19th June 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 166

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‘Young people must be informed & active participants in societies’

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reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Israeli soldiers patrol during a search for three missing Israeli teenagers in the village of Taffouh near the West Bank city of Hebron, Wednesday, June 18. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON, JUNE 18 (REUTERS): World peace has deteriorated steadily over the last seven years, with wars, militant attacks and crime reversing six earlier decades of gradual improvement, a global security report said on Wednesday.

Conflict in Iraq, Syria, What? There is more inside Afghanistan, Sudan and the plug cap?

Central African Republic in particular helped drag down the annual Global Peace Index, according to research by the Australiabased Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

In particular, rising numbers of people were killed in militant attacks across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa while murder rates rose in the emerging world’s growing urban centres. More peo-

ple also became refugees by fleeing fighting. Crime and conflict rates in more developed regions, particularly Europe, generally fell, said the report.

The deterioration appeared the most significant fall in 60 years, the IEP said.

Estimates of what the index would have been prior to its launchin2007showedworld peaceimprovingmoreorless continuously since the end of World War Two. “There seem to be a range of causes,” Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of the IEP, told Reuters. “You have the repercussions of the “Arab Spring”, the rise of terrorism particularly following the invasion of Iraq and the repercussions of the global financial crisis.” The study examines 22 indicators

across 162 countries, including military spending, homicide rates and deaths from conflict, civil disobedience and terrorism.

Over the past seven years, the IEP said its average global peace indicator for all the countries in the world together moved from 1.96 to 2.06, indicating a less peaceful world. When that figure was adjusted to take into account the different populations of each country, the deterioration was even more marked, from 1.96 to 2.20. Syria and Afghanistan were rated the least peaceful countries in the world, with South Sudan, Central African Republic, Ukraine and Egypt showing some of the sharpest falls in security levels.

Iceland held its number one position as most peaceful.

TUENSANG, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has written to the Nagaland Chief Secretary calling for implementation of the agreement made between the former and the Nagaland state government on February 26, 2013.

While appreciating the state government’s cooperation against various grievances voiced by the ENSF on behalf of people in the four districts of Eastern Nagaland, it hoped that the government would “continue to give special attention” as per the commitments made.

The ENSF President and its Assistant General Secretary, in a letter dated June 18, 2014, lamented that most commitments made in the said agreement are yet to be implemented “in letter and spirit.” It may be noted the ENSF had temporarily called off its agitation against the state government in view of the said agreement It was agreed on February 26, 2013, that recruitment process for 161 posts of teachers under SSA would be completed and those appointed 161 teachers would be posted in the school for performing duty on day one by this academic year. Thereafter, the department had committed to submit names of all teachers appointed through such a process to

Demands accountability and responsibility

Is the over-dependency on government jobs leading to rise in unemployment in Nagaland?

Yes

no

Others

the ENSF. However, ENSF lamented that though the academic year started in January, recruitment process is still incomplete.

While acknowledging the department for advertising the vacancies under RMSA on December 16, 2013, the federation appealed for expedition of the recruitment process immediately. It informed that there are many schools in Eastern Nagaland without Math and Science Teachers, “where students have to endure hardship to get through the examinations by themselves.”

The ENSF further said that regarding the 132 teachers post as reflected in the Niathu Resort meeting minutes, the department is yet to give clarification as to how the posts were merged along with the 825 teacher post. ENSF said it is yet to receive any response as to how the matter is being taken up by the department.

On the government’s decision to sanction 198 teacher posts, with the financial year 2014-15 as deadline for its full implementation, the ENSF stated that it is yet to get any response as to whether the proposal on the same has

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today demanded that the present DAN government under Chief Minster, TR Zeliang initiate action against political leaders and officials responsible for the present financial crisis in the state. The NPCC, in a press note, termed the Chief Minister’s statement on the financial position of the state as a “belated admission” and stated that the “misdeeds perpetrated by the DAN government” has landed the state into “deep

financial crisis without any signs of recovery.”

NPCC stated that “after looting the state exchequer without any inhibitions for the past 11 years, it is too late in the day to talk about somewhere something has gone wrong, when they are not prepared to punish the perpetrators.” “Talking about taking corrective measures without fixing accountability will just remain an empty rhetoric,” the NPCC asserted.

It stated that the DAN government had placed all their trust on the BJP coming to power at the centre and “rescuing them from their financial misery, while blaming the Congress led UPA for not giving sufficient funds.” It remind-

ed the DAN that their “blatant financial mismanagement has even made the BJP government to refrain from committing any increase in flow of funds.”

The NPCC alleged that since coming to power for the third term in 2013, the DAN government had been talking of austerity measures “while conveniently forgetting to implement in letter and spirit.” The NPCC referred to the present size of the DAN III Ministry, which it said “belittles all talks of austerity and corrective measures on ailing financial health of the state.”

It alleged that in the midst of financial crisis and announcement of austerity measures, “random appointments of state

government employees through backdoor route” has inflated the number of state government employees to over 1.20 lakhs, which it said continues to be a heavy burden on the state exchequer. The NPCC said that over Rs 3000 crores are spent on salary payment, which is over and above the XIII FC recommendation. It also pointed to “huge escalation” in all major contracts works “ranging from 100% to 775%.” The cricket stadium at Sovima, being the prime example, where original work order amount for Rs 8.29 crore was revised to Rs 72.59 crore, the NPCC said.

Stating that the year 2013-14 was a “plan holiday” for the state as a re-

sult of the DAN government’s “misdeeds,” the NPCC cautioned that the current year would also bear the same outcome. It lamented that the deficit figure has touched over Rs 2000 crores; BCR gap over 1500 crores in negative and that debt servicing has become unmanageable. “The amounts shown in civil deposit are all book adjustment, as there are no cash in the bank. The state government has again resorted to borrowing in the open market to pay the salaries of its employees that is fast running out of options,” it added. The NPCC further predicted that the state budget session, scheduled for July, will be a “plan holiday budget.”

Yitachu calls for cleanup of education dept Our Correspondent Kohima | June 18

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Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Yitachu today called for a clean system in the Nagaland state educational department.

He stated this while addressing an interaction with employees of the directorate of school education at Zonal Council Hall, Kohima on Wednesday.

Yitachu informed that the school education department has the second highest manpower department-wise in the state of Nagaland, next only to the police department. However, when it comes to ex-

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Demands implementation of Feb 26, 2013 agreement in letter and spirit

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penditure, it is the highest expenditure incurring department under the state exchequer, he added. This, he stated, is because the department is given the task, the responsibility, to develop and mould human resource development.

Unless the people are developed, the entire system will be jeopardized and progress will not be seen, he stated. With this, he said that the first and foremost responsibility is to bring about complete development of citizens in the state.

He lamented that despite the department’s crucial role, people look at it through an eye of contempt,

Urges staff to address department’s weaknesses

dissatisfaction and anger.

He stated that the reason lies in the fact that the structure of the department is not functioning through a proper system. “It is you and I to make the system correct, it is everyone’s responsibility to make the system clean,” he asserted.

Yitachu lamented that many of the staffers fail to do their jobs with responsibility. He cited examples that many people approach the department for

the simple process for acquiring a signature, but are harassed due to the staffer’s insensitivity and general lack of accountability and responsibility. He thus called upon the department staff to strictly stick to their assigned job and to do the needful for the people as early as possible.

He stated that all ranks in the staff need to understand the reality of the situation and address the department’s weaknesses. As

of now most of the citizens look us with anger, because the reality is that most of the staff are not discharging their duties well for the people, he said. He noted with regret that many staffers under the school education department are “enjoying free money without sweat.”

He called upon the staff to act seriously and clean the system of the department. It is everyone’s responsibility to make the system correct and clean, he said.

Yitachu also pointed out that the strength of the department at present includes 1759 PMS, 813 GMS, 167 GHS and 21,500

teachers.

The Parliamentary Secretary then encouraged the staffers to develop an accommodating spirit towards people, and contribute for the smooth functioning of the department.

Th e p ro g ra m m e was chaired by Kesonyii Yhome, IAS, Principal Director for School Education. The welcome address was delivered by Zaveyi Nyekha, Director, School Education, while the keynote address was delivered by M. Patton, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the government of Nagaland, Department of SE & SCERT.

been made.

The ENSF then referred to a letter from the office of the Nagaland Chief Secretary, dated January 14, where it was stated that the necessary notification for allowing Kohima and Dimapur Centers as venue for the conduct of recruitment drive for the candidates of the 6 “backward tribes” is basically to facilitate the candidates from the six tribes to appear exams only. In this, the federation reminded the government to uphold the Agreement No: 2 SCERT-TET Issue (c), which reiterated that such post and vacancies against Dimapur district is open for recruitment from all eligible Naga tribes of Nagaland state.

On the government’s assurance to establish DIET/BITE in the remaining districts of Eastern Nagaland where there is no such institution, the ENSF said there has been no follow up action.

The government had also agreed to provide an assurance letter in writing to the federation for regular implementation of the Mid Day Meal on schools days as per the existing norms and that the report

would be submitted to the Union Ministry. However, ENSF noted that it is yet to receive any such letter and expressed concern that the MDM scheme has, so far, not been implemented as per guidelines of the central government.

Regarding the recruitment of 304 posts of DEF personnel against all new police stations, upgraded police outposts to police stations and new police outposts, it was agreed that advertisement and recruitment would be completed and that the advertisement and the recruitment of the same should be completed by the next financial year 2014-15. Despite the agreement, ENSF said that official intimation from the office of the Chief Secretary to the DGP for follow up action indicated that such vacancies should be done against retirement vacancies. It asserted that “in order to avoid complication in the future,” the Federation is unable to “accept any changes” made in the November 26, 2013 agreement without its prior knowledge.

It demanded implementation of “nothing less and nothing more” than the said agreement and has called for the Chief Secretary to look into the matter seriously and implement the agreement at the earliest so as to avoid further “mistrust.”

GRPN/NSCN cautions sand stockiest in Dmp DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The GPRN/ NSCN Crime Control Cell (CCC) has cautioned sand stockiest under Dimapur area against practicing adulteration. A press note from the GPRN/NSCN stated

that it has received several complaints from the public that sand stockiest were mixing local sand with deo pani to obtain double profits and urged all sand stockiest to refrain from indulging in such unlawful practices.

three nscn (K) cadres released Our Correspondent Kohima | June 18

The Kohima Sumi Hoho (KSH) today acknowledged the safe release of three NSCN (K) cadres apprehended by NSCN (IM) at Kohima on June 18 at NST Bus Station Kohima. The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) intervened and took initiatives to procure the safe release of the cadres without any harm, in the presence of Kohima Sumi Hoho. This was informed by Sumi Hoho president Edward K. Zhimomi and general secretary Lhokiye Yeputhomi. The Hoho expressed gratitude to AYO and NSCN (IM) Angami region for the release of the cadres and in ensuring that no untoward incident occurred.

Further, it appealed to all Naga Political Groups to maintain peace and tranquility.

NSCN (K) lauds AYO and KSH The NSCN (K) has expressed gratitude to the President of the Angami Youth Organization, Medo Angami and his colleagues and the Kohima Sumi Hoho led by its General Secretary, Lhokiye Yeputhomi for their intervention in securing the safe release of NSCN (K) Kohima Town Command cadres from the custody of the NSCN (IM) at Kohima on June 18. A press note from the NSCN (K) stated that their “prompt mediation and courageous efforts not only ensured the safety of the concerned cadres but diffused the potentially dangerous situation which could have erupted beyond control.” It further said that such courageous display of peace yearning leaderships by AYO and KSH is indeed the need of the hour to heal strife torn Naga polity and should be emulated by every Naga.

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The Morung Express 2 LocaL ESSU calls for attention to Asuto area ‘Young people must be informed Dimapur

Thursday

19 June 2014

Dimapur, June 18 (mexn): The Eastern Sumi Students’ Union (ESSU) has highlighted the “deplorable” condition of Asuto area while recounting the dilapidated government establishments.

In a press statement, ESSU president Vihepu Yeputhomi asserted that the people have been voicing out against the deplorable condition of the area “which has been totally neglected by the state government,” but the requests to the departments concerned by the area GBs, elders and various organisations and unions have all gone in vain Expressing surprise and discontent at the plight of the people of Asuto, the ESSU president has questioned why the departments concerned are remaining a “mute spectator” when the poor public are affected in such conditions.

The president further stated that Asuto is one of the oldest areas recognized by the government and rapid development was taking place once. However, he added, the CDPO offices, EAC building/ quarters, PHC centre, Police quarters, Government Middle School, Government High School buildings etc. are facing “untold misery and hardships.”

The president further asserted that there is no alternative suggestion, but to tear down the old build-

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Young Indians (YI) observes annual day Morung Express News Dimapur | June 18

The dilapidated buildings of EAC office (Top) and PHC (Bottom) in Asuto. ( Photos by ESSU)

ings and offices and build new ones. In this regard, the ESSU has requested the state government to look into the matter seriously and take steps for the benefit of both the departments and the public.

The ESSU also enunci-

ated that all round development should be implemented in all the districts equally by the government while requesting the state government and departments concerned to look into the matters mentioned seriously.

Nagaland parliamentary secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, Music Task Force and NRE, Khriehu Liezietsu, has underscored the need to leverage the talent and energy of Naga youths to avoid latent risks of unemployment and social instability.

“Like many young people across the globe, Naga youths are also struggling to find their best opportunities but the collapse of traditional social institutions, a weak economy and decades of violence, has left us with few opportunities,” the parliamentary secretary said.

Khriehu said in the present context, it is crucial to create dramatically higher levels of prosperity and equality for the youth.

The parliamentary secretary was addressing the annual day of Young Indians (Nagaland Chapter), held Wednesday at Tetso College with “Empowering YouthLading Nagaland into the

Parliamentary secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, Khriehu Liezietsu (Middle - sitting) at the annual day of Young Indians (Nagaland Chapter) held in Dimapur, June 18.

Future” as the theme.

Khriehu said society expects big things from today’s youths - from finding sustainable solutions for the environment to fighting global disparities – as more than half of the world’s population are below the age of thirty.

He said, to play positive roles, young people must be informed and active participants in their societies, whether economically, politically or socially.

“I believe it is high time for us to have discussions on how youth can transform the future and an organiza-

tion like Young Indians is the right platform for that because young people are the forefront of change and innovation, and many have the spirit to make things happen,” he added.

Stating that Nagaland government is giving much importance for the youth in the state, the parliamentary secretary for YR&S also assured his fullest cooperation and support to the youth to realize their dreams of a developed nation.

Principal, Tetso College, Dr. PS Lorin, who spoke on “Empowering youth through education”,

Our Correspondent Kohima | June 18

Vinit Verma (4th from left - standing) and PH Tripathi, President, BFABDC Ltd. (5th from left) flanked by board of directors and members of BFABDC Ltd.

mark Home, near Directorate of F&CS Nagaland, Diphu road, before his departure for Delhi. According to the note, he briefly shared the findings of his visit and encouraged the board of directors and members of BFABDC

Ltd. to take maximum advantage of the enormous scopes of horticultural crops farming and preservation of the perishable products through cold storage facility.

After inspecting the office and interacting about

its functions, Verma lauded the performance of BFABDC and exhorted the members to intensify their efforts to contribute towards increasing the horticultural and agricultural crops production of Nagaland and the region.

The five-day long North East NSS Youth Festival held under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports concluded here at Indira Gandhi Stadium. The festival was organized in collaboration with state’s department of youth resources and sports, NSS cell.

Gracing the valedictory function, parliamentary secretary for youth resources & sports, new & renewable energy and music task force Khriehu Leizietsu said National Service Scheme (NSS) is a central government sponsored public service programme handled by the department of youth affairs and sports.

NSS was launched in Gandhi’s centenary year 1969 and is aimed at developing the personality of

students in higher secondary schools, colleges and universities through community services.

The basic principle of NSS programme is that it is organised by the students themselves and both the students and teachers through their combined participation in community service, get a sense of involvement in the task of nation building.

In Nagaland, NSS has covered 48 institutions with a total strength of 7054 volunteers, said Liezietsu, adding that former chief minister Neiphiu Rio had been instrumental in reviving NSS activities in Nagaland after a lapse of some years.

However, in comparison to other North East states, the number of volunteers in Nagaland is quite low, he added, and congrat-

Medical minister urges students to be serious in studies Our Correspondent Kohima | June 18

Minister for health and family welfare P. Longon has advised the students who have been selected to study various courses at Dr.YSR Educational and Welfare Foundation Group of Institutions to be serious in their studies. “I would advise you (students) to be serious in your stud-

ies and equip yourselves with whatever professional course you undertake and come back home and serve our people with your knowledge and experience,” stated P. Longon in a message which was read out by NSF general secretary during a counseling programme organized by Naga Students’ Federation on June 17 here at Capital Convention Centre.

“You must remember that your parents are sending you with a very high hope despite of financial constraints,” said the minister and encouraged the NSF to continue with this kind of efforts so as to enable the poor and needy students to come up at par with others.

Expressing “deep regret” for being unable to attend the counseling as it

coincided with the Cabinet meeting, the minister’s message lauded the efforts of NSF and stated “this kind of initiative from a student’s body like NSF is befitting as the very objective of the NSF is also for the welfare of the students community.

The minister also appealed to the managing authority to take special care of the students coming from Nagaland and other

parts of North East states.

“It is a fact that, many students from Nagaland and other parts of the northeast want to go for technical/professional courses but due to non-availability of technical institutions in the north east, the students of the this region are unable to purse professional courses,” he lamented. However, the minister said that the students who have been

selected were extremely fortunate and lauded the foundation for their co-operation.

Earlier, welcome note was given by NPF president Tongpang Ozukum.

President of Dr. YSR Educational and Welfare Foundation Madhu Sudhan Reddy gave a short speech, and the function was chaired

by NSF general secretary Esther Rhakho.

NSF conducts counselling for students Morung Express News Dimapur | June 18

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Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) in collaboration with Dr. YSR Educational & Welfare Foundation Group of Institutions on Wednesday conducted counselling for selected students who would be undergoing various courses in Hyderabad.

The counselling was held at Ana-Ki conference hall Dimapur.

Delivering the welcome note, NSF president, Tongpang Ozukum said that the Dr. YSR Foundation was providing free higher technical and medicinal education to downtrodden and educationally backward meritorious students. The Foundation was started in 2009 by Jagan Mohan Reddy in memory of his late father, Dr. YS Reddy, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, who relentlessly worked for the welfare of

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& active participants in societies’

said in the present global world and universalization of education, factors like one’s background or place of education have become immaterial. Lorin hoped that YI would partner with educational institutions so that students would get valuable exposure on many youth activities. He also expressed confidence that the state government would go the extra mile to improve quality of education and infrastructure of educational institutions in the state.

Chairman, CII (Nagaland Chapter), Ajay Sethi, who also spoke on the

theme, stressed on the need for youths to capitalize on local expertise and resources and not to be always dependent on outside or government support.

Chair, YI (Nagaland Chapter), Zaren Odyuo and co-chair YI (Nagaland Chapter), Among Anjo, delivered the opening and concluding remarks respectively.

YI, an integral part of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was formed in 2002 with an objective to creating a platform for young Indians to realize the dream of a developed nation.

Central officer recognizes scope for horticulture North East NSS youth festival concludes

Dimapur, June 18 (mexn): The Director, Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India Vinit Verma during his threeday visit to Nagaland recognized the climate friendly villages and high scopes for horticultural crops farming in the state. Stating this in a press release, Director, Media & Publicity, BFABDC, TL Merry informed that the visiting officer was amazed by the quality and quantum of the horticultural crops such as fruits, potatoes, Naga King or Raja chilli and pineapple among other horticultural items that he found during his tour/inspection of areas that included Khuzama under Kohima district and Medziphema area along the NH 29 under Dimapur district.

Vinit Verma also visited the office of the Bharatiya Farmers Agro Business Development Cooperative Ltd. (BFABDC) at Land-

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Students get their documents verified by a joint team of NSF and YSR Foundation. (Morung photo)

the downtrodden people.

In its invitation to the NSF, the YSR Foundation had listed 9 institutions where the students can undergo different courses.

However, the NSF through the Nagaland Government verified the authenticity of the institutions and listed 6 institutes as genuine. The NSF has also physically ver-

ified these institutions and found satisfactory. A total of 254 Naga students from Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have been selected to undergo various courses.

