December 13th, 2015

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SunDAY • December 13 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 339 • 12 PAGes • 4

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Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed Assad not to negotiate with armed groups PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

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NCSU Mkg supports December 15 bandh C M Y K

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Mokokchung, DeceMber 12 (Mexn): The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) Mokokchung District Unit has extended its “fullest support and co-operation” to the proposed bandh called by the NCSU Head Office Kohima, Nagaland on December 15. The NCSU has called for the bandh on the “failure and ignorance” of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Govt. of India about the Dimapur–Kohima four lane National Highway in regard to the demand of the NCSU Head Office.

Taking the matter seriously, the NCSU Mokokchung District Unit stated in a press release from its President, L. Tajen Imchen and General Secretary Toshiakum Jamir, that the Unit is “well prepared to participate” with its registered members for the proposed bandh as directed by the NCSU Head Office.

Freezing weather grips North India new Delhi, DeceMber 12 (iAnS): Several parts of hill states Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh were in the grip of bitter cold on Saturday with temperatures dipping below freezing point. At minus 11 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir was the coldest in the state on Saturday. "The minimum temperature in Gulmarg dropped to minus 10.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday while it was 0.6 in Srinagar, minus 6.5 in Pahalgam and minus 4.6 in Leh town of Ladakh region," an official of the Srinagar met office told IANS. In the Jammu region, the minimum temperatures were 6.5 in Jammu city, 6.7 in Katra town, 2 in Batote and Bannihal and 0.5 degrees in Bhaderwah. A day after it witnessed mild snowfall, Himachal Pradesh's popular tourist destination of Manali recorded the season's lowest temperature of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The temperature remained below the freezing point at many places in the state, an official of the Shimla meteorological office told IANS.

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draft of climate deal ‘song of independence’ drawing Final hailed as ‘turning point’ nearer to a conclusion: tr Zeliang

Mokokchung | December 12

i am not feeling the Christmas spirit. i need to drink more!!

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UFC 194: Aldo-McGregor to fight today

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our Correspondent

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District Hospital Mon celebrates 50 years

Mokokchung 125 Anniversary celebration begins

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Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang today said that Nagas have “sung the song of independence for the last more than 60 years” and that they are now drawing nearer to the “conclusion” of the Naga political problem with the signing of the Framework Agreement between Government of India (GoI) and NSCN (IM).

The Chief Minister, however, cautioned that if Nagas “try to divide ourselves into more pieces instead of bringing permanent peace, and also if we want to start our history from today or start from square one, then we will have to travel another long journey to arrive to a conclusion.”

Zeliang said this while addressing the people of Mokokchung at Imkongmeren Sports Complex here today as the Chief Guest of the inaugural celebratory program of the Mokokchung Town 125

Chief Minister of nagaland, TR Zelaing releasing the jubilee souvenir in commemoration of Mokokchung Town’s 125th Anniversary (1890 – 2015) at imkongmeren sports Complex, Mokokchung on December 12 (Morung Photo)

Years Anniversary. He was accompanied by all the 11 elected legislators from the Ao community.

While appreciating the “vibrancy and cohesiveness of the people of Mokokchung,” the Chief Minister also added that the town has been a venue of many important events like the 3rd Naga People’s Convention, 1959. It was on the basis of decisions taken during this Convention that the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 was signed, paving the way for formation of Nagaland State, he noted.

Iterating that Mokokchung has been a bastion of regional political parties in

Nagaland, the Chief Minister recalled that the erstwhile United Democratic Front “which was the precursor to the present Naga People’s Front” had bagged all the 10 assembly seats of Mokokchung district. “In a curious replay of that period, now we have all the 10 legislators of Mokokchung district in the NPF led DAN government,” he said.

The provisions of the 16 Point Agreement and Article 371-A are not being able to be implemented on the ground, the Chief Minister argued, urging the people of Mokokchung to “bring a corrective measure” to “protect our rights and to

uphold our dignity.”

Further regretting that Nagaland still imports almost everything from other states, he questioned, “Where is our economic stability?” In this connection proclaiming that a “good number of National Highways” touches the town and the district, the Chief Minister asked the people of Mokokchung to “produce something from our land” and export to other states through these roads.

Stating that the Municipal Affairs Department is willing to take up several projects in the town, Zeliang posed whether the people of Mokokchung

can be more liberal in providing land. “For development purpose, we have to be liberal and we have to part with our land for development of our town.”

He also announced that the “northern ring road” recommended by the Mokokchung DPDB is a genuine requirement and that he will take it up with the GoI for necessary funding.

Appreciating the Mokokchung Entrepreneurs Consortium for promoting entrepreneurial development, Zeliang guaranteed that, “I will ensure that support is given by the government towards this endeavour under CM Corpus Fund or under Article 275.”

In his concluding remarks, the Chief Minister conveyed the people of Mokokchung a bright and prosperous future. “As Nagaland prepares itself towards self reliance through increased growth and productivity, it is my hope that you will continue to set the trend for the rest of the state to emulate,” he concluded.

Earlier, The Chief Minister unveiled the Mokokchung Town 125th Anniversary Monolith and also released the jubilee souvenir.

Assam: AIUDF softens anti-Cong stand to defeat BJP guwAhAti, DeceMber 12 (tnn): The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has softened its anti-Congress stand for the sake of entering into Bihar's Maha Gathbandhan-like understanding with non-BJP parties in Assam ahead of the assembly polls.

The change of stand came after AIUDF chief Badruddin Aj ma l' s meeting with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, the architect of Maha Gathbandhan, in New Delhi recently. In Bihar's Maha Gathbandhan,

Congress was integral to the grand alliance, and this perhaps is the lesson AIUDF chief took after meeting Kumar recently.

Though Ajmal could not be contacted, a close aide of the AIUDF chief told TOI that Congress has to be part of grand understanding among secular parties if BJP has to be kept at bay in the upcoming assembly election.

"There is a need for Maha Gathbandhan-like understanding of parties in Assam if we have to check BJP. So, we have to have understanding with all

secular parties including Congress," Maulana Abdul Kadir, one of the close aides of Ajmal and AIUDF leader, said.

During Ajmal and Kumar meeting the duo explored the possibility of having electoral alliance with secular parties, with barely six months to go for the state election.

For all along AIUDF has been advocating alliance with non-Congress and non-BJP parties in the state.

Muslim intellectuals and organizations has called a meeting here

on Sunday to discuss on how to prevent division of "secular" votes.

"The message we want to send to the political parties is that secular votes should not be divided at any cost. So, all the secular parties should come to understandings on how to ensure this," writer and president of Char Chapori Sahita Parishad, Hafiz Ahmed said.

Congress had earlier sent feeler that it would like to have grand understanding with nonBJP parties including AIUDF to defeat BJP.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi had on different occasions espoused entering into understanding with AIUDF, which enjoys significant support in Muslim-dominated constituencies in Lower Assam.

However, of late Congress has been blowing hot and cold on AIUDF. Recently state Congress chief Anjan Dutta accused Ajmal of talking with BJP for division of minority votes. Ajmal had categorically denied the allegation, and also threatened to file defamation case against Dutta.

PAriS, DeceMber 12 (reuterS): French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius presented a landmark global climate accord on Saturday, a "historic" measure for transforming the world's fossil fuel-driven economy within decades and turning the tide on global warming.

At the tail end of the hottest year on record and after four years of fraught U.N. talks often pitting the interests of rich nations against poor, imperilled island states against rising economic powerhouses, Fabius urged delegates from nearly 200 nations to support what he hopes will be a final draft. The accord sets a sweeping long-term goal of eliminating net man-made greenhouse gas emissions this century. It also creates a system to encourage nations to make good on voluntary domestic efforts to curb emissions and provides billions more dollars to help poor nations cope with the transition to a greener economy.

"Our responsibility to history is immense," Fabius told thousands of officials, including President Francois Hollande and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in the main hall of the conference venue on the outskirts of Paris.

Calling it "ambitious and balanced", Fabius said the accord would mark a "historic turning point" in efforts to avert the potentially disastrous consequences of an overheated planet. In some ways its success was assured before the summit began: 187 nations have submitted detailed national plans for how they will contain the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. While leaving each country to pursue those measures on its own, the fact that the world has signed on to a common vision and course of action - including a commitment to regularly review and step up their efforts marks a breakthrough after years of bickering over

how to move forward.

TOO MUCH, OR NOT ENOUGH? While some climate change activists and U.S. Republicans will likely find fault with the accord - either for failing to take sufficiently drastic action, or for overreacting to an uncertain threat many of the estimated 40,000 officials, academics and campaigners who set up camp on the outskirts of Paris say they see it as a long overdue turning point.

Six years after the previous climate summit in Copenhagen ended in failure and acrimony, the Paris pact appears to have rebuilt much of the trust required for a concerted global effort to combat climate change, delegates say. A deal in Paris would mark a legacy-defining achievement for U.S. President Barack Obama, who has warned not to "condemn our children to a planet beyond their capacity to repair".

DESTINIES BOUND After talks that extended into early morning, the draft text showed how officials had resolved the stickiest points. Hollande cautioned that the pact would not be "perfect for everyone", urging delegates to see the common need while reviewing key compromises that are certain to leave some nations unsatisfied.

In a win for vulnerable low-lying nations who had portrayed the summit as the last chance to avoid the existential threat of rising seas, the agreement would set a more ambitious goal for limiting the rise in global temperatures to "well below" the 2 degrees Celsius threshold.

"Our head is above water," Olai Uludong, ambassador on climate change for the Pacific island state of Palau, told Reuters, saying it would keep alive low-lying nations' hopes of limiting temperature rises to less than 1.5C (2.7F).

‘Think Tank’ reflects on issues facing Naga society Morung Express news Kohima | December 12

An ‘All Nagaland Think Tank’ meeting was held at Jotsoma Centenary Ground, Jotsoma village on December 12. Organised by Mission Facilitators- empowering leaders and organization to achieve audacious goals- the meeting witnessed several leaders in various fields of Naga society speaking on issues of corruption.

Present at the meeting were Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary, NBCC, Dr. Dietho-o Yhoshü, Thepfulhouvi Solo, Diethono Nakhro, DK Zeliang, Dr. Sedevi Tsürho, Deputy Director for Research and Training at Referral Hospital (CIHSR), Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate & Chairman for ACAUT, Z Lohe, Visasolie, Rev. L Suohie Mhasi and Rev. Dr. VK Nuh. The speakers focused on three perspectives— from women and church leaders, civil society leaders and issues and con-

cerns of young generation.

Corruption “Corruption weakens and blinds people and nations. If Nagas dropped corruption and stayed faithful, a wider door will be opened to do the right, progressive and hopeful deeds for the people,” said Krurovi Peseyie while opening the meeting.

Speaking on ‘Corruption-the fight against it’, Dr. Sedevi Tsürho lamented that the knowledge of good and evil does not seem to make Nagas do good and avoid evil. Corruption has entered the entire society to the extent that one cannot remove it without massive damage; yet one cannot allow it to grow.

“All of us are tainted.

No one is corruption free,” asserted Dr. Tsürho while explaining the structure and anatomy of corruption which thrives on inequality and tolerance of evil. “We tolerate each other for all kinds of wrongdoings because we feel that we will

Rev. Dr. Mazie nakhro narrating the present situation of naga society while taking back the audience to the past days of naga nationalism. (Morung Photo)

need each other.”

Dr. Tsürho also provided suggestions on what people can do to make a start. “Do not invite tainted people and so called leaders to grace occasions –you are only validating their existence. Do not feed the source that sustains corruption. Equip yourself, read as much as possible. Study how it is affecting you and how you are being changed by it. Learn to do self-examination. Talk about corruption in your groups. Refuse to be part of the system.

Develop accountability, support groups and measures. Do not say you have to be practical. When you say you have to be practical we are saying God is impractical and we do not believe in God.” Kezhokhoto Savi emphasized on Lokayukta and backdoor appointments in Nagaland. Questioning why the State Government continues to delay the induction of Lokayukta, Savi reminded that its main objective is to curb corruption in the State. Condemning the rampant backdoor ap-

pointments in Nagaland, Savi noted that such practices indicate the most unethical ‘department ethics’.

Church “What projects the future is the present,” said Zelhou Keyho, speaking on ‘The Future Church’ which, he mentioned, must include the ‘Now Generation’ and what Naga society needs today is to get young people in leadership roles.

The Church must listen to the young by way of providing leadership in strategic positions, said Keyho.

Disability Diethono Nakhro, speaking on the quality of life for the disabled in Naga society, noted that Nagas as a society do not mistreat or abandon family members because a person has disability but, “Naga families can be faulted for being over protective and not encouraging self reliance enough. For those living with disability in Nagaland, the world is beyond reach.”

The most ordinary aspirations such as going to school, shop, enjoy an entertainment show or hang out with friends are things disabled people can only dream of. “It is not because they can’t but simply because our society does not allow them. Our society still views disabilities as people who cannot,” said Nakhro. Naga society in general continues to view persons with disabilities as objects of charity needing welfare assistance to survive and that they are incapable of participating in or contributing to society.

“When you start looking

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at the person rather than the disability you will discover a huge overlooked resourceyou will discover talents and abilities that go far beyond a disability. Disabled people are not different from you. The only difference is that their area of weakness stands out and is visible to others. But that does not make them lesser human beings,” she added.

Looking ahead Taking an optimistic stand on the future despite the divisions, mistrust and corruption in Naga society, Dr. Deitho-o Yhoshü affirmed Nagas have already made achievements where they are better placed and better recognized. “Many things have gone wrong but not everything. Let’s learn lessons from our past mistakes and begin to build with what is intact. And work on a common journey and common future. Let our difficulties and challenges propel us and push us forward to better things ahead,” said Dr. Dietho-o.

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District Hospital Mon celebrates 50 years Governor stresses on need for a strong and vibrant society Mon, DeceMber 12 (DIPr): While delivering speech at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the District Hospital Mon, the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya congratulated all the doctors, nurses and staff members for their commitment to serve the sick and needy wholeheartedly. He said, “Our life becomes more meaningful and beautiful when we look after the sick and the needy people.”

He said that DHM is most commendable when it comes to service and dedication for providing 24 hrs services to the needy and the sick people. “DHM is the only hospital in the state providing evening shift, which is a model for other district hospital to follow.” Congratulating the DHM for begging the Kayalap Mission 2015, he said, “When many hospital in Nagaland are facing hygiene and waste management problems DHM has achieved it.” Despite DHM achieving such awards and reaching a mile stone, we are lacking behind in healthcare facilities, said the Governor and urged upon the people of Mon to move forward and work together in materializing 200 bedded with modern equipments, specialized doctors, supporting technical and medical staff. Lamenting that despite the up gradation from 50 to 100 bedded hospital, it is yet to be

materialized in terms of equipments, manpower and building. Time waits for no one therefore we should hurry and fulfill the promise by providing the facilities needed for the 100 bedded hospital.

Acknowledging that many Nagas from Myanmar who come over to Nagaland to avail medical and education facilities, he said setting up of Medical College in Mon district would be befitting for the Naga brothers from Myanmar.

Pointing out that show casing cultural songs, dances, music, handlooms, etc is not enough, the Governor said that God has blessed the people with rich natural resources therefore the Naga youths have to move forward to make use of such resources by educating themselves and become doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, etc.

Congratulating the people of Mon for the milestone achievement of the district hospital the Minister for H&WF, P Longon said that with the active participation of the NGOs, civic bodies and the cooperation and the support of the people, the hospital witness a tremendous change after 50 years of its existences to deliver better health care service to the people.

“Let the hospital prosper to ensure that the poor and the sick gets

the maximum benefits,” he added.

He also urged the staffs to be sincere and to feel privilege of experiencing and working in this hospital and to continue with the same team work.

He said that good health of the citizen is the greatest assets of the state and that the wealth of the state is determined by the health of its citizen, Longon appealed all to take the ownership of the hospital to ensure proper healthcare facilities in the district.

He urged the public leaders to ensure that the department does not get any obstructions for further development of the hospital as in the past.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mon Honje Konyak in his welcome address delivered a brief account of the DHM while the Director of Health, department of H&FW Shri Kithan presented overall performance of the DHM. The Chief host of the Golden Jubilee N. Thongwang Konyak, Advisor DUDA also spoke and addressed the gathering. Greeting was proposed by the President KNSK Lomei Konyak. Jubilee Monolith was dedicated by Rev. Zapovil Sophie, President ABCC. The programme was chaired by Dr. U.K. Konyak, CMO, Mon while the vote of thanks was proposed by Medical Superintendent of DHM. Special number was presented by the Hospital staffs.

DMC inaugurates 11th road in Dimapur

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Chairman, NIDC Ltd, Tovihoto Ayemi along with DMC Administrator, H. Atokhe Aye and others after inaugurating road at Police Colony, Dimapur on Saturday. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News

road constructed by Dimapur Municipal CounDimapur | December 12 cil (DMC) at Police ColChairman NIDC Ltd, ony, Dimapur. Drainage Tovihoto Ayemi on Sat- repairing along the same urday inaugurated 11th road was also inaugurated

simultaneously.

Describing the developmental works taken up

by DMC as a “big achievement,” Tovihoto lauded the DMC Administrator,

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H. Atokhe Aye and his staff for putting in their efforts in the service of the public. He encouraged them to continue with their efforts stating that the DAN government was committed to deliver goods to the people.

“We (DAN government) will do whatever is possible to deliver goods to the people. So I appeal to the people to inculcate a sense of belongingness towards the facilities provided by the government,” Tovihoto said.

