December 14

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www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 344

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook

[ PAGE 2]

CIA medics aided, complained about tactics [ PAGE 09]

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 08]

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Kohima Downhill - Steep But Surmountable

Creed singer World is watching Scott Stapp threatened Kashmir to kill polls: Modi Obama

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Sunday, December 14, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Anton Chekhov

Aussie fight to win Adelaide test [ PAGE 12]

nagaland coal Mining – A concern

Primitive methods of coal mining leading to environmental and social pollution

(LEFT): One of the coal mining tunnels through which miners can eventually go down 400 feet even. (CENTRE): Water bodies in the mining areas get rapidly destroyed due to Acid Mine Drainage, which refers to the out flow of acidic water from coal mines. (RIGHT): Mining leads to active deforestation, notes a recent report. (Photo courtesy: Green Theology students of Clark Theological College)

Mokokchung, DeceMber 13 (Mexn): In the coal mines of Mokokchung district, miners go down to 400 feet deep tunnels with one safety tool: a candle. The dim flame is an indicator to cracks inside the mine; a crack would mean collapse of the entire tunnel burying everyone inside.

“The system of coal mining still remains quite primitive with no support and use of modern technology or implements,” says a recent report prepared by the final year student of the Green Theology class from Clark Theological College. 16 students of the class, accompanied by two instructors, surveyed a coal mining area in Mokokchung district.

The unsafe methods of erratic coal mining give rise to myriad ill effects.

In terms of noise pollution, the study reports that schools and study hours of students in the region are being rattled by the roaring of large excavators and trucks all around the clock. The aged are deprived of their peace and it disturbs concentration and mental well being of the people living nearby. As a result of chemical reactions, rivers, streams and other fresh water sources used for drinking and farming are polluted, making it poisonous. Miners suffer from serious

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

respiratory problems as the inhaling of the poisonous gas has serious impact on human health affecting the lungs and the respiratory system. The soil in the mining area has lost its fertility. There is rampant deforestation.

These are just a few instances of the effects of coal mining postulated in the report.

The social problems arising from the mining is worse. “Boundaries are lost between villages and individual land owners.

As a result problems and misunderstandings are often created leading to tension,” noted the study. Then, wide economic differences among the villagers have come up as the rich become richer and the poor remain poor; Use of alcohol and other intoxicant objects are on the increase especially among the youths of the village. Easy money results in spending of wealth lavishly. Due to lack of a proper dumping site, villages are affected in various ways.

“The sole objective of coal mining in the region is profit making, completely negating hazardous effects of coal mining on human life and ecology. The practice of coal mining has been rapidly growing in the recent years as it brings huge financial benefits to the owners of coal mine and contractors,”

reclamations; Due consideration for economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially equitable mining projects; Protection, maintenance and rehabilitation of natural habitats through ecorestoration measures; Reducing deforestation and promoting afforestation; Developing regulatory framework and environmental, health and safety standards; Mining operations should be kept at minimum in order to preserve the paddy fields and animal fodder and to maintain the ecosystem.

The survey by the students of Green Theology was done to understand what is coal mining; its usage and importance; its impact on the people and to the environment and to create awareness among the people; to equip the students to transform the churches- local congregationsinto intentional communities of creationcare and healing through their informed, committed and creative involvement and leadership towards ecology; to engage in vocations of eco-justice ministries both in church and society in solidarity with the social movements of our times. It was part of their course curriculum, under the syllabus of Senate of Serampore University.

Dimapur | December 13

er Belt Colony, Dimapur.

Commenting on the deplorable roads in Dimapur, Jamir said that all “the funds are there, but it goes up in the air without even turning a single stone in more than a decade.”

“There is money for urban development but diverted elsewhere and Dimapur, the gateway and commercial capital of Nagaland, is neglected like an orphan,” he rued.

Hinting at the corruption in allocation of houses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) and

President of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), SI Jamir, stated today that Nagaland has become a “commission State,” with every stakeholder constantly searching for such avenues. “The politician and Sir, you`re on Facebook and public servants are preTwitter, You must have done occupied with earning a something wrong. commission. The general public are also mostly searching for money without working,” he stated on the sidelines of the silver Washington, De- jubilee celebration of RivceMber 13 (ians): The landing of the Philae probe, the first by a man-made probe on a comet, has been named Breakthrough of the Year 2014 by Physics World magazine. “History was madeat15:35GMTon12November2014whenthePhilae module touched down on the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a comet 511 million km from Earth and hurtling towards the inner solar system at nearly Our Correspondent 55,000 km/h,” physicsworld. com said in a statement.

Peren | December 13

how deserving individual are ignored, he said, “The houses are given to those who have them, and are rented out to those without houses.”

Citing the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and non-announcement of any economic packages, Jamir asserted that there is “no free lunch” anymore and the people must look after themselves.

He hinted at taxation as a medium of development.

“We have learned only to take but not to give,” he stated.

Jamir further main-

tained that fifty years of statehood has only taught us to get money from the centre and distribute among top officials.

“Where will the common person go,” he questioned.

When The Morung Express asked him about the recent allegations that a Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary had asked for 10 per cent commission from contractors and the subsequent denial from the latter, the NPCC president maintained that he will “speak out the fact at an appropriate time on an appropriate forum.”

‘Women should be given the right to inherit land’

Parl Secy Yitachu stresses on ‘wholesome package’ of education to uplift socioeconomic conditions

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Corrigendum

Apropos a ‘public discourse’ article carried by this newspaper on the December 13 issue, it is hereby clarified that its title should be read as ‘NSCN (IM) rejoinder to the 18th Assam Rifles’ and not as rendered. The inadvertent error is regretted.

Findings: • Air, noise and water pollution adversely affecting human life and the environment • Loss of soil fertility, affecting vegetation and animal life • Deforestation leading to loss of resources • Adverse effects on landscape and roadways • Social problems, such as tensions between villages and land owners, economic disparity, increase in use of intoxicants and widens economic differences Suggestions: • Proper preparation of environmental impact assessment in selecting, sitting, planning and designing on mining projects.

• Proper implementation and environmental management plans to reduce air, water, and soil pollution.

• Proper execution of occupational health and safety issues.

• Protection, maintenance and rehabilitation of natural habitats through ecorestoration measures.

• Developing regulatory framework and environmental, health and safety standards.

• Mining operations should be kept at minimum in order to preserve the paddy fields and animal fodder and to maintain the ecosystem.

Nagaland a ‘commission’ State: NPCC president ‘Conflicting issues must be localized’ Morung Express News

Breakthrough of the Year 2014

stated the report.

Due to this narrow objective, the whole process of mining is affected. According to their findings, the group noted that some of the villagers are said to have received some basic training in mining from coal mines in Meghalaya. The networks for the sale of coal produce are in the hands of contractors. The contractors are often the land owners themselves and in some instances non-locals. Around Rs. 40-60,000 per load of truck are charged, depending upon the quality of the coal.

“There is no governmental aid or training given to the villagers with regard to coal mining. The labourers working in the mines are mostly hired from outside Nagaland and very few locals,” it was informed.

Not disregarding the economic value of coal mining, the study makes some suggestions. Proper preparation of environmental impact assessment in selecting, sitting, planning and designing on mining projects; Proper implementation and environmental management plans to reduce air, water, and soil pollution; Proper execution of occupational health and safety issues; Proper management of tailings, soil erosions and

Parliamentary Secretary for school education, Yitachu, today said that wholesome package of education is essential to uplift socio-economic condition of the State.

He stressed on the need for transforming the system of education by providing equal opportunity to both the male and female in all spheres of life.

Yitachu expressed dismay that

many girl children in Naga society had to forego higher studies to give a chance to their brothers to pursue higher education. He said that women should be given the right to inherit land and immovable properties. This, he said, would help bring the real sense of Naga unity.

“We should not be complacent about attaining 81.11% literacy rate,” he said, maintaining that quality education mattered most to determine a progressive society.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebration of Gaili Youth Organization (GYO) here this morning as chief guest, he urged them to identify the aspects of failure as well as success in the last 50 years, bury past mistakes if any, and carry forward good deeds.

Yitachu advised the youth to give extra labour in whatever area they

are lacking and take a resolute stand to cope with the competitive world.

After matriculation, one has to put utmost attention for another five years to achieve their target and enjoy the rest of their life, he said.

He maintained that Gaili area, blessed with fertile soil, can do ‘marvellous’ in agro-based activities provided a systematic economic plan is adopted. Yitachu challenged the people whether they can withstand their daily bread if supply of essential commodities is cut off from outside for 2-3 months.

He said a time has come to focus on self- sufficiency in food production as well as food security.

Earlier, GYO president Heibwading Haikube delivered presidential address. The golden jubilee celebration will go on till December 17.

Tuensang situation under control, Families urged to return home

area “thereby to issue the necessary order to control the inflammatory situation.”

“However, the lackadaisical attitude on the part of the Administration rather contributed immensely in creating this ‘Animal’s Raj’ in the Administrative Head Quarter of Tuensang Town,” stated the statement from W. Athong, general secretary of the YTC and Akiu, its information secretary.

The incidents that were brought to the notice of the DC, according to the YTC, are: Damaging and burning down of cornfields and barns/huts of the fields of Yimchuger Community at ‘C’ Saddle Village on December 8; kidnapping of Kiuthsangla Yimchunger and her daughter Chilula Yimchunger of ‘C’ Saddle Village from their fields on December 9; beating of Yimchunger youth in presence of Police personnel at Tuensang town on December 12; arson attack on 17 Yimchunger houses completely razing down to the ground at ‘C’ Saddle Village in the wee hours in the camouflage dresses of Indian Reserved Police on December 12; and kidnapping of two Yimchunger males from ‘C’ Saddle Village on December 12.

“The inhuman acts and the gross violation of human rights towards the Yimchunger Community by the Chendang Village in connivance with Tuensang Village has crossed the limits of human tolerance hence any retaliation on the part of Yimchungers and for any unforeseen future consequences, the Administration shall be solely responsible,” maintained the YTC.

tuensang, DeceMber 13 (Mexn): A meeting of State and non State officials from Tuensang district has appealed “to all that any conflicting issues must be localized instead of drawing on communal line.”

This was stated in a press release from T Mhabemo Yanthan, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Tuensang, forwarded by Robert Longchari, Addl. DC, Tuensang. It was informed that the meeting happened on December 13 between officials from the District administration, Police, ENPO, KU, CKS, USLB, PPC and ENSF at the DC’s Conference Hall, Tuensang.

The meeting also appealed to “every family members in Yimchunger community who have left Tuensang town in view of the current imbroglio to return to their homes,” stated the DC. He also informed that the people have “moved out” of their homes in Tuensang Town “due to fear psychosis” arising from the prevailing situation. The district administration is currently in the process of making an assessment of how many people have “moved out” of their homes.

Section 144 CrPC (curfew) has been promulgated in Tuensang town since December 12 “till such time as the situation returns to normalcy,” informed the DC. However, this newspaper has received ‘No tribal issue’ no official notification of the said promThe Chang Association, Tuensang, said ulgation. Police personnel have also been today that the situation in Tuensang is an placed at strategic locations, said the DC. issue between Chendang and Kuthur villages, and not between two tribes. “There is YTC allege absence of rule of law no tribal issue,” said executive secretary of Meanwhile, the Yimchunger Tribal the Chang Association, Ongmang Chang.

Council (YTC) has alleged that there has The two tribe apex bodies, however, have been “complete absence of Rule of Law” been intervening to make peace between in Tuensang district. It “deeply regretted” the feuding parties. “We are trying our best to “make it known” that the DC Tuensang to control the situation,” said Chang, addwas “timely and constantly” intimated ing that the situation today is more under about the “law and order” situation in the control than on December 12.

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Kohima Downhill - Steep But Surmountable

A rider files of the ramp at the Kohima Downhill, a mountain biking race, organized by Native Station in Kohima.

(Photo by Kevi Viswentso)

KOHIMA, DECEMBER 13 (AGENCIES): Traffic, noise, congested streets and IT guys. These words do a pretty good job at summarising India and its cityscape.

Far too reminiscent of every megacity you have seen, isn’t it? But we’re not talking about a Mumbai or a Delhi. We’re talking about a small town in the far east, in the state of Nagaland!

Kohima is the capital of Nagaland and home to a newly formed adventure sports collective.

In our quest to scour the country and find breeding grounds for adventure sports, we got in touch with Native Station, a Nagaland-based foursome with a vision. Turns out, problems like traffic, congested streets and pollution have become very real issues out here as well; something we learned from one of the founders of Native Station: Yan Kikon, an IT guy by profession.

Their next event, the Kohima Downhill, is a mountain biking race which is just around the bend as we speak.

Yan talks about the event (and mountain biking in general) gaining traction in a land that is otherwise uninitiated to adventure sports. He makes a peculiar remark about the traffic situation saying, “On a good day, I whiz pass the traffic jam and reach office in 30 minutes maximum, which would take me almost one and half hours to reach by car . . . a lot of interest is generated now especially among young professionals and school/college kids buying new bikes and riding with us. . . It is picking up really fast now.” He sounds optimistic today, but we gather things haven’t always come easy as far as hosting the race is concerned.

If you guys can ride cycles in Kohima, you are superman MTB in Nagaland wasn’t well received at the onset and NS had a hard time dodging the cynics and their dry

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Young and old participates in the social work at Lake View Colony on December 13. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News Dimapur | December 13

A mass social work organized by the Lake View Colony Council, Dimapur was conducted today where many residents took active part in cleaning the roads and clogged drainages in the colony. Talking to The Morung Express, Chairman of the colony stated that this was the third mass social work conducted in the colony this year. This is being undertaken with the understanding that “cleanliness is next to Godliness” and appealed the residents to keep

NCS (Gr-IV) SEA informs

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DIMAPuR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): The Nagaland Civil Secretariat Gr-IV Staff Employees Association members have elected a new team of office bearers. The team includes Y. Shahkam Jemphang-president; Mengutuo Kense – Vice president; Imlitemjen Ao- general Secretary; S Aremo Lotha-finance secretary and Khriekrietuo Angami-treasurer.

Reminder on Nyamo Lotha Road

DIMAPuR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): The Dimapur District Lotha BG’s Union has acknowledged the DC Dimapur Wezope Kenye for reminding all concerned that the road starting from Deluxe Police Point to Dhobinallah police point via Holy Cross Hr Sec School shall stand as “Nyamo Lotha Road.” The DDL(GB’s)U in a press release has requested all concerned to comply with the instruction of the DC Dimapur.

“More than 15 years has passed without proper maintenance except for some minor repairs once in a long while”

the colony clean.

He however lamented that the approach of the colony leaders to the Administration, Naga Council (which looks after Naga Cemetery) and the concerned area MLA has been disheartening as none could give assurance to repair the road, which is in a most deplorable condition. An elderly from the colony stated that the road leading to Naga Cemetery, where ever Naga in Dimapur is being laid to rest after his soul is departed from the body, has been neglected for many years. “More than 15 years has passed without proper

PuNGlwA, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): A team of experts led by Sub Inspector Lichemse Sangtam, Company Commander, Home Guards, Dimapur conducted one day Disaster Management training at Sainik School Punglwa on December 11. This was one of the many activities being conducted in NCC Combined Annual Training Camp II (CATC-II) from December 8 to 17 at Sainik School Punglwa, Nagaland. The team of experts organised lectures cum demonstrations on fire fighting, rescue operations and first aid measures. It was attended by 136 cadets of Junior as well as Senior Divisions of NCC and entire staff with families. The programme was organised under the initiative of MLA, SI Jamir releasing the souvenir during the silver juCapt (IN) Kanchan Mukherjee, Principal and support from bilee celebration of River Belt Colony (RBC), Dimapur on S Akhu Kath, Deputy Controller, Civil Defence and District December 13. (Morung Photo) Commandant, Home Guards, Dimapur.

Morung Express News

Training on water quality monitoring & surveillance C M Y K

PEREN, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): The training Water quality monitoring & surveillance was conducted to the WATSAN Committee members under Peren District on December 10 at Peren Town, organized by the PHED Peren Division under the aegis of WSSO PHED Nagaland Kohima. Er P Khetoi Sema, Executive Engineer, PHED Peren Division delivered a brief introduction on the function of WATSAN Committee. He also spoke on the mandatory collection of water fee from the village which is to be maintained in a register setting a specific target for water collection. Er. Ichirang Zeliang gave a brief highlight on the objective of the training under topic of water quality monitoring and surveillance. Binsaniu, IEC Consultant, gave a demonstration on FTKs to the villagers.

Dimapur | December 13

The River Belt Colony (RBC), Dimapur today celebrated its silver jubilee at the Don Bosco Hr Sec School Campus with the president of NPCC and MLA, SI Jamir as the chief guest and former Addl. Chief Secretary, T N Mannen, IAS (Retd) as the Guest of Honour.

The colony lying in the vicinity of Duncan Bosti, Nuton Bosti and Supply Colony was formally instituted with the consent of the aforesaid colonies and formation of 9 member River Belt Colony Council. It was also become one of first government recognised colonies in Dimapur with its registration on September 1992.

Recollecting the bygone years, Yevuto Kiba G.B, a RBC council member and a residents since 1973, stated that one of the unique achievement of the colony that the absence of the ‘disturbance’ and peaceful co-existence of its different communities. He also led the gathering in observing a minute silent remembering the pioneers and

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maintenance except for some minor repairs once in a long while,” he stated.

The colony council stated that the road has been neglected for a long time and appealed the concerned authority to take necessary steps to repair the road. They also reflected on the possibility of having enforced a bandh for all vehicles including trucks bound for the FCI godown near Naga Cemetery and vehicles carrying death bodies to the cemetery but was not implemented on humanitarian ground. It has appealed to its MLA to take up the issue Our Correspondent in the District Planning Development Board.

River Belt Colony turns 25

Disaster management training at SSP conducted

retorts. The sport was new to Nagaland and novelty was clearly their kryptonite. Despite initial resistance, two years on, there are 20 ‘supermen’ riding around within Kohima itself.

Native Station is fairly new and very much in its infancy, having been funded privately by the founders themselves. As the story goes, after 5 long months of mapping things out, they got their paperwork in place, built a website and approached the Government; fully convinced that adventure sports can boost tourism in the state.

Who races downhill? It’s too easy. . . You should organize an uphill race (un)Surprisingly, the Government babus weren’t too keen and had their own requests. That’s when NS decided to look at sponsorships. Funding: check.Local businesses and schools also took to the idea favourably, seeing the impact it would make on the social-economic state and fitness levels of the community. Participants: check.

Green flags from the village authorities.

With all formalities taken care of, things started looking good for Kohima Downhill as local village authorities granted permissions and more than 40 enthusiastic bikers emerged! Not bad for a new venture even before they could begin with official advertisements and publicity!

Not too steep. Not yet.

The sport still rests on a brand new chassis and the path is untested. While NS plans on taking things easy for this year’s edition, there will still be plenty of pedals down the trail. From December 6, 60 MTB riders grappled with the terrain scurrying down the hill, including 30 riders from Nagaland (from over 100 enthusiasts) and 30 from the rest of India. The riders aged 15 years and older took on a 1.5 kilometres of a scenic, serpentine path. An event that managed to throw some serious torque into the adventure sports scene in the North East.

An auto passes by a stretch at Lake View Colony road where an auto-rickshaw recently flipped trying to maneuver at the edge, giving side to an incoming vehicle. (Morung Photo)

away and the owner of the vehicle will be challaned as DIMAPuR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): In view of the per section of law. festive season and in the interest of public service, the office of the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur, has issued 4. The entry point at NL Road till the CHSS Football ground (Parking area) is designated as “No Parking the following directives for regulation of vehicular traffic.

