24th March 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 80

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Karisma looks younger than any Bollywood actress: Kareena

[ PAGE 8]

State Health Society to observe World TB Day in Kohima today [ PAGE 2]

World leaders gather for Hague nuclear summit

[ PAGE 11]

Ayaah! Get active; It`s election time

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Are Nagas ready to forgive their past hurts and reconcile for a better future?

Others

Do you feel that nagaland should have more Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha?

Yes

47% 43%

no Others

10%

Details on page 7

‘Don’t politicize Foothill Road’

Technicians maintain engines on a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C Orion after its arrival to help with search operations for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 at Royal Australian Air Force Pearce Base in Perth, Australia on March 23. France provided new satellite data Sunday showing possible debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines jet as searchers DIMAPUR, MARCH 23 combing a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean tried without success to locate a pallet (MExN): The Central Na- that could be a key clue in solving one of the world’s great aviation mysteries. (AP Photo)

galand Tribal Council has appealed for different organizations/associations, particularly the Lotha Hoho and the NCSU to maintain the “status quo of the agreement made by various Naga tribes and organizations,” with regard to the Nagaland Foot Hill Road Project and to not politicize the project.

A press note from the CNTC stated that the “Naga people need to realize and understand that this long felt needed road is the only option out to liberate the Naga economy and to avoid from unnecessary harassment of the Naga public by Assam.”

The CNTC also reiterated its support to the NFHRCC and the NPWD. With regard to the situation in the Dimapur-KA border, it appealed against creation of any unwanted situation. It urged all to “cooperate with the district administration to maintain peace.”

AMPWDWCEA for service regularization

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MON, MARCH 23 (MExN): The All Mon District PWD (R&B) & (H) Work-charged Employees’ Association (AMPWDWCEA) has reminded Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and the Chief Engineer PWD of their demands for regularization of services for employees, who have completed 15 years or more of service.

The Association, in a press note, informed that it had demanded for the same to the said authorities in 2012. It however lamented that the demands have not been addressed by the authority and that “nothing was done for the cause of the aggrieved authority.”

It stated that the association’s demand is genuine, “as per the Government’s standing order, vide No.R3/GEN-67/2001 (PT), dated Kohima, the 22nd September, 2004.” It therefore, reiterated its demand for the authority concerned to look into the demand.

–Charles Stanley

[ PAGE 10]

india still home to quarter of global tuberculosis cases

By Sandemo Ngullie

no

Serena and Maria advance in Miami

[ PAGE 9]

reflections

Yes

Monday, March 24, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

Basically, there are two paths you can walk: faith or fear. It’s impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God Sunanda death: Viscera report hints at drug overdose

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NEw DElHI, MARCH 23 (IANS): Despite having a strong public sector programme to contain the disease, tuberculosis still remains a cause of concern for India, which has nearly a quarter of the global burden of TB, health experts said.

Experts said measures which can help strengthen the fight against the disease include involvement of the private sector, more political commitment to create awareness and containing risk factors like malnutrition.

“TB is still a cause for concern. It is the sheer numbers in India and the associated problems like poverty which are responsible for this,” Soumya Swaminathan, director, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, an organization under the health ministry, told IANS. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 2.2 million tuberculosis patients in India, which makes it the world’s highest TB-burden country. TB killed 1.3 million people worldwide in 2012 and India alone accounted for 26 percent of

the total cases.

She said that China and Brazil have done better in controlling TB in their respective countries and India needs to do more.

“In eight years, India has made tremendous progress as far as containing TB. But it needs to do much more,” she added.

But R. S. Gupta, deputy director general (TB) in the health and family welfare ministry, said: “Treatment

free of cost, quality anti-tubercular drugs across the country. More than 1.5 million people avail the facility at 13,000 centres. Gupta said that the private sector should be involved more as most patients are being treated in private clinics.

Agreed Swaminathan, who said that the government needs to work in tandem with the private sector.

“Standard procedures need to be followed for

March 24 is World tB Day success rates have been above 85 percent for several years in the country.”

Gupta told IANS that the overall quality of TB services, including human resources and systems for financial management are being strengthened.

To achieve the National Tuberculosis Programme’s (NTP) ambitious goal of universal health care access for all people with TB by 2017, financial commitments must be maintained by all partners, including international agencies, he said. The state-run tuberculosis control initiative of the government, NTP provides

notification of the disease and diagnosis, especially by private practioners,” Swaminathan told IANS. In 2012, India declared TB to be a notifiable disease. It means that with immediate effect all private doctors, caregivers and clinics treating a TB patient had to report every case to the government.

According to a recent WHO report, India has achieved the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) target for TB which says that the incidence of the disease should be falling. It is on track to reach the 2015 targets for reductions in TB

prevalence and mortality.

But it added that India accounts for 31 percent of the estimated 2.9 million missed TB cases -- people who were either not diagnosed or diagnosed but not reported to NTP. It is estimated that about 40 percent of the Indian population is infected with TB bacteria, the vast majority of whom have latent rather than active TB. Listing the other steps needed, Swaminathan said: “Getting more political commitment and activism from civil society to create awareness about TB like it was done in the case of HIV/ AIDS would be a great help.”

India also needs to contain the risk factors associated with the disease.

The biggest among them is malnutrition, which makes people more susceptible to the development of active TB. Tuberculosis patients have lower Body Mass Index (BMI), muscle mass and subcutaneous stores of fat.

“Malnutrition is the biggest risk factor and it has been overlooked,” she said, adding that the “disease needs to be fought on a common platform by all stakeholders.”

Heavy taxation affecting timber trade: NTTU Regulating medical practices in Nagaland

KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has expressed concern that unless “concerned taxation authorities” take concrete steps to check “rampant taxation,” they will have to account for “loss of livelihood of hundreds of Naga families who depend on timber trade” caused thus.

This was noted in a press release issued by the NTTU. It stated that this release has been published in view of “heavy taxation imposed by the Nagaland political groups as well as Forest department, which is forcing the timber farmers and traders out of business.”

Furnishing details on the tax levied per trip from Kiphire to Dimapur (see box), the NTTU informed that “taking all these taxation into account and the vehicle hiring expenses and other miscellaneous expenses and risks involved during transportation, where then is the point of tree farmers and timber traders

in practicing their trade as their profit is reduced to almost zero.”

The NTTU questioned the Naga political groups whether the route to “sovereignty” or “independence” lies through “heavy taxation imposed on their own brothers who are tree farmers and plantation owners and who are trying to make an honest living by the sweat of their brow.

If such taxation continues unabated, then where is the future of Naga entrepreneurs and businessmen?”

It reminded that as per a Supreme Court order, Nagaland has been declared a “non-forest” State and individual farmers and community owning plantation and trees have the right to “dispose their produce for their livelihood.”

The tree/timber farmers and traders, the NTTU stated, are also “not encroaching upon any government (whether overground or underground) land or forest but engaging in timber business with consent of individual or community plantation/tree owners.”

Taxes paid by Timber Traders in Nagaland (Kiphire to Dimapur) NSCN (I-M) tax (Per trip): Pungro town command (Rs.500), JC Battalion, Salomi (Rs. 1,000), Kiphire junction (Rs. 5,000), Longmatra (Rs. 8,000), Meluri town command (Rs. 500), Meluri Region (Rs. 500), Jessami gate entry fee (Rs. 500), Pfutsero gate entry fee (Rs. 500); Total = Rs. 16,500.

GPRN/NSCN: Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire (Rs. 4,500), Azetso (Rs. 4,500), Meluri region (Rs. 1,500), Lalmati (Rs. 1,000), Purana Bazar (Rs. 1,500); Total =Rs. 13,500.

NSCN (K): Pungro town command (Rs. 500), Kiphire junction (Rs. 4,500), Longmatra (Rs. 5,000), Azetso (Rs. 2,500); Total = Rs. 12,500.

FGN (Federal): Rs. 4,000.

Taxation at various Forest check gates: Rs. 9,000.

Total taxation: Rs. 55,500 In addition to these, the Forest minister charges Rs. 3 lakh per tree felling wagon as his “personal commission” and DFO Dimapur charges Rs. 10,000 per wagon as commission.

Issued by: NTTU

NLA passes Nagaland Medical Council Bill Our Correspondent Kohima | March 23

The Nagaland Medical Council Bill, 2014 was passed during the 4th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) here on Saturday.

The Bill is to provide for the constitution of a Medical Council for registration of medical graduates and for the registration of institutions imparting training to such technicians in the State and to regulate their qualification.

In a statement regarding the objectives and reasons for the Bill, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Imkong L. Imchen, stated that in the interest of safety of life, it is deemed appropriate that health care system in the State is properly regulated. The modern medical care cannot be provided without the help of medical personnel, he stated. The Minister added that whereas, there are laws for laying down standards and creating bodies for enforcement in the

‘It is beyond our capacity to work without salary’

NSSATA begin second phase of agitation

KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has reacted sharply to the statement issued by the Department of School Education (DSE), regarding demands made by the former. The NSSATA affirmed “not to accept any second party negotiating with the government on its behalf,” and further demanded that responsible authorities “solve the present issue at the earliest.” It further declared that the Association’s second phase of agitation, in the form of ‘indefinite boycott of classes,’ will start from March 23.

The NSSATA, in a press note, termed the DSE’s statement that “the actual pending salary for release was for the months of January and February, 2014 only” as “totally misleading.” It stated that “the actual pending dues are that of the salary from December 2013 to Feb-

ruary 2014 and arrears of 2013.” Referring to the DSE’s statement that salary for December 2013 “is in the process of release,” the NSSATA termed it as “yet another dissatisfactory assurance.” “In the process, does not mean that it is released, which every literate person understands,” it said.

Stating that the Association has “received such assurances time and again,” it further informed that the salaries for January and February 2014, including arrears of 2013 are “still not under process” and “may then take months or even a year or two for its release.” It questioned the DSE as to whether “March 2014 is the right time for processing the salary of December 2013.”

The DSE had informed, in its earlier statement, that the State Government has released 100% of the State’s 10% share, which has been utilized for payment of salaries. To this, the Association queried, “Do you mean to justify that the state has done its part but the centre has not sanctioned

enough? Or is the centre not in a position to make the sanction on time?” it posed.

The Association further demanded that the Government “stop new appointments/filling up the vacant posts of retiring state government teachers, to accommodate SSA teachers (2010-2013 batch) on the basis of seniority and merit.” It asserted that this is necessary to avoid “future inconveniences in the department, as the said category of teachers has to be absorbed sooner or later under the state government.”

It then informed that on March 13, the DSE had summoned the NSSATA “for negotiating on the recent development, with the conditions not befitting any of the demands put forward by the association.” As such, the association conveyed to the DSE officials that the stir would continue unless the demands are fulfilled with written assurances, it informed.

Stressing the association’s concern for the student community, it

stated that its members had “patiently bore the untold hardships that it went through despite the continuous mismanagement and consequent irregular payment of dues.” It asked the DSE that “if they are truly concerned about the welfare of the students — why have they (DSE) not performed their duties for timely release of teachers’ dues, distribution of textbooks, uniforms etc.”

It added that the association was “disheartened” with the department’s statement that the issue faced by the SSA teachers was “an issue beyond the control of the State Government and the Department.” “Who is then, the responsible and competent authority to resolve the issue? Was it not the State Government and the concerned Department who signed the MoU in regards to the appointment and funding with the MHRD?” it questioned. NSSATA reminded the government that “It is also beyond our capacity to go and work empty stomach without salary.”

case of medical education, yet there is no law or machinery to lay down standards and enforce them in case of medical personnel. As such, he said that the best way to regulate medical personnel is through the State Medical Council Act. Imchen stated that in recent years, there has been a rapid growth of private medical institutions in the State. There is no regulation by any professional body over laboratory and diagnostic centres.

Accordingly, the medical minister said, it is felt expedient to establish a Medical Council to superintend over the allied health professionals and its institutions with the powers to recognize, register, laying down norms and standards for various courses and training, uniform curricula, physical and infrastructural facilities, staffing pattern and staff qualification, quality instruction, assessments and examination system.

On financial memorandum, the proposed introduction of the Nagaland Medical Council Bill 2014 shall be administered by the existing administrative set-up of the health and family welfare department, and will not entail any extra expenditure from the consolidated fund of the State.

63,733 educated unemployed in nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | March 23

There are 63,733 applicants remaining on the live register of employment exchange as on December 31, 2013, out of which 41,306 are men and 22,427 are women. This is according to the annual administrative report 2013-14 of the employment and craftsmen training, tabled by Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, in the assembly session on Saturday. As per the report, the number of post graduates stand at 3,415, graduates – 17, 637, pre-university- 13, 713, matriculate- 10, 930, below matric- 16,696, degrees (Tech)- 717 and diploma- 625.

Ganja seized at railway station DIMAPUR, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Railway Protection Force, Dimapur arrested one man with 50 kilograms of ganja at the railway station. The man, identified as Sankar Sarma (34), was arrested at around 9:30pm on March 22. According to the officer-in-charge of the RPF, Dimapur, the man was at the platform with the contraband, waiting to board a train to West Bengal. An unidentified woman was with him but she escaped, the OC said. The contraband estimated to be worth around Rs. 2.5 lakh was concealed in five polythene bags. Its origin could not be established.

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Dimapur

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Monday 24 March 2014

The Morung Express C

State Health Society to observe World TB Day in Kohima today

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37,591 TB patients have been put on treatment: State TB Cell

Kohima, march 23 (mExN): World TB Day observed on March 24 of every year is designed to create public awareness that tuberculosis remains an epidemic, according to a press release issued

by State TB Cell, RNTCP, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare. This year’s theme is “Reach the three million - Find, treat and cure TB.” Of the nine million people who get sick with TB, a third of them do not get the TB services they deserve, it said. Many of these three million people

live in the world’s poorest, most vulnerable communities and include groups such as migrants, miners, drug users and sex workers.

Expressing that no one should be left behind in the fight against TB, State TB Cell stated this year’s theme focuses on the three million people who are missed by health systems globally since “our” current efforts to find, treat and cure everyone who gets ill with the disease are not sufficient.

The State Health Society (RNTCP) will be observing World TB Day cum sensiti-

zation programme with the local leaders at Zonal Council Hall here at 10:00 am and also the District Health Societies will be organising their respective functions.

Nagaland will complete 12 years of the Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) on December 1, 2014. Since the last five years, Nagaland has been achieving the Programme’s target and is among the best performing States in the country, the release noted. So far, 37,591 patients have been put on treatment. There are 44 Mi-

croscopy Centres, including 11 District TB Centers and more than 600 DOT Centers where free investigation and DOTS treatment are provided to all.

Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Chemotherapy (DOTS) is the key component of the Programme where a health worker or a trained volunteer, from the community who is named as a DOT Provider ‘directly’ watches the patient taking the drug in his or her presence.

DOTS Plus investigation and treatment for

SETAM organizes investor awareness prog

MDR TB (Multi Drug Resistant) is also available in Nagaland. Since the launch of the facility on January 24, 2012,151 patients are availing this 24-month course treatment, out of which, 5 patients have successfully completed the treatment while the rest are continuing the same.

This World TB Day, the State TB Cell has called for a global effort to find, treat and cure the three million and accelerate progress towards zero TB deaths, infections, suffering and stigma.

This Traffic Police Point at ADC Court Junction in Dimapur, seen unmanned here, sees a lot of traffic all through the day. While this is close to where the District Administration's offices are, nearby residents have complained about accidents happening at this intersection in the recent past. Residents point out that Traffic Police not being stationed at this junction has resulted in speedy and reckless driving even while crossing the intersection.

They also say that speeding Indian Army Convoys, especially trucks, passing this area at night disturb their sleep.

Minister Azo on road labourers in Nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | March 23

Students of management studies (SETAM) and Unity College pose for photograph with resource persons.

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DimaPur, march 23 (mExN): Nagaland University School of management studies (SETAM), Dimapur conducted a seminar entitled ‘Investor Awareness Program’ on March 21 at Lotha community hall here under the initiative of BSE investors’ protection fund with Prashant and Mark of Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai as resource persons.

As Bombay Stock Exchange Limited is the oldest stock exchange in Asia popularly known as BSE, the exchange’s pivotal and pre-eminent role in the de-

velopment of the capital market is widely recognized and its index, SENSEX, tracked worldwide, stated a press release received here.

The resource persons also highlighted on not only efficient market, but also to uphold the interest of the investors and ensure redressal of grievances whether against the company or its trading member initiated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Meanwhile, the resource persons added that, to receive all benefits/ material information declared for the investor by the

company, equity holders have a right to subscribe to further issue of Capital by the company and always deal with the intermediaries registered with SEBI/stock exchanges while being cautious about stocks which show a sudden spurt in price or trading activity, especially low price stocks.

The program was chaired by Dhrubajyoti Bordoloi, invocation

by Akum Phom, short speech from D.P Chaturvedi and benediction

by Amenla Walling. Students of School of management and Unity College attended the seminar.

Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu has said that there are 5,126 road labourers under the department. The minister replied this to MLA Tokheho in the assembly session Saturday. The minister also furnished the names of the labourers division wise in the state.

In supplementary question raised by the latter, the minister said that the labourers are engaged in road maintenance. On being asked amount spent on those labourers, the minister said the same will be supplied in the next assembly session. Tokheho, however, regretted that road maintenance in the form of jungle clearance, drainage and filling of pothole is hardly visible.

He continued that he had never seen the labourers working on road and called for the use of their service.

He felt that something has to be done if they are not performing their duty.

The PWD minister replied that the department will certainly look into it.

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MCCI president, Moasangba Jamir, interacting with a BRO official in Mokokchung. The MCCI president toured the whole stretch of Mokokchung to Mariani road to see the road repairing work being undertaken by the BRO. He appealed the BRO to speed up the repairing work since the monsoon season is fast approaching. Besides, it is learnt that the truck owners have reportedly threatened to go on a strike from April if the road condition is not improved.

The BRO assured to try their best in repairing the vital road, which is often termed as the lifeline of Mokokchung and the neighbouring districts.

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Appeal for drivers on election duty Mokokchung intensifies

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DimaPur, march 23 (mExN): All India Government Drivers’ Federation (Central Committee) has appealed that the drivers on election duties should be allowed to cast their votes in proper manner as they have the right to vote. In a representation submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, regarding various problems of the drivers

on election duty, AIGDF (CC) Secretary General, Milan Raj Banshi, also stated that during election duty, “misuse of vehicle is done by some authorities and pressure to remain on election duty are also being thrown on the drivers.” This will have to be stopped by “your General Order,” the representation demanded.

It further highlighted that the drivers have to stay long hours outside

the office which sometimes continue till night, while detailing the duties.

Therefore, Secretary General requested that basic needs like lodging, provisions etc be provided to the drivers. The representation also stated that Election Commission should take responsibility of not only the government drivers, but the private drivers on election duty under any circumstances.

Hallelujah praise the Lord "Jesus Christ is good all the time"

liquor checking moKoKchuNg, march 23 (DiPr): Mokokchung district administration has intensified frisking and checking of vehicles to put on halt the inflow of liquors and other illegal items into Mokokchung district to ensure conducive atmosphere for the forthcoming Lok Sabha electioneering in the district. The decision was taken at the security coordination meeting held in the office chamber of Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung on March 19, 2014.

It was decided that SP Mokokchung and Commandant, 31 Assam Rifle will

coordinate for strict enforcement of ban on movement of liquors/cash through frisking of vehicles in all entry points. DEF personnel will be attached to Assam Rifles' check post for strict enforcement of ban on liquors.

Commandant, 31 Assam Rifles informed the meeting that checking at all three locations, namely Dessoi, Tuli and AT Mokokchung would intensify to provide conducive atmosphere for successful conduct of the election process. DC Mokokchung, Murohu Chotso had earlier ordered all villages to depos- Rivers seemed to have become a convenient garbage dumping place in Nagaland. Seen here it their licensed arms in their are trash strewn around Dhansiri River in Dimapur, posing much threat to the hygiene of the residents and the river itself. (Photo Courtesy/ Vikato Zhimo, Akuluto) nearest police stations.

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Akhei Achumi of Socialist Party (India) files nomination

Find. Treat. Cure TB

Kohima, march 23 (DiPr): Akhei Achumi of the Socialist Party (India) filed his nomination before the Returning Officer, Nagaland Parliamentary Elections, 2014, Temjen Toy (IAS) on March 22, which also was the last date for filing nominations. The nomination of Akhei Achumi, 73, was proposed by ten electors from his Assembly Constituency. With this nomination, the number of nominations received by the Returning Officer is four. Scrutiny of these nomination papers will be taken up on March 24, 2014 at the Office of the Commissioner Nagaland & Returning Officer, Nagaland Parliamentary Election 2014.

Assam Rifles apprehends one with arms

for obtaining these degrees from the United Kingdom.

