December 9th, 2016

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • December 09 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 338 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity

PAGe 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 8 (IANS): Announcing steps to promote digital payments following demonetisation, the government on Thursday said payment by cards for petrol and diesel will enjoy a discount of 0.75 per cent.

The date for rolling out the scheme will be notified shortly, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

Kohima DC notifies on fuel KoHIMA, DECEMBER 8 (DIPR): In view of the ongoing demonetization process and constraints thereof, the functioning of fuel outlets have been confronting serious crisis leading to unwarranted closures on occasions. The Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Rovilatuo Mor, IAS has therefore issued the following instructions in order to avoid such public inconveniences: All customers have been advised to use electronic payment services or avail the refills consumerate to the currency notes in hand due to shortage of smaller denominations; Bank branches and chest branch (SBI) have to give priority for exchange of smaller denominations to the fuel outlets within a rational ceiling limit. The notification has been issued to facilitate smooth operation of fuel outlets in the interest of the public.

NSCA disturbed by declaration of Dec 25 as good governance day

C M Y K

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Senior Citizens Association (NSCA) today stated that it is deeply disturbed by the declaration of December 25 as Good Governance Day by the Government of India.

A press note from the NSCA said that this is a subject that concerns all Christians irrespective of denomination. The NSCA therefore proposed a coordination meeting on December 12 at 11:00 AM at the Red Cross Conference Hall to deliberate on “what a Christian response should be to this.”

It asked the following apex organisations to make positive effort to attend so that further action plan can be worked out. The organisations include NBCC, Catholic Association of Nagaland, Nagaland Christian Revival Association, Nagaland Assemblies of God, Nagaland Pentecostal Churches Association, Naga Hoho, NTC, CNTC, ENPO and all Kohima based Tribal Hohos, Nagaland Mothers Association, Naga Students Federation and all other faith Organisations (Hindus; Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and others) based in Kohima.

PAGE 10

Vilokali Zhimomi is Miss Nagaland 2016 rs

10 coins are still legal tender

Jotsoma | December 8

Petrol, diesel to be cheaper by 0.75% in digital payment

Ashwin fights back for India after Jennings’ debut ton

PAGe 05

Morung Express News

We came here to rough it out like your uncivilized head hunting, but honest ancestors, but, tsk...tsk...

You’re making us feel as if we’re at home in Las Vegas!

T R u T H

— Nelson Mandela

1st radio station to air Christmas messages in India

75 years later. Remembering Pearl Harbor

o F

Aspiring to be a journalist, 19 years old Vilokali Zhimomi hailing from Dimapur was crowned Miss Nagaland 2016 on December 8 at Regional Centre of Excellence for Music and Performing Arts (RCEMPA), Jotsoma. 19 years old Chuchang representing Tuensang won the first runner-up and 19 years old Shenili Chishi was the second runner- up.

Standing 5.7 ft tall with a vital statistics of 33-27-36, Vilokali Zhimomi dazzled the judges and the audience alike to also clinch the Miss Photogenic and Miss Perfect-10 titles. When asked about her idea of happiness and success, Zhimomi answered, “My idea of happiness is something which I can do it with my full heart giving my full attention so that I can succeed in life and succeed in things which I want to achieve. This is my idea of happiness. For success, I would say that we have our own dreams and I have my own dreams. When I achieve my goals this will be my success.”

Organised annually by the Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN), the Miss Nagaland 2016 witnessed by far, one of the best performances in a long time. The event was professionally choreographed by Theja Sekhose, costumes designed

by Alemla Ozukum, and elegantly hosted by Tiarenla Jamir along with Moasenla, Zehovire Avi Kechu, Rachel Imchen and Rev. Dr Ellen Konyak (all former winners

• Some shopkeepers refusing Rs 10 coins • RBI dispels rumours of fake Rs 10 coins Morung Express News Dimapur | December 8

Miss Nagaland 2016 Vilokali Zhimomi (centre) with first runner-up Chuchang (left) and second runner-up Shenili Chishi. (Morung Photo)

of beauty pageants in Nagaland). In addition, more scores went to the excellent performances by some of the best Naga artists - Virie, Zaza, Shalo Kent, Kimatsung and Coloured Keys.

True to its theme ‘Grace and Beauty’, this year’s pageant witnessed 14 intelligent, confident and beautiful contestants from the 11 districts of Nagaland.

One of the best answers given among the contestants was from 19 years old Chuichang. Given the choice between beauty and intelligence which

would you choose? was the question given to Chuichang, to which she confidently answered, “I am already beautifully made in the image of God so I would choose intelligence.

In today’s world, what is needed is intelligence. Intelligence is a true beauty that a woman should possess.” The title Miss Talent was awarded to Miss.

Chuichang (Contestant 9) while Ngapkhao Konyak won the Miss Congeniality title.

Miss Nagaland 2015 Nenghoilhing Hangs-

ing who performed the theme song of BASN called ‘Grace and Beauty’, originally composed and written by herself left the crowd bowled over after her breathtaking performance. As Hangsing stepped down a flight of steps while performing her song, she missed a step and almost tumbled leaving the crowd aghast for a few seconds. However, Hangsing gracefully composed herself as the lyrics of her song reverberated among the audience- ‘For once just let me be a women’!

Amidst the economic pandemonium caused by the central government’s demonetisation move, rumours about Rs 10 coins losing tender status has added to the confusion.

While banks have been giving away Rs 10 coins to customers due to shortages of notes in lower denominations, a rumour is fast spreading across the state and the country that the coins have been declared invalid by the Reserve Bank of India; a rumour which is false.

Some shopkeepers in Dimapur were seen refusing Rs 10 coins from customers. This has compounded the grievances faced by people, with circulation of the new Rs 500 notes being very low, and the Rs 2000 note still proving to be intimidating for businesses.

“I got around Rs 900 in Rs. 10 coins, but it is not accepted by wholesalers and other retailers, so I have also stopped accepting the same,” said one shopkeeper in Dimapur who has been refusing the Rs 10 coins.

Similar cases have been reported from other parts of the country as well. For instance, in Indore, rumours about Rs 10 coins losing legal tender status led to a brawl, forcing police to use mild force.

The fight broke out between a mobile shop owner and a customer, when the latter made the payment for a mobile phone recharge with Rs 10 coin and the former refused to accept it.

RBI dispels rumours

It may be noted however that the Rs 10 coins are still legal tender. Also dispelling rumours of fake Rs 10 coins in circulation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked people not to give credence to such canards and continue to accept these coins

as legal tender in all their transactions without any hesitation.

“It has been reported that some lessinformed or uninformed persons who suspect the genuineness of such coins are creating doubts in the minds of ordinary people including traders, shopkeepers, etc, impeding the circulation of these coins in certain pockets of the country causing avoidable confusion,” the RBI said in a recent statement.

“The Reserve Bank has advised members of the public not to give credence to such ill-informed notions and ignore them and continue to accept these coins as legal tender in all their transactions without any hesitation,” it said. According to RBI as coins remain in circulation for longer periods, it is quite possible that coins of different designs and even shapes are circulating at the same time. One such change is introduction of Rupee symbol in coins in July 2011, it said.

An instance of this is the Rs 10 coin with rupee symbol and the same denomination coin without rupee symbol, it said, adding both of them are legal tender and equally good for transactions, though they may look a little different. It further said RBI puts into circulation coins minted by the Government of India and these have distinctive features. Coins in new denominations to meet transaction needs of public and coins in new designs to reflect various themes economic, social and cultural - are introduced from time to time, it added.

It further said RBI puts into circulation coins minted by the Government of India and these have distinctive features.

Coins in new denominations to meet transaction needs of public and coins in new designs to reflect various themes – economic, social and cultural – are introduced from time to time, it added.

With PTI inputs

Facilitation Centres for GST enrolment set up Make Nagaland corruption free: Governor

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Department of Taxes has set up facilitation centres in all its offices across the state to assist dealers for enrolling in the GST portal. These will function from December 8 to 20 in the first phase, informed a press release from the Commissioner of Taxes, Nagaland.

All existing VAT dealers with provisional IDs and passwords issued by the GSTN may use the services in these centres for GST enrolment. Facilities such as computers with internet facilities, scanners, printers as well as trained staff to assist in the enrolment process will be available in these centres which will function on all working days between

10:00am and 3:30pm.

These centres have been set up in the Taxes Office located at Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon, Wokha, Phek and Zunheboto. A centralized facilitation centre has also been set up at the office of the Commissioner of Taxes, Dimapur with all facilities. The dealers who have still not received their provisional IDS and passwords issued by GSTN may contact their respective tax office and collect the same.

A helpdesk has also been set up with phone no: 0124-4688999 for assistance and queries may be sent by email to helpdesk@ gst.gov.in. Further details may also be found in the departmental website www.nagalandtax.nic.in.

Revoke backdoor appointments: NSF DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has written to the Nagaland Chief Secretary on the issue of backdoor appointments to several government departments.

The NSF, in its letter claimed that “several departments under the Government of Nagaland have made backdoor appointments as against the office memorandum issued through the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Administrative Reforms

Branch) Vide No. AR-5/ASSO/98 dated June 6, 2016.”

The NSF demanded the immediate revocation of the “backdoor appointments” within 10 days of submission of this representation. It also demanded requisition of the posts for an open competition through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and Departmental Examinations etc. It cautioned that failure to comply to these demands would compel the federation to resort to its own course of action.

