August 31th, 2015

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www.morungexpress.com

monDAY • August 31 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 237 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

The flood of money that gushes into politics today is a pollution of democracy 150 children in Nagaland missing in recent months

In Bihar, Nitish, Lalu and Sonia take on Modi PAgE 8

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | August 30

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The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Does the Government of Nagaland State have the political will and preparedness to solve the issue of backdoor appointment? Yes

no

others

Do you agree with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that Nagaland is the safest state for women? Yes

42% 47%

no others

11%

Details on page 7

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Power dept informs

Damage received to a cable at Nagarjan on August 30 evening has affected power supply to Industrial SubStation affecting the RKM, ADC and Industrial feeders. The power department in a press note said it is trying its best to restore power supply at the earliest.

T R u T H

— Theodore White

Lanka fight back after Ishant fires India

PAgE 2

PAgE 12

is Kohima ready to be a smart city? Moa Jamir

Project Gaidinlui. Ah... best project ever!

o F

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On Thursday, Nagaland state capital Kohima was selected as one of the 98 cities and towns in India for potential development as “smart cities.” Each such selection is based on nomination by respective states and union territories for the first stage of the ‘City Challenge’ competition in which all the urban local bodies (ULBs) in states and union territories were evaluated. The approach to Smart Cities Mission (SCM), according to its mission statement, is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions. The SCM will be conducted over a period of five years. Cities selected in the second stage would be provided with central assistance of Rs. 200 crore in the first year followed by Rs. 100 crore each year for the next three years with a cumulative outlay of Rs. 48,000 crore for the mission. Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) is the nodal implementing agency and the mission will focus on core infrastructure components.

STAGE II In order to qualify for the crucial second stage, the 98 cities will be given Rs. 2 crore each to prepare a city-level smart city proposals (SCPs) based on a set of board evaluation criteria laid down by MoUD. Evaluation would be done by a panel of experts and top 20 cities will be selected for the Kohima, augusT 30 current financial year. Oth(mExN): Speaker for the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Chotisuh Sazo today clarified that RN Ravi, the Interlocutor to the Naga peace talks had Morung Express news Dimapur | August 30 “never issued any direction to the MLAs to go to their respective constituencies Giving a much needed nor create hype regarding boost to the lack of genthe accord.” A press note eral entertainment in the from the NLA Speaker said state, the Hillstar Cinema that the consultative meet- Hall which has been uning with Nagaland Legisla- dergoing renovation since tors Forum (NLF) and RN last year will (re) open for Ravi was held with “utmost business from coming Fricordiality and participa- day, September 4 promistion.” He reiterated that the ing to offer the audiences a NLF adopted three resolu- movie viewing experience tions after Ravi’s departure “which has been widely similar to the ones in metpublicized in the print and ros across the country. The Hall will be formalelectronic media on 28th ly inaugurated on SeptemAugust 2015.”

No directive to create hype on accord, says NLA Speaker

the Jury is out but capital denizens have misgivings Adequate water supply

Good governance, especially eGovernance and citizen participation

Assured electricity supply

Robust IT connectivity and digitalization

Sustainable environment

Safety and security of citizens, esp women, children and the elderly

Core infrastructure elements in a Smart City

Health and education

Affordable housing, esp. for the poor

Efficient urban mobility and public transport Sanitation, including solid waste management

A panoramic view of nagaland state capital Kohima, which is slated to be developed as a ‘smart City.’ (Picture Courtesy: Molumeren ozüküm)

ers have to improve upon their identified deficiencies and participate for the next two rounds. The SCPs have to be based on either of three strategic components model or “a mix thereof”: • Retrofitting (City improvement): planning in an existing built-up area to make it more efficient and liveable in an area of more than 500 acres identified by the city in consultation its citizens. • Redevelopment (City Renewal): replacement of the existing built-up environment and enable co-creation of a new layout with enhanced infrastructure using mixed land use and increased density. Redevelopment envisages an area of more than 50 acres. • Greenfield development (City Extension): Smart Solutions in a

previously vacant area (more than 250 acres) using innovative - planning, financing and implementation - with provision for affordable housing especially for the poor. In addition, the city has to incorporate the “Pancity” dimension envisaging application of selected “Smart Solutions” to the existing infrastructure involving I&T. For North Eastern and Himalayan States, the area proposed is one-half of land use prescribed in any other model. Evaluation criteria includes credibility of implementation like improvement in - efficiency of public services; water, sanitation and tax collection, traffic congestion; administrative efficiency by using e-governance; and achievement of affordable housing goals etc. A city vision and strategy goal meeting the aspirations

and wishes of the citizens along with sustainability and inclusiveness needs to be incorporated. Besides, 70% of the criteria are based on impact of proposal, cost effectiveness, innovation and scalability and process followed while making the proposal. Consultation with citizens, especially the vulnerable section and usage of social media, community, mobile governance and accommodation of contrary “voices” forms the crux of the strategy and planning. Is Kohima ready for the stage II? The state capital might have made the cut by virtue of being the seat of political power, commented a citizen, albeit happy with the prospect of residing in a “Smart City.” Reacting to the news and criteria involved, Tia Longkumer, a secondary

teacher retorted, “Road condition– deplorable; settlement pattern and alignment –congested; electricity – pathetic; hygiene and sanitation – zero; market – unregulated; and hospital and medical amenities - poor.” “Not forgetting the frustrating traffic, proper town plan should be executed before it is acknowledged,” a young engineer chips in. Others talk about the capital’s “notorious” land acquisition bottlenecks. Kohima was also selected for solar mission when one can logically conclude that it is the most inept place for such an initiative, commented another. Richard Belho, an architect at Zynorique maintained that a smart ‘tag’ does not mean more vision and less corruption. “To work, honestly, even a crore is huge; hope the government appoints honest officers to spearhead the mission.”

Taking the road less travelled Why not? Subu, a teacher wonders. “All we need is a good architect and smart brains. Given its topography, we cannot fight nature but why not a green city by planting more trees to hold the soil and building the town smartly?” The first step is to remove the number of hands in the pot, Belho contented, followed by smart consultations with countries which tackled similar issues and sensitisation of the public, as their cooperation is vital. Emphasizing on conscientious citizens, Architect/Planner Chenithung Lotha said that people need to smarten first and become responsible stakeholders in the context. An active blogger, on condition of anonymity, said, “Smart city demands smart politicians. Smart, but not oversmart to spend precious time planning

about the ministers’ share or department’s share.” She believes that it demands smart denizens, engineers and contractors. “In a well meaning society the government can build the best of public infrastructures but if the public doesn’t take care of it then the whole exercise is futile.” Before turning Kohima into a ‘Smart’ City, we ought to turn Kohima into a ‘City,’ maintained Yanpvuo Kikon, PMC (SeMT) under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and an active blogger. It doesn’t even have a proper address system, a prerequisite for any organized city, he added. For this, he argued, the entire foundation of Kohima needs an overhaul and revamping of core infrastructures by enabling an effective collaborative approach amongst all concerned stakeholders. Any mega project in Nagaland, he said, would require expert consultants and subject matter experts from outside the State to work in collaboration with a thinktank or a council comprising of diverse local minds because most Central Government DPRs, which are tailored for Nagaland, lack thorough understanding of our local scenario. It would be a huge success if the conceptualization and planning phase itself is wise and smart, Yanpvuo continued, reflecting pastor Shan Kikon’s words, “The problem with Nagaland is not a deficit of funds but a deficit of wisdom.” “Hope for once the government proves to the world that Nagas still value honesty and that we are smart and sharp to compete with anyone in the world,” mused Belho.

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Hillstar Cinema to (re) open from Sept 3 ‘Intentional prejudices’ & ‘insensitivity’ by SFs: ENPO

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ber 3 evening and starts business from next day, Aboli Dina Yepthomi, who is overseeing the project along with her husband Hukheto L Yepthomi told The Morung Express. The ticket will also be reasonably priced at Rs.150, 220 and 320 for silver, gold and platinum category respectively. An extra of Rs. 50 will be charged for 3D movies, she added. While the audience has to buy the tickets at the counter for now, online booking will be introduce soon.

There will be four shows in a day starting from 11:00am while the last show will be at 8:00pm. Both English and Hindi will be shown interchangeably, she informed, depending upon its releases and availability of print. A Bollywood Multistarrer, aptly titled “Welcome Back,” will usher in the opening of the theatre. So get ready to immerse yourself in the grandeur of clean and wholesome entertainment!

Pangsha Ambush: Assam Rifles file FIR Morung Express news Dimapur | August 30

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The Assam Rifles (AR) have now filed a First Information Report (FIR) in relation to the ambush conducted by them on August 28 at ITC Dan, Pangsha. It left 8 people—5 NSCN (K) members and 3 civilians— dead, with another 2 civilians injured. Official sources confirmed today that the 23 AR filed an FIR under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 and the National Security Act, 1970, at the Noklak Police Station. The security forces stated that they were conducting “area domination” (patrolling) when the incident occurred. ITC Dan is located some 30 km away from

Noklak town and is the last village under Tuensang district bordering Myanmar. Noklak sub division houses only the 15 AR at its base. Official sources say that the ambush was conducted by a joint team of the 21 AR and 23 AR based on “security inputs;” sources from Pangsha had said earlier that the security forces were laying in wait since August 27 evening. Parallel to filing of the FIR, the AR handed over three small weapons they claimed to have recovered from the ambush spot, with calibres of 9mm, 7.65mm and .22mm each. On August 28, the AR in a press release had claimed that “a large quantity of arms and ammunition” had been recovered by them from the spot.

Two boys were also picked up by the AR from the ambush spot, 24-yearold Tovika and another boy reported to be 17 years old. They were handed over to the Nagaland police; first taken to Noklak police station on August 29 and subsequently to Tuensang town today (August 30) at 12 noon. It could not be confirmed if they work for the NSCN (K) but a “joint interrogation” of the two will be conducted by “all agencies” involved, informed the Superintendent of Police (SP), Tuensang. One person from the entourage of three vehicles—a motorbike, a Bolero Pick up and a Gypsy— that were fired on by the AR still remains missing. The SP Tuensang stated

that there may have been 13 passengers in all in the three vehicles. Any more numbers can be concluded only after further investigation. The Nagaland Police also informed that the missing person is suspected to have taken refuge in a neighbouring village on the Myanmar side; enquiries are being made through local communities to ascertain his location. Meanwhile, statements of the injured civilians, Kakheni and Thamneyu, could not be taken yet by the police as they are recovering at a hospital in Mokokchung. Their condition is reported to be stable. Thamneyu, said to be only 16 or 17 years of age, was shot by the security forces in her abdomen.

Asks State machinery for clarification and due explanation

TuENsaNg, augusT 30 (mExN): The Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has condemned and found unwarranted the “random outburst and assault by the security forces where innocent civilians were also unfortunate victims in the blind process.” The “extremely unfortunate” incident on August 28 at Pangsha ITC junction under Noklak Sub Division, the ENPO stated today, “smacks of intentional prejudices and insensitivity which seems to be harboured in the mindset of the security forces, and where a blanket attitude of suspiciousness and discrimination appears to be in-dwelt.” “That, while it is the duty and function of the security forces for the safety and safe keeping of both the people and territory for whichever the location that be, this particular incident however needs to be drawn to public focus for ascertaining factual accounts beneficial to all concerned quarters,” noted ENPO president, Khoiwang Konyak, and general secretary, Manlang Phom in the press statement. At the backdrop of the statement, the ENPO took particular note of the manner in which the overall incident unfolded. “It has been public knowledge over the past few weeks where the state

Random killing will append anger: NSF

Kohima, augusT 30 (mExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has condemned the August 28 killings in Pangsha, Tuensang. It reiterated that the “ongoing political conflict cannot be solved through military might but through dialogue.” A press communiqué from NSFstated today that while the Government of India (GoI) is being “applauded by the world community for displaying its sincerity to solve the longest political conflict in southeast Asia with dialogue,” the same government is “mercilessly and heedlessly taking lives under the aegis of ‘Friends of the Hill People’.” The NSF reminded the GoI that “regardless of the factions all Nagas are fighting for one common goal. Therefore, we expect the Government of India to respect the aspirations of the Naga people.” It also appealed to the NSCN (K) to resume ceasefire with the GoI “in the larger interest of the Nagas and to solve the Naga political issue in an amicable and peaceful means.” The apex students’ body also remindgovernment had made an earnest request to both the two Naga apex bodies i.e. the ENPO and the Naga Hoho for mutually and formally meeting the representatives of the NSCN (K), and if so possible Mr S.S. Khaplang, Chairman of the particular Naga Political Group,” informed ENPO. Further, it mentioned that “the logistics for movement of both the apex bodies have been in pursuance, and where security clearance has been given by the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI through the State Government. However the entry point into Myanmar was tentatively resolved for Pangsha ITC which was yet to be finalised due to Cross

ed that the “display of military might” by the AR and “random killing in the process of exterminating any Naga Political Group will append anger rather than impart fear, adding more chaos to the already complicated state of affairs.” The NSF urged all armed groups—Nagas and Indians—to “respect human lives and put an end to all form of violence for once and for all.”

WNSU condemns firing

The Wolam Nyuking (Pangsha Old) Students’ Union has condemned the August 28 firing at ITC Dan, Pangsha. The Union stated that the incident has hampered the smooth functioning of schools and disturbed the minds of student. “We are peace loving citizens and we don’t have any place who loves bullets. We are in the remotest place and ‘don’t ride us backward again’ by creating such incidents, which affect the live of the people of the area,” stated WNSU in a press release today. They conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families.

Border security problems particularly from the Myanmar Government, which was to be finalised only after ascertaining the specific date, meeting venue and the entry point, in which the route has to be designated with proper valid travel documents (refer letter No.9/2/2015-NEII Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs- NE Division Dated 05th August 2015).” The ENPO was “dismayed” and “absolutely disheartened” over the entire incident/episode which “has thrown a spanner in the proposed programme which perhaps require clarification and due explanation from the State machinery, the dis-

trict administration and the security apparatus of the incidental jurisdiction in regard to the movement of the NMA in particular, which in a way has unfortunately preceded the proposed programme of the two apex bodies.” Furthermore, the ENPO and Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) stated that they had no knowledge about the above stated movement and regretted to state that “at least both the bodies should have been taken into confidence.” The ENPO also conveyed its deep condolences to bereaved family members and prayed for the departed souls to rest in eternal peace.

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NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

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150 children in Nagaland missing in recent months

Participants at the one day training program on strengthening the justice delivery system: tools and techniques in Kohima.

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KOHIMA, AUGUST 30 (MExN): Z Nyusietho Nyuthe, NCS, Society Director, State Child Protection Society revealed that 150 children have gone missing in Nagaland in the past few months and urged that the situation needs to be tackled at a faster pace. Nyuthe was speaking at the one day training program on strengthening the justice delivery system: tools and techniques, organised by the Kohima District legal District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) in collaboration with State child Protection Society (SCPS). He called upon all stakeholders to play a proactive role in providing a secured future for children. The training was conducted with participants from the Juvenile Justice Board, Special Juvenile Police Unit, District Child Protection Society, Child Welfare Committee, Pros-

ecutors, Childline Kohima & Dimapur, Lawyers and Members of KDLSA & SCPS. Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS, the Chief Judicial Magistrate & Secretary KDLSA stated that the purpose of the program was to equip functionaries dealing with juveniles for the smooth functioning and effective implementation of the justice delivery system. Nino Iralu, NJS, Member Secretary, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority & Special Judge, TDP Vigilance stressed on the need to work hard for the restoration and rehabilitation of children. Imtiakum, the Public Prosecutor, Kohima, & ExOfficio Member, KDLSA spoke on Article 39A which gives access to justice for all. He lamented on the prevailing justice delivery system in some courts and appealed the Bar and the Bench to work together and

create a friendly environment for the victims and the witnesses. Resource person YM Imchen, the District & Session Judge Kohima and Chairman KDLSA highlighted on the Acts which are enacted for the children in need of care and protection. Y Longkumer, NJS, Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench spoke on prevention of children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and mentioned that this is a specific and comprehensive law to protect the children who are faced with sexual offences. She said that India, along with Nagaland is witnessing alarming sexual abuse against children. She emphasised on the special features of the POCSO Act and dealt with the victim child’s medical examination and the role of Special Juvenile Police Unit, the role of the Com-

mission of Child Rights’, Compensation scheme as laid under Section 357(A) CrPC, Special Courts headed by the District & Sessions Judges, failure to report about the child who is sexually assaulted or harassed being a punishable offence and other pornography related offences. She also mentioned one important aspect of the Act, wherein unlike other Acts, the burden of proof is on the accused. She expressed that all the satakeholders present need to coordinate and recognise and identify its roles for an effective justice delivery system. Resource person Themmungla Raman, Clinical Psychologist, State Mental Health Institute, Kohima highlighted various techniques and measures to be taken while handling children in conflict with law or needing care and protection. She added that par-

ents play a crucial role and mentioned that the anxiety of a child depends on the marital relationship and environment of the family at home. She stressed that violence is a learned behaviour and the whole family needs to be addressed together. Raman further stated that positive reinforcement, culture of conversation, feelings, explorative dialogues, discussion of problems within the family are of utmost importance for the development of a child. Resource Person K.Ela, Director Prodigal Home & Childline Dimapur spoke urge the participants to work together to provide a better mechanism for rehabilitation and a normal childhood. She mentioned about the various stakeholders under the Juvenile Justice Delivery System and called for a good networking device to provide a holistice support to the child. Resource person Renchumi Imti, Programme Manager of the State Child Protection Society mentioned that the family is the place where a child’s potential is fully developed. Therefore in the case of an orphan, abandoned child or surrendered child, adoption should be encouraged to give a child an opportunity for a normal upbringing, she said. She further advised adoption only through registered agencies, which in the state include Wondangki, Mothers Hope, Radiant Educational Society, Kohima Orphanage & Destitute Home and John 3:16, Mon.

Understanding intricacies of the Ao language

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Two recent books endeavor to enrich the readers

Morung Express News Dimapur | August 30

What do the words “Asü” in Ao language denote – 15 different meaning according to a recent book titled “Ao Oshi Ojangü” or Homonyms in Ao language– Words with Multiple Meanings - written by P Alem Jamir, which was released by Prof. Lanunungsang Ao Pro-VC, NU and Chairman of Ao Senden Literature Board on August 28. This is the authors’s 7th book. For the uninitiated Asü denotes among others – died, or, built, did, split, interlaced, drew and so on – the meaning changes according to its phonetics. Language forms the core of culture and identity and this meticulously researched book contains 625 such words having 2578 word meanings arranged in apathetical order. Releasing the book, Prof. Lanunungsang informed it will be a very important book for both young and old and will

be used as a text book for Ao language students and researchers in Nagaland University. This book will hugely benefit and guide the readers in understanding phonetics and writing in Ao language better, wrote Dr. Asangba Tzüdir of Heritage Publishing House his review. Interested individuals can “ali” (buy) the book (Rs. 250/) published by Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur and will be available at CLC Dimapur, Heritage Publishing House and Signet Books, and ABAM Book Stall, Mokokchung. Apart from ‘buy,’ the word ali also denotes a rice pounding tool, soil, dwelt, and a wild fruit. The second book entitled, “Kentet” or ‘Quotations in Ao’ by Talitemjen Imchen was released by Editor of Tir Yimyim K Temjen Jamir on Saturday. An important addition to Ao language, it contains 1138 quotations, forming the core of its culture, and

the basis and guiding principles of life and living. Thinking is a difficult activity and writing is a responsibility and the author has in writing this book, left a treasure for the young generations and the quotations in the book will definitely give perspectives and meanings to lead an “examined life,” he said. Asked about the motivation behind the book, the writers said, “During the days of our forefathers, there was no written culture, the death of a raconteur was such a great loss but with the coming of written culture our culture and history can be preserved in writing which will never die.” This is the author’s third book; he has two volumes of folktales. The book will be available in Mokokchung at Eastern Book Depot and Students Book Centre. Western Book Depot in Kohima and in OM Bookstore, Christian Literature Centre and Signet Books in Dimapur.

