April 18th, 2016

C M Y K

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

MonDAY • APRIL 18 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 105 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped Myanmar president frees 83 political prisoners PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Yes

no

others

Should the Nagaland State government have an independent review on the merits and demerits of the Prohibition Act?

o F

T R u T H

— Tony Robbins

CM’s justification on NFSA unfair: NVCO

Rosberg wins Chinese GP for sixth straight victory

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

earthquake kills 233 in ecuador, devastates coast zone

MANTA, AprIl 17 (reuTers): The death toll from Ecuador’s biggest earthquake in decades soared to at least 233 on Sunday as rescuers using tractors and bare hands hunted desperately for survivors in shattered coastal towns.

The 7.8 magnitude quake struck off the Pacific coast on Saturday and was felt around the Andean nation of 16 million people, causing panic as far away as the highland capital Quito and collapsing build“Today i can have my car ings and roads in a swath of for twenty minutes? YAY..

Today i don’t have to worry western towns.

President Rafael Corabout auto fare!!” rea, rushing home from a trip to Italy, said the number of fatalities jumped on Sunday to 233.

“The immediate priority is to rescue people in the rubble,” he said via Twitter.

“Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovCITIZEN UMBRELLA ered, and that’s what hurts Wholesalers may contact the most.”

CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. More than 1,500 people H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 were injured, authorities Fax : (033) 2271-2151 E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com said.

Coastal areas nearest the quake were worst afThe Morung Express fected, especially PedernaPoll QuEsTion les, a rustic tourist spot with Vote on www.morungexpress.com beaches and palm trees, sMs your answer to 9862574165 which appeared largely flattened.

Has Prohibition Act in Nagaland State led to any positive behavioral and social change?

P o W e R

higher ground,” Solorzano said, speaking in a trembling voice on a WhatsApp phone call. “The streets are cracked. The power is out and phones are down.”

Parts of Quito were without power or phone service for several hours, but the city government said those services had been restored and there were no reports of casualties in the city.

“There are people trapped in various places, and we are starting rescue operations,” Vice President Jorge Glas said on Sunday morning before boarding a plane to the area.

A state of emergency was declared in six provinces. Authorities said there had been 163 aftershocks, mainly in the Pedernales area.

PEDERNALES ‘DESTROYED’ One photo on social media purporting to be the entrance to Pedernales showed a torn-up road with a crushed car in the middle and people standing behind.

Local TV station Televicentro broadcast images from Pedernales showing locals using a small tractor to remove rubble and also searching with their hands for people buried underneath. Women cried after a corpse was pulled out.

Locals said children were trapped.

One man begged for help: “Pedernales is destroyed.”

Many people spent the night on the streets.

In Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, rubble lay in the streets and a bridge

Power lines were cut off and homes sent crashing to the ground in the capital Quito. (REUTERS)

fell on top of a car.

“It was horrible, it was as if it was going to collapse like cardboard,” said Galo Valle, 56, who was guarding a building in the city where windows fell out and parts of walls broke.

“I prayed and fell to my feet to ask God to protect me.”

AcAUt asks nagaland govt to act on fund misappropriation in f&cs

DIMApur, AprIl 17 (MexN): The ACAUT has called upon the Nagaland State government to look into the cases Yes 70% of financial anomalies in the state Food no 20% & Civil Supplies department. The ACAUT others 10% in a representation to Ram Vilas Paswan, Details on page 7 Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, demanded that the state government be made to act upon the Rs. 402 misappropriation in the Food & Civil Supplies department as reported by the Comptroller and Auditor DIMApur, AprIl 17 General. Till such time the state govern(MexN): The All Adivasi ment initiates legal proceedings against Students’ Association of the reported cases of fund misappropriaAssam (AASAA) has called for a 12-hour bandh starting from 6 am on April 16.

The bandh called in protest against the killing of our Correspondent 11 persons at Pengeri in Kohima | April 17 Tinsukia is expected to be observed intensely in up- The adult HIV prevalence in Nagaland per Assam districts of Go- has come down from 0.98% during 2007 laghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, to 0.78% in 2015 as per India HIV estimaDibrugarh Dhemaji, Lakh- tion 2015. Some commonly prevalent disimpur and Tinsukia. In this eases which burden the State today are connection, the Mang- communicable diseases such as Malaria, kolemba Sub-Divisional TB, viral infection, urinary tract infection, Administration has issued respiratory tract infection, gestroenteritis, travel advisory to commut- typhoid, hepatitis, helminthiasis etc. ers travelling to and from “With the changing of lifestyle, hyperMon, Longleng, Tuensang tension, cardiovasular diseases, diabetMokokchung and Dima- ics and cancer etc have also become quite pur districts to avoid us- prevalent,” revealed the Annual Adminising these routes during the trative Report 2015-16 of Health & Family bandh period.

Welfare Department. The report stated that

Assam bandh today

tion, the ACAUT in the letter handed over to Paswan said that the Union Ministry should extend no support and allocation.

The ACAUT in the letter further called for “fool-proof” implementation of the National Food Security Act and adopt measures on the lines of the process implemented in Puducherry and Chandigarh.

In the two union territories, subsidy benefit (money) is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s account through the ‘Direct Benefit System’ linked to AADHAR. On the implementation of the NFSA, the ACAUT felt that it would go a long way in controlling pilferage “as is happening under the PDS.”

Adult HIV prevalence decreases in Nagaland

the Department is responsible for providing basic health care to its people by enhancing infrastructure, manpower, logistic and capacity building as envisaged in 11th and 12th year plans. To address all these deficiencies the department is planning to accelerate infrastructure strengthening and development of manpower by establishing medical institute and medical college.

At the time of statehood in 1963, the department started with handful of doctors and nurses and inherited rudimentary health infrastructure. “Now the infrastructure has increased to 11 district hospitals, 2 chest disease & TB hospitals, 1 state mental health institute, 21 CHCs, 126 PHCs and 409 sub-centres with a total of 2, 233 hospital beds,” the report stated.

Don’t pass on the naga issue to the future: cM

loNgleNg, AprIl 17 (MexN): Chief Minister, TR Zeliang has reiterated his stance on the Naga political imbroglio calling for a concerted effort to solve the problem soon rather than passing it on to future generations.

The Chief Minister’s Office, Kohima in a press release stated that Zeliang in his address at the Phom People’s Council’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at Longleng on April 16 stated, “If the Naga political problem is allowed to linger on” more political groups might crop up and compound the issue. “At present, we have five NNC groups and four NSCN groups whose goals are the same, but it is difficult to bring them together to present a single voice and opinion to the Government of India.”

According to the CMO’s press release, the sole idea behind the 60 legislators of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly coming together under one banner was to facilitate an early solution. “When erstwhile political opponents can come together for the cause of the Naga problem, why

can’t the Naga political groups come together? Why can’t all sections of the Naga society come together…?”

Maintaining that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is genuinely determined to come to a solution, the release recalled Modi’s positive reaction to the state Parliamentary Working Committee’s visit to Delhi in July 2015. The PM was impressed that representatives of the tribes of Nagaland had come together for the cause of the Naga people and assured the PWC that a formula would be worked out taking into consideration all the views and aspiration of the Naga people to work out an early solution acceptable and honourable to all.

The state government convening a meeting of six Naga Political Groups in March was all part of the agenda to solve the Naga problem, Zeliang said, adding criticising the legislators “as blindly supporting the Framework Agreement without knowing the contents” is not fair. The sending of a delegation of the Naga Hoho and the East-

ern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation to meet SS Khaplang was also to convey the message that the GoI and the NSCN-K should re-enter into ceasefire.

“We are not supporting or opposing any group, but we are working for the interest of all the Nagas,” the Chief Minister said.

On the PWC meeting political leaders in Delhi, the release said that the intention is to aid the process by briefing them on the history and uniqueness of the Nagas. It further cited Congress president, Sonia Gandhi’s comment on the Framework Agreement that she would support it “if it was good for the Nagas, the Northeast and the nation.”

“For the first time in many years, civil societies such as NSF, ENSF, NMA, Naga Hoho and the ENPO have come together to work out an early solution. The Naga political problem can be solved only through the active participation of all sections of the society including Church organisations,” the CM stated.

About 13,500 security force personnel were mobilized to keep order around Ecuador, and $600 million in credit from multilateral lenders was immediately activated for the emergency, the government said.

Ramon Solorzano, 46, a car parts merchant in the

coastal city of Manta, headed away from built-up areas with his family. Photos from Manta showed Red Cross workers arriving, police hunting through debris, a smashed sculpture and badly damaged buildings.

“Most people are out in the streets with backpacks on, heading for

WORST QUAKE IN 37 YEARS The government called it the worst quake in the country since 1979. In that disaster, 600 people were killed and 20,000 injured, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In international aid, Venezuela, Chile and Mexico were sending personnel and supplies, the Correa government said.

A tsunami warning was lifted on Saturday night, but coastal residents were urged to seek higher ground in case tides rise.

“At first it (the quake) was light, but it lasted a long time and got stronger,” said Maria Jaramillo, 36, a resident of Guayaquil, describing windows breaking and pieces falling off roofs.

“I was on the seventh

floor and the light went off in the whole sector, and we evacuated. People were very anxious in the street. ...

We left barefoot.”

The OPEC member country said oil production was not affected, but closed its main refinery of Esmeraldas, located near the epicenter, as a precaution.

Residents on the Galapagos islands far off Ecuador’s coast, which are home to numerous rare species, said they had not been affected by the quake, though they were anxious.

The Ecuadorean quake followed two large and deadly quakes that struck Japan since Thursday. Both countries are located on the seismically active “Ring of Fire” that circles the Pacific, but according to the U.S. Geological Survey large quakes separated by such long distances would probably not be related.

“Even the earth’s rocky crust is not rigid enough to transfer stress efficiently over thousands of miles,” it said on its website. Quakes can cause other big quakes within a range of hundreds of miles, but can cause only small, brief quakes at a distance of thousands of miles, it said.

ANCSU reminds CM on NSEE selection

DIMApur, AprIl 17 (MexN): Accusing the Nagaland State Government of “absolute negligence” towards the welfare of the students’ community, ANCSU today reminded the Chief Minister TR Zeliang to look into the burning issues of the technical education department and solve it “once and for all”.

The Union, on March 29, had submitted a letter to the Chief Minister stating its non acceptance of the Government Notification on

March 16 that made certain changes in eligibility criteria for seat in NSEE state reserved quota.

Among other things, the notification said that category III for selection includes those candidates who are non-local indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and children of nonlocal state government employees and children of All India Service Officers borne on Nagaland cadre.

Expressing its shock and dismay, the Union had

said that the reviewing and cabinet approval of the eligibility criteria of category III was beyond its limited understanding.

This is a great concern for the students’ career, said the All Nagaland College Students’ Union in a press statement issued through its President, Zhoku Thuluo and General Secretary Benjong Longchar.

However, ANCSU said that Chief Minister of Nagaland has not replied to the ANCSU till date, which

shows the absolute negligence of the state government for the students’ community, it said.

In this connection, the ANCSU has called upon all the intending candidates of Nagaland State Entrance Examination [(NSEE) state reserved quota], parents, well wishers, social activists, ANCSU senior leaders and concerned citizens for a consultative meeting on April 19 at the LCS building, conference hall, Kohima (Near Ao Church) at 11:00 am.

nltP Act: time for a review?

Morung Poll result questions its continuity Morung Express news Dimapur | April 17

Was the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 an act implemented at the spur of the moment destined for failure? Conversely, does it need reviewing?

An overwhelming majority of respondents to a poll has called for an outright review.

Last week, a poll conducted by The Morung Express asked: Should the Nagaland State government have an independent review on the merits and de-merits of the Prohibition Act? Why? 70 percent of the respondents said ‘Yes’ while 20 percent were against it; 10 percent respondents were ambivalent.

A closer scrutiny of those responding ‘No’ or ‘Other’ revealed that they were not against the review per se, but were only skeptical about the ability of the government to hold an honest and independent review, just like the Act under purview.

The NLTP Act 1989 was enacted in the State following the demand of the Church bodies to declare Nagaland as “dry state,” though many are of the opinion that it is one of the “wettest states” in the country.

Is prohibition complete failure?

It’s no secret prohibition has neither controlled the sale nor consumption of alcohol, but resulted only in the proliferation of bootlegging and spurious products taking a toll on the ‘health’ of the State as well as its citizens.

Most recently, a present Naga legislator who was a part of the Government that implemented the NLTP Act

admitted to a news agency that “The Act was a mistake and a folly,’’ further implying that it was done without any pragmatism or an in-depth study. “We only helped the bootleggers of Assam and cash-starved Nagaland lost huge revenue,” he added.

“The truth is that it is not working in Nagaland, but no one wants to point is out because they are afraid of being morally judged by the Church,” a reader commented. “In fact it should be the church that should come out openly and demand that the Government have an independent review of the Prohibition Act.” Others accused Government and other entities of turning a ‘blind eye’ to an open reality. “Why ban and let the public die of bootlegged liquor when it is available as common as a mineral water,” justified another.

A review is the only sane and logical step that the State government can make. Having a law that’s only good on paper is redundant, some readers pointed out.

Review: A futile exercise Most of the readers voting against a review did so questioning the Government’s ability to conduct an impartial enquiry.

“An independent neutral body to come up with a report that shows the real situation is unlikely,” a reader said, adding that such report would be hijacked by those who want the Prohibition Act to continue.

Others answering ‘No’ to the question said such exercise would be futile and a complete “waste of time.”

“So far none of the judicial inquiry committees have resulted in any pos-

itive outcome. It is a farce,” a reader elaborated.

However, a minority of the respondent called for streamlining the present Prohibition Act attributing the failures to “enforcing agencies.”

“Itisanindicationoffailureofimplementing mechanism, corruption and the lack of determination to do what needs to be done,” a reader posted.

Who will bell the cat?

Readers who answered ‘Other’ also chose to look at the paradoxical situation brought about by the prohibition.

It is funny because those who are for prohibition can continue to proudly say Nagaland is a dry state where alcohol is impossible, while those who are against prohibition know exactly where to buy it. It’s a win-win situation, a reader responded cheekily.

Some wondered whether Nagas have the ability to take things in moderation. “By all means lift prohibition so that good quality alcohol becomes available at rather than the sub-standard stuff that is sold in black market.

But question of responsible drinking will still remain,” another reader stated.

Overall, the poll suggested that perhaps time is ripe seriously to examine the merits and de-merits of the Prohibition Act in the State. The question is how?

One cannot deny that there should be review of Prohibition which has been there in Nagaland for more than 20 years, a reader maintained, but who will bell the cat?

“Everyone knows it but no one is willing to admit it.”

Poll result on page 7

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monDAY 18•04•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Govt fails to repair road; Mokokchung residents take up the task on their own Morung Express News Mokokchung | April 17

When the government is not in a position to repair the debilitated road in your locality, what would you do – curse your fate or do something about it? Residents of lower Alempang Ward in Mokokchung Town after realizing that there is “no hope” at all for the government repairing the main road in their locality decided to patch the road themselves.

“There is no hope at all that the government will come and repair this road in the foreseeable future.

So we decided to repair the road ourselves. We have not approached the government; we are not expecting anything from the government. We will do it ourselves,” declared Imkongsashi Longkumer, a resident of the locality and a youth activist.

The locality is situated below Ladybird School at Alempang Ward and is comprised of about 280 households. The residents, initiated by the youths of the locality, called for a general meeting of the locality on April 1 last and resolved to take up the task by themselves. They resolved to collect Rs.500 and Rs.200 per four-wheel and two-wheel motor vehicle owners respectively as contribution.

They also appointed an eight member committee to look after the road repairing works, all of whom are young residents of the locality.

Apart from the prescribed contribution, the committee accepts contributions from well wishers as well. They have so far collected more than Rs.60,000/- from 55 four-

Seen here is a stretch of the road in lower Alempang Ward of Mokokchung Town that the residents have pooled contributions among themselves to patch the road surface.

wheel owners and 27 two-wheel owners, including some other well wishers. The “estimated” cost of the whole “project” is Rs.85,000/- and the total length of the road under the “project” is 85 meters as divulged by Imkongsashi Longkumer, convener of the committee. “The actual cost might exceed our estimated cost as we did not include the drainage making cost in our initial estimate. Nevertheless, we’re going to make the drainage as well,” said the convener.

The said road was last repaired 13 years ago.

“Eight barrels of bitumen should suffice but it costs about Rs.8000 per barrel,” the convener estimated.

The total estimated cost of patching the 85-meter road is not inclusive of labour costs as the residents themselves are volunteering. Works on the ground began on April 6 and soling and drainage works have already been completed.

They are expecting to complete the patching works within this month itself.

CM’s justification on NFSA unfair: NVCO

Kohima, april 17 (mExN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) today stated that the Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s justification to implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in the State only by June 2016 in a phase manner is not “fair.”

In a press release issued by its Press & Media Cell, NVCO pointed out that TR Zeliang had stressed the importance of implementing the NFSA during the 5th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on July 22, 2014, but he is still coming out with justification for not implementing the Act. The organization also highlighted that Nagaland is the only state in the country that has not implemented the NFSA causing huge loss in terms of thousand metric tonnes (MT) of food grains allocation to the State and also not availing Hill Transport Subsidy. CAG Report 2015 also highlighted misappropriation and loss

amounting to Rs.402.66 Crore in Food and Civil Supplies Department, Govt. of Nagaland, it said. Implementing the Act can benefit 47940 AAY, 77,095 BPL and 59,000 APL cardholders in Nagaland, it added.

Further, it was noted that the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, who was in Nagaland recently, and Joint Secretary of the department expressed regret that Nagaland government was not availing Hill Transport Subsidy, which is meant for every hilly state. In contrary, NVCO stated, TR Zeliang asserted that Hill Transport Subsidies should be released immediately while admitting the receipt of Rs.5.53 crore for digitization under NFSA which had been utilized and also admitted that Nagaland government has not released the 10% of the State share. To avail Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme, the Union Minister said the State government should

produce record/evidence such as utilisation certificate, payment vouchers, cheques and accompanying documents as per prescribed format to prove that the subsidy had been utilized, the release said.

The Organisation has reminded the public to raise their voices against the State government for not implementing the Act in the interest of thousands of Nagas who depend on subsidies. It added it may be much more appropriate to hold a public rally without considering the “lame excuses” of State government in failing to implement the Act and “continually indulge in corrupt practices taking advantage of not being implemented.” NFSA is a mechanism to check corrupt practices, wherein the system will be digitized, there will be online allocation, supply chain management, SMS system of relaying information to beneficiaries, etc, NVCO said.

President of NVCO,

Kezhokhoto Savi informed that the National Food Security Act, 2013 is a historic step to eradicate hunger which came into effect on September 10, 2013. It was extended to the whole of India with an aim to provide food approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people.

The Act will cover 79.83% of people in the rural areas while 61.98% in urban areas. Under the Act, the State Governments shall be responsible for implementing and monitoring the schemes of various ministries and departments of the Central government for ensuring food security to the targeted beneficiaries in their States. It is the duty of the State government under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to take delivery of food grains from the designated departments of the central government in the State at subsidized prices and to deliver allocated food grains through their

authorized agencies at the door-step of each fair price shop, Savi said. The Act provides that every State government shall constitute a State Food Commission for monitoring and review of implementation of the Act. The State Commission shall consist of a chairperson, five other members and a member-secretary.

The Act also provides provision for grievances redressal mechanism where the State government shall appoint or designate, for each district, a District Grievance Redressal Officer for expeditious and effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matter relating to distribution of entitled food grains or meal and to enforce the entitlement under the Act, he added.

