August 14th 2014

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www.morungexpress.com

The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 222

Rajnath quietly cut out of senior officers’ appointments [ PAGE 8]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

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www.morungexpress.com

Pain is the doorway to wisdom and to truth

Audrey Hepburn’s granddaughter on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar [ PAGE 11]

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Thursday, August 14, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Keith Miller

‘Examine and change wrongs in Naga society’ [ PAGE 2]

Ronaldo leads Real to lift Super Cup

[ PAGE 3]

[ PAGE 12]

‘More than 9,100 HIV positive patients in Assam’

ralan continues to remain tense

144 CRPC clamped

Mkg sP issues travel advisory

MOKOKCHUNG, AUGUST 13 (MExN): The Mokokchung Superintendent of Police, Vikram M Khalate has advised the public of Mokokchung district not to travel via Assam. A notification from the Mokokchung SP stated that this travel advisory has been issued due to the “prevailing tense law and order situation in Assam.”

Morung Express News Ralan (Wokha) | August 13

The situation in Ralan area in the Assam-Nagaland border was contained to some extent following a joint meeting between the administration and police of the Golaghat and Wokha Sir You’re going the wrong districts on Wednesday, way…Ralan is this way. along with the neutral force CRPF manning the disturbed area belt (DAB).

To check further eruption of violence and arNEW DELHI, AU- son, the joint meeting also GUST 13 (PTI): Petrol agreed to promulgate 144 price will be cut by Rs CRPC on both sides of the 1.89-2.38 per litre from border. The curfew will be August 15, Oil Minister enforced from 6 pm to 6 am Dharmendra Pradhan daily till normalcy returns. announced on WednesThe meeting held at the day. In perhaps for the CRPF camp, Rengmapani, first instance of a minis- was also attended by Nater announcing the re- galand Parliamentary Secduction in price of petrol retary for Border Affairs, which was deregulated Thomas Lotha, and Assam or freed from govern- Parliamentary Secretary ment control in June 2010, Pradhan took to for Home, Atuwa Munda. his twitter account to say The joint meeting further that the fuel price will be agreed to deployment of cut from midnight of Au- Nagaland Police forces gust 14/15. “Price of Pet- in Naga villages along the rol will be reduced from border areas to contain law midnight of 14/15 Au- and order.

On resettlement of disgust 2014 in the range of Rs 1.89-2.38 (Rs 2.18/li- placed Adivasis whose tre at Delhi),” he tweeted. houses were burnt down, Pradhan made the an- Nagaland administration nouncement more than and police requested their 31 hours before the price Assam counterparts not to cut is to be implemented.

Petrol rates to be cut by over Rs 2

A house is seen in flames in Old Ralan village under Wokha district on Wednesday, August 13. (Morung Photo)

immediately start resettlement as the situation in the area was still volatile. The Nagaland side suggested that before the move to resettle the displaced Adivasis, leaders of the two affected communities (Lothas and Adivasis) should first meet and start confidence building measures.

Earlier, in the morning, more than 50 houses belonging to Adivasis settled in Lotha villages including Ralan Old, Chandalashung ‘A’ and ‘B’, Yangpha and Rongsu were torched by Naga villagers. Some Adivasi hutments at Old Ralan were also set afire just be-

fore the visit of the Assam officials led by Parliamentary Secretary Munda, who also witnessed the incident.

It was learnt that around 10,000 displaced Adivasis are presently taking shelter at Uriamghat adjacent to Liphanyan.

Sources also said early in the morning, an agitated Adivasi mob keen to return to their settlements, gheraod and set on fire the CRPF camp at Uriamghat and the CRPF opened blank fire to disperse the mob. Earlier in the day, the tri junction at Old Ralan was crowded with Lotha villagers and volunteers coming from as

far as Wokha town.

Parliamentary Secretary for Border Affairs, Thomas Lotha, who visited the affected area also held a meeting with Lotha villagers and appealed for restraint from both sides.

“Nagas will think ten time times before fighting with the indigenous Assamese as they consider Ahoms as their elder brother. But it is the landless migrants backed by Maoists groups and anti-social elements who are creating situation in the area and try to sow enmity among Nagas and Assamese”, Thomas said.

He said both Assamese

and Nagas must realize that outsiders are all out to create situation in the DAB to grab land.

Home Minister appeals for calm in border area Nagaland state Home Minister, Y Patton today called for co-operation from all sides in order to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the Assam-Nagaland border area. This, the Home Minister asserted, is crucial to facilitate an “acceptable solution” for both the states.

Patton, in a press statement, said that the August 12 incident at Ralan area,

under Wokha district, “is a reminder for both the states of Assam and Nagaland as to how much damage the illegal immigrants can do to both the people of Assam and Nagaland.”

He informed that despite “continuous provocation,” the villagers of Ralan area have been “restraining all through these years.”

However, he expressed concern over what he termed as the “surprise attack by a huge number of Adivasis along with their militant wing (the socalled ALNA) on the villagers of Ronsu yan and some other adjoining villages at Ralan area...” This, the Home Minister stated had “compelled the villagers of Ralan area to retaliate the onslaught of the Adivasis as an act of self defence.”

He recalled that there have been “many instances in the past where illegal immigrants, mainly Adivasis and Bangladeshis, had created havoc in the AssamNagaland Border areas.”

Patton assured that the Nagaland state government has

been “closely monitoring by showing patience, which should not be misconstrued as mute spectator.”

The Nagaland Home Minister has urged that Assam state government to “realise that it is not the Nagas who provoke the situation but it is the illegal immigrants who creates tension in the Assam-Nagaland borders, which needs to be condemned by one and all.”

Patton further appealed to the people of Wokha District, especially the Ralan area, to “remain calm.” He assured that the Nagaland state government “is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and will not shy away from its responsibility in protecting the lives and properties of the villagers in the border areas.” He further informed that the state government is “fully in touch with the Government of India to tackle the situation in a more befitting manner.” “I assure you that Government will do whatever it can within its disposal to resolve the present crisis,” he stated.

‘I want justice to be done’ KSU suspends 2nd phase agitation

China urges public to walk, ride bikes to Departmental help cut smog ‘confusion’ BEIJING, AUGUST 13 (REUTERS): China leads to has issued a “behavioural standards” guide student losing to combat pollution and reduce environmental admission on damage, urging people to do everything from quota seat

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walking and riding bicycles to buying goods with less packaging. The Chinese government has identified public participation as a key element in its efforts to reverse some of the environmental damage done by more than three decades of breakneck economic growth.

The list of eight standards, published on the environment ministry’s website (www.mep. gov.cn) on Wednesday, urged citizens to refrain from burning garbage, and limit the use of fireworks and barbecues. It also urged the public to take responsibility for pollution by reporting illegal behaviour to the authorities. Amendments to the country’s Environmental Protection Law, passed on April, made it an obligation for all Chinese citizens to protect the environment. A local government study showed in April that 31 percent of the smog in China’s capital Beijing is derived from vehicles, 22.4 percent from coal burning and 18.1 percent from industry. Beijing’s environmental bureau said 14.1 percent was made up of other smaller sources like food preparation, livestock rearing and vehicle repairs.

Morung Express News Dimapur | August 13

Till the start of July this year, Watinaro A. Imsong (18), was working hard to make sure her dream to study Horticulture came true.

She gave her All India PreMedical Test (AIPMT) and secured the 62nd position.

To her joy, a reservation through the Government of India’s North Eastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), opened up an opportunity to pursue a B.Sc. Horticulture at the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni, Himachal Pradesh. She was nominated from the Nagaland seat.

Papers secured, she made the long journey from Dimapur to New Delhi to Kalka to Nauni with her family and luggage to secure her admission at the University. Then the trauma began.

“I was told on arrival that another candidate had been nominated against the single reserved seat for Nagaland from the NEC—he had already taken admission. We were shocked!” narrates Watinaro, now back in Nagaland. The two students, incidentally batch mates from Kohima Science College, spoke immediately.

Orgs seek intervention

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 13 (MExN): The Yaongyimsen Students’ Union (YSU) has stated in a press release on August 12 that “unfounded act of recommending a non-eligible candidate, based on nepotism, sets a bad precedent for the concerned state department and in particular, places the career of a potential student like Miss. Watinaro Imsong at stake.” While “awaiting the delivery of justice,” the YSU hoped that “the competent authority intervene at this juncture and to facilitate her admission through the proper route, so as to correct the situation even for the future aspirants.”

The ACAUT Nagaland, meanwhile, has requested the Naga Students’ Federation to be “pro-active” in the given situation “since careers of meritorious students are at stake.”

The Dimapur Ao Youth Organization has demanded that the concerned authority ensure the aggrieved student, “obtains her deserving admission at the said University.” A press note from the AYO termed the issue as “discrimination” and pointed out that there was a “serious nature of discrepancy and unfairness.”

He claimed to have secured the NEC quota seat as well. While Watinaro’s nomination came from Nagaland’s Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, which had set up a procedure to nominate meritorious students from Nagaland State for the reserved seat, the other student’s nomination came from the Directorate of Horticulture, endorsed by the NEC, through unknown criteria for nomination. The recommendation came from the Director of the Directorate of Horticulture, closely related to the student who secured the admission.

Lost at sea, Watinaro asked the University to take some action, which in turn wrote to the NEC for clarification. From morning to evening, for a week, the family stood at the University office hoping for positive news. The NEC

has not responded till date.

As per documents available with The Morung Express, the NEC produced a flurry of paperwork for the Directorate of Horticulture nomination, with discrepancies, which led to a mess that led to “mental and physical torture” of Watinaro and her family, as she puts it.

The two Nagaland Government directorates involved seemed to have skipped consulting each other on the nomination from the State. On noting the “confusion” after having received a letter of complaint alleging “nepotism” from the aggrieved student, the Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland wrote to the NEC on August 5 that the NEC had “communicated to the Directors of Higher & Technical Education, as well as the Directors of Horticulture of the con-

cerned States, of allocation of the respective seats. This has given rise to confusion in the nomination against the said seat in respect of Nagaland.” The Chief Secretary further asked for the meritorious student, Watinaro, to be “accommodated” by creating another seat under the NEC quota. Meanwhile, in a letter to the University concerned, the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education has stated that “during 2014 the state Government has decided to adopt the AIPMT as the basis for selection and nomination of candidates for admission into medical and allied courses,” as per which Watinaro Imsong was “selected and nominated” to the B.Sc. Horti as the “state nominee against the seat allocated to the Government of Nagaland…by virtue of her merit rank..”

From a “low income background,” the student feels like her dreams and hard work on the exams could well be “wasted,” just like her admission budget was on running behind government departments. A stand has still not been made clear to her by the Government as the course at the University is underway.

“I want justice to be done—I want to reclaim my right towards my candidature awarded by the nodal department, the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, Nagaland,” says Watinaro, demoralized about her future and career but ready to stand up for her right, “so that no other candidate will suffer and face this kind of situation in the future.”

Nagaland govt provides assurances to review modality of NP&G

KOHIMA, AUGUST 13 (MExN): The Kyong Students Union (KSU) has decided to “temporarily suspend” its proposed second phase of agitation regarding oil exploration in the State. A press note from the KSU informed that this decision was taken based on “assurance of the government to review the modality of the final report of the Cabinet Sub-Committee of Nagaland on Petroleum and Natural Gas (NP&G) and the Rules and Regulation 2012.”

The KSU had met Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang in Kohima to discuss the said issue. In the meeting, Amos Odyuo, President of the KSU placed his submissions in regard to the Metropolitan Company and expressed concern that the September 17, 2012 letter on streamlining the P&NG regulations was never attended to by the State Government.

According to the note, the CM “clarified all the points” raised by the KSU. The CM suggested that any other grievances will be discussed and settled at a subsequent meeting, where representatives of MOGPL will be invited to explain and answer queries and apprehensions expressed by the KSU and others. This meeting will be held before the Public Consultative Meet on oil exploration and NSDZ, it was informed.

The CM further assured action against MOGPL if it fails to deliver within the time frame provided in the

KHM cautions Nagaland govt against taking hasty decisions

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 13 (MExN): The Kyong Hoho Mokokchung (KHM) today expressed concern at the manner in which the Nagaland state government officially launched oil exploration at Changpand and Tsorri areas, under Wokha district on July 21, 2014.

A press note from the KHM Chairman, Nyamo Z Yanthan and General Secretary, Mhonbemo Ngullie noted that the “pertinent issue on border dispute between the states of Nagaland and Assam” needs to be settled first, before undertaking oil operation. This, it asserted, must be done as most of the oil deposits are located near the foothills, along the disputed area.

The KHM further recalled the activities of the ONGC, involving oil operations in the Changpang area. “It is imperative that the government of the day should not commit another blun-

der by permitting a controversial oil company MOGPL for oil operation in Wokha district,” it stated. The KHM cautioned the state government against taking hasty and arbitrary decisions and urged that launch oil operations should be done by “taking the confidence of the people.”

The KHM further resolved to extend support on the stand taken by the Kyong Students” Union (KSU) on exploration of oil in Lotha soil and expressed confidence that the KSU “continues to uphold the stand it took with firmness and fairness in all the decisions it takes.”

Regarding the state government’s proposal to set up Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZs), the KHM termed the NSDZ concept note as “a prelude to sell out inalienable Rights of the Nagas in the name of development by the state government.”

State Legal Framework, the KSU informed. The CM further said, according to the KSU, that “only when there is proven incompetence and insolvency, action can be taken against any company.”

The Nagaland State Chief Secretary and Commissioner, who also attended the meeting, requested the KSU and

other bodies not to resort to bandh on Independence Day. The KSU further expressed hope that the Nagaland State Government “will suspend all related oil exploration and extraction activities with immediate effect within Wokha District until such time the commitment of the government is fulfilled.”

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Dimapur

Thursday

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The Morung Express C

‘Examine and change wrongs in Naga society’ NPCC responds to State BJP

Our Correspondent Kohima | August 13

Parliamentary secretary for irrigation & flood control and election Y.Vikheho Swu today challenged the students to examine some of the wrongs they see today and what can each one of them as individual can do so that our society take shape for better now, and for the days to come.

“Let us pick one simple example of wrong you see today, for instance people living without responsibility, leading to a life of self damage, the wider effect of their action is, it is destroying our social fabric, social environment,” Swu said while addressing the 23rd Freshers’ Meet of Mount Olive College Kohima here at State Academy Hall.

He said that one main reason gone wrong with Nagas could be because we are forgetting our roots, we are forgetting our culture. Swu stated that our culture does not only confine to dancing and singing or wearing customs. The most important part of our culture is the way we live.

In general, he said, Nagas are honest people, very

Y.Vikheho Swu and others during the freshers’ meet of Mount Olive College Kohima on August 13. (Morung Photo)

hard working each and every family had lived on their own sweat, we were brave too, our hospitality was commendable too, we were very generous too, we were eager and open to helping people in need.

“Our society had good care for widows and orphans etc. etc. This was Naga society before we accepted Christianity as our culture,” he said. He said the good deeds or positive achievements by Nagas

people is very often overshadowed by negative acclaims. He regretted that majority of people choosing to remain silent over the whole issue. It is undeniable that there are so many things wrong in our society today, it is also true that wrong is also part of human life but by saying so we must not let the wrong dominate our life leading to nullify the purpose of life and living, he said.

Stating that Naga soci-

ety is so much social based, he said everything circles around family and society.

“This is unique nature of a Naga way of living. I have a great feeling when an individual began to care and value family and society there can be everything,” he said.

Swu said the purpose of studying is to equip oneself first so that they can contribute something to the society.

If you are truly determine to be a contributing

member in our Naga society you must prepare yourselves to address some of the areas like dishonesty, lack of accountability, lack of discipline, that is tearing away our society today, the parliamentary secretary said.

He also stated that there is a high degree of dishonesty, discipline and lack of accountability in Naga society.

It is prevailing in the church, in the unions, in the social organizations, in the government system and almost every public functionaries.

In this he challenged the students to inculcate honesty, discipline and accountability as a basis of their life “only then you can become responsible and successful personality.”

Tokheni Sema, member governing body, MOCK also exhorted the gathering.

College principal Dr. Narendra Tiwari stated that the college is sponsored by Sumi Baptist Church Kohima and established in 1992. The programme was compered by Vivino Seleyi, asst. professor Deptt. of economics while welcome address was delivered by MOCK general secretary V. Likyumong Ayonger.

Kohima, august 13 (mExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today stated in a press release that the state BJP President blaming the 13th Finance Commission for the current financial crisis faced by the state is “an empty rhetoric” to defend the massive corruption perpetrated by the NPF led DAN government during the past 11 years in power.

The NPCC in the press release issued by its media cell stated that, by “blindly defending” the corrupt activities of the NPF government, the state BJP President has “openly contradicted” himself when he had earlier stated that, “NDA government had made it very clear, and that it will not tolerate corruption at the cost of common people.”

The NPCC said that the massive deficit figures of 1252.45 crores presently incurred by the state is the prominent legacy of the NPF government blatantly emptying the state

treasury without any signs of development over the past decade despite the Congress led UPA government sanctioning hundreds and thousands of crores especially through various central flagship schemes. Moreover, the state BJP urging the DAN– III government to discharge its duty in timely submission of utilization certificates and judicious utilization of funds has come late in the day when they preferred to remain a silent spectator during the last 11 years for reasons best known to them.”

It also stated that if the BJP wants to parrot the language of its regional partner (NPF) in blaming everything on the previous Congress led UPA government for all the problems faced by the state, then it exposes their limited capability and thinking process in addressing pertinent issues destroyed by corruption at all levels. “The BJP would certainly miss an opportunity to take the high moral ground if the corrupt

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deeds of the NPF government running into thousands of crores become a non-issue. Rewarding the present NPF government with an additional financial package even after a decade of blatant misdeeds and corruption will only prove that the BJP patronizes corruption to cling on to power at all costs,” stated the press release.

Further, NPCC added that, “Despite 11 years of massive corruption perpetrated by the NPF government, if the state BJP sees nothing wrong in it, then without wasting much time in blaming the Congress, they (BJP) should rather concentrate on convincing their bosses in Delhi to sanction generous amount of financial package that will once again give an opportunity for the immensely greedy and corrupt leaders of the NPF government to further consolidate their wealth and spare a few crumbs for its allies desperately salivating at the prospects of sharing the spoils.”

512 people tested HIV+ Fountain Club Kohima launches website within April to June 2014 Our Correspondent Kohima | August 13

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The Fountain Club launched its website on August 14, at Ramietech IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd Kohima. The website was launched by Medo Yhokha, President, Angami Youth Organisation (AYO).

With their theme ‘Towards Consciousness’, Fountain Club, a non-profit organization was founded by a group of youth and student activists, with an aim to promote and encourage young people in academic and eco-social activities. One of its achievements Yhokha, President, Angami Youth Organisation with others during the has been the formation of the Na- Medo launch of Fountain Club website on August 14. (Morung Photo) galand Spelling Bee Competition in partnership with the State the Championship is to sharpen is of essence towards learning and Council for Educational Research the minds of young students and pursuing higher academic studies.

NNP+ and KPC members during an advocacy meeting held at LCS building, Kohima on and Training (SCERT) which was inculcate the need to have proper According to the club, the newAugust 13. (Morung Photo) initiated in 2012. Besides instilling command of the words they study ly launched Fountain Club website 3792 people were tested HIV tating access to schemes and confidence and improving per- and use- the origins, meanings, is the long felt need for students to positive and from April 2006 entitlements for AIDS affect- sonalities, the main objective of pronunciation- which ultimately get access to the club’s information to March 2014, 12443 peo- ed families, sexual/gender ple in Nagaland were tested minorities, female sex workpositive. ers and injecting drug users Our Correspondent Lucy Imchen chaired in 30 backward districts of the program, while Shan- eight states of India.

Kohima | August 13 Kohima, august 13 en and hoped that ongoing Panchayat Hall, renovation HDFC bank, net bankpanthung delivered the inXavier Rutsa, President, (mExN): Khriehu Liezi- projects would also yield a of community ring well at ing and Common Service Network of Naga People troduction and objective of KPC further shared on me- etsu, Advisor of NBWAD & fruitful end.