Kohima, march 23 (mExN): Based on information regarding presence of an individual with arms and ammunition, 19 Assam Rifles along with Nagaland Police carried out search in Bayavu Hill area in Kohima, where one individual identified as Roko Angami, around 43 years, was apprehended. According to a press release, the team recovered one 7.65mm Pistol with Magazine and nine live rounds on him. 25 Spasmo capsules were also found from his possession. The apprehended individual was handed over at Kohima Police Station (North) for further interrogation and investigation.

Master of Arts (HONS) in English Language and Literature University of Edinburgh, U.K.

ENWOD mourns member’s death

Master of Letters in English Studies University of Stirling, U.K.

DimaPur, march 23 (mExN): Eastern Nagaland Women Organization Dimapur (ENWOD) has expressed deep shock at the untimely demise of Kumsanglila Phom, Joint Secretary, ENWOD on March 21 in Dimapur. Stating that she was an active member who had contributed immensely for the betterment and uplift of womenfolk, the organization said “her demise is a great loss to our people and the void will be difficult.” ENWOD further conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the almighty grant solace in their hour of grief.

We the family of St. John Congratulate MISS SETUOMENUO AO daughter of MOAMEREN AO and TEMSURENLA AO, St. John Higher Secondary Residential School, Dimapur.

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Master of Science by Research in South Asian Studies (with main focus on literature) University of Edinburgh, U.K. We always thank our God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way - with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 Loving St. John Family Dimapur

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REgional

The Morung Express

Monday

24 March 2014

Footballer Bhutia eyes a political goal DArjEElINg, MArch 23 (IANS): Bhaichung Bhutia, India's football icon even though he retired from the game some years ago, is now aiming to score a "goal" in his maiden appearance on the tricky political turf as he battles the outsider tag and faces a formidable opponent which rebuffed his appeal for support.

Bred in the sleepy Tinkitam village of mountainous Sikkim, Bhutia has traversed many an uncharted territory in Indian soccer.

Always prepared to go all out for a goal during his long playing career, the former Indian striker captain, who has been known for his stylish game on the field and role model for youth is outside, is hoping to do an encore as he goes from door to door seeking votes as a Trinamool Congress candidate for the Darjeel-

ing Lok Sabha seat.

"Just as everyone goes all out to win and score goals in soccer, I want to do the same to win the poll battle and work for the people of Darjeeling," Bhutia told IANS while campaigning in Siliguri in West Bengal's Darjeeling district.

But the going could be anything but smooth, just like the un-uniform topography of the constituency that comprises mountainous terrains and picturesque tea gardens on the foothills and vast plains.

Despite Bhutia's repeated bid to reach out, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha - which commands a strong following in the constituency - refused to extend support and backed the BJP's Surinder Singh Ahluwalia.

GJM supremo Bimal Gurung even went to the extent of dubbing Bhutia as an "outsider and

Northeast Briefs All women's bank to open three branches in northeast India AgArtAlA, MArch 23 (IANS): The Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) - India's first all-women bank will open three more branches in three capital cities of the northeastern states this week, officials said here Sunday. "Three branches of the BMB will be set up in Agartala (Tripura), Shillong (Meghalaya) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) in this week," a senior official of the Reserve Bank of India told IANS. The governmentowned bank that was launched Nov 19 last year has set up its first northeast branch in Assam's main city Guwahati last year. The official said BMB chairman and managing director Usha Ananthasubramanian would set up the region's second branch in Agartala Monday. The Shillong and Itanagar branches of the women's bank will be set up within this week. By March 31 or before the end of the current fiscal (2013-14), 23 branches are expected to be opened across the country.

Tripura to take care of Mizo Bru vote

a non-politician".

"Yes, I am not a politician. I am not here to play politics or make false or tall promises," counters the 37-year old, much in the same manner he once used to pounce on even halfchances inside the opponent penalty box.

"I am here to work for the development and welfare of the region and its people. My aim is to ensure Darjeeling is once again hailed as the queen of the hills."

He rates honesty and sincerity as his main strength. "I may be inexperienced when it comes to politics, but honesty and sincerity are my USP and much like football I will deal with politics with the same honest approach," said the man adored as the "Sikkimese sniper" for his uncanny ability to score goals.

As Bhutia criss-crosses the

constituency, holding meetings and greeting people, soccer also forms a part of his campaign. He is always game showing off his football skills as children and youngsters watch awestruck.

However, much like a seasoned politico, the redoubtable forward is not shy of taking the attack to his political rivals when it comes to the contentious issue of Gorkhaland, which the GJM has been spearheading over the past few years. "The BJP will not come to power at the centre, so the elections here are all that important. If the BJP wins here again it will again go into hiding, much like it did after 2009," said the 5' 8" candidate, whose small frame camouflages a physical and mental toughness that saw him turn out in the English professional league for Bury FC. "Moreover, the previous MP

not only disappeared but also failed to utilise a single rupee from his fund. So it is important for the sake of Darjeeling that Trinamool wins," he said, continuing his attack.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Jaswant Singh had bagged the seat five years ago following an endorsement by the GJM. But later, the Gorkha outfit had mocked Singh for not lending his support when it intensified the movement last year in the wake of the chain of events that saw the formation of Telangana.

Bhutia also highlighted the need for the Trinamool to emerge electorally strong in the polls to bargain for central funds for West Bengal. "If we emerge stronger, then we can get central funds for Bengal which is essential for its development," he said.

A quintessential team-man,

Bhutia wants to be a part of "Trinamool ushered development in the region". "In football, all the players work together to score goals and win the match.

I too want to contribute to Trinamool's efforts to usher in allround development. The region has remained traditionally neglected," said Bhutia.

Refusing to comment about his rivals in the constituency, Bhutia exuded confidence about his electoral victory and claimed that there was no "Modi wave", despite such assertions by the BJP about its prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.

When Bhutia hung up his boots two and a half years back, he left behind a trail of outstanding goals - 43 in 109 appearances for the country spread over 16 years.

Only time will say whether he will find the target in his new offensive.

70th anniversary of Battle of Imphal, WWII, commemorated was organized jointly by the Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF) and 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation. The commemoration will continue until June 28.

Takeshi Yagi maintained that Japan was reborn as a dynamic country after the Second World War. Ever since, Japan has been one of the most prosperous countries in Asia which gave the people a peaceful and prosperous life. Takeshi Yagi also visited some of the war memorials and battlefields in

MKS organises ‘discourse’ to develope Maram language to impose Manipuri or Hindi in Class 9 from this year’s academic session (2013 – 2014) and thereafter in Class 10, for students of communities whose mother tongues are yet to get recognition and approval for introduction in the academic educational system.

With that urgency to expedite solutions for development of school textbooks into a full measure in one’s own dialect, the discourse, following minute observations, findings and recommendations, decided to invest the days ahead for finding immediate measures to the impending obstacles.

The discourse recommended Maram Literature Committee and Textbooks Syllabus Committee to take steps to be

pro-active, energetic, and systematized – workable and attainable on a timebound and priority basis.

Further, the discourse strongly urged the State Government to expedite the process of language recognition, and provide concessional period for tribal communities whose native dialects are in the development process. Reliable sources inform that the dialects of Anal, Maring and Maram Tribes are on the process of recognition. Meanwhile, Maram Students’ Union has decided to support ATSUM endeavors in urging the State Government to reconsider imposition of elementary Manipuri and Hindi in lieu of Alternative English.

Pygmy hog, Hispid hare detected in Assam's Manas park guwAhAtI, MArch 23 (IANS): In what may be good news for wildlife enthusiasts, a recent survey has revealed the presence of grassland species like Pygmy hog and Hispid hare in Assam's Manas National Park, known to be the last remaining wild habitat of the two species.

Located about 200 km away from Assam's main city Guwahati, the Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve. The specific targets of the survey were the Pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) and Hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus).

The survey also received direct evidence for other grassland obligate species like Hog deer (Hyelaphus porcinus), Swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) and Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis). "A total of 20 nests of Pygmy hog were detected at three

locations. Hispid hare pellets were found almost on all camp sites," said Manas tiger reserve deputy director Sonali Ghosh, who was also part of the survey team.

Anindya Swargowary, the park's field director, wel-

3

PLA cadre cleared of IPS officer killing

IMPhAl, MArch 23 (NNN): After nearly 25 years, a Court in Imphal has cleared the name of a PLA cadre in the IPS officer killing case. The Court has asked for the release of the PLA cadre as there are no other cases against him.

IPS officer Vandana Malik was killed in an ambush launched by suspected PLA cadres at Konthoujam Lamkhai in Imphal West district on April 8, 1989. On the fateful day, Officer-in-charge of Lamphel Police Station, Malik and her team were heading to an examination centre of the High School Leaving Certificate on security duty.

Around 3 pm, the suspected militants launched the ambush killing Malik on the spot and injuring four police constables critically. One sten-gun, one .38 revolver, two rifles and some ammunitions were taken away by the suspected militants after the incident.

Based on intelligence inputs, a case was taken up against five cadres of the PLA. Owing to the gravity of the case, the Manipur government transferred the case to the CBI. In this connection, five cadres of the PLA were charge-sheeted, namely - N Saratchandra, Thokchom Kunje alias Tolen, M Inaoba alias John, L Tombi alias Surendro and Ch Subhash alias Dolen. Of the five cadres some of them had passed away while others had not been arrested. On September 15, 2011, Thokchom Kunje was arrested by the police from a place in Assam. He has been languishing at Sajiwa Jail in Imphal ever since.

On Saturday, A Guneshwar Sharma, Designated Judge, Manipur East, pronounced Thokchom Kunje’s innocence in connection A woman carries a bucket filled with drinking water, right, as other walks with her child on dry mud against blowing sand, along the Brahmaputra river on with the incident and directthe eve of World Water Day in Guwahati, Assam, Friday, March 21. World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 as a means to recognize the global ed his release if there are no other case against him. need to save, conserve and manage water resources for future generations. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

AgArtAlA, MArch 23 (PtI): Election Commission of India has instructed Tripura election officials to conduct polling through postal ballots in Bru relief camps in North Tripura district during the election to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat to be held on April 9.

Mizoram election officials would not be involved in the process and Tripura state government would make all the necessary arrangements. Meanwhile, civil societies in Mizoram have been on the warpath over the Election Commission's repeated decision to allow the Bru voters in Tripura relief camps to exercise franchise outside the state. The civil societies plan to take out a protest march tomorrow in Aizawl in protest against the EC's decision to allow Bru voters to cast their votes in the relief camps. IMPhAl, MArch 23 (NNN): “Relation between India and Japan Rs 76 lakh seized by EC in Arunachal has been improving after seventy ItANAgAr, MArch 23 (PtI): A sum of Rs 76 lakh, years of the outbreak of the World allegedly meant to be distributed among voters by War II,” observed Takeshi Yagi, Jadifferent political parties, has been seized so far from pan’s ambassador to India, while various parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The cash has been speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Commemoration of 70th seized by the the Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Anniversary of Battle of Imphal teams of the Election Commission. The teams have also (WWII), 1944. The commemoration seized four revolvers, four guns, 84 cartridges and 5409 of the anniversary held today at Madaos (local weapons), large volumes of liquor, besides nipur Film Development Corporasome vehicles and motorcycles. tion (MFDC) auditorium, Imphal,

tAhAMZAM, MArch 23 (MExN): The Maralui Karalimei Swijoikang (MKS) or the Maram Students’ Union, organized a one-day intellectual ‘Discourse’ on the development of its mother tongue at its office. Maram public leaders, intellectuals, and student leaders, who were capable of throwing lights to streamline and evolve ways and measures towards developing the Maram language, attended the discourse. This was informed in a press release from Pungdi P Celestine, President, MKS. For linguistic minorities like Maram Tribe, this ‘Discourse’ assumes significance in view of a new scheme of study from the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM). The board seeks

Dimapur

comed the preliminary results for Pygmy hog, which were earlier thought to be declining in number at the park. "With this result, Manas is back on track as one of the last strongholds for these endangered species

in the wild," he said. The survey team will submit a report to the state government that will include recommendations for making population estimation an annual feature using noninvasive methods.

The Nagaland State Co-operative Bank Ltd. (Sponsored & Financed by the Govt. of Nagaland).

POST BOX NO: 153 Head Office, Administrative Building, DIMAPUR.-797112.

Ref No. NSCB/110/15479

Date:

NOTICE Whereas the Bank is giving notice to the defaulter of the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank from time to time and advice them to approach their respective branches and settle their dues to avoid litigation. The Recovery Team of the Bank is also in the process of door to door recovery drive, but some of the Loanees are not responding to the request of the Bank.

Therefore, all the defaulters are advised to co-operate with the Recovery Team and repay their dues, failing which Recovery proceedings will be taken against the defaulters.

Sd/S.Atovi Sema Managing Director.

Manipur and expressed his appreciation to the government for maintaining them.

Meanwhile, today's inaugural function was attended by P C Lawmkunga, Chief Secretary, Manipur, as chief guest, R R Rashmi, Additional Chief Secretary, Manipur, Dr Rajesh Kumar, Principal Secretary Tourism, Dr R K Nimai Singh, Commissioner Arts and Culture, as guests of honour, and Dr Th Dhabali Singh, President, MTF.

PROVN OF CONSERVANCY MANPOWER : ZAKHAMA MIL STATION 1. Tenders are invited from regd experienced vendors to provide 10 unskilled manpower for conservancy tasks in Zakhama Military Station for the period from 01 Apr 2014 to 31 Mar 2015.

2. Financial Tender - For Provision of Labour (Wages not exceeding central/prevailing market rates of safaiwala) and service charge if any for Zakhama Military Station.

3. Inspection of areas (if reqd) will be arranged by Station HQ Zakhama on 29 Mar 2014.

4. Tender Form may be collected from Adm Comdt, Station HQ Zakhama by submitting Rs 100/- through cheque in favour of Station HQ Zakhama.

5. Contact – Telephone No 2233031 between 0900 hrs to 1330 hrs (Mon to Sat).

6. Last date of receiving the tenders at Adm Comdt, Station HQ Zakhama, PIN - 901264, c/o 99 APO is 04 Apr 2014 at 1000h. The tenders will be opened on 05 Apr 2014 at 1100h.

7. Station Commander Zakhama Military Station reserves the rights to decrease/increase manpower and to reject any tender without assigning any reason.

Administrative Commandant Station Headquarters Zakhama

PROVN OF VEH FOR GARBAGE LIFTING: ZAKHAMA MIL STATION 1. Tenders are invited from regd experienced vendors to lift garbage of approx five tons per day from garbage vats at Zakhama Mil Station and to dispose off at Municipal dumping ground. There is a requirement of 01 Veh (Min capacity 05 Ton) with Dvr to collect garbage from 42 garbage vats and dispose off at Municipal Dumping Grnd at approx distance of 56 KM from Zakhama Military Station for the period 01 Apr 2014 to 31 Mar 2015.

2. Submit technical and financial enquiry separately in two envelopes for garbage lifting:(a) Technical Tender - (i) Model, load, regn, DOP, serviceability of veh. (ii) Licence, experience of driver. (b) Financial Tender - Cost of service (with driver) per trip per day. Wage of each labour per day & dumping charge if any

by KMC. 3. Inspection of areas will be arranged by Station HQ Zakhama and modalities of work can be discussed on 29 Mar 2013.

4. Tender Form may be collected from Adm Comdt, Station HQ Zakhama by submitting Rs 100/- through cheque in favour of Station HQ Zakhama.

5. Contact – Telephone No 2233031 between 0900 hrs to 1330 hrs (Mon to Sat).

6. Last date of receiving the tenders at Adm Comdt, Station Headquarters, Zakhama, PIN - 901264, c/o 99 APO is 04 Apr 2014 at 1000h. The tenders will be opened on 05 Apr 2014 at 1100h.

7. Station Commander Zakhama Military Station reserves the rights to decrease/increase manpower and to reject any tender without assigning any reason.

Administrative Commandant Station Headquarters Zakhama

STATION HQ ZAKHAMA (NALGALAND) INVITATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR FRESH REGISTRATION OF ELIGIBLE CONTRACTORS ELIGIBLE CONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS (FY 14-15) 1. Sealed applications for reqd of Contractors/ Suppliers are invited from reputed contractors/ suppliers who are willing & capable for supply of branded / best quality following items / services at Zakhama Military Station :(a) Construction/Repair/Maintenance of Building/Works. (b) Supply of Conservancy Safaiwala. (c) Supply of garbage lifting vehicle / lorry. (d) Stationary items including photostate & printing. (e) Sanitary items & electric items. (f) Office furniture (Steel & Wooden) (g) Office equipment (air conditioner, Photostate machine, fax machine, printers. Electric appliances, heaters, coolers etc (h) Photographer services for various functions. (j) Annual Maintenance & repair of computers & peripherals, printers, UPS etc. (k) Supply of medicines. (l) Tree Tending Services. (m) Supply of glass ware/crockery/cutlary. (n) Supply of Casual laborers. (o) Supply of conservancy items & cleaning materials. (p) Tailoring & Clothing items. (q) Supply of petrol, oil & lubricants. (r) Fire Fighting eqpts & their spare parts / materials. (s) Supply of spares & repair / maintenance of DG Set. (t) Supply of spare parts & repair of motor vehicles. (u) Supply of Batteries of various types. (v) Supply of civil hired transport. (w)Misc contingency items including utensils, general tools, paints, hardware, packing materials etc.

2. Detailed terms & conditions are mentioned in prescribed application form, which may be collected from Stn HQ Zakhama between 1000 to 1300 hrs on any working day (Mon to Sat) up to 30 Mar 2014 on production of DD/Pay order for Rs 100/- (nonrefundable) drawn in favor of Station Headquarters Zakhama & payable at Zakhama / Kohima . Last date for receipt of application for registration will be up to 1100 hrs on 01 Apr 2014 at the office of Adm Comdt, Stn HQ Zakhama.

3. Two photographs and specimen signature of individual holding General power of Attorney will be pasted & duly attested by authorised contractor / firm. Attested copy of Adhar Card of the indl will be enclosed with General power of Attorney.

4. The procurement of items / services will be undertaken based on GOI approved specifications / Dept specifications / branded company / best quality at competitive price.

5. Black list contractors/ suppliers / firms or firms having unsatisfactory performance or sister firms are not permitted to participate.

6. The following documents with legal validity up to 31 Mar 2015 must be attached alongwith application form:(a) Regd certificate under relevant state Act. (b) Latest Balance Sheet to show financial position alongwith bank turnover statement, profit/loss statements and other financial documents duly authenticated by regd Charted Accountant. (c)Documentary prof of ownership & PAN Card copy. (d) CST reqd certificate. (e) S Tax / VAT regd certificate. (f) Documentary proof of regd with other Govt org like DGS&D / Defence /Railway etc.

7. The sealed applications will be opened at 1100 hrs on 02 Apr 2014. In case of a holiday the sealed applications opening date will be automatically the next working day.

8. The decision regarding registration of firm will be taken by Stn HQ Zakhama after scrutinizing the applications & related documents. Only approved eligible contractors / suppliers will be intimated the decision of Stn HQ Zakhama which will be full & final. Correspondence / arbitration /requests / complaints etc regarding rejection of registration will not be entertained under any circumstances.

9. Stn HQ Zakhama reserves exclusive authority for removing the approved vendors / Contractors / Suppliers from the approved list at any stage without assigning any reason thereof.

Administrative Commandant Station Headquarters Zakhama

C M Y K

4

public discoursE

Monday

Dimapur

24 March 2014

The Morung Express

What Are The Forces Responsible That Killed Jesus?

‘These people See but do not comprehend; They Hear but do not understand’-The Bible.

T

o my rude and rueful assessment; it was the force of ‘Politics and Religion’ together Hand in Glove -at the time and in the Land- that killed Jesus.

Politics and Religion comes nearer to each other more in times when both find themselves low in the public esteem as in the days of Jesus. The Gospel records king Agrippa and the Roman Governor became friends “from that day” and that day happened to be the day of the condemnation of evangelist Paul.

Herod, son of Herod the great, the so-called King of the Jews; Pilat, the Officer who purchased his way to the Governorship and wily

Anna, the Religious Head of the Jews, -in mutual, silently understood camaraderie with each other- grudgingly fitted together to crucify Jesus. Each of them played a historic part in the elimination of a Person who the Governor declared: “I found no wrong-doing in this man” but understandably acceded to the desire of the Chief Priest and his managed crowd!

In India they have done it to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Father of the Indian Nation! And Group which justify the action is still alive.

The understandable understanding Religion makes with Politics, is often subtle; at first not ugly, seemingly rational, accommodative, popular and reasonable to compromise with in the situation at hand, as the BJP Politics is

in India today.

