December 6th, 2016

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

TuesDAY • December 06 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 335 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

Every person has the choice to contribute to or drain from this world Chinese state media say call with Taiwan’s President Tsai shows Trump’s inexperience PAGe 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Morung Express News Kohima | December 5

Clean Election: ABAM backs decision of Nagaland papers Mokokchung, DEcEMbEr 5 (MExn): ABAM (Ao Baptist Churches Association) today supported the call for Clean Election by the media fraternity in Nagaland for the 2018 General Election.

“Among the many declarations made by different organisations, this probably tops the list,” ABAM Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger said in a press release referring to the declaration of seven newspapers to “immediately stop publishing any news and advertisements that contradicts the values and objectives of ‘Clean Elections in Nagaland,” and the principle of ‘One Person – One Vote’.” ABAM hoped that the decision will make a lasting change during the coming election. “The declaration will further enhance the call made for clean election by NBCC and ABAM,” it added.

Speeding train kills 3 elephants in Assam

C M Y K

guwAhATi, DEcEMbEr 5 (iAnS): Three elephants were killed after they were hit by a speeding train in Assam early Monday, an official said.

The incident took place in the Jogijan area near Hojai railway station in central Assam. The Dibrugarhbound Vivek Express sped into a herd trying to cross over to the other side of the track, killing three elephants. Locals said that the train was in high speed and did not comply with the recent instruction of the Forest Department to slow down during the night while approaching areas frequented by elephants.

However, railway authorities, said that the area was not an identified elephant corridor and hence there was no question of any speed limit. A total of nine elephants were killed in train-related accidents in Assam 2015.

— Leta B.

Sepp Blatter Loses Appeal at CAS Against 6-Year FIFA Ban

PAGE 02

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) launched a year long road safety campaign in Nagaland on December 5. With ‘Time for Action’ as the theme, the campaign was launched at Kohima in collaboration with Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU) and the Nagaland state Motor Vehicles Department.

Alongwith the launch, a oneday road safety workshop was organised at the De Oriental Grand with Chief Minister TR Zeliang, Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar and Minister for Transport Paiwang Konyak, who is also the Chairman of the Nagaland Road Safety Authority, in attendance.

Zeliang, in his address held that the campaign will go a long way in educating the people on road safety and reducing fatalities. “Motorized transport system has reduced distances, but the faster we move, the greater is the risk we take.” According to him, road accidents can be reduced significantly through introduction of road safety strategies.

As per MoRTH statistics, India reported over 1.4 lakh road fatalities and over 5 lakh accidents in

2015. The number of deaths was marked by an increase of 4.6 percent from 2014. The number of accidents reported in 2014 was 4.8 lakh.

According to the Minister for Transport, Paiwang Konyak, roads, along with its benefits have also contributed to numerous fatal accidents leading to loss of lives. Citing statistics, he held that accidents rate in Nagaland is not as high as against the country-wide figure and other more populous states. However, he reminded of the terrain in Nagaland, which could render accidents more fatal.

Nagaland had the least road crash fatalities, besides Lakshadweep, at 30 deaths in 54 accidents reported in 2015. Rash driving, drinking and driving on poor quality roads account as the major cause of accidents in Nagaland, he said.

Stressing on the need to strengthen efforts effectively, he said, “There are some things we can do to avoid accidents. Road safety is very much upto how we use the roads.”

Veerender Singh Rathore, Technical Consultant (Road Safety/Enforcement), MoRTH while highlighting on the basic road safety standard further elucidated on the 6E’s Concept - Engineering of Vehicle, Engineering of Road, Education and Awareness, Enactment of Law and Enforcement, Emergency Care, Environment & Elected Member Commitment – devised as part of a study to promote road safety.

PAGE 12

December traffic woes for Dimapur Morung Express News Dimapur | December 5

December - It’s that month of the year when the air over Nagaland automatically shifts gear to a festive mood. From decorative lights to banners welcoming Christmas, or the impending New Year and hoardings advertising ‘special festive’ sales everywhere, it is the time of festive season rush.

As the roads of Dimapur become increasingly congested so does the number of revelrous commuters. Road safety becomes all the more a priority for an under stressed Traffic police on narrow roads in an unplanned landscape further aggravated by drivers without road etiquette.

While the existing Traffic regulation in Dimapur will remain till such time fresh directive is issued, the Dimapur Traffic Police (DTP) has appealed to the commuters to adhere to road safety norms. “Respecting and obeying traffic rules should be the priority of all commuters,” commented ACP (Traffic I), Sezo Peseyie on Saturday.

The Traffic rules, besides others, include parking in the designated spots, avoiding outmanoeuvring in single-lane roads, maintaining speed limit and distance between vehicles, using low beam light when passing at night etc.

While expanding road width has become almost impossible

Traffic scene at NL Road towards the Dhobinulla junction in Dimapur on December 3. (Morung Photo)

and adding over passes a reverie, strict implementation on the part of the Traffic police and compliance on the part of the commuters has become the word of the day.

ACP Peseyie further felt that spreading awareness and sensitising would also go a long way in easing the problem of vehicular congestion. In tandem with displaying public hoardings and newspaper publications, he said that the DTP’s collaboration with Dreamz Unlimited to produce an awareness video was one such effort.

The video was released through social media and can also be viewed in the Dimapur Police Facebook page.

On the plans to deal with the December traffic, Peseyie said that while the existing regulation will remain, the DTP will try to rope in NGO volunteers like it did in the previous years.

For the past few years, Christian Higher Secondary School (CHSS) campus has acted as a temporary parking lot during December. Last December, the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union and the Baptist Youth Fellowship volunteered with the former assisting Traffic personnel at NL Road and the latter managing parking at the CHSS campus.

Asked if it is really necessary to have volunteers assist the Traffic police, Peseyie re-

plied, “It is in one way an effort to spread the message and sensitize the public.” He further felt that the public is gradually realising the responsibility and pressure felt by the Traffic police. “It’s new and very encouraging to the Traffic personnel,” he said referring to instances of NGOs offering snacks and refreshments to field personnel on several occasions during the year.

With no conclusive survey till date, conservative estimate suggest that vehicular traffic in Dimapur increase by threefold during December. Add to it drunk driving and to curb that Peseyie said the Traffic police will be stepping up the use of breathalyzers. As per the MV Act, any driver with blood alcohol reading above 30 percent in 100 ml of blood can be penalised. Driving under the influence (DUI) could include either jail term or fine or both and for any contravention of the MV Act, the fine may extend up to Rs. 100 for the first offence and up to Rs. 300 for the second.

Till date however there is reportedly no record of anyone being jailed or driver’s licence being cancelled for DUI. The traffic snarls in Dimapur is said to have been compounded by the unregulated increase in the number of passenger autorickshaws. From the early 90s till date the District Transport Office is said to have registered some 16,000 autorickshaws in Dimapur.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa dies at 68 chEnnAi, DEcEMbEr 5 (iAnS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa died at Apollo hospital on Monday night, a day after she suffered a cardiac arrest. She was 68. She was admitted in hospital since September 22.

In a statement issued here, Apollo Hospitals said: "It is with indescribable grief, we announce the sad demise of our esteemed Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma at 11.30 p.m. today."

Govt depts to make e-payments for amounts above Rs 5,000 nEw DElhi, DEcEMbEr 5 (iAnS): In order to give a boost to the digital payment system, all government departments have now been directed to make e-payments for amounts above Rs 5,000, an official statement said on Monday.

“All the ministries/departments of the government have been now directed by the Ministry of Finance to ensure with immediate effect that all payments above Rs 5,000 to suppliers, contractors, grantee/loanee institutions etc. are made by issue of payment advises only,” the ministry said in a statement. The prescribed limit for e-payment was Rs 10,000 till now.

T R u T H

nagaland government commits to road safety Year-long Road Safety Awareness Campaign launched

You tricked me into thinking we were going for a walk.

World Soil Day observed across Nagaland

o F

Jayalalithaa's death will leave void: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, saying that her death had left a huge void in Indian politics. "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian poliSangtam women are seen performing at the ‘Culturally Yours’ event at Kisama during the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland. tics," Modi tweeted.

Defining Jayalalithaa as a mass lead‘Culturally Yours’ is a cultural extravaganza, which displays the rich cultural songs, dances and traditions of the people er, Modi in another tweet wrote: "Jayalaof Nagaland. (Photo by Chizokho Vero)

A supporter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaraman holds her photo at the AIADMK party office in Mumbai, India, December 5, 2016. (REUTERS)

lithaaji's connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalized will always be a source of inspiration." "My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief," he said.

Nagaland goes easy on tourists for ILP Manipur govt must urgently initiate informed consultations: NPMHR

kohiMA, DEcEMbEr 5 (ThE nEw inDiAn ExprESS): While neighbouring state Manipur is fighting a bitter battle for implementation of Inner Line Permit to prevent influx of ‘mainland Indians’, Nagaland, where the provisions of restricted entry of non-locals is already in place, has gone easy on the tourists regarding the mandatory permit needed to stay in the state.

“According to government orders, we are maintaining a bit leniency in checking ILP for tourists attending the Hornbill Festival. However, it is seen that many of the tourists already have procured ILP from Nagaland houses in Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi or Mumbai. However, to maintain a balance between increased inflow of tourists in the state during Hornbill Festival and Christmas and at the same time necessitating the requirement of ILP to stay for designated period in Nagaland, procedures for securing ILP has been made easier as well as checking for the same has been made lenient,” Thejavizo Nakhro, Extra Assistant Commissioner (Sadar), ILP department at Deputy Commissioner office in Nagaland, Head Office of issuance of ILP. Meanwhile, several of the tourists were seen without the necessary permit either due to ignorance or lethargy.

“I had heard about necessity of procuring ILP to enter and stay in Nagaland for a designated period of time. However, I have not yet got it done as I don’t have a local guarantor here in Nagaland and don’t know how to get it done.

Anyways, if the police catches me, then I will

have to make it anyways,” said Randip Singh from Delhi.

“I thought if the police checks, I will tell I didn’t know about the necessity of ILP and will get it done in Deputy Commissioner Office in Kohima,” said Sourjya Ray, a frequent visitor to Nagaland.

Though the locals say police check tourists for ILP at the checkpoints on the highway from Dimapur to Kohima, bypassing the formalities are also not tough.

“Necessity of ILP depends on the contacts one outsider has with the local persons.

Suppose one has contacts with a local, he can drive to Dimapur Airport and bring guests in the car. No policeman will ever stop a Naga,” said L Changsuba Jamir, a restaurant owner in Kohima’s Razhu Junction.

Stay without ILP can warranty a fine of Rs 1,000 or three months imprisonment or both.

Comissioned during the British Rule, the Inner Line Permit, which is in place in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram prohibits plains people from entering the hills without the requisite permit. The move was brought about by the colonial rulers to prevent an influx of people from more populous plain areas to the hills, thus disturbing the demographic balance.

“Tourists will come and leave. What is more pressing for us is influx of illegal immigrants from other nations. Identifying them becomes all the more difficult as many of them have valid Indian nationality proof, which can be paid made paying a paltry sum,” Nakhro added.

ukhrul, DEcEMbEr 5 (MExn): Against the backdrop of the current crisis in Manipur, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (South Sector) today asserted that the minimum the Government of Manipur must urgently do to resolve the crisis is to open up democratic space and initiate informed consultations on issues by clearly declaring commitment to respecting and acting upon constitutional guarantees like Article 371C. “Unless, this is done, the underlying issues that have led to organizations calling for bandh and blockade would continue to manifest,” stated a press release from Dr. Gina Shangkham, Convenor, NPMHR (South Sector).

The NPMHR (South Sector) maintained that the development and events in Manipur indicate that “democratic spaces have been consciously exploited and arbitrarily suppressed by the State; existing concerns and apprehensions of different communities in Manipur have been abused to politicalize peoples’ issues, generate fear and suspicions, and create communal dis-

harmony.”

In a democracy, the NPMHR stated, it is the moral responsibility of those in public office to ensure that democratic political space is created and upheld to foment a spirit of constructive debate and engagement among all in identifying solutions. “However, in Manipur, the manner and spirit in which legislative and administrative decisions are sought to be taken, as evidenced by events, suggest that existing constitutional guarantees and mechanisms for all people in Manipur, particularly the tribal and minority communities, have been deliberately circumvented or illegally and completely disregarded.”

It cited that the guarantee afforded by Article 371C of the Constitution of India in safeguarding the interest of the Hill Areas has been time and again contravened. “The Hill Areas Committee, mandated under Article 371C, and whose primary function is to protect the interest of those in the Hill Areas, has been made weak and its powers intentionally circumvented and treated as an obstacle rather than an institution essential to the judicious

functioning of the government,” according to the NPMHR. The human rights group further stated that the controversies around SADAR Hills and Jiribam district and the three bills (The Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms 7th Amendment Bill 2015, the Manipur Shops And Establishments 2nd Amendment Bill, 2015) etc are “symptomatic of the larger underlying problems of institutional deficiencies and design defects that require a process in which the people have to be taken into confidence by enabling them with the required technical advice and resources to take informed decisions.”

“This requires pursuing processes that respect the dignity and liberty of everyone within a framework that validates the rule of law instead of actions such as bandhs, blockades and counter blockades. It also calls for much deeper introspection and reflection among every quarter of the society in identifying the real underlying issues instead of firefighting and reacting to the symptoms,” it added.

2

tuesDAY 06•12•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

World Soil Day observed across Nagaland

Mangkolemba ADC Hq silver jubilee celebration on Dec 9

maNgKolemba, December 5 (mexN): One of the biggest sub-divisions in the state, the Mangkolemba Sub-division ADC Headquarter will be culminating its yearlong silver jubilee celebration at Mangkolemba town on December 9 with Chief Minister TR Zeliang as the chief guest.

The ADC Headquarter Mangkolemba, which was established in the year 1991, looks after three ranges under Mokokchung district, namely – Jangpetkong, Tzurangkong and Japukong range.

As part of its yearlong silver jubilee celebration, the Headquarter, under the leadership of the incumbent ADC Imtiwapang Aier formed a planning committee consisting of the government officers, the Students’ Union, youth organization (MTLT), church leader, GBs etc and initiated different activities as part of the yearlong celebration. Notable among the Notable among the activities were the mammoth career counseling for students, exhibition cum sales, inter-range volleyball tournament etc which were successfully held with the active support and cooperation of the different NGOs like youth organizations, students’ organizations, village councils, town committee etc.

On Friday, December 9, the Silver Jubilee celebration will culminate in a grand finale with chief minister TR Zeliang gracing the main programme as the chief guest at Public Ground which will start from 11:00 AM. The Silver Jubilee Planning committee has made elaborate programme for the day which will include cultural shows by different cultural troupes from the different villages and communities. An added attraction will also be the Assam Rifles Brass Band who will entertain the audience.

The chief guest will unveil the Jubilee monolith and also inaugurate the ‘Town Council’ at town Hall on the same day. Besides the two legislators from the area – Parliamentary Secretary Benjongliba and MLA Dr Longri Ao - a host of dignitaries and senior ministers are expected to accompany the Chief Minister to attend the jubilee celebration.

The evening of December 9 will mark one of the biggest concerts in the town with renowned band from Shillong - COLOURS – taking the stage to entertain the audience.

In this regard, the Planning Committee in a press release has invited all the public to join in the grand celebrations of the Mangkolemba ADC Hq.

Dimapur District Planning and Medziphema GBs seek Development Board meeting held clarification from Food

DimaPur, December 5 (DiPr): The monthly Dimapur District Planning and Development Board meeting for the month of December was held at DC’s Conference Hall on December 5 under the chairmanship of Parliamentary Secretary, I&FC and Chairman DPDB, Jacob Zhimomi.

The house recommended the registration of Runrun Self Help Group, Old Showuba Village, change of nomenclature of Gonyu Memorial Montessori School Chumukedima to Gonyu Memorial School Chumukedima and Eden Garden Institute Burma Camp to Eden Garden School Burma Camp. Construction of toilet in SDEO office compound, Dimapur was one of the agendas which was decided to be forwarded to the depart-

ment concern.

Upgradation/ recognition from classes V-X of Spring Blossoms Academy, Thahekhu Village and proposal for opening of Rose Sharon Academy, Chungaijang Romgmei Colony, Burma Camp was not recommended as it needed proper verification to be done by the administration. Renaming of Nagarjan Road to Nimedo Sakhrie Road was also kept pending to be taken up in the next meeting after proper verification and consultation.

During the meeting departmental presentations were made by the department of PWD (R&B) and Legal Meteorology & Consumer Protection.

Jacob in his concluding remarks thanked all the members for their co-operation throughout the year.

3rd Death OfAnniversary

Dr.Thepfulao linyü

and Civil Supplies dept

meDziPhema, December 5 (mexN): Medziphema Town GB Union has drawn the attention of Food and Civil Supplies Department, Dimapur stating that Priority Household (PHH) card holders are entitled to 5 kg of rice per head per month, however only 4 kg of rice per head is distributed to general public. The Union in a press release issued by the General Secretary Rokovitso Kuotsu questioned, “Why the sanctioned quantity is is not being distributed. Where is 1 (one) kg per head per month is being diverted?”

The Union also said that some PHH card holders are not able to get their due share as the quantity sanctioned by the concern department is not sufficient. While stating that PHH holders should get sugar through PDS but till date no sugar has been distributed, the Union also queried “why is the department not able to distribute sugar to the common public.”

“The department must clarify the matter and look that the poor people are not deprived of their genuine rights,” the Union demanded.

Kohima, December 5 (mexN): In commemoration of World Soil Day - December 5, the District Agriculture Office Kohima marked the day with its officials, staffs and farmers’ friends stressing on the importance of soil.

The programme was chaired by Rokoshuno Angela, Dy PD, ATMA. Vizonyii Liezie, DAO & PD, ATMA in his keynote address briefed about the agricultural status of Kohima.

Everything begins with soil regardless of flora and fauna hence soil management and conservation is the key to soil productivity. The work done and on-going work by the office regarding Soil Health Cards was also highlighted by Liezie.

Kethoneilhou Vimera, AO-II, DAO Kohima shared about the history of World Soil Day and importance of soil. Soil is where life begins and hence it plays a very crucial role for livelihood on this earth. He opined that our soil is at great risks due to poor management hence, soil conservation is the need of the hour for sustainable living.

The Government of India launched the Soil Health Cards scheme in February 2015 under which Kohima district is also working, covering various villages reaching out to the farmers. The benefit of Soil Health Cards was shared and later the Soil Health Cards were distributed to the farmers by the DAO Kohima.

The Department of Soil and Water Conservation celebrated World Soil Day on December 5 under the theme ‘Soils and Pulses, A Symbiosis For Life’ at the Directorate of Soil and Water Conservation conference hall with T. Nungsang Ao, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Nagaland as the chief guest.

The programme had special invitees from the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Government of Kerela where the officers from the state of Kerala shared various schemes and programmes of their Government and also shared their field experiences. Samad, Deputy Director, Government of Kerala shared about World Soil Day celebrations in Kerala which is celebrated with much enthusiasm and participation from all the stakeholders in Kerala each year.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director Imkongneken Ao, spoke about the importance of World Soil Day, the importance of symbiotic relationship between soils and pulses which is an important factor for sustainable agriculture and its overall production.

The programme was chaired

by Imtiyondang Ao, Joint Director where welcome address was delivered by E. James Lotha, Joint Director and Vote of thanks was pronounced by Dr. Kiyasetuo Vizo, Deputy Director

‘Soils and Pulses Symbiosis for life’

Chubatemjen, SDO (Civil), Angjangyang, Mon distributes Soil Health Cards to farmers during the occasion of World Soil Day at Mon.

moN, December 5 (mexN): One day programme on celebration of World Soil Day-cum-PreRabi Campaign (Sammelan) was conducted at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Aboi, Mon office premises on December 5 with Chubatemjen, SDO (Civil), Angjangyang, Mon as the chief guest.

The programme was chaired

by Dr. Ruokuovilie Mezhatsu, Pro-

‘Healthy soil for healthy life’

TueNsaNg, December 5 (DiPr): Tuensang celebrated the World Soil day 2016 at CKS Hall Tuensang on December 5 under the theme ‘Healthy soil for the healthy life.’ The programme was organized by KVK Tuensang and participated by the Agri and allied departments of Tuensang, KVK staffs, ECS Staffs and farmers of Villages from with Tuensang District. Manazir J. Samoon SDO(C) Tuensang was the chief guest on the occasion.

Dr. Keviletsu Khate in the introductory note highlighted on the introduction of Soil Health card to the villages which will be issued after examination of soil health.

He advised the farmers to cooperate giving the soil samples collection by the department to study the deficiencies of the soil which can help the department to initiate the soil treatment on its basis.

Happy 50 Wedding Anniversary th

Three years have passed by in the blink of an eye, …but you will remain close to our hearts with Love till we meet again.

