8th May 2014 by The Morung Express

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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 124

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

I flunked my matric exam, but life is not over. There`s uummm, theology....

Brothels & Night clubs banned by NSCN (IM) DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has stated that “all night clubs and brothels shall be banned with immediate effect.” A press note from the MIP informed that this decision was taken at a joint council meeting on May 2, which was attended by the Steering Executive Members and the Council of Cabinet, in the presence of the Collective Leadership. It stated that the NSCN (IM) has taken serious note of what it termed as “the moral degradation of the Nagas.” The Kilo Ministry has been entrusted to implement the decision. “The Naga public, civil societies and churches are requested to cooperate and involve in helping to eradicate the evil activities which will one day destroy our future,” the MIP added.

Rate of boulders in Dimapur enhanced DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (MExN): Firms and individuals supplying boulders from Zubza River, near Niuland, have informed all concerned that the rate for boulders in Dimapur has been enhanced. Informing this on behalf of suppliers of black boulders from Zubza river, Atohoto Zhimomi stated that the enhanced rate stands at Rs 6000 per truckload (@ Rs. 20 per cft) from seventh mile to two and half mile and Rs 6400 per truckload (@ Rs. 22 per cft) from two and half mile to Burma Camp.

AR apprehends three with arms

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DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (MExN): Personnel of the Assam Rifles, on two separate incidents, apprehended three persons in possession of arms and ammunition. A press note from the PRO informed that on May 4, troops of the 37 Assam Rifles conducted a search operation in Chumukedima town and apprehended two miscreants. They were held with one 9 mm pistol and ammunition. The individuals were identified as Ethomo Magh (23) and Sikiya Rengma (57). The apprehended were then handed over to Diphupar Police Station. In a separate incident, a search operation was launched by troops of the 29 Assam Rifles at Fellowship colony on May 5. During the search of one house, 20 live rounds of 7.62mm caliber, 60 live rounds of .22 caliber and one hand grenade were recovered. The owner of the house, Yangthase Sangtam (43) was apprehended and handed over to Dimapur West Police Station.

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Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance

Thai Court forces out Prime Minister

Clooney’s fiancée thought proposal was a prank

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Thursday, May 8, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Confucius

Rs. 300 crore for MGNREGA programme in Nagaland [ PAGE 2]

Wilson ushers in new ManU era with double

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New Delhi has dirtiest air: WHO

Rahul Gandhi battles for eci orders re-poll 10 re-poll at seat as election end nears May 3 polling stations

The fight is now for the relevance of the Gandhi family as unquestioned leaders of the Congress, asserts Modi

AMETHI, MAY 7 (AFP): Beleaguered Rahul Gandhi, battling to save India’s ruling Congress party in national elections, sought to win over sceptical voters in his constituency on Wednesday as voting in the world’s biggest democracy entered its final stages. Gandh itravelled to his northern parliamentary seat to witness voting firsthand. He toured polling booths in Amethi -- his family’s bastion for more than 30 years-- and told reporters that local people were “expressing their love for me”. “Change is in the air for all to see. I too voted for change,” voter Shyam Charan Gupta told AFP from Amethi, a poor rural area in the crucial battleground state of Uttar Pradesh. The challenge facing Gandhi was underscored this week when opposition frontrunner Narendra Modi held a rally in Amethi and declared that nothing could save the dynasty. Modi, who has campaigned on reviving the flagging economy, urged voters to “break ties with the

in Nagaland

KoHIMA, MAY 7 (MExN): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland, to conduct fresh polls (to the lone Nagaland parliamentary seat) in 33/2 Akhakhu and 33/25 Naltoqa polling stations under 33-Suruhoto (ST) Assembly Constituency. On the basis of available reports and after taking all material circumstances into account, the ECI declared the polls held at the said stations to be “void” and appointed May 10 (Saturday) as the date and fixed the hours for the re-polling from 7:00am to 4:00pm. The ECI has, similarly, declared the “adjourned poll” at 49-Tamlu (ST) Assembly Constituency under 1-Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency to be “void” India’s ruling Congress party Vice President Rahul Gandhi greets voters outside a polling station in Amethi, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Gandhi, heir to the country’s Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, is leading the struggling party’s campaign in the general election. (AP Photo)

family” that has produced three prime ministers. Gandhi’s presence in Amethi on Wednesday was interpreted in the local media as a sign of concern due to competition from the BJP candidate, former actress Smriti Irani, and a popular anti-corruption campaigner, Kumar Vishwas. In March, Gandhi’s campaign manager in Amethi told AFP that the former management consultant -- who spends on average only one night a month in his constituency -- had no plans for special campaigning there. The constituency, mostly wheat-growing farmland dotted with hamlets, abounds with complaints about the poor roads and intermittent electricity,

but Gandhi blames these problems on the local state government. A poor result here would deal a blow he would find it difficult to recover from. Targeting the family Opinion polls show voters have turned against Congress over massive graft scandals, spiralling inflation and a sharp economic slowdown during their two terms running a left-leaning coalition government since 2004. With Modi as the prime ministerial candidate, the BJP is expected to win the most seats in the 543-member parliament, but will likely fall short of an outright majority.

Analysts say Modi, the son of a tea-stall owner, appeared in Amethi because he sensed waning support for Gandhi. “Modi wanted to hit the last nail in the coffin. His visit (to Amethi) was aimed directly at Rahul, a direct blow,” Delhibased veteran political analyst and commentator Amulya Ganguli told AFP. Sonia, Rahul and his sister Priyanka have intensified their criticism of Modi, calling him a religious fanatic who would spread divisions between the majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities if he won power. The final round of voting, in 41 constituencies, will take place on Monday. Related story on page 8

and appointed May 10 (Saturday) as the date to conduct fresh polls “at some alternative place in nearby location that is not in dispute” from 7:00am to 4:00pm. The CEO, Nagaland, has been instructed by the ECI to “give wide publicity in polling area concerned” and also inform political parties and contesting candidates in writing. Further, the ECI clarified that “this will be an ad-hoc arrangement without prejudice to the respective claims of the two State Governments, in regard to the disputed border areas, which is presently sub-judice.” The fresh polls at the said polling stations have been instructed to be conducted in accordance with the Commission’s instructions contained in Chapter-XIII of Hand Book for Returning Officers. The Commissioner and Returning Officer, Nagaland, and Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Returning Officer, Zunheboto and Longleng respectively, have been informed of the same by the CEO, Nagaland, Sentiyanger Imchen.

nssAtA cAlls off AGitAtion NMA intervenes to resolve crisis

KoHIMA, MAY 7 (MExN): The Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has called off its ongoing agitation with effect from May 8, Thursday. While notifying this in a press release, the NSSATA has requested all its members to “discharge their duties from this day on.” “The agitation has been called off due to the timely intervention of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) at the present imbroglio,” stated the NSSATA. The Association informed that after much deliberation with the departmental heads, in the presence of the NMA, it

came to an understanding taking into consideration of all the technicalities, especially that of the student’s welfare. However, the NSSATA cautioned that “in the near future salaries should be paid regularly at par with any other Government employees with the condition that the amount is sanctioned by the Government of India and that as per the provision of the central government scheme, the state should pay its matching share within the specified time period, i.e., within 30 days after the centre has sanctioned its share (90%).” The NSSATA has

thanked all its district units and its members for their cooperation and support in rendering their “tireless services in spite of all the odds at the call of the Association on its fight for justice.” Further, the NSSATA acknowledged and extended its “heartfelt gratitude” to the NMA for their intervention. It also thanked various apex NGOs, students’ organisations, youth organisations, media personnel, district administrations, well wishers and the general public for “support and contribution towards its movement and look forward for the same in the near future.”

693 HIV infected children in Nagaland eDBA extends solidarity to Our Correspondent Kohima | May 7

Nagaland along with the rest of the world today observed the World AIDS Orphans Day at a function held at LCS Building, Kohima. The event was organized by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, along with the Network of Kohima District People Living with HIV/ AIDS (KNP+). According to the Strate-

gic Information Management System (SIMS), there are 693 children infected with HIV in Nagaland and about 100 children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Speaking on the occasion as special guest, Dr. Joyce Z. Angami, informed that there are more than 20 millions AIDS orphan in the world. She expressed dismay that people in the state are not coming forward to support the children infected and affected

by AIDS. Stating that these children need nutrition, education, guidance, counseling and shelter, she lamented over the absence of the required infrastructure in the state. Viewing this, she added that few individuals and NSACS decided to form CABA (Children Affected By AIDS), but the same is yet to be registered. “We are looking out for supporters,” she said and added that CABA would

make efforts to bring a difference in the lives of children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Earlier, Jonathan Mesen, associate pastor, Union Baptist Church Kohima prayed for the children while Lucy Imchen compered the function. Dr. L. Watikala, project director NSACS was also present at the programme, which was followed by an outing for the children at Dimori Cove, Kigwema.

‘one Government, one tax’

BJP nagaland voices for ‘new generation leaders’ Our Correspondent Kohima | May 7

BJP national vice president for Scheduled Tribe Morcha, Jonny G. Rengma, today rubbished speculations in sections of the media that Nagaland State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is “not likely going to Delhi.” “A leader and a statesman of Rio’s stature would not have volunteered to go as an MP from Nagaland, how can one believe that he will disrespect the mandate of the Naga people?” he questioned. Addressing media persons this afternoon, Rengma maintained that the speculations in the media is demonstrative that some people are trying to question Rio’s “political moral or character.” On the Congress demand for repoll in the State, he said the Election Commission of India should have taken timely action “when or if” they had received complaints during the “stipulated time”. He hoped that Rio’s successor would be one from among the “new generation leaders” in order to keep

‘BJP will not shy away from public responsibility’: Jonny G. Rengma the promises of NPF election slogans that Naga people cannot afford a government led by an “old aged person”. Stating that Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, the president of NPF, is the “patriarch of the regional party not only in Nagaland but in the entire North East,” he said “we are fortunate to have him as DAN chairman and I am confident that he will be able to sort out the successor of Rio from within the NPF legislators taking the confidence of DAN partners.” Rengma alleged that communal violence in the North East, particularly in Assam, be it in Bodo area or Karbi Anglong, is the manifestation and the result of Congress abuse of vote banks among the minority community. As a result, he stated, people of

the North East states have responded against the Congress party in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He also expressed confidence that BJP and NDA alliance is likely to win 13 out of 25 seats including Sikkim in the North Eastern states. The BJP, he said, has never believed in toppling any democratically elected government but after the Lok Sabha poll results, few State governments starting from the JDU-led government in Bihar and Congress led government in Assam might collapse of contradiction within their own party, he said. He further added that BJP will not shy away from public responsibility in order to avoid burdening the people from untimely elections. Stating that more than 80% of the North East states share international border, particularly with South East Asian countries, he said the BJP in its 2014 election manifesto has focused on “international policy of governance.” “The progress of the North Eastern states will be the strength of India, that is the BJP agenda of governance,” he said.

A meeting organised by East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) in progress at Purana Bazaar, Dimapur on Wednesday. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News Dimapur | May 7

The East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA), including Naharbari, Darogapathar, Padumpukhuri and Purana Bazaar, has resolved to support the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland movement for ‘One Government, One Tax.’ The association resolved not to pay tax to any Naga Political Groups until they come together under one umbrella. Business establishments under East Dimapur were closed on Wednesday in protest against numerous complaints of harassment and unabated taxation in the area. A public meeting was held at the

Businesses in east Dimapur protest against unabated taxation DHO petro pump, where the said resolution was arrived at. EDBA President, Solomon L Awomi, who chaired the meeting, informed that the NSCN (IM) has decided not to collect godown tax, trade license fees and also regretted the sale of calendars. In this regard, he expressed appreciation for this gesture. ACAUT member, Joel Nillo Kath appealed to the business community not to pay tax to any of the Naga Polictical Groups unless they unite. He said

that paying tax to the fragmented Naga Groups was an encouragement to factionalism. “Taxation is the cause of factionalism and factionalism is the cause of taxation,” he added. He further asked the Naga Political Groups whether ACAUT Nagaland’s call for unity, reconciliation and streamlining taxation was anti-Naga. “Threatening ACAUT is like threatening all Nagas,” he asserted. During the meeting, DCCI President, Hokivi Chishi; BAN executive members, Dr. Khekugha and Tia; EDBA advisor, Dr. Aotoshi and GBs of various colonies under East Dimapur also spoke, expressing support to the ACAUT Nagaland movement.

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Dimapur

Thursday

LocaL

8 May 2014

Students attend financial literacy camp

Dimapur, may 7 (mExN): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Guwahati, conducted a ‘financial literacy camp’ at Patkai Higher Secondary School, Chumukedima, on Wednesday, where around 300 students participated in the programme. General Manager (Rural Planning & Credit Dept), RBI Guwahati, D Sethy in his opening remarks said the objective of the camp is to create awareness on financial and banking related matters among students, who will in turn help in spreading financial literacy to other people. Sethy said that though India achieved her Independence in 1947, yet 60% of the country’s population still do not have bank accounts. He said this was mainly due to ignorance about banking and services provided by banks. Highlighting on the importance of

Deputy GM, RBI Guwahati, S Nidar

financial literacy in achieving financial inclusion, the GM also briefed on the various functions and responsibilities of RBI including inflation and currency management, foreign exchange reserves, import-export and agriculture credits. Further, Sethy also stressed on the need to include banking in school curriculum. Deputy GM, RBI Guwahati, S Ni-

dar, dwelled on salient features of genuine bank notes and how one can differentiate between genuine and fake notes. RC Bal, AGM and O Marchang, AGM, spoke on the topic “financial literacy and financial inclusion.” Farida Ahmed Haque, AM, RBI, spoke on matters relating to foreign exchange and Abbas Udin, AM, highlighted on non-banking financial institutions and advised students not to be lured by ‘fly by night operators’ who offer high rate of interest on deposits. Earlier, principal PHSS, Zhatsu, in her welcome address appreciated the RBI officials for conducting the financial training camp in the school and expressed optimism that the camp would go a long way in inculcating banking habits among the students.

‘Treatment of TB demands a holistic approach’

Ko h i m a , m ay 7 (mExN): Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in collaboration with the Nagaland Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) and the Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoH&FW) organized a daylong workshop on Tuberculosis (TB) in Kohima on May 6. District Tuberculosis Officers from the 11 districts of the state along with the Medical Officers from the state TB Hospitals and staff from the central RNTCP office in Kohima shared special cases and their respective experiences relating to TB.

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State Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. KT Lotha chaired the programme. He gave a welcome speech and followed by words on the relevance of the day from Beatrice Barbot, MSF Project Coordinator. MSF HIV and TB Country Referent, Dr. Homa Mansoor, who conducted parts of the training, said, “TB is a medical as well as a social disease. It is because of this that the treatment of TB demands a holistic approach than limiting it to one point interactions between the doctors and patients only.” He stated that it was highly encouraging to see such at-

tentive and receptive audience in the medical teams. The workshop threw light on several subjects including signs & symptoms, diagnosis and classification of Drug Resistant TB, infection control, adverse reaction and adherence with case presentation, experience sharing, exercises and much more. Dr. Apichetla, Assistant Program Officer commented ”It was recapitulating our knowledge on TB and particularly DR TB, with focus on the clinical aspects and especially the side effects, which is very beneficial for treating our patients.”

A press note informed that MSF, in partnership with the Department of Health and Family Welfare has been supporting Mon District Hospital since 2010. An initial three years Memorandum of Understanding was signed in July 2010 and an extension for one year was agreed this year, bringing the collaboration between MSF and the DoH&FW to an end in July 2014. For this reason, MSF believes it is essential to share the experience that has been acquired during the past 4 years of managing TB in Mon but also worldwide.

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Rs. 300 crore for MGNREGA programme in Nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | May 7

Aparajita Sarangi, IAS, joint secretary (RE-II), MGNREGA, Ministry of Rural Development today said the Ministry is pumping Rs. 300 crore every year for MGNREGA programme in Nagaland. “This money has to be utilized gainfully at the grassroot to create of durable and sustainable assets,” she said while addressing the inaugural function of MGNREGA convergence workshop and training on operational guidelines & revised schedule here today under the aegis of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India and Department of Rural Development, Government of Nagaland. She said MGNREGA is much beyond wage employment, adding that it act as strengthening the livelihood resource base of rural poor through creation of productive, durable and sustainable assets with focus on land, water and trees. “We have to talk in term of creating durable assets,” she said and also called for ensuring sustainability of the rural livelihood through MGNREGA. She said further release of the fund to the state would now depend on the state convergence plan and its effective coverage in the state. Stating that a lot of changes have taken place in regard to MGNREGA, she called upon the line departments and RD officials to properly comprehend the convergence mechanism. The joint secretary stressed on the need to pre-

Aparajita Sarangi addressing convergence workshop in MGNREGA on May 7.

pare a perspective master plan and at the same time to focus only on workable activities and do well there. She said that state government shall take concrete steps to achieve effective inter-departmental convergence till the last mile implementation level of the works under the scheme with other government schemes/programmes so as to improve the quality and productivity of assets and bring in synergy to holistically address the multiple dimensions of poverty in a sustainable manner. This programme cannot move in isolation, she said adding that it should have linkage with the relevant departments to achieve the desire results. Observing that the programme under MGNREGA in Naga-

MTLT appeals on indefinite road blockade

moKoKchuNg, may 7 (mExN): The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) had a joint meeting with the Mokokchung District Truck Owners Association (MDTOA) at the MDTOA office on May 6 with regard to the ongoing indefinite road blockade of the Mokokchung-Mariani road. The MTLT stated in a press note that it has taken the grievances of the MDTOA seriously and renders and appeals complete support in all possible ways in view of certain concerns. The

press note appended by MTLT Media Cell Taliakum said that the initiative taken by the MDTOA is for the general cause of the citizens of particularly four districts namely, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Zunheboto and the entire state in general. While appealing the district administration to take up the matter with great urgency, MTLT alleged that the recent two incidents of deaths in accidents along this road have been due to the deplored and narrow road conditions. Further, the

Banks directed to release PMEGP fund BRO/GREF claimed, “Work on Mokokchung-Mariani road is in full swing and will be completed before onset of monsoon” and published it in one of the newspapers. However, as per the MDTOA on-spot verification, no work progress is there on record. The BRO/GREF must issue a corrigendum accordingly, the MTLT stated. The MTLT also appeals all

individuals to bear the inconveniences and continue supporting the MDTOA. Meanwhile, in another press release, it stated that the PMEGP 2012-2013 beneficiaries under Mokokchung district had written to the MTLT with regard to the unresponsiveness of the banks in releasing the funds. “Though the Deputy Commissioner had already given official written directives to the concerned banks for the release of the funds, the banks have not released the funds till date,” the release informed. The

MTLT met the managers of the Allahabad Bank and the Bank of Baroda on May 6 2014 and asked the concerned banks to heed the directives of the Deputy Commissioner. The MTLT intimated the banks that failure to follow the directives will invite stern action from the MTLT. The MTLT expresses gratitude to the three villages namely, Aliba, Chungtia Kinunger and well-wishers for the voluntary repair works along the Mokokchung-Mariani road on May 3, 2014.

Cooperation department DPDB Peren re-affirm hunting and fishing ban official website launched

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Kohima, may 7 (Dipr): The Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Nagaland, B.P.Chetri, NCS formally launched the official website of Cooperation Department in the Registrar’s office building Kohima on May 7, 2014. The Commissioner & Secretary B.P.Chetri, expressed her appreciation and congratulated the officers who were involved in the preparation of the website and for successfully launching the website. The Commissioner & Secretary also urged the department’s officers to maintain transparency of the department’s activities in the website and added that the website be updated, accessible with factual figure and accuracy. She also appealed the officers to look forward on the shortage of

manpower to administer above 7000 registered societies in their annual meeting. Velasa Nakro, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Government of Nagaland while delivering welcome address said the purpose of the website launching was to highlight the State and National level developmental activities. To maintain the transparency to the global environment and the Department would get the feedback from the public. The Registrar also informed the website was launched as per the government’s direction that it would benefit to the public. After the formal programme the annual meeting of Departmental officers was held for the review of the departmental activities and appraisal.

pErEN, may 7 (Dipr): Reviewing the minutes of the last Peren DPDB meeting, the board re-affirmed ban on hunting and fishing in the entire Peren district at the DPDB meeting on May 6 at DC’s conference hall, new DC complex with a more proactive approach for a practical aspects of implementation of the ban, with immediate effect till further order. Administrative in charge of the respective sub divisions, including the sardar have presented their report to the board on the meeting conducted with the villages, NGO’s etc on the implementation of ban on hunting and fishing. Deputy Commissioner & Vice Chairman DPDB, Peter Lichamo who chaired the meeting voiced strong concern about the preservation of wildlife. He

apprised the board to disseminate and discourage the idea of hunting and fishing. He further stated that, as per the resolution a fine of Rs. 5000 (Five thousand) will be imposed against the defaulters and added that, the concerned village VDB’s account shall be freeze for a year for failing to comply to this order. Later, Head Master, Government High School Peren, Heisuipeung reported the good results of HSLC 2014 which stands at 49.11 % and topped the district wise HSLC result. DDEO Peren, L. Toshimenla also informed the board about the exceeding good result of the HSSLC exam of Peren district. The Chairman congratulated the Head Master, Government High School Peren and the DDEO Peren for the good result

on behalf of the board. The Peren district Timber/ Log Contractors Union approached the board for curtailing the period of ban on log extraction, from the earlier notification. The temporary halt on extraction and plying of heavy vehicle in the interior part of the district was necessitated to preserve the roads in the district during monsoon. The halting period was earlier notified to be effective from 1st May 2014 to 31st October 2014. After a lengthy deliberation and talking into consideration both ends, the board curtailed the period of halting from 15th May 2014 to 31 October 2014. The meeting ended with remarks by the chair for strict attendance of the member in the DPDB meeting.