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Miss Dimapur to celebrate silver jubilee

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DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30 (MExN): The Ethnic Group of Nagaland (EGoN) is set to organize the Miss Dimapur Silver Jubilee in September at the DDSC Stadium with the Dimapur District Administration as an associate partner. A press note informed that the jubilee celebration will witness 25 trained contestants vying for the crown, after a series of grooming and training by professionals. The month long programme will kick start from September 1, wherein the contestants will be starting with a task called “The Social Entrepreneur Challenge” that holds a sub-title, prize money and cash incentives for all the contestants apart from the main title. The brand ambassador for the Celebrating 25 years of the Intermingle Club Mokokchung, the members repaired the medical road that leads to the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital. The club will celebrate its Nagaland state Aids Control socisilver jubilee on September 23 and plans to celebrate it along with Mokokchung Town's ety (NSCACS) will be judged from quasquicentennial celebration. among the contestants by represen-

tatives from the Head Office, Kohima. Reliance General Insurance will be sponsoring 3 (three) Lakhs Health Insurance Policy to the three winners including their family member of 7 (seven) for one year. Full “In House Grooming Session” will begin from September 22 and culminate on September 25 under the banner “Crowning of the silver Queen 2015”. Apart from the thee winners, other subtitles will include ‘Miss Perfect 10’, ‘Miss Talented’, ‘Most Photogenic 2015’,’ Miss Catwalk’, ‘Miss Congeniality’ ‘EGoN Fresh Face’ and ‘Best Modern Ethnic’ along with other contracts. Resource persons for the Inhouse trainings will include Akala Longchar on Hospitality and Personality Development, Asenla Aier, Asstt. Professor (English Dept) on Elocution & Speech, Serena Mur-

ry on Diet and Nutrition, Gopal Thakuri on Fitness and Exercise, Limatemjen on Etiquette & Table Manners and seminar classes from NSACS, PHED, and Malaria Dept. The contestants will also have “Spiritual Feeds” from Theologians and young leaders on maintaining a “well balanced life”. Apart from the grooming of the contestants, hectic preparations are also on for the grand finale at DDSC ground. Abiogenesis, The popular Folk Fusion Band from Nagaland with their musical instruments “Bamhum & Tikzuk”, who also celebrates their 10th anniversary of Bamhum, will be rocking the show with their power performance. The Tibetan Bhutia Buddhist Welfare Association (TBBWA) will also be participating. Among others, specially sequenced opening act choreo-

graphed with an enigmatic cultural troupe and the 25 contestants together will be the highlight of the programme. State Level dance winners of King Chillies Ltd are also all set to make some headstand performances for the denizens. Red Ribbon Club (RBC) will be the official volunteers for the event. The programme is being cosponsored by Mahindra Rise, Nagaland Service Center (NSC), NSACS, Women Resource Development, PHED, Malaria Dept, Dimapur Gym Club, Metro Meat Purana Bazaar, World Of Titan, Anytime Fitness, Get Gorgeous Society, Agri Tech Services and a host of Dimapurian well-wishers and donors. For further queries, contact +91 8575687077/ +91 9089171804/ +91 8974454203 or visit www.egondimapur.com or email at egon.dimapur@gmail.com.

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Essential Computer Skills training in Peren & Longleng Gov extends Raksha Bandhan greetings DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30 (MExN): An essential computer skills for GPS under Peren and Longleng Districts was initiated by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang and undertaken by M/s Ramietech Solutions, an IT firm based in Kohima. The theme of this undertaking is "Nurturing the digital skills of our young for the future." The main objective of this project is to impart basic computer training to Govt. Primary Schools (GPS) students where computer education does not form a part of the teaching curriculum. The ECS project is being implemented in three phases. The pilot project (Phase-I) covered 25 selected villages in Peren and Longleng districts of Nagaland. The Chief Minister

launched this project with the intention of reaching out to the remotest corners of Nagaland where even basic Information Technology is almost alien to the people in these areas. In each of these GPS, a HP Allin-one computer set along with high-end printer and UPS were given to the schools. A PowerPoint presentation was delivered wherein the students and faculty of the GPS were given basic lessons on how to operate a computer. Later, hands-on training on computer basics such as MS Word, Excel, PPT and Paint were given to the enthusiastic students and faculty. Handbooks on computer fundamentals, notepads, file covers, pencils and sweets were also distributed to the schools. The faculty members

were given slightly advanced training so as to equip them with the necessary knowledge for teaching the students after the training period got over. The teachers were also taught how to use the HP printer for printing, scanning and photocopying purposes. A school management software is also being developed which will enable the schools to effectively manage enrolment, progress reports and attendance. This software will be used at each of the GPS which will be linked directly to a cloud database and the data of all schools can be viewed on a common platform. All the training sessions were well attended by students, faculty and also members of the respective Village Councils. The Village

Council elders were very appreciative of the initiative and lauded the Chief Minister for initiating such a progressive programme. Further, the elders and the teachers were hopeful that this programme will enable the students to increase their curiosity and interest in computers which will go a long way in bringing about overall development and also in increasing the enrolment rates in the government schools. With computers changing the shape and course of the world in recent times, the realization that computers are the future has hit the modem mindset. Digital literacy campaigns have taken off all over the country especially with the Digital India programme pushing for digital literacy for every citizen of India.

Nagaland has also kickstarted its campaign towards achieving digital literacy by starting at the grassroots level. The pilot project (Phase-I) which began in May 2015 was successfully completed in August 2015. With progressive and developmental programmes such as this, the day is not far when Nagaland can also achieve 100% digital literacy. The villages covered under Phase-I of the ECS project were Tening village, Tepun, Ngam, Nkialwa, Mbaupungwa, Mbaulwa, Mpai, Kejanglwa, Gaili, New Poilwa, Peletkie, Jalukie 'B', Samziuram, Lamhai, Jalukiekam, Mhaikam, Ikiesingram, Bongkolong, Songlhuh and Lilen under Peren District and Orangkong, Noksosang, Yongnyah, Nian and Sakshi under Longleng district.

Naga Blog members initiate road repair

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DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30 (MExN): 'The Naga Blog' members took the initiative to clean and repair the Zion hospital junction road which has four divided lanes but due to non-maintenance and water clogging, only two lanes can be used by vehicles. The bloggers stated that, "We strongly and sincerely believe that God helps those who help themselves. We all know today is a Sunday, where many people will be worshiping God in their best Sunday clothes and inside the comforts of church buildings. But today, our bloggers woke up early and worshiped God in the streets, with our spades and shovels, using our hands that He blessed us with, using the Strength that He gave us to clear the dirt and mud that has piled up in our roadways to make it motor-able before people go to church.

It was a blessed Sunday indeed." A press note from the Naga Blog said that Dimapur has seen numerous citizen led initiatives and even the DMC taking pro-active and innovative means to repair and maintain the roads which is in pathetic condition, being neglected by the concerned responsible department. The Naga bloggers also questioned that “if the citizens are able to do it on their own, then why the particular department who gets Crores of rupees unable to carry out its only duty, which is to maintain decent pliable roads.” “Instead of consuming Crores of public tax payer's money with no visible output, the office should be closed down and responsibility be given to DMC or other agencies who are capable to do the job of maintaining good roads,” it added.

KOHIMA, AUGUST 30 (MExN): Nagaland state Gopvernor, PB Acharya today extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to all citizens of Nagaland. A press note from the Governor said that Raksha bandhan signifies “security to brothers, security to sisters, security to family, security to our culture, security to moral values and strengthening patriotism.” The Governor said that the idea of oneness of all the citizens is reflected in the “festival of India only.” “Let us reiterate our goal for a strong prosperous, peaceful India by tying a rakhi and expressing our brotherhood to each other,” he added. He further urged all people in Nagaland to stand united to “economically strengthen our State Nagaland as a peaceful, prosperous state in the country.”

The Watchman team visits Vision Home Hr Sec School

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30 (MExN): The Watchman Jesus Brigade (Youth Team) conducted a programme on adolescence problem, peer pressure, effects of liquor, and abortion as part of the School Campus Ministry at Vision Home Hr. Secondary School on August 28. A press note informed that students from classes 10 to 12 attended the programme. Sister Aleno Punyu pronounced the invocation to start off with the programme. President of The Watchman, Rev. D James Ngullie, highlighted the focus and mission of the Team and expounded the purpose of the Campus Ministry. Vice-President of The Watchman, Rev. Akho Punyu, led the worship. He also challenged the students to put god first and “watch his blessings unfold.” Meanwhile, JB team member Aseto Khieya sensitised the students about the “dangers of instant gratification.” A press note from The Watchman claimed that “46 students committed their lives to Christ, 19 students re-dedicated their lives to Christ and 42 students committed for a 5 minutes prayer for our land, city, people and as many came forward for counselling.”

Yimchunger Youth Seminar held

Naga Blog members repairing the Zion Hospital junction road in Dimapur on August 30.

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30 (MExN): The western Yimchunger Students' union organised the Yimchunger Youth Seminar in collaboration with Yimchunger Students' Union Kohims(YSUK) at DUDA Guest House Kohima on August 29. A press note informed that the topics covered included: ‘Career Guidance’ by Dr Birimong, Junior Resident, Deptt. Of Orthopedic (CISHR); ‘Origin to Present Settlement of Yimchunger Naga’ by Akiu, Press & Info Secy.( YTC); ‘Customary Law & Practice’ by L Chuba Yimchunger (Advocate) & Gen Secy (YTC) and ‘The impact of RTI ( Right to information) in Nagaland’ by Kezhokhoto Savi, President NVCO & Convener ACAUT( Legal Cell). The seminar was attended by Yimchunger students' residing at Kohima, YTC, YAA, YWO, WYH, YUK, YSUD, YSUC and union well wishers.

C M Y K


MonDAY 31•08•2015

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

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Flood fury continues in Assam Mizoram minor sisters raped, murdered guwahatI, august 30 (agENCIEs): Even as the national media is focusing in solving the mystery of socialite Indrani Mukerjea and her daughter’s murder and media is Assam is busy in strong Congress leader Himanta Biswa Sarma joining the BJP, lakhs of people are still suffering due to flood across the state. Till August 29, more than 12 districts of the state were reeling under flood water which affected at least 2.50 lakhs. Besides, flood alerts under the Flood Early Warning System (FLEWS) have been issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in Barpeta and Dhemaji districts on Saturday. The ASDMA said that chances of occurring is low to moderate flood in next 24 to 48 hours in these areas. So far Dhemaji, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Goalpara, Morigaon, Golaghat, Cachar, Nagaon, Lakhimpur and Karimganj districts are under water. Among these, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Karimganj, Goalpara and Barpeta districts have been worst affected. The river Barak has also crossed the danger level at Cachar and Katakhal at Hailakandi besides Kushiyara at Karimganj in the Barak valley. More than 1.30 lakh population have been affected in Dhemaji district alone besides around 29,000 hectares of crops

were destroyed by the flood water on Saturday after a slight development of the scenario. Though the state government has claimed, setting up relief camps to accommodate the victims the reality seems to be different in the locality. “The situation in Dhemaji is extremely pathetic. With the incessant rain, even the assessment work is getting disturbed. Honestly speaking, no such work towards rehabilitation could be seen here,” said Luit Goswami, Director of Rural Volunteer Centre, a Dhemji based NGO. Goswami said that the national highway link at Demow is placed at a crucial point. “It can be washed away at any moment by the waves of flood water. If the water takes it away, the people of the dis-

trict will suffer more,” Goswami added. The people who have lost their crops and domestic animal now pray for the safety of their family members at the temporary relief camps. “This has been the part and parcel of lives for decades. We are poor people and the fury of nature makes us suffer more. The crops are destroyed in the fields. We just cannot do anything,” said Hemanta Deori, a farmer. A report by Jhai Foundation which has been working for relief and rehabilitation in the flood affected areas revealed that huge number flood victims from char (riverine) areas are taking shelter in a very deplorable condition. “We conducted assessment in three char villages -- Tapajuli Pathar, Mazidbhita and Number 4

Bhera under Baghbar Revenue Circle of Barpeta district. These three villages have around 450 households with a population of over 2500. The char is surrounded by river Beki and Bhelengi. The water of river Beki is still flowing over danger level. There are certain needs for the victims,” said Abdul Kalam Azad, chief functionary of Jhai Foundation and a community worker. The assessment team has found that there are some serious need in the field of health and hygiene besides food and shelter. The report adds: There is no sanitary toilet available in the assessed areas. In char areas most of the toilets are not of concrete structure and set up in the plain land. The flood water has submerged all the toilets, as a result 100 percent

char people are going for open defecation. On the other hand, a large number of people use flood water for washing cloth, cooking and even drinking purpose. There are a few handpumps are working which were set up in relatively raised areas. Due to flood water, cattle, earthworm and other insects have died and polluted the water. As far as personal hygiene is concerned, women and adolescent girls are facing serious issues. Kalam said that there are needs of water purifying tablet, plastic buckets for water storing, sanitary napkin, phenyl, soap, detergent power and toilets among others. Besides, the health is a major concern for the victims during and after any flood. So far at least 14 people have been killed by the flood waves in the state this year. The central government has assured all possible support for floodravaged state, and rescue and relief operations have been intensified in several districts of the state following the chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s request to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Rs 500 crore assistance. DoNER minister Jitendra Singh who visited the state recently announced the advance release of second instalment of the central share of state disaster relief fund amounting to approximately Rs 207 crore.

Corrigendum

Twelve hour Manipur hill bandh today

Apropos the column ‘Subject Matters’, as published on Page 7 (Perspective) of this newspaper every Friday, it is hereby clarified that the piece published on August 28, titled ‘Green Revolution: In the Context of Nagaland’, was authored by Zubenthung P. Kikon and not as printed. The inadvertent error is deeply regretted.

Imphal, august 30 (mExN): The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (Both ATSUM Group), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO GHQs) have called for a 12 hour bandh in all the hills district of Manipur from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 31 to express resentment against the three bills which were introduced in the special session of the Manipur Assembly on August 28 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. The three bills viz., The Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015; The Mani-

pur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015; and The Manipur Shop and Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 were introduced during the special Assembly session on Friday last. A joint press statement from the three bodies stated that the above bills overlap Article 371C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act 1947. The joint statement was issued by ATSUM President Muan Tombing, Acting President Joseph R. Hmar, ANSAM Secretary Alexander Huten and

KSO GHQs Secretary Seiboi Haokip. Mentioning that the tribal organisations have made their stand on the issue known to the Government of Manipur on many occasion, the student bodies maintained, “The tribal people will not remain a silent spectator where the rights of the tribal are threatened upon by this way of systematic infringements.” “If any untoward incident happens the Government of Manipur and Hills Area Committee shall be held responsible,” the student bodies warned.

Shop employee arrested Assam Rifles apprehends KCP cadre august 30 (mExN): Troops AR celebrates Raksha Bandhan for flashing NE student ofImphal, As part of the social responsibility 22 Assam Rifles apprehended one KCP NEw DElhI, august 30 (tNN): A grocer's shop employee has been arrested for making obscene gestures at a student from the Northeast who had stepped inside the store to look for her lost kitten. The 20-year-old studies in St Stephen's College and lives in a rented accommodation located close to the store in north Delhi's Malkaganj. She hails from Manipur. Mohammad Farmood (55), who belongs to Darbhanga in Bihar, has been booked under sections 354A (making advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) and 509 (using word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. The incident took place on Wednesday. The young woman told police that her pet kitten had run out of the house and she had followed it to the entrance of the shop nearby where she lost track of the animal. She then approached the store owner and asked him if her kitten had run inside. The shopkeeper asked her to check the storeroom. The young woman told police that she saw a man resting inside the storeroom. It was too dark for her to look for the kitten there. Asked if he had seen the animal, the man declined. However, she was not convinced by his reply and so she left, got herself a torch and entered the room again. As soon as she entered, the man allegedly pulled down his trousers and advanced towards her. The student ran out and went to the local police booth where she told cops about the matter. The man was arrested and an FIR registered against him.

cadre on August 29 during an operation in Kakching Market. A press release from the AR identified the cadre as Pvt Md Athemcha alias Hibjur Rahman, aged 31 years, a resident of Sora Mayai Leikai, Thoubal. One duplicate identity card of No 1710244 Rfn Md Faruque Alam Shah, S/o Md Abdul Rahaman, of 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion was recovered from his possession, the AR release stated. The apprehended cadre along with the recovered items was handed over to Kakching Police Station on the same day.

and working to strengthen civil-military bonding, 12 Bihar of 9 Sector AR on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan extended a helping hand to Sneha Bhawan Orphanage located on Tiddim road on August 29. The children of the Sneha Bhawan tied Raksha Sutras on the wrists of the soldiers and the soldiers in turn pledged for the safety of the children. Sweets and basic amenities were distributed by the battalion to the children of the Bhawan.

Manipur gives land for national sports university Imphal, august 30 (IaNs): The Manipur government has given 337 acres of land for the central government to set up India's first national sports university in the northeastern state, an official said here on Sunday. "The Manipur government handed over 337 acres of land to the union ministry

of youth affairs and sports for setting up of the national sports university at Yaithibi Khunou in Thoubal district," N. Ashok Kumar, secretary to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his maiden visit to Manipur in November last year announced to

set up the sports university in the state, rich in diverse sports talents. Union minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh said the work on the national sports university would begin soon at Yaithibi Khunou, 30 km southeast of capital Imphal.

Guwahati to host international art exhibition guwahatI, august 30 (tNN): Art connoisseurs in the city will now get a scope to satiate their artistic pursuits as Guwahati is all set to host works by international painters. For the first time in the city, an art exhibition depicting paintings by seven women and two men artists form China and 10 female painters from India will be held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra (SSK) from September 2 to 8. The exhibition titled 'Maitryee' is a joint collaboration of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and SSK and is aimed at fostering cultural relations among India, China and

Southeast Asia. "Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China. It was decided that the cultural relations between the two nations need to be strengthened. The forthcoming exhibition is an outcome of the meetings there. This will be a continuous exercise and Assam, along with few other states, will be playing host," said Sankar Prasad Kakoty of the ICCR. "This exhibition is a collaboration of the respective governments of China and India. It is an effort to help bolster cultural ties between the two countries," added Kakoty. Another international

exhibition of paintings, sculptures, photography and print blocks by artists from Bangladesh, California, Nepal, Myanmar, South Korea and Bhutan will be conducted from October 8 to 12 by Nrityanjali Academy in association with Directorate of Cultural Affairs. The exhibition to be held at the State Art Gallery is an extension of an ongoing art event called 'Varna' as part of which local and noted artists from the region are engaged in a 50day workshop and training. "The exhibition will consist of works by male and female artists from India and other countries. The exhibition is part of the

ongoing 50-day art programme that began on August 24. This is an attempt to open Assam to international art works," said Monika Devi, artist from Nrityanjali Academy. For a region that still awaits a Lalit Kala centre, the exhibition is a welcome initiative for artists and art organizations in Assam, who have been constantly demanding for one in the city as it is considered a gateway to the northeast and also because of its multi cultural identity. The state is home to talented painters, but artists from the state and the region are facing constraints in terms of exposure and a

proper congenial working environment in absence of a functioning Lalit Kala Akademi regional centre here. The art community to satiate their artistic pursuits have to contend themselves through simple exhibitions or workshops that provides limited scope and exposure. Of late, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China. It was decided that the cultural relations between the two nations need to be strengthened. The forthcoming exhibition is an outcome of the meetings there. This will be a continuous exercise and Assam, along with few other states, will be playing host.

aIzawl, august 30 (ENs): An 18-year-old man suspected to have murdered two sisters aged 6 and 3 years, has been arrested and brought to Mizoram capital Aizawl where he has been remanded by a magistrate. Lalchhuantluangawho lives in the same village of Chhingchhip (about 80 kms from Aizawl) where the murders took place sometime on Friday- has been charged with murder and “aggravated penetrative sexual assault” of a minor, a senior police officer said. The officer said the accused

is likely to be subsequently charged for house-trespass and burglary as well. Lalchhuantluanga, whom villagers say is a habitual thief and known drug addict, is accused of murdering two sisters near their home while their parents were away at their farm. The bodies of the sisters were dumped in the foliage near their house, according to those who first found them. One was naked, and the other had been put inside a sack. They also found a crowbar they said was still smeared with blood. Lalcchhuantluanga

had gone missing while villagers searched for the girls and was found after a daylong search by both police and locals.

DRIVER wANTED Station Dimapur 4-5 years experience with valid driving licence. Salary negotiable.

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GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.HED/HOSTEL-1/2015

Dated the 27th August 2015

NOTIFICATION

The Department of Higher Education is deputing officers to inspect those hostels who have applied for Hostel Eligibility Certificate /change of ownership/ increase in intake capacity.The date scheduled for inspection are given below: 1. Dimapur : 31st August 2015 to 5th September 2015 2. Kohima : 7th to 19th September 2015-08-27 3. Jakhama & Kigwema : 21st to 24th September 2015 4. Jotsoma :28th to 30th September 2015. Person who have applied for the same are requested to contact Shri. Vekrotsii Swiiro, Special Officer, HE, Contact No. 9436009517 and Shri.Marco Sachu, Special Officer,HE, contact No. 9436400421. Issued by: DR.NORBDERT NORAHO, DIRECTOR, HE.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION NO.HED/SCHO/NOT-1/2015

NAGALAND : KOHIMA

Dated Kohima the 29th August 2015.

