April 4th, 2017

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www.morungexpress.com

tuesDAY • April 04 • 2017

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

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

T R u T H

Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together — Eugène Ionesco REALISTIC RESPONSE: ASU 27th Biennial Conference from April 7

Dalai Lama’s Arunachal visit likely to hurt IndiaChina ties, say experts pAGe 08

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Look at all those food, God,I wish I was a cow.

• IMR reduced from 38% in 2005-06 to 29% in 2015-16 • 2.4% mothers received full antenatal care • 29.9% mothers received JSY assistance • 35.7% children aged 12-23 months were fully immunized Dimapur | April 3

KohIma, aprIl 3 (mExN): The Department of Power will be launching SMS gateway to alert/inform consumers of their billing status.

Hence, all consumers of the Power department under Dimapur, Chumukedima and Kohima towns have been requested to provide their registered mobile numbers through registration on the web portal www. dopn.gov.in or send their consumer id from their registered mobile number to the following mobile number of the department - 7005405146.

This information was released by Er. K. Yiese, Nodal Officer, Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (RAPDRP).

PAGE 02

In the last decade (20062016), Nagaland has managed to cut down Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) by nine points – from 38% in 2005-06 to 29% in 2015-16.

IMR measures the number of deaths per 1,000 live births below the age of one.

During the same period, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in Nagaland nearly halved from 65% to 37% during the same period.

In these, Nagaland fared much better than the national average of 41% IMR and 50% U5MR. But child and maternal care conditions remain grim with the State lagging behind the national average in most indicators.

The data was published in the Nagaland factsheet of the National Family Health Survey 2015-16 (NFHS-4), the largest-ever

assessment of India’s health Trends in Infant Mortality (Death per 1,000 live births) and family welfare indicators released recently.

The survey provides decadal status of population, health and nutrition for India and each State / Union Territory. The last survey, NFHS -3, was carried out in 2005-06.

Overall, the performance of the State shows a marked improvement from the data captured a decade ago, but some areas of concern exist, as in the instance that most of the deaths in Nagaland (78.38%) below Table compiled from “ The National Family Health Survey – 4,” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govthe age of five occurred dur- ernment of India, 2017. ing neo-natal stage (under one year of age).

Maternal Care in sorry state The prevalence of high IMR despite having high literacy rate, an indicator of improved health status for other states, could be attributed to the maternal care during pregnancy and after pregnancy.

For instance, numbers of mothers receiving full antenatal care (at least four antenatal visits, at least one tetanus toxoid (TT) injection and iron folic acid tablets or syrup taken for 100 or more days) for last birth in five years before the survey was a measly 2.4% while mothers who received postnatal care from a doctor/nurse/LHV/ANM/ midwife/other health personnel within 2 days of delivery was just 22.3%.

Among others, consumption of folic acid for 100 days or more during

C M Y K

Table compiled from “ The National Family Health Survey – 4,” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, 2017; *Data for the period is not available.

pregnancy was found only in 4.4% of women.

The national average for pregnant mothers receiving full antenatal care is 21.0% while the percentage for with postnatal care was 62.4%.

Despite grand initiatives by the government to pro-

mote institutional delivery under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), severe bottlenecks seems to plague the delivery system as only 29.9% mothers received financial assistance for institutional birth in Nagaland State.

Postnatal care remains a big concern as the sur-

vey highlighted that the number of children born at home but taken to a health facility for check-up within 24 hours of birth was an astounding 0.1% - or just one child in absolute terms.

Number of children receiving a health check up after birth from doctor/

nurse/LHV/ANM/mid- way above Nagaland. wife/other health personnel within two days of birth Fewer stunted, wasted children than decade ago was only 1.6%.

Regarding the nutritional status of children, 28.6% Child Immunization According to the survey, of the children below the the percentage of children age of 5 were categorised aged 12-23 months receiv- as ‘stunted’ – suffering from ing full immunization (BCG, growth retardation as a remeasles and 3 doses polio sult of poor diet or recurrent and DPT) was just 35.7%. infection. The World Health While it was an improve- Organisation defined it ment from the last survey as a long-term nutritional (21%), Nagaland State is deprivation which often nearly halfway below the na- results in delayed mental development, poor school tional level of 62%.

Bacillus Calmette– performance and reduced Guérin (BCG) vaccine is intellectual capacity.

At the same stage, 11.2% of a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis while the children were also brackDPT is a class of combination eted as ‘wasted’ or a symptom vaccines against three infec- of acute undernutrition as a tious diseases: diphtheria, consequence of insufficient food intake or a high incipertussis, and tetanus.

Individually, BCG re- dence of infectious diseases. mains the most sought It impairs the functioning of after vaccine with 68.4% the immune system and can receiving it while protec- lead to increased severity and tion against measles and duration of susceptibility to DPT were lowest with only infectious diseases.

However, it was an 50.4% and 52.0% of the children aged 12-23 months re- improvement from a deceiving them respectively. cade ago as the number Even for the mass-pro- of children categorised as moted polio vaccine, only ‘stunted’ and ‘wasted’ were 52.5% of children had re- 38.8% and 13.3% respecceived three full doses ac- tively. Nearly 17% of the cording to the survey. children below the age of 5 Children remain most were ‘underweight’. vulnerable to Hepatitis It may be noted that the with only 45.6% of children NFHS-4 fieldwork for Naaged 12-23 months receiv- galand State was conducted ing three doses of Hepatitis from March 2016 to October B vaccine.

2016 by the Research & DeThe national average velopment Initiative (RDI) for children receiving BCG, which gathered information Polio, DPT and Measles im- from 11,213 households, munization were 91.9, 72.8, 10,790 women and 1,440 78.4 and 81.1 respectively, men from all districts.

Two Naga youths die in Lotha Hoho alleges discrimination in Road Fund Distribution Chennai within a month

NCF Chennai, NSUC advise not Status of Nagaland to send children medical college to cities without Our Correspondent proper verification Kohima | April 3 of offered jobs

The Nagaland state’s Department of Health & Family Welfare is steadfastly moving towards improving health delivery system in the state and is developing a medical college in Kohima with 100 academic seats linked with the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, the annual administrative report of the department says. The upcoming medical college will initially function from two campuses- Administrative, Academic, Hostel complex for students and residential complex of faculty and staff at Phriebagie and the technical hospital campus at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima. The report for 2016-17 tabled in the recent state assembly session by Minister for Health and Family Welfare P. Longon further states that the ongoing construction of District Hospital Kohima building at Phriebagie will be converted and utilized for the college. The state government has already invested Rs. 21.46 crores against this project, while the GoI has also released Rs. 46.50 crore for the civil work till date, according to the report.

pAGe 10

nagaland cuts infant mortality rates; most children lack immunization

Moa Jamir

Power dept to launch SMS gateway

Federer beats Nadal in straight sets in Miami Open final

ChENNaI, aprIl 3 (mExN): Two Naga youths working in private companies have died in Chennai in less than a month. On April 3, Z Akiu Yimchunger, an employee at a private company in Sriperumbudur, died after a brief illness, while a Naga woman who was also working in a private company passed away following a short sickness on March 13, according to a press release from Naga Christian Fellowship (NCF) Chennai and Naga Students’ Union Chennai (NSUC).

Informing that there are around 250 youths from Nagaland working in “unorganized sectors” as security guards, labourers, restaurant helpers, bakery workers, beauty parlours and spa workers, salespersons etc. in and around Chennai city, the two Naga organizations expressed concern that many of the youths are living in poor conditions and also “involved in various unhealthy lifestyle which even cost their lives.”

“Every year at least two or three such people die and some dead bodies cannot be sent home because of poor economic conditions of the families and the burden falls to the Naga community in Chennai for all the necessary arrangements in the city which is also so expensive,”

the release stated.

Moreover, it added, many of these youths are not members of the NCF Chennai and NSUC “because they don’t try to let the Naga community know about their whereabouts which is a great concern except in times of needs.

To locate them in the city with millions of population is a difficult task for the community.”

Further, the NCF Chennai and NSUC advised the parents and guardians in Nagaland not to send their “uneducated” children to the cities without proper verification of their offered jobs and also without the knowledge of the Naga community in the cities to avoid untoward misfortunes and exploitations.

The two organizations in this regard requested the respective tribal hohos, churches irrespective of denominations and other civil societies in Nagaland to help in finding the youths to return to their homes “before encountering the unfortunate situations far away from Nagaland.”

It was informed that 5 people have been sent back to Nagaland in 2017 so far. To speed up the process, the families and organizations concerned have been asked to contact Pastor Wapangtoshi, NCF Chennai at 09840127998 and Chingmak Chang, NSUC Vice President at 07401780461.

In the absence of Nagaland House in Chennai, the Naga community in Chennai also encouraged the Nagaland government to set up a Nagaland House in the city at the earliest, which the release stated, is a long pending demand of the Nagas.

WoKha, aprIl 3 (mExN): The Lotha Hoho has alleged discrimination in the Nagaland state government’s “Road Fund Distribution” for the last three years, 2014 – 2017. In a press statement, the Hoho claimed that Wokha district was “discriminated and treated even inferior to the Sub Divisions.”

“Fund allocations with normal variations is understandable; but the variations seem to be beyond logic and the Lotha Hoho wants to know on what basis the Road funds, for the various years have been distributed,” demanded the Hoho Chairman, Mhao Humtsoe and General Secretary, Er. Mhondamo Ovung.

With only Rs. 370.00 lakhs allocated for the whole district, the statement alleged, Wokha re-

ceived less fund than the following sub divisions/R&B divisions: Kohima South (Rs. 2747.75 lakh); Phek (Rs. 960.50 lakh); Mokokchung (Rs. 704 lakh); Peren (Rs. 687 lakh); Aboi (Rs. 490 lakh); Pughoboto (Rs. 475 lakh); Tseminyu (Rs. 470 lakh); Zunheboto sub division (Rs. 470 lakh); Tuensang sub division (Rs. 400 lakh).

“When various sub divisions, with road lengths much less than that of Wokha got more fund than Wokha, it surely amounts to discrimination. Will the state government and Lotha MLAs explain to the Nagas, as to why Wokha district should be discriminated?” it further questioned.

Pointing out that the roads within Wokha Town are the worst among the roads in Nagaland and many of the district roads are left

unattended, the Lotha Hoho also asked whether the State government will allot fund to Wokha district for renovation and running maintenance of roads in the district.

“Since the Wokha-Merapani Road has recently been declared as NH (after having been neglected by the state govt for the last many years), why not renovate the Wokha-Bokajan Road which has almost been abandoned, since the BRO left the road about a decade ago,” it added.

The Wokha-Bokajan road, which directly connects Wokha with Dimapur, the statement said, is very prospective for the district since most commercial and non official businesses are carried out via Dimapur. However, it lamented that the road from Bokajan to Wokha is bypassed at

Ralan in Wokha and diverted to Botsa (Touphema village) and being constructed as one of the best roads. “Is this not unfair to give priority to a village and bypass the District headquarter?” it asked.

Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho questioned whether Lotha MLAs will speak for the rights of the Lotha people. “We do not accept the argument that MLAs should adhere to the political party’s whip/ directives/decisions because you are there as our representative and for our rights. Yes, for normal functioning and for common causes, we agree that you honour your party’s decisions but not when you own electorate is discriminated. If you do not speak for your electorate, your being our MLA is meaningless,” the statement asserted.

Torrential rains disrupt normal life in Nagaland Morung Express News Dimapur | April 3

While the rest of India is reeling under heat wave, for nearly two weeks the North East has been witnessing heavy spell of torrential rain accompanied squalls and storms.

Reports from various districts in Nagaland suggest that the pre-monsoon rain are occurring in almost all the districts, which beside disrupting normal life, has led to damages to property and crops.

A strong wind accompanied by heavy rain at the wee hours of April 3 has also caused extensive damages. The storm which lasted nearly one hour jolted many citizens from their slumber.

While not ruling out widespread damages across the state due to ongoing rain, officials at Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) said that it was still compiling reports from various districts in the state.

However, NDSMA preliminary assessment reported damages to property and crops.

At Sakraba Village in Chizami Block of Phek district, some paddy fields were destroyed completely due to excess rainfall leading to landslide.

In Zunheboto Town, there were reports of

A landslide in Zunheboto Town which occurred due to the heavy incessant rain.

landslide in many areas due to heavy incessant rain though there were no reports of injury or loss of lives.

Reports also said that there were no major damages in Dimapur and Kohima except for small fallen trees and uprooting of few rooftops.

In Mon, reports are being awaited from outpost, NSDMA said adding that there also no report of damage to infrastructure or prop-

erties in Tuensang.

Till the filing of the story, there were no reports of damages so far in Wokha, Longleng, Kiphire, and Mokokchung.

Meanwhile, the Indian Metrological Department on in night update on April 3 (8.15 PM) informed that the weather condition for the North East will remain the same in next 48 hours.

2

TuesDAY 04•04•2017

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

REALISTIC RESPONSE: ASU 27th Biennial Conference from April 7 Morung Express News Kohima | April 3

The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) will be holding its 27th Biennial General conference from April 7 to 9 at the Centenary Compound, Jotsoma village under the theme ‘Realistic Response’.

Holding a press conference at the ASU office, the Union informed that the theme of the conference ‘Realistic Response’ has been inferred basing on the present context where discussions continues without any response towards solutions. In our discussions, we talk only about theories, stated Convenor Kelhouneizo Yhome, however very few delve into the praxis therefore the theme aims to lead the students’ community forward towards responding of realities.

“We (Angamis) are often referred as leaders, el-

Angami Students’ Union representatives during the press conference at the ASU office held on April 3. (Morung Photo)

ders of Naga society but sometimes we fail to understand where we are really leading the society, whether we are carrying the society forward,” said Yhome who also pointed out that the ASU has ad-

opted a new culture since its last tenure -stopping the invitation of VIPs and politicians as speakers and special guests, and instead invite intellectuals and experts from various fields to help students develop bet-

ter knowledge.

“This is a new beginning for the Angami students,” added ASU President Dievi Yano. The conference will therefore witness experts from the academia, and technical professions

speaking on various topics in relation with the theme.

Er Vipulhou Lhoungu, Principal, Govt Polytechnic Kohima will be speaking on the topic ‘Building Leadership-Realistic Response’ in the introductory session on April 7.

In the inaugural session, Er Kevisekho Kruse, Chief Engineer PHED Kohima, Nagaland will be speaking on the theme ‘Realistic response’ on April 8 which will be followed by the literary session, where extempore competition, and a debate on the topic ‘Angami Student are progressing’ will be held.

In the academic session, which will be held in the evening session, Hovithal Sothu, Deputy Director ATI Nagaland will speak on ‘Excellence-Realistic Response’ while Kekhrie Yhome, Former Asst. Professor Delhi University &

Nagaland University will speak on ‘Socio-economic & Political Conditions- Realistic response’.

The ASU also informed that on Sunday, April 9, a devotional service will also be held where the whole village will be commemorating Palm Sunday together. Rev. Dr. Sanyii Iralu, Principal, SBS Sechiima, Nagaland speak on ‘The Call for integrity-Realistic Response’ in the service.

Speaking on ‘Affirmative Decision-Realistic Response’ Er. Krosii Rhetso, Chief Engineer, R & B Kohima, Nagaland will conclude the Valedictory session which will also include the election of new officials for the next tenure.

There are 82 villages under the four ranges of the Angami Students’ Union and over 1000 delegates are expected to attend the 27th Biennial conference.

Brahma Kumaris commemorate Training for newly recruits under Mkg district underway 80 years of services to humanity mokokchuNg, april 3 (Dipr): Sponsored by the Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India and organized by the Administrative Training Institute, Kohima, in collaboration with District Administration, Mokokchung, a two week Induction Training Programme for the newly recruited group “B & C” government employees under Mokokchung district began on April 3 at Commissioner’s Guest House, Mokokchung.

Speaking at the inaugural function

as the guest of honour, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland & Director ATI, Lithrongla G. Chishi IAS described the group “B & C” employees as the front face of the government who deals directly with the people. She urged the trainees to take the training seriously to make a difference and bring about a change in the working system thereby bringing up the image of their own respective offices. She also maintained that all the government servants, including technical employees, need to

Christ for the City International-Nagaland Youth in partnership with Nagaland Development outreach (NDO) and Kids Worship Centre (KWC) organized one day HIV/AIDS advocacy and awareness seminar at Kids Worship Centre in Dimapur on March 25. 57 participants from various churches and centre attended the programme. Resource persons were Dr. Mhathung Ngullie, Dr. Thungbemo Humtsoe, Vikheho Sumi, NDO, Rev. Amos Humtsoe, and Anilo Rengma. They presented different topics under the theme ‘Freedom from Despair.’

Nagaland’s chief minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu on April 1 appointed Imtikumzuk, Deputy Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, as Parliamentary Secretary for Information & Public Relations in the Government of Nagaland to assist him in discharging the functions of the department, with immediate effect.

go for such trainings in order to buildup capacity building and governance system. “Unless you are in the system, you do not know whether you are doing good or not,” she added.

Welcome address was delivered

by Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel, IAS while introduction to the programme was given by ADC & Nodal Officer for ITP Mokokchung District, SachinJaiswal IAS. The programme was chaired by A Faculty Development Meeting in Entrepreneurship was SDO (C) Lemlila T. Sangtam. conducted by Digitech Institute, Dimapur with Professor M

Chetia, Principal of Yemhi Memorial College as chief guest.

Amen Aodang, Project Coordinator from Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (organiser), under Minsitry of Skill development & Entrepreneurship, GoI informed that it is a free course sponsored by National Science and Technology EnThis proposal of One work or has ceased to com- tive Societies Bill 2017 is trepreneurship Development boards, GoI.

One Village – One Cooperative Society Our Correspondent Kohima | April 3 Our Correspondent Kohima | April 3

The Kohima Centre of Brahma Kumaris on Sunday organized a flag hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 80 years of services to humanity by the Brahma Kumaris, world spiritual and educational organization, at Upper PWD colony, Kohima.

Kohima deputy commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan (IAS), lauded the Brahma Kumaris for rendering selfless services to the humanity and creates value based society by pro-

moting peace and unity to the humanity.

Later, he hoisted the flag to commemorate the 80 years of services to humanity by the Brahma Kumaris.

The Brahma Kumaris (Kohima) meditation centre in-charge, Rupa while sharing the journey of Brahma Kumaris said the organization the centre organises meditation and yoga activity in various districts of the state for the benefit of the public.

The anniversary was held under the theme “God’s wisdom for world transformation.”

In pursuance to the recommendations of the Study Committee on NCDC sponsored schemes and approval thereof by the state cabinet (notified by state Govt.’s OM. No COP2/348/2000(V) dated 4-112000), a village may have one Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS), which would be a model cooperative society for others to emulate.

