back or expelled or is required to pass the boards until s/ he completes elementary schooling, which means students can pass their class A girl, face smeared with colored powder, sits on the shoulder of her father during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu VIII effortlessly. festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, Monday, March 17. The festival also marks the advent of spring. (AP Photo) However, the policy has resulted in the development of a laid back and disinterested attitude among students, according to some teachers. Azo Solo Morung Express news is of the opinion that since Dimapur | March 17 students are aware of the Morung Express news tation could occur, sporadic The indefinite Karbi Anglong bandh called by the Karbi RTE act, especially the noincidents of stone-pelting Anglong Kave Arat has been called off. The bandh had detention policy and prohiDimapur | March 17 bition of corporal punishoccurred, it was added. taken effect from 5:00am, March 16, but was called off The situation calmed later the same day. Sources from Karbi Anglong in- ment, many of them have The border dispute between Dimapur and Karbi down at around 9:00am formed that it was called off on March 16 evening. The Anglong took a new turn when police resorted to bandh was called by the Karbi Anglong Kave Arat folon March 17 as two groups action, deploying at least lowing the March 15 incident near Diphu, in which the of people jostling for land two companies of NAP (IR) police used force to disperse people occupying land at in the area faced each other personnel, initially requi- Diphu Reserve Forest.

DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The off. The opposing groups sitioned to prevent people GPRN/NSCN today stated that the “Naga were in confrontation from entering the disputed Gurkhas could play a crucial role in facilimode, but Dimapur police border land. Despite the tating a peaceful resolution” to the ongopromulgation of Section stated that the mob was dispersed before a full-fledged 144 CrPC, since February KUALA LUMPUR, MARCH 17 (REUtERs): The co- ing land dispute in the Dimapur-Karbi 25, on the Nagaland side of pilot of a missing Malaysian jetliner spoke the last words Anglong border area. A press note from clash could occur.

Witness accounts stated the disputed border land, heard from the cockpit, the airline’s chief executive said on the GPRN/NSCN’s MIP stated that “Naga that the standoff occurred people continue to infiltrate Monday, as investigators consider suicide by the captain Gurkhas could blend with Naga history and or first officer as one possible explanation for the disap- play a positive role in the future.” at a location bound by the the area with impunity. pearance. No trace of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has It termed as unfortunate that a “few Further, it was informed been found since it vanished on March 8 with 239 people Lengri River on the west Gurkhas from the Assam side are hobnobthat the Assam Police patroland Rilan and Indisen vilaboard. Investigators are increasingly convinced it was dilages towards east. An ear- ling the Karbi Anglong side of verted perhaps thousands of miles off course by someone bing with illegal immigrants and attemptly disagreement between the border did not intervene. with deep knowledge of the Boeing 777-200ER and com- ing to sow trouble between communities living in Nagaland–Assam border.” “Those some people clearing land One of the witnesses said mercial navigation. in the area took a wider turn that Assam Police personnel A search unprecedented in its scale is now under way illegal immigrants found interfering and as the people took sides. manning the inter-state bor- for the plane, covering a area stretching from the shores of creating obstacles between Naga and Karbi The mob surged to around a der were aware of the morn- the Caspian Sea in the north to deep in the southern Indian communities in the border areas shall be thousand by late morning, ing’s incident. The witness Ocean. Airline chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya also told accounted for,” it cautioned.

It further advised the Joint Action Comone witness said. Though claimed that they arrived at a news conference that it was unclear exactly when one of the mittee (JAC), formed by Border villages in police claimed the mob was the scene after noon, after the plane’s automatic tracking systems had been disabled.

Related story on page 9 Dimapur, “to invite the Gurkha Union to dispersed before a confron- situation had calmed.

Border area remains tense

Karbi Anglong bandh called off

as they have to study all the lessons at one go.

A possible result of the no-detention policy in Nagaland is the increasing failed percentage of students in class 9. According to the Nagaland Board of School Education, in 2009, the failed percentage of students in class 9 was 29% which increased to a staggering 40% in 2013.

“To be honest, I don’t see a future for 80% of the students. Under the nodetention policy, there is no improvement for them.

They will receive the certificate but they will never receive the knowledge,” adds another teacher.

The RTE act has been considered progressive legislation in India. However, some of its provisions need to be reviewed in the interest of developing states like Nagaland where quality education already stands compromised. As a concerned citizen puts it, “At present we have ‘educated unemployed’ but few years down the line, Nagaland will have a new category of ‘uneducated unemployed’.”

‘Naga Gurkhas should stand with Nagas’

MH370: Co-pilot ‘spoke last words’

stop individuals from tarnishing the image of Gurkhas.”

The GPRN/NSCN informed that the land in question “was endorsed to the Assam forest department to look after in 1970.”

However, it stated that “ancestral land cannot be transferred or give away to suit administrative purposes.” “The people own the land, not the government. It does not belong to Assam,” it added. It thus called for the traditional landowners to “amicably settle land disputes in their own wisdom and understanding, instead of empowering antisocial elements to disrupt social harmony.”

While stating that “Naga lands have been illegally bifurcated into other states, for ages,” it asserted that “peaceful co-existence, respecting each other’s customs and traditions, was witnessed and this should be restored.”

Full text on page 4

Cancel all fraudulent certificates: NTC Indian arms imports almost triple China, Pakistan: study

KOHIMA, MARCH 17 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) today expressed its “displeasure” at, what it termed as, the “callous attitude” of the Nagaland state government in “randomly issuing Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates, contravening to the legislated law of the state and allowing illegitimate candidates to avail job opportunities in the state departments.”

The NTC, in a press note, cited an incident where, one “Sachui Kamei, a Rongmei candidate, who claims to be from Zeliang Tribe was issued an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate and Scheduled Tribe Certificate by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima during 2004,” thereby “qualifying him to sit for a job interview in the Social Welfare Department.” The NTC said that he was “later selected for the post of LDA-cum-Computer Assistant, against the seat reserved for Zeliang Tribe.”

It criticized this action of the state government “in appointing a non-indigenous candidate to the post in the state department” and termed it as “an act of adding salt to injury, when its citizens are crying against recognition of non-aboriginal tribes in the state of Nagaland.”

The NTC questioned as to how a reserved seat against the Zeliang Tribe was given to a candidate from the Rongmei Community and further queried how an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate was issued to a candidate “who did not satisfy the criteria as laid down in Govt. Notifica-

tion No. AR-8/8/76 dated Kohima, April 28, 1977.”

It lamented that “this blatant act of the state is one glaring instance of the state allowing the non-aboriginal tribe to take advantage in snatching away the rightful share of the genuine citizens of the state.”

The NTC, in a meeting on Monday in Kohima, urged the state government to “heed the voice of the citizens and cancel all the fraudulent certificates issued by the district authorities and protect the rights of its citizens.”

It further appealed for the government to “immediately start criminal proceedings against the then Deputy Commissioner, Kohima for issuing fraudulent certificate.”

While reiterating the stand of the NTC and the ENPO on the Rongmei recognition issue, the NTC resolved to take the issue to the people, through protest rallies in consultation with the ENPO. The meeting then conducted deliberations on issues related to Right to Education and resolved to constitute a committee to study its impact and implementation in Nagaland. The House further resolved to form a committee on border affairs in order to study issues relating to the border areas and relationships with neighboring states.

It was further informed that, “after taking account of the concerns being shared by people of different sections and series of consultations,” the NTC has decided to conduct a seminar on Article 371 (A).

Expresses displeasure at Nagaland state government’s “callous attitude”

PARIs, MARCH 17 (AFP): India remains the biggest buyer of arms in the world, importing nearly three times as many weapons as its nearest competitors China and Pakistan over the last five years, a Swedish think tank said.

The total volume of arms sales was up 14 percent in 2009-13 compared to the previous five years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Indian imports of major weapons rose by 111 percent in the last five years compared to 2004-08. Its share of total global arms imports increased from 7 to 14 percent, SIPRI said.

India replaced China as the world’s biggest arms buyer in 2010.

With its domestic defence industry struggling to manufacture high-tech arms, India is in the midst of a defence spending binge as it struggles to keep up with better-equipped Chinese forces and a range of military challenges in its volatile neighbourhood.

The main supplier of arms to India in 2009-13 was Russia, accounting for 75 percent of all imports -- reflecting India’s need to upgrade and modernise weapons systems dating back to their close relationship during the Cold War. India has lately sought to diversify its sources, looking particularly to the United States.

Figures from IHS Jane’s released in February showed that India became the biggest buyer of US weapons last year -- with total imports worth $1.9 billion, and a string of large-scale purchases including Boeing’s C-17A transport

Indian Army tanks take part in the Republic Day parade in new Delhi on January 26, 2014. (AFP/File Photo)

aircraft and P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. In 2009-13, however, the US still accounted for only 7 percent of India’s purchases according to SIPRI. India’s traditional rival Pakistan increased its weapons acquisitions by 119 percent, growing from 2 percent of the global total to 5 percent during that period. The five largest arms suppliers worldwide between 2009 and 2013 were the United States (29 percent of global exports), Russia (27 percent), Germany (7 percent), China (6 percent) and France (5 percent). They collectively accounted for 74 percent of total arms exports, SIPRI said.

The world’s top five arms importers were now India, China, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. “Chinese, Russian and US

arms supplies to South Asia are driven by both economic and political considerations,” said Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. “In particular, China and the USA appear to be using arms deliveries to Asia to strengthen their influence in the region,” Wezeman said.

Arms exports to Africa between 2004-08 and 2009-13 jumped 53 percent. The three largest importers in the region were Algeria, Morocco and Sudan. Imports by European nations decreased by 25 percent between 2004?2008 and 2009?13. Britain was the largest importer of major weapons in Europe (receiving 12 percent of deliveries), followed by Azerbaijan (12 percent) and Greece (11 percent).

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Empowering youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS: Participants attend the Training Of Trainers (TOT) for youths, an initiative of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, which is underway at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church from March 17. Total 234 youth leaders are attending this two days TOT programme. (Photo Courtesy/Aden Jamir)

First Scientific Advisory Committee meeting in Longleng

LongLeng, March 17 (Mexn): The Scientific Advisory Committee meetings are conducted to get necessary guidance and support to carry out the mandated activities of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in a more planned and scientific manner.

The Scientific Advisory Committee constituted as per the guidelines of ICAR which comprises of representatives from different agri & allied departments and ICAR Institutes. First Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting with line departments including State Bank of India of Longleng and Progressive farmers conducted on March 12 at Deputy Commissioner Office.

KL Lotha, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Longleng district graced the occasion as chief guest.

The DC in his speech reiterated

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NST bus service from Longleng to Tamlu/Namsang to resume

LongLeng, March 17 (DIPr): The newly appointed ASS NST Longleng announced that the NST bus service from Longleng to Tamlu/Namsang will be resumed shortly. He announced this during the Longleng District Planning Development Board meeting for the month of March held on March 11 at Shesha M.I. project Nian near Shesha bridge under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner & Vice chairman DPDB Longleng, K. Libanthung Lotha. The Deputy Commissioner & Vice Chairman warmly welcomed all the members present in the meeting. He also introduced the new member to the house namely James Humtsoi, SP; Wangzen Konyak Assistant Station Superintendent (NST) and Dr.Bendang CMO Longleng. Reviewing the last meeting minutes the proposal for shifting of Range office at Shetap to Tamlu ADC headquarter the house decided that the Range office at Shetap to be continue function.

that farmers’ of the Hukphang village are fortunate enough to have the KVK, specially ICAR, KVK in their village. He was impressed by the performance of KVK staff for quickly educating the farming community through different trainings and demonstrations.

Dr. BC Deka, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex Jharnapani Nagaland Centre chaired the technical session. Dr Deka gave a brief idea about repository of scientific technology suitable to the farmers’ field for upliftment of farming community. He stressed on Jhum improvement through adoption of IFS model, Agro-forestry model, Double Cropping with oilseed, pulses and vegetables.

Short duration varieties may be introduced as second crop in Double Cropping for better uti-

The seminar began with DIMaPur March 17 College of Higher Educa- ‘Post Modernity: Origin and (Mexn): The Philosophy tion had conducted a phil- its Evolving Different Fac- the lighting of the lamp and the chanting of the Gayatri Department of Salesian osophical seminar entitled, ets’ on March 16.

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mantra by the 4th semester students. The Principal, Fr. Paul Punii, welcomed the participants, the staff and students and invited all for a fruitful discourse on post modernity. The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Chacko, Rector of Good Shepherd Seminary, Thehekhu. In his address, he gave a brief outline of postmodernism and set the participants in the postmodern perspective.

The papers were presented by four students (Phamnitin Agatha, Jonathan Teron, Milton George, Loli Kapena) of the fourth semester under the guidance of Lecturer John Paul Vemo Soro. They highlighted Post modernity as a mood of our time, as a state of mind, a disposition and an attitude of constructive destruction, challenging universal and objective truths, as the celebration of pluralism and the subjective appreciation of the difference.

DC Kohima bans carrying of arms/ammunitions

kohIMa, March 17 (DIPr): Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Kohima, W. Honje Konyak has banned the carrying of arms and ammunition in the district including suspension of all

Zbto DPDB meeting held

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lowed by felicitation.

Er P Chowdhury, SMS (SWCE), delivered welcome address. Dr. Manoj Kumar, Programme Co-ordinator (i/c), presented the Progress Report of KVK, Longleng for the year 201314 and E. Lireni Kikon, SMS (Plant Protection), presented the Future Action Plan for the year 2014-15.

Dr. Patu Khate Zeliang, SMS (Plant Breeding), tendered the vote of thanks.

After the SAC meeting, a committee headed by the Joint Director, ICAR, Jharnapani paid a field visit for Water harvesting pond and approach cum boundary road at KVK, Longleng, and TSP project site on Lowcost Scientific Pig Sty Unit and Lowcost Scientific Mushroom Production Unit at Hukphang and Orangkong village respectively.

Participants during the philosophical seminar conducted by Philosophy Department of Salesian College of Higher Education on March 16.

Wokha, March 17 (DIPr): Deputy Commissioner, Wokha & District Election Officer, Vyasan R has informed all concern that, Medical Board for Polling Personnel under Wokha District for the forthcoming Parliamentary Election to the 16th Lok Sabha will be held on March 18 at DCs Conference Hall at 11:00 a.m. All personnel seeking exemption shall appear before the above Board with the relevant documents.

Exemption request shall not be entertained thereafter.

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harvesting of it, in all agricultural operation and activities should be planned in that direction.

Dr. MK Patra, Scientist (Animal Science) suggested to incorporate protein supplements with mineral mixture and iron in Anthelmintic study for proper growth of piglets. Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Scientist (Agronomy) gave emphasis on the seed production aspects while taking cereal crops.

State Bank of India (SBI) Manager, Longleng shared his experiences on the status of different enterprises taken up by the farming community of Longleng and interested to extend financial assistance to KVK trained beneficiaries & progressive farmers who can repay the loan on time. The meeting was commenced with the briefing on SAC meeting by Dr. Lily Ngullie, SMS (Animal Science) fol-

Salesian College conducts seminar on ‘post modernism’

Wokha medical board on polling personnel

Zunheboto, March 17 (DIPr): The monthly meeting of Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board for the month of March 2014 was held on March 11 under the chairmanship of Akato L. Sema Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman DPDB Zunheboto.

Before the board deliberated the days agenda some of the new members of the board introduced themselves which included, Nungsangmenla Imchen ADC Headquarter Zunheboto, Neingutole Zhasa DPO Zunheboto, Chumlamo SDO (C) Suruhuto, Hito SDO (C) Zunheboto and Thunchanbemo SDO (C) Atoizu.

The agendas of the meeting included creation of Sub-centre at Laghilato

lization of residual moisture. He mentioned the house till today there is no suitable technology for the High altitude areas and we should work in that direction to bring some suitable technology. In planning of On Farm Trial (OFT), he advised to introduce new technology instead of age old one. For Foorkey disease management in large cardamom cultivation, tissue culture saplings may be taken up.

Dr. Deka advised to use LLDPE, LDPE and HDPE materials for storing and packaging of value added products. District Agriculture Officer (DAO) suggested for introducing soybean and other leguminous crops as sequential cropping for improvement of soil fertility. District Soil & Water Conservation Officer stressed on the need of preservation water rather

colony, which was brought

by Dr G. Hokishe Sema, CMO Zunheboto on which the board recommended and that it will be forwarded to the concerned authority for approval. The other agendas were the request of the Sumi Hoho for temporarily setting up the DIET Centre at Super market Zunheboto until the new DIET centre has been set up, on which the ZTC and DEO Zunheboto had no objection and thus the house approved for the DIET centre to be set up.

In conclusion, the Deputy Commissioner reminded all the head of offices to remain at their posting place in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and that no leave should be granted to the subordinated staffs.

Arms Licenses issued in the District and that no New Arms License will be issued till the completion of Parliamentary elections 2014.

That all licensed fire arms and ammunition should be deposited at the near-

est police stations on or before 28th of March 2014, failing which arms licenses shall be liable for cancellation under section 17 of the Arms Act 1959.

In this connection all the Village Council Chair-

man have been directed to instruct the villagers who are possessing licensed fire arms and ammunition to be deposited at the nearest police stations. The Village Council should make necessary arrangement to keep

all licensed fire arms and ammunition under each jurisdiction within the village in case of the villagers finds it difficult to deposit at the police stations under intimation to the Office of the DC Kohima.

Yimchungru Baptist Fellowship church building inaugurated DIMaPur, March 17 (Mexn): The Yimchungru Baptist Fellowship (YBF) Naga United village Niuland road Dimapur, new church building was dedicated by B. Tochumong Pastor, Showuba Baptist Church (SBC) on March 15 in presence of the churches leaders and well well-wishers.

Speaking on the occasion as speaker, B. Tochumong Pastor, assert that being a Christian family we should not impersonate just for the institution of Christianity in any manner.

“As temple of God is, the place of worshiping and the one who come for ask over forgiveness of sin and place of building more closeness with God for better living in the society,” said the pastor.

The pastor said that, in initial stage, any sort of organizing society it is very difficult to bush forward, since everyone has come across different experience of pain and joy. However, he hopes that through this house of worship one day many scholars/leaders would approach because of his blessing.

MEx File

DC Mkg informs arm licence holder Mokokchung, March 17 (DIPr): In pursuance of the forth coming Lok Sabha Election, scheduled to be held on April 9 in the state, Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Murohu Chotso has informed all the Armed License holders to deposit their weapons along with license to the nearest police station or NAP kote on or before March 24. Any weapon or weapons irrespective of licensed as non-licensed shall be seized after the date-line by security personnel on enforcing the model code of conduct.

DC Zbto notifies on deposit of arms Zunheboto, March 17 (DIPr): In pursuance of the announcement of the 16th Lok Sabha Election which is scheduled to be held on 9th April 2014, Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto, L. Akato Sema has directed all arms licence holders to deposit their weapons along with licenses to the nearest Police Station or NAP KOTE on or before March 24 without fail. Any weapon/weapons irrespective of License or Non License ceased by the Security Personnel at the check gates or frisking check gates on enforcing the Model Code of Conduct will be declared illegal weapon.

MLA Eshak Konyak visits GHS Longching LongLeng, March 17 (DIPr): The MLA Eshak Konyak visited GHS Longching on March 4 and promised to pay the salary of one Graduate Teacher as substitute teacher till the department of School Education is able to make necessary arrangements. During his visit, he was informed that the school has one AHM and one G/T (teaching staff) only. He felt sadden that during academic session of 2013 the school was without a teacher in Maths and Science and unless teachers are posted the academic session of 2014 which has began is going to be the same. Therefore he appealed to the Department of School Education to urgently redress the deficiency in teaching staff and over the poor conditions of the school building.

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Pughoboto ADC & RO informs Pughoboto, March 17 (Mexn): All the presiding officers and polling officers under 13- Pughoboto Assembly Constituency are informed that the 2nd Phase Training of Polling Personnels is scheduled on March 25 and 26th March, 2014 (Two days) at the office of Additional Deputy Commissioner Pughoboto at 10:30 am onwards. The Polling Personnel are informed that the 3rd Phase of Polling Personnel training will be held on April 7 at the same venue and time. Therefore, all the Polling Personnel are hereby directed to attend the said training. This was informed in a press release issued by Pughoboto ADC & RO Nokchasashi.