NOTIFICATION FOR ONLINE APLLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES UNDER THE DIRECTORATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION The Government of Nagaland has approved for providing online application for the following scholarship schemes implemented under the Directorate of Higher Education w.e.f the academic session 2015-16 : (1)Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship to ST students of Nagaland. (2)Nagaland State Merit Scholarship (3)NEC Stipend and Book Grant ( existing) In view of the GOI, policy to make it mandatory for all the State Government to be on board in the National Scholarship Portal from 2015-16, the Department of Information Technology & Communication, Govt. of Nagaland has developed a software basing on DIET Y Core format under the State Scholarship Portal to provide facilities for online application for the above scholarship schemes. Therefore from 2015-16 onwards, it is mandatory for students of Nagaland State to apply online for the above mentioned schemes. Procedures to apply: 1. Go to State Portal www.nagaland.gov.in 2. Register in the portal (for new user).Log in using your ID and Password. 3. Go to online services-tab or select the scholarship scheme you want to apply 4. Read the instructions page- how to fill up the eforms .Down load and print Part B & Undertaking Column for HOD and the required Annexure at the bottom of the page. 5. Check the fill in e forms, see that the correct details are entered in the e forms before submitting online.  Students are inform to utilize the Common Service Centres(CSC) available in all the districts.  Colleges having internet facilities are requested to help their students to apply eforms online from the college . Date to go on live : 31st August 2015 Closing date: 15th November 2015 Last date of submission of hard copy with necessary documents 15th December 2015. Procedure for submission of Hard copy with documents: For students studying within Nagaland: submit a hard copy (print out copy of the e form) along with the required documents to the colleges for necessary signature, compilation and for onward submission to this office. For students studying outside Nagaland: Get a print out copy and obtain the signature and seal of the Principal/ HOD of the institution , enclose necessary documents and send by Registered Post or through friends or relatives to Shri. Keduosielie Keyho, OSD (Scholarship), Directorate of Higher Education, Nagaland Kohima, Below New Secretariat Pin Code-797104 Nature of the Schemes: Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for ST students: (i). For ST students of Nagaland only (ii) For ST students who are pursuing Post Matric Course of study in recognised institutions within India only (iii). For ST Students whose Parents/Guardian Annual income from all source does not exceed Rs.2.50 lakh (Rupees two lakh fifty thousand ). NOTE : Submission of False Parents/Guardians Annual Income Certificate, False ST & Indigenous Certificates will be reported to the State Government for necessary legal action against the defaulters. Nagaland State Merit Scholarship: Eligible for ST & indigenous students of Nagaland who secured 75% marks in HSLC (Class 10) and HSSLC (Class 12) Board Examination and 60% marks in undergraduate University Examination. NEC Stipend and Book Grant : (i).Eligible for ST students of Nagaland and General students whose parents are permanently settled in Nagaland.(ii) Eligibility criteria is 60% marks in the last final qualifying Examination for ST students and 75% marks for General students.. Hostel Forms for hostellers: Students studying outside the state and residing in hostel are informed to submit a certificate from their respective hostel warden/ superintendent or owner (with name/signature & seal) along with the Hostel Admission receipt . Submitting of hostel certificate without Hostel Admission receipt will be treated as Day Scholars only. Hostel forms for students staying in Hostels within Nagaland will be issued to the Recognised Hostel Wardens for distribution. Date for issue of hostel forms to Hostels within Nagaland will be notified only after the process of ongoing inspection is completed. Research Scholarship Forms will be issued from the Directorate of Higher Education w.e.f 31st August 2015 till 30th October 2015.Last date of submission is 30th November 2015. NB: Students who have already availed scholarship but failed and repeating in the same class are not entitled. Students having study gap of more than 2 (two) years should not apply. If a student produce false Certificates pertaining to- ANNUAL INCOME OF THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS, ST or Indigenous the matter will be reported to the State Government for necessary legal action. Students and colleges are requested not to wait for the last date.(Submit in time) For Desk help please contact: Shri. Keduosielie Keyho, OSD (Scholarship) Ph.NO. 09615021554 /Shri.Dolim Chang Ph.No 0985673022/Shri. Limtoba Ph. No. 08974614147. For technical queries contact: 09774448827. Issued by DIRECTOR, HIGHER EDUCATION.


MoNDAY 31•08•2015

BUSINESS

4

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Economy is growing at ‘reasonable’ pace despite pressures: Chinese PM BEIJING, AuGust 30 (REutERs): China’s economy is growing at a “reasonable” pace and, despite growing pressure, the government can handle well the risks the country faces, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said. The premier, in remarks published late Saturday after a special cabinet meeting, said China is continuing to steadily manage its economy. Li said international market instability “has increased the uncertainties around the global economic recovery, and the impact on China’s financial market and imports and exports has also deepened, with the economy facing new pressure.” He defended China’s efforts to steer through a volatile period since midJune, when China’s stock market plunged. On Friday, Shanghai’s benchmark index was nearly 38 percent below where it was

An investor looks at a computer screen showing stock information at a brokerage house in Shanghai, May 26, 2015. (REUTERS File Photo)

on June 12. The premier reiterated earlier remarks that there’s no basis for continued depreciation of the yuan following its devaluation on Aug. 11. The yuan “will stay basically stable as a reasonable and balanced level,”

he said. Li said recent cuts in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR), interest rates, taxes and fees and measures aimed at stabilizing the market were already paying off. Analysts say that further

measures are necessary to support the economy and calm markets. China’s economy, which in the past produced double-digit growth, is slowing. The government reported that annual growth in the second

quarter was 7 percent, a figure that some economists doubt. Li said China would “enact more targeted and responsive macro-regulation to offset downward economic pressure, more robust reform and innovation efforts to energize the market, and more effective delivery to secure the positive momentum for growth”. He said China needed to encourage new forms of investment and financing by local governments and businesses, such as local debt swaps and corporate bonds. He reiterated the role of an open, transparent capital market but said risk management needs to be improved to prevent regional or systemic risks. “China has great potential for further development and is well capable of effectively managing risks and keeping them under control,” Li said.

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS to be launched on September 1 in India NEw DElhI, AuGust 30 (OvERDRIvE): Maruti Suzuki is set to launch the Ciaz SHVS on September 1, 2015. This is the company’s first attempt at mild hybrid technology and it will be the first vehicle in this segment to feature this technology. The SHVS technology brings in a larger battery under the hood along with

an integrated starter motor. It will feature a startstop system and an energy regenerating system that charges the battery during deceleration. It will feature a startstop system and an energy regenerating system that charges the battery during deceleration. Maruti Suzuki says that this recovered energy will

be used to power a motor to assist the engine. This reduces the load on the engine which should thereby increase its already impressive fuel economy figure of 26.21kmpl (claimed). The Ciaz SHVS will also get a gearshift indicator. The engine used will be the same 1.3-litre turbodiesel that makes 90PS and 200Nm.

Bharti Airtel and Idea hike postpaid data tariff in several circles NEw DElhI, AuGust 30 (PtI): Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have hiked charges for their post-paid users by around 20% in various circles including Delhi after increasing data tariff for prepaid customers in the national capital.A couple of months back, the top three operators --Airtel, Idea and Vodafone -- had raised pre-paid data tariffs for 2G and 3G services in Delhi by up to 47% However, there has been no hike in data charges by Vodafone in the post-paid category in Delhi or any other circles. According to the information available on companies’ website, Airtel has raised data tariffs in

Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP East and UP West circles; while Idea Cellular has hiked charges in Delhi, Punjab and UP West. Post-paid customers of the two operators in the above-mentioned circles will now have to pay Rs 300 for 1GB 3G data, against Rs 250 earlier for the same amount of data usage. Vodafone continues to offer 1GB 3G data for Rs 250 in Delhi circle. An Airtel spokesperson though told PTI that the increase is only for new post-paid customers and effected about two months ago. Queries in this regard sent to Idea Cellular remained unanswered.

Europe fails on electronics recycling goals ‘11 cr families enrolled in Suraksha Bandhan’ Apple is the 2nd largest OslO, AuGust 30 (REutERs):Only a third of Europe’s electronic waste is properly recycled, with vast numbers of cellphones, computers and televisions illegally traded or dumped, a study led by the United Nations and INTERPOL said on Sunday. Sweden and Norway were close to European targets of collecting and recycling 85 percent of all electrical and electronic waste, at the top of a ranking in which Romania, Spain and Cyprus were bottom with less than 20 percent, it said. European rules demand recycling of “e-waste”, products with a plug or a battery, to recover metals such as gold or silver and avoid release of toxins such as lead or mercury. Overall, 35 percent of the continent’s e-waste was properly recycled in 2012, it said. The report dismissed past suggestions that most gets illegally shipped to African nations, such as Nigeria and Ghana, and repaired to get a new lease of life. “Most of the illegal e-waste trade is taking place next door rather than far away in Africa,” said Jaco Huisman of the United Nations University, scientific coordinator of the project that included police agency INTERPOL and other partners. “Mismanagement is occurring everywhere,” he told Reuters. In Europe “there is

a lot of theft, scavenging ... and quite a significant amount going into the waste bin.” A broken fridge, for instance, is valuable scrap mainly because of copper in its compressor. Often the compressor get ripped out and the rest dumped. Such theft of valuable components means compliant processors in Europe lose up to 1.7 billion euros ($1.90 billion) a year, the report estimated. Overall, it said 3.3 million tonnes of 9.5 million tonnes of e-waste generated in Europe in 2012 was properly discarded and recycled. Only about 1.3 million were exported, with the rest recycled in Europe outside regular programmes or dumped. Ioana Botezatu, an environmental expert at the international police agency INTERPOL, said prosecutions were rare although some nations have strict penalties for environmental crimes. The report’s recommendations include better police cooperation, more education of consumers about recycling, and a ban on cash transactions in the scrap metal trade. One problem is making people aware of recycling centres. “Consumers don’t know where to find them,” said Pascal Leroy, secretarygeneral of the Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum which also contributed to the report.

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LEISURE

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jana and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. The government this month launched a special ‘Suraksha Bandhan’ enrolment drive for its social security schemes through innovative plans like gift cheques and special deposits coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival, it was announced. “The drive will reach out to the pool of eligible bank account holders who are yet to be enrolled under these schemes - namely the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for accident and disability cover of up to Rs.2 lakh at an annual premium of Rs.12 and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) for a term life cover of Rs.2 lakh at an annual premium of Rs.330,” the finance ministry announced earlier this month. The Suraksha Bandhan drive seeks to encourage people to gift social security plans to their near

ones. It will be supported through the Jeevan Suraksha gift cheques to be made available for Rs.351 in bank branches to facilitate one year payment of premium for PMJJBY and PMSBY by the recipient. The recipient of the gift cheque would deposit the instrument in the bank account for a realisable value of Rs.342 (Rs.12 + Rs.330) to cover one-year subscription to the schemes. The balance of Rs.9 would be retained by the issuing bank as a service charge. Banks will also provide a facility to account holders under the Suraksha Deposit Scheme and the Jeevan Suraksha Deposit Scheme aimed at enabling them to deposit Rs.201 or Rs.5,001, respectively, in their accounts either on their own initiative, or based on cash or cheques received as gifts on Raksha Bandhan for subscription to the schemes, the ministry said.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3344

Answer Number # 3330

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G R P G X X D E N W O R B H I U N R R P

NEw DElhI, AuGust 30 (IANs): Expressing satisfaction over the public response to government programmes for social security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said 11 crore families had so far enrolled in the recently launched ‘Suraksha Bandhan’ scheme, of whom around half were women. “So far, 11 crore families have joined the ‘Suraksha Bandhan’ scheme, of whom approximately half the beneficiaries are our mothers and sisters,” Modi said in his Mann ki Baat address. “I regard this as a good augury, and many greetings to mothers and sisters on Raksha Bandhan,” he added. As part of celebrations on Raksha Bandhan, banks have vowed to push the social security schemes launched by the prime minister, including Suraksha Bandhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yo-

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D C P A T T I E S I K J J K A P S F Y Y

Z K A R Y P A I I Y G K R N L H O U X L

NEw DElhI, AuGust 30 (PtI): Within months of its smartwatch launch, tech giant Apple is already at a “striking distance” with global leader in the wearable market, Fitbit, with shipments of 3.6 million units in the AprilJune quarter, research firm IDC said. According to data by IDC, Apple is just 0.8 million units behind Fitbit’s 4.4 million units shipment (24.3% market share) in the second quarter of 2015. The Cupertino-based firm had a market share of 19.9% in its debut quarter. The global wearable shipment for April-June 2015 quarter grew a whopping 223.2% to 18.1 million units from 5.6 million units shipped in the year-ago period, IDC said. Apple, which sells the cult range of iPhones, iPads and Macbooks, started selling its smartwatch in select markets like the US, China, Hong Kong, Australia and France in April. “Anytime Apple enters a new market, not only does it draw attention to itself, but to the market as a whole. Its participation benefits multiple players and platforms within the wearables ecosystem, and ultimately drives total volumes higher,” IDC Research Manager (Wearables) Ramon Llamas said. Jitesh Ubrani, Senior Research Analyst for IDC Mobile Device Trackers, said about two of every three smart wearables shipped this quarter was an Apple Watch. Xiaomi and Garmin ranked third and fourth in the tally with 17.1% share (3.1 million units) and 3.9% share (0.7 million units), respectively. Samsung saw its shipment declining to 0.6 million units in April-June 2015 quarter from 0.8 million units in the year-ago period. Its market share stood at 3.3% in the quarter under review. DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

I P R D E P A H S J I L F G T A I B R T

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. Prisons (British) 6. Competent 10. Aspersion 14. Not fulfilled 15. Legume 16. Anagram of “Note” 17. Shorthand 18. Corrosive 19. Small brook 20. A language of India 22. Murres 23. Ballet attire 24. Refinement 26. After-bath powder 30. Dawn goddess 31. Snagged 32. Chocolate cookie 33. Perishes 35. Loose fitting cloak 39. Wander aimlessly 41. Greed 43. Chip dip 44. Rescue 46. Cards with 1 symbol 47. Belief 49. A single-reed woodwind 50. Not more 51. Japanese hostess 54. Leg joint

DOWN

1. Spurt 2. Against 3. Portent 4. Extend credit 5. Stalwart 6. Slaughterhouses 7. On account of 8. Reclined 9. Termination 10. Functional 11. France’s longest river 12. Dim 13. Pass-the-baton race 21. Soft leather 25. Greek letter 26. Male turkeys 27. District 28. Loyal (archaic)

29. Coherent 34. Flat grasslands 36. Agreeable 37. Frosts 38. To tax or access 40. Short run 42. Pestered 45. Sideways 48. A natural resin 51. Sphere 52. Keen 53. Small islands 55. S S S S 58. Melody 59. Lean 60. Data 61. Den 62. Connection

Ans to CrossWord 3343

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 56. Not first 57. Impasse 63. Leer at 64. Bluefin 65. Egyptian peninsula 66. Existed 67. 1/12th of a foot 68. Spritelike 69. At one time (archaic) 70. C C C C 71. It delivers babies?

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

H

S A U T S L J B B D C H E E S E G G T K

wearables maker: IDC

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

64.47 98.79 8.05 45.71 45.61 48.49 52.93

67.85 104.82 9.03 48.82 48.44 51.52 56.67

Euro

72.32

76.88

Thai Baht

1.72

1.97

Korean Won

0.053

0.0595

New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

41.33

44.19

9.66

10.84


MonDAY 31•08•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

acharya inspects Phesama landslide area Take stock of the situation with the BRO

kohiMA, August 30 (DiPr): Governor of Nagaland, P.B. Acharya today visited the Phesama landslide area and donated Rs. one lakh as immediate relief to the affected persons. He also interacted with the Phesama Village Council and affected families after inspecting the landslide area. He said that the Phesama landslide is one of the biggest calamities in Nagaland and shared his grief with the villagers for their loss and said he would sincerely pray to God to prevent further deterioration of the situation. He urged the villagers to be courageous and also encourage each other in situation like this and take care of the affected families. He stated that self help is

Eco-friendly toilet inaugurated at Peducha

Guv of Nagaland, PB Acharya inspecting the landslide hit areas at Phesama on August 30.

the need of the hour rather than looking for and accusing any other authority at this juncture, and urged the Village leaders to impart this attitude into the people. The Governor emphasized on the greatness of God and said that people should never lose faith in times of calamities and expressed that women and younger persons particularly students are often the worst and most affected,

and should therefore be given extra attention. He also called upon the village council to extend their full cooperation to the BRO since they are at this situation become part of the community and are working with great courage and determination. The Governor after taking stock of the situation shared with the BRO his appreciation to their efforts and contributions made so

far to tackle the disaster. He directed that the BRO act with focus based on correct information and with clear action plans. He emphasized on the issue of natural calamities and said that such disaster occurred due to the disturbance of the ecological balance and therefore the citizens should be properly sensitised on conservation of nature for restoration of ecological balance.

kohiMA, August 30 (DiPr):The Governor of Nagaland, P.B. Acharya today inaugurated an ecofriendly toilet block, constructed for road users as well as the villagers by BRO, Project Sewak at Peducha. Project Sewak was led by Chief Engineer (Sewak) Vinod Kumar and Commandant 15 BRTF, Colonel S.P Yadava as part of Swach Bharat Abhiyan. During the inauguration programme Chairman, Peducha, Neimehel Neikha thanked the Governor for selecting their village for constructing the toilets although the village is small in size. Commandant 15 BRTF, Colonel S.P Yadava, while giving a short speech, thanked the Governor for giving them the initiative to construct the toilets and also for his presence for inauguration. He also thanked the Chief Engineer (Sewak), Vinod Kumar for his contribution towards successful construction of the toilets. Colonel expressed willingness to help out in maintenance whenever necessary and further assured to do their best for the upliftment of the people in the State. Vikho-o Yoshu as the local MLA thanked the Governor for being concerned for the people by visiting the site and expressed optimism that under the directives and blessings of the Governor the requirements of the situation would be expedited. The Phesama Village also

expressed its gratitude to the Governor for his great concern to the affected villagers by his physical visit. Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Rovilatuo Mor IAS who accompanied the Governor later held a meeting with the Phesama Village Council at the site.

Dc Kohima visits Landslide at Nagabazar Preparing communities for calamities & disaster kohiMA, August 30 (DiPr): The Deputy Commissioner, Rovilatuo Mor IAS, who is also the Chairman of the District DisasterManagement Authority (DDMA), visited the landslide area at Lower Nagabazar colony, Kohima on August 30. He inspected the affected area and assessed the ground realities from the members of the Panchayat and youth regarding the losses cost by the landslide. He instructed the Panchayat to submit the detail

reports on the calamities caused by the landslide for necessary assistance from the District Administration and DDMA and donated some financial assistance for immediate clearance of the clogged drainage at the site. During his visit, the Deputy Commissioner also inspected the Open Culvert (Concrete drainage slab) constructed on the only road that leads to the Government Primary School, Lower Nagabazar and the community common graveyards. This

Open Culvert was a construction through the personal initiative of the Deputy Commissioner. The Nagabazar Panchayat expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner for his valuable contribution in constructing the Open Culvert for the welfare of the community and also thanked the DDMA for providing immediate relief to the families and the community affected by the landslide.

Salesian College organizes Bosco Quiz DiMAPur, August 30 (Mexn): The Bosco Quiz competition was organized by Youth Department of Salesian College, Dimapur at its auditorium on August 30 to mark the Bi-Centenary of the Birth of Don Bosco. Inaugurating the program Fr. Gyan Sandeep Vice Principal Salesian College, highlighted the need for young people to be ready to be moulded in the hands of experienced persons. Taking lessons from the parable of the pencil, Fr. Gyan said a student has to undergo certain amount of pain to chisel out the rough edges. More than 200 youth from 42 centres in and around Dima-

Participants and officials of the Bosco Quiz held at Salesian College Dimapur on August 30.

pur participated in the competition. The Youth Director Fr. Christudoss while exhorting the gathering said Don Bosco wanted every young person to be God fearing and honest citizen working for the welfare of the country. 6 centres made to the final round and MC colony secured 1st position, Wis-

dom Hostel 2nd and Hilda Hostel 3rd. Declaring the result, the Principal of Salesian College, Dr. (Fr.) Policarp Xalxo spoke on the need for cultivating reading habits. He said, Don Bosco met with insurmountable difficulties in pursuing his studies, yet made himself a writer, educator and publisher.

AKM facilitates CFR Training at Tuli Block tuli (Mokokchung), August 30 (Mexn): With an aim to raise the preparedness level of the community in case of a natural or manmade calamity, a Community First Responder (CFR) training being conducted for Tuli ADC Block at Community Hall from August 29. Sixty participants from six villages Tuli ADC under Headquarters are attending the training which concludes on Monday, August 31. A press note from S Shilukaba Longchar Assistant General Secretary of Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) informed that this is the second phase of the CFR training being conducted in Mokokchung district by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in collaboration with AKM. The first was successfully conducted at Mokokchung town from August 24 -26, it added. The Tuli training was formally launched by the SDO (C) Tuli, Arikumba on Saturday, August 29 with Dr Chibenthung Kithan, Medical Officer-State

5

MEx FILE Water supply to Peren disrupted Peren, August 30 (Mexn): The water supply to Peren Town from Tesanki source has been disrupted due to incessant rain for the past couple of days, office of the sub-division PHED, Peren today informed. The subdivisional officer (PHED), Peren said that some of the pipes were damaged and washed away in the landslide and some were damaged by trees. “Due to excessive water at source, the departmental staff are facing problem in fixing the pipes and the prevailing bad weather conditions has hampered the repairing works,” the officer stated adding that the department is making all possible efforts the water supply to town. The consumers have been requested to bear the inconvenience.

