April 4th, 2016

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

monDAY • APRIL 04 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 91 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars India and Saudi Arabia review strategic partnership PAGE 08

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | April 3

Who will address human rights in Naga society today?

The Morung Lecture held on Saturday, April 2 at the DABA’s Elim Conference Hall attempted to grapple with this question in a discussion held after the lecture delivered by Dr. Visakhonü Hibo, Principal of Japfü Christian College and Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of the Naga Naga politician khan bhi Peoples’ Movement for Huna… Tell them to bring back man Rights. my scales of justice.

Director of Peace Channel and Principal of NEISSR, Fr. CP Anto, wondered if people and organisations can come together to support existing bodies like NPMHR, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), ACAUT (Nagaland) in order to address human CITIZEN UMBRELLA rights, and in raising specific issues? Can churches Wholesalers may contact CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. come together to address H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 the deepening crises faced Fax : (033) 2271-2151 by society today?

E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com While denominational challenges remain, it Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Do you support the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion of Online Games of Skill Bill, 2015? Why? Yes

No

others

Is Public Silence and Public Indifference encouraging the continuation of corruption in Nagaland State government?

Yes

85%

No

10%

others

05%

Details on page 7

Type 1 diabetes may up risk of epilepsy

C M Y K

taipei, april 3 (iaNS): People with type 1 diabetes are three times more prone to the risk of developing epilepsy later in life, finds a new research. The findings revealed that in patients with type 1 diabetes, the risk of developing epilepsy -- a neurological disorder -- was significantly higher than that in patients without the disease. Also, an excess of glucose in the bloodstream known as hyperglycaemia and deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream, known as hypoglycaemia, can alter the balance between the inhibition and excitation of neuronal networks and cause focal motor seizures.

Immune abnormalities, brain lesions, genetic factors and metabolic abnormalities have been identified as the potential causes for the link between type 1 diabetes and epilepsy.

In addition, younger age has been linked with an increased risk of developing epilepsy, the researchers said. “This result is consistent with those of previous studies in that epilepsy or seizures are observed in many autoimmune or inflammatory disorders and are linked to the primary disease, or secondary to pro-inflammatory processes,” said I-Ching Chou from China Medical University in Taiwan. In the study, published in the journal Diabetologia, computer modelling was used to estimate the effects of type 1 diabetes on epilepsy risk.

o F

T R u T H

— Oscar Wilde

Nagaland agriculture: Loss due to pests, diseases, weeds as high as 32%

WIndies first double ICC World T20 champions

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

Part ii: Human rights in naga society - today & tomorrow

Morung Express News

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTioN

P o W e R

is time for churches of all denominations to come together in Nagaland to address these issues, concluded the session.

“The church is the solution and it needs to take a stand,” said Dr. Hibo during the course of the public discussion.

Editor of The Morung Express, Dr. Aküm Longchari, said that it is time for the church to “overcome the facade of neutrality” in order to take a stand on what is right and wrong.

Only then can it begin to help those who seek its shadow when their basic rights as human beings are abused.

The ‘Morung Lectures’ is an initiative of The Morung for Indigenous Affairs and Just Peace and The Morung Express, and attempts to open up a culture of dialogue in Naga society where options can be created without having to insist a singular position.

As Fr. Anto noted, the only way to resolve the current “mess” in society is

Participants at the Morung lecture on ‘Human Rights in Naga society: Today and Tomorrow’ held on saturday, April 2. (Photo by Satyen Bordoloi)

through coming together in dialogue, planning and programming.

Among options raised, former bureaucrat and current activist, Khekiye K Sema, observed that the Government of India and the Naga people have now recognised that differences can be sorted out through

mutual discourse. In such a scenario, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has become irrelevant—can the Naga people let the GoI know through “sustained” public campaigns that the Act is undemocratic and no longer applicable?

Sema wondered whether NPMHR and ACAUT can

work together against corruption – for the sake of accountability and transparency.

According to Neingulo Krome, while different organisations have their own limitations, the culture of impunity for the Indian army created by laws like AFSPA, later replicated by

the Naga army—indeed raising the question of human rights—can be addressed by all as everyone has the “equal responsibility” to raise them.

NPMHR, he said, was started at a time (1978) when the people who joined it had little knowledge of human rights but they still worked hard given the situation in the Naga areas during the 1970s. Given the access to knowledge systems today, everyone can address the issue of human rights through their organisations by recognising the needs of the people.

This needs continual education on human rights through institutions or through people’s initiatives (NPMHR used to print human rights pamphlets before to educate the people). This can also be done through the publication of histories that remain unpublished till date like the abuses that the people in Eastern Nagaland went through from 195558 when the Indian army

first attacked the region through the Eastern sphere, informed Toshi Wuntung, adviser to the Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation.

Today, however, the horizon of human rights needs to be expanded beyond what NPMHR could do, asserted Krome. It is in this expansion that the human rights discourse in Naga society has failed, particularly the Government of Nagaland as well as civil society.

Citing a basic example of abuse, Dr. Hibo pointed out how the society has denied children their right to a just life—how Naga children from downtrodden areas are made to work like “slaves” in well-to-do Naga homes.

In this context, many among the audience expressed the opinion that given a tumultuous history, the discourse on Human Rights in Naga society is predominated by this political question, which, at times, results in neglecting other aspects associated with rights.

Assam first phase polls to decide fate of 539 candidates Habitual thief caught on CCTV

GuWahati, april 3 (iaNS): Assam will hold the first phase of assembly polls on Monday for 65 constituencies to decide the fate of 539 candidates.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is seeking a mandate for the fifth term in Titabar constituency.

A total of 96,11,732 people are eligible to vote in the elections across 12,190 polling stations in the 65 constituencies. The constituencies mainly include those in Upper Assam, north bank of Brahmaputra river and in Barak Valley of Assam. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pitted Lok Sabha MP and tea tribe leader Kamakhya Prasad Tasha against the Gogoi. Similarly, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal will seek a mandate from Majuli constituency in Assam. The Congress has fielded sitting

legislator from the Rajib Lochan Pegu constituency.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in Assam, all necessary arrangements have been made in the polling stations to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. Of the 12,190 polling stations, 7,629 have been identified as sensitive, 3,663 are identified as hyper sensitive and 1,910 are marked as critical.

In the first phase, the state’s ruling Congress party will contest in all the 65 constituencies while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put up candidates in 54 constituencies.

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), led by perfume baron Moulana Badruddin Ajmal, is contesting in 27 seats while the regional party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is contesting in only

11 seats. There are 280 Independent candidates in the electoral fray for the first phase of polls followed by 65 others, representing some lesser known or unregistered parties.

While most of the constituencies will see straight electoral battles between the ruling Congress in Assam and candidates put up by the BJP, AGP and Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) alliance in Upper Assam and in north bank of river Brahmaputra, the constituencies in Barak Valleys are likely to see a threecornered fight between the Congress, the BJP-led alliance and AIUDF. “We are hopeful for a peaceful and incident-free poll tomorrow (Monday).

The presiding officers and other poll officials, accompanied by security personnel, have started moving

towards their respective polling centres,” Assam’s Additional Chief Electoral Officer Nitin Khade said Sunday. “Security arrangements have been done as per the necessity. In every polling station, there will be at least three armed police and two unarmed constables,” he said.

Other prominent faces in the state who would seek mandate in the first phase include Public Works Department minister Ajanta Neog (Congress), Agriculture Minister Rockybul Hussain (Congress), Cultural Minister Bismita Gogoi (Khumtai), former union minister Paban Singh Ghatowar (Cong), former two-time Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (AGP), former education minister Brindaban Goswami (AGP) and Atul Bora (AGP president).

CCTV footage showing the accused lifting vegetables at New Market, Dimapur.

Morung Express News Dimapur | April 3

A habitual vegetable lifter was apprehended at New Market, Dimapur by the shopkeepers on Sunday morning. According to New Market Business Owners’ Association (NMBOA) officein-charge, Kiyegho Aye,

the accused identified as Bihari Lal (57) was caught lifting vegetables on at least seven occasions.

During a press conference at NMBOA Office on Sunday, media persons were shown CCTV footage of the accused lifting veggies at Old Vegetable Line.

In this regard, the NMBOA has lodged an FIR

with the Police to whom the accused was handed over.

It may be recalled that 23 CCTV Cameras were installed at New Market by the NMBOA and launched on March 30. This is the first instance where NMBOA has identified an offender through CCTV Camera ever since it was installed.

M e a n w h i l e, the NMBOA has acknowledged Home Minister, Y Patton for gracing the launching of the CCTV cameras at New Market and said it looked forward to the Home Minister for further support and cooperation towards the welfare of the business community.

NMBOA said that the objective of installing CCTV camera was not only to catch miscreants/extortionists but also to discipline mischievous shopkeepers and for safety of customers.

nikos Hospital to launch NE Fashion Week 2016 aims to laparoscopic training centre promote weavers & craftsmen

state of the art equipments including HD laparoscopic set, C Arm and force triad vessel sealing in the oT room of Nikos Hospital & Research Centre.

Morung Express News Dimapur | April 3

In a major boost to the health care sector in Nagaland, Nikos Hospital & Research Centre (NH&RC), Dimapur, will soon launch its own laparoscopic training centre to train and teach gynae doctors, the latest in minimal invasive surgery.

The Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Society of India (FOGSI) has assessed the hospital and is in the final process of granting accred-

itation to NH&RC for opening of the training centre.

This was disclosed by Chairperson, FOGSI Endoscopic Committee, Dr. Bijoy Nayak, who was here in Dimapur to assess the infrastructure and facilities available in the hospital.

Talking to media persons at Hotel Acacia before his departure on Sunday, Dr. Nayak said his visit was primarily to assess the feasibility of opening a laparoscopic training centre in the hospital. He expressed satisfaction with the equip-

ments and facilities available at Nikos.

“I find the hospital well organized and equipped with state of the art laparoscopic equipments. I think this can be one of the best training centres in the country. In fact I am astonished that such facilities exist in Dimapur”, Dr. Nayak said.

Dr. Nayak also described Dr. Victo Wotsa, MD (OBST & Gynecology) of NH&RC as one of the leading endoscopic surgeons in the country and one who has performed numerous endoscopic surgeries in different hospitals in India.

Nikos Hospital sources expressed optimism that the accreditation process would be done in a month’s time. After the accreditation, the hospital hopes to provide long and short term training to gynae doctors.

Thetrainingcentrewillbe the first in Nagaland and the second in the entire North East region after Guwahati.

Since introduction of gynaecological laparoscopy in NH&RC in 2011, the hospital has performed around 6,000 such surgeries, an NH&RC doctor said.

Morung Express News Dimapur | April 3

The second edition of the North East India Fashion Week, organized by Affluent Ray of Light (ARL), will be held from June 3-5 at Itanagar.

The NE India Fashion Week is an initiative by ARL with a motive to globalize the social and cultural aspects of the different tribes of NE India by extracting traditional roots and making an effort to embolden NE fashion designers, weavers and craftsmen.

Founding members of the Guwahati-based ARL including Chief Executive Oficer (CEO), Siramjeet Das and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Yana Ngoba at a press conference on Sunday disclosed the objectives and core values behind the fashion week.

Yana said NE India Fashion Week would provide a platform to all stakeholders within the NE with special focus on weavers and craftsmen and to network and alliance with partners and markets across the globe. The event

Fashion designers from the NE along with models displaying their creations during a photo call in Dimapur, sunday.

is also aimed at promoting and supporting weavers and craftsmen to help sell their products in the national and international markets and to empower NE women by providing them networking opportunity. The fashion week would also pave the way for creating business and branding opportunities to industries directly or indirectly linked to retailing handloom and textile fashion.

Yana informed that the first edition held at Itanagar in 2015 witnessed 34

designers from the North East region, besides several designers from mainland India showcasing their designs and products.

This year, 25 designers from across the country including Delhi, Rajasthan and Bihar have confirmed their participation so far, she added. The selected designers will get the opportunity to introduce their designs in the London Fashion Week as well as other international fashion events, Yana informed.

Established and upcoming designers from the

North East states including Rupert Wanlambok (Meghalaya), Ongtiong Kichu (Nagaland), Gloria Ovung (Nagaland), Milli Indra Dangngo (Arunachal Pradesh), Techi Yapar (Arunachal Pradesh), Suliya Swu (Nagaland) and Doichong Buchem (Nagaland), also shared their experiences, their designs and motifs, and expectations for the upcoming fashion week.

Later in the evening, the designers from the North East also organized a ‘Promo fashion show’ at Hotel Acacia.

2

monDAY 04•04•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Satuo Kikramia Ki: New park in Zubza

Ex-MLA Asu Keyho and others during the inauguration of “Satuo Kikramia Ki” at Sechü-Zubza on April 2. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Sechü- Zubza | April 3

A newly constructed park called “Satuo Kikramia Ki” was formally opened to the public at Sechü-Zubza by ex- AICC member and ex-MLA Asu Keyho on April 2. The park was constructed by Sechüzou The-

jakromia Thetshü.

The park, located 4km from Zubza on the way to Sechüma village, is a nice place to hang out with beautiful natural views around - majestic hills and breathtaking valleys. The surrounding area makes it a perfect place for adventurous activities and can

be made an amazing tourist destination.

Addressing the gathering, Asu Keyho said the location is ideal for gettogether and can attract tourists. The place is very unique surrounded with scenic beauty all over and the misty wind makes it an absolute delight for any

tourist visiting the place.

He hoped that the park will be beneficial, especially to the people of the surrounding areas and the Nagas in general.

Seyielhoukho Sechü, member of Sechüzou Thejakromia Thetshü, said the park is equipped with resting sheds, kitchen fa-

cilities, common toilet, 24 hours natural water supply, huge parking spaces and dustbin to maintain cleanliness. It will provide one with every opportunity to relax and enjoy, he stated and urged people visiting the park to maintain cleanliness by using the dustbin provided.

He also informed that the park will be open all days of the week for the general public. Any individual visiting in groups and want to avail kitchen facilities for holding meeting and picnic can contact the following numbers 9615355086, 8794757275 and 9615510169.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Rokovikho Sechü, invocation prayer by Pastor Kevingulie Rhatsu, welcome speech by Satuo Sechü, special song presented

by Sechüma Youth Organization, short speech by Pelevise Rhatshu, Chairman, Sechüma Village Council and vote of thanks was said by Neidilhoutuo Sechü.

The programme ended with closing prayer by Krusieno Nipu, chairman of Sechüma Women Society, followed by lottery draw and feast.

Nagaland agriculture: Loss due to pests, diseases, weeds as high as 32% Our Correspondent

the pests incidence.

10.72 MT of solid particles and 3428 litres of liquid The Nagaland Economic pesticides were consumed Survey 2015-16 brought out during 2014-15. by the State’s department of economics & statistics and Land Utilization tabled in the recent state As per the land utilizaassembly session here stat- tion statistics, the total reed that during 2014-15, the porting area of the state in total quantity of fertilizers 2014-15 is recorded at 16.52 consumed in the state is lakh ha, which is 0.006 lakh 2604.08 MT, with 1324.16 ha more than the previous MT of Nitrogen, 796.08 MT year. Out of the total reportof Phosphate and 483.84 ing area, area under forest MT of Potassium. constitutes 8.63 lakh ha, net “Intensive agriculture area sown 3.84 lakh ha, othrequires plant protection er uncultivable land excludmeasures to avoid loss of ing fallow land 1.61 lakh ha, crops due to pest and dis- land not available for cultieases,” the Survey stated, vation 0.95 lakh ha, and the adding that the annual loss area under fallow land conincurred in the state due to stitutes 1.49 lakh ha. pests, diseases and weeds The Survey stated that are as high as 5-32 per cent total cropped area in the of crop production de- state recorded 50.01 lakh pending on the severity of ha in 2014-15 from 49.93 Kohima | April 3

lakh ha in 2013-14, thus, the total cropped area in the state increased by 0.15 per cent or 0.01 lakhs ha in absolute figure over the previous year.

The area sown more than once recorded 1.16 lakh ha in 2014-15 as compared to 1.19 lakh hectare in 2013-14, which is a percentage decrease of 2.21 per cent, while net area sown recorded 3.84 lakh ha in 2014-15, which is 0.03 lakh ha or 0.89 per cent more than 2013-14 (3.80 lakh ha).

Thus, the percentage of area sown more than once to the net area sown recorded 30.28 per cent in 2014-15 as compared to 31.21 per cent in 2013-14. The percentage of net area sown to total cropped area was 76.76 per cent in 2014-15 compared to 76.20 per cent in 2013-14.

New EFG office inaugurated

Dimapur, april 3 (mExN): The Earth Friendly Generation (EFG) has inaugurated its new office at Chiephobozou Town in Kohima district. EFG is one of the first initiatives for environment protection in Nagaland, according to a press release received here. During the short inauguration programme, short speeches were

delivered by Ruopfükuotuo Noudi, EAC, Botsa, and Vineizo Tsürho, Vice-Chairman, Chiephobozou, where the speakers congratulated as well as exhorted the EFG members to move forward with zeal and enthusiasm. Earlier, Principal, Don Bosco High School invoked God’s grace for the new office of EFG.

Appeal to unite man with family Aoleang festival celebrated in Dimapur Dimapur, april 3 (mExN): One unidentified man was found in an unconscious state at New Market, near Dhobinala Police Point here by one Indigo staff and proprietor of JR Travels located in Purana Bazar on April 1 around 9:00 am.

A press release from the proprietor of JR Travels, Nizamul Hoque informed that the man was immediately taken to the Civil Hosptial Dimapur and his state was report-

ed to West Police Station. However, till now, no one has come to claim him; therefore, he is under the care of JR Travels’ proprietor and his staff and his medical expenses are being taken care of by the Indigo staff identified as Senti and JR Travels, the release said.

It has requested anyone who has any knowledge about the person to come forward and help them unite him with his family. For any information, contact 9856745856.

The man who was found unconscious at New Market on April 1. A request has been made to anyone who has knowledge about him to come forward and help unite him with his family.

BJYM on Rotary Rahat Medical Mission

Dimapur, april 3 (mExN): Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Nagaland unit has termed the Rotary Rahat Medical Mission being held in Dimapur as the most noble and humanitarian mission, where all kinds of treatment and surgeries are done absolutely free of cost by a group of specialized doctors, nurses, and

paramedics.

In a press release issued by its Vice President, Vikuho Dominic, BJYM said that a team of 20 specialized doctors along with the help of doctors from District Hospital Dimapur and CIHSR (Referral Hospital) and with the help of various NGOs kick started the noble mission on March 28, which will culminate

on April 5.

As of April 2, the release said that 323 surgeries had been done and more than 5590 OPD patients have been cared for.

BJYM reiterated that the Mission, initiative of Rotary International Dimapur, has provided huge benefits to the people of Nagaland and patients of backward areas with thou-

sands of patients being treated and operated free of cost, provided free food, medicine, surgical intervention and post operative care to the needy.

