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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 92
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www.morungexpress.com
Saturday, April 5, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Glimpses of the Aoleang festival
The Handel’s Messiah Concert... [ PAGE 2]
Desperate hunt for MH370 black box
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
I am so pumped up; I can hardly wait to sweep the upcoming LS polls.
NCSU demands cancellation of four project work orders KOHIMA, APRIL 4 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has written to the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B),demanding cancellation of all four project work orders against the tender tables allotted to M/S Singh Construction, M/S Panesar & Sons, M/S Frontier Construction and M/S National Construction, within seven days. It cautioned that failure to do so would compel the NCSU to take its own course of action, and that the department would be held responsible for any untoward incident.
NPF asks ECI to ban SUMA
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DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Front has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, India expressing concerns at actions taken by the Students Union Movement of Arunachal (SUMA) and called upon the ECI to “ban” the said association, till the conclusion of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. A press note from the NPF alleged that SUMA “has attacked NPF party workers and also burnt down a Nagaland registered vehicle in Donyi-Polo Ashok Hotel, Itanagar on April 2.” The party said that SUMA had “earlier displayed deep antipathy towards NPF,” and had asked the NPF “not to enter Arunachal Pradesh at the behest of its political masters.” It lamented that the student body has become an “extra constitutional entity against evolution of a free polity based upon democratic institutions like the NPF.” “Political parties are the source and sustenance of our representative democracy and any intercession with this fundamental is tantamount to subversion of democracy,” the NPF stated. The party called for “immediate intervention” from the ECI in “banning the organization” till the conduct of elections. “SUMA has demonstrably evidenced its nefarious interference in the conduct of elections in Arunachal Pradesh to the detriment of the NPF,” it stated. It further asked the ECI to instruct the CEO of Arunachal Pradesh to “freeze all capabilities of SUMA in order to enable NPF to freely and fairly campaign in the state, towards an objective and even handed poll in the state.” The NPF has fielded candidates in 12 Assembly Constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh for the upcoming LS polls and has rendered support to the BJP in East Arunachal Parliamentary constituency and to the PPA in West Arunachal seat.
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The will to succeed is important, but what’s more important is the will to prepare
Modi favourite to be PM but India deserves better: Economist
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–Bobby Knight
Kholi drives India to T20 final [ PAGE 12]
nagaland Governor proposes Youth power can set new path ‘Morung system’ in education
BANGALORE, APRIL 4 (AP): What do India’s youth want from their politicians? Clean water, universal health care, women’s safety, food for all, better education, less corruption, better roads, more investment and above all, more jobs. As India begins its election process Monday, the enormous population of ambitious, techsavvy and politically engaged youths has great potential to sway the outcome. More than 378 million of India’s 814 million eligible voters between 18 and 35, according to census records. India’s young voters have a world view that in many ways is strikingly different than their parents’ and grandparents’. They have grown up in a time of enormous international opportunity, technological innovation and high-speed economic growth. “Our parents believed you can be happy only with financial security,” said Sushant Bangru, a 21-year-old biology major at the Indian Institute of Sciences in Bangalore. “But we know that passion and knowledge is above money. It’s about doing what you love to do.” Anxious to pursue their dreams, young people are particularly concerned with India’s ability to add jobs. India added fewer than 3 million jobs between 2005 and 2010, far below the 1 million needed each month to keep up with student matriculation and Indians’ growing ambitions. India’s first-time voters came of age in an era of economic reforms that eased socialist-leaning policies and allowed more imports and foreign investment. Annual percapita income nearly tripled between 2002 and 2010, while
Our Correspondent Kisama | April 4
Students and first time voters participate in a street play to create awareness on voting rights in Gauhati, India, Friday, April 4 2014. India will hold national elections from April 7 to May 12, kicking off a vote that many observers see as the most important election in more than 30 years in the world’s largest democracy. More than 378 million of India’s 814 million eligible voters between 18 and 35, according to census records. (AP Photo)
India moved from a country mostly concerned with securing food and shelter to one in which priorities are jobs, electricity and infrastructure. But the riches have rolled out unevenly, creating a conspicuous wealth gap that has fueled frustrations by putting lavish lifestyles in close proximity with the 400 million Indians — a quarter of the country’s population — living in poverty under $1.25 a day. Those gaps are even more visible and public with the technology explosion. Twenty years ago people had access to only a single state-run TV channel and most had no telephone. To-
day, there are more than 200 TV channels — with some 40 devoted to news alone — while three in four Indians has a cell phone. “We have no toilets in my home village, but everybody has a smartphone, and we all check every day for what’s happening in the campaign,” said 22-yearold Hanamanthray Biradar in Karnataka. “Indian democracy is at a peculiar stage of maturity or evolution. There has been a particular way democracy has been functioning for the last 30 years, and there is a backlash against it,” said Jagdeep Chhokar, who heads the Association for Democratic Reforms in New Delhi. “With all the
talk of the young electorate, the political parties are now scrambling to do whatever they can to grab young voters.” The engagement of India’s youth in politics reached a pinnacle three years ago, as they joined urban middle-class protesters in marching in protests against endemic corruption. Their demands led to anti-graft legislation and the formation of the AAP. Some voters say they’re already disillusioned by politics and unhappy with the candidates. But they plan to cast their ballots nonetheless, taking advantage of a new choice on the ballot — for “None of the Above.”