The Social and Political condition prevailing in Nagaland today seem comparably similar to the Social and Political condition that existed in Judea at the time of the crucifixion.

Nagaland today is wearisome and often exasperating: The Writer sometimes feels: God may be contemplating to teach the Nagas a Lesson!

Today Nagaland appears in Division than in Unison; the Society is in dissatisfaction, the Governance Hesitant; the Privileged and the Connected are growing enormously Rich day and night like a run away Train. The Gap between the Haves and the Have-nots is in the proportion of the Gap between the Rich man and Lazarus in Paradise mentioned in the Gospel; the Search for per-

sonal gain seems to be the general harmonized Theory of life to all.

This apparent acceptability is actually very complicated and more often than not, involves cutthroat Beatitude in the involved: When a correctly independent Executive was in charge of a Baptist Church Organization, the NSCN (IM) in ostensible fervent religiosity, invited the Functionaries of the religious Organization to Hebron to pray for them. The ecclesiastical Organization informed them that the Church Organization prays for all the National Workers normally and therefore felt it not especially necessary to go to Hebron to pray for the Group.

The Socialist Council then offered to come to the Church Organization Cen-

tre so that the Executives of the Body and the Kilonsers would pray together! The Church Organization, in the freedom of Christ, replied such a practice may set an unhealthy precedence and so declined the offer.

Political wisdom is most subtle and so beautifully camouflaged to the unwary and the gullible of the Theologians. Political Wisdom ultimately carries a Rider –the Armed Force: the Church, unless armed with the selfless breastplate of Faith, inadvertently falls prey to the calculated intimidation coated with sweet words for attraction.

The FREEDOM OF RELIGION Law in India is so very wisely crafted; it conceals a Core relentlessly opposed to Christianity. It is discriminatory; it discriminates the down trodden

Dalit and the Tribal. Of all the Political Parties in India, the BJP is the staunchest supporter of the FREEDOM OF RELIGION. The Chief Minister of any State is the role model of the State; what he or she says or does has tremendous effect on the live of the State and its People. It is undemocratic to disallow any peaceful Political Party in a State. The BJP is Peaceful in Words but its hand extends long and harsh against Secular Groups. Nagaland cannot disallow BJP in the State just because it is a Christian Majority State. That would be illegal and undemocratic. There would always be Christian who use the BJP for his personal gain and the BJP use individual Muslim also to advance its own purpose.

However, there is only one Chief Minister in a

12 things you should know about TB (Tuberculosis)

W

orld Tuberculosis Day, falling on March 24 each year, is designed to build public awareness about tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.The theme for this year is ‘REACH THE THREE MILLION’.

Today tuberculosis causes the deaths of about 1.7 million people each year and 3 million cases goes undetected.In an effort to reach out to at least a part of the three million and hence, reduce the death incidence cause by TB,this article on TB and its various aspect has been highlighted.

1. What is TB (tuberculosis)?

It is an infectiousdisease usually caused by Mycobacteriumtuberculosis.

Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body (bone, brain, stomach, etc.).

Yes, if - you are an alcoholic, - you are an intravenous drug user - you are infected with HIV - you belong to a low socio economic status - you have a disease that weakens the immune system - you are in a crowded living condition - you are a health care worker 5. Whatare the test to confirm TB? Sputum test, chest X – ray,blood culture and Mantoux (skin) test.

6. What should I do if I am found to be positive?

You do not need to panic or get anxioussince TB is now fully treatable, your doctor will start a treatment regimen for you which will consist of antibiotics that will kill the TB bacteria which are known 2. How does TB spread?

It is spread through the air when as anti tubercular drugs namely Isoniapeople who have an active TB infection zid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Pyracough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit re- zinamide . spiratory fluids through the air.

7. How long do I need to take these medicines?

3. What are the symptoms of TB? Most of the times the recommended You may not notice any symptom of illness until the disease is quite advance duration of treatment is for six months. If but If you have active TB disease, you however you have TB of the urinary tract, may have these symptoms: cough for brain or bones, the duration could go more than 3 weeks possibly with bloody upto a year. This however will be decided mucus(sputum),pain in the chest, loss of by your doctor. appetite, loss of weight, low grade fever, night sweats, shortness of breath and fa- 8. Will the medicines cause any side effects? tigue (tiredness). a) Minor (continue anti-TB drugs) • Decreased appetite, nausea, ab4. Am I at risk?

_

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 2828

W

O

R

ShApeS, LiNeS, ANd ANGLeS

CONE

PENTAGON

CUBE

PERPENDICULAR

CYLINDER

RAY

EQUILATERAL

RIGHT

HEXAGON

SCALENE

HORIZONTAL

SEGMENT

ISOSCELES

SPHERE

LINE

SQUARE

OBLIQUE

STRAIGHT

OBTUSE

TRIANGLE

PARALLEL

VERTICAL

D

D V F I E L I N E S N C U B E I

R F Y B Q K I N O G A T N E P N

Most people start feeling better after a few days of treatment. This is because most of the active germs die during the initial stage of treatment. In this situation the TB germ becomes stronger than the medicine and so the disease does not respond to the usual medicines and becomes reb) Major (stop the drug(s) responsible) sistant to the medicines. When this hap• Deafness • Dizziness (vertigo, imbalance and pens, the patient does not become better even while taking the prescribed mediloss of balance) • Yellowish discoloration of the eye cines or develops new problems while on the medicines. When this happens, sec(jaundice) ond line drugs need to be given for longer • Vomiting and confusion periods of about 18 months to 2 years.

• Visual impairment • Shock, skin rash and decreased urine 11. Do I need to restrict my food? output.

You can eat whatever you like and the Any side effects must be reported to more you eat, the better. Since you need the doctor.

Good follow up with the treating phy- all the energy available to get rid of the sicianis very important to treat side ef- germs. However, protein rich diets are highly recommended during this period. fects and to avoid resistance.

Some of the sources are egg, fish, meat, 9. What will happen if I miss one day’s beans, pulses, nuts, milk and milk products. medicines?

Chances are that nothing major will go wrong. You can just continue with the 12. Do I need to live separately?

No, there is absolutely no reason to same dosage the next day.However it is important not to make this a habit or else isolate yourself from others. If you take the TB germ will become resistant to the your medicines regularly, most people present medicines. Remember being become non-infective within about 2 regular with medicines is absolutely im- weeks of treatment. However you should portant otherwise you will develop resis- cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough to help stop the spread tance to the drugs. of the disease.

10. What is drug resistance?

Roselyn Lasuh and This is a serious problem that happens Worlanso A. Shimray to people who do not take their medicines Tutors, College of Nursing, regularly or stop before completing the CIHSR, Dimapur full course as prescribed by the doctor. dominal pain Joint pains Burning sensation in the feet Orange/red urine ild itching, skin rash

• • • •

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2838

Answer Number # 2827

S

E L O E U H S T R A I G H T N E

E

O N O O I O T O I O B T U S E U

R A Y M L R R I G H T V X E T E

H A H A A I I S O S C E L E S R

A

P X E E T Z L S O I N S S P C E

E S X T E O B N E E Q I C A Y O

R

O P A U R N E O T U E L A R L B

A H G N A T U I A L A C L A I L

Z E O F L A F R G E R O E L N I

C

Q R N I E L E N O O N N N L D Q

V E R T I C A L L A A E E E E U

H

A T A C H I M N L R S U M L R E

U N P E R P E N D I C U L A R F

ACROSS

P X L T A T N E M G E S W I R H

1. “Oh my!”

5. Close 9. Stare 13. Hindu princess 14. Runs in neutral 16. Unique 17. Seats oneself 18. Feudal lord 19. Debauchee 20. Muse of love poetry 22. Accoutrement 24. Precious stones 26. Courtroom event 27. Noisy breathing 30. Rapids 33. Everlasting 35. Mommies 37. French for “Friend” 38. False front 41. Former boxing champ 42. Labyrinths 45. Bishop 48. Indicate 51. Twister 52. Brass musical instruments 54. Cooking fat 55. Gambit 59. _____ and groom

62. Give temporarily 63. Roman god of love 65. See the sights 66. Ear-related 67. Gladden 68. Ancient Peruvian 69. Heredity unit 70. Took flight 71. Requests

DOWN 1. Backside 2. Den 3. Bother 4. Female siblings 5. Zero 6. Modify 7. Watchful 8. Consideration 9. Big ape 10. Nameless 11. Stopper 12. Visual organs 15. Old photo color 21. Leave out 23. Inside of your hand 25. Catch 27. Fraud 28. Wanderer 29. African antelope 31. Emissions

32. A dish of tomatoes and greens 34. ___-tac-toe 36. Storage cylinder 39. Seated oneself 40. God of love 43. Better 44. Lampblack 46. Defeat decisively 47. Resistance to change 49. Small amount 50. Overwhelm 53. Flower part 55. Plod along 56. Carry 57. Shower 58. Small amount 60. Dodge 61. Historical periods 64. Morning moisture

Ans to CrossWord 2837

State and the fortunes of the State very much rests on him.

People in the rest of the country today see a completely different look and Christian in the whole of the North East especially at Nagaland.

Mr. Neiphi Rio has every personal right and freedom to leave the high Post of the Chief Minister of Nagaland and go wherever he likes: the Son of God left his Glory in Heaven and came down to earth to dwell with lowly Man. Individually, it is Neiphi’s own inviolable personal freedom of choice to be with whichever political Party he likes.

However, what is odd is for a Christian Chief Minister to abandon a socalled Christian State and go dancing with a political Party known for its allergic opposition to Christianity:

That is most unfortunate for Nagaland and the Nagas!

It is unfortunate for Nagaland that its Chief Minister abandons the CM Post and goes into collaboration with the BJP for their mutual Interests; not very surprisingly already many a good Naga Christian keep mum on the Issue in loyalty to their understandable educated preference to elitism! They seem to have loyalty more to their influential friends than to their Faith. If the Chief Minister were my own biological Brother, I would have very strongly advised him not to be yoked together with any anti-Christian.

Is God out to teach Naga Christians a good Lesson?

Thepfulhouvi Solo

Election or buying votes?

M

y concept of election is selection/choosing the right leader. Clean election campaign may be good but may not be the right term for action as focused. The focused intention or term I believe is Right election for right leader. The focus intention of election is to select the right leaders. The process does not imply but the fruit does matter. Leaders are chosen. Not claimed.

People choose and elect their leaders representatives.

Right people choose right leaders. Today our Naga society seems to contradict the truth. Leaders buy votes and win the authority to rule and ruin the people. The people become bought servants so compelled by the system of socio-political culture of buying and selling of votes to win the election. It is no more election. It is buylection.

Should we blame the leaders or blame ourselves for the wrong and irresponsible leaders we have created? Basically risking to be a leader in a society is a good willed decision. He/she being convicted his/her sense of responsibility for the good of the society is commendable. Barely citizens perceives the goodwill and aspect of candidates/leaders who take the risk and role of leadership, instead, citizens mostly complain, criticize and condemn the leaders they have selected and elected, and then blaming them of all the failures and problems of the society caused by irresponsible and crooks citizens. If at all we choose a leader, we ought to strengthen his hand and feet for doing good. It is wrong to blame but to create good thing to happen together with the elected leaders.

Wrong leaders are chosen by wrong people. Leaders are not chosen to be blamed for failures or wrongs because citizens don’t strengthen the leaders instead weakened by criticism, faultfinding and blaming for all the social failures. Leaders without the people behind to work with cannot do things right according to wishers. Even if he does right, it is wrong for the wrong people. Wrong people are only wishers and not doers. Our society may be defined as a society of wolves led by leaders of sheep.

True hearted leaders are being elected and spoiled by the people. Is this not true? Democratically, we elect leaders only to be blamed, criticized, condemned and spoiled, the spoiled good leaders in return could not do good to the people but further spoil the people by his authority because he has no other way then to succumb to people’s pressure and temper, otherwise he would be branded as good for nothing. When human value and responsibility are not sensed, prioritized and practiced in all our decision and action, the end result is self-destruction and social downfall. In such an irresponsible society, citizens enslave themselves and remained under self-made bondage. Value-free person or society do not or cannot create free societies.

If we as citizens continue to think in term of demanding, complaining and expecting from the leaders without our contribution or understanding of the hardships and heavy responsibilities they shoulders who are we?

In today’s political culture of our society, party politics are dominating the society with criticism, back biting, faultfinding and dragging each other persons and party down in order to gain or win the election. It has become a culture deeply embedded and characterized nature of the society. Whom shall we blame? The reality is that, any new elected leaders will be no better than the past or present, because the leaders may be good and right but the people are the same old stock of crooks led by brutes.

The new turn and trend for a better civilized generation could be to change himself and then change the society. Leaders are equally human and like any common citizen. It is no right and no use finding faults or failures of the leaders but to press on doing the right thing for which they are elected. I sensed that our society and people should rellok and rethink the way we, live, act and choose our leaders. All we can start doing for a desire change to take place in our society is to begin changing from self to society and Nation through rebuilding of ones way of thinking and living by means of adopting valued-based culture and high moral activities like selfless service, feeling compassion for the needy, giving preference for one another, respect, tolerance, Peace and understanding of the need and feeling of others.

Changers’ League is a networking initiative of youths for positive change born of moral conviction of citizens whose heart and hands have been touched by the graces of service to humanity, whose conscience speaks sharp within to act out the truth in shaping abd building a better social order and global order. Readers may reach out to members of Changers’ League through the given electronic mail. changers@gmail.com for any comment or query.

G.Gwangphun Secretary, Changers’ League

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.

LOCAL

The Morung Express

Monday 24 March 2014

Dimapur

5

Election News State bJP highlights airlines, highways Election expenditure observer visits Phek and railway issues in Nagaland

Dimapur, march 23 (mExN): The Nagaland State unit of the BJP met Nagaland Governor, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, on March 21 last and apprised him on issues pertaining to the National Highways maintained by Border Roads Organisation (BRO), status of airlines flying in and out of Nagaland, railways and DDK Kohima.

Recalling the assurance given by the Governor in September 2013 to take the matter to the “appropriate authorities” at the Centre with regard to infrastructure building such as Roads-under BRO & NH, Railways, and

Communication - BSNL, the Nagaland BJP delegation lamented that “there has been hardly any improvement, except some improvement in the roads.” The Party appealed to the Governor again to urgently take these matters up with the Central Government.

This was stated in a press release from the K. James Vizo, spokesperson and general secretary of BJP Nagaland.

While interacting with the Governor, Nagaland BJP unit’s president, Dr. M. Chuba Ao, expressed resentment over the “quality and the workmanship of the BRO” as well as “resurfacing” which “halted its work near police

DPDA meeting on March 25 Dimapur, march 23 (mExN): Dimapur Petroleum Dealers’ Association (DPDA) has convened a general meeting on March 25, 2:00 pm at Faith Hospital conference hall, Dimapur, wherein new team of office bearers will be selected. Therefore, all members have been requested to attend the meeting positively along with last year’s dues, who are yet to submit.

ACAUT rectifies on Zunheboto tour Dimapur, march 23 (mExN): Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation Nagaland (ACAUT) on March 23 at 6:00 am had a one hour prayer time for the coming all Nagaland district tour, led by Pastor Yapang of Covenant Baptist Church.

ACAUT in a release further rectified that Zunheboto tour will be held in its second phase of all Nagaland tour and that it was mistakenly included in the schedule of the first phase of its tour.

check gate Dimapur.” The BJP has learnt from the Governor that the reason for halting these works is due to “nonrelease of fund by the Central Govt. The Central Government has sanctioned funds only for 38 Kms which has been utilized.” The BJP also learnt that the Centre is yet to approve the work for about 18km at Kohima and 12km at Dimapur to be handed from BRO to PWD. The BJP State unit, whose delegation to the Governor included Dr. M. Chuba Ao, K. James Vizo, R. Sopu vicepresident and Bimal Shethi treasurer, recalled that “When the Party delegation met the

BRO Chief Engineer Sewak (BRO), Vinod Kumar on 20th oct. 2013, he stated that the road from Dimapur to Mao gate will be completed by 31st March, does he meant by march 2015? Therefore, in this regard, the party would like to seek the clarification from the BRO.” The Party has seriously viewed the “indifferent attitude of the BRO in Nagaland,” and stated that Nagaland State needs to be “treated in equality at par with other States in India, it therefore fervently appeal to the concerned authority to change its complacent attitude in the interest of the people of the state

BJP ask NPCC to publish party’s policies & accomplishments Dimapur, march 23 (mExN): BJP Nagaland has demanded from the NPCC to publish its party’s “detailed policies and accomplishments on the 5 points which the public rightfully ought to know for a balanced opinion.” In a press statement, the state BJP expressed astonishment that NPCC had failed to “grasp the BJP’s version complete-

ly and therefore correctly.”

This, the BJP said, “probably crippled the NPCC from not being able to provide logically sound concrete answers to the BJP’s explanation on the 5 points raised by the NPCC themselves. Rather, they had chosen to whack around the bush with their tunnel vision of communalism and avoided giving their party’s

point of view on the 5 issues concerned.”

The BJP affirmed that if their (NPCC) shortcoming was because of the “incomplete unfair reporting in certain print media due to want of space or otherwise, the NPCC may benefit by referring to alternate press reports and thereby come to a logical conclusion and understanding and refrain

from immatured opinions on the BJP Nagaland.” It further stated that if NPCC is still “overwhelmed with misgivings about BJP, they are welcome to visit the party’s Head office and receive detailed information.” The statement also noted that BJP, NPF and JD(U) had always been a part and parcel of the DAN coalition in the last 11 years.

Meet held regarding PWDs

NFHRCC to verify Lotha sector Dimapur, march 23 (mExN): All the NFHRCC members have been informed that the Committee will undertake spot verification at Lotha sector on March 25, 2014. Convenor Supu Jamir has requested all members to wear their respective tribe attire and assemble at 7:00 am at the treasurer's residence.

in general and in particular to build its own image of the most reputed organization of the Nation.”

On the issue of airlines, the BJP State unit expressed its disappointment over the cut down of services to the State to only 5 times a week.

On railways, it demanded for more reservation quota and the urgent need to construct platform numbers 2 and 3 of the Dimapur railway station.

On DDK Kohima, the BJP expressed the need to improve infrastructure and acute shortage of manpower in the Kendra “which has been functioning without a regular Director or Station Director.”

The District Excise, Dimapur confiscated 60 bottles of rum at the Chumukedima Excise check-post on March 21. The liquor was found hidden in a Maruti car (HR 20E 3534), which was driven by one Kevin Belho. It was bound for Kohima.

In the image, District Excise officials are seen with the arrested, and the impounded liquor and car.

Dimapur, march 23 (mExN): One-day convergence meeting on Disability – Nagaland was held on March 20 at People in Need Foundation (PNF), Dimapur. The meeting was attended by government officials, NGOs and several individuals.

A release informed that PNF chairman explained the growth of work among disabled persons in Nagaland, particularly Dimapur.

From village level formation of Disable Peoples’ Organization to formation of State Level Disability Forum was a great leap, he stated.

The departments then shared their services to the People with Disabili-

ties (PWDs). Each department had taken up the issues of PWDs and initiated several programmes.

Notable among them were food and civil supplies, Nagaland state transport, Education department’s SSA-IED, District Social Welfare and Medical department, the release added.

The discussion that followed raised issues like revival of District Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) at Dimapur Hospital complex, activation of Dimapur Unit Red Cross Society and the need for pressure groups to follow up the issues with the authorities concerned.

phEk, march 23 (Dipr): Election Expenditure Observer Sushil Kumar Singh arrived at Phek headquarters on March 21 regarding the forthcoming Parliamentary Election 2014 and interacted with the Phek Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer C.M. Tsanglao (IAS) and his sub-ordinate officer. It may be noted that, for any queries regarding expenditure relating to the forthcoming Parliamentary Election 2014, any political parties or individual under Phek district can clarify by contacting Election Expenditure Observer through the following numbers and e-mail address. Fax No.- 0370- 2242161; Mobile No.- 8414084806; E-mail: sushilidas@gmail.com.

District Level Standing Committee meeting held at Pughoboto

pughoboto, march 23 (Dipr): District Level Standing Committee meeting was held at the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner & Assistant Returning Officer Pughoboto on March 19. The meeting was chaired by ADC & ARO Pughoboto, Nokchasashi and attended by its members.

The chairman apprised the house on the forthcoming general election to the Lok Sabha 2014 and highlighted on the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct which came into force from 5th March 2014. He informed the members that the main responsibility of the District Level Standing Committee is to ensure free and fair conduct of the election process.