Area” on the above mentioned period.

1. Christian Higher Secondary school (CHSS) Football ground will be utilized as parking area w.e.f. Decem- 5. For smooth flow of traffic, all vehicle users are requested to park in the assigned parking lots and avoid douber 15 to 22 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. ble parking in the town area.

2. The safety of the vehicles parked in the said area will be All vehicle users are informed to take note of the above the responsibility of the driver/ owner of the vehicle.

3. The vehicles found parked after 7:00 pm will be towed timings and regulations and comply with the same.

DIMAPuR, DECEMBER 13 (MExN): The NCSU Dimapur has informed all its members and well-wishers that the Union office will remain closed from December 17 to January 14, 2015. The Union also wishes all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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Directives for regulation of vehicular traffic in Dimapur

NCSU Dimapur office closure

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Concern over illegal immigrants in Nagaland

LVCC residents undertake social work

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The Morung Express

departed soul from the colony.

The Chairman of RBC, Mepu Imchen in his felicitation highlighted some works that the Council are doing ‘behind the scene’, which among other things includes ensuring hygienic supply of food in hostel through regular checking; checking price and quality of food and other items in shops; regular assistance to Mother Teresa Home and 50% concession for the colony youth in training institute in its colony and so on. He also felicitated pioneers and old citizens of the colony. Another commendable feature of the colony is the inclusion of incumbent Principal of Don Bosco Hr. Sc. School, Dimapur as a member of the colony council, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour TN Mannen complimented the RDC on its 25th anniversary and stated his happiness on learning that nearly 376 families from different communities, both from outside and Nagaland are blending in a ‘peaceful harmonious co-existence’. “The colony is one of the model colonies of Dimapur,” he said.

He further urged the colony members not to rest on the laurels but carry forward the harmonious living as it enters marches further on. “Know your citizens rights, demand it but also remember your citizen duties,” he extolled the denizens of the colony. He also encouraged them to be self reliant and change the dependency mentality on government.

The chief guest, SI Jamir opening his speech in a lighter vein informed that he has stopped going to most function in recent years because the people are not concern about what the speaker ‘talks’ but how much the person contributes and whether it would cover the cost of the function. However, he said that he made a concession for the colony as he has special affinity towards it as it incidentally is his constituencies.

Jamir further rued that bad habits has taken over the Naga society and the three virtue of simplicity, honesty and hard work has disappeared from the Naga society.

“If these virtues are not bought back, the next generation will be much worse,” he added.

Lauding the on achievement of the colony, he further urged them continue to harmonious relation and work together for development and welfare of the colony. He also released the Jubilee Souvenir.

The other highlight of the day includes a soulful rendition by Arenla and party, and a scintillating performance

by Lipok Meren. The programme was lead by Vikuto Robin; invocation by Rev. N. Tzudir, Pastor DABA; and vote of thanks by Rev. Fr. Joshua SDB Principal of Don Bosco Hr. Sc. School, Dimapur. The function concluded with a grand fest for all the congregation.

Peren | December 13

Nagaland Government Ist Class Register Contractors Union (NG1CRCU) former president KC Angami today expressed concern over the illegal immigrants in Nagaland. Gracing the golden jubilee celebration of Gaili Youth Organization (GYO) at Gaili village as the guest of honour, he said illegal immigrants have become a big issue, particularly for places around Kuda plains.

“Illegal immigrants are found in the fields, in the shops, almost everywhere in Nagaland. If it goes on like this without check, we will become minority in our own land and this is very dangerous,” he said.

On the other hand, he said if the people take up every work by themselves, then illegal immigrants will not come. “But once you employ them in the fields or elsewhere they will contin-

KC Angami

ue to stay and grow.”

In this, he encouraged the people to take the decision to do all works by themselves before it is too late.

He also called upon the people to develop work culture.

Stating that Gaili village is popular for its rich soil, he said, “Your climate, your water and such other natural gifts are plenty.” He continued that a place like Gaili with its good soil can easily support “you and your family.” This way, you can live independent lives and work for the welfare of your village. He also asked them not to remain idle but engage in whatever small projects they can do.

Stating that youth is considered to be the army of the village, he called upon them to give their best in everything they do to uplift the image of village. He also released a souvenir of GYO.

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(TOP) Mao Baptist Church Youth Department presenting a choral during the 25th years anniversary of the youth department (BOTTOM) Sunday school kids presenting a chorography during Mao Baptist Church Youth Department 25th years anniversary under the theme ‘Celebrating God’s Faithfulness’ at Mao Baptist Church, Dimapur on December 13. (Photo by Caisii Mao)

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REgional

The Morung Express

M'laya suggests withdrawal of map Survey of India 'faulted' on contours Shillong, December 13 (The Telegraph): Meghalaya has asked Survey of India to withdraw the 2009 map of the state which has left out Langpih, besides Blocks I and II, deemed as "disputed areas" with neighbouring Assam.

"The revenue department has suggested to Survey of India to withdraw the map of 2009," a source said.

The source also said that the department had recommended to Survey of India to ensure that all maps, including the state's, carry in future a caveat or remark to the effect that "the inter-state boundary with Assam is yet to be verified".

The inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam has been lingering for years and the 2009 map of Meghalaya

clearly kept Langpih (Lampi in Assam) and the Blocks I and II out of its purview.

The map was published by Survey of India under the direction of the surveyor-general of India, Dehradun.

However, another map which was prepared in 1979-80 by then joint director, Meghalaya Surveys, clearly showed Langpih along the West Khasi HillsKamrup boundary, as an area within Meghalaya while Blocks I and II were shown as "disputed" sites.

The 1979-80 map of the inter-state boundary between Meghalaya and Assam was done in accordance with the definition of sub-para (2) of paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

There are 12 areas of difference between Assam and Meghalaya. These are

Upper Tarabari, Gizang reserve forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah-Matamur, Khanapara-Pillangkata, Deshdemoreah, Block I and Block II, Khanduli-Psiar and Ratacherra.

These areas cover an area of 2,700 square km. Of this, about 1,500 square km area is under Blocks I and II. While Block I comprises areas of difference between Meghalaya and Assam in the Jaintia Hills-North Cachar Hills districts, Block II is along the Ri Bhoi-Karbi Anglong districts.

The two blocks had been transferred to then United Mikir and North Cachar Hills district on April 13, 1951.

On steps being taken to resolve the inter-state boundary dispute with Assam, the Meghalaya government has iterated

that it has built a "strong case" to support its claims by presenting supporting documents.

"These documents are of ample evidentiary value and could eventually pave the way for establishing our claims. Intervention of the Centre in the matter has been sought," the source said.

The Meghalaya government has also been demanding setting up of a Boundary Commission to resolve the pending imbroglio.

However, during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju said the Centre had advised Assam and Meghalaya to settle the inter-state boundary dispute "amicably" while making it clear that the Centre's role is only to work as a "facilitator".

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14 December 2014

gUwahaTi, December 13 (pTi): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the much-awaited reshuffle of his ministry will be done in January with dropping of "some" existing ministers.

"I have postponed it due to Assembly session beginning this Monday. The portfolio change with new minister coming in will be done in January," Gogoi told reporters here. Without dropping any hint, he said some existing ministers will be dropped during the reshuffle.

When asked if the Congress high command has approved it, Gogoi said, "I have not given any list to high command yet." The Chief Minister said many angles have to be considered before inducting a new minister. "We have to see whether a proper representation of religion, caste, region is there in the Ministry or not. Along with these, efficiency factor must also be there," he added.

Gogoi also informed the Police Commissionerate system for Guwahati

aizawl, December 13 (pTi): One person was today killed and nine others were injured when an under construction steel suspension bridge over river Tuipui in south Mizoram's Lunglei district collapsed.

Lunglei District Additional SP Stephen Lalrinawma told PTI over phone that the bridge collapsed at around 1 pm and one of the injured died at the government hospital in nearby Hnahthial town. He said the

condition of five injured persons is stated to be serious while that of one is described as 'very serious'. Though there has been no investigation by technical persons, the bridge seems to have collapsed after the main string slipped from the base, Lalrinawma said.

State Public Works department officials said the contractor of the bridge is Kolkata-based Guha Niyogi and Associates which began the con-

Manipur: Demand to introduce Tripura power projects' capacity to rise ILP Bill in winter assembly ment and the committee on ILP has assured to introduce the report of ILP implementation at Assembly for a discussion in the floor of the August house, so it must be produce in the coming winter session of the assembly which is going to start from December 18 till December 21, 2014.

The bill must be introduce to the Assembly and should discussed for the implementation of ILP or enact a law in Manipur so that the indigenous people of Manipur must be save from illegal influx which is dominating in the state added the source.

It may be mentioned here that on December 10 committee on ILP was constituted by the delegates of various political parties of Manipur to consider the burning issue of the Manipur.

City will be introduced from January and it will follow the Bhubaneswar model.

Talking about the Central government, the Chief Minister said people of Assam voted for BJP during Lok Sabha elections with lots of hopes, but the party has "cheated" them. "NDA is totally exposed. They showed one face before elections and is now showing another face. They are doing big injustice to Assam and cutting all benefits to the state. People expected new schemes, but they

are withdrawing all old benefits introduced during UPA tenure," he added.

Gogoi said the BJP-led government is making "Uturn" on every issue and gave examples of withdrawing supply of subsidised foodgrains to tea garden workers and suspension of new proposals under North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP). "There is no sign of 'achche din' (good days) for Assam. It is all 'kharab din' (bad days) for the state," he added.

Mizoram: One killed, 9 injured in bridge collapse

DibrUgarh, December 13 (Tnn): About 5,000 tea estate workers took to the streets in Dibrugarh on Friday to protest against the Centre's decision to discontinue the supply of subsidized food grains to tea garden workers through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) from January 1, 2015.

The workers, who came from 60 tea estates in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts under the banner of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), marched to the gate of the deputy commissioner's office here. Holding placards and banners, the protesters raised slogans against the Centre's decision and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister through deputy commissioner M S Manivannan.

The Centre recently issued a notification informing that the FCI will discontinue the supply of subsidized food grains like rice and wheat flour to tea garden workers and their families. The tea garden owners procure the grains from the FCI and distribute it among the workers.

They are provided rice and atta at 55 paise per kg. The decision is expected to affect 19.28 lakh families across Assam.

"This practice has been prevalent since pre-Independence times. We want the Centre to withdraw its decision. Otherwise, there will massive protests in the days to Sameer Singh, 12, works at a jewelry workshop where he earns US$ 32 a month, in Guwahati. India has the dubious come," said Nobin Chandra Keot, the general secretary of distinction of being home to the largest child labour force in the world. It is estimated that there are over 60 million child labourers in the country. (AP Photo) ACMS's Dibrugarh branch.

which constituted a committee on ILP. As the committee has assured to give the copy of the report to JCILPS earlier, so JCILPS will asked the opinion of the committee convenor MLA RK Anand.

The JCILPS has fixed a death line to give the report by tomorrow (December 14, 2014). If the committee agreed to give the same copy of the report on ILP which was prepared by the committee after taking an opinion from various experts like from Legal, Academicians, Justices, Lectures and politicians etc. The source added that if the report is given to them or not there will be a press conference of the JCILPS on December 14, 2014.

And the second resolution which was adopted by the JCILPS was that the govern-

agarTala, December 13 (ianS): By using the latest technology, the generation capacity of three power plants in Tripura will be augmented by around 70 MW without increasing fuel consumption, a minister said here Saturday.

To enhance the production capacity of two gas-based thermal power plants and one hydel power project, the state-owned North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) in association with the Tripura government would invest Rs.500 crore.

"The Rokhia and Baramura gasbased power plants in Tripura are at present in the open cycle system. Both the power plants would be converted into the combined cycle mode to generate additional power without using extra fuel," Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey told reporters.

"Currently, both plants are generating 103 MW and after conversion into the combined cycle mode, their capacity would be 163 MW," he said.

The NEEPCO would also increase the capacity of the Dambur hydel power plant, commissioned in 1974, in Tripura from 8 MW to 15 MW. To implement the three projects within next two years, the NEEPCO Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tripura government here.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Power Minister Manik Dey and top officials of both the Tripura government and the NEEPCO were present at the MoU signing programme.

The total cost of the three projects would be shared by the Tripura government and the NEEPCO at 90:10 basis. The Tripura government and the NEEPCO would form a company to implement the project.

The NEEPCO, under the union power ministry, is also commissioning a 101-MW gas-based thermal power plant at Monarchak in Tripura.

struction on November 19, 2012 and was scheduled to be completed on November 18, 2013.

The work, however dragged on and the time for completion of the work was postponed three times and the last schedule date for completion was fixed on December 20, 2014. The officials said that out of the contract amount of Rs 252.75 lakh, the government had paid Rs 212.17 lakh to the contractor till date.

Naga filmmaker to capture beauty of North East in films

DimapUr, December 13 (ani): Bollywood filmmaker Rebecca Alemla Changkija, who hails from Nagaland, is set to capture the beauty of the North-east in her upcoming films. Rebecca has already produced a Bollywood film 'The Dark Secrets of Tonhi' and a few others are in the pipeline including '2 a.m. at Lokhandwala', Elena and '16 mm picture'.

A fashion designer by profession, Rebecca runs 'Find Studioz', a Production House in Mumbai and her motive is to explore North-east through Bollywood.

Rebecca said that she wants to promote the scenic beauty of the North-east. "We went to shoot in Northeast so that people can see the beauty of Northeast. There are so many people who doesn't know where is Northeast though we are Indian sometime people thought we are from outside. Northeast is a beautiful place so I want to promote that through my movie," she said.

A number of people from the North-east like Lin Laishram, Adil Hussain, Rajni Basumatary, Patralekha, Danny Denzongpa, Chuzho Zhokhoi, Diethozo Medeo and Geetanjali Thapa have already made a mark in the entertainment industry.

Development is not possible without peace: Rijiju

agarTala, December 13 (ani): Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, during his Tripura visit, has appealed to militant groups of the region to shun violence and facilitate development and said that development is not possible without peace.

He said that talks are going on with major insurgent groups, and peace talks with NSCN (IM) and one faction of ULFA is progressing positively. “We have appointed a new interlocutor for discussion with NSCN (IM). The current chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee RN Ravi has been appointed for Naga peace talk. So he has started the process. We are hopeful that we will move towards a solution very soon. At the same time we are concerned for all the North-eastern states and there is a positive response from every corner,” Rijiju said.

After inaugurating the cargo complex of the integrated check post in Agartala along the Bangladesh border, Rijiju said the North-east region could become the trading and commercial hub of Southeast Asia. Rijiju revealed that the government is keen to use the region’s strategic location in a positive way and improve connectivity and border trade with Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.

PRESEnTS DIMaPUR CHRISTMaS BOOK FaIR 8-20 DECEMBER 2014

9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Sunday Closed)

Assam govt inks MoU Arunachal, RusHydro seal hydropower deal

to set up Science City

gUwahaTi, December 13 (pTi): The Assam government on Friday said it has signed an agreement with National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) to develop a science city at an investment of Rs 110 crore on the outskirts of the state capital at Sonapur.

"A state-of-the-art Science City is coming up at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati.

An MoU was signed between Government of Assam and National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in presence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi," an official release said.

The Science City would primarily focus on frontier areas of science and technology and would strive to be a financially self sustainable edutainment facility. "The total project cost for the Science City will be Rs 110 crore," the statement said.

The recurring expenditure would be entirely borne by the state government and the estimated average annual expendi-

ture would be around Rs 7 crore, it said. "The Science City, spread over an area of 250 bighas, will be operated and maintained by a registered society formed by the Government of Assam for the purpose. A representative of the National Council of Science Museums will be an ex-officio member of the society," the release said.

Science Exhibition halls would have various themes of scientific importance such as astronomy and space, Indian science and technology heritage, disaster management, emerging technologies, earth sciences, climate change, biodiversity, health and nutrition, energy, water and fundamental science.

The Science City would aim at inculcating scientific temper in Assam in particular and the North East in general, besides providing a unique edutainment facility and establishing a venue for edutourism for the region, the statement added.

iTanagar, December 13 (Tnn): The Arunachal Pradesh government signed a Joint Cooperation Declaration (JCD) with a global hydropower company on Thursday.

The deal came on the sidelines of the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi. RusHydro International is a global hydropower company partly owned by the Russian government. RusHydro is one of Russia’s largest power generating companies, with 38.2 GW installed electricity generation capacity distributed over 70 renewable energy source facilities.

The Joint Cooperation Declaration culminated after persistent efforts by chief minister Nabam Tuki to streamline the course of hydropower development in the state, a source said here on Friday.

The deal was signed by secretary (planning) Sonam Chombay representing the state government, and Evelyn Dod, chairman of RusHydro International, at a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, in presence of the chief minister.

The representatives of RusHydro are part of a business delegation led by Putin to explore busi-

3

Ministry reshuffle in Jan, some will be dropped: Gogoi

Tea workers protest decision to stop supply of subsidized grains

imphal, December 13 (Una): The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has adopted a resolution to pressure the government for introducing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) bill in the coming winter session of 9th Session of 10th Assembly said a source on Saturday.

According to a reliable source that the JCILPS held a meeting at the Office of JCILPS located at Nongmeibung Imphal East District from 1 pm onward today. The meeting was attended by 36 Civil Society Organisations and has discussed on the issue of ILP implementation in the state.

The meeting adopted two important resolutions that the JCILPS will demand a copy of logical report which was submitted by All Political Party’s

Dimapur

ness and trade ties with India.

The JCD aims at creating a mechanism for possible collaboration in hydropower education projects in Arunachal Pradesh under a public-private-partnership model (PPP). The company is willing to take part in activities to develop the state’s education scenario.

Tuki witnessed the proceedings and termed it a significant development in meeting the human resources needed for the hydro-projects coming up in the state. He asked the company to interact more with locals to clear misconceptions about the hydro projects. “Locals have sev-

eral genuine concerns which need to be addressed. These can be explained and clarified only by the experts of RusHydro,” he added.

Tuki welcomed the company and asked it to work in the state. He said Russia has has had long and cordial relations with the country since the days of Gandhi.

RusHydro International AG, through RusHydro International India Private Limited, a jointventure registered in India, will look into the possibility of starting education programmes with long-term objectives in the field of vocational and higher education.

Buddhist festival celebrated in Arunachal

iTanagar, December13 (ani): Thervada Buddhists from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other parts of Northeast came together recently to celebrate the Poi Lu Fra and Poi Lu Lik festivals.

A religious procession carrying Buddha Statues (Lu Fra) and decorated celestial trees (Tun Petesha) was taken out, accompanied by recitation of religious chants and beating of drum and cymbals.

The two-day programme included a number of events including hoisting of Buddhist flag, offering of food to Monks, illumination of temple and community feast. The specialty of the festival is the offering of Buddha statues and Buddhist Holy Scriptures to the Monastery by devotees.

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Sunday 14 December 2014

A Tale A Banyan Tree Tells

M

y knowledge in general science is very scanty. No wonder, I ended taking up Arts in my higher studies. So I don’t even know the scientific name for a Banyan Tree. Just Banyan Tree is what I know, and I am going to use as such for the tale a banyan tree tells. And the story is remembered as told by my grandfather [(desolately) who is no more now)] quite some years ago as it was narrated to him by the nature. As I recall, the story goes this way.