Keziekie, GIS mapping of Centre for North Block that Living with HIV/AIDS Vihaan Care and Support dia response to health issue Parliamentary Secretary, A final round consul- the ward, installation of will ease the payment of (NNP+) held an advocacy Centre Program. Vihaan is (HIV/AIDS). Rutsa pointed released a book- docu- tation power point pre- permanent streetlights at such as for electricity, wameeting with Kohima Press a national initiative to es- out some critical issues that mentation papers on the sentation of North Block- Lower Pezielietsie, recent- ter, telephone bills, school Club (KPC) on August 13 tablish 350 Care and Sup- media and all stakeholders profile of the North Block cum-dinner was hosted in ly concluded seminar on fees, online application for at LCS building, Kohima. port Centres (CSCs) which in the matter of HIV/AIDS Ward Adoption Commit- honour of outgoing mem- Sanitation and Solid Waste NPSE, e-ticketing, passIndia HIV/AIDS Alliance focus on access to key ser- need to work on that is use tee (NBWAC), an initiative bers of NBWAC along with Management conducted at port, Pan Cards rechargsupported the event. vices, increase treatment of terminologies, need for program of DPDB, Ko- its Panchayat, which was Baptist Higher Secondary ing of mobile phone, DTH The topic on HIV/AIDS adherence, reduce stigma regular meetings, increase hima, entitled ‘Foot Prints held on August 12 at Ru- School and various propos- services etc. “Such faciliScenario in Nagaland was and discrimination. Cur- awareness to eradicate the of North Block.’ It includes lizou in the private resi- als and programs that are in ties would help in mitigating traffic congestion in the state by Nagaland State AIDS rently, Nagaland has five stigma and discrimination NBWAC profile, its news- dence of Khriehu Liezietsu. the pipeline. capital town as well,” he He also gave a brief talk K. Khekiho Shohe, letter, leaflets on sanitation Control Society. The statis- CSCs namely in Kohima, and most importantly acSWM and sticker logo of Team Leader of NBWAC on Information Technolo- said, citing examples of retics projected by Nagaland Dimapur, Mokokchung, countability of funding pat- & the Panchayat brought out/ & District Soil Conserva- gy sector for providing bet- cently introduced cooking State AIDS Control Society Kiphire and Tuensang. terns. The advocacy meet- published by the commit- tion Officer, Kohima gave ter services to the citizen gas delivery system to its indicated that within April An introduction to ing concluded with the tee. He thanked the com- a brief presentation on the and to ease traffic conges- colonies through the initia2014 to June 2014, 24872 Svavritti Project Nagaland discussion hour, which was mittee members for their activities of NBWAC for the tion to the ward and Ko- tive of the Panchayat. people were tested where was given by State Project moderated by Ella Mary, corporation and expressed year 2013-14. The presen- hima town. It includes bill In the closing session, 512 people tested HIV+. Fur- Coordinator who stated that Youth Action for Rural De- his happiness at the suc- tation included reports on payment counters for vari- the Advisor gave away the ther in the year 1999 to 2006, the project focused on facili- velopment (YARD). cessful projects undertak- the repairing of North block ous utility services through documents to all the team

NNP+ advocacy meeting with Kohima Press Club

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especially on the Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship.

The 3rd Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship 2014 will be held from September 25 to 26 at Capital Convention Centre opposite Nagaland Secretariat Complex, Kohima.

The prizes for the championship are Rs. 60,000 for the Champion, Rs. 40,000 for the Second position, Rs.20,000 for Third Position, Rs. 15000 for the fourth winner and 5000rs each for quarter finalists along with citation and trophies. Well-wishers and SCERT have sponsored the 2014 Championship money.

Forms will be available to be downloaded online at www.fountainclub.in and www.morungexpress.com. Hard copies are also available in all SCERT (DIET) Centres, The Cornerstone Belho Complex, P.R Hill Kohima, The Graffiti Peren, CYN Store Longleng and SK Enterprise Kiphire.

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NBWAD releases ‘Foot Prints of North Block'

NERCCDIP conducts segregation of waste campaign NBCC third super Saturday of U-link program

Kohima, august 13 (DiPR): A programme for North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP) was held in different colonies in Kohima on August 13. The awareness campaign for segregation of waste was conducted under State Investment Programme Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU) is assisted by Asian Development Bank in collaboration with Kohima Municipal Council and Urban Development Department.

Community Development Social Expert, SIPMIU, Suresh Khanturi who spoke at a programme held at Dainty Buds School conference hall said that the awareness programme is to help Kohima in solid waste management and aims to regulate the waste from the respective colonies and to dispose it off scientifically.

The students were described as the angels to teach the parents how to segregate the dry and wet waste and earn some amount and let the Kohima town emerge as a clean and green city.

Three colonies in Kohima district were selected under NERCCDIP, namely, Minister’s Hill, Lower Chan-

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– 1:00 pm; Contact – 9402635363 Kohima, august 13 (mExN):TheThird Super Saturday of U-LINK Program initiated E. Growth Group (G-g 5) – Games & Sports; Venue – Government High school by the Education and Communication DeGround Kohima; Time – 10:00 am; Conpartment of Nagaland Baptist Church Countact – 9856185990 cil (NBCC) will be held on August 23.

F. Growth Group 6 (G-g 6) – Music & Music; Venue – Chakhesang Baptist Highlights of the program are as follows: Church, Kitsubozou; Time – 10:00 am; A. Growth Group 1 (G-g1) – Praise and WorContact – 9436063838 ship; Venue – Peraciezie Baptist Church, High school, Kohima; Time – 10:00 am; G. Growth Group (G-g 7) – Creative Worship; Venue – Konyak Baptist Church, Contact – 9862705348/9089203554 Midland Kohima; Time – 12:00 noon; B.Growth Group 2 (G-g2) – ChoreograContact – 9862039555 phy & Dances ; Venue – Sumi Baptist Church, Daklane, Kohima; Time – 9:00 H. Growth Group 8 (G-g 8) – Brainteasers; Venue – Rengma Baptist Church, below am; Contact – 9436646492/9774493080 new NST Kohima; Time – 10:00 am; conC. Growth Group 3 (G-g 3) – Arts & Crafts; tact – 9856231789 Venue – Zeme Baptist Church, Mid‘Super Couples’ will support all the land, Kohima; Time – 1:00 pm; Contact Students of Dainty Buds Hr Sec School demonstrates how to segregate dry waste and wet Growth Groups. For more information re– 9436607475 waste in the presence of social experts Surech Khanduri at the school conference hall on D. Growth Group 4 (G-g 4) – Bible Trail- garding each ‘Growth Groups’ contact the August 13. (DIPR Photo) ers; Venue - City Church Kohima; Time given numbers. dmari and Porterland. Three waste management would angels, responded queleader community organis- also cover 100% waste ries very politely to the ofers were also selected from management. Suresh also ficials. The students also these colonies. said that scientific land fill participated in an exercise The programme was and composing site at Le- similar to Hand Washing implemented under the rie, which is under con- Day organised by UNICEF Kohima, august 13 Schools Headmasters, take classes during rainy leadership of Sociologist structing under 40 years every year. The NERCCDIP (mExN): Naga Students Headmistress with teach- and windy seasons. The SIPMIU, Visetuonuo and plan, will be completed by activities will be filmed and Federation (NSF) along ers attended the meet- recently upgraded schools Civil Engineer SIPMIU, December 2014. produced by Head hunters. with (CSU) Chakhesang ing. During the meeting, faces shortage of teachAzole. Suresh Khanturi Students of Dainty Buds Headmaster of the Dainty Students Union and Po- Schools Heads presented ers due to non-creation of said that by the end of this wearing mask, hand glove Buds school encouraged chury Students Union their schools present posi- new teachers post in the year all the 19 wards in Ko- and carrying polythene the students to be aware (PSU) held a consultative tion and shared the prob- schools. They spoke about hima will be complete with bags were sent to respec- of such innovative pro- meeting with the Phek Dis- lems faced by them. Most the (SCCE) non detention this wakeup call message. tive classes and garbage grammes and also tell their trict faculties of the Gov- of the schools shared their policy education which Experts have stated was collected from every parents about such aware- ernment High Schools and same problems of not hav- was not suitable espethat water supply pipeline nook and corner and put in ness. He also thanked the Higher Secondary Schools ing school assembly halls, cially in the rural area and in Nagaland replacement/ a circle for demonstration organisers for the campaign. for upgradation and run- short of subject teachers, suggested to revoked the new laying would cover 315 of segregation of waste. Similar programme was also ning proper in the district hygenic toilet systems, policy. The students leadkm under this programme. The class captain and vice held at Schola Lojes School schools on August 13. school libraries and poor ers were asked to checked He added that construction captain of respective class- Kohima and St. Joseph Most of all High Schools school building which the proxy teachers in the of 12 tanks and segregation es, who were described as School Chandmari. and Higher Secondary causes inconveniences to schools, Phek district.

Consultative meeting held at SIRD Phek

members including North Block Panchayat.

In his concluding remark, the team leader said that his team is leaving behind it foot prints with fond memories and hope it should yield productive result which may be replicable in other wards too.

Finally, he thanked the advisor for being the driving force behind the success of various projects undertaken by the committee through his leadership and unwavering support.

This was stated in a press release issued by Setso Meyase, JSCO, Office of the District Soil & Water Conservation, Kohima.

C M Y K

Traffic regulations in Kohima for I-Day Kohima, august 13 (mExN): In view of the 68th Independence Day celebration at Kohima, the given traffic regulation will be enforced on August 15 from 6:00 am onward as part of the security arrangement.

Only vehicles with appropriate car pass will be allowed entry to the Secretariat plaza; parking outside the main gate of the Secretariat plaza will be free for all public; No vehicle will be allowed to be parked by the roadside from 6:00 am onward in the following area- from BSNL Telephone Exchange till Classic Island and from Raj Bhavan to New Secretariat complex.

A press release issued Sr. Superintendent of Police, Kohima any defaulting vehicles on the above mentioned stretch of road will be towed and towing charge shall be recovered from the defaulters. Entry of heavy vehicles as well as unloading in the town will be restricted from 7:00 am onward.

C M Y K

REgional

The Morung Express

Thursday

14 August 2014

NDA government cuts funding in rural jobs scheme in Tripura agartala, august 13 (iaNs): The Left Front government in Tripura Wednesday expressed its discontent over slashing of funds under the MGNREGA rural employment scheme and urged the central government to restore the funding.

"The previous UPA government, during the last financial year, had allocated Rs.943.66 crore to implement the MGNREGA, but the present NDA government told us that it would give Rs.662 crore in the scheme for the current fiscal (2014-15)," Tripura Rural Development and Forest Minister Naresh Jamatia told reporters Wednesday.

He said that the union rural development ministry has informed the rural

New Health Scheme for the Poor Launched in Tripura

development department about the reduction of funding under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), a flagship programme agartala, august 13 (iaNs): The Left Front govlaunched by the earlier ernment in Tripura Wednesday launched a new health scheme to provide financial aid to poor families for treatUnited Progressive Alli- ment of seven critical diseases, including cancer. Chief ance (UPA) government.

Minister Manik Sarkar launched the "Tripura Health AsThe minister said: "The surance Scheme for Poor (THASP)" at a function here. central government was "Under the THASP, financial assistance up to Rs.125, 000 supposed to give around would be provided to those families whose annual inRs.1,407 crore this fiscal to come is up to Rs 150,000," Tripura Health Minister Badal Tripura to implement the Choudhury said. "Under the new scheme, the financial MGNREGA, but in a recent assistance would be granted for the treatment of seven secretarial level meeting dreaded diseases. The diseases are cancer, cardiovascuin New Delhi, the officials lar surgeries, neurosurgeries, renal failure, neo-natal disof the rural development eases, poly trauma and eye surgeries," said Choudhury, ministry told our officials who also holds the PWD and revenue departments. The that it would give only THASP is likely to benefit around 3,000 patients per year for which the government will spend Rs 37.50 crore anRs.662 crore."

Jamatia, in a letter to the nually. The minister said that the treatment and surgeries union rural development under the scheme will be allowed only in the Tripura govminister Nitin Gadkari ernment empanelled private and government hospitals in Agartala, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati and New Delhi. urged against cutting the allocated funds under the unemployed rural people. the MGNREGA is reduced, "If the allocation under automatically number scheme for interest of the

of person-days (working days) per jobless rural household would be decreased," the Tripura minister told the union minister in his letter.

"For the current fiscal over Rs.513 crore persondays have been fixed. Reduction of funds under the MGNREGA would also affect the creation of rural assets and create a fuss among the job seekers," he added.

Tripura maintained its top position for the fifth consecutive year by providing 87 person-days' rural jobs per household during the 2013-14 fiscal under the MGNREGA. "Tripura has been providing the highest average employment for the past five years under the MGNREGA," state rural development joint secretary C.K.

Jamatia told reporters.

He said that Tripura provided 87 days of work per household in the 2013-14 fiscal against the national average of 45 person-days.

"Tripura has retained the top position since 200910. Another northeastern state, Sikkim came second with 58 person-days per household, followed by Tamil Nadu with 56 person-days," he added.

The MGNREGA mandates 100 days of employment in a financial year to at least one member of each rural household.

According to the central government performance report on the MGNREGA, of the 644 districts in India, South Tripura district topped with 97.46 person-days in the last financial year.

SBIOA and SBISA to organize peace rallies guwahati, august 13: (mExN): The State Bank of India Officers Association (SBIOA) and State Bank of India State Association (SBISA), North East Circle have decided to organize peace rally in the capital of all the North Eastern States during the next few days to their express solidarity and demand the release of their colleague, Subodh Kumar Mishra, an assistant in SBI Gasuapora Branch, Garo Hills, who was abducted on August 5 2014.

In a press release, the associations further stated that, they will intensify their “agitational programme including strike action on future date” if the concern staff member is not released during the proposed peace rallies.

SBI branches in the five districts of Garo Hills remained close Wednesday to press for Mishra's safe release.

"All the SBI branches in the five districts of Garo hills will continue to remain shut indefinitely until Mishra's safe release," Biman B. Bhat-

Northeast Briefs

tacharya, the deputy general secretary of SBI Staff Association, Shillong module said. He also said a decision to close down all SBI branches in the Northeast in the next few days is also likely to be taken if Mishra is not released.

guwahati, august 13 (tNN): After years of struggle with strong support of successive state governments, 26 tea tribes of the state have been recommended for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list by the task force on scheduling of tribes of the Union ministry of tribal affairs. The ministry of tribal affairs has now asked the state government to provide the Devanagiri version of each of these 26 tribes 'at the earliest to process the case.'

The state government submitted the ethnographic records of 36 tea tribes in 2013 to the ministry of tribal affairs and recommended their inclusion in the ST list. But the task force has left out 10 of them from its recommendation, saying that they do not conform to the criterion for inclusion

in the ST list of Assam.

The director of ministry of tribal affairs, Rajeev Prakash, in his letter to the principal secretary of plains tribal welfare department in the state, said, "The tribals people who had been forcibly emigrated from states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh (and in smaller numbers from other states) should be recognized as Scheduled Tribes of Assam. The guiding principle for this is they should be recognized as ST in the states from where they had emigrated."

Along with the tea tribes, the state government has also recommended granting of ST status to five other tribal communities — Ahom, Motok, Moran, Koch-Rajbongshi and Chutiya. But a decision on

guwahati, august 13 (pti): Over 9,100 people in Assam have been detected with HIV positive virus at present, the state Assembly was informed on Wednesday.

Replying to a query

by AIUDF MLA Swapan Kar, state parliamentary affairs minister Nilamani Sen Deka said the state has 9,110 people with HIV positive cases as on March 31, 2014.

Deka, who replied on behalf of health and family welfare minister Nazrul Islam, said Kamrup Metro district, which mostly comprise the Guwahati city, tops the list with 3,570 affected persons.

It is followed by Cachar district with 1,866 victims, he said.

Some other districts with high numbers of affected people are Dibrugarh (630), Nagaon (418), Golaghat (304), Karimganj (272), Sonitpur (252), Bongaigaon (228), Karbi Anglong (207) and Jorhat (207).

these groups is still awaited. These five groups form about 10% of the state's population and if granted ST status along with the tea tribe groups, the state's ST population percentage would be about 40%, At present, there are 29 notified ST in the state — 15 hill tribes residing in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong district and the rest plains tribes residing in the plains, including those in Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts.

Applications are invited for a walkin interview for a teaching position in Chemistry.

For more info contact 9436437544 orstjosephc@gmail.com

Patriots’ Day celebrated in Manipur Press release of Gauhati hiGh Court, Kohima BenCh Hon'ble the Gauhati High Court in exercise of powers conferred under Section 16 (2) of the Advocates Act 1961 read with Rule I Schedule E of Chapter XIV of the Gauhati High Court vide Notification No 32 dated 4th August 2014 has designated the following Advocates as Senior Advocates w.e.f the date of issue of the Notification.

Dimapur, august 13 (mExN): The Naga Hoho Federal Assembly expresses serious concerns over “the unwarranted actions by the Government of Manipur” by “creating war-like situations in Ukhrul Town by imposing 144Crpc”. In a terse press statement, the Federal Assembly Secretary further noted that despite ongoing peace dialogue, “the innocent public has been left at the mercy of the Armed forces creating fear psychosis” and “the Govt. Of Manipur has repeatedly denied the existence of a ceasefire and continues to exploit the rights of the people and suppress the aspirations of the people”.

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aizawl, august 13 (pti): A hotel owner's son was killed allegedly by his teenage employee in a hotel at Champhai in Mizoram, police said on Wednesday. The body of Lalrinpuia (19) was found in the corridor of the hotel with a deep injury on his neck, seemed to have been inflicted with a pointed and sharp weapon, they said. The 16-year-old employee of the hotel was arrested from nearby Hmunhmeltha village where he had allegedly confessed to his crime before the president of the village council, police said. The boy told the village council president that there was no hatred between him and Lalrinpuia, and he had killed him under the influence of an addictive substance, they said.

Name of the Bar Kohima Bench Kohima Bench Kohima Bench

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

imphal, august 13 (mExN): The Zeliangrong Youth Forum, All Zeliangrong Students Union, and Zeliangrong Student Union, Manipur has declared 24-hours National Highway Bandh in Manipur effective from midnight of August 16. In a press release, the three organisations stated that the Bandh have been declared following the expiry of 48-hour dateline given to police to arrest the suspect in the “murder attempt and physical assault” on a student of Don Bosco College, Maram on July 28, 2014. The organisations further appealed the general public and other governmental agencies to extend ‘to extend maximum cooperation and support towards the cause for getting justice’.While the medical, fire services, electricity, educational institutions are exempted, it further warned that, the organisations will not be responsible any untoward incidents that might occur for those defying the bandh.

Hotel owner's son killed by employee in Mizoram

Name of Advocates Shri K.Sema Shri R.Iralu Shri Taka Masa

Registrar

Zeliangrong organizations declare 24 hours National Highway Bandh

Dimapur, august 13 (mExN): DD Bharati is set to telecast shows covering various aspects of the North-East.

The shows will capture culture, history and will introduce viewers to the “Seven Sisters”, stated a press release issued

by DD Bharati Jr. Coordinator Elizabeth Ike. “Wari Leeba: A Traditional One Man Show” from Manipur, “Agricultural Festivals of Northeast: Ali Aye Ligang and Wangla” will be telecast on August 17 and 24 respectively at 4 pm.

Further, “Theatre Directors at Work: Heisnam Kanhailal” will be aired on August 25 and “In Conversation with Dr. Indira Goswami” will be aired on August 29. “Harmony of the Green Valley” will be telecast on August 30 and 31 at 4:00 pm, the release added. DD Bharati, the art and culture channel of Doordarshan is being actively promoted by Prasar Bharati, according to the note.

Deka said Chirang district does not have a single case of HIV case so far.

The districts with comparatively lower number of HIV patients are Baksa (11), Udalguri (22), Hailakandi (23), Dhemaji (39), Morigaon (50), Lakhimpur (57), Dima Hasao (59), Nalbari (65), Darrang (66), Sivasagar (70), Kamrup Rural (86) and Goalpara (93).

Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Tinsukia and Dhubri districts currently have 150, 127, 124 and 114 HIV positive patients respectively.

The minister informed the House that Assam State AIDS Control Society is implementing the National AIDS Control Programme as per the Department of AIDS Control's strategic plan to prevent spread of the disease.

Talking about Japanese Encephalitis, Deka said 122 people have lost their lives till August 6 this year across the state. "Also six persons have died this year in Malaria," he added.

st. JosePh’s ColleGe, JaKhama VACANCY

Naga Hoho censures unwarranted Manipur government action

DD Bharati to telecast North East shows

3

‘More than 9,100 HIV positive patients in Assam’

Kidnapped SBI official in Meghalaya still untraced Task force proposes ST tag for Assam tea tribes shilloNg, august 13 (iaNs): The whereabouts of a State Bank of India (SBI) official kidnapped by militants eight days ago are still not known, On Aug 6, heavily armed militants abducted SBI Gasuapara branch bank assistant Subodh Kumar Mishra from Barengapara road, about 400 km from Meghalaya capital Shillong. "We don't know the whereabouts of Mishra...," Meghalaya Police chief Peter Hanaman told IANS. Bank officials said the abductors had demanded Rs.1 crore as ransom for Mishra's safe release. "On Saturday, Mishra's family members had paid Rs.5 lakh to the abductors, but they demanded another Rs.5 lakh," a bank official said on condition of anonymity.

On the other hand, 42

Dimapur

NAGALAND: KOHIMA

NO.DHFW-3/480/MISC/02/5430

Dated, Kohima the 13th August’2014

ADVERTISEMENT

Applications are hereby invited for filling up the following posts of Pharmacist (GrII) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland in plain paper with all relevant, required documents.