Neglected by authority, residents to repair road DiMAPur, August 30 (Mexn): The executive committee of Nine Colonies Council comprising Viola colony, Lotha colony, Oriental colony, Kyong colony, Naga Gaon colony, K Sachu colony, Zeliangrong colony, HMC colony, and Rio colony held a meeting on August 28. According to a press release from the council, the meeting resolved to maintain the deplorable road condition within the jurisdiction of the nine colonies, “which is long neglected by the concerned authority due to which commuters are facing a lot of trouble, especially the students during rainy season.” In this regard, all the well wishers, churches, institutes living/ located around the road have been requested to contribute towards repairing the said road. In the meantime, the authority concerned has been requested to maintain/ construct the road for the commuters.

Bamsiakilwa renamed to Hebamlo Peren, August 30 (Mexn): The Bamsiakilwa Village Council (BVC) has informed all the public that former Bamsiakilwa village has been renamed as Hebamlo village with the consensus of its village council duly approved by the deputy commissioner, Peren vide letter no. REV/ESST/VILL-1/2005/827 dated June 15, 2012 in the interest of the settlers. Henceforth, Hebamlo will be used for all official matters and purposes instead of the former name Bamsiakilwa, stated a press note issued by BVC secretary Akong, head GB Ahui and chairman Pungrilak.

Participants being trained on disaster management during the 3 day Community First Responder (CFR) training for Tuli Block. Altogether, sixty trainees are being trained on how to deal with disaster related emergencies during Phek, August 30 (Mexn): The Phek Town Chakhethe training. (AKM Photo)

PTCSU, SNPU condemn

Master trainer for NSDMA (Home) and Project Officer DDMA Mokokchung, T Wangshi Jamir as the resource persons. Personnel from the Civil Defense & Home Guards (CD&HG) imparted the practical training to the participants, who were mostly students and youths from the six villages, it added. Keeping in mind the topography of Tuli town, it informed that organizers focused the training mostly on water related disaster management where the participants were trained on how to use everyday materials like plastic galloons, woods etc to make rafts during emergencies like floods; how to administer first aid, how do deal in times of mudslides etc. The press note further said that real time demon-

strations covering different topics on natural and manmade disaster; a practical test was also conducted where participants demonstrated emergency rescue, method of lifting injured person, rope stretcher and knots and knotting were also taught during the training. It must be noted here that Tuli town had faced a devastating flash flood during the early 2000’s when overflowing Milak flooded the whole town, causing huge losses to properties in terms of crores, though no human casualties were reported. The AKM also stated that it is actively involved in the CFR training keeping in mind that, Nagaland or for that matter Mokokchung district, falls under highrisk seismic zone, and is prone to earthquakes.

BJP state workshop concludes

sang Students’ Union (PTCSU) has vehemently condemned the alleged “rapist and human trafficker” Shajna Mazumdir of Sunder village of Silchar (Assam), who was apprehended for luring minors at Phek town by claiming himself as a brother of an IPS officer. “PTCSU hereby declared a clear cut decision that, if anybody is found involving in immoral activities or enter Phek district without proper ILP he/she is coming at risk,” the union stated in a press note. PTCSU president Kudukhoto Tetseo said there is no space for the wrong doers in this civilized society. It will never hesitate to take its own course of action against any defaulter(s), the release stated. The PTCSU also appealed to the law enforcing agencies to take stringent action against the defaulter. The Survival Nagaland Phek Unit (SNPU) also condemned the incident.

State BJP condoles DiMAPur, August 30 (Mexn): The Nagaland State BJP has deeply mourned the sudden demise of its State BJP Executive Member M M Nath, after a brief illness at Guwahati Hospital passed away on August 29. In a press note, the BJP Nagaland General Secretary & Spokesperson K.James Vizo described Late Nath was a senior BJP leader who dedicatedly worked for the party in various capacities and his demise was a great loss for the party in particular and the society in general. “The State BJP also convey our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace,” it added.

Public SPace

The NscN-Reformation questions GPRN/NscN

T

Farooq Khan, Parbhari Nagaland (middle) with Nagaland BJP leaders during the workshop.

DiMAPur, August 30 (Mexn): A two-day BJP State workshop on Pt. Deendyal Upadhayaya Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan which was being held at the State office in Dimapur concluded on Friday, August 28. More than two hundred national, state and district office bearers as well as all the frontals and cells, attended the meet which was addressed by various resource persons over the two days and spread over eight sessions, a press release received here informed. Farooq khan, IPS (Retd), Party Parbhari for Nagaland and National In-charge for Minority Cell, Mahendra Pandey, National Coordinator for Morchas and cells, Dr. M. Chuba Ao, , Prashant Arora, Jaangsillung Gonmei, State Secretary, BJP Nagaland and HK Khullu IAS(Rtd), State BJP PAC, spoke on various topics that ranged from Philosophy, Politics, Media and Socio-political issues. BJP Nagaland Gen. Secy (Org), P. Arora, highlighting the ‘History of BJP since 1951’ explained the course of history that traced from the Jan Sangh period. He encouraged the party members to nurture the party and take

it to greater heights with the inspiration of the past party leaders. State BJP President, Dr. M. Chuba, spoke on ‘Our Principle’ which governs party and politics. He emphasised the need to maintain principles to guide through various challenges. Farooq Khan, speaking on the basic philosophy of the party revolving around the ‘Integral Humanism’ philosophy of Deendyal Upadhyaya, illustrated the need for philosophy to guide the party and the nation towards a better future. He explained that BJP was a secular party and he himself joined the party out of patriotism and nation building. He also spoke on the achievements of the NDA government and challenges before the country and expressed that even more developments shall be taking place. HK Khullu spoke on ‘Mission 2018 Election and Employment Generation in Nagaland’. With vast past experience in the state government, he highlighted several cases which need to be attended to and the process required for it. He provided statistical facts of North eastern states vis-a-vis Nagaland in the development scenario.

The Peace channel conducted training on leadership and peace building at Christian Mission Higher Secondary School, 4th mile. The program started focusing on the topic “Peace Building” by the Field Coordinator Vikhuli Achumi, who emphasized on inner peace. In addition Supongtula Aier, staff of Peace Channel, stressed on multiculturalism, which may be understood as a concept where every culture is given its recognition and respect and not imposing a dominant culture on the others. The programme highlighted motivated students to become peace builders and to promote peace and harmony.

sangtam Fresher’s Day held in Kiphire Correspondent Kiphire | August 29

The first ever Fresher’s Day of the Sangtam students under Kiphire district was held today at ZP College auditorium here with Longtiba Sangtam, EAC Kiphire, as the special guest. The Fresher’s Day was organized by Joint Area Students Union comprising Seyochung Area Students’ Union, Singti Area Students’ Union, Longmatra Area Students’ Union, Amahator Area Students’ Union and Kiphire Area Students’ Union with the permission of United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC). Longtiba in his address asked the students to acquire additional knowledge apart from their academic books. He said that read-

ing more books makes students get more familiarized with the advance world and urged the freshers to make use of the library. While citing some of the disadvantages of drugs and alcohol, the he asserted there is no advantage in taking such intoxicating things. He asked them to keep distance from such things. Longtiba further appealed to have vision for their future. R. Tsitongse Sangtam, General Secretary, of the USLP and Justin Khatomong T, Executive Secretary of the USSC also spoke at the programme. The programme was hosted by P. Achumse Sangtam while Sejongmong Sangtam pronounced vote of thanks. 144 freshers from Class

11 and BA 1 from Kiphire district attended the programme. Special prayer programme was also held for the freshers that was initiated by Rev. T. Tsangkhuchu Sangtam Secretary USBLA Kiphire. Speech on behalf of Fresher was delivered by Tsasela Sangtam from GHSS Kiphire, while welcome address was delivered by L. Tsalembi Isaac Sangtam. In the second session, there was a penal discussion with SJ Levi Keor, Asst. Professor ZPC, Dr. Holiba Anar, MO Kiphire and T. Kirithong Sangtam, former advisor ENSF as the resource persons. The topic on “Education Scenario,” “Health and Students” and “Self Reliance” were discussed at the second session.

he NSCN-Reformation took serious note on the rampant /unwarranted arrested of its workers by NSCNUnification and demands the main reason behind it. Stating that, the NSCNReformation has no bad intention against Khehoi Campers, however continuous attacked on NSCNReformation by the latter becomes so serious precedented needs clarification from NSCN-Unification. The first victim was Mr. Yamthong Yim Dy. Kilonser who was arrested in Dimapur without any reason on 2nd April 2015 and subsequently handed over to Indian Army after five days detention in Khehoi Camp. The same ugly head raised between 19th and 21st Aug. 2015 wherein three workers again arrested. One case was Mr. Tejumong Sangtam Central Council Member arrested in Kiphire on 19th Aug.2015, taken down to Khehoi, made to surrender and joined NSCN-Unification. Another case was the attacked on Mr. Tsathrichum Sangtam Dy. Kilonser at Metro Hospital Dimapur on 19th Aug. 2015 when under gone medical treatment. Reportedly a sum of Rupees twenty five thousand (Rs.25000/-) was taken and made to signed bond agreement of Rupees

Ten Lakhs (Rs.10,00,000/-) fine if joins any Naga Political Groups. Again two such cases of Mr. Lithongse Dy. Secy. and Lieut. Mr. Tsalichum both Sangtam arrested in Dimapur on 19th and 21st Aug. 2015 and still remain in Khehoi Camp. The NSCN-Unification accused them of collecting taxes but most of them are just workers who have never deal any of the finance assignment. In case if NSCN-Unification accused some workers of other Naga Political Groups in taxation issue, then what about them? Are they so clean that, they can arrest any other Naga Political Groups worker on taxation issue? They should be so clean that, they must throw stone at Samaria woman first. Yes, the Dimapur shot out incident might be basis for accusing the NSCNReformation, but that, incident was purely a personal and inquiry was on the process because it have brought shameful humiliation to the Collective Leaders in particular and the NSCN-Reformation in general. No authority have ever sanctioned such act on any body and that particular act found to be against the law and declared ultra vires. To punish its workers is the responsibility of NSCN-Reformation and not NSCN-Unification.

And if NSCN-Unification is so firm to deal with taxation, then they should be clean organization first, secondly, they also should be capable enough to arrest other Naga Political Groups workers and why only NSCN-Reformation workers? Their action have sown the seeds of hatred, never to be forgotten so easily. The NSCN-Reformation may be new organization but the leaders and the worker are all seniors who worked together with most of the Khehoi Campers when in NSCN-K, an old home. The NSCN-Reformation have not created any problems for NSCNUnification and therefore, there is no reason why the latter gone too far against the NSCN-Reformation. The present situation is so serious that, every single Naga National Worker wants to see the bright future but NSCN-Unification group engaging with fellow Nagas will not go well rather it will encourage bloodshed in Naga Society which the NSCN-Reformation does not want it to happen. The NSCN-Unification must therefore, explain to the Nagas as to why it exceptionally gone against NSCN-Reformation for future record. MIP NSCN-Reformation

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.


MonDAY 31•08•2015

IN FOCUS

6

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 237X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume By along longkumer

C O M M E N T A R Y

Elizabeth Evenson

ICC success depends on its impact locally

Look Beyond the News Delivering justice for victims is the raison d’etre of the ICC. But making justice

T

he sheer thought of a mother killing her own daughter is just too unthinkable by any human sense. Any mother who would do such a thing must be senseless otherwise why one would even think of such a brutal thing as to kill one’s own flesh and blood. However, it is not too difficult to understand the kind of society we have become where such senseless things happen around us all the time. Isn’t technology that we so willingly embrace and worship also about power? Sometimes it’s so easy to read about such stories of crime and murder but it is very difficult for us to admit or realise that such things happen because of the kind of deteriorating values and immoral eco-system that surrounds us. Beyond the news headlines of the Sheena Bora murder case, we as a society must need to see where things are going wrong. The main accused in this bizarre story is Indrani Mukherjea, a small town girl from Guwahati who perhaps aspired to become, what most people in our society similarly concede to—becoming rich and powerful overnight. Success is defined by such things as ambition, to be a go-getter, having strong personality, not to be shy or showing humility but to be confident and hardworking at all cost. We are taught that ‘end justifies the means’. This edit for that matter is not a defence of the likes of Indrani but simply to underscore the kind of value system that is promoted in today’s society. Indrani’s crime cannot be condoned and she should face punishment for her most diabolical actions if found guilty. However we as a society must ensure that such kind of crime is not repeated for which will require a long battle to reset our moral compass. In any case it is not as if the Sheena Bora murder is the only story there. Crime against women is widely prevalent in many forms such as domestic violence, dowry deaths, acid attacks, honor killings, sexual assaults, abduction, rape and murder. And according to the National Crime Records Bureau, an average of 92 women are raped in India every day. Since the people involved in the Sheena Bora murder happen to be high profile, the case has been given over-the-top prominence in the mainstream media so much so that other more important issues of national interest has taken a sudden backseat. And of course, the media is driven by its own compulsion to generate high TRP ratings because a story of crime and controversy involving the rich and famous always sells. While the Sheena Bora murder case will hopefully see an early conviction and the guilty people punished as per the law, the country must move beyond this one incident. For one, the country and the TRP seeking media included, ought to raise similar question of the ‘missing’ girls reflected in the low sex-ratio prevalent in India. Several reasons are attributed to this phenomenon such as neglect of the girl child, high maternal mortality, female infanticide and now, female foeticide. The Prime Minister in his regular radio address Mann ki Baat has spoken out about the adverse sex-ratio declining since 1991. Leaving aside the high profile drama playing out in the media and our public imagination, we need to begin the more serious discourse on the larger question of society’s present degrading value system. We need to seek a moral resolve to confront the clear and present danger from a world driven by insatiable lust, power and the love of money, seen as the root cause of all evil. (The writer is a former Editor of the Morung Express and presently serving as a board member. Feedback may be sent to alongnews@yahoo.com)

lEfT WING |

Arun Kumar IANS

Donald looks beyond summer of the Trump

O

utshining seasoned politicians, drawing huge crowds and surging in polls, frontrunner Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has served notice on his opponents that he is in the game to win. "It's one thing to have the summer of Trump. But it doesn't mean anything unless we win," Trump told a crowd Tuesday in Dubuque in Iowa, the state where the nomination process begins with a caucus of party functionaries. "If you lose, what does it all matter?" The declaration came ahead of another day of media attention sparked by renewed attacks on his opponents particularly establishment favourite Jeb Bush and reigniting a simmering debate night clash with Fox News host Megyn Kelly. In an email to supporters Tuesday afternoon, Trump touted "Tens of Thousands Support Trump" referring to new polling which showed him with double-digit leads in the early primary states of South Carolina and New Hampshire. Before addressing another huge rally in Dubuque, Trump had testy exchanges with Jorge Ramos, anchor of Univision, the leading American Spanish language channel, with a security officer at one point ejecting Ramos from his news conference. Trump also mocked Jeb Bush on Twitter Tuesday after the former Florida governor found himself in a deeper mess in trying to explain his "anchor babies" comment as "frankly, more related to Asian people." "In a clumsy move to get out of his 'anchor babies' dilemma, where he signed that he would not use the term and now uses it, he blamed ASIANS," Trump wrote. "Asians are very offended that JEB said that anchor babies applies to them as a way to be more politically correct to hispanics. A mess!" Trump then wrote, a few minutes later. Trump also vowed Monday not to host a lavish state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visits the US in September. "I'd get him a McDonald's hamburger and I'd say we gotta get down to work, because you can't continue to devalue (the Chinese currency)," Trump said Monday night on Fox News. "I would give him a very, yeah, but I would give him a double, probably a double size Big Mac." Meanwhile, a new deadline loomed for Trump, who has repeatedly refused to rule out a third-party candidacy, noting that he could use the threat of an independent bid as leverage. But he cannot compete in South Carolina's Republican primary, unless he signs a pledge before Sep 30 to support the Republican nominee in the general election. Trump said Tuesday when asked about the rule by reporters in Iowa that his campaign is "looking into it." "We certainly have plenty of time," he said. "My whole desire is just fairness, and I want to run as the Republican nominee, I want to win, I think we will win." According to the Washington Post the Virginia Republican Party is also considering requiring a loyalty oath from presidential primary contenders - a move widely considered aimed at Trump. The development could be an early sign of trouble for Trump, particularly if other state parties consider similar ideas, the influential daily said. But, according to the Post, Republicans are also worried that it could backfire and breed resentment among activists who are suspicious of attempts by the Republican establishment to control the party.

count for victims requires much more than fair trials in a Hague courtroom

A permanent headquarters for the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to open later this year in The Hague. The city, known for its institutions devoted to peace and justice, is in some respects a fitting home for the court.

B

ut The Hague is not where the ICC matters most. Where the ICC truly needs to matter is in the countries—and indeed in the communities— affected by the crimes the court will try. These are the places where victims and their families struggle to cope with the aftermath of mass atrocity. And these victims and communities—whether in Bangui, Benghazi, or Bunia—are the court’s chief stakeholders and should be at the heart of the ICC’s work. Human Rights Watch’s recently published a report on how the ICC is dealing with atrocities committed during the 2010-2011 post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire after Laurent Gbagbo lost the presidential election in late 2010 to Alassane Ouattara. It shows just how far the ICC still needs to go to make its work accessible, meaningful, and legitimate in local communities. Since investigations began in Côte d’Ivoire in October 2011, the ICC prosecutor has only opened cases related to alleged crimes committed in Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, and by forces affiliated with Gbagbo. This de-

spite the well-documented facts that crimes were committed both by forces allied to the former president and those allied to Ouattara, the current president, and that many of the worst atrocities occurred outside of Abidjan. There was a certain logic to the limited focus of the prosecutor’s initial investigations. Gbagbo was already in detention and investigators had ready access to evidence within Abidjan. Investigating additional incidents would have increased logistical and security challenges. But that initial decision to focus on pro-Gbagbo forces has persisted for several years. In the meantime, the prosecution’s one-sided approach has polarized opinion about the court inside the country. The victims’ high expectations for impartial justice before the ICC—fueled by the fear, especially among the victims of crimes by the Ouattara-allied forces, that they would never get it at home—have given way to frustration regarding a lack of progress in prosecuting all sides. The ICC prosecution—which maintained all along that it would conduct additional investigations in Côte d’Ivoire —has now signalled that it expects to expand investigations in Côte d’Ivoire to all sides this year. The one-sided prosecutorial approach thus far, however, was compounded by the Court’s outreach efforts, led by the ICC Registry. Resource constraints meant the Registry 0prioritized efforts to engage with victims of the four or five specific incidents in the cases opened before the court. A separate Registry unit with specific responsibilities to inform victims of their rights had some broader programs to reach other victims. But resource constraints also forced a narrower focus at times. Of course, it is essential to provide information to these victims, who

have particular rights, but it should not come at the expense of making the ICC’s proceedings more widely accessible. The combined effect of both the prosecutor’s failure to pick the cases that would address a broader range of crimes—and perpetrators—and the Registry’s failure to reach out to all sides on the ground was clear in interviews with Ivorian civil society members. “Victims that belong to the other side do not believe in the ICC,” said one human rights activist. “It is painful to say this because normally a victim does not have a side.” The ICC prosecutor should do more to take the experience of victims into account when making the difficult decisions about whom to prosecute and for what, including by strengthening consultation with victims. The experiences of victims will be diverse, and will raise expectations that will be difficult to ever fully meet. But since the court can only try a small fraction of those responsible for the worst crimes in any country, it is important for the prosecution to select cases that will have a broad enough impact to leave people in the country with the feeling that a measure of justice is being done. And to be effective, the Court’s outreach and specialized programs directed to victims need to reach a much larger local audience than the direct victims whose cases form part of an indictment. Expanded investigations in Côte d’Ivoire this year could mark a fresh chapter. There are also positive signs across the countries where the ICC is investigating possible crimes that ICC officials—who have been making real efforts to address a number of the Court’s growing pains—are looking anew at how they can improve their impact. Strengthened policy commit-

ments to consult victims and a more open-ended investigative strategy by the prosecutor’s office, including a commitment to consistently investigate all sides at the same time, as it is currently doing in the Central African Republic, hold real promise. Planned Registry reforms to bolster the court’s offices on the ground are also essential. Poor choices or strategy are not the only reasons the ICC’s work lacks impact. A lack of resources is also to blame. The need to deal with cases in other countries with limited resources has been cited by the ICC prosecutor to explain the delay in opening additional investigations in Côte d’Ivoire . This is likely to be a persistent challenge for a prosecutor’s office tasked currently with working simultaneously in eight countries. Funding for outreach across all the countries where the court has opened investigations has failed to keep pace with the court’s needs. ICC member countries have been reluctant to increase funding. Perhaps unsurprisingly so, given the financial constraints governments everywhere are facing. Indeed, the ICC’s resources will never be unlimited, and Court officials will need to be strategic in their decisions. They likely could have made some different choices in Côte d’Ivoire even with the resources they had. But mounting demands for accountability and the multiplying workload of the ICC mean that the court will not be able to deliver a more meaningful justice for victims and affected communities without at least some increases in the Court’s resources in key areas. If ICC officials do their part by prioritizing local impact, ICC member countries should show they are willing to help fund a vision of a court that can finally make justice count where it matters—in the countries where the atrocities took place.

