December 30th, 2016

C M Y K

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • December 30 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 356 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn

— Miguel de Cervantes

PAGE 02

PAGe 09

T R u T H

Tevez goes to China, becomes highest paid player

Gather, Eat, Laugh at Food Junction

Through reclusive Wa, China’s reach extends into Myanmar

o F

PAGE 12

NLA 2016: No democracy without an opposition?

If year 2016 is any indicator in the Nagaland political landscape, 2017 may see the rise of autocratic tendencies Morung Express News Dimapur | December 29

A participant throws a piece of paper reading "Trump and Brexit" into a trash can to be shredded during "Good Riddance Day" in Times Square, New York City, December 29, 2016. Good Riddance Day is an annual event held for people to shred pieces of paper representing their bad memories or things they want to get rid of before the New Year. (REUTERS)

ACAUT responds to CM’s statement on rice scam DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 29 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today stated that “there is nothing in the PDS Order Act 2001 or the Food Security Act 2013 conferring upon the state government the authority to repackage PDS items.”

The ACAUT said this in response to the Nagaland Chief Minister’s recent statement on the alleged PDS rice scam.

“The ACAUT Nagaland is gratified that the Chief Minister TR Zeliang chose to justify himself and his department on the PDS scam expose of December 9. The ACAUT has nothing to say except to add that

since the CM has publicly admitted that indeed repackaging of PDS rice took place under the directive of his department, that he would be liable for prosecution before the appropriate authority when the time comes,” it stated.

The ACAUT said it would “fool no one for the F&CS department to issue a backdated order (4th November), hurriedly drafted after December 9 authorizing the stockiest to repackage rice in white synthetic bags.”

It further alleged that the CM’s statement “directly shields Vinay Kumar Sethi a.k.a. Tinku, PDS accused,” who it informed was a suspect in the killing of late Sailesh Sethi in 1997 as

per a police Chargesheet Case No. 70/97 U/S 115/120/302/34 IPC, filed

by West Police station.

The ACAUT lamented that despite being a suspect in a murder case, the accused “still continues to be the most powerful man in Nagaland till this day.” “For 19 years, this man, instead of being locked up in jail, has been courted by successive Chief Ministers which is most shameful and demeaning to the office of the Chief Minister and an insult to all right thinking Nagas,” the ACAUT said.

It demanded that the case against Vinay Kumar Sethi a.k.a. Tinku be reopened by the Dimapur police.

A portent to what can be expected in 2017 in the Nagaland political landscape, the year 2016 witnessed the damage an opposition-less government can inflict on democracy.

In an indication of what a government with mute lawmakers is like; the 2016 NLA sessions, besides the passing of some government bills which were also approved unanimously and in no time, saw the 60 legislators muffled with nothing to question or discuss.

At the two day monsoon session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly held from July 12-14, the first day lasted 15 minutes and 34 minutes on the second day.

Inside the Assembly, Nagaland state seemed a blissful place as reflected by images of sleepy legislators leisurely sprawled on their chairs, while on the ground; innumerable issues of pertinence continue to bog down citizens without respite, for instance: corruption, backdoor appointments, fuel adulteration scam, non-payment of salaries, inter-state border issues.

Queried on the short duration of the Assembly, the Chief Minister during a press conference had casually brushed it aside with the assertion that the government “fortunately had no opposition” and claimed that ‘assembly or the parliament consume

time only in question hour’ or ‘in cases of controversy in passing or discussion of bills.’

“Here, fortunately we have no opposition. We have asked MLAs to put question if they want clarification.

When they don’t put question the government cannot raise the question,” Zeliang was quoted to have stated.

This is not the first time that the lawmakers at the NLA chose to remain mute. In 2015, the 10th session of the 12th NLA lasted only 30 minutes. The last day of the 11th session of the 12th NLA on March 2016 lasted 13 minutes.

Subsequently, at the winter session of the 14th session of the 12th NLA which began from November 24, 2016, the first day got over in 27 minutes. The session started at 9:30 and ended by 9:57AM. The only semblance of democracy was exhibited on the last day of the NLA winter session when a lone Independent MLA staged a walkout to oppose the revoking of a 2012 resolution exempting Nagaland from the application of Article 243T of Part IX A of the Constitution of India.

The genesis to this turn of events pointing to the emergence of a suspiciously autocratic government in the Nagaland political landscape can be linked with the February 5, 2015 “Vote of Confidence” where all 60 legislators of the NLA including eight Congress MLAs voted in favor of TR Zeliang. The eight Congress MLAs then went to merged with the NPF led DAN to pave way for what is now an opposition-less government.

At that time, Zeliang had termed the development as “historic” and re-

joiced that it will strengthen the effort to find solution to the Naga Political problem- an issue that has been exploited by all parties during elections.

Leaving the rhetoric coming from the political turf aside, an oppositionless government means a threat to the principle of democratic checks and balances.

It brings to mind the words of political scientists that in an oppositionless government, those in power will try to push through all legislation that fits their ideology. There would be no one to ask questions, in the Assembly or the Parliament.

Even the recent whip issued by the NPF chief whip stifling its legislators to “vote against any motion

by Independent members against the DAN government” can be interpreted as a tendency to put a gag on freedom of expression and another indication that the present government is being ruled under a thumb of a handful.

Bizarrely, the whip also directed that the Chief Minister, the leader of the house will give indication whether the statement made by independent MLA is favorable or inimical to the government.

The use of police force, water cannons and tear gas shells reportedly under the direction of the State Government to quell peaceful demonstrations like the Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan teachers protesting against non-payment of their salaries, or the ACAUT rally against corruption are all serious indications of the ruling Nagaland government shying away from democratic principles and donning the role of a “police state.”

Naga artists converge in Kachari Rajbari ruins in the restoration pipeline Dimapur for ‘Art Picnic’ Morung Express News Dimapur | December 29

A group of artists at the ‘Art Picnic’ held in Dimapur on December 29. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News Dimapur | December 29

Scores of artists including painters, sculptors, musicians and poets converged at the Rajbari monument site in Dimapur on Thursday to a free-wheeling creative experience, courtesy the ‘Art Picnic’ organized by a Londonbased Naga artist.

Amidst the ruins of the old Kachari heritage site maintained by the Archaeological Society of India (ASI), both professional and aspiring artists drew sketches and painted colours on their canvases, as poets penned their muses in corners and local musicians sang out their hearts.

An initiative of Temsuyanger Longkumer, a London-based artist, today’s event is the second edition of the ‘Art Picnic’, which was first held last year in Kohima and Dimapur.

Vini Chishi, a BA 4th semester student from Tetso College, who is engaged in a nature-themed painting in her canvas, said she is not a professional artist but came to the event to find an outlet for one of her hobbies. Vini confided that her favourite artist is Akiane Kramarik, a US based canvas artist who came into fame in her teens for her spiritually-themed paintings.

Sitting underneath the shade of a tree along fellow artists was Anungla Longkumer, giving final stitches to her Naga traditional bag using indigenous thread from the Khiamniungan tribe.

Anungla said she is not into any commercial enterprise, but solely into embroidery and stitching traditional bags and clothes for her “personal interest.”

In the centre of the art picnic was a group of minstrels belting out melodies using both modern instruments like the guitar and innovative percussion instruments like a large aluminum cup.

When asked whether they are an or-

ganized band, the members replied that they are just a big family comprising of three Naga tribes (Angami clan Tepa, Ao clanLongkumerandLongcharandSumi clan Chishi) coming to jam together.

Thirty one year old Wipawee Panjinda from Thailand who studied fine arts (sculpture) at Shantinekitan was also in attendance. Married to a Naga, she said that her daughter Wipawee is currently pursuing her Ph.D on Veswuzo Phesao, a versatile Chakhesang folk artist employed in NEZCC, as the subject (topic) of her thesis.

Twenty eight year old Limatula Longkumer, an artist based in Delhi, was among the professional artists to take part in the event. Limatula is a freelance illustrator and painter and had showcased her works in a group exhibition for a charity earlier in Delhi.

Aten Nokdir, a 31 year old Dimapurbased artist, is another professional artist who attended the event. A graduate of fine arts from Jamia Millia University, Aten said he has exhibited his works quite a number of times, including the latest at NEZCC organized by the NGO ‘Act of Kindness.’

Temsuyanger Longkumer said the main objective of organizing the ‘Art Picnic’ was to network and connect artists living in Dimapur, as he observed that most artists in the commercial hub are reclusive and living in their own worlds due to communication gaps.

“In conventional art, Nagaland is behind other states but we are rich in traditional art. We want to make this an annual event and besides Dimapur and Kohima, we want to spread this event to other towns in the state”, he said.

Temsuyanger who initiated the Art Picnic without any external funding, also informed that he is planning to open a trust by the name of Hive Art Trust, to preserve and promote Naga art and culture.

After years of administrative apathy, some semblance of restorative activity is visible at the historic monument of the ancient Dimasa Kachari capital - popularly known as Rajbari - located adjacent to Supermarket in Dimapur.

On December 28, when The Morung Express visited the site, there was perceptible activity on the ground and workers were peering over blueprints for the current project.

Nemjempong Echa, Horticulture Assistant from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who looks after Nagaland and Manipur, said that after years of neglect, the development process was taken up from June last year.

He said that while the ruins are one of the biggest ASI sites in the North East, it has been neglected due to “various circumstances” beyond the ASI’s control.

The ASI, which has been entrusted with the site, has listed the same as ‘Remains of a Fort (Dimapur Ruins),’ Dimapur, on its website. It contains ruins of temples, reservoirs and other monuments, most of which lay scattered albeit glimpses of artistic craftsmanship and intricate designing.

It was among a list of centrally

Ongoing works at Kachari Rajbari ruins in Dimapur on December 29. (Morung Photo)

protected monuments in the country released by the ASI in 2011, which the central Ministry of Culture “is understood to be considering central funds for the protection and preservation of the select heritage sites.”

Besides the ‘Dimapur Ruins,’ Nagaland has three other sites on the list. They include the memorials of G.H. Damant, Major Cook and Subedar Nurbir Sahi, in Khonoma Kohima; Stone Cairn to the memory of Damant, Kohima; and Lt. H. Forbeb's Grave, Suchima, Kohima.

Last year, a member of the Kachari Rajbari Preservation Com-

mittee (KRPC) told a local daily that the “lack of interest from the department concerned and the citizens in preserving the monument” had led to its ruin.

Right now, several areas have been dug up systemically for water sprinkler as a first phase work.

“In the next phase, we plan to develop the pond. And finally there is a plan to make it a Jogger’s Park, for which the landscaping is already done,” informed Echa.

Besides an ASI office building, amenities for visitor’s and internal funding revenue mechanism are also

Freedom to doubt, disagree & dispute intellectually must be protected: Prez T h I R U vA N A N T h A PURAM, DECEMBER 29 (IANS): Noting that it is the "argumentative" Indian, not the "intolerant" Indian who has been celebrated in tradition, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said that the freedom to doubt, disagree and dispute intellectually must be protected.

Addressing the 77th session of Indian History Congress here, Mukherjee said that there has been an unfortunate tendency in the country from time to time to take umbrage at the expression of any view perceived to be hostile to social or cultural institutions, past or present.

"It is natural to love one's country. But patriotism

should not result in blinkered approaches to interpreting history or a compromise with truth in order to justify an argument of choice," he said opining that objective pursuit of history requires an impartial mind of a judge and not the mind of an advocate.

"The freedom to doubt, disagree and dispute intellectually must be protected as an essential pillar of our democracy. "Nothing should lie outside the realm of reason, and therefore of discussion and argument. Such freedom is vital for progress in any field," he said.

Mukherjee said the critical appraisals of the country's heroes and national icons of the past have been met with

"hostility and sometimes even violence". "We must keep our eyes open for unfamiliar ideas and be ready to consider a range of different inferences or assumptions.

This necessarily bars intolerance of contrary opinions or judgements," he said.

He also stressed on the need for being open to unfamiliar ideas and consider a range of different inferences or assumptions. "Multiple views, thoughts and philosophies have competed with each other peacefully for centuries in our country and freedom of speech is one of the most important fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution," added Mukherjee.

in the offing. Right now, only 15% of the work is done. It will take at least 2-3 years for complete restoration, he added. The state horticulture department is also currently planting some flowers on the site and hopefully next spring, we might be able to beautify it a bit, Echa maintained.

In the garden area, almost all the standing monoliths (around 14) have some defect, while many others lay crumbled on the ground.

While the lawns and the ground area have become transformed with a well maintained look, the sites where the monoliths have been kept for exhibition and preservation continue to be overrun by wild plant as well as human incursion in form of various inscriptions and careless thoroughfare. Alongside physical restoration, an educative restoration needs to take place for people to develop respect for history and its monuments.

Besides, conservation, chemical, archaeological efforts and other departmental follow ups are the need of the hour. This will be a gargantuan task given the current status of the ruins with its intricate carved works quickly disappearing from harsh sun rays, Dimapur’s rain and people’s mistreatment of the structures.

2

FriDAY 30•12•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Change should be a collective responsibility’ Ikiye Village Students Union 36th session held Zunheboto, December 29 (mexn): The 36th session of Ikiye Village Students Union (IVSU) was held on December 28 at Ikiye Village.

Vitoka Aye, former Joint Secretary of Zunheboto Town Youth Organisation and former president, Kohima Law College Students Union graced the occasion as chief guest.

IVSU in a press release said that Aye in his speech said that as per record, in 2016 there are 70,422 educated unemployed youth in the Life of Register of Department of labour & Employment in the Nagaland State.

He urged the students to be sincere, discipline in their academic career during their high school to higher level as student life determines their future.

“If the student’s academic performance is good and more efforts are put in than there would be no hardship to compete competitive examination,” Aye said while adding that patience, dedication and determination would lead to success in life and urged to live an exemplary life to the society for the Change.

Stressing on the importance of Clean Election, Aye stated that as per the post election studies conducted by Youth Net Nagaland, an approximate amount of Rs.

937,82,67,500/-(Rupees nine hundred & sixty seven crores, eighty two lakhs, sixty seven thousand and five hundred) was spent in the February 2013 Election to buy votes and to muscle man power during election thereby elected representatives of MLSs, Ministers have to recover expenditures of such a huge amount from the public fund which result the least of development and rampant Corruption in the state.

The student leader made an appeal stating that change is the need of the hour and it should be a collective responsibility starting from the Church institution, association, village, community district and Nagas in general and uphold the true Christian principles. He also said that every citizen should exercise their vote in the true spirit of democracy because vote determines our future and upcoming generation.

Highlighting on the impact of RTI Act 2005, Aye said that this act is one of the most powerful tools where everyone have right to get an information in every government establishment to access information as per the provision of the act. He said that RTI promote transparency, empower the citizen, and reduce corruption, increase efficiency and corruption in

the State, to promote transparency and accountability. He also said it necessary to file an RTI application questioning the maximum misused of public fund such as MNREGA, Public Distribution System (PDS) etc and check Corruption from top to grass root level. However, only few applicants were from the Village level despite 75% of Nagaland population lived in villages.

In the session, Abel H Achumi, Secretary BJP Nagaland State also grace the occasion as guest of honour in his address, he urged the students not only to depend on government sector citing on a Bible Verse of Jeremiah 29:11 to live with hope and discipline life.

Holivi Achumi, President Ikiye Village Students Union delivered the presidential address and Khekato Zhimo Advisor, IVSU exhorted the congregation. Illito Yeptho, Associate Pastor Youth, Ikiye Baptist Church invoked God’s blessing. Indigenous folk song was presented by Cultural troupe, special number was performed by IVSU students, Hutoka Zhimo chaired the programme and Mughalu Chophy recorded the proceeding. The session concluded with benediction by Shetoni Zhimomi, Deaconess Ikiye Baptist Church.

Villagers plough paddy land for potato cultivation at Jakhama village in Kohima district.

Jakhama village produces large scale potato annually and fetches high market demand for its organic product.

(Morung Photo)

Children at Pessao Village under Tobu-sub division, Mon district holds toy gun made from bamboo in one hand while taking delight in showing off their sweets. Bamboo gun is a traditional game mostly played in rural areas. One can use small stone pebbles, wet paper pellets or even seeds from wild plants for bullets.

‘EnvisagE thE futurE’ Phek, December 29 (mexn): The 55th general session of Middle Khomi Students’ Union (MKSU) was held from December 27 to 28 last under the theme ‘Envisage the future.’

The two day-long session was marked by workshop, quiz, singing competition, Bible recitation.

A debate on “Clean election in Nagaland is possible through youth”

also took place.

Shepo, PS to MP Rajya Sabha Nagaland and Colo Mero, Director Life Sports Nagaland attended the session as guest speaker and resource person respectively.

Vekhotso Lohe, exVCC also exhorted the gathering while presidential address as delivered by MKSU president Riikusa Lohe.

Colo Mero addressing MKSU session on December 28.

AIFFSO Nagaland state unit releases souvenir

“We have to look back our history and proceed with good understanding”

Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan and technology week at Wokha Dr.Er. Vikuotuolie with AIFFSO Nagaland state unit and district unit officials during the release of souvenir in Kohima on December 29. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Kohima | December 29

Participants at the Jalkund demonstration during Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wokha from December 23 to 29.

Wokha, December 29 (mexn): Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Wokha, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre organied Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan from December 23 to 29 at its campus.

Five different activities were conducted under JKJV which includes

one farmers-scientist interaction with 38 participants, 2 lectures with 31, one farm visit with 25 and demonstration of farm implements with 32 participants. Technology week is being celebrated from December 23 till 30. Under technology week, the activities carried out are

method demonstration, farmersscientist interaction, lectures, film Shows, farm visits, distribution of 156 numbers of literature, 100 numbers planting materials (King chilli), 100 packet of bio products, 500 number of chicks, 6 number of piglets, sprayer, silpaulin sheet.

The All India Freedom Fighters Successor’s Organization (AIFFSO), Nagaland state unit today released its souvenir here at Hotel Japfu. It was released

by Dr.Er. Vikuotuolie Angami, advisor North East Region Freedom Fighters Successors’ Organization (NERFFSO). This souvenir was brought out in commemoration of its Ist Consultative Meeting- Cumseminar held on July 15, 2016 in Kohima.

Addressing the gathering, Dr.Er. Vikuotuolie maintained that the publi-

cation of this souvenir will serve as corner stone of its foundation and enable the members to work with dedication. “We have to look back our history and proceed with good understanding,” he said.

NERFFSO vice president N. Neilo Koza also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, AIFFSO Nagaland state unit president Zeliezhii Angami delivered welcome address while the function was chaired

by AIFFSO Nagaland state unit general secretary K. Limei Phom.

The Nagaland state unit of AIFFSO was formed in 2015 under NERFFSO. The

gather, Eat, Laugh at food Junction Morung Express News

state unit plans to do research work by collecting the names and bio-data of freedom fighters and their successors in all the districts. “I am happy that AIFFSO Nagaland state unit would rededicate themselves for strengthening the unity and integrity of the country and would pay tribute to those who laid down their lives to attain freedom of motherland,” penned Nagaland’s Governor P.B. Acharya in the souvenir.

Odisha’s Governor Dr. S.C. Jamir also stated “It is heartening that All India Freedom Fighters Successor’s Organization Naga-

land state unit is committed to spread the spirit of patriotism and harmony through its activities and programmes.”

Nagaland’s chief minister T.R. Zeliang, home minister Y. Patton, parliamentary secretary for soil & water conservation Pukhayi Sumi, parliamentary secretary for veterinary & animal husbandry S. Chuba Longkumer, chief secretary Pankaj Kumar and Kohima deputy commissioner Rovilatuo Mor also shared messages in the souvenir and extended best wishes to AIFFSO Nagaland state unit in all its endeavours.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Dimapur | December 29

A very aptly named food joint called “Food Junction” has been launched in Dimapur recently. One has to visit the place located in DC Court junction, next to The Connect Studio building to agree!

The proprietor Apam Shimrah who lives around this same locality shared that he used to take a walk in the evenings with his wife and realized that opening a food joint in this junction would be ideal. He also pointed out that the area has a lot of colleges, hostels, and many offices.

The menu is extensive with numerous food choices from the staple Chinese dumplings, noodles, soups and lots more. On special offer are the popular Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani and the Food Junction special.

Young boys take part in the first ‘Tsüben rally’ held at Khensa Apam has experience village on December 24. Tsüben rally is a home-grown car racing game where the participants build their own cars mostly in the food sector, having helped a relative cousing wood and other materials available in the locality.

(Left) Apam Shimrah, proprietor of the Food Junction located in DC Court junction, next to The Connect Studio in Dimapur. (Right) Food Junction menu is extensive with numerous food choices from the staple Chinese dumplings, noodles, soups and lots more. (Morung Photo)

Interior of the newly launched food joint. (Morung Photo)

manage three restaurants in Bangalore. Commenting that the food sector has potential in Dimapur

for both small cafes and large scale ventures like restaurants, he felt that entrepreneurs just have

to know how to control the food cost and manage staff.

Just opened on December 12, Apam revealed that the menu will be reviewed according to customer feedback and upgraded thereafter. Saying that, while some improvements need to be done everyone is welcome to the Food Junction for simple, honest food which is served fresh and on order.

The place is open every day from 8: 00 AM to 9:00 PM except on Sundays when it is open after 3:00 PM.

