C M Y K
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ThursDAY • April 06 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 93 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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T R u T H
We must hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other — Karl Barth Dimapur DPDB meet highlights employment exchange activities
Entire J&K, including Gilgit-Baltistan, belongs to India: Minister pAGE 08
Kohli wins Wisden’s ‘Leading Cricketer’ honour
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
china says ties with india ‘severely damaged’ one dead, three injured as vehicle falls into river
NeW Delhi/BeijiNg, April 5 (iANS): China on Wednesday reacted angrily to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh and said that by ignoring Beijing’s concerns over the issue New Delhi has caused “serious damage” to bilateral ties. India reiterated that no political colour should be attributed to the Tibetan spiritual leader’s visit to the northeastern state. Diplomatic tensions escalated with Beijing summoning the Indian envoy Vijay Gokhale to lodge its protest, even as the 81-yearold Tibetan leader, who arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, said in Bomdila that India has never used him against China. In a prelude to China’s belligerence, the Chinese state-run media warned that New Delhi’s inviting the Tibetan spiritual leader to the “sensitive region” would “gravely damage” India-China relations. China considers large parts of Arunachal Pradesh as south Tibet, while India has said that Arunachal is an inseparable part of its territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, addressing a regular briefing, voiced Beijing’s “firm opposition” to the Dalai Lama’s visit and said her country would lodge “stern representations with the Indian side”. Hua said that India “in disregard” to China’s concerns “obsti-
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrives to deliver teachings in Bomdila, in the North East state of Arunachal Pradesh on April 5. (REUTERS)
nately” went ahead to arrange the Tibetan leader’s visit, causing “serious damage” to China’s interests and China-India relations. She said that India should “immediately cease using the Dalai Lama’s mistaken behaviour to damage China’s interests” and not “hype up sensitive” bilateral issues. The state-run Global Times accused the Indian government of “openly using” the Dalai Lama “as a diplomatic tool to win more leverage”. It said India was trying to play the Tibet card against China as “New Delhi is dissatisfied with Beijing’s stance over its membership
Manipur CM for creating peace with Nagaland
C M Y K
iMphAl, April 5 (NNN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed his willingness to meet Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu “as soon as possible” in an effort to foster peace and brotherhood among the people of Manipur and Nagaand. The Manipur CM expressed this when a team of the Manipuri Cultural Society (MCS), Kohima met him this afternoon. The delegates invited the Manipur CM to visit Nagaland to foster peace and brotherhood among the people of two, said a press release. Accepting the invitation, Singh expressed willingness to visit Nagaland by road and meet Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu as soon as possible. Singh also assured to extend all possible assistance to all the Manipuris settled in Nagaland.
Morung Express News Dimapur | April 5
One person died while three others sustained grievous injuries on Wednesday afternoon after the vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident near the Chumukedima Police Check Gate. According to reports, the vehicle – a Mahindra Scorpio – was proceeding to Dimapur from Tasen village in Peren District when it lost control and fell into the Chathe River 150 feet below killing an elderly lady occupant on the spot. The deceased was identified as one Alo Zeliang (65 years). While the three injured were shifted to the hospital for treatment, the body of the deceased was fished out only after the mangled remains of the vehicle was retrieved. According to reports, one of the injured, Leikiezui Zeliang (54 years), is the wife of ex-MLA Tarei Zeliang and is admitted in the ICU in Referral Hospital.
The vehicle which fell into the Chathe River on Wednesday afternoon.
The driver of the vehicle, Irangchi Zeliang (45), was also admitted in Referral Hospital with head injuries.
The other injured, identified as Aseu Zeliang (61), is reportedly being treated at HK Hospital in Chumukedima.
Dimapur Police bust HSRP racket, 2 held encsU asks government to address anomalies in eastern nagaland colleges
DiMApUr, April 5 (MexN): The Anti Vehicle Theft Squad (AVTS) of the Dimapur Police has busted a racket involving the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) being issued in an unauthorised manner and being used in vehicles with fake registration. A press note from the Dimapur Police informed that all vehicles registered with the concerned District Transport Office are required to use the HSRP and the latter is supplied by a contracted firm SHIMNIT. The company with its Head Quarters at Mumbai also has a branch office in Dimapur attached to the DTO, Dimapur. Ayah! Business tey bhi fail, The AVTS while investigating cases rehab tey bhi fail, dropped out of school, failed in everything, now you want to study theology...to save my face? Yeet...!!
bid to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and its request to name Masood Azhar, head of Pakistani militant group, to a UN Security Council blacklist”. Reacting to Beijing’s objection against his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Nobel Peace Laureate said: “There are many in China who love India, but there are some narrow-minded politicians because of their certain views..they considered me as a demon.” Denying Chinese assertions that India was using him as a diplomatic leverage to challenge China, the Tibetan spiritual leader said: “I am India’s longest standing guest. India
has never used me against China.” On the Tibetan stand, he told journalists, ahead of proceeding to Tawang for a major Buddhist event: “We are not seeking independence. We are very much willing to remain with People’s Republic of China. I always used to talk about the spirit of the European Union, individual nations, individual sovereignty but that is not so important, what is important is common interest.” “Tibet is materialistically backward but spiritually highly-developed. For material development, we need to remain with the People’s Republic China as it is our interest. The government (of China) should feel ok for the mutual benefit,” he added. “China must give us meaningful self-rule, autonomy, and must take care of the environment in Tibet. China has the highest population of Tibetan Buddhists. Many Chinese intellectuals also fully support our cause,” he said. China had protested former US envoy Richard Verma’s visit to Tawang last October and warned Washington against meddling in the border dispute between New Delhi and Beijing. India on Wednesday reiterated that no political colour should be attributed to the Tibetan spiritual leader’s trip and that the Dalai Lama has visited Arunachal earlier on half a dozen occasions.
of fake registration found in some vehicles seized unearthed the racket and in the process have arrested two persons so far. It has been revealed that there may many vehicles plying with fake registration on HSRP, the police informed. The two arrested person have been identified as Neisakholie Sanchu, an employee of SHIMNIT; and one Sanjay Thapa, a former employee of SHIMNIT. The Dimapur Police is investigating into the involvement of other persons and the vehicles plying with fake registered HSRP. Police stated that the racket is a serious security breach and would also be taken up with the concerned department.
JCC, NTAC to have consultation with Cabinet Sub Committee DiMApUr, April 5 (MexN): The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) along with apex tribal bodies, frontal units, Naga Council Dimapur and Dimapur based civil societies had a joint meeting today. The house resolved to empower/endorse the JCC and the NTAC to conduct consultation with the Cabinet Sub Committe regarding the suspension of the former Commissioner of Police, DC Longleng and the police personnel involved in the recent ULB turmoil which led to the loss of three lives. A press note from the JCC informed
that the JCC/NTAC would decide to select/appoint one member from Nagaland civil society to the Judicial Enquiry Commission for impartial enquiry. The JCC, it added would take the initiative to constitute a committee for amendment/review of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. The meeting also resolved that all the apex tribal bodies shall submit opinions/suggestions on the contents and structure of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 to the Committee before the end of June 2017. It further urged the state government to revoke the Nagaland Legislative Assembly resolution dated November 24, 2016 through a special assembly session.
DiMApUr, MArCh 5 (MexN): The Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) today submitted a memorandum to the Director, Higher Education reiterating its demands for addressing the various anomalies detected by the union during its recently held education tour. A press note from the ENCSU demanded that their demands be addressed on or before April 30. “In the event of failing to fulfill the union’s demands within the stipulated time, the union will take its own course of action,” the ENCSU said. It reminded that many of the teaching faculty members are not performing their duties regularly, creating numerous inconveniences to the students even up to the extent of sitting for examinations without completing prescribed syllabus. “Therefore, the Department and the Government should ask Performance Report of all teaching faculty members of all the four colleges and take disciplinary action against absent members within 25 days,” the ENCSU asked, while also seeking intimation of the action taken.
Pointing out that many regular Assistant Professors posted in Eastern Nagaland areas are attached either at the Directorate or the Colleges in Kohima and Dimapur without any replacement, the ENCSU demanded that the department and the government cancel all these attachments within 25 days in line with the union’s earlier press release dated March 20. It further stated that all four government colleges in the eastern area are running with insufficient teaching staff. It therefore asked the department to appoint regular Assistant Professors as per the norms of the University Grants Commission (UGG) immediately. The ENCSU made particular reference to the Chemistry Department of Sao Chang Government College, Tuensang, which is being run by one Assistant Professor since its inception. It asked the government to appoint regular Assistant Professors as per the norms of the UGC before the start of the next semester. The Government should also appoint Laboratory Assistants immediately, it added. Regarding library infrastructure, the ENCSU said
that after the establishment and installation of the library in Sao Chang Government College, Tuensang and Wangkhao Government College, Mon, the department and the government have not appointed any Librarian till date despite several appeals made by the administration as well as the students’ community. The union demanded that fully fledged Librarians be appointed immediately in these two colleges, while also asking the department to upgrade the library in all the four colleges in accordance to the syllabus of the Nagaland University. Regarding general infrastructure, it informed that Zisaji Presidency Government College, Kiphire is running in a thatch building, as the new college building, which was completed long back, is not functioning due to the lack of transportation and other basic necessities. It sought immediate attention from the government to ensure that the next semester starts in the new building. The ENCSU also demanded immediate sanction of college buses to all the four colleges before resuming the class after the
end semester exam. At least 2 buses each to Wangkhao Government College, Mon and Sao Chang Government College, Tuensang and 3 buses each to Zisaji Presidency Government College, Kiphire and Government Yingli College, Longleng should be provided anyhow, it added. Meanwhile, pointing out that the Sao Chang College, Tuensang is on the verge of collapse, the ENCSU warned that “if the government fails to take precautions and any untoward fate befalls on the building, the government will be solely held responsible.” It also sought construction of staff quarters in all the four colleges since there is no quarter available till date with exception of Principal quarters. The ENCSU further detected that till date, none of the four government colleges have hostel facilities due to lack of hostel staff and kitchen utensils even though the buildings have been constructed. It therefore demanded that the government take necessary actions to make the hostels functional from next semester onwards with all necessary facilities.
eden farm’s organic food truck on the roll Vishü Rita Krocha Kohima | April 5
Making organic food more easily accessible to citizens of Kohima, Eden Farm’s Organic Food Truck, loaded with fresh produce from the farm as well as from other local farmers, today made its first stop at Lower AG Colony Kohima. Thanks to the unique initiative, residents of several colonies can now enjoy these local produce without having to travel far. The Food Truck stores a wide range of vegetables including cabbage, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, beans, banana stem, garlic, ginger, a variety of green leafy vegetables and fruits, also promulgating the healthy aspect. The concept of ‘Organic Food’ on wheels came about as part of Youth Net’s “Impact 5000 by 18” that aims to promote and encourage local entrepreneurs. Under this project, Lezo Put-
sure, Director of Youth Net said several other initiatives involving local farmers and entrepreneurs have been undertaken and meanwhile termed the opening of the food truck as “significant”. He commended Rekha Rose Dukru, Entrepreneur & Co-proprietor of Eden Farm while stating that most people want white collared jobs today, but she and her entire family have committed themselves to farming, setting a much needed example. He was hopeful that tomorrow, more young people can follow in their footsteps and take up such an enterprise. He strongly felt that if we don’t encourage youths to do business like this, the situation in the state will get worse 10 years down the line and further stated belief that the Food Truck is the beginning of many good things. Defying the popular notion of most people who consider farming as insignificant, En-
Residents of Lower AG colony checking out the items at the Eden Farm’s Organic Food Truck.
trepreneur & Co-proprietor of Eden Farm, Rekha Rose Dukru asserted that the source of food is farming and everybody eventually ends up spending their money on food. She strongly stated that our young people need to understand this and
went on to say that, “even if we are not able to do big businesses, we can take up farming.” She was of the opinion that “even if 200-300 of our local youths venture into vegetable business, it’s not enough for a place like Kohima.” Through this food truck ini-
tiative, she also hoped that it would encourage more young people to take up vegetable business. “Encourage local products, think organic, and think of the health aspect, too”,she added. The Eden Farm’s Organic Food Truck was formally inaugurated by Kovi Meyase, Administrator of Kohima Municipal Council this morning, who termed it as a “noble initiative” and the “need of the hour.” While also observing that there are so many services that are yet to reach our people, he exuded hope that they can access to the inaccessible areas. “It’s as good as door to door service”, he added. He also shared two of his major concerns, namely, pricing and license. Stating that out of 100%, 90% of our people live hand to mouth, he emphasized that pricing has to be made affordable for the 90% and not just cater to the 10%. In the meantime, the Administrator urged upon them to
look into the licensing aspect. Further congratulating Youth Net and Rekha Rose Dukru of Eden Farm, he said, “only a vibrant group like Youth Net can come up with something like this.” He stated his belief that the venture will flower into an important and mighty project. The chairman of Lower AG Colony, Akhrieo Sorhie also spoke on the occasion and assured his full support on the venture. “This will be a success, we are with you”, he said. The programme was earlier chaired by Anini Nyenga, Project Manager, Youth Net Impact 5000 by 18. Timings: 7:00 am to 10:00 am Mondays and Saturdays – Minister’s Hill Tuesdays and Thursdays - Upper Agri Wednesdays and Fridays - AG Colony Secretariat Parking: Afternoons (Monday- Saturday)
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ThursDAY 06•04•2017
NAGALAND
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Dimapur DPDB meet highlights Training for potential entrepreneurs under SVEP employment exchange activities • No. of registered job seekers is 21301 • No. of registered self-employment ventures is 1950 Dimapur, april 5 (mExN): The District Planning and Development Board meeting of Dimapur District for the month of April was held in the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner Dimapur on April 5. Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome, IAS chaired the meeting. During the meeting District Employment Officer, Dimapur gave a powerpoint presentation about the District Employment Office, Dimapur and its main activities. In his presentation, the DC pointed out that the total number of job seekers registered in the employment exchange for job assistance as recorded in the live register is 21301 as on December 2016 out of
which 13361 are male and 8003 are female applicants. He further said that considering the rising unemployment problem the youths are guided to take up self-employment for which a self-employment Promotion Cell in Regional Employment Exchange, Kohima which coordinates Self Employment activities in all district. There is a total of 1950 applicants registered for self-employment ventures and recorded 571 beneficiaries from various schemes, he informed. DEO further informed the members about measures taken up by the department in order to assist interested job seekers in securing their desired jobs. Women Industrial and Training Institute (WITI)
also gave a presentation on their activities, trades offered in the institute and some success stories of passed out students from the institute during the meeting. During the meeting the house recommended Spring Valley School, Society, Dimapur, Sovima Samipfuko Krotho, Business Association of Nagas (BAN), Dimapur, LI-WU Society, Akito Village and KIVI Society, Akito Village for registration basing on the verification report. The house also discussed the agenda for setting up of Bank at Tahekhu BlockIV (Rangapahar Crossing) after which the members approved in principle and referred back to DCC to prepare detail report.
Kohima, april 5 (mExN): The Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) in association with Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) launched its first batch of training for potential entrepreneurs under Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) for four days. The inaugural programme was held at LCS building, Kohima on April 5 in the presence of special guest Kevipodi Sophie, Project Director cum DMM DRDA, Kohima, Neichute Doulo CEO, Co-Ordinator Entrepreneurs Associates, Khovi Thapru, BDO cum BMM and Menuoneituo Chadi, COO (Livelihoods and Skills) NSRLM. Kevipodi Sophie in his speech stated that development have to start from the rural areas and added that we make plans but do not put much action because we are lazy which hinders the development process so if we do not wake up now
Officials and participants during the launching of the first batch of training for potential entrepreneurs under Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Program on April 5.
then tomorrow we will be slaves in our own land. Thus, start small and emphasize on humble beginning. Neichute Doulo in his speech said that the programme is not just for the benefit of the trainees but for the village and Naga people as a whole and so he urged the trainees to be skilled labours and should not be
ashamed to take up business. He also advised the gathering not to be reluctant in attending trainings as it is the base for starting any business. Khovi Thapru in his welcome speech encouraged the entrepreneurs to feel free to ask questions as they will be setting up enterprise for their own livelihood and not for others.
The programme was chaired by Selabeituo Thenuo, Block Program Manager SVEP, NSRLM which was started with an invocation by Hovisale, President, BLF, Jakhama block. The program was attended by 54 trainees along with the staff of NSRLM and EA. It maybe stated that Start-Up village Entrepre-
neurship Program (SVEP) is a programme under National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India which aims at promoting micro enterprises at village level through entrepreneurship. The BBST program is an initiative of EA partnering with the Tata Trusts, Mumbai.
Mount Tiyi College parting social held Skill training for empowering ST WoKha, april 5 (mExN): Mount Tiyi College Wokha held its parting social cum annual prize distribution programme on March 31 at the college conference hall. The programme chaired by Erenbeni Lucy Ezung of 4th Semester started with invocation of God's guidance and blessing by Janbemo Lotha, Vice-Principal. In her address to the students, Dr. Apeni Lotha, Principal encouraged them to work hard and prepare well to face the challenges of life. Lideno Tungoe of 4th Semester spoke on behalf of the re-
Section of the students and staff attending the Mount Tiyi College Wokha parting social cum annual prize distribution programme held on March 31.
maining students and outgoing students. Nchumbeni Kikon of 6th Roland Kikon, Asst.Prof Semester delivered a tear- (Eco) fed the students with ful speech on behalf of the mental food, quoting from
popular words of wisdom and encouraging them to excel in everything they choose to do. Prizes were distributed
to the students who excelled in sports and other activities. During the event, the English Department released their departmental publication "Muse" Vol-3. Noyingbeni Yanthan of 4th Semester expressed words of gratitude and the programme closed with a prayer pronounced by Posumeren, Asst. Prof (Eco). Resuming after a short lunch break, the 2nd session, also known as entertainment session, showcased the multiple and varied talents of the students with the audience asking for more.
North East Christian University City Office in Dimapur
Dimapur, april 5 (mExN): The North East Christian University (NECU) inaugurated its City Office at Anchor Complex, East Block Burma Camp behind Bible Society of India (BSI) on April 5. The programme was chaired by Rev. Dr. Z. Keyho, General Secretary NBCC. Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung Chancellor NECU shared in brief about the University. The programme was attended by Prof (Dr). Darlando Khathing Vice Chancellor, NECU and his wife, Governing Council Members of NECU, Rev. Dr. Rochill Auxiliary Secretary BSI, Rev. C. Amop Noklang Director NDO and Pastors from Dimapur Phom Baptist Church and Khiamniungan Baptist Church Dimapur. Vice chancellor NECU pronounced the vote of thanks and Dr. Rev. Dr. Z. Keyho, General Secretary NBCC with others during the inauguration of NECU City Office at Anchor Complex, East Block Burma Camp behind Bible Society of India on April 5. Keyho dedicated the NECU office with prayer.
Higher Edu director visits Fazl Ali College
moKoKchuNg, april 5 (mExN): The Director of Higher Education, I Alempokba made a final visit to his Alma Mater, Fazl Ali College, on April 4. An interaction hour was organised with the Director where many queries concerning the functioning of Higher Education were posed by the members of the college. The Director also encouraged the teachers to translate their potential energies into practical realities in order to bring about intellectual transformation to the college, a press release informed. Many issues concerning API, Leave rules, post creation and others were also discussed. Earlier, Alempokba was welcomed by the faculty, some of whom had been his classmates and colleagues and with whom he had associated for Director of Higher Education, I Alempokba addresses during the visit the greater part of his career, the release added. to his Alma Mater, Fazl Ali College, on April 4.
youths and women launched
N. Thongwang Konyak, Advisor DUDA LM&CP and NIDC and other dignitaries during the launching of the programme held on April 5. Morung Express News Mon | April 5
Programme of skill training for empowering underprivileged ST youths and women of four backward District of Nagaland through ICT under IT for Masses & Digital India programme organised by DUDA (Government of Nagaland) in collaboration with NIETLIT (Government of India) was launched at training Centre, near Local ground, Mon Town on April 5.
