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tuesDAY • December 13 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 342 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Some values must be universal, like human rights and the equal worth of every human being
PAGE 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy on Monday said the newly issued Rs 2,000 currency note is a “stopgap arrangement” to tide over the cash crunch after demonetisation, and it will ultimately be withdrawn by the government, albeit gradually. Gurumurthy, who is said to be in the loop all through the demonetisation process, said in an interview with India Today news channel that the Rs 2,000 note was introduced only to meet the demandsupply gap after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were sucked out of circulation. He said the banks would be asked to hold back Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes. “Obviously, the banks will be told not to return Rs 2,000 notes they receive. Slowly, the banks will accumulate Rs 2,000 notes and replace them with lower denomination notes,” said Gurumurthy, a prominent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed think tank Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF). He said the government would be phasing out Rs 2,000 notes and not demonetising them. “We have phased out many series of notes like this in the past,” he said. Gurumurthy said the government was committed towards lower denomination currency. Gurumurthy’s remarks came after the government’s contradictory stand that it was demonetising Rs 1,000 notes since higher denomination currency encouraged black money, but instead introduced Rs 2,000 note.
Naga Hoho, ENPO corrigendum to their December 10 joint ultimatum DimAPUr, December 12 (mexN): The joint ultimatum submitted to the Chief Minister of Nagaland by Naga Hoho and the Eastern Nagaland people’s Organization on the December 10 2016, has erroneously mentioned “Part XI A of the constitution of India.” All the concern are requested to read it as “Part IX A of the constitution of India” and not as rendered earlier. In this connection, the two bodies, in a press note today, apologized for the clerical error to all the readers and the parties to it.
PAGe 12
AcAUt to stage ‘Jail Bharo’ today Dimapur | December 12
Rs 2,000 note only a stopgap arrangement: Gurumurthy
Ashwin leads India to series win over England
PAGE 02
Morung Express News
“How you behaved during Hornbill we will know in 9months time.”
T R u T H
— Bjorn Ulvaeus
RNTBCP Nagaland launches 99 DOTS and IPT
Egypt mourns victims of church bombing
o F
In the backdrop of the police arresting three core ACAUT members, the anti-corruption body has decided to stage ‘thana Bharo’ agitation on December 13. The ACAUT at a media briefing on Monday evening asserted that ACAUT volunteers will turn up at police stations to court arrest in protest against the arrest of Joel Nillo Naga, Simon Kelio and Hukiye Yepthomi. The decision was taken at a meeting convened with several organisations following the arrests on Monday morning. Unconditional release by December 13 of the three arrested and the arrest of the people running the alleged PDS rice siphoning racket were the immediate demands. The ACAUT named three persons, namely – Nirmal Jain, Tinku Sethi and one RZ Lotha as the people behind the two godowns exposed on December 9 and which were subsequently sealed by the police. The state government failing to positively respond to the demands, the agitation will be intensified, the ACAUT asserted. The ACAUT particularly lashed out at the state government’s perceived double standard policy as regards the treatment of the FIRs lodged by the ACAUT and the counter FIR lodged by the proprietor of M/S Lotha Trading Company, who was identified by the police as RZ Lotha. ACAUT advisor, K. Khekiye Sema, who was part of the meeting, questioned the government’s intention. “The complainants have been arrested instead of the culprits. Why is it that the people who filed the FIR were arrested and the culprits are scot free? The district administration and the police must immediately take cognisance of this,” he said while terming the incongruity as a clear case of favouritism. Two of the persons named by the ACAUT as behind the alleged siphoning scam – Nirmal Jain and Tinku Sethi - are reported to be “out
of station.” Stating that the government and the police have been aware of the pilferage in the PDS for decades, he said that no action has ever been taken. The ACAUT further maintained that it did not shut down the godowns on December 9. The police locking it up is clear indication that the two godowns were harbouring illegal activity, one ACAUT member added. On the state government’s explanation of repackaging PDS rice, the ACAUT maintained it is not a standard practice anywhere in India. Stating that the ACAUT has no Police making inventory list in one of the godowns which was sealed on allegation intention of resorting to violence of diversion of PDS rice meant for the public. (Morung Photo) during the course of the agitation, Khekiye said that the issue demands an investigation free from unwanted interference. The The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has informed that no directive ACAUT now will club the issue of was issued to business owners to shut shop on December 13. Youths going around fuel adulteration and rice siphon- town asking shops to close down were reported on Monday evening further fuing as one as both are linked to the elling rumours that the DCCI has called for a business closure. DCCI president Food & Civil Supplies, he said. Hukivi Chishi clarified on Monday night that no such directive was issued.
DCCI clarifies on bandh rumour
ACAUT contradicts claim of F&CS dept
Meanwhile in a rejoinder to Food and Civil Supplies Department (F&CS), ACAUT Nagaland said the question of trespassing do not arise as ACAUT and CCN members entered the premises with due permission from the residents in the premises. ACAUT also contradicted the clarification given by the department that the PDS rice were repacked in the synthetic bags to be sent to different districts. It claimed that ACAUT members along with the 13 village council members went for market inspection and found that the same bags of repacked rice from the food and civil supplies godowns were being sold at approximately 35 rupees per kilo in the open market. Moreover, ACAUT questioned the legality of repackaging PDS rice without label, trademark, manufacturing date, name of the manufacturer and address, ISI mark and FSSAI license no, which is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006.
NTC condemns state govt’s shocking action
DimAPUr, December 12 (mexN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) today condemned the state government’s action to arrest the ACAUT members, and termed this action as shocking. A press note from the NTC stated that “this lightning speed action of the State to arrest and constrain the activists is shocking since in numerous cases where FIRs are being lodged by the concerned citizens on many corruption and criminal cases are kept in cold storage without any visible action from the law enforcing agencies.” “It is a clear case of Government trying to protect the illegal operators to save those people in authority and holding public offices from possible exposure,” the NTC stated. It reasoned that the action of the ACAUT is “well justifiable without any doubt since the public deserve to know the truth behind the nefarious operations in the storehouses and they don’t have any ulterior motive or vested interest in checking the stores.” The NTC asked for “unconditional release” of the activists and lamented, “for no concrete reason, a fake counter FIR has been lodged by the complainant and it is very unbecoming for the State to act upon such an FIR without proper inquiry.”
Police report on the case of alleged diversion of PDS rice
• Police arrest three persons, forwarded to the Court • 13 colonies file another FIR on December 12 against two godown owners • Police say civil organizations must be confined within the ambit of law
DimAPUr, December 12 (mexN): Dimapur Police on Monday issued a press statement explaining the sequence of events along with updates on the case of alleged diversion of rice meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) into the open market. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police/PRO, Dimapur said the Sub Urban Police Station received a written complaint filed by Hukiye Yepthomi – member of ACAUT Nagaland on December 9, 2016 that 500 bags of FCI Rice re-packed in white synthetic bags. The complaint alleged that according to the FCI, rice meant for PDS beneficiaries are not supplied in white synthetic bags. It alleged that Tinku (M/S Lotha Trading Agency) is dealing in
an illegal activity. A separate complaint was also filed by the same complainant on the same lines on items found in another godown of M/S RZ Lotha located at Kevijau Colony, Dimapur It alleged Nirmal Jain (M/S RZ Lotha) is dealing in an illegal activity. Based on the two complaints, a case was registered at the Sub Urban Police Station on December 9; vide Dmr SBN PS Case No.138/16 u/s 120/120 B/409 IPC R/w 7 Essential Commodities Act. The two cited godowns were sealed the same day to make necessary enquiry in the allegations brought forward and also investigate on the matter. One Mintu Tiwari, caretaker of the Office that manages the two godown in question was arrested on December 11. The others named in the complaint were not found to be in station at present, the police claimed. Police said a counter FIR was then received at the Sub Urban Police Station, Dimapur on December 11 filed by RZ Lotha of M/S Lotha Trading Company (State Stockist, Food & Civil Supplies, Nagaland), alleging that a group of 40-70 persons illegally intruded into
the godowns owned by him located at Kevijau and Lhomithi colonies on December 9, 2016. Three persons identified as Joel Nillo, Simon Kelio and Hukiye Yepthomi were arrested on Monday. The arrested persons have been forwarded to the court, the police informed. Further, on December 12, another FIR was filed at the Sub Urban Police Station by representatives of 13 colonies based in Dimapur, against the owners of the two godowns and on matters already covered in the case already registered. It mentioned that the accused persons named be immediately arrested for indulging in illegal activities; misleading the concerned department and public; filing false information against members of ACAUT and; creating communal disharmony. While taking all the points into consideration, the Dimapur Police sought to clarify that it is legally bound to act upon any complaints received and due procedure of law is applicable equally to one and all adding that both the complaints and the investigations thereof are being carried out on equal merits.
Do not limit us to nurturing home NSCN (IM) condemns attempt to and kitchens alone: cong Mahila ‘divide & suppress Naga people’
DimAPUr, December 12 (mexN): Voicing out in support of women reservation in Urban Local Bodies election, the Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (NPMCC) on Monday urged men folk not to disqualify or prevent them from contributing in building society or limit them to nurturing home and kitchens alone. “Women being of physically weaker gender should not disqualify or prevent us to contribute in building our society, or limit us to nurturing
homes and kitchens alone,” NPMCC president N Lucy said in a press statement. According to the NPMCC, there are elements with intent to eliminate women from participating in the process of making decisions. It also termed the allegation that violation of the spirit of Article 371A for providing one-time reservation as unfounded. Explaining that urban habitats are migratory stations having multi-religions, customs, culture and traditions, the Congress Mahila
said it cannot be governed with Nagaland Village Council Act, and therefore the reason why Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 was formulated. The Congress Mahila also contended that the provision of Article 371A in no way prevents or forbids women from rising in civilization. “List of provisions under Article 371A are sovereign powers of the Nagaland State Assembly. They are also authorized by mandate to legislate new laws effecting the list provisions and to adopt laws of the
nation. Nothing prevents the state from making new Acts to govern its people,” it enlightened. It further viewed that the “resolution and counter resolution by Nagaland Legislative Assembly, in respect of 33% women reservation are meaningless when the Municipal and Town Council Act is in force.” From the point of gender equality provided in the Constitution, one-time reservation may be considered as a special gesture, the Congress Mahila has urged.
Hackers: If we release data, it will create ‘chaos’ in India
New York/New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): The hacker group “Legion” that broke into the Twitter accounts of the Congress Party, its Vice President Rahul Gandhi, controversial liquor baron Vijay Mallya and now TV journalists Barkha Dutt and Ravish Kumar has finally come out in the open. In an interview with The Washington Post on Monday -- through an encrypted instant-messaging software, “Legion” said the group has access to servers like that of Apollo Hospitals and it was unsure about releasing data from those servers because it might cause “chaos” in India. “Legion wasn’t even interested in ‘political data’ until a few weeks ago. ...the group was in possession of several terabytes of raw data concerning all sorts of ‘interests’ and that within that trove the hackers had identified gigabytes worth of information relating to Indian public figures,” the report quot-
ed the user marked LC from “Legion Crew” as saying. “When I asked him how they came into possession of so much data, he was vague, and said they just ended up with access to over 40k+ servers in India, ‘and we decided -- hey, why not write a tool to sift through them for interesting data’,” said Max Bearak who writes about foreign affairs for the Washington Post. “He said the data was choosing the targets for them, not the other way around. Whatever they were finding, they aimed to release. From Dutt’s Twitter account, they shared a link to a ‘partial’ data dump of approximately 1.2 gigabytes of her emails,” Bearak said. “Legion” has warned that their next target is former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi. “As for upcoming targets, LC indicated that he and his fellow hackers had their sights set on bigger things,” the re-
port said. “Then again, he said, the hacking was taking away from precious time he’d rather spend doing drugs and making electronic music... He said he particularly disliked spending time in India’s capital, New Delhi, and suggested that he might try to go to Russia -- to do some more drugs,” it added. As they hacked the Twitter accounts from India, the group sought public support claiming that they will be doing more such cracking in the coming weeks. “People and brothers who support the cause - Join us! Email us at legion_ group@sigaint.org. We require info on f***tards like this one,” a tweet said earlier. “Support Legion. We will bring you the info needed to bring these criminals to justice,” it said. “This is just a partial dump. More data will be coming over the course of a few days ;) We are Legion,” another tweet from the shadowy group said.
DimAPUr, December 12 (mexN): The NSCN (IM) today condemned what it termed as the “incessant assault to the political and historical rights of the Nagas by the Government of Manipur (GoM) backed by the Central Government.” A press note from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) alleged that the Central Government and the Government of Manipur are “deliberately joining hands to divide and suppress the Naga people.” “This treacherous policy will lead to endless confrontation and will surely jeopardize the ongoing peace process. It is really a high time for the Indian government to realize the better to make the history of both the parties glorious,” it advised. Nagas, the NSCN (IM) reminded have come to the negotiating table with honest intention to sincerely resolve the decades old conflict with full commitment and subsequently, the Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 between the GoI and the NSCN (IM). “Both the parties have been seriously negotiating and significant progress has been made,” it added, while questioning whether the commitment given by the Nagas till today is not enough for the GoI? The declaration of disturbed Areas in the hill areas of Manipur and the sending the Central Forces has taken the Nagas totally by surprise, it added. “Is this a sign of sincerity or of seeking peaceful political solution?” the NSCN (IM) questioned. The NSCN (IM) stated that the creation of the seven new districts out of Naga areas or slicing Naga areas to other districts in Manipur is “not only disrespecting the authority of Indian state that is in talks with the NSCN/GPRN but it shall be construed as a communal threat to the Naga people.”
It further accused the Manipur Chief Minister of “trying to communalise vote banks of the Nagas on the one side, and Meiteis & Kukis on the other side. It is a deliberate conspiracy to gain political mileage because of the impending 2017 election in Manipur.” The NSCN (IM) termed the protest of the Naga people under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) against the creation of the new districts as their “legitimate historical and political rights.” It cautioned that the “sinister attempt” to divide the Nagas in Manipur by dislocating and weakening them in different districts “shall not be accepted by the Naga people.” “The Nagas have been defending their lands, populations and politics through blood and tears over the centuries, and it shall remain as the tallest call to the very last soul of the Nagas to do so,” the NSCN (IM) stated. It further termed the arrest of UNC leaders Gaidon Kamei and SK Stephen by Manipur state police as “not only a cowardly act but a lack of statesmanship in handling political issue.” The NSCN (IM) asked the centre to initiate sincere and positive steps for the unconditional release of the UNC leaders, withdraw all central forces and initiate political dialogue with the UNC and the Naga people, if it sincere to bring about lasting political solution. “Nagas will not accept any form of imposition or division of our land in the name of administrative convenience or development or any other hidden agenda either today or tomorrow. This kind of policy by the GoI is too treacherous. Nagas will not accept nor will they bow down come what may,” the NSCN (IM) stated. It further said it would be prudent for the Indian leadership to set the course along the way that would inevitably lead to the right destiny.
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tuesDAY 13•12•2016
NAGALAND
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
RNTBCP Nagaland ‘Church need to act and start sensitizing on PWDs’ launches 99 DOTS and IPT
Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTBCP) Nagaland has become one of the states in India to launch the 99 DOTS (Daily Anti TB Treatment) for TB and HIV co-infected patients and IPT (Isoniazid Preventative Therapy) for PLHIV on December 9 at NHAK Conference hall. The State TB Officer, Dr. KT Lotha illustrated on the implementation of 99 DOTS and IPT (Isoniazid Preventive Therapy). He emphasized that for the successful running of these two initiatives a closer functioning between the RNTCP and NSACS becomes crucial. Since 2008, coordination between these two programmes has started, and is working in close coordination for TB and HIV. Dr. Asunu Thong, District TB Officer Kohima who chaired the programme gave a brief introduction about this significant initiative. Dr. L Watikala Ao, Principal Director, DHFW, launched the 99DOTS and IPT by giving medicines
About 99 DOTS and IPT
99 DOTS is a technology which uses mobile phone. It is a pharmaco-economic approach for monitoring and improving adherence to TB medication.99 DOTS introduces anti-TB blister pack wrapped in a custom envelop, which includes hidden phone numbers that are visible only when doses are dispensed. This is a novel method and almost fullproof. After taking daily medication, patients make a free call to the popped up phone number which is hidden till then, yielding high confidence that the dose was “in-hand” and has been taken. As a very high success rate (of about 99%) is expected by this remote in –built techno-supervision, it is termed as 99 DOTS. Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) is the administration of INH to individuals with latent TB infection in order to prevent progression to active TB Disease in PLHIVs.IPT found to be effective in reducing the incidence of TB and death in HIV-infected patients. on the spot to two patients ie, Co-infected and PLHIV patient. In his closing remark Dr. M Kire, Project Director, NSACS stressed that 25% HIV related death are of TB and that 99 DOTS will very much benefit the PLHIV Patients. He also added that from now on all the Staff will have to upscale their activities. He also lamented on the fact that HIV patients die of ignorance. It is expected that Referral
Linkages will be increased and no one should be left out, informed a press release issued by State TB Officer, Dr. KT Lotha. Further, it is also an appeal on behalf of both the RNTCP and NSACS programme to all the PLHIV and TB Patients to come forward and avail this facility. It may be mentioned here that at the National level, Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) was launched on December 1.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang with his wife, legislators, differently abled children ,teachers and organisers at a function in state banquet hall with differently abled children organized by NAPAD on December 12.
Kohima, December 12 (mexN): “Because of ignorance and lack of information about the disability many disabled differently abled children are deprived, stigmatized and isolated,” said Dr Atha Vizol, State Commissioner Disability while delivering a short speech at the function in State Banquet hall with differently abled children organized by Nagaland Parents Association for Disabled (NAPAD). Nagaland state has a total population of nearly 20 lakhs people and according to 2011 census we have about 29,631 PWDs (People With Disability),
he informed. While commenting that the churches in other places takes active role in helping PWDs, Vizol said even in our state, the church need to act and start sensitizing the public in understanding the PWDs. He added that church is a ready platform for creating awareness, education and help change the attitude of our community toward inclusion of differently abled in all areas. “Disability is not a curse, but God created each individual differently and with a purpose, and everyone is unique and talented and with de-
2nd Annual Day celebration at NN Nagi School Morung Express News Dimapur | December 12
The 2nd Annual Day programme of NN Nagi School was celebrated today in the school lawn. It was an occasion where all students showcased their talents and creativity with beautiful song and drama. The programme was presided over by Zhapuvilie Nagi, Member, Board of Directors, NN Nagi School. To begin with, Rev. M. Sakhrie, Pastor of Kuda Village Baptist Church invoked the Lords blessings. This was followed by the welcome address by Pete Nagi, Administrator of the school, in which he cited that in order to build a society that is progressive, it is crucial we start right education at an early age. This, he felt could be achieved if we take collective measures to make a better society. Ni n g u p h e u Na g i , Headmistress, NN Nagi School in her speech stated that the school curricula is all about learning and not just teaching. She also highlighted that the school adopts ACE curriculum which is popular in America and has been proven to be successful for over 40 years. She also informed that the school has future plans to introduce high
school and higher secondary education in the second phase. Neiphiu Rio, former Chief Minister and the present Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) who was the chief guest for the program also shared on the importance of quality education during early childhood. He stated that the biggest and best gift of God is our children. “And as parents, we want to give the best to our children for them to grow up to be somebody- to be responsible citizens. So the best thing parents can give their children is quality education,” he added. He also said, “Once you are fully equipped with knowledge and skills you will become a global citizen.” Kevinino Meru, Retired Director, Art & Culture, and former Chief information commissioner, RTI, Nagaland also presented an honest and motivating reflection on the school. A special treat for the parents and grandparents gathered was a special performance by Dr. T. Belho who presented a beautiful rendition of “Because He Lives.” The lively and entertaining annual day programme ended with a song Students of NN Nagi School perform song and drama during the 2nd Annual Day programme and school anthem by the school choir. held on December 12. (Morung Photo)
termination nothing is impossible to achieve,” said Chief Minister TR Zeliang at the function. “It is encouraging to see them perform so well, and through their act we know that nothing is impossible. We have all witnessed the differently abled are excelling in sports and other fields too. We should encourage and include them in our society,” Zeliang appealed. Also praising the teachers for their sacrifice and hard work, the CM said that it will not be an easy task, but he encouraged them to give their best and continue in their
great mission for the children. He further lauded the parents for not treating them differently, but sending their children to school to learn and also believing in their abilities is commendable and very encouraging. Zeliang donated Rs 6 lakhs to NAPAD for the cause of differently abled people and assured that the Government will extend support and help in all possible endeavours. Earlier, a welcome speech was delivered by Daniel Thong Seb, Vice President NAPAD and vote of thanks by Zale Lohe, Co-ordinator BK NAPAD.
Invocating prayer was pronounced by State Chaplin Rev Kuzierang Thou. Short speeches were delivered by Dr Nicky Kire, Minister of Forest & Environment, Neikule Doulo Chairman ENABLE and Kapochu Naleo, GS NAPAD. Differently abled children from G. Rio School, Tabitha Enabling Academy, Jo Foundation Inclusive School and ENABLE presented songs at the State Banquet Hall and showcase their talents. The Media Cell, Chief Minister’s Office in a press release said that all the participating children, teachers and parents were given Christmas hampers.
