C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 64
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
I speak fluent patriarchy but that is not my mother tongue
Kejriwal takes aim at Modi’s economic model
Nagaland fashion designer goes international
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Kohima | March 7
Health Ministry, Malaria department? Ah yes. I need a flame thrower.
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Over the last 50 years of Nagaland Statehood has corruption become more widespread? Yes
no
Others
Nagaland Day of Prayer on March 15 KoHIMA, MARCH 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) is organizing ‘Nagaland Day of Prayer’, a prayer and fasting programme for all the leaders of Nagaland State on March 15 at Union Baptist Church, Kohima from 8:00 am to 12 noon. Church leaders of different denominations will lead prayer sessions. A press note issued by NBCC General Secretary, Rev Dr L Anjo Keikung requested the leaders of the state, to come and be blessed along with their spouses. He further urged them to come without food and be seated by 7:45 am. No food or refreshment will be served during and after the session. “Our lives, our homes, our work and our land are in the hands of Almighty God. We have angered Him in so many ways and we are living like in the times of Prophet Jonah and the people of Nineveh,” the Reverend said. “Today, the curses or the blessings for this generation will be measured by the way we live our lives and lead our people. We need to come together and raise in one voice to Him asking for His forgiveness,” he added.
The election committee of the Nagaland Pradesh Committee (NPCC) today approved KV Pusa as the INC candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Nagaland, on the recommendation of the NPCC Search Committee. Pusa has been in Nagaland state politics for the last 25 years and has held some key portfolios as Cabinet Minister. Announcing this to media persons here at Congress Bhavan, NPCC president, SI Jamir said that in order to find a suitable candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary elections, the Search Committee was constituted by the NPCC and accordingly they had a series of meetings and deliberations. “We are preparing the report as per the Proforma supplied by the AICC and it will be submitted to AICC for final approval by today itself,” Jamir said. Earlier, the NPCC Search Committee Convener, Konngam in its his letter addressed to NPCC President, pertaining to recommendation of KV Pusa, stated that the Committee received four applications seeking INC ticket from Dr. Roland Lotha, Chubatangit Jamir, P. Longang Konyak and Sulangthung H. Lotha. He said notwithstanding the receipt of the applications mentioned above, the committee was obliged to take serious cognizance of the sub-
”
Lleyton Hewitt wins at Indian Wells
Putin rebuffs Obama as Ukraine crisis escalates
[ PAGE 10]
[ PAGE 9]
mission made by the DCC presidents to field in a veteran Congress leader known and acceptable to the party workers and people at the grass root level. Also the Committee was under obligation to consider the fact of the present circumstances to field a prominent and equally forceful candidate against that of the ruling NPF. “Under these compulsions, the Committee took time to search and approach several senior leaders but no positive response was received from any one of them. As a result the party pressed upon KV Pusa (Although the convener of the committee) to accept the request and contest the ensuing Lok Sabha Election, to which the senior leader finally conceded as a true party worker,” stated the letter. Meanwhile, the NPCC President said that the NPCC will fight this election on issues regarding the future of Nagaland’s economy and the Naga political issue. “As far as the resource is concern, there is no comparison. But we have all materials and weapons to fight against NPF financial might and we are hopeful that people of Nagaland will realize the futility of supporting the candidate from the most corrupt Nagaland government have ever had,” he said. Further, the NPCC President made an appeal to the people of Nagaland to “open their eyes, look forward and vote for the Congress candidate for their bright future.”
‘INSPIRING CHANGE’
biodiversity and the local food system,” says Akole from the North East Network (NEN), who is of the view that women have taken the lead to pave the way for climate change and food security. However Akole insists that there is a need for the participation of women in the decision making body not just in urban areas but in the village level and that the agricultural policies need to consider women’s perspective.