Very long time ago, I stood in the thick and dense woods. As I stood there unknown and unnoticed to and by anyone, I had easy times of just being there and fulfilling my natural cycle of seasons each year. It included shedding off the leaves, shooting new buds, blooming, bearing fruits, ripening them and feeding them to my beloved birdies. When this season comes, all sorts of birdies would come along to me and hover, hop and hog the delicious fruits that I bore on my branches filling themselves to the full. Now, Hornbills, jungle Pigeons, Parrots, Bulbuls, Macaws, Big-BeakBuild birds, Toucans, Jays and others feast my fruits. The other

predatory birds too join the milieu. Eagles, Hawks, Larks, Kites, Falcons and even Owls join the parliament of melee seeking to snatch and feed on these smaller birdies. Even some others join for fun sake and company breaking the monotony of being singled out as even the birds of the forests have sense of social call.

All of them had their share in feasting the fruits that I bore.

Even at night some other animals and bats come to take a little joy of gobbling my fruits. But after this, all who come to me, all of these birdies and animals go back anywhere and everywhere with one mission. The mission is to multiply my genetic material and enlarge my clan. How do they do so?

They do by excreting anywhere and everywhere they go. Some of these excreta get lucky at times to be implanted on some healthy and non-resistant trees, and my genes are alive. They sprout on the other trees but the ones that fell on the ground never got a chance to sprout. This is how my sons and daughters grow and spread out to different parts of the forests and even villages.

Some of these birds are also quite free with humans. So they go as near as VILLAGE GATES

and help spread my seeds. Some of the bigger trees would take the yoke of rearing up my children till they are well off by themselves.

Wait! Poor me, I cannot get the right connotation for village gates in this language. It means much more in our tradition and culture. In my dialect, it is known as RAENG-BANG/RAENG-KAT. It means a shielding fence around the village wherefrom outsiders are normally no-go. It also means the railing around the village inhibited area from the village forest lands -no one’s land, but owned by the village for jhum and other activities under the village jurisdiction. It is so crucial that no one crosses this LoC on days appointed. Traditionally, it is taboo to village people to walk off beyond this periphery on forbidden days. And it is socially, traditionally and culturally very pertinent for villages to have a banyan tree beside the village gates standing.

Now I would like to come to discourse why a banyan tree tells a tale. As I bear in mind, a banyan tree is one with spreading branches from which roots grow downwards to the ground and form new trunks as it grows bigger and bigger. Initially, just

businEss GOSF 2014: 80 lakh visits, manifold growth and first-timers, Google does it all Bengaluru, DecemBer 13 (Fe): Google’s Great Online Shopping Festival (GOSF) saw more than 80 lakh visits to the site during the three-day event, which ended on Friday night. including the promotion period, there were over 1.4 crore visits — the site was open 14 days prior to the festival. The Rs 299 corner, where products were sold forRs 299 each, accounted for 40% of all GOSF hits, Google said.

Compared with last year’s 20 lakh visitors over four days, growth was seven times, beating Google’s own expectations. The company added that it saw good traction in high-value segments like houses (500 plus units), bikes (100 plus units) and cars (50 plus units).

Praveen Sinha, co-founder and managing director of online apparel firm Jabong.com, told FE: “Even with many festivals and discounts happening round the year, GOSF is relevant and we have seen six to eight times the regular traffic during this period. Any additional sales and one

more festival is always welcome. We will continue to be part of such festivals.” He added that GOSF had driven traffic and sales in no-discount sections as well.

“People from 220 cities in India participated in the festival. We saw huge consumer involvement and participation from smaller cities like Ranchi, Guntur, Hubli, Bareilly and Firozpur. A lot of first-time buyers shopped in the Rs 299 corner and some of smaller partners reported growth of 5-7 times their daily conversions,” Google said in an e-mailed statement to FE. GOSF 2014 saw more than 450 partners participate and most merchants saw traffic and sales go up 3-5 times. Google added that a sizeable number of visitors were shopping online for the first time, enlarging the e-commerce shopper base. The company’s ‘#72HoursofCrazy’ campaign was trending on Twitter during the 3 shopping days as well as during the promotional period.

the excreta of the birds or the animals are enough for the tree to take its first step of growth on the mother-tree. In the long run, the mother-tree is consumed and overgrown by the alien tree that comes along with excreta. The mother-tree will give all of its life and blood to this alien tree till it is suckled dry and perishes. A banyan tree will stand it its place. So, a banyan tree is very parasitic in nature and spirit.

In our beloved state of Nagaland, there are many banyan trees in the form of outsiders. The non-Nagas, we know should be taken with utmost care. Particularly, the IBIs is the problem we have been seeing growing like the banyan trees. This issue has been discussed on quite a platform now. I hardly visit blogs and other forums due to nature of my work and schedule. But whenever I get a petty chance, I think of how we could probably get rid of these parasitic IBIs. To those of you who cloth and shelter them, feed and protect them, it is time you stir to know that you could be the best and most well off mothertree on which they suckle now to replace you. To those of my brethren who are complacent, it is nigh time you rise for the branches of

S

aach ka Saana. The moment of truth. It is not as if the mind is playing games which is not reality. It is the mind that is being played with, and this is reality. Given the situation and circumstances, it is but very natural, justifiable and good that it happened. What options did Nagas had yesterday or have today?

Running with the hare and hunting with the dogs was not and is not going to be of any good for the Nagas. Infact it was hurting the Nagas without we even not realizing the damage that was being done in the sub-conscious level. As it is, it is always man who proposes, but God who disposes. The reality for us is to accept that whatever the valid reasons for discontentment, our leaders are there and here because our living God willed it to be so. Whatever the Machiavellian ideas of men, if God our Almighty Father in Heaven had not willed it, nothing can or could have happened.

It is so very correct for the people to voice out unhappiness, but reservations has to be there in our role as pressure groups or a critic at an individual level, lest we fall prey against the idea of what the living God has planned for the Nagas. Let us just for once introspect. No single Naga, young or old, rich or poor, the ignorant as well as the wise, the intellectuals, the politicians, the bureaucrats,

a banyan tree can be so extensive and expansive that no other trees can grow beneath and beside. And to those of you who are keenly aware and are taking a tiny step now to sort out this rooting, hats off! Your tiny step today will be the mammoth achievement in the near future. We are with you, do not waver. Stand aright and we will join the battling of uprooting these bloodsucking trees from our society and state. And the general mass of our state, if you have not given a thought about this, learn this tale of the banyan tree. I love banyan trees. Apology tendered for emphasis laid on the parasitic nature and spirit of it. The recent incident of Mr. Jonah Achumi with them and many others reported in the papers are still fresh wounds in our hearts. It is heartening to take a note of NOTUN BOSTI taking a tiny yet tight thing on 26th of Nov. 2014. Let all the colonies and streets follow suit to pick the buds before it is a tree to prick us the mother-trees.

May the tale a banyan tree tells resound in our hearts and minds.

Kuknalim!!!

The Morung Express

Conversion Or Anti-Conversion Is Not The Solution C

onversion into another religion or legislation against conversion is not the solution. Changing from one religion or remaining steadfast to own religion is not important; but how to seek and know the true God the Creator of the heavens and the earth is important.

There is only one Creator and Lord and He is the truth and He is holy, righteous, just, perfect, loving kind. He hates sin and all sorts of evils. The more the people concentrate to know Him and to build up character in accordance with the characteristics of God, the better the relationship with God and with fellow men and women irrespective of races and languages. The more the world inclines towards seeking practical relationship with God, the relationship among humankind will be better.

But how sad it is that our world replaces seeking and knowing the true Creator by superstitious beliefs; building up and moulding character is replaced by performing ritualism; believing and looking up to God in prayer is replaced by worshipping the creations and handmade materials; instead of calling on the Lord of the heavens and the earth, thousands of different imaginary gods are given loyalty and repentance and deliverance from the bondage of sins is not known to the people. So the people in general have been remaining in stagnancy in the forefathers’ primitive cultures and traditions. The crux of enslavement of the people in darkness is unknowing the Creator and solution is seeking Him and knowing Him only.

The world is given victory and it is for all human beings.

James Huaineilung Kamei Head, Dept. of English Rev L Suohie Mhasi St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama Human Ethics Of Relationship

An uncut diamond nobody could have imagined the reality of Nagaland as it is today just a year back. No presumptions or assumptions can again predict what will be so a year down the line from today.

Reality, as has been said is stranger than fiction. If we really do care, what we then can do is to pray hard and tell our living God, “have Thine own way Lord, have Thine own way”, but please, please let it be good because a roving mind never remains stable.

We collectively will have to disturb Him no end, and from amongst all of us, atleast there will be a prayer or two whose prayer the Good Lord will be compelled not to let it remain unanswered. This is where a single true believer’s prayer answered, metamorphoses into a common good, without any one of us even remotely aware of how, where or why.

The world is changing. India has changed and is changing. And Nagas too is not immune to the change. The only hiccup in all these changes in the world is that the change can only be for better or the worse. Nothing in between. And therein lies our role. We have to steer that change for the better. The outlook of India’s perspective today is not very encouraging or palatable in our context, and one infact

shudders to even think or imagine about what is coming next, tomorrow, leave aside looking into and beyond the horizon. The confidence bestowed upon Narendra Modi by the people of India, his reputation as a doer, and the absolutely absolute majority that he commands today was the reason people actually felt secure, but going by certain ongoing trends, the confidence looks more and more misplaced. It actually is fast loosing its sheen. Narendra Modi is not looking like Narendra Modi. And this is not good news.

In such a climate of uncertainty, it is becoming a moral responsibility for every citizen of our state to be extra cautious before taking the proverbial leap. New Delhi is not just playing politics. The consequences of the absence of a noteworthy opposition in the Parliament is going to pinch non NDA state governments where it hurts the most, and more so to a small Christian state like Nagaland. This state of affairs is what every responsible person has to educate the less literate and the less responsible.

As of today, it is because of pragmatic and grounded individuals, who have experienced very early on, the fantasy of experiencing what every-

one today sees and takes for granted, those same people like Smriti Irani, the Hon’ble Human Resource Development Minister of India, who has, inspite of the odds, has gone all out against the forces keen to paint her worth as unjustified, through the positivity of her attempts. Infact she is one of the few, a blooming lotus in the midst of the not good smelling contents of a pond – a soothing balm to an aching spine, a consolation for the aam admi to look forward to. Falling into a category where one identifies a position as an entitlement is definitely a worst case scenario, and seriously, many in the Narendra Modi cabinet is playing out that role.

There is a lesson, albeit an extreme one, one might say, which can be learnt from the DEA in the USA. The drug cartels were always a step, if not more, ahead of the DEA. Inorder to check this superiority of the cartels, the DEA came up with the novel if not unconventional idea of their men gaining confidence of the cartel by themselves becoming addicts.

There is this small element of sacrifice which one sees in the entire episode.

Yes, the cartel ring cracked. And so, to all the doomsday predictors, reign in your horses and remember that it takes a diamond to cut a diamond.

Benito Z Swu

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.

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LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 3083

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3091

Answer Number # 3082

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

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55. Heroic tales 58. Hawkeye State 59. Exam 60. Within 61. Chocolate cookie 62. Egghead Ans to CrossWord 3090

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

KOHIMA

FIRE STATIONS

STD CODE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (tourist lodge):

2226373/2229343

tAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) StD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire brigade

CURRENCY EXCHANGE CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

uS Dollars Sterling Pound Hong kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

62.00 97.15 7.98 51.16 47.21 53.54 52.22

62.43 98.25 8.07 51.90 47.77 54.19 52.86

Euro

76.88

77.73

Danish krone

10.33

10.47

norwegian krone new zealand Dollar Swedish krona

8.43

8.52

48.21

48.95

8.17

8.26

The Morung Express

Workshop for NE Folk ‘gurus’ DimapUr, December 13 (mexN): A five-day seminar cum workshop for folk “gurus” of North East held at Mt. Tabor Retreat House Jotsoma concluded here today. 41 “gurus” in the field of folkdance, folksong, folk music, drama and puppetry and 9 artists from across North East participated.

Themed ‘Enhancing the Teaching Skills and Curriculum Development of Traditional Folk & Indigenous Art Forms and Theatre,’ the programme was conducted by Indigenous Cultural Society Nagaland in collaboration with Centre for Cultural Resources and Training.

A release informed that the programme included lectures and lecture-demonstrations on the history and evolution of traditional folk and indigenous art forms of North-Eastern Re-

gion and theatre etc. by eminent gurus, erudite scholars and well known artists.

There were also practical classes aimed at enhancement of technical & communication skills to impart training effectively in the field of traditional folk & indigenous art forms and theatre.

Other highlights included preparation of detailed curriculum and comprehensive syllabus for the training of scholarship holders in traditional folk & indigenous art forms and theatre; Educational visits to places and events of cultural and historical importance in and around Kohima; Synchronized Group Cultural Productions for the Valedictory Function; Award of certificate of Merit and free educational audio-visual training material.

LOCAL Don't take mis-governance and corruption into tribal lines: npcc DimapUr, December 13 (mexN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, SI Jamir today termed the Pochury Hoho and Pochury GB Union defending Parliamentary Secretary, School Education, Yitachu and their interpretation of “10% deduction” issue along “narrow tribal line” as “most unfortunate and painful.”

“The Pochury Hoho and Pochury GB Union should understand that the issue here is about corruption and mis-governance and nothing to do with personal grudges or enmity between SI Jamir and Yitachu,” the NPCC President stated in a press note received here.

No doubt Senayangba

WSBAK appoints new executive secretary DimapUr, December 13 (mexN): Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi has been appointed as the new Executive Secretary of WSBAK for a term of 5 years. The appointment was made during the 56th annual conference of WSBAK, which was hosted by S. Hotovi Baptist Church from December 6-7.

The conference themed “Put on love for perfect Unity” had speak-

ers Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi, and Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, former Executive Secretary, WSBAK. Khekiye Yeptho and Khekiho Zhimomi MP Rajya Sabha delivered exhortation speeches.

A press release informed that around 1400 delegates attended the conference. The conference, according to the release, was also a time of experiencing God’s

Government Higher Secondary School, Ungma Village is located in Ao area, the press note added, but it is a government school and the DoSE and the Parliamentary Secretary have to answer as to why the “latter demanded 10% deduction from the bill to be paid as first installment to the contractor constructing a Science Wing the school under DoNER.” Accusing the Pochury Hoho and the Pochury GB Union of being “unduly sentimental” over the issue without understanding the facts, Jamir maintained that he will furnish the evidence at an “appropriate time” as demanded by the two organisations.

Meanwhile, passing the ball to the other side, the NPCC President asked the two “esteemed” bodies what action they will take if evidence/s are furnished that Yitachu indeed asked for 10% deduction.

“Are you prepared to take moral responsibility in case irrefutable evidences are submitted against Yitachu? Are you also prepared to defend the Department of School Education since any deduction has to be done by the department?” If yes, what is your locus standi? If not, why? he questioned.

He further maintained that unless the two bodies can answer these questions, they should stay away from what is purely an issue

of corruption involving a ruling legislator and nothing to do with any tribe.

He further alleged that “as expected”, the press secretary to Yitachu was resorting to cover-ups even on a small matter like the parliamentary secretary refusing to meet the NPCC President. On the particular occasion, the press secretary told the NPCC president that the parliamentary secretary was ill and could not meet him, stated the press note.

“Thereafter, the NPCC president left the premises but surprisingly within an hour Yitachu called.” “What transpired between the NPCC president and Yitachu shall be divulged as and when required,” Jamir concluded.

Sunday 14 December 2014

Dimapur

5

MEx FILE Rajya Sainik Board secretary meets CM Kohima, December 13 (mexN): Brigadier KK Roy Choudhury, SM, VSM, (Retired), Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board with staff and ex-servicemen called on the Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang on December 10. The Chief Minister and vice president of Rajya Sainik Board were briefed by Secretary Rajya Sainik Board regarding the significance of the Armed Forces Flag Day and welfare measures and activities undertaken by Rajya Sainik Board, informed a press release from PRO (Defence) Lt Col Emron Musavi. According to the release, the Chief Minister showed keen interest in recruitment of Naga youth into the Armed Forces and lauded the efforts of Rajya Sainik Board and Directorate of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Nagaland in carrying out welfare activities, vocational training and pre-recruitment coaching.

DAPCC Kiphire meeting held

Kiphire, December 13 (mexN): The District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee (DAPCC), Kiphire held a meeting on December 9 at DC’s conference hall with Deputy Commissioner & Chairman DAPCC, Chief Medical Officer, Dy CMO, DAPCU staffs and representatives from various line departments and NGOs. District Program Officer of Kiphire, Tsiatsuvi in a press release said that the meeting focused on mainstreaming and tapping of available resources with government departments for targeted groups.

Dr. Keviyani, MO i/c ARTC, presented PowerPoint on HIV/AIDS district scenario, where he highlighted on the achievements and challenges in the district. After deliberation, the house resolved to form an action committee comprising of five members within the DAPCC for effective implementation of HIV/AIDS programme in the district. The members are SDO (C) 1 - Convener; DPO (DAPCU) - Secretary; President (DLN) - Member; DPM (NHM) - Member; Supervisor Parliamentary Secretary for School Education Yitachu is seen here with other during (ICDS) - Member.

faithfulness, especially in the life of Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, who had served the WSBAK as Executive Secretary for past 10 years.

Leaders from various Hohos delivered speech at his farewell service.

Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu congratulated the new Executive Secretary and hoped that WSBAK will benefit immensely under his “able and experienced the unveiling of monolith for golden jubilee celebration of Gaili Youth Organization on leadership.”

December 13. (Morung Photo)

Winners of 6th Annual Music Awards of Nagaland Morung Express News Dimapur | December 13

Shillong Chamber Choir performing at Sechü Zubza on December 11 evening. The winner of India’s Got Talent 2010, the Shillong Chamber Choir, captivated the hearts of the Zubza local crowd with their enthralling performance for almost two hours by presenting Christmas songs and Bollywood medley. The choir was led by their pianist Neil Nongkynrih. The open-air concert was hosted by social activist Niketu Iralu and his wife Christine Iralu. Shillong Chamber Choir was here in Nagaland to perform at RCEMPA, Jotsoma on December 9 evening as part of the Hornbill Festival 2014.

The much hyped 6th Music Awards of Nagaland was held at the City Tower this evening with Maj. Gen Deepak Saxena, VSM, COS, 3 Corps as the chief guest.

People from all walks of life thronged to witness the awardees at the venue, which was all decked up in its best. The chief guest called upon the crowd gathered, to spread the

message of Love, Peace and Harmony. He lauded the people of Nagaland for their numerous talents, particularly in the field of music. He reminded the crowd that, “Music has only one language that is Love, Peace and Harmony” and called on the people to be bearers of the message of the true spirit of music.

Meanwhile, a message from Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Entre-

preneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports was also read out. The Minister in his message urged the youth of Nagaland to utilize their talents for nation building, and reiterated the youths to be responsible youths and citizens of the nation.

Music Awards of Nagaland (MAN), formerly known as Music Video Awards, is an annual event instituted in the year 2009 with an aim of finding the best original songs and

TOTD celebrates silver jubilee TSemiNYU, December 13 (Dipr): Tenyimia Organisation, Tseminyu Division (TOTD) held its 25th year anniversary celebration with the motto ‘Unity is Strength’ on December 9 at Tseminyu New Town with Deputy Speaker Er. Levi Rengma

as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Rengma said that celebrating the day, one has to remember the pioneers who had spent their time, energy, and resources. He called upon the Tenyimia to be more united and have more concern and respect

Book Review When the River Sleeps Vishü Rita Krocha

The book, “When the River Sleeps” is as fascinating as the title suggests. It takes you through the journey of a man called Vilie, who traverses the mountains of Nagaland in search of the river of his dreams, or as the book would reveal, “catch the river when it is sleeping.”

