C M Y K
C M Y K
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 108 • 12 PAGes • 5
www.morungexpress.com
ThursDAY • APrIL 21 • 2016
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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T R u T H
What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? — Robert H. Schuller New quake, magnitude 6.2, strikes off Ecuador coast PAGE 09
Hailstorm disaster at Zunheboto
Spurs thrash Memphis, Hawks batter Boston
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Nagaland Govt needs to Press freedom declines around the world establish mechanisms to India ranked abysmally low at 133
Good Situation SatiSfactory Situation noticeable ProblemS difficult Situation Very SeriouS Situation
Source: Reporter Without Frontiers
2016 World Press freedom index of 180 countries
WASHINGTON, APRIL 20 (PTI): India ranks an abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems “indifferent” to the threats against journalists. The 2016 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is led by Finland, which retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway. India jumped three spots from the 136th position it had in 2015. “Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematized by various religious groups that are quick to take offense,” the report said. At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists,” the report said. “Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials,” it alleged, without substantiating what it refers to. Among India’s neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka (141), Afghanistan (120), Bangladesh (144), Nepal (105) and Bhutan (94). China is ranked 176. The report shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels.
Morung Express News
rioration. Numerous authorities are trying ones who get in the way,” said Deloire. to regain control of their countries, fearing Highlighting that situation in Latin dimapur | april 20 overly open public debate,” the Guardian America was at grave in Latin the reports also threw light on institutional violence in World leaders paranoid about journalism quoted him as saying. “Today it is increasingly easy for pow- Venezuela and Ecuador, organised crime are cracking down on press freedom, continuing a recent trend in which govern- ers to appeal directly to the public through in Honduras, impunity in Colombia, and ments are increasing their influence over the media. Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders in its latest annual report released • World leaders becoming ‘paranoid’ about the media on Wednesday has said that the World • Warns of a new era of propaganda on the rise Press Freedom deteriorated in 2015 and • Finland, Netherlands and Norway tops ranking warned of “a new era of propaganda.” “There has been a deep and disturb• Eritrea ranked lowest at 180; North Korea at 179 ing decline in respect for media freedom throughout the world,” the free press advo- new technologies, and so there is a great- corruption in Brazil. Among the lowest ranked countries cacy group said in a report released Tuesday. er degree of violence against those who Based on indicators such as media in- represent independent information,” he was Syria, at 177th; North Korea at 179th dependence, self-censorship, the rule of added. Deloire highlighted that ‘new era and last placed was Eritrea. India ranked an abysmally low at 133, while Finland relaw, transparency and abuses, the World of propaganda’ was on rise. “We are entering a new era of propa- tained its top spot for the sixth consecuPress Freedom Index ranks 180 countries. Secretary General of the Paris-based ganda where new technologies allow the tive year, followed by the Netherlands and group, Christophe Deloire said that this low-cost dissemination of their own com- Norway. Three northern European nations year’s index saw a decline in all parts of munication, their information, as dictatthe world. “All of the indicators show dete- ed. On the other side, journalists are the -- Finland, Netherlands and Norway --
Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom 2016 highlights:
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
topped the ranking of 180 countries. Tajikistan dropped 34 spots from last year’s list to rank 150th due to the government’s more authoritarian outlook. Brunei also plunged 34 slots after its interpretation of Sharia law resulted in threats of blasphemy charges and self-censorship. Poland, meanwhile, fell 29 slots to 47th after the country’s conservative government gained more control over the public media. The United States ranked 41st on the list, eight spots lower than in 2015. Europe was the best overall region for journalists. Africa overtook the Americas after that region suffered increased violence against the media. North Africa and the Middle East ranked last. “It is unfortunately clear that many of the world’s leaders are developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism,” Deloire said in a statement. “The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism and a clampdown on the media by ever more authoritarian and oppressive governments.”