Lovingly, Family Members

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

gramme Co-ordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mon and welcome address by Martha Chakruno, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection). The highlights of the programme was delivered by Dr. M.S Sachan, SMS (GPB) in which he stressed on the emergence and importance of World Soil Day, 2016 and also highlighted rabi campaign.

The chief guest emphasized on sustainable food production system and implementation of resilient agriculture practices that will progressively improve land and soil quality. He encouraged the farmers to be well-informed on agriculture & allied schemes and avail its benefits followed by distribution of Soil Health Cards.

During the technical session, Audio-Visual Aids were utilized (Film Show as well power point presentation) by Dr. Paihem Michui, SMS (Vety. & A.H) emphasized on the theme ‘Soils and Pulses Symbiosis for life’ of World Soil Day 2016 and the importance of soil, consequently Dr. R. Mezhatsu highlighted about the fallow management in jhum and lowland paddy field, crops grown on Rabi season, economic impact on multiple cropping systems and its positive effect on soil health.

Consultation services were provided to the farmers during the interactive session along with Technology Showcasing. Critical inputs such as extension literatures, bio-control agents, vety medicines and seeds were freely distributed to the farmers.

Altogether 107 participants from the nine neighbouring villages involving Village Council, Civil Societies and farming community attended the programme.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by SMS (Vety & AH).

Amuzho Abuh Aba, Thrünpuhnü nüke rhangdung tsüde zojihbah nüke yamkhün thsükhi kam 50th khiung khi thsungkheak Isa alalanü asühde makshe jihdeThrünpuh mung lang shichoh. Mutuklode Thrünpuhnü Tsünthrubah & nüke kilim alü jingtsüp kutsüp müngühYungtsüla shang.

Nükenü muzhode alakhi Nüke tsührübo, tsührütsührübo tüsho betsührübo.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Thematic Presentation was conducted by Tokiho Achumi SMS Agronomist where he lectured on the importance of the soil in human life which a proper explanation on a slide projector presentation. The explanation was done with the theme ‘Together we can conserve’ where he explained on the conservation of soil and its importance as a main constituent of human existence.

The programme manager, ECS Chongshen also supplemented on the works in collaboration with KVK Tuensang and its story of success in the field of agriculture within Tuensang. He advised the farmers to pass the messages of Settled Agriculture Techniques and its importance to conserve the rate of erosion of the soil which will have a positive impact to do away with the Jhum Cultivation.

Dr. Manazir J Samoom SDO

(C) in his speech stressed on the importance of soil with reference to India and special focus on soils of Nagaland. He said Nagas are dominantly an agricultural state which needs good quality of soil for sustenance for which the farmers should change the mindset of old techniques of farming to produce more. To change the old techniques of cultivation we need the help of the specialist to study to the soil samples which will help to detect the deficiencies so shall the treatment follows, he added.

He encouraged the farmers to take note on the advices given by the subject specialists which will help in production level of the crops.

The chief guest also inaugurated the Soil Health Cards and distributed to the farmers. The programme was chaired by Sarendi Walling while the vote of thanks was given by Yanger Kichu.

District level consultation on Nagaland Land Use Policy

moKoKchuNg, December 5 (DiPr): The District Level Consultation Process on 2nd Draft Nagaland Land Use Policy was held at the Conference Hall of ADC (planning) Mokokchung on December 5. SDO (C) Mokokchung, Sachin Jaiswal gave the opening remarks to the Consultation on Land Use policy, its need and importance.

Shilpa Chohan, from the Indian Environment Law Organization (IELO) gave a presentation on the key elements of the (Draft) Nagaland Land Use Policy and Lipok Jamir ATMA Programme Coordinator shared the stakeholder response to the (Draft) Nagaland Land Use Policy at the

Range Level.

Majority of the representatives from the villages gave positive response expressing that having the Land Use Policy (LUP) would be beneficial, except for some who suggested that the policy be discussed 3rd draft thoroughly at the village level.

Another 10 days was extended (Till 15th Dec. 16) to all the villages to submit suggestions for addition or deletion in the Draft Policy, which has to be addressed to deputy Commissioner & Chairman JRMC or ADC of the Sub-Divisions. The consultation meeting was chaired by Project Officer, SARS Yisemyong, Deepak Chetri.

Demo on package of pea and broccoli held

LATE. HANKIUCHI YIMCHUNGER

DIED ON: 27/11/2016 ith profound gratitude, we the children and family members of Late. Hankiuchi of Tsüthu Village wish to express our sincere appreciation to each and every individual and well wishers who stand by us in prayers and supported us emotionally, morally, physically, financially and materially during her sudden demise on 27/11/2016.

W

Words are inadequate to express our indebtedness to each and everyone but it is our prayer that the Lord may bless you abundantly.

We also wish to give special thanks to:1. Tohanba Parliamentary Secy. Economic & Statistical /Municipal.

2. Rhekhum. President. JDU, Nagaland.

3. Keozhi, President. Y.T.C. 4. Yanba. Farmer, Vice President Y.T.C. 5. Thsankiu. E.S (YBBA).

6. Shamator Town. Public Farm.

7. Y.W.O. Shamator Town.

8. YBBA Shamator Town.

9. Shamator Town Baptist Church.

10. Shamator High School. Sector.

11. Tsüthu Baptist Church.

12. Tsüthu Village Council.

13. Pungrangrü Village Council.

Loving Children, Grand Children, Great Grandchildren, In-Laws & Relatives.

ATMA officials and resource persons with the participants during the demonstration held on November 26 at Pukhato village.

W

e the bereaved family members of Late. Thupuzo Vasa express our profound gratitude to all who stood with us through prayer, physical, material and financial support and blood donors during his brief illness and ultimate demise on 17 November 2016.

We regret our in ability to personally acknowledge each and every individual and groups; however we pray that the Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving Family Members

DimaPur, December 5 (mexN): ATMA-Dimapur Kuhuboto Block conducted demonstration on package & practices of pea and package & practices of broccoli held at Pukhato village, under Kuhuboto Block, Dimapur on November 26.

A press release informed that the resource person for the programme were Ameto Yeptho, ATM (ATMA), Kuhuboto Block and Chumyani, AFA & BTT Member (ATMA), Kuhuboto Block, Dimapur.

Chumyani spoke on the importance aspect of practices of pea cultivation, which is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates.

She also elaborated on the soil management, land preparation, spacing and varieties of pea. She further illustrated on the seed rate and treatment with rhizobium for higher production. She also emphasized on

the diseases control and pest management.

Ameto, gave a brief outline on the package and practices of broccoli. He also elaborated that Broccoli is a cool-weather crop that does poorly in hot summer weather.

Broccoli grows best when exposed to an average daily temperature between 18 and 23 °C. He also emphasized many studies have suggested on the increasing consumption of plant foods like broccoli decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and overall promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight. The programme concluded by a live demonstration on the field.

Altogether 17 farmers attended the programme. Earlier the programme was chaired by Yimobendang, ATM (ATMA), Kuhuboto Block.

tuesday 06•12•2016

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

blockade hits train UNC to continue ongoing Adivasi services in the North East indefinite economic blockage

‘Govt of Manipur has failed to honor the MoUs and written assurances given by MHA, GoI’

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): The United Naga Council (UNC) on Monday said the ongoing indefinite economic blockade including banning of the construction of Trans Asian Railways and National Projects would continue.

It stated that the Government of Manipur had miserably failed to honor the letter and spirit of the Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) and the written assurance given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

The UNC, through its publicity wing reminded that the Naga people had protested five (5) times against the decision of the Manipur State to upgrade the so-called Sadar Hills into full-fledged district and the Jiribam sub-division.

However, all these related agitations were concluded by signing MoU between the Government of Manipur and the Naga people in which it always mentioned that, “all the stakeholders would be consulted.” Also, the last written assurance given by the MHA, Government

Protest rally held in Delhi

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): The Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) under the aegis of the Naga Students Union, Delhi (NSUD) on Monday took to the streets condemning what it alleged was Ibobi’s “avowed anti-Naga politics” and slammed the Manipur Government for attempting to “criminalise the Naga political issue.”

The Naga civil societies in Delhi have been observing indefinite sit-in protest since the political arrest of the UNC President, Gaidon Kamai and Information Secretary, S.K. Stephen. The top two UNC leaders were arrested by the Manipur police on the charge of causing disturbances and damaging public properties following the peaceful total shut down called by the UNC along the National Highway in protest against the creation of Sadar Hills District. A press statement issued by the CJNCSD censured the Government of of India stated, “all section of the people and stakeholders including the bodies representing the Nagas would be consulted,” the UNC press release pointed out.

The UNC also stated that to resolve the issue amicably, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through Joint Secretary North East had invited the UNC to have a joint meeting with the Government of Manipur on November 15, 2016 at New Delhi.

The proposed meeting failed as the Government

India’s political insincerity in allowing a free hand to the Government of Manipur to intermeddle into the ongoing Indo-Naga Political Dialogue. “The Naga political issue, including the sensitive question of Naga ancestral land, territorial integration, culture and identity, is a matter of political negotiation with the Government of India at the highest political level and the interference from the State Government into the process is absolutely unwarranted and uncalled for,” it stated.

The CJNCSD also condemned the political persecution of Naga leaders and warned against “unleashing of avoidable ethnic violence, which is likely to follow in case the arrested UNC leaders are not released immediately.”

The CJNCSD also took exception to the double standard of the State Government (Manipur) in targeting the UNC leaders while “leaving the valley-based organisations scot-free

of Manipur did not send its representative to resolve the issue, it stated.

Taking these actions or inactions into instance, the UNC said the message is enough loud and clear to all the people of Manipur that the Government of Manipur do not want peace but to actively incites communal disharmony amongst all ethnic communities living in the present state by deliberately creating a situation to divide ethnic communities.

The UNC also stated that deployment of thousands of security forces and

who have been championing violent counter blockade in the valley and warned against any further provocation by militarising the Naga areas.”

“The issue of Naga ancestral land and territory is always political in nature and no attempt of the State Government can reduce the issue to a legal nature. The imposition of Section 144 CrPC along the National Highway instead of initiating genuine political dialogue in order to resolve the issue is absolutely uncalled for,” NSDU general secretary Chawangbo Chalunmai stated at the protest rally.

A large number of the Nagas in Delhi marched through the streets of Jantar Mantar, chanting in unison, “Release UNC Leaders without Any Condition”, “Communal Manipur, Down Down Down”, “Ibobi, Stop Persecuting Naga Leaders”, “Stop Criminalising Naga Political Issue,” the press statement informed.

imposition of 144 CrPC just to “grab our ancestral land will never deter the Naga people in any way.”

It therefore asked the people of Manipur to ask the Government of Manipur why it did not send its representative (s) for the meeting of November 15, 2016 in New Delhi. And why the government does not clarify and speak out the position of the so called Sadar Hills and Jiribam till today which was also demanded by the Naga Peoples’ Organisation(NPO) Senapati through its press statement, dated the 27th

October 2016.

It also stated that the situation in the present State of Manipur has become volatile and from bad to worst due to peoples unrest and by the silence of the Government of Manipur.

Further, the UNC also warned the Government of India that if it failed to intervene immediately on the ongoing crisis, the Naga people will response befittingly without any hesitation and in case of any damages or unwanted consequences that may occur; the Government of India would be responsible.

Damin and Parsi-Parlo administrative circles under Kurung Kumey district, Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang, also the district SSA project director, suspended them recently, an official release said here today.

The suspended officials were found absent from their place of posting since a long time, it said. Some of them were reported to have

Meghalaya Govt to augment corpus contingency fund to Rs 455 crore SHILLONG, DECEMBER 5 (PtI): The Meghalaya government today approved a proposal to augment the corpus contingency fund from Rs 205 crore to Rs 455 crore to meet the increasing expenses incurred by the state government. This is the second time in a year that the fund was hiked in view of the tight budgetary allocations from the Centre and to meet the payment of Rs 200 crore to over five lakh job card holders by month end.

"We have approved the proposal for temporary augmentation of the corpus from Rs 205 crore to Rs 455 crore," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after a cabinet meeting. He said over Rs 200 crore would be required for clearing the pending wages of around five lakh job card holders under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Schemes (MNREGS).

"We are trying to ensure that wages for all job card holders under the scheme are regularly released, which is the endeavour of the government for the past one year," he said. The cabinet approval of the corpus fund was necessitated and this would be replaced with a regular act to have augmentation on a permanent basis.

not joined their duties since the beginning of the current academic session, thereby affecting the smooth functioning of the schools located in remote outposts.

The DC has directed Kurung Kumey district Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) to carry out an inquiry against all the suspended officials individually and submit report before December 20

for further necessary action. Darang became the first DC to reach Ruba, the last village on the Indian side at the Indo-China border in Kurung-Kumey sector after trekking for several days and also the first Deputy Commissioner to reach Damin on foot. He visited various government establishments and institutions during his week-long tour recently, the release said.

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(NFR) and the railway authorities had to control at least 16 trains at different railway stations in the region.

The blockade started at 6 a.m. when thousands of volunteers of the ANCC gathered at the Kokrajhar railway station and blockaded the tracks, demanding the Scheduled Tribes status to the indigenous communities.

NF Railway officials said that 16 trains, including 12 Up trains, were controlled at New Alipurduar,

New Coochbehar, Falakata, New Jalpaiguri, Kishanganj, Malda, Barsoi, Katihar and other stations. Similarly, four down trains were controlled at New Bongaigaon, Bongaigaon, Goalpara and Barpeta Road railway stations.

The ANCC later submitted a memorandum to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal through the Deputy Commissioner and demanded that the government solve the problems of the community on priority basis.

STEERING COMMITTEE

JALUKIE TOWN GOLDEN JUBILEE Corrigendum In the Souvenir of the Jalukie Town Golden Jubilee, the sentence appearing at the 6th & 7th lines of page no. 8 which reads as “The Mhai people refused to give land for the noble purpose” is erroneous.

It should be read as “During the joint meeting held with Late L. Lungalang, the Mhai Village was undecided on the matter of giving land”.

The error is deeply regretted.

Sd/- RHOSIETHO NGUORI SDO (C) & Convener

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

STATE COUNCIL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH & TRAINING NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO. SCERT/NTSE/3/2016

Dated Kohima, 5th December, 2016

reSuLT oF THe nTSe-2017 (STATe LeVeL)

Arunachal Pradesh govt suspends 17 SSA employees

ItANAGAR, DECEMBER 5 (PtI): The Arunachal Pradesh government has suspended 17 employees working under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for remaining absent from their duty for an excessively long period.

Taking action against the absentees, 17 teaching and non-teaching staff under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) posted in various educational institutions of

GUWAHAtI, DECEMBER 5 (IANS): Train services to and from the northeastern states were affected on Monday following an 11-hour blockade by the Adivasi National Convention Committee (ANCC), a conglomeration of several organisations of indigenous people.

The ANCC, however, decided to restrict the blockade to only 5 hours later in the day. The train services, however, remained affected and the Northeast Frontier Railway

AFFidAViT Regd.No. 378/2016

I, Smti. HENJEI KONYAK wife of Threiwang Konyak of mission centre, Mon District, Nagaland hereby declare that the name A. HENJEI KONYAK is of same person. I declare that my correct name is HENJEI KONYAK and shall be use for all official purpose in the future.

TENDER NOTICE NO.: EL-LM-16-17-18 DATED : 01-12-2016 Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer, Lumding acting for and on behalf of the President of India invites E-Tenders against Tender No. EL-LM-16-17-18. Closing date/time: 05-01-2017 at 15.00 hrs.. Bidders will be able to submit their original/revised bids upto closing date and time only.

Manual offers are not allowed against this tender and any such manual offer received shall be ignored.

Name of work: At Manderdisa (MYD)-Provision of Medium Level platform and Development of passenger circulating area.

(Electrical portion). Advertised Tender Value : ` 10,90,929/-; Earnest Money: ` 21,820/-; Cost of Tender Document: ` 2,000/-.

Bidding Start Date: 22-12-2016.

The complete information with the tender document of above e-tender will be available in website http:// www.ireps.gov.in.

Sr. DEE/LMG

NORTHEAST FRONTIER RAILWAY Serving Customers With A Smile

17 Hornbill Festival 2016 th

dAY SiX

Highlights

Guest of Honour Lt. Gen. M.K. Unni AVSM, VSM PHS, Director General Armed Force Medical Service & Senior CC Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna AVSM, SM, VSM GOC, 3 Corps 8:30 AM. Demonstration on Concept of Hydro phonics — Online Registration of farmers 8:45 AM Exhibition cum Sale of Handloom & Handicraft Products 9:00 A.M to 500 P.M Hornbill International Photo Fest (HIPFEST 2016) 12:00 Noon Unveiling of Special Cover by Shri. Vasumitra, Postmaster General N.E Circle, Shillong Main Arena, Kisama 10:00 A.M Naga Chef Competition at Kisama 10:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M Craftscape 2016 at Kisama.

10:00 AM to 12 Noon Cultural performance by various Naga Tribes 1:00 P.M to 2:30 PM Cultural performances by various Naga Tribes

Eve ning Highlights

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Hornbill Night Carnival Continues 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Hornbill International Music Festival 2016

The following candidates are selected for the Stage-II National Talent Search Examination-2017 (National Level). The Examination is scheduled on 14th May, 2017 (Sunday).

Sl No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Name Senlichila Longchar Anirudh Yenisetti Ketouneinuo Anile Tep Nounevonuo Sorhie Deepa Mishra Yashi Sethi Anurag Kumar Verma Kartikeya Chandra Rahul Kumar Visienuo Dzüvichü Temjenninla Jamir Kevisevol SedevisielieKire Aditya Kumar Verma Tekapong Longkumer Yoyi M Veyie Sendemo Tsanglao Tiakumzuk Pongen Himloi Phom Rohit Jain Alongba Amar Sharma Atounuo Keditsu Sevohulu Resuh Shurhorovi Vakha

Roll No. 16170003093 16170003039 16170001231 16170001225 16170001226 16170002131 16170002242 16170004001 16170002081 16170003072 16170001372 16170001001 16170001095 16170002116 16170004002 16170011058 16170001423 16170011066 16170001185 16170002130 16170002231 16170002280 16170011056 16170001228 16170001232 16170001233

Name of the School Queen Mary Hr. Sec. School, Mokokchung Jubilee memorial School, Mokokchung Bayavü Hill High School, Kohima Bayavü Hill High School, Kohima Bayavü Hill High School, Kohima Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur Delhi Public School, Dimapur Govt. High School Losami, Phek K.V. Project Sewak, Dimapur Queen Mary Hr. Sec. School, Mokokchung Don Bosco Hr. Sec. School, Kohima North field, Kohima St. John’s School, Kohima Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur Govt. High School Losami, Phek Sainik School Punglwa, Peren North field, Kohima Sainik School Punglwa, Peren Coraggio School, Kohima Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur Delhi Public School, Dimapur St. Joseph Hr. Sec. School, Chumukedima Sainik School Punglwa, Peren Bayavü Hill High School, Kohima Bayavü Hill High School, Kohima Bayavü Hill High School, Kohima

The National Council of Educational Research & Training, New Delhi, will dispatch the Admission Card to the selected candidates through Registered/Speed post in the last week of March/ First week of April, 2017 at the address given in the application form.

Selected candidates are directed to submit Schedule Tribe/Caste Certificate issued by competent authority on or before 15thDecember, 2016 to the State Liaison Officer, NTSE, SCERT, Nagaland, Kohima.

(KHRIETUO MEZHUR) Director, SCERT, Nagaland, Kohima Issued by: DIPR

: nstcb.ho@gmail.com

: 03862-228335 :03862-230139

Nagaland State Co-Operative Bank Ltd (Sponsored & Financed by Government of Nagaland) HO: NSCB Building, Churches Colony, Circular Road, Dimapur 797112, Nagaland

NO. NSCB/H0/49/Pt VI/2014/5001

Date: 03.12.2016

NOTICE OF THE 47 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BANK th

Notice is hereby given that the 47th Annual General Meeting of the Nagaland State Co-operative Bank Ltd. Dimapur will be held on 20 January, 2017 at 11.00 A.M. in its Registered Office at Dimapur, Nagaland to transact the following Agenda.

1. To confirm the Proceedings of the 46th A.G.M. held on 20.01.2016 2. To consider and approve the Auditor's Report and Audited Statements of Accounts for the year ended 31.3.2016 together with Audit Compliance.

3. To consider and approve the Annual Report of Directors for the year 2015-16.

4. To consider and approve the Revised Budget for 2015-16 and Estimated Budget for the years 2016-17 & 2017-18 5. To elect 4 (Four) Members of the Board of Directors, one each from Agril.

Coop. Societies of Phek, Peren, Longleng, & Kohima districts.

6. To transact any other matters as may be notified by the members to the Managing Director at least one week ahead of the meeting or as the Chairman may allow.