12.3.1982 – 24.12.2016

We, the bereaved family members of Late Tokato Kiho express our profound gratitude to each and everyone who stood by us physically, spiritually and financially during our period of grief.

We regret our inability to thank each and every individual for your love and support extended to us.

We pray that our God Almighty will richly bless each one of you in accordance to His Glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Our heartfelt gratitude:1. Kingdom Culture Church, Dimapur.

2. Sumi Baptist Church, Chekiye Village, Dimapur.

3. Sumi Baptist Church, Shena New Village.

Justice H.K. Sema & Family.

friday 30•12•2016

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Nagas in Delhi intensify agitation against arrest of leaders & 7 districts Behind the violence: New districts revive Manipur’s old divide After 3 laws united tribals in protest, govt seeks to woo Kukis with district while Nagas, feeling left out, are back in conflict with Meiteis Esha Roy The Indian Express

People in New Delhi burn effigies of Manipur State Govt leaders, Ibobi Singh and Gaikhangam Gangmei, during a protest rally on Thursday, December 29 against the formation of 7 new districts in Manipur State and the arrest of two UNC leaders.

valley brothers cannot leNew Delhi, Decem- and Publicity Wing in- the Nagas.”

“The indifferent atti- gally buy tribal lands.” ber 29 (mexN): The Com- formed today that a large “Ibobi has been playmittee for Joint Naga Civil number of Naga people tude of the Government Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) gathered on the streets of of India towards the pres- ing politics with the life, today organized a mass Jantar Mantar on Decem- ent crisis is tantamount to soul, land, dignity, identity protest rally at Jantar Man- ber 29, chanting "Nagas dishonouring of the 3rd and culture of the hill tribtar, New Delhi to further shall defend their land to August Naga Framework als to cling on to power by intensify protest against the last man standing" and Agreement. Is this how the exploiting the anti-tribal sentiment of the valthe arrest of two United ley brothers as the valNaga Council (UNC) Memorandum to PM seeking PR in Manipur, ley brothers are socially leaders and the “unconCBI enquiry into Dec 18 violence, expedite patterned to perceive stitutional” formation anti-tribal policy as of seven new districts in finalisation of Framework Agreement, nullify any the interest of the valManipur State.

The CJNCSD reaf- new districts, unconditional release of leaders ley,” the press statement noted. firmed that the Naga isCJNCSD has submitted sue is a political issue and burnt effigies of Ibobi Singh Government of India wants vowed to stand its ground and Gaikhangam Gang- to sell the Indian democra- another memorandum to cy and political institution the Prime Minister of Inwith UNC till the uncondi- mei.

CJNCSD raised doubt to the Nagas?” asked the dia today reiterating the tional release of the two infollowing demands: imcarcerated leaders and roll- on the “political inten- CJNCSD. The joint body also stat- mediate nullification of the ing back of the proposed tion” of the Government districts. It clarified that the of India (GoI) for its “con- ed that Nagas have been “de- creation of the seven new UNC has been observing tinued silence” on the is- fending every inch of their districts; unconditional partial peaceful shutdown sue. It questioned why the ancestral land, liberty, iden- release of the two UNC along the national highway GoI has “not raised even a tity and dignity with blood leaders; to respect the 3rd which is a legal and demo- single question to the Gov- and tears since the mighty August Naga Framework cratic form of protest. How- ernment of Manipur for the British times” and dared the Agreement and to expeever, “communal Ibobi and imprisonment of the two Government of Manipur to dite the finalization of the paid valley-based media UNC leaders and the un- “attempt to carve out even Framework Agreement; ingeniously coined the constitutional formation of an inch of the Naga ances- imposition of President’s tral territory in the name of Rule in the State of Maniterm ‘economic blockade’ the new seven districts.”

In that, the CJNCSD formation of new districts.” pur; CBI enquiry into the to criminalise the Naga CJNCSD stated that December 18, 2016 compolitical issue and illegally slammed the GoI for “inarrested the President and sidiously siding with the Manipur Chief Minister munal violence against the Information Secretary communally fascist and Ibobi Singh has been “tar- the innocent Naga civilian anti-Naga regime of Ibobi geting tribal lands through passengers at Imphal and of UNC,” stated the body.

A press statement from Government at the cost of various unconstitutional immediate compensation the CJNCSD Information the legitimate aspiration of legislative actions as the for the victims.

The colony of Khurai in Imphal East, Manipur, was deserted. The usually bustling Lamlong Bazaar was without its vegetable vendors while the highway to Ukhrul in the hills was empty except for paramilitary and police personnel patrolling it.

Khurai has been under curfew for more than a week now, after a mob torched 22 vehicles headed for Ukhrul under police escort. They held the passengers hostage until they were rescued by the United Council of Manipur and a larger police contingent.

The shutdown in Khurai presented the face of one half of a building conflict. In a state hit by an economic blockade for nearly two months — first called by the United Naga Council and then countered by the Meiteis with a blockade of their own — Khurai has traditionally been at the vanguard of Meitei-centric protests.

“Our counter-blockade was only imposed after 42 days of the other blockade,” said L Sangeeta, 45, a meira paibi (woman activist) for Meiteis. “But this counter-blockade isn’t about Meiteis versus Nagas. It’s about Meiteis versus United Naga Council, the people of Khurai versus the UNC.” 3 bills & 7 districts Over the last one year, Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was looking at an erosion in his Meitei support base. Unable to introduce the inner line permit, Ibobi found a middle ground when his government passed three bills that seek to restrict outsiders from settling in Manipur.

The bills pacified the Joint Committee for Inner Line Permit to an extent, and the Congress looked to regain its Meitei support. In the process, however, the bills alienated various tribes, who considered these anti-tribal and communal, and also united warring tribal groups for the first time —Kukis, Zomis and various Naga tribes.

Ibobi then came up with what those watching Manipur politics call a masterstroke. He announced seven new districts, including Kanpokpi in Kuki-dominated Sadar Hills. One ob-

jective was to win the Kukis over. And although Naga groups were upset, Congress sources said they were never looking at the 10 Naga-dominated seats. Manipur has 60 seats; polls are due early next year.

The move was a gamble. The Congress’s losses came in the form of senior leaders such as vice president N Biren and MLA Y Erabot joining the BJP. But the Congress also inducted BJP MLA Joykishen and claimed more and more people have been joining over the last week.

“Three Congress MLAS have left — one to join the BJP, another to join the Naga People’s Front and the third undecided,” said a Congress source close to the CM. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) is a BJP ally in Nagaland. Congress sources alleged that the NSCN(IM) has now issued a diktat that people of the Naga hills cannot vote for any Congress or BJP candidate, only for the NPF. BJP in Manipur Over the last year and a half, the BJP has grown from a party with no presence to a serious opposition.

Though it won no Lok Sabha seat here in 2014, the nationwide victory helped it grow in terms of membership. In the Imphal municipality elections, it won 10 seats to the Congress’s 12 in a house of 27.

The BJP has attacked the Congress for the new districts. “Manipur cannot be called Manipur without the Nagas. Ibobi is isolating the Nagas to make electoral gains,” said BJP state spokesperson N Biren. “Ibobi has played such divisive politics before… but there was nobody to oppose him. We are here now.”

Ibobi has accused the Centre of not helping the state in controlling law and order. Later, the Centre rushed MoS of Home Kiren Rijiju to Imphal.

Rijiju accused Ibobi of “politicising a humanitarian situation”. “There has never been an instance when the Centre has not stepped forward to help the state,” he told The Indian Express.

“Law and order is a state subject… The Home Minister has made it clear that the state has been unable to handle this situation.”

Assam increases business hours of Tripura announces Rs wine shops; drastically reduces dry days 5 lakh ex-gratia for slain soldiers' families

gUwAhAti, December 29 (et): What may come as a cheers to New Year revellers, BJP led government has decided to increase the business hours of wine shops and reduce the number of dry days in Assam. The move is likely to generate additional Rs 400 Crore annually for the state government.

The excise department has constituted a committee which has initiated a feedback gathering campaign where it sought views of public on if dry day should be clamped on important religious festival days in the state.

A Conglomeration of eleven organisations ‘Maad Mukta Asom Dabi Samity (MMADS),’ is seeking Bihar type total prohibition of liquor.

Assam had a total of 28 dry days in a year which is now reduced to 4 days while the business hour of wine shops which was from 2 pm to 10 pm is increased to 11 am to 10pm.

Congress in Assam which was in power in the state till early this year had initiated these restrictions.

Assam Excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya told ET, “We have not taken solely for revenue. The prime driving factor behind this move is public health.”

He argued that due to restrictions people were consuming spurious liquor. “In several raids we have recovered huge quantities of liquor large number of those spurious. In the interest of health of those consuming

liquor we have decided to increase the business hours and reduce the number of dry.”

Suklabaidya added that there is no point in restricting the availability of liquor just for some hours. “In last fiscal excise department generated Rs 799 Crore revenue while in this fiscal year we are expecting to cross Rs 1200 Crore.”

Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has fixed the target for excise revenue collection for Rs 1,800 crore for the year 2016-17. According to state government records about 39,085 liters of foreign liquor is being sold on an average daily. Assam had 1,448 licensed wine shops selling foreign liquor.

Priyanka Chopra to promote Assam's rich heritage in global market gUwAhAti, December 29 (ANi): Assam, the land of the Red River and Blue Hills tucked away in the lap of nature, is known for its rich cultural heritage and has been a gateway to the entire northeast region.

Blessed with a favourable climate and a rich biodiversity, the state has been home to the endangered one-horned rhino.

Fed by the beautiful Brahmaputra River, the numerous wildlife sanctuaries and other notable destinations like the Kamakhya Temple, Majuli - the largest riverine island, the popular Shankardev Kalakshetra make the state an insight into a mystical land of nature and a journey to a paradise of unexplored destination.

In recent times, the tourism sector of the state has been flourishing with both international and domestic tourists flocking in large numbers.

Realising the tremendous tourism potential, the Ministry of Tourism has roped in Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra as its brand ambassador for two years with an aim to pro-

Priyanka Chopra addressing the media after becoming brand ambassodor of Assam Tourism in Guwahati. (PTI Photo)

mote Assam as a global brand.

Priyanka recently visited state capital Guwahati to address a meeting of international tour operators, where she was officially appointed as the Ambassador of Assam Tourism.

Donning the famous A s s a m e s e ' Me k h e l a Chador' the actress also visited the Kamakhya temple to seek blessings of 'Maa Kamakhya' A huge crowd gathered to get a glimpse of the Bollywood diva in the Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills.

Expressing her immense love for the north east and especially Assam, Chopra said that she would

show to the world how awesome the state is.

"A lot of people asked me why I should be the brand ambassador of Assam, I told them that I was not born here, nor have lived here, but I am an Indian and so is every Assamese. I am extremely proud of this country and Assam is a huge part of that. I have a wonderful relationship with the north east over the years, the entire sister states, including Assam. I have visited here many a times," said the actress.

Addressing the press in the international tour operators meeting, held in the city's Radisson Blue hotel, Priyanka said that

she is committed to present the incredible diversity of Assam to the outside world.

"There is so much essence in this state but we in India tend to forget about it and don't appreciate it.

In abroad we do not even know about Assam and I wish I am able to introduce to the world the beauty, culture, and grace of Assam. I have always had a very wonderful welcome and really hope that along with whatever I do, I am able to show to the world how awesome Assam is," she said.

She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Assam for have chosen her as the tourism ambassador.

When asked whether, apart from taking forward the state's tourism potential to the global market, she is looking forward to promote Assam as a filmmaking destination, she said why not.

Later, she informed that the government is taking every possible step to make it happen in the right manner and promote Assam in the global market.

AgArtAlA, December 29 (iANS): The Tripura government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh and government jobs to the families of two soldiers who were killed last month in Jammu and Kashmir, a minister said here on Thursday.

"The state cabinet in its meeting on Wednesday decided to provide jobs to the wives of the slain soldiers and an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh," Tripura Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha told IANS. He said 34-year-old Border Security Force soldier Sambhu Satmura was killed in a landmine blast along the India-Pakistan border in Poonch district on November 22.

On November 29, the Indian Army's 36-years-old Naik Chitta Ranjan Debbarma along with his six colleagues were killed in a gun battle with militants at an army camp in Nagrota, 15 km from Jammu.

NSCN (IM) Violence has risen in the hills of late, including shootouts with police.

Government sources said this has prevented the chief minister from inaugurating the new Kamjong district, earlier part of Ukhrul. “We believe that hundreds of NSCN(IM) cadres have moved into Kamjong,” said a source.

NSCN(IM) kilonser (minister) for information and publicity V Horam said the Naga people have objected to the government’s move. “The move that Ibobi has made is to gain political mileage in the elections. He discussed the matter with certain sections of the tribal community – that he will announce these districts – and in exchange they will support the Congress. The Naga people have objected,” Horam told The Indian Express from Dimapur, accusing the government of “slicing away” Naga areas.

“I don’t think Ibobi has the authority to take away our land and hand it over to other communities who have no right over that land,” said S Varah, deputy kilosner, information and publicity. “Blockades can last a few days. But one or two months?… It makes the NSCN(IM) feel that the government [of India] is not serious about putting the matter of the Indo-Naga conflict to rest once and for all. The Manipur government is communal and has not developed any of the hill areas.”

State Congress R K Imo denied this, saying a major share of the budget goes to the hill districts. “To call the present government communal, or to place the blame at the threshold of the Meiteis, is entirely erroneous… When have you ever heard of a district being created on the basis of caste, creed or religion?” Imo said. “…

Even after the formation of these districts, Meiteis cannot buy land here.

So what are Meiteis getting out of this, as the UNC has been alleging?”

Imo accused the BJP, along with the NPF, of spurring communal tension. “Never have churches been burnt in Manipur, no matter what the problem… I feel this is a political game and that the BJP is instigating this.”

4

friDAY 30•12•2016

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

IndiGo offers tickets from Rs. 799, Jet Airways extends sale

IndiGo’s Rs. 799 offer is open for booking till December 31

New Delhi, December 29 (AgeNcieS): India’s biggest airline IndiGo has come out with a new promotional offer, selling tickets from Rs. 799. Meanwhile, rival Jet Airways has extended its promotional sale.

IndiGo’s Rs. 799 offer is open for booking till December 31. It is applicable for travel between January 10 and April 15. IndiGo’s Rs. 799 offer is applicable on Chennai-Coimbatore route for example. Fares for Bengaluru-Goa start from Rs. 999 and DelhiLucknow Rs. 1,149. Among

other routes, Mumbai-Hyderabad tickets are on offer from Rs. 1,600 and Mumbai-Delhi Rs. 2,149.

IndiGo did not dis-

close the number of seats on offer. Limited inventory available for this offer, it said. Tickets bought under IndiGo’s promotional offer

are non-refundable and in case of cancellation, only statutory taxes will be refunded, the airline said.

Meanwhile, Jet Air-

ways has extended its promotional scheme offering fares starting as low as Rs. 990 on select domestic flights under economy class travel. Bookings for the airline’s “Best Fares Forever” offer can be purchased till January 1, Jet Airways said.

Airlines in the domestic aviation sector have been announcing competitive discounts on airfare to lure passengers.

National carrier Air India is also offering all inclusive one-way economy fares starting from Rs. 849 on select routes under a New Year scheme. Bookings under Air India’s New Year Sale - available on travel from January 15, 2017 to April 30, 2017 (both days

inclusive) - can be made till December 31, 2016.

Another rival airline GoAir is offering tickets from an all-inclusive Rs. 999 as part of a promotional offer. The GoAir offer is open till December 31.

AirAsia India is also selling all-inclusive tickets from Rs. 917 under its New Year Sale offer. Bookings for the AirAsia offer are open till January 1, 2017.

Discounted fares from various airlines have spurred a strong growth in domestic air travel. According to aviation regulator DGCA, the number of passengers carried by domestic airlines during January to November of this year has jumped 23 per cent to 903 lakh.

Double-digit growth in India’s Apple’s iPhone, iPad a big hit this holiday season tax collection figures: Jaitley New York, Decem- while Huawei was in third Last year, Apple’s de- 17%,” the report added.

New Delhi, December 29 (iANS): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said that the impact of demonetisation is clearly visible with tax collection figures seeing double-digit growth.

“The impact of demonetisation on tax revenue and collection is already visible. There has been a 26.2% increase in central indirect tax collection till November 30,” he said at a press conference here, adding till December 19, direct tax collection increase has been to the extent of 14.4% against a growth rate of only 8.3%previous year.

Till December 19, the net increase in direct taxes has been 13.6% after factoring in the refunds, he said. “In the central indirect taxes there is an increase of 26.2% till November 30. Excise duty is up by 43.5%, service tax by 25.7% and custom duties up by 5.6%,” Jaitley said.

“Notwithstanding the critics, it is a very significant increase in all indirect taxes till November 30,” he added.

Life insurance, tourism, petroleum consumption, flow of mutual fund investment have all increased during this period, the Finance Minister said.

Jaitley said demonetisation has brought a large part of money into the formal banking system which has increased the ability of the banks to lend. On the liquidity situation in the markets, he said that a major part of the demonetised currency has been replaced with new notes and circulation of Rs 500 has increased.

ber 29 (iANS): The holiday season was a big hit for Apple’s iPhone, as Yahooowned research firm Flurry revealed that during the critical shopping period between December 19 to 25, Apple’s iPhone and iPad accounted for 44% of all mobile activations -- much higher than Samsung.

The research firm also revealed that Samsung saw its many devices combine to account for 21% of all activations during the period,

place with three per cent market share, followed by several other manufacturers, including LG and Amazon, at 2% share each.

According to a report in the Fortune on Thursday, Apple appears to be the single leader during the last week of holiday shopping as the data shared by the Flurry gives a picture from December 19 only, therefore not offering any clear idea about the rest of the holiday shopping season.

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“Phablets continue to increase their holiday share, at the detriment of the medium phone. Tablet device activations have stabilised and are relatively flat year over year. This indicates that users find purpose for their purchase, albeit the devices cater to more niche use,” the research firm noted.

According to Flurry, Google could not crack into the list of top mobile device manufacturers this year.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno gets ISOFIX Mounts as standard safety feature

New Delhi, December 29 (AgeNcieS): The Maruti Suzuki Baleno now comes with ISOFIX child seat mounts as parts standard safety features. Earlier in November, the Indo-Japanese carmaker standardised ISOFIX and child seat tether mounts in its popular C-Segment sedan Ciaz.

Back then sources from the company told us that soon other Maruti Suzuki Dearest Lolo (Alotoli) cars will also come with ISOFIX child seat mounts among standard fitment A very Happy Birthday. furthering the company’s objective to May this day bring you lot’s make its models compliant with BNof Love joy & Happiness. VSAP (Bharat New Vehicle Safety AsThank U for being such a sessment Program). good friend n sister.

Up until now, safety feature like ISOGod Bless U abundantly. FIX mounts was commonly seen only in premium segment vehicles in India.

Love forever-liki The need for improved safety standards

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vices accounted for 49.1% of all activations during the same period while Samsung last year accounted for 19.8 % of all activations.

“Part of Apple’s troubles in 2016 might have been a shift in how consumers are spending money on new mobile devices. Between December 19 and 25, fullsize tablets like the iPad Pro or iPad Air 2 only accounted for 9% of all mobile device purchases. In 2013, their share of sales stood at

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has now prompted many carmakers to up their game. While Japanese auto giant Toyota already offers ISOFIX child seats mounts as standard safety equipment in the Etios models, Maruti has now shown that it too is capable of following such safety standards.

A globally acknowledged child car seat attachment system, the ISOFIX mounts allow easier and safer attachment of child safety seats on the rear passenger seat. There are metal bar connectors built into the seats which are used to anchor the child seat and tether straps that ensure a secure attachment. Once the child seat is well secured and strapped-in it minimizes the risk of injury in the event of an accident. ISOFIX and child seat tether mounts are designed to secure and

std code: 0370 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

withstand a combined weight of 33 kg, which means you can safely mount both an infant or an adolescent’s seat to the rear seat of the car.

Other standard safety features offered with the Baleno include - front disc brake, headlamp levelling, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with EBD, dual front airbags, pretensionar and force limiter for front seat belts, and driver seat belt reminder.

Considering how Maruti has started standardising ISOFIX mounts with its premium models, the next model to get them could very well be the S-Cross. In fact, we believe ISOFIX mounts could very well come as standard fitment in the company’s upcoming models - the Baleno RS and the all-new Ignis.

MOKOKCHUnG

New Delhi, December 29 (The hiNDu): Ordinance empowers Centre or State governments to specify industries or establishments where wage payments can be made mandatory through the banking system.

President Pranab Mukherjee has approved the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016, to enable industries to pay wages through cheque or by direct credit into bank accounts of workers earning up to Rs. 18,000 a month without their permission.

The ordinance, promulgated on December 28, however, doesn’t make payment of wages mandatory through the banking system and employers can still pay salaries through cash. The Payment of Wages Act of 1936 required employers to take permission from employees before paying salaries through cheque or bank credit.

The ordinance empowers the Centre or State governments to specify industries or establishments where wage payment can be made mandatory through the banking system. Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya introduced the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Lok Sabha on December 15, but it couldn’t be cleared, owing to the impasse in Parliament.