Backdoor Appointments w.e.f June 6, 2016 State Govt office memorandum Department

Post

Higher Education Home, General Home, General Adm Branch

Assistant Professor LDA LDA Jr Engineer Grade II Electrician Grade III LDA Grade III S/Asst (UT) Grade III Tracer, Grade III Storekeeper, Grade III Draftsman Grade III Jr Engineer LDA Research Assistant Assistant Archivist LDA Govt Pleader cum APP LDA

PHED

Geology and Mining Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Art & Culture Law and Justice Information & Public Relations

Number of ‘Backdoor Appointments’ 34 6 1 1 1 5 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 10 1 Source: NSF

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya has called upon all stakeholders, NGOs, religious groups, civil society, etc, to come together and spread more awareness to make Nagaland a corruption free state and to take the state towards development, peace, prosperity and security.

Commemorating the International Anti-corruption Day, which is ob-

served on December 9, the Governor stated that this day is observed annually to combat problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of society, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law.

In developing countries, according to the United Nations Develop-

ment Programme, funds lost to corruption are estimated at 10 times the amount of official development assistance, the Governor cited.

Rooting out corruption allows social and economic development, he added.

The Governor said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “in a bold step to fight corruption and black money” demonitised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes in the country. Vari-

ous NGOs in our State Nagaland too are fighting for various corruptions in different level, he added.

The Governor said that corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies. “No country, region or community is immune. It affects our system of education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and sustainable development,” he added.

nMA undertakes peace mission Appeals to NSCN (K) for consideration of ceasefire

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): A four member peace team of the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) crossed the NagalandMyanmar border to meet the NSCN (K) and appealed for consideration of a Ceasefire in the interest of peace.

A press note from the NMA informed that the team consisted of NMA President, Abeiu Meru; Advisor NMA, Dr Rosemary Dzuvichu; Secretary NMA, Lochumbeni Humtsoe and NMA member Angela Yhome. It stated that the appeal from the NMA has been forwarded to the Chairman of the NSCN (K) and the NMA’s request for meeting him has been accepted. The peace team will be meeting him soon, the NMA informed.

Meanwhile, it refuted reports that the NMA delegation was led by the wife of an NSCN (K) official. “The report is false and speculative and we request that proper confirmation be made before going to press,” the NMA stated. “At a time when we are in the midst of armed conflicts, it is also such wrong information that gives rise to misunderstandings,” it added.

This is the second peace mis-

A photo of NMA advisor Dr Rosemary Dzuvichu, secretary Lochumbeni Humtsoe, president, Abeiu Meru and member Angela Yhome taken during their cross-border trip to Myanmar to meet leaders of NSCN (K) recently.

sion for a dialogue with the NSCN (K) across the borders since last year and the NMA is hopeful of meeting the NSCN (K) Chairman soon. The NMA further expressed gratitude to the IG Assam Rifles and his Commanders for granting permission to cross over without any problems and the willing support

given for peace initiatives by the Naga Mothers.

“We earnestly appeal as mothers, to both sides, for restraint and to avoid armed confrontations and killings, in the interest of peace in our land. The NMA is deeply committed to carry on the peace initiatives further and will do so,” it stated.

2

FriDAY 09•12•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Bamboo, Art, Food & Music’ Hornbill Bamboo Carnival underway Morung Express News Dimapur | December 8

Visitors trying out grilled meat and vegetable kebabs at a stall at the Advent Christmas Carnival organized by Japukong Senso Telongjem, Dimapur at Duncan Basti on Thursday. The Carnival will continue till Saturday. (Morung Photo)

‘Serve people with love and compassion’ 1st Graduation Ceremony of District Hospital Dimapur Morung Express News Dimapur | December 8

The 1st Graduation Ceremony of District Hospital Dimapur (DHD) cum Lt. Mrs Kitsovole Kire’s 15th Award Ceremony was held at the Chapel Hall, DHD with Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire as the chief guest on Thursday.

Speaking at the programme, Dr. Nicky encouraged the graduating nurses to diligently serve the people with love and compassion. Stating that jobs of all kind in the government sector have reached a satu-

Graduating nurses of School of Nursing, DHD take a pledge during their graduation ceremony on Thursday in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

ration point in the state, he encouraged the passing out nurses to also explore various other sectors and added that nurses were in high demand in other parts of the country and abroad.

Guest of honour, Dr. L. Watikala, Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Kohima informed that

there were a total of 2813 nurses employed comprising of both government and private sectors in the state.

He urged upon the nurses to keep in mind their ethics and pledge as they embark upon a new level of journey.

“Nurses are indispensible as they are constantly in

touch with the patients administering the prescriptions given by doctors,” she added.

During the programme, family members of Lt. Mrs Ketsovole Kire gave away prize to the awardee, Vezhodulu Swiho, Topper of 2016. Altogether 35 students graduated from the School of Nursing, DHD.

The 3-day ‘Hornbill Bamboo Carnival’ on the theme “Bamboo, Art, Food & Music” was formally launched here at Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre, 6th Mile (Sovima), Thursday afternoon.

Organized by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), the carnival was inaugurated

by NBDA team leader, Peter Lichamo. The carnival features sales and exhibition of bamboo products along with food courts, live music and other activities for family and children.

Talking to the Morung Express on the sidelines of the launching, NBDA team member, Amongla C, said the concept of the bamboo carnival is to incorporate bamboo with food, art and music and propagate bamboo as a lifestyle.

The NBDA team member said since stalls are limited at Kisama Heritage Village, the main venue of the Hornbill Festival, the bamboo carnival also provides an opportunity to local bamboo artisans and craftsmen to exhibit and sell their products.

There are 10 stalls catering to bamboo crafts and products, 10 food courts, fun and games section and Kids Carnival besides the evening music extravaganza.

In the evening music extravaganza ‘Rock the night’, local musicians and guest bands including Medo Zumu, Vila Keditsu, Gold Planet and Menwhopause, entertained the visitors with their melodies and decibels.

Sikhiam, a local bamboo craftsman from Noklak sub-division under Tuensang district displaying his bamboo baskets and other products at the ongoing Bamboo Carnival at NBRC complex. (Morung Photo)

(LEFT) Innovative food courts catering to local and exotic dishes at the Bamboo Carnival.

(RIGHT) Artificial flowers made of bamboo and other bamboo products on display at the Bamboo Carnival. (Morung Photo)

New Year feast from bamboo basket sale Sixty-two year old Sikhiam Khiamniungan, a bamboo craftsman has come all the way from Kiangpao, a small village under Noklak sub-division in Tuensang district, to the Bamboo Carnival to exhibit and sell his bamboo products.

A father of eight children, the local craftsman said he learnt the art of weaving and crafting bamboo baskets and other products when he was a small kid. Presently,

he is able to raise his children and feed his large family of ten through the back-breaking traditional method of weaving bamboo products.

Sikhiam, who is participating in the Hornbill Festival for the first time, expressed gratitude to the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) for giving him the opportunity to exhibit and sell his products.

“A certain person from Tuensang ordered 100 bamboo baskets from me but in the eleventh hour he

canceled the order and expressed regret for the same.

I was at lost but just in time the NBDA invited me to open a stall at the Bamboo Carnival”, he said.

Sikhiam said he came to know the NBDA and its members after he attended a NBDA training programme last year to upgrade his skills.

“This coming New Year, I have planned to give a feast to the whole village and the sale proceed from this carnival will be used towards the feast expenditure,” he said.

Sensitization on departmental schemes in Mon Kath Kraft - furniture and décor inaugurated Morung Express News Kohima | December 8

Director Social Welfare T Merangtsungba Aier and Deputy Director Chubaienla Jamir with the children during their visit to Tobu ICDS project on December 6. They conducted community sensitization on departmental schemes and activities at ADC conference hall Tobu. The director imparted various ICDS n welfare schemes to the village council chairman's, secretaries and village Angangwati board members of Tobu area. EAC Tobu HQ Temsuchuba Jamir n CDPO Aboi Wang konyak also spoke on the empowerment of the village authorities and ICDS awareness respectively.

Mon, DeceMber 8 (Mexn): Community Sensitization Programme on departmental schemes and other activities under the department of Social Welfare was held from December 6 to 8 at Tobu Town, Mon Town and Tizit respectively with T. Merangtsungba Aier, Director of Social Welfare as the main resource person.

The Director highlighted various schemes being implemented by the department and urged all the stakeholders to extend co-operation for the successful implementation of the schemes. He also emphasized on the importance of com-

munity participation at the grass root level.

He also took note of the various grievances expressed by the community leaders especially pertaining to opening of Bank Account for NSAP beneficiaries and ferrying of ICDS food items to remote areas.

He visited Tobu Village, Changlangshu and Monyakshu and interacted with village leaders besides visiting Anganwadi Centres. He also visited Langsa Hill Children Home and interacted with children and staffs. He was accompanied by Chubaienla, Deputy Director and officials from the district.

Kath Kraft, a newly established venture, committed to manufacturing mechanised furniture and décor was inaugurated by Surindra Kapur, Managing Director, Woodland House, Mumbai on December 8.

A privately owned company, Kath Kraft is one of the few solid wood manufacturers from Nagaland. Reputed for its specialization in chairs, tables, beds, outdoor dining tables, wardrobes, windows, doors, etc., Kath Kraft is also committed towards providing style, quality and value in every product that it makes.

Apart from manufacturing well designed products, Kath Kraft is open to new designs and is willing to deal with custom-made system by providing high quality furniture that are lasting with great visual impact.

With Khiwamo Kath

as the CEO, Kath Kraft has a professional team of experts in varied fields and experience in designing a range of products.

Azo and Rokoneilie are designers who previously worked with reputed firms in Mumbai for several years and are highly equipped with knowledge in this area. Currently, Kath Kraft has 16 skilled carpenters and is also associated with two experienced home interior designers.