Applauding the Rotarians of Dimapur for the initiative, BJYM wished and prayed that the Rotary International will continue the noble mission in service towards humanity.

Dimapur, april 3 (mExN): The Chen Union Dimapur (CUD) celebrated 20th Aoleang festival at the residence of its treasurer W Wangyuh Konyak, former MP, on April 2. The programme was chaired by CUD President Er. Chenlip Yakha Salymn and General Secretary N Chingkim.

The President of CUD briefed on the importance of the union since its inception in 1996 – providing service towards the cause of the community on all fronts. He acknowledged Nyoing Apong, the winner of Miss Mon 2015 and Threnon, who won Naga Orpheus Hunt S-10, 2015.

He also applauded the treasurer W Wangyuh for serving the Union for the past 20 years in all of its activities and for providing practical and logistic support. Further, the President on behalf of the Union lauded Yamao, BDO for initiating plan for the Chen

Chen women perform dance during the Aoleang festival in Dimapur on April 2.

Village Committee.

The Chief Speaker, Yamao, BDO spoke on behalf of the Minister for RD & REPA, CL John. The minister stressed on celebrating the Aoleang festival as event of renewing and continuing the service of the union towards unity of the community in all causes and feeling of oneness. He also urged the CUD members to work together in all fields and put effort for achievement in ev-

ery initiative.

The union’s annual general report and finance report was delivered by N. Chingkim and Akham respectively. The resolution of the union was read out by the President.

Also, President of the Chen Area Sheko Khong – Dimapur (CASK-D), Yanon declared the Raffle Draw open. The CASK-D also presented traditional folk song followed by the

men’s troupe. The cultural troupe was led by Shaboh, former MLA, who emphasised on the cultural values and traditional characters of the community with the changing world.

The programme ended with mass prayer led by Aowang, Executive member of the Union, seeking abundance of blessing from the Almighty God for the betterment of the Chen community.

CNTC general meeting

Dimapur, april 3 (mExN): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) will have a general meeting on April 9, 10:00 am at its office. Therefore, all office bearers and executive members from reThe ‘Benevolence Mission’ to Mon by Tali Angh and Fingerprint – Design and Events con- spective units have been cluded with a concert at Council Hall, Mon Town on April 1. The purpose of the Mission, which informed to attend the began on March 28, was to encourage young people to care for environment and to become meeting positively. active agents of love to transform the society.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

W

“Gone, to be with her creator” We the family members of Late Mrs. Marlila Sangtam (W/o, L Tinglise Sangtam) who passed away on the 26th of March 2016 after a prolonged life of 80 years, take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to all the churches, organisations and individuals. We are deeply touched by your unceasing prayer support, physical presence and generosity.

We especially thank the Doctors & staff of District Hospital Tuensang and Zion Hospital Dimapur.

Though, we are unable to thank each and every one of you individually we pray that God Almighty bless you abundantly.

HUSBAND, CHILDREN, IN-LAWS, GRAND CHILDREN, GREAT GRAND CHILDREN AND RELATIVES

e the family members convey our deep gratitude to all those who supported us spiritually, physically and financially throughout the prolonged illness and sad demise of our father Late Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü, Catechist, Christ King Church, Kohima Village.

We are indebted to the Catholic Union, Christ King Church, the Parish priest and his colleagues, the Bishop of Kohima, different Catholic Parishes, Doctors and nurses of Oking hospital, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, various church and public organisations, educational institutions and all those who showed your love, respect and concern for our late beloved father.

We regret we are unable to thank each one of you individually, but we pray that the Almighty God bless you all in abundance.

Mrs. Alhou-ü Albina Dzüvichü and family.

Peren District GBs Association holds general meeting p E r E N, a p r i l 3 (mExN): Peren District GBs Association held its general meeting from March 29 - 30 at Tening Town, which was graced by C.L. John, Minister of Rural Development, as chief guest and Namri Nchang, MLA, as chief host. The Association in its second session elected a new team of office bearers headed by Kainia Dilon as President and Hingtung Chawang as General Secretary for the term 2016-2021.

Rio to inaugurate Sakhrie Park

Late Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü 10th March 1932- 1st April 2016

Kohima, april 3 (mExN): Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio will inaugurate Sakhrie Park at Mid AG Colony Kohima on April 7 at 11:00 am.

Dedication of the park will be done by Dr. V. Atsi Dolie, Executive Director, ABCC. Welcome address will be delivered by Viketol Sakhrie, while greetings will be shared by Akhrieo Sorhie, chairman, AG Colony. Vote of thanks will be proposed

by Metevinuo Sakhrie.

MonDAY 04•04•2016

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Monolith Fest comes to an end

Manipur CM to meet Sonia over ministry reshuffle 10 ministers expected to be dropped fighting a lastditch battle

S hi llong, A p ril 3 (MExn): The Monolith Festival 2016 came to a grand finish on Saturday night with thousands immersed in the rich musical and cultural display by known artistes who made the masses sway to their tunes.

It was a brilliant setting at the Khasi Heritage Village, Mawphlang and an even better atmosphere created by the participation of tens of thousands who truly made the second edition of the Monolith Festival a grand success to say the least, a press release from the organisers of the event stated.

Though rains threatened to disrupt the proceedings, the crowd was not the one to budge and held on to its position as the cultural extravaganza went on uninterrupted.

On display on the third and final day of the event were various dance forms from different parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Also

in the stage were known names like Bennedict Hynniewta, Rana Kharkongor and the famous local band Snow White who enthralled the crowd to the brim.

A traditional fashion show and performance by Australian aboriginal group Nuragunya were other major attractions of the day. And then there was of course the festivities and merry making at the various food stalls which the people relished with equal zeal.

The last day of the event was also graced by the presence of District Council Affairs Minister HDR Lyngdoh, local MLA of Mawphlang Kennedy Khyriem and a host of other MDCs including KHADC CEM PN Syiem.

HDR Lyngdoh, while lauding the KHADC for organising such a grand event expressed hope that the event will even go on to beat the Hornbill Festival of the Nagas in the years to come.

PN Syiem, meanwhile, reiter-

30 candidates with criminal charges in phase-1 of Assam polls guwAhAti, April 3 (pti): Thirty candidates have criminal charges against them, including a minister and five sitting MLAs, out of the 539 contestants in 65 consituencies going to polls in the first phase in Assam tomorrow.

Altogether 25 candidates have cited serious criminal cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc. In their affidavits submitted while filing their nominations, according to a report of the Association of Democratic Reforms based on the affidavits filed by the candidates.

Industries and Commerce Minister Siddeque Ahmed contesting to retain his Karimganj (South) seat in Barak Valley has charges of cheating related to property and criminal conspiracy under Sections 120B and 420 of IPC. Congress legislator Rumi Nath from Borkhola along with other sitting party MLAs Debabrata Saikia, son of former Chief Minister late Hiteswar Saikia, from Nazira, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha from Karimganj (North) and Jamaluddin Ahmed from Badarpur have also mentioned cases pending against them.

Eight out of the 65 candidates from Congress, three out of 54 candidates from BJP, three out of 27 candidates from AIUDF, one out of ten candidates fielded by CPI(M), one out of six candidates from CPI(ML)(L) and 14 out of 280 candidates in

fray have mentioned criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Three constituencies in Barak Valley - Karimganj (North), Sonai and Hailakandi - have been declared red alert constituencies by the Election Commission with three or more candidates having declared criminal charges against them, according to the report.

Karimganj (North) and Sonai have four candidates with criminal charges against them while Hailakandi has three candidates with cases against them, the report said.

Among serious criminal charges, two candidates have declared cases related to murder and they include former ULFA militant and BJP candidate Kushal Dowari from Thowra constituency and independent Janardan Hazarika from Amguri constituency. Both referred charges related to murder pending against them under section 302 of IPC, the report said.

Duwari, former independent MLA from Thowra, also declared a charge related to attempt to murder under section 307 of IPC. An independent candidate Ibungobi Singha from Sonai constituency in Barak Valley has declared a charge related to assault or criminal force to women with intent to outrage her modesty under section 354 of IPC. An independent Abdul Ahad Choudhury from Karimganj (North) has declared a charge related to kidnapping for ransom under section 364A of IPC.

ated that unity, protection and growth of Khasi culture were the Council’s foremost concern. Other dignitaries present also urged the Khasi youths to stick to their roots and beautiful culture.

Coming to the cultural performances, a dance performed by the Raid Nongkynrih, depicting legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Singh’s battle against the British was displayed with utmost intensity drawing instant applause from the crowd which sat around the Khasi Heritage Village amphitheatre.

The Jabulo dance was another item that drew tremendous applause. The fancied costumes of the dancers were especially a hit with the crowd.

The Australian aboriginal group Nuragunya, who were at the Fest for an exchange of culture, also displayed their way of life, culture and tradition through an animated dance. The three-member group also presented gifts to

KHADC CEM PN Syiem and EM Neil Antonio War stating that the Nuragunya have the custom of gifting people to whose lands they traverse to. The Australian tribe was also greeted in unison by the crowd which called out “wada” (hello in their local language).

Not surprising that the visitors responded with a khublei.

The traditional fashion show presenting maidens and young Khasi youth in the day to day attires of the Khasis was met with tremendous applause by a vocal crowd which appreciated every bit of the proceedings.

Then came the man with the ‘golden flute’ Bennedict Hynniewta who mesmerized all and sundry with his soothing tunes.

The energetic performer got the crowd behind him almost immediately and the most enchanting moment of the performance came when lights were dimmed so as to enable every member of the crowd to switch on their mo-

bile torch lights and sway it to the tune of the flute. It was a magical moment and the Khasi Heritage was indeed witnessing history.

The renowned Rana Kharkongor was also at his animated best as he got the crowd into the act. Composed and jolly as always, he got the crowd to sing along as everybody stood up to respect what was a tribute to the Khasi race, culture and heritage.

The best, of course was kept for the last. Snow White, the fusion hard rock band, immediately got the crowd on its feet.

The dongmusa-lit amphitheatre arena against a sky pregnant with clouds rendered a divine setting to the Khasi Heritage Village as the band mixed traditional instruments with modern ones to create renditions so unique to them.

In not time, the crowd got down to the lawn dancing to the tunes of numbers having a traditional touch as the Monolith Festival came to a grand finish.

3

iMphAl, April 3 (iAnS): Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is expected to leave for Delhi on Monday morning to hold a crucial meeting with the Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the cabinet reshuffle demand.

He would be accompanied by the new state unit Congress president, T.N. Haokip, and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

Since they are understood to have finalised the list of new ministers to be inducted, all they have to do is to get approval for it from Sonia Gandhi.

Dissidents expect the swearing-in ceremony to be held on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the 10 ministers, expected to be dropped, are fighting a last-ditch battle, saying that as 13 dissident legislators have joined them, their camp has 23 Congress legislature party members.

"Reshuffle is the prerogative of a chief minister and nobody should question or interfere with it," said Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Haokip. He has been one of the prominent dissidents who have sought cabinet reshuffle.

Dissidents, meanwhile, held a victory dinner on Saturday night to celebrate the appointment of Haokip, the new party president. All the 25 dissidents were present at the dinner.

Some legislators contemptuously brushed aside the ministers' claim that there are 23 members in their camp. "All the MLAs are intact with us.

We know that all of us cannot become ministers. It was agreed that first-timers would be made ministers and those former ministers will make room for them," said one of the legislators on Sunday.

In the 60-member House, the Congress has 48 legislators although it won just 42 seats in the last elections. Six legislators from other parties joined the party later. Out of the Congress legislature party members, as many as 25 are demanding reshuffle.

‘Evangelising the Nation: Religion and the Formation of Naga Political Identity’ guwAhAti, April 3 (MExn): A book discussion programme organised by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), North-East Regional Centre, Guwahati, on the book “Evangelising the Nation: Religion and the Formation of Naga Political Identity” by John Thomas was held in Guwahati on April 1.

According to a press release, the panel of discussants included the founder director of the North-Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati, Dr Walter Fernandes, and noted historian and professor at Assam University, Silchar, Prof. Sajal Nag. It was chaired by the renowned historian and former chairperson of the ICHR, Prof.

Basudev Chatterji.

Introducing the book, John Thomas, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Guwahati, said that it was his larger concern with the ways in which religious ideas, practices and mobilizations mediated the formation of social and political identities that prodded him to write this book. He spoke of how his involvement in student politics and Christian Fellowship activities in JNU acquainted him with the stories and struggles of the Nagas, and how it struck a deep chord within. He pointed out that his book explores the making of an

unresolved contradiction within the Naga self, a contradiction generated by the sustained work of the missionaries and the church to promote a particular religious and cultural worldview.

According to Prof. Sajal Nag, it was the first time a secular historian had delved into a subject matter that is generally addressed, albeit in a simplistic manner, by church historians. As a result, he said, it offered a fresh and a much-needed per-

spective on the relations between colonialism and missionary work, and the impact evangelisation activities has had on local societies.

Meanwhile, Dr Walter Fernandes emphasised the book’s readability, recalling how he read it in a single sitting, and was appreciative of the political sensitivity with which it was written. He, however, stressed the importance of looking at the formation of Naga identity not merely as

a response to colonial occupation but also as a response to the changing pre-colonial relations that Nagas had with their neighbouring communities.

Bringing the session to a close, Prof Basudev Chatterji remarked that what is distinct about the book is that it is written by a scholar from outside the region. He felt that when issues and events of a particular region are examined through alien eyes, we canacquire deeper insights.

Maoists lob grenade in Manipur RIMS against graft

iMphAl, April 3 (iAnS): Maoist insurgents on Sunday said they lobbed a grenade at the residence of a medical college professor here to express their disgust with "rampant corruption" in the institute.

The attack on Friday night on the residence of M. Amuba Singh, professor in the department of biochemistry and medical superintendent at the central government-run Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here, resulted only in some damage to the parked vehicles.

The professor's residence on the campus of RIMS, which is a medical college-

cum hospital, is guarded by armed paramilitary personnel.

"There had been corruption in the appointment of nurses. There was also question paper leakage. Though an inquiry committee was instituted, the finding was not made public," said the Maoist Communist Party in a statement, claiming responsibility for the attack.

It blamed RIMS' director S. Rita Devi, deputy director Y. Rajendra Singh and Amuba Singh for the alleged corrupt practices in the instititute.

The Maoists said it was against "ram-

pant corruption" in the RIMS and that its grenade attack should not be seen as an extortion bid.

RIMS sources, however, said the inquiry committee had established that there was nothing wrong in the appointment of the nurses. These new nurses have joined duty.

The employees, including director Rita Devi,onSaturdaystagedasit-inprotestagainst the grenade attack in the hospital premises.

"A fear psychosis should not be created among the patients," Rita Devi said.

The institute did get linked with a corruption scandal in 2014 when the Central

Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered cases against some top administrators for irregularities in procurement of dental chairs.

Following the scandal, S. Sekharjit Singh was relieved of his directorship, and was replaced by Rita Devi.

Given the Maoists' resolve to "purge" the RIMS of the alleged corrupt practices, police told IANS that security measures have been beefed up.

The government is preparing to strengthen the security detail of the director, the medical superintendent and the administrative block.

Betel tales: Going nuts in Manipur and Assam over chewing habits Iboyaima Laithangbam IANS

There had always been a love-hate relationship between Ahom and Kangleipak kingdoms, the old names of Assam and Manipur. They went to war numerous times.

But there were also tales of bonhomie. On one occasion, after a Manipuri princess was married to an Assamese prince, the king of Manipur decreed an entire village to emigrate to Assam so that his daughter would not feel lonely in the new land where language, culture and social practices were different.

Villagers in Manipur also migrated to Assam when marauding invaders from Burma (now Myanmar) and China struck. Others often left for economic and personal reasons.

One fallout of this migration was that Manipuris adopted the Assamese habit of eating tamul (betel nut), which then seeped into the society in Manipur. Now the society is

grappling with the changing habits of Manipuris, as far as the nut and leaves are concerned.

Cut into six fine pieces the betel nuts are put on betel leaves which in turn are placed on two layers of plantain leaves. This offering became indispensable for religious and social functions. Apart from offering to the Gods and Goddesses, shrines or temples, each guest coming for a wedding, or even a death ceremony, is offered the betel nuts and leaves.

In Assam, the nut is eaten raw. But the Manipuris, who call it kwa, often dump the arecanut in pits for several days to soften it, known as kom kwa.

To meet the widespread practice, several truckloads of betel nuts and leaves used to arrive in Manipur from Assam. The climate in Manipur is not conducive to grow the plant, except in a limited form in some areas bordering Assam.

In Imphal, there are several wholesale shops. Every market and every village had kiosks with women vendors

selling skinned or unskinned betel nuts, leaves and lime. Most of the elderly persons are hooked on to the habit of chewing it throughout the day.

As a result, traders in both the states thrived and farmers in Assam got better returns.

But the habit of consuming paan has undergone a change.

Triggered by intervention of militants, and attraction of tobacco laced sweet-laced leaves (mitha-patti paan), the practice of chewing has undergone a transformation, which in turn has brought about an upheaval in the market.

When truckloads of the areca nuts and leaves from Assam used to travel along NH37 to Manipur, the militants -- of whom there are groups galore -- found it lucrative to extract their pound of flesh in the form of "taxes." To evade this illegal levy, the truckers would try to move with army convoys. But then they found many of their trucks torched or pushed down deep gorges by the militants.

As a response, perhaps, the Manipur market was practically invaded by the tobacco-laced leaves, called "mitha patti" brought by air freight from Kolkata and other airports.

Ningthemjao, a wholesale trader, said there was a drastic slashing of the demand of Assamese betel nuts and leaves since the chewing habit was adopting to the other variety. "There is still some demand for religious and formal social functions," he told IANS. Ibethoi, a woman who used to sell betel nuts at the Keishamthong market in Imphal, said: " I had closed down my shed many years ago since nobody bought it. People were after the mitha patti paan".

The business of the costlier "mitha patti" is so lucrative that newspaper packets and other luggages are sometimes off loaded at originating airports to accommodate its consignments. The 'high quality' betel nuts that go with this variety is brought in from Myanmar.

Because of a lack of demand for the Assam betel nuts, most kiosks have either closed down or adopted the flown-in variety.

Radhesyam, a social activist, said "guests at functions like marriage ceremony or funeral gatherings had stopped eating the offered betel nut.

They just ended up littering the venue."

He wondered why people still insist on offering it on special ocassions.

Inao, an event manager, said: "It (the offering) is made out of respect for the guests for coming to the function and this has to continue".

Some estimates put the habit of chewing the leaves at 90 percent of the adult population. But it's not without its darker side.

Health specialists say the incidence of cancer, because of the tobacco-lacing, is exceptionally high in Manipur.

"What is worrisome is that women are not lagging behind men much", Prof Tomcha, former head of depart-

ment of Radio Therapy at the Cancer Centre, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, told IANS. According to Lakpa Laishram, a retired teacher, to avoid the health pitfalls, some families had started serving small packets of coconut pieces, spices and sugar cubes in lieu of the betel nuts and leaves. "It is high time others follow the practice," she added.