N. Thongwang Konyak, Advisor DUDA, LM&CP and NIDC, Nagaland Kohima launched the programme. The chief guest in his speech encourage the youths and women to take up computer education as it is very much necessary in every field in today's changing world. Therefore, he requested the youths and women to grab the opportunity to benefit self and society. The programme was chaired by Mr. K.S Anden Konyak, NCS, Director,
DUDA, Kohima, keynote address by Er. L. Lanu Wabang, Director, NIELIT, Kohima, Honje Konyak, DC, Mon and Manlip, president KU also delivered short speeches. The aims and objectives of the programme is to uplift the overall quality of life of strategic target groups of backward tribes of Eastern Nagaland, to equip school youths and women with skills, to bridge the gap of today's changing world and to develop a technology literate society.
Tragopan Blythii Blythii donated to BTCBC Kohima, april 5 (mExN): A male Tragopan Blythii Blythii to Blyths Tragopan Conservation & Breeding Centre (BTCBC), Kohima by the family of Inato Khujumi from Niu Colony Zunheboto. Keneikrul, Officer in charge, BTCBC in a press release stated that DFO Zunheboto Tokaho has transported and released the pheasant to the Centre. The donated bird has been kept in quarantine condition and will be allowed to interact with the existing stock after a specified time. The annual breeding season of the Tragopan Blythii Blythii has begun this month and it may be mentioned that the calls of the male Tragopan is prominently heard during dawn and dusk hours in places where they are found. The Centre hopes and looks forward to a successful breeding season.
UPHC Burma Camp and Duncan Bosti conduct free medical camps
Date Time Venue
: Saturday, April 8, 2017 : 12:00 pm – 03:00 pm : DABA Elim Hall Duncan Bosti, Dimapur
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Those interested to participate, kindly send us your name and phone number to:
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The Morung Lectures is an initiative of The Morung for Indigenous Affairs & Just Peace, and The Morung Express
Dimapur, april 5 (mExN): The Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Burma Camp and Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Duncan Bosti, Dimapur conducted free medical camps at 18 colonies under the DMC jurisdiction during the month of March. The residents of Zakiesatuo, Lotha church, Oriental Colony, Kyong Colony, Chakhesang Colony, PWD, Supply Colony, and LRC Colony was done by UPHC Duncan Bosti and Bank Colony, Police Colony, Circuit house, DAM, Rengma Colony, Rangailong Colony, Dr Haralu I & II was covered by UPHC Burma Camp. The initiative was headed by the MO I/c UPHC, Burma Camp, MO I/c Dun-
Team from UPHC, Duncan Bosti attending to patients at Kyong Colony during the free medical camps.
can Bosti, Urban Consultant, GNMs, ANMs along with other NUHM staffs of both the UPHCs supported by the Urban ASHA. A total of 1,411 patients of elderly people, pregnant women and children availed the free health services and free medicines.
DAPCU mobile ICTC team and Urban Malaria team also attended the camps where patients were tested for HIV and malaria respectively. Counseling on proper nutrition and sanitation, importance of ANC and PNC checkup was provided to the
people. The camp turned out to be a success with the targeted people turning up for the health service. It is to be noted that NUHM has coverage of 23 Wards in Urban Dimapur and conducts free health camps every month within its respective jurisdiction.
Thursday 06•04•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
India has never used me 4 houses damaged by massive landslide in Ukhrul Landslide kills 2 against China: Dalai Lama labourers, 3 die of lightning strike
Bomdila (arunachal Pradesh), aPril 5 (ians): Amid Beijing's strident protests, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday said that India has never used him against China and urged that country to give Tibet meaningful "self-rule" and "autonomy". Reacting to Beijing's objection against his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Nobel Peace Laureate said, "There are many in China who love India, but there are some narrow minded politicians because of their certain views.. like they considered me as a demon." Denying Chinese assertions that India was using him as a diplomatic leverage to challenge China, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, "I am India's longest standing guest. India has never used
me against China." On the Tibetan stand, he said: "We are not seeking independence. We are very much willing to remain with People's Republic of China. I always used to talk about the spirit of the European Union, individual nations, individual sovereignty but that is not so important, what is important is common interest," he told journalists, ahead of proceeding to Tawang for a major Buddhist event. "Tibet is materialistically backward but spiritually highly developed. For material development, we need to remain with People's Republic China as it is our interest. The government (of China) should feel OK for the mutual benefit," he added. However, the Tibetan spiritual leader noted, "China must give us meaningful self-rule, au-
tonomy, and must take care of the environment in Tibet. China has the highest population of Tibetan Buddhists. Many Chinese intellectuals also fully support our cause."
China lodges protest with India The Dalai Lama's statement comes as China on Wednesday lodged a protest with India over his visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, addressing a regular briefing in Beijing, voiced her country's "firm opposition" to the Dalai Lama's visit and said Beijing would lodge "stern representations with the Indian side". The Chinese side lodged a protest with Indian Ambassador Vijay Gokhale in Beijing over the Dalai Lama's visit.
Assam kicks off program to improve quality education Guwahati, aPril 5 (mexn): The Assam government on Wednesday kicked off 'Gunotsav', a programme to improve quality of school education in the state. Gunotsav is a quality improvement programme where external evaluators are deputed to the schools for conducting external evaluation of students. According to an IANS report, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Edu-
cation Minister of Assam, in a tweet said: "1st phase of Assam Gunotsav launched today (Wednesday). In next three days it will cover 9.11 lakh students in eight districts." Students in the districts of Barpeta, Chirang, Dibrugarh, Hailakandi, Kamrup Metro, West Karbi Aanglong, Lakhimpur, Morigaon will be evaluated under Gunotsav, the report added. Gunotsav, originally a Gujarat
UKLA president held Newmai News Network Imphal | April 5
In a major achievement for Manipur police, President of the United Kuki Liberation Army (UKLA), who was carrying a Rs 1 lakh reward on his head, was arrested along with other two top leaders of the outfit during operation in early hours of Wednesday. “The trio was arrested from Hotel Serena at Senapati by a joint team of Senapati and Kangpokpi police during operation around 1:30 am,” DGP of Manipur Police LM Khaute told a press meet at Manipur Police Headquarters. He said the operation was carried out in the hotel following a tip off that led to the arrest of the UKLA militant leaders. The arrested UKLA President Thangkhosei Guite alias James is a resident of Bunglung village under Kangpokpi district and his two subordinates were identified as Seigoulen Doungel alias Gogju of Puleijang village under Saikul and Lenkhomang Kipgen alias Mamang of Keithelmanbi Ward No-6 under Kangpokpi, the DGP informed. He said the successful operation was led by Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi Police Station Heisnam Balaram. DGP Khaute further said the three were involved in kidnapping of a worker belonging to Keystone Infrastructure Private Ltd and also involved in several extortion cases. He said the UKLA had operational links with other hill-based groups. Other top police officials were present during the press meet.
government initiative, was adopted by Sarbananda Sonowal-led Bharatiya Janata Party government of Assam. IANS also reported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to the Assam government on starting the programme. "Best wishes to the Assam Government on the start of Gunotsav. I am sure this effort will improve education standards across the state," Modi tweeted.
Newmai News Network Imphal | April 5
Four houses and one local playground were damaged by a massive landslide today at Sirarakhong village of Ukhrul district, but there were no casualties. Families in the four homes along the hillside remained displaced following the landslide
caused by heavy incessant rain, officials said, adding a team of the district administration had visited the devastated site. A portion of one of the village roads was also damaged effectively rendering it impassible. It can be noted here that continuous rainfall wreaked havoc in many parts of the state including
gold biscuits Stop persuading people to mine 26 seized from uranium in M'laya: Khasi students train passenger
shillonG, aPril 5 (ians): Meghalaya's powerful Khasi Student's Union (KSU) on Tuesday asked the Central government and the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) to stop persuading the people to allow them to mine uranium in the state. "They (government authorities) have already known that there has been a strong opposition against uranium mining, but they keep persuading the people," KSU supremo Lambokstarwell Marngar said addressing the gathering while observing April 4 as "Sngi Kyrsiew Ri" or Khasi National Awakening Day. The Khasi National Awakening Day is observed across Khasi-Jaintia hills to commemorate the day freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem waged a war in 1829 against the British. "Therefore, if violence breaks out in the state because of this (uranium) issue, the Centre, state government and UCIL and Atomic Minerals Di-
rectorate will be held responsible," Marngar warned. Observing the awakening day under the theme "say no to uranium mining", thousand of KSU activists marched took out a protest march to AMD office here, voicing out their vociferous opposition against the plan to extract uranium deposits from South West Khasi Hills district. The activists also burnt down effigies of AMD and UCIL as mark of protest. "For the past 27 years, the UCIL has been making attempt to mine uranium in Meghalaya, but they have failed to achieved their plan as the people are against the mining of this highly radioactive mineral which will annihilate the indigenous people of the state," said North East Students' Organisation (NESO) chairman, Samuel B. Jyrwa. "Had we not agitated since that time, we do not know what will happen now. They have used all sorts of tactics to convince the people.
Now they should realise that uranium is a forgotten issue," he added. He also cited how the indigenous people at Jharkhand's Jadugoda have suffered due to the ill-effects of uranium mining. Last month, a team of UCIL officials led by their Chairman and Managing Director, C.K. Asnani held a closed-door meeting with five antimining groups seeking their views and opinions on Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah (KPM) uranium mining project that has been stalled for over two decades. However, the leaders of the various groups, including the KSU asked the UCIL officials to scrap the proposal, saying they will not allow anyone to mine this radioactive mineral in Meghalaya UCIL had proposed to set up an open-cast uranium mining and processing plant at Mawthabah. Meghalaya has an estimated 9.22 million tonnes of uranium ore deposits.
Do critical self appraisal for betterment of the force: DGAR Chauhan
Assam Rifles Assam gets Rs 1,000 crore Commanders’ for Guwahati airport upgrade Conference held Guwahati, aPril 5 (ians): The Centre has given Rs 1,000 crore for upgrading the infrastructure at the international airport near Guwahati, Assam Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said on Wednesday. The passenger terminal at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport will be upgraded to provide modern facilities and accommodate 6,000 persons instead of 2,000 at present, he said. The minister said the Civil Aviation Ministry had also given some land for building a cargo terminal. "Once a warehouse and a cargo terminal come up, things will be better at the airport," Patowary said. He said the Assam government also plans to upgrade the inland water transport through the Brahmaputra river. The Centre had announced Rs 250 crore to dredge a stretch of Brahmaputra river from Dhubri to Chittagong port in Bangladesh to help access the Chittagong and Haldia ports for better water transport. "Besides, we are dredging the river from Sadiya to Dhubri for barges. Plans are afoot to construct two express highways on both banks of the Brahmapuytra," he added.
in Shillong
dimaPur, aPril 5 (mexn): The Director General of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General, Shokin Chauhan has exhorted its troopers to carry out an “honest and critical self appraisal for long term betterment of the Force.” He was speaking at the Assam Rifles Commanders’ Conference 2017 held at the Headquarters, Directorate General Assam Rifles, Shillong on April 4. The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal awardee Lt Gen Chauhan also chaired the meeting attended by Commanders and Staff Officers
smoothly...." Accompanied by Education and Law Minister Tapan Chakraborty and Information Minister Bhanulal Saha, Sarkar said his government will approach the Human Resource Development Ministry for relaxation in age and other criteria under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, for the affected teachers. "The Council of Ministers reviewed the Supreme Court judgement and decided to comply with the court directions," Sarkar said. The Chief Minister said that making selections through the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) is a big challenge for all states since the set eligibility criteria are tough for aspirants. The Supreme Court on March 29 upheld the Tripura High Court order to terminate the jobs of 10,323 teachers, but allowed them to continue till December 31. The court asked the state gov-
Guwahati, aPril 5 (Pti): Altogether 26 gold biscuits valued at over Rs two crore were seized by Government Railway Police from person inside a train in Guwahati station, a GRP official said today. While conducting checking in the Dibrugarh-Kolta Down Indrani Express last night, GRP men found the gold biscuits weighing nearly 4 kg from one passenger there. The passenger hailing from Karimganj district of Assam said during interrogation that he was taking the contraband gold to West Bengal, the official said. He was arrested.
of Headquarters DGAR, an AR press release informed. Stating that AR has always identified itself with the populace of North East and had ensured their security and well being, the Director General also directed the Commanders to pay heed to the welfare and
aspirations of the soldiers of AR in present socio-economic milieu, it said. The emphasis of the Commanders’ Conference was on drawing lessons from past experience in various fields and improving upon these aspects for an overall better efficiency
of the Force, it added. With overall aim of living up to the bestowed title of ‘Sentinels of North East’ and ‘Friends of the North East People’, the release said that the present challenge facing the Commanders is “to sustain the same and live up to it.”
ernment to frame a new Employment Policy by April 30. Quoting the apex court's order, the Chief Minister said his government had been directed to initiate fresh recruitment by May 31 and complete it by December 31. "The Supreme Court allowed all serving teachers, candidates not selected and others to participate by relaxing age limit but subject to possession of other required qualifications," Sarkar added. The Supreme Court order came on three special leave petitions filed by the Tripura government, terminated serving teachers and aggrieved job seekers. "We gave some jobs based on need and economic conditions of families, but the court turned down these criteria," Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty said. The Tripura High Court ordered the state on May 7, 2014, to frame a new Employment Policy within two months.
Tripura sets up panel on government employees' salaries Responding the demands of ruling and opposition party affiliated employees bodies, the Tripura government on Wednesday set up a high-powered committee on increasing salaries and pensions for its 209,000 employees and pensioners. "A three-member Pay and Pension Revision Committee has been constituted by the cabinet for giving recommendations for revision of existing pay structure and pension for the government employees and pension holders," Chief Minister Manik Sarkar announced soon after the meeting of the council of ministers. "After the Central government acceptance of the proposals of the Seventh Pay Commission, we are also thinking to hike the salaries and pensions for the government employees and pension holders. But financial scarcities become an impediment," he told reporters. Former Chief
Secretary G. K. Rao would be the Chairman of the Pay and Pension Revision Committee and Principal Secretary Sushil Kumar and Additional Secretary Debashish Modak would be the member and secretary to the committee respectively. Sarkar, who chaired the cabinet meeting, said that the committee has been asked to submit its proposals with 45 days. Meanwhile to increase salaries and pensions of the state government employees, additional amount of Rs 6 billion has been proposed in this year's budget presented by Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha in the state assembly on February 20. The employees organisations, irrespective to the affiliation of ruling and opposition parties have been demanding salaries and pensions at par with the central government employees. The Tripura government last hiked the salaries and pensions for its employees and pension holders in 2009.
AFFIDAVIT
Regd. No.464/2017 I, Mr. Vikato S. Aye, S/o Lt. Shihovi Aye, R/o. Chekiye Village, Block-2, H/No. 165, Dimapur: Nagaland, do hereby solemnly declare that my name has been entered as Vikato Aye in all my educational documents and Vikato S. Aye in my Aadhaar Card. That the name Vikato Aye and Vikato S. Aye refers to one and the same person.
OFFICE OF THE
SELUOPHE VILLAGE COUNCIL DIMAPUR: NAGALAND Estd. 1992
CLARIFICATION
The Seluophe Village Council hereby clarifies that Mr. ZÜDONGLI SANGTAM of Sangtamtilla Village, Dist. Dimapur, Nagaland, does not even own an inch of land at Seluophe Village jurisdiction. Hence, if anybody purchase or deals in the field of land matter of Seluophe Village with him will be doing so on their own risk/peril. It is also pertinent to mention here that the land purchase by any individual/ group/ society without the knowledge of the council, the council will not be held responsible. (PFUNILIE SEYIE) Head G.B. Seluophe Village
Tripura assures will protect teachers' future after SC verdict
aGartala, aPril 5 (ians): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Wednesday assured of all-out efforts to protect the interests of more than 10,000 teachers affected by the Supreme Court verdict regarding termination of their jobs. He also assured that his government will approach the Centre on the issue. "We follow Supreme Court orders... (but) we cannot wash away the future of 10,323 teachers. We will take all steps to protect their interests," Sarkar told reporters here. He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Council of Ministers that reviewed the March 29 apex court order. Dubbing the Supreme Court order -- which upheld the Tripura High Court order in the case -- as "unexpected", the Chief Minister said : "The Cabinet decided that the state is committed to ensuring there is no disruption in educational endeavours and educational institutions function
the twin capital districts of Imphal West and Imphal East paralysing life in the past one week. More incidents of damage to standing crops and property were reported throughout the state due to heavy rainfall and windstorm. Last Thursday’s rainfall in Manipur broke a five-decade record which crossed 100 mm within 24 hours.
Guwahati, aPril 5 (Pti): Two labourers were killed by a landslide in a hill Guwahati today, while three others died of lightning strikes across the state, police said. The landslide triggered by heavy rainfall since one week here caused a huge chunk of earth to come down the hill and fall on the two labourers engaged by a private school for cutting earth in Bonda area. Policemen and rescue workers pulled out bodies of the two workers identified as Saifuddin and Rahimuddin hailing from Alamganj in Dhubri district of Assam respectively. Meanwhile, three persons including a woman were killed and as many injured in lightning strike in various parts of the state yesterday, police said. The deceased belonged to Hailakandi, Bangaigaon and Karimganj districts. Two persons injured in lightning strike were from Hailakandi district and the third one from Bongaigaon district, police said.
(WEPFUTE CHIRHAH) Chairman Seluophe Village Council
No. NU/ENGG-122/EMP(Pt-I)/2009-7002
Dated: 5th April 2017
NOTIFICATION On submission of Enlistment Fees, the final consolidated list of Consultants and Contractors (Civil & Electrical) under Nagaland University is uploaded at University website www. nagalanduniversity.ac.in. The term for enlistment would be for a period of 3(three) years w.e.f., 04th April 2017. No separate letter will be issued in this regard. Registrar
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE The Morung Express is deeply pained and saddened to hear about the demise of fellow press worker R. Roko Thakro. We believe that R. Roko Thakro had always been a great asset for Eastern Mirror and his presence will always be missed. The Morung family wishes to express our sympathy in your loss and to let you know that our thoughts are with you. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Late Roko’s family as well as the Eastern Mirror in this time of mourning. May his soul rest in peace. The Morung Express
4
ThursDAY 06•04•2017
NagalaNd
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Longleng farmers interact with scientist during tour LongLeng, ApriL 5 (Mexn): ICAR KVK Longleng participated in exhibition during the Krishi Unnati Mela from March 15 to 17 at IARI, Pusa campus, New Delhi. Interstate exposure tour under TSP programme was held from March 18 to 20 at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal, Haryana, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Bareilly, UP. During the tour at NDRI, the farmers visited the cattle, buffalo and goat farm and interacted with the scientists working in the farm. Different strains of poultry birds and their management practices were demonstrated to the farmers at CARI, Bareilly.
ICAr KVK Longleng team during the exhibition held during the Krishi Unnati Mela from March 15 to 17.