DMC Administrator, Atokhe expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs, R. Tohanba for allowing the DMC to collect toll taxes for the development and management of the Council.

He said that the DMC was committed to sincerely serve the public and that more developmental works remained. Atokhe thanked the civil societies, leaders and public for extending their support and cooperation towards the developmental activities initiated by the DMC. The inaugural programme was attended by DCCI President, Hokivi Chishi, former DMC Councillor, Vikheho Zhimo, NPF party workers and colony leaders.

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The Governor and his wife along with DC and Officers with elders of Mon village on December 11. (DIPR Photo)

the society is lacking in the present education system.

He also emphasized on ‘3 Es’ - Education, Electricity and Employment’ for every aspect of development in the modern world.

Emphasizing on corruption free society for strong nation the Governor appealed to the students’ community to be the agent of change and the watch dog of the society. He said Students organization are the pillars and strong force of the society in the North East and appealed to them to change their mind set and raise the issues of unemployment, infrastructure development and corruption prevailing in the society.

Stressing on Yoga, he said Yoga is a preventive medicine which is not associated with any religion.

It is recognized in the international level as preventive medicine and added that Yoga and vegetarian is not Hinduism. He also informed that 20 Indian doctors from abroad will be visiting the district in the early parts of 2016 to conduct free medical camp and urged the people to avail the opportunity.

Citing that peace is an essence of development, the Governor said development can take place only in a peaceful environment therefore, the GOI and the NSCN (IM) has entered into frame work of peace agreement to find honourable solution to the Naga political issue. He appealed to all the groups to joint in the peace process to recognize the genuine demands of the Nagas.

On his first day, the Governor visited Mon Village and Mon Sub-jail, where he had interaction with the Village elders, jail staff and the prisoners. He also had meetings with Civil Societies, Senior Citizens, Parents of Children studying/ working outside Nagaland, District Administration and head of Departments at Walo Guest House.

Public reception program in honour of the Governor was organized by the Konyak Union at Council Hall Mon Town. Earlier, the Governor of Nagaland and Assam, B.P Acharya along with his wife, who were here on two days visit was received by the District Administration and Konyak Civil Societies at Halipad with Guard of Honour from the Village Guards.

Salangtem Youth Union celebrates Golden Jubilee Morung Express News Mokokchung | December 12

The Salangtem Youth Union celebrated its glorious 50 years celebration under the theme “Prism of Possibilities” with C. Apok Jamir, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism as the Chief Guest and Dr. Lanusashi Longkumer, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, NU, Lumami as the Golden Jubilee speaker. The jubilee celebration programme was held at the Salangtem Community Hall premises.

The chief guest, C. Apok Jamir, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Government of Nagaland, in his speech said the jubilee day was a day to forgive and forget past grudges and enmity.

He challenged the youth to keep at pace with the development of the ward and to nurture individual’s special qualities unitedly and collectively in order to make Salangtem ward a living example of progress, unity

C. Apok Jamir, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, the Chief Guest at the Salangtem Youth union, releasing the Golden Jubilee souvenir at Salangtem Ward Community Hall premises, Mokokchung. (Morung Photo)

and harmony. He added that the youths of today can play a pivotal role and a contributing factor in shaping the ward, district and the state.

Dr. Lanusashi Longkumer, the golden jubilee speaker, spoke that the

50 years achievement is a landmark and a fulfilling stage and it is not only a celebration but also a responsibility to consciously take a new step with a prism of possibility. He said that Nagaland state is a highly dependent state with the

citizens filled with disillusionment, discontentment and superficial development. The state has the potentiality to become like the south-east Asian countries like South Korea and Taiwan with immense human resource, rich mineral deposits and bio-diversity.

But the people are without a proper foundation who cannot become masters of our own land and its resources. He added that the present global generation should have a foundation based on the good values from our own culture and to be productive, innovative, creative and trustworthy individuals, then only, we can achieve the prism of possibilities.

Other highlights of the celebration included the release of Jubilee souvenir by the chief guest, speeches from Mulungchet, President, Salangtem Youth Union (SYU) and Lanutoshi Imchen, Chairman Salangtem Ward Authority.

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Mon, DeceMber 12 (DIPr): Addressing the people of Mon at the civic reception at council hall, Mon and interacting with the civil societies, public leader, Government officers and villagers of Mon village on December 11, the Governor of Nagaland and Assam PB Acharya stressed on the need to have a strong and vibrant society for a strong nation. He said education is the backbone of development and according to him empowerment of education is the first and the most important aspect in strengthening and developing any society.

He pointed out that as per the news paper report 68% of the Government Teachers are proxy teacher and that only the poor children of the society go to the government school. The Governor said ‘the strength of the society lies in the weaker section of the society and therefore the society cannot be strengthen without strengthening the weakest section of the society.

Asserting that the ultimate goal of education should not be self centered, the Governor said everyone is part of the society and therefore development of society is strengthening the individuals. He lamented that the concept of empowering

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What Manipur must do to leave behind the tyranny of the past Golan Suanzamung Naulak

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separate administration for the hills would be one solution to cater to the long standing demands of different communities in Manipur, while respecting the territorial integrity of the state December 9, 2015 marked the 100th day after James Khaijamang Touthang, a boy of 11, and seven unarmed civilians were shot dead by Manipur police and Assam Rifles personnel in Churachandpur, Manipur, on the night of 31st August and 1st September, 2015. Two other persons died in accidentrelated incidents but all the nine lost their lives because of three contentious bills passed by the Manipur Assembly. The bodies of the nine dead persons remain unburied in a makeshift morgue at the district hospital.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the bills says that they will not bury the dead until the government withdraw the bills. The bills have reportedly been referred to the President for his assent.

The difficulty in reading the complexity of Manipur comes largely from the state’s inability to come to terms with its past.

A fractured past would seem to only suggest the possibility of a fissured future, with a difficult present. All communities – Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Zomis, Hmars and others – are caged by the tyranny of their own histories. Add to this the perceived fear of a shared future with scarce resources and the picture becomes a little clear. An ineffective administration, decades of nepotism and corruption, insurgent groups, and the militarisation of the state make

up the perfect recipe for a political volcano.

The recent tribal unrest in the state’s hills has thrown up several questions. Who is a Manipuri? Who belongs to Manipur? What are the symbols and images that represent Manipur? The very idea of Manipur is being challenged from the demands of the various tribal groups.

Three bills under the aegis of the inner line permit (ILP) – the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015; the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill 2015; and the Manipur Shops and Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 – were passed in September by the Manipur assembly without any deliberation in the law-making house. It was the result of a two-month long agitation led by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), a Meitei civil society body.

In what appears as a marked departure from standard lawmaking procedures where deliberations take place in the house, the Congress government under Ibobi Singh took the people of the state for a ride by outsourcing the debate to the streets of Imphal. This ‘heroic’ act of populism seems to have set a precedent with even the hills now demanding the repeal of the laws with debates on the narrow hilly lanes.

That bills affecting tribal rights and land were passed based on a draft submitted by a civil society body representing the interest of one community in a multi-ethnic state – which was accepted in toto, without referring it to the Constitutionally mandated Hills Areas Committee (HAC) on the pretext of being a money bill – is merely

Manipur observes Nupi Lal Day Our Correspondent Imphal | December 12

The 76th Nupi Lal (women's war) Day was widely observed in Manipur on Saturday with many leaders including Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh paying tribute to the fearless womenfolk who resisted against the monopolistic policy of the British.

The main function was held at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex here organised by the state government. Several organisations also marked the day across the state.

Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, ministers, MLAs, DGP of Manipur Police, Chief Secretary and a host of state officials who were present at the occasion paid floral tribute to the brave women.

On December 12, 1939, hundreds of womenfolk

staged a protest in Imphal streets demanding a complete stoppage of export of rice and closure of all rice mills, which led to a violent confrontation with Sepoys inside the Telegraph office.

In the confrontation, 21 women protesters were wounded, five of them critically. The direct causes of the outbreak of the Nupi Lal of 1939 were scarcity of rice and price rise in Manipur which was then under the British rule.

In his speech given during the function, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh called upon everyone to bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the state.

He recalled the valour of the Manipuri womenfolk and stated that the role of women in the society is enormous. Ibobi said Nupi Lal was a very important movement against the colonial power in the history of Manipur.

another feat for the government in the current dispensation of injustice and discrimination against tribals in this conflictridden state. The drafting committee did not have a single tribal member for laws that were to be applied in the entire state, where tribals make up 40% of the population.

The people in the hill districts vehemently opposed the passing of the bills. On the same night of its passing, the houses of the MP from Outer Manipur and six tribal MLAs – including those of a cabinet minister – were burnt down by agitators.

The government responded with the use of live bullets on unarmed civilians.

Old fears, new game The problems faced today by all sections in Manipur are two-fold: one, the fear of losing one’s territory. The fear of being dominated by ‘outsiders’, of being reduced to a minority in their own land informs much of the mistrust amongst different communities. This is a futuristic apprehension and is linked to the existence of multiple and often overlapping claims over spatial and cultural spaces.

Two, the failure of successive governments to consolidate the idea of Manipur as one that is inclusive and accommodating. The failure of basic administration and governance in the state also plays a big role in influencing the current state of affairs.

Among the Meiteis, in the past 20 years an ethnic revival has gained momentum, which even borders on shedding off its Vaishnavite Hindu past. The burning down of the state central library in 2005 by a crowd protesting the usage of Bengali script was an unfortunate land-

mark in this movement. There is a renewed search for identity – one that is grounded on indigeneity, focusing on promotion of the Meitei Mayek script, and even a demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

The coming of the Asian Highway, the central government’s plan to increase trade and commerce through Moreh, the proposed completion of the rail-link by 2016, the building of dams, and plans to extract mineral resources, have all contributed to a new found fear in the state. This has resulted in a clamour for protection and insulation, and hence the demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, amongst other measures.

The collective memory of the Treaty of Yandabo (1826) and the Merger Agreement with India (1949) are still used as anchors for several movements even today.

In the hills, the Nagas and Kuki-Chin groups have different demands from the government. Yet, they all have a commonality in that they all want separation from the valley. This, they claim, is the only way for them to protect their rights and territory, and work towards the development of their constituencies.

Tribals in Manipur have had a troubled past. The horrors of the Naga-Kuki and Kuki-Zomi conflicts in the 1990s have not yet been fully solved. While the Kuki-Zomi conflict has been resolved to a large extent in the form of traditional understanding and peace-building measures, the wounds of the Naga-Kuki conflict continue to play an important role in the dynamics of Manipur’s politics. This relationship becomes more crucial in the current con-

would be a gross misreading.

This divide, unfortunately, is not merely geographical or colonial. It has come to represent the narrow lens and boundaries communities create for themselves in post-independent India – not a mere colonial hangover but the overconsumption of its ideas and categories. Different tribes in the hills have always contested the Meitei claim of there being one Manipuri family. This supposed sanguine thread has been appropriated by the dominant Meitei community to consolidate its control over other communities as much as it is advantageously used by the state.

One possibility is giving full autonomy to the tribal districts of Manipur. This will be a political solution without infringing upon the territorial integrity of the state and at the same time meet the aspirations of the hills.

A regional body with separate Naga and Zo (Kuki/Chin/Zomi groups) councils should not be unthinkable; if every tribe with their apex bodies gets to decide which council they want to join, this would give a choice even to the smallest tribes usually overshadowed by the larger tribes in deciding their future course of action.

With the guarantee of this regional body, the valley can perhaps apply the bills but only with the insertion of a clause that they will not be applicable to the hill districts of Manipur.

The basis on which the demand for the ILP was started will then be equally attended to.

The Modi government must take the people’s unrest both in the hills and valley of Manipur as a sign of hope for a political solution and work towards the A possible way out?

In the search for a way out, best possible outcome. A podenying the hill-valley divide litical solution at this juncture text with the Naga Accord being signed, with a possible arrangement for the four hill districts of Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati – which NSCNIM claim as a part of ‘Greater Nagalim’. These four districts are home to a sizeable number of Kukis.

Both fears are not entirely unfounded. The prospects of the Indian government’s ‘Act East’ policy, along with proposed mega-projects not just in the state, but in the entire North-eastern region seems to have done much harm to various communities that coinhabit this fractured theatre of conflict and violence. With a state that neither recognises the fears and apprehensions of the people nor comes up with strategies to strengthen communities for the preservation of their land and traditions, the people aren’t left with much choice but to agitate .

The recent violence in the hills is also, to a large extent, due to the growing tensions between the elites and the masses. While the elites have for very long been at the forefront, leading their tribes and communities in the name of certain demands, the last two decades has seen a challenge to that form of patronage. With more and more tribal youth getting educated and securing better jobs, they are more assertive about their rights and identity. There is a growing demand to root out the corruption of state officials and those of their own leaders.

It is in this matrix of desire for social reformation and political status that one needs to read the recent events in Manipur.

Rahul kicks off Congress' Assam poll Arunachal govt to seek campaign, names Gogoi CM candidate legal opinion on Guv Referring to the recent Bihar elecbarPeta/guwahati, De- Ahead of the last assembly election preponing Assembly cember 12 (iaNS): Virtually kick- also, the Congress had projected him tions, he said: "Modiji also went to Biing of the party's campaign in Assam, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday named incumbent Tarun Gogoi as the party's chief ministerial candidate in the coming assembly polls, and attacked the BJP for spreading "hatred and violence".

Wrapping up a two-day visit to the northeastern state, Gandhi held a road show, visited the Muslim-dominated Barpeta district and sought votes for the ruling Congress for the sake of development and peace.

Gandhi began the day meeting editors of local newspapers and senior journalists of Assam.

During the interaction, he made the significant but widely-expected announcement that the 79-year-old Gogoi would again be at the helm of the state if the Congress retained power.

Gogoi, now into his third consecutive term as chief minister since taking over the reins of the state in 2001, is regarded as the most acceptable face in the party, and one who can keep all the various factions together.

as its chief ministerial candidate.

Gandhi also told the journalists that the leadership of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and Gogoi would decide on forging alliance with any political party in the run up to the polls.

At Barpeta, thousands of people gathered on both sides of the road to see him and interact with him. Later, he addressed a public rally in the district.

"The BJP only knows how to spread hatred and violence. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi knows how to make people fight against each other and then play politics over it," Gandhi said. "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji came to Assam about a year back and made many tall promises like he will bring back black money from the foreign banks and deposit at least Rs.15 lakh in the bank accounts of each Indian. However, now he has forgotten all the promises," he said, launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

har and promised lots of things. He held around 25 to 30 meetings in Bihar. The people of the state saw him and listened to him but refused to vote for the party due to its communal agenda."

"About 15 years back there was unrest in Assam. However, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led Congress government has brought back peace to the state," he said.

He said the former UPA government at the centre brought the MNREGA so that poor people of the country can be helped.

"The UPA government waived loan burden to the tune of Rs.70,000 crore for the farmers. However, when Modiji came, he tried to end the MNREGA. The special category status of states like Assam has been withdrawn," he added.

On Friday, Gandhi had started his tour by interacting with a group of women entrepreneurs of the state.

He had also addressed the party leaders in Guwahati.

itaNagar, December 12 (Pti): The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to seek legal opinion on whether a governor can summon an Assembly session without the advice of the cabinet.

The decision comes in the wake of state Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa preponing the winter session of the Assembly in an order issued on December 9 to pave the way for removal of Speaker Nabam Rebia after 11 BJP MLAs and two independent members moved an impeachment motion notice against him.

The state cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, in a meeting yesterday took serious note of the December 9 order re-scheduling the Assembly session from January 14 to December 16 and resolved to seek legal opinion on it, a statement by government spokesman Bamang Felix said today.

"The order has raised important Constitutional issues regarding functioning of the state legislature and government as well as the role of the governor," the statement said.

prising four Left parties and dominated by CPI-M, retained the 49-member AMC for the fourth consecutive term while the Left Front retained the 12 municipal councils and all six nagar panchayats. The Left Front wrested the Ambassa Municipal Council in northern Tripura from the main opposition Congress.

Elections were held to the 144-years-old Agartala Municipal Corporation, 13 municipal councils and five nagar panchayats in Tripura on Wednesday.

Around 89 percent of the 537,968 electorate voted in the polls in Left-ruled Tripura.

In all, 886 candidates, including 429 women,

from all parties contested the politically important civic polls.

According to the officials of State Election Commission, out of 310 seats in the 20 local civic bodies, Left parties won in 291 seats while the Congress bagged 13 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party four and independents two.

Kiyeto, Dhansiripar Sub-Division, Dimapur

New Delhi, December 12 (bS): In a joint statement released during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to India, the Indian government appreciated Japan’s intention to provide Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans amounting to approximately 67 billion yen for the improvement of road network connectivity in North-East states.

The ODA loans will not only improve the connectivity in and around North-East states in India but also the economic activity.

With this nod, work on two road projects -- two laning from Aizwal to Tuipang in Mizoram (380Km) to be awarded in three sections and another two laning from Tura to Dalu in Meghalaya (48Km) -- is likely to be started by the next fiscal year. The total cost of these two projects is around

Rs 5,880 crore.

Earlier, Business Standard reported that the Indian government is keen to offer a shelf of 11 highway projects in the North-East for funding to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has been entrusted for the purpose and is looking at developing projects spread across Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Nagaland.

The detailed project reports (DPRs) for these projects, having total length of 1,266 Km, are in various stages of implementation and subsequently demand for funds will be raised after completion of DPRs. Out of the 11 projects, DPRs with necessary modification have already been submitted for the Aizwal to Tuipang and Tura to Dalu projects.