In the river lies a powerful charm called a ‘heartstone’- that would grant untold power to the one who claims it. But the expedition is a dangerous one, that requires immense courage and willpower.

In his quest for the heartstone, Vilie encounters and fights different spirits, both of men and women, and of the forest, with courage and a good heart, as much as he revels in the wonder of the natural world.

“When the River Sleeps,” published by Zubaan Publishers and authored by Easterine Kire, brings alive ‘weretigers and malignant widow-spirits’ that were every bit a part of the Naga oral tradition.

As Dr. Paulus Pimomo of Central Washington University says of the book, it is indeed “…reminiscent of Marquez’s magic realism and Leslie Silko’s NativeAmerican story-telling” and has also rightly added,

for each other as brothers and sisters to move forward and achieve their goals. He also encouraged and challenged the youth to preserve the rich culture, tradition, history and identity as they play an important role in one’s life in this present society.

Short speeches were also delivered by Joint Director Land Resource, Kruyie; VCC Chiechama, Mhalezolie Metha; and ExTseminyu Town Council, Hilo Rengma.

Brief history of TOTD was given by Ex-President Zhazolie Metha and the Jubilee Souvenir was launched by Sr. Pastor TTBC Sherhyunlo Kent.

music videos recorded in Nagaland and to showcase the best talents of local singers and musicians.

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges on the basis of competition, originality, musical arrangement, performance, sound engineering and production.

At the glittering ceremony, the awards were given away to the winners by some of the outstanding figures in their respective

fields. The award winners include Best Gospel songBensinlo Kent, Best Pop Song- Shalo Kent, Best Folk Fusion- Mughami Melos, Best Instrumental SongD.AChasie, Best EDM Song- DJ Ina Feat Renbeni Odyuo, Best Sound Engineer- Nokrang Longkumer, Best Producer- Shalo Kent, Best Music Video- Wannyen Bezo, Best Video Director- Moba Inggang, and the Song of the Year- Red Alert for “Dream from Inside”.

Kidima parishioners go on pilgrimage Kohima, December 13 (mexN): Kidima Parishioners, Diocese of Kohima, joined in a pilgrimage to the Sacred Relic of St Francis Xavier Exposition with the rest of the world in Goa, led by Sister Riya, Superior of Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary of the Angels (FSMA).

The President of Kidima Catholic Union, Pekronyü Pius has informed that the pilgrimage to holy places was a joyful opportunity, said a press release from P. Tepekrovi Kiso. The Kidima Parishioners toured from December 2 to 13 and visited holy places in Kolkata and Goa. According to the release, Reverend Father Victor D’Mello SJ has informed that the faithful and tourists of 50 lakh are expected to visit the Sacred Relic of St Francis Xavier Exposition from different A section of people attending the inauguration of the new DC office complex at new Peren headquar- countries. The exposition was organized ters held on December 11. Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya, while inaugurating the complex, said that the new DC office complex was magnificent building, which was planned for seven years and for witnessing the miracle from the dead body of St Francis Xavier, the release said. added that for any development, complete infrastructure was needed. (DIPR Photo)

Catholics celebrate golden NPF Dimapur Division inducts new team jubilee in Medziphema

“At the end, though, this is a Naga story, unmistakably so, in its sense of place, time and oral traditions.”

But if you thought the book is only that of spirits and mystical powers, then you are mistaken. For it powerfully captures the life of the ordinary people, that often tends to go unnoticed. The book is essentially Naga in its true sense, but carries the universal elements that anybody can relate to.

“When the River Sleeps” also has a wealth of knowledge and would especially prove useful to those who wish to learn more about the native herbs and their uses. Alongside, the book is a complete page turner- one that brings a sense of goodness. And when it ends, you wish there was more.

meDziphema, December 13 (mexN): The Golden Jubilee of the coming of Catholic Faith to Medziphema area was celebrated with a solemn concelebrated Holy Eucharist on December 13.

The Golden Jubilee Monolith was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima and was unveiled by Rev. Fr. Jose Mundoly MSFS, the first parish priest.

The first Catholic members in the area were Catholics who migrated from Khonoma village in 1957. The small community was occasionally visited by Fr. Joseph Felix from Kohima. With erection of Holy Cross parish in Dimapur in 1969, the visit to the community by Priests and Sisters became more frequent. The arrival of Neilhousalie Hubert Vizo from Kohima village for “Cooperative training program” was great boon to the community. Being a young and educated catholic he

began to teach the “little flock” songs and prayers.

Gradually, the community bought land from Lt. Vitsalhou Kuotsu, where the first Church was built and blessed on December 15, 1974, informed a press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu. Later, more land was acquired, and Fr. Jose Mundoly MSFS, and Sisters of Providence came to Mezdiphema to minister to the community and a new parish was established on August 15, 1978

by Lt. Bishop Abraham Alangimattathil, SDB. The release stated that “Today, Medziphema has grown into a little hub of Catholic activities with the establishment of the SFS higher secondary school, SFS seminary, the Novitiate houses of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) and Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) and the formation house of the Pius Disciples of the Divine Master.”

Vihoshe Awomi, president, NPF Dimapur Division and Pusazo Luruo, convenor of the nomination committee alongwith the officer bearers of the youth, women, and farmers wings at the party divisional headquarters in Dimapur on December 13.

Morung Express News NPF’s Dimapur divisional NPF Dimapur Divi- as president and Vilhoto as Dimapur |December 13

The NPF Dimapur Division has inducted a new team of office bearers for the tenure 2015-20. The women’s, farmer’s and youth wings of the division also inducted new teams.

The freshly elected office bearers were handed over charge of their respective positions in the

set up on December 13 at a programme held at its divisional headquarters in Dimapur. Convenor of the Nomination Committee, Dimapur Division, Pusazo Luruo, while handing over the charges called for stronger coordination among the party workers and working for the interest of the party and the people in general.

sion will be led by Vihoshe Awomi as president and C. Lotha as general secretary for the tenure 201520. The youth wing will be led by Phyobemo Odyuo as president and Yanger Ao as general secretary.

Vepra Neikha will lead the women’s wing as president with Neila Kire as the general secretary. The farmers’ wing will be led by Aowati

general secretary.

Vihoshe Awomi, president-elect, in his address, called upon the party workers to uphold the party principle no matter the situation. Oneness, coordination and communication among the workers will strengthen the NPF, he said, while adding that it will further enable the workers to serve the people.

6

People, life, etc...

Sunday | 14 december, 2014

What really happen in the Christmas truce of 1914?

Dan Snow

broadcaster & Historian

A popular Christmas story The Christmas Truce of 1914 is often celebrated as a symbolic moment of peace in an otherwise devastatingly violent war. We may like to believe that for just one day, all across the front, men from both sides emerged from the trenches and met in No Man’s Land to exchange gifts and play football. But first-hand testimonies help us get closer to what really happened.

Along the Western Front, a scattered series of small-scale ceasefires did happen between some German and British forces. But this brief festive reprieve was far from a mass event. Where it didn't occur, 25 December 1914 was a day of war like any other. Where it did, accounts suggest that men sang carols and in some cases left their trenches and met in No Man's Land.

However, the motivations for such events were complex – practical as much as ‘magical’ – and this wasn't the first unofficial truce to take place. Instead, it was to be one of the last.

'Live and let live': unofficial truces

By November 1914, it had become clear that the war was not going to be over quickly. As autumn turned to winter, the last of Britain’s professional soldiers, exhausted after months of vicious fighting, settled into the routine of life in the trenches of northern France.

They naturally began to think of enemy soldiers – sometimes a few feet away – doing the same. As a result of this proximity a ‘live and let live’ attitude developed in certain areas of the trench system.

Reciprocal periods of 'quiet time' emerged when soldiers tacitly agreed not to shoot at each other.

Between battles and out of boredom, soldiers began to banter, even barter for cigarettes, between opposite sides. Informal truces were also agreed and used as an opportunity to recover wounded soldiers, bury the dead and shore up damaged trenches. In many ways, for the last of the professional soldiers, this was all part of the etiquette of war.

However, the High Command feared the longer-term impact of such activity and issued strict orders that officers should be vigilant against this kind of contact – regarding it as treason.

Yet this early on in the war, and across such a large front, these truces were simply a practicality – and certainly not unique to Christmas.

Call for peace The arrival of December 1914 was proof, if any were needed, that the war would not be ‘over

by Christmas’. For the men at the front, months of tough fighting were to be followed by a festive period away from home.

Back in Britain, German battleships shelled the coastal towns of Whitby, Hartlepool and Scarborough, killing 122 and injuring 450 civilian men, women and children.

On the Western Front, fierce fighting took place in the Ypres Salient, leading to the deaths of many soldiers. It was the recovery and burial of these casualties which gave rise to the practical need for a cessation of fighting at certain areas of the front, like Ploegsteert Wood, which the British soldiers called 'Plugstreet'.

On 7 December, Pope Benedict XV had proposed a wider official ‘Truce of God’ in which all hostilities would cease over the Christmas period. The authorities rejected the idea but were keen to maintain morale and bring at least some festive cheer to those at the front.

Throughout the month, 460,000 parcels and 2.5 million letters were sent to British soldiers in France.

King George V sent a card to every soldier, and his daughter, Princess Mary, lent her name to a fund which sent a small brass box of gifts, including tobacco or writing sets, to serving soldiers. General Haig even records in his diary for 24 December: "Tomorrow being Xmas day, I ordered no reliefs to be carried out, and troops to be given as easy a time as possible".

The Germans too received small gift boxes – alongside table top Christmas trees and festive wreaths with which to celebrate the season.

Christmas eve: Silent night It was a Christmas card Christmas eve. There was white beautiful moonlight, frost on the ground – almost white everywhere. And round about – I should think - 7 or 8 in the evening we heard this singing and a lot of commotion and we saw some lights. I don’t know what they were – some lights – and later we heard them singing ‘Silent Night’ – ‘Stille Nacht’ – I shall never forget it. It’s one of the highlights of my life absolutely to see them. I thought what a beautiful tune.

I thought well a very different Christmas this is going to be from any I’ve spent up ‘til now - feeling pretty miserable all together. Then all of a sudden lights appeared all along the German trench and I thought ‘There’s a funny thing’ and then the German’s started singing ‘Stille nacht, heilige nacht’. I woke up – well all the other sentries did the same thing – we all woke up the other people to come along and see this – what on earth’s going on.

They finished their carol – we applauded them then we thought we must retaliate in some way so we replied with ‘The First Noel’. When we finished that they all began clapping then they struck up their other favourite carol of theirs ‘O Tannenbaum’ which is the same tune as ‘The Red Flag’.

So we went on – first the Germans singing one of their carols then we’d sing another of ours. Then we started up ‘O come all ye faithful’ and the Germans immediately joined in singing the same thing to the Latin words of ‘Adeste Fideles’.

Well I thought this was rather an extraordinary thing really – to think of the two nations both singing the same carol in the middle of a war.

Presents, kick-abouts and funerals Along parts of the front, some men responded to the events of Christmas Eve by tentatively emerging from their trenches into No Man’s Land on Christmas Day. Where it happened, enemy soldiers did indeed meet and spend Christmas together.

Spontane ously, the y exchanged gifts and took photos but it was importantly an opportunity to leave the damp of the trenches and tend to the dead and wounded of No Man’s Land. There wasn't a single organised football match between German and British sides. There may have been small-scale kick-abouts – but these were just one of many different activities men took the time to enjoy.

Meanwhile, in other places along the front, like Yser, bloody battles took place over the Christmas period and those that dared to come above the parapet were met not by Sebastian Borger gifts but gunfire. Belgian, Indian and he UK may be busy commemorating French troops who witnessed epithe Christmas Truce of 1914, when solsodes of fraternisation were at best diers on the WW1 front line briefly made puzzled and at worst very angry that friends with the enemy, but few Germans have British troops were being friendly heard of it - and most would be startled to see it towards the Germans. dramatised in a TV ad, writes Sebastian Borger of Berliner Zeitung.

The Generals’ reaction Whatever else their experience of living in Reports and photographs of Britain, most Germans here share one thing: an these small-scale unofficial cease- astonishment at the extent to which military trafires reached the papers back home ditions have survived in modern British society - and, at least to my mind, go more or less unchal- and the military authorities.

High Command was angry – lenged. The military top brass is regularly seen they feared that men would now and heard on the media. Retired generals and question the war, and even muti- admirals have seats in the House of Lords and ny, as a result of fraternising with take an active part in public debate. That would the enemy that they were meant to be completely unthinkable in Germany.

Don't get me wrong - I think there are very defeat. Stricter orders were issued good aspects to a healthy respect for the armed to end such activity – with harsh forces. The British people seem to have an inpunishment for any man caught stinctive understanding for the truism that even refusing to fight. today there are situations when an armed and The London Rifle Brigade's War determined aggressor needs to be confronted Diary for 2 January 1915 recorded not just with warning words but with force if necthat “informal truces with the ene- essary. That truism has largely disappeared from my were to cease and any officer or German discourse, as has respect for the armed [non-commissioned officer] found forces. I see that as a mistake.

On the other hand, I find that a lot of the necto having initiated one would be essarily bloody work that soldiers do is often betried by Court Martial.”

As the war continued, brutal ing trivialised. The constant talk of "heroes" and developments on the battlefield "sacrifices" is alien to me. It cheapens the concept.

The latest example of the trivialisation of war changed the character of war in is Sainsbury's re-enactment of the famous Christ1915. The enemy were further demas truce of 1914 - famous, that is, in Britain. Few monised and fraternisation made Germans have heard of it, let alone spent much even less likely. time thinking about it. Whereas here we have endThe small truces of 1914 never less newspaper columns, a moment of rememhappened again. Yet despite the brance at Premiership football stadiums, a numbest efforts of the authorities, the ber of memorial matches, culminating in a visit by story was out there – in the media a Bundeswehr team to Aldershot next week to play and in the popular imagination. A a British army 11. And, of course, the Sainsbury's story that has been re-told and re- advertisement "Christmas is for sharing", made in shaped many times in the decades partnership with the Royal British Legion. that followed.

No other part of this year's WW1 commemo-

christmas is not for trivialising war

T

ration has puzzled me more.

I am at a loss to explain to my German readers how the foremost lobby group for service personnel in Britain could have approved of a supermarket's attempt to enlist the story of brave, indeed heroic soldiers for the profane task of selling more turkeys and puddings.

What we get, is a sanitised, terribly sentimental version of what happened in a number of places along the Western front: British, French and German soldiers decided to give World War One a break. Initially they were fulfilling a grim task - to bury their comrades whose bodies had been lying in no man's land, some for weeks or months. But then the gesture of respect for each other's dead developed into something more. For a day or two, in some places even well into the New Year, the men in uniform sang carols, met between the trenches, exchanged gifts and even played football.

One source actually reports a match result - it was 3-2 to Germany, apparently.

Undoubtedly, there is a great story to be told, and historians like Stanley Weintraub, American author of Silent Night, have done it in great detail. Ordinary soldiers plucked up the courage to go against their superiors' orders, a gesture of defiance in a miniature class war. On the German side the truce exposed regional differences. Most of the regiments taking part in the truce were from Saxony and Bavaria, proud regions uneasy about the Prussian domination of Germany. What united them with their adversaries on the other side was a working class view of the world, with "football as its religion", as Weintraub puts it.

There seems to have been a realistic view that the truce wouldn't hold much beyond Christmas.

In his book The Small Peace in the Great War (Der kleine Frieden im grossen Krieg) the German author Michael Juergs describes soldiers from both sides secretly taking a good look at their opponents' positions, so as to be better able to kill them once the lull in the fighting was over. A British general, Walter Congreve VC, heard about the fraternisation but declined the invitation to have a look himself. "I thought

they might not be able to resist a general," he wrote in a letter to his wife. In other words, he saw a realistic chance of being taken prisoner, or worse.

A Christmas kick-about?

It reminded me of a visit to Wootton Bassett in November 2009, when the town still hosted the solemn repatriations of service people killed in Afghanistan. The ceremony for the victims was a wonderfully dignified occasion. But I was puzzled by all the civilians who kept saying to me: "This has got nothing to do with politics." Oh yes, it does, I was tempted to say. The crowds were honouring the fallen and giving comfort to their relatives. At the same time, not questioning the reason why these men had died meant tacit support for a war that, according to opinion polls even then, a majority of the British people wanted to end as soon as possible.

When combat troops finally withdrew this autumn, the death toll stood at 453. Thousands remain alive with deep wounds, both visible and invisible. This is the reality of war. The syrupy slogan "Christmas is for sharing" doesn't even come close.

Clearly, the people involved were a lot less sentimental than those now idealising the war, from a distance of 100 years - or indeed attempting to identify their brand with it. Sainsbury's customers can buy a retro chocolate bar similar to the one in the film that the British Tommy, Jim, gives to his German pal, Otto. All proceeds go to the Royal British Legion.

Maybe the money will be used to help some of the injured soldiers who came back from Britain's latest foreign war? A very different, quite brilliant film, Kajaki, describes their plight. We learn a lot about the demeanour, behaviour and everyday language of ordinary soldiers, and grasp the esprit de corps that every good army needs and promotes - the unquestioning willingness to help and, if necessary, die for your mate. It is deeply moving. Yet, there is an utter futility to the incident at the heart of the film, in September 2006, which cost one man his life and five others at least one limb.

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.

Sebastian Borger is the London correspondent for Berliner Zeitung.

FAITH LEAF

SunDAY

THE MORUNG EXPRESS 14 December 2014

www.morungexpress.com

7

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES, MESSAGES, POEMS & SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

The miracle and the meaning of Christmas The most humble being If you ponder seriously you will come to the conclusion that God is the most humble being one will ever know.

He is the Almighty God buthe humbled himself to become a human being. He left his heavenly abode and came down to earth.He left his adoring angels to live in a world filled with jealousy, suspicion and hate.He left his royal crown for a crown of thorns.He gave up his divine throne to take our place on the cross.

Anniversary of the birth of Christ Christmas is anniversary of the birth of Christ and its observance. We don't know in which month and date Jesus was born. Christmas began to be celebrated on 25th December in about the year 354 AD. The Bible account mentions the shepherds watching over their flocks in the field by night. So it's unlikely that Jesus was born in December since sheep are not kept outside during such cold season.

The word Christmas is formed of Christ plus Mass, meaning a religious service in commemoration of the birth of Christ. Some groups disapprove of the festival citing various reasons, one being its coinciding with a pagan festival. Despite all the oppositions, there is nothing wrong in setting aside a special day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

Celebrating Christmas, special anniversaries and jubilees are pointless if God is left out of the picture-- if we don't love God, if we don't love one another and if we don’t obey him.

The Prophecy: 700 years before Jesus was born, God inspired the prophet Micah to name the very place where Jesus would make His entry into the world. Said the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”.

It was not coincidence: Mary and Joseph lived in Galilee in the village of Nazareth. So how the prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem could be fulfilled?

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

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

Herod delayed the census: God works in mysterious ways! Augustus Caesar passed the royal order 3 years ago. But Herod the Great did not carry out the order immediately for fear of displeasing the Jews. Unknown to him, unknown to anyone, he carried out the order only when the time for Mary to give birth arrived.

