December 23th, 2015

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WednesdAY • december 23 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 349 • 12 PAGes • 4

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I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year — Charles Dickens UN mulls ‘light’ options to monitor possible Syria truce

NVCO urges to protect rights of consumers

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reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Are there actually young people in nagaland who don’t drink during Christmas? The answer is yes. unbelievable, huh?

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 This Christmas, should the Church be doing more to uplift the underprivileged and living in poverty? Why? Yes

no

others

Prohibitory order issued in Shamator TUENSANG, DECEMBER 22 (MExN): The District Magistrate for Tuensang has issued prohibitory orders proscribing any person(s) from carrying arms in any procession or organisation, or holding or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms under Shamator Sub Division for a period of three months.

The District Magistrate, in an order dated December 21, 2015, informed that this order has been necessitated as “there is apprehension of law and order situation in Shamator Sub Division owing to the proposed YAA Golden Jubilee at Shamator Town.” “And whereas, it has been made to appear that the situation may lead to further escalation of law and order situation, unless urgent prohibitory measures are not taken,” the order stated.

The order cautioned that any person(s) found participating in such illegal activities or knowingly carries arms in any procession or organises or holds or takes part in any mass drill or mass training with arms in any public place in contravention of any public notice or order issued or made under Section 144A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with a fine that may extend to two thousand rupees. The prohibitory order shall come into effect with immediate effect till further order.

Facebook reveals 2015’s top topics

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NEW YORK, DECEMBER 22 (IANS): The US presidential election was the most talked-about global topic on Facebook in 2015, the social media site has revealed in its "Year in Review" top 10 list. While the November 13 attack in Paris was the second most talked-about topic on the social networking site, the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis and Nepal earthquakes were placed at the third and fourth. This was followed by the Greek debt crisis, marriage equality, the fight against Islamic State (IS), the Charlie Hebdo attack, Baltimore protests and Charleston shooting and flag debate. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ Floyd Mayweather, and ‘FIFA 15’ were the most talked about movie, TV show, athlete and game of the year.

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Arsenal boost title hopes with win over Man City PAGE 12

10 dead as Bsf chartered plane crashes New Delhi, December 22 (iANS): Nine BSF troopers and a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) co-pilot were killed when a chartered plane flying to Ranchi crashed here on Tuesday morning soon after take off.

The pilot and co-pilot died in the incident so did eight others of the Border Security Force, the BSF said.

BSF Director General D.K. Pathak announced a compensation of Rs.15 lakh for the families of each deceased. The passengers were identified as Deputy Commandant D. Kumar, Inspectors S.N. Sharma, Ravindra Kumar Yadav, Sub-Inspectors Chotte Lal Sharma, Surender Singh, Rabinder Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector D.P. Chauhan and Constable R.K. Rawat. The pilot was Bhagwati Prasad Bhatt, a resident of Dehradun, and the co-pilot was Rajesh Shivrain, who was attached to the SSB. Shivrain hailed from Bhiwani in Haryana.

Two of the nine BSF personnel hailed from Haryana. Three of them were residents of Uttar Pradesh, one from Bihar and the remaining two personnel belonged to Punjab

Costly crash: Jet Airways bus rams into AI aircraft

A policeman takes photos of the wreckage of a crashed aircraft on the outskirts of new Delhi, December 22. (Reuters Photo)

and Odisha. All of them were residing in Delhi.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said the government had ordered an inquiry.

Witnesses said the aircraft appeared to be unstable as it crossed the boundary wall of the Indira Gandhi International Airport -- which also has an area reserved for the military. "It took a kind of U-turn, then suddenly went down, crashed and

exploded in a huge ball of fire," a young man who saw the horrific accident told journalists. "We saw thick black smoke rising up." A railway employee close to the site said he and his colleagues saw "a huge fire" after the plane came down. "There was a lot of fire all around that nothing else could be seen."

A BSF official said that VT-BSA (Bombay Singapore Alfa) Superking B-200 aircraft took off from Palam

Airport at 9.40 a.m. "The flight was on way to Ranchi ferrying six Mi-17 V5 technicians for repair of Mi-17 V5 stationed at Ranchi, the official said. The official said a phone call from Emergency Locator Transmitter monitoring station was received at BSF air wing control room Palam at 9.45 a.m. about some mishap with VT-BSA. Twenty fire tenders battled the flames, the Delhi Fire Service said.

KOlKATA, December 22 (PTi): An aircraft of Air India's subsidiary Alliance Air on Tuesday suffered "extensive" damage after a Jet Airways tarmac bus ferrying its crew rammed into the vacant stationary plane at the international airport in Kolkata.

No injuries have been reported in the incident which occurred at around 5.25am. Alliance Air's flights to Silchar and Shillong were cancelled as the plane was grounded.

While Air India said the incident was a "gross act of negligence", Jet Airways said that the coach accidentally collided with the stationary aircraft.

According to officials at the NSCB international airport, the plane was parked at bay 32 and was preparing to leave for Silchar when the driver of the Jet Airways bus lost control of the vehicle and hit the aircraft.

"The aircraft sustained extensive damage on the

The Jet Airways Bus which crashed into an Air india plane at Kolkata international Airport on December 22.

right engine, right landing gear and also some other parts because of which the flight operations to Silchar and Shillong had to be cancelled.

"AAI (Airports Authority of India), Police, CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and other authorities have taken serious note of this gross act of negligence and are investigating the incident," Air India said in a statement.

In a separate statement,

Jet Airways said "no one was injured in the collision" and it has started investigation into the incident.

"A coach transporting Jet Airways cabin crew at the Kolkata airport accidentally collided with a stationary aircraft of another airline," it added.

Air India said it was a clear fogless morning when the Jet Airways tarmac bus intruded into the slot marked at bay 32 and hit the aircraft VT-ABO (ATR 42).

Employ Austerity Measures: ACAUT urge Nagaland govt Parliament passes Juvenile Justice Bill • Proposes auctioning off all govt SUVs for payment of pending salaries & scholarships • Suggests that only Chief Minister and Governor should be allowed usage of police escorts DimAPUr, December 22 (mexN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today called for implementation of austerity measures on the part of the Nagaland State Government, given the plight of teachers, students, nurses and doctors in Nagaland state.

“If the extravagant Hornbill festival organised by the state government and the opulence of some section of society is any indication, it is hard to digest that the State Government is facing a serious resource crunch,” the ACAUT said in a press note. The Rs. 1500 Cr revenue deficit cannot be the excuse to keep depriving the most important sections of our society, it said.

Instead of waiting for a bailout

from the Centre, the ACAUT suggested certain measures to be taken by the state government. It proposed auctioning off all the government SUVs “costing 25 lakhs apiece, attached to almost all the legislators and the top bureaucrats. The open auction inviting bidders from neighbouring states should easily solve the problem of non payment of salaries and scholarships.”

It further suggested that only the Chief Minister and the Governor should be allowed usage of police escorts. “This will not only save fuel and reduce maintenance costs but will also free the police personnels for security related duties. The concept of district magistrate officials and top police officers with their assorted DBs and police personnel flooding the highways during the movement of the CM and Governor is a wasteful colonial hangover exercise which should be immediately done away with,” the ACAUT said.

It added that the excuse of fund constraint “fools nobody since the salaries of RMSA teachers, Hindi teachers, NRHM employees and the scholarships are all centrally funded and

the Central Government has either released all their pending dues or is waiting for the State to pay their 10% share.”

Governance, the ACAUT said, is about serving justice, in this case, justice for its employees and the student community. Likewise, the campaign of Nagaland Timber Traders Union (NTTU) for free and fair trade practice is a campaign for justice and equality, it stated.

The NTTU “representing the business interests of the large but marginalised timber community has consistently raised the issue of biased allotment of train wagons- used to transport timber and its products to outside markets, due to the allotments being controlled by a syndicate of tight - knit non-local community masquerading as 'commission agents' and local politicians amply helped by NPGs,” ACAUT said. It lamented that the government has so far kept silent on the issue. ACAUT asserted that the need of the hour is for the “apparently devout Christian politicians of Nagaland” to seriously dwell on their roles as harbingers of justice and then “celebrating Christmas should have some meaning.”

New Delhi, December 22 (iANS): Parliament on Tuesday passed the juvenile justice bill, a day after members cutting across party lines agreed that the important legislation should be taken up immediately.

However, members of Left parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha before the bill was passed, demanding that it should be sent to a select committee of the house.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015 was passed by the Lok Sabha in May. Asha Devi and Badrinath, parents of the 23-year-old paramedical student who was gangraped by five men and a juvenile on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012, were present in the visitors' gallery as the Ra-

jya Sabha took up the bill for discussion. The bill provides for the trial of those between 16 and 18 years of age as adults for heinous offences. Also, anyone between the age of 16 and 18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains the age of 21.

Giving out the bill's details, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said borstals -- a custodial institution for young offenders -- would be set up under the proposed law to house juveniles accused of heinous crimes.

"Juveniles' involvement in crime is increasing the fastest. Children walk into police stations and say we have murdered... send us to a juvenile home," she said.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Gh-

ulam Nabi Azad said juvenile convicts should not be kept in jail with "hardened criminals" and there should be a separate place for them. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, meanwhile, said the government had listed the bill several times in the monsoon session as well as the winter session but it could not be taken up. "This law will not be applicable in retrospective," he said, which means it will not be applicable on the rape convict who has already been freed.

Members from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and DMK also questioned the hurry in passing the bill, suggesting that it may be sent to a select committee. However, none of the notices to send the bill to a house panel were presented to Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien.

CNSA slams ‘discrepancies’ in RMSA result DMC inaugurates 12th road in 12 months

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 22 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA) has expressed serious concern at the alleged “discrepancies” regarding the recently declared Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksa Abhiyan (RMSA) results, where the subject teachers for ‘second language’, especially with regard to Ao, Sumi and Lotha languages, were found to be lesser than the stipulated number for recruitment.

The CNSA, in a press note today, expressed support to the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur’s (ASTD) ultimatum dated December 15 giving the state government 30 days to explain “how and why only five candidates qualified in respect of Ao subject teacher in viva voce in spite of 26 successful candidates in written exam against 20 posts.”

It reminded that the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) had also, on December 20, pointed out ‘that as per the notification, the qualification for the second languages i.e. Ao, Lotha, Sumi was graduate in any discipline with respective languages subject up to Class 12 and for Tenyedie –graduate with Tenyedie as a subject’. The CNTC had also pointed out that the available posts for respective language teachers were 20 posts for Ao language, 10 for Lotha, 9 for Sumi and 21 for Tenyedie.

The CNSA stated that it is “perplexed” as to how the recruiting authority could recruit only ‘5 Ao language subject teachers

(out of 20 posts where 26 candidates appeared); 8 Sumi language subject teachers (out of 9 posts with 27 appeared) and 4 Lotha language subject teachers (out of 10 posts with 14 appeared).’

The CNSA further noted that the Nagaland state government’s statement dated December 17, 2015 through government order vide – No.NLD/RMSA/APPTR/2013 “is not satisfactory.” “The Government of Nagaland in its press statement sought to clarify that ‘the State Mission Authority did not get sufficient number of candidates having 45% or above in graduation for Ao, Sumi and Lotha’ languages.”

The CNSA questioned the recruitment policy of the state government and asked why applications from the so-called ‘unqualified candidates’ were accepted, allowed to sit in the examination, and “simply give a clarification in the papers that they did not possess the requisite qualification.”

It further demanded that the RMSA advertise the “remaining vacancies” at the earliest. The CNSA informed that it would also take up the issue with the Central Government, if immediate rectification is not taken by the Nagaland state government.

It demanded that the state government issue a “clear-cut clarification from the responsible authorities within 30 days,” and warned that failure on the part of the state government would invite serious agitation.

Morung Express news Dimapur | December 22

With the Nagaland State Government permitting the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) to collect toll taxes since January this year, the DMC has been utilizing the sourced money to construct roads, drains, culverts, dustbins etc, while also paying salaries to its employees and managing its office with the amount collected.

Appreciations were galore from various quarters for the DMC Administrator, H. Atokhe Aye and his staff for taking up various developmental works like never before in the history of DMC. MLA and Chairman NIDC Ltd, Tovihoto Ayemi who inaugurated the 12th road constructed by DMC in 12 months at Bank Colony on Tuesday lauded the DMC for giving a major facelift to the municipal areas in the town. He said whatever development was undertaken by the

MlA and Chairman, niDC ltd, Tovihoto Ayemi and DMC Administrator, H. Atokhe Aye along with others after inaugurating the road at Bank Colony, Dimapur on Tuesday. (Morung photo)

DMC was in public interest and added that the works were possible through the personal intervention of Chief Minister, TR Zeliang who permitted the DMC to collect toll taxes.

“Government provides development but the fruits to be borne out of any development depend on the unity of the people and in their ability to harness the facilities provided,” Tovihoto said.

He said that the NPFled DAN government was

committed to work for the welfare of the people and appealed for support and cooperation from all sections of the society.

DMC Administrator, H Atokhe Aye in his brief speech said that the foremost duty of the Municipal was to maintain the town and keeping it clean with basic facilities. He said DMC was committed to this duty and was trying to deliver goods to the people with the limited resource the Municipal has at its dis-

posal. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs Department, R Tohanba for their support towards the DMC. He also thanked all colony leaders, elders and the public for standing by DMC through all developmental activities undertaken by the DMC. Tuesday’s inaugural programme was organized

by Bank Colony Council and attended by its residents and DMC staff.

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Hokah festival of Khiamniungan community

Noklak, December 22 (DIPr): Hokah festival of Khiamniungan community will be celebrated on January 8 and 9, 2016 at Public Ground, Nokhu, EAC headquarter which will be organized by Nokhu Range Public Organization (NRPO). Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, P. Longon will grace the occasion as the Chief guest while Parliamentary Secretary for Land Resources, V.G and Women Resources Development, L. Khumo will grace the valedictory function as the chief guest.

Nokhu Range Public Organization invites all the Khiamniungan people to be a part in the important festival.

Koio Students Union 52nd annual session

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DImaPur, December 22 (mexN): The Koio Students Union will hold its 52nd annual session on December 28 at 9:30 am at the Community Hall, Koio.

Y. Vungthungo, Principal Government Higher Secondary School, Chukitong will be the special guest and Rhondeno will speak on the theme ‘Breakthrough to Excellence’. There will be election/selection of new team of office bearers at 2:00 pm at KSU office. Interested candidate are informed to contact the Election commission Yiben, Chairman, Longshithung, Secretary and Chonben, member.

The Union in a press release issued by its President Zubenthung Kikon requested the elders, former KSU leaders and students to attend the function positively.

Rachii Students’ Union 37th session held Our Correspondent Viswema | December 22

The Rachii Students’ Union (RSU) today held its 37th session at Rachiimi Panchayat hall, Viswema in Kohima district with Advocate Vitsorel Lcho as the speaker.

Speaking on the occasion, Lcho said that climate change and global warming are the burning issue of the world today.

He said scientist discover that by the year 2100, there will not sufficient oxygen on the earth for human to breath if pollution is not controlled. He said the UNO, on 12 December 2015 the participating 195 countries agreed by consensus to the final global pact, the Paris Agreement, to reduce emissions as part of the method for reducing greenhouse gas. The members agreed to reduce their carbon output "as soon as possible" and to do their best to keep global warming "to well below 2 degrees C".

Lcho said the Supreme Court banned registration of diesel-run SUVs and cars having engine capacity beyond 2000 cc in Del-

Advocate Vitsorel Lcho addressing RSU session on December 22. (Morung Photo)

hi and the larger National Capital Region till March 31, 2016 as it unveiled a slew of measures to curb the alarming rise in pollution levels in the city and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is likely implement and execute the SC Order to check and control air pollution. He said climate change has been affecting air pollution, rainfalls, temperature etc. and ultimately causing natural disasters. “Let us

join to stop jungle burning, hunting, flora and fauna etc. and contribute on our part for balanced environment,” he challenged the students.

Touching on education and its object, he said there is difference of literacy and education. Literacy means knowing how to read and write, whereas, education means the process of learning or teaching.

Stating that scope of education is very wide, he

NSU Golden Jubilee on December 29 to 30

kohIma, December 22 (mexN): The Nerhema Students' Union (NSU) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee under the theme "Transcendence" on December 29 to 30 at the Conference Hall, Nerhema Village. Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, MLA & Chairman NSMDC Ltd, Government of Nagaland will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest on December 30 at 10.30 am.

The NSU Golden Nite will be held at

3 p.m. on December 29 with K. Caroline, Wildlife Warden, Department of Forests, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland as the Guest of Honour.

All NSU members, Chairman of village councils/Town councils with Nerhema and well wishers are requested to attend the program, informed Mezhülhouvilie Kiewhuo, Member, Publicity Committee, NSU Golden Jubilee.

said education does not confine only on lessons or syllabus in the text book, it covers all sphere of life - including wisdom.

He also stressed on the need to seek quality education, adding that quality life will depend on quality education. He said the object of education is to reap the benefit of learning and earn your livelihood and this is the purpose “you are studying now.” He also said parents send their children to school to get education and want their child to become great man and woman in future. “For your good, parents are giving their best in affording your education,” he said and urged that it is “your responsibility to fulfil your parent’s expectation.”

Once you are graduated – you are matured physically, mentally and educationally and you should try to stand on your own feet, he encouraged the students. Parents had done their part in affording your education so if you need employment you should struggle to get yourself employed, he said.

He also urged the students not to spend their

parents money lavishly, adding that money will not yield good academic result; try to use money meticulously so that your parents will not suffer because of you.

He also stressed on the need to have time management – a time to study, play, relax and domestic works. “Education has no ends. One need to keep on learning,” he said. Touching on employment, he called upon the students to prepare to face competitive exams for job, like UPSC, NPSC, SSC, RRB, Banking Service, SIB, Departmental exams etc. He said degree certificate itself will not fetch income, it is only a means to get employment. “All may not be able to get govt. job but as there is limitation of job avenue but the hard working student will certainly get the reward,” he said.

He said job does not mean only govt. job but there are many job avenues in other parts of India.

Earlier, RSU president Hosayol Sothu delivered welcome address. The session was also marked by literary session, awards to meritorious students etc.

Mkg set for Christmas celebration

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mokokchuNg, December 22 (DIPr): As Christmas draws nearer, Mokokchung town looks all set for the festive season. Decorations adorn every nook and corner of the town. Shops and buildings decked out in glittering hues of lights, wards in the town seems to out decorate each other with innovative decors. Shops and sidewalks are filled with hectic Christmas shoppers.

Prelude to the Christmas celebration, the traditional Children Christmas Cake Carol Competition (C5) was held on the 18th December at central police point where hundreds of kids from 9 Fellowship took part. Keeping up the healthy competitive spirit and fostering goodwill, Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) will organise the Inter-Ward Christmas cake relay race on December 24 where 13 runners (3 women& 10 men) from all the 18 wards will be taking part. One expects keen competition between the Wards as the recently held Inter-Ward Tug of War and Volley ball competition in commemoration of 125 Years celebration of Mokokchung Town saw massive participation from both young and old.