Tongpang informed that each student has to pay a one-time admission fee of Rs 25, 000/- for the entire course. Additional-

ly, a refundable mess fee of Rs 60, 000/- has to be paid by the student. The YSR Foundation has also collaborated with State Bank of India to facilitate loans to students who cannot pay the mess fee amount of Rs 60, 000/-. The last date for payment of Rs 25, 000/- and submission of all original educational docu-

ments is June 21 on which day the students should inform the NSF whether they can pay the mess fee.

The NSF will forward the names of those students who cannot pay the mess fee to YSR Foundation which will tie up with SBI for facilitating loan to the students. However, the admission fee of Rs 25, 000/- cannot be availed through bank loan and the students must make a Demand Draft against Dr. Y.S.R Educational and Welfare Foundation payable at branch Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. NSF has informed the students to be careful about the spelling of ‘Mehdipatnam’ while making the demand draft as some students had faced problems owing to spelling mistake of the same.

Classes for various courses will commence from first week of September. The NSF president

also informed that the YSR Foundation would be providing separate boys and girls hostel for Naga students. The wardens and cooks would also be selected by the NSF. During the programme, President of Dr. YSR Educational & Welfare Foundation, Madhu Sudhan Reddy spoke about the activities of the Foundation.

For the convenience of the students, NSF has informed that the students can submit demand draft and original documents in the following offices. Students from Mokokchung can submit at AKM office, Dimapur and Peren at DNSU office, Zunheboto at SKK office, Wokha at KSU office, Phek at CSU or Pochury Students' Union office, Tseminyu at RSU office, Kohima at ASU or NSF, Manipur at ANSAM or their respective tribal student bodies or NSF.

ulated that neighbouring states for the commendable job they are doing.

Liezietsu urged the NSS Cell Nagaland to keep mobilizing volunteers so that in days to come Nagaland too can achieve the desired goal of having as many youth volunteers as possible thereby increasing the activities of NSS in the state.

Further, he asserted that the rich cultural heritage of NE region of India exemplifies unity in diversity and is considered to be a treasure for the whole nation, and maintained that youth festival has been a platform for cultural exchange alongside development and promotion of NSS activities in the region.

“May the NSS motto ‘Not me but you’ which describes the essence of democratic living and aims to uphold a greater zeal

of responsibility for every citizen, continue to inspire each and everyone of us to work for the welfare of our countrymen,” he added.

NSS state liaison officer C. Theyo proposed vote of thanks. Commissioner and secretary for youth resources & sports and land resource development Menukhol John and youth resources and sports director Kelie Zeliang were also present at the function.

The function was followed by musical extravaganza by DGP band.

The festival started on June 14 with participation of good number of NSS volunteers from eight North East states. In the literary competition, Arunachal Pradesh stood first while Meghalaya bagged second position. Nagaland and Tripura jointly won the third position.

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MEx File CNTC meeting on June 20 Dimapur, June 18 (mexn): All the executive members of Central Naga Tribal Council (CNTC) have been informed that there will be an important meeting of all the executives to deliberate on various agendas on June 20, 3:00 pm at CNTC office, Naga Shopping Arcade, Dimapur. Therefore, all the executive members have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.

CLCUD general meeting cum election Dimapur, June 18 (mexn): City Law College Students' Union Dimapur (CLCUD) will be holding its general meeting cum magazine release & election on June 21, 10am at the College Campus. President of CLCUD Khemvu Mekru in a press release informed that students failing to attend the said meeting shall be penalized with a sum of Rs. 200/-. The note further notified that filling of nomination form will be done on June 20 during the college hours, with a sum of Rs. 300/- as nomination fee, after which, no nomination will be entertained.

SBAK workshop on leadership development Dimapur, June 18 (mexn): The Sumi Baptist Churches Association (SBAK) will organize “Leadership Development & Renewal” workshop for SBAK executive council members, women executive members, youth executive members, ATC board of directors, mission board members from June 20 – 22 at Sumi Christian Centre, Aizuto. The topics will include: Layman’s commitment in the ministry, Maintaining testimony in work place, Leadership in post modernism. Rev. Dr. A.K. Lama, former general secretary of CBCNEI will be the resource speaker.

The SBAK executive secretary has requested all members concerned to attend the program.

SKK platinum jubilee planning board meeting Dimapur, June 18 (mexn): A meeting of Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu platinum jubilee planning board has been scheduled on June 21 at Hotel Silhouette conference hall, Kalibari Road, Dimapur at 1:00 pm. SKK office bearers, planning board, finance committee, programme committee, souvenir committee, monolith committee, local organizing committee (Zunheboto) and former SKK office bearers have been requested to attend the meeting positively. The meeting will review the progress of all the committees, informed a press release issued by media & publicity cell, SKK platinum jubilee.

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REgional

The Morung Express

Thursday

19 June 2014

Dimapur

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NGT asks M'laya to come 224 Brus return to Mizoram up with coal mining plan guWAhAti, June 18 (et): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) which has imposed blanket ban on coal mining in Meghalaya has asked the state government to finalise a coal mining plan in coordination with the government of India.

This may come as the first major attempt to regulate the unregulated coal mining in coal rich Meghalaya.

The tribunal in its recent order has observed, "We further direct the chief secretary and secretary, Mining & Geology of the

state of Meghalaya to take up the matter with Secretary, Union Ministry of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and secretary Coal Government of India and finalise the coal mining plan in the state at the earliest, the law which ought to have complied with before carrying on the mining activity and the manner in which the mining activity, if at all could be permitted in the state of Meghalaya."

On April 17 last, NGT banned coal mining follow-

Northeast Briefs Kidnapped banker in M'laya rescued after gunfight Shillong, June 18 (iAnS): A kidnapped bank official in Meghalaya was rescued Wednesday after a gunfight with his abductors in the West Garo Hills district, police said. Arvind Kumar, manager at State Bank of India's Ampati branch, was kidnapped at gunpoint by three unidentified men from Garobadha area while he was going towards his office from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills. Mukesh Kumar Singh, district police chief of West Garo Hills, told IANS: "We (police) rescued Kumar Wednesday morning from Antaggre village after an exchange of fire with his abductors". "The abductors left the bank manager after security forces retaliated. We do not know if any of the abductors were injured during the exchange of fire, but a manhunt is on to nab them as we have got some lead on their identities." Singh added.

RS polls in Arunachal today itAnAgAr, June 18 (Pti): Two candidates are in the fray for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Arunachal Pradesh where all arrangements have been completed for tomorrow's polling. While sitting MP Mukut Mithi is the Congress candidate, opposition BJP pitted former MLA Tapen Siga. Assistant returning officer K Habung said that polling would be conducted through secret ballots and all the members of the house would participate in the process. "Elections will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM and the result will be declared immediately after completion of the poll process after due approval of the Election Commission." The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) met here yesterday under the chairmanship of its leader Nabam Tuki and unanimously decided to ensure the election of Mithi to the Upper House of Parliament.

While the ruling Congress is upbeat on the poll result with 41 legislators in its kitty in a house of 60, BJP too is optimistic about its win as the party is foreseeing cross voting in favour of its candidate. The Congress claimed that Mithi would get 48 votes, including the support of five MLAs of the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) and both independents. BJP national secretary Tapir Gao at a press conference here recently claimed that the party's prospect to win the seat was high as the election would be between the Congress and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, not Siga. Election for the seat was announced following expiry of the term of office of the incumbent MP on May 26 last.

ing complaint brought by the All Dimasa Students' Union (ADSU) and the Dima Hasao district committee. Coal miners pleaded before the Tribunal for review. The tribunal has permitted however transportation of already extracted coal lying in open nearing the mining sites.

Several teams of the Special Committee constituted as per the order NGT visited East and West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts for inspection of all the coal depots and assessment of the quantity of

coal lying in the open in the respective district.

Locals have often claimed these mines termed as small-scale coal mines operate beyond the purview of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act and owned by communities.

Coal from Meghalaya is exported to Bangladesh.

Following the ban, coal from Nagaland is in demand in the Northeastern market. However following the ban around 32 coke plants, five thermal units and seven cement clinker

units are left without coal, which is main raw material for this industries.

A Meghalaya based Cement unit owner on the condition of anonymity told ET, "These units employ hundreds of people directly. Thousands of people of Meghalaya, especially tribal, depend on the coal mining for their livelihood.

"Around 30000 persons from transport sector are also dependent on the coal mines of Meghalaya. This will impact huge flow of investment in the region."

AizAWl, June 18 (Pti): As the sixth phase of repatriation of Brus lodged in the six relief camps in neighbouring North Tripura continued for the second day, 224 people belonging to 43 families entered Mizoram today, state Home department officials said.

Joint Secretary in the Home department Lalbiakzama told PTI that the Bru families arrived at the two facilitation centres in Zomuantlang and Kanhmun villages with transportation arranged by North Tripura district administration officials.

Lalbiakzama said that the repatriated Bru families arrived at the facilitation centres where of-

Tripura malaria death toll rises to 28 AgArtAlA, June 18 (iAnS): With the death of three more children, the toll in the outbreak of malaria in Tripura has risen to 28, a minister said here Wednesday.

Over 1,700 people have fallen ill from malaria and fever in the tribal-dominated mountainous areas of Dhalai, Gomti and South Tripura districts. "Twenty-eight people, mostly children, have died and more than 1,700 others have fallen ill in the

past three weeks in the three districts. All the affected have been admitted to various government hospitals," Tripura Health and Family Welfare Minister Badal Choudhury told reporters.

The minister along with medical experts and doctors visited the malaria-affected areas several times and personally supervised medical measures. He said, "Health officials and field workers are visiting re-

mote villages and making arrangements to bring the malaria-affected people to the government hospitals."

A helicopter is on standby to ferry doctors, health staff and patients in an emergency. Five temporary medical camps are functioning in the affected areas. A senior health department official said at least 50 health workers, including 26 Accredited social health activists, 13

Integrated Child Development Services and three Multi-Purpose Workers, have been either suspended or will face punitive action for negligence in work.

Experts have advised the government to use second-generation medicines instead of traditional ones to prevent malaria deaths.

The health department has already stocked sufficient medicines in each sub-division and health centres.

He said that the repatriation process would continue through the week even as there were reports that some people in the relief camps physically obstructed those willing to return to Mizoram.

Thirty families returned to Mizoram on the first day of the repatriation yesterday as six more families entered the state after dusk, while 24 families arrived till five PM.

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Creation of Mon and Patkai ADCs opposed itAnAgAr, June 18 (tnn): The Students' Union Movement of Arunachal Pradesh (SUMA) has opposed the creation of Mon and Patkai Autonomous District Councils in the state.

Suma's reaction came after a discussion here on Monday on tourism minister Pema Khandu's recent meeting with Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju regarding the speedy creation of Mon and Patkai Autonomous District Councils and the possible consequences of the autonomous councils in the state.

"We should not forget that there are separate departments for these regions, such as the department of Tirap and Changlang affairs, department of Karmik and Adhyatmik (Chos-Rigs) affairs with special development packages," the Union minister said in a statement

here on Tuesday.

Suma president Biri Tabing said, "The issue, spearheaded by minister Pema Khandu, is baseless.

It follows the mistake committed in the past in the assembly. The vision for the council is impoverished and it will devastate the future of the state."

Questioning the efficacy of such councils, Suma, citing the example of ADCs in neighbouring states like North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), said the overall performance of such councils is much below the target set by the Centre. SUMA vice-president (admin) Kaling Moyong said the demand for autonomous district council is a serious issue which may pave the way for other community to demand the same.

UNSPEAKABLE GRATITUDE I, on behalf of the 1992 urban poor families of Kohima Town would like to express our unspeakable gratefulness to the present government in general and Dr. Toshimanen Ozukum Additional Director Municipal Affairs in particular for helping us to repair houses, toilets and bathrooms under Basic Services for the urban poor In-setu component of JnNURM. We appreciate the selfless sacrifice of the Additional Director MAC who have worked tirelessly to bring the sanction from Delhi.

Kohima was divided into 42 sectors and Implemented the scheme through sector committee.

The Executive Engineer S.Meru informed that the last and final payment has been worked out to be not less than Rs. 50000 per household. As usual the implementation committee under the chairmanship of the Asstt. Director MAC deducted Rs. 2000 from each household for chai bani which we don't mind. The money was released to the 42 sector committee where It was also deducted ranging from 8000 to 10000 from each household for aha juha.

People say first cut is the deepest but here the second cut was the deepest. In some sectors there was even third cut of Rs. 3000 from each beneficiary for risk. Whatever is the deduction at various level we the 1992 families have got at least something to add to our family income.

It is also learnt that the philanthropist Additional Director has released Rs. 2 crore to the 42 sectors for construction of drainage in the locality for which we are extremely grateful to him. It is our hope and expectation that the sector committee will judiciously use the money and improve our infrastructure so that Kohima will be cleaner healthier and more beautiful.

M'laya HC notice UNITY CHRISTIAN HR. SECONDARY SCHOOL to state govt on DIPHUPAR: DIMAPUR custodial death FELICITATION Shillong, June 18 (Pti): Meghalaya High Court issued notices today to the state government and West Garo Hills district senior police officials in connection with the custodial death of a 20-year-old youth last month.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice P C Pant and Justice T N K Singh, which heard a writ petition filed by the family members of Balsan Marak yesterday, in the notice asked all the respondents to file their reply within a month.

The respondents included district superintendent of police Mukesh Singh, additional superintendent of police Bruno Marak, investigating officer P C Marak and the SP's personal security officer Govind Newar.

The petitioners have sought the court's direction for an independent inquiry by CBI into the sudden and mysterious death of 20 year-old Balsan on May 20 while serving a 14-day judicial custody at Tura in West Garo Hills district.

They also sought a direction for constituting the state human rights commission in the state which would deal with cases of human rights violation by the authorities.

Balsan and four others were arrested on May 13 for their alleged role in confining and torturing 12 young women. Police had registered a case on this.

ficials and NGO leaders conducted identification on whether they were bona fide residents of Mizoram or not.

Those identified as residents of Mizoram were taken to their respective villages identified for their resettlement and were given 20 kg of rice per family after doctors on duty at the facilitation centres conducted thorough medical check-up, he said.

KUKNALIM Rokhu, Kohima Town

The Management, Principal, Staff and Students of Unity Christian Higher Secondary School Diphupar, Dimapur would like to express our heartiest congratulations to Ms. (Dr.) Saza Lucy (Vice-Principal) on her well-deserved success and being conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Education accorded by the Nagaland University under the supervision of Dr. Buno Zetsuvi.

Your hard work and dedication has paid off. May your unremitting endeavor in the service of education go on with undiminished vigour.

"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts".

PRINCIPAL UNITY CHRISTIAN HR. SEC. SCHOOL

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4 public discoursE On the possibility of final solution of the Naga Peace talks Thursday

Dimapur

The Morung Express

19 June 2014

T

he optimistic opinion, that the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the BJP may be more sincere and committed to solve the long standing Naga Peace Talks, rendered by Mr. Gopal Krishna Pillai, the former Home Secretary, Government of India, which appeared in the Morung Express on 6th June 2014, in the article titled “Naga solution within a year” was a very happy and welcome opinion. The Pillai of this opinion was a different Pillai when the Concerned Naga Senior Citizens met him in Delhi in 2009. At the time, he, being the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, had been assigned to represent the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, at a meeting with the Senior Naga Citizens to discuss on a Memorandum, on the Naga Peace Talks submitted to the Prime Minister by the Senior Citizens, and understandably, his statement then was uncertain and vague, it being rendered on instruction based on policy of the then ruling Government.

The present opinion expressed immediately upon the coming into power of the BJP Government at the Centre is no mere coincidence if one may recall the fact that it was the BJP led Government headed by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari

Vajpayee that gave recognition to the “Uniqueness of Naga History” way back in 2003. No doubt, the cease fire agreement was entered in 1997 at a time when the country was run by the Congress party headed by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, but it was the BJP led Government which had the vision and understanding to acknowledge the Naga history and situation as unique. Had the BJP and its allies returned to power in 2004, there was every possibility of a speedy solution, but it was the Congress party and its allies that came into power and the peace talks meandered. Obviously, the Congress party could not ignore its own historical legacy in respect of the Naga issue. In its long reign at the Centre, beginning from the time of Indian Independence, the Congress party had sought only to snuff out the cry of the Nagas by whatever means possible. Therefore, when the issue has come to a stage where a political solution is sought through peaceful negotiations and the burden of negotiation fell upon its shoulder by virtue of it being the ruling party, the Congress party sought to apply its former policy of suppression, though subtly, by way of pretence of negotiation without actual intention of bringing about

poETry

carry in respect of the Naga issue. Sincerity to bring about an honourable political solution was shown by the BJP in the past and the same is expected in the present also as is wont from a party with integrity.

On the question of a final settlement to the Naga issue, many leaders including leaders of the NPCC have reservations, and rightly so, with regard to a settlement which will include all the rival factions, when separate ceasefire agreements with the different factions are in place. In this regard, it must not be forgotten that the settlement in question is for the Naga people and not the factions. Any faction that ignores the will of the people shall lose legitimacy. If it is the call of the Naga people that all the factions, irrespective of factional differences and misunderstandings, must join hands in bringing about a final understanding with the Government of India, no faction can afford to ignore this call. The power of bringing the factions together, therefore, vests in the Naga people, and this is the opportune time for the people to utilize this power by taking an impartial stand in the matter, and all other things will fall into place.

Bendangangshi , Ex. MLA

A few questions to BRO

I

Wishing Will

any solution. Thus, in the past ten years of the Congress rule at the Centre, no concrete headway could be made in the negotiation.

Rolling back the years to 1953, memory remains fresh as to how the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, a Congressman himself, on his official visit to Kohima invited U Nu the then Prime Minister of Burma (Myanmar), and embarked on an aerial mission with his counterpart to give over to Burma a greater portion of Naga occupied land.

The Naga leaders and their followers did boycott the public meeting organized to receive the Prime Minister, on account of a misunderstanding brought about by the Indian officials’ directive to the Nagas not to proffer any form of representation to him, which is not attributed to him, yet there was no justification on the part of Nehru to take such drastic action ignoring the wishes of the people whose lives are the ones seriously affected by the action.

The event that followed the departure of Nehru that has remained an indelible part of the Naga psyche, is history.

Mr. Gopal Krishna Pillai’s opinion is not without foundation. Unlike the Congress party, the BJP has no historical baggage to

damage to vehicles– the ground n connection and support to the clearance for most light ground write up of Z. Lohe, Adviser to the vehicles is limited to 20cm, causChief Minister and former Mining even trucks difficulty in naviister 16th June, 2014, I would like to May my life be short and sweet gating over these areas. Black topput forward a few questions to BRO Not long but deep-ping in these areas is done directly whose job it is to take up the repair Plucked at its best! over ordinary soling without any and maintenance work of NH 29 May my death fertilize more than main and sub-grade soling and specially between Dimapur and Kometalling with different grades of the yellow flowers casketing my grave-- hima. It is known by all that the condistone chips which is why the retion of the roads from Numaligarh to Lovisenla Dimapur and that from Mao gate to paired roads do not last for even 2 months. The quality of such roads Imphal –roads which are frequented is questionable at the least and it often, remain in a good state. Howhas been duly noted that the black ever, in the said sector maintained topping done by the BRO does not by the BRO, the same cannot be said When the world goes sailing by you last for more than 3 months. For which is a shame.

We find that the and you are lost in the middle of self example, though black topping potholes in black topped areas are bend down and weep for words unfound, was done afresh at the new steel being filled with ordinary earth. A search the world over and yet come undone wonderful combination the likes of bridge site near Lalmati, it could and that’s when you find yourself. be seen that within two months which I have never seen anywhere of this work, the surface levelling in the world. Come rain or wind the When tears roll down your face of the roads became irregular and earth is washed or blown away from and the song you use to know does not tune the potholes leaving the roads in the because of this “irregular” levelling of the road near its entrance, surround by faces known who have been true earlier unrepaired condition again. I vehicles bump heavily at both the enclose with this letter a few photos do not cry, for you will know entrance as well as exit inconvetaken recently from the place which when you find yourself niencing many as well as causing is attached for publication in your esdamage to the vehicles. If there is teemed papers.