Gloria Patri shifts to Life’s Spring Corner Mkg renew commitment

to enforce NSTP Act 1989

Workers engaged in constructing stage for the Gloria Patri worship at Life’s Spring Corner, Dimapur where the event will be held from May 8 to 30 every evening from 5:00pm.

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Dimapur, may 7 (mExN): Gloria Patri: 30 Days of Authentic Worship completed 7 days here at IMC, Dimapur on Wednesday evening. The event will be continued at Life’s Spring Corner (near Naga Cemetery) from Thursday, May 8 till Friday, May 30. It may be mentioned that Gloria Patri was extended for another 30 days following a weeklong worship programme under the same theme. The positive response from the congregation, which consisted mainly of young people,

prompted the organisers to continue the event as a follow-up. A press note issued by the organisers said it is pertinent to mention that Gloria Patri is not organised by any particular church or ministry but initiated by some like-minded group of young people who wanted to bring all the worshippers under one roof with only one agenda – to give glory to the Heavenly Father through praise and worship. What is unique about this event is that these young worship-

pers not only get together every evening to worship the Lord but gather each morning to clean up Dimapur. They want to set an example to all conscientious denizens of Dimapur and everywhere else through the saying ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. This cleanliness drive will continue throughout this 30-day event and team Gloria Patri invites all likeminded people to join them in this endeavour each morning at 5 am. Those interested to join can contact 9774049958 &8974010446.

moKoKchuNg, may 7 (Dipr): The monthly meeting of Mokokchung District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) took up discussions on Nagaland State Total Prohibition Act 1989 and renewed its commitment to enforce it to fulfill the dream of the Act. Social Concern Board, Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), moved the agenda, requesting the Mokokchung DPDB to make greater efforts to fight the evils of liquor in the district. Rev. Dr. Mar Atsungchanger, Executive Secretary, ABAM who attended the meeting on invitation alongwith members of Social Concern Board expressed grave concern over the issue and called upon the district administration to implement the Act with letter and spirit indicating apprehension that there are underground shops where liquors are available in the town. ABAM insisted that Excise department officials and law enforcing agencies should gear up their duty to check the entry of liquors in the town. The Social Concern Board also called upon the DPDB members to give more emphasis on clean-

liness in the market; control of market prices; traffic discipline and punctuality in office timing in all offices in the district headquarter. DC & DPDB Vice Chairman, Murohu Chotso, who presided over the meeting appreciated the concern of the ABAM and hoped that with the cooperation of the NGOs such as Churches, prevailing social problems would be addressed more meaningfully. After deliberation on border issues and affairs, the Board decided to recommend to the government for inclusion of Yajang-C, Tzuremen and Akhomen under Longchem circle within the map of Nagaland as the three villages are not located in the Disturb Area Belt. Upgradation of traffic post from Sub Inspector to that of DSP in Mokokchung town and establishment of a new College “Eden College” in Mokokchung town were also recommended to the concerned departments. The Forest department had earlier made power point presentation in the meeting held in the ADC Planning Conference Hall on May 7.

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land is mostly on rural connectivity, she also stressed on the need to think beyond it and focus on creating more qualitative assets in the villages. She also stressed on the need to focus on water conservation and large scale tree plantation in the state. Chief secretary Banuo Z. Jamir in her address said our attention should be on rural households not on the programmes. Stressing on the importance of planning at the grass root level, she also called for creating durable assets for progress of the people. Earlier, the inaugural function was chaired by V. Sakhrie, commissioner & secretary RD while RD director Metsubo Jamir highlighted an overview of the implementation of MGNREGA in Nagaland. Day 2 (May 8) will be marked by interactive workshop on MGNREGA operational guidelines & revised schedules. The workshop will go on till May 10. MGNREGA is the first ever law internationally, that guarantees wage employment at an unprecedented scale. It aims at enhancing livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing atleast 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled, manual work. The Ministry of Rural Development recognizes the need of convergence of various schemes for optimal utilization of resources for enhancing the productivity of natural resources and improving the quality of life.

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ANATU Longleng meet on May 13 LoNgLENg, may 7 (mExN): All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Union Longleng Unit has called an emergency meeting on May 13, 10:00 am at the residence of Nyeklom Phom, near GPS School Shaulih Ward, Longleng, to discuss about service regularization and related matters. Those who have submitted documents for suitability test have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.

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ANDAMSA emergency meeting Kohima, may 7 (mExN): All Nagaland District Administrative Ministerial Staffs’ Association (ANDAMSA) has informed all its central office bearers, advisors (office supt.), and district unit representatives that an emergency meeting has been called on May 20, 10:00 am at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall, Kohima to discuss issues related to the association. All abovementioned people have been requested to attend the same.

Govt high schools upgraded moKoKchuNg, may 7 (Dipr): Nagaland Government has upgraded N.I. Jamir High School, Mokokchung, Mangkolemba Government High School and Tuli Government High School to Higher Secondary Schools and the classes will run from the current academic session. This was informed by Deputy District Education Officer, Rowainla in the meeting of the Mokokchung DPDB held on May 7. The Deputy District Education Officer also informed that N.I. Jamir School will offer Arts and commerce while Mangkolemba and Tuli will offer Arts from the current academic session. With this, hundreds of students who could not afford to pursue their post matric studies would avail opportunity to pursue their studies at their door step, she added.

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IRCSN to observe World Red Cross Day Kohima, may 7 (Dipr): Along with the rest of the world the Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland State Branch will be observing the World Red Cross day under the theme “My Red Cross Story” at the conference hall Red Cross Complex Kohima on May 8. Minister for School Education, C.M Chang will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and Chairperson IRCS Nagaland State Branch, Abeni TCK will preside over the function. Other highlights of the program includes invocation prayer by Member, M.C IRCSN, Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, opening song by JRC Unit, St. John School, Kohima welcome address by Member, M.C IRCSN, C.R. Lotha, Prize distribution, Special song by School of Nursing, NHAK and vote of thanks by General Secretary, IRCSN, Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja.

NERSNA Kohima felicitation prog Kohima, may 7 (mExN): The North Eastern Region Service Nepali Association (NERSNA) Kohima is organizing felicitation programme in honour of all the HSLC and HSSLC successful Nepali/Gorkha students on May 11 at 11:00 AM. The Association has requested all the successful students to submit Xerox copy of marksheet and admit card in the office of the Association and further requested them to attend the programme along with their parents/guardians positively. For further information, contact 9436403769/ 9402014060.

NICGOA meeting on May 9 Kohima, may 7 (mExN): A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Nagaland Industries & Commerce Gazetted Officers’ Association (NICGOA) has been scheduled on May 9, 1:00 PM in the conference hall of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland Kohima. Stating that there are important issues to be urgently discussed in the meeting, NICGOA president Er S Temsulong has requested all concerned to make it convenient to attend the meeting positively.

C M Y K

REgional 3 GOI sets up ‘special committee’ to examine AA Assam violence: More bodies found Thursday

The Morung Express

Tripura HC cancels jobs of 10,323 teachers

ST.JOHN HIGHER SECONDARY RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

Mao Students’ Union Dimapur (MSUD) conveys heartiest congratulations to all the students who have successfully passed out in HSLC/HSSLC Exam-2014, NBSE. The Union would like to extend its profound congratulations to the following Ememei candidates securing different positions in the HSLC Exam:

INFORMATION

1. 2. 3. 4.

Ms.Echeni Arche (31st Rank) Ms.Aruni Victoria Lajio (44th Rank) Ms.Sazuni H Chorosho (46th Rank) Mr.Athili Anthony (50th Rank)

DIPHU ROAD, DIMAPUR-797112, NAGALAND

PRINCIPAL Imp.: Students having tattoo marks are not eligible for admission.

Asso. member of ATA/ affiliated to IIM & Recognized by Govt. of Nagaland Sponsored by United Sangtam Baptist Lithroti Ashimukhong (USBLA) Admissions open for 2014. Classes start on 13th June 2014 Program: Bachelor of Theology. Qualification: Matriculate & above Invites application from committed and dedicated Christian men and women

Applications are invited for the posts of lecturer Qualification : M.Th from recognized college Department : OT, NT, Counselling & History Applications with supporting credentials should reach Principal office on or before May 13, 2014. Detail information will be intimated through telephonic.

The Pochury Hoho, Kohima would like to congratulate all successful HSSLC and HSLC candidates for their achievement and wish them all bright future. Special mention and hearty congratulations to Ms. ALOWIE NYUSOU d/o Dr. Kuotsütho Nyusou and Ms. LONAVI NYUSOU d/o Dr.Zhimoato Nyusou for being in the Top 21st and 42nd among the HSLC examinees for bringing laurels to the community as a whole and wishing them success in all their future endeavours. God bless.

For detail information contact: Mobile: 9861-988-116/ 9436-831-574, princiotcyangli@yahoo.com

Educational & Career Counseling Fair

Sd/THSELA THUPITOR President, PHK

Inviting all Parents, Teachers & Students

FELICITATION

H.BESII Gen.Secy, MUD

ORIENTAL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, YANGLI

WANTED

FELICITATION

A.KAIHRII President, MUD

VJ’S COACHING CENTRE

Good news for students aspiring to study outside the State.

Professionals from reputed institutions from all over India are here in our city & will be interacting directly with you.

*Highlights

D.C.Court Road, Duncan: Dimapur Estd.2000

ADMISSION STARTED

1. Excellence infrastructure, excellence in academics 2. Career Guidance & Counseling

Offers Extensive coaching for the Repeaters of Class-X/XII-Arts/XII-Sci/XII-Com Hostel attached for both Boys and Girls (separately)

*Spot admission for:

N.B: Those who seek to take admission in the coaching and hostel are ask to come along with parents/guardians.

Contac: 03862-234272/248605/9436600530

Architecture, MBBS, Engineering, BBA/MBA, B.Ed, Polytechnic, Comp. Science, M. Pharm., UG/PG Course, Aviation, IAS coaching institutes etc. VENUE: URBAN HAAT NEAR DHANSIRI BRIDGE WALFORD DIMAPUR

UNITY COLLEGE

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Qualification: M.Sc. PHYSICS Qualification: M.Sc. MATHEMATICS Qualification: M.A. ENGLISH Qualification: M.A. SOCIOLOGY Qualification: M.A. HISTORY Qualification: B.Sc. Botany/Zoology /Statistics/Mathematics Qualification: B.Sc. (Preferably B.Sc. Physics)

INTERESTED CANDIDATES MAY COLLECT PRESCRIBED APPLICATION FORM AND GET DETAILS FOR INTERVIEW DURING OFFICE HOURS INTERVIEW OPENS TILL 20TH MAY, 2014

C O L

of Arts and Commerce (Boys & Girls)

(An establishment of Chakhesang Baptist Church, Ministers’ Hill)

WALK IN INTERVIEW

DATE: 9TH & 10TH May 2014 TIME: 9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM

*For any queries contact: Professional Enterprises 2 1/2 Mile, Near DPS, Dimapur  9774170041/9612850056 Email: professional.enterprises77@gmail.com

MOUNT SINAI HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, KOHIMA

PG Science Teacher PG Science Teacher PG Arts Teacher PG Arts Teacher PG Arts Teacher Graduate Science Teacher

affected areas," Baksa deputy commissioner Vinod Seshan said. A team of 40 NDRF personnel, which reached the spot on Tuesday, started their operation from this morning to fish out more bodies from the Beki river. Gogoi visited violence-hit Baksa and Kokrajhar districts and assured the people that his government would provide them security.

B.P.O. Yangli P.O. Longkhim- 798616

(1) LAST DATE OF DIRECT ADMISSION FOR BOYS in Science Stream is 8th May 2014 upto 12:00 Noon (2) Few seats for boys are reserved for Entrance Test.

We the Makhrai Rabu (Makhul) Union Dimapur extend our heartiest congratulations to Miss. SAZIINI. H. CHOROSHO D/o Mr.Hepuni John & Mrs. Athia of Makhrai Rabu Village for securing top 46th Positions in the HSLC 2014 from Carewell School Dimapur. Further the union also congratulates all THE HSLC & HSSLC successful candidates. May god continue to bless you all in your future endeavour.

party's involvement in killing Muslims are found to be true. The bodies, which were recovered from Beki River that flows from Baksa district, are yet to be identified. The bodies include that of a 10-year-old girl bearing bullet injuries on her head. "Officially, we have not identified the bodies yet but the families have identified them to be from the

ItANAgAr, MAy 7 (PtI): Arunachal Pradesh is all set to enact its own Forest Act soon to protect the vast forest area including different floral and fauna species in the state. A Draft Arunachal Pradesh Forest Act (APFA) has already been formulated by a committee constituted by the state environment and forest department, Additional PCCF Dr R Kemp said here today. A workshop involving experts from all over the country would also be organised for improvement and fine tuning of the draft Act, before its formal submission to the government, he said. So far, Arunachal has been following the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891 for administration of its forest resources.

CONGRATULATIONS

gUWHAHAtI, MAy 7 (PtI): Five more bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning from two trouble-torn districts of Assam, taking the toll in the violence unleashed by Bodo militants to 41. Rattled by the largescale violence, chief minister Tarun Gogoi threatened to snap ties with the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) if allegations of the Hagrama Mohilary-led

Arunachal to enact Forest Act

Shambhu Singh, Home Secretary (NE- in Charge), Ministry of Home Affairs led the Government of India’s delegation to the talks. The ministerial team of the Manipur Government was led by Govindas Konthoujam, Industries minister, Francis Ngajokpa, minister Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and N. Biren, MLA.

AgArtALA, MAy 7 (IANS): The Tripura High Court Wednesday terminated services of 10,323 school teachers recruited by the state government and asked it to arrange fresh recruitment process by December 2014. A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Swapan Chandra Das passed the order on a batch of 58 petitions filed by those who had failed to secure the jobs. The court also heard the views of the state government and the complainants before passing the judgment. The Tripura government had recruited 1,100 post-graduate, 4,617 graduate, and 4,606 undergraduate teachers in the past three years and they are already in service. The Tripura government's recruitment of 4,606 under-graduate teachers five months back had led to a statewide agitation by a section of unemployed youths and various political parties.

was elevated to a 'political level' when a 7th round of 'tripartite talks' involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the UNC was held at Senapati. The UNC had expressed then that the February 6 talk was a “cordial one” although no concrete decision was arrived at. O n Fe b r u a r y 6 ,

IMPHAL, MAy 7 (NNN): Women Action for Development (WAD) has deeply condemned the brutal killing of a 7 year old girl in Thoubal district who went missing on May 5 and was found murdered on May 6. WAD said with this, the spontaneity of crimes against women and children in the state has become a question to wonder. Despite various efforts made by several civil society organizations, the rate has been escalating at an unstoppable pace. Many new trends of committing crimes have been witnessed in recent days, the case of cold-blooded murders, cyber crimes, high rates of domestic violence as an impact of drug abuse etc. Stating that the system is deeply corroded from every corner and that people have lost faith in the judiciary system as well as the investigation system, WAD asked, “Are we going to trust and rely on government initiation and effective measure to prevent the rising crime against women and children?”

ness and in good faith in the democratic process of dialogue," L Adani stated. He strongly urged the Naga people to believe in the position that "we have taken as a people at this crucial phase of history." It may be recalled that on February 6, 2014, the UNC's demand for an 'Alternative Arrangement' for the Nagas of Manipur

Newmai News Network es, United Naga Council (UNC) president L Adani Dimapur | May 7 informed the Naga public The Government of In- yesterday at a programme dia will put up a "special at Mao Gate. "The Government of committee" or high level committee to examine India must exercise its the demand for an 'Alter- political will and commitnative Arrangement' for ment to bring this process the Nagas of Manipur as to its logical conclusion. soon as the model code We will continue to vigiof conduct of the ongoing lantly engage with it and Lok Sabha election laps- with sincerity, serious-

WAD condemns killing of minor

Dimapur

8 May 2014

ADMISSIONS 2014 B.A HONORS:

ENGLISH POLITICAL SCIENCE HISTORY SOCIOLOGY EDUCATION ECONOMICS

® ®

B.COM HONORS: ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE MANAGEMENT

B.COM

Pass Course

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NIIT Certified Computer Course (NIIT Careers @ Campus) National Cadet Corps (NCC) for Girls Red Ribbon Club Evangelical Union Library with Internet Facilities

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Indoor & Outdoor Sports Facilities Environment Friendly Campus 24 hours Generator Backup Transportation Facilities Girls’ Hostel (College Campus) Cafeteria

Prospectus and Forms can be obtained from the college on payment of Rs. 300/- during the office hours (8:30 a.m - 2:00 p.m) on all working days.

Established in 2007, Unity College of Arts and Commerce is recognized by the Government of Nagaland vide notification No. HTE/5-3/2002 dated 11th Dec. 2007 and is permanently affiliated to Nagaland University vide notification No. NU-CDC/C-522007-2801 dated 12th Sept. 2012. The college is also recognised by the UGC under UGC sec 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act 1956. FOR MORE DETAILS: Please contact Principal UNITY College Near Nagaland University Residential Campus, Residency Colony, Dimapur -797112 Nagaland

your choice your future your college

Phone: 03862-283589 9856546089 9436073242

Unity College is proud to be a tobacco and smoke-free campus, offering a safe and healthy environment for all staff, students and visitors to enjoy.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

KUZHALU ZAWE 16th GENERAL SESSION PROGRAM

Date: 10th May 2014, Venue: Zuketsa (ZAPO COURT)

DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE

THEME: vision 2025

Arrival and Registration Unfurling of the Flag

Dated Kohima,the 6thMay 2014

NO.IND/TRG/H-LOOM/87/90-91 (Vol-I) : Applications are hereby invited from Indigenous candidates of Nagaland between the age of 15-23 years as on 16-07-2013 and upto 25 years in case of ST/SC candidates with a minimum qualification of HSLC/SSC/SSLC or equivalent examination passed in single sitting with 45% in aggregate (40% for ST/SC candidates) and 50% (45% for ST/SC) marks in mathematics & Science put together with English as a subject of study for undergoing 3(three) years Diploma Course in Handloom & Textile Technology commencing from 16th July 2014 at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Jawahar Nagar, Khanapara, Guwahati. Necessary detail information and prescribed application forms may be collected from the office of the Directorate of Industries & Commerce (Training Branch), Nagaland, Kohima during the office hours. The last date for submission of form is 10th June 2014. Sd/(Keneilel Angami) Director of Industries & Commerce

: 9:00 am : 9:30 am

Session II: 10:00 A.M.

Session I: 10:00 A.M Chairman Opening Prayer Welcome Note Presidential Address

: Dr. Neisatuo Mero : Mr. Kewe Therie Pastor Lasumi Baptist Church : Mr. Pfütsükha Krome President ZAPO : Er. Kezütshü Puro, Recie

Release of Constitution Mr. Neiba Kronu, Parl. Secy. Horticulture, Govt. of Nagaland

Chairperson Opening Prayer

Speech (30 mnts) Mr. Lhiweshelo Mero Topic Leadership Development Special song

Speech (30 mnts) Mr. Neiba Kronu Topic: An Overview of State Government Policies and Programmes Towards Vision 2025 : Leshemi Kerimi Lüzokro

Special song

Speech (30 mnts) Mr. Vetetso Lasuli The role of Village authority in all round development. General Secy. Report Treasurer Report Closing Prayer

: Mr. Keduotsolhi Wetsah : Mr. Neithsülo Kapfo : Mr. Kewerü Wezah Pastor, Jessami Baptist Church

LUNCH 12:30 P.M.