CYF new team takes over office

kohIma, December 22 (mexN):The formal handing and taking over programme of the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) for the tenure 2015-17 was held on December 19 last at Hotel Ura, Kohima. Short speeches were delivered by outgoing president Zhopayi Nakro and newly elected president Melete (Atuo) Kapfo. Mosonyi Domeh, advisor CYF also shared few words by recollecting the challenges faced in the past and requested the new team to carry on in future for the betterment of the society.

NCSU head office closed from Dec 23-Jan 18 kohIma, December 22 (mexN): The Nagaland Contractors' & Suppliers' Union (NCSU) Head Office, Kohima has informed all the members that the union office will remain closed from December 23 till January 18 for Christmas and New Year holiday. The union has wished all blessed Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Awareness on community conservation reserves in Phek C M Y K

DFO Phek, Forest Officials and local communities at Tsupfume, Phek on December 21.

Phek, December 22 (mexN): Awareness cum community consultation programme on Forest Conservation of all villages under Chizami Forest Beat and other nearby villages was organised by Phek Forest Division at Tsupfume village, Phek on December 21.

DFO Phek Rongsenlemla Imchen

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When insect can follow certain rules for laning

sought collaborative efforts of all the section of the society in the community for protection of forest. She also highlighted on forest fire management, protection of wild life and the various responsibilities of local functionaries for protecting and conserving the environment.

Representative of the villages attending the programme resolved to re-enforce their commitment towards Forest Protection. Various local functionaries, Village Council, Student union, Women Societies, GB’s, and Forest Department Officials attended the programme.

Why we the Humans cannot?

DIMAPUR TRAFFIC POLICE

in collaboration with The Morung Express

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WednesdAY 23•12•2015

NORTH-EAST

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Assam's border farmers fenced in by changing climate conditions DHUBRI, DecemBeR 22 (THomson ReUTeRs FoUnDaTIon): Golok Das, a farmer in Assam, is happy with the harvest produced by his main 6-hectare farm. But he'd love to sell another 4-hectare plot, just half a kilometre away, even though it's equally fertile.

Why? It sits on the other side of a barbed-wire fence marking the Bangladesh border, and that means he can't irrigate it.

The fence was built in 1987 to prevent illegal migration from Bangladesh to India. It traces a line about 150 yards inside the actual border, on Indian land, since no treaty agreement allowed a fence to be built on the border itself.

Large tracts of Indian land,

including some villages, were left on the far side of the fence.

In the Golokganj sector of Dhubri district, more than 8,000 farmers struggle with a fence between their homes and their land. They are allowed to cross though the fence each day to work their holdings, but only at set hours.

Now changing climatic conditions in the region for the first time require farmers to irrigate their land frequently to get a good crop – but legal and bureaucratic obstacles make it hard to invest in irrigation on the far side of the fence, meaning harvests there are twothirds lower than those on the Indian side.

"With climate change, there has been a change in the rainfall

pattern and also the flood intensity, which is making agriculture difficult in many areas in the state,” said Girin Chetia of the non-profit North East Affected Areas Development Society.

Those changes mean farmer Safikul Islam now wants to get rid of his 5 hectares of land on the wrong side of the fence, and next to Das’ plot.

LESS GRAIN ACROSS THE FENCE Both farmers say their land on the Indian side of the fence yields nearly 1,500 kg of rice a year, while an equivalent area on the Bangladesh side produces no more than 500 kg.

"The land on both sides is equally fertile, however we suffer as we don’t have any irrigation

facilities there. This takes a major toll on our land on the other side of the border,” said Das. "We have been traditionally dependent on the rainwater for our cultivation (for) generations, but now as the rainfall has become unpredictable, it is not possible,” said Munin Das, a 52-year-old farmer who owes 4 hectares of land on the Bangladeshi side of the fence.

"We need irrigation facilities to be able to cultivate our land and get good yields,” he said.

By law, construction of any concrete or permanent structure is forbidden near the fence, local people say.

"Even the idea of building any small irrigation project or building any project for water harvesting does not arise,” said

Dinesh Kumar Sarkar, a former legislator from Dhubri who also owes agricultural land on the other side of the fence.

Sarkar said that even taking tractors onto the land requires a lengthy bureaucratic process.

Local people worry they will have to give up farming on the Bangladeshi side of the fence as a result of the weather changes, and complain that neither the district administration nor the Indian government’s Border Security Force (BSF) have been sympathetic to their problems.

8 TO 4 FARMERS Gates to cross the border are open from 8 am to 4 pm, Sarkar said, and outside these times no Indian citizen is allowed to work land on the Bangladesh side.

The problem is that “farming cannot be done within a fixed timeframe,” Sarkar said.

In particular, the fixed crossing hours “create a lot of problems for the farmers, as the farmer needs to reach his field very early in the morning”, he said.

In addition, he said, people living on the Bangladeshi side of the border sometimes damage Indian-owned crops or harvest them, leaving Indian growers with no produce to show for their labour.

Farmers and civil society groups have long urged India’s government to purchase their land on the other side of the fence.

Members of Nagarik Unnayan Mancha, a civil society group, say they plan to file a pe-

tition on the issue at the Gauhati high court.

"Our demands have been ignored for years, and now we are planning to send a delegation to (explain) our situation before the Assam chief minister and the country’s prime minister,” said Sarkar.

The state government, however, says that it cannot act alone on a matter affecting the country’s border.

"This is an international issue and Bangladesh must also be involved, and this could be done only through the Ministry of External Affairs,” said Bhumidhar Barman, Assam’s revenue minister.

He said he would take up the issue with the central government.

Tripura all set to introduce EC seeks 'vulnerability mapping' for Assam polls Rs.100 cr defamation suit filed against Gogoi "I think I should not be a mute specThe commission, howev- GUwaHaTI, DecemBeR 22 (Ians): Decem- mission will monitor all insmart rationing from Jan GUwaHaTI, BeR 22 (Ians): The Elec- cidents with political over- er, did not finalise the dates BJP leader and former Assam minister Hi- tator to all these allegations and sit idle. I tion Commission on Tuesday said it has asked district police chiefs and district magistrates in Assam to map all vulnerable places in the state so that free and fair polls to the legislative assembly could be held next year.

"Political parties have briefed us about the role money and muscle power can play in the upcoming elections. They also mentioned that the Election Commission should ensure that all state government officials involved in the election process should remain neutral," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

CEC Zaidi was accompanied by Election Commissioners A.K. Joti and O.P. Rawat. Zaidi said the com-

NOTICE

It is to notify that a Souvenir Magazine will be published in commemoration of Jalukie Town Golden Jubilee celebration in 2016. Articles, photo etc. for the souvenir magazine will be accepted from 01.01.2016 to 30.06.2016. All concerned are invited to give their valuable contribution.

Convenor Souvenir Committee No. PD/NERLP/2012-13/ 158/Pt-II/Nagaland/Vol-II/777

NORTH-EAST LIVELIHOOD PROMOTION SOCIETy Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India

House No.102, Dilip Huzuri Path, GS Road, Guwahati — 781006 Dated: 16/12/2015

VACANCy ANNOUNCEMENT North East Livelihood Promotion Society, an Autonomous body under Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India, invites application for one post of MIS Operator in District Project Management Unit (DPMU), Peren, Nagaland on contractual basis for North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP).

Application in prescribed format (available at www.nerlp.gov.in) along with attested copies of certificates, mark sheets and testimonials should reach the Office of the Project Director on the above address on or before 06/01/2016. Applications may also be submitted to: District Project Management Unit, North East Rural Livelihoods Project, Old Market, Opposite to NST Bus Station, Jalukie Town, Peren, Nagaland,Pin-797110.

For further details, please logon to www.nerlp.gov.in Sd/Project Director, NERLP, Guwahati.

tones taking place before the assembly polls. "We will try to cover the maximum polling stations with special forces.

We will ensure that central police forces are deployed in all polling stations," he said.

He said district magistrates and superintendents of police have been asked to execute all pending nonbailable warrants, to start the arms deposit process and take action for seizing illegal arms from now on. Observing that most of the parties were in favour of elections held before the Rongali Bihu festival in mid-April, Zaidi said they have taken note of the suggestions.

He said the poll panel assured that an effective mechanism will be put in place to ensure that the election was free and fair.

for the polls. It needs to complete the entire poll process

by June 5 next year.

Stating that the poll panel lays stress on "error-free electoral rolls", he said they would work towards plugging the gaps between the census population and electoral roll population, and ensure that every eligible person was on the electoral rolls.

The total number of voters on the rolls was 1.92 crore approximately on October 12. This figure includes six lakh new voters of 18 to 19 years of age.

Emphasising on the elector's photo identity card (EPICs), the poll panel chief said they would plug the existing three percent gap in Assam and ensure that each and every voter gets the identity card.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

NAGALAND EDUCATION MISSION SOCIETy RASHTRIyA MADHyAMIK SHIKSHA ABHIyAN NAGALAND: KOHIMA

NO. NLD/RMSA/APPT-R/2013

Dated Kohima, the 22nd Dec 2015

ADDENDUM

In continuation of the notification No. DES/RMSA-UPGRADATION/2011, Dated the 27th November, 2015, and addendum dated 11th Dec 2015, the following candidates from the waiting list are hereby provisionally selected as secondary Teachers RMSA upgraded Government High Schools.

Social Science (General)

Social Science (BT)

Sl. Name of Candidate Roll Sl. Name of Candidate Roll No No No No 1 Mr. E. YANGANG KONYAK F396 1 Ms. KUGHAHOLI A. YEPTHO A286 2 Mr. G. TEMJAI F026 2 Ms. WIJIUDINLIU G222 3 Mr. E. LIHWANG F115 3 Ms. POONAM MECH A403 4 Ms. NAONG MONYU I328 4 Ms. LOVINTOLI TSUQU A150 5 Mr. WEKHROPE AKAMI H361 5 Ms. IMNUKSUNGLA LONGKUMER E283 6 Mr. C. ANGTONG KONYAK F376 6 Ms. WATIENLA E300 7 Ms. HENSHU AEIHLY D025 7 Ms. IBASILE MERU G163 8 Mr. MUKAMCHIM YIMCHUNGER I309 8 Ms. VITHONEINUO SIRIE C224 9 Mr. SAO VENUH H258 9 Ms. AMEN JAMIR E444 10 Ms. TEMSUJUNGLA E526 11 Ms. LAMHOIKIM KIM MISAO A360 12 Mr. HEROTO K. SUMI K099 13 Ms. KALIVI K. ZHIMO K215 14 Ms. TEMJENMENLA E248 15 Ms. LIKA Y. SWU K045 16 Ms. MERANGKALA E433 17 Mr. TOKAVI H. SHIKHU K038 18 Ms. BETHEL SEB A467 19 Ms. SENTISANGLA A255 20 Ms. BENDANGNARO A500 The following candidates are disqualified for reasons stated against their names; Sl. Name of Candidate Roll Subject Reason No. No. 1 Mr. PHYOBEN EZUNG J336 Social Science B. Ed. from BSP, UP which is not a recognised institute.

3 Mr. TOKIV1 SUHOVI K188 Social Science B. Ed. from BSP, UP which is not a recognised institute.

6 Ms. IMLAMONGLA E068 Science Does not have B. Ed. degree.

Acceptance letter should be submitted to the State Mission Office latest by 8th of January, 2016. Other conditions remain the same as published in the above mentioned notification.

(THEJAO VIHIENUO) State Mission Director, RMSA: Nagaland

manta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he has filed a Rs.100 crore civil defamation suit against Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for alleging his involvement in scams.

At a press conference here, Sarma said he will also file a criminal defamation suit against Gogoi. "Gogoi has been making baseless and untrue allegations against me for the past few days. He said I am involved in the Saradha scam and in the Louis Berger bribery scam. Gogoi also recently told the media that there are criminal cases pending against me," he said.

have decided to file a lawsuit against the chief minister," said Sarma, once a close aide of Gogoi.

Sarma, who held several portfolios in the Gogoi cabinet since the Congress came to power in Assam in 2001, however, revolted against the chief minister and led a group of dissident legislators who demanded a change in the party leadership.

Sarma left the Congress in August and joined the BJP, following which nine aides also resigned from the ruling party and joined the BJP.

BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION NOTICE INVITING TENDER (NATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING)

1. The Commander 15 BRTF, PIN-930 015, C/O 99 APO on behalf of President of India invites tender(s) from the eligible contractors for the following work(s) Particular of work Cost &Time of work Details of tender documents Tender No.02 of 2015-16 (Re-Tender) (a) Cost : Rs 5.75 (a) Cost of tender : Rs 500/Supply and stacking of S/chips 20 mm and sand lakh (b) Availability: On or after 23 for Pmt works against construction of Super (b) Period of compleDec 2015 Structure of NRO Bridge (40M Span) over Rivtion :180 days (c) Submission: Up to 1200 er at km 19.625 on B-Z-N-R-B Road under 89 (c) Earnest money hrs on 22 Jan 2016 RCC/15 BRTF Project Sewak in Nagaland State :Rs 11,500/Tender No.04 of 2015-16 (Re-Tender) (a) Cost : Rs 18.10 (a) Cost of tender : Rs 500/Supply and stacking of S/boulder, S/ metal 40 lakh (b) Availability: On or after 23 mm, S/Chips 20 mm and medium coarse sand (b) Period of compleDec 2015 for construction of 03 minor bridges span 24 tion :365 days (c) Submission : Up to 1200 M at km 8.825, KM 10.175 and KM 18.370 on (c) Earnest money : hrs on 23 Jan 2016 K-P-P Road under 98 RCC/15 BRTF Project Rs 36,200/Sewak in Nagaland State Tender No.05 of 2015-16 (Re-Tender) (a) Cost : Rs 13.45 (a) Cost of tender : Rs 500/Supply and stacking of S/ Boulder, S/Metal 40 lakh (b) Availability: On or after 23 mm, S/Chips 20 mm and Coarse Sand be- (b) Period of compleDec 2015 tween km 40.00 to km 146.70 on K-J Road tion :180 days (c) Submission : Up to 1200 and Km 0.120 to Km 0.360 on Road Chizami- (c) Earnest money : hrs on 21 Jan 2016 Chizami Post for Execution of SRMD (2014Rs 26,900/15) under 98 RCC/15 BRTF/ Project Sewak in Nagaland State Tender No.14 of 2015-16 (a) Cost: Rs 28.96 (a) Cost of tender: Rs 500/Supply and stacking of S/Boulder, S/Metal 40 lakh (b) Availability: On or after 23 mm, S/Chips 20 mm, S/Chips 12.5 mm and (b) Period of compleDec 2015 Sand for improvement of Drainage by Providtion: 365 days (c) Submission: Up to 1200 ing Culverts and lined Drain between KM 0.00 (c) Earnest money: hrs on 20 Jan 2016 and KM 104.00 on T-M Road under 100 RCC/15 Rs 57,920/BRTF Project Sewak in Nagaland State Note: Full notice of tender, any change in above details, tender document (including eligibility criteria) and other details may be obtained from BRO Website www.bro.nic.in (link: Tender) or Central public procurement portal www.eprocure.gov.in for any queries, please contract on telephone 0370-2260542.

EE(Civ) SW, For Commander

LIFE SPORTS, Nagaland

CHIZAMI CUP 2015 : ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIFE SPORTS, Nagaland gives thanks to God and the football community for the success of the 6th Edition of the CHIZAMI CUP 2015 being held from December 14 – 18 at Chizami. We express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following people, agencies and groups: 1. Mr Wechürü Wezah, aged 94, the oldest man from Chizami Village and Mr Esoilo Tsühah, aged 87, for blessing us by their much valued presence in the ground throughout the tournament 2. Shri Müroho Chotso, Deputy Commissioner & Chairman, District Sports Council, Phek for gracing the Inaugural Program as the Chief Guest and for his continued support towards development of football in Phek District 3. Rev Dr Vezopa Tetseo, Executive Secretary, Chakhesang Baptist Church Council for blessing the Closing Ceremony as the Chief Guest. We are so blessed to have a Minister of the Word to have graced our event. We hope our partnership will promote Church Sports ministry in our land 4. Shri Moa Lemtur, SDO (C), Chizami for gracing the Closing Ceremony as the Guest of Honour 5. Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) and Chizami Baptist Church for prayer support and financial contribution towards our Sports Mission 6. Mr Imnatoshi Longkumer, Youth Director, DABA & Teammate leader and Mr Rukuzo Ruho, Lecturer, Baptist Theological College, Pfütsero for the blessed Sports Fellowship 7. Members of the Teammate, Dimapur for your ministry and the exciting Exhibition Match 8. Baptist Theological College, Pfütsero for being part of our Sports Mission 9. The Match Officials from KDFRA led by Mr Lhousavoto for the professional conduct of all the matches 10. The local Media for the continued support towards our mission to transform the Youth and Communities through sports 11. Senapati FC for coming to Nagaland. We are happy our Trophy has gone out of the State to promote friendship and partnership beyond the borders 12. To all the participating teams & players from across the State of Nagaland 13. NSACS for being our esteemed Kits Sponsor. May our partnership continue to ensure the best of rural health & sports 14. Manchester United Fans Club, Nagaland members for sponsoring the 3rd Prize and the Golden Glove Award and also for travelling all the way to Chizami from Dimapur & Kohima led by Ms Alem Menti 15. Mr Jacob Krome, GT, Leshemi for sponsoring the 4th Prize 16. Mr Hukavi S Murru, President, 3 Dimapur, NPF Division and Mr Tsholo Kapfo, MD, Life Enterprises for sponsoring the Quarterfinalists prizes 17. Mr Loken Khawash, Pharmacist, Chizami, Mr Shekuto Rhakho, PGT, Chozuba and Mr Mesewe Chirhah, Assistant Teacher, Chizami for sponsoring the Individual Awards 18. Mr Welo Wezah, Class 1 Govt Contractor for contribution towards the Exhibition Matches 19. The Life Sports Under 17 boys for the exciting Exhibition Match and tireless services as Ball Boys 20. People and Organizations from Chizami Village and Town led by the Chizami Village Council for sharing their homes, utensils, beddings, water, firewood, vegetables, finance, services and many more with the organizers and the participating teams 21. The Organizing Committee members led by Mr Mhetshelo Kapfo for the selfless services 22. CHIZAMI CUP 2015 Raffle Results: 1st: 0273; 2nd: 0559; 3rd: 1647; Consolations: 0146, 0735, 1815, 1853, 1564 23. The CHIZAMI CUP 2016 will be held from December 8 – 17, 2016 “RURAL YOUTH AND FOOTBALL AT ITS BEST”

Davp 37102/11/0467/1516

aGaRTaLa, DecemBeR 22 (Tnn): The Tripura government is all set to introduce smart rationing through point of sales (PoS) machines at fair price shops from January next year to ensure transparency in the public distribution system (PDS).