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Tobu SDPDB meeting held tobu, March 17 (DIPr): Tobu SDPDB meeting was held on March 11 where Vice Chairman SDPDB Tobu Akhup Thansing presided over the meeting.

After reviewing the last meeting minutes the house discussed and approved construction of circular road from Longpha junction to bazaar junction Tobu town. Maintenance of road from Tobu town to Yongkhao village and construction of strong room and security fencing at 6th NAP Cmap Pokyang post Tobu were also discussed at the meeting.

Training on election process held at Peren Peren, March 17 (DIPr): Training for election process to the sector Magistrate was held at DC Conference Hall Peren on March 13 with DC Peren Peter Lichamo and AEO Peren as the resource persons. The training deliberated on dealing of emergencies by Polling Officers and utilization of powers, communication and handling of EVMs during Lok Sabha election. The training was attended by administrative officers, master trainers and Nodal Officer from Peren district.

Training prog on paid news today kohIMa, March 17 (DIPr): In connection to the General Election (Lok Shabha) 2014, a short training programme on paid news to be organized on March 18, (Tuesday) in Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland (Media Cell) at 11:00 a.m. The State Level Master Trainer Dr. Hovithal Co-ordinator, Natural Disaster Management, ATI shall impart the training. Interested recognized political parties, representatives of IPR, AIR and DDK, all the Editor of local dallies including Nagaland based Journals are informed to attend the said programme if they so desire. This was notified by CEO Nagaland, Sentiyanger Imchen IAS vide order No. ELE/ CDT-174/2013/1312 dated the 13th March 2014

Winners of WSC essay writing

Church leaders and others during the inauguration of Yimchungru Baptist Fellowship (YBF) Naga United Village Dimapur, new church building on March 15.

Speaker also encourage with congregation the believers one should not be lazy for doing God’s ministry, whenever you get chance something works for the ministry think that opportunity is knocking at your door step, you never

mislay for doing God’s ministry as added.

However, the program begin with invoke God’s blessing by Kiotong Pastor, Loyir Village songs presented by Showuba Boru Choir and Naga United Boru, brief account on formation

of Yimchungru Fellowship Naga United village given

by Kiucham planning secretary, short speeches were delivered by Mukamchim WYBBA Chairman, VCC Naga United village, Nungsangliba Ao, and Yinkiu chaired the program.

kohIMa, March 17 (DIPr): The Women’s Studies Centre (WSC), Nagaland University (A Central University) declared the essay writing for the Post Graduate Students of Kohima Campus on the topic “Equality for Women is Progress All” in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2014. According to the notification issued by Professor Buno Liegise, Director of WSC, NU, Ketshunuo and Webei-u Tsühah of female candidates of II Semester of M.A., Department of English bagged first and second position. Y. Pangai Konyak a male student of IV Semester of M.A. from Education Department won third place. The prizes and citation for the winners will given on Tuesday, March 18 2014 at 12:00 noon in Women’s Studies Centre, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema, the bulletin sources said.

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REgional

The Morung Express

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in 4 NE states Shillong, March 17 (ianS): Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will Tuesday begin his campaign in four states of the northeast for the Lok Sabha elections.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the two-day visit by the Congress leader, a security official said. A Special Protection Group team has reached Meghalaya as part of the arrangements.

"Rahul Gandhi will address four election rallies in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram in support of party candidates for the Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections in Arunachal," Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister Deborah Ch. Marak told IANS. On Tuesday, Gandhi will address a rally at Hapoli in Arunachal Pradesh's Low-

er Subansiri district.

Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had last month addressed a public rally at Pasighat

in East Siang district. The Congress has nominated sitting Lok Sabha members Ninong Ering and Takam Sanjoy to contest from Arunachal East and

BJP trying hard to make inroads in Manipur

iMphal, March 17 (ThE hinDu): The Manipur unit of the BJP has been trying to win the hearts of the people of Manipur by pledging to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 if it comes to power. Though, the state unit president Chaoba Thounaojam has been stressing the issue, people are taking it with a pinch of salt since the party has done nothing worth mentioning in the past.

On the other hand, the Deputy Chief Minister and PCC President Gaikhangam Gangmei had recently said that Manipur burned during the regime of the BJP-led NDA government. It extended the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) on June 14, 2001 “without territorial limits”.

Earlier, Thounaojam launched an attack against the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh contending that he had given his approval to the construction of the border fence deep inside Manipur. The BJP has also

been harping on the alleged corruptions of the Loktak Development Authority which is chaired by the Chief Minister. However in absence of support from other political parties nothing came out of the demand made on the basis of an expose in a news magazine. Mr. Thounaojam says that there is corruption everywhere and that if the BJP comes to power some politicians in Manipur will be incarcerated.

However, sources in the ruling Congress brush aside these strident charges saying that the state unit BJP is on a fishing expedition.

They said that it has been failing to secure a single seat in the 60 member Manipur Assembly for the last two terms.

Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded former academicians for the two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur. Thounaojam is confident of winning both the Lok Sabha seats in Manipur due to the growing popularity of Narendra Modi.

Arunachal West constituencies respectively.

After his Arunachal Pradesh rally, Gandhi will address a public meeting at Resubelpara in Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district in support of party candidate Daryl William Momin, who is pitted against former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A. Sangma.

Momin is the grandson of Meghalaya's first chief minister late Capt. Williamson A. Sangma. He entered politics in 2012 after completing his MBA from Bond University in Australia. The Congress vice president would Tuesday evening address party workers in Shillong in support of candidate Vincent H. Pala who is seeking re-election from the Shillong constituency.

Several Congress legislators, including Chief

Minister Mukul Sangma, had opposed Pala's candidature saying the sitting MP does not have much of a chance. On March 19, Gandhi is scheduled to visit Wangjing in Thoubal district of Manipur, and address a rally at the Kodompokpi Ground which lies in the Outer Manipur constituency.

Congress won both the Outer Manipur and the Inner Manipur seats in the last Lok Sabha elections, and sitting MPs - Thangso Baite and Thokchom Meinya Singh - have been fielded again this time.

Gandhi will also travel to Mizoram on the same day to campaign for party nominee C.L. Ruala. Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya will go to polls April 9, while Manipur will see two-phase polling April 9 and 17.

Tuesday

18 March 2014

Dimapur

3

Gogoi white paper compares NDA and UPA performances

guWahaTi, March 17 (ianS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Monday said Assam faced gross injustice during the period when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power in New Delhi.

Gogoi published a white paper Monday to highlight the performances of the BJP-led NDA government and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He said it was during the UPA government's tenure that Assam received most of the funds and packages for development.

"The annual plan size of Assam during the NDA's tenure was Rs.1,521.28 crore (2000-01). The plan size at present is Rs.12,500 crore. During NDA's term

in 2000-01, Assam received only Rs.13,280.86 crore from the 11th Finance Commission while we received Rs.57,832.70 crore under the 13th Finance Commission," Gogoi said.

"Similarly, during the NDA's rule, only Rs.27,296 crore central funds were transferred to Assam through state governments.

However, the amount went up to Rs.1,42,881 crore when the UPA government was in power," he said. Gogoi added the central transfer of funds through central agency during UPA government's time is Rs.47.739.38 crore compared to Rs.4,792.33 crore when NDA called the shots in Delhi.

"During the first three years of the NDA government, 978 civilians were killed and 244 security personnel were killed in Assam.

However, in the past three years of the UPA government, only 23 civilians and 114 security forces were killed in the state," he said. "Employment in government sector in Assam also increased during the UPA government's tenure. While the government sector witnessed 3 lakh employments during the UPA's term, it was only 2,488 during the NDA reign."

"When the state was facing natural calamities like floods, the then NDA's prime minister did not find time to visit Assam. On the vexed foreigners' issue, the NDA did not initiate any concrete steps to stop infiltration," he said. Gogoi also said there has been a sea change on the road, rail and air connectivity now compared to the works sanctioned by the NDA government.

'Don’t allow Bru refugees to vote in relief camps'

aizaWl, March 17 (pTi): Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has submitted a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath urging him not to allow Bru refugees living in relief camps in Tripura to exercise their franchise in the April 9 elections to the state’s lone Lok Sabha seat.

A press statement issued by the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday said Mr. Lal Thanhawla submitted the memorandum to the CEC in Delhi last week.

The Chief Minister said that if the Bru voters wanted to exercise their franchise, they should cast their votes inside Mizoram, not in the relief camps through postal ballots.

He also suggested that if the Bru voters in the relief camps insist on casting their votes in the relief camps, then their names should rather be deleted from the voters’ lists in Mizoram. Earlier, the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum, having its headquarters in the Naisingpara relief camp in North Tripura district, asked the Election Commission to conduct polling for the Lok Sabha polls in the camps. The Election Indians, faces smeared with colored powder, dance during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Commission had reportedly agreed to the Gauhati, India, Monday, March 17, 2014. The festival also marks the advent of spring. (AP Photo appeals made by the Bru representatives.

Meghalaya flipping the gender norms Arunachal faces hurdle for hydel project nod

Khasi women are seen selling vegetables at a street market in Meghalaya. The Khasi people, who constitute the largest ethnic group in the state live in a pre-dominantly matrilineal society.

Shillong, March 17 (agEnciES): In a country where rape cases have turned the spotlight on gender discrimination, one Indian state has men demanding more rights. In Meghalaya, the native Khasi people still live in a matrilineal system, where titles and wealth are passed on from mother to daughter.

In Khasi families, the youngest daughter gets the largest share of the inheritance and is responsible for taking care of the parents, unmarried siblings and the upkeep of property. Called the "Khatduh," the youngest daughter becomes somewhat of a social institution whose home is open to the whole family. The Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act, which was passed in 1997, protects this matrilineal structure. In Meghala-

ya, women run local markets and manage most economic enterprises.

Some local accounts trace the origins of the matrilineal system to the time when Khasi men went to battle and entrusted their households to their wives, thus raising the status of women. However, other sources claim that the system emerged due to difficuties in determining who had fathered children, as Khasi women used to have several partners.

Nowadays, Khasi men work on farms and engage in housekeeping instead of going to battle. But in recent years some men have been campaigning to dislodge the matrilineal system.

Some 3,000 men have joined the Syngkhong Rympei Thymai (SRT), essentially a "men's liberation group" which was

EC probing BJP’s ‘communal party’ tag school text books agarTala, March 17 (ianS): The Election Commission of India is probing the BJP being tagged a “communal party” in the textbooks of government schools in Left-ruled Tripura, an official said Monday.

“We are inquiring the BJP’s allegation. We have asked the education department to submit a report about this,” Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal told reporters, adding “After getting the report; we would send it to the Commission to take a decision.”

On Sunday, Bharatiya Janata Party’s intellectual cell in Tripura, in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) V.S. Sampath, alleged that the secondary-level political science textbooks had branded the party as communal to brainwash students.

Cell convener Prasenjit Chakraborty, in his letter to the CEC, wrote :”The Bengali medium political science book of Class XI, in its chapter

formed in 1990.

Khasi children are given their mother's clan name, rather than their father's. This protects both women and their offspring from social rejection, even if women remarry or have children out of wedlock. While there is a high preference for male children in India, SRT men's liberation activists complain that in Meghalaya, the birth of a boy is not celebrated as joyfully as the birth of a girl.

Even though women in Khasi society hold most of the social and economic influence, political power still eludes them. The heads of Khasi village councils, such as the leader of this one in Kongthong, are always men. The 60-member state legislative assembly has only four female lawmakers.

titled ‘India’s party system’ said one of the important characteristics of India’s party system is the existence of communal parties. Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha and Shiv Sena are among such parties, besides BJP. Parties like the BJP, though not based on religion, succeeded in capturing power through communalisation of politics.”

“On the basis of the textbook authored by Nimai Pramanik, the authorities of Arundhuti Nagar Higher Secondary School recently asked the students to mention the names of the communal parties of the country. Students were asked to choose one among four options. These are: 1) Congress, 2) CPI-M, 3) BJP and 4) BSP. According to the textbook the right answer is BJP,” Chakraborty said in his letter.

nEW DElhi, March 17 (agEnciES): The empowered group of ministers (EGoM) for hydel power projects in Arunachal Pradesh will find it tough to get the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) on board for the proposed allat-a-time clearance mechanism for supporting infrastructure projects.

According to sources, at the upcoming EGoM meeting the power ministry will pitch for a simultaneous process for environmental and forest clearances as well as the approvals for land acquisition and preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for supporting infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. This special regime has been proposed as an alternative to the current regime of sequential approvals (for instance, forest clearance precedes the environmental one) for such projects.

Rich in hydro resources, Arunachal Pradesh can potentially generate a third of India’s total hydro-power capacity. The state has already allocated 94 hydel projects totalling 41,702 MW capacity to private and public developers for implementation but most of these projects remain stuck due to lack of infrastructure like highways and bridges for transporting heavy equipment and machinery to project sites.

Expeditious harness-

Sampath urging him not to allow Bru refugees living in relief camps in Tripura to exercise their franchise in the April 9 elections to the state’s lone Lok Sabha seat.

A press statement issued by the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday said Mr. Lal Thanhawla submitted the memorandum to the CEC in Delhi last week.

The Chief Minister said that if the Bru voters wanted to exercise their franchise, they should cast their votes inside Mizoram, not in the relief camps through postal ballots.

He also suggested that if the Bru voters in the relief camps insist on casting their votes in the relief camps, then their names should rather be deleted from the voters’ lists in Mizoram.

Earlier, the Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum, having its headquarters in the Naisingpara relief camp in North Tripura district, asked the Election Commission to conduct polling for the Lok Sabha polls in the camps.

The Election Commission had reportedly aizaWl, March 17 (pTi): Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has submitted a mem- agreed to the appeals made by the Bru repreorandum to Chief Election Commissioner V S sentatives.

Mizoram Chief Minister submits memo to CEC

ing of the state’s 50,000 MW hydro-power potential spread over eight river basins including Sian, Kameng and Subansiri hinges on how fast the requisite infrastructure is built. Given the border dispute with China, it is also strategically important for India to ensure the proposed hydel projects in the state come on stream without delay.

The EGoM, headed by finance minister P Chidambram and including ministers of defence, road transport and highways (MoRTH), power, as well as the ministry of development of NorthEastern region (Doner), is tasked with suggesting ways to expedite development of supporting infrastructure for the slew of hydel projects coming up in the state.

The government is expecting the Election Commission's go-ahead for its proposed meeting, as it is keen to fast-track the projects. Sources said if the current mechanism of sequential clearances is adopted, many of these projects would be ready for use only by 2022. That means hydel project developers will also have to wait till then to start work and this could hit the viability of many projects.

The power ministry said in a note: “Work on road infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh can commence and be complet-

ed in a shorter time frame than hitherto if the process for land acquisition, forest and environment clearances and DPR preparation is initiated simultaneously on approval of the road alignment. However, this would require a shift from the existing policy of sequential approvals for each activity.”

While the MoRTH and Doner have endorsed the power ministry's line, the MoEF is yet to express its views. The MoEF, sources said, is unlikely to accept the power ministry's proposal without modifications, as it feels the proposed projects would necessitate largescale diversion of forest land.

The EGoM's task would be to find a resolution, even as it could lean a bit towards the

power ministry's stand.

Arunachal Pradesh has harnessed just 405 MW out of its estimated 50,000 MW potential while projects totalling to 2,710 MW are under construction. Tawang, Dibang, Lohit, Dikrong and Tirap are the state's other river basins with significant hydro-power potential.

The Centre has decided to shift its focus back on harnessing of hydro-resources as the share of hydro-power in country's power mix has fallen steadily over the years. Apart from taking up development of supporting infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh, the power ministry is also looking at making purchase of hydel power mandatory for distribution companies.

LOST NOTICE

LOST NOTICE

I, Veshito Sapu am applying for duplicate copies of HSLC Admit Card as I have lost it.

Name: Veshito Sapu Father's Name: Vepratso Sapu Mother's name: Khrusalu Sapu DOB: 27/02/1988 Roll. No.: 351531(2003) School: Eastern Christian, School, Chozuba

I, Veshito Sapu am applying for duplicate copies of TET Admit Card as I have lost it.

Name: Veshito Sapu Father's Name: Vepratso Sapu Mother's name: Khrusalu Sapu DOB: 27/02/1988 Roll. No.:203647 (2014) Exam Centre: Mezhur Hr.Sec. School

C M Y K

4

public discoursE

Tuesday

Dimapur

18 March 2014

“Equality for Women is Progress for All”

E

quality for women and empowering women is an indispensable tool for advancing development. Women had to fight a long battle for Equality and Freedom. They endured hardships and still do in tearing down the rigid ideas of a male dominated society. For a progressive and an advanced society, Women should be given Equality and should be empowered alongside with men. A society cannot function with men alone as in a family where a child needs both the mother and father. Mary Wollstonecraft writes, “A state that does not educate and train women is like a man who only trains his right arm”.

For a progressive society, equality should be given to women and should be given the opportunity as given to men. Equality for women means progress for all and progress in so many areas depends on it. Regardless of where it is, a baby girl is not given the same opportunity, equality and freedom as that given to a baby boy.

Gender equality is an important aspect which should be strived for to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development.

No nation or society can rise to the height of glory and height of progress unless women are side by side with men.

Equality for women in all aspects of development benefits everyone. Equal participation of women in all areas of development benefits the society. Educating girls with quality education will help building of a better and a progressive society. Women are the backbone of family.

It is ‘she’ that runs the domestic errands then train her children.

If ‘she’ is educated then her children will be which in turn will help the society. Gender equality thus will help the society to develop and progress.

Long term and sustainable development will only be possible when women and men enjoy equal opportunity. It is not strength alone that should denote a job holder but it should be through ability and talent. Kishido Toshiko says, “If it is true that men are better than women because they are stronger, why aren’t our sumo wrestlers in the government?” Women should not be denied jobs and opportunities just because they are considered the ‘weaker sex.’ Without this so called ‘weak sex’, a family would be topsy-turvy and confusing- “The test of whether or not you can hold a job should not be in the arrangement of your chro-

mosomes.” A woman runs a family and without this woman, a family cannot function well and will not progress so also without women, society will not reach its height of development and progression.

Women are entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear. Empowering women will contribute to the health and productivity of families and to improve prospects for the next generation. Men and a woman should enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all spheres of life. When women are empowered, whole families benefit and these benefits often ripple effects to future generation.

Women should be educated and should not be denied higher education. About two thirds of the illiterate adults in the world are female. Educated women will be able to educate her children better than an illiterate women. The educated children will contribute to the welfare of the society and thus to the world in whole. Thus, empowering women and equality for women means progress for all.

Humanity requires both men and women, and both men and women are equally important and both need each other. A family requires both the husband and the wife. A child needs both the father and the mother so also the society.

There is no phrase as such ‘Weaker Sex’ as both are equally important and both needs to complement each other. Equality should be given in the spheres which in turn will help in the development of the society.

From the biblical context, it is never that women are to be considered weaker and should be denied equality. Nowhere in the bible it is written that women should be denied opportunities or in any sphere. It is true that God first created women seeing that men cannot survive alone. Women was created to be a partner for men, to work side-by-side with him and not to be trampled down his foot. From a man’s rib a women was created and it wouldn’t be possible for men to live and work normally when a part of ‘his’ self is lost and not functioning. It is only through working together and through equality that men can also be complete and so also society. With only one gender, the world will not survive.

Abigail Adams writes, “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes”. It is observed that the achievements of women are mostly casted aside whereas men aren’t for an all-round de-

velopment, women should be empowered and given equality.

Her achievements and her ability should be appreciated and encouraged. Society will than move forward in path of progress.

Men and women both need each other and this fact cannot be denied. Both men and women are created to support each other and not to treat each other with disrespect and inequality. Today, men and women are engulfed in this gender-war which is a hindrance to the progress and development of the society. Men will always need a woman in this world but women also cannot do without men in her world. Both need each other’s help, respect, love and support in all walks of life and in progress for all.

For all to develop and progress “We must raise both the celings and the floor”. A house will be incomplete if it has no roof or floor.

Both the roof and the floor are essential for a strong and a complete house. For all to progress, both men and women are needed. Equality should be thus given to women. Men alone can never be the complete ‘House’ and men can never lead the society to progress if women are absent. “Everytime we liberate a women, we liberate a men”.

Women have always been considered the weaker gender.