Sd/Imtilemba Longkumer Managing Director

Sd/Temjen Toy IAS Chairman

N.B.:1. Each affiliated Societies may be represented by a delegate duly sponsored in writing in the prescribed form to attend the meeting.

2. Nomination papers will be available from 4(four) branches namely Phek, Jalukie, Kohima (Main) and Changtongya branch for Longleng district.

3. Nomination Papers can be obtained on payment of requisite fee of `1000/- (Rupees One thousand) only from 15 December 2016 onward till 21 December, 2016 during working hour i.e up to 4.00 PM only. Defaulting Coop. Societies & individuals defaulting to NStCB loan will not be eligible to file nomination.

4. Nomination papers in prescribed form will be accepted only by the Managing Director of the Bank at H.O. on or before 05, January 2017 during working hours (i.e within 4.00PM 5. Election will be governed under the Election Rules framed and approved by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies vide letter No.CIF-329/2001-2002 & 31-10-2002 & amended vide No. CIF - 79/2003-04/3463 dt. 4.1.2007.

ProgrAmme : 20.01.2017 : NSCB, H.O. (Conference Hall) Dimapur : 19 January 2017 from10.00 AM to 3.00 PM & 20 January 2017 from 7.00 AM to 10.45 AM Inauguration & Business Session : 11:00 A.M. Lunch : 02:00P.M.

Date Venue Registration of Members

4

TuesDAY 06•12•2016

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

AFCAT 2017 Application Online applications are invited by Indian Air Force, for Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) 01/2017, for the courses commencing in January 2018 for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in Flying Branch and Permanent Commission (PC) / Short Service Commission (SSC) in Ground Duty (Technical) and Ground Duty (Non-technical) Branches. Interested candidates may check the eligibility criteria and apply online from 03-12-2016 to 29-12-2016.

More details about AFCAT Recruitment 2017 including vacancy details, eligibility criteria, selection procedure, how to apply and important dates are mentioned below:

Social media ads to hit $50 billion by 2019, will surpass newspaper ads

LoNDoN, December 5 (reuters): Zenith Optimedia leading ad agency reported 4.4 pct growth in global ad spend in 2017 and social media will overtake newspaper ad spending by 2020.

The amount of money spent on advertising on soVacancy Details: • Exam Name: Air Force Common Admission Test cial media is set to catch up with newspaper ad rev(AFCAT) - 01/2017 enues by 2020, a leading • No. of Vacancies: Not Specified forecaster said on Monday.

• Pay Scale: Rs. 15600-39100 The rapid expansion of social media platforms on moBranch & Course Number: bile devices, as well as faster • Flying (203/18F/SSC/M &W ) • Ground Duty (Technical) 202/18T/PC/ M 202/18T/ Internet connectivity and more sophisticated techSSC/M &W • Ground Duty (Non-technical) 202/18G/ PC/M nology, has triggered a huge shift in the way many people 202/18G/ SSC/M &W get their news.

Advertising agency ZeJob Location: All India nith Optimedia, owned by France’s Publicis, predicts Eligibility Criteria for AFCAT Exam 2017: global advertising expenditure on social media will Educational Qualification: • For Flying Branch: Candidate should be Graduates account for 20% of all interin any discipline from a recognized university with net advertising in 2019, hitminimum of 60% marks and should have passed ting $50 billion and coming Maths & Physics at 10+2 level or BE/B.Tech. de- in just one% smaller than gree (four year course) or cleared Sections A and B newspaper ads. It expects of examination of Associate Membership of Institute Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society with minimum of 60% marks or equivalent.

• For Ground Duty (Technical): Candidate should have a minimum of 60% marks in Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level and a minimum of four Guwahati, Decemyear degree graduation/integrated post-gradua- ber 5 (mexN): A team of tion qualification in Engineering/Technology or Aryans Group of Colleges, cleared Sections A and B of examination of Associ- Rajpura is going to particiate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) pate in the ‘Young India Ador Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate mem- venture Racing Championbership examination of the Institute of Electronics ship-2016’.

Dr. Anshu Kataria, and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies with a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent in Chairman, Aryans Group while giving this informathe relevant disciplines.

• For Ground Duty (Non-Technical): Candidate tion said that the race is should have Graduate-degree in any discipline being organized by The from a recognised university with 60% marks or Adventure Racing FederaMBA / MCA or MA / M Sc degree in English / Phys- tion of India (ARFI) from ics / Mathematics / Chemistry / Statistics / Interna- 9-11 December 2016 in the tional relations / International studies / Defence coastal region of Mahastudies / Psychology / Computer Science / IT / rashtra and Goa. Management / Mass Communication / Journalism / Public Relation with minimum of 50% marks.

Humorous ads may hurt brand name New York, December 5 (iaNs): Advertisements that make people laugh are not always in the best interest of brands and can prove to be harmful, warns a study that has cautioned ad makers.

The findings showed that people find humour in “benign violations” -- things that somehow threatens their sense of well-being, personal identity or beliefs -only if they are harmless or inconsequential.

“Different ads can be equally humorous to consumers but have very different effects on brand attitudes, depending on the type of humour used,” said lead author Caleb Warren, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona in the US. People’s attitudes toward brands are important, as they ultimately influence purchasing decisions.

Thus, advertisers should stay away from ads that feature highly inappropriate humour, humour with a specific target or “butt of the joke,” and humour that prompts avoidance by eliciting feelings such as disgust in addition to laughter.

“When there’s a more severe violation, even though social media to overtake newspapers comfortably by 2020. “Social media and online video are driving continued growth in global ad spend, despite

political threats to the economy,” Jonathan Barnard, head of forecasting at Zenith, said.

The media industry has been convulsed by the

people find it funny, they like the brand or the retailer selling it less,” Warren added.

In one of the experiments conducted, the researchers looked at the effects of humour targeting a single person or group of people.

They created two versions of an insurance company ad showing a car crashed into the side of a house. One had the caption “Everyone drives like an idiot sometimes,” while the other said “Everyone drives like a woman,...”

A control ad merely showed a truck with a smashed front end and the words “Accidents happen sometimes.”

The “inclusive” ad, which, was shown only to male participants, mocked bad drivers in general, improved brand attitudes relative to the control ad, while the “exclusive” ad, mocking only women drivers, did not.

Testing audience before launching an ad is a good idea to gauge whether something will be perceived as funny, the researchers suggested.

The study was published in the Journal of Marketing Behaviour. rapid shift in advertising trends in recent years, with firms moving their ad budgets from traditional sources such as newspapers to websites found on com-

puters and mobile phones.

Marketers are increasingly directing their spending to social media sites where ads blend into users’ newsfeeds on platforms such as

Aryans team in Young India Adventure Racing Championship General JJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) (Ex Army Chief ), Former Governor, Arunachal Pradesh & Founder President of Adventure Racing Federation of India while giving more information said that the racing will be a test of human endurance comprising three or more continuous activities such as trekking & trailing, mountain biking, river rafting etc.

JJ Singh further added that these races will moti-

New DeLhi, December 5 (Pti): Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said it Application Fee: General category candidates will increase prices of its vehicles by have to pay Rs.100 and the postal charge through up to 3% from next month to offset increased input cost and consistent upChallan. ward trend in foreign exchange rates.

“There has been an increase in How to Apply: Interested and eligible candidates may apply online through Air Force website “www. pricing of raw material commodities careerairforce.nic.in” from 03-12-2016 to 29-12-2016. like steel, aluminium, copper and rubber over a period of the last six months and this puts a lot of pressure Important Dates: • Starting Date of Online Application: 03-12-2016 on us as all this has been leading to a higher input cost on our end,” Toyota • Last Date of Online Application: 29-12-2016 Kirloskar Motor Director and Senior • Tentative Date of Exam: 26-02-2017 (Sunday) Vice President (Marketing and Sales) FiRe StatiOnS

we4 woMen HeLPLIne

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232224 229529 229474 MH Hospital 227930 231081 Faith Hospital 228846 shamrock Hospital 228254 Zion Hospital 231864 224117 227337 Police Control room 228400 Police Traffic Control 232106 east Police station 227607 west Police station 232181 CIHsr (referral Hospital) 242555 242533 dimapur Hospital 224041 248011 Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652 railway 131/228404 Airport 229366 Indian Airlines 242441 225212 Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777 nikos Hospital and 232032, research Centre 231031 nagaland Multispecialty Health & research Centre

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eden Medical Centre

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shall be conducted day and night virtually non-stop over a distance of about 100 Kms with one mandatory halt of around 3 hours at the mid-way point.

All the three participants – Arpit, Aryan and Rishi said that this will provide competitors with a healthy, challenging workout and an opportunity to enjoy most scenic locations.

This was stated in a press release issued by Media Coordinator, Aryan Group.

Govt spent 1.34% of GDP on high education New DeLhi, December 5 (Pti): Government has spent 1.34% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on higher education during 2013-14, Lok Sabha was informed today. As per publication ‘Analysis of Budgeted Expenditure on Education - 2015’ of the HRD Ministry, public expenditure on higher education as a percentage of GDP for the year 2013-14 was 1.34%, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said during Question Hour.

During XII five year plan, the plan outlay for the department of higher education was Rs 1,10,700 crore compared with the actual expenditure in XI Plan of Rs 39,646.82 crore. This is an increase of about 2.79 times.

This increase in central plan outlay for the education sector presents a determined effort on part of the Centre for raising public spending on higher education, Javadekar said.

Toyotas to get expensive from January 1

Age Limit (as on 01-01-2018): • For Flying Branch: 20 to 24 years • For Ground Duty Branch: 20 to 26 years

KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC)

vate the youth of India and inculcate in them the spirit of adventure and other sporting activities. Such events will give a boost to tourism in these remote parts of India & create jobs for the youth as well.

Sanjeev Kumar, Team Leader, Aryans Group said that this is a big opportunity to lead the young team of Aryans for this competition wherein sportsmen and other people from all over the India would be participating. He said that the race

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N Raja said in a statement.

Another factor leading to higher input cost is the appreciation of the yen in the international market, which has increased the cost of parts that the company imports from Japan, he added. The price hike will be effective from January 1, 2017, the company said.

Raja said the company undertakes a periodic review of the prices of its products on the basis of the above-mentioned factors to take necessary actions. “We have been absorbing all the additional costs till

std code: 0370 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

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However, owing to continued pressure of high costs and foreign exchange rates remaining at high levels of above Rs 68 against USD, we have been pressured to increase the cost of our products,” he said. However, ahead of the price hike, the company is undertaking a campaign offering benefits on road financing, EMI holidays like ‘buy now and pay in March 2017’ on all its models and a special EMI package of Rs 22,999 in select models of Innova Crysta.

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PeRFeCt tRenDS

std code: 0369

Police station 1 Police station 2 Police station Kobulong Police station tuli Police station Changtongya Police station Mangkolemba Civil Hospital

Facebook and Snapchat proving more effective than interruptive banner formats. Zenith’s report forecasts that global advertising expenditure will grow 4.4% in 2017, the same rate as in 2016, which it said would be a strong performance given that big events like the Olympic Games, Britain’s EU referendum and the $presidential election boosted advertising this year.

Online video advertising is also rapidly growing and set to total $$35.4 billion across the world by 2019, fractionally ahead of the amount spent on radio advertising but still far less than television.

Global spending on advertising has been stable since 2010 the report showed, although growth has declined in the Middle East and North Africa. It was expected to continue to grow strongly in China and much of Asia.

CROSSWORD # 3795

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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 # 3780

Answer Number # 3779

ACROSS 1.Tattles 6. Not that 10. Rate 14. A green fabric mixture 15. Lease 16. Prima donna problems 17. Poplar tree 18. Sea eagle 19. Austrian peaks 20. A brown sauce 22. Daughter of Zeus and Demeter 23. Not first 24. Wiggle room 26. Gossip 30. Twosome 31. Sweet potato 32. Balcony section 33. Makes a mistake 35. Deserved 39. Type of shellfish 41. Connection 43. Type of mushroom 44. Genuine 46. Test 47. By means of 49. Card with one symbol 50. Go on horseback 51. Subordinate 54. Gull-like bird 56. “Oh my!”

57. Bowels 63. 53 in Roman numerals 64. Bearing 65. Not tight 66. Tropical tuber 67. Unit of land 68. Redress 69. Glance over 70. Extend credit 71. Purposes DOWN 1. Tell all 2. Gray wolf 3. Affirm 4. Hairless

5. Metal 6. Financial officer 7. Heir 8. Hotels 9. Unbending 10. Mediator 11. Shining 12. Dried coconut meat 13. An analytic literary composition 21. Burdened 25. Acquire deservedly 26. Burrowing marine mollusk 27. Vagabond 28. Food thickener 29. Video entertainment 34. Relaxed 36. Cab 37. Quaint outburst 38. A Greek territorial unit 40. Hodgepodge 42. Blockage of the intestine 45. Not western 48. Brute 51. Milkshakes 52. Of a pelvic bone 53. Nigerian monetary unit 55. Collection of maps 58. Agreeable 59. Greek letter 60. Cozy corner 61. Feudal worker 62. Views Answer to Crossword 3794

Tuesday 06•12•2016

NAGALAND

Pungro village donates land to displaced Yimchungru families; thanksgiving held puNgro, December 5 (mexN): The Yimchungru people displaced from Kiphire under the banner of Kiphire Displaced Yimchungru Union (KDYU) held thanksgiving programme for land donated to them by Pungro Village Council on December 5 at Pungro Town.

A press release from KDYU Executive Chairman, S. Lunso informed that the chairperson, Samuel shared joy and thanked the Pungro Village Council for donating land to the displaced families of 239 Yimchungru households, who are staying in rented houses, and bringing new hope and dreams to them. He termed such act of kindness a rare case among the Nagas.

Rusumew, Head GB of Pungro Village, who spoke

on behalf of the village council, urged to stay united and have cooperation with both Pungro Town and Pungro Village. He also called for love, peace and concern for others.

Meanwhile, Makizho, Jt. Secretary, YTC thanked the Pungro Village Council for donating land to the displaced Yimchungru families and also thanked all the leaders of Pungro area for continuous help given to the displaced people. He appealed to the department concerned to expedite processing of all the files for the displaced people and related files of February 7, 2016 issue.

Kiusumew, President, Public Forum Pungro Subdivision remarked that the donation of land by the Pungro Village Council is a great blessing for whole

Yimchungru and not only for the displaced. “It is first ever in the history of Naga soil that happened to us, yet there will be a great blessing for all of us,” he added, according to the release.

Further, Tsekilo, Head DB, Pungro Town urged to ease the past pain. On the other hand, Musumong, Head GB, Pungro Town encouraged not to be only dependent on Government for everything, but to come forward in overcoming the hardships.

C. Nioji, former president, YTUK thanked the invitees for participating, and the public for the cooperation given to make the programme a success.

Earlier, the programme started with invocation prayer by Yimto, pastor, PTBC and ended with prayer

by Chipong, pastor, PCPT.

Horticulture dept accords farewell to director KoHima, December 5 (mexN): The Department of Horticulture bid adieu to its outgoing Director, Watienla Jamir, who retired after rendering 35 years of service, on December 2 at the Directorate of Horticulture, Kohima.

The programme, which was attended by a host of dignitaries including AHoDs and HoDs as well as members from the Kohima Watsü Mungdang and district officers and staff, was chaired by Pawan Kumar, incumbent Director.

Alan Gonmei (IAS), Secretary (Horticulture) said Watienla was a very efficient and dedicated leader and her retirement will definitely leave a vacuum in the department.

Highlighting some of her notable achievements, he remarked that the massive development of floriculture in the State was due to the sincere efforts of the outgoing Director and it was under her leadership that the much needed Cadre Review of the Department could take off and was under recommendation by the Cadre Review Committee, informed a

Watienla Jamir (Right), outgoing Director of Horticulture Department at her farewell programme at Directorate of Horticulture on December 2.

press release. Besides, she was also instrumental in bringing about a systematic computerisation and documentation of all the departmental records, Alan stated.

In his speech, Kejong Chang, Parliamentary Secretary (Horticulture) also appreciated the contributions of the outgoing Director during her directorship.

He urged the incoming Director and officers to emulate the qualities of the outgoing Director so as to take the Department to new heights and wished the outgoing Director a very happy retired life.

Meanwhile, Watienla

Jamir said that she had a vision for the Department as one of the highest revenue earning Departments of the State and urged the officers and staff to be sincere and make concerted efforts to achieve the vision and to work unceasingly towards the welfare of the farming community. She wished her successor the best and expressed hope that under his leadership, the Department will flourish into a Department to be reckoned with.

Short Speeches were also delivered by officers from the Directorate and district offices besides other dignitaries and wellwishers.

‘Elevation Men’s Choir’ is winner of Hornbill Choral Competition 2016 KoHima, December 5 (mexN): The 9 competing choirs from different parts of the state created magic on Monday evening as their voices reverberated in the Hockey Ground, IG Stadium Kohima. After two rounds of choral competition, Elevation Men’s Choir was adjudged winner of the 4th edition of the Hornbill Choral Competition 2016 and walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakhs.

The first runner up was bagged by The Canticle Singers Choir, Dimapur and received a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, while the Coronation Choir of Golden Crown Theological College Dimapur was adjudged 2nd runner up and awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. Special prizes were also given to the Best Choir

Winner of Hornbill Choral Competition 2016, Elevation Men's Choir with Alan Gemmell, OBE Minister for Cultural Affairs and Head of British Council India.

Uniform, which went to Bel Canto Choir and the Best Choir Conductor, which was bagged by Gideon Mesen of Canticle Singers Choir.

Other choirs that participated in the competition were Secheku Children’s Choir, Bel Canto Choir, Symphony Choir, Delhi Public School Dima-

pur, Lotha Baptist Church, Diphupar, and Zeme Baptist Church Kohima.

Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honour, Alan Gemmell, OBE Minister for Cultural Affairs and Head of British Council India termed Nagaland as the best music making state in the country and went on to say that Nagaland is mak-

Winter Carnival in Mokokchung from Dec 8-10

moKoKcHuNg, December 5 (mexN): Mokokchung Art & Aesthetic Management (MAAM) is organising a three-day mega Winter Carnival from December 8-10 at Imkongmeren Sports Complex here under the theme 'Creating Opportunities'.

MAAM is a Mokokchung based non-profit organisation which has special interests in promoting

and working for the welfare of women and youths in the society, according to a press release from Media team, Winter Carnival, MAAM. The Winter Carnival aims to provide a platform to the Self Help Groups, individuals and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and products. Moreover, the MAAM aspires to create an air of festivity through the Winter Carni-

val in the town, the release added.

There will be different stalls where various activities like food stalls, Kids Carnival, Karaoke, health awareness programme will be held. Stalls will be rented out to interested Self Help Groups and individuals.

To kick off the Carnival, there will be an open Carnival Cosplay motor parade competition un-

Governor condemns vandalising of temples in Bangladesh

KoHima, December 5 (mexN): Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya has condemned the vandalising of temples and idols of deities in Bangladesh’s northern Netrokona area on December 4.

“The incident of vandalising temples and idols of deities is completely wrong, deplorable and senseless and shameless,” stated the Governor in a press release issued by his PRO. “The attacks on several Hindu in Bangladesh were carried out under a well orches-

trated plan with an ulterior motive in demolishing the temples,” he alleged.

Stating that it is the duty of the Police and concerned administration to protect the buildings belonging to the minorities, Acharya further said minority communities of Bangladesh should join together to protect their places of worship and attack against minorities.

He maintained that the vandalising of the temple and damaging idols of deities is contrary to the val-

ues and principles of any religion.

“It is high time to take remedial and protective steps by the concerned authority for the protection of minorities and their religious places there,” he reiterated.

“We in India all the secular groups, all our Indian Minority religious organisations, including the Church leaders have to raise our voice against this fanaticism and protect the spirit of secularism and ensure that this kind of incident does not recur.”

Training for teachers in Kohima Awareness on National Food Security Act

Teachers attend the workshop on Performance Indicators (PINDICS) in Kohima on December 5.

KoHima, December 5 (mexN): One day sensitisation-cum-workshop on Performance Indicators (PINDICS) for elementary school teachers and two-day Shaala Siddhi training for Head Teachers and Teachers In-charge of Government Middle and Primary Schools (GMS & GPS) under Educational Block Research Centre (EBRC) Lhisemia Khel of Kohima Village commenced today at Ura Academy Hall here.

Under EBRC Lhisemia Khel, there are 38 GMS and GPS with 668 teachers. The teachers will undergo rigorous training during the three days.

Addressing the inaugural session of sensitization/ workshop on PINDICS for elementary school teachers, Sub-Divisional Education Officer (K) cum Chairperson EBRC L. Khel, Rokovolhoulie said teachers as the resources persons are very special to the society.

Teaching is a noble profession, he said, adding it is up to the teachers to mould the students before they take up the responsibility of the society in the future. Rokovolhoulie encouraged the teachers not to be disheartened even as there is less enrollment of students in their schools, but to be dedicated in imparting quality education.