As traders and farmers in Assam and wholesalers and vendors in Manipur suffered from the loss of a lucrative market, the militants too must have seen their illegal income drying up. Some of the insurgent groups called for a ban on "mitha patti paan".

But since they could not intervene in its supply, the flow was not hampered much. Morever, armed policemen guard markets where wholesale trade in the leaves takes places. Also, highly-mobile traders, often from Bihar, have fanned out across the state to sell their product.

The business has really moved on.

4

MOnDAY 04•04•2016

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Income Tax dept launches tax calculator; e-filing begins this week New Delhi, April 3 (pTi): With the new Income Tax Return (ITR) forms notified recently for assessment year 2016-17, filers can do an easy check and obtain their annual tax liability on a computerbased calculator hosted by the IT department.

The ‘tax calculator’ is an online computer-based programme hosted on the official website of the department and is meant to help taxpayers or filers assess their tax liability.

The calculator works once a filer correctly feeds his basic details and information, as notified for the current assessment year by the government.

Also, the e-filing facility for ITR-1 (for individuals having income from salaries, single house property and other sources) and ITR-4 (for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) having income from a proprietary business or profession) is expected to go online and get enabled this week, the other ITRs will be hosted soon after, a senior IT department officer said.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes had notified the new forms on March 30 and ITRs can be filed till the stipulated deadline of July 31.

Officials said the calculator has been updated

PM to launch start-up scheme for SCs/STs

New Delhi, April 3 (iANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now on a visit to Saudi Arabia, will on Tuesday launch a scheme to promote entrepreneurship among the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and women with loans in the range of Rs.10 lakh to Rs.100 lakh, official sources said here.

Named the “Stand up India Scheme”, the prime minister will launch it and a web portal for it on Tuesday in suburban Noida.

The function will be also attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, union Minister for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma and union Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha, among others, and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik.

“The scheme is expected to benefit large number of entrepreneurs, as it is intended to facilitate at least two such projects per bank branch of scheduled commercial banks on an average, one for each category of entrepreneur,” an official said.

The scheme will also facilitate refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with an initial amount of Rs.10,000 crore, the official announcement said.

The overall intent of the proposal is to leverage the institutional credit structure to reach out to these under-served sectors of the population by facilitating bank loans in the non-farm sector, sources said.

The prime minister on August 15, 2014, launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) for Banking for the Unbanked scheme.

Similarly, Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched by Modi on April 8, 2015 for “Funding the Unfunded” by facilitating loans up to Rs.10 lakh.

and calibrated by the department as per the new announcements made in respect of tax rates in the latest Budget.

The facility can be used by any taxpayer whether individual, corporate or any other entity, to compute their tax liability.

However, there is a word of caution from the tax department that filers should not solely rely on it as complicated cases of ITR have different requirements which may not be addressed by the ‘calculator’ “The calculator is only to enable public to have a quick and an easy access to basic tax calculation

and does not purport to give correct tax calculation in all circumstances.

“It is advised that for filing of returns the exact calculation may be made as per the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, Rules etc,” a disclaimer by the department says.

The official said the calculator has been hosted on the website of the department — www.incometaxindia.gov.in —, for the ease of all who either do an e-filing or manual filing of ITR. The calculator has been enabled to compute the total tax liability of an individual or any other category of taxpayer under

New Delhi, April 3 (pTi): Concerned over incidents of attack on cash carrying vans, government has proposed that ATMs should not be replenished with cash after 8 PM in cities and private cash transportation agencies must collect money from the banks in the first half of the day.

The deadline for putting money in the ATMs in rural areas would be 5 PM and 3 PM in Naxal-affected districts. Also, specially designed cash vans, fitted with CCTVs and GPS, must not carry more than Rs 5 crore per trip. Two armed guards and driver in each van must be trained to “disengage with the situation and drive vehicle to safety” in case of an attack.

These are part of the new SoPs proposed by the Home Ministry for private security agencies carrying out the task of carrying cash and replenishing them in ATMs. Nearly 8,000 private vans ferry around Rs 15,000 crore daily between banks, currency chests and ATMs across the country. An ad-

various heads like income from house property, capital gains, profits and gains of business or profession and agricultural income, among others.

A total of nine such ITRs have been notified which include the Sahaj (ITR-1), ITR-2, ITR-2A, ITR-3, Sugam (ITR-4S), ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7 and an acknowledgement form called the ITR-V. People with an income of more than Rs. 50 lakh per annum and who own luxury items like yacht, aircraft or valuable jewellery will now have to disclose these costly assets with the IT department in the new ITRs.

BSNL to launch 4G services in 14 telecom circles New Delhi, April 3 (pTi): State-owned BSNL is gearing up to launch 4G services in 14 telecom circles where it has 20 MHz liberalised broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum. The company, which has already soft launched 4G services in Chandigarh, is exploring two methods -- revenue sharing model and capex model -- for the 4G rollout.

The company has 20 MHz liberalised spectrum in 2,500 MHz band which allows it to rollout 4G services without any licensing hurdles. A senior official said BSNL will be installing 4G base tower stations (BTS) in the existing GSM sites, which means there will be no additional expenditure on towers.

Regarding the device ecosystem for 2,500 MHz band, the official said sufficient number of 4G handsets makers like Apple, Motorola, Lenovo, Google, Nokia are already available in the market. “By considering all the facts, it appears that launch of 4G services in 2,500 Mhz band is feasible and commercially

remunerative,” he added.

However, the company is yet to finalise a timeline for the launch. In January, the company demonstrated speed of 35 Mbps during the soft launch in Chandigarh.

BSNL will be the latest entrant in the 4G space, which has seen in action recently with the top mobile operators including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular commencing services in various circles. Also, Reliance Jio Infocomm is set to commercially launch 4G services soon, which will further intensify competition in the market.

Elaborating on the models for 4G rollout, the official said in revenue share model, BSNL will be extending passive infrastructure and its BWA spectrum and other elements like BTS will be arranged by the vendor or franchisee. “This model is best suited as BSNL will not incur expenditure and much of the investment required will be borne by the vendor. This can be initiated in all 14 service areas. 4G customers will be

leisure

owned by BSNL and billing will be done by BSNL,” the official said.

On the capex model, the official said procurement of essential LTE (long-term evolution) elements can be initiated in some select cities of one circle on experimental basis. However, this model involves procurement cost and also integration cost. The company will explore both the methods before taking a final call on the rollout.

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ditional Rs 5,000 crore is held up overnight by private security agencies in their private cash vaults on behalf of the banks.

The SoPs have been prepared after a spurt in attacks, hijacking and looting of cash vans which are seen as soft targets. The government has proposed that for replenishment in ATMs, cash transportation agencies must collect cash from the bank in the first half of the day and no cash loading of the ATMs or cash movement should be done after 8 PM in urban centers across India. Per trip,

a cash van cannot carry more than Rs 5 crore, the new SOPs have proposed.

Specially designed and secure cash vans must be compulsorily deployed for carrying cash of over Rs 5 lakh per trip. All cash transportation and ATM cash replenishment activities must only be carried out by operational staff who have undergone thorough antecedent check. All state controlling authorities for Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (2005) have been advised to enforce the above guidelines on all cash van agencies.

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Renault India aims to launch 1 model every year New Delhi, April 3 (pTi): French carmaker Renault aims to launch at least one model every year for the next few years in India as part of plans to further consolidate its position in the country.

The company, which saw 160 per cent jump in domestic sales at 12,424 units in March, expects to breach the 5 per cent market share in the Indian market well before 2017, which it had announced earlier.

“We have already talked about launching one litre and AMT versions of the Kwid. New Duster has already been launched and going ahead, we plan to launch at least one new model each year in the country over the next few years,” Renault India Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told PTI. When asked to elaborate on the company’s plans going forward, he said: “We will continue to bring new products from our global portfolio into the country. We are launching products in the country at regular intervals but we want to ensure that we introduce right products at the right time.”

With its recently launched small car Kwid tasting success, the company expects its ranking to improve in the Indian passenger vehicle segment.

“We had earlier said that we will reach 5 per cent market share by 2017. But now looking at the response Kwid has received and March sales, I think we will be able to reach the target this year itself,” Sawhney said.

The company stands at fifth position in volume terms in March after posting record sales, he added.

“We are moving in the market as per the plans. It is consistent growth which we are looking to attain here,” Sawhney said.

During January-March 2016, the company cumulatively sold 29,289 units as against 11,404 units in the year-ago period, a rise of 157 per cent.

With the company doing well in India, its share has also gone up in the overall global sales of the French company.

“Our contribution (Indian market’s) has gone up and we are now the leading players in the region. We are among the top five countries globally for the Renault,” Sawhney said.

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MondAY 04•04•2016

NAGALAND

First acu president Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü passes away Kohima, april 3 (mexn): The first president of Angami Catholic Union (ACU) Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü passed away on April 1, 2016 after a prolonged illness. He leaves behind his wife Alhou-ü Albina, four sons, five daughters, 26 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was laid in honour at the Christ King Parish Hall for people to pay their last respects and a high Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Kohima Dr. James Thoppil and 25 priests from different parishes of Nagaland and finally laid to rest in the Christ King Church Cemetery.

Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü, the youngest son of late Vichalie Dzüvichü and late Rheilhou-ü Dzüvichü, was born on March 10, 1932 in Lhisemia Khel, Kohima Village. After his studies, he entered government service. He became a Catholic and received baptism on December 24, 1954 from Fr. Marochino SDB at Naga Hospital Ko-

Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü

hima. He married Alhou-ü Albina of Kohima Village on October 24, 1954.

Deeply impressed with the Catholic faith and its practices, he decided to dedicate himself to the service of the Church. Thus, in

1955, at the age of 23 years, he was appointed as the first Catechist of Christ King Church, Kohima Village. He was awarded the prestigious Papal Medal - the Vatican state’s highest civil award and a citation of Apostolic blessing from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee as Catechist in the year 2005.

Suosahie Philip Dzüvichü, since the inception of the Church, has been actively involved in spreading the Gospel and the Catholic faith to different areas and different districts, particularly Kohima, Zhamai, Zelume, Thizami, Phek, Lazami, Tesophenyu, Tseminyu and Peren. His contribution to the Tenyidie language has been in the form of translation. He has translated Prayer books, Hymn books, seven books of the Old Testament and other religious books.

The Ura Academy had awarded him the BA degree in Tenyidie. He served as the first President of the Angami Catholic Union which was

Phek Village council informs Kohima, april 3 (mexn): The Phek Village Council (PVC) has taken strong exception to the formation of Phekmi Phek Town Landowners’ Union (PPTLU) recently. Phek

Village Council chairman Chivozo Soho stated the PPTLU was formed without the consent and approval of the council and declared it as “unacceptable” and “unauthorized.” He said

decision in this respect was taken during village council meeting on March 26 last and informed the concerned authorities/ agencies to restrain from subscribing to PPTLU in any form.

formed in 1988.

In 1964, he led a team of Naga Catholics to attend the International Eucharistic Congress in Mumbai and during which they could meet His Holiness Pope John Paul VI. In 1975, he participated in the World Encounter of Catechists in Rome, Italy and France and also made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt in the year 2012.

The various institutions that had started with his initiative Little Flower School Convent in 1969, Don Bosco School in 1970, Christ King School, Bethany Sisters Convent, Medical Mission Sisters Centre in 1972 and Mount Tabor retreat house in 1980, are now flourishing significantly in the region.

He worked with numerous Parish Priests with whom he served and cared for the Catholic communities since his appointment in 1955. As a Catechist, he Pochury men in traditional attire seen in the foreground as the chopper carrying also worked with various Bishops Chief Minister TR Zeliang takes off at Meluri helipad after the CM inaugurated Meluri namely.

Town Council on April 2. (Morung Photo/Chizokho Vero)

Divine Mercy Sunday cum Parish Feast celebrated at SJCC Demonstration on farm machineries held Dimapur, april 3 (mexn): The Divine Mercy Sunday cum Parish feast of St. Joseph’s Church, Chumukedima was celebrated on today with Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant.

Twenty two others concelebrated with the Bishop. The Solemn Eucharistic procession started soon after the Holy Mass and concluded with solemn blessing of the Holy Eucharist at St. Anthony’s campus, Tenyiphe.

During the event, Parish Priest, Chumukedima Rev. Fr. Sajan welcomed the congregation which among others included the Bishop, Priests, sisters, invited guest and faithful from different parishes.

Wishing the parish community a very happy feast of their Patron saint, St. Joseph, the Bishop said “God’s unending mercy and special predilection and in whom God’s mercy was fully realized” in him.

How does God reveal His mercy? Rev. Thoppil asked. “He does so, first and foremost, by sending His only-begotten Son

Dimapur, april 3 (mexn): Sub Divisional Agricultural Office (SDAO), Niuland conducted demonstration on farm machineries under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) at Hovishe village under Niuland on April 2.

A press release informed that Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer of Niuland, L. Hoshito Chophi informed that farm machineries

to become our Savior and Lord by his suffering, death and resurrection.”

Today Divine mercy is concretely realized in the celebration of the sacrament, particularly the sacrament of reconciliation, he further noted.

Let’s show mercy to our fellow human beings always and everywhere as Gospel demanded, he further said, adding that “We radiate God's mercy to others by our actions, our

words, and our prayers,” and it is through such corporal and spiritual works of mercy “we practice mercy in our daily lives and become eligible for God’s merciful judgment.”

The Bishop also urged the faithful to ask God for the Faith that culminates in self-surrender to God and leads us to serve those we encounter with love. “Living faith enables us to see the risen Lord in everyone and gives us the willingness

to render to each one our loving service.”

Rev. Fr. Mathew Mhabemo, Priest in-charge, St. Peter's Church, Sanis in his speech also said that St. Joseph, the patron saint of St. Joseph Parish, was a just, simple and humble foster father of Jesus who carried out the will and plan of God in happiness. He urged faithful to trust totally in God and do God’s will.

During the event, the hymns for the day were

bank for custom hiring has already been set up at Niuland town during 2015. All farm machineries like tractor, power tiller, water pump set and brush cutter etc. are available at the custom hiring centre and anyone from farmer community can hire machineries throughout the year based on crop seasons, he said.

Hoikhu, GB Kuhoxu village applauded the Depart-

ment of Agriculture for taking initiatives on conducting demonstration for the welfare of the farming community in Niuland sub-division.

Vito Holo, proprietor of the custom hiring centre, briefed the farmers that farm machineries will be made available to the farmers according to their choice and need. Altogether, 31 farmers attended the demonstration.

sung by the brothers and novices while women of the parish presented the special song in the programme. A band was also displayed by the students of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Padampukuri.

One hundred and fifteen children also received first Holy Communion and hundred and seventy people received the sacrament of confirmation. The doctor attending to a child at a Medical camp organised by 33 Assam Rifles at Gochprocession ended with the A ing village in Mon district on March 25. Around 98 patients were treated and given free community feast. medicines, informed an AR press note.

Public SPace

Naga Christian Ministers in Politics: To Involve or not to Involve? Unity! Unity! But what kind of

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couple of weeks there was a poll to the question, “Should theologians and Church leaders involve in politics in Nagaland?” There was clearly a split in opinion with 40% saying “NO” and 42% saying “YES” and 12% had other reasons close to either of the definite responses.

To me personally, the question is like asking whether fish should swim in the water. The answer is obvious. In Nagaland, the majority either professes Christianity by default or embraces it by conviction. Either way, the separation between politics and faith is akin to dichotomizing the inseparable essential constituents of a human: body and soul.

Just last year there was another Morung Express Poll to the question, “Are Christian churches losing the influence in Naga society as its voice is no longer the dominating voice shaping social morality?” (June 1, 2015). The responses were strangely similar to the ones above whereby 45% said “YES” and 33% said “NO” and 22% had other opinions. The fact that nearly half of the respondents believe that Christian churches have no moral influence on the society can be attributed to two reasons: either the Church is not getting involved in politics at all or politics itself has got the church.

The church’s moral influence on the Naga society and the need for Christian ministers’ involvement in politics are closely related. But that would largely depend on how Naga in general perceive “politics”. If politics is understood as a power-wielding mechanism

then certainly involving in politics would be suicidal – both for Christian ministers and secular professionals, including State politicians. However, politics understood as a striving for the welfare of the State and its people or as realizing the idea of a good life (Aristotle), necessitates Christian ministers to engage in politics.

The principles of Christianity never contradict the overarching aspiration of politics –the enhancement of life for all (human and everything else).

Having said that, the priority of Christian ministers, like other any other professionals’, is distinct. Jesus was not a politician in the strict sense of the word, although he would’ve been the finest. He respected the boundaries of each calling (Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar– Mark 12:17) but he never shied away from politics, in as far as it meant ensuring life to the fullest for all (John 10:10). He openly reprimanded the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders obsessed with external piety but not with actual realities (Luke 11: 3753). Among many virtuous examples, he insisted on giving justice, honor and dignity to the most oppressed, the sinnedupon, groups of people in his time – the Samaritans (Luke 10: 25-37), women (John 8: 11; Luke 10: 38-42), children (Mark 10: 14-16), diseased (Luke 8: 43-48), disabled (John 9: 2-12), socio-religious outcasts (Luke 19: 1-10)and the economically poor (Luke 16: 19-31). By deliberately siding with the marginals he incurred the wrath of the powers-that-be, but he did anyway, choosing not to hide behind the curtain of false religios-

ity that excludes the agenda of life for all. In short, Jesus was not a politician but he was involved in politics in the noblest way.

Such Christ-like involvement in politics is every Christian minister’s task. One of the prominent Indian Christian ethicists, K.C. Abraham, very succinctly said that the “Church is called to strengthen the secular and civil base of politics to affirm life in its relationship.” Christian ministers, as pastors or professors, may have other things to attend to. Depending on the nature of office and responsibilities, their primary tasks would vary from teaching, preaching, worship, to performing sacramental rituals and planning and conducting liturgical events. Still, being a minister of God is no excuse for social and moral apathy. Every practice perceived as “spiritual” must ultimately have practical implications. The Christian minister makes that possible by being sensitive and active in making the message and content of Christianity relevant. In other words, political engagement makes Christian ministers effective servants of God by becoming salt and light and in return enabling the flock/laity to be the same (Matthew 5: 13-16).

The fact that Nagaland boasts of being a Christian majority state and at the same time have to hang its head in shame at the corruption cases is a reflection of a distorted vision of Christian faith. The Christian ministers are morally responsible as much as those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. When a church member falls from occupational grace, the Christian min-

ister must deem it opportune to reexamine its own failings.

