August 23th, 2015 by The Morung Express

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www.morungexpress.com

SunDAY • AuguSt 23 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 229 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

To be absolutely certain about something, one must know everything or nothing about it NSA talks virtually off as India, Pak stick to stands

T R u T H

— Olin Miller

Mathews hits century but India power ahead

‘Think big. Think big vision. Dream big’

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o F

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PAGE 12

naga Peace Accord:

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

NNC dreads more distrust & division

Church? No. I am not fit to mingle with VVIPs. C M Y K

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AR out-post fired upon DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): An out-post of the 17 Assam Rifles at Chukitong, Wokha was allegedly fired upon by NSCN (K) cadres. The incident occurred around 4:30 am on August 22. According to a press release issued by the Assam Rifles, some 10-15 shots were fired at them. The shots came from a distance of approximately 400 metres away from the camp, it added. The AR troops retaliated but there was no casualties reported. Following the incident, the security forces has intensified security operations. The AR termed the attack as “Desperation of NSCN (K) to raise their low morale… after several of their cadres have been apprehended/neutralised by SF (security forces).

Rise in CO2 will eradicate glaciers: new study warns

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NEw YoRk, AUGUST 22 (IANS): Just as it did at the close of the last Ice Age 11,000 years ago, rise in greenhouse gases will eradicate many of the world’s glaciers by the end of the century, warns a new study. Rise in carbon dioxide - then naturally occurring - was the primary driving factor in the simultaneous global retreat of glaciers at the close of the last Ice Age, the findings showed. “Our study really removes any doubt as to the leading cause of the decline of the glaciers by 11,000 years ago - it was the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere,” said study coauthor Jeremy Shakun, assistant professor at Boston College in Massachusetts, US. Carbon dioxide levels rose from approximately 180 parts per million to 280 parts per million at the end of the last Ice Age, which spanned nearly 7,000 years. Following more than a century of industrialisation, carbon dioxide levels have now risen to approximately 400 parts per million. “This tells us we are orchestrating something akin to the end of an Ice Age, but much faster. As the amount of carbon dioxide continues to increase, glaciers around the world will retreat,” Shakun pointed out. “Glaciers are very sensitive to temperature. When you get the world’s glaciers retreating all at the same time, you need a broad, global reason for why the world’s thermostat is going up,” Shakun noted. “The only factor that explains glaciers melting all around the world in unison during the end of the Ice Age is the rise in greenhouse gases,” Shakun pointed out. The findings appeared in the journal Nature Communications.

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): Naga National Council (NNC) on Saturday expressed apprehension that the Naga Peace Accord recently signed on August 3, 2015 between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) would be a revisit of the 1975 Shillong Accord and a harbinger of further division and distrust not only amongst the Nagas but between the Nagas and India. This was contained in a letter of ‘perusal and introspection’ addressed to RN Ravi, Interlocutor to the GoI-NSCN (IM) talks by NNC vice president Thepushuyi S Keyho and made available to the media. Giving his point of reason, the senior NNC leader explained that the Shillong Accord which was signed in 1975 between the Naga “underground” representatives and the GoI sowed the seed of dissension and division among the Nagas –it gave birth to NSCN in 1980. Due to differences within the NSCN camp, more divisions came up, NSCN (Reformation) being the latest one to be formed this year, Keyho stated. He said at present there are altogether four groups of NSCN while within the fold of NNC there are five separate NNC groups - a consequence of the controversial nature of the said accord. “The accord thus not only destroyed the unity of the Naga national workers but also brought about much bloodshed and conflicts among the Nagas,” he asserted adding, “Whether or not it (Shillong Accord) was originally designed to bring about untold troubles upon the Nagas, it is very clear that the accord gradually fractured both Naga aspiration and Naga unity.” He, therefore, said it is hypocritical on the part of the GoI to say that it is committed to solving Indo-Naga conflict and at the same time capitalize on this division by constantly furthering divisive spirit among the Nagas- either by declaring one group an outlaw or entering into ceasefire and related agreements with another group or remaining completely indifferent to some others. The NNC vice president also alleged that the GoI, through its various agencies, masterminded the formation of the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) and signed the 16th Point Agreement (1960) which resulted in the statehood formation of Nagaland in 1963.

Pointing out that instead of taking initiatives as part of the agreement to consolidate the ‘contagious Naga areas within the Nagaland state,’ Keyho said it has so far succeeded in not only dividing the Nagas more but also suppressed the rights and freedom which Nagas traditionally enjoyed. “What was once a free Naga land without any authority over us is now divided up into different parts wherein a great part is now under different political and administrative control of non-Naga states such as Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” he rued. According to Keyho, the most tragic part of the agreement was that other states have “shamelessly come to think that Naga lands belong to them and making a hue and cry to protect their territorial integrity.” In the light of the above discussions, the NNC leader said it was not difficult to suspect the intent and possible consequences of the Naga Peace Accord (2015) as yet another accord similar to the previous agreements which only succeeded in multiplying and magnifying the problem due to their exclusive and manipulative approach. And even though indications are given on the part of both GoI and NSCN (IM) to be inclusive in its approach, Keyho said it is still a matter of serious speculation about the framework of the agreement to safeguard the rights and aspiration of the Nagas as envisioned by the pioneers of NNC. “Perhaps peace is the guiding force and logic of this agreement as the name of the agreement itself suggests but the truth of the Indo-Naga conflict is about the sovereignty of the Nagas,” he said. As such, instead of solving the IndoNaga conflict, the Naga Peace Accord is likely to bring about further division and distrust not only amongst the Nagas but between the Nagas and the GoI as witnessed in our historical experiences, the NNC leader feared. While reiterating that it was not prepared at any cost to deviate from the original outcry to leave Nagas alone, the NNC questioned RN Ravi if the GoI is gearing up to repeat another error in history by still thinking that the aspiration of the Nagas can be “forced or bribed into pale silence by special packages.” Full text on page 5

Questions RN Ravi if GoI is gearing up to repeat another error in history

Scores of LPG consumers seen gathered at the Zinyu Gas Agency, Circular road, Dimapur on Saturday morning. Due to constant shortage of LPGs, consumers are compelled to stand in queue by the crack of dawn, hours before the agency is opened. Consumers complained that LPGs are issued only on Fridays and Saturdays which leads to a frenzied rush. Photo by Imojen I. Jamir

Initiate strict steps to provide protection to all citizens: Governor

Tells CJM, advocates to expedite case of under-trials without further delay

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): Nagaland Governor PB Acharya on Saturday instructed the State government to take strict steps immediately in providing full protection to all the citizens so that business, trade and commerce can run smoothly. Expressing serious concern over the deteriorating law and order situation with the recent killing of a businessman at Signal colony and attack on another by miscreants, both in Dimapur, the Governor in a press statement through its OSD said such type of

violence and extortion will only harm the prosperity and development of the State. Also asserting that law and order and security is pre-essential for development and prosperity, Acharya said the State government should take all care and the security agency should be alert in the matter. Acharya also reminded that the Government of India has taken a strong and welcome step to solve the political problem, which was pending for more than 18 years. “We should not disturb the situation from marching towards the road of peace. Extortion and atmosphere of fear is not conducive for the progress of the State,” he stated. Further, he appealed all businessmen to exercise restrain while assuring them that the government will take strong action against culprits.

Meanwhile, Acharya directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) and the government advocate (s) to expedite the cases of under-trials kept at District Jail, Kohima without further delay. The Governor said this during a visit to District Jail, Kohima on Saturday. He interacted with the prisoners and jail officials including the CJM and government advocates. Observing that there are 92 undertrials and only three convicts, with some of the under-trials languishing inside prison for more than two years, Acharya insisted that nobody should be in prison as under-trial for more than six months. “The aim should be to bring these people into the mainstream and we should not push them to become hardcore criminals by delaying justice,” he stated.

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‘Fighting corruption not a one day job’ Project 72 Hrs: A community service ACAUT Nagaland responds to critics

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): ACAUT Nagaland has stated today that “exposing backdoor appointments or fighting corruption is not a one day job nor is it the sole responsibility of the ACAUT to do the same.” In a press release from its media cell, the ACAUT Nagaland noted that there are 84 government departments in Nagaland and “hordes of other issues” and therefore, to tackle corruption seriously, “the concerted effort of every NGOs, tribal bodies and student bodies in the State is called for.” Without a “helping hand,” the ACAUT Nagaland is “bound to pick and choose its quarry at its own pace,” stated the release responding to critics. Further, it stated that the ACAUT Nagaland will pursue backdoor appointments in all the departments, including Home “through its own means.” Not raising this issue in public as of now “does not mean the ACAUT is not doing anything on the subject.” The ACAUT Nagaland clarified that when the Congress party raised the issue

of Horticulture Department/Axis Bank scandal involving a Parliamentary Secretary from the ruling NPF party in 2014, the ACAUT did not supplement the Congress “since the issue was already politicized.” Backdoor appointments had already been highlighted by the Congress and the Youth Congress has decided to agitate on the issue. The ACAUT Nagaland has not made a public statement about it in order to “avoid politicizing ACAUT.” The said issue, it stated, was also raised later by the Chakhesang Students’ Union. Further, the ACAUT Nagaland stated that the NSCN (R), “no sooner had it begun to make triumphant statements on Naga political issue,” has begun to “gravitate towards the ‘tax’ market of Dimapur.” To announce its arrival on “the big stage,” the ACAUT alleged that the faction shot at businessman Aman Jain. “This is the standard modus operandi of all the factions. Shoot or maim one to announce your presence, cower the rest of the business fraternity and thereafter collection is easy and one way traffic,” noted ACAUT.

sumi Hoho not to be part of nscn (iM) consultative meet

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): The Sumi Hoho and its frontal organisations will not participate in the Naga consultative meeting organized by NSCN (IM) on August 25. A press note from Vihuto Asumi, Secretary, Sumi Hoho, informed today that in the aftermath of the December 21, 2013 Aghuito incident, the Sumi public during a meeting on January 7, 2014, in resolution no. 2, had decided to abrogate relationships with NSCN (IM). Then on August 10, 2015, a meeting was held between Sumi frontal organizations and NSCN (IM) led by Kilo Kilonser, RH Raising at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur to resolve the issue. However, stated Asumi, “the meeting was inconclusive.”

“Till the issue is resolved between the two sides, the Sumi Hoho and its frontal organizations shall not participate in any meetings or programmes organized by the NSCN (IM),” asserted the Secretary. When asked to comment on the framework agreement signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India, Vihuto Asumi said, “We are neither against nor in support of the Peace Accord since we are yet to know the contents of the Accord. We have no comments now and will remain silent till the contents are known.” He said that the issue of framework agreement and the abrogation of relationship with NSCN (IM) are entirely two different issues and that people should not be confused.

Morung Express News Kohima | August 22

Since July first week, a young group of seven committed members have been cleaning up Kohima town every morning at 8 am. The group is often joined by friends, students, strangers and at times local celebrities such as the Tetseo sisters and even the Minister for Forest, Wildlife and Environment to help them in the cleanliness drive. Named as Project 72 Hrs: A Community Service, the team comprises of Lovito, Khris Sachü, Aha Keretsü, Sievituo Solo, Akuonuo Medom, Vira Nyusou, Waten Pongen. The team commits around 2 hours every day and on weekends it extends for more than four hours. The cleanliness is currently concentrated in the main town and on an average day, around 15 volunteers join the team and at times it goes up to 40 volunteers. The project is an initiative of Recycling Initiative and its primary objective is to encourage school and college students to participate in community service as part of their extracurricular activity. The key highlights are town cleaning, educating youth about civic sense, collecting recyclable wastes, supporting urban local bodies in designing, executing and operating waste disposal

“We thought we could contribute to the society through our service and encourage other individuals to at least contribute 72 hours to the society in a year” C M Y K

Project 72 Hrs team seen along with friends after cleaning a pocket of Kohima town.

systems and developing behavioral change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices. The current project under Project 72 hours is called Pick more, Throw none which targets individuals and youth, both educated and uneducated “to stop littering the city if they can’t help themselves to clean their surroundings.” The project came about with the aim to make Kohima a clean city. “We thought we could contribute to the society through our service and encourage other individuals to at least contribute 72 hours to the society in a year.” says Sievituo Solo,

one of the core members of Project 72 hours who points out that the idea is mainly adopted from the West where citizens contribute at least 24 hours to community service. On August 22, the team completed 72 hours of community service but has planned to continue and expand their project where they will be sharing awareness on sanitation and cleanliness to students. At a press conference held at Dream Café on Saturday after the completion of 72 hours community service, the team shared their experiences of cleaning Kohima town. Stating

that it is the public who are responsible for the mess in Kohima, the team hoped that citizens of Kohima will join them in their efforts of making Kohima a healthier and cleaner city. The team also said they were immensely encouraged by the support of the Kohima Municipal Council, well wishers, friends and even strangers whose concern and support kept them going. “This must be out of their comfort zones but we appeal people will join us to be a part of change. Nothing grows out of your comfort zones.” adds one of the members.

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SunDAY 23•08•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Think big. Think big vision. Dream big’

Pochury Students’ Union Kohima 33rd annual session held Our Correspondent Kohima | August 22

Students of Dimapur Mission Higher Secondary School perform an action song during their Parent’s Day celebration at Dimapur on August 22. (Morung Photo)

Covenant Kids visits Brighter Academy

Chumukedima, august 22 (mexN): The Covenant Kids (CK) team comprising 13 members of the Spirit of Faith Church Dimapur conducted a daylong special programme for the children of Brighter Academy (School) Chumukedima at the Dreamers Vineyard (School Hostel) on August 22. The children were initiated to the programme with a song “God is on my side” by Bro Levon. A puppet named “Deputy Dugan” led the children into ice breaking session and bible reading much to the enthusiasm and excitement of the children including the parents attending the program. The Covenant Kids (CK) team members Sammy and Neola shared their testimonies of how God answered their prayers when they prayed to him ‘‘in faith’’. They also presented a special number, which enthralled the whole gathering. Meanwhile, CK team member Benson

Kohima | August 22

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SEND choir present special number during 33rd annual session cum freshers’ meet of Pochury Students’ Union Kohima (PSUK) in Kohima on August 22. (Morung Photo)

Pochury Gazetted Officers’ Forum (PGOF) vice president Tarachu Pfithu in his solidarity note said that in today’s competitive world, knowledge is the only weapon to shine. Stating that the world today is getting more challenging, interesting and opening lot of opportunities, he called upon the students to work hard and at the same time to fight for job through “your merit.” Pochury Women Organization Kohima (PWOK)

president Sawmy Leyri also challenged the students to take the right step and vision to excel in life. “Don’t let problem and difficulty block your way,” she said adding that their (PWOK) prayer is there to uplift and support the students. Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) president Er.Joyson Pfithu called upon the students to face various challenges ahead. He also urged upon them to know their vision and priority. “Don’t stop pur-

suing your vision,” he said. He wanted to see that unity prevail among the Pochury community so that they can walk together further and achieve more. Earlier, PSUK president Tshiisietho Nyuthe delivered presidential address while Bro. Mosa Tsang, associate pastor PBCK pronounced blessing prayer for freshers.’ Pr. Samson Thurr, Missionary At Large, Kohima pronounced invocation prayer. SEND Choir and Rhohuosie & friends

entertained the gathering with special song and folk tune respectively. Kaithu Thupita and Yidave Chusah spoke on behalf of seniors and juniors respectively. Jiwaluo Nyuwi and Tsiatsiiluo Nyuwi were declared as Mr. and Miss Freshers’ respectively. PSUK social & cultural secretary Esther Pfithu proposed vote of thanks. The programme was followed by election of the new team of the PSUK executive council and business hour.

NWSWM team meets Rev. Ariga, Rev. Kamei KNCTS: Where community conserves and protects Our Correspondent

spoke on “What is faith and how to live by faith?”. He also did an exposition from the Bible on Mark 11:24. The children were challenged to expect great things from God and do great things for God’s glory. The CK team also presented a powerful skit exposing the “boldness to stand firm in faith” while the whole world laugh and scoff at us for “exercising one’s faith”. The Brighter Academy students also presented a special number “Wonderful words of life” during the daylong program along with a skit titled “Bountiful Blessings of God”. Brighter Academy (School) Manager, KK Newmai in a press release has acknowledged the CK team for giving the students a spiritual experience beyond their daily classroom learning. Such guidance and counseling will definitely guide the young minds to mature into God-fearing men and women of the society thereby becoming responsible and dynamic leaders.

The Pochury Students’ Union Kohima (PSUK) today successfully held its 33rd annual session cum freshers’ meet here at Ura Academy Hall under the theme “Today’s vision, tomorrow’s reality.” Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, FP Solo, commissioner & secretary for school education & SCERT called upon the students to broaden their vision and move forward. Touching on global village, he called upon the students to think beyond the village, district, state and the country and think outside for study and job. “Think big. Think big vision. Dream big,” he encouraged the students. He also called upon the students to work hard and excel in their academic pursuit. “I strongly feel that Pochury is a very progressing tribe,” he said adding that they are capable of achieving many heights. He said within a generation or two, Pochurys are able to catch up with the so called advanced tribes in many areas.

A team of Naga Women Soul Winners’ Ministry (NWSWM) today met Rev. DD Paul. K. Ariga, All Japan Revival Mission, Revival Biblical Seminary, president Emeritus Asian Access, Japan Board chairman and Rev. D. Kamei, director Natural Church Development Japan, who are currently in the state capital Kohima. In interaction with them in Hotel Ura here, the NWSWM team consisting NWSWM founder chairperson Rev. Dr. A.G. Kamei, NWSWM general secretary

its inception, we have been conducting our prayer meetings from house to house every week,” the ministry stated. The NWSWM purpose statement includes; to guide and bring lost souls, to heal our land with peace by invoking God’s power, to pray for leaders in all walks of life, to build broken relationships through prayers and to expand prayer cells. “The Naga Women Soul Winners’ Ministry is conNWSWM team with Rev. Ariga and Rev. Kamei in Kohima on July 22. victed and committed to be Akole Mero and NWSWM The NWSWM has now mar, Japan and Canada. God’s instrument of peace executive member Josule expanded prayer cell in Na“We set aside a day of on this earth and to bring Awomi briefed the activi- galand and Manipur with prayer every Wednesday of lost souls to the Kingdom ties of the ministry. prayer partners in Myan- the week at 10:30 AM. Since of God,” it stated.

Mokokchung holds District Level Science Seminar

mokokChuNg, august 22 (diPR): Rahul Kumar from Queen Mary Higher Secondary School was adjudged the winner of the District Level Science Seminar 2015, which was held under the theme “Harnessing Light: Possibilities & Challenges” on August 21 at Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung, organised by District Education Office, Mokokchung. Earlier, special numbers were presented by GHS Mokokchung Village and Nagaland Christian Residential School Mokokchung while R. Allemla Jamir, District Education Officer gave away the prizes and proposed vote of thanks. Altogether 16 schools in Mokokchung participated in the seminar.

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Contractors to take action on pending bills dimaPuR, august 22 (mexN): The contractors of Irrigation and Flood Control (FMP2013-14) Dimapur disNursery students pose for camera with teachers during Kid’s Camp for Nursery students of trict have resolved to take own course of action as the govJoyance Pre-School, Kohima on August 22. Meanwhile, registration and admission for 2016 ernment has failed to release bill even after works have academic session is going on. (Morung Photo) been completed. This was decided during a joint meeting held on August 21 with regard to the payment of pending bills by the Government of Nagaland. The contractors deliberated on the steps to be taken up for release of the bill as the works have been completed as per the specifications of the orders in the time during 2013, whereas the payments has been held up for the almost 2 years by the government, Meeting Convener IK Shohe said in a press release. The meeting highlighted that the hardship of the contractors is beyond tolerable.

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Governor P.B. Acharya and others during a visit to Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) core sanctuary areas (Dziileke) on August 21. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Khonoma | August 22

Nagaland’s governor PB Acharya on Friday visited Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) core sanctuary areas (Dziileke). During his visit, Governor expressed happiness with the effort and activities of the KNCTS. The Governor was accompanied by Kohima DC Rovilatuo Mor (IAS) and Kohima SP Joseph Hesso. Khonoma village adopted a community based natural conservation known as Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS). The conservation of nature and biodiversity of Khonoma village was initially an initiative taken up solely by the people of Khonoma village, which was taken further through government-sponsored project.

