C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 90
“
www.morungexpress.com
India Madhuri Dixit committed named most to noninspirational proliferation: female PM Bollywood icon [ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Any plan to stop criminalization of politics if elected? Madam, ask him he is the candidate.
Fasting and Prayer for General Election 2014 KOHIMA, APRIL 2 (MExN): The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has called upon Catholics in the country for a National Day of Fasting and Prayer on April 4, in order to pray for free, fair and peaceful elections to the upcoming LS polls. A press note from the Chancellor of the Diocese of Kohima stated that this has been initiated so that “the Government of the Lord’s choice may be installed at the centre, and the elected members may conscientiously carry out their service, keeping in mind especially the poor and the marginalised.” Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, has exhorted all Catholic of the Diocese of Kohima to pray for smooth conduct of the election in Nagaland, as well as in the country.
C M Y K
Thursday, April 3, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Albert Camus
‘Learning science without memorizing’ [ PAGE 2]
‘Jet mystery may never be solved’
‘West Indies aiming for World T20 history’ [ PAGE 10]
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 11]
indian Democracy and its challenges
NEW DELHI, APRIL 2 (AP): In a country where men have long told their wives whom to vote for, Sheila Kumar says she has no intention of letting her husband dictate her vote in next month’s national election. “Never again,” Kumar said as she waited to collect a bucket of drinking water from the communal tap in a south Delhi slum. She sounds every bit the modern Indian woman, a reflection of a country with many of the outward signs of modernity: the glitzy shopping malls, the techsavvy billionaires and the burgeoning focus on women’s rights. But it’s not so simple. Because even if she won’t allow her husband to choose her candidate, there is someone else who gets that power. “The caste elders will decide who we should vote for,” said Kumar, 43, a member of the small, midlevel Kurmi caste. “We will vote for someone from our own caste. Why should we support anyone else?” India’s often baffling contradictions are on full display, with age-old traditions of caste loyalty, patriarchy and nepotism often clashing with the values of a modern world. But even
india’s election by the numbers
W
ith more than 800 million eligible voters and close to a million polling stations across the country, everything about India’s general elections promises to be huge. For six weeks beginning Monday, Indians will head to the polls in nine phases for parliamentary elections in the world’s biggest democracy.
Supporters listen to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or common man party, chief Arvind Kejriwal during an election campaign rally in New Delhi on April 2. (AP Photo)
though democracy is far from perfect here, it still lurches forward. Elections in India are generally considered free and fair, and even the powerful often fall to defeat at the hands of voters. The politically independent Election Commission, empowered by the constitution, has the last word on political wrangles. “Politicians know that they are accountable to their electorate. If people have voted them into office, they can
just as easily toss them out in the next election,” said Ajoy Bose, a political commentator in New Delhi. Still, the challenges are rife. Voting patterns are heavily influenced by caste, the complex social ladder that mobilizes entire communities. The former “untouchables,” or Dalits, are a powerful vote bank and political parties make a ll manner of promises to woo them. Women’s votes are often dictated by the men in the household, although
that appears to be changing somewhat with growing literacy. But family and community elders still hold enormous sway. Corruption, a longtime scourge in India, is impossible to ignore. And many Indians say the lack of election primaries prevents voters from ushering out the old guard. Lack of development in much of India also poses challenges. Armed guerrillas always threaten to disrupt national elections;
Here’s a look at some of the mind-boggling numbers: • 1.2 billion: India’s population. • 814.5 million: Eligible voters. • 543: The number of constituencies where elections are being held. • 11 million: Election officials, paramilitary officers and police who will preside over the voting process. • 1.4 million: Electronic voting machines set up for the election. • $600 million: The amount the government will spend to conduct the election. • $72,800 to $113,250: The amount each political candidate is allowed to spend on his or her election campaign. • 935,000: The number of polling stations across the country. • 28,000: The number of transgender voters who registered. For the first time, India offered a third gender choice — “other” — on voter registration forms. The Associated Press
this year is no different. The rebels are active in 20 of India’s 28 states. The rebels demand a greater share of wealth from the area’s natural resources and more jobs for farmers and the poor. Security, already tight in rebel areas, will be reinforced with even more troops. Similar boycotts are also expected in the violence-wracked northern state of Kashmir, where separatist groups have called on people to shun the elections. In the last
parliamentary election in 2009, 40 percent of Kashmir’s eligible voters turned out despite rebels’ calls for boycotts and strikes. Separately, in India’s remote but restive northeastern states, a host of separatist groups warring against the Indian state for decades pose yet another obstacle. The Election Commission has counted 815 eligible voters. The increase in the number of eligible voters since 2009 elections is more than 100 million, or
close to the population of the Philippines. In all, around 3 million paramilitary troops and police will be deployed to maintain law and order during the polls, officials said. “The unique thing about Indian elections is that huge numbers of people are voting,” said Bose. “And it’s the poorest who will make it a point to go out and vote. For this one time, people feel a sense of power. They feel they are relevant.”