This idea is to a large extent disappearing but it still does. Today women are advancing and progressing in every field. Shirley Chisholm paved the way for Hillary Rodham Clinton and many other female presidential hopeful. A renouncing example is Oprah Winfrey whose devotion and hard work gave her the ability to launch her own T.V network in January, 2011. a first for any women. Spirited activist like Della Abzug, Susan B.Anthony and many others paved the way of freedom and equality. From the field of education and politics and in many other fields, women have shown their strength and superiority, V.Welfi and Dorothy Parker were among the first to give voice to the emotional depth and biting wit of women during times of extreme exism.

Even in India itself women have paced so much. From a world where women were forced to so many social evils such as purdah system, Sati system and others, women have progressed so much in every spheres of life. The ‘Women’ who were once confined at home are now slowly creeping out and always advancing towards progression and even fighting for

their equality and freedom Modern inventions have banished the spinning wheel and with modernism a women today is different from her grandmother.

Women today are heading big corporations, heading governments, enabling social change and so much more. Politician Dianne Felistein puts it brilliantly in this quote, “Toughness doesn’t have to come in a pinstripe suit”. The advancement of women in several fields have led to the progress of all and in order to have a more developed and a sustainable development, equality to women should be maintained.

In this gender-war women should not lose their hope but should remain strong and should continue their fight with gracefulness and attitude. Women should not consider themselves inferior or weaker. Women should realize and appreciate the gem they are.

Without women the entire world will be handicapped and women should realize their worth and believe that they are magical creatures who can change the world and born with a purpose. Charlotte Bronte writes, “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves,” and above all, “Be the heroine of your life and not the victim”.

For a balanced society and progress for all; equality for women is vital. Women should be empowered and should not be denied jobs or in any other spheres of development. Women and men are created together for a purpose and thus each should appreciate the other and live in equality. A single leg cannot operate and function perfectly in a human body so also these two creations should realize that they need each other through the paths of life and both are essential for the progress of a society.

Equality should not be denied to women. Men and women are a part of each other and the ‘Elixir of each other’s life”. Equality for women is thus progress for all.

Ketshunuo Department of English Nagaland University, Kohima Campus: Meriema (Ketshunuo secured the 1st Position in the Essay Writing Competition for the Post Graduate Students of Kohima Campus on the topic “Equality for Women is Progress All” in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2014, organized by the Women’s Studies Centre, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema).

The Morung Express

Naga Gurkhas Should Stand With Nagas: GPRN/NSCN

N

aga political struggle, over the decades have attracted many non-naga sympathizers, from within and outside. Nagas owe a lot to the Chinese, the then East Pakistanis, the Pakistanis and host of other Nations for understanding that political freedom is essential for the progress of humanity. During the 1950s and 60’s, even as the war raged in Nagaland, there were many non-naga communities settled in Nagaland.

Importantly, there were hundreds of Gurkhas settled in Nagaland’s town and villages earning livelihood sawing timber and other jobs. This community is perhaps the only one whose members enrolled and actively participated in guerilla warfare in our National struggle against the aggressors. In recognition of their contribution, the GPRN/NSCN under the Leadership of President Gen. (Retd.)

Khole Konyak and Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Zhimomi established ‘Gurkha Affairs’ desk under the Ministry of Kilo Affairs to look after the affairs of Gurkhas in Nagaland. There are many Gurkha clans and families in Dimapur and Kohima whose forefathers settled in Nagaland even before India got her independence. GPRN/NSCN believes Naga Gurkhas could blend with Naga history and play a positive role in future.

It is most unfortunate that few Gurkhas from Assam side are hobnobbing with illegal immigrants and attempting to sow trouble between communities living in Nagaland– Assam border. Those illegal immigrants found interfering and creating obstacles between Naga and Karbi communities in the border areas shall be accounted for. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed by Border villages in Dimapur, is advised to invite Gurkha Union to stop individuals from tarnishing the image of Gurkhas. The statements on 12th March and 17th March, have mentioned establishments in disputed areas between Assam and Nagaland. GPRN/ NSCN clarifies that the land in question was

endorsed to Assam forest department to look after in 1970. Ancestral land cannot be transferred or give away to suit administrative purposes. The people own the and not the government. It does not belong to Assam. Traditional landowners must amicably settle land disputes in their own wisdom and understanding instead of empowering antisocial elements to disrupt social harmony.

Naga Gurkhas could play a crucial role in facilitating peaceful resolution of the issue.

In recent times, owing to haphazard statements and activities perpetrated against Nagas by illegal immigrants and ill-advised leaders working for their selfish gains, innocent Nagas and Karbis have lost their lives.

Although Naga lands have been illegally bifurcated into other states, for ages, peaceful co-existence respecting each other’s customs and traditions was witnessed and this should be restored. Nagas have their land and ‘encroachment’ is a terminology used by illegal immigrants seeking attention of state governments to make it a disputed area and claim their share.

Land is one element whose size and mass can never be stretched or manufactured to accommodate the increasing population. It is God given, an inheritance for peoples and Nations to protect and defend against external and internal subjugation, oppression and enslavement. Mahatma Gandhi defined the position and status of future Nagaland and its inhabitants so lucidly on July 9, 1947. It is a shame that the world’s largest democracy and its successive governments poured its military to crush and annihilate Mahatma Gandhi’ free Nagaland. What the great man said then at Bhangi Colony, Delhi on the morning of July 9, 1947 applies till today. Nagas are the sole owners of Nagaland and their destiny is what they decide.

Ministry of Information & Publicity, GPRN/NSCN.

birThday MEssagE Dear Kaka Ekon We wish you good luck ....and happybirthday to you (100 times) Secure group, Dimapur Dear Yangvile !!!

On this Day the 18th March, you have entered into our family travelling your lives for 365 days crossing many odds and obstacles till this day. We really felt glad and proud that you have been keeping yourself like a blooming Rose even in the midst of the thorns since you make your entry into this World. Your entry in to our family has brought Love, Peace, Oneness, Trustworthy etc. that we deserve for a long time.May you continue to live like a blooming flower that generously feeds insects with its enlightened fragrance at all free.

“A Very Happy Birth Day Yangvile”.

-Lots of Love from loving Dad, Mum & Relatives.

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.

_

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 2823

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2834

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 # 2822

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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MicrobioloGy

ACTINOMYCETES

FECAL

AGGLUTINATION

FECES

AIRBORNE

FERMENTATION

ALGAE ALIMENTARY AMPICILLIN

FLEMING FOLIC FOODBORNE

BACTERIOPHAGE PHOSPHORYLATION BIOGENESIS

PROTEASE

BOVINE

RNA

BRUCELLOSIS

SUBCUTANEOUS

BYSSOCHLAMYS

TAXONOMY

CARBOHYDRATES

TETRACYCLINE

ENTERIC ENTEROBACTER

VIBRIO

D A E E S I S O L L E C U R B S E I I

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ACROSS

E F E R M E N T A T I O N N A J I

1. WW1 plane 5. Anagram of “Smite” 10. “Wise” birds 14. Rouse 15. Angry 16. Jacket 17. Colored part of an eye 18. Written material 20. Beginning 22. Mixture 23. Caviar 24. Not younger 25. Direction 32. Indian monetary unit 33. Therefore 34. .001 inch 37. Smell 38. Banquet 39. Meal in a shell 40. Mesh 41. Hold responsible 42. Sage 43. Spectacular 45. Cantaloupe for example 49. Cushion 50. Filling material 53. Implemented 57. Excusable 59. Cocoyam

60. Not pre-recorded 61. Alpha’s opposite 62. Bridle strap 63. Distinctive flair 64. Area of South Africa 65. Satisfy

DOWN 1. Gulp 2. Cut back 3. Analogous 4. Draft evader 5. Environment 6. Twin sister of Ares 7. Make lace 8. Bit of gossip 9. Arid 10. In base 8 11. Injure 12. Big 13. Drive 19. Without company 21. Achy 25. Weightlifters pump this 26. Naked 27. Smudge 28. Swindle 29. League members 30. Map within a map 31. ___ober 34. Anagram of “Mail”

35. Computer symbol 36. Not short 38. Grippe 39. Children 41. Hand drum 42. Break 44. Attraction 45. Official tree of Canada 46. Electronic letters 47. Stage between egg and pupa 48. Bygone 51. Nameless 52. Mother 53. Aquatic plant 54. Bright thought 55. Modify 56. Accomplished 58. Wager

Ans to CrossWord 2833

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

O

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):

2226216 2226263 2226373/2229343

TAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

222246 222491

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LOCAL

The Morung Express

Tuesday 18 March 2014

NPcc responds to Rio’s rhetoric DimaPUr, march 17 (mExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has stated that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s recent “outburst” against the Congress is an attempt to speak the “language of sectarian and communal forces to befool the people of Nagaland.” It is “just rhetoric in parroting the voice of his new found mentor Narendra Modi in an attempt to meekly submit before the BJP High Command,” NPCC said.

In a release from its Media Cell, the NPCC noted that “Blaming the Congress

at the centre for not having the political will to solve the vexed Naga political issue stems from his own insincerity after the 2003 election promise to bring solution within three months if voted to power.” The NPCC alleged that by “clinging on” to the chief ministerial chair for the past 11 years, while remaining “non committal” to pave way for any interim settlement, Rio’s claim as a “Facilitator” to the Naga political issue has to be clarified.

The NPCC has also stated that Rio should “publicly come out” with his

stand on the issues which the BJP has committed to implement if voted with clear majority. These include the Anti Conversion laws which primarily aim at “curtailing the mission activities of a particular religion in helping the needy and poor across the most neglected pockets/belts of the country;” Building of Ram Temple in Ayodhya “which remains a political tinderbox;” Total ban on cow slaughter “which infringes on the dietary habits of people especially from North East region;” Uniform Civil Code “that

threatens the socio-cultural rights and practices of religious minorities;” and Abrogating Article 370 in J&K, “which will in retrospect affect Article 371(A) enjoyed by Nagaland.”

The Nagaland Congress has also found it “amusing” that Neiphiu Rio has “started labeling the Congress as communal party to portray his political opportunism infront of the communal BJP mentored by the RSS.” According to the Congress, Rio has also promised to “contribute resources for building the statue of the late Home Minister (Val-

labhbhai Patel) in Gujarat.”

Regarding Rio “raking up the issue of 1984 Sikh riots,” the NPCC stated that “It is pertinent to mention that both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-himself a Sikh- and UPA Chairperson Smti. Sonia Gandhi had regretted the unfortunate episode of 1984 while the chief architect of 2002 Gujarat riots Narendra Modi and the BJP are still unrepentant on the carnage that took place under the official patronage of the state machinery. Therefore, Rio should also request the same from Modi and the

BJP if he talks about moral authority in a complex country like India.”

The NPCC also stated that Rio’s deriding of the Congress flagship schemes is a case of “biting the hand that feeds” as Rio has “made a huge fortune out of various flagship schemes launched by the Congress led UPA at the centre for the past decade.” Rio, by openly lambasting the Right to Education (RTE) and Food Security, has “exposed his capitalist mindset which is in line with the BJPs socioeconomic agenda of exclusiveness.”

DC Kohima notifies govt Chetheba Town Adhoc Committee condemns departments & employees Kohima, march 17 (DiPr): In view of the ensuing Parliamentary Elections 2014, all the government departments and government servants under Kohima district have been asked by the deputy commissioner of Kohima, W. Honje Konyak to follow the following election model code of conduct with immediate effect: 1. No government servant shall take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any way, any candidate.

2. Attendance at public meetings organised by candidate would always be contrary to the Government Servants Conduct Rules unless all the following conditions are satisfied: (1) (a) The meeting is public meeting and not in any sense private or restricted meeting; (b) The meeting is not held contrary to any prohibitory order or without permission where permission is needed; and (c) The government servant in question does not himself speak at, or take active or prominent part in organising or conducting the meeting.

2) Even where the said conditions are satisfied, while occasional attendance at such meetings may not be construed as a participation, frequent or regular attendance by a government servant at meetings of any particular candidate is bound to create the impression that he is a sympathiser of the aims and objects of that particular candidate.

Conduct which gives cause for such an impression may well be construed as assisting a candidate.

3. During election campaign, if any Minister visits a private house in connection with some election programme, the government servant should not attend that function.

4. While giving permission for any meeting no candidate should be discriminated.

5. If on a particular day a number of candidates apply for holding a meeting at a particular place, the permission should be given to only that candidate who had applied first.

6. Rest Houses or Circuit Houses should be given for use to all candidates on the same and equal conditions. No candidate will be given permission to use these places or premises for election propaganda.

7. (a) During the election period, if any, meeting is conducted it should be considered a meeting for political purpose and government should not spend any amount on it; leaving aside the government servants who are there for maintaining law and order, no other government employee should attend such meetings. (b) During the period of elections, if any Minister visits any Municipal Committee/ Corporation and Panchayat where the elections are due, such tour must be considered as election tour and no government servant should accompany the

Minister/ those who are to be provided for security.

During such tours, government vehicles should not be made available. (c) From the date when the election is announced till the election is complete, the government, local government, cooperative institutions and such other institutions which receive aid from the government would not make available their vehicles to the Ministers, Members of Parliament, Member of Legislative Assembly or candidates and such vehicles will not be utilized for election purposes.

8. Ministers will not combine their official tours with the tours for the purpose of election propaganda nor will they utilize the government servants or vehicles during the election period which can be considered as being utilized for the purpose of favouring a candidate.

9. From the date election is announced till the election is complete, Ministers will not give any grant from the discretionary fund or from the government fund nor will they sanction any scheme.

During this period no foundation stone will be laid nor will any plan be inaugurated.

10. During election period such advertisements will not be released by government institutions in the newspapers which will highlight the achievements of the party in power which may lead to favouring a candidate.

PhEK, march 17 (mExN): Chetheba Town Adhoc Committee has described “the attempted murder of Veseto Ringa by Vekhota, a habitual defector on March 12, 2014 evening at Phek without any reason or rhyme and after which Vekhota is said to have committed suicide as learnt from the authorities” as abhorrent, de-

testable and condemnable.

In a press release, vice chairman of the Committee, Sulupoyi Swiho stated that Veseto Ringa is a citizen of Chetheba town, currently residing at Phek Town and is serving as a bus conductor in Nagaland State Transport Department.

While praying for his speedy recovery at Naga

Hospital, Kohima, the Committee acknowledged all the citizens of Phek Town and different organisations who had shown their solidarity towards him and organised a rally. It asserted its support to the resolutions arrived at during the rally and requested the authorities concerned to compensate the victim at the earliest.

Dimapur

5

NNC/FGN to celebrate Nagaland Republic Day Kohima, march 17 (mExN): NNC/FGN will be celebrating the 59th Nagaland Republic Day on March 22, 2014 at 10:00 am at Chedema Peace Camp. FGN assistant secretary Thihü Khamo has invited all nationalists to participate in the occasion.

UNTA cautions against ‘unscrupulous act’ DimaPUr, march 17 (mExN): United Naga Tribes Association (UNTA), an association of all Nagas tribes inhabiting in and around the border areas of Nagaland has cautioned “the unscrupulous act of any unorganized group of people for taking the laws in their hand for the sole purpose of grabbing the lands of those registered and recognized groups or members within the adjoining areas of Dimapur.”

A press statement from UNTA Chairman Chubatangit Jamir and Secretary Hukavi Yepthomi declared that henceforth “UNTA shall not tolerate and entertain any self-

centered groups or individuals that would hamper the common interest of the Nagas in its objective for peaceful co-existence within and beyond the traditional jurisdiction of the Naga people.”

United Naga Tribes Association has therefore appealed to the district administration of Dimapur in particular and the Government of Nagaland to sincerely and carefully maintain complete neutrality in its policing matters.

It further requested all concerned peace loving and sensible Nagas to coordinate in jointly initiating the common interest of the Nagas.

Election notice on defacement and use of loud speakers Kohima, march 17 (DiPr): Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Kohima, W. Honje Konyak has issued the following instructions with regard to the Lok Sabha polls 2014: (1) Under the Defacement of Public Property Act, 2003, no political party or candidate shall permit its or his followers to make use of any individual's land, building, compound, wall, etc., without his permission for

erecting flag staff, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans, etc., and no political party/association/body or candidate or their workers, supporters or sympathizers has/have any right to deface or spoil any private or public building by pasting of their posters, writing of slogans, painting of their symbols, etc. Temporary and easily establishment materials such as flags and banners is permitted to be put up in private prem-

ises after a photo copy of the voluntary permission of the occupant in writing is submitted to the Returning Officer within 3 (three) days of putting up of Posters and Banners.

(2) Prohibition of use of loud speaker: The use of loudspeakers is prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am. The use of loud speaker, whether fitted in vehicles of any kinds or in static position for public meeting for electioneering purposes during the en-

tire Election period till the ending that of the declaration of result will be permitted only between 6 am 10 pm with the written of the authority concerned.

(3) Prohibition of sale of liquor: Under 135(c) of the RP Act 1951, no spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, private or public, within a polling

area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area. Distribution of money and liquor during elections to influence voters shall be treated as an offence. SP Kohima is to instruct flying squads formed in every police stations of the district to keep as strict watch.

All political parties are to strictly follow the Model Code of Conduct.

Bright Morning Star Children Home celebrates 2nd anniversary Our Correspondent Kohima | March 17

Bright Morning Star Children Home (BMSCH) Kohima today celebrated two years of its existence here at Molu Ki with Rosemary Dzüvichü, associate professor of Nagaland University and advisor Naga Mothers’ Association as special guest.

Dzüvichü, who is also the president of Rotary Club Kohima, assured that the club will extend all possible help to the Home in keeping with its benevolent service through the patronage of American Rotarian Club.

She encouraged the

Special Guest Rosemary Dzüvichü and others during the 2nd anniversary of BMSCH Kohima on March 17.

children of the Home to “dream big” and excel in various field as God is there to help those who help themselves.

R. Yilobeni in her speech said that nurturing children is a difficult task, but it’s a blessing to raise them up.

She requested the public to

extend their support to the Home saying “if God touches your heart do some creative valuable goods to the Home.”

Abi K.Angami, proprietor BMSCH in her brief report said the Home was established on March 17, 2012 and registered as nonprofit organization. It raises resources to support children by providing shelter, education, health care and every need.

“BMSCH intends to be a beacon of hope and aspiration for the children who otherwise would have become the unfortunate victims of poverty and mal-

nutrition,” the proprietor stated. “Here we wish to bring back smile on their little faces with the help of few kind hearted family, friends and well wishers. We try to give these children the best we could within the constrained environment and scarce resources.”

Susan Ela James compered the function. The function also witnessed praise and worship by Youth Alive Zhadi Bawe, invocation prayer by Kehousielie Pfusenuo, testimony

by Thefulhoutuo Justin and special skit, song and choreography from BMS kids.

Public SPace

E

ver since Manmohan Singh came into the scene and opened India to the world market, health care in the country has changed dramatically. The best health technology in the world has become accessible to the Indian who can afford it. PET scans, Gamma knife, Robotic surgery, designer drugs for cancer, capsule endoscopy, state of the art Radiotherapy machines etc have all come to India, so much so that Indians no more need to go abroad for treatment. Corporate hospitals have changed the face of health care delivery. The 400 million middle class of India with its greatly increased earning and purchasing capacity has fueled this growth in health care. Insurance has come in a big way to further the cause.

Health tourism has become very popular whereby a foreigner who cannot afford insurance in his home country comes to India, gets treated with 5 star facilities in the best hospitals in India, sees the Taj Mahal, Jaipur forts and flies back home – all in a neatly arranged package. What is dirt cheap for this foreigner is a fortune and out of reach for most local Indians. With the rupee falling, this will increase. NRI doctors are returning to India because they earn better in India and can still look after their old parents who refuse to migrate to the States.

Corporate hospitals have swallowed the best Doctors from medical colleges and created an internal brain drain. Doctors now jump from hos-

Trends In Health Care pital to hospital and sell their souls to the highest bidder. Those who earlier earned in the thousands now suddenly earn several lakhs up to Rs 3 crores per month. Corporate hospitals are now listed in the stock market and pay dividends to their stakeholders. Smart young MBAs call the shots. They also give targets to doctors to fulfill. Doctors asking for labs to give false, inflated test results have become common place. They then use these false results to tell the patient that they need a surgery or ICU care. A normal delivery in some corporate hospitals can cost as much as Rs 65,000/per day. The same would cost Rs 2000 to 6000 elsewhere.