For further queries, one may contact: Nagaland State Consumer Helpline Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701 office situated at Old Assembly Secretariat, Kohima, 9436209438 or mail to kezhokhotosavi@ yahoo.com.

Water transport in Nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | April 17

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under Ministry of Shipping, Government of India through M/s. Rites Ltd has identified three rivers for water transport in Nagaland. It include: Tizu river located 42 km from Avakhung in Phek district for inter connectivity between Indo-Myanmar; Dhansiri river (110 km); and Dikhu river (52 km) for interstate transport with Assam. An Inland Water Transport Wing in the state’s transport department was set up to liaise and coordinate with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. The function of the nodal department is for identification of potential Inland Waterways and to undertake feasibility studies. This was stated in the Nagaland Economic Survey 2015-16 brought Chief Minister TR Zeliang unveiled the silver jubilee monolith of Phom Peoples' Council in Longout by Economics & Statistics Department. leng on April 16.

EFG rescues wild dog, Amenba visits International Trade Centre Avakhung donates it to NZP

DDEO Phek informs phEK, april 17 (mExN): Deputy District Education Officer (DDEO) of Phek has informed that the formats for Teachers Award and Government Teachers Financial Assistance formulated for untimely death, natural calamities, ailments, and for disabled will be made available at the District Education Office, Phek during office hour. The filled in formats for both categories after observing all formalities should reach the DDEO on or before May 10, it was stated.

Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): Earth Friendly Generation (EFG) rescued a wild dog from Kangching village in Longleng district on April 15 and donated the same to Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP), Dimapur on April 16.

EFG Director, Keduolhoukho Chadi said that the main objective of the rescue was to create awareness among the people about the endangered species which are almost extinct due to human cruelty towards wildlife, a press release from EFG stated.

He also stressed that EFG alone will be able to do nothing, but cooperation of every individual in protecting wildlife and environment will have greater impact towards ecological

balance. And to achieve the goal, the present generation is responsible in word and work, he stated.

According to the release, the Researcher of NZP said that wild dog is a rare endangered species in Naga areas. However, continuous deforestation and hunting is threatening the lives of the wild dogs as well as other endangered species, it was highlighted. The Researcher also gave his moral support to EFG and its initiatives, the release added.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Ranger of NZP, Thripong Sangtam also encouraged and appreciated the EFG for their concern in protection of wildlife in particular and environment in general.

Nagaland Bharat Scouts & Guides life members’ meet

Continuing past legacy into future; HCHSS celebrates 50 years

Kohima, april 17 (mExN): The Nagaland Bharat Scouts & Guides (NBS&G) life members meet 2016- cum- laying of foundation stone of NBS&G golden jubilee building will take place on April 20, 11:00 am at NBS&G Hq, Bayavü, Kohima. Khriehu Liezietsu, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, Music Task Force and State Lotteries and president NBS&G will grace the occasion as the chief guest.

Khyomo Lotha, life member and State Chief Commissioner of NBS&G will share greetings, while Dr. Joyce Zinyü will speak on behalf of life members. P. Atuo Mezhiir Sekhose, life member and State Commissioner (Scout) will deliver welcome address.

Rev. Neikhrienyü, Pastor, Baptist Mission Church Kohima will pronounce dedication. The function will be chaired by K. Neibou Sekhose, life member and state treasurer, while vote of thanks will be proposed by John Tochimong, life member and State Organizing Commissioner (Scout).

Morung Express News Dimapur | April 17

As Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur celebrated 50 years, it was a proud moment for the institution as well as those associated with it as they came together to honor its achievement and make plans for future. The Holy Cross family came together on April 16 at the School premises to celebrate the legacy. An alumni get together was held on April 17.

As students past and present came together, it was an occasion of camaraderie where old classmates came together to remember the past as well as meet their teachers who had molded them and who are still working in the school.

Asked what makes her alma mater stand out from the rest, Susan Lotha (batch of 1994) said the school has not only given here education but values, virtues, integrity and spirituality. She recollected her mentoring teacher as late Sir Dorji who taught her not only to speak English well but also

Nine arrested for selling liquor

Parliamentary Secretary Amenba Yaden, Minister Y. Vikheho Swu, Minister Yitachu along with other government officials during a visit to International Trade Centre, Avakhung under Meluri sub division of Phek district on April 14. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Meluri | April 17

Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce Amenba Yaden on Thursday visited International Trade Centre, Avakhung under Meluri sub division of Phek district.

Accompanied by Minister for

to be “a better human being by helping others and accepting people whether they are rich or poor.” Saika Chishi of 95 batch seconded her.

Jimmy Chishi (1994 batch) said he was proud of Holy Cross School because it not only gave him education but helped him in his artistic journey.

I remain ever grateful to my parents for making the choice to enroll me at Holy Cross School, maintained Akangchila Longchar, a journalist with The Morung Express who studied from Nursery to 10th standard (2001 batch).

“More than me, my parents who could never pursue their own higher education are very proud of my Alma Mater and speak of it like their own. In so many ways, they are part of it.

From dropping me and my two siblings to school for more than two decades, they know every inch and corner of the school, its timings, and teachers especially the senior ones,” she added.

“Today I wear tags as a

Roads & Bridges Y. Vikheho Swu and Minister for School Education & SCERT Yitachu along with other government officials, Yaden said that two building structures for trade activities have been constructed at the moment at the trade centre.

He said one structure will be allotted to traders from Myanmar

and other for traders from India.

The Parliamentary Secretary also stated that a rest house has also been constructed, adding that such buildings are now ready for inauguration. Further, Yaden said the government will try to get more infrastructures done at the trade centre.

Kohima, april 17 (mExN): A joint team of Kohima Police (North PS, South PS and women cell) raided several outlets selling IMFL at Jail colony, Lerie colony, and Old Ministers’ Hill colony in Kohima and arrested nine persons. The team also seized assorted IMFL comprising 31 cans of Budweiser, 28 quarter bottles of OC Blue whisky, 11 bottles of MC Rum, 6 bottles of MC whisky, 3 ½ bottles of Vodka, 5 bottles of Breezer, 1 quarter bottle of honey Bee, 20 cans of Kingfisher beer, 1 bottle of OC Black whisky, 23 cans of Fosters beer, and 1 bottle of Blenders Pride whisky, informed a press release from PRO, Kohima Police. The nine arrested persons have been identified as Vinay Sah (26), Satyanarayan Pandit (29), Muna Kumar (20), Pramod Kumar (22), Tribuwan Prasad (33), Rajesh Kumar Gupta (40), Sandeep Kumar (26), Namak Sah (33), and Pradeep Kumar (27). A regular case vide Kohima South P.S Case No. 0024/2016 U/S 44 (e) NLTP Act has been registered against the accused and they are remanded into judicial custody.

The first Principal of Holy Cross Hr. Sec School, Dimapur Rev. Fr. PC Mani being felicitated at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the school on April 16. (Morung Photo)

Journalist and Teacher and I owe almost everything to my Alma Mater, my Holy Cross School,” she added.

A sentiment echoed

by Dr. Sentinungla, a parent and an alumna herself, who said, “In this world of cut-throat competition for education, there is a need

for social footing. I as a parent have faith and trust that the Holy Cross School can provide such footing for my children.”

Sometimes the success of schools not only depends on an able administration in a mission mode but also the dedicated ser-

vice of the teachers.

As 14 teachers who have worked more than 26 years or more were felicitated at the main event on April 15, one can easily fathom they were instrumental in molding it into an enviable institution today. The longest serving for last 47 years;

some teachers come even from the farthest corner of the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, one of the awardees, P Edwin, a Math Teacher who landed from Tamil Nadu in 1979 and is retiring this year after 38 years said it was his determination to teach the subject to the people of the state that held him back over the years. A family man, he said he visits his family once or twice annually.

Another teacher, M Gnana Nirmala came in 1977 as a Physical Education Teacher and has served the school in various capacities over the years and is now the state Training Commissioner, Nagaland State Bharat Scouts & Guides (NSGSG).

She will retire this year after her fourth extension and working in the regions for Bharat Scouts & Guides.

“I stayed for the love of students and cannot go back now,” she said when asked about her motivation.

Even the frail but determined Rev. PC Mani, the

first Principal, attended the event even though a failing health limited his mobility.

Started with 12 students in April 16, 1966 by Fr Joseph Felix, the school has now grown into a well-knitted extended and growing family as it marches into the future and continues the legacy of “School with a difference” upholding its social, educational and spiritual values.

The mood was vividly reflected by Longchar when she said, “As the School Song was sung at the Jubilee celebration programme, I'm sure the alumni from the first batch to the most current one had a moment where they visualized their memorable past.”

As they march into the future, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima, who was speaking as a Guest of Honor, urged the gathering to take as a moral duty to be an agent of change. That’s the take away every Holy Family member has to keep in heart as they step outside the institution.

monDAY 18•04•2016

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Will decide after 2 years whether to continue in office: Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati, april 17 (pti): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who has declared that the current assembly elections as his last, will decide whether to continue in office after two years if he is elected again.

"After two years, I will take a decision on how I will continue in the party. I will decide if I will remain as a CM for the next five years or not, " he said asserting that he will win a fourth consecutive term.

Accordingly, I will take my next step," Gogoi told PTI in an interview. The 80-year old politician had already announced that this Assembly election will be his last participation in electoral democracy.

"I will not fight the next election. Congress has to fight without me," he said.

Gogoi, however, did not specify whom the party or he is nurturing to take the

baton from his hand.

"We do not nurture anyone. Many leaders are there after me. Leaders emerge out of masses," he added.

Asked for a few names, the Chief Minister said "there are many capable leaders -- Anjan Dutta, Paban Singh Ghatowar, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Ripun Bora, Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain. Probably, my successor will be from these leaders."

Though he did not elaborate, Gogoi appreciated the way former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu had handed over the post to his trusted Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in the middle of a term so that the latter could prepare the ground.

Asked about his long innings in politics, the senior Congress leader said "politics has changed over the years. Earlier, there was

North east Briefs Mizoram squall: 350 houses damaged aizawl, april 17 (pti): Pre-monsoon storm accompanied by squall and hailstorm has left trails of destruction at Mamit in the Mizoram-BangladeshTripura border during the past 48 hours damaging at least 350 houses, official sources said. \ At least 170 houses were destroyed in West Phaileng of which 40 houses were completely damaged, Mamit District Deputy Commissioner Lalbiaksangi told PTI. In Mamit town, 65 private homes were partially damaged while 16 homes were completely destroyed and 21 government buildings were damaged, Lalbiaksangi said. A church building of the Church of God (Seventh Day) was completely destroyed by a strong wind in Mamit town. She said many houses were also damaged in Khawhnai, Tuirum, Ailawng, Dapchhuah and West Serzawl villages. Most of the power transmission lines were damaged in Mamit town with at least ten electric polls uprooted, leaving the town completely powerless, she said.

Tripura woman accuses hubby, in-laws of trying to bury her alive aGartala, april 17 (tNN): A woman in Tripura accused her husband and in-laws of trying to bury her alive on Friday. Anita Das said her husband Rinku Aich, father-in-law Haradhan Aich, mother-in-law Pratima and brothers-in-law Tinku and Sanku Aich tortured her ever since she gave birth to a second daughter last year. According to Anita, the Aichs, residents of Thalibari village in Sonamura subdivision of West Tripura, tried to bury her alive in the backyard of their house on Friday. She managed to escape and take shelter at a neighbour's house before contacting her father Babul Das, a resident of Basantanagar in Kakraban. The accused are absconding. Rinku and Anita were married eight years ago and all dowry demands had been met, said Das.

Assam: Repolling at one booth conducted peacefully Guwahati, april 17 (pti): Repolling at one polling booth in Kokrajhar of Assam was today conducted peacefully with 88.15 per cent of the voters exercising their franchise. Repolling was necessitated at number 24 Kachugaon ME School (right side) under Gossaigaon constituency as the EVM malfunctioned during the second phase of polling on April 11. Election official said repolling was completed peacefully and 88.15 per cent voting was recorded.

While 90.05 per cent males casted their votes, female voting percentage stood at 86.05 per cent. The overall poll percentage of Assam Assembly polls, which was held in two phases, stood at 84.72 per cent.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi

commitment among people, now it is not there. Even the society has changed.

Earlier people used to talk in confidence. Now, nobody talks anything in confidence.

"Dissidence was there earlier also but nobody joined other parties," he said. Gogoi started his elec-

toral politics in 1968 by becoming a member of Jorhat Municipal Board in Assam and assumed the Office of Chief Minister in May, 2001 to form the Congress government which is ruling the state for three consecutive terms since then.

Talking about his

chance of forming the government again this time, Gogoi said "we have received very good response from people during our campaigning. We are confident of forming the government with absolute majority.

"BJP is saying people want change and they are the change. In Lok Sabha polls, (Narendra) Modi came to Assam and said he was the change and would bring achche din (good days).

It has become a big joke.

Has the achche din come?

Have the people got the basic amenities like houses, drinking water, food, health and clothes?" Gogoi said.

He said Assamese people "took the right decision" after seeing how much Modi has done for the state as they are politically conscious and mature.

"They (BJP) are talking about alternative and

Manipur drivers launch strike against colleague's arrest

imphal, april 17 (iaNS): Drivers of inter-state public transport vans in Manipur launched an indefinite strike from midnight of Saturday, accusing Nagaland Police of arresting a fellow driver on April 12 without any reason.

The All Manipur Inter-state Winger and Cruiser Drivers Welfare Union launched the strike, saying driver Mohammad Nasir was arrested at the police check post at Lalmati in Nagaland on April 12.

"Nasir drives a van along the Imphal-Dimapur national highway.

On that day, he was ferrying passengers when he was flagged down by policemen at Lalmati in Nagaland and detained. After receiving the news, we rushed there, but police

failed to furnish any specific reason for the arrest. Till date, police are refusing to release him," said union president K. Sankarjit.

Representatives of the drivers' union have submitted memoranda to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Director General of Police L.M. Khoute over the incident.

Sources said the chief minister and senior Manipur Police officials are in touch with their Nagaland counterparts to secure Nasir's release. The drivers' union's vice president, K. Sanatomba, said inter-state buses have also assured their support to the strike.

Meanwhile, tension prevails in Ukhrul district of Manipur following the kidnapping of driver P.A. Chinao-

sung on April 13 night.

Chinaosung was engaged in transporting construction materials for a project in the district.

Police fear the kidnapping may be connected with extortions by some underground organisations.

Tangkhul Naga Long, a social organisation in Ukhrul, has set April 19 as the deadline for freeing the driver, and threatened that people of two nearby villages, Songphel and Gangbikot, will have to face the consequences. Some drivers told IANS on Sunday that police personnel at check-points along the national highway collect various 'taxes' from vehicles coming from Manipur although no money receipt is issued.

Prof Arun Samaddar said.

The machine equipped with latest Intel-based processor and accelerator technologies with a peak computing power of 15 Teraflops will give a major boost to research at all levels.

"The entire system cost us over Rs 2 crore, while the related infrastructure to house it including electrical and air-conditioning has cost us Rs 50 lakh," he said.

Hemant Darbari, Executive Director, C-DAC, Pune, said supercomputing has become the buzz word for the industry, which has realised its eventual benefits and impact on all aspects of the economy.

"It is a fact that there are only a handful of countries including India who have

ZYF General Assembly in May imphal, april 17 (mexN): The XIIth Zeliangrong Youth Front General Assembly will be held on May 5 and 6 at Asalu village, N.C Hills under Dima Hasao District in Assam.

According to a press release from the front, the decision to hold the Assembly at Assam was taken during the ZYF executive meeting held on April 5 a notification on which has already been issued. “Asalu village occupies a very significant place in Zeliangrong folklores hence holding the XIIth ZYF General Assembly in the village would definitely retrospect and bring closer the past history with the younger generation,” the ZYF stated.

The Zeliangrong Youth Front is a youth based Zeliangrong people’s social Organization formed thirty five years ago by Zeliangrong public meeting held on March 7, 1981.

The last XIth ZYF General Assembly was held on April 29 and 30, 2013 at Jalukie Town, Peren District, Nagaland.

During the XIIth ZYF General Assembly, an election to elect new Office Bearers for the term 2016-19 shall be conducted by the Election Commission headed by Katadim Pamei, former ZYF President as the Chief Election Commission with other three persons namely Thuangan Gonmei, former ZYF Chairman from Assam, Luikam Newmai, former ZYF Chairman from Manipur and Namnabe former ZYF Vice-President (Central) from Nagaland as Members of the Commission.

Delegates for the Assembly shall be gathered at the ZYF Head Office on May 4 to proceed towards the Assembly Venue where transportation shall be arranged by the ZYF Central office and other information can be enquired from the ZYF Office, the release informed.

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Meghalaya to host meet on child adoption GoLDeN CroWN theoLoGICaL CoLLeGe Recognized by Higher & Technical Education, Govt. of Nagaland

New Delhi, april 17 (iaNS): Over 400 delegates from various parts of the northeastern states will participate in a day-long conference in Meghalaya on Monday to strengthen the norms for child adoption in the region, an official statement said.

The conference, to be inaugurated by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi in Shillong, is also being conducted to familiarise the stakeholders with adoption programme in northeastern states about the provisions relating to adoption under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

"The conference will also orient the stakeholders about the provisions of Adop-

tion Guidelines - 2015 as well as the online adoption process through Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS)," the statement said.

The participants, likely to attend the conference, include State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) and Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in the northeastern states.

"These guidelines are intended to provide for more effective regulation for adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children and would bring more transparency and efficiency in the adoption system," the statement added.

Record breaking rain in Shillong, Guwahati

NoiDa, april 17 (aGeNCieS): Good showers have been lashing several parts of Northeast India for quite some time now.

While Cherrapunji has already received record breaking rain, it was Shillong and Guwahati’s turn to break a few records.

In a span of 24 hours, Shillong in Meghalaya recorded 39.5 mm of rain, the highest rainfall in a decade.

Similarly, Guwahati in Assam also received a whopping 47 mm of rain, the highest of the season.

Cherrapunji, which is known for being the wettest place, recorded 137 mm of rain during the same period.

Several other areas in North East received good showers during the last 24 hours. Some of them include Silchar where 44.5 mm of rain was recorded, Tinsukia 41 mm, Gaolpara 36 mm, Dibrugarh 27.7 mm, Imphal 20.8 mm, Dhubri 16.3 mm,

Kohima 8.2 mm, and Gangtok 2.4 mm.

These rains can be attributed to a cyclonic circulation which is presently over East Bihar, Jharkhand and adjoining West Bengal.

Also, a trough is extending from this system from Nagaland, up to Jharkhand.

Moreover, moisture incursion is taking place from North Bay of Bengal in the form of humid south-westerly winds which have been adding to the rains in North East.

These weather conditions are likely to remain the same for at least another 48 hours. During this period, heavy showers will occur over several parts of North East which may break more rainfall records.

So far, Cherrapunji has already received 1105.9 mm of rain in the month of April and with 13 days left, it might as well break the five-year-old rainfall record of 1223 mm.

North East gets its fastest three militants supercomputer in sikkim surrender in tripura

KolKata, april 17 (pti): Built at a cost of over Rs 2 crore, northeast has got its fastest supercomputer with a peak computing power of 15 Teraflops.

Housed at the National Institute of Technology Sikkim's campus, near Gangtok, the supercomputer, 'PARAM Kanchenjunga' is a collaboration between Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Ministry of Communications and IT. "PARAM Kanchenjunga not only shares the distinct privilege of being the fastest supercomputer in the NE region, but it would also be the fastest supercomputer among all the NITs," NIT Sikkim director

change. Do they have the capacity for the same?