Children of the World – We are Standing Watch for You oscar arias sanchez

T

Inter Press Service

wenty-eight years ago this month, an indigenous woman stood in the plaza in Guatemala City, watching as the presidents of Central America walked out into the street after signing the Peace Accords that would end the civil wars in our region. When I reached her, she took both my hands in hers and said, “Thank you, Mr. President, for my child who is in the mountains fighting, and for the child I carry in my womb.” I don’t need to tell you that I have wondered about that woman’s children ever since. I never met them, but those children of conflict are never far from my thoughts. Those children, and others like them, were the audience of the peace treaty I had drafted. They were its true authors, its reason for being. Theirs were the human lives behind every letter we put onto the page, every word we negotiated. For the presidents who signed the treaty, achieving peace was the most important challenge of our lives. For those children, it was life or death. But our victory for peace in 1987 did not fully safeguard those children, or millions more like them, because the weapons that had poured into our region during our conflicts did not disappear when the white flag was raised. For years after arms suppliers

channelled weapons to armies or paramilitary forces during the 1980s, those weapons were found in the hands of the gangs that roamed the countryside of Nicaragua, or of teenage boys on the streets of San Salvador and Tegucigalpa. Other weapons were shipped to guerrilla or paramilitary groups, as well as drug cartels in Colombia, ready to destroy yet more lives. We had walked into a new era of peace, but the weapons of the past were shackles at our feet. As I watched this happen in my region, I also learned that the international trade in arms, free from any regulations whatsoever, was feeding unnecessary violence like this all over the world. Throughout modern history, we have, in effect, told the children of the world that while we will regulate the international trade in food and textiles and any other product under the sun, we are not interested in regulating the international trade in deadly weapons, even when those weapons are being sold to dictators or other violators of human rights, or placed directly into the hands of child soldiers. So, in 1997, I began my call for a treaty to regulate the trade of arms. I was quickly joined by fellow Nobel Peace laureates, and then by friends and al-

lies all over the world. On Christmas Eve 2014, the International Arms Trade Treaty finally took effect. And now, in Cancún, Mexico, between Aug. 24 and 27, the first-ever Conference of Parties to the Treaty is being held so that its implementation can move forward. I never thought I would see this day; I am delighted that I have. I am also filled with new determination to make sure that the treaty lives up to its potential. I urge the 72 nations that have ratified the treaty to define an alternative to consensus so that one party cannot paralyse implementation. The perfect is the enemy of the good – and in this case, with human lives depending on our swift resolution of pending issues, inaction would be anything but perfect. It would be a travesty. We must also continue to raise our voices in the face of tremendous opposition from groups that continue to oppose the treaty, arguing that it infringes upon national sovereignty. Quite the opposite is true: no sane definition of national sovereignty includes the right to sell arms for the violation of human rights in other countries. A nation willing to carry out such an act is not defending itself, but rather infringing upon the sovereignty of other nations that only want to live in peace. We must also avoid using the dan-

WRITE-WING

ger and terrorism in the world today as an excuse for lack of regulation. Cicero’s famous phrase “silent enimleges inter armas” – among arms, laws are silent – has often been used to support the mind-set that the law does not apply during times of war. But it is at times of war that the law must speak most bravely. When weapons are circulating freely into the worst possible hands, the law must speak. When the lives of the innocent are placed in danger by an absence of regulation, the law must speak. And we must speak, today – in favour of this crucial treaty, and its swift and effective implementation. If we do, then when today’s children of conflict look to us for guidance and leadership, we will no longer look away in shame. We will be able to tell them, at long last, that we are standing watch for them. We are on guard. Someone is finally ready to take action. For the treaty is a powerful tool, but it will only protect our children if we give it teeth. It will only protect our children if we implement it fully. It will only protect our children if we ensure that consensus is not used as an excuse for inaction. Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica (1986-1990 and 20062010) and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, wrote this opinion piece to accompany the First Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (Cancún, Mexico, 24-27 August 2015)

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.


monDAY 31•08•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Independence from whom? The Morung Express Catalonia's existential elections poll results

Kate Shea Baird

ereignty subjugated to the impositions of the Troika or the TTIP.”

Catalonia seems about to become a living laboratory for popular sovereignty in post-crisis Europe

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his autumn will see a packed electoral calendar in Southern Europe, with elections in Greece, Portugal and Spain. The results will be interpreted, to a greater or lesser extent, as a verdict on the austerity programme that's been imposed in these countries by governments of all colours over recent years. In contrast, the Catalan elections, to be held on 27 September, are being framed as a proxy vote on independence, a reading widely accepted by the foreign media. However, according to the most recent CEO opinion poll, 21 per cent of Catalans say that the relationship between Catalonia and Spain will be the most important issue in determining their vote, while 59 per cent say they will vote based on parties' policies for dealing with the economic crisis. How can we make sense of this apparent contradiction? How does the Catalan case fit into the wider European context? A denial of democracy The answer to these questions lies in the constant frustration of the democratic will of the people of Catalonia since 2010, when the Spanish Supreme Court overturned several articles of the Catalan Statute of Autonomy. Following a massive pro-independence demonstration in 2012, Catalan President, Artur Mas, called snap elections to gauge public support for the principle of Catalan sovereignty. While Mas' party, CiU, lost seats, the result of the elections represented an overwhelming victory for the parties in favour of Catalan self-determination. Together they took 80 per cent of the seats in the new parliament and, soon after, voted to pass a declaration of Catalan sovereignty and to ask the Spanish government to transfer the capacity to hold a referendum on independence. Over the course of the following two years, pro-independence Catalans watched with envy as their counterparts in Scotland negotiated the terms of a binding referendum with the British government, publicly debated the pros and cons of secession, and, even, as they eventually lost their campaign. In contrast, the Catalan government's pleas for negotiation were ignored by Madrid, and both its sovereignty declaration and its proposed non-binding referendum were ruled illegal by the

Spanish Constitutional Court. A symbolic, watered-down 'participatory process' vote was eventually held on November 9 of 2014, but the issue remained unresolved. The upcoming elections are being framed by pro-independence forces as a substitute for the referendum the Spanish state won't allow. Artur Mas' party will stand on a joint ticket, 'Together for Yes', with Republican Left and a number of independent candidates. The coalition has committed to an eighteen month roadmap to independence should it win a parliamentary majority. However, reducing the elections to a single issue is not an easy task. Catalan politics has not been immune to the effects of the economic crisis that has blighted Southern Europe, or the corruption scandals that have rocked Spain. The independence movement has evolved in parallel to the emergence of what is known as the nueva política (new politics) in Spain. In 2011, the indignados occupied public squares across the country to call for “real democracy”, the 2014 European elections saw a new party, Podemos, explode onto the political scene and, most recently, at the May 2015 municipal elections, radical citizen platforms seized control of Spain's major cities (including Barcelona). It is at the intersection of the independence movement and the nueva politica that the relationship of the Catalan elections with the wider crisis of democracy in Europe becomes clear. Independence to change everything For many in Catalonia, the 'double crisis', national and economic, is really one and the same: a crisis of popular sovereignty, whether it be in the face of "authoritarian" state institutions or the global financial markets. A similar

argument was made passionately by many campaigning for a Yes vote in Scotland in 2014. In the Barcelona mayoral race, Ada Colau (a former grassroots activist) swept to victory calling for “real sovereignty” and “the right to decide on every issue”, including independence, and Together for Yes candidate, Raül Romeva, a former European MP coming from the green-left, has said “the elections of 27 September are about the policy tools at the government's disposal. In order to guarantee increased opportunities and social justice we need the tools of a state.” The prevalence of this view is reflected by the growing strength of pro-independence radicals, particularly the Popular Unity Candidates (CUP). The CUP's slogan 'independence to change everything' neatly sums up the hopes of many in the movement beyond the party. However, the increasingly sophisticated debate on the nature of sovereignty in Catalonia has also led the usefulness of independence per se to be called into question. Concerns about the practical effects of independence in a context of the Eurozone crisis were thrown into stark relief by the Greek bailout referendum. After all, here was the government of an independent state, capable of holding a referendum, but ultimately unable to carry out its democratic mandate. Many have pointed to Greece as a sign that independence may be a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for real sovereignty. The manifesto of 'Catalonia Yes We Can', the coalition backed by Podemos, Iniciativa and Equo, and which could come second in the elections, picked up on this idea, saying: “We want a candidature that defends the full social, national and economic sovereignty of Catalonia. We want real sovereignty; not formal sov-

When is a plebiscite not a plebiscite? Which brings us back to Artur Mas and Together for Yes. Mas has used his position as president to help keep the issue of Catalan independence at the top of the political agenda. Thanks to this, he has managed to stay in government with the support of Republican Left, weather the storm of corruption scandals at the top of his party, and implement a programme of budget cuts and privatizations to public services. The leadership of the independence process by a conservative nationalist, and fears that Together for Yes is being used as a front to whitewash Mas' party brand, has put many on the pro-independence left in an uncomfortable position, to say the least. The fragile alliance between the pro-independence left and right was put to the test in the period between the symbolic vote on November 9 and the moment when an agreement on a joint list was reached in July of this year. The Republican Left proposed the creation of a joint list of candidates from civil society, without serving politicians from any party. This would have had the sole purpose of measuring support for independence, and would not have elected a president to form a government. Such a list would have had a strong claim to have transformed the elections into a plebiscite. When Mas rejected this idea, Republican Left decided to bite the bullet and share a list with him anyway, while the CUP, unwilling to sacrifice their social and economic policy programme, decided to stand separately. The Catalan elections, then, will be about independence, but they will also decide who will form the next government. Should Together for Yes win a parliamentary majority, Artur Mas will be safely returned to power to set his independence roadmap in motion and to govern Catalonia from the right in the meantime. However, should no party manage to win the majority of seats necessary to elect a president, the scenario becomes more unpredictable. Could progressive members of Together for Yes join forces with the CUP and Catalonia Yes We Can to nominate a president to pursue both the sovereignty agenda and a progressive social programme? Would such a coalition be able to negotiate a constitutional convention with Madrid? If not, would it be willing to take unilateral action in defiance of the Spanish state? Whatever happens, Catalonia is set to become a living laboratory for the exercise and limits of popular sovereignty, in its broadest sense, in post-crisis Europe.

Do you agree with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that Nagaland is the safest state for women? 47%

42%

11%

YES

Economic progress is clashing with environmental rights in India, and proposed legal forms are shrinking democratic spaces—increasing the likelihood of violence

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ecently, I stood at the construction of another mammoth dam on the Kanhar river in Dudhi Tehsil, in the Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. I was between river and forest, development and rights, conservation and loss, protest and discipline. As I wrote an initial version of this piece in April 2015, I received word from Kanhar that the police had opened fire against the locals protesting the construction of the dam, leaving one tribal leader hit by a bullet and eight others severely injured. This was just the beginning. Later, peaceful protests were further quelled by the arrests of activists Roma Malik and Sukalo Gond. It is clear that the construction of this dam is illegal, but resistance to it became dangerously illegitimate as rights were suppressed, heightening the possibility of violence. The dam is being constructed to provide irrigation to industries in the nearby area, which is heavily industrialized, while submerging over four thousand hectares of land in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. The affected population here is mainly Adivasis (indigenous), Dalit and forest dependent communities, their loss deemed by many as an acceptable cost of economic growth. This is the cost-benefit narrative one constantly hears in different countries as development and infrastructure projects are underway. Yet India has a progressive legal framework that actually protects the rights of these communities and provides legitimacy to their struggles, even as many involved in the economy push for growth-oriented reforms. But the current government is attempting to dras-

tically alter environmental laws and land acquisition legislation. Kanhar is one such site where this contestation is taking place, and is emblematic of the conflict that is deepening in many parts of the country. The government intends to change the existing legal framework, claiming that economic growth has been stalled by the process of granting environmental clearance as well as the new land acquisition act of 2013—an act that mandates social impact assessments and consent from affected families. While the government views the existing regulations as obstacles to growth, people like those affected in Kanhar understand the proposed reforms to be a dilution of their rights over land and resources. These flashpoints—where interests are positioned against each other in a way that conflicts are inevitable—can be seen across the country, from mining to other extractive industries. Here, law becomes a critical site for discussion and compromise. Especially important is the ability of the current law to accommodate negotiations in ways that allow for the expression of rights and questions of justice. However, the proposed legislative

amendments would shrink the space within environmental laws and the land acquisition act that allows for a democratic conversation between both sides. The proposals seek to change the legal framework for environmental clearances, applying the doctrine of “utmost good faith”, meaning that businessmen would be trusted to declare the nature and extent of the damage the industry will cause to the environment. The project proponent would be required to disclose all facts pertaining to the proposed project on an affidavit; in the case of misrepresentation or suppression of facts the proponent would be severely penalized with criminal proceedings to follow. However, in the present clearance process, affected communities have multiple avenues—such as the initial public hearing and presentation of the environment management report—to challenge the impacts of the proposed project. The amendments would only provide one avenue to challenge, in the case of misrepresentation. This allows industrial interests to be adequately represented, while the interests of the affected communities would be negotiated by industry itself. The “utmost good faith” principle would function as a self-certification process where

OTHERS

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes, Because of our culture and faith, by and large women are respected, loved and protected and they feel quite safe in Nagaland as compared to other states. • Yes, at least compared to other states, our women are safer. • Yes, nagas respect women • Yes. Keeping the national status of women in mind I would agree Nagaland is very safe for women barring few instances. Most naga women are strong and spunky. • Yes. The west had ‘wikileaks’ but tiny Nagaland has our very own ‘nickyleaks’. Men with easy money enjoy parties and the rest are too tired. So women are safe here. • Yes, we are christian • Yes, Nagas have soft corner for women • Yes Equal treatment for both boys & Girl • YES, but NCRB take the data which had been registered for this analysis.. However, I believe there are many cases of unreported crime against woman in Nagaland... Most of the girls/women don't report the crimes..and you know it why.. Therefore, women shouldn't be afraid to report the crimes and molestation against you.. Don't bother what society thinks about you after the crime, you should think about the larger society.. • Ya very much comparing with other Indian states • I agree with the fact that it is safest but it still remains one of the most patriarchal states. • Yes. We have instances of rape but comparatively much lower than other states whether reported or unreported. This goes to show our womenfolk are respected and their roles in social services commendable. A saying comes to mind, "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement." It is possible to ensure better industries will determine the nature and security and status of women. extent of impact, and this will form the • This may be true to some extent. Still then our Naga sobasis of obtaining clearance. This clearly ciety has a long way to go to actually bring about gender coopts the democratic space presently equality in Nagaland. available for communities to express their resistance within the legal realm. It is inevitable that when restrictions like Some of those who voted NO had this to say: this are put into place, resistance will be- • Not really. There may not be so much physical violence against women in Nagaland, but the patriarchy itself is a gin to operate outside the scope of law. form of violence and this form of violence is more negaThe proposal for an amended land ortive and destructive for the growth of women in society. dinance promises to have similar effects. • No, I personally wont agree much because its just that These amendments seek to do away with the crime against women in Nagaland is not brought consent for acquisition of land, either for into light public projects or public-private partnerships. They also are designed to remove • No because the number is not zero. Its 67 being a Chrissocial impact assessment provisions, tian majority state. which were incorporated into The Land • No, There are countless incidents going unreported Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetwhich is a cause of concern. tlement Act of 2013 after much struggle • In Nagaland everything is pushed underneath in the from peoples’ movements for the recogname of ‘compromise’ and ‘customary law.’ How then nition of land rights. Amendments to the can we say that our state is safe for women. A society progressive Forest Rights Act also dilute that does not protect the rights of women cannot be the provisions for consent from the vildeemed safe. Infact it is the other way round. lage assembly in cases of linear projects • No and this is because our society has not taken any like roadways or railways. strong step to curb this menace. The Indian system of These proposed amendments are law is also very weak and is only letting offenders off systematically demolishing legal spacthe hook. es where people could express their struggles through rights, replacing such spaces with a framework where resis- Some of those who voted tance has no place in law. As resistance OTHERS had this to say: begins to function outside the legal ru- • Just because Nagaland has been declared as the safest state in India does not mean that women in our state are bric, violent conflicts will be more likely. Laws relating to the environment and enjoying equal rights and are being treated as equals. land are a product of social and politiSome of our traditional taboos and practices need to be cal struggles that shaped India’s legal done away with completely. and political creation, and the changes • This is a tricky question because while Nagaland can will adversely challenge this foundabe said to be safe for women, the number of violence tion. Encouragingly, the amendments against women are increasing. The basis on which the proposed by the High Level Committee NCRB has come to their conclusion is not complete bewere rejected by a parliamentary standcause many cases of violence against women go unreing committee on science and technolported. To me I will question the information on which ogy, but it appears likely that legislative they have determined their statement. space will remain a source of struggle. • Was the statistics based on the silent, undisclosed, comAs the new government negotiates promised incidents! the pressing need of economic prog• Naga traditional and moral values has always respectress, it is changing the role of law as a ed the rights of women. Sadly these values have been site for upholding rights and negotiateroded. Now in exists only in name. The findings of the ing conflict. As disputes over the enNCRB is wrong because they must have relied only on vironment increase across India, it repolice cases. But we all know that most of the violence mains to be seen how these laws will against women goes unreported and is hushed up. impact communities and shape the struggles to come.

India’s environmental flashpoints Arpitha Kodiveri

NO

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


8

MonDAY 31•08•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Nitish, Lalu & Sonia take on Modi PAtNA, August 30 (iANs): Sharing a stage for the first time, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Lalu Prasad and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday denounced Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to fulfil the promises made before the Lok Sabha election. While Nitish Kumar repeatedly referred to Modi's DNA barb hurled at him, former chief minister Lalu Prasad refuted allegations that a Congress-RJD-Janata Dal-United combine would mean a return of "jungle raj" in Bihar. And addressing the tens of thousands gathered at the Gandhi Maidan, Sonia Gandhi accused Modi of humiliating the people of Bihar. The "Swabhimaan Rally" of these three parties along with the Samajwadi Party was the biggest show of strength of the anti-BJP parties in response to Modi's election rallies. Nitish Kumar played the self-respect card as he mentioned Modi's DNA barb over a dozen time during his 45-minute speech. He said the large number of DNA samples of people of Bihar collected by his party would be sent to Modi from Monday. "My DNA," he thundered to

Congress President Sonia Gandhi being welcomed with a garland along with Bihar chief Minister and Senior JD(U) Leader Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav during the Swabhiman rally at Gandhi Maidan, in Patna. (Source: PTI photo)

loud cheers, "is similar to those of the people of Bihar." The chief minister dubbed Modi's remark an insult to Bihar and to the self-respect of Biharis. "Nothing is wrong with Bihar's DNA. The state has a glorious history. My DNA emanates from Bihar's soil. I was born in a freedom fighter's home." Nitish Kumar said he had established the rule of law in Bihar and refuted allegations that "jungle raj" had returned to the state after he joined hands with Lalu Prasad.

Govt mulls 2-kg LPG cylinders; starts e-booking for connections New Delhi, August 30 (Pti): After providing LPG in easy-to- carry 5-kg cylinders, the government is planning to launch 2-kg bottles at local kirana stores even as it introduced online booking of new connections for subsidised cooking fuel. LPG is traditionally available in 14.2-kg cylinders, which are not very convenient to carry and its cost at Rs 418 is considered high for poor and rural population. A 5-kg cylinder priced at Rs 155 was introduced in October 2013. "We are now planning to introduce a 2-kg cylinder that can be easily carried... this will be particularly beneficial for the rural people and poor who cannot afford to pay the price of a 14.2-kg or even 5-kg cylinder," Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here. To begin with, the penetration of 5-kg cylinder will be increased. New subsidised connections of 5-kg cylinders in rural as well as far flung areas will be issued in first place. Pradhan was speaking at the launch of online booking of LPG connections. "Consumers can now book a new connection online. It will be verified within 48 hours and a person from the nearest LPG agency will deliver a new connection at the door-step in next 3-4 days," he said. He said the online booking will end hassles customers face in running to gas agencies for getting a new LPG connection. The 2-kg cylinder will cater to the LPG requirements for all sections of society including economically weaker families, students and migrant labourers who do not have proof of address due to acquiring residence on temporary basis. Such people can buy 5 Kg LPG cylinder at market price. He also said about 25 lakh people have voluntarily given up subsidy on LPG, helping widen the reach the scarce fuel. "On an average 50,000 people from all works of life are giving subsidy... the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one crore," he said. Also, the scheme to pay subsidy directly in bank accounts of customers, called the Direct Benefit Transfer on LPG, has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest cash transfer programme in the world, he said adding it has eliminated "middle-men and black marketers" and ensured the fuel is delivered to right people.