Autistic children have lenten Agreement gains more support a right to be heard: Gov Naga leaders urged to put Agreement into practice
CCSU appeals for complete relocation of DIET Tuensang TUENSANG, APRIL 2 (MExN): The Confederation of Chang Students Union (CCSU) has written to the Director of SCERT, expressing concerns over the relocation of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Tuensang. The CCSU stated that DIET Tuensang, which was upgraded in 1998, is located in a very congested area, due to which the concerned department had tabled a proposal for relocation of the entire institute. This, it said, was approved by the union ministry. Subsequently, the Tuensang district administration forwarded a proposal for construction of only a boy’s hostel and staff quarters below the ITI Office junction at Ngangpong village, Tuensang. The CCSU stated that this is contrary to the approved project for relocation of the entire institute. According to the CCSU, the institute consists of one main building to accommodate the office, four classrooms and one conference hall; a 61 bedded hostel for both boys and girls; one Principal’s quarter, one building with four dwelling unit for academic personnel and one building with four dwelling units for grade 4 staff. The CCSU has urged the concerned authority to nullify the present proposal to construct only the boy’s hostel and staff quarters. It appealed for the authority to identify a land where the entire campus can be accommodated and said that the confederation would extend any help to this end.
”
To know oneself, one should assert oneself
C M Y K
Nagaland Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar addressing the gathering on World Autism Awareness Day in Kohima today. (Morung Photo)
Nagaland observes World Autism Awareness Day Our Correspondent Kohima | April 2
Governor of Nagaland, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, today said that society and government are taking measures to ensure that the “differently-abled” are not left alone to face discrimination, isolation and abuse. Speaking at the World Autism Awareness Day cum inauguration of a multi-purpose hall of Jo Foundation Inclusive Play School here, Dr. Kumar said the annual observance of World Autism Day enables us to join “autistic people and their beloved ones” to share our concern for their welfare. “We have realized the need to educate ourselves and treat such people with
love and understanding,” he said. Stating that so far medical science has failed to find the exact cause and cure for this complex disorder, he said, “We need to put in more money, time and effort to find a medical solution to this problem.” He also stated it is our duty to guarantee physical, economic and social security to all such people. “The government is with you, the whole society is with you and all of us are with you,” he said. Since the “differently-abled” are guaranteed equal social, economic and political rights as per our Constitution, he said, it is our duty to ensure that they avail of all services granted to them. He also stressed on the need to take steps to enforce their right to inherit property and safeguard their future. “It is unfortunate and sad to notice that till date the country is yet to formu-
late a concrete policy to address this group of people having autistic symptoms. It is indeed sad that there is still no strong supporting system in the country to help this group of children,” said Vipralhou Kesiezie, director SCERT Nagaland Kohima. Challenging the gathering to extend support to autistic children, he said, “Let us show that we care for them and love them. Autistic children have a right to be heard and to be loved.” ‘Enable’ Kohima chairperson, Neikule Doulo, said that Enable was formed in 2007. Its programmes that focus on awareness at schools, Sunday schools and capacity building for parents and stakeholders, to take up the cause of disability, has yielded dividends and expressed pride at being associated with Daniel and Dr. Asunu since the inception of Jo Foundation. She was appreciative that the duo have come up with a place like Jo Foundation where not just inclusion but remediation services are being provided, adding that it has physiotherapy and special education besides the regular curriculum. “We still need services of speech therapists, more occupational therapists, diagnostic and testing services as well,” Doulo said. Earlier, State commissioner for disabilities Dr. Atha Vizol and (Rtd) director of economics & statistics Dr. N. Thong also spoke on the occasion. The function was chaired by Jo Foundation chairman, Daniel Thong Seb, while Life Ministries director, Colo Mero, proposed the vote of thanks.