The team of professionals includes designers, craftsmen, carpenters, technicians, warehousing & packaging staff, sales & marketing executives and R&D professionals.

“We strive to convert your dream into reality by manufacturing fine products by our professional team,” stated Kath Kraft in its brochure. “Our clients are spread across the country with more than 80%of them from outside Nagaland. At Kath Kraft, we believe in

delivering quality products and services. Many of our clients are individuals based in Mumbai and Pune. Another of our valued clients includes Woodland House Private Limited,” stated the Kath Kraft.

The new venture has been inaugurated with the objectives to promote the skills of young Nagas in wood carving and crafting, to manufacture quality furniture using the best wood such as Burma Teak, Rosewood and other finest type of wood that is available; to provide skills development trainings to local craftsmen and prepare them for a career in craftsmanship, to provide employment opportunities to young people in this area and further elevate their standard of living; to showcase to the world outside the skills and designs of the craftsmen from Nagaland; to explore new markets and increase international sales in the near future; to strengthen

Khiwamo Kath owner of Kath Kraft - furniture and décor located at IG Road, Opposite Fisheries Department, Kohima.

the community of craftsmen; to strive to supply the best in service and quality to clients and to emerge as the finest manufacturing unit

for mechanised furniture and décor from the state.

Kath Kraft is located at IG Road, Opposite Fisheries Department, Kohima.

The Morung Express extends our deepest condolence to our friend and colleague Vishü Rita Krocha, whose grandfather Rhipi Raphael Nukhu, age 94, passed away on the night of December 7, 2016.

In this time of sadness may you and your family find strength and comfort knowing that he had a full life which is a source of inspiration.

In kindre d spirit and with prayers, THE MORUNG EXPRESS

With an objective to promote local entrepreneurs, Adroit Society is organizing a Winter Mega Fair from December 7 to 10 Aotemsu, Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung inaugurates the three-day mega Winter Carat Naga Shopping Arcade (Supermarket) Dimapur. More than nival organised by Mokokchung Art & Aesthetic Management (MAAM) from December 8-10 at Imkongmeren Sports Complex here under the theme ‘Creating Opportunities’. (Morung Photo) 100 stalls have been allotted to local entrepreneurs.

Friday 09•12•2016

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Imphal, December 8 (IaNS): BJP election strategist Thounaojam Chaoba and his family members escaped an assassination attempt on Wednesday night when a Chinamade hand grenade was recovered from the gate of his house, police said on Thursday.

A controlled explosion of the explosive material was done late in the night at Nambol in Bishnupur district, where his house is located. However, Chaoba was not at his place when the grenade was recovered.

He and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Khetrimayum Bhabananda are camping in New Delhi, chalking out election strategy with the central leaders. The septuagenarian leader has been facing life threats from insurgents for quite some time.

In one assassination attempt, his wife and

one of his sons were killed, although he escaped unscathed.

A former Union Minister of State, Chaoba had been appointed the state BJP President, but recently he made way for Bhabananda, as he crossed the age of 75 years. His son Basanta recently resigned from the state police, presumably to contest the January elections.

The BJP, which has two MLAs in the 60-member House, is planning to wrest power from the Congress which has been in power for the last three consecutive terms. Some state BJP leaders see a political hand behind the assassination attempts. Police said: "In view of the life threats the politician faces, we have taken the incident seriously. An FIR has been registered and investigation is under progress." So far, no arrest has been made.

UNC leaders remanded to 15-day custody Newmai News Network Imphal | December 8

United Naga Council (UNC) President Gaidon Kamei and Information and Publicity Secretary SK Stephen were remanded to 15-day judicial custody by a court here on Thursday.

Earlier, the Naga leaders had been in police custody since they were arrested on charges of spearheading the ongoing Manipur indefinite economic blockade on November 25. The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East Aribam Noutuneshwari Devi, where they were produced, re-

jected their bail plea. The counsel appearing for the accused sought bail for the two Naga leaders on health ground during a brief argument which was rejected.

Judge Noutuneshwari then sent the accused to judicial custody till December 22. Mao police have registered a suo motu case against Kamei and Stephen in connection with an arson attack wherein a chicken feed-loaded truck was set ablaze by blockade supporters near ST Joseph School, Mao under Senapati district near Nagaland border on November 21.

UNC launched the economic

blockade from November 1 to protest the Manipur government’s move to create new districts of Sadar Hills of Senapati district and Jiribam of Imphal East.

The arrest of Kamei and Stephen resulted in a public outcry, particularly from the Naga community. However, an adamant Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had announced legal action against the two Naga leaders.

At the same time, the protracted blockade has drawn condemnations from all quarters. The stir has already paralysed goods supply to the land-locked state where prices of essential commodities

Manipur post-demonetisation: Life thrown out of gear

Imphal, December 8 (IaNS): Even 30 days after demonetisation of high-value bank notes, life in Manipur remains at a standstill as people continue to struggle to make ends meet following the acute cash crunch.

Fifty-year-old N. Sanahanbi, a green grocer in the famed women's market here, who is trying to run her kitchen and educating her children at the same time, told IANS that, since November 8, she has not been able to sell anything simply because

customers have no low denomination notes and she does not have change for the Rs 2,000 note that some of them bring.

Similar is the story with small variations for thousands of women vendors in Manipur where all markets are exclusively run by women.

Ibemhal's husband died some days ago and, as per his last wishes, she had planned the last ceremonies at Vrindavan.

She has been queuing up at the bank to withdraw the amount but most of

‘More arrests likely in APSC scam’

GuwahatI, December 8 (ptI): Assam Police today said more arrests are likely in the cash-for-job scam in APSC and it is hopeful of filing the charge sheet within next two months. "The investigation is going on. There are more arrests likely in the case," Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay told a press conference here.

The police is currently looking for three persons, who are absconding, for their involvement in the corruption in Assam Public Service Commission, he added. "Apart from them, four candidates, who have been posted by APSC, are also under our scanner. We have recovered huge number of answer scripts and tabulation sheets from the private press of Rakesh Kumar Paul's brother," Sahay said. He, however, said no appointments have been made after the scam came to light.

APSC's former Chairman Paul was arrested on November 4, with two members Samedur Rahman and Basanta Kumar Doley arrested subsequently. The three arrests were followed by the arrest of the Assistant Controller of Examinations of APSC Pabitra Kaibarta. Talking about the progress of the investigation, Sahay informed that police is working on the right direction at a proper pace. "We are trying to file the charge sheet within 90 days of the arrest. This has a legal advantage. I'm hopeful about that," he added. When asked if names of politicians or ministers surfaced during the course of the investigation, the top cop replied in negative. Sahay also informed that so far Rs 50 lakh cash have been seized from Paul along with identification of some "benami" properties of him.

the days she returns home empty-handed. In a conversation with IANS, she wondered how she can perform her husband's last religious rites.

Satyabati, a young mother, is unable to withdraw money to pay monthly and examination fees for her three children and also cash for family expenses.

Banks have been issuing tokens for entering the premises. Satyabati said: "We suspect that there is connivance even in the distribution of tokens. Al-

GuwahatI, December 8 (IaNS): Expressing concern over the death of elephants in the state due to conflict with humans as well as train collisions, Assam Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma on Thursday said that the government is contemplating to use thermal sensors along the railway tracks to detect the movement of elephants particularly during night.

Addressing a press conference in her office, she said that the Forest Department is also mulling to involve local people as well as to strengthen the coordination with railway authorities to stop elephant fatalities.

"It is a fact that the number of elephants are increasing in Assam and

AFFIDAVIT

AFFIDAVIT

I, Shri. Simon Nayk S/o Narayan Naik of Jalukie Town, PO & PS Jalukie, Peren Dist.

Nagaland hereby declared that: 1. That I am the deponent of this affidavit. 2. That the name Monos Naik and Simon Nayk is of same person. 3.

I hereby declared that my correct name is Monos Naik and shall be use for all official purposes in the future.

I, Shri. Keyiteilungbe Lym S/o of Lungkuying of Jalukie Town, PO & PS Jalukie, Peren Dist. Nagaland hereby declared that: 1. That I am the deponent of this affidavit. 2.

That the name Keyiteilungbe Nring and Keyiteilungbe Lym is of same person. 3. I hereby declared that my correct name is Keyiteilungbe Nring and shall be use for all official purposes in the future.

I, Smti. Parfula D/o Ramesh of Jalukie Town, PO & PS Jalukie, Peren Dist. Nagaland hereby declared that: 1. That I am the deponent of this affidavit. 2. That the name Profulla Kerketta and Parfula is of same person. 3. I hereby declared that my correct name is Profulla Kerketta and shall be use for all official purposes in the future.

Deponent 1st Class Magistrate

Regd. No. 284

Deponent 1st Class Magistrate

Regd. No. 285

Deponent 1st Class Magistrate

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO. DTE/MHRD/CSAB-NEUT/1/2016-17

has done is highly objectionable since people are suffering."

A 70-year-old pensioner died while standing in the queue to withdraw money on December 5. Most of the ATMs are cash-strapped and banks restrict the number of account holders who are allowed inside the premises for transactions.

Legalised border trade has been brought to a grinding halt.

"All construction works in the state and the national projects have halted as

there is no building material. Private house construction cannot be undertaken since one bag of cement is sold at Rs 900 in the blackmarket," said a PWD official.

Unconfirmed reports here suggest that the new Rs 500 and other low denomination notes have been made over to certain persons who are exchanging these with the scrapped notes at 20 per cent commission. Officials refused to comment on media reports in this connection.