Nagaland Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar today said that compared to other districts, Mon lags behind in development, agriculture, infrastructure, health and education. “The schools have been sanctioned in the remote areas, but there are no good school buildings. Where there are school buildings there no good teachers. Where there are teachers there are no good students,” he said while gracing the silver jubilee celebration of Konyak Union Kohima cum Aoleang festival here. As per statistics Mon district is the most backward in terms of literacy and education, he said, adding that it has the lowest literacy in Nagaland, both among rural and urban, and among the male and female population. As per the 2011 census, he said, the overall literacy rate in Mon is 56.60% (males: 60.38 % and female 52.39%). In order to achieve long term results, he said “First is adopting the concept of Morung system of living and learning in our school education structure. We find that in the villages, the parents are neither well educated nor have the resources to send their children to full time school. At home these children, especially girls are required to do household work/help in cooking. All children have to help in agriculture operations and look after the cattle. As a result their studies get neglected. How can we expect these children to devote full time and energy to studies? How can we expect them to compete with other children from the urban
areas and richer families? Asking them to do so appears unfair.” He suggested that one alternative is to put boys and girls, within the age group of 10 years, from all poor sections of society, in hostels run on the lines of Morungs. He added that the state should provide all meals, books, clothes and teaching materials free of cost. “We have the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. We have famous public schools providing hostel education to children of rich people located in Shillong, Shimla and Darjeeling. We have Sainik Schools. We need to make Morung Schools for the children of poor parents from remote/rural areas of Nagaland,” he stated. He also stated that children below nine years need to be educated in the schools located near their villages. With the twin objectives of improving the health and education of poor children, the Governor informed that nearly Rs. 34.83 crore was released for Nagaland to run the mid day meal scheme. In the 12th five year plan, an amount of Rs. 90, 155 crore has been kept for this scheme. “It is for us and the state government to utilize our share and ensure that we provide properly cooked, Naga style, nutritious meals to our school going children. If we are unable to do so for any reason, then we will be denying our poor children the right to a good mid day meal,” he said. Further, the Governor urged the Konyak Union, Konyak youth, the NSF, ENPO and NGOs to take up implementation and monitoring of this scheme, “which is so vital for our children.” Related story on page 5
Standoff at Rilan Yan village ‘We hope for peace to continue’ Morung Express News Dimapur | April 4
The Dimapur-Karbi-Anglong border witnessed another standoff on April 4. This time, it was at Rilan Yan border village on the western periphery of Dimapur district. According to Rilan Yan villagers, Assam Police personnel tore down bamboo structures, under construction, within the village jurisdiction. The site in question overlooks an Assam Police camp and a newly formed settlement, a few hundred feet across. The villagers said that they were setting up bamboo structures when the Assam Police, along with Assam Forest and CRPF personnel turned up at the site in the late afternoon and directed the work-
ers to vacate the site. They then started dismantling the structures, which were under construction, the villagers said. It led to heated exchanges between the villagers and the Assam Police personnel. A confrontation was averted following the intervention of the border magistrate from the Assam side and the Dimapur police. The Assam Police personnel left the site after a three-hour long standoff. According to the villagers, Assam Police claimed that no construction activity can be allowed in the site as it falls within Daldali Reserve Forest. On the other hand, a settlement was allowed to come up a few hundred feet from the site, the villagers said. The villagers further maintained that the site is well within the designated village boundary.