The scene: The scene is in a stable. Mary and Joseph and a wooden manger before them in which the baby Jesus is lying. Around them are shepherds with their canes and with some sheep beside them. This scene touches our hearts, but what our sanitized scene does not present is the fact that the stable would have been dirty and the smells not too appealing.

L

ove is a powerful force. It has the ability to transform people's lives, penetrate even the hardest of hearts and breathe new life into almost any situation.

In so many ways, loving and serving others is what makes life worth living.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38, "Give and you shall receive." This isn't just a financial promise; it is so much more. It's about becoming givers of our time, our talents, our prayers and our resources. It's about giving our lives. And as we give ourselves away, we not only receive all of these things in return, but we'll also experience an incredible joy.

This isn't just true at Christmastime, when even the secular world focuses on giving to others. The truth is, we who follow Jesus can share in this joy all the time. Some of the happiest people I know are those who live to serve others. When we wake up everyday with the intention of helping someone else, it not only impacts others' lives, but it also brings an unexplainable fulfillment to our own.

Love Is Contagious My heart for helping people can be traced directly back to my mom and dad, Joyce and Dave Meyer. For as long as I can remember, they've looked for ways to help those in need.

I've watched them cry with compassion for the homeless, hungry and mistreated ... and then do something about it.

Over the years, as the Lord worked in my heart and taught me about His love, He used my mom and dad to illustrate what love really looks like. I remember as a young boy my parents bringing all of us children to the nursing home each week to visit the elderly.

We continually saw their genuine love and concern, and it's something we'll never forget. They not only brought God's comfort and joy to others, but their lifestyle of generosity and service also filled our lives with joy and happiness. Their example made me want to follow in their footsteps.

Today, it's that same heart for people— that passion to reach others with the love of Jesus Christ—that motivates everything we do through Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. This includes one program that is close to my heart: Each week, our teams visit more than 800 people in nursing homes and senior-care centers.

You see, love is a never-ending cycle—it doesn't stop with you and me.

When we serve others with a pure heart, we become "bright lights" and make others want what we have.

You may not always see an immediate reaction or change in someone, but be patient and never give up! God's love is contagious, and it has the ability to transform almost any situation.

The journey to Bethlehem: Traveling gently, with Mary riding on the back of a donkey and Joseph walking by her side, they would be on the road for about three days. Mary and Joseph came to an inn - a place of lodging. Because so many had come for the census there was no room left. What kind of an inn it was we do not know. Bethlehem was no tourist center so the inn probably left a lot to be desired. We aren’t told of even there being an innkeeper, but someone must have turned them away. It must have been hard for Mary and Joseph.

we could begin to comprehend. Whydoes the world need a Wonderful Counselor?

The world is often a confusing and overwhelming place. We need someone to help us get through the fog. We have a sin problem that we cannot handle by ourselves.

We may try to be good but we fail. We need someone who can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

We need someone who can lead us to salvation and new life. When Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem it was God’s way of sending us the help we needed.

The Mighty God The Inn: In Matthew 28:18 JeSince that night when sus declares, “All authorJesus was born, centuries ity in heaven and on earth have rolled by and Bethlehas been given to me.” Jesus has supreme authorhem has changed greatly. ity. Any authority on this The inn is no longer there, earth is “derived” authorbut upon the spot stood Selie Visa ity. Throughout the Gosthe oldest Christian church pels Jesus claims divine in the world… the Church of Nativity. At the east end of the church is a cave illumi- authority. He had the authority to forgive sin, and denated by fifty lamps suspended from the roof and on its clared that he was God. To reject Christ is to reject God. Is Jesus the Mighty God? First, there is the evidence of marble floor is a Silver Star (the Star of Bethlehem). There, His teaching. We are told that the crowds that heard Jesus or somewhere very near it, Jesus was born. On the other side lies the rock-cut manger upon which Jesus was laid teach were attentive because, “He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law (Matthew upon the dry straw.

But how can we be sure of the place where Jesus 7:29). The miracles of Jesus testify to His power and his authority. Blind men received their sight, crippled people was born? Notice that the Bible account speaks of “the walked, dead people came back to life, demon possessed inn of Bethlehem”, indicating that there was only one in people were set free, diseased people were made well. Jethe town. Many of the first Christians would know “the sus was unique in his power because he is the Mighty God. inn of Bethlehem”, for it must have continued in use for Jesus also revealed his might by the way he endured years after Jesus. From the descendants of these Chris- temptation. His strength was much greater than ours. tians, the Empress Helena, mother of the first Christian Where we give in, he remained strong. Where we crumble Emperor, Constantine the Great, learned of the spot he stood firm. We see his power and authority in his resurand made it into a little sanctuary. Later, the great Em- rection. Of all the religions of the world, only one boasts peror himself raised a beautiful church over it to keep a Risen Savior. Only one has a Savior who continues to forever in memory the place of the Incarnation. lead. All the others are merely dead men and women who made great claims. Jesus alone backed up His claims.

No Room at the inn: God makes plan to send His Son into the fallen The Everlasting Father world. But when He arrived, there was no room for Him How can the Son be the Father? As soon as you ask at the inn. The inn was too full for Christ to come in.We that question you step into the minefield that we like are the innkeeper of our hearts, of our lives. Are we to call the doctrine of the Trinity. Scripture affirms that among those who have no room for Jesus in our lives? there is one God who is manifest in three distinct and separate "persons" or personalities: Father, Son and Holy Have we given Him as much room as we should?

Spirit. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit The Wonderful Counselor and the Spirit is not the Father. But they are all one God! In the Bible according to Naves Topical Bible there Jesus is not called Everlasting Father because there is are more than 250 different names for Jesus. Let us re- confusion about the nature of God the Father and God flect on the names of Jesus given in Isaiah 9:6 and try the Son. Jesus is called the everlasting Father because of to get a better understandingof the richness and beau- his father-like qualities. He is still God the Son, but His ty behind them. “For to us a child is born, to us a son love and grace is like that of a Father with his children. is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

Jesus is our Everlasting Father in the sense that He is And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty the one who brings us to spiritual life. In John 14:6 Jesus told us that "no man comes to the Father, except through God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus would be a Counselor that was greater than Him". We are new creatures in and because of Christ. It

is because of Jesus that we have the opportunity to know eternal life. It is because of Jesus that we can know a new and life-giving relationship with the Father.

One of the synonyms for a good Father is a "provider".

As a Good Father, our Lord provides for us too. He provides the guidance we need for tough decisions. He provides the comfort we need in times of heartbreak. He provides all our daily needs. He answers our prayers and provides healing for our diseases. He opens our minds to spiritual truth. He gives us strength when we feel we can't go on.

Our everlasting Father provides for our every need.

When we find ourselves questioning the events or trials in our lives we need to remember thathe is the everlasting Father. He may allow us to struggle because he knows it is our good. But he will never abandon us. heis our shield, he is our Rock, and he loves us like only a Father can.

The Prince of Peace We are living at a time when the longing for peace is intense. If you read the news there is inevitably a story about conflict in many other places around the world.

There are stories of violence in our own communities.

Many people live their lives frightened. The idea of peace on earth and goodwill toward men seems illusive.

The word "peace" in the Hebrew is the word "shalom". Shalom is a rich word that carries with it the sense of wholeness or completeness. This peace that Jesus brings is that illusive "something" that we have been looking for. The peace he brings is that peace that can make you complete.

In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." (Romans 5:1-2) We are made right with God by what Christ did for us. Jesus is the Prince of Peace because he makes peace with God possible. We find peace with God when we stop trying to earn God's favor and instead receive the mercy and the grace that he offers us in Christ. Of all the gifts you receive this Christmas, none can come close to the gift of God that is offered through Jesus Christ.

Through Christ we are offered forgiveness and a new beginning. Because of Christ we can now be God's friends. We can know his smile rather than His frown, his blessing rather than his wrath.

The peace of the world is an absence of conflict. The Lord's peace is different. It is a calm and confidence that comes in spite of difficult times. We can know peace and calm in the midst of trying times. God's peace does not require that we understand why things happened, what God is doing, or how we are going to survive. Sometimes we don't understand these things. Our peace in these trials comes from our confidence in God's character and His ability. We have peace because we know that God loves us.

A Story: A story is told of a little boy who was to play the part of the Innkeeper in the annual children’s Christmas play at his church. Each time during the rehearsal, when it was time for him to tell Joseph and Mary that there was no room, he couldn’t say his lines. The director finally asked him why he was having so much trouble. He told him, "I just can’t send Jesus away! He can have my room!" As Christmas day approaches, remember that we are the innkeeper of our hearts, of our lives. There is room in the inn if we will make the room for Him. Each of us must consider how much room we have for Him - in our homes, in our lives and in our hearts for Him.

The Contagious Power of Giving Love ganization and see the difference it makes.

However, I believe a lot of people wonder, What can I do? I'm just one person!

The truth is that each of us has opportunities every single day to impact a life. As we open our eyes to the needs around us and begin taking action, God will continue to open doors and show us additional ways to help people. And when it comes to serving others, I think it helps to be practical.

At Joyce Meyer Ministries, we have a simple philosophy: Find a need and meet it. If we believe we can relieve someone's pain for even a short period of time, then we try to help.

This means if a person is hungry, we feed them. If they need medical care, we treat them. If a disaster has stolen all they own, we try to help them get back on their feet.

And if someone is a victim of the horrors of human trafficking, we try to rescue them and help them begin a new life.

Our ministry hasn't always been a large organization. We began by doing what we could and helping those God placed in our path. Initially, we allocated 10 percent of our income to help the hurting through missions efforts. Today, that percentage has greatly increased, and the Lord is allowing us to impact tens of thousands around the world. But it all goes back to doing what we can.

You can do the same thing. I encourage you to find a need and meet it. Whether it's helping a family that's behind on their bills, giving someone a ride to work, volunteering at church, visiting an elderly neighbor or praying for someone who's going through a hard time, you can make a difference too.

Some of the most amazing things can happen by simply cooking someone a meal or cutting their lawn!

It's all about the small stuff. We should never underestimate a simple act of love to help someone right where they are.

Multiply Your Efforts In many ways, the phrase "Together we are better" has become my motto. Throughout my life and in my role with Hand of Hope, I have consistently seen how partnerships have allowed us to accomplish otherwise impossible feats.

First, we team up with other ministries and organizations that are dedicated to reaching a particular region. We learned a long time ago that we can't be experts at everything. So when we join forces, it allows us all to do exponentially more than we could on our own.

God Is in the Small Stuff Our partnership with Kelimahefa and It's easy for people to look at a large or- a group of churches in Madagascar is the

David L. Meyer perfect example. This past June we held a special event in Madagascar, providing food, basic necessities and the gospel message to more than 30,000 children who are living on the streets. But without this partnership, none of it would have been remotely possible!

Second, we team up with people all around the world who send their financial support to help fund our ongoing outreaches. By ourselves, we couldn't do much at all.

But something incredible happens when a lot of people send their $5, $10 or $20. That adds up, and then together we are able to make a huge impact.

I encourage you to partner with your church and other organizations that are actively helping people in your community and beyond. The amount you give may not seem like much, but I can tell you from experience that the Lord takes what you give, blesses it, multiplies it and then uses it to transform people's lives.

The truth is, none of us can do it by ourselves—we need each other. And when we pool our resources and talents, God not only gets in the middle of our efforts, He also gets the credit for the outcome.

Go the Extra Mile Loving people often requires effort and a lot of hard work. It involves coming up with solutions and getting creative. Over the years, we've worked in some of the most difficult places around the world, often needing to think outside the box and step out of our comfort zone. But we've learned that "going the extra mile" can produce tremendous good.

For example, in the summer of 2007, we teamed up with several other organizations and an army of volunteers to pull off a multifaceted outreach called "Hope Cambodia: 30 Days of Hope." You may remember that more than 2 million people were brutally murdered in Cambodia during the genocide in the 1970s, leaving the country devastated. God put it on our hearts to do what we could to help these precious people move forward. But it wasn't going to be easy.

We set up festivals, leadership conferences and multiple medical clinics. We also shared Christ with prisoners and dedicated our new orphanages and community centers for children at risk.

From the start of our time there, the enemy opposed us. Before and during the outreach, it was one thing after another—and the weather simply added to the challenges (we were there during the rainy season).

Then, on the final day of the outreach, my mom was scheduled to speak in the Chenla Theater in the heart of Phnom Penh.

Suddenly, the authorities arrived and cut power to the building and locked the gates to the courtyard outside—no one could enter or leave the premises.

Before I knew it, my mom and dad, full of determination, were climbing over the gate to get inside the courtyard! My mom then preached one of her greatest messages to thousands in the streets using a bullhorn in the black of night.

Challenging times like that night have taught us to be bold, get a little radical and never give up. In fact, some of the projects posing the greatest challenges and risks are the ones I'm the most glad I pursued.

For instance, we've translated several of my mom's books into a total of 111 languages and distributed them worldwide. However, in some nations—especially those closed to the gospel—this can be a difficult task.

I'll never forget a photo one of our team members took a few years back. It was an image of a donkey slowly walking up the side of a mountain with an enormous bag of Joyce's books on its back. For me, that photo says it all. It says we're willing to do whatever it takes to reach people with the life-saving message of Jesus Christ.

Love requires us to occasionally take bold steps of obedience and do things we normally wouldn't. This applies to largescale outreaches as well as our everyday relationships. "Going the extra mile" might mean picking up the phone and calling someone we'd prefer not to, or making an effort to help a person in need when it's completely inconvenient.

It may also require you to get involved in ways you hadn't planned.

Maybe the Lord will ask you to host a study group or play an integral role in a church outreach. There have been numerous times when God has asked me to be a part of something new or different—something I would have never thought to do on my own—that ended up blessing my life and so many others'.

Remember, each of us, regardless of age or situation, has a unique sphere of influence and set of friendships. There are people we can reach in a way no one else can! And the greatest thing we can do is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and take action.

I encourage you to be bold. Get creative and step out of your comfort zone. I've experienced countless times when I thought, God, are You sure? But down the road, I realized He simply was setting me up to be used

in a greater way than I ever imagined.

Share Christ and Love People Our mission at Joyce Meyer Ministries is simple—we aim to "share Christ and love people." In so many ways, these two things are inseparable.

Through the years, I've seen virtually every approach to reaching people with the gospel—from mass crusades and church services to leadership seminars and all types of humanitarian efforts.

Each one can bring a degree of success.

But whether it's in North America, Asia or Africa, people are ultimately reached because they believe you love and care about them.

I'll never forget a report I received from one of our outreaches in India that is partially focused on ministering to people with leprosy. In this region, lepers are complete outcasts, shunned by the community. The only interaction they have with the "outside world" is when someone throws a piece of food to them. Our teams regularly meet and pray for them and also help alleviate their physical suffering. One common issue is the incredibly painful sores they develop on the bottoms of their feet.

One day, a member of our team began to take off the bandages from one man's foot and carefully wash the infected areas. Overwhelmed at such an act of love, the man asked, "Why are you touching my feet?"

He replied, "Because there's a God in heaven who wants to touch your heart."

You see, we want every person we encounter to give his or her heart to Christ.

But getting them to that point may take a lot of love in action. So many people are in such physical or emotional pain that they can't even process the "message" until their needs have been met.

First Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love suffers long." One of the greatest things we can ever do is "suffer long" with someone, sticking with them through their hurts and pain. Because, in the end, loving and caring for others is the greatest message we will ever preach.

I encourage you to make love your priority and actively look for ways to make a difference in someone else's life.

What better time to start than this Christmas season! Be bold. Get creative. And don't be afraid to let it take you places you haven't been before.

When you give yourself away—your time, your talents and everything else God has given you—it has a way of coming back to you in the most incredible way.

David L. Meyer is CEO of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. He oversees the ministry's international and field offices, manages its foreign radio and television broadcasts, and coordinates humanitarian aid and international festivals. His travels for Christ have taken him to more than 150 nations.

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.

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Dimapur

NATIONAL

Sunday 14 December 2014

World is watching Kashmir as ballots defeat bullets: Modi

Kat h ua / ra j o u r I (jammu anD KaShmIr), DecemBer 13 (IanS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir was being closely watched by the entire world following the massive turnout of people who have proved the power of ballots over bullets.

Addressing large Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election rallies in Kathua and Rajouri border towns in Jammu region, Modi said people of the state have proved that the power of democracy was far greater than that of the AK-47 rifle.

“The world is watching these elections because of the massive participation by the people,” he said.

Modi expressed happiness over what he called seeing a new hope and expectation on the faces of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “I am happy your dreams have come alive and you have decided to realise these.

“It is my good fortune that in Jammu and Kashmir, no leader from any other party has had the opportunity to see so many people as I have been able to see.

“Whether it was Ladakh or any other part of Jam-

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard during distribution of electronic voting machines at a local college in Srinagar on Saturday, December 13. The final two phases of the fivephased state elections of Jammu and Kashmir will be held on Dec. 14 and 20. (AP Photo)

mu and Kashmir, people have given so much love to nobody else and I will return this to you with interest,” he said.

“Your love for me will be returned through development and prosperity.”

Modi said people who were making guesses on television screens about who will form the next government “should come and see the people here before doing their electoral arithmetic”.

“I am addressing you from a place where Pakistan is on the other side and border firings take place frequently, but the peo-

ple of this land do not run away because of fear. I have come to salute these brave people who hear the loud noises of bullets on the border each day,” he said.

He said successive governments in the past deprived the youths of Kathua from getting jobs in India’s armed forces.

Modi was referring to the border resident’s certificate which the people of Kathua do not get although the area like many others in the state is a border district.

Youths having border resident’s certificate are entitled to apply for service in the armed forces after

passing Class 8, while those of other districts can do so only after matriculation.

Modi said governments are formed to address people’s problems, “but I ask you, have your problems been addressed?”

He said the people know who their “sinners” were. “Unless you punish those sinners, they will not understand.”

The prime minister said the Congress was now blaming the National Conference for not allowing it to fulfil its programmes, and asked why the party continued to remain in the government.

Modi said his govern-

ment has dispensed with attestation of documents by gazetted officers while submitting copies of certificates for government jobs.

“Shouldn’t citizens of this country be trusted?

That is why we said self-attestation of academic certificates is good enough,” he said.

Modi also spoke about suicides in the country.

“Those who attempt suicide do not deserve imprisonment, they need help and guidance to change their lives.”

The prime minister told the residents of Rajouri and Poonch that the backwardness of these areas was the handiwork of previous governments.

“Rajouri and Poonch districts should have been connected with the rest of the country through a rail link long back so that the fruits of development reached these far-flung areas quickly.

“I promise to connect these districts with the rest of the country through a rail link,” he said. Modi addressed a BJP rally of more than 40,000 people in Rajouri town, the majority of whom were from the tribal Muslim Gujjar community.

While 18 constituencies will vote Sunday, 20 constituencies in Jammu, Kathua

and Rajouri districts go to polls in the fifth and final phase Dec 20. Votes will be counted Dec 23.

Modi also said the respect he has been getting worldwide was not because of him, but because of the people of India.

“The world has started recognising the excellence of India not because of Modi, but because of the 1.25 billion strong people of the country. When people shake hands with me, they see 1.25 billion people standing behind me,” he said in Kathua.

Modi again hit out at the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), terming them “dynastic” parties.

“Aren’t children of other families talented to run the state of Jammu and Kashmir? Why should only father-and-son party (NC) and father-and-daughter party (PDP) be allowed to come to power,” he asked.