The Payment of Wages Act states that all payment of wages should be in cash, with a provision asking employers to obtain written permission of the worker to pay either by cheque, or by crediting the wages to his or her bank account.

The Centre decided to take the ordinance route as its decision to scrap the old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 currency in November led to a cash crunch and employers were encountering problems in paying workers through cash.

An ordinance is valid for six months and the Centre needs to get it passed in Parliament within that period.

Banned Indian notes with special numbers could fetch a fortune, Indian expats told Abu DhAbi, December 29 (iANS): Amid the rush among Indian expatriates scurrying home to exchange the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes before the December 30 deadline, a Dubai-based numismatist who hails from India, has advised his compatriots to “hold onto their old currency notes”.

“Check the serial numbers of the currency notes. Special serial numbers, fancy and royal notes could fetch several times its face value in future,” the Khaleej Times quoted numismatist Ramkumar as saying on Wednesday. The collector will never make a loss, said the 36-yearold numismatist who is fond of rare notes and has been collecting them from last 15 years.

Ramkumar, who is from Chennai, said people should “treasure” currency notes of any country. “How much profit one can make on these notes, purely depends on demand and supply. There is worldwide demand for fancy notes,” Ramkumar told the newspaper. He said that rare notes have a beautiful history and from an investment point of view they give very high returns in long term.

Ramkumar has a collection of royal number 000001 from 10 different countries. He also has an old note of Rs 1,000 which was demonetised in 1978 in India under the High Denomination Bank Notes Act. Apart from the old Rs 1,000 bank note,healsohastherecently-demonetisedRs1,000note,and both have same serial number 666666. According to him it is “the only known fancy number that survived”.

He also has the oldest surviving Indian banknote, dated September 1812. Asked about the value of such notes, Rajkumar said: “There are a few items for which price cannot be determined, as they are either one or two that are known to exist and there is no previous sale history of similar items to determine the value,” he told the paper.

He said that solid (or continues) serial numbers are more valuable compared to royal numbers in bank notes Ramkumar said he supported the demonetisation move by the Indian government.

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CURRenCY nOteS

Us dollars sterling Pound Hong Kong dollar Australian dollar singapore dollar Canadian dollar Japanese Yen euro thai Baht Korean won UAe dirham (Aed) Chinese Yuan

BUY (rs) 66.65 81.82 8.31 47.92 45.9 49.02 56.36 69.68 1.79 0.0534 17.56 9.28

seLL (rs) 69.64 85.75 9.26 50.28 48.13 51.40 59.51 73.02 1.99 0.0596 19.56 10.33

leisure

Contact numbers

8575045501 8575045510 8575045502 8575045520 8575045508 8575045518 8575045506 8575045516 8575045507 8575045517 8575045505 8575045515 8575045549 8575045538 8575045509 8575045519 8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)

Salaries through banks ordinance gets President’s nod

CROSSWORD # 3815

H

SUDOKU

Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Game Number # 3810

Answer Number # 3809

ACROSS 1. Abundant 5. A high-pitched woodwind 10. Unable to hear 14. Ailments 15. Unit of luminous flux 16. Angle of a leafstalk 17. Mollycoddle 19. Conceal 20. Pelt 21. A low-mass chargeless particle 22. Nuzzled 23. Besmirched 25. In progress 27. Nourished 28. Hideousness 31. Beguile 34. Contemptuous look 35. Born as 36. Start over 37. France’s longest river 38. Leave in a hurry 39. French for “Water” 40. River muds 41. Gadabouts 42. Mark of omission 44. Barbarian 45. Suit 46. A communication 50. Chordophones 52. Submarine 54. Lenient 55. Dwarf buffalo 56. Advocate 58. A crumbling earthy deposit 59. Compacted 60. Affirm 61. Kitty-cat 62. Daisylike bloom 63. Plateau DOWN 1.Jazz ostinatos 2. A part of the small intestine 3. Emergency signal 4. Eastern Standard Time 5. Bent

6. Sensational 7. Part of an ear 8. Adolescents 9. Terminate 10. A type of evergreen tree 11. Being 12. Assistant 13. Skedaddled 18. Seraglio 22. French for “Black” 24. Hairdo 26. Run away 28. Pieces 29. Char 30. Collections 31. Algonquian Indian 32. Make well 33. Flatterers 34. Solitary places 37. Speech disorder 38. Male offspring 40. Resorts 41. Zest 43. Highest goals 44. Doctor 46. Antlered animal 47. Not dead 48. Oxygen and helium, for example 49. Spare 50. Lantern 51. Two-toed sloth 53. Not straight 56. Actress Lupino 57. A leg (slang) Answer to Crossword 3814

friday 30•12•2016

NAGALAND

1st diocesan priest from Zeliang community ordained Dimapur, December 29 (mexN): With his priestly motto as, “Thy Will be Done,” the first diocesan Priest and the third Priest from the Zeliang Community Rev. Fr. Kwetrangging Dominic was ordained on December 29.

He conferred the priesthood

by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima at an ordination ceremony held at St. Xavier College Auditorium Hall, Jalukie Town.

For the ordination, he was led by the village community dressed in the traditional attire along with his mother and uncle while Rev. Fr. Anthonysamy, the Parish Priest welcomed the gathering, informed a press note from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, the Bishop Secretary Rev. Dr. Thoppil in his homily said that the role of every Catholic priest is to lift up Jesus before all peoples so that Jesus can draw all people to himself and give them eternal life.

The Church requires, in accordance with the will of Christ as expressed in the practice of the Apostolic Church, that a Priest

Rev Fr Dominic being led his mother and uncle for his ordination. (INSET) Rev Dr James Thoppil conducting the ordination ceremony.

be ordained at the hands of a Bishop. But it is not the Bishop who makes the Priest; it is Almighty God, working through His Holy Spirit, in His Holy Catholic Church, which is the Body of Jesus Christ, it added.

The bishop also referred to Pope Francis’ homily given on the occasion of the Chrism Mass in 2014, which

DMC informs on trade license Dimapur, December 29 (mexN): The Dimapur Municipal Council has informed all traders, business establishments and shopkeepers that the renewal of trade license for the year 2017 will commenced from January 2. A press note from DMC Executive Officer H Atokhe Aye informed all the aforementioned entities to renew their respective licenses before January 31 to avoid late fine.

ENSUD extends New Year greetings Dimapur, December 29 (mexN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Union Dimapur (ENSUD) has extended New Year greetings to all its members and the general public stating that “as we approach yet another new year, it is our hope that the coming year will be prosperous and fruitful, and that it will bring new ideas, creativity, unity and peace.” The ENSUD in a press release also wished that “the spirit of the season continue to imbibe new heights of achievement and strength among our people.”

stated that, “The priest is the poorest of men unless Jesus enriches him by his poverty; the most useless of servants unless Jesus calls him his friend; the most ignorant of men unless Jesus patiently teaches him as he did Peter; the frailest of Christians unless the Good Shepherd strengthens him in the midst of the flock.”

The priest in short is God's priest, a humble servant whose body and soul must belong to God and a true priest lives no longer for himself but solely to the end that he may hold up the Crucified before men, the Bishop further reflected.

According to the press note, Rev. Fr. Dominic was born on January 9, 1989 and

YVSU celebrates Golden Jubilee Wokha, December 29 (mexN): Yanthamo Village Students Union (YVSU) held its 50th years Golden Jubilee under the theme “Knowledge Empreinte Ascendancy” on December 28 and 29 at Yanthamo Village with chief guest Y. Patton, Home Minister, Government of Nagaland.

Addressing the occasion, Y. Patton said that Jubilee is a time of forgiveness, restructure and rebuilt and renew for better future. While addressing on the occasion he also told the Students’ community that 21st century is a century of high advance technology and competition therefore he urged them to acquired quality education which taking compete to the rest of the world.

Earlier, Patton has also unveiled the Jubilee Monolith at Yanthamo Village Students’ Union office building.

Motsuthung Lotha, Secretary

to the Government of Nagaland, who is also the Guest of honour on the occasion said Education and Christianity are co-related in Naga society.

He also said there is no substitution for hard work therefore he encouraged the students’ to be more responsible and hard work and not to forget God and strive and walk with dedication for future success.

SDEO Meluri, Zayao Lotha Speak on the Jubilee Theme “Knowledge Empreinte Ascendency”.

The Jubilee Monolith was dedicated by Rev. Nyanchumo Ezung, Executive Secretary Lotha Baptist Ekhumkho Sanrutsu.

Welcome addressed was delivered by Khonthungo Kikon, Jubilee Planning Convener, while the Golden Jubilee was marked by presentation of cultural songs and dances.

completing his elementary examination, he began his studies in pursuit of priesthood in the year 2003 at St. Xavier Seminary Jalukie (High School). Later, he did his Orientation Course at Vianney Home, Chabua, Assam (2007); Philosophy and graduation at Salesian College of Higher Education, Dimapur; Regency at St. John the Evangelist Church, Khonoma and St. Mary’s Church, Seyochung; Theology at Oriens Theological College, Shillong (2013-2016), and Diaconate at St. Xavier Jalukie.

The deacon was presented by the parents for ordination after praying over him and removing the traditional dress, symbolizing that he is being set apart for God’s work, it said.

The rites include the examination of the candidate; invocation of the Holy Spirit through the intercession of May; the mother of Jesus and all the saints in the Church; laying on of hands by the bishop and all the concelebrating priests; prayer of consecration, in-

vestiture, anointing with holy chrism; presentation of gift and the kiss of peace.

Rev. Fr. Dominic, the newly ordained priest acknowledged with great humility the loving Mercy of God in his life, especially during the years of his formation till the moment of his priestly ordination, it said.

He fondly remembered his mom and his late father, and his brothers who lit the spark of the ideas of becoming a priest through loving family upbringing, it added.

He also thanked Bishop James, Frs. Jose Edasseril, Anthonysamy and many other priests, nuns and people who stood with him to this day.

While Rev. Fr. John Vipral, Assistant Priest, Jalukie and R. Agnes anchored the program, other highlight of the programme include song by St. Xavier’s Church Elders; Cultural dance from “B” Jalukie, Jalukie Town, Songlhuh, CYA, Peren and Poilwa and by Samziuram.

The whole ceremony ended with community meal.

condolence Rev. Chen’s demise condoled Dimapur, December 29 (mexN): The Pochury Baptist Church Council (PBCC) has expressed deep feeling of shock and sadness over the demise of Rev. Chen Rengma. The PBCC in a condolence message issued by its Executive Secretary, Rev. Rumatho Nyusou said that in his death, NBCC has lost a humble servant of God and Pochury Baptist Church Council (PBCC) has lost a dear brother and a friend. Rev. Chen spent the best part of his life serving the NBCC as its Youth Secretary for many years. Besides other churches and organisations, Rev Chen was the Executive Secretary of the newly formed Nagamese Baptist Churches Association when he took his last breath. PBCC has conveyed condolences to his bereaved wife, children, family and the NBCA and prays that “the peace of God feel your hearts as you go through the sad moments of grief and separation.”

NSCN (IM) condoles Dimapur, December 29 (mexN): The NSCN (IM) has expressed sadness over the untimely demise Dr. TK. Giant, Deputy Kilonser of Angami Region, on 27 December at his residence in Zhadima Village, Kohima. “A promising life have been cut short due to terminal illness... we cannot help but feel the loss in an immense way,” stated NSCN (IM) Cabinet Secretary DG Robert a condolence note. Late Dr Giant joined the National Service in 25 July 2005 appointed as Tatar and had served the nation with utmost sincerity and dedication in various capacities and his selfless service will be always cherished and appreciated, it added. “May the Almighty Lord give strength and solace to the bereaved family to bear the great lost,” it further conveyed to the decease wife, Neihunuo. “May his soul be at peace with our heavenly Father.”

uVSKK observes 25th anniversary Dimapur, December 29 (mexN): The Unity Village Sümi Kiphimi Küqhakulu (UVSKK) celebrated its Silver Jubilee (1991-2016) on December 27 and 28 at Unity Village Sümi Baptist Akukuhou with the first President of the union, Hokugha K. Achumi as guest of honour.

During the day session on December 27, Hokugha K. Achumi pointed out success of the union and underscored the importance of maintaining unity among different tribes in the village, informed a press release.

He also stressed on the hardship his team had faced and encouraged the future union officials to keep the spirit of wellness and respect under the mot-

Officers bearers of UVSKK with others during the Silver Jubilee celebration.

to “Lead and Shine”, which they had started. He also enumerated the service of the union since its inception in 1991.

Speaker of the evening session was Y. Lhotoi Awomi, first General Secretary and second President of UVSKK, who spoke on the jubilee theme, Voitta (Transcend).

On the first day, greeting was brought by Kughato Achumi, President, HASSU, invocation prayer said

by Kiyeshi Bohoto, Associate Pastor Women (UVSBA), while Hitoka G. Swu President (UVSKK) proposed the vote of thanks.

On the second day, election for the new team of UVSKK office bearers

for the tenure 2016-2018 (UVSKK) was held. The union will be led by Akuto I. Swu as President and Toka H. Chophi as General Secretary.

Tokato K. Yeptho Associate Pastor (UVSBA) encouraged the new team with word of God based on 1 Timothy 4:12 and blessed them with a prayer.

Public SPace a unity not considered unity

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he Nagas had been divided into teams aftermath the Shillong Accord. The Accord was considered to be destructive to Naga political aspiration for sovereignty and thus it met the reprehension. However, the reaction to the Accord became equally destructive and rather catastrophic to many lives of Nagas and to Naga unity. The attempted repairs caused more damages than good. Since then the Nagas have been passing through a period mired with unity famine for the last 41 years. The more often we used the word unity rhetorically the more elusive Naga unity becomes.

As the Naga boat was rocked by the storm of blame game with malicious motives in the deep sea, it attracted the merciful attention of God Jehovah and therefore the distress calls reached the American and the British Christians. The humble Christian leaders from the most powerful countries with full of humility came to reason with the warring Naga groups. They even invited the Nagas to America to iron out our internal differences. One who was a delegate to Atlanta, America told me that the American mediators challenged saying “You (Nagas), unite and leave the rest to us”. The convergence failed to produce logical result due to absence of NSCN(IM). What a great miss of such honourable intervention. Aftermath both the subsequent signing of ‘Covenant’ and ‘Concordant’ reconciled agreements came to nought. The Naga arrogance and the rigid egoism fetched no desirable dividend except regrets after regrets.

What else is left for us? Can the Nagas survive with the prevailing fragmentations? Will any group with such cooked up philosophies can land the Nagas in a greener pasture?

Humanly speaking, there is a limit to everything. Nagas are tired of entertaining internal bickering. Nagas are fed of the style of taking undue advantage of the situation by ruthless minority against the gullible majority. It is becoming painful to observe few crooks crossing all limits by destroying the established systems in every respect. Will the Naga public continue to remain tolerant to self exploitations?

With sense of much burden, the NTC negotiated with the Naga National Political Groups to come together and try to have common approach to issues pending before us. Not because of the efficiency of NTC but because of God’s grace alone that the 6 NNPGs responded to the appeal and have agreed solemnly to work under the interim platform of ‘Working Group’ on 13.12.2016 as announced. The other 3 groups are yet to join the Working Group and yet the door is kept open for anyone to join.

Meanwhile, kudos to Nagaland GB Federation for encouraging the formation of Working Group as a ‘sign of hope’. Another individual in the person of Mr. Khekiye K. Sema lauded the ‘Working Group’ being launched beside adding some insights. Another individual Mr. Chotisu Sazo, Speaker, NLA expressed his happiness over the same though mean.

Beside NGBF and the other two individuals, none expresses its support for such unity.

Immediately after the Working Group was formed, the Chief Minister TR Zeliang called upon the people to reconcile ‘in the true spirit of forget and forgive’ and unite while speaking at Mhainamtsi village which appeared in local papers on 17.12.2016. Yet, he intentionally forgot to appreciate the Working Group.

What about the rest 58 MLAs? What about the tribal Hohos and the so-called ‘apex’ Naga organizations? Once upon a time, the CYE leader in a Church conducted song practice.

Though most of the youth members arrived, the leader delayed the practice session saying members have not come. Within minutes a female member arrived and the leader said everyone has come. Similarly, the Hohos and all those who are fond of calling themselves to represent the Naga people are perhaps waiting for the last female member to arrive. Till then it is not worth supporting such togetherness according to them possibly.

What a farce? While the NNPGs are remaining in division, unity call is on everyone’s lip and when 6 out of 9 have come together particularly those who have been very vocal for reconciliation opted to remain silent. Not only being silent but perhaps envied too, may be because NTC initiated. May be because NTC is banned by NSCN (IM) and therefore whatever is done under its aegis should not be appreciated or considered acceptable. May be because those who claim to be having public voice are gagged with intimidation or enticement through remote control. Here is the proof that though we tend to blame the NNPGs for disunity, behind the screen and in camouflage, we, the others, might have been playing bigger roles in keeping the divisions in status quo.

Having the matter analysed as above, I do not belief the silence of the people is hindrance to Working Group. I firmly believed that God has opened the mind of those likeminded leaders to converge and out of consensus the arrangement in the fashion of ‘Working Group’ became a reality. With the believers praying to God Jehovah for Naga unity, I have confidence on Working Group forging ahead as required.

Z. Lohe

a Small biblical correction to imchen's article

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mchen's article titled, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego of ACAUT,” published in the Nagaland Post and the Eastern Mirror, addresses the corruption issue in Nagaland in great detail. It praises the three members of ACAUT who were imprisoned, and praised them for their courage. It is a well-told story.

But there is one problem. In using a biblical analogy for the three people arrested, Imchen cites the Book of “Daniel, chapter 3 (from the Christian Scriptures)....” This is an incorrect statement. The Book of Daniel is from the Hebrew Scriptures, not the Christian, from what the Christian community calls the Old Testament. This in itself is rather strange error, for a so-called Christian community, which the Nagas hold themselves out to be.

But it is a sign of a much greater problem to me, a Jew who grew up with the Hebrew Scriptures, that is, MY BIBLE. I had an intelligent and educated Naga acqaintance in Kohima, who had no idea what the Holocaust was.

I mentioned that there were six million Jews exterminated by the Nazis and their allies, by guns and gas,and she said, and I am almost stating her comment verbatim, “Well, I guess Hitler felt he was doing what he had to do.”

I told her that if she made that comment to almost any educated person in the Western world, she would be viewed as one of the

most stupid people to ever have opened her mouth. I gave her a five-minute summary of the anti-Semitism of the Nazis and its role in World War Two, pointing out that the extermination process was an integral part of the Nazi war plan and was the driving force for much of what Hitler did.

She proceeded to apologize, but, significantly to me, she never spent five minutes thereafter trying to learn anything more on the subject. I sent her at least one article and pointed out that there is a thing called Google!

The significance of both this incident and the earlier one I mentioned about the Book of Daniel, is the fact that the Naga people generally have spent so much time concentrating on their own atrocities, viewing their own sense of victimhood like it was something extraordinary that the whole world is, or should be, aware of, and demanding certain remedies that are not realistic (as I have written about again and again): a sovereign Naga nation and a greater Naga nation, that is, Nagalim.

The Naga people, especially the Naga activists, are so self-centered that they have no conception of the issues of the Government of India (GoI) related to their demands or what they may look like to the rest of the world: like one of the most insignificant groups on earth.

The atrocities presently taking place in many

countries, and the brutality being practiced on hundreds of thousands of people on this earth every day, make what is going on in Nagaland not even worth mentioning.

The corruption and violence being visited on Nagas by their fellow Nagas is infinitely worse than anything being perpetrated on the Nagas by the Indian soldiers under the AFSPA. But all the Naga nationalists talk about is that the Nagas are the brunt of the greatest slavery and brutality on the planet.

This view is a sign of a pathetically parochial education and a propaganda machine which never bothers to mention the rest of the world. The Nagas view themselves as victims because they have no education of the outside world to compare themselves to, to understand the massive suffering elsewhere in the world. Not only are their demands unrealistic but their view of themselves is selfserving and unrealistic.

I don't anticipate that this article will be published, considering the Naga papers' sensitivity to the feelings of the Naga activists, so used to being pampered, but at least an editor or two will understand that there's at least one non-Naga who views the many Naga leaders as ignorant and egotistical, to the detriment of the Naga people.

Robert A Silverstein

a Response to 'a Small biblical correction'

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r. Silverstein or Mr. Bob, in response to your article “A small Biblical correction to Imchen’s article”, I have nothing but respect for you for pointing out the atrocities of the fellow Nagas inflicting wounds on the Naga society, time and time again. As one of the many concerned educated Naga with broader perspective about the ways of the world and the meaning of life, I do admit that the system governing our society is rather much primitive than rational.

I feel sorry for your aforementioned friend who didn’t realize the gravity of the inhuman treatment the Jews had to deal with under the Nazi regime but the atrocities committed by the allied forces like the carpet bomb-

ing or as it is rightly termed as terror bombing on various German cities and the massive raping of women and young girls, mass execution of the surrendered officers during the close of and after the 2nd world war upon the Germans cannot be justified either as something they deserved for the sake of the Nazis.