He also called upon the teachers to be careful in registering the names of the children and also the scholarship

forms and other documents of students.

PINDICS, which is done twice a year - June and December - will help teachers in self-assessment of their performance, he said.

Meanwhile, the SDEO (K) also informed that as per the Union Ministry of Human Resources, admission of students for new academic session has to be completed

by January while there has to be a total of 200 working days for GPS and 220 for GMS. He appealed to the teachers to fulfill it in the right earnest.

Touching on the topic “Self-Assessment an important tool for reflection and improvement of teachers,” EBRC L Khel Coordinator, Visato Koso said, “Education has become a global entity where we as teachers and a role model we need to think locally and act globally, thereby preparing ourselves thoroughly and deliver it to the children and students so that they can face the future challenges with confidence.”

Short speech was also delivered by Senior Project Assistant, District Mission Authority, SSA Kohima, Rokono while resource persons for the first day were Kelezhatuo and Vizoneilie.

The two-day Shaala Siddhi training for Head Teachers and Teachers In-charge of GMS & GPS will be conducted at EBRC L Khel, Kohima Village on December 6 and 7 with Viketuolie as the resource person.

JaKHama, December 5 (mexN): The Men’s Department of Jakhama Baptist Church conducted awareness programme on National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 at Jakhama Baptist Church for all churches in the village on December 4.

President of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO), Kezhokhoto Savi, who was the speaker, expressed hope that the State government will not fail to fully implement the Act, stating if and when implemented properly, it will hugely uplift the general mass in Nagaland.

To ensure proper transparency and accountability in the implementation, the NFSA makes provision for setting up a social audit by the states, Savi said. “For

this, the government and the local bodies have to update the name of the beneficiaries and put up the list on the notice board for public inspection; to conduct social audit involving the common people and also to set up vigilance committee to check corruption in the implementation of the scheme.”

A press release from Press & Media Cell, NVCO further informed that Savi said every beneficiary under NFSA will get wheat at Rs.2 per kg and rice at Rs.3 per kg. For transportation, the Central government will give 75% of the cost and 25% has to be paid by the State government.

In Nagaland, the Act was launched for Dimapur and Kohima on June 27,

2016. Both Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (PBL) beneficiaries have been amalgamated under the Priority Household (PHH) as per the Act and the beneficiaries will be provided 5 kg of food grains per head at Rs.3 per kg for rice and Rs.2 per kg for wheat in the ratio of 4:1, it was informed. The households covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana will be entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month.

Savi further stated pregnant and lactating women will be entitled to free meals during pregnancy and six months after child birth; they will also receive maternity benefit of at least Rs.6000/-.

In case of non supply of entitled food grains or meals, the beneficiaries will receive

food security allowances, he added.

Meanwhile, the NVCO president pointed out there are cases of misuse in distribution and charges. Rice, he said, is being sold at Rs.4/- to Rs.15/- which is excessive and contrary to the Act. As far as conducting awareness and imparting training to the citizens especially to village council and town colony panchayat/council is concerned, the State government especially the concerned department is “very much failing,” he stated.

The Food Commission, Savi added, is yet to establish the state and district level grievances redressal system for expeditious and effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons regarding distribution of entitlement.

Gov appeals to improve understanding of PWDs issues KoHima, December 5 (mexN): In view of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya appealed to all the NGOs, students bodies, various village bodies, churches, and all the stakeholders to come together and spread awareness through posters, billboards, art exhibitions, etc. to improve the understandings of issues faced by the Persons with Disabilities and to support them to improve their self-esteem, well-being and rights in the society.

The Governor and his wife also extended heartfelt gratitude to all those who are working tirelessly for the welfare of the less fortunate and in need of special attention, stated a press release from PRO, Raj Bha-

ing world class musicians.

Substantiating this, he said, each year, almost 600 musicians from Nagaland present themselves for the Trinity Exam and further informed that the highest graded in Piano in the current year is from Nagaland, which, he said was “incredible.”

He further maintained that music changes peo-

ple’s lives. Pointing out that his job is to use culture and education to strengthen connection between UK and India, he expressed hope to make even deeper and stronger connections through Nagaland. Impressed with the show, he stated happiness at “watching world class musicians making world class music”.

It may be noted that the Hornbill International Music Festival is initiated by the Music Task Force, and the 2016 Hornbill Choral Competition was presented by Symphony Production in collaboration with NBCC. The judges for the competition were Asin Shurhozelie, Khyochano Ngully and Akhrou Koza.

Dancers United Kohima and Power Faith band also gave special performances.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrated

KoHima, December 5 (mexN): Cherry Blossoms Society in collaboration with Rotary Club, Kohima celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 at Kohima Village Council Hall along with Persons with Disabilities from Kohima Village, Chedema and Chedema Model Village.

More than 200 people gathered for the celebration, where Pheluopfhelie Kesiezie was the chief guest and Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü was the guest of honour, informed a press release.

Students of Cherry Blossoms School performed National Anthem in Sign Lanvan, Kohima. “They are the mentor who went that extra mile in not only teaching and taking care of them, but for having that sincere desire to help, motivate and instil in them the desire to strive and to lead a better life,” the release added.

guage, while number of performances in the form of dances, duet, and chorography were also presented.

Kedizelhou Rutsa, Senior Graduate Teacher of Sechü Zubza spoke of his experiences of fighting all odds even to this date.

Meanwhile, the Rotarians of Kohima gave away woollen fleece as gifts to all the Persons with Disabilities and senior citizens who attended the programme.

The programme ended well with a note that Persons with Disabilities should be given equal platform in all walks of life, according to the press release.

It further reminded that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed all across the world to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of Persons with

Disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness about the Persons with Disabilities as well as to encourage them by implementing a lot of assistance in their real life to enhance their way of life and remove the social stigma towards them.

der the theme ‘Neverland’, where the participants can get creative and dress in different costumes, anime characters, fairy tales etc.

The carnival will start from IOC gas station to Imkongmeren Sports Complex on December 8. Winner will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000.

The release noted that MAAM has been involved in various activities in pro-

moting youth and women in the society over the years.

It has organized Miss Mokokchung for 2 consecutive years and has over the years supported various humanitarian causes. With a vision to help out the needy, MAAM launched a ‘Trust Fund for Cancer Patients’ in need of treatment at the IMDH. It also worked for the Cure Foundation Centre for differently abled persons.

Kiyevi Village Council notifies Dimapur, December 5 (mexN): Kiyevi Village Council has informed that activities such as fishing, hunting, trapping, collection of firewood, bamboo, bamboo shoot, any vegetables etc. are strictly prohibited within Kiyevi village jurisdiction. If anybody is found violating the order, he/she will be imposed a fine as follows: Collecting firewood/bamboo – Rs. 10,000; hunting/fishing – Rs. 15,000; burning jungles – Rs. 50,000. This was informed in a press release issued by Kiyevi Village Council chairman.

State BJP officials relieved/appointed Dimapur, December 5 (mexN): The BJP State President Visasolie Lhoungu has appointed Vizopal Chaya, Kuputo Shohe as State BJP Vice Presidents and Jaangsillung Gonmei, General Secretary (Media) as the party’s Spokesperson. This follows the relieve of three party state officials, namely James Vizo, Vice President, Mghato Achumi, Vice President, and Yanghose Sangtam, Spokesperson, from their respective posts and assignments within the party’s organization as directed by the central party leaders, stated a press release from BJP Nagaland General Secretary (Media) & Spokesperson, Jaangsillung Gonmei.

This order comes into force with immediate effect.

Building for security people at Raj Bhavan inaugurated KoHima, December 5 (Dipr): Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya inaugurated the newly constructed building for the security people at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on December 5. Acharya encouraged the security people to cordially work with one another and called upon them to stay comfortably while they are on duty and to look after the building as their own

property. The new building committee from Raj Bhavan was also setup to look after the work with Deputy Secretary, George Abraham, Ngope Zehol, Secretariat Assistant, and Thsurhetho Phoji Secretariat Assistant as members.

Nokjem Longchar J.E from PWD assisted the work. The new building was reportedly constructed at an estimate of Rs. 55.80 lakh.

Meetings & AppointMents School of Nursing District Hospital Dimapur Graduation The School of Nursing District Hospital Dimapur will have its first Graduation cum Late Mrs Ketsovole Kire’s 15th Award ceremony on December 8 at 12:00 noon in the Chapel Hall of District Hospital Dimapur. Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change will be the chief guest and Dr. Watikala, Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare will be the guest of honour on the occasion.

NNC/NPGN (NA) cabinet meeting The Kilonsers of NNC/NPGN (NA) have been informed that the cabinet meeting will be held on December 12.

A press release from MIP Kilonser, NNC/NPGN (NA), N Mar Ao has directed all the assigned Kilonsers to submit activity reports and the official documents respectively. In case of failure to comply with this directive, stern action will be initiated upon the defaulters as per the Azah of the NNC/NPGN (NA), the release added.

One can contact the MIP Kilonser for necessary information at 8132004719.

NSO general conference Naga Students Organization (NSO) will hold its 5th general conference from December 13 to 15 at Lahe Town (Myanmar) with Naga Self Administered Zone and Lahe Town Administrators as chief guest and guest of honor respectively. People from Chin and Shan will also attend the meeting. The Organizing Committee has requested Nagas from everywhere to attend the conference.

6

TUESday 06•12•2016

IN FOCUS The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 335

Need for Rethinking the Hornbill Festival

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C O M M E N T A R Y

Nima Nameghi Fair Observer

Does Photography Dehumanize Refugees?

Images create a particular political language that shapes our way of understanding refugees.

F

estival Tourism is fundamentally different from traditional tourism in that it relies on the cultures, traditions, customs, food, and geographical location within a specific context. These characteristics are what make festival tourism unique to a particular place and time, which cannot be replicated.

The compelling nature of Festival Tourism lies in its ability to offer visitors the opportunity to participate in a variety of experiential learning activities over a few days that are culturally rooted.

In the process the Festival itself embodies the spirit of cultural communication. First and foremost, Festival Tourism needs to be culturally comprehensive, stimulating, and vibrant. It absolutely relies on the existing basic infrastructure including transportation, water and electricity, communication, security, health care, and traditional tourism, to name a few. Obviously, it depends on the infrastructure and is supported by the existing political, economic, cultural and social structures.

However, expectations of Festival Tourism are not merely altruistic, but include stimulating the economy by generating revenue across many sectors from providing lodging, food and entertainment. Successful Festival Tourism events can mutually benefit the visitors as well as to stimulate local economies.

Nagaland’s branded festival, the Hornbill Festival, has some of the basic natural ingredients required to evolve into a unique form of Festival Tourism. And along with it comes many challenges primarily regarding Nagaland State’s inadequate infrastructure, weak governance systems for planning, prioritizing, and implementing participatory projects. The fundamental challenge is that the host of the Hornbill Festival is the Nagaland State government, which means that a substantial amount of human and financial resources are being diverted to the festival.

The government faces significant challenges in order to assure the Hornbill Festival’s success. Among these challenges are implementing creative independent market operations; allocating resources and decision-making beyond a small familiar circle of people; and public participation remains relatively low in terms of those who receive benefits consistently.

Eventually, even though the Hornbill Festival is an annual event its structure needs to be redesigned to evolve with each passing year. Several approaches could be used to help the Hornbill Festival with its unique cultural experiences evolve more. For example, to ensure that the Nagas are not reduced to a living museum and to prevent commercial interests from steering the direction of the Hornbill Festival, more local communities could be included in the decision-making process providing more insight in local village life by visitors and Nagas alike.

The 2016 festival season is facing new challenges with the current national monetary transitional crisis as well as the fact that Nagaland State is plunging into greater financial debt and dependency. Even this year, as Nagaland State Government hosts the Hornbill Festival, the fact remains that many state employees, such as teachers, have not received their month salary for months. Under these conditions Nagaland needs to ask itself, whether hosting the Hornbill Festival is a financially viable option, or more importantly whether the Hornbill Festival is more important that the welfare of its own people.

lEfT WING |

Stacy Bannerman CommonDreams

An Open Letter to Obama from an Iraq War Spouse Before he leaves office, Obama should set up a truth commission on the Iraq War

W

e first met during the summer of 2006, when you were a freshman senator. I was a military spouse, married to a decorated Iraq war combat veteran.

He’d signed up to serve his country, which sent him to fight in what you said was a “dumb war.”

I agreed. I volunteered for Military Families Speak Out (MFSO), and we were trying to bring the troops home from Iraq. But in June of 2006, Congress voted to “stay the course.”

A few weeks later, I was joined by other MFSO members and some Gold Star parents for the launch of Operation House Call on Capitol Hill. For the rest of the summer, we stood in front of congressional buildings with our banner and a growing number of empty boots and baby shoes showing the human cost of staying the course.

It was hot that summer, I don’t know if you remember that, sir.

It was so hot that when we moved the boots and baby shoes over to the sidewalk in front of the Russell Senate office building, the tar between the steps was melting. It was even hotter in Iraq, though, and since we weren’t wearing a bunch of gear like our loved ones, we stood out there every single day. Sweating, crying, sometimes swearing, and hoping to change hearts and minds.

And meetings — we went to a lot of meetings. There were a few other MFSO members with me in your office that day. We talked for nearly an hour, and you were everything they’d said you were, and more. I begged you to run for president and end the war in Iraq. We know how that went. You and I had several conversations after that, but not since you took the Oval Office.

The years of your presidency have been pretty good for you. Less so for me, and all of us impacted by the Iraq War. Seventy-six percent of the nation now considers the war in Iraq a mistake. That mistake created hundreds of thousands of casualties, and cost billions of dollars. That mistake forced my now exhusband to serve two year-long tours in Iraq. His severe post-combat trauma led to a crystal meth addiction that cost me my home, my job, and everything I loved. It nearly cost me my life.

I’m going to testify about what that war cost me and hundreds of thousands of other families of veterans at the People’s Tribunal on the Iraq War in Washington, D.C. I’d like you to be there, Mr. President.

I’d like you to listen to — and remember — the lies that got this nation into that godforsaken war. I want you to hear just exactly what it has cost so many, so far: the lives and landscapes that have been terminated, poisoned, or destroyed; the hearts and homes that have broken.

I want you to see the pictures of the spouses who were murdered by returning veteran violence; to look in the eyes of the mom whose 12-year-old boy committed suicide by hanging during his father’s second tour in Iraq. I would like you to bear witness to the infinite grief of Gold Star families, and then get some sense of the complicated grief of the families of veterans rendered unrecognizable by the moral and physical injuries of an unjust war.

I’m inviting you to attend in the hopes you will remember the man you were the day we first met. I’m asking you to show up with the moral courage that got you into the Oval Office and to create a Commission on Truth and Accountability for the Iraq War before you leave it.

T

he image of the stunning gaze and green eyes enthralled the world when it was captured by award-winning photographer, Steve McCurry, and appeared on the front page of National Geographic in 1984. The subject’s name was Sharbat Gula, who later became an iconic symbol of the refugee crisis. In recent weeks, Gula’s face has, once again, come to the forefront of media attention when Pakistani authorities filed charges against her for falsifying identification documents.

But why have the media and numerous people always responded to the image of Gula in such a powerful way? What is it, in particular, about this image? Gula’s face is clearly more than just a pair of green eyes. Her face has character and it creates, in the act of an interpersonal relationship, a union between the subject of the picture and the viewer. In the context of this unique union, her face is not a passive object toward which the photographer comfortably directs the camera, but rather her face has its own dynamism that invites the viewer for a closer look or a closer encounter.

Shooting from a Distance Tracing the wide range of emotional and intimate responses to this image reveals an important lesson about the significance of the close-up or the close encounter and the dynamism of the face. It is this necessity, of seeing the refugee with an identifiable face close up, that I would like to challenge our wide-angle memoir of refugees—particularly Syrian refugees. In other words, the refugees are being framed from a distance: crowds of faceless asylum seekers and masses of nameless people.

Today, the wide shot is part of our routine assessment of the refugee crisis: huddled bodies of a hundred illegal migrants in a boat, large groups of asylum seekers carried by the drift of the tide, furious fence-jumpers or border-crossers with their backpacks or children. Such images provoke a particular political language that shapes our way of

understanding refugees. Consider how a wide shot image of asylum seekers helps politicians to deface refugees by depicting them as an abstract crowd and, thereby, describing them with a range of abstract terms such as: SIVEs people (suspected illegal entry vessels), IMAs people (irregular maritime arrivals), or the less technical “boat people.” The wide shot creates an abstract form in which no human face can be found.

Bowls of Skittles When it comes to anti-immigrant slogans, the potential of the wide shot to abstract individuals to the level of groups plays an essential role. Visualization of refugees from a distance draws a line between two groups of them and us. “They” refers to the illegal, dangerous, the terrorist, while “we” means that it is us who will be invaded, ravaged, plundered.

Within the political arena, shooting from a distance conveys an underlying political message: They are not in our group, they are not like us, they are aliens. The camera distance, thereby, fades individuals by reducing them to masses. It is within this context that refugees are understood in terms such as horde, flood, flow or, as Donald Trump Jr. has described, a bowl of skittles.

The wide shot acquires a certain emotion and rhetoric, whereby the long line of dislodged refugees is converted into the political expression: “You don’t know that. They are coming from all over the world,” the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, said with a poster behind him that depicted hundreds of refugees walking in a long queue with the headline: Breaking Point.

Certainly, neither aesthetic insight nor artistic worth of this picture inspires this British politician.

Rather, its potential for propagating and confusing the mind is better suited for him. And in this, he is not alone. There are leaders of far-right parties and movements like Marine Le Pen of the Front National in France who look at these images of immigrants

and describe them as physically aggressive, saying that “in the images, 99% are men.”

US President-elect Donald Trump goes further in this portrayal of refugees as a flow of soldier-like men in this statement that “not only are they men, they’re young men. And they’re strong as can be.”

What these politicians represent is a wide shot of refugees that ultimately forms the visual basis of confrontation between them and us. However, it is exactly this confrontation that the close-up challenges by offering an intimate look at the refugee: his mangled body, his fragmented rag, his scorched lips, and his face. The close-up gives the undifferentiated crowd individuality, features and unique identities that must be shown. Eventually, the spatial proximity created by the close-up humanizes the refugee and makes him look more like one of us.

Today, we are being told that boundaries are coming down, that refugees are “the all-time great Trojan Horse,” and we need a “big, beautiful, powerful border wall.” The wide shot plays a crucial role in this imagination. In the era of border phobia, the wide shot lies at the heart of how we see refugees.

As the practice of framing refugees from a distance is becoming more integral to our imagination, the hope of seeing an expressive face of exile, like that of Sharbat Gula, is becoming ever more distant.

Nima Zahedi Nameghi is a research fellow with the Interdisciplinary Center for Research on Africa and the Middle East at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. His areas of interest include Afghanistan society and politics, political sociology of knowledge, visual studies and Western photojournalism. Nameghi is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Laval where he works on the imperial mediated construction of the idea of Afghanistan in social sciences.

This article has been republished with the permission of Fair Observer. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

The Zeus complex: against air war Paul Rogers

An innovative study of aerial bombardment brings history, state power, civilians and human rights into a single frame

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he assault on Aleppo by Bashar al-Assad’s forces continues, with appalling consequences. It may even now be reaching a climax, aided by the Russian air attacks that are proving even less discriminate than the much larger number of coalition airstrikes across Syria and Iraq.

The overall intensity of aerial bombardment in the two countries combined is formidable. Airwars calculates that in the two and a half years of the air war against ISIS, there have been 16,587 airstrikes, with 60,079 bombs and missiles dropped and 1,915 civilians killed.

CENTCOM separately reported, as of the end of September 2016 and before the start of the Mosul operation, that airstrikes had hit 31,900 targets, including vehicles, buildings, staging areas, firing positions and oil installations. The number of ISIS paramilitaries and supporters killed appears now to be close to 50,000, given that a figure of “approaching 45,000” was published in August.

The extent of the actions, using both armed-drones and strikeaircraft, is scarcely reported in the

western media, and the more recent air war in Libya is almost entirely ignored. What reporting there has been tends to emphasise the impact of air and drone strikes. But artillery bombardment is also significant, and not just by Iraqi or Syrian forces. The United States and France are both involved, especially in the fighting on the approaches to Mosul.

What is happening in all three countries is an enhancement of what is now called "remote warfare". It does include the use of special forces and private military companies, but most of the “fighting” is done from the air, with minimal consequences for the combatants from the coalition states. Accurate figures are difficult to come by, but by aggregating reports from diverse sources it would appear that less than twenty military personnel have been killed among the western coalition forces, a marked contrast with the probably 50,000 losses on the ISIS side.

This move to remote war is a core feature of the changing approaches of powerful states to “wars in far-off places” – waged by pursuing their interests and maintaining control. This may be relatively recent at the current level of intensity, but it is also helpful to put it in a much wider perspective of an historical trend in war: aerial bombardment, especially of the civilian population.