Modi asked people to see the democratic functioning of the BJP “which made it possible for the son of a tea stall owner to become the prime minister”.

“Your sons and daughters are second to none.

Come forward and make it possible for your sons and daughters to run this country,” he said.

The Morung Express

‘States fearful about losing Planning Commission’

new DelhI, DecemBer 13 (IanS): There is a strong sense of apprehension and uncertainty among smaller states following the union government’s proposal to wind up the Planning Commission, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat as he locked horns with his counterpart from the BJP-governed Maharashtra over the issue of centre-state relations in the Indian federation, Saturday.

“There is uncertainty among small states like mine regarding the potential dismantling of the Planning Commission. Who do we approach for funding and other concerns now?” Rawat said as he shared his fear for the loss of the autonomous body at the Centre that sets the country’s development agenda. “There is a logical concern because it was the Commission that interacted with us (the states) at every level until now,” he added.

However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposition to strengthen cooperative federalism by replacing the commission with a new framework founded on greater centre-state partnership, and termed Rawat’s concern as “baseless”.

“Modi is a visionary and he wants to strengthen centre-state relations. The Congress “governed states are raising baseless concerns only because they are in the opposition,” he said at Agenda, a summit on centre-state relationship organized by the India Today Group here.

In tune with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s suggestion to dismantle the Planning Commission, Fadnavis said it had achieved its original goal and was now redundant in the post-liberalisation era in India, giving birth to the need of a replacement.

“As the economy changed after the liberalisation of the 1990s, why shouldn’t the instruments change?” he quizzed. Accusing the union government of displaying an authoritarian attitude and sidelining states until the BJP assumed stewardship at the centre this May, Fadnavis said states would no longer stand with a begging bowl for funds and would have a greater say in the planning process.

In contrast, Rawat contended it was a unilateral proposal to dismantle the commission as political parties, states and the people of India were never consulted.

Amidst the bickering over change in political stands due to role reversal between the Congress and the BJP, Fadnavis assured that the BJP at the centre would ensure India treads the path of national growth while all states progress as well, the BJP and the non-BJP alike.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis, who hails from the region of Vidarbha in Maharashtra, said Vidarbha as an independent state would become a reality when the time is ripe.

Will scrap law punishing Indian executive held for links with IS terror group suicide attempt victims Bengaluru, Police Commissioner M.N. DecemBer 13 (IanS): A Indian business Reddi had Friday set up a probe

Kathua, DecemBer 13 (PtI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that his government will scrap the law providing for punishment to a person who attempts to commit suicide.

“Normally the law provides for punishment to a person for committing the crime. However, there is a law in our country which provides for punishment for having failed to commit the crime,” he said referring to provision for jail to a person attempting to commit suicide.

Elaborating, he told people at a rally in Sports Stadium here that “You may be surprised that there has been a law which sends one to jail if one wants to end life and survives due to failed attempt.

So far as one going to jail after committing a crime is understandable, but not the one getting punishment for being unsuccessful in committing a crime,” he added.

After coming to power, his government had consultations over the issue, Modi said, adding that the government shall

look into the circumstances compelling a person to end life. “He needs sympathy and not the punishment… We need to understand his pain and the grief,” he said, adding that the one desiring to commit suicide needs to be advised that the path chosen by one is not correct.

“The one needs to be persuaded not to end one’s life and have faith that there will be solution to one’s problems,” Modi said, adding that “this law would not be allowed to remain in existence”.

He also referred to another law requiring a job seeker get one’s certificates attested from a gazetted officer. Pointing out that one had to stand in queue for hours and sometimes even pay money for it, Modi said that his government ended this unnecessary practice after coming to power.

“Today in the age of zeros copies, one needs to trust people of the country. However, one’s original certificates can be checked after one gets the job,” he added.

executive, named as a support- team to trace Mehdi on the baer and publicist of the Islamic sis of credible information and State (IS) terror group by a Brit- inputs from security agencies ish news channel, was arrested after Channel 4 report about his from his rented house here ear- presence through ISIS Twitter ly Saturday, a top police official Ideologue @ShamiWitness in the city. said.

Biswas, who hails from Go“Terror suspect Mehdi Masroor Biswas, 24, was picked from palpur town in West Bengal’s his one-room rented house in Nadia district, is employed as a the northeast suburbs and sent business executive in an Indian to custody after preliminary in- multinational firm.

“Mehdi studied in Guru terrogation,” Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Lal Nanak Engineering College in Rokhuma Pachau told reporters Kolkata, affiliated to West Bengal Institute of Technology, and here.

The arrest came two days was hired for the job through after Channel 4 News Thurs- campus interview in 2012,” day reported from London that Pachau said.

The suspect’s parents and Mehdi was part of the IS terror group’s Twitter activities and two elder sisters live in Gopalwas regularly tweeting from this pur. His father retired 10 years ago from the West Bengal elec- Bangalore police’s investigating officer Hemant Nimbalkar poses with a photograph of Mehdi Masroor city.

Biswas, in his office at police headquarters in Bangalore,on Saturday, December 13. (AP Photo) “Mehdi was found asleep tricity board.

Mehdi moved to Bengaluru nel unmasked his identity and lish-speaking terrorists of IS ates or links. in a one-room tenement when our probe team knocked on his in 2012 on posting and was con- terror activities he was carrying and became a source of incite“Mehdi became an IS symdoor in the early hours. He was firmed in his job in March this in the virtual world beyond of- ment and information for new pathiser after reading voradetained, interrogated and ar- year, with a salary of Rs.5.3 lakh fice hours. recruits trying to join the group,” ciously on the socio-religious rested on confessing that he per annum Mehdi confessed to oper- Reddi said. factors of Muslims in the Arab “Mehdi got interested in de- ating @ShamiWitness Twitter was a radical Islamicist,” Pachau Through his social media world and became active on velopments across the Muslim account over the years, as he propaganda, Mehdi also abet- social media and Twitter acsaid.

Police registered a case world, spanning West Asia and got interested in the develop- ted ISIL in its agenda to wage counts to share, translate and against Mehdi under various North Africa since a decade. He ments of the region consisting war. spread messages of the IS terror sections of the Indian Penal used an internet account with of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, IsMehdi was careful in hiding group from Arabic into English Code, the Unlawful Activities 60 GB capacity to download rael, Gaza strip, Egypt and Libya his true identity and was confi- and from other languages into (Prevention) Act the Informa- news, views, videos and pic- since 2003. dent that it would never get re- Arabic,” Reddi said. tures and browse social media tion Technology (IT) Act. He has about 17,000 Twitter vealed.

“He did not recruit or faciliTwo mobiles, one laptop, sites such as Facebook, blogs, followers and used to aggresPreliminary investigation, tate or travel outside the counincriminating documents, re- news portals and used e-mail sively tweet by collecting infor- including interrogation of Me- try though he was popular in the other organisations like PHD ligious literature, pictures and extensively,” Pachau said. mation and watching develop- hdi, revealed he has been oper- internet and Twitter world, with Mehdi’s Twitter handler was ments in this region.

Chamber of Commerce, Fed- CDs were seized from his house ating mostly in the virtual world thousands of followers in the shut a day after the news chaneration of Indian Chambers of during the raid.

“He was close to the Eng- and did not have local associ- social media,” he added.

Commerce and Industry and the ministry of health should also be stakeholders in the board.

“Also there will be all legal growing economy, India the fastsupport while forming a na- new DelhI, DecemBer 13 space” for both to grow.

“Both can co-exist, the mar- est growing democracy and the tional board to endorse India (IanS): India, China and the US as a global health tourism des- - three countries that share a ma- kets allow for growth. Both have US the fastest growing developed new DelhI, DecemBer 13 (PtI): Gullible invesjor chunk of the world population strong relations which are grow- country. tors get trapped in ponzi schemes because of their own tination,” Prem said.

“The three have a role to work “greed”, CBI chief Anil Sinha said on Saturday on the scam Over 150,000 tourists come and GDP between them - should ing,” he said.

While there was “discord” re- as a trio to address the major prob- in which an estimated 25 lakh people have lost deposits in to India for low-priced health- institutionalise their partnership West Bengal and Odisha alone. care procedures every year as and conduct a trilateral dialogue to garding the border issue, efforts lems of the world,” Ramesh said.

He said the climate change ac“They (investors in ponzi schemes) are not suffermedical treatment costs in the foster deeper engagement with the were on for securing peace and cord between the US and China ing because CBI is not investigating these cases. They developed world are much world on crucial issues like climate tranquility, he said.

Chinese envoy Le Yucheng said was an example of how they can are suffering because of other reasons,” he said. The CBI more as compared to India, he change and terrorism, experts said the accord inked between China address differences and agree on chief was asked whether he would like a policy where the here Saturday. added.

Addressing a conference and the US on climate change last major issues. agency is allowed to take up probe cases of ponzi scam in Manipal Healthcare’s Ramesh said that besides cli- which majority of investors come from poor and lower Managing Director Ajay Bak- “Shaping the 21st Century: India, month showed how two big powshi said: “The private hospitals the US and China”, organised by ers can cooperate for peace and mate change, the three could also middle class sections rather than wait for state governdiscuss nuclear non-proliferation, ments. in India have the capacity to the Deccan Herald, the experts development of the world.

He said the world was fac- which was an important issue with provide special care to the in- said challenges like the Ebola virus “If we have to fight corruption in this country, there ternational patients, which is outbreak and the threat from the ing challenges like Ebola, the IS the emergence of non-state actors. is a fundamental requirement that we have to fight our “It falls upon the three to greed. When gullible people get trapped in such schemes, equal and even better than the Islamic State terror group cannot threat and the turmoil in Ukraine, private hospitals of any Euro- be tackled by any single country which no single country can deal come out with a no first use doc- they are trapped because of their own greed...If we have to with alone. trine,” he said. but have to be faced together. pean countries.” fight corruption, we have to have control on ourselves,” he The three could also coordinate said at the Aaj Tak Agenda.

“So we cannot afford any war“In the last one decade, the Minister of State for Exterperception of foreigners to- nal Affairs Gen. (retd) V.K. Singh fare between us. We need to join on tackling regional and internaThe 1979-batch IPS officer, who took charge of the wards Indian healthcare has said economic dependence will hands to address the challenging tional terrorism. agency on December 3, said he would not like to interfere India, China and the US while in the work of other agencies who are mandated to probe changed and now they prefer dictate future relations between reality of the world,” Le said.

Indian hospitals over the hos- the countries over the next two Congress leader Jairam Ra- working together should also as- such cases. Sinha said all the steps taken in the case are pitals in Germany and France,” decades. mesh said the three countries to- sure the world that their deepen- based on the available “facts and evidence”. he said.

He said the next two decades gether comprise 35-40 percent of ing engagement was not aimed at “...We have to work as per mandate given to us. There A survey is being conducted would prove exciting, with the the global population and are the them and relations should not be should be not interference,” the CBI chief said. He said across the country on hospitals three countries assisting others to three largest economies with their viewed as a zero sum game. he has directed his officers to work without fear and total so that some of the suggestions come to higher levels of growth.

“The three need to take initia- impartiality without thinking about consequences and combined GDP at 40-45 percent can be submitted to the tourism tive and institutionalise the mech- also ensuring that “unnecessary harassment” should On India-China relations, the of the world. and health ministry.

He said China was the fastest anism for dialogue,” Ramesh said. be avoided. minister said there was “enough

Centre urged to set up body to promote medical tourism new DelhI, DecemBer 13 (IanS): Over 50 medical experts from across India Saturday urged the central government to set up a “national board” to promote the country as a medical tourism destination.

The medical practitioners also urged the government to form the board under the Public-Private Partnership mode so that doctors in both private and government hospitals get a chance to contribute towards the objective.

“There is urgently a need of a national board to endorse India as a medical tourism destination as medical tourism in India is already a growing sector. It will help various stakeholders in the health industry to work together just like in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Germany,” said Prem, a global medical tourism consultant.

He was speaking at the International India Medical Tourism Congress held here.

Tourism Secretary Lalit K. Panwar inaugurated the event.

According to various surveys, the Indian medical tourism sector is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30 percent, making it a $2 billion industry by 2015.

Prem said apart from the private and public hospitals,

‘India, China, US should conduct trilateral dialogue’

To fight corruption, we have to fight our greed: CBI chief

InternatIonal

the Morung express

Sunday 14 December 2014

Dimapur

9

CIA medics aided, complained about tactics

In this May 3 photo, local residents gather outside a house, where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was caught and killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin laden in Pakistan in May 2011, top CIA officials secretly told lawmakers that information gleaned from brutal interrogations played a key role in what was one of the spy agency’s greatest successes. CIA director Leon Panetta repeated that assertion in public, and it found its way into a critically acclaimed movie about the operation, Zero Dark Thirty, which depicts a detainee offering up the identity of bin Laden’s courier, Abu Ahmad al- Kuwaiti, after being tortured at a CIA “black site.” As it turned out, Bin Laden was living in al Kuwaiti’s walled family compound, so tracking the courier was the key to finding the al-Qaida leader. (AP File Photo)

WASHINGTON, December 13 (AP): From the early stages of the CIA’s coercive interrogations of terror detainees, the agency’s health professionals were intimately involved.

Front-line medics and psychologists monitored and advised on abusive tactics, even as they sometimes complained about the ethical dilemmas gnawing at them, according to this week’s Senate intelligence committee report. Senior CIA medical officials helped the agency

bANJArNeGArA, December 13 (AP): A mudslide set off by torrential rains rushed down hills into a village in central Indonesia and swept away scores of homes, killing at least 18 people and leaving 90 others missing, officials said Saturday.

About 105 houses were swept away by the landslide late Friday in Jem-

and the White House under President George W. Bush.

The report describes rare moments when CIA health professionals openly balked and objected. But for four years, until Bush shuttered the CIA prison program in 2006, medical teams at each “black site” observed almost every step of procedures that President Barack Obama now calls torture.

They oversaw water dousing to ensure detainees suffered but did not drown. They inserted

feeding tubes and improvised enemas. They took notes when detainees were body-slammed and forced to stand for hours — intervening only to ensure that the brutal measures were not crippling enough to prevent the next round of interrogations. Medical ethicists, already familiar with debate on the issue, say that both the Senate report and a CIA response fail to comprehensively tackle questions of medical morality and offer reforms.

“The Senate report is

quite an indictment, but it leaves the American people, whatever their political views, uncertain about how medical ethics should be upheld,” said Dr. Arthur Caplan, head of medical ethics at New York University’s Langone Medical Center.

“The behavior we’re reading about is flat-out unethical for any health professional.”

The Senate committee’s report, a summary of a much larger 6,700page document that remains classified, includes an entire section about

how two former Air Force psychologists devised the harsh techniques under a CIA contract and played conflicting roles as interrogators and health professionals. Committee chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein, says in a forward that the larger report “is far more extensive.”

The summary paints a highly critical portrait through case studies of the interrogations of al-Qaida suspects, showing how doctors and technicians tended to each detainee and what they privately told colleagues and superiors in emails and memos.

The CIA’s official rebuttal says the agency “took seriously its responsibility to provide for the welfare of CIA’s detainee population, including being able to address emergency and longterm medical and psychological needs.” In a Thursday news conference, CIA Director John Brennan did not specifically cite medical personnel but acknowledged that agency “officers inadequately developed and monitored” the detention program’s “initial activities.” But he added that most CIA officials worked “in accordance with the legal and policy guidance they were provided.”

“So it begins,” an unnamed medical officer emailed in August 2002 to leaders at CIA’s Office of Medical Services in Virginia after interrogators

for the first time used a water dousing technique on a terror detainee. The captured al-Qaida suspect was strapped to a board in a Thailand prison while water poured over his face.

The medic’s email was carefully clinical. “Longest time with the cloth over his face so far has been 17 seconds. This is sure to increase shortly. NO useful information so far.”

The prisoner, Abu Zubaydah, vomited and in a later session, blacked out, with swallowed water bubbling from his mouth.

A day later, another CIA officer emailed to a colleague about the disturbed reaction of one of the medics.

“Want to caution that this is almost certainly not a place he’s ever been before in his medical career. ... It is visually and psychologically very uncomfortable.” It is unclear from the Senate report whether both emails referenced the same medical officer.

The internal clash between medical personnel’s interrogation duties and their oath to “first do no harm” is repeated throughout the Senate report. It says that the CIA’s Office of Medical Services played a clear role advising CIA and Bush administration lawyers on which techniques could be used and how far interrogators could go before inducing lasting pain or the threat of death.

As early as March 2003,

the report says, “OMS completed draft guidelines on the use of CIA’s enhanced interrogation techniques, specifically, addressing the waterboard interrogation technique.” And in 2005, as Bush administration lawyers reviewed the tactics, the CIA reported that “it is the OMS’s view that ... the program in place has effectively avoided severe physical pain and suffering, and should continue to do so.”

In a 2004 CIA inspector general’s report on interrogation and detention, the CIA’s chief of medical services said the OMS “was neither consulted nor involved in the initial analysis of the risk and benefits” of coercive techniques.

In March 2003, a medical officer in the CIA’s Poland prison watched accused 9/11 attacks mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed thrash through two waterboarding sessions. The medic objected when interrogators prepared Mohammed for a third round, saying it would violate draft guidelines sent from OMS the previous day. He was quickly overruled and watched as the detainee went under again.

The same day, the medical officer cabled to another official that “things are slowly evolving from OMS being viewed as the institutional conscience and the limiting factor to the ones who are dedicated to maximizing the benefit in a safe manner

Indonesia mudslide kills 18 and leaves 90 missing

blung village in Central Java province’s Banjarnegara district, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Hundreds of rescuers, including soldiers, police and residents, dug through the debris Saturday with their bare hands, shovels and hoes, while others used bamboo to carry

black body bags containing corpses. About 420 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.

Crying relatives watched in horror as residents and rescuers pulled out mud-caked bodies from the village, while distraught women screamed at a hospital, MetroTV video showed. Nugroho said some rescuers heard what

sounded like calls for help coming from the debris, but that a lack of equipment had prevented them reaching possible victims.

“Mud, rugged terrain and bad weather hampered our rescue efforts,” Nugroho said. Tractors and bulldozers were later brought in to help with the rescue effort.

Eighteen bodies were pulled from the mud and

the wreckage of crumpled homes, and rescuers were struggling to search for 90 people still missing, said Sutedjo Slamet Utomo, the district chief of Barnjarnegara, located about 460 kilometers (285 miles) east of the capital, Jakarta. Eleven badly injured villagers were being hospitalized. Residents in Jemblung village described how they were

horrified by the mound of red soil that suddenly cascaded down hills and hit houses.

“It was like a nightmare. ... We suddenly heard a terrible roar and we were immediately fleeing from the rain of red soil,” said Wahono, a resident who survived with his four family members. “Many failed and they were buried in the ground.”

Wahono, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he heard people screaming and pleading for help in the heavy rain and dark. But he said he was unable to do anything other than run with his family to safety.

The landslide was the second in several days on densely populated Java island. Mud and rocks hit

and keeping everyone’s butt out of trouble.”Medical ethicists say the blurry lines between CIA service and ethical guidelines constitute a core problem.

“These doctors were coopted when they knew better,” said Dr. Stephen Xenakis, a retired brigadier general with the U.S. Army’s medical corps. Xenakis co-authored a 2010 critique in the Journal of the American Medical Association that accused the CIA’s medical service of institutional failure “to uphold medical ethical values.”

One former CIA psychologist, Kirk Hubbard, wrote in the Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy in 2007 that he opposed torture but insisted that psychologists should be able to “assist in developing effective, lawful ways to obtain actionable intelligence in fighting terrorism.