During the visit at IVRI, the farmers attended interaction programme on Hygienic meat production and its utilization at Livestock Products Technology Department, dem-
onstration on machine milking at Cattle farm, management of pig at Piggery farm and Integrated Farming System with different livestock components at KVK farm. Inter-
action programme was also organized at piggery farm, Rampur. During the interaction, the progressive farmer, Amar Singh, encouraged the farmers to take up pig-
gery as a sustainable enterprise. The tour was guided by Dr. K. L. Meena, Sr. Scientist and Head and Dr. Lily Ngullie SMS, Animal Science. All together 18 farmers from different villages of Longleng district participated in the exhibition cum exposure tour. The farmers were motivated and very satisfied with the exposure to different institute farms and further expressed their desire to adopt the technology which they learned from the tour. A press note stated that the farmers expressed their gratitude to the KVK Longleng officials and Director ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Umiam Meghalaya for the successful tour programme.
KVK Dimapur conducts skill training Farmers trained on oyster mushroom cultivation DiMApur, ApriL 5 (Mexn): KVK Dimapur, ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema conducted two skill training programmes from March 6 to April 3 on the topic ‘Vermicompost Producer’ and ‘Broiler Poultry Farm Worker’ sponsored by Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI). The skill training programme was co-ordinated by Dr. Ebibeni Ngullie, ACTO (A. Sc) and Z. James Kikon, ACTO (Soil Sc.). During the training programme, participants were made aware through theory class as well as practical of the modern scientific management practices in poultry like housing requirement, preparation of brooder rooms, brooding management, principles of feeding, care and management of poultry diseases, hatchery management, importance of record keeping, management of birds during summer and winter season, maintenance of farm equipments, buildings and environment etc. Under vermicompost producer skill training programme, the participants were trained about the importance and scope of vermicompost in organic farming, general activities of earthworm, importance of vermicompost in crop production, different organic materials sources, types of vermicompost unit, preparation of vermicompost bed, harvesting, marketing, health and safety hazards etc. The skill training programme ended with assessment by the third party. Altogether 38 farmers participated in the skill training programme from different villages of Dimapur as well as Peren district.
MeDzipheMA, ApriL 5 (Mexn): ICAR Research Complex NEH Region, Nagaland Centre Medziphema conducted one day training cum demonstration on oyster mushroom cultivation technology for farmers of Peren district on March 28. A total of 66 farmers, including 58 farm women, participated in the training, which mainly focused on oyster mushroom cultivation for the small and
Birthday Greeting
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CROSSWORD # 3908
SUDOKU
Answer Number # 3903
DiMApur, ApriL 5 (Mexn): A total of 22 young women from Nagaland attended the flagship workshop – Aspiration to Achievement (A2A) – of Global Adjustments, a Chennai based company, held from March 10-14 in Chennai. It was organized through the Global Adjustments Foundation. The workshop, according to a press release, was organized as part of GA’s efforts to help empower young women to be trained in soft skills, entrepreneurship, personality development, cross cultural integration, time management, social media for business
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synergy towards the common objectives of uplifting the rural poor populace. M. Rollan Lotha, Chief Operating Officer (Programs), NSRLM while praising the Longleng team for the significant progress made in the District, he reiterated the importance of documentation- as evidence of work done well. He also shared about the Mission’s mandate on universal social inclusion and intervention in the lives of the rural poor household through universal financial inclusion to the SHGs/Federations. Furthermore, based on the viability of developing home grown models in the District, he urged the team to come up with innovative ideas supporting the objectives of the Mission towards creating a sustainable income generating enterprise and become a ‘Model District’ It was stated in a press release that Bendangmongba Phom highlighted the programme progress and achievements in the District and shared the action plan for FY 2017-18.
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justments Foundation to help empower women, elderly, students and children from impoverished backgrounds in different parts of India, including the North East. The release further noted that Ranjini Manian, Founder CEO of Global Adjustments is committed to helping more young Naga women leaders even in the future. Octoli Tuccu from Nagaland is the Head of Global Adjustments Academy and has been instrumental in coordinating with organizations in Nagaland for the Aspiration to Achievement workshop, it added.
Participants during the Financial Literacy Programme held on March 17 at Mezoma Village.
KohiMA, ApriL 5 (Mexn): Financial Literacy Programme was held on March 17 at Mezoma Village for the women organised by the Nagaland State Social Welfare Board SCA of NMDFC, SRCW under Financial Literacy Camp Programme supported under FIF NABARD. For the Financial Literacy Camp, the resource person from the Bank of Baroda Anita Devi- Marketing Officer shared the significance of Banking and stress on the importance of saving which will help them become financially secure. She highlighted some of the few social security schemes like Atal pension Yojana, PM Jeevan jyoti Bima Yojana(PMJJBY), PM Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY), Educational loan etc. which will secures the financial future of the family. The resource person further stress on Kisan Credit Card (KCC) which is a card that allows the farmers to obtain timely and adequate credit without any hassles from the bank and some of the benefits that comes along with it like hassle free disbursement procedure, assist in the purchase of fertilizers, seeds, etc. Salie A. Kruse- Project Manager, NSSWB introduced the Joint Liability Group std code: 03862
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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
224041 248011
KOHiMa
std code: 0370
KoHIMA Ps/oCs Contact numbers north Ps
8575045501
Officer-in-Charge 8575045510 south Ps
8575045502
Officer-in-Charge 8575045520 Zubza Ps
8575045508
Officer-in-Charge 8575045518
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
Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777
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(JLG) which is a concept under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide institutional credit to small farmers. He briefed about the JLG the features and the necessary requirement to form a Group and avail loan from the bank. She also spoke on the importance of digital payment and cites some of the benefits like they will always be aware of what is happening in their bank account through the new cashless policy. With the recent demonitization which created significant disruption throughout the economy, Asalie ask the participant to be alert to face such changes in the coming years as well as sensitized enough on cashless policy. Keduokhonuo Belho of 181 shared on the Awareness of Women Hepline 181 which is a toll free Helpline for any women faced by violence or any women in distress, One stop Center- Sakhi (Kohima and Dimapur) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. She also brief on the Childine-1098 which is a national 24 hour free phone emergency outreach service for children in need of care and protection.
Civil Hospital
Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652
Answer to Crossword 3907
W Adore AGree CAPer CHeeK CoMet CoVe GAIn GAPs GLUten HoLLow Honor LInGer LonGInG PersonAL PLAtters PoPs Power PrICe
etc. Among the 22 young women from Nagaland who attended the 5 days all expenses paid trip from Nagaland to Chennai, 5 of them were sent by Kupukini Women Society, a faith based NGO in Purana Bazar, Dimapur working towards the uplift of women from low income families with a commitment to empower women on a grassroots level, the release said. Bokali Chishi Mughavi, Founder Director of Kupukini Women Society is also a Committee member of CFTC (Corridor for Friendship and Trade Committee) set up by Global Ad-
Helping village women attain financial literacy
DiMaPUR
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3904
Young Nagaland women attend workshop in Chennai
marginal farmers, informed a press release received here. The farmers were explained in details about the different types of mushroom suitable for the different range of temperature. Bendangsenla (SRF) conducted the method demonstration of mushroom cultivation in detail. At the end of the programme, 90 spawn packets were distributed to the participants under TSP to take up mushroom cultivation.
SMMU, NSRLM conducts Monitoring Support Visit to Longleng district
LongLeng, ApriL 5 (Mexn): State Mission Management Unit (SMMU) of Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission conducted Monitoring and Team Building Exercise Visit to Longleng District on April 3 and 4. The three-member team was led by Athel O Lotha, Addl. Secretary, RD & Mission Director. DPO, DRDA & DPM, NSRLM, Kikatemsu conveyed that he is impressed with the progress the mission has made in the State and by the work culture of the Mission staff and ensured his full cooperation Dear Aka (Dr.Nchumbeni Humtsoe) to the team. CI Meren, PD, DRDA & DMM, Happy Birthday! NSRLM observed that the systems have A life wonderfully formed, mysteriously shaped been streamlined and strengthened in the Given as most precious gift, sacred and whole State Mission ever since the Additional SecA precious child to your family, a loving soul to all retary joined as Mission Director. Thank God for your life and you for your friendship Athel O Lotha, Additional Secretary, As you celebrate this day, the very gift of life RD & Mission Director, reiterated on May God continue to preserve and guide you building and maintaining good rapport May you continue to exhibit His grace and love with the DRDA Officers and staff, Agri & Until He calls you to His Celestial Home Allied departments, banks and financial -A birthday wish from Ango institutions, and other NGOs for forging
Aspiration to Achievement
Kezocha Ps
8575045549
nikos Hospital and research Centre
232032, 231031
nagaland Multispecialty Health & research Centre
women Cell 248302, 09856006026
8575045509
eden Medical Centre
248722 /248288
8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)
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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
63.63 79.07 7.93 48.07 45.44 47.41 57.23 67.87 1.78 0.0548 16.76 8.95
66.50 82.89 8.83 50.41 47.67 49.73 60.45 71.14 1.99 0.0611 18.67 9.97
thursday 06•04•2017
NAGALAND
Demand for up-gradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu Zunheboto, April 5 (Mexn): Emlo-To Students' Union (ETSU) and Saptiqa Area Progressive Youth Forum (SAPYF) in separate press statements today stressed the need to upgrade Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) to an engineering college. ETSU in a statement issued by its President, Vikato I Chishi lamented that KPA, the oldest polytechnic in Nagaland, is all set to commemorate 50 years jubilee in a short while, but it still falls short of providing degree level certificate. “It's been a decade long since the issue was taken in the cabinet level and approval passed thereon, but hitherto no steps have been set off or initiated,” it noted.
The land owners, ETSU said, have already played their part by offering free land with special respect to up-gradation and the stakeholders are ready for any clarion call from the department if need arises. Pointing out that there is no degree institute for civil engineering in Nagaland and one such is the need of the hour, the students’ union highlighted that the indigenous students go outside for higher studies after completing their diplomas going through many procedures, financial problems and countless sufferings. “It is a dream of every engineering students and parents to have our very own degree institute, so that
Meetings RSZ executive council meeting The Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) has convened its executive council meeting on April 8, 11:00 am at its headquarters Tseminyu Town. Representatives of all the Rengma recognized villages have been reminded by the organization to attend the meeting without fail. Stating that various issues related to the organization and communities will be discussed, RSZ further requested all the seniors, advisors and pioneers of the organization to attend the meeting. For more information and agenda for discussion, visit the RSZ group page.
Dimapur Okotsoe Ekhung annual meeting The annual general meeting of Dimapur Okotsoe Ekhung is scheduled to be held on April 8, 10:00 am at Lotha Hoho Ki, Dimapur. Hence, all the members residing in and around Dimapur have been requested to attend the meeting positively.
CVC informs landowners affected by rail line Chümoukedima Village Council (CVC) has informed all landowners affected by the new BG railway line under its jurisdiction that an emergency meeting will be held on April 8 at CVC hall at 10:00 am. The CVC will issue all relevant documents needed to the individual landowners for smooth transaction of compensation from the district administration during the emergency meeting, stated a press release from CVC. All the affected landowners have been requested to attend the meeting without fail. The release further warned individuals or parties failing to attend the meeting that the village council will not be responsible for any inconvenience.
YUK general session Yimchungru Union Kohima (YUK) will hold its 22nd General Session on April 8, 10:00 am at Capital Convention Centre, near Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima. Short speeches will be delivered by T. Torechu, Parliamentary Secretary, Election & Evaluation, Tohanba Parliamentary Secretary, Municipal Affairs, and S. Lakiumong, BDO. All the officials, advisors and members of the union have been requested to attend the session with traditional attires. Representatives from YWOKU, YSUK and representatives of YUK to other organisations have also been requested to attend the same.
CYF executive meeting The Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has convened its emergency executive council meeting on April 8, 11:00 am at Pfutsero Town Hall. All the units have been asked to attend with two representatives each.
pursuing degree course will be easier akin to other fields of studies,” it added. The students’ union further asserted that KPA established in 1970 qualifies all criteria and has credentials to be upgraded. “Infrastructures should not be the reason in doing so, it can be the second option, having said that it should not be taken as an exception to prioritizing infrastructures.” Meanwhile, ETSU stated it will be pleased to help, assist and troubleshoot any problems if the government/department or the authority concerned is willing to share the grounds and basis for rejecting the progression on various occasions in P&R.
Further, the union affirmed it is high time for the Chief Minister, Minister for Technical & Higher Education, Chief Secretary and all concerned to appraise the subject in question and address the issue with all sincerity and solve the problem once and for all. In a separate statement, SAPYF expressed support to the Sumi Hoho’s demand for up-gradation of KPA and appealed to the Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to take up the matter for early and positive response. It also highlighted the neglect of KPA's infrastructures. “To promote and ensure safety for our younger generation, the state government should in letter and
in spirit to implement the cabinet decision of December 17, 2007 for upgrading the institute to that of engineering college,” the Forum demanded. “It is always imperative for any successive government to develop and expand any educational institution in our state to avail the opportunity for our younger generation to earn their higher studies in our own place, averting the risk of extra security and expenses studying outside of the state or abroad.” Irrespective of boundaries/jurisdictions belonging to any tribe/community, SAPYF stated, the properties and land of the State government will have to see more improvement like other States in India.
Swachh Bharat initiatives in Nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | April 5
To achieve the vision of Swachh Bharat Mission by October 2, 2019, the Public Heath Engineering department has undertaken various activities in Nagaland state. 67.16% of total households of the state (2,62,939 as per Base Line Survey 2012) has been covered under Individual Households Latrine (IHHL) as on December 2016. The remaining households are envisaged to be covered by March 2018, according to Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17 tabled in the just concluded state assembly session by Parliamentary Secretary for
NGBF issues clarification DiMApur, April 5 (Mexn): The Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF), an apex organization of GBs/ Chieftains of Nagaland, has declared that the statement of TL Angami published on April 5 with a caption
‘Rejoinder to Kaka Iralu and some of the NNPGs’ was “solely his own and whatever the statement contains are his personal opinions and expression and the NGBF holds no responsible for that.” A state-
ment issued by NGBF President, Shaleem Konyak and General Secretary, Shikuto Zalipu further clarified that NGBF’s only advisor officially is Parliamentary Secretary in charge of GBs & DBs.
th ‘Govt leasing Railway land to private parties’ On party’s 37 anniv, BJP Nagaland greets well wishers and supporters Morung Express News Dimapur | April 5
Ministry of Railways today maintained that land belonging to Railways have been leased by the State government to private parties thereby hampering the development projects. A 5-member team of the Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC), Ministry of Railways visited Dimapur Railway Station to supervise and inspect whether the amenities being provided by the Railway Board were in line with the classification of the stations and whether it met expectations. Member of PAC, Lakshmi Prasad Jayaswal said Dimapur Railway Station met all requirements but pointed out that development was being obstructed owing to unauthorized encroachment. In this regard, he requested the state government to extend its cooperation with the Railways. Jayaswal further said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi was keen to develop entire North East region and various works have already started in the region. He said unless state government cooperates, development could not be materialized. Commenting on the stalled development projects owing to
The Passenger Amenities Committee members in Dimapur on April 5.
encroachment, Sr. Divisional Engineer-IV, S. George said eviction drives were conducted on Railway’s land yet people came back with land pattas. He attributed the stalled projects to producing of land pattas even within areas belonging to Railway land, which leads the matter to Court and remains pending. George was, however, hopeful that all such problems could be solved if the state Government extends its cooperation. He said the Railways have already filed its statement in August 2016 on the encroachment issue but the Nagaland Government was yet to submit its statement till date. “State government is not cooperat-
ing with the Railways,” he said. Responding to a query on the progress of Dimapur-Zubza Railway line, George disclosed that around 30% of the works have been completed and added that bridges on the route from Dhansiri railway station has been completed. However, he did not give any assurance when the railway line would be operational, even as he informed that the Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu had promised to finish the project by 2019. The PAC members further informed that Wi-fi facilities- a joint venture of Railtel and Google- will be launched in Dimapur railway station. However, no specific details were provided in this regard.
DiMApur, April 5 (Mexn): The BJP Nagaland has greeted all its well-wishers and supporters as it celebrates the 37th anniversary of the party on April 6. The Bharatiya Janata Party was formed on April 6, 1980, informed Jaangsillung Gonmei, General Secretary (Media) & Spokesperson, BJP Nagaland in a press release. Gonmei stated that after almost four decades the party has grown from strength to strength and has gradually become the largest political party in the world with 112 million primary members and rule in the centre and 17 states, of which 13 are with party Chief Ministers and 4 with alliance partners. In Nagaland, the BJP has been in government for 14 years as a DAN coalition partner. The origin of BJP lies in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh formed in 1951 by Shyama Prasad Mukerjee, the release further said. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh merged with other parties to form the Janata Party in 1977 in the post-emergency era followed by the short lived Janata Government. After the Janata party dissolved in 1980, the members of the erstwhile Jana Sangh reconvened to form the BJP with former Prime Minister Atal
Naga Army, FGN mourn ASU 27th biennial conference KohiMA, April 5 (Mexn): The Commanderin-Chief of Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland on behalf of the Naga Army, FGN has extended heartfelt condolences to the family members and relatives of Col. Vilecho, one of the senior most chaplains of Naga Army, who passed away on April 4 in Kohima. Lt. Gen. Tavecho Lala, the Commander-inChief, in a condolence message informed that Vilecho from Kezoma village, Angami Region joined Naga Safeguard (Naga Army) on April 12, 1956 and gave his whole life in the defence service of the Naga Nation and served as a chaplain till his last breath. “He was an octogenarian. His passing away without having any illness is a great vacuum for the defence service of the Nation. However his sacrificial service rendered to the Nation shall always remain alive in the history of the Naga Nation,” the message stated. It further wished that his soul eternally rest in peace, and God will grant peace and solace to the bereaved family members and relatives.
KohiMA, April 5 (Mexn): The 27th biennial conference of Angami Students' Union (ASU) will be held at Centenary compound, Jotsoma village under the theme ‘Realistic Response’ from April 7 to 9. Over 1000 delegates from the four Angami regions are expected to attend the conference. The speaker for the introductory session will be Er. Vipulhou Lhoungu, Principal, Government Polytechnic Kohima, on the topic ‘Building Leadership Realistic Response’. The speaker for the inaugural session will be Er. Kevisekho Kruse (Chief engineer PHED, Govt. of Nagaland) on the topic of the theme ‘Realistic Response’.
Dr. Hovithal Sothu (Deputy Director, Administrative Training Institute (ATI) will speak on the topic ‘Excellence - Realistic Response’ and Kekhrie Yhome (Former Asst. Professor, Delhi & Nagaland University) on the topic ‘Socio-economic and political conditions - Realistic Response’ during the academic session. The speaker for the devotional service will be Rev. Dr. Sanyü Iralu (Principal Shalom Bible Seminary, Sechiima) on the topic ‘The call for Integrity - Realistic Response’. The speaker for the Valedictory session will be Er. Krosü Rhetso (Chief Engineer, PWD, R&B) on the topic ‘Affirmative Decision - Realistic Response’.
MLA Thongwang encourages youths to excel in sports AR personnel donate blood Local ground inaugurated in Totok Chingha village Morung Express News Mon | April 5
N Thongwang Konyak, Advisor DUDA, LM&CP and NIDC inaugurated Totok Chingha village local ground on April 5. It was dedicated by M Nyeiwang, Pastor, Totok Chingha village. Thongwang urged the village youths to make best use of the newly inaugurated local ground, to play with discipline and spirit of good sportsmanship and to excel for the village and society in the field of sports. He also requested the parents to encourage the youths in the field of sports as it can help them earn a living. To t o k Chingha Nyeitong Pan and Samuel, EAC Aboi also delivered short speeches. Chaired by N Sheanglih, GS, TSU, the
economics & statistics Tovihoto Ayemi. With a stipulated date for coverage by March 2019, the construction of Community Sanitary Complex and Solid and Liquid Waste Management is to be taken up in 1100 rural villages in the state. As per the Survey conducted during 2015-16, 161 villages were declared verified Open Defecation Free (ODF) and 141 villages were verified ODF village in October 2016. All villages in six districts of Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Phek, Kiphire, Longleng and Dimapur are anticipated to become ODF districts by March 2017. Trophy with certificate is given to all villages and districts which are declared verified ODF.