NHIDCL’s managing director Anand Kumar said, “Right from inception we have taken JICA on board.

The detailed project reports with certain modifications as per discussion with JICA were submitted to them and Department of Economic Affairs through the ministry of Road, Transport and Highways for these two road projects. With the nod we are going to award the projects by the next fiscal.”

“The objective of the project is to improve the connectivity in and around North-East states in India through strengthening the existing national highway network,” he added.

Last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, the Japanese side had announced a survey by JICA to identify possible cooperation including road connectivity projects in North-East states of India.

LUCKY DRAW POSTPONED

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Admission forms and Prospectus for both Hostellers and Day Scholars for Classes L.K.G.-6 (2016-17 Session) are available.

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CHRISTMAS BOOK FEST

Date: 7-19th December 2015 (Sunday closes) Time: 8:30am-4:30pm Venue: O.M Books, City Tower, Dimapur 229370, 9862008081

Tripura's ruling Left Front sweep civic polls WESTSIDE SCHOOL agartala, December 12 (iaNS): Tripura's ruling Left Front led by the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M) on Saturday swept the civic polls across the state, winning all the 20 local government bodies, including Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC).

The Left Front, com-

would stretch the ‘historic’ Naga Accord even further. People’s demand for change must be taken as an opportunity to usher in a new era of peace and development. This is crucial for the timely implementation of the ‘Act East’ policy towards South-east Asia with people’s participation. Failure to channelise the energy of people, especially in the state at this moment, is likely to result in a return to the old regime of corruption, mis-governance and lack of development. This has the potential to break into fresh cycle of bandhs, strikes, blockades and internecine violence.

A separate administration for the hills – not for any particular ethnic group but rather based on the identity of being historically located as Manipur tribals and yet, with provisions for each community to have local self-governance – would be one solution to cater to the long standing demands of different communities in Manipur. It is high time that the tyranny of the past is overcome by the potential that a shared future holds.

The idea of Manipur has to be re-negotiated. A political solution for lasting peace and development is of utmost importance. Writing about forgiveness in The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt suggested that the act of forgiveness is the only way to come to terms with the past. Together with the faculty of promising, it enables us to face the future and release us from the burden of irreversibility. Manipur needs this perhaps more than any state in India today.

(Golan Suanzamung Naulak is a Chevening scholar, studying South Asian history at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London)

A Lecture by Dr. Abraham Lotha on

‘Understanding Naga Ancestral Journey Through DNA Studies’ What does the Naga DNA say about the origin of human beings? National Geographic’s Genographic Project uses advanced DNA analyses to learn about how human beings originated and came to populate the Earth.

Using the results of a DNA sample examined by the Genographic Project, Dr. Abraham Lotha shares his understanding of the Naga ancestral journey and invites people to an interaction to broaden the discourse.

Date Time Venue

: : :

Monday, December 14, 2015 3:00pm Elim Hall, Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA), Duncan Basti, Dimapur

Limited Seats. Those interested to participate, kindly send us your name and phone number to: # +91 (03862) 248854 OR @ morung@gmail.com A collaboration of the Chumpo Museum, Morung for Indigenous Affairs & Just Peace, and The Morung Express

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Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Unfair to target only diesel vehicles’ MuMbai, DeceMber 12 (ageNcies): Friday’s strong move by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against diesel-powered cars and the other moves in the officing in this regard, from the Supreme Court and the city government of Delhi, have automobile manufacturers cautioning against haste in making such important decisions.

With the recent Volkswagen fiasco, diesel cars have already come under intense scrutiny worldwide. However, aver industry experts and manufacturing companies, today’s diesel technology is nowhere the same as a decade before.

“Emissions from today’s diesel vehicles have considerably reduced, thanks to more efficient engines and much more effective emissions control technology. While diesel is more fuel-efficient than petrol, it also meets all emission norms laid down by the law,” said one manufacturer, declining to be identified.

Following the fuel’s price deregulation and subsequent improvement

‘India needs to wake up to damage done by incentivising use of diesel’ sriNagar, DeceMber 12 (PTi): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said India needs to wake up to the damage done by incentivising the use of diesel.

“There is no doubt that diesel is a terrible fuel, the west soon woke up to the damage done by incentivising its use.

Same must be done here,” Omar wrote on Twitter. He was apparently reacting to the National Green Tribunal’s direction to Delhi government on the registration of vehicles operating on in petrol fuel-efficiency, companies have also reduced the focus on diesel engine development.

They’ve veered, instead, towards CNG, LPG and partial hybridisation technology in recent years.

Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president (sales and marketing) at Honda Cars India said of this week’s developments: “Such piecemeal solutions will never work out. We need a wellthought strategy, rather than a sudden reaction.

We have made investment in setting up diesel facilities and such sudden announcements will disrupt

diesel. Omar said the manufacturers of sports utility vehicles (SUV) need to be encouraged or forced to make their entire range of products with the option of a petrol engine.

“For many people not buying a diesel vehicle isn’t an option – manufacturers don’t supply petrol versions.

Look at SUVs-token petrol options.

“SUV/8-seater manufacturers will have to be encouraged/forced to supply the entire range of vehicles with the option of a petrol engine,” he added.

the market for everyone.”

While diesel emissions have come under focus in Delhi, manufacturers say that national capital’s share in diesel cars is not significant. “Delhi was never a strong diesel market. Of the Amaze and City models we sell in Delhi, only 25 per cent are diesel; in Maharashtra, it is 40 per cent,” added Sen. Wilfried Aulbur, managing partner at Roland Berger Cosultants and former head of MercedesBenz India, said: “It is absolutely important that we do our part in protecting the environment. At the

same time, the government should not decide technology for the industry. It should take the interest of local manufacturers into account. We should have a holistic approach towards pollution. Burning of plastic is a major issue and a bigger problem than diesel emissions.”

State governments have taken note of the NGT ban. Karnataka’s transport commissioner, Rame Gowda, said: “For now, we have equal number of petrol and diesel cars. Diesel cars are bought for mileage due to fuel efficiency. We have to

study the order.”

As on October, Karnataka had 15.6 million automobiles, including twowheelers. Of this, a third -- 5.9 mn — ply in Bengaluru. A Maharashtra transport department official said, “The department will need to study the NGT order.”

In India, diesel-powered cars saw a boost three years earlier, when the government decided to deregulate petrol prices, pushing the gap between diesel and petrol wider.

Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Hyundai and General Motors were forced to offer products which also ran on diesel, beside petrol.

Diesel cars share rose to as high as 75 per cent in certain models during peak demand. As of now, 55 per cent of passenger vehicles sold are petrol-powered and the rest by diesel.

With uncertainty over government policy, companies have refrained from making ‘diesel only’ investment. Ford, General Motors and Hyundai have invested in a hybrid manufacturing processes, which can make petrol and diesel engines on the same production line.

AI to promote khadi products on int’l flights MuMbai, DeceMber 12 (PTi): Airport Authority of India (AAI) has also conveyed its consent for allotting space at the important airports of the country to develop modern Khadi outlets, the press release said.

Seeking to promote the use of indigenous fabric, national carrier Air India has decided to use natural and eco-friendly khadi products on its international flights, and has placed an order worth Rs 1.21 crore with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for getting 25,000 units of amenity kits.

The amenity kits are provided by Air India to its first class and business class passengers, flying on the airline’s international network, a release said on Friday.

The products will be supplied by Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan, a flagship retail unit of the KVIC, it said. The kits include a hand sanitiser, moisturiser lotion, lemongrass, handmade soap, khadi lip balm, rose face wash, essential oils, among others, the release said.

KVIC will supply 25,000 kits to Air India by next year, of which 20,000 kits will be for the business class while the rest for the first class passengers, it added. This order will generate more than 60,000 man hours which will be a boost to the workers, the release said.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has also conveyed its consent for allotting space at important airports of the country to develop modern khadi outlets, the release said.

Google balloons will disrupt India’s mobile network: Prasad

NeW DeLHi, DeceMber 12 (ageNcies): In the run up to the visit of Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai to India, the government said the technology giant’s Project Loon that aims to provide Internet access in remote areas through a network of helium-filled balloons will interfere with transmissions of mobile operators in the country. Google, under its ‘Project Loon’, is using big balloons floating at a height of 20 kilometers above earth surface for transmission of

Internet services. It has already tested this technology in New Zealand, California (the US) and Brazil.

Replying to a query in Rajya Sabha on whether there are technical glitches in according approval to Project Loon, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communications and IT minister replied in the affirmative. “The proposed frequency band to be used in the Loon Project of Google is being used for cellular operations in India and it will lead to interference with cellular trans-

missions,” he added. As per Google, each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area about 40 km in diameter using a wireless communications technology called LTE or 4G. Pichai, who will be travelling to India next week, will be meeting Prasad on December 16 to discuss among other things how the Loon project can help the government meet its target of digitally connecting the people of India in the next few years.

Government to push for passage 3D to transform consumer electronics future of GST, real estate bills NeW DeLHi, DeceMber 12 (PTi): Government will make a fresh bid to pass crucial bills on GST and real estate in the last week of the Winter session.

The legislative and financial business proposed next week includes a discussion on the issue of price rise in both Houses with emphasis in Rajya Sabha on rising price of essential commodities, including foodgrains in the country.

A discussion is also likely on the issue of “growing intolerance endangering the unity and diversity of the country”.

While six bills each have been passed and introduced in Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha has passed only one bill.

10 Bills passed by Lok Sabha are still to be taken up in Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, Government has proposed to take up nine items of legislative and

financial business during next week, a statement by Parliamentary Affairs Ministry said.

Of these, time has been allotted for seven items. A heavy agenda of 16 items is due to be taken up in Rajya Sabha which lagged behind Lok Sabha in transaction of business this week due to disruptions and forced adjournments.

Four hours have been allotted for the passage of the GST bill, three hours for Real Estate bill and two hours for anti-graft measure, the Whistleblower Bill.

Prospects of a forward movement on GST appeared in sight yesterday with the government giving some proposals to the Congress and expecting a response by Monday when Parliament meets again with just few working days left for the Winter Session to conclude. A meeting of Congress leaders is being held on Sun-

NeW DeLHi, DeceMber 12 (iaNs): With smartphones, drones, automobiles, 3D printing and the internet of things converging to deliver novel high-tech concepts, the 3D technology will transform how consumer electronics are manufactured and consumed, according to Dassault Systemes -- the world leader in 3D design software.

“3D is going to transform how consumer electronics are manufactured and consumed in the coming years. We have been pushing the envelope with respect to 3D implications in various industry verticals such as aerospace and defence, automotive, industrial equipment, hi tech, consumer goods, life sciences, engineering, construction,” Chandan Chowdhury, managing director-India, Dassault Systemes, said in a statement.

The multinational which

day in which the party top brass will take a call on the proposals, which could pave the way for the passage of the GST bill.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who travelled to Pakistan on December 8, is also expected to make a statement on Indo-Pak ties in Parliament on Monday.

“Swaraj will make a statement on her recent visit to Islamabad and developments relating to ties between India and Pakistan in both the Houses of Parliament during the next week of Winter session of Parliament.

“This is one of the major agenda items for next week,” a release by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said.

The government has put the GST Bill and Real Estate Bill on top of its legislative agenda in next eight days of Winter Session. .

_

LEISURE

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

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has presence in 140 countries on Friday announced that it will showcase from January 6 to 9 its virtual universe technology at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, to provide a “glimpse of how innovations will look and behave in the future.”

The company will demonstrate its 3D EXPERIENCE universes technology at CES to allow innovators from business, science and a host of other fields to engage in an interactive journey around the theme of ‘Dream, Create, Live.’

“We have developed platform and applications which will help in transforming the consumer electronics manufacturing landscape. It is definitely going to set the tone for the endeavours that the company wants to address in the coming years,” Chow-

dhury said.

In the “Dream” area, visitors will experience a 3D application paired with an HTC virtual reality headset, to sketch ideas and bring them to life.

Next, they will explore how companies can “Create” products through demonstrations spanning all steps of product development a” from ideation to design to sales and marketing. Lastly, visitors will see how people can “Live” and consume a 3D experience, from personalising their home, to shopping with 3D technologies or navigating cities of the future, it added.

“Sophisticated data sensors and connected devices are transforming how humans interact with the world around them, and CES is the perfect forum to show businesses, consumers, execu-

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3445

Answer Number # 3432

DIMAPUR civil hospital:

tives, manufacturers, makers and tinkerers how 3D EXPERIENCE universes are the backbone of this new era of highly social, mobile and connected consumer electronics,” said Olivier Ribet, Dassault Systemes’ vice president of hightech industry.

“3D EXPERIENCE universes represent the physical world with stunning realism and open opportunities for design creativity, experimentation and a glimpse of how innovations will look and behave in the future,” he added.

Dassault Systemes’ 3D EXPERIENCE platform is designed to help innovators with powerful designs, engineering and manufacturing applications to create and quickly adapt to fast evolving high-tech space that is revolutionising the consumer experience.

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SundAY 13•12•2015

NCSU Dimapur supports December 15 bandh Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU), Dimapur district unit has expressed support to its head office with regard to the 12-hour bandh called

by NCSU along the NH-29 (Dimapur-Kohima) on December 15.

According to a press release from Vikato Zhimomi, Convenor, Action Committee and Abel Tureng, Press Secretary of the NCSU Dimapur unit, the unit in its emergency meeting held on December 12 at its office unanimously resolved to support the head office on the bandh.

The unit expressed its strong resentment at the failure of Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping to implement his assurance to accommodate local contractors in the DimapurKohima four-lane project, the release stated.

The NCSU Dimapur unit reminded that the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had in the presence of Nagaland Governor,

Chief Minister, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and other dignitaries of the Union and State government assured that local contractors will be accommodated in the Dimapur-Kohima four-lane project during the foundation stone laying ceremony held on November 3, 2015 at Patkai Bridge junction.

“However, to our great surprise and dismay, the Minister failed to put his words into practice,” it lamented.

The union also opined that it is the right time for local contractors to fight for their rights, while questioning “when the system of breakup of works is possible in other states then why not in our state.”

In light of the above, the union has appealed to all the “like-minded” Dimapur based NGOs and general public for support and co-operation. It also informed all the NCSU members of Dimapur district to report at the Patkai Bridge junction on December 15 latest by 5:30 am.

Team from Sazolie College wins DAPO general entrepreneurship competition assembly-cum-picnic Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The second edition of First Cut, an inter-collegiate business plan ideation and execution competition, was held during Hornbill Festival from December 1 to 8 in Kohima.

First Cut is a programme under YouthNet ‘IMPACT 5000 by 18’ campaign held in collaboration with the Government of Nagaland. The Chief Mentor of the programme is Editor, Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden.

Out of 80 college students who participated in this year’s edition, Team Skylarks from Sazolie College, Jotsoma won the competition. A team of five, the enterprising students made revenue of Rs 108,000 from seed money of Rs. 20,000 given to them. Not only do they get to keep the profits as part of the prize, the students also win an educational trip during their summer break in 2016.

The 2015 First Cut edition had teams from other

WoKha, December 12 (mexN): The Downstream Affected People Organisation (DAPO) has informed all its members that the general assemblycum-picnic for the tenure 2015-2019 will be held

on January 22, 10:00 am at Doyang River, Pyotchu village. Therefore, Chairman of the organisation, N Mhabemo Mozhui has requested all concerned to attend the said meeting without fail.

DC Dimapur office celebrates pre-Christmas

Team Skylarks from Sazolie College, Jotsoma, winner of the second edition of First Cut, held during Hornbill Festival from December 1 to 8 in Kohima.

districts like Peren, Kiphire and Dimapur. The highest revenue was made by St. Joseph’s College - Rs. 1,88,000 from their seed money of Rs. 20,000 in 8 days.

According to a press release, the primary objective of First Cut is to educate the students about entrepreneurship and opportunities in the private

sector, while giving them a taste of the challenges that ground realities pose. Students from different colleges form teams and each team is given seed money.

Before the competition starts, the teams are trained on marketing, accounting and business skill and constantly monitored throughout the competition.

The other colleges that participated were Kohima College, Baptist College, Unity College, Tetso College, CCAC, Salesian College, Japfü Christian College, St. Joseph’s College, Zisaji Presidency College.

John Meyase, Ruokokhriuo Vizotha, and Tomtsa Chishi head the programme.

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur celebrated advance Christmas on December 11 at the conference hall of the office. Chaired by the ADC, Dimapur Elizabeth Ngully, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome, IAS, along with the officers and staff from administration, election, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Dobashis and others participated in the celebration. The Deputy Commissioner, in his message, said that

Christmas should be celebrated as a festival of giving and forgiving, not only during the Christmas day, but throughout the year.

The highlights of the programme were hymnal song 'Joy to the World', scripture reading, special numbers by the officers, the DBs and the staff group, and a hilarious presentation by the wellknown comedian Porniken. This was informed in a press release issued by Kamal Chetri, Scientist-C, National Informatics Centre, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.

NCD office to remain 30 loan cases disposed during Phek farmers visit Kohima and Dimapur closed from Dec 15 National Lok Adalat in Kohima

Kohima, December 12 (mexN): Along with the rest of the country, Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) organised National Lok Adalat on December 12 at District Court building here.

A press release from a KDLSA Panel Lawyer informed that altogether, 389 bank loan cases were put up for settlement, out of which 30 cases were disposed. The outstanding amount of the 30 cases was Rs. 15,90,635/- and the total settled amount was Rs. 10,39,877/-.