Fixing responsibility on all the members he also solicited better cooperation and coordination between the law enforcing agencies and the district administration. He also informed the members on the prohibition of carrying arms, sale of liquor and defacement of public property. Informing the house that the order directing all the arms license holders to deposit their arms to the nearest police station was issued through the respective village councils, he requested SDPO Pughoboto and OC Pughoboto/Ghathashi to make necessary arrangement for proper custody of all arms deposited at the police station till the election is completed. He also instructed the members to take necessary action and ensure that the Static Surveillance Teams and Flying Squads are in place and operational along with necessary video capturing devices, and to observe proper procedure in the event of seizures of any prohibited items.

Peren Deputy Commissioner informs on defacement of properties

pErEN, march 23 (mEwN): Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer Peter Lichamo has informed that under the Nagaland Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1985, no political party or candidate shall permit its or his followers to make use of any individual's land, building, compound, wall, etc., without his permission for erecting flag staff, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans, etc. No political party/ association/body or candidate or their workers, supporters or sympathizers has/have any right to deface or spoil any private or public building by pasting of their posters, writing of slogans, painting of their symbols, etc.

Temporary establishment materials such as flags and banners is permitted to be put up in private premises provided, a photocopy of the voluntary permission in writing is obtained and submitted to the R.O. within 3 days of putting up flags and banners in such cases in the manner prescribed.

In private vehicles, subject to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, Rules thereunder and subject to court orders in force, if any, flags and stickers may be put on the vehicles by the owner of the vehicle on his own volition, in such a manner that they do not cause any inconvenience or distraction to other road users. If such display of flags and stickers aim to solicit vote for any particular candidate, then the provisions of sec 171 H of IPC would be attracted and would be followed.

Use of loudspeakers is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and the use of loud speaker, whether fitted in vehicles of any kinds or in static position for public meeting for electioneering purposes during the entire election period till the ending that of the declaration of result will be permitted only between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the written of the authority concerned.

Public SPace

Reflection on Pope Francis’ Lenten Message, 2014

Introduction:

What is Lent?

The Season of Lent, which reminds us the forty days Jesus spent in the desert before taking up his Father’s mission, is celebrated by all Christian Churches as a period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

The Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, on which day the faithful are imposed ashes on their foreheads. This symbolic action of imposing ashes reminds us that we are mere mortals – “You are dust and unto dust you shall return” (cf. Gen 3:19) and that we are sinners in need of repentance – “Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel” (Mk 1:15). Ash Wednesday, therefore, reminds us that we are mere mortal beings, that this world we live is not our permanent home, and that we are sinners in need of metanoia, conversion of mind, heart and vision.

Far from this stark reality of our existence, Ash Wednesday presents us two profound faith realities, that is, our permanent home is with God in heaven and our Father in heaven is a loving and forgiving God (Joel 2:13b).

It is because of these faith realities the Season of Lent is a grace-filled season – “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:12) – a season of turning back to God and of journeying back home (Lk 15:11-24). This grace-filled season of repentance and forgiveness is referred to as a springtime of Christian life. I would like to offer some thought on Lenten observance base on Pope Frances’ reflection, how best we can live out Lenten poverty in context of forth coming election and the Year of Family.

Pope Francis’ Reflection on Lent: In his first message, Pope Francis focuses on the poverty of Christ as a model for imitating during this Lenten period of Forty Days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. He writes that God “does not reveal himself cloaked in worldly power and wealth but rather in weakness and poverty.” He explains this fact of God by quoting

St. Paul who wrote; “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). The Pope explains that love is the reason why God had acted in this mysterious way - “But the reason for all this is his love, … a love which does not hesitate to offer itself in sacrifice for the beloved. … God did this with us.” This act of love, “the logic of incarnation and the cross” is “his way of loving us, his way of being our neighbour, just as the Good Samaritan was neighbour to the man left half dead by the side of the road” (cf. Lk 10:25ff). This self emptying or poverty of Jesus is not like someone who gives alms from his abundance out of a sense of altruism and piety but is from a profound experience of his Father’s infinite love and mercy. Hence, his poverty is out of the richness of his being the Son of God the Father, who is abounding in love, compassion and tenderness. It is this experience of Jesus, the inexhaustible love of the Father, which is the source, motive and drive of Jesus’ poverty, his selfless donation in order to enrich others – “to become sons and daughters in the Son, brothers and sisters in the firstborn brother” (cf. Rom 8:29).

The Holy Father describes three types of destitution we Christians are called to confront in imitation of our Master Jesus. The three types of destitution we confront are material, moral and spiritual. The Pope writes, “Material destitution is what is normally called poverty, and affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally.” The main reason for material poverty is due to displaced priority - “When power, luxury and money become idols, they take priority over the need for a fair distribution of wealth”.

He describes moral destitution as “slavery to vice and sin”. He laments that moral destitution has affected many families especially the young

members of the family, who are “in thrall to alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography”. He opines that ‘unjust social conditions, unemployment, which takes away their dignity as breadwinners, and lack of equal access to education and health care are some important causes, which blurs many people from seeing ‘the meaning in life or prospects for the future, or have lost hope’. This moral destitution is closely linked to spiritual destitution, ‘which we experience when we turn away from God and reject his love.

Encouraging the faithful to “imitate Christ who became poor and enriched us by his poverty,” Pope Francis calls for self-denial, which hurts us while enriching others during this Lenten period. To counter material destitution Pope Francis asks us to shed our obsession for “power, luxury and money” and convert our conscience to “justice, equality, simplicity and sharing”. Since moral and spiritual destitution has much to do with the loss of self-esteem, trust and hope, Holy Father recommends ‘the Gospels as the “real antidote”.’

He invites all Christians to joyously “proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he freely loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and eternal life.” Pope Francis urges Christians to follow and imitate Jesus, “who sought out the poor and sinners, and console broken hearts and offer hope to our brothers and sisters experiencing darkness”. God is the ultimate answer to our world’s problem, “What gives us true freedom, true salvation and true happiness is the compassion, tenderness and solidarity of his love” in Christ Jesus. This poverty of Jesus is not merely an item/idea for preaching, rather imitating our Master, who taking flesh and bearing our weaknesses and sins as an expression of God’s infinite mercy to us, “we Christians are called to face the poverty of our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take practical

steps to alleviate it.” The Pope is convinced that in this way, “we can courageously open up new paths of evangelization and human promotion”.

Relevance of Pope Francis’ Lenten Message today: Pope Francis’ Lenten reflection, centered on the poverty of Christ that enriches and gives life to others, has special relevance as India prepares her General Election and as the world celebrates the Year of Family. He clearly underlined that there is greatness in poverty or self-denial and self-sacrifice because it enriches and liberates other. This conviction and life style of Jesus’ leadership is something our society sorely needs, and so urgently.

The spontaneous rise of Aam Admi Party, a political phenomenon, under the leadership of Mr. Kejriwal is a clear and audacious message, hidden for a long time, that India is thirsting for a genuine, honest and unassuming servant-type of leadership.

In our society, rulers/leaders lording it over or exercising authority over citizens is taken as normal. This style is simply “might makes right” – if you have more money power, if you have more army of gangsters or powerful underground support – you run the show. Here the concept of “lording over” implies absolute power over another. In this leadership you herd people together, and tell them what to do. If anyone disagrees or challenges, you eliminate him/her. This is how Hitler and Pol Pot exercised leadership during their times. This style of leadership or exercising greatness was prevalent in even Jesus’ time. Servants and slaves do not define leadership or greatness in their vocabulary and dictionary, as it is in our society today. This type of leadership ushers in the reign of the culture of death, where chaos and lawlessness, growing inequality, hopelessness of the common people, social division and violence become the order of the day, which are familiar phenomena in our society.

To this kind of the culture of death, where people considered lording it over as greatness, Jesus was emphatic

in saying, “No” – “Not so with you” (Mk 10:43). For him greatness and leadership is in service, not in ‘lording over’.

Jesus inverted the whole understanding, style and landscape of leadership or greatness when he said: “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mk 10: 43-44). He himself said, ‘He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mk 10:45). In his scheme of the world to come, society flourishes when men or women who are humble, law abiding, who make sacrifices at the service of others, who transcend selfish ambitions and who are honest and just in dispensing their duties are chosen as leaders. Society degrades when arrogant people with selfish ambition (inordinate love for money and position), who flout law and justice and who are ungodly are elected as leaders. Finding greatness in service begins by giving up ones personal right to be served. It is in putting one’s life at the service of others even to the point of sacrificing one’s ambitious life for the good of humanity.

Conclusion: I want to reiterate that our society needs a new kind of leadership based on service rather than lording over people, and finding greatness in humble service rather than arrogance. This is what Pope Francis is advocating when he exhorts Christians and men and women of good will to imitate the poverty of Christ.

Jesus’ leadership and greatness is based on poverty, which comes from the prompting of his Father to love and do good to others as against the lure of power, fame and riches.

This new outlook on leadership and greatness can come about only when we also follow the dictates of conscience, the voice of God, inviting us to do good and to shun evil. In following conscience human beings act in dignity and promote long term good to the society. This time the General Election gives an opportunity to exercise our franchise based on the dic-

tates of conscience rather than money, food and empty promises. Elect people who are genuine, who fear God, who make sacrifices for common good and not selfish, Godless, lawless, haughty or criminals as your leader. Let everyone exercise the right of franchise freely enlightened by the voice of conscience. Let conscience be our guide, and not the enticement of money, not party affiliation, not selfish ambition or the threat of violence. Let genuine leadership and true greatness flourish in our society.

Family is the basic unit of the society, the small church or temple. The seeds of service and greatness are first sowed and nurtured in the family.

The primary teachers and architects of sacrificial service in the family are parents who find greatness in service rather than in being served. Traditional marriage which implies service to the partner no matter the circumstance prepares a fertile atmosphere where true greatness and leadership is nurtured. In a family where parents practice poverty, which implies lovingly giving up personal rights in order to serve the needs of the other; children grow up to become leaders who can sacrifice so that others could benefit. The future of our society will depend on what kind of parents we make of and what kind of family we raise/nurture. As John Paul II said, “The world passes by the family”, which means the society comes from and is the reflection of the family.

Obviously, a society produces many great leaders when parents practice and nurture poverty of self-sacrifice and service in the family. In a society where there is exaggerated emphasis on personal rights, legalistic justice and individualism, the Lenten spirit of poverty is an anti-dote. Families, especially Christian families, who imitate the poverty of their Leader (Master) Jesus Christ, can contribute much to the transformation of our society.

I wish all the readers, a fruitful Lenten season and a joyful Easter!

Archbishop Dominic Lumon

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 MonDAy 24 MArcH 2014 voluME IX IssuE 80

Along Longkumer consulting Editor

Manifesto for Nagaland

W

ith another Lok Sabha election round the corner it is once again time for people to choose which political party or leader will represent them in Parliament. To make the exercise of elections meaningful as well as participatory efforts must be made to engage both the people and leaders on various issues before us. In a welcome move aimed at preparing an agenda for the next government to tackle, the Times of India (TOI) has put together a manifesto that it would like political parties to study seriously and even incorporate into their own. Not everything mentioned will echo with voters back home but in the context of a State like Nagaland some of the relevant points raised in the TOI manifesto include the following: ending wasteful government expenditure, allocating resources in a transparent manner, bringing black money back and administrative reforms.

In another survey of voters, economic growth is seen as the number one issue followed closely by corruption, inflation, tax, law and order, access to government benefits, leadership and even identity. Closer home, the youths of Nagaland have compiled the top ten issues confronting the State and listed them in the 'Top ten Nagaland Youth Manifesto 2014' under the nationwide campaign 'My Space My unManifesto'. This manifesto includes among others, passing of Lokayukta Bill in the Nagaland Assembly along with establishing a CBI branch at the earliest.

Other noteworthy agendas mentioned are, better implementation of project in the constituencies by the MLAs/Ministers; better road connectivity; improving health services; youth-centric policies; promotion of meritocracy and not nepotism etc.

What could be the issues of importance for Nagaland? Unfortunately things like fighting corruption or providing good governance does not seem to enjoy place of prominence for our voters. This despite claims that we are a Christian State. Is there something wrong with us as a people or is it the system that does not ensure free and fair elections? Perhaps it is both.

Consider the fact that during the last Assembly elections in the State, the Nagaland Congress talked about bringing a Lokayukta Bill on the lines of the Lok Pal. The NPF on the other hand was silent on this important aspect to tackle corruption and yet the party went on to register a landslide victory and returning Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for a third consecutive term. It shows that corruption is not an election issue in Nagaland.

It is also true that most issues raised in such election manifestos have to be addressed by respective State governments. The government at the Centre will be concerned more with national issues which are outside the purview of States. Some of the important agenda like bringing in a Lokayukta Bill will perhaps have to wait for the next Assembly election as it is the elected government in the State which will have to bring this about. It is unlikely that the present NPF government will introduce such a bill at this juncture. The point really is that an Assembly Election provides a better opportunity to bring people centric issues to the table and thereby addressing them more effectively.

Having said that though, the coming Lok Sabha election will be important from the point of view of taking forward the Naga political issue and the other problems related to it such as on the ceasefire mechanism and its fallout, unabated taxation or extortion by armed groups. Besides going by the concerns voiced in different social forums or media, several other issues remain in the context of Nagaland. According to this column, these would include the political reconciliation of the Naga Political Groups (NPGs); the demand for Frontier Nagaland by the ENPO; Article 371 (A) and its safeguard; tackling corruption; administrative reforms, youth employment and lastly how to fast track development, particularly improving basic infrastructures like road and electricity. People want answers and therefore both the DAN consensus candidate Neiphiu Rio and Congress candidate KV Pusa should explain their position on all these important matters and what they plan to do if elected.

(Feedback can be send to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)

lEfT wiNg |

Nury Vittachi IANS

Tech invading the most intimate parts of our lives

E

very decision you take these days, you must think technology. I told my children to be really careful about naming their first pet, adopted from a dog rescue shelter, because "her name will be the answer to your internet security question for the rest of your lives". So she was very nearly the only dog in the world called EasyPassword.

When naming each of my children, I of course checked on the internet to see if their names were available, and chose the names Jem_527, Kelci_286 and Lexi_762. But my wife vetoed the number bits, as she totally doesn't understand the web.

She got her wish, as I have long believed in the Golden Rule for Married Men, which goes like this. How to Lose an Argument with a Woman: 1) Take part.

Technology puts power in the palm of your hand, allowing people with quick reactions to change the course of history.

A few days ago, a man went out of his house and saw a naked couple blatantly engaging in what we might call conjugal behavior. Shocked, he used his phone to summon police to the street in the south of Sweden, according to a report I was forwarded from Sydostran, the local newspaper. Police arrived at high speed, but flatly refused to arrest the pair, pointing out that they were having a cuddle in their own home, while their accuser was peeping through their window.

My take on this is that the caller probably didn't really "get" the whole Peeping Tom thing. The peeper is not supposed to call the cops: that's the job of the peepees, so to speak. (So much for the much-vaunted Swedish education system!)

Many people are not ready for the technology era. In Florida recently, a man and his wife were accused by immigration officials of being in a fake marriage for a passport, according to a report sent to me from the Sun-Sentinel newspaper. The judge asked them to prove they were a real couple. The man offered to show him their digitally recorded bedroom videos.

The horrified judge refused to look.

Can judges decline evidence on the basis of it being too icky and embarrassing? If so, Italian judges could use this excuse to avoid seeing evidence of any of the evening activities of Silvio Berlusconi, the chubby, sex-obsessed 77-year-old. Prosecutor: "We will now show the video evidence, your honour."

Judge: "Eww, no! You want I should lose my lunch?"

The saddest tech news report of recent days may be the one about Christopher Viatafa, a California guy who Googled himself, as one does. Up popped his name on a "Police Most Wanted" list. He'd been charged with firing a gun in a public place. That's a crime in America now? I thought you got awards from the NRA for that sort of thing.

Anyway, judges worldwide are choosing not to jail people.

The hot new thing is to put folks "under house arrest". That's when you can't go to work but have to stay at home and watch TV and sleep and surf the net. Not sure how this qualifies as a punishment. How to get sentenced? Not sure, but I'm going to start by Googling myself.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Adam P MacDonald Asia Times Online

Myanmar leaves old dichotomies behind

T

he rise of Myanmese President Thein Sein's quasi-civilian government in 2011 was met largely with skepticism that his administration would be a continuation of military rule by different means. Such concerns were justified, as Thein Sein had served as prime minister under the previous ruling military junta.

First introduced as the "seven step roadmap" to democracy in 2003, the entire democratic "reform" process was designed and implemented exclusively by the ruling generals. The culmination of this process resulted in the staging and rigging of the 2010 general elections to ensure the victory of the military's political surrogate, the Union of Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), led by a number of recently retired senior military officers.

To be sure, the military's manipulation of the electoral process and new democratic structures has been obvious. The exact motivations behind the military's introduction of a new democratic order and move away from direct military rule are still unclear.

The implication of such an extensive reconfiguration of the state is, however, significant in its own right.

New institutions and practices have changed the political system from a military regime of exclusive jurisdiction within a closed system, to that of a presidential republic with a parliamentary system determined by multi-party elections. These measures, whether intended or not by their architects, have opened up the political realm in unprecedented ways.

While political power has become more diffused, a combination of constitutional stipulations, electoral manipulations and close institutional and personal ties between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's military) and the USDP-led government has ensured the continuation of military personalities running the state.

This phenomenon is best described as a change, but not of the regime.

The military has withdrawn from running the day-to-day affairs of the state, but remains a powerful political actor through constitutional protections.

A legally guaranteed 25 percent representation in parliament gives the Tatmadaw an effective veto of any proposed constitutional amendments.

It is also strongly represented in the cabinet through its role in appointing the ministers of defense, borders and home, and maintains a weighted majority on the National Security and Defense Council, the most powerful executive body in the country. Furthermore, the military has effectively cordoned off security portfolios from civilian oversight and is an autonomous entity not accountable to parliament.

Though comprised primarily of former military officers, Thein Sein's government has charted a new course, different in style and substance from previous military governments. He has undertaken extensive and intensive economic and political reforms, signaling a genuine desire to change the nature of Myanmar's state and society.

His government continues to build new working relations with once cast-out and persecuted entities, including the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), led by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and various ethnic rebel groups. It has also engaged Western nations, resulting in the suspension or rollback of economic sanctions that targeted the previous junta and made the country an international pariah.

This more inclusive style of politics is in part a function of, and has contributed to, the emerging multipolarity of Myanmar's politics. This shift is defined by diminishing barriers to entry into the political realm, the diffusion of power into new institutions and the establishment of new arenas of democratic competition.

This ongoing transition challenges the standard characterization of Myanmar's political system as a binary contest between democrats and reformers on one side, versus the authoritarian military and their proxies on the other. As political actors with changing identities and interests across a plethora of issues emerge, new relationships are creating areas of cooperation and conflict within and between these supposedly monolithic and mutually exclusive groups.

The USDP and Tatmadaw, as the two most inter-

I

s there a wave for the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi? Certainly yes, if you watch television channels that day-afterday and night-after-night showcase a man who has been projected as decisive and charismatic, with plans to rid the country of corruption and has already drawn a roadmap to take India to higher economic growth.

But is this for real or just media hype to create a mirage of a man who, despite being cleared of all involvement by the Supreme Court, would always carry the blot for the 2002 Godhra riots as they happened under his watch.

Only May 16 would prove whether Modi will get the coveted seat. But what is disheartening at the moment for many is the way the media, or could I say some sections of the electronic media, are "glorifying" Modi.

There is no doubt Modi comes across as a decisive and efficient leader who could change India's economic landscape as he emphasises on the need to focus on development rather than on Hinduism.

But it is not a hidden fact that Modi has carefully worked on creating his public profile after the taint of the Godhra riots in which 1,200 people, mostly Muslims, died, as he knew that the road to 7 Race Course Road was not easy?

From here on, Brand Modi was created successfully through the new and old media. In the social media, Modi already is a brand. On Twitter, he has

linked and powerful actors, continue to maintain a strong relationship in support of the overall political architecture and the benefits it affords them. There is, however, a small yet growing divergence (though not open conflict) between these entities as they further develop new identities and roles in the political system, with different power bases.

The military seems content to remain on the sidelines as long as it continues to be an insulated and powerful political actor, acting as a veto player over proposed major political changes. For the USDP, on the other hand, electoral success now serves as the main avenue through which its members will access and maintain power.

As the 2015 election draws near, it is uncertain how long the USDP will continue to promote Thein Sein's reform agenda, particularly in regards to political liberalization, for fear of constructing a system which ultimately leads to its demise. If the 2012 landslide by-elections that catapulted Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders into parliamentary seats are any indication, the USDP faces not only defeat but potential electoral annihilation at the hands of the NLD. The USDP therefore stands at a crossroads: continue reforms which may lead to their downfall, or begin to manipulate the democratic structures in place, to maintain its rule. At the same time, intraUSDP competition between Thein Sein and Parliamentary Speaker Thura Shwe Mann demonstrates not only personal tensions between the two former generals, but also how new institutional identities in this case, the chief executive versus the head of the legislature - create sources of conflict between supposed military allies.

