December 13th, 2015

Page 1

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

SunDAY • December 13 • 2015

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

T H e

ESTD. 2005

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

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Y K

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Is the annual Hornbill Festival benefiting the ordinary people of Nagaland? Yes

no

others

NCSU Mkg supports December 15 bandh C M Y K

C M Y K

C M Y K

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.

PAGE 12

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!!

T R u T H

UFC 194: Aldo-McGregor to fight today

PAGE 02

our Correspondent

C

o F

— Mark Twain

District Hospital Mon celebrates 50 years

Mokokchung 125 Anniversary celebration begins

M

P o W e R

C M Y K

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

C M Y K

C M Y K C M Y K

C M Y K

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.

C M Y K C M Y K


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.