Advisor DUDA, N Thongwang Konyak and his wife, Director DUDA KS Anden Konyak and other dignitaries pose for lens.
programme saw folk song presentation by KNSK T/ Chingha unit, special presentation by T. Yankhat, words of gratitude by
Nyangpong, president NPF T/Chingha, and benediction by Shongmeth, women leader. Earlier, Thongwang
also declared the Aoleang Football final match, which was played between Youngster FC and New Castle FC.
KohiMA, April 5 (Mexn): A blood donation camp was held on April 4 at Assam Rifles unit hospital, Tsiesema Basa. Organized by Voluntary Blood Donors Association (VBDA) Kohima in collaboration with Kripa Foundation and Blood Bank of Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, 25 jawans from 9 Assam Rifles donated blood during the camp. A press release stated that the aim of VBDA is to promote and create awareness on voluntary blood donation in the State considering the need and shortage of blood in the Blood Banks. The main goal, it added, is to wipe out the scarcity of blood and ensure availability of safe and quality blood and also to motivate and encourage voluntary blood donors and gradually eliminate professional blood donors in the market. “It aims to educate the community on the beneficial aspect of blood donation and the harmful effects of receiving from professional donors. It also assists various organization, clubs, and educational institution to conduct blood donation camp,” according to the release. With the support of public, bureaucrats, media campaign and community based activities, the growing movement of voluntary blood donation in Nagaland is improving, it was informed. One of the main focuses of VBDA is to maintain the foundation of supplying blood needed for patients, the release added. On the same day, 9 Assam Rifles also organised blood donation camp at Chieswema in collaboration with Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK). A specially constituted team from NHAK executed the camp at the AR unit hospital, where 27 persons of 9 Assam Rifles donated blood which will be used by NHAK Blood Bank for treatment of emergency cases at their Trauma Centre.
Behari Vajpayee as the first National President, it added. The BJP Nagaland President, Visasolie Lhoungu, according to the press release, has expressed that the success of BJP lies in the people who had voted for its “pro-people development policy” which is based on “Sabka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas” or “Together with all, Development for all.” Maintaining that the BJP is continually striving for the betterment of the people and thereby the nation, the release stated this is reflected in more than 30 flagship schemes initiated by Modi’s Government. “The BJP which is a cadre-based party is also striving hard alongside its governments in the centre and states, to take developments to every nook and corners of the nation,” it added. The BJP Nagaland will celebrate the anniversary at its state office in Dimapur on April 6 at 11:00 am. At the same time, it will celebrate the three decades of the State unit “that has been possible due to the continued support of the well wishers and people of the state.” The State BJP has welcomed all well wishers and party members to be part of the function.
Notun Bosti Council informs to chain pet dogs DiMApur, April 5 (Mexn): The Notun Bosti Council Dimapur (NBCD) has informed all the dog owners of Notun Bosti to properly chain and control their pets. In a press communiqué issued by Chairman E. Jon Ezung and Secretary Kavito Ayemi, the council cautioned that from April 10 onwards, it will be compelled to issue shoot at sight order to those dogs loitering around the colony randomly. The council pointed out it has repeatedly warned the dog owners of the colony in the past, but they have failed to comply with the order. Further, NBCD informed the residents of the colony to throw garbage at the designated colony dustbin, while warning that stern action will be taken against anybody found throwing garbage at the roadside or any other places around the colony jurisdiction.
Essential commodity shops in Dmp can open after 12 pm on Sundays DiMApur, April 5 (Mexn): Regional Secretary of Union Territory-I, NSCN (IM), Ghokuto Chishi has informed that as per the directive of Kilo Secretary, all essential commodity shops in Dimapur can be opened after 12:00 pm on Sundays for convenience of general public. The Regional Secretary in a press release further informed all the regional staff under Union Territory-I from RSI to Leacy to submit their personal data in person during office hours for personal verification and record before April 30 at his office. For any query, contact the Regional Secretary at 8014620571.
Businesses restricted on Sundays in Kohima KohiMA, April 5 (Mexn): Administrator of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Kovi Meyase has informed that expect hotels, bakeries, pharmacies and barber shops, no other businesses will be permitted to open on Sunday till further orders. The restriction includes footpath vendors.
AR apprehend NSCN (IM) cadre DiMApur, April 5 (Mexn): The Longding Battalion of Assam Rifles apprehended one Corporal of NSCN (IM) identified as Pangchak Arangham during an operation conducted at Rangluwa village of Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district in the afternoon of April 4. Arangham was apprehended “based on specific intelligence about presence of one cadre trying to terrorize and attempting extortion,” stated a press release from Col C Konwer, PRO (Defence). Post spot interrogation, he admitted allegiance to NSCN (IM) and further divulged that he has been active part of the outfit since 2011 and has undergone intensive training in handling explosives, according to the press release.
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thursday 06•04•2017
IN FOCUS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express volume XII Issue 93 By Aheli moitra
Family Planning? Not in Nagaland!
T
he National Health Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16 has some fascinating news for us. Women have a high literacy rate of 81% in Nagaland State, with a healthy sex ratio of 968 females per 1000 males. Similarly men in Nagaland State have a high literacy rate of 85.6%. As per the NFHS-4 (2015-16), men and women are almost at par in making household decisions—97.4% married women from 15-49 years of age said they take part in decision making at home—joint decision making has seemingly had no impact on family planning in Nagaland State with only 26.7% making any effort at all. Meanwhile, a Morung Express report, published on April 4, revealed that Infant Mortality Rate in Nagaland State stands at 29% in contrast to the 38% during 2005-06. The NFHS-4 gathered information from 11,213 households, 10,790 women and 1,440 men from all districts of Nagaland State. This Survey was started by Government of India in 1992-93 as the first large-scale, multi-round household survey conducted at a national level. It was the first survey to collect information on fertility, infant and child mortality, the practice of family planning, maternal and child health, reproductive health, nutrition, anaemia, utilization and quality of health and family planning services. NFHS-4 is the fourth such survey—its primary purpose is to provide essential data on health and family welfare for policy making and planning, and throw light on important emerging health and family welfare issues. What are the emerging issues in Nagaland? Only 2.4% women received 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 their last birth in five years before the survey. Only 22.3% mothers received any postnatal care from a doctor/nurse/LHV/ANM/midwife/ other health personnel within 2 days of delivery. This could be because only 32.8% women chose to, or were able to, give birth in an institution with only 25.1% at a public facility. Out of the latter, only 29.9% could access their right to the Janani Suraksha Yojana meant to incentivize institutional deliveries for women Below Poverty Line. Instead, households are spending Rs. 5834 on an average out of their own pockets for each institutional delivery! Plagued with road networks that do not connect villages to government hospitals, and missing doctors or nurses when mothers manage to get there, women in Nagaland State are faced with a helpless situation with an unknown number dying at child birth or facing a difficult delivery. Indigenous child delivery and care mechanisms may be excellent but without support to develop these in keeping with the times (for instance the emergence of new diseases or other complications), women are faced with a major health hazard at child birth. Could this be averted through better family planning? Perhaps, but no such indication is seen in Nagaland State yet. NFHS-4 notes that married couples stay away from contraception (whether pills or condoms), and when sterilization is involved, it is women who opt for it. Male sterilization cases in Nagaland State were recorded at zero. If literacy rates are high and joint decision making is the norm in Nagaland’s households, as the report suggests, there is some reason that is making women put their health into hazardous grounds despite knowing the health risks they face with repeated child bearing. Will the all-male Nagaland Legislative Assembly and apex bodies care to shed some light on this? Thoughts and responses may be sent to moitramail@yahoo.com
lEfT WING |
Eva Muller
Forests and energy: using wood to fuel a sustainable, green economy
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ext time a sleek sports car streaks past you on the highway or a jet aircraft roars overhead, think about this: a world where these are fuelled by wood. Wood and energy are a natural match and as we mark International Day of Forests on March 21, even the sky holds no limits when we imagine a future powered by woodfuel. In fact, late last year, one North American airline laid claim to launching the world’s first commercial flight using jet fuel made from tree stumps and branches left over after wood-processing – one example of how forestry by-products and residue are being recycled into different forms of wood energy. Yet, as exciting as this future looks, we must not forget the critical role trees play right now in so many facets of daily life. One in three households, or about 2.4 bn people, rely on wood for heating homes, boiling safe drinking water and cooking nutritious meals – which tells us how crucial wood is to food security and well-being. Another 65 mn people, forced from their homes by disaster or conflicts, also depend on woodfuel for survival. In all, about 50% of wood produced worldwide is used as energy for such basic needs as cooking, heating and generating electricity. There are other, often tragic, stories behind these numbers. More than 4.3 mn people die each year from indoor pollution caused by burning solid fuels including coal and woodfuel - a toll greater than that caused by malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined. In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working with other UN agencies to promote clean and efficient wood and charcoal stoves, which cut the amount of indoor pollution while burning less woodfuel. This in turn reduces the burden on the women and girls who, often risking their safety in the process, must sometimes travel long distances to find enough of this fuel for their family’s daily use. Most importantly, we should not lose sight of the fact that woodfuel is still kinder to the environment than fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Woodfuel, including charcoal, accounts for roughly 40% of current global renewable energy supplies – as much as solar, hydroelectric and wind power combined. The sustainable production and efficient use of wood clearly has the potential to help us achieve many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – from promoting food security, and gender equality to improving access to energy, advancing economic growth and contributing to sustainable forest management. The world's forests are also vitally important to combat climate change – and in so doing, help us to meet yet another Sustainable Development Goal. Trees pack a double punch in this regard: they are able to remove and store vast amounts of Co2 from the atmosphere, and when used as fuel, they produce lower carbon emissions compared with fossil fuels. A significant part of our work in FAO's forestry department involves supporting countries to develop their own policies and strategies that will help them use their forests more sustainably while reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. It is encouraging to see that innovative technologies – like those that turn tree stumps into engine fuel - are growing. Greater investments in these promising new technologies, alongside sustainably managed forests, will be crucial to ensuring that wood thrives as a major source of renewable energy. This in turn will help to ensure a sustainable future and a greener economy. Eva Muller is the director of the forestry policy and resources division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
C O M M E N T A R Y
Dabormaian Jude Kharmawphlang Source: Raiot
Delhi University Politics Notes of a Shillong Boy T
here are many reasons as to why one chooses educational spaces such as Delhi University as the next step forward in their educational and academic passage, one being the diversity of thought and the space and freedom that allows this diversity to flourish through open debate and discussion, without the fear of being hounded for standing up in what you believe in. The student culture is one that is rich, with people from all walks of life, regions and backgrounds mingling and sharing a common space, creating a synthesis of ideas. It is, perhaps, one of the reasons that stand out more as to why it attracts and encourages the pupils towards a more structural, critical standpoint. The nature of the student political scene also makes one very curious and invested in this space. Coming from Shillong, I had never been exposed to this culture of dissent as you do not even have the means to question authority in the first place, with private and non-private institutions alike, exploiting the lack of student rights consciousness. Student politics is crucial in maintaining and challenging the existing dynamics of culture within the campus and beyond; the discriminatory rules for women’s hostel under the pretext of “safety” being one and this as we have witnessed in Delhi University has been resisted and led to agitations and vibrant, powerful movements, Pinjra Tod being one. As a student existing in these spaces, you become a sort of sponge, absorbing the nuances of an argument, evaporating from your pores what you consider outdated and draconian in the path towards what you envision as a progressive, egalitarian society. It’s a beautiful process of unlearning that which you had learned all your life. The first protest I attended was the occupy UGC movement, when I was in my first semester of BA. On my first day there, the atmosphere was overwhelming; since I’m not a Hindi-speaker, the language was one barrier which crippled my understanding of what was being sloganeered. The fringes of the crowds seemed a mild comfort zone, a moderate acclimatization area. Soon, things got heated up and the police started charging at students with lathis. I was caught in this event as things spiraled out of control, and eventually I also got arrested with the other fellow students. It was to me an introduction to a different kind of reality, a baptism of fire, if you wish. I was catapulted into this space, and this episode set a high standard of expectation of what my future involvement as a student, as an individual, would be like. Suddenly to a novice like me, the police station that I and a few others were taken to became an enclosure of vibrant discussions challenging the consensus and perpetuating an assembly of critical thought, refining ideas and redirecting outlooks. However, as my involvement in
various student movements in Delhi grew, I also recognize the visibly minuscule participation of students from the North-Eastern region of the country. The only rationalization that I can come up with is that perhaps with a prescribed geo-political identity, one laden with many discursive conjectures, students from the region may find it difficult to identify with mainstream student politics and also assume their involvement to be superfluous. From time to time during events, there is still a hint of alienation that I feel, although I’m not sure if this is something that emerges from me or others around me. Sometimes an air of awkwardness strangles you simply when you try to structure a sentence by using words of a foreign language that you’ve just recently inculcated but not yet understood the essence of. Like I said, perhaps this isolation is just a feeling within me and not an intentional imposition of student activists in Delhi. However, I am often compelled to conclude that the unconscious way in which it is laid leaves a possibility of the isolation being systemically defined and conditioned.It is a common pattern that in student politics in Delhi, the incorporation of concerns and issues regarding the North-East and the inclusion of students from the North-East in various movements is a mere tokenistic gesture. Looking at the recent episode in Ramjas College, and having had first-hand experience of the ABVPfueled violence unleashed there, I am shocked and traumatized by the unbridled attack on the educational space that first drew me to this university.
The whole idea of Indian nationalism articulated by these factions is so alien and vague to me. Personally, I grew up being exposed to a different kind of nationalism, that of my own community (Khasi), and my encounter with any form of Indian nationalism was confined to televised programmes on Republic Day and Independence Day or at the most, when an important member of a national political party visits to assist with local election campaigns. In fact, before coming to Delhi, even a visit to Guwahati would be riddled with excitement simply because there was a latent perception of even Assam being a relatively foreign land. So when I first ventured out of Meghalaya and integrated myself to the social environment of Delhi, I had to learn how to manoeuvre myself as an individual with regards to the nation-state, to have a better understanding of the bigger context. However, I did not see the process of assimilating in a new city to be equivalent to imbibing a new sense of nationalism, that of the great Indian nation. I realised, in my short life that the regularly occurring theme of any kind of nationalism misdirects zealous emotions to act in hate and bigotry, to turn violent, to want bloodshed for a cause that is narrow and uni-dimensional. Hindutva politics is divisive and tyrannical to an extent where people who reject it feel marginalised and are constantly living under the threat of the violence. After the ABVP attack a few weeks ago in my college, where I was also physically assaulted even by my own classmates, I feel threatened, I feel unsafe and insecure, not just because I am a student who believes in
ideas of free speech but because I don’t know Bharat Mata and I cannot ever be her blind worshiper. Stuck between the wave of rightwing nationalist forces in Delhi and student groups which I support and agree with but still feel distant from, I can’t help but wonder if the methods of mobilisation of DU Students politics have failed to galvanise and collectivise the non-quantifiable spectrum of politics. As I have observed, the proxy protests that take place have not been able to channelise this inclusive principle to its full potential, making it hard to maintain the momentum of the movement. Sub-groups are formed within the expanse, many differing in politics and methods. On the 28th of February, on the occasion of a march at attempting to reclaim the university space, thousands turned up, individuals coming together for a shared, common cause and it was beautiful. However, on many occasions, student protests have felt like mere platforms where individuals share a common cause, rather than a collective coming strongly together against a common enemy. Therefore, if given a chance to share perspectives of various issues and different strands of socio-political thought through genuine representation, it may feel more like an inclusively structured fraternity, a fraternity that has depth, that which is not confined to existing perspectives, which is not divided and hierarchical, a students’ movement that has in its roots embedded in a wider and firmer ground bursting into a new imagination of student politics and a new wave of revolution altogether.
The Superrich Have Profited From a Broken System - And Their Money Alone Won’t Fix It “…Your money won’t save you from the social and environmental collapse now unfolding. Join with other members of your class who are investing in “community, regional, and global efforts to address the climate crisis and extreme inequalities” David Korten
C
Yes! Magazine
ongratulations, you won—you are the last and richest person on Earth. In the security of your sunless underground bunker, you will be the last to die in a dying Earth’s paroxysm of fire and flood. In a recent column for YES! Magazine, Chuck Collins, “born on third base” social activist and commentator, has a message for the superrich who are buying “bug out” survivalist escape homes in Kansas missile silos, mountain fortresses in the Rockies, and getaway farms in New Zealand: Your money won’t save you from the social and environmental collapse now unfolding. Join with other members of your class who are investing in “community, regional, and global efforts to address the climate crisis and extreme inequalities.” Once Earth’s environmental systems collapse, the consequences will be permanent—at least within any realistic human time perspective. Seeking refuge in an abandoned missile silo with a store of emergency rations and a suitcase full of money misses that key point.
For far too long, our economic and political institutions have managed the economy to grow consumption and the financial assets of the rich. Worldwide, many well-meaning people joined the game under the implied promise that as economies grew, one day everyone willing to work would have an opportunity to join the ranks of the affluent middle class. For a time, most of us with a voice bought into the myth. Far from making everyone rich, however, the system we created is destroying Earth’s capacity to support life while concentrating ownership of what remains in the hands of a few hundred people competing for the top spot on the Forbes Magazine list of the world’s richest people. The image of the winner as humanity’s last survivor facing a slow and lonely death in an underground bunker dramatically exposes the mindlessness of the competition— and the system that drives it. Hope for the human future lies with the spreading realization that hope for any of us depends on our acting to-
gether as a global community to: 1. Heal the Earth as we reduce our human consumption to bring it into balance with the planet’s generative capacity. 2. Eliminate extremes of wealth and poverty and secure for every person access to the essentials of a healthy life. These two goals properly frame all public and private investment strategies going forward. They are the exact opposite of the strategies that have led us to the brink of disaster. The great personal investment success stories of the past 50 years almost universally involved profiting from one or more of the following: consumer deception, monopoly power, government subsidies and tax breaks, extraction of nonrenewable environmental resources, usury, povertywage jobs, speculating on asset bubbles, playing financial games with derivatives and other fictitious securities, promoting material extravagance, and poisoning the Earth’s air, water, and soil. Such profits represent uncompensated private takings of both public and private assets.
WRITE-WING
But in this moment of extreme crisis, personal blame is not the primary issue. To those who played and won, that was then. Now is now. Mostly, the winners acted in ways consistent with accepted norms and reward systems of the institutions in which they worked. Likely many believed they were, as Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, once famously observed, “doing God’s work.” Our time to act is fast running out. The transition to a viable human future depends on a cultural and institutional transformation to an economic system that values and rewards choices that support the two essential outcomes outlined above. The time has come for the very rich to engage in giving back not only with their money, but also with their total personal commitment to replacing the system that so benefited them. It is called philanthropy. Giving back will require significant humility and will be a true test of learning new skills. Turning money into healthy, living social and environmental systems is a very different—and far more difficult task—than turning once healthy living systems into money.