Since the metros pay so much, most doctors would flee from the rural areas thereby depriving the rural poor of the best brains to care for them. Some towns in Andhra Pradesh have whole streets full of private clinics each selling their wares like a mela.

The powerful corporates also influence the lawmakers in the country to pass health care establishment bills that can choke and destroy smaller hospitals. Introduction of quality checks and accreditations – largely encouraged by the corporates but also some good institutions has improved the quality of health care. This of course comes with a cost.

Commissions are paid to the doctors who order a lot of investigations.

If a doctor refers a patient to another center, that center gives him a commission. This causes a lot of unnecessary investigations. Since the patient cannot trust the doctor anymore, they

are forced to seek a second or third opinion, thereby increasing their spending and delaying appropriate treatment. Litigation has also greatly increased since patients no more trust their caregivers and many doctors use the patient as a milking cow to satisfy their greed. Today both the doctors and their patients are suspicious of each other. Very often, partially informed public who have access to the internet harass even well meaning good, sincere doctors and ask for first world quality of care to health care professionals who have third world support systems. This causes angry doctors to go on the defensive and do more costly investigations for fear of being sued by unreasonable patients.

It is a vicious circle that increases cost and nobody wins in the process.

Medical colleges have also mushroomed and make good money. Some of the private medical colleges charge Rs 50 lakhs for an MBBS seat. A seat for a 3 year post graduate course in Pediatrics now costs Rs 75 lakhs and Radiology goes for Rs 1.5 crores. Dermatology and Radiology which were earlier the last options for post graduation are now center stage and have become the most expensive and sought after subjects since the entry of Cosmetology and interventional radiology. After having spent so much on their education, it is natural for many of these doctors to want to recover that money quickly. The ROI or Return on investment is now the buzz word.

In earlier times fresh MBBS doctors never asked how much they

would be paid on joining a new hospital. They were happy getting the experience. Today, that is the first question many young doctors ask on seeking a job. Doctors in India are not taught anything about communications or ethics. As a result when they do wrong, they are just reflecting the society they come from. The Medical council of India (MCI) is contemplating introduction of bioethics into the MBBS curriculum. Finding faculty and creating a curriculum for this will not be easy.

This will possibly increase the MBBS duration by 2 more months.

Realizing the need for more health care professionals in the rural areas, the Central Government introduced the National rural health mission. The NRHM has created a huge amount of new jobs along with almost unlimited funds and infrastructure. It also created certain accountability structures for the utilization of this money. It has partially succeeded in its initiative.

This however comes with tremendous waste of resources in places where monitoring is poor or the leadership is lacking. Some states have used this programme to very good use. The new addition is the urban health mission.

The cost of health care in the country has greatly increased. Health insurance like RSBY and other schemes have helped lessen the burden for the common man. RSBY gives you up to Rs 30,000 for an in patient admission for a family of 5 per year. Rich states like Tamil Nadu give up to lakhs as health insurance for their citizens.

Good states like Mizoram have cred-

it facility in places like CMC Vellore whereby, their government servants can have a Kidney transplant free of cost. RSBY exists in Nagaland and has helped quite a few patients in the state.

Hospital admission is the single most important reason why people go under the poverty line today in India ( World bank study). In our hospital at CIHSR which is a very low cost hospital, a rough study showed that 70% of patients admitted to the General ward took loans to get admitted for a period of 2-3 days. Loans in Nagaland come with an interest rate of 10-20% per month. Once you get into the money lenders hands, you land up in a spiral of debt for years to come.

The 6th Revision of pay has been a windfall for the Government salaried class. These have experienced a sudden jump in their earnings and therefore their spending. Globalization has opened the economy and the private sector earnings have also jumped. A large chunk of the rural and urban poor have been left untouched by these happenings. Pricing in Health care is aimed towards the middle class. This has greatly increased the gap between the rich/ middle class and the poor. This is a dangerous trend and explosive raw material for crime, neglect of the poor and a new revolution. The 7th ROP is on its way.

What are the options for effective reasonably priced ethical medical care today? The current trends cause a lot of anxiety. One has to choose from Government hospitals, private clinics, mission hospitals, medical colleges

Dr Sedevi Angami

and corporate hospitals. Each have their pros and cons.

There is a need for Community owned but professionally run centers.

1. These require funding and subsidies from the Government for keeping the cost low.

2. They also need autonomy of function to keep them efficient.

3. These centers must be linked to teaching medical colleges in order to keep them up to date.

4. They need good interaction with civil society to keep them relevant.

5. They need appropriate mechanisms to keep them highly accountable, ethical and transparent.

6. They must be innovative and progressive to make the best use of resources and manpower.

7. They must interact actively and be supported by Government departments in order to be in touch with mainline national programmes.

8. They need to have accreditation with quality council of India to maintain a high level of quality.

A network of such centers all over the country would impact the health of the country in a more cost effective manner and not burden the already over taxed population. They would cost the taxpayer a fraction of the amount spent on present day health bills.

The alternative is to continue with the status quo and see health care delivery degenerate further as human greed and wickedness increases incrementally as the days go by.

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

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express TuEsDAy 18 MArcH 2014 voluME IX IssuE 74

Learning from Others

W

hen Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams sat side by side for the first time in history to announce to the world that they had agreed to forge a power-sharing coalition, Peter Hain, British Secretary of State remarked ‘We all saw something today that people never, ever thought would happen.’ Indeed, many had never thought that these two long-time foes would ever come together, and leave after having arrived at a consensus. The union of Paisley and Adams is a fundamental step towards addressing their common political agenda with Britain, while enabling their own constituencies which are polarized along faith and political lines an opportunity to come to terms with their past and to build a new future.

Paisley, a Democratic Unionist representing the Protestants, and Adams of the Sinn Fein embodying the Catholics, have been at logger heads for years. Paisley, a Protestant evangelist had long denounced Adams as a ‘man of blood,’ and for 14 long years of the Northern Ireland’s peace process, he had never agreed to negotiate directly with Adams. Therefore, recognizing their bitter historical history, this change of heart and willingness to leave their divisions behind that allowed them to forge a unity government is indeed laudable.

This historic agreement between the Unionists and the Sinn Fein is encouraging, and implies that, at the end of the day, the Irish people’s common aspiration can be respected and upheld. The division between these two groups was splitting the Irish people along political lines, as well as along their faith traditions as Catholics and Protestants. These divisions only further enabled the British government to strengthen their grip over the ‘north of Ireland.’ This power sharing agreement is, therefore, not only pragmatic, but will enable them to negotiate with Britain from a position of strength.

The process of consensus-building is a critical approach in building understanding between conflicting parties because it focuses largely on the people’s future well-being. A consensus approach has been more successful when it comes to addressing ‘intra conflicts’ because it does not demand that one group give up their individual identity for the other. Rather it emphasizes a series of dialogue between the groups and recognizes each other’s contributions, in addition to acknowledging that working together is necessary in order to achieve their common objective. The process of consensus building is directed towards creating a common vision which forms its broad framework.

This intent is quite clearly reflected in their statements, for instance, Paisley stated that, ‘We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future for our children.’ He went on to add that, ‘In looking to that future, we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, now emerging, We owe it to them to craft the best possible future.’ These sentiments were reiterated by Adams who affirmed that, ‘The relationships between the people of this island have been marred by centuries of discord, conflict, hurt and tragedy. ... Now there's a new start, with the help of God.’ Consensus-building as an approach allows the space where new beginnings can be made. It enables a society to move forward in an entirely new spirit. Historical wrongs can constructively be addressed using a positive approach of tolerance and understanding with compassion/empathy and grace. While Paisley and Adams are only two individuals, what is remarkable is the fact that their ability to set aside their differences has made it possible for the Catholics and Protestants to come together as one nation and work in consensus for their common future.

Is it possible for Nagas to learn from all these experiences and create the space where all the groups will engage in a process of consensus-building? If the Irish can muster the will and the heart to arrive at a consensus despite their divided past, why can’t the Nagas?

lEfT wiNg |

Rianne Teule Common Dreams

Fukushima: We Must Not Forget!

“F

orgetting Fukushima makes it more likely that such a nuclear disaster could happen elsewhere,” said Mrs Tatsuko Okawara, one of the hundreds of thousands of victims of the Fukushima accident that began on 11 March 2011.

Though she is right, the world still seems to forget.

The nuclear industry is trying its hardest to make us forget by downplaying the impacts of the accident, ignoring the fact that the Fukushima reactors are still not under control and claiming that lessons have been learned. Nothing is further from the truth.

So business continues as usual and in many countries the same mistakes are being made that played a role in Fukushima.

These are systemic failures linked to the nuclear sector, such as a lack of independent regulators, no accountability, putting profits before the protection of people, insufficient emergency planning and the continued belief in a nuclear safety paradigm that has been proven wrong.

A truly independent nuclear regulator is a rarity as most are closely connected to the sector that they should control. And at the same time, decisions are made on the basis of politics and economics, rather than people and their safety.

The nuclear industry still benefits from a liability system that shields them from carrying responsibility for the risks and damages they create. Big companies harvest large profits, while the moment things go wrong, it is the society and people who need to deal with the losses and damages. Those who are paying for Fukushima are the many thousands of citizens who lost their livelihoods; whose communities and families have been broken up; whose children cannot play outside because radiation levels are too high. The people who are paying are the Japanese people whose tax money is being used to deal with the crippled Fukushima reactors and clean up of the contaminated areas.

We were led to believe that the probability of a severe nuclear accident like Chernobyl was virtually insignificant. But looking at the real world, the evidence shows the frequency of reactor meltdowns is approximately once in every decade. Still, the nuclear sector uses the same probability assessments and procedures that were proven entirely wrong. Regulators continue to hesitate to properly act to reduce reactor risks, because stricter regulations would make the nuclear industry unprofitable.

The world is still running more than 400 inherently dangerous nuclear reactors and continues to build dozens more. Millions of people are at risk because, as Fukushima has shown, the radioactive contamination does not stop at a distance of 10 or 20 kilometres, which is the border of the officially designated evacuation zones. And still, nobody is prepared to handle a large-scale nuclear accident when people may need to be evacuated even hundred kilometres away from the nuclear power plant.

Nuclear energy is not a necessary evil, because affordable, safer and cleaner energy solutions exist. They are only a matter of political choice. That’s why we must not forget Fukushima.

We must listen to those who suffer from the accident. We must remember, learn and act to build a better world.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Tom Engelhardt Le Monde diplomatique

Shadows of a thug State The revelations of Edward Snowden, and the other leakers of US intelligence, have given Americans the illusion that they really know what their government is up to. They don’t. It’s far bigger, and far worse

I

ntelligence officials have estimated just how many secret files National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden took when he headed for Hong Kong last June: 1.7 million. At least they claim that as the number he accessed. Let’s assume that it’s accurate, and add a caveat. Whatever he had with him when he left the agency, Edward Snowden did not take all the NSA’s classified documents. Many millions of NSA documents did not get the Snowden treatment.

What he did take will occupy journalists for years (and historians long after that). However, the NSA is only one of 17 outfits in the US intelligence community. Some of the others are as large and well funded, and all generate their own troves of secret documents.

That’s just intelligence agencies. If you’re thinking about the full sweep of our national security state (NSS), you also have to include the Department of Homeland Security, the Energy Department (responsible for the US nuclear arsenal) and the Pentagon. We’re talking about secret documentation that an army of journalists, researchers and historians wouldn’t have a hope of getting through in a century.

We do know that, in 2011, the whole government classified 92,064,862 documents. If typical, that means, in the 21st century, the NSS has already generated hundreds of millions of documents that could not be read by an American without a security clearance. Of those, thanks to one man, we have had access to a tiny percentage of 1.7 million. You the voter, the taxpayer, the citizen — in what we still like to think of as a democracy — are automatically excluded from knowing or learning about most of what the national security state does in your name, unless its officials decide to cherry-pick information they feel you are capable of safely absorbing — or an Edward Snowden releases documents over the bitter protests and death threats of Washington officialdom.

Summoned from its id So far, even among critics, the debate about Snowden’s act has generally focused on “balance”; on what’s the right equilibrium between a governmental need for secrecy, the security of the country, and an American urge for privacy, freedom and transparency — for knowing what your government is doing. Such a framework has proved a comfortable one for Washington, which doesn’t mind focusing on the supposedly knotty question of how to define the “limits” of secrecy and whistle-blowing, and what “reforms” are needed to bring the two into line. In the present context such a debate seems laughable, if not absurd.

It’s clear from the numbers that the urge to envelop the national security state in a blanket of secrecy, to shield its workings from its citizens (as well as allies and enemies) has proven boundless, as have the ambitions of those running that state. There is no way, at present, to limit the governmental urge for secrecy, certainly not via secret courts or congressional committees entangled in the processes of a secret system.

In the face of such boundlessness, perhaps the words whistleblower and leaker — both traditionally referring to focused activities — are no longer useful.

Though we may not yet have a word to describe what Chelsea (once Bradley) Manning, Julian Assange and Edward Snowden have done, we should stop calling them whistleblowers. Perhaps they should be considered the creations of an overweening national security state, summoned by us from its id to act as a counterforce to its ambitions. Imagine them as representing the societal unconscious. Only in this way can we explain the boundlessness of their acts. Such massive document appropriations are inconceivable without a secret state endlessly documenting its own darkness.

One thing is for certain, though no one thinks to say it: despite their staggering releases of insider information, when it comes to the true nature and extent of the NSS, we remain in the dark. In the feeling

that, thanks to Manning and Snowden, we now grasp the depths of that secret state, its secret acts and secret documentation, we are deluded. Snowden’s revelations have helped promote this delusion. In a way that hasn’t happened since the Watergate era of the 1970s, they have given us the feeling that a curtain has been pulled back on the true nature of the Washington system, and we have glimpsed a global surveillance state-in-the-making of astounding scope, reach and technological proficiency, whose ambitions should take our breath away. And yet, while this is accurate enough, it leads us to believe that we now know a great deal about the secret world of Washington. This is an illusion.

Even if we knew what was in all of those 1.7 million NSA documents, they are a mere drop. We have the revelations of one (marginal) insider who told us about part of what a single agency documented about its own activities. The global debate, controversy, anger and discussion, Snowden has said, represents “mission accomplished” for him. But it shouldn’t be mission accomplished for the rest of us.

administration dedicated to openness and transparency. That announcement now drips with irony. If you want a measure of the kind of secrecy the White House condones these days, check out a recent Los Angeles Times piece (3) on the CIA’s drone assassination programme (one of the more overt aspects of Washington’s covert world).

That paper recently reported that the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin, held a joint classified hearing with the Senate Intelligence Committee on the CIA, the Pentagon, and their drone campaigns against terror suspects in the backlands of the planet. But CIA officials normally testify only before the House and Senate intelligence committees. In this case, the White House “refused to provide the necessary security clearances for members of the House and Senate armed services committees.”

As a result, it would not let CIA witnesses appear before Levin. Officials “had little appetite for briefing the 26 senators and 62 House members who sit on the armed services committees on the CIA’s most sensitive operations.” Sunshine is considered potentially dangerous, even in tiny doses, even in Congress.

The dangers of sunshine To gain a reasonable picture of our national security Cult of government secrecy state, 20 Snowdens, each at a different agency, would In evaluating what may lie behind the many curhave to step out of the shadows — just for starters. Then tains of Washington, history does offer us a little help.

Thanks to the revelations of the 1970s, including a 1971 break-in by anti-war activists at an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, which opened a window into the Bureau’s illegality, plus some famous reporting and the thorough work of the Church committee in the Senate, we have a sense of what the national security state was capable of when enveloped in a penumbra of secrecy (even if, in that era, the technology could do so much less). In the Johnson and Nixon years, the FBI, the CIA, the NSA and other acronymic outfits committed staggering misdeeds, provocations and crimes.

It’s easy to say that post-Watergate reforms made such acts a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, there’s no reason to believe that. The nature of that era’s reforms should be reconsidered: one important Congressional response was to create the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA), a judiciary for the secret world that would genwe would need a media that was ready to roll and a erate a significant body of law that no American outside Congress not wrapped in “security” and “secrecy” but the NSS could see. After the headlines, the congressiodemanding answers, as the Church committee did in nal inquiries, the impeachment proceedings, the ending of two presidencies — one by resignation — and the Watergate era, with subpoenas in hand.

We may have access to basic information about black bag jobs, break-ins, buggings, attempted beatwhat the NSA has been up to, but what do you know ings, blackmail, massive spying and surveillance, the about the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, answer was a secret court. Its judges, appointed by the with its 16,500 employees, which has embarked on chief justice of the Supreme Court alone, are charged “an ambitious plan to assemble an espionage network with ruling after hearing only one side of any case inthat rivals the CIA in size” (1)? How about the Na- volving a governmental desire to snoop or pry or surtional Geospatial-Intelligence Agency with its 16,000 veil. The court has proved a willing rubber stamp for employees, its post 9/11 headquarters and its control any urge of the national security state. This remedy for government illegality was just another step in the instiover spy satellites prowling the planetary skies?

The answer is no more than you would have known tutionalisation of a secret world that looks like an Orabout the NSA if Snowden hadn’t acted. And what do wellian nightmare. In creating the FISA court, Congress you know about the FBI, which now issues thousands took the extra-Constitutional, extra-legal acts of the of national security letters a year (16,511 in 2011) (2), Nixon era and put them under the rule of (secret) law.

Today, after the rampant extra-legality of the Globan unknown number of them for terror investigations?

Since their recipients are not allowed to discuss them, al War on Terror — including the setting up of a secret, we know next to nothing about what the Bureau is do- extrajudicial global prison system of “black sites”, iling. And how’s your info on the CIA, which takes $4bn legal kidnappings of terror suspects and renditions to more out of the intelligence black budget than the NSA, the prisons of torture regimes, and the assassinationruns its own private wars and has organised its own pri- by-drone of American citizens — it’s clear that NSS vatised corps of spies as part of the expansion of US in- officials feel they have near total impunity. (Not that their secret acts often turn out as planned.) They know telligence and espionage abroad?

Or take that old-fashioned, low-tech surveillance: that nothing they do will be brought before an open government informers and agents provocateurs. They court of law. While the rest of us remain inside the lewere commonplace in the 1960s and early 1970s within gal system, they exist in post-legal America. Now, the every oppositional movement. They are with us again. president claims that he’s preparing new reforms to Thanks to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), bring this system under check. Watch out!

Protected from the law by a spreading cult of govwhich has mapped reports in which informers made it into at least the local news, we know that they became ernment secrecy, beyond the reach of the citizenry, part of what anti-war movements existed, slipped into Congress or the aboveground judicial system, supthe Occupy movement and have run riot in Muslim- ported by the White House and a body of secret law, American communities. We know that these informers knowing that no act undertaken in the name of Amercome from a wide range of outfits, including the local ican “safety” and “security” will ever be prosecuted, police, the military and the FBI. However, we have just the inhabitants of our secret state have been moving about no inside information on the extent of old-style in dark and disturbing ways. What we know is already disturbing enough. What we don’t know would informing, surveilling and provoking.

One thing couldn’t be clearer: the mania for se- unnerve us far more. Shadow government has concrecy has grown in the Obama years. On entering the quered 21st-century Washington. We have the makOval Office in 2009, Obama proclaimed a sunshine ings of a thug state.

India's gaping leadership vacuum Amulya Ganguli

A

IANS

major reason why the forthcoming general elections may not usher in political stability is the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of today's leaders. As a result, governance is likely to remain mired in scams, indecision and unethical compromises in the foreseeable future.

It is a truism that the political standards have been falling over the years.

But the yawning holes which the decline has opened up were camouflaged for a time by the presence of several seemingly laudable personalities - seemingly because the dearth of their cerebral and ethical calibre was not so apparent earlier. But the deficiencies are out in the open now.

Among those who have let their admirers down are Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. It may be recalled that prior to the Congress's return to power in 2004, Sonia Gandhi had consistently secured high ratings in the opinion polls. These were only a few points below those of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was then prime minister and invariably headed the popularity charts.

Now the scene is different. While Vajpayee has retired from public life and Sonia Gandhi's party is facing a rout, no one has appeared in the BJP who is anywhere near Vajpayee's stature. What is

even more ironical is that the person Narendra Modi - who was held responsible by Vajpayee himself for the party's defeat in 2004 for failing to control the 2002 Gujarat riots, is today the BJP's poll mascot.