"There is no jungle raj. There is a rule of law in Bihar. When my government took action in one case, a BJP ally threatened to break my chest at a press conference. Modi has described him as his dear friend." The chief minister said more crime took place in Delhi, where police were under the control of the central government. Gandhi also spoke about the "dignity" of the people of Bihar. "I have come here to boost the fight for Bihar's pride and self-respect. There are some people who

take pleasure in degrading Bihar," she said. She accused Modi of failing to provide millions of jobs to the young every year. "What happened to that promise?" she asked. "The Modi government is antipeople and anti-farmer. It has done nothing except propaganda." Lalu Prasad said the return of the RJD-JD-U combine was not a return of "jungle raj 2" but "mangal raj 2". "After two sons of backwards -- Lalu and Nitish -joined hands, BJP leaders

have been trying to create a false impression. "We understand the BJP's and Modi's designs to create communal riots. But this is not the Bihar before the 1990s. This is the Bihar of post 1990s." It is the first time Gandhi has shared a stage with Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad. All roads virtually led to the Gandhi Maidan as participants marched to the venue waving JD-U, RJD and Congress flags. Hundreds of vehicles carrying rallyists were stuck on the outskirts of Patna and the Gandhi Setu on the Ganga that connect north Bihar to Patna. Thousands kept chanting "Lalu-Nitish Zindabad" all through the rally. Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said nearly 5,000 police personnel were deployed in and around the sprawling ground. Police set up 10 watch towers and 13 door frame metal detectors. Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav, a brother of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and senior Congress leaders C.P. Joshi and Ghulam Nabi Azad also attended the rally. The JD-U, RJD and Congress are fighting the assembly elections in an alliance along with the Samajwadi Party.

Government accepts defeat on land bill New Delhi, August 30 (reuters): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will let an executive order making it easier for businesses to buy land lapse on Monday after failing to win support from opposition parties in a major blow to his economic reform agenda. Modi said on Sunday the government was ready to amend the proposed law and criticised the spreading of false rumours that made farmers afraid of the changes. "I have always said that, in the dispute related to the land acquisition law, the government is open minded," Modi said in his monthly radio address. "I am willing to accept any suggestion for the benefit of farmers." Modi swept to power last year on expectations he would accelerate an economic transformation that began in the 1990s but is struggling to build support for reforms in parliament, where his party is in the minority in the upper house. Leaders of Modi's party said they had

not given up on making it easier to acquire land needed to kick-start hundreds of billions of dollars in stalled projects. However, after failing to win support in parliament, they may ask states to pass their own laws. Modi has had to issue temporary executive orders in the past seven months that allow the government to forcibly purchase farmland for industrial development. He has failed to secure the votes in parliament needed to make the changes permanent. Land reform is critical for Modi's drive to build new roads, homes and factories and, if stalled, would blight his vision of 100 new 'smart' cities across India linked by industrial corridors and high-speed rail routes criss-crossing the country. Conflict between farmers and companies trying to secure land for industrial projects has hampered India's plans to expand its network of highways, build mines and other infrastructure, holding up about $300 billion of investment.

'Gujarat violence shocked, pained nation' New Delhi, August 30 (iANs): The Gujarat violence over job reservations that left 10 people dead shocked and pained the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. Describing the widespread disturbances as "hinsa ke thandav" (dance of death), he said in his Maan Ki Baat radio address that it was but natural for the country to be shocked and anguished if anything like this were to happen in the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. He said peace was now

again prevailing in the state. Large-scale violence enveloped Gujarat during protests by the Patel community demanding reservations in education and jobs. Will widen reservation movement: Hardik Patel Meanwhile, Patel community leader Hardik Patel on Sunday vowed to join hands with other communities to widen the movement over reservation in education and jobs. "We will mobilise this movement for all communities, not just the Patidars,"

the Patidar Arakshan Andolan Samiti convener told the media here after arriving from Gujarat. He said he would support the Gujjar community in Delhi. The reservation policy had taken the country 60 years back, Patel said. He made it clear that he did not enjoy the support of any political party. Ten people were killed and scores injured as protests demanding reservation in education and jobs for the Patel community turned violent in Gujarat last week

'CSR law will reduce trust deficit between corporates, NGOs' MANesAr, August 30 (iANs): With companies that fall under the ambit of the new guidelines of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) likely to report about their activities from next month, the trust deficit between them and NGOs is likely to reduce, a senior functionary in this field said. "Over the years, a fairly large trust deficit has developed between NGOs and corporates (over CSR activities). Corporations, for their part, find it difficult at times to place their faith in NGOs. Their hesitation relates largely to issues of ethics and implementation capabilities. "The new legislation will lead to a synergistic partnership

between corporations, NGOs and the government which would also allow for greater transparency in the operations of all three agencies," Bhaskar Chatterjee, director general and chief executive officer of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), told IANS in an interview here. "Government data can help guide CSR agendas into areas it is most needed, corporations have experience making sure the projects are streamlined and costa conservative, and NGOs have experience and knowledge of marginalized and underserved areas of society as well as experience in operational transparency. If a symbiotic re-

lationship can develop between corporations, NGOs and the government, socially responsible programmes will have a measurable impact faster and more efficiently than if there is less transparency and no trust," Chatterjee said. The new CSR rules under Section 135 of the amended Companies Act, 2013 came into force from April 1 last year. Companies falling in the ambit of the new rules were mandated to spend two percent of their net profit (average of last three years) on CSR activities. Rough estimates indicate that nearly Rs 25,000 crore (over $3.5 billion) could be spent by companies in CSR activities in the first

Couple disappears from HC, police sent after them

year (2014-15) itself. "Presently, it is estimated that nearly 14,000 to 16,000 companies are likely to come under the ambit of the CSR legislation. Actual expenditure will become clearer after companies do their CSR reporting and audited results are made available in the public domain from September onward," Chatterjee said. Except for large corporates and old companies, most of the companies falling under the ambit of the new rules are first-timers who do not have much expertise about CSR. Chatterjee pointed out that the spirit of the new CSR rules was not to have the government control the CSR funds of compa-

nies engaged in the activity. The IICA, which is under the ministry of corporate affairs, was set up to provide a holistic think tank, capacity building and service delivery institution, operating through effective partnerships with corporates and professionals and institutions. It has set up a CSR Implementing Agency Hub to create an extensive database of the implementing agencies. It has also launched new courses to meet the burgeoning demand for trained CSR professionals from the corporate, public and NGO sectors. With the new rules in force, the CSR sector activity is likely to be streamlined in the coming years.

Medical student commits suicide in AIIMS hostel

New Delhi, August 30 called the couple in their cham- parents were not happy with (iANs): A man who moved the ber for counseling on August 24. their marriage. He alleged that Delhi High Court to bring back After talking to them, the bench his wife was missing since July 13 New Delhi, August 30 Meanwhile, AIIMS authorihis wife from the custody of her told them to wait in the court- when she went to a market and (iANs): A 17-year-old MBBS stu- ties informed the student's family did not return home. parents disappeared with the room for its order. dent allegedly committed suicide about her death. AIIMS also conHowever, the couple sneaked He claimed that his wife was early Sunday by hanging herself ducted an internal inquiry to find woman from the court complex after they were allowed to meet out from the court premises on taken to Vadodara in Gujarat by from a ceiling fan in her hostel out the exact cause for her action. the way from chamber to the her mother and remained there room in the All India Institute of each other. "A preliminary inquiry by AIStunned, the high court has courtroom. By the time the judg- in illegal captivity. While she Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, IMS ruled out ragging or any adjustment difficulties as a possible directed Delhi Police to produce es returned to the courtroom to was later brought back to Delhi police said. both of them before the court to resume the hearing, they were by the city police, Manish had Police said they were called af- cause for her alleged suicide as she untraceable. claimed her parents were not al- ter Khushboo Chaudhary's hostel had been a student at the AIIMS know their "exact wishes". Noting that the couple was lowing her to return to him. On Manish's habeas corinmates spotted her hanging in for six weeks only," AIIMS spokesSubsequently, Manish filed her room from the room's window person Dr Amit Gupta said in an pus petition, Delhi Police had missing, the bench has asked brought the woman along with the police to trace them and pro- a habeas corpus petition in high around 2.50 a.m. and approached official statement. Police seized Khushboo's her parents to the court. While duce them before the court on court seeks direction to the po- hostel security. lice to produce his legally wed"The room was locked from mobile phone to look for clues. the parents denied that their September 2. Manish had eloped with ded wife before the court. inside. We broke open the door No suicide note was found in daughter was married to ManIt was then that the woman and found Khushboo hanging. her room. ish, the woman claimed other- the woman and later married According to Khushboo's wise and said she wanted to re- her at an Arya Samaj temple was produced before the court The body has been sent for a postfriends, she was a cheerful girl here on May 13 and had also and was allowed to meet with mortem," a police official said. turn with her husband. A resident of Bikaner in Rajast- and spent Saturday evening with A division bench of Justice got their marriage registered at her husband, when they decided to take the matter into their han, Khushboo took admission in most of her friends, shopping and Kailash Gambhir and Justice Ghaziabad. going out. Manish alleged that his wife's own hands MBBS first year on July 10. New Delhi, August 30 (Pti): Asserting that no P.S. Teji, during the hearing, had country could be immune to the threat of terrorism especially with emergence ISIS, India on Sunday made a strong pitch for finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN during a meeting with the President-elect of the global body. During her talks with President-elect of the UN GenerLeading educationists students, why should pupils from schools after Class 8. al Assembly Mogens Lykketoft, who is here on a two-day New Delhi, August effective evaluation proce- ited to the cognitive dovisit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj stressed on 30 (iANs): The failure of dures and remedial action main only. It also includes in the capital also said that become the victims? If we Nearly 39 percent boys and skills, attitudes and feel- the no-detention policy have good teachers, there is 33 percent girls drop out of the need for UN Security Council reforms on the occasion the no-detention policy in by teachers, Bhatia said. "Actually, the no-deten- ings. The evaluation system should not become a victim no way they can't learn." school after Class 8, as per of 70th anniversary to reflect current geopolitical realities schools across the country She said emphasis official figures. up to Class 8 is largely due tion policy and the contin- in schools does not look at of the deteriorating quality and increasing role of developing nations. should be laid on improvDelhi's Government The Indian sides also strongly pitched for early finali- to poor classroom teaching uous and comprehensive students' affective and psy- of classroom teaching. "Revoking (the policy) ing learning by enhanc- Schools Teacher's Associasation of the CCIT, a treaty proposed by India in 1996 to and monitoring of students, evaluation (CCE) go hand cho-motor domains of perin hand. It calls for evalu- sonality." should be the last resort and ing the ability of teachers tion (GSTA) president C.P. ban terrorists and make it binding for countries to deny education experts say. "We have mere paper- a lot of discussion should and designing a curricu- Singh said: "Poor parents In the first meeting of ation which is diagnostic, funds and safe haven to them. "No country can be immune to the threat of terrorism especially with the emer- the newly-reconstituted remedial and corrective in pencil tests to evaluate a take place before taking lum that is interesting and rope in their wards to work gence of ISIS. It is important that there should be a col- Central Advisory Board on nature rather than being student. On top of this, the such a step. One of the worst matches the skills of the with them, neglecting their studies, as they are confilective effort to deal with this menace," Swaraj conveyed Education (CABE) chaired punitive or concerned with pass-fail policy contributes things in life is failure. You pupils. "If all efforts to improve dent that the students canto the UN President-elect, while referring to the terror or- by Human Resource De- certification only," Bhatia to creating differences and can't get out of it, you can't, sections in students, which especially at a young age," a students' academic per- not be failed." velopment Minister Smriti told IANS. ganisation Islamic State of Iran and Syria (ISIS). The central govern- are not always healthy," said Ameeta Mulla Wattal, formance are futile, only The no-detention polIn this regard, she also conveyed India's expectations Irani on August 19, it recchairperson of the National then should the concept icy has led to "no fear" to achieve concrete forward movement under his presi- ommended that the policy ment has sought feedback Bhatia said. If the policy is to be Progressive Schools' Con- of revoking be looked at," among children as well as dency on the finalisation of the CCIT. She also congratu- be scrapped since it ad- from the state governments before taking a final call on implemented, it should ference (NPSC), an um- Wattal maintained. parents, leading to deteriolated him on his election as President of the landmark versely affected learning. Some teachers, primar- ration of learning. Harjeet Kaur Bhatia, the provision of the Right be done in its true spirit brella body of 150 private 70th Session which is expected to address several imporily in government schools, Singh said that betant issues, including adoption and implementation of Head of Department of to Education (RTE) Act of and should not lead to a schools in the city. Wattal, who is also the have asserted that doing cause of the scheme the the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN Secu- Educational Studies (DES), 2009 under which no child mockery of the education system, Bhatia said, add- principal of Springdales away with exams that de- students have become rity Council Reform, Review of UN Peacekeeping Opera- Faculty of Education, Jamia can be failed till Class 8. B h a t i a, h o w e v e r, ing: "I think there should School at Pusa Road, said cided a student's progres- "so careless" that they do tions, Climate Change, and Review of the Tunis Agenda Millia Islamia University, said that in spite of the no- stressed on providing sup- be systemic changes and that if good teachers were sion to the next class has not feel the "requirement (World Summit on Information Society). Swaraj also conveyed to him that India was already in detention policy having port to students to over- capacity building of teach- around, there was no way led to a lackadaisical atti- of coming to schools" as the process of implementing 11 out of 17 Sustainable De- much merit, the major flaw come their weaknesses or ers, administrators, parents students would not learn. tude towards studies and they are confident that velopment goals which also match with government's flag- lay in its implementation. to build on their strengths. and the like for its effective "If a teacher is not able to is responsible for the spike their names cannot be re"Education is not lim- implementation." teach, not able to motivate in dropout rate of students moved from the rolls. ship programmes such as 'Make in India' and 'Beti Bachao'. The success depends on

India pitches for antiterror treaty, UN reforms

Failure of 'no-detention policy' lies in flawed implementation: Experts


MonDAY 31•08•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Malaysian PM cornered as ‘people power’ mounts KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 30 (ReUTeRS): Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad, joining anti-government protesters for a second day on Sunday, called for a “people’s power” movement to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial scandal. “The only way for the people to get back to the old system is for them to remove this prime minister,” said Mahathir, a deeply respected 90-year-old who was once Najib’s patron and is now his fiercest critic. “And to remove him, the people must show people’s power. The people as a whole do not want this kind of corrupt leader,” he told media before heading to the rally, whose numbers police estimated at 25,000 on Sunday afternoon. The protest has brought into the streets a political crisis triggered by reports of a mysterious transfer worth more than $600 million into an account under Najib’s name. Najib, who denies wrongdoing, has weathered the storm and analysts say the protest is unlikely to inspire broad public support for him to quit because it lacks a strong leader. These protests, unlike the 2012 rally, also lack the support of a party identified with the Malay majority: most protesters were from the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian communities. However, Mahathir - the country’s longest-serving leader - was a leader of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which represents Malays. UMNO Vice-President His-

The national news agency Bernama said 12 people in the southwestern city of Malacca were arrested for wearing the signature yellow T-shirts of the protests, which the government had banned before the rally.

Protesters shout slogans during a rally organised by pro-democracy group “Bersih” (Clean) near Dataran Merdeka in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur, August 30. (REUTERS Photo)

hammuddin Hussein said that by turning up unexpectedly at the anti-government rally on Saturday, Mahathir had “crossed over the line”. Another UMNO leader said a million government supporters would stage a “red shirts” rally on Oct. 10 that would trump the protests of the past two days. “This shows the solidarity of Malaysians, that Najib still has the majority support,” Jamal Yunos told Reuters. Mahathir’s siding with protesters sits oddly with the oftenauthoritarian style of his own 22year rule until 2003, during which Malaysia became a powerhouse of economic development but

also won a reputation for cronyism and dubious “mega-projects”. Najib was once a protégé of Mahathir, just as the now-jailed Anwar Ibrahim – once widely viewed as Mahathir’s heir apparent – was before him. Anwar fell from favour when he began a popular “reformasi” (reform) movement against the graft and nepotism he said marked Malaysia’s business and political worlds. Mahathir sacked him from his posts, and charges of sodomy and corruption followed. Mahathir has always maintained that the sodomy charges were genuine and made Anwar unfit to be

leader. On Sunday, security remained tight and anti-riot trucks stood ready, but there were no reports of violence. City authorities rejected an application by pro-democracy group Bersih for a protest permit, which had raised fears of a repeat of a 2012 rally when police used water cannon and teargas to disperse protesters. In a sign the government was losing patience, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned organisers they could face legal action. “They must face the consequences if they dare to break the law,” he said, the New Straits Times reported online.

MURKY MONEY Malaysia has been gripped since July by reports that investigators probing allegations of mismanagement and corruption at the debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad had discovered the transfer into Najib’s account. Its anti-corruption agency has said the funds were a donation from an unidentified Middle East donor. Najib, who says he did not take any money for personal gain, has sacked his deputy and ministers who had questioned him as he sought to contain the scandal. The attorney-general who had been investigating 1MDB was also replaced. Authorities also suspended two newspapers and blocked access to a websit e that had reported extensively on 1MDB. Najib also retains significant support from the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and his party, UMNO. The coalition, in power since 1957, lost the popular vote for the first time in 2013 to an opposition alliance that split earlier this year. However, he is under pressure over his handling of the economy, which has been hit by a slump in energy prices that threaten oil and gas revenues, and Malaysia’s currency plummeted this month to 17-year lows against the dollar.

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Thai police widens search after Bangkok bomb arrest BANGKOK, AUGUST 30 (ReUTeRS): Police probing Thailand’s deadliest bombing widened their search for more suspects on Sunday after a foreigner was arrested and stacks of fake passports and bomb-making materials found during a raid on a Bangkok apartment block. Authorities said police were monitoring about 1,000 mobile phone numbers and checking photographs used in some 200 seized passports to track down members of an unspecified group they believe orchestrated the Aug. 17 attack on a Hindu shrine in Bangkok. The bombing killed 20 people and stunned Thailand. Fourteen foreigners, seven from mainland China and Hong Kong, were among those killed in a blast the ruling junta said was intended to cripple an already flagging Thai economy. Police have not released the identity or nationality of the 28-year-old man they arrested on Saturday. They believe he was also involved in a second, smaller bombing in the Thai capital a day after the attack at the crowded Erawan Shrine, to which Thais and Asian tourists flock daily. The man is being held on charges of possessing illegal explosives and has been in Thailand since January 2014. “We’re not only using information about phone usage from this man, but also usage of the group,” police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told Channel 3 television. Prawut did not elaborate on what group that might be. Police have been criticised for an erratic investigation that had, until this weekend, uncovered few clues about who was behind the blast. No group has claimed responsibility. Prawut declined to say how many suspects were being sought and said police still believe the arrested man could be the yellow-shirted individual with shaggy dark hair picked out on a surveillance camera leaving a bag at the site of the blast. SECOND MAN? Police and residents in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district said the suspect rented four rooms on the same floor of the rundown building. A man and woman living on the same floor told Reuters the suspect did not live alone and they had seen a taller man with similar appearance entering and leaving several times each day. They had not seen the second man since Friday. “We’ve seen two of them, frequently. One was the arrested man, but there’s another, he’s much taller,” said the man, who requested anonymity because he feared for his safety.