Khonoma celebrates not just conservation but also protection of its forest and biodiversity, according to a brochure brought out by Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary Trust. KNCTS was formed with the objectives to promote nature conservation and environmental projection, to established a Tragopan sanctuary in its natural habitat at Khonoma Dziikou area, to conserve the flora and fauna and all bio-diversity in the sanctuary and to promote protection of all wild life, birds and to ensure freedom of living for the creations in the sanctuary. “We also find many pockets of pristine patches of undisturbed virgin forests and is home to many medicinal plants,” a brochure stated. The demarcated area harbors to rich flora and fauna, exclusively meant

for wildlife conservation especially Tragopan (Tragopan Blyth). Its labyrinth bushes to huge formidable trees make good natural habitat for wildlife, the brochure stated. The brochure stated that the popular Dziikou is a natural valley, during winter it is covered by snow and in springtime, it is an endless sea of flowers in its numerous colours. “Adding to its beauty is the crystal clear serpentine river. Owing to its natural beauties and landscape, it is ideal for trekking, sightseeing, outing, bird- watching and activities involving nature,” a brochure stated. KNCTS is also duly registered as a trust (Regd. No H/RS-2708 dated 19/09/2002). KNCTS has about 20sq km with traditional footpaths to enter the sanctuary. It is located at an altitude of 2438.4 meters above sea level.

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Students render help at NH-29 landslide area Children of Jubilee Memorial School, Mokokchung performs a folk fusion song at their Gala Literary day celebration at Town Hall Mokokchung.

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Zeneikho-O Benedict Jakhama | August 22

Asked not what people can do for you rather asked what you can do for the people, for Natural calamities and its effect are beyond man’s control. Almost everyone is much aware and concern about the hardship facing due to the blockade of National Highway 29 at Phesama, the lifeline of Southerners and in particular the Schools and Colleges dwelling around. In response of the situation, under the banner of National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) of St. Joseph’s College rendered social service at the blockade area on August 20 with 60 Migrant workers work at a temporary stone quarry in Dimapur on August 18. Migrant workvolunteers and 4 Lecturers ers are usually employed in small factories, construction and brick making after moving out from their villages to industrial centers in search of opportunities and better standards of and on August 21 with 141 volunteers and 3 lecturers. living. Photo by Caisii Mao

National Service Scheme and National Cadet Corps of St. Joseph’s College volunteers rendering help at the blockade area of National Highway 29 at Phesama.

We volunteered in cutting footpath, putting up support poles, assisting commuters, carrying luggage and babies from one end to the other end and helping the owners of halffalling households. Some volunteers make dozen trips back and forth. We did this not to earn fame

nor for any material benefit. Some offered money but we are not for that. The many ‘Thank you’, ‘God bless you’ and ‘Shake hands’ with delighted expression from the commuters were received back with smile and that pays everything. It is a moment where every volunteer

worked with zeal though the monsoon season offer its due share showering. The experience of extending a helping hand is much treasured with happiness and ended the days with contentment. We acknowledged the core responsibility undertaken by the Phesama

Youths and other organizations towards the general welfare of the people. Never let your sense of moral standard prevent you from doing what is right. (This article is contributed by Zeneikho-O Benedict, Asst. Prof and Programme Officer, NSS unit, St. Joseph's College, Jakhama)

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SunDAY 23•08•2015

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Flood scene grim in Arunachal, Assam Itanagar, august 22 (PtI): Flood situation continued to remain grim in Namsai and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh with major rivers in high spate flowing above the danger mark following continuous downpour in the past couple of days. The water level of Noa Dihing and its tributaries has risen causing a flood-like situation in the low lying areas of Namsai district particularly at New Silatoo, Dharampur, Lekang Gohain Gaon, Dirak Miri, Ranjalibeel, Rajabeel and Philobari under Lekang circle, an official report said today. Bank erosion was continuing at Upper and Lower Deobeel as well as one spur constructed at Upper Silatoo was washed away and another constructed under SPA partially damaged, the report said. Communication between Namsai and Tezu via Alubari as well as Pursuram kund has also been disrupted due to flood water. The river course of Nao-dehing has diverted towards Deobeel (right bank) which caused excessive land erosion. The RCC spur construction at lower Deobeel has been damaged and needs immediate repair and one RCC spur is required at down-stream of existing spur as well. All rivers including Lohit, Kam-

Over 6 lakh marooned in Assam floods, toll now 7

A man wades through flood waters in the village of Gagalmari, Assam. Around 2 million inhabitants of the north-eastern Indian state have been displaced. (AP Photo)

lang, Berreng, Tengapani and Jengthu are flowing above the danger level and communication between Alubari and Tezu has been disrupted. A report from Lohit stated that Changliang, Dhivajinagar, Khoraliang, Denning nallah, 32 mile, Duraliang, Danglat, Loiliang, Sunpura and Yealiang villages were badly affected

due to flood water. Wire crated Guide wall 80 m near Changliang Village has been damaged and flood water threatens to enter Changliang village. Flood water is just 5 m away from the main road and the protection work at minor irrigation project (MIP) Tachere Denning has been damaged

threatening the headwork while, Balijan area was submerged by flood water. The MIP at Balijan was also damaged affecting the neighboring area as the aprons of the wing wall of MIP at Hucheliang and Pomliang have been washed out while, villages like Danglat, 32 Mile and Mepo were affected due to soil erosion, the report added.

guwahatI, august 22 (Ians): Over 6.5 lakh people in 15 districts of Assam continue to be marooned in the floods, as the toll reached seven after four bodies were recovered in Dhubri district on Saturday, the authorities said. Officials said the situation has improved slightly, with most of the rivers showing a steady trend on Saturday. As the toll rose to seven, there were reports that two people were swept away by the surging waters in Dhubri when their boat capsized. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Friday said three people died in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts due to the floods. The state government has restricted the movement of passenger boats and ferries in rivers flowing above the danger level. Ferry services between Guwahati and north Guwahati, Jorhat to the Majuli island and other places have

also been suspended due to the rising water levels in some rivers. Disaster management authority CEO P.K. Tiwari said most of the rivers have receded or were showing a steady trend. "We hope the situation will improve as the rains have stopped," he added. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi reviewed the flood situation with Water Resources Minister Basanta Das and senior officials at the chief minister's secretariat. Gogoi directed the revenue and disaster management department to take all possible steps to gear up relief and rescue operations and asked it to provide food, medicine, drinking water to people housed in relief camps. About 85,400 people from the flood-affected districts were currently living in 120 relief camps. Kokrajhar district is one of the worst hit, where 84 relief camps have been set up, officials said.

Another outfit may ink peace accord: Tripura CM Chandel Villager shot dead by suspected NSCN (IM) cadres

agartaLa, august 22 (Ians): After the NSCN (IM), one more banned group in northeastern India — the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) — may give up arms and sign a peace pact with the government, Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar said on Saturday. "Officials of union home ministry, central intelligence bodies and Tripura government have already held two rounds of talks during the past six months with the NLFT in Delhi and Shillong," Sarkar told IANS. "We are ready to continue the peace talks with the NLFT. However, their concrete and specific conditions, demands and issues are yet to be submitted to the government." "Under the Indian constitution, we are ready to hold talks on any issues of

the NLFT," said Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio. According to the chief minister, there are at least 16 NLFT camps in neighbouring Bangladesh and the outfit has around 80 cadres with roughly 100 sophisticated arms. "The NLFT also has accounts in Bangladeshi banks," Sarkar said, adding that the Bangladesh government and its security forces had helped a lot in cracking down against various extremists outfits of northeast India. The NLFT reportedly had recently approached the union home ministry to involve former Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) supremo Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl and former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga in the ongoing peace process and dialogue with the government.

Deluge blessing for Kaziranga ecosystem g u wa h at I , august 22 (tnn): Even as the state bears the brunt of yet another wave of floods, Kaziranga National Park, about 250 km from here, has got a new lease of life. Located on the flood plains along the southern bank of the Brahmaputra, the World Heritage Site's ecosystem is greatly dependent on the annual floods. The floods rejuvenate the 200-odd wetlands that are critical to the park's ecology and on which the Big Five (rhinos, elephants, eastern swamp deer, wild buffaloes and tigers) are dependent.

Park officials said almost 70% of the 430-sqkm area of the park is currently under water. Animals, mostly elephants, have started moving to the highlands of adjoining Karbi Anglong district by crossing NH-37. From June to August 14 this year, Assam has received 859.1mm of rain against the normal of 1,042.6mm. In the last few months, the wetlands had started drying and weeds were proliferating. The 2012 floods — the park's worst in two decades — had resulted in the death of hundreds of animals.

To a question about the involvement of Hrangkhawl and Zoramthanga, the chief minister said, "We have been saying that Hrangkhawl has a link with the militant outfits, now it was proved with the NLFT's proposal to the MHA (home ministry)." "If Hrangkhawl has no link with the militant outfit, why has the NLFT suggested his involvement in the talks? With this NLFT proposal, Hrangkhawl is trying to send a message to the underground outfit that he was with them," Sarkar added. At the instance of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Hrangkhawl had signed a tripartite peace accord with the central and Tripura governments on August 12, 1988, before around 450 men of the outfit surrendered. Subsequently, the

TNV merged with a tribalbased Tripura Upajati Juba Samity political party and formed the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) in 2002. Sa rk a r re ma i n e d non-commital about Zoramthanga, a former underground leader of the Mizo National Front that had turned into a political party. Zoramthanga has been instrumental in brokering peace deal between the union government and the NSCN (IM) and was also involved in talks with ethnic Mizo groups in Manipur. Praising the accord signed between the NSCNIM (National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IsakMuivah) and the central government on August 3, Sarkar demanded the immediate disclosure of its contents and the government's commitment. "The views of the Na-

galand chief minister TR Zeliang which appeared in the media, are ambiguous. His clear views on the accord would be very important," Sarkar said. The chief ministers of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, all ruled by the Congress, have also demanded that the provisions of the accord be disclosed. Sarkar, who has been the Tripura chief minister for more than 17 years, said during the past two years, 12 extremist-related incidents had occurred in the state in which four people were killed, two injured and 18 people abducted. Of the 18 kidnapped people, 16 were released by the rebels. "There is no militancyrelated incident so far this year. A significant number of militants have surrendered to the government in the recent past," he added.

Our Correspondent Imphal | August 22 Suspected NSCN (IM) cadres gunned down a man at Aimol Ngairong village under Tengnoupal Police Station of Chandel district in the wee hours of Saturday. The deceased was identified as one S Walungluwa Aimol, 50, a native of Ngairong village near Pallel, located about 64 km from capital Imphal. The incident happened around 4:30 a.m. in the courtyard of the deceased. One bullet ripped through his head. According to family sources, the attack was carried out by some 20 armed cadres. According to reports, the cadres dragged Walungluwa out of the house and

shot him dead in the courtyard. Thereafter, the cadres allegedly indulged in indiscriminate firing for about 20 minutes and lobbed two hand grenades on the house of former assistant chief of Ngairong village located in the vicinity of the incident. The explosion damaged the house, but no casualties were reported. A local cable TV news channel said some people were also injured in the indiscriminate firing. But the report could not be officially confirmed. A combined team of Assam Rifles and police rushed to the spot and launched massive hunt in the surrounding area to nab the assailants. However, no arrests were made. The body was brought to the mortuary of Jawa-

harlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for post mortem. Youth stabbed to death in Thoubal In a separate incident, a 25-year-old youth was allegedly stabbed to death by three people last night at Lilong bridge in Thoubal district. The victim has been identified as Konthoujam Sanjoy Singh of Lilong Arapti. The incident took place around 8 pm, reports said on Saturday. One of the accused in the killing Haobijam Athouba, 23, a resident of Thanga Karang in Bishnupur district has been arrested by the police. The police are on a lookout for the other two accused.

Social media posts lands two in legal trouble

Arunachal speaker files suit against youth leader Scribes lodge plaint against Tripura official Itanagar, august 22 (tnn): Arunachal Pradesh speaker Nabam Rebia has filed a defamation suit of Rs 10 crore against a student union leader for allegedly maligning his image on the social media Taking cognizance of the defamation suit, the chief judicial magistrate's court at Yupia has summoned the accused, Tarh Rekam, to appear before the court on September 17. Talking to reporters here, Rebia said he has slapped criminal charges against Rekam. The senior Congress MLA, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms, alleged that the accused has published a defamatory post on Facebook

captioned "God father of Bangladeshi Muslim in Arunachal Pradesh" on July 27. "In the post, Rekam accused me of bringing in more than 100 Bangladeshi Muslims for my ongoing multi-crore civil construction work at Poma by misusing my official position for personal benefits," he said. He expressed his dismay over the gross misuse of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter in the garb of freedom of speech. The speaker said, "The impugned statement of Tarh Rekam on the social media has not only affected my reputation, but also brought shame to the constitutional office of the speaker of Arunachal Pradesh."

Rebia, who now represents the Doimukh constituency, challenged Rekam to come out with proof and substantiate his allegation. "I am deeply aggrieved by the allegation that has been brought against me. There is no black spot on my long career of public service and as a citizen of this country, I have every right to defend my position. I will not give up till the end and am hoping that justice will be done," he added. "I have been very vocal on Bangladeshi issue since my student days and even as an MP. Issues of Bangladeshi influx have been thoroughly discussed on the floor of Parliament and I will continue to fight for it," he added.

agartaLa, august 22 (tnn): The Tripura Journalists' Union on Friday registered an FIR against the senior deputy magistrate of Khowai district, Pankaj Chakraborty, for his derogatory remarks against the media and journalists on Facebook. Union secretary Pranab Sarkar lodged two separate complaints against Chakraborty with SP (West Tripura) Bijoy Nag. One complaint was lodged for calling newspapers 'toilet papers' and another for provoking people against the media. He alleged that Chakraborty had even advised a group of officials to misbehave with media-

persons when they went to meet the district magistrate on Friday seeking action against the erring official. "The journalists were asked why they wanted to meet the district magistrate. When they said that it was regarding a complaint against Chakraborty, some officials pushed and abused them," Sarkar alleged. Chief secretary Y P Singh said the district magistrate has been asked to submit a detailed investigation report regarding the allegations levelled against Chakraborty. "If found him guilty, appropriate action will be taken against him for violation of service conduct rules," Singh said.

Five plays from Northeast to travel across states Veenu Sandhu Business Standard

oirei is a rickshaw puller. He is also a philosopher agonised by the misery of man. Every day as he pulls his rickshaw through the streets, he encounters a chaotic environment and events that make his heart bleed. Poirei lives in Manipur and his daily excursions to earn a square meal bring him face to face with death and mourning. He sees men dying. He comes upon mothers calling out to their sons, searching, wailing and shouting. Much like Siddhartha, before he became the Buddha, Poirei searches for answers to the cause of this misery. Poirei is the protagonist of a powerful play, Rickshaw Amasung Nongmei (Rickshaw and Gun),

which the National School of Drama, or NSD, is bringing to audiences in Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur and Vadodara starting next week. The play in Manipuri, written and directed by S Thaninleima, is part of NSD's "Poorvottar Rashtriya Rang Utsav", a festival of theatre from the Northeast. A total of five plays, two each from Manipur and Assam and one from Sikkim, will be staged. This is the first time that a festival focused on theatre from the Northeastern states is being organised in the northern states of India. Last year, NSD had experimented with the concept by taking some plays from the Northeast to the south - to Hyderabad, Mysore, Bengaluru and Nashik. "They were very well received," says NSD Director Waman Kendre. "So this time we de-

cided to head to states in the north." While NSD has since 2008 been taking plays from other parts of India to different regions of the Northeast under its annual theatre festival, "Poorvottar Natya Samaroh", the drama school felt that this should be a twoway process. Though only five plays will be staged during the upcoming festival, they bring with them a variety of themes. Eserenga Rod (A Sunny Morning), for example, is a short story set in Spain of sweethearts from the past. Written by Spanish dramatists Serafín and Joaquin Álvarez Quintero and directed by Pranjal Saikia, the play in Assamese begins with a 70-something Dona Laura entering a park leaning upon the arm of her maid, Petra. Around the same

Northeast to have film institute: DoNER minister

new DeLhI, august 22 (Ians): In a bid to boost the film industry in the northeast, a film institute will soon be set up in Arunachal Pradesh, DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday. At a northeast film festival, "Fragrances of the Northeast", being held in the capital, the minister of state for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) said the entire region was bestowed with scenic beauty which can match with the most beautiful locations in the world. "But unfortunately, this vast potential of the region has remained under-utilised by the film industry," he said. Thanking Finance and Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley for including in the budget the setting up of a film institute in Arunachal Pradesh, Jitendra Singh said: "This will not only help in boosting the film industry in the northeast but would also facilitate filmmakers from Bollywood, Tollywood and other parts of the country to explore the exclusive locales of the region." The minister felicitated veteran Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma, a retrospective of whose works is also being held as part of the three-day festival that started on Saturday.

time, Gonzalo, a gouty, impatient gentleman in his eighties, enters the park. His usual bench is occupied by some priests so he is forced to share one with Laura. The two get talking and the conversation veers towards the romance of friends long gone. Time slips by and the two strangers keep conversing like old friends. But somewhere in that conversation is the sense that they are telling each other made up stories, of friends who don't exist at all. The plays are all in Manipuri, Nepali or Assamese. But Kendre isn't worried that language could be a barrier as NSD takes them to Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat apart from Delhi. "There is no language barrier in theatre, unless the play is

verbose," he says. Even so, the audience will be given a synopsis of the plays before the shows. NSD has regional theatre training centres in Gangtok (Sikkim) and Agarala (Tripura), with the Sikkim centre also running a repertory company. Hami

Nai Aafai Aaf is, in fact, a presentation of the Sikkim repertory company. The theatre festival starts in Delhi on August 24 and then travels to Amritsar (August 26-30), Jaipur (August 28-September 1) and Vadodara (August 30-September 3).

Office Of the Old BOys AssOciAtiOn Of sAinik schOOl imphAl nAgAlAnd chApter

FELICITATION

We the Old Boys Association of Sainik School Imphal, (OBASSI) Nagaland Chapter are proud to extend our heartiest congratulations to Cadet Zubemo Lotha, Admission No 541, Assistant Director, Department of Employment and Craftsmen Training, Nagaland on being awarded the Governor’s Commendation Certificate on the occasion of 69th Independence Day Celebration, 2015 at Kohima. We further wish him all the best and may he achieve even greater heights. C Lima Imsong General Secretary, OBASSI, Nagaland Chapter

SunDAY 23•08•2015

BUSINESS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Minimum export price of onions hiked to $700/tonne

Brief Air China to launch Beijing-Mumbai flight Beijing, August 22 (iAns): Air China said on Saturday it would open four new Asian routes including one betweeen Beijing and Mumbai, to connect more destinations in south and southeast Asia. The fourtimes-a-week Beijing-Mumbai flight will be launched on October 25, Xinhua reported. A Beijing-Kuala Lumpur flight, also four-times-a-week, will be launched on the same day. A tri-weekly Beijing-Karachi flight will be launched on October 26 and a tri-weekly BeijingColombo flight will be launched the next day.