Following four banks participated in the programme - SBI main branch, SBI Bazaar Branch, Central Bank of India, Co-operative Bank, United Bank of India, and the Bank of Baroda.

Earlier, the inaugural programme was chaired

by Mezivolu T. Therieh, Chief Judicial Magistrate & Secretary, Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA). She lauded the

Kohima District Legal Services Authority members during the National Lok Adalat held on December 12 at District Court building in Kohima.

banks and the beneficiaries for coming forward to settle their cases. In her short speech, she stated that the institution of Lok Adalat or people's court is a forum for settlement of disputes.

She further mentioned that at the Lok Adalat, the disputes or cases pending in the Court of law or a prelitigation stage are settled or compromised amicably and expeditiously without any cost and the burden of waiting for years for the

matter or dispute to reach a settlement is avoided. She encouraged the bank officials to assist the Legal Services Authority by disseminating the information to the beneficiaries.

The Conciliators for the Lok Adalat were Panel Lawyers Alex Akhoto Chasie, Wapangienla Kichu, D. Chadi and Temsu Walling with Paralegal Volunteers Rukushil, Zhokhovelu, N. Zeliang and Vilazonuo from the Kohima District Legal Services Authority.

pheK, December 12 (mexN): Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Phek in collaboration with ICAR RC- NEH Region, Jharnapani organized a ‘Farmers Visit and On-Farm Training’ to Kohima and Dimapur from December 8-10, 2015. The farmers and officials from Phek were led

by Dr. Keviu Shuya, Deputy Project Director, ATMA Phek.

The team was received

by Visizolie Virie, Deputy Project Director, ATMA Kohima and taken to various Horticulture, Agriculture, and other cultural exhibition stalls at Hornbill Festival in Kisama.

During their visit to Bio-Fertilizer Laboratory in Medziphema, resource person Mhonchumo (AO) trained the farmers on importance and usage of bio-fertilizers, while Khoto (AFA) gave a method-demonstration on vermi composting.

HD Singh, Chief Technical Officer and Imliakum,

Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): Naga Council Dimapur office will remain closed from December 15 on account of winter/ Christmas and New Year vacation. The office will re-open on January 11. However, in the event of public necessity, all councilors based

in Dimapur will be requisitioned for service as and when the need arises, stated a press release issued by Naga Council Dimapur General Secretary, Thsapongkyu Sangtam.

Meanwhile, the NCD has wished all a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year 2016.

Farmers and ATMA officials from Phek during their trip to Kohima and Dimapur.

Farm Manager taught the farmers on farming models and techniques suitable for hilly areas at their Krishi Vigyan Kendra Farm.

At ICAR Research Farm, On-Farm Training was given by Technical Officers from various disciplines.

Resource persons Shyam Sharma, S. Pienyu, B. Talukdar, B. Deka and Jadav Sharma taught the farmers on various topics like poultry, piggery, rabbitary, farming system model and metrological data collection and forecasting.

Angami Catholic Union monthly publication completes 25 years Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The monthly publication of Angami Catholic Union (ACU) ACU Dielie - has completed 25 years of regular issue.

To commemorate the occasion, a special issue has been published, which was formally released by Reverend Father Solomon Visosieo Vizo, Ecclesiastical Assistant of ACU with Reverend Father Alex Keduoneilie Vizo, Parish Priest of

Saint Francis de Sales, Kohima as main celebrant on December 12 at the church premises.

Reverend Father Alex Keduoneilie Vizo congratulated the Publishing Board for their service, while pointing out that ACU Dielie has helped people to hear and know more about God and propagated Catholic faith to others. The Parish Priest prayed for more people to

read the monthly bulletin in the days to come.

Further, he asked pardon from God for those who have lost interest in the Church. He also urged the congregation to continue to guide and give wisdom and serve for greater glory of God. Rocus Chasie, Convenor, ACU Publishing Board, who was one of the pioneers of ACU Dielie, presented brief history of

the monthly bulletin. He informed that the Dielie (formerly called Emmanuel) began in the year 1974 and discontinued in 1978 due its members leaving Kohima for higher education. Initially, Evangelical Group was in-charge of the Dielie, however, it was later renamed ACU Publishing Board.

The monthly bulletin used to be few pages and distributed free of cost

in the beginning. Today, it is in a book form with monthly circulation of 1200 copies. The Convenor also highlighted the financial crunches the Publishing Board faced in the past.

Ketsuse Cyril Belho, Chief Editor of ACU Dielie proposed vote of thanks and Keviuchütuo Victor Kuotsu presided over the programme. Eucharist celebration marked the programme.

Angami Catholic Union and its sub associations like youth and women, and regions from Chakhro, Kohima Town, Northern, Southern, Western Angami and many faithful joined in the occasion. The Saint Francis de Sales, Parish, Kohima provided the fellowship meal for those who took part in the silver jubilee.

This was informed in a press release issued by P. Tepekrovi Kiso.

Leo Club of Dimapur celebrated 58th International Leo Day at Maniram Diwan Chatrawas Gautam Basti by providing lunch and stationery items to students of the Chatrawas and also by planting trees. Members of the club also played a cricket match with the students of Chatrawas.

Kidima Baptist Church celebrates 75 years

Students of G. Rio School perform at the “Extravaganza- For a Noble Cause” event, which was organized for the family of Alisha Konyak, who lives with her four sons in poor condition in Kohima. The family lives in a garage, which has been converted into a one room house with a kitchen. Except for her youngest son who is studying in Class-I in a government school, the other three are daily wage earners. This year, the G. Rio School students identified Alisha’s family to raise fund for them. Last year, the school raised Rs. 72,000 for cancer children of Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima. ‘Extravaganza’ is an annual programme of the school to extend help to the needy people. On the occasion, students performed dances, songs, drama, fashion show, and cultural shows.

KiDima, December 12 (Dipr): The Baptist Church of Kidima began its commemoration of 75 years of Christianity in Kidima village with the theme “Arise, Shine” (Isaiah 60:1) on December 12 at Local Ground, Kidima.

Senior Pastor and Chairman of Platinum Jubilee, Rev. Keholeshü Tepa was the main speaker at the inaugural programme.

Tepa thanked God and the people of Kidima for praying wholeheartedly for the jubilee.

Highlighting on how Christianity came to Kidima, he said that the British soldiers who were staunch believers of God first traversed Kidima village in 1832 from Manipur in search of a route between Manipur and Assam. However, it was only after a century that Christianity was first brought to the village by Rev. Kevizelie Sophie from Jakhama village and the first Christian from the village Late Howel was baptized in 1940. After that only Christianity sprouted in the village. He also informed that the

first pastor of the church Late Meswiho came from Khuzama village.

“It was believed that the village was in darkness filled with melancholy when Jesus was unknown to the people of Kidima.” However, with the advent of Christianity, everything has turned out from darkness to light, he stated. For this, he thanked the pioneers and the people who were instrumental in propagating the Christian faith in the village.

He further pointed out that in the name of the occasion, many development works have been carried out not only for the jubilee, but also for the welfare of the village as a whole.

Earlier, Rev. Keholeshü Tepa inaugurated the church constructed for the Platinum Jubilee.

Men, women, and jubilee choir presented special numbers, while greetings were extended by Hovisül Sakhrü and Duhezo Kintso.

Offertory prayer was said by Süvil Ltu and scripture was read by Niza Tepa.

The Chalkboard

6

SunDAY 13•12•2015

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

_____________________________ Because Children Matters

Being Special

Birthday gifts to give and get Terri Mauro

Children With Special Needs Expert

O

ne of the many complications of birthday parties for kids with special needs -- whether your child is the guest or the honoree -is figuring what on earth you can give/request as a gift. If your child is developmentally different, he or she may not know what all the kids are getting or want it. Your child or the birthday boy or girl may have quirky interests that are not easily described to those looking for something easy to pick up at Toys 'R' Us.

(There was a year my son would have been really excited to get lots and lots of empty shopping bags, his perseverative collection du jour, but I didn't have the nerve to suggest that to gift-givers.)

When people ask what your child wants, or you're racking your brain to come up with a gift to bring to another party child, consider these (maybe boring but) always-welcome options: Cash — Lazy to give, awkward to ask for, but is the most likely to result in the birthday child actually getting a personally desired item. Money from multiple givers can go in

to getting a bigger gift than gency gift one person could provide, certificate which is also appealing. at the last minute.

Store Gift Cards — With just a little informaE xp erience G ift tion about where the birth- Cards — Consider givday child likes things from, ing/getting gift cards a giver can provide some- that will force a child and thing slightly classier than family to actually get out cash but still likely to result and do stuff, like take in in a desired purchase. a movie, bowl a couple of games, play a round of iTunes Gift Cards — miniature golf, or eat in a My kids can always seem restaurant. to put iTunes gift cards to use, whether to buy their Music Mix — If the own stuff or to barter with birthday child enjoys mume for something they sic, a really personal gift need cash for (which is that doesn't cost much but how I buy my iTunes stuff). can get the birthday guests Nice thing about iTunes is involved in the creation is you can print out an emer- a mix CD of songs to share.

Request one for your music-lover or engage your child into picking favorites and designing a CD cover for a friend.

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.

— Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

Find the hidden Picture FACTS

CORNER

W

i nt e r i s one of the four seasons that begins on the Winter Solstice and ends on the Vernal Equinox. It has the shortest days and the lowest temperatures of all the seasons. For more facts and information on Winter, see the list below.

• Winter is one of the four seasons.

• It begins on the Winter Solstice and ends on the Vernal Equinox.

• Winter is the season with the shortest days and the lowest temperatures.

• Wind chill can cause problems during the winter. Wind chill is the combination of wind and temperature and is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin.

• When it is Winter in the Southern Hemisphere, it is Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs because the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun and the Northern Hemisphere faces the sun more directly because of the way the earth is tilting toward the sun.

• Trees and plants stop growing in the win-

ter.

• Many animals hibernate or migrate away from the cold weather.

• In the United States, Chr istmas, Kwaanza, Hanukkah, New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Valentine’s Day and Ground Hog’s

Day are all celebrated in the winter.

• Ice and snow are associated with Winter in many places on the earth.

• Besides snow, sleet, hail, and freezing rain are associated with winter.

Letters

oes r e h r e id sup

k

Hugs for Haiti

T

wo days after the devastating January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Blare saw a little boy crying in a pile of rubble on a newscast. The story brought him to tears. The next day, still thinking about what he’d seen, Blare remembered the teddy bear that always comforted him. “Then I thought, ‘We could start a drive for Haiti,’” says Blare. At school, his teachers let him announce his plan over the PA system and ask other kids to donate bears. Soon a local TV and radio station got wind,

Blare Gooch Age 13, Grand Rapids, MI and, via Facebook, other schools joined in. The result? Blare’s Bears for Haiti gave 25,000 teddy bears to the island nation and about 22,000 more to nonprofits. This year Blare’s group will collect toys and school supplies, too. Blare’s advice to other kids is simple. “It doesn’t really matter how small or old you are,” he says. “If you’re young and think you can’t make a big difference in the world, well, you actually can.”

FAITH LEAF

SunDAY 13•12•2015

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES, MESSAGES, POEMS & SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

7

God humbled himself to reach down to us The long silence finally broken: For four hundred years no prophet has arisen in Israel. There was no angelic visitation. The Israelites came under the dominion of the Persians followed by the Grecians, the Syrians, the Maccabees and then the Romans. Suddenly, after four centuries of silence, a voice was heard--- the voice John the Baptist in the wilderness Judea, preparing the way for the Lord and urging people to repent. The “silent years” between the Old and the New Testament was the prelude that would herald in the most wondrous event in the history of mankind-- The Incarnation. The eternal son of God took on flesh and became human without diminishing his divine nature.

The angelic announcements: The scene unfolds with the announcement of the birth of the Saviour to Mary.

An angel declared to Mary that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she will give birth to the holy one who will be called the Son of God. In Luke 2:8-14 we learned that as shepherds were keeping watch over their flock, first a single angel appeared to them and said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12). This angelic pronouncement is a bold proclamation of the Gospel at the very hour of the birth of Jesus.

The time has come for the fulfillment of the prophetic expectation of Messiah's coming. Next many angels appeared and sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." With a heightened sense of excitement and determination, the shepherds rushed off to the baby's side.

mankind all over the world. God loves us so much that he gave us his only son through whom we have the hope of life eternal.

Christmas is the story of the restoration of the broken relationship between man and God. God loves us. He always has. In Christ he reaches out to us. Christmas is the story of the King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, giving himself to you and to me. The Bible calls him, "the unspeakable gift."

God is the most humble being: God is the most humble being one will ever know. He is the Almighty God but he humbled himself to become a human being.

He left his heavenly abode and came down to earth. He left his adoring angels to live in a world filled with jealousy, suspicion and hatred. He left his royal crown for a crown of thorns. He gave up his divine throne to take our place on the cross. Christmas is the account of God humbling himself and reaching down to man because they cannot reach up to where he is.

The only way out of sin and death: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16 & 17).

Only Jesus can save us from sin, condemnation and death. Only in him can we find eternal life. God's purpose toward humankind is positive; it is an attitude of love.

He is not seeking an excuse to condemn human beings but is rather endeavoring to save them. His purpose in sending Jesus into the world was to show his love and to draw people to himself.

Immanuel - God with us: Isaiah 7:14 is a familiar prophecy that is quoted in Matthew. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they The unspeakable gift: Christmas is the story of God’s love for will call him Immanuel”-- which means,

lived. But the tribal descent was so esteemed by the Jews that the Romans made a concession and ordered them to go to the place of their birth to register their names. Though Mary and Joseph lived in Galilee, both were of the royal family of David. As Bethlehem was the city of David, it was there that they had to go. Incidentally, this form of registration was also adopted in Egypt and Gaul.

Herod delayed the census: God works in mysterious ways. Augustus Caesar passed the royal order three years ago. But Herod the Great did not carry out the order immediately for fear of displeasing the Jews. Unknown to him, unknown to anyone, he carried out the order only when the time for Mary to give birth arrived. Was this another coincidence? Certainly not!

Selie Visa “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is the evidence that God is with us. People of every race, culture and nation are trying to find God and discover the meaning of their lives.

But God is not hiding. He is not distant. He has drawn close to us through Jesus Christ.

A Messianic prophecy fulfilled: Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, God inspired the prophet Micah to name the very place where Jesus would make his entry into the world. Said the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”.

Mary and Joseph lived in Galilee in the village of Nazareth. Augustus Caesar passed a decree and there was to be a census. So they came for the census. In most provinces the people registered in the city where they

The Inn of Bethlehem: Traveling gently, Mary and Joseph came to an inn - a place of lodging. Because so many had come for the census there was no room left. What kind of an inn it was we do not know. Bethlehem was no tourist center so the inn probably left a lot to be desired.

We aren’t told of even there being an innkeeper, but someone must have turned them away. Since that night when Jesus was born, centuries have rolled by and Bethlehem has changed greatly. The inn is no longer there, but upon the spot stood the oldest Christian church in the world… the Church of Nativity. At the east end of the church is a cave illuminated by fifty lamps suspended from the roof and on its marble floor is a Silver Star (the Star of Bethlehem). There, or somewhere very near it, Jesus was born. On the other side lies the rock-cut manger upon which Jesus was laid upon the dry straws.

But how can we be sure of the place where Jesus was born? Notice that the Bible account speaks of “the inn of Bethlehem”, indicating that there was only one in the town.

Many of the first Christians would know “the inn of Bethlehem”, for it must have con-

tinued in use for years after Jesus. From the descendants of these Christians, the Empress Helena, mother of the first Christian Emperor, Constantine the Great, learned of the spot and made it into a little sanctuary. Later, the great Emperor himself raised a beautiful church over it to keep forever in memory the place of the Incarnation.

The tradition of the Three Wise Men: We don’t know how many wise men came to worship Jesus because the Bible does not mention it. According to tradition the Magi, popularly referred as the Three Wise Men from the East were Balthazar, Melchior, and Caspar. The three gifts led to a widespread assumption that there were three of them. In the Western Christian church they are commonly known as: Melchior, a Babylonian scholar, Caspar, a Persian scholar and Balthazar, an Arab scholar.

Tradition also referred the Magi as Kings from the East. Bible historian Chuck Missler mentions an Armenian tradition identifying the Magi as Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia and Gasper of India.

The Magi or the wise men from the east came looking for the baby Jesus. When they finally found him they bowed down and to worshiped Him. Then they opened their precious treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

Who are the wise men today?

The wise men today are those who seek God with their whole being. They are those who worship God with reverence and in truth and spirit. They are those who give their best to God with love and with willing and grateful hearts.

Jesus “the Bread of Life” is born in “the House of Bread” (Bethlehem)! Our Savior is born! Rejoice!

Wishing you all a joyful holy Christmas season. I hope to be back on Faith Leaf in the coming New Year. Stay blessed in Jesus Christ our Rock and our Redeemer.

The Christmas war no one is talking about Lou Holtz on the Secret Rich Kirkpatrick

T

here has been a lot of dialogue in the Evangelical world in recent years about a war on Christmas. The cry was to say “Merry Christmas” in defiance to something like “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays.”

Regardless of the words we use, the war on Christmas is fed from lawsuits to remove civic-sponsored Nativity Scenes and school prohibitions about mentioning the Jesus of Christmas. However problematic the external forces of our society press against a Christcentered Christmas, it may be our in-house disregard of Advent that sets us back. Could our fight for

Christmas be a fight against Advent?