This was stated in an annual administrative report 2016-17 of cooperation department tabled in the just concluded assembly session here.

Acknowledgement

T

he Family members of Late Master Akumdong Aier would like to express our sincere gratitude and thankfulness to one and all who have extended their help through physical, material, financial and prayer during the time of his medical treatment and untimely demise on 24th of March 2017.

We specially would like to convey our gratitude to1. Doctors and staffs of Zion Hospital, Dimapur.

2. Doctors and Staffs of International Apollo Hospital, Guwahati.

3. Doctors and Staffs of Eden Medical Center, Dimapur.

4. Principal, Staff and Students of St. Thomas Montessori School, Nagagaon, Dimapur 5. Miss Azungla Imsong, President, Incessant Welfare Society, Nagaland.

6. Dr. Yan Murry, Chief Executive, Pinnacle Skills, Dimapur.

7. Administrators and bloggers of The Naga Blog.

8. Lion’s Club, Dimapur.

9. Ao Baptist Church, Guwahati.

10. Ao Senso Telongjem, Guwahati.

11. Ao Student’s Union, Guwahati.

12. Naga Student’s Union, Guwahati.

13. Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA).

14. Nepali Baptist Church, Dimapur.

15. Asangmatsur Telongjem, Dimapur.

16. Mopungchuket Senso Telongjem, Dimapur.

17. Christian Higher Secondary School, Dimapur.

18. Queen Mary Higher Secondary, Mokokchung.

19. U.S.T.M Christian Fellowship, Guwahati.

20. Ao Semtu Group, Dimapur.

21. Network Travels, Guwahati.

22. NCHD-IT Center, Dimapur.

23. The Nagas.

And to those who helped in any possible manner, your contributions made our loss more bearable and comfort to us in our time of sorrow.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, it is our prayer that God Almighty shall bless you all abundantly.

Loving father, mother, brother & family me mbers.

Village- One Cooperative Society would be further strengthened due to the recent government policy directive on cancellation of non-functioning and defunct cooperatives and the constitution of a High Powered Committee headed by additional chief secretary to the Government of Nagaland.

The report also stated that consequent to the state cabinet decision (Vide O.M. No. CAB-2/ 2008 dated 8th September. 2010), the department has undertaken stringent steps to identify and cancel non- functioning/defunct cooperative societies, which did not commence working or cease to

ply materially with any condition as per the Cooperatives Acts, Rules or Bye-laws.

Accordingly, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies Nagaland has identified and notified 342 .Nos. for cancellation of registration and since till date no objection has been raised from any corner against the notification, the same has been put under process of cancellation of registration, the report added.

It is pertinent to mention that the 15th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session had passed Nagaland Cooperative Societies Bill 2017.

Nagaland Coopera-

to consolidate and amend the law relating to cooperative societies within the territorial limit of the state of Nagaland, to facilitate the voluntary formation and democratic functioning of cooperative societies as people’s institution based on Self- Help, Mutual Aid and Sound Business principles and, to enable its members to promote their economic needs so as to bring about higher standard of living for social betterment.

The bill is also to repeal the Assam Co-operative Societies Act, 1949, which has been operative in the state from its inception till date.

Old MLA hostel lighted up with blue lights on account of World Autism Awareness day by KMC on April 2. The theme of the day is ‘Light it up blue to give solidarity to persons suffering from Autism.’ (Photo Courtesy/KMC Administrator, Kovi Meyase)

Entrepreneurs graduates from EA’s BEST Wave 8 The newly constructed houses meant for laborers of hospital construction workers in Naga Hospital Kohima was blown off last night by heavy wind. The entire roof was dumped over the side of patient ward.

Graduates of the Entrepreneurs Associates Wave 8 Commencement Day held on April 3.

Dimapur, april 3 (mExN): Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) held its Wave 8 and the first of its kind in Dimapur had our Commencement Day today for the trainees on the Basic Entrepreneurial Skills Training (BEST) programme at its EA Training Centre in Darogapathar, Dimapur. The training was conducted from March 7 to 31 where 24 upcoming entrepreneurs underwent training on basic entrepreneurial skills.

Neichute Doulo, CEO EA in his speech spoke on the importance of time management and challenged the trainees to overcome their fear of selling inorder to succeed in business. This was followed by a

short speech by Kenelhouphreii Sekhose who spoke on behalf of the trainees on how the training had changed the perspective for many of them to identify opportunities that were right at their doorstep.

Tiatemsu Longchar, EA Management Team exhorted the gathering on the importance of entrepreneurship with a social cause and stressed on creating a new tribe of entrepreneurs that goes beyond the narrow confines of ‘isms’, clan and religion.

EA in a press release stated that the trainees have submitted their business proposals which includes various projects like livestock, tailoring, grocery stores, boutiques, whole-

sale marketing, marketing ‘on wheel’ , cafes etc . EA will handhold and provide credit linkage to the trainees while the best business proposals will also receive ‘EA award’, an interest free start up capital. BEST is a programme, which facilitates learning basics of start-up entrepreneurial ventures for youth and is held year round. It is an EA initiative and supported by the Tata Trust, Mumbai.

As the response to this programme has been tremendous, EA will be conducting more of this BEST programme in the coming months. Interested people can EA Dimapur ph: 9862410980 for future enrolment to this programme.

The GMS Punglwa, Peren District was devastated by storm that occurred on April 3.

The NSS Unit, Immanuel College led by its programme coordinators visited the District Jail Dimapur on April 2 where they had brief fellowship with the inmates as well the jailors. The Chairman of Immanuel College, Dr. A Loso Chalai and Temjen Longkumer, Asst. Professor spoke on the occasion.

tuesday 04•04•2017

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

CPI-M in Tripura not respecting Houses damaged by democratic federalism: BJP windstorm in Imphal

AgArtAlA, April 3 (iANS): The BJP on Monday accused the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) of not respecting democratic federalism besides misuse and non-utilisation of central funds by the Left government in Tripura.

While talking to the media, Bharatiya Janata Party's Tripura unit President Biplab Kumar Deb said the CPI-M did not even follow court verdict.

"How the Left Front runs its government in Tripura through illegal means was proved by the judgement of the Supreme Court which cancelled the jobs of 10,323 government teachers," Deb said.

The BJP leader said central ministers, including Radha Mohan Singh and J.P. Nadda, highlighted the failure of the state government in many sectors and non-utilisation and misuse of central funds.

Tripura's ruling CPI-

Centre trying to oust Tripura government: CPI-M

AgArtAlA, April 3 (iANS): Tripura's ruling CPI-M has alleged that BJP's central ministers were spreading misinformation about the Left Front government in the state in a bid to dislodge it.

"BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) central ministers visiting Tripura almost every week provide imaginary 'facts' (about) the Left Front government," Communist Party of IndiaMarxist leader Bijan Dhar said on Sunday evening.

"The central ministers' slandering is part of their efforts to dislodge the Left government unethically," Dhar told the media, adding there was an M on Sunday alleged that BJP's central ministers were spreading misinformation about the Left government in the state in a bid to dislodge it.

"BJP's central ministers visiting Tripura almost every week provide imaginary facts (about) the Left government," CPI-M central committee member

attempt "to build an economic blockade" against Tripura.

Dhar said the party's state committee decided on Saturday and Sunday to campaign against the central government's undemocratic steps over the coming months.

"After the victory in Uttar Pradesh, some leaders can dream that they can wash away Tripura's Left parties. This is a distant dream only," the CPI-M state Secretary said.

"When the CPI-M has been demanding 200 days of work in MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), the BJP government is trying to scut-

Bijan Dhar told reporters on Sunday evening.

"The central ministers' slandering is part of their efforts to dislodge the Left government unethically," Dhar said adding that there was an attempt "to build an economic blockade" against Tripura.

He said the party's state committee decided on Sat-

tle the scheme."

He accused the BJP of trying to break other political parties.

The BJP, however, hit back.

"How the Left Front runs its government in Tripura through illegal means was proved by the judgement of the Supreme Court which cancelled the jobs of 10,323 government teachers," BJP state President Biplab Kumar Deb told reporters on Monday. The BJP leader said central ministers including Radha Mohan Singh and J.P. Nadda highlighted the failure of the state government in many sectors and non-utilization and misuse of central funds.

urday and Sunday to campaign against the central government's undemocratic steps over the coming months.

"After the victory in Uttar Pradesh, some leaders can dream that they can wash away Tripura's Left parties. This is a distant dream only," the CPI-M state Secretary said.

"When the CPI-M has been demanding 200 days of work in a year in MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural EmployFlooded lane in the fringe of DM College campus in Imphal as seen on Monday. ment Guarantee Act), the Newmai News Network BJP government is trying to hom Leikai and other sur- to be ‘a record not seen for scuttle the scheme." rounding areas already af- five decades. Many standImphal | April 3 He accused the BJP of fected by flooding. ing crops were destroyed by trying to break other politi- Several houses were seMinister Letpao Haokip the heavy rainfalls. cal parties on religious and verely damaged by strong urged the authority of MaHaokip said a meeting economic lines. wind accompanied by nipur University (MU) to with Revenue Department heavy rain last night in open the dam located at will be held soon to discuss Langol area in the outskirts the institute’s Administra- matters regarding land enof Imphal which has been tive Block for free discharge croachment in the river bafacing a flood-like situation of flood water. sin areas so that demolition since March 30 after con“The dam is only meant will be carried out soon. He tinuous rainfall. for the dry season which appealed to the public to More incidents of dam- lasts only one month. The support the proposed govage to property were report- MU authority should open ernment’s efforts to clear highways, he said.

Meanwhile, liquor shops along Aizawl ed throughout the state due it because the dam has the basin areas.

Minister Karam Shyam by-pass road between Falkland and Zam- to the windstorm. The storm been a barrier to free flow puimanga Lungphun were not closed damaged many houses and of flood water in the con- assured that the present down as the road has been declared as city blew off many tin-roofs in stituency,” Haokip told re- suffering of the flood-afporters on the sidelines of fected people will be solved road. Liquor shops along Hrangchalkawn the area, a report said.

Meanwhile, IFCD min- the inspection visit. at the earliest. to Zotlang in Mizoram's south Lunglei He assured that a long The people in the twin town were also not shut down as the road ister Letpao Haokip and Consumer Affairs, Food & term policy would be for- capital districts of Imphal has been declared as city road.

State Excise & Narcotics minister R. Public Distribution minis- mulated to prevent flood West and Imphal East, Lalzirliana had earlier told the assembly ter Karam Shyam inspected in the state and that flood which have been facing house that there are as many as 71,230 li- many flood affected areas control measures will be inundation, are facing immense hardship in the past quor permit holders in Mizoram under under Langthabal constit- applied in time.

Heavy showers contin- few days. Heavy rainfalls Mizoram Liquor Prohibition & Control uency of Imphal West on (MLPC), Act which came into force in the Monday and promised to ued to lash the state today this week have more or less redress miseries and woes paralysing life. Last Thurs- created flood-like situation state since January 2015. day’s rainfall broke a five- in several districts of the The minister also said that licences for 39 of flood-affected people.

The ministers visited decade record. The rainfall, state. Most districts have liquor shops and two bars were given within the jurisdiction of Aizawl Municipal Cor- rain-ravaged areas of Ma- the highest figure, crossed been under constant risk poration (AMC), while some of the licence nipur University complex, 100 mm within 24 hours on as water level of major rivKakwa, Singjamei, Waik- Thursday, which was said ers has swollen. holders were yet to open the shops.

Stormy conditions lash Paying heed to SC order, 12 liquor Shillong on Monday shops close down in Mizoram ShilloNg, April 3 (NNN): Shillongites woke up to a gloomy morning on Monday followed by the lashing of strong winds coupled with rain and hail.

The hail caught people by surprise with pedestrians seen running to nearby shops and bus stands for shelter. The roads were covered with hail which made driving slower and difficult. The roads, fields, gardens, roofs, all were turned white by the gleaming hailstones. This also brought in a sudden chill with the dip in temperatures. However, the same heavy rainfall accompanied by massive hailstones brought misery for many in other parts of the state, as they destroyed crops and houses, rendering many homeless.

Cyclonic storm and hailstorm lashed the border villages in Ranikor area in South West Khasi Hills early last Sunday morning damaging more than 300 houses in 11 villages. Official sources informed that the storm started around 3am on Sunday. There was no report of casualties but houses and vehicles were damaged in the hailstorm.

Newmai News Network Aizawl | April 3

As many as 12 liquor shops were closed down in Mizoram following the Supreme Court’s order which prohibits opening of liquor shops within the diameter of 500 meters on highways. Mizoram puts in force the Supreme Court’s order from April 1.

Excise & Narcotics superintendent of Aizawl district, Z Lalhmangaiha said that 12 out of 34 liquor shops within Aizawl were shut down by the department on Saturday as they were located within 500 meters from the highways.

Besides shutting down their shops, the vending license of the owners were suspended for some time which would be renewed if the owners are able to relocate their liquor shops 500 meters away from

Rs 98.35 crore sanctioned for Assam Heritage circuit

guwAhAti, April 3 (pti): Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 98.35 crore for a Heritage Circuit in Assam under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

This amount which has been sanctioned for development of the Tezpur, Majuli and Sivasagar circuit under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, Union Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Mahesh Sharma announced following a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal here last night.

The first instalment of Rs 19.67 crore against the sanctioned amount was released by the Centre on March 31, 2017.

The scheme also includes development of a composite tourist infra-

structure in Majuli comprising a centre near Kamalabari ghat, log huts, watch towers, cafeteria, elevated walkway, solar illumination, landscaping, etc, worth Rs 61.26 crore, development of Ranghar, Joy Sagar and Talatal Ghar in Sivasagar and Kanaklata Udayan and Bamuni Hills in Tezpur.

Development of this heritage circuit will give a tremendous boost to Tourism in Assam against the background of the publicity received during the Namami Brahmaputra festival. The Union Tourism Ministry has decided to transfer the rights of Brahmaputra Ashok Hotel, which is presently managed by the ITDC, to the Assam government and all necessary modalities to formalise the transfer will be executed within the

next 15 days.

The Tourism Ministry has also decided to work collectively to enlist Majuli in the coveted list of World Heritage Site and has already engaged the Archaeological Survey of India to prepare the dossier for submitting it to the UNESCO. The Union Tourism Ministry has also sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the Namami Brahmaputra festival organized for the first time by the Assam Government to glorify the river Brahmaputra as well as to promote globally tourism, economy and civilization of the state.

The Government of Assam has also submitted a memorandum to the Union Tourism Minister on various issues concerning development of tourism sector in the state.

Manipur CM calls for rebuilding trust among all communities

Elephant herd destroy Mountain View Christian College, Kohima TO NAGALAND UNIVERSITY houses in South Garo Hills AFFILIATED Near BSF Camp. Below ATI Office: Kohima

turA, April 3 (NNN): Three houses in the village of Dalupara in South Garo Hills were completely damaged after a herd of wild elephants literally tore through the houses close to the international border with Bangladesh. The incident took place at about 4:00 am on Monday. The latest incident is the second of elephant conflict after a teacher was trampled upon by another herd near Gaptuli in West Garo Hills two days ago. The three residents whose houses were destroyed have been identified as Winston R Marak (35), Lokesh A Sangma (25) and Mini Marak (48). “There were heavy rains during the early morning when the elephants ravaged through the three houses. Thankfully alert villagers managed to avoid human casualty,” said a source.

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE DIMAPUR: NAGALAND

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GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DIMAPUR : NAGALAND

NO.CP/DMR/CB-45/2016-17/ 041 Dated, Dimapur, the 3rd of April, 2017

LOOKOUT NOTICE

DIMAPUR WEST POLICE STATION CASE NO. 31 /17 U/S 302/120-B/34 IPC

POST VACANCY

Delegation of Manipur Hill Journalists’ Union with Chief Minister of Manipur, Nongthombam Biren Singh on April 3.

Newmai News Network Imphal | April 3

Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Monday said media can help bring all communities in the state together, adding his slogan to bridge the gap between the hills and valley is “go to hills.”

A six-member delegation of the Manipur Hill Journalists’ Union (MHJU) met the Chief Minister in his chamber here during which Biren Singh said media has to play a big role in bringing together all ethnic groups despite their diversity.

Promising that his government will maintain its drive to ensure transparency, the CM further sought suggestions from the media persons in the hills in restoring trust among different groups of the state, an official release said.

He assured the MHJU representatives

that he would ensure that benefits reach all beneficiaries under Tribal Development and Hills. Biren Singh also assured them that he would personally involve in the distribution of these benefits at all district headquarters of hill districts.

In response to a memorandum received from the union, Biren Singh instructed the Chief Engineer, PWD to take up renovation work on the existing Press Club, Churachandpur. He also gave nod to allocate land for setting up of a Press Club of the union at Imphal.

He also suggested the union to request respective district administrations to provide rooms in their Mini Secretariats for establishment of one Press Club each at all the district headquarters.

The MHJU delegation was led by its president Sothing Shimray and general secretary S Nengkhalun.

Candidates are invited to fill the post of Radiographer.

No. of vacancy - 1 (one) Requirement - Radiographer with experience in CT scan

For details contact -03862-248288

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & VETERINARY SERVICES NAGALAND, KOHIMA

NO.VET/EST-201/2016-17/2911-14

Dt. Kohima, the 31st March 2017

POSTPONEMENT

In continuation to this office even letter no. Dated 6th March 2017 written examination and computer test for filling up of 6 (six) post of LDA cum Computer Assistant (District.) under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Nagaland, Kohima which is scheduled to be held on 8th and 22nd April 2017 respectively is hereby postponed due to unprecedented receipt of too many applicants coupled with the shortage of manpower and infrastructure in the Directorate Office as well as other technical reasons.

The new schedules of the Exams shall be informed later on. The postponement causing inconvenience to the applications is regretted.

Sd/- (Dr. I.P. KHALA) DIRECTOR ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & VETERINARY SERVICES, NAGALAND, KOHIMA

IDENTITY PARTICULARS Name: KUMSONGPONG WALLING @ APONG. Father’s Name: Late IMTISUBA of SUNGRATSU Village, MOKOKCHUNG. Age: 29 YEARS. Sex:MALE Identification:MARK ON THE NOSE. Height: 5ft 6 inch (approx.)

Built: LEAN REMARK The person is wanted for investigation on charges of Murder. Assist in the arrest / providing information.

Identity of informants will be kept secret.