: Miss. Sene Tsühah : Mr. M.Khupo Koza Senior Pastor Khezhakeno Baptist Church

: Kuzha Cultural Society, Zapami Speech (30 mnts) Mr Kewekhape Therie Topic Unity and Integrity

Report

1. Literature Committee 2. Tetrübe Project 3. Nomination Committee Adoption of Resolutions Installation of New Office Bearers Rev. Prof. Kelhouzuto Lasuh. Executive Director, KBCA

Vote of Thank Closing Prayer

Speech (5 mnts each) Outgoing President Incoming President : Mrs. Neikolo-ü Mere : Rev. Dr. Dingu Kenye Director, Development, CBCC

C M Y K

Dimapur

public discoursE

Thursday 8 May 2014

The Core Political Issues Of The Nagas

r. Shapwon Thomas seems to have had very sincere Talks with Mr. Khaplang of the NSCN (K): ‘Nagaland PAGE’ of 5/5/2014’ and Khaplang has brought out some very serious Core Naga Political Issues. Mr. Khaplang was bone hard honest of the Reasons for his not ‘accepting the NNC and the FGN’. In principle, he has Three main Reasons for his inability to join NNC and FGN. They are: i. i. The 14th August 1947 declaration was only for Nagas of Nagaland. ii. ii. The FGN is not of Free Nagas of Myanmar, it is only of Nagas from Nagaland. iii. iii . Nagaland consists of the State of Nagaland alone: only “United Nagaland” is acceptable. What Khaplang had said are ‘his Interpretation’. Any person can have his or her own Interpretation of

any Issue; however, on crucial National Matters, it is not the Personal Interpretations, but the Constitutional Legal Interpretation, that holds the authentic version. What the YEZHABO OF NAGALAND say on these Issues, should be the Legal Authentic Meaning, not the Individual Version though what a seasoned leader like Khaplang feels is of great importance. “NAGALAND” -Land of All Nagas- is an Idea for the future of all Nagas; the Idea was in existence long before the State of Nagaland came into existence, just like the Kingdom of God is the future Kingdom for of all Believers of Christ. If any feels he/she is not included and separates himself or herself from the common Kingdom, the decision lies on him or her. Territory is a core Issue in political matters. The

question of: ‘Who control the Territory?’ is a matter of great importance in Politics. The Citizens are the sole responsible for their Territory and they alone have the authority to speak for the Area. It is irrelevant for the Citizens of South Korea to fight in North Korea for the Unification of South Korea with North Korea; the Citizens of France cannot legally go to the French majority Province of Quebec fight for its severance from Canada. North Koreans must fight politically in their own Territory of North Korea for the Unification of the two Koreas and the South Koreans must politically fight in South Korea for the Unification with North Korea. Some Nagas, of one political Territory fighting in another territory erroneously may feel the notion of sacrifice. No Naga need have the Notion that

he/she is fighting for the others; each Naga fights for his/her own land and for his/her own People alone. Necessarily; one does not fight in another’s territory for the preservation of his or her own Territory. India has given political asylum to Dalai Lama and it would be improper for the Lama to conduct political fight with China for Tibet from Indian Territory. If the Lama does, it would be a violation of the principle of a Guest in relation to his host. This applies to every people everywhere in the World. The Rongmeis want to be in a Tribe of Nagaland; they must first fight it out in Manipur with the Government of Manipur to come out of Manipur and not fight with the Tribes of Nagaland, in the territory of Nagaland to be a Tribe of Nagaland. If they do so, it would amount to social

a whole State and not part of any other State. The Naga Issue is complex, because the Issue spans over not only different States of India –Arunachal, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland- but also over an independent foreign State of Myanmar. Indian Nagas have no jurisdiction to decide for the Nagas of Myanmar. If Indian Nagas do, it would be a case of meddling in the internal affairs of another independent Country or vice versa. Just like Christianity is the common concern of every people in the World, not just of the Jews alone, NNC is concerned with the future of all Nagas and any Naga Community which supports the principles of the NNC and its Federal Government subscribes for the future common destiny of all the Nagas.

Aggression, if not a territorial one. The Nagas of Myanmar have to have their political fight by themselves, for themselves in their own Territory and mutually cooperate with other Nagas for a future Nagaland or Nagalim or United Nagaland. Today NSCN (IM) or NSCN(K) have initiated Talk with India, but these Naga Groups can speak to India only for their own people of their own Territory. They can not speak to India on behalf of others. To clarify the Issue: Nagas of Nagaland can speak only for Nagas of Nagaland; Nagas of Manipur can speak only for those in the territory of Manipur and Nagas of Assam or of Arunachal can speak only for their own people and of their own State; a Naga of one State cannot speak for Naga of other States. It is only Nagaland which is

Thepfulhouvi Solo

What Is The Meaning Of This?

or those focused on the Naga Political issues, the daily news of the last few days is throwing up a rather curious Agatha Christi kind of a mystery requiring Sherlock Holmes’ investigative prowess to find an answer to the great “Lenten Agreement” and its aftermath progression. It is getting to be a tiresome exercise for the FNR and the NPGs to raise the hopes of the Nagas to the zenith and having it dashed before the ink on the parchment is dry... without a noticeable lasting step being achieved. This thing about the travel restrictions on the NSCN(IM) by the GoI as the reason for the inability of the two supremos to attend this crucial meeting at Kolkata is a huge let down especially when the GoI has categorically refuted it to say no restrictions have been imposed on them. It smacks of excuse...excuse... nothing more than an excuse to shy away from a difficult task that could shape a definitive path for the future of the Nagas. Penning an agreement and then make excuses to avoid its implementation makes no sense at all! Sending lesser representatives, on a flimsy excuse, for this defining moment of a meeting, is a clear indication of the insincerity on the part

of NSCN(IM). It is plane for all to see without a second guess. There must be more it than meets the eyes. Pray tell us what is the meaning of this? Everyone agrees with relief that the “Lenten Agreement” is an important landmark which could pave the way for a saner Nagaland. However, there is an elementary flaw in the approach being adopted...this mandatory fixated craze for foreign shores and out station location to discuss our Naga backyard problem needs a serious rethink. It has created more obstacle and burden than solve problems...as is obvious to all except FNR...giving space for one excuse or the other to be concocted and derailing this so-called “journey of common hope”. One also honestly fails to understand or appreciate the logic of FNR or the NGPs wanting to fix an out station venue when all the responsible Heads involved in this agreement are stationed in Nagaland. If there is an ill will, no stations on earth can be safe. On the other hand, where there is good will, the lowliest home of a poor Naga in a poor village would be as safe a place as anywhere else and so this persistent desire of wanting to move out from our ancestral home ground at every drop of a

hat should be wound up permanently. FNR was understood to have had definite awareness of Mr. Isak and Mr. Th. Muivah not intending to attend this meeting beforehand but still went ahead with it, knowing full well that this would have been a futile exercise in their absence. This lack of sensitivity and pragmatism is unfortunate. A postponement for relocating /rescheduling of this meeting was more honourable an option rather than hurt the sentiment of the other leaders who made a sincere effort to be there. Somewhere along the line the divine purpose of reconciliation seems to be getting misdirected and misplaced. The business of “confidence building” as was reflected in the local press (May 4th 2014..The Sunday Mirror) is another area one fails to understand the significance. It is rather difficult to imagine that the “Lenten Agreement” was signed without confidence amongst the leaders of the warring factions that warrants further confidence building so, is this just another eyewash of an excuse to cover up a fruitless endeavour? FNR ought to be upholding a very strict principle of insisting that such an important meeting must be attended by all the Heads of the organization

in order to be productive or not have it at all. Why keep fooling the people again and again? Meanwhile, information are afloat that the NSCN(IM) and NSCN(KK) have now set up a joint tax collecting operation in coordination with one another. At this point in time, the “Lenten Agreement” seems to have had one positive result from the perspective of the Factions. It has paved the way for them to talk to one another and be able to sit together and collect their respective taxes without killing each other. According to the field information, joint tax collecting points have been established in several areas in Dimapur with a visible joint presence being noticed in (1) Brick factory areas; (2) Khushiabill Village area; (3) Showba Village Gate; (4) T. K. Service 2 1/2 Mile area; (5) Purana Bazar Tata Parking area (near Petrol pump station); (6) Dillai Gate; (7) Nagaland Gate (New field);etc... the list goes on...this is just an illustration. This spells doom for the masses now being exposed to face a more systematic and collective ruthlessness of the NGPs. What thoroughly sickens one’s mind is the picture of our own Police personals seriously involved in the same business of raising illegal tax, sitting

side by side with the Factions instead of stopping them...adding salt and chilly on the terrible wounds of the public. The Nagas are paying heavily for their folly of selling their votes to the unscrupulous politicians who now are totally engrossed in recouperating their election investments by raping the system in happy compliances of the well oiled bureaucratic machinery that knows which side their bread is buttered. It is perhaps too much to expect the present Government to establish a transparent rule of Law...”because of the cease-fire” and therefore ‘they’ are untouchable no matter what law ‘they’ violate. The equi-closeness policy reinforces this stand... after all, it is good for a coordinated business. The desperate picture is complete with all our NGOs and intellectuals choosing to remain indifferently silent as if it is someone else’s problem. So people of Nagaland...be happy... we are well and truly enjoying a Government we deserve! Sell your votes again next round as well and carry on enjoying this depraved situation all over again. Have a good day ...if possible. Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd) Forest colony, Kohima

The Morung Express

An elegy for my grandmother late Jemtikala (1923 - 03.05. 2014) Limasenla K. Longchar Grandma, as we pour our goodbyes, we remember the virtues you lived with. All the joys and hope you brought into our lives. We wonder if we could ever attain what you had. Every milestone you achieved had marveled us. In your ninety first year you have slipped away from us. Now it’s finished, your task on earth completed. It’s us whom you left behind that still labour. We struggle with our lives, our choices and our misfortunes. I wonder what could’ve been your thoughts as you gave up your soul to the Lord. Did we worry you? How we would go on living in the world you’ve left behind. A world so different from the one your parents left when they gave away their breaths to its giver. You had seen three generations passed through, each zig-zagging at its pace. With each progress, further into decadence. The changing world had you bewildered. No, it was not that you could see and talk with your grandchildren, separated by distance and oceans, through that slab of electronic. And it was not how news could spread across countries faster than the fire that razed your village nine times twice. It was how we’ve become expert in not speaking the truth without any remorse. How our hands, clenched, would no longer seek out to help people. It was the amazement of how our smiles dwell only in our face while our heart lies cold elsewhere. And how in church we no longer worship in spirit, and now a mere show. By the hearth in your kitchen, We squatted and I drank the tea you offered me in the stained cup. We engaged the days as you told stories and I listened with my undivided ear. But fourteen years has gone since and I guess I have changed too. How do I live, grandma, in this flux of change? The current appears too strong within and about me to resist. Change is hard and people say it’s hardest for those who resist it. How do I not resist change and yet live the values you had taught? In our sorrows you had shed your tears. You had shared in our happiness. You’ve had sleepless nights when your body demanded rest, just because you sought to ease our pain. And now you are gone. But God must be waiting beyond the river to say ‘Well done my daughter’. God’s victorious crown awaits you. But, grandma, it’s us the living who needs the insight to live the life you had lived. To say the prayers you had said and the faith to meet you beyond yonder.

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.

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 2870

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2877

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

STD CODE: 03862

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital: Shamrock Hospital Zion Hospital: Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital Apollo Hospital Info Centre: Railway: Indian Airlines Chumukedima Fire Brigade Nikos Hospital and Research Centre Nagaland Multispecialty Health & Research Centre

Answer Number # 2869

KOHIMA

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home:

232224; Emergency229529, 229474 227930, 231081 228846 228254 231864, 224117, 227337 228400 232106 227607 232181 242555/ 242533 224041, 248011 230695/9402435652 131/228404 229366 282777 232032, 231031 248302, 09856006026

STD CODE: 0370

Northeast Shuttles

100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202

Musical Terms ACCERANDO ALLEGRO ANDANTE BARLINE BASS CLEF CRESCENDO DECRESCENDO DIMINUENDO DOTTED DOUBLE EIGHTH FERMATA FLAT FORTE FORTISSIMO MEASURE MEZZO MODERATO PHRASE PIANISSIMO PIANO QUARTER REPEAT RITARDANDO SIGNATURE STACCATO TIE TIME TREBLE

E O M O D N E C S E R C E D N R

T F O R T I S S I M O B N B C S

O O D P R E T R A U Q T I A L W

M T E F D E M E A S U R E P E E

P R R T O P H R A S E A E E F T

I E A R D R U C R E S C E N D O

A B T I P E T B A R L I N E A D

N L O T I T A E P E R F R A O I

I E D A A E I G H T H Z T O P M

S E O R N R A T A M R E F I A I

S E U D O E R U T A N G I S E N

I T B A O E E O A L L E G R O U

M I L N P A N D A N T E F I X E

O M E D A C C E R A N D O N A N

E E T O D O T T E D F L A T D D

M E Z Z O B A S S T A C C A T O

ACROSS 1. Adhesive 6. Dwarf buffalo 10. Desire 14. Fruit of the oak tree 15. Grave 16. Midday 17. Eskimo 18. 1 1 1 1 19. A reserve of money 20. Conduct 22. Hens make them 23. N N N N 24. Anagram of “Store” 26. Battle 30. Blow up 32. Submarine 33. Being 37. Any day now 38. Mountain crest 39. Bobbin 40. Remorse 42. Scoundrels 43. Open skin infections 44. Walk unsteadily 45. “Yippee!” 47. Ocean 48. Damage 49. Resentment 56. Curved molding 57. Bright thought

58. Motherless calf 59. Average 60. Attired 61. Ancient Roman magistrate 62. At one time (archaic) 63. Arid 64. Relaxes

DOWN 1. Gave money 2. Skin disease 3. A type of liquid food 4. Threesome 5. Implore 6. “Smallest particles” 7. Not a single one 8. Portent 9. Esoteric 10. Unshackled 11. French for “Red” 12. Chimes 13. Terminates 21. Explosive 25. Choose 26. Astrological transition point 27. Double-reed woodwind 28. Natural satellite 29. Exile 30. Administrators 31. Liturgy

33. Sea eagle 34. Require 35. Mobile phone 36. If not 38. Cardiopulmonary exercises 41. Also 42. A person who accumulates things 44. T 45. Bet 46. Districts 47. Ancient Greek unit of length 48. “Where the heart is” 50. Doing nothing 51. Rip 52. Connecting point 53. Auspices 54. Sediment 55. Views Ans to CrossWord 2876

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LOCAL

The Morung Express

MEx FILE NPF President directs party units

KOHIMA, MAY 7 (MExN): President of the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu has directed all frontal organizations/cells and all subordinate units of the party organisation to refrain from issuing any press statements “whether in favor or against any person, while the search is on for a new leader in the party's legislative wing.” The directive, issued by NPF Secretary General, KG Kenye, stated that as per the decision taken by the working committee on February 19, the party is “already initiating and undertaking the process for a smooth transition towards this end.” It urged all rank and file of the NPF to strictly comply with the directive so that the “progress being made” is not “disturbed.”

Abundant Life Ministries meeting

DIMApur, MAY 7 (MExN): Abundant Life Ministries, Nagaland (ALM) has convened a meeting on May 9, 10:00 am at the residence of its general secretary. All executive committee members have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.

CANSSEA Dimapur meeting on May 9

DIMApur, MAY 7 (MExN): CANSSEA Dimapur district has convened its executive meeting on May 9, 1:00 pm in the conference hall of Directorate of Geology and Mining Department, Dimapur. Therefore, CANSSEA Dimapur general secretary T Hekuto has requested all the executive members and two representatives from each department under Dimapur district to attend the meeting.

PDCSU general session on May 10

DIMApur, MAY 7 (MExN): The Phek District Cooperative Societies’ Union (PDCSU) general session will be held on May 10, 10:00 am at Mini Tourist Lodge, Pfütsero. Velasa Nakro, registrar of Cooperative Societies will be the chief guest and Wepe Ritse, Joint Registrar Cooperative Societies will deliver exhortation. PDCSU president Kekhwengulo Lea in a press release has requested all registered cooperative societies under Phek district to attend the session compulsorily, “failing which shall be considered as non-functioning cooperative society.”

Nunumi Union Dimapur informs

DIMApur, MAY 7 (MExN): Nunumi Union Dimapur has informed all its members to attend the prayer meeting scheduled to be held on May 10, 6:00 am at Valley View Baptist Church. Joint Secretary Nikishe Kapo in a press release informed all members to attend positively.

SDEO Chozuba mourns

KOHIMA, MAY 7 (MExN): The Sub Divisional Education Officer, Chozuba and his staff have expressed shock over the death of Deo Dukru, former Deputy Inspector of Schools, Chozuba in an accident in Assam on May 3. In a message, they shared grief with the beareaved family.

Thursday 8 May 2014

Dimapur

Phek DPDb recommends award Governor wishes on World Red Cross Day for cleanest village & colony KOHIMA, MAY 7 (DIpr): The Phek District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) during its monthly meeting recommended opening new school in Meluri (S.Pethury Montessori School), grantin-aid and up-gradation of Little Star School, Dzulhami, opening of new school at Sekruzu, award for cleanest village in the district and cleanest colony in Phek Town. The meeting was held at the DPDB conference hall under the chairmanship of Chotisuh Sazo, Speaker, Nagaland

Legislative Assembly and chairman DPDB Phek. Addressing the meeting, Sazo expressed his gratitude to the district administration and the government employees involved in the peaceful conduct of poll process in the district which was held recently. He directed all the heads of offices in the district to submit their departmental activities to him with a copy to Deputy Commissioner & District Planning Officer, Phek for compilation in the DPDB booklet latest by May 31, 2014.

KOHIMA, MAY 7 (MExN): On the occasion of World Red Cross Day (May 8), Governor of Nagaland, Dr. Ashwani Kumar has wished the Red Cross Society Nagaland success in its commendable humanitarian efforts. The Governor expressed happiness that Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland State Branch will be celebrating the World Red Cross Day along with the birth anniversary of Sir

Newly posted officers, namely V.Lovitoly Sema, ADC Phek HQ and T.L.Kiusemang Tikhir, SDO (Civil) Chizami were introduced to the house. A review of the performance of Phek DPDB for the period April 2013 to March 2014 was presented by the District Planning Officer, Phek. In the review, District Planning Officer highlighted that the DPDB had made 28 recommendations to the government, out of which authority concerned responded to 8 cases, 17 issues are pend-

ing with government, and three cases were not materialized. The chairman suggested that this should be a checklist for the department concerned for follow up action. In case of any difficulty, they may approach the elected representative of the district, Sazo assured. Departmental activities were presented by Dr. R.K.Singh, KVK Porba, Phek. In the next DPDB meeting, social welfare department and food & civil supply department will present their activities. DIMApur, MAY 7 (MExN): The Network of Naga People Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) Nagaland has expressed its deepest condolences to the family members and near ones of late David Khing Morung Express News who passed away on May 6, 2014. “His association with Dimapur | May 7

NNP+ extends condolences

NNC expels one Kuki Region cadre Women interfaith DIMApur, MAY 7 (MExN): and drug abuse.” Stating that in consultation held The NNC has expelled Victor a press release, information & Hmar of Kuki Region for his “anti-activity against the NNC of his region, unauthorized collection of money, indiscipline

publicity wing, NNC said that, henceforth the NNC will not be held responsible for Victor Hmar. The Interfaith Coalition for Peace held a discussion on the topic, “Women and Social Justice” at the Don Bosco Campus here on May 7. The consultation was part of a two-day event held May 6 and 7. First of its kind in Dimapur, the tary of NSSWB gave the welcome consultation saw women from different reliaddress and a word of exhorta- gions and tribes interact with each other on tion was pronounced by Bano social lines. More than forty women from reVinito, Chairperson, NSSWB. A ligions such as Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and special song was presented by varied sects of Christianity participated in the the AGC members from Christ discussion. The consultation was an interacKing Higher Secondary School. tive one with women sharing their experiences A brief presentation on the jour- of despair and hope. “We invited women from ney of AGC was given by Juliana all faiths, so that we get opinions from all. The Medom, Planning Officer, State consultation was aimed at bringing up women Resource Centre for Women. in our society, especially in the North Eastern Special certificates and gifts were states, so that they contribute equally to the sopresented to all the sixty success- ciety,” said the organizers. Moamenla, Director, ful HSLC students, including Mothers Home, Kenny, Nagaland Alliance for Child Rights, and Ella, Director, Prodigal Home, four toppers, in the NAGC. Atuo Mezhur, Managing Di- were among the key speakers, who spoke on isrector, Mezhur Higher Secondary sues like women and conflict, parental care and School and Father Deli Kapani peaceful co-existence in the society. The conencouraged the students to set a sultation concluded with future strategies for goal in their lives, added the note. better understanding between faiths and tribes.

NAGC members' success celebrated KOHIMA, MAY 7 (MExN): Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) organized a felicitation program for the successful HSLC passed members of the Nagaland Adolescent Girls Club (NAGC) at Mezhur Higher Secondary School on May 6. Nagaland Adolescent Girls Club is an initiative of NSSWB. Adolescent girls from seven schools attended the program, informed a press release received here. Gracy Aye, State Coordinator, State Resource Centre for Women chaired the programme, and Fr. Deli Kapani, Principal, Christ King Hr. Sec School, said the invocation. Daisy Mezhur, Secre-

Henry Dunant, the founder of Red Cross. Red Cross, Dr. Kumar said, is the most effective organization of the world providing relief and succour to the victims of armed conflicts and natural calamities. The Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland Branch has been doing laudable work in providing relief/rehabilitation, first aid and organizing medical camps etc, he acknowledged.

the NNP+ and the services he rendered to the organisation shall always be remembered,” stated NNP+ president Naomi Semy. David Khing worked with the NNP+ as CRP (ASLP Project -SAATHII) and also as program manager (Vihaan Programme) in 2013.