Advent traditionally is a focus on the waiting for the coming of Christ, making it even more difficult to translate to a secular world than simply a baby being born. Is the fight secular Santa with shopping versus Jesus and public nativity scenes? Or, could we be pitting a shallow Christmas glee against the poignant focus on a child born to make an ultimate sacrifice? Light set against the dark defies the sugar syrup of sentimental Christmas story retellings. Having produced many Christmas seasonal services over the years, the tension to deepen the idea of the Incarnation push-

es back on the cry to feel the saccharine vibe of candy canes. We feed the beast of sentimentality as a means but might be losing something vital in the process.

I actually think Santa is “way cool,” by the way. Celebrating along with our culture and society a season of hope and giving makes for a needed connection. Those who are not church goers need to know most of us like a lot of the same things and that our point is to not evangelize for a boring Christmas.

However, as far as us worshippers are concerned, why would we choose to not make the season of holy days a time to contemplate for ourselves? In real-

ity, the tradition of four weeks of Advent leads to a traditional celebration of 12 full days of Christmas! Once we spend time in contemplating the waiting and need for a God-man to save us, the festival of Christmas can be launched from a truth we experience. Truth experienced is always better than propositions regurgitated, by the way.

A war on Advent does not appear as an outward assault but as an inward omission. Have we focused so much on what language others use for the season that we forget why we actually celebrate? The coming—or Advent—of Christ was long awaited. And the time we live in the brackets between the First and Sec-

ond Coming cannot be understood in full without the Incarnate Christ being celebrated. My favorite passage of scripture makes the point this season.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. —John 3:16 and 17 (NIV) Merry Christmas!

Rich Kirkpatrick is a family man, writer, blogger, musician, worship leader and pastor who loves espresso, social media and life-changing conversation. You can find him at rkblog.com where he writes about creativity, faith and leadership.

20 Bible Verses on Being Thankful The most essential life skill: Teachability Jarrid Wilson

Here are 20 Bible verses on being thankful:

11. Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is 12. Psalm 118:1-18 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

2. Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever! say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out 3. Ephesians 5:20 of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord Giving thanks always and for everything to answered me and set me free.

God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus 13. Psalm 20:4 Christ.

May he grant you your heart’s desire and 4. Colossians 3:15-17 fulfill all your plans!

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in 14. Psalm 30:12 That my glory may sing your praise and one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and ad- not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks monishing one another in all wisdom, singing to you forever! psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And what- 15. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do ever you do, in word or deed, do everything in everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, givthe name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to ing thanks to God the Father through him.

God the Father through him.

5. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

16. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

17. Psalm 100:4 6. Philippians 4:6 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless with thanksgiving let your requests be made his name! known to God. 18. Isaiah 12:4-5 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks 7. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that 8. Psalm 106:1 his name is exalted.” Sing praises to the Lord, Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the for he has done gloriously; let this be made Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love en- known in all the earth. dures forever!

19. 1 Chronicles 29:13 9. Psalm 105:1 And now we thank you, our God, and Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; praise your glorious name. make known his deeds among the peoples!

20. Philemon 1:4 10. Colossians 3:15 I thank my God always when I remember And let the peace of Christ rule in your you in my prayers. hearts, to which indeed you were called in Jarrid Wilson is a husband, pastor and author relentlessly sharing the love of Jesus. one body. And be thankful.

T

David Murray

here’s one characteristic that separates the successful from the unsuccessful in every walk of life: teachability. Those who are teachable, and remain so, usually succeed. The unteachable usually fail. I’ve seen that in business, I’ve seen it in the ministry, I’ve seen it among students, and I’ve seen it in my children.

No matter how much talent and gifting we have, if we are, or become, unteachable, we will never reach anywhere near our full potential in our careers, our callings or our relationships.

The Distinguishing Difference Think of all the successful people you know—what is it that distinguishes them all? It’s teachability, isn’t it? Think of all the people you know that never really made the most of the gifts and opportunities God gave them. Unteachability is the common thread, isn’t it?

If there’s one thing I want to to teach my children and students, it’s teachability.

When I speak to young people or students, I can usually tell quite quickly the ones who will do well in their lives and callings … and those who won’t. Teachability makes the difference.

Teachability gets people to the top. But if you lose teachability at the top, you won’t be at the top for long.

So what does unteachabilty look like?

• Doesn’t take notes, read books or learn anything unless it’s the bare minimum or what’s essential for exam purposes.

• Doesn’t ask questions or attempt anything that might reveal ignorance or risk looking stupid.

• Doesn’t accept responsibility for failures but blames anyone and everyone else.

• Doesn’t seek or accept one-to-one

personal guidance or mentoring from parents, teachers, pastors, elders, etc.

• Doesn’t listen, but talks, talks, talks about self, especially when with someone you could learn a lot from.

• Doesn’t take criticism or correction without resentment or retaliation.

• Resists moving out of personal comfort zones in work, study, ministry or relationships, but always looks for the easy and familiar route.

• Doesn’t read, listen to or learn anything that challenges existing presuppositions, practices and prejudices.

In contrast, teachability means: • You’re aware of the limitations of your own knowledge and abilities.

• You admit limitation, inability and ignorance to others who can teach and help.

• You regularly ask for help, instruction, guidance and advice (before the event, not after disaster strikes).

• You learn from anyone and everyone you can (the best educated pastor I know writes notes for his own benefit even when listening to a novice preacher).

• You listen to others carefully and patiently with a desire to learn from everyone.

• You’re prepared to move out of your comfort zone, try something different, make mistakes, look stupid, answer wrongly, etc.

• You don’t give up when you fail at something, but seek help, and try again and again until you get it right.

• You’re willing to change your views and practices when convincing evidence is presented to you, even if it means admitting you were wrong.

There’s another word for teachability.

Dr. David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Seminary. He is also Pastor of Grand Rapids Free Reformed Church. David is the author of Christians get depressed too, How Sermons Work, and Jesus on Every Page.

to Great Leadership

R

Phil Cooke

ecently, at a major CEO conference, Lou Holtz, one of the most successful college football coaches in history, shared his insights about success, failure and leadership. His thoughts are worth hearing, and here are a few powerful moments that stood out for me: On Vision: “This is what I believe: You have to have a vision where you want to go. Without a vision you have nothing. You have to have a plan of how you’re going to get there. And you have to lead by example.

What holds a country together, what holds a family together, what holds a business together are core values. And core values are something you would not compromise.”

On Mistakes: “The biggest mistake I see: You have so much success, the expectations get so great that winning is a relief. Losing is a disaster. And so, because of that, they fail to raise the standards.

I went to Notre Dame. I took a program on the bottom, we took it to the very top. For nine straight years we went to a Jan. 1 bowl, the Sugar, the Cotton, the Orange or the Fiesta. We took it on top and we maintained it.

“There’s a rule of life that says you’re either growing or you’re dying. Doesn’t have a thing to do with age. But you get on top, you say, ‘This is pretty good. Let’s not risk it. Let’s not jeopardize it, let’s not change anything. Let’s maintain.’ We finished second in the country. You know what they called me? An idiot. You know what they call a guy who finishes last at medical school? Doctor. That doesn’t seem real fair.

But you’re on top and you say let’s not risk anything. Any time you’re not trying to get somewhere, you’re not trying to improve, you never have a reason to celebrate, you never come up with any new ideas.”

On Priorities: “You need four things in your life or you have a tremendous void. Everybody needs something to do. Everybody needs someone to love. Everybody needs someone to believe in. But everybody needs something to hope for. And the more successful you are, you try to protect what you have instead of looking at how can we keep getting better. How can we grow?”

On Sacrifice: “When you set goals and dreams, you’ve got to answer some questions honestly. What sacrifices am I willing to make to do that? What skills and talents do I have to acquire in order to do that? Who do I have to work with in order to get that done?

And whoever you have to work with, they have to understand how they’re going to benefit when you reach your goal.

“Identify the problems you have to overcome to get there. Leadership is being able to solve problems, but also anticipate problems. Eliminate mistakes before they happen. Your job is to make people the very best they can be. And that is when you get them out of their comfort zone. Because most people don’t know how good they can be.”

Do any of these points resonate with challenges you’re facing today?

Phil Cooke is the founder and CEO of Cooke Pictures in Burbank, California (cookepictures.com) where he helps church, ministry, and nonprofit organizations engage the culture more effectively. He's a filmmaker, media consultant, and author of "Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social Media."

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

SundAY 13•12•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Nuke, defence, bullet train pacts fast-track India-Japan ties New DelhI/VaraNaSI, December 12 (IaNS): Japan on Saturday committed billions of dollars of investments in India, including a $12-billion loan at negligible interest for the much touted "Bullet Train" and another $12 billion for the "Make in India" initiative, besides inking farreaching pacts on defence and nuclear energy as part of what has been termed as the "Power of 16" agreements.

The 16 agreements came during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India, during which he also attended the annual bilateral summit on the "special strategic and global partnership" with his host and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

"Today, we have scaled new summits in our shared journey," a visibly pleased Modi told the media after his delegation-level talks with the visiting Japanese side, led by Abe. "The partnership between India and Japan has infinite potential.

I'm convinced of that," Abe, on his part, added.

The Indian side was particularly elated with the package for the high-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, as it comes with an interest of a mere 0.1 percent, a duration of as many as 50 years and a moratorium on repayments up to 15 years.

Modi also thanked Abe for the "Japan-India Makein-India Special Finance Facility" of up to 1.5 trillion yen

Japan to set up financial facility for 'Make in India' initiative

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi shares a moment during a signing of agreement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 12. (REUTERS Photo)

($12 billion approximately) to promote investments from the Asian giant, mainly in infrastructure that need long gestation funding.

With India assuring Japan that it will become a full member in the four international nuclear export control regimes, Tokyo also moved forward and decided to ink a pact with New Delhi to cooperate on peaceful uses of nuclear energy after finalising the technical details.

"This is a shining symbol of a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause

of a peaceful and secure world," Modi said, adding the pact envisaged on nuclear energy cooperation would extend beyond commerce and clean energy.

Modi also said that India will extend to the Japanese people the visa on arrival facility from March 1 next year, and forge better ties in the defence sector, including the potential purchase of equipment such as the US-2 amphibian aircraft for the Indian armed forces.

Similarly, Abe said in the next five years Japan would like 10,000 young Indian talents to visit his

country under such frameworks as student exchange, IT training and short term programmes, and hoped that this will provide solid bonds for future relations.

The two sides also took their ties forward on maritime issues, in both the bilateral and regional context. On the one side, both leaders welcomed Japan’s regular participation in the India-US Malabar Exercises, while also expressing concerns over challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Without making a direct reference to the concerns among some countries

about China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, Modi also said India stood strongly for ensuring freedom of navigation and over-flight, and unimpeded maritime commerce.

Starting the day with a meeting with business leaders, the warmth between the two "friends" was visible when Modi and Abe used the Bullet Train (Shinkansen in Japan) as an analogy to praise each other.

"Prime Minister Modi’s economic policies are like Shinkansen -- high speed, safe and reliable and carrying many people along,"

New DelhI, December 12 (IaNS): Japan will set up a new financial facility worth 1.5 trillion yen ($12 billion) under the “Make in India” initiative to promote direct investment of Japanese companies and trade from Japan to India, it was announced on Saturday.

A joint statement issued following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe said that “Modi welcomed the 'Japan-India Make-in-India Special Finance Facility' up to 1.5 trillion yen by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), which aims to promote direct investment of Japanese companies and trade from Japan to India, to support their business activities with counterparts in India, including development of necessary infrastructure, and to help materialise Make-in-India policy of the Government of India”.

“We take this as a sign of confidence in 'Make in India' programme and the said Abe. Modi's counter point: "India and Japan should move ahead together, not just in the sphere of high-speed trains, but also for 'high-speed growth'."

Modi said India and Japan will shape an Asian century as they realise Vision 2025 of their ties.

"No friend will matter more in realising India’s economic dreams than Japan," said the Indian prime minister. "I cannot think of a strategic partnership that can exercise a more profound influence on shaping the course of Asia and our interlinked ocean re-

Indian economy,” Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said in a media briefing later.

He also said that this year Japan has decided to offer 600 billion yen under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India for infrastructure development.

“About 400 billion yen is committed this financial year and 200 billion yen carries over to the coming year,” Jaishankar stated.

This year's ODA funds will be utilised for 13 big ticket projects. These are the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, the Ahmedabad metro project, modernisation of ship recycling yards in Gujarat, the Mumbai trans-harbour link, a peripheral ring road around Bengaluru, the Chennai metro project, the Tuticorin outer harbour project, the Odisha transmission improvement project, the Odisha sanitation project, the Madhya Pradesh transmission project, Ganga rejuvenation, horticulture and irrigation in Jharkhand, and road connectivity projects in the northeast.

gions more than ours."

With bilateral talks and business meetings wrapped up in New Delhi earlier in the day, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe experienced a spiritual retreat on the banks of the holy Ganges river at the Dasaswamedh ghat here.

Abe, accompanied by Modi, not only meticulously followed the rituals of Ganga pujan, aachman and sankalp as described by priests, he also photographed from his personal cell phone the festivities and the Ganga aarti. In between he also chatted with Modi

and enquired about the number of ghats and other holy activities in Kashi, an official present told IANS. Dressed in a black trouser and shirt and a contrasting khaki waistcoat, the 61-year-old allowed the priests performing the Ganga pujan to smear his forehead with a vermilion and sandal-camphor mix paste and even tied a 'kalawa' (holy red thread) on his right wrist. The thread, he was told by eminent priest Chandramauli Upadhyaya, was auspicious and meant well for the person sporting it.

'India cannot escape from its duty Would do anything to bring Mumbai attackers to justice: US When told that Headley may provide ing any role in intelligence and information December 12 (PtI): of holding talks with Pakistan' waShINgtoN, The US on Saturday said it wants to see the a great deal of information about the at- sharing on terrorists as mentioned by Indi-

New DelhI, December 12 (PtI): B JP’s alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir PDP on Saturday said that India cannot escape from its duty of holding talks with Pakistan at a time when the world is facing threats from terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda.

“India has to join hands with countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and even Bangladesh if we want to keep terror groups off our shores,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said at the ‘Aaj Tak Agenda’ here.

She was replying to a question whether the PDP leadership felt embarrassed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the November 7 rally in Srinagar that he does not require anyone’s advice on Kashmir. “…people learn gradually through experience. As you know, Jammu and Kashmir is not like any other state. India’s relations with Pakistan have direct impact on us. When we talk about Pakistan, we are not speaking out of context,” she said.

She said there is no alternative to talks with Pakistan. “You can avoid it or delay it but ultimately you have do what you have to do like what Sushma

(Swaraj) Ji did by going there because we have to fight the menace like ISIS, al-Qaeda.”

“Modi ji ko zarurat hai ya nahi but humhe zarurat hai Pakistan se baat karne ki (whether Modi ji needs it or not but we need dialogue with Pakistan) because my state suffers directly due to bad relations with Pakistan,” she said.

“At the end, it’s people of Jammu and Kashmir who die in cross-border firing. Onions may keep on coming from Wagah border (in Punjab) but people in Jammu and Kashmir will suffer,” the PDP president said.

“Why do we shy away from talks with Pakistan on Kashmir.

Instead of delaying it or avoiding it, we should pull the bull by its horns. As former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said we cannot change our neighbours, we should strive to bridge the gap and build bridges of peace,” she said.

“We know that you require two hands to clap and I think the bigger hand (India) should offer to clap more often,” she said. Mehbooba downplayed the displaying of ISIS and Pakistani flags in the state and said people should focus on

Social media post sends Kolkata metro officials in a tizzy KolKata, December 12 (IaNS): Kolkata Metro officials had a tough day on Saturday and it had nothing to do with tackling snags in services. The culprit: a post going viral on social media.

A picture on Facebook of a woman in ethnic wear sitting inside a coach grasping a lever has been doing the rounds since December 10. The tag emphatically says: "Kolkata Metro Rail-er prothom Mohila chalika" (Kolkata's Metrorail's first woman driver).

Congratulations and adulations poured in from netizens. Curiously, none of the posts reveal the identity of the person. The shared photos are attributed to Aloke Kumar Chattopdhyay, who in several updates has responded with a "thanks" to the numerous salutations of "wonderful post."

A section of inquisitive netizens have also questioned the veracity of the photo. "Dekhe toh mone hocche na (Doesn't really look like it)," one wrote.

Metro authorities, inundated with calls on the post, clarified it had no basis.

"I have received at least 50 calls today (on Saturday) about this. It is not true. The post seems to have gone viral," Indrani Banerjee, spokesperson of the Kolkata Metro, told IANS. Asked about follow-up on the source, a harried Banerjee said: "I have not yet looked into it."

But anticipations for Kolkata Metro being steered by the fairer sex is not without reason.

Earlier this year, the first train of the Chennai Metro Rail chugged out on its maiden voyage with a 28-year-old diploma holder in engineering steering it on.

those who are with India.

“Nearly 60 to 65 per cent participate in the elections and cast their ballot. There are a fraction of people who don’t want to be with you so it’s better to isolate them by focusing on development of people who have faith in you,” the PDP president said.

On the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, she said there is an agenda of alliance between PDP and BJP. “We want that the reports of Working Group constituted by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should be implemented.

“BJP was also part of the report which had recommended repealing of black laws and reduction of Army’s role.

There are barely 200 militants left in the Valley which can be handled by the Jammu and Kashmir police. Army needs to change its role and now contribute towards the development of the state,” she said.