Having an allied partner in government is no doubt beneficial, but the military primarily wants to maintain political influence over the system at large and may not be willing to intervene directly to save the USDP. It is entirely conceivable that as long as the military preserves its veto power in parliament, it will allow a non-military, NLD-led government to take power if the opposition party wins the next election.

The USDP needs popular support (even in a rigged system), and may try to distance itself from the military to obtain it, projecting an identity of a competent and independent party focused on continued reform.

The Tatmadaw's continued arms-trading relationship with North Korea is but one example of where Thein Sein's government appears to lack oversight, much less have control, over military activities which detract from his reformist image and agenda.

Beyond those in uniform, there is a tendency to lump the rest of Myanmar's political actors together as democrats and reformers, united in their determination to rid the political system of the military. And there is broad agreement about the need to eventually remove the military from politics, entailing a fundamental reconfiguration of civil-military affairs, as an essential requirement in the continuation of the country's democratic project.

Ethnic inclusion This focus, however, often overshadows and marginalizes the complexity inherent in the country's still-deep ethnic divisions. Myanmar is home to hundreds of ethnic minorities representing around onethird of the population. They are largely settled along the borderlands, which have experienced decades of ongoing violence and conflict with the Tatmadaw.

Thein Sein's government has made it a priority to broker ceasefire agreements with the few remaining hold-outs, but many ethnic groups still have tense relationships with the military over human-rights abuses and land seizures. Victimized by military aggression and marginalized by an ethnic Burman majority, many minority groups advocate autonomy and the establishment of a federal system. The Tatmadaw remains cool to such suggestions, particularly calls for the creation of a "federal" military that would allow ethnic armies to keep their weapons.

The issue of ethnic inclusion not only affects the ruling USDP and the military, but also Myanmar's other Burman-dominated political actor: the NLD. Suu Kyi, a democracy icon and Nobel Laureate, is the face of hope and reform in Myanmar. She has an un-

canny ability to walk a fine line between the advocacy of system change (especially with regards to the military) while working with the current power holders in keeping the current system functional.

On ethnic minority issues, however, the NLD has largely been silent. Only recently has Suu Kyi indicated her willingness to work with some ethnic parties in the promotion of a federal state, though the details of this political arrangement remain unclear. Such moves, however, have caused concern in some segments of the Burman population.

A number of outspoken and highly nationalistic Buddhist monks have doubted Suu Kyi's ability to protect the Burman majority as more ethnic minorities are included in the country's polity. The divisiveness of ethnic tensions is most apparent and troubling in the ongoing clashes between Rohingya Muslims and Burman Buddhists in Rakhine state.

Neither the NLD nor USDP has developed a coherent plan or shown any desire to resolve the issue.

Continued strife may be capitalized upon by the military as a justification for their continued guardianship over the political system, whereby the need for stability and national security outweighs democratic reform and ethnic inclusion.

Ongoing constitutional debates provide further evidence of the growing potential alignments and cleavages between Myanmar's diverse actors. In January, a parliamentary committee dominated by the USDP and military members recommended that no significant changes be made to the 2010 Constitution.

Both Thein Sein and Shwe Mann have advocated a further review, including in regard to the military's role in politics and allowances for "any citizen" to become president. These statements may be political rhetoric, but also highlight the USDP's focus on electoral palatability, even at the expense - to some degree - of protecting the military's position.

If the constitution is not amended, Suu Kyi will not be permitted to run for president in next year's polls. The question is rising whether the NLD will threaten to boycott the election, returning to the streets and mobilizing "people power" to force constitutional change. Such a move would erode the hard work done in recent years to build relations with the military after decades of confrontation.

There is a risk, therefore, that Suu Kyi and the NLD could be seen as obstructionist, including by certain ethnic groups, to the wider reform process if they boycott the polls. Constitutional recommendations of greater power sharing with ethnic groups, alongside recent statements by Thein Sein signaling that his government and the USDP are warming to the eventuality of a federal polity, have been widely viewed as positive steps.

From the perspective of ethnic parties, progress toward national reconciliation is now viewed as possible with either an NLD or USDP-led government in place. The continued pluralization and diversification of the political landscape reveals a collection of actors that is more messy than the past portrayal of democrats versus authoritarians.

For genuine reformers, the long-term goal should be to strengthen the current system's permanence, and its resistance to entities trying to manipulate it for their own benefit. In the short term, however, these motivations are creating the political space necessary for such a system to take root, as actors reconfigure their identities, interests and relationships with one another.

While reformers must for now reach out to their counterparts to work within the system, despite its flaws and bias towards those in power, they are simultaneously entrenching rules, institutions and norms that will ideally outlive the powerful individuals (military and civilian) who until now have largely dominated Myanmar's politics.

All of Myanmar's political actors should avoid polarizing matters to such an extent that the older and simpler divisions between them re-emerge. Such a polarization would only limit their willingness and ability to work with one another in the difficult task of simultaneously balancing system functionality alongside change.

Adam P MacDonald is an independent academic based in Halifax, Canada. He regularly comments on Myanmar's ongoing democratic transition via the East Asia Forum.

Media must not lose credibility Kavita Bajeli-Datt IANS

over 3.5 million followers, while on Facebook over 11 million people like his profile.

It was this US-president-like media blitzkrieg that ensured that he became Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral mascot.

But this is old news. What is new is the way the media is going on about Modi. The only threat now to Modi's ascent to the prime ministerial throne seems to be the new entrant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). While the Congress appears to be a sinking ship and even its senior leaders are not keen to test the political waters, no strong leader from the now-defunct Third Front has emerged so far, though there are as many as 10 contenders for the top post.

As the AAP has clearly emerged as a threat to the BJP - as indicated by innumerable opinion polls that the NDA will get over 200 seats in the general elections - the media has rightly or wrongly started vilifying its leader, Arvind Kejriwal, the man who created political history by catapulting his party in the national scene after his spectacular victory in Delhi. He

got 28 seats in the Delhi elections and formed a government for just 29 days.

It is a largely known fact that media is an important tool and could sway the mood of the voters - an estimated 815 million - this time. But is it right if one leader is singled out?

I don't agree with Kejriwal when he says that the media should be jailed for promoting Modi. But the point he has raised on media is a pertinent one: Is the media fair?

The question has to be answered by the media itself. And it is a tough call. But what influential sections of the media, particularly television, is not realizing is that by its daily "bashing" of Kejriwal they may be eroding their credibility before the masses and it could boomerang not only on them but also on the man they are busy promoting: Modi.

Have they forgotten the "India Shining" campaign of 2004 after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government tried to come back to power? The entire campaign turned on the BJP and the Congress and its allies under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power.

wRiTE-wiNg

A homemaker and a mother of three grown-up children asked me directly one day when she came to know that I am part of media: "Why is media criticizing Kejriwal? Is there any hidden agenda?"

The woman in question has traditionally been a BJP voter, but changed her political affiliation after AAP came into existence in 2009. I had no answer for her. I tried my best to wriggle out of her question.

But without listening to me, the 60-year-old woman said: "Media is compromised. It is fine to praise Modi, but it should not be at the cost of maligning the reputation of another.

"Can't they understand people know what they are doing (by promoting Modi)? Who will believe them? I don't and my family does not. And I am sure many others have seen the game (of the media). What is the use?"

The media is not realising that this is a wake-up call. Today a few hundreds are asking this question, tomorrow many thousands will.

In fact, a first-time voter, Sachin Sharma, asked me this question again. "Isn't what Kejriwal is saying true (media promoting Modi for monetary consideration)?"

I again tried to wriggle out of this question. But how long could I escape? At the end of the day, I will have to answer it. The media needs to be relevant to the masses who want from us information, and analysis, and not predictions.

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

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

7

Monday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

24 March 2014

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Bangladesh: playing the long game Dying to give back to the earth Hunter Marshall

T

Michael Jacob

his week, Hindu communities across Bangladesh celebrated the spring festival of Holi. Their songs and dances could have provoked rioting in a country acutely sensitive to religious identity. Instead, the country’s Muslim majority greeted the festivities equably, some even joining in.

Such displays of unity are not unprecedented in Bangladeshi history. Forty years ago, they led to the declaration of this young nation’s independence, and to this day they remain common throughout the armed forces and on the cricket field. Just two months ago, Bangladesh peacefully hosted millions of pilgrims for Bishwa Ijtema – the largest gathering in the Muslim world after the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Mobs in Dhaka who, weeks before, had been lynching supporters of radical Islam maintained a discreet silence throughout the celebrations. These are promising signs for the potential of peace and social cohesion. Unfortunately, they remain interludes in a cycle of politicized calumny and bloodshed.

Earlier this year, clashes resumed between the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the Awami League, following a national election boycotted by the BNP-led opposition. The party had called in October for the incumbent Awami League to pass power over to a neutral caretaker government to oversee the vote. As the demands went ignored, the election campaign descended into a series of violent strikes, claiming the lives of 150 people and ending in a 48-hour mass demonstration which forced the Election Commission to close 500 voting centres on account of violence, intimidation and arson.

With over half the country's parliamentary seats left uncontested and a record low turnout, the Awami League has since retained power on a paper-thin mandate. So peaceful gatherings for Holi and Bishwa Ijtema offer hope but the greed and short sightedness of its politics suggest that hope may not be enough.

Why care?

Over the past decade, the gross domestic product of Bangladesh has grown steadily at 6% a year, into the 59th largest in the world.

The country has built a world-leading textile industry and, according to Goldman Sachs, could even become a prominent economy in the twenty first century. But these forecasts rely on a political stability which is fraying by the day.

International security is also at stake. Bangladesh is a nominally secular state whose people have traditionally espoused moderate religious views, and who fight to this day for a functioning democracy. But local resentment at inequality, corruption and the incessant feuding between the country's leaders are proving fertile ground for radical Islam. Should Bangladeshis grow tired of the antics of their democratic candidates, there are harder-line alternatives to choose from.

Why these problems?

The leaders of Bangladesh understand these dangers, but the paths that might avoid them are treacherous. The electorate is divided on matters of national identity and the place of Islam in society. The Awami League generally appeals to more liberal reformers, while emerging strands of religious conservatism tend to vote for the BNP, or its more militant allies. However, the reasons behind the volatility of Bangladeshis on matters of faith may run deeper than the divide itself. Although global trade has generally improved living standards, it has also concentrated previously unimaginable wealth within view of many, but often out of their reach. Social cohesion suffers from rampant nepotism and corruption. Transparency International ranked Bangladesh as the most corrupt country in the world in 2005, leaving locals with little faith in the independence of their democratic institutions.

These problems were laid bare in demonstrations last year over sentences handed down by the country's International Crimes Tribunal. Bangladesh is still coming to terms with the atrocities perpetrated during its war of independence from Pakistan in 1971. The incumbent

Awami League established the tribunal to bring surviving war criminals to justice. Although the move was initially popular, signs of political meddling soon outraged the BNP and its allies who felt victimized by the verdicts. Rather than address the matter through the courts, the BNP orchestrated a series of mass strikes that paralyzed the economy and polarized the public.

Supporters of the trials responded in like measure, and the ensuing violence claimed hundreds of lives even before the national election debacle began.

A plague on both houses Today, the bickering between the two parties has reached a point where dialogue has become impossible. The BNP-led opposition accuses the incumbent government of out-living its legitimacy. It is not alone in questioning the success of the January election. The US Department of State has described the poll as “disappointing” and the High Representative of the European Union regretted that “the people of Bangladesh were not given an opportunity to express fully their democratic choice”. The BNP leader, Khaleda Zia, blames the Awami League for these shortcomings.

She also described recent government measures to arrest political opponents, call in the army and muzzle contentious newspapers, as a “political coup in installments.”

To the misfortune of the Bangladeshi people, the actions of her party do not always reflect her rhetoric. The BNP's series of demonstrations have taken politics from the parliament to the streets. These displays of force have repeatedly ended in bloodshed, discrediting calls for conciliatory dialogue and testing the line between freedom of assembly and coercion. The heavy-handed security forces decried by Ms Zia would be in their barracks were it not for the civil unrest which her party has stirred up. And for all the rhetoric on the inadequacies of the January election, the main flaw lamented by the diplomatic community was that her party boycotted it.

Over the past five years, the BNP has missed an opportunity to reforge itself as a constructive, competent, opposition party. It could have helped keep new legislation in line with the will of the Bangladeshi masses, filtering through overdue reforms on matters ranging from the upgrade of building safety standards to climate change adaptation policies. Most importantly, it could have offered voters a credible alternative in the elections held this January. Instead, the BNP has blocked government action wherever it could, pandered to old grudges, and thrown tantrums to obtain what it wanted. It has run with democracy as long as the system held some prospect of power, and subverted it whenever the opportunity waned.

There has been a curious symmetry in how the two rival parties of Bangadesh have simultaneously eroded the country's democratic institutions. The Awami League has dragged its feet on fair elections out of fear that it may lose them, just as the BNP torpedoed them when it thought its rival could win. Awami League security forces opened fire on demonstrators shortly after BNP hooligans unleashed Molotov-cocktails on the streets of Dhaka.

The root of the problem The main danger for stability in Bangladesh is that the electorate continues to confuse personal opinions with democratic rights. The fallacy which their leaders prey on is a widespread belief that democracy confers the right to win. Patience and compromise have gained little support in a country where voters have rarely backed a party throughout its mandate.

Bangladeshis have yet to see the advantages of conferring power on the largest rather than the loudest group, or of confining the government within national laws and a constitution. But the real challenge of the system lies precisely in gaining that trust. Democracy relies less on each party's skill at arrogating control, than on its grace in ceding it. Until Bangladeshi voters, and the leaders which they vote for, show that they are ready to accept the possibility of de-

feat, the system can offer little more than the violent farce that has plagued the streets of Dhaka for the past decades. And as the rising death count suggests, the longer the two main parties of Bangladesh put the interests of their supporters before those of the majority, the less of a country they will have left to fight over.

Bangladeshis are realizing that taking sides in this endless feud has so far yielded negative results. The foreign investment and infrastructural development which might improve their fate requires stability – a prize neither the BNP nor the Awami League has yet proven capable of providing. But the reason so many continue to endorse, even fight to defend, their current incompetent rulers is that they have yet to see a better alternative. In the first twenty years of Bangladesh's independence, administrations tended to end in military coups and political assassinations. The drama has come down a notch since the 1990s, but it would be a stretch to call Bangladesh a healthy democracy.

Power has rocked back and forth between the Awami League and the BNP with each election for over two decades now. Both parties have kept the same capricious leaders (each related to a ruler from the previous political era), neither has ever won a second term, and both have undone the work of their predecessor on re-entering office. In four successive administrations, the opposition has systematically boycotted elections, contested results, stormed out of Parliament and paralyzed the country with mass demonstrations in attempts to return to power.

The alarming observation is that this approach has generally worked.

Deja-vu The situation in Bangladesh is tragic but by no means unique. In recent months, opposition parties in Cambodia, Malaysia and Nepal have contested the outcome of general elections. In Thailand, the opposition boycotted the elections last month and attempted to block voting centers. Further west, Ukrainian and Egyptian protesters have been up in arms against their leaders, disputing the streets of their capitals with tear gas, improvised explosives and live ammunition. If anything, weak state institutions, abrupt swings in popular opinion and violent breakdowns of law and order are the norm in emerging democracies. But perhaps one oddity in Bangladesh is that the country can still welcome millions of civilians from either side of the political divide to congregate and pray in peace.

There is a wasted opportunity in this land, and the stakes are too high to ignore it.

The people of Bangladesh have comparatively few causes dividing them beyond their national brand of skin-deep politics. They share a tragic history, the same shackles of poverty, and 90% of them are Muslim. Sport and prayer suggest that their affinities run deeper than the resentment which recent political tribulations are entrenching. If differences can be set aside for religious ceremonies or the T20 World Cup, perhaps they can be shelved more generally in the interest of Bangladesh.

Arguably, the largest advantage Bangladesh enjoys over other countries struggling to implement democratic reform is that it stands to gain from them financially. The privilege of most western democracies is not so much that voters are mature, but they are moneyed. They are unlikely to gamble their share in the existing social order for the unproven benefits of a revolution.

Provided some degree of peace and stability can be maintained in Bangladesh, its growing economy will continue to lift millions of citizens out of destitution, dampening the enthusiasm for overthrowing governments. As the numbers of this budding middle class grow, the political center of Bangladesh may finally find its voice.

This strategy is frustratingly long-term for a country where contentions are already testing social resilience to dangerous limits. But it shifts what has remained for decades an immovable problem to a manageable one. It is not imperative that today's inept leaders of Bangladesh right all wrongs. So long as they can keep the country from imploding, time and the Bangladeshi people should do the rest.

The Morung Express

I

Wagingnonviolence

met with Jean shortly after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As I approached her home for the first time, I was greeted by voluminous blue barrels at the bases of the gutters collecting rainwater from a passing storm.

An attached hose snaked outwards towards a garden burgeoning into spring.

She welcomed me inside with a warm smile that offset the cool air in her minimally-heated home. As a visiting nurse, I actively observe patients’ homes with an eye towards safety and functionality.

Jean’s home, outside and in, was a testament to the more than 50 years she spent as an environmental activist.

Displaying a subtle yet undeniable eccentricity so common in activists, she served sparkling cider in champagne glasses while we discussed her end-of-life arrangements.

Unsurprisingly, she wanted to die just as she had lived: green. So after a life of environmental stewardship, she was met with the daunting task of choosing how to most sustainably return her body to the earth.

The funeral industry is, by and large, a $20 billion for-profit enterprise, whose environmental impact has been greatly overlooked. This is understandable, given that those making end-of-life arrangements are frequently grappling with loss, which can monopolize one’s attention. Nevertheless, it is estimated that each year 30 million board feet of chemically-treated hardwood, 827,000 gallons of carcinogenic embalming fluid, and thousands of tons of concrete, steel, copper and bronze are buried along with the bodies of the departed. Not only is this a colossal waste of resources — a typical 10-acre cemetery has enough wood in the form of caskets to construct 40 houses — but there are also concerns about the pollution of groundwater near cemeteries. Formaldehyde, a major constituent of embalming fluid, has been proven to increase the cancer risk among those with high levels of exposure. Exacerbating things further is the fact that the use of these types of wood is largely unsustainable, with some caskets being sourced from endangered mahogany.

While cremation would seem to provide an appealing alternative, the carbon footprint and release of vaporized mercury (from the fillings in people’s teeth) still leave much to be desired. It is estimated that each year in the United States 600 pounds of mercury, among other pollutants such as dioxin, are released as a result of cremation. Legislative attempts to mandate that all crematoriums install filters that act to reduce emissions have been successfully blocked by industry groups in a number of different states. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate crematoriums.

Fortunately, eco-friendly, or green burials, are on the rise and offer an alternative to the financially expensive and environmentally costly conventional burial. In 2008, there were only a dozen eco-friendly burial providers. That number has since grown to 300 and shows no sign of slowing. A green burial is much like a conventional burial, but without the detrimental impact on the environment.

For open-casket funerals, the body can be preserved for display using either dry ice or non-toxic and biodegradable embalming fluids. Rather than a casket made of unsustainable wood treated with chemicals, individuals have the option of either a simple burial shroud, or a casket with nontreated wood.

Standards have been developed to

define what constitutes a green burial in order to thwart greenwashing, where the environmental benefits of a product or service are exaggerated to capitalize off of the public’s growing concern for the earth. This acts to empower people to make consumer choices that reflect their ethical and moral values. The standards are set and maintained by the Green Burial Council, which describes itself as “a nonprofit organization working to encourage environmentally sustainable death care and the use of burial as a new means of protecting natural areas.” To ensure continued compliance with these standards, the Green Burial Council continuously assesses the environmental practices of the companies and products that earn eco-certification. Furthermore, since the many ways in which a body can be returned to the earth have varying impacts on the environment, there are a number of designations under the eco-certification umbrella for burial grounds and products that range from having a neutral environmental impact to a positive one.

For Jean, however, simply minimizing her impact on the environment was not enough. Having utilized nonviolent direct action to protect local waterways from contamination, her zeal for protecting the environment led her to look for a way of turning her death into an act that would have a positive impact on the environment.

Jean — like an increasing number of people — was able to choose what the Green Burial Council terms a conservation burial ground. To receive this designation, Green Burial Council standards require that all burial grounds be “owned by, or operated in conjunction with a government agency or a nonprofit conservation organization,” whose goal is conservation.

Conservation burial grounds, in effect, intend to transform cemeteries into nature preserves located in environmentally sensitive areas.