Name of post No. of Vacancies Pharmacist 52 (Gr-II)

Governor of Manipur VK Duggal and Chief Minister of Manipur Ibobi Singh along with other officials attending the Manipur Patriot's Day celebration at Kangla and Pheidabung ( Pologround ) on Tuesday, August 13. (NNN Photo)

imphal, august 13 (NNN): Manipur today celebrated the ‘Patriots Day’ to commemorate those people who sacrificed their life during the Anglo-Manipur war 1891. Several functions were held across the state particularly at the district headquarters to mark the day. The state function was organised at Bir Tikendrajit Park here. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh led the others to pay floral tributes at Hicham Yaicham Pat, Moirangkhom and Thangal General Temple complex, Palace Compound in the morning. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said that the state Government started celebration of the Patriots’ Day since 1970. He said, “We must pay respect to the heroes of Anglo-Manipur war 1891 and pledge ourselves to understand our responsibility’ and urges “all to leave the idea of separatism “among us” and work together for the welfare of the state”.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor, VK Duggal said, “We are gathered here to pay respect to the souls of those who laid down their lives for their motherland against the British Empire in 1891.” “Even though Manipur lost the

war and came under British rule, the series of battles fought in 1891 showed the courage of the Manipuris who fought against the strongest power of the then world, showing that freedom is more important than their own lives” he added.

Commenting on the serious of problems confronting the state over the years, the Governor said, “We have to tackle these issues and solve them together otherwise we will continue to dither in the road to the development” and urges the gathering to “strive for a better Manipur” and tackle simmering “the ethnic and social tensions”. He stated that while the belief that the administration respond only violent demands are quite misplaced, at the same time, “the administration should not only be responsive but also seen to be responsive”. The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Manipur state BJP and Manipur People’s Party (MPP) marked the day at their respective party offices. Several social organisations, local clubs, educational institutions and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) also celebrated the Patriots’ Day.

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Qualification D.Pharm/B.Pharm/M.Pharm course form recognized Institute only and registered form the State Pharmacy Council.

Application is to be submitted to the Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland Kohima. Last date of receiving applications is on 1009-2014.Interview date will be informed through calling letter.

Sd/Dr.G.Kemp Principal Director Health & Family Welfare Nagaland: Kohima

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION NAGALAND::KOHIMA

NO.HED/NOT-1/2014

Dated Kohima the 13th August 2014.

PRESS RELEASE Consequent upon the release of fund by the State Government, the Directorate of Higher Education, Nagaland, Kohima, has started releasing the Post Matric Scholarship amount for the year 2013-14, to the students account through bank in phase manner with effect from 12th August 2014.

This is for information to all concerned.

(MENUOKHOLIE KIRE) Deputy Director Higher Education.

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Dimapur

public discoursE

Thursday 14 August 2014

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Sixty seven years ago today

efore the British subdued the Nagas, each Naga village was independent sovereign state. In 1929, the Nagas expressed themselves to the British India Government through the Memorandum to the Simon Commission that the Nagas should not be included in the new reformed scheme. From 1929 to 1935, the understanding of sovereignty by Nagas was ‘self-rule’ based on traditional territorial definition. From 1935 to 1945, Nagas were merely asking for autonomy within Assam. In response to the Naga memorandum to Simon Commission, the British House of Commons decreed that the Naga Hills ought to be kept outside the purview of the New Constitution; the Government of India Act, 1935 and ordered Naga areas as Excluded Area; meaning outside the administration of British India government.

Thereafter from April 1, 1937, it was brought under the direct administration of the Crown through Her Majesty’s representative; the Governor of Assam province.

Soon after its formation, on April 9, 1946, the Naga National Council (NNC) submitted a memorandum to the British Cabinet Mission when it visited Delhi during that time.

The crux of the memorandum stated that; “Naga future would not be bound by any arbitrary decision of the British Government and no recommendation would be accepted

What led to the situation of August 14, 1947; the day of Naga independence declaration? without consultation”.

In June 1946, the NNC submitted a four point memorandum signed by Mr. T. Sakhrie; the then Secretary of NNC, to the British Cabinet Mission who visited India. The memorandum stated that; 1. The NNC stands for the solidarity of all Naga tribes, including those in un-administered areas; 2. The Council strongly protests against the grouping of Assam with Bengal; 3. The Naga Hills should be constitutionally included in an autonomous Assam, in a free India, with local autonomy and due safeguards for the interests of the Nagas; 4. The Naga tribes should have a separate electorate.

On August 1, 1946, Jawarhalal Nehru, the then President of Indian National Congress in his reply to the memorandum cast his points on the future of Naga Hills and appealed the Nagas to join the Union of India promising local autonomy and safeguards in a wide ranging areas of administration.

It was after 1946 only that the Nagas had asserted their inalienable right to be a separate nation and an

absolute right to live independently.

In February 1947, the NNC passed a resolution at its Kohima meet and submitted a proposal on February 20, 1947 for interim Government of Nagas, under a “Guardian Power” for a period of ten years.

They didn’t explicitly stated who the “Guardian Power” should be but it was undoubtedly the government of Assam province under the Crown because Nagas had believed that Assam was not going to join the Union of India.

On February 20, 1947, NNC sent an appeal to the British Government through its last Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten and demanded from Her Majesty’s Government and the Government of British India to set up an Interim Government for the Nagas with independent India as the Guardian power for a period of ten years, at the end of which, the Naga people will be left to choose any form of government.

On May 20, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India sent a delegation of Sub-Committee of Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Tribes to talk with the NNC at Kohima. The committee asked the Nagas to join the

Union of India and offered an autonomous State. But the Nagas rejected the offer on the ground that the Nagas were a sovereign independent nation before the British conquered them.

In June 1947, the NNC agreed in principle and proclaimed that when India became independent, Naga Hills would not remain part of it. In the same year, Bardoloi sub-committee came to Kohima for discussion with the Naga leaders. When the subcommittee reached Kohima, NNC did not have a permanent president.

A. Kevichusa, the senior Extra Assistant Commissioner, EAC at Kohima, led the NNC group as its guardian.

A memorandum was drafted on the initiative of people like A. Kevichusa and Mayangnokcha. It was on the basis and frame-work of that memorandum that the 9-point Hydari agreement was drafted.

From June 27 – 29, 1947, immediately after the visit of Sub-Committee of Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Tribes, Sir Akbar Hydari, then Governor of Assam province came to Kohima and re-negotiated afresh with NNC. Nagas entered into a treaty with the Governor of Assam believing that Assam was going to be independent

Afraid and ashamed to celebrate your own Independence Day?

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n such an auspicious day as 14th August-our Naga Independence Day, my mind takes me back to the 1960’s when on 14th August, our national Rainbow flag used to proudly flutter on top of mount Pulie Badze.

Back in those days, on 14th August, our Naga army always used to hoist several of our Rainbow Flag on top of mount Pulie Badze. The act was symbolic and it used to declare to all the thousands of Indian troops deployed in Kohima and Nagaland that we are a nation in our own right.

In those days of undiluted patriotism, there were no four five Naga factions with some negotiating for a Southern Naga State or an Eastern Naga State or a Northern Frontier State under the constitution of India. No, back then, there were no Naga tribal factions, fighting for their own tribal states, using common Naga sacrifices for their own selfish ends.Far from it, back then, our Rainbow flag used to proudly flutter for one sovereign independent Nagaland whose independence was declared on 14th August 1947.

Also in those days, an open war was still raging in Nagaland against aggressor India who had dared to hoist their national flag in

our own sovereign independent NAGA LANDS. Rallying behind that flag was then, a proud nation of Nagas who, inspite of nearly a decade of fierce fightings, had been able to hold the line and not surrendered to India.The nation’s thirty thousand or so, rag tag army, were then fighting against overwhelming odds of more than a hundred thousand Indian troops who were equipped with light armored tanks, heavy artillery and also often assisted by Jet Fighters and Bombers.

And memories of a then five years old boy are still clearly imprinted in my mind, as we used to watch those light armored tanks firing into the mountains of Pulie Badze, trying to blow off those proud flags from Kohima’s skyline. Yes, I can almost still hear those young Punjabi tank officers shouting orders from their tank turrets; “Seventy five degrees, Fire;” “Eighty degrees, Fire”, as their tank shells fell short of the summit and exploded just below the mount.

Yes, in those days; on 14th August none of us used to attend classes and all citizens of Nagaland used to abstain from any kind of physical work in order to celebrate our independence day. In those

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 2965

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ABIGAIL ABISHAG ADAH ANNA BATHSHEBA BILHAH DEBORAH DELILAH DINAH DORCAS ELIZABETH ESTHER EVE GOMER HAGAR HULDAH JAEL JEMIMA JEZEBEL JOCHEBED JUDITH KETURAH LEAH LORUHAMAH LYDIA

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galand when India has denied us that which she herself had fought and gained?

Today, if you look up at Pulie Badze peak, you will notice that a huge Cross has replaced the Rainbow flags that used to adorn the peak on Naga Independence days. And as you once again turn your back on your own flag and celebrate somebody else’ Independence Day in your own independent lands-REMEMBER this, that, that cross on Pulie Badze is looking down on you. Remember also that, that Cross symbolizes God who “From one man, created all the nations of the earth and gave them their respective periods and the boundaries of their habitation.” (Acts 17: 26) In the light of these Biblical truths, remember that denial or infidelity to your God given national identity is a denial of your creator who made you a Naga (And not any other national). Fellow citizens of Kohima and Nagaland, as that cross on Pulie Badze daily looks down on you, will you be faithful to your God given Mongolian national identity or be a believer of the Indian political propaganda that says- you are a Dravido-Aryan Indian?

and not join the Union of India.

A Nine-point memorandum known as the 9-point Hydari Agreement was drawn up in which the views of the Naga leaders were also accommodated. Its preamble recognized the right of the Nagas to develop themselves according to their freely expressed wishes. In the articles of the agreement, all the points put forward by the NNC were accepted in principle and drafted with minor modifications and explanations thereof. However, clause 9 of the agreement became the sticking point over which; dispute arose in its interpretation as both sides interpreted the clause differently. In absence of unanimity in its interpretation, the Government of India annulled the agreement unilaterally before ratification by India’s Parliament. The agreement died a natural dead.

On July 19, 1947, a Naga delegation including A. Z. Phizo, who was then a Member of NNC Central Executive, went to Delhi and met Mahatma Gandhi at his Bhangi Colony. The Naga delegate told Gandhi that the Nagas should be left outside the Union of India to which, Gandhi assured that there would

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K H A I D Y L F O B A T H S H E B A L F

T A H M G U V F E X H H K A Q B Y E T R

K H A L I L E D L P N J N A E W Y Y L M

G I P A V J E S S D K O A H Y I Y L J Y

V B J L X X X J G H G J B A E R X H R S

My Dear Naga Citizens n the inception, I praise and thank almighty God for his love that sustaining grace for our Naga people throughout the critical juncture in our Naga political struggles for our sovereignty right. I am sending my heartiest greeting to Naga citizens on this special occasion of the 67th commemoration of the Naga National Independence Day. It is to mention that the whole world knew well about the Nagas as a free nation and independence people that, this is the basic inalienable facts and the right of the people for freedom which was also duly acknowledged by the United Nation in 1947. Today on this auspicious day I also once again salute to all fellow Naga brothers and sisters as we celebrate Kaka D Iralu this occasion with pride

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DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2972

ACROSS 1. Enjoy 6. Unwanted email 10. At what time 14. Leave out 15. A city in western Russia 16. Protagonist 17. Noxious plants 18. Initial wager 19. Chocolate cookie 20. Reporter 22. A door fastener 23. Frequently, in poetry 24. Concerning (archaic) 26. A movement upward 30. Guys 32. Confined 33. A type of perfume 37. Misplaced 38. Stuns 39. Solitary 40. Revered 42. Fixes 43. Remove the pins from 44. Woods 45. Twangy, as a voice 47. 2,000 pounds 48. Central points 49. Domineering 56. Former Italian currency

57. Infiltrator 58. Small drum 59. Applications 60. How old we are 61. Gives forth 62. A covered garden walk 63. Mats of grass 64. Adjust again

DOWN 1. Stitched 2. Away from the wind 3. Opinion 4. Probabilities 5. Answer 6. Begin 7. Jests 8. Countertenor 9. Unnaturally frenzied women 10. Middleman 11. Long-necked bird 12. Construct 13. Cozy corner 21.

Eastern newt 25. Not used 26. Competent 27. Any day now 28. Swear 29. Fanatic 30. Twelve

Dr. K. Hoshi

The 67th anniversary of Naga Independence day, 14 August 2014, Speech by President, Kiumukam NNC (Non-Accordist)

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O L V R E M O G U Z B K G P A L U L L Q

be no forced union.

When it became clear that Assam was not going to be independent but going to join the Union of India; when all diplomatic approaches had failed and when India was determined on forced union of Naga territories with India, the Nagas had no other option than to declare their independence on 14th August, 1947; one day ahead of India’s declaration. Nagas then told the British India government to acknowledge and recognize it based on the sovereign right of the Nagas.

The declaration was also cabled to United Nations Organization (UNO) which was dully acknowledged. That was what took place sixty seven years ago today.

Today is Naga Independence Day. Naga people will see Independence Day speeches from leaders of various Naga national groups. As we observe the day, I want to ask; “How many Independence Day will be there for Nagas”? How many political groups and how many Presidential addresses? It is very embarrassing indeed!

The only way forward is holistic unity; one political institution and one national government; one principle and one voice. Unity should be on the basis of principle. Sovereignty is the principle. So, Naga national groups should unite for unity of that purpose. There’s no other mechanism to move forward.

‘We must shoulder the responsibility to set things right’

Answer Number # 2964

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V E R D V P U R Y R Y K R Q I X S T A S

days, we were still a nation of proud patriots with our heads held high and UN-ashamed to call ourselves Naga citizen of a free Independent and sovereign Nagaland. And despite the many flags that were blasted away by armored shells from the peaks of Pulie Badze, our patriotic Naga soldiers, relentlessly fought on, until a Ceasefire was achieved on 6th September, 1964.

And despite the breakdown of that ceasefire, true Naga patriots are still holding the line and continuing to defend our declared independence which was declared on 14th August 1947 in consonance with all international laws and procedures.

But what of the majority of Nagas today who have stopped celebrating their own Independence day? Are they afraid? Are they ashamed? Will they rather celebrate India’s independence on 15th August sitting under a foreign flag and saluting it while their own flag lies crumpled - betrayed and trampled by their own feet? India has every right to proudly celebrate her own independence with pomp and gaiety for she has rightly earned and achieved her own independence from British Colonial subject hood. But must Nagas celebrate India’s independence in Na-

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LEISURE

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The Morung Express

31. Utilized 33. Hindu princess 34. Anagram of “Note” 35. Terminates 36. A musical pause 38. Certificates 41.

Ribonucleic acid 42. Beast 44. Enemy 45. Clamorous 46. Units of land 47. Amount of hair 48. In constant change 50. Jump up and down 51. Implored 52. Identical 53. Nile bird 54. Cast a ballot 55. At one time (archaic) Ans to CrossWord 2971

and victorious spirit for our great gone leaders handed down to us this very day. I am so proud and profound happiness to express my deepest feelings and concerned for their great deeds for generation to come. For it was an inalienable right of the Naga People sovereignty that was clearly recognized by either side of the Indian Government and the other side the Government of Burma now (Myanmar) Therefore, the Nagas and its leaders declared the Naga Independence day to let the whole world know by unfurling our distinct Naga’s Flag hoisted and the ceremony was conducted and dedicatory graced by the then last Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills District, Sir C.R. Pausey and Reverend – Geo Supplee, so their presence were indeed a creditable proof of the flag hoisting ceremony, thus the 14th August was marks as an important era of the Naga Historic day, in which every Naga triumphantly and dedicatedly observed every year, so that all the Nagas takes it as a national sanctification also a sacred day for our Naga Nation.

Today, I would like to remind the past great tasks that had been unflinchingly bearded all sorts of sufferings pains and sadness by the leaders as well as the Naga people with their indefatigably support for our Naga political vision. So, we proudly remembered our great nationalism whether men or women respectively who whole heartedly sacrificed their precious lives for the cause of defending our freedom right.

It is already more than six decades now that the Nagas have come across the pains and sorrows had been tasted and seen the horrible that were inflicted on Nagas with great traumatic experiences in an in an appalling rates which were always deeply be imprinted in the heart of every Naga today.

Now the Nagas therefore, dearly cherished the idea of peace having suffering for it and together with the pains of unhealing wounds and the agony of irretrievable loses it has become a part and parcel of our flesh and blood. In our Naga country/ homeland there is not a single family (or) a single home that has not kept alive the memory of their kith and kin, who perished in the flames of merciless gun barrel.

My dear Naga leaders, let us look back whatever laden left the rest to us to-

day for the future of our Naga people are with the today’s Nagas collective leaders and we must shoulder the responsibility to set things right in time, lest an imminent destructives lays awaiting in our Naga political processes.

Therefore, I hereby honestly appeal to all Naga loving political leaders from all factions, public leaders and intellectuals’ lays head together and sincerely ponder over the past days misunderstanding and mistakes must make understand for our long future days useable solution among the Nagas. Here are some most pleasant sounds that were recorded during the Naga political talks (or) public gathering discussions e.g it was on 31 August 2005, the Naga underground leaders public leaders in a mammoth gathering a solemned declaration was sounded as, one people, one struggle, one home land etc. In the mean time a glorious Naga Reconciliation meeting was held on 5th – 7th March 2009, at Japfu Hotel Kohima in which officials as follows:1. Funamo, ambassador U.S.A as Chairperson, 2. Neiphiu Rio. (C.M) as Secretary 3. T.M. Lotha Home as recorder.

Also the Naga factional members were attended as factional representatives as follows:1. V.S. Athem, Chief of the Army – NSCN (I.M) 2. Wangting Konyak NSCN (K) 3. Kiumukam Yim Vice President NNC 4. V.Nagi Angami Gen. Secy, NNC In all these three days meetings they have come out a successful discussions and the talks “Theme” come as one voice, one dream, one future, were the theme of Naga reconciliation, and such similar talks held in abroad many a times.

Hence, let us honour the precious commitments that we have made earlier should foster with great care so that he understanding itself will come to us.

So, now it’s the high time for Nagas to join handedly work out for our Naga common goal. Let our Almighty God lead us and guide us for the days to come.

May God Bless Our Nagaland KUKNALIM Kiumukam Yim President NNC (Non-Accordist)

Public SPace

The Morung Express

Thursday 14 August 2014

Dimapur

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‘The rights of the Nagas must be protected’

Speech Of Z. Royim Yimchungrü, Acting President of Naga National Council on the occasion of Naga Independence Day of 14th August 2014.

Dear Naga people, I praise God Almighty for this Naga Independence Day of 14th August, 2014. This significant day, the 14th August, represents our political right and privilege to celebrate with dedication and prayer to God for blessing as a people and Nation.

The Naga people have been fighting and struggling for the last more than sixty long years for their proper recognition. The occupational forces of both the Governments of India and Myanmar (Burma) should leave the Naga soil gracefully for the sake of world peace and for peace in South East Asia in particular. These countries have been suppressing and oppressing the Nagas politically for well over half a century and it is time that both countries recognized the sovereign rights of the Naga people as acknowledged by the United Nations.

I, on behalf of the Naga National Council, sincerely honor and salute the Naga martyrs' who laid down their lives for the Naga freedom of sovereignty.

On this National Day of ours as we also pray to God to grant special blessing to the kith and kin of those noble souls as they remember their long-lost loved ones on this occasion.

The NNC also remembers and thanks all the Naga sympathizers and supporters who stand for the Naga sovereignty. The

NNC appeals to all freedom lovers to stand further and stronger for the Naga people to finally gain their due freedom of sovereignty.

Today, it is unfortunate for NNC to have to state that the political turmoil prevailing in the homeland at this stage is very ugly and self-defeating as the trend of Naga versus Naga plays out politically, socially, and tribally. On all accounts, we the Nagas must do away with this destructive behaviour for the sake of our freedom and to enable peace to prevail among the Naga people and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) as we march ahead for the betterment of present generation and future generations and to achieve the safety and security of our people and land.

At this stage relative peace prevails in the land, but some self-styled and pseudo National workers are claiming themselves to be leaders and presidents without any basis, or proper procedures. This creates problems of confusion, hatred, enmity and division, which are deeply damaging and could make a mockery of NNC, the Naga Political Institution for freedom, in the eyes of the people. This trend of self-styling of such person or persons should be condemned in toto and their deception should be clearly made public, so there is no confusion. We must clearly reject such unscrupulous persons in order to maintain the sanctity and sacrificial movement of the Naga freedom of sovereignty.

The Naga National Political

Groups of today all have different political agendas except the NNC which has never changed its position. NNC still clearly stands for the whole and all Naga inhabited Areas for sovereignty with Non-violence and Non-cooperation with India and Myanmar as per the declaration of Naga Independence on 14th August 1947 and the Referendum (Plebiscite) of 16th May 1951. NNC still asserts the democratic rights of the Naga people and maintains the original stand of the Naga people for a sovereign independent state.

The NNC has to state, in concern for our people, that NGOs or state political parties or even the so-called state govt. may, during this period of political transition and confusion, compromise the right of Naga people over their land and resources. This is very dangerous.

The rights of the Nagas must be protected even in the political transition period of the present generation as well as for the future generations to come.