CONTACT Assistant Commissioner of Police, C-Division, Dimapur: +917085055012 The Officer- in -Charge, West Police Station, Dimapur: +917085055024 Sd/- Commissioner of Police Dimapur : Nagaland

4

TuesDAY 04•04•2017

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

SBI sees cost savings, no bad loans surprise after merger with units MuMbai, april 3 (reuterS): State Bank of India, the nation’s top lender by assets, expects no nasty surprises on bad loans after merging five subsidiary banks with itself at the weekend in a deal that will help it save costs and gain scale, senior executives said.

The government-driven move to merge State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore with SBI, which already owned majority stakes in the units, is seen as the beginning of consolidation in India’s public sector banks.

SBI also took over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, a niche lender to women, as regulators aim to strengthen the sector with fewer but better-capitalised lenders at a time when Indian banks are battling record bad loans and need billions of dollars in new capital.

The merger will cata-

Post-merger, SBI opens with 500 million customers

A man walks past a logo of state Bank of India outside a branch in new delhi. (REUTERS File Photo)

pult SBI to the league of the top 50 global banks by assets, the lender said, with a far bigger presence in all corners of the country, with some 24,000 branches and 370 million customers.

The bank will relocate some 1,800 branches to

better utilise resources, go slow on opening new branches and shuffle staff in a bid to save costs, said its Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya and other senior executives at a news conference on Monday. The more than 200-year-old

bank has also begun a voluntary retirement scheme to rationalise its headcount.

Bhattacharya took the helm of the parent bank in late 2013 and has since surprised the market by managing bad loans better than its

MuMbai, april 3 (iaNS): Postmerger of five associate banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, top public sector lender State Bank of India (SBI) began operations on Monday with 500 million customers, SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya announced here. The associate banks which merged with the SBI are State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank Of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Travancore besides the Mahila Bank.

“The SBI opened as ‘one bank’ today (Monday) and will continue to operate in the same manner as before post-merger. New products and services will come across more seamlessly,” Bhattacharya told the media. state-run peers, who together account for bulk of India’s $149 billion soured assets.

She sought to assure investors at the conference that there will be no nasty surprises on bad loans going forward. The subsidiaries have a higher bad-loan

The treasuries of the SBI and associates have also been completely integrated and have now started work as a single entity after the merger process, she added.

The combined entity will enhance productivity, increase operational efficiency, mitigate geographical risks, drive synergies across multiple dimensions while ensuring higher levels of customer delight, she said. With the merger, SBI is now catapulted among the top ranking 50 banks in the world in terms of assets now worth at Rs.37,00,000 crore.

It now has a deposit base of over Rs 26,00,000 crore and advances of around Rs 18,50,000 crore, 22,500 branches, including SBI’s 20,000

ratio than the parent.

SBI started preparing early, and has made additional provisions of about 86 billion rupees ($1.3 billion) over and above what it needed to make after the asset quality review ordered by the Reserve Bank

alone, and 58,000 ATMs. SBI also has 191 foreign offices in 36 countries.

Now, the bank will undertake various audits before full data integration which is likely to be completed

by April 24 and lead to complete integration of its information technology systems, Bhattacharya added.

She said the SBI had made an additional provision of Rs 8,600 crore towards non-performing assets of the associate banks where the cost of funds were higher than SBI. She assured that no nasty surprises on NPAs were expected in the coming days. Bhattacharya added that the shares swap of the associates had also been completed and these were listed on the exchanges.

of India, Bhattacharya said.

“To that extent we are very well-positioned for taking the merged group forward,” she said.

After it reports annual results in May, SBI will set some “quantitative goals” including the absolute sav-

ings they can achieve for the merged group, Bhattacharya said.

The banks aim to merge all their databases by May 27, while a complete integration will happen in the June quarter, senior executives said.

Fresh visa trouble for Indian Google brings certified Developer India factory activity at five-month IT professionals: Now Agency network to India high in March on strong demand - PMI New Delhi, april 3 (iaNS): In a move to help developers create high-end quality apps, Google on Monday announced its second batch of certified agencies from India which have received dedicated training and access to Google’s latest products and application programming interface (APIs).

Google now has six certified partner agencies in India that includes Mutual Mobile, Cognitive Clouds, TechJini, [x] cube LABS, Divum and GoodWorkLabs.

“India has a large population of developers and agencies that are catering to the growing demands of building the next generation of solutions for India’s fast growing startup ecosystem,” said David McLaughlin, Director, Global Developer Ecosystem, in a statement.

As part of Google’s Developer Agency Programme, agencies will develop their expertise in using Google technologies and will be recognised as ‘Google Developers Certified Agency’.

Additionally, developer agencies will receive training on latest Google APIs, developer technologies and best practices, invitations to events specially designed for software development agencies, recognition and showcase opportunities and participation in Early Access programmes, among others.

“We are positive that through Developer Agency Programme, developers will be able to create great products that will benefit not only the agency but also the entire ecosystem in India,” McLaughlin added.

Launched in 2015, the Developer Agency Programme impacted more than 100 apps in India last year developed by these agencies with cumulative count of over 100 million users.

“It is great to be a part of Google Developer Programme as it has opened channels to work directly with Google engineers,” added Shyamal Mehta, Co-Founder, Techjini, a Google certified agency.

New Delhi, april 3 (reuterS): Activity in India’s manufacturing sector expanded at the fastest pace in 5 months in March as output and new orders accelerated, according to a private survey that also showed price pressures eased. The Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by IHS Markit, rose to 52.5 in March, from 50.7 in February, the third month in a row that is has been above the 50 markthatseparatesgrowthfromcontraction. The move caused huge disruptions to daily life and businesses in the largely cash-based economy.

The survey also showed encouraging signs on the inflation front, which has come squarely back on the central bank’s radar in recent months. “The favorable demand environment was supported by relatively muted inflationary pressures. Given that input costs rose at a softer pace, a whopping 96 percent of goods producers kept their selling prices unchanged over the month,” said His Markit economist Pollyanna De Lima.

Input prices rose at a slower pace compared to February, and there was a corresponding slowdown in the pace of output price rises as well, which likely helped

leisure

CROSSWORD # 3906

SUDOKU

Answer Number # 3901

A worker clears a furnace at an iron casting factory in Ahmedabad. (REUTERS File Photo)

increase demand. The new orders index rose to a 5-month high of 53.6 from 51.3 the previous month. Indian inflation picked up pace in February to 3.65%, after slowing in the previous month to 3.17%, its lowest in at least five years, but it was still below the central bank’s 4% target.

The Reserve Bank of India shifted its stance to neutral from accommodative and kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.25 percent in its February meeting, opting to wait for more clarity on inflation trends and the impact of demonetization.

Economic growth for the OctoberDecember quarter came in at 7.0%,

a bit slower than the 7.4% in the previous quarter but much faster than the 6.4% expansion forecast by economists in a Reuters poll, many of whom had expected a sharper hit from the cash crunch.

India’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed key legislations paving the way for implementation of a nationwide goods and services tax (GST) from July, which is expected to spur economic growth by 1 to 2 percentage points. Most manufacturing and services items will be taxed at standard rates of 12% and 18% under the 4-slab GST structure. std code: 03862

DiMaPUR ACROSS 1. Slouch 6. Friends 10. Powdery dirt 14. Papal court 15. Module 16. Within 17. Death notices 18. Novice 19. Killed 20. Meteorologist 22. Satisfactory 23. Region 24. Anagram of “Rioted” 26. Distort 30. Frequently, in poetry 31. Excavate 32. Winglike 33. Weight loss plan 35. Poison plant 39. Ardent follower 41. Attribute 43. Leaky 44. Humid 46. L L L L 47. Before, poetically 49. Tavern 50. D D D D 51. Christmas drink 54. Dry 56. Popular hot beverages 57. Responsibility 63. Against 64. Press 65. Audio communications 66. He writes in verse 67. A region of SE Pakistan 68. Make improvements 69. Not difficult 70. T T T T 71. Davenports DOWN 1. Flat-bottomed boat 2. Lubricate 3. Murres 4. Glove 5. Ottoman title

Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Game Number # 3902

Singapore wants to hire locals

6. Decayed 7. Enliven 8. Former Italian currency 9. Under the influence of narcotics 10. Defaced 11. Dim 12. Shorthand 13. Tall structure 21. Wear away 25. Platter 26. Bankrolls 27. Away from the wind 28. Rant 29. Tendency 34. Tropical evergreen trees 36. 5280 feet 37. Competent 38. To tax or access 40. Apprentice 42. Bit of parsley 45. Type of shellfish 48. Self-centered person 51. French for “Storehouse” 52. Columbus’s birthplace 53. Fence “doors” 55. Acted presumptuously 58. French cheese 59. Docile 60. Midmonth date 61. Pig sound 62. Gestures of assent

Answer to Crossword 3905

ABsent AreA BeGIn BonUs Center CIVIL CLeAr Cone ConstrUCtIon ForeCAst GerMs GLee GrAB HIstorY InForM InItIAL LABeL LIFts LoCALe

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MAte Meter PerIod PIAno PrInCe retAIL rIPs sCALe sPLInter sPreAd stArK steAdY tAre teArs tHInKInG trAnsPort trIte VIrtUe

D

std code: 03871

(formerly senapati)

Police station Fire Brigade

222246 222491

232224

emergency

229529 229474

MH Hospital

227930 231081

Fire Brigade

2222952

Faith Hospital

228846

naga Hospital

2222916

shamrock Hospital

228254

oking Hospital

2243339

Zion Hospital

231864 224117 227337

Bethel nursing Home

2224202

northeast shuttles

08974997923

Police Control room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

east Police station

227607

west Police station

232181

CIHsr (referral Hospital)

242555 242533

dimapur Hospital

KOHiMa

8575045501

Officer-in-Charge 8575045510 south Ps

8575045502

Officer-in-Charge 8575045520 Zubza Ps

8575045508

Officer-in-Charge 8575045518

Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652 railway

131/228404

Airport Indian Airlines

229366 242441 225212

Chiephobozou Ps 8575045506 Officer-in-Charge 8575045516 tseminyu Ps

8575045507

Officer-in-Charge 8575045517 Khuzama Ps

8575045505

Officer-in-Charge 8575045515 Kezocha Ps

232032, 231031

8575045549

Officer-in-Charge 8575045538

nagaland Multispecialty Health & research Centre

248302, 09856006026

women Cell

eden Medical Centre

248722 /248288

Control room

S

E

A

R

C

std code: 0370

KoHIMA Ps/oCs Contact numbers north Ps

224041 248011

nikos Hospital and research Centre

O

TaHaMZaM

Civil Hospital

Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777

W

MuMbai, april 3 (DNa): While all eyes and ears are on US President Donald Trump’s take on IT outsourcing to countries like India and his administration’s norms on H-1B visas, Singapore has quietly blocked visas for Indian IT professionals over the last few months, according to a report by The Times of India. It quotes IT industry body Nasscom’s President R Chandrashekhar saying that since 2016, visas for Indian IT professionals have come down “to a trickle”.

This comes in the backdrop of Indian companies asked to hire local talent in Singapore. Indian IT companies like HCL, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, Wipro, Infosys, and L&T Infotech, all have operational presence in Singapore. Chandrashekhar said, “All Indian companies have received communication on fair consideration, which basically means hiring local people”.

Looking at the fall in the visa approvals for Indian IT professionals, India has now put the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) on hold, saying that the move was in violation of the trade pact. The report said that Singapore authorities were now insisting on a “Economic Needs Test” “which requires compliance with certain economic criteria” to deny access to Indian talent. This is in direct contravention of the CECA which states that “there will be no ENT or quotas on agreed services. This is a violation,” an Indian officer was quoted anonymously.

With this development, Singapore joins the US in looking inwards to hire talent in a bid to ‘bring back jobs’ for its people as is popularly stated by the 45th US President.

H

8575045509

Officer-in-Charge 8575045519 8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)

FiRE STaTiONS

KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC) we4 woMen HeLPLIne 08822911011 WOMEN HeLPLIne 181 CHiLD weLFAre CoMMIttee Toll free No. 1098 childline

MOKOKCHUNG

std code: 0369

Police station 1 Police station 2 Police station Kobulong Police station tuli Police station Changtongya Police station Mangkolemba Civil Hospital

9485232688 9485232689 9485232690 9485232693 9485232694 9485232695 2226216

woodland nursing Home

2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (tourist Lodge) 2226373/ 2229343

CURRENCY NOTES BUY (rs) seLL (rs)

Us dollars sterling Pound Hong Kong dollar Australian dollar singapore dollar Canadian dollar Japanese Yen euro thai Baht Korean won UAe dirham (Aed) Chinese Yuan

63.34 78.97 7.89 48.35 45.26 47.38 56.37 67.63 1.78 0.0548 16.69 8.91

66.36 83.01 8.81 50.85 47.60 49.84 59.69 71.09 1.99 0.0613 18.63 9.95

tuesday 04•04•2017

NAGALAND

Road between Chendang Saddle ccTV installed at Khudei Jn and Yakore blocked by landslide Tuensang, april 3 (Mexn): The road between Chendang Saddle and Yakore on NH-155 (202New) has been closed due to rockfall/landslide at Location-138.800.

A press release from the Executive Engineer PWD (NH) Tuensang informing this stated that staffs and machineries are already engaged at the site. “But due to continuous rain and rockfall, the department may take some days to restore it,” the EE stated and advised commuters not to ply on the aforementioned stretch till the Road is cleared. The EE expressed regret for the inconvenience and requested all to bear with the department.

Supply Colony Council directs residents Tuensang, april 3 (Mexn): In what can be termed as an unprecedented initiative, Tuensang DEF and the District Administration have installed CCTV at Khudei Police Assistance Booth (PAB). According to a press release from the DEF Tuensang, Khudei junction was chosen since it was

strategically located at Mokochung-Noksen-Tuensang tri-junction. This would serve as a “boon” to commuters in the interior corner of the state, the release stated.

Meanwhile, the Tuensang DEF along with the SP Tuensang and his team of officers conducted a sensitisation programme on

"Crime against Women" at Sao Chang (Govt.) College.

The visit was undertaken as part of the Police outreach programme. Special emphasis was placed on sexual harassment especially highlighting the challenges face by young women when they venture out for further studies outside the state.

DiMapur, april 3 (Mexn): The Supply Colony Council has directed all residents of the Colony to erect/display their house number plate at their respective entrance/gate compulsorily with the words “House No……../ Supply Colony/GBC-2017” in three lines.

A press release from the Council informed that the directive is in line with the 4-point resolution taken during a meeting of the Executive Body of Supply Colony Council on April 1 at Children Park, Dimapur.

The Council further asked all registered Societies/ SHGs/Hostels to put up/display their signboard compulsorily with complete address including House No. and Pin code -797113 and submit a photograph of the same to the Council’s Office. “Failing to do so, their case will not be recommended /forwarded to the Govt or any other Agencies for any facilities,” the Council stated.

Along with the rest of the country, Mon district conducted the Second Phase of Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) for the year 2017, on Sunday, April 2. While informing that the IPPI was successfully implemented with a total of 28298 children being immunized across Mon district, the District Immunization Officer (DIO), Dr Supongmenla Walling, conveyed her gratitude to all the medical staff, NGOs, World vision volunteers and district administration for participating in the program. (DIPR Photo)

Training on rice production technology held Phom Union Kohima Input materials such april 3 also covered. celebrates Monyu festival DiMapur, Videos of different top- as pre-emergence (Preti(Mexn): A five-day skill KohiMa, april 3 (Mexn): Phom Union Kohima (PUK) celebrated Monyu festival on April 1 at the residence of Parliamentary Secretary, Land Resources Development, BS Nganlang Phom. Speaking at the programme, Nganlang exhorted the gathering to conserve and promote the rich cultural heritage saying that the main feature of the Monyu is to show love and renewal of affectionate feelings towards their married daughters or sisters by presenting specially prepared food to them.

Significance of Monyu was delivered by Vankon Phom where he said that Monyu festival is celebrated in the month of April every year from April 1 to 6 soon after the sowing season begins. He also stated that each day has significance: first day is Shungten Laiphen, second day Aeihaokshok, third day Chingiokshok fourth day Yenthu, fifth day Chingthum and sixth day Yean yan.

The highlights of the programme included invocation

by Rev. Phomlee Van pastor, welcome address and monyu greetings by PUK President Dr. Longai. Monyu festival was marked by traditional dance by the Pongching Cultural troupe Kohima. The programme concluded with Monyu Feast sponsored by B.S. Nganlang and family.

development training programme on Production Technology of Rice for higher productivity and income was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) under ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema from March 17 to 21 at Training Hall of KVK Longleng.

During the training programme, different topics of improved cultivation practices of jhum rice as well as lowland rice were covered. Some of the topic desired by the farmers like crop diversification and large cardamom based agro-forestry system were

ics like vermicompost production technology, insect management and also production technology of other crops (vegetables) were shown to farmers. Resource person of the training programme Dr. Manoj Kumar, SMS (Agronomy), E. Lireni Kikon, SMS (Plant protection), K. Lily Rangnamei, SMS (Hort.) and A. Namei, SRF .

During the discussion, Dr. Kumar advised farmers to go for settle agriculture from jhum agriculture through terrace making, bio-terracing and other practices which is suitable for Longleng condition.

lachlor, butachlor) weedicides, post emergence (Bispyribac-Na, 2,4 D sodium salt) weedicides, neem A mass social work was conducted at Tenyiphe 1 Village Council Hall and its surroundoil, soybean and rice seed ings by Tenyiphe-I VLO on March 30. Tenyiphe-I Village Council Chairman, Head GB were distributed to the and NLRM staff joined in the social work. farmers. Farmers showed keen interest during entire training programme and some farmers came forward for terrace making in their jhum field.

All together 32 farmers from eight different villages viz., Hukphang, Lingtak, Pongching, Orongkong, Bhumnyu, Mongtikang, Nyang and Sakshi participated in the five-day skill development training programme.

Disability Screening Camp held at Changtongya ChangTongya, april 3 (Dipr): A one day camp for screening of Persons with Disability was held on April 1 at Community Health Centre, Changtongya. The camp was held for all the differently-abled persons who do not possess disability certificate.

Altogether, 22 differently-abled persons were verified and given disability certificate. A team of doctors from Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, Mokokchung led by Dr. Me-

The Mon Town Students’ Union (MTSU) conducted checking of illegal and anti-social

dem, MS, IMDH, Dr. Saku Imchen, Dr. elements starting from March 24 onwards within Mon Town hq. The seized items inMar Tsukden, Dr. Kerisunu Sakhrie, cluding liquor, ganja and expired goods were disposed off in the presence of KNSK, Sr. Specialist, Dr. Woben Tsopoe, Dr. KSU and DEF Police on April 1.