Nothing shows more starkly the lowering of the perception of leadership qualities than Modi's nomination as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate despite opposition from the party's octogenarian mentor, L.K. Advani, and others like Sushma Swaraj, though in a more muted form. What is also significant is that the BJP found no one else since all its other contenders had some flaw or the other.

Advani, for instance, was thought to have exceeded the "sell by" date because of age, although he was the saffron brotherhood's hero in the 1990s. And Sushma Swaraj was presumed to be too excitable to be the party's nominee because her oratorical skills were overshadowed by the tendency to fly off the handle, as when she threatened to shave her head if "foreigner" Sonia Gandhi became prime minister, or suggested that the heads of 10 Pakistani soldiers should be cut off in retaliation for the beheading of an Indian soldier.

It is leadership failures of this nature, underlining the absence of inspiring personalities, which have cast a shadow on the possibility of the BJP-led Nation-

al Democratic Alliance (NDA) reaching the 272-seat mark in the 545-member Lok Sabha (two members are nominated) to form a government. There are even doubts whether the BJP will be able to attract a sufficient number of allies to cross the magic figure because of Modi's past when he was castigated

by Vajpayee for failing to observe the raj dharma, or the duties of governance, during the communal outbreak in 2002.

If the BJP hasn't found anyone who fits Vajpayee's shoes, the Congress, too, has been at a loss after Rajiv Gandhi's death. There is little doubt that he was the Last of the Mohicans even if the later stages of his prime ministerial tenure were marred by the Bofors howitzer scandal.

Even then, the electoral defeat of 1989 apparently made him realize the need for making amends.

In contrast, the present-day members of the Nehru-Gandhi family appear to be clueless about the reasons why their party is going down. They are even reluctant to appear on television lest their vacuity is exposed. It isn't only that Rahul Gandhi has shied away from a second TV interview after the first one showed him to be hesitant, even the otherwise combative Modi turned down a Facebook-sponsored questionand-answer session in case he is asked whether he told the police to go easy on the rioters in 2002.

wRiTE-wiNg

If the Congress leaders had undertaken a "deep introspection" of the party's problems, which Sonia Gandhi promised after the Congress's 0-4 drubbing in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi last year, they would have realized that none of the government's flagship programmes - the right to food, the right to employment, the right to education - had helped the party.

Yet, it doesn't take great political acumen to understand that this typical Left-oriented as well as feudal outlook of a supposedly benevolent government and a munificent dynasty is out of sync with the open economy which India embraced in 1991. What is unfortunate is that the man who presided over the liberalization of the economy as finance minister two decades ago meekly allowed the slow return of the discredited licence-permit-control raj because of his reluctance to oppose Sonia Gandhi's socialistic preferences.

He did know what was going wrong for he said, in reference to the environment ministry under Jayanthi Natarajan, that the restrictions of the licence raj were being restored. He also said that the Left's "outdated ideology" had no place in India. But he allowed the profligate rights-based programmes to impose an unbearable burden on the economy. Had he shown greater firmness in pushing forward his neo-liberal views, neither the country nor the party would have been in such dire straits as now.

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

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

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tuEsday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

18 MArCh 2014

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

A Happy Life or a Meaningful One Do We Really Need to Choose?

Jill suttie & Jason Marsh

Researchers continue to debate whether people face a genuine trade-off between seeking a happy life and a meaningful one

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hilosophers, researchers, spiritual leaders—they've all debated what makes life worth living.

Is it a life filled with happiness or a life filled with purpose and meaning? Is there even a difference between the two?

Think of the human rights activist who fights oppression but ends up in prison—is she happy? Or the social animal who spends his nights (and some days) jumping from party to party—is that the good life?

These aren't just academic questions. They can help us determine where we should invest our energy to lead the life we want.

Recently some researchers have explored these questions in depth, trying to tease apart the differences between a meaningful life and a happy one. Their research suggests there's more to life than happiness—and even calls into question some previous findings from the field of positive psychology, earning it both a fair amount of press coverage and criticism.

The controversy surrounding it raises big questions about what happiness actually means: While there may be more to life than happiness, there may also be more to "happiness" than pleasure alone.

Five differences between a happy life and a meaningful one "A happy life and a meaningful life have some differences," says Roy Baumeister, a Francis Eppes Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. He bases that claim on a paper he published last year in the Journal of Positive Psychology, co-authored with researchers at the University of Minnesota and Stanford.

Baumeister and his colleagues surveyed 397 adults, looking for correlations between their levels of happiness, meaning, and various other aspects of their lives: their behavior, moods, relationships, health, stress levels, work lives, creative pursuits, and more.

They found that a meaningful life and a happy life often go hand-in-hand—but not always. And they were curious to learn more about the differences between the two. Their statistical analysis tried to separate out what brought meaning to one's life but not happiness, and what brought happiness but not meaning.

Their findings suggest that meaning (separate from happiness) is not connected with whether one is healthy, has enough money, or feels comfortable in life, while happiness (separate from meaning) is. More specifically, the researchers identified five major differences between a happy life and a meaningful one.

• Happy people satisfy their wants and needs, but that seems largely irrelevant to a meaningful life. Therefore, health, wealth, and ease in life were all related to happiness, but not to meaning.

• Happiness involves being focused on the present, whereas meaningfulness involves thinking more about the past, present, and future—and the relationship between them. In addition, happiness was seen as fleeting, while meaningfulness seemed to last longer.

• Meaningfulness is derived from giving to other people; happiness comes from what they give to you. Although social connections were linked to both happiness and meaning, happiness was connected more to the benefits one receives from social relationships, especially friendships, while meaningfulness was related to what one gives to others—for

example, taking care of children. Along these lines, self-described "takers" were happier than self-described "givers," and spending time with friends was linked to happiness more than meaning, whereas spending more time with loved ones was linked to meaning but not happiness.

• Meaningful lives involve stress and challenges. Higher levels of worry, stress, and anxiety were linked to higher meaningfulness but to lower happiness. This suggests that engaging in challenging or difficult situations that are beyond oneself or one's pleasures promotes meaningfulness but not happiness.

• Self-expression is important to meaning but not happiness. Doing things to express oneself and caring about personal and cultural identity were linked to a meaningful life but not to a happy one. For example, considering oneself to be wise or creative was associated with meaning but not with happiness.

One of the more surprising findings from the study was that giving to others was associated with meaning, rather than happiness, while taking from others was related to happiness and not meaning.

Though many researchers have found a connection between giving and happiness, Baumeister argues that this connection is due to how one assigns meaning to the act of giving.

"If we just look at helping others, the simple effect is that people who help others are happier," says Baumeister. But when you eliminate the effects of meaning on happiness and vice versa, he says, "then helping makes people less happy, so that all the effect of helping on happiness comes by way of increasing meaningfulness."

Baumeister's study raises some provocative questions about research in positive psychology that links kind, helpful—or "pro-social"—activity to happiness and well-being. Yet his research has also touched off a debate about what psychologists—and the rest of us—really mean when we talk about happiness.

What is happiness, anyway?

Researchers, just like other people, have disagreed about the definition of "happiness" and how to measure it.

Some have equated happiness with transient emotional states or even spikes of activity in pleasure centers of the brain, while others have asked people to assess their overall happiness or life satisfaction. Some researchers, like Ed Diener of the University of Illinois, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, have tried to group together these aspects of happiness under the term "subjective well-being," which encompasses assessments of positive and negative emotions as well as overall life satisfaction. These differences in definitions of happiness have sometimes led to confusing—or even contradictory—findings.

For instance, in Baumeister's study, familial relationships—like parenting— tended to be tied to meaning more than to happiness. Support for this finding comes from researchers like Robin Simon of Wake Forest University, who looked at happiness levels among 1,400 adults and found that parents generally reported less positive emotion and more negative emotions than people without kids. She concluded that, while parents may report more purpose and meaning than nonparents, they are generally less happy than their childless peers.

This conclusion irks happiness researcher Sonja Lyubormirsky, of the University of California, Riverside, who takes issue with studies that "try too hard to rule out everything related to happiness" from their analysis but still draw conclusions about happiness.

"Imagine everything that you think

would be great about parenting, or about being a parent," says Lyubomirsky. "If you control for that—if you take it out of the equation—then of course parents are going to look a lot less happy."

In a recent study, she and her colleagues measured happiness levels and meaning in parents, both in a "global" way—having them assess their overall happiness and life satisfaction—and while engaged in their daily activities. Results showed that, in general, parents were happier and more satisfied with their lives than non-parents, and parents found both pleasure and meaning in child care activities, even in the very moments when they were engaged in those activities.

"Being a parent leads to all of these good things: It gives you meaning in life, it gives you goals to pursue, it can make you feel more connected in your relationships," says Lyubomirsky. "You can't really talk about happiness without including all of them."

Lyubomirsky feels that researchers who try to separate meaning and happiness may be on the wrong track, because meaning and happiness are inseparably intertwined.

"When you feel happy, and you take out the meaning part of happiness, it's not really happiness," she says.

Yet this is basically how Baumeister and his colleagues defined happiness for the purpose of their study. So although the study referred to "happiness," says Lyubomirsky, perhaps it was actually looking at something more like "hedonic pleasure"—the part of happiness that involves feeling good without the part that involves deeper life satisfaction.

Is there happiness without pleasure?

But is it ever helpful to separate out meaning from pleasure?

Some researchers have taken to doing that by looking at what they call "eudaimonic happiness," or the happiness that comes from meaningful pursuits, and "hedonic happiness"—the happiness that comes from pleasure or goal fulfillment.

A recent study by Steven Cole of the UCLA School of Medicine, and Barbara Fredrickson of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, found that people who reported more eudaimonic happiness had stronger immune system function than those who reported more hedonic happiness, suggesting that a life of meaning may be better for our health than a life of pleasure-seeking.

Similarly, a 2008 article published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found several positive health effects associated with eudaimonic happiness, including less reactivity to stress, less insulin resistance (which means less chance of developing diabetes), higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, better sleep, and brain activity patterns that have been linked to decreased levels of depression.

But happiness researcher Elizabeth Dunn thinks the distinction between eudaimonic and hedonic happiness is murky.

"I think it's a distinction that intuitively makes a lot of sense but doesn't actually hold up under the lens of science," says Dunn, an associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia.

Dunn has authored numerous studies showing that giving to others increases happiness, both in the moment, as measured by positive emotions alone, and in terms of overall life satisfaction. In a recently published paper, she and her colleagues surveyed data from several countries and found supporting evidence for this connection, including findings in which people randomly assigned to buy items for charity reported higher levels of positive emotion—a measure of hedonic happiness—than participants assigned to buy the same items for themselves, even when the spending did not build or

strengthen social ties.

"I think my own work really supports the idea that eudaimonic and hedonic well-being are surprisingly similar and aren't as different as one might expect," says Dunn. "To say that there's one pathway to meaning, and that it's different than the pathway to pleasure, is false."

Like Lyubomirsky, she insists that meaning and happiness go hand-in-hand.

She points to the work of researchers who've found that positive emotions can help establish deeper social ties—which many argue is the most meaningful part of life—and to University of Missouri psychologist Laura King's research, which found that feeling positive emotions helps people see the "big picture" and notice patterns, which can help one aim for more meaningful pursuits and interpret one's experience as meaningful.

In addition, she argues that the measurements used to distinguish eudaimonic from hedonic happiness are too highly correlated to separate out in this way—statistically speaking, doing so can make your results unreliable.

As University of Pennsylvania psychologist James Coyne—according to Dunn, a statistical "hardhead"—wrote in a 2013 blog post, trying to distinguish eudaimonic well-being by controlling for hedonic wellbeing and other factors leaves you with something that's not really eudaimonia at all. He compares it to taking a photo of siblings who look alike, removing everything that makes them resemble each other, and then still calling the photos representative of the siblings.

"If we were talking about people, we probably couldn't even recognize a family resemblance between the two," he writes.

In other words, just because it's statistically possible to remove the influence of one variable on another doesn't mean that what you end up with is something meaningfully distinct.

"If you parcel out meaning from happiness, the happiness factor may go away," says Dunn. "But, in terms of people's daily experience, is it actually the case that people face genuine tradeoffs between happiness and meaning? I don't think so."

Can you have it all?

Baumeister, though, clearly believes it is useful to make distinctions between meaning and happiness—in part to encourage more people to seek meaningful pursuits in life whether or not doing so makes them feel happy. Still, he recognizes that the two are closely tied.

"Having a meaningful life contributes to being happy and being happy may also contribute to finding life more meaningful," he says. "I think that there's evidence for both of those."

But one piece of warning: If you are aiming strictly for a life of hedonic pleasure, you may be on the wrong path to finding happiness. "For centuries, traditional wisdom has been that simply seeking pleasure for its own sake doesn't really make you happy in the long run," he says.

In fact, seeking happiness without meaning would probably be a stressful, aggravating, and annoying proposition, argues Baumeister.

Instead, when aspiring to a well-lived life, it might make more sense to look for things you find meaningful—deep relationships, altruism, and purposeful self-expression, for example—than to look for pleasure alone… even if pleasure augments one's sense of meaning, as King suggests.

"Work toward long-term goals; do things that society holds in high regard—for achievement or moral reasons," he says. "You draw meaning from a larger context, so you need to look beyond yourself to find the purpose in what you're doing."

Chances are that you'll also find pleasure—and happiness—along the way.

Review: Uneasy first steps with Google Glass Barbara Ortutay

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AP Technology Writer

haped like a lopsided headband, Google Glass is an unassuming piece of technology when you're holding it in your hands. You feel as if you can almost break it, testing its flexibility. Putting it on, though, is another story.

Once you do, this Internet-connected eyewear takes on a life of its own. You become "The Person Wearing Google Glass" and all the assumptions that brings with it —about your wealth, boorishness or curiosity. Such is the fate of early adopters of new technologies, whether it's the Sony Walkman, the first iPod with its conspicuous white earbuds, or the Segway scooter. Google calls the people who wear Glass "explorers," because the device is not yet available to the general public.

With its $1,500 price tag, the device is far from having mass appeal. At the South By Southwest Interactive tech jamboree in Austin this week, I counted fewer than a dozen people wearing it, including technology blogger Robert Scoble, who isn't shy about posting pictures of himself in the shower, red-faced, water running, wearing the device.

Google, like most successful technology companies, dreamers and inventors, likes to take a long view on things. It calls some of its most outlandish projects "moonshots." Besides Glass, these include its driverless car, balloons that deliver Internet service to remote parts of the world and contact lenses that monitor glucose levels in diabetics.

There's an inherent risk in moonshots, however: What if you never reach the moon? Ten years from now, we may look back at Google Glass as one of those shortlived bridges that takes us from one technological breakthrough to the next, just as pagers, MP3 players and personal digital assistants paved the way for the era of the smartphone. Fitness bands, too, may fit into this category.

In its current, early version, Google Glass feels bulky

on my face and when I look in the mirror I see a futuristic telemarketer looking back at me. Wearing it on the subway while a homeless man shuffled through the car begging for change made me feel as if I was sporting a diamond tiara. I sank lower in my seat as he passed. If Google is aiming for mass appeal, the next versions of Glass have to be much smaller and less conspicuous.

Though no one knows for sure where wearable devices will lead us, Rodrigo Martinez, life sciences chief strategist at the Silicon Valley design firm IDEO, has some ideas. "The reason we are talking about wearables is because we are not at implantables yet," he says. "(But) I'm ready. Others are ready."

Nevermind implants, I'm not sure I'm even ready for Google Glass.

Specs in place for the first time, I walked out of Google's Manhattan showroom on a recent Friday afternoon with a sense of unease. A wave of questions washed over me. Why is everyone looking at me?

Should I be looking at them? Should I have chosen the orange Glass instead of charcoal?

Ideally, Google Glass lets you do many of the things we now do with our smartphones, such as taking photos, reading news headlines or talking to our mothers on Sunday evenings — hands-free. But it comes with a bit of baggage.

Glass feels heavier when I'm out in public or in a group where I'm the only person wearing it. If I think about it long enough my face starts burning from embarrassment. The device has been described to me as "the scarlet letter of technology" by a friend. The most frequent response I get from my husband when I try to slip Glass on in his presence is "please take that off."

This is the same husband who encouraged me to buy a sweater covered in googly-eyed cats.

Instead of looking at the world through a new lens on a crowded rush-hour sidewalk. I felt as if the whole world was looking at me. That's no small feat in New York, where even celebrities are afforded a sense of pri-

vacy and where making eye contact with strangers can amount to an entire conversation.

But that's just one side of wearing Google Glass.

The other side is exhilarating. Glass is getting some bad press lately. Some bars and coffee shops in Silicon Valley and Seattle have banned Google Glass, for example, and federal authorities in Ohio interrogated a man earlier this year after he was suspected of recording a movie with the device. Last month, Google put out a Glass etiquette guide that includes the appeal "don't be creepy or rude."

But the truth is that it's a groundbreaking device, even if it doesn't take off, even if it evolves into something completely different, even if we laugh at it 10 years from now while driving our flying cars in the skies of Manhattan.

I strolled around for a few hours with the cyborg glasses, happily snapping photos. With a mere wink, I captured snowy Lower Manhattan streetscapes and my reflection in the grimy subway-car windows.

There were some whispers. ("Did you see? Google Glass!") There were some comments as I squeezed into the subway with my fellow commuters —comparisons to the Segway scooter, and a warning that it will prove to be a huge battery drainer if I use my iPhone to connect Glass to the Internet.

For more human interaction, I walked into a small macaroon shop to buy a friend some birthday sweets.

Alone but for the store clerks, I fumbled to take them off, find a place to put them on the small counter and get my wallet out of my bag.

"Sorry. You're the first people I'm interacting with wearing these. I don't mean to be a jerk," I told the man and woman at the counter. I took off Glass for the same reason that I take out my earbuds when I am talking to people. I don't want to appear like I am not paying attention to them.

It was fine, though. The woman thought Glass was cool. The man, he might not have, but he didn't say anything.

“Arena of Mind” portrays a space for idea germination, a field where ideas from multi-disciplinary viewpoints fertilize the world of intelligence. The writers aspire to envision a new future by exploring the mind, discovering new seeds of insights and unleashing them to enlightenment.

Our Rights as Consumers ...

Moatemsu M. Com., M. Phil.,

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Department of Business Administration St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, Nagaland.

ll of us are consumers. We buy commodities for our consumption and also for our daily living in varieties of ways. But in many ways and on many occasions we are exploited by the sellers, traders, manufacturers and service providers without our knowledge. However, we do not take actions even when we know that we are exploited. Here are some tips for us to protect ourselves as consumers and also help people who may be exploited to get their rights. There are many ways through which we as a consumer can be protected against such unfair trade practices. The business firms themselves can take the initiative of providing good quality products and services at reasonable price, adopt just and fair trade practices. Consumer associations and organisations can be formed to present a collective platform to address their grievances. The Government can adopt and enforce legislative measures for the protection of consumers and safeguard their interest.

Consumers’ awareness is one of the effective means of protection against exploitation and unfair trade practices. It is not easy to exploit educated and well aware consumers, so let us become aware of our consumer rights and try to follow the instructions for our safety.

Some of the important rights of consumers are as follows: 1. Right to safety: Consumers have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to life, health and property. Consumers are entitled to healthy and safe products. This right needs each product which is potentially dangerous to our lives to be marketed after adequate and complete verification as well as validation.

2. Right to Information: The right to information refers to the right of the consumers to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, as the case may be so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. It implies that all the consumable products be labelled in a standard manner containing the cost, quantity, ingredients and instructions on how to use the product safely.

In case of pharmaceutical products, it requires to disclose the potential side effects related to the drugs. The right to information gives the power to the consumers to have an easy access to information which is necessary for the consumer.

3. Right to choose: As per the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, right to choose implies ‘the right to be assured, wherever possible, to have access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices’. Free competition and wide variety enable consumers to choose the best goods according to their choice and interest.

4. Right to be heard: Consumers need to be assured that their interests will be given due considerations at appropriate forums. This right helps to empower the consumers for putting forward their complaints and concerns fearlessly and raise their voice against products or service providers and ensure that their issues are taken into consideration as well as handled expeditiously at various forums for the well-being of the consumers.

5. Right to education: Consumers have the right to be made aware of their rights and remedies available to them for redressal of their grievances. This right makes sure that the consumers have informational programs and materials which are easily accessible that would enable them to make purchasing decisions better.