A valuable book which really does seek to do just this is Peter Nias’s The Zeus Complex: a manifesto against aerial bombardment of civilians, recently published and available here at the remarkably low price for a substantial book of just £5 ($6.30). It is genuinely helpful reading at any time, but especially so given what is happening in the Middle East.

As Nias explains, he is taking a very different approach to most books about the impact of war on civilians: “There have been some writings on civilian ‘collateral damage’ in aerial bombardments and a lot, but mostly separately, on human rights in such onslaughts. However, very few have tried to link the two, and even less have been looking forward to what may be done in the future.

This volume is an attempt to help reduce civilian bombing by increasing such ‘rights of humans’, and by making suggestions accordingly, mainly for the long term. We are talking decades. There are no easy answers and no panaceas here.”

He does indeed try to link the two, but it is the way in which he goes about it that is both informative and thoughtful. For a start, he takes us on an exploration through history, including a thorough examination of the growth of aerial warfare from the 1914-19 war, through the destruction of cities in the 1937-45 war and on to the nuclear

WRITE-WING

age. In doing so he takes in multiple perspectives and differing cultural attitudes, which are illuminated by his extensive scholarship and sense of historical perspective.

Nias goes on to look at the very recent past, including so-called smart bombardment with precision-guided missiles and bombs. It is this element that makes the book such an unusual combination of historical perspective with contemporary relevance.

From 2001 to around 2009, aerial bombardment was used extensively in the so-called “war on terror”. But this also involved many tens of thousands of western boots on the ground, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq. As that element turned out to be so ineffective if not counterproductive, there was a steady transition to "remote war", especially from the air, as the effective way forward. Yet, as work by the Remote Control Project and others are showing, that is hardly producing the success that was anticipated.

At same stage, and hopefully soon, we will rise above the traditional control paradigm and look for very different responses to security challenges. If such approaches do evolve then they will need to recognise the accelerating role of aerial bombardment. It is in this context that The Zeus Complex may well have a place in helping set the scene for genuinely new thinking.

Paul Rogers is professor in the department of peace studies at Bradford University, northern England.

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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.

TUESDAY 06•12•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

The lessons of the vigilante president Peter Apps

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Reuters

very morning in the Philippines, a handful of bodies are found littering the streets.

Their faces are often covered in black plastic tape. Sometimes there are signs of torture. Usually, they have been shot in the head. Few bother police – they are usually suspected of being responsible.

No one, frankly, should be surprised that it is happening.

The country’s democratically elected leader, after all, was elected promising to do just this, cracking down on what he has described as a “drug menace” in the country.

If one world leader exemplifies some of the more alarming trends taking place in politics this decade, it is Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte.

His election – and the policies he has pursued since entering office – represent a comprehensive rejection of decades, if not centuries, of hard-won moves toward respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Such legal niceties, Duterte and those around him argue, have simply given criminals and others too much space. It’s the sort of sentiment that has sometimes also found its place in Donald Trump’s campaign – the U.S. president-elect talked, after all, of getting “really nasty” against Islamic State. In the Philippines, however, the death toll is already believed to have run to more than 5000. Of these, 2000 were shot in armed confrontations with the police – with 3000 more suffering extrajudicial executions.

“The number [of drug addicts] is quite staggering and scary,” Duterte said in his inaugural State of the Nation Address. “I have to slaughter these idiots for destroying my country.”

The Filipino leader has been in power barely six months. He has another five and a half years until he next faces the poll.

That his rhetoric can gain traction among voters should not itself be a surprise – the idea of vigilante justice clearly still has an appeal, if only evidenced by the way in which it remains such a common Hollywood theme. As mayor of Davao City for more than two decades, the Filipino president reveled in such imagery – he was often referred to as “The Punisher” or “Duderte Harry”, the latter a reference to the cinematic vigilante “Dirty Harry” played by Clint Eastwood.

As mayor, Duterte was repeatedly accused of involvement in death squads targeting both criminals and political enemies. Earlier this year, a man claiming to be a former

On real influential parenting

“And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk to them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deut 6:7.

P

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (C) clenches fist with members of the Philippine Army during his visit at the army headquarters in Taguig city on October 4, metro Manila, Philippines. (REUTERS)

associate accused the president of taking part in some killings and ordering others, including having a man fed to a crocodile in 2007. Nothing was ever proven, however – and in those days, Duterte denied direct involvement. An official inquiry published at the beginning of this year – and, unsurprisingly, heavily criticized – said it found no evidence of the reported death squad killings or Duterte’s own direct involvement.

Since Duterte took the presidency in June, however, he has been much more outspoken – as well as willing to take responsibility for what some estimate could be several thousand deaths. This week, he openly threatened to target human rights activists whom he accused of getting in the way of the purge.

Such tactics appear to have cost the Philippines its longrunning alliance with the United States – at least under the presidency of Barack Obama.

(The Filipino leader has said he hopes to have a rather better relationship with Trump.)

Duterte has talked openly of seeking alliances with Russia and China instead; both countries are seen as more likely to let the Philippines do whatever it wishes when it comes to internal matters.

Duterte is clearly an outlier. For now, however, his approach is serving him relatively well when it comes to Filipino

domestic politics – according to one survey, he remains one of the most trusted leaders in Southeast Asia.

But he is also part of a wider trend – one that may well be accelerating. There have always, of course, been leaders who have made a virtue of “doing what it takes” to restore order and have been relatively happy to get a reputation for sometimes brutal tactics, even if they publicly deny them.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, for example, has always said his country needs to sometimes take a tough line with those who try to destabilize it if Rwanda is to avoid a repeat of the 1994 genocide.

Sri Lanka’s then-leaders used sometimes brutal measures to end the civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009. After the chaos of the 1990s, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruthlessly traded off his reputation for toughness, particularly in the long-running insurgency in Chechnya, where Moscow’s forces have long been accused of unrestricted use of force and widespread rights abuses.

Most of those leaders, however, have always sought to deny outright responsibility – or at least maintain a degree of deniability – when it comes to unquestioned acts of extrajudicial murder. By being willing to make it so explicitly a tool of government policy, Duterte has signifi-

cantly moved the goalposts of what might be deemed to be acceptable in international affairs. Where he has been criticized, he has been outspoken in his response, even threatening to leave the United Nations and join a new group – perhaps Russian and Chinese-backed – that would also include African governments keen to push back on some international human rights demands. Earlier this year, South Africa and Burundi both announced they would quit the International Criminal Court, set up in response to the genocides of the 1990s, but which critics say has been selective in which conflicts it chooses to investigate.

These trends are also, in some respects at least, clearly evident in the West. Trump talked openly of waterboarding and targeting the families of suspected militants during his campaign, although it remains uncertain whether he will pursue such policies in office. Far right European political parties and columnists have periodically called for a much tougher approach to migration, suggesting this might sometimes include the use of live ammunition to maintain potentially overwhelmed borders.

What this represents is an unraveling of the rules-based system – and in many respects the essential concept of ba-

sic human rights – enshrined in the United Nations charter signed by most progressive nations after World War Two. That commitment was always imperfect – and frequently desperately hypocritically imposed. Still, it has rarely been as pushed back against as it is in the Philippines today.

Next year may well see the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reassert control in Syria and the unraveling of the unsuccessful U.S.backed policy of supporting ineffectual opposition fighters. The United States and Europe will likely see a considerable political reaction against what had been seen as relatively fundamental rights, particularly when it comes to asylum and freedom of movement.

None of those things are unnecessarily unreasonable.

What the Philippines reminds us, though, is just how short a journey it might be to really tear up some of the most basic rules which had been seen as underpinning a civilized society. Worse still, it can even be popular.

Peter Apps is Reuters global affairs columnist, writing on international affairs, globalization, conflict and other issues. He is founder and executive director of the Project for Study of the 21st Century; PS21, a non-national, non-partisan, non-ideological think tank in London, New York and Washington. Before that, he spent 12 years as a reporter for Reuters covering defense, political risk and emerging markets. Since 2016, he has been a member of the British Army Reserve and the UK Labour Party.

Civil Society On Aleppo: UN General Assembly Must Act Tharanga Yakupitiyage Inter Press Service

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undreds of civil society organisations from around the world have united to call on UN member states to step in and demand an end to unlawful attacks in Aleppo.

A global coalition of 223 organisations from over 45 countries including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Physicians for Human Rights have expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis in Aleppo.

“It’s very hard to stand back and watch the slow motion destruction of an entire country and of its civilian population,” Human Rights Watch’s UN Director Louis Charbonneau told IPS. Charbonneau noted the destruction caused by the Russian-Syrian coalition’s indiscriminate attacks on parts of Syria.

Human Rights Watch found that air strikes, which are often indiscriminate, have killed over 440 civilians, including more than 90 children, between September and October 2016.

Charbonneau cited the alSakhour hospital which was

“When you deliberately target a hospital where doctors and nurses are working to save people’s lives, that rises to a special level of war crimes,” he told IPS. The hospital has since gone out of service due to extensive damage from strikes.

According to Physicians for Human Rights, Aleppo has seen 45 attacks on its health care facilities in the past three years causing the closure of over two-thirds of hospitals.

Approximately 95 percent of doctors have also fled, been detained or killed, further exacerbating the area’s humanitarian crisis.

The ongoing conflict has also prevented much needed humanitarian assistance to civilians, including the 250,000 trapped in east Aleppo.

Physicians for Human Rights’ Director of International Policy and Partnerships Susannah Sirkin told IPS that this aid blockage is one of the most “egregious obstructions” she has seen in her 30 years of human rights work.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Rome on Friday that there is “no problem” with humanitarian access to East Aleppo.

curity Council in ending atrocities committed in Syria.

“The Security Council has failed Syrians for the past six years,” Amnesty International Representative at the UN Sherine Tadros told IPS, noting Russia’s use of vetoes to block action.

Most recently in October, Russia vetoed a draft Security Council resolution which demanded an end to all aerial bombardment of Aleppo. This represents the country’s fifth veto on Syria since the conflict began in 2011.

In response to the persistent deadlock, civil society has called on the General Assembly to act.

“If the Security Council won’t act, the General Assembly must act,” said Tadros.

Charbonneau echoed similar sentiments, stating: “Member states don’t simply have an excuse to stand back, they can’t hide behind Russia vetoing resolution after resolution. They have a responsibility to do something.”

They have called on the General Assembly to request an Emergency Special Session and pass a ‘Uniting for Peace’ resolution demanding the cessation of hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access.

lowing vetoes by the Soviet Union and a Security Council deadlock over the Korean War. It has since been used by the General Assembly ten times when lack of unanimity persisted within the Council.

“Uniting for Peace is a tool that has been used at the most acute crisis moments in the history of the UN…and definitely the situation in Syria is an acute crisis, it definitely deserves to be the 11th special session. This can’t go on,” said Charbonneau.

Already, member states have shown some signs of frustration over the Security Council’s inaction as Canada, with the backing of 73 countries, requested a meeting to pressure parties of the Syrian conflict.

Tadros acknowledged that resolutions like Uniting for Peace are non-binding, but said that it is the strongest diplomatic tool to send a message to the Security Council and parties to the conflict.

“We are under no illusion that something like [Uniting for Peace resolution] is the end. It takes political will. But it is a very strong message when most of the world says this is what should and must happen,” Tadros told IPS.

there are nations “that are not going to sit idly by while the Syrian population is devastated,” adding that it can help shame the Security Council.

In addition to showing that the General Assembly can step in and fill the vacuum left by the Council, Charbonneau hopes the resolution will include the creation of a mechanism to gather criminal evidence to hold actors accountable.

“The gathering and preserving of criminal evidence is a special task so that someday in the future when someone is caught, they can be taken [and put on trial]… and the actors in Syria need to know that this could happen,” he told IPS. In order to grant an emergency special session, half of the 193 member states are needed to request the meeting which can then be convened within 24 hours. A two-thirds majority is then required to pass a Uniting for Peace resolution.

The coalition said that they will keep pushing since inaction is no longer an option.

“There is no reason why immediate action cannot be taken,” Tadros said to IPS. “It’s been six years, I

arenting is not just about meeting the basic necessities of a child. It goes far beyond the requirements of food, clothing & shelter and is much more than providing them with all kinds of facilities. Parents have a significant influence on how their children turn out, which include their emotional development, behavioural habits, their education and career. It is the responsibility of the parents to look after the overall development of a child and in order to do so, it is important for the parents to be present enough to support them. The support and encouragement that a child received from parents automatically foster his confidence and growth in so many aspects.

Parenting involves being present in a child’s life, especially during critical milestone of their life. A study revealed that when the parent is inactive or absent during the crucial moments, it is more likely for teens to indulge themselves in risky behaviours such as drinking, drug abuse and sexual activities.

They often end up among the wrong peer group because they want to create their own moments in life. On the contrary, it is obvious that those teen who participate in every walk of their life proves to be happier and less likely to indulge in such unwanted behaviour. Yet sometimes being physically present is not enough to raise children. There has to be a connection between parent’s investment and children’s competence. Parents should spend quality amount of time with their children in order to understand their strength and weaknesses, as well as their positive and negative aspects. So, enough amount of time and commitment is required to teach the children how to regulate their behaviour and how to socially adjust with others.

One of the greatest impact parents can have on their part is through interaction. Most of the parents opine young people today care less about what they have to say but in reality parents have a lot more influence than they realise. Nothing can be more comforting to a trouble teen than been able to share his problem with parents. If teens do not approach their parents for advice and support when they face difficult situations in life, there are usually reasons. One of such reasons maybe because the parent is not a good listener. Current research suggests that young people simply need to talk and express their frustrations. Often, parents make the mistake of trying to solve their problems or jumping on their faults and mistakes which simply add more stress to their frustrations.

The relation between parents and children should be such that they have the bond of a friend, the respect of a teacher and trust of a guide. A good parent is one who is a good listener and a great advisor. Young people will definitely come seeking for advice when they are ready, until then, parents can show them their care by listening. By listening, I mean more than just hearing, it involves paying close attention and genuinely caring about what they have to say.

Parents influence their children in so many ways. Interaction is one of such way through which parents influence their offspring. Both the parents and the children should learn to listen as well as share their views & ideas. Only when people interact, they learn and understand each other better. Parents should keep in mind that their children are not only listening, but most importantly, they are observing and imitating their lives ever since they are small. So it is necessary for the parents to live the same standard and rules they expect from their children to live. Parents should learn not to set a double standard of morality whereby parents expect the children to live a virtuous life while they are not bothered to lead them in first place. Parents should learn to walk the talk and not just talk the talk.

Furthermore, we find that when parents live godly lives, it is more likely that their children will have more faith in God because they tend to follow their parent’s examples.

Researchers also discovered the importance of parents especially the Father and how much he influences the children. An interesting finding shows that if Dad regularly attend church on Sundays, even though mother doesn’t, it is more likely that 44% of the children will continue to attend church as adults. But, if Mom goes to church regularly and dad never show up, only 2% of children continue to attend proving that Father’s influence is very significant.

Queries also show that children particularly the male child are proud of their Dad and look up to them as their role model. Young men wish to become like their father or even better than his father and some are even afraid they may never grow up to be like him. Whether you believe it or not, such is the influence parents has on their children.

Parental influence also goes beyond the parent-children relationship, and includes parental influence on education and career of their children. It is often believed that parents are the first and the best teacher a child has. The influence of parents on children’s education begins as early as preschool and last till his career or even more. By parental influence on education on their child, I don’t mean attending parents-teachers interaction regularly. Of course it is important to keep in touch with the school and teachers but it goes beyond that. According to some researchers, “parental involvement in children’s learning is positively related to achievement”. No matter what type of education the students pursue or the age of the child, the more intense involvement of the parent brings out the better results.

Even though, there are various ways through which parents influence their children, the largest effect on the student’s academic achievement is based on parental expectations. When the child becomes aware of the level of expectation that the parent has on them, they usually tend to strive harder to achieve their goal because they do not want to disappoint their parents. Therefore, when parents have high hopes on their children, it automatically boosts them to work harder. Studies also shows that the more educated the parents are, the greater the influence on the child’s academic performance. One of the several reasons is because educated parents are able to understand the need of a student as a result they provide them with more educational opportunities. The gap between them is narrower compared to the wide gap between the less educated parents and their children. Secondly, the children’s desire to achieve more than their parents or to become better than them also helps them to do well in their academic performance. Lastly, children from poorer family may also strive hard to achieve academic success if their parents instil proper encouragement, hopes and dreams in their mind.

This group of people are likely to succeed because of their strong determination to overcome their misery along with proper guidance and care from their parents can never fail.

So “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6.

8

tuesDAY 06•12•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Holiday plans take a hike, as all roads lead to banks new Delhi, December 5 (ianS): The war on black money has taken a toll on the hospitality industry, as the ongoing cash crunch has compelled many to pack up their holiday plans for the next season.

With long lines seen outside banks and ATMs, fewer people have queued up to board trains, buses and aircraft to commence their vacations.

According to industry experts, various segments of the travel and tourism industry like airlines, tour operators, hotels and even local guides have felt the slowdown unleashed by the demonetisation move, which came into effect on November 8 midnight.

"There has been a slowdown in the industry as a whole," Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Group, told IANS. "As a result of the cash crunch, people are prioritising their expenses and discretionary spends are being delayed," he added.

The timing of the move has also hit the sector hard -the current peak travel season of October-December is expected to be the worst in terms of revenue generation in many years.

"Demonetisation has had quite an initial impact on both domestic as well as

international tourism," Aloke Bajpai, Chief Executive and Co-founder, ixigo.com, told IANS. The saving grace, at least for the airline and rail-road sectors, has been government's decision to allow old notes to be used for purchase of tickets.

The exemption gave a sudden spurt to counter bookings at airports and railway stations, as travellers were seen booking tickets for the next season as well.

"At the onset, the sale of tickets at airport counters was seeing a 20 per cent rise owing to the acceptance of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes till November 24," Bajpai said.

"Those willing to buy flight and train tickets over the counter at airports and railway stations with old currency notes are actually making travel plans, for even several months in advance."

Segment-wise, the airline sector started giving out discounts to cope with reduction in airline bookings after the government's recent decision.

"The airlines have reported a short-term drop in ticket sales after the demonetisation announcement by the government, and in an attempt to catalyse demand and bring travellers back to the market, we are seeing air-

How Modi Changed (And Changed) The Demonetisation Narrative Praveen Chakravarty IndiaSpend/IANS

A notice is displayed outside an ATM counter in Ajmer. (REUTERS Photo)

lines and hotels offering discounts," Sharat Dhall, Chief Operating Officer (B2C), Yatra.com, told IANS. "While there was a significant dip in domestic bookings in the initial couple of days, however, things are expected to be normal soon.

We did not see much of an impact in international travel," he added.

Some experts were of the view that the demonetisation

102 children died in Odisha

move is likely to push people towards e-payments, which will have a major impact on offline travel agents. "We expect a consumer shift from offline agents to online travel agents to accelerate with this move," Dhall stressed.

Anil Khandelwal, Chief Financial Officer, Cox & Kings, said: "This move will see a decisive shift from unorganised sector to organised sector."

On November 8, the government announced that Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes would no longer be legal tender, with some temporary exceptions, as an initiative towards curbing black money. The old currencies are being replaced by new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes.

But, a demand-supply gap for the new currencies has resulted in a cash crunch in the entire country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting on demonetisation, on November 13, 2016. An IndiaSpend analysis of the Prime Minister’s seven speeches reveals a shifting of the narrative of the demonetisation action and its objectives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on November 8, 2016 to announce the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The speech (in English) lasted 25 minutes. The Prime Minister uttered the phrase “black money” 18 times in this speech. He mentioned “fake currency” or “counterfeit” five times in the same speech. It was unambiguously clear from the Prime Minister’s speech that the primary motivation for the sudden withdrawal of nearly 86% of the country’s currency was the evil of black money.

The next day, the papers termed it a “war on black money”. PayTM, a mobile payment app, hailed the decision with a full-page ad and the Prime Minister left for Japan.

By the time the Prime Minister returned from Japan, the move had been christened “demonetisation” in English, “notebandi” in Hindi and there was a war-time like rationing of currency in the country.

The Prime Minister made six speeches across the country on the demonetisation policy between November 13 and November 27, including his radio address to the nation,

Mann Ki Baat, according to data available on the Prime Minister’s personal website. The text of all the speeches are available on the website.

A data analysis of the speeches (after translation) reveals a shifting of the narrative of the demonetisation action and its objectives. In his speech on November 8, 2016, when he announced the demonetisation policy, the Prime Minister used the phrase “black money” four times more than “fake/counterfeit currency”.

By November 27, he used the phrase “digital/cashless” thrice as much as “black money” with no mention of “fake currency”. Recall, there was zero mention of “digital/cashless” in the initial November 8 speech.