Before coming to any conclusions about the conscience and mental development of the Nagas I think that it is important for anyone to first analyze that the Naga society is divided into two sets of perspectives in today’s time. One is the primitive and traditional minded people who refuses to acknowledge that the world outside is moving at a fast pace and the other is, those rational ones particularly the educated adults

and the young generation of Nagas. Sadly the ones governing and controlling the system are the first set of people.

The other thing is that the opinions of the egotistical leaders are not the real perspective of the general people. We don’t have the luxury of liberty in our society. I admire the phrase in the western world, “innocent until proven guilty by a court of law” whereas in Nagaland whenever a concerned citizen tries to raise a voice to fight the irrational system, the law enforcement authorities beat us to pulp whenever they feel offended thanks to their own egotistical imagination. Then there are the factions who whenever feels threatened about their ideals and views hesitates not, to take us to their

camps and give us a thrashing for life.

For any educated fellow from western world it is not hard for them to say that the system of governance in our state and the leaders who are leading us to a future of their vision is rather absurd and irrational but such system compels even the concerned educated people to but only keep quiet. I do hope that all the NPGs and the state government as well do accept that freedom of speech and expression is a natural civil right of any human being and be more tolerant and open to the views of the concerned educated people who only hope for the best interest of the Naga society after all there is a thing called ‘constructive criticism’.

Kito Chishi

The Morung Express “Public Space” is to provide space for diverse opinions to be expressed and heard. The opinions in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper nor the editor.

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friday 30•12•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 355

Raise the ‘Voice’

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here is so much noise, but no one is raising our voice.” This simple but incisive remark made by a Naga theological student refers to the state of the current public discourse confronting Nagas. Indeed, the young woman’s observation reveals the truth and power inherent to the Naga condition.

In the Naga context, it is safe to assume that print-media and social networks are the most far-reaching form of mass communication. And, a close look helps us understand what the theological student is lamenting. The ‘noise’ is evidently expressed clearly in some of the opinions and commentaries. The language of judgment, blame-game, accusation, revulsion, self-justification, exclusion, discontentment, sweeping assumptions, uninformed conclusions and arrogance rings clearly through the printed word.

The repetitiveness of the written word is suffocating, and just like a broken record, the most melodious sound maybe reduced to pure and simple noise. Amidst the confusion and the search for clarity, when music is reduced to noise, it becomes loud shouting, discordant, irrelevant, confusing and even unpleasant and disturbing. None of this is energizing or inspiring as it reinforces the existing fatigue and weariness of the Naga public.

Without negating the feelings and the issues that are being raised through the opinions and commentaries, the important task is how the ‘noise’ becomes an expressive and critical voice that has the potential for asserting positive social and political influence.

John Paul Lederach tells us that, “voice” has an aural, sonic, metaphoric base and “reflects the idea that when people say they want a voice in the affairs that affect their lives, they are in part asking to be included in a space where meaningful conversation happens.” Voice, he says, requires “proximity of process that includes people, who often feel at distance from the locus of conversation and the ensuring decision.”

Absolutely, the young Naga theologian seems to be urging people to be included in web of processes where meaningful conversations occur and to ensure that decisions that affect their lives are embodied in the outcome. This also means that continuous drumming of problems, creating stereotype images and repetitive use of negativity needs to stop. What is required is for us to channel a process where people take ownership of the “voice” so that it becomes a positive power enabling a transformative praxis in which people’s rights become attainable.

It is in raising the voice that the nonviolent social and political action becomes a natural extension.

lEfT WING |

Izumi Nakamitsu

The news that wasn't: What you missed in 2016

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s we inch towards the end of 2016, we’ll see the usual lists of news highlights from the year, including the crises that captured our attention. Here are some of the biggest stories that didn’t make the news – the international crises that were crowded out, forgotten, or ignored.

Not only do these crises cause human suffering, they also remind us why sustainable development is crucial: to help vulnerable people get back on their feet as quickly as possible and to achieve the Agenda 2030 goal of ending extreme poverty. Putting the spotlight on these crises is often the first step to mobilising political action, financing and other international support to resolve these crises.

1. Internally displaced people: These are the ‘invisible majority’ of people displaced globally. Of the 65 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, a record 40.8 million—or more than six out of ten—are displaced within their own national borders.

These people have fled for many of the same reasons as refugees: to escape conflict or violence, persecution or environmental degradation. But since they have not crossed an international border, they are excluded from the specialized international protection given to refugees.

This is why the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons released an open letter in September, calling on leaders to live up to their responsibility to protect and assist the internally displaced. We must tackle the issues that lead to displacement and give internally displaced people access to services, social protection, jobs and dignity.

2. Lake Chad Basin: Here we’ve seen a devastating double punch of Boko Haram-related violence and chronic food insecurity. More than nine million people need humanitarian assistance including 6.3 million people who are food insecure at “crisis and emergency levels”. Now Boko Haram is targeting civilians with raids and suicide bombings. The region also faces an environmental catastrophe, with Lake Chad losing around 90 per cent of its surface area over the last 40 years due to climate change and other factors.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Few crises are as drawnout and complex as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after years of armed conflict, sexual violence, widespread poverty and abuses against civilians. Recently, the UN has reported a further deterioration in food security, child health, access to clean water and other indicators. At least 49 people were recently killed during a demonstration on 19 September 2016. Development grinds to a halt in any area with such protracted conflict.

4. Central African Republic: If you were born in the Central African Republic (CAR), your average life expectancy is just 50.7 years, according to UNDP’s Human Development Index. On top of that, violent conflict over the last few years has left 2.3 million people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. The volatile security situation could undermine any small steps forward in development in recent years and jeopardise the country’s chances of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

But there are opportunities for recovery and peacebuilding, with more than $2.2 billion pledged at an international donor conference in Brussels last month to boost security and support health, education, economic opportunities for women and girls, and food security.

5. Ukraine: The conflict in eastern Ukraine has dragged on for two years now. It’s already forced the closure of mines, factories and other industries and people are sliding into debt after exhausting their savings. In the non-government controlled area, six in ten households now rely on the pensions of retired relatives to survive.

In the government-controlled area, more than one in three of the internally displaced and one in four of those still in their homes earned no income over the last month.

These are some of the biggest under-reported stories of 2016; there are many more. Of course it is primarily up to political leaders to resolve or prevent conflict. But agencies such as UNDP can also work with governments to create job opportunities, improve peace and security and social cohesion and maintain basic services such as electricity and water.

This type of development response helps to prevent future crises and ensures more people move out of poverty and into a life with dignity. So let’s all make a New Year’s resolution to squeeze some space into our news bulletins and social media feeds for the under-reported stories. Because very often, no news is far from good news.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Samuel Earle

The politics of nostalgia Faced with a future that presents itself as non-negotiable, the temptation is to turn towards the past

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hen Harry Potter discovers the Mirror of Erised in The Philosopher’s Stone—a mirror that shows us our deepest dreams— he repeatedly returns to it in secret.

Each night in its reflection he lives his longed-for life: his parents are by his side, his relatives surround him, and all are smiling. When the wise headmaster Dumbledore discovers Harry’s nostalgic habit, however, he is dismayed.

This is no harmless moment of fantasy.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams Harry,” he warns, “and forget to live.”

In today’s political climate we would do well to heed Dumbledore’s advice, since Britain is slowly turning into a hall of Erised Mirrors itself. Whichever way we turn, we see, not only an idealised picture of a past that can never be the present, but a past that never was. Since Brexit, the Sun has run a campaign demanding that British passports be returned to their traditional blue covers as a “symbol of British independence.” The Daily Telegraph has called on the UK Government to resurrect the Royal Yacht Britannia (decommissioned in 1997), so that it can “rule the waves” and secure international trade deals for post-Brexit Britain.

These newspapers stare into their mirrors and see the British, unchained from the bureaucracy of Brussels, blue passports in their pockets, the Queen by their side, new-found sovereignty in their lungs, sailing the seven seas again. Aboard the Britannia, carried along by the winds and waves of nostalgia, Britain will once again parade its freedom around the world.

But Brexit and its nostalgic outpouring is part of a broader phenomenon that extends well beyond Britain. Throughout the world, populist political movements are taking shape with nostalgia at their heart. “Make America Great Again,” Donald Trump exclaims. For his supporters, Trump is a breath of fresh air that smells like home. We may not have seen someone like him before in modern politics, but his popularity rests on promising people what they have already seen, or believe that they have seen. The change he offers is not one of innovation but one of restoration—of old values, identities, industries and jobs.

In France, Marine La Pen echoes this call, reminding her fellow citizens of “our glorious history” and laying out a yellow-brick road to its return. In Germany, Frauke Pertry, the co-chair of the rising Alternative für Deutschland, harks back to a historical identity and set of values including homophobia.

She recently called for the de-stigmatisation of the German word ‘völkisch’, which signifies a people characterised by a specific race—a word that carries heavy connotations from the Nazi era.

Even in Australia, Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation Party, has been re-elected to Parliament after a twenty-year hiatus. “When I was growing up,” she said in a recent speech that referred to a mythical moment in time,

“we had jobs for everyone.”

Faced with a neoliberal, globalised future that presents itself as non-negotiable, our only strategy seems to be to turn towards the past. Wages stagnate, home ownership plummets, pensions diminish and debt proliferates. So we retreat into safe, warm waters. Feelings of meaninglessness are escaped by memories that give meaning; the discontinuity between past and present is dissolved by re-packaging the past; and the ideal of political revolution is replaced by the alternative meaning of that word: turning in a circle.

Such nostalgia isn’t limited to populists. In mainstream politics, new policies often amount to simplistic ‘bringbackery.’ British Prime Minister Theresa May, clad in Margaret Thatcher memorabilia, calls for the return of grammar schools on the grounds that they were good enough for her and the Leader of the Opposition, so they are good enough for the rest of us. Jeremy Corbyn began his Labour leadership tellingly, with a speech in which large passages had been lifted word for word from another one that was written by Richard Heller in the 1980s. Now the re-nationalisation of the railways is presented as his flagship policy. His rival Owen Smith promised to re-establish the Ministry of Labour that was abolished

by Harold Wilson in 1968. ‘Make the old new again’ is the universal cry.

“One is always at home in one’s past”, Vladimir Nabokov writes, and so the alienated move there en masse, not only politically but in cultural matters too. Our hobbies and tastes increasingly become a vehicle to return to past times. Bare bricks coat the walls of upscale homes and restaurants as a simulated sign of decay and a life that has been lived. Vintage clothes show no sign of growing old, and films are relent-

lessly remade with the motive of invoking the warm, fuzzy feelings of familiarity. Millions of people take to the streets to fulfill their childhood dream of playing Pokemon Go ‘In Real Life,’ while Super Mario is set to be re-released—it’s success all-but guaranteed.

We are like a couple who move into their new apartment and hang family photographs on the wall, hoping to inject its emptiness with a meaning they can understand. Nostalgia is always a yearning to belong, but in this world of shifting sands it is belonging that escapes us.

As Dr Tim Wildschut, a senior researcher in psychology at the University of Southampton concludes, “nostalgia compensates for uncomfortable states of mind.”

When nostalgia was initially diagnosed as a physical illness akin to the common cold, it was found most commonly in members of the military. Arising during long, arduous and often miserable campaigns abroad, it was considered a disease of the displaced. Today, the connection between nostalgia and displacement is more complicated. More than something physical it is something temporal—the longing to go back to a different time—but displacement still remains the cause, at least in the modified sense of being marginalized.

This is the condition of our age. No one feels like society is ‘theirs.’ Young people feel forgotten. The elderly feel isolated, pushed into care homes and cut off from society. Alienated by racism and a hostile political discourse, people of colour feel ignored. Alarmed by political correctness ‘gone mad’ as they see it, racists feel under threat.

Without, as Zadie Smith writes, “even the perceived moral elevation that comes with acknowledged trauma or recognized victimhood,” the white working class feel forgotten.

With no clear identity, the Left feels

lost. Even the dominant Right has taken on a siege mentality, against what it sees as left-wing bias on the Internet, in the media, and in public morality.

Perhaps the ‘Shy Tory’ phenomenon of the 2015 UK General Election—in which Conservative voters were allegedly reticent with pollsters about their true voting intentions—is another illustration of this phenomenon: a new majority of underdogs.

Somehow we all feel displaced and pushed to the margins, but there is no unity in this displacement, only a selection of different pasts in which subgroups take refuge—some more violent than others. Nostalgia comes to us, comforts us, and offers us a well-trodden route back home, to a place where we are always at the centre. If this nostalgia, and its racist divisiveness, is to be overcome, we need a new narrative—and a new politics—of inclusion and empowerment. People need to feel like they belong, but generating this feeling without xenophobia and outward hostility is one of the greatest challenges that we face. As Svetlana Boym, author of The Future of Nostalgia, writes, “it is algia—the longing—that we share, but nostos—the return home—that divides.”

This is not to say that all old ideas and traditions are or should be dead.

Drawing inspiration from the past is important, and our lives would be shallower if we could never reminisce. But we can’t take refuge in old ideas or live in past memories; we can’t wrap them around ourselves like warm blankets in tumultuous times; we can’t, as Dumbledore warned, dwell in our dreams and forget to live. Staring into our own Mirror of Erised may bring us comfort, but it only blinds us to the problems that lie behind it—the problems that drive us to the Mirror in the first place.

A Facebook conversation unfolds a bridge

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Garga Chatterjee

fter the dastardly anti-Hindu communal attacks in Bangladesh’s Brahmonbaria in end October, social media was abuzz with it as its “breaking” news status competed with Bangladesh’s victory against England in a cricket match. News of such things alerts a section of West Bengal’s populace more than anywhere else beyond the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It’s a reality – irrespective of whether one likes it or not. And in my Facebook page there was a discussion about minority situation – with participants from both Bengals, both Hindus and Muslims on both sides.

It was in no way representative and that’s not the story here. I just wanted to share one of the most beautiful conversations I have had in Facebook where I was confronted with such a richness of understanding and compassion, weaving in stories of the Hindu in Bangladesh to something much wider, pointing to forms of inner demons in all of us.

We were discussing how economic migration and differential fertility rates don’t fully explain the scale of Hindu flight from Bangladesh, unless we account for reasons that are fully communally charged. At this point, Mustaque Ahmed, who hails from the east of Bengal and now lives in the USA jumped in.

Garga Chatterjee (GC): We also have to understand why between a

Muslim and a Hindu of the same class, the Hindu is a softer target.

Mustaque Ahmed (MA): New Jersey I took my son for swimming. He was scared and crying. There was a white kid who was doing the same.

The lifeguard asked us to leave because we were disrupting the peace.

I challenged him why he was doing it to us, not the other kid. He said he was not a racist. I told him I didn't call you a racist, you are a coward, you do this because you think you can get away, because you think I won't know what to do, how to defend myself.

GC: But the situation of a brown man in white USA shouldn’t be the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh, right?

Libyan Arabs said these things about Jews. Because minorities are discriminated against, they work in private sectors in certain jobs, may stay within their community, behave in a certain way - a survival method, a coping mechanism.

Majorities fail to integrate them in the society, give them equal rights and blame them for being "weird".

Algeria asked me where I was from.

Then he asked whether I was a Muslim. When I said yes, he had a big smile, 'hey brother'. Yesterday, I was waiting in the repair station to get my tire fixed, I heard someone talking in Bangla on the phone. I went over and asked whether he was a Bangalee. He is from Kolkata, gave me a big smile, we exchanged phone numbers. If we MA: At Syracuse University, an Indian can do these abroad where we are all friend and I were talking to an Ameri- minorities, we should be able to do can who asked me whether Hindus are such things back home too. discriminated against in Bangladesh. I said Bangladesh is a backward country MA: In the meantime minorities in many senses and there is not much of should be aware of their rights, feel a rule of law. But I may not know these confident in asserting their rights, things well because I be productive citizens, build bridges am not a Hindu. Even across the communal line and not be if I feel there is no dis- used as vote banks or political pawns. crimination, a Hindu person may feel differently; you have to GC: Often, they do not have a real choice. walk in their shoes. Then he asked the MA: I agree, very unfortunate same question to my friend from India who said, "absolutely not, we had Muslim MA: These are difficult issues. We presidents, cricket captains, Bollywood won't solve these in days; being comactors". Ha ha ha. bative, shaming a community or individual won't help. But most human beGC: "you have to walk in their shoes" – ings are decent and rational. We all can that’s the key. always try to be better and strive for a MA: Yes, as individuals we have to be situation where all human beings are decent human beings, have to have treated equally and differences are celsome core values, the ability to see be- ebrated, not frowned upon. yond color and religion but that's not enough. We have to have laws in place MA: I don't mean to be sectarian but and implementation of those laws. we Bangalees have a special bond. If you are a Bangalee, amar kachhe toThat was my point. mar shat khun maf. [If you are a BanMA: The other day someone from galee, I will forgive your (seven) sins.]

WRITE-WING

MA: Of course not but it happens.

MA: it is discrimination because someone is different, perceived as weak.

MA: I will tell you another story. I took my car to a mechanic in NY. He was a Jew from Libya. He learned I was a Muslim from Bangladesh. He asked me whether Muslims are conspiratorial, secretive, work in healthcare, education, handicrafts, etc. I asked who told him these things. He said an Indian gentleman told him these things a few days ago. I told him I heard these things about Hindus in Bangladesh. I asked whether he was familiar with this narrative. He started laughing and said some

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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.

Friday 30•12•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

DIDI, I WANT TO LEARN THE HARMONIUM & ROAM FREELY Samhita Barooah Researcher Guwahati

D

uring a visit to the Kishori Mandal at Apne Aap Women Worldwide’s Uttari Rampur Centre in Forbesganj I met some lovely girls. They stayed in the community near the red light area. They were eager to learn new things.

They asked me my story of life, “Didi aapki kahani sunao? Aapne kaise yaha tak sangharsh kiya?”

I was again very surprised to encounter the subversion of queries.

I should have been the one to ask those questions to the girls, but they wanted to know more about me. Perceptual understanding is a perspective rooted in feminist standpoint theory which could apply to any context from the onlooker’s context. For the young girls from the Red Light Area in Forbesganj, I was trapped in some realities which connected me to them. That was why she asked me to share my story of struggle.

When I said education enabled me to survive the world around me, they laughed and said that was not their story. They said, “For us we have to get married as soon as we are 18 years old but sometimes even earlier. We just want to enjoy our freedom now in this centre till we get married. After that we do not know what holds true for us.” As women whether we are in the Nat community of Bihar or we are in the liberated spaces of North East India, our identities get defined by our marriage, cultural practices and socialisation. Unbound freedom for women seems to be a misnomer which should be forbidden for women as the evolved souls say.

It was an enduring experience of going to a forbidden path along the red light area inside a border town of Forbesganj in North Bihar for me. Anybody who heard about my new assignment in Bihar suddenly got very worried if I would be safe. My only way to ensure safety was an Assamese connect within the organisation of Apne Aap Women Worldwide called Juanita Kakoty former Table Tennis Champion of Assam and now a promising writer, documentarian, sociologist and old school contemporary. Her name was enough to convince family to finally provide me with the nod of assurance for the new venture. But my motivation was to be associated with the efforts of a woman’s organisation in the heart of Bihar which is predominantly patriar-

chal. The moment I stepped into the organisation it was a glass door office relatively flat. Kalam ji greeted me as I entered the office premises and showed me around where the accommodation was arranged for me. It was a historical space with memories of movements and solidarity embedded into the silent walls. The train station was at a stone’s throw distance from the organisation, so every morning and night I could hear the train announcements of Seemanchal express and Jogbani Express. Every morning the birds in the backyard chirped away to glory as if trying to share their part of the world view. Trees, flowers, herbs and thick green cover inside the compound of the former Jagdish mill was an amazing retreat for reflection, regeneration and rejuvenation.

My wonders about Apne Aap Women Worldwide kept increasing when I saw huge pictures of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. inside a thatched roof open house. It was almost like imagining Gandhiji’s words, ‘let my doors and windows remain open to the cultures of the world’. It was indeed such an experience when I realised that Forbesganj office of Apne Aap Women Worldwide hosted Gloria Steinam, Usha Uthup, Alice Walker, to name a few and a host of friends, well-wishers, donors and like-minded activists from across the world. It was almost an unbelievable experience of convergence of communities from all the De-Notified Tribal Communities in different parts of India which happens to be a core area of work for Apne Aap Women Worldwide.

But the journey of resistance for change within the Nat communi-

ty in Bihar was not easy for Apne Aap Women Worldwide. A gender inclusive approach was extremely pivotal in engaging the community to resist the age-old tradition of inter-generational prostitution.

Men like Mohammad Kalam were the pioneers who stood up resisting their own community traditions. He joined Apne Aap Women Worldwide in 2009 and engaged in the process of legal advocacy, rescue and constant community mobilisation to make sure that none of the women from his community was forced into prostitution. When I raised my doubts about abolitionist view and right to livelihood choices for the women in prostitution, Kalam ji asked me a critical question, “Samhita ji find me one woman from the most marginalised community who is a PhD or with any other professional degree and wishes to be a prostitute. I will stand in solidarity with them but till then please do not say that women would like to get into prostitution.”

I was partially convinced with his argument on the contextual reality of intergenerational prostitution.

Kalam ji wanted to make sure that every woman within his community was free and educated with the adequate skills to define their own destinies. He owed his education which is a Master Degree in History and a Bachelor of Law to his own elder sister who sold herself to educate him and his other siblings.