address landslide hazards Our Correspondent Kohima | april 20
Nagaland State Government should establish necessary techno-legal and techno-financial mechanisms to address the problem of landslide hazards in the state, a Report of Terrain Stability Study of Kohima Town brought out by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has suggested. “This is to ensure that all stakeholders like builders, architects, engineers and government departments responsible for regulation and enforcement adopt land use safe practices and provide safety norms as far as slope stability is concerned in landslide affected areas in particular and hilly areas in general,” the report said. The state government in consultation with the local bodies should prepare Master Town Plan and Country Planning for individual urban centers/large villages and come up with building regulations/byelaws to provide mandatory techno-legal framework for regulating building activity from planning, design and collection of the construction. The report also accentuated on the need to establish systematic land use zoning for public utilities; life line structures, public and government institu-
NSDMA caution citizens to remain Cycling club aims to put Mokokchung prepared in the event of an earthquake on national mountain-biking map
DIMAPUR, APRIL 20 (MExN): The Items suggested to be kept Nagaland State Disaster Management in the emergency bag: Authority (NSDMA), Home Department 1 Medicines/first aid kit (as required) stated on Wednesday that the recent 2 Photocopy of important documents tremors the North Eastern states have been facing must be treated as an urgent 3 Torchlight with extra batteries wake-up call for each citizen to be pre- 4 Pocket radio 5 Thin blanket pared to face an earthquake. Cautioning that the recent tremors 6 A whistle only re-confirms that the seismic fault- 7 Two bottles of water (or as required) lines of the eastern Himalayas are hyper- 8 Eatables which do not spoil easily active, the NSDMA, through the Secre- 9 Diapers/sanitary pads tary to the Government of Nagaland, 10 Packets of ORS Khrienuo Metha in a general awareness message has recommended keeping be kept at the main door so that it can I want to buy an ugly phone! an emergency bag for such disasters. be picked up as one runs out during an Yea. something my children won’t even think of touching” Further, it recommended that this bag earthquake.
Vacation order of Old Secretariat Building, Kohima
KOHIMA, APRIL 20 (MExN): The Home Department (Nazareth Branch) has issued an order on vacation of Old Secretariat Building. As per the Verification Report of the Inspection Team deputed by the Allotment Committee on April 2, 2016, the Old Secretariat building is in dilapidated condition with crumbling ceilings and buckling columns and is not safe for further occupation. In this connection, Taxes Department, School Education Department, Land Record and Survey Department and Nagaland State Transport Department has been directed to immediately vacate their offices in the Old Secretariat building and arrange alternative accommodation elsewhere. This matter shall be accorded with priority, a release received here stated today.
tions, residential areas, green belt, play ground, parks etc. This may also include preparation of master plan for drainage and sewage network system. Comprehensive and user-friendly landslide inventory database, landslide hazard map and seismic landslide hazard zonation maps for a holistic approach in town and country planning should also be prepared, the report said. It also suggested that the Nagaland State government initiate a ‘Landslide Control Board of Nagaland’ for taking up risk treatment, monitoring, awareness and preparation, capacity development and research and development. Pointing out that Kohima is geologically unstable and has high vulnerability to hazards like landslide and earthquake, the report suggested that mandatory feasibility site report on soil and geotechnical investigation should be submitted to the competent issuing authority for obtaining building permit,” adding that this report should be provided by a competent geotechnical engineer or engineering geologist. The report also stated that since Kohima is geologically unstable, it should strictly follow in accordance with the BIS building codes and other Himalayan state building codes.
‘cultivate healthy lifestyle, healthy habit to preserve the environment’ Our Correspondent Kohima | april 20
Commissioner & Secretary for School Education & SCERT, F P Solo today stressed on the need to cultivate healthy lifestyle and healthy habit to protect and preserve the environment. “Our environment is changing so much and we are also are doing a lot of harm to our environment,” Solo said while addressing Earth Day celebration 2016 under the theme “Caring Mother Earth.” The event was organized by Government Polytechnic Kohima (GPK) in association with Key Foundation, New Delhi and Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India here at GPK premises. Touching on climate change and its impact on the environment, Solo said there is felt the need to do something urgently. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve our environment for the future generation, he said. “We have seen global warming, climate change, melting of iceberg, rising of the sea level, cyclonic storm devastating effect in north east in few days, heat wave, shortage of drinking water especially in Latur district of Maharashtra, floods, mudslides, landslides,” Solo pointed out
while adding that all these posed devastating and disastrous effect on human lives. Attributing the effects of climate changes to humans and human activities,” Solo stressed on the need to reverse the trend by doing something to protect and preserve the environment. “All of us, all our behavior, all our actions, all our activities have some impact on our environment, Solo said. In our own ways if we do something positive now we will be able to improve our environment and preserve it for future generations, he added. To do that, Solo emphasized on the need to cultivate healthy lifestyle and healthy habit because our habit and lifestyle will have a lot of impact on our environment. Solo also suggested to go for more organic food, less meat, more vegetables, more fruits, less junk food, more physical activities, less driving, avail public transport system rather than private vehicles, plant more trees, dispose waste properly. He said all these small activities can contribute a lot to the improvement of the environment. “Let us remind ourselves of the responsibility and the need to do something to improve our environment,” he urged.