Consumer education can be provided through college and school curriculums as well as consumer awareness campaigns being run by non- governmental and governmental agencies.

6. Right to redressal: Consumer has every right to redress their grievances against unfair trade practices and exploitation by unscrupulous elements. Towards this right, consumer courts like District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums at district level, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions have been set up.

The following remedies are available to consumers if there is any infringement of their rights (i) If after proper testing, the product proves to be defective, then the defects in the product can be removed. (ii) When the defects in the product cannot be removed then the defective product can be replaced by a new non-defective product of the same type. (iii) Instead of removing the defects and replacement of defective product, the seller can be made to refund the price paid by the complainant for the product. (iv) If because of the negligence of the seller, a consumer suffers physical or any other loss, then compensation for that loss can be provided. (v) If there is any deficiency in delivery of service, then the service provider can be made to remove that deficiency. (vi) If a complaint is filed against unfair/restrictive trade practice, then that practice can be banned with immediate effect. (vii) Products which can prove hazardous for life, their sale can be stopped. (viii) On seeing the serious adverse effects of hazardous goods on the consumers, such goods can be withdrawn from the market. (ix) Under the provision of the Consumer Protection Act, the trader can be made to pay adequate cost to the victim concerned.

The efforts made by government or non-governmental organisations to protect the interest of consumers can be efficient and effective only when the consumers are aware of their rights and exercise them whenever required. Don’t let your rights be violated. Get the best commodities of your choice and enjoy a healthy protected life.

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

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Tuesday 18 March 2014

The Morung Express

EC keeps eye on Godmen turn party campaigners

New delhI, mArch 17 (AgeNcIeS): In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the unholy nexus between politicians and religious leaders is seeing yoga gurus and spiritual leaders openly turning into cheerleaders for politicians.

From door-to-door campaigns to regular endorsements through book launches and public meetings, religious leaders seem to have turned into highprofile foot-soldiers of political parties this election season. With armies of followers at their command and resources to spare, spiritual leaders must obviously be a high-value asset for campaign managers.

And going by the manner in which yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Art of Living Foundation’s Sri Sri Ravi Shankar having been chanting praises of their preferred candidate, religious leaders seem only too happy to oblige politicians.

A recent article in Scroll. in titled ‘Why Sri Sri Ravi Shankar wants your voter ID card number’ draws attention to a certain ‘Happiness Survey’ being conducted by the Art of Living Foundation as part of its ‘I vote for a better India campaign’ that asks readers about their political preferences. Quoting from the article: “After finding out

‘Never said Modi was in hurry to become PM’

Founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, left, speaks with Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi at a book launch in Ahmadabad, on Friday, March 7. The book Sakshibhav was written by Modi, who is also India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming general elections. (AP File Photo)

your political preferences, the survey asks you to share the Voter ID card number.

Since it has already taken down your location, email and mobile number, any political party that gets hold of the survey would find it easy to track you down to influence your voting decision before elections, which might be the least worrying possibility of what such data could be used for.”

Ever since the model

code of conduct came into force on 6 March, Election Commission officials say, a close watch is being kept on the political activities of religious leaders. “If a religious leader is promoting the cause of the party or candidate in his or her individual capacity, there is no problem with that. But a religious leader cannot use a religious platform to do so. For example, if a religious meeting is followed

by campaigning for a particular party or candidate, that is not allowed,” said a senior official.

“Secondly, if at all a religious leader is consistently campaigning for a political party at more than one place or has a scheduled chalked out for such kind of publicity, then the entire expenditure incurred for such kind of publicity can be added to that political party or candidate,” said the officer.

Asked whether special observers had been appointed to shadow religious leaders who have announced their plans to campaign for political parties, the officer explained: “In fact, in every assembly constituency the Election Commission has three flying squads constituted for this purpose. They are headed by a senior executive magistrate, police officers, videographers and engineers. And as and

NAgPur, mArch 17 (PTI): Yoga guru Ramdev Baba denied having ever said that BJP prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi was a “man in unseemly hurry to occupy country’s top post.” Reacting to reports saying Modi-Ramdev Baba honeymoon is over, the Baba said he was fully backing Modi form PM post.

At a hurriedly-called press conference here on Monday, Baba said there was no question of his falling out with Modi or the BJP. Some reports appearing in newspaper have twisted my remarks that I made on Sunday. “I and Modi are both Fakirs So where the question of us two enjoying honeymoon,” the Baba said in a jest.

“The country is going through political and economic anarchy and there is no alternative to Modi. Only he can get the country out of this mess,” the Baba reiterated. He had campaigned in last two days for BJP candidate Nitin Gadkari who is contesting from Nagpur seat against seven-term Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar.

“BJP ati-utsahi hai aur aise me koi when we receive such information or are aware of such a meetings being held, the team is sent to the spot. They videograph the whole event.”

“If it is being held without permission or is violating the model code of conduct, we attempt to stop the programme. If organisers don’t cooperate, we can file a case under penal provisions for the offence committed under law,” the

galat nirnay na le,” (The BJP is over-enthusiastic about its chances to win elections.

In such over-enthusiasm it should not take wrong decisions), is what I had said and meant,” the Baba clarified. He said this remark was misconstrued as Modi’s over-eagerness to assume power.

Ramdev Baba also raised fresh questions on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s motives. “He is nothing but a ‘kathputli’ (puppet) of the Congress. That is why he wants to contest against Modi from Varanasi and not against Congress’ Kapil Sibal or DMK’s Kanhimouzhi whohave same rashi (birth sign),” remarked Baba.

Taking a swipe at Kejriwal he said if he had been serious on the issue of fighting corruption, he should contest against corrupt Congress candidates who have brought bad name to the UPA government through multi-crore scams.

The Yoga guru said though he was unhappy that the BJP denied ticket to some people he had suggested, it did not matter. “My larger objective is to see Modi becoming PM which will be good for the country,” Ramdev stressed.

officer said. Giving an example of such an incident in the recent past, the officer said, “During assembly elections last year, for Ramdev’s meeting the Election Commission had passed an order that all such expenditure will be added on the expenditure of the BJP.” On the implications of the model code of conduct on the use of religion for promoting political campaigns, the officer said,

“No religious platform can be used for any activity of a political nature. No religious occasion, festival, or religious symbol can be used for any kind of political activity. No political leader can use a religious platform such as the Holi festival to further his political motives. That would be a violation of model code of conduct and action can be taken by the Election Commission on this.”

Pollution getting worse in Indian cities: Pachauri report Rahul will lose heavily in BeiJiNG, March 17 (PTi): A study pointing that the pollution levels in New Delhi is worse than that of Beijing may have been quoting the data from the worst period of the year but the air quality in Indian cities is progressively getting worse, UN climate change chief Rajendra Pachauri said on Monday.

“We also have to allow the fact that there are variations in the composition of PM 2.5 in the atmosphere which varies from season to season. It may very well be the study they are quoting is that of the worst period during the year,” he told media here at a pre-launch function of the report on the India-China Low Carbon Study.

The report will be formally launched on Tuesday.

But at the same he said the situation is progressively getting worse in Delhi and Bangalore and even in second rung cities like Ludhiana.

“Frankly I have to look at the numbers to be able to comment.

All I can say it is getting progressively worse,” he said responding to questions on a study

by Yale University stating that Delhi’s air quality is worse than that of Beijing, which is battling out worst polluted smog considered to several higher than the levels prescribed by the WHO. Dr. Pachauri, chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was

co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize with former US vice president Al Gore in 2007.

The Yale data was contradicted by officials in Delhi who

ing about imperfect and inadequate information, we should need to get into this.”

The Ministry of Environment should commission two or three institutions to carry out detailed assessment of the situation and what are the drivers of things making this is worse and future policy making, he said.

On the debate about the safety of the nuclear power plants, he said: “Frankly we have to demystify nuclear energy. People have to have make decision. In a democracy you cannot ignore that aspect.”

He ducked the question

‘Nuclear energy is not a panacea to solve all our problems. Frankly we have to demystify nuclear energy’ contradicted it citing data of their own obtained from monitoring stations on the ground.

About the quality of the data provided by the officials in Delhi, he said: “There are gaps in Delhi data. It is an issue needs to be investigated. We are tak-

whether he is for the nuclear energy or not saying that “one has to be cautious. I would not say close your eyes let us go ahead with nuclear power“.

“Nuclear energy is not a panacea to solve all our problems. We are little glib about it,” he said. He was answering questions abut China’s plans to build 28 nuclear power plants which are under various stages of construction.

Asked about what India can learn from China, he said both can learn each from their strengths. “One cannot generalise. Some sectors they have done well, some we have done well. There has to be exchange of knowledge which will have enormous value for both,” he said.

AAP to focus on unconventional campaign AhmedAbAd, mArch 17 (PTI): AAP, the toddler among big parties in Gujarat, has decided to go ahead with a low-profile political campaign for the LS polls using unconventional ways to woo voters including street plays and youth internships, due to fund crunch.

Low donations in comparison to biggies like Congress and BJP, has desisted the fledgling outfit to approach people through traditional methods like posters, advertisements on TV, Radio or print media in a big way.

The Arvind Kejriwal led party is aspiring to emerge as the third alternative in the Narendra Modi-ruled state.

“We are Aam Aadmi having less funds. We will launch our political campaign in very low profile manner in form of street plays from next week,” said AAP’s state convener Sukhdev Patel.

“Like other big parties, we can not afford to advertise through electronic or print media as we can not bear the high expenses,” he said.

Apart from the traditional forms like door-to-door campaign the party will also hold Nukkad charchas, Mohalla Sabhas and an internship programme for youths,” Patel said.

The party claims to have planned a low profile campaign to maintain proximity with the common man.

“In Delhi election campaign, we launched an internship programme for students which met with great success.

We will follow that model here in Gujarat,” party spokesperson Harshil Nayak said.

“We have launched the same programme here and some students have responded. We will also give them a small reward in form of an appreciation certificate,” he further said.

“They help us as per their abilities in various sectors. Likewise we will rope in boys who are good in accounts so they will help the party in maintaining accounts. We have also found some young software engineers… they will help the

party in maintaining website,” he explained.

“We will throng the streets soon by presenting creative dramas, for which a team of 15 young people has been working hard on,” Nayak said.

“This way, we can also reach out to youths who are in majority among the total population,” he said on the political campaign.

“Through the students internship programme we can also reach to their families in a cost effective manner, without spending a penny on TV or radio ads,” he said.

Political commentator Dinesh Shukla considered this move as an attempt to look different from the two national parties.

“They are known to take unconventional ways to maintain their unique identity,” Shukla said.

“If they keep campaigning in a typical manner, they cannot make a impact in the minds of common people,” Shukla

said further.

On the issue of student internship programmes, Shukla considered it as a cadre-building movement in a typical Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) way.

“This country has the largest youth population, they surely want to reach out to them… by offering internship they can mould their mind as per their party’s ideology,” he said.

“Like RSS people reach out to the families of their young sewaks, they also want to encash the political benefit on the same line,” he added.

According to a city based advertisement expert,”Media scenario has changed completely, there is a lot of fragmentation in it. Opportunity to see the ads is getting low. Social media or other unconventional media are coming out as cost-effective alternatives.”

“AAP, with limited resources, is raising its decibels by using the unconventional media,” he added.

Amethi: Kumar Vishwas

AmeThI, mArch 17 (IANS): Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will lose “by a big margin” in the Lok Sabha polls here, AAP leader and candidate Kumar Vishwas says.

The Arvind Kejriwal associate also said in an interview that the biggest losers of the election in Uttar Pradesh will be, besides the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the now ruling Samajwadi Party.

Saying a “historic campaign” was under way in Amethi, Kumar Vishwas said his confidence about his own victory and Gandhi’s defeat came from numerous interactions with voters, mainly in rural pockets.

“I am confident Rahul Gandhi will not only lose but will lose by a big margin.” He said that until the advent of the Aam Aadmi Party, none of the existing political parties really challenged the Gandhi family in Amethi.

Although the Gandhi family has represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha for decades, Kumar Vishwas insisted that poverty was widespread in the sprawling constituency and Amethi lagged behind in economic development. “The issues in Amethi concern development. There is a place called Shankarganj which has a half-built bridge. It has not been completed for the past seven years.”

Amethi has elected to the Lok Sabha members of the Gandhi family since 1980. They include Sanjay Gandhi (1980), Rahul Gandhi (1984, 1989), Sonia Gandhi (1999) and Rahul Gandhi (2004, 2009). Gandhi family loyalist Satish Sharma was elected in 1991 and 1996. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sanjay Singh snatched it in 1998. He

later joined the Congress.

Having launched his campaign even before the Lok Sabha election was announced, Kumar Vishwas said he often walked on Amethi’s roads and spent the night in different villages. “I go to villages and stay at night wherever it gets dark. The next morning I start for another village. The route is chalked out by people of the villages. “I talk to people in their local dialect in Awadhi. The language barrier is not there, and this helps me to connect with people. “The people here tell me that no one has ever come to meet them in Amethi. They are overwhelmed...

The biggest connect is with women and children.”

A poet whose writings have courted him controversy, Kumar Vishwas is a founder member of the Aam Aadmi Party and considered close to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. He said he been attacked four times while campaigning.

But these have abated.

How many seats will the AAP win in Uttar Pradesh? Kumar Vishwas avoided a direct answer but said “we are fighting to our best abilities and I can say we are going to win seats in large numbers. “I feel the Congress will lose on all the seats (in the state) it holds. I don’t think it can even win one or two seats from Uttar Pradesh.”

Is there a Narendra Modi wave? “The way Modi is pursuing the campaign and spending a large sum of money, it has increased his visibility a lot. “The main opponents to the Congress are the AAP and BJP. The biggest loss in these elections will be to Samajwadi Party and the BSP.”

Fervour, gaiety marks Holi, CMs stay away over deaths in states

New Delhi, March 17 (iaNS): The Holi festival was celebrated Monday with traditional gaiety and fervour across the country with people greeting each other by applying ‘gulaal’ and sharing sweets. The chief ministers of Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha stayed away from the celebrations, expressing grief over death of people in their states.

Many other politicians, however, spent the day with their supporters in view of the Lok Sabha elections. In Delhi, people celebrated Holi with usual enthusiasm.

The celebrations picked up during the day as the weather grew pleasant and warmer. Young revellers sprayed water from ‘pichkaris’ (water guns) and flung water balloons at one another and even at strangers, in the spirit of the festival.

People in some localities gathered at a common compound and applied gulaal (coloured powder) on one another. At some places, celebrations were accompanied by beating of drums and playing of folk and dance numbers.

People also visited Krishna temples across the city. “I don’t play Holi much but I go to temples and prepare special food for the family,” said 32-year-old Nishtha Gupta of east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar area.

Families gave away sweets to neighbours. The most sought after delicacy was ‘gujiya’. In Vrindavan and Mathura, the festivities were marked by devotional prayers in temples dotting the region. People threw gulaal as they greeted one another with the customary Holi hug. In parts of western Uttar Pradesh, some can-

didates placed advertisements in the local media to mark Holi.

In the business hub Mumbai and in other parts of Maharashtra, men, women and children gathered in open grounds, clubs, resorts and beaches to celebrate the festival. There was enthusiasm in Mumbai’s slums too, and private parties were held at several film studios and bungalows of Bollywood personalities and industrialists.

However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan decided against celebrating his birthday and Holi in sympathy with the 28 farmers who died in the recent rain and hailstorms in the state. Republican Party of India president Ramdas Athawale also reA man smears the face of a woman with colors during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Mumbai, on Monday, March 17. The holiday, celebrated main- frained from Holi celebraly in India and Nepal, marks the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil. tions for the same reason.

Many parties halted (AP Photo)

their Lok Sabha campaign for the day though individual candidates moved around in their localities greeting people. In Odisha, people celebrated Holi with religious fervour and gaiety, but Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik refrained from celebrations in view of the Cyclone Phailin and floods last year that killed about 60 people.

In Punjab, lakhs of devotees converged at the Gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib to be part of the Hola Mohalla celebrations which coincide with Holi. The gurdwara at Anandpur Sahib, about 85 km from Chandigarh, is the second most important shrine for the Sikhs after Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

It was here in 1699 that the 10th Sikh guru, Guru

Gobind Singh, baptised five men and founded the Khalsa Panth. Holi was marked by bonhomie and gaiety in Kolkata amid a focus on use of eco-friendly colours. Hundreds of people gathered in pockets of the city and poetry festivals (hasya kavi sammelan) were organised in various areas.

People in Bihar celebrated Holi with fervour but Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also stayed away to express grief over the death of 23 children in July last year after consuming mid-day meal in a school in Saran district. Lalu Prasad also did not play his trademark “kapda phaar” (cloth tearing) Holi, his aides said, adding that the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader was tired following hectic campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls.

Tuesday

InternatIonal

the Morung express

18 March 2014

Dimapur

9

Crimea votes independence; seeks to join Russia

SIMFErOPOL/BrUSSELS, MArcH 17 (rEUTErS): Crimea formally applied to join Russia on Monday after its leaders declared a Soviet-style 97-percent vote in favour of quitting Ukraine in a referendum condemned as illegal by Kiev and the West that will trigger immediate sanctions.

European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels to decide on visa bans and asset freezes against Russian and Crimean officials held responsible for Moscow’s military seizure of the southern Ukrainian region that is home to its Black Sea fleet.

As state media in Russia carried a startling reminder of its power to turn the United States to “radioactive ash”, President Barack Obama spoke to Vladimir Putin, telling the Russian president that he and his European allies were ready to impose “additional costs” on Moscow for violating Ukraine’s territory.

The Kremlin and the White House issued statements saying Obama and Putin saw diplomatic options to resolve what is the gravest crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War. But Obama said Russian forces must first end “incursions” into its ex-Soviet neighbour while Putin renewed his accusation that the new leadership in Kiev, brought to power by an uprising that toppled his elected Ukrainian ally last month,

than join Russia in vetoing it, called for calm and restraint but avoided comment on the referendum or the annexation issue.

U.S. and European officials say military action is unlikely over Crimea, which Soviet rulers handed to Ukraine 60 years ago. But the risk of a wider Russian incursion, as Putin calculates the West will not respond as he tries to restore Moscow’s hold over its old Soviet empire, leaves NATO wondering how to help Kiev without triggering what some Ukrainians call “World War Three”.

For now, the West’s main tools appear to be escalating economic sanctions, which could seriously weaken the stagnant Russian economy, and diplomatic isolation. China has said it does not back sanctions on Moscow - normally A woman walks near pro-Russian troops blocking the main gate of an Ukrainian military base in Perevalne, Ukraine, a close diplomatic ally and Monday, March 17, 2014. Crimea’s parliament on Monday declared the region an independent state, after its resi- key economic partner. dents voted overwhelmingly to break off from Ukraine and seek to join Russia. (AP Photo)

were failing to protect Russian-speakers from violent Ukrainian nationalists.

A complete preliminary count of Sunday’s vote showed that 96.77 percent of voters opted to join Russia, the chairman of the regional government commission overseeing the referendum, Mikhail Malyshev, announced live on television. Officials said the turnout was 83 percent.

Crimea is home to 2 million people. Members of the ethnic Ukrainian and Muslim Tatar minorities had said

they would boycott the poll, held just three weeks after Russian forces took control of the peninsula.

Putin, whose popularity at home has been boosted by his action on Crimea despite a big hit to Russian markets, is to address an extraordinary joint session of the Russian parliament about Crimea on Tuesday, Itar-Tass news agency reported.

Moscow defended the takeover of the majority ethnic Russian Crimea by citing a right to protect “peaceful citizens”. Ukraine’s interim

government has mobilised troops to defend against an invasion of its eastern mainland, where pro-Russian protesters have been involved in deadly clashes in recent days. The Ukrainian parliament on Monday endorsed a presidential decree for a partial military mobilisation to call up 40,000 reservists to counter Russia’ military actions.

lation allowing Crimea to join Russia “in the very near future”, news agency Interfax cited its deputy speaker as saying on Monday.

“Results of the referendum in Crimea clearly showed that residents of Crimea see their future only as part of Russia,” Sergei Neverov was quoted as saying. Japan on Monday echoed Western nations in rejecting the referendum MILITARY ACTION UN- and called on Russia not LIKELY to annex Crimea. China, Russia’s lower house of which abstained on a U.N. parliament will pass legis- resolution last week rather

‘RADIOACTIVE ASH’ Highlighting the stakes, journalist Dmitry Kiselyov, who is close to the Kremlin, stood before an image of a mushroom cloud on his weekly TV show to issue a stark warning. He said: “Russia is the only country in the world that is realistically capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash.”