Shinnyu Village Baptist Church celebrates Silver Jubilee
Delegates from Paunyu Village, Burma who presented special cultural extravaganzas during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Shinnyu Baptist Church held from December 9-11. December 9-11.
moN, December 12 (mexN): Based on the theme, ‘From darkness to light,’ Shinnyu Baptist Church under Tobu subdivision, Mon District celebrated its Silver Jubilee from December 9-11 with Rev. Y. Nahyuh, Evangelist KBBB and Threiwang, Vice Principal, Mon Theological College as the main speakers. Located at a distance of more than 190km away
from Mon Town, Shinnyu is the last Konyak Village bordering Myanmar and International Trade Centre, Dan, Pangsha. The programme was attended by delegates from the neighbouring Burmese villages under Tobu and Noklak subdivision. Special cultural extravaganzas were presented by delegates from Paunyu Village, Burma. Speaking at the occasion,
Rev. Y. Nahyuh urged upon the church members to leave behind everything that hinders spiritual growth and look forward with renewed vision and work together for the progress of the church and the society. The programme was also attended by Sentilong Ozukum, EAC Monyakshu and W. Moba Konyak, BDO, Tobu who delivered short speeches.
CMO Peren District Review Meeting conducted PereN, December 12 (mexN): The Chief Medical Office, Peren District under the chairmanship of Dr. Ngangshimeren, CMO Peren held the District Review Meeting on December 9 at Conference Hall, Chief Medical Office, Peren. Dr Ngangshimeren highlighted about the whole year’s work and acknowledged the sincerity and good work and pointed the gaps and failure. He
called upon all categories of staff to cooperate and learn from each other and instructed the health workers to give vitamin A capsule to 1-5 years (every six months). Dr. Khrielasanuo, DPO RCH/UIP highlighted on the upcoming IPPI which will be held in the coming year i.e., January 29, 2017 and requested the ANMs and GNMs to prepare micro plan in advance. She urged the health workers
to judiciously use the vaccines and to return the partially used vials and also to update the beneficiary list by the ASHAs. She stressed on the point that all health units should sent a representative from each staff category for the monthly r District Review Meeting eview meeting. She asked the ANMs to use MCP card for both Mother and Child and to use Sahli’s haemoglobin test method. Addressing the gather-
ing Dr. Tiala, Dy CMO gave a brief report on Healthy Lifestyle camp held on December 2 at Athibung PHC. The meeting was attended by District Programme Officers, Medical Officers, Health workers and District and Block Program Management Unit Staff, NHM. Thereafter, a short Advent Christmas programme was held which was chaired by Temsumenla, BPM Athibung, and in-
vocation prayer by Dr. Imnuksungbai, Epidemilogist IDSP. Dr. Ngangshimeren, CMO exhorted the gathering followed by Christmas message by Dr. Imchatoshi, MO Azailong PHC. A special number was given by the NHM staff Peren. The programme concluded with benediction by Dr, Newmai, SMO CHC Jalukie followed by lunch. The next review meeting is fixed on January 10, 2017.
26th Kidima Catholic Juniors' Association Day held
Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) Youth Ministry choir presenting song (top) and Solisu Theatre Group performing (bottom) during the 50 years thanksgiving and pre-Christmas celebration of the DABA Youth Ministry on December 11 at the main church. Rev C Teyong Kichu, Missionary was the speaker during the worship service. (Photo Courtesy: Tiya Yanger 3D Photography)
Kohima, December 12 (mexN): The 26th Kidima Catholic Juniors' Association (KCJA ) Day was celebrated with Reverend Father Thomas Muttathil, Parish Priest as Main Celebrant at the at Church premises on December 10-11. The theme of the event was, "All you that fear the Lord, trust him, and you will certainly be rewarded.” Stressing that children belong to God, Rev. Fr Muttathil in the introductory note, asked the faithful to pray for Holy Spirit to give them wisdom and knowledge, direct and guide them to right way of life. The Parish Priest appealed the parents to live for their children and other peoples. “Corruption and destruction did not come from God, he said
Participants at the 26th Kidima Catholic Juniors' Association (KCJA ) Day celebrated with Reverend Father Thomas Muttathil, Parish Priest as Main Celebrant at the at Church premises on December 10-11.
adding that, “Jesus Christ gives peace, love and unity to His people.” Rev. Fr Muttathil also made an ardent appeal to the faithful to give respect and care for departed soul. The celebration also saw various competitions among like gospel skit,
solo, Holy Bible recitation, group song after dividing the gathering into St Francis and St Xavier group. The best attendances for the Catechism classes were also given to Methasunu Mary, Khruzonu, Viswedenu, Medolenu, Vilavoto
and Pesachonu Rosemary. Franciscan Saint Mary of the Angels (FSMA), parents and faithful from different villages attended the sacred feast. The official ceremony sharing of fellowship meal, informed a press note from the Parish.
tuesday 13•12•2016
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Naga people reject creation of 7 new districts in Manipur Newmai News Network Senapati | December 12
The Naga people’s consultation convened by the United Naga Council (UNC) on December 12, attended by Naga tribe councils, frontal and regional organisations, intellectuals, church leaders, parliamentarians, social leaders and members of the general public has rejected the creation of seven (7) new districts proposed by the Manipur State Government. The Naga people have also endorsed the executives of the United Naga Council to use all possible means towards intensifying the people’s movement for safeguarding the rights, land and resources of the Naga people. In this regard, the UNC executives in consultation with the Presidential Council will constitute a working committee with members from amongst senior activists. One of the positions drawn out of today's consultation stated, "It is the position of the Naga people that the land and people are inseparable. The people’s move-
ment was launched against the Government of Manipur’s plan to bifurcate our land. The Government of Manipur’s response was to arrest our leaders treating them as criminals." Another recommendation of the December 12 consultation stated that the declaration of 7 new districts by the Government of Manipur on December 8, 2016 on the pretext of administrative convenience without consulting the stakeholders is utter disrespect of the 4 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the Government of Manipur with various Naga organisations and assurance given by the Government of India and in violation of the constitution by willfully bypassing the Hill Area Committee. "The Naga people condemn this as an act of administrative hegemony of the communal Government of Manipur. The creation of new districts which affect the interest, land and resource of the Naga people is therefore rejected". The consultation also recommended that "in the sharp social
divide on communal lines in the present state of Manipur where it is impossible to protect our rights, land and resources, the Congress Government of Manipur will be wholly responsible for any violence and communal clash that may take place due to the unconstitutional and arbitrary creation of new districts". It has been the demand of the Naga people that the Government of India must expedite settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, another recommendation added. "With the signing of the 3rd August, 2015 Framework Agreement and the progress made towards settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, the communal Government of Manipur has imposed the creation of new districts to put a spanner in the peace process for political mileage and extending its hegemonic rule over the Nagas and tribals," the consultation further recommended. According to the Naga people, the ongoing Indo-Naga dialogue and framework agreement are for a "settlement and it would go against
this very spirit to allow the Government of Manipur to vitiate the environment for a peaceful settlement". It also stated that the Government of India "must ensure that the intensifying communal design of the Government of Manipur is not allowed to ignite the explosive situation." It then said that the "Naga people also place the onus upon the Government of India for any eventualities that may arise from this sensitive situation while demanding immediate imposition of President Rule in the state." Vice President of the United Naga Council, the General Secretary of United Naga Council, the President of Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), the President of Naga People's Organisation (NPO), the President of Tangkhul Naga Long, the Chairman of Zeliangrong Baudi, President of Naga Women’s Union, the President of All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), the Convenor (South) of Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) jointly signed these recommendations.
15 companies of central forces put at Manipur's disposal: Centre says
New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): Expressing concern over the ongoing blockade of the National Highways in Manipur, the Centre on Monday said 15 companies of central forces stationed in the state had been placed at the disposal of the Manipur government to deal with the situation. Last week, another 15 companies of central forces were made available to the Manipur government to enable it to get the blockade lifted. "It is hoped that the state government will act with responsibility and maturity to ensure both maintenance of supplies to Manipur as well as social harmony. The Ministry of Home Affairs will provide additional forces to the state government, if necessary," a Ministry statement said here. It also appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) to remove its "illegal blockade" in view of the difficulties faced by the people of Manipur. "All contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means," the statement said. The central government said it was "firmly commit-
'Ignored' Bodos to intensify statehood agitation
New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): The Bodo community of the northeast said on Monday it will intensify the agitation to press for its demand for a separate state, as the BJPled central and Assam governments continue to ignore their cause. As part of the agitation, over 5,000 people from the Bodo community on Monday began their three-day 'dharna' or sitin at Jantar-Mantar in the capital city. They are also planning a march from Rajghat to Parliament Street on Tuesday.
"The BJP promised in its election manifesto that it would resolve the Bodo problem immediately if it could come to power at the Centre. It's now twoand-half years. But, there is no initiative to fulfil this promise," said Pramod Bodo, President of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). Pramod said the government has stopped even the dialogue process, which apparently means it is not willing to resolve the problem. "So, we will go for mass hunger strikes and indefinite road and
Assam: Police find Rs 1.5-cr worth new notes in businessman’s house GuwAhAti, December 12 (the iNDiAN expreSS): The Assam Police CID on Monday in Guwahati recovered at least Rs 1.5 crore comprising of currency notes of Rs 2000 and new Rs 500 denominations from the residence of a city-based businessman, the first major haul since demonetisation, with the Income Tax (I-T) department now looking into whether it was black money or genuine. “We have so far recovered currency notes of Rs 2000 and new Rs 500 worth at least Rs 1.5 crore from the residence of Harjit Singh Bedi, a businessman who owns a restaurant and bar in the city. While he has claimed that he has proper documents to prove that it was not black money, we have asked the IT department to examine the case,” Raunak Ali Hazarika, DIG of the Assam Police CID said. The raid, which began in a flat owned by the businessman at an apartment building in the Beltola residential area, was still going on till late in the evening with CID DIG Hazarika saying the police were searching every room of the “big” flat in detail. “This is the first such big recovery of a huge amount of new currency notes, and we are also investigating into how the businessman could collect such an amount,” the DIG said. The case would be further investigated by the IT department, he added. Two days ago, the Assam Police CID had recovered new notes of Rs 2000 denomination worth Rs 80 lakh from the house of another businessman in the Hatigaon area of Guwahati.
Christmas season: Traffic rules to stiffen, no tolerance drive launched Newmai News Network Aizawl | December 12
Traffic rules would be enforced in stricter form in the capital as well as in all district headquarters before and during Christmas and New Year celebrations as part of measures to ensure road safety, C. Lalthanmawia, Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Aizawl district said today. Following the decision made by Coordination Committee on Traffic Management, ‘No tolerance drive’ was launched today in Aizawl with Traffic SP C. Lalthanmawia inaugurating the drive during a function held at Bara Bazar in Dawrpui, Aizawl. During the no tolerance drive, traffic police would conduct mass checking on violation of traffic rules especially drunken driving, smoking and using mobile while driving and incomplete documents. Stringent penalty would be imposed and fine would be charged on violators and drunken driving would be punished with suspension of driving license for three months apart from imposing fine, Lalthanmawia informed media today. He said that No Tolerance Drive would be launched randomly without making specific checking zone and it would be done through surprise checking so that traffic rules violators are brought to justice. Unlike previous year, this time traffic department will not issue check slip to vehicles that have been already checked as there were reports of forging fake slip in the past year which were passed on from one to another, he said. Lalthanmawia said that no tolerance drive is a measure to ensure road safety and to avert road accidents mostly caused by unscrupulous driving. It also aims at bringing safety to the public during the festive season, he added. On the first day of no tolerance drive, 98 vehicles including 82 two wheelers and 16 LMV were apprehended for failing to produce insurance letter, wrong number plate and not fitting silencer.
rail blockades." The agitation is being organised jointly by the ABSU, the pro-dialogue militant group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (P) and the People's Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM). "The Bodo people will never put up with the historical injustice meted out to them by the ruling cliques of Assam since the inception of administration after the Independence of the country," said Pramod. The community leaders, who ran from pillar to
post seeking attention of the government, now say that having seen the dubious role of the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government for twoand-half years, the Bodos could resort to extreme measures. Even in October 2016, the Bodo community had organised rail blockade at one of the main rail corridors connecting the northeast with the rest of India, leading to a huge economic loss to the India Railways. Gobinda Basumatary, General Secretary of
NDFB(P), said: "Even after 70 years of India's Independence, the state has failed to protect, preserve and safeguard the land, identity, language and culture of the Bodo people." "They are very much part of the great Indian community and are loyal to the Constitution of India. The Bodo people want to live with dignity and honour under the provision of the Constitution of India." The demand for Bodoland started in 1967. The struggle became an armed conflict after the formation of the Bodo Security
Force, a militant group later rechristened NDFB. Currently, two factions of the NDFB -- NDFB (P) led by Gobinda Basumatary, and NDFB led by Ranjan Daimary -- are holding peace talks with the Centre, while NDFB (S) led by Songibijit I.K. is opposed to holding talks with the government under the constitutional framework. The Songibijit faction was responsible for the recent killing of 14 civilians in an attack in Assam's Kokrajhar district, which also left 20 injured.
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND WOKHA, NAGALAND
PUBLIC NOTICE Whereas Shri. Limhathung Murry, Acting chairman “Yankhum” village has submitted an application along with related enclosures for recognition of a new village having 1136 acres/ 460 Hectares of village territory approximate in area with the following boundaries. East---Sajak River, Zukeshe village. West---Tchurang River, Old Akuk village. North---Tchurang River, Old Wozhu village. South---Road, Chanka village. Now, therefore the public of the neighboring village under Wokha District are hereby invited to file objections if any within 30(thirty) days from the date of issue of this notice. In absence of which this recognition of the village called "Yankhum" village will be initiated after the expiry of 30(thirty) days subject to the fulfillment of all other condition laid down by the Government order vide.OM/GA-12/74. dated 22/3/96.
AFFIDAVIT
Contact No- 03862-232862.
ORDER OF PROGRAMME 1. Chairperson 2. Invocation 3. Welcome Address 4. Presidential Address 5. Special Song 6. Speeches
Date: 15-12-16
Time: 11:00 AM Venue: RD Conference Hall Guest of Honor:
Shri Kelei Zeliang, IAS
Secretary to the Govt. of Nagaland Department of Rural Development
11:00 A.M Laying of Foundation Stone of NRDSA Jubilee Building Chief Guest
“It is to inform every one that Army Gas Agency, Dimapur Code No 160931 has stopped functioning since 30 Nov. 2016. All the consumers of this agency are requested to please change your connection to other gas agencies by 15 Dec. 2016’’.
JALUKIE TOWN GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMITTEE
NAGALAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICE ASSOCIATION (NRDSA)
by
NOTICE : CLOSURE OF ARMY GAS AGENCY
The Convener & members of Jalukie Town Golden Jubilee Committee wish to extend a heartfelt gratitude to each & every individual who have contributed immensely and extended support & cooperation towards the successful conduct of Jalukie Town Golden Jubilee celebration right from the launching program held on the midnight of 31st December 2015, the inter-ward tournament held during April 2016, the Literary programs held during May 2016, and finally culminating in the main celebration program held on 17th November 2016. We are especially thankful to Shri. T.R. Zeliang the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Nagaland for his presence in the program as Chief Guest on 17th November 2016 and also for his generous contribution towards the Jubilee. Many people (Officers, individuals, groups, departments, villages, societies, and communities) have made generous contribution in cash & kind and also in various forms of support & cooperation. The Committee will be unable to mention everyone by name but we shall remain indebted to each & everyone for the overwhelming support we received in the endeavors towards the Jubilee Celebration.
Regd. No 5732/16 Dated 12/12/16 By this deed I, the undersigned MHALEZHüNUO CHIELIE previously called MHALEZHüNUO, and resident of Kohima Village L.Khel, Kohima Nagaland solemnly declare: 1. That for and on behalf of myself, my family and relative, I wholly renounce/relinquish and abandon the use of my former name/ surname of MHALEZHŰNUO and in place thereof, I do hereby assume from this date the name/surname, but assumed name/surname of MHALEZHüNUO CHIELIE. 2. That for the purpose of evidencing such my determination declare that I shall at all times hereafter in all records, deeds and writings and in all proceedings, dealings and transactions, private as well as upon all occasions whatsoever, use and sign the name of MHALEZHŰNUO CHIELIE as my name/surname in place and in substitution of my former name/surname. 3. That I expressly authorize and request all persons in general and relatives and friends in particular, at all times hereafter to designate and address me, my family and relative by such assumed name/surname of MHALEZHŰNUO CHIELIE. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my former and adopted name/surname of MHALEZHŰNUO CHIELIE affix my signature and seal, if any, this 12th day of December 2016 Solemnly affirmed before me by the deponent on this day 12th of Dec’ 2016 Notary public, Kohima Nagaland
Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development & REPA, Nagaland
Vikuto G Yeptho, G.B Eros Colony
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(HOTOLU SWU) Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Wokha: Nagaland.
Shri C. L. John
The Eros Colony would like to thank the Food and Civil Supplies Dimapur for issuing rice, SK oil and sugar to PHH and AAY card holders under the National Food Security 2013 from the designated fair price shop which has helped the BPL family.
JALUKIE TOWN GOLDEN JUBILEE
Dated Wokha, the 9thDec, 2016
Chief Guest:
APPRECIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER No: LR-122/92-93/86-4
ted" to maintaining rule of law in the north-eastern state. "The government of India is firmly committed to maintaining the rule of law. It considers blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity that causes untold suffering to contless humans," the Ministry statement said. "No individual or organisation will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," it added. The government is committed to ensuring that the routes to Manipur are open and remain accessible to all, including for the supply of petroleum products and other essential commodities. The UNC had intensified its economic blockade following the creation of seven new districts in Manipur last Thursday. Hundreds of loaded trucks and oil tankers remain stranded in Assam, Nagaland and near Manipur's border along National Highways 2 and 53. The blockade of supplies has led to severe shortage of fuel, consumer items and life-saving drugs in the state.
7. Special Song 8. Speech
9. Acknowledgement 10. Release of Jubilee Souvenir & Speech 11. Vote of Thanks
: Shri N. Kupto Achumi General Secretary, NRDSA : Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho General Secretary, NBCC : Shri Taliyanger Advisor, NRDSA : Shri K. Neibou Sekhose President, NRDSA : Menguse-ü Suokhrie : i. Shri Hilo Semp Rtd. Addl. Director, Former President, (NRDSA) On behalf of retired officers ii. Smti Thungdeno Mozhui On behalf of DRDAs iii. Shri K. Yamao Konyak On behalf of Blocks : Colored Keys : Shri Metsubo Jamir Director RD Blocks 1st Gen. Secy, NRDSA ii. Guest of Honor :
: Chief Guest : Smti. Neizovonuo Treasurer, NRDSA N.B.:- All officer of RD Department and retired officers are requested to attend positively.
4
TUESDAY 13•12•2016
business
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Workers abandon building sites after cash crackdown GuruGram, December 12 (reuters): Hundreds of thousands of construction workers have returned home since Prime Minister Narendra Modi abolished high-denomination banknotes, leaving some building sites across the country facing costly delays. A month after Modi’s shock move to take away 86 percent of cash in circulation to crush the shadow economy, the growing labour shortage threatens to slow a recovery in India’s construction industry, which accounts for 8 percent of gross domestic product and employs 40 million people. Work at SARE Homes’ residential projects, spanning six cities, has slowed dramatically as migrant workers, who are out of cash and have no bank accounts to draw from, have little choice but to return to their villages. “Construction work at all projects has slowed down in a big way,” managing director Vineet Relia told Reuters. Property enquiries, meanwhile, have slumped by 80 percent around the Indian capital since the cash crackdown, according to property portal 99acres.
Getamber Anand, president of Indian builders’ association CREDAI, said projects nationwide had been hit, and estimated that roughly half of the migrant workforce, numbering in the low millions, had left for home. Road developers have also reported a slowdown as they struggle to find sufficient labour. The exodus shows little sign of reversing, risking damage to construction activity and the wider economy into 2017, despite Modi’s assurances that hardships from his radical “demonetisation” should be over by the end of the year. The disruption to building raises doubts about the Reserve Bank of India’s view that the impact on the economy would be transitory. The central bank held interest rates on Wednesday despite calls for action. NO BANK ACCOUNT Modi’s gamble is that the majority of workers will be compelled to open a bank account as sub-contractors refuse to pay in cash, bringing them into the formal economy and expanding the country’s low tax base. That may happen eventually,
FiRe StatiOnS
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New Delhi, December 12 (iaNs): In an attempt to give a big push to cashless transactions, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will shortly roll out the Androidbased Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AEPS) application, said officials. Developed in collaboration with TCS, the application can be downloaded by the merchants, who will need a smartphone and a fingerprint scanner to use it. Transactions on this application can be done without any card or PIN. The application would be made available to all banks, who would encourage merchants in their vicinity to adopt this application. This was one of the decisions taken by the Chief Ministers’ committee on adoption of digital payments. The panel in its report submitted to the Union Finance Ministry on Friday also recommended rolling out more user friendly version of USSD or *99# which is used on feature mobile phones for making cashless payments. It said that Aupgraded version of USSD (Unstructured Supwe4 woMen HeLPLIne
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tomers yet to ensure that it is done in 100 per cent of cases without fail, all the bank branches in the country be alerted to reflect correctly the cash deposit in old and new currency and inform the customers about the same, it said. The ministry also asked banks to educate the public, “by displaying a prominent sign (including in the local language) in their respective branches requesting their customers to fill up deposit slips clearly indicating old and new currency and the denomination of the notes”. According to the RBI, nearly Rs 12 lakh crore out of Rs 15.4 lakh crore of old high denomination currency notes have come back to the banking system since Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrapped the legal tender of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from the midnight of November 8 to fight the menace of black money. The ministry also appreciated the role played by the banks postdemonetisation especially when the old currency was accepted and till November 24, when exchange of old currency to specified limit was also permitted.