Birthday Greetings Dear

( Becku) Bekuto,

appy Birthday H Becku. As you reach your 4th birthdate on 7th of May, we thank our Lord for His blessings on you. We pray that you grow up and celebrate this occasion for 100 plus years. Happy Birthday once again . May GOD bless you more. We all love you, so very dearly.

With lots and loads of Love & Wishes, From your Dearest Dad & Mom, Sisters, and all your near and dear ones.

Public SPace

NTc public statement on Rongmei tribe recognition A boriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are the native Naga tribes inhabiting the land, presently demarcated as Nagaland State since time immemorial and before colonization by the outsiders and certain other tribal born out of re-organization of the aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland duly approved by Nagaland Tribes Council and notified by the State Government of Nagaland. We believe that the Creator has led us from our forefathers down to the present generation, from time immemorial to the memorable time of the day and it is our bounden duty as ‘son of the soil’ to vigilantly preserve and protect the inviolability of its people, land & resources and to cherish the given uniqueness with honour. We acknowledge the fraternal relationship of the Nagas as one community irrespective of geo-political barrier and division and continue to aspire that one day the Nagas will be able to live together as one people one nation. We sincerely hope and pray that the Almighty God in his own time will deliver us from the multitude of problems through honourable settlement and solution. In the meantime, we are oblige to respect the ownership and status of the other Naga brethren in their respective settlement and their given rights and privileges enjoyed by one and all. In the same spirit the Nagas of Nagaland State as a definite tribal entity have the sole prerogative of ownership over its land & resources and its secured privileges/status granted to the State. Hence we expect mutual recognition as well as acceptance of the reality of our exclusive position as aboriginal people of the existing State that is till such time a new inclusive arrangement is curved out for all. We register our deep appreciation to the founding members and the successive leadership for their sagacity and veracity which has brought about policies and programs ideal for the statehood and emphatically provided requisite protective laws and measures for the defined tribes and their land & resources. The guideline notification dated the 28th of April, 1977 No.AR-8/876 had clearly defined the status of Indigenous Inhabitants of the State of Nagaland. The criteria for determining a person to have had a permanent settlement in the State of Nagaland prior to 1-12-1963 must be a person whose name or parent’s name or legitimate guardian’s name, in case

the person was then a minor should have been enlisted in the Electoral Roll published on 5-12-1963; or a person or his/her parents or legitimate guardian should have been paying house tax prior to 1-12-1963; or a person or his/her parents or legitimate guardian should have acquired property and possessed patta prior to 1-12-1963. Notification as Scheduled Tribe and recognition of a community as per the Constitution of India vide article 342, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal Ministry for notification of community as Scheduled Tribe. However, the responsibility for verification of social status of a community and recognition of such community in a particular state or district as indigenous inhabitant tribe and issuing of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate to any individual member rest with the concerned State Government. Nevertheless, the State Government should do so in consonance with the prescribed policies and legislated laws of the State as stated above. The Committee headed by Shri J. Alam, IAS Home Commissioner, Nagaland clearly stated in its report “Such a status, while entitling them to avail all the benefits of reservation to pursue employment and education will not make them an indigenous Naga tribe of the State”. Members of Rongmei community who are qualified as per the criteria as laid down by a notification dated the 28th of April, 1977. No.AR-8/876 is entitled to be an indigenous inhabitant of the State of Nagaland. Nonetheless, such entitlement will not make them indigenous Naga tribe of the State. The Committee after having intense investigation on the social status of Rongmei community in the State and perusal of all relevant provisions and legislated laws of the State had proposed to the State Cabinet not to recognize Rongmei community as indigenous tribe in the State. The State Cabinet blatantly discarded the expert committee findings and had taken political decision to recognize Rongmei tribe as indigenous inhabitant tribe of the State of Nagaland against the popular wishes and interest of the people. It is pertinent to state here that certain section of people have taken the hospitality of the Nagas of Nagaland for granted and intruded inside beyond acceptable limit disregarding the exclusive ownership and rights given to the citizens thereby creating a complex situation where the citizens of the state are driven

out to resist such intrusion and protect its exclusive status and privilege. This irrational step has polarized the otherwise potential common force to pursue a long range common interest. We appeal for good will, mutual recognition acceptance of each other’s position in the given situation so as to maintain the fraternal relationship that we have had enjoyed from time immemorial.

Some empirical facts on Rongmei tribe recognition issue: 1. No ground to Claim recognition That there are no names of Rongmei enlisted in the electoral roll of 5th Dec 1963 under Kohima District, as certified by the Joint Chief Electoral Officer & PIO, Kohima vide his letter No. ELE/RTI-2/2013/1758 Dt. 12/03/2013 and also there are no names of Rongmei enlisted in the electoral roll of 5th Dec. 1963 under Peren District as certified by Asst Election Officer & PIO Peren, vide his letter No. ELE/RTI/2010-13/639 Dt. 10/01/2013. The RCN while clarifying the statement of Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) admitted “there is no Rongmeis’ land in Peren District till date” as appeared in Morung Express Dt. 30th Sept. 2007. The right to recognition as claimed by RCN without ancestral land or demarcated territory is groundless and it is only creating animosities, distrust and resentment among Naga family. 2. Gauhati High Court Interim Order The Hon’ble Guwahati High Court in W.P.(C) No. 4519/12 for compliance with the order Dt. 22/11/2012 also passed an order: “the State of Nagaland shall follow the annexure-1 notification 28.4.1977 in respect of certificate pertaining to ‘Indigenous Inhabitant’ in the State of Nagaland”. It may be stated that the names of the members of Rongmei Community did not appear in the Electoral Roll on 5.12.1963 and also they did not fulfill the other conditions stipulated in the abovementioned Notification dated 28.04.1977. The Hon’ble Gauhati High Court directed the State Government not to issue ‘Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate’ to the members of Rongmei Community. Therefore, the claim of 1313 of Rongmeis’ to have permanent settlement in Nagaland prior to 1st Dec. 1963 is bogus and misleading. 3. Recruitment in to Government jobs with BOGUS CERTIFICATES The recent controversies on the genuineness of Shri Sachui Kamei,

S/o. Talung Kamei a Rongmei candidate who claims to have hailed from Zeliang Tribe was issued an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate and Scheduled Tribe Certificate by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima during 2004 qualifying him to sit for job interview in the Social Welfare Department was later selected for the post of LDA-Cum-Computer Assistant against the seat reserved for Zeliang Tribe(BT). The NTC question is how a reserved seat against Zeliang Tribe was given to a candidate hailed from Rongmei Community and how an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate was issued to a candidate who did not satisfy the criteria as laid down in Govt. Notification No. AR-8/8/76 dated Kohima, the 28th April, 1977. The blatant act of the State is one glaring instance of the State allowing the nonaboriginal tribe to take advantage in snatching away the rightful share of the genuine citizen of the State. This is a deceitful act of robbing a rightful brother’s share leading to a most unwanted inter-tribal conflict between the two thereby destroying the existed bond of unity amongst the Nagas. 4. Once the door is open there can be no STOPPING later The NTC has serious reservation on the issue of recognition of other tribes apart from the Naga aboriginal tribes of Nagaland State as indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland. The fact is that the Rongmei Tribe recognition has already created a bad precedence. Henceforth, when any tribe from outside Nagaland State applies for the same it has to be treated at par with the Rongmei lest it becomes discriminatory. Rongmei Tribe recognition has opened a flood gate and now the Nagas of Nagaland would be overwhelmed and stampeded as actually happened in the last recruitment drive of Graduate Teachers of 2012 in Peren District of Nagaland as a consequence of recognition accorded to Rongmei Tribe. 5. Government notification dt.28.04.1977 is without BIAS The above mentioned notification was enacted without any prejudice nor by issuing this notification did the State Govt commit any “historical injustice” to any community or communities as was alleged by some persons with vested interest. It is the considered opinion of the NTC that it would be the greatest mistake the Nagas will ever make for the future generations, if dual Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status is to be granted to some Naga tribes resid-

ing in two or more states. Such precedence may poison the Naga happy family although settled in different states and countries. It is also observed that the present “recognition issue” is creating confusion, division, hatred and bitterness among the Nagas by making claim and counter claim through various print medias and social medias. The callousness of the State Government towards its own citizens and the audacity of RCN to claim what is not entitled to them as a matter of certain right has created unreasonable confusion and uproar in our Naga society today. 6. The NTC Stand for NAGA INTEGRATION The NTC is all out committed to the cause of Naga integration in all possible ways and means. NTC takes pride to state that till date all Nagas hailed from different states and regions enjoy equal social Naga tribal status without any discrimination or distinction in the State of Nagaland. However, as far as the question of modification of the Notifications and granting of Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status to those outside the State of Nagaland is concerned, the NTC is of the view that an individual member of a particular tribe having immovable property or having resided in the state over a considerable length of time does not necessarily sanction his whole tribe should be recognized as an Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribe of Nagaland. As the Notification has stipulated provisions and conditions for the individual inhabitants to be recognized as indigenous inhabitant of the State, NTC urges the State Govt. to strictly adhere to the said notification and not act otherwise. It is pertinent to state here that any deviation from the existing legislated law of the land will become detrimental to the interest of the Nagas of Nagaland and the fraternal relationship of Naga brethren. It is of paramount importance for the Naga tribes to respect and acknowledge the situational reality with mutual recognition and acceptance to collectively strive for a larger common cause. 7. The NTC is for the NAGAS OF NAGALAND The NTC reiterates its stand that it is not against Naga unity as Nagas belong to the “common family of the same racial stock”. However, it is an undeniable fact that every Naga tribe resides in a particular geographical area as a tribe and these geographical areas are grouped into districts, states

and even countries. These tribes are recognized as indigenous inhabitant of the particular district or state where they reside or inhabit. The patriotic Rongmei Nagas occupied Tamenlong district of present day Manipur. Likewise, many other Naga tribes occupied other districts of Manipur and even a sizeable portion in Myanmar. Similarly the Naga tribes of Nagaland inhabited the present geographical area of present day Nagaland and are therefore termed as indigenous inhabitant tribes of Nagaland and are accordingly given due recognition. However, any member or group of Naga tribes living outside the geographical area of the present day Nagaland cannot unvaryingly be termed or recognized or claimed as indigenous inhabitant tribe of this same state. Despite these empirical facts, the State Government issued a blatant notification recognizing the Rongmei Tribe as an indigenous inhabitant tribe of Nagaland. Thus, the NTC is duty bound to question and challenge the illegal and immoral decision of the State Govt while protecting the rightful status and privileges of its citizens because we care the legacy we are passing on to the coming Naga generations. The bare facts mentioned above must not be taken lightly so that no further divisions and misunderstandings take place between the brethren. It is time we bury the past resentment and hate which apparently has originated in the aftermath of a denigrated cause. Let us help one another unbound the things that is enslaving our hearts. In building nationhood as it progresses, suffering and difficult situation do emerge and also the longer the duration of strife the bigger the lesson. Yet it must not be misread that we have lost hope on our common cause. Rather let us look forward to the future hope while not forgetting our immediate responsibility and accountability. The NTC sincerely believes the statement made above will be accepted as a matter of fact by each and everyone. And in humbly stating the fact and reality the NTC intends to stand by the spirit of mutual trust and recognition for lasting peace and unity now and then. Theja Therieh Member Secretary Public Rally on Rongmei Recognition NTC Kitoho S Rotokha Convenor Public Rally on Rongmei Recognition NTC

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.

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express THurSDAy 8 MAy 2014 voluME IX ISSuE 124 By Aheli Moitra

Tackling abuse through information

ast year, we, the media, tried to follow a criminal case to its trial. It involved children of poor parents who had been taken to a “children’s home” in Jaipur under the pretext of free education—instead, they found themselves abused in sinister ways. The children, and their abuse, were traced through the initiative of some women’s organisations— the children, including minors, hailed from poor villages of both Nagaland and Manipur. Exploring the case further could have led us to investigate the varied roadblocks that the poor have to face in living a life of dignity. It would have involved understanding the importance of education, the lack of understanding among the poor of means to secure education, the right to education, the links between education and religion, the role of religion in human trafficking, how different states of India deal with extradition, how the civil society functions to keep track of citizens and their rights, the role of Non Government Organisations in securing the lives of children, etc. But to be able to highlight these issues, the media also had the primary responsibility to be ethical—to protect the identity of the children and their families. While some newspapers, including in the national media, cared little for such ethical components, the case came to an abrupt end for the public as the media enthusiasm around the case dwindled. Also, “covering the issue too much and naming the places the children are being rehabilitated is causing a problem for the parents of these children in their respective villages,” said one social worker, while we tried to probe if the children were being adequately rehabilitated and schooled— has the case gone forward in court? According to the social worker, every time the issue was covered, though the parents of the children were illiterate, other people from the village who might have read or heard about the coverage from neighbours, discussed the case, which made the parents uncomfortable. It was humiliating for the parents, and brought to the fore their own inadequacies in sending their children so far away with their (parent's) consent, inadvertently to be abused. While social humiliation might be a part of unearthing abuse, it is also essential to overcome this by keeping the discussion on abuse, and subsequent justice, alive so that more parents from poor backgrounds understand that there is a State responsibility here towards them and their children. The more people keep their heads down and forgo their rights as citizens, the more such abuse will recur with a lethargic State unwilling to stand by rights of its citizens. The media, in this case, merely plays the role of relaying information to the people so the State may be kept on its toes at all times. This calls for a certain level of cooperation from the people and allied institutions with the media so that issues of justice and discussions around them can be kept on the burner. Don’t agree? Write to moitramail@yahoo.com

lEfT wiNg |

Will Self Intelligent Life

Pride Is The Deadliest Sin

ride is so much a part of every one of us that we can’t see how deadly a sin it is—it inheres in our very self-consciousness, and has metastasised throughout the body politic. The opposite of pride— or so it’s said—is humility, but of course we’ve all met those Uriah Heeps whose ever-so-’umbleness is nothing of the sort. Indeed, so prevalent is this form of inverted spiritual pride that were we to purge the clergies and observant laities of the world’s major religions of such shams there’d be hardly anybody left. While false pride seems particularly egregious in ecclesiastical settings it is, of course, present in any hierarchy. “Most men can withstand adversity,” Abraham Lincoln said, “but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” It’s a test that all men and women fail, for everyone—once in a position of power—succumbs to the sin of pride. Indeed, it’s impossible to see how power can be exercised without pride, since The Big Question: to consider yourself Will Self insists we capable of directing hearts and minds have built a culture the of others is, ipso facsaturated with to, to embrace the nothat you are supride—it is the basis tion perior to them. And of who we are since most power is gained arbitrar ily, this is never demonstrably the case. In the modern economy pride is paramount. “Because I’m worth it” was the advertising slogan for L’Oréal products until the mid-2000s; the phrase then morphed into “Because you’re worth it”, and now it’s “Because we’re worth it”. Each transition corresponds to a still greater equation of the commodity with self-worth, but you don’t need to be a Marxist to understand that such an idea not only endorses pride, it actively encourages it. Ours is an economic system founded on proud commodification and the commoditisation of pride. Civilisation is grouted with pride: it is the very glue with which its edifice has been raised. I would go further, arguing that pride is the foundational sin, going before the long fall that we are still enduring. All the other sins—including murder—are mere peccadillos compared with the monstrousness of pride. While you can perfectly well be proud without being avaricious, or slothful, or covetous, it’s absolutely impossible to transgress in these ways without first being proud. The Big I-Am, King Baby, Me-Me-Me—this is the true trinity of the modern psyche; this is the threepersoned god that we have made of ourselves. I’m not simply talking here about a preserve of neurotic psycho-babbling, but the very basis of who we now are. Identity politics is the extension of pride to the most arbitrary of characteristics—ethnicity, sex, sexual identity. And when we’ve ceased being proud of such chance things we can become proud of “strength” with which we “fight” cancer and other diseases. Our culture is now so saturated with pride that we believe we have agency at a molecular level.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Sarah Moser

Dompak eco-city: a tale of corruption

rbanization in Asia is often talked about in terms of expanding slums, gated enclaves for the elite and endless sprawl. On the other hand, little attention has been paid to new master-planned cities popping up across the world that are designed to showcase national aspirations, to ‘leap-frog’ economies from Third World to First World, and to display the power and ambitions of the local elite. The creation of new master-planned cities is an emerging transnational trend stretching across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with dozens of cities currently under construction to accommodate from tens of thousands to up to several million residents in some cases. Similarly, the price tag for these new cities ranges from the tens of millions of dollars up to 100 billion USD for Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City. To justify such massive expenditures on urban mega-projects, governments provide various rationales: old cities are overcrowded, a new city will diversify or jump-start the economy, a new city will put them on the world stage, etc. There are no guarantees that this strategy works, and what’s more a growing body of evidence indicating that many of these projects, aside from the financial risks involved, are deeply mired in corruption.

The making of a new capital The Riau Islands is an archipelago of over 3,000 islands located between the tip of the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The archipelago split from Riau Province, located on Sumatra, in 2004, one of several new provinces formed in the years following the downfall of President Suharto. In 2006, Riau Islands Province (Kepulauan Propinsi Riau, otherwise known as Kepri) along with Singapore, became part of a Special Economic Zone, which has resulted in an economic and population boom. Since 2000, the population of Kepri has doubled and, thanks to increased manufacturing and off-shore oil, the provincial government’s cash flow has hit an all-time high. After the new province was formed, government officials of Kepri quickly decided that Tanjung Pinang, a bustling port city of 100,000 and the main city of Riau Islands Province, would not be a suitable provincial capital. Rather, Dompak, a 925 hectare island a short drive south of Tanjung Pinang, was selected to be the site of the new capital and all public service sectors were to be relocated from Tanjung Pinang. When the decision was made to construct a new capital, Dompak had a population of 2,679 residents who primarily earned their living through fishing and other maritime activities. The local residents, however, did not fit in with the vision for the new capital and plans to relocate the entire population were soon drawn up. According to government officials in Kepri, the inspiration for Dompak is Putrajaya, Malaysia’s new administrative capital. The brainchild of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir, Putrajaya is a gleaming new capital with wide, empty streets and orderly clusters of high-rise apartments for civil servants situated around a man-made lake. Putrajaya’s government buildings, bridge and parks have a distinctive “Islamic fantasy” style, in which government buildings and other secular buildings are topped with Islamic-looking domes. With 20 kilometers of coastline, the plan was to transform Dompak into an ‘Eco City’ that would minimally impact the natural environment. The master plan features open green spaces and maintains the existing forest cover, water bodies and coastline as much as possible. Dompak was to have three bridges to connect it to Bintan Island and feature government offices, an Islamic university, a mosque, hospital, housing for civil servants, a golf course, botanic gardens and a small airport. In 2007, government officials publicly claimed

outh Africa’s May 7 elections mark the first time in democratic history that those born into Nelson Mandela’s post-apartheid ‘Rainbow Nation’ can vote. While these so-called “born frees” make up about two million of the country’s 31.4 million eligible voters, dismal registration numbers have both politicians and analysts puzzled at the youths’ seeming lack of political interest. The 18 to 20-year-olds have no living memory of the country’s anti-apartheid struggle but face mammoth struggles of their own: crippling unemployment, institutional corruption, gangs, violent crime, HIV/Aids, income inequality and a lack of access to education. Yet only a third (about 683,000) of eligible born-frees have registered to cast their ballot, according to South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission. Experts say it’s unclear whether this lack of interest stems from apathy, a seemingly international trend among young people, or something else entirely. “Youth likely see their political activities and social responsibilities in a fundamentally different way than their parents’ and grandparents’ generations did,” says University of the Witwatersrand vice-chancellor and principal Prof Adam Habib. “Apathy…is a global trend. South Africa’s youth are no different than American, British, European or Indian youth. It would be unfair to call them apolitical as a whole.” Young people do not often view voting or political activism as a duty, Habib adds, partly because they’re disappointed in the lack of progress made

The creation of new master-planned cities is an emerging transnational trend stretching across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Indonesia’s dream of a clean, modern eco-city in Dompak, however has been mired by the corruption of local and national elites that the Dompak project would achieve the level of prestige and international reputation that they perceived in Putrajaya. While the models for Dompak appeared to emulate Putrajaya’s formal and lavish Islamiclooking capital, the project has taken a dramatically different course than its Malaysian counterpart. Over the past several years, Dompak has been submerged in a corruption scandal that has stalled construction and irreversibly damaged the landscape and ecology of the island and the credibility of local officials. When the deadline for completion arrived at the end of 2010, only a third of the city infrastructure had been completed, while 75% of the 1.3 trillion rupiah budget had been spent. Since only the main mosque, Islamic center and several government buildings had been completed, the contractors paid the compulsory fine stipulated by the contract they signed with Kepri officials in 2007. Along with much of the original construction budget, the money paid by the contractors in 2011 disappeared into the hands of local government officials. The disappearance of the original investment funds, the lack of progress made on the infrastructure and buildings, and the missing fines have provoked considerable anger among residents of the Riau Islands. Since the island belongs solely to the government and there are no private buildings, the blame cannot be deflected away from the government. In a climate of rampant corruption, government officials do not appear to fear any consequences of their actions. Locals have expressed outrage and disbelief that the project, which was seen to be a symbolic and very public statement of Kepri’s new era of development and prosperity, should be so badly mismanaged. Student activists have attempted to pressure local Kepri government officials to perform a sumpah pocong, or ‘pocong’ oath, a Muslim oath that is intended to identify and religiously punish the corrupt individuals. The oath involves dressing government officials in white cloth usually used to dress Muslim corpses, and asking them direct questions about their involvement in the corruption. If lies are told while performing the oath, it is believed that those individuals would receive a direct punishment from God. All of the government officials have refused to perform the oath.