The NNC on this occasion has to make it clear to the Naga people that, without Naga National Politics and the Naga National Political Groups fighting for sovereignty, our land and its resources, religious belief, culture & tradition and social lives of the people would have been lost to us long ago. And in this transitional period even the so called State Government's rights of protection may disappear also. Everything will be lost to us and outsiders, especially il-

legal immigrants, will take over everything such as politics and businesses, and with their population explosion will ultimately dominate our beautiful homeland of the Nagas. Therefore, let us rise up before it is too late to overcome these forces who are openly creating evils in the land of the Nagas almost everyday now. We have seen enough of the nefarious activity of illegal immigrants and their domination policy in the land so the Nagas must wake up now and take action to resolve this issue.

In fact, today we must tell that just because of the consistent action of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) fighting for democratic rights of National politics of freedom, even mighty India cannot do away with their politics in the land of Nagas. Just because of NNPGs, the outsiders, especially illegal immigrants, are afraid to come openly and dominate our people and land.

Because of NNPGs, the Nagas are protected politically, socially, religiously, culturally, and the land and its resources have been secured. Without this protection, the Nagas would be swamped by the outsiders within no time.

Therefore, it is essential that the public supports the NNPGs in the right and correct perspective for larger and greater interest of the Nagas as a whole.

Yes, of course, the NNC too is against unabated Taxation in the land by those irresponsible Groups, pseudo and bogus National workers. We thoroughly condemn this ugly and unwant-

ed problem in the Naga society and the vested interests which are falsely pretending to work for the people.

The NNC have to state today that a local print media is playing politics in favour of a morally degraded leader of a group all the time and whenever the right NNC gives a rejoinder or a press statement for that matter, the daily newspaper never prints it. This newspaper has been involving itself directly in NNC affairs for some years now and is openly doing things against the NNC. The time has now come to fully expose this biased paper which has twisted or omitted NNC statements intentionally in the past and refused to print rejoinders even after many requests. The offender is the Nagaland Post daily and their nefarious activity against NNC will not be tolerated all the time as they are sowing seed of enmity in politics; they will reap what they sow in this matter.

The NNC on this occasion must also state that the recently formed BJP Government in India is imposing the Hindi language even in Non-Hindi speaking areas. This is very clear imposition of Hindutva and a clear trend of imposition of their agenda upon all non-Hindi speaking people. Their Hindutva intention has emerged very shortly after the onset of BJP rule. This policy will ultimately break India and this is a good sign for the North East and the South Indian people. Therefore, it is always good to rule itself by

race, creed, language, political & historical rights of the people and geographical land.

The Naga people and its land will remain Nagaland as we fight and struggle for our sovereign political rights for the last more than sixty long years.

The NNC supports our people who are living near the border of our land and are now fighting the land rights of our ancestral land of the Nagas. The NNC fully support their move and fight as the land belongs to the Naga people since time immemorial. The Nagas and the real Ahom people have no dispute in this matter of historical rights and correct boundary between the Nagas and Ahoms. And we will maintain this historical boundary for friendship, peace and tranquility to prevail in between Nagas and Ahoms. The two neighbourly peoples are friendly and peaceful but the outsiders, especially the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, are creating real problems between Ahoms and Nagas, between Arunachalees and Ahoms, between Garos/Khasis and Ahoms, between Tripurians and Ahoms and between Bengalis and Ahoms. And even in Assam itself these immigrants are creating social, religious, cultural, political problems, especially land problems against the indigenous and ethnic people like Ahoms, Bodos, Karbis, etc.

These immigrants very aim is to dominate and occupy the land of the real indigenous and ethnic inhabitants of the land with their increased population policy of

their religious Polygamy.

Therefore, let us rise up together to defend our God-given land and its resources before it is too late. The North East people of the land should rise up together and act in this very serious matter of immediate concern for the best interest of all the indigenous and ethnic people of the land.

The NNC must say again on this occasion that the Naga National Political Groups must stand united for final political settlement in the right and correct political stand for freedom; otherwise, no single party or group will bring settlement to the Naga people in reality. However, the truth is that, the Naga people especially the NNPGs, are badly divided. Our freedom and our land are in dire peril therefore, the NNPGs must come together and thrash out their differences for the best interests of our people.

The NNPGs must listen to the people's voice of sincere and honest desire for Naga National Unity.

The NNC as the Parent Body of the Nagas always stands for genuine peace and National unity of all the NNPGs for the sake of Naga Freedom and real peace to prevail in the Naga Homeland.

Finally, the NNC appeals to all the concerned NNPGs in particular and the Naga people to rise up and build the Naga Nation in the name of our living God for freedom of sovereignty.

KUKNALIM.

President's Speech: Naga National Council My Dear Countrymen, On the occasion of the 67th anniversary of Naga Independence Day, I greet you all in the name of Almighty God. I take this opportunity to salute all our martyrs and all those who gave their best so that the Nagas can live a free nation.

My dear, let us once again keep ourselves abreast with our history, the ups and downs of our National movement. Let us learn from our past mistakes and take encouragement from the successes we had. Since declaration of Naga independence, only few educated Nagas came forward and led the nation, while the simple yet indomitable villagers formed the backbone of our National struggle and defended the inalienable political rights of the Nagas. I salute all those unnamed heroes whose name and their contribution to our National struggle may not be able to find a place in the annals of our history. May God almighty reward them abundantly, Due to exigencies of the time, the National Council (NNC) was organized by the Nagas of the then Naga Hills, however, it covers the entire Naga inhabited territories and for the first time united the Nagas under a single political umbrella.

The NNC got the support and mandated of the Naga People through the plebiscite a conducted on 16th May' 1951 and having obtained the mandated of the people, the NNC approached the Government of India to resolve the Naga political issues through peaceful means. However, the Government of India refused to discuss the issue with the Nagas, instead of solving the Naga political issue through talks as aspired and wished by the Nagas, Government of India resorted to military aggression by pouring her troops into Naga Country whose plunder, atrocities and human rights violations continue till today.

In the face of Indian aggression, the NNC was compelled to form its own Government, named as "Federal Government of Nagaland" on 22nd March 1956 by merging the then "Naga Hills" with the "Free Nagaland" hitherto known as "Tuensang Frontier Division" by the Indian Government. Thus, with the formation of its government, the Nagas defended their political rights more vigorously and relentlessly. Having seen the undaunted spirit of the Nagas in defending their inalienable political rights, Mr. Nehru the first Prime

Minister realized that the Nagas cannot be defeated through military action and therefore applied the "Divide and rule" policy with the British successfully applied on the princely states of India.

At the behest of the intelligence Bureau (TB) few educated Nagas formed the "Naga Peoples Convention" in 1958 and signed the 16th Point understanding with New Delhi in 1959 and thereby accepted the statehood within Indian union in 1960, on creation of the statehood, thousands of Naga youths were pursued to join Indian Para-military forces to assist the regular army in fighting against their own fellow Nagas.

The Indian Government nearly succeeded in destabilizing the National movement. However, it was through the untiring efforts of leaders like Mr. Scato Swu, the then President of Federal Government of Nagaland, Mr. Kughato Sukhai the then Prime Minister of Federal Government of Nagaland, Gen Kaito, the CIN-C of the Naga Army and other leaders, the Naga Nation could be saved from total disintegration. It was during crucial time, the federal Government of Nagaland could make contacts with several countries and through these countries better arms and

ammunitions could be imported and resumed defending the Naga Nation from its aggressor — India, after creation of statehood, the indo-Naga war became more serious and grievous which in turn changed the mind of Mr. Nehru to come to term with the Nagas. Thus, the Nagaland Peace Mission was formed with the approval of the Indian Government.

Unfortunately, Mr. Nehru died before much could be achieved and it was his successor, Mr. Lal Bahadur Shastri with whom the federal Government of Nagaland signed the cease-fire agreement on 6th September 1964. It was through the initiative of the Nagaland Peace Mission, several rounds of talk at Prime Minister Level were held at New Delhi between Federal Government of Nagaland and Government of India. While the Prime Minister Mr. Kughato Sukhai was holding talk with Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India on the issue of Naga Independence and urged her to recognized the Sovereignty of the Nagaland (half of Naga Hills), Mr. R. Suisa Prepared his own Proposal and put forward the proposal (Suisa Proposal) and requested that his proposal be the basis of the settlement between the Nagas and Govern-

‘Our will power is our strength’ Independence Day Speech Delivered by Brig.(Retd.)

S.Singnya, Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland at the 68th Naga Independence Day on 14th August, 2014.

Dear Countrymen, On this historic day, the 14th of August, 2014 as our Nation celebrates the 68th Independence Day, I greet you on behalf of all the ranks and file of the NNC/FGN. Today, in the year 1947, by virtue of natural and historic rights, our people declared to the world that the Nagas are an Independent Nation.

We are thankful to the Almighty God for sustaining us through thick and thin.

But for His grace we would have been crushed by the foot of a power that has often sought to destroy us. Our dream and aspiration may seem alluring and at times distant and remote but the foundation upon which we stand is reinforced with each step we take. The spirit of oneness with those who framed our present in the distant past will lead us to our destined future. For this reason NNC/FGN has time and again stood firm and resolute on the “historical and political rights of the Nagas”.

We are the Sovereign Nation not only by choice but also by virtue of our indelible and inalienable historical and political rights. Naga

historical and political rights must be protected and defended. This is the platform on which the NNC/FGN has stood firm and undaunted.

Ours is the Nationalist Movement in the truest sense. We are torch bearers of the Plebiscite. We have paid heavy prices with the blood of many national patriots. The credit distinct Naga identity that the world recognized today goes to our pioneers, true sons and daughters of the soil for the sacrifices they have made and hardships they have endured. The uniqueness of the Naga history that the world acknowledges today has been earned with blood, tears and sweats of our people.

We must not lose sight of what our forefathers have laid for us. And therefore, the NNC/FGN holds onto these planks as our foundation. Any denial of these historical facts in our political movement is self-destructive and suicidal. We fight for a sovereignty that will resonate within us as a free people and as a free nation to deal and decide our own destiny. A freedom that is free from the domination of a power that has always sought to destroy and take advantage for its own benefit and protection.

The NNC/FGN will stand to preserve the long cherished dream of the Nagas. The unity of the Nagas

is pre-requisite towards finding a permanent solution to the Indo-Naga and Burma-Naga political issue. Only Nagas under a single political umbrella and speaking of one voice can carry weight and command respect. Any solution sans unity of the Nagas will prove to be a historical blunder. Nagas must not repeat but learn from history. For this very reason, the NNC/ FGN has embarked on the Journey of Common Hope initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. Our stand from the beginning has been clear. We have committed ourselves to the work of reconciliation among the Naga Political Groups to hammer out differences so that we can harbour on our commonality, namely, Naga historical and political rights making it to stand at the forefront of our political movement. We are grateful to the FNR for the great accomplishments they have made. However, much need to be achieved as we have agreed upon. The NNC/FGN will not back off from the commitments we have made so long as we all remain true to our words.

We will continue to sail with full trust and will honour the trust that our people has put on. We rededicate ourselves to take on the path that our great leaders have chosen and we must do this togeth-

er in the spirit of forgiveness and mutual understanding.

We cannot sail to our destination in different boats.

The Naga political movement has withstood the test of time and we have not and will not be trampled by the mighty power that has forcefully occupied our motherland. We may lack many things through which the world measures success and might but we have the will power that is mightier than war and weapons or the economic power with which Nagas have often been lured. Our will power is our strength.

As we celebrate this historic day, we remember with gratitude and pay our honour and homage to those patriots who have sacrificed their lives for the Naga cause.

Today, we celebrate with pride the supreme sacrifices they have made. I salute to all the recipients of the awards and commendations for the sacrifices and meritorious services rendered to the Nation. May their exemplary deeds be a source of inspiration in encouraging more patriotic Nagas to come forward in the service of our Nation.

Let us re-dedicate and re-affirm ourselves today towards building a strong and just Nation.

God bless us all.

KUKNALIM

ment of India. Having confused the talk with two proposals, the talk could not progressed further and ended in a deadlock after six rounds of talk. During this crucial stage of indo-Naga talk, a great set back faced by the leadership to continue the talk was the "No Confidence" motion moved by certain vested interest group in the Tatar Hoho against Mr. Sukhai. However, the motion could not be taken up due to absence of the Prime Minister Mr. Kughato Sukhai and instead, the same group moved for impeachment of the President. In view of this development, the President Mr. Scato Swu tendered his resignation on 8th August, 1967, during the 22' session of Tatar Hoho held at Tongpanti Camp Yoangyimsen Village in Ao region. Another set back faced by the Nation during this critical period was the change of the form of the Government to presidential form and dissolution of the parliament in March 1968. The Govt of India unilaterally withdraws the cease fire Agreement and started heavy military operations throughout Naga inhabited areas. The NNC / FGN and all its agencies were declared as unlawful associations and banned under unlawful activities (prevention) Act of 1972.

And made all out efforts to eliminate all national workers and claimed success in five administrative districts of Nagaland, it us under these circumstances the NBCC sponsored the Nagaland Peace Council. The NPC having brokered a meeting between Representative of Federal Government and Representative of Indian Government insisted the Federal Representatives not to insist Independence as basis for their talk with Government of India. With that commitment Federal Representatives met Mr. L. P. Singh the Governor of Nagaland and signed the "Shillong Accord" in 1975, the shillong Accord has caused maximum damaged to our National integrity and even the President of NNC Mr. A.Z.Phizo failed to cure it by taking timely action and left the house divided. After the deathe of Phizo, THE SUPPORTERS OF THE Accord elected Ms. Adino Phizo to succeed her father position as president of NNC and the very next day Phizo was buried, The NNC in its general Meeting held on 7th June' 1990 at Mokokchung rejected the election of Ms. Adinio Phizo as President and declared the election as null and void. Following the election procedures, today the NNC with

Senior Leaders Consultative, Central Executive Council and Regional Authorities re-organized and elected Mr. Temjenyanger Aier as President of NNC on 27th June'2014, having bestowed on me the highest honour to serve the Nagas as president of NNC, I accept it with all humility and once again rededicated myself to service of the Nation.

My dear Countrymen, recently, it has come to my notice that some faction leaders made false allegations using many irrelevant languages against me and my team member's unnecessarily, we wouldn't be there for both physical or paper wars, rather we would remain united against evil forces which gave us "divide and rule in our movement. The cease-fire is subsisting and talk is in progress, let me also make this point clear to the Nagas that any faction bring sovereignty to their glory and the Nagas will welcome it open arm, however NNC will not accept any settlement short of complete sovereignty for which the Nagas gave their mandated. NNC stand for non-Violence, Non-Cooperation and Sovereignty.

Kuknalim (Temjenyanger Aier) President Naga National Council

Speech of Hozheto Z. Chophi,

Ato Kilonser, NNC.N.A. on celebration of Naga Independence Day on 14th August 2014 in the natioal headquarters, Nagaland.

My Dear Nagas, ranks and files of Naga national workers, On this day the 14th August 2014, observing the Historic Day of Naga Independence Day, the NNC.N.A. declares that: We the people of Nagaland, Solemnly Acknowledging that the Sovereignty over the Earth belongs to Almighty God alone and the Authority of the people to be exercised on the territory is a sacred trust from God who sustained our forefathers, the National Workers and our people through the years of trial and Having our attachment to the truth of popular sovereignty as declared on 22nd March 1956 and the Articles contained in the Provisional Yehzabo of 1962, to establish National Institutions based on the common ideals of Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity among the people composing it Pledge to uphold the Yehzabo of Nagaland, safeguard the age old Legacy of our forefathers declaring the 14th of August 1947 as Naga Independence Day and Nagaland as a free and independent Nation. On this day the NNC N.A under

the leadership of Kiumukam Yim and Hozheto Z. Chophi reiterates that nothing can compensate the age old Blood sacrifices of the Nagas and the Sovereignty of the Naga people and Nagaland as a Nation can never be compromised. NNC N.A warns that no effort should be made to change the historical background of the Nagas. No more Colossal blunder should be made to look Shillong Accord like a tiny speck. Reminiscence of the Naga history proves and concluded that the Nagas were free people undisturbed by any Foreign intruders. The word foreign were never akin to our Naga forefathers. Intruders were hunted and beheaded and the Nagas were having absolute supremacy over our own land. The maxim that "Men are born free but everywhere in Chains" applies to Naga generations today. Rights of Freedom of Humanity and the rights of the Nagas to live freely in our own land is suppressed by the demons of Democracy today. On this day I call upon the Nagas to stand together and abandon the mindset that the undergrounds alone can bring freedom to the Nagas.

All freedom loving people

of the Nagas irrespective of undergrounds or over grounds should stand together and think that all Nagas are equal and all Nagas will fight together. Change will come only when all the sons and daughters of Nagas put their voice together and fight for our just cause. Now up to three generations we are sacrificing our lives and with what little we have and why are you greedily enjoying your own independence on the spoils of blood and sacrifice of the Naga Martyrs. Think that we freedom fighters are not only the Nagas. Nagaland belongs to all the Nagas and all the Nagas should fight together for the freedom of the Nagastritie patriotic families are exhausted and victimised yet we are not discouraged.

On entering the sixty ninth years of sacrifice beginning from first NNC session at Wokha in 1946, we implore upon the Nagas that we have committed covenant with God by declaring Nagaland for Christ. All the children of God should work together and place Nagaland to God as a Christian nation. God has a purpose for his children yet we have sin manifold more than the Isralites.

The only cry of Abel reached God. What about the cry of

the thousand innocent Nagas who have been murdered not by our enemy but by our own brothers. God will never deliver us unless we repent and fulfill our promise to him.

Lastly by taking this opportunity I present the replica of what is written in the rock of ages at Huker village when I visited Eastern Nagaland to pay my homage to where first spell of blood were shed for Naga independence.

On the rock of ages is inscribed thus: They can take our lives but not our freedom. From here to there we shall keep our promise if anything bound to happen let it happen to us. Our goal till achieve tears and years shall not betray us in our deepest despair we pray not falter remind us of with rainbows for the dear freedom we cherish for in God we trust live or perish.

Posterity will read this legacy provided by Huker Village Council and posterity will not forget the legacy of our forefathers and uniqueness of the history of free Nagas.

Nagas were free and will remain free until the end of time.

Kuknalim Nagaland

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper.

Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express THursDAy 14 AuGusT 2014 volumE IX IssuE 222

Guest editorial Chingya luithui

MilitarisatioN

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ilitary might or use of state security apparatuses has been central to the idea of statehood, as it developed in Europe, as a modern organisational structure for the society. It was hinged on the idea that the state was sovereign and omnipotent; it could do anything because statehood provided the only legitimate means through which people can be ruled. By this logic it followed that where states did not exist in forms that Europeans conceived, existing states could, through use of force and military means, incorporate people and territories into their own. This was the colonial logic that destroyed many indigenous communities and perfectly viable alternative forms of political organisational structures across the world. As its legacy, it left a history of slavery, subjugation, marginalization, dispossession, exclusion or discrimination, and poverty of many people around the world.

There has been a significant theoretical paradigm shift from this understanding within the last few decades and, however little, there have been attempts in shifting the focus of statehood from one of power and control toward one of democratic rights for and obligations to the citizens. Within such a set up, militarisation and reliance on use of state security apparatuses is less to do with maintaining public peace or security than it is to do with the failure of the state to guarantee minimum rights to its citizens.

Very often governments which lack legitimacy invoke the notion of “public security” to justify militarisation or the use of its security apparatuses to suppress the demands of the people to have their rights recognised. In some cases, the government itself engineer events to validate the use of its security apparatuses. In such a situation, “public security” is nothing more than the security of the regime or the government; the source of insecurity for the people is from the government itself rather than from other external threats.

All these are not without costs. Systematic militarisation requires considerable financial and bureaucratic undertakings at the expense of projects for social development and activities for ensuring rights of citizens. It viciously diminishes the security of citizens and very often feeds the intensification of resistance against the state. Here, it is important to realise that security of citizens as a concept is one that ensure citizens are able to live in peace and harmony, have access to resources and basic necessities, and participate meaningfully in the process of governance through the guarantee of their rights.

The present events unfolding in Ukhrul, Manipur is a failure to grasp all these. As a saying goes, “Those who make peaceful change impossible will experience violent change; those who are denied peaceful change will take recourse to violent change”.

It would do well for policy and decision makers to remember this.

(Feedbacks, suggestions, and comments can be mailed to chinxwrites@gmail.com)

lEfT WING |

Amit Kapoor IANS

Created prosperity as the real goal of development

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ompetitiveness is defined as the productivity with which a country’s uses its resources like land (natural resources), labor (human beings) and capital. Productivity is just not about efficiency and yield, it is about how much of the resources a nation/region is endowed with that the production process in able to cater to, in a given period of time. The productivity with which a nation utilizes its natural resources determines its standard of living, which gets reflected in the per capita income of the population. Central to the idea of productivity of utilization of resources is the concept of firms/companies, which form the bedrock of prosperity for people. Firms may have different shareholding patterns, but ultimately their organizational ability to create value for a society is immense. Also, productivity is not just defined by which industries a country competes in, but by how these companies choose to compete within those specific industries. A nation’s productivity is a reflection of the choices made by its companies with respect to the sectors they want to operate in, the value-addition that they do in these sectors and the efficiency with which they produce.