Civil supplies minister Bhanu Lal Saha said the machines will be installed initially at 25 fair price shops in Agartala and after reviewing the performance of the machines and response from customers, it will be replicated in all other 1,761 fair price shops across the state.

Tripura is the first state in the northeast to install PoS machines, Saha said. "We have been demanding inclusion of all 14 essential commodities in the PDS to protect the common people from black marketing but the Centre is yet to respond to it positively," he said.

Ration card holders would be provided with smart punch cards, which would contain their biometric information. When the card is punched or swiped at the shop, all the connected databases would get updated, he added. This is aimed at bringing down manual fudging with inventory records and later diverting the subsidized foodgrain (mainly wheat and rice) in the open market by private ration shop owners. He said Tripura is also implementing the Food Security Act across the state and providing subsidy to the poor.

4

WednesdAY 23 •12•2015

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Indian Railways misses 2015 revenue target

New Delhi, December 22 (PTi): The Indian Railways had to grapple with shortfall in revenue targets and “unbearable burden” of Pay Commission recommendations in 2015 and hopes to address the twin issues next year.

Though earnings were up by 6.67% up to December 10 as compared to last year, there was a decline in meeting the target. Railways’ earnings till December 10 were Rs 1,11,834.32 crore as against the target of Rs 1,22,639.16 crore, a decline of 8.8%.

“In 2015, one of the challenges we have been facing is not getting enough cargo. So, revenues are down. Because steel, cement, iron ore demand is very bad. Import and export are down.

These are sources for car-

go. So, targets are falling short,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu told PTI. He said this when asked about his regrets in 2015 on things he could not do or could have done better.

Prabhu also said 7th Pay Commission recommendations are equally a major challenge as Railways has to shell out additional Rs 32,000 crore annually.

“Secondly, Pay Commission recommendation is another big challenge.The Rs 32,000 crore additional burden for Pay Commission on Railways is unbearable. These are major challenges,” he said, and added, “These are two challenges of 2015, I hope we will be able to address it in 2016.

On Pay Commission, we will have to talk to the Fi-

nance Ministry.”

Asked whether the recent slum demolition incident involving death of a child at Shakurbasti in Delhi is a setback as it would not be easy to evacuate encroachers from railway land, Prabhu said, “Public property is used for public good. So, we have to find out ways.There has to be a public debate.We do not want to construct bungalows there.” However, he emphasised on adopting human approach in dealing with removal of encroachers.

“We have to find out best possible ways and at the same time I have instructed all my officers to do it in a humane way. I was not aware when demolitions took place, otherwise, I would have told them not to do it at this

particular time. But we will handle it in a humane way.”

Asked why he did not raise fares despite adverse financial condition, Prabhu quoted Abraham Lincoln saying, “We have tried to do everything in the interest of Railways. So what we have done is for the Railways, by the Railways and of the Railways.”

However, he said there were many good things that happened in Railways in 2015.

“In 2015, we have done many things. First of all, getting huge resources for Railways which was always a problem. Getting finances for Railways is a great achievement,” he said.

Known for his reformoriented approach, Prabhu described the decision

to delegate powers to senior railway officials including tenders as “pathbreaking” and an attempt to bring transparency in Railways.

“I have started restructuring by delegating powers to general managers and divisional railway managers which is pathbreaking in Railways. We brought a complete transparency into the Railways.

Not a single tender has come to me since I became minister. This is a major reform in Railways,” he claimed.

Focusing on transparency, he said that steps are being taken for bringing all tenders on e-tendering mode. “Now, we are bringing all tenders under e-tendering platform. We have started postings, appointments,

transfer also a in a transparent way,” he said.

“We have started a process of online examination for recruitment which will eliminate corruption in a significant way,” Prabhu said.

Referring to ‘Make-inIndia’ campaign in Railways, he said, “We have started the campaign in a major way by launching Rs 40,000 crore locomotive projects in Madhepura and Marhora in Bihar.

“This is a big ‘Make-inIndia’ effort as it will bring jobs to Bihar.This will also bring new technology to India.”

He said many ancillary units will be benefiting from the projects as there will be suppliers for the factories.

“It will bring small and medium level economy

system in India. Since these manufacturers are supplying to a world’s top company they will supply to other countries in due course,” he said.

On the decision on the multi-crore Train Set project, he said, “Whether locomotive factories or train set, I took the decisions for Railways’ interest. Whatever was in Railways interest, I tried to do that.”

Highlighting the comprehensive agreement with Japan on rail sector, Prabhu said, “Japanese collaboration is going to upgrade our existing system including safety, research in a significant way.

Agreement on bullet train is also there.”

Referring to the Rail Budget 2015-16, he said majority of announcements made have been

implemented. “We have fulfilled 110 announcements made in budget,” he said.

On the proposed reform on accounting system, he said, “Accounting reforms for change in accounting system have already started. Audit of human resources and energy are also being undertaken.”

The minister said there is a focus on energy conservation. “While energy audit is going on there are steps to conserve energy and to reduce energy cost,” he said.

On the proposed Railway Regulatory Authority, Prabhu said, “Draft is ready and we will circulate it to all stakeholders seeking their views before finalising it. However, we could change its name.”

Ford in talks with Google to build self-driving cars India projected to be fastest califorNia, De cember 22 (reuTers): A Google spokesman told Automotive News that the company would not comment on speculation, although Google officials confirmed that the company is talking to automakers. Earlier this year, Google began discussions with most of the world’s top automakers and assembled a team of traditional and nontraditional suppliers to speed efforts to bring self-driving

cars to the market by 2020.

In June, Google began testing tiny, bubbleshaped self-driving prototype vehicles of its own design on public roads around Mountain View.

The company has also started testing self-driving prototypes in Austin. Google is expected to make its self-driving cars unit, which will offer rides for hire, a stand-alone business under its parent company, Alphabet Inc, next year, Bloomberg re-

SBI to raise Rs.12,000 growing economy over next 10 yrs cr through Tier-II bonds

ported earlier.

Ford, although lagging behind most competitors, ramped up its pace to develop self-driving cars earlier this year and said it would expand advanced safety technology, including automatic braking, enabling hands-free operation of cars under certain conditions by automating such basic functions as steering, braking and throttle. This was to be included across its global lineup over the next 5 years.

New YorK, December 22 (PTi): India, with a projected annual growth rate of 7 per cent, has the potential to be the world’s fastest growing economy over the coming decade, surging ahead of its South Asian economic rival China that will continue to see a slowdown, according to Harvard researchers.

“India has the potential to be the fastest growing economy over the coming decade... India tops the global list for predicted annual growth rate for the coming decade, at 7.0 per cent,” new growth projections presented by researchers at the Centre for International Development (CID) at Harvard University showed.

“This far outpaces projections for its northern neighbour and economic rival, China, which the researchers expect to face a continued slowdown to 4.3 per cent growth annually to 2024, the report said. South Asia and East Africa have the greatest potential for “rapid growth” as oil economies and other commodity-driven economies face the slowest growth outlook, it said.

“India has made important gains in productive capabilities, allowing it to diversify its exports into more complex products, including pharmaceuticals, vehicles, even electronics,” said Ricardo Hausmann, Professor of the Practice of Economic Development at Harvard Kennedy School and CID director.

Hausmann noted these gains in economic complexity have historically translated into higher incomes.

“China has already realised many of

RCOM, Aircel in merger talks for wireless business New Delhi, December 22 (iaNs): Industrialist Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications (RCOM) on Tuesday said it has initiated talks with the promoters of Aircel to combine the wireless business of the two companies, with synergies in investments and returns.

A pact for 90-day exclusive talks has been initiated with Aircel’s majority owner, Malaysia’s Maxis Communications, and Sindya Securities and Investments for the potential merger, RCOM said in a statement.

“The potential combination will exclude RCOM’s towers and optical fibre infrastructure, for which RCOM is proceeding with an asset sale,” said the statement.

“The discussion are non-binding in nature. Any transaction will be subject to due diligence, definitive documentation and regulatory, shareholders’ and other third party approvals. Hence, there is no certainty that any transaction will result.”

Last month, RCOM entered a major pact to acquire the Indian business of Russia’s Sistema, which operates under the ‘MTS’ brand, in a unique stock-cumspectrum-fee payment deal.

According to sources, if the deal happens, RCom-Aircel-MTS wireless combo will have over 150 million customers in India and it will hold hold close to 20% of the total spectrum - highest in country - in virtually every band currently available to private players.

_

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 # 3443

these gains, doubling per capita income in less than a decade. We expect that India’s recent gains in complexity, coupled with its ability to continue improving it will drive higher incomes, positioning India to lead global economic growth over the coming decade,” he said.

The CID data predicted that growth in emerging markets will continue to outpace that of advanced economies, though the gap is closing. CID is also bullish on East Africa, with Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya ranking in the top 10, with all predicted to grow at least 5.5 per cent annually.

The growth forecast also looks favourably on Southeast Asia, where the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam look to drive growth well above global averages. Growth in advanced economies remains slow by comparison, though it has risen slightly in the projections in recent years.

The US is expected to grow at 2.8 per cent annually to 2024, with higher growth predicted in the United Kingdom (3.2 per cent) and Spain (3.4 per cent), and slower growth in Italy (1.8 per cent) and Germany (0.35 per cent).

The United Nations has also predicted that India will continue to be the fastest growing economy in the world in 2016 and 2017, projected to grow by 7.3 per cent next year and 7.5 per cent the year after amid a global order that will see persistent macroeconomic uncertainties, diminished trade flows and stagnant investment.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3455

Answer Number # 3442

mumbai, December 22 (ageNcies): State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, will raise up to Rs.12,000 crore by issuing bonds that are Basel-III complaint. The funds will be raised in one or more tranches through private placement. “The Committee of Directors’ has authorised the bank to raise up to Rs.12,000 crore by way of “issue of Basel-III compliant Tier-II bonds, at par, through private placement”,” the SBI informed the stock exchanges. Basel-III capital regulations are being implemented in India with effect from April 1, 2013 in a phased manner. Last year, the Reserve Bank of India tweaked the norms for raising funds via bonds in a move to make it easier for banks and also make it attractive for investors. The minimum maturity period of these bonds was reduced and banks were allowed to tap retail investors. SBI’s capital adequacy ratio, as on end September, was 12.17% as compared to regulatory mandate of 9%. Tier-I capital of SBI was at 9.9%, leaving much room for raising Tier-II bonds.

Greeting Dear papa (Sapong Chang) Another great year of having the greatest papa in the world to spend time with, Your soul is pure, your heart is priceless, and your wisdom is astounding.

Happy birthday to the best father ever...

Love u always wife, sons and daughter DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

East Police Station West Police Station

227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

W

O AbuSe SEXUAL

PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL SPOUSE ELDER NEGLECT CHILD ACQUAINTANCE RAPE SEXUALHARASSMENT VICTIMS DETECTION POLICEREPORT RESOURCES SHELTER ABUSER VICTIMIZE PHYSICALRESISTANCE SELFDEFENSE RISKFACTORS HOMICIDE ANGERMANAGEMENT GANGS PUNCHING POVERTY VIOLENCE

R

C P R C K E N O I T C E T E D A Q E A I

D

V H V R P M R D U X L A Y G N D N Z O L

E Y W O N O G V O K P A F G A I A P Q H

S

D S N O P T V U N E G L E C T C B N K Q

I I E G P I X J Y V O R A C Q Y S Z N O

E

G C Z X N O T X R P M E J U N M K J G Q

L A I M U N B E G A O D A S I E G K A B

P L M F L A D F N R F I A T U J L O P Z

A

Y G I F J L L A Y N N C C D X J I O S U

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

Z L C P S E X U A L V M I I Z I C J B V

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I E I Z M F D N N R S O G V C R D N P P

K A V E E A C Z E W A H O E U J J W U H

E S N E F E D F L E S S R O D Z K J N A

C

T T P H Y S I C A L R E S I S T A N C E

K A D G H R P L V N P E S M C G L R H Z

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles

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R R I S K F A C T O R S L U E H N F I S

O A Z D P O V E R T Y B U P O N I A N O

G W I F G R E T L E H S S E H P T L G I

V U H C R H Q R E S U B A I A Q S I D G

STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

1. Marcel Marceau was one 5. Landrover 9. Plate 13. Biblical garden 14. Not rural 16. Greek letter 17. Male turkeys 18. Leg bone 19. Is endebted to 20. Without company 22. Silkscreen 24. Tatters 26. Latin name for our planet 27. Greed 30. A Japanese feudal baron 33. Wanting company 35. Arboreal snake 37. Central 38. Weals 41. Detachable container 42. Slips 45. Stumbled 48. Trap 51. Freshness 52. Sea 54. Excavates 55. Put blinders on 59. Flavor 62. Hubs

63. Earlier in time 65. Lass 66. Foment 67. Damp 68. Nights before 69. Portend 70. “Whoopee!”

71. Apollo astronaut Slayton

DOWN

1. Of higher order 2. False god 3. Note 4. Capture 5. Protrude 6. Goddess of discord 7. A common green newt 8. Coupled 9. Panorama 10. Hawkeye State 11. Stair 12. Chop finely 15. Nigerian monetary unit 21. Auspices 23. Gruesome 25. Flat-bottomed boat 27. Charity 28. “There you have it!”

29. An uncle 31. Noteworthy 32. Double-reed

instruments 34. Santa’s helper 36. Contributes 39. Buff 40. Sleigh 43. Hard rubber 44. Use a straw 46. Blockhead 47. Betrothed 49. Oozes 50. Cultivator 53. Whinny 55. Tell all 56. Gray wolf 57. Chilled 58. Venician magstrate 60. Journey 61. If not 64. Type of whiskey Ans to CrossWord 3454

WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

Police Station 1:

DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKEDIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUNHEBOTO: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC)

KIPHIRE: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) PEREN: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LONGLENG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

MOKOKCHUNG:

KOHIMA NORTH: 7085924114 (O)

MON: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE

ACROSS

KOHIMA SOUTH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC)

WOKHA: 03860242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC)

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 NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

64.77 96.29 8.09 46.64 45.99 46.39 53.17

67.74 101.02 9.01 48.97 48.27 48.68 56.19

Euro

70.64

74.11

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.74

1.94

0.0533

0.0594

44.00

46.19

9.58

10.68

WednesdAY 23•12•2015

NVcO urges to protect rights of consumers Kohima, December 22 (mexN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has appealed to the authority concerned to look into the grievances of the consumers in the State and capital Kohima in particular and protect their rights as India observes National Consumer Rights Day on December 24.

In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, NVCO highlighted the grievances of the consumers with regard to price rise in the market. The letter, issued by NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi, pointed

out that pork is being sold at an excessive price of Rs 250/- per kg at a meat shop in Lerie, Kohima on NH29. Another complaint in other meat shop is the continuance of unfair practices in measurement and that many a time the sellers harass the consumers to buy pork at Rs.200/- per kg by putting additional meat against the KMC rate of Rs.180/- per kg, it said.

NVCO also stressed that illegal collection of cash on highways and at police check gates continues, which, it said, is the main cause of price rise in the market. It asked the district

DCC Wokha refutes press release WoKha, December 22 (mexN): With regard to the news item, ‘39th Sanis ACCC office bearers resign’, which appeared on December 21, the District Congress Committee (DCC), Wokha has termed the press release false and condemned it.

A rejoinder from DCC, Wokha President, Rabemo Ngullie and General Secretary (Media), Thungchanbemo Ezung stated that the release has been issued by “some self vested individuals misleading the general public for reasons best known to them.”

It noted that those who issued the release were excluded/ expelled during

2015 DCC Wokha office revamping in the month of July 2015 for their “anti party activities.”

“Instead one can see at the grassroots level, contradict to the false press release issued, thousands are willingly joining congress party after DCC Wokha revamping in hope and anticipation that only Congress party will be able to bring all round development in the state.”

Further, the release stated that the DCC Wokha, senior Congress party members along with the newly joined members wholeheartedly support the leadership of K. Therie, NPCC President, Nagaland in his future endeavours.

administration to effectively enforce and execute the Judgement & Order dated 03.06.2014 passed by the Gauhati High Court, Kohima, which bans collecting cash/ contribution at check gates and on any National/ State Highways and also establishing office/ sub-office/ pay-counter/ information centre on any highway. The organization alleged that there are several pay-counters on NH-29.

Reiterating that illegal collections of cash by police/ unions/ associations/ federations/ public organizations/ govt. departments at the check gates

and on highways contribute to price rise in the State, NVCO stated Dimapur is considered to be the most affected place. Many trucks coming from outside refuse to enter Nagaland because of the forcible collection of ‘taxes’ at various check gates lying on National/ State Highways and there are numerous collection points at every conceivable corner in Dimapur, it added.

Meanwhile, the organization maintained that fundraise by way of selling lottery ticket to the extent of Rs.15,000/- per ticket, raffle draw, buffet ticket, calendar, car/ vehicle stick-

er, concert ticket, moudi, packed cooked meat/ vegetables/ fruits, etc. has become a “nuisance and harassment” to the citizens.

“The unabated taxation and illegal collection of cash at check gates, highways, markets and deduction of percentage by way of commission from public funds/ contractor bill, toll tax collection without providing any services to the tax payers, illegal dealership and syndicate system, yearly tax on property/ machineries/ vehicles, fundraise by way of donation and well-wishers, etc are to be termed as ‘extortion’,” it added.

It further asserted that charging above the printed price in motor parts by removing the original price tag, selling students’ text books and notebooks above the printed price, charging medicine above the printed price, etc are “illegal and excessive and amounting to exploitation of the Consumers’ right laid down in the Act.” The NVCO prayed that the District Administration will take effective measures to stop illegal collection of cash or charging excessive prices, selling sub-standard goods, fundraise etc.

Development activities undertaken by DMC from January 1, 2015 till date New Market Cemented Concrete Dust Bins DimaPUr, December 22 In and around Dimapur city: 56 (mexN): The below mentioned deRoad: 1 velopment works were undertaken Drain Works with cover slabs by the Dimapur Municipal Council Gravel Road Sematilla School side: 1 Blue Hill Road (Major repairing under the leadership of H. Atokhe Sematilla FCI Road: 1 with stone gravels & stone metal Aye as its Administrator ever since Notun Bosti: 1 upto Tragopan Police Point): 1 the Government of Nagaland perNew Market: 2 United North Block (Burma Camp) mitted the Council to collect toll taxLotha Colony (along the boundary DMC Garbage dumping site apes. The details were provided by the wall of stadium): 1 office of the DMC to media persons. proach road: 1 Lotha Colony behind Dimapur Total: 12 roads in 12 months Govt College: 1 Road Works United Colony, Burma Camp: 3 Murgi Patti (Naga Council Area): 1 RCC Box Culvert MP Road: 2 Hazi Park (Maszid Road): 1 Bank Colony: 1 Chatteswari Colony: 1 Old Over Bridge Colony, Burma Residency Colony: 1 Supply Colony: 1 Camp: 1 Chatteswari Colony: 3 Island Colony: 1 Netaji Colony: 1 MP Road: 5 Zelaingrong East Colony: 1 West yard Colony: 1 Total: 16 Dimapur Govt College: 1 Hume Pipe Culvert Don Bosco Higher Secondary Under Construction Midland Colony: 2 School: 1 GS Road: 1 One Minor Bridge Police Colony: 1 Zeliangrong (Dhobinallah): 1 Zeliang East Colony: 1 Bank Colony: 1 Total: 2

Children from Ebenezer Orphanage Home received God's word and prayer from Dr. Bendangjungshi, Director of the Friends of the Poor Society, and followed by blanket distribution.