DIMAPUR, APRIL 2 (MExN): The Naga Council, while lauding the signing of the Lenten Agreement, has urged upon the FNR and various Naga Political Groups to put into practice the agreement, for the formation of one government. This was resolved at a consultative meeting of the Naga Council members, its constituent units (Tribal Hoho) Presidents and Dimapur Colony Council Chairmen Federation on April 2. A press note from the Naga Council also urged the Nagaland state government to facilitate entrepreneurs under the umbrella of the Business Association of Nagaland by allotting
them rooms in the shopping complex at Forest Colony, Dimapur. The meeting further deliberated for commissioning of a New Naga Cemetery at Zani Village, as the old cemetery has been exhausted. To this end, the Naga Council has appealed for public support and co operation.
Leaders told to uphold Naga Unity The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has appealed for all Naga Political Groups to “join hands together with the FNR to uphold Naga unity under one umbrella for our better tomorrow.” A press note from the NCSU lauded the
signing of the Lenten Agreement between the NSCN (IM), GPRN/NSCN and the NNC/FGN and expressed gratitude to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, under the leadership of Rev Dr Wati Aier. “The different factions have been fighting amongst themselves for many years, which has led to the untimely loss of many philanthropic leaders and innocent people,” the NCSU lamented. It further acknowledged the “bold decision and fearless determination” of the FNR towards reconciliation and termed the signing of the Lenten Agreement as a historic achievement for the reconciliation process.
former Manipur minister released Ruivah was abducted by armed cadres on Tuesday Newmai News Network Imphal | April 2
Abducted former Manipur minister Khasim Ruivah was released around 8:15pm today. He is said to have been kidnapped by suspected hill based armed cadres Tuesday. Reports said Khasim Ruivah was released by his abductors around 8:15pm, Wednesday, in Ukhrul district but it could not be ascertained why he was kidnapped, or released. Minutes after his release, Ruivah’s family members took custody of the former minister. Media persons could not reach Ruivah. Earlier in the day, the BJP’s Ukhrul unit accused the Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim for the act. A
The BJP Ukhrul Unit staged a sit-in protest Wednesday morning against the kidnapping of former Manipur minister, Khasim Ruivah. By evening, Ruivah was released. (NNN Photo)
sit-in protest against the kidnapping of the former minister was held today in front of BJP’s Ukhrul office. The protestors demanded the immediate release of Ruivah. According to sources, Khasim Ruivah was asked to come to a place in Ukhrul by certain persons. When the former minister obliged, the suspected armed cadres whisked him away to an “unknown destination” around 10:30am on Tuesday. Khasim Ruivah is said to have joined the BJP sometime back and was re-
portedly campaigning fervently for the BJP candidate (Prof. Gangmumei Kamei) standing for the Outer Manipur seat. It may be mentioned that Khasim Ruivah was education minister of Manipur during the Nipamacha-led government. He was elected from a Federal Party of Manipur ticket from Chingai assembly seat. Again, in 2007 assembly election, Ruivah was elected as an Independent candidate backed by the United Naga Council from Chingai assembly constituency of Ukhrul district.
TNL express appreciation Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) expressed its sincere appreciation for the release of Khasim Ruivah. Prior to his release, the TNL had organized a candle light vigil in Ukhrul town this evening appealing for the release of the abducted former minister. “We had appealed to the abductors in this evening’s public candle rally in the town for the release of the former minister to promote the peace conducting of the Lok Sabha polls,” stated TNL president Artax Shimray.
C M Y K