To understand these concepts in practice let us take the example of the two industries, pharmaceuticals and IT, in India and compare them to a different context - the US. An average software engineer or a pharmaceutical executive in US is at least 10 times more productive than his counterpart in India. It shows what people are expected to do and what they actually do in companies varies enormously across countries. In the US, the value-addition done by industry is immense, the engineers focus on innovation that help in extracting better value. On the other hand, most engineers in the Indian context are engaged in support functions that give them limited scope for value-addition, and their work in itself is very monotonous and simplistic. Also, with respect to the pharmaceutical industry, we rarely tend to focus on having patents and doing R&D for future competitiveness. Companies tend to look at the short term and tend to focus on contract manufacturing for their European or US counterparts. This happens not because the potential of our engineers/executives is limited but because our companies are focusing on the low end of the value creation process.

In India, where the wages are low, the companies typically focus on cost competitiveness by hiring cheap labor and make them do mundane jobs. Very few companies are bold enough to take up the challenge and work towards path breaking innovations. This is true across industries. In the case of IT, we do outsourcing work while in the case of the pharmaceutical industry we focus on contract manufacturing and generic sales.

Rarely can we find examples of truly innovative enterprises.

This is in contrast to companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook, Tesla Motors and the like which have all emerged outside India, and that too in a country that does not really boast of indigenous talent that is readily and freely available in India. The challenge before India is really in finding winners in industries where value-addition is high and gets reflected in higher labor productivity. For this the institutions of education as well as the companies will have to alter their thinking for creation of societal value. The view of creating prosperity by having innovative enterprises is in contrast to the view of creating value by exploiting natural resources and natural endowments a country has. Thus, there is a critical distinction between ‘created prosperity’ and ‘inherited prosperity’.

The fundamental difference between these two paradigms is how companies approach the idea of competition. In ‘created prosperity’ view competition is welcomed as it forces companies to produce more innovative products and services, while in ‘inherited prosperity’ view, competition is limited resulting in monopolization or at best oligopolization. India’s future in a large measure will depend on how the government frees up the sectors to release the gales of creative destruction within various industries. The companies in turn will have to embrace competition going ahead. Innovation should form the basis of long-term prosperity rather than government monopolization and control. If these choices are made by the government and companies, a large number of India’s young population will take their destinies in their own hands. That truly should be the real goal of development: Not to develop people just materially, but also in empowering them and providing them the means to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Kalana Senaratne

Sri Lanka’s accountability crisis

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n 17 May 2009 President Mahinda Rajapaksa cut short his visit to Jordan, and made a triumphant return to Sri Lanka.

He signaled to the country, with supreme confidence, that the war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended. Confirmation came later the next day; the much dreaded LTTE leader was pronounced dead. The long war was indeed over.

There was dancing and jubilation in the streets. Sri Lanka’s post-war woes had just begun.

International probe Five years after the war, Sri Lanka is in the grip of an almost inescapable accountability crisis. Over the years, innumerable allegations have been leveled against the parties for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially during the last stages of the war. Given the total decimation of the LTTE leadership, the critical bite of these allegations has been mostly felt by the Sri Lankan leadership and its armed forces. And in March 2014, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution (A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1) which heightened the need for an accountability process.

The first and principal feature of the resolution is its unprecedented call for an international probe.

It requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to “undertake a comprehensive investigation” into crimes and abuses committed by both parties, during the period from 2002 to 2009. This was inevitable, since in 2012 and 2013, the UNHRC had, with the support of India, adopted resolutions asking the Sri Lankan government to conduct a credible domestic investigation.

Secondly, the resolution also seeks to correct a widely prevalent but distorted view in Sri Lanka about truth-seeking mechanisms, a view which holds that such mechanisms should provide a blanket pardon to all those who have been alleged of committing serious crimes. Rather, as the resolution states, truth-seeking mechanisms “that investigate patterns of human rights violations and their causes and consequences are important tools that can complement judicial processes”, and should be founded upon the consultation of victims as well.

Thirdly, the resolution highlights the continuing pattern of human rights violations in the country, referring in particular to attacks on religious places of worship that have been taking place especially during the past few years. In June this year, Sri Lanka witnessed one of the worst cases of religious riots in the country, between the Sinhala-Buddhist majority and the Muslim minority, resulting in the killing of three Muslim men. Such incidents, along with numerous other killings and abductions (including of innocent Sinhala people), remain to be properly investigated, further highlighting the depths of the accountability crisis in the country.

However, it would be too early to comment on the true impact of the resolution.

The resolution was adopted with the approval of 23 of the 47 members of the UNHRC; but the Asian member states were largely against the resolution (including Pakistan and China), or abstained from voting (including India, Indonesia and Japan). The international probe now is set to be conducted without the active support of the regional group that can exert the most pressure on Sri Lanka. The fact that the main sponsor of the resolution was the US, a principal foe of international accountability mechanisms, does not in any way help further the accountability cause, especially in the context of its predictable response to Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Furthermore, it is unclear whether the resolution would have any impact on the ground. For ex-

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onsanto and friends, the biotech industry, its lobbyists and its paid media representation continue to push for monopoly control over the world’s food through its seed supply.

This “empire” is being built on false foundations: that Monsanto is a creator/inventor of life and hence can own the seed through patents and that life can be engineered and machined like an iPhone.

Through ecology and the new biology we know that life is self-organised complexity — life makes itself; it cannot be “manufactured”. This also applies to food production through the new science of agroecology. Agroecology gives us a deeper scientific understanding of how ecological processes work at the level of soils, living seeds and living food. The promises made by the biotech industry — of increased yields, reduction of chemical use and control of weeds and pests — have not been kept. Last month an investment fund sued DuPont for $1 billion for pushing herbicide-resistant crops knowing fully well they would fail to control weeds and instead contribute to the emergence of “superweeds”.

Creating “ownership” of seed through patents and intellectual property rights and imposing it globally through the World Trade Organisation, the biotech industry has established a monopoly empire over seed and food. While they claim ownership of the seeds they sell and collect royalties, when it comes to checks and balances on safety, the biotech industry is systematically destroying international and national laws on biosafety claiming their products are “as nature made them”. It’s ontological schizophrenia!

Biosafety is the multi-disciplinary assessment of the impact of genetic

Five years after the end of the armed conflict between Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Sri Lanka is in a deeply precarious position.

A recent UN Human Rights Council resolution calls for an international investigation into alleged crimes

critics point out, the overall message of the present Commission will not be any different, and it will be interesting to observe the reaction of the Advisory Panel. That will decide whether their role was to act as independent advisors, or as ‘defence counsel’ for the Sri Lankan government.

On the other hand, the OHCHR is also in the process of carrying out a comprehensive investigation with the assistance of international experts, including Martti Ahtisaari, former Finnish President, Special Envoy for Kosovo and the architect of the famous 2007 ‘Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement’. As a member of The Elders (a body of global leaders, founded by the late Nelson Mandela), he had earlier written that Sri Lanka’s approach to human rights and its clampdown on critics “deserves a far tougher response from the international community”, and that the prevailing fear and suspicion even after the war can be overcome through “greater accountability of both parties to the conflict.” He has also cautioned that countries should not take “courage from Sri Lanka’s apparent success at avoiding international reproach.” Such sentiments would reveal the nature of the possible outcome of the international investigation.

In short, in the absence of any domestic political pressure as well as regional (diplomatic) pressure, any positive development on the accountability front is hardly unlikely. Perhaps the only critical development will come with the release of the final report of the international panel, in March 2015. Its immediate effect within the country remains unclear, given that Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections around that time, with the incumbent leadership confident of another victory. However, a very critical report by the international investigatory panel, now with the UN imprimatur, will encourage the efforts made overseas at holding travelling government and army officials accountable in foreign courts. In the long term, a very critical report might just have the potential of being a vital source that would one day further legitimize the Tamil people’s search for a political future which goes beyond the present demand for federalism.

ample, it omits reference to Sri Lanka’s problematic domestic legislation, such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the need for repeal of such laws. It is a surprising omission, given that the UNHRC had earlier adopted resolutions (for example, “Civil Society Space” of 23 September 2013), which recognize the urgency with which such laws should be repealed. What must be remembered is that there were arrests of human rights defenders and activists even while the UNHRC sessions in March were underway, under the pretext that terrorism was resurging in the former conflict areas.

The resolution does not give accurate expression to the political solution demanded by the Tamil people. It applauds the Sri Lankan government for holding the Northern Provincial Council election in September 2013, and calls for the full implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution which devolves some powers to the provincial councils established around the country, including in the north and east (Tamil majority provinces). But this hardly gives expression to the more serious fact that the landslide victory whereby the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) garnered over 78 percent of the vote, was in support of a political solution which recognized the self-determination of the Tamil people and The use and abuse of accountability a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s historical record of holding alleged perpetrators of human rights and humanitarian law Responses and complications One of the overarching concerns related to the violations has been a poor one, even under past re2014 resolution is its call for an international probe gimes. And this failed past does better explain the sein addition to a domestic investigation. This com- riousness of the present post-war crisis.

It is a crisis which is also a by-product of the plicates the search for accountability, as it opens up space for two contending and parallel processes, deep ethnic polarization in the country. The ‘truth’ to the Sinhala majority was the LTTE’s terrorism; which are now under way.

On the one hand, Sri Lanka had established in ‘justice’, its complete decimation. The Tamils reAugust 2013 a Presidential Commission of Inquiry sist this narrative; for them, the LTTE was princiwhich investigated cases of missing persons. Its pally an entity which stood against majoritarian mandate has now been expanded (through a ga- hegemony. This is part of the unpalatable truth. zette notification on 15 July 2014) to include an in- And both parties, albeit in unequal measure, are quiry into possible violations of humanitarian and guilty of not taking the concept of accountability human rights law during the last stages of the con- more seriously, especially during the course of the flict. This Commission is to be assisted by an Ad- three-decade-old violent struggle; with ‘accountvisory Council made up of international experts, ability’ now being a misused and abused term that comprising of Sir Desmond de Silva QC, Sir Geof- connotes a meaning of revenge or vengeance, in domestic political discourse. frey Nice QC, and Professor David Crane.

One will never know, with absolute precision, Yet, the establishment of the domestic Commission, especially the expansion of its original mandate, what occurred during the war. The lives lost during appears to be a clear result of international pressure. war are lost forever; the hurt remains deeply etched Whether the new mandate would over-burden the in a thousand places. But it is necessary that all alCommission is another serious concern raised by legations of serious violations of humanitarian and civil society groups. It is headed by three local com- human rights law are credibly investigated, and sysmissioners, two of whom were also members of a tematic patterns of abuse exposed. That would still government-appointed Lessons Learnt and Recon- not end the search for different kinds of ‘truth’ and ciliation Commission (LLRC), which in its 2011 re- ‘justice’, but it might hopefully open up some space port, conclusively held that the Sri Lankan armed for re-imagining a Sri Lanka, a little more reconciled, forces had not deliberately targeted any civilians. As a little more united, than the one today.

Fine Print of the Food Wars vandana shiva CommonDreams engineering on the environment, on public health and on socio-economic conditions. At the international level, biosafety is international law enshrined in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. I was appointed to an expert group to evolve the framework by the United Nations environment programmme to implement Article 19.3 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Monsanto and friends have been attempting to deny citizens the right to safe food by opposing Article 19.3 since the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992.

Currently they are attempting to dismantle national laws on biosafety in India, Pakistan, the European Union, across Africa and Latin America. In the United States, they are distorting the Constitution by suing state governments that have passed labelling laws for GMO (genetically modified) foods by claiming that the citizens’ right to know what they eat is superseded by the biotech industry’s right to impose hazardous foods on uninformed consumers as the freedom of speech of a corporation, as if it were a natural person.

Their PR machine is deployed to unscientifically attack scientists working on biosafety, such as Árpád Pusztai, Ignacio Chapela, Irina Ermakova, Éric Séralini and myself. Many journalists, having no scientific background them-

selves, have become soldiers in this PR assault. Privileged white men like Mark Lynas, Jon Entine and Michael Specter, with no practical experience in agriculture, armed only with BA degrees and ties to corporate-controlled media, are being used to undermine real scientific findings about the impact of GMOs on our health and ecosystems.

Biotech industry uses its PR puppets to falsely claim that GMOs are a solution to world hunger. This denialism of real scientific debate about how living systems evolve and adapt, is backed by an aggressive and massive PR assault, including the use of intelligence agencies such as Blackwater.

In 2010, Forbes named me one of the seven most powerful women in the world for “putting women front and centre to solve the issue of food security in the developing world”. In 2014, Jon Entine, a journalist, wrote an “opinion” piece on the Forbes website, falsely claiming that I have not studied physics. While I have studied physics at a post-graduate level and done my doctorate on the foundations of quantum theory, I have spent 40 years studying ecology in India’s farms and forests, with nature and wise peasants as my teachers. This is the basis of my expertise in agroecology and biosafety.

Good science and proven technologies do not need PRs, intelligence

WRITE-WING

agencies or corrupt governments to prove the facts.

If unfounded attacks on a scientist from a developing country by a non-scientist is one of their tools in shaping the future, they have got it all wrong. They don’t see the growing citizens’ outrage against Monsanto’s monopoly.

In sovereign countries, where the might of Monsanto and friends is limited, the people and their governments are rejecting their monopoly and failed technology. But this news is suppressed by the PR machine.

Russia has completely banned GMOs with deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev saying, “If the Americans like to eat GMO products, let them eat it then. We don’t need to do that; we have enough space and opportunities to produce organic food”.

China has banned GMOs in military food supplies. Italy has just passed a law, Campo libre, making planting GMO crops punishable with a prison sentence of one to three years and a fine of 10,00030,000 euros. Italian minister of agriculture Nunzia De Girolamo said in a statement: “Our agriculture is based on biodiversity, on quality, and we must continue to aim for these without ventures that, even from the economic point of view, wouldn’t make us competitive.”

PR pieces in Forbes and the New Yorker cannot stop the awakening of millions of farmers and consumers to the very real dangers of geneticallymodified organisms in our food and the shortcomings and failures of the industrial food system which is destroying the planet and our health.

Dr. Vandana Shiva is a philosopher, environmental activist and eco feminist. She is the founder/director of Navdanya Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology.

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.

7 PERSPECTIVE Parsing the East Asian Powder Keg

Thursday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

14 August 2014

NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Conn hallinan

T

Foreign Policy in Focus

he past six months have seen an incredible ratcheting up of tensions in the East and South China Seas, where the world’s three largest economies—China, the United States, and Japan—are caught up in an increasingly tangled web of territorial disputes, competing alliances, and historical grievances.

In February, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry assured Japan that the Americans would defend Japan in case of a military confrontation between Tokyo and Beijing. That same month, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said the Philippines could count on American support if there were a clash with China in the South China Sea. In early May, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces practiced “retaking” islands of the Amami Group near Okinawa in a not-so-subtle challenge to China over the ownership of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. That same week, U.S. and Philippine forces held joint war games, while President Barack Obama promised “ironclad” support against “aggressive” neighbors interested in “changing the status quo” in Asia.

Since then, the competing claims have only escalated. In mid-May, China challenged Japanese ownership of Okinawa, stating it did “not belong to Japan,” challenging Tokyo and indirectly calling into question the presence of huge U.S. bases on the island.

Tokyo responded by digging in its heels. Later that month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged that Tokyo would support the Philippines, Vietnam, and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in their disputes with Beijing over islands and shoals in the South China Seas. And most recently, on July 1, the Abe government “re-interpreted” Article 9 of its peace constitution to allow Japan to use military force in support of its allies. U.S. allies in the region supported the move.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has agreed to allow the U.S. military use of the former American base at Subic Bay. There are points of friction seemingly everywhere.

American naval vessels have accused the Chinese Navy of playing chicken off China’s coast. Chinese ships are blockading Philippine ships near a number of disputed shoals and reefs. Vietnam claims China rammed some of its ships. Japan scrambled a record number of fighter planes to intercept supposed incursions by Chinese and Russian aircraft. U.S. Senator John McCain called China “a rising threat,” and the Pentagon’s Frank Kandell told the House Armed Forces Committee that U.S. military superiority in the Pacific was “not assured.”

In short, “tense” doesn’t quite describe the situation in Asia these days—more like “scary.”

The Peace Treaty That Could Start a War A major source of this friction are two documents most Americans know nothing about: the 1951 San Francisco Treaty that ended World War II in Asia, and a littleknown doctrine called the AirSea Battle plan.

According to research by Kimie Hara, the Director of East Asian Studies at Ontario’s Renison University College and the author of numerous books on the Cold War in Asia, today’s tensions were purposely built into the 1951 Treaty.

“Close examination of the Allies’ documents, particularly those of the United States (which was primarily responsible for drafting the peace treaty), reveals that some, if not all, of these problems were intentionally created or left unresolved to protect U.S. strategic interests,” she writes. Neither China nor Korea was invited to the treaty talks, and while the USSR was present, it was not a signatory.

Hara says the United States wanted to create “strategic ambiguity” and “manageable instability” that would

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y former paper titled, “Why the NLTP Act & How is it a failure?” was an analytical approach. Today I would like to address the issue directly from the Bible. An extremely important question that demands our attention is, Why does the Bible warn against the use of alcohol or intoxicating drink? There are 75 bible verses that warn against the use of alcohol. Here are some of them.

1. Genesis 9:20-26 – How shameful it was for Ham to see his father-Noah naked when his father became drunk.

2. Genesis 19:30-38 - Lot was so drunk that he did not know what he was doing; this drunkenness led him to immorality.

3. Leviticus 10:8-11 – “And the Lord said to Aaron, you and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come…..”

4. Numbers 6:3 – Through Moses, the Lord warned the people Israel to abstain from wine and other fermented drink.”

5. Deuteronomy 21:20 – “…This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard. Then all the men of his town will stone him to death.”

6. Deuteronomy 29:5-6 –God spoke to the people of Israel through Moses, “You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.” 7. Deuteronomy 32:33 - Intoxicating wine is like the poison of serpents, the cruel venom of asps.

8. Judges 13:4, 7, 14 – God told Solomon’s mother not to drink wine or fermented drink.

9. 1 Samuel 25:36-38 - Nabal died after a drunken spree.

10. 2 Samuel 13:28-29 - Amnon was drunk when he was killed.

11. 1 Kings 16:8-10 - The king was assassinated when he was drunk.

12. 1 Kings 20:12-21 - Ben-Hadad and 32 other kings were drinking when they were attacked and defeated by the Israelites.

13. Proverbs 4:17 - Alcoholic drink is called the wine of violence.

14. Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging.

15. Proverbs 23:19-20 - A wise person will not be among the drinkers of alcoholic beverages.

16. Proverbs 23:21 - Drunkenness

allow it to continue stationing a major military presence in the region. The examples she gives are the ongoing disagreements and tensions over the Kuril/Northern Territories Islands, the Dokdo/Takeshima islands, the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, the Spratly/Nansha, and the Paracel/Xisha islands—and not to mention the divided Korean peninsula and the Taiwan Straits. All of these— plus a few others—have led to confrontations among Japan, China, Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, North Korea, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Sometimes the U.S. government directly sabotaged efforts to resolve issues among Asian nations. In 1954, Japan and the Soviet Union restored diplomatic relations and were on the verge of cutting a deal over the Kurlies/Northern Territory islands, essentially splitting the difference: Japan would take two islands, the USSR another two.

However, Washington was worried that a peace treaty between Tokyo and Moscow would eventually lead to diplomatic ties between Japan and communist China, which would have exerted, says Hara, “considerable pressure on the United States to vacate Okinawa, whose importance had significantly increased as a result of the Americas’ Cold War strategy in Asia.” Okinawa was a major base for the United States during the Korean War. So Washington torpedoed the deal, telling Tokyo that if it did not demand all four islands, the United States would not return Okinawa—which had been controlled by the U.S. military since the end of World War II—to Japan. The U.S. knew the Soviets would reject the Japanese demand, which would scuttle efforts to reduce tensions between the two nations. There is still no peace treaty between Russia and Japan.

A Land Invasion of China?

AirSea Battle (ASB) has been official U.S. military doctrine in Asia since 2010, and what it calls for is chilling: the military defeat—World War II style—of China. Not even during the height of the Cold War did the United States and it allies envision defeating the Soviet Union in military combat, seeking to rather “contain” it.

In the 1990s, China began building a military that could defend its coastal waters. Called “denial of access,” its strategy incorporates a variety of anti-ship and ballistic missiles, stealth submarines, cyber warfare, and space surveillance. China’s turn from its traditional reliance on land forces to “denial of access” was given a major push in 1996, when the Clinton administration deployed two aircraft carrier battle groups in the Taiwan Straits during a period of tension between China and Taiwan. Beijing could do nothing about it, and the Chinese military was deeply embarrassed.

ASB is designed to neutralize “denial of access” by “blinding” Chinese radar and surveillance capabilities, destroying missile sites and command centers, and, according to Amitai Etzioni of George Washington University—author of books on U.S. foreign policy and a former senior adviser to the White House under Jimmy Carter— allowing U.S. military forces to “enter contested zones and conclude the conflict by bringing to bear the full force of their material military advantage.”