On Lenin Square in the centre of the Crimean capital Simferopol, a band struck up even before polls closed as the crowd waved Russian flags. Regional pre-

mier Sergei Aksyonov, a businessman nicknamed “Goblin” who took power when Russian forces moved in two weeks ago, thanked Moscow for its support.

The regional rubberstamped a plan to transfer allegiance to Russia on Monday before Aksyonov travels to Moscow, although the timing of any final annexation is in doubt. Putin may hold off a formal move as diplomatic bargaining continues over economic and diplomatic sanctions that many EU states fear could hurt them as much as they do Russia.

“Cherish Putin, he is a great, great president!” said Olga Pelikova, 52, as fireworks lit up the night sky and fellow Crimeans said they hoped to share in Russia’s oil-fuelled wealth after two decades of instability and corruption in Ukraine.

But many ethnic Tatars, Muslims who make up 12 percent of Crimea’s population, boycotted the vote, fearful of a revival of the persecution they suffered for centuries under Moscow’s rule. “This is my land.

This is the land of my ancestors. Who asked me if I want it or not?” said Shevkaye Assanova, a Tatar in her 40s. “I don’t recognise this at all.”

A pressing concern for the governments in Kiev and Moscow is the transfer of control of Ukrainian military bases. Many are surrounded by and under control of Russian forces, even though Moscow formally

denies it has troops in the territory beyond facilities it leases for its important Black Sea Fleet. On Sunday, the Ukrainian and Russian militaries agreed on a truce in Crimea until March 21, Ukraine’s government said.

Crimea’s parliamentary speaker said on Monday Ukrainian military units in the region would be disbanded although personnel would be allowed to remain on the Black Sea peninsula, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

SANCTIONS NOW In Brussels EU foreign ministers were debating the size of a first list of Russian and Crimean officials to be sanctioned individually for actions that “threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”. Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek said an initial list of 120 to 130 names had been whittled down to about 20 people. EU leaders meeting on Thursday and Friday may take further measures if diplomacy has not achieved results by then, diplomats said.

The ministers were also expected to cancel an EURussia summit scheduled for June in Sochi, where Putin last month hosted the Winter Olympics. The U.S. administration is also preparing to identify Russians to punish with visa bans and asset freezes that Obama authorised this month. It, too, is likely to act on Monday.

Children at danger from ‘third-hand smoke’ WASHINGTON, MArcH 17 (IANS): Leftover cigarette smoke that clings on to walls, furniture and toys may be a threat to young children. Such “third-hand smoke” may damage DNA and cause cancer, says a study.

Research suggests that “third-hand smoke” could pose a far more serious threat, especially to young children who put toys and other smoke-affected items into their mouths. Scientists reported that one of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines newly formed in “third-hand smoke” damages DNA and could potentially cause cancer.

Their talk was one of more than 10,000 presentations at the 247th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Dallas this week. Bo

Hang, Ph.D., who presented the research, said that although the idea of third-hand smoke made its debut in research circles just a few years ago in 2009, evidence already strongly suggests it could threaten human health.

“The best argument for instituting a ban on smoking indoors is actually third-hand smoke,” said Bo, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

Researchers have found that many of the more than 4,000 compounds in secondhand smoke, which wafts through the air as a cigarette is smoked, can linger indoors long after a cigarette is stubbed out.

Based on studies led by Hugo Destaillats, also at LBNL, these substances can go on to react with indoor pollutants such as

ozone and nitrous acid, creating brandnew compounds, some of which may be carcinogenic, reported Science Daily.

One of those compounds goes by the acronym NNA. Bo’s research has shown that NNA, a tobacco-specific nitrosamine, locks onto DNA to form a bulky adduct (a piece of DNA bound to a cancer-causing chemical), as well as other adducts, in lab test tubes.

Other large compounds that attach to DNA tend to cause genetic mutations. NNA also breaks the DNA about as often as a related compound called NNK, which is a wellstudied byproduct of nicotine and a known potent carcinogen. This kind of DNA damage can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of cancerous tumors.

‘Seals take control of rogue Libya oil ship’

WASHINGTON, MArcH 17 (AFP): US Navy Seals boarded and took control of a North Korea-flagged tanker that had loaded crude oil at a port held by rebels in eastern Libya, the Pentagon said Monday.

No one was hurt “when US forces, at the request of both the Libyan and Cypriot governments, boarded and took control of the commercial tanker Morning Glory, a stateless vessel seized earlier this month by three armed Libyans,” Pentagon

Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.

The operation was approved by President Barack Obama and was conducted just after 0200 GMT Monday “in international waters southeast of Cyprus.” The Morning Glory “is carrying a cargo of oil owned by the Libyan government’s National Oil Company. The ship and its cargo were illicitly obtained from the Libyan port of Al-Sidra,” the statement read.

The tanker will be “under

way soon to a port in Libya” with a team of US sailors aboard. The Morning Glory, which departed from the eastern Libyan port of Al-Sidra -- controlled by rebels seeking autonomy from the authorities in Tripoli -- is reported to have loaded at least 234,000 barrels of crude.

Pyongyang on Wednesday however denied any responsibility for the tanker.

The ship was operated by an Egypt-based company that was allowed to temporarily

use the North Korean flag under a contract with Pyongyang, North Korean state news agency KCNA said on Wednesday.

Pyongyang had “cancelled and deleted” the ship’s North Korean registry, as it violated its law “on the registry of ships and the contract that prohibited it from transporting contraband cargo”. “Therefore, the ship has nothing to do” with North Korea, which “has no responsibility whatsoever as regards the ship,” KCNA said.

A South Korean soldier wraps remains of Chinese war dead during the rites of placing the remains in the coffins at South Korean army base in Paju, north of Seoul,on Monday, March 17. The remains of more than 400 Chinese soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War will return home from South Korea next week for permanent burial. (AP Photo)

Rigorous exercise reduces flu risk

LONdON, MArcH 17 (IANS): Doing at least two-and-a-half hours a week of activity that leads to sweating or hard breathing reduces flu or flu-like illness by around 10 percent, says expert.

Taking part in vigorous exercise such as running, rapid cycling or rugby cuts the risk of catching flu.

More gentle pursuits such

as walking or light jogging were found to have little effect. Experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine examined data from its online flu study, Flusurvey. They found overall flu levels appear to be down on last year, with the flu season apparently curbed by a lack of illness among children and young peo-

Searchers relying on satellite data to find plane

WASHINGTON, MArcH 17 (AP): Finding a missing Malaysia Airlines plane may hinge on whether searchers can narrow down where they need to look using satellite data that is inexact and has never been used for that purpose before, search and rescue experts say.

Authorities now believe someone on board the Boeing 777 shut down part of the aircraft’s messaging system about the same time the plane with 239 people on board disappeared from civilian radar.

But an Inmarsat satellite was able to automatically connect with a portion of the messaging system that remained in operation, similar to a phone call that just rings because no one is on the other end to pick it up and provide information. No location information was exchanged, but the satellite continued to identify the plane once an hour for four to five hours after it disappeared from radar screens.

Based on the hourly connections with the plane, described by a U.S. official as a “handshake,” the satellite knows at what angle to tilt its antenna to be ready to receive a message from the plane should one be sent. Using that antenna angle, along with radar data, investigators have been able to draw two vast arcs, or “corridors” — a northern one from northern Thailand through to the border of the Central Asian countries Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, and

An unidentified woman with her face painted, depicting the flight of the missing Malaysia Airline, MH370, poses in front of the “wall of hope” at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, Monday, March 17, 2014. Authorities now believe someone on board the Boeing 777 shut down part of the aircraft’s messaging system about the same time the plane with 239 people on board disappeared from civilian radar. But an Inmarsat satellite was able to automatically connect with a portion of the messaging system that remained in operation, similar to a phone call that just rings because no one is on the other end to pick it up and provide information. No location information was exchanged, but the satellite continued to identify the plane once an hour for four to five hours after it disappeared from radar screens. (AP Photo

a southern one from Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean. The plane is believed to be somewhere along those arcs.

Air crash investigators have never used this kind of satellite

data before to try to find a missing plane, but after pursing other leads it’s the best clue left. “The people that are doing this are thinking outside the box. They’re using something that wasn’t de-

signed to be used this way, and it seems to be working,” said William Waldock, who teaches accident investigation at the EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University in Arizona. “In terms of search and rescue, they’re probably going to have rewrite the book after this.”

Authorities generally believe the plane crashed into the ocean, although they can’t rule out the possibility that it may be on land somewhere. Twenty-five countries are involved in the search for the plane, using at least 43 ships and 58 aircraft. “If it really is out there in the Indian Ocean, they’re going to need a lot more than that,” Waldock said. “It’s immense. It takes a lot of effort, a lot of people, a lot of ships and airplanes.” In order to narrow down the location, low-flying planes are searching broad swaths of water for any sign of debris. The search is complicated by the vast amount of trash floating in the world’s oceans.

If the airliner did crash into the ocean, some lighter-weight items such as insulation, seat cushions, and life jackets, as well as bodies not strapped to seats, are likely to be floating on the surface, Waldock said. The heavier parts of the plane would sink, with depths in some parts of the Indian Ocean at over 15,000 feet(4,570 meters), he said. When suspected debris of a plane is found, the nearest ship — whether it’s a search ship or a commercial vessel that happens

to be in the area — is sent to the site. A small boat or life raft usually has to be lowered into the water for a closer look at the debris to judge whether it might have come from the missing plane.

If searchers find airplane debris, ocean currents will have already moved away from where the plane went into the water. Searchers will then have to use their knowledge of currents in the region to estimate how far and from what direction the debris came, and work backward to that location. The airliner is equipped with two “black boxes” — a flight data recorder that contains hundreds of types of information on how the plane was functioning, and cockpit voice recorder that contains pilots’ conversations and noise in the cockpit. Both are equipped with underwater locator beacons, sometimes called “pingers,” that emit a sonic signal that can only be heard underwater. Sonar on ships can sometimes pick up the pings, but they are best heard using a special pinger locator device that is lowered into the water.

The U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean region has a pinger locator. “It’s boxed up, it’s ready to be sent somewhere,” said a U.S. official. “Right now, there just isn’t enough evidence to tell us where to send it.” The official agreed to speak only on condition anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.

ple, reports mirror.co.uk.

Over the winter flu season, 4.7% of people were believed to have flu compared to 6% the previous year. Some 5% of children were reported to have flu, compared to almost 8% the previous year. More than 4,800 people took part in this year’s Flusurvey so far.

‘Climate change to reduce crop yields’

LONdON, MArcH 17 (IANS): Global warming of only 2oC will harm crops in many parts of the world, reducing yields from the 2030s onwards - much sooner than predicted earlier. A study, published in the latest issue of journal ‘Nature Climate Change’, contends that the impact of climate change on crops will vary both from year-to-year and geographically, with the variability becoming greater as the weather becomes more and more erratic. However, crops in the temperate and tropical regions of the world are expected to bear the brunt of climate change.

Said Andy Challinor of the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds and lead author of the study: “Our research shows that crop yields will be negatively affected by climate change much earlier than expected.” The study feeds directly into the Working Group II report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, to be published at the end this month.

For the study, the researchers created a new data set by combining and comparing results from 1,700 published assessments of the response that climate change will have on the yields of rice, maize and wheat. In the earlier, Fourth Assessment Report, scientists had contended that temperate climates such as Europe and most of North America could withstand a couple of degrees of warming without a noticeable effect on harvests.

“As more data have become available, we’ve seen a shift in consensus, telling us that the impact of climate change in temperate regions will happen sooner rather than later,” said Challinor. The researchers state that we will see, on average, an increasingly negative impact of climate change on crop yields from the 2030s onwards. The impact will be greatest in the second half of the century, when decreases of over 25% will become increasingly common.

Thus, later in the century, greater agricultural transformations and innovations will be needed in order to safeguard crop yields for future generations. “Climate change means a less predictable harvest, with different countries winning and losing in different years. The overall picture remains negative, and we are now starting to see how research can support adaptation by avoiding the worse impacts,” said Challinor.

10

Dimapur

SPORTS

Tuesday 18 March 2014

The Morung Express

England's European hopes Arsenal wins over rest with Chelsea, ManU rival Tottenham MANCHESTER, MARCH 17 (AP): With Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund all but through to the Champions League quarterfinals, the focus this week is on whether Chelsea and Manchester United can preserve English representation in the competition in what is proving a miserable season in Europe for Premier League clubs.

Chelsea is tied at 1-1 with Galatasaray ahead of their last-16 second leg at Stamford Bridge and United is in deeper trouble, behind 2-0 to Olympiakos after a wretched performance in the first leg in Greece.

Arsenal and Manchester City have already been eliminated from the Champions League and Tottenham, the sole remaining English representative in the Europa League, is also close to the exit after losing 3-1 at home to Benfica in their last-16 first leg.

Madrid has a 6-1 lead over Schalke and Dortmund is ahead 4-2 against Zenit St. Petersburg. Here is a lookahead to this week's last-16 second legs in the Champions League:

CHELSEA-GALATASARAY Didier Drogba is set to be afforded a hero's welcome when he returns to Stamford Bridge with Galatasaray for the first time since leaving Chelsea in 2012, two days after winning them the Champions League in his final match for the club.

"I am quite apprehensive about it," Drogba told UEFA. com. Whether Chelsea fans will be singing Drogba's name at the end of the second leg remains to be seen. The Ivory Coast striker, who scored 157 goals in eight years at Chelsea, is the biggest threat to his former team's chances of pro-

Moenchengladbach on Saturday that it usually wins in the Champions League after losing in the Bundesliga.

The last three wins in the Champions League all came after domestic losses, but midfielder Jonas Hofmann says this is not because the players already focus on the European stage.

"It's definitely not so that we are trying to take it easy or that we already thinking ahead," he said. Coach Juergen Klopp's volatile temper was in evidence again and he was sent off the pitch after a noisy reaction to a referee decision. Klopp already had sat out two Champions League games at the start of the campaign over an argument with the fourth official.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney shouts instructions to team mates during the English Premier League soccer match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United at The Hawthorns Stadium in West Bromwich, England, Saturday, March 8. (AP Photo)

gression and Jose Mourinho's hopes of becoming the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs.

Chelsea will be disappointed not to have brought a lead back to London after dominating the first half in Istanbul but failing to add to Fernando Torres' early goal.

On the other hand, the Premier League leaders have lost just twice at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League since 2003 and are big favorites to advance.

REAL MADRID-SCHALKE Nobody could blame Real Madrid if it is looking past Schalke to its next game, which is none other than a visit by Barcelona for a "clasico" match that will

Clarke batted with broken shoulder in test century

have huge implications in the Spanish league title race.

Madrid is undefeated in 30 games in all competitions and has a comfortable cushion over Schalke after its 6-1 thrashing in the first leg in Germany. That should allow coach Carlo Ancelotti to rest some of his first-choice players, who looked exhausted in the final stretch of Saturday's lackluster 1-0 win at Malaga when Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 39th goal in 36 games in all competitions this campaign.

"After Schalke, we will have four days to prepare for the clasico," said Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

"We know its importance and we are anxious for Sunday to arrive." Besides Iker Casillas returning in goal,

Ancelotti could give starts to young forwards Jese Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata and midfielder Francisco "Isco" Alarcon.

While Schalke would like to pay farewell to the competition "with dignity," as defender Benedikt Hoewedes put it, as manager Horst Heldt's main concern is getting through the Madrid match without injury. Schalke is now third in the Bundesliga and wants to lock its grip on a direct slot into next season's Champions League.

BORUSSIA DORTMUNDZENIT ST. PETERSBURG Borussia Dortmund, last season's beaten finalist, can take some solace from a 2-1 home defeat to Borussia

MANCHESTER UNITED-OLYMPIAKOS The teams come into the match in very different states of mind. While Olympiakos celebrated sealing the Greek title on Saturday with five games remaining in the season, United slumped to its most humiliating defeat of an already disappointing season on Sunday, a 3-0 loss to big rival Liverpool that virtually ended its chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

United's best chance now of being back in Europe's top competition is winning it this season, but that is unlikely on current form, and especially given the deficit it has from the first leg. "We have a chance," United midfielder Marouane Fellaini said. "We need the fans to stay behind the team and the club and we will fight to win in the game against Olympiakos."

United was eliminated in the round of 16 last season, against Real Madrid.

Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky, right, scores past Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane stadium in London, Sunday, March 16. (AP Photo)

LONDON, MARCH 17 (AP): Arsenal kept up the pace in the race for the Premier League title with a 1-0 away win over archrival Tottenham on Sunday. On the ground where they last won the title, the Gunners took full advantage of leader Chelsea's loss to Aston Villa on Saturday to close the gap to the leader. "It was a mustwin game. We maintained the focus to not make the mistake that would cost us," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

He watched his side take the lead inside two minutes when midfielder Tomas Rosicky rifled in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area. Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain should have doubled the visitors lead in the 15th when he raced clear on goal, but his attempted lob sailed well wide of goal of goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris' goal. Another swift counterattack by Arsenal eventually saw Oliver Giroud square the ball across goal in the 26th, but Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot deflected wide.

Tottenham's striker Emmanuel Adebayor was unable to divert his shot inside the far post following a rightwing cross from Townsend shortly before the half-hour mark. Oxlade-Chamberlain blazed high over the bar from the edge of the penalty area, after Rosicky had rolled the ball into his path, having robbed Danny Rose in the 41st. The hosts started the second half with real purpose, and should have equalized in the 46th through Nacer Chadli. However, he failed to convert from close range after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny fumbled the ball in the area.

Spurs continued to press

forward and Chadli missed another opportunity in the 52nd. The Belgian international attempted an extravagant flick deep inside the penalty area following Andros Townsend's right-wing cross. "Tottenham played very well. We had an early lead and we were juggling between protecting the lead and finishing the game off," Wenger said.

That win lifts the Gunners into third place on 62 points, four adrift of league leader Chelsea, which it faces next Saturday. "It's a great result for us," Rosicky said. "I think it is a great race for the fans and for us the players. As I've said many times, I think it will be until the last game of the season." Tottenham remains in fifth place, seven points adrift of the final Champions League berth with eight games remaining.

Silver Cup T20 Cricket Tournament

Our Correspondent Kohima | March 17

The much awaited and one of most prestigious cricket tourney in the state capital, 5th Edition of Silver Cup T20 Cricket Tournament commenced today at Kohima Local Ground with former MLA and member Board of Director, Nagaland State Cooperative Society, T. Abao Kire as the chief guest.

The two-week long tourney is an annual feature of the Youth Department of Nepali Baptist Church Kohima, organised under the theme ‘Peace and Unity through Cricket”.

A total of 23 teams from Kohima, Dimapur, Wokha and Mon are participating in the championship which carries cash award of more than Rs. 1 lakh for the winning teams as well as the individual performers.

Addressing the gathering

Chief Guest Abao Kire along with dignitaries, organizing committee and players of the inaugural match Whiskers CC Dimapur and Mt. Olive College Kohima pose for lens.

and the teams during the inaugural function, Kire lauded the farsightedness of the organizers in providing a platform for the cricketlovers in the state and also promoting peace and unity as well as having fellowship together among the younger generation.

He however asked the organizers to get the tournament affiliated under Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) in order to have

better support and participation in the future.

While maintaining that many Naga youths have the potential of excelling in the game of cricket, he expressed hope that the tournament would be stepping stone for the cricketers in the state to move ahead and achieve greater heights at the regional, national and international levels.

Meanwhile, playing the

inaugural match defending champions Whiskers Cricket Club, Dimapur defeated first timers Mt. Olive College, Kohima by 10 wickets.

Electing to bat first, Mt. Olive managed to score 76 runs losing 7 wickets in 20 overs with Azo contributing 27 runs. As expected, the defending champs managed to achieve the target in just 6.3 overs without losing any wickets. Their openers Bittu

and Oren scored 35* and 34* runs. Skipper of Whiskers CC Wabang was adjudged the man of the match for having down 4 wickets giving just 4 runs in 4 overs.