So, between November 8 and November 27, the objective for the demonetisation exercise has swung from black money elimination to going cashless, as evident in the Prime Minister’s speeches.

To be sure, urging citizens to use less cash and resort to digital transactions is a laudable objective and must certainly be encouraged.

But when a decision was taken to remove a whopping 86% of the country’s currency overnight with all its attendant costs, one would have hoped there was one strong rationale for it, even if it meant achieving multiple objectives.

Either the Prime Minister has realised that the original primary objective of eliminating black money may not be met or there was not adequate thought behind the decision.

Centre not to make singing of National Poll panel to introduce paper Anthem compulsory in govt schools trail for Goa elections

bhUbaneSwar, December 5 (ianS): At least 102 children have died in Odisha's Malkangiri district due to Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome so far, Health Minister Pradip Amat said on Monday. Replying to a written question in the state assembly, the Health Minister said that out of 102 child deaths in Malkangiri district, 37 were due to Japanese Encephalitis. "All necessary steps have been undertaken by the state government to curb the outbreak of the disease," the Minister said.

He said while health awareness activities have been conducted at all levels, trained doctors and nurses were deployed to district headquarter hospitals for efficient case management. Amat said pigs and piglets have been isolated 2.5 km away from the human habitation and their blood samples have been screened for Japanese Encephalitis virus infection with the help of veterinary departments.

Meanwhile, the vaccination drive against the deadly Japanese Encephalitis started on Monday in Malkangiri. A total number of 175 teams are prepared in the district. Control rooms are set up in the district and at block-levels along with 11 emergency teams. The programme would be carried out from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. everyday for 15 days. A total 2,18,027 children aged between 1 and 15 years have been identified for the vaccination, said a health department official.

new Delhi, December 5 (PTi): The Centre does not propose to make singing of the National Anthem mandatory in all government and government-aided schools, and it is up to the States to take necessary action for observance of provisions of the RTE Act and Constitution concerning the same, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Upendra Kushwaha made a statement in Lok Sabha when he was asked whether the Centre proposes to make singing of the National Anthem manda-

China urges India not to 'complicate' border dispute as Tibetan figure visits

Aadhaar-based rail reservations for senior citizens mandatory from April 2017

beijing, December 5 (reUTerS): China called on India on Monday not to do anything to complicate their border dispute after a senior exiled Tibetan religious leader visited a sensitive border region controlled by India but claimed by China. The Karmapa Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's third-most-senior figure who fled into exile in India in 2000, last week went to Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, in the remote eastern Himalayas.

China disputes the entire territory of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it south Tibet. Its historic town Tawang, a key site for Tibetan Buddhism, was briefly occupied by Chinese forces during a 1962 war. Asked about the trip, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said India was clear about China's position on the eastern end of their border. "We hope the Indian side can respect the relevant consensus of both sides, and not take any actions that may complicate the border issue," Lu told a daily news briefing.

Maintaining peace and stability on the border and the healthy development of relations was in both parties interests, he added.

Leaders of Asia's two giants pledged last year to cool their festering border dispute, which dates back to their brief 1962 border war. India is home to a large exiled Tibetan community, including spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who China reviles as a separatist.

The Nobel Peace Prize-winning monk says he simply wants genuine autonomy for his homeland.

new Delhi, December 5 (inDiaToDay): Come April 1, 2017, reservation of rail tickets for senior citizens will be directly linked to Aadhaar or Unique Identification (UID) cards on a mandatory basis for both counter and e-tickets.

However, such a requirement will be optional during JanuaryMarch 2017.

Implementation Of Aadhar Based Ticketing System The Railway Ministry has decided to implement Aadhaar-based ticketing system for senior citizens in a two-phased manner. Accordingly, from January 1 to March 31, 2017, requirement of Aadhaar verification for getting concessional tickets for senior citizens will be on a voluntary basis. From April

tory in all government and government-aided schools. “No, Madam,” Kushwaha said, addressing the Speaker.

Citing the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, Kushwaha said it provides for free and compulsory education to every child of age 6 to 14 in a neighbourhood school till the completion of elementary education in all States and UTs except Jammu and Kashmir. Section 29(2)(a) of the RTE Act provides that the academic authority, while laying down the curriculum and the evaluation procedure under sub-section (1), shall take

1, 2017, such a requirement would become mandatory.

Advance verification for senior citizens through Aadhaar card has already been taken up by providing notice to senior citizen passengers to submit their Aadhaar card details online on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or through the reservation offices from December 1 this year onwards.

However, verification will be optional during the implementation of the first phase if a senior citizen wants to purchase ticket on full fare. But there will be no change in procedure with regard to concession to senior citizens in unreserved ticketing.

With effect from April 1, 2017, passengers in the senior

into consideration conformity with the values enshrined in the Constitution.

“Further, Article 51-A (a) of the Constitution of India mentions that it shall be the duty of the every citizen of India to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag and the national anthem. “As education is in the concurrent list and a majority of schools are under the jurisdiction of the state governments and UT administrations, it is for them to take necessary action for observance of the above provisions of the RTE Act and the Constitution of India,” he said.

citizen category will not need to carry any of the original documents, including Aadhaar card, for the purpose of identity proof.

Aimed At Streamlining Reservation Process "The linking of Aadhaar cards with train tickets for senior citizens is a salutary measure designed to streamline the reservation process for people in such a category. This ambitious push towards Aadhaarbased ticketing system in Indian Railways network that would end fraudulent bookings and curb cases of impersonation.

In future, all ticket bookings will require Aadhar card," said IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director Dr A K Manocha.

"It will bring in transpar-

Panaji, December 5 (ianS): Voters in Goa will now be able to visually verify their vote, thanks to Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to be introduced in upcoming state legislative assembly elections, a senior poll official said on Monday. According to Siva Raman, nodal officer for computer sessions for the Election Commission of India, the VVPAT is a "completely independent vote verification system", which is attached to an electronic voting machine like a printer and allows the voter to know whether the vote has been cast correctly or not.

"Once the button of his choice is pressed by the voter

on the EVM, a printed paper will appear containing the name of the candidate and poll symbol, so the voter can verify and visually ensure the vote has been cast correctly," Raman said. "After the voter views the receipt, it goes inside a container linked to the EVM, which can be accessed only by the polling officers," Raman said at a meeting of poll officials with representatives of district administration and political parties in Panaji. "This latest system is another step further towards prevention of electoral fraud," he said, adding that the VVPAT could help virtually eliminate manipulation of poll results.

ency in rail ticket reservations for senior citizens, making the verification process easy and convenient. It will also prevent misuse of such a facility as ticket collectors can instantly verify the claims of passengers. Our objective is to ensure that only bona fide passengers with legitimate tickets travel in trains and thereby prevent revenue losses to Indian Railways," he pointed out.

A major benefit of Aadhaarlinked rail reservations for senior citizens is that it will stop touts and unauthorized agents from booking tickets in fake names and then selling these at a higher price.

the IRCTC website is quite easy. One has to log in using his/her User ID and password on the IRCTC ticketing website. Then they have to click on 'Master List' under 'My Profile' Menu.

While adding new senior citizen passengers in the Master List, they need to provide correct and complete details like name, date of birth and gender as mentioned in the Aadhaar Card. Thereafter, they have to select Senior Citizen Concession Option as Yes/No, ID card type and provide Aadhaar number. As a next step, they have to click on "Add Passenger" button to add senior citizen passenger and authenticate Aadhaar deProcedure For Authentication tails. Passengers will be then The procedure for authen- added in the Master List after tication of Aadhaar details on verifying their details.

Life & death: Defending land rights in India is a dangerous job mUmbai, December 5 (ThomSon reUTerS FoUnDaTion): Bhupendra Vira, an activist who tried to expose political links to illegal land dealings in Mumbai, was watching television at his suburban home one evening in October when he was shot dead.

Vira, 61, had sought information under the Right to Information Act on encroachments of public land and illegal land dealings in a city that has among the world's priciest real estate.

The arrest of a former civic official and his son in connection with the killing shocked the city.

A couple of weeks later in another case, Nandini Sundar, a Delhi University professor, was charged in the killing of an indigenous villager in the restive Bastar region.

Sundar had just written

a book on indigenous people losing land to mining firms in Chhattisgarh.

The ensuing outcry led the state to assure the Supreme Court that those charged would not be arrested before an investigation, and that it would give advance notice to them before proceeding.

The two cases highlight harassment and deadly violence against land rights activists in India, campaigners say. Land is increasingly sought in India for industrial use and development projects, as one of the world's fastest growing major economies expands.

"More land is being acquired for industry by the government, sometimes forcefully, while per capita land available is declining," said E.A.S. Sarma, an activist and former bureaucrat who has campaigned

against several land-acquisition projects.

"Meanwhile, people are also more aware of their rights and civil society is more active, even as states introduce new laws to speed up acquisitions. So the conflict level has risen in recent years," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Home ministry spokesman K.S. Dhatwalia said the ministry is aware of the incidents, including those involving Vira and Sundar, and "is taking all necessary actions as per procedure".

NEW BATTLEGROUND In the fight for land and the environment, which UK-based watchdog Global Witness calls "a new battleground for human rights", communities worldwide are locked in deadly struggles against governments, companies and criminal

gangs exploiting land for products including timber, minerals and palm oil.

In 2015, more than three people a week were killed defending land, forests and rivers against industries in the deadliest year on record, according to Global Witness.

Of the 185 murders documented in 16 countries, India was among the top 10, with six deaths last year.

The cases involving Vira and Sundar are just the better known ones, say campaigners.

"Crimes against citybased activists receive more attention, so we have heard more of the professor and the Mumbai activist," said Colin Gonsalves, founder of the Human Rights Law Network.

"But every day, many more are risking their lives in villages, in forests. They

are fighting against the state and powerful corporations, and it is only going to get worse as our demand for land grows," he said.

India is home to more than 104 million indigenous people, the largest such population in the world. Its fast-growing economy has led to increased demand for land for infrastructure and development, as well as for resources to feed its industry.

Conflicts related to land and resources are the main reason behind stalled industrial and development projects in India, affecting millions of people and putting billions of dollars of investment at risk, a report by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences said last month.

"Unfortunately, the government believes that activists who speak for land

rights or defend tribal communities are obstructing development," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"Instead of addressing concerns and providing proper rehabilitation and sustainable livelihoods to affected people, the state treats human rights defenders as irritants ... (and) deems any criticism as anti-national," she said.

ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR Sundar's book, 'The Burning Forest: India's War in Bastar', published earlier this year, details the decade-long conflict between the state and Maoist rebels who claim to fight for the rights of poor farmers and landless indigenous people.

Sundar was also a petitioner in an earlier suit that led the Supreme Court in

2011 to order the disbanding of state-backed vigilante group Salwa Judum, which had been accused of human rights violations against indigenous people in Chhattisgarh.

This year, lawyers with a local legal aid group and journalists were harassed into leaving Chhattisgarh, while chemicals were flung at activist Soni Sori's face, campaigners said.

"An atmosphere of fear has prevailed for many years ... now, there's an impunity that has emboldened police and politicians," said Supriya Sharma, who has reported on the region for more than a decade.

Last month, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) criticised Chhattisgarh officials, including the inspector general of police of Bastar, for the "unprecedented acts of

hostility and indiscipline" against lawyers, journalists and rights activists.

A spokesman for the state chief minister said officials have addressed the Supreme Court's concerns on the Sundar case, and that they will move forward with their investigation. The state has not yet responded to NHRC's order, he said.

Despite greater impunity, there is also greater scrutiny of the government's actions, said environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta, who has campaigned against projects in forest lands.

"It's always been difficult to challenge the state, but because there is greater scrutiny, there is some element of fear of a backlash against investors and the state," he said.

"The scrutiny has emboldened activists to stay the course."

TuesdAY 06•12•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Chinese state media say call with Taiwan’s President Tsai shows Trump’s inexperience SHANGHAI, December 5 (reuterS): Chinese state media on Monday continued to play down the protocol-bending phone call last week between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan’s president, with editorials in two newspapers saying the move showed Trump’s inexperience.

China’s national English-language newspaper, the China Daily, said the 10-minute call “exposed nothing but the inexperience Trump and his transition team have in dealing with foreign affairs”.

“The action was due to a lack of a proper understanding of the sensitive issues in Sino-U.S. relations and cross-Strait ties,” it said. The Friday call was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of “one China”.

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it had lodged “stern representations” with what it called the “relevant U.S. side,” urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, calling it “a petty action”.

The China Daily said that for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the call “achieves nothing substantial, only pride in making what is an illusionary ‘groundbreaking move’, and temporarily diverting public attention on the island away from her bad performance”.

“It would be a mistake for Tsai and her party to over-interpret the significance of the call,” it said. Her attempts to “stir up tension... will ultimately backfire”.

The Global Times, a hawkish tabloid under the ruling Communist Party’s top newspaper the People’s Daily, called Trump “bluffing and unpredictable”, but said he did not have plans to overturn America’s international relationships.

“It seems that Trump is still taking advantage of his perceived fickleness and unpredictability to make some choppy waves in the Taiwan Straits to see if he can gain some bargaining chips before he is sworn in,” it said.

The Global Times added targeting him would be inappropriate since he is not yet president. “He has zero diplomatic experience and is unaware of the repercussions of shaking up Sino-U.S. relations,” it said.

Instead, China could send a message to Trump by punishing Taiwan, wooing away one or two of the island’s diplomatic allies or beefing up military deployments against Taiwan, it said.

“It is certain that Trump doesn’t want a showdown with China, because it is not his ambition, and neither was it included in his promise to the electorate. He puts out feelers to sound China out and chalk up some petty benefits.”

On Monday, Taiwan’s Liberty Times, considered close to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported Tsai is planning to transit in New York early next month on her way to visit three diplomatic allies - Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. The trip would take place before Trump’s inauguration January 20 and Tsai’s delegation would seek to meet with Trump’s team, including Reince Priebus, Trump’s White House chief of staff, the report said.

Taiwan’s Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were “excessive speculation”. It said it would announce any presidential trips at the appropriate time.

Trump clear on China’s stance beIJING, December 5 (reuterS): China said on Monday U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are clear on China’s position regarding his telephone call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday.

“The world is very clear on China’s solemn position. The US side, including president elect Trump’s team, is very clear China’s solemn position on this issue,” said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Taiwan is the most sensitive issue between China and the United States, he said.

He did not elaborate on how China had made its position clear to Trump and his team, and declined to speculate about what was behind the call between Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

The unusual call prompted China to lodge “stern representations” with the “relevant U.S. side” on Saturday.

U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence played down the significance of the call with Tsai, saying it was a “courtesy” call, not intended to show a shift in U.S. policy on China.

China’s state press on Monday also sought to minimize the telephone call’s importance, saying it merely reflected Trump’s foreign affairs inexperience, not a shift in U.S. policy towards Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province.

Kerry says would be valuable for Trump to seek advice before calls WASHINGtON, December 5 (reuterS): U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday it would be valuable for President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team to seek State Department recommendations before contacting foreign leaders but that it had yet to do so.

“We have not been contacted before any of these conversations.

We have not been requested to provide talking points,” Kerry said during a question-and-answer session

Italy’s Renzi to resign after referendum rout possible successors.

The government crisis could open the door to elections next year and to the possibility of the opposition 5-Star Movement gaining power in the heart of the single currency area. 5-Star, which campaigned hard for a ‘No’ vote, wants to hold a referendum instead on membership of the euro.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks during a media conference after a referendum on constitutional reform at Chigi palace in Rome on December 5. (REUTERS Photo)

rOme, December 5 (reuterS): Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is set to resign on Monday after suffering a crushing defeat in a referendum over constitutional reform, tipping the euro zone’s third-largest economy into political turmoil.

His decision to quit after just twoand-a-half years in office deals a blow to the European Union, already reeling from multiple crises and struggling to overcome anti-establishment forces that have battered the Western world this year.

Renzi’s emotional, midnight resignation announcement sent the euro lower and jolted stock and bond markets on concerns that early elections could follow, possibly paving the way for an anti-euro party, the 5-Star Movement, to come to power.

But financial markets bounced back later in the morning as European

officials played down the prospect of a broader euro zone crisis.

Even Italy’s fragile bank sector, which is looking to raise around 20 billion euros ($21 billion) over coming months, staged a comeback on the Milan exchange after a shaky start.

European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici dismissed talk of a euro zone crisis, and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble urged calm. Both said Italy’s institutions are capable of handling a government change, which would be its 64th since 1946.

Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who has pulled out of scheduled meetings with European finance ministers in Brussels this week, is viewed as a possible candidate to replace Renzi. Senate President Pietro Grasso and Transport Minister Graziano Delrio have also been tipped as

DEMOLITION MAN Renzi, 41, took office in 2014 promising to shake up hidebound Italy and presenting himself as an anti-establishment “demolition man” determined to crash through a smothering bureaucracy and reshape creaking institutions. Sunday’s referendum, designed to speed up the legislative process, was to have been his crowning achievement. However, his economic policies have made little impact, and the 5-Star Movement has claimed the anti-establishment banner, tapping into a populist mood that has seen Britons vote to leave the European Union and Americans elect Donald Trump president.

In a moment of relief for mainstream Europe, Austrian voters on Sunday rejected Norbert Hofer, vying to become the first freely elected far-right head of state in Europe since World War Two, choosing a Greens leader as president instead. But elsewhere, the established order is in retreat. French President Francois Hollande said last week he would not seek re-election next year, and even German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks vulnerable as she seeks a fourth term in 2017.

at a think tank conference.

“I do think there’s a value, obviously on having at least the recommendations, whether you choose to follow them or not is a different issue, but I think it’s valuable to ask people who work the desk, and have worked it for a long period of time, their input on what’s the current state, is there some particular issue at the moment,” Kerry added.

“I think that’s valuable, and I would certainly recommend it, but,

obviously, that hasn’t happened in a few cases.”

Trump’s call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday triggered a diplomatic protest from China and raised questions about whether the Republican presidentelect might be signaling a change to U.S. policy. Vice President-elect Mike Pence denied that on Sunday, describing it as a “courtesy call.”

The telephone conversation was the first by a U.S. president-elect or

president with a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of “one China.”

The diplomatic contretemps was one of several recently for Trump, a real estate magnate who has never held public office and has no foreign affairs or military experience.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, is still considering his choice for secretary of state.

Eleven killed in Trump picks ex-rival Carson Karachi hotel fire to head housing department

KArAcHI, December 5 (IANS): At least 11 persons were killed and 30 others injured in a huge fire that erupted at Karachi’s Regent Plaza hotel early Monday, rescue officials said.

The blaze broke out in the kitchen in the ground floor at the Shahrah-i-Faisal, and spread across the six floor building, trapping scores of hotel guests in their rooms, Dawn news reported.

Three fire tenders of the fire brigade reached the site and started the rescue operations. The fire-fighters were able to contain the fire after three hours.

Eleven people were killed, said Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation.

At least 65 others injured and affected by the fumes were brought to the emergency department, said Seemin Jamali, head of the emergency services at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

People trying to escape the blaze jumped from upper floor windows sustaining fractured bones, while others had shattered glasses piercing their body; many were treated for smoke inhalation, she said.

She said 10 bodies were brought into the hospital. Six men, including two doctors and four women are among the dead.

Two foreigners affected by the fire were alive and their condition was satisfactory, said Jamali.

The rescue operation continues, and some people are still reportedly trapped inside the hotel.

The cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.

WASHINGtON, December 5 (reuterS): Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a presidential rival-turned-supporter, has been nominated to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Trump said on Monday.

“Dr. Carson is a distinguished national leader who overcame his troubled youth in the inner city of Detroit to become a renowned neurosurgeon who served as the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland,” Trump’s transition team said in a statement announcing the nomination.

Carson, who like Trump has never held public office and has no government experience, recently said he was not interested in serving in Trump’s administration because he lacked experience in the federal government.

However, in accepting the appointment, Carson said, “I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need.”

“Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about

Ben Carson. (REUTERS File Photo)

strengthening communities and families within those communities,” Trump said in the statement.

Carson, 65, was a frequent Trump target during the campaign. But he became one of his most high-profile AfricanAmerican supporters after Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination.

At HUD, Carson would lead an agency whose mission has been to help middle- and lowincome people find homes.

It also runs a program aimed at replacing distressed public housing with mixed-income neighborhoods.

The department also oversees mortgage lending and other housing programs.

New Zealand PM John Key submits shock resignation WeLLINGtON, December 5 (reuterS): New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who won praise for his economic stewardship after the global financial crisis, unexpectedly announced his resignation on Monday after eight years in power, backing his finance minister to take the helm.

Bill English, deputy prime minister and finance minister, said he would likely decide overnight whether to stand for the leadership of the ruling centre-right National Party at a special December 12 caucus meeting.

Key, a popular former foreign exchange dealer who grew up in state housing, is part-way through a third, three-year term that has been marked by political stability and economic reform.