Same day e-tickets for night viewing of Taj

neW DeLhi, August 22 (Pti): The Government today hiked the minimum export price of onions sharply by $275 per tonne to curb shipments and boost domestic supply to control spiralling retail prices that have touched up to Rs 80 per kg. The decision to increase onion MEP to $700 per tonne from $425 has been taken as prices of onions at both the wholesale and retail levels has been rising on lower output due to unseasonal rains earlier. “To increase availability in the domestic market, it has been decided to raise minimum export price (MEP) of onions further to $700 per tonne,” said the Consumer Affairs Ministry in a statement. The Government is keeping a close watch on onion prices and

has floated a tender for im- lowed. The rise in MEP prices today touched Rs AgrA, August 22 (iAns): The union tourism port of 10,000 tonnes of on- restricts exports and im- 57/kg at Lasalgaon in Maministry has cleared a proposal to introduce e-ticketions, which will be opened proves domestic supply. harashtra, Asia’s biggest ing for visitors interested in night viewing of the iconic on August 27, it added. Onion prices have risen edible bulb market, which Taj Mahal here two days before and two days after the MEP is the rate below unabated in the past few could further spike retail full moon, officials said on Friday. Minister of State for which no exports are al- weeks. Wholesale onion prices in coming days. Tourism Mahesh Sharma on Wednesday indicated that the facility would be introduced shortly. The manual tickets which need to be booked in advance shall be discontinued. The tourists can now book a ticket till 3 p.m. the same day. The Archaeological Survey of India has already developed facilities at the Mehtab Bagh to enable tourists to see the Taj Mahal from different MuMBAi, August 22 (iAns): gest devaluation of Chinese currency manufacturing purchasing manA crashing rupee, disappointing re- since 1994. The currency fell again agers' index) for August. Caixin is a angles. sults and diminishing rate cut hopes by another two percent on August 12 barometer of factory output in the $10 trillion dollar Chinese econcoupled with profit bookings on panicking the world economy. The move strengthened the dol- omy. Vineeta Mahnot, equity reconcerns over commodities prices, consumer sentiments and China lar value, which has negatively im- search analyst with Hem Securidrowned the Indian equity markets pacted major world currencies in- ties, highlighted that the sell off by cluding the Indian rupee. The yuan foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) last week. Bearish sentiments ruined in- has fallen by 4.6 percent till now on subdued earnings, stalled reBeijing, August 22 (iAns): Over 5,800 Jaguar forms, investment derailment and Land Rover (JLR) cars were damaged in China's Tian- vestor sentiments-- plunging the since August 11. Devendra Nevgi, chief executive downward spiral in capital goods barometer 30-scrip sensitive index jin blasts, the company said. The vehicles came from JLR assembly plants in the Liverpool and arrived in (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock of ZyFin Advisors, told IANS that if manufacturing brought the marTianjin after being shipped from Britain, reported Xi- Exchange (BSE) by over 700 points the Chinese markets continue to kets down. "Sharp sell offs were trignhua news agency. Shares in Indian parent group Tata or around 2.50 percent. The Sensex lose steam then further yuan deval- gered on worries over subdued corMotors fell by up to four percent on the Mumbai stock ended last week at 27,366.07 points uation can take place. "The Chinese porate earnings, sell off by FPIs and exchange on Friday after the company confirmed the from 28,067.31 points closing on government, brokerage firms and profit booking dampened the sentiimpact on around 5,800 of its vehicles recently shipped August 14. The benchmark index fell mutual funds aren't able to arrest ments," Mahnot added. Other worries for investors have to China. Tata bought the British luxury carmaker JLR around 170 points or 0.59 percent the fall in their markets. Though unin 2008. At the time of the explosion, around 5,800 JLR during the previous weekly trade related, the stock market crash can stemmed from the fact that the Revehicles were stored at various locations in Tianjin. Jag- (August 14). "The currency market transform into further yuan devalu- serve Bank of India (RBI) has shown uar Land Rover appears to have been the worst hit by slide has been the major theme last ation to perk up the economy," Nev- its reluctance to cut interest rates even after current data showed inflathe blast as over 5,500 cars worth around $600 million week in India, overshadowing sev- gi cautioned. Some estimates point out that the tion being under control. "Extended were destroyed. The deadly blasts in Tianjin city have eral positive announcements favouring banking sector, as well as continuous slide in the exchanges slide in oil prices has cast doubts on claimed 116 lives so far while 60 people still missing. the overall economy," Anand James, of the Chinese economy has wiped the chances of US Fed's rate hike. co-head, technical research, Geojit off 40-45 percent of the entire stock This gives RBI a rope for pushing rates value in the last three months. Rahul lower. However, the central bank is BNP Paribas, told IANS. As per James, the continuous Dholam, senior analyst with Angel likely to wait till Federal Open Market slide in rupee value which resulted Broking, said that yuan devaluation Committee (FOMC)," James added. in Friday's close of Rs.65.83, a new at a time of global slowdown, com- According to James, the stalling of MuMBAi, August 22 (thoMson reuters): 2-year low and breaching of the modities price crash and the likeli- the reforms process -- especially the The government has set a floor price for the sale of Rs.66 to a dollar mark in futures mar- hood of the US Fed raising interest deadlock over the GST (goods and rates has set a scenario for the start of services tax) bill -- has demoralised shares in top state-run refiner Indian Oil Corp Ltd at kets unnerved investors. currency wars. "The Indian bench- investors and cast a shadow over the On the bright side James pointRs 387 each, the company said, a two per cent discount mark indices fell this week led by government's push for better ecoed that: "The slide in currencies and from Friday's close. At the floor price, the 10 per cent stake sale in the company will bring in Rs 9,396 crore equity markets has not yet reached global concerns over the slowdown nomic policies and ease of doing ($1.4 billion) for the government. New Delhi is seeking a panic state." The major catalyst for in the Chinese economy, fall in oil, business in India. Another dampto raise as much as $11 billion by selling stakes in state- the rupee's slide has been the devalu- other commodity prices and fears of ener in last week's trade was global run companies this fiscal year, crucial to narrowing the ation of yuan, intended to boost Chi- a currency war led by the yuan deval- credit ratings agency Moody's decifiscal deficit to a planned 3.9 per cent of gross domestic nese exports. China's central bank uation," Dholam elaborated to IANS. sion to lower India's growth forecast The Indian markets were also for this year by 50 basis points to sevhad devalued the yuan by two perproduct in 2015/16. cent on August 11. This was the big- shaken by the weak Caixin (China en percent.

The export price was last raised to $425 per tonne from $250 on June 26, it added. The Consumer Affairs Secretary will on August 24 take stock of the situation with agencies SFAC, NAFED, MMTC and the Delhi government. “Prices of onions have been rising on account of a decline in total production to 189.23 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 as against 194.02 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 i.e. a decrease of 4.79 lakh tonnes,” the statement said. Onion exports fell to 10.86 lakh tonnes in 201415, from 13.58 lakh tonnes in the previous year. The shortfall has primarily been on account of adverse weather conditions, including unseasonal rains which have impacted both the standing and harvested crop at

major producing centres, it added. Intervening in the market, the Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) and NAFED, which have procured 8,368 tonnes of onions using the Price Stabilisation Fund, are supplying onions for sale at subsidised rates at Mother Dairy’s Safal and 120 booths of Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS). SFAC is supplying onions at Rs 30.50 per kg to Safal, which is retailing at Rs 39 in Delhi. SFAC is also selling onions to consumers at Rs 35 through DMS booths whereas the Delhi government is selling onions at a cheaper Rs 30. The state governments are also being reminded regularly to keep a tab on price rise and take effective action.

Falling rupee, results, no rate cut drown Indian equities

Over 5,800 JLR cars damaged in China blasts

Indian Oil Stake Sale Floor Price Set at Rs 387

LEISURE

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 # 3323

WORk BehAviORS appearance ill tardy absent hours shift trustworthy reliable rule dependable team boss employer contact late interview application work attitude break check payday fired reference rule schedule notice emergency diploma apply policy shift

K Z C A U E F R E Y O L P M E A A I T X

T I K R J V F J L I H Q J E L B T G F M

O C N R F K A P S P D U P J A I I E U N

CROSSWORD # 3336

Answer Number # 3322

K H P H X X S A U V A Q L A B L T K A N

DAILY CROSS WORD

G R T G Z V F I R E D P K K I L T R B F

V O P F L P A I K E E N L O L H U X W T

G O P V I R B T H A F B E J E Q D Q I Y

J G N X U H F C R E E E M E R G E N C Y

L M L T O I S A D U I R R N D O A L R X

E F J B H R N G I I S K B E A Q R A U R

B O S S U C A P P L Y T P W N B U Y X R

A F E O E N Y T L A Y E W J O C L E I O

A V H D Y W F N O U N T T O Q Z E Q M X

W P H P G N A E M D J A Z C R U Z I Y P

U Z G Q Y L P S A P P L I C A T I O N T

R G R C D P O B G X J Y D R A T H S Y O

W K R O W E I V R E T N I E C I T O N L

N F F V N O C O D Z J I N F N P S X C L

Birthday Greeting Hi....D'rest Alua.... WiSh YoU a ThOuSaNd TiMes hApPy ReTuRns Of tHiS SpEciAl DaY oF YoU... MaY eAcH aNd EveRy PasSiNg YeArs bRiNgs YoU WisDoM,PeaCe aNd ChEeR.... God bless you abundantly. :-) with love From Ur Pagla. DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

D P A Y D A Y K B D Z D Z I G H O J Y H

STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

East Police Station West Police Station

227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

ACROSS

1. Apprehend 6. Makes a mistake 10. Assign a grade 14. Hello or goodbye 15. Bobbin 16. Norse god 17. Noteworthy 19. Schnozzola 20. Sleeping sickness carrier 21. Assist 22. Component of urine 23. Fancy 25. Alter 26. Froth 30. Spartan 32. Oval 35. Sincere 39. Time of the year 40. Skin pattern 41. A twisting force 43. Attack 44. Innate 46. Jar tops 47. He flies a plane 50. Cheapskate 53. Biblical garden 54. Lie 55. Emissary

DOWN

1. A heavy open wagon 2. Beers 3. Hefty volume 4. Gossip 5. Abrasive 6. Historic period 7. Refund 8. Remedy 9. Sleigh 10. Significant 11. Love intensely 12. Ascended 13. Work dough 18. New Zealand parrot 24. Utilize 25. Tapestry 26. Gala 27. Margarine 28. Winglike 29. Overseas Christian worker

31. Dines 33. Dot 34. Prig 36. Decorative case 37. Auctioned 38. Infants 42. Candidate 43. Autonomic nervous system 45. Award 47. Alight 48. Potato state 49. Lawful 51. L 52. Units of paper 54. A reserve of money 56. Annoying insect 57. Skin disease 58. Adolescent 59. Cocoyam 62. One or more Ans to CrossWord 3335

KOHIMA: 0370 2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) DIMAPUR: 03862 232201/ 101 (O) 9436017479 (OC)

CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862 282777/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC) WOKHA: 03860 242215/101 (O) 9862039399 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369 2226225/ 101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 9862130954(OC)

KOHIMA

ZUNHEBOTO: 03867 280304/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC)

STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 8414853519 MON: 03869 251222/ 101 (O) 9436208480 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE 60. Indian music 61. Deranged 63. Blacken 64. A noble gas 65. Anagram of “Amend” 66. Sacred 67. Declare untrue 68. Shorthand

FIRE STATIONS

Chumukedima Fire 282777 Brigade Nikos Hospital and 232032, 231031 Research Centre

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles

V D K D H O L A S P I G P R K A N Y U Y

Advisor, Cooperation, Nagaland, Imtilemba Sangtam, handing over a representation to the Union minister of State for Agriculture, MK Kundaria during the North East Cooperative Summit held at Hotel Pine, Shillong. Also seen are Nagaland state BJP general secretary and spokesman, K James Vizo and vice president, Yangoshe Sangtam.

Toll free No. 1098 childline

KipHire: 8414853767 (O) 8974304572 (OC)

WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

MOKOKCHUNG: Police Station 1:

STD CODE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

63.71 99.63 7.95 46.92 45.16 48.56 50.95

66.60 104.48 8.86 49.24 47.40 50.96 53.83

Euro

70.58

74.01

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.75

1.94

0.0521

0.0581

41.59

43.64

9.58

10.67

SunDAY 23•08•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Govt release money TGOuN suggests uN interfaith for Foothill Road spiritual forum for world peace

Dimapur, august 22 (mExN): The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has informed that the State government has released the amount from the Civil Deposit in respect of the ongoing Foothill Road construction. In this regard, NFHRCC along with the department in concern will go for spot verification at Doyang Bridge, Ao sector and Mon sector respectively. “Then only subject to the satisfaction of the joint verification, the necessary amount will be

released by the concerned authority to the contractors,” a press release from NFHRCC general secretary WY Kithan and convenor Supu Jamir stated. Meanwhile, the release informed that on August 21, the committee resolved to have a joint meeting with all the apex hohos and Dimapur based unions on August 26, 10:00 am at the NFHRCC treasurer, Yashitsungba Aier’s residence to deliberate on the ongoing Foothill Road construction. All concerned have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

Dimapur, august 22 (mExN): The Global Open University Nagaland (TGOUN) has suggested to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Kimoon for creating a new division at the UN, ‘United Nations Interfaith Spiritual Forum for World Peace.’ Informing this through a press release, Registrar of TGOUN Dr. Imotemsu Ao said that this suggestion came from Founder Chancellor and Plenipotentiary of TGOUN, Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi, who was recently declared as the Speaker of the World

Spiritual Parliament. Endorsing the proposal, Chancellor of TGOUN T.N. Mannen said through the press release that there is an “urgent need” to unite all spiritual leaders from all member countries, and to “suggest ways and means for mitigating the disastrous effects of insurgency, peacelessness and related issues.” TGOUN Vice Chancellor Dr. H.N. Dutta maintained in the press note that the “root cause of peacelessness is unemployment which could be solved by having a marriage of unemployment with pollution

for creation of environment friendly and sustainable jobs.” He also advocated for bringing a “radical change” in the existing educational system prevailing in different countries “where the products of a faulty educational system become only job seekers but not job givers. Such products feel alienated from the society, rather they become a burden on the country.” TGOUN Registrar Dr. Imotemsu Ao imagined that once the Forum is created, spiritual leaders from different countries may be invited at the UN Head-

brief ANPSTA meeting on Aug 25

kohima, august 22 (mExN): The All Nagaland Pre-Service Association (ANPSTA) will conduct an executive general meeting on August 25 at T.U Building at 10:30 am. A press note issued by Obed, President and Bendquarters for “providing ungsunep, General Secretary has stated that it is mandaappropriate solutions for tory for all the unit office bearers to attend the meeting. reducing the toll the world For further details, contact 9089336229/ 9612684290. citizenry have been exacting in supporting their lives DLSU informs on through inappropriate as using Nyamo Lotha Road well as unethical means.” Dr. Trivedi advocated Dimapur, august 22 (mExN): The Dimapur Lothat the said Forum will be- tha Students’ Union (DLSU) has informed all the shoping a “sustainable India as keepers and business establishments at Dhobinullah well as a sustainable world.” via Holy Cross to Deluze Point to use Nyamo Lotha Road The World Spiritual as their address as per the DC order no. DEV/5/2007Parliament (WSP) will D/4733-38 dated December 8, 2014. The DLSU urged open countrywide and the shopkeepers and business establishments to change countrywise branches and their signboard as Nyamo Lotha Road. Failing to do so, chapters for a mass move- the union through its president and general secretary ment for promoting inter- warned that it will take its own course of action. faith dialogues and spirituality with a view to bringing One arrested under NLTP peace in the Indian Union. kohima, august 22 (mExN): Kohima police manning Peducha check gate during routine checking of vehicles intercepted one truck (AS-05C-2905) and recovered 118 cases of assorted IMFL worth Rs. 4,61,800 in the local market. A press release from Kohima Sub– Divisional Police Officer & PRO Atu Zumvü informed that the driver of the vehicle, identified as one Noksen Subba (27) of Bokajan, was arrested for possession and transportation of the banned IMFL. In this connection, a regular case under the NLTP Act was registered against him for further investigation.

Review meeting on SAGY held Parly secy looks into deplorable kohima, august 22 (mExN): A review meeting of the State Level Empower Committee on Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) under Rural Development was held on August 21 at the Chief Secretary's conference hall under the chairmanship of chief secretary Pankaj Kumar. The meeting was held to review implementation of the scheme and the Village Development Plan (VDP) and to suggest changes, supplement the central SAGY guidelines, and identify bottlenecks and technical and administrative support required. Highlighting on SAGY, Secretary, Rural Development, Kelie Zeliang said there is no separate sanction for implementing the projects under SAGY and only the departments where the schemes are given in the Village Development Plan have to implement the project themselves within the normal budget allocated to them.

Zeliang also informed that under SAGY, a State Level Empower Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of chief secretary along with two civil society representatives, two full time resource persons from SIRD and one State level Nodal Officer. In the district level, the Deputy Commissioner is the Nodal Officer of the programme along with Charge Officers, two PMRDF and two Young Professionals. Presenting a brief background on SAGY, District Nodal Office and DC Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome informed that a series of interactions and meetings have been conducted with the concerned villages to adopt the Village Development Plan. "This plan will be the key document to any kind of discussion under SAGY", he reminded the meeting. He also mentioned that since there is no fund spe-

cifically allocated for SAGY, every department involved will have to work out based on the VDP adopted and allocated financial resources based on their normal fund allocations. SAGY is Mahatma Gandhi's vision of a Model Village which was launched on October 11, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this programme, every MP of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is given the opportunity to adopt a village within their respective constituencies of his/her own choice other than his/her own village. In Nagaland, Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio adopted Selouphe as Model Village on October 22, 2014 while Rajya Sabha MP, Khekiho Zhimomi adopted Ikishe Village under Dimapur district as SAGY Model Village on March 22, 2015. The meeting was attended by commissioner and secretaries, representatives of the various involved line departments.

condition of DPRO office, Wokha

CCLC consultative meeting kohima, august 22 (mExN): A consultative meeting of all the officials of the Chokri Chakhesang Literature Committee has been scheduled on August 26, 2:00 pm at Ura Restaurant, PR Hill, Kohima. The meeting will commence at 11 am. A press release from the Committee General Secretary Dr. Zokho Venuh has Parliamentary Secretary for IPR Khekaho Assumi inspecting the District Public Rela- requested all the executive members and members of tions Officer (DPRO) office, Wokha on August 20. committees/sub-committees to attend without fail. Wokha, august 22 effective services can be land for providing fund to (Dipr): Parliamentary given to the general public. the department for procure- ANGDA 'CC' general session on Aug 29 The Parliamentary Sec- ment of PA equipments. He Secretary for Information and Public Relations (IPR) retary assured to provide encouraged the officers and kohima, august 22 (mExN): The All Nagaland Khekaho Assumi inspect- basic necessities like com- staff to perform their as- Government Drivers' Association (CC) will hold its 34th general session cum selection of new office bearers on ed District Public Relations puter sets, laptop, video signed tasks effectively. The DPRO, Wokha Wil- August 29 at SABT Mohonkhola, Imphal Road Kohima Officer (DPRO) office, camera, PA equipments Wokha on August 20 and and still camera during fred Murry also thanked at 10:30 am. A press note issued by Medoneizo Sanchu, held a meeting with the of- the current financial year. the Parliamentary Secre- President has requested all its bonafide members from Looking into the deplorable tary for visiting the office the entire state to participate in the meeting. ficers and staff. The staff apprised the condition of the DPRO of- and taking stock of the ofParliamentary Secretary fice building, he assured to fice condition. He also sub- ANHTU meeting on Aug 28 of the problems faced by take up the matter to higher mitted proposal for crekohima, august 22 (mExN): The central body them while discharging authority for consideration ation of new Sub-Division executive meeting of the All Nagaland Hindi Teachtheir duties and requested at the earliest possible time. at Ralan area and construc- ers Union will be held on August 28 at ANHTU office, him to help out in which- He also expressed gratitude tion of APRO staff quarter Bharat Scouts and Guides building, Bayavü, Kohima ever possible way so that to the Government of Naga- at Bhandari. at 11:00 am. It is compulsory for all unit presidents and

Mt. Tiyi College holds 41st Fresher’s Social ATMA exhibits SHG produces Wokha, august 22 (mExN): Mt. Tiyi College, Wokha held its 41st Fresher’s Social on August 21 with Dr. TM Lotha, Advisor, Treasuries & Accounts, Relief & Rehabilitation, gracing the occasion as chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lotha challenged the faculty members and students to make the college a premier institute in the State. In order to make the college a premier institute, the teaching faculty

must put their best efforts to provide quality education and overall development to the students, he stated before adding that the students must also be well disciplined and sincere. “Good results can be achieved only when both the teaching and learning process are optimized,” he stated. He further urged the students to consider the college as their own, and commit themselves to secure high and quality edu-

cation from the college. While assuring every possible help from the government for the overall development of the college, Dr. Lotha urged the college authority and the students to make the best use of the available infrastructures and facilities. Earlier, Dr. Lotha also inaugurated the Boys Hostel of the college constructed through funding from the UGC. The Boys Hostel building was dedicated by Rev. Sulumo Ezung, Pas-

tor, Wokha Town Baptist Church. The Program was also attended by DC Wokha A. Robin Lotha, Lotha Hoho Chairman Mhao Lotha and Lotha Eloe Hoho Chairperson. The College was established on August 16, 1974 under private proprietorship and taken over by Government of Nagaland in 1987. The College provides English, Political Science, Education, Economics and History with Honours.

phEk, august 22 (mExN): ATMA-Phek organised a District Level Exhibition on Self Help Group (SHG) Produce and InputDealer Linkage on August 15 to showcase and expose participants to the marketing strategies in regard to packaging and sales. Three SHGs and InputDealer established under ATMA-Phek exhibited and sold their commodities. The participating SHGs were – Joyous SHG, Lirhuwe SHG and Mulungtok SHG.

Commodities on exhibition and sale included cabbage, potato, chilly, local banana chips, dried Soyabean, puffed rice, pineapple squash, jams, pickles, homemade cakes and salt. 32 different technical folders were also distributed to the visitors. Minister for Road & Bridges, Vikheho Swu, who was the chief guest, was given a briefing on the structural organisation and its activities as well as the produces being exhibited.

secretaries to attend the meeting without fail. Important agenda will be discussed in the meeting, a press release from ANHTU Secretary, AS Yarthotngam stated.

Two fined for selling liquor Dimapur, august 22 (mExN): Piphema Youth Organisastion and Piphema Women Organisation on August 17 caught Immanuel Kindo and his wife selling liquor within Piphema jurisdiction. The seized liquors were immediately destroyed and the offenders fined and sternly warned, according to a press release from Piphema Youth Organisation.

LHD annual general meeting Dimapur, august 22 (mExN): All affiliates, executive members and members of Lotha Hoho Dimapur have been informed that the Annual General Meeting 2015 will be held on August 29 at Lotha Hoho Ki, at 9 am. A press release from LHD Chairman has requested all concerned to attend positively.