The potential dangers involved in such an undertaking are sobering. Since ASB would entail strikes deep into Chinese territory, Beijing might assume such attacks were directed at China’s nuclear weapons arsenal. The general rule with nukes is “use them or lose them.” According to Etzioni, the Center for Strategic and International Studies concludes that “China is likely to respond to what is effectively a major attack on its mainland with all the military means at its disposal—including its stockpile of nuclear arms.”

While Pentagon officials claim that ASB is not aimed at any particular country, China is the only pow-

er in Asia capable of “access denial” to the U.S. military. Etzioni quotes one “senior Naval official” as saying “AirSea Battle is all about convincing the Chinese that we will win this competition.”

The Chinese are fully aware of ASB, which does much to explain their recent assertiveness in the East China Sea. The Diaoyu/Senkakus are part of the “first island chain” through which Chinese submarines and surface craft must pass in order to exit Chinese coastal waters. If Japan controls those islands, it can detect—and with anti-ship missiles, destroy—anyone going from China to the Pacific.

Aggression in the South China Sea China has a good case that Japan’s claim to the Diaoyu/Senkakus violates the 1945 Potsdam Agreement.

Potsdam was supposed to dismantle Japan’s empire, including territories that it had seized during its years of expansion. The Diaoyu/Senkakus were absorbed by Japan following the 1894-1895 Sino-Japanese War, so China has a solid ownership argument.

However, China can make no such case for the Spratlys, Parcels, or reefs and shoals of the South China Sea. It may be that defense considerations are driving some of those disputes—most of China’s energy supplies transit the region—but oil, gas, and fishing rights would seem to loom larger.

In any case, China appears to be in violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that guarantees countries a 200-nautical-mile “exclusive economic zone.” China, using a 19th-century “nine-dash line” map, claims “indisputable sovereignty” over 3.5 million square kilometers of the South China Sea, a sea that borders six nations and through which one third of the world’s shipping passes.

While China’s forceful behavior in the East China Sea is somewhat understandable, Beijing’s decision to throw its weight around in the South China Sea has given the United States an opportunity to exploit the situation. Because of tensions between China and the Philippines, the U.S. military was recently invited back into the islands, which had expelled the United States in the 1990s. And China’s unilateral actions in the Paracels have some Vietnamese talking about a military relationship with Washington.

Taking a Step Back All sides need to take a step back. China should adhere to a 2002 ASEAN code of conduct to negotiate its disputes with Vietnam and the Philippines and to bring the issue of the Diaoyu/Senkakus before the International Court of Justice.

The United States should back off its blank check support for the right-wing Abe government in Japan.

Tokyo started this fight in 2010 by first arresting a Chinese fisherman—thus violating an agreement not to apply domestic trespassing laws to fishing violations— and then unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the Diaoyu/Senkakus in 2012, a violation of a 1972 agreement with China to leave that issue up to negotiations.

Washington should also reverse its expensive expansion of military forces in Asia—the so-called “Asia pivot”—and reconsider the folly of the AirSea Battle doctrine.

According to Raoul Heinrichs of Australian University, ASB “will greatly increase the range of circumstances for maritime brinkmanship and dangerous naval incidents.”

Establishing military “hot lines” between the major powers in the region would also be helpful.

The current tensions reflect exactly what the San Francisco Treaty was designed to do: divide and conquer. But with the potential dangers of escalation embedded in the doctrine of AirSea Battle, local tensions are threatening international order.

What does the Bible say about the evil effects of alcoholism?

Rev. J. Thungjamo Lotha causes poverty.

17. Proverbs 23:29-30 - Drinking causes woe, sorrow, fighting, babbling, wounds without cause and red eyes.

18. Proverbs 23:31 - God instructs not to look at intoxicating drinks.

19. Proverbs 23:32 - Alcoholic drinks bite like a serpent, sting like an adder.

20. Proverbs 23:33 - Alcohol causes the drinker to have strange and adulterous thoughts, produces willfulness, and prevents reformation.

21. Proverbs 23:34 - Alcohol makes the drinker unstable 22. Proverb 31:4-5 - Kings, Princes, and others who rule and judge must not drink alcohol. Alcohol perverts good judgment.

23. Ecclesiastes 2:3 - The king tried everything, including intoxicating drink, to see if it satisfied. It did not. (Ecclesiastes 12:8) 24. Ecclesiastes 10:17 - A land is blessed when its leaders do not drink.

25. Isaiah 5:11-12 - Woe to those who get up early to drink and stay up late at night to get drunk.

26. Isaiah 24:9 - Drinkers cannot escape the consequences when God judges.

27. Isaiah 28:3 - Proud drunkards shall be trodden down.

28. Isaiah 28:8 - Drinkers’ tables are covered with vomit and filth.

29. Daniel 1:5-17 - Daniel refused the king’s intoxicating wine and was blessed for it along with his abstaining friends.

30. Hosea 4:11 - Intoxicating wine takes away intelligence.

31. Hosea 7:5 - God reproves princes for drinking.

32. Joel 1:5 - Drunkards awake to see God’s judgment.

33. Amos 2:12 - Israel is condemned for forcing Nazarites to drink wine.

34. Habakkuk 2:16 - Drinking leads to shame.

35. Luke 1:15 - John the Baptist drank neither grape juice nor wine.

36. Luke 12:45 - Christ warned against drunkenness.

37. Romans 13:13 - Do not walk in

drunkenness or immorality.

38. 1 Corinthians 5:11 - If a Christian brother is a drinker, do not associate with him.

39. 1 Corinthians 6:10 - Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God 40. Galatians 5:21 - Acts of the sinful nature, such as drunkenness, will prohibit a person from inheriting the kingdom of God. 41. Ephesians 5:18 - In contrast to being drunk with wine, the believer is to be filled with the Spirit.

42. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 - Drunkards belong to the night and darkness.

43. 1 Timothy 3:8 - Deacons are to be worthy of respect and not drinkers.

44. 1 Peter 4:3-4 - The past life of drunkenness and carousing has no place in the Christian’s life.

Having seen the warnings given by the Bible against the use of alcohol, Dr. Robert Teachout, A Semitic scholar who, in 1979, wrote his doctorate on The Use of Wine in the Old Testament, stated, “Alcohol is never approved by God in any amount for the obedient Christian.” Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi, author of Wine in the Bible, 1989, says, “Drinking Alcohol is...a moral issue.

It is...a transgression of God’s law.”

Over the years there have been numerous attempts to point out that the Bible does not condemn drinking wine. To do so many have quoted verses from the Bible to prove their arguments. However this has been the result of failing to read and understand the verses contextually. To quote a bible verse out of context is a grave mistake. Not only are we to read them contextually but even more important is to understand the use of the words with their meanings then and now. For instance in this particular case, the use of the word “wine” used in the Bible. The term “wine” is used in the Bible in two different ways and one must bear this in mind to avoid unnecessary confusion. There are two different types of wine used in the Bible. One is referred to the unfermented grape juice which is also known as new wine or sweet wine. When we come across verses that mentions “wine” and “new wine” for celebratory purpose one must re-

alise that it is referring to unfermented grape juice. This is the “wine” or in other words, in today’s context what we call “juice” is what is approved by God. Thus those verses that contain the term “wine” such as in Genesis 27:28 which reads “May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness-- an abundance of grain and new wine” cannot be used as advocating liquor or alcohol.

The second type of wine is the intoxicating wine. All the above verses mentioned above with the term “wine” refers to the intoxicating wine. They all clearly show that it is disapproved by God. It is this intoxicating wine which has been or is condemned by God. When we talk about the NLTP act we should understand that it is against “Liquor” as the name itself suggests. We all know the meaning of the word “liquor”. To call a drink as “liquor” or “juice” has entirely different meanings. Liquor falls under the intoxicating wine which God condemns outrightly. As someone writes, “It is not just the amount one drinks that makes drinking a sin. God condemns the drink itself.” This is referred to the intoxicating wine. For example, Prov. 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (KJV). Alcohol, the intoxicating wine, goes direct to the brain which is the communication centre of our body. When God made “Man” He made him/her in such a way that he/she can have fellowship with Him. But this fellowship is breached when the communication centre of our body is disturbed by alcohol or intoxicating wine.

God, therefore condemns the drink itself.

As Christians we need to be true followers of Christ. To do so we not only need to know the Bible, but most importantly make efforts in understanding it appropriately. To quote bible verses out of context is a serious issue. The key to be a sincere follower of Christ is to know and understand the Bible correctly. Without this there will certainly be confusion. The NLTP,1989 Act was enacted purely in line with the warnings given by the Bible against the use of alcohol Finally, each of us have been given the freedom to make choices. What choices are we going to make? Here, the choice is, as followers of Christ we choose to do what is approved by God or as followers of Christ we choose to do what is disapprove by Christ.

Whichever we choose ultimately we will be held accountable. Let not our weakness hinder us from making the right choices.

the Youngest Are Hungriest seema Jayachandran and rohini Pande New York times

W

HY are Indian children so short? Over 40 percent of those 5 and under are stunted — meaning they are in the bottom 2 to 3 percent of the worldwide height distribution for their age and sex — and this rate has improved only modestly since the 1990s.

Childhood malnutrition, which causes stunting, blights lives; millions will be permanently affected by poor health and cognitive deficits.

You might assume that this is just about poverty, but here’s where the story gets strange: The average baby born in India is more likely to be stunted than the average baby in sub-Saharan Africa — even though the baby’s mother is more likely to survive the birth, and he or she will probably go on to live longer and be richer and more educated.

Many explanations have been offered up for this “South Asian enigma.” Most recently, research reported in this newspaper has suggested that health problems associated with open defecation, which is more widespread in India than Africa, can cause children to suffer malnutrition even when they are well fed.

But this overlooks one key fact: firstborn Indian children are taller than firstborn African children. Last year, we conducted a study that used demographic and health surveys for India and 25 sub-Saharan African countries to compare heights by age in a sample of more than 174,000 children under 5. Like other researchers, we found an India-Africa height gap. Unlike other researchers, we examined how this varied by birth order within the family.

We found that the South Asian enigma begins only with the second-born child, and becomes more pronounced for each subsequent baby. Among children born third or later, 48 percent are stunted in India versus 40 percent in Africa, while the rates for firstborn children are 35 percent in India versus 37 percent in Africa.

Children from the same family are most likely subject to the same external factors, like exposure to pathogens from open defecation, so there must be something else going on. We believe that the explanation is India’s deeply entrenched preference for firstborn sons.

Mrs. Sima lives in a village in the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India.

She was married at 14 and started having children at 15: a girl, then a boy, then a girl. She says that she ate more and took advantage of available health care during her first pregnancy to better bear the pain she expected in childbirth, but also for the good health of what she hoped would be her “future son.” During her second pregnancy, she followed the same regimen, with the exception of a shorter rest period before giving birth. During her third pregnancy, she says that she was too busy to take iron supplements.

We presented her with a hypothetical emergency, in which she could save only one of her children. She told us she would save the boy because “the son is the lamp of the family.”

This favoritism toward firstborn sons emerges before babies are even born; in fact, the India-Africa height gap is apparent at birth, and remains consistent through childhood. Families allocate inordinate resources — nutritious foods, iron supplements, tetanus shots and prenatal checkups — to a pregnant woman as long as there is a possibility that she is carrying the family’s firstborn son. Once a male heir is born, prenatal investments drop off.

In interviews we conducted in Gwalior this year, mothers freely admitted favoring their sons. And while they cited many reasons for investing less in their later pregnancies, including familiarity with the birthing process and dwindling income, their accounts strongly support the patterns we see in our data.

Interestingly, compared to their African counterparts, girls born before the family’s eldest son actually fare better than boys born after him, while girls born after the eldest son fare worst of all.

As these favored sons grow up, they continue to receive a disproportionate amount of their families’ resources. While firstborn Indian children receive, on average, one more essential childhood immunization than their counterparts in Africa, this is not the case for their younger siblings. Our interviews with mothers in Gwalior also found that younger siblings are fed less balanced diets.

India’s patrilineal traditions dictate that the eldest son care for his parents in old age and inherit property, while the dowries paid to marry off daughters can be expensive. The result is sexselective abortion and an underinvestment in girls so common it has popularized a Hindi motto: “beti to bojh hoti hai,” meaning, “a daughter is a burden.” Recently, the cabinet minister Smriti Irani revealed that upon her birth, a friend of her mother’s quoted this maxim and urged her mother to kill her. It’s not surprising that in 2011, among Indian children age 6 and under, there were 919 girls for every 1,000 boys.

It is necessary and laudable to push for improving nutrition, advancing child and maternal health, and ending open defecation in India.

However, we cannot close the malnutrition gap without addressing the social norms and economic rationales that deprive girls and younger siblings of the resources they need.

The fight for gender equality is a crucial part of this. Many recent policy efforts in India have focused on improving girls’ education; for these to have bite, they must be paired with efforts to equalize property ownership and job opportunities. A 2005 law granted daughters the right to inherit equally with their brothers, but enforcement is weak. And the participation of women in the labor force is actually declining in India today.

As long as this is the case, it will be hard to convince parents to invest in their children more equally. Parents will continue to lavish resources on their eldest sons if they see them as their only support in old age. But if we can improve the economic prospects for India’s women, we may be able to reduce the malnutrition of their children.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

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Judges’ collegium system on its way out New Delhi, August 13 (iANs) The Lok Sabha Wednesday passed two bills which will pave the way for scrapping the collegium system of appointing Supreme Court and high court judges. But the move did not cheer the legal fraternity which felt the government may encroach on judicial independence.

The Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (99th Amendment) Bill and the National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) Bill 2014 after Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad assured the members that the government does not have any intention of interfering in the functioning of the judiciary.

While the judicial appointments commission bill was passed by a voice vote, the constitution amendment bill, which seeks to confer constitutional status on the proposed commission, was passed after a division, with 376 members voting in its favour. It is necessary for the constitution amendment bill to be passed by a two-thirds majority.

The bills will now have to be passed by the Rajya Sabha before they are sent to the president for his assent, after which they

become Acts. However, it won’t be smooth sailing in the upper house as the Congress, which has more numbers, could stall the bill.

The two bills seek to scrap the collegium system of appointing judges and set up a commission for this. But legal experts expressed doubts about the new system of selecting judges. Speaking to IANS, activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan said it was not in “public interest” as it gives veto power to government to stop any appointment thereby compromising the independence of judiciary.

Former additional solicitor general and senior counsel Bishwajit Bhattacharyya described it as a retrograde step that will compromise the independence of the judiciary. Desisting from outright rejection of the NJAC, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president P.H. Parekh felt there should have been wide ranging consultation and deliberations before the government moved to push out the collegium system.

On Monday, Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha had defended the existing mechanism while lashing out at the “unfair” and

“misleading campaign” to defame the judiciary and to tarnish its images. Law and Justice Minister Prasad, however, tried to allay fears. “A large section of people do not have representation in the judiciary as of now. The process of consultation has been made more meaningful,” he said.

“The need for a new law is not the thinking of only our government. It is a collective exercise which has been in the offing for the last 20 years,” he added. He said the measures were aimed at ensuring that only meritorious people are selected as judges to the higher judiciary.

He also said the new law will provide for wider consultations for appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.

“We are for maintaining the sanctity of the judiciary... We have said this house respects independence of judiciary. That should be assuring,” he said.

Seeking the support of all parties, he said, “Let the message go that this house is one for maintaining dignity of the judiciary.” Suggesting that the existing collegium system of judges appointing judges had flaws, he said many good judges could not make it to the Su-

preme Court.

The law minister also moved an amendment to change the number of the constitution amendment bill from 121st to 99th, which was passed by the house. Earlier, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to make a provision to make representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes mandatory in the judicial commission.

The bills propose that the Chief Justice of India will head a six-member National Judicial Appointments Commission, other members of which would be the law minister, two senior Supreme Court judges and two eminent people. A collegium comprising of the prime minister, the chief justice of India and the leader of the single largest party in the Lok Sabha will select the two eminent people.

One eminent person will be nominated from among the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities or women. The bill states that the commission will seek the views of the governor and chief minister of the state concerned in writing before appointing or transferring a judge of that high court.

Legal fraternity suspects government may encroach upon judicial independence New Delhi, August 13 (iANs): The legal fraternity has strongly reacted to the Lok Sabha passing a bill for setting up the National Judicial Appointment Commission for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and the high courts, describing it as a hasty move and expressing apprehensions of judicial independence being encroached upon by the government.

Well known activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the National Judicial Appointment Commission (NJAC) for the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary was not in “public interest”. “It is not in public interest because it gives veto power to government to stop any appointment thereby compromising the independence of judiciary,” Prashant Bhushan said.

Echoing similar sentiments, former additional solicitor general and senior counsel Bishwajit Bhattacharyya described it as a retrograde step that will compromise the independence of the judiciary. “This is a retrograde step and this will compromise the independence of judiciary. It will strike at the doctrine of separation of powers and violate the basic structure of the constitution,” said Bhattacharyya.

Admitting that there were defects in the collegium system that needed improvement, Bhattacharyya said the “collegium system for the appointment of judges was definitely better” and replacing it with NJAC was not a remedy.

“Government should have provided adequate funds and created infrastructure instead of passing a bill to set up NJAC”, he said. Desisting from outright rejection of the NJAC, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president P.H. Parekh felt that there should have been wide ranging consultations and deliberations before the government moved to push out the collegium system.

“I think there should have been wide ranging consultation and deliberations before pushing the bill. The NJAC concept is alright but giving veto to one or two members requires to be debated,” said Parekh in his reaction to the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha.

“It is a welcome measure and is worth experimenting with”, said senior counsel and former additional solicitor general K.V. Vishwanathan but keeping his fingers crossed added, “However, as to how good it will be, will depend on the men and women who work it.”

Rajnath quietly cut out of senior officers’ appointments New Delhi, August 13 (AgeNcies): After cutting out ministers from the appointment of senior bureaucrats, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has now reduced the Home Minister to a rubber stamp in the selection process.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has to now merely sign on the dotted line after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved an appointment. The bold print at the bottom of most proposals to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) says: “Approval of the Home Minister will be obtained ex post

facto in the ACC.” The procedure now is as follows: the Establishment Officer moves the proposal to the Cabinet Secretary who obtains the approval of the Prime Minister. Once that comes through, the Department of Personnel & Training issues the posting order, while sending the file to the Home Minister for an endorsement of the PM’s approval.

This is a marked departure from the past, when the Home Minister had the first say, after the administrative minister’s approval, in the appointment all officers of the rank of Joint Sec-

retary and above, including officers in public sector undertakings.

ACC proposals were first sent by the Cabinet Secretary to the Home Minister for approval, before they were ratified by the Prime Minister. In the new way of doing things, even the Minister of State for Personnel & Training is better off, as he gets to “see” all proposals before they are moved by the Establishment Officer to the Cabinet Secretariat for approval.

The new routing, besides underlining the diminished position of the Home Minister, gives

more importance to the EO and Cabinet Secretary in the selection of top bureaucrats. “They now have more discretion in putting up names for senior posts to be approved by the PM alone,” officials said.

No official was, however, willing to talk about the way in which the new routing came about. On June 18 this year, the Cabinet Secretariat issued a circular saying the ACC would comprise the Prime Minister and Home Minister, doing away with the January 2013 circular which included the administrative minister in the ACC.

‘BJP showing pernicious signals of intolerance’ New Delhi, August 13 (iANs): Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday asked party members to be wary of “pernicious signals of intolerance” and said there was a great deal of concern in the country, particularly among women and minorities, on whether BJP was seeking to “profit from dividing the nation on sectarian lines.”

Addressing Congress members in the Central Hall in parliament, a combative Sonia Gandhi said: “The lesson of these ten weeks is that the BJP has nothing new to offer the country. They attacked us without principles and they are now governing us without policies.”

She said there was a great deal of concern in the country, particularly among women and minorities, the poor, “about whether the BJP and its sister organisations mean to work for all of India’s communities, or whether they seek to profit from dividing the nation on sectarian lines.”

Pointing out once again the rise

in communal violence in the country since the Narendra Modi government took charge in May, she said: “Already since the BJP has come to power there have been an alarming increase in number of incidents of communal violence. We have had hundreds of incidents of communal violence and rioting in Uttar Pradesh, in Maharashtra and a number of other States.

“In addition, there have been other subtle but pernicious signals of intolerance.... you are all aware of the atrocious behaviour of some BJP legislators and the unacceptable views expressed by others in complete disregard of our timehonoured secular traditions and constitutional propriety,” Gandhi said, addressing the Congress MPs, which included former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Further taking on the government, Gandhi said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been paying the Congress party a “tribute of imitating and extending, if not strength-

ening, a number of Congress programmes and initiatives that they had vehemently attacked when they were in opposition.

“The new government now supports the proposed Goods and Services Tax, sugar subsidies, railway and diesel price hikes, FDI in insurance, the Aadhaar scheme, and other key UPA budget measures, all of which they had bitterly- and, if I might add, hypocritically -- denounced, obstructed and prevented progress on when they were where we are today,” she added.

Gandhi also said that the ruling party even tried to prevent a discussion on Gaza in parliament and then ended up voting at the United Nations Human Rights Council just as the UPA would have.

“They have also, finally, seen the wisdom of our government’s initiative in trying to reach a land boundary agreement with Bangladesh which, you will recollect, they had refused to support last year,” she added.