Except Sarbananda (Sonowal), all leaders are old in state politics. Prafulla Mahanta, Himanta Biswa Sarma -- all have been in politics for a long time.

"BJP's most of the leaders had come from AASU and AGP background. The state BJP is an extended AGP team. They have pasted a new label. It is like old wine in a new bottle. We all know how AGP was in governance. It was the worst.

The economy, law and order, job-generation, insurgency and secret killings were at its worst," he added.

When pointed out that polling percentage was huge in Assam and it may be because of anti-incumbency factor, Gogoi said that "in 2011 also, there was huge voting and it was more than that of 2006. We won more seats than 2006.

3

developed capabilities in utilising this technology to solve grand challenges which are more or less out of bounds for serial computing," he said.

Using the new machine, two faculty members of NIT are already studying how to increase the efficiency of fuel movement through long oil pipelines such as from Middle East to India.

Another project deals with the measurement of ocean surface temperature for weather forecasting through simulation.

Besides, a few student projects have also started running on the new supercomputer like an app for instant information system regarding road condition for the tourists.

aGartala, april 17 (iaNS): Three tribal guerrillas who fled from their Bangladeshi hideout surrendered to the Tripura Police, officials said here on Sunday.

Ganaram Reang, Danasai Reang and Salendra Reang, belonging to the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), surrendered in Kanchanpur in northern Tripura on Saturday night, a police official said.

They told the police they recently fled from the NLFT camps at Sapchari in Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeast Bangladesh.

According to them, more NLFT cadres from Bangladesh were likely to surrender, the official added. Twelve NLFT rebels with a huge quantity

of arms and ammunition surrendered to the Tripura Police chief K. Nagaraj on April 11. They also escaped from the same NLFT den in Bangladesh.

Police officials said the three militants had fled along with the previous 12 ultras but could not surrender together, as they had entered Tripura through different routes.

NLFT cadres and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) militants undergo arms training in hideouts in Bangladesh, which shares an 856-km border with Tripura.

Banned in 1997 by the union home ministry, the two outfits advocate secession of Tripura from India.

However, ATTF has become almost defunct due to the surrender of most of its cadres.

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MonDAY 18•04•2016

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Suzuki models make Jaitley pushes for more funding, reforms at IMF, WB 6itMaruti to top-10 list in 2015-16

Washington, april 17 (ians): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has asked the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reassess the quantum of funds at their disposal to finance global growth and make an extra mobilisation effort if found inadequate.

“To be a reliable source of contingent financing, it is important to assess the sufficiency of Fund’s resources in accordance with the changing global realities, including levels of global growth, the size of trade and capital flows,” Jaitley told an IMF meeting.

“In the backdrop of constraints in mobilising additional concessional finance on one hand and increased demand for it on the other, the World Bank group will have to walk that extra mile for additional resources for this endeavour,” he said in another address here.

In fact, during a meeting with World Bank Group (WBG) President Jim Yong Kim, the Indian

Arun Jaitley, Raghuram Rajan and Sri Lankan Finance minister Ravi karunanayake in Washington. (PTI Photo)

finance minister specifically said the institution collectively must step up its annual funding volumes to $100 billion.

In fiscal 2015, the World Bank, International Finance Corp and the

Burger King to add about 40 outlets in India neW Delhi, april 17 (pti): A late entrant to India’s fast- food market, Burger King is looking to position itself as a leading quick service restaurant brand and is likely to add 35-40 outlets this year across the country.

It entered India in November 2014, as against its American rival McDonald’s foray in 1996. Other layers in the QSR space include KFC and Dunkin’ Donuts.

“Burger King is a mass brand and the idea is to get into every city including tier 1, 2 and 3. The plan is to build a huge portfolio of restaurants in India.

Objective is to lead in India as a restaurant brand in QSR (quick service restaurants),” Burger King India CEO Rajeev Varman told PTI. The company, which operates 48 stores in India, indicated that it is likely to expand at the same pace as last year - opening 35-40 stores in 2016.

Burger King opened 10 restaurants in 2014, and added another 38 in 2015.

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency collectively provided $59.8 billion in loans, grants, equity investments, and guarantees to partner countries and private businesses.

Jaitley is here for the

spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF with Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das and Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian,

among other officials.

The Indian finance minister also welcomed the timeline of October 2017 for a shareholding review in IMF and said that the new quota formula should enhance the voice, role and voting shares of developing countries and their increased contribution to global output.

He also emphasised the need for a review of the World Bank’s shareholding to reflect the emergence of developing countries in the global economy and also ensure that they, along with poor nations, get their due share of funding for infrastructure investment.

Jaitley also said there was the need to increase the representation of Indians in the top management of the World Bank, given the “excellent” contribution made by experts from his country to the multilateral funding institution’s functioning.

During his interactions, Jaitly also said what his government was doing to encourage growth and

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of which is upto May 26. The developer has requested for further extension so as to implement the project,” the agenda of the BoA meeting said.

Similarly, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd has sought extension of the validity period of formal approval, granted for setting up an SEZ for manufacture and export of aluminium in Odisha, beyond May 22.

Others who have sought more time include Brooke Bond Real Estate, Avash Logistic Park, Sealand Ports and Indofil Industries. SEZs are exports hubs which contribute to about 23 per cent to the country’s total outbound shipments.

The commerce ministry is taking steps to revive investors’ interest in these zones.

Exports from such zones in 2014-15 stood at Rs 4,63,770 crore as compared to Rs 4,94,077 crore in the previous fiscal.

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neW Delhi, april 17 (pti): Country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India tightened its grip in terms of best selling cars with 6 of its models featuring in the the top-10 list for the just concluded fiscal. The company, which had five models in top-10 selling cars in 2014-15, saw compact model Celerio enter the list at the seventh position in 2015-16.

Besides, volume share of the company in top-10 models has shot up to 73% with 6 of its models accounting for 10,29,639 units out of a total of 14,19,768 units sold in the fiscal. The company’s volume share in top 10 stood at 68% in 2014-15 with sales of 9,12,415 units.

As per the data, the company’s Alto, Dzire, Swift and WagonR were the first, second, third and fourth biggest selling models during the fiscal. The company sold 2,63,422 units of Alto during 2015-16 compared with 2,64,492 units in 2014-15.

It was followed by compact sedan Dzire, with 2,34,242 units sold. The company had sold 2,10,649 units of the sedan in 2014-15. Compact hatchback Swift continued to hold on to the third position during the fiscal with 1,95,043 units. Swift sales stood at 2,01,338 units in the previous fiscal.

Wagon R with 1,69,555 units sold during the last fiscal, retains the fourth position in passenger car segment. MSI had sold 1,61,250 units of the hatchback in 2014-15. Its compact model Celerio also made it to the top 10 for the first time. It stood at 7th position with sales of 87,428 units during the fiscal.

It dislodged Hyundai’s compact car Eon from the seventh position. MSI’s van Omni retained its ninth position with sale of 79,949 units in 2015-16. It had sold 74,686 units in 2014-15. Rival Hyundai’s two models -Grand i10 and Elite i20 also made it to the top 10 list.

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Govt to consider two new SEZ proposals on April 28 neW Delhi, april 17 (pti): Government will on April 28 consider two new proposals, including from Infosys, for setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The proposals will be taken up by the Board of Approval (BoA) for SEZ, chaired by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia.

Infosys Ltd has proposed to set up an IT/ITeS zone in Bengaluru over an area of over four hectares.

Chhindwara Plus Developers Ltd has proposed to set up a multiproduct SEZ in Madhya Pradesh over an area of 1,320 hectares.

Further, as many as 19 developers and units have sought more time to complete their projects which are under different stages of completion. Wipro Ltd has requested for further extension of its letter of approval for setting up an IT SEZ in Bengaluru.

“The developer has been granted two extensions, validity period

employment, listing such initiatives like “Make in India”, “Digital India”, “Startup India”, “Stand-up India”, “Skill India” and “Mudra bank”.

Also being put in place were a progressive and non-adversarial tax regime, a new bankruptcy law, major tax reforms such as the introduction of a pan-India goods and services tax and the simplification of procedures and the repeal obsolete laws, he said.

“Our present government is following the approach of ‘reform to transform India’ through far reaching structural reforms to foster strong and sustainable growth,” said Jaitley, concluding the first leg of his US visit.

The next halt is in New York. His itinerary there includes an address at the UN on “World Drug Problem”. He is also scheduled to address the Asia Society on “Make In IndiaThe New Deal” and hold meetings with top funds to make a pitch to invest in India.

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MondAY 18•04•2016

NAGALAND

DEO Kohima informs Kohima, april 17 (mExN): The District Education Officer (DEO), Kohima has notified to all concerned heads of both government and private educational institutions under DEO Kohima to forward cases of eligible and deserving teachers for State Teachers Award 2016.

Following are eligible for the State Teachers’ Award: teachers who have developed an innovative approach of teaching, teachers who have achieved a certain level of excellence in their profession, in teaching professing for a minimum period of 15 years, a recipient of district award for teachers.

Criteria for financial assistance from the National Foundation of Teachers Welfare include: permanent disability of the teacher, prolonged treatment for his/her own ailment or ailment of wife/ children/ husband/ dependent parents, untimely death of the incumbent and natural calamity of devastating nature for which grant/relief was not received from any source.

The format of recommendation can be obtained from the office of the District Education Officer, Kohima with immediate effect during office hour and the same, duly filled along with four recent passport size photographs, can be submitted latest by May 10, 2016. This was stated in a release issued by DEO Kohima, Vamu Lohe.

‘Conflict resolution is a creative art’ Morung Express News Kiphire | April 17

“Time has come where Nagas have to learn how to live together and resolve our differences using our heads and minds.”

This was stated by Kiphire Superintendent of Police, Ben Longkumer, while speaking at the closing programme of the three day dialogue programme “Learning to live together” organized by “Initiatives of Change” at Alikhyang Zungki valley Kiphire on April 16 evening.

Speaking as special guest, Longkumer stated that Nagas in general have very strong tribal affiliation and pointed out that this was the root cause of many Naga problems.

Instead of taking responsibility for the conflict

arising between different parties, often the blame is put on the other side, he lamented.

Further stating that “Conflict resolution is a creative art and in conflict there is always a clear distinction between you and me,” the Kiphire SP maintained, “We as people should learn how to defend the right of others.

“Only then peace, justice and progress will be visible,” he reasoned.

In places like Kiphire where multiple tribes reside with multiple problems, the people should have tolerance and an accommodative spirit while also saying no to violence and having respect for others, he shares with deep concern.

He also expressed hope that the dialogue of ‘learning to live together’ will be the

beginning of bridging differences and resolving conflict between different communities in the district and also expressed gratitude to the ‘Initiatives of Change’ for having concern for Kiphire.

Veteran rights activist Niketu Iralu who also spoke on the occasion said, the issue before the whole world today, is against corruption and climate. This, he said, is a huge reminder that everyone should be responsible.

He added that the marvels of the 20th century started with few individual who gave new ideas and embraced change and remarked that nothing is impossible if an institution and the people in it are committed.

John Tsulise ADC Meluri who also spoke on the occasion expressed gratitude to the visiting team for

organizing program at Kiphire and assured all possible help in the future days for such programme.

He also said, such programmes should is an answer to many problems that the society is facing today.

Lipichem who chaired the program said the best things happening on the planet today must be in Kiphire because all were so blessed.

Yangtapila and Alison also shared their experiences on the dialogue. Aparna presented a Fijian song.

The Initiatives of Change Kiphire group resolved to take the programme forward by organizing road trips to different communities of the district, organizing cultural exchange programmes, and taking the message to schools and institutions.

First Gazzetted Officer from Chingmelen Village honoured Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): The Chang Gazzetted Officers Association (CGOA) along with Chingmelen Village today organised a felicitation programme for the first gazzetted officer from the village - Sakuchingmak Chang.

The programme was held at Chingmelen village Baptist Church with Jonathan Chang, Executive Secretary, CBLT Tuensang as the speaker. It may be mentioned here that during the 23rd CGOA General Session held at Chingmelen

The management of Nikos Hospital & Research Centre, Dimapur donated a Barn Owl, which was rescued by the hospital staff inside the hospital premises, to the authority of Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar on April 16. Dr. Victo Wotsa, Managing Director of the hospital handed over the bird to zoo officials Inoto G. Chophy, Forester I and Vikaho Inazhe.

Core Committee of Khamo Yiemia 3rd session held april 17 to be truthful in their lives, he NNC (N/A) resolves Kohima, (mExN): The 3rd session of further encouraged them to

carry forward the good and noble deeds while associating with others in all their endeavours.

Vilelie fervently appealed to try lending a helping hand to the needy adding that it was the best ever quality in the lives of humanity. He further urged them not be an element of social evils which will bring shame and disgrace to the community.

Vekhozo Khamo led the session, Süsatso Khamo invoked God’s blessing, Khrisavilie Khamo tendered a welcome note while Rongoyi Khamo pronounced the closing prayer.

Cleanliness drive in Kuhuboto Town

Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): Acme Club Kuhuboto in collaboration with Kuhuboto Town Students’ Union organized cleanliness drive at Kuhuboto Town on April 16, where Alongdhimen Jamir SDO (Civil) inaugurated garbage dump constructed and donated by Acme Club.

Shikiho Yeptho, Pastor, Kuhuboto Town Baptist Church invoked God's blessing. The SDO (Civil) delivered a short speech, where he emphasized on the need to maintain clean surroundings. Meanwhile, Numato A. Zhimomi, President, Kuhuboto Town Students' Union, encouraged the citizens and students

Participants of the cleanliness drive organized at Kuhuboto Town on April 16.

community to take pledge towards keeping the town clean.

Semato J. Assumi, President, Acme Club highlighted on the formation of the club. He mentioned that Acme Club was for the

socio-economic progress and upliftment of the underprivileged. Acme Club with the motto 'Service above self' is committed to serving the society with more social programmes in the near future, accord-

NSCN (IM) condemns ambush Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): NSCN (IM) has condemned the ambush on the Naga Army by NSCN (K) cadres on April 15 between Phinphiro and Lilam village in Ledo area of Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh, where 2nd Lieutenant Wungnaothing was injured. A press release from MIP, NSCN (IM) stated that the attack has put a dent to the nation’s effort for reconciliation and unity. It further advised Khaplang to reprimand his boys appropriately in order to avoid such incidents in the future. “Time and again, NSCN have restrained from confronting Naga brothers in arms so that favourable environment may be created for peace and brotherhood within the Naga family,” stated the NSCN (IM) press note. “However, if the pursuit for peace and reconciliation are misunderstood as weaknesses and undue advantage is taken at the peril of derailing peace process, the Naga Army will be compelled to stand its ground for larger interests of the nation.”

Gaili Village Council appeals

Govt officials trained on noting & drafting

the Khamo Yiemia was recently held at Mima Village with Vilelie Khamo, Class-I Government Registered Contractor as the guest speaker.

Altogether, 208 Khamo clan people from 18 different villages attended the session.

Speaking on the occasion, Vilelie Khamo maintained that ‘truth’ dwells in the life of an individual and added that anyone possessing truthfulness in him/her, the very quality will never go away from him rather it would always stay as part of strengthening an individual so as to live a worthy living.

Urging upon the Khamo clan

Kohima, april 17 (mExN): Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation and Flood Control N. Jacob Zhimomi will be inaugurating the new office building of the Executive Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Longleng division at Agri Ward on April 18, 1:00 pm.

MLA Pangnyu Phom will also deliver short speech.

Welcome address will be delivered by Er. Njilo Kemp, Engineer, I&FCD Nagaland while technical report will be given by Er. Kughaho Sema, S.E-I, office of the Chief Engineer, I&FCD Nagaland.

Chozuba Town citizens get LLINs

phEK, april 17 (mExN): Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) were distributed to the citizens of Chozuba Town on April 7 at Vamuzo Memorial Town Hall, Chozuba by the CHC Chozuba under National Vector Borne Disease ConmoKoKchuNg, april 17 (mExN): With an objec- trol Programme (NVBDCP). tive to improve the skills and upgrade the knowledge on According to a press release pond management, one day training on ‘Fish Pond Management’ was conducted at Chuchuyimpang village on April 12 by Ongpangkong North, ATMA, Mokokchung.

Resource person, Imnatoshi (Fishery demonstrator), Department of Fishery, while speaking on the topic explained on the importance of selection of site for Kohima, april 17 (mExN): Adminponds, various size of pond required for rearing differ- istrative Training Institute (ATI), Kohima ent stages of fish, pre-stocking pond management, de- organised a three-day training on ‘Noting tection of pH value and use of lime to correct the acidity, & Drafting Skills’ for State government manuring of pond, stocking density required for various officials from April 13–15. Altogether, 22 sizes of pond, species combination and feeding of fish. participants from various departments atHe also briefed the trainees on different feeding habits tended the training, which was held with of the species and their feed management. an objective to help the participants learn Altogether, 15 farmers from three different villages the art of noting, drafting and the different under Ongpangkong North Block attended the training. forms of communication.

Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): The Core Committee (CC) of Naga National Council (Non-Accord) under the leadership of President Kiumukam Yimchunger and Ato Kilonser Hangping Zeliang has adopted four-point resolution. The resolution states that the central finance department can take over all the financial matter for the upliftment and strengthening of the Government, and there shall be smooth and positive functioning, according to a press release from Core Committee Secretary, KT Jimomi. The Committee also resolved that the Army Wing shall have no power to interfere in the assignment which has been limited or demarcated to the (CC) by the high command of the government. Therefore, if any “assignment holders” are found guilty or “misdoing” to the Government, the higher power committee shall take legal action against the defaulters. It was also finalized that anyone found using fake/original challans without the consent of the assigned authority shall be penalized according to the 'Yezahbo' of the Government, the release stated.

Jacob Zhimomi to inaugurate I&FC office building

village in 2013, a special resolution was adopted to award a sum of Rs. 25000 to the first Gazzetted Officers from Chingmellen Village in a competitive examination.

Accordingly, Sakuchingmak Chang who secured the post of EAC through NPSC examination 2014-15 was awarded as per the resolution. Kushemyemjong who secured the post Secretariat Assis- Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): The Gaili Village tant (SA) was also given a commendation Council, Peren District has appealed to the State Vetcertificate on the occasion. erinary and Animal Husbandry Department to continue assisting the village to overcome epidemics. In a press release, the village council informed that the village was hit by an epidemic which started around the first week of April and had so far caused the death of 60 cows and buffaloes. The V&AH Dept under the from Secretary, Ad-Hoc Town. ADC Chozuba Polan Chief Veterinary Officer, Peren visited the village on Town Committee Chozu- John exhorted the gathering April 15 to create awareness and also for vaccination ba, Lhuyisa Phesao, every and Mudove Keyho, Malar- and distribution of anti-viral medication to check the household was provided the ia Inspector, CHC Chozuba outbreak of diseases in bovine. The village council net keeping in view the nec- spoke on the importance while appreciating the timely visit appealed to the deessary prevention of health of using mosquito net and partment to continue with such assistance and help hazards required around how one can prevent from the villagers overcome epidemics. rural suburb these days. The diseases if necessary steps programme was attended are taken in time. Therefore, by the members of every he appealed to all to utilize household under Chozuba the net.

Corrigendum Fish pond management training held Apropos the news item on Dimapur district’s observance of National Panchayati Day in commemoration of 125th birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar on April 16, it is clarified that Rural Development Director, Metsubo Jamir's name was mistakenly mentioned in the news item. He did not attend the function. Also, Albert Ezung is SDO, Dimapur Hq and not as mentioned.