Kalam ji resolved to free his sister from the profession of prostitution and also got engaged in rescue and repatriation of many more women from the Nat community individually as well as through the association of Apne Aap Women Worldwide. He shared his dream to do a PhD now based on the community

based work which he has done so far on legal advocacy and community mobilisation of the de-notified tribes across the field areas of Apne Aap Women Worldwide. Kalam ji had to fight his community traditions and clerics from the community when he stood up against the trade of prostitution. He was jailed in false cases and also constantly under threat from the pimps, brothel owners and agents who are taken into custody by the state authorities and easily released. One day he was going for a case hearing in the court in Araria district of Bihar where he happened to be a key witness driving a half broken motorbike fighting the winter chill of Bihar, he came down with heavy cough congestion and fever after that. Somehow the motivation towards his community’s emancipation is tremendous which enabled Kalam ji to resist inhuman exploitation of young women in the field of prostitution. I was amazed with the way he interacted with the young girls who came for stitching and computer training discussing about gender discrimination and women’s legal entitlements. He shared how his duty at home was baby-sitting in the morning and cooking during holidays so that he could give enough time to his family of 6 people. Kalam ji could counsel women in distress, who came to seek help from Apne Aap Women Worldwide, negotiate with Army personnel on human rights trainings and guide young professionals and volunteers from across the world on community based interventions with equal dexterity and diligence. His field understanding, people skills with his team-mates from diverse class, caste, gender and religious backgrounds holds good ground for him to be a third wave feminist on the ground.

My wanderings in Forbesganj field locations of Apne Aap Women Worldwide were possible with the help of the team members of Apne Aap Women Worldwide for 2 days out of 31 days which I spent in this place. During one such visit, one of the adolescent girls from the Red Light Area said, “Didi I want to play the harmonium and I want to really roam around freely, but I know my time is very less. I have two elder sisters who are going to be married very soon in two years time so after that my turn to marry will come. So before that I wish to live my life.” Such sharing made me reflect on the acute stress which young girls face within a red light area where they are struggling to

protect their sanctity through education, recreation, nutrition and skill enhancement provided by state and voluntary organisations like Apne Aap Women Worldwide. But at the same time their vulnerabilities are so high that their social security is ensured only through the forced marriages which they have to witness to be dragged into servitude of domestic drudgery, reproductive labour and in many cases forced prostitution within the known community members as an age-old tradition. Prostitution of girls enslaves them for their entire life and when they mature in age leaves them with poverty, disease and destitution. Most women in prostitution, who have reached their middle age years, do not find clients who could pay well for their sexual services. They are vulnerable within their own communities and families and they cannot negotiate for a life with dignity. Some commit suicide; others get abusive while a few chose to remain silent forever without a word about their condition and work. Anonymity strengthens women who wish to move within the mainstream society and thus life awaits newer possibilities. Sometimes when organisations work only with the women in prostitution dilemmas strike very hard. At one level one is trying to abolish prostitution with the strategic advocacy, association and collaboration from the grassroots to the global agencies but at another level the pronounced identities of women in prostitution or survivors becomes so important for the organisations to address the contextual realities of the survivors. For the persons working with, for or through the survivors it is in fact an ethical dilemma battling the forces within and outside the agency. But the struggle for the women who have survived prostitution and resolved to rescue others and restore their non-stigmatised identities becomes a constant one.

Even though friction and conflict of opinion about whether to choose the survivor identity or the anonymous common person identity is indeed a personal choice which every individual within a community or within an agency is entitled to. The layered intersections of identities, aspirations, expectations, desperation for freedom and resilience become very prominent in the statement shared by the young girl, “Didi I want to learn to play the harmonium and ...”

Disempowering traits that international NGOs must drop Irũngũ Houghton

Only one per cent of foreign aid reaches Southern NGOs directly. How long can this continue?

“W

e are demanding change. Be prepared to be uncomfortable.”

Degan Ali, African Development Solutions, 2015.

The global landscape of social action is changing in important ways, but international NGOs like Amnesty, Oxfam, World Vision and Actionaid are struggling to keep up with these changes—and that leads to growing questions about their role, impact and legitimacy. A collapsed North-South world order has generated new power centres within and across different countries.

Political elites are imposing new legal and administrative restrictions on civil society action. And activists are demanding new models of cross-border organising based not on the hierarchies of foreign aid but on peer-to-peer learning and collaboration between equal partners.

The changing political context is particularly important. Over 60 governments across the world have enacted new and restrictive legislation to control the operations of national and international civil society organisations. In at least 96 countries they and their staff experience vilification, funding caps, administrative harassment, closure and expulsion. As James Savage of Amnesty International puts it, “This global wave of restrictions has arapidity and breadth to its spread we’ve not seen before that arguably represents a seismic shift and closing down of human rights space not seen in a generation.”

In Kenya where I live, there have been five attempts to introduce harmful amendments to the NGO law. On at least three separate occasions, 1,400 NGOs have been struck from the official register on grounds that ranged from a failure to report their financial accounts, to alleged complicity in terrorism, to support for gay rights. Most of these organizations were re-instated within days after uproar from officials and the public. However, many have been pressured to change constitutions, close bank accounts and justify staff appointments

and work permits. The cumulative impact has been to infect the sector with a real dose of fear, particularly international organisations.

As the democratic space has shrunk, international NGOs (INGOs) have agonised over what they could say or do. Many found themselves without friends in high places.

A few relocated their staff, and some contemplated moving elsewhere in the region.

Most delegated their public voice to national organisations. But on September 9 2016, Devolution Ministry Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri announced the operationalisation of the ‘Public Benefits Organisations Act’ without any changes.

The hope is that the passive-aggressive attitude displayed by the government in the past will be replaced by an open and constructive partnership. But recent history in Kenya also offers an insight into the challenges being faced by international organizations which have weak roots in the societies in which they work—and why globally-networked but locally-embedded groups are so crucial for the future.

The African economist Charles Abugre and other commentators have argued that historically, INGOs have been content to be ‘primary citizens’ at home and ‘secondary citizens’ in the countries in which they operate. In the former, they can speak out publicly and challenge their own governments; in the latter they have to rely on others to exert the necessary influence— whether they are local or international institutions. Two power shifts are now challenging this model.

First, most African, Asian and Latin American governments no longer define their domestic policies on the basis of European and North American priorities. Second, a growing number of European and North American Governments are openly re-framing their development assistance in terms of trade facilitation, geo-politics and commercial interests. As more countries like Kenya achieve Middle Income status, foreign aid will be less influential in their relationships with donor governments. In turn, International NGOs will no longer be able to rely on ‘secondary citizenship’ as a point of effective leverage.

International NGOs are responding to these shifts in a number of ways, including mergers with Southern organisations, the ‘Southernisation’ of their global headquarters, the growth of national boards, adopt-

ing a narrower focus on ‘fragile states,’ and innovations around social enterprise.

What’s missing are the deeper changes required to re-adjust the balance of power between North and South so that networks of local organisations can challenge the shrinking political space for civil society and the growing inequalities that plague both South and North much more effectively. To do this, INGOs will have to drop at least five disempowering traits.

The first is to reverse the concentration of financial resources in and from Europe and North America. At present, only one per cent of all foreign aid and 0.2 per cent of all humanitarian assistance reaches Southern-based civil society organisations directly. These are truly scandalous figures.

The vast majority of aid to NGOs is given to international organisations who then pass on small amounts to their Southern partners. Exactly how much money we’re talking about is difficult to quantify, but the remaining resources serve to support an international bureaucratic quicksand of global processes, multiple layers of internal accountability and lifestyles of the one per cent. Until they are willing to re-balance this funding and the power that goes with it away from their own organizations and into the hands of local actors, no meaningful change is possible.

Second, most INGOs are politically risk-averse, in part because their expatriate identity makes them vulnerable to increasingly muscular local elites. This doesn’t translate into a simple argument for nationalising Oxfam and the rest, since national staff may be equally vulnerable to political pressures and the temptations of expatriate lifestyles. But national boards with full governance powers may be one way of deepening both legitimacy and the capacity to engage with local power structures.

The third negative trait is a disinterest in social movements. The insurrectionist uprisings in North Africa or protest movements like #FeesMustFall, #NoThirdTermism, #ThisFlag, #Oromoprotests and #UmbrellaRevolution offer sharp lessons for NGO executives who have been caught flat-footed by the rise of new forms of civil society action. Older and narrower traditions of NGO capacity building must give way to longer-term institutional strengthening, enhancing financial sustainability, cross-sector alliance building and how to generate a genuine supporter base that

can be activated in roles other than simply raising money. Rather than parachuting in what has worked in London, New York or Paris, these constituencies must be rooted in local cultures of giving and action, alternative education, active citizenship and solidarity.

Fourth is what I call ‘governance apartheid.’ Despite widespread agreement that international boards must reflect the communities they serve, little has changed in the majority of INGOs. According to NGO Advisor, 64 per cent of Board Members and 63 per cent of Chief Executive Officers across the 500 largest NGOs are still drawn from the western world. Only four per cent of CEOs are of African origin, and most of those are drawn from the ranks of the wealthy in their societies.

The fifth and final trait is closed bureaucracy. INGO governance systems mainly rest on the lie that they can control the world around them—that future predictions and short-term programmes give them the power to act effectively; that segmenting their work into silos that mirror the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals will generate transformative outcomes; and that financial flows from North to South are capable of creating a sustainable resource base for equality, social justice and democracy. None of this is true.

These five traits pose a fundamental challenge for INGOs in an increasingly differentiated, globalised and networked world. Can they transform themselves by working with independent social movements, devolving governance and resources, and freeing their organizations from so much internal bureaucracy?

Their work will have power, impact and sustainability only if they can deploy tools, tactics and spaces that create a mass constituency for change; interrupt the predictable future of neglect and inaction by states and most members of the public; keep the state as the primary duty-bearer for guaranteeing rights and freedoms; and remain agile enough to exercise the constant capability to reinvent themselves as the context around them shifts.

As Degan Ali from African Development Solutions puts it, “be prepared to be uncomfortable.”

Irũngũ Houghton is passionate about creating inclusive and just societies. He has served international organisations such as Oxfam and ActionAid for two decades. Over the last two years, as Society for International Development Associate Director, he has established influential public interest campaigns on the right to association, public school land protection and corruption.

7

Songs and sanctions help regreen Sudan's desert villages Hannah McNeish

T

Thomson Reuters Foundation

he women of Sudan's North Kordofan state used to be famed for their war songs urging men to defend their meagre desert assets of cattle, bush and watering holes.

Now, in villages like Albaida, surrounded by deep orange sand dunes, women chant odes to protect their environment from a new enemy: climate change.

"Oh lemon tree, I plant you because you are good for climbing, so that I can get enough phone signal to send my love messages," sing a group of a dozen women sitting under a lalop tree, tapping upturned buckets as percussion.

Over the past year, people in this village of 300 families have planted around 9,000 trees to try and stop the advance of the "gezan" (sand dunes) aided by disappearing tree barriers and desert storms blasting through the grass-thatched houses.

"Now it's getting better - we don't wake up and find sand covering everything," said farmer Maryam Mohammed Quoreshi.

Quoreshi remembers when people did not have to walk far to find clusters of trees to provide fodder for animals.

Farmers were wealthy because "there was enough rain for every living thing", and they tapped plentiful, thorny acacia trees for gum arabic.

But a series of intense droughts, which started in 1984 and lasted several years, killed most of the desert-hardy acacias and turned farms to dust.

This caused men to migrate north to search the desert for gold, harvest dates, or scour the capital Khartoum for odd jobs, as families waited for them to send money home.

"We never had any plans - you'd just wake up in the morning and deal with that day," Quoreshi said. "You'd live in a constant state of anxiety."

Villagers said the area never recovered from those years of ruin, and that temperatures have been rising and rainfall fluctuating since, causing further desertification.

North Kordofan state, in central Sudan, suffers from extreme fluctuations in rainfall, which varies from 150 mm (5.91 inches) to 450 mm per year, leaving incomes vulnerable to frequent drought cycles, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Eltigani Khalifa Mukhtar, director of administration at North Kordofan's Ministry of Agriculture, said rain patterns started changing around 15 years ago, causing widespread crop failures every three years that led to mass hunger.

"Some people migrated, some people died - especially children," he said.

In some of the villages he has visited in recent months, "there are one or two men left - that means in some villages, more than 90 percent migrate", he explained, adding that an estimated 2 km (1.24 miles) of arable land is lost to desert each year.

PLANTING DRIVE To stop desertification, the government has embarked on reforestation projects, planting 2 million trees - mainly acacia - over the past two years, and aiming for 30 million within five years.

Mukhtar hopes this will rehabilitate the gum arabic belt and "create a barrier to shifting sands covering all our state".

Since November 2014, UNDP has launched pilot climate change adaptation projects in seven villages across North Kordofan to further the national reforestation programme and build community resilience more widely.

In Albaida, UNDP has established tree nurseries and planting programmes, and installed solar water pumps to feed vegetable gardens run by women.

The two-year project has educated people about the role of trees in protecting fertile top soils from heat, erosion and sand.

"We were told we shouldn't cut trees to make the environment better, and we have been noticing that the weather has improved and the sand is not moving like before," said Quoreshi.

A cooperative of 60 women, divided into groups of ten, now grows potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, okra and greens year round, most of which they sell to trucks from the nearby town of Bara and state capital El Obeid.

Sudan is applying to the Green Climate Fund for financial support to scale up similar climate change adaptation projects across all nine states.

PUNISHMENT In addition to the songs penned by women to celebrate each type of tree, the community has come up with strict rules and punishments to protect them.

"It is forbidden to cut trees," said villager Omer Nourin, clasping his wrists together to show what happens if you can't pay the fine handed down by a committee tree-fellers are brought before. "You have to go Bara prison."

The community has allowed some villagers to languish in jail for weeks, while their relatives try to raise the money to pay the fine - anywhere between 500 to 1,000 Sudanese pounds (about $77-$155) - to get them out.

Government official Mukhtar and other climate change experts take a similar line towards developed countries, whose higher greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to the warming of desert areas where summers can now surpass 50 degrees Celsius.

"The rich countries made the problem, so they have to help us solve this," he said. "Whoever pollutes the environment has to pay."

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

friDAY 30•12•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

After high in 2015, new low in India-Pak ties New Delhi, December 29 (iANS): As 2015 drew to a close, there were fresh expectations on IndiaPakistan ties with the two sides deciding to resume their comprehensive bilateral dialogue during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Islamabad and Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a surprise visit to Lahore on Christmas Day on his counterpart Nawaz Sharif's birthday and his granddaughter's wedding. That euphoria now seems a distant dream.

And for good reason.

Even as the Foreign Secretaries of the nations were scheduled to meet to formulate the dialogue process, terrorists of the Pakistanbased Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attacked the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot on January 2 this year resulting in the deaths of seven Indian security personnel and all five attackers. The entire peace initiative was thrown off the rails.

India demanded that Pakistan bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice and gave what it termed irrefutable proof of the JeM's involvement in the attack. Pakistan lodged an FIR against unknown persons in February.

In March, India allowed a Pakistani investigation team

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier patrols near the fenced border with Pakistan in Suchetgarh, southwest of Jammu. (Reuters Photo)

to visit Pathankot as part of the probe into the attack.

In the same month, Pakistan arrested an Indian national, Kulbhushan Jadhav who had inadvertently crossed over from Iran and charged him with spying.

India said that Jadhav is a former Indian Navy officer. Jadhav has since been denied consular access despite repeated requests from New Delhi.

In April, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry during the latter's visit to New Delhi for a meet on Af-

ghanistan, but the government has since dismissed this as "not to be taken as a bilateral dialogue".

In June, Pakistan reportedly said that it would consider allowing an Indian investigation team to visit its territory as part of the Pathankot probe attack but with no palpable action being seen taken by Islamabad, hopes of a dialogue continued to recede though the National Security Advisors of the two countries reportedly continued to remain in contact.

Things took a drastic turn for the worse with the killing

of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the poster-boy of Kashmiri terrorism. Bilateral relations dipped to a new low with Pakistan describing Wani as "a martyr" and accusing India of human rights violations in Kashmir.

The violence sparked off in the Kashmir Valley by the killing of Wani claimed the lives of nearly 100 people, with India blaming Pakistan for inciting the violence. Sushma Swaraj, in a statement, categorically ruled out talks with Pakistan, saying that "talks and terror cannot go hand-in-hand".

Pakistan suffered further embarrassment when Bahadur Ali, a terrorist who had infiltrated from its territory was caught by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit was issued a demarche which stated: "Bahadur Ali has confessed to our authorities that after training in Lashkar-e-Toiba camps, he was infiltrated into India."

At an all-party meeting in New Delhi in the backdrop of Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi red-flagged Pakistan's continued abuse of human rights in Balochistan province and mentioned this in his Independence Day speech as well.

Then came September 18. Terrorists, allegedly belonging to the JeM, carried out a cross-border attack on an Indian Army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir in which 19 Indian soldiers lost their lives.

This time, as the whole country clamoured for revenge, India retaliated with aggression by going on the diplomatic offensive of isolating Pakistan in the international community.

Then came the surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control on September 29.

Just ahead of this, warning the world that "we do

Want to resolve all issues with India amicably: Pakistan

iSlAmAbAD, December 29 (iANS): Pakistan on Thursday said it wanted to "amicably" resolve all outstanding issues with India, including those related to the Indus Waters Treaty.

Radio Pakistan quoted Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria saying during his weekly media briefing that the government was assessing "India's activities" within the framework of the water sharing agreement between the two countries.

Zakaria said the treaty didn't allow unilateral abrogation of the agreement and "Pakistan is keeping an eye on the evolving situation and would follow its strategy in case of any violation".

"There is an arbitration mechanism to resolve the dispute regarding implementation of the treaty and many IWT disputes were resolved amicably in the past," the not know who this Frankenstein's monster will devour next", Sushma Swaraj in her speech at the UN General Assembly, said in Hindi: "If we want to defeat terrorism, there is only one way -- that we unite across our differences, add steel to our resolve and inject urgency in our response...

And if any nation refuses to join this global strategy, then we must isolate it."

Modi cancelled his visit to Islamabad to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit that was scheduled in November in protest against Pakistan's state

state-run radio quoted Zakaria as saying.

"Pakistan is pursuing the policy of peaceful neighbourhood."

The IWT was signed in 1960 to allocate the three eastern rivers of the Indus basin -- the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej -- to India, while 80 per cent waters of the three western ones -- the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- were allotted to Pakistan.

India has recently said it would fully utilise its 20 per cent share of the Indus waters and that the proposed water projects would not be in violation of the treaty. Pakistan has disputed India's contention and sought a World Bank intervention.

Zakaria said said the Kashmir dispute was a "bone of contention between Pakistan and India" and urged the international community to "play its role" in resolving the issue.

sponsorship of terrorism.

Other Saarc nations like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan too followed suit, citing the same reason.

India also said that it would revisit the World Bank-brokered 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that has withstood three wars -drawing nervous reactions from Islamabad.

But the final diplomatic humiliation for Pakistan happened at the sixth ministerial 'Heart of Asia conference - Istanbul Process' conference on security and development of Afghanistan.

This time, it was not India but Afghanistan that

named and shamed Pakistan for state sponsorship of terrorism.

Directly addressing Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistani Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, while turning down a donation of $500 million from Islamabad for development work in his country, said: "This fund, Mr. Aziz, could very well be used for containing extremism because without peace any amount of assistance will not meet the needs of our people."

As of now, the prognosis for 2017 doesn't seem too good.

elected as AIADMK 'No jail term in ordinance on old notes, only penalty' Sasikala General Secretary unopposed New Delhi, December 29 (iANS): There will be no jail term for holding demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, according to the ordinance that was approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, official sources said. However, a penalty of upto Rs 50,000 would be imposed on those who hold more than ten of the banned notes.

At the same time, the provision of depositing old high denomination currency with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would continue till March 31, 2017.

Even as the sources said the ordinance would come into effect from December 31, it was not clear when the penalty clause would be applicable, keeping in mind the deposit window available with the RBI. Earlier reports had said the ordinance called for a jail term for violators who possessed old notes

beyond March 31. The ordinancecalled "The Specified Bank Notes Cessation of Liabilities Ordinance"is still awaiting the presidential nod after which the exact details would be made public, sources said. The deadline for deposits of the banned currency notes in commercial banks ends on December 30.

The person seeking to deposit old notes with the RBI after December 30 will have to give an explanation as to why he or she could not deposit them earlier. A government source told IANS that the discretion to accept the explanation would remain with the central bank. The ordinance, approved during the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister seeks to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act, aimed at extinguishing the liability of the government towards bearers of such notes.

Kerala protests with 700 km long human chain ThiruvANANThApurAm, December 29 (iANS): The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, led by CPI-M, on Thursday formed a 700-km long human chain extending from Raj Bhavan here to Kasargode, to protest the central government's demonetisation move.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was the first in the chain along with former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and the last in the chain at Kasargode district town was the Communist Party of India-Marxist's Lok Sabha member from Kasargode, P. Karunakaran.