Assam mulls thermal sensors along rail tracks to reduce elephant deaths

AFFIDAVIT Regd. No. 283

though we come early in the morning, we are always informed that all tokens have already been distributed."

A large number of account holders, including elderly women, complain about absence of basic facilities like toilet and drinking water at the banks and ATM booths.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said: "All sections appreciate the attempts to unearth blackmoney at home and abroad. But what Prime Minister Narendra Modi

DATE: 8th Dec, 2017

JEE (MAIN) -2017 PRESS RELEASE

In pursuance of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, Notification, the 5th Joint Entrance Examination (Main) – 2017 will be conducted on 02/04/2017 (Sunday) by the JEE Apex Board for admission to Undergraduate Engineering Programmes in NITs, IIITs and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions etc including the supernumerary seats resend for the state of Nagaland.

The JEE (Main) will also be an eligibility test for the JEE (Advanced), which the candidate has to take if he/she is aspiring for admission to the undergraduate programmes offered by the IITs/ISM Dhanbad.

The candidates are advised to see the JEE (Advanced) website www.jeeadv.ac.in for information related to JEE (Advanced) The detailed information bulletin containing details of examination, syllabus, eligibility criteria to appear, examination fee, cities of examination, state code of eligibility, age relaxation, eligibility for admission, reservation policies and important dates is made available on JEE (Main) website www.jeemain.nic.in. The aspiring candidates are requested to download the information bulletin from above mentioned website only and read the same carefully before applying. The eligibility criteria for JEE (Main) & JEE (Advanced) are different. The candidates are requested to read the information bulletin carefully and ensure their eligibility as per the criteria laid down for JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced) unit.

All the Indian citizen candidates should possess AADHAAR card issued

by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) with their correct details.

At the time of filling application form of JEE (Main) -2017, the candidates will have to enter their AADHAAR number, name, date of birth & gender which will be validated with the UIDAI’s data. In case, these particulars do not match, the candidates are advised to ensure that their AADHAAR card has correct details of their name, date of birth & gender as per school records. If there is some mismatch in these details, the candidates should immediately get it corrected in AADHAAR data or school records, as the case may be.

The aspiring candidates have to apply online through JEE (Main) website www.jeemain.nic.in. The online application process is open and the last date for application is 2nd January, 2017 and fee can be paid upto 3rd January, 2017.

Sd/- (Er. Arjun Singh), Director

their habitations are reducing. According to the last elephant census in 2011, Assam has 5,620 elephants.

Besides the state also see large number of elephant migration from Meghalaya and Bhutan," she said adding that all these factors have reduced the elephant habitats in the state, forcing the animals to often come out from forests to be either engage in conflict with humans or to get killed by speeding trains on tracks.

The Minister said that the state had lost a total of seven elephants till date since May this year after being hit by speeding trains. Apart from this,

two elephants were killed by poisoning and one by poachers.

"We have taken the matter seriously. We cannot let this happen again and again. Our department is mulling over a host of measures to reduce incidents of elephants death as well as human elephant conflicts," she said adding that decisions have been taken to press NGOs into service to reduce man-elephant conflicts.

"We are also going to sit with the Railway Department so that we are in a position to strictly implement the minimum speed of trains while crossing

elephant corridors," she said adding that anti-depredation squads have been formed in association with local youth and training is being imparted to them to deal with man-animal conflict as well as to prevent untoward incidents regarding the safety of wild animals.

The Minister admitted here is scarcity of welltrained veterinarians in Assam to attend to the wild animals. "We have decided to ask the veterinary university to open up a specialised wing so that their services can be hired for treating animals in wild during emergencies," said Brahma.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF A.H. & VETERINARY SERVICES NAGALAND:: KOHIMA

NO.VET/EST-3/MKG/IV/2016-17/2441-46

RESULT

Dt. Kohima, the 6th Dec. '2016

Pursuant to the advertisement issued vide NO.VET/EST-3/MKG/IV/2016-17/228894/Dt, Kma, the 31st Oct. 2016, the interview for recruitment to the post of Feeds Attendant (Gr-IV) at State Hatchery Unit (Poultry Farm), Mokokchung, under the establishment of Chief Veterinary Officer, Mokokchung, Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, was conducted on 30-11-2016 and on the basis of merit, Shri. Imnanungkum, bearing Roll No. 05 is recommended for appointment.

Sd/- DR. I.P. KHALA DIRECTOR OF A.H. & VETERINARY SERVICES NAGALAND: KOHIMA

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXES NAGALAND

DEALERS’ FACILITATION CENTRES FOR GST ENROLMENT All VAT dealers with provisional user IDs and Passwords issued by GSTN who would like to utilize the services in the facilitation centres may do so in the following locations from 8th to 20th December 2016, between 10 am and 3.30 pm on all working days.

District Location of Facilitation Centre Dimapur Taxes Office, Lengrijan, Dimapur Kohima Taxes Office, Below Commissioner’s Office, Kohima Mokokchung Taxes Office, Sangtemla Ward, Mokokchung Tuensang Taxes Office, Kuthur Road, Tuensang Mon Taxes Office, New site, Above St.John School, Mon Wokha Taxes Office, Tsumang A, Wokha Phek Taxes Office, Bethel Colony, Phek Zunheboto Taxes Office, Below Ao Church, Zunheboto Visit www.nagalandtax.nic.in for details or email: cotgon@rediffmail.com

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF SCHOOL EDUCATION NAGALAND:: KOHIMA

PUBLIC NOTICE Dated Kohima, Nov 2016

NO.ED/PLN/B-1/2015-16 (Pt-I): : It is to notify to all concerned that the following schools have proposed for change of nomenclature.

Therefore, objections, if any, are invited from the public within 1(one) month from the date of publication of this notification a. GHS Mongsenyimti to Subongnuklu GHS, Monsenyimti b. Bauting Phom Memorial High School Longleng to Bautüng Govt. Higher Secondary School Longleng. c. GPS Sungkum, Mangmetong to GPS Chubanungba. d. GPS Kitami to Lt. Nikheto Memorial GPS School Kitami e. GPS Ikiye to Khehuto Memorial GPS Ikiye.

Sd/- (WONTHUNGO TSOPOE), ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR (HOD)

have skyrocketed.

When the waiting media persons asked the UNC leader on the status of the economic blockade, UNC president Kamei replied that the blockade was a collective decision of the Nagas. "Decision can be taken only after consulting my people," Kamei remarked.

The UNC President also expressed unhappiness on "communal tone” taken on the economic blockade. Kamei said that UNC was demanding clarification from the state government over the district creation issue.

“We’re not against any communities,” he maintained.

Pensioner dies after collapsing in bank queue

Imphal, December 8 (IaNS): Long wait in the queue for old-age pension claimed the life of a 70-year-old man in Imphal.

The 70-year-old victim, Ibohanbi Akoijam, died after fainting in the queue at the head post office on December 5. Officials at the post office said that they gave the man first aid.

Since there was no sign of improvement he was evacuated to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hopsital in Imphal.

He died on Wednesday.

The banks in the Imphal city and other district headquarters were issuing a few dozens of tokens to the account holders. Only those who had obtained the tokens are allowed inside the bank premises. Meanwhile

the most of the ATMs are cash strapped and banks restrict the number of account holders who are allowed inside the premises for transactions.

Several account holders including elderly women complain of absence of basic facilities like toilet, drinking water at the banks and ATM booths.

AFFIDAVIT

Regd. No: 14905/2016 Date: 05/12/2016 By this deed I, the undersigned C. ERENPENI TSANGLAO (New name) previously called ERENPENI TSANGLAO (old name), and resident of H. No. 30, D-Khel, Diphupar-A, Dimapur, Nagaland-797112 declare:1. That for and on behalf of myself and my Parents and remitter issue wholly renounce/relinquish and abandon the use of my former name/ surname of ERENPENI TSANGLAO and in place thereof I do hereby assume from this date the name/surname of C. ERENPENI TSANGLAO and so that I and my Parents and remitter issue may hereafter be called, known and distinguish not by my former name/surname, but assumed name/surname of C. ERENPENI TSANGLAO. 2. That for the purpose of evidencing such my determination declare that I shall at all times hereafter in all records, deeds and writings and in all proceedings, dealings and transactions, private as well as upon all occasions whatsoever use and sign the name of C. ERENPENI TSANGLAO as my name/surname in place and in substitution of my former name/surname.

Deponent Solemnly sworn before me by the deponent on this day the 5th of Nov’2016.

Notary public, Dimapur : Nagaland

F.No.35-5/2016-TS.III

Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Higher Education Applications are invited for the post of Directors In the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) Applications are invited for filing up of the vacancy for the post of Director in the following NITs in the grade of `75,000/- (fixed) plus Special Allowance of `5000/- per month as admissible under the rules:(i) (ii) (iii)

National Institute of Technology, Durgapur National Institute of Technology, Warangal National Institute of Technology, Nagaland

The detailed advertisement along with other necessary information are given in the website http://www.nitdelhi.ac.in Applications in the prescribed format complete in all respects along with Curriculum Vitae should be sent

by Registered / Speed post to Shri. A. K. Singh, Under Secretary (NITs-II), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Room No. 523, C-Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi — 110115 so as to reach within 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement in the employment newspapers.

Under Secretary (NITs)

17TH HORNbILL FESTIVAL 2016 DAY NINE

Highlights Guest of Honour Mr. Vivek Alva Managing Trustee, Alva Education Foundation 8:30 AM. Online Registration of Farmers & Exhibition cum Sale of Flowers & Horticulture products & Machineries continues...

8:45 AM Exhibition cum Sale of Handloom & handicraft Products continues...