MEx FILE

ing to a press report.

Acme Club members along with the students of schools under Kuhuboto Town, business community and citizens undertook mass social work in and around Kuhuboto Town.

The participants were given theoretical as well as practical sessions on all the topics, according to a press release received from ATI. Office environment simulation was done to depict the actual file movement process in the government offices, the release added.

Dr. Hovithal Sothu was the resource person and course coordinator for the programme.

INTCWS opens info centre in Kma, Mkg

Dimapur, april 17 (mExN): India Northeast Tribal Community Welfare Society (INTCWS), Notun Bosti, Dimapur under education wing of Libra Consultancy has informed that it has opened its information centre in Kohima and Mokokchung with an aim to facilitate free information for the benefit of tribal students to undergo professional and allied courses. These centres will be managed by its members, Yithitalu, PRO and Temjennaro, Secretary respectively, according to a press release issued by INTCWS Chairman, Atsei Sekhose. For any query and counseling, contact: 9612160086.

Public SPace Naga Political issue Should Stop Dominating Nagaland State Politics N

agas were never Indians racially, socio-culturally and politically. Naga territories (later named as Nagaland) were never part of any Princely Indian Kingdom. Naga ancestors had their own unique identity and separate existence. That was the reason Nagas declared separate independence on August 14, 1947, (one day ahead of India) when British departure from Indian subcontinent became imminent. That was also the reason 99% of the Nagas gave their mandate for complete independence in 1951 plebiscite and totally refrained to participate in first parliamentary election of republic of India in 1952.

In 1960, the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) betrayed the plebiscite mandate and demanded statehood in the Union of India. Late Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India promptly accepted the 16-point memorandum of NPC. NPC sabotaged Late A. Z. Phizo’s Alee (Foreign) mission of taking the sovereign right of Nagas abroad when all attempts to settle with India peacefully failed. However, 16-PA failed to end what the NPC perceived as political problem. It even failed to draw final boundary of the State. The push for sovereign Nagaland continues.

This is the only constant for independence group of Nagas no matter what the change of time and situation.

Since then, Naga political issue has dominated the State politics. All political parties take this issue as their number one manifesto, election after elections. 16-PA promised development dreams and brighter future to Nagas.

Regrettably, the sorry state of affairs continues. Fifty-three years of state-

hood has completed but the State has nothing to show. Our roads are still like British mule tracks of WWII. Forget about big industry, there is not even medium industry. There is not a single technical college worth the name.

Even though the State has one central university, our students prefer to pursue higher studies outside the State.

There is an alarming unemployment problem. The problem of illegal immigrants has reached dangerous stage.

The State’s economy is in shambles because of unprecedented corruption at all levels of administration. Added to all these woes, multiple taxations

by Naga Political Groups (NPGs) have pushed the people of Nagaland to the brink. In short, there is total anarchy.

Despite all these problems confronting the people of Nagaland, the government of the day spent its time, energy and resources on Naga political issue, which all knows was out of their hands since 1960. NPC took Nagas to join the Union of India and accepted the Constitution of India. It is their bounden constitutional duty to fulfill their promise of better life for Nagas. If they could not deliver what they promised, they have moral and political obligation to pave the way for sovereign Nagaland as originally mandated. 16-PA promised peace but the State’s actors continue to lament on lack of peace. There could not be development without peace.

That has been the slogan for the past five decades. It was the constitutional duty of the rulers to ensure peace in the land by enforcing the rule of law.

One could not escape from the blame by simply saying, undergrounds too are our own brothers and sisters. The rulers of the State should have the

courage to enforce the rule of law on all people, irrespective of underground or over-ground. After all, that was what they pledged for, under the constitution of India. State actors are Indians, at least constitutionally.

They should have the courage to act like one. They should not fail both India and Nagaland.

Naga political issue should stop dominating the State politics. It should stop being the lame excuse to run away from the promise of 16-PA. The State actors should focus on development as promised and address the problems of the State. No state actor can make a name for himself by over-indulgence in Naga political issue. To pave the way in case of acceptable and honorable solution is a farcical rhetoric because when sovereignty becomes the settlement, they just have to go like any other Indians.

When India gained independence, the entire British left the Indian political scene. One should learn from history. Leave the independence group to do their own job. I believe they know what they are doing.

On the other hand, the nationalist’s government should maintain the status of the de-facto government as it should be. It is a shame that today, there is complete synthesis of the nationalists’ governments and the State government. Nagas did not declare independence to submerge in alien system. It was to practice and preserve Nagas’ own unique political system. The nationalist government should not give space to outside force to meddle in national politics of sovereign Nagaland.

Dr. K. Hoshi

The Morung Express “Public Space” is to provide space for diverse opinions to be expressed and heard. The opinions in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper nor the editor.

6

monday 18•04•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express

C O M M E N T A R Y

Dag Erik Berg openDemocracy

Hindu Nationalism and caste Union of Unequals exclusion in Indian universities volume Xi issue 105

By Aheli moitra

T

he Indian Union is a Union of Unequals. This applies both to the people who reside in this entity, as well as the federal structure that works under the umbrella of ‘unity and integrity.’ To keep up with this, the margins must remain in silent peace with the mainstream.

This plays out every day in the margins. In more blatant examples, the life/death of one North Indian Caste Hindu in Delhi is more important than the lives/deaths of nine Zomi Christian people in Lamka. But the discrimination goes on in subtle forms, perpetrated by the structure of the Union itself.

It was exemplified during the visit of a Union Minister to Nagaland State recently. Following a review meeting with Food Corporation of India (FCI), Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan, assured the people of Nagaland of more grains by way of the National Food Security Act. Under this, allocation of food grains to the State will increase from 1,27,668 metric tonnes to 1,38,000 metric tonnes (for now at least). A Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme would ensure the reduction of transportation costs.

While stressing on the need to revamp the distribution system and plug loopholes—regular rhetoric from the centre—the Minister simultaneously said that he was not aware of the practices leading to a large part of these foodgrains disappearing in Nagaland. The recent audit of the Comptroller & Auditor General has reported financial misappropriation in the Nagaland Food & Civil Supplies Department amounting to over Rs. 400 crore—clearly it is not the people feeding on these supplies. The CAG report poses no concern to the centre. Promptly, he said, it is the prerogative of the State Government to check financial anomalies.

The Union Minister was apparently trying to “protect” the Federal Structure of the Indian Union wherein the centre can dole out any amount to a “beneficiary” State without a care if the people benefitted from this in any way. It keeps the State happy, the people who run it remain immune and thus happy—with total (sometimes artificial) dependency on the centre, the State never becomes independent, democracy & rights always remain in peril, local leaders do not think beyond themselves and their clans, and people at the bottom of the chain always remain in a situation of powerlessness.

This is replete throughout the Union. Author Kiran Batni explains that in the Indian Union “States are irresponsible because the present structure of the federation requires them to be; because the very existence of the centre as defined today requires them to be (irresponsible).” Today, he writes, India’s unity and integrity are postulated on irresponsible states and a bloated centre.

The moment the picture of an all-powerful and strong centre disappears, the states will be forced to do (take measures), observes Batni. Power holders in Delhi will revolt to this. In ethnic, religious, financial and caste margins, the centre gains its legitimacy through the show of strength—the unaccounted crores, the arm(mour)y, the patronising.

All states in the way of India’s Look & Act East policies continue to languish in prisons of corruption in which local leaders have become fixed cogs in the wheel. The movement of the central hub keeps the cycle going, the people bearing the brunt a tyre does—the chances of a Naga being a cyclist in such a polity could only be imagined.

But what if this cycle was remodelled? Given the way these structures have become entrenched alongside existing ones, can a Union of Equals emerge? In the face of 'sovereignty,' will the Nagas do what the Indians could not when unchained from the British? How? If they dig beyond the system, local anti corruption watchdogs could formulate an answer.

To share, please write to moitramail@yahoo.com

lEfT WING |

Rina Chandran Thomson Reuters Foundation

Ethical consumers key to cleaning up India's apparel supply chain: experts

G

lobal retailers' efforts to clean supply chains of slave labour and improve labour conditions will have little impact unless consumers in India, Asia's thirdlargest economy, demand more ethically produced goods, industry experts said.

India is among the largest manufacturers of textiles and apparel in the world, supplying leading international brands.

In and around the southern city of Bengaluru alone, there are some 1,200 garment factories making apparel for global brands.

But it is estimated that the domestic market accounts for more than 40 percent of the industry's revenue.

Hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises use forced labour and treat workers poorly, with abuses ranging from withheld salaries to debt bondage, human rights groups say.

"The industry has the most invisible supply chain. It is also mostly unorganised, which makes it harder to map and regulate," said Mona Gupta, a senior official at India's Apparel Export Promotion Council late on Thursday.

"Domestic consumers should raise their voice. If they insist on buying only ethical products, that will bring pressure on manufacturers," she said at a panel discussion on trafficking and modern day slavery organised by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the Asia Society in Mumbai.

Estimates of the number of people trapped in forced labour vary. The International Labour Organization says 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally, while the Global Slavery Index says there are 36 million slaves in the world, half of them in India.

In India, legislation exists against bonded labour and child labour, but enforcement is weak.

"Unethical practices in the supply chain must be the responsibility of corporations, but corporations first need to accept the problem exists," said Dhananjay Tingal, executive director of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), which says it has freed more than 85,000 children from various industries.

"Corporations must be proactive and engage with the public, as well," he said.

Global apparel brands H&M, Inditex, C&A and PVH in January committed to improving the lives of workers in Bengaluru, after a report said labourers lived in appalling conditions and were denied decent wages and freedom of movement.

However, campaigners say the seasonal nature of work in India's textile industry, the advent of fast fashion and the competitiveness of the business have helped create conditions leading to the exploitation of workers.

"There is child labour not just because of a supply-pull factor, but also a demand-push factor," Gupta said.

"The only way to resolve the issue is to sensitise everyone: businesses, workers and consumers. It can be done," she said

L

eading members of the Indian opposition have publicly condemned the treatment of Rohith Vemula and the political interference in Hyderabad

University Indian politics in 2016 has been marked by a rise of student protests and leading Indian universities have become battlegrounds for national politics. The ruling nationalist party has enabled Hindu nationalist activists to gain control over student politics. The label ‘anti-national’ has been used to curb politically articulate students who publicly question issues that are sensitive to the current government in Delhi.

More alarmingly, recent police violence and the imprisonment of students and teachers in Hyderabad Central University, South India, has escalated the politics of exclusion that oppresses Dalits and other minorities. Reports and videos appearing on social media showed premises normally characterised by sober academic activities overtaken by violence and turmoil. These violent developments, upon investigation, seem to be the result of coordinated action between Hindu nationalist students, the police and high-ranking university administrators.

This reflects a wider critical challenge for institutions of higher education in the world’s largest democracy.

So, how is it that the power of Hindu nationalism can intensify the politics of caste-based exclusion in this way, turning an academic campus into something like a war zone?

The violence in Hyderabad University on 22 March is an instance of local abuse of power. The vice-chancellor, Appa Rao Podile, had been on leave after the suicide of a Dalit doctoral student, Rohith Vemula, on 17 January.

There have been allegations that he was partly responsible for the trauma that led to the suicide, including the discontinuing of Vemula's monthly stipend in July 2015 and suspension in December 2015. Rohith Vemula was a leader of the Ambedkar Student Association (ASA) on campus. He and four other ASA members had lodged a criticism of the Hindu nationalist student group for disrupting their events. Further problems emerged when the Vemula challenged the death penalty at the time (July 2015) when the Indian government was presiding over the execution of the accused in the Bombay bombings, Yakub Memon.

But in the political controversy that erupted after Rohith Vemula’s suicide it became publicly known that members of the central government in New Delhi had sent up to five letters to ensure that the Hyderabad Central University suspended the five Dalit students.

A number of Dalit students have committed suicide due to caste-based discrimination in institutions of higher education across India, but that of Rohith Vemula shocked the country like

never before. Rohith Vemula's suicide told a tragic story about how a student from a very poor economic background decided to end his life after enduring financial and political problems in the university. But it also exposed a direct link between the central government and his suspension from university.

This prompted a rare political debate.

Leading members of the Indian opposition have publicly condemned this treatment of Rohith Vemula and the political interference in Hyderabad University. Finally, the Education Minister in the BJP government had to address the case in India’s Parliament on 25 February. It is worth noting that a student’s suicide can become a hot topic at this political level, and yet if anything the politics of exclusion has intensified since then, in a situation where ruling Hindu nationalists appear determined to cooperate with local strongmen and right wing students.

The violent battle on 22 March in Hyderabad University seems part of an ongoing coordinated action to affirm dominance and power. Some students protested when the controversial vicechancellor suddenly returned, only to face a brutal clampdown by police and right wing activists. During the day, twenty-five students were collected from the large campus and sent to prison along with two teachers. While the campus was full of police personnel, basic infrastructure and services such as electricity, food, internet, ATMs were shut down and news media and external food deliveries were prevented access to campus. It was like an enclosed fortress.

Dalit and Muslim students were both targeted by the police. However, the case has been met with a certain apathy from the news media and the political establishment, compared to the numerous other controversies relat-

ing to student politics across India in the past couple of months. On Tuesday, 29 March, the students and teachers were released on condition that they report regularly at the police station, as if they remain criminal suspects.

Returning to a congenial work environment is a challenge in the light of these exceptional tensions and external interference in university life and governance. More broadly, this imprisonment has raised new questions about prejudice, freedom of speech and caste-based exclusion in higher education in India today.

Hindu nationalism has a long history, but the last couple of months have witnessed a relentless campaign to gain control over higher educational institutions. The space for dissent in the world’s largest democracy has shrunk considerably, with the label “anti-national” regularly carted out to criminalise student protests. This happened in New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (despite the top academic ranking and robust student activism of 'India's Berkeley') after its left wing student leaders criticised India’s policies in Kashmir. However, the event of 22 March in Hyderabad University has that extra element of caste-based discrimination, which connects with the regional history in the new southern state of Telangana that was previously part of Andhra Pradesh.

This part of India has a history of brutal caste massacres committed by traditionally dominating landowning castes, including the killings of six Dalits in the village of Karamchedu in 1985 and another nine Dalits in Chunduru village by locally dominant castes in 1991. Many of the massacres have been carried out “to teach the Dalits a lesson” so that they do not oppose local landowners.

The history of caste brutality in

the then Andhra Pradesh provided the background for activists who travelled from Andhra Pradesh to South Africa to attend the World Conference against Racism in 2001.

These activists wanted caste-based discrimination as part of the problem of racism, intolerance and human rights law to be internationally recognised. Instead, the Indian government rejected any comparison of caste and race in international human rights law, in order to avoid any global scrutiny of caste discrimination in India.

It is a long way from villages and landowners to a leading university where students and teachers are dedicated to teaching, reading, writing and ongoing debates. Yet, the violent restriction of these student protests again viciously remind Dalits to remain silent or face the consequences meted out by local power holders. The transformation of an academic space into political turmoil does in any case mark a significant deterioration in India’s democracy.

The political targeting of institutions of higher education has become a trademark of current Hindu nationalism, but with its dramatic enforcement of political control on an Indian campus it has reached a new stage. How will India’s democracy and rule of law fare in the light of such deepening antagonisms?

Dag Erik Berg is a postdoctoral research fellow associated with the group on ‘Inequality and Diversity” at the Centre for Modern Indian Studies, University of Göttingen, Germany. He is a political scientist and has been teaching Intercultural Studies.

His ongoing book project is concerned with studying the Dalits in India, caste based oppression and legal responses in India to redress social injustice.

Will the UN’s new leader stand for the powerful or the powerless? lyndal Rowlands

A

Inter Press Service

fter hundreds of questions were posed to nine candidates vying for the role of United Nations Secretary-General this week, a lasting question remains; will the UN’s new leader stand for the powerful or the powerless?

The selection of the ninth secretary-general of the United Nations has been seen as a chance for change within the 70 year old global organisation.

Some see 2016 as the time for the first woman to be chosen to lead the global organisation which represents over 7 billion people. Others believe that it is time for the selection process to become more open so that all of the UN’s 193 member states get a say in who is chosen. Historically it has been the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – which have ultimately decided.

The latter concerns were in part addressed this week, with the nine candidates who have so far announced their candidacies answering questions from the UN’s 193 member states, civil society and the media during an open selection process.

Four of the nine candidates are women, also raising hopes on the gender equality front.

Oxfam Executive Director Winnie

Byanyima told IPS that the next Secretary-General should not only be a woman, but that she should also be a feminist.

“It is time for the next SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations to be a woman,” Byanyima told IPS. “She must also be a feminist, promoting women’s rights and gender equality, she must stand up for the poorest and most vulnerable,” said Byanyima.

Natalie Samarasinghe, Executive Director of the United Nations Association UK agreed that the Secretary-General should be a feminist but said that the process should be open to women and men from all countries, adding that she would still love to see a woman selected. “I think that it’s appalling a sign of how bad the process is that we haven’t had good women seriously considered in the past,” said Samarasinghe.

A custom at the United Nations means that it is considered to be Eastern Europe’s turn to provide the next Secretary-General, however Europe is the only continent which is split into more than one group, making this custom open to challenges. Two of the nine candidates so far are from outside Eastern Europe.

Samarasinghe said that she hoped to see more geographically diverse candidates emerge. “It would be massively remiss of states not to put for-

ward a developing (country) candidate,” she said.

Carne Ross, the director of Independent Diplomat told IPS that the nationality or gender of the candidate is not the most important issue. “What really matters most is somebody who’s strong who’s smart and has got the courage and the judgment to stand up to some of the unhealthily dominant powers at the UN,” said Ross.

Ross said that he believes it is still unclear whether the new more open selection process will ultimately result in a better candidate being selected.

However Samarasinghe said that the more open process was important because it reflected on the UN more broadly.

“There is a huge onus on institutions to become more transparent and inclusive,” said Samarasinghe.

You have the UN which goes around the world promoting good governance having this hugely secretive process, so I think that the process is important,” she said.

Samarasinghe said that many member states feel that “the vast majority of states are sidelined” in the selection process and that the more open process may help rebalance this relationship.

Byanyima also called for greater UN reforms, arguing that the UN needed to help the UN meet unprecedent-

WRITE-WING

ed global challenges “be it confronting protracted conflicts and a massive global displacement crisis, or tackling climate change.”

“The UN and its Security Council must undertake much-needed reforms to become more inclusive, accountable, democratic, effective, and reflective of a world in which political and economic power has shifted,” she said.

The current pool of candidates includes former heads of state and government and several current and former high level UN officials with experience working on issues representing the world’s poor and vulnerable, experience also reflected in their answers this week. For example Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Administrator of the UN Development Program told journalists of her intentions to be a “voice for the voiceless” and Antonio Guterres, of Portugal, former UN High Commissioner for Refugees told journalists of how his experience volunteering with the homeless had inspired his career in politics.

Yet it remains possible that none of the nine candidates who have so far made their campaigns public will ultimately be chosen.

“In the past it was the best strategy for the candidates to hang back and go quietly lobby in the P5 (permanent five members of the Security Council) capitals but this time around I think there is a transparent open process that they cannot ignore,” said Samarasinghe.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

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.

MonDAY 18•04•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Re-visioning Global Governance: constraining the power of MNCs Harris Gleckman openDemocracy

Multinational corporations (MNCs) have eclipsed nationstates in their power and ability to set the international agenda.