Public SPace

Naga Peace Accord Likely To Bring Further Division: NNC

NNC writes to R.N. Ravi, Interlocutor for Government of India

n the light of the much hyped Naga Peace Accord – a framework agreement – signed between Government of India (GOI) and NSCN (I-M) on 3rd August 2015, the Naga National Council (NNC) is constrained to write this letter to you for record and for your perusal and introspection. It is a well-known fact that the Nagas, before the advent of the British colonial Raj, lived in a state of utter freedom, freedom from internal domination or external domination. Despite the seemingly unending village feuds, there was total absence of imperial ambition on the part of any village, no matter how big or strong it is, to force another village into a state of submission and subjugation. The sovereignty of each village was unquestionable. Through various contacts and conflicts with the outside world, mostly during the two World Wars, some visionary Nagas realized the importance of living together under one political umbrella as a free nation. Subsequently, the Naga Club was formed in 1918. In its memorandum to the Simon

Commission in 1929, the leaders demanded in no uncertain terms that “[Naga] hills may be withdrawn from the reformed scheme and placed outside the reforms....to leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”. The British respected the desire of the Nagas and placed the Nagas under the “Excluded Area” by the Government of India Act 1935. In 1946, the Naga Club was renamed as the Naga National Council (NNC) for pursuing the collective aspiration of the Nagas – to defend the sovereignty of the Nagas. In June 1947, the Governor of Assam, Sir Akbar Hydari negotiated an agreement with the NNC known as the 9 Point Agreement. However that very evening of signing the agreement, Sir Akbar Hydari warned the Naga delegation that if Nagas refused to join the Indian Union, India would use force against them. Sensing the futility of the agreement and the impending violence, a Naga delegation met Mahatma Gandhi on 19th July 1947 at Bhangi Colony in Delhi where Gandhiji assured them with these words, “Nagas have every right to be independent. We did not want to live under the domination of the British and they are now leaving us. I want you to feel that India is yours. I feel the Naga

Hills are mine just as much as they are yours. But if you say that they are not mine, the matter must stop there. I believe in the brotherhood of man, but I do not believe in force or forced unions. If you do not wish to join the Union of India, nobody will force you to do that.” Note that the issue in focus is not about Nagas wanting to leave Indian Union but about the question of Nagas joining Indian Union. The prior independence of Nagas was not in question at all. At this point, it is pertinent even to recall what Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru has said about the status of Nagaland in 1946, in connection with the proposed British Colony of Couplan: “The Tribal Areas are defined as being those long frontiers neither of India which are neither part of India nor Burma, nor of Indian states nor of any foreign power.” Moreover, the fact that the status of Crown Colony was offered to the Nagas before the departure of the British Raj implies that Nagas had the right to choose their own future. Nagas chose to remain free as before and decided to declare their independence on 14th August 1947. The declaration of Naga Independence was cabled to the UN. To augment this decision,

the NNC organized the Plebiscite in 1951 wherein 99.9% voted for Naga independence. In keeping with this general will to be free, Nagas refused to take part in the first and second general elections of free India which were held respectively in 1952 and 1957. The above is history that speaks clearly for the right and aspiration of the Nagas. What follows is a very brief and selected account of India’s policies and actions against the desire of the Nagas to live as free and independent people. First: The GOI through its various agencies masterminded the formation of the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) and signed the 16th Point Agreement (1960) that in turn resulted in the statehood formation of Nagaland in 1963. Instead of taking initiatives as part of the agreement to consolidate the contagious Naga areas within the Nagaland state, it has so far succeeded in dividing the Nagas more and more. What was once a free Naga land without any authority over us is now divided up into different parts wherein a great part is now under different political and administrative control of non-Naga states such as Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The most tragic part

of this agreement is that these other states have shamelessly come to think that Naga lands belong to them and making a hue and cry to protect their territorial integrity. None dared even to wander into the Naga inhabited areas before. Let alone claiming ownership or control of the Naga lands! Thus, the agreement not only divided the Nagas but suppressed the rights and freedom of the Nagas which we traditionally enjoyed. Second: The Shillong Accord which was signed in 1975 between the Naga “underground” representatives and the GOI sowed the seed of dissension and division among the Nagas –it gave birth to NSCN in 1980. Due to differences within the NSCN camp, more divisions came up, NSCN (Reformation) being the latest one to be formed this year. Altogether there are four groups of NSCN today. And within the fold of NNC, due to the controversial nature of the said accord, there are five separate NNC groups today. The Accord thus not only destroyed the unity of the Naga national workers but also brought about much bloodshed and conflicts among the Nagas. Whether or not it was originally designed to bring about untold troubles upon the Na-

gas, it is very clear that the Accord gradually fractured both Naga aspiration and Naga unity. It is hypocritical on the part of the GOI to say that it is committed to solving Indo-Naga conflict and yet capitalizing on this division by constantly furthering divisive spirit among the Nagas either by declaring one group an outlaw or entering into cease-fire and related agreements with another group or remaining completely indifferent to some others. In the light of the above discussions, it is not difficult to suspect the intent and possible consequences of the Naga Peace Accord (2015), yet another accord. Both the above agreements with the GOI to end the Indo-Naga issue therefore only succeeded in multiplying and magnifying the problem due to their exclusive and manipulative approach. As seemingly significant as the present Peace Accord appears to be, it is just between GoI and NSCN (IM), one of the many Naga Political Groups (NPGs). Though indications are given on the part of both GOI and NSCN (IM) to be inclusive in its approach, it is still a matter of serious speculation about the framework of the agreement to safeguard the rights and aspira-

tion of the Nagas as envisioned by the pioneers of NNC. Perhaps peace is the guiding force and logic of this agreement as the name of the agreement itself suggests but the truth of the Indo-Naga conflict is about the sovereignty of the Nagas, a cause for which much lives have been sacrificed and peaceful life compromised and not primarily about peaceful co-existence or development even. Peace as desirable as it can be is only possible as a consequent and product of honourable and acceptable solution and not vice-versa. As such, instead of solving the Indo-Naga conflict, this Accord is likely to bring about further division and distrust not only amongst the Nagas but between the Nagas and the GOI as witnessed in our historical experiences. Is the GOI gearing up to repeat another error in history? Is the GOI too blind to see the truths of history? Is the GOI still thinking that the aspiration of the Nagas can be forced or bribed into pale silence by special packages? These questions are being directed to you by us since we are not yet prepared at any cost to deviate from our original outcry – Leave us alone! Thepushuyi S. Keyho Vice President, Naga National Council

The Morung Express states 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.

Sunday 23•08•2015

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Researchers explore how imaginative play AFFECTS CHILDREN'S MEMORY

Patrick Smith

UA professor received a $200,000 grant from the Imagination Institute to study the correlation between imaginative play and cognitive development in children. Dr. Ansley Gilpin, assistant professor of psychology and lead researcher at UA’s “Knowledge in Development Lab,” will lead the research along with Dr. Jason DeCaro, UA associate professor of biological anthropology, and a team of graduate students. Several interdisciplinary consultants have also contributed to the development of the study. “A major part of this project is the development and validation

Once up on a tim e

The Birds, the Beasts & the Bat

of approaches to measure imagination in preschool-age children,” DeCaro said. Gilpin’s grant is one of 16 out of nearly 250 applications considered and the only one concerning child development. This project is the first to use experimental investigations to examine the direct link between imaginative play and boosts in cognitive function. The study will include 750 Tuscaloosaarea children between the ages of three and five and will last around two to three years. “Although there has been much research on the developmental advantages of children’s imagination, few studies

have actually used experimental designs to determine the cause and effect relationship between imaginative play and development,” said Rachel Thibodeau, Gilpin’s graduate student and assistant. “That’s essentially the

They express imagination differently than adults,... overall goal of our study; we want to determine if engaging in imaginative behaviors actually causes developmental benefits in young children.” The team will develop and test imagination in the children by including various kid-friendly physiological measures that are

Facts Corner

sensitive to individual differences. “This is something that has never been done before and it is our hope that this new component will provide us with a robust measurement of imagination,” Thibodeau said. The team will use the measures they find to help test the effects of an imaginative play program. “In this program, children will be tested on various constructs prior to participating, such as their current propensity to engage in imagination, emotional understanding and cognitive ability,” Thibodeau said. The children will participate in a five-week play program that encourages them to participate in

highly imaginative daily play. After the program, children will be tested again, comparing their scores to children participating in controlled conditions. When asked why there are so few of these specific type of studies on children, DeCaro said it’s because preschool age children present unique challenges to researchers. “They express imagination differently than adults, they communicate differently,” DeCaro said. “They change very fast, and it’s not always obvious what aspects of behavior or experience in a four-year-old are going to matter in the long-term. But there’s also a wonderful opportunity to make a difference at such an early

age because we know basic social/behavioral and cognitive competencies are actively and continuously being established as children interact with their environments in more and more sophisticated ways.” Findings from the study should allow for the understanding of the role imagination plays in human development, as well as the potential to influence curriculum development and interventions for at-risk children. “There are a number of distinctive elements that make this study significant,” DeCaro said. “Developing approaches that foster imagination is difficult in the absence of really good measurement tools – you need to know how to define and assess this phenomenon, ‘imagination,’ that you’re hoping to support.”

Being Special

Facts about animals are here for your astonishment • A Cat can run about 20 kilometers per hour (12 miles per hour) when it grows up. This one is going nowhere today - it is too lazy! • A Cheetah can run 76 kilometers per hour (46 miles per hour) - that's really fast! The fastest human beings run only about 30 kilometers per hour (18 miles per hour). • A Cheetah does not roar like a lion. It purrs like a cat (meow).

any years ago, the birds and the beasts declared war against each other. No compromise was possible, and so they went at it tooth and claw. It was a terrible battle. Many a hare and many a mouse died. Chickens and geese fell by the score -- and the victor always stopped for a feast. Now the bat had not openly joined either group, as he did not want to be caught on the losing side. So when the birds asked which side he was on the bat quickly replied, "I have wings, I am on your side of course." And when the beasts asked who he supported, the bat responded, "with my sharp teeth and fur, it is obvious I am on the side of the beasts." The truth of it was that he did little to help either group spending most of his time telling tales about the other. When the battle was over, the conduct of the bat was discussed at the peace conference. The birds and beasts all turned angrily against the bat when they realized how many times the bat had changed sides and spread rumors. Since then the bat lives in fear of the beasts and the birds -hiding in dark towers and deserted ruins, flying out only in the night.

Don't forget -- the deceitful have no friends!

• Rabbits and parrots can see behind themselves without even moving their heads! • Butterflies taste food by standing on top of it! Their taste receptors are in their feet unlike humans who have most on their tongue. • A hippopotamus may seem huge but it can still run faster than a man. • When playing with female puppies, male puppies will often let them win, even if they have a physical advantage. • Turtles can breathe through their butts. • Gentoo penguins propose to their lifemates with a pebble. • Rats laugh when tickled.

m a I a s Child Prodigies and the amazing niu e G things they had done by age 11 Jamie Spatola

ungarian chess grandmaster Judit Polgar (1976) began playing in tournaments at the age of six and, by the age of eleven, she had defeated her first grandmaster, Vladimir Kovacivic. She became the best female chess player in history. No other female has ever won a game against a men’s chess world champion; she has beaten nine of them. American professional billiards player Willie Mosconi (1913-1993), at the age of six and standing on a box, played an exhibition match against the reigning world billiards champion in front of a packed house. He lost that match, but it earned him some major attention. By the age of eleven, Mosconi was the juvenile champion and regularly held popular trick shot exhibitions. He picked up the awesome nickname “Mr. Pocket Billiards” and won more World Straight Pool Championships (15) than anyone. He was also Paul Newman’s pool mentor as he prepared for his role in the 1961 movie, The Hustler.

French mathematician, physicist and philosopher Blaise Pascal (16231662) wrote a treatise on vibrating bodies at the age of nine and scrawled his first proof on a wall with a piece of coal when he was eleven. He is probably best remembered for Pascal’s theorem (something about hexagons or whatever), which he threw out there at age 16. Oh, and he also invented the mechanical calculator. German composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) is the child prodigy poster child. He began playing the harpsichord at age three and learned to play his first piece of music three days before his fifth birthday. He was composing his own music at five and, at six, embarked on a three-and-a-half year European tour with his father and older sister who was not too shabby of a musician herself. Korean mega-genius Kim Ung-Yong (1962) could have conversations at six months, could read in Japanese, Korean, German and English by the age of four and could per-

form complex calculus by the time he was five. From the ages of three to six, he sat in on University physics courses. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Kim as having the world’s highest IQ which is estimated to be over 210. Yowza. Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) showed his talents for art at a very early age. His mother claims (as mothers often do) that his first words word “piz, piz” – short for “lapis” (Spanish for “pencil”). There is non-momderived evidence of his prodigious talent: Picasso drew “Picador” when he was just eight years old. Actress Anna Paquin (1982) won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her debut acting performance in The Piano when she was just eleven years old. Why do I choose to showcase Ms. Paquin here instead of the youngest Oscar winner in Tatum O’Neal who won at age ten? Well, Anna now plays Sookie Stackhouse on HBO’s True Blood, which only serves to enhance her general awesomeness.

Canadian hockey star Wayne Gretzky (1961) was playing against ten-yearolds when he was only six. The uniforms intended for the ten-year-olds were far too large for the undersized Gretzky who tucked his sweater into the right side of his pants: a tradition he continued throughout his hockey career. When he was ten, he scored an incredible 378 goals and added 139 assists in just one season. Athlete prodigies need love too, you know. British philosopher John Stuart Mill (18061873) learned Greek at age three and had read all of Herodotus’s Histories and was quite familiar with Plato’s Dialogues by the age of eight. He was also more than competent in Latin and Greek and had read through most of the major Latin and Greek works, in their original languages, by the age of ten. American smart kid Gregory Smith (1990) could memorize and recite books by the time he was 14 months old and could add by 18 months. He went from second to eighth grade in one year

and began high school at the age of seven, graduating with honors two years later. He entered Randolph-Macon college at ten and, there, majored in mathematics with minors in both history and biology before pursuing his masters at the University of Virginia. OK, so he’s an academic stud – fine. But wait, there's more! The activist work he began as a pre-teen for children’s rights throughout the world has made a serious impact. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. Indian mental calculator Somani Priyanshi (1998) took home the overall title at the most recent Mental Calculation World Cup in 2010 when she was just eleven years old. Her specialty? Square roots from six-digit numbers up to eight significant digits (Somani placed first). A couple other events at the MCWC: addition of ten numbers of ten digits each (Somani placed second) and multiplication of two numbers of eight digits (Somani placed second). Yes, her competitors were grown folks.

One Term, Many Definitions Terri Mauro Children With Special Needs Expert

"Special Needs" is an umbrella

underneath which a staggering array of diagnoses can be wedged. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound cognitive impairment; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. The designation is useful for getting needed services, setting appropriate goals, and gaining understanding for a child and stressed family. "Special needs" are commonly defined by what a child can't do -- by milestones unmet, foods banned, activities avoided, experiences denied. These minuses hit families hard, and may make "special needs" seem like a tragic designation. Some parents will always mourn their child's lost potential, and many conditions become more troubling with time. Other families may find that their child's challenges make triumphs sweeter, and that weaknesses are often accompanied by amazing strengths. Different Concerns: Pick any two families of children with special needs, and they may seem to have little in common. A family dealing with developmental delays will have different concerns than one dealing with chronic illness, which will have different concerns than one dealing with mental illness or learning problems or behavioral challenges. This Parenting Special Needs site devotes sections to the following specific issues: medical, behavioral, developmental, learning, and mental health. Medical Issues: Medical issues for children include serious conditions like cancer and heart defects, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis; chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes; congenital conditions like cerebral palsy and dwarfism; and health threats like food allergies and obesity. Children with medical issues may require numerous tests, long hospital stays, expensive equipment, and accommodations for disabilities. Their families have to deal with frequent crises, uncertainty, and worry. Behavior Issues: Children with behavior issues don't respond to traditional discipline. With diagnoses like ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Dysfunction of Sensory Integration, and Tourette Syn-

drome, they require specialized strategies that are tailored to their specific abilities and disabilities. If those strategies are not developed and used, kids with behavior issues throw their families into chaos and are seriously at risk for school problems. Their parents need to be flexible and creative. Developmental Issues: Developmental disabilities are some of the most devestating for a family to deal with, changing visions of the future and providing immediate difficulties in caring for and educating a child. Diagnoses like autism, Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities often cause children to be removed from the mainstream, and parents must be fierce advocates to make sure their children receive the services, therapy, schooling, and inclusion they need and deserve. Learning Issues: Children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and Central Auditory Processing Disorder struggle with schoolwork regardless of their intellectual abilities. They require specialized learning strategies to meet their potential and avoid self-esteem problems and behavioral difficulties. Parents of learning-challenged kids need to be persistent both in working with their reluctant learners and with the schools that must provide the help these children need. Mental Health Issues: A child's problems with anxiety or depression can sneak up on parents; problems with attachment may smack them right in the face. Living with a child with mental health issues can put family members on a roller coaster of mood swings and crises and defiance. Parents have to find the right professionals to help, and make hard decisions about therapy, medications, and hospitalization. The consequences of missed clues and wrong guesses can be significant. Common Concerns: Although every special-needs child is different and every family is unique, there are some common concerns that link parents of challenged kids, including getting appropriate care and accommodations; promoting acceptance in the extended family, school and community; planning for an uncertain future; and adjusting routines and expectations. Parents of children with special needs are often more flexible, compassionate, stubborn and resilient than other parents. They have to be.

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.

FAITH LEAF

SunDAY 23•08•2015

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES, MESSAGES, POEMS & SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

Going to war with the Holy Was Jesus always “nice”? Spirit as your weapon of choice I John MacArthur

Steve Hill

very one of us has incredible stories to tell. Our religious backgrounds are wonderfully different. We all have a myriad of mentors, some who have moved on to their reward, others who are still sowing into our lives. I was raised Lutheran. Now I'm probably a Luther-costal. This last week I was spending time with a few friends over the phone. One was Church of God, another a former Methodist and the third was Independent. All three have ministries of integrity and are well respected, known by many. We have four major areas in common: We are saved, love Jesus, have had personal dynamic encounters with the Holy Ghost and regularly speak in tongues. Perhaps I've already turned off some who don't believe tongues are for today. That's all fine, and I respect your viewpoint on this subject, but what I am sharing is extremely important and relevant to today's fiery religious warfare that no one can deny is picking up steam. My Encounter With God When we share our personal experiences, as long as they are genuine, we should do so without apology. I've never been ashamed of my encounter with God back in February of 1976 at a Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship. A young man shared his story and then called everyone forward who desired an infilling. I jumped out of my chair, began to move forward and suddenly, while walking down the aisle, was filled with the Holy Ghost. In an instant, I began speaking in tongues! No one laid hands on me! It was an explosion of power that has been with me from that moment on. That night I received a prayer language that has been an integral part of my Christian life for over three decades. My intention in this short article is to share two benefits for consistently using our prayer language. This is not an essay nor thesis on speaking in tongues but rather a few short lines sharing with you the reasons I adore this gift so much. This is for those who believe in the present-day use of tongues, are not ashamed of the Holy Ghost and have no concern of offending others. It is for those who see the war on the horizon and know that a major spiritual conflict is imminent. Concerning tongues being an offense to the lost, I have witnessed the opposite worldwide. Like on the day of Pentecost, the Lord will often use this incredible sign to convince the world of a power outside their own: "Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers" (1 Cor. 14:22). What David Wilkerson Taught Me Allow me to sidetrack just for a moment and share with you from the life of one of my spiritual fathers. David Wilkerson was a master at sharing stories from the front lines of ministry. Brother Dave, as we called him, was an

amazing man. He not only put Jeri and me through Bible school, but he consistently poured into us, exposing spiritual battle wounds and scars and educating us in the reality of the field of war. Some of his stories were heartbreaking and filled my eyes with tears; other times he lifted our spirits by being there during our roughest trials. I'll never forget a late-night phone call from Brother Dave after I had received the devastating news that melanoma cancer was spreading throughout my body. He lifted me up! He told me that I would be flooded by well-meaning Christians with counsel and cures but to guard my ears. If I wasn't careful, confusion could easily settle in and overtake God's peace and direction for my life. He was speaking from experience, having been through many cancer surgeries with his wife, Gwen. Then he said these simple words: "The same Jesus who saved you can heal you. Stay close to Him." I thanked him, we shared a few words of love, hung up, and then I did what I learned years earlier in Bible school to do: I began to glorify God in my heavenly language. Of course, I could have prayed in English, but when I began to communicate with my Jesus in tongues, a heavy burden lifted and an incredible peace flooded my soul. Indescribable! Engaging in Open-Air Warfare This is a prime example of when Jesus said He must leave but was going to send the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, the called-alongside One, who would be with us throughout our days (John 14:16). This is the opposite of Job's miserable comforters, who did nothing but bring him down (Job 16:2). That night, when Brother Dave called, I needed the Lord like a hurting son longs for a fatherly embrace. Then later, when I spoke to Jesus in my personal heavenly language, it was like He rushed to my side. Call out to Him, my friend. He waits to be your personal comforter. Yes, one of the purposes of this special gift from God is for personal edification: "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church" (1 Cor. 14:4). On a side note, during Pastor Dave's long season of ministry at Times Square Church in New York, he would often be found walking down the crowded streets with his voice raised high, speaking in tongues. Oh, how he loved Manhattan! He would say, "Times Square is full of so many people screaming in the streets, you can speak in tongues at the top of your lungs and no one would even look your way." He cherished that open-air warfare in the heart of the devil's terrain. Now, back to my phone conversations. The other men I was talking to were greatly encouraged when we began discussing intense Christian warfare. Even though these were three totally different conversations, they were linked by a common bond: battling the devil.