Not giving adequate attention or simply being complacent about the social conditions is just as unhealthy as not providing sufficient spiritual nurturing. All Christians must attempt to understand and see the connection between faith and duty. Being a Christian living out Christian principles does not make a person less of a State’s citizen. Likewise, involving in politics does not make a Christian minister less of a Christian. The political responsibility of a Christian minister as a citizen of a state as well as the Christian responsibility of a secular professional as a Christian is equally important. When this equilibrium strikes a balance, the Christian ministers fulfill their secular tasks and the Christian professionals their religious tasks. And in doing so, both the Christian minister and the secular professional seek not to unreasonably separate faith from profession and Christian identity from civic identity.

Allow me to the turn the first poll’s question around and ask, “Should secular professionals involve in Christian ministry in Nagaland?” The answer, I’m confident, would be a resounding “YES”. And why not? It is every Christian’s prerogative to witness to Christ but at the same time are mandated to be efficient in one’s line of work (If you don’t work, don’t eat - 2Thessalonians 3:10b) and not mere busybodies (v11b). So there are boundaries – no matter how thin – in determining to what extent Christian ministers can involve in politics just as much as there is

a limit to how much secular professionals can involve in ministry. But these mutual limits are not necessarily set by religious identities as they are by professional obligations. Christian ministers are not at all expected to assume the role of professional politicians, who have to ideally think, eat and breathe good governance (sitting for 15 and 30 minutes on legislative matters are incredible feats – attainable among happy-go-lucky self-representatives). When Christian ministers behave like politicians, the Church’s foundation (who is Jesus Christ) would shake and its divinely endowed authority will naturally lose its effect – within and without. The secular professionals, including politicians, likewise, cannot allow ministry involvement, or any other negligible commitments, to impinge on their primary profession because in doing so one would be failing both in Christian witness as well as in one’s professional duty.

The bottom line is that just as fish must swim in the water and just as it is impossible to separate body and spirit, so should Christian ministers involve in politics because it is an inevitable part of being a member of a State. But they should do so without forgetting the reason, purpose and limits in getting involved. And is that also not true of all other professions?

Dr Eyingbeni Hümtsoe-Nienu Faculty at Clark Theological College (The essay does not represent the opinion of any church or institution)

unity and for what purpose?

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f late, the clarion cry for Naga unity has been reverberating across the hills and mountains of Nagaland. In fact, it has become “the theme” in almost every Naga gatherings- be they NSCN IM sponsored or Nagaland Government sponsored or civil society sponsored. This unity call has been given in the context of the Unknown but expected solution to the Indo-Naga conflict. The call has been splashed in the local papers again and again, so much so that the Naga public are now being slowly brainwashed into thinking that this unity call is the most urgent need of the hour. Some Churches have even repeatedly called for fasting and prayers for unity so that this expected solution would be embraced by every Naga with religious solemnity.

But what unity is this call for unity all about? Is it a Naga Unity under the Indian Constitutional roof? A unity for development financed by the Indian government? Is it a unity for job prospects under that Indian sponsored scheme? Is it going to be a unity under the enemy’s roof? And will this new Naga united nation under that roof be called: The United Naga People under the Constitution of India-U.N.P.U.C.I.?

And what, if some Nagas refuse to go under that roof and join that union? Will such people than become the enemy of the U.N.P.U.C.I.? Will such people be eliminated in the name of Naga unity assisted

even by the enemy? Will such people this time round, be assassinated for opposing “The Delhi Accord” whereas in the first wave of assassinations, the victims were eliminated as “Supporters of the Shillong Accord’? Also, will this Delhi Accord be sacrosanct because it was made in Delhi-the very heart of India-and not Shillong on the fringes of India?

After all these years of blood and tears, what is the Naga struggle for? Was it all along, a struggle for economic development under the Constitution of India? Did the Naga soldiers struggle through all those hardship and sacrifices so that they can get handsome rehabilitation packages and even jobs under this Indian sponsored scheme? What of the thousands of Nagas who had sacrificed their lives for the nation’s cause? Will they just be forgotten as statistical stone steps in the journey for Naga unity under the Constitution of India?

Let the Naga politicians and (even) Reverends, tell the Naga public exactly what unity they are talking about? Under the name of unity, I hope the Naga public is not being taken for a ride in the famous Naga caravan for a UNITED SURRENDER trip to India. After all if we are going to surrender our unique history and geography into the Indian ocean of “Unity in diversity”, then we would loss everything that is unique about ourselves. It would mean a Kaka D. Iralu

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 04•04•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 91 By moa Jamir

Washing away responsibility

C O M M E N T A R Y

Sherpa: They Die, We Go Home

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nti-social elements from outside are creating “law and order situation” in Dimapur, Nagaland Home Minister Y Patton claimed at an event recently. He added that it is imperative for GBs in all colonies of the city to properly identify new residents in order to bring down the menace of “outsiders” coming and creating problems. As a declaimer, he urged the gathering to live harmoniously and not be segregated by religion saying “any event in Dimapur has direct impact over other parts of Nagaland.”

This paradoxical statement is quite perplexing. Was the Home Minister resorting to ‘populist’ assertion to cushion the criticism the State government has been facing for its inability to come out with a definite policy to address the issue of migration? Was he washing his hands off the deteriorating law and order situation the city has seen in the resent past?

The issue of migration has been a big concern over the years.

But so far the State Government has not shown any proclivity to address the issue, letting sporadic incidents to simmer down naturally but the tension beneath the surface is perpetual.

When this paper recently broke the story of alleged issuance of ‘doubtful birth certificates’ by Nagaland officials to “outsiders,” raising eyebrows among the concerned, the Ministry remained conspicuously silent. Only the Governor of Nagaland responded with action.

Over the years, well-meaning organisations from outside have also been appealing the State Government “to formulate laws for the regulation of migrants from all communities” but nothing has happened to that end.

Migration is a global phenomenon and the year 2015 was punctuated by a series of migration crises. While studies on International migration attributes Environmental, Economic, Cultural and Socio-political factors behind migration, the primary reason is referred to be the ‘push’ or ‘pull’ factors. The former refers to those that force the individual to move voluntarily, or, as in many cases, they are forced to move. Apart from conflict, drought, famine, extreme religious activity, lack of economic activity and lack of job opportunities are also strong push factors for migration. Pull factors are those factors in the destination country/place that attract the individual or group to leave their home. Those factors are known as place utility, which is the desirability of a place that attracts people.

Ours is a combination of both and as a part of globalized society we cannot escape the same. “Migrants are not the cause of the problem in our societies, but for many they become the face or the symptom of the problem,” wrote Frank Hoffer in Social Europe articulating that the debate has often been either ‘for’ or ‘against’ migration with a false policy choice of either allowing migration or stopping it.

The ‘perceived and actual’ problems of migration cannot be solved with ‘populist’ assertion which inadvertently plays into the hands of those trying to get political mileage out of the same. It also cannot be answered by antagonistic attitudes or vigilantism by general public. This would only aggravate the tension and lead to untoward incidents we have become frighteningly familiar with in the recent past.

Therefore, the need of the hour is not making a populist political statement but formulation of nuanced policies and implementing them earnestly. The policy should include not only answering the ‘law and order’ concern but, most pertinently, the economic aspects of the issue.

For any comment at moajamir@live.com

lEfT wiNg |

Abby Olcese Sojourners

'Batman v. Superman' ...

But Why?

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n screen and on the page, superheroes have long offered insight into clashing ideas about justice and freedom. Should we work within the law to obtain justice, or go outside of it when conventional methods aren’t enough? Are courts and law enforcement the best judge of punishment? And what is the proper reaction when we’re faced with new, uncertain changes in our reality?

These are complex, important questions that, given the heightened political atmosphere these days, couldn’t be more timely. While Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice ought to be just the place to discuss them, in the hands of director Zack Snyder and writers David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio, that opportunity is wasted. Instead, they’re just the pretense for a super-powered beat down.

Snyder’s follow-up to his earlier Man of Steel, Batman v.

Superman picks up during the last film’s climactic battle in Metropolis, between Henry Cavill’s Superman and Michael Shannon’s General Zod. It’s a scene full of destruction and mayhem, with buildings collapsing, and innocent people being crushed like so many ants. This time, we’re getting it from the perspective of Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), visiting from neighboring Gotham, who shows up just in time to see the offices of his company, Wayne Enterprises, collapse in front of him.

The shock of that moment causes Wayne’s deadly grudge against the Man of Steel and, as Batman, to don the cape and cowl to go after him. A U.S. senator (Holly Hunter) also thinks Superman needs to be kept in check after a rescue in Africa leads to additional destruction. Eccentric entrepreneur Lex Luthor (a cartoonishly spastic Jesse Eisenberg) offers to help by devising a kryptonite-based security system, but he has his own maniacal reasons for wanting to dispose of the last son of Krypton.

There are many problems with the film, both technical and dramatic, but it mostly comes down to this: For any kind of conflict to work, there needs to be at least two opposing sides, each with distinct perspectives that won’t be compromised.

Otherwise, there’s not really a reason to fight.

While Batman v. Superman does a thorough job of articulating one side of the equation —Superman is a dangerous, unknown force, and shouldn’t be left unchecked — the other perspective, that of Superman himself, never really comes up at all. The film keeps him at arm’s length, with no real character development, and no actual answer to the charges laid against him than adolescent brooding.

That one-sided conflict seeps into every other corner of the film, giving us repetitive action scenes that don’t accomplish much (when you can see them through the grenade flashes and poor blocking), a few plot threads that serve as a setup for the forthcoming Justice League movie, and a final-act reconciliation that happens for weak, confusing reasons.

Ultimately, Batman v. Superman is a film with no real reason for being, other than to usher in the next round of DC Universe films, and to provide a bunch of explosions. This is a real shame, because it could have been different. There’s absolutely a potential for real meaning, to dig behind conflicting ideologies and look at why the two characters in question have them — something Marvel’s Avengers films have so far managed to pull off with little trouble, and a considerably larger ensemble. Instead, Zack Snyder opted for blinding explosions, and a film that aspires to operatic drama, but fails to understand the fundamentals of how drama works.

Mike Chambers NYT

A team of Sherpa rest at camp one after a long day of ferrying gear from base camp.

The morning of the avalanche was quiet. It was still unseasonably cold at base camp but the stiff winds had loosened, and for the first time in a week I felt healthy. I knocked the frost off of my sleeping bag and headed to the mess tent for a cup of instant coffee. It was April 18, 2014. Our team was scheduled to set off from base camp at first light for an acclimatization climb through the Khumbu Icefall, but we were still recovering from a dhal bhat-induced gastrointestinal disaster of the variety that makes you miss your mom. We decided to stay put another day.

This was my second season on Everest; our team aborted the previous year’s attempt at 28,000 feet, after getting caught in a storm with frozen corneas and frostbitten toes- the only fitting way to end an expedition riddled by death, fights, crowds and avalanches. I was hopeful this year would be different. My teammate Toby joined me in the mess tent; it was his first year on Everest and together we were co-leading the firstever Kenyan Everest Expedition. He’d been peppering me with questions since we left Kathmandu, chomping at the bit to start climbing. “When you’re climbing through the icefall are you just waiting to hear the crack of an avalanche?” he asked, as he fumbled with a Starbucks Via packet. He began stirring his coffee with the fervor of a hypoxic Cuisinart.

The Khumbu Icefall is the stuff of nightmares. It’s the most deadly section of Everest’s Southern climbing route; a river of ice riddled with bottomless crevasses beneath a cliff of hanging glaciers (seracs) that sporadically break free and come crashing down.

It’s Russian roulette and it’s the only way to get from base camp to camp one. Climbing quickly helps to mitigate some risk, but moving fast at 20,000 feet elevation isn’t easy. In 2013, I had a close call in the icefall.

We were descending from camp one when a serac broke free above us. We whipped our heads around to determine how fast it was coming, and then we ran and hid behind a tall block of ice. We waited, crouched in horror, as the debris field blasted over our heads. Ten minutes earlier, we were standing in the exact place the serac hit. That’s the icefall — you’re either lucky or you’re not.

“When you’re in the icefall it’s like you’re in a Dr. Seuss book. You’re mesmerized and disturbed at the same time,” I told Toby. “Just listen to the Sherpa, move fast when they tell you to, and try to hold it together when you hear them praying.”

A few minutes later, we heard an explosion. We ran out of the tent — as we often did when we heard avalanches — and watched as a 30 million pound block of ice released off the west shoulder of the Khumbu Icefall. It was as though the vibration of my words triggered the avalanche.

Toby grabbed the camera and began filming the massive debris cloud as it swept down the icefall and towards base camp.

“Do you reckon they’ll be people up there?” he can be heard saying before the filming stops. Only those of us who had been in the icefall truly understood the implications of a serac of that size falling in that location at that time. “Dozens,” I said.

The minutes after the avalanche were strangely quiet. We huddled around the radio and listened in silence as reports slowly trickled in. There was confusion over the scale of the devastation; the word “casualty” was being used synonymously to describe both the deceased and the injured. One report estimated that there were at least “25 casualties.” Toby began assembling the patches of our sponsors on his down suit.

People do strange things when they don’t

know what to do.

Within hours of the avalanche, base camp was reduced to a war zone; helicopters swarmed overhead transporting the bodies of dead Sherpas. One after one, the dead Sherpas were picked up from the icefall and flown through the air, dangling and lifeless bundles dropped at the helipad. It was the deadliest day in the history of Everest, worse than the infamous day in 1996 featured in Into Thin Air, and the climbing community was brought to its knees. Sixteen Nepali Sherpas were killed as they ferried gear to camp one, so that climbers like myself could move up the mountain more easily and less frequently. (Last year, 19 were killed, including 10 Sherpas, after the April 25 earthquake set off an avalanche.)

The next morning, our head climbing Sherpa, Temba, found me in the tent. His eyes were swollen from crying and his expression was empty. “We lost many friends and brothers yesterday,” he started. “We’d like to go home to our families, but the Sherpas are worried that if we cancel the expedition we will not get paid. We are willing to continue.” It seemed unfathomable to me that any of the guide companies would withhold compensation. Without any real understanding of the situation, I instinctively reassured him that his team would be taken care of, but the minute the sentence came out of my mouth, I realized that I had no authority to withhold or ensure their compensation.

Toby waited for Temba to leave the tent before joining me. “How’d that go?” He asked. I wondered what he wanted to hear, imagining that, like me, he was conflicted about which outcome he really hoped for, both of us struggling with an internal, far more selfish fear. I wanted to go home. I was mentally and emotionally devastated. But as irrational as it may sound, a part of my subconscious was worried that if we didn’t continue, I would be cursed to come back for a third attempt.

Everest induces vertigo on your reasoning processes, but it was clear that in the moment that it would be wrong to keep climbing. We told Temba to tell the Sherpa that we would support their decision. Later that morning, Temba returned with the Sherpa and read a letter announcing the end of our expedition, stopping after each sentence to fight back tears. For a brief moment, I felt released from the grip of Everest.

The fear of climbing was gone, and the fear of not climbing had yet to take its place. We broke down camp and began the 40-mile trek down the valley.

I called my wife on the satellite phone.

It was 4 a.m. in Boston. She was emotional; her words a mix of longing and resentment that I’d gotten used to on long expeditions.

I once heard her tell a friend that all Everest climbers are, without exception, megalomaniacs. I thought about that as I looked at my team: beaten, defeated, devastated.

Not the Sherpa, I think. They don’t come here seeking adventure, they aren’t here in protest of the mindless routine that weighs them down at home. They come here to feed their families. There is no way to reconcile that.

The journey home from Kathmandu feels twice as long as the journey there. I meet my wife at the airport and I can see she is bracing herself for my disappointment. But immediately home from Everest, I don’t feel disappointed; I feel lucky to have my life and confused that a version of me would risk it for the sake of climbing a mountain. But then, as the months pass, that feeling fades, as it does every year. I forget about the pain and the tragedy and I’m left with a low-grade panic that the dream

is slipping away. I scroll through my newsfeed to see who is going back, and find myself envious of friends who are packing their duffels and saying their good-byes.

In just a few weeks, hundreds of climbers from around the world will descend on Everest. While some argue that she is now more dangerous than ever because of growing crowds and poor regulations, the truth is that hardly any of the deaths on Everest over the past three years were caused by either of these issues. The bigger, more complicated story of the suffering of Everest is the longstanding and pervasive exploitation of Sherpa by the international climbing community — specifically, Western guide companies.

Temba makes about 90 percent less per season than his Western, less-experienced counterparts ($5,000 vs. $50,000). Western outfits market their guides as a safer alternative to Sherpa guides, playing into the fear and inexperience of their clients. In 2013 there was an American guide on our expedition who’d never climbed above 20,000 feet, yet he was in charge of a team of Sherpa with over 30 combined summits of Everest alone. Temba’s fears of not being paid if his team of Sherpa called off the season were ignited by threats from the commercial guide companies who, the morning of the avalanche, explicitly warned their Sherpa teams that they would forsake all payment if they walked away. Temba’s family receives little compensation in the event of his death — the likeliness of which is very high, given that he performs the most dangerous work on the mountain, with the most frequency.

On average, Sherpas climb through the icefall 30 to 40 times per season, their Western counterparts 8 to 10 times.

I often hear folks justify the low wages of Sherpa by comparing them to the national average wage in Nepal. Why are we benchmarking the wage of a climbing Sherpa next to the wage of a farmer, a driver, the proprietor of a tea house, when the Sherpa’s job is much deadlier? Over a 10 year period ending in 2014, the mortality rate for a climbing Sherpa was more than 4 percent. To put this in context, the average workplace mortality rate in the United States is .003 percent, and a climbing Sherpa is over 30 times more likely to die than a logger, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites as the most deadly job in the United States. Grayson Schaffer reminds us: “As a dice roll for someone paying to reach the summit, the dangers of climbing can perhaps be rationalized. There’s no other service industry in the world that so frequently kills and maims its workers for the benefit of paying clients.”

For years, tensions have been building between the Sherpa and the Western climbing community. In 2013 at camp two, I watched as a crowd of angry Sherpa unleashed years of resentment on two renowned Western climbers, in a bloody fight that very easily could have ended in death.

Earlier that day, both climbers ignored the Sherpa’s request to stay off of the Lhotse Face while they performed the dangerous work of fixing lines.

The conversation about how to make Everest safer needs to begin with the international climbing community asking ourselves how to make Everest more just. What continues to be missing in this dialogue is the narrative around the blatant exploitation of the Sherpa. Yes, issuing fewer permits and banning inexperienced climbers will lead to safer conditions, but the fact remains that the very people who depend on Everest have struggled to organize and advocate for their rights in the face of big business. And we, their clients, are complicit in this. We come, we climb, they die, we go home.

It’s safe to say that I’m in a complicated relationship with Mount Everest. There are moments when, reflecting on my time there, I am deeply moved by the history and by the legacy and the beauty and the breathtaking opportunities that she gives climbers to test the absolute limits of human endurance.

And other times, maybe more times, I am ashamed and confused that as a community, we keep failing to recognize that the rights of the Sherpa should be considered as critical to an expedition as the weather conditions. There is so much humanity on Everest, and not nearly enough.