When you find yourself any Civil Engineer in BRO, their Over the years following observareaching out for the rainbows, involvement in the matter is questions have been made: and you start yourself a new journey tionable.

1. At certain locations the road has without pain, without loss remained unattended for de- 2. I have also noticed over the years, the curves of the roads from Kohicades. For instance the roads near that’s when you’ll find yourself ma to Dimapur, many which could the Lalmati land slide area and beYou have been through all this have been improved thereby ametween Piphema and Pherima have liorating the drivability condition not been attended to for more through nights and days of existence of the vehicles. One finds the usthan 15 years.

It is alarming to note search the world over and yet come undone age of sub-grade sand and stone that in some areas the potholes that’s when I’ll find myself. chips at the work sites. Citing few are as deep as 20 to 25 centimeSunep Longkumer examples, construction of cultres, something which causes real

verts which is supposed to take 2 months takes at least 6 months leaving the problems of the common man at their mercy.

It has also been observed in almost all the roads, as I have travelled all over the state including neighbouring states, that the maintenance work is pathetic – there is no deployment of labourers anywhere. In the 74km stretch from Kohima to Dimapur, sometimes one does not find even a single labourer! There is a saying “Even the blind will know that they have entered Nagaland” due to the bumpy rides. For reasons unexplainable the BRO only repairs the roads multiple times in areas where it is in good condition but leaves the worst portion stagnant for decades. If the maintenance of this 74km stretch by the BRO is so pitiable then it is advised that they hand the task to the NPWD, who, if handed even 75% of the funds provided to the former will do much better.

The State government has every right to monitor the works as per the fund allotted to them.

It is time to observe the following: Periodical maintenance.

Quality of materials and workmanship.

Time for completion of each activities.

Child Missing: A Concern

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hanks to the Forest Department for the conservation and protection Of Amur Falcon putting Nagaland on the World Map for successful conservation and protection of the migratory bird with the help of various NGOs. They have really done a great job.

But, what about human beings being missing daily in Nagaland? Is there any particular Department in Nagaland taking care of human being missing daily? Are there any NGOs finding out the causes and means to stop human from being missing? Our daily Newspapers are highlighting the photo of missing person every day. Thanks to the media house for publicizing the issue; but whether any agency is pursuing the matter or not is never known.

Is the Government of the day overlooking about missing children? If they are pursuing these cases, they should highlight atleast some cases in the press to win the confidence of the people, if the cases are just recorded for the sake of record; it is high time Government look into the cases and a strategy work out to contain this menace immediately. Where do these missing persons go? Are these missing persons being kidnapped for the organs trade, prostitution or any other purpose? Has there been any record of missing person being found after publication in the media? The state Government should ponder upon such alarming issues Instead of pondering just about monetary gains, Are human beings not worth thousands of birds? Why Government agencies, NGOs and Churches are keeping silent on the daily missing people? It is high time we delve into and do something on this matter, K.A.Jacob Nagabazar Colony, Kohima

Flush Away Rapes

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apes happen not only in the peripheral villages but 3. in big towns – Badaun, Mazaffarnagar, Azamgarh, Etawah,Aligarh and Amethi and every parts of the world. Women are not safe everywhere anywhere.

Deep rooted gender bias among politicians was noted with concerns by the justice J S Verma Committee, which was set up after the Nirbhaya Gang-rapecum -murder case to recommend swifter and stringent punishment for rape.

Surprisingly when the survey was conducted UP rated the lowest crime rate and Delhi, MP were in the top list. So the question is why is it so? Was it because the women in UP were scared of reporting a crime against the culprit just be4. cause they are Dalit or from OBC? Or because of the fear of the SP ruling Anar5. chist power in UP? a.

UP horrific rape epib. demic continues, with strong evidence of official c. complicity. Following the Badaun horror a woman was allegedly gang-raped Er. Vitoshe K. Rochill by three cops at a police Kohima. station in Hamirpur, while a minor Dalit girl from Badaun itself said she was 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. repeatedly raped in the house of the SP MLA. The epidemic is made worst by a rash statement from politicians all over the country. Ironically, many of these statements come Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill CROSSWORD # 2919 in the grid so that every row, every column, and from state home ministers every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.” whose job is to protect the citizen.

Game Number # 2912 Answer Number # 2911 According to the UP home department sources in major district of UP, particularly under the influence of the ruling Yadav family, nearly 60% police station are headed by Yadav officers. In Badaun two minor girls were hanged and raped, 16 out of 22 police stations are headed

by Yadav officers. Badaun is represented by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s

When You Find Yourself

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LEISURE

DAILY CROSS WORD

SUDOKU

cousin Dharmendra Yadav in the Lok Sabha. Also all five men are accused of rape and murder of the two teenagers is Yadav.

Punishment should be proportionate to the crime.

What we do need is a tough action against rapist. What it requires is thorough and sensitive investigation of complaints and prosecution of crimes against women when they occur.

Some strong law should be enacted to protect Women and also for the surviver.

For example, the Bangladesh supreme court in state VS md Moinul Haque (2001) 21 BLD 465) had said that the victims of rape should be compensated by giving them half the property of the rapist(s) as part of their rehabilitation in society.

We have New PM with a strong promising, decisive Governance. He should look at the situation of the violence and crime against women with a strong law act. No doubt he has shown his grief on the incident of UP rape case but he did not promise to act against it. Many decision makers take thing likely .Only after the incident occurs they react. Why not create a tough Law before many other violent incidences occur?

Why wait for the criminals to commit more crime?

Someone has rightly said that if all the MLA‘s were women the crime against women would not have happen. An outrage Rape comments by Indian politicians like Mulayam Singh Yadav that ‘Boys will be Boys’.... What a mindset being a responsible leader.

“Change in political mindset can go long way in preventing rapes.”

Apila Sangtam M.A in International Relation Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi -110067

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ACROSS 1. Slang for money 6. Money 10. Awestruck 14. American symbol 15. Away from the wind 16. Chocolate cookie 17. Licoricelike flavor 18. Unusual 19. Not pretty 20. Disarrayed 22. Cashews and almonds 23. Hale 24. Loads 26. Ought 30. Pincer 32. Cent 33. Watchstrap 37. Eyebrow shape 38. Long times 39. Margarine 40. Nighttime imaginary place 42. Sweetener 43. Not watertight 44. Adherent 45. Museum piece 47. Take in slowly 48. Start over 49. Practices

56. Again 57. Computer symbol 58. Eagle’s nest 59. What a person is called 60. As a result 61. Unsophisticated 62. Happy 63. Bygone era 64. Not younger

DOWN 1. Tiny sphere 2. Hindu princess 3. Auspices 4. As well 5. Tick 6. A proofreader’s symbol 7. Winglike 8. Arid 9. Reckless 10. Circuitous 11. Bicker 12. Animal hides 13. Playthings 21. Accomplished 25. Altitude (abbrev.)

26. WW1 plane 27. German for “Mister” 28. A single time 29. Unsanctified 30. Sidekick

31. Posterior 33. Feeble 34. Aquatic plant 35. Close 36. Small boat 38. Eagerness 41. Japanese apricot 42. The highest female voice 44. By means of 45. Kidney-related 46. Swelling under the skin 47. Feel 48. Telephoned 50. Reflected sound 51. 60 minutes 52. Secure against leakage 53. Dry 54. Not pre-recorded 55. Clairvoyant Ans to CrossWord 2918

Reliance Industries to launch 4G telecoms services in 2015

MuMbai, June 18 (ReuteRs): Reliance Industries Ltd will start offering next year fourth-generation (4G) telecommunications services, its chairman and India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, said on Wednesday, as the energy major seeks to boost revenue from new business areas.

Reliance, India’s third-most valuable company, gets most of its revenue from its sprawling energy empire. It has expanded into new businesses like retail, telecommunications and media in recent years as growth in its core energy business slows.

Reliance made a return to telecoms in 2010 by acquiring the only company that had won nationwide 4G airwaves in a government auction, but has yet to start services as it builds the business on an unproven and stilldeveloping technology.

On Wednesday, Ambani told shareholders that Reliance was planning an investment of 700 billion rupees ($11.7 billion) in the telecoms business and would launch services in phases across India in 2015.

“The objective is to ensure that everything that we offer is future-proof and world-class,” he told Reliance’s annual shareholder meeting. “Limited field trials with our initial set of services for the broad band services are already underway.”

Reliance plans to invest more than 1.8 trillion rupees ($30 billion) over a three-year period that ends in March 2016 across all its businesses, Ambani said. Last year, the company had announced plans to invest 1.5 trillion rupees over three years.

Public SPace/lOcal

The Morung Express

Nagaland government asked to act against illegal cash collection

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organization has urged the Nagaland state government to “effectively enforce and execute” the judgment & order, dated June 3, 2014, passed by the Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench, which disallowed several unions from collecting cash/contributions at check gates and on any National/State Highways and also ordered against establishment of office/ sub-office/pay-counter/ information centers on any highways.

A press note from the NVCO President stated that the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has dismissed several writ petitions filed by several organizations “as these proceedings initiated by them

are found to without any merit.” The organizations that filed the petitions include the Petroleum and Land Transport Workers Federation of India, Dimapur Land Transport Workers Union, Dimapur District Autorikshaw Drivers’ Union, Dimapur Motor Workers Trade Union, Dimapur Auto Rikshaw Owners’ Union, Dimapur Truck Drivers’ Union, Dimapur Truck Owners’ Associations and the Motor Workers Association, Dimapur.

NVCO stated that all the organizations are registered with the Government of Nagaland under the Trade Union Act and Registration of Societies Act and that their area of operation is within Dimapur, “mostly lying on national/ state highways such as New Field Check Gate, Golaghat

MEx FILE TVC clarifies

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Thilixu Village Council (TVC) has clarified that the two persons, Boto Chishi and Viyeshe Sumi, who were arrested in connection with the murder of a hotel owner in Dimapur are “not permanent residents of Thilixu Village but are only temporary residents, who are residing at a rented house.” A press note from the TVC cautioned that stern and appropriate action would be taken against any non permanent resident who “intentionally or unintentionally tarnishes the good image of the village in the future.”

JCDK demands clarification

KOHIMA, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Japfuphiki Chokri Dzevi Krotho (JCDK) has expressed regret over the allegation made by GPRN/NSCN Lotha region against one of its bonafide members and contractor Vilelie Khamo.

The Krotho acknowledged the contractor’s quality execution of work stating that he works according to the government’s instruction. The organization further requested the GPRN/NSCN Lotha region authority not to create hindrances to the development activities without any acceptable reasons. The JCDK also urged the competent authority of GPRN/NSCN or government of Nagaland to make necessary clarification regarding the allegation and settle the issued in peace at the earliest.

NNC (NA) terminates one

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): NNC (Non-Accordist) government has informed that Nihokhe Wotsa, Deputy Kilonser has been terminated and it will not be responsible for his untoward activities. In a press release, NNC (Non-Accordist) said the Deputy Kilonser was terminated for “attempting conspiracy against the Government which is against Naga National Yehzabo and is a detrimental to the interest of the NNC (Non-Accordist) Government.”

Public SPace Rejoinder to the Press Statement by ACAUT on June 18

O

n the strength of the Destruction Board report headed by Dy.Commissioner of Excise the destruction of Liquor was done on 26.5.14 in presence of District Administration, Police, Para Military Forces and NGOs. After receiving report from ACAUT Members on 26th May 2014 at around 2 P.M that the entire consignment was not brought to the destruction site; the undersigned enquired and verified the matter departmentally from 27.5.14 onwards and issued a Rejoinder on 2nd June '14 that after verification of the Office records, responsibility will be fixed on the officials concerned.

Accordingly on 3rd June '14, the undersigned issued a show cause Notice to the Head of the Dimapur Excise District as to why disciplinary proceedings will not be initiated against him for giving wrong information to the destruction board and misleading the Office of the undersigned.

All concerned erring officials and staffs will be Prosecuted after completion of enquiry by the Government.

Maongwati Aier, IAS Commissioner of Excise Nagaland: Dimapur

R

Rejoinder

ejoinder to Lozolie's (T.L Angami) paper publication which appeared on 8th June 2014, since time immemorial, God gifted land of Chumukedima has been owned by the forefather of Chumukedima's inhabitant.

As such, aforementioned land was never misplaced or lost, it was never altered. So the press released by Lozolie as 'founder/ brought back' is baseless and we outrightly reject your words. You have been honoured as one of the leaders in this 'B' khel New Chumukedima village namely (1) P. BEITUO HAMA. (2) T.L ANGAMI (3) Late. TOUNYU MEYASE, respectively and we expect you to live upto it and no more.

As every Naga knows the prevalence of Naga Customary laws/ Social/ Culture/ etc practices within its own jurisdiction. We look forward for the same in this matter.

We also request Organization/ Group not to get involved in this matter without the consent of New Chumukedima Village Authority.

Zakievisie Kruse, Secretary Village Council, New Chumukedima S Bao Hama, Chairman Village Council, New Chumukedima

Road, Burma Camp, Dillai Gate, Old Khatkati Road, etc.”

It informed that the Petroleum & Land Transport Workers Federation of India was registered with the Government of Assam under the Trade Union Act and the area of operation was stated to be whole of North East India including Nagaland. NVCO stated that their operation included setting up “pay counters on the pretext of Information Centre at Dimapur/Kohima including a pay-counter situated at Jakhama village above Loyola Higher Secondary School, Jakhama lying on National Highway - 29.”

The organizations had approached the Gauhati High Court challenging several orders issued by the Government of Naga-

land directing unions and associations against setting up of any structures or collecting taxes and fees at state highways and national highways.

The NVCO termed the dismissal of the writ petitions as “an achievement” against the “menace of illegal collections of cash at check gates and national/ state highways.” It stated that the state has seen “mushrooming” of “illegal collections of cash” by various organizations at the check gates and on highways, which contribute to price rise in the state.

It added that many trucks coming from outside the state “refuse to enter Nagaland because of the forcible collection of ‘taxes’ at various-gates lying on national/state highways.”

It was informed that the

NVCO had submitted several representations to the state government to stop the conduct of illegal collections of cash by various organizations including government departments and the police.

The NVCO demanded that the orders issued by the state government against such practices should be upheld strictly in accordance with requirement of law. It demanded that the government “must effectively carry out” the order, June 22, 2009, issued by the Nagaland Chief Secretary, whereby it stated that no collection of cash will be allowed in the check-gates or in any part of the highway including any organization or individual, government departments such as Police, Excise, Forest and Taxes departments, etc.

Thursday 19 June 2014

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): In continuation with the June 16 raids on bars and lounges in Dimapur, the District Administration along with Dimapur Police conducted joint raids on booze joints and outlets in and around Dimapur town on Wednesday evening.

Addl. SP & PRO, Wati Jamir, talking to media persons informed that the joint team was led by officers of Dimapur Police and was divided into 6 teams – one team each raiding a number of illegal liquor joints and outlets in Dhobinala, Clock Tower, Marwaripati, Nagarjan, Deluxe Point, and National Highway 29 stretch between 3rd Mile and 6th Mile.

IMFL totaling 1917 bottles was recovered during the raid and seven persons were arrested for their involvement in the sale of illegal liquor. Cash amount of Rs. 7870/- was also seized from the arrested.

The arrested were

should be precise highlighting the respect of Gazetted Officers workKOHIMA, JUNE 18 (DIPR): The performance and achievements of ing under various Departments/ Home Department (Political Branch) the individual recommended.

Directorates should be submitted in a circular has invited deserving casthrough proper channel as under 7. Integrity Certificate to be signed by es for Governor’s Gold Medal/ Goverforwarding authority.

- Head of Department to Adminnor’s Commendation Certificate’s on istrative Head of Department to 8. For NGO/Individuals and employIndependence Day, August 15, 2014. ees working under the establishSpecial Secretary, Home.

Citations/Recommendations of dement of the Deputy Commissionserving cases may be forwarded to 4. In the case of Police, Home Guards, ers' deserving candidates should Prison and Fire Services the recSpecial Secretary (Home) Nagaland, be submitted through proper ommendations should come Kohima latest by July 15, 2014. While channel as under - Dy. Commisthrough their respective Director forwarding the Citations/Recommensioner of the District concerned to Generals/Head of the Department dations, the following guidelines are to Commissioner, Nagaland to Speto Special Secretary, Home. be strictly observed: cial Secretary, Home.

1. Details of candidates recom- 5. 6 (Six) copies of the Citations/ Recommendations duly signed 9. No Citations/Recommendations mended should be submitted acwill be accepted from the Deputy

by Head of Department in respect cording to format given in AnnexCommissioner directly. of Non Gazetted Staff and Head ure “A”. of Department & Administrative 10. Citations/Recommendations re2. Citations/Recommendations ceived after the last date, i.e July Head of Department for Gazetted should be submitted by the Head 15, 2014 and any deviation from Officer along with soft copy may of Department for Non Gazetted the above guidelines will be sumbe forwarded.

Staff. marily rejected.

3. Citations/Recommendations in 6. Citations/Recommendations

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Nagaland state unit of the NCP today informed that the three NCP MLAs, who had claimed a merger with the BJP, now face disqualification proceedings before the Speaker of the NLA. A press note from MLA, L Khumo of the NCP stated that the Speaker is yet to accept their claim of a merger and have asked the three MLAs to produce resolutions of the NCP national party that support that merger of the NCP with the BJP. It was informed that the Speaker has also asked the state unit presidents of the NCP and the BJP to cite legal authorities demonstrating their competence to propose and accept merger with each other when the National Party Presi-

dents of both parties are unaware of any such merger.

Stating that the three MLAs are in a “tight spot,” the NCP stated that if the party’s national president takes a stand that the NCP has not merged with the BJP, then the MLAs would face disqualification from membership to the 12th NLA.

The liquor seized during the raid conducted by District Administration and Dimapur Police and the arrested individuals.

identified as Vijay Verma – a resident of City Tower, Roman Hemu of Assam and a resident of Bata Charali, Monu Vishnu - a resident of Bata Charali, Atsu Sema – a resident of Sugar Mill Area, Engo Konyak – a resident of 6th Mile, Mit-

hun Sarkar – a resident of 6th Mile, Roshan Singh of Rajasthan and a resident of Half Nagarjan. The arrested were taken into custody and a case has been registered under the NLTP Act 1989 at East Police Station.

Torechu interacts with PWD (Housing) officials Our Correspondent Kohima | June 18

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY for PWD (Housing), T. Torechu today had an interaction with the senior engineers of the department here. Expressing his political will to take up the policy matters at the government level, he appealed to the officers to extend support and cooperation to achieve the goals of the department for the betterment and development of Naga people.

“I can only put forth the policy matters and grievances but you have to take forward the developmental works at the ground level,” he said, while also stressing on the need for proper work culture.

Responding to Chief Engineer’s projection that projects cannot be completed on time due to fund constraint while there are huge amount of liabilities to be paid to the contractors, he suggested that the department should try to take up less projects with proper sanctions so that liabilities are not created.

Lotha, MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon, former General Secretaries Munthing Newmai, Imtiwati and Saikha Zhimomi, former Secretary Lipok and former Youth President Chomben Yanthan. A press note from TL Semdok, Vice President and In Charge of NCP Nagaland informed that a resolution of this effect was adopted at an emergency meeting of the NCP State Executive Committee Meeting on June 18.

NCP Nagaland suspends 8 members NCP merger under DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The question Nagaland state unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has suspended eight members from active and primary membership on grounds of “anti-party activities without resigning from NCP.” The suspended NCP members include MLA Imitlemba Sangtam, MLA Dr TM

5

booze joints raided in Dimapur

Home Department invites for Governor’s award

3 NCP MLAs face disqualification

Dimapur

KOHIMA, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) today stated that the “claim of merger” of 3 NCP MLAs, namely: Dr TM Lotha, Mmhonlumo Kikon and Imtilemba, with BJP, which was presented to the Speaker on

June 16, “is under question.” A press note from the General Secretary of the Central Office, NPF, KG Kenye informed that the Speaker has sought confirmation of their claim from the National Presidents of the NCP and the BJP. The MLAs have also been asked to “submit the resolutions of merger of national level NCP with the national level BJP.” It was further informed that SR Kholi, Permanent Secretary of the NCP has communicated orders of suspension of all the three MLAs from the party. “As the national parties of NCP and BJP have not merged, SR Kholi has requested the Speaker not to accept the claim of merger of these 3 MLAs with the BJP,” stated the press note. It lamented that the three NCP MLAs have taken an “ill advised political course with the party’s status not clear and which may lead to serious consequences on the membership of the MLAs.”

