27th February 2014

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www.morungexpress.com

The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 55

www.morungexpress.com

Thursday, February 27, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge SC issues arrest warrant against Sahara chief Subrata Roy

Katy Perry Under Fire For Dark Horse Video

[ PAGE 8]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Talk held for better implementation of RTI

–Lao Tzu

Mighty Kohli powers India to 6-wicket victory over B’desh

[ PAGE 2]

Militants kill 58 students in school attack

[ PAGE 12]

[ PAGE 9]

[ PAGE 11]

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strengthening relations Indefinite blockade on Nagaland enters day-2 between thais and nagas refrain from newmai news network

He came to tell us he is not involved in any scams .. in advance.

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Is Naga society doing enough to create, develop and strengthen its democratic culture? Yes

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Others

Rahul evades question on withdrawal of AFSPA GuwahatI, February 26 (PtI): Evading a direct reply on withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that the insurgency problem there like in Assam could be solved through discussions, devolution of power and love. “I am inspired by Mahatma Gandhi that any conflict can be resolved through discussions, love and peace. So that is my answer,” Congress Vice-President said, sidestepping a specific response on being asked if the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would be withdrawn from Manipur where it has been held responsible for stirring up social disharmonies affecting women and students. “I am really confident that the problem in Manipur like the problem in Assam can be resolved and will be resolved soon,” he said during an interaction with students at the Don Bosco University here. “You cannot solve problems without discussing them and by using force against these people. They must have the power to do what they want to chart out their own destiny and fulfil their dreams. So more power to the youngsters and the people,” he said.

Morung Express news

Dimapur | February 26

Kohima | February 26

The indefinite economic blockade, called by Karbi Anglong based organizations, against Nagaland state, entered its second day on Wednesday, with people in the state resorting to panic buying of commodities. Two battalions of IRB and large number of police personnel have been deployed in the Nagaland-Assam border near Dimapur. CrPC 144 continues to be promulgated in the areas where the blockades are being enforced by agitators. A large number of youths with placards and banners were also seen on National Highways 29 and 36. Reports from Karbi Anglong, Assam informed that no untoward incidents have taken place in connection with the agitation. Sources further reported that there have been no new developments regarding talks to call off the indefinite blockade. The organizations imposing the blockade have allege that their “Nagaland counterpart has already encroached a large area of our forest land and that intruders, cut jungles, construction of roads and houses etc have become the order of the day.” The organizations further allege that when Assam Police had asked the encroachers to evict the areas, “they resorted to fight back.’” Meanwhile, Shopkeepers in Dimapur informed Newmai News Network that the availability of food items is doubtful if the indefinite economic blockade continues for the next few days. The blockade has been imposed by the Karbi Students and Youth Council (KSYC), All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), All

“I will go back and see what can be done in Thailand,” said Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, during her brief visit to the Nagaland University (NU), Meriema Campus on February 26, who has suggested to offer scholarships to Naga students, exchange programs and send Thailand officials to visit Nagaland University. Professor Lanunungsang, Pro-Vice Chancellor, while giving a brief introduction of NU, considered the Princess’s visit as history in the making for Nagaland University. The program was chaired by Dr. Jano L. Sekhose, Associate Professor while a folk song was presented by students of NU. Brief presentations were given by Professor Akali Sema; Imkonglemba, Commissioner and Secretary, School Education and F P Solo, Commissioner and Secretary, Higher Education. While presenting on the topic, ‘Agricultural system in Nagaland and Agricultural Education in Nagaland University’, Professor Akali Sema suggested three points for possible Thai-Naga collaboration: skill development programs, turnkey projects and research work for PhD scholars. Imkonglemba, Commissioner and Secretary, School Education informed that education in Nagaland is 140 years old and that the pre-primary education in Nagaland is way ahead of the Indian level. FP Solo, Commissioner and Secretary for Higher Education spoke on ‘Higher Education System in Nagaland,’ where he suggested the need for strengthening of existing colleges in Na-

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand receiving traditional naga jewelry during her visit to nagaland University, Meriema Campus on Wednesday.

galand, establishment of more agricultural colleges, engineering and medical colleges and provision of quality education. The Princess assured the faculty and state officials of future collaborative programs where Nagaland and Thailand can work together, such as invitation of Naga students and teachers to Thailand for interaction with their counterparts, short-term courses and scholarships. Following the interaction with the faculty, the Princess also inspected classroom teaching modules and interacted with the University’s students.