Four options for controlling corporate dominance over global governance

I

n the past two years governments have negotiated a new international structure for sustainable development that seeks to integrate social, economic, and environmental matters in a new fashion. The process resulted in replacing the Commission on Sustainable Development with a High-Level Political Forum and a reformed ECOSOC and inviting multi-stakeholder bodies to take the lead in implementing key areas of the new 2030 Agenda. The General Assembly has separately adopted three resolutions on global governance since 2012. Meanwhile complaints continue to multiply about the failures of the United Nations and more broadly the UN system.

In 2020 the UN will be 75 years old. Its birth, as it were, began seriously in 1943 well before the outcome of WWII was clear. The driving goals for the design of the UN and the Bretton Woods institutions (BWIs) were to prevent another war between major powers, to avoid another Depression and to not replicate the League of Nations.

By the time the UN Charter was adopted, these concerns were not equally important – only the Security Council dealing with war and peace was given mandatory authority. Over the decades, the major aspiration of the international community shifted. As new global aspirations were identified, new, largely autonomous institutions were built.

And, there were regular reform efforts, as each generation recognized that the global governance system was not keeping up with the needs of the world. The agreements about the new institutional structures for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the frustrated efforts to ‘reform’ the Security Council and the Secretary General’s selection process, and the thwarted effort to fix the governance at the IMF/World Bank are all part of this tradition.

Accusers and defenders The complaints about the UN are not trivial.

There are charges that the UN system is dysfunctional in meeting its assigned goals; that the UN is inefficient and ineffective with its resources; that its economic and social governance system is fundamentally out of date; and that peace keeping and peace building functions have not prevented genocides and major military interventions. And that Government appeals for additional multi-stakeholder governance bodies are even moving agenda items off the UN’s radar. At any UN system meeting, one can hear more critiques in the coffee bars; at any time one can read and listen to more weaknesses in even otherwise friendly media; and at any gathering of scholars the starting point more often than not is that the UN is a structural failure.

Defenders of multilateralism have solid replies to many of these critiques – the money and capacity to run an international program is just not provided by governments; there has also been a large gap between the aspirations projected onto the UN system and the willingness of countries to make it happen; the five permanent members of the Security Council did or didn’t do something in their own ‘national’ interest; the Secretariats of the UN system have done some amazing things that are just not reported in the media; and, if the UN and the specialized agencies didn’t exist, they would have to be created.

For the United Nations’ birthday at 75, it would be a good idea to consider what the UN system should look like based on the lessons learnt since 1945. What if one could complement the proliferation of complaints about the limitations of the post WWII institutions with a proliferation of ideas for what international governance post- globalization ought to look like. As with the 1943 discussions about

the UN, the Havana Declaration, the Bretton Woods agreements, and the founding meetings for all the other existing international organizations, the thinking about the way to balance goals, governance, institutions, and power takes a good deal of time and intellectual creativity.

Democratic options?

So what if there was a clean slate (say the 1943 discussions did not result in the current legacy of institutions), what would global governance look like today? Or put in another way what are the current aspirations expected from the ‘international community’, what are the current powerful forces that need to be accommodated, and what are the democratic options for a world with nine billion people, tens of thousands of ‘multinational corporations’, and millions of ‘civil society’ organizations?

In some ways, the challenge facing leaders in earlier generations was easier than a clean slate challenge is now. At the end of the 1940s there was only one strong military and economic power, not a multipolar world with hundreds of economic bodies and military alliances. The League of Nations had truly collapsed, and was not just collapsing, as some contemporary critics say the UN system is.

In 1943 and in the following decades, governments were the only formal actors in global governance. Clearly this is no longer the case.

MNCs are clearly major actors in global governance and, in the view of many, have eclipsed nation-states in power and ability to set and adapt the international agenda. And some civil society organizations too have become major actors in global governance in their own right.

One international effect of the Thatcher-Reagan de-regulation drives and the increasing assertiveness of MNCs in global governance is that governments in the UN system have stepped further back from governing globalization. In their 2009 report, the World Economic Forum argues that government-centric governance for major issues should be replaced by a multi-stakeholder-centric system.

In addition the world today is institutionally and technologically more complex than it was at the end of WWII. Globalization, climate change, interlocked financial systems, multiple regional wars, high speed internet realities, are just a few of these more complex aspects.

Re-visioning a democratic global governance system today is indeed a daunting challenge, a challenge that Davos did take up in its 1 ½-year policy study.

Not surprisingly the Davos view is that MNCs should be more engaged in global governance, not less. An alternative argument is that MNC engagement in global governance is a key stumbling block to a more democratic global governance system.

As an example of how crucial it is to conceptualize a different democratic global governance system that could be the basis for the future, one could look at what it would take to constrain the role of MNCs in global governance. Were one examining this phenomenon in an OECD country, one could describe this as addressing ‘corporate capture of the regulatory process’. From the vantage-point of global civil society and social campaigns, this undertaking is fundamentally about how to level the playing field in global governance. From the perspective of international law, one could describe this challenge as preventing domestic corporate personhood from morphing on the international level to corporate governors.

In the spirit of starting from a blank slate, this paper presents four options for controlling corporate dominance over global governance.

Option A: One option is to rebuild the UN system, giving economic, environmental, social and gender decision-making the same legal mandatory status as decision-making in the Security Council, so that multilateralism could govern globalisation. Under this option the specialized agencies which deal with these issues would report to the new body with the integrated and legal capacity to adopt decisions binding on government members. This mandatory power on governments, similar to that now held by the Security Council, could only be invoked under special circumstances such as by a supermajority vote on the new Council.

Following the Mexican, Asian, and 2009

financial crises, a number of governments and independent experts called for an Economic Security Council. Option A is built on this rationale but goes a step further in institutionalising not just economic security matters but also the security of social, environmental, and gender issues.

UN Charter revision is an unusual process.

It has mostly been ‘revised’ not by the formal amendment process, as laid out in the Charter, but by a process called ‘Charter modification by practice’. One good example of this modification-by-practice is that two veto-members of the Security Council named in the Charter, the Republic of China and the USSR, were simply replaced by the People’s Republic of China and Russia without any formal vote when reality demanded it. Were the General Assembly to treat resolutions on these four sectors that were adopted by a supermajority differently, it could build into a practice where these resolutions had enhanced obligation on governments.

Option B: A second option could be to outlaw MNCs’ involvement in global policy-making and programme implementation, as is done in the WTO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This approach would reverse the commitments of two Secretaries-General to the self-standing Global Compact and the tenor of six General Assembly resolutions on ‘partnership’ with the private sector. It would also reverse a decade or more of public-private partnership offices in almost all UN specialized agencies and programmes. The rationale for this approach is the generally accepted position that in national democracies the elected governing authority is an arbiter between, amongst others, the private sector and employees, customers, and others impacted by the private sector. In the international sphere, the UN system could be envisaged in an analogous role.

Two measures transitional to re-gaining the autonomy of the intergovernmental process and programs from corporate interference could be put in place. One transitional measure would be the establishment of legal standards for selecting those MNCs that supply goods or services to the UN or make proposals for donations to the UN bodies. MNCs routinely include such due diligence criteria in their supply contracts, their evaluations of potential mergers, and their reputational risk assessments. The second option would bring this routine corporate practice into the global governance space. The minimal criteria for the selection of acceptable MNCs could include that the firm: • works in conformity with the UN Charter or • has endorsed or accepted widely accepted human rights principles (such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights); • is not under indictment for financial or moral matters • is not seen as working against a Security Council decision or as having an active role in a regional war; • is not involved in trafficking of persons, weapons, or banned products • is not involved in any industry whose core business activity (e.g. tobacco sales) are antithetical to the accomplishment of UN system goals • is not undertaking work with the UN to counter adverse brand associations elsewhere; or • is undertaking engagement with the UN to gain market dominance or market share, particularly in developing countries.

Whether these specific criteria are appropriate or comprehensive should be decided by an intergovernmental process. What is crucial is that the UN establish explicit standards for more limited engagement with MNCs and utilize these standards in its daily activities.

To make the standards fair and effective, the UN system could have a public body that welcomed news of corporate activities that might abridge the standards, and a separate body that provided MNCs with a public opportunity to challenge an adverse judgement.

This approach would reverse the no-standards approach central to the functioning of the Global Compact and various UN system offices seeking corporate donations.

A second transitional practice for option B would be to revisit the UN funding formula

The Morung Express

and the level of overall core and program budget requirements for the UN system. One leverage that MNCs exert over the UN system is created from the mismatch between the aspirations of the world community and the resources necessary to address these expectations. In such a period of program conflict, the lore of accepting MNC financial and in-kind contributions to ‘meet a need’ can be overwhelmingly difficult to resist. Most such proposed project contributions may be very large for a UN agency but relatively small financially for a global firm and these proposed contributions inherently come with programmatic and policy conditions. Were governments to frankly address the under-funding of the global system, it would temper a powerful MNC lever over the UN system.

Option C: A third option to constrain the engagement of the MNCs with the UN system is to create a quite different governance arrangement. If one considers that governments in the international system are not now able on their own to control the engagement of MNCs in global governance, a reconfigured international governance structure that brought civil society into the formal process could serve as a counterweight to MNC intrusions.

In this quite provocative option, a selfstanding international civil society body could bring legitimate public scrutiny to MNC activities in global governance. In short, as governments forces are apparently too weak to assert effective global governance, it may be time to legally recognise the de facto status that civil society and MNCs have in global decision-making and design a new global institution that incorporates an appropriate political balance between these sectors as a complement to the existing government-based UN system. The model here is the International Labour Organization with its tripartite governance system involving joint decision-making by representatives of employers, workers and governments.

Periodically over the past 30 years, there have been calls for a parliamentary chamber at the UN and for a civil society chamber at the UN. The argument in both cases has been to increase the formal presence of these constituencies in the UN system as a complement to foreign affairs-centered government representation and to permit greater accountability of the UN system to the wider society.

This rationale behind option C for new chambers to contain private sector influence at the UN system is different. It is premised on the assumption that open engagement between civil society representatives, government delegates and corporate executives is a more effective way to deal with un- and under-disclosed global corporate political roles than the current system.

A first step in this process could be taken by the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA). The President could extend invitations to both communities to convene independent bodies to propose the terms of reference for their chamber, the financing necessary to secure the independence of the chamber, and the possible rules of procedure for the selection of delegates and relations between the two new bodies and the General Assembly. In parallel, the existing General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on the Revitalization of the GA, established 7 years ago[vi], could be asked to define the government perspective on engaging with the two chambers and insuring that the civil society chamber has sufficient resources and capacities to effectively serve as a counterweight to MNCs and be a good partner in governing globalization.

Option D: A fourth option is for governments to adopt a new Vienna Convention specifying the rules for how corporate-centric multistakeholder groups ought to operate when they expect to be seen as a legitimate part of a global governance system. This convention would be a historical extension of the current series of Vienna Conventions and UN system procedural guides. For example, there are formal conventions and rules: the Vienna convention on diplomatic rules, another Vienna convention on how to manage conflicts between different agreements, and a UN rule book that lay out ways to protect minority

views and to ensure a sense of democratic process at the inter-governmental level.

As multi-stakeholder governance arrangements are likely to proliferate, one could establish a set of rules to govern the behavior of legitimate multi-stakeholder governance groups on one hand and to disempower those multistakeholder groups that are really disguised oligopolies or self-interested groups intent on taking over governance of pressing public concerns without meaningful engagement with the multilateralism. Option D could not stop a particular multi-stakeholder group. But it could set a government-authorized standard for representation as well as the basis for internal democratic rules for those multi-stakeholder bodies that seek to be recognized as part of the global governance community.

Besides the legal principles embedded in the existing Vienna conventions, a new multistakeholder convention could draw on the experiences of both currently functioning multistakeholder groups with respectable public records (e.g. the work of the Forest Stewardship Council in setting standards for the trade in sustainably harvested wood products) as well as some multistakeholder groups with decades of practice (e.g. the International Labour Organization).

An appropriate rule book on multi-stakeholder governance would address a range of issues such as (1) what are the appropriate categories of participants in a given multistakeholder group; (2) how should MSGs address the inherent power balance between these categories; (3) what are correct standards –or should there be standards – to select appropriate participants for each category; (4) who selects the organizations to represent each participant category; (5) what are the de facto terms of reference for the group; (6) where does the cash involved come from and go to; (7) what is the internal decision-making process for the multi-stakeholder group; and (8) what are its external obligations.

Pushes and pull for each option Reform of the current structure of global governance will not come enthusiastically or voluntarily from ministries of foreign affairs or from within the UN system.

After World War II, the most powerful governments created the Security Council with special seats for themselves, and the Bretton Woods Institutions with special voting powers for themselves. A few years later, these governments also agreed to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, putting in place principles to constrain how governments can treat their own citizens, and expressing what citizens can appropriately expect from governments.

Changing the engagement of MNCs with the international system can however evolve from a number of different directions. First, a shock on the order of magnitude of a economic depression, global ecological crisis, or a war can prompt rethinking of the institutional arrangements for the intergovernmental system. Following the start of the 2008/2009 crisis, key heads of state were calling for a new Bretton Woods-type conference. Second, it could evolve from citizen campaigns and social movements that insist on a completely new institutional arrangement to counter corporate influence in global decision-making. And third, it may be provoked by the exposes of an egregious multinational corporations overstepping appropriate bounds, say by campaigning for a specific new Secretary-General, such that those committed to multilateralism recognize that they need new allies to counter-balance the advance of multinational corporations and multi-stakeholder governance groups in global governance.

From whatever direction the pressure comes to create a post WWII-based governance arrangement, a package of democratic alternative proposals needs to be well formulated well in advance. As a result of the last financial crises, the World Economic Forum prepared recommendation on how they would want the next system of global governance to operate. Those whose focus is more clearly on democracy, equity, and environmental security need independently to imagine how a different system could be designed.

poll results

Should the Nagaland State government have an independent review on the merits and de-merits of the Prohibition Act? Why? Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes it is about time. The truth is that it is not working in Nagaland, but no one wants to point is out because they are afraid of being morally judged by the Church. In fact it should be the church that should come out openly and demand that the Government have an independent review of the Prohibition Act. The body can consist of government and church representatives as well and from the civil society and should be headed by a former Judge. We all know that Prohibition is not working but we need a proper independent investigation to inform the public whey it is failing and what the government should do next.

• Of course, it should. How much longer will the Government and some "Council" turn a blind eye? It's not even a secret. Here is something rich for those all going gung ho for prohibition, the "mineral water" shops near City tower open earlier than the pharmacies of the same area.

Sunday included. Ain't that something? Why ban and let the public die of bootlegged moonshine? Liquor kills but don't "they" think that the moonshine kills faster??

• Yes. Since present status of prohibition only inflame the dark side of prohibition. Though

personally totally against the lifting of prohibition but seeing the present tamasha of churches emotional spirituality if we "church" are not at all serious means need to review thoroughly. better not play with the sentiments.

• Yes. Having a law that's only good on paper is redundant.

• This is the only sane and logical step that the state government can make. Instead of making all the accusations and justifications it will be best if we first have a thorough report on the ground situation. Only after we study and find the facts of the ground situation the govt will know what steps to take next. Otherwise just blaming in the dark is not helping anyone.

• Yes it should. Don’t we deserve to have an independent review on the negative and positive aspects of it? Govt … by the people, of the people and for the people.

• Yes. There should not be any other influences except look towards the merits and if it weighs more than the demerits then they should be bold enough to lift prohibition.

• Yes! Govt. should review Total prohibition of anything can be impossible. The world needs to exist with good and bad: without black, white has no meaning. Diabetics is today the biggest problem in Nagaland but that

does not mean, we should ban sugar. Just recently we read in paper, a celebrity request Indian Govt. to ban ceiling fan because, many are committing suicide hanging from ceiling fan but that’s ridiculous! As we say, what’s good for your heart is bad for your liver. Nothing is per-

70%

20% YES

NO

10% OTHER

fectly good or perfectly bad. Whether a poison or a panacea it’s hoe we regulates, that matter.

It’s not a question of merits or demerits.

• Yes! Govt. shouldn’t give their consent with-

out the peoples voice and their good and ba Some of those who voted OTHERS don decisions that is for all. People on the had this to say: streets knows best.

• Hope, the Government stand aside from the shadow of the church.

Some of those who voted NO • Can people be taught to drink in moderation? had this to say: Prohibition was perhaps a step too far, but it • No because the chances of having an in- was brought on because of rampant selling of dependent neutral body to come up with a liquor at every 50 metres and too much drunkreport that shows the real situation is unlike- enness . As per unofficial count, alcoholism is ly. Even this report will be hijacked by those still one of the most common cause of death who want the prohibition act to continue. in Nagaland. By all means lift prohibition so The only people that are benefiting from that good quality alcohol becomes available at the prohibition are the bootleggers and the reasonable price rather than the sub-standard clergy men. stuff that is sold in black market. But question • No, there is no point because it will be a fu- of responsible drinking will still remain. tile exercise. It will not make any difference • One cannot deny that there should be review of Prohibition which has been there in our state for at all. This government is not serious.

• It’s a waste of time. So far none of the judi- more than 20 years. But who will bail the cat? Evcial inquiry committees have resulted in any eryone knows it but no one is willing to admit it. positive outcome. It is a farce.

• Our Naga society has become complacent • No. We didn't elect a government to do as and has lost moral values. We no longer care it pleases. Streamline the present prohibi- for rule. We are comfortable with our misery. tion act. The failure of the prohibition is due Its funny because those who are for prohibito the failure of the enforcing agencies. The tion can continue to proudly say Nagaland is a continuing sale of alcohol whether you call dry state which they will not find alcohol in the it good quality or spurious, is an indication of kind of places they go. On the other those who failure of implementing mechanism, corrup- are against prohibition know exactly where to tion and the lack of determination to do what buy it and prohibition does not hinder. So we needs to be done. have a win-win situation.

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.

8

mondAY 18•04•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

to boost investment in Nearly 80 percent turnout in India Iranian oil and gas sectors Bengal polls second phase

KolKata, april 17 (iaNS): Nearly 80 percent of about 1.22 crore voters exercised their right to franchise across 56 constituencies in the second phase of elections to the West Bengal assembly on Sunday, amid allegations of sporadic violence and voter intimidation.

"At 5 p.m., the overall polling percentage was 79.70 percent," an Election Commission official said.

Long queues of voters were seen outside most polling booths despite the sweltering heat and humidity, as voting commenced at 7 a.m.

There are about 1.22 crore registered voters, and 383 candidates, including 33 women. Balloting took place at 13,645 polling stations.

Five of the constituencies are in Alipurduar district, seven in Jalpaiguri, nine in North Dinajpur, six each in Darjeeling and South Dinajpur and 12 in Malda districts.

The only south Bengal district going to the polls in this phase is Birbhum. Of its 11 constituencies, seven -- Dubrajpur, Suri, Nalhati, Rampurhat, Sainthia, Hansan and Murarai -have been classified as affected by Left-wing extremism and polling in these areas ended two hours earlier than elsewhere at 4 p.m.

There were many people in queue when the scheduled time of polling ended in the other 45 constituencies at 6 p.m.

"Polling percentage at 5 p.m. in Alipurduar was 82.07, Jalpaiguri recorded 77.69, Darjeeling 74.00, North Dinajpur 78.90,

An elderly man after casting his vote at a polling station during the Assembly elections in West Bengal, in Siliguri on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

South Dinajpur 82.72, Malda 79.60 and Birbhum 82.89," said the official.

He said reserve polling officer Gopi Chakraborti -on duty in Alipurduar district -- died after a stroke.