A squirrel approaches Indian soldiers who rehearse for the Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi on Wednesday, August 13. India commemorates its Independence in 1947 from British colonial rule, on August 15. (AP Photo)

UGC schemes for empowerment of SCs, STs, minorities New Delhi, August 13 (Pti): The University Grants Commission (UGC) is implementing a number of schemes for educational empowerment of SCs, STs and minorities that include setting up of equal opportunity cells and scholarships.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani informed Lok Sabha today that educational empowerment schemes like setting up of residential coaching academies for minorities, SC, ST and women in central universities, deemed to be universities, establishment of equal opportunity cells for SC, ST and minorities are being implemented by the UGC.

Other UGC sponsored schemes are post-doctoral fellowships for SC, ST, Rajiv Gandhi national fellowships for SC, ST, setting up of Centre for Studies in Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, remedial coaching schemes for SCs, STs, OBC and minorities, scheme of career oriented courses in universities and colleges, construction of women’s hostels for colleges.

Irani said during Question Hour that Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission Act) 2006, which came into force with effect from January 4, 2007, provides for 15 percent, 7.5 percent

and 27 percent reservation in admission of students belonging to SCs, STs and OBCs respectively in central educational institutions established, maintained or aided by the central government.

In 2010-11, the gross enrollment ratio in higher education of SCs and STs were 13.5 percent and 12.9 percent in comparison to 19.4 percent of general category students and in 2011-12, the gross enrollment ratio in higher education of SCs and STs were 14.5 percent and 10.8 percent in comparison to 20.4 percent of general category students.

Irani said in order to ex-

pand educational opportunities in 374 educationally backward districts, the central government had in 2009 launched the scheme of setting up of 374 model degree colleges in districts having Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for higher education less than national average.

“The Centre has recently launched Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) which intends to incentivise the states for developing higher education with equity and inclusion. The MDCs scheme has now been subsumed in RUSA. There is a special component of equity in RUSA,” she said.

For some fans of Narendra Modi, so far, so disappointing

New Delhi, August 13 (ReuteRs): As an election campaigner, Narendra Modi promised sweeping market reforms to revive India’s economy and put the country to work. As prime minister, he has dismayed admirers, apparently reverting to the script of the hapless government he defeated.

To some of the economists and business leaders who as his campaign cheerleaders dared to dream of a Thatcherite revolution, he seems not to be listening. Three months after his win, it is dawning on them that their views count for little.

“As of now, the momentum is lost. They might still recover it, but we have lost the moment,” said Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist who co-wrote a book laying out a reform agenda that the new prime minister himself launched in June.

Debroy told Reuters that so far there had been no signs of the promised change at institutions sapped by graft and over-regulation that many Indians have grown to revile.

Back in the heady days of the election campaign, Modi and his supporters seemed much more in tune, all lambasting the last centre-left government for years of waste and policy paralysis and building expectations of a regime of “minimum govern-

ment and maximum governance” that would unshackle key sectors of the economy from the state.

But now there is a sense that the 63-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongman, who made his reputation putting his home state Gujarat on a high growth path, has somehow stumbled in New Delhi. To be fair, the government has a five-year term to achieve Modi’s goal of transforming India into an economic and military power able to withstand the rise of China on its doorstep.

On Friday, Modi will make his first Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Old Delhi, and the expectation within his party is that he may use the occasion to announce bold changes that have so far been absent.

According to economists at HSBC, the government has already moved with “unaccustomed alacrity” on a number of fronts, such as opening up the state railways to foreign investment and providing new guidelines for a more streamlined bureaucracy.

“But the stuff that will lift economic growth over time ... requires deft and delicate handling,” they said this week, noting resistance to reform from the country’s states and the challenges of pushing legislation

through the upper house of parlia- an economist and bitter critic of the ment, where the BJP does not have a previous government, wrote in the majority.

Indian Express newspaper.

BJP leaders and strategists with MORE OF THE SAME ties to the Modi administration said Modi won India’s biggest election the government had considered remandate in three decades in May af- forms to a $6 billion workfare scheme ter promising to revive growth that that guarantees 100 days of employhas fallen below 5 percent, choking ment a year to the rural poor. off job opportunities for the one million people who enter the workforce TWEETING BUT NOT TALKING every month. He dangled the prosModi himself has not been speakpect of new roads, factories, power ing much, and that has compounded lines, high-speed trains and even 100 the problem, said a member of his new cities. So far, there has been little campaign team. movement on any of these gigantic Modi the campaigner was everytasks, which will require an overhaul where, even appearing as an animatof India’s land acquisition laws, fast- ed hologram in places he couldn’t er environmental clearances and an visit. Modi the premier has been lowend to red tape. profile, preferring to communicate He has refrained from cutting through Twitter. food aid that is estimated to cost 1 His reluctance to engage the percent of gross domestic product, or media has drawn parallels with tackling costly welfare programmes. his reserved predecessor, ManLast month, his government blocked mohan Singh, although the a global trade reform pact, saying two men could hardly be more there must be movement on a par- dissimilar.“Manmohan Singh’s siallel agreement on stockpiling that lence was out of compulsion, Modi’s is necessary to run a programme to by choice,” said the election stratedistribute cheap food, the world’s gist. Some of Modi’s top-ranking largest. supporters including top Columbia A leader with such a strong man- University economist Jagdish Bhagdate “should be making policy with wati, who hailed his rise as a turning conviction, not emulating tactics of a point for India, have yet to find a role defunct government,” Surjit Bhalla, in his team.

Bhagwati, who told Reuters in April that he expected a spot on an external council advising the prime minister, declined to comment on the government’s performance so far, saying he was recovering from surgery. He noted in an email, however, that there had been mixed reactions to Modi’s first three months. Arvind Panagariya, Bhagwati’s protege at Columbia, had nothing to add to an article he wrote last month criticising Modi for continuing wasteful subsidies and sticking to a fiscal deficit target that he believes will throttle growth.

Panagariya has taken on a role advising the government of Rajasthan, a BJP-led state that has since the election rolled out the sort of ambitious reforms Modi fans had hoped he would embrace for the nation as a whole.

MODI THE CEO While Modi is yet to unveil major policy initiatives, he has been unrelenting in his focus on making government accountable and holding his ministers to high standards of public probity.

Cabinet colleagues routinely field calls at the crack of dawn or late at night from the prime minister’s office, often to check on work in prog-

ress. Modi himself works 15-hour days and at weekends, and expects similar commitment from members of his government.

One minister was refused permission to go on a private trip abroad to attend his daughter’s graduation.

He was told that, if he really had to go, he should give up his post. Another, on his way to the airport for an official tour, was told to dress appropriately since he was representing his country.

“To be fair, Modi has been taking quite a few incremental measures, which will make it easier to do business in India,” a banker said, on condition of anonymity. “People pay little attention to nuts and bolts reforms as they don’t make headlines, but they count a lot.” At least one prominent Western investor is voting with his feet.

U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump said on Tuesday he planned “substantial investments” in Indian property and hotels, betting on the new government to revive economic growth. “I do see India as a great place to invest, and I think the election made that even better,” said Trump, in India to launch Trump Tower in Mumbai, his first project in the country’s financial capital, in collaboration with India’s Lodha Group.

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IGNOU entrance test on Aug 17 kohIMA, August 13 (Mexn): Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is conducting its entrance tests for Management Programmes (Openmat-xxxvi), B.Sc.N(Pb), B.Ed. and M.Ed for January 2015 session on August 17, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This was informed in a press release issued by Dr. T. Iralu, Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre-20, Kohima.

NSCN (IM) recovers twelve wheeler truck DIMAPur, August 13 (Mexn): Operation Acceleration Dimapur Town (OADT) of NSCN (IM) has recovered a twelve wheeler truck from Gorrapatti area, near Tata Parking. Details of the tuck are: Model number – 3118 C; Registration number – AS-01 EC – 9096; Chassis number – MAT466403D2C02816; Engine number – B591803231C63315749. The rightful owner of the truck has been asked to claim the vehicle by producing valid and authenticated documents within 10 days from the date of this publication. Officer-in-charge of OADT in a press release stated that claimers will not be entertained after the expiry of the stipulated date. For further information, call officer-in-charge at 9402988715 and investigation officer at 9402437539.

Government’s directive for I-Day

The Morung Express

Organizations condemn Aug 12 Ralan incident

Wo k h A , Aug u st 1 3 (Mexn): The Wokha unit of the BJP today condemned the August 12 incident and alleged that “the Ralan Area public retaliation of the Tuesday incident was not to go against the age long peaceful co-existence between the indigenous Ahoms and Karbi of Assam.” A press note from the party unit however expressed concern at the “continuous provocation and threat on the lives and properties of the public of Ralan Area by migrant Adivasis under the banner ‘Adivasis National Liberation Army’ (ANLA),” who it alleged “frequently disturbs the genuine inhabitants of the area by burning their houses and properties.”

It further censured the neutral force (CRPF), stationed along the stretch of Disturbed Area Belt (DAB), for their alleged “biased attitude while discharging their assigned duties as a neutral force in the past and present.”

The BJP unit also condemned the Assam state government “for not restraining the migrant Adivasis, whereby creating law and order situation in the border areas.” It appealed for both the state governments of Assam

kohIMA, August 13 (DIPr): The Independence Day 2014 function in Kohima will be held at the Secretariat Plaza on August 15, 9:00 am along with the Governor’s “At Home” programme at the Raj Bhavan at 12 noon (by invitation). The Chief Secretary Nagaland Banuo Z. Jamir has directed all Administrative Heads of Departments and Heads of Departments to attend the functions, without fail, unless away on bonafide tour outside the State or on medical leave. They have been further directed to ensure attendance of the staff of their DIMAPur, August 13 respective departments.

(Mexn): Naga Council Dimapur along with Naga Women Hoho Dimapur met the Governor of NaZunheboto, August 13 (Mexn): The DVO Zun- galand, PB Acharya on heboto has informed in a press release that in view of the August 12 at ChumukedIndependence Day celebration, department of Vety & AH ima. A press release from will be organising poultry exhibition show on August 15 at Naga Council president local ground of Zunheboto and Pughoboto. Therefore, in- and treasurer informed terested individuals and farmers have been requested to that the team apprised bring and submit their exhibits in the stalls on August 15 the new Governor on the between 6:30 am to 7:30 am: For Zunheboto - Local Cock various problems faced by and Hen, Commercial Cock and Hen, Cross Breed Cock the citizens of Dimapur and Hen. For Pughoboto - Local Cock and Hen, Broiler poor quality of roads, erHen and Cock, Kroiler Cock and Hen. The judge panel ratic power supply and would adjudge first and second in all the three categories sanitation.

The NCD team also and attractive prize will be given, it added.

and Nagaland to take stock of the situation and restore peace and tranquility in the area at the earliest. It further urged both the state governments to “negotiate and resolve a permanent settlement of the age long border issue and to usher a peaceful co-existence between the two neighboring states.”

Naga Hoho condemns The Naga Hoho has also condemned the “actions and continuous provocations by Adivasis and illegal immigrants in the Assam- Nagaland border areas.”

A press note from the Naga Hoho demanded that the Assam government stop “pushing immigrants to the border areas and not protect those immigrants.”

It lamented that the neutral force in the border area has “miserably failed to deliver justice and confidence to the people.”

The Naga Hoho urged the government of Assam and Nagaland states to “defuse the situation in Ralan area and bring about normalcy in the border areas.”

It further appealed the Assam Civil Societies to intervene and bring about better understanding amongst the people.

UNTABA for security along border areas The United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) has demanded that the Assam Government immediately disband or shift all armed Assam Police posts inside Nagaland and the Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) along the border.” It urged the Nagaland state government to immediately post “well armed Nagaland Police in the border areas.”

UNTABA further called for re-defining the role of the Border Affairs Department of Nagaland and to immediately establish a ‘Border Co-ordination Centre’ at Dimapur headed by a DIG/SP or its equivalent rank of IPS Cadre with a Deputy Director or its equivalent rank from Border Affairs Department to co-ordinate between law enforcing agencies in providing security.

The union also demanded that ‘Border Guards’ in line with the ‘Village Guards’ be established in eastern Nagaland, to provide security. “As long as such measures are not considered immediately, no authority can prevent such incidents…” it added.

Mmhonlumo meets Kaliabor MLA

MLA from 40 Bhandari A/C, Mmhonlumo Kikon has called for sufficient deployment of NAP and IRB in the border area, which despite repeated pleas, he stated has “not been deployed as per our expectations.” Kikon further expressed frustration that the Nagaland CM “has not issue any statement on this issue where human lives are in danger,” and while “adequate police personnel were deployed to forcefully launch the oil explorations at Changpang.”

A press note from the MLA informed that he had met MP from Kaliabor, Assam, Gaurav Gogoi in New Delhi. Kikon informed that meeting between the two MLAs resolved to ensure that both the state governments “will maintain and honor the agreements between the two states and restrain each sides from provoking the other side.”

Achumbemo for ‘permanent’ protection to border villages Former candidate from 40 Bhandari A/C, Achumbemo Kikon has appealed to the Government of Nagaland to give protection to the “innocent villagers”

of the border areas, especially in Ralan area on a permanent basis instead of deploying Nagaland Armed Police/forces for temporary easing down of situation. He made the appeal while condemning the attack on the “innocent villagers of Ralan area under Wokha district by the Adivasi mob along with the so-called Adivasi National Liberation Army (ALNA) on August 12.” In a condemnation note, Achumbemo stated that “the Adivasis have gained courage to intrude into Naga territory because the Assam Govt. is tacitly extending logical support to them.” Moreover, he added, the neutral force (CRPF) posted in the Assam-Nagaland borders are “totally inclined to Assam side only which needs to be viewed with all seriousness by the Govt. of India.”

Further, he cautioned that the age-old relationships between the real indigenous people of Assam and the Nagas will continue to be threatened and it will ultimately derail if the “Govt. of Assam does not realize its mistake by randomly making the Assam-Nagaland Border areas as a buffer zone for the illegal immigrants.”

NCD and NWHD meet Governor Yimchunger orgs condemn

Poultry exhibition show in Zbto

raised the issue of district civil hospital “where poor medical facilities is hampering quality health care.” The team urged that the district civil hospital should be improved and turned into premier hospital of the State, it added.

The Governor was also requested to look into the demand for setting up engineering and medical colleges in the State.

Meanwhile, NWHD highlighted the case of 33% women reservation in civic body, which is pend-

ing before the Supreme Court. The Governor expressed that, despite the court case, arrangements should be made to look after the needs of the city. He also assured to talk with the government on this issue.

According to the note, the Governor also suggested that apart from politics and developmental activities, society should stress on younger generation and their education too. He also opined that promotion of one’s culture should be stressed.

Saddle ‘C’ Village incident

tuensAng, August 13 (Mexn): Yimchunger Akheru Arihako (YAA) has condemned the “random damage” of jhum fields of Saddle ‘C’ Village by mob from Chendang village on August 7 night.

In a condemnation note appended by its president Akiuba and vice president Solumba, YAA stated that according to Yimchunger tradition, such act of damaging or destroying crops without any “valid reasons” is described as “life attempt” and an “insult” which is “objectionable and intolerable with its tradition where it destroys the sole economy of the villagers.”

YAA questioned the attitude of Chendang villagers for “such unlawful act” and demanded immediate justice from the law

enforcing agencies at the earliest. Further, YAA in support of Yimchunger Tribal Council assured the people of Saddle ‘C’ Village that justice will be met at the earliest. Meanwhile, Yimchungrü Union Kohima (YUK) has expressed sadness that the crops of Saddle ‘C’ Village of Yimchungrü tribe, “which is the only survival to the villagers were badly damaged” by mob of Chendang village on August 7. A note issued by YUK president M Yinkiu and general secretary Chipong condemned the “barbaric and inhuman” ways and asked the State government and the law enforcing agency to book the perpetrators and deliver justice to the Saddle ‘C’ villagers at the earliest.

31 AR apprehends one with arms Mokokchung, August 13 (Mexn): 31 Assam Rifles apprehended one “over ground” worker from Merankong village, Mokokchung on August 8. Assam Rifles in a press release informed that the individual has been identified as Wai Kaba. The AR team also recovered arms and ammunition alongwith “extortion slips and other incriminating documents of NSCN factions.” According to the release, the operation was based on specific intelligence. The apprehended person was handed over to Tuli Police Station, it said.

DDIEA members informed DIMAPur, August 13 (Mexn): All the Dimapur District Industries Entrepreneur Association (DDIEA) office bearers, advisors, and district representatives of ANIEF have been informed to attend a meeting on August 17, 3:00 pm to discuss the important matters and issues in regards to the Association. The meeting will be held at the president's house at Eralibil Dimapur. For further information call, 9436003570, 9436405817.

SBC to pray for jubilee on Aug 24

Zunheboto, August 13 (Mexn): The Sumi Baptist Convention (SBC) will be celebrating its twenty five years jubilee in 2016. In this connection, the SBC Council has resolved to observe August 24 as a day of prayer for Jubilee, informed SBC director Rev. Khehovi Shohe. Therefore, Sumi Baptist Churches under three Sumi Baptist Associations (SBAK Nito Mount/ SABAK Pughoboto/ WSBAK Akuvuto) have been requested to pray for the jubilee, Planning Board members and other related activities which are in full swing.

USTC organizes music awareness campaign

Students of Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE) Kohima present welcome song during the institute’s 2nd graduation day on August 9. (Morung Photo)

New APMC chairman elected Orientation prog held for Special Juvenile Police Unit for Zunheboto district Zunheboto, August 13 (Mexn): Kuhozhe Achumi has been elected as the new Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) chairman of Zunheboto district. The election process was conducted under the chairmanship of Lanu Aier, Executive Officer, Nagaland State Agricultural Marketing Board (NSAMB) at DAO's Office, Zunheboto on August 6.

A press release from District Agriculture Officer, Zunheboto informed that Lanu Aier also delivered the welcome and keynote address. Aier pointed out that tomato from Longkhum village captured Mokokchung market as the quality was much superior to tomatoes from other States. He cited that crops like ginger, soyabeans, maize, cardamom,

etc. are suitable for Zunheboto district and have great potential for marketing. He also explained the difference between wholesale and retail prizes and urged the APMC members to explain and train the farmers in their areas. He also suggested the APMC chairman to approach P.D, ATMA Zunheboto for fund to conduct farmers’ training, and select productive potential villages in group. Aier further directed APMC members to use challan for 10 (ten) commodities going out from Zunheboto district like maize, kholar, ginger, potato, soyabeans, chillies, cardamom, kiwi fruit and passion fruit, etc, the release added.

The new APMC chairman also delivered a short speech, where he promised to work with zeal and great enthusiasm and requested

the co-members of APMC to co-operate for uplift of farmers’ community.

Meanwhile, ADC Zunheboto, Nungsangmenla, in her short speech promised to extend all possible help to APMC Zunheboto from administration’s side. DAO Zunheboto G. Kiyevi Ayemi also thanked the officers from NSAMB Dimapur for conducting the election and assured to extend all possible help to APMC Zunheboto wherever required, as agriculture department is the nodal department for APMC Nagaland.

About 30 participants attended the APMC election, including APMC members and five SubMarket Yard members from Zunheboto, Akuluto, Atoizu, Suruhuto, Satakha and Aghunato, and agri & allied department officers.

DLSA Peren conducts legal literary awareness programme Thsidial Sangtam reading a scripture.

Our Correspondent Kiphire | August 13

The United Sangtam Theological Conference (USTC) organized a music awareness campaign at Sangtma Baptist Lithro with hundreds of youths and parents on August 12 evening.

Vikheli Sumi and Thsidial Sangtam, students from Visual Impaired Blind School Dimapur presented a song and recited a scripture respectively. Before presenting

her song, ‘Hope’ Vikheli Sumi shared her testimony. Giving the keynote address, USTC President Tsalichum exhorted the gathering. USTC Executive Chairman, Tsaliba welcomed the gathering and shared on the purpose and objective of the awareness campaign. Likyu, General Secretary USTC presented special song and Sentinaro, Vice President USTC chaired the program. Chopongkyu, Pastor KTBL invoked blessing.

Peren, August 13 (DIPr): District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) Peren observed legal literary awareness programme at Government College Peren on August 8.

Judicial Magistrate Peren, Ajongba Imchen exhorted the students to know one's own rights. He said that to file a case at court, one should be brave enough and have confidence in the court judgement. He also informed that DLSA is giving such legal awareness in the district to the students in order to make them well aware of

the legal system.

Limasenla Longkumer and Easter K. Aye, Panel Advocates, also talked on the issue of Motor Vehicle Act, RTI Act, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Juvenile Justice Act. Essay competition was also conducted, where Keyikumheili, BA 3rd Semester student and Heinsimle, Class 11 students were declared 1st and 2nd winners respectively. Meanwhile, Ipeurang, 5th Semester student and Puidwayile, 3rd Semester student were declared 1st and 2nd winners in debate competition held

on the topic ‘Economic development is more important than Environment protection’.

DLSA Peren also visited Sub Jail Peren to sensitize on the legal rights of the prisoners. As per the direction of Supreme Court, it was informed that, DLSA also provides free and fair trial in court, especially for poor convicts who are unable to appoint advocate. They further stressed on the rights of the inmates, which include better medical facilities, equal wages for manual work in the prison.