Zakielhouno Tepa, the lone woman taxi driver in Kohima. (Morung Photo)
Vibi Yokha Kohima | March 7
For a patriarchal society like the Naga society, inspiring change is not always associated with women. The unpaid labour that women contribute to prepare tea in the morning, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, clean the house and wash clothes are not considered as inspiring. As Nagaland celebrates the International Women’s Day on March 8, under the theme ‘Inspiring Change’, it is important to look at how the Naga woman has inspired change. The International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911. The very fact that we exist is because a woman chose to give life. If that
is not enough, women are more than that. Women are not just homemakers, they are the ones sustaining the family. The daily routine of a working woman in Nagaland often starts with her waking up earlier than the others, preparing tea and breakfast as she gets ready for work. After work, there is more. She is the one who prepares dinner, washes the dishes and cleans the house. The inspiring change contributed by women is not just limited to the urban areas; in fact women in rural areas have impacted the agricultural system and economy of Nagaland. Any local market in Nagaland is dominated by women. However these changes are often taken for granted. “Looking in the grassroot level, women have contributed immensely in the food production, agro-
The sole woman taxi driver in Kohima 40 years old Zakielhouno Tepa is a woman from Kohima who has inspired change in society. The sole woman taxi driver in Kohima, Zakielhouno is not just an inspiration to women but to everyone else because despite having the luxury to employ a driver, she chose to become one herself. “At first, I was really shy to drive a taxi but now I’m used to it that I don’t mind at all,” she says. Hailing from Mima village, she has been residing in Kohima for 20 years. Before becoming a taxi driver, she owned a grocery store but gave it up after she realized that there was not much profit because of taxes and house rent. “Being the only woman taxi driver doesn’t make me feel so different from the other male drivers,” says Zakielhouno. She adds that in the initial days her male colleagues would often make fun of her but that now they are used to her. Some of her friends have told her that she has fulfilled their dreams and that they feel encouraged to join her. Zakielhouno hopes that she will soon have more female colleagues to join the taxi driving community.
ANSTA demand release of pending teacher’s salaries Nagaland face acute
KoHIMA, MARCH 7 (MExN): The All Nagaland School Teachers Association has written to the Commissioner and Secretary, School Education and SCERT, appealing for the release of pending salaries to teachers appointed under Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the Department of School Education. ANSTA informed that, as per available record, about 2730 teachers were appointed under SSA, 300 plus teachers appointed as Special Education Teachers under IEDSS and 1379 Hindi teachers have been so far appointed under the said schemes. It lamented that SSA teachers have not been paid for the last four months (November to February 2014), Special Education Teachers have been paid up to August 2013 only and Hindi teachers have not been paid for the last three months. The Association stated that the nonpayment of salaries would be counterproductive to the teaching-learning process. Keeping in view the funding pattern of the MHRD/central government (which releases funds on installment basis), the association
ASSATA to boycott classes
T
he All Nagaland SSA Teachers Association (ANSSATA) has decided to boycott classes due to the failure of the concerned authorities to act on the memorandum submitted on January 30, 2014, with regard to the nonpayment of salaries (from November to February 2013) and arrears of 2013. A press note from the Association informed that the boycott will begin from March 10 and continue till March 22. The Association has demanded for the payment of all pending salaries and arrears, treatment of SSA teachers of 2010 and 2013 batches as regular government employees and not as any other flagship programme, salaries for SSA teachers (2010-2013) to be made from the non plan revenue expenditure and that new appointments/filling up of posts of retiring state government teachers be stopped till SSA teachers (2010-2013) are absorbed first under the said category. It asserted that the boycott will continue till all of its demands are met with. The ANSSATA has appealed for all student bodies and NGOs to extend their support and intervene in the matter to bring about a favorable solution.
requested the state government to release the pending salaries from the state fund/budget, which may be recovered later, as and when the centre releases its share. It also appealed for the state government to deposit its share of 10 percent early, as the centre will not release its 90 percent share before the state’s share is deposited. It demanded that the salary components and allowances of
teachers should not be diverted under any circumstances and that the amount being sanctioned for the salary of teachers should be used judiciously for that purpose alone. ANSTA urged the authority to deposit the whole components of fund being earmarked for teacher’s salary to the account of the School Education department at one go, unlike the present practice of crediting only for a
particular month. ANSTA then questioned the credibility of the appointing agency and queried, “If it is not in a position to pay the salary of teachers, why they had been appointed to suffer for months together?” Expressing frustration at the current situation, ANSTA stated that “when the salary - the basic necessity of its members is not paid for months together, then the question of survival of teachers (the so called nation builders) does not arise.” It therefore urged the Government to consider the genuineness of the issue by finding ways and means for early dispersing of pending salaries. If not, the association cautioned, that it may be compelled “to take the hardest step against the government, in which the concerned authority shall be held solely responsibility for any untoward incident.” ANSTA informed that this was “unanimously decided” in the joint meeting with aggrieved teachers on January 28 and “strongly reaffirmed” on March 6 at the executive body meeting held at Kohima.