Meanwhile, over 200 households have refused to be relocated off the island into housing provided by the government. Dompak residents have visited the government housing and are outraged to see that it is substandard, run-down and lacking plumbing and electricity. By the summer of 2012, only five households had agreed to leave Dompak and move into their new homes on Bintan Island. Several families claim that they were forced to leave against their wishes and did not feel they had been given a choice. While many locals do not own official documents for their ancestor’s land, several families do have paperwork that alleges that they own over 40 hectares of the island. One landowner claims that the government deliberately refused to acknowledge his claims or process his paperwork. Locals have also expressed frustration about the disruption to the island’s tranquility and the environment. The movement of earth has had an adverse effect on fishing, the most common occupation for Dompak residents, forcing locals to fish further afield from their traditional areas near the island. Yet one of the most unbelievable developments in Dompak’s progress is the discovery that large tracts of the island were being excavated not to construct foundations for buildings, but to illegally mine bauxite. Bauxite is a component of aluminum, the price of which has risen dramatically in recent years. Large machinery was transported to Dompak over the recently built bridge to extract the bauxite from open pit mines located in close proximity to recently constructed government offices. The heavy machinery has badly damaged the bridge, which was intended for cars; even after the mining activities were publicized, mining locations have increased. Locals are shocked that law enforcement officials appear to be looking the other way as private mining companies openly bring equipment across the bridge. The mining activities have badly damaged newly-built roads on the island and caused major soil erosion and coastal pollution. Excavated earth, piles of bauxite and open pits lie next to new buildings and offices. The underground power lines that provide electricity for offices have been damaged and power outages are common. The pipe that encases electrical wires near the Agung Mosque appears to be cracked due to landslides caused by the excavation. The bauxite mining has irreparably ravaged the island’s ecosystem, completely derailed any ‘green’ aspirations for the project and severely undermined public confidence. A major public health problem has also emerged as a result of the open pit mining and poorly managed construction in Dompak. Over one thousand construction workers have fallen ill with malaria, a disease that had been wiped out from the region but has made a startling comeback. The fate of the new provincial capital encapsulates the rampant corruption that maintains Indonesia’s ranking as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. In 2013, Transparency International ranked Indonesia and Egypt as tied for 114th most corrupt countries, after Ethiopia, Kosovo and Tanzania. While city-centric development and the creation of new master planned cities have seduced government officials across the developing world who seek to project images of urban modernity and progress, new cities such as Dompak are proving to be an unprecedented opportunity for corrupt officials to personally enrich themselves. The dream of a clean, modern and eco-friendly capital for Riau Islands Province has been dashed for the foreseeable future. Until government officials in Riau Islands Province can regain the trust of investors and the local population, Dompak will sit as a massive monument to Indonesia’s misguided citycentric ambitions and the insidious and shameless corruption of the local and national elite.

Born Free, and Disinterested Rebekah Funk Inter Press Service during the past 20 years of democracy. “People feel dislocated. They feel politicians do not speak to their interests. They feel [voting] doesn’t make a difference.” He calls South Africa’s current rates of youth unemployment and income inequality “precarious” and cautions that politicians need to deal with these issues if they hope to woo a seemingly apathetic youth vote. With more than 40 percent of South Africa’s total population under the age of 20, Habib says it’s crucial for political parties to re-evaluate their platforms and address the needs of young people. Born-frees, he notes, will make up about a third of voters when the next general election is due in 2019. “[The Born Frees’] impact is going to be fundamentally changing the way society thinks, the way society behaves, the way society reflects its challenges, the way society protests against its atrocities,” Habib says. “Do you know what they’re thinking? Do you know what they want? Do you know if the system you’re putting forward can address their concerns?” He notes it will take more than text messages, Youtube ads and social media campaigns to reach young voters

— particularly when a recent survey by independent researchers at FutureFact revealed 64 percent of respondents had “little or no interest” in politics (based on a survey of 262 born-frees from urban and rural areas). Twenty-year-old Xolisa Ngcwabe is one of the born-frees who won’t be voting come Wednesday. Currently completing his Grade 12 education at a college in Cape Town, Ngcwabe says the current political system has failed young people. “I don’t really care about voting because I don’t think my vote makes a difference,” he says. “The government has to deliver and it hasn’t been doing that,” Ngcwabe says of the ANC’s failure to provide basic necessities like running water, school textbooks and functioning toilets to impoverished informal settlements and townships. It seems Ngcwabe is one of many growing disillusioned with President Jacob Zuma and the ruling African National Congress (ANC). FutureFact statistics show that about 70 percent of respondents felt the ANC was moving away from the democratic principles it fought so hard to implement, while 75 percent were pessimistic about South Africa’s future due to the government’s lack of

wRiTE-wiNg

accountability and its ability to implement policy decisions. Struggle credentials — often stressed among political parties vying for support — hold little pull for bornfree voters, according to political expert Prof Susan Booysen. “Focus group conversations amongst the youth — and particularly the black-African youth — rarely raised the liberation struggle and a need to reward the ANC for the freedom gained,” writes Booysen in a report entitled ‘Twenty years of South African democracy: Citizen views of human rights, governance and the political system’. Political parties should take note, she says: born-frees like 20-year-old Alexandra Goldberg aren’t interested in the past. “I feel like the government generally doesn’t know what it’s doing and blaming apartheid is a defence mechanism,” the University of Cape Town student says. “It’s very frustrating. Let’s move on from it and actually have a goal here.” It’s this frustration that’s pushed Goldberg to the polls, along with some advice from her father. “My dad made a good point — that if you don’t vote then you can’t complain. With the history of South Africa and voting, it seems like a bit of a slap in the face if you don’t vote. There was so much fighting for it.” Nineteen-year-old Victor Hlatshwayo from Vereeniging, Gauteng agrees. “I want a choice. I heard not voting is a vote for the ANC. I’m checking out all the parties, seeing what they’re saying and what they’re actually doing.”

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Thursday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

8 May 2014

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Lessons on the How do we change the streets of Dimapur global nuclear order? I The Non-proliferation Treaty has survived for nearly half a century but it has not fostered nuclear disarmament—and it could be facing decay

Paul Ingram henever diplomats get together to address the really big global issues of our time, the already daunting challenges of co-ordination are made more complex by their governments’ competing policy commitments—to economic growth (simplistically conceived), special-interest groups, “national security” and prestige. But even bigger problems lie hidden and unsaid, deeply buried within the operating model that governs international relations. To challenge these is to be seen as unrealistically radical or, worse, naïve. While governments recognise the need for agreement, their attachment to established ways of seeing the world and doing business traps them in a game of competition governed by threat and bargain, and the common interest suffers. We all share an interest in avoiding nuclear war. It was this concern, deepened in the terror of the Cuban missile crisis, which led to the negotiation of the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968. We are into the second week of this year’s Non-proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee, meeting at the United Nations in New York for a fortnight in preparation for next year’s Review Conference. Representatives of the vast majority of states have addressed the challenges of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, urging fellow members to fulfil their commitments under the treaty—be it to disarm or demonstrate more transparently their intention never to acquire nuclear weapons. And there is no shortage of ideas on how member states can move in the right direction towards disarmament and reassurance. The European Leadership Network, for example, summarised its recommendations in a statement on 1 May. They include: greater transparency around the ‘P5 process’ engaging the permanent members of the UN Security Council and commitment by them to the next international conference on the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons, convening the conference on a middle-east zone free of weapons of mass destruction and renewed efforts to bring into force the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty and to continue to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. Such statements are essential to establish the diplomatic agenda for change. But change will be elusive unless we tackle the more fundamental challenges. Inescapable reality The NPT is a bargain. In return for commitments by the non-nuclear-weapon states to demonstrate clearly the peaceful nature of their nuclear programmes, through International Atomic Energy Authority inspection and verification, the nuclearweapon states would promise to negotiate nuclear disarmament. The treaty may better be seen as an expression of an inescapable reality—that we will not achieve disarmament if nuclear weapons spread to more states (it would be seen as too risky) and we will not prevent such proliferation if some states continue to derive status and security through possession of nuclear weapons at the expense of others (why should those other states accept such discrimination in perpetuity?). The NPT was simply a formal expression of this deeper truth beyond the treaty law. It represented a choice by member states to pursue a world free of nuclear weapons because the only other long-term equilibrium would be a world full of nuclear-weapon states—and that was not in the interests of anyone. But what of the evidence? The nuclear-weapon states, investing in new generations of systems, have shown little sign of any concrete intention to move beyond “prudent” reductions. Yet over the space of almost half a century we have seen only

e in the international human rights community must grapple with the reality that the machinery of human rights law is in trouble. The number of international human rights laws is growing, as are the bureaucracies to manage this machinery. Yet governments routinely break these laws and eschew procedure. International human rights bodies are packed with human rights abusers, some of whose interests lie more in window dressing than in making the system actually work. With these foxes guarding the henhouse, much of the human rights legal system has fallen into bureaucratic and political gridlock. Its legitimacy is waning as it proves impotent to protect human rights in most of the countries where protection is most needed—those run by governments that don’t want outside interference. In a book published last year, I argue that moving beyond this stalemate will require different strategies. While reformers are already working overtime to improve the system, serious improvements have been elusive. Doing better will require work on at least four fronts. First, effective strategies for improvement require more clinical and granular assessments of when the system functions well and when it falls short. We already know that when it comes to the law, the current system generally corresponds best with protecting human rights in the countries where the worst human rights abuses are least likely to occur—those at peace, and with a strong civil society already working hard to consolidate local institutions. For most countries, there is little or no apparent relationship between

Russia and the United States keep a staggering 1,800 strategic nuclear warheads on high alert on land- and sea-based ballistic missiles.

one state leave the treaty and three others acquire nuclear arsenals. The NPT has performed remarkably well in containing proliferation—given its abject failure to drive disarmament any faster than would otherwise have been achieved through arms control and national-security calculation. Is the criticism nuclear-weapon states bear at these NPT meetings such a hardship, if they get the benefits they think they do from keeping their nuclear arms? The newly-formed Wildfire group organised a side-event at the UN, “Burn the NPT”, speaking for many in claiming that all this amounted to a smokescreen for business as usual—worse perhaps, a safety valve that enables nuclear weapon states to retain their status and arsenals while other states let off steam every year. Slow death Ireland, a key state in the initial negotiations towards the NPT, also spoke in New York of the real danger underlying the nuclear-weapon states’ denial of the reality at the heart of the NPT—that nonproliferation can only be maintained long-term by their own disarmament. It warned that this could lead the treaty into decay. We would do well to explore further how that could happen. While states may occasionally walk out of such meetings in frustration, they are not able credibly to threaten an exit from the treaty because the status quo is preferable to the most likely alternative— uncontrolled spread. We do, however, face the very plausible scenario that the treaty will experience a slow deterioration in its salience, as measures needed to stem the flow of associated technologies are resisted. There remains an uncertainty about the intentions of some within the treaty indefinitely to foreswear the nuclear option. Others are sufficiently disgruntled that they may choose not to participate in the essential programme to shore up loopholes and strengthen assurance. Unfortunately, while its eventual impact could be just as devastating, a slow death doesn’t engender the same sense of urgency as the threat of a sudden one. This leaves the nuclear-weapon states wrapped up in their own concerns, which recently have taken a sharp turn for the worse. Great Game It seems today some in the west are itching to jump back into a strategic struggle with Russia. Some in Moscow say there was never really a definitive break; rather, we have been witnessing an adaptation of the continuous strategic conflict between west and east for power, influence, alliance and access to resources. Without Russian balance they fear domination by the United States and NATO. And those so inclined know that there

is enough evidence out there to support such a worldview—a new chapter in the Great Game of zero-sum influence and exploitation. If the large body of the commentariat and, perhaps more importantly, government decisionmakers continue to choose this way to interpret events as they unfold it will be self-fulfilling, and we will slide into another cold confrontation with numerous consequences beyond an increased danger of great-power conflict. And the reason is simple: in a culture of competition, whatever we think of our motivations, the other will think we seek our own benefit at their expense. And now think again of those big issues of the day requiring international collaboration and a deepening of trust. This is seriously undermined by current trends, as the west falls out with Russia over Ukraine (and the rest of eastern Europe). While state parties did gradually find some form of communication and accommodation in the middle of cold-war confrontation, and some notable arms-control successes, this was limited and far from what is demanded today in an age of accelerating climate change, financial interdependency and fragility, the growing power of corporations and malign non-state actors. The consequences are not inevitable acts of God. We can choose to resist the temptation to fall into conflict within the Great Game and we can choose another way—one that strengthens international regimes and the commitments states have made which underpin them. Taking responsibility So where does this leave the choices for non-nuclear-weapon states wanting to drive forward a disarmament agenda with states apparently unable or unwilling to climb out of their own traps? Those who have easy answers are missing the complexity. Greater understanding is required of the attachments involved, of the operating models that underlie nuclear “deterrence” and the broader strategic relationships in which all states are implicated. States need to take responsibility for the impacts of their actions and postures on international security. It may not be credible for nuclear-weapon states to think they can sustain the status quo without weakening the fabric of international relationships. But diplomatic attacks will not force them to give up their comfort blankets. Ultimately, nuclear disarmament will come when states recognise their possession of such arms runs counter to their interests, to their international relationships and to their identity as civilised societies. This demands a multi-dimensional, co-operative project, involving all members of the international community in moving away from the politics of coercion and threat.

yanchen yanthan am prompted to write this piece after encountering what I call a very significant incident which by all means may be an insignificantly daily occurrence on the streets of Dimapur. Monday the 5th May 2014: Sometime late afternoon after having taken a turn from Bata Charali police point towards Nyamo Lotha road in a crowded traffic I felt a jolt on the right rear end of the car. I realised that our vehicle was hit from behind by an SUV. I drove on saying that this is part and parcel of another insignificantly daily occurrence in Dimapur’s daily rush hour traffic. But what happened next turned out to be one of the most significant incidents my family encountered on the familiar streets of Dimapur. As we drove on after being hit from behind we heard frantic honks followed by the SUV overtaking us from the left with a rashness endangering the lives of passerby’s and suddenly halting in front of our vehicle that was still in motion. Next the driver of the SUV gets out of his vehicle and begins throwing agitated angry words and asking us to look at the damage (in fact there was not an iota of scratch) that was caused to his imposing vehicle. Which in actuality was a result of him brushing us up from behind. What astounded us was that instead of apologising for having hit us from behind, this gentleman probably in his late forties or early fifties, goes on the offensive and portraying himself to be the victim, charged us to be the perpetrator. I expressed my displeasure in the stand he was taking and in the spur of the moment I decided that I am going to stand up my ground and not back down by the intimidations. A traffic police on duty approached the scene as the traffic came to a halt and crowds gathered up wanting to catch a glimpse of the scene just below the Naga Council office at NL road. The policeman making sense of what just happened noted that it was the SUV’s fault. However as traffic swelled up the policemen on duty standing around tried to make things right by asking us both to “let it go” in order to “avoid traffic jam”. It might be a coincidence or say “at just the right time and right moment” members of ACAUT were passing by. Taking cognizant note of the incident and the handling of the situation by the traffic police on duty, the ACAUT members stood up and reprimanded the policeman for not standing up to his duty. They were of the opinion that in the presence of any disagreement it is the duty of any officer present to take immediate decision and help settle the issue. A quick call was made to the Superintendent of Police by an ACAUT member apprising him of the situation and the way the matter was being handled. Meanwhile the driver of the SUV drove off ( I suspect he must have realised that he was at the wrong end) leaving us behind to deal with the havoc he created. However, by evening the policeman who was on duty earlier made sincere efforts and the SUV was traced and eventually the matter was amicably settled. Had it not been for the support of the ACAUT members, the eventuality would have certainly been very different. This may just be a one tiny incident yet considerable enough to ponder upon issues of justice and fairness one faces on a daily basis. I believe the ACAUT team act was propelled not because of any reason but simply because they each knew that was the right thing to do. This incident concluded with a positive end but sadly such cases are one in a million. There are many others who never get to see positive outcomes just because no one stood for them for what was right or themselves did not have the courage or strength to stand up. There is a time to be silent (unfortunately this has come to characterise a vast section of our society). And there is also a time to stand up and speak for what is right. Yes indeed I raised my voice for what I knew to be right in that moment. And thankfully I was helped by a group who stands for what is right. We have been witness to countless instances where highhandedness, arrogance, nepotism, favouritism, money and muscle have talked their way into every strata of the society. The notion of justice and fairness has now come to be just an idea that the vast majority does not even have as part of their common vocabulary. I sincerely believe that NOW the time has come to stand up and speak for what is right, and not just let might have its way. Can you and I be our own ACAUT team when we are faced with situations where we know we are wronged for what is right? Can we learn and stand up for what is right no matter what? Doing the right thing in today’s context requires courage. We are in need of courageous people, people of truth who will do the right not for any other reason but because it is right thing to do. “The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world” - Alexander Solzhenitsyn Though the entire episode was an unpleasant one I have emerged richer in experience through this significantly insignificant incident. Moreover my respect for ACAUT members have only doubled by leaps and bounds. To end with, a quote my wife penned down just a couple of weeks ago, “Do not think twice to initiate positive change, but think twice, if you do not”.

BEYOND THE LAW – towards more effective strategies for protecting human rights a government’s formal commitments under international human rights laws and their actual respect for human rights. In some cases, the trends actually point in the wrong direction—once a country joins a treaty its record of abuse actually gets worse. Researchers don’t agree why these unintended consequences may arise, but some of the possibilities are particularly worrying. But these trends are all very general, picking up on only the biggest of shifts in human rights behaviors. The human rights community needs the tools of social science applied to the evaluation of our current strategies. Second, one of the hardest things for this community to do is to stop adding more agreements and institutions. We have a lot of law on the books. Yet the system is already unable in most countries to effectively implement existing standards. The effort going into making new, often redundant standards and procedures is distracting from the more urgent task of more fully implementing existing, core human rights—such as rules against torture, discrimination against women, and trafficking of children. Adding more laws and procedures will mean more will be broken or ignored. And more noncompliance will further erode the legitimacy of the system, which may beget even more violations in the

Emilie Hafner-Burton future. The one big, and urgent, exception is discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The human rights of LGBT persons still need formal recognition by the international community. Third, human rights promoters need to realize that while we work mainly through NGOs, it is state power that plays the decisive role in much of world politics. States are at the center of this problem and their foreign policy can be at the center of more solutions. The countries that care most about human rights can, and should, play a more central role in pushing to protect them around the world. In a variety of situations and ways, they can give perpetrators a reason to act differently even when legal procedures are ignored. The problem, of course, is that these efforts will fail unless they are sustained or persuade societies that respecting human rights is valuable and not just cost-effective. For that to happen, foreign pressure will require more vetting and support by local norm entrepreneurs inside countries who help tailor outside pressure to fit the local setting. Successful stewardship requires not the single minded paternalism often associated with US or EU foreign policy to lecture

the world about human rights, but rather working much more closely with local stakeholders—NGOs, national human rights institutions (where possible), religious leaders—over sustained periods. Fourth, we need to set more priorities based on the likely consequences of success, rather than hope or media publicity or standard procedure. The human rights promotion system can become more strategic in how it allocates resources. It frequently spends resources on efforts that are targeted on perpetrators that will probably never be swayed by the system without domestic upheaval—another UN resolution against North Korea probably isn’t going to make much difference. Efforts to promote rights are often erratic and ephemeral rather than sustained over the long term—today, donors are pouring money into Afghanistan, often without coordination, but it remains to be seen whether that attention lasts long enough to actually facilitate the massive domestic transformation that will need to take place for human rights to one day be secure. And many efforts are generally not well suited to the underlying causes of the problem— when abuse stems from cultural and social norms, the shaming tools at the heart of the system not only fall on deaf ears, they often

backfire. Scarcity demands priorities. Let’s concentrate more resources where the best evidence indicates that actors, policies and laws actually make a positive difference. We in the human rights community must grapple with a critical tension. On the one hand, international law plays the central role in defining human rights, and the universal norms of international law are profoundly appealing. On the other hand, much of the effort that actually advances those norms lies somewhat outside the universal legal system—it rests with particular human rights promoters, both countries and non-governmental organizations, and hinges on the adoption of strategies, many of which include a turn away from global legalism and prioritizing some rights and some places over others. Resolving this tension requires analysis and honesty about what works. It requires deploying tools, including law, which can build legitimacy around human rights norms. It requires expanding the parts of the system that work best, and fixing or halting the parts that don’t. Luckily, the backbone for a clinical approach to assessing and promoting human rights is already in place. Systematic research is beginning to show when and where promotion tools correspond with measurable improvements on the ground. We need more of that research. And many NGOs are expanding their data collection and analysis. It is time for the academics and the policy makers to work more closely together. Emilie M. Hafner-Burton is Professor at the University of California, San Diego, Director of the Laboratory on International Law and Regulation (ILAR) and author of Making Human Rights a Reality (Princeton University Press, 2013)