9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M Hornbill International Photo Fest (HIPFEST 2016) continues...

10:00 A.M Naga Chef Competition at Kisama continues..

10:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M Craftscape 2016 at Kisama. Continues...

10:00 AM to 12 Noon Cultural performance by various Naga Tribes 12:00 to 1:00 P.M Tug of war competition 1:00 to 2:30 P.M 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

Davp 21275/11/0015/1617

Manipur BJP leader escapes assassination bid

4

friDAY 09•12•2016

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Airtel offers free voice calls to anywhere in India

Supply adequate cash or face agitation, bank union warns RBI chennai, DeceMber 8 (ians): A major banking sector union on Thursday asked the RBI to supply adequate cash to nationalised bank branches and ATMs or stop cash transactions, otherwise they may resort to agitation and even go on strike.

The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) however refuted a news report that the unions would strike work next week.

“We will be writing to RBI to ensure supply of adequate cash to all the nationalised bank branches or accept that there is insufficient cash in the system and stop cash transactions,” AIBEA General Secretary C.H.Venkatachalam told IANS. “While there is enough cash with private bank branches and the ATMs run by them, there is no supply of cash to nationalised banks. We also wonder how State Bank of India (SBI) is getting cash to fill in their ATMs 19 times a day in Delhi when other government owned banks do not get any,” he said.

Reacting to the news of a strike threat, he said: “As a responsible union we will not resort to any flash strikes. We will have to give 14 days notice before going on strike.”

“We will decide our course of agitation after December 12 or 13. Our agitation would include demonstrations and even a strike. We have to discuss with other unions in the banking sector,” Venkatachalam added.

Citing the Reserve Bank of India’s statements about sufficient cash in the system, Venkatachalam said: “If that is the case, let the RBI remove all restrictions of withdrawals.”

He said while the nationalised banks are not getting sufficient supplies of cash, bankers are getting abused by the public for no reason.

“The RBI is testing our patience,” he added.

• Airtel’s new Rs. 345 pack comes with free voice calls to any network • The Rs. 145 Airtel pack is limits free calls only to other Airtel users • Both prepaid Airtel plans come with free mobile data benefits MuMbai, DeceMber 8 (agencies): Airtel on Thursday announced the launch of two new bundled prepaid packs circle that make free voice calls across the country, along with data benefits.

This comes soon after Reliance Jio extended its Welcome Offer providing free voice calls, data, text messages and other services free by another 3 months, calling it the Jio Happy New Year Offer. Airtel has provided pricing for the Delhi circle, and says pricing of the prepaid packs may vary from circle to circle.

The new Rs. 345 pack by Airtel allows prepaid customers to make free voice calls, both local and STD, to any network in India. Along with this, buyers of the Rs. 345 Airtel prepaid pack will get 1GB of 4G data. For mobile phones “ideally suited for Web surfing and accessing light social media applications,” this pack offers an

FiRe StatiOnS

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)

The illicit market for fake or counterfeit or smuggled products is also one of the biggest challenges faced by Indian industry, which is impacting ‘Brand India’globally new Delhi, DeceMber 8 (ians): Smugglers in India are switching to cigarettes, fabric and silk yarn from other items as they are low-risk and highreward goods, a new report released by the industry lobby FICCI said on Thursday.

“Cigarettes smuggling is a low-risk, high-reward criminal activity because high taxes on cigarettes induce great financial incentive for smugglers to earn huge profits,” said the report released by Ficci’s CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and we4 woMen HeLPLIne

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248302, 09856006026

eden Medical Centre

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additional 50MB of data.

On the other hand, the Rs. 145 Airtel prepaid pack provides customers unlimited calls across India, but only to other Airtel users. This pack comes with 300MB of data for 4G-ready smartphones, and 50MB of data for basic mobile phones that can access the Internet and light social media apps.

Both the Rs. 345 and Rs. 145 Airtel prepaid packs have a validity of 28 days. As we mentioned, prices for the two packs may vary in different circles. It added that customers in Kerala will avail the data benefits on

Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy).

The report titled ‘Invisible Enemy -- A Threat to Our National Interests’ highlights that in the last one year, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seizures of smuggled cigarettes have increased by 78 per cent from Rs 90.75 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 162 crore in 2015-16, followed by fabric/silk yarn, where the increase is by 73 per cent from Rs 24.03 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 41.78 crore in 2015-16.

“The seizures of gold have witnessed an increase of 61 per cent (from Rs 692.35 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1,119.11 crore in 201516). While the Department of Revenue Intelligence seizures of machinery parts and electronic items has seen a decline,” the report said.

The report was released at an international confertaHaMZaM (formerly senapati) Police station Fire Brigade

2G/4G networks.

Ajai Puri, Director – Market Operations (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel said, “This is another initiative from us to bring innovative bundle offers to our customers in line with our endeavour to provide the great value backed by a superior network experience.”

Airtel is not the only telecom operator providing such benefits to compete with Reliance Jio. Aircel has also announced a new prepaid plan that makes voice calling free for three months.

KoHIMA Ps/oCs

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ence on ‘Cross Border Illicit Trade in Goods: Impact on Economy and Consumers’ in collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The conference was organised with an aim to ensure that national and international stakeholders can dialogue with policymakers to identify opportunities for joint action between governments and the private sector to combat illicit cross-border trade.

“Operations in illicit cross-border trade, is a global problem of enormous scale, impacting virtually every product sector and every country. The illicit market for fake or counterfeit or smuggled products is also one of the biggest challenges faced

by Indian industry, which is impacting ‘Brand India’ globally,” said Hem Pande, Secretary, Department of

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KOHiMa Fire Brigade naga Hospital oking Hospital Bethel nursing Home northeast shuttles

north Ps Officer-in-Charge south Ps Officer-in-Charge Zubza Ps Officer-in-Charge Chiephobozou Ps Officer-in-Charge tseminyu Ps Officer-in-Charge Khuzama Ps Officer-in-Charge Kezocha Ps Officer-in-Charge women Cell Officer-in-Charge Control room

new York, DeceMber 8 (ians): The 2017 version of Apple’s iPhone is rumoured to come in red and will retain the same design as the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, a media report said. “Alongside its usual 4.7and 5.5-inch smartphone offerings, the company will also unveil a third model that will be priced at a higher side than iPhone 7 and will sport a 5.1-inch or 5.2-inch OLED display with invisible home button, all-glass housing, wireless charging,” appleinsider.com reported on Wednesday.

The company is expected to adhere to “s year” for its 2017 line-up. Preferably called the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus, the handsets will retain the same aluminum design, a faster A11 chip and the expected iPhone 8 model will probably feature an OLED display. Samsung and LG, joined by Foxconn-owned Sharp by 2018, are said to be Apple’s primary OLED suppliers.

Cybersecurity expert Justin Harvey joins Accenture

Pakistan lifts ‘undeclared’ Cigarette, fabric and silk yarn highest ban on Indian cotton imports smuggled goods in 2015-16: FICCI islaMabaD, DeceMber 8 (ians): Pakistan has lifted an “undeclared” ban on imports of ginned cotton from India, pledging to strictly implement all phytosanitary and other conditions governing the fibre’s imports on future shipments coming in via surface or sea.

Earlier, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research put cotton imports from India on hold through Wagah border checkpost and Karachi port from November 23, saying the shipments did not fulfil phytosanitary conditions.

However, traders at that time claimed that rising border tensions between the two neighbours prompted Islamabad to impose the ban on Indian cotton.

A trader told Dawn that the DPP started issuing permits for importing cotton from India via Wagah.

But the DPP has also made it clear to importers that only the consignments free from cotton seeds will be accepted and allowed into the country, he added.

Last year, Pakistan imported from India ginned cotton worth more than $800 million, which accounted for two-thirds of India’s cotton exports.

Traders are expecting cotton imports from India and elsewhere to surge this year in view of the anticipated shortfall in the domestic crop.

The government expects cotton output to remain close to 10.5 million bales of 170kg each against a reduced industry demand of 14m bales owing to widespread factory closures in Pakistan’s Punjab province because of higher energy prices.

Apple rumoured to launch ‘red’ iPhone 7 and 7s next year

std code: 0370 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

Consumer Affairs.

“Safeguarding legitimate business owners’ rights is a key to sustain the country’s growth strategy.

Addressing these issues cannot be done in isolation; it is a joint responsibility of consumers, enforcement agencies, the industry and the government,” he added.

Najib Shah, Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), said that illegal trade is a growing menace and the need of the hour is collaboration among stakeholders to tackle it.

“Growth of illicit trade through e-commerce is a new challenge, which also needs urgent attention.

Unchecked, it will continue to multiply. We also need to lay equal emphasis on the rights of legitimate businesses, which are greatly impacted by illegal trade,” he said.

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bengaluru, DeceMber 8 (ians): Global professional services company Accenture on Thursday announced the appointment of cybersecurity expert Justin Harvey as Managing Director and Global Lead for the incident response practice. “I joined Accenture because I firmly believe the company has a commitment to innovation, unmatched industry know-how and proven solutions that can combat the greatest security threats out there,” Harvey said.

In his new role, Harvey will focus on expanding Accenture’s incident response and breach readiness solutions that address preparedness through threat identification and eradication for Accenture’s global client base, the company said. “Harvey has a wealth of experience and cyber crisis management expertise in helping organisations in the commercial, government and defence sectors in managing large-scale incident responses,” said Kelly Bissell, Managing Director, Accenture Security.

Harvey comes to Accenture from US-based Fidelis Cybersecurity where he served as the Chief Security Officer.