DiMaPUR
“We keep moving from city to city in search of work. This new order would mean opening a new bank account every time we change cities. How and when will we work then?” he said, adding he would seek farm work. CREDAI’s Anand predicts activity on construction sites will not return to normal until April, and only once labourers are able to open accounts at banks still struggling to serve long queues of people desperate for cash. “Right now the banks say they don’t have time to open accounts. It’s the biggest challenge,” Anand said. SLOWING ECONOMY Data suggest that demand in India’s economy has slowed sharply since Modi’s decision on Nov. 8. Indian services activity plunged into contraction in November for the first time since June 2015, a survey showed, while factory activity also slowed. The real estate industry was already carrying an overhang of unsold inventory, and was hit by an earlier clampdown on “black” money, much of which is invested into property.
Indian cement and steel makers are feeling the pinch. “Developers have cut down purchases,” said Mukesh Kasana, a dealer for UltraTech Cement Ltd (ULTC.NS), part of the Aditya Birla conglomerate, estimating his sales had slumped 80 percent. India’s decade-long construction boom created one in three new jobs as tens of millions of people made the journey from the rural hinterlands to seek employment in towns and cities. For Modi, a healthy construction sector is vital if he is to fulfil his promise of boosting job creation for the one million Indians joining the workforce every month. There is no reliable data on the number of migrants who have abandoned construction sites since demonetisation, because most are undocumented. But stories abound of cash-strapped workers thronging railway and bus stations to make their journey home. Jainuddin, a labour contractor near Delhi, said he had lost about 40 of his 50 men since Nov. 8. “The ground reality is vastly different from what it appears to those designing these policies.”
AADHAR-enabled payment system to be rolled out shortly: UIDAI
Banks must keep deposits record of scrapped, valid notes, says Government New Delhi, December 12 (Pti): To avoid any malpractices, the government has asked all public sector banks to strictly maintain a record of deposits made through both old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and other valid currencies. In a letter written to chief executive officers of public sector banks, the Finance Ministry asked that “maintenance of records regarding deposit of Specified Bank Note (SBN) and Non-SBN, as the case may be, is essential both in the bank record as well as the customers record”. “The letter addressed to all the Managing Directors of stateowned banks and Chairman of Indian Banks’ Association, the Department of Financial Services directed them consider this on urgent basis and send action taken report in this regard by December 16.” “This must be followed scrupulously and any deviation in this regard has to be prevented and if noticed, dealt with firmly and immediately,” it said. Though most banks providing correct information to the cus-
but for now, millions of workers who depend on daily wages for food and shelter are struggling. Many have never held a bank account, and even if they wanted one, some do not have the necessary documents to do so. At a construction site in Gurugram, a satellite city near Delhi, worker numbers have halved to 100. The site manager received a government circular on Nov. 25 saying every worker’s wage should be paid into a bank, a message relayed to each contractor. Biseshwar Yadav, a 36-yearold migrant labourer from Bihar, worries about arranging documents to open an account and the cost of making regular trips to the bank. Standing in the largely deserted worker housing colony opposite the unfinished 20-storey blocks of flats he had been building, Yadav said that with no salary, he was surviving on $89 borrowed from a local shopkeeper to pay for food. Some labourers back in their villages are reluctant to return. Duryodhan Majhi, 38, travelled to Odisha after his employer in Secunderabad ran out of cash to pay his $4.4 daily wage.
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Naidu was held Friday at NITI Aayog. The meeting followed the deliberations held by Naidu, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya with RBI Governor Urjit Patel, top officials of ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the UIDAI and CMDs of major private and public sector banks on Thursday in Mumbai. The committee noted that further steps are required to make digital transactions attractive vis-a-vis cash transactions. The panel said that proce-
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std code: 0370 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923
dure for simplified Know Your Customer (KYC) using Aadhaar needs to be adopted and also suggested that RBI should allow authentication through iris scanner and One Time Password (OTP) for AEPS and that there should be no charge on AEPS transactions. “Inter-operability of all prepaid instruments on the United Payments Interface(UPI) platform along with a common QRCode would greatly simplify transactions,” it said. The panel called for streamlining the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) regime. To popularize digital transactions the committee proposed a detailed review of the MDR regime, interlinking of various digital payments platforms such as USSD with UPI, self-boarding by small merchants and a common application for UPI. The committee also considered the issues relating to procurement of equipment like Point of Sales (PoS) machines and Micro-ATMs. It was decided that Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology will prepare a status note on the procurement options for these devices.
MOKOKCHUnG
The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Administrative Reforms Branch) issued in an office memorandum that the existing policy and procedure for filling up of Grade-III and Grade-IV posts under the State Government, including the District Offices, has been further reviewed and it has been decided that recruitments to Grade-III and Grade-IV posts shall be made as per the procedure laid down as follows: All direct recruitment vacancies arising in GradeIII as well as Grade-IV posts under the establishment of Deputy Commissioners in District administration shall be filled up by the indigenous of the respective District through a Selection Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner and having three District level Heads of Offices, an Administrative Officer, the Regional Employment Officer or District Employment Officer and the Principal or Senior Lecturer of the local College to be nominate by the Deputy Commissioner. Further, all direct recruitment vacancies in GradeIII posts which are outside the purview of NPSC as well as in Grade-IV posts in a Department, including such in the District offices of that Department, shall be filled up based on recommendation of the following Departmental Screening Committee (except Police Department): 1. Director/Head of Department - Chairman 2. Representative of concerned Administrative Department not below the rank of Under Secretary Member 3. Representative of P&AR Department not below the rank of Under Secretary - Member 4. A senior officer of concerned directorate not below the rank of Deputy Director in-charge of administration - Member Secretary Appointments shall be made after the recommendations of the Departmental Screening Committee are approved by the Government. All direct recruitment vacancies in Grade-IV posts in District offices of the Departments shall be filled up by the indigenous inhabitants of the respective District. In making recruitments to other Grade-IV posts in the Directorate and Secretariat level offices, the reservation policy for Backward Tribes shall be adhered to. The Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC) may be verified with the help of latest Census records to rule out possibility of multiple IICs in the name of the same person. This issue is in supersession of all earlier instructions on the matter, including the Department of P & AR’s Office Memorandum dated 4th June, 2016. Issued by DIPR
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CROSSWORD # 3802
H
SUDOKU
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3787
Answer Number # 3786
ACROSS 1. Muscle contraction 6. Deception 10. Salt Lake state 14. Crinkly 15. Humdinger 16. Roman emperor 17. Extraterrestrial 18. Winglike 19. Shortly 20. In deplorable condition 22. Hefty volume 23. Sister and wife of Zeus 24. Waif 26. Contributes 30. Apprehend 31. Ribonucleic acid 32. Plunder 33. Chalcedony 35. Fall color 39. Annual book of information 41. Brainiac 43. Grave marker 44. Sea eagle 46. Therefore 47. What we breathe 49. Many millennia 50. Apothecary’s weight 51. Gum-like substance 54. Expectoration 56. Part of a plant 57. Maternity 63. Against 64. Data 65. Tidal bore 66. Nipple 67. Counterfoil 68. Daughter of a sibling 69. Being 70. Only 71. Gloomy, in poetry DOWN 1. Q-Tip 2. Wan 3. Keen
4. Clairvoyant 5. Tropical Asian starlings 6. State of outrageousness 7. Cradlesong 8. Wings 9. Assassinate 10. Uncommitted 11. Adult male singing voice 12. Fragrance 13. Product of bees 21. Columbus’s birthplace 25. Kiss 26. “What a shame!” 27. Airhead 28. A hemispherical roof 29. Found on cave ceilings 34. He fears foreigners 36. German for “Mister” 37. Indian music 38. Biblical kingdom 40. Found on a finger 42. Wish granter 45. Relaxing 48. Negligent 51. Wooden box 52. Sharpens 53. Smidgens 55. Inclination 58. Savvy about 59. Found on most heads 60. Curved molding 61. Killer whale 62. Stag or doe Answer to Crossword 3801
Tuesday 13•12•2016
Ensure under-trial prisoners are not kept in jails for long: Governor Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya held a meeting with various government departments, including the Advocate General of Nagaland, to discuss about the jail administration in the State. The Governor directed all departments concerned to ensure that the under-trial prisoners are not kept in the jails for prolong periods. A separate mechanism for getting them released quickly should be activated, he stated, according to a press release from PRO to the Governor. Acharya further directed the departments concerned to work out the modalities where petty criminals or criminals involved in minor crimes can be released at the earliest and that legal aid should be provided to all criminals who cannot afford lawyers. Maintaining that the welfare of prisoners and their physical and mental health are very important, he urged for sports and games facilities to be provided to the prisoners. The Governor also mentioned that Jan Dhan Yoajana and Rs. 1 premium insurance should be opened for all prisoners.
NAGALAND
NUTA (L) launches newsletter and blog NTLCC issues clarification Lumami, December 12 (mexN): The Nagaland University Teachers Association – Lumami (NUTA (L)) in its effort to create an academic platform for faculty members of the university has launched its first ever bi-annual newsletter ‘Sententia’ and the NUTA (L) official blog ‘Communiqué'. They were launched by Prof. N.S. Jamir, Vice Chancellor (Acting) of Nagaland University on December 12 at the Computer Centre, NU, Lumami. The Vice Chancellor appreciated the effort of the leaders of NUTA (L) for initiating a very important step for strengthening the University through new ideas and most needed platforms such as the
During the launch of NUTA (L) newsletter and blog on December 12 at Nagaland University, Lumami.
newsletter and blog, according to a press release. He opined that it was a sign of maturity of the University, and a positive platform for bringing together the University community. The NUTA (L) president, Dr Lanusashi Longkumer
highlighted the objectives of NUTA (L) newsletter and the blog, which he said have been launched to create an academic platform for discourses besides serving as an information mode for faculty members. New and innovative ideas, creative
writings and vital information can be presented at a glance, he said, adding such initiatives aim to bring an alternative approach to cater to individual talents and also to strengthen institutional bonds within and outside. Dr Shivajyoti Das Baruah and Dr Neizo Puro, the Convenors of NUTA (L) blog and newsletter respectively gave a brief overview on the two media platforms. The function was attended by the faculty members, officials, Research Scholars and students of the University. The function ended with a note of thanks by Dr. Athungo Ovung, general secretary of NUTA (L).
Mount Tiyi College celebrates 2nd Cultural Day Mental health camp held in Tuli Town
Faculty and students of Mount Tiyi College, Wokha during the 2nd Cultural Day held on December 9 at the college premises.
Wokha, December 12 (mexN): Mount Tiyi College, Wokha observed 2nd Cultural Day on December 9 at the college premises with an objective of ‘Understanding and appreciating the richness of one’s own culture.’ The programme was organised by the College Cultural Club. In the introductory speech, Convenor of the Club, Libemo Kithan, Assistant Professor, Department of History stressed the importance of preserving “our” culture and maintaining cultural diversities. As part of culture learning,
Libemo also presented many traditional items and explained their use and significance. Some of the traditional items presented were Jappa (traditional container), Ritsen (Warrior’s Sash), Sothephen (meat container), a rare piece of cotton thread in blue and grey colour, Esan Pelung (wooden bed made out of a single block of tree), Tsumpo (rice pounding slab), Rapvü (bamboo container), Juthi (bamboo water carrier), Le-Chup (dao holder), and small hip baskets, a press release informed.
Laxman Singh, Youth Co-ordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra, who spoke on the occasion, called the youth “Inheritors of culture” and encouraged the students to learn one’s culture and uphold their values. Vote of thanks was proposed by Myingthunglo, Assistant Professor, Department of History. The other highlights of the programme were presentation of a skit on the traditional way of life, Lotha folk song, Ao folk song, Nepali dance, Lotha folk dance. The event concluded with a traditional fusion fashion show.
Trios’ Home for Music celebrates pre-Christmas
Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): A Medical Health Camp cum Disability Certification Camp was organised on December 12 in Tuli Town under the District Mental Health Programme, Mokokchung. The health camp was conducted by Dr. Temsuyanger, DPO (UIP/RCH) Nodal Officer, District Mental Health Programme, Mokokchung and Primary Health Centre Tuli staff. More than 19 people with mental retardation and mental illness residing in Tuli Town and its vicinity were given treatment dur-
ing the camp. 12 persons were also given Disability Certificate and ID issued with the assistance of Grace Society CBR Forum, HQChangtongya. The medical officer also
urged the general public as well as the village council and other organisations to help those with mental disability to avail various opportunities and facilities provided for them.
Nagaland legislators celebrate pre-Christmas
Chief Minister TR Zeliang and others at the pre-Christmas celebration in Kohima on December 12. (Morung Photo)
The Nagaland Legislator’s Christian Fellowship today celebrated pre-Christmas here this afternoon at the State Banquet Hall. Sharing Christmas greetings, Chief Minister TR Ze-
liangsaidthattodaythewhole world is crying for peace. He challenged the people of the state to spread the message of peace through this Christmas and make our land a peaceful land. Zeliang also stressed on the need to forgive each other during this Christmas and
at the same time to renew “our” relationship and transform “our” working system. Dr. Kethoser Kevichusa, speaker & trainer, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries was the speaker. Nagaland Chamber Choir and Virie & Zaza presented special numbers.
NMYO 43rd Foundation Day observed
Music students of Trios' Home for Music performing during the pre-Christmas celebration on December 9. (DIPR Photo) kohima, December
Meetings & AppointMents LCKK pre-Christmas cum picnic
deposing faith and confidence on them by sending their children to be taught by them. He sought for their continued prayer support in moulding their children so that the hidden potential of the children could be utilised for greater glory. On to its second year, the Trios' Home for Music located at 4th Mile presently has around 75 students and plans to form children choir by next year.
12 (mexN): The New Market Youth Organization (NMYO) in Kohima on Saturday observed the 43rd Foundation Day at Panchayat Hall, NMAP with Kovi Meyase, Administrator, KMC as the chief guest. Kovi Meyase lauded the pioneers who formed the youth organization in 1973 thus making it one of the leading organizations in the state capital. At the same time, he called upon
the youth organization and its members to seriously introspect in which direction they are headed for. He also called upon the youth members to re-dedicate themselves and look forward for better ways. Exhorting the gathering, NMAP chairman Kuotsu said that NMYO was planted as small sapling in 1973 and today it has grown into a big tree. He also applauded the goods work of NMYO in the field of games
Night Carnival in Wokha
NBA emergency executive meeting The Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) will hold an emergency executive meeting on December 15, 11:30 am at the NBA office, Deputy Commissioner’s office, Dimapur to discuss certain pressing matters. A press release from NBA Joint Secretary, N. Kevichusa has requested all executive members to attend the meeting without fail.
and sports, education and social fields and urged upon the youth members to carry forward the same in the days to come. A press release informed that NMYO was established on December 10, 1973 under the leadership of Kuotsu, who is now the chairman of NMAP. It was also informed that the annual fete day will be held on December 16 and 17 at the New Market Panchayat premises.
ATMA conducts joint visit prog with KVK officials
Lotha Catholic Khumshum Kohima (LCKK) is organizing pre-Christmas cum picnic on December 13 at Kisama. Transportation will be made available. Members have been asked to contact their area leaders for the same.
As part of the festive season and in its endeavor to promote and embolden the budding entrepreneurs, organizations, college students and educated unemployed youths, Wokha Circle Students’ Union (WCSU) is organizing Night Carnival from December 15 to 21. Any groups/individuals willing to take part have been invited to avail the platform. Registration will begin December 13 onwards at WCSU office at 10:00 am, according to a press release from WCSU president, Limhathung Y Ezung. For further information, contact: 8974938486, 8014120351.
Officials of ATMA Medziphema block during the joint visit programme with KVK officials at Medziphema Village.
Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): The Chumukedima and Medziphema blocks of ATMA Dimapur conducted a joint visit programme along with KVK officials at United Village and Medziphema Village
Bridge repair between Chare-Mkg TueNsaNg, December 12 (mexN): The PWD (NH) Division-III, Tuensang is going to rehabilitate/ repair 3 bridges along NH-202 (old NH-155) between Mokokchung and Chare (Longsa road) at locations 12.5 km (Dikhu), 15.8 Km (Chichung) and 20.51 Km from December 14 to 20. Therefore, in order to facilitate the successful repair of the bridges by the department concerned, all vehicles are hereby prevented from plying on NH-202 between Mokokchung and Chare on the aforementioned dates, said a press release from Alem Jongshi, Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang. All vehicular traffic has been directed to ply through the Chare-Dikhu-Mokokchung (short cut) route till the rehabilitation/repair of the bridges is completed. The public were also requested to bear with the inconvenience and extend their fullest cooperation to the department concerned.
Pay power bills online Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): The Department of Power, Nagaland in its effort to enhance the services for its consumers has enabled online payment facility for consumers of Dimapur, Chumukedima, and Kohima Towns. This has been introduced to ease payment of electricity bills, informed a press release from Er. L Yiese, Nodal Officer, RAPDRP, Department of Power. Customers can login to www.dopn.gov.in and pay the bills at their convenience through Debit/Credit cards and Net Banking.
pereN, December 12 (mexN): Repairing and replacement of the main pipeline of Old Peren Town has started on December 8. SDO (PHE), Peren SK Tep in a press release informed that all efforts are being made for early completion of work. Therefore, all the consumers have been requested to bear the inconvenience.
Kohima | December 12
Rev. Yankey Patton encouraged the children with his presence and also presented a special song with a flute. He also prayed and blessed the children. Elders Pankathung Ovung and Nchumbemo Patton enthralled the children with trumpet duet. Former Naga Idol finalist Thunglamo, the vocal teacher of the music school, expressed thankfulness to the parents for
bezzlement of the name of NTLCC and deserves condemnation.” It further stated that U Hla Phay “who seems to take the ownership of NTLCC is mentioned as founding member of NTLCC.” The NTLCC however claimed that the concerned person “is nowhere in the history of Naga people recorded as a founding member of NTLCC.” “We make this solemn confession that Eno Sanyone and Eno Khamo Kailon are the genuine founding members of this prestigious NTLCC,” it added. The NTLCC further cautioned that legal action would be taken against anyone misusing the name of the organisation.
Main pipeline of Old Peren Town being repaired
Our Correspondent
Dimapur, December 12 (Dipr): Music students of Trios' Home for Music along with the parents, teachers and special invitees celebrated advance Christmas on December 9 at Lotha Baptist Church, Diphupar. Students from various disciplines including piano, violin, guitar and vocal, presented special Christmas renditions. Former State Chaplain
Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): An executive committee of the Naga Traditional Literacy and Cultural Central (NTLCC) was convened on December 12, wherein it was resolved to clarify that the press statement regarding the Nagaland State Chief Minister’s recent trip to Myanmar issued on December 3 by the NTLCC, “is genuinely the official statement of the NTLCC.” A statement from the President of the NTLCC, Aung Htut stated that the clarification which was published on December 9 in the name of the NTLCC was “fraud and NTLCC has no ownership over such a statement.” It said that the December 9 statement “shows em-
respectively on November 30 and November 5. At United Village, the topic was piggery farming. Dr. Epibeni Ngullie, SMS (Animal Science) from KVK (ICAR) Jharnapani spoke on piggery management
and emphasized on breeding and selection, heritability in pigs, detection of heat, care and management of pregnant animals and piglets, weaning, feeding management, prevention and control of pig disease.
The ATMA Chumukedima block officials along with the KVK officials visited an integrated farm managed by an SHG and presented firsthand information on pig farming. The programme at Medziphema Village focussed on poultry farming. Dr. Epibeni Ngullie gave a brief introduction on poultry farming, health and nutrition facts of chicken meat. She also emphasized on advantages of poultry farming, things to consider while building a poultry house or shed, feed requirements, vaccination schedule, diseases, symptoms and their control measures. The ATMA Medziphema block officials along with the KVK officials also visited a poultry farm and presented firsthand information on poultry farming to the farmers.
NNC/FGN Konyak Region impeaches one moN, December 12 (mexN): The authority of NNC/FGN Konyak Region has impeached Neangpa on account of “totalitarian activities after repeated warning” according to FGN Yehzabo Article 104,105 (1) and 114. A press release from NNC/FGN Konyak Region authority has asked Neangpa to submit all the relevant evidence immediately. Further, the authority informed the general public not to entertain him in any manner relating to the regional government’s affairs.