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

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Thursday 8 May 2014

The Morung Express

Over 60 mn vote in Lok Sabha’s penultimate round

New Delhi, May 7 (iaNS): Amid sporadic violence mostly in Andhra Pradesh, over 60 million people Wednesday voted in 64 constituencies across seven states in a Lok Sabha battle widely tipped to usher in a new government. Balloting ranged from brisk to very heavy in all places barring Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley where the fear of separatist groups kept most people indoors, Election Commission officials said. As in the past, West Bengal recorded maximum voting - estimated at 78 %amid allegations by the CPIM that the ruling Trinamool Congress had indulged in widespread vote rigging. Wednesday was an important day for Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi who visited Amethi on any polling day for the first time in a decade after BJP’s Smriti Irani and AAP’s Kumar Vishwas mounted a major challenge. At the end of polling, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party claimed that Gandhi, who won from Amethi both in 2004 and 2009, will certainly lose. The Congress brushed aside the claim. The Election Commission said long queues of men and women -- the young and the old -- were seen at almost all constituencies since morning. Along with the general election, polling was also held Wednesday for 175 assembly seats in Seemandhra region, which will eventually go over to the residuary

Tibetans thrilled by participation in Indian electoral process

An Indian policeman uses a sling to hurl stones at Kashmiri protesters during a protest following calls by rebels and separatist politicians to boycott the Indian parliamentary elections in Baramulla, some 55 kilometers north of Srinagar on Wednesday, May 7. Violence flared in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday as millions of Indians voted in the penultimate day of national elections. (AP Photo)

state of Andhra Pradesh. About 20 people were injured as clashes erupted between rival party activists in parts of Seemandhra, including Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor, Guntur and Prakasam districts. In Baramulla, the fear of separatists and Tuesday’s militant attacks kept most voters away from polling stations. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is trying to snatch the Baramulla seat from the National Conference. But there was brisk polling in Kashmir’s other constituency Ladakh, a Buddhist dominated region. It is also the country’s largest parliamentary constituency. A total of 897 candidates fought it out in the

64 seats: Andhra Pradesh (25), Uttar Pradesh (15), Bihar (7), West Bengal (6), Uttarakhand (5), Himachal Pradesh (4) and Jammu and Kashmir (2). The opposition alleged vote rigging and intimidation by activists of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The electoral battle was also intense in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh where the BJP and the Congress were the main contenders. Lok Sabha 2014 has become vocally bitter, with the BJP, determined to unseat the Congress, and others locked in a no-holds-barred campaign. Even as polling continued in Bihar’s seven seats, BJP’s prime ministerial aspirant Narendra

Modi told an election rally in Valmikinagar that the Congress was on the run. Dwelling on an emotive issue, Modi denounced the Congress-led UPA government for not hitting back after Pakistani troops beheaded Indian soldiers along the Jammu and Kashmir border. The BJP also hit out at the Election Commission after it didn’t give permission for Modi to hold rallies Thursday in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from where he is fighting his second Lok Sabha seat. “It must be for the first time in Indian elections that a candidate is being denied permission to hold a rally in his own constituency,” Nirmala Sitharaman of the BJP said.

DharaMSala, May 7 (iaNS): For the first time in Indian history, Tibetan residents in this north Indian hill town had their say in the democratic process to elect the local parliamentarian. No less than 200 Tibetans had enrolled themselves as voters for the Kangra parliamentary seat in Himachal Pradesh that went to the polls Wednesday. As of now, data on how many Tibetans exercised their franchise is available neither with the state election department nor with the Tibetan government-in-exile. Indications are that less than one percent of the total population residing in and around this town, the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, participated in the process. Still, their participation is being termed as historic as it was for the first time that “outsider” Tibetans were given a right to be part of the process to elect peo-

ple’s representatives in India. “I was happy to have voted for the first time today (Wednesday) in the Indian general election. It was an opportunity as well as a learning experience for me,” Lobsang Wangyal, who was born and brought up here, told IANS. “My voice will now have power and value,” added Wangyal, producer and director of the Tibetan Music Awards. Tibetan Settlement Officer Sonam Dorjee, who is settled in Dharamsala, also home to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, said lack of clarity about enrolling as a voter in India was mainly responsible for poor enrolment. “Moreover, our aim is not to settle here (in India) permanently. Ultimately, we have to go back to our homeland,” he said. Dorjee said the voter card application process didn’t clarify whether surrendering both registration

certificate and identity certificate documents to the Indian authorities is necessary or not. But officials of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) admit that the longing to return to their homeland was the main reason discouraging them from enrolling as Indian voters. However, those who exercised their franchise said this was no hindrance. “My Tibetan roots and the quest for a free Tibet will not change (with the casting of vote in the Indian system),” said Wangyal. The Election Commission of India has allowed registration of India-born Tibetans as voters. Those Tibetans born in India on or after Jan 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, have the right to exercise their franchise. Dharamsala and its nearby areas support 16,000 to 18,000 exiled Tibetans. India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans.

India’s first voter fulfils his duty again

KalPa (KiNNaUr), May 7 (PTi): India’s first voter, Shyam Saran Negi, on Wednesday cast his vote at a polling booth in his native place Kalpa. The 97-year-old Negi reached the polling booth at 6.55 a.m. accompanied by his wife Hira Mani (92). Shyam Saran Negi became the first voter of the country when elections were held for the first time on October 25, 1951 in Kinnaur. The polling was held in phases and other parts of the country went tothe polls in February 1952. The State Election Commission had recently appointed him as its brand ambassador for the poll campaign in the tribal region. Negi’s name was registered at serial no 123 in polling booth no 50 on Wednesday. Incidentally, the booth was set up in the school from where he had retired after serving for 23 years. He was the first person to caste his vote there, followed by his wife. Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner DD Sharma welcomed Negi at the polling station and honoured him by presenting a cap and scarf when he came out of the polling booth. Kinnaur assembly segment falls in Mandi Lok Sabha constituency and Negi cast his vote for the 17 th time in the Lok Sabha elections, in-

Shyam Sharan Negi, 97, first voter of India with his wife Hira Mani Negi. PTI Photo

cluding the Mandi Lok Sabha by—election held in June 2013. Thanking the government for recognising him as the first voter, Negi appealed to the people to come out and exercise their franchise.

CBI gives Amit Shah clean Decline in maternal mortality rates in India since 1990: UN NaTiONS, May (179,000) of global deaths fol- Uganda. The report said India (MDG) target of a 75 per cent the world,” she said. chit in Ishrat Jahan case UNiTeD Meanwhile, more than 7 (PTi): India has recorded a lowed by Southern Asia at 24 has been “making progress” reduction.

ahMeDabaD, May 7 (aNi): The CBI on Wednesday gave a clean chit to former Gujarat home minister Amit Shah, a close aide of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case. Submitting its report to a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Ahmedabad, the probe agency said there was no conclusive evidence of Shah being involved or even ordering the encounter shooting of Ishrat Jahan in 2004, which eventually turned out to be a fake one. Wednesday’s verdict followed the CBI’s earlier clean chit to Shah in February in connection with a supplementary chargesheet. Reports quoted CBI sources as saying that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials, including Rajinder Kumar, would be chargesheeted under conspiracy in the encounter case. Rajinder Kumar was involved in the planning from the beginning till the end, and he allegedly planned and executed the encounter with the

help of Gujarat Police. The Ishrat Jahan encounter took place on June 15, 2004. Besides Ishrat Jahan Raza, a 19-year old girl from Mumbai, the case involved encounter killings of three men – Pranesh Pillai (alias Javed Gulam Sheikh), Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar – by officers of the Ahmedabad Police Crime Branch. All four were allegedly linked to terrorists. The encounter was carried out allegedly by a team led by deputy inspector general of police DG Vanjara, who was later jailed for his alleged involvement in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case. The police then alleged that Ishrat and her associates were Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) operatives involved in a plot to assassinate Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. Later, an investigation was launched into the allegations that Ishrat was killed in a fake encounter. After a long investigation, an Ahmedabad metropolitan court in 2009 ruled that the encounter was staged. The decision was challenged by the Gujarat state government and the case went to the high court. On July 3, 2013, the CBI filed its first chargesheet in an Ahmedabad court saying that the shooting was a staged encounter carried out in cold blood. In June 2013, IB chief Asif Ibrahim told the office of the Prime Minister and home minister of India that the IB had enough evidence to prove that Ishrat was part of an LeT module, which planned to kill Modi and LK Advani.

decline in maternal mortality rates between 1990 and 2013 but along with Nigeria it accounted for one third of the global maternal deaths last year, according to a UN report. An estimated 289,000 women died in 2013 from complications in pregnancy and childbirth, down from 523,000 in 1990, according to World Health Organization’s Trends in maternal mortality estimates 1990 to 2013. The figure represents a decrease of 45 per cent. The sub-Saharan Africa region alone accounted for 62 per cent

per cent (69,000), according to the report. At the country level, the two countries that accounted for one third of all global maternal deaths in 2013 are India at 17 per cent with 50,000 maternal deaths and Nigeria at 14 per cent with 40,000 deaths. India was among the 10 countries that comprised 58 per cent of the global maternal deaths reported in 2013. The other nine nations are Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Kenya, China and

since its maternal mortality rate fell from 560 in 1990 to 190 in 2013, a 65 per cent drop. Rates of maternal deaths are down, according to the United Nations figures but pre-existing medical conditions heighten the risk of death for pregnant women and require continued investment in quality care during pregnancy and childbirth. Among its findings, the report shows 11 countries that had high levels of maternal mortality in 1990 have reached the Millennium Development Goal

These include Bhutan, Cambodia, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Nepal, Romania, Rwanda, and Timor-Leste. “A 15-year-old girl living in sub-Saharan Africa faces about 1 in 40 risk of dying during pregnancy and childbirth during her lifetime,” said Geeta Rao Gupta, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “A girl of the same age living in Europe has a lifetime risk of 1 in 3,300, underscoring how uneven progress has been around

one in four maternal deaths are caused by pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, HIV, malaria and obesity, whose health impacts can be aggravated by pregnancy, according to a second WHO study. The report highlights the need to invest in proven solutions such as quality care for all women during pregnancy and childbirth and particular care for pregnant women with existing medical conditions, Assistant DirectorGeneral for WHO’s Family, Women’s and Children’s Health Flavia Bustreo said.

New Delhi records most polluted air, says WHO GeNeVa, May 7 (reUTerS): An effort by the World Health Organization to measure pollution in cities around the world has found New Delhi admits to having the dirtiest air, while Beijing’s measurements, like its skies, are far from clear. The study of 1,600 cities found air pollution had worsened since a smaller survey in 2011, especially in poorer countries, putting city-dwellers at higher risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease. Air pollution killed about 7 million people in 2012, making it the world’s single biggest environmental health risk, the WHO, a United Nations agency, said last month. Thirteen of the dirtiest 20 cities were Indian, with New Delhi, Patna, Gwalior and Raipur in the top four spots. New Delhi had an annual aver-

age of 153 micrograms of small particulates, known as PM2.5, per cubic metre. Beijing, notorious for the smog that has prompted some Anglophone residents to dub it “Greyjing”, was in 77th place with a PM2.5 reading of 56, little over one-third of Delhi’s pollution level. WHO experts said the Chinese data was from 2010, the most recent year made available to them by China. But Beijing’s city government began publishing hourly PM2.5 data in January 2012. A year after it started publishing data, Beijing’s air quality hit the “worst on record” according to Greenpeace, with a PM2.5 reading as high as 900 on one occasion. Beijing’s government said last month that PM2.5 concentrations

stood at a daily average of 89.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2013, 156 percent higher than national standards. Such a reading would put Beijing 17th in the WHO database. The WHO says there is no safe level for PM2.5 pollution. At the cleaner end of the table, 32 cities reported a PM2.5 reading of less than 5. Three-quarters of those were Canadian, including Vancouver, one was Hafnarfjordur in Iceland and the other seven were American. WHO experts insisted the survey was not intended to name and shame the dirtiest cities, since the cities involved were volunteering the information to try to help themselves clean up. Maria Neira, WHO Director for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, said

the aim was to “challenge” cities and thought the survey would help them to become more open about their dirty air, which is often caused by burning coal, smokestack industries and heavy traffic. She rejected any suggestion that China might be cheating and said it was becoming much more sophisticated about collecting air pollution data, with a new push to clean up the big cities. “We are very much discussing with China putting on the table the issue of air pollution. Our director general (Margaret Chan) was recently there and she declared that China was one of the countries with major problems with air pollution. We will continue discussions on that to make sure that relevant measures are in place to reduce air pollution.”

Awareness of thalassemia can bring down deaths

New Delhi, May 7 (iaNS): For four-year-old Zoya, life is an ongoing battle. A patient of thalassemia major, Zoya fights death every single day. Her parents, despite being advised to undergo medical tests to diagnose her condition when she was in her mother’s womb, chose to ignore this. Now, this ignorance can cost them their only daughter’s life, after they lost their four-year-old son two years ago due to the same blood disorder. Zoya’s parents, who run a small grocery shop in south Delhi, have been asked to deposit the amount required for the bone marrow transplant - the only way to cure the disease - else pray to god for her health. According to experts, in India, more than 10,000 children are born with thalassemia every year due to the sheer lack

of awareness among couples, who are getting married. This ignorance is also leading to a rise in the number of deaths among thallasemic patients, most of which is in the rural areas because of the low awareness, experts said. “The disorder causes iron overload, bone deformities and also cardiovascular illness leading to death”, V.P. Choudhary, director, hematology at the Gurgaonbased Paras Hospital told IANS. “Awareness plays a major role in case of thalassemia. Owing to ignorance, patients often do not opt for such diagnosis and end up transferring faulty genes to their children,” Choudhary said. Thalassemia, a blood disorder, is caused by the weakening and destruction of blood cells. It is also caused by variant or missing genes, which severely affect

the making of haemoglobin protein, an essential ingredient, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Choudhary added that if either parent is thalassemic, then there are 25 percent chances that their progeny will have the disorder as well. “Such a child with thalassemia is called thal-

to get a Complete Blood Count test (CBC), NESTRO test and the Haemolobin Electrophoresis test done in case the doctor finds any abnormalities during their blood analysis. “Though a bone marrow/ stem cell transplant cures the disease permanently, there is a high deficiency of people

for a stem cell transplant in the hope of giving their child a healthy future. However, they should come forward and donate a part of their stem cells to the bone marrow registry, where the cell’s human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing can be done and stored in the database. This will help the commu-

May 8 is World Thalassemia Day assemia major,” he explained and added that such children require blood transfusion at regular intervals. “Hence, in such cases, it is better to prevent the birth of such children. It is therefore essential that their parents opt for screening, even termination of the pregnancy if required,” Choudhary told IANS. Experts advise parents

in India who are willing to donate. They are skeptical that the donation would effect their health”, Chaudhary shared. Agreed Ravindra Gupta of the internal medicine department at Gurgaon’s Columbia Asia Hospital, adding that couples should opt for genetic counseling before tying the knot. “A number of parents opt

nity at large”, Gupta told IANS. HLA is a type of molecule found on the surface of most cells in the body. It plays an important part in the body’s immune response to foreign substances. HLA tests are done before a donor stem cell or organ transplant, to find out if tissues match between the donor and the person receiving the transplant.

Gupta agreed that though there is an increase in the number of deaths among thallasemic patients, such deaths are prominent in the rural areas because of low awareness levels. “Many times during blood transfusion infected blood is given to patients, which not just makes them prone to infections, but in some cases can also be fatal,” Gupta told IANS. According to a WHO report, more than 90 percent patients with thalassemia in Western countries lead a long and normal life. However, half of such patients in India die before reaching adulthood. Experts accept that it is the poor level of transfusions, medical therapies and HIV and hepatitis-infected blood, which are responsible for thalassemiarelated mortality in India. In developed nations, Gupta added, the patient awareness

is high and people voluntarily opt for such screening tests. He shared that patients in such countries had an added advantage as they have access to state of the art treatment procedures and facilities the cost of which is either borne by the government authorities or the insurance companies. Calling for government intervention, Gupta said that it is high time the Indian authorities initiate measures, much like those available in the developed countries, for thalassemia patients. “State of the art treatment facilities, along with free availability of drugs and medicines should be provided for such patients. Also, monitoring and initiation of screening programs and facilities for prenatal diagnosis and control of thalassemia is urgently needed,” Gupta said.

Thursday

InternatIonal

the Morung express

8 May 2014

Dimapur

Thai Court forces out Prime Minister

BANGkOk, MAy 7 (AP): Thailand’s prime minister was ordered by a court to step down Wednesday in a ruling that handed a victory to anti-government protesters who have staged six months of street protests — but does little to resolve the country’s political crisis. The Constitutional Court found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty of abusing her power by transferring a senior civil servant in 2011 to another position. It ruled that the transfer was carried out to benefit her politically powerful family and, therefore, violated the constitution — an accusation she has denied. The ruling also forced out nine Cabinet members but left nearly two dozen others in their posts, including Deputy Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who was quickly appointed the new acting leader. Looking relaxed, Yingluck appeared live on national television two hours after the verdict to thank her supporters, emphasize that she was an elected leader and assert her innocence. “We held true to the principles of honesty in running the country, and never acted corruptly, as we were accused,” said Yingluck, 46, who swept to

Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gives a Thai traditional greeting gesture of “wai” during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, May 7. Yingluck was ordered by a court to step down Wednesday in a divisive ruling that handed a victory to anti-government protesters who have staged six months of street protests - but does little to resolve the country’s political crisis. (AP Photo)

power nearly three years ago as the country’s first female prime minister. The judgment is the latest development in Thailand’s long-running political crisis. It was a victory for Yingluck’s opponents, mostly from the urban elite and those in the south, who have been engaged in vociferous and sometimes violent street protests in

Bangkok demanding she step down to make way for an interim unelected leader. However, the ruling leaves the country in political limbo and primed for more violence. Since November, more than 20 people have been killed and hundreds injured in sporadic gunbattles, drive-by shootings and grenade attacks. The court’s decision

casts doubt on whether new elections planned for July will be delayed, which would anger Yingluck’s mostly rural supporters who have called for a major rally Saturday in Bangkok. “Today’s verdict is just a bump on the road of democracy, but we will still keep moving on,” said Jatuporn Prompan, leader of the pro-Yingluck Red Shirt

protest movement. “Our stance has been clear ... if an illegal prime minister steps in, we will fight. If there’s a coup, we will fight.” It also remains far from clear whether her opponents will be able to achieve their other key demands, including creating a reform council overseen by a leader of their choice that will carry out various

steps to rid the country of corruption and what they claim is money politics, including alleged votebuying, conducted by Yingluck’s family. Yingluck and her Pheu Thai party remain very popular among the country’s poor majority, particularly in the north and northeast. But she is despised by Bangkok’s middle and upper class as a puppet of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister and highly polarizing figure. Thailand’s political upheaval began in 2006 when Thaksin was ousted in a military coup after protests accusing him of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thaksin’s supporters say the Thai establishment opposes him because their position of privilege has been threatened by his electoral popularity, cemented by populist programs that benefited the less well-off in the countryside. Thailand’s courts, like its military, are seen as bastions of anti-Thaksin conservatism, and have a record of hostile rulings toward the Shinawatra political machine, which is fueled by a fortune Thaksin made in the telecommunications sector. Thak-

sin’s opponents, including those who have rioted and attacked police, destroyed public property and occupied government offices, have usually been treated leniently by the courts. In 2007, the Constitutional Court made a landmark ruling dissolving Thaksin’s original Thai Rak Thai party for fraud in a 2006 election, and banned its executives from politics for five years. Thaksin went into self-imposed exile in 2008 to escape a two-year jail sentence for conflict of interest while prime minister. Thaksin’s allies in late 2007 handily won the first post-coup election, but the Constitutional Court in 2008 kicked out two successive pro-Thaksin prime ministers. A coalition government then cobbled together by the opposition Democrat Party had to use the army to put down pro-Thaksin demonstrations in 2010 that left more than 90 people dead in street battles, but Yingluck and her Pheu Thai party won a sweeping majority in a mid-2011 general election. Opposition senators lodged the case with the Constitutional Court over the transfer of National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri. He was replaced by the police chief, who in turn was replaced by a

Thaksin relative. “Transferring government officials must be done in accordance with moral principle,” the court said in its ruling, read aloud on live television for almost 90 minutes. “Transferring with a hidden agenda is not acceptable.” Yingluck’s fortunes plunged when her party’s lawmakers late last year used shady legislative tactics to try to ram through a law that would have given an amnesty to political offenders of the previous eight years, including Thaksin. The move ignited mass anti-government demonstrations. Seeking to ease the pressure, Yingluck in December dissolved the lower house and called elections for Feb. 2. But her opponents on the street disrupted the polls, which in turn were invalidated by the courts. Analysts called Wednesday’s decision a damaging one for Thailand’s judicial system. “The credibility of the justice system has vaporized,” said Thongchai Winichakul, a professor of Southeast Asian history at the University of Wisconsin. “The royalist conservatives may celebrate this judicial coup. But the world will mourn over the death of another democracy.”