UN regrets sentencing Saudi-led coalition air strike ‘US considered nuking Afghanistan post 9/11’ of Al-Jazeera journalists kills thirty-six Yemeni civilians UNITed NATIONS, AUGUST 30 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has regretted the sentencing of three Al-Jazeera journalists by an Egyptian court, the organisation said in a statement on Sunday. Egypt’s top appealing court sentenced Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed to three years in prison, Xinhua news agency reported. Three other Egyptian defendants also received a similar sentence for helping the Al-Jazeera journalists. Two other defendants were acquitted. According to the United Nations’ statement, Ban recalled his earlier appeals for the case to be resolved expeditiously and in accordance with Egypt’s international obligations to protect freedom of expression and association and in full observance of due process guarantees. Ban underscored the importance of pluralism and respect for fundamental freedoms for the long-term prosperity and stability of Egypt, it said. The journalists were arrested in a security raid in December 2013 from a Cairo hotel where they were operating. They were then accused of spreading false news and lies that harmed national interests. Last year, Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison, while Baher Mohamed received a tenyear imprisonment term over charges of aiding the currently blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood. The court accepted an appeal against the sentence on January 1, saying the initial trial failed to prove their links to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Myanmar bans parties from criticising army in state media YANGON, AUGUST 30 (ReUTeRS): Myanmar has banned political parties from criticising the army or the military-dominated constitution in state media during campaigning for elections seen as a test of the country’s transition from military rule. The parties standing in the Nov. 8 elections will be allowed to broadcast 15-minute speeches on state television and radio, according to a statement by the Union Election Commission, and publish them in state-owned newspapers. But the addresses will be vetted by the commission and the Ministry of Information and could be rejected if officials find that they violate the rules. Statements “that can split the Tatmadaw or that can disgrace and damage the dignity of the Tatmadaw,” are banned, said the commission, using the term for the Myanmar military. Parties should also not “disrespect” the 2008 constitution, which reserves 25 percent of parliament and key cabinet posts for the military, giving it an effective veto over politics. The constitution also bars presidential candidates with a foreign spouse or child, effectively preventing Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president. Suu Kyi’s late husband was British, as are her two sons. Her National League for Democracy (NLD), expected to win the elections, struck a defiant tone in response to the commission’s guidelines. “We are not afraid,” said Win Htein, a member of the NLD’s top governing body and one of those responsible for its campaign. “We will continue to criticise whoever we want and however we want.” After ruling for 49 years, the military in 2011 established a semi-civilian government, freed hundreds of political prisoners and opened up the economy. The announcement by the election commission comes less than three weeks after President Thein Sein ousted the powerful chairman of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, Shwe Mann. The United States has said Myanmar’s failure to amend a militarydrafted constitution raises questions about the credibility of reforms.

SANAA, AUGUST 30 (ReUTeRS): An air strike by warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition killed 36 civilians working at a bottling plant in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah on Sunday, residents said. In another air raid on the capital Sanaa, residents said four civilians were killed when a bomb hit their house near a military base in the south of the city. The attacks were the latest in an air campaign launched in March an alliance made up mainly of Gulf Arab states in support of the exiled government in its fight against Houthi forces allied to Iran. “The process of recovering the bodies is finished now. The corpses of 36 workers, many of them burnt or in pieces, were pulled out after an air strike hit the plant this morning,” resident Issa Ahmed told Reuters by phone from the site in Hajjah. A Saudi military spokesman did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on the reported attacks.

Human rights group Amnesty International said in a report this month that the campaign had left a “bloody trail of civilian death” which could amount to war crimes. Air strikes killed 65 people in the frontline city of Taiz last Friday, most of them civilians, and the bombing of a milk factory in Western Yemen in July killed 65 people including 10 children. More than 4,300 people have been killed in five months of war in Yemen while disease and suffering in the already impoverished country have spread. Militias and army units loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, currently taking refuge in Saudi Arabia, have made significant gains toward the Houthi-controlled capital in the last two months but the group remains ensconced in Yemen’s north and casualties mount in nationwide combat every day. Bombing, Assassination Also on Sunday, a bomb exploded near the vacated U.S. Embassy in Sanaa and unknown gunmen shot and

killed a senior security official in the southern port city of Aden. There were no immediate claims of responsibility, but Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula - the deadliest branch of the global militant organisation - has been attacking the Yemeni state and plotting against Western targets for years. A powerful bomb detonated in front of a gate on the wall surrounding the embassy around midnight on Sunday but claimed no casualties, residents and officials said. The United States and other Western countries closed their missions in Yemen in February as the political feud between the Houthis and the Hadi government led to war. The Houthi-run state news agency Saba quoted a security official calling it a “terrorist and criminal act”. In Aden, the local director of security, Colonel Abdul Hakim Snaidi, was shot dead outside his home by gunmen in a passing car, a security official said.

BeRLIN, AUGUST 30 (IANS): A nuclear strike against Afghanistan was on the table in Washington in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Michael Steiner, a senior German diplomat has revealed, media reported on Sunday. Steiner, the current German ambassador to India, served as foreign and security policy aide to then-German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder at the time of the 9/11 attacks. Steiner told Der Spiegel magazine in an interview that the US administration of president George W. Bush and vice president Dick Cheney “played through all possibilities”, including a nuclear option, Russia’s state-run online portal RT reported citing the German magazine.

“The papers were written,” Steiner was quoted as saying in the report. “They had really played through all possibilities,” he said, confirming that a nuclear strike was also on the cards after the Al Qaeda attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York and Washington. The 9/11 attacks were a turning point for the post-Cold War world, sending the US on a global war against Islamist terrorism. The invasion of Afghanistan and the ousting of the Taliban from power was the most direct consequence of the attack. It was globally welcomed as a just move, unlike Washington’s later war with Iraq, in which several European allies of the US, including Germany, refused to take part.

Long TV hrs may trigger fatal lung condition LONdON, AUGUST 30 (IANS): Watching an average of five or more hours of television per day can block one of the key pulmonary arteries in your lungs, leading to a fatal lung condition called pulmonary embolism, researchers have said. Prolonged television watchers have a higher risk of fatal pulmonary embolism, a condition associated with long-haul flights, found the 18-year long study in more than 86,000 people. “The association between prolonged sitting and pulmonary embolism was first reported among air raid shelter users in London during World War II,” said Toru Shirakawa, public health research fellow at Osaka University in Japan. Nowadays, a long-haul flight in an economy class seat is a well known cause of pulmonary embolism that is called “economy class syndrome”. During the follow-up period, there were 59 deaths from pulmonary embolism. The researchers found that people whose average television viewing time was more than five hours per day had twice the risk of fatal pulmonary embolism as those who watched an average of less than two and a half hours daily.

Beijing battens down & cranks up propaganda ahead of war parade BeIJING, AUGUST 30 (ReUTeRS): Beijing is battening down the hatches and cranking up the propaganda ahead of a massive military parade this week to mark the end of World War Two, shooing cars from streets and shutting factories for the Communist Party’s biggest event of the year. Some 12,000 soldiers will march through Beijing’s central Tiananmen Square on Thursday, mostly Chinese but with Russian and a few other foreign contingents, accompanied by tanks and armoured vehicles, as fighter jets scream overhead President Xi Jinping will be joined on the podium by leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Almost all top Western leaders are staying away, alarmed by the apparent jingoism and worried by the message a Chinese

show of force will send a world worried by China’s military ambitions. The city is taking extraordinary measures to ensure nothing goes awry, including restricting car use and closing factories hundreds of kilometres (miles) from Beijing to ensure the city’s notorious smog is banished to make way for “parade blue”, as some have dubbed the clear skies in the run-up to the event. To ensure security, model aircraft have been banned from sale, people who live along the parade route warned not to even look out their windows on the day and the city’s two main airports will be closed on Thursday morning. It’s also all happening at a time of uncertainty for China over its economic growth, turmoil in its stock markets and the death of at least 145 people at a chemical warehouse blast this month in the nearby city of Tianjin. “It’s like treading on thin ice,” a source with

ties to the leadership said when asked to sum up the nation’s mood ahead of the parade, speaking on condition of anonymity. NOT AIMED AT “TODAY’S JAPAN” Sino-Japan relations have long been affected by what China sees as Japan’s failure to atone for its occupation of parts of China before and during the war. Western and Chinese historians estimate millions of Chinese civilians were killed. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said last week that holding the parade had no “direct connection” with the current state of Sino-Japan relations, and repeated the standard line it was primarily to remember the fallen and cherish peace. “The parade is not aimed at any particular country, is not aimed at today’s Japan, and is certainly not aimed at the Japanese people,” Yang told a news briefing. But state media in a

Soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) march during a rehearsal for a military parade in Beijing, August 23, 2015. (REUTERS Photo)

country that never misses an opportunity to remind the world of the horrors visited upon China by Japan during the war, has been ramping up its output. The official Xinhua news agency has published graphic details of Japanese war criminals’ crimes, including one field medic who “watched another soldier inject water into the stomach of a

Chinese prisoner and then broil him by fire”. Pictures of Japanese atrocities have also appeared on party propaganda posters springing up over the city. It’s particularly worrying for Japanese living in China, who have fresh memories of violent street protests that erupted across the country in 2012 over a territorial dispute between

the two governments. While there are little signs of a flare-up in such anti-Japan sentiment this time, some residents say they aren’t taking any chances. Keiko Nakamura, a Japanese translator living in Shanghai, won’t venture out on Thursday because of fears her nationality could make her a target of violence.


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monDAY 31•08•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Two-goal Mueller marks James, Bale lift Real as Vermaelen rescues Barca bayern milestone in style

Bayern Munich's striker Thomas Mueller celebrates after scoring a goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Bayern Munich vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Munich, southern Germany, on August 29. (AFP Photo)

London, August 30 (AP): Thomas Mueller celebrated his 200th Bundesliga match with two goals as defending champion Bayern Munich powered past Bayer Leverkusen 3-0. Arjen Robben converted a penalty for Bayern's other goal. Yoshinori Muto scored his first pair of Bundesliga goals and set up one to lead Mainz past Hannover 3-0. Cologne rallied to beat 10-man Hamburger SV 2-1, while promoted Ingolstadt and Darmstadt both picked up points. Ingolstadt won 1-0 at Augsburg while Darmstadt held Hoffenheim 0-0. Eintracht Frankfurt kept Stuttgart winless with a 4-1 defeat. In the Italian Serie

A, two of AC Milan's new forwards combined to give the Rossoneri a 2-1 win at Empoli, but Mario Balotelli remained on the bench following his return from Liverpool last week. Carlos Bacca put Milan in front in the 17th but the home side's lead lasted just four minutes before Riccardo Saponara leveled against his old club. Luiz Adriano, who had set up Bacca's opener, headed in the winner in the 69th. Sassuolo also won 1-0 at Bologna. In France, forward Nabil Fekir scored his first French league hat trick as last year's runner-up Lyon won 4-0 at Caen, while Reims moved provision-

ally top with a 4-1 victory at Lorient. Rennes is level with Reims and Paris Saint-Germain after coming from behind to beat Toulouse 3-1. Fekir got his first in the 18th minute following a pass from Corentin Tolisso. The duo combined again a minute from halftime. Fekir ran onto Tolisso's long ball before squeezing a shot in off the far post. Tolisso also had a hand in the third, passing the ball to Mathieu Valbuena who set up Fekir shortly before the hour. Newly-promoted Angers drew 1-1 with Nice. Lille a first win as it won 1-0 at Ajaccio, and Montpellier drew 0-0 draw at Troyes.

MAdRId, August 30 (REutERs): Real Madrid got their season up and running when Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez struck twice in a 5-0 drubbing of Real Betis on Saturday while La Liga champions Barcelona edged Malaga 1-0 to maintain their perfect start. New coach Rafa Benitez restored James to the starting lineup against last season's second division winners after he was controversially left out in the 0-0 draw at another promoted side, Sporting Gijon, on the opening weekend. The Colombian was in scintillating form at the Bernabeu and crossed for Bale to head home in only the second minute. James smashed in a superb free kick before halftime and Bale crossed for Karim Benzema to make it 3-0 two minutes into the second half. Playmaker James then fired in an acrobatic overhead kick three minutes later as Real put Sevillebased Betis to the sword. Betis had a chance to pull a goal back when Raphael Varane conceded a penalty for a foul on substitute Jorge Molina but Keylor Navas saved Ruben Castro's weak 61st-minute effort. Bale, who overshadowed an out-of-sorts Cristiano Ronaldo, sealed a resounding win with a long-range effort a minute from time that cannoned in off a post. "We were able to finish

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Betis Balompie at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 29. (AFP Photo)

more accurately today," Real full back Marcelo told Spanish television. "It was a very good performance," added the Brazil international. "But we're just at the start and there are many things still to improve." Earlier, Thomas Ver-

maelen scored his first goal for Barca in their laboured win over Malaga at the Nou Camp, a second consecutive 1-0 victory for the European champions after they beat Athletic Bilbao by the same score last weekend. Gijon spoiled Asier Illar-

ramendi's return to Real Sociedad's midfield after rejoining from Real Madrid this week when they held the Basque club, coached by Scot David Moyes, to a 0-0 draw in San Sebastian. Rayo Vallecano had goalkeeper Tono sent off

for felling Celta Vigo midfielder Daniel Wass in the ninth minute at the Balaidos stadium. Nolito scored for the hosts from the resulting penalty and then made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half before Andreu Fontas wrapped up the win late on. Celta also have two victories from two matches and top the table ahead of Barca on goal difference, with Real two points behind in third and Villarreal, who won 3-1 at home to Espanyol on Friday, also on four points in fourth. With a fit-again Neymar restored to the attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the first time this season, Barca looked to their normally lethal South American trio to break down stubborn Malaga. However, it was Vermaelen who finally broke through following relentless pressure when he hammered a loose ball into the net from a 73rdminute corner. The Belgium defender suffered an injury-plagued first season at Barca last term after joining from Arsenal. "I didn't celebrate the goal because I am not used to being in these situations and I don't know how to," Vermaelen told reporters. "Everyone knows the problems I have been through," added the 29-year-old. "The pre-season was very important and the coach (Luis Enrique) has given me the chance to show what I can do."

Serena, Djokovic in first-day action at U.S. Open nEW YoRK, August 30 (REutERs): Topseeded world number ones Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic help launch the U.S. Open tennis championships on Monday's opening day of the year's final grand slam. Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Djokovic closes the day pro-

gram at Arthur Ashe Stadium against 89th-ranked Joao Souza of Brazil. Three-times defending U.S. champion Williams, the Australian, French and Wimbledon champion seeking to become the fourth woman ever to complete a Grand Slam, opens the night program against 86th-ranked Vitalia Diatch-

enko of Russia. The tournament's first match on the Arthur Ashe centre court pits seventhseeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, followed by two-times U.S. Open winner Venus Williams against Puerto Rican Monica Puig. The second Opening Night match un-

der the lights features twotimes winner Rafa Nadal of Spain, the eighth seed, against up-and-coming Borna Coric of Croatia, an 18-year-old ranked 35th. Ninth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia begins the defence of his men's title with a Louis Armstrong Stadium tilt against Guido Pella of Argentina.

Cilic follows Japan's Kei Nishikori onto the Armstrong court. Fourth seed Nishikori, who fell to Cilic in the 2014 U.S. Open final, faces France's Benoit Paire in his opening match. Russia's Maria Sharapova, the third seed, closes the Louis Armstrong day session against Australian Daria Gavrilova.

public discourse Rejoinder to the statement of the President of the Naga Hoho

Water Quality Testing

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ater is essential for the survival of all living things on earth. It is consider as a fundamental human need and most valuable resource on this planet but it is taken for granted by many. Each person on earth requires at least 20 to 50 liters of clean, safe water a day for drinking, cooking, and simply keeping themselves clean. The United Nations considers universal access to clean water a basic human right, and an essential step towards improving living standards worldwide. Water-poor communities are typically economically poor as well. Most of us don’t think about the water we drink. We turn on a tap, fill a glass and drink. But do you ever consider:- Is the water you’re drinking safe or not? What can you do if you water is contaminated? The only way to tell if you water is safe or not is by having it tested in the laboratory. Harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses are invisible to our naked eyes, so the water which looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to consume. Therefore it is very important to know the presence of these harmful micro-organisms in your water by getting it tested in the laboratory, because these microbes can exist in surface and ground water supplies, and can cause immediate sickness in human if not properly treated. There are also numerous chemicals that are found contaminated in water that can cause long time health problems that takes years to develop. Frequent water testing will identify unsafe water and ensure that the treatment system is treating the water to the satisfactory level.

The drinking water thus should be:• Free from pathogens (disease causing organisms) • Clear and transparent (low turbidity) • Not saline • Free from offensive taste and odor • Free from compounds that may have adverse effects on human health (harmful in the long term) • Free from chemicals that may cause corrosion of water supply system or stain clothes washed in it.

Why should I test my water? Whether your drinking water comes from a public supply or private well and/ or spring, each drinking water source may be at risk for contamination and you need to know what those contaminants are and how you might protect your family from the risks associated with the contamination. Therefore periodic water testing is important / necessary:• To determine specific water quality problems. • To help ensure you are using water suitable for your intended use. • To help ensure that your drinking water is safe. • To help you determine the effectiveness of your water treatment system. The quality of a water source may change over time, sometimes suddenly. Many changes can go unnoticed as the water may look, smell and taste the same as it always did. Hence, monitoring your water quality is necessary to ensure your treatment system is working effectively, providing the best quality water for your intended use. Are there problems with my water quality? The water you are using may or may not have problems with it. Many people are aware of some of their water quality problems. For example, some people may be plagued with high concentrations of iron, which causes aesthetically unpleasing coloring and staining. Unfortunately, not all water quality problems can be easily detected without proper testing. Some water may look reasonably good but may actually unsuitable for specific application you are using for it. Proper sampling, testing and interpretation of the result are required to determine the suitability of your water supply and identify any problems it may have. Here are the steps that lead up to determining the suitability of water. Sampling----> Testing ---> Interpretation ---> Suitability.

ation are:• pH:- to ascertain whether your water is acidic or alkaline in nature. • TDS:- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) represent the amount of inorganic substances that are dissolved in the water. High TDS can reduce the palatability of water. • Fluoride: It is an essential micronutrient, but excessive amounts can cause dental problem. • Iron: Long time consumption of drinking water with high concentration of iron can lead to liver diseases (hemosiderosis). • Nitrate: It is commonly found in underground water. High concentrations can be particularly dangerous for infants under six months, since nitrate interferes with the ability of blood carrying oxygen. • Sulphate: Excessive amounts of sulphate can have laxative effect or cause gastrointestinal irritation. • Turbidity: Highly turbid water provides a medium for microbial growth, it also may indicate the presence of microbes. • Hardness: Hardness of water is caused by the presence of multivalent metallic cations and is mainly due to calcium Ca+2 and magnesium Mg+2 ions. In household use, these cations can prevent soap from forming lather and leave behind a white scum. • Ions such as sodium, chloride, manganese, etc can impart objectionable taste or odor to water. • Bacteriological Test: This test is determine whether water is bacteriologically safe for human consumption. These are based on detection of coliform bacteria, a group of microbes recognized as indicators of pollution from human or animal wastes. It is important to test your drinking water both at the tap and at the source. Testing both will help you to determine if your treatment system is performing effectively, and if the quality of your source water has changed. What tests do I need to do? A. Roland Kikon, Chemist Some of the common parameters District Water Testing laboratory which can be taken into considerPHED, Urban Division, Dimapur.

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n reference to the statement made by the President of Naga Hoho as appearing in various dailies on 29/08/15, that “Nagaland needs leaders like Jadonang”, is only Mr.Ozukum’s personal idea and do not reflect to the general wish and sentiment of the Nagas. Being a

Christian State, we do not need a wizard or a tantric witch to be our leader spiritual or otherwise. It is high time all the NGO’s should not indulge in loose talk what our forefathers have sacrificed for our today. The Goan Burahs or Village Chiefs of Nagaland completely dis-

associates from the statement above. It is also my appeal to all other Organisations/Individual to immediately disassociate from this idol worshipping statement, so as to be free from the wrath of God. T.L. Angami, Founder and Advisor Nagaland GB Federaion

A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS (Galatians 6:7)

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man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice. When the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverb 29:1-2. Lately there has been many write up on the issue of a lady by the name of Rani Gaundilu from Manipur state. We are now been well informed about her, both from political as well as historical point of views. In this regard I would like to share my thoughts from the biblical point of view to our leaders especially to the head of the state. For many people in Nagaland, the present chief minister coming to power is quite by chance of different situations, which otherwise would have never happened. But as for me I would rather says it has been a divine appointment for the present situation for the Nagas.