DDGADU declares non-cooperation to auto owners’ union Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): Dimapur District General Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDGADU) has stated it stands firm in support of the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU). However, the DDGADU has declared non-cooperation to the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Owners’ Union. A press release from DDGADU chairman, Hokhuvi P Aye further warned the DDADU not to impose any collection on the autorickshaw drivers.
ATMA Kiphire Pungro Block exhibition cum sales day held kiphire, December 12 (mexN): The Pungro Block of ATMA Kiphire organised exhibition cum sales day at the Kholar Festival on December 9. Progressive farmers, Farmers Interest Group from Khonsa and Pungro blocks participated with 16 varieties of organic Kholar, 4 varieties of ricebean, soyabean, pumpkins, ginger, fish, orange, sugarcane, maize, millet and vegetables. ATMA Kiphire has thanked the organisers of Kholar Festival stating it allowed each farmer to explore, exchange farming know how, and most importantly created platform for farmers and buyers.
Jalukie ‘B village condemns JaLukie, December 12 (mexN): The village council and youth organization of Jalukie ‘B village have condemned the killing of Totalakpe, a resident of Jalukie 'B village, whose body was recovered from the village paddy field canal in the wee hours of December 9. The two organizations in a release expressed shock and anger that such “dastardly act” had been committed in the village area. They vowed to leave no stone unturned to book the perpetrator/s as per the law. In this regard, the competent investigation authority was also urged to carry out efficient investigation and deliver justice in time, so that no further complications arise in future. The release was appended by Namki Mpom, Chairman, Jalukie 'B Village Council and Jacob Ntung, President, Jalukie ‘B Youth Organization.
NMDA offers condolences Dimapur, December 12 (mexN): The Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) has expressed shock over the sudden demise of Dr. Robin Yanthan who was posted in Wokha. “Dr. Robin Yanthan was a hard working doctor and dedicated towards his service to the general and needy public of Wokha,” stated a press release from NMDA hon. general secretary, Ashok Kr. Singhal. The NMDA expressed deep condolences to the family members of the deceased and prayed to God to give enough strength to his family and relatives to bear the grief.
6
tuesday 13•12•2016
IN FOCUS The Power of Truth
The Morung Express
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
C O M M E N T A R Y
Conn Hallinan Foreign Policy In Focus
A Global Nuclear Winter: Avoiding Failed Assurances? the Unthinkable in India & Pakistan volume Xi issue 342
A
s we approach the end of another year, reflecting on it and questioning whether 2016 has been a year of failed government assurances is needed. The degree to which Nagaland State and its government have deviated from their assurances compromises democratic practices and values. This betrays a lack of sincerity, political will and commitment to truly serve the people they claim to represent. Perhaps the assurances were made only to pacify an angry public whose patience is constantly tested. But, in the end, the series of failed assurances has only prolonged the people’s unacceptable living conditions and their suffering. In Nagaland state it has become a common practice for elected officials and government servants to make empty assurances. Ironically, making these promises and assurances are an attempt to placate and soothe the public protest against the government’s inability to genuinely acknowledge and provide basic human needs. Sadly, every unmet assurance further weakens the public trust. Let’s face it, when the government fails to fulfill its responsibilities, the people lose. Has the ordinary Naga become indifferent and been marginalized along the sidelines? Are politicians and government servants so caught up in themselves that they are immune to responding to the public? Let us examine the citizen’s expectations after years of political struggle and living in an unhealthy environment where conditions are in constant flux and armed conflict is ever present. How does the habit of making empty promises affect the Naga psyche? Does it mean that once in power, politicians take the people for granted and the promises are forgotten? Or, are the people so fatigued and battle-worn that they become indifferent to the abuse of public trust, corruption and the arrogance of political power? If the government is people-driven and people-centered, then the people’s basic needs are to be upheld and addressed. After all, there is nothing more important than safeguarding the lives of ordinary people and the environment in which they live. The public needs to ask whether the government and its workers – elected and appointed - are upholding the public trust that ensures representative, participatory and inclusive democratic governance which is ultimately accountable to the people. The politics of forgetting, or more specifically political amnesia, is a common trait amongst politicians and governments. It is ironic that the politics of promises, as well as the politics of forgetting are too comfortably intertwined in the Naga context. This implies the presence of a weak civil society that is unable to stand firmly and command absolute accountability and participatory governance. This reveals a government that is not people-centered and has become complacent by conditions that make corruption and the abuse of power seem normal. Let’s be clear, present day politics in Nagaland State are appalling, corrupt and have institutionalized violence within the existing State structures. This type of violence is hidden and invisible, but negatively impacts the people while simultaneously perpetuating unacceptable living conditions. This structural violence exists within a context of protracted armed conflict which threatens the people’s daily well-being in addition to fracturing possibilities of attaining long term nonviolent peaceful outcomes. The Naga public can no longer remain a spectator in this scenario and needs to address the structural violence by recognizing that true power lies with the people. The public needs to define the form of healthy political environment and nurture leaders that would serve everyone’s greater good. Any such process begins by holding elected representatives and government officials accountable to the ideals of democratic governance that is participatory and people driven.
lEfT wiNg |
Nita Bhalla Thomson Reuters Foundation
India's 'better off' children march with world leaders to help those ‘left out’
T
housands of children gathered at India's Presidential Palace on Sunday (December 11) to launch a global campaign mobilising better-off children to speak up for their disadvantaged counterparts. The campaign aims to build awareness, primarily through social media, of children's causes and encourage youth to petition governments and the international community to improve the plight of children. Led by President Pranab Mukherjee and prominent leaders such as Holland's Princess Laurentien and Nobel laureates from India, Yemen and Tunisia, more than 3,000 children marched at the palace to kick off the "100 Million for 100 Million" campaign. Mukherjee called the campaign the beginning of a "long overdue" effort to further children's rights. "Despite the progress the world has made in science and technology, economic development, and in other spheres of human endeavor, there are still over 100 million children who are out of school and are being denied their childhood and are facing exploitation in various ways," said Mukherjee. "Humankind must realise without any further delay that there can be no progress unless our children are safe and secure, unless they are provided with the freedom and opportunity to become agents of change for larger good of humanity." Many children live - and die - in desperate conditions, says the U.N. children's agency UNICEF. In 2015 alone, almost six million children died before reaching age 5, mostly due to preventable and treatable diseases. Millions more are denied access to education because their parents are poor, they are girls or they live in conflicthit nations such as Syria, Yemen and Iraq. While poverty is falling globally, nearly half of the world's extreme poor are children, vulnerable to exploitation, says UNICEF. There are 168 million child labourers across the world, according to the International Labour Organization, with 5.5 million born into servitude, trafficked for sex work or trapped in debt bondage or forced labour. The launch followed a two-day summit where global leaders and laureates including the Dalai Lama, East Timor's former president Jose Ramos-Horta and Angel Gurria, SecretaryGeneral of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation made commitments to take action to end child exploitation. The five-year campaign aims to harness the enthusiasm and compassion of young people by working with universities, schools, teachers and student groups to sensitise them about challenges faced by others worse off. Child rights activist and laureate Kailash Satyarthi, who organised the conference and campaign, described what he called "the globalisation of compassion." "We want to create a new civilisation, a new world order where 100 million left out children and 100 million betteroff children do not go in two different directions and create much more inequality across the world," he said. "One hundred million better-off children will speak for the cause of the 100 million left-out children." The marchers wore white t-shirts and baseball caps and waved flags reading "Do your bit for children." "I think this is a good idea. There are poor children so much worse off than us. We see them every day in the streets and roads when we go to school" said 12-year-old Savita, a pig-tailed girl from South Delhi. "It's not right."
P
resident-elect Donald Trump’s off the cuff, chaotic approach to foreign policy had at least one thing going for it, even though it was more the feel of a blind pig rooting for acorns than a thought-out international initiative. In speaking with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the New York Times reported, Trump said he wanted “to address and find solutions” to Pakistan’s problems. And what big problems they are. Whether Trump understands exactly how dangerous the current tensions between Pakistan and India are, or if anything will come from the November 30 exchange between the two leaders, is anyone’s guess. But it’s more than the Obama administration has done over the past eight years, in spite of the outgoing president’s 2008 election promise to address the on-going crisis in Kashmir. Right now that troubled land is the single most dangerous spot on the globe. War, Famine, and Radiation India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the disputed province in the past six decades and came within a hair’s breadth of a nuclear exchange in 1999. Both countries are on a crash program to produce nuclear weapons, and between them they have enough explosive power to not only kill more than 20 million of their own people, but also to devastate the world’s ozone layer and throw the Northern Hemisphere into a nuclear winter — with a catastrophic impact on agriculture worldwide. According to studies done at Rutgers, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and the University of California-Los Angeles, if both countries detonated 100 Hiroshima-sized bombs, it would generate between 1 and 5 million tons of smoke. Within 10 days, that would drive temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere down to levels too cold for wheat production in much of Canada and Russia. The resulting 10 percent drop in rainfall — especially in Asian locales that rely monsoons — would exhaust worldwide food supplies, leading to the starvation of up to 100 million or more people. Aside from the food crisis, a nuclear war in South Asia would destroy between 25 to 70 percent of the Northern Hemisphere’s ozone layer, resulting in a massive increase in dangerous ultraviolent radiation. Cold Start, Hot War Lest anyone think that the chances of such a war are slight, consider two recent developments. One, a decision by Pakistan to deploy low-yield tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons and to give permission for local commanders to decide when to use them. In an interview with the German newspaper Deutsche Welle, Gregory Koblentz of the Council on Foreign Relations warned that if a “commander of a forward-deployed nuclear armed unit finds himself in a ‘use it or lose it’ situation and about to be overrun, he might decided to launch his weapons.” Pakistan’s current defense minister, Muhammad Asif, told Geo TV, “If anyone steps on our soil and if anyone’s designs are a threat to our security, we will not hesitate to use those [nuclear] weapons for our defense.” Every few years the Pentagon “war
games” a clash between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. Every game ends in a nuclear war. The second dangerous development is the “Cold Start” strategy by India that would send Indian troops across the border to a depth of 30 kilometers in the advent of a terrorist attack like the 1999 Kargill incident in Kashmir, the 2001 terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, or the 2008 attack on Mumbai that killed 166 people. Since the Indian army is more than twice the size of Pakistan’s, there would be little that Pakistanis could do to stop such an invasion other than using battlefield nukes. India would then be faced with either accepting defeat or responding. India doesn’t currently have any tactical nukes, only high yield strategic weapons — many aimed at China — whose primary value is to destroy cities. Hence a decision by a Pakistani commander to use a tactical warhead would almost surely lead to a strategic response by India, setting off a fullscale nuclear exchange and the nightmare that would follow in its wake. A Regional Arms Race With so much at stake, why is no one but a Twitter-addicted foreign policy apprentice saying anything? What happened to President Obama’s follow through to his 2008 statement that the tensions over Kashmir “won’t be easy” to solve, but that doing so “is important”? A strategy of pulling India into an alliance against China was dreamed up during the administration of George W. Bush, but it was Obama’s “Asia Pivot” that signed and sealed the deal. With it went a quid pro quo: If India would abandon its traditional neutrality, the Americans would turn a blind eye to Kashmir. As a sweetener, the U.S. agreed to bypass the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and allow India to buy uranium on the world market, something New Delhi had been banned from doing since it detonated a nuclear bomb in 1974 using fuel it had cribbed from U.S.supplied nuclear reactors. In any case, because neither India nor Pakistan is a party to the treaty, both should be barred from buying uranium. In India’s case, the U.S. has waived that restriction. The so-called 1-2-3 Agreement requires India to use any nuclear fuel it purchases in its civilian reactors, but frees it up to use its meager domestic supplies on its nuclear weapons program. India has since built two enormous nuclear production sites at Challakere and near Mysore, where, rumor has it, it is producing a hydrogen bomb. Both sites are off limits to international inspectors.
In 2008, when the Obama administration indicated it was interested in pursuing the 1-2-3 Agreement, then Pakistani Foreign minister Khurshid Kusuni warned that the deal would undermine the Non-Proliferation Treaty and lead to a nuclear arms race in Asia. That is exactly what has come to pass. The only countries currently adding to their nuclear arsenals are Pakistan, India, China, and North Korea. While Pakistan is still frozen out of buying uranium on the world market, it has sufficient domestic supplies to fuel an accelerated program to raise its warhead production. Pakistan is estimated to have between 110 and 130 warheads already, and it’s projected to have developed 200 by 2020, surpassing the United Kingdom. India has between 110 and 120 nuclear weapons. Both countries have short, medium, and long-range missiles, submarine ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, plus nuclear-capable aircraft that can target each other’s major urban areas. A New Uprising in Kashmir One problem in the current crisis is that both countries are essentially talking past one another. Pakistan does have legitimate security concerns. It has fought and lost three wars with India over Kashmir since 1947, and it’s deeply paranoid about the size of the Indian army. But India has been the victim of several major terrorist attacks that have Pakistan’s fingerprints all over them. The 1999 Kargill invasion lasted a month and killed hundreds of soldiers on both sides. Reportedly the Pakistanis were considering arming their missiles with nuclear warheads until the Clinton administration convinced them to stand down. Pakistan’s military has long denied that it has any control over terrorist organizations based in Pakistan, but virtually all intelligence agencies agree that, with the exception of the country’s home-grown Taliban, that is not the case. The Pakistani army certainly knew about a recent attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir that killed 19 soldiers. In the past, India responded to such attacks with quiet counterattacks of its own, but this time around the rightwing nationalist government of Narendra Modi announced that the Indian military had crossed the border and killed more than 30 militants. It was the first time that India publicly acknowledged a cross-border assault. Meanwhile the Indian press has whipped up a nationalist fervor that
has seen sports events between the two countries cancelled and a ban on using Pakistani actors in Indian films. The Pakistani press has been no less jingoistic. In the meantime, the situation in Kashmir has gone from bad to worse. Early in the summer Indian security forces killed Burhan Wani, a popular leader of the Kashmir independence movement. Since then the province has essentially been paralyzed, with schools closed and massive demonstrations. Thousands of residents have been arrested, close to 100 killed, and hundreds of demonstrators wounded and blinded by the widespread use of birdshot by Indian security forces. Indian rule in Kashmir has been singularly brutal. Between 50,000 and 80,000 people have died over the past six decades, and thousands of others have been “disappeared” by security forces. While in the past the Pakistani army aided the infiltration of terrorist groups to attack the Indian army, this time around the uprising is homegrown. Kashmiris are simply tired of military rule and a law which gives Indian security forces essentially carte blanche to terrorize the population. Called the Special Powers Act — modeled after a British provision to suppress of Catholics in Northern Ireland and mirroring practices widely used by the Israelis in the Occupied Territories — the law allows Indian authorities to arrest and imprison people without charge and gives immunity to Indian security forces. Avenues to Peace As complex as the situation in Kashmir is, there are avenues to resolve it. A good start would be to suspend the Special Powers Act and send the Indian Army back to the barracks. The crisis in Kashmir began when the Hindu ruler of the mostly Muslim region opted to join India when the countries were divided in 1947. At the time, the residents were promised that a UN-sponsored referendum would allow residents to choose India, Pakistan, or independence. That referendum has never been held. Certainly the current situation cannot continue. Kashmir has almost 12 million people, and no army or security force — even one as large as India’s — can maintain a permanent occupation if the residents don’t want it. Instead of resorting to force, India should ratchet down its security forces and negotiate with Kashmiris for an interim increase in local autonomy. But in the long run, the Kashmiris should have their referendum — and both India and Pakistan will have to accept the results. What the world cannot afford is for the current tensions to spiral down into a military confrontation that could easily get out of hand. The U.S., through its aid to Pakistan — $860 million this year — has some leverage, but it cannot play a role if its ultimate goal is an alliance to contain China, a close ally of Pakistan. Neither country would survive a nuclear war, and neither country should be spending its money on an arms race. Almost 30 percent of Indians live below the poverty line, as do 22 percent of Pakistanis. The $51 billion Indian defense budget and the $7 billion Pakistan spends could be put to far better use.
Time for the Nobel Peace Prize to divest from fossil fuels Archbishop Desmond Tutu As laureates we are proud to have been honoured by the Nobel Foundation, the body that funds and supports the prizes, for our contributions to further human rights and peace in our troubled world. This week of celebrations gives us an opportunity to look back on the creation of the awards and the just principles the Nobel Foundation is based on. When Alfred Nobel’s will was made public in 1896, it largely came as a surprise that the inventor of dynamite, a tool of destruction, had decided to establish a dedicated prize for the promotion of peace. Whether it was an act of atonement, as Albert Einstein suggested, remains as speculation but many give Nobel’s friend Bertha von Suttner credit for the establishment of the peace prize. She had spent years trying to engage Nobel in the peace movement. When he finally informed her about his decision, she knew that her efforts had not been futile. She wrote, "Whether I am around then or not does not matter; what we have given, you and I, is going to live on." In 1905, nine years after Nobel’s death, she became the first woman to receive the Nobel
Peace Prize. Over a century later, keeping the legacy of Nobel and von Suttner alive is as important as ever. Humanity is confronted by one of the greatest threats it has ever faced: climate change. Only last week, even senior military figures warned that climate change is the ‘greatest security threat of the 21st century’. We know that peace, war, human rights, the health of our planet and its climate are inextricably interwoven. Climate change has a multiplier effect on conflicts over resources and the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. It is often women who bear the brunt of these impacts in particular. Climate change has for example been linked to the rise of Boko Haram, the militant extremists that killed thousands of people in Nigeria, forced more than 2 million to flee from their homes and abducted hundreds of women and children such as the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok that received widespread media attention. Global warming has caused Lake Chad, one of the world’s biggest lakes,
to shrink so much over the past 30 years, that is has almost disappeared. As a result, farmers and fishers were robbed of their livelihoods leading to high levels of unemployment and poverty - fertile ground that Boko Haram was able to capitalise on. Where conflicts over resources exist, democracy and human rights often take a back seat and climate change, if not always directly triggering these, certainly exacerbates those conflicts. This connection between climate change and peace is why we as Peace Prize laureates have spoken out the need to take urgent action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The Nobel committee itself decided to highlight that climate change puts peace in peril when it awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Yet, surprisingly to us, the Nobel Foundation’s endowment worth more than $460 million, which funds the Peace and various science prizes, remains invested in companies that have caused the most damage to our
wRiTE-wiNg
climate. It is our profound belief that the business model of the fossil fuel industry to fully exploit coal, oil and gas reserves is incompatible with a safe and peaceful planet. The Nobel Foundation should not profit from the destruction of our climate. Alfred Nobel wanted the Nobel Prize to work ‘for the greatest benefit to [hu] mankind’. In this time of urgency, an institution with such a mandate has the opportunity to show leadership and inspire others by setting an example and aligning its endowment with its mission. Resisting Bertha von Suttner’s efforts to get him involved in the peace movement, Alfred Nobel challenged his friend saying, "Inform me, convince me, and then I will do something great for the [peace] movement". In this spirit, we have joined Nobel Prize winners and scientists calling on the Nobel Foundation to divest from fossil fuels. In standing by the values that it was founded on, the Nobel Foundation can keep Alfred Nobel and Bertha von Suttner’s legacy alive in the 21st century. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize 1984, Jody Williams, USA, Nobel Peace Prize 1997, Shan Cretin, General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, Nobel Peace Prize 1947, Lisa Clark, Co-President of the International Peace Bureau, Nobel Peace Prize 1910.
Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
TUESDAY 13•12•2016
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
The Coming War on China
PERSPECTIVE
7
John Pilger
A
Fair Observer
major US military build-up is underway in the Asia Pacific, with the purpose of confronting China. John Pilger raises the alarm on an underreported and dangerous provocation. When I first went to Hiroshima in 1967, the shadow on the steps was still there. It was an almost perfect impression of a human being at ease: legs splayed, back bent, one hand by her side as she sat waiting for a bank to open. At a quarter past eight on the morning of August 6, 1945, she and her silhouette were burned into the granite. I stared at the shadow for an hour or more, unforgettably. When I returned many years later, it was gone: taken away, “disappeared,” a political embarrassment. I have spent two years making a documentary film, The Coming War on China, in which the evidence and witnesses warn that nuclear war is no longer a shadow, but a contingency. The greatest build-up of American-led military forces since the Second World War is well under way. They are in the northern hemisphere, on the western borders of Russia, and in Asia and the Pacific, confronting China. The great danger this beckons is not news, or it is buried and distorted: a drumbeat of mainstream fake news that echoes the psychopathic fear embedded in public consciousness during much of the 20th century. Like the renewal of post-Soviet Russia, the rise of China as an economic power is declared an “existential threat” to the divine right of the United States to rule and dominate human affairs. To counter this, in 2011 President Barack Obama announced a “pivot to Asia,” which meant that almost two-thirds of US naval forces would be transferred to Asia and the Pacific by 2020. Today, more than 400 American military bases encircle China with missiles, bombers, warships and, above all, nuclear weapons. From Australia north through the Pacific to Japan, Korea and across Eurasia to Afghanistan and India, the bases form, says one US strategist, “the perfect noose.” A study by the RAND Corporation— which, since Vietnam, has planned America’s wars—is entitled, War with China: Thinking Through the Unthinkable. Commissioned by the US Army, the authors evoke the Cold War when RAND made notorious the catch cry of its chief strategist, Herman Kahn—“thinking the unthinkable.” Kahn’s book, On Thermonuclear War, elaborated a plan for a “winnable” nuclear war against the Soviet Union. Today, his apocalyptic view is shared by those holding real power in the US: the militarists and neoconservatives in the executive, the Pentagon, the intelligence and “national security” establishment and Congress. The current secretary of defense, Ashley Carter, a verbose provocateur, says US policy is to confront those “who see America’s dominance and want to take that away from us.” For all the attempts to detect a departure in foreign policy, this is almost certainly the view of Donald Trump, whose abuse of China during the election campaign included that of “rapist” of the American economy. On December 2, in a direct provocation of China, President-Elect Trump spoke to the president of Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province of the mainland. Armed with American missiles, Taiwan is an enduring flashpoint between Washington and Beijing. “Punish” China “The United States,” wrote Amitai Etzioni, professor of international affairs at George Washington University, “is preparing for a war with China, a momentous decision that so far has failed to receive a thorough review from elected officials, namely the White House and Congress.” This war would begin with a “blinding attack against Chinese anti-access facilities, including land and sea-based missile launchers … satellite and anti-satellite weapons.” The incalculable risk is that “deep inland strikes could be mistakenly perceived by the Chinese as pre-emptive attempts to take out its nuclear weapons, thus cornering them into ‘a terrible use-it-or-lose-it dilemma’ [that would] lead to nuclear war.” In 2015, the Pentagon released its Law of War Manual. “The United States,” it says, “has not accepted a treaty rule that prohibits the use of nuclear weapons per se, and thus nuclear weapons are lawful weapons for the United States.” In China, a strategist told me: “We are not your enemy, but if you [in the West] decide we are, we must prepare without delay.” China’s military and arsenal are small compared to America’s. However, “for the first time,” wrote Gregory Kulacki of the Union of Concerned Scientists, “China is discussing putting its nuclear missiles on high alert so that they can be launched quickly on warning of an attack … This would be a significant and dangerous change in Chinese policy … Indeed, the nuclear weapon policies of the United States are the most prominent external factor influencing Chinese advocates for raising the alert level of China’s nuclear forces.” Professor Ted Postol was scientific adviser to the head of US naval operations. An authority on nuclear weapons, he told me: “Everybody here wants to look like they’re tough. See I got to be tough … I’m not afraid of doing anything military, I’m not afraid of threatening; I’m a hairy-chested gorilla. And we have gotten into a state, the Unit-
What is it like to be a real counsellor?
ed States has gotten into a situation where there’s a lot of saber-rattling, and it’s really being orchestrated from the top.” I said: “This seems incredibly dangerous.” In 2015, in considerable secrecy, the US staged its biggest single military exercise since the Cold War. This was Talisman Saber; an armada of ships and long-range bombers rehearsed an “Air-Sea Battle Concept for China” (ASB), blocking sea lanes in the Straits of Malacca and cutting off China’s access to oil, gas and other raw materials from the Middle East and Africa. It is such a provocation, and the fear of a US Navy blockade, that has seen China feverishly building strategic airstrips on disputed reefs and islets in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. In July, the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against China’s claim of sovereignty over these islands. Although the action was brought by the Philippines, it was presented by leading American and British lawyers and could be traced to former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In 2010, Clinton flew to Manila. She demanded that America’s former colony reopen the US military bases closed down in the 1990s following a popular campaign against the violence they generated, especially against Filipino women. She declared China’s claim on the Spratly Islands—which lie more than 7,500 miles from the United States—a threat to US “national security” and to “freedom of navigation.” Handed millions of dollars in arms and military equipment, the then-government of President Benigno Aquino broke off bilateral talks with China and signed a secretive Enhanced Defense Co-operation Agreement with the US. This established five rotating US bases and restored a hated colonial provision that American forces and contractors were immune from Philippine law. The election of Rodrigo Duterte in April 2016 has unnerved Washington. Calling himself a socialist, he declared, “In our relations with the world, the Philippines will pursue an independent foreign policy” and noted that the US had not apologized for its colonial atrocities. “I will break up with America,” he said, and promised to expel US troops. But the US remains in the Philippines; and joint military exercises continue. In 2014, under the rubric of “information dominance”—the jargon for media manipulation, or fake news, on which the Pentagon spends more than $4 billion— the Obama administration launched a propaganda campaign that cast China, the world’s greatest trading nation, as a threat to “freedom of navigation.” CNN led the way, with its “national security reporter” reporting excitedly from on board a US Navy surveillance flight over the Spratlys. The BBC persuaded frightened Filipino pilots to fly a single-engine Cessna over the disputed islands “to see how the Chinese would react.” None of these reporters questioned why the Chinese were building airstrips off their own coastline, or why American military forces were massing on China’s doorstep. The designated chief propagandist is Admiral Harry Harris, the US military commander in Asia and the Pacific. “My responsibilities,” he told The New York Times, “cover Bollywood to Hollywood, from polar bears to penguins.” Never was imperial domination described as pithily. Malleable media and obsequious partners Harris is one of a brace of Pentagon admirals and generals briefing selected, malleable journalists and broadcasters, with the aim of justifying a threat as specious as that with which George W. Bush and Tony Blair justified the destruction of Iraq and much of the Middle East. In Los Angeles in September, Harris declared he was “ready to confront a revanchist Russia and an assertive China … If we have to fight tonight, I don’t want it to be a fair fight. If it’s a knife fight, I want to bring a gun. If it’s a gun fight, I want to bring in the artillery … and all our partners with their artillery.” These “partners” include South Korea, the launch pad for the Pentagon’s Terminal High Altitude Air Defense system, known as THAAD, ostensibly aimed at North Korea. As Professor Postol points out, it targets China. In Sydney, Australia, Harris called on China to “tear down its Great Wall in the South
China Sea.” The imagery was front page news. Australia is America’s most obsequious “partner”; its political elite, military, intelligence agencies and the media are integrated into what is known as the “alliance.” Closing the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the motorcade of a visiting American government “dignitary” is not uncommon. The war criminal Dick Cheney was afforded this honor. Although China is Australia’s biggest trader, on which much of the national economy relies, “confronting China” is the diktat from Washington. The few political dissenters in Canberra risk McCarthyite smears in the Murdoch press. “You in Australia are with us come what may,” said one of the architects of the Vietnam war, McGeorge Bundy. One of the most important US bases is Pine Gap near Alice Springs. Founded by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), it spies on China and all of Asia, and is a vital contributor to Washington’s murderous war by drone in the Middle East. In October, Richard Marles, the defense spokesman of the main Australian opposition party, the Labor Party, demanded that “operational decisions” in provocative acts against China be left to military commanders in the South China Sea. In other words, a decision that could mean war with a nuclear power should not be taken by an elected leader or a parliament, but by an admiral or a general. This is the Pentagon line, a historic departure for any state calling itself a democracy. The ascendancy of the Pentagon in Washington—which Daniel Ellsberg has called a silent coup—is reflected in the record $5 trillion America has spent on aggressive wars since 9/11, according to a study by Brown University. The million dead in Iraq and the flight of 12 million refugees from at least four countries are the consequence. Peaceful resistance The Japanese island of Okinawa has 32 military installations, from which Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan and Iraq have been attacked by the US. Today, the principal target is China, with whom Okinawans have close cultural and trade ties. There are military aircraft constantly in the sky over Okinawa; they sometimes crash into homes and schools. People cannot sleep, teachers cannot teach. Wherever they go in their own country, they are fenced in and told to keep out. A popular Okinawan anti-base movement has been growing since a 12-year-old girl was gang-raped by US troops in 1995. It was one of hundreds of such crimes, many of them never prosecuted. Barely acknowledged in the wider world, the resistance has seen the election of Japan’s first anti-base governor, Takeshi Onaga, and presented an unfamiliar hurdle to the Tokyo government and the ultra-nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plans to repeal Japan’s “peace constitution.” The resistance includes Fumiko Shimabukuro, aged 87, a survivor of the Second World War when a quarter of Okinawans died in the American invasion. Fumiko and hundreds of others took refuge in beautiful Henoko Bay, which she is now fighting to save. The US wants to destroy the bay in order to extend runways for its bombers. “We have a choice,” she said, “silence or life.” As we gathered peacefully outside the US base, Camp Schwab, giant Sea Stallion helicopters hovered over us for no reason other than to intimidate. Across the East China Sea lies the Korean island of Jeju, a semi- tropical sanctuary and World Heritage Site declared “an island of world peace.” On this island of world peace has been built one of the most provocative military bases in the world, less than 400 miles from Shanghai. The fishing village of Gangjeong is dominated by a South Korean naval base purpose-built for US aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and destroyers equipped with the Aegis missile system, aimed at China. A people’s resistance to these war preparations has been a presence on Jeju for almost a decade. Every day, often twice a day, villagers, Catholic priests and supporters from all over the world stage a religious mass that blocks the gates of the base. In a country where political demonstrations are often banned, unlike powerful religions, the tactic has produced an inspiring spectacle. One of the leaders, Father Mun Jeong-hy-
eon, told me: “I sing four songs every day at the base, regardless of the weather. I sing in typhoons—no exception. To build this base, they destroyed the environment, and the life of the villagers, and we should be a witness to that. They want to rule the Pacific. They want to make China isolated in the world. They want to be emperor of the world.” I flew from Jeju to Shanghai for the first time in more than a generation. When I was last in China, the loudest noise I remember was the tinkling of bicycle bells; Mao Zedong had recently died, and the cities seemed dark places, in which foreboding and expectation competed. Within a few years, Deng Xiaoping, the “man who changed China,” was the “paramount leader.” Nothing prepared me for the astonishing changes today. The world is shifting east China presents exquisite ironies, not least the house in Shanghai where Mao and his comrades secretly founded the Communist Party of China in 1921. Today, it stands in the heart of a very capitalist shipping district; you walk out of this communist shrine with your Little Red Book and your plastic bust of Mao into the embrace of Starbucks, Apple, Cartier, Prada. Would Mao be shocked? I doubt it. Five years before his great revolution in 1949, he sent this secret message to Washington. “China must industrialize.” he wrote, “This can only be done by free enterprise. Chinese and American interests fit together, economically and politically. America need not fear that we will not be cooperative. We cannot risk any conflict.” Mao offered to meet Franklin Roosevelt in the White House, and his successor Harry Truman, and his successor Dwight Eisenhower. He was rebuffed, or willfully ignored. The opportunity that might have changed contemporary history, prevented wars in Asia and saved countless lives was lost because the truth of these overtures was denied in 1950s Washington “when the catatonic Cold War trance,” wrote the critic James Naremore, “held our country in its rigid grip.” The fake mainstream news that once again presents China as a threat is of the same mentality. The world is inexorably shifting east, but the astonishing vision of Eurasia from China is barely understood in the West. The “New Silk Road” is a ribbon of trade, ports, pipelines and high-speed trains all the way to Europe. The world’s leader in rail technology, China is negotiating with 28 countries for routes on which trains will reach up to 400 km/h. This opening to the world has the approval of much of humanity and, along the way, is uniting China and Russia. “I believe in American exceptionalism with every fiber of my being,” said Barack Obama, evoking the fetishism of the 1930s. This modern cult of superiority is Americanism, the world’s dominant predator. Under the liberal Obama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, nuclear warhead spending has risen higher than under any president since the end of the Cold War. A mini nuclear weapon is planned. Known as the B61 Model 12, it will mean, says General James Cartwright, former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that “going smaller [makes its use] more thinkable.” In September, the Atlantic Council, a mainstream US geopolitical think tank, published a report that predicted a Hobbesian world “marked by the breakdown of order, violent extremism [and] an era of perpetual war.” The new enemies were a “resurgent” Russia and an “increasingly aggressive” China. Only heroic America can save us. There is a demented quality about this war mongering. It is as if the “American Century”—proclaimed in 1941 by the American imperialist Henry Luce, owner of Time magazine—has ended without notice and no one has had the courage to tell the emperor to take his guns and go home. John Pilger is a renowned war correspondent, filmmaker and author. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, he has produced numerous documentaries, including “Utopia” (2013), “The War You Don’t See” (2010) and “Palestine is Still the Issue” (2002). Pilger has won an Emmy and a BAFTA for his documentaries, which have also received numerous American and European awards, such as the Royal Television Society's Best Documentary. His articles appear worldwide in newspapers such as The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. He also writes a regular column for New Statesman. This article is being republished with the permission of Fair Observer. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.
Introduction: Being a counsellor may mean donning the raiment of the counsellor, as a police officer does a uniform, and taking on official behaviours and attitudes. In other words, we may think that being counsellors means being different through adopting positions and protocols that are not natural for us. We may imagine that a conflict exists between acquiring disciplined skills and just being ourselves, between trying to do something correctly and doing the right thing spontaneously. It is as if counsellors had to play a part that makes them sacrifice their own reactions in favour of those prescribed by their texts, teachers, or supervisors. As a beginning counsellor once reported, “It seems that everything I do on my own is wrong and that everything I’m supposed to do as a counsellor makes me feel artificial.” Our growth as helpers may be observed in the way we handle this common challenge. It flows from our developing a sense of unity about ourselves that incorporates what we learn with what we are. The continuing task resembles many others in life, including becoming parents, in which we integrate our learned skills with our own personal identity. There is no necessary conflict between what a good counsellor does and what a good person does. What Goes into Being Real? Maturing counsellors appreciate the fact that what they do in counselling does not ask them to change themselves as much as it invites them to come closer to their best frequently unrealized selves. Being ourselves does not, we recall, mean saying or doing anything we feel like at any moment in the counselling process. This erroneous interpretation of what it means to be natural – that is, responding to one’s impulses without reflection – echoes a general misunderstanding about achieving our individuality. “Being my own man” not only rings of male chauvinism but it is a prime cliché that sums up one of our lesser national illusions: it is far easier to proclaim we are our own person than it is to be our own person. Being our own person involves us, not in repeating contemporary aphorisms or behaviours that supposedly confer identity on us, but in straightforward growing as truly and as fully as we can. This demands that we take ourselves and our talents seriously and that we live deeply enough to grasp at least some of the meaning and possibilities of existence itself. These, of course, are precisely the opportunities that are available in counseling work. Reflecting on meaning and existence is unavoidable whenever we take others seriously enough to listen carefully to their efforts to give us an account of their experience of life. When we are in a relationship of serious purpose, when what we and the other do and say has real effects, we experience a kind of meaning that others can only talk about. The necessary and sufficient condition for this is that we be ourselves. Being oneself suggests that we do not live on the skim of life but that we respect ourselves and our gifts and make the most of them as we gradually enter the depths of responsible relationships with others. In a way, this is a different version of Sigmund Freud’s statement that the purpose of life is “to love and to work”. Being serious about our lives, of course, is much different from being solemn. We achieve this seriousness only by refining our abilities, by honing them and using them – wisely. This means ridding ourselves of the defenses or habits that interfere with our coming more completely alive and expressing ourselves more fully in our work. Counselling does not ask us to be startlingly different but to be more genuinely ourselves in our work. Only counsellors can take care of this side of the counselling relationship. They do it with less strain as they realize how, within counselling, they have the opportunity to bring their best disciplined performance – the best of themselves, in other words – to their understanding of other persons.
Conclusion: As we become more comfortable with this realization, artificiality drops away and the atmosphere and the exchange become less studied and more genuine. Stress decreases and the experience becomes, so to speak, more intensely real for both ourselves and those we counsel. We may not be self-conscious about it, but our best responses begin to match our best potential as human beings. This developing sense of oneness about ourselves and our counselling resolves the anxiety that builds up when we are too concerned about how well we will perform. This effortless being who we are improves the therapeutic environment and is the natural medium for progress by the other. As the counselling loses its staginess and becomes more spontaneous, we experience not only greater personal ease but also a deeper sense of contentment in our work. It is no longer a burden or a test of our laboriously acquired techniques. Counselling becomes a truly re-creative experience because we are more fully involved in it. This builds a sense of security that makes the counsellor’s person more available and, without trying, lessens the stress of the work.
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.
Rev. Fr. C. Joseph-Counsellor St. Joseph’s college, Jakhama
8
TuesDAY 13•12•2016
INDIA
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Cyclone batters south India coast killing 4 Centre cautions Tamil Nadu against floods after cyclone
Policemen remove a tree that fell on a road after it was uprooted by strong winds in Chennai on December 12. (REUTERS Photo)
cheNNAi, December 12 (reuTerS): A cyclone barrelled into the southeast coast of India on Monday, killing at least four people and bringing down trees and power lines as authorities moved tens of thousands of people from lowlying areas. Cyclone Vardah moved west over the Bay of Bengal before hitting Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, as well as neighbouring
Andhra Pradesh, the Indian Meteorological Department said, describing it as a "very severe storm". Strong wind of up to 140 kph (87 mph) battered the densely populated coast, uprooting trees and bringing down electricity pylons. Flights at Chennai airport were cancelled, railway services in the area suspended and schools and colleges were closed.
Six in custody for not standing for national anthem
Chennai is home to Indian operations of major auto firms such as Ford Motor, Daimler, Hyundai and Nissan. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said Vardah is passing over Chennai, drenching the city in heavy rain, but is expected to ease in intensity later. "Winds and rains might still intensify. Do not venture out," the NDMA said
on Twitter, adding that four people had been killed. More than 23,000 people in Tamil Nadu have been moved to relief centres, with plans for tens of thousands more to be evacuated if needed, a senior state official, K. Satyagopal, told Reuters. More than 10,000 people from two districts in Andhra Pradesh had also been moved, its disaster management com-
New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): The Union Ministry of Water Resources on Monday advised the Tamil Nadu government to maintain strict vigil at lakes in the districts expecting heavy rainfall from cyclonic storm 'Vardah'. In an advisory to the state government, the ministry said: "In view of the expected heavy to very heavy rainfall... in the districts of Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur, along with very severe cyclonic storm 'Vardah'... good inflows are likely into the reservoirs of Poondi, Chembarampakkam and other lakes around the Chennai city." "As the lakes are not full, the inflows shall increase the levels in the reservoirs considerably. The state government has been advised to maintain strict vigil at all the lakes in case of exceptionally heavy rainfall," the advisory added. Last year, Chennai faced severe floods due to heavy rains, and the overflow from dams and reservoirs are said to have played a significant role in it. A part of cyclone Vardah hit the Tamil Nadu coast on Monday afternoon, with winds touching 90 kmph. The cyclone hit the coast about 10 km north of Chennai. missioner, M.V. Seshagiri Babu, said. The NDMA warned fishermen not to venture out to sea for the next 36 hours, and urged residents to stay in safe places. Navy ships and aircraft, as well as 30 diving teams, were on standby to help move people and deliver aid if needed, a navy spokesman said. India's cyclone season usually runs from April to
December, with storms often causing dozens of deaths, evacuations of tens of thousands of people and widespread damage to crops and property. Wind speeds topped 300 km per hour (186 mph) in an Indian "supercyclone" that killed 10,000 people in 1999, while a cyclone packing speeds of more than 200 kph (124 mph) lashed the east coast in 2013.
(iANS): The Reserve Bank of India on Monday clarified that it had not initiated any action against Axis Bank for cancellation of its license, as held by some media reports, in wake of some officials found to be involved in violative activities post-demonetisation. "The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not initiated any action to cancel the banking licence of Axis Bank in the wake of certain allegations about some serious irregularities in transactions relating to deposit/exchange of specified bank notes in a few branches of the bank," the central bank said in a statement here.
India to see 65% rise in mobile frauds in 2017: Study
'Support for demonetisation declining among citizens'
Thousands stranded as 90 trains delayed, 16 cancelled due to fog New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): Thousands of passengers were stranded on Monday, as 90 trains were delayed and 16 cancelled due to dense fog in parts of north India. According to a Northern Railway official, the Lichchvi Express was running 34 hours behind its schedule, the Amritsar New Delhi Express was 30 hours late and the 12401 Islampur-New Delhi Magadh Express was delayed by 25 hours. The official said that 49 trains were rescheduled as the visibility dropped to 400 metres on Monday. The railways has rescheduled New Delhi-Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express, which will now depart at 4.40 a.m. instead of its scheduled time of 5.05 p.m. Even the New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express was rescheduled to 10.10 p.m. instead of its scheduled time of 4.55 p.m., while the New Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani Express has been rescheduled for 9.30 p.m. Meanwhile, according to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which manages operations at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here, no flight was cancelled on Monday, though a few international flights arriving in Delhi were delayed.