There was an initial poll boycott in seven booths of Malda over developmental issues. "However, polling started after the sector officer persuaded the people to lift the boycott."

There were allegations of false voting in the presence of the presiding officer in a booth in Malda's English Bazar. Following a complaint lodged by the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M), the officer was removed.

At Dumrut in Birbhum's Bolpur constituency, three

people were arrested following a clash between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers. In the district's Rampurhat, a section of residents reportedly boycotted polls citing failure of the state government to provide basic electricity services. In Nanoor, Trinamool activists allegedly assaulted a polling agent of the CPI-M. The BJP's star candidate Locket Chatterjee, contesting from Mayureshwar, said the civic police were spotted with central forces inside a booth in the constituency.

A clash reportedly broke out between Trinamool and CPI-M workers outside a booth in Malda,

in which two people were injured.

Meanwhile, despite the Election Commission's constant surveillance, the Trinamool's Birbhum chief and strongman Anubrata Mondal courted fresh controversy as he cast his vote after entering a booth sporting the party symbol on his kurta.

While the EC has sought a report about the incident, Mondal put the onus of his "inadvertent" act of displaying the party symbol in the booth on the presiding officer, but refused to say sorry. Besides being issued notice by the EC for his controversial remarks against opposition leaders, Mondal is under constant surveillance till the end of

the poll process with his movements being videographed in the presence of central security forces and a local magistrate.

As many as 2,909 polling stations were earmarked as vulnerable and special arrangements made for them by the poll panel, which also identified 3,827 people as trouble-mongers and over 16,000 as vulnerable voters in the 56 constituencies.

In the 2011 assembly polls in these constituencies, then allies Trinamool and the Congress had won 18 seats each, the Left Front 15, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha 3 and independents won on 2 seats. This time, the Trinamool is contesting 55 seats, the BJP 53, the Congress 23, Left Front 34, and the GJM 3.

In Darjeeling district's Siliguri, former Indian football captain and Trinamool nominee Baichung Bhutia is pitted against former state minister and CPI-M heavyweight Asok Bhattacharya.

Also grabbing attention is Sujapur in Malda district where Abu Naser Khan Choudhury, the Trinamool candidate and brother of late Congress stalwart A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury, is contesting against his nephew Isha Khan Choudhury of the Congress.

So far, voters in 49 of the total 294 constituencies have exercised their right to franchise on two dates -April 4 and 11 -- that made up the first phase. West Bengal is having a staggered six-phase election.

Polling for the remaining phases will be held on April 21, 25, 30 and May 5.

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif before a bilateral meeting in Tehran on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

tehraN, april 17 (pti): India and oil-rich Iran today decided to significantly expand engagement in their overall ties, particularly in boosting Indian investment in joint ventures in oil and gas sectors in the Persian Gulf nation where foreign investors from major economic powers are rushing in to get early footholds after lifting of nuclear sanctions.

In talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, the two sides agreed that pending agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty should be concluded on a priority basis to spur trade and investment.

Enhancing energy cooperation and development of the Chabahar port were the centerpiece of talks which was mostly dominated by economic issues.

"The talks were very successful and would give new energy to our centuries old ties with Iran. In particular, the economic partnership will get considerable fillip as a result

of today s forward looking talks," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup told PTI. Sources said the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav was not at all raised by the Iranian side. Jadhav was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran and was accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country.

Both sides discussed the progress on the Chabahar project and agreed that the commercial contract on Chabahar as well as the modalities for extending USD 150 million credit for Chabahar Port should be signed in the "very near future".

Decisions on this line of credit, as well as USD 400 million credit line for supply of steel rails from India have already been taken by India.

Swarup said both sides discussed the energy partnership and Iran invited greater Indian participation in its oil and gas sector. "Iran said it would be happy to participate in the refinery sector in India."

On Farzad B oil field project, both sides took note of the constructive discussions held during the recent visit to Iran of Oil Minister

Dharmendra Pradhan.

"The Indian side welcomed the Iranian decision to keep the Farzad B field outside the auction basket.

The concerned companies have been directed to complete their contractual negotiations in a time bound manner. Iranian side had earlier communicated their gas pricing formula and expressed their desire for Indian investment in the Chabahar SEZ," he said.

"In terms of connectivity, Iran said it supported India s desire to join the Ashgabat Agreement. The two ministers reviewed the progress made in the International North South Transport Corridor. IRCON from India would be visiting Iran for discussions on the Chabahar Zahedan Railway link," said the spokesperson.

On Trade and Investment, the two sides agreed that with the lifting of sanctions, the potential for expanding these ties was immense. "They agreed that pending agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty should be concluded on a priority basis," said Swarup. .

Priyanka demands Violence in Gujarat town: Curfew imposed, internet services cut apology from TOI ahmeDabaD, april 17 (iaNS): Curfew was imposed and the Border Security Force (BSF) was deployed in Mehsana town in Gujarat on Sunday after pro-reservation Patidars (Patels) turned violent, leading to arson and clashes with police.

Authorities suspended internet services and mobile phone applications till Monday morning in Mehsana and other north Gujarat towns after the violence to prevent the spread of incendiary information.

Similar action is likely to be taken in Ahmedabad and certain cities of Saurashtra region, informed sources said.

Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in all north Gujarat towns, besides Ahmedabad

Priyanka Gandhi

New Delhi, april 17 (iaNS): Congress president Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday served a legal notice to leading daily Times of India demanding an "unqualified apology" for its report on her official accommodation.

"My client calls upon your esteemed publication to tender an unqualified apology and publish the contents of this letter in its entirety with the same prominence and display as you have done to the patently false and malicious captioned news article.

This letter is being sent without prejudice to any rights and contentions of my client and nothing contained herein should be considered an admission of any fact or a waiver of any of the rights and remedies of my client," said a letter from lawyer Aman Panwar addressed to Editor-inChief Jaideep Bose, among others.

It said the journalist "appears to have completely lost sight of the incontrovertible facts in her eagerness to publish a sensational but false and defamatory story in a hasty fashion".

"The entire tone, tenor and phraseology of your news article are mislead-

ing and are laden with premeditated fatal misstatements or inaccuracies," it claimed.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday had said that the rent for her government accommodation was the "same as others in her category" and she was asked to occupy the premises "on security grounds".

A release issued by her office had said the special licence fee decided by the government has been regularly paid by her for the entire duration of her occupation.

The release came after the news report said Priyanka got the erstwhile Atal Bihari Vajpayee government to reduce the rent of her house from Rs.53,421 a month to Rs.8,888. The report cited a reply given to a Right to Information (RTI) query.

The newspaper report said she wrote to the government in May 2002 that Rs.53,421 was "too high" an amount and "beyond her paying capacity". It said she informed the government that she had been occupying the bungalow on the request of the SPG, which occupied a large part of the bungalow.

It said that, at present, Priyanka pays Rs.31,000 for her Type VI government accommodation.

India concerned as three injured in German gurudwara explosion

New Delhi, april 17 (iaNS): India on Sunday expressed concern over an explosion at a Sikh temple in the German city of Essen that left three people injured. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted he was "distressed to hear of an explosion in a gurudwara in the Essen city of Germany".

The nationality of the injured was not immediately known. "Our mission (in Germany) is following up with local authorities on ground situation," Swarup said. Police in Germany have said there were no indication that the explosion was a terrorist attack but said it may have been caused deliberately.

Three people have been detained for questioning, the Independent.uk reported. A masked person was spotted fleeing the scene shortly after the blast around 7.00 p.m. (German time) on Saturday, the police said.

The explosion took place as people were celebrating the Indian festival of Baisakhi. The temple had hosted a wedding earlier in the day and the injured were guests from the marriage party.

and Surat, which are known strongholds of the pro-quota Patels. More than 1,000 agitators from the Patel community in Mehsana and over 500 in Surat were taken into preventive custody as large crowds gathered near the district jails in both places in defiance of prohibitory orders.

Surat Police Commissioner Ashish Bhatia told local TV channels that most of those detained were from the Patel-dominated Varachha area. Asserting that trouble-makers would not be spared, Bhatia said: "This city belongs to all and those creating mischief will be dealt with strictly."

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said after a government programme in south Gujarat's Valsad town: "Our government is for the

people and not for agitators."

Speaking to Gujarati TV channels, state BJP president Vijay Rupani asked the people as well as the police to exercise retraint.

The agitators attacked the camp office of Minister of State for Home Rajnikant Patel. An FCI godown and a state government building were set on fire in Mehsana. The Patel mobs also torched a Sub Divisional Magistrate's vehicle and a state transport bus.

Two buses of Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) were attacked with stones in Patidar-domiated Ghatlodia area of Ahmedabad.

A group of Patels blocked the Bhavnagar-Talaja highway in Saurashtra region.

About 200 state transport bus-

es were diverted from sensitive routes as a precaution and drivers were instructed to take the buses to the nearest police stations. In Ahmedabad city also, some buses run by AMTS were diverted from Patel-dominated pockets while civic authorities were holding a meeting to decide on discontinuing several routes in the city.

Police burst over two dozen tear gas shells and used water cannons as well as rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.

Sardar Patel Group (SPG) convener Lalji Patel sustained head injuries as his supporters pelted policemen with stones.

Gujarat TV channels reported police as saying that Patel was hurt in the stone-throwing and not lathicharge.

Citizenship for Hindus from Pakistan to be made easier: Government

New Delhi, april 17 (iaNS): The government on Sunday announced that it proposes to simplify procedures for grant of Indian citizenship to minority Hindus from Pakistan.

The proposal also envisages allowing "minority communities of Pakistan staying in India on a Long Term Visa" to buy property, open bank accounts and obtain permanent account number (PAN) and Aadhaar number, a home ministry official said here.

According to the proposal, the collectors or district magistrates of 18 districts will be empowered for two years' period to grant citizenship to such people at heavily reduced fees. The districts are Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Kutch and Patan (Gujarat), Bhopal and Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune and Thane (Maharashtra), West Delhi and South Delhi (National Capital Territory), Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).

Having reviewed "the hardships being faced by the minority communities in Pakistan staying in India

on Long Term Visa", the government also plans to allow such people to open bank accounts and obtain PAN and Aadhaar number, the official said.

"These are only at proposal stage," the official told IANS and sought public comments and suggestions on the measures proposed.

The feedback may be sent to the foreigners cell of the union home ministry.

It is further proposed that the fees for registration as citizen of India for nationals of Pakistan belonging to minority communities be reduced from Rs.5,000 (under registration) and Rs.15,000 (under naturalisation) to a uniform fee of Rs.100 each at the time of application and at the time of grant of certificate of registration or naturalisation.

"There are reports that a number of Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals belonging to minority communities in those countries, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Parsis and Buddhists, have been compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution," the official said.

Many of these people enter India either without

any valid travel document or with one whose validity has expired.

The government decided in September 2015 "on humanitarian considerations" to exempt Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals belonging to minority communities, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, to stay in the country even after expiry of their travel documents.

The exact number of minority refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan living in India is not known. Rough official estimates suggest there could be about two lakh such people, mostly Hindus and Sikhs.

There is a large number of Pakistani Hindu refugee settlements Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Kutch, Bhopal, Indore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Delhi and Lucknow, sources said.

Issue of driving licence, permission to take up selfemployment or for doing business which is considered safe from security point of view besides issuance of Aadhaar number and PAN are some of facilities being planned, the source added.

Patel along with his supporters was also taken into preventive custody. The SPG has given a call for a shutdown in Gujarat on Monday in protest against the police action.

The SPG is a pro-quota group like the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti of Hardik Patel, which has been agitating for over eight months for reservation for the Patels in government jobs and educational institutions under the Other Backward Class category.

Sunday's 'jail bharo' programme was in support of the demand for the release of the jailed Patel leaders and withdrawal of cases against them. The SPG earlier announced its second round of agitation if its demands were not met by April 17.

Awareness campaign to promote use of cycles launched

New Delhi, april 17 (iaNS): An awareness campaign to promote the use of bicycles among city dwellers was launched here on Sunday. The initiative - See Your Lung campaign - will involve volunteers pedalling across Delhi on bicycles and sharing information with the people about the damage caused to human health due to vehicular pollution. "This is a must as the people do not know how they are risking their and others' lives by using motor vehicles, especially when a cycle can do the work. The idea is to connect people with the government's initiatives to bring down the toxic pollution levels in Delhi and make them understand the importance of clean and fresh air for health and fitness," said Vijay Kannan, founder of the campaign. Kannan is the founder of Clean Air India Movement (CLAIM), launched during the first phase of the even-odd scheme in January. Under the initiative, free car pool service was offered in the national capital to help around 10,000 people reach their destinations.

No toilet, no marriage: Lucknow woman turns her back on groom

KaNpUr, april 17 (pti): A woman refused to tie the knot with a man here because he failed to get a toilet built at his residence in time for the wedding, agreeing instead to a match with another suitor who had a toilet at home. Facilitated by a local NGO, the match between the 25- year-old woman hailing from Lucknow and the man was finalised after he agreed to her demand for a toilet to be ready at his house by the date of the wedding, which was to be organised as part of a mass ceremony on Sunday. However, the woman, who has completed high school education, on Saturday called off the wedding after she found that the toilet had not been built, the NGO said. The woman's family members backed her decision to not marry the man over the lack of a toilet at his residence, they added. Although the woman's family members claimed that police were approached in this regard, officials at Barra police station said they were not aware of any such matter. The NGO, after hearing about the woman's stand against marrying if there was no toilet at her future husband's place, found another match for her and she gave her consent for the same as there was a toilet at the new suitor's residence.

MonDAY 18•04 •2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Japan rescuers search quake rubble for survivors as manufacturers count cost

TOKYO, April 17 (reuTers): Japanese rescue teams on Sunday scoured the splintered remains of buildings destroyed by a series of deadly earthquakes in southern Japan as time ran out for finding survivors and as major Japanese manufacturers face production losses from supply chain disruptions.

A 7.3 magnitude tremor struck early on Saturday, killing at least 32 people, injuring about a thousand and causing widespread damage to houses, roads and bridges, with at least one mountain highway severed in two, concrete tumbling into the valley below.

In the village of Minamiaso, 11 people were “out of contact”, said public broadcaster NHK. Rescuers pulled 10 students out of a collapsed university apartment in the same settlement on Saturday.

“In Minamiaso, where the damage is concentrated, there may still be people trapped under collapsed buildings, so we are focusing our attention and rescue and search efforts in this area,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

It was the second major quake to hit Kumamoto province on the is-

Police officers check a collapsed house after an earthquake in Mashiki town, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo on April 17. (REUTERS Photo)

land of Kyushu in just over 24 hours. The first, late on Thursday, killed nine people. Of more than 470 quakes hitting Kyushu since Thursday, 78 have been at least a four on Japan’s intensity scale, strong enough to shake buildings.

Quakes are common in Japan, part of the seismically active “Ring of Fire”

which sweeps from the South Pacific islands, up through Indonesia, Japan, across to Alaska and down the west coast of the United States and Central and South America.

At the other end of the ring this weekend, Ecuador’s biggest earthquake in decades killed at least 77 people, caused devastation

in coastal towns and left an unknown number trapped in ruins. A 6.1 magnitude quake also struck southeast of the Pacific island nation of Tonga, with no immediate reports of damage.

Three nuclear plants in the southern Japanese region were unaffected by the second quake, but the Nuclear Regulation Authority

said it will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday to discuss the disaster.

A massive 9 magnitude quake and tsunami in northern Japan in March 2011 caused the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986, shutting down the nuclear industry for safety checks and sending radiation spewing across

the countryside. The first reactor to restart was Kyushu Electric’s Sendai No. 1, which is at one of the plants in the region hit on Saturday.

Nearly 20,000 people were killed in the 2011 tsunami.

The Kumamoto region is an important manufacturing hub.

Toyota Motor Corp said it would suspend production at plants across Japan after the quakes disrupted its supply chain.

Electronics giant Sony Corp said its Kumamoto image sensors plant would remain suspended. One of the company’s major customers for the sensors is Apple. Meanwhile, Honda Motor Co. said production at its motorcycle plant in southern Japan would remain suspended through Friday.

Suga said the government may seek a supplementary budget to cover the cost of the quakes.

“We will do all that we can,” Kyodo News quoted Suga as telling a press briefing.

DIGGING WITH BARE HANDS All commercial flights to the damaged Kumamoto airport were cancelled and Japan’s bullet train to the region suspended. Ex-

pressways are closed in wide areas because of landslides and cracks in road surfaces, hindering efforts to get supplies of water and food to survivors.

Overnight, rescuers digging with their bare hands dragged some elderly survivors, still in their pyjamas, out of the rubble and onto makeshift stretchers made of tatami mats.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would boost the number of troops helping to 25,000 and had accepted a U.S offer of help with air transportation.

Heavy rains fuelled worries of more landslides and with hundreds of aftershocks and fears of more quakes, thousands spent the night in evacuation centres.

“It’s full in there. There’s not an inch to sleep or even walk about in there. It’s impossible in there,” a resident of Mashiki town said outside an evacuation centre.

Firefighters handed out tarpaulins to residents so they could cover damaged roofs, but many homes were simply deserted.

Around 62,700 households were without electricity, water supplies had been disrupted to more than 300,000 homes and some areas had lost their gas supply, said NHK.

More than 110,000 people have been evacuated from the Kumamoto area, said Kyodo.

Troops set up tents for evacuees and water trucks were being sent to the area while television footage showed people stranded after the fall of a bridge being rescued by helicopters.

Police said 32 people had been confirmed dead in Saturday’s quake. The government said about 190 of the injured were in a serious condition.

The epicentre of Saturday’s quake was near the city of Kumamoto and measured at a shallow depth of 10 km (six miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The shallower a quake, the more likely it is to cause damage.

The city’s 400-year-old Kumamoto Castle was badly damaged, with its walls breached after having withstood bombardment and fire in its four centuries of existence.

The USGS, a science organisation that provides information on ecosystems and the environment, estimated there was a 72 percent likelihood of economic damage exceeding $10 billion, adding that it was too early to be specific.

Major insurers are yet to release estimates.

Myanmar prez frees 83 political prisoners Saudi Arabia warns of economic ‘Afghan child casualties soar fallout if US Cong passes 9/11 bill as urban warfare intensifies’

YANGON, April 17 (reuTers): Myanmar’s new president has pardoned 83 prisoners held for political crimes, officials said Sunday, just weeks after the first government in half a century not connected to the military took office.

The order, signed by President Htin Kyaw on Saturday, said the pardon was aimed at “national reconciliation and peace of mind” as part of celebrations of the Myanmar new year.

“As far as I know, (those being released) are people considered by rights groups to be political prisoners,” a senior prison department official, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media, told Reuters.

Among those released were four journalists and an executive from the newspaper Unity Journal, who were sentenced to 10 years hard labour in 2014 for reporting on an alleged military chemical weapons

Myanmar’s new President Htin Kyaw arrives for a dinner reception following a swearing in ceremony in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (REUTERS File Photo)

factory, he said.

The new National League for Democracy (NLD) government of former detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has released or dropped charges against 282 people accused of political crimes since taking power on April 1.

The NLD stormed to power in national elections on November 1, displacing a quasi-civilian govern-

How does HIV virus evade immune system NeW YOrK, April 17 (iANs): Scientists have identified a human (host) protein that weakens the immune response to HIV and other viruses.

“Our study provides critical insight on a paramount issue in HIV research: Why is the body unable to mount an efficient immune response to HIV to prevent transmission?” said one of the researchers Sumit Chanda, professor and director of Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) in the US. The findings showed that a deficiency in NLRX1 -- an intracellular protein -- reduces the replication of the HIV virus.