He told reporters he would stay in parliament long enough for his party to avoid a by-election for his

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key waves to photographers during the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in Lima, Peru on November 20. (REUTERS Photo)

seat. National elections are not expected until late 2017.

“It leaves the Cabinet and caucus plenty of time to settle in with a new Prime Minister before heading into election

year with a proud record of strong economic management,” Key told reporters in Wellington.

“I am hugely confident that National can and will win the next election.”

Key said he would vote for English if he stood for party leader and prime minister at the December 12 caucus meeting.

“I’ll be talking to caucus and family today and

tonight,” English told reporters. “I wouldn’t stand if there wasn’t strong caucus support for me standing.”

English, a political veteran who previously worked on the family farm and as a Treasury Department policy analyst, would likely continue with many of Key’s core policies, analysts said.

Steven Joyce, who has held a variety of senior cabinet positions since joining the parliament in 2008, is seen as another potential candidate, while Judith Collins, the minister for police and corrections, told local media she would not rule out running.

“We expect New Zealand’s very strong institutions to lead to a smooth transition and policy continuity,” ratings agency Moody’s said in a statement, adding there were no implications for New Zealand’s Aaa credit rating.

The New Zealand dollar fell around a fifth of a U.S. cent on the news and was

last trading around $0.71.

“One issue to be mindful of is that we’ve had political stability in New Zealand now for a number of years,” said Philip Borkin, a senior economist at ANZ. “That may not change significantly but it does add a little bit of uncertainty to the political environment that we’re used to.”

“SAY IT AIN’T SO, BRO” Key, a multi-millionaire who worked at banks including Merrill Lynch, won office for the Nationals in 2008, ending the nine-year rule of Labour’s Helen Clark. English briefly served as leader of the National Party previously, trying and failing to unseat Clark in 2002.

Together Key and English won praise for their stewardship of the NZ$240 billion ($170 billion) economy in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and two devastating earthquakes near Christchurch.

In October, New Zealand reported its second straight budget surplus, helped by an economy growing at 3.6 percent in the second quarter.

Key steps down with his party in a dominant position in New Zealand’s German-style mixed member proportional representation parliament.

A Roy Morgan poll last week showed support for the National Party up 1.5 percent to 49.5 percent, clearly ahead of the Labour/Greens alliance, at 37.5 percent support.

“I sent him one very short message ‘Say it ain’t so bro’,” Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Melbourne.

“John Key is one of the most outstanding national leaders in the world today...

He is somebody that all of us, right around the world, leaders in countries large and small, draw inspiration from.”

Key has been dubbed

“Teflon John” for avoiding lasting damage from a series of controversies which include repeatedly pulling the ponytail of a waitress, his handling of the arrest of accused internet piracy kingpin Kim Dotcom and his backing of a failed referendum to change the New Zealand flag.

“As a top trader he knows you sell stocks when they are at their highs, not lows,” Bryce Edwards, lecturer in politics at the University of Otago, told Reuters. “So he’s managed to leave politics on a high note and will go down in history as a popular politician.”

Asked if he had any regrets, Key said that not securing the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal was a major one, but it was time to call it quits for his wife Bronagh.

“Ten years at the top is a long time, it is a lot of lonely nights for Bronagh. I really feel I owe it to family to come home.”

10

tUESDAY 06•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Liverpool and United thwarted in dramatic finales

LONDON, DECEMBER 5 (REutERs):Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester United were caught by late sucker punches in two games that finished far more dramatically than they began on Sunday.

Juergen Klopp's Liverpool wasted a chance to return to second place in the table, a point behind Chelsea, twice surrendering a two-goal lead before losing 4-3 in added time in a thriller at Bournemouth.

United dropped two points at Everton after Marouane Fellaini conceded an 89th-minute penalty soon after the former Goodison Park favourite had come on as a substitute.

Third-placed Liverpool's defeat was their first in any competition since August and looked highly improbable when they built on a slow start to cruise into a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.

Sadio Mane and Divock Origi, starting his first league game of the season,

scored for the visitors from successive attacks.

Although B o u rnemouth had strong claims for a penalty turned down as Roberto Firmino challenged Nathan Ake, they did not threaten until the introduction of Scotland Under-21 international Ryan Fraser 10 minutes after halftime.

He had been on for barely a minute when he won a penalty that Callum Wilson converted.

Emre Can restored Liverpool's two-goal cushion but they were stunned when, in the space of three minutes, Fraser drove in Wilson's centre and then defender Steve Cook brought down Fraser's cross like a striker before driving home the equaliser.

In the third minute of added time Bournemouth secured one of the best wins in their history -- and first against Liverpool -- as goalkeeper Loris Karius fumbled a shot from long range and Ake poked the ball in.

Earlier, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his run of goals for sixth-placed United with a clever lob via the bar and post as goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg unwisely rushed out of the penalty area.

"We are not getting what

we deserve," said Mourinho.

"In every one of our draws we deserved to win.

"You have (other) teams playing defensive and counter-attacking football but getting results.

"I'm happy my team is playing extremely well. But

this season what matters is the results."

With six draws in the last eight league games and only one victory, results are not going United's way, leaving them nine points behind Manchester City who are in fourth spot.

I'd prefer to win game than score, says Zlatan

Everton's Leighton Baines celebrates after scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said it was "a very special day" for his 10th-placed team.

"It would have been easy for our players to give up and see out time but our group knows not to give up," he added.

ROCKS AND STONES Klopp said his side gave the points away although

he was surprisingly sanguine about the outcome.

"Of course this can help us," the Liverpool manager explained. "If we learn, then it's OK. "No road is without rocks and stones. It's three points, no more, these things happen. The base is pretty good but we need to use our quality more."

United manager Jose Mourinho also tried to dwell on the positives after he had sent on Fellaini against eighth-placed Everton.

The Belgian produced a clumsy tackle on Idrissa Gueye and could only watch as defender Leighton Baines beat the previously defiant David De Gea from the penalty spot.

to fight more and LONDON, DE do more to get CEMBER 5 (REuthe three points tERs): we need," IbrahiManchester United movic told Unitstriker Zlatan Ibraed website (www. himovic would have manutd.com). preferred a victory United have for his team to scordrawn six of their ing a goal in the 1-1 last eight league draw against Evergames and lie ton in the Premier sixth in the table.

League on Sunday.

"It was very The Swede clevdisappointerly flicked the ball Man United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (Reuters) ing obviously over onrushing Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelen- because the last couple of games in the burg to put United ahead at Goodison league have not had the outcome that Park but Marouane Fellaini's late foul on we wanted especially after a good perforIdrissa Gueye gave Leighton Baines the mance," said Ibrahimovic who is United's leading scorer in the league with eight chance to equalise from the spot.

"I scored but in the end it only got me goals this season.

United host fifth-placed Tottenham and the team one point. I would prefer not to score but win the game... We have Hotspur on Sunday.

Survivor recalls nightmare of Colombia air crash Iceland's Gudjohnsen offers LLRSA meet from Dec 16 RiO DE JaNEiRO, DECEMBER 5 (iaNs): There were no scenes of panic in the moments before the plane crash that wiped out a Brazilian football team in Colombia last week, according to one of the survivors.

Bolivian flight attendant Erwin Tumiri was one of only six people pulled alive from the wreckage of the LaMia airlines charter plane that crashed into a hillside near Medellin last Monday, reports Xinhua.

Seventy-one people died in the crash, including 19 players from Brazilian top-flight club Chapecoense and all of its coaching staff.

"We were told it would be a normal landing," Tumiri told Brazil's Globo TV in an interview broadcast late on Sunday.

"I was talking with the Chapecoense coach Caio Junior and he was teaching me some Portuguese. I told everybody to put on their seat-belts because we were about to land."

"Everybody went back to their seats. The lights went out and then the plane began to shake. I thought that the vibration was part of a normal landing. But it wasn't. I just heard a 'vroom vroom' sound. I can't remember what happened after that. I woke up on the ground."

Investigations into the accident are expected to take months, but pilot Miguel Quiroga is known to have told air traffic officials that the plane had run out of fuel just seconds before it came down.

Quiroga, who died in the

crash, had been ordered to maintain a circular holding pattern while another plane with mechanical problems was given priority to land.

Many have questioned how the flight was authorised when its journey from the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz to Colombia's Rionegro airport was the same as the plane's maximum fuel range.

Tumiri confirmed media reports that the plane had been due to stop for refuelling in the northern Bolivian city of Cobija.

A delay in the flight's departure from Santa Cruz meant the stop could not be made because Cobija's airport did not operate at night, according to Globo.

Tumiri did not point the

blame at the pilot or LaMia, but said flight staff should have been told of the situation.

"I think it wasn't a good idea by the pilot to take that decision or the person responsible at LaMia," Tumiri said.

"They (airline companies) should let us be heard. Right now it's 'This is how it is and it's going to be like this'. Decisions like that shouldn't be taken in an individual way. And it should be communicated: Where we are going, where we are going to refuel, and these things. The flight staff need to know. The responsibility should be divided and then a leader can make a decision."

Bolivian authorities have suspended LaMia's operating licenceandPresidentEvoMorales has promised a full investigation.

to play for Chapecoense

LONDON, DECEMBER 5 (iaNs): Iceland striker and former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen has offered to play for crisishit Brazilian football club Chapecoense after a horrific plane clash wiped out nearly the entire team.The 38-year-old tweeted on Monday that he is offering his services as a sympathetic gesture to the hardship faced by the club. "(Out) of respect I would play for @ ChapecoenseReal if they have a place for me! If not just to play with @10Ronaldinho again #ForcaChape," his tweet read.

The 38-year-old former FC Barcelona marksman was humble in offering his services, and said he would be keen to reunite with exteammate Ronaldinho who has also pledged to help the stricken Brazilian side. Gudjohnsen would be free to play for Chapecoense, having been released by Norwegian club Molde. Former Argentina midfielder Roman Riquelme has also wished to play for the club.

BHaNDaRi, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): The 61st Lotha Lower Range Sports Association (LLRSA) meet is scheduled to be held from December 13-16 at the Bhandari town public playground. A press release informed that the event will be graced by Yanyithung Ezung, Commandant 11th NAP (IR) as the chief guest and W. Chenithung Humtsoe, chief functionary, Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre as guest of honour. Villages/teams/clubs interested to participate have been asked to contact LLRSA officials at 9957792477 and 9862877499.

NYO Northern Zeme football champs PEREN, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): Ngwalwa Youth Organisation (NYO) emerged champions of the 7th Northern Zeme Sport Association Football Tournament 2016, which concluded on November 26. A press release from the Northern Zeme Sports Association informed that the NYO team defeated Lamhai Youth Organisation at the final. Arutpe Elunglung, retired Director, Youth Resources & Sports was the chief guest while Kainia Dilon, president, GB Union Peren District was guest of honour, it added.

public discourse

Celebrate Messiah- the light of the world Dr. Maong Aier, IAS

T

he essence of sacrifice is unmistakable.

Christmas is more than merely the birth of a child; it is the gift of a son. In order that we may gain Him, the father had to lose Him. However Christmas has become an opportunity for people to revel and get drunk; it has become a secular festival. Christmas has become a Christless mess.

All the truths of Christmas can be condensed into three word “God with us”.Let us celebrate Messiah the light of the world by making Him our super

star. There is no room for darkness in Messiah. John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. A gift is given must be received. What are we doing with the gift of the Son? Have we received Him or are we rejecting Him? We must receive His son. This is what Christmas is all about.

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” John 1:12.

In retrospection, when we look back into our society; we are pre-occupied with hatred among brethren, refusing to reconcile with one another and corruptions at all levels in our society. There is no room for Christ like in the days of Caesars Augustus. The vacuum in our hearts can only be filled by Christ. Jesus himself said, “I will give peace which the world cannot give.”

This peace speaks of physical soundness, mental soundness and spiritual soundness. Restoration of peace to man was made possible by God through the birth of Christ. May this coming Christmas bring real peace and joy to us.

NPF-BJP’s Relationship Obsession Z. Lohe

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f late, the quarrelsome NPF-BJP DAN alliance has been dominating the local papers with friendship stories ever since the Governor of Nagaland Sri. B.P. Acharya has become vocal on his frontal and unbridled attack on DAN Govt. on charges of corruption. The Nagaland BJP unit submitted a representation to the Governor of Nagaland and the contents of which were published in local dailies on November 11, 2016. Submitting a representation to the head of the State on charges of corruption of a Govt. is one thing and the intentional leakage of the same to the press is another. Who does not know how corrupt is the DAN Alliance ruling Nagaland today?

Yet, the political imbroglio between the sworn friends in DAN has its share of ramifications.

Some of the quotable points in the said representation to Governor are “corruption in the DAN government had crossed all limits” and “most of the departments like Rural Development, School Education, Medical, Social Welfare, Power, Food and Civil Supply and most sector(s) are deeply mired in unprecedented corruption...” The first quote speaks volumes of how brazen and rampant are the lootings of public money by the present DAN Govt. as the partner BJP unit has proved the magnitude of corruption in such superlative degree of language.

An Opposition party criticizing a Govt. is considered natural and normal. Such criticism is taken to be as usual and even tend to doubt its credibility. Whereas, when such severe criticism erupts from within the alliance, it is considered serious by common man and therefore such attack from within is more harmful than from outside. Yes, the DAN partner BJP unit’s exposures in the media have indeed severely dented the image of its own ministry irreparably. The points of attack will be the ammunition of anti-incumbency factors in 2018.

The Christian ethos is to confess one’s

sins openly before God and fellow man if one wants forgiveness from God. Similarly, the Nagaland BJP’s representation to Governor was intended to get the State unit cleansed from DAN’s corrupt stigma and go to face 2018 with born-again image. Nevertheless, passing the buck to NPF by BJP at the fake end of the term after having committed all the same measure of corruptions together all through these years of alliance has miserably failed to make the latter absolved from blame. What NPF has asserted that ‘both achievements and failures of DAN Government should be jointly owned by all the DAN partners’ which includes BJP as seen in local papers on 2.12.2016 is practically correct. For what BJP has eaten, NPF cannot be held accountable.

From moral and accountable point of view, what accusations BJP has levelled against its partner NPF are indeed in the interest of the common man. And I do not think those accusations can be refuted. Whereas, from ethical point of view, and for the fact that despite of heaping fiercest accusation on the head of NPF, BJP brazenly remains in the DAN is nothing but lack of political culture and bereft of determination and gut. A nephew of mine used to boast that he does not eat fish but he enjoys its soup.

BJP seems to have become tired of the alliance with NPF but not fed up in joint governance is similar to my nephew’s choice. I also saw the colour of opportunism in this blame game.

Nagaland Post carried the story where the opening sentence runs as “that signalled the near-breaking point of strained alliance” between NPF and BJP as assessed by the writer(correspondent) basing on the seriousness of the language so used by BJP. Having branded NPF DAN alliance as most corrupt in highest tone as ‘crossing all limits’, it is politically unthinkable for BJP to remain clung to DAN alliance thereafter. What strategy of BJP is this that the DAN is accused to the hilt and yet remains to be part of it and rather there is no indication of BJP leaving DAN is indeed perplexing.

Meanwhile, the NPF has counter accused its partner BJP to have ‘suddenly become arrogant’ with its party having power at the Centre. Yes, what more challenges and provocations NPF should expect from a partner than what BJP has thrown at the major partner. What BJP has done is like whatever credits accrued during the past years of association be credited to BJP, but whatever discredits so far detected be transferred to NPF’s account. NPF is being bullied, undermined and discredited by its partner BJP at will. The representation to Governor and its spillage in the media are prima facie for BJP to be dislodged from DAN. Yet, what NPF can do to BJP State unit since its party having power at the Centre is intimidating enough.

BJP unit knows the helplessness of NPF for the mere reason that its survival depends on the mercies of BJP. Severing ties with BJP unit here will obstruct State Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries from giving Naga waist coats as gifts to Union Ministers. For fear of repercussion, NPF cannot dump BJP nor can BJP leave DAN for lack of confidence to have solitary fight in 2018. Perhaps, these reasons have placed both the parties in a win-win situation.

The friendship of NPF and BJP can be compared to a marriage of drunkards. When both husband and wife are drunkards, they tend to have frequent fights. The only peaceful period for such a family is only when there is no drink. Perhaps, the only quiet time for NPF and BJP is on the floor of the house where none attacks the other. The alcoholic family has no sense of shame to pick up quarrel at home, in the neighbourhood and in the street when spirited. Despite of shouting at each other during fights, none can leave the other as they are so interdependent knowing that none will ever get a better partner of similar habit if divorced. Also, both lacked gut to become widow or widower and therefore the quarrelsome family remains.

In the case of NPF and BJP, alcohol is not the cause of quarrel but corruption is. None is fit to pelt the first stone.

A settlement honourable & acceptable to both sides Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi

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he Nagas were a free people before the occupation of the British Imperialism but were under the rule of the British Indian Government under different administrative units.

The British Government was aware of its exit and in 1929 which was ahead of 18 years of Indian independence the Nagas were asked by the Simon Commission whether the Nagas will be with India or to remain as before as a free people. The Naga elders on behalf of all the Nagas led

by Rüzhükhrie Sekhose had submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission in which it was stated that the Nagas will remain as they were before the rule of the British Government. The Nagas were at liberty to opt for their future destiny and they had opted to have their own home as before.

Basing on the historic memorandum, the Nagas had declared Independence on August 14, 1947 and conducted a plebiscite in support of Naga Independence in 1951 proving the solidarity of the Nagas. Basing on the memorandum and the plebiscite, the Federal Government of Nagaland was formed on March 22, 1956 and a Ceasefire Agreement was signed on September 6, 1964 under a Peace Commission and had talk between the Gol and the FGN at Prime Ministerial level. The talk could not overcome an impasse and broke down.

Changes took place and after the gap of 32 years, the Second Ceasefire Agreement between the Gol and the NSCN (I-M) was signed in 1997 and peace talk continues till 2016.

According to my understanding the Framework Agreement is a basic implementation of the mutual agreement between the Gol and the NSCN (I-M) for settlement which is to be acceptable and honourable to both sides.

The original stand of the Nagas was full Independence or sovereignty. It is a matter of fact that it is short of the original stand of the Nagas. But it is a matter of fact too that the gravity of the situation which is beyond the ability of all of the people has brought the Nagas to where we are now. Within more than 30 years all of the Nagas have fallen prostrate on the ground and nobody could do anything. Truth alone is vic-

torious. In truth we are with God and God is with us. Anything untruth is but chaff. All of the people have to accept the truth, to admit the truth and to be true and honest before God and to one another. We have to admit our own wrong or failure if any. We have to admit the right or wrong of others if any before God. It is the way of Christ.

Whatever we say or do is to be justice which fears nothing. Seeking or doing the will of God is peace and victory in the long run.

The main substance under the Framework Agreement is recognizing the uniqueness of the history and situation of the Nagas, because the Naga National Movement is based on the historic Memorandum of the Naga Representatives submitted to the Simon Commission in 1929 and the Plebiscite in 1951. In the past years the Naga National Movement for freedom was dealt with militarily causing untold atrocities to the Nagas because the uniqueness of the Nagas in their struggle for Independence was not recognized but it was recognized now and recognition of the uniqueness of the history of the Nagas is recognizing Naga entity.

Regarding Naga integration which was one of the 16 points Agreement, integration of all of the Naga contiguous areas is agreed by the Gol except demarcation is to be done democratically.

The Nagas will have their own constitution to be attached to the constitution of India and the two entities have to live together in peaceful co-existence without jeopardizing the unity and integrity of India according to their statement.

Sooner or later a settlement is to be made. The sooner the better. There may be some problems but no problem is unable to be resolved through having relationship with God. “KNOW GOD, BELIEVE IN HIM, FEAR HIM AND OBEY HIM” Is the only way of solution to all problems and overcoming all evils in the world. This is the law of relationship with God which is the foundation of good relationship with fellow men and women.

If all of the Nagas decide to seek relationship with God, it is the step towards bringing about peace and unity among the people. It is the only way of solution and victory. By trusting in God only let us hope that a settlement will be arrived at within the next few months.

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

Tuesday 06•12•2016

EntErtainmEnt

International Hornbill Art Festival 2016

Morung Express News

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day 6 highlights • Culturally Yours Cultural performances by various Naga tribes continues at Kisama. December 6 schedule with title of performance as follows Morning session: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Pathso Noken Cultural Troupe (Khiamniungan)- EyLi Zui (War dance), Orangkong Village Cultural Troupe (Longleng, Phom)- Shaam Kongpu, Kachari Cultural Troupe, Purana Bazar (Dimapur)-Nagaland Hari Sikhla Jwng, Yehemi Village Cultural Troupe (Sumi)- Apukhu Kikti (Spear Kicking), Phaijol Village Cultural Troupe (Kuki)- Lom Lam, Mezoma Village Cultural Troupe (Angami)-Howe Ho, Kithagha Village Cultural Troupe (Rengma)- Akheyon Kecvu, Ekranipathar Village Cultural Troupe (Dimapur) Garo- The Cannibal Demon (Folktale) and Angangba Village Cultural Troupe (Sangtam)Ha-ha (Folk song by menfolk).