Here, one will find no acres of manicured lawns reminiscent of a golf course, but rather vast natural landscapes. At burial sites there are no plastic flowers or roses, but instead plants and flowers indigenous to the surrounding ecosystem. In a nod to sustainability, an additional requirement of the Green Burial Council is that 5 percent of the cost of the burial plot be allotted for an endowment to ensure the integrity of the land into the indefinite future. This might be thought of as a sort of posthumous occupation with the intent of protecting the most environmentally vulnerable areas from development or destruction.

When Jean died — only a few months after we had met — she left behind not only a legacy of beneficence, but an endowment geared towards educating and inspiring a new generation to continue her work of protecting wetlands. Throughout her life, Jean was a staunch advocate for Mother Nature. And thanks to the growing availability of green burials, Jean’s final act of returning her body to the earth was one that will continue her life’s work of environmental stewardship.

As Jean walked me to the door of her home that afternoon, I asked, “What advice would you give to the next generation of environmental activists?” She responded simply, “When you witness an injustice, do something.”

For Jean, that motto carried through to the very end, where she took a stand against the injustice of an unsustainable industry bent on profiting off her death by choosing instead to contribute to what she believed in most: life.

POLL reSULTS

Do you feel that NagalaND shoulD have more members of ParliameNt to the lok sabha?

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes... We need two MPs to be precise... One representing the eastern Nagas and the other representing the rest.. I believe that would help a lot in uplifting the eastern area.. And though we are one, demographically there is a vast difference between the two parts and as such we should be having atleast 2.

• Yes, why should states with fewer population have fewer members of Parliament. This is ridiculous.

If we were to go on the basis of population, it will take another 50 years for Nagaland to get an additional MP to the Lok Sabha and the Naga issues will never reach the corridors of power in Delhi.

• I believe such an idea would be a great recipe for addressing an acute travesty of equality and justice prevailing in the flawed and messy state of affairs in my beloved Indian state of Nagaland.

• Yes... 2 Member in Lower House (LS) • Yes, it will be very good because at least there will be someone who can give company to our lone MP who is ‘very concerned’ about our people but cannot raise our issues in the parliament.

It has always been a pity to see our one and only MP sitting at the back witnessing unruly Indian parliamentary proceedings. At the same time having more MPs will only widen the gap of the already divided Nagas.

• Yes. The more the mp at least an additional voice • If Nagaland is to get more MP and it does deserve more MPs, than the Indian government must think

outside the box, rather than only looking at the the richest in our society? For these reasons, Constitution for solutions for every problem. By I strong oppose the idea of Nagaland to have now, am sure the thinkers in more MPs. Instead of talking India must have realized that about more MPs, we should 47% the system of allocating numthink of how to reduce the ber of representatives is not size of our MLAs. I think we promoting democracy, but need only one MLAs from one 43% only suppressing it. district. This will bring more • Yes, at least two. development and justice in • Yes, yes and yes. It is so hiour state. Take my words my larious to see how the entire friend, Less politicians means state of Nagaland is fighting More development and vice over one Lok Sabha seat. versa.

This is a mockery. It becomes • No, because it is According to even more comical because population. that one MP has no voice in • it is better to have none then to the Lok Sabha. The Nagaland have 10 corrupted ones.

MP will go virtually unnoticed • One parliament is enough for in Delhi. No wonder our states this great nation.. continues to remain attention • No ..... we dont even seen or hungry from Delhi. heard a single question raised nor developmental activities...

Some of those who voted what is the point of increasing no had this to say: the seats of MP "Mamuli Per10% • While some may argue that son". having only one MP in the • No.. no.. no.. its dangerous.

Lok Sabha we cannot voice the more seat, the more diour opinion in Delhi. But my vided, corrupted, tribalistic we YES no OTHERS friend, you know very well will be. An elected representhat our politicians contest election to become tatives irrespective of which constituency he is rich. If I am wrong, how come our politicians are from is supposed to look after the welfare of the

entire state, but in our state, this MLA/MP will only look after his people and clans first.. and on top of that , we dont have a statesmen..who is an skilled orator that can speak for the naga cause in the parliament. so instead of asking for more seats, lets first produce some statesmen with integrity and commitment... he will be equivalent to a thousand useless politicians in the parliament.

• Sixty MLAs at home and one MP is enough to make Nagaland better.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: • I guess the right description to it is.. MP seats are allotted according to the number of population and area.. and hence Nagaland falls short in it.

• India's systems of representation to the Parliament is not fair. This means states like Arunachal, Manipur, Sikkim, Mizoram and Nagaland will always be under-represented because the criteria is based on population. While states like Uttar Pradesh will continue to rule India. This is hardly democracy.

• It should not be based on population. Just look at Arunachal Pradesh, it is one of the bigger states in India but its has so few representatives in the parliament, whereas a state like UP which is smaller than Arunachal has more MPs because it has more population. So I feel it cannot be based on population alone, but geography must also be taken into view.

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Monday 24 March 2014

The Morung Express

Four IM terrorists arrested from Rajasthan

NEW DELHI/JAIPUR, MARcH 23 (TNN): Four top Indian Mujahideen terrorists have been arrested by the Delhi Police special cell from Rajasthan. Indian Mujahideen top commander Waqas was one of those arrested. At least two of them are engineering students from Rajasthan. One of them belongs to Sawaimadhopur, highly placed sources said.

Some explosive items were also recovered from their possession.

24-year-old Waqas is a Pakistani who came to India for the first time in September 2010, along with Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi who was arrested with Yasin Bhatkal.

An expert in making electrical circuits for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Waqas played an active role in the Jama Masjid shootout (September, 2010), Varanasi bomb blast (December, 2010), Mumbai serial blasts (July, 2011), Pune blasts (August, 2012) and Hyderabad twin blasts

HM assures Modi’s safety, terms IM terrorist’s arrest a ‘big success’

NEW DELHI, MARcH 23 (AgENcIEs): Dousing the concerns of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders over terror threat on its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Sunday said that the Gujarat chief minister should not worry about his safety as there is no such threat to any leader of the party.

“Modi ko koi dar nahi hai (Modi does not need in February last year.

The arrests have helped foil a conspiracy to carry out blasts in the state ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that the terrorists had BJP’s PM nominee Narendra Modi on their radar. The IM terrorists were targeting some tourist spots, a royal train and some other places in the state, especially in western Rajasthan includ-

to worry). There is no such threat to any leader, those who have any kind of threat we have provided adequate security to all of them,” Shinde said today.

Earlier on Friday, Shinde had assured the BJP that they will be provided security.

He said this after a BJP delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad met him and urged him to ensure security of BJP leaders during the Lok Sabha elec-

tions. “All BJP leaders who are under threat will be provided security,” Shinde has said to reporters after the meeting.

Further, terming the arrest of four suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists by special cell of Delhi Police today as a big success, Shinde said, “Waqas’ arrest is a great success for us. It would help in getting more links to nab other terrorists. ” Waqas has been identified

as one of the four terrorists being held today.

Adding further that these catch could provide crucial links, Shinde said, “Waqas was involved in a lot of terrorist cases, his arrest is important, will be a very crucial link.” According to official sources, 24-year-old Waqas is a Pakistani who came to India for the first time in September 2010, along with Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi who was arrested

with Yasin Bhatkal.

To a question, Shinde said, “We had said that when the time comes we will disclose about it. It is a big success for us. We have got him. His arrest is most important.” “His (Waqas’) arrest will help us in providing more links. We are in process of nabbing 2-3 more terrorists. If I mention any case in which he is involved, it will not be good on account of evidence,” Shinde added.

ing Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer.

Delhi Police will now submit its report to ministry of home affairs, requesting to beef up the security apparatus of Narendra Modi during campaigning.

The Gujarat CM already has Z plus security. There have been earlier attempts to target him during the Patna rally last October.

Raids were carried out in Jhotwara’s Sanjay Nagar locality and Pratap Nagar’s sector-35. Teams of Delhi police were in touch with Jaipur police since Saturday. In Jodhpur, the police arrested one terror suspect, while another one is believed to have escaped.

Sources said that the arrests in Pratap Nagar were made without any resis-

tance. The two engineering students living in a rented accommodation were woken up from their sleep and taken into custody.

“Some explosive items were also recovered from their possession. Interrogation with the suspects is going on, but it seems that they were tipped off by any of the arrested IM terrorists including Yasin Bhatkal,

one of the founders of IM who was arrested in August last year,” said a source.

The arrests have come in the wake of some revelations made by the National Investigation Agency in its chargesheet filed against Bhatkal in February. The security and intelligence agencies had sounded an alert in Rajasthan after the NIA chargesheet revealed

An Indian girl joins others in performing yoga during a yoga festival in New Delhi on Sunday, March 23. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI, MARcH 23 (IANs): BJP leader Arun Jaitley Sunday differed with his party colleague Jaswant Singh over the latter’s public protests over denial of ticket to him from Rajasthan’s Barmer, saying the party’s decision should be accepted with a smile as a test of loyalty and discipline.

His comments are in contrast to those of party leader Sushma Swaraj who had said Saturday that she was personally hurt by the denial of ticket to Jaswant Singh. In an article on his website, Jaitley, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Amritsar, said that restraint and silence were always a preferred option to a member whose wish could not be accommodated by the party.

Without naming Jaswant Singh, Jaitley said an overreaction may prove be a transient storm in a tea cup. “Silence is always dignified and more gracious,” he said. Jaswant Singh, a former union minister, is said to be preparing to file his nomination from Barmer Monday, perhaps as an independent following denial of ticket to him by the party.

Jaitley said that many political persons desirous of being candidates succeed in getting a party

nomination while many more get left out in an election season. “What does a politician do when after a successful political career the party is unable to accommodate him once?

That is when his discipline and political loyalty are to be tested,” said the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

He contended that membership of political party was a privilege and was also an act of self-oppression where personal views and ambitions were to be subjected to the collective wisdom of the party. “At times, the party may flood leaders with privileges and positions. On other occasions, the leader may have to take ‘no’ as an answer to his desires. How does a politician or a leader react to such ‘no’? He must accept the decision with a smile. This becomes a test of his loyalty and discipline,” he said.

Jaswant Singh had told IANS Sunday that there will be “repercussions” because of the many differences that have come to the fore in the BJP. The former union minister had Saturday said that the party was being encroached by outsiders and there was need to distinguish between the “real” and the “fake” BJP.

NEW DELHI, MARcH 23 (IANs): A court here has observed that dowry prohibition law cannot be allowed to become a tool for harassment. Granting relief to a man, who was booked in a dowry harassment case by his wife, the court ordered investigation against the complain-

that the terror outfit was using the state as its base.

The chargesheet filed in New Delhi recently against the Indian Mujahideen’s co-founder Yaseen Bhatkal revealed that IM is recruiting people to spread its network in the state. These members have allegedly been tasked to carry out terrorist activities in the country. They are in close contact

Sunanda death: Viscera report hints at drug overdose NEW DELHI, MARcH 23 (PTI): The viscera report of Sunanda Pushkar, Union Minister Shashi Tharoor’s wife who died under mysterious circumstances two months ago, hints towards drug poisoning but its findings are still inconclusive to file an FIR in the case, according to police.

“The CFSL report has not been able to give much headway into the probe.

It rules out poisoning and hints toward drug poisoning,” said a senior police official associated with the probe. It was expected that the nature of the poison and the quantity could be established after viscera tests at CFSL but the report has failed to do so.

Police sources said that investigators will now take the opinion from the panel of doctors from AIIMS which had carried out an autopsy to shed light into findings of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report.

Leader should accept party’s no with smile, says Jaitley

Waqas was wanted by police in connection with several blasts in the country including the serial blasts at Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai on July 12, 2011.

Sources said those arrested were operating from Jodhpur in Rajasthan and planning a big strike during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Police have also recovered a large quantity of incriminating material from those arrested in the case.

with Riyaz Bhatkal who is allegedly hiding in Karachi, the NIA chargesheet says.

The terror outfit had attempted putting in place a local module on the border of Jodhpur-Nagaur district.

One of IM’s alleged terrorist MohammadTehseenAkhtar alias Monu had visited Jaipur and Jodhpur in June last year and had procured SIM cards on fake documents.

Akhtar, a native of Samastipur district in Bihar, is suspected to have gained some local sympathizers but the efforts to set up a module lost steam after the arrest of Yasin Bhatkal, one of the founders of IM, in August last year.

Posters of these terror suspects, Mohammed Taseen Akhtar, Haider Ali and Waqas alias Javed Mohammad, were splashed in these cities and nearby areas by the ATS in December last year requesting people to remain on alert and inform the police if they spot any of them. A reward of Rs 10 lakh had been announced on each of them by NIA.

The findings in the CFSL report, which was handed over to Delhi Police on Friday, are still inconclusive for the police to file an FIR in the case, they said.

On January 21, a subdivisional magistrate had directed Delhi Police to investigate the murder or suicide angle in the case after autopsy report has cited the death as “sudden and unnatural” while the cause of death was mentioned as poisoning. The SDM has also been informed about the CFSL report.

Sunanda, 52, was found dead in a 5-star hotel in South Delhi on the night of January 17, a day after her twitter spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar over an alleged affair with Tharoor. In a report to the police, the SDM, who had recorded the statements of Sunanda’s brother, son, Tharoor and his staff, had said that no family member suspected any foul play in the death.

The autopsy report had mentioned more than a dozen injury marks on Sunanda’s both hands and an abrasion on her cheek which suggests a “use of blunt force”, besides a “deep teeth bite” on the edge of her left palm. Viscera samples were preserved after the autopsy at AIIMS and were sent to CFSL for further tests.

The search and seizure memorandum of the police, which is a part of the report, mentioned finding of mix of two drugs — Alprazolam and Excedrin.

Excedrin is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine while Alprazolam is an anxiolytic.

Dowry law cannot be harassment tool, says court ant for filing a false case.

The man’s wife in July 2012 filed a first information report (FIR) against him in a South Delhi police station, alleging that he demanded dowry and subjected her to cruelty, which resulted in her miscarriage. Police investigated the complaint and filed a

cancellation report, giving a clean chit to the accused.

Metropolitan Magistrate Shivani Chauhan, accepting the cancellation report of Delhi Police, said Sections 498A (subjecting woman to cruelty) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) and Dowry Prohibition Act are special legislations en-

acted for the “protection of women” and have serious penal consequence for the offender.

“Under no circumstances can it be permitted to become a tool for harassment of innocent persons,” the magistrate said.

“There is a enough material on record to show that

the complaint was false and fabricated.”

During the investigation it was revealed that it was the woman’s second marriage and there was no evidence of dissolution of the first. The woman alleged cruelty by the man which had resulted in her miscarriage. But the court

noted that the investigation report showed she had voluntarily got the medical termination of her pregnancy.

It was observed the woman had mentioned the name of the other man in the medical report.

The bills of hospital were cleared by the other man.

Stirring the political pot -- some interesting fights

NEW DELHI, MARcH 23 (IANs): Political heavyweights versus greenhorns, veteran journalists taking on the mighty, dynastic succession challenged by a newcomer, a faded filmstar stirring the political pot, and even a rebellious former army general trying his electoral pot luck - this general election has much to keep the 814-strong electorate actively engaged.

A look at some of the interesting constituencies and the evolving battles: Va ra n a s i ( Utta r Pradesh): Varanasi district, home to the Hinduims’s ancient city, would witness the most interesting electoral battle - between BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and the rest. Aam Admi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has said he will fight against Modi, but has yet to confirm it.

The final announcement will be made on March 25.

While the Congress has yet to name its candidate, the name of Modi baiter Digvijaya Singh has been doing the rounds. Mukhtar Ansari, of the Quami Ekta Dal, is expected to give Modi a strong fight as the constituency has a significant Muslim population. BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi

had to vacate the seat to make way for Modi’s path to Delhi. Poll : May 12 Amethi (Uttar Pradesh): The bastion of the Nehru-Gandhi family and considered a safe seat for India’s first family, Amethi will have all eyes focused on it this time. Kumar Vishwas of the AAP has promised he will defeat sitting MP and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi “by a big margin” . The constituency, where Rahul’s uncle Sanjay Gandhi first entered the electoral battle in the 70s and later his father Rajiv Gandhi and his mother Sonia too fought and won, has been carefully nurtured by the Gandhi family. Rahul inaugurated 10 State Bank of India branches recently in the constituency.

Vishwas claims he has been walking the length and breadth of the constituency and villagers complained to him that no development work has been done by the Congress. Poll: April 7.

Amritsar (Punjab): This important constituency, seat of Sikhism’s holiest shrine, will witness a battle between stalwarts - senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh. Jaitley, who has been a strong backer of Narendra Modi’s

PM candidature and is expected to get an important portfolio if the BJP comes to power, was given the ticket for Amritsar in place of sitting party MP Navjyot Singh Sidhu, who has been representing the city that is home to the Golden Temple, since 2004. Capt Amarinder Singh, former state Congress president, was unwilling to contest but has bowed to the diktat of the party leadership. Poll: April 30.

Shimoga (Karnataka) : B.S. Yeddyurappa, the first BJP chief minister of southern India, who left the party in 2012 in the wake of corruption charges and returned in January this year, is a Lingayat strongman and has a major presence in this constituency.

The seat is represented by his son B.Y. Raghavendra, a first-time MP, while the former chief minister represents Shikaripur in the state assembly. The Congress has fielded Manjunath Bhandari, a businessman and member of the AICC who is a fresher in electoral politics. The other major contender is Geetha Shivakumar, the daughter of late chief minister S. Bangarappa and wife of leading Kannada filmstar Shivarajkmar, from the Janata DalSecular. She is also a fresher

in politics. Poll: April 17.

Bangalore South (Karnataka): This key constituency, which has remained with the BJP for a long time, will see sitting MP Ananth Kumar challenged by IT czar and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, who is fighting on a Congress ticket. Kumar, the BJP general secretary, has won the seat five times in a row. The third key contestant is Nina Nayak, a well known child rights activist, who is contesting on the AAP ticket. Nilekani, who handled the UPA government’s Unique Identification (UID) project, is quite popular and has been interacting with the people, especially the youth, of the constituency. Poll: April 17.

Chandigarh: Former railwayminister Pawan Kumar Bansal of the Congress, who had to quit over a railway bribery scandal last year, is fighting against two women from the film world this time -- AAP candidate Gul Panag and actor-politician Kirron Kher of the BJP. The Chandigarh seat, which has seen a see-saw battle between the Congress and BJP since 1991, has been represented

by Bansal in the 10th, 13th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabha. In 2004 and 2009, he defeated the BJP’s Satya Pal Jain by

over 45,000 and 58,000 votes, respectively. Poll: April 10.

New Delhi: The prestigious New Delhi constituency will have an interesting contest. Congress general secretary Ajay Maken, the sitting MP since 2004, is confident of winning the third time. He is pitted against Meenakshi Lekhi, a lawyer and the BJP’s national spokesperson, AAP’s Ashish Khetan, a journalist and founder of gulail.com, and Trinamool Congress (TMC’s) Biswajit Chatterjee, yesteryears’ film hero.

The TMC fielded the former star keeping in mind the Bengali “vote bank” of Chittarajan Park and his admirers. Poll: April 10.

Chandni Chowk : The battle for this seat will be interesting, with the Aam Aadmi Party pitting Ashutosh, former managing editor of IBN7, against union minister and sitting MP Kapil Sibal. Sibal, who has held several high profile ministries, won the seat in 2004, by defeating BJP’s Smriti Irani and in 2009, against BJP’s Vijender Gupta by over 200,000 votes. This time, the BJP has fielded Harsh Vardhan, the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi assembly polls. The constitu-

ency has a sizeable Muslim population. Poll: April 10.

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Union minister Shashi Tharoor, the sitting MP, will face former union minister and BJP leader O. Rajagopal, CPI-M’s Bennet Abraham, a relatively non-political candidate and Ajith Joy, a former Indian Police Service officer who is contesting as an AAP candidate. Tharoor, who lost his wife Sunanda Pushkar recently, is known to be popular among the youth.

The constituency has a large number of educated government employees populating the urban areas. Rajagopal is a popular name in the state, from the time he was union minister of state for railways and parliamentary affairs during the NDA rule. Poll: April 10.

Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh): The fight for the Ghaziabad seat would prove interesting with the AAP’s senior leader Shazia Ilmi to fight against former army chief V.K. Singh of the BJP. The seat falls in the National Capital Region (NCR) where AAP enjoys support.

The seat was represented

by BJP president Rajnath Singh, who is now contesting from Lucknow. The Congress nominee is actor Raj Babbar. Poll: April 10.

Sunday

InternatIonal

the Morung express

24 March 2014

Dimapur

9

Russia: Crimea World leaders gather for ‘reunification’ Hague nuclear summit was ‘not planned’ Moscow’s ambassador to the EU has welcomed what he called the “reunification” of Crimea with Russia but denied that the move was planned.