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.
thursday 06•04•2017
PERSPECTIVE
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
7
The Healing Power of Moral Responsibility
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ne day in the early summer of 2009 when I was about to park my car by the roadside at Keziekie, a black santro car parked a little ahead suddenly started coming towards my car in the reverse gear. I could not figure out what the driver was up to. “Was he drunk?” or “has he gone out of his mind?” The car was coming backwards towards my car at great speed and it showed no sign of slowing down and so I realized I had to do something fast and quick. So I started to honk my car repeatedly and continuously to alert the senseless driver but it was of no use. I even tried to back up my car but could not do so as there were cars behind me. And so it happened finally – the black santro car coming backwards rammed into the front left side of my car and crushed and damaged the left front door. I came out of my car angry and fully geared up to confront the crazy driver. When we came face to face, I could see and smell that he was drunk but he refused to admit his wrongdoing. This further aggravated the situation. However, another person came out from the santro car and pleaded with me that there was no point in arguing and told me to talk to the elder brother of the driver and he gave me his number. At first I didn’t want to do that as I wanted to settle the matter there and then. Moreover I saw no point in talking to a person who was not a witness to the incident. But since a small crowd had already gathered there by then and since I didn’t want to create a scene unnecessarily, I unwillingly took the number and left the spot. It was highly probable that the two youths might have given a bogus number of a non-existent person. However, later in the evening, when I dialed the number, I learnt that I was not cheated. The voice on the other end talked politely and even said that he had already been apprised about the incident by his brothers. He gave me his address and we agreed to meet at his place the following morning. The next morning I drove my crushed car to the address given because I thought he might be interested to see the damage done to the car. I met the elder brother but he did not even bother to have a look at the car. Rather he straightaway apologized on his brother’s behalf and told me that he would pay the amount needed to repair the car. At this I said I would first repair the car and give him the
cash memo. But the courteous and gentle elder brother asked me how much it might cost to repair the car. I had no idea about this but just to be on the safe side I said it might cost anywhere between Rs.7000 to Rs.10,000. At this, the guy went inside a room, came out and placed Rs.10000 on my hand. This was how a volatile situation which could have assumed a very ugly and strenuous color was settled amicably without any hard feelings. This was able to end like this because the elder brother took upon himself the moral responsibility of the wrong done by the younger brothers. Even though I was really hurt, mad and angry at the two youths, I was able to forgive and forget the episode because of the moral responsibility taken up by their brother. The elder brother was not driving the car that day, he was not even present at the accident spot, he also did not bother to ask about the sequences of the accident, he also did not bother to look at the damage done to my car, he also did not wait for me to provide the cash memo but he probably knew that his brother had done wrong and damage and he took upon himself the moral responsibility. This is what owning moral responsibility does. It can heal broken hearts, restore relationships and mitigate anger, tension and conflict. Some years back there was a huge public outcry when the security personnel of a Naga VIP were involved in slapping a college lecturer right in the middle of the street. Many protested against the highhandedness of the security personnel but the Naga VIP neither showed up nor uttered any regrets over the incident. To this day, I still don’t know who this VIP was because his name, face and designation were never revealed in the public domain. It is really a discomfort to know that we live in a society where the VIPs at the top of our administrative machinery
do not take the moral responsibility of the wrongs committed by the people directly under their command. If only people at the helms of affairs learn to take the moral responsibility for the acts of commissions and omissions perpetuated by them or the people directly working under them, there would be much more understanding, healing, forgiveness, restoration and peace in our society. If a driver becomes involved in an accident which has caused casualty or damage to property, the owner of the car automatically becomes morally responsible even if he was not driving the car or was not in the car or was not at the accident site. Likewise, when tenants staying in rented houses are found to be involved in anti-social activities, the house-owner becomes morally responsible and answerable for harboring such anti-social elements in his house. Even if the house-owner was actually unaware of the characters, professions or past lives of his tenants, the public and the society will still demand answer and explanation from him for harboring such people in his house. This is why it is really important nowadays for house-owners to be cautious when renting out their houses. Similarly when an unmarried girl or woman becomes pregnant, the society will look at her with scorn and ask who the father is. In such situations, the honour of the unwed pregnant lady and her family are totally placed at the mercy of the guy who impregnated her. If the guy happens to be a person with moral conscience and accepts that it was his doing, then certainly some sorts of healing, peace and restoration can come about. And if the guy can own the moral responsibility for the whole ignominy and go a step further by saying that he would marry the girl and own and rear up the child, then certainly forgiveness, healing and restora-
tion can come to all concerned even though there might have been anger, shame, un-forgiveness and tensions at the beginning. This is what owning moral responsibility can do. It can heal broken hearts, build bridges, restore broken relationships and heal society at large. Today our society is full of hatred, anger, un-forgiveness, frustration and tensions because many are not willing to own the moral responsibility when it matters. The sense of owning moral responsibility is what makes us human beings different from animals. Animals have no shame and sense of moral responsibility. They just live and go by their instincts. But we human beings are created in the moral image of God and so we are morally responsible to God and our fellowbeings for all our acts of omissions and commissions. And so if we do not know how to take up moral responsibility for our utterances and acts of commission and omission, we are not fit to live in society or to be called as human beings. And such irresponsible, adamant and arrogant persons should rather straightaway retire to the jungles to live with the animal kingdom. One may be a King, a Maharaja or a VVIP occupying the highest public office in one’s country or state. But if one is a true human being with a living conscience, he is not supposed to shy away from his moral responsibilities and obligations. Moreover, today we live in the age of democracy where the leaders are directly responsible to the people. The days of Kings and Maharajas who despotically ruled over their subjects are long over. The concept and practice of ‘welfare state’ is a guiding principle of democracy. So the sense of moral responsibility of the present day democratic leaders should be much more higher and stronger than those despotic leaders of the bygone eras. So when your own security personnel guarding your mansion were involved in a firing incident which ended the precious lives of young unarmed people, you become morally responsible and answerable. Rather than harping on the support of your MLAs or your constitutional obligations, you are supposed to own the moral responsibility and do whatever is necessary to restore peace, healing, forgiveness and normalcy. If you do that, your people may forgive you and give you another chance. But until and unless you do that, healing, peace, restoration and forgiveness cannot come and you will be remem-
bered by the present and future generation as a traitor with no moral conscience who loves his chair more than the lives of his people. Now let me conclude by reciting the greatest story of ‘Moral Responsibility’ ever known to mankind. God created everything in the universe. Then He created Man in His own image to be a source of joy and happiness to Him. Yes, simply out of his love and power, God created man and woman and placed them in the beautiful garden where everything was beautiful, perfect and pure. He commanded man to be the master of all creations. But sin crept into the heart of man and he rebelled against his creator by disobeying Him. After the first man and woman rebelled against God by eating the forbidden fruit, God had no other option but to chase them away from the garden. But even after man was chased away, God’s love for us was so great that He wanted to give us another chance to come back to Him. And to do this, God decided to take upon Himself the ‘Moral Responsibility’ for all our sins and inequities. This is why God became flesh and blood and was born into the world 2000 years ago and dwelt amongst us and took upon Himself the moral responsibility of all our sins and iniquities and died on a Roman cross. Yes, Christ is God and He knew no sin and He was sinless and unblemished. But in order to bring healing, restoration, forgiveness and reconciliation between God and man, Christ took upon himself the moral responsibility for all our sins and shed his precious blood and even gave up his life to redeem us and make us righteous again. Christ the creator knew no sin but He took upon Himself the moral responsibility for all our sins and died for us because there was no other way through which forgiveness, healing, peace and restoration could come. And so if our Creator God Himself took upon Himself the ‘Moral Responsibility’ for our sins and died for us, are we also not supposed to do the same to restore peace, healing and forgiveness in our society? Yes, we exhibit God’s nature and God’s love the most when we take upon ourselves the ‘Moral Responsibility’ for all our acts of commission and omission …But today, in many ways, our society and many of our families and relationships lie in tatters because we don’t take the moral responsibility for our acts of commission and omission…….
In energy starved Indian villages, solar mini-grids lighting the way Rina Chandran
A 50 KW solar grid with battery storage and a distribution reach of 5 km (3.1 miles) can power small businesses, schools, two telecom towers and over 500 homes, said Sarraju N. Rao, chief technology officer at OMC Power. "There is enough demand in rural areas. If the supply is reliable and good, people are willing to pay more," he said.
Thomson Reuters Foundation
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dusty plastic sheet covers a large diesel generator in a corner of a petrol station in Atrauli, a village in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, a modest but telling sign of progress. The gas station used to shut at 7 p.m. every day because the lights would often go off, and there was no way to know when they would come back on, said Sudhakar Singh, the manager. "The main power supply was very irregular, and operating the generator was expensive, so we could not afford to stay open beyond 7 p.m.," Singh told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, as motorbikes and trucks lined up for petrol and diesel. Last year, the pump got a connection to a solar minigrid, a local power network not connected to the national grid, which guarantees six hours of electricity every day. The pump has since stayed open all night. "Now, our expenses are lower and we earn more because we can stay open all night. We have not used the generator once since we got the ... connection," said Singh.
POWER PARADOX Atrauli's electricity revolution is a symbol of the energy paradox dogging India, one of the world's fastest growing economies, where power cuts are rampant and per capita electricity consumption is about a third the global average. Fast-dropping costs for solar power, combined with plenty of sun and a huge need for elec-
300 million people - a quarter of the population - are still without it means solar energy has huge potential in India. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge to supply power to every citizen by 2019 and a surge in solar production, reaching remote villages remains a challenge, with distribution losses as high as 30 percent on antiquated lines, low tariffs and limited use. Most of those without electricity live in the 99 percent of villages the government deems to be electrified because at least 10 percent of households and public places have electricity. But at least half the electrified households do not get at least six hours of electricity a day. "While the grid has expanded and we generate enough power, distribution companies are not in a position to take that power, and are not interested in going into rural areas," said Aruna Kumarankandath at the Centre for Science and Environment. When the supply is so unre-
sition to invest in," said Kumarankandath, a renewable energy researcher. LIGHTS, FANS, ACTION The situation is particularly dire in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state where only 37 percent of households are electrified, compared with 67 percent nationwide. Help has come from private mini-grids like the one in Atrauli operated by OMC Power, a company with 67 grids in the state. Renewable energy is key to India's electrification plan, and mini-grids with a capacity of 10 to 500 kilowatts (KW) are playing an increasingly important role. "Mini-grids use the potential of untapped renewable energy and manage demand efficiently by generating power at the source of consumption," said Kumarankandath. A base home package from OMC Power costs 110 rupees ($1.70) a month and comes with a switchboard with an LED bulb and a socket for charging a mobile phone. Additional lights,
LOCAL JOBS Uttar Pradesh is the only state with a policy for minigrids. It aims to power nearly 20 million households, about a tenth of its population. The state offers a 30 percent subsidy for these grids, which may also be powered by wind, biomass or water, and must guarantee at least eight hours of electricity to homes, and six hours for commercial needs. Importantly, the policy offers exit options when the areas have adequate grid supply: either the distribution company can receive energy from the mini-grids at an agreed tariff, or the project may be transferred to the distribution company. India's ministry for renewable energy released a national draft policy for mini- and micro-grids last June. It aims to deploy at least 10,000 renewable energy projects in the next five years in "unserved and underserved parts of the country", with an average capacity of 50 KW per project. The ambitious targets come at a time when renewable energy is at a turning point in India, as generating electricity from renewables costs nearly
Coal still provides the lion's share of energy, but as a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change, India is committed to ensuring at least 40 percent of its electricity will come from non-fossil-fuel sources by 2030. A 10-year blueprint predicts 57 percent of India's electricity capacity will come from nonfossil sources by 2027. Solar energy is a particular focus and will contribute 100 gigawatts (GW) of the renewable energy capacity target of 175 GW by 2022. "Renewable energy-based mini-grids will boost small businesses, create local jobs and build economies. This will improve living standards in villages," said Kumarankandath. "That in turn will ensure women's empowerment, better health and education. There cannot be a better development agenda for the country," she said. In Atrauli, OMC's mini-grid is just off the main road, next to the telecom tower it also helps to power. OMC has 280 customers in Atrauli, 60 percent of them commercial, Rao said. One of OMC's first customers in the village was Anita, a widowed mother of two, who didn't have an electricity connection and used kerosene lamps for lighting in her shack. From one base package of a single light, Anita now has three lights, one each in her room, her son's room and the kitchen. "Earlier, the children would have to go search for a light to study by. But now they study at home, and I can do house-
Can we distinguish leaders from mere power-holders?
T
he crisis of leadership today is the mediocrity or irresponsibility of many of our men in power. If we know all too well about our leaders, we know far too little about real leadership. We fail to grasp the essence of leadership that is relevant in our society and hence we cannot even agree on the standards by which to define it. Our confusion is, who leads whom from where to where, and why? How do leaders lead followers without being wholly led by followers? If an elected representative points his accusing fingers back at some gullible public for accepting money during an election, doesn’t that show that he’s just another weakling who can’t lead the people to do the right thing? Is he not supposed to show the right way if he is a true leader? I fear that today we are paying a heavy political price for our preoccupation with power. By viewing politics as a mere power, we are blinding ourselves to the role of leadership in politics. Many of us have come to equate power-holding with leadership. This iswrong! Strictly speaking, mere power-holding is different from leadership. Adolf Hitler called himself– and was called – the Führer, meaning, the Leader. But was he really? Once Hitler gained power and crushed all oppositions, many came to know who he really was – a tyrant! Under the guise of leadership, he manipulatively brainwashed his people into following him and he used fear of brute force to get others into submission. Real leadership, in contrast, is not usurping power by manipulation or grapping leadership positions through the use of intimidation. Leadership has to do with attracting willing followers based on shared values or common aspirations. We have another big misconception about leadership. Some of us think that we can become leaders by purchasing leadership positions. We assume as if leadership is like a commodity or something like a property. But leadership is about inner qualities or personal traits. Only when these personal qualities influence others in a relationship context can we see the emergence of leadership. Then, there are those who think leadership can be passed on like a baton from one person to another, or like an entitlement from a ruler to the next in the family line in much the same way as an inheritance. They think that because a ruler has occupied a public office for a long time, his children have somehow earned the right to claim the same privileges after him. This is another fallacy about leadership. Leadership, unlike naked power-holding, is inseparable from followers’ needs and goals. According to James B. Burns, a renowned political scientist, the essence of leadership is the ability of a person to induce others to pursue a common purpose whether that be values and goals, wants and needs, or aspirations and expectations. A leader’s fundamental goal is to induce people to be aware or conscious of what they need – to feel their true needs so strongly, to define their values so meaningfully – that they can be moved to purposeful action. In other words, leadership is relational, collective, and purposeful. And its effectiveness must be judged not by the powerfulness of the leaders but by the actual accomplishments of mutual human needs and common goals. We have to doubt the presence of leadership if there’s no satisfying leader-followers relation or if it is not linked to a collective purpose. When citizens are powerless, unengaged, alienated and uninspired, that means leadership has failed or is missing. This may sometimes happen due to certain arbitrary actions of some power-holders who tend to treat people as things. Another distinction is this: all leaders are actual or potential power-holders, but not all power-holders are leaders. Perhaps we can put all types of leadership under two broad categories: transactional and transforming. The first is called transactional leadership as it relates to politics and governance. For example, this type of leadership occurs when leaders approach followers with an eye to exchanging one thing for another: development for votes, or subsidies for campaign contributions. Such transactions comprise the bulk of relationships among leaders and followers, especially in political parties, legislatures, and governmental agencies. Hence, the need for legislative leadership, executive leadership, and managerial leadership must be clearly understood and developed for an all-round good of the people. Then, we have transforming leadership which can be subdivided into moral leadership, intellectual leadership, visionary leadership, and revolutionary leadership. Transforming leadership, while more complex, is more potent than transactional leadership. A transforming leader, for example, looks for potential motives in followers and seeks to exploit or satisfy the higher needs in followers. Consequently, a transforming leader can convert followers into leaders and may further elevate them into strong moral agents. Since the needs and proablems in every community are usually multifarious and can be extremely complicated, we must understand that one type of leadership alone cannot optimally and sufficiently address all the needs, or fix all the problems, in any given society. In my opinion, today our Nagas are drowning in a sea of problems because we seem to be stuck with mere power-holders who are neither transactional leaders (because they don’t keep their promises) nor transforming leaders (because they aren’t leading us to higher values or to more advanced levels). And yet we the people are still complacent and indifferent. Surely, we cannot afford to go on like this. It’s high time we raise up a new breed of leaders who will do what they say and take us to greater heights. And all this could come in the forms of many different personality types and diverse capabilities. In other words, we need to recognize our needs for all types of leaders (I mean the good kinds) so that they can help our society grow into a healthy and balanced one. With this in mind, we will look at the various leadership types in the next
thursDAY 06•04•2017
INDIA
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THE MORUNG EXPRESS
'entire J&K, including gilgitBaltistan, belongs to india'
New Delhi, April 5 (iANS): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday slammed Pakistan's move to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province and said the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, including areas under Pakistan's occupation, is Indian territory. The Minister's response came in the Lok Sabha after the issue was raised by Biju Janata Dal member Bhartruhari Mahtab during Zero Hour. Mahtab questioned the government response to Pakistan's move, and said both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha should pass a resolution to condemn the development. "The Pakistan government has unilaterally decided to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province. At the time of Partition, a British politi-
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
cal agent in charge of Gilgit and Baltistan allowed Pakistani soldiers to take over the area, even though Indian Constitution recognises Gilgit-Baltistan as an integral part of our country," Mahtab said.
He said the British Parliament had passed a resolution to condemn Islamabad's move, saying the region is part of Jammu and Kashmir, and illegally occupied by Pakistan since 1947. In response, Sushma
Swaraj said India rejects Pakistan's move, adding that the government's stand on Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India should not be doubted. "You saw Pakistan's move, but didn't see what we have done. Without losing time, we rejected it, and both the houses of Parliament have said that the entire Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied areas, is ours," the External Affairs Minister said. "This government has always said that Kashmir, where (Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad) Mookerjee was martyred, is ours. There should be no doubt," she said. A Ministry statement last month reacted strongly to Pakistan's move on the Gilgit-Baltistan region, adjacent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying it is "entirely unacceptable".
India terms statement of African envoys 'unfortunate, surprising'
New Delhi, April 5 (iANS): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday refuted allegations that adequate steps were not taken regarding the attack on Nigerian nationals in Greater Noida and termed the statement by African envoys in the matter as "unfortunate and surprising". She said the government is committed to ensure the security and safety of foreign nationals in India. "You can't say our steps are inadequate. We are committed to ensuring security of all foreigners including African nationals in India," Sushma Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha, while making a statement on attack on Ni-
gerian nationals in India. Sushma Swaraj also said that it was too early to term the nature of the attack as racial until the probe ends. "The attack cannot be called racist before the probe is completed. I said this in context of attacks in the US too," she said. The senior BJP leader also dubbed the statement by African envoys on the matter as "unfortunate". "African envoys' statement on attacks on African students is unfortunate, painful and surprising," Sushma said. African Heads of Mission posted in New Delhi have strongly condemned the March 27 attack on Nigerian nationals and said such at-
tacks were "xenophobic and racial in nature". They also kept open the possibility of taking the matter to international human rights bodies for an independent investigation if the Indian government failed to take legal action against the perpetrators. 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.