Let us look into the Old Testament, where the bible mentioned many kings and rulers, who came to power from the lowest positions and smallest tribes of the Israelites to rule Israel, because people from the major tribes became wicked and ungodly. For example, David the shepherd boy became king of Israel. Joseph a slave boy became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Saul became king from the smallest tribe of Israel. These rulers were been placed by God to rule Israel regardless of what people may have said about their backgrounds, physical appearances and tribal status. Revelation 3:7 says," what God opens, no one can shut, and when

God shuts no one can open". These kings and rulers were appointed by God with one important condition, "OBEDIENCE", that was to obey God and lead His people to righteousness. As long as the rulers in the Old Testament kept the commandments of God, they ruled well and died satisfied leaving a blessed legacy. And their generations continue to enjoyed the blessings of God. But kings who disobeyed God, and to turn to worship other gods and goddesses, God immediately intervene because He love his chosen people and never wanted them to be misled. Hence, God brings the end of their rule with punishment, to show that God is in control of everything. Out of many such rebellious kings and rulers I would like to share a particular king who regardless of knowing God yet refuses to keep His words in obedience. God took away his kingdom, brought him a dreadful disease which caused excruciating pain and ultimate the disease took his life. It is found in the book of 2 Chronicles 21:4-20. V-18 after all this, the Lord afflicted (Jehoram king of Judah) with an incurable disease of the bowels. In the course of time, at the end of second year, his bowels came out because of the disease and he died in great pain, his people did not made fire in his honour, as they have done for his father in honour of him. This happened because he did evil in the sight of God. What is the biggest sin according to the Bible? As far as the Bible is concern the biggest sin is "someone who know the Lord and yet live like as if they never knew Him". The honorable chief minister of Nagaland knew very well about this

controversial lady, who came from Manipur state, had done nothing for the nagas of Nagaland. Beside she was into witchcraft and idol worship and was driven out from her community by her own people. Which tells us that she was not accepted by her own people. And at this juncture of confusion and uncertainty which nagas are going through, why is the Chief Minister initiating such evil proposal to mislead the naga society. Nagas were never Hindus nor idol worshippers. I am not sure if you ever acknowledge that it was God who put you up there for a time being. And if you do acknowledge that it is the Lord who has placed you to be the Chief Minister of Nagaland, then your decision clearly shows that you have forgotten Gods grace too soon. You turn against God and wishes to glorify and honour this witch, who worship satanism her entire life. Politically she was the enemy of the nagas, spiritually she was enemy to God, who lived her entire life against the will of almighty God. The bible clearly states in Exodus 20:3, You shall have no other gods before me. V-4, you shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything. V-7, you shall not mis use the name of the Lord. You lead a nation of naga people whether good or bad, that claim Christ as their Saviour with Christianity as the state religion. It will be a sad ending if you begin to challenge the word of God. By doing such a wicked thing before God. I hope you repent immediately and come to God for forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ my Lord. Proverb 28:13. Dr. Rev. Tseibu Rutsa

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


Monday 31•08•2015

soul and Blues pays tribute to departed friends

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time when things are forgotten and when people are caught up in their everyday lives, a group of young friends comes together to pay a tribute to their departed friends by organizing a night of music and songs. Different artists came together to play many of the

favorite songs of their dear friends and family who has left them. The Soul and Blues are a group of young men from Arkong ward, who came together to organize a tribute concert for their departed friends and family who were all from Arkong ward, Mokokchung.

The night saw an array of artists playing some old numbers. Among them included some of the old and famous singers Talitsuba, Tzuza, Temsu, Longriwati, Aren and Moa of Aboigenesis and also many other young and upcoming artist from Mokokchung. The trib-

Kunal Nayyar

makes TV Actors Rich List 2015

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unal Nayyar, or better known as ‘Dr Raj Koothrappali’, is named the world’s third-highest paid TV actor in 2015. The British Asian actor has been part of the main casts in the popular US sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, since 2007. He has done Desis proud, as the only nonwhite actor to make the cut on the annual list published by Forbes. Having banked US$20 million (£13 million) in the past year, ‘Raj’ shares the number three spot with Simon Helberg, aka ‘Howard Wolowitz’. He also ties Ashton Kutcher – who topped the 2014’s list with US$26 million (£17 million) in earnings, but has taken a minor hit since Two and a Half Men ended its run in February 2015. Kunal is paid an estimated US$800,000 (£520,000) for every episode of The Big Bang Theory, which has drawn 19 million US viewers for its most recent season. Riding on his success on the small screen, he made his film debut in Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) as the voice of Gupta. The London-born actor then followed up by starring in the Salman Khan-produced rom-com, Dr. Cabbie (2014). More recently, he stepped into theatre and performed in an off-Broadway play The Spoils, written by The Social Network actor Jesse Eisenberg. Kunal is also promoting his upcoming book titled ‘Yes, My Accent Is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You’, expected to hit shelves on September 15, 2015. Fans can expect hilarious stories from his younger days and the low downs on his wedding to former Miss India, Neha Kapur. He says: “I was born in London and brought up in New Delhi, India. I’ve cleaned toilets in Portland, been held up for 76 cents in Philadelphia, and my first acting job on TV was playing a terrorist. “Also my father thinks he’s James Bond and I once played a Star Wars board game for 36 straight hours. “Then I married Miss India. So, why not write a book? It’s the logical next step. Obviously.” Other stars from The Big Bang Theory have also snagged the top spots in Forbes’ 2015 list.

ute concert was held at the premises of Town Hall Mokokchung which was attended by family and friends of the departed souls. A special video tribute was shown where the members quoted lines from Queen, ‘and so we grace another table, And raise our glasses

one more time. There’s a face at the window, And I ain’t never, never saying goodbye….One by one, only the good die young……’ and read out an ode in memory of their loving family and friends. The Soul and Blues, was formed during the 90’s by a group of high

Arnold’s death hoax takes over Twitter by storm!

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umours of former California Governor and Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s death, posted by a hoax website on Thursday, sent fans into frenzy. The rumours started after the Los Angeles Police Department received a 911 call about an “unresponsive male” from his house. Although the rumours were soon put to rest, the Schwarzenegger’s fans had already posted their condolences on Twitter. Everyone sighed a relief only after Australian body

builder Calum von Moger confirmed on his Facebook page that the actor was very much alive and his death was fake news. While fans could not have been happier about the news being wrong they also managed to make fun of it. This is not the first time though that an actor or celebrity has been called dead. Earlier, celebrities like Robert Pattinson, Jackie Chan, Adele, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and many more have fallen victim to these hoaxes.

x a ho

Pamela Anderson

makes kids sign contracts

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ctress Pamela Anderson is a very strict parent and says she makes her sons "sign contracts" before letting them do anything. "I made them sign a contract before they got a car; no drinking and driving and no disrespecting girls. I don't know if I brought them around the best role models, but they've had a colourful life. Despite the mistakes I've made, I have incredible kids," Anderson told People magazine, reports femalefirst.co.uk. The "Baywatch" actress says she fell in love with the boys' father Tommy Lee "at first sight". Asked about the rocker, whom she split from in 1998 after three years of marriage, she said: "I only knew him four days before I married him. It really was love at first sight."

Zayn Malik A 'smitten' with Indian 'Les Miserables' actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste dies Burberry Actor model who became Arjun rAmpAl on divorce rumours

ctor Arjun Rampal has been on a continuous media trial over rumours of a rocky relationship with his wife Mehr Jessia. But the actor prefers not to react. Arjun and Mehr, who have

been married for over 15 years, have been caught in the midst of divorce rumours, and while Arjun has slammed the media over it in the past, he now seems unaffected. “I don’t have any views as I feel peo-

ple have more views than me,” Arjun told IANS here when asked about his views on the rumours related to his personal life. Arjun married Mehr, a supermodel of her time, in 1998. Together, they have two daughters.

both the youngest man and first black man to play Les Miserables' Jean Valjean on Broadway, 21, dies after falling from his mother's fire escape

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he performer from Brooklyn made history in July when he became the youngest actor as well as the first African American to play Les Miserables's Jean Valjean on Broadway. Jean-Baptiste made his Broadway debut on June 23. He was an ensemble and an understudy to the role of Jean Valjean, the role Hugh Jackman played in the 2012 film. The tenor debuted in the show's lead protagonist role on July 23, appearing for Tonynominated Ramin Karimloo,

according to Heavy. On Twitter he called it his 'dream role'. 'The entire Les Miserables family is shocked and devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Kyle, a remarkable young talent and tremendous person who made magic - and history - in his Broadway debut,' a representative for the show told Broadway World. Writing on his website, the recent Baldwin Wallace University graduate said he didn't always know he wanted to be a performer. He wrote: 'If you

school boys who were all music enthusiast. Raised in a community filled with musicians, these boys were inspired as well as encouraged by their elders, some of whom are no more alive. Over the years, younger generation of singers and musicians have been included into the group.

would of asked me what I wanted to be growing up I'd have said a cardiologist. I grew up in Brooklyn New York and had always sung, but never took it seriously. 'I decided to audition for Fiorello LaGuardia for vocal performance and got in (miracle) and the rest was history. 'Getting thrown into the world of musical theatre was terrifying and at first I didn't know if I could handle it, but through hard work and perseverance it all came together.

'Acting and singing have become an extension of who I am, and I strive to use my gift to influence and inspire others. 'I am now shooting for the stars and trying to reach my goal of becoming the best stage and screen actor that I can be.' Jean-Baptiste's last day as Valjean was August 27 and his last performance with Les Miserables was going to be September 6, according to his Facebook. He was next going to star alongside Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple revival.

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ormer One Direction star Zayn Malik is "smitten" with Indian-origin Burberry model Neelam Gill, just a few weeks after calling it quits with his fiancee Perrie Edwards. Malik, who dumped the Little Mix singer by a text message, met Gill here earlier this year. Now, the model is planning to fly to Los Angeles to spend some quality time with Malik, who is renting a home there while he works on his first solo album, reported Daily Mail Online. Gill, who was also known as Neelam Johal before taking her stepfather's name, took to microblogging website Twitter to post about Los Angeles on Saturday. "To live and die in LA, it's the place to be...," she wrote. While Gill, who was the face of last year's Burberry Prorsum campaign, and Malik first met at a studio here in March, nothing happened between them as he was still engaged to Edwards. At the time Malik, having just left One Direction, was working with producer Naughty Boy and Gill was visiting her friends, hip-hop duo Krept and Konan, who were also recording in the building. They later bumped into each other at the Asian Awards here in April, where Malik picked up an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, but again nothing happened as he was still seeing Edwards. Gill tweeted to him after the award ceremony, saying: "Congratulations on your award tonight @zaynmalik, catch up again soon!" They are believed to have stayed in touch as friends until after Malik ended his romance with Edwards last month.


12

MOnDAY 31•08•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Lanka fight back after Ishant fires India

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COLOmBO, AuGust 30 (REutERs): Fast bowler Ishant Sharma's seventh five-wicket haul helped India bundle out Sri Lanka for 201 but the hosts fought back to take three quick wickets and leave the third and final test evenly poised on Sunday. India were at 21 for three in their second innings when rain brought an early close to the third day's play with the tourists having an overall lead of 132 runs. Captain Virat Kohli (one) and Rohit Sharma (14) were at the crease. First-innings centurion Cheteshwar Pujara was bowled for a duck by the second ball of the innings from Dhammika Prasad and Lokesh Rahul was again out shouldering arms, this time to Nuwan Pradeep. Pradeep also dismissed Ajinkya Rahane to leave India tottering at seven for three. Earlier, bowling an impeccable line and length after India made 312 in their first innings, Ishant put his team in the driving seat for a series-clinching win with the sides level at 1-1. The tall right-arm paceman extracted enough movement off the pitch with the new ball to run through Sri Lanka's top order and he picked up two more wickets to give India a lead of 111 runs. Ishant had Upul Tharanga (four) caught at second slip by Lokesh Rahul, who had earlier dropped the same batsman on zero in the first over of the innings. Tharanga could consider himself unlucky with replays showing the delivery was perilously close to

India's Ishant Sharma (C) celebrates with his teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne (not pictured) during the third day of their third and final test cricket match in Colombo , August 30. (REUTERS)

a no ball but the television umpire ruled Ishant's delivery was legal. After opener Kaushal Silva fell to paceman Umesh Yadav for three, Dinesh Chandimal (23) launched a counter-attack. Chandimal hit five fours in his 27-ball knock, but was given out lbw to seamer Stuart Binny with replays indicating the ball could have gone over the stumps. Ishant returned to get Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews (one) edging behind with his first ball for debutant Indian wicketkeeper Naman Ojha to complete his first test dismissal.

The 26-year-old Ishant had Lahiru Thirimanne caught for a duck by Rahul immediately after lunch, reducing Sri Lanka to 47-6 and in danger of following on. But Rahul dropped his second catch of the day, putting down debutant wicketkeeper Kusal Perera on nine off Yadav. The movement off the pitch soon dried up for the Indian bowlers and Perera (55) made full use of the reprieve to complete his maiden half-century, studded with nine fours. The diminutive lefthander became Ishant's fourth victim but not until he had taken his team past

the follow-on mark with Herath (49), who became Ishant's fifth wicket of the innings. Tharindu Kaushal (16) was given out lbw against leg-spinner Amit Mishra although replays suggested he may have found an inside edge. India added 20 runs in the morning to their overnight score of 292-8 to complete a solid first innings and Pujara carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 145. Left-arm spinner Herath bowled out tail-enders Ishant and Yadav to finish with three wickets and Prasad completed figures of 4-100.

Tadic brace gives Southampton lift-off

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LONDON, AuGust 30 (REutERs): Dusan Tadic's brace gave Southampton's stuttering Premier League campaign lift-off with a comfortable 3-0 victory over promoted Norwich City at St Mary's on Sunday. After Graziano Pelle poked Southampton ahead in the 45th minute Tadic took over with an impressive display, scoring quickfire goals midway through the second half to give the south-coast club their first victory of the season. Norwich defender Steven Whittaker was dismissed having received two yellow cards within four first-half minutes for professional fouls. "It's always important

to get the first win out of the way," Southampton captain Jose Fonte told Sky Sports. "We haven't had the start we wanted in the league or European competitions but the most important thing today was getting back to winning games. "We have massive responsibility now we are seen as a good team so we need to win and that's the mentality we have to implant in every game." The surprise packages of last season having finished seventh, Southampton had been out-of-sorts, taking just two points from three games and failing to score since the opening day. Sunday's first half was a microcosm of Southamp-

ton's season, plenty of possession and chances but a lack of killer instinct in front of goal. James Ward-Prowse, Fonte, Pelle and the impressive Sadio Mane all went close in a dominant yet fruitless opening 20 minutes for the hosts. Having weathered the early storm Norwich grew into the game and Cameron Jerome headed a glaring opportunity narrowly wide from point-blank range. Whittaker, however, undermined their efforts after his dismissal with a block on Matt Targett followed 187 seconds later by a tug on the shirt of Tadic. The hosts took advantage of their numerical advantage with Pelle beating

Russel Martin to convert Mane's cross just before halftime. Jay Rodriguez, still making his way back from a long-term knee injury, was brought on after the break and was lively throughout, forcing John Ruddy into a number of saves. Mane again was the catalyst and crossed for Tadic to lash home his first in the 64th minute before the Serbian converted from close range two minutes later after Ruddy had parried Pelle's header. Victory moved Southampton up to 10th with five points while Norwich sit one point adrift in 14th. Manchester United visit Swansea City later on Sunday.

Mare Dibaba sprints to thrilling marathon win

BEIJINGm AuGust 30 (REutERs): Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba won the women's marathon at the world athletics championships after a thrilling sprint finish along the home straight of the Beijing National Stadium on Sunday. The 25-year-old Dibaba out-kicked Kenya's Helah Kiprop to win the gruelling event by just one second, crossing the finish line in two hours, 27 minutes and 35 seconds. The long-striding Kiprop briefly threatened to take the gold medal when she loomed up on the outside of Dibaba with 50 metres left to run but couldn't get past the pint-sized Ethiopian. Kiprop faded slightly and had to settle for the silver medal, while the bronze went to the reigning Asian champion Eunice Kirwa, who was born in Kenya but now competes for Bahrain. Ethiopia has a long and proud tradition in marathon running but Dibaba was the first Ethiopian female to win the lung-sapping event at the world championships. "I'm so happy to get the first medal for my country," she said through a translator. "Just after 40km, I tried to test them. I came out in front because I wanted to control. Then we came into the stadium, I just tried my best. "I take off and I win the marathon." Dibaba went into the race as the favourite after recording the fastest time in the world this year but was unable to shake off her mostly East African challengers on a overcast morning in the Chinese capital where conditions were less brutal than usual. There were still a dozen runners in the leading pack at the 30 kilometres mark but as the pace picked up, they slowly began to drop off. By the 35km mark, just six remained in the leading bunch, then five as they passed 40km. Kenya's Edna Kiplagat, who won the last two world championships marathons, dropped from the leading group about two kilometres from the finish and settled for fifth. But there were still four women in contention when they reached the Bird's Nest stadium.

Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba wins the final of the women's marathon athletics event at the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing on August 30. (AFP Photo)

US finishes behind Kenya, Jamaica with 6 gold medals

BEIJING, AuGust 30 (AP): Even with its sixth straight title in the men's 4x400meter relay, the United States still finished behind Jamaica and Kenya with only six gold medals at this year's world championships. Jamaica again proved it is much more than just Usain Bolt when the country's women's team defeated the Americans on Sunday in the 4x400 relay to win its seventh gold medal and deny Allyson Felix a 10th world title. Like the botched handoff in the men's 4x100 relay on Saturday, the American women also lost valuable time with a hesitant handover in their duel with Jamaica. In the men's relay, Jamaica led coming into the finishing straight but LaShawn Merritt timed his lap to perfection to earn gold while Jamaica slipped out of the medals. It was the only relay victory for the U.S. team, with the other three going to the Jamaicans. Both Kenya and Jamaica won seven gold medals during the nine-day competition, one more than the Americans. It was the second time in a row the United States failed to win the most gold medals. It was the first time that Kenya and Kenya's Jemima Sumgong lost touch in the entry tunnel and missed out on the podium despite finishing just seven seconds behind the winner. Dibaba dashed clear as they reached the edge of the track. Kirwa tried to go with her but had no energy left and settled for the bronze. "I had pain in my leg, so I decided to stay behind

Jamaica were at the top. Overall, however, the United States finished with 18 medals, the most of the championships. Kenya had 16 and Jamaica had 12. Kenya got its last gold from Asbel Kiprop, who won his third 1,500 in a row. The Kenyan took the lead halfway through the finishing straight and the rest of the pack sprinted for silver. Another Kenyan, Eliah Manangoi, came in second and Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco got bronze. On a big day for Ethiopia, Almaz Ayana stunned Genzebe Dibaba to win the 5,000 meters and deny her teammate a second gold medal at this year's worlds. At the line, a disappointed Dibaba could not even hold off Senbere Teferi, another teammate. Ayana won in a championship record of 14 minutes, 26.83 seconds for a massive victory of 17.24 seconds over Teferi. Dibaba was right behind in third to complete the Ethiopian sweep. Dibaba, already the 1,500 world champion, was seeking to win a second gold, much like her big sister Tirunesh did at the 2008 Olympics at the Bird's Nest.

(the leaders) as the pace continued pushing, pushing," she said. "But at 35km, I see it's better to push the pace because I was looking towards the finish line." Kiprop was the last to challenge Dibaba and although she came up short, she was pleased just to get on the podium, fearing she might be the unlucky one when the four leaders en-

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tered the stadium tunnel. "Everyone was very strong, I was thinking that maybe I would be number four but at the end I saw it was possible for me to go and so I tried," she said. "I feel very excited because I didn't expect (to win a medal). It was my first time to be at the world championships and the first time I represented my country."

Valentino Rossi wins British MotoGP Man City sign Belgian De Bruyne

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LONDON, AuGust 30 (REutERs): Manchester City have bolstered their midfield ranks with the signing of highly-rated Belgian Kevin de Bruyne from VfL Wolfsburg on a six-year contract, the twice Premier League champions said on Sunday. The fee was not disclosed but British media reported it to be in the region of 50 million pounds ($76.92 million). "I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe

have some titles," playmaker De Bruyne told the City website (www.mcfc.co.uk). "I think this is the most important for the Club, the players and for the fans of course." The 24-year-old has forged a reputation as one of Europe's most creative midfielders with 33 assists in 72 appearances in all competitions for the German side. De Bruyne became City's fourth signing of the close-season following the acquisitions of England internationals Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph and Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi.

sILVERstONE, AuGust 30 (REutERs): Italian great Valentino Rossi won a rain-hit British Grand Prix to take a 12-point lead over Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday as Marc Marquez's hopes of retaining the MotoGP title all but vanished. Pole-sitter Marquez fell on the 13th of 20 laps while running a close second, the Honda rider's crash leaving Rossi clear to take his fourth win of the season and lead an all-Italian podium with Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso. Spaniard Lorenzo, who had seized the lead from second on the grid but then faded, finished fourth. Rossi now has 236 points to Lorenzo's 224 with six races remaining. The pair had started the day level on points but with Lorenzo ahead on race wins. Marquez, now 77 points off the lead, conceded that his bid for a third successive title was effectively over. "We can say that maybe now the championship will be too difficult," the Spaniard told reporters. The start was delayed for 30 minutes when rain began to fall after the race had originally been declared dry. That led to riders returning to the pits for

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a change of tyres and setup. Lorenzo seized the lead at the start but Rossi, winning for the first time at Silverstone, passed him on the second lap to cheers from the 73,000 strong crowd. Only Marquez was able to take the fight to him until a front-end wobble threw the Spaniard into the gravel at Copse. "When I saw Marc crash...I slowed down a little bit because I thought I had more advantage," said Rossi, who finished three

seconds ahead of Petrucci. "I hoped Danilo would not risk too much because it's his first podium but anyway I had to stay concentrated. At the end the conditions were more difficult because there was more water so I didn't want to make any mistake." Petrucci's second for the Pramac Ducati team -- after he started 18th -came at the expense of works Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso, who had to settle for third.

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