A soldier looks down from s pedestrian bridge next to the meeting venue, ahead of the March 24 and 25 Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 23. The Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague will form the backdrop for an emergency meeting of Group of Seven leaders on Russia's annexation of Crimea. It's a confrontation between Russia and the West reminiscent of the Cold War. (AP Photo)

AMSTERDAM, MARch 23 (AP): Nuclear terrorism is officially the main topic for world leaders at a two-day summit in the Netherlands starting Monday. In practice, the Ukraine crisis will likely overshadow those talks.

The Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague will form the backdrop for an emergency meeting of Group of Seven leaders on Russia’s annexation of Crimea. It’s a confrontation between Russia and the West reminiscent of the Cold War. Russian President Vladimir Putin is not attending, instead sending Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is expected to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

But experts say fran-

tic diplomacy focused on Ukraine shouldn’t divert from the goal of better security of nuclear material.

“International attention can turn in a moment,” said Deepti Choubey, a senior director at the non-government Nuclear Threat Initiative. “The attentions of terrorists do not.”

Delegations from 53 countries, including the leaders of the U.S., China and Japan, have started to arrive in the Hague. They will meet to negotiate on reducing and securing supplies, and keeping them out of terrorists’ hands. The G-7 includes the U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Italy and Canada.

Notable absentees from the summit are North Korea and Iran, excluded by mu-

tual consent.

The summit is the third since US President Barack Obama launched the series in 2009 shortly after taking office, saying that reducing the risk of a terrorist attack with either a nuclear weapon or a “dirty bomb” was one of his most important international policy goals.

Because countries usually regard protecting nuclear weapons and facilities as a confidential sovereign matter, the summits center on individual commitments by participants and conclude with a non-binding accord.

Still, they already have reached tangible results.

The number of countries that possess enough highly enriched uranium or plutonium to make a bomb has fallen steadily, from 39 before

the first conference in Washington in 2010 to 25 at the start of the Hague summit.

Piet de Klerk, the Dutch diplomat who chaired negotiations before the summit, says a further large drop in numbers is unlikely.

But he says The Hague closing accord will likely include a new commitment to reduce plutonium stores.

That is particularly relevant for Japan, which owns a large plutonium stockpile even as it reevaluates its use of nuclear power in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Additionally, the Netherlands, with help from the U.S. and South Korea, is weaving together all existing nuclear arms treaties, agreements and voluntary guidelines for military, industry and civil-

ian use into a single package of “best practices” for nuclear security. The three host nations and an unknown number of others will vow to adhere to this package as much as possible.

Kenneth Luongo, of the Partnership for Global Security, said that the willingness of countries to commit to “essentially what’s already on the books” will act as a litmus test to show which countries are taking security seriously.

“I would hope that by 2016 everybody would be on board,” he said.

What’s likely to be left for a final summit back in Washington in 2016 is a mechanism for countries to request a confidential independent review of their security practices, presumably conducted

by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

While Ukraine is likely to dominate diplomacy behind the scenes in The Hague, it already is a nuclear success story.

The country voluntarily gave the nuclear weapons housed on its soil back to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and following through on a 2010 summit promise, has recently disposed of its remaining stock of around 80 kilograms (176 pounds) of highly enriched uranium.

Choubey of the NTI said that underlines the importance of the process.

“How much more concerned would the world be today (about the crisis in Ukraine) if that material were still there?” she said.

MoScow, MARch 23 (BBc): Vladimir Chizhov told the BBC the move was the end of an “abnormality” which had lasted for 60 years. Russia formally annexed the Ukrainian region on Friday after a referendum. On Saturday Russian troops and pro-Russian protesters stormed two Ukrainian military airbases in Crimea, bringing them under Russian control.

Mr Chizhov said Ukrainian troops in Crimea had to decide whether to resign, join the Russian army or leave the territory in uniform. He warned the US against sending troops or military aid to Ukraine, saying it would be a “grave mistake”. Mr Chizhov said that while Russia did not recognise the new government in Kiev, he expected them to safeguard the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine.

“We want to see the interests of people living in eastern Ukraine - ethnic Russians, Russian speakers, all the population of eastern Ukraine - to be taken into account by whoever is the authority in Kiev today” he said. He added that Russia did not have any intention to send troops into other parts of Ukraine or Europe.

secure full military control of all of Crimea. The BBC’s Ian Pannell, in Belbek, says the few remaining Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their commanders. He saw Russian troops use stun grenades and automatic weapons in a raid on the Belbek airbase on Saturday.

The BBC’s Mark Lowen also witnessed the takeover of the Novofedorivka base in eastern Crimea by Russian troops. Russian soldiers and pro-Russian protesters stormed the base and forced Ukrainian troops to leave.

Russia annexed Crimea following a referendum on 16 March, which came after the overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in February. The Kremlin said it acted to protect its “compatriots” in Crimea from “fascists” moving in from the mainland Ukraine. Moscow does not recognise the new authorities in Kiev and has criticised right-wing elements among them.

Ukraine and the West have condemned the referendum as “illegal”. The US and EU have responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals - including senior officials Bases stormed Correspondents say involved in what WashingRussian forces appear to be ton and Brussels describe as stepping up their efforts to Crimea’s “annexation”.

Burmese protest China- US first lady hosts education Door still open for peace talks with Israel: Palestine its nine-month ultimatum RAMAllAh, MARch roundtable in China backed dam project ends in late April,” said the 23 (IAnS): Despite flaring Britain criticises Israeli In the afternoon, Mrs.

Buddhist monk and activists holding flags march to protest against Myitsone dam project on March 23, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo)

YAnGon, MYAnMAR, MARch 23 (AP): Dozens of protesters began a 2,400-kilometer (1,500mile) march Sunday to northern Myanmar, calling for the cancellation of a Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam project over environmental concerns.

The $3.6 billion dam along the Irrawaddy river was supposed to export about 90 percent of the electric power it generated to neighboring China, but President Thein Sein’s government ordered it suspended in 2011, saying it went “against the will of the people.”

Now, many in this nation of 60 million — which only recently emerged from decades of military rule — worry construction will resume after the 2015 general elections.

Waving banners calling for permanent cancellation of the Myitsone dam, around 60 people gathered early Sunday in a suburb of

o S A KA , J A PA n , MARch 23 (AP): Japan’s biggest slum is visible just blocks from bustling restaurants and shops in Osaka, the country’s secondlargest city. But it cannot be found on official maps.

Nor did it appear in the recent Osaka Asian Film Festival, after the director of a new movie that is set in the area pulled it, accusing city organizers of censorship.

Osaka officials asked Shingo Ota to remove scenes and lingo that identify the slum, on the grounds that it was insensitive to residents.

“To me, what they were asking was a cover-up attempt to make this place

the main city of Yangon.

They will walk along the Irrawaddy river, passing through towns and villages to raise awareness about the project, said Ye Htut Khaung, one of the organizers. He expects the march to Myitsone in Kachin state, where the dam is located, to take up to 70 days.

The vast majority of Burmese do not have access to electricity.

Environmental activists have said the dam would displace countless villagers and upset the ecology of one of the country’s most vital national resources, the Irrawaddy river. It also would submerge a culturally important site in the ethnic Kachin heartland, where the Malikha and Maykha rivers meet.

“Everyone knows the natural surroundings of Myitsone can be destroyed, but they keep doing the project anyway,” said Ma Phyu Phyu, one of the marchers.

BEIJInG, MARch 23 (AP): U.S. first lady Michelle Obama told Chinese professors, students and parents on Sunday that she wouldn’t have risen to where she was if her parents hadn’t pushed for her to get a good education.

Mrs. Obama made her comments before hosting a discussion about education on the third day of a weeklong visit to the country aimed at promoting educational exchanges between the U.S. and China.

She also walked a section of the Great Wall with her two daughters.

“Education is an important focus for me. It’s personal, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents investing and pushing me to get a good education,” the first lady said. “My parents were not educated themselves, but one of the things they understood was that my brother and I needed that foundation.”

She said she and her husband wanted as many young people as possible in the United States and the world to have access to education.

She then hosted a roundtable with a handful of Chinese professors, students and parents at an event at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that was attended by new U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus and closed to the media.

Obama, her mother and her two daughters visited a section of the Great Wall in the northern Beijing suburbs.

She and daughters Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12, were given time alone to walk on the wall.

On Saturday, Mrs. Obama gave a 15-minute speech at China’s prestigious Peking University in which she promoted the free flow of information and freedom of speech, the only time during her trip that she has brought up a contentious issue. China routinely filters out information deemed offensive by the government and silences dissenting voices.

Those remarks by Mrs. Obama were absent from China’s state media but were circulating in social media, where they were widely praised.

The trip, the first time a U.S. president’s wife has independently visited China, also has given Mrs. Obama an opportunity to engage with President Xi Jinping’s wife, Peng Liyuan.

On Friday, the two first ladies toured a Beijing high school, where Mrs. Obama tried her hand at calligraphy and pingpong and visited with students who had built robots. She also met with Xi that evening.

Mrs. Obama will visit the cities of Xi’an and Chengdu before returning to Washington on Wednesday.

violence in the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s ruling Fatah party decided Saturday to give the US-sponsored peace talks with Israel a chance until its ultimatum ends in April.

A statement issued after a Fatah Central Committee meeting held here and chaired by Abbas said it doesn’t want to close any door or window for the efforts of rescuing the peace process until the Palestinians peacefully gain their legitimate rights, Xinhua reported.

The statement, published by the Palestinians state-media was contrary to earlier Palestinian political powers and factions on Abbas to withdraw from the peace talks and stop all types of security coordination with Israel.

Their appeal was made

statement, adding “we will exert every possible effort to succeed the U.S. efforts tlements in the West Bank, made to rescue the peace with local media reports process.” saying the total figure could US Secretary of State amount to 2,372 units.

John Kerry managed last “The UK’s position on settlements is longstand- July to directly bring Israel ing: they are illegal under and the Palestinians to the international law, under- negotiation table.

“We stick to peace as a mine trust and threaten the viability of the two- choice and this means that state solution,” Robertson we want to reach a peace continued, emphasising agreement that guarantees need for “just and lasting” a full Israeli army withdrawal from the Palestinsettlement to the conflict.

The settlement is- ian territories occupied by sue tops the US-brokered Israel in 1967 including east talks between Israel and Jerusalem,” said Nabil Abu the Palestinians, which Rdineh, an aide to Abbas.

Rdineh, also spokesperrestarted last summer after a three-year halt of Is- son of Fatah, said the cenrael’s construction in the tral committee adopted the West Bank. same position and stressed that Israel must be committed to the release of pristhree militants.

“The Palestinian leader- oners, who were detained ship is committed to keep before Israel and the PLO the talks with Israel until signed Oslo accords in 1993.

settlement plan in West Bank lonDon, MARch 23 (IAnS): Britain has denounced Israel’s recent plan to build more settlement units in the West Bank, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has announced.

“I condemn the decisions taken by the Israeli authorities to advance a number of settlement plans in the occupied West Bank,” Xinhua quoted Hugh Robertson, British Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as saying.

Since Wednesday, Israel has reportedly approved to build more than 1, 220 new housing units in its set-

in the wake of an earlier Israeli army force raid on the northern West Bank refugee camp of Jenin and killing

Vessel collision causes oil spill in Houston channel

wAShInGTon, MARch 23 (IAnS): A ship and a barge containing nearly a million gallons of fuel collided and caused oil spill at a channel in the US state of Texas Saturday, the US Coast Guard said.

The incident happened Saturday noon in the Houston Ship Channel in south Texas, Xinhua quoted the Coast Guard as saying in a release. The barge, which contained 924,000 gallons of fuel

oil, collided with a 585-foot (178-metre) bulk carrier.

Officials said the barge was travelling from Texas City to Bolivar at the time of the collision. Operators of the barge activated its emergency response plan and all six crew members were accounted for and are in stable condition, authorities said.

A sheen of oil has been reported on the water, but the quantity of product released remained immedi-

ately unknown.

Marine traffic in the affected stretch of the Houston Ship Channel has been temporarily suspended. And it’s not immediately known when it will be reopened.

Owner of the barge is working in a unified response with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office on the scene.

The latest incident is the second collision in the Houston Ship Channel in

Japan’s biggest slum not on maps or in film fest

non-existent,” he said in a recent interview.

This place is Kamagasaki, home to day laborers, the jobless and homeless, where one in three are on welfare. About 25,000 people live in this compact area, mostly single men who stay in free shelters or dozens of cheap dorms that charge as little as 800 yen ($8) a night.

The day starts early at the welfare-employment center, where hundreds of people line up for manual labor work, mostly with subcontractors of Japan’s construction giants. Those not picked stroll the backstreets aimlessly, queue for free meals or resort to

cheap alcohol. In the evening, the homeless line up at the center to get tickets for the shelters.

“I’m jobless, for months,” said one 52-yearold resident who came to Kamagasaki after losing his home in the 1995 Kobe earthquake. He gambled away his monthly welfare money of 70,000 yen ($700).

“Now I’m doomed.”

Ota’s movie, “Fragile,” tells the story of a TV assistant director who takes off from his job one day after conflicts with his girlfriend and his colleague. He heads to Kamagasaki to make a film about a teenage boy, and whether success and wealth are necessary for

happiness. But he quickly falls into trouble, and his plan unravels.

The full-length feature shows recognizable landmarks of the slum, such as a park known for both squatters and illegal garbage dumping and the center where men line up for jobs. It also shows the protagonist receiving an amphetamine injection from a drug dealer operating in the slum. Ota says Osaka officials wanted those scenes and others deleted, as well as the slang words “doya” (cheap accommodations) and “shabu” (stimulants).

Osaka official Kazumitsu Oue said the film festival organizers wanted to pro-

tect the area and its people from exposure to prejudice.

“We felt that the film lacked consideration to the area and its people,” he said.

Ota says while living there to shoot the film for several weeks, his outsider’s impression of the slum as a poor, dangerous place changed and he began to regard the community — also known by the nickname Airin or “loving neighborhood” — and its inhabitants with more compassion. The scenes city officials objected to are needed to portray the different faces of the town, he said.

The city provided a 600,000 yen ($6,000) grant for the director on condition that

it premieres at the Osaka film festival. Ota says he has offered to return the grant, but the city wanted him to keep it and not disclose details of the dispute to the media. The two sides are examining the dispute and seeking ways to explain it to the public.

So far it’s only been shown at private screenings in Tokyo and Osaka.

Ota, who directed two wellreceived documentaries previously, hopes to enter “Fragile” in the competition for this year’s Cannes film festival.

During Japan’s economic boom in the 1960s and 1970s, Kamagasaki bustled with hundreds of thousands of young day

laborers. But the day labor market shrank after the Japan’s stock and real estate bubble burst in 1990, and again during the more recent global financial crisis.

In the world’s fastest graying nation, the challenge of aging is layered on top of economic decline.

Nearly 40 percent of the residents of Kamagasaki are 65 or older, nearly twice elsewhere.

“Many day laborers in the area can’t keep up with construction work as they get old,” said Yoshinori Kishi, an Osaka city official in charge of support and welfare of day laborers in the area.

In recent years, there have been some improve-

just over a week. On March 14, a cargo ship carrying grain collided with a barge carrying 840,000 gallons of fuel oil in the channel but did not cause any spill.

The Houston channel, which is part of the Port of Houston, one of the US’ busiest seaports, is the conduit for ocean-going vessels between Houston-area terminals and the Gulf of Mexico, and serves an increasing volume of inland barge traffic.

ments, thanks to job support, anti-crime and beautification programs, including one that aims to turn the neighborhood into a backpackers’ hangout like Bangkok’s Khaosan road.

Masanori Momiyama, 50, runs a tiny bar on the edge of the slum. He has seen its residents gray since he moved here 16 years ago.

“They are the ones who helped to construct many buildings and roads in the 1960s. I think we should thank them,” he said. He dismisses a common view that the area is dangerous and to be avoided. “Even though people in this area are quite unique, we are all harmless, friendly people.”

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Monday 24 March 2014

'La la la' - Shakira's new FiFa World cup song

The Morung Express

Serena and Maria advance in MiaMi Maria Sharapova beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-7 (7/5), 6-2 in a battle which took five minutes short of three hours to complete. Top seed Serena Williams waited out a 45-minute rain third-set interruption before dispatching France's Caroline Garcia 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Colombian singer Shakira poses during during the presentation of her new album "Shakira" in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 20, 2014. (AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES, MARCH 23 (IANS): Singer-performer Shakira, who made the world dance to the tunes of her song "Waka waka" during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has recorded a new number for the official World Cup to be held in Brazil this time. The star, who is dating Spain defender Gerard Piqué, has penned "La La La", a reworked version of new song "Dare", for this summer’s Brazil event, reports

dailystar.co.uk.

“It’s an upbeat, Brazilian track. The lyrics are personal and I’ve actually recorded a version for the World Cup,” said the 37-year-old. Shakira`s son Milan features on the track too. “I was in the studio and Milan came in to hang out in the afternoon. I had him on my lap and he was listening and then when it came to the end of the song, he just went ‘myah’,” she added.

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, right, drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago on Saturday, March 22. The Bulls won 91-81. (AP Photo)

76ers' lose to chicago Bulls

Bayern beats Mainz 2-0 to put 1 hand on title

BERLIN, MARCH 23 (AP): Bayern Munich left it late to grind out a 2-0 win in Mainz on Saturday and move one victory away from the Bundesliga title.

Bastian Schweinsteiger broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute and substitute Mario Goetze added another goal four minutes later to secure Bayern's league-record 18th consecutive win and stretch its unbeaten run to 51 games — also a record.

Second-place Borussia Dortmund won 3-0 at Hannover but remained 23 points behind Bayern with eight games remaining.

"We don't really care when we're champions," said Schweinsteiger, whose side can secure the quickest title in 51 years of the Bundesliga by winning at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday, regardless of Dortmund's result against Schalke in the Ruhr derby the same evening. "It's really great that we can be champions in Berlin, where it all began for me," Bayern defender Jerome Boateng said.

"We laid the groundwork today." Schalke consoli-

dated third with a 3-1 win over bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig.

Stuttgart beat 10-man Hamburger SV 1-0 to move above the visiting side and climb provisionally out of the relegation zone. It was the home side's first win in two games under new coach Huub Stevens, who saved Hamburg from relegation in 2007.

"It was a difficult game in a difficult situation," said Alexandru Maxim, whose goal ended Stuttgart's 10game winless streak.

Wolfsburg also ended with 10 men in a 1-1 draw with Augsburg. Kevin de Bruyne was sent off in injury time with his second yellow card for arguing the first. Borussia Moenchengladbach moved to fifth with a 3-0 win at home over Hertha Berlin.

Juan Arango opened the scoring in the 28th, Max Kruse doubled the home side's advantage four minutes later, and Raffael completed the scoring five minutes before the break with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper after he'd played a one-two with Max Kruse.

challenger cup 2014 KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The 10th Men and 6th Women Open Basketball Challenger Cup 2014 will be held from April 21-30 at Kohima Local Ground. This was stated in a press release from Sunep Jamir, President, Youth Aflame. The press release informed that the tournament will be an open championship, where apart from the local teams, teams from the neighbouring states as well as from mainland India are expected to take part in the championship. Forms will be available from March 25 at M-Tech Printing Press, next to NSF Office, Kohima.

The last date for submission of forms will be April 16. For more information, contact – 9856255336.

Serena Williams, of the United States, celebrates after scoring a point against Caroline Garcia, of France, at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 22. Williams won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. (AP Photo)

KEY B I S C AY N E , MARCH 23 (AFP): World number one Serena Williams and Russian star Maria Sharapova each battled through three sets on Saturday to advance into the fourth round at the ATP and WTA Miami Masters. Defending champion Williams and last year's runner-up Sharapova struggled mightily to survive, with five-time finalist Maria Sharapova requiring nine match point to book her win.

Sharapova beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-7 (7/5), 6-2 in a battle which took five minutes short of three hours to complete.

Sharapova let out a scream of relief when she finally went through as Safarova's shot hit the net, Sharapova having missed two chances in the second set to wrap it up early. "She was just hitting unbelievable shots on the match points," said Sharapova. "I kept asking myself how many more chances I had. "I'm just so happy to go through."

Sharapova ended her mar-

athon with nearly twice as many unforced errors, 51, as winners, 27, and doublefaulted eight times.

Top seed Serena Williams waited out a 45-minute rain third-set interruption before dispatching France's Caroline Garcia 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Serbian second seed and three-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the fourth round when opponent Florian Mayer retired a day before their scheduled match with a groin injury. Djokovic will next play Tuesday.

Williams, 32, bidding for a record seventh title at her home tournament, now stands 63-7 at the venue and was far from pleased with her showing. "Granted she played great, but I made so many errors, I hit so short," said Williams. "It really isn't the same player.