NGRC-1CU demands GPRN/NSCN AYO “peeved” at GPRN/NSCN Lotha region JUNE 18 through the MIP against a and threat on innocent public Lotha region to retract statement KOHIMA, (MExN): The Angami Youth highly regarded and reputed and to extract money.”

“The tribalism element of Organization (AYO) has de- firm M/s. Vilelie Khamo &

DIMAPUR, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Nagaland Government Class-I contractors Union (NGRC-1CU) has expressed “outrage” at the allegations made by the GPRN/NSCN Lotha region against one of its members, Vilelie Khamo. A press note from the union informed that in the executive meeting called on June 17, the union members vehemently condemned “this malicious allegation” and also pointed out that “while throwing false allegation is a matter serious enough in itself, to threaten the contractor is absolutely unacceptable.”

The union informed the GPRN/ NSCN Lotha region that “if they have any problem with the work carried out; they should approach the PWD with their concerns since the contractor is employed by them.” It further stated that the “continued silence of the concerned department in this matter is totally baffling and unethical.” It thus called upon the concerned department to immediately clarify to the GPRN/NSCN Lotha region as well as the general public regarding the said completed project.

On the GPRN/NSCN Lotha region’s statement that “Awarding of all major contract works in the lotha region to outside contractors is the main reason for the poor execution of the contract works as they have no regard for the welfare of the local populace except to earn money”, the union said that this shows “intellectual immaturity” and “instigates tribalism among the Nagas.”

Further, the union stated that “it is a tall order to make even a low margin

of profit following the department’s specifications, while paying off multiple taxations (5% of total project cost, machinery tax, etc ) demanded by multiple national outfits and other ‘concerned stakeholders’.”

It called upon all Naga Political Groups to understand that contractors “comply with their demands whether its percentage deduction from the total project cost or miscellaneous taxes that usually follow from before the project is started to when it is completed, which unduly burdens all contractors without the added weight of threats and intimidations.”

At this rate, the union said, it would be “impossible to carry out/complete projects and contract works since the initial fund that is received is usually emptied out before it is utilized for its actual purpose.” “It is such an irony that the GPRN/NSCN Lotha region is making statements displaying their concern for the people’s welfare when they make such high demands that jeopardises the entire project before it is even begun,” the union added.

Stating that it is not only the contractors who are unduly burdened, the union added that enterprises from small shops to modest business ventures struggle to find a foothold and hold families together and that the common man irrespective of tribe and region is “plagued by this all too common and frustrating situation that pulls us down.” It demanded that the GPRN/NSCN Lotha region to retract the statement, “failing which the NGRC-1 CU will stop all cooperation with the GPRN/NSCN.”

manded that the statement issued by GPRN/NSCN Lotha Region against contractor Vilelie Khamo be withdrawn immediately and the matter be discussed and settled on a Public Organization’s table for the best and wellbeing of the Naga Society.

In a press release, AYO through its president and general secretary stated it is “peeved with the charges, allegation and (ISM) venom filled statement made by the GPRN/NSCN Lotha Region

Sons.”

The statement questioning the workmanship of Vilelie Khamo has no substantial content at all, but was only a means resorted to extract percentage/money and to assassinate and defame the character of Vilelie Khamo, AYO stated. It further rued “the demeaning trends now deep-rooted within the rank and files of NPGs where in the high ideal, the spirit of nationalism and patriotism is replaced with intimidation

the NPG is also being vibrantly exposed,” AYO stated. “And if the statement made is the executive decision and stand of the GPRN/NSCN Lotha Region, AYO too may be compelled to take its own stand against such divisive group/s that dismember/sectionalize the Naga Society.” The Organization further expressed regret to note that a number of the organization’s respected citizens are often being made victims with unfounded allegations.

SASU questions GPRN/NSCN

KOHIMA, JUNE 18 (MExN): The Southern Angami Students’ Union (SASU) has expressed utter dismay at the statement of GPRN/NSCN Lotha region, “threatening to blacklist 1st class Contractor M/S Vilelie Khamo and Sons Co. of Mima Village.”

The union in a press release said it was compelled to question the integrity of the GPRN/NSCN on whether it endorses such functionaries under its set-up to “blatantly target” rightful and abiding citizens. “The Union and the general public are very much aware of Vilelie Khamo, a reputed contractor who has always served the people with dedication and sincerity which has been exemplified in the construction of LongthoLiphayan Governor’s camp Road,” the release stated. “It is very much lucid from official verification report of the govt. that the work has been completed as per specification of the Government. Besides, the company has even constructed an additional 2km at the behest of the Villagers.” Thus, it said,

the allegation of the work as “sub-standard” does not arise.

“Was the statement in reciprocation of the consequence in non receipt of percentage payment to the GPRN/NSCN or was it carried out solely to target and taint the good image of the M/s Vilelie Khamo and Sons Co.?” it questioned.

SASU further asserted that such false allegation, on a “philanthropist” like Villelie Khamo, is an act of “direct felony to all the people who works for the welfare and progress of the society.” The Union stated that the GPRN/ NSCN Lotha region has not only attempted to “contaminate the good image of M/S Vilelie Khamo and Sons co. but also shown a deliberate dejection to all the upcoming youngsters who are striving to build up their career in the line for sincere and honest contribution to the progress and welfare of our Naga Society.”

SASU fully supported and endorsed the statement made by ASU and reiterated that the demands be fulfilled.

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 THursDAy 19 JunE 2014 volumE IX IssuE 166

By Aheli moitra

The proposed NSDZs & proliferating NGOs

E

ven as India’s Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry (Independent Charge) Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Centre is in the process of reviewing all free trade agreements (FTAs) and special economic zones (SEZ) to see if they have provided the benefits for which they were created, Nagaland is not far behind in doing just the opposite.

“A complete review of the SEZs is taking place. What are the difficulties? Why are they not vibrant? Why are they not as buoyant as they should be? Why some of them are not giving us the returns that they expected to give us? These are question of importance,” Sitharaman said.

For the people who give up their land to allow large corporate houses to operate on them for minimal tax against the massive profits they will make, these questions are far more important to ask before setting up these Zones than after. As Nagaland’s Legislative Assembly (NLA) gears up to brace Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZ), similar to SEZs, some legitimate questions have been raised by Nagaland’s civil society as well as a political group.

The Nagaland Tribes Council, for instance, expressed serious reservation on the NLA resolution adopted on March 24 to create NSDZs along the foot hills of the State, covering 5 out of 11 districts with a view to “promote and facilitate faster growth of industrialization and urbanization.”

“Structural modification” of the land holding and tenusre systems, they stated, could lead to the permanent settlement and possession of “tribal lands” by “outsiders.”

The Naga political group, GPRN/NSCN pointed out, the 16 tribes of Nagaland must be referred to vis-à-vis the clause on ‘transfer of land ownership’ in the NLA resolution.

The question is when land, big or small, is such a contentious issue in the Naga scenario, how did the government not hold large scale consultations with the people before deciding to give land to people/companies outside Nagaland State? What alternatives will the landless have in this land of unskilled industrial labour? Will the Centre ask the State to hold on to this idea as well while it studies how SEZs have served little both the government and the people of India? Do the people want ‘industrialization and urbanization’ at any cost? And when States stop listening to the voices of the people, will the civil society space, NGOs that can give a bigger platform to the latter, not proliferate?

While the voice and image of NGOs has been staunchly misinterpreted by India’s Intelligence Bureau, it is important to remember how tight-fisted with rights the nation state is rapidly becoming in today’s date—people’s voices figure few and far in between, and are heard only when they are elite, agitating on the streets or taking up arms. As long as the State continues to do this, foreign or local funded NGOs, at par with knowledge systems the State uses, will continue to find support with the people and proliferate.

Comments and suggestions may be sent to moitramail@yahoo.com

lEfT WING |

Vatsal Srivastava IANS

TARGETING INFLATION: Great moderation a great embarrassment

I

n 2003, economist Robert Lucas, in his presidential address to the American Economic Association, declared that the “central problem of depression prevention has been solved, for all practical purposes”. Prior to the financial crisis of 2008, the mood prevailing among economists was that Macroeconomics had won. Finally, the business cycle could be tamed by a low and less volatile level of inflation. This was termed The Great Moderation.

The primary focus of monetary policy to target only inflation is likely to lead to upheavals elsewhere. Currency Corner is raising questions over the pros and cons of “inflation targeting” as a monetary tool because as the global economy is finally showcasing a sustained recovery, inflationary expectations remain at the helm for the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan. Despite the huge output (nominal GDP) losses of recent years, adherence to inflation targets appears to be stronger than ever. The Federal Reserve has started to taper its Quantitative Easing (QE) program and the market is expecting rates to move higher as we move ahead. However, monetary policy in Europe and Japan is primarily being guided by deflationary threats. Anticipation of further unconventional monetary policy tools which would also lead to devaluing their respective currencies are all answers to the threat posed by low inflation. Further, a long run of history reveals that the majority of recessions and financial setbacks have had nothing to do with high inflation.

Take the example of the United Kingdom. According to HSBC, UK GDP has contracted in 34 separate years since 1831 - yet only in the 1970s and early 1980s was there any kind of connection with rapid price increases. Inflation targeting may have helped deliver price stability but it appears to provide no guarantee of lasting economic or financial stability. Could it be possible that when central bankers tend to focus on just one key macro variable (in this case inflation), it may be the case that they are left unable or unwilling to spot increase in financial risk? It can be argued that prior to 2008, policymakers ignored rapid house price gains, excessive money supply growth and narrowing credit spreads even though, throughout history, these had provided good warning of future upheavals. Excessive risk taking was encouraged because as long as inflation was well-behaved, market participants could look forward to a stable and predictable monetary environment according to HSBC. Another example is the booming Japan in the 1980s.

Japanese inflation was well-behaved in the 1980s, but rapid asset price gains ultimately set the scene for the deleveraging and deflation of the 1990s and beyond. In hindsight, it would have been far better had monetary policy been kept a lot tighter in the 1980s: admittedly, inflation would have been far too low in the short-term but the bubble would probably have been smaller.

To be fair, some central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve, do incorporate the state of the labour market in their forward guidance. The latest ECB monetary policy announcements of targeted long term refinancing operations (TLTROs) and expectations of further QE from the Bank of Japan are all a function of expected inflation readings in the coming quarters. For the time being, deflation remains the biggest macro threat in these two regions. But as we start seeing an uptick in prices (Japan is moving in the right direction as per recent data), we should see a gradual shift away from inflation targeting to a more wide range of indicators which would guide monetary policy.

The Great Moderation might just have been a bit of good luck!

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

N

oam Chomsky, whom I interviewed last Thursday at his office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has influenced intellectuals in the United States and abroad in incalculable ways. His explications of empire, mass propaganda, the hypocrisy and pliability of the liberal class and the failings of academics, as well as the way language is used as a mask by the power elite to prevent us from seeing reality, make him the most important intellectual in the country. The force of his intellect, which is combined with a ferocious independence, terrifies the corporate state—which is why the commercial media and much of the academic establishment treat him as a pariah. He is the Socrates of our time.

We live in a bleak moment in human history. And Chomsky begins from this reality. He quoted the late Ernst Mayr, a leading evolutionary biologist of the 20th century who argued that we probably will never encounter intelligent extraterrestrials because higher life forms render themselves extinct in a relatively short time. “Mayr argued that the adaptive value of what is called ‘higher intelligence’ is very low,” Chomsky said. “Beetles and bacteria are much more adaptive than humans. We will find out if it is better to be smart than stupid. We may be a biological error, using the 100,000 years which Mayr gives [as] the life expectancy of a species to destroy ourselves and many other life forms on the planet.”

Climate change “may doom us all, and not in the distant future,” Chomsky said. “It may overwhelm everything. This is the first time in human history that we have the capacity to destroy the conditions for decent survival. It is already happening. Look at species destruction. It is estimated to be at about the level of 65 million years ago when an asteroid hit the earth, ended the period of the dinosaurs and wiped out a huge number of species. It is the same level today. And we are the asteroid. If anyone could see us from outer space they would be astonished. There are sectors of the global population trying to impede the global catastrophe. There are other sectors trying to accelerate it. Take a look at whom they are. Those who are trying to impede it are the ones we call backward, indigenous populations—the First Nations in Canada, the aboriginals in Australia, the tribal people in India. Who is accelerating it? The most privileged, so-called advanced, educated populations of the world.”

If Mayr was right, we are at the tail end of a binge, accelerated by the Industrial Revolution, that is about to drive us over a cliff environmentally and economically. A looming breakdown, in Chomsky’s eyes, offers us opportunity as well as danger. He has warned repeatedly that if we are to adapt and survive we must overthrow the corporate power elite through mass movements and return power to autonomous collectives that are focused on sustaining communities rather than exploiting them. Appealing to the established institutions and mechanisms of power will not work. “We can draw many very good lessons from the early period of the Industrial Revolution,” he said. “The Industrial Revolution took off right around here in eastern Massachusetts in the mid-19th century. This was a period when independent farmers were being driven into the industrial system. Men and women—women left the farms to be ‘factory girls’—bitterly resented it. This was also a period of a very free press, the freest in the history of the country. There were a wide variety of journals.

When you read them they are pretty fascinating. The people driven into the industrial system regarded it as an attack on their personal dignity, on their rights as human beings. They were free human beings being forced into what they called ‘wage labor,’ which they regarded as not very different from chattel slavery. In fact this was such a popular mood it was a slogan of the Republican Party—‘The only difference between working for a wage and being a slave is that working for the wage is supposed to be temporary.’ ” Chomsky said this shift, which forced agrarian workers off the land into the factories in urban centers, was accompanied by a destruction of culture.

Laborers, he said, had once been part of the “high culture of the day.” “I remember this as late as the 1930s with my own family,” he said. “This was being taken away from us. We were being forced to become something like slaves. They argued that if you were a journeyman, a craftsman, and you sell a product that you produce, then as a wage earner what you are doing is selling yourself. And this was deeply offensive. They condemned what they called ‘the new spirit of the age,’ ‘gaining wealth and forgetting all but self.’ This sounds familiar.”

A

ll sportsmen exist somewhere on a spectrum between Zen mastery and a conscious effort of willpower. Placing Rafael Nadal on this spectrum is straightforward. Not for him the ethereal lightness that flows from Roger Federer’s racket. Nadal toils and sweats, trains and chases, always driven by a feeling of inadequacy.

He is the most admirable and least enviable of champions. His attributes are easy to list: courtesy, unfailing; courage, unquestionable; resilience, off the scale; competitiveness, scary; modesty, hard-wired; mental strength, epic. Yet it adds up to an uncomfortable whole.

On court, there is something hounded about Nadal, as though he thinks failing to retrieve one ball—one tiny fraction of a single match—will bring dire consequences. But what?

Over time, with most great players, signs of their deepest motivation emerge unavoidably. Federer, we sense, is serving both his talent—as though it would be a crime to neglect something so precious and rare—and himself. He honours a gift while also hedonistically gulping down the pleasure he derives from it. But Nadal’s motivation remains a mystery. It’s as if his competitive qualities somehow crept into his character without his knowing how. It is not uncommon for elite athletes to be two different people—one person on the pitch, another in real life. But the disconnect between the two Nadals is exceptional.

In his autobiography he calls himself Clark Kent, as though the tennis player is unrecognisable from the man.

Is that separation sustainable over

American Socrates

US academic and polemicist Noam Chomsky, who is a fierce critic of Israel, speaks to the media at a friend's house in Amman, Jordan, Monday, May, 17, 2010. An Israeli official says academic Noam Chomsky has been denied entry to the country. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Haddad said Chomsky was turned away for "various reasons" but declined to elaborate. Chomsky was trying to cross the Allenby Bridge from Jordan. He was scheduled to deliver a lecture at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank. (AP Photo/Nader Daoud)

It is this radical consciousness, which took root in the mid-19th century among farmers and many factory workers, that Chomsky says we must recover if we are to move forward as a society and a civilization. In the late 19th century farmers, especially in the Midwest, freed themselves from the bankers and capital markets by forming their own banks and co-operatives. They understood the danger of falling victim to a vicious debt peonage run by the capitalist class. The radical farmers made alliances with the Knights of Labor, which believed that those who worked in the mills should own them.

“By the 1890s workers were taking over towns and running them in eastern and western Pennsylvania, such as Homestead,” Chomsky said. “But they were crushed by force. It took some time. The final blow was Woodrow Wilson’s Red Scare.” “The idea should still be that of the Knights of Labor,” he said.

“Those who work in the mills should own them.

There is plenty of manufacturing going on. There will be more. Energy prices are going down in the United States because of the massive exploitation of fossil fuels, which is going to destroy our grandchildren. But under the capitalist morality the calculus is profits tomorrow outweigh the existence of your grandchildren. We are getting lower energy prices.

They [business leaders] are enthusiastic that we can undercut manufacturing in Europe because we have lower energy prices. And we can undermine European efforts at developing sustainable energy.”

Chomsky hopes that those who work in the service industry and in manufacturing can organize to begin to take control of their workplaces. He notes that in the Rust Belt, including in states such as Ohio, there is a growth of worker-owned enterprises. The rise of powerful populist movements in the early 20th century meant that the business class could no longer keep workers subjugated purely through violence. Business interests had to build systems of mass propaganda to control opinions and attitudes.

The rise of the public relations industry, initiated by President Wilson’s Committee on Public Information to instill a pro-war sentiment in the population, ushered in an era of not only permanent war but also permanent propaganda. Consumption was instilled as an inner compulsion. The cult of the self became paramount. And opinions and attitudes, as they are today, were crafted and shaped by the centers of power. “A pacifist population was driven to become war-mongering fanatics,” Chomsky said. “It was this experience that led the power elite to discover that through effective propaganda they could, as Walter Lippmann wrote, employ “a new

Chris Hedges TruthDig

art in democracy, manufacturing consent.’ ” Democracy was eviscerated. Citizens became spectators rather than participants in power. The few intellectuals, including Randolph Bourne, who maintained their independence and who refused to serve the power elite were pushed out of the mainstream, as Chomsky has been.

“Most of the intellectuals on all sides were passionately dedicated to the national cause,” Chomsky said of the First World War. “There were only a few fringe dissenters. Bertrand Russell went to jail. Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were killed. Randolph Bourne was marginalized. Eugene Debs was in jail. They dared to question the magnificence of the war.” This war hysteria has never ceased, moving seamlessly from a fear of the German Hun to a fear of communists to a fear of Islamic jihadists and terrorists. “The public is frightened into believing we have to defend ourselves,” Chomsky said. “This is not entirely false. The military system generates forces that will be harmful to us. Take Obama’s terrorist drone campaign, the biggest terrorist campaign in history. This program generates potential terrorists faster than it destroys suspects. You can see it now in Iraq. Go back to the Nuremburg judgments. Aggression was defined as the supreme international crime. It differed from other war crimes in that it encompasses all the evil that follows. The U.S. and British invasion of Iraq is a textbook case of aggression. By the standards of Nuremberg they [the British and U.S. leaders] would all be hanged. And one of the crimes they committed was to ignite the Sunni and Shiite conflict.”

The conflict, which is now enflaming the region, is “a U.S. crime if we believe the validity of the judgments against the Nazis. Robert Jackson, the chief prosecutor at the [Nuremberg] tribunal, addressed the tribunal. He pointed out that we were giving these defendants a poisoned chalice. He said that if we ever sipped from it we had to be treated the same way or else the whole thing is a farce.”

Today’s elite schools and universities inculcate into their students the worldview endorsed by the power elite. They train students to be deferential to authority.

Chomsky calls education at most of these schools, including Harvard, a few blocks away from MIT, “a deep indoctrination system.” “There is the understanding that there are certain things you do not say and do not think,” Chomsky said. “This is very broad among the educated classes. It is why they overwhelmingly support state power and state violence, with some qualifications. Obama is regarded as a critic of the invasion of Iraq. Why? Because he thought it was a strategic blunder. That puts him on the same moral level as a Nazi general who thought the second front was a strategic blunder. That’s what we call criticism.”