Abhishek Waghmare IndiaSpend and IANS
Eighteen per cent positions of teachers in governmentrun primary schools and 15% in secondary schools are vacant nationwide, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Human Resources Development Minister on December 5, 2016. Put another way, one in six teaching positions in government schools is vacant, a collective shortage of a million teachers. These figures represent average vacancies nationwide; some states have filled all posts; in some, more than half are vacant. States with lower literacy rates appear to have larger shortages of teachers. Up to 55 per cent of India's 260 million schoolchildren attend government schools, according to 2015-16 education data. Among 36 states and union territories, Jharkhand has the most acute secondary school teacher shortage: 70 per cent (38 per cent at the elementary level). Half of all secondary school teacher posts in Uttar Pradesh are vacant, as are a third in Bihar and Gujarat. The reasons for shortage of teachers are lack of regular recruitment, not clearing position, bungled deployment of teachers, lack of specialist teachers for certain subjects, and small schools, which cause available teachers to be thinly spread. Of 6 million teaching positions in government schools nationwide, about 900,000 elementary school teaching positions and 100,000 in secondary school - put together, 1 million - are vacant. The large Hindi speaking states - Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, home to 333 million people - are collectively short of a quarter of the elementary and secondary school teachers they require. Goa, Odisha and Sikkim have no vacant elementary teaching positions. Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, with 3.9 per cent, 3.9 per cent and 2 two per cent vacant posts, are among larger states closest to having a full complement of secondary school teachers; Mizoram and Sikkim report no vacancies. In general, India's Hindi speaking areas report the highest teaching vacancies. The only Indian state with no teaching vacancies either in elementary or secondary schools is Sikkim.
No action initiated to cancel Axis Bank's license: RBI Unilateral withdrawal of consent for divorce is mental cruelty The RBI's clarification came af- ly deny the contents of the said armumbAi, December 12
ThiruvANANThApurAm, December 12 (iANS): Six persons, including a woman, were taken into custody by police on Monday for not standing up when the national anthem was played ahead of the screening of a film at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). The IFFK organisers had made it very clear that the apex court guidelines will be followed by them at the 21st edition of the IFFK that began here Friday night and all the delegates have to stand up. At the Nishagandhi auditorium here, five youth and a lady, despite after being told a few times by a policeman and the organisers, refused to stand up and were taken into custody. The action came hours after activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing complained to state police chief Loknath Behra pointing out that some people at the screenings were not standing up when the national anthem was played.
New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): With the surge in digital transactions via e-wallets and other online payment gateways, mobile frauds are expected to grow to 60-65 per cent in the country by 2017, a leading industry body said on Monday. The joint study by Assocham and research firm EY, titled "Strategic National Measures to Combat Cybercrime", said a secure cyberspace and the government's initiatives in keeping tabs on cybercrime have become an important criteria for businesses to establish, operate and flourish in any region. "Mobile frauds are areas of great concern for companies as 40-45 per cent of financial transactions are done via mobile devices and this threat is expected grow to 6065 per cent," the study noted. Credit and debit card fraud cases top the chart of cybercrimes and there has been a six-fold increase in such cases over the past three years. "According to the data, about 46 per cent complaints of online banking related to/credit/debit card fraud followed by Facebook-related complaints (39 per cent -- mostly morphed pictures/cyber stalking/cyber bullying)," the study said. Other major cyber complaints were cheating through mobile (21 per cent), hacking of e-mail ID (18 per cent), abusive/offensive/obscene calls and SMS (12 per cent) and others. Enforcing data security measures and creating proactive security monitoring capabilities are vital for an organisation to maintain a lead over emerging threats and protect their financial, intellectual and customer-related information, the study said.
India's unfolding crisis: Govt schools short of 1 mn teachers
New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): With the cash crunch continuing, ans does the hardship of the common people, the popular support for Narendra Modi governments demonetising high denomination notes is declining, a survey said on Monday. According to the survey conducted by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles in which 8,526 people participated, only 39% now felt the implementation of the scheme has been good as against the 51% of the respondents who supported it about 3 weeks ago. 36% of respondents rated the scheme as being poorly implemented against only 25% 3 weeks ago. While demonetisation was a radical step, the respondents believed the government should have planned better to avoid the inconvenience, which should have eased by now,
ter a regional newspaper published that the bank was likely to lose its banking licence. According to the media report, the government was considering cancelling its license after 19 of its officials were found carrying out violative activities. Earlier, Axis Bank also said the reports alleging that regulatory action against the bank was under consideration, were false and malafide. "We would like to bring to your attention, the false and malafide news published in a regional newspaper alleging consideration of regulatory action against the bank," Axis Bank said in a BSE filing. "In this connection, we strong-
the survey said. With reports of over Rs 12 lakh crore demonetised currency already been deposited in banks and still over two weeks to go for the deadline, many respondents also questioned the efficiency of the entire exercise. Reports of seizure of large stashes of new currency across the country and multiple cases of bank personnel found to be involved in such collusion has also led to the decline in support of demonetisation, the survey said. Army pitches in to help at Dewas currency printing press The Army has pitched in to help out the Bank Note Press here, which is working round the clock to deal with the cash crunch across the country following demonetisation, officials said on Monday. The Army's help will also be tak-
ticle and we reiterate that the bank has strong systems and controls as per the norms prescribed by the RBI," the filing said. The news is intended to spread panic amongst the general public, demoralise the staff and damage the reputation of the bank, it said. Assuring its customers, investors and public, the bank said that it has a strong code of conduct and zero tolerance to any deviations from prescribed processes. "We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of governance in all aspects of our business and to provide the best services to our valued customers," it said.
en for distribution of the notes around the country, said Bank Note Press (BNP) sources. According to the sources, 200 men of the Grenadier Regiment arrived here from Gwalior on Sunday to help out at the press. The press, which has a daily capacity of two crore notes, is at this time solely engaged in printing the new Rs 500 notes, with all other denominations stopped. According to the sources, even retired personnel have been asked to help out at the press which is working around the clock, and the Army's help was sought due to shortage of personnel to man the press round the clock. The press at Dewas is among the four in the country where bank notes and currency notes are printed. The others are at Nashik (Maharashtra), Salboni (West Bengal) and Mysuru (Karnataka).
New Delhi, December 12 (pTi): Unilateral withdrawal of consent by a spouse at the time of mutual divorce without any grounds amounts to mental cruelty, the Delhi High Court has said. A bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Yogesh Khanna said this while dealing with a case filed by a husband against a trial court's order by which the couple, who got married in March 2004, mutually decided to separate. The bench noted that the respondent (woman) was always willing to abide by the terms and conditions of the settlement deed and had voluntarily given up her claim of alimony and honoured her commitment arising out of the settlement. "Thus, the unilateral withdrawal of consent by the appellant herein without any sufficient or just cause, in the circumstances, rather added to the cruelty meted to her," the court said. The trial court in June this year had allowed the woman's petition for divorce on the ground of cruelty. Challenging the trial court verdict, the husband moved the high court denying the allegation of cruelty and claimed that the issues were trivial arising out of child care, upbringing, interference of her parents, her repeated demand to live near her parents, her refusal to take care of his elderly and ill parents.
Brushing aside the man's claim, the high court said "the fact is where he has entered into a settlement with his wife and there being no allegation that he ever signed such settlement due to force, fraud or under influence and also when the respondent (woman) had acted upon such settlement by withdrawing her divorce petition; foresaking her claim to custody of their son and of her permanent alimony, then the withdrawal of consent would have a different connotation as it adds to the misery of the respondent." Upholding the trial court's order, the bench said the "unilateral withdrawal of the consent by the husband rather leads to an anomalous situation where the wife, a law-abiding lady, adhering to the terms and conditions of settlement, dated May 24, 2014 was left high and dry with a dead marriage and whereas the husband kept on enjoying his freedom without paying any maintenance, alimony". "The apology letter (of the husband) proves that he used to beat her, did not allow her to visit her home, cast aspersions upon her character, snatched her salary, took money from her father, which he did not return and rather asked for dowry, thus committed cruelty upon her," the court noted in its 15page judgement. The couple, both of whom are teachers, have been living separately since 2009.
India, Indonesia agree to cooperate on sea lanes security, defence New Delhi, December 12 (iANS): In what can be seen as a message to China on its claims over the South China Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and Indonesia have agreed to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes while prioritising defence and security cooperation. "My extensive conversation with President Widodo today focused on the full range of our cooperation," Modi said in a joint press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo following delegation-level talks between the two sides. "We agreed to prioritise defence and security cooperation," he stated."As two important maritime nations that are also neighbours, we agreed to cooperate to ensure the safety and security of the sea lanes, in
disaster response and environmental protection." Modi said that a joint statement on maritime cooperation signed after Monday's talks outlined "the agenda of our engagement in this field". "Our partnership will also extend to combating terrorism, organised crime, drugs and human trafficking," he stated. Besides the joint statement on maritime cooperation, the two sides also signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in the areas of youth and sports, and standardisation. The agreement on maritime cooperation assumes significance as several Southeast Asian nations have problems with China over the South China Sea. In July, an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Ar-
bitration (PCA) ruled that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the busiest commercial shipping routes in the world. The court accused China of interfering with the Philippines' fishing and petroleum exploration, building artificial islands in the waters and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone. China reacted angrily, calling the verdict null and void with no binding force and that "China neither accepts it nor recognises it". But Beijing has since decided to go for bilateral talks with Manila. Indonesia, the largest of the Southeast Asian nations, however, does not have any such issue with China. In Monday's address to the media, Modi said that Indonesia was one of India's most valued part-
ners in its Act East Policy. "It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. And, India is one of the fastest growing large economies in the world," he stated. The Prime Minister said that he and President Widodo agreed to build a strong economic and development partnership that strengthened the flow of ideas, trade, capital and people between our two countries. "I agreed with President Widodo to encourage Indian companies to work closely with Indonesia in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT and software, and skill development," he said. "As two developing countries, we also decided to move on infrastructure development two-way investment flows leveraging our respective capabilities." Modi said that both sides agreed for early im-
plementation of IndiaAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) free trade agreement in services and investment, and finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. "We also underscored the importance of deepening our two decades old valuable cooperation in the field of space," he stated. He also welcomed Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia's decision to commence direct flights between Jakarta and Mumbai as it would help boost people-to-people contacts. On his part, Widodo said that Indonesia wanted to increase bilateral trade ties and also diversify exports to India. A joint statement issues after the talks said India and Indonesia discussed the threat posed by global terrorism and other transnational crimes
and emphasised "zero tolerance" for terror acts. Modi and Widodo condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the strongest possible terms and commended the working of a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, a joint statement issued here said. The statement said the two leaders expressed "great concern" over the growing menace of terrorism and called upon all countries to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions on designating terrorist entities. They called upon all countries to work towards eliminating safe havens and infrastructure for terrorists, disrupting terror networks and finance channels, and stopping cross-border terrorism.
TuesdAY 13•12•2016
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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Egypt mourns victims of church bombing CAIRO, DeCembeR 12 (ReuteRs): Mourners packed an Egyptian church on Monday for a funeral service for 24 people killed in the bombing of Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral, while angry survivors accused authorities of security lapses. Tearful Christians gathered at the Virgin Mary and St Athanasius Church in Cairo where Coptic Pope Tawadros II prayed over the wooden coffins of the victims of Sunday’s bombing, one the deadliest attacks on the Christian minority in recent memory. On the walls hung banners bearing the names of the dead, many of them women. Several hundred people gathered in the Madinat Nasr area furious at being denied entry to the church, where admittance was by invitation only for the families of victims. There was also anger at hospitals treating the wounded. Five survivors at Dar alShefa hospital said police did not conduct the usual checks as the cathedral was particularly busy for Sunday’s mass. “There were large num-
Egyptian Christians shout slogans as ambulances transport the bodies of victims killed in the bombing of Cairo’s main Coptic cathedral after the funeral, in Cairo, Egypt on December 12. (REUTERS Photo)
bers so people entered without being searched,” said Mina Francis, who was in the cathedral with his mother who was killed in the blast. At least 24 people died and 49 were wounded when a bomb exploded in a chapel adjoining St Mark’s Cathedral, Cairo’s
largest church and seat of the pope. Security sources said at least six children were among the dead, with a bomb containing at least 12 kg (26 pounds) of TNT detonating on the side of the church used by women. The chapel’s floor was covered in debris from
shattered windows, its wooden pews blasted apart, its pillars blackened. Here and there lay abandoned shoes and patches of blood. “God protect Egypt from evil and protect all Egyptians,” Pope Tawadros told state television on Sunday, after cutting short
a visit to Greece. “In times like this we lean on each other, stand together and offer condolences to each other. This grief we will share together.” CHRISTIAN ANGER President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who announced three days of mourning
and vowed justice, is to attend a public ceremony later on Monday. Sisi is fighting battles on several fronts. His economic reforms have angered the poor, a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has seen thousands jailed and an insurgency rages in Northern Sinai, led by Islamic State’s Egyptian branch. The group has also claimed attacks in Cairo and urged its supporters in recent weeks to launch attacks around the world as it goes on the defensive in its Iraqi and Syrian strongholds. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but exiled Brotherhood officials and other militant groups joined the international community in condemning the attack. The United States said it would work with its partners to “defeat such terrorist acts.” The UN Security Council urged all states to cooperate with investigators to find the culprits. But Islamic State supporters celebrated on social media. “God bless the person who did this blessed act,” wrote one supporter on Telegram.
Though Copts have traditionally supported the government, crowds gathered outside the cathedral on Sunday demanding revenge for the attack that took place on a Muslim holiday marking Prophet Mohammad’s birthday and weeks before Christmas. Scuffles broke out as protesters accused police of security failures and demanded Sisi sack the interior minister. Some chanted “the people demand the fall of the regime,” the rallying cry of the 2011 revolt that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule. At Demerdash hospital, relatives sat outside the operating theaters dressed in black, tears streaming down their cheeks. The Health Ministry revised down the death toll from 25 overnight, but doctors said it was likely to rise as many people had suffered serious injuries and hospitals lacked drugs and equipment. Orthodox Copts, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt’s 90 million people, are the Middle East’s biggest Christian community. They face regular attack by Muslim neighbors,
who burn their homes and churches in poor rural areas, usually in anger over an inter-faith romance or church construction. The last major attack on a church took place as worshippers left a New Year’s service in Alexandria weeks before the start of the 2011 uprising. At least 21 people were killed. The circumstances remain a mystery and no one was punished. Egypt’s Christian community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014, ruthlessly targeting religious minorities. In 2015, 21 Egyptian Christians working in Libya were killed by Islamic State. “There were police cars stationed in front of the church gates .. I’ll tell you what they were doing, they were too busy eating breakfast and drinking tea and soda. They weren’t doing their job, they weren’t asking people going in and coming out,” said Hani Gaballah, 43, a retired military officer. “We have an incompetent government, look at the economy, we are surviving only because God is supporting us.”
English named as New Zealand prime minister Syrian army in “final stages” of Aleppo offensive
New Zealand Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English speaks to members of the media in Wellington, New Zealand on December 5. (REUTERS Photo)
wellINGtON, DeCembeR 12 (Re uteRs): New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English was confirmed as the country’s new prime minister on Monday, as expected,
a week after John Key announced his surprise resignation after eight years in the role. English, who was the sole contender for the job, announced Social Housing
Minister Paula Bennett as the deputy leader, following a special caucus meeting of the ruling centreright National Party. English, who will be sworn in later in the day, has already lined up senior cabinet minister Steven Joyce, the minister for economic development, to replace him in the finance ministry. He is expected to announce further cabinet changes in the coming weeks and has also signalled a “stocktake” on policy. “I am both excited and humbled by this opportunity,” English, who comes
from a conservative, Catholic family in New Zealand’s south, told reporters after the meeting. English, who 13 years ago oversaw a disastrous election loss for the National Party to the centreleft Labour Party, takes the reins of a country in good economic shape compared to much of the developed world. On Monday, Moody’s said it expects New Zealand to remain among the fastest growing of triple-A rated economies. English has held several ministerial posts across education, health and finance since he joined parliament in 1990.
‘Global methane emissions growing faster now’ New YORk, DeCembeR 12 (IANs): While the growth of carbon dioxide emissions has flattened out in recent years, global concentrations of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas and cause of climate change, are now growing faster in the atmosphere than at any other time in the past two decades, a study says. “The leveling off we’ve seen in the last three years for carbon dioxide emissions is strikingly different from the recent rapid increase in methane,” said study co-author Robert Jackson, Professor in Earth System Science at Stanford University in California. Methane concentrations in the air began to surge around 2007 and grew precipitously in 2014 and 2015,
the study found. In that two-year period, concentrations shot up by 10 or more parts per billion annually. It is a stark contrast from the early 2000s when methane concentrations crept up by just 0.5 parts per billion on average each year, the study said. Methane, Jackson said, is a difficult gas to track. In part, that is because it can come from many different sources. Those include natural sources like marshes and other wetlands. But the bulk, or about 60 per cent, of methane added to the atmosphere every year comes from human activities. They include farming sources like cattle operations -- cows expel large quantities of methane from
their specialised digestive tracks -and rice paddies -- the flooded soils make good homes for microbes that produce the gas. A smaller portion of the human budget, about a third, comes from fossil fuel exploration, where methane can leak from oil and gas wells during drilling. “Unlike carbon dioxide, where we have well described power plants, almost everything in the global methane budget is diffuse,” Jackson said. “From cows to wetlands to rice paddies, the methane cycle is harder,” Jackson noted. The results for methane “are worrisome but provide an immediate opportunity for mitigation that complements efforts for carbon dioxide,” the study said.
Things not to eat before going to bed New DelhI, DeCembeR 12 (IANs): One should eat carefully to stay fit and fabulous but keeping a check on your diet before going to bed needs extra attention as some food items have the tendency to disturb your sleep if taken regulalry. Sonia Narang, nutrition expert, Oriflame India, lists products that shouldn’t be consumed at night * Chocolate: Dark chocolates are considered as a healthy food that contains magnesium and antioxidants, but it also contains caffeine, which could keep you awake. So one should avoid it specially during night time as it may create hindrance in your sound sleep. * Nut Butter: Nut butter is a healthy source of fat. Also, it may help in losing weight but fats digest slow and may remain present in your stomach all night if consumed in large quantities, hence, may lead to disturbed sleep. So keep high fat foods like (nuts, cheese, cream sauces) relatively low at night. * Chilies and spicy foods: Chilies are healthy if made with the right mix of ingredients, but they are spicy, and may end up causing heartburn, if consumed late in the night and may result in killing your sound sleep. So heavy spiced foods should be avoided during night because if your sleep is disturbed, your health will deteriorate. * Greasy or fat-filled foods like pizza: Greasy, heavy, fatty foods would make your stomach overwork throughout night, resulting in disturbed sleep and
making you sluggish next morning. So foods like fast food, nuts, ice cream, or super cheesy foods should be avoided before bed. * Chinese Food: This is another food item that is important to avoid during night as the MSG (Monosodium Glutamate, flavour enhancer) found in Chinese food works in a similar manner as the caffeine would do in the body, making it really difficult to fall asleep. * Milk: Though we consider milk to be a rich source of protein and calcium, it may kill your sleep if you drink it before bed because of its lactose content that can create digestive issues in many individuals. Especially if you are lactose intolerant, you should definitely avoid it. * Red meat and other non-veg items: Eating red meats and other non veg items in large amounts at night will remain in your digestive system for long time and it will make it hard for you to get sound sleep while you’re digesting. So red meat and eating a large portion of chicken or pork may affect you the worst leading to troubled sleep along with weight gain. * Celery: Celery is a vegetable that act as a diuretic in the body, hence results in making you pee a lot. Hence you should avoid taking celery at night. * Rice: If large amounts of rice are taken at night, it encourages your body to store excess fat that it doesn’t need and make it harder to lose weight. It can also lead to water retention.