In the discussions, we began to delve into the deeper areas of this age-old conflict. We agreed that there are times when all believers need major reinforcement to win the battle. These seasons come quite frequently in my life, my wife's life and my three children's lives. Every other front-line organization dedicated to "taking out" the devil knows how violent this war can become. The devil and his guerrilla fighters are bloodthirsty cutthroats. Throughout church history, they have used horrific means in order to stop the forward movement of Christianity. Our enemy knows the Bible and is well aware of the end but, like a drowning man, will take down as many as possible as he fights for his life. My friends and I were doing some intense war-room planning when suddenly something happened that moved us quickly from the trenches. Remember, these were three different phone conversations, at three different times, but with the same intense results. Explosive, Dynamite Power Our militant discussions suddenly moved into high gear. We actively began slinging our sharpened swords with incredible accuracy. A sense of invincible victory invaded our conversations as we began to speak in tongues ... together! The combined explosive dynamite power could be felt as we aimed our weapons in harmony at the devil's strategically focused snipers. We took them out in seconds! If you've never experienced this type of warfare, I would highly recommend it. It seems to bring confusion to the camp of the enemy and gives the Spirit direct aim, through His warriors, at Satan's plans. The Scripture promises us power! And all His promises are yes and amen. Consider these Scriptures: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). My wife and I have worked all over the world. For three decades we have used this weaponry against the enemy with unbelievable success. Oftentimes we can't decipher our enemy's exact plan of attack, but the Spirit can. So why not take advantage over Satan, speak in tongues with authority, and watch his army fall like dominoes in the path of God's mighty, sweeping Holy Spirit? If you have not yet been filled, call out to Him. Don't stop. He will free your tongue and release it to help bring personal comfort and incredible victorious power over every attack of the enemy. Evangelist Steve Hill preached the Brownsville Revival for five years, is pastor emeritus of Heartland World Ministries Church and has authored 13 books, including Spiritual Avalanche.

never could believe in the Jesus Christ of some people, for the Christ in whom they believe is simply full of affectionateness and gentleness, whereas I believe there never was a more splendid specimen of manhood, even its sternness, than the Savior; and the very lips which declared that He would not break a bruised reed uttered the most terrible anathemas upon the Pharisees. —Charles Spurgeon Modern writers, agnostic academics and liberal theologians always stress the kindness and gentleness of Christ. Their Jesus—not the One found in Scripture, but the one concocted from their own imaginations and preferences—is effectively an ideological and theological pacifist. He preached only love and self-sacrifice, never judged or discriminated, and wasn’t dogmatic about the truth. In effect, the Jesus they’ve manufactured pleads, “Can’t we all just get along?” with people of all faiths. That perspective betrays a deep and dangerous ignorance of the truth about Christ, the exclusivity of the gospel He preached, and how He confronted religious error. Even the kindest, gentlest shepherd sometimes needs to throw rocks at the wolves who come in sheep’s clothing. The Great Shepherd Himself was never far from open controversy with the most conspicuously religious inhabitants in all of Israel. Almost every chapter of the gospels makes some reference to His running battle with the chief hypocrites of His day, and He made no effort whatsoever to be winsome in His encounters with them. He did not invite them to dialogue or engage in a friendly exchange of ideas. In fact, Jesus’ public ministry was barely underway when He invaded what they thought was their turf—the temple grounds in Jerusalem— and went on a righteous

ne year after nearly losing his life in Liberia, American Ebola survivor, Dr. Kent Brantly, is speaking out about why he has no regrets about serving as a medical missionary in the West African nation. He also shares his hopes that his story might inspire others to answer God's call in their own lives. In July 2014, Brantly, who was serving in Monrovia with the medical mission group Samaritan's Purse, contracted Ebola — also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever — while treating sick patients. He was given the experimental drug ZMapp and flown back to the United States where he underwent three weeks of intensive treatment at Atlanta's Emory University Hospital. Despite his traumatic near-death experience, the married father of two recently told The Christian Post that he has "never" regretted serving abroad as a missionary with his wife Amber. "That's what God called us to," Brantly told CP. "And in the whole time throughout this ordeal we knew that we were doing the right thing and were in the right place. So no matter what happened, we didn't have regrets about it." Brantly and his wife, who live in Texas, moved to Liberia with their two young children back in 2013 while answering God's call on their lives, and at the time they had no idea that a year later they would be forever changed. Brantly became ill while treating Ebola patients, and even though he was distraught by the diagnosis, he said, "It was a strangely calm moment. I think we all felt the weight of that reality when [they] told me the test is positive. It wasn't as emotional as you might expect it to be. I mean, the first thing I said was 'OK, what's next? What's our plan and how am I

going to tell Amber?'" Just a few days prior to Brantly's diagnosis, Amber and their children had flown back to the U.S. for a wedding. She was left feeling broken and helpless when Brantly called and informed her that he had Ebola. "I didn't know what to say to him except 'I'm so sorry.' That was all I could say, really," Amber said. "We cried for a few minutes and then he got off the phone and he then called his parents, brothers and sisters." The couple, who wed in 2008, detail their horrifying ordeal in the newly released book Called for Life: How Loving Our Neighbor Led Us Into the Heart of the Ebola Epidemic. Brantly credited his Christian faith for his ability to remain calm after learning he had contracted Ebola. He said that he was able to find some peace in that moment by remembering why he was called to Liberia in the first place. "I really counted it as a blessing from God that I responded the way that I did," he said. "Had it been any other day any other week, I may not have responded the same way." He added: "... In the days leading up to my diagnosis I had some time to reflect and

read Scripture and think about the situation we were in. I was isolated for three days before my diagnosis came back, and so during that time I was able to get to a state of mind with a perspective on what we were doing there. And I think that was a gift from God that totally transformed the way that I responded to the situation so that when I did get my diagnosis I said, 'God, I just came here to serve you; I just want you to be glorified.' And I think He answered that prayer." The Brantlys returned to Liberia for the first time last month and even though it was an emotional experience, they felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. "We hope that people will read [our book] because I think it's a beautiful story of courage and hope, and I think it will be an encouragement to people," said Amber with Brantly, adding, "We also hope that our story will challenge people to ask hard questions. … We hope that it would challenge people to ask, 'What would it look like for me to answer God's call in my own life?' I hope it challenges people to break down stereotypes that we all hold about other people and to open dialogue and conversations."

the false teaching, not the false teachers themselves. There is no hint of sympathy, no proposal of clemency, no trace of kindness, no effort on Jesus’ part to be “nice” toward the Pharisees. Indeed, with those words Jesus formally and resoundingly pronounced their doom and then held them up publicly as a warning to others. This is the polar opposite of any invitation to dialogue. He doesn’t say: “They’re basically good guys. They have pious intentions. They have some valid spiritual insights. Let’s have a conversation with them.” Instead, He says: “Keep your distance. Be on guard against their lifestyle and their influence. Follow them, and you are headed for the same condemnation they are.” Jesus’ approach would surely earn Him a resounding outpouring of disapproval from today’s postmodern culture. Exclusive truth, discriminating instruction and confrontational teaching simply don’t fit the “good teacher” narrative the world promotes. In fact, by today’s standards, Jesus’ words about the Pharisees and His treatment of them are horrifyingly inappropriate. Christ wasn’t an ideological pacifist. He knew which fights to fight, and He stood up for the truth with clarity and—when necessary—severity. But that kind of commitment to and love for the truth is totally foreign to modern society, so they either dismiss or ignore it. More and more these days, people are talking about Jesus, but what they’re saying has no biblical basis. We need to do what we can to shatter the phony caricatures the world has developed, and bring people face to face with the Christ revealed in the pages of Scripture. John MacArthur is the pastorteacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Master’s College and Seminary, and president and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. He has written nearly 400 books and study guides, including The MacArthur Study Bible.

Changing the man in the mirror

“That's what God called us to” M

Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly has no regrets after near-death experience in Liberia

rampage against their mercenary control of Israel’s worship. He did the same thing again during the final week before His crucifixion, immediately after His triumphal entry into the city. One of His last major public discourses was the solemn pronunciation of seven woes against the scribes and Pharisees. These were formal curses against them. That sermon was the furthest thing from a friendly dialogue. Matthew’s record of it fills an entire chapter (Matthew 23), and it is entirely devoid of any positive or encouraging word for the Pharisees and their followers. Luke distills and summarizes the entire message in three short verses: And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:45-47) That is a perfect summary of Jesus’ dealings with the Pharisees. It is a blistering denunciation— a candid diatribe about the seriousness of their error. There is no conversation, no collegiality, no dialogue and no cooperation. Only confrontation, condemnation and (as Matthew records) curses against them. Jesus’ compassion is certainly evident in two facts that bracket this denunciation. First, Luke says that as He drew near the city and observed its full panorama for this final time, He paused and wept over it (Luke 19:4144). And second, Matthew records a similar lament at the end of the seven woes (Matthew 23:37). So we can be absolutely certain that as Jesus delivered this diatribe, His heart was full of compassion. Yet that compassion is directed at the victims of

Jarrod Anderson artin Lawson says, “I was just out there for 30 days, just nonstop, just getting high on crack, just sleeping outside, everything. It's like, ‘Am I going to come out of this? Can I come out of this?’” Martin Lawson’s addiction ruled his life and he felt powerless to change. It was the same feeling he had when his dad left him and his mom when he was only 5 years old. Martin recalls, “Mom loved me but she was too busy. I didn't have anyone in my life telling me who I am, instilling a sense of purpose in me, a sense of identity.” Martin’s mother did the best she could and even took him to church. But as Martin got older, he became bitter. “I was angry at my teachers, I was angry at my dad. I was angry at those who had stuff that we lacked.” He got into fights often, to prove that he was in control. “It made you feel like, ‘okay, yeah, you got to listen to me now. You're wrong, I'm right.’ Because that was the only way that I could deal with certain things that were very real and present in my life.” Throughout high school, Martin partied with his friends. But when he came home after his first year in college, things had changed. His friends were in a gang and selling crack cocaine. Before long, Martin joined them. Martins says, “17, 18 years old, you're-you're making $1,000, $2,000 a week. Money was power. Money was influence. Money was independence. It was more violence. It was more danger. But at that age, it was also more exciting, you know?” But in time, the violence escalated out of control. “It wasn't just fighting anymore it was like, you got a beef, now you're shooting at somebody or they're shooting at you. One year we lost like 10, 10 people. (We) buried like 10 people in one year. So it was it was - it was rough.” Eventually Martin began smoking crack. Martin says, “At first it was just because it was there. Later on it began to be okay, you know, a means to cope. People are dying around you and you're getting arrested and the money's not coming as quick as it – as it used to be, but you're still in the lifestyle and you don't see an-

other way out.” Martin moved away hoping to turn his life around. He got a job and stopped using drugs. He even professed his faith in Jesus. “But I didn't – I didn't give Him my life. I hadn't let go. I hadn't repented. I was just – I was open, I guess, and I was getting tired. And I was getting fed up. But I was still – I was still addicted, says Martin.” Martin returned home and for the next 10 years lived between stretches of drug bingeing and soberness. During that time he began dating a Christian and even went to church on occasion. But he still couldn’t shake his addiction, and it was getting worse. Martin recalls, “I realized that I just didn't like myself. I hated myself. I'd look in that mirror and just like, I couldn't stand the person that I was looking at.” Then, hiding out in a boarding house, he went on a binge that lasted for 30 days. “Not eating, nothing, just getting high on crack, just sleeping outside, everything. It's hopeless, you know? It's like, ‘Am I going to come out of this? Can I come out of this?’” Martin’s girlfriend found him and helped him clean up. The next morning, she took him to church. When the pastor finished his sermon, he approached Martin. Martin recalls, “He came down, he said, ‘I need to pray for you.’ He laid his hands on me and he prayed and I was just like, ‘I'm done. You know, I can't do this anymore.’ And so it was I guess - I guess what I felt was God's love for me in spite of myself. I mean, I hated myself and – but God loved me in spite of my disobedience, my – my ignorance, you know, all the-the wrong I had done. I guess I felt His Grace in his prayer and his mercy. At that point I knew the love of God. I knew the love of Christ. And it changed my life.” Martin finally gave God control of his life. “I was set free. I was no longer a slave to not only the addiction to crack cocaine, but to the lifestyles. I was no longer a slave. That was not my default anymore, from that point on.” Martin admits he had a brief relapse but he immediately stopped and turned back to God. Today, Martin is married, ordained as a minister, and mentors at risk youth.

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.

SunDAY 23•08•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

NSA talks virtually off as India, Pak stick to stands New Delhi/islamab aD, august 22 (iaNs): Prospects for NSA talks between India and Pakistan looked increasingly bleak on Saturday as Pakistan insisted it will take up the "core" issue of Kashmir while India said that Islamabad must abide by the agenda agreed to at Ufa and only discuss terrorism. Pakistani National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz, who is slated to travel to India on Sunday for the talks, said at a press conference in Islamabad that he is willing to come for the talks but Kashmir would be on the table and he would also speak with the Kashmiri separatists. A few hours later, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at a press conference that Aziz was welcome to come to India to meet his counterpart Ajit Doval, but the agenda has to remain within what was agreed to at Russia's Ufa on July 10 between both their prime ministers. She said the mandate for the NSA talks was to

discuss terrorism related issues only and Aziz should stick to it, and there was no space for the Hurriyat in talks as per the Simla Agreement inked between both countries earlier. She gave Pakistan till Saturday midnight to give its answer on what it proposed to do. "Pakistan is saying that Kashmir is the core issue, but that was not said at Ufa. In Ufa, it was decided that all outstanding issues including Kashmir.... but first let us discuss terrorism and violence," she said. "Aziz said that he is waiting for my press conference. I am answering - please keep to the Simla and Ufa agreements signed by both our countries. "As per the Simla agreement spirit, there can be no third party in talks, and the Hurriyat cannot be included. As per the Ufa spirit, don't increase the agenda. And do come, you are welcome." She denied that India was laying any preconditions for the NSA talks, as alleged by Pakistan, and said if Pakistan sticks to its

stand of raking up Kashmir at the NSA parley and Aziz meets the Hurriyat, "Toh baatchit nahin hogi (then there will be no talks)." Sushma Swaraj also said that what Aziz read at his press conference from the Ufa talks between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif was the "preamble" of the joint statement signed by both countries and not the operative part, which said there will be three meetings - between the NSAs to discuss terrorism, talks between the Border Security Force and Pakistani Rangers chiefs, and between the DGMOs. She contended Pakistan was "running away" from the talks as India has caught a Pakistani terrorist alive after the Udhampur attack. "We have a 'zinda aadmi (live person) as proof and that is why he is running away; But we are saying please come for talks; we will give you proof. If he gives dossiers we will give him a zinda aadmi," she said. She said the operative part of the July 10 Ufa talks

Dawood permanently living in Pakistan, says Rajnath

Sushma Swaraj

was that terrorism and talks cannot go together, and that a productive dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free from terrorism and violence. Sushma Swaraj claimed that after the Ufa talks there was lot of criticism of Sharif when he returned and Pakistan decided to do something to wriggle out of the talks. Earlier, Aziz in his press conference in Islamabad said is still prepared to go

Sartaj Aziz

to New Delhi for talks with Doval and it will be regretful if the talks were cancelled on "flimsy grounds". "I am still ready to go to New Delhi to hold talks without any preconditions," he said. The atmosphere for the talks soured over Pakistani high commission in India inviting the Jammu and Kashmir separatist leaders to meet Aziz ahead of the NSA talks on August 23-24. Aziz also maintained

luckNow, august 22 (Pti): Dawood Ibrahim is permanently living in Pakistan though he may be changing locations in that country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. "Such people keep changing their location, but he is permanently living in Pakistan," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event here. His remarks came as media published a purported recent photograph of the underworld don claiming that Indian intelligence agencies have evidence that the terrorist and his family were living in Karachi. Asked about the picture, Singh replied that he would not say anything without verifying it. "I don't want to comment on any news," he said. On Dawood allegedly having three passports, he said, "Such people often possess a number of passports and I have said this even in Parliament. It can be possible. There is nothing new in it." Dawood Ibrahim is wanted in India for the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in which 257 people were killed and nearly a thousand injured. He is also accused of masterminding other terror attacks and of money laundering and extortion. There is an Interpol red corner notice against Dawood for his role in the 1993 blasts. In 2003, the US designated him as a global terrorist with links to terror groups al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba. that the core issue of Kashmir would be on the agenda of talks. "No serious talks with India are possible without discussion on the core issue of Kashmir." Aziz said the Pakistan high commission had invited separatist leaders to enable him to meet a cross-section of leaders and India has said this was unacceptable."Is it conceivable that a country like India will cancel the talks on such flimsy

grounds?" he asked, adding it would be regretful if cancellation happens. Aziz also said they have prepared three dossiers on alleged activities of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Pakistan and hoped he gets a chance to hand over them to his Indian counterpart. "If I don't get an opportunity to hand over the dossiers to Doval in New Delhi, I hope to give it to him in New York next month if he

comes with Modi," he said, adding that he would hand them over to the UN Secretary General. "Cancellation of the talks is not confirmed from our side...we are ready to go for the talks as scheduled...," he said. Hours before Aziz spoke in Islamabad, Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah was detained in New Delhi when he flew in from Srinagar to meet the Pakistani NSA, if he arrives as scheduled.

Jung transfers cop involved in FTII crisis: Director, dean differ on 'bouncers' OROP crackdown & 34 others New Delhi, august 22 (tNN): Delhi Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung transferred 35 senior police officers, including additional commissioners, DCPs and additional DCPs on Friday. The list includes DCP (New Delhi) Vijay Singh, who was involved in the crackdown on ex-servicemen agitating for OROP at Jantar Mantar on the eve of Independence Day. He has been transferred to northwest district, and his deputy, Jatin Narwal, has taken over. The transfer was termed routine, though. The LG approved the list on Thursday morning, but it was not released for almost 24 hours as the Delhi government objected to the list being prepared without its consultation. Sources said the govern-

ment wasn't happy that it was not consulted on the transfer of DCP Omvir Singh to anti-corruption branch. DCP (special cell) Sanjeev Yadav has been posted as addl DCP (III) in New Delhi. Pramod Kushwah, key investigator of cases like Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder, Ponty Chadha and Sunanda Pushkar murder cases, has been brought in as DCP in the special cell. He was addl DCP in south district. This transfer paves the way out for DCP Rajiv Ranjan who had been recently brought into the cell. DCP (Railways) Sanjay Bhatia has been posted to south district as addl DCP (II), replacing addl DCP Rajiv Ranjan who has been posted to EOW. Dumbere Milind Mahadeo has been posted to

railways from traffic. DCP (crime) Dinesh Gupta has replaced DCP Irshad Haidar at the airport. Haidar has been made DCP EOW. B S Gujjar has been removed from PM security and made DCP (east), replacing Ajay Kumar who has been posted to security. Addl CP A K Ojha has been transferred to traffic from security in the same capacity. Suvashis Chaudhary has been made DCP licensing. N Gnanasambandhan, who was posted in northwest district as DCP, has been made the vice-principal of police training college. Addl DCP outer district Shweta Chauhan, ACP (Defence Colony) Deepak Gauri and ACP (Rohini) Manoj C have been transferred to traffic as DCPs.