DIMAPur, August 13 (Mexn): The State Child Protection Society organized an orientation programme for Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) of Dimapur district on August 11 at SP conference hall, Dimapur.

Director of the Society, Khehoto Sema, in his keynote address stressed on the role and responsibility of the State Juvenile Police Unit, which plays a crucial

role for children who are in conflict with law, a press release received here informed.

Meanwhile, VZ Angami, Superintendent of Police Dimapur highlighted that the Juvenile Justice Act needs to be implemented effectively by the police and the implementing agency.

Seyielenuo Mezhür, Judicial Magistrate, Dimapur and resource person for the

programme spoke on the Juvenile Justice (JJ Act) and its roles, and responsibility of Special Juvenile Police Unit and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).

Mayang Lima, Registrar, Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench spoke on the monitoring mechanism for juvenile justice system and gave a briefing on the JJ Act in dealing with children in sensitive state.

Nagaland BJP to ‘full heartedly’ participate in bye-election DIMAPur, August 13 (Mexn): Nagaland State Unit BJP will hold its executive meeting on August 19, 11.00 am at Bookmarc Dimapur. Therefore, all State executive members, office bearers, BJP legislators, national executive members, national office bearers, State frontal chiefs and district presidents along with their general secretaries have been requested to attend the meeting positively. Prior registration fee will be collected from the delegates, thus all members concerned have been asked to contact the head office.

Further, the party in a release asserted that the BJP party will be participating “full heartedly” in the forthcoming byeelection of Northern-2 assembly constituency of Kohima. The selection criteria of the candidate will be on merit basis such as “Winnable, Acceptability and Credibility” of the candidate, the release said, while asking the party members not to be

confused with the “wild talks in the air”.

The party reiterated that all recommendation of the candidates must be routed through the Mandal Level to District and State level before reaching the Parliamentary Board in Delhi. “Any back door tactic will not be tolerated and will be firmly dealt by the party.” The release further informed that in compliance with the party constitution Article XVII, the State President Dr M. Chuba Ao has nominated the following as State executive members with immediate effect: Munthin Newmai, Dr. L. Yezhekhu Sumi, K.Imtiwati Ao, Lipok Longkumer, Chinny Magh, Saikha Zhimomi, and Renponthung Ezung. Also, following have been nominated as special invitees of the State Executive Committee: Kevechutso Doulo, Er. P.Cheong Konyak, Wanglem Konyak, Visasolie Lhoungu, ST Sangtam, Er Hontongkyu Santam, and Tsasepi Sangtam.

Kohima police recovers stolen vehicle

kohIMA, August 13 (Mexn): Kohima Police on August 9 recovered a truck (Tipper) bearing R/ No. NL 01 G 5258, which was stolen on the night of August 8 by unknown miscreant from High School area, Kohima. Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Kohima Shouka Kakheto in a press release informed

that the vehicle was found abandoned along Kedima new road at Chakabama area. A case has been registered at North PS for investigation, it added.

The release also informed that on August 13, 19 Assam Rifles personnel produced one person identified as Abei Kuotsu (28), SS Sergeant (NSCN-IM)

for possessing “one .22 pistol with magazine, ten live rounds of .22, along with demand slips of vehicle tax, commercial tax, work permits of NSCN-K and other incriminating documents.”

The accused is also wanted in South Police station, Kohima case for robbery on interstate vehicles at NH29, the release added.

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Thursday

Entertainment

The Morung Express

14 August 2014

Dimapur

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Audrey Hepburn's granddaughter on the cover of Harper's Bazaar

udrey Hepburn's granddaughter Emma Ferrer has Old Hollywood blood coursing through her veins, and it certainly shows in a

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en for the late Hollywood star, her hair pulled back in a chic chignon and her earrings highlighting her defined bone structure.

While Hepburn passed

new magazine spread. The 20-year-old, who has remained out of the spotlight until now, stars in two versions of Harper's Bazaar's latest cover, striking a pose in a Lanvin gown with fitted black sleeves top and a loose-fitting skirt that call to mind her iconic relative's timeless style.

In one shot, the brunette, whose father is Hepburn's oldest child Sean, 54, could easily be mistak-

away in 1993, a year before Emma was born, there's no denying that her legacy lives on within her. 'I've been questioning a lot lately what she means to me,' says Emma, who has spent much of her life in Florence, Italy, where she is currently in her third year at the Florence Academy of Art. 'I knew her image, of course, and that I happened to be, by pure Director, Tibor Kovacs, Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre, Hungary Embassy New Delhi with his wife and others chance, related to her. But during the visit to Hope Centre for Excellence where they were treated to a performance by the teachers and students.

Indian acid attack survivors unite for fashion shoot

as a child I couldn't really relate to Audrey Hepburn, the actress. To me, she was family.' And the family resemblance is certainly evident in the magazine spread, which was shot by Michael Avedon, grandson of legendary photographer Richard Avedon, for whom Hepburn was a longtime muse.

'As a child I couldn't really relate to Audrey Hepburn, the actress. To me, she was family' Emma may have never met her famous grandmother, who was

known as much for her humanitarianism as she was for her style and acting, but she has always felt her presence in her family very strongly.

'I can live with her through my father,' she says of her dad, whom Hepburn had with her first husband, actor and director Mel Ferrer. 'His stories are all about his growing up.' Admitting that she has not actually watched all of her movies, Emma adds that one can't help but be inspired by her performances, even with-

out the added connection of being related to her.

'When I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's, I enjoyed it the same way any young girl would,' she says. 'I've seen My Fair Lady and Roman Holiday, but I suppose my favorite is Funny Face.'

Emma's father Sean, however, reveals that she and her grandmother may have more in common than she realizes.

'My mother was the same as she was on the screen: unassuming, humble, funny, emotional,

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strong, delicate,' says the father-of-three, who has also pursued an acting career as well as helping run the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

For Emma, the associations between her and Hepburn are unavoidable, and it's something she is slowly coming to terms with. 'Sometimes when I was younger, I felt confused toward what having a grandmother like her could mean in my life. But I am now understanding,' she says.

Lakme Fashion week winter fall 2014 will be held in Palladium Hotel Mumbai from August 20-24. Desinger Asa Kazingmei will showcase his winter collection and 1st Naga Male Supermodel & former Mister International 2012 Opang Jamir will sashay down the Lakme Fashion week ramp on August 20, the opening of the Day 1, at 4:30 pm. It has been confirmed that the outfits & dress fitting will be done on August 17 for the models in Palladium hotel Mumbai 462.

CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY, 2014 AT NAGALAND SECRETARIAT PLAZA, KOHIMA MORNING PROGRAMME 0600 hrs 0855 hrs 0900 hrs

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n acid attack survivor who used to hide her face has bravely posed for a fashion photo shoot with her friends and fellow survivors, all of whom wore her own designs. The photo shoot includes five young Indian acid attack victims photographed by Rahul Saharan in Rupa's clothing collection, called Rupa Designs. Rupa, Rita, Sonam, Laxmi and Chanchal have all been the victims of horrendous acid attacks.

They have spent years hiding their faces - until now. United, they have come forward and decided to take part in the fashion shoot. Rupa, 22, said: 'I always wanted to be a designer but after the attack there was a pause in my life. I was so insecure and embarrassed by my scars I used to cover my face with a scarf. I always hung onto my dream but I never knew that one day it would be possible and I would be launching my own label.'

But these young women have now shown their attackers they will no longer hide their faces and deserve to live a life of dignity. Rupa, who dropped her surname after she disowned her father for supporting her stepmother after she attacked her with acid, teamed up with a charity campaign Stop Acid Attacks and decided to fight for justice for herself and other acid attack fighters.

Stop Acid Attacks work extensively with acid attack survivors, helping them back into society and bolstering their self-esteem. They have also created Chhaon, a support centre for acid attack survivors. It's a clean, safe and comfortable environment for them to spend time in while they receive medical aid. Chhaon has also become a meeting house for all survivors where they chat, sing, dance - and laugh.

Rupa was asleep in August 2008 when her stepmother threw acid on her face. She was found guilty and sentenced to prison but India's poor judicial system has meant she is

now free and living her life with no signs of remorse after serving just 18 months.

Rupa said: 'Chhaon has helped me feel confident again and believe in myself.

I have always loved fashion and tailoring but I never thought I could start my own label. This is the first time I have presented my clothes and I am glad to see them being appreciated. ' The charity asked photographer Rahul Saharan to get involved and together helped the girls feel confident enough to be photographed. 'It was a wonderful shoot. I'm a very shy girl, but Rahul made it easy and comfortable for us all to face the camera with pride,' Rupa added.

Rahul, 24, from Delhi, is overwhelmed with the response to his work. He said: 'I have been associated with Chhaon for the last two-and-half years but this is the first time I feel like I've put my skills to good use to help these lovely girls. I feel blessed to have got this exclusive opportunity.'

Rahul, who worked free of cost for the shoot, added: 'I kept telling the girls "don't let others tell you what beauty is, you yourself are beautiful, every woman is beautiful".' He is now hoping to organize a photo exhibition to help the acid attack survivors with the proceeds. 'This photo shoot is my tribute to all the brave women across the globe who have gone through this gruesome torture. I'm glad that I could do my part in supporting them,' he added.

Rupa has already sold three orders to a US tourist for Rs 1,500 (around ÂŁ15) and has got an order from an Indian businesswoman for a traditional dress. 'I just hope the orders come in, it would be a dream come true to make this my work.

The last six years have been tough so if I can set up my own boutique and work towards becoming financially independent then anyone can. I never imagined my dreams could come true but now I believe anything is possible.'

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Hoisting of National Flag in all Government Offices, Institutions/Public & Private buildings Review of Parade by DGP, Nagaland 1. Chief Minister arrives, takes salute and inspects the Parade 2. Address by the Chief Minister 3. Presentation of Awards 4. March Past by: 1. 164 Inf. Bn. (TA) (H&H) Naga : 1 (one) Contingent 2. 19th Assam Rifles : 1 (one) Contingent th : 1 (one) Contingent 3. 78 Bn. CRPF 4. 155Bn. BSF : 1 (one) Contingent 5. 4th NAP : 1 (one) Contingent 6. DEF, Kohima : 1 (one) Contingent 7. IRBMahilla Battalion : 1 (one) Contingent 8. Home Guards : 1 (one) Contingent 9. Forest Protection Force : 1 (one) Contingent 10. NCC (Boys & Girls) : 4 (four) Contingents 11. Bharat Scouts & Guides : 2 (two) Contingents 12. Ex-Servicemen : 1 (one) Contingent 13. School Students : 5 (five) Contingents 5. Cultural/Entertainment Programme: 1. Choreography : Nagaland Adolescent Girls’ Club (NAGC) 2. Bhangra Dance : 78th Bn CRPF 3. Cultural Dance by all Naga Tribes

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EVENING PROGRAMME 1500 hrs 1600 hrs 1630 hrs

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Exhibition Football Match between Assam Rifles and Nagaland Police Prize Distribution for the best Contingents of Independence Day Parade Band Display by: 1. Brass Band of Nagaland Police 2. Pipe Band of 19th Assam Rifles 3. Adolescent Girls Bag Pipe Band

BEATING OF RETREAT NB: Visit of Institutions by various Charitable Organizations (1200 hrs onward) 1. Old Age Home (Wokha Road) : Nagaland Police Service Association (NPSA) 2. Naga Hospital : Muslim Welfare Society 3. Kohima Orphanage : Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) 4. District Jail Kohima : Nagaland Motorcycle Club (NMC) 5. Leprosy Colony : Lions Club 6. State Mental Health Institute : Kohima Press Club 7. District TB & Chest Diseases Hospital, Khuzama : Kerala Club 8. Eden Garden Orphanage, Khuzama : NCSA 9. KRIPA Centre : Classic Club 10. Distribution of sweets at Parade Ground New Secretariat : Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) 11. Spastic Society : Royal Club 12. AIDS Hospice/Mt. Gilead Home : Nagaland Contractors & Supplier Union (NCSU) 13. Differently Abled Children of Cherry Blossom Inclusive School, Lerie : Gorkha Public Panchayat 14. Children With Special Needs of JO Foundation, Agri Colony : Puliebadze Club 15. Bright Morning Star Orphanage Paramedical : Kohima Komets Academy 16. Tabitha Enabling Academy : Nagaland Women Voluntary Association Issued by: DIPR

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Djokovic, Sharapova outlast Ronaldo leads Real to lift Super Cup opponents to avoid early exits Maria World's Highest-Paid Female Athlete

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Maria Sharapova, of Russia, returns a volley to Madison Keys at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 12 in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo)

CINCINNATI, AugusT 13 (AFP): Novak Djokovic pulled his championship tennis back together after last week’s early exit, beating Gilles Simon 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters here Tuesday. The world number one was ambushed at the same stage in Toronto a week ago by eventual champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

But Djokovic made sure he did not commit the same error twice as he began a bid to win the only Masters 1000 title missing from his resume. But he was tested by his French opponent, who took Tuesday’s contest into a final set.

“He’s not going to give you too many unforced errors and free points, so I knew that,” Djokovic said.

“But I managed to get a win in the end, and that’s what matters.” Djokovic went down a service break in the opening set but got it back and added another to take the early lead. In the second set, he went up a break for 2-1 but could not stay the course. A break for 4-3 in the third kept him on the road to recovery. He ended on his second match point after more than two hours.

Four-time Cincinnati finalist Djokovic improved his record over France’s Simon to 8-1. He is playing the pre-US Open Masters tournament for the tenth time. In the only other second-round match played, Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka was broken while serving for victory but pulled out a win over German Benjamin Becker 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).

Toronto winner Tsonga crashed back down to earth in his opening match, losing 6-1, 6-4 to Russian Mikhail Youzhny. The 29-year-old 12th seed found himself back on court 48 hours after beating Roger Federer to win the title in Toronto, the second at the Masters 1000 level of his career. But he failed to find the inspiration he had in Toronto — where he also beat Djokovic and Andy Murray — with canny veteran Youzhny taking full advantage of the physical state of last week’s champion. “It’s never easy, you have to get used to the conditions really quick,” said Tsonga.

“I was not able to hit yesterday because the rainstorm.

“But that’s not the main thing. I just give everything on court, but I didn’t have

enough today to compete at the good level. “I gave everything last week. Before the match I believed I was able to play at a good level, but on the court I realised it’s gonna be impossible.

And it was. “I gave my best and it was tough.”

Latvian Ernests Gulbis needed a pair of tiebreakers to advance over Ivan Dodig 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4). Croatian 14th seed Marin Cilic advanced into the second round over Toronto semifinalist Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 while British qualifier James Ward surprised Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Canadian Vasek Pospisil rallied to put out Czech Radek Stepanek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) as wild card Robby Ginepri beat Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

In women’s play, fifth seed Maria Sharapova overcame American Madison Keys 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, with the Russian changing clothes at the end of the second set and starting the third refreshed. “I guess maybe that’s just what dry clothes does to you – they get you a bit calmer. It was obviously time to change.

It’s quite humid here.”

ussian tennis star Maria Sharapova has topped Forbes magazine's list of highest-paid female athletes for the 10th consecutive year, pulling in an estimated $24.4 million in endorsements and prize money between June 2013 and June 2014. Sharapova, who suffered an injury-hit season, took home only $2.4 million in tournament winnings over the 12-month period — almost $4 million less than in the previous year, Forbes said Wednesday.

But she made up for that with a number of lucrative endorsements, which Forbes said totaled $22 million, including deals with athletic wear manufacturer Nike, watchmaker Tag Heuer and carmaker Porsche.

Meanwhile, Sharapova's $1 million annual deal with cosmetics company Avon helped offset a loss of earnings when Nike in November sold shoemaker Cole Haan, from which she had received significant royalties on a best-selling line, Forbes said. Sharapova, who was born in Russia but lives and trains in the U.S., was joined by no less than six other tennis players in the Forbes top-10 list.

Chinese star Li Na — whose marketing value has soared since 2011, when she became the first Asian-born star to win a Grand Slam — pulled in a total $23.6 million last year, Forbes said. Li has endorsement deals with Nike, technology giant Samsung and a number of Chinese companies among others. Sharapova's fierce U.S. rival, Serena Williams, who took home five times more in tournament earnings than Sharapova did in 2014, pulled in an estimated $22 million in total — placing her third on the list. Completing the tennis lineup were Belarus' Victoria Azarenka, who placed sixth with earnings of $11.1 million, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki (seventh; $10.8 million), Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska (eighth; $6.8 million); and Serbia's Ana Ivanovic (ninth; $6.4 million).

Real Madrid players pose with the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Cardiff City Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales, Tuesday, Aug. 12. (AP Photo)

CARDIFF, AugusT 13 (REuTERs): Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as a rampant Real Madrid side, featuring the most expensive strike force ever assembled, powered to a 2-0 win over Sevilla in an allSpanish UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday. It was a thoroughly deserved victory before a 33,500 crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium in the traditional curtain-raiser to the European club season.

Europa League holders Sevilla battled well but were outclassed by the Champions League winners.

Carlo Ancelotti's men dominated from start to finish with Ronaldo producing two sublime finishes to beat keeper Beto, his Portugal team mate, after 30 and 49 minutes while Sevilla were restricted to just two chances.

The first opportunity for Sevilla came after 20 minutes when Vitolo forced Iker Casillas to make a block at the near post and the second arrived in the closing stages when Grzegorz Krychowiak prompted an acrobatic save from the experienced keeper.

Real were superior in defence, midfield and attack with Ronaldo showing no sign of the knee injury that blighted his 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil. After being presented with the Man of the Match trophy by his former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo told reporters: "It's the first official match of the season and I was not sure how I would feel.

"But I felt good and had no problems, I didn't feel any pain. "We realised it was go-

ing to be a hard game but we played well, created more opportunities and played better and with more intensity and we were the worthy winners." Ronaldo praised debutants Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, now at Real after both enjoyed a successful World Cup. Kroos helped Germany become world champions while Rodriguez was the tournament's top scorer with six goals for Colombia.

Four-Man Attack The pair played well in Cardiff with Kroos in a deep midfield role and Rodriguez part of Real's expensive four-man attack which cost in the region of 270 million pounds ($453.84 million). Rodriguez, who cost 63 million pounds from AS Monaco, lined up alongside Cardiffborn hero Gareth Bale, the world's most expensive player at 85 million.

Ronaldo was an 80 million pounds purchase and France striker Karim Benzema cost 40 million.

Although the European champions only scored twice, they could easily have had six or seven goals.

"We did our best but Real are a very good team and they were better than us tonight," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery after a typically passionate and

animated performance on the touchline. Counterpart Ancelotti said Real would be even stronger this season than they were last term. "We played very well especially bearing in mind we haven't had much time to prepare for the game," the Italian added. "We controlled the game and Kroos and James played well. "(Midfielder) Xabi Alonso was not playing tonight but he will play a very important part this season.

We are now more competi-

tive in every position and no one player can play 65 games, it's not possible.

"We might be starting on a very important winning cycle, we have a set of outstanding players and an exceptional squad and we can stay at the highest of heights and compete in all competitions," said Ancelotti. Ronaldo began the move that led to the first goal inside his own half and finished it by sliding in to convert a deadly accurate crossfield pass from Wales winger Bale.

ManU beat Valencia in van Gaal home debut

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MANCHEsTER, AugusT 13 (AP): Manchester United named Wayne Rooney as its new captain on Tuesday shortly after the team beat Valencia 2-1 in manager Louis van Gaal's first home game in charge of the English Premier League club. Rooney will wear the armband in United's season opener against Swansea City with Darren Fletcher named the vicecaptain. The striker takes over the captaincy from Nemanja Vidic who joined Italian club Inter Milan in the offseason.

Substitute Marouane Fellaini scored in second-half stoppage time in United's final warm-up game ahead of the start of the new season. Van Gaal, who signed a three-year contract to succeed David Moyes at Old Trafford, had enjoyed a strong preseason winning all five of the club's matches on their

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney misses a penalty during his team's pre season friendly soccer match against Valencia at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester on August 12. (AP Photo)

tour of the United States.

Despite the late victory, van Gaal was critical of his team ahead of the start of the season. "I think it was our worst match today.

There was a lot of wrong choices, wrong passes and we didn't press so good," said the United boss. However he was quick to praise the home crowd after walk-

ing out at Old Trafford for the first time. "Fantastic.

They (the fans) are shouting and screaming your name," noted the 62-year-old Wayne Rooney spurned

the chance to give the hosts a first-half lead, when his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Diego Alves in the 32nd minute. Rooney had seconds earlier been felled in the penalty area by defender Antonio Barragan.

United broke the deadlock shortly after the restart when Darren Fletcher slotted home from the edge of the area. Ashley Young's 49th minute corner eventually fell into his path and the Scottish international netted albeit with the aid of a deflection.

Valencia almost equalized in the 65th minute when Rodrigo's goalbound header was flicked off the line by Javier Hernandez.

The visitors were undeterred, and continued to press forward in search of a goal. They were deservedly rewarded in the 71st when Rodrigo blazed a first-time volley into the roof of the net following a free-kick.

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