AcAUt demands action against ‘transport cartel’ DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (MExN): Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has demanded police action against, what it termed as a “transport cartel,” which has allegedly “victimized” a Naga businessman from operating his transport agency. ACAUT Nagaland, in a press note, further alleged that the “syndicate” is “backed by the NSCN (IM).” It informed that the owner South India Transport Agency, the only transport agency in the state, owned and operated by a Naga, “is not being allowed to run his business by a transport cartel backed by the NSCN-IM despite possessing all legal documents issued by the DMC and Assam authorities.” It alleged that the owner was “summoned” by the NSCN (IM), when the latter filed an FIR against the “syndicate ring-
leaders” at Khatkhati police station. It identified the “syndicate ringleaders” as Shivnath, Parvesh Ali, RK Reddy, Dolia Chowdhury and Rocky Okram. ACAUT Nagaland has urged Dimapur police to arrest the “syndicate dealers,” who it informed operate in both Dimapur and Assam. Failure to act, it stated, would lead Naga people to “conclude that NPGbacked syndicate kingpins are operating hand in clove with the police.” It further cautioned that if no action is taken, ACAUT Nagaland will be compelled to “take matters into its own hands.” Stating that price rise of essential commodities is due to transport agencies “taking advantage of the prevailing unabated taxation milieu in the state,” it demanded action from the district administration on this issue. Asking transporters
to respect Naga sentiments, ACAUT Nagaland further cautioned that it would, under no circumstances, allow local businessmen to be victimized by syndicates “operating under the protection of NPGs.” “…continued anti-social activities against the Naga people cannot be tolerated…” it asserted. ACAUT Nagaland then stated “The NSCN (IM) should realize that in case of any untoward incident” towards the owner of the concerned transport agency, “it is ready to change its strategy at will.” It further urged the group not to harass the said person and to uphold its commitment towards peace and reconciliation. “He should be allowed to carry his activities in both Assam and Nagaland and such declaration should be carried in all the local papers,” the ACAUT demanded.
70th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima Vibi Yhokha Kohima | April 4
“Terhü Keretho! (Most difficult war),” said 92 years old Duotsolie Vihienuo, a WWII War Veteran, when asked about his experiences on the war during the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima, which was held on April 4 at the Kohima War Cemetery. Duotsolie is one among the nine Naga Veterans who were present at the commemoration. The programme started with the wreath laying ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance followed by Air Chief Marshall Sir Joe French KCB CBE (retd.), Vice Chairman Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) unveiling the Information Panel by the CWGC. “Nowhere in history has there been so much fighting, so much agony and pain in so small a place. In this small place, because there was so much fighting, so much peace has also come about,” remarked Himato Zhimomi (IFS), Commissioner for Tourism, Govt. of Nagaland. He requested the visiting dignitaries to go back and tell others of Kohima and the many souls who lost their lives in this place. Zhimomi also emphasized on the need to reach out to both the victors of the war as well as the ones who lost. “We look for peace and hope that it will continue,” said Air Chief Marshall Sir
The nine Naga veterans who were present at the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima at Kohima War Cemetery on April 4.
Joe French KCB CBE (retd.) Vice Chairman Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), who felt honored to see the Veterans. He added that the Kohima War Cemetery is one of the few places where it is difficult to hold back one’s tears. “The journey of ‘Tomorrow’ for which they gave their lives began 70 years back and continues to go on reaching out across the land, ocean and sky binding and bonding a relationship of oneness in humanity,” said Dr. P. Ngully, Educational Trust of Kohima Society, Nagaland. While appreciating the CWGC for maintaining the graves of the fallen heroes and the memorials of those cremated, Dr. Ngully also stated that the Kohima Educational Trust was founded on the 60th Anniversary in 2004 as a Debt of Honor to the Nagas. Dr. Ngully concluded by reciting the poem No Tears Were Shed At Kohima by a veteran. The visiting dignitaries were Air Chief Marshall Sir Joe French KCB CBE (retd.), Vice Chair-
NO TEARS WERE SHED AT KOHIMA We were the ones who brought the grief We died in a battle that was beyond belief We were the ones who bore the pain And we were buried in the monsoon rain No tears were shed at Kohima Our bodies are buried, but were not there We are the raindrops in the midnight air We are the weather so warm and fair We are the breeze that rustles your hair No tears were shed at Kohima We are the stars in the midnight skies The Christmas delight in a small child’s eyes We are the pillows where you lay your head We are the vision at the foot of your head No tears were shed at Kohima An anonymous soldier in the Battle of Kohima man Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC); Barry Murphy, Director Africa and Asia Pacific Area CWGC; Lt. Gen Ravi Eipe (Retd.), Honorary Liaison Officer CWGC; Scott FurssedonnWood, Deputy High Commissioner, Eastern India; Lieutenant- Colonel Simon Coyler, Military Adviser; Andrew McAuley, Group Captain, Naval and Air Adviser; Himato Zhimomi (IFS), Commissioner for
Tourism, government of Nagaland and Dr P Ngully, Educational Trust of Kohima Society. Referred to as the Stalingrad of the East, the Battle of Kohima was fought on April 4, 1944 and is considered as the greatest battle fought. 1420 graves are maintained in Kohima War Cemetery. There were approximately 600 Nagas who fought in the WW II among which only 90 Naga war veterans are alive today.
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