If the information can be obtained non-coercively, so much the better.”

Several medical ethicists said they were dismayed that the Senate report included no reform proposals that would preclude health professionals from assisting in abusive interrogations. Caplan urged the creation of national commissions, and Xenakis said, “There has to be a clear firewall at CIA and other agencies and an independent chain where they can object and where their objections are heard at the highest level.”

Central Java’s Wonosobo district on Thursday, killing at least one villager. Seasonal rains and high tides in recent days have caused dozens of landslides and widespread flooding across much of Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains close to rivers.

Set aside hate, Xi says on Nanjing Massacre UN climate talks

beIJING, December 13 (reuTerS): China and Japan should set aside hatred and not allow the minority who led Japan to war to affect relations now, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday, as the country marked its first national memorial day for the Nanjing Massacre.

China and Japan have long sparred over their painful history. China consistently reminds its people of the 1937 massa-

cre in which it says Japanese troops killed 300,000 people in its then capital. A postwar Allied tribunal put the death toll at 142,000, but some conservative Japanese politicians and scholars deny a massacre took place at all.

Ties had deteriorated sharply over the past year following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine honouring war criminals among Japan’s war dead.

The two are also involved in a spat over islets in the East China Sea. But both countries, mindful of the economic stakes, reached agreement last month to try to reset ties during an icebreaking meeting between Xi and Abe in Beijing.

Speaking at a memorial in the eastern city of Nanjing, a sombre Xi said that while history must never be forgotten, the future was just as important. “The reason we are having a memo-

rial for the Nanjing Massacre victims is to recall that all good-hearted people yearn for and hold fast to peace, not to prolong hatred,” Xi said, in comments carried live on state television.

“The people of China and Japan should pass on friendship from generation to generation,” he added. “Forgetting history is a betrayal, and denying a crime is to repeat a crime.

We should not hate a people just because a small mi-

nority of militarists set off an invasion and war. “... but nobody at any time should forget the severe crimes of the invaders.”

Doves to signify peace flew overhead once Xi, wearing a white flower on his lapel to signify mourning, finished speaking. Next year is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, and China has already promised memorials, offering the potential for further Sino-Japanese friction.

In recent days, China has released heart-rending accounts of the violence from its archives.

“With the issue of history having become an unavoidable hurdle in Japan’s relations with neighbours, the best way for the island nation to proceed is sincere acknowledgement and repentance of its war-time past, rather than futile attempts to reject it,” the official Xinhua news agency said in a commentary.

Young UN climate activists passionate, frustrated

LImA, December 13 (AP): The increasingly hostile climate predicted by scientists — rising seas, crippling droughts, everstronger super storms — is the looming nightmare that drives a contingent of young environmental activists that has been seeking to make a mark on U.N. climate talks.

The largely 20-somethings agitating for urgent collective action to curb global warming account for a few hundred at best of the 12,500 people accredited to attend the Lima negotiations.They include activists, journalists for green news media and UN workers and they are passionate about swaying government negotiators. It is their generation, after all, that will bear the burden of a runaway climate.

The Lima talks are supposed to lay the groundwork for a global climate pact in Paris next year. But they have disappointed most young activists, who want faster progress.

Jim Shultz, 57, a lifelong political activist who runs the left-leaning Democracy Center nonprofit from Bolivia, compared the impact of climate change on the young to that of the Vietnam war on an earlier generation. “You and I are going to be in the ground when the science fiction

stuff starts happening,” said Shultz, a Californian. “They are going to be raising their kids.” A glance at some of the young voices: Maria EscalantE is broad-shouldErEd, ruddy-chEEkEd and pronE to dirEct action.

“It is our lives they’re playing with,” the 23-yearold Colombian says of the negotiators. She was expelled from last year’s climate talks in Poland for holding high a banner that read “How Many More Lives?” in a conference hall. It was a reference to Typhoon Haiyan, that was in the midst of claiming more than 10,000 lives in the Philippines. Some say there’s a good chance climate change was a factor.

After her Warsaw stunt, it took a letter from the Group of 77 developing nations to get Escalante credentials for the Lima talks.

She had to sign a code of conduct that sharply restricts where she can stage protests. Escalante, who belongs to the youth group “Earth in Brackets,” stands apart from the smartly dressed delegates with her white T-shirt, jeans and nose ring. She believes it is important to attend the talks to understand the process and explain it to

others, but feels excluded: “We don’t have enough space to make a difference.” haMish MckEnziE grEw up during thE grEatEst drought in rEcordEd australian history.

“We say of young Australians today that we don’t know what green grass looks like because everything is just yellow and prickly and everyone gets sore feet when you run on it,” says the 23-year-old Melbourne native.

The human costs were high: bush fire deaths, a spike in farmer suicides, costly desalination plants.

“We used to shower with buckets underneath our feet to save water,” he said McKenzie says he’s pained that so many of his countrymen won’t connect the dots between the extreme weather and greenhouse gas emissions.

He was among hundreds of thousands who took to the streets to protest parliament’s July vote that made Australia the first developed nation to repeal a tax on carbon emissions, the main source of manmade warming. Heavily reliant on coal, Australia is among the world’s largest per-capita carbon polluters.

A policy wonk, McKenzie is covering the Lima

Activists from different countries hold signs in support of the unborn on the sidelines of the Climate Change Conference, on a beach in Lima, Peru on December 4. A recent study by a top Brazilian climate scientist, Antonio Nobre, draws together data from multiple researchers to show that the Amazon, due to decades of deforestation, may be closer to a tipping point than the government has acknowledged and that the changes could be a threat to climates around the globe. (AP Photo)

talks for The Verb, an online news site focused on the environment. While passionate, he rejects militancy, calling it the movement’s “biggest hindrance.”

“We need people inside the ‘evil (energy) companies’ who actually think like us,” he said. “We cannot approach them as diabolical opponents out to destroy the planet.” asha sitati, a 28-yEar-old kEnyan, dEsigns Early warning systEMs for cliMatE-rElatEd hazards for thE u.n.

EnvironMEnt pro-

graM. She is a child of environmental hardship. The water that she, as a young farm girl, took for granted gradually became more scarce. By age 10, she was walking nearly a mile for potable water. The family’s corn and bean crops suffered. “The food you have is not enough,” Sitati said.

“There are times when you go hungry.”

Recently, the University of Nairobi environmental studies graduate returned home and found the well had dried up. Sitati’s late father was a longhaul trucker. Kidney failure

claimed her mother’s life in 2004. Money was always tight and Sitati was nearly expelled from boarding school when she couldn’t pay the fees. Now she supports her siblings.

At the talks, she works with the pan-African delegation. Climate change’s impact is a top problem for many African nations, who want rich countries — the main carbon polluters — to pay them more for the damage. Sitati says Africa’s delegates are being overshadowed by powerful interests in Lima. “They are trying,” she said. “But I feel like their voice is not being heard.”

deadlocked

LImA, December 13 (AP): U.N. talks on a new global warming pact spilled into the weekend as negotiators quarreled over what kind of information to include when countries unveil their contributions before a key summit in Paris next year. The yearly climate meetings rarely close on time and the two-week session in Lima was no exception as disputes that arose in the opening days remained unresolved by Friday’s scheduled close of the conference. “There are still some points in the agenda that need more discussion,” Chinese delegate Zhang Jiutian said.

One of the most problematic issues was getting the more than 190 countries participating to agree on what information should go into the pledges that governments are supposed to put on the table for the planned Paris agreement. Rich countries insisted the pledges should focus on efforts to control emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases and were resisting demands that they include promises of financing to help poor countries absorb the effects of climate change.

Meanwhile, top carbon polluter China and other major developing countries opposed plans for a review process that would allow the pledges to be compared against one another before Paris. Their reluctance angered some delegates from countries on the front lines of climate change. “We are shocked that some of our colleagues would want to avoid a process to hold their proposed targets up to the light,” said Tony de Brum, the foreign minister of the Marshall Islands, a Pacific nation of low-lying atolls at risk of being flooded by rising seas.

Though negotiating tactics always play a role, virtually all disputes in the U.N. talks reflect the wider issue of how to divide the burden of fixing the planetary warming that scientists say results from human activity, primarily the burning of oil, coal and natural gas.

Historically, Western nations are the biggest emitters. Currently, most CO2 emissions are coming from developing countries as they grow their economies and lift millions of people out of poverty.

“We are at a moment in the negotiations where countries need to show political leadership, to rise above narrow self-interest and make progress towards decisions that are for the larger, global good,” said the Climate Action Network, an advocacy group.

During a brief stop in Lima on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said fixing the problem was “everyone’s responsibility, because it’s the net amount of carbon that matters, not each country’s share.”

According to the U.N.’s scientific panel on climate change, the world can pump out no more than about 1 trillion tons of carbon to have a likely chance of avoiding dangerous levels of warming. It has already spent more than half of that carbon budget as emissions continue to rise, driven by growth in China and other emerging economies.

Scientific reports say climate impacts are already happening and include rising sea levels, intensifying heat waves and shifts in weather patterns causing floods in some areas and droughts in others. The U.N. weather agency last week said 2014 could become the hottest year on record.

10

Dimapur

SPORTS

Sunday 14 December 2014

Pellegrini wants Lampard to stay at City LONDON, December 13 (reuTerS): Premier League champions Manchester City want to extend midfielder Frank Lampard's loan deal from Major League Soccer club New York City beyond December, manager Manuel Pellegrini said.

Lampard, who joined New York after being released by Chelsea at the end of last season, is on loan at City until the end of the year and has scored three goals in 10 league appearances.

The 36-year-old is due to return to America for pre-season training in January ahead of the start of the MLS season in March.

City manager Pellegrini now hopes the two clubs, who are both owned by the Abu Dhabi-controlled City Football Group, can agree a deal to keep Lampard in Manchester. "I think Frank is a very important player for us and I hope we will not have any problems for him to stay here," Pellegrini,

whose team are second in the league and three points adrift of leaders Chelsea, told reporters ahead of City's visit to bottom-club Leicester City on Saturday.

"But I cannot say just from one side what will happen with him. He has a loan just until the end of December and there is another club involved.

"The MLS is involved also. There are a lot of parties with an arrangement. It's not just depending on one opinion. But I hope we can have a decision as soon as possible because it's important for us and the players."

ATP prize money to reach $100 million in 2015 LONDON, December 13 (XINHuA): The 2015 ATP overall prize money will exceed 100 million U.S. dollars, the men's professional tennis tour announced on Friday.

"The increases at ATP events are a testament to the sustained success of men's professional tennis, as well as demonstrating the ATP's confidence in the strength

of its product and projected growth in future years," an ATP statement read.

The biggest increases come at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 category, with tournaments providing annual increases of 11 percent, and with the ATP contributing a further 3 percent increase, resulting in a 14 percent annual increase in that category through to 2018.

Lampard has enjoyed a number of impressive displays during his short time at the Etihad Stadium and is seen as important cover for Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, who will be unavailable during January should he play at the African Cup of Nations.

Media reports said the English champions and New York are due to meet this week to decide Lampard's immediate future.

MLS commissioner Don Garber said this month that the American league would not get involved in the decision.

U-16 National Tennis C’ship Results Jugal Boruah beat Ajay Kanoi Agarwal 6-1, 6-1 Satyam Goswami beat Sundaram Goswami 7-5, 6-4 Megtsolie Khate beat Nishad Kalluri 7-5, 6-3, 10-4 Sivam Goswami beat Zhaputso Khate 6-4, 2-6, 10-5

The Morung Express

Wizards win 104-96 to end Clippers streak at 9

WASHINGTON, December 13 (AP): Washington's John Wall outplayed Los Angeles' Chris Paul in their first meeting of the season, helping the hosts win 104-96 on Friday, keeping the Wizards in a share of the Southeast Division lead while ending the Clippers' nine-game winning streak.

The Wizards remained level with Atlanta, which beat Orlando to push its own winning streak to nine games, while other key results saw Chicago notch an overdue win at Portland and New Orleans win an entertaining contest against Cleveland.

Washington's Wall controlled the game with 10 points and 11 assists while Paul struggled with a season-high six turnovers.

Paul made some late baskets to finish with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Bradley Beal scored a season-high 29 points for the Wizards.

Chicago's Derrick Rose scored a season-high 31 points to lead the Bulls to a 115-106 win at Portland.

The Bulls had lost their previous seven games against the Trail Blazers.

Rose, who tore the meniscus in his right knee against the Blazers last season, scored over 30 for the first time in three seasons.

He shot 14 of 24. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 of his 35

Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) loses control of the ball between Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Matt Barnes (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, December 12, in Washington. (AP Photo)

points in the first quarter, his 10 field goals in the period matching a Portland record set by Darius Miles in 2005. Damian Lillard also had 35 for the Trail Blazers.

Atlanta beat Orlando 87-81, with its nine-game streak being the longest run by the Hawks since winning 11 on the trot in the 1997-98 season. Paul Millsap scored 23 points and Al Horford added 17 for the Hawks. Michael Oladipo scored 21 points to top the scoring for the Magic.

New Orleans overcame

the loss of Anthony Davis to record a 119-114 victory over Cleveland. Davis left in the first quarter after taking an elbow to chest while jostling for position during a free throw. Tyreke Evans 31 points and 10 assists while Ryan Anderson tied a career high with eight 3-pointers on his way to 30 points for the Pelicans.

LeBron James, back after missing a game with knee soreness, scored 41 points for the Cavaliers, who were 19 points down in the fourth quarter.

Memphis' Mike Conley scored six of his 19 points in the second overtime, guiding the Grizzlies to a 113-107 win against Charlotte. Zach Randolph had 20 points for the Grizzlies, who got a tying 3-pointer from Vince Carter with 4.5 seconds left in the first overtime to force another period. The Grizzlies won for the sixth time in the past seven games against the Hornets, who got 28 points from Kemba Walker and 25 from Gary Neal.

Toronto beat Indiana 106-94, inflicting a seventh

straight loss on the Pacers.

Jonas Valanciunas had 10 points and 14 rebounds while Lou Williams scored 26 for the Eastern Conference-leading Raptors. Solomon Hill scored 16 for the Pacers, whose seven-game skid is their longest for five years.

Los Angeles' Nick Young scored 29 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left in overtime, giving the Lakers a 112-110 win at San Antonio.

Brooklyn broke open a close game in the fourth quarter and beat hapless Philadelphia 88-70, with Mason Plumlee scoring a season-high 18 points and having 10 rebounds.

Miami's Dwyane Wade scored a season-high 29 points, including three free throws in the final 9 seconds, to lead the Heat to a 100-95 victory over Utah.

Detroit ended a 13game losing streak by beating Phoenix 105-103, with Andre Drummond having 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Pistons.

Oklahoma City won its fifth-straight game, taking a 111-92 win at Minnesota thanks chiefly to Russell Westbrook scoring 20 of his 34 points in the first half.

New York ended a run of ten straight losses with a 101-95 win at Boston, with Carmelo Anthony scoring 22 points for the Knicks.

Luis Suarez happy in Messi's shadow Ronaldo helps Real extend record win streak

bArceLONA, December 13 (reuTerS): Luis Suarez is unconcerned at being overshadowed by Lionel Messi’s scoring feats at Barcelona but remains angry about being labelled a “racist” and a “cheat” in England.

The former Liverpool striker has made more an impact with his assists since returning from a biting ban at the end of October while Messi has become the top scorer in La Liga and Champions League history.

“I have always been a goal scorer but I also like to help set up goals,” Suarez told the Catalan newspaper Sport. “I came here to score goals and not provide passes. I came because I had scored a lot of goals in the my career and above all at

Liverpool but fortunately I have more to my game than just that.

“We don’t just play for Messi but for everyone. We have players that we know can make the difference like Messi, Neymar and (Andres) Iniesta. They are players that give you confidence when they have the ball at their feet." Suarez said it was easy to play with Messi.

"I am having a great time here. Obviously I want to score more goals but while the team is doing well then there is no problem. It is fantastic to play alongside the best player in the world," the Uruguayan added. “On his own and with his skill he has ended all the doubts over the team and him.”

Suarez, however, is unhappy at the way he was

treated in England and the eight-match ban he received at Liverpool for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. “For now I have to accept that I was accused of being a racist without any proof over what happened with Evra,” added Suarez.

“Also of being a diver and throwing myself on the ground. It is lies.”

Mayweather says he wants Pacman on May 2

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

LOS ANGeLeS, December 13 (AFP): US boxer Floyd Mayweather says he is willing to fight Manny Pacquiao next May in a blockbuster world title fight but only if he receives a much bigger share of the purse.

Speaking to Showtime Sports on Friday night, Mayweather said he wants his next fight to be against Filipino star Pacquiao, who is coming off an impressive win over Chris Algieri last month in Macau, China.

The 37-year-old Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) said his is ready to reach out to Pacquiao's people with the hope that the expected richest fight in boxing history can be held on May 2.

"We want the fight, we are ready," Mayweather said.

"Let's make it happen on May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let's do it. I am not ducking or

dodging any opponent.

Bob Arum is stopping the fight. I wanted that fight a long time ago and I am just waiting on them."

The two were long-time rivals as the "best poundfor-pound" boxers of their generation, but the dream fight has never materialized to the disappointment of the boxing world.

Mayweather did not go into financial details but he has insisted in the past that he receive the majority of the purse, especially the lucrative payper-view revenues. In 2012 there was speculation that a fight between the two could lead to the first $200 million purse in boxing history with much of that money coming from payper-view sales.

At one point Pacquiao says Mayweather offered him a $40 million purse on the condition Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao

would keep the pay-perview money, which would have amounted to more than double what Pacquiao received. Previous talks were also scuttled because Mayweather says Pacquiao (575-2, 38 KOs) refused to submit to random blood testing.

Critics of Mayweather have accused him of ducking the 35-year-old Pacquiao for years, saying that his lopsided money demands were just a way to scuttle talks. The undefeated Mayweather even admitted before one of his recent Las Vegas fights that he "hand picks" his opponents.

But on Friday he was singing a different tune, calling out his rival and insisting it was Pacquiao who is ducking him not the other way around. "Let's make this fight happen.

Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao you guys have been

ducking us for years. We are tired of you guys fooling the public, fooling the critics.

"We tried to make the fight happen before and you guys didn't want to take random blood and urine testing so that's why the fight didn't happen.

Then I offered you $40 million and then you didn't want to make the fight happen. "You lost twice now and you are coming back begging for the same money. That is not going to happen."

May 2 is the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend when Mayweather normally fights in the United States.

Mayweather also hinted Friday that this could be his last fight, though he has said that before each of his last few title fights in Las Vegas as a way to boost ticket sales. "I want to go out with a bang," he said.

ALmerIA, December 13 (reuTerS): Cristiano Ronaldo hit a late double as La Liga leaders Real Madrid thumped Almeria 4-1 to extend their Spanish record for consecvutive victories in all competitions to 20 on Friday.

Ronaldo struck twice in the last 10 minutes to take his league tally to 25 after first-half goals from Isco and Gareth Bale had seen the visitors go in 2-1 ahead at halftime. The Portugal winger had been left frustrated for most of the night but he burst into life late on when he knocked in a Karim Benzema cut back from close range before putting away an Isco pass from the centre of the penalty area to wrap up the victory.

Real lead the standings with 39 points from 15 games, five points more than Barcelona who visit Getafe on Saturday. The European champions travel to Morocco next week for the Club World Cup with two more wins than the previous best which was Barca's 18 victories from October 2005 to January 2006.