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of Khonoma at the Damant Memorial by Charles Chasie. On reaching the Khonoma Fort at Semoma, various indigenous activities were exhibited by the villagers. Princess Sirindhorn also interacted with the village leaders at Thevoma Khel Dahu. She was offered local food items like rice beer and puffed rice. An informal programme was held at Khonoma community hall, where the Princess unveiled the monolith erected in honor of her visit. Village youth sang a song for the Princess, followed by exchange of gifts and mementos. With DIPR inputs

DIMaPur, February 26 (Mexn): In view of the border dispute between Assam and Nagaland, along the KA area, the Karbi Anglong Peace Forum (KAPF) has appealed for the public and all organizations to refrain from imposing bandhs or blockades. KAPF, in its meeting today, urged the states of Nagaland and Assam to respect their respective territorial integrity. A press note from KAPF President, Pankaj Teron expressed regret at the border issue between the two states and appealed that the issue must be solved between the two state governments. “The governments must take the steps to resolve the problem instead of civil bodies from both sides,” it asserted. Stating that the peace forum is against any action that deprives the human rights of any person or peoples, the KAPF said that any misunderstanding or dispute must be addressed through dialogue and mutual respect.

Assam Gurkha Students’ Union (AAGSU), Karbi Unemployed Youth Association (KUYA), KSA, ADSU, AAGSU, Karbi Re-Awakening Organisation (KRAO) and United Students Union of Karbi Anglong (USUKA), in protest against the alleged encroachment of Assam’s territory by people from the Nagaland side of the border.

The Essence of a Naga woman “Ocean of change” in MDH

BP reading in both arms key for healthy heart: Study

new york, February 26 (IanS): In a significant news for blood pressure (BP) patients and doctors alike, researchers have suggested to take BP reading in both arms, rather than the present system of measuring BP using one arm, for better cardiovasvular health. The difference in interarm systolic blood pressure - where both arms are used for BP reading - has now been linked to greater risk of future cardiovascular events. Measuring interarm blood pressure involves taking two readings, one for each arm. Increased interarm systolic blood pressure differences are defined as 10 mmHg or greater. “In this large community-based study, an increased interarm systolic blood pressure difference was found to be present in nearly 10 percent of individuals and is associated with increased levels of traditional cardiovascular risk factors,” explained lead investigator Ido Weinberg from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

Thai Princess visits Khonoma The Princess also visited Khonoma on Wednesday. On reaching the British Bungalow, she was officially received by Minister for Social Welfare, Kiyanilie Peseyie; Parliamentary Secretary for Justice & Law, Land Revenue, Neikiesalie Nicky Kire; Chief Secretary, Banuo Z. Jamir and village elders. Youth, womenfolk, students and children in traditional attire throughout the village, lined up to welcome the Princess. Along the way to Khonoma fort, the Princess was briefed on the history of the famous battle

imposing blockades, says KAPf

Young Konyak Naga girls in their traditional fineries. (Photo by: Ato Lemanghu)

naro Longchar Kohima | February 26

Puffing the smoking pipe with red lips from chewing ‘tamul,’ she would walk ever so slowly for any mundane task. But the one thing that I remember distinctly about my grandmother was the traditional jewelry and clothes she adorned herself with. Her ears lobes drooped down low from the weight of the heavy white traditional earrings; the traditional Ao necklace (red bead with alternate bell shaped brass) around her neck and the red and blue Ao mekhala wrapped around her waist was her everyday getup. As a child I would stare at her sagging earlobes, and wonder if it hurt and why she would go to such lengths for an earring. Of course I did not real-

ize then that she was born into an era where the now ‘traditional’ attire was an everyday getup and very much a part of being a naga woman. Wearing a pant or anything other than the mekhala would have been completely unthinkable or even a ‘taboo’. Over the years with the advent of Christianity and ‘modernization,’ the modern Naga woman is but a whisper of what she used to be. In a male dominant society she has blossomed into a strong, independent woman and work efficient outfits have replaced the traditional wear. Our traditional attire has more of a formal feel and is not very comfortable for everyday wear unlike ‘Jainsem’, the traditional attire of Meghalaya. A two piece garment which is the basic everyday outfit of almost all women folk there and ‘Jain-