Trail Hounds Cycling Club members led by Atoba Longkumer, second from left, during one of their weekend rides take a breather and pose for the lens. (Morung Photo)
Limalenden Longkumer mokokchung | april 20
Mountain biking as a sport is gaining rapid popularity in India and here is a cycling club aiming to put this remote and unexplored Mokokchung on the country’s mountain-biking map. Trail Hounds Cycling Club, the first cycling club in Mokokchung was recently formed by a few like-minded young people to promote the sport of mountain-biking in the region. Through this adventure sport, the club also strives to promote preservation of environment as part of their “green initiative.” The club also aims to “mainstream this sport at the national and international levels,” and has big dreams that “perhaps one day our people would come up to represent Nagaland at the Olympics in Cycling.” One uncommon promise the club makes is that it does not expect assistance from government agencies. “As far as possible we will try not to depend on the government,” says the man behind the club, Atoba Longkumer, a young mechanical engineering graduate and “a proud citizen of Mokokchung.” We have evolved past the concept of “welfare
state” where people expect the government to do everything for them, according to him. The idea of starting a cycling club in Mokokchung first struck his mind way back in 2013 while he was still in college after witnessing a cycle stunt show at IIT Guwahati but he shelved the idea owing to pressing academic priorities then. “After graduating, I came back home and saw the cycling revolution happening in Dimapur and Kohima which again prompted me to go ahead and form a club in Mokokchung. I discussed about my plans with my friends -Lipok Jamir, Wapangsunep, Bendangmeren and Moameren, and they were quite supportive of my vision. And together we formed the club,” narrates Atoba Longkumer on how the club came into being. On being asked about the club’s future plans, Atoba replies, “We are humbly starting out as a very small organization so we plan to take one step at a time.” At the moment, the club’s first priority is to build up a strong social media presence so as to encourage more people to adopt cycling as a sport and also for health benefits. “We believe social media is a very
powerful tool through which we can send our message to the people to inspire them to take up cycling. With this in mind, we opened up our Facebook page earlier this year. And quite recently we have been receiving a lot of positive responses. Our followers shot up from 300 in March to 1000 plus in April.” Once a strong base is build, the club plans to organize a first ever “Mokokchung Cross-country Mountain Bike Rally” if potential sponsors show interest. The club is also currently looking for local and national partners for the proposed event which, the club believes, would be an ideal marketing and philanthropic opportunity for corporate houses to showcase their products and services as well as promote fitness and community involvement. Presently, there are eight members in the club whose average age is 24 years. Membership to the club is open to all but interested persons are required to own an MTB besides undergoing some registration paperwork. Parents’ assent is required for those below 16 years of age. The club became active during March of this year and has been going out for rides every weekend since. The club is also planning to observe World Environment Day on June 5. Trail Hounds also tries to keep up with its professional image and offers consultancy and technical advice to interested persons, even in choosing one’s bikes depending on budget and utility. The one constraint that cyclists face in Mokokchung is the lack of bicycle showrooms or servicing centres in town. Trail Hounds has its own formula to solve this problem. “We at Trail Hounds provide all the servicing, repairs or bike upgrades for our members at the moment. Since the online shipping charges for bikes till Mokokchung are very costly, we ship bikes to Mokokchung at extremely cheap rates but only on order basis and we also assemble the bikes for our clients,” adds Atoba Longkumer.