And yet, Chomsky does not discount a resurgent populism. “In the 1920s the labor movement had been practically destroyed,” he said. “This had been a very militant labor movement. In the 1930s it changed, and it changed because of popular activism. There were circumstances [the Great Depression] that led to the opportunity to do something. We are living with that constantly. Take the last 30 years. For a majority of the population it has been stagnation or worse. It is not the deep Depression, but it is a semi-permanent depression for most of the population. There is plenty of kindling out there that can be lighted.”

Chomsky believes that the propaganda used to manufacture consent, even in the age of digital media, is losing its effectiveness as our reality bears less and less resemblance to the portrayal of reality by the organs of mass media. While state propaganda can still “drive the population into terror and fear and war hysteria, as we saw before the invasion of Iraq,” it is failing to maintain an unquestioned faith in the systems of power. Chomsky credits the Occupy movement, which he describes as a tactic, with “lighting a spark” and, most important, “breaking through the atomization of society.” “There are all sorts of efforts to separate people from one another,” he said. “The ideal social unit [in the world of state propagandists] is you and your television screen. The Occupy actions brought that down for a large part of the population. People recognized that we could get together and do things for ourselves. We can have a common kitchen. We can have a place for public discourse. We can form our ideas. We can do something. This is an important attack on the core of the means by which the public is controlled. You are not just an individual trying to maximize consumption.

You find there are other concerns in life. If those attitudes and associations can be sustained and move in new directions, that will be important.”

The Two Faces Of Rafael Nadal Ed smith

Intelligent Life the long term? The weight on Nadal has never lifted, yet it hasn’t crushed him either, and you wonder why not.

He is arguably the most indestructible athlete in the world, and also strangely, deeply vulnerable.

The view from the other side of the net is very different. Nadal is tennis’s great pugilist. He walks on court—runs, actually—ready for a mini-war, from the first point to the last. The bulging muscles are the least of it. Before each serve his face is fixed in a half-grimace, as though frozen at the peak of intense focus. His famous weapon is the topspin forehand, his racket ripping through and around the ball, then ending up high above his left ear. After a gruelling rally, he will leap in the air, biceps clenched, fist pumping. Speaking to his ghostwriter John Carlin, he described his astonishing 2013 season— which he began as world number four, still recovering from a serious knee injury, and ended as number one with ten more titles to his name, including his eighth French Open—as “una barbaridad”, literally “a barbarity”. And you knew what he meant.

Occasionally, very occasionally, there are glimpses of the other Nadal, the sensitive soul beneath the warrior

mask. At the Australian Open this year, his back gave way in the final against Stan Wawrinka. Nadal had been hot favourite, though the mercurial Wawrinka dominated the first set. When Nadal took an injury time-out at the beginning of the second set, he returned to the court to jeers and boos. The presumption, from a section of the crowd, was that Nadal had exploited a technicality to upset Wawrinka’s rhythm and concentration. What followed was difficult to watch. His movement stricken, his eyes filled with tears, Nadal struggled on, scarcely able to bend down, let alone move with his customary explosive power. Were the tears straightforward pain, or deeper anguish at the suspicions levelled against him, or regret at a grand-slam title slipping away? Perhaps all three.

The incident also hinted at Nadal’s complex relationship with his own body. Some great athletes view their bodies as necessary but unremarkable machines—something that needs to function adequately, but not much more than that. The great West Indian cricketer Gordon Greenidge famously batted better when he was limping.

Andy Murray rarely goes through a whole match without a visible niggle.

WRITE-WING

With Nadal, you sense the physical dimension is more central, as though he must feel almost indestructible. When his body lets him down, the effect is not a matter of degree—it is total. He is Clark Kent once again, Superman no longer.

Asked once why he struggles at indoor tournaments, Nadal replied that “sun is energy”, as if he was deprived of special photosynthetic powers when placed under a roof. In his own mind, physicality explained everything. It was another manifestation of the Nadal mystery. How was a steely champion grafted onto such an unconfident man? Thanks to his own honesty, we know quite a lot about Nadal’s upbringing. His parents effectively ceded control of his tennis education to his uncle, Toni—still his coach today. It was a brutally tough learning environment; another uncle felt it amounted to “mental cruelty”. Proof that tiger parenting works? More likely, the Nadals judged—correctly, as it turned out— that Rafa could weather it. But even he admits the pressure amounted to a “fine balance”; it could easily have tipped the other way.

His boyish charm endures partly because he has never flown the nest.

He lives in the house he bought for his family and speaks to his sister every day, no matter where he is. Even with 13 slams to his name, Nadal remains driven by blood, duty, fear of failure. A family of atheist Mallorcans have created the ultimate embodiment of the puritan work ethic, and he never stops thanking them for it.

An easier life remains unimaginable.

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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.

7

Thursday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

19 June 2014

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

A changed Modi has Koreas: The war that never ends hit the ground running James Pearson and Ju-min Park

O

largest of the five, described their home as akin to “a powder keg brimming with weapons, arms, explosives and mines.”

Reuters

n a clear day, residents of Yeonpyeong Island can see North Korea, 10 kms (six miles) away. They can also sometimes watch South Korean warships chase North Korean and Chinese fishing boats. These waters in the Yellow Sea are among the world's richest for blue crab.

Lately, however, North Korea has been making life riskier for residents of this fishing community.

On May 22, they were ordered into bomb shelters after the North fired artillery shells around the island, without hitting anything. Earlier that week, the South Korean navy fired 10 warning shots at North Korean ships after they crossed the maritime boundary between the two sides.

The line was drawn up unilaterally by the U.S.led United Nations command after the 1950-53 Korean War. That conflict ended in an armed truce that has continued until now, leaving the two Koreas in a technical state of war.

Tensions are especially high along the string of five South Korean islands that define the maritime frontier, known as the "Northern Limit Line" (NLL).

Lately, the area has seen a sharp increase in artillery exchanges between the two Koreas.

North Korea doesn't recognise the NLL. The line is not recognised internationally, either. North Korea warships and fishing boats routinely sail over the line, which commands strategic sea lanes into the industrial heartland of both Koreas. This has led to a spate of sea battles and artillery exchanges over the last 15 years.

The movements of foreign media are restricted on the militarily sensitive islands. A recent Reuters visit found the chase scenes between the South Korean navy and Chinese fishing boats are practically a daily occurrence. The North Korean military has been making money for years selling Chinese ships the rights to fish in the area, the South Korean coast guard and local officials on the island say.

The disputed maritime frontier, the economic and strategic importance of the area, and a history of violent confrontations have made these otherwise sleepy islands one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints - one that could drag in the United States and China as parties to the armistice.

"The West Sea boundary is the weakest link in the chain that holds the two Koreas from outright conflict, and the regular appearance of a third party-Chinese fishermen-- adds a destabilising element into an already volatile mix," said John Delury, assistant professor at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Delury added that "the dangers of entangling the U.S. and China are also very real, at a time when they already have enough maritime disputes to worry about in the East and South China Seas."

A South Korean soldier stands guard at a military checkpoint near the border village of Panmunjom, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

12-nautical mile territorial sea limit in the area - one that includes the five islands. In recent years, it has been more forceful about that claim.

In June 1999 and June 2002, clashes between North and South Korean warships erupted at the start of the crab fishing season. A South Korean patrol boat sank and a North Korean boat was heavily damaged in the 2002 incident.

After that, the two sides began talking about joint fishing areas in a "West Coast Peace Zone", which was eventually agreed at an inter-Korean summit in October 2007. The pact unravelled, however, in a fire storm of protest by conservative lawmakers in the South and was never implemented. The election of a conservative government in the South the following year and North Korea's leadership succession have marked a steady worsening of ties.

In one of the worst incidents since the Korean War, North Korea lobbed 170 shells at Yeonpyeong Island in November 2010, about half of them landing on civilian and military targets. Two civilians and two South Korean soldiers were killed. Only days before, North Korea revealed to a visiting American scholar a vast new uranium enrichment facility.

Over the next three years, North Korea embarked on a series of long-range missile and nuclear tests. On March 30 of this year, Pyongyang publicly announced it would not rule out "a new A Fraught History form of nuclear test." Analysts speculated that The Korean War ended roughly where it start- could mean a nuclear warhead capable of being ed - near the 38th parallel. The armistice of Aug. carried by a ballistic missile.

30, 1953, stipulated that both sides withdraw their forces two kilometres from there to form a Demili- The Island War Zone tarized Zone (DMZ). It remains the world’s most The cliff tops of Yeonpyeong Island offer an unheavily-fortified frontier. rivalled vantage point to watch the cat-and-mouse Extending the line out to the Yellow Sea was far games between the Koreas on the high seas. During more problematic due to the jagged coastline and a the Reuters visit, two South Korean navy patrol boats sprawl of islands and islets, and the two sides failed and a corvette, horns and sirens blaring, pushed a to agree on one. So a month after the armistice was group of Chinese fishing boats back over the NLL. signed, United Nations Commander Mark Clark, a The fishing boats are often accompanied by North U.S. four-star general, drew a line in the sea to keep Korean naval escort vessels, island residents say. southern warships from straying too far north and to Artillery emplacements and long-range Hyunreduce the likelihood of sea clashes. moo-1 cruise missiles, capable of striking the North The South Koreans have always regarded the Korean capital of Pyongyang are stationed atop the NLL as a seaward extension of the DMZ and a de cliffs. Near one unguarded cruise missile, a reporter facto boundary between North and South Korea. found boxes containing U.S. made parts for an early "The NLL, however, has no legal basis in interna- warning system that listens for the sound of artillery. tional law," according to a CIA document declas- Tanks, dug into deep sandbag-lined bunkers, face sified in 1974. the North Korean coast.

A U.S. embassy spokeswoman in Seoul did not On the beaches below, rows of anti-landing directly address the question of the line's inter- spikes and barbed wire fences frame small coves. national legality when asked for comment. “For Debris from fishing boats and ships lie between ma60 years, the Northern Limit Line has served as a chine gun emplacements. Signs warn the public not practical measure to separate military forces in the to approach objects that look like mines.

Yellow Sea and to reduce tensions and the risks of Around 9,500 residents live on four of the ismilitary confrontation,” she said. lands. A fifth island has only a military garrison North Korea, however, has long declared a on it. One resident of Baengnyeong Island, the

I

n a case of giving a dog a bad name and hanging him, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has submitted a report damning foreign-funded NGOs for stalling development and giving to Western powers undue leverage over India. Notwithstanding that it is a confidential document, it has been widely reported in the press, though no official confirmation of its receipt has been made.

The report suggests that the activities of some not-for-profits account for a 2 to 3 per cent loss in the GDP. How the loss has been calculated is uncertain. Nor can we tell how this compares with, say, the losses incurred through environmental degradation, rampant corruption, crony capitalism or money stashed abroad. That aside, the report exploits a longstanding suspicion of NGOs and civil society organisations, a legacy of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Emergency and her favourite defence for her failings, the covert “foreign hand”.

NGOs are legal entities, like companies and cooperatives. They are formed by like-minded individuals who come together to promote their ideas or products. The Constitution allows these collective activities under the right to associate and to follow one’s livelihood, as long as their aims and objectives are legal and non-violent.

The right to associate isn’t limited to associating with fellow countrymen but extends to associating with like-minded groups all across the world. Just as companies do business with counterparts abroad, NGOs can receive funds

An Ear For Artillery The sound of artillery has become so familiar to residents of the islands that local school children grow up learning to pinpoint whether it is the North or South Korean military that's conducting firing drills. For Choi Sung-il, now head of the Yeonpyeong Island Residents’ Association, the distant rumble of cannons used to be something of a comfort.

“When I was little, the sound of artillery was like a lullaby to me,” he said. “But since the 2010 bombing, every time I hear the sounds of gunfire or artillery during military exercises, I start to feel jittery.”

Recently, residents have discovered crashed North Korean surveillance drones on the islands, bearing digital photos of South Korean military positions. On Yeonpyeong, Reuters saw South Korean sailors armed with a portable anti-aircraft missile system tracking a small, remote-controlled plane in what military officials confirmed was a counter-drone drill.

Residents say they have seen more South Korean marines on the island since the shelling in 2010. They also say the military has been buying up more and more land on the island.

Shin Soon-ja, 72, owns a grape farm within the grounds of a large South Korean marine base on Yeonpyeong. “Before the shelling (in 2010), I didn’t go to the bomb shelters,” she said, turning the earth on a bed of garlic with her hands. “I feel disappointed with the North Koreans. Kim Jong Un is vicious,” she said, referring to Pyongyang’s young leader, the third generation of his family to rule the totalitarian state.

Kim Jong Un raised eyebrows in 2012 when he visited North Korean islands on the northern side of the NLL, the first North Korean leader to do so.

According to a report on the visit by the North's Korean Central Television, Kim issued stark orders to soldiers defending the northern islands. If a South Korean shell lands in their waters, he was quoted as saying, the northern soldiers "should launch a fatal counter-attack immediately, and not confine it to a local war of the southwestern front, but develop it into a sacred war for national reunification."

Chinese Boats Im Byung-chul, 68, cultivates corn, red peppers and potatoes in a field on Yeonpyeong Island that he's been farming for over 25 years. For Im, the line of Chinese fishing boats he can see in the waters beyond his farm is more of a barometer of safety, than a threat.

“Look, there are lots of Chinese boats, about 11. When there are some significant events or issues in North Korea, I don’t see any Chinese boats. I think I must be safe from artillery if the Chinese boats are there.”

Local South Korean coast guard officials said Chinese fishermen pay upwards of $11,000 a month to fish in the waters to the North Korean forces that guard the NLL and North Korea’s west coast. “This is how the North Korean 4th Army Corps makes a living,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

Asked about this, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il said it was illegal for Chinese fishermen to work in those waters. "In that regard, so far we have requested China via multiple diplomatic channels to prevent illegal fishing activities. And the Chinese side has been expressing its understanding.”

China's Foreign Ministry would only say that Beijing views the NLL as a dispute between the two Koreas.

"As a close neighbour of the Korean peninsula, China has all along supported the resolution of the relevant dispute via dialogue and consultations between North and South Korea,” the ministry said in a statement.

Despite the ever-present danger of artillery shells landing in their midst, residents of the islands hold out a quixotic hope: attracting adventure tourists.

"As we can see the North with the naked eye, what we are asking the government is to make this place as a security tourism spot," said Choi Sung-il, the Yeonpyeong Island Residents’ Association chief.

"We keep proposing the government to make some infrastructure so people and students can have experiences related to the security when they come to Yeonpyeong.”

Plans so far have fallen "short of expectation", he said.

E

amulya Ganguli IAnS

ven if the metamorphosis of Narendra Modi from a "hate figure to an avatar of modernity and progress", as has been noted by the Congress M.P., Shashi Tharoor, has earned his party's displeasure, the description is likely to seem apt to most people.

Moreover, the transformation will appear startling because only a few months ago, Modi was at his vituperative best - or, rather, worst - to the extent of calling Tharoor's companion of the time, Sunanda, who has since died, a "Rs 54,000 crore girl friend". The jibe was at her alleged involvement in an Indian Premium League (IPL) scam.

Now, the prime minister's restraint and dignity are in marked contrast to his earlier combative persona. It cannot be gainsaid that his electoral success has either had a remarkable mellowing effect, or that Modi is really two individuals rolled into one.

While his earlier avatar was all fire and brimstone, his latest individuality is nothing but sweetness and light. Besides, it isn't only that the end of the poll campaign has brought the curtains down on his belligerence. He is now also living up to his image as the doer, who follows a punishing work schedule with an unremitting focus on governance.

As his commandments to ministers and officials show - do not touch my feet, keep your offices clean, speak to the point, do not dawdle over files - Modi not only intends to set behaviourial patterns but also implement his hands-on style of administration.

From the commendation which he received from Sonia Gandhi for his promise on the women's reservation bill to the proposal to introduce a diamond quadrilateral of bullet trains to complement the golden quadrilateral of highways, and the setting up of 100 world class cities, Modi can be said to have hit the ground running.

True, much of this is still only pledges. It will take time for the results to become visible. One of his first challenges will be to improve the power situation in the national capital which is experiencing one of the hottest summers in recent memory.

The conditions have also been aggravated by a freak storm which damaged power lines.

What is reassuring, however, is the business-like aura which the prime minister projects. The impression which he conveys is that there will be no dragging of feet where official efforts are concerned. Nor will the ministers appear lackadaisical lest they irk the prime minister.

It is noteworthy that the new government hasn't taken a single false step except for the V.K. Singh affair, where the former army chief apparently exceeded his brief as a minister in a matter concerning his successor who has been backed by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley.

The earlier rumpus about Article 370 relating to Kashmir caused by a minister of state in the prime minister's office has also died down. Perhaps Modi's advice to ministers to conduct "research" before voicing their opinions has had an effect.

Apart from breathing life into the administration, which was in a comatose stage in the last few years of the previous government, Modi has chalked out a new line where the government's policy on the minorities is concerned. By saying that he does not regard a focussed approach on Muslims as appeasement, he has signalled a significant turnaround in a decades-old outlook of the saffron brotherhood, which used to mock any pro-minority initiative by the Congress as an instance of pandering to the Muslim vote bank.

Even the Rajinder Sachar committee set up by the Manmohan Singh government to look into the socio-economic status of Muslims was criticized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh parivar on this count.

Now, Modi has taken a diametrically opposite stance to that of the saffron camp. Moreover, only he could have adopted this approach because of his currently unassailable political position where he is the epitome of the high hopes of not only his own party but of virtually the entire country, minus the Left and other opposition parties.

There may be a nuanced difference, however, between the expectations of the Parivar led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has a Hindu supremacist worldview, and of the rest of the country which wants rapid economic growth. But, it is patent enough that it is Modi who will determine which course to take and that the fetishes of the Hindutva camp may not have much impact.

For the moment, his emphasis is not only almost entirely on development, but he is also conscious that his agenda can succeed only if the whole bodypolitik is healthy. Hence his observation with reference to the Muslims that if one part of the body is diseased, a person cannot be called healthy.

The same approach can be discerned with regard to the states, for Modi has specifically discarded the Big Brother concept. Instead, he wants development to be a cooperative endeavour. The Modi of today, therefore, is seemingly a different person from what he was a decade ago.

How India treats its NGOs and share aspirations across borders.

There is nothing inherently wrong with that. Myriad laws require all associations to be transparent and report regularly. Each year, like everyone else, NGOs must provide audited accounts and submit to the discipline of the Income Tax Act, the Societies Registration Act and labour laws.

In fact, NGOs are unfairly overregulated. Every rule singles them out for extra restriction and scrutiny. In the 1990s, when the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act was repealed and the more liberal Foreign Exchange Management Act was brought in to benefit individuals and companies, NGOs were quite unjustifiably kept out of this liberalisation. An especially severe and more discretion-dependent regime was brought in under an inexplicably draconian Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, which allows for outright interference with internal management.

Licence raj forces NGOs to jump through hoops — they have to apply for fresh registration every five years, and it prohibits foreign funding for any activity dubbed “political” by the government and disallows the usual avenues of investment or equities so that they remain ever-dependent on charity. Despite scams and cheats, like Saradha, which have brought misery to millions and have held back decades of development, the goal of working for profit alone is

Maja Daruwala and Venkatesh Nayak Source: The Indian express deemed naturally laudable, while associating for a cause is seen as meriting suspicion. Profit-making companies are regulated by the registrar of companies but NGOs come under the home ministry, as if this sector is inherently a national security risk.

NGO voices can be a nuisance, for their dissent, their insistence on giving a voice to the poor, for pointing out inconvenient truths, challenging government action and insisting on accountability. But their work goes well beyond perceived pesky obstructionism.

It was civil society collectives like the Servants of India Society (founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale), Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Education Society (founded by Lala Hansraj), the People’s Education Society (founded by B.R. Ambedkar) and the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (founded by Syed Ahmed Khan) that fuelled the independence struggle and spread, beyond boundaries, the ideas of non-violence as a weapon against oppression. Today, NGOs, foreign-funded or otherwise, are deeply involved in the expansion of freedoms and improvements to quality of life. They implement huge government schemes, such as

midday meal programmes, mobile health clinics and skills development for rural and urban youth. These are themselves supported by foreign aid routed through government. Organisations such as Sewa help hundreds of thousands of women and are the self-help model for other nations.

