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SunDAY • APRIL 24 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 111 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
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Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start — Nido Qubein Media figures, scholars call for release of Himal Editor
Heat wave: At least 128 dead in Odisha, Telangana PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Phesama | April 23
Phesama is the closest Southern Angami village to Nagaland’s capital Kohima. In August 2015, the village was devastated by “Have no fear. Our govern- a landslide that damaged ment is taking steps to pre- cropfields, homes, propervent natural calamities from ty, displacing more than 40 hitting our state.” families. The village continues to rebuild itself and the resilience of the community remains one that has received great respect and admiration from neighbouring villages. With emerging climate change, the community is taking up major concerns CITIZEN UMBRELLA to mitigate ecological crisis Wholesalers may contact in the area. CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. On April 23, the village H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 organized an indigenous Fax : (033) 2271-2151 trees plantation day as part E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com of its action program on ‘Conservation of Natural Resources.’ The initiative We would like to remind was spearheaded by the you that Rejoinders to Phesama Youth Organisathose statements/news tion (PYO). More than 700 pieces that have not been people came to plant 3000 originally published by saplings in an area of 3 the newspaper will not Sq.km from Varü river and be carried either. This is Dzücharü river at Phesama in order to maintain im- near the National Highway partiality on an issue. We stretch. All the saplings seek your understanding planted were indigenously and cooperation! The Morung Express
Public Reminder
Dimapur, april 23 (mExN): Wakching area in Mon district remains completely cut off due to mudslides on the NaginimoraWakching Road caused by ongoing torrential rains. Sources from Wakching informed that the public of the area are facing acute shortage of food supply and essential commodities as the movement of trucks and other commercial vehicles have come to a standstill due to the dire road condition. Adding to its misery, the area has plunged into darkness due to power black-out for three consecutive days, it added. The source informed that hailstorm accompanied by heavy wind have damaged couple of houses in the area.
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INDIGENOUS TREES PLANTATION: A people’s movement in Phesama Morung Express News
Torrential rains cut off Wakching area
Iheanacho lifts Man City, Benitez denies Liverpool
grown trees such as Kevi (Cherry tree), Khavü (figus species), Shievü Tekhra (local willow), Khusa (neem), banana and banyan trees. Angami Public Organisation (APO) President, Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi, who also hails from Phesama village, mentioned that the youth selected the indigenous trees with the idea that it will not be misused for firewood or timber. The 700 volunteers were not just the youth of the village but elders, students of the village, including St. Paul Institute Jesuit Trainees, students and teachers of St. Paul School, representatives from APO, Angami Students’ Union, Southern Angami Youth Organisation, and Southern Angami Sports Association. It took almost a month for PYO to mobilize the village which included door to door campaigns and announcements in four churches of the village and schools. In 1994, the village had adopted a resolution to ban hunting, fishing, burning of jungles, and dumping of loose mud due to the increasing ecological crisis
People take part in an indigenous trees plantation exercise organised at Phesama village in Kohima district on Saturday, April 23. (Morung Photo)
in the village as well as the neighbouring areas. Reaffirming the resolution on January 23 this year, the village authorized the youth to implement the resolution in toto. “We are aware of global warming and climate change which have become a world-wide concern. As we look around, we witness our hillocks, rivers and streams slowly losing
greenery and drying up. We have a huge challenge ahead and this is the right time, if not late, to usher in this change,” said PYO President, Khriezhapu Kuotsu. He asserted that the trees plantation is a small way to begin and the trees planted today will boost the survival of people tomorrow. Kuotsu also reiterated the 1994 resolution not to sell any part of ancestral
land to outsiders with the intent to protect and preserve land, its resources and history. Another objective behind the trees plantation is also to conserve water. Phesama supplies 0.3 million litres water per day to Kohima. Despite its generosity, the village has witnessed water scarcity within the village in recent years. This scarcity, accord-
ing to Khriezhapu Kuotsu, has also led to increasing hostility among the villagers. If we don’t tackle these problems, it could lead to violence among the villagers, expressed Kuotsu. “We need to safeguard our eco system. We need to safeguard even the micro organisms and plants which we cannot see with our eyes. We have to protect them for our children and the future,” said Dr. Seleyi. Criticizing growing individualism in society wherein most people today receive education and acquire wealth for personal comforts and interest, Dr. Seleyi called upon the people to think and act on what is best for the people and the society. Dr. Seleyi also expressed disappointment over the way Earth Day was celebrated on April 22 which, he viewed, was mostly celebrated in towns and inside buildings. “The concerned authorities and agencies should come forward to the rural base for practical work,” stated the leader. Asserting that every individual must work towards the protection and promotion of bio-
diversity, Dr. Seleyi posited that everybody can contribute. “The wise can contribute their knowledge, the rich can contribute their wealth, the youth can render their physical service and the leaders can devote their time in monitoring and implementation of policy making,” he affirmed. On being asked how a small village like Phesama can impact the State or the world, Dr. Seleyi remarked that among Angami villages, Phesama has the highest exposure to the rest of the people with it close attachment to the State capital, National Highway and Kisama, the Heritage village. The PYO has more challenges ahead as the village continues to witness increasing stone quarries and deforestation. It plans to create more campaigns and awareness programs, regulate reserved forests and spread the message to neighbouring villages. “Once we sensitize the people on the negative impacts, slowly we can expect changes. We don’t want to resort to violence. We want to resolve our environmental crisis through peace,” said Kuotsu.