On Kashmir Pandits, she said that a composite township was being considered where 50 per cent flats will be reserved for Kashmiri Panidts while the remaining will be given to Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists.

perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attack brought to justice and will do anything to support India in this regard. "...We want to see the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack brought to justice and obviously continue to want to do anything we can to support Indian authorities in that task," State Department spokesman John Kirby said yesterday when asked about David Headley turning approver after being pardoned by a Mumbai court.

Headley is currently serving 35-year prison sentence in the US for his role in the Mumbai terror attack.

tack, Kirby said, "I don't have anything specific and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing court case like that anyway." Kirby said India is a very close friend and partner.

"I think it's self-evident in recent years that both our countries have fallen victim to terrorist attacks and continue to need to be on to be vigilant about terrorism perpetrated against our citizens, and so it makes perfect sense that we would look for ways to cooperate more closely and to improve the flow of information between our two countries," he said.

Asked if the State Department was play-

an defence minister Manohar Parikkar after his meeting with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, he said, "I can't speak for the Defence Department. As for the State Department, we have, we maintain good, strong relations with our counterparts in the Indian Government.

"I won't speak about intelligence matters, but I can tell you that that relationship remains strong, remains vibrant, and the Secretary’s interest is very clear in making sure that the relationship continues to strengthen and grow going forward across a wide range of issues, not just security issues," he added.

Left wing extremism poses serious challenge: Rajnath VIjayawaDa, December 12 (IaNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the country is facing serious challenges from left-wing extremism which needs to be countered effectively and collectively along with the states.

Inaugurating the 26th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council here, he said coastal security in the southern states needs to be strengthened.

"Left wing extremism poses a serious challenge and it needs to be countered effectively and collectively with the states," he said.

He noted that the forum of zonal council is one of the significant means to achieve the goal

of cooperative federalism which holds the key to the growth and progress of the country.

He said the present government attached the utmost importance to strengthening the institutions of zonal councils and the inter-state council.

"These institutions have immense potential to resolve a slew of nagging problems by active cooperation between centre and states and among the states through healthy discussions," he said.

The minister told the participants that the meetings of all the zonal councils were held in this calendar year. The government also reconstituted the inter-state

council recently, which was pending for a long time and its meeting will also be convened soon.

Expressing condolences to the families of the victims of floods in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Singh assured that the centre will continue to do everything possible to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Puducherry.

The meeting reviewed the progress of the implementation of the recommendations made at the previous meeting held in

Bangalore in 2012. The council later took up other issues like coastal security, peninsular region industrial corridor, introduction of peninsular tourism trains in the region, coordinated and uniform approach in granting industrial incentives, finalisation of inter-state reciprocal transport agreement and curbing use of unacceptable levels of pesticides and ripening agents in fruits and vegetables.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Lt Governor of Puducherry Lt General (retired) A.K. Singh and ministers and senior officials from other states attended the meeting.

Climate change driving need for customised preventive healthcare in India, say experts KolKata, December 12 (IaNS): Climate change is whipping up the perfect storm for India's healthcare sector.

With projections of malaria and dengue intensifying in the future and a string of natural disasters that come with risks of epidemics, absence of a definite preventive mechanism will only add to woes of communities, experts say in a latest report.

Currently some 196 participating countries at the ongoing 21st Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change continue to wrangle over the 2C proposal (keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius).

But ground realities in India indicate an urgency

for pro-active measures in integrating environment with healthcare.

In the paper 'Exacerbating Health Risks in India due to Climate Change: Rethinking approach to health service provision' published as part of the new 'Handbook of Research on Climate Change Impact on Health and Environmental Sustainability', the authors advocate a paradigm shift from existing "cure"-based approach to a "preventive" one.

"Right now, the system is a 'health-cure' system.

On top of that, limited infrastructure (low per capita availability of hospital beds, doctors and the like), absence of strong monitoring of disease surveillance and rising costs are exacerbating health risks for

communities, especially the poor, who do not have access to basic healthcare," Joyashree Roy, lead author of the paper, told IANS. Roy, coordinator of the Global Change Programme at Kolkata's Jadavpur University, said poor performance in health indicators puts a major spanner in the works for India's sustainable development framework.

"To address emerging health risks in a costeffective way, there is a major need for developing a national preventive healthcare mission under the umbrella of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

This includes issuing advisories, alerts and interdisciplinary approach with various government departments working in

tandem," Roy said.

Health impacts have become increasingly tangible.

Scientists at the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) recently validated direct links between climate-related variability and the dengue season's span in Delhi.

In Kolkata, dubbed as one of the most climatically vulnerable coastal megacities in India, dengue deaths have continued into December even as the state government keeps maintaining that the number of cases will abate as winter arrives.

According to climate change and sustainability specialist Sumana Bhattacharya, extreme events like the Chennai floods are a kind of warning for creating specific climate-orient-

ed health systems.

"Where is the government? The situation is such that people themselves have to come up with systems so that they can be resilient and the government has to facilitate these efforts," Delhi-based Bhattacharya told IANS. With discussions on drafting a 'mission' on dealing with climate impact on human health under NAPCC in the works, Bhattacharya hoped India will factor in major concerns while mainstreaming preventive healthcare.

"The concern is that there may be emerging diseases, those that are there may escalate and some may go away in high temperatures. This means preventive mechanisms would require asssesment of the likely scenarios of the dis-

eases coming in or escalating in different areas of the country," elaborated Bhattacharya, author in IPCC's guidelines for developing national GHG inventories by sources and sinks of CO2 (1996 and 2006).

Bridging the gap in healthcare also means symbiosis of traditional disciplines (ayurveda) and allopathy, said developmental economist Duke Ghosh of Global Change Research and the paper's co-author.

"The challenge is to revive traditional medical systems, make them less individual-oriented and integrate them with the public health system," Ghosh told IANS. Apart from Roy and Ghosh, other authors of the paper are Kuheli Mukhopadhay and Anupa Ghosh.

SundaY 13•12•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Assad not negotiate with armed groups B E I R U T / M O S C O W, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared on Friday that he would not negotiate with armed groups, appearing to scupper peace talks that Russia and the United States hope to bring about next month.

Washington helped broker an agreement reached on Thursday by more than 100 members of Syria’s opposition parties and more than a dozen rebel fighting groups ranging from Islamists to Westernbacked Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups - but not Islamic State - to send a joint team to meet the government under U.N. auspices next month.

The initiative is driven at least partly by their focus on defeating a common enemy in the form of Islamic State, which has seized large parts of Syria and Iraq and is increasingly ordering or inspiring attacks on the West and Russia.

But in an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, Assad said he would not hold political talks with any armed groups, and accused Washington and its ally Saudi Arabia of wanting “terrorist groups” to join negotiations.

He said Syria had had contact with armed groups for one reason only: “to reach a situation where they give up their armaments and either join the

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks during a TV interview in Damascus, Syria in this still image taken from a video on November 29. (REUTERS Photo)

government or go back to their normal life ... This is the only way to deal with the militants in Syria.

“There’s no point in meeting in New York or anywhere else without defining terrorist groups,” he said. “For us, in Syria, everyone who holds a machinegun is a terrorist.”

Foreign ministers of countries opposed to Assad are due to meet in Paris on Monday to prepare for talks with Russia and Middle Eastern countries in New York on Thursday with a specific focus on trying to form the opposition del-

Gambia declared an Islamic republic BANJUL, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh on Friday declared the formerly secular country an Islamic republic in a move he said was designed to distance the West African state further from its colonial past.

The tiny sliver of a country, named after the river from which British ships once allegedly fired cannonballs to fix its borders, joins the ranks of other Islamic Republics such as Iran and Afghanistan.

“In line with the country’s religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state,” said Jammeh on state television. “As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy,” he added.

Gambia’s population of 1.8 million people is 95 percent Muslim. He said that other citizens of other faiths would still be able to practise.

Jammeh, an animated orator who has earned the reputation for making surprise declarations over the course of his 21-year presidency, pulled Gambia out of the Commonwealth in 2013, calling it neo-colonial. In 2007, he claimed to have found a herbal cure for AIDS. Despite strong commercial ties with Britain and other European countries whose citizens are regular visitors to Gambia’s white-sand beaches, relations with the West have deteriorated in recent years.

The European Union temporarily withheld aid money to the country last year over Gambia’s poor human rights record. Gambia, whose main industries are agriculture and tourism, ranks 165 out of 187 countries on the U.N. development index.

“Starved of development funds because of his deplorable human rights record and economic mismanagement, Jammeh is looking towards the Arab world as substitute for and source of development aid,” said blogger Sidi Sanneh, a former foreign minister who has become a U.S.-based dissident.

Why males are at higher risk of autism NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12 (IANS): Female infants have larger volumes of grey matter around the temporalparietal junction of the brain than males at the time of birth, a new study has found.

The temporal-parietal junction, or TP, which is found under the temporal bones near the ears, integrates the processing of social information as expressed in others’ faces and voices, a function that is impaired in those with autism spectrum disorders.

Sex differences in this area of the brain may be a clue as to why males are at higher risk for certain forms of autism spectrum disorders, researchers said.

Many early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, are more common in males than females.

Rebecca Knickmeyer and colleagues at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have been characterizing sex differences in brain development in a group of over 800 normal newborns, who are assessed until they are two years old.

Another main finding in Knickmeyer’s work is that by the age of two, myelination of long fibre tracks in the brain is more developed in males than in females.

Myelination is the development of an insulating myelin sheath around nerves so that they are able to transmit information more quickly.

Knickmeyer has also shown that a genetic disorder that only occurs in females - Turner Syndrome - also involves a significant decrease in brain volume in inferior parietal lobes.

This suggests that inferior parietal lobe volume can be influenced, at least in females, by sex chromosomes.

The findings were presented recently at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

egation for the peace talks.

Before Assad’s remarks were published, Washington said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry would travel to Moscow on Tuesday for talks with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The experience of a failed peace conference in Switzerland two years ago had kept expectations for the latest push low.

in Riyadh saying Assad should leave power at the start of a transitional period, and calling for an allinclusive, democratic civic state.

Although the demand goes beyond what Western powers are calling for, it is rejected by Assad’s patrons Russia and Iran.

A list of 34 members of a secretariat designated to select the opposition’s negotiating team contained DEMANDS THAT 11 representatives of rebel ASSAD LEAVE fighting groups, nine memThe rebel groups issued bers of the exiled political a statement at the end of opposition, six from Syria’s their two-day conference internal opposition and

eight independents.

The powerful Islamist insurgent group Ahrar alSham was represented, along with a number of FSA groups that have received military support from states opposed to Assad, such as Saudi Arabia and the United States.

At one point on Friday, Putin appeared to hold out an olive branch to the West, making what appeared to be Russia’s first explicit statement of support for rebels opposed to Assad in the fight against Islamic State.

At an annual meeting

at the Defence Ministry, he said the Free Syrian Army was engaged in “offensive actions against terrorists, alongside regular forces, in the provinces of Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Raqqa”.

“We support it from the air, as well as the Syrian army, we assist them with weapons, ammunition and provide material support.” he said.

But FSA groups dismissed any suggestion of Russian support.

Russian air strikes have targeted a number of FSA groups in western Syria, notably factions that have received military support from Assad’s foreign enemies, including anti-tank missiles. A senior Western diplomat said only about 20 percent of Russian strikes had been aimed at Islamic State.

A few hours later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to repeat Putin’s assertion, saying: “Russia supplies weapons to the legitimate authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic.”

Asked whether Putin had been talking about supplying FSA groups, he added: “Please do not cling to meanings in this case.

Such an interpretation is possible.”

The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was unable to confirm Putin’s claims. Spokesman John Kirby said, “It’s unclear to us

... whether these claims of Assad - the same reason the support to the FSA are true.” YPG was excluded.

But the almost fiveTRUCK BOMBS year-old conflict, in which Meanwhile, Islam- more than 250,000 peoic State claimed a triple ple have died, has also truck bomb attack that spawned unlikely alliances killed dozens of people in of convenience. a part of northeastern Syria Turkey’s President where Kurdish YPG forces Tayyip Erdogan said he have been pushing back would visit Saudi Arabia, a the Islamist militants in re- strong supporter of the ancent weeks. ti-Assad rebels, soon.

The three blasts, car“I will visit Saudi Arabia ried out by at least two sui- at the end of the month for cide bombers, went off out- an official visit and we will side a hospital, at a market discuss a number of matand in a residential area in ters and join hands with the town of Tel Tamer on Saudi Arabia with regard Thursday night, the YPG’s to the region’s issues,” he Redur Xelil said via an in- said in an interview with Al ternet messaging service.

Jazeera.

He put the toll at at least Senior U.S. Treasury 50 dead and 80 wounded. Department official Adam The Asayish, a Kurdish in- Szubin said in London on ternal security force, put Thursday that Islamic State the death toll at 26. had made more than $500 The YPG has been the million selling oil from termost effective partner on ritory it controls, with sigthe ground in Syria for the nificant volumes sold to U.S.-led coalition that is Assad’s government and pounding Islamic State some finding its way to from the air.

Turkey.

But it operates only The United Nations says in northern Syria, and is the war has left 13.5 mildistrusted by other rebel lion Syrians in need of help groups, which shut it out of and protection, including the Riyadh conference along 400,000 living under siege with the al Qaeda-linked and 4.5 million in areas that Nusra Front, fighting along- are hard for humanitarian side other rebels against assistance to reach.

Assad in western Syria.

U.N. Emergency ReDifferences also remain lief Coordinator Stephen between the groups that O’Brien was to meet senior did attend, with many fight- government officials in ers considering Damascus- Damascus on Saturday to based political opposition seek ways to get more aid figures to be too close to to those in most need.

Afghan security forces end Avian evolution linked to siege at Spanish embassy climate change says study KABUL, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Afghan security forces suppressed a suicide attack on a guest house attached to the Spanish embassy in Kabul, killing three Taliban fighters after hours of intermittent gunfire and explosions that lasted into the early hours of Saturday.

Two Spanish security officers and four Afghan police were also killed in the attack, in a heavily protected part of Kabul close to several embassies and government buildings, Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said.

In Madrid, the Spanish government said all other embassy staff had been evacuated from the site and were receiving treatment.

In addition, nine Afghan civilians were wounded and another 47 Afghans and foreigners were rescued from nearby buildings where they were trapped as security forces sealed off the area around the guest house, which guards at the site said formed part of the Spanish embassy compound.

The latest in a series of attacks on foreign targets in Kabul began at about 6 p.m. on Friday

when a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb near the guest house, allowing three gunmen to take up positions and open fire on security forces.

“The operation took time because we wanted to rescue the people trapped in surrounding buildings and we had to move cautiously and in a proper tactical manner,” Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi told Reuters after the operation ended at around 5.30 a.m.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the “invader’s guest house”, just days after President Ashraf Ghani returned from a regional peace conference in Pakistan, where he sought support to revive peace talks that stalled this year.

Ghani’s government has come under increasing pressure as the Taliban insurgency, aimed at expelling foreign forces and bringing down the Western-backed government, has spread since NATO ended its combat mission last year.

The head of the intelligence services, who strongly opposed Ghani’s bid to involve Pakistan in the peace process, resigned on Thursday, underlining divi-

sions in the national security apparatus.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Taliban taunted authorities with the “shame and humiliation” of not being able to prevent an attack in the heart of the capital.

“The presence of our Mujahideen with weapons and a car loaded with explosives in such a high security area shows God’s support and the cooperation of the poor and Muslim people,” spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid said in a statement.

The Islamist movement has been racked by internal power struggles of its own with rival factions battling for supremacy since it confirmed in July that its founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had died more than two years previously.

However, that has not prevented the militants from gaining a string of successes, including the brief seizure of the northern city of Kunduz in September.

Friday’s attack followed a separate Taliban attack on the airport complex in the southern city of Kandahar, in which at least 50 civilians and security forces personnel were killed.

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12 (IANS): New research led by the American Museum of Natural History reveals that the evolution of modern birds was greatly shaped by the history of our planet’s geography and climate.

The DNA-based work has found that birds arose in what is now South America around 90 million years ago, and radiated extensively around the time of the CretaceousPaleogene extinction event that killed off the non-avian dinosaurs.

The study said that birds in South America survived the extinction event and then started moving to other parts of the world via multiple land bridges while diversifying during periods of global cooling.

“Modern birds are the most diverse group of terrestrial vertebrates in terms of species richness and global distribution, but we still don’t fully understand their largescale evolutionary history,” said Joel Cracraft, a curator in the museum’s department of ornithology and coauthor of the study.

Cracraft and lead author Santiago Claramunt, a research associate in the museum’s department of ornithology, analysed DNA sequences for most modern bird families with information from 130 fossil birds to generate a new evolutionary time tree.

“With very few exceptions, fossils of modern birds have been found only after the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction,” said Claramunt.

“This has led some researchers to suggest that modern birds didn’t start to diversify until after this event, when major competitors were gone.

But our new work, which agrees with previous DNA-based studies, suggests that birds began to radiate before this massive extinction.”

After the K-Pg extinction, birds used two routes to cover the globe: first, to North America across a Paleogene Central American land bridge and then to the Old World; and second, to Australia and New Zealand across Antarctica, which was relatively warm at that time.

It was also found that bird diversification rates increased during periods of global cooling. “When the Earth cools and dries, fragmentation of tropical forests results in bird populations being isolated,” Cracraft said.

“Many times, these small populations will end up going extinct, but fragmentation also provides the opportunity for speciation to occur and for biotas to expand when environments get warm again. This work provides pervasive evidence that avian evolution has been influenced by plate tectonics and environmental change.”