The rehearsal was held 15 minutes before and at 5 p.m. the human chain again was formed and a pledge was read out that was repeated by all. The chain passed through the national highway and districts like Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, where the highway does not pass and the cadres joined the chain at various places

Railways announce 10% rebate in vacant berths The rebate will be effective for six months beginning from January 1

New Delhi, December 29 (pTi): Worried over many unoccupied seats in Mail/Express trains, railways on Thursday announced 10 per cent rebate for vacant berths after finalisation of the reservation charts from January 1 onwards.

A passenger can avail 10 per cent rebate in basic fare for availing the vacant berths in all reserved categories including AC and Sleeper class after the finalisation of the chart, according to a railway notification.

The rebate will be effective for six months beginning from January 1 next year.

The 10 per cent discount will be based on basic fare of the last ticket sold in the train.

However, all other charges like reservation and superfast will be levied accordingly.

in Alappuzha district. Likewise, in the hilly districts of Idukki and Wayanad, a separate human chain was formed.

"A record one million people joined the protest and even though similar human chains was formed before, today we could see that there was participation from people cutting across political affiliations," said CPI-M State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at a public meeting here, soon after the human chain was formed.

Former Kerala BJP President V. Muraleedharan said the CPI-M had spread the word that all those who work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme need not work for the day, but if they come for this human chain, they will get the day's wages. "We have informed the central government about this and have demanded action as the state government is misusing their authority," said Muraleedharan in a statement here.

New LG to assume office on Dec 31, AAP hopes for better ties

New Delhi, December 29 (iANS): Newly appointed Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal will take charge of the new assignment on Saturday, an official said on Thursday.

"He (Baijal) will assume charge on Saturday, with the High Court Chief Justice administering him the oath of office on that day," an official in the Lt.Governor's Office told IANS. President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday accepted Najeeb Jung's resignation as Delhi Lt. Governor and appointed Anil Baijal as his successor.

Baijal, a 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, retired in 2006 as the Union Urban Development Secretary. He was on the executive council of the think tank Vive-

kananda International Foundation.

In his long career, Baihal have held several eminent positions, including Union Home Secretary, Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Airlines, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of I&B, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Delhi Tourism and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra welcomed Baijal's appointment and said he was hopeful of cooperation from the new Lt. Governor to the government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "I welcome his (Baijal's) appointment. I am hopeful the new L-G will clear several development projects which have been stopped. Hopefully, the blockade will end now," Mishra told IANS.

Sasikala is seen with late Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in this PTI File Photo.

cheNNAi, December 29 (iANS): V.K. Sasikala, a close aide of the late Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, has agreed to head the party, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said on Thursday. Disclosing this to the media, Panneerselvam said that Sasikala would soon formally assume charge as the party's General Secretary.

Earlier in the day, the ruling AIADMK passed a resolution that Sasikala was the only person fit to become the General Secretary.

There was no other contestant for the AIADMK's top post.

The party's General Council passed the resolution at its meeting here in the morning. According to the party constitution, a General Secretary has to be elected by the basic members in Tamil Nadu and the office-bearers of party wings in Puducherry, New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andaman.

Till such time a person is elected by the various wings, the General Council has unanimously decided that Sasikala is the fit person to become General Secretary.

There should be a General Sec-

retary to chalk out the party's policies, authorise the party treasurer to handle the accounts and other activities, the party said, adding it would work under her leadership.

Chief Minister Panneerselvam and other leaders attended the meeting. The council also passed a resolution condoling the death of Jayalalithaa and several other resolutions.

Later, Panneerselvam took a copy of the General Council resolution to Sasikala, who is residing at Jayalalithaa's residence in Poes Garden here.

Clad in green colour saree - the favourite colour of Jayalalithaa, Sasikala received the resolution, kept it before Jayalalithaa's picture and bowed to it.

Soon after Jayalalithaa's death, various leaders and party wings urged Sasikala to take charge of the party, though it was said leaders of other castes would not agree to have two persons from the Thevar caste - Pannerselvam and Sasikala - occupy the two top positions.

However, no such conflict erupted in the party.

Some party leaders had also urged Sasikala to contest from R.K. Nagar constituency and become the Chief Minister.

Note ban policy: RBI's autonomy under threat, cautions experts New Delhi, December 29 (iANS): Has the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under its new governor, Urjit Patel, surrendered its hard-fought autonomy? Many experts feel so, particularly after the manner in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has handled the demonetisation drive.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also a former governor of the RBI and a finance minister, lamented in Parliament recently that constant modifications in the country's banking system following demonetisation was not good for the country or the RBI. "That reflects very poorly on the Prime Minister's office, on the Finance Minister's office and on the Reserve Bank of India," he told the Rajya Sabha last month. "I'm very sorry the Reserve Bank of India has been exposed to this sort of criticism, which I think is fully justified."

What is unclear in this whole exercise is how much say the country's central bank -- the apex monetary

policy authority, established on April 1, 1935, following the enactment of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 -- had in the policy decision.

"The government said the RBI has recommended the demonetisation. I do not know whether the government has forced the RBI to ask or the RBI took the call on its own," RBI's former Deputy Governor K.C. Chakrabarty told IANS over phone from London.

"I'll not be able to say (on RBI's views being valued) unless the minutes of the board meet is shown," he added, alluding to some interference by the government, since RBI's position has always been against demonetisation.

"That was the consistent view of the Reserve Bank in the past," Chakrabarty said.

In a reply to Bloomberg, on a rightto-information query, the apex bank said that the decision to withdraw the legal tender character of the Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes was taken by the RBI board at 5.30 p.m. on November 8 -less than three hours before Modi announced it to the country.

Overnight, Rs 15.44 lakh crore or 86 per cent of the currency in circulation was declared illegal. Norms were announced by the Prime Minister on how people could deal with such currency in their possession -- which were subsequently changed on an almost daily basis.

Regarding autonomy, Chakrabarty said: "You must understand the autonomy that the RBI was getting from the government was because the government was to give the autonomy to the institution. If the government does not want to give anybody autonomy, the RBI cannot do anything."

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra was more direct.

"Most eminent people in India have been RBI governors, including the present governor (Urjit Patel). He is a good economist. Now the same autonomous institution has lost its teeth. It has been issuing notices and withdrawing notices as per government's instructions," Mitra told IANS. "What is very dangerous regard-

ing demonetisation has gone unnoticed. The deeper issue is that fundamental institutions of India of historic nature are being undermined and emasculated. Therefore, the faith in them by the people is under question today," he added.

The money that was declared illegal is yet to be replaced in any substantial measure -- at last count, the RBI said Rs 5.93 lakh crore of new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 have been issued.

Since November 10, most ATMs across the country have remained shut and those which do open their shutters run dry of cash very quickly.

Bank cash counters have the same woes, despite restrictions on the amount that individuals or companies can withdraw.

Many bankers too seemed to have lost faith on the towering apex institution.

"Yes, the RBI seems to have lost its autonomy in the issue of demonetisation which has been totally mismanaged," a chief executive of a bank told IANS, declining to be named.

"The RBI should have advised the government on the ground reality about withdrawing 86 per cent of the currency notes in circulation and the logistical issues," he added, suggesting that the central bank should have stuck to its ground.

In fact, Duvvuri Subbarao, former RBI Governor and Finance Secretary, has been rather candid about his relationship with the government and the finance minister (P. Chidambaram at that time) when he was at the helm at Mint Street, the headquarters of the RBI in Mumbai.

"Both have the same objective of growth, but RBI looks at long-term growth and the government looks at short term growth that results in different priorities for both. There is no way out," Subbarao told IANS. "It all depends on the chemistry between the finance minister and the governor," he said.

But experts hope the question of autonomy could come under less pressure, now that a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has been named

and has started functioning -- with three representatives each from the government and the RBI, and the veto power with the Governor.

"I support formation of MPC, though it will curtail the decisionmaking powers of the RBI Governor," said Subbarao. "The Governor will discuss and listen to all stakeholders in the committee, so he will not be solely responsible for the decision on interest rates."

But some domain experts like M.R. Sivaraman, former Union Revenue Secretary and former Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund, don't think demonetisation exercise, at least, reflects loss of the RBI's autonomy. On the contrary, they feel it is RBI that should have handled the situation better.

"Demonetisation will curb black money, eliminate fake currency and bring out unaccounted cash stashed away into the banking system," said Infosys co-founder T.V. Mohandas Pai, dismissing suggestions about loss of independence.

FridAY 30•12•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Through reclusive Wa, China’s reach extends into Myanmar PANGSAN, December 29 (reuterS): China is extending its sway over an autonomous enclave run by Myanmar's most powerful ethnic armed group, sources in the region told Reuters, bolstering Beijing's role in the peace process that is the signature policy of Aung San Suu Kyi. The "foreign policy" of the self-proclaimed Wa State is closely monitored by Beijing, senior officials in the administration run by the 30,000-strong United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its political wing said, with contact with Western governments, businesses or aid groups deemed particularly sensitive.

Officially known to Myanmar as "Special Region 2", the remote territory is the size of Belgium and home to 600,000 people.

Largely closed to Westerners for decades, it was visited by Reuters in October.

China's influence is quickly apparent, with street signs in Mandarin and Chinese businesses and banknotes ubiquitous in the self-proclaimed state's capital, Pangsan, and other Wa towns that straddle the rugged border.

"We share the same language and we marry each other," said the head of the Wa Foreign Affairs Office, Zhao Guo An, when asked about the Chinese influence on Wa politics. "There's nothing we can do about it. We use Chinese currency, we speak Chinese and we wear and use products from China. Very little of that is from Myanmar."

Delve a little deeper, and it is apparent that China's reach extends much further than business and social ties.

EYES AND EARS When Lo Yaku, the Wa agriculture minister, was asked about the drugs the statelet is accused of producing on an industrial scale, his secretary and a staffer from the official Wa News Bureau intervened to deflect the question.

Both men are not Wa natives, but from China.

"This question was answered yesterday," said I Feng, a news bureau reporter originally from western China.

the same time deterring any encroachment by Western or Japanese interests along its southwestern border," said Anthony Davis, a Bangkok-based analyst for security consulting firm IHS-Jane's.

"In this carrot-and-stick game the UWSA is unquestionably the biggest stick Beijing wields - plausibly deniable diplomatically, hugely influential as a strategic rear-base for allied ethnic factions, and itself far too powerful to be taken down militarily."

Ethnic Wa performer dressed as United Wa State Army (UWSA) soldiers perform a traditional dance in Mongmao, Wa territory in northeast Myanmar. (REUTERS)

"After the drug eradication campaign, our government encouraged agencies, individuals and Chinese investors to participate in anti-drug activities," said the minister's secretary, Chen Chun, originally from Zhejiang province on China's faraway east coast.

A similar scene played out repeatedly during Reuters' visit the first by a major international news organisation - questions on topics ranging from military funding to methamphetamine were mostly fielded not by the Wa minister but by an accompanying Chinese minder.

These and other Chinese citizens Reuters found working in the administration in Pangsan said they were employees of the Wa government and did not work for the authorities in Beijing.

But their presence hints at just how closely entwined the Wa State and its leaders are with their giant neighbour.

"China has its ears and eyes everywhere, including in the government and business, and is wary of any deepening of ties with the West," said one minister from the Wa government, speaking on condition of anonymity due the sensitivity of the matter.

"We take this very seriously, and act so as not to anger China," he said, adding that all dealings with Washington and Brussels, as well as every foreigner or NGO entering Wa territory, were scrupulously reported to China.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to a question from Reuters that "as a friendly neighbour" it has "consistently respected Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not interfered with Myanmar's internal affairs".

OPENING UP The Wa State was formed in 1989, when the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) disintegrated into ethnic armies, and has been run as an autonomous region by the UWSA beyond the authority of the central Myanmar government since.

The rare invitation to a small group of foreign journalists to visit - made at Beijing's urging according to two ministers from the Wa government - appears to be part of a charm offensive aimed at the new civilian government led by democracy champion Suu Kyi. Reaching an accord with the Wa and other rebels is one of

Suu Kyi's biggest challenges as she grapples with the interlocking issues of ending decades of ethnic conflict and tackling drug production in Myanmar's lawless border regions.

While it has not fought the Myanmar army in years, the USWA - whose leaders deny allegations from the United States and others that it is a major producer of methamphetamine - has so far declined to actively participate in Suu Kyi's peace process.

"It's a good timing for us to open up. There's a new political reality in Myanmar, so it's good to engage in the political dialogue and open up to the outside world," said Nyi Rang, a Wa government official.

China also has its own interests in play, according to analysts.

Beijing hopes Suu Kyi will restart a blocked, Chinese-financed mega-dam project, and wants to protect its extensive mineral interests in the country after the removal of U.S. sanctions has opened it up to Western competitors.

"China is playing a complex game in Myanmar aimed at safeguarding and extending its considerable economic, commercial and strategic interests while at

WEAPONS SALES The Wa mini-state relies heavily on China as a market for its exports of rubber and metals such as tin.

As well as occupying government posts, Chinese citizens, mainly from neighbouring Yunnan province, dominate local markets and the Wa elite send their children to Chinese schools and elderly to its hospitals.

"We don't make anything here.

The stuff we eat, we wear and we use is all from China," said Chu Chin Hung, district office chief in the Wa border town of Nan Tit. "Every Saturday morning there is a farmers' market, but almost all of the vendors are from China."

Experts such as IHS-Jane's Defence Weekly have previously reported that China has sold a variety of weapons to the Wa. For the first time, a Wa minister, who declined to be identified, confirmed some of those reports and described the process.

"The Wa State has bought military trucks directly from China and light weapons from China indirectly through Laos," said the minister. "Those weapons include rifles and cannons. They don't want to anger Myanmar by selling directly."

The Chinese Defence Ministry denied selling weapons to the Wa. "China has consistently and strictly adhered to a military equipment export policy that benefits the recipient country's present defence needs, does not harm regional or world peace, security and stability, and that does not interfere in the internal affairs of the recipient country," it said in a statement to Reuters.

9

Putin says Syrian govt & rebels signed ceasefire

mOScOw, December 29 (reuterS): Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian government had signed a number of documents including a ceasefire deal that would take effect at midnight on the night of Dec. 29-30.

Speaking at the meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Putin said that three documents which open the way for solving the Syria crisis were signed earlier on Thursday.

The documents include a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the opposition, measures to monitor the ceasefire deal and a statement on the readiness to start peace talks to settle the Syrian crisis, Putin said. " The agreements reached are, of course, fragile, need a special attention and involvement... But after all, this is a notable result of our joint work, efforts by the defence and foreign ministries, our partners in the regions," Putin said.

He also said that Russia

had agreed to reduce its military deployment in Syria.

Lavrov said that the ministry has started preparations for the meeting on Syrian crisis resolution in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Putin's announcement followed a statement carried

by Syrian state news agency SANA, which said the Syrian army would begin a ceasefire at midnight. The statement said the agreement excluded Islamic State, the group formerly known as the Nusra Front and all groups linked to them.

Russian authorities investigating the crash of a military plane that killed 92 people said on Thursday there was no explosion on board but they had not ruled out a "terrorist act" as the cause.

The Defence Ministry Tupolev-154 was flying to Syria with dozens of Red Army Choir singers and dancers on board when it plunged into the Black Sea shortly after take-off from Sochi in southern Russia on Sunday.

Investigators have said pilot error or a technical fault were among the most likely causes of the disaster.

Scottish islanders feasted on 1,600 seabirds a day eDiNburGh, De cember 29 (iANS): A 250-year-old census has revealed that islanders on Scotland's St Kilda ate more than 1,600 seabirds every day, a media report has said.

The document is the earliest recorded list of the archipelago's population and was discovered by archivists among a hoard of clan papers, the Belfast Telegraph reported.

The census lists 90 person living on the main island of Hirta on June 15, 1764 -- 38 males and 52 females, including 19 families and nine individuals.

Shedding further light on the islanders' diet, the report said each resident ate "36 wild fowls eggs and 18 fowls" daily -- an island-

wide total of 3,240 eggs and 1,620 birds every day.

The census report was discovered among the papers of Clan Maclachlan during cataloguing by the National Register of Archives for Scotland (NRAS), the branch of the National Records of Scotland which holds historical papers held in private hands.

Alison Rosie, NRAS registrar, said: "This document sheds new light on the history of St Kilda and the families who lived there, and gives us an insight into their lives more than 250 years ago."

The archipelago is the largest seabird colony in the north-east Atlantic with 600,000 nesting birds each year.

Duterte says once threw a man out of a helicopter With crises set to worsen, what are aid groups’ priorities for 2017?

Threatens he would do it again to corrupt officials

mANiLA, December 29 (reuterS): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened corrupt government officials with the prospect of being thrown out of a helicopter mid-air, warning he has done it himself before and had no qualms about doing it again.

The fiery-tempered former prosecutor said he once hurled a Chinese man suspected of rape and murder out of a helicopter.

"If you are corrupt, I will fetch you using a helicopter to Manila and I will throw you out. I have done this before, why would I not do it again?" Duterte said during a speech to victims of a typhoon on Tuesday, a clip of which is posted on a video feed of the president's office.

Duterte's latest threat comes just a few weeks after he admitted killing people during his 22 years as a mayor of Davao City, sometimes riding a motorcycle looking for "encounters to kill". Some senators have warned Duterte he risks impeachment over his comments.

He has repeatedly said those killings were part of legitimate police operations, including a hostage incident, and those killed were criminals, not suspects.

It was not immediately clear when or where the helicopter incident Duterte spoke of took place.

In an interview on Thursday with the ABSCBN news channel, Duterte was non-committal when asked if the incident really happened.

"Helicopter to throw a person?" he asked. "And if that is true, I will not admit it."

His spokesman, Ernesto Abella, suggested earlier the story was an "urban legend".

Duterte also said six people arrested last week during a seizure of more than half a tonne of methamphetamine, known locally as "shabu", in the capital were fortunate he was out of town.

"They were lucky I was not in Manila that time. If I had known there were that much shabu inside a house, I would definitely kill you," he said.

"Let's not make any drama, I will personally gun you down if nobody else will do it."

The United Nations' top human rights envoy has called for an investigation into Duterte's claims of killing people, to which Duterte last week responded by calling him "stupid", an "idiot" and a "son of a bitch" who should go back to school.

Shoulder pain may indicate heart disease risk, says study New YOrk, December 29 (iANS): If you are having shoulder problems, they may be due to some heart disease risk factors - not just physical strain, warns a new study.

"If someone has rotator cuff problems, it could be a sign that there is something else going on.

They may need to manage risk factors for heart disease," said the study's lead author Kurt Hegmann, Professor at University of Utah School of Medicine in the US. For the study, the researchers examined data from 1,226 skilled labourers.

The more heart dis-

ease risk factors that each of the study participants had racked up -- including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes -- the more likely they were to have had shoulder trouble.

The participants with the most severe collection of risk factors were 4.6 times more likely than those with none of the risk factors to have had shoulder joint pain.

They were also nearly six times more likely to have had a second shoulder condition, rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Participants with mid-level heart risk were less likely to have had ei-

ther shoulder condition, showed the findings published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

"What we think we are seeing is that high force can accelerate rotator cuff issues but is not the primary driver," Hegmann said.

"Cardiovascular disease risk factors could be more important than job factors for incurring these types of problems," he added.

It is possible that controlling blood pressure and other heart risk factors could alleviate shoulder discomfort, too, Hegmann noted.

LONDON, December 29 (thOmSON reuterS FOuNDAtiON): After a year of record humanitarian needs, 2017 looks set to be even more challenging for aid agencies as they brace for the fallout from protracted conflicts and other escalating crises.

The United Nations estimates almost 93 million people in 33 countries will need humanitarian aid and has appealed for a record $22.2 billion to help them.

Conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and South Sudan account for half the budget. In Africa's Sahel belt, poverty, conflict and climate change have left one in six hungry, fuelling migration to Europe, the United Nations says.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation asked aid agencies to name their three priorities for 2017: UNHCR - Filippo Grandi, head of the U.N. refugee agency 1) Access to safety for those fleeing conflict - upholding asylum for refugees, and tackling xenophobia, scapegoating and populist fearmongering.

2) Stabilising frontline refugee hosting countries by supporting an early life-saving humanitarian response, and decisive engagement by development actors to mitigate the dramatic consequences of large-scale refugee influxes.

3) Robust international action to prevent and resolve conflict, and renewed focus on the growing number of people who are internally displaced.

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES Garry Conille, head of operations 1) Emerging infectious diseases are becoming more frequent, complex and difficult to manage as they spread in urban settings with poor sanitation, crop up in new places due to migration and move across borders.

After Ebola, 2016 saw the wildfire spread of Zika and yellow fever and Rift Valley Fever in new places.

2) Aid for migrants. With no solution in sight to simmering conflicts and other triggers for migration, and little progress in establishing safe and legal routes for asylum seekers, we expect the staggering numbers of people taking flight to continue in 2017.

3) Local preparedness and localised funding. We will help vulnerable communities become more shock resistant (by) investing in strengthening local systems; teaching and delivering first aid, because 90 percent of lives saved at the outset of a disaster are by locals; and boosting community-based disease surveillance.