Playing the second match, Kohima Hornbills also defeated Merhülietsa CC, Kohima by 10 wickets. Bowling first, Kohima Hornbills restricted their opponent at just 70 runs claiming 5 wickets in 20

overs. Chuba contributed 22* runs for MCC. Chasing the target, Hornbills managed to achieve in 9.2 overs with Anga alone scoring 55* runs and was adjudged the man of the match.

The inaugural programme compered by Rachael Seyie commenced with Pastor of NBC Kohima Rev. Muktinath Khatiwada saying the invocation. Convener organizing committee and Deacon, Moon Thabah delivered the welcome address while joint secretary organizing committee Prakash Tiwari administered oath to the participating teams.

Samueal Thabah, Robin Thapa, Temjenkala and Jyoti Sunar presented the tournament anthem.

MATCHES FOR MARCH 18: 1. Silver White vs Eleven Weavers @ 9:00 am 2. Unicorn vs Flinging @ 12:30 pm

Novak Djokovic wins Indian Wells title

Australian captain Michael Clarke celebrates reaching his century during day two of the 3rd Test between South Africa and Australia held at Newlands in Cape Town, South Africa, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo) INDIAN WELLS, MARCH 17

SYDNEY, MARCH 17 (AP): Australia captain Michael Clarke batted with a broken shoulder when he scored an unbeaten 161 during his team's decisive win over South Africa earlier this month in their three-test series, the team said Monday.

Physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement that scans had confirmed the fracture near the joint in his left shoulder, which occurred when Clarke was hit by a bouncer from South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel during his innings in the third test. Morkel tested Clarke with a barrage of bouncers, striking him on the forearm, elbow, shoulder and helmet on the first day and on the thumb when he returned with the second new ball.

Clarke's 27th test century helped Australia take the third test and complete a 2-1 series win over the South Africans. It was just the second series defeat for

South Africa in its last 26 test series under now-retired captain Graeme Smith.

Clarke has been ruled out of the upcoming final of the Sheffield Shield, Australia's domestic first class championship. He had hoped to play for New South Wales against Western Australia in the match to be played Friday at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

Australia team doctor Peter Brukner had earlier spoken about the difficulties he and Kontouris faced in getting Clarke ready for the second day of the third test against South Africa after the battering he took on the first day.

Clarke was covered in bruises which prevented him sleeping after the first day, though his shoulder injury had not yet been diagnosed. "He was in a lot of pain," Brukner said. "Nothing was serious long term, just short term he was battered and bruised."

(AP): Novak Djokovic came into Indian Wells for the first time in four years without a title.

He left with a $1 million check and his first trophy of the year, beating Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Sunday to win the BNP Paribas Open for the third time. "Not winning a title and coming here, there were certain doubts," Djokovic said. "I had ups and downs in my concentration in opening rounds, but I managed to stay mentally strong and have that self-belief.

That's something that definitely makes this title very special to me."

Federer rallied from a break down and a 5-3 deficit in the third set to force the tiebreaker, but he made a slew of mistakes to lose the 33rd meeting between the rivals. Federer still leads the series 17-16, having beaten Djokovic in three sets in the semifinals at Dubai two weeks ago. Djokovic will remain No. 2 in the world, while Federer will rise three spots to No. 5 on Monday in the ATP Tour rankings.

Flavia Pennetta routed injured Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-1 to win the women's title, the

biggest of her career. Federer was trying to win a record fifth title in the Southern California desert, and at 32, he would have been the oldest Masters 1000 winner since 34-year-old Andre Agassi won at Cincinnati in 2004.

But Djokovic wouldn't allow it. After Federer breezed to the first set in 31 minutes, Djokovic earned the lone break of the second set to go up 5-3 after Federer pulled a forehand wide. "I know he always comes out confident, aggressive," Djokovic said. "He doesn't give you the victory; you have to earn it."

Djokovic got the early break in the third, again on one of Federer's forehand errors, to lead 2-1. His 112-mph (180 kph) ace gave him a 4-2 lead, and he extended it to 5-3 with a backhand winner down the line. But Federer then served a love-game to make it 5-4 and broke Djokovic to tie the set, 5-all. "I was able to just keep the pressure on Novak and show him that if he slips up, I will be there and I will make it a very competitive match in the end for him," Federer said.

In the tiebreaker, however, the Serb raced to a 5-1 lead, helped

by four errors from Federer, and closed it out when Federer's backhand landed in the net. "At the end, he made sure he kept the ball in play and I might have made a few too many errors when it really mattered," Federer said.

A year ago, Pennetta was close to retiring from tennis. The Italian veteran's ranking plunged to 166th in the world in June, and she had struggled to rebuild her career after having right wrist surgery the previous August. Now she's glad she stuck around. "After so many years, so much work and everything, this is the moment I always waited for," she said. "And it's coming when you don't expect. It was something I was waiting since long time, and finally I have a good trophy in my hands."

Actually, the crystal trophy was so heavy, she didn't hoist it for photographers. The 32-year-old Italian became the third-oldest winner of the tournament after Martina Navratilova, who won at age 33 and again at 34 in 1990-91.

It was Pennetta's first title since winning at Marbella in 2010. "We are old, but we still good athletes," Pennetta said. "We are strong.

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, poses for photos with the trophy in from of the mountains of Indian Wells after he beat Roger Federer, of Switzerland, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to win the final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Sunday, March 16 in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo)

Entertainment

The Morung Express C M Y K

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Dimapur

11

'I love my mum'

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his ' s t s i ins s 'solid r o n on dman i C n so ole Ki s ' e s ui th Nic r C Tom ship wi n o i t a l two years afre ter they ad-

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om Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s son Connor has denied rumours suggesting he is estranged from his mother, saying that their relationship is 'solid'. The 19-yearold, who was in Australia recently to DJ at the Good Life festivals, told Woman's Day, 'I love my mum'. 'I don’t care what people say.

I know that me and mum are solid. I love her a lot. My family means everything,' he said. 'Yeah, I love my music, but the family comes before everything else.'

Rumours have long circulated that Connor and Isabella's relationship with Nicole has been strained because their ties to the Church of Scientology.

Connor was adopted by Kidman and Cruise in 1995,

opted his sister Isabella.

In 2007, Nicole said her adopted children had even stopped calling her 'Mum', sparking rumours their relationship was strained. 'My kids don't call me mommy, they don't even call me mom. They call me Nicole, which I hate and tell them off for it,' she said.

Those rumours were fuelled further three years later, when she spoke publicly about the children who are both committed Scientologists along with their father - choosing to live with Cruise. Kidman has previously insisted she does keep in contact with Connor and Isabella, despite them choosing to live with Cruise when they split.

'They live with Tom, which

was their choice,' she said.

'I'd love them to live with us, but what can you do?'

She added to E! News: 'Everybody has their own path and when they find their path it’s such a relief as a parent.'

The last time she was photographed with Connor in public was at the Annual Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles in 2007, when he was just 13. Kidman now lives predominantly in Nashville, Tennessee, with her second husband Keith Urban. THe couple have two children together - Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. Cruise also has another child, Suri, whom he had while married to his now ex-wife Katie Holmes.

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ensinlo Kent, a graduate of Patkai Christian College will be releasing his debut album “It’s only you” on March 20. Kent who was a part of Patkai Chorale, Patkai String Ensemble and Nagaland Singing Ambassadors (NSA). He also attained Grade V in both Guitar and Drums. The desire to sing for the Lord keeps him going and finally bringing up this Contemporary Gospel Music Album “It’s only you” to thank and praise God for his unfailing love and bountiful blessings showered upon him.

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ocker Nikki Sixx has tied the knot with model girlfriend Courtney Bingham. The Motley Crue star, 55, and his 28-year-old sweetheart exchanged vows at the Greystone Mansion in Los Angeles, reportedly. Bingham wore a gown styled for her by her aunt, who runs a bridal store in California.

The model was inspired by the dress actress Jennifer Lawrence wore to the Oscars last year.

The union is the bass player`s third model marriage - he was married to Playboy playmate Brandi Brandt for seven years and Donna D`Errico for 11 years.

It may have been his wedding day, but Nikki Sixx still looked quintessentially rock and roll with a twist of tradition, as he tied the knot with stunning model Courtney Bingham on Saturday afternoon. Nikki added a rock n roll twist to his

Nikki Sixx marrieS girlfrieNd suit, with a bandana tied round his forehead, edgy silver accessories, and Converse sneakers. Meanwhile, the beauty wore not one, but two dresses for the occasion.

Nikki - who met Courtney three years ago - tweeted enthusiastically about the wedding just hours before his walk down the aisle. 'See you soon @how2girl. I cannot wait to see you walk down the aisle towards me. #SixxWedding,' wrote the rocker.

The 130 guests were greeted by peacocks at the rustic French themed nuptials.

He proposed in 2013 while on vacation in St. Bart's with the beauty.

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Jolie worried about Aniston's book deal?

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he 'Maleficent' actress grew close to fiancé Brad Pitt while they were filming 2005's 'Mr & Mrs Smith' - when the hunk was married to the 'Friends' actress - and the brunette beauty is worried about a book deal which Jennifer has been offered since it will dredge up details of the past.

A source told Now magazine ''Angelina's worked hard to build up her image

as a humanitarian and separate herself from the public outcry when she got together with Brad. ''She felt the whole 'Team Jen' and 'Team Ange' thing had finally died a death and that the perception of her being a husband stealer was in the past, but then she heard about the book offer.''

Jennifer - who is engaged to Justin Theroux realises the chapter where she details the breakdown

of her marriage to Brad will be difficult for her to write, but also understands that it'll be the one everyone wants to hear.

The source added ''If Jen does sign a book deal, she knows the chapter on Brad and Ange will be the hardest for her to write - but it will also be the one everyone will be after. Jen doesn't want to spark any new rows, but there's so much history involved that it's inevitable.''

Armaan Kohli & Tanishaa Mukherji engaged!

Their love story inside the glass-walled house made headlines, but it’s their togetherness outside Bigg Boss 7 that has grabbed more eyeballs Armaan Kohli and Tanishaa Mukherji’s closeness in the Bigg Boss 7 house did not go down well with Ms Mukherji’s family members. In fact Armaan’s warm approach towards actor Tanuja and her cold reaction on BB7 grand finale did not go unnoticed. But, all that is a thing of past. The latest buzz doing rounds suggest that Mr Kohli has proposed to his lady love and a giant solitaire ring is a proof of this.

Armaan and Tanishaa are engaged and will tie the knot soon. The couple has had no qualms wearing their hearts on their sleeve and have been spotted hand in hand at various events – CCL match, Lakme India Fashion Week 2014.

In fact immediately after BB7 the duo partied together in Panvel and Goa, the couple accompanied by their families recently went to Vaishnao Devi temple too.

Armaan had in an interview described Tanishaa as “marriage material”, with the solitaire shining brightly in this love story, we are sure marriage details will soon be out too.

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A model displays a creation by Archana Kochhar (up) and Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra displays a creation by Neeta Lulla (down) during the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, Sunday March 16. (AP Photo)

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Messi nets 3, Barca routs osasuna

BARCELONA, MARCh 17 (AP): Lionel Messi set another scoring record by netting a hat trick to pace Barcelona's 7-0 rout of Osasuna in the Spanish league on Sunday, ensuring the defending champions stayed in striking distance of leader Real Madrid before their critical "clasico" match next week.

The three goals bring Messi's career tally for Barcelona to 371 in all games — including friendlies — breaking the club record of 369 held by Paulino Alcantara since 1927. The 26-yearold Messi was already the club's all-time leading scorer in official games.

Messi assured Barcelona's fans they will enjoy his goals for years to come, saying "as long as people want me, I will stay here. My intention is to retire wearing the Barcelona shirt." The Argentina forward netted from close range to open the scoring at Camp Nou in the 18th minute. Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 four minutes later before Andres Iniesta scored just his second goal of the season in the 34th.

Messi struck twice more in the second half, either side of Cristian Tello's goal, to give him a team-leading 18 league goals this campaign, before he set up Pedro Rodriguez. It was Messi's 20th career hat trick for Barcelona, to go with four four-goal games and one five-goal outing. Barcelona remained in third place, four points behind Madrid, ahead of their meeting in

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, reacts after scoring against Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Osasuna at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, March 16. (AP Photo)

the Spanish capital next Sunday.

Barcelona's big win, which matched its scoreline over Levante to start the season, came one week after it slumped to a 1-0 loss at Valladolid, which cast doubts on the team's ability to stay in the race for the league

title with Madrid and second-place Atletico Madrid.

But its victory midweek over Manchester City in the Champions League and this dominant performance appear to have restored its credit as a contender before Gerard Martino's team faces Madrid in a game that

may go a long way to deciding the title.

"We hope we can play a great game," Messi said about the upcoming clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We know it will be difficult, but we will do all we can to fight for the league title until the very end. We received a

lot of criticism after the Valladolid match. We knew we didn't play well and this (win) boosts our confidence."

Also, striker Imanol Agirretxe's second-half header gave Real Sociedad a 1-0 win at home over Valencia, provisionally lifting

the Basque side into fifth place. Villarreal can move back ahead of Sociedad on Monday when it hosts fourth-place Athletic Bilbao. Kevin Gameiro scored a double as Sevilla eased to a 4-1 win over Valladolid at home. Ivan Rakitic and Diogo Rosario also scored for

Sevilla before Javi Guerra got Valladolid's consolation goal. Real Betis drew 0-0 at Elche as it remained stuck at the bottom of the standings and winless in all 14 away games this season.

Osasuna's away woes continued as it again proved to be far from the

side that has taken points from Barcelona, Madrid and Atletico this season in Pamplona. The visitors started as the more aggressive side, but Messi quickly ended thoughts of an upset when he glanced in Alexis' low cross from a tight angle.

Messi's goal ignited Barcelona's attack, which put on an overwhelming passing display to secure the three points before halftime.

Left back Jordi Alba worked a one-two combination with Iniesta before picking Alexis out arriving to the penalty spot where the Chile forward netted his 17th league goal of the season. It was then Iniesta's turn to take a rare goal with a stinging left-footed strike from outside the area that flew past goalkeeper Andres Fernandez before landing in the far corner of the net.

Barcelona kept pouring it on. Dani Alves, Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta all drew saves from Fernandez on both sides of halftime, while Pedro went close twice.

Messi hit again in the 63rd after he and Iniesta broke down Osasuna's left flank with a series of exchanges before firing home.

Tello went on in the 76th and two minutes later he lashed in a long-range shot for Barcelona's fifth to completely demoralize Osasuna before Messi scored from a pass by Dani Alves in the 88th and laid off for Pedro to round out the demolition in injury time.

clips beat cavaliers Firearms expert testifies at Oscar Pistorius trial for 11th straight win PRETORIA, MARCh 17 (AGENCIES): Months before he killed his girlfriend, Oscar Pistorius described how he drew his gun and went into "combat mode" after hearing the noise of a possible intruder at home, which turned out to be a laundry machine, a South African guns expert testified on Monday at the athlete`s murder trial.

Sean Rens, manager of the International Firearm Training Academy in Walkerville town, also said he had many conversations about firearms with Pistorius, who has been accused of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He said the double-amputee runner had "a great love and enthusiasm" for guns. Rens said he met Pistorius in 2012 and trained in a gun range with him, and that Pistorius asked him to provide him with a revolver and was also seeking to collect other guns. In one conversation,

Pistorius described how he was startled by a noise at home and decided to clear the house by drawing his gun and checking rooms, according to Rens. "He went into what we call `code red` or combat mode," Rens said.

"When he came to the source of the noise, it was the laundry or something." Pistorius had tweeted about the incident in November 2012: "Nothing like getting home to hear the washing machine on and thinking its an intruder to go into full combat recon mode into the pantry!" The double-amputee runner says he killed Steenkamp by accident before dawn on February 14, 2013, shooting her through a closed toilet door after mistaking her for an intruder in his home.

Prosecutors say he killed her after an argument. Steenkamp`s mother, June, was in the Pretoria courtroom for a second time today. She also attended the first day of the trial on March 3.

Jayawardene to quit T20Is after T20 WC

Los Angeles Clippers's Blake Griffin, center, drives to the basket past Cleveland Cavaliers's Spencer Hawes, left, and Tristan Thompson during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, March 16, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

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LOS ANGELES, MARCh 17 (AP): Blake Griffin entered the back half of his 20s with a birthday serenade from the crowd and another dynamic demonstration of why he’s only getting better with age. The Los Angeles Clippers’ winning streak also gets a whole lot more impressive with every passing week.

Griffin had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on his 25th birthday, and the Clippers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 10280 Sunday night for their 11th consecutive victory.

The Clippers’ high-flying forward threw himself a nice little party: Griffin has scored at least 20 points in 26 consecutive games, a mark exceeded only by Kevin Durant this season. ‘‘This stretch of games that we've played and we've been successful has been a huge team effort,’’ Griffin said. ‘‘Guys have stepped up and really done their part.

With our team, I don’t think it’s one guy that’s making us go. I genuinely believe it’s been a total team effort.’’

Yet Griffin is a clear driving force with his rapidly evolving all-around game. So is Chris Paul: The point guard had 15 assists and scored 11 of his 16 points in the final 6:04 for the Clippers, who haven’t lost since Feb. 21.

The fans sang ‘‘Happy Birthday’’ to Griffin during a dead ball in the second quarter, and he gave a sheepish grin and a wave while waiting to inbound the ball. He had already received a pregame song from rookie Reggie Bullock, who scored a career-high 14 points on his own 23rd birthday. ‘‘It’s probably like the 10th time he’s had to do it this year, and he seems like he’s getting worse,’’ Griffin said dryly. ‘‘No enthusiasm. It’s really bad. ... He’s got a great personality. He just can’t sing at all.’’

Luol Deng scored 23 points and Dion Waiters had 15 for the Cavaliers, who lost Kyrie Irving in the first quarter to a left biceps injury. Cleveland had won on its first two stops of a threegame West Coast road trip,

but never led while Los Angeles matched the longest streak in the NBA this season, equaling 11-game runs in November by Portland and San Antonio. ‘‘They’re a great team,’’ Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. ‘‘They've got a chance to win it all. I mean, you look how deep their roster is. They have playoff experience, they've got NBA All-Stars coming off the bench, and Doc is a great coach.’’

Irving, Cleveland’s leader in scoring and assists, went to the Cavs’ locker room late in the first quarter and didn’t return. The All-Star Game MVP missed all five of his shots against the Clippers and was injured shortly before he left the game. Jarrett Jack scored seven straight points during a 12-0 Cleveland run early in the fourth quarter, trimming the Clippers’ former 21-point lead to seven. But Paul shook off a rough shooting night with three jumpers in quick succession, and the Clippers closed out their sixth straight home victory.

DhAKA, MARCh 17 (PTI): Sri Lankan batting stalwart Mahela Jayawardene will retire from Twenty20 Internationals after the conclusion of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh. International Cricket Council announced the news of Jayawardene's decision on Twitter.

"SL legend @MahelaJay to join @KumarSanga2 in T20I retirement after the #wt20 2014," a tweet from the ICC said. The decision came a day after another Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara announced quitting the shortest format in the international circuit after the Twenty20 World Cup. The 36-year-old Jayawardene has appeared in all four T20 World Cups till now and 2014 event in Bangladesh will be his last one.

He was the captain of the Sri Lankan team which lost in the final of the last T20 World Cup at home against the West Indies.

Jayawardene has played 49 T20Is to date, scoring 1335 runs at 31.78, with a strike rate of 134.17. He has one century in the format -a 100 which is also his highest T20 score -- which came against Zimbabwe in Guyana during the 2010 World T20. He has scored eight half-centuries in T20 inter-

national matches.

Jayawardene made his T20I debut in June 2006 against England at Southampton. He led the Delhi Daredevils side in the IPL last season but found no buyers in the players' auction this year.

The ICC tweet also had a photo of both Sangakkara and Jayawardene posing together with the writing on the background: 'Last World T20. Let's make it count'. Asked about the retirement of the veteran duo from T20Is, Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Thirimanne said, "They (Sangakkara and Jayawardene) are great cricketers. It will be difficult to match them."

Explaining the reason behind his decision to quit T20 Internationals, Jayawardene said, "The rationale is pretty much same as Sanga's. When it is clear that I can't see myself playing in the next ICC World T20, there wasn't much point in me occupying a spot.

"It makes more sense for a youngster to come into the mix and establish himself," he was quoted as saying by 'Wisden India'. Jayawardenene's place in the history of Sri Lankan and world cricket is secure, thanks mainly to his achievements in Test and 50-over cricket.

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