Sip coffee daily to prevent eye damage Monica Lewinsky breaks silence on Clinton scandal

NEw yORk, MAy 7 (IANS): Your daily cup of coffee is brewing some soothing news for your eyes. According to food scientists, a daily cup of coffee can prevent eyesight deterioration and possible blindness from retinal degeneration due to glaucoma, aging and diabetes. “Raw coffee is, on average, just 1% caffeine but it contains 7 to 9% chlorogenic acid - a strong antioxidant that prevents retinal degeneration in mice,” said Chang Y Lee, a professor of food science at Cornell University here. Coffee is the most popular drink in the world, and we understand what benefit we can get from that, he added. The retina is a thin tissue layer on the inside, back wall of the eye with millions of

light-sensitive cells and other nerve cells that receive and organise visual information. It is also one of the most metabolically active tissues, demanding high levels of oxygen and making it prone to oxidative stress. The lack of oxygen and production of free radicals leads to tissue damage and loss of sight. The study is “important in understanding functional foods, that is, natural foods that provide beneficial health effects”, Lee noted. Previous studies have shown that coffee also cuts the risk of such chronic diseases as Parkinson’s, prostate cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and agerelated cognitive declines. The study has been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

US warns of plot to attack churches in Ugandan capital

kAMPALA, MAy 7 (REUtERS): The United States has received intelligence of a “specific terrorist threat” against churches and other places of worship in the Ugandan capital, its embassy there said. A security message on the embassy’s website did not say who was planning the attack, but Somali Islamist militants have previously threatened, and struck, Uganda and other east African countries that have sent troops into Somalia. “The threat information indicates a group of attackers may be preparing to strike places of worship in Kampala, particularly churches, including some that may be frequented by expatriates, in May or June,” said the notice dated May 6. Regional economies have been on a heightened state of alert since militants killed at least 67 people, including children, when they rampaged through an

upscale Kenyan shopping mall in September. Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility. Kenya has also suffered a string of gun and bomb attacks, most recently over the weekend in Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa. The government blamed them on al Shabaab and its sympathisers. In 2010, al Shabaab bombers killed 77 people watching the World Cup soccer final in a bar and restaurant in Kampala. In March, the Ugandan authorities warned of a militant plot to strike petrol tankers and fuel depots. Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Burundi as well as Djibouti and Sierra Leone have all sent troops into Somalia to crush al Shabaab. The group, bent on imposing its version of Islamic law across Somalia, has turned increasingly to al Qaeda-inspired suicide attacks as a military offensive weakens it as a conventional fighting force.

wASHINGtON, MAy 7 (REUtERS): Monica Lewinsky, the onetime White House intern whose 1990s affair with Bill Clinton nearly brought down his presidency, broke a long silence on Tuesday, saying she regretted what happened. Writing in Vanity Fair magazine, Lewinsky, 40, said it was time to stop “tiptoeing around my past -- and other people’s futures. I am determined to have a different ending to my story.” Her affair with Clinton was one between consenting adults and the public humiliation she suffered altered the direction of her life, she wrote. “Any ‘abuse’ came in the aftermath, when I was made a scapegoat in order to protect his powerful position,” she said in excerpts of the article published on the magazine’s website. Lewinsky added, “I, my-

self, deeply regret what happened between me and President Clinton. Let me say it again: I. Myself. Deeply. Regret. What. Happened.” The affair led to Clinton’s being impeached by the House of Representatives in 1999. The Senate acquitted him and Clinton completed his second term in 2001. Lewinsky dropped from sight after the scandal. She got a master’s degree in social psychology from the London School of Economics and has lived in Los Angeles, New York and Portland, Oregon. “I turned down offers that would have earned me more than $10 million, because they didn’t feel like the right thing to do,” she said. Lewinsky said she was strongly tempted to kill herself several times during the investigations and in one or two periods after.

Her name resurfaced in U.S. political discourse in February, when former first lady and Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton was quoted as calling her “a narcissistic loony toon” in an article based on the papers of a Clinton friend. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a likely Republican presidential contender, accused Democrats of “hypocrisy” for claiming to back women’s rights while giving Bill Clinton a pass for his “predatory” behaviour towards Lewinsky. Spokesmen for the Clintons and the Clinton Foundation in New York had no immediate comment on the article. Lewinsky said she was motivated to speak out by the 2010 suicide of a Rutgers University student who killed himself after a video of him kissing a man was streamed

Monica Lewinsky. File Photo

online. “I was also possibly the first person whose global humiliation was driven by the Internet,” Lewinsky wrote. Her goal “is to get involved with efforts on behalf of victims of online humiliation and harassment and to start speaking on this topic in public forums.”

‘Avian flu discovered in penguins in Antarctica’

SyDNEy, MAy 7 (REUtERS): Scientists have discovered a new strain of avian flu in the Antarctic, after testing a group of Adélie penguins, according to an Australian-based researcher. “We found that this virus was unlike anything else detected in the world,” Aeron Hurt of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza told Reuters from Melbourne on Tuesday.

The flu virus, H11N2, was found in a small number of members of a group of Adélie penguins tested at two locations on the Antarctic Peninsula, the continent’s northernmost region. It does not, however, appear to cause illness in the birds. “Probably, in the region we were sampling, the Antarctic peninsula, it’s most likely that migratory birds are travelling down from North and South America,” Hurt said. The strain is described

in a study published this week in mBio, the online open-access journal of American Society for Microbiology. Researchers collected swabs from 301 Adélie penguins and blood from 270. Using a laboratory technique called realtime reverse transcriptionPCR to examine the virus’s genetic blueprint, they found avian influenza virus (AIV) genetic material in eight samples - six adult penguins and two chicks. “I think this particular

strain is not a great deal of concern to wildlife health, but what it does show is that this is now definitive evidence that AIVs do get down to Antarctica,” Hurt said. Using ferrets, the most common animal for influenza testing, the experiments found the virus did not infect the animal. “We did some experiments to assess whether the virus has potential for humans to become infected...it’s probably unlikely that humans are likely to be infected by

this particular virus,” he said. Two strains of avian flu have occurred in southeast Asia over the past two years - H7N9 and H5N1 - causing deaths among humans and wildlife. In February, a H10N8 strain previously unknown in humans caused one death in China and in April, an oubreak of bird flu on a California quail farm prompted five key export markets to bar imports of poultry from the state.

South Africans vote in first “Born Free” election

JOHANNESBURG, MAy 7 (REUtERS): South Africans voted in the first “Born Free” election on Wednesday, although polls suggest the allure of the ruling African National Congress as the conqueror of apartheid will prevail even among those with no memory of white-minority rule. Polling stations opened at 0500 GMT, with voters waiting in line, many wrapped up against the early morning chill of the southern hemisphere winter. They close at 1900 GMT and a firm idea of the outcome should be available by midday on May 8. Opinion polls suggest there is no doubt about the overall result, with ANC support estimated at around 65 percent, only a shade lower than the 65.9 percent it won in the 2009 election that brought President Jacob Zuma to power. The resilience of ANC support has surprised analysts who a year ago were saying it could struggle at the polls as its glorious past recedes into history and voters focus instead on the sluggish economic growth and slew of scandals that have typified Zuma’s first term. Africa’s most sophisticated economy has struggled to recover from a 2009 recession - its first since the

People form a long queue as they wait to cast their votes in an informal settlement in Soweto, South Africa, on Wednesday, May 7. South Africans voted Wednesday in elections that are expected to see the ruling African National Congress return to power despite a vigorous challenge from opposition parties seeking to capitalize on discontent with corruption and economic inequality. (AP Photo)

1994 demise of apartheid - and the ANC’s efforts to stimulate growth and tackle 25 percent unemployment have been hampered by powerful unions.

South Africa’s top anti-graft agency accused Zuma this year of “benefiting unduly” from a $23 million state-funded security upgrade to his private home at Nkandla in ru-

ral KwaZulu-Natal province that included a swimming pool and chicken run. His personal approval ratings have dipped since the findings by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. But at a news conference this week to conclude the ANC election campaign, the 72-year-old brushed aside suggestions the imbroglio was damaging the party. “I’m not worried about Nkandla,” Zuma said. “The people are not worried about it. I think the people who are worried about it is you guys, the media, and the opposition.” Besides being easy fodder for the cartoonists who have revelled in the freedom of speech enshrined in the post-apartheid constitution, Nkandla has exposed the gulf between current and former ANC leaders, in particular Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, who died in December. It has also become the rallying cry for those who feel the dominance of the ANC as it enters its third decade in power has corrupted the soul of the 102-year-old former liberation movement. “It is not necessarily the huge sum paid by the public that is the most corrupt aspect of Zuma’s pa-

latial rural estate,” the Business Day newspaper said in an editorial this week. “It is how voraciously this wretched business has sucked in so many others: ministers, bureaucrats, party officials and, as the election hots up, ordinary loyalists.” Barring a major upset, the stock market and rand should take the vote in their stride and could even gain if South Africa’s reputation for stability relative to other emerging markets such as Brazil, Ukraine or Turkey is affirmed. “Overall, the election is reassuringly boring,” said Simon Freemantle, an economist at Standard Bank in Johannesburg. “We know who’s going to win and we know there are not going to be any radical policy changes. That is reassuring.” SOUTH AFRICA’S CHAVEZ The ANC’s nearest rival, the Democratic Alliance, polled 16.7 percent nationwide in 2009 and, even though it has been gaining ground, is still seen too much as the political home of privileged whites to have mass appeal. Instead, the most spirited challenge has come from the ultra-leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by expelled ANC Youth League

leader Julius Malema, who models himself on Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, right down to the jaunty red beret. In his final rally at a Pretoria soccer stadium, Malema, who wants to nationalise banks and mines and seize white-owned farms without compensation, lambasted everything from the Nkandla issue to foreign investors and former colonial powers. “London must know that we’re not scared of the queen,” he said to thunderous applause from the 30,000-strong crowd. “Therefore, we shall not report to London. We will report to the people. The people of South Africa will decide how business is conducted in South Africa. We are taking everything.” However, even the EFF’s noisy emergence is likely to have minimal overall impact, with polls putting its support at 4-5 percent. But of 1.9 million “Born Free” voters aged 1819 - its key constituency - only one in three is registered. The silver-tongued Malema himself is also likely to barred from public office this month if a court confirms a provisional sequestration order imposed in February because of 16 million rand ($1.4 million) owed in unpaid taxes.

Dimapur

SPORTS

Thursday 8 May 2014

The Morung Express

Rooney does not deserve place Balanced Heat overcomes Brooklyn in England team, says Hudson

LONDON, May 7 (ReuteRs): Wayne Rooney should be left out of the World Cup team because he has had a poor season with Manchester United and England cannot rely on him when the going gets tough, according to former Chelsea midfielder Alan Hudson. "I wouldn't pick him. I'm surprised everyone still calls him world class," the ex-England international said on Tuesday. "United have been awful this season and I put some of that down to Rooney." One of the most gifted players of the 1970s who only won two caps after being overlooked by successive England managers, Hudson also called on coach Roy Hodgson to take 19-year-old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley to next month's World Cup in Brazil and build the next England team around him. But the former Chelsea, Stoke City and Arsenal midfielder pulled no punches on Rooney, the 28-year-old United striker whose 38 goals in 89 England appearances make him the country's fifth top scorer of all time. Rooney is 11 goals behind Bobby Charlton's England record and is set to play in his third World Cup despite failing to score in the previous two editions. "He is not world class because he's never proved it on the world stage," said the 62-year-old Hudson. "He turns up every now and then and great players don't just turn up every now and then. "He's got to be consistent at the highest level. We made Rooney into a 'superstar' at a very young age when he didn't deserve to be put in that bracket. "If you said to a United fan, 'who would you pre-

Everton's John Stones, left, and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Sunday April 20. (AP Photo)

fer up front - Rooney or Eric Cantona?' - I think the answer would be Cantona every time." Hudson was more complimentary about Barkley who, like Rooney, has started his career at Everton. MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH The teenager has made a major breakthrough this season, playing 34 times in the Premier League and impressing with his running, awareness and goalscoring which included a spectacular curling strike from 25 metres against Manchester City on Saturday. Hudson, who knows a

thing or two about midfield artistry, urged Hodgson to include Barkley in his squad for the World Cup where England face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D. "I thought at the start of the season that Jack Wilshere was going to be the young kid coming through," he explained. "But this Ross Barkley is the new kid on the block now. He's a fabulous player. People have been putting him in the same mould as the great Duncan Edwards but the problem England have with players like him is getting the ball to him. "When we have great in-

side forwards we often bypass them by playing long balls. With Ross Barkley we have to give him the ball, he's got wonderful ability," said Hudson. "I think he's the one young kid at the moment who can do things that we haven't seen English players do for a long, long time. He is exceptional. "I think the most important point is that Hodgson must take him just to give him experience. He's the sort of player you build a future team around." SOFT SPOT While Hudson enjoyed a lot of success at Stoke

Hamilton close to perfection: Mansell

LONDON, May 7 (aFP): Former British world champion driver Nigel Mansell believes Lewis Hamilton's impressive start to the Formula One season has been "close to perfection". Hamilton will head to Barcelona for this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix on the back of three successive race wins, with the only blot on his 2014 record a mechanical problem in the opening race in Australia which forced the Mercedes driver into a re-

tirement. Since then he has been relentless in his quest for a second world title, although he still trails Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg by four points in the drivers' championship standings. And 1992 world champion Mansell told the BBC on Tuesday: "No driver ever wins a world title in a bad team, but what you can do is demonstrate how brilliantly you can win. Lewis has done that this season." Mansell was in no doubt

about the quality of his fellow Briton's performances so far this season. "He has been close to perfection, just brilliant. He has been given the freedom to express himself. "When you get a few more wins under your belt, you get even more confidence and that gives you another half a second in your pocket. "It doesn't get any better than knowing you have a good car. It's the most wonderful feeling." Hamilton and Rosberg have claimed all four pole

positions and wins between them so far in 2014, and Mansell said he expected the battle for the title to remain an all-Mercedes affair. "They are the class act of the field in 2014. I don't see them dropping the ball," Mansell said. "They're not going to be unbeatable during the year, but I think it will be very hard to close the gap because of their superior engine performance. "Lewis and Nico are going to have a tremendous time in 2014."

he still has a soft spot in his heart for Chelsea, the club he helped to FA Cup glory in 1970 and a European Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1971, and lives close to Stamford Bridge nowadays. He believes Jimmy Greaves, Ruud Gullit, Peter Osgood and Gianfranco Zola, "as well as myself", were Chelsea's best-ever players and is concerned about how the team will improve on their likely third-place finish this season. "I think the problem today is the inconsistency in their approach. I think they use too many formations and I don't understand why Chelsea only play with one striker up front," added Hudson. "In our day we played 4-2-4, that reverted to a 4-4-2 with the wingers dropping back when we lost the ball. That system keeps it simple for the players and the fans. "Jose Mourinho used that system when he first managed Chelsea, using Arjen Robben and Damien Duff out wide, and I don't know why he doesn't do that now. "The big problem at Chelsea is they are always talking about the players they are going to buy. They should be buying players for the long term, not the short term." Hudson also said that loaning Romelu Lukaku to West Bromwich Albion last season and Everton this term was a mistake. The Belgium striker has scored 31 league goals for those two clubs combined while Chelsea have struggled up front. "Look at Lukaku. Why loan him to Everton when he's a definite player for the long term?," said Hudson. "It was a ridiculous loan. Stats don't lie. Loaning him to Everton was madness."

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) drives to the basket as Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) defends in the first half of Game 1 in an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball series, Tuesday, May 6, in Miami. (AP Photo)

MIaMI, May 7 (aP): Turns out, the Miami Heat can beat the Brooklyn Nets. And rest hardly led to rust for the two-time defending NBA champions. LeBron James scored 22 points, Ray Allen added 19 and the Heat stayed perfect in this postseason by beating the Nets 107-86 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series. It was the first win for Miami in five meetings with Brooklyn this season. "It's one," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But I liked the energy, the activity." Chris Bosh scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade finished with 14 points and Mario Chalmers had 12 for Miami, which recorded at least one regular-season win against every team except Brooklyn, losing four times by a total of 12 points. This one was a different story. A 24-9 run in the third quarter blew things open for the Heat, who hadn't played in eight days after sweeping Charlotte in the opening round. "It was great that we

were able to come out the way we did after being off eight days," James said. "We got a lot of work in. We had eight days off of not playing a basketball game but Spo got us in the gym. (We) got each other in the gym. We made each other accountable throughout the layoff and it proved tonight." Deron Williams and Joe Johnson scored 17 points each for the Nets, who got only eight from Paul Pierce and no points from Kevin Garnett in 16 minutes. Game 2 of the best-ofseven series is Thursday night. "This is the defending champs," Nets coach Jason Kidd said. "It's always going to be at a high level and we've got to find a way to match it." James finished 10 for 15 from the field and Allen - who had never faced his former Boston "Big 3" compatriots Pierce and Garnett in the playoffs - was 4 of 7 from 3-point land. "He was focused on the job at hand," James said. Miami's lead was 55-52 early in the third quarter after a 3-pointer by Wil-

Dada's team No silver lining in cloud over Liverpool named Atletico de Kolkata

Gambhir steers KKR to comprehensive win

New DeLhI, May 7 (PtI): Skipper Gautam Gambhir stroked his way to a fantastic 69 to steer Kolkata Knight Riders to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over a hapless Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Wednesday. Chasing a modest 161 for victory, Gambhir and Robin Uthappa (47) stitched together a 106-run partnership to provide a perfect winning platform as Kolkata cantered to the target in 18.2 overs. Starting on cautious note, the duo gradually gained the momentum and punished the Delhi attack led by Mohammad Shami. Gambhir picked a sliding leg-side delivery from Laxmi Ratan Shukla for a six at midwicket region to make his intent clear in the fifth over of the innings as the southpaw got his second half-century of the season. Uthappa also showed his aggressive side against Jean-Paul Duminy to come down against the South African off-spinner and hit a huge six in the widish long-on region. The duo gained confidence with every passing delivery to demoralise the Delhi attack as skipper Kevin Pietersen kept juggling his bowling options. South African left-arm pacer Wayne Parnell finally managed to deny Uthappa his fifty as the Karnataka batsman was caught behind for 47 off 34 deliveries.

Pollard, Starc fined for on-field spat

M u M b a I , M ay 7 (IaNs): Mumbai Indians' Kieron Pollard and Royal Challengers' Bangalore fast bowler Mitchell Starc were fined Wednesday for an onfield spat during the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter Tuesday night here at the Wankhede Stadium. The incident took place in the 17th over of the Mumbai Indians' innings when Pollard pulled out of his strike while Starc was still in his bowling run up. Starc continued with his bowling and fired it towards the West Indian. An infuriated Pollard flung

Liverpool's Luis Suarez, holds his shirt to his face following the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park stadium in London, Monday, May 5, 2014. The game ended in a 3-3 draw. (AP Photo)

his bat towards the bowler and it needed the intervention of the umpires to cool down the things. During a disciplinary hearing, Starc admitted to the level 2 offence (Article 2.2.11) of conduct contrary to the spirit of the game and accepted the sanction of a fine of 50 percent of his match fee. Pollard also admitted to the level 2 offence (Article 2.2.7) of throwing his bat at or near a player and was fined 75 percent of his match fee. The two skippers, Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma and Royal Chal-

lengers' Virat Kohli were also fined for maintaining a slow over rate. This was Rohit’s second slow over rate offence of the season and he was fined Rs.24 lakh while all his teammates were fined Rs. 6 lakh or 25 percent of their match fee. Since it was Kohli’s first slow over rate offence of the season, he was fined Rs.12 lakh. Varun Aaron of Royal Challengers Bangalore was also reprimanded after he violated Article 2.1.1 of the Code of Conduct for a breach of paragraph 4.2 of the IPL Clothing Regulations.

liams, and every indication was that the Heat and Nets - who played three onepoint games and a doubleovertime affair in the regular season - were heading down to the wire again. Not quite. The Heat took off on the 24-9 run over a 7-minute span, with Bosh scoring the first seven points of that burst to get Miami going. Allen's 3-pointer pushed the lead to 14, James and Chris Andersen (who left in the fourth with a right knee contusion) added two free throws apiece and just like that Miami's lead was up to 79-61. "It's fun when you win the game and you can at least for a night do whatever it is you do, have some dinner, chill at home and exhale a little bit," Bosh said. "When you lose, you can't sleep, your stomach hurts and it's not a very good situation." For Brooklyn, the trouble came at an unexpected time. The Nets had the best third-quarter scoring differential in the East after Jan. 1, but were outscored 33-23 in that pivotal quarter in Game 1.