Kilangwapang, Jr. Specialist and Dr. Sakuyuba, Orthopathic Assistant, conducted the camp in coordination with Dr. Imtijungshi, SMO and the medical staff of CHC Changtongya. Grace Society Community Based Rehabilitation Forum also provided assistance.

Chumlamo Humtsoe, SDO (C) Changtongya also attended the camp.

AR conducts lecture on women empowerment Tyrannus Boys Hostel Jakhama (TBHJ) celebrated its Parting Social-cum-Thanksgiving for the 10th Academic Session on April 2 at its hostel premises with Imliben Lemtur, President Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) as the guest speaker. Lemtur challenged the students to be assets and not a liability to the society.

WoKha, april 3 (Mexn): The 28 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) conducted a lecture on “women empowerment” at Chukitong on April 1.

According to a defence press release, the lecture was delivered by Dy Comdt MN Khama. Various issues

pertaining to women empowerment, self sustenance and entrepreneurship were discussed during the lecture, the release informed.

Chukitong BDO Tsemlumi and Thundeno Tsanglao along with 120 women of Kids Worship Centre conducted a two-day Digital Workshop where the trainees Chukitong and adjoining villages were were taught Basic Photography and editing, designing personalized cards and present during the lecture. making short movies.

Public SPace

Meetings CSU consultative meeting

How can mindset of Nagaland be changed?

The Chakhesang Students' Union (CSU) will hold its emergency seniors consultative meeting on April 4 at LCS building Kohima at 4:00 pm. The Union appealed all the former CSU office bearers to attend the meeting positively.

Thepfulhouvi Solo, IFS Retd (RR-68)

T

Dhansiri River Board The Dhansiri River Flood Control Board (DRFCB) has convened an emergency meeting on April 5, 11:00 am at its office at Marketing Complex, Purana Bazaar, East Dimapur Nagaland. A press release from the Board Chairman requested all the office bearers and executive members to attend the meeting without fail.

NPCC The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has convened ‘NPCC Extended Office Bearers Meeting’ on April 10, 11:00 am at Congress Bhavan, Kohima.

The meeting is inclusive of all the PCC Secretary, Frontal Chiefs and the PCC Legal Committee Members consisting of Takamasa, Khriedi Theunuo, Leonard, Sapan Paul, and Sarif. Further, it has also convened ‘NPCC Executive Meeting’ consisting of all the Executive Members and the DCC Presidents on April 11, 11:00 am at Congress Bhavan, Kohima. A press release informing this has has asked all concerned to take note of the above information and attend positively.

The Miqlak Ministry of the NBCC together with the Supermarket Tenants Association organised a free medical camp on April 2 at Super Market complex. The camp was supported by the Noble Life Foundation, a unit of Nagaland Multi Speciality Health and Research Center. Over 200 patients availed free medical treatment and free medication.

WSBAK conducts Kükami seminar DiMapur, april 3 (Mexn): The Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) organised a one day seminar for Kükami’s under western Sümi region on March 30 at WSBAK Centre, Aküvüto with Akheto Sema IPS, Additional DGP Nagaland as the resource person.

He spoke on the topic ‘Western Sümi Chief: Today and Tomorrow’ and brought about the demographic changes happening in the western Sümi region and how land

is being sold rampantly. Others who spoke were Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi, Executive Secretary WSBAK and Rev. Aheto Sema, Secretary, Department of Youth Ministry. Dr. Achumi spoke on ‘Chief and Church’ while Rev. Sema talked about ‘The Responsibility of Chief in Clean Election’.

About 200 Kükami participated in the seminar, a press release informed. The WSBAK staff also conducted a special prayer for Kükami’s and blessed them.

Retd Principal Secretary,

he Governor has said, Chief Ministers -Chubatoshi Jamir, Neiphiu Rio, TR. Zeliang has said in the Public for a good number of times, and Minister Yitachu also said the Mindset in Nagaland should be changed.

But ‘How could the Mindset of the State be changed?’ Nagaland is unable to change even the Mindset of the Woman folks, our VIP Leaders do not know how the change could be done. Reverends and Pastors teach umpteenth number of times in the Pulpit that Christians must change into ‘New Creature’. But they too have not shown how to change Nagaland’s Mindset and many Christians in Nagaland are still the same old creature!

It is VIPs, Teachers, Thinker, Writers, the Church and Leaders of the People as ‘Role Models’ of the Society that have the greatest chance to impact the change the Mindset of the People.

One day an elderly Citizen from Chakhroma Area opined to me through the Phone that nothing seems to be changing in the New Team in the Government. I replied: “No, except that the same Trade of

how to enrich and pursuit of the old trade of Self Interest continues”.

The present Chief Minister got a very good chance to start a New Earth and a New Haven to turn the Mindset of Nagaland in a good direction. One Citizen said if the CM had not allotted portfolio to his Son, it would have created a small but very significant impression on the Public and Nagaland would have at least learned an example of good political Ethics.

I agreed to this thought, in fact I added, “if the new CM on his ascending to the Chair, had made a public announcement that he would not go for Re-Election after his Term expires in August this Year. The announcement would have electrified the mentality of the whole of Nagaland for a New Journey and the CM would have got unprecedented Moral Authority to rein in the selfish Politicians”. It would have been an exemplary Lesson of political magnanimity.

Nagaland seem blinded with our own stubborn and national self-righteous political arrogance. We have become so dependent and defensive in our National outlook that we naively consider even elected Nagaland Government as if it does not wholly belongs to the Naga and selfishly think of it only for exploitation. Our

Political Leaders give us a clue to this pernicious attitude and they show no self-respect in taking the Governance of the State as something our own.

If this is not so, Ministers after Minister of Nagaland Government after Nagaland Government would not have regularly made Back-Door appointments of their Relatives or their expected Supporters for employment to non-existent government Posts. They know it very well that ‘Non-existent Post’ means No Money for their Pay! It appears the Government cannot change itself for the better and like everywhere else in the World, it is only strong Public Demonstration in the Street that changes the Government.

Public Demostration recently changed the Government of Nagaland too but it was by Violence and threat of Mass Violence where even the loud mouth in the Church declared “the Voice of the People is the Voice from Above” and gave its Blessings to the undemocratic Violent Force to bring down a democratically elected Government!

This is Nagaland today!

It is the leaders who should change Nagaland’s mindset.

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

tuesday 04•04•2017

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xii issue 91

Defying the Domination

T

he denial of human dignity experienced by Nagas is the direct result of oppression and subjugation perpetuated over many decades by the structures of political domination and remnants of their colonial past. Naga behaviors and actions are being conditioned by a history which is primarily not of their making. Undeniably, the domination ideology defies all humane values and with resolute single mindedness attempts to establish a permanent order through fear and subjugation in the people’s minds. Indeed, this conditioning process is very effective because people become frightened, controlled, suspicious and divided which also weakens and thwarts any potential collective action they may take.

The people need to free the Naga conscience from these oppressive and enslaving conditions through peaceful nonviolent means. Indeed, Nagas, as a people, can become self-determining and generate ideas and solutions to the problems that lie before them. The ongoing day to day reality continually invites and asks Nagas to arise from being the objects of history to becoming conscious creators of their own history.

It is only when human beings examine human history that they recognize the paradoxes within it and the subsequent tribulations that they experienced over time. When a people are completely overwhelmed by compelling circumstances they cannot be regarded as free, in spite of the fact that they are entitled to such rights.

For instance, just because the Naga people are entitled to be free, does not necessarily mean they are free especially when their struggle to have a decent quality of life is ongoing.

Similarly, just because Nagas have right to land does not mean that such a right is enjoyed when the land is overwhelmed by the forces of domination and exploitation.

The core ideas of rights is not simply that you are entitled to these rights and that they cannot be taken away from you, but most importantly, that you are able to exercise and enjoy those rights.

Recognizing that no one can claim to have monopoly of insights, the existing reality requires that the collective Naga mind be broadened, and imagine all that others have not dared to imagine. Together Nagas can transcend the fear of disillusionment and emerge from the frozen images through replacing them with the present realities that calls out for liberating the human mind and spirit. Based on such reasoning the Naga people need to critically analyze the concrete situation of their historical, geographical and political realities.

The history of the Naga people is intertwined with and inseparable from the idea of a peoples’ self-determining capacity to exercise its sovereign will. Consequently, in order for Naga people to reconcile, the struggle for Naga rights must be located within the larger struggle for humanization which has at its center the right to self-determination.

lEfT WING |

Vikas Datta IANS

A world of good news: Countries that overcame major problems Book Review: The Fix: How Nations Survive and Thrive in a World in Decline; Author: Jonathan Tepperman; Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing; Pages: 320; Price: Rs 499

T

oxic and messianic politics, misgovernance, corruption, xenophobia, extremism, ethnic strife, poverty and inequality... most of our world doesn't seem a very positive place, as media reports regularly tell us.

Are there any solutions to these maladies? Yes, and they can be seen in some unexpected places.

There are American, Asian and African countries, ranging from some of the world's biggest to a city state, and even a city, that have successfully dealt with one or more of these problems and can serve as model to many others -- provided we know about them.

And this is where this book comes in.

"This is a good news book... a collection of success stories gathered over several years I spent travelling around the world in search of solutions to the great problems of our day -- and the leaders who figured them out," says author Jonathan Tepperman, Managing Editor of the influential 'Foreign Affairs' journal of the New York-based Council on Foreign Affairs.

But before taking us on his "tour of the laboratories, which also happen to be some of the most successful (or at least most interesting countries) on the planet", he first draws a succinct but gloomy picture of the global situation since the 2008 economic crisis to support one of his basic premises that while details of the troubles the world faces may vary "they share an underlying cause -- the failure of politicians to lead". Or rather, more specifically, their failure to adequately address 10 big problems, roughly half political and half economic which "goes a long way towards explaining the mess we are in today".

And these problems, which include inequality, immigration, corruption, energy, Islamic extremism, growth and political gridlock, are not unsolvable as certain analysts hold -- as his examples show, he says.

After discussing these 10 problems in some detail for "understanding the problems in depth is also the first step towards understanding their solutions", he begins with telling us how Brazil tackled its gaping inequality -- in a way that would horrify any orthodox economist.

Then there is the story of Canada's changing stance on immigration (including the role of the present Prime Minister's father on this issue during his stint in power) and how Mexican leaders achieved a degree of political concord that can teach a thing or two to many older/larger/stable democracies.

Moving over to Asia, Tepperman chronicles how the world's most populous Muslim country overcame the threat of Islamist extremism, identifies the factors and policies that propelled South Korea's (continuing) economic miracle and the stringent and meticulous ways Singapore tackles corruption -- its policemen have to declare the cash they have when they start work and the amount when they go off.

In Africa, he shows how a landlocked and impoverished country achieved stability and growth after independence -- and even after discovering mineral riches, didn't fall prey to the infamous "resource curse" that has blighted many developing countries.

In another significant lesson, we learn how Rwanda, which experienced the most horrifying genocide of recent times, achieved a high level of social reconciliation within two decades of it.

Packed with fascinating facts and personalities, Tepperman's detailed, accessible and balanced account, which also examines the criticisms/shortcomings of the programmes and policies in question, also seeks to be prescriptive.

To this end, he seeks to "weave in leadership lessons and practical advice on problem-solving distilled from their experiences", exemplified -- but not limited to -- five major lessons he lists in conclusion, as some policies may only be specifically effective due to historical, social or geographical factors.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Jobeth Warjri Source: Raiot

OVERCOMING XENOPHOBIA: Confessions of a Shillong Teacher

I

was twenty-four, fresh out of University and eager to put my skills to the test. My first teaching assignment was at a private college where my cousin, upon hearing about my incursion to the relative unknown, jokingly remarked, “There are colleges for First Class students, so there must be colleges for Third Class and Simple Pass students as well. If there aren’t any of the latter, you and I can establish one. We will have many takers. ” Her remark, while carrying a hidden warning for what I was about to do, reflects a rather dismal reality of education in Shillong. Most premier institutions cater to the “brilliant” students who have scored well in examinations while the rest are left with colleges that are more keen on making profit than in educating the young.

Certainly, the latter was true of the college in which I was about to teach, though this fact did not bother me at the time. I was to fill in for a lecturer at the college who had aspirations of joining the Meghalaya Civil Services and who had hoped, thereby, to escape the fate of many teachers who were desperately overworked and underpaid.

My task was simple: teach a class of five hundred or so students the value of literature. This was 2010 the second year of the Obama presidency in America and the age when newspapers would dole out generous helpings of the dreaded Muslim terrorist. Social media had yet to make an impact in our day-to-day lives. At least, the closest anyone got to making a presence on the virtual web were testimonials on Orkut.

I was about to find out that I was deeply conditioned by the currents of the time.

The mood that registered when I first set foot on campus was one of apprehension. I had never, until then, entered a college campus that looked quite like this: there was a single concrete building in which both students (numbering by the thousands) and teachers (around fifty) were housed, a modest canteen and a library that would not have been missed if it had not existed (this was not the worst - I would later teach in a college that called a single shelf of books a college library).

What was immediately evident, however, was the fact that most students came from the working-class or the lower middle classes of Shillong. Most of the students I taught had day jobs, working as taxi drivers or engaged in construction work.

It was also the first time that I saw women in burqas-which brings me to my next point.

I was raised in a fairly middleclass home. My paternal grandmother (Meikha) was a teacher as was my paternal grandfather. Although my mother came from a working-class background, I never knew enough of her background to

form a connection to that aspect of my belonging. What mattered while I was growing up was the fact that my immediate family was comfortably well-off. We were by no means rich, but we were able to indulge in well-earned comforts from time to time. And like most middle-class children, I was brought up to think that I was among the most tolerant set of people around. So, you’re gay? That’s alright; being gay is a personal choice. It makes no difference of the church I go to thinks it’s a sin. Oh, you’re Muslim. That’s okay.

My brother has a Muslim girlfriend.

It was a case of my- best-friend-isblack kind of tolerance. So a close encounter with a couple of Muslim students took me by surprise.

I remember the day clearly. It was the month of Ramzaan. I had just finished conducting classes at 12:30 P.M. when I decided to go home. As usual, I decided to walk up to the bus stand which was around four hundred metres away from the college.

As I passed the gate, a car came out of a nearby mosque, drove by me and stopped. The windows of the car rolled down and two students, both

in burqas, invited me for a lift. I remember hesitating before finally entering the car. Almost immediately, my heart started to palpitate.

I noticed a man in a topi seated at the wheel with his back to me; to us, the passengers. It seemed to me that the man had made a conscious decision to keep his eye on the road and not to speak to me, a guest in his car. Paranoia took over. While I was discussing literature with my students, I was assailed by a fear that I might be harmed. I never made it to the bus stop in the car. Halfway through the ride, I requested the car to be stopped, relieved that a waiting point for taxis was placed midway between the college and the intended destination.

The encounter took no more than two minutes, but it is enough to illustrate the pervasive fear of the “other”.

How much of the world’s xenophobic attitudes have we internalised without ever realising it? There were many previous encounters that had demonstrated that Muslims are not necessarily the demonic creatures we have made them out to be. That people from

other backgrounds are equally capable of terrifying acts as they are of acts of kindness and love.

What futures will we have if our present is conditioned by fears of our own kind? Overcoming xenophobia requires that we be vigilant and critical of the messages that we are routinely fed day-after-day.

Education should, ideally, equip us with enough critical insight to counter fear and anxiety especially about communities other than our own. But what if educators themselves are susceptible to such fears?

Are orientation programmes and refresher courses for teachers tailored to deal with such issues in real time?

Or should universities and institutes of higher learning continue to remain islands, shielded from the social processes that encourage learning?

These questions require deep thought and consideration especially in times when minority communities are constantly at the receiving end of litigious blacklisting from the right.

As for me, the incident with my students proved to be a wake-up call.

Two weeks later I was on a plane on the way to Hyderabad.

The Lessons of Irom Sharmila's Defeat in Manipur Sharmila’s defeat in Manipur signals that fame cannot overcome the political machine Padmapriya Govindarajan

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The Diplomat

he fortnight since election results were declared for five State Assemblies has been naturally fraught with activity in India. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rode the wave of victory and got busy with its advisory duties and chief minister nominations, the parties that lost this round were left to recuperate. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will have to recalibrate their positions as major parties who have attempted to hold on to their stakes in New Delhi and might have set their sights on the 2019 general election. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh are similarly left brooding after their lackluster performance in such a key State Assembly election. However, while these parties contemplate the next move, a significant actor in the political spectrum of India has decided to leave politics altogether after her loss.

Irom Chanu Sharmila, the “Iron Lady of Manipur” as she is known, ended her 16-year-long hunger strike

earlier in 2016 in order to contest the election in Manipur. Known and revered for her strong and unwavering activism against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur, she decided to directly enter the polls as part of the Peoples’ Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA).

While this was a bold move by itself, she went a step further by deciding to contest outside the comfort zone. She took on the incumbent chief minister in his home constituency and engaged in a headon battle with existing political powers. She faced a devastating loss, securing merely 90 votes.

Okram Ibobi Singh went on to win that constituency with more than 18,000 votes.

In a country where political leaders attempt to reach the status of icons in order to solidify their presence in politics, Sharmila certainly was an icon in her own right. Her larger-thanlife presence, however, was not about leadership and charisma as much as it was about resilience against the larger structures of India and the army’s human rights violations. But Sharmila’s

loss, while disappointing for those expecting a moral recognition of her struggle, nevertheless is indicative of important lessons in politics.

In all honesty, even though the margin was jarring and relatively unexpected and insignificant options fared better than she did, a win was never an expected outcome for her.

The three candidates fielded by PRJA stood out in terms of the issues they espoused – transparency and accountability, and the foregrounding of human rights and women’s rights issues.

However, in a state traditionally dominated by questions of ethnic policy during elections, the freshness of their campaign could not and did not match the practiced posturing of the veteran politicians. This, coupled with the unfair resentment that some supporters of Sharmila held against her for breaking her fast, led to a diminished support base.

Sharmila has said that she faced an electorate “hypnotized by money and muscle power” and after her defeat went on a retreat to the state of Kerala. She has declared the end of

WRITE-WING

her own political career, but has hopes for the PRJA. In the meanwhile, she also hopes to forge a platform of global solidarity against AFSPA. She does not intend to back out of the political spectrum, even as she withdraws from electoral politics.