It also slows down the power of immune system and promotes immunity to infection.

“Importantly, we were able to show that deficiencies in NLRX1 reduce HIV replication, suggesting that the development of small molecules to modulate the innate immune response may inhibit viral transmission and promote immunity to infection,” Chanda added, in the paper published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

Further, host immune checkpoints that control the immune response to cancer were also discovered.

“This research expands our understanding of the role of host proteins in viral replication and the innate immune response to HIV infection, and can be extended to DNA viruses such as HSV and vaccinia,” added another researcher Haitao Guo, postdoctoral research associate at University of North Carolina.

Immune checkpoints are immunological “brakes” that prevent the over-activation of the immune system on healthy cells.

Tumour cells often take advantage of these checkpoints to escape detection of the immune system.

The results have important implications for improving HIV antiviral therapies, creating effective viral vaccines, and advance a new approach to treat cancer, the team concluded.

ment put in place when generals ceded full power in 2011. The military, however, still controls key ministries overseeing defence, internal security and local governance.

The latest release still leaves dozens of political prisoners locked up, with hundreds of others still facing charges brought against them under the previous government.

WAsHiNGTON, April 17 (NYT): Saudi Arabia has told the Obama administration and members of US Congress that it will sell off hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of American assets held by the kingdom if lawmakers pass a bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held responsible in American courts for any role in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The Obama administration has lobbied Congress to block the bill’s passage, according to administration officials and congressional aides from both parties, and the Saudi threats have been the subject of intense discussions in recent weeks between lawmakers and officials from the state department and the Pentagon. The officials have warned senators of diplomatic and economic fallout from the legislation.

Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, delivered the kingdom’s message personally last month during a

trip to Washington, telling lawmakers that Saudi Arabia would be forced to sell up to $750 billion in treasury securities and other assets in the US before they could be in danger of being frozen by American courts.

Several outside economists are sceptical that the Saudis will follow through, saying that such a sell-off would be difficult to execute and would end up crippling the kingdom’s economy. But the threat is another sign of the escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and the US. The administration, which argues that the legislation would put Americans at legal risk overseas, has been lobbying so intently against the bill that some lawmakers and families of 9/11 victims are infuriated. In their view, the Obama administration has consistently sided with the kingdom and has thwarted their efforts to learn what they believe to be the truth about the role some Saudi officials played in the

terrorist plot.

“It’s stunning to think that our government would back the Saudis over its own citizens,” said Mindy Kleinberg, whose husband died in the World Trade Center on September 11, and who is a part of a group of victims’ family members pushing for the legislation.

US President Barack Obama will be in Riyadh on Wednesday for meetings with King Salman and other officials. It is unclear whether the dispute over the 9/11 legislation will be on the agenda for the talks.

A spokesman for the Saudi Embassy did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Saudi officials have long denied that the kingdom had any role in the terror plot, and the 9/11 Commission found “no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organisation”.

KABul, April 17 (reuTers): Urban warfare has caused a spike in deaths and injuries among women and children in Afghanistan this year as the Taliban intensifies their campaign against the Kabul government, the United Nations said on Sunday.

In all, 161 children were killed from January to March and 449 were injured, a 29 percent rise over the first three months of 2015, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said.

“If the fighting persists near schools, playgrounds, homes and clinics, and parties continue to use explosive weapons in those areas – particularly mortars and IED tactics, these appalling numbers of children killed and maimed will continue,” UNAMA human rights director Danielle Bell said in a statement.

Overall civilian casualties in the period reached 1,943, including 600 deaths and 1,343 injuries.Almost a third of casualties were children and there was a five percent rise in women being killed or injured, reflecting an increase in fighting in built-up areas as the Taliban has pressed its insurgency. Fifty two women were killed and 143 injured during the period.

Although the report said most casualties were caused by anti government forces, it noted a jump in those caused by security forces using explosive weapons like mortars and grenades and called on their use in civilian areas to be restricted.

Last year, the first since NATO ended combat operations, civilian casualties hit a record 11,002, with 3,545 deaths and 7,457 injuries.

Yemen’s warring sides signal optimism for Kuwait peace talks KuWAiT, April 17 (reuTers): Yemen’s warring parties are sending conciliatory signals ahead of U.N.-backed talks starting on Monday, in a rare sign of mutual willingness to end a year-old conflict that has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

A deal may help defuse tensions between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia, who are allied to opposing sides in Yemen and whose rivalry has helped fuel wars and political struggles across the volatile Middle East.

Air strikes and heavy combat persist in many parts of the country, while armed forces who could yet play a spoiling role loom throughout Yemen’s tangled political scene.

Police said they foiled two car bomb attacks in the southern port of Aden on Sunday. In one case a policeman died when a car exploded after police opened fire on it rushing at a checkpoint at high speed.

But the recent rhetoric of the main combatants has been unusually mild.

“We are ready for a po-

litical transition which excludes no one ... The world now looks to the Kuwait consultations as a landmark of peace for Yemenis, and we will give everything we can to alleviate the suffering of the people,” Foreign Minister Abdel Malek al-Mekhlafi, from the Saudi-backed government now based in Aden, told state news agency Saba.

Mohammed AbdulSalam, spokesman for the Houthi movement which controls the capital Sanaa and which Gulf Arab states say is allied to Iran, appeared conciliatory in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai on Saturday.

“There should be a consensus authority during a definite transitional phase to decide every political dispute,” he was quoted as saying. “Iran does not have any role in our sovereign decisions and we are not tools in anyone’s hands.”

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies joined the war on March 26 of last year to back Yemen’s government after it was pushed into exile by the Houthis.

U.N. talks in June and December failed to end the war that has killed about 6,200 people, about half of them civilians. The war has allowed al Qaeda fighters to seize territory and opened a path for Islamic State militants to gain a foothold.

A partial naval blockade imposed by the Arab coalition has caused food shortages and prices for necessities to skyrocket in the Gulf region’s poorest country.

An unprecedented calm achieved between the two main antagonists beginning in March suggests that exhaustion over costs and casualties may be mounting. The Houthis agreed with Saudi Arabia to reduce attacks on the kingdom in exchange for a halt to Saudiled air strikes on Sanaa, and the two sides carried out a prisoner exchange.

“This represents the best opportunity to end the war since it started - real progress has been made,” said Adam Baron, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

A man checks debris at the site of a car bomb attack outside the foreign ministry in the southern Yemeni city of Aden April 15. (REUTERS Photo)

Saleh, Yemen’s president of 33 years who was ousted by “Arab Spring” protests in 2012 and who has formed an alliance with the Houthis, remains unclear and could complicate transition plans.

While Saleh’s party will take part in the talks, the former leader has refused to depart Yemen’s politiSPOILERS cal scene. The spread of al The fate of Ali Abdullah Qaeda and Islamic State

in the south also makes it more difficult to resolve the conflict.

“There are a slew of potential spoilers. The past year has seen a proliferation of warlords whose power is tied to the conflict continuing,” added Baron.

Hailing from a Shi’ite sect that ruled a thousandyear kingdom in northern Yemen until 1962, the

Houthis said they were leading a revolution against corruption. They pushed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi from power in September 2014 and formed an alliance with his predecessor Saleh.

Regional Arab countries accuse the group of a power-grab which would benefit their archrival Iran, and have fought to restore Hadi’s government.

10

MonDAY 18•04•2016

SportS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Messi, Bolt, Serena among top contenders at Laureus awards

BERLIN, ApRIL 17 (pTI): From soccer genius Lionel Messi to sprint king Usain Bolt, a shimmering array of the world’s greatest sports stars are in the race for top honours at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards — also called the ’Oscars of Sport’ — to be presented in Berlin on Monday.

The generous sprinkling of stars is not just limited to the men’s nominations with the women’s category also featuring iconic names like tennis queen Serena Williams and track and field’s “Pocket Rocket” Shelly-Ann FraserPryce among others.

In the men’s category, three-time winner Bolt and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, are joined by tennis No.1 Novak Djokovic, triple Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton along with first time nominees Stephen Curry, star of NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and golf’s world No.1 Jordan Spieth, who has also been nominated in the ‘Breakthrough

of the Year’ category.

In the quintet, Messi is perhaps the biggest star to have never won this coveted trophy even though he has been nominated in five previous editions.

Winner of the Ballon d’Or for a fifth time, the Argentine genius played a crucial role in Barcelona’s outstanding season last year, in which the Spanish giants won the Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey treble. Among his 43 goals in La Liga, he scored a record 32nd hattrick for Barcelona.

Djokovic, who won this award in 2012 and ‘15, clinched three Grand Slams — Australian, Wimbledon and US Open — last year and was finalist in the French Open. He became only the third man to reach all four finals in the same year and also the first to win six Masters 1000 events in one year. In 2015, he reached 15 consecutive finals and won 11 titles.

Bolt, on the other hand, reaffirmed his status as the greatest sprinter the world

has ever seen by defending his 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres titles at the World Championships.

The Jamaican superstar took his career tally to 17 world and Olympic gold medals in the year gone by.

Among the women, Serena will once again be a top contender for the coveted trophy after securing her 10th Laureus nomination. The American icon sparkled in the year gone by with three Grand Slams.

On the other hand, Fraser Pryce continued to rule the 100 metres event with her second straight World Championships gold medal, which took her overall tally to third. The 28-yearold is the only woman to be crowned 100m world champion three times (2009, 2013, 2015). Last year, she also steered the Jamaican women’s 4x100m team to world gold.

In World Team of the Year category, the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team has been nominated for the second straight year along with

Rugby world champions the All Blacks, Champions League winners FC Barcelona, NBA champions Golden State Warriors, the British Davis Cup team and the US women’s football team, which won its third World Cup. The Breakthrough of the Year category has British boxer Tyson Fury and golfer Jason Day among the nominees.

The Laureus World Comeback of the Year nominations features among others, American swimming sensation Michael Phelps. The most decorated Olympian with 22 medals, including 18 gold, had retired in 2012.

The 30-year-old came back to swimming last year in the US National Championships, where he won gold medals in the 100 metres butterfly, 200 metres butterfly and 200 metres individual medley, clocking the fastest time of the year in all the three events.

Also there among the nominees is Kenyan middle-distance runner Da-

vid Rudisha, who returned from three years of injuries and poor results to win his second 800m World Championship gold medal.

Nominations for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability include two former winners — Brazilian swimmer Daniel Dias, who won in 2009 and 2013, and France’s Marie Bochet, the 2014 winner, who had her second clean sweep of all five events at Paralympic World Skiing Championships.

Nominees for the 2016 Laureus World Sports Awards: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Usain Bolt (Jamaica, Athletics), Stephen Curry (US, Basketball), Novak Djokovic (Serbia, Tennis), Lewis Hamilton (UK, Motor Racing), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Football), Jordan Spieth (US, Golf) Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia, Athletics), Anna Fenninger (Austria, Skiing), Shelly-Ann Fras-

er-Pryce (Jamaica, Athletics), Katie Ledecky (US, Swimming), Carli Lloyd (US, Football), Serena Williams (US, Tennis) Laureus World Team of the Year Award: All Blacks (New Zealand, Rugby), FC Barcelona (Spain, Football), Golden State Warriors (US, Basketball), Great Britain Davis Cup team (Tennis), Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team (Germany), US Women’s football team Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Chile Men’s Football team, Jason Day (Australia, Golf ), Tyson Fury (UK, Boxing), Adam Peaty (UK, Swimming), Jordan Spieth (US, Golf), Max Verstappen (Netherlands, Motor Racing) Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Dan Carter (New Zealand, Rugby), Jessica Ennis-Hill (UK, Athletics), Mick Fanning (Australia, Surfing), Michael Phelps (US, Swimmer), David Rudisha (Kenya, Athletics), Lindsey Vonn (US, Skiing)

Totti to the rescue as Roma drop points at Atalanta MILAN, ApRIL 17 (AFp): Francesco Totti came off the bench to hit a late, precious leveller as Champions League-chasing Roma dropped two points in a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Atalanta on Sunday.

Roma travelled to Bergamo feeling the pressure after Inter Milan stunned Napoli 2-0 on Saturday to close the gap on third place to three points.

But despite taking a 2-0 lead by the 27th minute with goals from Lucas Digne and Radja Nainggolan, Luciano Spalletti’s visitors let their guard slip, allowing an enterprising Atalanta back into the game.

Marco D’Alessandro reduced arrears on 33 minutes and Roma reject Marco Borriello returned to haunt his old club by hitting a brace that gave Atalanta a 3-2 lead by the 57th minute.

Totti replaced Daniele De Rossi on 78 minutes and eight minutes later the 39-year-old club icon slammed the ball through traffic and past Marco Sportiello to secure a share of the spoils.

Although Roma remain in third place, 11 points behind Juventus ahead of their home game against Palermo later Sunday and five points behind Napoli, Inter are closing in.

With five games remaining, Roberto Mancini’s Inter side are only four points behind Roma in fourth as they bid to end a five-year wait to return to Europe’s premier club competition.

It was Totti’s 245th goal in Serie A but in what could be his 23rd and final season with the club, he remains 29 behind the all-time record of Silvio Piola (274).

The goal was Totti’s 245th goal in Serie A in what could be his 23rd and final season

Curry leads Warriors past Rockets in playoff opener Inter dent Napoli scudetto hopes oAKLAND, ApRIL 17 (Ap): Stephen Curry dazzled from long range and drove to the hoop with fire and flair, scoring 24 points before tweaking his ankle as the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 104-78 on Saturday in their NBA playoff opener.

D ray m o n d G re e n added 12 points and 10 rebounds as top-seeded Golden State carried momentum from setting the all-time wins record Wednesday night with No. 73 into a testy playoff opener.

On the opening day of playoffs, Indiana's Paul George led the Pacers to victory at Toronto, Oklahoma City routed Dallas, and Atlanta clung on to beat Boston by a point.

The Warriors topped the Michael Jordan-led Bulls of 1995-96, then immediately made one thing clear: that mark will mean nothing if they don't bring home back-to-back titles to the East Bay. James Harden scored 17 points for cold-shooting Houston, held to six field

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry drives to the basket against Houston Rockets' Dwight Howard as James Harden watches in 1st quarter in Game 1 of 1st round of NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, April 16, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

goals in the first quarter of the rematch from last year's Western Conference finals, won by Golden State in five.

Game 2 in the best-ofseven series is Monday at

Oracle Arena, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry is questionable for that one. He will be reevaluated Sunday.

Indiana's Paul George

Kuncoro, Ratchanok win Singapore Open SINgApoRE, ApRIL 17 (AFp): Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro beat Korean Son Wan-Ho to win the Singapore Open Sunday as Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon also triumphed, becoming the world's top female shuttler in the process.

The unfancied Kuncoro, who stunned twotime Olympic champion Lin Dan in the semi-finals, took the first set 21-16.

But some bad decision making cost the 31-year-old dearly when he succumbed 13-21 in the second set.

Recovering his composure, the 2004 Olympic Games bronze medallist claimed the deciding set 21-14.

Kuncoro, ranked 56th in the world, said he was surprised by his fairytale run.

"It's really unexpected that I won. It's such a big achievement to pass the qualifiers and eventually win this tournament," he said. "I just enjoyed today's game and was able to play well."

This is Kuncoro's second title in the city-state after winning the tournament in 2010.

In the women's singles, Thai star Ratchanok beat defending champion Sun Yu of China to claim her third successive Superser-

Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia celebrates beating Son Wan Ho of South Korea to clinch the men's single title at the Singapore Open on April 17, 2016 (AFP Photo

ies win in as many weeks after triumphs in India and Malaysia.

Ratchanok, the 2013 world champion, will displace Spain's Carolina Marin as number one when the weekly world rankings are updated Thursday.

Despite losing 18-21 in the first set as the lanky Sun Yu put her superior reach to better use, Ratchanok coasted to a 21-11 victory in the second.

She clinched the third set 21-14 as her opponent appeared rattled by several errors and a yellow card shown by the match referee.

"I think I performed better in the first set but I got nervous during the last two," Sun Yu, ranked 14th in the world, told reporters after the match.

Ratchanok, who has now established herself as one of the favourites for Olympic gold, said the win would give

her a boost for Rio. "Now I am more confident to get a gold at the Olympic games," she said.

"I thought that today would not be my day and she was playing well. My body was tired from the past few weeks but I just wanted to do my best."

Top-ranked players were scalped early on in the tournament.

On Friday world number ones Chen Long of China and Carolina Marin of Spain crashed out in the quarter-finals, unceremoniously shown the door by young upstarts.

Chen fell to Hong Kong's 21-year-old Angus Ng, while Marin succumbed in three sets to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi.

Lin Dan became the latest casualty on Saturday when he suffered a stunning semi-final defeat at the hands of eventual winner Kuncoro.

scored 33 points in the Pacers' 100-90 win at Toronto.

Monta Ellis had 15 for the Pacers.

Jonas Valanciunas fouled out after setting a Raptors' playoff record with 19 rebounds while All-Star guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both struggled. Lowry made 3 of 13 field goal attempts while DeRozan made 5 of 19.

The pair went 1 for 10 from 3-point range and 8 for 15 at the free-throw line.

Toronto dropped to 0-8 in the first game of an opening-round playoff series.

Oklahoma City dominated Dallas in a 108-70 victory.

Russell Westbrook had 24 points and 11 assists while Kevin Durant added 23 points for the Thunder, who recorded their largest victory margin in a playoff game since moving from Seattle before the 2008-09 season, and allowed the lowest point total the franchise has conceded in a postseason game.

Dallas scored its fewest points ever in a playoff game, and its .298 fieldgoal percentage was the

worst ever in a postseason game for a franchise that has existed since 1980.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 18 points.

Game 2 will be Monday in Oklahoma City.

Atlanta's Jeff Teague stymied another big Boston comeback, taking matters into his own hands in the closing minutes to lead the Hawks to a 102-101 win.

Teague scored 23 points and doled out 12 assists, making sure Atlanta maintained the home-court edge after the gritty Celtics rallied from a 19-point deficit.

With the game tied 88--88, Teague worked the pick-and-roll to set up a layup for Al Horford.

The Celtics missed and the Hawks again got the ball to Teague, who found Paul Millsap alone under the basket for a dunk that pushed Atlanta to a 92-88 lead with 2:56 remaining.

The Celtics had a chance to tie in the final minute, but Evan Turner missed an open 3-pointer.

Game 2 in the best-ofseven series is Tuesday in Atlanta.

to keep Champions dream alive

MILAN, ApRIL 17 (AFp): Goals by Mauro Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic earned Inter Milan a Champions League lifeline on the way to virtually ending Napoli’s hopes of a first Serie A title in 26 years with a dramatic 2-0 win on Saturday.

Napoli travelled to the San Siro hoping they could make light of 30-goal Gonzalo Higuain’s three-match ban following his dramatic meltdown in a 3-1 defeat at Udinese two weeks ago.

But Maurizio Sarri’s men were stunned in the fourth minute when an apparently offside Icardi ran behind the Napoli defence to lob Pepe Reina.

Inter then soaked up a lengthy spell of Napoli pressure to hit their second on the stroke of half-time to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Napoli remain in second place at six points behind Juventus but could be nine points in arrears if the champions and leaders account for Palermo in Turin on Sunday, after which there will be five matches remaining in the season.

Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic, right, scores a goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium in Milan on April 16. (AP Photo)

Inter remain in fourth place but Roberto Mancini’s men are now just three points behind Roma, who occupy the third and last Champions League qualifying spot ahead of their potentially difficult trip to Atalanta.