A displaced Iraqi woman, who fled the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul, stands behind a fence to receive aid at Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq December 27. (REUTERS)

OXFAM - Nigel Timmins, director of global humanitarian team 1) The eight-year conflict between Boko Haram and the military in northeast Nigeria has intensified, spreading into Niger, Chad and Cameroon. We are concerned at least 400,000 people could be experiencing famine-like conditions. Unless humanitarian aid is delivered, this could rise to 800,000. Over 2.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

2) After three years of fighting in South Sudan nearly 5 million people are desperately hungry. Half the population is already in need of humanitarian aid. Over 1.8 million people have been forced from their homes and more than one million have fled into neighbouring countries. The Ugandan village of Bidi Bidi has become the second largest refugee resettlement area in the world.

3) The Horn of Africa is experiencing a devastating drought where more than 12 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing food and water shortages. Forecasts suggest rainfall will not significantly increase, meaning both harvests and livestock productivity will decline sharply in early 2017.

WORLD VISION - Mark Smith, senior director for humanitarian emergencies 1) As the Syria crisis enters its sixth year, civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict marked by unparalleled suffering, destruction and disregard for human life. Some 13.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 4.9 million trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas.

2) In the Lake Chad Basin, more than 2 million people have been displaced by Boko Ha-

ram-related insecurity and, according to USAID, 4.6 million in Nigeria's Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states are experiencing acute food insecurity.

3) South Sudan continues to experience challenges including almost 600,000 refugees having fled to neighbouring Uganda.

CHRISTIAN AID - Jane Backhurst, senior humanitarian advocacy officer 1) Raise awareness and funding for the crises in northeast Nigeria and South Sudan.

2) The Middle East crises in Iraq, Syria and Israel and occupied Palestinian territory will remain a high priority.

3) Scale up our work in Afghanistan as Afghan refugees are returned from Pakistan.

ACTIONAID - Mike Noyes, head of humanitarian response 1) Scale up our disaster response capability. This is in part because of the wider impacts of the Syria crisis following the battle for Aleppo and likely knock-on effects of the battle for Mosul (in Iraq). In particular we will be looking at strengthening our capacity to deliver cashbased responses, especially those targeted at women.

2) Look at how we can do more in our work on disaster anticipation, preventing emerging crises from escalating by engaging with the work of the Start Network (https://startnetwork.org/) on forecasting mechanisms and piloting early responses.

3) Ensure we meet the commitments at the World Humanitarian Summit to make a locally-directed response to a humanitarian disaster a reality.

10

fridAY 30•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

liverpool, Man city bid to 42nd KYO sports meet concludes stay on chelsea’s heels DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 29 (MExN): The 42nd Kiruphema Youth Organisation sports meet under the theme ‘Strive for Prosperity’ which began on December 27 concluded today.

Altogether, a total of 10 football (Men) teams and 15 volleyball teams (Men & Women) with 342 players from 6 clubs participated in the tournament.

In football, Kezekevi club

won the championship by defeating Nourhe club 2-0 in the final and walked away with a cash of Rs 50,000, Trophy & citation and the runners-up received a cash of Rs.30,000, Trophy & citation.

In volleyball, Kekhrie club (women) and Kezekevi club (men) won the championship and walked away with Rs.30,000, Trophy & citation and Nourhe club (women) and Kekhrie club (men) got the run-

ners-up with Rs.20,000, Trophy & citation each respectively.

Individual prizes were awarded to best player in football-Kethovikho Zenyüu of Kezekevi club, best player in volleyball (women)-Vizokhono Hesielie of Kekhrie club, best player in volleyball (men)-Kevikuolie Hesielie of Kezekevi club and highest scorer-Pelengulie of Kekhrie club and Virüükho of Kenei club with 5 goals each.

Winter Cricket Challenge: GAPYOCC (Green) & Renegades CC register wins

LONDON, DECEMBER 29 (REUTERS): The much-anticipated clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on Saturday looks like a knockout to determine who can challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title.

A draw would do neither side any favours in their pursuit of Antonio Conte's Blues who are six points clear of secondplaced Liverpool and threatening to disappear over the horizon even before new year.

City lie one point further back in third and have traditionally reserved some of their worst performances for Liverpool. Last season they were humiliated 4-1 at home and have not won at Anfield since 2003.

At least they seem unlikely to face their chief recent tormentor, Philippe Coutinho,

who is recovering from an ankle injury. Coutinho has scored five goals in his last six games against them.

They can also call on Sergio Aguero to lead their attack as he has completed a four-game suspension.

Much will depend on how Liverpool's wobbly defence handles the Argentine although they possess plenty of threat at the other end with Adam Lallana leading the comeback in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Stoke City and Daniel Sturridge fit and firing again after scoring his first Premier League goal of the season.

City must also keep a close eye on Sadio Mane, who scored a hat-trick in his last game against them, for Southampton in a 4-2 win this year.

Pep Guardiola watched

Tuesday's victory from the stands and knows Anfield will again be red hot. Stoke, meanwhile, will need to show more resilience at Stamford Bridge to prevent Chelsea bagging a 13th successive Premier League win to equal the record set by Arsenal in one season in 2001-02.

Chelsea's Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante both return from suspension but Pedro is missing after receiving his fifth booking of the season in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Bournemouth.

Champions Leicester City are deep in trouble after just one win in nine games and will again be without the suspended Jamie Vardy against fast improving West Ham United.

Claudio Ranieri must decide whether to recall Riyad Mahrez after dropping the Algerian against Everton.

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 29 (MExN): GAPYOCC (Green) defeated Imperials CC by 13 runs to enter the Quarter finals and Renegades CC ousted Rising Star CC to enter the Semi final league of the ongoing 21 edition of Winter Cricket Challenge played at Local Ground, Cherry Town Wokha.

GAPYOCC (Green) won the toss in the last Pre Quarter Final match and set up a victory target of 144 runs (All Out) with a contribution from Retish Paul 44 runs, Debojeet 31 runs, Dipankar 22 runs and Ganesh 17 runs.

Bikram and Lawrence claimed 4 wickets each for Imperials CC Imperials played out the

inning 14 runs short of the victory target on 130 runs. The run contributors included, Nagaho 35 runs, Lawrence 20 runs and Abemo 19 runs. Debojit claimed 3 wickets and Retish Paul who also claimed 2 wickets while bowling was adjudged the Man of the Match. The man of the Match award was given away by Echungbemo E Rui, EAC, Kiphiri, who was the match patron of the day.

In the first Quarter final Match, Renegades CC won the toss and electing to bat first and set up a huge victory target of 160 runs with the help of a solid knock of 50 runs by Nayan Hazarika. The other noted contrib-

utor included Upender Rai 18 runs, chumthungo 17 runs and Renben 15 runs. For the side bowling, Yiben claimed 3 wickets, Nzan claimed 2 wickets and Khyolamo and Babul claimed 1 wickets each.

Chjasing the target the Rising star CC were bowled out in the 18th over of the inning 40 runs short of the victory target.

Onen and Khyolamo were the only noted contributors with 21 runs and 18 runs respectively. Techamo made a haul of 4 wickets and Renchio claimed 3 wickets for Renegades CC. Nayan Hazarika who also claimed 1 wicket while bowling was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Mahrez is one of four Leicester players about to depart for the African Nations Cup so the Italian is expected to spend heavily in the transfer window. Swansea City are also looking to strengthen their under-performing squad once they appoint a manger to succeed Bob Bradley who was sacked this week.

The Swans are 19th and desperately need a win at home to Bournemouth. The only side below them, Hull City, entertain Everton on Friday while 15th-placed Middlesbrough, away to Manchester United on Saturday, are among the sides looking anxiously below them.

Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace face a difficult game at Arsenal on Sunday when Tottenham Hotspur make the short President, Petroleum Dealers' Association Dimapur, Akokla P. Lucy addressing a gathering during the trip to Watford. closing ceremony of 3rd Badminton Tournament organized by Milen Ter Society at Aoyimsen on Thursday.

public discourse

In search of the truth Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi

W

hen the Creator of the heavens and the earth is God of peace, why there is famine of peace in the world?

When God is love, why terrorism is rampant in the world?

When God is righteous and holy, why the world is full of wickedness?

When God created mankind to have relationship with Him as the Father and the children, why the people do not bother to know Him? The solution is “KNOW GOD, BELIEVE IN HIM, FEAR HIM AND OBEY HIM” which is the law of relationship with God.

“KNOWING GOD” is the beginning of all good things and “UNKNOWING GOD” is the beginning of all evil things in the world.

The deeper the people have relationship with God, the more they will live in conformity with the perfect characteristics of God. It is a matter of verity that heavenly peace, joy and love are revealed and tasted through relationship with God which impacts on relationship among fellow men and women in the world. Hence accepting the truth is the solution to deprivation of relationship with God. The world have no other way of peace than to accept the truth.

So be it!

I Longkumer

D

ecember 15, 2016 will forever be etched in my memories. It was not the first time that I had attended a protest rally but in fact the first time where I, along with the rest of the people gathered at Khermahal junction for reasons known to everyone, were splashed with water cannon and attacked with tear gas by the incompetent minions of the Naga Nero. I can still vividly recollect the expressions on the faces of the punks in uniform, ready to pounce upon the peaceful protestors-like hyenas with saliva dripping down the mouth, eager to pounce upon and decapitate the hapless herd of sheep. But you see, we are a different kind of sheep-the kind that’s made of courage, resolve, truth and justice and we will certainly not bow down to injustice.

This particular incident has sensitized the public to the blatant misuse of power by the incompetent authorities. Also, not forgetting the teachers who were splashed with water cannon in Kohima when they were only asking for what was due to themtheir unpaid salaries. On that particular day (December 15, 2016), amidst all the chaos, I was quite happy to see many young faces like me. I believe that young Nagas are starting to realize our

rights and duties. It is a significant and positive sign. In fact, it is very encouraging-to say the least.

What actually surprised me was that there was no statement of condemnation from the “apex” Naga bodies like the Naga Hoho, NSF and even the NBCC following the incident. Pardon me if I’m mistaken. Anyway, we can’t really blame them for doing their respective jobs. As for ACAUT, it is a genuine people’s movement and majority of the Naga population are with ACAUT. ACAUT should be able to galvanize the people and situation, and most importantly, be able to sustain this movement of the people. To the Nagas out there, I say: come out and be a part of the movement, in the form of protests and rallies.

We have to fight the good fight. No one will fight for us but us only.

You don’t need an invitation to be a part of protests and rallies. Come forth with an open heart.

The year is coming to an end.

A new year is setting in but the fight shall go on. Palaces will crumble and people on high thrones with no regard and respect for the poor and ordinary citizens shall be brought down to earth by the same people-slowly but surely. It is inevitable.

“When oppression becomes a law, resistance becomes a duty” Long live Nagaland!

Immorality of Nagas’ Morality Dr. Salikyu Sangtam

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Tetso College

f anyone bothers to observe our society, one will invariably be left to ponder questions regarding nagas’ morality. Upon observation, one will be rather dumbfounded by the extreme vindictiveness of our people.

It is not just the vindictiveness but also the intense contempt, malice, hatred, grudge, jealousy, bitterness, dislike, hostility, spite, and enmity, i.e. resentment, we hold toward other members of our society—be it against members of own tribe, members of other tribes, or against other tribes in general.

And mind you, all these resentments are harbored by the majority of nagas professing to be ‘devout Christians.’ Now, I will admit that what I am about to discuss is unashamedly recognizable by most people, yet they remain silent because either they feel their voice will not be heard by the society busily engaged in an endless rat race with each other, or that because they themselves hold resentment towards others, they cannot be bothered to discuss such issues.

No doubt, my observations of our society may be wrong, and I’d sincerely hope that I am.

Yet, the day to day realities or experiences—one’s engagements with others—only substantiate the intense resentment we harbor in our hearts and minds. We harbor resentment because we cannot stand to see others— be they own tribe members or other tribes in general—succeed, prosper, or even gain employment, means, and so forth.

We even resent those whom we perceive to be leading a real or imaginary blissful life. We, the proud nagas, cannot bear to see anyone, other than our own self, happy. It is as if nagas have something against happiness.

Why do we resent other persons’ (real or imaginary) happiness? Why do we resent others without knowing who they are

as human beings? Why do we resent others on the basis of their affiliations: this or that tribe or clan, etc.? These kinds of resentment emanate themselves in every facet of our society: schools, colleges, churches, universities, municipal councils, hospitals, NGOs, and in every government departments, commissions, and ministries (especially over jobs, promotions, transfers, shares of the public funds, contracts, or which tribes will fill the vacant positions, etc.). We even go to the extent that tribes connive against each other; they cannot tolerate to watch other tribes, especially certain tribes deemed beneath them, grasp the spotlight even for minuscule moments. Only certain tribes can speak on behalf of the whole society, while others are either excluded or reduced to superfluous ancillary roles.

Tribes cannot bear to watch other tribes, particularly those they dislike, contribute to matters concerning society’s well-being because the former react indignantly when the latter contribute to the discussions.

In other words, resentment radiates and fills every aspect of nagas’ personal and societal lives: resentment toward other persons, tribes, clans, villages, and so on.

Surely, given such societal realities, any astute reader will invariably question the soundness of our morality. That is to say, to question the whole edifice upon which nagas’ morality is grounded because there must be something nefarious about it that makes nagas to be extremely resentful. And here, I cannot stress the importance of the term, “resent,” and its derivatives—“resentful” and “resentment.” These words undeniably exemplify much about the prevailing moral conditions of our society. To “resent” is to feel contempt, jealous, bitter, indignant, envious, and malice by harboring grudges, discontentment, and hatred towards others.

All the human lower tenden-

cies are succinctly embodied in this word: “resent.” Hence, when we “resent” somebody, no matter the efforts we put in to hide it, our actions demonstrate the intense resentment we harbor for others: persons, tribes, clans, etc. Our actions manifest our resentment for others; they betray the shallow artificial smile or empty façade we put on to hide our true resentment.

Now, the question becomes how did we get so resentful, or why have we let resentment dictate our lives? In my view, these questions can appropriately be answered by probing into the source from which our morality originates. Much of nagas’ contemporary morality stems from Christianity.

And the essence of Christianity is “Love”; love for one another and for every being. Therefore, the root source of our morality is this ‘Christian Love’: ‘love thy neighbor,’ ‘enemy,’ and so forth. Thus, when Jesus spoke of “love,” He was talking about love from the heart; love that is sincere and the source of which is “love” itself. Unfortunately, what we’ve done is that we have changed the source of “love,” which Jesus spoke of, from “love” to resentment and contempt. By rooting the source of our morality in resentment, we’ve also inverted the message of Jesus. We have disguised our resentment for others by utilizing and, at the same time, sullying Jesus’ message of “love” and “compassion.”

Thus, when we, under the pretext of Christian ‘love’ and ‘compassion’ profess to care for other persons, tribes, clans, etc., what we really mean is that our way of resenting others is to ‘love’ them, and the source of this ‘love’ is resentment, contempt, and malice. This is a devious conniving trick we have fabricated to conceal our resentment and contempt for others in the words of love and compassion. That is why nagas are masters of deception; we are excellent at tricking and deceiv-

ing others with a smile. Every naga knows that we have to be cordial and amiable, even become the best of friends, especially with those we want to deceive because we resent them for whatever absurd reasons.

We’ve transformed our society in such a way that it is entirely a workaday routine to deceive and hold grudges; a society where it is completely normal for a person to resent others and also be resented by them.

In this manner, we’ve created a suspicious society; a society in which every action, even those done in good faith, is suspected; and beneath every form of gratitude, there resides jealousy and suspicion. This is the society we have created in which we currently reside.

The readers may dislike what has hitherto been discussed. Regardless, ask yourself this question: are you willing, knowing full well the vile circumstance of our society, to let your children, grandchildren, and their children live in the same fiendish conditions? Do you want your child to grow up in a society where to be resentful and be resented are normal aspects of everyday life, much like breathing, sleeping, eating? The answer to this question will depend on what kind of society you want your children to inherit.

We, the proud nagas, are particularly good at looking out for our own interests, but this cannot go on if we deeply care and have genuine concerns for the future. Certainly, I do not have answers to the question I have posed to the readers, yet I sincerely do hope the readers will offer answers to this exigent question confronting our society. Nevertheless, to answer this question, a complete selfexamination, as well as a reevaluation of the source of our morality, is required.

By “self-examination,” I mean the essentiality of selfcriticism, where it is important to passionately believe in something but also, at the

same time, hold the wisdom to recognize that our beliefs may be wrong. After all, it is only through self-criticism that we become aware of our own vanities. Whereas, by “reevaluation of the source of our morality,” I mean the reexamination of the foundational source of our contemporary morality: Nagas have a closed parochial morality that is deeply rooted in resentment. And because we have a closed morality, we are concerned with only the interests of a specific entity: Me, My tribe, My clan, My village, etc. Therefore, we perpetually exclude others. Furthermore, our closed morality ossifies conflicts and suspicion, and so treats anything outside of our immediate ambit as hostile, as something to be resented.

That is why we not only tainted Jesus’ message of love but also concealed our resentment and contempt in His words of love and compassion. Our closed morality explicitly confirms the depraved mindset of our society, i.e. the immorality of our morality.

As long as we harbor resentment in our hearts and minds, I do not think it is fathomable to sincerely adore and care for our society in general.

When we today speak of ‘Naga’ society’s ‘advancement’ and ‘progress,’ we mean either our own personal gain or the gains for our own tribe at the expense of others (Hence, in our society, the term, ‘development,’ is constantly utilized to amass personal gains). We haven’t truly begun to care for the future of our society, i.e.

Naga society; on how it will look like in fifteen or twenty years’ time. Rather, we continue to squabble, among many others, along tribal, clanship, village, and family lines. Verily, a sound morality is required for societies to overcome their arduous hurdles; while, depraved morality goes in tandem with the decay of societies even before they begin to blossom.

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.

friday 30•12•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Debbie Reynolds dies of a stroke, a day after daughter

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ebbie Reynolds, a leading lady in Hollywood musicals and comedies in the 1950s and 1960s, including “Singin’ in the Rain,” died on Wednesday, her son said, just one day after the death of her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher.

Reynolds, 84, an Oscar-nominated singer-actress, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai hospital earlier on Wednesday, “It’s true, she’s with Carrie,” her son, Todd Fisher, told Reuters, adding that shortly before suffering a stroke Reynolds had said she missed her daughter and wanted to be with her.

“She left very shortly after that and those were the last words she spoke,” Todd Fisher said.

After the news of Reynolds’ death, numerous people took to social media and wrote that “she died of a broken heart.”

One of the most enduring and endearing Hollywood stars of her time, Reynolds received a best actress Academy Award nomination for the 1964 musical “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

Carrie Fisher, who rose to fame as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” films and later battled

through drug addiction before going on to tell her story as a best-selling author, died on Tuesday at age 60 after suffering a heart attack last Friday.

After Fisher’s death, Reynolds said on Facebook, “Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and t a l e n t s of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop.”

Reynolds had been in frail health in the past year, and she missed a dinner in November 2015 to receive an honorary Oscar. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said at the time that she was unable to attend because of “an unexpectedly long recovery from recent surgery.”

The nature of her illness was not disclosed. Fisher told reporters in May 2016 that her mother was “doing really well,” but she did not give details. source: reuters

Goradia engaged to American beau

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V actress Aashka Goradia is engaged to her American beau Brent Goble. The couple got engaged when Aashka was celebrating Christmas in Breckenridge, Colorado, US, with Brent’s family. Aashka shared on her Instagram account a collage of images capturing the proposal. “Nothing but happy tears.

Brent G, thank you for making me believe in fairytales. Found my prince. I love you. Best moment ever. Irreplaceable and priceless,” she captioned the image. She also reposted her fiance’s Instagram post, which read: “The moment she opened her present... it’s a feeling no words can describe and a feeling I will never forget. I love you Aashka Goradia and how emboldened I am to live my utmost potential with you.” The actress was previously in a relationship with actor Rohit Bakshi but the two separated later. source: IANs

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emonetisation or not, Aamir Khan and the box office performance of his Dangal has proved that good content always wins. Much like a bad carpenter who blames his tools, producers of Bollywood had diplomatically pointed fingers at demonetisation for failing to go up high in the box office ladder.

But Aamir Khan’s Dangal have been a living proof that nothing can stop film buffs from going to the theatres if as a superstar you promise to deliver a film with the right kind of content and inspiration. With the first week BO collections, the film is expected to enter Rs 200-crore club.

This fact has been pointed out by actor Rishi Kapoor, who’s family has been associated with the industry for generations. “Film makers blamed demonetisation for their film’s failure.

Please explain “Dangal”. Expected to be the biggest at +350 cr. in these times!,” he had tweeted yesterday.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted on Thursday, “#Dangal is heading for Rs. 190 cr+ Week 1… Should accumulate HUGE total in Weekend 2 as well… Expected to cross Rs. 200 cr on 2nd Fri…” Talking about Dangal’s total box office collection in six days, he wrote, “#Dangal Fri 29.78 cr, Sat 34.82 cr, Sun 42.41 cr, Mon 25.69 cr, Tue 23.09 cr, Wed 21.20 cr. Total: Rs. 176.98

P

statement released by his agent said.

“Recently Shah made his film debut with Pakistan s first online film and it seems like the haters are not admiring his approach of using arts to the benefit of mankind. Perhaps that is the reason why he was getting threats. Shah was left heartbroken when the

government failed to provide him security and as a result of which he decided to leave Pakistan,” the statement said.