Sharmila’s defeat signals important lessons. It is indicative of the fact that while a cult status can go a long way in Indian politics, not all largerthan-life figures can really afford to bank upon this alone. Electoral politics continues to be a game where strategy and campaigns matter and the fact that an individual has a strong moral argument at their side is inadequate for victory. Certainly one must not behave as though Sharmila had a de facto right to win, but it is important at this moment to dig deeper into her loss. Did the same individuals who in theory supported her years of activism not approve of her turn to politics or did they not approve of the way she conducted her campaign? Did the electorate not vote for Sharmila the person or what she stood for? And if the electorate supported what she stood for – what really are the ways to bring those issues to the forefront of electoral politics?

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.

TUESDAY 04•04•2017

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

The Ban on Electronics How to Resist From And Lessons In Futility a Place of Love If you want to sustain yourself for the work ahead, here’s some advice: It doesn’t matter whether the other side “deserves” anger Colin Beavan

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S

Dr Binoy Kampmark

ecurity measures are often exercises in futility. Resembling placebos, they are the reassurance authorities make as acts of intrusive inconvenience. Queues are increased at airports in the vain hope that an elusive gel carrier will be nabbed before the next detonating device is activated on a flight. Shoes are checked to see if they pass muster. Devices are scrutinised.

Now, depending on certain routes, an electronics ban on carry on items has been imposed, most notably directed by the United States and United Kingdom. This latest exercise in Anglo-American futility has again done its bit to cause disruptions in the name of the questionable. A security “source” claimed that the ban was occasioned by a plot that would have involved the use of a fake iPad, amongst other factors.

The argument for such measures never changes: they might happen because of one incident that was an exception proving the rule. Such a case took place on a Somali plane in February 2016, involving a bomb possibly concealed in a laptop. It hardly justifies such electronic measures across eight countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

The other aspect of such responses is that it falsely layers a policy of supposed soundness with thoroughness. Prohibitions of such order, by their nature, tend to require a certain fanatical dedication to vigilance. Such vigilance is never going to be effective in the way

José Adán Silva Inter Press Service

D

uring the 161st session of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an empty chair across from the OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Edison Lanzas, sums up the Nicaraguan government’s relationship with this issue in the country: absence.

At the Mar. 15-22 meeting of the IACHR, an independent Organisation of American States (OAS) body, only Cuba, the United States and Nicaragua were absent from the debate in the review and complaints session, which in the case of Nicaragua dealt with freedom of expression.

It was the third time this Central American country abstained from participating, which according to experts on freedom of expression and journalism conveys a “disregard” by the government towards the media and journalists, ever since leftist President Daniel Ortega returned to power in 2007, after governing the country in the 1980s.

Adrián Uriarte, the dean of the social sciences department in the University of Commercial Sciences, said “freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and goes beyond the media.”

asymmetrical lateralist thinking is.

A potential terrorist might be a doctrinaire in thought, but not necessarily in method.

Airport security, whatever the delays, the piousness and the faith shown by officials to make the life of a passenger harder, is never able to entirely patch or plug gaps in what is so charmingly termed the architecture of the enterprise. Cheek and daring will out.

A look, then, at these measures, suggests unevenness. For one, the devices can be simply relocated to checked-in luggage, leaving the business classes irritated at a longhaul flight where work might be done. It also flies in the face of other aviation safety rules.

Another point is made by Shashank Joshi, defence and intelligence specialist at London’s Royal United Services Institute. Having such restrictions on “a tablet-sized, non-metallic bomb” might be sound (he, at least, believes the British officials might be on to something), but the scope would have to measure up.

Intelligence officials in other countries differ on this point, throwing various cats amongst flocks of pigeons. The restrictions between Britain and the UK, for instance, also vary, suggesting a postmodernism of sorts in the intelligence fraternities of the countries. “This raises questions,” notes Joshi, “about why they have arrived at different conclusions, and specifically suspicious as to whether unstated political factors may be influencing the Trump

administration.”

There was little surprise that the actions of the United States targeted eight countries, following the travel ban effort by the Trump administration which initially went for seven, then revised the number to six. It covers flights from 10 airports in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The UK ban is specific to tablets, laptops, games consoles and devices larger than a mobile phone.

Routes covered include inbound flights from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.

This ban was an exercise that had the notable ancillary outcome of affecting the highly competitive Gulf carrier market and airlines that have been doing rather well over the last few years in a cut throat aviation market.

Western counterparts have been shrunk and shunned off those routes, with the US market receiving considerable interest from the airlines of the Gulf Cooperation Council. “The billions of dollars in illegal Gulf carrier subsidies,” protested American, Delta and United in recent an open letter to Donald Trump, “are brazen violations of our Open Skies agreements and a perfect example of the type of trade cheating that President Trump abhors.”

The US Department of Homeland Security was attempting to advance another rationale, claiming in a press release that, “Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist

groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.”

Members of the legal fraternity and some policy makers have already noted a lukewarm, rather than enraged response, to the ban on large electronic devices. Trump’s March 6 executive order seemed to be considered of a different order, while an administrative and security measure of daft content is deemed more comical than a threat to liberties per se.

In the words of Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, this suggests that the claim that Trump’s “hands are tied” by legal challenges is far from the case. A lawyer retained

by Hawaii, Neal Katyal, has similarly observed that, “Policies like that one, justified with respect to a particular (even if unspecified) new threat, implemented without accompanying statements of animus towards Islam, and in harmony with Congressional policies and the policies of our allies, raise no constitutional concerns.”

As long as you keep Islam off the books of derision and criticism, and tailor nonsensical responses to the temper of Congress, such orders and actions are bound to sail through.

Forget, however, the merit of logic in whether these are necessary, let alone effective, to begin with.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge and lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne

Yes! Magazine

here is a heated conversation in some activist circles that goes like this: Should our work draw strength from fear and anger or from a place of love and compassion? I have heard people say that if we stop being angry and start being loving, we would be letting the culprits off the hook. We would be blinding ourselves to the bad things happening and—in indulging our nice feelings—forget to help those endangered.

In workshops I give to help activists and concerned citizens cope, there’s an experiment I use that addresses this. It goes like this: Conjure up all the fear and anger you have about the world and the politicians from the other side and the scandals and the targeting of those least able to defend themselves. Probably you’ll get a physical sensation. Where is that sensation?

For most people it is in the throat and top of the chest. Now, imagine that you are powering your voice from there and that you are shouting at a march or speaking to an elected official. Try speaking from there right now, out loud. How long could you sustain it? Do you get the sense that before long you would go hoarse?

Next, imagine the love you feel for nature and the compassion you feel for those who need help. Now ask yourself where in your body the physical sensation is. For many, the feeling is located just below the naval.

Now try to power your voice from that place, speaking out loud again. How long could that energy last?

If you are anything like me, you might get the feeling you could go forever.

And that is the thing about fear and anger versus love. Regardless of whether the other side “deserves” anger, we must sustain ourselves for the work ahead.

Can we actually go on forever with a blaming mentality, or will our work be better served by love? Our vision for the world is more likely to be achieved if it is grounded in compassion and love.

Recently, because so many people in my community were anxious and exhausted after the election, I held a workshop called “The Long Haul: Wisdom for Activists and Concerned Citizens.”

The goal was to search for an attitude that would help us continue to work steadfastly toward a fair, compassionate, just, safe world without burning out.

There were nearly 40 of us. Some were seasoned activists alarmed by the bottom dropping out of all they

Journalism in Nicaragua under Siege

The academic explained to IPS a set of indicators he created to determine the degree of freedom of expression in a country.

The first “refers to the exercise of this right in different social areas: home, community, media, school, church, and now social networks,” while the second “has to do with the exercise of this right in public spaces: protests, demonstrations, marches,” he said.

The third involves “a citizen’s right to demand accountability from the government and the powersthat-be, including the media.”

The fourth relates to “the right to seek and access public information; and the fifth indicator has to do with the exercise of this right in writing, by radio or television, which of course is directly linked to freedom of the press.”

This country “has good grades in the first indicators, in terms of freedom of expression, mostly because in Nicaragua internet use is not yet regulated, and as a result, social networks have become the main new public spaces where citizens exercise their right to freedom of expression,” said Uriarte.

“But journalists and the media are ironically the group that exercises freedom of expression the least in Nicaragua. I would say actually that this is the area where self-censorship is practiced the most,” said the academic.

In Uriarte’s view, the government of Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, who became vice president in January, “has a sectarian vision of freedom of the press.”

“There are public policies aimed at promoting technological development and access to information and advertising for public and private media outlets, but which have ties, according to investigative reporting, to the current administration,” he said.

“On balance, we can say that in Nicaragua those who suffer a lack of freedom of expression are private media outlets not influenced by the state,” said Uriarte.

“The most visible form has been denial of this right,” he said.

This “can be measured by the lack of access to information, zero interviews, zero advertising from the state, control over tax exemptions, and control of social and labour institutions to exert administrative pressure on owners of media outlets.”

“It is also seen in the cancelation of private spaces in local newscasts, removal of technical equipment from local radio stations, which has naturally led to the closure of private spaces of opinion due to a lack of economic sustainability for many journalists.”

Newspaper and radio reporter Juan Rodríguez has experienced firsthand the consequences of

being considered an “opposition journalist”.

“In 2007 I was communications and press officer for the Executive Secretariat of the National System for Disaster Prevention and Care, when the Sandinista government came into power and they cancelled my contract with no legal justification. They fired me because they suspected that I belonged to the right-wing media,” he told IPS. Since then, Rodríguez has got around a series of barriers and a lack of institutional support to make radio programmes, while complaining about political harassment for having headed the independent Association of Journalists of Nicaragua.

Journalist Luis Galeano, director of the local radio and television programme Café con Voz, put it like this: “As a journalist I always work thinking whether tomorrow we are going to be able to go on the air.” His programme, broadcast by a local TV station and a network of community radios, is not yet considered “opposition”, but Galeano is worried that any day now the authorities will apply pressure to remove it from the air.

“I don’t know whether the government will all of a sudden get annoyed with what I say or do in my programme and order its closure, or whether business people are going to request that my programme

be shut down, or whether they will pressure the few business people that support the media to stop backing us. The truth is that I live in constant worry about whether or not I will remain on the air,” he said.

Dozens of journalists have complained about the same sense of uncertainty, to Nicaraguan human rights lawyer Juan Carlos Arce with the non-governmental Nicaraguan Human Rights Centre.

Freedom of expression, according to the United Nations, is based on “the freedom to seek, receive and impart information.” In the current situation this right is not guaranteed for individual citizens, collectives or independent journalists, due to a secretive government policy,” Arce told IPS. According to the activist, the 2007 policy is based on the strict control of public information and manifests itself as a gag order for civil servants.

For Arce, the problem of freedom of expression is exacerbated by government control of the media.

This, in his opinion, “runs counter to the government’s obligation to promote pluralism and independence in the media.”

In this Central American nation of 6.2 million people, in 2007 there was only one TV channel and one radio station in the hands of the governing Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) , another state-owned station

thought they had achieved. Others were formerly disengaged citizens woken up by the election. Others were just concerned citizens, tired of being isolated behind their computer screens with all that worried them.

Here are three exercises we did.

Witnessing each other’s good work and giving thanks We walked around the room introducing ourselves to each other, briefly recounting actions we had taken, like visiting elected officials or going on marches. Each of us attempted to really listen, then offered heartfelt thanks and hugged or touched each other’s shoulders or squeezed each other’s hands.

This exercise helps change our view of the world from a dangerous, hate-filled place to a loving, hope-filled place. Keeping our focus on the good in the world helps many of us sustain our work.

Owning our complicity in the world’s problems In groups of four, we each owned aspects of our own personal responsibility for the problems in the world.

We talked about how we used fossil fuels even as we condemned the fossil fuel industry. We talked about how we had never bothered to take note of the 3 million to 4 million deportations that happened each year prior to Trump.

Bringing the world’s problems home and owning our part in them allows us to dissolve the imaginary monsters we see in Trump voters and people whose ideas differ from ours.

Owning our complicity allows us to see ourselves in and have compassion for those we blame. We get to see that all of us—all of us—get caught up in deluded thinking and actions.

Create a positive vision rather than react to negative events Next, we took turns in pairs telling each other our visions for the world. We each talked not about what we wanted to resist but about what we wanted to create. We talked about the clean air and water that comes with renewable energy.

We talked about the resilient communities that come with racial and economic justice. We talked about the capable children that come with good schools. This provided us with a sense of agency and defined the good things we wanted for the world.

After the workshop, I was heartened to see how the energy in the room had lightened. People seemed inspired to carry on. “I realize I have been clinging to my anger and my need to make someone else wrong with more energy than I have been trying to figure out how I can do what’s right,” someone said.

The point of this kind of work is simply not to let ourselves sink so deeply into our own despair that we can no longer act to combat the suffering of others. Caring people need to take care. We may have to find ways to put aside our unsustainable anger and fear in favor of our endless reserves of love and compassion.

and two other pro-government stations, as well as several others close to the government.

In 2017, according to Arce, more than 80 per cent of the radio stations, TV channels, print media and on-line programmes are under the control of the FSLN, controlled by family members, political operators and like-minded journalists, although some occasionally declare themselves publicly as independent.

“As an advocate, the biggest problem is the lack of information of the institutions and the fact that that many people avoid speaking out because they fear retaliation from the government,” he said.

Arce said the absence of the government in the continental forums to debate on freedom of expression is shown not only by the empty chairs during the 161st session of the IACHR, but also in the countless pronouncements of international bodies on violations of human rights and other universal rights.

To illustrate, Arce mentioned U.N. criticisms in its Universal Periodic Review on Nicaragua in 2014, and other reports issued since 2008 by the U.S. State Department, the European Parliament, the OAS, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, the Inter American Press Association, Freedom House, and Amnesty International, among others.

8

tuesDAY 04•04•2017

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

'Will take India to UN rights council'

IISc the best, JNU, JU African envoys threaten to take attack issue to Human among top Indian varsities Rights Council, demand visible deterring measures

Foreign students protest in Jalandhar on Wednesday over the recent attacks on African nationals in Greater Noida. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi, April 3 (iANS): African Heads of Mission have strongly condemned last week's attack on Nigerian nationals in Greater Noida, calling it "xenophobic and racial in nature", and kept open the possibility of taking the matter to international human rights bodies for an independent investigation if the government failed to take legal action against the perpetrators or took "sufficient or visible deterring measures" to avoid repeat

of such incidents.

A statement issued after a meeting of the envoys -representing 54 countries of the African continent -following the incident and dated March 31 said: "As regards the recent unfortunate incident in Greater Noida, the African Heads of Mission strongly condemn the incident and express their deep concern and also take note that these reprehensible events, both outstanding and unresolved cases against Afri-

cans, were not sufficiently condemned by the Indian authorities. The meeting unanimously agreed that those reaccumulated attacks against Africans are xenophobic and racial in nature."

The attack on four Nigerian students took place on March 27 night in Greater Noida, some 40 km from the Indian capital, following protests over the death of a Class 12 student of a residential colony there due to drug overdose.

Some people who were holding a candle-light vigil for the student attacked the Nigerians, suspecting them of drug-running.

The day after the incident, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay described the incident as "deplorable" and in his weekly media briefing on March 30 said: "It is clear that such criminal acts are completely unacceptable and have been condemned."

He said said that Exter-

nal Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has spoken to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath about this while Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar spoke to the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria.

"Law enforcement authorities of the district have made arrests and a large number of people are under watch. The investigation is on and the law of the land will prevail," Baglay stated.

In their joint statement, the African Heads of Mission said they reviewed previous such incidents of attacks on African nationals "and concluded that no known, sufficient and visible deterring measures were taken by the Government of India".

"They equally expressed their expectations for strong condemnation from the highest political level (both nationally and locally) of the Government of India, as well expediting legal actions against the perpetrators," the statement said.

"They agreed to take further actions including the call for an independent investigation by the Human Rights Council as well as other human rights bodies, and also to comprehensively report the matter to the African Union Commission," it concluded.

CRPF trooper killed in Kashmir Govt clears proposal to buy attack, seven others injured Barak missiles for Navy

SriNAgAr, April 3 (iANS): A CRPF head constable was killed and five other troopers and two civilians, including a girl,injured when militants attacked a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in the state's Pulwama district on Monday, police said. Two of the troopers were in critical condition.

"Six CRPF jawans, their civilian truck driver and a girl were injured in Sempora Panthachok area of Jammu-Srinagar highway in the attack," said a police officer here.

The injured were brought to the army's base hospital in Badami Bagh area here, where one of the injured, Head Constable G.D. Basappa succumbed to his injuries.

Cordon and search operations in the area, barely five km away from Srinagar district, were called off Monday evening as militants reportedly managed to escape after carry-

ing out the attack.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit has owned responsibility for this attack. The other injured, including both the civilians, are out of danger, police said. The girl, identified as Zainab, daughter of Ashiq Hussain Wani of Drangbal area of Pampore town, was admitted to Srinagar's Bone and Joint Hospital. Doctors at the hospital have described her condition as out of danger, saying she had been injured in the leg by a bullet.

The incident came less then a day after a police constable was killed and 11 other security personnel including eight policemen and three CRPF troopers were injured on Sunday evening in Srinagar's Nowhatta area when militants hurled a grenade when security personnel were being withdrawn from the area. Militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for this attack.

New Delhi, Apr 3 (pTi): The government on Monday approved procurement of a fresh batch of Barak surface-to-air missiles for Naval warships to enhance India's maritime capability in view of the changing security dynamics in the Indian Ocean region. A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, approved capital acquisition proposals totalling over INR 860 crore, including for the purchase of Barak missiles.

The missiles will be procured under 'Buy Global' category from Rafael Advance Defense Systems Limited of Israel at an approximate cost of around INR 500 crore, defence ministry sources said Almost all ships of the navy will be equipped with these missiles The DAC, which is Defence Ministry's highest decision making body for capital

acquisition, also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of equipment such as underwater robot to counter mines in the sea The equipment is being procured as a repeat order with 'buy global' categorisation at a cost of approximately Rs 311 crore. It was the first meeting of the DAC after Jaitley took as defence minister on March 14 At the meeting, Jaitley took stock of various procurement proposals and issued directions for close monitoring and expeditious clearance of pending capital acquisition cases.

He particularly asked for close monitoring of the proposals which are with CFA (Competent Finanancial Authority) and CNC (Contract Negotiation Committee) The sources said DAC also reviewed several old proposals and gave instructions for their speedy processing

Dalai Lama’s Arunachal visit likely to hurt India-China ties, say experts New Delhi, April 3 (hT): Relations between India and China seem to be headed for a diplomatic chill over the nine-day visit of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh from Tuesday, Chinese experts have said, with some of them saying Beijing should use all means including “military” to show its displeasure.

“He was just an issue. After this, he will become a bomb. Using this could make India China relationship more important but also more dangerous,” Ye Hailin, south Asia expert at the influential Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told HT. If an incursion by the People’s Liberation Army across the Line of Actual Control that marks the disputed China-India border cannot be ruled out, it is also possible that Beijing suspends bilateral mechanisms as a response – at least temporarily.