Saudi women vote for first time in local elections RIYADH, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Saudi Arabian women voted for the first time on Saturday in local council elections and also stood as candidates, a step hailed by some activists in the Islamic patriarchy as a historic change, but by others as merely symbolic.

“As a first step it is a great achievement. Now we feel we are part of society, that we contribute,” said Sara Ahmed, 30, a physiotherapist entering a polling station in north Riyadh. “We talk a lot about it, it’s a historic day for us.”

The election, which follows men-only polls in 2005 and 2011, is for two thirds of seats on councils that previously had only advisory powers, but will now have a limited decision making role in local government.

This incremental expansion of voting rights has spurred some Saudis to hope the Al Saud ruling family, which appoints the national government, will eventually carry out further reforms to open up the political system.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in which women cannot drive and a woman’s male “guardian”, usually a father, husband, brother or son, can stop her travelling overseas, marrying, working,

studying or having some forms of elective surgery.

Under King Abdullah, who died in January and who announced in 2011 that women would be able to vote in this election, steps were taken for women to have a bigger public role, sending more of them to university and encouraging female employment.

However, while women’s suffrage has in many other countries been a transformative moment in the quest for gender equality, its impact in Saudi Arabia is likely to be more limited due to a wider lack of democracy and continued social conservatism.

Before Abdullah announced women would take part in this year’s elections, the country’s Grand Mufti, its most senior religious figure, described women’s involvement in politics as “opening the door to evil”.

The pace of social reform in Saudi Arabia, while ultimately dictated by the Al Saud, is also strongly influenced by a tussle between conservatives and progressives over how the country should marry its religious tradition with modernity.

A woman gestures as she leaves a polling station after casting her vote during municipal elections, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 12. (REUTERS Photo)

from a population of 20 million registered to vote in the election, including 131,000 women, the widespread apathy partly the product of a poll with no political parties, strict laws on campaigning, and in which only local issues are at play.

Some voters hope that the Al Saud will eventually allow elections for the advisory parliament, the Shura Council.

“There is no reason, if this is applied to municipal councils, WOMEN’S RIGHTS Only 1.48 million Saudis that they would not apply it to the

Shura,” said Riyadh Najm, a retired former government official in glasses and a neat grey beard.

The Al Saud have not made any announcements to this effect but it is being discussed in private, according to analysts.

At the King Salman Social Centre in north Riyadh, where men and women went into different parts of the building to cast their ballots, voters of both sexes were greatly outnumbered by both election officials and journalists.

Dozens of prospective candidates were barred from running.

The authorities gave no reason for not allowing them to participate, but many had previously been politically active, including advocates for women’s driving and the advancement of the Shi’ite Muslim minority.

Iman al-Mashrawi, a paediatric surgeon in Riyadh, said she had been persuaded to vote by a friend who was running for office. “We are mothers, teachers, doctors. We are everywhere in our country the same as any man,” she said.

For now, according to some of the women voting on Saturday, apart from the symbolic nature of casting a ballot, their hopes for change resulting from their votes are limited to purely local issues.

“I believe women want more parks, libraries for their children, health and fitness facilities for women. And just to be part of the decision,” said Ahmed, the physiotherapist.

As she spoke, a military transport plane flew low overhead from the nearby airbase, a reminder of the momentous policies from war in Yemen to management of plunging oil prices on which Saudi citizens - men and women - still have no formal say.

10

sunDAY 13•12•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Warriors outlast Celtics, stay unbeaten BOSTON, DecemBer 12 (AP): The Golden State Warriors needed two overtimes to remain perfect on a very imperfect night from the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player.

Stephen Curry scored 38 points despite his worst shooting performance of the season, adding 11 rebounds and eight assists on Friday night as the Warriors improved to 24-0 by outlasting the Boston Celtics 124-119 in double overtime.

“Exhausting, but it was fun,” Curry said. “Obviously, it was nice to get the win.

But we had to claw our way to it.”

Counting the wins in their final four games last season, the defending NBA champions have taken 28 regular-season games in a row. That broke a tie with the 2012-13 Miami Heat for the second-longest winning streak in league history, and now trails only the 33 straight by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971-72.

The Warriors play the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night to complete a seven-game road trip. No NBA team has ever gone 7-0 on a single road trip.

“We will definitely cherish this, because it doesn’t happen often,” centre Andrew Bogut said. “The record, the history, the team

CAVALIERS 111, MAGIC 76 LeBron James had 25 points and eight assists as Cleveland rolled past Orlando.

Timofey Mozgov added 17 points as the Cavaliers beat the Magic for the 12th straight time.

Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert made his season debut. Out since injuring his right wrist before training RAPTORS 90, BUCKS 83 camp, he played 25 minutes DeMar DeRozan refus- and made 5 of 7 shots while es to shy away from the bas- scoring 14 points. ket and it’s paying off.

DeRozan had game- PACERS 96, HEAT 83 high 27 points while goMonta Ellis had 24 ing 11 for 12 from the free- points, six assists and six throw line as the Toronto steals to help Indiana beat Raptors beat the visiting Miami and end a threeMilwaukee Bucks 90-83 on game losing streak.

Friday to stretch their home Paul George, the NBA’s win streak to a season-high third-leading scorer, had 23 three games. for the Pacers.

Luis Scola added 12 Chris Bosh had 23 points and eight rebounds points and 10 rebounds while Kyle Lowry had 12 and Dwyane Wade had 20 points, six rebounds and points, five rebounds and five assists as the Raptors five assists in Miami’s third (15-9) improved to 3-2 straight loss. on their current six-game PISTONS 107, 76ERS 95 home stand and 8-3 versus Andre Drummond the Eastern Conference this had 18 points and 16 reseason. Joseph chipped in bounds and Marcus Morris 13 points off the bench. scored 21 points as Detroit Khris Middleton paced downed Philadelphia. the Bucks with 26 points The Pistons opened the while Giannis Antetok- game on an 11-0 run and ounmpo added 15 points built a 24-point lead in the and seven rebounds for first half.

Milwaukee (9-15), which The Sixers dropped has now lost nine straight to 1-23. Before the game, on the road. the team announced that two in a row and six of its previous eight games.

D raymon d Gre en scored 24 points with 11 rebounds, eight assists and five blocked shots. Iguodala scored 13 with 10 boards and Festus Ezeli had 12 and 12 for Golden State, which was playing without injured Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes.

Dec 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) throws a behind the back pass past Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first half at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

— it doesn’t happen often so we will cherish it.

Who knows? Next year you could be on a different team and nobody’s talking about you.”

Curry made only 9 of 27 shots from the field, a .333 shooting percentage that was his worst since Game 2 of the NBA finals against Cleveland. But he was 6 for 13 from 3-point range and

a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line.

The Celtics had two chances to win it at the end of regulation, tied 103all, but Shaun Livingston blocked Isaiah Thomas’ attempt. After Golden State’s try at an alley-oop off the inbounds pass failed, Boston had the ball with 0.7 seconds left, but Kelly Olynyk’s off-balance jump-

er was wide.

Curry sank a pair of foul shots — his only points of the second overtime — with 13.4 seconds left to give the Warriors a threepoint lead. Jae Crowder then missed a 3-pointer to tie it, and Andre Iguodala got the rebound and drew the foul.

That sent the Boston fans to the exits, but the

Golden State crowd remained to see Iguodala sink both free throws and keep the winning streak alive.

Olynyk scored 28 points for Boston, and Avery Bradley had 19 while guarding Curry much of the night.

Thomas had 18 points and 10 assists, and Jared Sullinger had 13 rebounds for Boston, which had won

coach Brett Brown had signed a multiyear contract extension.

THUNDER 94, JAZZ 90 Kevin Durant scored 21 points, including the last 11 for Oklahoma City to beat Utah. The Thunder matched a season high with their fourth straight win.

Durant hit a tiebreaking 3 with 1:06 left, then made two free throws with two seconds left to seal it. He also got eight rebounds.

Russell Westbrook had 24 points for the Thunder.

Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

SPURS 109, LAKERS 87 LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points, Kawhi Leonard had 16 points and they each had 11 rebounds to lift San Antonio over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rookie D’Angelo Russell had a career-high 24 points in the fifth straight loss for Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant had 12 points on 5-for-12 shooting in 29 minutes.

As time expired, Bryant ran over to give Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a long hug, and the longtime competitors spoke for a couple of minutes. Bryant tapped his chest and pointed to the crowd, acknowledging the cheers and chants of “Kobe” as he walked off the court.

Australia thrash Windies by innings and 212 runs Platini, Blatter face several years ban from football: FIFA

HOBArT, DecemBer 12 (reuTerS): Paceman James Pattinson took five for 27 to fire Australia to a thumping innings and 212run victory with more than two days to spare in the first test against West Indies in Hobart on Saturday.

Australia enforced the follow-on after dismissing West Indies for 223 inside the first five overs of the third day at Bellerive Oval, and completed the rout before tea by skittling the tourists for 148 in their second innings.

It was Australia's second biggest victory in 114 tests against the Caribbean islanders and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in a threematch series, which concludes with tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia, who could return to the top of the test rankings with a 3-0 series sweep, made 583 for four declared in their first innings on the back of a world record fourth wicket stand of 449 between Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh.

Voges was named man of the match for his unbeaten 269 in the match-turning partnership with fellow Western Australian thirtysomething Marsh. "It was a good win, the partnership

Australian bowler James Pattinson (centre) reacts after dismissing West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood on day 3 of the first Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Saturday, December 12, 2015. (AAP: Dave Hunt)

between Voges and Shaun Marsh really set up the match for us and the bowlers did a terrific job again," skipper Steve Smith said in a pitchside interview. "I thought Josh Hazlewood led the attack beautifully. It was nice to see James Pattinson back bowling the way he did and to get a five-for was an outstanding effort."

Darren Bravo scored a fine 108 in the first innings and Kraigg Brathwaite notched a defiant 94 in the second but questions

will continue to be asked about the long-term future of West Indies test cricket after an otherwise hapless display. "Tough three days for us, we didn't really start very well," captain Jason Holder said. "We were pretty indisciplined in the first session of the test match and that carried on for the rest of the first day. That really set us back and then we were always catching up."

Hazlewood (4-45) took the lead as the hosts wrapped up West Indies'

innings with only 16 runs added to their overnight tally of 207-6 on a chilly morning in Tasmania.

It was Pattinson, playing his first test in 18 months in place of the injured Mitchell Starc, who provided the spearhead after Smith had become the first Australia skipper in six years to enforce the followon on home soil.

O p e n e r Raj e n d ra Chandrika lasted just three balls before departing with his third duck in four test

innings before Bravo (4) earned the questionable distinction of being dismissed twice in the same session.

Two overs later and Pattinson sent back Marlon Samuels (3) and Jermaine Blackwood (0) in successive balls, giving Australia a hat-trick chance for the second time in one day.

Pattinson was unable to convert and it was allrounder Mitchell Marsh who next took advantage of the feeble batting, having Denesh Ramdin caught for four off his first delivery.

Holder put on 30 with Brathwaite before Pattinson returned to claim his fourth five-wicket haul in tests, the West Indies skipper flicking his 32nd delivery down the leg side and into the gloves of Peter Nevill for 17.

Nevill was again in action to dismiss Kemar Roach (3) off Hazlewood and the right-arm paceman got his sixth wicket of the match when Jerome Taylor holed out in the deep for 12. Brathwaite was the final wicket to fall, bowled by Hazlewood (3-33), as West Indies pace bowler Shannon Gabriel did not bat in either innings after injuring his ankle on day one.

LAuSANNe, DecemBer 12 (AGeNcieS): Michel Platini will "be suspended for several years", FIFA Ethics Committee spokesman Andreas Bantel said on Friday.

UEFA chief Platini and FIFA president Sepp Blatter are both serving 90-day bans from football-related activities while an investigation is carried out into an alleged £1.3m payment made to the Frenchman by world football's governing body.

"Platini will certainly be suspended for several years," Bantel was quoted as saying by French website L'Equipe. Blatter is due to stand down as FIFA president with an election to choose his successor set for February 26.

"As for Blatter, there is no difference for him between a suspension of a few years and a life ban," Bantel added. But Platini's lawyers have hit back at Bantel's comments, accusing FIFA's Ethics Committee of subjecting the Frenchman to a "sham procedure", adding the remarks "constituted a patent violation of the presumption of innocence".

"We have learned with anger and dismay the comments of Mr Andreas Bantel," Platini's lawyers said in a statement. "He....has breached the presumption of innocence and demonstrates the political objectives being pursued by FIFA's Ethics Committee.

"They demonstrate also that the Ethics Committee is pursuing a political objective for whom contradictory arguments and the hearing that it fixed itself for 18 December will manifestly serve no purpose "Mr Platini, for whom the sanction already seems to have been fixed (decided) by the FIFA Ethics Committee before his explanations have been heard, strongly denounces these practices which showcase the sham procedure of which he has been the object for weeks."

But Bantel insisted in his interview that "in this case, the question of corruption is well-founded". "Suppose even the charge of corruption is not accepted by the chamber, there are many others offenses such as a conflict of interest, mismanagement or falsification of accounts," said the official.

"All of this is sufficient to suspend Blatter and Platini for several years."

FIFA's Ethics Committee is split into an investigating arm and judging arm, with Bantel working for the latter. He was part of the team that investigated the claims against Platini and Blatter and recommended that they are given multi-year bans.

But it is the judging arm that will ultimately make a decision on Platini and Blatter's future and nobody from that part of FIFA's Ethics committee has said anything as yet. Bantel has since told Sky Sports' chief news reporter Kaveh Solhekol that he stands by the comments he made to L'Equipe.

Dutch, Belgians 'paid votes New Zealand pull away with 308-run lead broker' in FIFA bid, says report THe HAGue, DecemBer 12 (AFP): The Netherlands and Belgium in 2009 paid a lobbyist closely linked to a former FIFA vice president to help garner votes for its 2018 World Cup bid, a news report revealed on Saturday.

The combined bid to bring football's world showcase to the Lowlands ultimately failed, but the payment to the Guinean votes broker, named as Amadou Diallo went through, the daily De Volkskrant said.

Diallo at the time was closely affiliated to ousted Asian football chief Mohammed Bin Hamman, who resigned amid controversy in 2012 from all positions in football before a decision giving him a life ban.

"Diallo at the time was bin Hamman's right-hand man. The payment therefor transgressed FIFA's code of conduct," the paper said.

"The code explicitely states that people affiliated to FIFA managers were not allowed to receive money from bidding teams," it added.

"Diallo received at least 10,000 euros from the Dutch-Belgian bidding team," the paper said, based on documents in its possession.

An unnamed member of FIFA's ethics committee said it would investigate the claim "should new facts come to light."

"If money has been paid without a

proper explanation, it would indeed be suspicious," the official told De Volkskrant.

Diallo denied he ever received money for his services, De Volkskrant reported.

"I never saw a cent... Never, never, never," the paper quoted him as saying.

The Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) on Saturday denied any wrongdoing in the bid, but added that it has opened a probe into documents surrounding the bid process.

"The KNVB and the Belgian Football Federation (KBVB) has previously cooperated with FIFA's ethics commission in regards to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups," it said in a statement.

"The Belgian-Dutch bid emerged without blemish," it said from its headquarters in the central Dutch city of Zeist.

"I cannot remember seeing anything inappropriate passing the 2018 bid committee's desk," added Harry Been, who was a member of the 2018 bid's Dutch delegation.

"We did it properly and within the guidelines, with relatively limited means," he said in the KNVB's statement.

The December 2, 2010 votes to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar set off a storm of corruption allegations that have still not been cleared up.

DuNeDiN, DecemBer 12 (AFP): Kane Williamson joined the elite 1,000 runs-a-year club Saturday as New Zealand built a commanding 308-run lead over Sri Lanka with two days remaining in the first Test in Dunedin.

Only the threat of rain and a flattening pitch loomed as possible barricades for New Zealand, who closed day three on 171 for one with nine wickets in hand.

Tom Latham was on 72 with master batsman Williamson on 48.

Williamson, who started his innings with 992 runs for the year, reached 1,000 driving Rangana Herath elegantly over mid-off to the boundary.

He joins England's Alastair Cook and Joe Root and Australians David Warner and Steve Smith as the only players to achieve the milestone in 2015 but his batting average of 94.54 is considerably superior to the other four.

Brendon McCullum, with 1,164 runs in 2014, is the only other New Zealander to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year.

Williamson's class shone as New Zealand ramped up their dominance over Sri Lanka, removing their last six wickets on Saturday to have the tourists all out for 294, 137 runs in arrears.

Guptill and Latham set about building on New Zealand's advantage, moving swiftly to 79 before Guptill's luck ran out when he was bowled by a shooter from Rangana Herath for 46.

The first-innings centurymaker had earlier survived caught and bowled chances to Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal and being dropped on 19 by Kusal Mendis at cover.

Latham, who posted his seventh Test 50 with a single off Milinda Siriwardana, has been content to build partnerships first with Guptill then an unbroken 92-run stand with Williamson.

Sri Lanka suffered a setback at the start of the day when they resumed their first innings at 197-4 and lost batting general Dinesh Chandimal with the first ball he faced.

The Sri Lankans had expected Chandimal to lead them within close range of New Zealand's 431, instead he was unable to add to his overnight 83 as he fell to Tim Southee. Southee struck again in his next over when he had Kithuruwan Vithanage caught behind for 22.

Milinda Siriwardana and Herath emerged from the setback to produce a stubborn 43-run stand for the seventh wicket.