“Almeria caused problems for us throughout the game but in the end our quality showed through and we deserved the win,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters. “We found it difficult to keep possession as we lacked the necessary composure on the ball

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, controls the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Juegos Mediterraneos stadium in Almeria, southeast Spain, Friday, December 12. (AP Photo)

and Almeria worked hard.

“We are now in good form and there are a lot of positive signs ahead of the Club World Cup.” Real have had to cope with injuries to Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and James Rodriguez which have allowed Isco to enjoy an extended run and he got his second La Liga goal of the season. The midfielder put Real ahead with a superb curling effort from the edge of the area af-

ter 34 minutes before Almeria drew level with a sweetly struck long-range volley by Verza. Bale then nodded in a cross by Toni Kroos to restore Real's lead.

Real's Iker Casillas kept them in front with an excellent penalty save to deny Verza midway through the second half, after Marcelo had fouled Edgar Mendez, before Ronaldo's late double gave the visitors a more flattering scoreline.

Almeria, who sacked Francisco Rodriguez last Tuesday and named Juan Ignacio Martinez to replace him following the Real game, started at a high-tempo unlike the display against Eibar last Monday when a 5-2 defeat cost the coach his job.

But the home side were eventually outclassed by Real, with the defeat keeping them in the relegation zone on 10 points.

EPL to play on Friday nights from 2016

LONDON, December 13 (AP): English Premier League games will be played on Friday nights from the 2016-17 season, emulating German, Spanish and French competitions.

The new slot was included in the bidding documents for the 2016-19 television rights, issued on Friday to British broadcasters, who can show only 168 of the 380 games live.

There are seven packages of rights, five with 28 games and two with 14 games. The existing Monday night package will add up to ten Friday night games each season, potentially giving Champions League participants longer to prepare for European matches.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho earlier this year

called on the football authorities to change the fixture schedule to accommodate European commitments.

"If we played on Friday night, @ 7:45, it makes a difference to who? Less spectators ... I don't think so," Mourinho said. "It'd be a full house, the same. And for television? It wouldn't make a difference. If it was the only match on TV, the (audience) share would be fantastic.

"Would it be good for Chelsea? Yes. Would it be good for English football?

Yes." There have been occasional Friday night Premier League games, but it has never been a regular slot for broadcasters. This year Boxing Day — Dec. 26

— falls on a Friday when a full program of matches is scheduled.

The auction is set to make clubs in the wealthiest domestic soccer competition even richer. In the auction for the 2013-2016 rights, the league received around 5.5 billion pounds ($8.6 billion) for the television rights, with just over 3 billion pounds ($4.7 billion) coming from Sky and BT to show 154 live games in total each season domestically.

Sky has held most of the domestic rights since the Premier League's inception in 1992, helping Rupert Murdoch's operation become the dominant pay TV broadcaster in Britain.

The league is yet to open the bidding for foreign broadcasters, who can

show all 380 games each season live.

The domestic auction has started despite Britain's broadcasting watchdog currently investigating a complaint from Virgin Media, which is owned by U.S. cable TV operator Liberty Global, that only 41 percent of matches are shown live in Britain.

The new auction is making 44 percent of games available in Britain, although a single broadcaster can only buy 126 of the 168 matches.

Most games are played on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and still won't be shown live in Britain "to encourage attendances and participation at all levels of the sport at the traditional time," the league said in a statement.

Entertainment

The Morung Express C M Y K

Creed singer Scott Stapp Avril threatened to kill Obama

Sunday 14 December 2014

Lavigne

Dimapur

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suffering from ‘health issues,’ asks for prayers

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roubled Creed frontman Scott Stapp believes he is a CIA agent tasked with killing President Obama, his panicked family told a 911 dispatcher. Just after he returned home from a 72-hour psych hold in Florida, the rocker fled his house, prompting his wife and sister-inlaw to call cops and beg for another commitment, according to newly released 911 tapes obtained by TMZ. Jaclyn Stapp, Scott’s estranged wife, and her sister called police and explained the singer threatened to kill the President. “He thinks he’s part of the CIA. He thinks they’re trying to kill him, and he has a bunch of paperwork in his backpack that he’s a CIA agent and he supposed to assassinate Obama,” one of the women said in the call.

They said Stapp has been in and

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out of mental health facilities, completing at least eight or 10 stints. Doctors recommended the women call police for help, they said. “He’s off of the drugs, and he’s going crazy,” one of the women said. The worried sisters said Stapp fled the family home shirtless on a bike, with a backpack full of tools and between 400 and 600 pages of documents he supposedly found online.

Meanwhile the rocker called 911, too: He claimed his wife stole his truck, forcing him to use the bike, TMZ reported. When police caught up with him, they determined Scott was not unstable enough to be placed in another psych hold.

In November, Madison County Sheriff’s deputies temporarily committed him they when found him on the side of a road “wasted” and

rambling that someone was trying to poison him. Previously, Jaclyn Stapp, who is seeking a divorce, claimed that the 41-year-old singer threatened to kill himself and his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, hears voices and has visions of people on fire.

Stapp said that he is broke but drug-free in a bizarre, rambling November Facebook video. Earlier this month, the Stapp’s 16-year-old son, Jagger, debated his dad’s sobriety and took to Twitter to plead with his father to get help.

“My dad is too busy posting songs on his FB hiding out for attention rather then getting his act together #dadstop,” the younger Stapp tweeted. “To all tho confused, my father once again chose drugs over his family. He needs help, but refuses to get it.

He’s been on a 9 week binge.”

Iggy Azalea denies claims she was born a male named Cody

I

ggy Azalea showed that she has a good sense of humour when it comes to absurd internet gossip, and she wasted no time in addressing the most recent silly rumour that claims she was born a man named Cody.

On Friday morning (Dec 12th), the Australian-born star took to Twitter to address to set the record straight on her gender at birth, that is if anyone actually believed this unbelievable rumour. «Wait, so I›m just now reading that I was born

a man and my name is Cody?» she first tweeted. «*Cackling* why Cody tho? Lol.» The 24-year-old rapper did not arrive in the world as a baby boy named Cody, in reality she was born as a baby girl named Amethyst Amelia Kelly. «I just don›t see myself as a Cody,» she jokingly added. «I›m more of a Liam, if had a penis. Liam Azalea.»

And that wasn›t the end of the fun. Before attending the 2014 Billboard Women in MusicLuncheon

vril Lavigne revealed to a fan over the weekend through a Twitter direct message that she was “having some health issues.” While the 30-year-old singer didn’t specify what exactly was plaguing her, she did ask for prayers. “It’s been like two years since you completed your last album.

Are you in the studio right now or working on something?” @AvrilMusicChart asked Lavigne.

“I feel bad because I haven’t been able to say anything to the fans to let them no (sic) why I’ve been absent. I’m torn as I’m quite private,” she responded.

“I’m not feeling well. I’m having some health issues.

So please keep me in your prayers.” Lavigne also tweeted “Thank you” to “get well soon” and “pray for Avril” hashtags from the same Twitter user Sunday.

A rep for Lavigne confirmed the authenticity of the social media exchange to Billboard. There was no explanation provided on what the songstress is suffering from, but she is reportedly not pregnant as some speculated, the site noted. Lavigne wed Nickelback front man Chad Kroeger last summer and the couple were recently at the center of split rumors.

Renowned musicians and artists from Nagaland and other parts of North East performed during the Magnificat Fiesta, an annual Pre Christmas Extravaganza, held at Amphitheatre NEZCC in Dimapur on December 13. The event, organized

by The Coming Generation - Leading the Lead, featured Voice of Hope, Dreamz Unlimited, Faith in Action, The Nagaland Chamber Choir, Nagaland Singing Ambassadors, Henry Varte, Azeena Pamei, and Mami Varte. The objective of the ‘fiesta’ is to promote a culture of togetherness for a fair and tolerant society. (Manen Aier Photo)

today, where she was honoured with the Women in Music›s 2014 Chart-Topper, Azalea posted, «Am I still gonna get my billboard women in music award tomorrow, now that I supposedly have a penis or nah?»

Several of her 3.45 million followers also got inn on the act, with one writing «@IGGYAZALEA the secrets out your tuck game is strong tho,» and another added, «@IGGYAZALEA well as long as you define yourself as a women you get it Liam don›t worry.»

A winter medley

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tudents of Mountain Music Academy along with their parents and well wishers got together at The Garden, located at Naga Shopping Arcade here in Dimapur, on Saturday for an evening of wonderful music.

The event, spearheaded by the vocal department of the school, saw power packed performances by the Girls Excess – which is the school’s very own band, numerous solo renditions and a piano duet.

They were supported by Supong and musicians of Alobo Naga and the band.

Though amateurs, the sheer talent of the students managed to enthrall the

crowd as they displayed amazing confidence and managed to keep the mini concert exciting right from the beginning to end.

It may be mentioned here that the entire show was managed by the students including the hosting. The vocal faculty of the school consists of Alobo Naga and Neikuo Khezhie, both amazing musicians in their own right. Alobo thanked the exuberant gathering for their presence and encouraged them to continue supporting the school in their endeavours in cultivating and developing the young talents of society.

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‘DDLJ’ compLetes 1,000 weeks

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ilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, one of the best movies by filmmaker Aditya Chopra, Friday completed 1,000 weeks of screening, and the film’s lead pair Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol recalled their fond memories of the film’s journey. “It’s been 20 years for this film and I feel honoured that I was part of this film. It’s been 100 years of Indian cinema and I would say one-fifth belongs to ‘DDLJ’,” Shah Rukh said in a casual conversation with Kajol.

To this, Kajol added: “Pamela aunty (Aditya Chopra’s mother) had a huge contribution in putting the film together as she was coordinating with each one of us.” She said she thought the title ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ was very stupid 20 years back.

“DDLJ” released in 1995. “I thought it was a stupid title… Why do you want to reveal the story of the film in the title… it was so long. I just hated it, but after 20 years I don’t feel it

was a stupid title,” she said.

“Besides that, when Adi (Chopra) narrated Simran’s character, I told him she was too sweet and nice… I am not like her at all. Adi was with me throughout and he used to teach me each and every scene,” she said. Shah Rukh and Kajol – who had a fractured left leg – also enacted a few scenes from the film onstage.

Shah Rukh, who also carried a bag filled with some memories of the film, said ‘DDLJ’ was a film that belongs to the world.

“Adi completely believed in this film and this film is about emotions which are beyond technique and acting… This film is not ours but it belongs to the world,” he said.

Shah Rukh also unveiled a book on Chopra by Nasreen Munni Kabir titled ‘Aditya Chopra relives Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’. Chopra is known to be media shy, and “this is the closest one can get to Aditya through this book”, Shah Rukh said.

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Aussies fight to win Adelaide test

ADELAIDE, DEcEmbEr 13 (AP): Emotionally-charged from the start following the death of Phillip Hughes, the first test between Australia and India didn't disappoint at the end.

Spinner Nathan Lyon took seven second-innings wickets and 12 for the match as Australia pulled off a stunning 48-run win at the Adelaide Oval.

India looked set to achieve a record fourth-innings run chase after standin captain Virat Kohli (141) and opener Murali Vijay (99) led India through a second session without loss. Thousands of Indian fans were on their feet over the final two hours of the match as the side pushed for victory.

But Australia took eight wickets in the final session, the match ended

by Lyon on a stumping, prompting emotional celebrations by an Australia team playing its first match since the death of teammate Hughes two weeks ago in a domestic match after being hit by a short-pitched delivery.

"The boys deserve a lot of credit to keep trying to win the game," said captain Michael Clarke, who suffered yet another hamstring injury and will miss the second test and perhaps the remainder of the four-test series. "They were willing to lose to win. I thought if India were good enough to make 360, credit to them. But credit to our boys, and our bowlers."

Kohli produced a superb performance to score his second century of the

match, and his departure — caught at deep midwicket as the seventh wicket to fall — proved the decisive blow for Australia, which quickly dismissed the remaining batsmen.

"I told the guys last night that whatever target it was we were going to chase it. I believed in my ability," Kohli said. "If me and Vijay added about 40 runs there, the game would have been different. You see one opening and the team capitalizes, and that's what Australia did."

The match began Tuesday with tributes to Hughes, the Australian players wearing "408" on their shirts — Hughes' test cap number — and a 63-second standing ovation and applause was held in honor of the 63 runs Hughes scored on Nov. 25 before taking the fatal blow.

The first test wasn't even supposed to be in Adelaide — the Gabba test in Brisbane was shifted from its original date last week, the day after Hughes' funeral — and will now begin next Wednesday.

Lyon, a former member of the Adelaide Oval ground staff early in his career, finished with match figures of 12-286 against an India side expert at playing off-spin bowling.

"I just had to keep asking question and lucky enough some went my way," Lyon of the many lbw appeals that the umpires turned down Saturday. " It was test cricket, always twists and turns and we just had to hang in there."

Before Lyon's late heroics, Vijay and Kohli, sub-

Injured Clarke fears for cricketing future

ADELAIDE, DEcEmbEr 13 (AP): Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke says he "may never play again" due to a right hamstring injury sustained on the final day of the first test against India. Clarke, who suffers from chronic back and hamstring issues, was sent for scans after limping from Adelaide Oval during Saturday's final day of the test won by 68 runs by Australia. "The scans are not great, they have certainly showed a tear there," Clarke said. "The experts are looking at them and I can pretty confidently say that I won't take part in this series.

There's a chance I may never play again. I hope that's not the case and I'll be doing everything in my power to get back out on the park, but I have to be realistic as well." The 33-year-old Clarke said that with his history of injuries "there's always that risk."

On the first day of the Adelaide test, the first of a four-test series, Clarke had injections to soothe spasms in his back, retiring injured in the process. But he returned to the crease the next day to complete a century. "I have no regrets about playing this test match, I have no regrets about going back on the field after I retired hurt," he said.

Warner, Dhawan and Kohli fined Australian players embrace teammate Nathan Lyon after they defeated India by 48 runs on the final day of their cricket test match in Adelaide, Australia on Saturday, December 13. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

bing for injured skipper M.S. Dhoni, combined for a 150-run partnership in the second session.

Needing 364 runs for victory from 98 overs on the final day, India was 105-2 at lunch and 205-2 at tea. The 159 further runs required in the final session was a temptingly achievable target for India's batsmen, who kept playing their shots in pursuing a record run chase, rather than try-

ing to grind out a draw.

The highest victorious fourth-innings test total at the Adelaide Oval remains Australia's 315-6 against England in 1902, while Australia-India tests continue to go in favor of home teams, having now won 12 in a row.

Australia's victory was partially dampened Clarke suffering yet another recurrence of his chronic back and hamstring problems.

Clarke said the results of

scans were "not fantastic" and he was not included in the squad named postgame for the second test.

He was only passed fit to play in Adelaide on the eve of the game, due to a left hamstring strain, and then suffered a recurrence of his back injury while batting on the opening day, forcing him to retire hurt.

Injections soothed spasms in his back and he returned to the crease the next day to

complete a century.

However he pulled his right hamstring when fielding during the middle session on Saturday.

After the match, Cricket Australia said Shaun Marsh had been added to the squad for the Brisbane test, replacing Clarke, while paceman Mitchell Starc was also called into the squad. Haddin will likely be Australia captain for the second test.

ADELAIDE, DEcEmbEr 13 (IANS): Australia’s David Warner and Indian duo Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Virat Kohli were Saturday found guilty of breaching cricket's code of conduct during the fourth day's play in the first Test and fined a portion of their match fees, an ICC statement said Saturday. The first Test concluded here Saturday with Australia beating the visitors by 48 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Warner and Dhawan were fined 15 and 30 per cent of their match fees respectively for their roles in an altercation that took place during the second session of play Friday, while Kohli was also fined 30 per cent of his match fee for his involvement in a separate incident shortly before the close of play on the same day.

The three players were charged under Level 1 Article 2.1.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that either (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game or (b) brings the game into disrepute.”

Kerala thrash Chennaiyin Kumar Sangakkara ton lifts Sri Lanka to win over England in first leg of semifinal

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kochI, DEcEmbEr 13 (PtI): Kerala Blasters pumped in two goals in the space of two minutes in the first session to thrash Chennaiyin FC 3-0 in the first leg of the first semifinal of the Hero Indian Super League football tournament on Saturday in Kochi.

Cheered by over 60,000 crowd at the Jawaharlal Stadium, Kerala, who barely scrapped through to the semifinals as the fourthplaced team in the league phase, turned the form book into its head to outplay the Chennai side.

Ishfaq Ahmed (27th minute), captain Iain Hume (29th) and Sushanth Mathew (90+4) got the goals for Kerala, with their team co-owner and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar watching the match at the stands.

Kerala, the least attacking side among the eight teams in the tournament with just nine goals from 14 league games, found the target when it mattered the most. They relied on their defensive solidity in the initial few minutes before their forwards delivered the goals.

Both teams started attacking from the word go but it was the home side who got the breakthrough with two quick goals. Chennaiyin FC too had their chances in the first half but Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh lacked finesse in the finishing touch.

Sandy Nandi started at the Chennaiyin goal as manager-cum-goalie David James was banned from the sidelines in the last match. Tournament's highest goal scorer Elano Blumer of Brazil returned for Chennaiyin after an injury break but he largely disappointed and was replaced by Bruno Pelissari

in the 52nd minute.

The packed crowd at the stadium was brought onto their feet in the 26th minute when Jamie McAllister headed the ball home only to be ruled off-side. But the home supporters did not have to wait for long as in the next minute Ishfaq sent a rasping shot from inside the Chennaiyin box after being sent in the clear by Victor Herrero Forcada.

Two minutes later, Kerala doubled their lead with Hume's first-time shot from a Stephen Pearson build-up found the Chennaiyin net. Chennaiyin pressed hard in the second session but Kerala defence stood tall and the home side added another goal through Mathew in the injury added time to emerge 3-0 winners. The second leg of the semifinals will be played in Chennai on December 16.

PALLEkELE, DEcEmbEr 13 (rEutErS): Sri Lanka beat England by 90 runs in the sixth one-day international at Pallekele on Saturday to take an unbeatable 4-2 lead in their seven-match series.

Kumar Sangakkara completed his 20th oneday international century to help the home team post a healthy total of 292 for seven. England could only muster 202 in reply, bowled out in less than 42 overs despite a resilient 55 from Joe Root. The evergreen Sangakkara blazed 112 off as many balls, highlighted by 12 fours and two sixes, after the 37-year-old was dropped on 41 by England captain Alastair Cook.

The Sri Lankans made a slow start, scoring just 27 runs off the first 10 overs, before Sangakkara opened up, putting on 153 with Tillakaratne Dilshan for the second wicket. Dilshan made a patient 68 before Dinesh Chandimal pushed

the total towards 300 with a brisk 35 in the closing overs.

Chris Woakes, Steven Finn and Chris Jordan captured two wickets each for England, who needed to win the game to square the series heading into Tuesday's final match in Colombo.

England could hardly had made a worse start to their innings when Cook was dismissed lbw for one in the first over. By the 18th over, England were in deep trouble at 84 for five and although Root completed a half-century and Woakes

chipped in with 41, the tourists never came close to challenging Sri Lanka's total as Suranga Lakmal mopped up the tail to finish with 4 for 30. "For the first 20-odd overs we bowled really well, but it didn't help me dropping Sangakkara," said Cook.

Celebrate

CHRISTMAS Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara plays shot during the sixth one day international cricket match between Sri Lanka and England in Pallekele, Sri Lanka on Saturday, December 13. (AP Photo)

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