The women’s empowerment movement, the push against bonded labour, against corruption, for reform of institutions like the police and other national campaigns for ordinary people’s right to information, right to work, housing, education and food security have been fuelled by NGOs working in partnership with progressives abroad. Their contribution to the GDP must surely be incalculable.

Undoubtedly, vociferous individuals and active associations sometimes step on bureaucratic toes, but the last 20 years under both the BJP and the Congress have seen a welcome growth of citizen participation in governance. Yet, the report allegedly castigates agendasetting, drafting documents, writing in the media, highlighting scholarsturned-activists and lobbying diplomats and governments for a cause.

It resentfully points out that NGOs combine with outside interests to

criticise the government at forums that look at child rights, labour laws, women’s issues and environmental protection. But these are international forums that the government has voluntarily submitted itself to. International evaluation of progress and shortfalls encourages change at home. How can this be bad for progress and development? For instance, it is thanks to civil society efforts at home and abroad that government is considering a much improved anti-torture law. Who but the most cruel and insensitive would think that to be meddling? All wisdom does not rest in government or at home.

That is why governments seek aid and corporations financial infusions and technological know-how. Why deny this to others in civil society who work for public interest and not for profit?

Name-calling in the press has a ready audience, and insults like “antinational” stick even when there is no evidence. It is unfair. It forebodes an intolerance that calls to mind Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. To see dissent, debate and critique as anti-national is too petty, especially for a new government that is powerful and unassailable. Its bureaucracy has been given the go ahead to repair, reconstruct, be decisive and been promised protection as it moves boldly forward.

This should not be seen as an opportunity to steamroll inconvenient civil society associations that nevertheless

command a legitimate space in our democracy and will populate the “inclusive” in the inclusive development promised. Suppression of legitimate voices and activities creates the space for underground and violent actors when this is the last thing a “civil” society wants or identifies with. To hold that a cry for justice is anti-development or anti-national is an affront to the mass of people who only want to be part of the benefits and not lose out into destitution.

India’s role in international forums as the leading voice demanding an end to Apartheid is written in golden letters across history. Today, India is lauded as a living example of a diverse, noisy, flourishing democracy even as it struggles to overcome poverty. This is a singular signifier of its legitimacy and leadership and what sets it apart from China in the finest possible way. Much of this is attributable to the presence of a vibrant civil society.

True democracies celebrate the involvement of citizens, deepen it at every level and make consultation a habit. Bureaucrats, law-makers and institutions alike should be working hard to include and protect civil society and NGOs rather than trying to bully and frighten people whose only weapon is words and the ability to openly organise while submitting to the regulatory regime imposed on them. As it seeks its rightful role in international affairs, India, as one of the leading democracies of the world will be judged, in part, by the way it treats its civil society.

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.

The writers work at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Delhi

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Thursday 19 June 2014

Proposal of identity cards for citizens a priority: Govt

neW DeLhi, June 18 (Pti): The issue of national identity cards for citizens has been prioritised by the government which on Wednesday asked officials to bring proposals in this regard for approval at the earliest.

This will enable the National Population Register project be brought to logical conclusion, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Mr. Singh gave the directions after meeting C. Chandramouli, Registrar General of Citizen Registration, who gave a presentation on the project outlining its importance for national security.

“The present status of the project and further course of action were also discussed. The Home Minister directed that effective steps be taken to take the project to its logical conclusion which is the creation of the National Register of Indian Citizens,” a Home Ministry statement said.

It said the minister instructed that all necessary proposals including the updating of the database through linkages with the birth and death registration system and the issuance of national identity cards to citizens be brought for approval at the earliest. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Home Secretary Anil Goswami attended the discussions.

‘A quarter of India’s land is turning into desert’

neW DeLhi, June 18 (ReuteRs): About a quarter of India’s land is turning to desert and degradation of agricultural areas is becoming a severe problem, the environment minister said, potentially threatening food security in the world’s second most populous country.

India occupies just 2 percent of the world’s territory but is home to 17 percent of its population, leading to over-use of land and excessive grazing. Along with changing rainfall patterns, these are the main causes of desertification.

“Land is becoming barren, degradation is happening,” said Prakash Javadekar, minister for environment, forests and climate change. “A lot of areas are on the verge of becoming deserts but it can be stopped.”

Land degradation - largely defined as loss of productivity - is estimated at 105 million hectares, constituting 32 percent of the total land.

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) that prepared a report on desertification in 2007, about 69 percent of land in the country is dry, making it vulnerable to water and wind erosion, salinization and water logging. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are the among the most arid.

Rape survivor wants PM to sack Nihal Chand

JaiPuR, June 18 (tnn): The woman allegedly raped by Union minister Nihal Chand Meghwal on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove him. Addressing a press conference along with her relatives at Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar which falls in Meghwal’s constituency, the rape survivor said, “We all know that Narendra Modi is a good person and highlights women rights. I don’t think a person like Meghwal should be allowed to continue as a minister. I will try to meet the PM and request him first to remove Meghwal and also help me in get justice.” “It all depends on whether I get to meet the PM but I will certainly go to Delhi,” she added.

The rape survivor held the press conference a day after a private TV channel made a sting operation claim that she had said that Meghwal was not an accused in the rape case. “I condemn whatever the news channel has shown. I firmly say that Nihal Chand is equally responsible for my rape that took place for months in Jaipur at various places. The sting operation shown by the private television channel could have used some decoy. It was not me,” she said.

The woman said she was getting threats through SMS and phone calls where the anonymous people told her to take money and not utter Meghwal’s name.

“Some are even offering me job and cash if I keep mum. I am living in fear and changing places almost everyday. I will demand adequate police security from the SPs of Sirsa and Jaipur as I fear these influential people can be a threat to me,” she said.

She added, “His (Meghwal’s) statement won’t change the truth. I clearly remember what he did to me along with others.” Meghwal (43) is a four-time MP from Ganganagar constituency and is currently serving as Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilizers.

People who expose corruption can get security: government

neW DeLhi, June 18 (Pti): Whistleblowers who fear threat to life or harassment can seek security from the government. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has authorised Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs), who act as distant arm of Central Vigilance Commission, to take a decision on providing security to whistleblowers.

“If CVOs in the ministries or department, either on the application of the complainant or on the basis of the information gathered, are of the opinion that either the complainant or the witnesses need protection, they shall take up the matter with the Central Vigilance Commission for issuing appropriate directions to the authorities concerned,” DOPT said in an order.

DoPT has issued a detailed procedure for handling of complaints under Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution to be followed by the Chief Vigilance Officers of central government ministries and departments.

CVOs have been authorized as the designated authority to receive written complaint or disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office by or under any central Act, government companies, societies or local authorities owned or controlled by the central government and falling under the jurisdiction of that ministry or the department.

As per the guidelines, people need to give a certificate that they have not made “similar/identical allegation of corruption/misuse of office to any other authorities to qualify as a whistleblower complainant”.

President Pranab Mukherjee had last month given assent to the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2011, which provides a mechanism for protecting the identity of whistleblowers--a term given to people who expose corruption.

The Morung Express

40 Indian workers kidnapped in Iraq neW DeLhi, June 18 (aP): Forty Indian citizens working for a Turkish construction company near the Iraqi town of Mosul have been kidnapped, India’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said there had been no contact with the kidnappers, and no ransom demand had been received. Over the past week, militants have overrun Mosul and seized wide swathes of territory as they stormed toward the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

It was not immediately clear when the Indian workers were abducted.

Akbaruddin said they were mostly from northern Indian states including Punjab, and had been working for the Tariq Noor al-Huda construction company in Iraq.

Relatives in the Punjabi city of Amritsar said they had received phone calls from some of the Indian workers on Sunday, five days after Mosul was captured.

Gurprender Kaur said her brother called and told her the workers were alone, in trouble and needed help.

She did not give any further details about that call on Sunday, or say when she had last heard from him.

Another woman cried and clutched a family pho-

Nurses safe now, but worried

neW DeLhi, June 18 (Pti): With concern rising back home for their safety, Indian nurses in Tikrit say they have not been able to leave the paediatric hospital where they work, but are safe and have provisions for the moment.

“So far we are safe, but don’t know what could happen anytime,” one of 46 nurses in the town told The Hindu on the phone. “Our families want us to return, but we don’t want to leave without our salary,” she said.

“We heard firing at the beginning, a few days ago, now it seems to be better.”

The nurses stranded in a paediatric hospital in Tikrit in Iraq took turns keeping in touch with the Indian Ambassador in Baghdad, who had helped them, through the Iraqi government, get food supplies and phone recharge coupons to call home.

The nurses belong to two batches: 33 of them who have been in Tikrit for a year and another 13 who arrived four months ago, a nurse in the latter group told The Hindu over the phone.

“We were told we would be paid after three months; so we are torn. We have come here with a lot of problems, taken loans, and if we go back to Kerala, it will be very difficult for our families,” she said.

The nurse seemed to be aware of the concern their situation has generated in India, saying: “Please pray for us…. pray that we are safe, and that we get to keep our jobs.” tograph as she spoke with Indian journalists in Amritsar about her missing son.

“Our children are in trouble. We want them back safe and sound,” Ranjeet Kaur told Indian TV news agency NNIS. “We want the government to help us.”

There are about 10,000 Indian citizens working and living in Iraq, but only about 100 are in violent, in-

secure areas, Foreign Ministry spokesman Akbaruddin said.

That includes 46 Indian nurses working in a hospital in the Iraqi town of Tikrit, but Akbaruddin said humanitarian organizations had been in touch with them and they were all safe.

“We are willing to assist any of the nurses who wish to return to India,” he said,

Safety of Indians in Iraq: The first real challenge for Modi govt

neW DeLhi, June 18 (agencies): With Iraqi government in tatters and seemingly has no control over the crisis in the northern parts of the country, and the ISIS militants are advancing towards Baghdad, the fate of around 18000 Indians in Iraq hangs in balance. It is now to be seen how the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at Centre deal with crisis as today 40 Indians were abducted by the ISIS – known to be one of the most cruel terror organisation.

Recently, the gruesome pictures that had emerged of ISIS brutality in Iraq and the abduction of Indians are sure to give the Prime Minister sleepless nights as it might be very difficult for the Indian government to establish contact with the abductors as Iraqi government is losing its grip over the country.

An estimated 18,000 Indians are currently in Iraq, though most of them live in cities like Basra, Najaf and Baghdad that have not been affected by the offensive launched by ISIS, but those in the northadding that “several Indian nurses prefer to stay back” in Iraq. They have all been advised to avoid traveling by road.

India sent a senior diplomat to Baghdad on Wednesday, and planned to bring back some citizens on Friday. The government also opened a call center to take phone calls from worried families with relatives in Iraq. By Wednesday af-

ern region of the country have become very vulnerable. As the kins of the abducted Indians demanding the government to ensure safe release, the negotiations with the terror group looks difficult as not much is known of its leadership.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is personally monitoring the deepening crisis in Iraq, has directed Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa, who is in charge of the region, to head a crisis management team to provide all assistance to the Indian nationals in the affected area.

A plan is being worked out by the Indian authorities to airlift the stranded Indian, around 90, in the affected cities of Mosul and Tikrit that have been overrun by jihadist militants. Also, India’s former ambassador to Iraq, Suresh Reddy, who has good cantacts in Iraq, will be sent to Baghdad to “assist the embassy in its efforts”. Now all eyes are on PM Narendra Modi to come up with a plan to ensure that Indians are safe in Iraq as crisis deepens and evacuate them to safer locations.

ternoon, it had received 60 calls, he said.

National TV station NDTV broadcast a recording of a phone call with one of the nurses in Tikrit on Tuesday.

“We are afraid. We have no security here,” a woman identified as nurse Marina Jose said over a crackling phone connection. “All the military, police, everybody escaped from here.

Only we are here.” She said the nurses were in touch with their families, most of whom are in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

On Wednesday, Iraq’s prime minister said Iraqi troops had launched a counteroffensive as the fighters, led by the al-Qaida breakaway group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, laid siege to the country’s main oil refinery.

India loses race for Interpol secretary general’s post

neW DeLhi, June 18 (Pti): India has lost the race for the post of Interpol secretary general with its executive committee appointing Germany’s Juergen Stock as the successor to present incumbent Ronald K Noble of the United States.

CBI director Ranjit Sinha, who was the first Indian to be shortlisted for the post of secretary general, had appeared in the interview along with a candidate each from France, Germany, Italy, Jordan and the United Kingdom on Tuesday evening at Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France.

Stock’s candidature was cleared by the executive committee comprising members from the United States, Canada, Chile, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Algeria, Rwanda and Qatar.

The candidacy of Stock will be submitted to Interpol’s supreme governing body — the general assembly — for endorsement when it meets in Monaco in November and if en-

dorsed, he will assume office after Noble steps down in 2015 following three successive tenures.

“It is essential that Interpol’s leadership offers the best services and expertise to its member countries as we face new challenges in fighting transnational crime together, and that it supports the skills, tools, resources and capacities of national central bureaus to carry out our shared role effectively,” vice-president of Interpol Alan Bersin, who chaired the selection process, said.

He was quoted in an official statement as saying that Stock had a distinguished career in policing and fighting crime at the international level, and the committee was confident that he had the ability to take the organization forward.

54-year-old Stock has been vicepresident of the German Federal Criminal Police (BKA) and has also previously served as vice-president for Europe on Interpol’s executive committee.

Brides and grooms sit during a mass wedding organized by a social organization for sixty-five couple belonging to socially and economically backward communities in Kolkata on Wednesday, June 18. Mass weddings in India are organized by social organizations primarily to help the economically backward families who cannot afford the high ceremony costs as well as the customary dowry and expensive gifts that are still prevalent in many communities. (AP Photo)

Punish caste-based sex crime offenders: UN Centre mulls change in law to crack down on hoarders

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay condemned the Iraq executions.

geneva, June 18 (Pti): UN human rights chief Navi Pillay on Wednesday urged India to ensure that perpetrators of caste-based sexual attacks do not escape justice.

“Women from stigmatised castes suffer the double assault of caste-based and gender-based discrimination,” Pillay said on the sidelines of a session of the

UN Human Rights Council.

“And all too often abuses of their rights are committed with complete impunity,” she said.

“Such impunity must end,” said Pillay, a South African with Indian roots.

India has been trying to overcome its reputation for violence against women, but public outrage was reignited by the deaths last month of two girls, aged 12 and 14, who were gangraped and lynched in their impoverished village in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The girls’ families refused to cut their bodies down from a tree in protest at alleged police inaction, which they said was because they were from a lower caste. Last week, a woman said she had been gang-raped by four officers at a police station in the

same state, and police said they were also investigating the death of a nineteenyear-old found hanging from a tree.

“The victims of these crimes must receive justice, and societies, communities and officials must receive the clear message that discrimination and violence will no longer be tolerated,” said Pillay.

“States must take steps to prevent such violence and discrimination and protect the rights of vulnerable people and communities,” she added.

India brought in tougher laws last year against sexual offenders after the fatal gang-rape of a student in New Delhi in December 2012, an attack that drew international condemnation of India’s treatment of women. But the legislation,

which was also designed to educate and sensitise police on rape cases, has failed to stem the tide of violence. “ Violence against women of poorly regarded castes has very deep roots, which cannot be tackled without far-reaching efforts. Clearly laws are necessary, but they are not enough,” said Pillay. “There must also be fundamental change within communities, to peel off, layer by layer, the mind-set that generates caste discrimination and bigotry,” she said.

Pillay noted that castebased discrimination was a global problem, hitting communities not only in India but other parts of Asia, as well as Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Around 260 million people are affected, she said.

neW DeLhi, June 18 (tnn): On the back of spike in food prices, the consumer affairs department plans to amend some sections of the Essential Commodities Act to empower Centre to issue directives to state governments to act against hoarders.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley had on Tuesday asked the states to take effective steps against “speculative hoarding”, blaming it as one of the reasons behind the rising prices of some essential commodities.

A top consumer affairs department official said as of now most states don’t respond to the department’s letters to crack down on hoarders and take all possible steps to ensure that prices of essential commodities don’t skyrocket. “It’s a peculiar situation where the Centre takes the blame for price rise, but implementation of the Act remains with state governments. Centre has no power to intervene in case of crisis,” said the official.

The department had flagged this issue soon after the new government took charge. The details of action taken under the EC Act between 2010 and 2013 show many of the states including Delhi have faired badly in conducting raids, arresting offenders and prosecuting them. Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have higher rate of prosecution Sources said the amendments may also incorporate some of the suggestions made by Narendra Modi committee in 2011.

India leads the way in combating climate change: Time

Washington, June 18 (ians): India is leading the way in efforts to combat the challenges of global warming while sceptical Americans still question climate change, according to a new global survey by Time magazine.

Of the six countries polled, Indians were the likeliest to express deep concerns about energy and consumption and were the most committed to conservation and the most optimistic about their ability to reduce emissions. More than 9 in 10 Indians report-

ed that conservation issues were “very important” to them, compared to 68 percent overall, the US news magazine’s survey about attitudes toward energy found.

Indians were more than twice as willing to pay more for clean energy as residents of Brazil, Germany, Turkey, South Korea or the US. “Each of these countries has moved to minimise their environmental footprint in different ways,” the Time survey noted.

“Germans are in the habit of powering down their

computers. Brazilians are assiduous about switching off lights. The US leads the way in recycling.” “But Indians reported the most comprehensive approach to energy conservation, with 8 in 10 Indians reporting that they have altered their personal habits to curb consumption,” Time said.

Those changes include several simple tasks that go a long way toward shaving both costs and carbon emissions, it said. “Indians are the likeliest of the six nations surveyed to carpool,

take public transportation, and walk rather than ride in a vehicle. “They unplug appliances from the socket when not using them more frequently than anyone else,” the survey noted.

While conservation correlates with financial discipline across the six countries in the survey, “India is also unique,” the Time said noting, “It is a burgeoning superpower with stark energy challenges.” “These systemic challenges appear to have shaped attitudes toward energy, driving both social

consciousness and innovation,” it said.

Asked what concern guides their energy habits, Indians cited minimising their environmental footprint (46 percent) over curbing costs (34 percent) or maximising comfort (21 percent). Though Indians are widely cognisant of climate issues, they’re more optimistic than their peers about the world’s ability to cope with the challenges, Time said.

More than 60 percent of Indians say they believe the world can slash carbon

emissions 80 percent by 2050, compared to 37 percent of respondents overall. Of the six nations surveyed by Time, India was only one in which a majority was optimistic about the potential to achieve that level of cuts. The survey was conducted among 3,505 online respondents equally divided between the US, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, India and Korea.

Polling was conducted from May 10 to May 22.

The overall margin of error overall is 1.8 percent, Time said.

Thursday

InternatIonal

the Morung express

19 June 2014

Dimapur

9

US facing gaps in Iraq as it tracks for militants

In this Tuesday, June 17, 2014 image taken from video obtained from British Broadcaster Sky, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, Kurdish soliders aim their weapons towards positions held by fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant near Jalula, Iraq. Kurdish security forces are engaged in gun battles with Sunni militants in the northern Iraqi town of Jalula, according to British Broadcaster Sky. Footage showed Kurdish fighters known as peshmerga using heavy artillery and rockets to attack militant positions on Tuesday. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON, JuNe 18 (AP): The CIA and other spy agencies are scrambling to close intelligence gaps as they seek ways to support possible military or covert action against the leaders of the al-Qaida-inspired militant group that has seized parts of Iraq and threatens Baghdad’s government.

The lack of clear intelligence appears to have shifted President Barack Obama’s immediate focus away from airstrikes in Iraq because officials said there are few obvious targets. However, officials said no final decisions had been made and sug-

gested Obama ultimately could approve strikes if strong targets do become available.

As the U.S. intensifies its intelligence collection efforts, officials are confronting a diminished spying capacity in the Middle East, where the 2011 departure of U.S. troops and the outbreak of civil war in Syria left large swaths of both countries largely off-limits to American operatives.

U.S. intelligence analysts are working to track the movements of key figures in the militant group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant,

which seized Mosul, Tikrit and other towns in Iraq as the country’s military melted away. They are sifting through data provided by Jordanian, Saudi, Turkish and other intelligence services, as well as their own human sources, satellites, drones and communications intercepts by the National Security Agency, U.S. intelligence officials say.