AlePPO, sYRIA/beIRut, DeCembeR 12 (ReuteRs): The Syrian army and its allies are in the “final stages” of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse in an evershrinking enclave, a Syrian general said on Monday. A Reuters journalist in the government-held zone said the bombardment of rebel areas of the city had continued non-stop overnight, and a civilian trapped there described the situation as resembling “Doomsday”. “The battle in eastern Aleppo should end quickly. They (rebels) don’t have much time. They either have to surrender or die,” Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh, head of the government’s Aleppo security committee, told reporters in the recaptured Sheikh Saeed district of the city. Rebels withdrew from all districts on the east side of the Aleppo river after losing Sheikh Saeed in the south of their pocket in overnight fighting, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It meant their rapidly diminishing enclave had halved in only a few hours and Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman described the battle for Aleppo as having reached its end. The rebels’ sudden retreat represented a “big collapse in terrorist morale”, a Syrian military source said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, is now close to taking back full control of Aleppo, which was Syria’s most populous city before the war and would be his greatest prize so far after nearly six years of conflict. The Russian Defence Ministry said that since the start of the Aleppo battle, more than 2,200 rebels had
surrendered and 100,000 civilians rusalem Brigade, the general said. had left areas of the city that were The mostly Sunni rebels include controlled by militants. groups backed by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies as well REBELS as hardline jihadists who are not supWhile Aleppo’s fall would deal a ported by the West. stunning blow to rebels trying to reA correspondent for Syria’s offimove Assad from power, he would cial SANA news agency said the army still be far from restoring control had taken control of Sheikh Saeed, across Syria. Swathes of the country and more than 3,500 people had left remain in rebel hands, and on Sun- at dawn. day Islamic State retook Palmyra. The Observatory reported that the Tens of thousands of civilians re- jihadist group carried out eight exemain in rebel-held areas, hemmed in cutions of Syrian soldiers and allied by ever-changing front lines, pound- militiamen in Palmyra on Monday ed by air strikes and shelling, and while warplanes bombarded their without basic supplies, according positions around the city. Another to the Observatory, a British-based four people, including two children, monitoring group. Rebel groups in were shot dead while the jihadists Aleppo received a U.S.-Russian pro- cleared the city, it said. posal on Sunday for a withdrawal of fighters and civilians from the city’s CIVILIANS opposition areas, but Moscow said The Russian Defence Ministry no agreement had been reached yet said on Monday that 728 rebels had in talks in Geneva to end the crisis laid down their weapons over the peacefully. previous 24 hours and relocated to The rebel official blamed Russia western Aleppo. It said 13,346 civilfor the lack of progress in talks, saying ians left rebel-controlled districts of it had no incentive to compromise Aleppo over the same period. while Assad was gaining ground. “Displaced people are moving,” “The Russians are being evasive. They said an Aleppo resident. Some were are looking at the military situation. moving from areas controlled by the Now they are advancing,” he said. The army to opposition areas, while othU.S. National Security Council also ers were going in the opposite disaid, in a message passed on by the rection. Some were staying at home American mission in Geneva, that waiting for the army. Moscow had rejected a ceasefire. The Observatory said that four weeks into the army offensive at least FIGHTING 415 civilians, including 47 children, The Syrian army is backed by Rus- had been killed in rebel-held parts of sian war planes and Lebanese and the city. Hundreds had been injured Iraqi Shi’ite militias supported by by Russian and Syrian air strikes and Iran. Its advances on Monday were shelling by government forces and its aided by a militia of Palestinian refu- allies on the besieged eastern part of gees in Syria, the Liwa al-Quds or Je- the city.
Taiwan frets at being pawn in any Trump re-set of US & China ties tAIPeI, DeCembeR 12 (ReuteRs): U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States could link its policy on Taiwan to trade negotiations with China prompted concerns on the island that it may become a pawn in wider superpower discussions. “Trump’s comments regularly mention Taiwan. What advantage is this giving Taiwan? This is something we must consider,” Johnny Chiang, an opposition Nationalist lawmaker, told reporters. “Otherwise, among the superpowers, when we are betrayed, we won’t even realize it.” Trump told “Fox News Sunday” he fully understood the “one China” policy, “but I don’t know why we have to be bound by a ‘one China’ policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.” On Saturday, Chinese military aircraft flew over waterways near Taiwan as part of long-range exercises, Taiwan said. The exercises came a week after Trump took a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. It was the first such contact between a U.S. presidentelect or president and a Taiwan leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979.
Flags of China and Taiwan flutter next to each other during a rally calling for peaceful reunification, days before the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, in Taipei, Taiwan. (REUTERS File Photo)
China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own - known as Beijing’s “one China” policy - and has never renounced the use of force to take back what it deems a wayward province. China lodged a diplomatic protest over the call and blamed Taiwan for what it called a “petty” move. Tsai has never recognised Beijing’s “one China” policy. A month after she took power in May, Beijing cut official communication channels with Taipei. Her ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) traditionally advocates in-
dependence for Taiwan. “It looks like in Donald Trump’s mind (Taiwan) is a useful tool to pick the most sensitive nerve of China,” said Alexander Huang, chairman of the Council on Strategic and Wargaming Studies in Taiwan and a former Taiwanese government policymaker. Huang said it was too early to tell what Trump was angling at, but the real message could be about “a fair deal or a quid pro quo” between the U.S. and China. Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang declined to comment
about Trump’s Sunday comments. But Huang told Reuters: “When Taiwan is seen as a contributor in regional politics or regional security then you won’t be ignored nor used as a pawn for others.” Taiwan defence minister Feng Shih-kuan told lawmakers in parliament on Monday the timing of China’s air drill seemed “a bit coincidental but if they do it again in December, then it indicates they are testing where they need to improve their capabilities.” “This is ‘attacking with words and scaring with weapons’,” he said, adding that he expected the frequency of military drills by China to increase. For diplomaticallyisolated Taiwan the risks are high as the United States is its only major political ally and sole arms supplier, while China is one of the island’s largest trade partners. Fitch on Monday warned that major economic shocks to Taiwan from cooling relations with China were a lower probability, but “the risks around this baseline have risen.” “On foreign policy, (China) is pretty rational except for one or two things and Taiwan is one of them,” said a foreign representative in Taiwan. “It’s like which of my 10 fingers do you want me to chop off.”
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tUESDAY 13•12•2016
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Shiva, Devendro storm into boxing nationals finals Guwahati, December 12 (iaNS): Local favourites Shiva Thapa (60kg) and Laishram Devendro Singh (52kg) registered contrasting wins to storm into the finals of their respective weight categories at the ongoing Senior Boxing National Championship here on Monday. Representing Assam, Shiva battled a serious injury on his forehead to outbox Punjab's Vijay Kumar by a 5-0 unanimous decision in a close semi-final contest in the Lightweight category at the Sarusajai Indoor Stadium. The 23-year-old Shiva, who was allegedly headbutted during his quarterfinal encounter by his opponent Ashok from the All India Police (AIP) on Sunday, however, did not let his injury hamper his game on Monday. After completely dominating the first round, the Asian Games gold medallist quickly gained the upper hand in the second round by flooring his opponent before the Punjab boxer managed to retaliate to some extent. Throughout the bout,
Vijay focussed on Shiva's forehead but the Assamese boxer smartly managed to keep himself out of his opponent's range. In the final three minutes, Shiva counter-attacked with a volley of punches before flooring Vijay once again as the referees wasted no time in delivering a 5-0 unanimous verdict in favour of the World Championships bronze-medallist. "It was a tough bout, semi-finals can never be easy at any tournament. But today, at the same time, I had to save myself from being hit on my forehead which my opponent was targetting," Shiva told IANS
after his bout. "Satisfied with today's performance, but I have to stay focussed for the final tomorrow and also take care of my injury. Hopefully it turns out to be an exciting contest." The two-time Olympian will now take on Haryana's Ankush, who beat Vikas Malik of the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) by an unanimous 5-0 verdict. Accusing his Sunday's opponent Ashok of "intentionally" hurting him during the quarter-final bout, Shiva said: "He played a dirty game. It was beyond the spirit of the game." Meanwhile, another
crowd puller in the North East, Manipur-born Devendro had to overcome some anxious moments in the ring before beating Maharashtra pugilist Anata Chopre 3-2 in their Flyweight category semifinal tie. The diminutive 24-yearold will now take on Chandigarh's Deepak Singh in the final on Tuesday. In the Light Flyweight (49kg) category, RSPB's Shayam Kumar emerged too powerful for Maharashtra's Akshay, as the referees ruled the tie 5-0 in favour of Kumar after the first round. Kumar will now take on Haryana's Amit, who entered the final after a walk-
21st Winter Cricket Challenge
DimaPur, December 12 (mexN): The 21st edition of the Winter Cricket Challenge, scheduled to begin from December 19 at Local Ground Wokha will witness teams from outside the state. The tournament will also coincide with the WCC Night Carnival from day one till the grand finale. The cricket lovers of Wokha district will once again get the opportunity to behold cricketers from other state with one time semi finalist, Team Golaghat, Assam, confirming their participation in the tournament. Teams outside the state will get a direct entry in the second round which means Team Golaghat will be in the second round of the covetous trophy. The opening ceremony will be held at 10:00am on December 19. Thungdeno Mozhui, PD, DRDA, Wokha, will open over from Services Sports the tournament as the Chief Guest of the Control Board (SSCB) box- opening ceremony. The closing ceremony er Bahadur Rana. In the Bantamweight (56kg) category, SSCB's Md. Hussamuddin outplayed Uttarakhand's DimaPur, December 12 (mexN): Sheran Sandhu 5-0 to set The Jalukie Pumling Youth Organisation up a summit clash against (JPYO) kicked-off its 1st sports meet here Haryana's Akshay, who at Multi Disciplinary Sports Complex Jaovercame a close fight 4-1 lukie today. The event was declared by from Andhra Pradesh's Masangum Hiekha, PS to Chief Minister of Nagaland as the chief guest of the inauguGidi Venkta. In the Light Welter- ral function. The chief guest in his speech weight (64kg) category, encouraged the gathering emphasizing RSPB boxer Rohit edged more on present generation youth, he said 3-2 past Sandeep from the All India Police squad. th In the final, Rohit will face SSCB's Thomans Meitei who thrashed Manipur's Roshan Singh 5-0 in their semi-final bout.
will be graced by Er. Albert Ovung. As announced earlier the last date for confirmation and submission of form will be on December 15. Interested teams may avail registration form from N. K. Enterprise, Tsumang Colony, Wokha Town till noon December 15. The fixtures of the tourney shall be drawn on December 16 at 3:00pm. Teams may note that no teams shall be entertained after the last date for submission of registration form. As a part of a celebration for the years of its existence, the organisers have decided to hold Winter Cricket Challenge Night Carnival throughout the tournament. The last date for registration for the night carnival is December 17. For all necessary queries one may contact the members of the Senior Noble Klan at seniornobleklan8@ gmail.com or contact 9456800930/94364 28049/8258836499.
First JPYO sports meet kicks off
we must move forward together with vision and action, stating that vision without action would be more like a good dream which vanishes together as we wake up from the good sleep. He also encouraged the youth to inculcate work culture and venture out in various field of business for independent livelihood. The sports meet was participated by 60 badminton doubles and 6 volleyball teams.
ZASA 29 sports meet begins
Monchengladbach, Leverkusen win in German Bundesliga berliN, December 12 (iaNS): Andreas Christensen's winner helped Borussia Monchengladbach beat Mainz 1-0, while Stefan Kiessling's header secured Bayer Leverkusen a late 1-0 win over 10man Schalke to close the 14th round of Bundesliga action. Borussia Monchengladbach's eight game winless streak came to an end on Sunday, as they secured a 1-0 victory on home soil against Mainz, reports Xinhua. After a slow start from both teams, Mainz were able to work out the first chances through Karim Onisiwo, who got stopped twice by defender Christensen just in the nick of time. Monchengladbach lacked in penetration and were unable to
gain a foothold into the game before the break. After the restart, Andre Schubert's men created their first opportunities of the game, but Raffael wasted a promising chance after pulling wide for the edge of the box. The hosts were, however, able to break the deadlock through setpiece as Mainz failed to clear the ball from the area allowing Denmark international Andreas Christensen to poke home from close range in the 76th minute. Mainz responded with attacks, but their equalizer from Pablo De Blasis was disallowed due to an alleged foul play in the 88th minute. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Jean-Philippe Gbamin was sent off for his second
bookable offence in the dying minutes of the game. With the win, Monchengladbach return to their winning ways and move from 13th to 12th in the standings, whereas Mainz slipped from 10th to 11th place. Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen reaped a late 1-0 victory over resilient 10-man Schalke as Stefan Kiessling was late on target. The 'Royal Blues' ensured the worst possible start into the game as Naldo was sent off with a straight red card after committing a professional foul to Javier Hernandez in the second minute. Despite being one man down, Schalke's counter attacks posed a threat for Leverkusen's defence.
But Yevhen Konoplyanka remained sloppy on the finish and squandered two golden chances following fast breaks. Uninspired Leverkusen failed to take advantage of Schalke's red card as the hosts continued to work out chances through Konoplyanka and Sead Kolasinac. Nevertheless, Schalke's wastefulness got punished late in the game as Stefan Kiessling nodded home a Javier Hernandez free kick into the box to secure the win with two minutes left. With Sunday's results, Schalke suffered their second straight loss to drop from eighth to 10th position, while Bayer Leverkusen jumped from ninth to eighth place.
MLA Azo on his arrival during the 29th meet of ZASA at Zuketsa on December 12.
Phek, December 12 (mexN): The 29th meet of the Zuketsa Area Sports’ Association (ZASA) got underway at Zuketsa in Phek district today with MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Azo exhorted the youth to exhibit the good qualities of discipline, sincerity, punctuality and courage, which, he said, are pre-requisite for true sportsmanship. Azo gave a clarion call to the youths and the whole Nagas that the prime time to revolutionize our work culture, attitude and positive mindset is the need of the hour to excel in the areas such as education, sports and a vibrant economy.
Stating that 'Talent win games but it is team work that wins championships', Azo asserted that winning and losing is part and parcel of the game and every team cannot be winners as life is a combination of both success and failures but both are responsible for shaping and moulding us to be fine successful men and women. The inaugural function was chaired by Wekhrope Marhu while welcome address was delivered by ZASA president. Azo was accompanied by president Chakhesang Wrestling Association, president PDVFA and vice president Chakhesang Public Organization and several others.
public discourse APPEAL TO PASS THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BILL Just a few minutes to grant us our rights, demand people with disabilities! It’s been a six year long wait for 10% people of India. People with disabilities in the country have waited for a legislation that will bring them closer to their goal of equality and justice. And now so close to achieving it, a cruel twist of fate has blocked their dreams. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Bill which was tabled in the Rajya Sabha last week is yet to see the light of the day, as the Parliament has repeatedly been disrupted and adjourned. Parliament is reconvening on 14th December. We have three days to pass this Bill. It will take just a few minutes to change the lives of nearly 10 crore people. People with disabilities want only sixty seconds in the Rajya Sabha time to help change their destinies. It may be pointed out that no party opposes any aspect of this Bill. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill will affect the lives of close to hundred million disabled people in India who struggle everyday to lead a life of dignity and equality and of equal opportunity. Their struggles against discrimination and deprivation had reached a crescendo which resulted in the Bill. Some highlights of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill are given below: The Bill covers 21 categories of disabilities. People with Autism, Neurological impairment, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Hemophilia, learning disabilities and several other impairments will benefit from the passing of the Bill. The earlier Act (Disability Act 1995) covered only seven categories of disabilities. The Bill provides rights to people with all disabilities which didn’t exist before like * right to equality and non discrimination * right to home and family * access to justice * protection from abuse, violence and exploitation
* protection from cruelty and inhuman treatment * right to inherit and own property * reproductive rights * accessibility of buildings, transportation, information, communication, technologies, media and electronic goods and has timelines to make them accessible. * Increase in reservation in higher educational institutions from 3% to 4% for persons with disabilities. With an improved definition of disability, a lot more people would be covered. * Increase in Government and public sector employment from 3% to 4% for persons with disabilities and covers more categories of people with disabilities like intellectual impairment, mental illness, autism, multiple disabilities, etc. * Increase from 3% to 4% reservation in all poverty alleviation programmes. With improvement in definition of disabilities, more people will benefit from programmes. Further, it says quantum of assistance to persons with disabilities under social security schemes and programmes shall be at least twenty-five per cent higher than similar schemes applicable to others. Recognising “disability cost and making a provision for it would be a major gain. * Reservation in allotment of agricultural land and land for purpose of housing, business, recreation, etc. which will help people with disabilities to acquire assets * Punishments and penalties have been added for those who violate the provisions of the Bill. People with disabilities of India are demanding that the Members of Parliament allow the Upper House to function if only for a few minutes so that the RPwD Bill can be passed. We appeal to them not to let politics triumph over the lives of millions of persons with disabilities. Diethono Nakhro, Executive Director CAN-Nagaland and Member National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Naga Nationalism and the Death of God: A Reflection Dr. Salikyu Sangtam Tetso College
“G
od is Death. God remains death.Andwehavekilled him.” These were the words of the 19th century German Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche. For Nietzsche, the death of God was an indication of the spiritual and moral crisis in the modern society, a crisis in which we have ceased to lead a life centered on God. As he further goes on to remark,“Whatafterallarethesechurches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?” In other words, God not only is death, but the churches signify the evidence of His death: the catacomb for what once was. This observation by Nietzsche is relevant for any society, especially in our highly uncertain society. As society modernizes, religion no longer plays the same prominent role that once permeated the whole of life. Life in modern society cannot and does not center on religion. Rather, it is slowly but surely secularized, eventually, instituting itself as one out of numerous compartments or sections of life in which we are religious one day a week or four days per month. This secularization of religion is evident by the fact that religion has become organized and institutionalized. Hence, we have copious numbers of church councils and associations corrupting the original message of the Christ. The compartmentalizing of life in modern society clearly diminished the importance of religion, where we have days set aside for national holidays, for work days, and for observing religious sacraments. One could certainly see such to be the case even in our society that is only just wheeling out from traditional towards pseudo-modern society: we have days for national and state holidays, working days, and days for religious holidays and rituals. And such segmentations have heavy religious implications, whether we choose to accept it or not. Readers must understand that religion serves as a source of communal unity. Besides its functions as a guide for ‘moral,’ ‘spiritual,’ and ‘after’ life, religion also functions as a means to attain social cohesion that enables collective identity, i.e. to inhibit divisions. And in our society, conversion
to Christianity came with a sense that the cleavages among various tribes can be sundered away and that one united collective identity (‘Naga’) can be attained. No doubt, Christianity has become the common denominator and ‘Nagas’ as, somewhat, its inchoate common identity among the various tribes. However, what were left out of such utopic visions were the consequences brought about in the process of constructing collective identity. Even though tribes adopted Christianity, the conversion failed to address the prevailing tribal identities, which were the products of many generations. That is to say, Christianity failed to negate tribal identities, which were more dearly held (even more than being a Christian) by its members, as their primary identity. Christianity, claiming to be a universal religion in which its members belong to the same community of God, failed to realize that human identities created out of sociohistorical circumstances cannot just disappear even in the face of religion. It failed to realize that man is inherently bad and is inherently prone to divisions. Thus, our society today—even though some may vehemently maintain that we are not fragmented by citing shallow examples of festivals, intertribal unions, and so forth—is highly divided: tribalistic. With Christianity failing to ascertain a sense of oneness with one indivisible identity, the obvious natural successor became nationalism: Naga Nationalism. The rise in Naga nationalism has much to do with a sense of creating a concrete indivisible identity in which religion had tried and failed than to do with the demand for an independent nation. This sentiment is fueled by the need for certainty which religion had hitherto provided. However, this time our society turned to a social-political force, Nationalism, rather than a religious force, Christianity. With that, nationalism became the new god, the religion after the “death of God.” Nevertheless, the problem is that Nagas have, at best, an inchoate identity about themselves. By which I mean, we are still confused about who we are, i.e. which tribes constitute the ‘Naga’ and which do not as well as the unremitting primacy of tribes as the principal source of one’s identity. It is essential to remind ourselves
that nationalism is truly realized when members derive their principal identity from the society as a whole, not their tribes, clans, kinships, etc. In other words, Naga as an identity will only be realized when ‘nagas’ identify themselves first and foremost as Nagas, not their tribes, clans, etc. As long as this is not understood fully with all its subtle nuances, all the talks about Naga Nationalism will perennially remain an abstract idea. Therefore, in my opinion, the best way to understand Naga Nationalism is from this viewpoint, the inherent need for a united society in which people are aware of who they are in relation to each other. This is the perennial need of any human society. The point I am trying to make here is that the ascent of nationalism in our society is an inevitable process. Christianity had tried, but it failed because it was never meant to be the adhesive for the creation of a concrete identity. Indeed, most societies have to go through stages where religion had to be relinquished since it served as a hurdle to the realization of nationalism. We better not forget that most of the bloodiest wars in human histories have been fought not between religious groups but among its members along sectarian divisions: Christians against Christians, Muslims against Muslims. So, what does this, then, tells us of religion and identity? Naga Nationalism is and will not be an easy task, nor will it be realizable as is usually assumed. Rather, just as religion had failed in creating a cohesive identity for the society, Naga nationalism will too succumb to the same outcome, even if we do manage to construct a unified identity. Of course, I am by no means saying that Naga nationalism will come to not at the present moment. Rather, Naga nationalism will develop over the next generation or so, and, just like any instrument that has been overused, it will be depleted and drained of its appeal and usefulness. And soon, another ‘label’ (whatever it may be) will become the new ideal, the new religion, the new god towards which the society strives to attain. Humans are bound to create divisions even where none have hitherto existed; we may even find excuses for creating divisions for economic or political reasons, one only need to look at the world’s revealed religions and
their innumerable denominational divisions. Much in the same way, nationalism will perhaps create the same kinds of divisions even among its own members. The point is that issues of identities ought to be the least of things society should worry about. For, in the end, there will always be divisions created over the most nonsensical and preposterous of reasons. Indeed, how can unity be realized when we conform to an ideal or a label we’ve created for our own selfish social, political, and economic gains. This is why, as history has shown, no sense of collective or group identity survives. It shows the intrinsic fallibility of us and our ideals—religion, nationalism, or otherwise. I wanted to end in an optimistic tone, but that would be disingenuous. Thus, I will conclude by noting that religion has become a joke in which the hypocrisy of Christianity fills peoples’ heart with hatred, and so today our society is a society of indifference. What the ‘self-righteous’ and ‘morally superior’ church councils, members, organizations, and associations preach and proselytize only mocks the inner sincerity of what Christianity once entailed, for such a scenario is possible today because “God” truly “is dead” and “remains death.” And not only the churches, but the deceptive actions of the church, its members, and church councils testify to the death of God. After all, if God wasn’t death, why would churches be insincere in their deeds? To paraphrase Dostoevsky, since there is no God, all is permissible. Thus, we see the insincerity of the churches and the ascent of abstract ideals such as nationalism. For Nagas, nationalism is seen to be divine, a divine calling. It is divine because we need something else to replace the God we’ve killed, for the divine exists no more. Nationalism is the new god; thus, we’ve got tribal churches, church councils and associations vehemently and zealously advocating Naga Nationalism. This is because even the church members, councils, and so forth realize that “God is Death” and so they fanatically cater to worship and sing paeans to their new god: Naga Nationalism. We’ve put in God’s place, with the most enthusiastic help from the church, an abstract ideal that cannot come to pass.
Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
Tuesday 13•12•2016
EntErtainmEnt
Daniel Craig may
Nagas shine at 12th ADDA Short Film Festival
return as James Bond
T
wo out of three entries from Nagaland have won awards at the 12th edition of ADDA Short Film Festival held at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio, Guwahati from December 10-11. ‘Oh my Soul!’ exploring everyday challenges of the transgender community by Kivini Shohe won Best Documentary Film while a collaborative effort ‘Songs of Marbles’ (credited to Tiakumzuk Aier) jointly won the Best Films Honours along with ‘The Poster’ directed by Ashif Khan of Punjab. ‘Songs of Marbles’ is a metaphoric representation of the menace of extortion in the society using the game of marbles. Another film from Nagaland, ‘Blissful’ by Bendang Walling was also among the 20 films selected for competition at the festival. The jury comprising of renowned film makers Gautam Bora and Bhaskarjyoti Das along with writer Manikuntala Bhattacharya selected the films for the competition for fiction, documentary and animation. ‘Aborohan’ directed by Bijan Bikash Brahma won Jury’s Special Mention while a new category instituted this year - Best Cinematography was bagged by Amio Ranjan Das for ‘Little Hearts’ According to the organiser, this year more than 50 films came for the competition section with entries not only from India but also from Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh, Italy and Nepal. ‘Gudh’, India’s only entry into this year’s Cannes Film Festival had a special screening in the festival along with ‘93 Not Out’, ‘Tezpur 1962’, ‘Kokar Kand’, ‘Little City’, ‘Blues’ etc. Talking to The Morung Express about the ‘Songs of Marbles,’ Tiakumzuk Aier said that though his name was credited for entry into the festival, the film was collaborative effort of 9 people conceptualized during a nine-day filmmaking workshop organized by Films Division of India in Dimapur, Nagaland in October 2015. Using marbles as a metaphor, the film explores the nuances of extortion by exploring its various facets, he added. It was also part of a special package from Northeast presented at the 14th Mumbai International Film Festival which happened from January 28 – February 3, 2016. Besides bieng invited to various festivals, Shohe’s ‘O My Soul’ had bagged Best Documentary Film at the Northeast Film Festival 2016, held in Itanagar in February. ADDA is the first ever short film festival in the whole Northeast region of India started by group of young independent filmmakers, cine technicians and some veteran film personalities from Assam for promoting alternative, new and creative cinema in the region. (Morung Express News)
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A
ctor Daniel Craig might play popular fictional character James Bond again. The "Spectre" actor could be convinced to sign up for another 007 movie by the producer of his latest theatre project, "Othello", reported AceShowbiz. Barbara Broccoli, who brought in Craig in 2006 for the string of
hits "Casino Royale", "Quantum of Solace", "Skyfall" and "Spectre" is serving as producer for the play and it is believed that she would "ask the actor to reprise his role for the upcoming Bond 25." "Daniel thinks of himself as a serious actor, and he wants to stretch his artistic muscles. And Barbara really believes in his talent. For her
to do this (play) for him is a gift- of course she wants him back - this is going to entice him to make another Bond movie," a source said. Meanwhile, Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, Michael Fassbender and Jack Huston were previously rumored to replace Craig as James Bond.
tops box office for third straight week
D
isney's animat- SOME audiences went ed film 'Moana' elsewhere, the Harry Potter Source: PTI holds on to the prequel, "Fantastic Beasts top spot at the box office, with Paramount's holiday film 'Office Christmas Party' debuting in second place. Diane Hodges reports.
Naga Tattoo Art revival
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he Naga traditional hand-tapping method of tattooing was done at the Hornbill Festival 2016. This was a historic event as it was the first time that traditional tattooing was being done in public and that too “after more than sixty years of the practice being banned in Nagaland.” Earlier this year, Mo Naga, the tattoo artist along with his others traveled to Mon district and received the Konyak tattoo tradition from one of the few traditional tattoo artists remaining. They learnt how to make needle sets out of palm thorns, natural fibre and bamboo and how to prepare the ink from tree resin. “We were blessed to meet this particular Anghya (in the Konyak community it was only the Anghya who could give tattoos) and even more so that she wanted to support our endeavor to revive the Naga tradition of tattoo art,” stated a press re-
lease received here. She is now 83 years old and losing her eyesight and because she was apprehensive that Christians might object to her tattooing (to demonstrate to us) we agreed not to divulge her name, at least for a while. At the Hornbill Festival, since it takes a lot of
time to prepare a traditional tattooing session, only one person, a German national who was the first to book this session received a tattoo in the hand-tapping method. It was a special moment when some Konyak in warrior finery dropped into the tattoo hut to check out what was hap-
pening. Many more tattoos of Naga motifs and designs were also given using the modern tattoo machine. The Naga Tattoo Art revival programme was supported by the Directorate of Tourism, who provided the team at Hornbill a hut as a fitting 'studio space' at the festival.
The animated Disney film, Moana, remains t h e ' h e ro' of the North American box office. The movie about a teenage girl trying to save her people collected nearly 19 million dollars this weekend to hold on to the number 1 spot for the third week in a row. Movie-goers apparently were ready. Paramount's "Office Christmas Party" took in 17.5 million dollars in its opening weekend. Jennifer Anniston and Jason Bateman lead an ensemble cast to second place at the box office. Even though
and Where to Find Them", still came in third at the box office. The Warner Brothers' film snagged nearly 11-million dollars in weekend sales. Rounding out the top five..... is "Arrival" at number four, with 5-point-6 million dollars. And the fantasy science fiction film, "Doctor Strange" at number 5. It took in 4-point-6 million dollars. Source: Reuters
AKM to organize ‘We Care IV’ concert Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400
Underworld Blood wars (english) Virie and Zaza perform at Nagaland Legislator’s Christian Fellowship pre- Christmas programme on December 12 at State Banquet Hall, Kohima. (Morung Photo)
AKM officials and organizers of We Care IV charity concert in aid of Mokokchung Law College after addressing a press conference at AKM Office, Mokokchung on December 12.
T
he Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) is all prepped up to organize ‘We Care IV’, a charity concert in aid of Mokokchung Law College. The concert, featuring some of the top local bands and artistes, will be held on December 15 at Imkongmeren Sports Complex under the theme ‘Resurgence’ with BS Nganlang, ParliaYoung Dancer Group performs during the inaugural function of the 53rd meet of Secheku Range Sports Association on mentary Secretary for Land December 12 at Losami village under Phek district. (Morung Photo) Resources, Excise & Natural Calamities, Nagaland as chief guest. This will be the fourth edition of the ‘We Care’ charity concerts organized by the apex Ao Students’ Conference. The first one was held in the year 2007 in aid of Tuli flash floods and Mokokchung land slide victims and the second edition of ‘We Care’ was organized in 2009 in Nagaland Chamber Choir presents special number at Nagaland Legislator’s Christian Fellowship pre- Christmas pro- aid of AKM Free Coaching Class while the third was gramme on December 12 at State Banquet Hall, Kohima. (Morung Photo)
John lennon
warned about death
T
he Beatles legend was tragically gunned down by Mark Chapman on the New York island of Manhattan in 1980, but was reportedly given a warning about the event by a Greek astrologer during a holiday to the country with wife Yoko Ono in 1969. The couple were so spooked by the warning, they cancelled a planned yachting trip around the Greek Islands with singer Donovan, filmmaker Nico Mastorakis has revealed.
The story has emerged now that Nico is selling a three-minute silent film of the couple walking through the streets of Athens, which
John Lennon was warned he’d be ‘’shot on an island’’ 11 years before his death. he discovered during a clear-out of his house. He told the Sunday Times newspaper: ''John and Yoko assumed the shooting would be on a Greek Island.'' In 2000, Yoko spoke to Nico about the omen, saying they were right to ''be careful'' but they did so ''in the wrong way''. She said: ''I totally believe that some people are psychic and the message comes through some people. ''In our case, she told us that, but we were not careful in the way
we should have been. ''We were careful, but in the wrong way as we did not go to the Greek Islands.'' The previously-unseen footage is expected to fetch around £15,000 when it goes under the hammer at Bonhams' Auction House on Thursday (15.12.16), and will be packaged with a signed statement detailing the shooting prediction, as well as photos of John holding the video camera to prove authenticity. Source: Contact music
organized in 2011 in aid of Ao Milen, the Ao vernacular newspaper published by AKM and said to the oldest newspaper in Nagaland. We Care IV is being organized by AKM with the objective of generating a targeted sum of Rs.10 lakhs which will go towards Mokokchung Law College Corpus Fund. This was disclosed by the president of AKM, Jemti Longchar today. The Mokokchung Law College, he said, was inheritance that belonged to the whole Ao community as it was established in 1981 with contributions from each Ao household then. The AKM during its Golden Jubilee conference held in 1979 at Longkhum village passed the resolution to establish the college which came to fruition two years later. Mokokchung Law Col-
lege, offering LLB course, is presently being managed by a governing body with the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung as the chairman and the principal of the college as member secretary. There are 100 students enrolled in the college this current academic year. Convener of the organizing committee of We Care IV, Tinu Longkumer said that the concert will feature the bands Tune Up Channel, Beyond Sunday, Infuse, Samaro and Lenjeter as well as a number of artistes including Imnasenla Aier, Ayusangla and Yangerjungla, with Incipit as the ‘guest band’. It was also added that there would be a ‘raffle draw’ along with the concert. The organizers requested all well wishers to witness the concert and enjoy responsibly. Morung Express News
“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.”– Anne Frank
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Ward 5 (6) Burma Camp, Landmark - Near J.K Hospital Dimapur. Power House.
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The Governing Body, Principal, Teaching and Non-teaching Staff and Students of Unity College take immense pleasure in congratulating its members for achieving success and glory in their relevant endeavours.
Ms. Vilokali Zhimomi (2nd Semester) Miss Nagaland 2016 Miss Sumi 2016
Mr. Imnamaong (4th Semester) Bassist for SNF Band Winner of Hornbill International Rock Contest 2016 Your achievements are a reflection of your whole-hearted efforts and determination. We wish you more success in the years to come. Ms. Elizabeth Chophy (6th Semester) Runners-up Miss Dimapur 2016
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12
TUESDAY 13•12•2016
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Champions League Draw: Arsenal get Ashwin leads India to series win over England Bayern again, Barcelona meet PSG
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ZURICH, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Arsenal will have another chance to beat Bayern Munich in a Champions League knockout tie after the sides were paired yet again in the round of 16 following Monday's draw. The teams met at the same stage in 2005, 2013 and 2014 with the German champions winning on all three occasions - 3-2 on aggregate in 2005, on away goals after a 3-3 draw in 2013 and 3-1 in 2014. Paris St Germain will also try to break a jinx when they face Spanish
champions Barcelona, who knocked them out in the quarter-finals in 2013 and 2014. Holders Real Madrid, who like Bayern finished as runners-up in their group and will therefore play the first leg at home, were given a tricky clash with Serie A side Napoli. The draw also produced a potential grudge match as it pitted Bayer Leverkusen against Atletico Madrid, whose respective coaches Roger Schmidt and Diego Simeone were involved in an ugly touchline spat when the sides met two
seasons ago. On that occasion, Atletico went through on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw. Arsenal may feel this could be their best chance to beat Bayern, whose domestic and European form has not been as dominant as in recent seasons. "We are through to the knockout stage for the 14th consecutive season, which is testament to Arsene Wenger and the teams throughout that time," club secretary David Miles said. "The fans will think we have got the rough end of
the draw again - at some stage the tide has got to turn and we will beat them." Serie A champions Juventus were drawn against Porto in a repeat of the 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup final which the Italian side won 2-1. Sevilla and English champions Leicester City will meet for the first time as will Manchester City and AS Monaco. Benfica and Borussia Dortmund will renew their rivalry after a 52-year wait, the sides having previously met in the 1963-64 European Cup.
MUMBAI, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin blew away England's lower order resistance to spin India to a crushing series-clinching victory on the final day of the fourth test at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. The touring side, who resumed the final day on 182 for six, were only able to add 13 runs to their total as Ashwin (6-55) took all four remaining wickets in a little more than half an hour and the hosts won by an innings and 36 runs. The five-wicket haul was the 24th for the world's topranked test bowler and his seventh 10-wicket haul, after the 30-year-old also took six wickets in England's first innings, inspired India to an unassailable 3-0 lead. England had beaten India in their last three test series including a 2-1 triumph on their last visit to the South Asian country in 2012 but the tourists have been thoroughly outplayed by the hosts since drawing the opening match in Rajkot. "This series win is probably the sweetest of all we've won so far in the past 14-15 months," India captain Virat Kohli said at the presentation following his side's fifth series victory in a row. "It could not get any better. "To win at Wankhede,
India's Virat Kohli (L) celebrates with team mates after winning the match. REUTERS
going three-nil against a top quality side that has beaten us convincingly last two times, it feels really good." Trailing by 49 runs entering the final day, England's hopes of making India bat again rested on a pair of wicketkeeper-batsmen -- Jonny Bairstow, who was unbeaten on 50 overnight, and Jos Buttler. Bairstow, however, misread Ashwin's 'carrom' ball, a finger-spinner delivered with the knuckle, to be struck in front of the wicket after adding just a run to his overnight score and was unable to overturn the leg before decision on review.
wicket in each of his next three overs to bring about a quick end to proceedings as England's lower order capitulated meekly. There were some angry words exchanged between James Anderson and the India players when the England number 11 walked in to bat with the umpires forced to intervene to prevent the incident from escalating further. On what has been a generally dismal tour for England, they also picked up an unwelcome statistic of becoming just the third side in test history to compile 400 in the first innings and still lose by an innings. ANGRY EXCHANGE "Historically on this Ashwin then claimed a ground 400 is a good score
in the first innings and in the second innings, we had our chances," rued England captain Alastair Cook. "We've just not taken those chances. "We were in the game for three days but not good enough to take those opportunities and that's what cost us." Ashwin, who has won the man of the series awards in each of India's last four test series, took his tally to 27 wickets from the four matches against England. Man of the match Kohli, who hit 235 in India's massive first innings total of 631 for his third double century of the year, leads the runscoring list with 640 at an average of 128.
53rd Secheku range sports makes colourful start Golfer Jaidee hopes to break into top-50 Sports promotes unity, peaceful atmosphere: Yitachu
Our Correspondent Phek | December 12
T
he 53rd meet of Secheku Range Sports Association (SRSA) made a colourful start today at Losami village under Phek district with Minister for School Education & SCERT, Yitachu as the chief guest. Gracing the inaugural function, Yitachu said that sports promote unity, peaceful atmosphere and better understanding among the community. In this, he called upon the people to develop better relationship through sports and build a healthy society.
Minister Yitachu and others with the players on December 12. (Morung Photo)
He stated that sports keeps one physically fit and healthy, adding that tension free and positive attitude surrounds the mind
of a sportsperson, which in return contributes to well being of the society. He maintained that society sees progress if the citizens of that
society are healthy. While pursuing the sports activities, he also challenged the youth to give due importance to education to broaden their horizon. Stating that the world class sportspersons too started their journey from the grassroot level, he also encouraged the Naga youth to do well from the village, range and district level, which would connect them to top sports arena one day. Further, the Minister also encouraged them to think big and involve in the field of sports in true spirit. SRSApresidentVepekhro Doulo said that sports generates positive and constructive
energy. He called upon the participants to involve in the field of sports with dedicated mind of sacrifice, endurance, good habit, sincerity and discipline to excel. Out of 11 units under SRSA, 9 units comprising Losami, Enhulumi, Mesulumi, Thetsumi, Sumi, Zelome, Chizami Town, Chizami village, Razieba are taking part in the meet. Two villages Tsupfume and Zhavame could not turn up this time. The meet will conclude on December 16 with Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) President Kekhwengulo Lea as the guest of honour.
BAngkOk, DECEMBER 12 (IAnS): Thai golf veteran Thongchai Jaidee will have one last chance to battle his way into the worlds top-50 before the year is over when he tees up for the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship from December 22-25 at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club in Thailand. Having failed to finish in 12th place or better at the recently concluded UBS Hong Kong Open, the Asian Development Tour (ADT) season-ending event offers Jaidee the ultimate hope to break into the top-50, which will pave his way in qualifying for all the Majors and World Golf Championships in 2017. "I've one more week at the Boonchu Ruangkit championship and I hope to do well then. I'm going to take a rest at home but also spend some time at the gym to build up my physical fitness," world No.52 Jaidee said in an Asian Tour release. The 2016 season has been memorable year for the decorated Thai star. He won the 100th Open de France in July and represented his country in the Olympics and the
World Cup of Golf. The 47-year-old was however plagued by his putting woes in Hong Kong which put a dent on his title ambitions and ranking hopes last week. "My iron play was very solid as I didn't miss too many fairways. But unfortunately my putting was not. I missed too many putts. It could have easily been a top-10 finish if I putted well," said the three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, who finished tied for 14th in Hong Kong.
Isinbayeva urges IAAF to reach compromise on Russia ban Atletico want Club World Cup win for Chapecoense MOSCOW, DECEMBER 12 (RE- cused on the Olympic Movement. try, an independent WADA report to become IAAF president, I gave
UTERS): The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) must reinstate Russia as soon as possible to prevent the country's athletes from stagnating, Russian AntiDoping Agency (RUSADA) chair Yelena Isinbayeva has said. The Russian Athletics Federation was banned in November 2015 after an independent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) study exposed widespread statesponsored doping and the IAAF confirmed last week that the ban will run into next year. "I want to believe soon they will find a compromise. We have done everything they asked -- we did it even before Rio 2016," the Russian former pole vaulter told insidethegames.biz, a sports website fo-
"I hope soon that we can compete internationally otherwise we will have no chance to develop the sport in Russia, we lose visibility otherwise," the double Olympic champion and world record holder added. The suspension was upheld following an appeal earlier this year, ruling all but one Russian track and field athlete, long-jumper Darya Klishina, out of the Rio Olympics. "We must find a solution as the worst thing has happened already -- we missed the Olympic Games. Russia must be allowed back," the 34-year-old Isinbayeva said. "A line needs to be drawn under the situation, otherwise it could go on for years." In the latest blow to the coun-
said on Friday that more than 1,000 Russian competitors across more than 30 sports were involved in an institutional conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests. Isinbayeva, who also won three world championship golds and set 28 world records, also lashed out at IAAF President Sebastian Coe and called for any doping investigations to be expanded globally. "How could IAAF consider athletes who have been suspended twice for doping clean and allow them to compete while I was not?" Isinbayeva said in a separate interview with French sports daily L'Equipe, referring to American sprinter Justin Gatlin. "When Coe asked my support at the beginning of his campaign
it to him without asking questions. Then he put me on the list with everyone else. "He did not take into consideration who I am, my history, the absence of doubts (on my performances)... Sebastian Coe has had no respect for me and it hurt me. "Yes, Russia is poisoned by doping... but to focus the investigations on one country is a political act. I hope that Mr McLaren's investigation will be extended worldwide." As well as her role with RUSADA, Isinbayeva was elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission during Rio 2016 and has also been appointed to the Executive Board of the Russian Olympic Committee.
MADRID, DECEMBER 12 (REUTERS): Atletico Nacional want to win the Club World Cup as a tribute to tragedy-struck Brazilian soccer club Chapecoense, midfielder Jhon Mosquera said on Monday. Most of the Chapecoense team perished in a plane crash that killed all but six of the 77 people on board as they approached Medellin airport late last month to play the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico. The Copa Libertadores
and Colombian champions arrived in Osaka on Saturday still reeling from the shock of the tragedy but must shift their focus to Wednesday's semifinal against local side Kashima Antlers. "The team (Chapecoense) is always in our hearts and our minds," Mosquera was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency. "Every time we play and we win, it is a homage to their team. I think the entire world soccer community has been affected
by this tragedy and everyone will remember them forever. "We are all happy to be here because it's a dream to be participating in this tournament," Mosquera added. "We want to do whatever we can to get to the final. "We've always watched the games and we think it's an amazing tournament. It gets a lot of attention because the world's best teams are here and we have a great opportunity here. We have plenty of motivation to win."
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