er. levi bats for truth, unity TR Zeliang bestowed ‘global leadership award’ Our Correspondent Kohima | April 23
Parliamentary Secretary for PWD (Housing), Er. Levi Rengma today stressed on the need to speak the truth and called upon the people to have courage to say wrong is wrong and right is right. Speaking at the annual meetingcum-seminar of Rengma Public Organization Kohima here at Ura Academy Hall, Levi stated that the decision taken in any social set-up will be meaningless as long as there is deficit of speaking the truth. “When a decision has to be taken let us be truthful and take decision,” he stated, while asking the people not to hide the truth. The Parliamentary Secretary also underscored the need for unity among the Rengmas in particular and Nagas in general and told the people to change their mindset and say “us” instead of “I”. “Society cannot be progressed by individual alone,” he said, adding a collec-
tive responsibility is required to take the society forward. He further maintained that society can develop and progress only if “we all think that it is my responsibility, without me my society cannot progress, without me my society cannot be good.” He affirmed that positive development will emerge only if the individual starts thinking on that line. Er. Levi added that Nagas are very conscious of our identity along with our tribe. Meanwhile, he said the society cannot progress unless there is organizational law, rules and discipline. Rules and law of the society that is framed should be applicable to every one of us, he added. Earlier, Rengma Hoho President, Kenyuseng Tep shared greetings, while Dr. Kenilo Kath, Assistant Professor, Mt. Tiyi College, Wokha presented a paper on “Rengma identity & culture”. The meeting also saw approval of constitution, general discussion, adoption of resolution and cultural presentation.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang receiving the prestigious award for ‘Lifetime Achievement in Transformation’ at the Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Hotel In Bali Indonesia Today.
Dimapur, april 23 (mExN): The Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang was bestowed ‘Lifetime Achievement Award in Transformation,’ at the 6th Global Leadership Awards 2016 held today at the Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana Hotel, Indonesia, a press release from Chief Minister’s Office Media Cell stated. The award was organised by The Leaders International, a business
Dimapur’s nagarjan road worsens–no action in sight Morung Express News Dimapur | April 23
The road leading to Nagarjan in Dimapur has become a ‘Gigantic Basin.’ With heavy rainfall, one of the busiest streets in Dimapur has accumulated water as a result of pits, potholes and improper storm drains. This has led to safety hazard not just for vehicles but also, particularly, pedestrians. “The poor road condition had prevented people from attending church services. There are about eight churches in Nagarjan. Autos cannot fare. Also it has become impossible for the pedestrians to walk in the main junction of Nagarjan and people who are in need of immediate medical attention cannot travel in this poor road condition,” said Kari Walling, an auto rickshaw driver. To get around this, autorickshaws and other vehicles have taken to plying on the footpath. There have been instances of engines failing in the area where water has accumulated. An interaction with Kuda Village Council Ex. Chairperson (Nagarjan), Alhoulie Belho, pitched on the poor road condition in Nagarjan. “The road condition is deteriorating drastically, inconvenient for the pedestrians, the sick and women in maternity. There are high risks for school chil-
The road leading to Nagarjan in Dimapur has become a clogged basin, posing a threat to pedestrians, the sick, women in maternity and vehicles. (Photo by Akhrienuo Kire)
dren with vehicles encountering accidents.” He informed that the road has been neglected and left unrepaired for almost 5 years by the Nagaland State government. The Village Council, with the recommendation of a concerned MLA, had sought assistance from the Urban Development Department, but no aid was given, reportedly due to the lack of capital. In 2011 and 2012, the Council,
with the help of well wishers, youth organisations and concerned citizens got together several times to fill the pits and pot holes. In 2013, through negotiations with the PWD (Roads and Bridges) Department, the Council took the initiative to repair the road to some extent. The expenditure made by the Council was compensated by the Department. Belho further informed that the area that has become a clogged ba-
sin falls under the purview of the Dimapur Municipal Council. Heavy rainfall combined with “improper maintenance” of the drainage system by the municipal authorities is a major reason for the accumulation of water, said the Ex Chairperson. Again in 2014, the Council sought aid from the government; however there was no positive response this time. Recently, in March 2016, the PWD engineer with his colleagues met some of the village elders with regards to repair and maintenance of the road but no clear cut information has been relayed to them yet. “We are being tolerant and patient for a government response. But if the government does not revert back in time, necessary action with be taken by the Council and elders for the repairing of our roads and we appeal the government not to be agitated by it,” he summarised. “Past, Present and Future... Nagarjan road remains the same,” said Chemrila, a citizen of the locality. Everyday people holding high posts, government authorities ply on the same road. Despite this, no attention has been paid to the maintenance of roads even in Nagaland’s commercial capital, Dimapur. Reporting by Akhrienuo Kire who is currently an intern at The Morung Express.
magazine and co-organized by American Leadership Development Association (ALDA), a US based NGO. Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang was selected by a panel of renowned professionals from all parts of the world and the awardees were selected in various categories based on their leadership qualities and contributions to their fields in the last three
years or so, the release said. Meanwhile, it further informed that at the sideline of the event, Zeliang also met Sultan Sulaiman, Prince of Selangor and discussed possibilities of trade and commerce. “Both agreed that detailed discussions should be held again for mutual benefit of the regions they represent,” it added. The Chief Minister also met Dr Mazlan, the CEO of the Institute of Darul Ridzwan, Economic and Political Research, State of Perak (Malaysia) and the Economic Advisor to the King of Abu Dhabi, Princess Badaria. During these exchanges, Zeliang expressed his “fervent desire” that the North Eastern States should become the hub of commercial activities in the light of the Government of India’s Act East policy and not a mere corridor through which trade and commerce occurs, the CMO release further maintained.