The officials would not be quoted by name because they were not authorized to discuss the classified details publicly.

Obama planned to brief top congressional leaders on his administration’s possible

UN appalled at suffering in Myanmar’s Muslim camps uNITeD NATIONS, JuNe 18 (AP): A top U.N. humanitarian official said Tuesday she witnessed “appalling conditions” and the worst human suffering she has ever seen in camps for stateless Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s violence-torn Rakhine State.

Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Kyungwha Kang told reporters that because of severe restrictions on their freedom of movement both in camps and isolated villages, many Muslims can’t rebuild their lives and have “wholly inadequate access to basic services including health, education, water and sanitation.”

Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist nation of 60 million which only recently emerged from a half-century of military rule, considers the Rohingya Muslims to be immigrants from Bangladesh and denies them citizenship and related rights, even though many were born to families who arrived in the country generations ago.

Almost all of the 1.3 million Rohingya live in Rakhine state, where sectarian violence in the

last two years has killed about 280 people and forced another 140,000 to flee their homes.

Most of the victims have been Rohingyas chased down by Buddhist mobs. As a result, most Rohingya are now living in hot, dirty camps for internally displaced people, or IDPs. Kang, who visited Myanmar last week to assess the humanitarian challenges, said that “in Rakhine, I witnessed a level of human suffering in IDP camps that I have personally never seen before” — and the Muslim camps were the worst. One Rohingya camp Kang visited was very isolated, had no schools and was close to sea level so it was impossible to build effective latrines. The people couldn’t leave and depended on assistance coming in for their basic needs, she said.

“It has already been two years,” Kang said. “It’s not a human situation to be locked into these desperate situations for any length of time.” She said the authorities insist there must be restrictions on movement in the Muslim camps for security reasons. But Kang said freedom

of movement is a basic human right, and the U.N. has urged Myanmar’s government to expand freedom of movement for Muslims, “even with security considerations taken into account.” Kang also said there are major issues in delivering aid to IDPs in Rakhine.

Travel is difficult and there is “a huge amount of mistrust of U.N. humanitarian operations” because local Buddhist communities think U.N. assistance “is very biased in favor of the Muslims” despite the U.N.’s best efforts to deliver aid in an impartial manner, she said. She also warned that unless Myanmar authorities bring the perpetrators of attacks on U.N. and humanitarian organizations in late March in Rakhine to justice, U.N. staff will continue to be at risk.

Kang said the United Nations is also engaged with the government to address the issue of statelessness — the root cause of the violence — and is pressing for changes in the legal system so Rohingyas can have a path to citizenship, but “there has not been much movement, admittedly, so far.”

responses to the crumbling situation in Iraq during a White House meeting Wednesday.

The Obama administration has discussed the possibility of launching targeted airstrikes, either with drones or manned aircrafts, to try to blunt the momentum of the fast-moving Sunni insurgency. Other options under consideration include deploying a small contingent of U.S. special operations forces to help train the Iraqi military and boosting intelligence available to the Iraqis.

More broadly, the Obama administration is also pressing

for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to take steps to make his Shiite-dominated government more inclusive. Obama said last week that any shortterm U.S. military actions in Iraq would not be successful unless they were accompanied by political changes by the government in Baghdad.

It’s unclear whether the CIA and the NSA have been able to locate the top insurgent figures, such as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the ISIL’s leader. Baghdadi, who was released in 2009 after spending four years in U.S. military custody in southern Iraq, came away with an appreciation of American monitoring technology that made him an elusive target once he took command, said Richard Zahner, a retired Army general and former senior NSA official.

But intelligence agencies have been tracking the ISIL for years, officials say, watching closely as it grew stronger in the Syrian civil war and began to challenge the Shiite-dominated Baghdad government.

“We have had a real interest, along with our friends the Jordanians, the Turks and others, in doing all we could to watch these guys,” said Rep. Jim Himes, a Connecticut Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. “We have a reasonable sense for the nature of ISIL, but we have very limited visibility into who is doing what to whom right now.”

The CIA and other agencies are assembling detailed dossiers known as “targeting packages” that amount to profiles of insurgent commanders, including as much day-to-day information as can be gathered about their location, move-

ments, associates and communications. Those packages can be used to target the subjects for drone strikes or other military action, though they also can be used for nonlethal purposes, current and former officials say.

More than a year ago, the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center expanded a team of officers at the agency’s headquarters in northern Virginia to track and target al-Qaida-linked militants operating in Syria and Iraq. Those efforts are now intensifying, U.S. officials say.

They would not discuss in detail their efforts to monitor the Iraqi insurgents for fear of tipping them off. Already, they said, key leaders communicate through couriers and take other steps to avoid eavesdropping.

Despite challenges, intelligence agencies know “quite a bit” about the current organization and its leadership, said a senior U.S. intelligence official, expressing a widely held view within the CIA and other agencies.

One hurdle is that much of the intelligence network the U.S. built up during eight years of fighting in Iraq has been dismantled, including a network of CIA and Pentagon sources and an NSA system that U.S. officials said made available the details of every Iraqi insurgent email, text message and phone-location signals in real time. Some monitoring is still possible, Zahner said.

The spy agencies appear to have been surprised by the sudden move by the ISIL to seize Mosul and other cities. The Senate Intelligence Committee is reviewing data from the past six months to determine what various agencies knew and said

‘Unanswered questions’ remain on Benghazi WASHINGTON, JuNe 18 (AP): Hillary Rodham Clinton says some unanswered questions remain about the deadly 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, even as U.S. authorities have captured their first suspect in the case.

Clinton, speaking in separate interviews with CNN and Fox News, said Tuesday she was still seeking information on the attacks that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans and has led to numerous investigations.

But she defended the Obama administration’s response to the incident and said the State Department tried to respond to the fast-moving attacks that have become a focal point of criticism from Republicans.

“We want to know who was behind it, what the motivation of the leaders and the attackers happened to be. There are still some unanswered questions,” Clinton said on CNN. “It was, after all, the fog of war.” The potential 2016 Democratic presidential candidate addressed the Benghazi investigation and a range of issues in the two interviews as part of a promotional tour for her new book, “Hard Choices,” about her

Hillary Rodham Clinton. (AP File Photo)

four years as President Barack Obama’s secretary of state.

Clinton urged the Obama administration to remain cautious about working with Iran to combat fast-moving insurgents in Iraq. And she said it was unclear whether it would have turned the tide in Syria if the U.S. had tried to help moderate rebel forces there, as she once advised. The former first lady’s appearances came hours after the Obama administration announced the capture of a Libyan militant suspected in the Beng-

hazi attacks. Clinton said the capture showed the U.S. has an “an unwavering commitment” to go after anyone who would attempt to harm Americans.

A significant portion of the Fox News interview focused on Clinton’s response to the Benghazi attack, reflecting criticism among Republicans that Obama and Clinton were disengaged during the incidents and later misled voters about the causes of the attacks. A new Republican-led House select committee on Benghazi could

Overloaded boat sinks off Malaysia’s west coast BANTING, JuNe 18 (AP): An overcrowded wooden boat carrying Indonesians home in a storm sank in choppy seas off Malaysia’s west coast early Wednesday, leaving 28 people missing and eight dead, Malaysian officials said. At least 61 people survived.

The boat capsized shortly after midnight about 2 nautical miles (3.7 kilometers) from shore on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur while trying to leave Malaysia illegally for Aceh province in Indonesia, maritime agency official Mohamad Hambali Yaakup said.

Tens of thousands of Indonesians work without legal permits in plantations and other industries in Malaysia, and they travel between the countries by crossing the narrow Strait of Malacca, often in poorly equipped boats.

The passengers in the boat that sank were believed to be heading home before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hambali said survivors were rescued at sea and found on land after swimming to safety; they included 12 women and a child. Those dead were a woman and seven men, he added.

The survivors were being ques-

In this photo released by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Malaysian marine police officers retrieve a body of a capsized boat off Sungai Air Hitam in Banting, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday, June 18. At least 60 people survived when a wooden boat carrying 97 Indonesians capsized and sank early Wednesday after leaving Malaysia’s west coast, but 35 others are still missing and five bodies have been recovered, Malaysia’s maritime agency said. (AP Photo)

tioned by police and immigration authorities, and Indonesian embassy officials were also on the scene. A rescue department

about the possibility of a major offensive, according to a committee staffer who was not authorized to be quoted.

Still, there was some warning. One top official, Lt. Gen Mike Flynn of the Defense Intelligence Agency, predicted to Congress in February that the ISIL “probably will attempt to take territory in Iraq and Syria to exhibit its strength in 2014, as demonstrated recently in Ramadi and Fallujah, and the group’s ability to concurrently maintain multiple safe havens in Syria.”

Fueling that analysis, he said, was the fact that some Sunni tribes and nationalist groups were working with the ISIL to oppose a Baghdad government they viewed as oppressive.

Behind the scenes, intelligence analysts warned about the increasing difficulties Iraq’s security forces faced in combating the ISIL, and the political strains that were contributing to Iraq’s declining stability, a senior intelligence official said.

They reported on the ISIL’s efforts to spark uprisings in areas with substantial Sunni populations and how the Iraqi military’s failure to counter ISIL gains in Mosul allowed the group to deepen its influence there, the official said.

Some observers have urged an air campaign that they believe could effectively dislodge the ISIL from the towns it has seized.

“It would be challenging but certainly doable,” said David Deptula, who retired in 2010 as the top Air Force general for intelligence and who planned the bombing campaign in the first Gulf War.

photo showed about two dozen Hambali said a ship and sevsurvivors, who had little belong- eral boats with search lights will ings with them, sitting outside a continue to search for further building. survivors throughout the night. A

helicopter, which earlier scoured the sea, will stop for the night and resume searching Thursday, he said. Rescuers were seen recovering a body from sea, laying the dead onto a boat desk and carrying a body on land in Pantai Kelanang, near the sinking.

Police Superintendent Azman Abdul Razak said 100 personnel were involved in the rescue effort. Hambali said authorities are still investigating why the boat sank but rough seas and an overloaded boat could have been factors. It could also have hit an object as some survivors claimed the boat was leaking, he said. Police told local media the boat capsized during a storm. He said chances of survival for more than 24 hours without a life vest were very slim.

The boat’s capacity was 5060 people, but it was believed to be carrying 97. Hambali said some survivors may have swum to shore and gone into hiding.

Such incidents are common in Malaysia, which has up to 2 million Indonesian migrants. Many sneak into neighboring Malaysia for menial work such as plantation or construction workers and return home on boats believed to be old and unsafe.

extend the issue into the next presidential campaign.

The probe could figure into Clinton’s political future if she seeks the White House again; Clinton said during the Fox interview that “I know you and your viewers have a lot of questions.”

But she said the U.S. often sends people into dangerous places to represent its national security interests and she didn’t think that should change. “I don’t think we should be retreating from the world,” she told CNN. The interviews also touched on several issues brewing in Congress, including investigations into the Internal Revenue Service’s scrutiny of political groups seeking tax-exempt status and efforts to curb gun violence and reform immigration laws. Clinton suggested the IRS case could benefit from a “fairminded” investigation, even though Obama has called it a “phony scandal.” Clinton reiterated her support for expanding background checks for firearm purchases and reinstating the ban on assault weapons. “We cannot let a minority of people — and that’s what it is, it is a minority of people — hold a viewpoint that terrorizes the majority of people,” she said on CNN.

How alcohol worsens night vision among drunk drivers

LONDON, JuNe 18 (IANS): Know why drunk drivers see halos as they zoom past city lights, leading to traffic accidents? It’s because alcohol disturbs the tear-film that covers the surface of their eyes, leading to deterioration of vision.

Alcohol consumption markedly impairs night-vision because it increases the perception of halos (luminous circles) and other visual night-time disturbances, a new study shows.

“This is because ethanol from alcoholic drinks passes into the tear and disturbs the outermost layer of the tearfilm - the lipid layer - facilitating the evaporation of the aqueous part of the tear,” said principal author of the study Jose Juan Castro from University of Granada, Spain.

In an eye with a deteriorated tear-film, the quality of the image that forms in the retina also deteriorates. Moreover, this deterioration of vision is significantly greater in subjects with breath alcohol content in excess of 0.25mg/ litre - the legal limit for driving recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

To reach this conclusion, researchers evaluated retina-image quality and night-vision performance following alcohol consumption in 67 participants. To assess visual performance in low-illumination conditions, the researchers used a visual test known as a “halometer”.

The results, published in the Journal of Ophthalmology, showed that following alcohol consumption, the perception of halos and other night-time visual disturbances increased.

Researchers also found that the optical quality of the image the eye produces deteriorated. “Alcohol consumption and low-illumination conditions are factors present in many traffic accidents, hence people must to be made aware of the effects of alcohol consumption, especially on vision,” Castro said.

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Thursday 19 June 2014

The Morung Express

Tie boosts hopes of Mexican fans

Brazil's Paulinho (8) watches as Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa punches the ball clear of the goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Tuesday, June 17. (AP Photo)

MEXICO CITY, JunE 18 (AP): Mexican soccer fans found a new hero in goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who made a series of key saves in a tie with Brazil that stoked hopes that their team can advance in the World Cup. Thousands watched the heart-stopping action in Tuesday's match on huge screens set up in Mexico City's vast main square known as the Zocalo. They jumped and screamed during each of Ochoa's four saves.

Some in the crowd chanted "Goalkeeper!

Goalkeeper!" and waved Mexican flags. Others screamed "Ochoa!

Ochoa!"

After the game ended in a 0-0 draw, hundreds walked to the capital's Angel of Independence statue for an impromptu street party that was broken up hours later by heavy rain. Social media were abuzz with memes of Memo Ochoa clad in a Superman suit, adorned

with Mexico's presidential sash, and dressed as St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes and a favorite among Mexico's poor.

The game's result left Mexico with a victory and a tie, giving it a good shot at advancing out of the tournament's first round. "Today Mexico demonstrated its greatness," President Enrique Pena Nieto wrote on his Twitter account.

Tuesday's march seemed to re-energize Mexico fans who at start of the World Cup seemed resigned to seeing their team head home after the round of matches.

After Mexico's 1-0 victory over Cameroon last week, only a couple of hundred fans celebrated at the Angel of Independence. One fan, Jorge Garcia, said the national soccer team showed Tuesday that it can face off the big teams. "I believe Mexico has realized it can take on any team," Garcia said.

Mexican keeper denies Brazil victory

FORTALEZA, JunE 18 (AP): He was called a hero and a savior by his Mexican teammates. His Brazilian opponents said he produced miracles. There is no doubt that Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was the one responsible for spoiling Brazil's hopes of another World Cup victory at its home tournament.

Ochoa made a series of outstanding saves to help his side hold Brazil to a thrilling 0-0 draw on Tuesday. The result left both teams with four points each after two games in Group A, but Brazil is ahead on goal difference going into their decisive final matches. Croatia and Cameroon meet on Wednesday for their second games after both opened with defeats.

"We can't avoid talking about their goalkeeper," Brazil striker Fred said. "He came up with at least four miracles." Ochoa's first remarkable save prevented Neymar from scoring in

the 26th minute. The Brazil striker's powerful header looked set to fly just inside the post when the goalkeeper dived to his right to push the ball wide.

Ochoa also made three other difficult saves to keep the hosts from breaking the deadlock — a shot by Paulinho in the 44th, a secondhalf effort by Neymar from inside the area and a closerange header by Thiago Silva in the 86th minute which produced a remarkable block by the Mexico goalkeeper.

"It was the match of my life," said Ochoa, who was visibly moved after the match. "To do it in a World Cup, in front of all the fans, it's incredible." Mexico captain Rafael Marquez said Ochoa was the "savior" and coach Miguel Herrera called him the "hero" of the match.

"He did what we expected him to do, he came up with extraordinary saves," Herrera said. "I can't remember another Mexican goalkeep-

er doing such a great job in the World Cup." A win by either team would have guaranteed a spot in the next round if Cameroon and Croatia were to draw in the jungle city of Manaus. "In the end, the 0-0 mirrors what happened, it was a very hard-fought match," Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "The draw wasn't a good result because a victory would have already allowed us to advance, but we need to be able to respect our opponent, which played very well."

Herrera was pleased with his side's performance.

"We had a great match against a great rival playing in front of its fans, in its stadium, in its country," he said.

"We showed that we can play at the same level as any other team." Brazil had won all three previous World Cup matches between the teams without conceding a goal, but the Latin American rivals hadn't met in the sport's showcase tourna-

ment since 1962.

"We already expected a match this difficult," Fred said. "We tried to score until the end but it wasn't possible. We'll have to wait until the next match to try to secure a spot in the next round." It was an evenly balanced game at the Arena Castelao, with Mexico not allowing Brazil to take control. El Tri didn't play defensively and created chances throughout the match, especially with long-range shots by midfielders Hector Herrera and Jose Vazquez.

Brazil, playing without striker Hulk, turned up the pressure in the second half, but there was no getting past Ochoa. The 28-yearold goalkeeper denied Paulinho just before halftime, blocking the midfielder's shot after a loose ball inside the area, and then got his body in the way of Neymar's drive inside the box. In the 86th, he was there on cue to block Silva's powerful head-

er from point-blank range.

"The only thing missing was the goal," Scolari said.

"We need to give credit to their goalkeeper. He had a great day and that kept us from winning the match.

He made some spectacular saves, was the best player of the match."

Fans wearing Brazil's green and yellow colors were the majority as expected, but Mexicans took over large seating sections of the stadium and at times were louder than the local fans. Among those in the crowd of 60,342 was NBA star Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mexico had won six of the last 10 matches, including in the final of the 2012 London Olympics, keeping the Brazilians from earning their first gold medal in football. In their latest match, Brazil won 2-0 in last year's Confederations Cup, also in Fortaleza and also in the second match of the group stage.

Acrobatic Ochoa at the heart of Fortress Mexico

FORTALEZA, JunE 18 (AP): Fortaleza means "fortress" in Portuguese and Mexico's defense certainly lived up to the name of Brazil's northeast city on Tuesday thanks to the heroics of Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

A well-organized Mexico side held Brazil to a 0-0 draw in Group A as Ochoa stopped Brazil star Neymar and his teammates. "It was the match of my life," the 28-year-old Ochoa said. "To do it in a World Cup, in front of all the fans, it's incredible."

However, Ochoa wasn't the only goalkeeper in form at Fortaleza. Just as the World Cup hosts were successfully stifled, Julio Cesar of Brazil kept his clean sheet with some impressive saves.

Ochoa twice denied Neymar, diving at full stretch

to turn the Brazil striker's header round the post in the 26th minute and then blocking his shot in the 69th.

"The (Neymar) header was the most complicated. It was a hard header and close to the post — that was my favorite save," Ochoa said.

Four minutes before the end, Ochoa pulled off another superb save to block a header from Brazil captain Thiago Silva after he met a free kick from Neymar.

After referee Cuneyt Cakir blew the final while, Mexico players lined up to hug Ochoa, who plays at French club Ajaccio. "I can't remember another Mexican goalkeeper doing such a great job in the World Cup," coach Miguel Herrera said.

"I'm happy for any player to have that role, but tonight, Memo was the hero."

With Mexico on four points from two games, the same as Group A leader Brazil, Ochoa's saves have kept his team on course for the second round. "Things went our way and now we've got to keep going," he said. Mexico relied largely on counterattacks and shots from distance to fend off Brazil, for whom Julio Cesar was also decisive.

The 34-year-old keeper, who played most of his professional career at Inter Milan, is currently with Toronto FC. But the Brazilian showed no sign of losing his sharpness. Hector Herrera aimed the ball under the Brazil crossbar in the 24th minute, but Julio Cesar tipped it over with an athletic save before later stopping a low shot by substitute striker Raul Jimenez in injury time.

World Cup stadium stairs wobble under fan weight Diving becomes popular debate at this WCup

RIO DE JAnEIRO, JunE 18 (AP): Video of a staircase most people use to get to and from Rio's famed Maracana stadium shows the structure built atop scaffolding wobbling under the weight of fans who attended the World Cup game between Argentina and Bosnia over the weekend.