Or China could even try to stir India’s strategic unease by boosting cooperation with India’s neighbours in South Asia especially Pakistan – sign new deals and pump in more financial aid.

Experts say the response is likely to be harsh, though the tone and tenor could be dictated by Beijing’s diplomatic goals ahead; the response will be calibrated to ensure that it doesn’t impact the BRICS summit in China in September, which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chinese foreign ministry has already issued strong statements, saying the visit will “damage” ties with India; more MFA statements and strong state media editorials are likely to be issued too.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh to be part of South Tibet and calls Dharamshala-based Dalai Lama a separatist who wants to carve out an

independent Tibet within the Chinese mainland.

The visit of the Tibetan leader to the northeastern state, and especially Tawang – around 400 km from Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China – will add to the growing list of problems between the two neighbours with assertive leaders, heavily equipped armed forces and a history of festering squabbles.

The year 2016 was marked by China’s intransigence on the issues of listing Pakistan-based cleric Masood Azhar in a UN list of proscribed terrorists, India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group and going ahead with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor despite New Delhi’s concerns about it as at least a few projects under it are likely to be in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir.

The decision to lay the religious carpet for Dalai Lama in Arunachal Pradesh is being seen here as New Delhi’s way of showing its resentment and telling Beijing that India has a diplomatic card to play as well – an old one that elicits a routinely furious response from Beijing.

How will Beijing respond to register its anger this time?

“Most common people in China feel south Tibet is part of China since ancient times. The Tibet issue is vital to China’s national interests, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Dalai Lama, who said Tawang is part of India, is a treacherous separatist in action. For preserving our core interests, China should use all the resources at its disposal, including economic, cultural and eventually military means,” Wang Dehua, director of the Institute for Southern and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for International Studies told HT. It is not for the first time that the

81-year-old Tibetan leader is visiting Arunachal or Tawang: in 1959, he escaped from China via Tawang and visited the state in 1983, 1997, 2003 and 2009.

In 2009, Beijing said the visit undermined Chinese territorial integrity and criticised the Dalai Lama’s “scheme to wreck China’s relations” with India. But this time is different, one expert told HT, because the visit is continuing a trend that the Narendra Modi government began from the first day of his inauguration as prime minister.

“At the inauguration of the PM Modi, this administration invited the so-called head of the Tibetan-government-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay. That time too the Chinese government was irritated. Then President (Pranab) Mukherkee met the Dalai Lama in a formal occasion, which was of course not related to the Tibet issue. But this was also very rare, very unprecedented and also very high-profile,” Hu Shisheng, south Asia expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations said.

Hu added that on the surface, Dalai Lama has been invited to Arunachal Pradesh to deliver religious sermons.

“But your minister of state for internal affairs (Kiren Rijiju) will accompany him. So, it couldn’t be totally religious. Dalai Lama’s activities cannot only be understood in a religious way. And, we know the visit to the disputed area itself is very politically sensitive issue in China. So, it adds another disturbance to bilateral relations,” Hu told HT. Indian diplomats here refused to comment on the situation but it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that they were getting ready for a tense week ahead.

New Delhi, April 3 (iANS): The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the country's top ranked higher educational institute while the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad is the top management institute, as per the NIRF rankings released here on Monday.

The rankings released by Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar lists the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the national capital and Kolkata’s Jadavpur University (JU) -- which have been in the eye of storm over alleged anti national sloganeering -among the top universities of the country.

As per the “India Rankings” under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), JNU is the second best university in the country after IISc Banglore while JU has been ranked fifth.

The University of Hyderabad, which hit the headlines in 2016 over the suicide of its PhD student Rohith Vemula, has been ranked seventh in the lists of universities.

Javadekar hailed both JNU and JU for their contribution to research work and said the rankings were aimed at creating a competition for the educational institutes to strive for excellence.

“JNU or Jadavpur University have not been ranked for raising (pro Parliament attack convict) Afzal Guru slogans. They have not been ranked for confining the Vice Chancellor, but for their research work in science, biotechnology and other fields,” said Javadekar.

While the JNU was at the eye of massive political storm last year after anti-In-

dia slogans were raised at an event marking the anniversary of the hanging of Afzal Guru, similar “anti-national” slogans were also allegedly raised at the JU as well.

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has been ranked as the top engineering institute; deemed university Jamia Hamdard in Delhi is best in pharmacy category while Miranda House in the national capital has been ranked the best college in the country.

The rankings were made under five heads -- overall, university, engineering, management and pharmacy.

As many as seven IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) are in the top 10 educational institutes (overall) in the country. Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is ranked third in the university list and 10th in the overall list. Over 3,300 institutes participated in the second edition of the India Rankings. Only centrally funded institutes and those having over 1000 students enrolled were eligible to participate.

While the participation of the institutions has been voluntary, Javadekar said the government might make them compulsory in the future. The minister said higher the rankings, greater will be the government’s grants and funds to the institutes.

Launched in 2015, NIRF is a methodology adopted by the HRD Ministry to rank all institutions of higher education in India. The parameters used for the rankings were under five broad heads -- teaching learning and resources, research and professional practice, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception - employers, academic and public.

Youth who pelt stones in Valley are in ‘distress’: Mehbooba Mufti

The chief minister said the security forces also have to show restraint while dealing with law and order problems.

SriNAgAr, April 3 (pTi): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said the youth who pelt stones at security forces in the Valley are in distress and need to be engaged to understand their problems. “We have to focus on our children (stone-pelters) because they are in pain, they are in distress. I feel that the need is to engage them, to understand their problems and I am happy that (her brother and PDP candidate for Anantnag by-polls) (Mufti) Tasaduq (Hussain) is trying to play a part in that,” Mehbooba told reporters after addressing a workers convention in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

The chief minister said the security forces also have to show restraint while dealing with law and order problems.

“Definitely, that is something without which nothing will work. The army and security forces have to show restraint and they are showing restraint,” she said. Mehbooba said unemployment and restlessness of the youth in the Valley was the biggest challenge for her government.

The youth picking up stones is a big issue. The biggest challenge that my government faces is the youth, their unemploy-

ment and the biggest of all the restlessness in their minds. We did not create this in the last one or two years, this restlessness has been there for many years now,” she said.

The chief minister said any problem can be resolved through dialogue. “Our strength lies in democracy and democracy is the battle of ideas. Any problem, be it small or bigger one like we have in Jammu and Kashmir, its solution lies only in talks and dialogue,” she said.

She said “we have in the past as well held dialogue many-a-times, we have had agreements, we have had Shimla agreement and prior to that Tashkent agreement and after that Lahore declaration”.

“And internally, we had Sheikh Abdullah accord (Indira-Abdullah accord), Rajiv (Gandhi)-Farooq (Abdullah) accord and similar talks were held like with Hurriyat during the time of (former deputy prime minster) L K Advani when A B Vajpayee was our prime minister”.

“And, (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi himself on Sunday mentioned Vajpayee, saying people liked him because during his tenure he looked for Kashmir solution within the ambit of humanity,” Mehbooba said. She said her father and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed gave a roadmap in the face of Agenda of Alliance – the common minimum programme between the PDP and the BJP – in which solution of all difficulties lies.

No respite from searing heat in most parts of India

New Delhi, April 3 (pTi): Vast swathes of the country reeled under scorching heat today with the mercury soaring to above 40 degrees Celsius mark in many areas.

Banda in Uttar Pradesh was the hottest place in the country, recording a maximum of 43.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Nowgong (Madhya Pradesh) 42.7, Bankura (West Bengal) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) 42.6, and Daltonganj (Jharkhand) 42.5 degrees Celsius.

Residents of Delhi and Chennai reeled under searing heat as day temperature rose to nearly 40 degrees Celsius. In the national capital, the maximum temperature was recorded at 39 degrees Celsius, seven notches above the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 21.4 degrees, three notches above the normal.

The weatherman has forecast light rain in some areas in north India tomorrow.

In the desert state of Rajasthan, heat wave continued in western parts and Jaisalmer reeled under 42.6 degrees Celsius. Bikaner and Churu recorded day temperatures of 42.4 and 42.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Kota, Barmer, Pilani and Jaipur recorded maximums of 41.3, 41, 40.7 and 40.3 degrees Celsius.

While there are nuances and region specific differences, the IMD broadly defines a heatwave as when a place’s temperature is 5-6°C above normal. Women walking in the scorching heat in Bhopal.

Heat wave conditions continued at some places in Uttar Pradesh as the weather remained dry. The MeT office in Lucknow said Banda recorded a maximum temperature of 44.2 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab and Haryana, maximum temperatures hovered above normal levels. Chandigarh recorded a high of 36 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, Hisar experienced a hot day with a

maximum temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, while Ambala registered a high of 37.3 degrees Celsius. Karnal registered a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, Patiala recorded a high of 37.9 degrees Celsius. Ludhiana, too, experienced a hot day at 36.8 degrees Celsius, while Amritsar registered a maximum temperature of

34.8 degrees Celsius.

In Himachal Pradesh, there was, however, marginal relief from searing heat with the mercury dipping by a few notches in some areas.

The MeT office in Shimla has warned of thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail at isolated places in mid and lowers hills on April 4 and 5 and predicted rain or snow at mid and higher hills at many places from tomorrow onwards.

TuesdAY 04•04•2017

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Twin blast rocks St Petersburg metro stations in Russia

st. petersBurG, ApriL 3 (reuters): At least 10 people were killed and 50 injured when an explosion tore through a train carriage in the St. Petersburg underground system on Monday, Russian authorities said.

Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying the blast was caused by a bomb filled with shrapnel.

President Vladimir Putin, who was himself in St. Petersburg for a meeting with Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko, said he was considering all possible causes for the blast, including terrorism. He was consulting with security services Ambulances and fire engines descended on the concrete-andglass Sennaya Ploshchad metro station. A helicopter hovered overhead as crowds gathered.

Video showed injured people lying bleeding on a platform, some being treated by emergency services and fellow passengers. Others ran away from the platform amid clouds of smoke, some screaming or holding their hands to their faces.

A huge hole was blasted in the side of a carriage with metal wreckage strewn across the platform. Passengers were seen hammering at the windows of one closed carriage.

Russia has been the target of attacks by separatist Islamist Chechen militants in past years. Islamic State, which has drawn recruits from the ranks of Chechen rebels, has also threatened attacks across Russia in retaliation for Russian military intervention in Syria.

Russian airforce and special

An injured person is helped by emergency services outside Sennaya Ploshchad metro station, following explosions in two train carriages at metro stations in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 3. (REUTERS Photo)

forces have been backing President Bashar al-Assad in fighting rebel groups and Islamic State fighters now being driven out of their Syrian strongholds.

ALL STATIONS CLOSED St. Petersburg emergency services at first said that there had been two explosions. But a source in the emergency services later said that there had been only one but that the explosion had occurred in a tunnel between stations.

The blast occurred at 2.40 p.m.,

well shy of the evening rush hour.

Authorities closed all St. Petersburg metro stations. The Moscow metro said it was taking unspecified additional security measures in case of an attack there.

Russia has been on particular alert against Chechen rebels returning from Syria and wary of any attempts to resume attacks that dogged the country several years ago.

At least 38 people were killed in 2010 when two female suicide bombers detonated bombs on

packed Moscow metro trains.

Over 330 people, half of them children, were killed in 2004 when police stormed a school in southern Russia after a hostage taking

by Islamist militants. In 2002, 120 hostages were killed when police stormed a Moscow theatre to end another hostage taking. Putin, as prime minister, launched a 1999 campaign to crush a separatist government in the Muslim southern region of Chechnya, and as president continued a hard line in suppressing rebellion.

9

South Korean liberal wins party primary, poised to become president seOuL, ApriL 3 (reuters): South Korean human rights lawyer Moon Jae-in won the liberal Democratic Party primary vote on Monday, setting him on course to become the next president and perhaps take a softer line on North Korea.

Moon has been leading in opinion polls ahead of the May 9 election to succeed impeached Park Geun-hye, who was dismissed last month over a corruption scandal involving family-run conglomerates, or chaebol.

If elected, Moon, 64, is expected to soften South Korea’s policy towards North Korea, possibly delay deployment of a U.S. anti-missile defence system that has enraged China and get tough on corporate criminals, including chaebol bosses.

“I will do everything I have to do to look after the failing standard of people’s living, revive the economy and resurrect national security that’s been riddled with holes,” Moon told an enthusiastic party crowd in his acceptance speech.

In a major policy statement in March, Moon said there was no choice but to recognise Kim Jong Un as the leader of reclusive North Korea and deal with him.

North and South Korea are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North,

Moon Jae-in celebrates after winning the nomination as a presidential candidate of the Minjoo Party, during a national convention, in Seoul on April 3. (REUTERS Photo)

heavily sanctioned for missile and nuclear tests in breach of UN Security Council resolutions, regularly threatens to destroy the South and its main ally, the United States.

“We can’t deny that the ruler of the North Korean people is Kim Jong Un. We have no choice but to recognise Kim Jong Un as a counterpart, whether we put pressure and impose sanctions on North Korea or hold dialogue,” Moon said.

Such an approach may clash with the United States where President Donald Trump has pressed China to do more to rein in the North, and said it may have to deal with Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes on its own if needs be.

Moon has also vowed to

end the practice of pardoning convicted corporate criminals and to break up the cosy relationship between big business and the government.

Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee is on trial on charges including bribery in return for favours to the conglomerate that has led to the arrest of ousted president Park.

Moon had the backing of 40 percent of the people in a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, a double digit advantage over Ahn Cheol-soo of the new centrist People’s Party.

The two face little in the way of a significant challenge from conservatives, who have 14 percent combined public support according to the Gallup Poll, or the far left.

Indonesia sinks more boats in war on illegal fishing ‘Babies cry more in UK, Canada and Italy, less in Germany’

People take pictures of a burning ship as the government destroyed foreign boats that had been caught illegally fishing in Indonesia waters, at Morela village in Ambon island on April 1. (REUTERS Photo)

JAKArtA, ApriL 3 (reuters): Indonesia destroyed 81 mostly foreign boats at the weekend that had been caught illegally fishing in its waters, taking to more than 300 the number sunk since President Joko Widodo launched a

battle against the poaching of fish in 2014.

The Southeast Asian country has some of the world’s richest fishing grounds, but authorities have struggled to prevent trawlers, often from Asian neighbours, from making

Assange set to stay in Ecuador embassy as leftist on verge of winning election QuitO, ApriL 3 (reuters): WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange dodged an eviction order in Ecuador’s Sunday election, after the right-wing candidate who had vowed to kick him out of the country’s London embassy was set to narrowly lose a presidential election. Assange has been holed up in the tiny embassy for nearly 5 years, protected by Ecuador’s current leftist government from extradition to Sweden over rape allegations. Conservative presidential candidate Guillermo Lasso had vowed to roll back that welcome mat and remove Assange within 30 days of winning office, making global headlines and spooking Assange’s supporters. As it became clear Lasso was on the verge of defeat, Assange sent him a tongue-in-cheek message on Sunday night.

“I cordially invite Lasso to leave Ecuador within 30 days (with or without his tax haven millions),” wrote Assange on Twitter, amid accusations that Lasso had dodged taxes by stashing cash abroad. Government candidate Lenin Moreno, meanwhile, has promised to keep hosting Assange in the Andean country’s embassy - although he warned he may take a tougher stance. Moreno said in an interview with leftist broadcaster TeleSUR in February that he would ask Assange “not to intervene in the politics of countries that are friends of Ecuador.” Assange, who enraged Washington by publishing a flood of secret U.S. diplomatic cables, entered the London embassy fearing that Sweden could end up sending him on to the United States where he could face a long prison term for leaking U.S. secrets. He has repeatedly denied the rape allegations.

Though he will be able to stay on in the embassy, the tight presidential election in Ecuador highlighted just how vulnerable he is should a new government be ushered in. Lasso said Ecuador, a largely poor country struggling amid an economic downturn, was wrong to host Assange. “Ecuador had no business spending a single cent protecting someone who definitely leaked confidential information,” Lasso told Reuters in an interview in February in his sweltering coastal hometown of Guayaquil.

incursions into the seas around the vast archipelago.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said she hoped the sinking of the ships would be a deterrent for perpetrators of illegal

trawling. “We hope that Sino is a symbol of our victory over fish poaching,” Pudjiastuti said in a statement, referring to one of the ships sunk, after having witnessed two vessels being destroyed in Ambon in eastern Indonesia.

Boats were sunk in 12 different locations around Indonesia on Saturday, the ministry said in its statement.

The tougher policy on illegal fishing has at times caused tension with neighbours. Last year, a Chinese coast guard vessel intervened when Indonesia attempted to detain a Chinese vessel for fishing illegally in waters near the contested South China Sea. In 2014, Indonesia estimated that illegal fishing was costing it 101 trillion rupiah ($7.58 billion) a year. Since October 2014, Indonesia has destroyed 317 ships, the bulk of them from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, according to the statement.

LONDON, ApriL 3 (reuters): Babies cry more in Britain, Canada, Italy and Netherlands than in other countries, while newborns in Denmark, Germany and Japan cry and fuss the least, researchers said on Monday.

In research looking at how much babies around the world cry in their first three months, psychologists from Britain have created the first universal charts for normal amounts of crying during that period.

“Babies are already very different in how much they cry in the first weeks of life,” said Dieter Wolker, who led the study at Warwick University.

“We may learn more from looking at cultures where there is less crying -- (including) whether this may be due to parenting or other factors relating to pregnancy experiences or genetics.”

The highest levels of colic – defined as crying more than three hours a day for at least three days a week – were found in babies in Britain, Canada and Italy, while the lowest colic rates were found in Denmark and Germany.

On average, the study found, babies cry for around two hours a day in the first two weeks. They then cry a little more in the following few weeks until they peak at around two hours

A baby is baptized during a mass baptism ceremony in Tbilisi. (REUTERS File Photo)

15 minutes a day at six weeks. This then reduces to an average of one hour 10 minutes by the time they are 12 weeks old.

But there are wide variations, with some babies crying as little as 30 minutes a day, and others more than five hours.

The research, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, was a meta-

analysis of studies covering some 8,700 babies in countries including Germany, Denmark, Japan, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands and Britain.

Wolker said the new crying chart would help health workers reassure parents whether their baby is crying within a normal range in the first three months, or may need extra support.

Ecuador leftist claims victory, conservative demands recount QuitO, ApriL 3 (reuters): Leftist government candidate Lenin Moreno claimed victory in Ecuador’s presidential vote on Sunday, bucking a shift to the right in South America, but the conservative challenger asked for a recount as some supporters took to the streets in protest.