Mike Chambers is executive director of Summits Education, an education organization operating 41 primary schools in Haiti. He has climbed extensively all over the world and has led 13 high-altitude expeditions

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 04•04•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

How learning from the Trump phenomenon Good Governance can help make living revolutions great again accelerates growth?

George Lakey

Waging Nonviolence

Since it’s difficult for some of us to tear our attention away from the Donald Trump drama, we might as well learn what we can from it. I’m finding useful information in it for advancing the living revolution in the United States.

I’ll start with my brother Bob, a white working-class retiree in rural Pennsylvania. He finds only two of the presidential candidates appealing: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. In this view he has a lot of company, judging from journalistic reports from Iowa and elsewhere.

“Each of them,” Bob explains, “is independent of their parties. The Republican leaders don’t control Trump and the Democratic leaders don’t control Sanders. That’s good, because both parties got us into this mess, and there’s no reason to think they will get us out of it. The only president who can act for ordinary Americans would be one who has his own mandate instead of doing what the party leadership says.”

For people like my brother who believe that U.S. politics needs a big shake-up, the recent attacks on Trump

by Mitt Romney and John McCain strengthen their belief in Trump’s independence from an oppressive and insecurity-making status quo.

I don’t know anyone on the left who would disagree with Bob about the major parties. Those who remember the Bill Clinton presidential era remember the success the Clintons had in reducing the influence on policy of the working class and pushing the Democratic Party to the right, in tandem with a Republican Party that was itself moving to the right.

Judging from polls, we Americans are not as a people moving rightward; in fact, in some ways we have been moving leftward. One result of these opposing trends has been the decline in legitimacy of the political class itself. Even the parties’ chief influencers took a hit: A 2015 Gallup poll on Americans’ confidence in U.S. institutions put “big business” second to last — above only Congress.

Major party membership followed these trends. Both parties have lost members. More people registered “independent” even though that meant in many states they couldn’t vote in primaries. Even more striking are the increasing numbers who vote with their feet by not bothering to go to the polls on general election day.

Their logic is strong. For 30 years Gallup pollsters have found a steady majority of Americans saying that the government should redistribute wealth by imposing heavy taxes on the rich. Why should that majority — after decades of suffering the decline of jobs, schools, infrastructure and pensions while the rich pay lowered taxes — expect the major parties to reverse course?

Bottom line: It’s too superficial just to shake our heads in embarrassment about the latest Trump one-liner and moan about the “craziness” of American politics. When we look beneath the surface, we see my brother and millions of other people making sane and accurate judgments about a U.S. political system stacked against them.

What’s with the working class?

The mass media sometimes voice a familiar trope among middle-class progressives: “Why do working-class people vote against their own interests?” Sadly, the question itself betrays class bias: In reality, middleclass people vote against their own interests on a regular basis. The educational demographic that was first to see through the scam of the Vietnam war was the group that did not complete high school. This is not unusual. The AFL-CIO was issuing national protests against the Iraq war and the United States’ continued military intervention in Afghanistan, while mass middle-class associations were quiet or still clinging to the empire.

Even as I write this our public schools are bleeding, our tax money subsidizes fossil fuels, we’re falling farther behind on infrastructure, and col-

plains why he dodges specifics: “… there are a lot of different voices — and interests — that have to be considered when working toward solutions.” He intentionally leaves himself a lot of wiggle room. Making deals is what he does best.

If I were still teaching, I’d want my students to experience our neighborhood school reunion and the workingclass black grandpa’s system analysis.

With Donald Trump the United States is not considering a headlong fall into dictatorship. The oligarchy is firmly in place, and it’s not going anywhere.

The Donald will deal. It’s not that our country is safe from the threat of dictatorship down the road, but for now, we can see who’s in charge. The school grandpa’s perspective grounds us as lege debt grows. The politicians who we consider our own next steps. decided the policies that created these results were supported by a majority What to do with institutional blockage Over a thousand cases in the Globof the middle class. Why do most middle-class people routinely vote against al Nonviolent Action Database show a natural path taken historically when their own interests?

The misperception about class is institutional paths to positive change, understandable. The professionals I like elections, are blocked. When peoknow with this bias live in a middle- ple accept that reality, they often apply class bubble, don’t know progressive people power to deal with those who working-class people or many middle- are blocking them. Often, they win, class conservatives, and imagine the even against actual dictatorships. progressives they know represent their I explained in a recent column whole class. on the movement supporting BerThe good news in the “shake-up” nie Sanders that there are significant that my brother yearns for would be the numbers of young adults and workopportunity for professionals to break out of their bubbles and find the expe- ing-class people who can find each other as the hegemony of the major rience of solidarity. parties breaks down. The time is comPutting the fear of Trump in perspective ing in the United States to create a A year ago my mixed-class and race broad movement outside the electorneighborhood lost its fight to save a al system, one that channels righteous neighborhood school from closing. My anger into a positive vision using efgreat grandson was affected. We fam- fective nonviolent direct action. ily members gathered last month in a Already a growing number of people church basement for a reunion. With are building toward that day by gaining food and chatter we remembered the skills and concrete victories through old school and affirmed our youngsters targeted direct action campaigns. Camwho are adjusting to new schools. paigns, after all, birthed the insurgent While talking with another grand- labor movement in the 1930s, the civil pa, I brought up the presidential race. rights movement in the 1960s, and the “I’m not afraid of Trump,” he said.

LGBTQ movement after that.

“Why not?” I asked.

Sporadic protest can’t do the job, “He can say whatever craziness he and little is accomplished in one-off wants to now while he’s running. If he protests at city halls and party convengets into office, he won’t be allowed to tions. The targeted, goal-achieving dido the extreme things. The people who rect action campaign — an art form have been in charge all along will still in itself — can be organized nationalbe in charge.” ly, and it can be tried at home. I don’t The grandpa helped me get the know of a better way to get practical, point of Trump’s avoidance of policy accelerate our learning curve, and commitments. In his own campaign build the sustainable, powerful movebook “Crippled America,” Trump ex- ments we need.

The Morung Express POLL RESULTS Is PublIc sIlence and PublIc IndIfference encouragIng the contInuatIon of corruPtIon In nagaland state government? why?

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes the public silence is definitely encouraging more corruption in Nagaland. This is the reason that politicians, bureaucrats and contractors get away with their acts of corruption. They know that no matter what they do, the public will remain quiet and at the most will grumble. Its a pathetic state of affairs.

• Yes, Many Nagas assume that silence about evil is a virtue. Oh, what a shame!

• Yes. It is an indirect abetment to this vice • Yes. We tend to grumble and murmur without giving our voice out, to say and point out … We knowingly turned the other way around when we can clearly see what are falling near our feet. Lately, we have seen ACAUT rise up, but is it too late?

One head, one voice together can totally change it. We, the public, also have to take part of the blame for bringing this upon us for we should have made our presence felt.

• A big yes, but what right do the majority of us have when we elect the leaders who we know are corrupt. also don't we felicitate those who crack govt jobs expecting something in return.

• The corrupted politicians take advantage of our silence and indifference. Those of us who raise our voice is too mute and without much conviction, and the politicians know that the voices will die down ultimately without achieving anything.

Thus the dirty politicians have the guts to go on and on playing their favourite games.

• Yes. The So Called Intellectual Groups Are Suspiciously Bribe And Either Raise Voices With Vested Interest Or Mumb With Money And Remain Indifference. Sad. • Yes mostly due to the fact that all the citizen are involved in corruption in one way or the other.

Right from election time corruption start. It has become a way of life. And finally when the Churches , the citizen moral keeper, involved in form of seeking donation from MLA/Minister fund. Many evangelist have children robbing the department they are working to fund their family ministry, organising foreign trip etc. There are right thinking people but these are too few and their voices are not heard they have also become indifferent to things happening around them.

• Yes. Voice is what is actually required for the government by the public, but when these voice remains silent the Government will obviously make use of it.

• Yes. Nagaland is unique, more so because of stoic attitude of general populace on corruption. It has found a hold so deep and strong that depravity

is, now, a new probity. So much for 'Nagaland for Christ'. It is hard to be optimistic considering the current state of affairs, really.

• Yes public in general are silent. Few public leaders are not silent they are screaming but not for public interest, for their personal gain and reputation. Pretending to be seriously serious about corruption but they are main culprit. Some student’s body leaders are the worst. When they themselves are being appointed through backdoor whom they are screaming at? Just to flash their names in newspapers. Anyway who is serious?

• Yes. we, as individuals are too concerned about our own well being that we fail to speak the truth

85%

10% 05% YES

NO

OTHER

because the corrupted is either your own father/ mother/uncle or friend etc etc • My answer: an emphatic yes. By our silence, we are indirectly saying, "it's okay with corruption."

• Yes. Nagas are yet to cogitate the fact that every establishment including the state itself is a result of people's conventionality. Corruption can't be a personal matter but collective problem and it may be minimised or even eliminated only if the masses act on it.

• Yes. When we are the Voice, why have we not for all these years rise up against this anti-socials when we should? We the masses are to be blamed also for this much evil in our society that is happening right before our eyes… Instead of merely complaining and putting it in God’s hand by saying “God will punish them” we should also initiate action for that’s what our God has put us there…

• Yes our indifference and silence has made the corrupted more bold and more corrupted to have more…. We laugh, detest and jeer at them, but are we really doing our part to end this?? We should

retrospect our belief in a pure and honest society and stand up for what we Nagas always believe in.

Lastly to the State government … “is it too much to serve the people honestly to see a better future for our tomorrow?” When we go out of our state, people laugh at us when we say we are from Nagaland … coz, they Know.

• Yes! Public are ignorant. For example, some officials in the PHE and Power Dept are contractors. They take money from public/govt dept and execute the work by themselves. A govt servant is not allowed to do contract work, but they had been doing this from the beginning of the dept set up. This is purely corruption. Getting extra money above salary is corruption. Hello ACAUT! Are you aware of this?

• Yes, in every naga house male-female, youngold, educated-uneducated, rich-poor today, the catch word are injustice, corruption, public money siphoned out, people are outcry of misappropriation etc but when it comes to protest, rally against corruption, or start an uprising everyone wants to remain inside comfort zone(home) enjoying watching tv etc. i think we nagas need to learn big lessons from our good neighbors Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

Some of those who voted NO had this to say: • No. The onus cannot be on the public. The government officials and politicians are first and foremost public servant and irrespective of whether the public are silent or not, the politicians and government officials must be honest and sincere in discharging their duties. Corruption has nothing to do with public silence and indifference.

• The corrupt are responsible for who they are.

They cannot blame anyone by themselves. No, public silence cannot be the reason why they are continuing their corrupt acts. The weak judiciary and poor political system is the one responsible for it.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: • Corruption is destroying Nagaland. Our leaders are not thinking about the future. They are only thinking about the present and about how much wealth they can stock up. This is disastrous. There are many factors involved. We have a weak judiciary that cannot deliver justice, our investigating agencies also needs to be strengthen and our public organisations have failed the people by collaborating with the corrupt. It is time to act.

Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Anis Chowdhury

M

Inter Press Service

any well-meaning people believe that “good governance” is key to inclusive development. But research claiming that “good governance” is essential for rapid growth suffers from serious methodological or conceptual limitations. Existing definitions are extremely broad, suffer from functionalist tautology, or mainly refer to corruption.

Defining Good Governance Invoking a functionalist definition (such as ‘good governance’ is “good-for-economic-development”), one cannot define a country’s ‘quality of government’ without measuring its effects. As The Economist (June 4, 2005) noted, defining ‘good governance’ as “good-for-economic-development” may generate tautological explanations and meaningless policy implications: “What is required for growth? Good governance. And what counts as good governance? Whatever promotes growth.

And what is required for growth?”

Attempts to define Quality of Governance (QoG) as multi-faceted also suffer from tautology: “What is required for the quality of life enjoyed by citizens? Quality of governance. What is quality of governance? That which promotes the quality of life. . . .”.

If good governance or “QoG is everything, then maybe it is nothing”. Those who have defined ‘good governance’ as what can be shown to be “good for economic development” illustrate this problem. Many important non-economic attributes of good governance, such as trust and subjective measures of well-being, are left out by such definitions.

Thus, ‘good governance’ cannot be defined precisely, and hence, cannot be meaningfully or usefully monitored. Of course, the dire conditions typically associated with failed states probably preclude most economic or social progress, and cause declining living standards. Even recent World Bank research has been sceptical about the World Bank’s own frequently cited World Governance Indicators (WGIs), observing “there is little if any evidence on the concept validity of the six WGI indexes”.

The WGIs do not take into account country-specific challenges and environments, which could be different, not only between developing and developed countries, but also among developing countries. They also suffer from the typical biases of perceptions-based subjective measures. There is also no historical evidence that limited government is better for development — a premise of the WGIs. The view that the existence of government failures implies that minimalist government is best for development has no factual basis.

Growth Many countries that have performed well in terms of growth, structural transformation and equity, have fallen short on the most widely used “good governance” indicators. Also, not all good governance reforms are similarly feasible or beneficial, let alone necessary or desirable in all circumstances.

For example, the United States and the Republic of Korea did not improve governance significantly until they had become quite affluent. Contrary to the often exaggerated claims about how much ‘institutions matter’, greater transparency, accountability and participation are often a consequence, rather than a direct cause of faster development.

Instead, all the ostensible evidence actually links good governance indicators to income levels. Observing the absence of any strong evidence relating standard good governance criteria to growth, Dani Rodrik notes that “the incontrovertible longrun association between good governance and high incomes provides very little guidance for appropriate strategies to induce high growth”.

Poor countries suffer a multitude of constraints, and effective growth acceleration interventions must address the most binding growth bottlenecks. Thus, as a rule, broad good governance reforms are neither necessary nor sufficient for growth.

Corruption The popular governance focus on corruption presumes that government policy discretion and interventions necessarily lead to corruption and abuse even though there is no factual basis for this presumption. Small governments are not synonymous with the absence of corruption while countries with very low levels of corruption have relatively large governments, as in Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

Also, defining good governance simply in terms of the absence of corruption is not very useful. While corruption is antithetical to good governance, good governance implies much more than merely the absence of corruption, clientelism, nepotism, cronyism, patronage, discrimination, and regulatory or policy capture.

If good governance indicators suffer from measurement problems, and if the causality from good governance to economic growth cannot be ascertained, is there any causal link between economic growth and corruption? This is relevant, as in practice, the good governance agenda often focuses mostly on anti-corruption measures.

Conceivably, corruption adversely affects development in many different ways, especially if it diverts resources that would otherwise be invested productively. However, the evidence does not show anti-corruption measures accelerating economic growth. Rather, while all corruption is damaging in some way, and is hence undesirable, some types of corruption are much more damaging than others.

Claiming to fight corruption in developing countries generally — by implementing a laundry list of desired governance reforms — seems laudable, impressive and deserving of support, but such efforts typically ignore more feasible and targeted policies that can improve economic performance.

Necessary?

The World Bank’s 1997 World Development Report advised developing countries to pay attention to 45 aspects of good governance. By 2002, the list had grown to 116 items. Countries wanting to improve their governance must undertake a great deal more as good governance advocates continue to extend their indicators lists. And the longer they wait, the more they will need to do!

Unfortunately, the long and lengthening agenda often means that a multitude of governance reforms need to be undertaken urgently, typically with little thought to their sequencing, interdependence, or relative contributions to reforming governments to be more efficient, effective and responsive, let alone to accelerate development and alleviate poverty.

Among the multitude of governance reforms deemed necessary, there is typically little guidance about what is considered essential and what is not, what should come first and what should follow, what can be achieved in the short term and what can only be achieved over the longer term, what is feasible and what is not.

The presumption that good governance accelerates growth, and hence, that comprehensive institutional reform is a prerequisite for development continues to lose support. Largescale institutional transformation of the type envisioned by the good governance agenda has never been a prerequisite for accelerating economic growth or poverty reduction.

Jomo Kwame Sundaram was UN Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development. Anis Chowdhury held various senior positions in the United Nations Secretariat in New York and Bangkok.

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 04•04•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

India & Saudi Arabia review strategic partnership Riyadh, apRil 3 (iaNS): India and Saudi Arabia signed five agreements, including one on terror financing and another on promoting trade between the two countries, on Sunday, the second and final day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral visit to the Gulf kingdom.

The agreements were signed after delegationlevel talks here led by Modi and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the financial intelligence units of the two countries on cooperation in the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering, terrorism financing and related crimes, according to external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup.

Invest India and Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SABIA) signed a framework agreement on investment promotion cooperation.

The external affairs ministry and the Saudi labour ministry signed an agreement on labour cooperation for recruitment of general category workers.

A fourth agreement was signed between Export Promotion Council for Handicraft (EPCH) and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage on an executive programme for cooperation in the field of handicrafts.

Another agreement

GST will be rolled out soon: Modi

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meets Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governer of Riyadh province, following Modi's arrival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on April 2. (REUTERS Photo)

for technical cooperation programme was signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO).

“Examining the full spread of a Strategic Partnsership. PM and King lead delegation level talks,” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted. Fighting terrorism, energy cooperation and trade and investment were high on the agenda in Sunday's talks.

Apart from being India's largest crude oil supplier,

accounting for one-fifth of its imports, Saudi Arabia is also India's fourth largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching $40 billion.

There are nearly three million Indians in Saudi Arabia, a large number of whom are blue-collar workers involved in the kingdom's various infrastructure projects.

The delegation-level talks were preceded by a restricted meeting between Modi and King Salman.

The Saudi monarch also hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting prime minister.

Saudi Arabia is the

third and last leg of Modi's five-day, 3-nation foreign tour which also took him to Brussels and Washington, DC. In Brussels, he attended the 13th India-European Union (EU) Summit and held a bilateral meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, and then in Washington he participated in the Nuclear Security Summit hosted

by US President Barack Obama.

This is the first prime ministerial visit from India to the oil-rich Gulf kingdom since the visit of Man-

mohan Singh in 2010.

Modi has said strengthening the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia was a priority of India.

"Building further on this strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia is one of the foreign policy priorities of our government," Arab News quoted Modi as saying in an interview on Saturday.

Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia is a part of his three nations tour which also include Brussels and Washington. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, has described Cus-

Riyadh, apRil 3 (iaNS): Assuring Saudi and Indian business leaders that his government is working to set up a predictable long-term taxation regime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) would soon be implemented in India.

"Don't worry...GST will happen, it will be a reality soon," Modi said, addressing the gathering at Saudi Arabia's Chamber of Commerce here.

"Retrospective tax is a matter of the past. My government will continue to work towards establishment of a predictable long-term taxation regime," he added in a reference to recent disputes involving Indian tax authorities and multinationals like Cairn and Vodafone.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, to implement a pan-India tax for a complete overhaul of the extant indirect tax regime, has been approved by the Lok Sabha.

It is currently stalled in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata todian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as a visionary leader.