PuNe, august 22 (ageNcies): Under attack for deployment of bouncers at FTII, institute director Prashant Pathrabe today justified the decision saying it was taken in view of the "insecure atmosphere" on the campus after the students confined him to the cabin but its acting dean resented the step holding it gave the institute the "look of a military camp". FTII Director Prashant Pathrabe, who drew flak from various quarters for the step he had taken after the striking students resorted to "gherao" him, said scaling up the security was an "administrative decision" taken in view of the "insecure" atmosphere on the campus. "I had not asked for extra security but it is true that I felt extremely insecure following my 11-hour ordeal during the gherao by the students in office cabin on

Protesting students in FTII addressing media in Pune on August 21, 2015. (TOI photo by Rahul Deshmukh)

Monday evening. The FTII administration took the decision on the extra security following the incident," Pathrabe told PTI. Taking a sharply critical stand, FTII's acting dean Sandeep Chatterjee strongly disapproved of the deployment of bouncers on the campus as an extra security step and said it gave the look of a 'military

camp' to the educational institution. The FTII students, faculty and alumni have reacted sharply against the measure arguing that it conveyed a wrong impression of the situation at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and projected the students as "criminals or terrorists". Even the three-member

information and broadcasting ministry team, which held talks with all stakeholders to find a solution to the 72-day old strike over the appointment of TV actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan, took a different view on the beefed up security in the form of "bouncers". The delegation leader SM Khan told reporters that

he was of the opinion that the beefed up security was not required on the campus. Pathrabe, however, maintained he was "tortured" by the students during the gherao and the footage circulated by them was a "selective leak" to camouflage the truth. "The video footage being shown in the media is only of the initial stage of the 11-hour gherao and does not show my worsening ordeal during the confinement," he added. On I&B ministry team's interaction with the students and faculty, Chatterjee said they showed a "very positive frame of mind" and gave patient hearing to all stakeholders. The student representatives, too, sounded positive about the approach of ministry officials, saying they are hopeful of an early resolution to their demands, which includes removal of Chauhan.

Man gets run over by 17 trains while policemen quarrel India accounts for 74% of world’s baReilly, august 22 (DNa): Policemen from the GRP and a Bareilly station quarrelled over jurisdiction over the removal of the body of a dead man lying on the tracks on Thursday, even as the body was run over by 16 more trains. According to a report in a prominent newspaper, senior railway officials stepped in six hours after the man died, even as the GRP and Bareilly police continued to argue. However, by then the man's body had been mutilated beyond recognition. The unidentified man was first run over by the Akal Takht Express

from Howrah to Amritsar. The accident took place at the Shamshan Bhoomi crossing under Quila police station around 6:18 am on Thursday. The man died instantly, but the locals informed the Quila police station, according to the prominent daily. The train's driver alerted the control room at Bareilly railway station. The Bareilly station master immediately brought the matter to the notice of GRP officials at Bareilly railway station. But GRP staff asked police at Quila police station to take the body into their custody and send it for postmortem. Following this, there was a bit-

ter war of words between the GRP and local police, with neither side ready to take the body. They continued fighting for more than six hours. Meanwhile, more than 16 speeding trains ran over the corpse, including the Saryu Yamuna Express, Poorbiya Express, PBR Express, Gharib Nawaz Express, Awadh-Assam express and the Gharib Rath. It was only after senior railway officials stepped in that the body was taken into custody by Quila police at around 12 noon and sent for postmortem, says the report. "After the GRP refused to take the body into custody, we have sent it for postmortem. The corpse

of the man, in his early 20's, will be kept at the mortuary for 72 hours and if no one turns up to claim it, we will conduct the last rites at government expense. As of now, his identity has not been established," said Quila police station inspector Qamrul Hasan, talking to the prominent daily. Inspector, GRP Bareilly, Chandrashekhar Gupta however continued to argue his point even after the terrible incident. "We were informed about the incident by the station master, but the accident spot comes under the jurisdiction of Quila police station and it is their duty to collect the body and send it for postmortem."

France, India to conclude Rafale jets deal within 10 days – source PaRis, august 22 (ReuteRs): India's purchase of French Rafale fighter jets could be concluded in about 10 days, a source with knowledge of talks on the deal told Reuters on Friday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in April he had ordered 36 Rafale fighters to modernise his country's warplane fleet, though detailed terms and conditions remained to be settled. Modi had opted to deal directly with the French government after three years of inconclusive negotiations with the plane's manufacturer, Dassault. "Things are getting better with India," the source said. "An agreement could be seen in about 10 days." Dassault Aviation was not immediately available to comment.

India's announcement came after Dassault in February won its first export order for the jets from Egypt. Since then, Qatar has also placed an order, and talks are under way with Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. But the Indian deal

ran into trouble, with both sides wrangling over the unit price of the aircraft and a condition that Dassault should invest a big percentage of the value of the multi-billion dollar contract in India, sources said earlier this month. India is keen to mod-

ernise its ageing airforce, with military officials having warned of a major capability gap opening up with China and Pakistan without new Western warplanes, or if local defence contractors cannot build what the military needs in a timely manner.

‘smokeless tobacco deaths': Study

New Delhi, august 22 (aNi): In a new study, researchers said that India has highest number of smokeless tobacco deaths. University of York researchers said it was the first time that global impact of smokeless tobacco consumption on adults has been assessed. Kamran Siddiqi Hull York Medical School said it was possible that these figures were underestimated and future studies might reveal that the impact was

even bigger, and added that they need a global effort to try and address and control smokeless tobacco. In the study, researchers compiled the figures using data from 113 countries and extracted from the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study and surveys such as Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Siddiqi said South-East Asia was a hotspot and in particular India which accounts for 74 percent of the global disease burden.

He added that smokeless tobacco was used by almost a quarter of tobacco users and most of them live in SouthEast Asia, and added that the international framework to control tobacco did not seem to work to control smokeless tobacco. Siddiqi further said that there was a need to build on the insights obtained from efforts to reduce cigarette smoking and to investigate strategies to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco. The study is published in the Journal BMC Medicine.

Nearly all India's Muslim women reject 'triple talaq', polygamy, survey finds New Delhi, august 22 (thomsoN ReuteRs FouNDatioN): More than 90 percent of Muslim women surveyed in India want the "triple talaq" divorce ritual and polygamy banned from family civil law in the country, a study by a women's rights organisation said on Friday. The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) said its survey also showed that three quarters of interviewees wanted a ban on child marriage, indicating a need for reforms in the Muslim personal law which governs family-related issues in India. Activists say the current law discriminates against women and are calling for a well-defined Muslim law that criminalises polygamy, unilateral divorce, child custody and child marriage. "It (the survey) suggests that Muslim women are aware of their legal rights and are determined to attain justice in family matters. An overwhelming number of women demand reforms in Muslim personal law

as is prevalent in India today," said a statement from the BMMA. "They want an elaborate codified law based on the Koranic justice framework to cover matters such as age of marriage, divorce procedures, polygamy, maintenance and custody of children." Muslims are India's largest religious minority, making up more than 13 percent of the country's 1.2 billion population, yet government data shows they are among some of the most excluded and marginalised communities. Social indicators amongst Muslim women in particular are lower than average in the country. For example, the literacy rate for Muslim women is just 50 percent compared to nearly 68 percent for Muslim men, and below the national average for women of 53 percent, said the report. Only one in 100 Muslim women are graduates, while an average of 37 percent of Indian women overall have had a tertiary education, it added.

The BMMA said that while there was an urgent need to improve Muslim women's access to healthcare, education and employment, it was also essential to address their "legal marginalisation". The study, which surveyed 4,710 Muslim married women across 10 Indian states, found nearly 92 percent of respondents said a Muslim man should not be allowed to have another wife during the first marriage. It also found that more than 88 percent of women interviewed wanted the legal divorce method to be the "talaqe-ahsan" method -- a practice spread over a period of 90 days and involving negotiation. Many women surveyed had experienced triple talaq, under which a Muslim man can repeat the word "talaq" three times to divorce his wife. The survey said some respondents were divorced orally, others by letters from their husbands, and some over the phone or by SMS. More than 78 percent had no say in the decision.

SunDAY 23•08•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

govt increases reward North, South Korea meet to ease tension Thailand for Bangkok bombing suspect

SEOUL, AUgUSt 22 (REUtERS): Top aides to the leaders of North and South Korea held 4talks at the Panmunjom truce village straddling their border late on Saturday, raising hopes for an end to a standoff that put the rivals on the brink of armed conflict. The meeting at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) village, known for its skyblue huts and grim-faced soldiers, began soon after the deadline for North Korea’s previously set ultimatum demanding that the South halt its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts along the border or face military action. That deadline passed without any reported incidents. The negotiations continued after roughly three hours, according to the South’s Unification Ministry. An exchange of artillery fire on Thursday prompted calls for calm from the United Nations, the United States and the North’s lone major ally, China. South Korea’s military remained on high alert despite the announced talks, a defence official said. South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s national security adviser and her unification minister met with Hwang Pyong So, the top military aide to the North’s leader Kim Jong Un, and Kim Yang Gon, a veteran official in inter-Korean affairs. “The South and the North agreed to hold contact related to the ongoing situation in South-North

South Korean soldiers sit on a military vehicle, just south of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Yeoncheon, South Korea, August 22, 2015. (REUTERS Photo)

relations,” Kim Kyouhyun, the presidential Blue House’s deputy national security adviser, said earlier in a televised briefing. Pyongyang made an initial proposal on Friday for a meeting, and Seoul made a revised proposal on Saturday seeking Hwang’s attendance, Kim said. The North’s KCNA news agency also announced the meeting, referring to the South as the Republic of Korea, a rare formal recognition of its rival state, in sharp contrast to the bellicose rhetoric in recent days. “They need to come up with some sort of an agreement where both sides have saved face. That would be the trick,” said James Kim, a

research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. “North Korea will probably demand that the broadcasts be cut, and they may even come to an impasse on that issue.” BRINK OF WAR? North Korea, technically still at war with the South after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, declared a “quasi-state of war” in front-line areas and on Thursday set the deadline for Seoul to halt its broadcasts. South Korea began blasting anti-North propaganda, news reports and even entertainment over the DMZ on Aug. 10, days

after landmine explosions in the DMZ wounded two South Korean soldiers. Pyongyang denies it planted the mines. Seoul said it would continue the broadcasts unless the North accepted responsibility for the blasts. “The situation on the Korean peninsula is now inching close to the brink of a war due to the reckless provocations made by the south Korean military war hawks,” the North’s KCNA news agency said earlier. South Korean Vice Defence Minister Baek Seungjoo said on Friday Seoul expected North Korea to fire at some of the 11 sites where it has set up loudspeakers. The United States,

which has 28,500 soldiers based in South Korea, said on Friday it had resumed its annual joint military exercises there after a temporary halt to coordinate with Seoul over the shelling from North Korea. The drills, code-named Ulchi Freedom Guardian, began on Monday and run until next Friday. North Korea regularly condemns the manoeuvres as a preparation for war. Four South Korean and four U.S. fighter jets flew in a joint sortie over the South on Saturday, a South Korean official said, as thousands of South Korean villagers living near the border were evacuated into shelters.

FAMILIAR FACES Pyongyang’s two negotiators had made an unexpected visit to the South last October to attend the closing ceremony of the Asian Games, where they met Kim Kwan-jin, Park’s national security adviser, who led the South’s delegation on Saturday. North and South Korea have often exchanged threats over the years, and dozens of soldiers have been killed in clashes, yet the two sides have always pulled back from a return to all-out war. Analysts had expected the current crisis eventually to wind down. “The fact that these powerful officials who represent South and North Korea’s leaders are meeting means this is a great time to turn the crisis into opportunity,” Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. “It is a breakthrough.” North-South ties have been virtually frozen since the 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship. Pyongyang denies any involvement. North Korea resumed its own broadcasts on Monday. On Thursday, it launched four shells into South Korea. The South fired 29 artillery rounds back. Neither side reported casualties or damage. North Korea has been hit with UN and U.S. sanctions because of nuclear and missile tests, moves that Pyongyang sees as an attack on its sovereign right to defend itself.

BANgKOK, AUgUSt 22 (REUtERS): Thai authorities have tripled to $85,000 a reward for information leading to the arrest of the main suspect in the country's worst ever bombing. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said progress in the investigation was being made, but declined to give details. Police are trying to determine who carried out the Monday evening attack at one of Bangkok's top tourist attractions. Twenty people were killed in the blast at the Erawan shrine, 14 of them foreigners including seven from mainland China and Hong Kong. "The government insists on speeding up the investigation and bringing the bomber and network to justice," Prayuth said in a weekly address to the nation. The only solid evidence seems to be grainy security camera footage showing an unidentified young man with shaggy dark hair and dressed in a yellow shirt leaving a backpack at the scene. Officials have had different theories about the identity of the man, last seen on video footage disappearing into the night on the back of a motorcycle taxi, saying he could be foreign, or a Thai man pretending to be foreign. The reward for information leading to his arrest was raised to 3 million baht, a police spokesman said. Initial speculation that the plot could be the work of an international terror network has for now been

set aside. "We still have no information on international terror groups and think there is no link to international terrorism," Somyot Pumpanmuang said after attending a multi-faith prayer ceremony outside a shopping centre near the shrine in central Bangkok. "What is clear is that it was intended to discredit the government, destroy confidence and make tourists scared and not travel to Thailand," he told reporters. Asked about his suggestion that at least 10 plotters were probably involved, Somyot said there might only have been two. CHINESE NOT THE TARGET The Erawan shrine, dedicated to a Hindu deity, is hugely popular with tourists from China. But the government has said Chinese tourists were not believed to have been specifically targeted. Announcements about the investigation have been broadcast in both Mandarin Chinese and English. Damage to the tourist industry will not help the military government in its efforts to revive a flagging economy. Police have stepped up patrols in the city. Two men spotted at the shrine on CCTV and suspected of being the bomber's accomplices have been cleared, but police were now suspicious of a woman dressed in black in the footage, said police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri. "Police are asking anyone who is in that CCTV footage to come forward," he said.

Islamic State second-in-command Trump widens lead over US Republican presidential field killed in US strike: White House EDgARtOWN, AUgUSt 22 (REUtERS): The second-in-command of the Islamic State militant group was killed during a U.S. air strike in Iraq on Tuesday, the White House said on Friday, dealing a blow to the group that has sought to form a caliphate across the Muslim world. "Fadhil Ahmad al-Hayali, also known as Hajji Mutazz ... was killed in a U.S. military air strike on August 18 while traveling in a vehicle near Mosul, Iraq, along with an ISIL media operative known as Abu Abdullah," White Housespokesman Ned Price said in a statement. "(His) death will adversely impact ISIL's operations given that his influence spanned ISIL's finance, media, operations, and logistics," Price said, referring to the group by an acronym. The White House said the dead leader was a "primary coordinator" for

moving weapons, explosives, vehicles, and people between Iraq and Syria. He was in charge of operations in Iraq and helped plan the group's offensive in Mosul in June of last year. The United States and its allies stage daily air strikes on Islamic State targets in the group's self-declared caliphate based in Iraq and Syria. A drone strike last month killed a senior Islamic State leader in its Syrian stronghold of Raqqa. Mutazz was a lieutenant colonel in the army of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and, like many who later went on to form the core of Islamic State’s leadership, was detained by U.S. troops in Iraq at the Camp Bucca detention facility, said Harleen Gambhir, a counterterrorism analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. It was likely after leaving Camp Bucca that he joined Islamic State’s predecessor, Al Qaeda in Iraq, she said. Gambhir expressed

some puzzlement at the White House announcement, noting that U.S. officials had in late 2014 said that they had killed Mutazz in an airstrike. One counter-terrorism specialist cautioned that the impact of the killing on Islamic State could be short-lived and noted how much territory it controls determines its power. "My experience in looking at the Islamic State suggests they have demonstrated ... an ability to move people up into positions" when high-ranking operatives are killed, said Seth Jones, a former Pentagon official now at the RAND Corporation. A U.S. official acknowledged that, but said the death was damaging to the group's reputation. "The death of Mutazz removes a key figure from ISIL and further pierces the group’s veneer of invincibility that it has sought to cast,” the official said.

WASHINgtON, AUgUSt 22 (REUtERS): Republican Donald Trump is pulling away from the pack in the race for the party's U.S. presidential nomination, widening his lead over his closest rivals in the past week, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Friday. Republican voters show no signs they are growing weary of the brash real estate mogul, who has dominated political headlines and the 17-strong Republican presidential field with his tough talk about immigration and insults directed at his political rivals. The candidates are vying to be nominated to represent their party in the November 2016 general election. Nearly 32 percent of Republicans surveyed online said they backed Trump, up from 24 percent a week earlier, the opinion poll found. Trump had nearly double the support of his closest competitor, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who got 16 percent. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was third at 8 percent.

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets the crowd in the overflow room following a campaign town hall meeting in Derry, New Hampshire on August 19. (REUTERS Photo)

Even when Trump was pitted directly in the poll against just his top two competitors, 44 percent backed him. Bush won about 29 percent of respondents, and Carson 25 percent. "He's not taking any guff from anybody," Dewey Stedman, 70, a Republican from

East Wenatchee, Washington, said of the publicity-loving billionaire. "If you don't have something in your brains, you're not going to have billions of dollars." Trump has driven the debate on the campaign trail with a hard-line immigration plan that calls for the deportation of un-

documented immigrants, amendment of the Constitution to end automatic citizenship for all people born in theUnited States, and construction of a wall along the border with Mexico. He also has feuded with Bush and other rivals while boasting he could easily beat Democratic front-run-

ner Hillary Clinton. Trump's campaign momentum has paid off with bigger crowds on the campaign trail. On Friday night, he moved a planned rally in Mobile, Alabama, to a football stadium seating more than 40,000. "It is an appeal to people that are just aggravated about what's going on," Republican strategist Rich Galen said, adding that Trump is a "novelty act" that voters will tire of. Friday's results in the online rolling opinion poll are based on a survey of 501 Republicans and have a credibility interval of plus or minus 5 percent. Separate results found Clinton leading among Democrats, though support for her dipped below 50 percent to 48.5 percent. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont came in second in the poll of 625 Democrats, followed by Vice President Joe Biden, who has not entered the race. That survey had a credibility interval of plus or minus 4.5 percent.

France train gunman identified as known Islamist militant Iran unveils new missile, says seeks peace through strength PARIS/ARRAS, AUgUSt 22 (REUtERS): A gunman overpowered by passengers on a train in France on Friday was known to European authorities as a suspected Islamist militant, provided the identity he has given interrogators is correct, France’s interior minister said. Two people were wounded in the struggle to subdue the Kalashnikovtoting attacker aboard the high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris. Two U.S. servicemen, one of whom suffered knife wounds, were among passengers who stopped the gunman. “It is important to be careful about his identity which is not yet established with certainty,” Cazeneuve said. “If the identity he has declared is confirmed, he is a 26-year-old man of Moroccan nationality identified by the Spanish authorities to French intelligence services in February 2014 because of his connections to the radical Islamist movement.” He said inquiries in collabora-

Belgian police officers stand guard on a platform at the Thalys high-speed train terminal at Brussels Midi/Zuid rail station on August 22. (REUTERS Photo)

tion with other European authorities “should establish precisely the activities and travels of this terrorist”. Spain’s interior ministry could not immediately be reached for comment. A source with knowledge of the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the gunman had originally given a different identity which was unknown to the

security services. Cazeneuve said the attacker had a Kalashnikov assault rifle, an automatic pistol with accompanying ammunition clips and a box cutter knife. He said the struggle started when a Frenchman on his way to the toilet tried to stop the man entering a carriage. The minister said the second person hurt was of

Franco-American nationality, hit by a bullet while seated. Authorities said last night a French actor had also been hurt. COURAGE French authorities have been on high security alert since January, when 17 people were killed in shootings by Islamist militants in and around Paris.

The man the attacker claims to be lived in Spain during 2014 and in Belgium in 2015, Cazeneuve said. According to Le Voix du Nord, citing security sources, the suspected Islamist militant was seen on a plane toTurkey from Germany in May, and was thought to have visited Syria. The French newspaper said he may have had connections to a group involved in a suspected Islamist shooting in Belgium in January. President Barack Obama expressed his gratitude on Friday for the “courage and quick thinking” of the passengers, echoing similar words from Cazeneuve at a separate news conference late on Friday. “It is clear that their heroic actions may have prevented a far worse tragedy,” Obama said in a statement. The wounded U.S. serviceman, named only as Spencer, was expected to be treated at a specialist hospital for people with hand injuries in the northern French city of Lille.