Christian Education department of Ikishe Baptist Church celebrated advance Christmas on December 20. The program saw children participating in different programs like Christmas medley, skit, bible recitation, special number. Deacon Israel Xuivi was the speaker.

Don Bosco Sechü Zubza organized an exposure trip to Kolkata for the class 10 students. It was the first ever exposure trip to Kolkata for the group and was an eye opener for all the students, according to a press release.

There were 29 students accompanied by the principal and staff. They visited Mother Teresa’s Tomb, Victoria Memorial, Science City, Zoo, Digha, Eden Garden, and Indian Museum.

Public SPace

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ho can deny the yuletide spirit sweeping across the globe, getting into the nerves of young and old, rich and poor, making this season the busiest season of year, culminating into massive shopping event! In this madness who cares to think about the purpose and the meaning of celebration? The questions like, who do not celebrate Christmas becomes more relevant than the questions like, how and why should we celebrate Christmas!

It is quite unfortunate to note that the meaning of Christmas which is ebbing and drowning away from us is given little or no importance at all. The celebration which is supposed to circle

What a Contrast with the First Christmas!

Wungnaongam Pou

around the birth of Christ has little relevance if we look at the growing trends of celebration.

Let’s hold our horses for a while and listen to the stories of Christmas before we really indulge into the most awaiting celebration of year. If we trace back to the history, the book of Genesis clearly tells us that we have a legacy left to us by our first parents, “A legacy of a broken relationship”. And God the almighty was not happy with the broken relationship.The state of God’s

Good News! There is hope for all in the New Year!

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or all people, irrespective of tribe, caste, race, colour or religion, the God of Christmas is a God Who LOVES, a God Who GIVES, and a God Who SAVES (John 3:16). This is a God for the Whole World and for All People. He is not only Almighty and Sovereign, but also a God of Peace and of Forgiveness. In His Hands alone are all answers and solutions of life.

There is hope for Nagas. We have not arrived yet.

We are still on our way and our best is yet to be. Why should we provoke or antagonize one another? We are only a small people inhabiting a portion of Godgifted traditional homelands. But even that is also faultily divided and scattered against our wishes and without our consent. Let us have a long view towards the final solution, meanwhile helping and enabling one another as protagonists and catalysts in the whole process. We need to move forward and rise higher together step by step, one day at a time – and not try to achieve everything in one single stroke.

A sonnet from Dag Hammarskjold, former U.N. Secretary General is very interesting and ever relevant here for us Nagas: “For all that has been: THANKS. To all that should be: YES.” For myself, many things have gone wrong in the past, but not everything. There are many stories to write, many lessons to learn, and many dreams and visions to pursue. The best and highest of all is the GOSPEL STORY! Oh, that people would praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works for men! (Ps. 107:8, 15 & 31). That is the “Unfailing Love of God” in Christmas. Ever new every year, reminding us all that we are not humble enough to receive as His Gift plummeted to Earth, not forgiving enough as His Way, and not peaceful enough as His Mission.

If I have an enemy, I have not forgiven enough. If I don’t like some ‘bad’ people around, I am worse. If I hate someone’s ego or high and haughty look, I am not on God’s side. Christmas is a time to be in God’s Party once again, celebrating and looking forward to the New Year in better spirit and outlook.

Dr. Dietho-o ‘South Corner’ A.G. Road, Kohima

unhappiness is clearly reflected in His effort to re-build the broken relationship. The Bible says God gave everything to re-build this relationship, His love for mankind so deep that He didn’t spare His own son to be sent as a ransom. Romans (8: 32) says, “He who did not spare His own son but gave Him up for us all.”If we look at the meaning of the above verse it is loud and clear that Christmas is a time to celebrate the unconditional love of Godthat demonstrated on this

Christmas Day, to reconcileand save mankind from eternal damnation.

Today,when we think of Christmas it’s all about shopping, arranging, visiting, hosting wrapping, decorating and so on… what a contrast with the first the Christmas! the announcement of Jesus birth was dramatic and brilliant, came with no preparation on the part of the shepherds, Mary and Joseph did not whip up a banquet or deck the hall of Bethle-

hem, no invitations were written, no gifts were purchased no programs arranged, Just a humble birth and the midnight visitation by the obedient shepherds. Some of us may say, had I been there! How quick I would have to help the baby, I would have open the door wide for Mary and Joseph, I would have washed the linens, how happy would have been to go with shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger! We would say these because now we know

who Christ is, but had we been there at that time I don’t think we would have done anything better than the people of Bethlehem! But the good news is that, God is giving us another opportunity to be grateful as we all look forward to celebrate this coming Christmas.

Well I am not completely against the idea of material celebration but I feel focusing too much on the entertainment would certainly kill the purpose of the celebration. Given a

choice I would certainly vouch for some entertainment in our celebration but I feel we should be creative enough to re-create the meaning Christmas in our celebration and shouldn’t lose sight to the purpose of the celebration. So, in this coming Christmas, may we re-create the meaning of the first Christmas which was based purely on the celebration of God’s love! I feel there are ample of avenues wherein we can be an agent in spreading the love of God. May God help us to be a channel of blessing, may we experience the epiphany like the shepherds as we celebrate this coming Christmas. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas ahead!

Celebrate Christmas In Rainbow Colour Wati Longchar

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Hualien, Taiwan

s 25th December being promoted as Good Governance day by the BJP-led Government to suppress rainbow colour of Indian tradition? St. Paul is engaged in a controversy with the Galatian Christians over the issue of Gospel and Culture. The issue was: Should Galatians abandon their cultures and embrace Jewish law and custom to follow Jesus?

Let us ask another parallel question: Should Nagas abandon our own culture and embrace western culture to follow Jesus?

A pastor offered a prayer in traditional way. After the prayer, congregation sang “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”. The church was decorated very colorfully. Inside the church, there were Christmas tree, stars, many balloons, colour papers, Santa Claus and four candles were burning. Outside the church there were again five giant Santa Claus dressed in red colour and all of them carrying big basket full of gifts, and in a corner there was baby Jesus in a manger, with shepherd and wise men. Interestingly, seeing all those beautiful decoration and giant size Santa Claus, a young boy of 9 years old asked his parents “are we celebrating Jesus or Santa Claus birthday?” Some of the elders and deacons heard and they all laughed.

Have we given more importance to market symbol Santa Claus than Jesus! Are we not marketizing/commercializing Christmas through Santa Claus. Do we have to follow all these western traditions to make Christmas meaningful in Naga context?

Surprisingly, pastor’s prayer created controversy among the

members of the church. It was not the content, but the way he prayed was the problem. Some of them said it is more grant and it can draw the attention and respect of the people, but our fore-parents prayed in that way to invoke evil spirit. We should not pray to Jesus like that. The evil spirit will hear and come back. Some said if we start praying like that some members will go back to traditional belief system and start practicing evil customs. We should pray like how missionary taught us. Is Santa’s name, Christian tree, balloons, candles mentioned in the Bible?

These are all western traditions and we accept them as Christian traditions. We markitized Christmas and make Christmas a mere merry making celebration. But we are very critical of our own cultural traditions to be incorporated in worship life. We often think that western culture is Christian culture. When it comes to western culture we do not question but just accept them as Christian culture.

We need to understand that Gospel is different from western culture. Christians in Nagaland often think that conversion to Christianity means one should abandon our rich traditional culture because they are pagan, evil and demonic. We should follow what western missionaries have taught us. What they said and taught are absolutely right, we should not change, or question but just follow. This is called colonized mindset or mentality. This is called distortion of gospel message and our rich cultural traditions.

See Galatians 3:1-14. Galatian were not Jews, they were followers of Christ from Gentiles background. (The ancient Galatian city is now the capital city of

Turkey). They had their own rich cultural traditions. After they decided to follow Jesus they wanted to act like Jews, just as we want to act like westerners. They wanted to be circumcised, follow strict observance of Sabbath, and apply and follow Jewish laws and customs. This created conflict and misunderstanding among themselves and also spoiled their relationship with their fellow brothers and sisters who were not yet Christian. Just like many Nagas who think that by “adopting and following western culture, we become better Christians”, those Galatians also thought that by observing Jewish law and practices they would become better follower of Christ. So St. Paul challenged them, saying “You foolish Galatians! Who misguided you?”

He pushed several questions further - Did you receive the Spirit by observing law? Did you not receive the Spirit by faith? Do you think that by mere observance of Jewish laws will change your life?

Do you think that Jewish practices and customs will transform your life? Paul argued that mere observance of laws and rituals of somebody else’s culture has nothing to do in following Jesus.

It will rather uproot people from their own people and culture.

Paul connects his argument citing the “Spirit” and “Faith”. They are the basis in following Jesus; not the observance of Jewish laws and ritual practices.

In OT, the `Spirit’ is compared to `wind’. The wind blows wherever it wills. Nobody can control it. It does not make distinction between the Jewish and Gentiles, male or female, Christians or `non-Christians’. It does not make distinction between humans and

non-humans. The wind is also compared with the breath of God which gives life to all. The Spirit was working even before Abraham. God’s Spirit was at work even before Israel as a nation came into being. Here Paul wants to affirm that the God as Spirit is present in all cultures from the very time of creation. Since the Spirit is present in all cultures we should not abandon it. We must celebrate it.

Galatian culture is also good and colourful because of the presence of Spirit. One must follow Jesus without forsaking one’s own culture. The same applies to Naga culture as well.

Diversity is God’s structure of creation. It is like a rainbow. All colours are unique and different, and together with different colours make the rainbow beautiful. So also God who created all whether minority or majority traditions and they are all beautiful and must be respected, protected and also nurtured. Not only western cultures, Naga cultures are also richly blessed by God. Not only majority culture, but also the smallest tribe tradition is blessed

by God. The world will become richer when we celebrate together in different cultures and traditions with respect and love. Christian faith, worship and Christmas will be more colourful and meaningful when we incorporate our own traditions.

According to Paul, “Faith” in Christ makes our celebration of cultural diversity different and meaningful. Faith and action always go together. Faith in Christ leads as to transformed action.

Observance of law and customs without faith will just make routine ritual observance, duty for the sake of duty, or celebration of

Christmas for the sake of normal yearly celebration without any meaning. It becomes just a merry making festival. Work without faith leads a person to bondage and curtails one’s freedom. But faith makes our cultural diversity liberating and transforming. Faith leads to us respect others, but not condemnation. Faith leads us to value life more than mere ritualistic practices, like observance of Sabbath for the sake of ritual. We are not saying that all our Naga cultural practices are good and we are not saying that we should go back to traditional customs and practices. Paul is urging that we should preserve and practice our customs and culture in a transformed or changed manner because of faith in Christ. Culture is dynamic. There is no fixed culture.

Some cultures are destructive to life, misuse and manipulation of culture have led to domination and exploitation of many people.

Faith in Christ leads us to discern human limitation and challenge us to transform, resist, and reject oppressive elements in our culture for the sake of saving life. Faith in Christ leads to new action in love. Therefore, Paul is challenging Galatians not abandon their culture. Instead, transform them into what Jesus Christ taught us and celebrate the diversity in rainbow colour to glorify God. At the time when dominant society try to suppress tribal culture and language, and when majority societies consider tribal culture as inferior let this Christmas be a time to recommit ourselves to celebrate our cultural diversities with respect and love. Let this Christmas inspire us to affirm the diversity as God’s gifts to humanity and give hope to celebrate rainbow of life.

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

WednesdAY 23•12•2015

IN FOCUS

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 349X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume By dr. asangba Tzüdir

A Year of Blind Celebrations

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he sounds and sights of merry making and festivity finds galore and the whole state is absorbed in its religious fervor. In hindsight, of the many events that took place, two events stand out and it not only generates mixed feelings but also raises certain questions.

Could it have been otherwise? What could we have done?

One is the lynching of a man on 5th March in Dimapur that made headlines worldwide and the turn of events that ensued. Besides its sheer brutality, it may be seriously viewed as an archetypal example of human resources wastage. What if the lynching that provoked wild celebrations by thousands was instead a celebration for a productive or for a noble Naga cause? For times to come, it will only led us to ponder on what we have gained from the lynching? The second is the 3rd August signing of the ‘Peace Accord’ between GoI and the NSCN (IM). The promise to reveal the ‘contents’ is being kept in abeyance wherein one is made to speculate on the ‘lip services’ and now the recent remark made by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that “it was a framework agreement” and the interlocutor for Naga Peace talks R. N. Ravi saying, “We never said it was a Peace Accord” clearly shows that Nagas have been taken for a blind ride.

What can be drawn from these two different events is that, both cases saw blind celebrations unmindful of the consequences it has on the future of the Nagas. Beyond the blind celebrations there is a lot of retrospection and learning to do. It raises pertinent questions about our existential realities and the ‘human condition’ of the Nagas as a social being; cultural being; rational being; religious being; moral being and most importantly as a political being that makes each of us a ‘qualified’ human being towards a meaningful celebration of personhood, of life and living. In the pursuit of our identity and in charting a destiny that would best define how our lives should be lived, such events needs to be reviewed. There are certain lessons to be learnt in putting a reality check on our moral and rational selves in asserting a moral and political identity and more so in the face of our rights to ‘self determination’ being hijacked.

The human faculty of critical judgment that lets one decide whether an action is morally right or wrong needs to be harnessed properly to good measure in assessing our actions, approaches in the pursuit of asserting our rights and also in reclaiming our identity. Within such paradigm, our resources and most importantly, human resources needs to be put to productive use. Our Naga society cannot afford anymore blind celebration and wastage of human resources.

The year was nothing short of a spectacle, a topsy-turvy year starting with an ‘opposition-less’ govt. ruling the state and negativities of all forms conjuring life. On the whole, man cannot be but a political animal and there is an urgent need to address our ‘political status’, our socio-cultural and ethical mores in our assertion of self-determination and identity. As rational beings within the predicament that makes each of us a human, the moral selves need to reawaken to the impending realities today.

This year will go down as a year of blind celebrations and wastage of human resources. The way forward paramount question is - how long will the suppressed ‘moral and rational selves’ stay encoded in the present Naga Condition? Well, in philosophy there is a saying that you cannot jump into the same water in the river twice.

(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is an Editor with heritage publishing house.

He writes a weekly guest editorial for the Morung Express. Views and comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)

lEfT WING |

Sebastien Malo Reuters

IOM chief "disturbed" at the dangers of xenophobia

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he anti-migrant sentiment taking hold in a slew of nations facing an influx of refugees is disturbing, dangerous and puts people's lives at risk, said the head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Concern and suspicion about migrants is based on stereotypes, fear of national identity loss and a "post-9/11 security syndrome," said William Lacy Swing, director general of the Geneva-based intergovernmental IOM. "Every person entering from abroad is potentially a terrorist, exacerbated now with what happened in Paris," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview.

The Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, which killed 129 people, triggered concern that extremist militants could enter Europe amid the thousands of arriving migrants and prompted calls for nations to tighten their borders.

The waves of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere fleeing conflict-ridden homelands have fueled an "unprecedented anti-migrant sentiment," he said.

"We're very disturbed at the widespread anti-migrant sentiment that can lead to xenophobia and risks to migrants," he said. "The concern I have about a lot of statements that are being made on the public record right now is that it puts migrant lives at risk."

The head of the IOM, which has 162 member states and offices in more than 100 countries, spoke to the Thomson Reuters Foundation during a visit to New York.

Showing evidence that migrants contribute to productive societies is part of solving the current crisis, Swing said.

"All of our countries have always been open to new influx of people and it's always benefited us," he said. "So you have to come back to that again and again and give them figures, give them data, show them."

With more than 200 staffers in Syria, the IOM has helped more than 3.6 million people there with services including shelter, water and sanitation, an IOM spokesman said.

More than 4 million Syrians have sought refuge outside their country since civil war erupted in March 2011.

Asked if he would consider reaching out to political leaders stoking anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe and the United States, Swing said: "We may have to. We probably will have to."

Swing said he would ask that they "look inside their own souls and see how do they evaluate how the U.S. and other countries developed with migrant labor and migrant brain power."

Swing has publicly praised German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her open-door refugee policy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has pledged to take in 10,000 Syrian refugees by the new year.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Kerry Brown

Xi's China and Han Fei:

a lesson in authority Xi Jinping's statecraft is influenced above all by an ancient, though lesser known, Chinese proponent of austere power-politics

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he Communist Party of China has always had an ambiguous relationship with what might be best labeled classical Chinese thinking and philosophy. Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic, read far more Confucius, Mencius or Laozi than he did of Marx. It is questionable if he ever made it through The Communist Manifesto. His main theoretical writings on contradictions were as much haunted by the shadow of Daoism from two and a half millennia before in the "warring states" era as they were by Hegel and his dialectical materialism.

Despite this, under Mao virulent campaigns were targeted at what was called, in the cultural revolution from 1966, the "four olds", which included old thinking. Confucius was one of the most celebrated victims, but pretty much anything from the dark feudal past of China was consigned to the intellectual and cultural dustbin.

In recent years, Confucius has made a spectacular comeback. But so too has almost the whole range of classical Chinese thinking. In The Governance of China - the book containing Xi Jinping's collected speeches and statements, published in 2014 - Song, Han, and Ming dynasty artistic and cultural figures far outnumber citations of Marx, Engels or Lenin. Under the CPC's chief ideologue, Liu Yunshan, "traditional, splendid Chinese history and culture" is represented as a huge asset. It also, remarkably, takes its place now as one of the sources of legitimacy the party in the 21st century appeals to. "We are the guardians of this mighty heritage", they seem to be saying, "oppose us, and you oppose this."

Confucius might, for China’s communists, occupy centre-stage in this rehabilitation of the thinkers of the past. But it is the words of another figure in particular that have eerie resonance for the games of power in Beijing today, albeit these words were produced in the 3rd century BCE. Little is known about Han Fei, but the titles of some of the works attributed to him give an insight into the nature of his political thinking. The Eight Villainies, The Ten Faults, Precautions Within the Palace and The Difficulties of Persuasion are suggestive enough, but for piquancy even they are outdone by The Five Vermin, his masterpiece on threats and how to deal with them.