"King Salman has led Saudi Arabia with great maturity and foresightedness during one of the most challenging times," Modi said.

King Salman has taken personal interest in building the Indo-Saudi relationship and further strengthening bilateral cooperation and engagements in diverse fields, he said.

Replying to a question, Modi termed terrorism

Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) doesn't enjoy a majority.

The government hopes the next biennial elections in the Rajya Sabha will give it enough seats in the upper house to pass the GST Bill.

Modi, who is undertaking a threenation tour, landed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday on the last leg.

He urged the audience to move beyond the traditional bilateral trading relationship.

"Let us move beyond merely the export-import relationship. Joint investment, technology transfers are areas that we should explore," Modi said.

Listing petroleum, renewable energy, infrastructure, defence and agriculture, as areas ripe for expanding cooperation, the prime minister said: "India and Saudi Arabia should look at working together for building a dynamic global management sector for the cyber world."

"India and Saudi Arabia are old friends, but we are ready to take bold new steps into a golden future," he added.

as the enemy of the entire humanity. "Both India and Saudi Arabia have been victims of the acts of terror resulting in the loss of innocent lives. The recent cowardly acts of terror in Lahore, Brussels, Paris, Iraq and the continuing violence in Afghanistan have shown that terrorists recognise no boundaries."

"They have no caste, colour, creed or religion.

We need to delink religion from terrorism."

Modi acknowledged and appreciated Saudi Arabia's role in eradicating the scourge of terrorism.

"We deeply appreciate the leadership role being played by Saudi Arabia in the region to fight this menace," he said.

Modi thanked the Saudi leadership for hosting a large Indian community and for ensuring their continued welfare and wellbeing.

"I have heard immense praise of our community for their educational and technical achievement; for their integrity and sense of discipline; and for their honesty and devotion to work. Such praise fills me with great pride," he said.

Mehbooba to be sworn RSS, BJP insulting national symbols: Cong NIA officer killing: Pre-planned, all angles being probed says Police in as J&K CM today 'People cannot be dictated

Jammu/SRiNagaR, apRil 3 (pti): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti will be sworn in tomorrow as the first Muslim woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, heading a coalition government with BJP in the only Muslim-majority state.

The 56-year-old leader, daughter of PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, will take oath of office at Raj Bhawan in Jammu tomorrow at 11.00 AM. Mehbooba assuming office will be a landmark event in the history of Jammu and Kashmir as well as rest of the country.

She will be the first woman to head a government in Jammu and Kashmir and the second Muslim woman to become the Chief Minister of a state in India. Syeda Anwara Taimur was the first Muslim woman CM in Assam in 1980 and continued to hold the chair till June 30, 1981.

Governor N N Vohra yesterday invited the PDP president to form and lead the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.

"The Governor's invitation to (Mehbooba) Mufti follows the earlier discussions with the PDP and BJP presidents regarding formation of government in the state and the subsequent communications received from her and Sat Sharma, president, J&K BJP in regard to this matter," an official spokesman said.

The PDP-BJP government can expect a smooth run if the two ideologically opposite parties can avoid controversies that dogged their first brush together with power when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed headed the government for 10 months till his death on January 7.

The PDP-BJP coalition, which also has Sajad Gani Lone led Peoples' Conference as a constituent, has 56 MLAs in the 87-member Assembly.

The PDP has 27 members while BJP has 25. Peoples' Conference has two MLAs while two other independents are supporting the coalition.

The revival of the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state -- after three months of stalemate -- became possible after several rounds of hectic negotiations between the two parties and apparent intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian priest kidnapped in Yemen "could be freed soon" New delhi, apRil 3 (ReuteRS): An Indian priest abducted by gunmen in Yemen last month is safe and could be released soon, a Catholic group said on Sunday, quoting the Indian foreign minister.

Father Tom Uzhunnalil was captured from the southern Yemeni city of Aden by gunmen who killed at least 15 people at an old people's home in an attack that was condemned by Pope Francis.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) said a delegation met Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who said the government was working to secure the priest's safe return.

"She has assured us Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon," said Father Joseph Chinnaiyan, deputy secretary of the CBCI. Media reports last week said the priest was killed

by Islamic State militants on Good Friday, although no one has claimed responsibility for last month's attack in which gunmen killed four Indian nuns, two Yemeni female staff members, eight elderly residents and a guard.

Father Chinnaiyan said the reports were inaccurate.

Aden has been racked by lawlessness since Hadi supporters, backed by Gulf Arab military forces, drove fighters of the Iran-allied Houthi group from the city in July last year.

International aid groups have pulled most of their foreign staff from Yemen due to security concerns.

New delhi, apRil 3 (iaNS): The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS of insulting national symbols and said "both are pursuing a cheap agenda to create a divide in the country and trying to twist the history of our independence".

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Saturday said the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' described the idea of 'rajya' (state) while the national song 'Vande Mataram' denoted India’s cultural identity and our devotion to it.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party and the RSS in the past 23 months have been insulting the national symbols of our country. It is a cheap agenda to create a division in the country. Bhaiyyaji Joshi publicly insulted the Indian flag. It is clear now that the RSS is trying to ignore the history of the freedom struggle," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

He added: "Joshi ji used insulting words to describe the national anthem and the national song. He said national anthem doesn't generate a feeling of patriotism as the national song does. This is a conspiracy to twist the history of

what to say or not'

New delhi, apRil 3 (pti): Joining issue with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his statement that anybody unwilling to utter 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' had no right to stay in India, Congress today said "dictating" what others should do is against the basic tenets of "our democracy".

Amidst the raging debate over nationalism, Congress leader PC Chako said, "Every individual has freedom. Dictating what others should do is against the basic tenets of our democracy.

People have the freedom. People have the right. People have the discretion what to say and what not to say." He further warned that "if the RSS and BJP are going to dictate, that will only boomerang and they should have the common sense to understand this".

At a public meeting, the Maharashtra CM had said, "There is still a dispute over saying 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and those opposed to saying it, should not have any right to stay here".Defending Fadnavis, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said people are finding fault with these nationalist slogans for political reasons. our Independence."

The RSS leader had also said that "if one considered the true meaning, then Vande Mataram was the national anthem" since the "sentiments expressed in Vande Mataram denote the nation's character and style."

Joshi had said while the Tricolour was India's 'state flag', the 'saffron flag' was the symbol of our ancient culture.

"The Constituent Assembly had 'adopted the tiranga (tricolour) as our state flag, and it was later retained as that of the Republic of India. It is mandatory for every citizen of India to respect this symbol. The saffron flag has been revered by the people of Bharat since times immemorial as a symbol of our ancient culture. We revere both the tiranga (tricolour) and the saffron flag," Joshi had said.

New delhi, apRil 3 (iaNS): Uttar Pradesh police are working "on all angles" to find out the motive behind the killing of NIA officer Tanzil Ahmad, who was shot 21 times in an attack by unidentified assailants post-midnight on Saturday. The shooting in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district took place when the officer was returning from a wedding with his wife and children. His wife Farzana got four bullet injuries, but his children were unharmed.

Ahmad, 48, known for undercover operations, joined the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2010.

"The assailants came on motorbikes and opened fire from a close range on Ahmad near Sahaspur town," NIA spokesperson Sanjeev Kumar told reporters here earlier Sunday. "He was inspector with NIA but back with BSF he was assistant commandant."

Tanzil Ahmad's wife is undergoing treatment at Fortis Hospital in Noida. "Nothing can be ruled out now until and unless we get absolute concrete evidence. We have to work on all angles. We have to see it from all the sides and work out the case," Daljit Chowdhary, additional director general of police, Uttar Pradesh, said on Sunday.

He said borders have been sealed, nearby areas are being searched and senior officials from Anti-Terrorist

Squad (ATS) have been put on the job to track the assailants and probe the attack. "I am very hopeful that we will work out the case and arrest the accused. It looks like a planned attack. It was definitely not a robbery," Chowdhary said.

The NIA has also termed Ahmad's killing as a "planned attack".

"A planned attack took place on him when he was fired upon and killed," NIA spokesman Kumar said. "He (Tanzil) was assistant commandant with BSF and currently on deputation with NIA. He was with us for last six and half years."

The premier investigating agency is trying to find out how he was tracked by his assailants. "The patient has been brought in a critical condition. Our doctors are providing the best medical treatment to treat the patient. As a matter of patient confidentiality we cannot comment anything further," a statement from the Fortis Noida said.

Ahmad was pronounced dead on being taken to a medical facility in Moradabad. His body is being brought to Delhi.

Before joining the NIA, Ahmad was part of the in-house team of BSF, providing vigilance cover. He also held tenures as instructor at BSF Academy at Tekanpur, near Gwalior, and training centre at Hazaribagh.

Bengal's first phase poll on Monday as TMC faces Left-Congress combine KolKata, apRil 3 (iaNS): Under the shadow of the purported Narada sting operation and the city flyover tragedy, the monthlong West Bengal assembly polls kick-start on Monday with the Mamata Banerjeeled ruling Trinamool Congress facing a challenge from a newly-stitched Congress-Left Front alliance.

The staggered six-phase elections for 294 assembly seats are spread over seven polling dates and will continue till May 5. The other six polling dates are April 11, 17, 21, 25, 30 and May 5.

On Monday, amid the roar of choppers, drones and presence of central paramilitary troopers and state policemen, 18 constituencies in western districts -- nine in Purulia, three in Bankura and six in West Midnapore -- would go to the polls. In 13 Maoist-affected constituencies, polling will end two hours

early at 4 p.m.

Over 40 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 133 candidates across 4,203 polling stations comprising 4,945 booths -- of which 1,962 are designated as critical.

Five years back, Banerjee's Trinamool captured power in alliance with the Congress and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) in a historic election that toppled the 34-year-old Left Front rule -- the world's longest serving communist government in a multi-party democratic set-up.

The Trinamool had then won 184 seats, the Left Front 62, and the Congress 42. The Bharatiya Jananata Party (BJP) drew a blank, while other parties and Independents grabbed six seats, as the results paved the way for the state to have its first woman chief minister in Banerjee.

Since then, the Trinamool has fallen out with the Congress and its other erstwhile partners, but still managed to decimate the opposition in subsequent elections to the Lok Sabha, panchayats and municipal bodies, though the opposition complained of largescale electoral malpractices and violence.

The charges have, however, prompted the Election Commission to tighten its grip on the conduct of the poll. It has deployed around 75,000 central police force personnel, besides announcing a slew of measures to ensure free and fair elections.

Opinion polls predict yet another victory for Trinamool, but the forecast of a narrow margin in the vote share between the ruling party and the CongressLF alliance has prompted political analysts to dub the assembly battle as the

toughest challenge so far for Banerjee's party.

The very concept of an LF-Congress poll tie-up would have seemed outlandish even a few months ago, with the two forces known for their mutual animosity and bitter rivalry in the state since the preIndependence days.

However, what was unthinkable is now a reality.

And the new-found bonhomie between the LF spearheaded by the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Congress seems to be striking deep roots from the lower to the highest levels of the two parties.

The presence of Marxist leaders on stage during Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's election campaign is one such indication, though there are rumblings of dissent among the other LF partners about 'big brother' CPI-M's dalliances with

a party they have always loved to hate.

Riven by factional fights, lacking a charismatic leadership and hamstrung by a weak organisation, the BJP would be hard put to retain its surprisingly impressive 17 percent vote share in Bengal during the 2014 general elections when it was riding the crest of a Narendra Modi wave.

The pollsters have been predicting between 0-4 seats for the BJP this time.

The Narada sting video footage, which showed several top Trinamool leaders allegedly taking bribes in return for doling out favours to a fictitious company, has become a talking point, especially in urban areas. It remains to be seen whether and to what extent it will affect the ruling party which has been rubbishing the videos.

Besides wooing the minorities, especially the

Muslims who constitute 27.1 percent of the population, Banerjee has been touting her social security schemes like 'Kanyashree' (scholarships for minor girls), 'Khadya Sathi' (subsidised food grain at Rs.2 a kilo) and highlighting sops like scholarships, bicycles and automotive loans given by her government.

For the LF-Congress alliance, the biggest issue is "restoring democracy" and freeing Bengal from "dictatorship and violence, terror and intimidations" let loose by the Trinamool, while the BJP's main poll promise is to "drive infiltrators" away.

The collapse of the Vivekananda Road flyover, that left a trail of death and destruction, has also triggered a political slugfest, with the rival parties pointing fingers at one another about corruption as the main cause for the collapse of the structure.

MondaY 04•04 •2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Uncertainty reigns a day before migrants are to be returned to Turkey LESBOS, APRIL 3 (REUTERS): Less than 24 hours before Greece is due to begin returning migrants to Turkey, little sign of preparation is evident on Lesbos, the island through which hundreds of thousands of people have poured into Europe since last year.

A few signs Turkey was getting ready for the migrants could be seen on Saturday. Two room-size tents were set up on the pier of the cramped port at Dikili, where migrants being returned from Lesbos were to be taken. Two portable toilets were installed nearby.

The return of the migrants is a key part of an agreement between the European Union and Turkey aimed at ending the uncontrollable influx into Europe of migrants and refugees fleeing poverty and war in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Under the agreement, those who cross into Greece illegally from Turkey from March 20 will be sent back to Turkey once their asylum applications have been processed.

Turkey’s interior minister, Efkan Ala, was quoted by the pro-government newspaper Aksam as saying 500 people were expect-

then rose again, and have held around 300 to 500 a day for the past few days. Many were unaware they would be sent back to Turkey.

A child sleeps as migrants and refugees block the highway during a protest near the GreekMacedonian border, near the town of Polykastro, Greece on April 2. (REUTERS Photo)

ed in Turkey from Greece on Monday. Afghans, Iraqis and Pakistanis would be deported to their countries, he said.

More than 6,000 migrants and refugees have been registered on Greek islands since March 20.

While returns are due to begin on Monday, where they will start from and how many will be returned remains unclear.

“Planning is in progress,” said George Kyritsis, a Greek government spokesman for the migration crisis.

The Athens News Agency reported over the weekend that the returns would begin on Monday morning on two Turkish passenger ships chartered by Frontex, the EU border agency. The ships will sail from Lesbsos across to the Turkish coastal town of Dikili.

Some 250 people would be returned each day through Wednesday, the report said, without citing sources.

Greek officials would neither confirm nor deny the report. A police spokesman on Lesbos said the

force was still awaiting instructions.

Arrivals to the islands remained steady on Sunday, two weeks since the cut-off date, with 514 migrants, including many Syrians and Iraqis, crossing from Turkey through Sunday morning. Of those, 364 arrived on Lesbos, authorities said.

In previous months, arrivals averaged 1,000 to 2,000 a day. Bad weather and gale-force winds have at times hit the Aegean Sea in the two weeks since the agreement. Arrivals fell,

“CHALLENGING AND VOLATILE” On Friday, Greece’s parliament passed an asylum amendment bill needed to implement the agreement.

The legislation does not explicitly designate Turkey as a “safe third country” - a formula to make any mass returns legally sound.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and human rights groups have denounced the agreement as lacking legal safeguards.

Amnesty International has called it “a historic blow to human rights” and said it would sent a delegation to Lesbos and nearby Chios on Monday to monitor the situation.

“We feel there’s still gaps in both countries that need to be addressed,” said UNHCR’s spokesman on Lesbos, Boris Cheshirkov, referring to Greece and Turkey.

“We’re not opposed to returns as long as people are not in need of international protection, they have not applied for asylum and human rights are adhered to.”

More than 3,300 mi-

Healthy diet, exercise may benefit obese adults with diabetes NEw YORK, APRIL 3 (IANS): Healthy diet and routine physical exercise can help older overweight and obese adults gain benefits, reveals a study, adding it can improve glucose control, body composition, physical function and bone quality.

Diet and exercise, known to benefit patients with type 2 diabetes, are controversial treatments for older adults due to concerns over frailty and age-related loss of muscle mass.

“Type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent in older adults due to the physical inactivity associated with advancing age as well as the obesity epidemic,” said lead study author Alessandra Celli from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

“Obesity worsens the metabolic and

physical complications of aging that impair quality of life,” Celli added. No specific guidance is available for effectively modifying the lifestyle of adults with diabetes who are 65 years of age and above.

Researchers examined the effects of behavioural weight-loss diet therapy and exercise training in older overweight and obese adults with type-2 diabetes. Over the past six months, they have been randomly assigning volunteers between 65 and 85 years of age to receive either intensive or limited interventions.

Participants in the intensive intervention group attend 90-minute aerobic and resistance exercise classes three times a week as well as a diet class once a week where they learn healthier eating habits.

Control group participants are not given any exercise programme and receive only once-a-month diabetes educational sessions. At the six-month mark, all study participants have preserved their lean body mass; but the intervention group’s body weight and fat mass have dropped more than the control group’s and the intervention group’s physical performance test and peak aerobic capacity have improved more.

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), an indicator of blood glucose control, has improved more in the intervention group.

Trabecular bone score -- a measure of bone texture that helps predict fracture risk -- has improved among those receiving the intervention but not among the controls.

Brussels Airport reopens to thin stream of passengers BRUSSELS, APRIL 3 (REUTERS): Brussels Airport reopened to a thin stream of passengers on Sunday, 12 days after suicide bombers destroyed its departure hall and killed 16 people. Belgium’s main airport says it aims to return to maximum capacity before the start of summer holidays at the end of June or early July.

The airport had not handled passenger flights since two suspected Islamist militants carried out the suicide attacks. Those bombs and a separate one on a metro train

in the capital killed 32 people, excluding the 3 bombers. On Sunday, the airport handled just three flights, the first bound for Faro in Portugal with only about 80 passengers.

The plane bore a surrealist design of clouds and birds in homage to Belgian painter Rene Magritte and had only been unveiled the day before the bombings. It taxied towards the runway flanked by an honour guard of staff and, after a minute’s silence, took off. Arnaud Feist, the airport’s chief executive, described Sunday’s

reopening as a sign of hope and an emotional moment for all airport staff.

“We’ve worked day and night, literally day and night, over the last 12 days to make this moment possible,” he said. On Monday, the airport will serve a wider range of destinations, including one plane due out to New York and two more to cities in Cameroon, Gambia and Senegal.

Many flights have been rerouted to Belgium’s regional airports or other nearby hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris, with high-speed trains to and

from Brussels packed. Brussels Airport has warned passengers to arrive three hours before their flights due to the increased security and to come by car. The normal train and bus services are not running.

Special cameras will be set up to read number plates, there will be random checks of vehicles and the drop-off zone will not be accessible. The airport, which provides work for some 20,000 people, is among the busiest in Europe, handling 23.5 million passengers per year.

grants and refugees are on Lesbos, Greece’s thirdbiggest island and home to many Greek refugees who fled Turkey in the 1920s.

About 2,800 people are held at the Moria centre, a sprawling complex of prefabricated containers, 800 more than its stated capacity. Of those, 2,000 have made asylum claims, UNHCR says.