CROSSWORD # 3798

H

SUDOKU

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

Game Number # 3783

Answer Number # 3782

ACROSS 1.Spurs 5. Food thickener 9. Sprockets 13. Send forth 14. Comforter 16. Hodgepodge 17. Plateau 18. Lacquer ingredient 19. Egghead 20. Piques 22. Codes of behavior 24. Anagram of “Tine” 26. Investment 27. Repeating 30. Make wealthy 33. At whatever time 35. A Musketeer 37. Hearing organ 38. Desire 41. Genus of macaws 42. Churns 45. Peril 48. Steps 51. Round pieces of linen 52. Satiates 54. Roman emperor 55. Amount emitted 59. Repeat 62. Extinct flightless bird 63. Begin 65. Equipment 66. “Comes and ____” 67. Claw 68. Satan’s territory 69. Being 70. A covered garden walk 71. 3 DOWN 1. ___ du jour = Meal of the Precious stones 2. So be it 3. Disown 4. Train depot 5. Citrus drink 6. Mouthful

7. Declares 8. Distant 9. Vanity 10. Margarine 11. Lass 12. Mats of grass 15. Moon of Saturn 21. Anagram of “Ties” 23. Gumbo 25. Covetousness 27. Pitcher 28. Pandemonium 29. G 31. Driver of a chariot 32. Mob 34. British rule in India 36. Articulates 39. Crimson 40. Midday 43. Milk sugar 44. Sediment 46. Multicolored 47. Okay 49. Cut of beef 50. Phrase structure 53. Leprose 55. Border 56. Cow sounds 57. Midmonth date 58. God of love 60. Story 61. Paris airport 64. Explosive Answer to Crossword 3797

Friday 09•12•2016

NAGALAND

NTLCC issues clarification BJP district unit dissent dismissal of State functionaries

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Mandal Presidents of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Zunheboto district today expressed their “displeasure” over the recent development in the Party in which three senior functionaries were dropped from their respective assignments.

It includes K James Vizo and Mghato Achumi, both holding the post of vice president and Yanghose Sangtam, the Party spokesman.

The state BJP unit, in an unprecedented move, relieved them of their re-

spective assignments with “immediate effect” as per a direction given by the Central BJP leaderships.

The three BJP leaders have also written to the BJP national president ‘seeking justice’ over their dismissal.

“The three officials are sincere and dedicated party workers and there should not be any reason why they have to be relieved of their assignments prematurely,” said a joint statement signed by 7 BJP Mandal Presidents under Zunheboto district.

Sources said that the State BJP President informed the three officials

about their dismissal at Saramati Hotel Dimapur on December 5 and the action was taken at the direction of Ram Madhav, BJP National general secretary & Northeast incharge when the two meet at Guwahati on December 1, it said.

The action has created confusion among the Party members in the state as the State BJP President Visasolie Lhoungu was attending Hornbill Festival on that very day, it maintained.

“This confusion must be justified to satisfy the party workers in the state,” it added.

In this connection, the seven Mandal Presidents appealed the State authority to “cite the reason” behind their dismissal.

Any action taken against any party workers/ officials must “cite the reasons of action” it said further asserting that the BJP National general secretary & Northeast in-charge must also “justify such dismissal order.”

The Mandal Presidents also maintained that such “unhealthy decision” will certainly jeopardize and demoralize the working spirit of the party workers and jointly requested to the

party high office to “revoke the earlier order and reinstate the three officials in to their respective assignments for good.”

The statement was appended by Hovito Chishi, Mandal President 31 A/C Akuluto; Akheto Awomi , Mandal President 32 A/C Atoizu; Tovishe Chopi, Mandal President 33 A/C Suruhoto; Kakiye Yeptho, Mandal President 34 A/C Aghunato; Tokheyi Yeptho, Mandal President 35 A/C Zunheboto; Zhekugha Zhimo, Mandal President 36 A/C Satakha; and Jevito Achumi, Mandal President 13 A/C Pughoboto.

JEE Main 2017 to be held on April 2 • CBSE makes AADHAAR card compulsory • Registration begins at jeemain.nic.in • Online application till January 2, 2017

KohIMA, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): In pursuance of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India’s notification, the 5th Joint Entrance Examination (Main) – 2017 will be conducted on April 2, 2017 (Sunday) by the JEE Apex Board for admission to Undergraduate Engineering Programmes in NITs, IIITs and other Cen-

trally Funded Technical Institutions etc including the supernumerary seats resend for the state of Nagaland.

Directorate of Technical Education, Nagaland Director Er Arjun Singh in a press release notified that the JEE (Main) will also be an eligibility test for the JEE (Advanced), which the candidate has to take if he/ she is aspiring for admission to the undergraduate programmes offered by the IITs/ISM Dhanbad.

The candidates are advised to see the JEE (Advanced) website www.jeeadv.ac.in for information related to JEE (Advanced).

The detailed information bulletin containing details of examination, syllabus, eligibility criteria to appear, examination fee, cities of examination, state code of eligibility, age relaxation, eligibility for admission, reservation policies and important dates is made available on JEE (Main) website www.jeemain.nic.in The aspiring candidates are requested to download the information bulletin from above mentioned website only and read the same carefully before applying. The eligibility criteria for JEE (Main) & JEE (Advanced) are different.

The candidates are requested to read the information bulletin carefully and ensure their eligibility as per the criteria laid down for JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced) unit.

All the Indian citizen candidates should possess AADHAAR card issued by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) with their correct details.

At the time of filling application form of JEE (Main) -2017, the candidates will have to enter their AADHAAR number, name, date of birth & gender which will be validated with the UIDAI’s data.

In case, these partic-

ulars do not match, the candidates are advised to ensure that their AADHAAR card has correct details of their name, date of birth & gender as per school records. If there is some mismatch in these details, the candidates should immediately get it corrected in AADHAAR data or school records, as the case may be.

The aspiring candidates have to apply online through JEE (Main) website www.jeemain.nic.in.

The online application process is open and the last date for application is January 2, 2017 and fee can be paid upto January 3, 2017.

Free coaching in Wokha DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): Late. Azao Memorial Free Coaching for HSLC Examinees 2016-17 will commence on December 12. The coaching will be conducted at Mt. Sinai School, Wokha from 11:30 AM onwards. A press note informed that the enrolment for students are still in progress and interest applicant can conduct Mhabemo Charlie @ 9856650727 for details.

SON Special Christmas programme DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Special Olympics Nagaland will be organising a Special Christmas program on December 10 at Green Park, 5th Mile.

“All the Specially-Able persons along with their parents, friends and well-wishers are warmly invited to the programme,” a press note from the SON said. The programme will start at 11AM and Jack Pucho, Director of the Warehouse will be the speaker which will be followed by Christmas feast, it added. SON further informed that transportation will be provided and participants are requested to contact 9862010340 to inform about their locations so that pickup points can be arranged. The Nagaland Hotel and Restaurant Association is sponsoring the entire programme, it said.

KADTA appeals SP Diphu

LAhoRIJAN, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Karbi Anglong and Dimapur Transporters’ Association (KADTA) today said that some members from Sand Mohaldar and Supplier Association, Manja (SMSA), on December 4, allegedly “waylaid” a vehicle between Longnit and Nuton Bosti and assaulted the occupants.

The driver and handyman were “beaten black and blue” and the head of handyman had been frac-

tured after he was hit by a heavy metal, KADTA President Anil Toppo claimed in a press statement.

The vehicle owner had lodged an FIR at Bokalia Police Station, it informed but maintained that the “culprits are roaming freely” as there is “no action” from the police side.

In this regard, the Association requested the intervention of SP Diphu and arrest the culprit(s) at the earliest.

KohIMA, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): AIR Kohima was the first radio station to broadcast Christmas messages and dramas in the country, a former official informed today.

The programmes were first broadcasted in English and gradually in the dialect bulletins and got feedbacks from places as far as Finland, the official added.

The former Station Director and retired Deputy Director General of AIR and DDK, Northeast, V

Sekhose disclosed this while addressing the advent Christmas celebration of All India Radio (AIR) Kohima at its studio complex on December 8.

She also reminded the Staff of AIR Kohima that the greatest objective of the establishment is to give public quality service broadcast.

Maintaining that AIR and DDK are the most popular media among the electronic media owing to its credibility and authenticity, the former Station Director said that the two broadcasters were among the first media institutions in the region to provide in-

based in Mandalay, the intention and reason of which are only known to him.”

The NTLCC therefore clarified that “there is no discontentment or dissatisfaction whatsoever among the Nagas in Myanmar that resulted during Nagaland Chief Minister’s Myanmar visit. His encouragement in the line of Nagas’ development and peace is highly appreciated by one and all.”

It further stated that the “callous act of implicating esteemed Naga civil organizations or political organizations like NSCN (K) for selfish purpose deserve condemnation.”

Any attempt to depict the unity and brotherly co-existence of all Naga families in Myanmar in a contradictory manner shall not be tolerated in the future, the NTLCC cautioned.

An electoral revival programme organised by LKM Clean Election Campaign Committee was held in Changtongya Town Public Playground on December 8 evening. Among others, the popular Ao gospel band ‘Samaro’ and the well-known Theatre and Film Production group DreamZ Unlimited performed at the function. Director & DIGP, Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Nagaland exhorted people to bring about the desired change in electoral exercise in Nagaland. Thousands of people attended the mass sensitization programme on clean election issue. The same programme will be held Tuli on December 9.

Our Correspondent Kohima | December 8

Member of Legislative Assembly Nagaland, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, on December 7, said that politics has become the “bread and butter” for survival in Nagaland as the state is a non revenue generating state.