A Moreno win would come as a relief for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after conservative candidate Guillermo Lasso vowed to remove Assange from the Ecuadorean embassy in London if he won the runoff.

It would also boost the struggling leftist movement in South America after rightleaning governments recently came to power in Argentina, Brazil, and Peru as a commodities boom ended, economies flagged and corruption scandals grew.

The region’s de facto leftist leader, President Nicolas Maduro of crisishit Venezuela, profusely congratulated Moreno on Twitter, as did Bolivia’s President Evo Morales.

Lasso, a former banker, had promised to denounce the embattled Maduro, who

want to be Venezuela!”

There were reports of isolated clashes, but protests lost intensity as the night went on and people went home.

Ecuadorean presidential candidate Lenin Moreno gives a thumb up while waiting for the results of the national election in a hotel, in Quito on April 2. (REUTERS Photo)

foes say has lurched his country toward dictatorship.

Moreno, a paraplegic former vice-president, had secured 51.1 percent of the votes compared with Lasso’s 48.9 percent, with more than 96 percent of votes counted, according to the electoral council. It has not yet declared a winner.

A somber Lasso, who had earlier proclaimed himself victorious based on a top pollster’s exit poll, disputed the results that would

extend a decade-long leftist rule in oil-rich Ecuador.

“They’ve crossed a line,” he told supporters gathered in a hotel in his coastal hometown of Guayaquil.

Lasso asked for a recount and vowed to challenge the results, a complex process that could take time.

“We’re going to defend the will of the Ecuadorean people in the face of this fraud attempt,” he said.

Lasso contrasted Sunday’s fast results with the

first round of the election in February, when a final tally took days to come out and his supporters gathered in front of the electoral council to guard against what they said were fraud attempts.

Hundreds of Lasso supporters again swarmed in front of electoral council offices in the capital, Quito, and Guayaquil, waving yellow, blue and red Ecuadorean flags and chanting “No to fraud!” and “We don’t

‘LENIN PRESIDENT!’ Moreno, who lost the use of his legs two decades ago when he was shot during a robbery, would become one of few presidents in the world to use a wheelchair if he takes office on May 24. “Lenin,” as he is commonly referred to by his supporters, celebrated in mountainous Quito on Sunday night with the flagwaving crowd chanting, “Lenin President!”

“We’re going to keep building the path, we’ve done a lot but there’s a lot more to do!” he said, flanked by running mate and current vice-president, Jorge Glas, as well as outgoing President Rafael Correa. They broke into several songs, including one about Argentine revolutionary hero Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

Moreno, a former U.N. envoy on disability, has a more conciliatory style than the fiery Correa and has promised benefits for

single mothers, the elderly, and disabled Ecuadoreans.

He would face strong pressure to create jobs amid an economic downturn and to crack down on graft amid corruption scandals at state-run oil company PetroEcuador and Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht.

Lasso has criticized Moreno as economically ill-equipped and has warned his major social promises would hit already pressured coffers in a country dependent on exports of oil, bananas, and shrimp.

Moreno’s supporters, in turn, have decried Lasso’s plans, warning that he would slash welfare benefits and govern for the rich across a nation that stretches from Andean plateaus to the Galapagos Islands.

The ruling Country Alliance said on Sunday results were irreversible and condemned what it said was violence from the opposition. “Such a shame! What they can’t achieve through ballots, they want to achieve by strength,” Correa said on Twitter. Correa has said he will move to Belgium, where his wife is from, when he leaves office.

10

TuesDAY 04•04•2017

sports

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Barca down Granada after Real labour to win over Alaves

Karim Benzema fires from close range to put Real Madrid ahead. (Getty Images)

BARCELONA, ApRiL 3 (REutERs): Luis Suarez rose to the challenge that Lionel Messi's absence provided by powering second-placed Barcelona to a hard-fought 4-1 win at struggling Granada on Sunday after La Liga leaders Real Madrid laboured to a 3-0 victory over Alaves.

The Uruguay striker scored Barca's opener with a classy lob in the 44th minute and provided assists for Paco Alcacer and Ivan Rakitic to seal the points after the home side surprisingly drew level early in the second half through Jeremie Boga.

Neymar added extra shine to the victory with his 100th goal for Barca by knocking in a cross from Alcacer in added time.

"It's great when you can make up for absences with the type of

squad we have, because it is squads that win you trophies," Barceona coach Luis Enrique told reporters.

"The game became complicated with their equaliser in their only chance of the game but we managed to turn it around quickly and get a big scoreline which I think is a fair result."

Real struggled but eventually saw off Alaves, who had taken points from their visits to Barca and Atletico Madrid but came away empty handed from the Santiago Bernabeu despite home coach Zinedine Zidane being forced to make changes in defence.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead in the 31st minute while appearing to be offside in the build-up but Alaves still caused the leaders a few headaches before goals from Isco and Nacho in the 85th and 88th

minutes sealed the points.

"We know we can always improve but when you play every three days you can't always play 90 perfect minutes. We need to remember that being consistent will lead us to doing great things," Zidane told reporters.

Sevilla slipped out of the top three after being held 0-0 at home by struggling Sporting Gijon in the early game.

Barca are second on 66 points, two behind Real who have a game in hand as they chase a first title triumph since 2012. Atletico are third above Sevilla, who also have 58 points.

SUAREZ SHINES La Liga top scorer Messi was suspended for Barca's trip to the picturesque Andalusian city,

Moyes apologises after 'slap' threat to female reporter

LONdON, ApRiL 3 (AFp): Sunderland manager David Moyes has apologised to a female BBC reporter after threatening to "slap" her in a post-match interview, the English Premier League club announced Monday.

Moyes was interviewed

by BBC Newcastle and Radio Five reporter Vicki Sparks after northeast strugglers Sunderland's goalless Premier League draw at home to Burnley at their Stadium of Light ground on March 18.

Sparks had asked if Sunderland owner Ellis Short's presence at the game meant Moyes was under additional pressure, with the Black Cats yet again involved in a battle against relegation.

Video footage published by the Daily Star newspaper showed Scottish boss Moyes replying, "No, none at all" before the interview concluded.

The former Everton and Manchester United manager, however, believing

he was off camera, added: "You were just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap even though you're a woman.

"Careful the next time you come in."

Both Moyes and Sparks were seen laughing at this point and the reporter herself did not make a complaint.

It is understood that Moyes subsequently apologised during a telephone conversation.

"David and the reporter spoke to one another subsequently and the matter was resolved amicably," said a

where they clinched the title last season, and Luis Enrique took a risk by resting regulars Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Samuel Umtiti before losing Rafinha to injury in the 17th minute.

The visitors dominated but took 44 minutes to open the scoring when Suarez calmly chipped Jordi Alba's sumptuous through ball over goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to finally get the better of the Mexican.

Boga grabbed an equaliser five minutes after the break for secondbottom Granada and Luis Enrique's rotations suddenly looked misguided before Suarez got them out of jail.

He teed up Alcacer in the 64th and then provided a pass to Rakitic which was deflected in off Matthieu Saunier just after Granada's Uche Agbo was sent off for a second booking.

Neymar rounded off the victory with his milestone goal.

Real were dealt an early blow at home to Alaves when Raphael Varane had to go off with a hamstring problem in the 11th minute, forcing Zidane to rejig his defence.

The French coach moved Nacho to central defence and switched Danilo from right back to left back to accommodate substitute Dani Carvajal, who set up the breakthrough goal.

Zidane had rested goalkeeper Keylor Navas, captain Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, and was missing Casemiro through suspension, but opted for a highly attacking formation.

He started playmaker Isco in the midfield three behind his first choice attacking trio of Gareth Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Alaves spurned two clear chances to level in the second half before Isco killed them off by smashing home a perfect pass from Ronaldo on the counter, while Nacho bundled in the third moments later, pouncing after Bale smacked the bar from a free-kick.

Peerless Federer beats Nadal in straight sets to win Miami Open

Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the Butch Buchholz trophy.

(USA TODAY Sports)

MiAMi, ApRiL 3 (REutERs): Roger Federer clinched his 91st career title when he beat rival Rafa Nadal 6-3 6-4 in the Miami Open final on Sunday.

Federer, peerless this year after returning from a six-month injury absence, broke once in each set for his fourth consecutive victory over Nadal, though the Spaniard still leads their career head-to-head record at 23-14, due entirely to his superiority on clay.

Federer, now a threetime Miami winner, leads 10-9 on hardcourt.

The 35-year-old Swiss, showing no sign of losing his edge, improved to 19-1 this year, winning the Australian Open in five sets over Nadal, and BNP Paribas Open in straight sets over fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka.

His only loss was at the hands of Russian Evgeny Donskoy in the second round in Dubai.

“What a start to the year.

I can’t believe it. For me the dream continues,” said Federer, who still has a ways to go to match his career-best 35-1 start in 2005.

The result left Nadal a five-times Miami runnerup, after previous final defeats in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014.

“Every three years I am here in this position but always with the smaller trophy,” he observed. “Hopefully I will not have to wait three more years to be in that position fighting again for a title.

“I have to say congratulations to Roger. Amazing start of the season, one of the best comebacks on the tour ever after a long injury.”

Fourth seed Federer, in his 24th career final against Nadal, started slowly, struggling to hold serve in the very first game, but he staved off two break points and settled into a good

IAAF suffers cyber attack from Fancy Bears

ZuRiCH, ApRiL 3 (REutERs): The governing body of global athletics (IAAF) said on Monday it had suffered a suspected Russian cyber attack which it believes has compromised information about athletes' medical records.

An IAAF statement said a Russian hacking group known as Fancy Bears was believed to be behind the attack in February and that it targeted information Sunderland spokesman. concerning applications Meanwhile the BBC by athletics for Therapeutic added the matter had been Use Exemptions. resolved, with a spokesThe IAAF said it had man saying: "Mr Moyes has apologised to our reporter and she has accepted his apology."

Moyes's comments became public just days after MiLAN, ApRiL 3 (REuhe said he expects to re- tERs): Serie A leaders main as Sunderland man- Juventus withstood proager even if the club are longed pressure as they relegated at the end of the held out for a tense 1-1 season. draw at third-placed NaSunderland remain poli in an absorbing match bottom of the table and on Sunday. eight points adrift of safety Sami Khedira gave following Saturday's 1-0 Juve a seventh-minute loss to Watford. They travel lead before Marek Hamsik to a resurgent Leicester on finished off a flowing exTuesday. change of passes to score a superb equaliser on the hour and give Napoli a deserved point.

Gonzalo Higuain was at par with top players. Your given a hot reception by A grade contracts have to be Napoli fans on his return massive," said the former to the San Paolo stadium Indian team director here.

"That is the best grade, following his acrimonious where an A grade player move last July but made litlike Pujara gets a massive tle impact on the game.

There was plenty of amount and is not bothered whether he plays IPL drama elsewhere, with AC or not. He will be happy Milan's European hopes and say 'I can play two suffering a setback in a 1-1 months of country cricket' draw at basement side Pesand go (to England)", the cara after a rare mistake by former Test and ODI all 18-year-old keeper Gianlurounder said. igi Donnarumma.

Shastri's support for anGenoa fans turned their other steep hike in the play- backs to the pitch in protest ers' fees comes on the heels during a 5-0 home defeat of news reports emerging by Atalanta and Diego Falthat the players were unhap- cinelli injured himself celpy even with these enhanced pay structure announced by ebrating after his late goal in a 2-1 triumph at Chievo the Board on March 22.

Their contention, ac- gave Crotone their first-evcording to the reports, is er Serie A away win.

Juventus, who have that the cricketers from 74 points from 30 games, England, Australia and South Africa were being remained 10 points clear paid much more by their of Napoli although their respective cricket boards. advantage over AS Roma

contacted athletes who had applied for TUEs since 2012 and its president, Sebastian Coe, apologised.

“Our first priority is to the athletes who have provided the IAAF with information that they believed would be secure and confidential,” he said in the statement. "They have our sincerest apologies and our total commitment to continue to do everything in our power to remedy the situation."

TUEs are issued by sports federations and national anti-doping organizations to allow athletes to

take certain banned substances for verified medical needs.

The IAAF said that data on athlete TUEs was "collected from a file server and stored on a newly created file".

"The attack by FANCY BEAR, also known as APT28, was detected during a proactive investigation carried out by cyber incident response (CIR) firm Context Information Security."

It was not known if the information was stolen from the network, the IAAF said, but the incident

was "a strong indication of the attackers’ interest and intent, and shows they had access and means to obtain content from this file at will".

Fancy Bear could not immediately be reached for comment.

Last year, the same group hacked into the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) database and published the confidential medical records of several dozen athletes.

Those included cyclist Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner and Britain's most decorated

batsman Cheteshwar Pujara who does not have a contract with any franchise team in the cash-awash IPL, Shastri said the BCCI should ensure that the Saurashtra player is not worried for not being part of the T20 league and, thus, missing out on a huge pay-out.

"The grade contracts of a Test player should be the highest. (Cheteshwar) Pujara should be the highest,

Olympian with eight medals, who was revealed to have used TUEs. Wiggins retired last year under something of a cloud after it was revealed he took corticosteroid triamcinolone for asthma, although he broke no anti-doping rules.

The IAAF banned Russia after a WADA commission report found evidence of state-sponsored doping.

Russia missed the track and field events at the Rio Olympics last year and is likely to also miss the world athletics championships in London in August.

Juve hold out for tense draw at Napoli, Milan held

Shastri backs cricketers demand for wage hike MuMBAi, ApRiL 3 (pti): Backing the reported demand of top Indian players for a steep hike in their emoluments, former India all rounder Ravi Shastri on Monday termed as "peanuts" the increase in their payment announced by the BCCI recently.

Last month BCCI doubled the retainers for all contracted players to two crore, one crore and 50 lakh respectively for the three graded categories A, B and C. The Board also enhanced the match fees to Rs 15 lakh, 6 lakh and 3 lakh per Test match, ODI and T20 International respectively.

Not satisfied with these revised pay structure, Shastri said "it's (what they are getting) nothing, (Rs) 2 crore is peanuts. How much is an Australian (cricketer) getting?".

Singling out top Test

serving rhythm.

Fifth seed Nadal had his moments but had far greater trouble holding serve than Federer, who would have won more easily had he converted more than two of the nine break point opportunities.

“It was a very intense first set,” Federer said.

“It could have gone either way really and then the second set started slow from both sides. Eventually I got a few important (points) and played the right way like I have so many times this year," the Swiss said.

“We’ve had some epic matches over the years,” Federer said to Nadal at the victory presentation.

“In 2005 when I beat you very lucky here in the final I told you you were going to win this tournament and I truly believe you are still going to win this tournament. You’re too good not to.”

Juventus' Juan Cuadrado in action with Napoli's Faouzi Ghoulam. (Reuters)

is down to six after the second-placed side's 2-0 home win over Empoli on Saturday.

Juve silenced the home fans when Khedira picked up a loose ball, played a one-two with Miralem Pjanic, and scored with a shot which went under the arms of Napoli keeper Rafael, who was standing in for the injured Pepe Reina.

After that, it was all Napoli as they penned Juve into their own half and managed 13 shots on goal to their opponents' three.

Napoli were forced to play the ball around in midfield for long periods probing for openings but their patience was eventually rewarded.

After a long exchange of passes, the ball found Hamsik who played a quick onetwo with Dries Mertens, got free of the defence and side-footed his shot wide of Gianluigi Buffon.

Napoli were nearly gifted a second goal when Mertens intercepted Kwadwo Asamoah's backpass but could only shoot

against the foot of the post from a narrow angle.

EARLY GIFT Milan gifted Pescara an early goal when Donnarumma missed the ball completely as he tried to control Gabriel Paletta's back pass and it flew straight into the net for an own goal.

Mario Pasalic levelled before halftime but, despite dominating the second half, Milan failed to find a winner and were left seventh with 54 points.

They dropped four be-

hind fifth-placed Atalanta, who were sent on their way when defender Andrea Conti met Leonardo Spinazzola's cross with a superb overhead kick after 25 minutes.

Alejandro G omez helped himself to a hattrick, including a penalty, and Mattia Caldara also scored while Genoa had Mauricio Pinilla sent off just after the hour. Genoa's hardcore Ultra fans turned their backs to the pitch after the third goal.

Crotone's Falcinelli curled in an exquisite effort in the 82nd minute to give his side a famous win which put them five points behind 17th-placed Empoli and the safety zone.

Falcinelli was so excited that he tried to jump over an advertising hoarding to celebrate but slipped and had to be carried off on a stretcher, though he said later that he had merely suffered a cut to his knee.

Torino's Andrea Belotti hit the post twice before finally scoring in the 83rd minute to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Udinese and take his season's tally to 23 goals in the mid-table clash.

Palermo's troubles continued as they lost 3-1 at home to Cagliari, putting them second-bottom and seven points adrift of the safety zone.

Tuesday 04•04•2017

EntErtainmEnt

Roland founder, digital music pioneer Ikutaro Kakehashi dies

Priyanka Chopra is World’s Second Most Beautiful Woman

P

riyanka Chopra has just added another feather to her much bedecked hat. Our Desi Girl has defeated famous personalities like Angelina Jolie, Emma Watson, Blake Lively and Michelle Obama to become the second most beautiful woman in the world. In a poll done by LAbased photo journal and video-sharing social media network BuzzNet, Priyanka is just behind pop diva Beyonce in the list of the most beautiful women in the world.

Model and Victoria's Secret angel Taylor Hill is at number three, followed

by Emma Watson, Dakota Johnson and Hillary Clinton at fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively. Jolie is on eighth number, while this year's Oscar winner, La La Land star Emma Stone is at number 12. Supermodel Gigi Hadid is on the 13 position and the former first lady of the US Michelle Obama is on number 21.

Priyanka Chopra became a name to reckon with in the West after she landed the lead role in the TV series Quantico. Her singles In My City and Exotic, in which she was seen alongside Pitbull, also fetched her much acclaim beyond the country's shores.

The actor is now looking at her maiden Hollywood film Baywatch, scheduled for an April 2017 release.

I

kutaro Kakehashi, the Japanese engineer who pioneered digital music and founded synthesizer giant Roland Corp., has died, his company ATV Corp. said Monday. He was 87.

Kakehashi, reputed to have devoted his life to the pursuit of live entertainment, had a definitive im-

pact on shaping the sound of electronic, hip hop and dance music.

He founded Roland in 1972, and the company's first product was the rhythm machine. Since then, Roland instruments have graced the stage of top artists from Lady Gaga to Omar Hakim.