The art of ruling The west has Machiavelli, but even the great European realist would be hard pressed to produce ideas as starkly focused on the need to preserve imperial power and deal with enemies as Han Fei. Father of the school of legalists, Han Fei promoted a concept of pure law which, at least in his language, sounded almost modern. By the system of laws, "and the inescapable punishments that back it up, all life within the nation was to be ordered, so that nothing

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Xi Jinping

Han Fei

can be left to chance, private judgment, or the appeal of privilege." As for the ruler sitting at the centre of this, they must show no weakness or partiality, but exists in isolation providing "the rules and yardsticks, so that all things know their place."

Such rulers must be the enemies of waste, because states are won by thrift but lost by extravagance (something that underlines the whole recent struggle against corruption under Xi Jinping, and the sense that venal officials present an existential threat to the party and state). Their most faithful servants are those that never threaten their ruler by displaying their bold, novel ideas, but pursue the more subtle strategy of trying to plant ideas in the leader’s mind which they never take credit for but which they can then faithfully implement. For the art of persuasion in this system, the difficult thing is "to know the mind of the person one is trying to persuade and to be able to fit one’s words to it." Xi, with his evident preference for choosing low-key bureaucrats as his most trusted allies rather than larger political names in the party system (such as government ministers or top provincial leaders), seems to fall into this pattern.

Strong laws, hatred of waste, and support for selfeffacing bureaucrats promote one prime object for Han Fei: strengthening and preservation of the authority of the ruler. For a ruler, concealment takes prime place in his worldview. "Undertakings succeed through secrecy but fall through being found out." Trust is a folly: "He who trusts others will be controlled by others."

However, the most chilling statements in all of Han Fei’s works concern the source of greatest threat.

There are many enemies, but "calamity will come to you from those you love." The conclusion is simple: a good ruler loves no one, gets close to no one, belongs to no one. But such a ruler will have the most precious of all assets, and whole reason for pursuing this strategy: authority, for "the people will bow naturally to authority, but few of them can be moved by righ-

teousness." Authority is not the best bet, but the only bet for sound governance.

The catch Confucius, Mencius, Lao Zi and Sun Zi (of The Art of War) are the best known of Chinese ancient thinkers. But Han Fei deserves a wider audience. The primacy of fear, force and control to serve authority are things that linger deep in the Chinese political consciousness to this day, and have their most lucid and vivid articulation in his works. The government onslaught on even the mildest expressions of dissent and rights activism in the last two years in China has puzzled many outsiders. Why does the party promote defending rule of law, and building a modern state under Xi Jinping, and yet continue to harass, imprison and abuse people like Pu Zhiqiang, the lawyer currently being tried in Beijing? Looking at the thinking of Han Fei gives at least some clues.

In the end, it is about authority, and the need to preserve this. Authority is its own justification. It needs no excuses or explanations.

There is, however, a huge catch for any Chinese who would seriously contemplate taking Han Fei’s words as the basis for modern state behaviour. The entity that he had most influence over was the Qin, which, despite its immense achievements in unifying China, collapsed under the megalomania of the founding emperor after only two decades in existence - and that emperor was a faithful follower of Han’s legalist school.

Xi Jinping might have done more than glance at the suggestions about the exercise of power and realpolitik given in Han Fei’s writings, and heed the advice about being constantly wary and on guard. But if he wants to fulfill the evidently huge ambitions he has set himself for his stewardship of his country, use of a softer, less austere thinking might be in order. At the moment, for all the talk of Confucius, Mencius and the others, it is Han Fei who seems to be winning the day.

Decolonizing Our Minds and Our Lands

ecolonization is happening.

There is a second scramble, not just in Africa, but across the global South. Corporations started it. We need to name and shame these corporations – Monsanto, Syngenta, Cargill, and the program promoting them, AGRA [A Green RevoGathuru mburu lution for Africa] – to take this battle Commondreams to the next level.

The wars [of conquest of Africa] have not actually ended – the artillery has just transformed into a different type against us farmers today. All of us levels need to learn from the ground up viving the culture, because it’s not only are fighting. to have credibility and be informed. about the seed. You also need to bring We also are learning from other back the context of that seed, which Organizing from the Grassroots, countries which have progressed in is the knowledge of the people, the to the National, to the International having good seed laws or recognizing knowledge held by elders, both men The problems we’re facing today the work of family farmers. We are com- and women. can’t be solved by individuals. The ing together to learn about good pracWe have learned from the elders way to fight the war is through a col- tices and the lessons from both the suc- that traditional communities had lective approach. cesses and failures in the movement. very well-defined roles and responThe African Biodiversity Network If you look at Kenya where we have sibilities for men and women. There is working to bring communities made some strides, we are engaging were specific seeds for men, and the across Africa together and connect even the government. We are trying to same for women. So when bringing them to strengthen the grassroots. contribute to policy-making on farm- back the seeds, we’re bringing back Communities are reviving their cul- ing and the hanthe knowledge ture and their seeds, and forming lo- dling of seeds. A of women and cal alliance which we call “commu- small example is of men. They nities of practice.” Then we connect the new constiare different but these communities of practice at the tution of Kenya. they are comlocal, national, and regional level, and We managed to plementary. they form active coalitions. push and have And if we are This is why the Alliance for Food the constitution itself recognize the bringing back ecosystems in whole, Sovereignty in Africa formed, which diversity of seeds, including the farm- using a holistic approach, then the consists of 13 networks collectively er [local, indigenous] varieties. It was two need to work together. covering 40 of the 54 countries. We a big success for that coalition and we We also understand that our knowlhave huge strength. We can actually are going to keep pushing further. But edge is not static. And we understand change farming, seeds, and culture en we must always be vigilant to ensure that other communities have their own masse in Africa. that the spirit of the constitution is ac- knowledge. The important thing is how We are doing this first and foremost tually kept in the laws that are devel- we connect these communities so that at the grassroots level, because our na- oped. they can continue learning from one tional and international campaign reanother and thereby strengthen one lies on people at the local level taking Reviving the Culture another. control, taking advocacy into their own and Family Farming Bringing back seeds and knowlhands. The national and international Reviving the seed comes with re- edge is also about bringing back rituals

Reviving seeds, culture, and African strength

WRITE-WING

before planting, after planting, and before harvesting. It’s about celebration.

You bring back life the way it used to be. It’s about restoring the whole ecosystem and people again.

The Strength of Spirituality and Common Principles Reviving the culture is also about reviving the spirituality of the people.

Even though African countries gained political independence, we did not gain the spiritual independence which is so critical to our development even today.

We first have to decolonize our minds because we are still carrying the shame of our ancestry. Unless we are able to shed this, our efforts are futile. It all starts in the mind. You can then look at issues from a different perspective, bringing the power inspired by your ancestors from within.

You are then able to distill the answers and solutions to your problems from that ancestral knowledge.

So [our challenge is] to bring back the whole ecosystem. We are communities of humans, and the ecosystems are the other communities of the earth.

These, plus our spirituality, are very important pillars in our work.

There was a meeting in Kenya that brought elders together from four different countries [South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia].

They were looking for common principles that can bring communities throughout Africa together. We are finding that even within the diversity across Africa, there are common threads, common principles, that join us together. We can derive our strength from that, so that we reclaim Africa from the yokes that we are still finding ourselves under.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

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

WednesdAY 23•12•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Five ways to make your Christmas truly meaningful

7

The Newspaper with an Opinion The Morung Express

Celebrations are in order and it’s the month of festivity and merriment! Here is a special Christmas message to all our readers – a reminder for all of us of Christ’s love in our lives and how truly blessed we are. The Tetso College family wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas! Stay safe and may Nagaland witness the true spirit of Christmas this 2015 If you don’t spend loads of money on presents and parties, what’s left? Here are tips for alternative gifts and traditions to close 2015

W

Julia Koskella

e’re constantly sold stories about how status, riches and material goods can buy us the good life. How you have to do more, look better and buy more to be valued. It’s not enough to be a caring, loving, alive human being.

This is the message that fuels our capitalist economy. It’s embedded in our school system, political structures, and the estimated 3,500 adverts a day that hit our eyes.

In the Christmas period, the consumption agenda gets pushed to new heights. Which Christmas advert will “top the charts” is suddenly headline news.

Friends start complaining they’re double-booked into Christmas do’s every evening starting mid-November. Every year a new shopping mega-day gets invented, adding to the list of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We start preparing our most gracious smiles, ready to pull out when given a gift we don’t like or will never use.

The UK and Ireland actually now spend the most on Christmas shopping in the world, buying £680 and £750 per person worth of extra goods, respectively, this time of year, more even than the USA. Then the average UK household spends six months paying off their Christmas debt.

Instead of getting caught in the craze, this is the perfect time of year to reflect on what we really value, and put it into practice through how we give gifts, what traditions we create and how well we connect with others.

There’s a new movement afoot that can help point us in the right direction. In the USA, materialist capital of the world, dozens of bloggers and writers have gained a millions-strong following around minimalism and simple living. They say that owning less stuff, rather than more, leads to a more fulfilled life. After the USA, the UK is seen as having the strongest burgeoning movement, with followers popping up across much of the developed world. I’m working on one such initiative, called Find Space.

Find Space is about becoming aware of and questioning habits that may not be serving your real values. Things like being constantly glued to a screen, cramming our diaries and to-do lists full to bursting,

Car Carnival

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and owning more material stuff than we could ever need. Since launching three months ago, we have our first 135 online members, mostly in their 20s and 30s. Events attract around 70 people, from all walks of life.

The movement focuses on building a new vision for living a meaningful life, and supporting each other to find space for what we really value.

A dozen people from the Find Space community met up this month to brainstorm meaningful traditions and gift ideas for the holiday period. Here are five key take-aways.

1. Focus on experiences, not things Research has found that investing in experiences rather than things makes people happier, bringing us longer-term wellbeing, a positive self-identity, and happy memories. Whereas we’ll tire of a new item of clothing or furniture quickly, going to a class, a walk or a concert will bring us positive memories well into the future.

We even tend to get more happiness out of the memory of the experience than the experience itself.

So use the holiday period to create memories that will last, even something as simple as cooking a special meal.

This was the most popular category for gift-giving at our Find Space meet up. Ideas included: • go for a nature walk, have a tea party or picnic, discover a new local area together, or offer a tour of an area you know • pass on a skill, such as your best recipes, teaching sewing, giving a caring massage, or learning an activity you really enjoy – in our meet up this included things not everyone has come across, like acroyoga and urbexing • a class, a course, or tickets to go to a concert or shared experience together • offering to host someone’s birthday party (top of my Christmas wish-list!) or cooking them a dinner party • ask what they’d really like your help with, such as gardening, painting a bathroom, babysitting, or even coming round for an evening of de-cluttering.

2. Re-focus your attention on connecting well with others More than riches or material possessions, evidence consistently points to the importance of meaningful relationships for wellbeing, particularly how solid your links are to your closest family and friends.

So see how you can use the occasions of upcom-

ing family gatherings and holiday parties to let go of distractions and the feeling of rushing, and practice giving your full attention to your close ones. Listen deeply, be curious and see if you can find out something new about them. And telling someone what you truly appreciate in them, either in person or in a card, can be a great gift in itself.

3. Find Space for the hand made Something you have taken the time to make yourself can be so much more meaningful to receive, not to mention more affordable, than a store-bought find. If you’re the creative type, making a gift for someone else can also be the perfect impetus to find space for creativity, away from the rushed pace of work and crowded diaries. This year I prioritised making my mum a big batch of cookies, decorating each by hand so they were really special. And I gave away bottles of sloe gin, made from wild sloe berries I picked with love during a country walk. More gift ideas from the Find Space community: • capturing shared memories in a scrapbook or photo collection • simple sewing projects like bunting or grocery bags • making & re-using wrapping paper • writing a poem or thoughtful letter • sharing a mixtape or playlist (our group felt there was real value in this, particularly in an era of YouTube and Spotify when music can feel so impersonal) 4. Second hand but still perfect Rather than buying new, try scouting out unusual gifts in a charity shop for presents that won’t cost the earth. Practical things you can find include secondhand include jumpers, musical instruments, games, books and bikes. You can even source quality furniture on Freecycle or Gumtree, especially if you’re up for giving it a lick of paint to make it personal.

5. Gifts are for using, not gathering dust No-one likes receiving items that never get used, so we brainstormed practical gifts and perishables: • Don’t be afraid to ask what people need, from candles to a plant pot, aftershave to specialist cooking ingredients. Many of our participants said they’d actually really appreciate socks!

• You can hand make edible treats, like jam, pesto, curry paste, marinating olives, or hand rolling chocolate truffles (follow the links for sample recipes). You can even make scented hand soap pretty easily.

here was a time when December was considered as the leanest month of the year for a car dealer. The reason behind it was –a buyer usually reckoned that if he waited for another month, he could buy a car in the New Year. The perception was that when he eventually sold his vehiclein the second-hand market, he would geta better price with a more recently made car. Those days, in the secondhand car market, cars were introduced as Maruti-800 of 1994 or Fiat of 1989 or in the case of a motorcycle, Yezdi of 1986. Those were the yesteryears.

Today, come December and it is a carnival for car sellers and buyers. Discounts and freebies are the highest in this month and if you read the statistics, December is the month when the maximum number of vehicles are sold. However, in the hysteria of Take a trip to several banks and do your home- • Avoid extra pushing sales from the dealers. A getting your dream car in your garage, you may forget work well. The chances are that the wider you quick tour of your favourite car accessory shop the last minute negotiations you can have and save search, the better loan you may get in the market. in order to compare the prices of your favourite some money. So, here we are, bringing you tips and • Next, check your credit report. Bank interest rates speaker system will be a great idea. tricks while getting your dream wheels. fluctuate to the north if your credit score is low. • Look at pre-payment penalty. Most auto loans • Negotiate. Bring down the price at the dealers itChecking your credit worthiness beforehand will impose a penalty, usually a percentage of the self. Dealers have a sizeable margin at their end help to find if there are any discrepancies. If you outstanding loan amount, if you prepay the loan. and smart buyers always push the extra inch to find any in their records, then please contact the Consider this cost if you think you would be in a lower the price. Once the price is lowered, your credit rating agency for the correction. And only position to prepay in the near future. Go for a loan car loan EMI will automatically come down. With with the corrected and revised score, you ought to that doesn’t have a prepayment penalty. multiple dealer in your town, shop around. Comapproach your lender for your loan.

• Lastly, look at the cost of financing. Unlike home pare the freebees the offer. Always settle for a cash • Go for as small loan tenure as possible. Three loans, banks sometimes finance up to 100% of the discount, rather than freebies. years is ideal and, it should never cross five years. vehicle cost. If you are not in a state to pay a lump • When it comes to your car loan, you have options A longer tenure of seven years may look like an sum amount, but still aspire to own a four-wheellike never before. Lenders now queue up in front affordable bet, but the interest payment is disproer, you may want to look at it, but this would also of the customers to woo them. But most car buyportionately high. A few might like to upgrade to mean bearing that high an EMI. “Financing up to ers settle for a car loan arranged by the dealer. a bigger car with a longer loan term, but will not 100% of the cost of the vehicle is a high-risk loan My experience as a reader of financial products be a wise decision. What you must understand is for a bank. Hence, it will be a costlier one for the tells me that dealer-arranged car loans are not the that a vehicle is an asset whose value is decreasing consumer” said Samzaina Keko Haralu, Dy Mancheapest. Therefore, look around and compare. with time, unlike property or gold. ager Axis Bank, Dimapur.

Christmas 2015 Dr. PS Lorin, Principal

I

t is Christmas time again, and just like every year, Nagaland witnesses a flurry of Christmas activities, events and programmes. The festivities and celebrations include an extensive number of weddings, carnivals, melas, get-togethers and church programmes. But besides all these, the last few months of 2015 are actually different only in degrees from the rest of the year, as we still continue to witness both good and evil existing in our society. And that is where our weakness lies. While no country can ever be picture perfect, is it impractical to imagine that Nagaland can be a corrupt free, peaceful, united and problem-free place? I would like to believe that I can answer“No”with strong conviction, yet, to achieve that state I know is not an easy task.

Nagaland embraced Christianity in the late 1800’s and since then, celebrating the birth of Jesus every December has become part and parcel of our lives. The effects for any movement or eventto be felt or seen is gradual and not always immediate. It needs time to take shape, express itself and develop. Just like the how we choose to celebrate Christmas differently from the year before, we have choices and decisions to make for the way we choose to lead our lives the rest of the year too. I believe this holiday season is the perfect time to reflect upon our Christian selves and it is my prayer that Christ will be at the centre of our lives and homes.

This Christian message is a simple reminder to all of us of the Christian lives we must lead in each of our own capacities as leaders, enablers, bosses, employees or supporters. We must put Jesus Christ first as the reason for our celebrations this Christmas. Jesus is no stranger, nor an ordinary citizen but the messiah or Saviour of the world. This is the spoken truth as prophesied in the book of Isaiah about the promise of Almighty God giving Christ to mankind with great names. The Angel Gabriel in the Gospel of Luke also announced the birth of Christand how the Child will be conceived.This is the reason why Christmas is celebrated all over the world and is so important for Christians.

Jesus was given more than 200 names. In fact, the manner in which the son of God came to this world and the prominent names given to Him are found in the Bible are glaring enough to prove of his importance and majesty. “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; …….His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”(Is. 9: 6).He shall be called Immanuel which means God is with us (Is 7: 14). The Angel came before Joseph in his dream and said “she will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1: 21). The above passage was prophesied/proclaimed some centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Only Begotten son, Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, and the Creator of All Things are just a few of the many names of Jesus Christ, who is also known as the Lamb of God. It was fulfilled in the New Testament with a New Star.

The appearance of the New Star was a sign of a New King. The Christmas star that we put up in our homes today is a sign that Christ lives in our homes.Amazing, Jesus, the son of God, was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laidin a manger because there was no room for him. It took place in Bethlehem (Lk. 2:7). For an average man, one can only imagine how difficult it must have been to take in all the information and pronouncements that were being made. Yet, after two thousand fifteen centuries, the traces of this wonderful story remain when onevisitsthe Holy Land and witness the sights for oneself.

So now, to put oneself in the shoes of Herod the King, or for that matter any other King at that period of time, the King will probably wonder if this New unborn King is trulymore blessed and powerful than him.The threat felt was so profoundfor the Emperor Herod that many children below the age of two years were all murdered by the decree following the birth of the New King, but Jesus could not be murdered just because He is the son of theliving God. This year, thespirit of Christmas is abundant. In Dimapur, the neighbourhoods were all lined up with Christmas decorations right from 1stof December. Advent Christmas celebrations, family get-togethers, gifts of appreciation and thanks are just some of the activities the season brings on. So, as we plan 2015 Christmas Celebration, how will you celebrate the season? Will you be busy shopping for dresses, decorations, food items or gifts?While all of that is a part of preparing ourselves for Christmas, my wish for all of us is, in the midst of organising our schedules to balance our daily activities, attendweddings, worship programmes, dinner invitations, and distributing gifts, which are no doubt not an easy task, that we also remember to invite Christ in our hearts and worship Him in the true sense of the spirit that He deserves. This I believe is the greatest blessing we can receive. May Christmas 2015 bea season of sharing joy and love with others and may peaceprevail in our hearts; andlet us welcome the year 2016 with peace and prosperity.

“Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College.

For feedback or comments please email: admin@tetsocollege.org”.

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

8

WednesdAY 23•12•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Resign, Kejriwal tells Modi; PM defends Jaitley

New Delhi, December 22 (iANS): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation for ordering the CBI to raid his office, even as Modi declared that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would come out in flying colours from the DDCA corruption charges.

Addressing a special session of the Delhi assembly, Kejriwal launched his most scathing attack on Modi while simultaneously asking him to sack Jaitley from the cabinet for his involvement in the financial bungling in Delhi's cricket board - a charge Jaitley has denied.

The Congress also sought Jaitley's resignation from the cabinet for the sake of his "dignity and honour".

"I demand Prime Minister Modi's resignation for the fraudulent raid he ordered to save Arun Jaitley," the AAP leader said to thumping of desks by his party colleagues.

Delhi HC notice to Kejriwal, others New Delhi, December 22 (iANS): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders in a defamation suit filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Joint Registrar K. Venugopal sought replies from Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas, Raghav Chadha, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai by February 5. The court said: "Issue notice to the defendants (AAP leaders). They have to file written statements within three weeks and, thereafter, in two weeks' time, the plaintiff (Jaitley) will file replication."

While Chadha, Ashutosh, Sanjay " He s h ou l d f e e l ashamed," Kejriwal thundered, referring to Modi and the December 15 raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which has denied searching Kejriwal's office and said that it only targeted his principal secretary Rajendra Kumar for corruption.

The Delhi High Court meanwhile issued notice to Kejriwal and five other Aam Aadmi Party leaders

Singh and Bajpai were present in the court, Kejriwal and Vishwas were not.

Jaitley has sought Rs.10 crore in damages following the Aam Aadmi Party leaders' statements on alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Jaitley headed the DDCA for 13 years till 2013. The court also asked Kejriwal and other leaders to file original documents relating to the allegations.

Jaitley has also filed a criminal defamation complaint in a Patiala House court, saying the statements of these leaders would cause "irreversible damage" to his reputation.

in a defamation suit filed

by Jaitley, who headed the Delhi and District Cricket Association for 13 long years and who has sought Rs.10 crore in damages from the AAP leaders.

The court sought replies from Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas, Raghav Chadha, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai by February 5. Jaitley will then file his reply in two weeks.

The court also asked

Kejriwal and other leaders to file original documents relating to the allegations they have made against Jaitley.

Jaitley has also filed a criminal defamation complaint, saying the AAP leaders' statements would cause "irreversible damage" to his reputation.

Addressing BJP MPs earlier in the day, Modi said Jaitley would come out in "flying colours" from the

episode -- just as veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani did when he was charged in the hawala case in the 1990s.

Modi said the Congress was unable to digest its electoral defeats since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and was raking up manufactured allegations to defame his government.

BJP MP Kirti Azad, who has been alleging major corruption in the DDCA for years, did not attend the parliamentary party meeting, saying he had prior engagements. There is speculation the BJP was set to suspend Azad.

The prime minister's comments came a day after Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah described Jaitley as a man of honesty and integrity.

The Rajya Sabha's working was repeatedly disrupted on Tuesday -four times before lunch -- over the DDCA affair as Congress MPs shouted slogans against the government. The Lok Sabha's proceedings too were marred.

Kejriwal told the Delhi

assembly that the CBI raided his office - the CBI denies this happened - because he claimed it was looking for a file on the DDCA severely critical of Jaitley.

If Jaitley was indeed innocent, he should prove this to the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Delhi government, he said. "The CBI said the chief minister was not raided... Only his principal secretary's office was. If this is true, why did they enter my office?"

Kejriwal also accused Modi of constantly interfering in the functioning of the AAP government through Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung.

He alleged that despite 50 hours of interrogation spread over six days, the CBI had not been able to build a case of corruption against Rajendra Kumar.

"They are mentally torturing him."

Kejriwal poked fun at Modi for wearing a Rs.10 lakh suit last year, and demanded to know how a "chai wala" (tea seller) could afford such a costly suit.

Lok Sabha passes bill on payment of bonus New Delhi, December 22 (iANS): The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to amend the act on bonus payments to double, to Rs.7,000 per month, the wage ceiling for calculating bonus for factory workers and of some other establishments. The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed after a reply by Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya.

The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, provides for annual payment of bonus to employees of certain establishments including factories and establishments employing 20 or more persons, and the amendment seeks to increase eligibility limit for payment of bonus to employees whose salary is up to Rs.21,000 per month from the present Rs.10,000 per month.The bill also seeks to raise ceiling for calculation of bonus to Rs.7,000 per month or the minimum wage notified from the present Rs.3,500 per month.

Declare cow ‘Mother of the Nation’: Shiv Sena MP New Delhi, December 22 (PTi): A Shiv Sena member in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday demanded declaring cow as ‘Mother of the Nation’ saying the benefits one gets from its milk, urine and dung are “priceless”, a day after a BJP member made a strong plea to declare Bhagwad Gita as ‘national book’.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Chandrakant Khaire said cow should be declared as “Rashtra Mata” for “priceless” benefits it gives to humans in the form of milk, dung and urine which have a variety of uses.

Yesterday, BJP’s Adityanath had said the teachings of the Gita have become all the more relevant at a time when the world is concerned over ‘jehadi’ terrorism.

'I am satisfied, but sad that my Depressed techie injures 24 in stabbing spree, shot dead daughter couldn't get justice’ Techie held in Hyderabad for illegal confinement

hyDerAbAD, December 22 (iANS): A techie, who was depressed after failing to clear the civil services hyDerAbAD, December 22 The girl was working at the same ofexams, went on a stabbing (iANS): A techie has been arrested for fice when he developed initimacy with spree on Tuesday injuring illegally confining and sexually abusing her. She left for Dubai in September on 24 people, before police shot his colleague in his flat here, police said office work. The accused tried to blackhim down. The incident took on Tuesday. The victim was rescued from mail her on social media and phone by place in Karimnagar town of Syed Imad Hasan's flat in Toli Chowki area threatening to upload obscene pictures after victim's brother Sandeep approached if she refused to marry him.

Telangana.

The victim came to Hyderabad five According to police, police, said a statement by the police.

According to police, the victim, days ago to settle the matter.He picked 25-year-old Balvinder Singh attacked his parents who is also a software professional, her from the airport and took her to his with a sword following an was found confined in a bathroom and flat. The accused took her phone and was argument at home. Singh, was in a state of shock with injuries on using her email and Facebook after forcwho works for a software head and face. Hasan had confined her ing her to reveal passwords. Police said firm in Bengaluru, then under threat and was allegedly forcing the victim secretly contacted one of her stepped out to attack pass- her to agree for marriage. The 26-year- friend through Facebook and texted him ers-by, leading to panic old accused, a native of Aligarh in Uttar about her condition. He informed this to among people. Some pe- Pradesh, was working at a leading soft- her brother, who was in Karnataka and both approached police for help. destrians, two bikers and ware firm here. an auto-rickshaw driver the incident, also came un- from the man sustained cle inspector Vijay Sarathi were injured.

Police, who swung into der attack. A constable who injuries. As the situation opened fire to disarm the tried to snatch the sword slipped out of control, cir- man. A critically injured Members of All India Students Association (AISA) shout slogans as they hold placards during a action after learning about

Singh was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Singh's parents and others who received grievous injuries were under treatment. According to family members, Singh was a meritorious student since school. He stood sixth in the engineering, agriculture and medical common entrance test (EAMCET) in the district.

After engineering in electronics, he got a job in Bengaluru and was earning Rs.18 lakh a year. Singh had a dream of passing the civil services exam. However, he failed to qualify and as a result went into depression.

The man apparently lost his mental balance and was having frequent fights with his parents.

protest against rape outside police headquarters in New Delhi, October 18. (REUTERS File Photo)

New Delhi, December 22 (TNN): The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Juvenile Justice Bill, which will ensure that from now on 16-year-olds involved in heinous crimes will be prosecuted as adults.

The bill was taken up against the backdrop of uproar over the release of a juvenile convict in the heinous gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old girl on December 16, 2012. "I am satisfied, but sad that my daughter couldn't get justice," Nirbhaya's mother said after passage of the Bill.

"Juvenile Justice Bill which has been passed in RS is a tribute to our daughter," Nirbhaya's father said. Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi who had moved the Bill said, "I'm happy that everyone supported the Juvenile Justice Bill and want to thank everyone."

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014, provides for the trial of those between 16-18 years as adults for heinous offences. Also, anyone between the age of 16-18 who commits a less serious offence may be tried as an adult if he is apprehended after he attains

the age of 21.

Earlier, several parties, including the NCP, CPM and the DMK, pushed for sending the bill to a select committee, arguing that further examination was required to decide whether the age for punitive action should be reduced to 16 years from the current 18 years.

Moving the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill for consideration and passage, women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi today said the legislation is "compassionate" and comprehensive in nature.

She said juvenile crime is the fastest rising segment of crime. "You cannot have a more comprehensive, more nuanced and compassionate Bill," she said.

Reaching out to the main opposition party, she reminded the Congress that the Bill was theirs and not hers or the NDA government's.

"We may not be able to do anything about the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya case but we can deter many other boys," she said.

Delhi observes 3rd Car-Free Day New Delhi, December 22 (iANS): Continuing its efforts to curb air pollution in the national capital, the city government on Tuesday organised the third Car-Free Day in Delhi on the Vikas Marg stretch in east Delhi's Laxmi Nagar area.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia led a cycle rally from Nirman Vihar Metro Station on the Vikas Marg to mark the occasion.

Entry of cars was restricted on the stretch between Laxmi Nagar and Karkari Mor from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and traffic was diverted to other roads.

As a result, traffic moved at snail's pace near Anand Vihar ISBT and at ITO. "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could not participate in the cycle rally due to ill-health," a government official told IANS. Twenty additional buses were pressed into service to avoid any inconvenience to the people, the official added.

Before the cycle rally, Sisodia appealed to the

people to not use personal cars and opt for public transport just for a day in a month to help bring down pollution which has alarming levels in the city, the official said.

Beating early morning chill, the residents of various areas of east Delhi, including students, came flocking in thousands and took part in the anti-pollution drive.

"It was easy walking on Vikas Marg today (Tuesday). Delhi is on the verge of becoming the most polluted city of the world and in such a situation only these initiatives are going to get results," Manoj Nair, who works at ITO, told IANS. Praisining the move, Damodar Singh, a 50-yearold Laxmi Nagar resident, said: "It is a very good effort. Though it is for one day only but it would certainly help in bringing down pollution levels to an extent in the city."

Jitesh Kushwaha, who took part in the cycle rally, said: "I am happy to see

that people are participating in this cycle rally. It is not a big deal to leave your car at home at least for one day for the sake of the environment."

Car-Free Day, held on the 22nd day of every month, was launched by the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government in October to create public awareness about using public transport and thus bringing down pollution levels in the city.

The first Car-Free Day was held on October 22 on the Red Fort-India Gate stretch and the second in Dwarka on November 22.

The increasingly toxic air in the capital prompted the judiciary to nudge the state government into checking pollution.

The city government then decided to restrict the number of motor vehicles on the roads on a given day based on whether their registration number ends in an even or odd digit. The even-odd system is set to be tried from the first of January next year.

Religious Leaders Demand Strict Girl moves Rajasthan court Laws Against Communal Violence to annul child marriage New Delhi, December 22 (PTi): Leaders of different faiths today demanded that the government introduce strict laws for punishment to those resorting to violence in name of religion and spreading intolerance in the country.

During a press conference jointly addressed by leaders of Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian organisations, they called for declaring Eid-Miladum Nabi on December 24 as World Peace Day. "The government needs to introduce certain laws and then there has to be a stricter implementation

to ensure that a few disgruntled elements do not spread intolerance in the country and hamper the unity as well as harmony," Father Jhonson from the National Minorities Commission said.

Maulana Taujeer Raza Khan, National President of Ittehad Millat Council, said, "It is a misconception that only Hindus respect cows, Islam also does not endorse cow slaughtering and eating of beef. It is unfortunate how a youth was lynched in Dadri over rumours of beef consumption. We demand that the government bans cow

slaughter and beef export."

Paramjeet Singh Chandok, Chairman of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, said, "For the bright future of the country, it is important that people belonging to all religions are united. The country is full of cultural diversity and there should be no space for those spreading intolerance and resorting to violence in name of religion."

Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, President of Hindu Mahasabha, said that no religion permits violence and those resorting to it in the name of religious sentiments are a threat to the society.

JAiPur, December 22 (iANS): A engineering student on Tuesday approached a family court in Ajmer, pleading her child marriage held when she was only two and a half years old be annulled. "I was shocked and became depressed when couple of years back I came to know that I was married by my elders to Subash of Kotputli in Jaipur district when I was only two and a half years old. I thought my dream of becoming an engineer will now be shattered.I was depressed as there was immense pressure from the caste panchayat...I did not have courage to refuse the marriage," the 19 and a half year old Kavita told IANS. She moved the court with the help of Jodhpur-based NGO Saarthi Trust."After coming to know about our NGO, she gathered some courage and she approached us and now we along with her raised voices," said Kriti Bharti, a rehabilitation psychologist and the NGO's managing trustee. "This is first child marriage annulment case of Ajmer," Bharti claimed. The Trust works mainly for annulment of child marriages and has so far successfully annulled 29 child marriages and has been instrumental in stopping hundreds of such marriages.

Tamil Nadu seeks Rs.25,912 cr post-flood relief cheNNAi, December 22 (iANS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that her state requires Rs.25,912 crore for flood relief measures.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, Jayalaltihaa demanded an mmediate release of Rs.2,000 crore and said the supplementary memorandum reflects the damage caused during the fourth spell of rainfall and the consequent floods in December's first week.

"Tamil Nadu immediately needs an additional sum of Rs.17,431.51 crore for temporary and permanent restoration," Jayalalithaa said.

Including the earlier request of Rs.8,481 crore towards relief and restoration of flood-affected areas, the total amount of central funds the state needs was around Rs.25,912 crore.

Stressing the state government's commitment to rebuilding the infrastructure and reducing people's

Flood-affected people raise their hands to receive free food being distributed by Indian Navy personnel in Chennai on December 5. (REUTERS Photo)

distress, Jayalalithaa said the costs were very huge and difficult for the state government to meet, after the loss of tax revenue due to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

Noting the floods have already been declared a "calamity of severe nature", she requested Modi

to instruct the union home ministry and other ministries concerned to consider the state's two memoranda, and urged Modi for an immediate release of Rs.2,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund.

Heavy rains -- the worst in a century -- battered Chennai and adjoining Kanchipuram, Cuddalore

and Thiruvallur districts in the past month resulting in unprecedented floods.

Nearly 390 people lost their lives due to the rains.

On November 23, Jayalalithaa sent a memorandum to Modi asking for central funding of Rs.8,481 crore towards flood relief and an immediate relief of Rs.2,000 crore.

Subsequently, a central government team surveyed the flood destruction. Even after the team's visit, heavy rains continued to hit the four districts.

During Modi's recent visit, he announced a relief of Rs.1,000 crore in addition to the earlier Rs.940 crore.

According to Jayalalithaa, the Rs.940 crore included Rs.133.79 crore of arrears from 2014-15 towards the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs.254.62 crore towards the second instalment of SDRF for current fiscal.

"The releases to the SDRF were not an additionality of funds, but a reimbursement of the expenditure already incurred by the state government towards relief expenditure in 201415 and also in 2015-16," said Jayalalithaa in her letter.

"The sum of Rs.552 crore released towards special assistance for projects is meant for funding specific plan schemes and cannot be utilised for temporary restoration work," she added.

wedneSdaY 23•12•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

UN mulls ‘light’ options to monitor possible Syria truce UNITED NATIONS, DEcEmbEr 22 (rEUTErS): The United Nations is mulling “light touch” options for monitoring a possible ceasefire in Syria that would keep its risks to a minimum by relying largely on Syrians already on the ground, diplomatic sources said.

The U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to draw up within a month options for monitoring a ceasefire in Syria. It is the second time since the Syrian civil war broke out in March 2011 that the council backed a plan for peace talks and a truce.

The talk about the U.N.’s role as monitor has gained urgency along with a new push for a ceasefire in Syria to take effect as early as January, in parallel to talks between the government and opposition.

More than a dozen major powers, including the United States, Russia and major European and Middle Eastern powers, have drawn up a road map for Syria peace talks.

U.N. planning for truce monitoring will seek to avoid repeating the “disaster” of a mission sent to Syria in 2012, diplomats said.

That operation failed because the warring parties showed no interest in halting the fighting, they said.

Under the light-touch mechanism under consideration, the United Nations would rely on Syrian actors - “proxies” - on the

ground to report violations. This could possibly involve a small group of non-uniformed U.N. officials in Syria to carry out investigations of ceasefire violations, diplomats said.

“There’s the idea of proxy-ism, where they were going to look at who would be credible on the ground to get information and to create a reporting mechanism from them to the U.N.,” a diplomatic source said.

To make the proxy approach work, major powers would need to agree on who is considered a credible Syrian actor.

“Who is it who’s responsible for the credibility of the information?” one diplomatic source asked. “The Syrians on the ground or the U.N., which receives the information?”

The U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations will likely present an option to put U.N. peacekeepers on the ground. But that approach likely will be ruled out immediately, given the brutal war that has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives. Diplomats on the council, which would be asked to approve any monitoring plan, also say that option is impossible.

“DISCONNECTED FROM REALITY” Diplomats say they want to avoid a heavy U.N. footprint in Syria. A large number of U.N. officials on the ground in Syria would require a large security detail to protect them.

“If we have a big security

People who reject Syrian refugees are allies of extremists: UNHCR chief

Muthanna Islamic Movement members inspect what they say is a Russian made military surveillance drone which they claimed to have shot down in Sheikh Meskeen near Deraa, Syria on December 15. (REUTERS Photo)

contingent, all of a sudden it looks like a full-scale mission,” one diplomatic source said. “And any U.N. presence will be targeted in Syria.”

Another tool for aiding verification work, another diplomatic source said, could be the use of unmanned surveillance drones, a technology the U.N. has begun using in peacekeeping missions in Africa.

The U.N. had to suspend operations once before in Syria. After deploying some 300 unarmed “blue beret” monitors in April 2012, it was forced by August of that year to end the mission after the moderators became the target of angry crowds and

gunfire.