A man carries his daughter, dressed as Kumari, on a bicycle, as they arrive to attend rituals to celebrate the Navratri Festival, inside the Adyapeath Temple, on the outskirts of Kolkata on April 5. (REUTERS)
No need to worry about IS in India: Rajnath
New Delhi, April 5 (iANS): Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday assured that there is no need for Indians to be concerned about Islamic State (IS) as the terror group has little penetration in the country. "There is no need for Indians to be worried about IS (penetration) in India. If a few youth get radicalised by them, we also have counter-radicalisation programmes," Rajnath told the Rajya Sabha. In response to a question by a member whether unemployment and poor socioeconomic background -- and not just religious fundamentalism -- were responsible for Indian youths' radicalisation, Rajnath ruled out the possibility. "We are running several programmes for socio-economic uplift of minorities, including for the Muslims. These include skill development programmes, easy bank loans for business etc," Singh said. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh asked the Home Minister if Saifullah, killed in a police encounter in Lucknow on March 8, had links with the IS. He said an American intelligence website said as much. To this, Rajnath Singh said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was probing the matter. He said that "because of things found on Saifullah, some people
concluded he had links with IS". The Uttar Pradesh police had called Saifullah a "self-radicalised terrorist", though Madhya Pradesh police said he was part of an IS module. Earlier, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said that the number of Muslim youth who have been radicalised so far by the IS was miniscule in comparison with the Muslim population in India. "There is not much presence of IS in India. So far only 80 youth have been found to be radicalised by IS through social media and internet, which is a negligible number. "We are monitoring the social media etc round the clock to check further spread of IS," Ahir said. He pointed out that even Muslim clerics in India have urged the youth not to join the IS or be influenced by their propaganda, which he said was a welcome step. Ahir also informed the House that 22 persons from Kerala had tried to join the IS. Of these, the NIA has taken action against 16 persons. The rest, he said, included women and children and their cases were being looked into. Ahir also said that unemployment could not be a reason behind the radicalisation of some Muslim youth as unemployment or poverty in the country was "not restricted to just one community or religion".
no change in fee, word limit JnU students denounce seat-cut for rti queries, says Centre
New Delhi, April 5 (iANS): The Centre on Wednesday dubbed as "misleading" media reports on the Right to Information (RTI) Act rules, saying no change has been effected in either the fee structure or the word limit for the RTI queries. The government said it is committed to ensure full and easy implementation of the Right to Information law. "A factually incorrect and misleading news report appeared in a section of the media that a new set of RTI rules has been formulated, which creates difficulties and hurdles in the rights of the citizens to get information from the government," the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said in a statement here. "It has been alleged that the size of the RTI queries has been restricted to 500 words and a provision of fee increase has been unfairly introduced in the rules." The Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of seeking to subvert the RTI Act, saying new draft rules give power to authorities to reject an application if it is of more than 500 words and also force a steep hike in charges on the applicant. "The facts are totally to the contrary. On July 31, 2012, the central govern-
ment notified the RTI rules under Section 27 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. "A copy of existing rules is available on the official website of Department of Personnel and Training. The rules provided that an RTI application will ordinarily be not more than 500 words (subject to exception) with a nominal fee being charged from each applicant. These rules were framed and notified in 2012," the ministry statement said. "However, the legality of the Central Information Commission (Management) Regulations, 2007, was challenged before the Delhi High Court and these were quashed," the statement added. The ministry said the matter has been pending before the Supreme Court. "The government, therefore, decided, in consultation with the CIC, that a comprehensive set of rules be notified by consolidating the key provisions of CIC (Management) Regulations and also the Rules of 2012," it said. "The key provisions of the RTI Rules, 2012, have been identically incorporated verbatim. No change has been made in the RTI fee structure. The government is committed to ensuring full and easy implementation of the Right to Information Act," it added.
New Delhi, April 5 (iANS): Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students here on Wednesday continued their protest against the cut in seats for M.Phil and Ph.D courses. Some 100-120 students shouted slogans against
the Human Resource Development Ministry and the Delhi Police. "There is not much of hope now, but we cannot be stopped from demonstrating our anger," Dileep, a student leader, told IANS. The curtailing in the
seats occurred after the Universtiy Grants Commission order related to faculty-student ratio for research guidance was adopted by the JNU last year. The order entailed a limitation in the number of Ph.D and M.Phil stu-
dents who can be taken up for guidance by a faculty member. The Delhi High Court last month also ruled in favour of the university which had approached it as a consequance of repeated protests by students against the decision.
Only those eligible for Aadhaar need to quote it in income tax return
The government, as per the Finance Act 2017, has made it mandatory for taxpayers to quote Aadhaar or enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form for filing of income tax returns (ITR)
New Delhi, April 5 (pTi): The income tax department on Wednesday clarified that quoting of Aadhaar in filing of returns for assessment year 2017-18 has been made mandatory for only those who are eligible to obtain the unique ID number. The gov-
ernment, as per the Finance Act 2017, has made it mandatory for taxpayers to quote Aadhaar or enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form for filing of income tax returns (ITR). Also, Aadhaar has been made mandatory for applying for permanent account number with effect from July 1, 2017. “It is clarified that such mandatory quoting of Aadhaar or enrolment ID shall apply only to a person who is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number… Accordingly, the requirement to quote Aadhaar as per section 139AA of the Income-Tax Act shall not apply to an individual who
is not a resident as per the Aadhaar Act, 2016,” an official statement said. Resident as per the said Act means an individual who has resided in India for a period or periods amounting in all to 182 days or more in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for the enrolment. As per the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, only a resident individual is entitled to obtain Aadhaar. There are more than 25 crore PAN card holders in the country while Aadhaar has been issued to 111 crore people.
Bills for constituting Commission for Backward Classes
New Delhi, April 5 (iANS): The government on Wednesday introduced separate bills to constitute a commission for the socially and educationally backward classes -- to be known as the National Commission for Backward Classes -- and to repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. Both the bills were introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot in the Lok Sabha. The National Commission for Backward Classes was constituted under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 to examine the requests of inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists. The new bills will pave the way of constituting a commission for the socially and educationally backward classes, which will have a constitutional status. According to the bills, the commission will consist of a Chairperson, ViceChairperson and three other members. They will be appointed by the President. The commission will probe and monitor matters relating to the safeguards provided for the socially and educationally backward classes under this constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the government to evaluate working of such safeguards. The Cabinet gave its nod to the formation of the new commission in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Why 12.1 mn 'divyaang' indians are illiterate Prachi Salve & SwagataYadavar
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IANS/ IndiaSpend
t the launch of the government's Accessible India Campaign in December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the term "divyaang" -- which translates into "divine body" -- for persons with disability, instead of the usual "viklaang", or handicapped. He said persons with disability are divinely blessed with "extra gifts". Many disabled rights groups later wrote to the Prime Minister arguing that changing terminology alone would not end the discrimination persons with disability face, and asking him to address the barriers that hinder their participation in the country's economic, social and political life. What does living with disability in India mean, particularly with regard to access to education and employment, 22 years after the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act was passed? As things stand, 45 per cent of India's disabled population is illiterate, according to Census 2011, compared to 26 per cent of all Indians. Of persons with disability who are educated, 59 per cent complete Class X, compared to 67 per cent of the general population. Despite the promise of universal access to education through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which promotes free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of six and 14, children with special needs form the largest out-of-school group in India. Some 28 per cent special-needs children between six and 13 years of age are out of school, according to the 2014 National Survey of Out
of School Children report, at a time when India has almost universal primary school enrolment. Among children with special needs, as many as 44 per cent with more than one disability are out of school, and children with mental (36 per cent) and speech (35 per cent) disabilities are more likely to be out of school than those with other disabilities. Clearly, policies have to be more finely tailored to serve children across the disability spectrum. Experts also emphasise the need to go beyond providing just physical access. For instance, the Accessible India Campaign aims to make 50 per cent of all government buildings in the national capital and state capitals accessible by July 2018; the larger goal is a move towards creating universal access, equal opportunity for development and independent living and participation in all aspects of life for people with disabilities. However, those with experience on the ground talk of a different reality. "The whole problem with Accessible India Campaign is that we are only looking at physical access and not attitudinal access. If you want inclusion to take place, you need both," said Srilatha Juvva, Professor, Centre for Disability Studies and Action, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Getting special-needs children into school is only the beginning. Once in school, these children need user-friendly instruction and teaching equipment. However, Juvva said, policymakers perceive this as an additional investment. Within special-needs children who are enrolled in school, the number drops steadily in higher grades, with a drop after Grades VIII
(48 per cent, compared to 2.6 for all children) and IX (21 per cent, compared to 6.8 for all children), according to the 2015-16 District Information System for Education data. As a result, 89 per cent of school-going children with special needs are in elementary school, only 8.5 per cent are in secondary school and a mere 2.3 per cent in higher secondary. Should there be special schools for children with special needs, or should they be integrated into regular classrooms? India's policies are unclear. While the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) runs separate schools for children with special needs, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) promotes an inclusive-education model where such children study in regular classrooms. Children with disability who are able to beat all the odds stacked against them to complete education up to Grade X face another hurdle: What course to choose for higher studies, given the widespread bias about what a person with disability can or cannot do? As a result, students with disability have often had to fight to assert their right to study courses of their choice. At least two visuallychallenged students have been in the news recently for approaching the courts -- Kritika Purohit filed a case in the Bombay High Court to be allowed to study physiotherapy, and Reshma Dileep approached the Kerala High Court to be allowed to study science beyond secondary school. "Primarily because education is a state and a central subject, there is no central body that can frame guidelines for everybody,"
Neha Trivedi, project consultant with Xavier's Resource Centre for Visually Challenged, which has assisted visually-challenged students in their legal battles, said. Even if the MHRD issues a circular asking all universities to allow visually-challenged students to study science, each university and college has to accept the directive and enable it through its operational guidelines, she said. One instrument that can make a significant difference in the life of a person with disability is the disability certificate. Awarded to those considered to have more than 40 per cent disability, the certificate makes its holder eligible for various state and central government schemes, scholarships, free travel, loans, prosthetic aids and appliances, and even an unemployment allowance. Medical boards of district civil hospitals are responsible for issuing disability certificates. However, over half the people with disability -- 51 per cent -- did not have disability certificates by July 2015, according to figures submitted by the MSJE in Lok Sabha. The MSJE claims to have simplified the procedure for issuing disability certificates -- it can be issued by any doctor at a primary health centre for disabilities such as amputations, blindness and complete paralysis, and must be issued within a month of receiving an application. In practice, however, it takes up to three to six times longer. There are only three centres which issue disability certificates that are recognised for government schemes in Mumbai -- JJ Group of Hospitals, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities, and All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Re-
habilitation, Sunil Bhadane, Special Educator, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, told IndiaSpend. "It takes anywhere between 3-6 months to receive the certificates because of the long wait to get an appointment," he said. For people residing in rural areas, disability certificates are mandatory to avail reservation in jobs under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. There is a shortage of specialists in rural areas to issue certificates for disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome, Rajive Raturi, Director, Disability Rights, Human Rights Law Network, Delhi, told IndiaSpend. "This makes it difficult for those with these disabilities to get their certificates and avail benefits," he said. In December 2016, the Parliament approved the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The new Act is an improvement on the Persons with Disabilities Act, which it replaces, as it recognises 21 types of disability (up from seven earlier) including those caused by an acid attack, haemophilia, sickle cell disease and dwarfism. There is also a provision for making national and state funds available for financial support to persons with disability. However, the budget for 2016-17 makes no mention of this fund. Even though there were increments in the budget for central sector schemes and a 3.4 per cent increase in the budget for autonomous bodies, the overall allocation to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities follows a decreasing trend. The share of allocation for persons with disability fell from 1.08 per cent of the allocation for the department in 2016-17 to 0.98 per cent in 2017-18.
ThursdAY 06•04•2017
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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US, France, Britain propose UN resolution on Syria gas attack UNITED NATIONS, AprIl 5 (rEUTErS): The United States, Britain and France on Tuesday proposed a United Nations Security Council resolution to condemn a suspected deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria, which diplomats said would likely be put to a vote on Wednesday. The three countries blamed Syrian President Bashar alAssad’s forces for the attack, which killed dozens of people. The Syrian military denied responsibility and said it would never use chemical weapons. U.N. Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura said the “horrific” chemical attack had come from the air. The draft text, seen by Reuters, says Syria’s government must provide an international investigation with flight plans and logs for Tuesday, the names of all helicopter squadron commanders and provide access to air bases where investigators believe attacks using chemicals may have been launched. It asks U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report monthly on whether the Syrian government is cooperating with an international investigation and a fact-finding mission into chemical weapons use in Syria. The draft resolution “expresses its outrage that individuals continue to be killed and injured by chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, and expresses its determination that those responsible must be held accountable.” It was not immediately clear how Russia, an ally of Assad, and China would view the move. In February, Russia, backed by China, cast its seventh veto
Russia denies Assad to blame for chemical attack, on course for collision with Trump
A man breathes through an oxygen mask as another one receives treatments, after what rescue workers described as a suspected gas attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib, Syria on April 4. (REUTERS Photo)
to protect Assad’s government from council action, blocking a bid by Western powers to impose sanctions. The Security Council is due to be briefed on the suspected toxic gas attack on Wednesday. An investigation by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or OPCW, found Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks in 2014 and 2015 and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas. Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under a deal brokered by Moscow and Washington. The Security Council
backed that deal with a resolution that said in the event of non-compliance, “including unauthorized transfer of chemical weapons, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone” in Syria, it would impose measures such as sanctions. The draft resolution proposed on Tuesday recalls that decision. The Hague-based OPCW set up fact-finding mission in 2014 to determine cases where chemical weapons had been used in Syria. The U.N. Security Council then established a joint team of U.N. and OPCW investigators in 2015 to assign blame in cases where the fact-finding mis-
MOSCOW/BEIrUT, AprIl 5 (rEUTErS): Russia suggested on Wednesday it would publicly stand by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad despite outrage over a chemical weapons attack, setting Donald Trump’s new U.S. administration on course for a head-on diplomatic collision with Moscow. Western countries including the United States blamed Assad’s armed forces for the chemical attack, which choked scores of people to death in the town of Khan Sheikhoun in a rebel-held area of northern Syria hit by government air strikes. Washington said it believed the deaths were caused by sarin nerve gas dropped by Syrian aircraft. But Moscow offered an alternative explanation that could shield Assad: it said it believed poison gas had leaked from a rebel chemical weapons depot struck by Syrian bombs. Hasan Haj Ali, commander of the Free Idlib Army rebel group, called the Russian statement a “lie”. “Everyone saw the plane while it was bombing with gas,” he told Reuters from northwestern Syria. The incident is the first time Washington has accused Assad of using sarin since 2013, when hundreds of people died in an attack on a Da-
sion had determined chemical ian aircraft. Russia has said it believes poison gas had leaked weapons had been used. from a rebel chemical weapons Syria attack symptoms consis- depot struck by Syrian bombs. tent with nerve agent use – WHO Sarin is an organophospoVictims of a suspected rus compound and a nerve chemical attack in Syria ap- agent. Chlorine and mustard peared to show symptoms con- gas, which are also believed to sistent with reaction to a nerve have been used in the past in agent, the World Health Orga- Syria, are not. nization said on Wednesday. A Russian Defence Minis“Some cases appear to show try spokesman did not say what additional signs consistent with agent was used in the attack exposure to organophosphorus but said the rebels had used chemicals, a category of chemi- the same chemical weapons in cals that includes nerve agents,” Aleppo last year. WHO said in a statement, putThe WHO said it was likely ting the death toll at at least 70. that some kind of chemical was The United States has said used in the attack because sufthe deaths were caused by sa- ferers had no apparent external rin nerve gas dropped by Syr- injuries and died from a rapid
mascus suburb. At that time, Washington said Assad had crossed a “red line” set by then-President Barack Obama. Obama threatened an air campaign to topple Assad but called it off at the last minute after the Syrian leader agreed to give up his chemical arsenal under a deal brokered by Moscow, a decision which Trump has long said proved Obama’s weakness. The new incident means Trump is faced with same dilemma that faced his predecessor: whether to openly challenge Moscow and risk deep involvement in a Middle East war by seeking to punish Assad for using banned weapons, or compromise and accept the Syrian leader remaining in power at the risk of looking weak. Trump described Tuesday’s incident as “heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime”, but also faulted Obama for having failed to enforce the red line four years ago. Obama’s spokesman declined to comment. Washington, Paris and London have drawn up a draft U.N. Security Council statement condemning the attack and demanding an investigation. Russia has the power to veto it, as it has done to block all previous resolutions that would harm Assad.
onset of similar symptoms, including acute respiratory distress. It said its experts in Turkey were giving guidance to overwhelmed health workers in Idlib on the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and medicines such as Atropine, an antidote for some types of chemical exposure, and steroids for symptomatic treatment had been sent. A U.N. Commission of Inquiry into human rights in Syria has previously said forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar alAssad have used lethal chlorine gas on multiple occasions. Hundreds of civilians died in a sarin gas attack in Ghouta
on the outskirts of Damascus in August 2013. Assad’s government has always denied responsibility for that attack. Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under a deal brokered by Moscow and Washington. But Russia, a Syrian ally, and China have repeatedly vetoed any United Nations move to sanction Assad or refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. “These types of weapons are banned by international law because they represent an intolerable barbarism,” Peter Salama, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said in the WHO statement.
Ex-Cyclone Debbie wreaks South Africa’s ANC rejects calls for Zuma to quit Malaysia passes child sex crimes havoc in New Zealand JOHANNESBUrG, “The officials ... have further law, does not ban child marriage AprIl 5 a move that is set to push up the (rEUTErS): South Africa’s Af- country’s borrowing costs. Man- acknowledged that their public
WEllINGTON, AprIl 5 (rEUTErS): Widespread flooding on Wednesday blocked roads, closed schools, diverted flights and forced hundreds of people to evacuate across New Zealand’s North Island, as the tail-end of powerful Cyclone Debbie brought intense rainfall. A week after the storm system left a trail of destruction in Australia, a state of emergency was declared in two New Zealand cities as river levels rose amid record rainfall. In Auckland, the area’s biggest city, about 10,000 homes were without power. No deaths have been reported, but authorities warned peak rainfall set to arrive late on Wednesday could bring as much as three month’s worth of rain by day’s end in some areas. That spurs a threat of flash flooding in areas still recovering from a devastating earthquake in November. “There is definitely more heavy rain to come, and a risk of thunderstorms and very strong wind gusts,” MetService meteorologist Peter Little told Fairfax news. “There’s even a small possibility of a tornado.” Wild weather forced the suspension of flights at Wellington Airport, diverting, delaying or cancelling a dozen scheduled planes, while Christchurch and Auckland airports also suffered some delays and cancellations. New Zealand’s mountainous terrain makes its roads susceptible to landslides and many regions are still recovering from November’s 7.8-magnitude quake. Cyclone Debbie, a category four storm, one short of the most powerful level five, pounded Australia’s Queensland state last week, smashing tourist resorts, bringing down power lines, shutting down coal mines and killing six people. In Australia the disaster zone stretched 1,000 km from Queensland’s tropical resort islands and Gold Coast tourist strip to the farmlands of New South Wales state. About 20,000 homes were still without power on Tuesday, as flood waters continued to rise in some areas.
rican National Congress “closed ranks” around President Jacob Zuma after two key allies of the ruling party called for his resignation following a cabinet reshuffle that cost the country one of its investment-grade credit ratings. The rand fell more than 1 percent and bonds weakened after ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told a news briefing on Wednesday that the ANC would not support removing Zuma, whose party leadership role ends in December. Zuma’s presidential term will finish in 2019. Last Thursday’s dismissal of finance minister Pravin Gordhan, a totem of policymaking stability for many foreign investors, was criticised by unions, civil society groups and the opposition, and has revived pressure on Zuma to quit. Since taking office in 2009, the 74-year-old president has repeatedly denied accusations of corruption, and senior ANC officials have backed him. S&P Global Ratings cited Gordhan’s departure as one reason for its downgrade of South Africa to “junk” in an unscheduled credit rating review on Monday,
tashe said the ANC had accepted the “irretrievable breakdown of the relationship” between Zuma and Gordhan as the reason the finance minister was sacked. Gordhan’s removal has deepened a rift within the ruling party, with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a leading candidate to replace Zuma as ANC president, describing it on Friday as “totally, totally unacceptable”. The South African Communist Party (SACP) and the country’s biggest trade union, Cosatu, both historic allies of the ANC, have each called on Zuma to step down following the sacking. Mantashe had also openly criticised Zuma’s actions but he painted a different picture on Wednesday, saying the ANC would “close ranks” around the president and that the party would iron out its differences with Cosatu and SACP. The events that unfolded after the reshuffle had “created anxiety and undue confusion as a result of the discordant views, in particular of the National Officials of the ANC,” Mantashe said, referring to the criticism directed at Zuma.
dissonance on the matter was a mistake that should not be committed again.” Half of the ANC’s “Top Six” group of officials, including Ramaphosa and Mantashe, had expressed disquiet at Gordhan’s sacking. But Zuma, also one of the six, has the support of two other members and influential groups in the ANC, sources say. Analysts said that despite calls to resign from voices outside the ANC, Zuma remains in favour among grassroots members and can count on the backing of large sections of the party, including the youth and women’s leagues. Zuma said on Tuesday in his first public comments since the reshuffle that people should remain calm. The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party said on Wednesday that it had filed an urgent court application to have Zuma’s decision to remove Gordhan and deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas set aside on the grounds that it was unlawful. The DA is seeking a no-confidence motion against Zuma in parliament, where the ANC has a commanding majority. Similar votes have failed in the past.