Amid an ongoing Napoli media boycott, Mancini was left alone to speak post-

match.

The Italian praised the Nerazzurri defence, but remained coy on Inter’s Champions League chances.

“In defence we were really strong,” said Mancini.

“When they had the ball we didn’t concede anything to Napoli and that means the whole team played well.”

Lewandowski double puts Bayern 10 points clear BERLIN, ApRIL 17 (AFp): Bayern Munich are ten points clear, and on the verge of an historic fourth straight Bundesliga title, after Robert Lewandowski netted twice in Saturday's 3-0 win over Schalke.

With four league games left, and depending on other results, Pep Guardiola's Bayern took the chance to extend their lead at Munich's Allianz Arena and could be confirmed as the first club to win four straight German league titles when they host Borussia Moechengladbach in a fortnight.

Guardiola can sign off his three years in Munich with the treble before coaching Manchester City next season.

Bayern face Werder Bremen in the German Cup semi-finals on Tuesday and have drawn Atletico Madrid in the Champions League's last four.

After a disjointed firsthalf display in Munich, Bayern went up a gear after the break.

Arturo Vidal's header was chested down by Lewandowski, who turned and hit the back of the net on 54 minutes to end his dry patch after 390 minutes without a goal.

The Poland hot-shot headed home his 27th

league goal of the season on 65 minutes to leave him as the Bundesliga's top scorer, four ahead of Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

"I feel good again. There are phases when things don't go that well," Lewandowski told Sky having failed to score in his four previous matches.

"We were slow in the first half, but played really well after the break."

Vidal then added Bayern's third when he tapped home after some superb individual skills from Franck Ribery who jinxed his way through the Schalke defence before providing the

final pass.

Earlier, Bayer Leverkusen climbed to third, and are on course for a direct Champions League place next season, after their 3-0 win over strugglers Eintracht Frankfurt.

Kevin Kampl gave Bayer the lead on 70 minutes, just 43 seconds after coming off the bench for Leverkusen's top scorer, Javier Hernandez, who limped off after pulling up with an injury.

Julian Brandt and Germany winger Karim Bellarabi then added further goals to leave Frankfurt second from bottom.

Leverkusen claim third from Hertha Berlin, who

dropped one place after their 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim.

Hertha, who are bidding for a first Champions League place since the 1999/2000 season, are winless in their last three games.

Hoffenheim earned the victory when Mark Uth headed home at the far post to move his side up to 13th -- three points above the relegation places.

Four days after their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid, Wolfsburg lost again when they went down 3-2 at relegationthreatened Werder Bre-

men.

Having lost 3-0 in Madrid, Wolfsburg were well beaten as Claudio Pizarro scored his 102nd goal for Bremen, to become the club's all-time top scorer, by converting a first-half penalty.

Wolfsburg's France midfielder Josuha Guilavogui equalised before the break, but Bremen netted goals from Fin Bartels and Mali midfielder Sambou Yatabare.

Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs was dismissed to the stands early in the second half after arguing with the fourth official. The visitors pulled a late goal back when Dutch striker Bas Dost powered a header home, but Wolfsburg stay eighth.

Despite the win, Bremen are in the relegation play-off place, but just three points from 11th place as things remain tight at the bottom.

Augsburg stayed just above the relegation places with a 1-0 win at home to VfB Stuttgart.

Mid-table Darmstadt enjoyed a 2-0 win over Ingolstadt, while on Friday bottom side Hanover 96 enjoyed a 2-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach, but remain 12 points from safety.

monday 18•04•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Patkai holds Annual Spring Concert Varun Dhawan

to donate the money he will receive for dubbing

Captain America: Civil War!

Patkai Chorale along with James Swu, Vini Chishi, Nise Meruno, Welly Baruah, Margaret Shishak, Rebekah Moore and Zingrin Shishak.

T

h e ‘A n n u a l Spring Concert’ of Patkai Christian College was held on Sunday at the Bundrock Memorial Auditorium, Patkai campus.

Organised by the college’s Music Department, the concert saw the celebrated work of French composer Theodore Dubois “The Seven Last Words of Christ” being performed by the Patkai Chorale with Nise Meruno (Baritone), Welly Baruah (Tenor) and Vini Chishi (So-

prano) joining in as soloists.

They were accompanied by Margaret Shishak on Organ, Zingrin Shishak on Keyboards and Rebekah Moore on Piano with James Swu as the choir conductor.

‘Les sept paroles du Christ’ more popularly known as The Seven Last Words of Christ, is one of the most famous works of François-Clément Théodore Dubois (24 August 1837 – 11 June 1924), a French composer, organist and music teacher.

Margaret Shishak

T

The String Ensemble

Nise Meruno

Photos by Soreipam Jagoi

he Hindi trailer of Captain America: Civil War is out and Varun Dhawan’s voice can be heard as the voice for Chris Evans in the trailer. After Priyanka Chopra gave voice to Kaa in the Hindi version of The Jungle Book, Marvel roped in another Bollywood star, Varun Dhawan, to voice Steve Rogers in Captain America: Civil War. A friend of the actor tells us, “Varun is very excited about dubbing as Captain America. He wants to do-

nate the entire money he receives from dubbing for the film.” How generous Mr. Dhawan, you gave us one more reason to love you even more!

The actor will donate a portion of the sum for underprivileged kids whereas the remaining will be sent to a charity that takes care of those affected by paralysis.

The friend confirms, “Varun wants to personally go and meet the people and give them whatever he can.”

Source: Bollywood Life

Beyonce Teases 'World Premiere Event' for 'Lemonade'

B

eyoncé took to her social media accounts Saturday to tease a mysterious new project, dubbed "Lemonade." It's unclear what the singer is referring to whether it's a music video for a new song or the debut of something even bigger but Beyoncé advised fans to tune into HBO on April 23rd at 9 p.m. EST to witness the "world premiere event."

"Lemonade" arrives just four days before Beyoncé embarks on her Formation Tour, which takes its name from the singer's

surprise single that she released just hours before her Super Bowl 50 halftime show appearance.

The trek kicks off April 27th at Miami, Florida's Marlins Park.

It's been long rumored that Beyoncé would be releasing a new album to accompany the Formation jaunt, but so far no official announcement has been made.

However, as, Beyoncé has been subtly posting lemonade-related photos on her Instagram in recent months.

Source: RollingStone

‘BATMAN: The Killing Joke’ receives R-rating

‘B C M Y K

Models walk the ramp during the ‘Nagas’ Walking Tall’ fashion show held at Hotel Acacia on April 16. The show was organized under the theme ‘Living Your Dreams’ providing platform to many established as well as “raw and hidden talents” of Nagaland. (Photos by Caisii Mao)

atman: The Killing Joke’, the upcoming direct-to-video animated film based on Alan Moore’s comic of the same name, has been given an R-rating. The film is now the first movie in the DC Universe Original Movie franchise to receive an R-rating and the second Batman film to do so, following the extended home-video version of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, according to Entertainment Weekly.

The film features Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne, Mark Hamill as the Joker, and

Yes, I'm going to be a dad soon SHAHID KAPOOR

A

Tara Strong as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon. Based on Alan Moore’s controversial 1988 comic, The Killing Joke is an origin story in which The Joker taunts Batman by kidnapping Batgirl.

Source: PTI

fterdaysofspeculation and rumours, actor Shahid Kapoor late on Saturday confirmed he was soon going to become a father.

Asked if he was ready for fatherhood, Shahid, at the trailer launch of his next film 'Udta Punjab', said: "Yes, I'm going to become a father."

There had been rumours of Shahid's wife Mira Rajput being pregnant ever since she was spotted with a 'baby bump' at a fashion event.

Shahid plays a drug-addict rockstar in 'Udta Pun-

Axl Rose steps in as new lead singer for AC/DC

jab', a movie which largely talks about the menace of drugs in Punjab. "It's an issue that needs to be addressed, that lies for this entire generation, for the parents and the children, it's a real issue. I think it was very courageous on Abhishek's part to dedicate almost three years of his life on something he felt needed to be spoken about," Shahid said. Also starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt, 'Udta Punjab' hits theatres on June 17.

(IANS)

Hillstar NOW SHOWING Ticket Rates PlaTinuM - `320 Gold - `150 SilveR - `80

Dev Patel still ‘best friends’ with ex Freida Pinto

I

ndian-origin British actor Dev Patel says he is still best friends with his ex-girlfriend Freida Pinto despite ending their relationship in 2014. The pair, who met on the set of 'Slumdog Millionaire', split after six years together.

Dev, however, said they are still close and he will always cherish memories of their relationship, reported Female first. "Oh, she's great. She's awesome, dude. She has been one of the most impactful people on my life. We shared a very beautiful experience together not only cinematically but personally so I'll always have great respect for her," Dev told Times Weekend magazine.

Currently Dev, 25, is enjoying the single life, dividing his time between his new home in Los Angeles and his family in

London. "The most important women in my life are my mum and older sister, Komal. They are brutally frank -- they are the people who keep me grounded through any possible ego moments.

"I'm a ball of energy. If I'm not asleep, I'm going at full speed at everything.

Sometimes I need someone to say, 'Bro, you need to take this seriously and focus'. I'm not really thinking about relationships or family or kids. I'm just a regular guy who spends weekends hanging out with the lads," Dev said.

"I don't go crazy and I am not very celebrityminded. I am very grounded because, actually, acting is hard work. It's early mornings on set and then plenty of concentration.

Source: PTI

uns N' Roses voG calist Axl Rose has stepped in as the new lead

singer for Australian hard rock band AC/DC. AC/DC formally announced that Rose will join them as vocalist for the remaining dates of their 'Rock or Bust' world tour before the Guns N' Roses tour kicks off, reports Rolling Stone magazine.

“AC/DC will resume their 'Rock Or Bust' world tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals," the band announced on Saturday.

Rose will take the place of long-time AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson, who was forced to abruptly quit

touring with the group or risk "total hearing loss".

"AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures.

As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing,” the band said.

“We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate

that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfil this commitment," the band added.

11:00 Am The European stadium tour begins on May 7 in Lisbon and runs through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark, as previously announced. Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Rose will head out on his Guns N' Roses, 'Not In This Lifetime' Summer Stadium Tour.

AC/DC added that the 10 US shows postponed by Johnson's sudden departure will also be rescheduled with Rose 02:00 pm | 05:00 PM handling vocals.

(IANS)

| 08:00 pm

12

MonDAY 18•04•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

IPL 2016 | Today's MaTch 18/04/2016

Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Mumbai Indians

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad

20:00

De Kock's 48-ball ton stuns RCB

Late goals earn Leicester draw, cost arsenal victory

loNDoN, april 17 (reuterS): Leaders Leicester City salvaged a point with a penalty from the last kick of the game to draw 2-2 with West Ham United on Sunday and open up an eight-point gap over Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the Premier League.

Although Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri BRIEF ScoRES: praised his team's "fantasRcB - 191/5 in 20 overs [Kohli 79, de Villiers 55; tic" performance built on "blood, heart and soul", the Shami 2/34] Daredevils – 192/3 in 19.1 match proved costly for the overs [de Kock 108, Karun side bidding for their first English top-flight title.

Nair 54; Watson 2/25] Goalscorer Jamie Vardy was sent off early in the second half and he will be suspended for the next match against Swansea City and Quinton de Kock of Delhi Daredevils drives a delivery during the IPL match against Royal Chal- they dropped points for the lengers Bangalore at The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, India, on April 17. de Kock first time after five straight scored a 48-ball century as the Daredevils beat the Royal Challengers by 7 wickets. (Photo by IPL) wins. Leicester lead the standings with 73 points from 34 matches, followed

by Spurs who have 65 from 33 and play their game in hand at Stoke City on Monday. Arsenal, who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Sunday, remained fourth on 60 points, behind Manchester City, 3-0 winners at last season's champions Chelsea on Saturday, on goal difference.

Victory over West Ham and defeat for Spurs on Monday would have left Leicester 10 points clear with four games to play and there was a fantastic atmosphere at the King Power Stadium with thousands of Leicester fans arriving in

Punjab registers first win

C M Y K

Kings XI Punjab's Manan Vohra in action during the IPL match against the Rising Pune Supergiants at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, April 17. (Photo by IPL)

Mohali, april 17 (iaNS): Openers Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra produced excellent batting performances as Kings XI Punjab posted their first win of the season, outclassing Rising Pune Supergiants by six wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday.

Needing 154 runs for a win in front of their home crowd, Vijay and Vohra saw Punjab off to an excellent start with a couple of half-centuries each. Vijay was the top scorer for Punjab with 53 runs off 49 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and two sixes.

Vohra was in equally good form at the other end, smashing 51 runs off 31 balls with seven well-stroked boundaries.

Leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin brought Pune back into the game when he removed Shaun Marsh, Vijay and David Miller in quick succession. But Glenn

Maxwell plundered 32 runs off just 14 deliveries to seal the issue for Punjab. The star Australian batsman fittingly hit the winning runs when he smashed Thisara Perera for a boundary.

Murugan Ashwin ended with figures of 3/36 while fellow spinner Ankit Sharma (1/27) also claimed a wicket.

Earlier, opener Faf du Plesis batted through the innings to post a gritty half-century as Pune reached 152/7 after electing to bat first. The South African right-hander scored 67 runs and was involved in two crucial partnerships with Kevin Pietersen and Steven Smith before falling in the final over of the innings. His 53-ball innings was studded with eight hits to the fence. For Punjab, medium-pacer Mohit Sharma bagged three crucial wickets for figures of 3/23. His fellow pacer Sandeep Sharma was also very economical, returning 2/23 in his four overs.

Nadal sees off Monfils to end four-year Monaco wait

Vardy goes down in the box under the challenge of Angelo Ogbonna, which referee Jon Moss deemed to be a dive. (Reuters)

the spring sunshine hours before kickoff.

Two minutes into the game, however, Leicester were lucky not to be behind when a West Ham attempt hit both posts before being cleared.

Leicester took the lead through Vardy after 18 minutes with the striker grabbing his 22nd goal of the season to join Harry Kane of Spurs as the league's leading scorer.

But Vardy was red-carded for a second yellow early in the second half by refer-

ee Jon Moss and although Leicester's 10 men coped well with constant West Ham pressure, they wilted in the 84th minute when Wes Morgan fouled Winston Reid and Andy Carroll equalised from the spot.

Two minutes later West Ham were ahead thanks to a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area from Aaron Cresswell, before Carroll fouled Jeffrey Schlupp and Moss awarded Leicester a penalty which Leonardo Ulloa converted.

"The sending off

changed our match," Ranieri said. "But I never speak about the referee.

"Our performance was fantastic, this is our soul, we play every match with this, blood, heart and soul, it was magnificent. This point is very important psychologically."

West Ham remained sixth on 53 points, three behind Manchester United.

Arsenal's lingering title hopes appeared to end after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Crystal Palace who equalised eight

minutes from time when Yannick Bolasie sent a low shot from the edge of the box past Petr Cech.

Alexis Sanchez headed Arsenal ahead just before halftime. Liverpool, showing 10 changes from the side that beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 to reach the Europa League semi-finals, won 2-1 at Bournemouth with their goals coming at the end of the first half from Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge.

Josh King scored a late consolation for the hosts.

Rosberg wins Chinese GP for sixth straight victory

ShaNGhai, april 17 (ap): Nico Rosberg of Mercedes captured the Chinese Grand Prix with ease on Sunday to extend his perfect start to the Formula One season and become just the fourth driver in history to win six straight races.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who collided with teammate Kimi Raikkonen at the first corner, finished second, 37.7 seconds behind Rosberg, while Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat used an aggressive race strategy to take third - only the second podium of the 21-yearold's career.

Rosberg started on pole position and led nearly the entire race by a wide margin to win his third race to start this season and his sixth consecutive dating back to last year.

Every driver who has started an F1 season with three straight wins went on to win the title that year.

“It was a great weekend here for me in China.

It's a special place for me first pole, first win here (in 2012),” Rosberg said. “I was just pushing to try to get the best gap possible. I'm glad that it worked out so well.”

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, center, leaps while celebrating his win with Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, lett, and Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat of Russia, right, in the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, in China, Sunday, April 17. (AP Photo)

Vettel recovered nicely from the first corner setback and worked his way through the field to claim a creditable second.

“Disappointed that I made contact in lap one.

Lucky that the car was still intact,” Vettel said. “We had a different strategy from most people with the super-soft tire, which helped

me to clear the traffic and make progress. It was good fun - a lot of cars. I didn't count but it felt like a lot.”

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo led the race initially after getting off the line better than Rosberg, but he suffered a puncture while leading on lap three and finished fourth. Raikkonen was fifth after having been

knocked to the back of the field by the first-corner accident.

With Rosberg's victory never really in doubt, most of the action took place behind him as Lewis Hamilton moved his way up through the field after starting on the back row and battled with Ricciardo, Raikkonen and Williams

driver Felipe Massa late in the race.

Massa held off Hamilton to take sixth place, while the reigning world champion had to settle for seventh.

Hamilton had been forced to start in the back row after an engine problem on Saturday prevented him from setting a time in qualifying, and was also a victim of the first-corner chaos. He lost his front wing, triggering the first of an extraordinary six pit stops for the reigning F1 champion.

The trouble at the first bend came when Kvyat made an aggressive pass on the inside of Vettel, causing the German to swerve outwards to avoid contact and colliding with Raikkonen on his outside.

An angry Vettel fumed on his radio, “Kvyat's attack was suicidal, there was no way he could have made the corner with that speed.”

When Raikkonen returned to the track, Sauber's Felipe Nasr swerved to avoid him and collided with Hamilton, dislodging the front wing of his Mercedes, which briefly got trapped beneath his car.

Dwayne Bravo reprimanded for dissent

Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) poses with Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene after winning his final match against Gael Monfils of France at the Monte Carlo Masters. (REUTERS)

MoNte Carlo, april 17 (reuterS): Rafa Nadal ended his four-year wait for a ninth Monte Carlo Masters title by defeating Gael Monfils 7-5 5-7 6-0 on Sunday in his 100th career final. Nadal won eight consecutive titles before losing the 2013final to Novak Djokovic and, after struggling for fitness in recent years, he demonstrated his return to form by overwhelming the home favourite in the third set to win his 28th Masters title.

"Monte Carlo has been one of the most special

places in my career," Nadal told the crowd on receiving the trophy.

"It was a pleasure to play back here again and in a final. "It's been a special week for me, winning here in Monte Carlo is so special," he added. "See you next year."

Monfils, seeded 13th and looking to become the tournament's first French winner since Cedric Pioline, started strongly, exchanging consecutive break points with Nadal, before losing the first set 7-5.

Monfils broke Nadal to take an early 2-1 lead in the second,but the Spaniard broke back to level at 4-4 before Monfils wrestled back the initiative to take the set.

Nadal dominated the final set, however, breaking Monfils, who appeared drained by his earlier exertions, three times towin his first Masters title since 2014 and his 48th clay crown.

"Congratulations to Rafa," Monfils said. "An incredible match today and I'm very happy that you won again."

MuMBai, april 17 (pti): Gujarat Lions allrounder Dwayne Bravo was reprimanded by the match referee for showing dissent at the umpire's decision during his team's three-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in an IPL match here on Saturday. "Bravo admitted to the level 1 offence (Article 2.1.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials) and accepted the sanction," an IPL release said. West Indies' Bravo took one wicket for 39 runs in his four overs, while scored just 2 off 6 balls before being caught by Parthiv Patel off Jasprit Bumrah on Saturday night.

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