The Security Council had sent in monitors after it endorsed then-U.N.-Arab League mediator Kofi Annan’s six-point peace plan for Syria calling for talks and a truce.

At that time, death toll estimates for the Syrian civil war were about 10,000 - a fraction of today’s estimate of at least 250,000.

“The U.N. team that went in back then were very courageous and pushed their mandate as far as they could,” said Richard Gowan, a professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Another U.N. peacekeeping force called UN-

DOF, which still monitors the Israeli-Syrian border in the Golan Heights, has repeatedly seen its blue helmets under fire and even kidnapped by militants fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

“It is clear that the security situation in Syria will be far, far worse this time around, so Ban needs to be creative,” Gowan said.

He also noted the option of surveillance drones.

The planned ceasefire would not apply to Islamic State, Nusra Front and other jihadist groups. That, one diplomat said, would make any truce “wildly complex” to monitor since its territory would be con-

stantly shifting.

Adding to the danger, the U.S., French, British and other militaries are bombing Islamic State fighters and other jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq, and Russian forces are attacking a wide array of rebel fighters, many of them backed by the West.

One analyst said preparing ceasefire monitoring options was a pointless exercise since none of the parties actually wanted to end the fighting.

“All the discussion at the U.N. seems to me entirely disconnected from reality,” said Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations.

UNITED NATIONS, DEcEmbEr 22 (rEUTErS): People who reject Syrian refugees are the “best allies” of Islamic State militants and other extremists, the United Nations refugee chief said on Monday after U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed an entry ban on foreign Muslims.

More than 4.3 million Syrians have fled a nearly five-year civil war. U.N. High Commissioner for refugees Antonio Guterres told the Security Council they cannot be blamed for the terror they are risking their lives to escape.

“Those that reject Syrian refugees, and especially if they are Muslim, are the best allies of the propaganda and the recruitment of extremist groups,” Guterres said in a swipe at Trump and some U.S. state governors and European leaders.

Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that Islamic State is using Trump’s rhetoric to enlist fighters to radical jihad. Trump rejected her claim and called her a “liar.”

Amid the chaos of Syria’s war, Islamic State has seized swathes of territory and proclaimed a caliphate. The group claimed responsibility for the deadly Nov. 13 attacks in Paris and also said a married couple who carried out a mass shooting in Southern California on Dec. 2 were its followers.

The attacks sparked warnings from politicians in Europe and North America that countries could face big risks by admitting refugees without rigorously determining if any could be dangerous extremists.

Several U.S. states said they would close the door to Syrian refugees, while Trump - currently the Republican Party’s front-runner for the November 2016 election - called for a ban on foreign Muslims entering the United States.

“We must not forget that, refugees are the first victims of such terror, not its source,” Guterres said. “They cannot be blamed for a threat which they’re risking their lives to escape.” He said a U.N. survey of 1,200 Syrians who had fled to Europe found that 86% of them had a secondary school education and almost half had gone to university. “Syria is experiencing a massive brain drain,” said Guterres.

‘Night shift workers at high risk of car crashes’ Prominent rights lawyer convicted but avoids jail WAShINGTON, DEcEmbEr 22 (IANS): Night shifts not only damage health, but also put those who drive home after their shift at significantly high risk of car crashes, a US study said. In the study, 16 night shift workers completed a pair of two-hour driving sessions on a closed driving track. Prior to one of the sessions, participants slept an average of 7.6 hours the previous night, with no night shift work.

Prior to the other session, the same participants were tested after working a

night shift.

It showed that six of the 16 participants experienced one or more nearcrash events after working the night shift and seven of them had the test halted for safety reasons, whereas no such incidents occurred when the workers completed the test following a night’s sleep. Sleep-related impairment was evident within the first 15 minutes of driving, according to Monday’s study published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“Even veteran night shift workers were vulnerable to the risks associated with drowsy driving, and exhibited reactions similar to behaviours observed in drivers with elevated blood alcohol concentrations,” lead author Michael Lee at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) said.

Charles Czeisler, chief of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at BWH, and corresponding author of the study, called drowsy driving a majorand preventable-public health hazard.

Positive experiences increase empathy LONDON, DEcEmbEr 22 (IANS): Positive experiences with people from another group trigger a learning effect in the brain, which increases empathy, reveals a new study.

The researchers wanted to measure brain activation in participants who had positive experiences with a member of their own group (in-group member) or another group (out-group member). A study was conducted to examine whether empathy with strangers can be learned and how positive experiences with others influence empathic brain responses.

During the test, the participants expected to receive painful shocks to the backs of their hands. However, they also discovered that a member of their own or another group could pay money to spare

them pain. The brain activation while observing pain in a person from one’s own or another group was recorded before and after these experiences.

At the beginning of the study, the stranger’s pain triggered weaker brain activation in the participant than if a member of his or her own group was affected.

Only a handful of positive experiences with someone from the stranger’s group led to a significant increase in empathic brain responses if pain was inflicted on a different person from the out-group.

The stronger the positive experience with the stranger was, the greater was the increase in neuronal empathy, the research indicated. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.

bEIJING, DEcEmbEr 22 (rEUTErS): A court convicted one of China’s most prominent rights lawyers on Tuesday of “inciting ethnic hatred” with posts criticising the government, handing down a suspended sentence that means he avoids jail but will not practise law again.

Activists said the three-year suspended sentence for Pu Zhiqiang would serve as a strong reminder to other rights lawyers that the Communist Party, currently engaged in a severe clampdown on dissent, would brook no challenge to its rule.

The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court said Pu was being punished on the charges of inciting ethnic hatred and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, state television CCTV said on its microblog.

The charges were based on seven microblog posts that he had published online, criticising China’s ethnic policy in the troubled western region of Xinjiang and several officials, according to his lawyers.

Pu, 50, was sentenced to three years in prison but given a threeyear reprieve, said lawyer Shang Baojun.

The suspended sentence means Pu does not have to serve prison time as long as he stays under formal probation during that period, legal experts said.

Pu was released into “residential surveillance” - a form of deten-

Clinton, Trump war of words gets hot WAShINGTON, DEcEmbEr 22 (IANS): A war of words between Republican and Democratic presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has intensified over her charge that he has become a recruiting tool for ISIS. Trump demanded an apology for Clinton’s claim at Saturday night’s Democratic debate that the real estate Trump’s rhetoric against Muslims is being used as propaganda by terrorist groups, though there is no evidence Islamic State has put him in videos.

“I will demand an apology from Hillary. She should apologize,” Trump said on NBC News. “She lies about emails,” he said. “She lies about Whitewater. She lies about everything. She will be a disaster as president of the United States.”

Clinton camp’s blunt response was “Hell no”-she won’t apologize.

Her spokesman, Brian Fallon said Monday: “Hillary Clinton will not be apologizing to Donald Trump for correctly pointing out how his hateful rhetoric only helps ISIS recruit more terrorists.”

Clinton came under heavy criticism from fact-checkers when she said at Saturday night’s debate that ISIS is “showing videos of Donald Trump insulting Islam and Muslims in order to recruit more radical jihadists.”

White House and National Security Council officials told ABC News they are unaware of any examples of ISIS including Trump in the terrorist group’s videos.

Jennifer Palmieri, Clinton’s communications director, clarified that “She’s not referring to a specific video, but he is being used in social media by ISIS as propaganda.”

Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, said about Trump in a conference call Monday: “He’s a bully, and bullies need to be stood up to, and that’s why we made the decision to go hard at his rhetoric.”

“Clinton and her Democratic challengers mentioned Trump nine times in their Saturday debate-a sign of how he has come to dominate the political conversation on both sides of the aisle,” the Wall Street Journal pointed out.

The Journal cited experts who study terrorism as saying the evidence is thin that Trump, who urged a ban on Muslims entering the US and mosque surveillance after the Paris and California attacks, has been a specific focus in terrorism recruitment and propaganda to date.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama too jumped into the debate saying Trump was exploiting the resentment and anxieties of workingclass men to boost his campaign.

Demographic changes and economic stresses, including “flat-lining” wages and incomes, have meant that “particularly blue-collar men have had a lot of trouble in this new economy,” he said in the interview with National Public Radio.

“You combine those things, and it means that there is going to be potential anger, frustration, fear - some of it justified, but just misdirected,” the president added.

“I think somebody like Mr. Trump is taking advantage of that.

That’s what he’s exploiting during the course of his campaign.”

tion in China that is used to keep dissidents in sites away from the public eye - where he will remain for 10 days before being allowed to go back to his home in Beijing, said Mo Shaoping, a second lawyer for Pu. Mo said Pu was allowed to be with his wife but declined to disclose Pu’s exact location.

“Pu ISN’T GuILTY” Pu has represented many wellknown dissidents, including artist Ai Weiwei and activists of the “New Citizens’ Movement”, a group that has called on Chinese leaders to make their wealth public. He was the most prominent activist swept up in what rights groups say is the most severe clampdown on dissent in two decades in China.

“Pu isn’t guilty,” Ai told Reuters from Italy by telephone. “He should receive an apology from the state and compensation.”

Pu had spent nearly 19 months in detention before his trial last week, which lasted just over three hours. His lawyers said he could have faced eight years in prison.

Shang said Pu was relieved and would not appeal.

“He said he thanks everyone and he wants to rest,” Shang said, recounting a private conversation Pu had with his lawyers after the verdict.

“He also said if there’s an opportunity, history will deliver a true judgment.”

State news agency Xinhua said

the court decided “to impose a lenient punishment” due to “the fact that the defendant Pu Zhiqiang truthfully confessed to the facts of the crime and positively pleaded guilty”.

Shang said Pu had not pleaded guilty.

“Having a criminal conviction means he can definitely never practise law again,” said lawyer Liang Xiaojun.

The United States said it was concerned about the suspended sentence.

“We urge the Chinese authorities to restore all of Mr. Pu’s rights and permit him to resume his work as one of China’s pre-eminent lawyers,” said Benjamin Weber,

spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei rebuffed the concern, saying foreign governments had to respect China’s judicial sovereignty and not interfere.

Police and plainclothes security officers prevented foreign reporters, Pu’s supporters and diplomats from the United States, the European Union and Switzerland from approaching the court.

It was unclear the extent of the restrictions that would be placed on Pu, though it is likely that he will be placed under police surveillance and prevented from speaking to reporters.

10

WednesdAY 23•12•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Tokyo selects Japanese design for 2020 Olympic stadium Tokyo, December 22 (AFP): Japan on Tuesday chose a new, slimmed down 2020 Olympic Stadium design, after an earlier version set off a row over a $2.0 billion price tag that would have made it the world's most expensive sports venue.

The country's preparations for the global games suffered a humiliating setback this year when the government pulled the plug on the original stadium plan by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid following spiralling costs and complaints over the design.

Two new construction plans -- both by Japanese architects and with sharply lower cost estimates -- were released last week by the Japan Sport Council, which is overseeing the project.

After deliberations, the JSC chose the slightly cheaper of the two, a joint venture involving renowned architect Kengo Kuma with an estimated

Hadid. Besides cost, her plan also drew complaints over aesthetics.

Under the new plan construction is to be completed in November 2019, ahead of the January 2020 deadline demanded by the International Olympic Committee.

Tokyo is due to host the opening ceremony on July 24 that year.

An artist's impression of the chosen design by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma for the new National Stadium in Tokyo. (AFP Photo)

cost of approximately 149.0 billion yen ($1.2 billion).

"I think this is a wonderful plan that meets criteria

such as basic principles, meeting on the design.

Prize-winning Japanese arconstruction period and The winning plan, chitect Toyo Ito, is far below cost," Prime Minister Shinzo which beat out one involv- the price estimated under Abe told a special cabinet ing Pritzker Architecture the now-ditched design by

Lionel Messi 'spat at' by River Plate fan NASA-D wrestling bArceloNA, December meet from Jan 7 22 (AFP): Barcelona star Lionel Messi was spat at by a River Plate fan during an ugly airport altercation following his side's 3-0 victory in the Club World Cup final in Japan, Spanish media reported on Monday.

Messi, who scored the opening goal in Sunday's final, reportedly retaliated with a punch after being subjected to a series of insults from fans of the Argentine club as he was preparing to board a flight home from Tokyo's Narita airport.

"An ugly incident occurred at Narita international airport.

When Barcelona players were getting ready to go through passport control and security, several River fans insulted Messi and the issue escalated to the point that one of them spat at Messi," Spanish sports daily AS reported.

According to several reports, an irate Messi responded by "punching" the fan who

spat at him, before Barca coach Luis Enrique and team-mates Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez stepped in to defuse the situation. However, Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo explained that shortly after the incident Messi was seen to be "smiling" and relaxed, "playing down the significance of

the event". Madrid-based daily Marca added that the group of supporters were also heckling ex-River player Mascherano, criticising him for "forgetting" his roots, with Mascherano having come through the youth ranks at the Buenos Aires club before making his professional debut with them in 2003.

koHImA, December 22 (mexN): The Northern Angami Sports Association Group-D 24th Meet (Wrestling) is scheduled to be held on January 7 and 8 at Seiyhama Village Local Ground.

Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, MLA & Chairman Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC) and Keneingusa Rio, Addl Superintendent of Police (Wireless), will grace the occasion as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

The winner of the wrestling championship will receive a cash award of Rs. 25,000, sponsored by Atou Zumvü, SDPO Kohima, while the 1st runner-up will also win a cash award of Rs. 20,000, sponsored by Seyiekhrielie Rio, BDO, Botsa block.

The third and fourth position winners will also receive Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively, sponsored by Kevilezo Kense, Proprietor, Synergy Group Enterprise, and Avizo Mere Kesiyie, Deputy Commandant BSF. The losing quarterfinalists will also be given Rs. 2,000 each, sponsored by Thekrupa Segotsu, entrepreneur.

A release issued by NASA-D President Kechangulie Kense and general secretary Savio Metha have informed everyone from among the 12 villages under NASA-D to partake at the wrestling meet.

'Awesome responsibility' "I am feeling the weight of the awesome responsibility," Kuma told private broadcaster Nippon TV right after the announcement.

The new plan aims to "create Japanese tradition" by using steel frames and wood with a concept of a "stadium of trees and green", according to documents submitted to the JSC. It will have a height of 49.2 metres (162 feet), lower than the original design

of 70 metres, which was criticised as too high and for being a potential eyesore on Tokyo's skyline.

Characteristics for the new plan, which calls for five floors above ground and two below, involve placing greenery on stadium decks to shut out Tokyo's scorching summer sunshine. Seating capacity will be about 68,000.

The other proposal, at 54.3 metres, also featured a traditional Japanese touch in the use of 72 wooden columns, but planned three floors above ground and two below.

Abe shocked Olympic organisers in July when he pulled the plug on Hadid's futuristic design as soaring costs put it on course to become the world's most expensive sports stadium.

Japan demanded the new designs be more than 40 percent cheaper, setting a 155 billion yen cap on construction costs.

The stadium fiasco

has pushed back the new venue's completion date, embarrassing Japanese sport officials who have also been forced to find an alternate showpiece site for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which the country is hosting.

Following Tokyo's decision to scrap the design plans, former sports minister Hakubun Shimomura in September said he would step down.

The new stadium will be built on the site of the one used as the main stadium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The neighbourhood is surrounded by greenery including parks and Japanese Shinto shrines.

Tokyo organisers have also faced another headache after plagiarism allegations scuttled its first logo for the games and are in the process of selecting a new design after having received more than 14,500 suggestions from the public.

FIA to take part in Multi-Cultural National Taekwondo C’ship

DImAPur, December 22 (mexN): TheFaithinActionTaekwondoAcademy,Nagaland will participate in the Multi-Cultural National Taekwondo Championship which is scheduled to be held from December 28 to 30 at Kolkata, West Bengal. The championship is being organised by South Asia MultiCultural Taekwondo Organization, Kukki-

won and Korea Taekwondo Academy.

48-member contingent from Faith in Action Taekwondo Academy will take part in Individual Sparring, Individual Patterns, Pair Patterns,Multi-Culture Kicks Breaking in the three days mega events, a press release from the Faith in Action academy informed.

West Indies' Bravo puts brave face FIFA's Figueredo to be extradited to Uruguay on Dec 24 Figueredo had agreed De- said she wanted house aron second Test against Australia moNTevIDeo, cember 22 (AFP): Swit- rest for her client, who is 83. to be sent to Uruguay but zerland will extradite FIFA ex-vice president Eugenio Figueredo to his native Uruguay December 24, after his arrest in connection with the corruption scandal rocking world football, his lawyer said Monday.

Attorney Karen Pintos said Figueredo -- who was also sought by the United States -- will arrive around 1200 GMT on Thursday.

The prosecutor in the case, Juan Gomez, told local daily El Pais that Figueredo would be held at a jail and not await trial under house arrest. Pintos has

West Indies batsman Darren Bravo celebrates scoring his century on the third day of the first Test against Australia in Hobart on December 12, 2015 (AFP Photo

melbourNe, December 22 (AFP): The much-maligned West Indies have the resilience and ability to be a match for Australia in this week's second Test in Melbourne, star batsman Darren Bravo said Tuesday.

Bravo was one of the Caribbean tourists' few shining lights to come out of the shattering innings and 212 run hammering inside three days by Australia in the first Test in Hobart.

He top scored with 108 in the West Indies' first innings, while opener Kraigg Brathwaite contributed 94 after Australia skipper Steve Smith enforced the follow-on.

While the West Indies were pilloried for their listless approach to the Test, Bravo said his side will be much better prepared for the Melbourne Cricket Ground showpiece and other batsmen were capable of stepping up.

"When you're not scoring runs it's always difficult to pick yourself up," Bravo told reporters. "But I believe the guys have that sort of resilience in them.

"We've scored international hundreds already, we've proven we are definitely capable of playing at this level. The guys are really up for it. We're really pumped up ... we're much better prepared and we're looking forward to it."

Bravo said his teammates had trouble adapting to the Australian conditions in Hobart, but said the team was ready to back itself in the second match of the three-Test series.

"Conditions are very foreign to us ... yes

they're a very good team but at the end of the day they're still humans," Bravo said.

"They're going to present bad balls, it's just a matter of putting them away. I don't think you should be bogged down that much. Don't be intimidated by the Australian bowlers."

Despite his fighting words, the West Indies have continued to struggle on tour and failed to impress in a two-day match last weekend against a low-key Victorian XI in Geelong.

They managed 303 for eight without Bravo and were only able to reduce the inexperienced locals to 169 for three before rain washed out play on Sunday's final day.

Much was also made of distracted Jerome Taylor missing a catch at fine leg because he had his back to play and was staring into a vacant grandstand.

"It's just a mishap. I don't want to dwell on that too much," Bravo said of the Taylor incident. "It's very important that we look at the positives."

Bravo praised the knocks of Jermaine Blackwood (69) and Brathwaite (78) in Geelong, while he pointed to the fact Australia were 121 for three on day one of the first Test as another source of optimism.