NKorea test-fires a missile into sea ahead of Trump-Xi summit SEOUl, AprIl 5 (rEUTErS): North Korea testfired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, ahead of a summit between U.S. and Chinese leaders who are set to discuss Pyongyang’s increasingly defiant arms programme. The missile flew about 60 km (40 miles) from its launch site at Sinpo, a port city on North Korea’s east coast, the South Korean Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Sinpo is home to a North Korean submarine base. The launch comes just a day before the start of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where talks about adding pressure on the North to drop its arms development will take centre stage. “The launch took place possibly in consideration of the U.S. -China summit, while at the same time it was to check its missile capability,” a South Korean official told Reuters about the military’s initial assessment of the launch. The missile was fired at a
high angle and reached an altitude of 189 km (117 miles), the official said. Any launch of objects using ballistic missile technology is a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. The North has defied the ban, saying it infringes on its sovereign rights to self-defence and the pursuit of space exploration. The launch drew swift condemnation from Japan, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying further provocative action was possible. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga described the launch as “extremely problematic” and said Tokyo had lodged a strong protest. South Korea’s foreign ministry also condemned the launch as a blunt challenge to a series of U.N. Security Council resolutions targeting North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme. Seoul called a National Security Council meeting and vowed to respond strongly in case of further provocations. In a terse statement, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said: “The United States
has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment.” Trump wants China to do more to exert its economic influence over unpredictable Pyongyang to restrain its nuclear and missile programmes. Ahead of the U.S.-China summit in Florida, Trump had threatened to use crucial trade ties with China to pressure Beijing into more action on North Korea. A senior U.S. White House official said Trump wanted to work with China and described the discussions over North Korea as a test for the U.S.-Chinese relationship. ICBM THREAT North Korea could choose to continue with missile-related activities through next week, when the isolated and impoverished country celebrates the 105th anniversary of the birth of the state’s founder, Kim Il Sung. It has used the anniversary in previous years to test-fire the intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missile and to launch long-range rockets to try to put satellites into orbit.
An expert on the North’s political strategy warned against reading too much political significance into the timing of the tests ahead of the U.S-China summit. “They may have taken the summit into account to pick a day but, to me, it is more likely to catch up with its own missile development roadmap for their technical needs,” said Kim Dong-yub, a military expert at Kyungnam University’s Institute of Far Eastern Studies in Seoul. North Korea failed in an attempt to launch a ballistic missile from its east coast two weeks ago. Earlier in March, it fired four missiles towards Japan, some of which came as close as 300 km (190 miles) to the Japanese coast. It has also conducted two nuclear weapons tests since January 2016, all in defiance of U.N. sanctions. The U.S. and South Korean militaries said initial assessments indicated the latest launch was of a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile, which would be the same kind North Korea test-launched in February.
Pyongyang tested a new type of medium- to longrange ballistic missile in February, which it later said was an upgraded, extended-range version of its submarinelaunched ballistic missile (SLBM). North Korea has carried out several SLBM tests near Sinpo. “While it is entirely possible it was the land-based KN15, it very well could have been a test of their SLBM system that was conducted on land,” said Dave Schmerler, an expert at the California-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. The North is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could hit the United States and its leader, Kim Jong Un, has vowed to test-launch one at any time. Experts and officials in the South and the United States believe Pyongyang is still some time away from mastering all the technology needed for an operational ICBM system, such as re-entry into the atmosphere and subsequent missile guidance.
In this 2013 archive photo students ride their bicycles in Malaysia’s southern state of Johor. (REUTERS File Photo)
KUAlA lUMpUr, AprIl 5 (rEUTErS): A Malaysian MP said girls as young as nine were “physically and spiritually” ready for marriage, as the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country passed a law on sexual offences against children without criminalising child marriage. Shabudin Yahaya, a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition, made the comments in response to a proposal by an opposition member of parliament to amend the Sexual Offences Against Children bill to include a ban on child marriages. The proposal was voted down by the majority of parliament. “They reach puberty at the age of nine or 12. And at that time, their body is already akin to them being 18 years old. So physically and spiritually, it is not a barrier for the girl to marry,” Shabudin said on Tuesday during a debate on the bill. He also said there was “nothing wrong” with a rape victim marrying her rapist as she would then not face a “bleak future”. Shabudin’s comments sparked outrage on social media, with some opposition politicians asking for him to be fired. In a statement on Wednesday, Shabudin said his comments were taken out of context, and that marriage was not a “back door exit to legalize rape.” He said he rejected the motion to ban child marriages as it was contrary to provisions in sharia law. Under both civil law and Islamic law, girls and boys younger than 18 can be married. Civil law sets the minimum age of marriage at 18, but those above 16 can be married with the permission of
their state’s chief minister. Under Islamic law, children younger than 16 can get married if the Shariah courts allow it. The law passed on Tuesday makes no mention of child marriage. It criminalises “grooming” - touching and befriending children as a prelude to sexual abuse - and spells out penalties for making and possessing pornography involving those under 18. A special court will also be set up under the new law to deal with child sexual abuse cases more quickly. The maximum penalty under the law is a jail term of up to 30 years and six strokes of te whip for making, possessing or distributing child pornography. The new law comes into effect ten months after British paedophile Richard Huckle was found guilty of abusing up to 200 babies and children, mostly in Malaysia. Reuters reported last year that most complaints of child sexual abuse in Malaysia do not lead to successful prosecutions, largely due to weaknesses in the criminal justice system. Only 140 of the 12,987 cases of child sexual abuse reported to police between 2012 and July 2016 resulted in convictions. “The law is more stringent now... but not enough,” Teo Nie Ching, the opposition MP who proposed the ban child marriages, told Reuters. She said offenders would use the absence of a ban on child marriages to get away with crimes as marital rape is not a crime in Malaysia. There have been several cases over the years of rapists marrying theirs victim, including those under 18, to avoid prosecution.
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ThursDAY 06•04•2017
sports
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
late ibra penalty saves Man utd, more sunderland woe
Manchester, april 5 (reuters): Manchester United's struggle to achieve a top-four finish continued on Tuesday as Zlatan Ibrahimovic came to their rescue with an added time penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw against Everton in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Manager Jose Mourinho had to preside over another disjointed United display which ended with Ibrahimovic netting his 16th league goal of the season on his return from suspension to take their unbeaten run to 20 league matches. At the other end of the table, Sunderland moved closer to what seems almost inevitable relegation, beaten 2-0 at Leicester City whose new manager Craig Shakespeare could celebrate a fifth successive league win since taking over from Claudio Ranieri. Mourinho was left bemoaning the loss of more valuable points after a ninth league draw at Old Trafford this term bore all the now familiar hallmarks
Ankle problem could sideline Rooney
london, april 5 (reuters): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney could miss Sunday's Premier League trip to basement side Sunderland due to an ankle problem, manager Jose Mourinho has said. Injuries have restricted Rooney, who missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw with his former club Everton at Old Trafford due to ankle pain, to just three appearances in the last two months. "I don't know but two ankles, I don't think it's easy to recover in a couple of days," Mourinho told British media. United trio Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Juan Mata have already been ruled Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores their first goal from the penalty spot. (Reuters)
of blunt finishing mixed with misfortune. The result left United in fifth place on 54 points, four points behind rivals Manchester City, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot. Mourinho felt United had suffered more bad luck as Ibrahimovic also had a 71st minute headed effort ruled out for the most fractional of offside decisions.
"For me it wasn't an offside," the Portuguese told BT Sport. "Some guys are suffering (from lack of confidence) a bit," he also conceded, while praising his side's effort. In a dramatic finish, a goal-bound shot from Luke Shaw -- a welcome response from the England defender to Mourinho's recent criticism of him -- was handled on the line by Ashley Wil-
liams, who was shown a straight red card before Ibrahimovic tucked away the 94th minute spot kick. JAGIELKA STRIKES Before then, though, it had looked as if seventhplaced Everton were about to leapfrog United in the table on goal difference when a rare and deft Phil Jagielka goal gave the visitors a firsthalf lead. England centre back Ja-
Hoffenheim hand Bayern second league defeat of the season
Berlin, april 5 (reuters): Runaway leaders Bayern Munich suffered only their second Bundesliga defeat of the season when they were beaten 1-0 at surprise package Hoffenheim on Tuesday. Third-placed Hoffenheim, whose 29-year-old coach Julian Nagelsmann is the youngest in the league, dominated the first half and deservedly won with a goal from Andrej Kramaric. Bayern, who have 65 points from 27 games, are still 13 clear of second-placed RB Leipzig, who visit Mainz 05 on Wednesday. Hoffenheim, who had never previously beaten Bayern in the league, are third with 51 and still on course for a Champions League place while Borussia Dortmund remain their closest rivals, remaining fourth after easing past Hamburg SV 3-0.
Bayern were outclassed in the first half and fell behind to a Kramaic half-volley which goalkeeper Sven Ulreich could only deflect into his net. The Bavarians nearly levelled with their first real chance when Roberto Lewandowski's strike hit the crossbar. Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann had more to do in the second half and Bayern nearly snatched an equaliser deep into stoppage time when Lewandowski's closerange shot was deflected wide of the goal. Gonzalo Castro, Shinji Kagawa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shared the goals in Dortmund's win, which left Hamburg -- the only ever-present club in the Bundesliga's 54year history -- just one point clear of Augsburg in the relegation playoff spot.
Saina, Sindhu toppled in Malaysia Open 1st Round
Kuching, april 5 (ians): Indian star shuttlers P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal suffered setbacks in the opening round of the Malaysia Open Superseries Premier, while Ajay Jayaram moved into the men's singles second round here on Wednesday. Sixth seed and 2016 Olympic silver medallist Sindhu was toppled by world No.13 Chen Yufei of China 21-18, 19-21, 17-21. Sindhu's veteran compatriot, Saina fell to in-form Japanese world No.4 Akane Yamaguchi,
who won 19-21, 21-13, 21-15. The men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy also crashed out of the competition. The Indian combine lost to Chinese Taipei's Liao Kuan Hao and Lu Chia Pin 21-18, 18-21, 17-21. World No.19 Jayaram, however crossed the first-round barrier, brushing aside Chinese Qiao Bin 21-11, 21-8. Later in the day, B. Sai Praneeth and the mixed doubles pair of Sumeeth and N. Sikki Reddy will be in action.
Pacquiao 'to fight' Horn in July
Manila, april 5 (aFp): Philippine world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is to fight undefeated Jeff Horn on his home turf in Australia, the Filipino star's camp said Wednesday. The announcement of the July bout ends months of speculation on who the 38-year-old Filipino dubbed "Pac-Man" would face next as he seeks to prolong a stellar career that saw him win world titles in eight different weight classes. "We signed the Jeff Horn contract this morning. Fight is July 2 in Brisbane, Australia," Pacquiao's adviser Mi-
chael Koncz told AFP by text message. Koncz said Pacquiao would be staking his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Horn, 29. He declined to say what the prize money would be. Pacquiao's American promoter Bob Arum had been originally pushing for the Filipino to face Horn in Australia but in a surprise development, Pacquiao and British boxer Amir Khan announced separately in February that they would fight on April 23. But the deal spectacularly fell through with Arum describing the reported $38 million United Arab Emirates fight to the Los Angeles Times as "pie in the sky". After Horn, Koncz said he was still hoping to set up a Pacquiao fight with Khan in either the Middle East or the Philippines in October or November. Pacquiao, who has been hailed as a virtual national hero in his home country, briefly retired early last year and then ran and won a seat in the Philippine senate. But the retirement was short-lived as Pacquiao, who said he missed the ring, made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November.
gielka showed the predatory instincts of a goal poacher, latching on to Williams' header from a 22nd-minute corner and, with back to goal, holding off Marcos Rojo to conjure a shot that trickled between keeper David de Gea's legs. Jagielka's first goal this term prompted an urgent response from United, with Ander Herrera's effort striking the bar, but even with Ibrahimovic back in the
team, United were blunt, with Paul Pogba also heading against the bar after the break. "Did we have chances? Yes. Did we hit the post as always? Yes. Did the keeper play well against us as always? Yes. Did a decision go against us? Yes," Mourinho said. Leicester's sixth straight win in all competitions under Shakespeare with second-half goals from Islam Slimani and Jamie Vardy completed a miserable day
out of the Sunderland game after sustaining long-term injuries last month. Defenders Smalling and Jones were injured on international duty with England last month, while Spanish midfielder Mata has undergone surgery on a groin problem. However, right back Antonio Valencia is likely to return after being rested for the Everton game. Back-to-back home draws have seen fifth-placed United lose ground in the race to finish in the top four Champions League slots but they will look to return to winning ways when they travel to the Stadium of Light.
for Sunderland boss David Moyes. Earlier on Tuesday, Sunderland had offered support to Moyes while also saying comments that he made to a female BBC reporter after his team's defeat at the weekend, suggesting she "might get a slap", had been "wholly inappropriate." Moyes has since apologised for the comments. The defeat left Sunderland three points adrift at the foot of the table, still
eight points from the safety zone. Watford won a second match in succession by beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0, with Troy Deeney becoming the first player to score in four straight Premier League games at Vicarage Road. Burnley also eased the pressure on themselves, ending a seven-match streak without a victory as George Boyd got the winner just before the hour in a 1-0 triumph over Stoke City.
public discourse
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Z. Lohe
The duel of AcAuT and NpF
e all have closely watched the paper duel between ACAUT and NPF on account of corruption charges levelled against NPF Govt. by anti-corruption organisation, ACAUT, which was formed in 2013. The purpose of forming ACAUT is to be a watchdog and to voice against illegal and corrupt activities in the State of Nagaland. Had ACAUT remained silent over those major and minor scams as highlighted by ACAUT on 31.3.17 under NPF led DAN Govt., it would have become irrelevant. And in absence of formidable opposition in the Assembly, had not ACAUT been active, Nagaland would have been mortgaged by people in power. The ACAUT has been cleaning the dirty linen for the sake of common man during the last four years and its contribution to society is immense. For instances, had not the ACAUT exposed the fuel adulteration, by now the business would have been expanded and legalized. Had not the rice scam in Civil Supplies Deptt. been caught red handed and exposed, the PDS would have totally fizzled out. One can go on, but for the sake of sharing space just to mention few. I was part of the Congress ministries prior to the advent of the DAN Govt. in 2003, and I can never vouch for our ministries to be perfect. Yet, during our time we had respect for the system of governance and we protected the system despite of our imperfections. Whereas, today, the system is destroyed. There is no more system of governance. Rules of Executive Business has practically
disappeared. Be it recruitment of manpower, be it promotion of employees, be it allotment of contract or supply work, be it release of payments to contractors and suppliers, no rule seemed to be followed. “Mati norom, tyre khushi, khushi” was once the NLA adage prior to introduction of Anti-Defection Law and it has revisited. The head of a Govt. institute told me recently that some suppliers floated tender for supply of few items to his institute. A firm whose quoted rates on the specified items were found reasonable and was selected. The authority ordered the firm to execute the order within the stipulated time. The supplier then approached the head of the institute and pleaded that he cannot supply those items at the rates quoted by himself. The reason was that ‘these days’ no one supplies the materials despite of the coded formalities. The supplier insisted that paper works be completed and the bill be drawn to be shared between the parties. The head of the institute had to succumb to the pressure. This is how Nagaland is governed. And who cares? Who bothers? No politician cares. No bureaucrat cares. Except the ACAUT, the NTC and few others including countable individuals. Whereas, the NPF was found virulent in defence of its Govt. particularly in its three successive statements on 28.3.17, 30.3.17 and 1.4.17 respectively. The NPF claimed that appointments are given to deserving Naga youths but ‘not to any outsiders’. Should any prima facie of induction of non-locals into service
be produced by anyone in near future, I hope NPF will stand by this statement. What you boast about ‘several warnings’ so given by your leaders in camera are not solution to the problems. Warning is necessarily meant for pre-emptive measure. The post action measures are disciplinary actions. Can warnings be suffice when crimes are committed? Such post action warnings are the humming of winter bee. A Govt. without disciplinary action is dead. The most unfortunate posture adopted by NPF is to have the temerity to brand the charges of ACAUT as ‘grandiose’. Can the magnitude of the corruption which has been endemic during the last 14 years in Nagaland be a mere grandiose? Quoting the 30.3.17 statement of NPF that ‘The NPF is pro poor party, and therefore, it shall not do anything detrimental to public benefit’. Fantastic! What NPF talks must carry credibility. Better not talk something which you never walk the talk. In NPF’s parlance, non release of salaries to its employees for months together is called pro poor. Using water cannon against teachers who urged the Govt. to pay them their salary through peaceful agitation was a remarkable pro poor action. Ignoring to pay 10% matching share in RD Deptt. and due to which DRDA staff cannot get salary for 9 months is an appreciable pro poor scheme. Siphoning hundreds of crores of rupees meant for developments is called pro poor. Abandoning roads throughout the State of Nagaland
is very pro poor. The endless pro poor policies and activities are being highlighted almost everyday by CAG. Had it not been for space one can go on. The NPF rightly claims that it is the oldest regional party in the NE. Therefore, I expect its statements and reactions to opinions expressed by others on the performances of the Govt. to contain wisdom, maturity, rationality and realism. The NPF’s reaction to ACAUT is nothing less than bullying as though ACAUT can be frightened. Quoting the 1st April statement ‘that NPF does not defend or condone any kind of corruption in the system...’ If the party really means by this policy, what ACAUT has exposed should be appreciated, introspect and corrective measures taken. On the contrary, the actions of ACAUT are considered a nuisance and therefore branded ACUT as ‘un-mandated organisation’ to the extent of calling the members as ‘few busy bodies’. ‘...the deep rooted corruption in the society is all pervading and required concerted efforts of everyone to eradicate it’ is what is the ground reality. The ACAUT did not ask DAN to perform ‘miracle’. If NPF led DAN becomes sincere in its effort to mitigate the dimension of corruption as a beginning for reformation, I am sure the ACAUT and the rest of the right thinking bodies and individuals are ready to cooperate. Please do not do double talk, but admit when required. No amount of artificial arguments can overshadow the magnitude of exposures made by ACAUT and CAG.