Afternoon session 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Tuensang Village Cultural Troupe (Chang)- Lamshok Chia, Nsong Village Cultural Troupe (Zeliang)- Folk dance, Sangphur Village Cultural Troupe (Yimchunger)Mdumneo Ching Ani Jikhi, Phoyisha Range Cultural Troupe (Pochury)- Suchiyu, Chingdang Village Cultural Troupe (Konyak)- Waoha Lang Lee ( Lamentation song), Pholami Dzuvekro Cultural Troupe (Chakhesang)- Uphe Kuthi Li, Waromong Village Cultural Troupe (Ao)- Folk song (Apparel Blossoms) and Wokha Village Cultural Troupe (Lotha)-Folk dance.

• Demonstration on concept of Hydrophonics, online registration of farmers and exhibition cum sale of flowers continues- 8:30 AM at Kisama.

• Kohima city tour.

• Exhibition cum sale of handloom & handicraft continues at Kisama- 8:45 AM • Hornbill International Photo Fest continues- 9: 00 AM to 5:00 PM at Kisama • Naga Chef Competition at Kisama continues- 10:00 AM. • Craftscape 2016 at NHV Kisama- a portfolio on Naga crafts traditions continues at Kisama @ 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM • Muffin decoration for Classes A -3 as part of Kids Carnival at 12:00 noon at Children Park.

• Hornbill night carnival continues 6:00 PM onwards • Hornbill International Music Festival continues…

Local Bands, Karaoke, Voice of Hornbill- Hornbill Nigh at the Musicals, Beatbox workshop.

he first International Art Festival coinciding with the Hornbill Festival 2016 organised by the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland in collaboration with SMD Foundation and Jungle Killol Foundation was inaugurated on December 5 at State Academy hall Kohima. The art exhibition which began on December 1 will continue till December 10.

“We believe art has the potential to influence positive changes in the society and we make it our commitment to see

Work of art displayed at the first International Art Festival at Kisama. (Morung Photo)

that we realize its potentials and benefits in every possible manner. Creativity is not just a hobby or a

profession, but it is a way of life to be adopted by everyone in the society.” said Vilalhou Noudi, Art

Executive, Art and Culture during the inauguration. Believing that art has the power to transform, to

illuminate, to inspire and to motivate, Noudi hoped that the Festival will go a long way to bring changes and benefits on Art and the Naga society.

A vital responsibility of the department of Art & Culture is to facilitate art promotion at different levels, and the exhibition is a big step towards widening the scope of art promotion not only in our state but also in the NE region as a whole, mentioned Vevo Sapuh, Director, Art & Culture who also mentioned that the first State Art Exhibition was organised by the Department of Art and culture in the year 1975.

And since then various art activities has been organised every year to identify and promote artistic talents in the State.

“There is abundant potential for art to flourish in the state and the need is felt for consistency of art promotional programs in the state to deliver optimal benefits of art to the people.” said Sapuh who hoped that the art festival will be an experience of new inspirations for artistic pursuits in the state.

16 artists from various states in India as well as Naga artists like Vithuse Temi and Vineizoto Tase are displaying their artwork at the Art festival.

Traditional fire making competition

Ao

ChAng

Two man team up to make fire in the traditional way at the ongoing Hornbill Festival. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News

YimChunger

konYAk

ChAkhesAng

khiAmniungAn

Colours of Nagaland: The Festival of festivals – Hornbill showcases the coming together of the different Naga tribes with their rich heritage of culture and traditions. Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of Nagaland, Hornbill Festival showcases a variety of cultural displays at Kisama from December 1 to 10. (Morung Photo by Chizokho Vero)

T

he state’s Department Of Youth Resources & Sports today conducted a traditional fire making competition at Kisama and it evoked thunderous applause from the visitors.

Traditional fire making is one of the indigenous games of all the tribes of Nagaland played and practiced by menfolk. Before invention of matches and chemical substances, forefathers learnt to make fire through this game.

In this game, a participant use fine dried wood,

finely stripped bamboo (string), dried twigs, leaves and materials which can be easily burned.

Dried wood and dried twigs are placed under the foot and hold the ends of bamboo string (strip) in each hand, then pulls the thin bamboo strip back forth until the friction ignites the wood.

This is how forefathers learn to make fire. During forefather’s time, this is practiced and done as fire is a necessity. But gradually this has become a very popular game among the Nagas.

The first competitor to make fire and light the pine is declared as the winner.

Tsisemong of Sangtam tribe was declared the winner who made fire in 1:15.36 Minutes, Irangchang of Zeliang in 1:30.30 minutes was placed in the second position while Ritsi of Yimchunger in 1:36.20 was placed in the third position. The winner walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/-, Rs. 7000/- and Rs. 5000/- respectively.

Rato Pusa, Joint Director, Youth Resources & Sports gave away prize to the winners.

C M Y K Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA) officials and members who are currently assigned as “Security” for the annual Hornbill Night Carnival at the Kohima main city centre, organized by Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) posing for lens at "Y" junction . They will be on duty till December 10.

©mAnen Aier

Hillstar

11:00 am | 05:20 PM

17 bands selected for Süngkotenem Clash of the Bands 2016

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he stage is set for the much awaited beat contest of the region, the Süngkotenem Clash of the Bands 2016 organized

by MALT to be held on December 29 at Süngkotenem Park, Mopungchuket village, Mokokchung as part of its quadrennial Süngkotenem Festival.

A total of 17 bands from across Nagaland have been declared qualified to perform at the Live Auditions round on December 29 from 9:00 am onward from which Top 7 bands will be selected to perform at the

Finale scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm on the same date, same venue.

As opposed to the 32 bands who registered for the Clash of the Bands 2012 edition, 27 bands registered for this year’s contest out of which 17 bands were selected on the basis of the demo tracks submitted by the bands to perform at the Live Auditions round.

The organizers had initially stipulated that only the best 12 bands would be selected for the Live Auditions but made room for additional 5 more bands for the sole

purpose and intent of promoting local musicians.

The 17 bands will be allotted 15 minutes each during the Live Auditions round and the Top 7 will be selected by a Panel of Judges to move on to the final round. Clash of the Bands 2016 promises to be a closely contested season, a beat contest that will be remembered for a long time as some of the best talents of Nagaland battle it out for glory at the scenic Süngkotenem Park.

With a total cash prize of Rs.1,20,000 and a covetous title up for grabs,

Süngkotenem Clash of the Bands 2016 promises to be a day-long treat for music lovers.

The 17 bands selected for the Live Auditions round in random order are: Casement Windows; The Chronicles; Pollution Solution Retribution; Funk Fuzz; Mingle Tones; Enliven; The Great Decade; Unique Experiment; Mundane; Tune Up Channel; Onus; Number 1 Zero; Flamboyant Souls; Dynamic Cardioid; Poor Chicken Dreams; Radio City; Brainstorm Island.

Atto Achumi, another Naga lad has made a mark in the music scene with the release of his debut original titled “Beautiful.” Atto Achumi from Pughoboto town in Zunheboto grew up in a church environment and his dad being a pastor, he developed deep love for singing at an early age from him and the people around him. Atto is a Naga Orpheus Hunt finalist 2015. Apart from singing gospel songs, he follows and sings the pop genre of music.

The song is available at http://indihut.com/attoachumi/

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03:10 PM

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TUESDAY 06•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Sepp Blatter Loses Appeal at CAS Against 6-Year FIFA Ban

C M Y K

GENEVA, DEcEmbEr 5 (AGENciEs): Sepp Blatter has lost his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a six-year ban by FIFA. Blatter said in a statement Monday it is "difficult" to accept but that "the way the case progressed, no other verdict could be expected."

The former FIFA president, who was banned for approving a $2 million payment to Michel Platini in 2011, said he will accept the decision.

"I have experienced much in my 41 years in FIFA. I mostly learned that you can win in sport, but you can also lose," Blatter said. "Nevertheless I look back with gratitude to all the years, in which I was able to realize my ideals for football and serve FIFA." The verdict ends Blatter's hopes of becoming honorary president of the soccer body he left in disgrace. Blatter could have appealed the CAS ruling to Switzerland's supreme court. It can annul verdicts if legal process was abused.

Still, his legal problems are far from over. Blatter now faces a separate FIFA ethics investigation into

Sepp Blatter (Reuters/ Files)

suspected bribery linked to multi-million dollar bonuses in top executives' contracts. Swiss prosecutors also opened criminal proceedings against Blatter for the Platini payment, and a sale of World Cup television rights.

Blatter denies any

SC hearing on Lodha panel report deferred till December 9

tion for Sport was judging whether Blatter was guilty of unethically offering a cash gift and conflict of interest with Platini, who was a FIFA vice president in 2011.

Blatter and Platini both said the $2 million was uncontracted salary based on

Vettel not replacing Nico Roseberg at Mercedes, will stay put at Ferrari

NEw DElhi, DEcEmbEr 5 (iANs) The Supreme Court on Monday deferred till December 9 the hearing on a plea by the Justice Lodha panel for the ouster of all office-bearers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its state associations while also suggesting the appointment of former Home Secretary G.K. Pillai as an observer in the apex cricket body.

The bench of Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud deferred the hearing on the third status report filed by Justice Lodha panel as it adjourned the hearing because Chief Justice T.S.Thakur, who heads the bench was on leave.

In the status report that was filed to the court on November 21, the panel sought that Pillai be appointed as observer with power to appoint an auditor, and guide the BCCI administration, particularly on the award of contracts and transparency.

The Lodha panel has pointed to "continued non-compliance by the office-bearers of the BCCI". "Direct and declare that all officebearers of the BCCI and the state associations who are disqualified by virtue of the norms at Para 4 (above 70, Minister or government servant, holding a post in any other sports body, has been a BCCI office-bearer for a cumulative period of nine years or has been charged by a court for criminal offence) above cease to hold office forthwith," the Lodha panel has said in its report that was to be considered by the apex court.

Wankhede Stadium. (Getty Images)

mumbAi, DEcEmbEr 5 (PTi): Contrary to popular perceptions that Wankhede Stadium pitch for the fourth Test will be a rank turner, one of the MCA groundstaff actively involved with the preparation of the 22-yard strip stated that it is expected to assist slow bowlers only from the third day. “The wicket will be normal. It won’t turn on the first day and it can slowly start turning (assisting spin) from day three,” a source told PTI today.

England are down 0-2 in the five-game series after the draw in the series opener at Rajkot and losses in the next two games at Vishakhapatnam and Mohali.

The visiting team must win the game here in order to have a chance to square the series at Chennai, slated to host the final match from December 16-20. “No special preparations are being made. The World T20 and Ranji matches have happened here. We have to prepare well for an international match and we have done that,” he added. “We got 20 days to prepare the wicket as a Ranji Trophy game was shifted away from the stadium (to another venue). In our opinion, there will be little bit of bounce. “We are watering as per the usual procedure. There was a little dew factor that we had to take into consideration and have done watering accordingly. Because of the dew, we watered it less,” they added.

The sources also dismissed news reports that instructions have been received

from team management with regards to the preparation of the pitch.

Another MCA official said that “it will be good wicket” where one can expect good cricket, adding around 60-65 per cent season ticket sales have taken place so far.

This will be the 24th Test match at this ground and the win-loss record in favour of the hosts is 10-7.

Incidentally, England had won the last two matches they had played here — in 2006 and 2012 — after having lost three Tests on the trot. Their only victory prior to those three defeats was in the BCCI’s Golden Jubilee Test in 1980.

The first-ever game between the two teams at this venue, in 1976, was drawn so that the win-loss record stands 3-3 between the two teams out of seven encounters.

The stadium is hosting a Test match after three years and the last match, which it hosted, was the 200th farewell Test of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar against West Indies in November 2013.

Meanwhile, England will practise tomorrow morning while India will practise in the afternoon. The two teams have had an extended break after the conclusion of the third Test at Mohali.

Most of the visiting team members had travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates during the break and are scheduled to reach here tonight.

Russia moots its athletes in 2017 European meet under neutral flag

NEw DElhi, DEcEmbEr 5 (AFP): Formula one star Sebastian Vettel has decided to stay with Ferrari as Mercedes has been thinking to replace him with recently retired Formula One champion Nico Rosberg for its next season. Nico is the third German driver who has won the championship after Michel Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari, who failed to win a race this year, has been considering the name of Vettel after the Nico's surprised decision to retire. Talking about his decision Vettel told reporters, "I think it`s not a big secret that both myself and Kimi (Raikkonen) have a contract for next year," at the Ferrari World Finals event in Daytona, Florida, on Sunday.

Talking about Mercedes, he said "I don`t know what is their plan," he further added "But for us we look after ourselves for next year, there`s lots of things changing so we`re quite busy ourselves," and "We`re very positive for next year."

Vettel 29, who won his titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 said that Nico's decision of retirement was very brave and it was easier for him to carry on. "I was 23 when I won the first title so I was having a different mindset. I wanted to go out and do it again, which looking back, I can say I did. I love racing and want to continue," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Mercedes non-executive team chairman Niki Lauda said that he expected a replacement to be announced before the end of the year.

Pascal Wehrlein, the team's German reserve who won the Rookie of the year award at Autosport awards on Sunday in London ,is right now bookmakers favourite. While interacting with audience Wehrlein says "One season in F1 is not a lot but I feel ready for the job and confident". Further adding he said "I`ve done most days with the 2017 tyres and I think it`s very important to have that experience."

moscow, DEcEmbEr 5 (iANs): The All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF) will propose its athletes be allowed to participate in the European Athletics Championship next March in Belgrade under a neutral flag and based on individual applications, ARAF President Dmitry Shlyakhtin said on Monday.

"We will definitely propose our athletes to take part in the European winter championship as independent track and fielders," Shlyakhtin said, reports TASS. "The participation of an athlete in the international tournament will first of all depend on his or her personal decision."

According to Shlyakhtin, the ARAF is waiting for the relevant documents from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). "We have not yet received the confirmation from the IAAF regarding this issue," he said.

"As soon as we receive the official documents, we will make our own statement."

Rune Andersen, the head of the IAAF Taskforce group in charge of the Russian membership's reinstatement in the organisation, said earlier in the month that beginning next spring Russian athletes

would have an opportunity of submitting personal applications for international tournaments. Last year, the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission carried out an investigation in regard to the activities of the ARAF, the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the Russian Sports Ministry, and announced the results of the probe on November 9.

The commission accused certain athletes and sports officials of doping abuse and involvement in other activities related to violations of international regulations on performance enhancing substances.

Eventually, the IAAF decided to suspend ARAF's membership in the global governing body of athletics and put forward a host of criteria, which the Russian ruling body of track and field sports was obliged to implement to restore its membership in the global federation. In mid-June June, the IAAF Council ruled it was still too early to restore ARAF's membership in the international organization subsequently extending the suspension of Russian athletes from all international tournaments, including the 2016 Olympic Games in August.

Pacers rally to beat Clippers 111-102 for 2nd road win

Vijender Singh vs Francis Cheka: Indian boxer promises to give his best and defend his title DElhi, DEcEmbEr 5 (ibTimEs): Vijender Singh has been active on micro-blogging site Twitter, posting pictures of his workouts in the gym and training as well. The Indian boxer is currently gearing up to be in perfect shape for his upcoming fight against Francis Cheka, where Vijender will aim to defend his WBO Asia Pacific Super middleweight title in New Delhi later this month.

The champion boxer posted another tweet with a picture of himself, with his closed fists, and has promised that he will give his best against Cheka, but wants supports from his fans. His tweet read, "Waiting for 17th December! I promise you all that I'll try my best to defend the title. Need all your support.

The bout, which has been scheduled at Thyagaraj Sport Complex in New Delhi, is expected to be sold-out with huge support for Vijender.

wrongdoing. Blatter said Monday it was "incomprehensible" that his claim of having a verbal agreement in 1998 was not accepted "in spite of my testimony to the contrary and the testimony given by other witnesses."

The Court of Arbitra-

a verbal agreement more than a decade earlier. From 1999 to 2002, the former France great was the newly elected Blatter's presidential adviser. However, their explanation of a salary deal was doubted by FIFA ethics judges, and by the three-member CAS panel on Monday.

"The payment amounted to an undue gift as it had no contractual basis," CAS said in a statement. The FIFA ethics committee investigated after the payment emerged in September 2015 during a wider Swiss federal probe of alleged corruption linked to FIFA. Blatter and Platini — whose FIFA presidential bid was stalled, then ended, by the case — were banned from soccer duty for eight years last December. The FIFA appeal committee cut two years from both men's bans as "appropriate recognition" for their long service. After a separate CAS appeal hearing, Platini's ban was reduced in May to four years, ensuring he lost the UEFA presidency.

When Blatter's case came to CAS in August, Platini testified on his behalf during a 14-hour hearing.

Wankhede pitch will be slow turner, according to MCA sources

However, this is not the first pro bout Vijender will be fighting in front of his home fans. It was in the same venue that the boxer earned his first world title, defeating Kerry Hope from Australia in July.

There was great support for Vijender against Hope during that encounter, and the boxer must have been pleased with the support he received then. This time around, he will need greater support from the people in the stands to pump him up ahead of his clash against Cheka, who has been exceptional in his pro career.

This bout against Cheka is going to be the toughest in his pro career so far, but he has the ingredients to defeat him. Vijender has set his sights on knocking out the boxer, and is working on various plans to emerge victorious. Out of Vijender's seven pro bouts, he has won six of them via knockouts.

los ANGElEs, DEcEmbEr 5 (AP): Paul George and C.J. Miles returned to help the Indiana Pacers rally past the Los Angeles Clippers with just their second road win of the season.

Thaddeus Young scored 17 points and George added 16 after missing four of the last five games in the Pacers' 111-102 victory on Sunday night that gave them a sweep of the season series for the first time since 2013-14.

Indiana came back from 15 points down in the first quarter and held on after the Clippers got within four in the fourth. ''It was great to have everybody out there contributing. Everybody played a big part in this win,'' George said. ''That's got to be us. We can't put the pressure on one guy. We need this to be a collective effort every night.''

Rodney Stuckey also had 16 points and Jeff Teague added 15 points for the Pacers. Miles had 12 points after missing six games with a sore left knee.

Blake Griffin had 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers, whose two-game winning streak was snapped in their return to Staples Center. They went 3-3 on their recent six-game road trip, including a 91-70 loss at Indiana last week.

Los Angeles led by 15 in the first quarter and appeared on its way to victory, especially when the Pacers missed 15 of 22 shots. ''We didn't get off to a good start. The good thing about that was that we stayed with it,'' Indiana coach Nate McMillan said. ''We started to get stops. We started to make baskets, and we worked our way back into the game, kind of grinded it out.''

quarter when Stuckey scored 10 points, leaving them trailing 52-48 at the break.

Indiana opened the third on a 19-2 run to take a 67-54 lead, with Young scoring eight and George five. The Clippers missed their first 10 shots and finished just 5 of 19 in the quarter. Stuckey's consecutive baskets sent the Pacers into the fourth ahead 83-69. ''They got us,'' Paul said. ''We started off the game well but the third quarter we just didn't have it.''

TIP-INS Pacers: They narrowly missed a season low in points in the first quarter, saved only

by Aaron Brooks making three free throws for 17, one off their season low.

Clippers: Redick hit five 3-pointers in the first half for all of his 15 points. ... Los Angeles tied its season high with 20 turnovers. ... Three of the Clippers' six losses have come at home.

Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul, front, steals the ball from Indiana Pacers' Paul George during the first half of an NBA basketball game, December 4 in Los Angeles. (AP)

Indiana regrouped and eventually led by 20 in the fourth quarter.

That's when the Clippers staged a furious rally, outscoring Indiana 22-9 to close to 98-93.

DeAndre Jordan had a putback dunk off J.J. Redick's missed 3-pointer, but he missed the free throw to leave the Clippers down 104-100.

Los Angeles has lost four of six.

''We couldn't get out of a hole,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. ''They were very confident against us.'' George hit a 3-pointer with 48 seconds to go and Young made a pair of free throws to close out the comeback win. Jordan had 15 rebounds for the Clippers. Chris Paul added 18 points and 11 assists.

The Pacers took their first lead on a 3-pointer by Teague late in the second

AND THERE WAS BLOOD George played most of the game with tissue stuffed in his bloody nose. ''It was weird. Out of nowhere I wiped my nose and saw blood,'' he said. ''Maybe it's the air out here. I'm not used to it.''

Pacers: Visit Western Conferenceleading Golden State on Monday night in the second game of a back-to-back. They are 0-3 in such games this season. The Warriors handed Indiana its worst home loss in franchise history with a 120-83 victory on Nov. 21.

Clippers: Host Golden State on Wednesday night in the first meeting of the season between the Pacific Division's top two teams.

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