kyrshah’, a checkered cotton cloth knotted over one shoulder; sort of an improvised apron for home wear. With changing times, comes a need to adapt. If history is any indication, civilizations have been lost or suppressed because they refused to change and instead clung on to their traditional ways. Having said that, our past and our traditions constitute our identity and preserving them is preserving ‘who we are’. Many in the younger generation do not even know how to wrap a mekhala around their waist or to walk around wearing it. Wearing traditional attires should not become a societal issue imposed through some authority, a certain group or an organization. One should wear it because one wants to and is proud of what it stands for. It should come from within a home; simple things like a mother teaching her daughter on how to wear a mekhala; passing on the rich tradition, so that years down the line, things do not come to such a point that an internet search on ‘how to wear a mekhala’ is needed. Maybe my grandmother went to the lengths of wearing the heavy traditional earrings and the uncomfortable getup everyday because she was used to it or maybe because it was her way of clinging on to the past when everything around her was changing, replaced by something alien. Or maybe the getup was a part of who she was, the essence of a complete Naga woman.

MSF hands over management of Mon district Hospital; urges health department to keep commitments and ensure standards

Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Imkong L Imchen, with other dignitaries at the presentation of symbolic handover keys for the Mon District Hospital on February 26.

Mon, February 26 (Mexn): Wednesday marked a milestone for the Mon District Hospital, as Medecins sans Frontieres/ Doctors without Borders (MSF) handed back the management responsibility for the hospital to the Nagaland state Department of Health and Family welfare (DoH&FW). MSF has been partnering with the DoH&FW since 2010, in tireless efforts to improve health services in the said hospital by providing additional local and international medical staff and technicians, free medicines and laboratory tests, medical equipment, including a state of the art digital X-Ray machine. Minister for Health

and Family Welfare, Imkong L Imchen, speaking on the occasion, stated that there has been an “ocean of change” in the hospital, since the collaboration between MSF and the DoH&FW. Acknowledging the efforts of MSF, Imkong expressed that “our doctors will rise to the occasion and provide a good delivery system for people of Mon, who deserve good healthcare system as others.” “I do not see any reason why we can’t be successful after MSF leaves us,” he added. Luke Arend, Country Director of MSF noted that this partnership has “brought big improvements to the hospital over the last four years.” Con-

gratulating everyone involved in the project, he urged the DoH&FW to “ensure the supply of the agreed essential medicines as our provision stops, to contract the 28 additional staff committed previously by DoH&FW as soon as possible, and to find a solution for the power and water supply problems in the hospital, as fuelling the generator and trucking the water will be difficult to sustain.” As part of their efforts, MSF has worked towards integration of laboratory services, upgrading the waste disposal and water provisioning systems, facilitating quality blood transfusion services and setting up a tirage system

in the hospital. MSF has supported free ambulance services for referrals, refurbished parts of the hospital and implemented standardised medical and management procedures to improve the working practices and culture. It has also built a chest ward for treating sensitive Tuberculosis and for the more severe form of drug resistant Tuberculosis, as well as increased the capacity of the hospital from 50 to almost 90 beds, informed a press note from MSF. The note further cited a recent patient satisfaction survey conducted in the hospital in January 2014, where 80% of respondents said that “they feel good about the level of treatment that they received in the hospital”. 89% of respondents said that “they would recommend this hospitaltootherfamilymembers and friends”. MSF will continue to provide technical support until the end of June 2014, to ensure stabilization and smooth operation of the hospital. The handover ceremony was also attended by Angau I. Thou, Deputy Commissioner, Mon; Dr Neiphi Kire, Principal Director, DoH&FW; Dr Neikietuo Chiesotsu, NRHM Mission Director; Dr U K Konyak Chief Medical Officer, Mon; Dr. Leamnyei, Medical Superintendent Mon District Hospital and Manlip Konyak, Konyak Union President.

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