The singer’s departure was confirmed by his manager. “Even I don t know where he has gone to but he has left Pakistan for sure,” he said. source: PTI

Was worried if I would be good enough for Hollywood: Priyanka

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ollywood star Priyanka Chopra says when she chose to explore acting opportunities in the West, her only worry was whether she would be able to make a name for herself in Hollywood.

Priyanka, 34, earned global fame after starring in hit American TV show “Quantico”.

She has since made appearances on popular talk shows, graced top magazine covers, walked red carpets at award shows across

Papa Shakti drags her back home

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his love story gathered lot of steam a week ago, and Shraddha Kapoor could not control herself from moving out with bag and baggage straight into her lover Farhan Akhtar’s apartment.

Shocked? But wait till you hear more.

The building guys started talking in hushed whispers that the Rock On 2 stars were finally ready to confirm their romance, and all that.

But Shraddha and Farhan’s bliss was short lived.

On Sunday, Shraddha’s doorbell rang. And she almost fainted when she opened the door.

The reel, and now real, villain Shakti Kapoor was standing right opposite her, his eyes red with rage.

Mausi Padmini Kolhapure (Shakti’s wife’s sister) was in tow.

The agenda was clear, they wanted Shraddha to quit the live-in arrangement and move back to the family home IMMEDIATELY. It was obviously not an easy task but Papa Shakti used all his shakti and came out victorious in this clash.

Shraddha was forcibly brought back to her Juhu home, goes without

saying ‘against her wishes’.

Did she put up a good fight?

Whatever, the Rock On 2 actress did not make a scene while leaving her love nest and made a quiet exit--- but we are sure that silence preceded a storm at home.

Shraddha’s parents, Shakti and Shivangi, are obviously worried about their daughter and her unconventional romantic choice.

Farhan is a father of two, who has not yet been granted an official divorce from his estranged wife, Adhuna Babhani.

The stand taken by Shakti was definitely a big story, in his house and outside- the industry is talking about it in hushed tones- and SpotboyE.com has brought it to you hot and first from the oven. source: Yahoo News

Dangal earns Rs 200 cr in a week Raftaar raps for Hollywood film ‘Passengers’

‘Angel’ singer Taher Shah leaves Pakistan after life threat

akistani singer Taher Shah, who became an online sensation with his ‘Angel’ song, has left the country after receiving life threats, his agent said today. Shah who rose to fame and became an Internet sensation with his viral debut single, ‘Eye to Eye’ in 2013 and followed it up with another song ‘Angel’ left from Karachi yesterday.

According to his agent, Shah had been receiving death threats for a while now. “Pakistan’s famous singer Taher Shah, who is known for spreading love through his music had been receiving life threats for quite some time,” a

Shraddha moves in with lover Farhan

America and was also present at the White House Correspondents’ dinner hosted by outgoing US President Barack Obama.

“My worry (in the US), as an Indian actress, was whether the global entertainment industry was ready to see an Indian actor in the lead, as we haven’t seen one before - be it in television or films. I was worried about it as it had not happened with any Indian actress,” Priyanka told PTI in an interview.

“My worry was ‘Will I be good enough?’

But I had such a wonderful reception. I have got so much love and affection. The only thing to do now is keep evolving. I only think about how I can grow more and what more can I do.”

Priyanka entered the Hindi film industry after winning the Miss World title in 2000.

She made a mark in Bollywood with films like “Aitraaz”, “Fashion”, “Barfi”, “Mary Kom” and “Bajirao Mastani” among others and then turned to Hollywood to explore acting opportunities there. She made her acting debut in Hollywood with American television show “Quantico” and is also part of the “Baywatch” film which will release next year. source: PTI

cr. India biz. MIND-BOGGLING!” The film is doing great business internationally as well, “#Dangal crosses Rs. 100 cr Overseas… Going strong…

OVERSEAS – Till Wed: $ 15.01 million [Rs. 102.25 cr]… Some screens yet to report.”

In a male dominated, narrow minded village like Haryana in India, one would imagine that a father’s main intention would be to gather enough money to wed his daughters.

Aamir Khan’s Dangal tells the story of a father, Mahavir Phogat, who thought otherwise; instead of preparing teaching them how to be perfect housewives, he chose to think unconventionally and trained his daughters for wrestling, a sport which is also dominated by men.

Geeta and Babita have said in various interviews that Aamir Khan’s protrayal of their father was actually too kind. He was a lot more ‘haanikarak’ in reality. He would often hit his daughters ( for their own benefit) if he ever thought that it was necessary. Nevertheless it was the inner strength of Mahavir Singh Phogat which encouraged Geeta Phogat to become India’s first ever gold medal winner in women’s wrestling category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

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apper Raftaar has created a special rap for Hollywood film ‘Passengers’, which stars Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. He is excited about his first Hollywood collaboration. Raftaar, best known for songs like ‘Bottle’, ‘Swag mera desi hai’ and ‘Dhup chik’, has created a special rap in Hindi titled ‘Aadat’. The rap captures the essence of the Sony Pictures Entertainment’s space adventure thriller film.

“I am happy to be associated with this project like this - a film with everything you want in a film! Chris Pratt is a proper bro and Jennifer Lawrence ‘aapki bhabhi hai’ and to be able to have my first Hollywood collaboration for a film that stars both of them is just source: The Indian express icing on the cake,” Raftaar said in a statement.

The film is about a 120-year journey from Earth to a colony planet with 5000 people. The two actors play Jim and Aurora, who on a routine journey through space to a new home, are awakened from their suspended animation 90 years too early and face living the rest of their lives on board their malfunctioning ship alone.

‘Passengers’ is set to hit the theaters in India on January 6, 2017 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Raftaar says “since this is a film themed around a journey in space, the lyrics I have written go hand-in-hand with that. I thought I’d have to rewrite the lyrics to get it perfect, but turns out, I was quite happy with my first draft itself”. source: IANs

Selena Gomez teams up with Paulina Rubio

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he 24-year-old singer only recently returned to the recording studio, following a hiatus for health reasons earlier this year (16). But now Paulina has revealed that one of the reasons for her comeback was to lay down a tune for her upcoming record, due to hit shelves at some point in 2017.

Speaking about the album to Mexico’s Vanidades magazine, Paulina explained: “It’s truly a warrior, (in the sense that) it has a little of something from each genre, like banda, and pop, collaborations with DJ Snake and Selena Gomez... I was looking to maintain the key element: for the music to be danceable.”

Selena has not released new material since last year’s (15) Revival album, but previously sparked rumours she has once again collaborated with songwriter Justin Tranter, after surfacing in one of his pictures on Instagram.

“Music and love,” the picture, featuring Selena

Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400

DANGAl

applying eye make-up, was captioned.

Selena and Tranter have worked together in the past on songs including Hands to Myself and Good For You. After posting the picture, Nick Jonas expressed his joy at the thought of Selena working on new music by posting a celebratory emoji.

Selena, who was diagnosed with lupus in 2014, announced in late August

+

(16) she was taking an indefinite break from her world tour in order to focus on getting well.

She made her public comeback at the American Music Awards last month (Nov16), where she gave an impassioned speech about being “broken” as she accepted the Female Pop/ Rock Artist trophy.

Selena has yet to comment on the status of her career after her health hiatus, but she recently

returned to Instagram to open up about the past year.

“My year has been the hardest yet most rewarding one yet,” she wrote. “I’ve finally fought the fight of not ‘being enough’. I have only wanted to reflect the love you guys have given me for years and show how important it is to take care of YOU. By grace through faith.

Kindness always wins. I love you guys. God bless.” source: Contactmusic

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12

friDAY 30•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Tevez goes to China, becomes highest paid player

BUENOS AIRES, DECEMBER 29 (REUTERS): Carlos Tevez became the latest high-profile international player to join the Chinese Super League when Shanghai Shenhua confirmed the signing of the Argentine striker from his boyhood club Boca Juniors on Thursday.

"Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC reached a transfer agreement with Argentina Club Atletico Boca Juniors. Carlos Alberto Tevez is officially joined Shanghai Shenhua," the club said in a statement on its website (www.shenhuafc.com.cn).

Although no financial details of the deal were released, media reports have suggested that the Chinese club paid 84 million euros ($87.65 million) for Tevez, who returned to Argentina last year after spells in England and Italy.

The hefty price tag will make Tevez the world's sixth most expensive player, behind Paul Pogba, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ron-

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aldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Neymar, according to the German-based soccer information website transfermarkt.com.

Tevez is also in line to become the sport's highest paid player with the

striker reportedly earning around $753,000 per week on a two-year contract with Shanghai Shenhua.

The 32-year-old is the second big-money arrival in China's biggest city in less than a week after Brazilian

midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea in a deal believed to be worth 60 million euros ($62.62 million).

All for a 32-year-old who no longer earns a place in the Argentina squad.

The crazy numbers don't stop there. Tevez's mindboggling wage works out at roughly: £87,857 a day, £3,660 an hour, £61 a minute, and £1 a second.

To put it another way, if you combined the £250,000 p/w wages sought by Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in their contract stand-off with Arsenal, you would still have enough left over to hand Harry Kane his £100,000 Friday pay cheque.

Or you could pay all three of arguably the best creative talents in the Premier League: Eden Hazard (£220,000 p/w), David Silva (£200,000 p/w) and Kevin De Bruyne (£170,000 p/w).

And if you combined the wages of the Premier League's two highest-paid players, Paul Pogba (£290,000 p/w) and Wayne Rooney (£260,000 p/w), there would still be £65,000 left in loose change from Tevez's wage.

The former West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City striker is the latest star to head for the riches of the Chinese

Super League, leaving his boyhood side Boca Juniors.

He will work under former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gustavo Poyet, who took over as Shenhua manager last month.

Graziano Pelle, Eze-

ter City and Juventus during a decade in Europe after leaving Boca for Brazil's Corinthians in 2005, ended his second spell with the Argentine club on a high.

The striker, who returned to his boyhood side in the summer of last

Top best paid footballers • Carlos Tevez (Shanghai Shenhua) : £615,000 per week • Oscar (Shanghai SIPG)

: £400,000 per week • Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) : £365,000 per week • Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

: £365,000 per week • Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) : £346,000 per week • Hulk (Shanghai SIPG)

: £317,000 per week • Paul Pogba (Man United)

: £290,000 per week • Neymar (Barcelona)

: £289,000 per week • Graziano Pelle (Shandong) :£260,000 per week • Wayne Rooney (Man United) :£260,000 per week quiel Lavezzi and Jackson Martinez are all recent arrivals in China, while Shanghai SIPG manager Andre Villas-Boas is also on a lucrative contract since replacing former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson.

Tevez, who played for West Ham United, Manchester United, Manches-

year, scored 25 goals in 56 matches in his second spell at Boca, winning Argentina's Primera Division and the Copa Argentina Having helped the club win the league title last year, Tevez starred in a 4-2 win over arch-rivals River Plate in the 'superclasico' earlier this month, a victo-

ry that lifted Boca into first place in the championship.

Tevez will team up with other high-profile internationals at the club, including Senegalese striker Demba Ba, Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins and Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin.

Despite a highly-successful club career, Tevez has failed to light up the international stage, having scored 13 goals in 76 appearances for Argentina.

He did, however, play a pivotal role in the country winning gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Boca Juniors offered Tevez their best wishes in a statement announcing his departure, which included the message: "Good luck Carlitos. You will always be in our hearts."

Shanghai Shenhua, who appointed Gus Poyet as manager last month, finished fourth in the 2016 Chinese Super League, which ran from March to the end of October, 16 points behind champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

AS Chautala offers to resign if David Trezeguet believes Di Maria is threatened by Draxler's arrival in PSG IOC disapproves his elevation NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 29 (PTI): Under intense pressure from various quarters, embattled Abhay Singh Chautala on Thursday offered to relinquish the life presidency of the Indian Olympic Association, but only if the International Olympic Committee has reservations about his elevation to the position.

Chautala, who has been chargesheeted in a disproportionate assets case, and 2010 CWG corruption scandal tainted Suresh Kalmadi were made Life Presidents at the IOA's Annual General Meeting in Chennai on December 27, stunning the Indian sporting fraternity and leaving the Sports Ministry fuming.

Kalmadi chose to step aside on Wednesday and Chautala said he was ready to do so but with a rider that IOA president N Ramachandran+ should take up the matter with the IOC and he will resign only after the international parent body disapproves of him taking up the honourary position.

"I wish to thank the IOA for nominating me to the ceremonial position of Lifetime President and I have already informed the president IOA, through a

separate letter, that if IOC is not favourably inclined to my taking over as Hon. Life President after the (IOA) president has had an opportunity of discussing this matter personally with IOC, I will be pleased to sacrifice my position in the best interest of Indian sports, sportspersons, good Governance, transparency and cleanliness in India sports," Chautala said in a statement.

He took a swipe at Sports Minister Vijay Goel, who has issued a show-cause notice to the IOA, threatening to derecognise it for the controversial decision.

"I am surprised at the reaction of the Minister of Sports Mr Vijay Goel and the media attention which was given to this ceremonial recognition for my humble contribution to sports. I have made sacrifice in 2013 by resigning from the post of President, although I was elected President in accordance with IOA Constitution, Indian Constitution and in a most transparent manner in an election conducted by three eminent Judges," said Chautala.

"Even my presence to witness Rio Olympics has been questioned. I am per-

sonally aware of the conduct of Minister of Sports at Rio where IOC had questioned the behaviour of the Minister and his associates and threatened to withdraw his accreditation. I do not wish to dwell more on this subject as I do not want to embarrass the Minister.

If necessary, I will brief the Hon'ble Prime Minister on this issue of Rio Olympics."

Chautala said that the Annual General Meeting of the IOA in Chennai has authorised Ramachandran to discuss with the IOC certain issues relating to the provision of chargesheeted or chargeframed persons from being barred from contesting IOA elections.

Following its suspension by the IOC in December 2012, the IOA was forced to amend its constitution to ensure that chargesheeted/chargeframed persons are not allowed to contest elections.

Only after that, the IOC revoked the suspension of the IOA in February 2014.

"I am given to understand that in the AGM of Guwahati in 2015, where I was not present, IOA had resolved that certain amendments which have only been made in India and are not applicable to

other countries should be taken up by IOA with IOC. The AGM in Chennai was informed that IOC was extremely busy with Olympics and, therefore, this matter could not be discussed for a period of one year.

"I have noted that the AGM (in Chennai) has now requested the president to take up this matter with IOC to have a complete understanding on whether people who have been chargesheeted under Indian law, for political reasons not connected with sports, can be kept away from active management of sports or not. The AGM has given three months time to the president to discuss this matter with IOC," Chautala said in the statement.

He asked the IOA president to meet the IOC officials in accordance with the resolution passed in the AGMs of Guwahati and Chennai.

Talking about his earlier stints as president of erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, he said, "I have served Indian sports selflessly for more than 25 years and have made my humble contribution towards promotion of Indian sports especially in boxing.”

PARIS, DECEMBER 29 (IANS): Former French football star David Trezeguet said that Paris SaintGermain (PSG)'s winger Angel Di Maria must exert the greatest effort to maintain his place in the capital club after the arrival of German Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg.

In an interview published on Wednesday by Le

Parisien, Trezeguet said that no one is questioning the potential of the Argentine, but he has to do his best if he wants to keep his place after the arrival of Draxler.

The former Juventus striker, who retired in 2015 at the age of 37, also spoke about his countryman, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, reports Efe. Trezeguet praised Zi-

dane's success with Real Madrid as head coach and said that he never imagined that the former playmaker would accomplish so much in such a short period of time.

He said the coach knows the club really well and highlighted his closeness to the players.

Trezeguet, who has Argentinian origins, concluded by commenting on PSG

coach Unai Emery, especially after some disappointing results in recent weeks.

He emphasised that the Spanish tactician won the Europa League with Sevilla three times, but the Champions League is a bigger challenge and needs more patience; however if bad results prevailed, his continuation in Paris will be at stake.

Broom's ton sweeps Bangladesh aside NELSON, DECEMBER 29 (REUTERS): Recalled batsman Neil Broom scored his maiden one-day century and took two crucial catches as New Zealand completed a 67-run victory over Bangladesh in the second one-day international at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Thursday.

The victory allowed New Zealand to wrap up the three-match series with a game to spare as captain Kane Williamson chipped in with a throw that led to a run out, a catch and three wickets with his part-time off-spin.

Chasing 252 for victory, Bangladesh had been cruising at 105 for one in the 23rd over before Williamson sparked a collapse with the run out of Sabbir Rahman for 38 after he had combined in a 75-run partnership with opener Imrul Kayes.

Williamson then had all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan caught at backward point by Broom, who also snapped up Imrul off Tim Southee for 59, as the visitors slumped to 141-7 by the 33rd over.

They were eventually bowled out for 184 in the 43rd over.

Broom, who was recalled for the series six years after the last of his 22 previous one-day internationals, had propped up New Zealand's below-par 251 all out with a composed innings.

The 33-year-old, whose recall was partly necessitated by Ross Taylor needing time to recover from eye surgery, took his time to set a foundation and patiently built his innings on a wicket that was good for batting on when established.

He also combined in a 51-run partnership with Jimmy Neesham (28) and for 64 runs with Luke Ronchi (35),

but they both got out when the home side needed them to stay with Broom to launch an assault in the final overs.

Broom, whose previous best was 71 against the same opposition in 2010, was on 99 when Lockie Ferguson was the ninth wicket to fall in the 47th over.

Trent Boult, however, survived the last ball of the over and Broom then pushed a single into the covers on the first ball of the 48th to bring up the milestone.

He finished on 109 not out, having hit eight boundaries and three sixes.

Dele Alli double helps Spurs sink 10-man Southampton Former world number 1 Ivanovic retires at 29 BELGRADE, DECEMBER 29 (REUTERS): Former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 29 on Wednesday because she no longer feels fit enough to compete at the highest level.

Ivanovic became the first Serbian woman to win a grand slam tournament when she beat Russian Dinara Safina in the 2008 French Open final, following in the footsteps of compatriot Novak Djokovic who clinched the Australian Open title the same year.

"There is no other way to say it. I have decided to retire from professional tennis.

It has been a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate," Belgrade-born Ivanovic said on Facebook.

"I began dreaming about tennis when I was five.

My dear parents backed me all the way and by the time I was the world number one and won Roland Garros in 2008, I have seen the heights I never dreamt of achieving," she added.

Her French Open victory catapulted Ivanovic to the summit of the WTA tour rankings but she only

Ana Ivanovic

occupied top spot for a few weeks and dropped to 22nd at the end of 2009 after a dramatic loss of form.

She returned to the top five in 2014 and reached the French Open semi-finals in 2015, but slipped out of the leading 60 this year after losing to little-known Czech Denisa Allertova in the U.S. Open first round, her final match on the WTA tour.

"I played so many memorable matches. But staying at those heights in

any professional sport requires top physical form and it's well-known that I have been hampered by injuries," Ivanovic said.

"I can only play if I perform up to my own high standards. I can no longer do that so it's time to move on."

Striking a happy figure as she announced her retirement with a smile in a live address to her fans, Ivanovic also revealed her future plans.

"Don't be sad, be opti-

mistic alongside me. My love and my greatest thank you to all of you," she said.

Ivanovic, the world number 63, married former Germany soccer international Bastian Schweinsteiger this year.

"I am so excited about what comes next. I will become an ambassador of sport and healthy life and will also explore opportunities in business, beauty and fashion, among other endeavours," she said.

LONDON, DECEMBER 29 (REUTERS): Tottenham Hotspur kept up the pressure on the Premier League's top four after coming from behind to beat 10-man Southampton 4-1 thanks to two goals from Dele Alli and one apiece by Harry Kane and Son Heung-min on Wednesday.

Alli cancelled out Virgil Van Dijk's second-minute opener before Kane fired Tottenham ahead and missed a penalty after Southampton winger Nathan Redmond hacked down Alli and was sent off.

England midfielder Alli produced a superb individual performance and stressed it was crucial that Spurs kept their composure after falling behind.

"It's never nice to concede a goal that early in the game and it was important that we didn't lose our heads and didn't panic," he told Sky Sports.

"We stuck to the game plan and after we put the first one away it was a good game. We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game, they are a great team and have some fantastic players."

Kane was expecting

Tottenham's Dele Alli scores their fourth goal. Reuters Photo

a tough match against Southampton.

"We have come here and scored four in a comfortable win. We've got another game in a few days and we've got to focus on that," he said.

Spurs, who stayed fifth in the table with 36 points from 18 matches, one behind arch-rivals Arsenal and three adrift of third-placed Manchester City, visit 10thplaced Watford on Sunday.

Southampton, who are eighth with 24 points, are

at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The Saints had Tottenham on the ropes in the opening 15 minutes as Van Dijk headed in a James Ward-Prowse free kick before Redmond shot just wide of the far post.

But the tide turned after Alli rose to head home a deflected Moussa Sissoko cross from the left and Kane fired the visitors in front with a thumping header from a corner.

The England striker then blazed his spot-kick over the bar after Redmond was dismissed for hauling down Alli, but the home side were punished again for throwing caution to the wind in the closing stages.

Substitute Son rounded off a swift break for Tottenham's third in the 85th minute and Alli put the icing on the cake two minutes later with an equally superb finish into the bottom left corner after neat footwork.

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