Khong village finally gets road connectivity
C M Y K
–Sadia Carone
[ PAGE 2]
NPCC choose Pusa to contest LS polls Chizokho Vero
Saturday, March 8, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
State Government to regulate sale of acid
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 8]
C M Y K
KIPHIRE, MARCH 7 (MExN): Villagers of Khong village, under Pungro sub-division in Kiphire district, finally received what they have been petitioning for as long as they can remember – road connectivity. On March 4, Parliamentary Secretary for Excise, Economics & Statistics and LM & CP, T Torechu, inaugurated the road linking Khong village to the district headquarter and the outside world. Khong Village, around 80 kms from the district headquarters, with the snow-capped Mt Saramati in the backdrop is one of the last border villages on the Nagaland side of the Indo-Myanmar border. “Even in our dreams, we did not expect that a road will pass by or connect our village”, said Thronghokiu, the head GB of the village in his welcome address during the road inauguration programme held at the village courtyard. With Khong connected by road, Vongtsuvong and Tsungdang villages bordering Myan-
Parliamentary Secretary for Excise, T Torechu (2nd left) along with district administration and Khong village elders after inauguration of road connectivity to Khong village in Mt. Saramati Range in Kiphire district.
mar are now the only remaining villages among the 38 government recognized villages in Pungro-subdivision yet to have road connectivity. “All developments in the village including electricity and water connection, we owe it all to our elected leader”, he added. The head GB also recalled with
gratitude that in 2007, the then MLA Torechu had come to the village on foot and distributed solar lamps to every household in the village. Electricity came to the village in 2010 and water supply a year earlier. The Parliamentary Secretary, who also represents 60 Kiphire-Pungro assembly seat, in his
address, said that the road connectivity will facilitate Khong villagers in many ways including conveying sick people to hospitals and children studying in institutions outside the village, bringing supply provisions and construction materials. Torechu urged the villagers to maintain unity among them-
selves and to judiciously utilize schemes and funds provided by the government if they want their village to catch up with other villages. Earlier, villagers had to carry the sick on their backs and walk a long distance to reach the nearest road. The Parliamentary Secretary further assured that road connectivity would reach Vongtsuvong and Tsungdang villages in two years’ time. Additional DC Pungro, MS. Tainu, said that with road connectivity, Khong village can now avail all government facilities. The ADC also reminded the village elders on the need to include women in the Village Development Board as per the state government guidelines. Earlier, Khong village was the proposed site for a new EAC HQ, which was later shifted to Khongsa because of distance and topography. Womenfolk of the village presented a cultural dance to celebrate the joyous occasion.
‘shortage’ of doctors Our Correspondent Kohima | March 7
Nagaland Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Imkong L. Imchen today stated that there is an acute shortage of doctors in the state. Speaking at the general body meeting of the Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA) in Kohima, he stressed the need to have a scientific approach of manpower planning. He informed that during 2010 or 2011, a few doctor posts was created, however, since then; the department has not come across any post creation proposal from the medical department. “After I joined the department also we have not initiated anything,” he said. He further noted that that the GoI had allocated Rs. 45 crore for a Cancer Hospital and Rs. 189 for a medical college. Nagaland state is also receiving another Rs. 386 crore from World Bank. “Within one year we have brought Rs. 602 crore,” he stated. Imchen however expressed dismay over the state plan allocation to the department during 2013-14, revealing that 50% of its proposal were cut down and brought down to Rs. 18 crore against the previous year annual plan at Rs. 36 crore. The Minister said that he was embarrassed at the treatment given to the medical department. He stressed on the need to have proper discussions with the finance department so that they clearly understand the position of the department. Referring to medical college, he said that the faculty has to be properly organized, financial applications need to be addressed and service rule has to be framed, besides the infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Minister also called upon the doctors to wear uniforms while on duty. “Why doctors are hesitant and do not want to wear uniform?” he questioned and called upon
the doctors to adhere to their medical ethics. He added that this directive for implementation will come into immediate effect. He also stressed on the need to disallow patients bringing their own clothing to hospitals and asked the medical superintendents to check such practices. Also speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice, Land Revenue, Labour and Employment, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire sought the joint effort of all the people, in order to see that the medical college takes shape at the earliest.
Medical department dismayed over state plan allocation
Dr. Neiphi Kire, Principal Director of Health & Family Welfare, said the department has brought down the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) which indicates the improvement of the socio-economic status of the people and that there was accessibility, availability and effectiveness of the health services. He said that for bringing down the IMR to 18, the Government of Nagaland was awarded Rs. 159 crore, however not a single rupee has been given to the department so far. He informed that, on directions from the Minister, he had spoken to some authority in the finance department and accordingly processed the paper for at least earmarking some fund to the department. However it was not given till now. Referring to medical college, he said “There should be a schedule for implementing this project. Theremust becooperation from the bureaucracy and commitment from the politicians.” The meeting was followed by Continuing Medical Education (CME) on status of HIV/AIDS, STI and HIV scenario and health insurance scheme.
C M Y K