Kakehashi received a

Grammy in 2013 for developing MIDI, or Musical Instrumental Digital Interface, which digitally connects instruments.

ATV declined to give details about his death, citing the family's wishes for privacy. Japanese media reports said Kakehashi died on Saturday.

Here's the list of the Top 10 most beautiful women in the world

Source: AP

1. Beyonce 2. Priyanka Chopra 3. Taylor Hill 4. Emma Watson 5. Dakota Johnson 6. Hillary Clinton 7. Margot Robbie 8. Angelina Jolie 9. Fahriye Evcen 10. Alexandra Daddario

Source: India Today

Getting to know my childhood dream through film:

SuShant

A

ctor Sushant Singh Rajput, who is currently gearing up for "Chanda Mama Door Ke", says preparing for the movie is helping him get to know his childhood dream. Sushant on Sunday shared a photograph of a notebook, which read: "Theory Of Astronaut Training." The actor said he is really excited to prepare for his role in the film. "Really excited to start this. Getting to know my childhood dream 'Chanda Mama Door Ke'. Sanjay P. Chauhan, Viki Rajani," captioned the image. Sushant, who was last seen on screen in the biopic "M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story", will reportedly be playing an astronaut in Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's directorial. Other details about the space adventure film are still under wraps.

Source: IANS

C M Y K

P

uma bosses filed a lawsuit in federal court against the heads of fashion store Forever 21, claiming that they have been making illegal knock-offs of three of Rihanna's footwear designs, including the Creeper, Bow Slide and Fur Slide.

In the paperwork, Puma claims Forever 21's whole "business model is based on trading off of the established goodwill of reputable, name-brand companies, such as Puma", according to TMZ.com.

Puma executives note that they hold the patents and copyrights for Rihanna's shoe line and have deliberately kept the volume low on her range to create demand for the "luxury products". They claim Forever 21 ruins that strategy with their shoes, which they allegedly copied.

Puma bosses want the sales of the mentioned Forever 21 shoes to be shut down and to receive all of the company's profits from them.

Source: Contactmusic

Harry Styles chosen over

‘thousands’ of men for ‘Dunkirk’ role

H

arry Styles, 23, had to work hard for his role in Dunkirk just like anybody else! “When we put the cast together, we had some established names: Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy,” director Christopher Nolan told the LA Times. “But for the guys on the beach, we really wanted young unknowns. [Harry’s] not that unknown, but he’d never done anything as an actor before, so he auditioned. I auditioned literally thousands of young men with different combinations of young men, and he had it.”

The 23-year-old doesn’t have a huge role in the World War II film, but he was briefly featured in the trailer.

Although we don’t see much of him in the sneak peek, he does appear to be fighting for his life while slowly drowning underwater in the quick glimpse we do get.

It certainly seems like Harry has picked up on the whole acting thing every quickly, though, as his co-star, Cillian, also recently gushed about

how impressed he was by the singer’s performance. “Harry Styles is great,” he told Radio Times. “I had very few scenes with Harry, but we got to hang out, and I’ve got to say, he’s a great kid. And really, really funny.”

Dunkirk hits theaters this summer, but before he begins promo-

Puma executives sue over lookalike Rihanna shoes

J

The Last Text, which charted in the Top 35 on the Billboard 200 Chart.

With such amazing success behind the EP, we had high expectations for the music video — and, boy, does it live up to those expectations.

The music video is seriously amazing and we cannot stop watching it. In the video, Jacob is hanging out with his friends when he notices a girl on his social media timeline. He then spends the rest of the video trying to win her

over, and there are a ton of cameos from other social media stars.

The singer told us, “It was really fun creating this video. I am pretty close will all of the people who were on set, so during our breaks we would all make funny videos for social media and just have a really good time. One time, my friend King Bach and I played a prank on Amanda Cerny while on set. It was so much fun!”

Source: Teen Celeb Mag

Source: HollywoodLife

By:

Vikheho Swu

(Cabinet Minister, Government of Nagaland)

Khesheli Chishi

(OSD & Principal Secretary, Department of Justice & Law, Government of Nagaland)

YouthNet

Jacob Sartorius premieres his ‘Bingo’ music video acob Sartorius may be young, but the 14-yearold social media sensation has grown up quite a bit over the past year. Starting as a musical.ly sensation, Jacob has grown into a recording artist who is touring around the world, performing for hundreds of fans at live events.

Now, J-14 has the exclusive first look at Jacob's latest release, the music video for his hit song, "Bingo." The song is off his debut EP titled

tion for the movie, Harry has another big project coming out: His first solo single! The track, “Sign Of The Times,” drops on April 7, and already, Harry is scheduled to perform on Saturday Night Live April 15. 2017 is TOTALLY going to be his year!

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IPL 2017: Ten batsmen to look out for in the upcoming season

New DeLhi, ApriL 3 (ht): batsmen, he is one of the most The Indian Premier League exciting prospects with his tri(IPL) is often accused for being a batsman’s paradise as most of the matches see a ton of runs being scored. Over the last nine years, the tournament has been some brilliant batting performances and this season should be no different.

Here’s a look at the top ten batsmen who can dominate IPL 2017: AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

C M Y K

ple century against England at Chennai propelling him to instant stardom. Despite a lackluster 2015 season, the Karnataka lad was picked by Delhi Daredevils in 2016 at a price of R4 crore even though his base price was R10 lakh. The youngster scored three fifties and aggregated over 350 runs last season. A previous stint with Rajasthan Royals, in 2014, was also productive as he scored over 300 runs.

4000 runs under his belt and to a title win in IPL 2016 by conhas hammered four centu- tributing 848 runs, second only ries, second only to RCB teammate Chris Gayle who has five.

Kohli, who scored astounding 973 runs last year, has been in the middle of a brilliant season in Tests, having scored double centuries in four consecutive Test series. But a slump in form against Australia apart from being targeted by Australian media should fire him at the IPL, provided his shoulder doesn’t give a big problem. to Kohli’s 973. This season, Warner had been struggling before Steven Smith (Rising he struck form towards the end Pune Supergiant) of Australian summer. But he hasn’t been able to master the Indian bowling in the Test series. His strength, stroke-play, has been curtailed by the slow Indian wickets. But the true, batting-friendly pitches at IPL should suit his style.

The fact that the South Africa ODI skipper has taken a pro- Virat Kohli (Royal longed break from Test cricket Challengers Bangalore) and decided to focus only on limited-overs cricket will be an advantage for him at the IPL. He is already a star in India due to his IPL exploits and the crowd at Bangalore, home to RCB, loves him as was proven when he toured with the Proteas in December 2015 for the Tests.

He has over 3000 runs in 120 IPL matches with a strike rate close to 150.

Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab)

The Aussie captain is in rich vein of form in Test cricket. Although he hasn’t played a T20 International for about a year, he has plenty of experience in IPL. He has over 1200 runs in 54 matches and averages over 36 with a strike rate of 135. Last year, he struck a hundred as well. Replacing MS Dhoni as skipper, Smith will have to lead from the front and prove his For a man of his calibre, worth with the bat.

Glenn Maxwell’s performance in IPL has been below par. He has managed just six halfIPL’s top run-getter is ar- David Warner Karun Nair centuries in 43 games spread guably the hottest property (Sunrisers Hyderabad) (Delhi Daredevils) He led Sunrisers Hyderabad over five years. But for his perAmong the young India in world cricket. He has over

formance in 2014 (552 runs at Eoin Morgan a strike rate of 187 with four (Kings XI Punjab) fifties), the numbers would have been abysmal. Many times he has just thrown his wicket away, a trait best exemplified in the 2015 World Cup semifinal against India.

The willingness to be patient is something he’s learnt, as was evident during the Ranchi Test where he curbed his instincts to score a century.

This IPL season should see a changed Maxwell.

Him becoming the England Jos Buttler (Mumbai Indians) skipper is the best thing to have happened to the Three Lions in limited overs cricket after their early exit from 2015 World Cup. They have suddenly become a contender in every major tournament. Kings XI Punjab, who finished rock bottom last year and lack star attractions, will hope Morgan can lend the Midas touch to KXIP too. His overall performance in IPL has been very ordinary and last year at the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he The England wicketkeeper- was pretty poor, scoring just batsman holds the record for eight fours and four sixes and agfastest century for England in gregating 123 in seven matches.

ODI cricket. Buttler’s experience with the Mumbai Indians Gautam Gambhir last year wasn’t memorable. He (Kolkata Knight Riders) managed just 255 runs in 14 matches without a single fifty.

He also didn’t have a particularly good time in the ODIs and T20Is against India during the short series recently. But his 51-ball 90 in August last year had helped England post the highest total in One-day Internationals. His presence adds more firepower to Rohit Sharma’s squad.

Westbrook eyes history, LeBron Changes in Northern Angami T20 Bash fixture leads Cavaliers in OT thriller

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets on April 2, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (NBAE Photo)

LOs ANgeLes, ApriL 3 (AFp): Russell Westbrook edged closer to NBA immortality with his 40th triple-double of the season on Sunday as LeBron James dug deep to help Cleveland clinch a double-overtime thriller against Indiana.

Westbrook scored 40 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and provided 10 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to a 113101 home loss against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Thunder guard is now one triple-double away from tying Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson's single-season record of 41, set in 1961-62 for the Cincinnati Royals.

With six games left in the regular season, Westbrook can match the record when the Thunder host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Westbrook however was more focused on the Thunder's defeat than the latest chapter in his remarkable season.

Asked for his thoughts about the possibility of tying Robertson's longstanding mark on Tuesday, Westbrook replied: "We gotta win. That's my thoughts."

"We were just making bad mistakes, bad decisions," Westbrook said after a game that saw the Thunder hand over 24 turnovers.

"Starting with myself, we have to take better care of the ball."

Oklahoma City now lie in sixth place in the Western Conference standings at 43-33.

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers looked to 2016 NBA Finals MVP James once again to secure a pulsating 135130 win over the Pacers in

double-overtime.

James finished with 41 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists for his 11th tripledouble of the season and the 53rd of his career in a crucial win for the Cavaliers.

Pacers star Paul George led the scoring with 43 points including 19 in the two periods of overtime, adding nine rebounds and nine assists.

- Shouting match But James lost his cool in an on-court shouting match with team-mate Tristan Thompson, the two trading barbs over a blown coverage.

"I had good intentions but I was a little bit too demonstrative at that point in the game," James said.

"I can't show up my teammates, that's for sure, especially Double T (Thomp-

son) worked hard for our team, he's a big-time player for our team so I had good intentions of what I wanted to happen, but the way it came out was ... it didn't look good on TV." The Cavs moved to 4927 to stay a half-game behind the Boston Celtics, who are 50-27. The Pacers meanwhile fell to 37-40, leaving them in a tie for eighth place with the Miami Heat.

Cleveland's win sets the stage perfectly for what promises to be a titanic battle with Boston on Wednesday.

The Celtics brought up their 50th win of the season, downing the New York Knicks 110-94, to maintain their grip on first place.

"A couple of years ago I would have thought that would be something we would have to build for a while for," admitted coach Brad Stevens, now in his fourth year with the rebuilding Celtics.

"Obviously we have been lucky to strike on a couple of guys. Everyone has a like mind, trying to compete every night. We look forward to the playoffs, then we will look back to what we have accomplished this season."

Stevens has overseen a steady rebuilding job in Boston, who finished 25-57 in his first season in charge in 2013-2014.

Sunday's blowout meant Stevens could rest his starters in the fourth quarter, including lategame powerhouse Isaiah Thomas.

Thomas led the Celtics with 19 points and six assists in just 23 minutes on the floor.

"I think we're in pretty good shape from a legs standpoint," Stevens said.

"There may be a point or two in the next 10 days where we sit guys a little more, but right now we're focused on playing good basketball."

Back in the Western Conference, Stephen Curry scored 42 points as the leading Golden State Warriors moved to within three wins of clinching the best record in the league.

The Dubs thrashed the Washington Wizards 139115 to improve to 63-14.

KOhimA, ApriL 3 (mexN):In view of the incessant cyclonic storm taking place in Kohima, as per decision taken by the organizing committee on Sunday evening, the fixture w.e.f. Monday will be pushed three days forward.

Hence 3rd April (Monday) match will be played on 6th April (Thursday) and so on. The fixture pattern will be changed only if a match falls on Sunday, in which case the pattern will resume the next day. From then on, there will

be no further postponement and hence, all the participating teams are informed to keep note of this decision and come prepared for their matches accordingly.

As per this decision, the final match will be played on 15th April 2017. As for those matches which were washed out prior to 3rd April, teams will share points and no complaint will be entertained in this regard, according to organizing committee convenor Kethosituo Elvis Mepfhuo.

The Kolkata Knight Riders skipper has been a consistent performer for his team. Along with Robin Uttappa, he forms one of the most reliable opening pairs in the competition.

With 3634 runs in the IPL till now, the Delhi batsman is a seasoned veteran and this year, he will surely be looking to guide his team to a record-equalling third IPL crown.

Asela Gunaratne (Mumbai Indians)

Mumbai Indians were probably very lucky to have got a batsman of his ability for just R30 lakh. Gunaratne’s presence in this list could surprise many. But some of his innings this year have been the only bright spots in an otherwise depressing Sri Lankan cricket. Gunaratne hammered a century in Sri Lanka’s loss to South Africa in February at Centurion. But standout was his back-to-back innings in the T20Is against Australia that won Sri Lanka the series.

First, he made a 37-ball half century and then followed it up with 46-ball 84.

Nagaland sports coaches meeting KOhimA, ApriL 3 (mexN): The Nagaland Sports Coaches Association (NSCA) has informed all the coaches of Youth Resources & Sports Department and NIS that there will be an Annual Meeting-cum-Election of NSCA for the tenure 2017-2020 at Puliebadze Chaheki, Jotsoma on April 7, 10 am. All the NIS Coaches are requested to reach Kohima Science College, Jotsoma junction positively.

FA council votes unanimously to accept reforms LONDON, ApriL 3 (reuters): The FA council unanimously approved on Monday a package of governance reforms put forward by chairman Greg Clarke that will see more women appointed to the board of the English soccer body and term limits imposed.

A Football Association spokesman said the proposals, which include an expansion of the council to bring more diversity,

would now go to the annual general meeting of shareholders for final approval on May 18.

Only one woman, Heather Rabbatts, now sits on the board and the changes have been criticised by some as not going far enough.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said last month that the reforms were "a sham" that still failed to give sufficient representation to minority groups.

Former FA chairman David Bernstein has said the soccer body risks missing an opportunity for real change and could end up with a "fudged compromise".

Clarke previously threatened to quit if the proposals were not approved.

British Sports Minister Tracey Crouch warned in February that the FA was in danger of losing 30 million pounds ($37.29 million) of public funding and

that legislation could be brought in to force change.

The FA has proposed reducing its board from 12 to 10 members and increasing the number of women on it to three by 2018.

Nobody will be allowed to serve more than three terms of three years, and 11 new members will be added to the 120-strong FA Council "to ensure it better reflects the inclusive and diverse nature of English football".

Five things we learned in the Premier League

LONDON, ApriL 3 (AFp): Chelsea's shock defeat against Crystal Palace breathed new life into the title race as Tottenham closed the gap on the leaders. Arsenal and Manchester City played out a thrilling draw and Liverpool won the Merseyside derby.

Here are five things we learned in the Premier League this weekend:

Chelsea rocked by Palace When Cesc Fabregas put Chelsea ahead after just five minutes of Saturday's London derby with Crystal Palace, it looked like the leaders' march to the title was about to clear another hurdle. Antonio Conte's side had won their past 10 league games at Stamford Bridge and had not lost there in any competition since September 16. But Palace have been resurgent in recent weeks and they breathed new life into the title race with two quickfire strikes.

First Ivory Coast winger Wilfried Zaha fired home in the ninth minute, then Christian Benteke netted with a deft finish 91 seconds later. Chelsea were stunned and despite 24 shots at goal, their second-highest total in 29 league games this season, they were unable to find an equaliser. Chances came and went as Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey made 11 saves, leaving Chelsea frustrated as their first defeat in nine league games allowed Tottenham to close within seven points. Game on.

Spurs back in the hunt As news filtered through to Turf Moor of Chelsea's shock defeat against Crystal Palace, the realisation quickly sank in with Tottenham's play-

number 10, Philippe Coutinho, ran the show, restoring Liverpool's lead with a brilliant solo goal after Matthew Pennington had cancelled out Sadio Mane's opener and setting up Divock Origi for Liverpool's third. But his opposite number, England international Ross Barkley, had a torrid afternoon. The 23-year-old seemed incapable of influencing proceedings and his display was chiefly memorable for two wild challenges on Emre Can and Dejan Lovren in the first half. The second -- a crude, studs-up foul that caught Lovren on the shin -- should have yielded more than a yellow card. While Barkley's ability is Arsenal rediscovered some backbone clear, he remains some way short of After a dismal sequence of four the finished article. defeats in five games, during which dissent towards manager Arsene Home draws have hurt Man United Manchester United's 0-0 draw Wenger reached a crescendo, the last thing Arsenal needed was to at home to West Bromwich Albion fall behind after just five minutes of extended their unbeaten run to 19 their home game with Manchester matches, but nobody was celebratCity. Theo Walcott equalised, only ing at Old Trafford. United have now for Sergio Aguero to restore City's drawn eight times in front of their lead just 131 seconds later. But Arse- own fans this season. Had they won nal dug deep to level again courtesy even half of those games, they would of Shkodran Mustafi's header and be in the thick of the Champions while neither side could find a win- League picture, instead of five points ner, Wenger's men at least managed adrift of the top four (albeit with a to stop the rot. The Arsenal manager's game in hand). Top scorer Zlatan future remains the subject of intense Ibrahimovic's absence through susspeculation, but in the short term, pension was clearly a contributing he said the performance against City factor against West Brom. But the Swede was on the pitch when Unitwould help 'rebuild confidence'. ed dropped points at home to Stoke Coutinho left Barkley in the shade City, Burnley, Arsenal, West Ham It was a tale of two playmakers in United, Liverpool, Hull City and Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Everton Bournemouth. United's attacking in the Merseyside derby. Liverpool's problems run deeper. ers and fans -- the title race is back on.

A 2-0 victory over Burnley, usually so formidable at home, was already reason enough for optimism in the Spurs camp, but Chelsea's slip was the icing on the cake. Second half goals from England international Eric Dier and South Korea forward Son Heung-Min moved Spurs to within seven points of Chelsea with nine games remaining and even the injuries suffered by Harry Winks and Victor Wanyama couldn't quash the north Londoners' glee as they headed home dreaming of an incredible title triumph.

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