Fans of various nationalities said Tuesday that they were scared it might

come crashing down. The footage shot by a Brazilian photographer showed people packed on the staircase of wooden steps as it swayed, grabbing hand rails to support themselves as they headed via their only exit to a concrete ramp leading to a subway station after the game.

"When people walk on it the wood moves, so with thousands of people walking up there, there could

be an accident," said Jorge Martinez, a Mexican systems engineer who used the stairs to leave Sunday night's game. The Rio de Janeiro state government issued a statement saying the staircase was inspected following complaints, reinforced and then re-inspected again Tuesday to ensure fan safety.

But fans who used it when it wobbled questioned why a more perma-

nent staircase wasn't constructed out of concrete to ensure their safety. On the other side of Maracana, a separate entrance for VIPs is all concrete, Juan Miranda of Chile said as he sat on the wooden staircase trying to buy tickets for Wednesday's game between Chile and Spain. He said he saw construction workers soldering the scaffolding holding up the wooden staircase Tuesday morning.

Russia draws with South Korea

CuIABA, JunE 18 (AP): Blundering Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was bailed out by teammate Alexander Kerzhakov in a 1-1 draw with South Korea in the World Cup on Tuesday that exposed both teams' deficiencies.

Akinfeev had already looked suspect in dealing with longrange shots before spilling Lee Keun-ho's speculative effort into his own net in the 68th minute, gifting South Korea the lead at the Arena Pantanal.

Kerzhakov, though, came to Akinfeev's rescue by turning in a shot from close range six minutes later — just three minutes after coming on as a substitute — to earn Russia a point from a poor-quality Group H match.

Akinfeev stayed on the ground inside his own net, head in his hands, after making his error, clearly embarrassed after dropping what was a routine save from a shot from about 30 yards. He was consoled by a couple of teammates,

South Korea's Hong Jeong-ho, right, scissor kicks the ball between Russia's Viktor Fayzulin and Alexander Kokorin (9) during the group H World Cup soccer match between Russia and South Korea at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, June 17. (AP Photo)

who patted him on the back. "It was a kid's mistake," Afinkeev said. "The goalkeeper of the national team shouldn't make mistakes like this one."

Russia coach Fabio Ca-

pello has remained loyal to Akinfeev this season despite some patchy form, and stood by him again.

"He is a great goalkeeper," Capello said. "There can be mistakes, of course — some

can get a penalty wrong ... and it's logical for a goalkeeper to make a mistake as well. "We were able to make up for that and we can accept a mistake by a great keeper like Akinfeev."

SAO PAuLO, JunE 18 (AP): Fred denies diving in Brazil's World Cup opener that led to a disputed, go-ahead penalty kick.

France's Loic Remy considers the fall a disgrace and has called for punishment.

The debate over diving began on Day 1 of this World Cup, and it has people everywhere talking about whether simulation is simply part of the game or bad for the sport altogether.

Coaches at all levels and players young and old are questioning the motives and sportsmanship of global stars on the sport's biggest stage — and how such examples of flopping might affect the on-field behavior of the next generation. Even 2012 U.S. Olympic diving coach Drew Johansen is taking notice. "I have been watching the World Cup and have been very impressed with the dives I have seen," said Johansen, who coaches at Indiana University. "Similar to the sport of diving, it's all about getting the judges' (referees') attention. I think Fred's use of his arms really got the job done on that dive. I would score at 9.5 on the Olympic scale."

Fred went down in the area under minimal contact from Dejan Lovren in the 71st minute last Thursday, leading to Neymar's penalty kick that put the Selecao ahead 2-1. A day later, Remy called for Fred to be "punished" for the move — one that incensed the Croatians and put referee Yuichi Nishimura of Japan in the spotlight for all the

South Korea's Ki Sung-yueng, bottom, fouls Russia's Alexander Samedov during the group H World Cup soccer match between Russia and South Korea at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, June 17. (AP Photo)

wrong reasons. A furious Lovren scoffed, "We can give the World Cup directly to Brazil."

"He does it well, throws himself at the right time because you can see that there's no foul at all. Lovren doesn't pull him back," said Remy, who played two seasons with Fred for Lyon from 2006-08. "Experience comes into it, and it's important to fall at the right time. For me, the striker should be punished for this kind of wrongdoing."

Players can be disciplined later for diving, though Fred wasn't, and it rarely happens at the highest levels of the sport. In basketball, the NBA has tried to crack down, and its policy was on display during the league's recent finals.

Miami's Dwyane Wade was hit with a $5,000 fine June 9 for flopping in Game 2 on a foul by the Spurs' Manu Ginobili.

"The 'soccer dive' has been perfected by our

South American friends," said Todd Yeagley, a former MLS player and executive who's now the soccer coach at Indiana. "Unfortunately, diving is utilized by some of our finest attackers to create free-kick opportunities and penalty kicks.

The officials have a tall order to determine whether it was a true foul or a wellorchestrated dive. The potential yellow for diving is calculated by many as a risk worth taking to get a key PK call by the official."

19 June 2014

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Ness Wadia may be charged for stalking and not molestation

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lmost a week after actress Preity Zinta filed a case of alleged molestation against former boyfriend Ness Wadia, the police is considering to change the charges from molestation to stalking. The cops have decided to change the charges after going through e-mails sent by the actress where she had warned Ness not to follow her.

Quoting a police officer from Marine Drive police, a NDTV report says that they will consider changing the section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) to section 354 D (stalking). The officer says that since the actress had warned him not to follow her, these charges against the industrialist seem appropriate.

The actress, who is currently out of India, is expected to return back

Meet Jude Law’s model son:

Rafferty makes his catwalk debut at 17

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The Morung Express

afferty Law is a model son, quite literally, with the teenager making his catwalk debut at the DKNY’s menswear show in London on Sunday. The 17-year-old son of Jude Law and Sadie Frost has clearly inherited his movie star parents’ good looks, standing out from other models on the runway with his perfect pout.

The teen - who was first signed to a modelling agency back in October - rocked his best version of Zoolander’s blue steel pose in a black and white sports-style ensemble.

Off the catwalk, Rafferty’s real emotions about his debut were evident as he looked just like any other teenager - grinning and embracing friends who had come to see him walk. Dressed down in pair of jeans, sneakers, and a white Stussy t-shirt, television presenter Nick Grimshaw was waiting for him after the show and gave him a big hug. His famous parents weren’t anywhere in sight, letting the teen have the spotlight to himself. The young Brit is set for big things, after being signed to modelling Select Model Management - the same agency that represents Agyness Deyn.

Obama’s daughter eyes Hollywood

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Wadia Group receives threat call, files police complaint

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he Preity Zinta-Ness Wadia case is getting murkier by the day. Industrialist Nusli Wadia, father of Ness and head of the Wadia Group, has reportedly filed a complaint with the NM Joshi Marg police station after allegedly receiving a threat call from the underworld. As per reports, Wadia has claimed that the caller (reportedly Ravi Pujari’s gang) threatened to harm the Wadia Group’s interest if the ‘harassment’ of Preity Zinta were to continue.

The Mumbai Police has forwarded the complaint to anti-extortion cell. Preity had lodged a complaint against Ness last week alleging that her

soon. Once she returns, the police will take her to the Garware Pavilion in Wankhede stadium so that she can recount the incident of May 30.

The report adds that the police officials, who are investigating the case, have sent emails to her official Kings XI Punjab ID and have also spoken to her lawyer so that he can get in touch with her and convey their message to her. In addition, the police have

former boyfriend had humiliated her in public during an Indian Premier League match on May 30 at the Wankhede stadium in South Mumbai.

The match was between Chennai Super Kings and Kings X1 Punjab. She has charged him for harassment and humiliation among other things.

The Police had summoned Preity to record her statement and investigations were on. The CCTV footage of the incident cited by the actor that was recovered by the police, couldn’t be of much assistance as they could not identify Ness and Preity`s seats. They could not be seen at the back of the stadium where the incident allegedly took place.

written to IPL and BCCI officials to get several details like sitting arrangement, names of the audience, etc.

Once these details are with the policemen, they will talk to the spectators to find out what exactly happened that day. Sources have also told NDTV that Preity and Ness might settle the issue out of court, as she has given consent to the police to apply lenient sections in the matter.

Would love to work with Shah Rukh: Pitbull

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merican rapper Armando Christian Pérez, popular by his stage name Pitbull, shook a leg with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan during the opening ceremony of Indian Premier League (IPL) in Kolkata last year. SRK even taught him a few Bollywood moves but the musician wants more than that.

Remembering his performance in India, he said: “I had an amazing time during my IPL visit to India.

The kind of love and affection that I received was overwhelming. The people of India are really warm. I really enjoyed performing in front of such a huge and welcoming au-

dience,” Pitbull said.

He shared the stage with King Khan and says he would like to team up with him someday. “I got to learn a few Bollywood footsteps, thanks to Shah Rukh. He is an amazing performer, full of energy.

There is nothing as of now, but I would definitely love to work with him in the future,” Pitbull said.

If he gets a chance to associate with Shah Rukh, it will be his second collaboration with a Bollywood celebrity after recording ‘Exotic’ with ‘Barfi!’ star Priyanka Chopra in 2013. He has no project with her as of now, but he didn`t stop himself from praising her.

“She has got a wonderful voice and is an extremely talented artist,” he said.

The rapper, who has recorded with singers like Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Kesha, says he enjoys collaborating with different artists. “I have always loved working in collaboration with various artists. It gives me a chance to work with all beautiful and talented women,” said the ‘Rain Over Me’ hitmaker. And when asked if he has any Hollywood actress on mind, he said: “I would like to team up with all of them. There are all such gorgeous ladies. It will be a dream coming true!”

Perry launches her own record label

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he’s a globally recognized pop star in her own right. Now Katy Perry is helping other hopefuls fulfill their music career dreams, with the launch of her very own record label. The 29-year-old Teenage Dream hitmaker announced the launch of what is officially titled Metamorphosis Music on Tuesday. The move is a joint venture with her current label, Capitol Records.

The first to sign with Katy’s label is pop singer Ferras, who released his own EP on the very same day as the record label announcement. Katy was the executive producer of his five-song self-titled effort, which includes the track Legends Never Die - a duet with the Grammy-nominated star.

‘I am so ECSTATIC to finally an-

nounce my NEW label Metamorphosis Music & my first signing, the incredibly talented & soulful FERRAS!’ Katy tweeted on Tuesday, be-

fore plugging Ferras’ EP. The star repeated her excitement on Instagram, and Ferras joined in.

The 29-year-old up and coming talent wrote on his own account: ‘The secret is out! I’ve signed to my dear

friend @katyperry’s new record label Metamorphosis Music. ‘Today is the day that my EP is finally out and I’m so happy I now get to share it,’ he continued. ‘Let me know what u think!!! Both Katy and Ferras were also sure to tell the world that he could be seen as her support on her upcoming Prismatic World Tour.

The North American leg of her tour kicks off June 22 in Raleigh, North Carolina and wraps up on October 11 in Houston. Katy and Ferras met in 2007 when they were both signed to Capitol, and Ferras has since said in a press statement that ‘her instincts are really on point’ when it comes to music. Capitol is one of many labels under Universal Music Group, home to Def Jam and Republic Records.

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India’s largest private sector company, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, left and his wife Nita Ambani arrive for the company’s annual general meeting in Mumbai, Wednesday, June 18. (AP Photo)

Ryan Gosling’s Father’s Day Adoption Hoax Fools Almost 1 Million Facebook Users

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resident Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s oldest daughter Malia Ann could be setting her sights on Hollywood. Malia, who turns 16 on July 4, was spotted this past week working as a production assistant for a day in Los Angeles on the set of Halle Berry’s upcoming sci-fi series Extant, an individual with knowledge of the production told TheWrap. She helped with computer shop alignments and the director also let her slate a take, the insider said,

adding that Malia laughed with delight saying, My first time. This is a big deal.

CBS has not yet not responded to TheWrap’s requests for comment. A spokesperson for the First Lady also has not responded. Malia attends the exclusive Sidwell Friends private school in Washington, DC, but classes let out earlier this month. She joined her parents on Friday in Rancho Mirage, where President Obama took in a round of golf, according to a newspaper.

n unofficial Facebook page tricked nearly 1 million people into believing the 33 year-old actor adopted a baby after his friend died of cancer. Fans of Ryan Gosling were left feeling red-faced this past weekend. The 33 year-old actor was recently at the center of a Father’s Day hoax that manage to fool almost 1 million people, this past Sunday (June 15th). A fake Facebook page, claiming to be Gosling’s official site, shared a photograph of the star holding a baby.

Along with the snap was a lengthy heartfelt message that allegedly revealed the story of how Gosling has been a father for the past year. This father’s day, I’ve decided to tell the story of how I became a father, the false post began. This little guy was only 9 months old when I became his dad.

His mom and I were great friends before she passed

away from cancer. I promised her, I’d always look after him. Adding, So, I had decided to step up and become his dad. He brought me so much joy. He was my everything. 1 year later after the adoption, his biological father wanted him. Of course, I put up a fight, but he won.

The fake message went

to claim becoming a father had taught gosling how to love unconditionally, and the true lesson he learned most of all is, every child needs love. As soon as this was uploaded to the social media site, more than

930,000 gullible users immediately believed it and congratulated the actor on his brave decision. Reason 90636 why you’re the most perfect man on the planet! one fan wrote. Makes me love him even more, another user added.

Towards the end of the message a link was provid-

ed that offers a chance to save thousands of children and meet me while doing it. But the link just directed the users to a site that sells Young Wild and Free T-shirts. The post has since been deleted.

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT - AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO EXPRESS YOUR IDEA OF A ‘VIBRANT LIFE’ THROUGH YOUR LENS. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, ON THE THEME ‘VIBRANT LIFE’, WITH AN EXPLANATORY CAPTION BY AUGUST 30, 2014 TO opinion2mex@gmail.com.

SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE MORUNG EXPRESS 2015 CALENDAR.

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In the combination photo, Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev catches the ball on a kick by South Korea's Lee Keun-ho, but lets it bounce over his head allowing South Korea to score during the group H World Cup soccer match between Russia and South Korea at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, June 17. (AP Photo)

Lampard grows as leader Maradona hails 'El Glimpses of as playing role diminishes Falco' Thomas Muller Brazil 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, JUNE 18 (AP): of management, according to Lampard, Frank Lampard's place in World Cup his- who may have been released by Chelsea tory was assured even before arriving in after scoring a club record 211 goals but is Brazil. As the player whose disallowed not ready to retire from playing.

"Any dictator of a manager who doesn't goal in South Africa four years ago compelled FIFA to reverse its opposition to want to listen, it's quite difficult to work goal-line technology, the England mid- with, in the modern day you have to interact," Lampard said as he sat alongside fielder's impact on the 19-year-old Raheem World Cup potentially Sterling. will outshine some of Interaction in the the great scorers. dressing room is also Lampard, who will imperative after a setturn 36 on Friday, is back such as the Italy unlikely to make such game, the first time an impression on this England had opened year's tournament. the World Cup with a He had to watch from loss since 1986. Lamthe bench as England pard tried to raise the opened with a 2-1 loss spirits of the players, to Italy on Saturday, delivering a speech and would not expect after the impressive to start against Uruperformance, but ulguay on Thursday. "I timately unsuccessful want to play obviously, Italy opener. but I'm aware that you "We had to put the aren't always going to game to bed," he said. start and I will be turn"There were a lot of ing 36 at the end of the good reports and rightweek," the England ly so but I don't want to vice-captain said. "I'm part of a team which under no illusions and Frank Lampard (AP Photo) had great potential and playing at club level I've not played every game in the last couple of played a good performance but then we all go home (early). Nobody wants to do that." seasons, but I think you just adapt.

Lampard knows only too well that "When you're part of the squad you help other players around you, train well making a losing start to a tournament isn't and try and set an example and add your always a calamity. He was in the England voice to meetings in the dressing room. If team that opened the 2004 European you're called upon you have to be ready to Championship by losing to France but still play at your best." After making 105 Eng- reached the quarterfinals.

"I was so scared of getting knocked out land appearances — 10 short of David Beckham's record for an outfield player — by losing the game. I remember the fear Lampard is a leading figure in the dressing factor — not a negativity fear, but I just room, and already seems to be preparing didn't want it to happen," Lampard refor the transition like Gary Neville from the called. "There's nothing wrong with that.

I think we have to take that with us now to squad to the coaching staff.

Consulting players is an important tool the Uruguay game.

SANtO ANDRE, JUNE 18 (AFP): Goal-scoring machine Gerd Mueller was unkindly nicknamed `short, fat Mueller` during his career, now Germany`s latest hot-shot star Thomas Mueller has been dubbed `El Flaco` -- the Skinny One -by Argentina legend Maradona. Mueller claimed the first hat-trick of these World Cup finals in Monday`s 4-0 drubbing of Portugal in Germany`s Group G opener in Salvador. The Bayern Munich star, 24, is normally deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder and has only made rare appearances as striker for either club or country. But the gangly Mueller repaid the faith of head coach Joachim Loew with an impressive display as a striker against Portugal, which led to Maradona -- who almost singlehandedly inspired Argentina to the 1986 World Cup trophy --dubbing him `El Flaco`.

"He has no muscles, but today he tore them (Portugal) apart," an impressed Maradona, who knows a thing or two about goal-scoring, told Venezuelan television. The goal-scoring exploits of stocky 1970s star Gerd Mueller are legendary amongst Germany fans, but his younger namesake currently has his football-mad country swooning. The 68-year-old Gerd -- also nicknamed `Das Bomber` -- retired after scoring West Germany`s winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands. He finished his career

with an incredible 68 goals in 62 internationals and the younger Mueller is producing similar impressive statistics with 20 goals in 50 internationals.

"The lad`s fast, he`s got a good technique - he`s going to be a great player," Gerd Muller said.

With eight World Cup goals now to his credit, the younger Mueller out-shone Portugal`s World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

While the Portuguese captain is renowned for his personal grooming and showing off his finely-honed torso in his goal celebrations, Mueller has a touch of the boy-next-door.

"It`s his unorthodox playing style that characterizes Thomas Mueller," ex-Germany captain Oliver Kahn told braodcasters ZDF. "Sometimes he doesn`t know himself exactly what he`s going to do. There`s a lot of intuition involved, he always knows where he has to run."

"His body language is very important, he makes a strong impression and Brazil fans wait for the beginning of the group A World says `we want to be world champions` -- I Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Arena like that." Mueller`s self-confidence was Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil on June 17. (AP Photo) clear as he picked up where he left off at the 2010 World Cup -- his break-through tournament -- when he finished joint topscorer to claim both the Golden Boot and best young player awards in South Africa.

"He`s a light-hearted, cool guy," enthused German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach."

Djokovic, Serena seeded No 1 for Wimbledon

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LONDON, JUNE 18 (AP): Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were seeded No. 1 for Wimbledon on Wednesday, while defending men's champion Andy Murray was bumped up two spots above his world ranking to No. 3. Djokovic, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, is ranked No. 2 but was given the top seeding by the All England Club ahead of topranked Rafael Nadal. Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion who is coming off his ninth French Open

title, is seeded No. 2 for the grass-court Grand Slam, which starts on Monday.

Murray last year became the first British player to win the Wimbledon men's title since 1936. Seven-time champion Roger Federer is No. 4, while Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka is down two spots from his world ranking at No. 5.

Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Milos Raonic, John Isner and Kei Nishikori round out the top 10. Among

the 32 seeded players, Jerzy Janowicz received the biggest boost, going up nine spots from his No. 24 ranking to No. 15. The big-serving Polish player reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year, losing to Murray in four sets. Wimbledon takes a player's grass-court record into account in assigning the men's seedings.

The women's seedings, however, stick to the WTA rankings. That means fivetime champion Williams is No. 1, followed by Li Na, French Open runner-up Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova, who won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon 10 years ago, is coming off her second French Open championship. She is considered Williams' top challenger at Wimbledon, despite the No. 5 seeding. They could end up on the same side of the draw. Petra Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon winner, is No. 6, followed by Jelena Jankovic, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Dominika Cibulkova.

Venus Williams, a fivetime Wimbledon champion who has gradually slipped in the rankings, is seeded only No. 30.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima cheer the Netherlands national team before the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil on June 18. (AP Photo)

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An Australian fan waits for the start of the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil on June 18. (AP Photo)

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