DUBAI, AUgUSt 22 (REUtERS): Iran on Saturday unveiled a new surface-tosurface missile it said could strike targets with pin-point accuracy within a range of 500 km (310 miles) and it said military might was a precondition for peace and effective diplomacy. The defence ministry's unveiling of the solid-fuel missile, named Fateh 313, came little more than a month after Iran and world powers reached a deal that requires Tehran to abide by new limits on its nuclear programme in return for Western governments easing economic sanctions. According to that deal, any transfer to Iran of ballistic missile technology during the next eight years will be subject to the approval of the United Nations Security Council, and the United States has promised to veto any such requests. An arms embargo on conventional weapons also stays, pre-

export arms to its allies in the region and import antimissile systems to prevent any possible attack by its arch-foe Israel. "In our aerospace industry we have various ballistic missiles with different ranges under production," Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said on Friday. "We will continue this path with maximum power in line with our defensive needs and proportionate to threats ahead of us." Fars news agency, which is close to the country's Revolutionary Guards, released a music video on Saturday praising Iran’s missile capabilities. It contained pictures of what the agency called a new and unknown missile of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). A senior IRGC commander said on Friday Iran THREATS Iran has one of the larg- would hold a large ballisest missile programmes in tic missile manoeuvre in the Middle East. It wants to the near future. venting their import and export for five years. But Iran has said it will not follow parts of the nuclear deal that restricts its military capabilities, a stance reaffirmed by President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday. "We will buy, sell and develop any weapons we need and we will not ask for permission or abide by any resolution for that," he said in a speech at the unveiling ceremony broadcast live on state television. "We can negotiate with other countries only when we are powerful. If a country does not have power and independence, it cannot seek real peace," he said. The defence ministry said the Fateh 313, unveiled on Iran's Defence Industry Day, had already been successfully tested and that mass production would start soon.

sUnDAY 23•08•2015

public discourse

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

A REVIEW OF NAGA PATRIOTISM On ‘Rani’ Gaidinliu OVER THE PAST 60 YEARS T

hen the Naga Club stated our national position to the British Simon Commission in 1929 and the Naga National Council (NNC) declared our Independence on 14th August 1947, all Nagas embraced these historic declarations with enthusiasm and pride. Even in the conduct of the national Plebiscite of 1951, all our then, educated youth actively participated in that significant event. The problem started only when the invading Indian troops moved into Nagaland in the mid 1950’s. It was from that period onward, that our patriotic zeal was put to a severe test as the invading forces burnt our villages to ashes and murdered us in our tens of thousands. We were all proud of our national identity but most of us- educated Nagas- were scared to shoulder the responsibilities of that identity. Under the difficult circumstances of an open war, to be holding a responsible position in the national affairs meant dangers of arrest, torture, imprisonment and even death. We were therefore, caught in a fix. On the one hand, we could not run away from the fact of our national identity, but at the same time, we were afraid to shoulder the responsibilities of that identity. And so, while most of our uneducated village folks stood their ground, most of our educated Nagas ran away from the battlefield and sought refuge in the enemy camp. It was only from these “Safe Zones” that we tried to practice our nationality from a safe distance. On the part of the NNC, from its inception, they had framed a unique political structure based on our ancient polity and democracy. Thus, in the Federal Government set up, at the village levels were the Riina Peyus. At the range levels were the Raju Peyus. At the regional (tribal) levels, were the Midan Peyus. On top of this, at the National Central level was the Tatar Hoho (Central Parliament) with subsidiary Leacy Hohos at the tribal and Regional levels and also the Youth

Wing, The Women Wing, and the Volunteers group etc. Along with all these structures, there were the Village Courts, the Sub-Regional courts and the Regional Courts which were all patterned after our own democratic cultural polity. This was a polity where every village was a Sovereign Democratic Republic. But despite all these unique indigenous structures of administration, we started creating parallel structures under the Indian state of Nagaland. This Indian pattern of administration was in turn patterned after a western model of democracy. And on our part, the embracing of this Indian made political structure was an act of departure from our cultural roots and an en-grafting of ourselves into a foreign culture. Very soon, after the creation of the Indian state of Nagaland, there was a mushrooming of tribal organizations under the names of APO (Angami Public Organization), CPO (Chakhesang Public Organization), AO Senden, Sumi Hoho etc, with their Sub-Regional WAPOs (Western Angami Public Organization), SAPOs and Thinker’s Forum, Senior Citizen’s Forum and what not. And on top of this was crowned the NAGA HOHO, which was claimed to be some sort of "Supreme Pan Naga Organization." This pan Naga image was projected despite the fact that seven major tribes of the Naga nation were not in it. I have had very little associations with these organizations and may not be aware of the many social services they have rendered to the Naga society. But it also is a fact that they have never been mandated by the Naga people to politically represent the nation. Most of these tribal organizations also had their links with the Nagaland state of India and were even supplied with state vehicles and financial assistance. And as time went on , we continued to practice our nationality from these “Safe Zones” which were free of harassment from the Indian Government and Security forces. This "para" involvement or participation from “social civil safety zones”

Nagas need to be professional

oing through the newspapers every morning, we come across the issue of unemployment among the nagas, lack of jobs,jobs been taken away by so called "immigrants Bangladeshi's. It has become a habit for the nagas to blame the unde rground,politicians,immigrants for our conditions. In fact we always blame somebody for our miseries, but we never blame ourselves. Yes, it's very hard to start a business in life and especially in Nagaland because of the extortion threats and various " taxes". But wonder how the non-local are doing so well,most of them doesn't have their own house or capital invest. And in addition, they pay heavier taxes then most of the naga entrepreneur. But still they are doing so well. Some of the main reason for their success is hard work , professional and patience. For the non- local 50 paise or one rupee is a profit , but for most of the nagas ,its not. For most of the nagas profit should be in double,triple of their investment .in fact Most of us want to earn profit form the very day we start a business. But this doen't happen unless we are in an illegal business or manipulating the rules of business. Further the non-local understands the consumer and they win their hearts. But most of the time locals abuse their customers, be it auto drivers, butchers,vegetable vendor etc. As a result, locals mostly prefer buying from non-locals. One can easily recollect ones experience when we buy vegetables and fruits on the road side. They charge astronomical prices for their vegetable. The simple reason being its organic and locally grown. Yes organic is good but they are not rare vegetables and they grow in plenty during season. Further most of them are selling near their field , so no cost for transportation and other cost which non-local has to pay. Even if they charge reasonable price ,it will earn good for the growers. So local entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs let's learn from the non-locals. Most of us want to help our own nagas , but nagas also need to change their attitude and be more professional in their dealing with their customer which for non-locals is equivalent to God. Let's start learning from others and introspect ourselves before blaming others for our problems- many of which are our own making. Moameren Pongen. Asst prof Political science, Chumukedima

Phesama landslide experience

n the 21st of August, 2015, after a tiring office work, I was heading back to spend the weekend with my family at Japfü Christian College. However, when I reached the Phesama landslide area, there was no road at all, not even for the pedestrians. It was just a hillock in the middle of the road (mountainslide?). After parking my car at a secured place, I headed for the footpath. Just then, Mr. Ciu, a teacher from St. Paul school, Phesama called me and offered help. Two boys volunteered to carry my handbag and yes, even my shoes! We walked through the knee-deep muddy and slippery paddy fields. The boys even volunteered to pull me up the difficult slippery path. Meantime, some youths were singing and helping others. I also saw some boys carrying bags on their heads and shoulders. After struggling for around 30 minutes in the muddy paddy fields, we reached the other side of the road only to find that electric poles were all down and wires scattered around. It was a complete disaster. After that, I thanked the boys and offered some money to buy mineral water or something but they flatly refused to take saying that they are not allowed/ supposed to take. By the way, is the Government doing anything or offering any aid (financial, material or in kind?) to the concerned people? Just one suggestion: though I feel pity for the heavily loaded trucks with essential commodities, they should not be allowed atleast for sometime. With the help of my neighbour’s car, I finally reached home. From this incident, I’m reminded that the Nagas are still the champions of hospitality and community help in times of troubles. Thank you all and may the good Lord bless everyone involved in the humanitarian works especially the Phesama villagers. Dr. M.Temjen Longkumer

has caused almost irreparable damages to the national cause over the past many years. Also in these "Safe Zones", there was popularity, money and comfort, as it had the patronage of the State government of Nagaland. Many of the leaders from these organizations have many times had the privilege of flying from Nagaland to Delhi and even beyond to Bangkok's to attend this reconciliation meeting and that consultative meeting etc on all expenses paid trips. From within these safety zones, most of our educated brains have been airing their patriotic opinions and also at the same time condemning our less educated leaders who, despite their lack of education, had carried on the national work with tremendous sacrifices. These uneducated Nagas were the ones who have fought the guerrilla war with India and Burma for the past six decades. They were also the ones who trudged to the then East Pakistan and China to get military training as well as refurbish exhausted ammunition to carry on the fight. Their fellow villagers, who fed and helped them in all their struggles, were the ones who went to jails and got maimed from tortures and imprisonments. Today with the NSCN IM and the GOI having signed an “Unrevealed Accord”, fear and anxiety has gripped the hearts of many of these educated Nagas. And at such a juncture as this, one hopes that these educated Naga will not again jump into the fray and shamelessly claim the lion’s share of the deal. As for the overwhelming majority of the Nagas in the villages, they are still standing behind the only Naga mandated political institution NNC and the Federal Government of Nagaland. In the final analysis of the Naga national struggle, they alone should decide on the final outcome of the Indo-Naga-Burmese conflict. This is because they were the ones who have steadfastly borne the blunt of the struggle for all these past 60 years (1955-2015). Kaka D. Iralu

he story and religion of ‘Rani’ Gaidinliu are in the news these days. Her birth centennial celebration is soon to begin. The questions around her and Heraka, however, must be answered by different people. I, as a churchman, will take my share. Hindus claiming Heraka as Hinduism or at least patronizing it should not surprise anybody because Hinduism is a system of beliefs that can accommodate almost everything. It ranges from monism (merging with Brahman in the like of a drop of water into a bucket of water) to polytheism (worshipping of many gods as many as 330 million gods which, perhaps, no Hindu has exhaustively ever counted). Christianity as a monotheistic faith can comfortable fit into this wide spectrum of Hinduism and Christians can be warmly welcomed with open arms by Hindus ONLY IF Christians do not insist on the uniqueness and supremacy of Jesus Christ! But this is where they part ways. “Not Christianity” is not necessarily Hinduism. It can be Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Animism, Cult, Occult and the list is endless. In other words, non-Christians are not all Hindus. To popularize Heraka as “Hinduism” in order to imply that there were Naga Hindus in yesteryears is a poor taste. The theological discourse and beliefs of Heraka are not sufficiently available (at least to me) to classify this religious faith. In some writings, of course, it is described as Naga tribal religion or ancestral Naga religion. However, if Hindus want to claim what is not “Christian” as Hinduism then that is their own judgment but I do not buy that myself. Apparently, Heraka began primarily as of a cultic movement around a “charismatic” personality rather than basing on grounded beliefs. Certainly, Hindus

are eyeing on it to gain a base in Christian dominated Naga society by espousing it. There are two other pertinent questions which must be addressed - one by the Zeliangrongs and the other by the Naga Nationalists. First, I have not known or at least not been raised in the knowledge that Nagas were Hindus and that there was monarchy! If she were a ‘Rani’ which was supposedly accorded by Nehru then is ‘Rani’ only a title or was she truly the Rani of Zeliangrongs? This seemingly not so serious issue for some people is being raised here because Haipou Jadonang, the founder of Heraka, allegedly claimed to be the “messiah king” of the Nagas too. This I believe the Zeliangrongs will address. Again, I have limited knowledge about Heraka (although I am on the search with little success so far). So, it will be a delight to hear from an insider about Heraka religious beliefs! After all, every believer wants to advocate one’s beliefs. If such is not forthcoming immediately, it will still be good to hear from the Zeliangrongs whether they consider Heraka as Hinduism or not! Second, some people have not only audaciously but also proudly projecting Gaidinliu as someone who fought against the Naga nationalism. In a context, where anything anti-Naga is highly inflammable, I expect that her contribution to “India” for fighting against the Naga nationalism calls for a response from the nationalists because sometimes silence is mistaken as consent. I understand that there are many devotees of ‘Rani’ Gaidinliu, and soon Narendra Modi government will kick off a yearlong birth centennial celebration of ‘Rani’ Gaidinliu, but I, for one, will not salute someone who fought against Christianity (my faith) and the Nagas (my people). V. Atsi Dolie

Peace Accord 2015, Hatred Or Prejudice?

he dawn of Naga history has been now minutely put in microscopic lens and tested in varied forms to ascertain its authenticity and possibility of conclusion in various social media by the intellectual people within and outside Nagaland. It is very much a historic Accord because all the right thinking people, whether in support or against the peace Accord actively participated in a mass movement and has shaken the society to a large extent; admitting its genuineness of the 7 decades long political problem. The momentum was picked up just after the unaware agreement signed between the GOI and NSCN(IM) on 3rd August , 2015 at the official residence of Prime Minister and that too directly been telecasted the events in National TV channels for public information in the whole country. The Division of mind-sets among the Nagas and other citizens of neighboring states were present in the society even before the Peace Accord agreement; but the sudden sharp division of mind set occurred just after the declaration of Peace Accord has changed the scenario drastically. The widely publicized peace accord was categorically spelt out by both sides of the entities as preamble, frame work, structured or directive principles agreement to process for a solution which is honorable and acceptable to all the people within and outside the purview of Nagas. Knowing to that extend the public curiosity is more aroused and hence they became more inquisitive in all social media to the goal scorers of both parties (GOI & NSCN(IM) ) left and right, with all the intellect caliber to dig out the reality of the peace Accord. In doing so a lot of presumptions and assumptions were added in the social media and people like me drew more conclusions in knowing the real truth of this peace Accord. Even to the extent of cornering the historic hard earned agreement for decades together is criticized as nothing but tamasha/mockery documents. In the midst of all types of human created criticisms in our own land and the neighboring states like Manipur, Assam & Arunachal Pradesh; out of their share fear psychosomatic problems slashed all the unrealistic speculations to the Govt. of India and NSCN(IM). When all the outside supporters of Naga political movement and groups extend their best wishes and appreciations to both the Govt. of India especially persons like RS Pandey, RN.Ravi the two interlocutors and most of all, the great visionary Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi who individually committed to solve the 7 decades long Naga political problem took all the pain to carry the burden by himself and called on various political party opposition leaders just after the historic peace Accord exchange of signed documents in his official residence was held; also direct TV telecast of the speeches in the National importance channels etc has been an applauded by one and all. Beyond that ,in his official visit to Dubai on 18th August 2015 he happily announced in his speech to the 50,000 expatriate Indians quote “I want to tell people across the world, including the youth that however complicated a problem might be, it

can be solved through dialogue”. It is up to the individual concerned as to how he/she can be taken the prime minister inner beats in positive or negative way. The freedom of thoughts and expression is our fundamental right and we cannot say no to what they think; if they feel okay and Stick to their thinking lines. But the posterity of time will say right or wrong to what you have been propagating right now. The Pandora box of long pending Naga political right has recently opened from the cold storage just because of Peace Accord 2015. It is nothing new that the population of Nagas and the neighboring states shared their own thoughts in the social media for that is the nature of human existences. Without any sharing of our indebt conviction or inner beating of individual Naga, we might have regrets afterwards; for many of our near and dear ones vanished from this worldly life. They did not share their views just for fear of you and me, or without a proper plate form to exchange our indebt views. The qualitative life of vast experiences of such renounced people were buried down with their dead bodies because the two legged creature(mankind) could not completely have trust on each other. Sometimes sharing of our inner thought for our well being to fellow friends too had created a big havoc and at times the differences when exposed out openly without a platform to have a compromise formula through share of ideas and views; we tend to blame each other and cornered one another at the tip of our sharp voice which is dangerous and destructive in nature. In this present era, the Naga people are matured enough to digest any views which is against or favor your thinking line. Nagas can stand firmly on our own feet without fear; because of vast knowledge and experiences throughout the stages of life. With the coming of human civilization and globalization in the 21st century, Nagas are able to adapt more coping skills. The first notion of Naga Peace Accord 2015 is so discouraging because Nagas have bitter experiences of Shillong Accord 1975; which really betrayed the trust and confidence between the GOI and the Naga people. The three clauses of Shillong Accord puzzled the Nagas, made them insane shedding blood among the Naga brotherhood. The formation of various NPGs and its split into smaller unit cropped up continuously even at this juncture. Therefore when the word ACCORD trip in the mind of Nagas the Shillong accord ghost haunted the whole Nagas and it really traumatized the Naga society. This is the first defeat of the word ACCORD used in Peace agreement 2015 for the Shillong Accord 1975 was treacherously designed to tarnish the political rights of the Nagas through undue influence and at the duress of some tricky government officials. The Shillong Accord was signed under the ages of Naga underground organization without any authenticity and background of Naga political right. The hue and cry at that time really affected the normal life of the Nagas. The impact of which even the slightest youth having full of vigor in life changed their mind-

set and opted to defend the Nagas political rights. That tactics was a gone case and the Govt. of India cannot commit the same blunder for the second time against the ailing Naga society. The ceasefire talks for more than 70 times within a span of more than 17 years within and outside this greatest democratic country is not a matter of joke for the mere Naga political group(NPG). The cease fire talks shifting the venue from one country to another also internationalized the stand of Naga Political movement right from its inception. The non-paper submission during the talks and white paper presentation by both sides (GOI & NSCN(IM) are accountable for coming to an accord called it Naga peace Accord. Now the public in general wanted to know the detail of the peace accord because the stakeholders of the peace Accord is not only the NSCN(IM) alone but it comprise the whole population of Nagas irrespective of their inhabited place/states. This time the prime Minister, Nerendra Modi gave a clear indication of what would be the peace accord ushered for the well being of the Nagas who were badly divided and ruled by the British colonial Government. The prime minister openly put blame to the colonial rulers for deliberately suppressing the reality that Nagas were an extremely evolved society. Beyond that what can the various Naga political groups expect and have a hope for the general interest of all Naga inhabited areas. Let us contribute at least the insignificance point of common Naga interest to the negotiating team to show our active participation as stakeholders instead of barking the negotiating team from far off distance and watch their false. The past is gone and cannot recall back to this present generation. No one is perfect and is liable to commit a bulk of mistakes to each other and such past deeds might haunt your rational thinking for revenge or other point of excuses. But the best way for a better Naga society is following a no turning back attitude and look forward the future progressive Naga generation by playing a constructive role for a better Naga society. Nagas cannot tell the present neighboring states Chief Ministers and the civil society leaders to be silent and watch silently the preceding Naga Peace Accord which is a frame work. The Nagas cannot interfere in their respective common state interest and in no where we the Nagas cannot intrude the neighboring territories or invade their state fellow citizens for want of their land and its resources. Whatever it is for the Nagas inhabited population, whether in Nagaland state or other neighboring states such as MANIPUR,ASSAM &ARUNACHAL PRADESH, it will be the same and the decision is to be taken not by force or at gun point, but it is purely based on giving freedom of expression to the Naga stakeholders to choose their destiny. But in any case the neighboring states must recognize the unique history and take into account the extra care of Nagas who have been continuously lived together within respective states out of compulsion and unavoidable circumstances to live so for years together. In

course of such long period, Nagas neither blame the neighboring states nor interfered in their internal affairs just for the Naga interest alone. Accepting Assam state, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh which are years behind than Nagaland in attaining statehood under the union of great democratic India country, yet Nagas in any case did not object other states formation. The Nagas in general wanted to have a cordial relationship with the nearest neighboring states like Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The Nagas have no rigidity demands on the neighboring states. Let us understand each other by being empathetic and live life as a good neighbor having a sense of oneness and togetherness in all our approaches. In that way we can minimize the feeling of hatred for each other; for NO PREJUDICE in our society. Your better living is our prior importance because it will surely uplift our better living one day or the other day. Nagas in general never look down the other community in the present civilized society and create class system. The Govt. of Nagaland not in words; but in deeds played a significant mediator role whole heartedly for a better Naga society even though others criticized it calling ‘Greater Nagalim’. The public represented civil bodies such as Naga hoho and its down lines, the various tribal nomenclatures in Nagaland and outside Nagaland plays a vital role to solve the long pending political solution of Nagas. The people of Nagas living in and far off foreign countries also contributed their helping hand for our people well-being. Most importantly the educated youths in various body formations immensely participated with their best capabilities and potentials for a better tomorrow. Above all the able guidance of various church bodies irrespective of their denominations which fabrics touches each and every nuke and corner of Naga villages rings the mercy of almighty God for survival of Naga race. It is worth to recollect the FNR’s role played in the past and even today for a proper reconciliation of all NPGs. The past events of coming together under one umbrella of Naga Political groups such as signed of Lenten Agreement, Concordance agreement and many more initiatives played by the FNR under the able- leadership of God’s feared reverend and social activist Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and others who are to be acknowledged and give thanks to almighty God for producing such committed leaders for the cause of Naga society. Nagas have no hesitation to change for a better society; full of forward looking developments will take place so as to let the younger generation enjoy the fruits of present leaders in all sphere of life. Let no hesitation or indecisiveness block the path of Naga future generation. But let God enable us to chose the truth to make the fate of Naga future. Let all the Nagas irrespective of back ground and inclinations prayerfully seek the guidance of our almighty God the sustainer and the redeemer to proclaim the promised words given to Nagas to become Nagaland for Christ and vice versa. Let not in words but in action, we shall internalize a true Christian being living a life of peace and prosperity in the years to come. K. Ritse, Pfutsero Town

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.