With election just round the corner, one has to plan for the future and one needs political vision as Nagas entirely depends on politics, Azo added addressing the 43rd Porbami Youth General Session.

Quoting Benjamin Franklin who said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning Tuensang District Agriculture Office and BSNL were gutted by fire at around 2:00 AM to fail,” he exhorted the gathto 3:00 AM in the morning on December 8. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained ering to “make plans for the but suspected to short circuit. Proper investigation is being done. (DIPR Photo)

future” and choose a leader having political vision.

In this connection, he expressed confidence that Naga People’s Front, under the leadership of TR Zeliang and Dr Surhozelie Liezietsu, will come back to power for the fourth consecutive time if it is the “will of God.” Azo also urged party men and women to stay steadfast with the party and not to shift their loyalties from one party to another.

“We are not running a running race and political winners are those who stick to their parties both in good times or bad times,” he stated expressing gratitude to village youth and the Chakhesang community for standing by

him “in good times as well as bad times” Maintaining that the youths are the future and hope of any society or community, Azo urged them to promote unity and oneness in and around the village for the betterment and upliftment of the village.

The MLA was accompanied by officials of Chakhesang Public Organisation, Chakhesang Student Union and Chakhesang Youth Front.

The programme was chaired by Vezohu while the welcome address was delivered by Shekhozo Thuluo Village Council Chiarman, Porba and Vejoi Chiero delivered the Presidential address.

17 penalized under COTPA Fourth Annual Hutton Lectures Symposium begins

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): A total of 17 persons were penalised for violation of Section 4 of COTPA 2003 when the District Anti Tobacco Squad carried out inspection in Railways station, NST bus station and District Hospital areas as a part of the smoke free Dimapur campaign.

According to DTCC, during the inspection the team had found out that the top hotels in Dimapur are allowing their customers to smoke inside their rooms which not only violate the provision of the law but also make the rooms unhealthy and unhygienic for non-smokers.

In this regard, the hotels are requested to adhere to the provision of the law and set up separate space

Our Correspondent Kohima | December 8

A member of District Anti Tobacco Squad sensitizing a public about various provision under COTPA Act.

for smoking. The DTCC also stated that these measures will increase the flow of customers as many avoid the stench of smoking in the hotels.

1st radio station to air Christmas messages in India AIR Kohima celebrates advent Christmas

Naga parliamentarians and Naga civil organizations,” it stated.

The NTLCC added that on request of the CM’s team, the Naga People Organization (NPO) with Naga Student Organization (NSO), Myanmar oversaw the reception and pertaining arrangements. Union Parliamentarians (Nagas) and heads of Naga Self Administered Zone could not attend the reception and side meeting with the CM owing to certain party engagements and time constraints respectively. The concerned individuals however, duly conveyed their regrets to be missing the meeting, it informed.

It further stated that “on inquiry by Naga leaders, it came to light that the statement was authored by a certain Naga businessman

Politics is the ‘bread and butter’ of Nagas: Azo

DABA Youth Ministry 50 years DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) Youth Ministry celebration of 50 years thanksgiving and pre-Christmas will be held on December 11 at 3:00 pm at the main church with Rev C Teyong Kichu as the speaker. DABA Youth Ministry has extended invitation to all the church members to attend the programme. It also especially invites those who have served in the youth ministry since its establishment in 1966.

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8 (MExN): The Naga Traditional Literacy and Culture Central (NTLCC) Myanmar today issued a clarification regarding a statement published on December 3 on the Nagaland Chief Minister’s recent visit to Myanmar.

A press release from U Hla Phey, Founding Member of the NTLCC informed that the statement was not issued by the NTLCC. “It is pertinent to mention that Nagaland CM visited Myanmar on matters purely related to governmental business, and not for any specified meeting with Naga leaders here. As such, no official invitation was given to any individual or organization. However, due information was given to the office of the Naga Self-administered Zone,

formation to the people, which they relied on even today.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has popularized radio more through the Mann Ki Baat programme, in which the Prime Minister reached out to the people, she added.

She also called on the employees of AIR to continue to work with dedication, truth and sincerity for the service of the people.

Meanwhile, sharing about the real meaning of Christmas with the gathering, Sekhose said that Christmas is not just a mere festival like any others, but a festival of love and peace.

The celebration with rites and rituals without Christ are all empty, she maintained calling upon everyone to put back “Christ first in the Christmas.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Director Engineer, K.K Rangma said the current year has been a busy and challenging one, with repeat transformation of the entire establishment to a digital platform.

Other highlights of the programme included various Christmas song presentation by the different sections of the Station, stated a press note from AIR.

The fourth edition of the annual Hutton Lectures Symposium, Kohima Institute began on December 8 with Prof. Siv Ellen Kraft, of UiT—The Arctic University of Norway delivering the Keynote address.

The Kohima Institute along with the North East Forum (NEF), and Centre for Community Knowledge (CCK) at Ambedkar University, Delhi (AUD), as well as The South Asianist Journal of Edinburgh University, UK, will be holding the annual lecture from December 8 and 9 at de Oriental Grand Hotel, Kohima, Nagaland.

Focusing on Indigenous Knowledge, Prof.

Ellen Kraft delineated the new and emerging forms of Indigenous knowledge in relation to pan indigenous religion with a special emphasis on the ongoing protests at Standing Rock, US against the Dakota Access pipelines. Proclaiming themselves as Protectors rather than protestors, the Standing Rock protest movements is considered a grassroots movement of the indigenous peoples in the US who also have received greater support from indigenous peoples across the world. One of the primary identities of Indigenity being indigenous religion, the Standing Rock movement has also instilled the indigenous religion among the protestors.

Prof. Kraft also stated that the case of Standing

Prof. Siv Ellen Kraft, of UiT—The Arctic University of Norway delivering the 2016 Hutton Lectures Symposium Keynote address on Decemner 8.

Rock is interesting because it is one of the largest gatherings of different indigenous peoples, where the various groups are working in collaboration and solidarity for a particular cause.

“Indigenous people are becoming more similar but they are also becoming more distinct due to the awareness of selfhood and identity,” said Prof. Ellen Kraft.

The Standing protest movement has also created a ritual liminality, a liminal space where people live outside their normal habitat where their lifestyles and social statuses are suspended.

Another aspect is the 'a mediascape of their own making' as Prof. Kraft mentioned where the indigenous peoples in the protest has been able to develop their own news in their own perspectives with the help of social networking sites without relying on mainstream media Envisioning ‘a diffusion of knowledge between international scholars and local writers, thinkers, schol-

ars, and social leaders’, the symposium will focus on the “cross-fertilisation of indigenous knowledge and new forms of transmission, encouraging different perspectives on ways of knowing and of disseminating knowledge, including experiential knowledge.”

According to the organizers, the presentations by international, national, regional, and local scholars will discuss on the fraught historical, ideological, and diffusing genealogies of ‘indigenous’ and its epistemological status in relation to western science, as well as important contemporary uses of the term (particularly by activists) in political debates, and in relation to developmental aid, and environmental conservation.

Founded in 2013, the Kohima Institute’s yearend Hutton Lectures symposium is funded through the generous support of private donors, and governmental and non-governmental institutions alike. It is organised in collaboration with institutions of both national and inter-

national repute. Some of its previous partners included the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland; the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge University, UK; the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and University of Tübingen, Germany; the University of Oxford, UK; and the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The second day of the symposium will comprise of workshops, panel discussions and interactions on the topics ‘Foods, orality, language, and practices’, ‘Orality, knowledge, and transmission’, and ‘Indigenous knowledge and contemporary times’.

Registrations will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a fee of Rs. 500. Interested person(s) may contact via message at 70056-05596 and 9818804474 or email <kekhrie@ yahoo.com>.

Presentations, papers, and exhibitions will be edited and published in The South Asianist Journal at Edinburgh University, and appear in book form in 2017

6

friday 09•12•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 338

By Witoubou Newmai

NPF Electioneering

T

he Naga People’s Front (NPF) has announced that it will contest in 15 assembly constituencies in the forthcoming Manipur assembly election due in a couple of months’ time. On Tuesday, December 6, all 37 candidates seeking the NPF ticket were summoned to Kohima and had a ‘consultative meeting’ chaired by the Party President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietzsu. Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Minister for Education Yitachu, the In-charge of the NPF Manipur State Unit, were also in attendance.

Out of the 60 assembly constituencies, 11 of them— Phungyar, Ukhrul, Chingai (in Ukhrul district), Mao, Tadubi, Karong (in Senapati district), Tamei, Tamenglong, Nungba (in Tamenglong district), Chandel and Tengnoupal (in Chandel district) — are considered as ‘Naga dominated’ assembly constituencies.

Sources from the NPF said that the Party is also fielding candidates in Hengleng (Churachandpur district), Jiribam (Imphal East district), Saikul (Sadar Hills) and Saitu (Sadar Hills) assembly constituencies. For a long time, Jiribam has been represented by a Meitei while the other three are ‘Kuki dominated’ assembly constituencies.

With the high-velocity campaigns and tensions in Manipur due to creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam district, the decision of the NPF to contest in the ‘non Naga bastions’ may sound absurd to many. However, NPF is betting on the solidarity of the Naga, non Kuki and non-Meitei voters. There are sizeable numbers of Nagas in the assembly constituencies of Saitu, Jiribam and Saikul.

In Jiribam, the NPF must woo the Muslims and other nonMeitei communities including the Hmars while in the Thadou (Kuki) dominated Henglep assembly constituency, it has to woo the non-Kuki electorate. But the winning chance of the cock party in this constituency is slim. In Saitu and Saikul assembly constituencies, the Naga and Nepali voters are considered ‘deciding factors’ by candidates.