LONDON, May 7 (aP): What next for Liverpool? The cloud now raining on what had been its thrilling Premier League campaign has no obvious silver lining. Judging by the funereal look on Steven Gerrard's face and the sobs of Luis Suarez, Liverpool all but handed the EPL trophy to Manchester City when it feverishly blew a threegoal lead at Crystal Palace on Monday. Perhaps the only thing worse than squandering a golden opportunity is knowing that it might not come around again anytime soon. With Manchester United in post-Alex Ferguson distress, new managers bedding in at City and Chelsea, and Arsenal lacking edge, the stars seemed aligned this season — exceptionally so? — for Liverpool to win its first championship of the Premier League era. Those four heavyweights will be stronger next season. United will have spent heavily on new players this summer and will have a new manager,

expected to be attack-minded Louis van Gaal, a proven winner. City's billionaire owners already have the finest collection of players in British football and the appetite to keep improving it. Even with European football powers at UEFA pressuring City to curb spending, its squad has depth of talent to compete on multiple fronts, in the Premier League and Europe. Under Manuel Pellegrini, its cerebral manager with a degree in civil engineering, City is more studious; the soap operas of his predecessor, Roberto Mancini, have gone. City will be a formidable defending champion if, as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers now expects, it wins the title this coming Sunday, the last day of a season that has seen more twists than a sidewinder snake on hot sand. Rodgers also has plans, with newspapers saying he could add half a dozen players. His defense most obviously needs shoring up, having bled too many goals — 49, with one match to play— for Liverpool to be

champion. No winner since the league's founding in 1992 — Manchester United and City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers — let in that many. Liverpool flattered to deceive, scoring so many goals that the holes beneath its waterline didn't seem deadly until it sank against Chelsea, losing 2-0, and then rolled out the welcome mat in front of goal for Palace. If he strikes again in the last fixture against Newcastle, Suarez will overtake Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo's shared record of 31 goals in a 38-game premier league season. With one more goal, Liverpool will also have scored 100 in a league season for only the second time in its long and illustrious history and the first time in 118 years. Another four goals would equal Chelsea's record of 103, set under Carlo Ancelotti in 2009-10. But all that seems purely anecdotal now after Liverpool's naivety in letting Palace claw back three in 10 minutes, the 3-3 draw tossing away victory needed to keep pressure on City.

KOLKata, May 7 (IaNs): The Kolkata franchise of the Indian Super League (ISL) was formally launched Wednesday and christened Atletico de Kolkata, signifying Spanish soccer giants Atletico Madrid's strong presence as a partner. Atletico Madrid owner Miguel Angel Gil Marin launched the team alongside the other co-owners -- former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka, Ambuja Neotia Group head Harshvardhan Neotia and SMIFS Capital Markets Ltd chief Utsav Parekh. Speaking on the occasion, Miguel said it was his dream to see an Indian soccer player turning out for Atletico Madrid. "Through this franchise, the club will work to improve the game in India and help design a series of sports centric growth models. We will utilise our athletic and management expertise in promoting sports and developing Atletico de Kolkata." Hoping that the ISL and Atletico de Kolkata would give a big push to the game in the metropolis, Ganguly said: "I think this will revolutionise football here. It is a terrific journey for the game of football in the city. The association with Atletico would enable us unearth quality talent". Marin said his club agreed to be a part of the ISL in view of India's huge market. The Spanish side's corporate development director Ignacio Aguillo referred to India's huge population and said Atletico Madrid would strive to combine the passion for the game in this part of the world with discipline for producing results.

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Thursday

Entertainment

The Morung Express

Clooney's fiancée thought proposal was a prank

Women Empowerment and Leadership Summit North East Region (WELSNER): Under the theme, ‘Support, Influence, Excel,’ Alaphra Group

organized the summit from April 25-26 at Bamboo Hall, Kisama. It focused on women empowerment, equality and leadership with various speakers from the North East and rest of the country. Here are few pictures from the conference.

8 May 2014

Dimapur

Tea break & Networking with the Guests - Governor, his wife, Parliamentary Secy Pukhayi Sumi, Ricky Ozukum, Neidonuo Angami Padmashree & Dr. Vijaylakshmi Brara

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Alaphra Team - Ricky Ozukum, Teisovi, Toshi Ao, Angule Mero, Wapangla Imchen, Imtisunep Jamir, Lipok Jamir

Some of the senior women who seem to be very engrossed in the discussions.

ctor-director George Clooney had to propose to lawyer Amal Alamuddin twice because she initially thought he was joking. The “Monuments Men” actor, known for his love of pranks, asked Alamuddin to be his wife over dinner at his house last month. "George was blown away by her passion, her brains, and sheer force of will,” contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying. "Frankly, he'd been worried that someone else would snap her up if he didn't act, so he produced the ring and, much to his relief, she said yes. But he did have to ask her twice! Amal thought he was pranking her at first. Happy isn't a strong enough word to describe them right now,” the source added. The couple are said to be planning an intimate wedding in Italy this summer, with just a select few guests invited to the nuptials.

Justin Bieber wanted Zoya Afroz slapped Sonali Raut? 'cleansing baptism' S onali Raut and Zoya Afroz (Miss India 2013, Second Runnerup), who are making their Bollywood debut with The Xpose, came to blows while making a promotional appearance on Kapil Sharma's

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ustin Bieber spent Saturday searching around New York for a place to be baptised, according to reports. PageSix. com says it spoke to "multiple sources" confirming that he and his team were scouring the big apple for a suitable place to have a "cleansing ritual" performed with the help of members of Hillsong Church. Bieber is good friends with Carl Lentz, the pastor of Hillsong NYC church, and has shared pictures of the pair together on his Twitter page, including one in which the pop star is being prayed for. Visiting the church last September, Bieber shared that he had "broke down" after hearing an "amazing sermon" from Lentz. It is believed Bieber was in New York on Saturday for Maxim magazine's Super Bowl party. One of the sources told PageSix: "Justin and

his team spent time on Saturday searching for a place with a pool where they could conduct a baptism for him, a cleansing ritual, with the Hillsong Church. But they couldn't find a place in time." Another source said: "Justin is serious about his Christian faith, and after recent events, he needed to take a pause." The pop star's legions of fans have generally been sympathetic despite his headline-making antics. After he was arrested in Miami Beach last month for allegedly drag racing while intoxicated, fans took to Twitter to express their support and concern using the hashtag #PrayforJustin. Bieber's more recent tweets have hinted at his troubles and the negative headlines. On January 31, he tweeted: "never forget where you come from or those who supported you before anyone else.

still the small town kid. thanks." On January 24, he tweeted: "YOU ARE ALL WORTHY NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS >> BE STRONG GOD IS WITH US ALL> MY BELIEBERS CHANGED MY LIFE> I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL." Pastor Lentz and another close friend of Bieber, Judah Smith, leader of The City Church, have been on the receiving end of some criticism over Bieber's behaviour. Blogger Ted Beam questioned on Twitter, "How many more of these @justinbieber incidents have to occur before you admit he is not displaying the fruit of regeneration?" Youth minister at Oak Grove Christian Church, Shawn Raley said on the social media site: "Hey @ judahsmith I think you need to get your boy Bieber back in church. He needs guidance."

television show. It seems the two have a history — the situation had apparently turned ugly while shooting a catfight sequence for the film, featuring Himesh Reshammiya and Yo Yo Honey Singh. But back then, they

were pacified. Matters heated up once again when the two came face-to-face during the TV show. Says a source, "Sonali confronted Zoya in the make-up van and reminded her about their earlier

tiff. She also asked her to behave well, saying she would otherwise hit Zoya." An infuriated Zoya apparently slapped Sonali, who retaliated. The source adds, "Himesh immediately intervened and brokered

peace, but the two girls hate the sight of each other." While Sonali says, "I'm not scared of anyone," Zoya is clear that she doesn't want to comment. "Sonali should know how to behave," is all she had to say.

Spears sued for breaking back-up dancer's nose

back-up dancer has sued singer Britney Spears for allegedly breaking her nasal bone during rehearsals for the “Work Bitch” music video. She has said that the "Oops...I did it again" crooner didn't pay for any medical bills either. The injury took place during the filming of Spears' music video Aug 19, 2013 in Woodland Hills, California. The dancer, Dawn Noel, filed the lawsuit Monday, in which she claims her injury required surgery for a nasal bone fracture and that she had to pay the medical bill even though Spears' team

promised to cover all expenses, reports tmz.com. Noel reportedly said herself and the other dancers perfected the choreography hours before Spears' arrival, but when the "Toxic" singer showed up she was "in a disheveled and confused state." Spears allegedly had great difficulty executing the dance routine and when she twirled while unbalanced, her hand hit Dawn in the face very hard. According to the dancer, the force of the impact was so great, everyone in the room apparently heard a cracking sound. "I'm sorry," she said before

continuing with rehearsals. Noel could only withstand the pain for another 30 minutes and reportedly visited a doctor to examine the injury. "The diagnosis was a nasal bone fracture which allegedly needed surgery,” said Spears.

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Shraddha Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra spend seven hours underwater B

ollywood’s brand new on screen couple Shraddha Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, who will be seen together for the first time in their upcoming film ‘Ek

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Villain’, have been working really hard for their film. Shraddha and Sidharth spent nearly seven hours underwater to shoot the first song, ‘Galliyan’, of the film. Sidharth,

who was last seen in ‘Hasee Toh Phasee’ with Parineeti Chopra, spent the time underwater with fishes and Shraddha. Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted some pictures of the two while they were shooting the song underwater. Aashiqui 2′ actress Shraddha Kapoor who is a professionally trained diver, took several lessons with Sidharth before stepping in water. This will be the second new thing after singing that Shraddha will be trying for ‘Ek Villain’. The actress will be lending her voice to ‘Galliyan’, composed by Ankit Tiwari. ‘Ek Villain’ is a romantic- thriller directed by Shraddha’s first director Mohit Suri. It also features Riteish Deshmukh apart from Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles with Kamaal Rashid Khan making a special appearance. The film is produced under the banner Balaji Motion Pictures and is sated to release on June 27, 2014. The official trailer of the film is already a hit as it crossed one million views within two days of its release.

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT - AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO EXPRESS YOUR IDEA OF A ‘VIBRANT LIFE’ THROUGH YOUR LENS. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, ON THE THEME ‘VIBRANT LIFE’, WITH AN EXPLANATORY CAPTION BY AUGUST 30, 2014 TO opinion2mex@gmail.com. SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE MORUNG EXPRESS 2015 CALENDAR.

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Serena powers past Shuai in Madrid Wilson ushers in new Sania-Cara move to Madrid quarters

Serena Williams from US serves during a Madrid Open tennis tournament match against Shuai Peng from China, in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 7. (AP Photo)

MADRID, MAy 7 (PTI): Fifth seeds Sania Mirza and Cara Black had little problem in dispatching Hao-Ching Chan and Chanelle Scheepers as they scored a comfortable straight sets victory to progress to the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Wednesday. The Indo-Zimbabwean team defeated the Taipei-Protea pair 6-4, 6-1 in little over an hour in the second round contest of the euro 3,671,405 clay court tournament. Sania and Cara, winner of the Portugal Open last week, raced to 4-1 lead but Chan and Scheepers reduced the margin to make it 3-4. However, the Taeipei-Chinese pair could not sustain the momentum as Sania and Cara proved too good for them. Sania and Cara will now fight it with either wild card entrants Italian Francesca Schiavone and her Spanish partner Silvia Soler-Espinosa or the top seeds SuWei Hsieh from Taipei and Shuai Peng of China. Sania and Cara have moved to third place in the Race to Singapore, where the year-end finals will be played in November. World number one team Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci are heading the table with 3430 points, followed by Elena Vesnina and Ekaternia Makarova (2266) and Sania and Cara (2247). MADRID, MAy 7 (AFP): World number one Serena Williams cruised into the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-3 thrashing of China's Peng Shuai. The 17-time Grand Slam champion powered through the first set against the world number 42 for the loss of just one point on her own serve. Peng showed more resistence in the second,

but couldn't convert on two break points and Williams needed just one chance to seal the only break of the set before serving out the match to set up a third round meeting with Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro or fellow American Alison Riske. Fourth seed Simona Halep also had a comfortable passage into round three as she saw off Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 6-4, 6-4.

"This tournament means a lot for me, because the last year it was a real turning point for me. I'm really happy that I could win today in two sets to be in third round here," said the Romanian who could face compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu next should she overcome 15th seed Sabine Lisicki. In the men's Masters tournament, sixth seed Thomas Berdych stretched

his perfect record against South African Kevin Anderson to 11-0 with a 6-1, 6-4 win. "I always like to play here. The courts are great, very well prepared. It's a bit faster because of the altitude, which suits my game well and means I can serve well and play aggressively," said the Czech. "I think we have similar games, but I can always find something

extra and that's the difference. It's also probably a mental thing as well now." Polish lucky loser Lukasz Kubot made the most of Roger Federer's withdrawal to be at the birth of his twin sons on Tuesday by beating Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Latvia's Ernests Gulbis also moved into round three with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Ukrainian Alexandr Golgopolov.

Two seTs To loVe for roger feDerer

MADRID, MAy 7 (REuTERS): The odds of the Federer twins winning a Wimbledon doubles title in the future have dramatically shortened after Roger Federer and his wife Mirka announced the birth of a second set of twins on Tuesday. The Swiss tennis ace revealed the amazing news on his Twitter account just hours after he announced he was pulling out of the Madrid Masters to be at the birth: "Mirka and I are so incredibly happy to share that Leo and Lenny were born this evening! #TwinsAgain#Miracle." The two boys were born almost five years after the arrival of their twin sisters Myla Rose and Charlene Riva in July 2009 triggered a flurry of good-natured jokes about future doubles

champions. Bookmakers even offered odds of 100-1 of the sisters emulating their famous father by teaming up to win at the All England Club but those odds paled into comparison with the chances of another set of twins. While there was no conclusive agreement on the exact odds, the internet provided a wide variety on the chances of parents having two sets of twins, ranging from 3,000-1 to 700,000-1. Federer has been defying the odds on the tennis court all his life, winning a record 17 grand slam titles, and the announcement of twin boys sent social media into overdrive with all sorts of predictions about mixed doubles and a new generation of Swiss precision. Federer is not the first famous sportsman to have twins

- Michael Jordan and Pele did as well - but two sets is a rarity. Federer's older sister Diana also has twins and there had been some speculation earlier that his wife Mirka, a former pro tennis player herself, was expecting twins again but the couple managed to keep it a well-guarded secret. Even on Tuesday, Federer was keeping his cards close to his chest, posting a simple note on his Facebook page that offered no clues about the arrival of the twins. "I've decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family," he wrote. "I apologise to my fans and hope to be back in Madrid next year. "I'll be training near my home, and am excited to rejoin the Tour soon."

Kevin Durant wins first MVP award

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Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant speaks during a news conference announcing Durant as the winner of the 2013-14 Kia NBA Basketball Most Value Player Award in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo)

OKLAHOMA CITy, MAy 7 (AP): Kevin Durant has plenty of NBA scoring titles. Now, he finally has an MVP trophy to go with them. The Oklahoma City Thunder star received the league's top individual honor on Tuesday, earning 119 first-place votes.

Miami's LeBron James, who won the last two MVP awards and four of the previous five, finished second with six first-place votes, and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was third. Everything in my life, I had to take it," Durant said at a ceremony in Edmond,

Oklahoma. "They're not going to give it to you out of sympathy. I wouldn't want it any other way. This was another case, if I wanted to win the MVP, I had to go take it. I felt that this was the year I did that." Durant won his fourth scoring crown in five years this season by averaging 32 points per game. He helped the Thunder finish the regular season with a 59-23 record, second best in the league, despite playing much of the season without three-time All-Star Russell Westbrook by his side because of a nagging knee injury. "He's been the most consistent guy all season long," Westbrook said at the end of the regular season. "He's done a great job of leading us to where we are now. He's basically put himself in front of everybody else in the league and shown that he's the best player in the world." James agreed, saying on Monday: "Much respect to him and he deserves it. He had a bigtime MVP season." Durant's run of 41 consecutive games this season with at least 25 points was the third longest streak in NBA history. In all, he scored at least 40 points 14

times. He also averaged 7.4 rebounds and a career-high 5.5 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. "He does everything," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "You just can't recall a guy that long who can do what he does every single night. Shooting from 30 feet on the floor with confidence and driving to the basket and dunking on guys, and then go post up, and on top of it, a great teammate and good kid." Durant moved to the front of the pack while Westbrook was out following his most recent knee surgery. Durant averaged 35 points and 6.3 assists during that span as the Thunder went 20-7 and remained among the league's elite. Westbrook's injury gave Durant an opportunity to use his improving skills as a playmaker. "I've always been a player that was excited for my teammates' success," Durant said. "Not just mine, but my teammates' as well. Wanting to see them do well translates to my game, which is wanting to pass the ball and seeing my teammates reap the benefits." Teammates and opponents say

Durant became a more complete player this season. They praised him for improving his court vision, consistently making the extra pass and moving more efficiently without the ball. "What he does is tough to do," teammate Nick Collison said. "We take it for granted.

ManU era with double

MANCHESTER, MAy 7 (AP): Manchester United unearthed a potential star of the future and perhaps had one last glimpse of a great of its recent past in a 3-1 win over Hull on Tuesday that kept alive the team's chances of European football next season. Highly rated striker James Wilson, 18, marked his senior debut for United with predatory strikes in either half, setting the deposed champions on their way to a victory in their final home game of a forgettable Premier League campaign. Ryan Giggs — at the other end of the age spectrum at 40 — came on for his 963rd, and possibly final, appearance for United in the second half and set up fellow substitute Robin van Persie for the clinching third goal in the 86th. Giggs, taking charge of his third game as United's interim manager following the firing of David Moyes last month, has not decided whether to take his distinguished playing career into a 24th year next season. And his future as a coach at United is uncertain while the club searches for Moyes' replacement, which is likely to be current Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal. An emotional Old Trafford also bade farewell to defender Nemanja Vidic, who is joining Inter Milan in the summer after more than eight years at United, on a night that had an endof-era feel to it. Wilson, though, offered positive signs for the future as part of a youthful lineup that included another debutant in 20-year-old forward Tom Lawrence. Addressing supporters in a short speech on the pitch after the final whistle, Giggs said: "You have seen a little glimpse of the future, and this is what this club is about. We never stand still. We always give youth a chance, and we try and play attractive football." The victory moved United three points behind sixth-place Tottenham in the race for the final Europa League spot available in the league, with one game remaining. United last failed to qualify for Europe in 1990. Vidic began on the bench after accepting a memento from United great Bobby Charlton before kickoff but was a 22ndminute substitute for Phil Jones, who came off with a shoulder injury sustained in an aerial collision. Giggs said Jones, who was expected to be in England's World Cup squad, had been taken to hospital and that it "didn't look great."

Manchester United debutant James Wilson takes to the pitch before his team's English Premier League soccer match against Hull at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Tuesday May 6. (AP Photo)

Wilson can bring the excitement back to United, says Ryan Giggs LONDON, MAy 7 (REuTERS): Manchester United's two-goal debutant James Wilson can help bring back the excitement to Old Trafford, interim manager Ryan Giggs said after the 18-year-old shone in a 3-1 Premier League win over Hull City on Tuesday. Wilson, the latest young talent to come off the United production line, showed razor sharp predatory instincts to score a goal in each half as Giggs's side completed a comfortable victory in their final home match of the season. Wilson was one of two youngsters making their first United appearances on the night, along with 20-year-old forward Tom Lawrence, and was the leading light in a three-pronged attack with 19-yearold Adnan Januzaj. The performance of the three youngsters will give beleaguered United supporters hope that better times lie ahead after a nightmare season. The club, who sacked David Moyes late last month after a disastrous 10-month spell in charge, can finish no higher than sixth and are in danger of missing out on European football for the first time since 1990. "I said when I took over I wanted to bring excitement back. Some of the forward play from the three young lads was brilliant," Giggs said. "We got the young lads in to train with us and they never looked out of place. I wanted to freshen things up from Saturday and they never let us down. James Wilson is not just a finisher, his all-round play is very good and he is exciting." The sight of United's youngsters tearing into Hull on a night when Nemanja Vidic made his final home appearance and Giggs was keeping his cards close to his chest about his own future, added to the impression the club were ushering in a new era. Vidic, who is leaving for Inter Milan in the close season, ended his eight-year spell at United with a substitute appearance. "I had so many great times here. It is hard to speak because of the emotions," he stuttered as he stood on the pitch at full-time and addressed the crowd, who chanted his name. "Most important I would like to thank the players, the manager and all the coaches. Thank you for everything and especially to the fans, you have been fantastic to me all these years." Big things are expected of Wilson, who has played for England Under-16s and Under-19s and has scored 19 goals for United's Under-21 team this season. And he showed his striker's instincts just in the 31st, reacting quickly to Marouane Fellaini's nod-down from a free kick to slam a left-foot shot low

into the net from the edge of the six-yard box. When he slotted in a rebound from a similar distance after Fellaini's shot was parried out by goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic in the 61st, Wilson was on course to emulate Wayne Rooney's feat from 2004 of scoring a hat trick on his debut.

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