The 30-year-old Siriwardana,

who only made his Test debut two months ago, had a reprieve on 29 when he was caught by a leaping Doug Bracewell on the long-leg boundary.

The apparent dismissal turned into a six when Bracewell fell backwards over the boundary rope.

However, Siriwardana was not to score again as four balls later he edged Neil Wagner to Ross Taylor at first slip.

Herath, who weathered a sustained short-ball barrage and took a cruel blow to the head, faced 74 deliveries before he was gone for 15.

The innings ended when legspinner Mitchell Santner had Pradeep caught behind to give wicketkeeper BJ Watling his sixth catch of the innings.

It is the second time the South African-born Watling has taken six catches in an innings, one short of the Test record of seven jointly held by Pakistan's Wasim Bari, New Zealander Ian Smith and England's Bob Taylor.

For New Zealand, Southee took three for 71 and Wagner three for 87.

Sunday 13•12•2015

ENTERTAINMENT

The graduating students of the Stepping Stones School during the 6th Annual Day cum Graduation Ceremony based on the theme ‘Wonders of Curiosity’ held on December 12 at the School premises. Khrienuo C Metha, secretary, Home & NRE & Team Leaders, Bamboo Mission was the guest speaker during the Graduation. (Morung Photo)

‘The Rolling Stones’ finally back in action after decade

T

he much-loved rock-band ‘The Rolling Stones’ are all set to record their first album in 10 years. The “Wild Horses” hitmakers, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, have been in a studio over the past week working on a follow-up to the 2005 record “A Bigger Bang” and their morale is high after Wood revealed that he is going to be a father to twins at the age of 68, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Ronnie broke the news on one of their first days back in the studio and they were all delighted for him. It's given everyone a great boost,” The Sun newspaper quoted a source.

"The guys booked in for a few sessions to lay down some tracks which Mick and Keith have written. It's very early, just four or five songs at the moment, but the plan is to make a full new album in the New Year,” the source added.

Well, this is an exciting news for the fans of this rock-band who have been waiting for such a long time to hear them sing again. Now with their favourite team back in action, we could sure expect some fireworks.

alobo Naga performs at Glorio deo concert

A

lobo Naga recently performed at Yamaha Glorio Deo concert, the biggest Christmas concert in India at Siri Fort Auditorium, Delhi sharing the stage with top Christian artiste from India, Sheldon Bangera, Amit Kamble, Bonny Andrews, Jordan Johnson, Praneet Calvin, Joseph Bros, Jasper Joseph and DJ Magnatron — together under one roof, on one stage, raising up an an-

them for the city and also celebrating Livejam’s 10th year anniversary. The show got sold out prior 2 weeks before the show, and more than thousand people had to return back on the event day due to the limited seating capacity of the auditorium.

A global initiative, it brings Indian and international artistes together for live performances at select venues. Gloria Deo is a time for people to come togeth-

er and step beyond barriers of race and language.

With peace and unity as its themes, the festival centers on people gathering in joy, hope and above all, love.

No better time to do this than during Christmas, as love is the crux of what Christmas stands for!

Begun in 2005, Gloria Deo is conducted annually in various parts of India and overseas. It was the first-ever mega concert to be held in free Nepal

Criss Angel filming Documentary about Son's Cancer fight Lady GaGa opens up

I

llusionist Criss Angel is reportedly making a Documentary about his young son's battle with Cancer.The magician, real name Christopher Sarantakos, cancelled a string of Las Vegas shows in October (15) to be with his 21-month-old son Johnny, who has been diagnosed with acute

lymphoblastic leukaemia. Johnny will reportedly be in treatment for several years, and Angel will be recording footage to raise awareness of the condition.

The documentary will be called 1095, based on the number of days of chemotherapy Johnny will have to undergo, according to TMZ.com. An-

gel is also organising a charity event to raise money for paediatric cancer research, which will reportedly be held at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where he has a show. A marriage certificate uncovered by editors of the website in October (15) showed Angel married Johnny's mother Shaunyl Benson in February.

Kevin Spacey to become online acting teacher

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ollywood Superstar Kevin Spacey is offering to share his acting expertise with fans in a series of online classes. The actor has signed up with MasterClass, a company based in San Francisco, California which offers expert tuition from celebrities including Dustin Hoffman and tennis ace Serena Williams.

The course, which costs $90 (£60), consists of 29 lessons and a workbook of assignments, some of which will be critiqued by the American Beauty star himself.

In a promotional video for the teaching project, Kevin insists he wants to pass on his top tips to students to help them improve their acting.

"The craft of acting is to step into someone else's shoes, someone else's ideas; to look at something in a mirror and not see ourselves and not feel ourselves and not feel weird but feel free," he says.

The course will be offered from May next year (16). Other classes available from the company include vocal coaching from singer Christina Aguilera and a performance guide from R&B star Usher.

about being raped at 19

L

a d y Ga Ga ha s opened about being raped at 19 and how the traumatic experience changed her life. The singer first revealed she had been raped as a teenager during an interview last year and earlier in 2015 she recorded the emotional song ’Til It Happens to You’ for documentary The Hunting Ground, about incidents of rape on college campuses.

Speaking during a TimesTalks panel discussion, Gaga said: "I didn't tell anyone for I think seven years. I didn't know how to think about it, I didn't know how to accept it. I didn't know how to not blame myself or think it was my fault.” “It's something that really changed my life. It changed who I was completely. It changed my body, it changed my thoughts." When asked how it changed her physically Gaga explained: "When you go through a trauma like that, it doesn't just have the immediate physical ramifications.”

“For many people it has almost like trauma,

where you re-experience it through the years after it. It can trigger patterns in your body of physical distress. So a lot of people suffer not just emotional and mental pain, but physical pain as a result of being abused, raped or traumatised in some way."

The singer also explained that it took her years to learn not to blame herself for what happened.

"Because of the way that I dress, and the way that I'm provocative as a person, I thought that I had brought it on myself in some way.

That it was my fault."

Last year, Gaga revealed she was raped at 19 during an interview on ‘The Howard Stern Show', but added she has made sure the experience doesn't define her. "I don't want to be defined by it,” the 29-year-old said.

“I'll be damned if somebody's gonna say that every creatively intelligent thing that I ever did is all boiled down to one d---head that did that to me. I’m gonna take responsibility for all my pain looking beautiful and all the things I've made out of my strife. I did that."

in 2008 at the prestigious Tundikhel Palace grounds with an audience of around 20,000 people and live telecast across Nepal. Post 2005, the festival has been held at choice venues in India including Palace Grounds, Bangalore; Ishanya Mall, Pune; Pragati Maidan, Delhi, Talkatora Indoor Stadium, Delhi and Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi. In December 2008, the concert was also held in Berlin, Germany.

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12

SunDAY 13•12•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

UFC 194: Aldo-McGregor separated after stare down Watch UFC 194 on Sony Six, Sony Six HD and Sony Kix on Sunday from 8.30 AM onwards

Las Vegas, december 12 (agencIes): Conor McGregor has taken the initiative in the mind games he's played against Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

On Friday, Aldo answered by reaching for the mouthy contender's throat.

After each weighed in at the division's 145-pound weight limit for Saturday night's UFC 194 at MGM Grand and posed for their face-off, Brazil's Aldo (251) stooped down to emulate and mock the trademark kung-fu stance that McGregor makes.

With a roaring, Irishflag-waving crowd estimated at 7,000 supporting him in song and spirit, McGregor obviously took offense, shattering his selfdescribed "state of Zen" he's achieved on the eve of his title attempt.

Aldo didn't care, brushing McGregor's chest with his left hand and reaching C M Y K

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to grab the contender's neck, forcing UFC President Dana White to separate the fighters.

"I was expecting havoc and it came," White said.

"When Aldo grabbed his neck, I thought, 'This is going to be bad.' I jumped in the middle, turned Conor away and got between him and Jose."

McGregor (18-2) raised his left leg to preview a possible pre-fight kick before White ended the hostilities.

The tussle now becomes subject to the interpretation of all the dime store psychologists, who will have until Saturday night's pay-per-view main event to discuss a fight in which McGregor is a slight favorite at Las Vegas sports books.

Has Aldo finally had enough of McGregor's antics, which included the challenger charging the champion's ringside seat after a victory this year in Boston, then stealing his

UFC president Dana White, center, stands between Conor McGregor, right, and Jose Aldo during the weigh-in for UFC 194 on Friday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo)

belt off a press-tour stage in Brazil?

Is the champion, who hasn't lost in more than 10 years, cracking under the

onslaught of gamesmanship? Or is Aldo still confident as he prepares to enter the octagon, expecting to win his 16th straight fight?

"Conor has been the aggressor throughout [this promotion], he backed off a little this week, and was aggressive again today,"

White said. "Jose's pushing back now, saying, 'You're not in my … head. Let's go!' " Aldo is the UFC's No. 1

ranked pound-for-pound fighter, and he was met backstage by the hostile shouts of a crazed, agitated McGregor, according to one report.

"I'm sick of hearing about Jose," McGregor said on stage. "I visualize and look at his facial features and I know that the soft part of his face will not be able to take my shots.

"Tomorrow night, I will bring that gold home for Ireland once again."

Aldo scoffed, "I don't care what he has to say. The thing is, I'm coming here [Saturday] night and I'm going to [stay] the champion."

Meanwhile, unbeaten middleweight champion Chris Weidman (13-0) and No. 1 contender Luke Rockhold (14-2) also came in at weight (185 pounds) for their co-main event Saturday.

White said the middleweights engaged in a heated verbal back-and-forth at

their stare-down.

"It's over, dude. I'm the new champion," Rockhold said.

Answered Weidman: "I've beaten the best and you're not one of them."

Weidman, who has two victories over famed former champion Anderson Silva, said his opponent's vanity and ego will be his undoing.

"This game comes down to being the smarter man. The smarter man in the octagon may not be the smarter man out of the octagon -- although I think I beat him there, too – but when you're in a stressful state, you release cortisone in your brain and your thought process becomes cloudy," Weidman said. "[Rockhold's] biggest weakness is his ego. He thinks very highly of himself…. Any second that his ego is too high and there's a lack of respect, that gives me openings."

Anand loses to Vachier-Lagrave Norwich punishes profligate Everton London, december 12 (PtI): Viswanathan Anand’s failed to change his fortune as the former world champion suffered his third defeat in four games at the London Chess Classic in London.

Anand went down to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France in what was his second straight loss following a defeat against Alexander Grischuk in the previous round.

After the seventh round, the Indian is now struggling with just 2.5 points in his kitty.

With just two more rounds to go, Vachier-Lagrave took the sole lead with his second victory in the tournament.

The day witnessed many interesting games and world champion Magnus Carlsen finally scored a much-needed victory over Hikaru Nakamura of United States, while Levon Aronian of Armenia downed Veselint Topalov of Bulgaria in quick time.

Erstwhile sole leader Anish Giri had to be content with another draw with Fabiano Caruana of United States, while Michael Adams remained impregnable with his defense and signed peace with Alexander Grischuk of Russia.

Vachier-Lagarve took his tally to 4.5 points following a picturesque finish against Anand and he is now trailed by Carlsen, Giri, Grischuk and Aronian who all have four points apiece.

Caruana, Nakamura and Adams share the sixth spot with 3.5 points each, while Anand on 2.5 is on

Viswanathan Anand

ninth spot, a full point ahead of Topalov, who stands last.

Anand faced an expected Najdorf Sicilian from Vachier-Lagrave and got little in the ensuing middle game. The Frenchman put some pressure and Anand decided to part with his queen for two pieces. There seemed compensation but the resulting defence was never too easy.

Vachier-Lagrave finished the game by spotting an excellent tactic that started with a rook sacrifice.

“I feel like I played quite well today; at the same time I don’t think it should win any beauty prize,” said Vachier-Lagrave adding, “The final combination was nice but there were a lot of mistakes and oversights throughout the game.”

The Frenchman was optimistic and cautious at the same time, “Of course to be leading two games before the end, it’s a good feeling, but the standings are close so I need push

norwIch, december 12 (aFP): Wes Hoolahan's scruffy equaliser prevented Everton from gaining on the Premier League's leading sides as Roberto Martinez's men were held to a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Victory would have taken Everton to within a point of fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur, but after Romelu Lukaku gave them a 15th-minute lead, they squandered a glut of opportunities to extend their advantage.

Hoolahan duly levelled the scores early in the second half, scuffing in from close range to consign Everton to a third consecutive draw and inch Norwich a point clear of the relegation places.

Alex Neil's side might have emerged with all three points, only for Cameron Jerome to produce a glaring miss with 20 minutes remaining, hoisting the ball over the bar from Hoolah-

Romelu Lukaku celebrates the opening goal with Ramiro Funes Mori.

again in the last two games an's flick.

Barcelona winger arced goal seemed a matter of time. to win the event,” he said.

Gerard Deulofeu sig- a beautiful cross to the Declan Rudd rushed out Carlsen won in his typinalled Everton's ambition back post, where Lukaku to save from Arouna Kone, cal style — grinding down with an early driving run charged in to head home. before Lukaku somehow Nakamura in a long-drawn into the Norwich box and It was Lukaku's 15th failed to turn the ball into an affair. The opening was not after Lukaku had dragged goal of the season, in all open goal from Tom Cleverso relevant and when the a shot wide, the Belgium competitions, and made ley's right-wing cross. endgame arrived many striker put the visitors him the first Everton player Lukaku also shot narpredicted a long and tense ahead. since Bob Latchford in 1975 rowly wide twice, while struggle.

Nor wich left-back to score in seven consecu- England left-back LeighCarlsen was quite hapMartin Olsson's panicky tive games. ton Baines, making his first py to find a Bishop sacrifice clearance went straight to With Norwich's defence start of the season after a to rip apart an optical forDeulofeu and the former all at sea, a second Everton long-term ankle injury, tress and won with his extra pawns.

In the other decisive game, Aronian chose a dangerous variation and his efforts were suitably rePune, december 12 warded as Topalov failed to (agencIes): Chennaiyin find the right defense. The FC drubbed holders Atletigame was over in just 27 co de Kolkata 3-0 in their ISL moves. second semifinal first-leg Results round 7: V here on Saturday.

Anand (Ind, 2.5) lost to MaxBrazilian Bruno Pelisime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, sari's 39th minute free-kick 4.5); Fabiano Caruana (Usa, goal proved to be the differ3.5) drew with Anish Giri ence between the two sides (4); Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 4) in a fast-paced first half. beat Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, On resumption of play, 3.5); Levon Aronian (Arm, 4) Jeje Lalpekhlua doubled the beat Veselin Topalov (Bul, 1.5); Michael Adams (Eng, Chennaiyin FC's Bruno Pelissari, Jeje Lalpekhlua and John Stiven Mendoza celebrate lead after Stiven Menodza 3.5) drew with Alexander during an ISL game against Atletico de Kolkata at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Sat- did all the work in the 57th.

Colombian Menodza himGrischuk (Rus, 4). urday, December 12.

slammed a right-foot shot against the post.

But Martinez's side -who eliminated Norwich from the League Cup in October -- failed to make their dominance count and within seconds of the kickoff in the second half, they were punished.

Ryan Bennett, sent on for Andre Wisdom at halftime, met Robbie Brady's corner with a header and although Tim Howard parried, Hoolahan was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

The chances dried up momentarily, Ramiro Funes Mori blocking from Brady at one end, Olsson from Kone at the other, before Jerome wasted a giltedged chance to give Norwich victory.

Hoolahan's clever backheel presented him with a clear sight of goal, but with the net at his mercy, the former Stoke City striker shanked the ball into the stands from six yards out.

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ISL: Chennaiyin FC outplay Kolkata in first leg self made it to the scoresheet in the 68th.

This was Chennaiyin's first win over Kolkata in the ISL and their fifth victory on the trot in the second edition of the tournament.

The tie was shifted to Pune after Chennaiyin FC could not play their home match at Chennai due to the recent floods.

The second leg will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday.

CONMEBOL to have first vote in three decades C M Y K

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London, december 12 (reuters): Paraguayan Juan Angel Napout's resignation as president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) paves the way for the organisation's first election in three decades which has been set for Jan. 26.

Napout's resignation was announced at CONMEBOL's congress this week following his arrest along with 15 other people in connection with the corruption investigations engulfing world soccer.

The 57-year-old FIFA vice-president was arrested in Zurich last week on a U.S. warrant accusing him of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights to soccer tournaments in Latin America.

Juan Angel Napout

He is banned from all football activities and has agreed to be extradited to the United States.

"With the resignation of Mr Juan Angel Napout as president, the congress was convened for the election of officers (president and vice-presidents) for 26 January 2016," CONMEBOL confirmed in a state-

ment on its website (www. conmebol.com).

Uruguayan FA chief Wilmar Valdez, who chaired the congress, has taken over as CONMEBOL president on an interim basis until the election.

Valdez said at the end of the congress on Friday that CONMEBOL, facing the worst crises in its history

as it becomes embroiled in the U.S. investigation of corruption in FIFA, had focused on the reforms needed to restore public confidence in South American football.

Valdez, CONMEBOL's fourth president since May 2013, did not detail the changes needed but said it was time that "money went where it was meant to, which is the clubs".

CONMEBOL was headed by Paraguayan Nicolas Leoz from 1986 until he resigned in 2013 when the net of investigations into corruption in the game began closing in.

Uruguayan Eugenio Figueredo took over but was among the first men arrested by FBI officers in Zurich last May in connection with the probe and Napout stepped in to replace him.

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