"We were in the driver's seat," he said.

"We need to maintain the momentum ... we need to stay focused."

The West Indies have won just four of their last 21 Tests and are ranked above only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. They last won a Test in Australia in 1997.

Figueredo, the former president of South American confederation CONMEBOL, was one of seven top football officials arrested in a raid on a Zurich luxury hotel in May which kicked off an unprecedented crisis at FIFA. He has been indicted in the United States on charges of soliciting multimillion-dollar bribes from sports marketing firms.

But authorities in Uruguay launched their own investigation and subsequently charged him with abusing his office.

fought extradition to the United States. The Swiss justice ministry approved his extradition to both countries, and said in November it would be up to the United States to decide whether to let Uruguay have priority.

Th e n e w s ab ou t Figueredo came as FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini were banned from all footballing activities after the association's ethics tribunal said they had abused their positions over a suspect $2-million payment.

FIFA ex-vice president Eugenio Figueredo, the former president of South American confederation CONMEBOL, was one of seven top football officials arrested in a raid on a Zurich luxury hotel in May. (AFP File Photo)

Special software caught Blatter-Platini payment ZurIcH, December 22 (AFP): FIFA investigators used special software for financial watchdogs to catch the $2 million transfer that led to the ban on Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, a source close to football's world governing body said.

Unleashing the Swiss-developed programme which can analyse thousands of accounts in double quick time highlights the lengths now being taken to track doubtful money transfers in world football.

"It particularly looks for accounts which have multiple holders," said the source close to FIFA. The software flags the names of people whose name is on an account but he or she is not the primary holder.

A similar version is also used

by Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BAFin).

"It can analyse thousands of accounts very quickly and flag up any suspect transactions," said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the Blatter-Platini case.

FIFA president Blatter and vice president Platini were both banned for eight years on Monday by FIFA's ethics court because

FIFA president Sepp Blatter (L) and vice president Michel Platini (R) were both banned for eight years by FIFA's ethics court because of irregularities in the two million Swiss franc payment made in 2011 (AFP Photo

of irregularities in the two million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million) payment made in 2011.

The two officials say the money was transferred to pay for consultancy work carried out between 1999 and 2002.

Blatter and Platini said an oral contract for a yearly fee of one million Swiss francs was agreed but the full salary was never paid.

The ethics tribunal said in its judgement that there was "no legal

basis" for the payment and that the two officials were guilty of "abusive execution" of the positions within FIFA. The source said the FIFA action was "quite exceptional" because of the standing of the targets.

Former US prosecutor Michael Garcia had carried out an investigation of the award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

But the $2 million payment was

not included in the Garcia report's evidence and only found later by the software, the source said.

The payment is being investigated by Swiss prosecutors and this could further delay the publication of the Garcia report. FIFA had said it could not release the report in whole because of legal reasons.

"It has not been finalised whether the Garcia report will now be published," the source said.

"There need to be checks made with Swiss prosecutors in Bern to see whether its release would interfere with evidence in ongoing cases." The source said Platini and Blatter will have 10 days from the announcement of the ban to appeal.

The ban from all football activities around the globe means Blatter cannot enter FIFA headquarters in Zurich, speak on behalf of FIFA, which he led for 17 years, nor write on FIFA headed paper.

Platini is precluded from working as a commentator at the European Championship in France next year, which he helped organise, and cannot sit in the VIP area of any football stadium. Both men can only attend football matches as paying spectators.

Wednesday 23•12•2015

Steven Tyler launch charity 100 piece Bamhum ensemble for abused, neglected girls performance at Mongsenyimti

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n the 26th anniversary of the release of Aerosmith's song 'Janie's Got a Gun,' band's frontman Steven Tyler launched 'Janie's Fund,' a charity to benefit abused and neglected girls. The 67-year-old musician says

hope to do something about female abuse motivated him to start the program, reported People magazine.

"The one thing that bothered me the most (about 'Janie's Got a Gun') was that somehow, people who had watched the vid-

eo saw that the father was abusing the daughter and mom was looking on and nothing was ever said. So with hopes I could do something about that - until I met Youth Villages, I didn't think I could," Tyler said.

"So now I get to start

my own fund and invite some of my friends and start to get the word out that there's something that can be done. And so when some kid is sitting at home and they realize that somewhere along the line they feel broken ... And they realize that they were abused, they might find the words to say something to someone about it and start in their recovery," he added.

The charity will generate money and awareness for the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and will "bring hope and healing to girls who have endured neglect and abuse." "As a father and grandfather, I want to focus my energy on things that really matter and leave behind something else in this crazy world along with my music.

I am starting Janie's Fund to give a voice to the millions of victims who haven't had one and encourage everyone to join me on this mission," he said.

A

100 piece Bamhum ensemble comprising of handpicked Bamhum players from Dimapur Mongsenyimti Senso Union gave a mind blowing performance with a medley of four songs to open the celebrations of 100 years of Christianity in Mongse-

nyimti village in Mokokchung district, Nagaland to a packed audience of more than three thousand people.

For the gathering on December 19, it was a new experience as this presentation could be a first of its kind as a 100 piece Ensemble of a single musical instrument

is very rare. The ensemble played harmoniously all the four parts of the medley which received a thunderous applause from the gathering.

The 100 years and the 100 bamhums is even more significant as the Bamhum inventor Moa Subong belongs to Mongsenyimti vil-

lage, This presentation also is a part of Bamhum’s 10th anniversary year as it was unveiled by the then Governor of Meghalaya, MM Jacob during the International Bamboo Fest at Shillong on May 3, 2005.

The event was covered

by Film Division of India.

Kim Kardashian's Emoji App 8th Angels Mega Model Hunt Nagaland 2015 crashes Apple's App Store

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he reality TV star announced the launch of her Kimoji program on social media on Sunday (20Dec15), ahead of its Monday (21Dec15) release, and fans flocked to download the animated keyboard, which features emojis of her lips, her hand raising a middle finger and her face with contour make-up lines.

However, some devotees were left disappointed on Monday as they encountered technical difficulties locating the program on Apple's App Store, which reportedly struggled to handle the surge in popularity.

"Apple, I'm so sorry I broke your App Store!!" Kim tweeted. "I can't believe so many people downloaded my KIMOJI app that it affected the entire app store!"

Kanye West's wife went on to assure followers glitches within the app itself would soon be corrected.

"We worked so hard on this app & we know there are some issues due to the massive downloads that the whole

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tech team is so working on!" she continued. "My Kimoji app will be up and running again soon! They are also working on fixing the search so u (sic) can easily find it!" "Ahhhhhhhh I still can't believe we broke the entire App Store!!!!" she exclaimed.

The Kimoji app also features animated versions of some of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians beauty's most viral Internet photos, including her famous crying face and a selfie she took of her reflection in a mirror, capturing her curves from behind as she modelled a revealing white one-piece bathing suit.

The new mum, who welcomed her second child, a son named Saint, earlier this month (Dec15), has already proved to be a mobile mogul with her recent Kim Kardashian West app, which gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at her daily life, and Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, an online game which raked in $74 million (£49.3 million) in 2014.

Blake Shelton considers Gwen Stefani his Soul Mate for life

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ho knew Blake Shelton, 39, and Gwen Stefani, 46, would end up being so crazy about each other?! In addition to confessing that he could see himself marrying his new girlfriend, The Voice judge is now describing the blonde beauty as his “soul mate”. HollywoodLife.com has all the EXCLUSIVE details.

“He never thought in a million years that he would find his soul mate so late in life. Yes, he considers Gwen is soul mate and can picture spending the rest of his life with her,” an insider tellsHollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. “He can definitely see himself marrying Gwen. It’s not a farfetched idea whatsoever!”

As HollywoodLife.com previously reported, Blake can picture himself propos-

ing to Gwen one day. “After two failed marriages, walking down the aisle for a third time was the furthest thing for Blake’s mind when he ended things with Miranda.

Now that he’s with Gwen, Blake is actually considering marriage again,” an insider told us EXCLUSIVELY. Blake’s mom Dorothy is also a huge fan of Gwen’s and even gave her a special holiday gift. “Blake’s mom Dorothy absolutely adores Gwen. She gave her son two thumbs up on his new girlfriend and as a gift Dorothy gave Gwen a photo of Blake when he was a little boy holding his pet frog,” a source told us EXCLUSIVELY. “She told Gwen a bunch of stories about Blake’s childhood and how he used to save all the wild animals and bring her frogs.”

Chizokho Vero

C

harming look 23 years old Neilangunuo Sanchu emerged the winner of 8th Angels Mega Model Hunt Nagaland 2015 which took place on December 21 last at Bamboo Hall, Kisama.

Azho Kalpana and Alen

Phom stood Ist and 2nd runner-up respectively.

The winners were awarded with cash prizes along with direct entry to the forthcoming Mega Miss Northeast contest to be held by 2016 and to walk a ramp with top models in fashion carnival in Guwahati.

They will also get free trip to Leeway Leisure Resort Guwahati for three days.

The sub-title winners included most gorgeousAzho Kalpana, beautiful skin- Nchumbeni Shitiri, most congeniality- Vekusalii Venyo, best cat walk-

Vilika Shohe, best bodyNonying P. Konyak and best modern ethnic wearRini-u Kapfo.

Baham C. Noklang, finalist Naga Hindi Voice 2 and Jano Nyekha enthralled the crowd with special number.

Judges for the event in-

cluded; K. Akheto, ADGP, PHQ Kohima, Gloria Tep Rengma- finalist India’s Next Top Model and Cham Thaidirector NEFA Guwahati.

The event was managed

by Get Gorgeous Society Nagaland and powered by Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union.

Orlando Bloom at Taj, but not without some drama

P

opular British actor Orlando Bloom, who was deported back to London on Saturday wee hours after his e-visa was rejected by Immigration department, visited Taj Mahal along with former Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh on Sunday evening at around 4pm.

Bloom who is better known for his fictional character 'Will Turner' along with 'Captain Jack Sparrow' played by Jonny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean film series was allowed to fly back and reach Delhi on Sunday after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj intervention.

Speaking to TOI, actor Bloom said, "It was a simply misunderstanding, I had e-visa and I think didn't fill it quite correctly."

"Though I'm extremely thank-

ful to Indian and UP government for their support, and I'm truly amazed with the beauty of Mughal era mausoleum Taj Mahal," he added.

The actor arrived in New Delhi from London on Saturday by the 1.30am British Airways flight, only to learn that the e-visa he had applied for on November 30 had been rejected.

The Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) officer followed protocol and Bloom was deported back to the UK by the 4am British Airways flight. Orlando Bloom who supposedly had plans to spend Christmas in India was on extended invitation by the UP government, as to be the state guest.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh who came along with him

from New Delhi airport said, "The officer in charge of immigration, Mr Prabhakar, was extremely rude to Orlando who was actually unwell but he didn't pay any heed to that."

While thanking Swaraj for her intervention, Singh said, "Sushma ji was very kind and her prompt action helped Orlando to return India after deportation. I'm also thankful to Salman Khurshid who too help us in the unprecedented crisis."

Singh added, "Even though I haven't seen much movie of Orlando but my nephew and CM of UP Akhilesh Yadav has. And under his regime, tourism in UP has touched new heights. Area around Taj Mahal looks more beautiful and appealing due to his initiatives."

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Arsenal boost title hopes with win over Manchester City

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LoNDoN, DeCember 22 (reuTers): Arsenal landed a meaty blow in the Premier League title race with a 2-1 win at home to rivals Manchester City on Monday that swept away a few more doubts about their title credentials.

Arsene Wenger's side certainly had the swagger of potential champions as they picked City apart with first-half goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud while the visitors looked forlorn until Yaya Toure netted with eight minutes remaining.

Toure's goal sparked a late resurgence from Manuel Pellegrini's side, but they could not find a leveller, meaning City have now not won away in the league since September and have lost three of their last five on the road.

Arsenal, who have not lost at home in the league since their first match of the season, stay second in the table, two points behind surprise trailblazers Leicester City, but four clear of Pellegrini's side.

"I believe we have shown... spirit, organisation, brilliance and altogether they gave us the three points," a beaming Wenger told Sky Sports.

"You could see that there is exceptional life in this team and when we did not have the legs anymore, we relied on spirit and that got us through in the end."

Manchester City's goalkeeper Joe Hart fails to stop a shot from Arsenal's Theo Walcott. (Reuters)

City have now lost five games and no side has won the title having suffered so many league defeats before Christmas since Everton in 1986-87, although Pellegrini was unruffled. "It was an important game but we have 63 more points to play for so I think we have the same option to win the title," said the Chilean who claimed his side played better than Arsenal.

The goal the game needed arrived after 33 minutes, but only after City had wasted their only chance of the first half.

Kevin De Bruyne, who was freed down the right flank

by Sergio Aguero, back after a four-match injury layoff, cut in on goal but could only flash his shot wide, prompting an exasperated look from David Silva who was waiting for a cross.

That decision was

punished less than two minutes later when Mesut Ozil fed Walcott on the left edge of the penalty area and the England forward turned and curled the ball exquisitely into the far corner. Arsenal's second arrived in first-half stoppage time as a defensive error from Eliaquim Mangala gifted possession to the hosts who, via Ozil again, worked the ball to Giroud. The Frenchman

had little goal to aim at but fired his left footed effort low beneath England keeper Joe Hart for his 10th league goal of the campaign.

City pulled a goal back when Toure powerfully found the top corner with his left foot, prompting a late surge from the visitors.

But Arsenal held firm and go into the hectic Christmas period with confidence booming.

WeLLiNgToN, DeCember 22 (reuTers): Brendon McCullum, who led New Zealand through an exhilarating two years of success, will retire from international cricket in February after the two-test series against Australia, the 34-year-old batsman said on Tuesday.

McCullum told a news conference in Christchurch that the second test against Australia, which starts at Hagley Oval on Feb. 20, would be his 101st and last.

"I've loved my opportunity to play for, and captain, the Black Caps, but all good things have to come to an end, and I’m just grateful for the wonderful experience of playing for my country," said McCullum, who has struggled with back problems for several years.

The explosive batsman, who has scored 6,273 runs in 99 tests at an average of 38.48, took charge of New Zealand in all three formats of the game at the start of 2013 after Ross Taylor was controversially dropped as skipper by coach Mike Hesson. McCullum led New Zealand unbeaten through seven test series until the recent reverse in Australia, and to a first

McCullum to retire from internationals File - New Zealand's Brendon McCullum during nets at Lord's on May 19, 2015.

(Reuters)

50-overs World Cup final last year where they were again beaten by their transTasman Sea rivals.

Originally a wicketkeeper-batsman who gave up the gloves because of the chronic back problems, McCullum said earlier this year he was taking it one game at a time and rumours of his impending retirement have been rife.

New Zealand's top batsman, 25-year-old Kane Williamson, will now lead the Black Caps and is likely to take over as captain in all formats.

"Ideally, I would have preferred to wait until after the test in Christchurch to make this news public," McCullum added. "However, the schedule for naming the World Twenty20 squads means I couldn’t have managed this without causing a lot of confusion and speculation – something I was keen to avoid."

In spite of his back injury, McCullum will play his 100th consecutive test match in the series opener against Australia in Wellington in early February.

His inspirational lead-

ership was widely credited with the team's successful World Cup campaign, where New Zealand stormed to the final on the back of an attacking brand of cricket that won them fans around the world.

It reflected McCullum's own aggressive approach at the crease, which earned him five ODI and 11 test centuries, including the only triple century by a New Zealand batsman.

He also claimed the second-highest score in Twenty20 cricket, an unbeaten 158 in the IPL. C M Y K

Gasol calls out Bulls after loss to Nets

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ChiCago, DeCember 22 (aFP): Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol called out his teammates for a lack of urgency after a 105-102 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in which Joakim Noah was injured. The Nets, a woeful 8-20 on the season, snapped an eight-game road losing streak while the Bulls lost their third in a row and fell to 15-11.

Spanish star Gasol said the Bulls struggled at times to match Brooklyn's intensity. "We were missing a lot of parts of the game," Gasol said. "A sense of urgency. We cruise for most of the game.

Then when we have our back against the wall, we turn it up and try to give ourselves a chance.

"But sometimes it's just too late. It's something we need to address and need to correct and improve upon.

We just need change."

But be careful what you wish for as the change could be a replacement for star center Noah.

Noah had four points, eight rebounds and eight assists when he left the game with a left shoulder sprain in the last minute of the third quarter and did not return.

He will be re-examined on Tuesday.

With the game deadlocked at 60-60, the Nets went on a 21-9 run and never trailed again. "We came out right from the start with a lot of fight and a lot of purpose," said Nets coach Lionel Hollins. "We took the fight to them. We were very focused for the whole game and that was good to see."

Brook Lopez had 21 points and 12 rebounds to spark Brooklyn while Jimmy Butler had 24 points and Gasol contributed 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.

Knee in face, tooth in sock Elsewhere, Atlanta reserve guard Dennis Schroder had 18 points to lead Hawks in double figures as the hosts ripped Portland 106-97 and improved to 1812 with a fourth consecutive win. But Schroder lost a tooth in the tussle. While falling to the floor, Schroder hit his face on an opponent's

knee and lost a tooth. He picked it up off the court and tucked it into his sock.

At Washington, Wizards guard John Wall passed out a career-high 19 assists and Marcin Gortat scored a season-best 27 points in a 11399 victory over Sacramento.

At New York, Orlando center Nikola Vucevic matched his season high with 26 points and the Magic beat the Knicks 107-99, snapping New York's fourgame win streak.

Boston snapped a three-game losing streak, beating visiting Minnesota 113-99, but fans cheered for Timberwolves big man Kevin Garnett, who helped the Celtics win the NBA crown in 2008.

Garnett, who will be 40 in May, was touched as fans chanted "We want K-G" but he did not play. He saluted the crowd in the final seconds, yelling, "I love you all."

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Spurs stay perfect at home San Antonio improved to 16-0 at home with a 106-92 victory over Indiana, Kawhi Leonard scoring 24 points and keeping Pacer star Paul George to 1-of-14 shooting from the field as the Spurs dominated the fourth quarter to pull away.

Russell Westbrook scored 33 points and Kevin Durant added 24 to lead Oklahoma City over the host Los Angeles Clippers 100-99.

Westbrook's threepointer put the Thunder ahead 96-95 but Blake Griffin answered with a dunk that put the Clippers back in front, only to have Westbrook hit a jumper for a 9897 Oklahoma City edge.

Chris Paul, who scored 32 points, made a layup for the Clippers but Durant sank a jumper for a 100-99 Thunder lead with 5.8 seconds remaining and then blocked Paul's final shot to secure the victory.

At Houston, James Harden scored 36 points and Terrence Jones added 17 and each made a three-point play in the final minute to help the Rockets hold off Charlotte 102-95.

Gordon Hayward's 24 points led Utah over visiting Phoenix 110-89.

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