Aid agencies have pulled out of the Lesbos camp since it became a closed facility last month, as well as in protest at conditions there. Journalists have been barred from entering the site or the holding centres on four other islands.

Condition on Lesbos were “challenging and volatile,” UNHCR said, with insufficient food and pregnant women and children among those held. Families have been separated because of the agreement, with some members inside the Lesbos holding centre and others on the mainland or elsewhere in Europe.

“Many of those who have arrived here have experienced horrendous wars,” Cheshirkov said.

“To be put in a closed environment it feels like punishment whereas seeking asylum is not a crime, it’s a fundamental human right.”

9

Bangladesh former PM to seek bail over firebombing attack

DHAKA, APRIL 3 (REUTERS): Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister and main opposition leader Khaleda Zia is expected to appear in court and seek bail after she was issued with an arrest warrant over a deadly firebombing attack, her lawyer said on Sunday. A court in Dhaka issued arrest warrants on Wednesday for Zia, 70, and 27 leaders and activists of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in connection with a petrol bomb attack on a bus in January last year during a deadly anti-government campaign.

“Most likely, Madam will appear before the court on April 5 and will seek bail,” Khaleda’s lawyer Sanaullah Miah told reporters. The BNP called for a countrywide protest on Monday against the arrest warrant, saying it was politically motivated. More than 120 people were killed and hundreds injured early last year in political violence during transport blockades and strikes aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladeshi politics has been mired for years in rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda. Both women are related to former national leaders, and they have alternated as prime minister for most of the past two decades.

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 160 million, has also seen a surge in Islamist violence in which liberal activists, members of minority Muslim sects and other religious groups have been targeted.

Prime Minister Hasina has blamed the rising tide of violence on the opposition BNP and its key ally, Jamaate-Islami, many of whose leaders are being prosecuted for war crimes during the 1971 war of independence. The opposition denies any involvement.

South African parliament to debate Zuma impeachment motion on Tuesday JOHANNESBURG, APRIL 3 (REUTERS): South Africa’s parliament will debate on Tuesday a motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said, after a top court ruled the president had violated the constitution.

South Africa’s constitutional court ruled on Thursday that Zuma had failed to uphold the constitution by ignoring orders from the public protector that he repay some of the $16 million in state funds spent to renovate his private residence at Nkandla. Since Thursday’s ruling, opposition party leaders, ordinary South Africans and even an anti-apartheid activist jailed alongside Nelson Mandela have called on Zuma to step down.

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA), tabled the motion to have Zuma impeached, and Mbete told reporters on Sunday “the debate on that motion has been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.” The Africa National Congress majority in parliament will almost certainly give Zuma political cover against the attempt to impeach him. But the judicial rebuke may embolden anti-Zuma factions within the ruling party to mount a challenge.

The unanimous ruling by the

South African President Jacob Zuma listens at a news conference in Cape Town. (REUTERS File Photo)

11-judge constitutional court also criticised parliament for passing a resolution that purported to nullify Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s findings on the state spending on Zuma’s private residence. DA Parliamentary Chief Whip John Steenhuisen said on Sunday that Mbete should also resign for her and parliament’s complicity in the Nkandla matter. Mbete said she would not step down, but acknowledged the issue could have been handled differently in parliament.

The scandal is arguably the biggest yet to hit Zuma, who has fended off accusations of corruption, influence peddling and rape since before he took office in 2009. On Friday, the 73-yearold president gave a televised

address to the nation in which he apologised and said he would pay back some of the money, as ordered. He said that he never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution.

The president travelled to his home province of Kwazulu-Natal on Sunday to launch a relief programme as part of government efforts to support areas affected by South Africa’s worst drought in more than a century.

He told a cheering crowd that he was still South Africa’s leader and joked about how youthful he was, but made no specific mention of the Nkandla matter, the pending impeachment motion or calls for him to step down as he addressed the gathering in Zulu, his native language.

Death by overwork on rise among Japan’s vulnerable workers TOKYO, APRIL 3 (REUTERS): Japan is witnessing a record number of compensation claims related to death from overwork, or “karoshi”, a phenomenon previously associated with the longsuffering “salary man” that is increasingly afflicting young and female employees.

Labour demand, with 1.28 jobs per applicant, is the highest since 1991, which should help Prime Minister Shinzo Abe draw more people into the workforce to counter the effect of a shrinking population, but lax enforcement of labour laws means some businesses are simply squeezing more out of employees, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Claims for compensation for karoshi rose to a record high of 1,456 in the year to end-March 2015, according to labour ministry data, with cases concentrated in healthcare, social services, shipping and construction, which are all facing chronic worker shortages.

Hiroshi Kawahito, secretary general of the National Defense Counsel for Victims of karoshi, said the real number was probably 10 times higher, as the government is reluctant to recognise such incidents.

“The government hosts a lot of symposiums and makes posters about the problem, but this is propaganda,” he said. “The real problem is reducing working hours, and the government is not doing enough.”

The labour ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Kawahito, a lawyer who has been dealing with karoshi since the 1980s, said 95 percent of his cases used to be middleaged men in white-collar jobs, but now about 20 percent are women.

Japan has no legal limits on working hours, but the labour ministry recognises two types of karoshi: death from cardiovascular illness linked to overwork, and suicide following work-related mental stress.

A cardiovascular death is likely to be considered

karoshi if an employee worked 100 hours of overtime in the month beforehand, or 80 hours of overtime in two or more consecutive months in the previous six.

A suicide could qualify if it follows an individual’s working 160 hours or more of overtime in one month or more than 100 hours of overtime for three consecutive months.

Work-related suicides are up 45 percent in the past four years among those 29 and younger, and up 39 percent among women, labour ministry data show.

TWO-TIER WORKFORCE The problem has become more acute as Japan’s workforce has divided into two distinct categories regular employees, and those on temporary or non-standard contracts, frequently women and younger people.

In 2015 non-regular employees made up 38 percent of the workforce, up from 20 percent in 1990, and 68 percent of them

Female job seekers take notes as they attend an orientation session at a company booth during a job fair held for fresh graduates in Tokyo on March 20. (REUTERS File Photo)

were women.

Lawyers and academic say unscrupulous employees operate a “bait-andswitch” policy, advertising a full-time position with reasonable working hours, but later offering the successful applicant a non-

regular contract with longer hours, sometimes overnight or weekends, with no overtime pay.

Refusing overtime pay and break time are illegal, and the applicant could refuse the job, but activists say companies tell them

they will be given regular contracts after six months or so.

They say young applicants often accept due to lack of experience, while women trying to re-enter the workforce after childbirth often feel it would be

difficult to get a foothold elsewhere.

Emiko Teranishi, head of the Families Dealing with Karoshi support group, said she hears lots of complaints about hiring tactics, with some companies telling new hires that their salary includes 80 hours of overtime, and they must reimburse the company if they work less.

“Some people don’t even make minimum wage under this system,” said Teranishi, whose own husband committed suicide after working long hours.

Such abuses have become so common in the past 10 years that such companies have been dubbed “black” companies in the media.

Hirokazu Ouchi, a professor at Chukyo University, wrote a book last year about such companies when he realised some of his students were being treated illegally at their part-time jobs.

Ouchi said their hiring practices typically follow a similar pattern.

“Companies will hire someone for two to three years, but they have no intention of investing the time or the money to nurture that employee,” said Ouchi. He added that the labour ministry lacked the manpower to follow up on complaints.

A ministry official working in corporate surveillance acknowledged that his department was somewhat short-staffed but the government was taking steps to recruit more every year. He declined to give his name as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Japan’s working-age population has been falling since the mid-1990s, which would normally lead companies to improve working conditions to attract workers, but Ouchi said it was not happening because they can get away with bending the rules.

“This is a way for companies to keep labour costs down, but it is also a path that leads to death by overwork,” he said.

10

monDAY 04•04•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Kane keeps Spurs dreaming as Azarenka demolishes Kuznetsova Arsenal, Manchester City win for third Miami Open title

Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho and Tottenham's Harry Kane. (Reuters)

lONDON, AprIl 3 (rEUTErS): Harry Kane was on target again to earn Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday but the stalemate opens a path for Leicester City to forge seven points clear in the title race this weekend.

While Arsenal crushed Watford 4-0 and Manchester City hammered Bournemouth by the same score to breathe fresh life into their faint hopes, Leicester's closest pursuers moved to within four points thanks to Kane's predatory instincts.

After Philippe Coutinho had put Liverpool ahead soon after halftime in a vibrant contest, Kane conjured a brilliant strike out of very little to become the first Spurs player in the Premier League era to score 22 league goals in a season.

Leicester, who have played one game fewer, now have the chance to open a huge gap over Mauricio Pochettino's side with just six matches left if they can beat Southampton at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Kane, who felt "very proud of a great achievement" after becoming Spurs' highest scorer in any league season since Gary Lineker in 1991-92, said his team were "a tad disappointed" with the result.

"We will watch the Leicester game tomorrow and hope Southampton can get a result and do us a favour," he told Sky Sports.

In the battle for Champions League football next season, not even another

free kick masterpiece from Dimitri Payet could inspire fifth-placed West Ham United as they had Cheikhou Kouyate sent off in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

At the other end of the table, Aston Villa's disillusioned fans made a long, loud protest as their side were humiliated 4-0 at home to Chelsea and now stand on the verge of relegation.

Newcastle United are hot favourites to join Villa in the Championship next season after going down 3-2 in a dramatic clash at fellow strugglers Norwich City who celebrated a 93rdminute winner from Martin Olsson.

United's north-east rivals Sunderland are also in deep trouble, four points adrift of safety after a goalless home draw with West Bromwich Albion.

ARSENAL REBOUND After losing three home games in a row, Arsenal rebounded to dominate Watford, who had knocked them out of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium last month, with Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi, Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott on target.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who singled out exciting young Nigerian Iwobi for praise, said the performance had "brought a lot of belief back".

On whether the Gunners were still in the title hunt, Wenger said: "It doesn't matter how realistic our challenge is, we can only believe in our own game. We just continue".

Manchester City had lost four of their last six games but stopped the rot with a blistering start at Bournemouth, Fernando, Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero scoring within 19 minutes.

Aleksandar Kolarov added the fourth in the dying seconds.

Arsenal are third, eight points behind Leicester and four adrift of Spurs, but they lead fourth-placed Manchester City by four.

The most dramatic action came in the relegation dog-fight at Carrow Road where Aleksandar Mitrovic looked set to be Newcastle's hero again.

He followed up his equaliser against Sunderland two weeks ago with two more goals including an 86th-minute penalty that looked set to earn his side a point.

Norwich, who had led twice through Timm Klose and Dieumerci Mbokani, were not to be denied though and Swedish full back Olsson raced through to hit the winner with a low drive three minutes into added time.

Villa's woes continued with a pitiful performance and a seventh straight league defeat.

Thousands of fans held up banners in protest and began walking out of Villa Park after 74 minutes following Chelsea goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, onloan Brazilian international Alexandre Pato and two from Pedro. Elsewhere, Stoke City drew 2-2 at home to Swansea City.

MIAMI, AprIl 3 (rEUTErS): Victoria Azarenka kept up a banner year when she beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-2 to win the Miami Open in Florida on Saturday.

Azarenka punished her Russian opponent's weak serve to wrap up the final in 80 minutes in relentless humidity under a searing sun in the early afternoon encounter on the Key Biscayne hardcourt.

The 13th seed finished off Kuznetsova with a powerful backhand groundstroke for the 20th title of her career, and her third of the year, after winning previously in Indian Wells and Brisbane. It is the third Miami title for the 26-year-old from Belarus and the first time she has won the same tournament more than twice.

She is also the first woman to win the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments back-to-back since Kim Clijsters in 2005.

"This just gives me even more inspiration and motivation to keep working harder," Azarenka said in a courtside interview.

"I'm very happy that all the work that I've been putting in is paying off. It's such a great opportunity to play the whole month so consistent." Azarenka seems to be returning to the form that took her to the top of the world rankings four years ago, before she was sidetracked by injury and

Victoria Azarenka (M) celebrates with the Butch Buchholz championship trophy after her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova (not pictured) as tournament director Adam Barrett (L) and Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa (R) look on after the women's singles final of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

personal problems.

She beat Serena Williams in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago, and on Saturday never gave Kuznetsova a chance.

She pounced on Kuznetsova's second serve, breaking the Russian five times in the first set alone.

Azarenka also had her

serving problems, however. She was broken three times in the first set but settled down in the second to hold throughout.

"It was pretty tough conditions with being so hot," she said. "It didn't seem too windy but it was really difficult to serve because the ball was flying too much. I

really took my opportunities, stepped into the net a lot." A long week perhaps caught up with Kuznetsova in the final, after she battled through three sets in four of the five matches she won to get to the final. Along the way, she beat world number one Serena Williams.

But Kuznetsova was

outclassed by Azarenka, whose sights will soon turn to the clay court season and the French Open. "I think my game suits pretty well for the clay court season," said the two-times Australian Open champion. "I've been in the semis of the French Open. I'm ready to take that second step."

British doctor alleges he doped 150 sportsmen

lONDON, AprIl 3 (rEUTErS): UK AntiDoping (UKAD) said it was "deeply concerned and shocked" by a Sunday Times report in which a British doctor alleged he had prescribed banned performance-enhancing drugs to 150 sportsmen including several Premier League footballers.

The paper said Dr Mark Bonar claimed his "clients" included an England cricketer, British Tour de France cyclists, a British boxing champion, tennis players and martial arts competitors as well as footballers.

In the past six years he

had treated more than 150 sportsmen from the UK and abroad with banned substances such as erythropoietin (EPO), steroids and human growth hormone, and the performance improvements were "phenomenal", the report added.

The Sunday Times said that during a series of meetings with undercover reporters, Bonar had spoken about sportsmen he had treated. The newspaper also sent a sportsman to Bonar's clinic, who recorded his appointments with a hidden camera.

Neither the newspaper nor Reuters was able

to substantiate the claims made by the doctor.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said the body had been aware of allegations against Bonar after a sportsperson approached them two years ago but had not been able to act upon them because he was not affiliated to any particular sport.

"Under current legislation, UKAD has the power only to investigate athletes and entourage (including medics) who are themselves governed by a sport," she said.

UKAD had considered informing the General Medical Council, which

overseas medical practitioners in Britain, but decided the evidence they had was insufficient for such a referral, Sapstead added.

UKAD chairman David Kenworthy said an independent review would be conducted into the issues raised by the report.

"They will be asked to look at the way the information supplied by the sportsperson was handled and whether proper procedures were followed," he said.

"They will also be asked to make any recommendations to improve the way in which intelligence is dealt with in the future

so that UKAD can be as effective as possible in keeping sport clean."

The news is likely to cast a further shadow on the sporting world ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Russia was suspended from international track and field last year following a report exposing widespread cheating and corruption among its athletes.

The country faces a ban from the Olympics unless Russia can prove to the World Anti-Doping Agency and the IAAF governing body that it has met a series of conditions regarding its anti-doping operations.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester slam doping claims Afridi steps down as Pakistan

lONDON, AprIl 3 (AFp): Arsenal, Chelsea and Premier League leaders Leicester City on Sunday rejected claims made by a British newspaper that a doctor who prescribed performance-enhancing drugs treated their players.

The three teams were cited in a Sunday Times report in which British doctor Mark Bonar was secretly filmed talking about providing professional athletes with banned substances.

All three clubs strongly

denied the allegations.

"Leicester City Football Club is extremely disappointed that the Sunday Times has published unsubstantiated allegations referring to players from clubs including Leicester City when, on its own admission, it has insufficient evidence to support the claims," said a statement from Leicester.

"Leicester City follows robust and comprehensive anti-doping protocols to ensure its full compliance

and that of its players with all anti-doping rules and regulations."

The Sunday Times also claimed that Rob Brinded, a former Chelsea fitness coach, had "collaborated" with Bonar, but Brinded denied the claim.

Chelsea, last season's Premier League champions, said: "The claims The Sunday Times put to us are false and entirely without foundation.

"Chelsea Football Club has never used the servic-

es of Dr Bonar and has no knowledge or record of any of our players having been treated by him or using his services. "We take the issue of performance-enhancing drugs in sport extremely seriously and comply fully with all anti-doping rules and regulations.

"Chelsea FC players are regularly and rigorously tested by the relevant authorities." Arsenal also reacted angrily.

"Arsenal Football Club is extremely disappointed

by the publication of these false claims which are without foundation," they said in a statement. "The club takes its responsibilities in this area very seriously and our players are well aware of what is expected.

"We strictly adhere to all guidelines set by the World Anti-Doping Agency and our first-team players participate in approximately 50 random drugs tests during each football season.

"None of our players has ever failed such a test."

Former Italy coach, AC Milan Trap shooter Kynan player Cesare Maldini dies confirmed for Rio Olympics

Paraguay's coach Cesare Maldini gestures to his players during their second round match against Germany at the World Cup finals in Sogwipo June 15, 2002. (REUTERS/Files)

MIlAN, AprIl 3 (rEUTErS): Former AC Milan defender and Italy coach Cesare Maldini has died, his long-time club said on Sunday. He was 84.

Maldini won four Serie A titles during his time with Milan and was skipper of the side in 1963, when the

Rossoneri became the first Italian team to win the European Cup. In all, he put in 412 appearances for AC Milan and moved into coaching when his playing career ended, managing the north Italian club from 1972-74.

He was assistant coach

to Enzo Bearzot for Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph in Spain and then led the Azzurri to the quarter-finals in France 16 years later, where they were beaten by the hosts on penalties.

He took charge of Paraguay for the 2002 World Cup but they did not progress beyond the Round of 16 and Maldini subsequently returned to work as a scout for AC Milan.

"His bond to Milan was unbreakable and what's more, there would be a second generation with his son Paolo following in his footsteps and enjoying unrivalled success at the club," AC Milan said in a statement. "The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile," the club added.

T20 captain, plans to play on

lAhOrE, AprIl 3 (IANS): Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced he is stepping down as the captain of the Pakistan T20 cricket team on his own will but intends to continue playing for the country.

"Today I wish to inform my fans in Pakistan and all over the world that I am relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 Pakistani team of my own volition," Afridi said in a statement posted on his official Twitter account. "On this day, I thank Allah (SWT) for His Kindness and Mercy which enabled me to discharge my leadership duties to the best of my abilities, for the sake of the honour and prestige of my motherland." Pakistan were knocked out of the World T20 after losing three of their four group matches, including a loss to arch rivals India.

The national side's next assignment is an away tour to England which will consist of four Tests, five ODIs and a one-off

Twenty20 match. "For me it was a great honour to lead my country in all three formats of the game. My profound thanks to the PCB and its chairman Mr. Shahryar Khan Sb, Who gave me the honour to lead the national team," Afridi wrote further. "I would also like to inform that InshaAllah I intend to continue to play the game for my country and league cricket etc, and request my fans to kindly keep praying and supporting me for my best future performances for Pakistan (as a player); and in all other arenas of the game, world over."