I just have to do better.

"It's important to stay positive. Obviously I wasn't at my best. I had 40-something errors. It's not the way to play professional tennis."

Reigning Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka downed Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the men's third round. The third-seeded Swiss raced through an 18-minute opening set, winning the first seven games before eventualy losing the second set. Wawrinka recovered on cue in the third with an opening break to advance in just under 90 minutes and then admitted he is still adjusting to his new status as a Grand Slam winner. "I still have some ups and downs mentally. I was negative in the second set a little bit stupidly, but then I'm really happy with the way I started the third set," Wawrinka said.

"I'm happy to win.

That's the most important. It was the first one here. It's never easy. Conditions were really slow, really humid. You need to get through. That's it -- just win the matches." Wawrinka, 14-1 this year, fired eight aces and broke four

times in only his fourth ATP match since beating Rafael Nadal to capture his first major title.

Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych began with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win over Frenchman Stephane Robert while 10th seed John Isner defeated Donald Young 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4.

Canadian number 12 Milos Raonic put out Jack Sock 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) and Italian 14th seed Fabio Fognini stopped Lukas Lacko 6-4, 6-4. German Tommy Haas, a 2013 semi-finalist, was forced out before his first match with a recurring shoulder injury.

Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki, seeded 14th, was unable to play due to influenza, handing a walkover to Belgian Kirsten Flipkens. German fifth seed Angelique Kerber beat Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0, 6-2, eighth seed Petra Kvitova stopped Croatian Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-4 and Ekaterina Makarova upset Italian ninth seed Sara Errani 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

C H I CA G O M A R C H 23 (AP): The Philadelphia 76ers suffered their 24th straight loss as Joakim Noah finished with 20 points and Jimmy Butler scored 17 in the Chicago Bulls 91-81 victory Saturday. The Sixers moved ahead of the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1997-98) and Charlotte Bobcats (201112) for the second-longest, single-season losing streak.

The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped 26 during the 201011 season, and Philadelphia would have to pull off an upset to avoid equaling that.

The next two games are at San Antonio and Houston.

Drop them, and the Sixers could set the record at home against Detroit on March 29, particularly if they continue to shoot like this from the outside. They missed their first 18 3-pointers before Byron Mullens made one early in the fourth and were 1 of 20 in the game. New Orleans power forward Anthony Davis had 30 points, 11 rebounds and three steals as the Pelicans beat the Heat 105-95 for struggling Miami's seventh loss in 11 games.

LeBron James twisted his right ankle while stepping on Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans' foot during a drive to the hoop late in the third quarter, but remained in the game and finished with 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. It was not enough for Miami, which gave guard Dwyane Wade and center Greg Oden the night off following Friday's victory at Memphis.

At Memphis, Tennessee, Mike Conley scored

21 points, and Zach Randolph added 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat the Pacers 82-71 — Indiana's lowest point total of the season.

Mike Miller added 13 points as Memphis won for the seventh time in nine games and maintained its hold on the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Marc Gasol, returning after spraining his ankle Friday night, had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Lance Stephenson led the Pacers with 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Houston Rockets led from the start to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-111 after James Harden scored 37 points, including 17 in the third quarter.

Harden was 9 of 15 from the field, hit five 3-pointers, made all 14 of his free throws and had 11 assists without playing the fourth quarter after Houston built a 29-point lead late in the third. Rockets center Dwight Howard missed his third straight game with a sore left ankle, but Houston is undefeated in the eighttime All-Star's absence.

Dion Waiters led Cleveland with 26 points. Tyler Zeller added a career-high 23 points for the Cavaliers, who also played without forward Luol Deng (sprained left ankle). In other games, the Charlotte Bobcats downed the Portland Trail Blazers 124-94, the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Detroit Pistons 112103, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors 99-90 and the Utah Jazz were 89-88 winners over the Orlando Magic.

Rooney double gives Manchester United 2-0 win

LONDON, MARCH 23 (AP): With David Beckham watching in the stands, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney replicated one of the retired star's most memorable strikes in a 2-0 victory at West Ham on Saturday. Rooney outmuscled James Tomkins after just seven minutes and sent the ball high for 58 yards (meters) from inside the halfway line over goalkeeper Adrian.

"It's just instinct, I've turned and had a quick look and seen the goalkeeper off his line," Rooney said. "It's one of those I've tried many times and thankfully today it's gone in."

Just as it did on the opening day of the 1996-97 season for Beckham, who lobbed Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan from the halfway line and celebrated Rooney's strike inside Upton Park almost 18

years on.

Manager David Moyes watched in astonishment from the touchline.

"Wayne's technical ability, his awareness to know where the goalkeeper was, was amazing in the build-up, and then to actually execute it was superb," Moyes said. "My only worry was whether the bounce would take it over the bar or not." Moyes was actually more pleased with the second after the wonder goal.

With England manager Roy Hodgson a spectator, Rooney was primed in front of goal to slot in from close range in the 33rd after Mark Noble failed to fully clear Ashley Young's low cross.

"He was getting in the box and leading the line," Moyes said of Rooney.

Rooney's first double in almost four months moved him to third on United's

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, right, scores from long range against West Ham United during their English Premier League soccer match at Upton Park, London, Saturday, March 22. (AP Photo)

all-time scoring chart, 37 behind Bobby Charlton's record 249.

The striker, who signed a new deal through June 2019 last month, thrived at Upton Park in the absence of Robin van Persie, who is beginning at least a month out with a left knee injury.

Moyes almost had to cope with a makeshift defense as United reeled off a third consecutive away win in the league without conceding, days after advancing to a Champions League quarterfinal with Bayern Munich by beating Olympiakos. However rare this comfortable league win was for Moyes' seventh-place side, reaching the top four seems beyond this team, with Arsenal 11 points in front in fourth place. But coming less than a week after what Rooney described as "one of my worst days" — a 3-0

home loss to Liverpool — confidence is high in the United camp heading into Tuesday's derby against Manchester City.

"The win on Wednesday night against Olympiakos has given us all a big lift," Rooney said. "You could see today the confidence running through the team, so it's a good victory and we're really pleased with that."

West Ham, though, was just six points above the relegation zone and manager Sam Allardyce complained that Rooney fouled Tomkins in the build-up for his first goal.

"When the ball comes forwards, James Tomkins is going to try and win it," Allardyce said. "Wayne, not making an attempt for the ball, pushes him with his left arm. It's not difficult for the assistant referee or the referee to see it."

Entertainment

The Morung Express

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier-released 26th March

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vel movie yet as they have delivered a film that is not only action packed, but also explores some interesting character and relationship development. Evans is joined on the cast list by Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford and Sebastian Stan, while Anthony and Joe Russo have taken over the director’s chair. Marvel has dominated the box office in recent years, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to be another mammoth hit.

he big blockbuster season kicks off this week as Chris Evans reprises the role of Captain America, in the second standalone film for this popular superhero. The latest Marvel film will follow Steve Rodgers as he tries to find his place in the modern world. But when S.H.I.E.L.D. is attacked it becomes clear that he cannot trust anyone. And just who is the Winter Soldier working for?

I have had the chance to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and it is the best Mar-

Godzilla - released 16th May

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e haven’t seen Godzilla on the big screen since Matthew Broderick came face to face with the iconic monster back in 1998, and now he is back. Godzilla is one of the most exciting films of the summer and it is one that I absolutely cannot wait to see; every time I see a trailer for this movie I get more and more excited. Godzilla will see Gareth Edwards back into the director’s chair, in what will be his first film since he made his debut

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will be greater than ever as Katniss and co go into war to fight for freedom. The great news is that Catching Fire filmmaker Francis Lawrence will direct both Mockingjay movies, and it is going to be exciting to see him explore these characters and relationships even further.

The likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson are all back.

Julianne Moore is the big new addition to the cast list as President Alma Coin.

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rench dance star David Guetta and his wife Cathy have reportedly divorced after 24 years of marriage. Editors at France’s Voici magazine claim the couple finalized the split in court last week (begs10Mar14), but the Guettas were not present for the hearing. No reason was given for the divorce, but Guetta and Cathy are said

ollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan feels her elder sister Karisma looks younger than any contemporary female stars today. “She (Karisma) has two kids, but she doesn`t look like a mother of two. She looks younger than any Bollywood actress even today. She is the most beautiful girl as her heart is of gold. When you see her she looks radiant as ever,” Kareena told. Kareena, 33, feels Karisma is lucky to have a toned body. “She has very toned body and she is genetically blessed. I am more of a Kapoor, but she is more like my mother,” Kareena said. The `Jab We Met` star said she might also open her own fashion label after being the face of many fashion labels. “It is not a plan or thought in my mind as of now. May be yes, sometime later,” she added.

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rganisers of the Sasquatch! Music Festival have scrapped plans to hold a second weekend event in 2014 that was set to feature Soundgarden and Frank Ocean. Going forward, Sasquatch! Music Festival will be at the Gorge Amphitheatre on the weekend the fans want Memorial Day Weekend only The music event, which is held at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington, was to be expanded this year (14) with a second weekend to coincide with America’s Independence Day in July (14) as well as the usual festival in May (14). High profile acts including Soundgarden, Kraftwerk and Frank Ocean had been announced to perform at the July event,

take on the central role of Peter Quill, while Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista complete the Guardians line-up as Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora and Drax. Karen Gillan, Lee Pace, Benicio Del Toro, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close and Djimon Hounsou complete a truly fantastic line-up. The movie follows American pilot named Peter Quill finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan. We already got a sneak peak of Benicio Del Toro as The Collector in a post credit scene in Thor: The Dark World, I really can’t wait to see the rest of the movie.

The Hobbit: There And Back Again - released 12th Dec

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014 is set to end with a bang as Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy is brought to a close with There And Back Again. The Hobbit has been a wonderful adaptation of a terrific novel, and I cannot wait to see Jackson deliver the final chapter.

The end of The Desolation of Smaug saw the dragon heading to Lake Town to destroy it, while a huge war looms for all involved. Much like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit has been crafted with real care and

attention from Jackson and his team; the respect that they have for the original material really does shine through. Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellan, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Lee Pace and Evangeline Lilly are all back, to ensure that this franchise ends with a bang. Other movies to watch out for include Maleficent, Hercules, Jupiter Ascending, Transformers: Age of Extinction and Teenage Ninja Turtles.

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Kylie Minogue stuns in dominatrix dress for G-A-Y performance

be continuing to work with each other on their shared business interests. The couple met in a Paris nightclub in 1990 and married later that year. The Guettas, who have two children together, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in 2010 by renewing their vows on the Spanish island of Ibiza.

Sasquatch! Music Festival’s Second Weekend Axed

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Toby Kebbell and Kodi SmitMcPhee will all star. Andy Serkis in the only star returning for the sequel, as he will reprise the role of Caesar. Serkis motion capture performance as ape Caesar was one of the major highlights of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and I cannot wait to see him bring this character to life once again. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows the survivors of the simian plague, which triggers an all-out war between humanity and Caesar’s growing forces.

Guardians of the Galaxy - released 1st August

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ers and early clips promise much, and it looks like Webb has brought a bigger and more epic feel to this second instalment.

The excitement around this film is really building, as Sony will be looking for The Amazing Spider Man 2 to make the $752 million at the global box office. A third and fourth instalment of the Spider Man franchise are already in the pipeline; Webb will direct the third film, but will not be at the helm for the fourth.

ise of the Planet of the Apes was one of the surprise movies of summer 2011; it was a movie that far exceeded my expectations and really was a fantastic watch. This summer sees the sequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and I am hoping that it will be just a good.

Matt Reeves has taken over the director’s chair from Rupert Wyatt, in what will be his first film since Let Me In. A new cast has been assembled as Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Jason Clarke,

uardians of the Galaxy is the second of two Marvel films to hit the big screen this year, as we are introduced to a new franchise and a brand new sets of characters. The last couple of years have been exciting for Disney/Marvel with a whole host of fantastic movie successes under their belt - but Guardians of the Galaxy is set to be their most adventurous project yet. The trailer promises an action packed film, with the trademark humour that we have come to expect from Marvel films. James Gunn is in the director’s chair for what will not only be his first Marvel film, but the biggest film of his directing career to date. Chris Pratt will

The Hunger Games: Mocking jay - Part 1 - released 21st Nov

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he Amazing Spider Man was a massive box office hit when the franchise was rebooted back in 2012, with Andrew Garfield in the central role. This springs sees Garfield return to the role of Peter Parker, while the perfectly named Marc Webb is back in the director’s chair.

The movie is set to be a mix of familiar faces and new names as Emma Stone, Sally Field, Jamie Foxx, Paul Giamatti and Dane DeHaan are all on board. The trail-

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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - released 17th July

The movie will follow Wolverine as he travels back into the past to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants. X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of the most anticipated films of 2014, and looks set to be one of the most successful instalments of the X-Men franchise. Personally, I cannot wait to see Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine come face to face with Fassbender and McAvoy’s Magneto and Xavier. From the minute that I saw the cast list for X-Men: Days of Future Past, this has been a film that I have been super excited about… it looks like it will not disappoint.

he Hunger Games : Catching Fire was one of the biggest movies of 2013, and when the credits rolled on that film, I was already excited to see the next instalment. The final book in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy has been split into two films, and Mockingjay - Part 1 will be hitting the big screen towards the end of the year. The movie continues to follow Katniss Everdeen as she becomes the symbol of rebellion against the Capitol. The action and the consequences

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The Amazing Spider Man 2 - released 18th April

with Monster. Edwards is one of the filmmakers to keep an eye on, and I cannot wait to see him put his own stamp on this latest instalment of the Godzilla franchise. He has brought together a wonderful cast, as Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Sally Hawkins, Ken Watanabe and David Strathairn are all on board. If you haven’t seen the Godzilla trailer yet, then you really should check it out as it promises to be an epic and exciting film.

X-Men: Days of Future Past - released 22nd May

-Men has been a fantastic franchise over the years, brings some great stories and wonderful characters to the big screen. X-Men: Days of Future Past sees Bryan Singer return to the director’s chair for his first X-Men movie since the success of X2 back in 2003. While this movie may be a sequel to X-Men: First Class, we are going to be seeing a whole host of actors from the original trilogy on board. Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult are back, while Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan and Halle Berry are all also on board.

Karisma looks younger than any Bollywood actress: Kareena

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lockbusters are always a staple of the big screen each year, with more and more films pushing the boundaries of special effects to give audiences an incredible cinema experience. 2014 looks set to carry on that trend, as there are a whole host of fantastic films in this genre to look forward to throughout the year. We take a look at some of the movies that are going to light up the big screen and battle it out for box office supremacy during the year.

Top 8 Blockbusters Of 2014

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but the extra weekend of music has now been cancelled. President of Live Nation Seattle, Jeff Trisler says, “The Sasquatch! community has spoken. They continue to support the traditional Memorial Day Weekend event with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the second weekend was not embraced. “We felt it was better to cancel the new event now and give everyone time to make alternative plans for the Fourth of July weekend.

Going forward, Sasquatch! Music Festival will be at the Gorge Amphitheatre on the weekend the fans want Memorial Day Weekend only”. Tickets for the Independence Day weekend event will be refunded.

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ust days after attracting controversy with a very racy music video, Kylie Minogue has flaunted her body in a red, dominatrix-style bandage dress while performing at London nightclub G-A-Y. The 45-year-old showed off her famous figure on Saturday night in a shiny, tight red dress, which she teamed with red peep-toe stilettos for her performance at the gay bar. The show was to celebrate the star’s latest album Kiss Me Once, her first studio album in four years and her 12th studio album ever. Kylie is a favourite at the club, where she has performed 11 times.

Her most recent appearance there marks the end of G-A-Y Kylie month at the bar, which allowed patrons to buy selected drinks for £1 whenever a Kylie video was playing.

But some fans have condemned the pop princess, saying the music video for the single Sexercize, released online on Wednesday, is too raunchy. The video, which shows Kylie writhing on gym equipment and being fondled by female dancers, was criticised by some on social media as being ‘soft porn’. Others condemned the video for sending the message to young girls that a woman’s worth is defined by her appearance and sexuality.

Vivienne Pattinson, of campaign group Mediawatch-UK, told The Daily Mail: ‘It’s just reinforcing the idea that your worth is defined by your hotness rather than anything else you have to offer, and that can be really damaging for the self-esteem of young girls.’ Appearing on Channel Nine’s Sunrise the star said the song is a ‘fun tongue-in-cheek number’ and that it was ‘open to everyone’s interpretation how they like to sexercise.’

This is Kylie’s first album since she signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label, which manages other stars including Rihanna.

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Rohit, Virat lead India to 7-wicket victory NEW DELhI, MaRch 23 (TNN): An impressive 106run partnership between Rohit Sharma (62*) and Virat Kohli (54) helped India beat West Indies by 7 wickets in their ICC World T20 match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

The Rohit-Kohli duo stitched a quick-fire stand for the second wicket after opener Shikhar Dhawan (0) failed to judge Samuel Badree's quicker delivery was caught leg before wicket early in the innings.

Kohli reached his fifty off 34 balls and hit 5 smashing boundaries and a single scintillating six in his gritty

innings. Rohit, on the other hand, reached his halfcentury in 44 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes to his credit.

Earlier, brilliant bowling by Ravindra Jadeja (3/48) and Amit Mishra (2/18) helped India restrict West Indies to 129/7.

After getting off to a slow start, West Indies first lost the wicket of opener Dwayne Smith (11) when R Ashwin successfully caught him off his own bowling.

West Indies's miseries were further deepened as the flamboyant Chris Gayle (34) too returned back to the pavilion when he fell

short of his crease in his attempt to steal a cheeky single.

Smith along with Gayle put up a crawling 38-run partnership in which Gayle survived twice as he was dropped on 0 and 9 after Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bowl.

Spinner Mishra then joined the wicket-taking party when he picked up two wickets in two balls.

Mishra first dismissed Marlon Samuels (18) by getting the batsman stumped brilliantly by MS Dhoni before catching Dwayne Bravo (0) plumb to

leave West Indies in tatters.

Ravindra Jadeja then rubbed more salt on the West Indies wounds when he scalped skipper Dar-

ren Sammy (11) by getting him caught superbly at the boundary ropes by Rohit Sharma. Soon after, Jadeja picked up his second and

third wickets of the match by dismissing Andre Russell (7) and Lendl Simmons (27) in the last over of the innings.

Pakistan beat Australia by 16 runs

India's batsmen Virat Kohli, left, and Rohit Sharma run between the wickets to add runs during their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match against West Indies' in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, March 23. (AP Photo)

MIRPUR, MaRch 23 (PTI): A rejuvenated Pakistan brought their campaign back on track as they rode on Umar Akmal's scintillating 54-ball 94 to register a 16-run victory over tournament favourites Australia in the ICC World T20 on Sunday.

In the end, Glenn Maxwell's belligerent 33-ball-74 wasn't enough for Australia to chase down the formidable total in this group league encounter. After posting 191 for five, Pakistan bowled out Australia, who were in the chase till the 15th over, for 175. The win ensured that Pakistan stayed in the competition, having lost their opening game to India. While 'Maxwell-Mayhem' blew apart the Pakistanis in the first 10 overs, the bowlers led by the ever-dependable Saeed Ajmal (1-33) and veteran Shahid Afridi (2-30), made a comeback and the Aussies frittered in their chase after Maxwell was gone.

The turning point was the 18th over bowled by Ajmal in which he gave only one run and also dismissed Aaron Finch (64, 55 balls), who was still carrying on the chase. If Umar Akmal's knock was a brilliant effort, Maxwell's power-hitting would have swept everyone off their feet.

Each of his six sixes were clean hits.

Opposition skipper Hafeez tried to peg him back bowling on his legs but he swept him out off the ground on one occasion and hit him over deep mid-wicket the other time. When Afridi drifted on the pads, he swept over square. While Maxwell was on a hitting mission, Finch quietly accumulated runs with occasional fours and sixes as they added 118 runs in 10.4 overs.

The watershed moment was the eighth over bowled by Bilawal Bhatti that cost 30 runs. Maxwell hit him for two maximums, apart from a couple of boundaries, to complete his maiden 50 in that over. When Ajmal tried to push in a quicker one, he was hit towards the deep mid-wicket region. A flighted one on the leg-middle was swept as the first 10 overs produced 117 runs. Maxwell was finally caught by Ahmed Shehzad off Afridi's bowling to raise hopes of a Pakistan comeback. Finch completed his 50 off 44 balls with five fours and two sixes as skipper George Bailey (4) was bowled by Afridi.

Brad Hodge also didn't stay for long and was caught in the deep by Ajmal off Umar Gul's bowling. Once Finch was bowled by Ajmal, Pakistan victory was sealed.

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