Resentment against the DSE regarding promotion No Naga will disturb or and subsequent cancellation of G/Ts and SIS hinder their surrendering Moala
I
Dimapur
wish to bring to your attention and the readers regarding the promotion of senior graduate teachers and Sub-Inspector of schools vide order no.DSEPROM/1-78/2015 dt 11th march 2017 and the subsequent cancellation of the same by the Department of School Education which was published in The Morung Express on March 30, 2017. I am not one of the pro-
motees but I'm writing this on their behalf. (I wonder why they are not voicing out their anger!!) The DSE has played with the lives of 113 people by issuing the promotion order and cancelling it according to their whims and fancies. Why the cancellation? It was stated in the paper that because of the interim order given by the court on 26.11.2015 and 01.02.2016 in W.P. (C) No.214 (K)/2015, the promotion order was cancelled. If so, the promotion
list (Order) should not have been issued. Or was the screening not at all done properly by the officials when every year the incumbents lists with all the details are submitted by the schools? In the promotion list, there was inclusion of non-B.Ed teachers too!!Why is the department so negligent?? What do you think the deserving promotees who had served the department for 24 years or more are feeling now when release order has already been issued by
their respective schools and farewell function already been held?? Now, do you imagine they would like to go back happily to their previous schools? Are the G/Ts 'Robots' without any feelings? Why is the department treating them like 'yo-yos'? say there should be transparency in the department. Corruption and nepotism should be done away with!! I pray that good judgement prevail among our officials so that God's blessings (not wrath) be invoked upon them.
The smallness of many a mind
Dr. Dietho-o
O
Kohima
f late many articles in our local dailies have projected a gloomy picture and a bleak future in matters relating to Nagaland state as well as Naga Movement as a whole. The odds and failures/ disappointments seem to have overshadowed all our past struggles and achievements. This only shows the smallness and shallowness of our thinking and convictions.
Ours is not a closed and limited system of existence operating within its own internal resources only. Ours is an open world and universe created and sustained by PERSONALITY! As image-bearers we have been endowed with a conscience to work on and move on in life with purpose no problems or difficulties can daunt or dismay. Nagas should not forget that we are planted where we are with a purpose. How much and how far this can mount up or stretch out depends on
factors within and without our control. Our choices and responses must be appropriate. When truth and love rule in our hearts, we can brace up ourselves to face any situation. Each time we must muster enough courage to love our own people and our own land. We can also prepare ourselves to do the same to the people of India and Burma/Myanmar. That way we can build up a future together for peaceful coexistence and communal harmony. We cannot
change history and geography, but we can change the way we exist together mutually as friendly neighbours and responsible citizens. Seeds for the common good can be sown for posterity. Seeds for moderate climate! There is nothing to fear, because we are in our Father’s world which is safe and secure for us. Rather fear the dark shadows in our minds. We must all stand tall and bold as Nagas. Wake up and work hard. Nothing will go in vain.
Thomas
F
NNC Member
ollowing the formation of the NSCN,the Nagas suffered untold,lost good leaders and thousands of Naga lives in the hands of NSCN leaders, and at the cost of tears and bloods of innocent Nagas, the NSCN-IM leaders built up their lofty buildings and luxurious lives (see the Hebron Camp). On the other hand they have tremendouslystrangulated the economy of Nagaland. All these undeniable facts are known bythe whole Nagaland people including those who are writing in support of the NSCN-IM’s framework agreement for surrendering. The Nagas did not support and encourage the killings carried out by the NSCN-IM and will neither involve nor support the surrendering of the NSCN-IM following the framework agreement. So, let not the NSCNIM leaders and supporters threaten the other Nagas for thinking as though they are hindering NSCN process for surrendering. No! no Naga will disturb or hinder them (IM). The Nagas are fed-up with the NSCN-IM’s anti-national and anti-social activities,money extortions, threatening and killings. The Nagas therefore will feel happy when the NSCN-IM surrendered like the Revolutionary government did in 1973. Also, let them not think they could deceive the Nagas any more at the ending hour of the NSCN by beautiful write ups in the good names of Sumi or Angami. The fact they should know that even if some few NSCN Tangkhuls(not most of the Tangkhuls) know nothing about the NNC, Angamis and Sumis know well about the NNC, the Naga national affairs and know the right person who should represent the Naga nation to speak for the future of Nagaland. They need no NSCN Tangkhulsto guide them or teach them for their future. Had not Muivahand some Tangkhulsdisturbed them, they might have achieved the Naga national goal long before. I believe their ability and admire their sincerity and integrity.
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.
Thursday 06•04•2017
EntErtainmEnt
Sunny Leone returns to school to learn new skills
T
he new Laila of Bollywood Sunny Leone is one actor who does not believe in sitting calm after one success. She is the one who wishes to learn new skills to take steps forward in the world of cinema. This is why the Jism 2 actor has decided to enroll herself in a school in Los Angeles to take formal training in script writing and editing. Sunny has been contemplating about the course for a long time now but her professional commitments kept her busy and she didn’t get time to take it up. Now that the actor has finally got a break, she is no mood to let the golden opportunity go out of her hands. Expressing her excitement to TOI, Sunny said, “I’m really excited to go back to school to learn something new.” At the launch event of her own app, Sunny revealed that she does fear failures but there is nothing she can do about it. “There is nothing I can do if a film does well or not… I can only try my best to do a great job. I want to be better with each film released,” said Sunny. On the work front, Sunny will next be seen in Tera Intezaar, where she will be seen sharing screen space with actor Arbaaz Khan. Talking about the film, Sunny told IANS, “It’s a film story we both like. It’s in the romantic thriller space and I hope people like it.” Source: Indian Express
‘Batman and Harley Quinn’ animated movie is breaking the internet
F 'Man Down' Sells Only One Ticket in U.K. Debut
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ver the weekend, Shia LaBeoufstarrer Man Down sold only one ticket in its limited U.K. opening at a cinema in Burnley. That's according to comScore, which reported a gross of £7, or $8.70. Man Down debuted simultaneously on digital platforms in the U.K., meaning it was never going to be a big earner in theaters. But no one expected only one ticket sale. As of Tuesday, the Reel Cinema in Burnley was still carrying Man Down, which also stars Gary Oldman, Jai Courtney and Kate Mara. In the film, LaBeouf stars as a war
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veteran suffering from PTSD following his return from Afghanistan. The indie project, reuniting the star with A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints director Dito Montile, made its world premiere at the 2016 Venice Film Festival before making a stop at the Toronto International Film Festival. Man Down fared better in the U.S. than in the U.K., earning $454,490 following a limited theatrical run in early December. Lionsgate Premiere, a label devoted to early VOD releases, handled the film domestically.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Twitter Rips Pepsi, Kendall Jenner for ‘Tone-Deaf’ Protest Commercial
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n an attempt to court a politically active younger demographic, Pepsi may have instead set them off. A new ad for the soft drink stars Kendall Jenner as a high-fashion model, donning a blonde wig in the midst of a protest. It’s not clear what the protest is supposed to be about — many of the signs read general phrases like “Join the conversation” and “love.” Beckoned by one of the protesters, Jenner eventually rips off her blonde wig and joins the fray. Grabbing a can of Pepsi, she heads toward one of the grim-faced police officers, and hands him a drink. He accepts and smiles, eliciting cheers from the crowd. It’s hard not to compare the image of Jenner handing the can to the police officer to the award-winning photo from a Baton Rouge,
La., protest against police brutality last July. In it, Ieshia Evans can be seen, calm and collected, offering her hands for arrest to a group of riot-gear-clad police officers. In the YouTube description for the commercial, titled “Live for Now
Moments Anthem,” Pepsi calls it “a short film about the moments when we decide to let go, choose to act, follow our passion and nothing holds us back.” It features “Lions” by Skip Marley. Following the release of the ad, Pepsi quickly
began trending in the U.S. on Twitter, as many social media users ripped it to shreds. Reactions ranged from humorous jabs (“Hi, I’m Rachel Dolezal for Crystal Pepsi”) to calls for whoever greenlit the commercial to be fired. Source: Variety
Suniel Shetty to host reality show
B
ollywood actor Suniel Shetty has been roped in to host an upcoming sport based reality TV series. Titled "India's Asli Champion... Hai Dum", the show will test physical and mental endurance of contestants from different walks of life. "I am thrilled to be a part of 'India's Asli Champion,' a show that thrives on inspiration and perseverance. It will test the contestants' will power to go that extra mile when their physical strength gives up," Suniel said in a statement. The &TV show will mark Suniel's return to the small screen as a host after his 2007 series, "Biggest Loser Jeetega". The 55-year-old actor was last seen on the big screen in "The Shaukeens" and "Jai Ho", in cameo appearances. Produced by Colosceum Media Pvt. Ltd, the show is slated to premiere soon on &TV. Source: PTI
VISION TRINITY COMEBACK: Vision Trinity is preparing for their first Video Album from their cover song "THREE IN ONE" which will be releasing on April 6. Band main vocalistNunese Sale, Lead-Tseibu Suohu, Rhythm-Luingem, Bassis-Vikepe, Drummer-Shorok. Viewers can check out on FB/Instagram or stream/download on Youtube.
or those waiting with bated breath for 'Batman and Harley Quinn', here's something that will make your wait slightly easier. The sneak peek of the much-awaited animated movie is out now and it's bound to leave you spellbound! Not just that, voiceover actor for the 'Batman' animated series, Kevin Conroy took to Twitter to confirm that he will be back as the Caped Crusader in the new animated film. Meanwhile, 'The Big Bang Theory' actress Melissa Rauch will be voicing the character of Harley Quinn along with Loren Lester, who will give voice to Nightwing. DC Animation announced the film at the San Diego ComicCon last year. The first look of the film, which was dropped online by the makers, sees the amazing trio in a Bat mobile gearing up for their new mission. Source: TNN
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Thursday 06•04•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
10th edition of IPL off to perfect start Westbrook ties NBA triple-double
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Hyderabad, april 5 (iaNS): The 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) had a perfect start at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Wednesday with the opening ceremony providing some real entertainment for the holiday crowd. The nearly two-month non-stop action got off to a flying start with Bollywood actress Amy Jackson setting the stage on fire with her performance. The opening ceremony began with 'Chale Chalo', the famous song from blockbuster 'Lagaan'. It was the first in a series of eight opening ceremonies, one in each hosting venue. This is the first time in the IPL's history that the organisers have decided to provide some glamour quotient before the beginning of the first match in all the venues. The opening ceremony also saw cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and V.V.S. Laxman sharing their experience of the IPL. Tendulkar said he never thought the IPL would become such a huge event. "It's been a long journey," said former India captain Ravi Shastri, about
Kohli wins Wisden's 'Leading Cricketer' honour
NeW delHi, april 5 (reuterS): India captain Virat Kohli has been named the "Leading Cricketer in the World" in this year's edition of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, the publication announced on Wednesday. Pakistan test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and senior batsman Younis Khan were among the five "Cricketers of the Year", a group which also includes the English trio of Ben Duckett, Chris Woakes and Toby Roland-Jones. The five players cannot have been chosen before and the emphasis remains on the English summer. Australia's Ellyse Perry was named the world's leading women's cricketer. Barring the just-concluded home series against Australia, Kohli had a fairytale year in which the batsman averaged more than anyone in all three formats, while his team lost only once in their 13-test home season. Kohli's 235 in the Mumbai test against England cemented his place as "the spiritual successor to Sachin Tendulkar", editor Lawrence Booth wrote. Kohli is the third Indian, after Virender Sehwag (2008, 2009) and Tendulkar (2010), to have won the honour.
the IPL. The flashback big moments of the last nine editions of the IPL were shown on the screen. The home crowd loudly cheered Sunrisers Hyderabad as last year's champions took on runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). There were loud cheers when RCB captain Virat
Kohli, who was not playing due to injury, led the team on to the field and presented a token of truce to SRH skipper David Warner. The weather was cloudy and pleasant. There was a significant drop in the temperature due to the change in the weather in the evening. The unseasonal rain ac-
companied by strong winds on Tuesday had some impact on the preparations and with the met office forecasting more rain on Wednesday, the organisers were keeping their fingers crossed. They heaved a sigh of relief as it did not rain and the mercury dipped to 33 degree Celsius, a significant drop from 40, the highest temperature of the
season recorded last week. With Wednesday being a holiday on account of Ramanavmi, the stadium was full to its capacity much before the beginning of the opening ceremony. They cheered lustily when Warner hit a couple of boundaries and the first six of this year's edition. However, the captain's innings ended in the very second over.
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UEFA unanimously approves term limits for top officials HelSiNKi, april 5 (reuterS): European soccer governing body UEFA approved term limits for its top officials, including its president, on Wednesday and agreed that venues for club competition finals should be chosen by a "transparent" process. Under the changes, the UEFA president and members of the executive com-
record, Cavaliers and Warriors win
mittee will be able to serve a maximum of three fouryear terms. Previously, there was no limit on how long they could hold office. UEFA's 55 member association unanimously voted for the change at their annual Congress in Helsinki. They also agreed that officials could only be elected to the executive committee
if they held an "active office" with their country's Football Association. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said this would ensure that "they are not out of touch with reality but tuned into what is happening on the ground." A third change is that venues for the Champions League and Europa League finals will be selected
through what Ceferin described as a "fully objective manner through a transparent bidding procedure". Ceferin added: "Surprising at it may seem, it was not always the case in the past." The changes will be written into the UEFA statutes and will come into effect on July 1. Football confederations have been under
pressure to improve governance and transparency after global soccer body FIFA became embroiled in a graft scandal two years ago. Several dozen officials were indicted in the United States while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini were among those banned by FIFA's own ethics committee.
A confident Mokokchung District Veteran Football Association team (standing) pose for the lens along with members of the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telungjem (MTLT) at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, April 4. The veteran football team representing Mokokchung district will be leaving for Phek tomorrow to participate in the 8th Nagaland Veteran Football Championship 2017. MTLT visited the MDVFA camp and met with the players and management to boost their spirits in the run up to the tournament.
loS aNgeleS, april 5 (aFp): Russell Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson's record for most triple-doubles in an NBA season on Tuesday, his 41st tripledouble of the campaign fueling the Oklahoma City Thunder's 110-79 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Westbrook drained a three-pointer just before halftime to finish the first half with 12 points. Minutes into the third period he notched his 10th rebound and within seconds had delivered a 10th assist on Taj Gibson's basket that put the Thunder up 67-42. Fans in Oklahoma City went wild, and chants of "M-V-P! M-V-P!" rang out for Westbrook, who raised an arm in acknowledgement as the feat was recognized by the arena announcer when play was stopped. "It's something I could never have dreams of growing up," said Westbrook, who can break the record Robertson set in the 196162 season on Wednesday night against the Grizzlies in Memphis. "To be able to be on this stage with this group of guys, it's unbelievable and a blessing." Westbrook finished the game with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists and the playoff-bound Thunder snapped a two-game skid. "It was a special night," Westbrook said. "Something I'll definitely never forget. I am truly honored to do it here in Oklahoma City." With a seventh straight triple-double, Westbrook matched his career-high streak fashioned earlier this season. Westbrook's 41 triple-
doubles this season are more than 10 NBA teams have amassed in their club histories. Cavaliers great LeBron James took his career tally of triple-doubles to 54 on Tuesday with his 12th of the season, scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Cleveland's 122102 victory over the Orlando Magic. The reigning champion Cavs limbered up for a Wednesday duel with the Boston Celtics for the Eastern Conference lead. Their victory pulled them level with the Celtics atop the East. Cleveland, coming off a double-overtime home victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, got off to a slow start and trailed 55-53 at halftime. The Cavaliers produced nine three-pointers as they seized control in the third quarter. J.R. Smith made four of his five three-pointers in the third and Kyle Korver made two of his three from beyond the arc in the third. "No one can survive that," Magic coach Frank Vogel said. Kevin Love led Cleveland with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving added 24 points and Smith scored 19. Korver, back in action after a four-game absence with a left foot injury, scored 11 off the bench. While James downplayed the significance of Wednesday's showdown with the Celtics, Love said it would be a good test with the playoffs fast approaching. "It will be good for us," Love said. "I think it will get us even more prepared, even more locked-in, win or lose."
- Spurs claw past Grizzlies There were wins for the top two teams in the West as the Golden State Warriors cruised to a 121107 victory over the Minnesota Timber wolves while the San Antonio Spurs battled to a 95-89 overtime victory over the Grizzlies. Klay Thompson poured in 41 points for the Warriors, who won their 12th straight game. Thompson's second 40-point game of the season featured seven threepointers in 14 attempts. Stephen Curry drained three three-pointers on his way to 19 points and handed out a game-high nine assists. The Spurs and Grizzlies were tied 86-86 with 2:15 to play in overtime before Pau Gasol and Patty Mills nailed three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to put the Spurs ahead for good. Kawhi Leonard made three free throws in the final minute to seal it, finishing with 32 points and 12 rebounds. The lead had changed hands three times in a frantic final minute of regulation, with San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge, fed by a crisp inbounds pass from Gasol, scoring with 1.6 seconds remaining to force overtime. Elsewhere in the West, the Portland Trail Blazers were left clinging to a halfgame lead over the Denver Nuggets for the eighth and final playoff seed after they were dominated 106-87 by the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets pulled off a crucial 134-131 victory in New Orleans that eliminated the Pelicans from playoff contention.
DDCA declares U-16 probables
dimapur, april 5 (mexN): After conducting the 6th Dimapur District Inter School Cricket Tournament for the Under-16 age group, the Dimapur District Cricket Association has declared the following players for further selection to the district team. According to a press release, the DDCA would further conduct coaching camps from the probables and finally select the DDCA Under-16 team. The selected players would then undergo age verification and bone test as per the BCCI norms, before being sent for the selection of the Nagaland U-16 team. (A) Eligible Registered Players of (2015-16) 1) Cheide Lasuh – Christian HSS 2) Kamugha Chishi – St Mary H.S.S 3) Tiaren Amer – St. Mary H.S.S 4) Lanu Nochet – Christian Mission HSS 5) Ankit Yadav – Ramjanaki HSS 6) Visezolie Rupreo – Hebron HSS 7) Daniel Jamir – El-Saddhai Academy (B) Selected players from DDCA Inter-School, 2017 1) Kundan Gupta, Vicky Das, Yuvrah Mansuri and Kamran Khan – Zakiesato MHSS 2) Rohit Shah, Prasant Behra – Ramjanaki HSS 3) Arjun Yadav, Kunal Sharma and Sumit Bashak – Little Star HSS 4) Suraj Paswan – St. Mary’s HSS 5) Sumit Paul, Ajay Kumar – SD Jain HSS 6) Ikugha Yeptho – HMC School 7) Musharaf Ali – Bronson School 8) Aman Lama – MGM HSS 9) Arjun Yadav – Millenial Vision School 10) Prakash Mahela, Shahid Khan – Christian HSS 11) Moajunshi Longkumer, Kavito Lemtur and Aboka Chopy – G. Masiu School Meanwhile all interested Higher Secondary Schools, Colleges, and Clubs are informed to contact DDCA officials for the forms of Under-19 tournament on April 7. Contact – Chuba Lotha @ 9402696735 or Bil Mech @ 8415869357. All participating players should be born on or after 1-9-1999. Published, Printed and Edited by Dr. Aküm Longchari from House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur at Themba Printers and Morung Publications , Padum Pukhuri Village, Dimapur, Nagaland. RNI No : NAGENG /2005/15430. House No.4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur 797112, Nagaland. Phone: Dimapur -(03862) 248854, Fax: (03862) 235194, Kohima - (0370) 2291952
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