After the Pakistani cricket team’s disappointing dismissal from the World T20 in India, Afridi took to Facebook last week to ask forgiveness from cricketing fans all over the country for what he termed his failure to meet the nation’s expectations.

Afridi scored less than 100 runs in four matches and failed to take responsibility when the side needed it most.

NEw DElhI, AprIl 3 (IANS): The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has accepted a request by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for the exchange of Men’s Rifle 3 Positions to men’s Trap for the upcoming Rio Olympic games in August, it was announced on Sunday. The participation of Kynan Chenai in the Men’s Trap at the Rio Olympics now stands confirmed, according to NRAI. The NRAI, while announcing the Indian squad for Rio on March 19 had named Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Kynan to take part in the Trap event.

This meant that the quota earned by Sanjeev Rajput in the Men's Rifle 3 Positions event was exchanged with the Men's Trap event, which had initially earned only one quota berth. India had in total earned 12 quota berths in Shooting for the Rio games, one more than the 11 it had earned for London 2012. “We are grateful to the ISSF for accepting our request for an exchange of a quota place.

The full Indian squad announced for the Rio Olympics can now totally focus on their preparation for the games," NRAI chief Raninder Singh said in a statement. "The team is a healthy mix of experienced world-beating pros and Champions Team Amplified with others. (Morung Photo) talented youngsters and the best possible from the perOur Correspondent League which was held Earlier, Team Amplified spective of winning maximum medals at the Olympics. from March 30 to April 2 at beat Mystic Ballers by 55"On behalf of the national federation we wish them all the Kohima | April 3 D. Khel Ground, Kohima 48 while Cretan Bulls beat best. Indian sports fans have great expectations from the sport of shooting and we are confident that with a little Team Amplified emerged village on April 2. Team Kohima Chiefs by 58-47. help from lady luck, the team will be able to deliver to as champions of the 1st Amplified defeated Cretan Taurus (Jr) beat Sky Hooks Invitational Basketball Bulls by 120-50 in the final. by 126-67. those expectations.”

1st Invitational Basketball League

Monday 04•04•2016

EntErtainmEnt

reese Witherspoon honoured by magazine

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ctress Reese Witherspoon and singer Dolly Parton have been named among Southern Living magazine's top Innovators Changing the South for 2016. The 40-year-old 'Sweet Home Alabama' actress-turned-lifestyle entrepreneur, who hails from Nashville, Tennessee, has been celebrated by the publication's editors for her Draper James clothing and home collection, applauding the star for prioritising made-in-America, made-in-the-South products.

They notified Witherspoon of her inclusion in the annual list via Twitter, to which she exclaimed, Such an honor!!! Thanks @Southern_Living! @ draperjames #SouthernPride.

Country legend Dolly Parton was also recognised for her continued philanthropy work with Imagination Library, which provides free books to underprivileged kids, and the success of her biographical TV movie, Coat of Many Colors, which became a huge hit with viewers in December last year.

I can inspire young women: Rihanna

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&B star Rihanna says she might not be given the title of a role model by people but the singer feels she can inspire young women.

The 28-year-old "Work" singer received the Rock Star Award at the BET's Black Girls Rock! ceremony in New Jersey on April 1 and used her acceptance speech to encourage her fans to love themselves, reported Female First.

"Thank you so much for celebrating us in a world that doesn't celebrate us enough. The minute you learn to love yourself, you will not want to be anybody else.

"Role model is not the title they like to give me...but I think I can inspire a lot of young women to be themselves and that is half the battle. Hopefully one day I'll be raising my own little black girl who rocks," she said.

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the event which will air on BET on April 5. Founder/CEO Beverly Bond created Black Girls Rock! to highlight the achievements of black female pioneers in art, music, philanthropy and community service.

Source: PTI

Source: PTI

Hello! Magazine apologises for 'fabricated' Clooney interview

Tom Hiddleston turns weather reporter

H

ello! Magazine has apologised for running an "exclusive" interview with George Clooney that the actor says was completely fabricated.

The UK-based magazine said it purchased the interview from an entertainment news agency called Famous, which they have worked with in the past.

Hello! said it thought the article was accurate and has removed the piece from its website.

Mr Clooney said the interview never took place. He said in a statement: "The problem is that I have not given an interview to Hello Magazine and the quotes attributed to me are not accurate. In my experience, being misquoted is not unusual but to have an 'exclusive interview' completely fabricated is something new. And a very disturbing trend." The interview was a piece about how he and wife Amal Clooney make their long-distance marriage work.

It was picked up by Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, The Sun and The Evening Standard. Hello! said it was "dismayed" to hear the interview was not authentic. "The HELLO! Group can only express its deepest respect for both Mr Clooney and his wife, Amal, and its sincere commitment to respectable and accurate journalism," the statement read.

In 2014, the Daily Mail apologised to Mr Clooney about a story they ran about his wife's mother claiming she opposed her daughter's wedding. He called the story "false" and "irresponsible".

‘A

vengers' actor Tom Hiddleston dropped by a Chicago news station as his supervillain character Loki (though not in costume) to update viewers on the terrible weather hitting the area this weekend.

He blamed it all on his thunderous brother Thor, saying that his brother from another mother's been misbehaving, reported Variety. The God of Thunder has brought his skill set to bare on the local weather, Hiddleston, 35, added. In other words, the storm-front means that Chris Hemsworth has taken his hammer and smashed it on the surface of the sky and it's going to rain a helluva lot, the actor said.

Hiddleston last played the supervillain in 2013's 'Thor The Dark World'. Hiddleston and Hemsworth will reprise the feuding brothers onscreen again in 'Thor Ragnarok', which is set for November 3, 2017. Taika Waiti in on board to direct and Stephany Folsom recently polished the script. Cate Blanchett has been a rumored addition to the cast, as well.

Source: PTI

Source: BBC

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Math nerds figure out ‘Game of Thrones’ protagonist

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yrion Lannister is the true protagonist in George R R Martin’s books and the HBO show “Game of Thrones”, according to a study by the Mathematical Association of America.

Using a graphing system, the study concludes that the clever Lannister prince (played by Peter Dinklage on the show) is best positioned as the central figure of the epic and sprawling saga, which is known for its propensity of killing off beloved characters, reported the Wrap.

This is due to his role as the Hand of the King, which puts him at the center of much of the larger stories’ intrigue. The study was conducted using “A Storm of Swords,” the third book in Martin’s series, and examines the characters’ relationships to each other and to various locations.

Jon Snow (Kit Harington), who was controversially killed off in the last sea-

son’s finale, is also an important central figure of the drama so is his halfsister Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). She’s often depicted as a captive of more powerful figures, but her role as a living heir of the kingdom of the North makes her hugely important.

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), the Mother of Dragons, may be in exile and cut off from most of the action but is still important to the story, especially as she plans to reclaim the Iron Throne. Season 6 of “Game of Thrones” premieres Sunday, April 24 on HBO.

ritish singer Charli XCX will lend her voice to turqoise bird Willow in the upcoming animated film "Angry Birds". Producer John Cohen announced via Twitter on Saturday that Charli is joining the cast of the Rovio and Columbia Pictures' movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm excited to announce that the amazing @CHARLI_XCX is voicing Willow in #AngryBirdsMovie!!! More news coming soon!" Cohen tweeted.

The 23-year-old singersongwriter has

R

eality show producer and actor Raghu Ram of "MTV Roadies" fame has come up with his own web fiction show "A.I.SHA My Virtual Girlfriend". "After over 10 years of reality shows, my first web fiction show: 'A.I.SHA My Virtual Girlfriend'. Hope you like it," Raghu tweeted.

Ram was earlier a senior supervising producer at MTV India and the executive producer of reality television shows "MTV Roadies" and "MTV Splitsvilla". He also co-owns a startup 'Monozygotics' with his brother Rajiv Lakshman.

Source: IANS

NOW SHOWING

Ticket Rates PlaTinuM - `320 Gold - `150 SilveR - `80

joined a growing list of A-list talent who are attached to the mobile app game-turned-feature-film, including Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, Keegan-Michael Key, Tony Hale, Peter Dinklage and Blake Shelton. The "Angry Birds" movie hits US theatres on May 20.

11:00 Am

Source: PTI

Source: PTI

raghu raM launches web cam fiction show

Hillstar

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Kader Khan Snow White’s sister Rose Red alive, death gets own live-action movie rumours isney is developing ney’s “Brothers Grimm” tales a new live-action but the story had no conneca hoax movie centering on tion to the more well known Snow White’s little Snow White tale. In this latest

D

known sister Rose Red. A spin to the classic fairytale, “Rose Red” follows the sibling’s quest to wake her sister from a death-like sleep, reported Ace Showbiz.

The project hailed from Evan Daugherty who scored the pick-up from Disney after he brought the executive an updated pitch on the story.

The original draft was written

by Justin Merz as a “standalone feature” but Daugherty reportedly revised it and brought it closer to the 1937 animated feature “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.

Rose Red is actually a charSource: IANS acter who appeared in Dis-

he ongoing buzz on social media about the death of veteran writer and Bollywood actor Kader Khan are mere rumours as the actor is still alive, a source close to the Khan family said. All these tweets and posts are rumours. He is very much alive. I had a word with him late in the evening, Fauzia Arshi, director of 'Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi', the movie in which Khan was last seen acting, told IANS on late on Saturday.I would request all to stop these rumours, she added.

Khan, 78, who has regaled the audience with his comic side in films like 'Himmatwala', 'Aankhen' and 'Coolie No.1' among several other entertainers, has been a victim of death rumours in the past as well.Khan, due to old age problems, finds it difficult to walk and speak, and is under constant medical care at his Mumbai residence.

Disney live-action, Rose Red is the key player who will team up with the seven dwarfs. She “must undertake a dangerous quest with Grumpy and the other dwarves to find a way to break the curse and bring Snow White back to life.”

This would be Daughtery’s second project revolving around the Snow White tale.

He wrote Universal’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” which starred Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth. Disney is also no stranger to putting a spin on their classics, having released “Maleficent” and “Cinderella” among others.

Source: PTI

02:00 pm | 08:00 pm

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monDAY 04•04•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

WIndies first double ICC World T20 champions Brathwaite leads West Indies WIndies Women create to stunning win over England history with maiden title

West Indies women celebrate after winning the Women's ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Final against Australia at the Eden Gardens on April 3 in Kolkata. (Getty Images)

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West Indies's captain Darren Sammy (C) holds the trophy after winning the World T20 cricket tournament final match between England and West Indies at The Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata on April 3. (Getty Images)

KoLKATA, ApriL 3 (AFp): Carlos Brathwaite sensationally hit four successive sixes off Ben Stokes in the last over as the West Indies stunned England by four wickets to win the World Twenty20 title at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

They won with just two balls to spare having needed 19 off the last over as

they became the first team to lift the trophy twice.

Chasing 156 to win, 27-year-old Brathwaite became the first player to hit four sixes off four balls as he made an undefeated 34 off 10 balls after taking 3-23 in the England innings.

Marlon Samuels finished on 85 off 66 balls.

"I can't really express

how much of a top knock (by Samuels) that was. We couldn't turn back, it was a question of when not if," said Brathwaite.

Bowling coach Curtly Ambrose was overjoyed after seeing his team follow the women's title earlier in the day and the Under-19s taking their world crown earlier this year.

"We believe we can chase any target because we've got some real firepower," he said.

"It doesn't matter how many you've got to chase.

We won the under-19 and the women's and now this, it's history.

"Usually, I have sympathy for the bowlers but on this occasion, no!"

KoLKATA, ApriL 3 (rEUTErS): Fifties from Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor powered West Indies to their first women's World Twenty20 title on Sunday, their eight-wicket win at Eden Gardens ending three-times defending champions Australia's dominance in the tournament.

Matthews (66) and captain Taylor (59) added 120 for their opening stand as West Indies chased down a 148-run target with three balls to spare for their first

win against the Southern Stars in nine attempts in World Twenty20.

Deandra Dottin, who took two wickets for 33, remained unbeaten on 18 to see West Indies through and spark wild celebrations among her team mates who were joined by several members of the men's side in a celebratory dance.

"We didn't get the start we wanted. In the first three overs we only scored three runs but it was good to keep wickets in hand," Taylor, who was named player of

the tournament, told reporters.

"We just said: 'We could do this, just stay here and bat through'.

"I don't think it's quite sunk in as yet. We have a good feeling right now but I think when it really hits us that's when we will know."

Australia's Elyse Villani and captain Meg Lanning had both hit 52 and added 77 for the second wicket to take their side to 148 for five after they won the toss and opted to bat.

Dottin gave away just

one run in the final over which according to Lanning was a crucial moment in the match.

"It was certainly a pivotal moment I guess," Lanning said. "I think we needed 160-plus on that wicket and we certainly set ourselves up to get to that mark.

"We just probably slowed a little bit towards the end including that final over. That probably gave the West Indies a little bit of momentum heading into their batting innings."

Nico Rosberg romps Ronaldo goal hands Barca first defeat in a year to fifth win in a row

Kimi Raikkonen (L), Mercedes Team Engineer Director Aldo Costa, (2nd L), Nico Rosberg (3rd L) and Lewis Hamilton pose for a group photo on the podium of the Bahrain GP. (REUTERS)

MAnAMA, ApriL 3 (AFp): Nico Rosberg consolidated his lead in this year's embryonic drivers world championship in emphatic fashion on Sunday when he seized a well-judged victory for Mercedes in a dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix.

Making the most of his team-mate and defending champion Lewis Hamilton's misfortunes, the 30-year-old German

grabbed the advantage at the start and then controlled the 57-laps race all the way to the chequered flag. It was his second win this season after Melbourne, his fifth in succession and the 16th of his career, enabling him to double his points tally this season to 50.

Pole-sitter Hamilton, who had a slow start and then another Turn One collision, fought back from

eighth on the opening lap to finish third, separated from his team-mate by the familiar figure of Kimi Raikkonen. It was the eighth time the Finn, who finished second for Ferrari, 10.2 seconds adrift of Rosberg, had claimed a podium finish at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Raikkonen was left to fly the flag for Ferrari after his teammate Sebastian Vettel's Bahrain hopes ended in a cloud of smoke as his car's engine packed up on the warm-up lap.

The four-time former world champion was well placed in third on the grid to mount a serious challenge to Mercedes on the front row. Hamilton, who was 30 seconds behind in third, is now second in the title race with 33 points ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo on 24. Ricciardo finished fourth for Red Bull, for the second race in succession, ahead of Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who secured a fine fifth for the new American Haas team, and sixth placed Dutch teenager Max Verstappen of Toro Rosso.

BArCELonA, ApriL 3 (rEUTErS): Cristiano Ronaldo struck late to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory in the 'Clasico' and ruin Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run in a tense game overshadowed by debatable refereeing decisions on Saturday. Gerard Pique headed in a corner to give La Liga leaders Barcelona a deserved lead after 56 minutes but Karim Benzema's acrobatic volley levelled for the visitors who were lucky to avoid conceding a penalty in the first half.

Real captain Sergio Ramos was also fortunate to escape with a yellow card from referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez in the second half although the defender was eventually sent off in the 83rd minute.

Hernandez also ruled out a headed goal by Gareth Bale. Barcelona failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the closing stages and went 2-1 behind in the 85th minute when Ronaldo chested down a high cross from Bale and fired the ball in at the near post.

"Winning here is a huge prize for all our players because they put in an enormous performance," Real

coach Zinedine Zidane told a news conference after handing Barca their first defeat in any competition since February 2015.

"I'm very happy because it’s not easy to win here, few teams win here."

Barcelona have 76 points with seven matches to play, seven ahead of third-placed Real. Atletico Madrid are six points off the pace after Antoine Griezmann hit two goals in their 5-1 rout of Real Betis.

Fernando Torres, Juanfran and Thomas Partey also netted for Atletico.

Real's win was their first in the league at the Nou Camp since 2012. It was also Barca's first home defeat since they were beaten 1-0 by Malaga in February 2015.

RAMPANT START "It's painful to lose at home but it had to happen some day," said coach Luis Enrique. "I'm happy with the attitude of our players if not the result. We could have won, or drawn, but Madrid were effective at the end."

Barca made a rampant start and Luis Suarez missed a glaring chance in the 10th minute.

They could also have had a penalty midway

through the first half when Lionel Messi fell over Ramos' trailing leg after a mazy run into the box.

Despite Barca's dominance they needed a corner to find a way through, Pique escaping marker Pepe to head in at the near post. Real responded in the 62nd min-

ute when Marcelo weaved his way into the area from the left and gave the ball to Toni Kroos whose deflected shot sat up for Benzema to athletically score his 21st league goal of the season.

Elsewhere, Valencia were beaten 2-1 at mid-table Las Palmas in coach Pako Ayes-

taran's first game in charge since succeeding the sacked Gary Neville. Rodrigo put the visitors ahead after two minutes but a penalty from Jonathan Viera and an own goal by defender Shkodran Mustafi handed 15thplaced Valencia a fourth straight defeat.

Leicester extend lead, United maintained top four push

London, ApriL 3 (AFp): Premier League leaders Leicester City went seven points clear at the top of the table after skipper Wes Morgan scored in a 1-0 win at home to Southampton on Sunday as Manchester United beat Everton by the same scoreline to maintain their bid for a top-four finish.

Morgan's 38th-minute header at the King Power Stadium, his first goal in nearly a year, was good enough to secure Leicester's fifth 1-0 victory and extend the East Midlands club's advantage over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, held to a 1-1 draw

by Liverpool on Saturday.

Now Leicester need just 12 points from their final six games to claim the first topflight title in the club's 132year history. Jamaica centre-back Morgan scored the only goal of the game when he got on the end of a Christian Fuchs cross.

The joyous scenes at full time told the story of just how much this latest win meant to a Leicester side who this time last year were battling to stay in the Premier League and who had been rated as 5,000/1 rank outsiders for the title before this season started.

"We saw the (Tottenham) game yesterday was a draw and wanted to make the most of our opportunity. We really wanted it today," Morgan told

Sky Sports. Meanwhile Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri urged his players to keep their feet on the ground during the run-in.

"Everyone is expecting something more for us and we are in the cloud, but we have to keep concentrating," said the Italian. "There is a chance for us to be champions this season, but we have to be professional."

In Sunday's other topflight match, United striker Anthony Martial's goal

was good enough to give his side all three points on a day when Old Trafford's south stand was renamed in honour of club great Bobby Charlton.

The win moved United up into fifth place, just a point behind local rivals Manchester City, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs. Both Manchester teams have seven league games left to play this season.

It looked like being a frustrating day for United until French forward Martial struck from close range when he swept in a ball from substitute Timothy Fosu-Mensah as the hosts exploited some lax Everton defending. Everton were almost level barely a minute later when defender Phil Jagielka headed against the crossbar from a corner with United goalkeeper David de Gea beaten.

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