Sunday 23•08•2015

‘Cantiamo’ to bring you closer to Western Classical music Morung Express News

Artist paints scenery at the Art picnic, which was held on August 22 at Botanical Garden. Old ministers hill, Kohima. Initiated by Temsuyanger, the event is to create a forum for people from various backgrounds, to celebrate Creativity & Art. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur | August 22

f you have been finding it difficult to get a hang of Western Classical music, fret no more. Nagaland will host the first of its kind ‘lecture recital’ next Sunday, August 30, at Patkai Christian College here. Under the theme ‘Cantiamo’ (Let us Sing), the recital will bring together a combination of classical musicians—Ezono Kithan John, Julia Honor, Nise Meruno, Noel De la Rosa—who will perform in such a platform, together, for the first time at Patkai Bundrock Hall from 5.30pm. The concert will be free of charge. It has been organised in collaboration between the Nagaland Conservatory of Music, Hope Centre for Excellence and music department of the Patkai Christian College.

(L-R): Nise Meruno, Ezono Kithan John, Julia Honor and Noel De la Rosa will conduct the ‘lecture recital’ to be held at Patkai Christian College on August 30, 5:30pm onwards.

Often there is a wide gap in understanding of music between the audience and performers in

Western Classical recitals. Varied foreign languages deployed by artists make it harder for people to grasp

what is going on. The ‘lecture recital’ will help bridge this gap through a short explanation of each piece

performed by the musicians themselves. “Artists will explain point by point what is happening in the music—we want the audience to go back with a sense of understanding of the music so they are more inclined to listen to classical music,” said the artists during a short interaction with the media at the Hope Centre for Excellence today. They hope that music teachers and students from Nagaland’s proliferating music schools will avail of this unique opportunity at education in Western Classical music. 12 pieces (sacred, classical, Broadway styles) will be performed preceded by a short lecture on each by the performing artists. For Nise Meruno, classical music is a great way to heal, develop self esteem as

well as a personality. In Nagaland State, Western rock and pop have outrun Western classical music on the popularity count. Being a difficult genre, people often run out of time and patience to get attuned to Western classical music. While the ‘lecture recital’ seeks to bring this genre closer to understanding, its objective is also to exemplify how the experience of classical music performed live has a different texture to listening to recorded versions of it. The artists conceded that schools should encourage students to gain access to such platforms— it is not enough to get music certificates to learn music—and that artists themselves should work harder to make the genre available and accessible to more people.

Aishwarya Rai to make singing debut in Jazbaa!

Winners of the 5th Inter School Beat Contest - Model Hr Sec School – with their trophy after the contest at Town hall, Mokokchung on Friday, August 21. The annual inter school beat contest was organized by ‘Students’ Welfare Society Alumni of Hill View Hr Secondary School. (Morung Photo)

ishwarya Rai, the most gorgeous mom of Bollywood, who is making a comeback to movies after giving time off to daughter Aaradhya, might return in more than one avatar. Till date, we knew her only as a stunning and charismatic actress but now she might even croon in her upcoming film Jazbaa. As per a report, the Sanjay Gupta directed film might see the actress singing a situational song for the movie. Though she herself

thinks that she can do it, she is still a bit unsure. A source quoted in the report said “Aishwarya has been sounded about it by Sanjay who feels she can do it. She has a very musical voice and is often known to hum tunes. Several music directors have contributed to the album and the director has a great number in mind for her. Ash seems to be up for the challenge.” The source further revealed that the track for the song will be shot today and that is when the

Madhuri, Sushmita, Alia to star in film for girl child

ctresses Nandita Das, Madhuri Dixit, Sushmita Sen, Alia Bhatt, Parineeti Chopra and Kareena Kapoor are featuring in film “Girl Rising – Woh Padhegi, Woh Udegi”, produced by actresses Priyanka Chopra and Freida Pinto, who are also the brand ambassadors of the initiative, and will also star in it.

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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has pitched in with the narration. The Hindi version of the film is all set to air on Star Plus at 1.30 p.m. on August 29 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. The film is a collaboration between the government’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign and Star TV. It will also

be released on digital platforms in both Hindi and English. The film in English, directed by Academy Award nominee Richard E. Robbins, had released in 2013 and showcases the stories of eight resilient girls from different countries who battled obstacles to achieve their dreams.

details of the song will be discussed with Aishwarya. Joining the bandwagon of other actresses who have sung in movies, the Bachchan bahu also seems to have agreed for the song. However, she has asked for rehearsals before singing. She is known to be very particular about whatever she does. Jazbaa is a gritty, actionpacked, intense film with no dance sequences except one party song. The film will release on October 9th this year.

DaviD Beckham turns actor for Belstaff short film

Wonder what I was thinking: Juhi on her Miss India stint

he was all of 18 when she participated in the Miss India pageant and won it. Actress Juhi Chawla, now 47, is in awe of the "amazing things" that happen during one's youth. "I took part in the Miss India contest at the age of 18. When I look back at it, I wonder what I was thinking at that time. I realised that truly, I didn't think at all before taking such a decision. So, amazing things happen when you're young," Juhi said here at an event to encourage the country's youth. Juhi's victory at the Miss India pageant opened the doors for her in the film industry. She went on to do films like "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak", "Darr" and "Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke". "Youth is that beautiful period in life where there is enthusiasm, passion, where they jump into something and then think about it. And as they grow older, they think first and perhaps not jump at all," said Juhi, who will soon be seen in educational drama "Chalk N Duster".

t’s no secret that David Beckham loves his motorbikes. Last year the retired footballer and three of his closet friends travelled through the Brazilian Amazon on them, the first time in his adult life that Beckham had the freedom to do and go pretty much wherever he wanted.

His partnership with Belstaff, a renowned motorcycle clothing brand, was only natural then. The ludicrously handsome 40-year-old has already appeared in campaigns for the label and designed a collection for them – and now he’s taking a stab at acting for them in a

'Manjhi-The Mountain Man' is a tribute to a real hero The remarkable true story of an Indian man who spent 22 years chiselling his way through a mountain out of love for his dead wife becomes a Bollywood film

he remarkable true story of an Indian man who spent 22 years chiselling a massive gap in a mountain out of love for his dead wife hit cinema screens today. Dashrath Manjhi, an impoverished labourer from India's lowest caste, embarked on the monumental endeavour after his wife Falguni died in 1959 because she had not been able to receive urgent medical care in time having been involved in an accident. Getting to the nearest town involved going around the mountain, a 55-kilometre (34mile) journey, and Manjhi didn't want other villagers to suffer the same fate. Working day and night he chipped away at the mountain in Gehlour, in eastern Bihar state,

using just a hammer and a chisel, to reduce the distance to 15 kilometres by cutting a direct path through rocks. It took him until 1982 to create the path, which is around 110 metres (360 feet) long and in some places more than nine metres wide. 'The story is beautiful and compelling. He made the impossible possible and his work has helped thousands,' said Bollywood star Nawazuddin Siddiqui He plays the lead role in Manjhi - The Mountain Man. 'The most difficult aspect was to capture the madness. His work is extraordinary. He should be an inspiration and an icon for the youth,' Siddiqui told AFP. Manjhi died from cancer of the gall bladder in 2007, aged

73, and was recognised with a state funeral in Bihar. He has been quoted as saying that when he first started breaking the mountain, locals thought he was crazy but later they changed their minds. Even after Manjhi had finished, it took the local government another three decades to convert it into a tarred road. Bollywood filmmaker Ketan Mehta said his response was one of disbelief when he first heard the story and he just knew he had to make a movie about it. 'People called him mad but how did he achieve it singlehandedly? 'I went there and saw the mountain and the path he had carved. It was inspiring,' Mehta said. Siddiqui, whose film credits

include The Lunchbox', plays Manjhi from a young man right through to his later years. Indian actress Radhika Apte plays Manjhi's wife. 'Manjhi - The Mountain Man is a film about the human spirit and a monument to love. Unfortunately too often we realise the value of a person only after they die,' the director added. Raising funds for the production, convincing people to support the film and shooting in remote parts of India were some of the challenges Mehta faced, he said. The film has also faced controversy. In 2013, filmmaker Dhananjay Kapoor blocked its release, claiming that he had the rights to Manjhi's story. However, the court

dismissed the petition and ruled in favour of Mehta. Manjhi's fame and the subsequent attention has also left members of his family disgruntled, according to a report in the Times of India newspaper. It quoted a relative complaining that many VIPs had visited their home but had broken promises to help them out of poverty. Mehta pieced his script together based on meetings with villagers and local journalists, and newspaper articles. But the director was forced to be imaginative when it came to the details of Manjhi's relationship with his wife. 'The facts are facts but little is known of the love story, which is where we have filled in the blanks,' he said.

short film named Outlaws. He stars alongside Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Keitel and up-andcoming British actress Katherine Waterson (soon to be seen in Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin's Steve Jobs and JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) as ‘The Strang-

er’, a mysterious drifter and motorcycle stuntman, haunted by memories of a beautiful Trapeze Artist and hunted by a maniacal director seeking revenge. It was shot on location in Mexico and Liv Tyler, actress and fiancee of Beckham's best friend Dave Gardner, acted as executive producer.

sUnDAY 23•08•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mathews hits century First win for Bournemouth, United held but India power ahead

Sri Lanka's captain Angelo Mathews celebrates his century during the third day of their second test cricket match against India in Colombo August 22. (REUTERS) C M Y K

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COLOMBO, August 22 (ReuteRs): Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews struck his sixth test century but India took command on the third day of the second test at P Sara Oval on Saturday. After a wicketless first session, the touring side dismissed the last seven batsmen for 65 runs to bowl Sri Lanka out for 306 and take an 87-run first innings lead. India then lost opener Lokesh Rahul to the fifth ball of their second innings before Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane guided them to 70 for one at the close of play, an advantage

of 157 runs. Vijay was unbeaten on 39 while Rahane was 28 not out after both survived loud lbw appeals. Starting the day on 140 for three, Mathews (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (62) enjoyed a productive morning session in Sri Lankan hero Kumar Sangakkara's farewell match. The pair added 84 runs in the session without being separated, much to the frustration of India who trail 1-0 in the three-match series. Ishant Sharma struck two big blows after lunch to expose Sri Lanka's late order before leg-spinner Amit Mishra polished off the tail with four for 43.

Paceman Ishant ended a 127-run stand by removing Thirimanne although the batsman looked unhappy with the caught-behind decision. He also got rid of Dinesh Chandimal for 11 but Mathews brought up his century with a reverse-swept four off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Mathews faced 167 balls in a patient knock, hitting 12 boundaries in a display of controlled aggression, before becoming Stuart Binny's first test victim. Mishra then removed Dhammika Prasad for five in the next over and also got rid of Jehan Mubarak for 22 and Tharindu Kaushal for six.

Farah defends world 10,000m title

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BeIJINg, August 22 (ReuteRs): Britain's Mo Farah stormed down the final straight to retain his 10,000 metres world title in some style on Satur-

day and extend his dominance of men's distance running at major championships. Bumped by one of his rivals as he took the first

bend after the bell, the 32-year-old regained his composure to cross the line in 27 minutes 01.13 seconds. Kenya's Geoffrey Kamworor was outpaced over the final 100 metres but finished second in 27.01.76 to claim silver, while his compatriot Paul Tanui was a distant third in 24.32.34. Reigning Olympic and world 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion Farah has now won six straight distance titles at major championships going back to his second place in the longer event at the 2011 world championships in Daegu.

LONDON, August 22 (AFP): Manchester United's winning start to the Premier League season ended on Saturday as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Newcastle United at a sunsoaked Old Trafford. The hosts, who gave Bastian Schweinsteiger a full debut, dominated the early stages and Wayne Rooney saw a goal ruled out for a tight offside, but Newcastle went close when Aleksandar Mitrovic headed against the bar. Louis van Gaal's side laid siege to the Newcastle goal in the second half, Tim Krul saving from substitute Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling heading against the post, but Newcastle debutant Florian Thauvin was inches away from toeing in a late winner at the other end. "We can be satisfied with the performance, but not with the result. We were unlucky," said United manager Van Gaal, whose side have scored only two goals in their three league games to date. "The performance was one of the best in my period, but we don't reward ourselves. There was only one club that wanted to win and that was us." After Rooney had seen his effort disallowed, Krul saved from Memphis Depay, Rooney and Juan Mata, before Mitrovic, making his fully debut,

Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic heads at goal during a Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford, Manchester on August 22. (Reuters)

outjumped Matteo Darmian and headed Chancel Mbemba's cross against the bar. Van Gaal introduced Michael Carrick, Hernandez and Antonio Valencia in the second half and Krul had to save from Luke Shaw before spreading himself brilliantly to block a closerange effort from Hernandez. A stoppage-time flurry saw Smalling hit the post

and substitute Thauvin narrowly fail to make contact with Papiss Cisse's low cross, while Carrick's deflected shot flashed fractionally wide. United conceded top spot to Leicester City, who moved above them on goal difference after a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham. Delle Ali headed in a cross from Nacer Chadli to give Spurs an 81st-minute

lead at the King Power Stadium, but within a minute Riyad Mahrez had cut in from the right and curled home his fourth goal of the season to level. Elsewhere, Callum Wilson plundered a hattrick as promoted Bournemouth won 4-3 at West Ham United in an incidentpacked game to claim a first ever top-flight victory. Wilson exploited a pair

of errors by Aaron Cresswell to score twice in the opening 28 minutes, only for a Mark Noble penalty and a Cheikhou Kouyate rebound to draw West Ham level early in the second period. But substitute Marc Pugh restored Bournemouth's lead and Wilson completed his hat-trick from the spot after Carl Jenkinson had been sent off, before Modibo Maiga hit back for West Ham. Debutant Bakary Sako struck in the 87th minute to give Crystal Palace a 2-1 win at home to Villa, who had been in line for a point after a Pape Souare own goal cancelled out Scott Dann's header. Bottom club Sunderland stopped the rot after two straight defeats by drawing 1-1 at home to Swansea City, with Jermain Defoe equalising for the hosts after Bafetimbi Gomis had scored his third goal of the campaign. Record signing Xherdan Shaqiri created an early goal for Mame Biram Diouf on his Stoke City debut, but his side had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Norwich City due to Russell Martin's 28th-minute equaliser. In-form Manchester City go in search of a third straight win at Everton on Sunday, while champions Chelsea, beaten 3-1 at City last weekend, travel to West Bromwich Albion.

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Cook stands firm against Australia as England follow on

LONDON, August 22 (AFP): England captain Alastair Cook led his side's resistance as they battled to avoid an innings defeat by Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Saturday. England, following-on, were 161 for five in their second innings -- still 171 runs behind Australia's first innings 481, which featured captain-elect Steven Smith's 143. Left-handed opener Cook was 69 not out and Jos Buttler 13 not out. England at least had the consolation of having won the Ashes at 3-1 up in the five-match series. Opener Adam Lyth, desperate for a big score to cement his England place, saw his miserable Ashes continue when, on 10, he edged a good length ball from Peter Siddle that cut away off the pitch to Australia captain Michael Clarke at second slip. Lyth's dismissal meant he had scored just 115 runs in nine innings this series at an average of 12.77. His

slow trudge off the ground suggested Lyth knew his Test future was hanging by a thread. Ian Bell, on nine, saw a pull off Mitchell Marsh sting the fingers of Chris Rogers at mid-wicket before going for four. But next ball lively seamer Marsh got a delivery to leap off a length and it took Bell's glove before lobbing gently to Clarke, who will retire from international duty after this match. Cook, however, went on to complete a 119ball fifty, including nine fours, after hitting three well-struck boundaries in one over from Marsh. - Reckless Root Joe Root, England's leading run-scorer this series, then became the latest home batsman this match to give his wicket away playing a careless crossbat shot when a top-edged pull off fast bowler Mitchell Johnson flew straight to Mitchell Starc at fine leg. Root's exit for 11 left England 99 for three. England had lost their last seven first-innings wickets for

just 46 runs during Friday's evening session. Their position after Root's dismissal increased the chances of a third successive finish inside three days this series following England's wins by eight wickets and an innings and 78 runs in the third and fourth Tests at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge respectively. England resumed on 107 for eight in their first innings, a deficit of 374 runs. Their collapse was not as bad as Australia's rapid decline to 60 all out on the first morning of the at Trent Bridge, where England paceman Stuart Broad took a stunning eight for 15. But it made a mockery of their desire to become the first England team ever to win four Tests in a home Ashes campaign. Moeen Ali and Mark Wood, both eight not out overnight, hit out in sunny conditions ideal for batting during a ninth-wicket partnership of 57. Ali's 30 and Wood's 24 were the two best scores of the innings but they fell

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Australia's Mitchell Johnson celebrates the wicket of England's Moeen Ali. (Action Images via Reuters)

to successive Johnson deliveries, with England dismissed for 149. Clarke then became the first Australia captain to enforce the follow-on in a Test since Ricky Ponting did so against New Zealand at Wellington in 2010 -- a match Australia

eventually won by 10 wickets. Players from both sides wore black armbands in memory of Australia's Arthur Morris, one of Test cricket's greatest opening batsman, whose death at the age of 93 was announced Saturday.

Hamilton takes 10th Indian milkman's son chases pole in 11 races dream in greener pastures

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sPA-FRANCORCHAMPs, August 22 (ReuteRs): Double world champion Lewis Hamilton clinched the Formula One pole trophy at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday with a flawless lap to take top slot on the starting grid for the 10th time in 11 races. The Mercedes driver will have his closest rival and team mate Nico Rosberg, last year's inaugural pole trophy winner, alongside on the front row. The German had been quickest in Friday practice but Hamilton banged in the quickest laps when it mattered to seize pole with a time of one minute 47.197 seconds and nearly half a second faster. With this, the Briton notched up his sixth successive pole and 48th of his increasingly stellar grand prix career. It was the first time since Michael Schumacher's domination with Ferrari in 2000-01 that a driver has chalked up six poles in a row. Hamilton's main concern now will be a clean and quick getaway on Sunday, with the champion's last three races being marred by poor starts. To add to the uncertainty, the starting rules have changed since the last race with the onus more on

the man behind the wheel now that engineers are no longer allowed to advise the drivers remotely on the grid. Finland's Valtteri Bottas qualified third for Williams and will be joined on the second row by Force India's Mexican Sergio Perez due to a five-place grid penalty for Lotus's Romain Grosjean ahead of him. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen failed to make it into the final phase of qualifying, for his team's 900th race, after his engine died and the car ground to a halt on the track. The Finn's German team mate and four-times champion Sebastian Vettel, winner of the previous race in Hungary, qualified ninth but will start eighth thanks to Grosjean's demotion from fourth. McLaren duo Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will start at the back after collecting a combined 105 place drop -- on a grid of just 20 places -- due to multiple changes of their Honda engines. With the rules changed last month so that time penalties could no longer be imposed for untaken grid drops, McLaren took advantage of the situation by carrying out two engine swaps per car to stack up units for use without penalty at future races.

NeW DeLHI, August 22 (ReuteRs): Golfing prodigy Shubham Jaglan turned 11 last week but the only son of a milkman from rural India is aloof to the cartoons and toys that usually draw boys of his age. The winner of back-toback titles on the world junior golf circuit in the United States last month knows he must make sacrifices to achieve his dreams. Golf is a rich man's sport in India and as a kid from a poor family, Shubham started off swinging shabby clubs in the mustard field of his village in the north Indian state of Haryana. "He had to make a lot of sacrifice to chase that dream and he is happy to make that sacrifice, which is the best things about him," coach Nonita Lal Qureshi told Reuters. "His day is very structured, he hardly gets to do what boys his age do but he has a passion for golf and he is doing it happily." The passion can be seen in his results. "I won two but missed the third in the U.S. Kids World Championship where I came sixth," Shubham told Reuters by telephone. "I want to win all three next year." The pristine American courses hosting the elite junior tournaments are a far

Indian golfer Shubham Jaglan attends a news conference at a golf club in New Delhi on August 4. (REUTERS)

cry from Shubham's beginnings. When a golf academy opened near his home in India, it seemed a godsend to the family but the facility shut down in three months. Shubham would pile up sands on the rooftop and practise his bunker shots there, while his father Jagpal cleared the area behind their house to carve out a three-hole course for his son. Jagpal also got his son a computer. "I started watching top golfers on YouTube," Shubham said. "Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Louis Oosthuizen...I'd try their swing and see if it works for me." His name featured regularly enough in local

tournaments to interest the Golf Foundation, run by former Asian Games gold medalist Amit Luthra. Promised free education and free practice at the Delhi Golf Club, the Jaglans, a family boasting a number of elite wrestlers, sold off dairy cattle and moved to Delhi to help their son pursue his dream. It was a bold move by a family still struggling to adjust to city life but Shubham's single-minded devotion has been reassuring, even if it means long spells away from home. "I don't miss family. I talk to them every day, sometimes twice a day," said Shubham. "I know I will be back after a month or two." Jagpal's phone has not stopped ringing since his son's recent success but coach Qureshi sounded a warning for the budding golfer. "In the two-andhalf years since moving to Delhi, he has blossomed but we must remember that he is very young. It is very early days in his career and we must not lose sight of what he needs to do. "He has shown all the promise to be a really good player but many things can go wrong from here. He has just begun a journey and these victories are only milestones that he is on the right track."

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