With Sadar Hills issue at the center of the Manipur volatile situation today and the NPF vehemently opposing its upgradation to a district status, the electorate against Sadar Hills district creation will rally behind the cock party. But again, the fate of the NPF in these two ‘Kuki dominated’ constituencies will depend on the number of candidates who are supporting the Sadar Hills district creation.

When it comes to the four ‘Naga dominated’ districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel, it is no exaggeration to conclude that there is a marked surge in the popularity of the BJP — over 50 candidates seeking the BJP's ticket from 11 ‘Naga stronghold’ assembly constituencies itself is self explanatory.

Observers feel that anti-incumbency factor, the passing of the three ‘anti tribal bills’ by the Manipur Legislative Assembly last year and the subsequent declaration of the Joint Action Committee Against Anti Tribal Bills (JAC-AATB) to boycott the Congress party and the sitting tribal legislators could have been the reason why voters are flocking either to the NPF or the BJP in the ‘Naga bastions.’ This does not mean to suggest that the Congress party has been written off completely in the four Naga dominated districts in Manipur.

Congress party stalwarts including Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam are still big factors in Manipur politics. Thus, it cannot be concluded that the course of the ongoing electioneering cannot be affected by these considerations. If the prevailing situation triggered by the Sadar Hills and Jiribam issues can alter the outcome of electoral landscape in Manipur to a great extent, then, much more would also depend on how the Congress party veterans continue to play their cards.

lEfT WING |

IANS

Dronejacking, fileless infections to increase in 2017: Symantec

E

nterprises of all sizes and consumers in India are at equal risks as advanced criminal attack groups now echo the skill sets of nation-state attackers, a Symantec executive has said, adding that "dronejacking" and "fileless malware" will increase in the upcoming year.

"As businesses in India embrace the digital transformation, fileless malware among others will be some of the prevalent trends and threats in the upcoming year," Tarun Kaura, Director of Solutions Product Management - Asia Pacific & Japan at Symantec told IANS. In its Security Predictions for 2017, Symantec said that with the proliferation of the Cloud Generation, enterprises will need to shift their focus from safeguarding endpoint devices toward protecting users and information across all applications and services.

Symantec also highlighted that in 2017, fileless infections -- those written directly onto a computer's RAM without using files of any kind and are difficult to detect and often elude intrusion prevention and antivirus programmes -- are set to go up.

With the technology explosion and increase in the use of drones, 2017 could see these devices being used for espionage and explosive attacks.

According to the predictions, with the workforce more mobile than ever, the need to primarily protect an on-premise network will become increasingly short sighted. "The need for firewalls to defend a singular network becomes unnecessary if it is connected to the cloud. All enterprises will start to move towards wi-fi and cloud-based services, rather than investing in expensive and unnecessary network solutions," Symantec predicted.

As Internet of Things (IoT) and shift towards cloud-based storage and services become more common, targeted ransomware attacks are also likely to increase in the coming year.

While talking about connected cars, Symantec predicted that as cars start to have connected capabilities, they can be held for ransom. The self-driving cars can be hacked to obtain their location for hijacking, unauthorised surveillance and intelligence gathering, or other automobile-focused threats.

"This will also lead to a question of liability between the software vendor and automobile manufacturer, which will have long-term implications on the future of connected cars," Symantec said. As seen in 2016, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will only continue to grow in the next year.

Market research firm Forrester had predicted that investment in AI would grow 300 per cent in 2017 alone.

From a security standpoint, this expansion will impact organisations in more ways than one - including endpoints and mechanisms in the cloud. Enterprises will need to invest in solutions that have the capabilities to collect and analyse data from the countless endpoints and attack sensors across different organisations, industries and geographies. "Each year, the security industry faces new types of threats as cybercriminals evolve their approach toward accessing organisations' data," Kaura said citing Symantec's Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR), which was released recently. The report revealed an organisational shift by cybercriminals where they are increasingly adopting corporate best practices and establishing professional businesses in order to increase the efficiency of their attacks.

Symantec said that there is a dangerous possibility that rogue nation states could align with organised crime for their personal gain. This could result in down time for countries'

C O M M E N T A R Y

Anuradha Sengupta YesMagazine

They Lost Their Jungles to Plantations, But These Indigenous Women Grew Them Back

When a governmental effort to encourage cash crops threatened their food security and native land, India’s indigenous families came together to revive their traditional food systems

I

t is early morning in Dhepagudi, a sleepy hamlet nestled in the green hills of Odisha, India.

Admai Kumruka is sifting millet in a traditional sieve made of bamboo strips. Children mill around, playing on a mud and sand mound. A few huts down, Rello Dindika is sorting through harvested corn. A group of women are chopping fresh pumpkin leaves and flowers for a stir-fry dish.

They have finished morning chores and farming work and are now preparing breakfast. Some of the corn will be ground to a powder for a wholesome porridge. The rest will be popped in clay vessels for evening snacks.

“We have mandya or kosla [varieties of millets] or maka [corn] porridge in the mornings sometimes with roots and tubers or gondri saag [a variety of greens] foraged from the jungles,” Kumruka says. “In the afternoons and evenings, we make rice with tubers, vegetables and legumes. Sometimes we add wild mushrooms or jhotta [okra] and holud [turmeric roots].”

The women belong to the Khond community, a large indigenous tribal group of India that has relied for generations on a rich and diverse variety of native millets and foraged jungle foods. That is, until the state forest department proposed that forest lands be cleared for cash crops like teak, eucalyptus, soy, and cotton.

Following years of extractive forest management practices established under British rule, India’s government began a paradigm shift in the late 1980s toward prioritizing ecological conservation and recognizing the rights of the tribal communities. Then, in July, it passed a controversial bill to govern how the country’s forests are razed, cut, and reforested. The new measure was strongly opposed by environmentalists and tribal advocates who argued it would ease government seizure of tribal forests.

“The forests were managed by community resource management under the Forest Rights Act,” says Hrusikesh Panda, former secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Panda, who retired last year, has consistently criticized the present government’s attempts to tamper with tribal rights. “Now the forest department has become very aggressive,” he says.

Kumruka recounts how entire patches of forest were taken for plantations, and how much of her tribe’s green wealth disappeared. “We had so many different millets on our plates earlier, and jungle tubers, saags, mushrooms, and so many mahua trees,” she says.

The ubiquitous mahua is central to the lives of adivasis—the aboriginal people of South Asia. The plant’s waxy flowers infuse the jungle with a heady fragrance and are distilled into a traditional liquor. Its leaves are woven into cups and plates. Its oil is used in many ways: in traditional medicine, as hair oil, to massage newborn babies, in soap, and for cooking and lighting lamps. The seeds, fruits, and flowers are all cooked. The bark relieves itching and heals wounds and snake bites. But all this disappeared when forests were exchanged for plantations.

Traditionally, adivasis had grown mixed varieties of crops to main-

tain soil fertility. They stored and exchanged seeds after each harvest to ensure local adaptability and availability. Then they watched with dismay as industrial tree plantations converted a once diverse forest ecosystem into a single-species cash crop.

Miles southwest of Kumruka’s hamlet, the people of Khalpadar village were going through a similar experience. Large swaths of surrounding forests had been leveled by the forest department to make way for plantations, disrupting the adivasis’ traditional food ethos. When the villagers protested, they were told that cheap rice and wheat would be available under the public distribution system (PDS), the government food security program that distributes subsidized food to the poor.

PDS meals consisted of rice, lentils, milk, and oil. Prices at the market were too steep for most villagers. Their diets suffered, and their children lacked nutrition. Young adivasis who travelled to towns for education or stayed in government boarding schools were exposed to a modern world of industrialized food. Once back home, they asked for soybean nuggets and Maggi, Nestlé’s popular instant noodles that have been found to hold alarmingly high levels of MSG and lead. The women looked back to a time when their plates held a variety of millets, fruits, birds, animals, insects, seeds, roots, and tubers. As their culinary culture slipped away, so did their sense of identity and pride.

“Traditionally, adivasis have had a very rich cultivated and uncultivated food biodiversity, but the younger generation is out of touch with that,” says Salome Yesudas, a nutrition researcher who has been documenting the food systems of indigenous tribes in southern India since 1995.

“There is a law saying all [Integrated Child Development Services] meals should be cooked, served hot, and made from locally sourced foods, but it is tough to keep a check to see that this is being implemented,” she says of the powder-packet canteen meals served by ICDS, a government welfare program that provides food, preschool education, and primary health care to children under 6 in mostly rural areas.

The state of nutritional affairs is avoidable, says Debjeet Sarangi,

founder and director of Living Farms, a nongovernmental organization that works on issues related to food and nutritional security in Odisha. “Forest foods are great sources of micronutrients and are easily available and accessible to these communities.”

Living Farms has documented more than 350 high-nutrient forest foods harvested by adavasis in the region—foods, researchers say, could provide a solution to micronutrient deficiency, a condition termed “hidden hunger.” Sarangi says it is unfortunate that adivasis, who have sustainably harvested forest food for generations, are being displaced and their knowledge lost as forests are cut down for agriculture and industrial purposes.

Resisting that fate, the women of Khalpadar have risen to block destructive development. They have held meetings with officials and other villages to find consensus to save their forests. When officials repeatedly refused to listen, villagers cut down the cash crops and planted their own traditional crops.

“We planted dates, mangoes, jackfruit, tamarind, jaamkoli [a berry],” says Balo Shikoka, a Khalpadar villager. Forest officials notified the police, who soon came to arrest the villagers.

“We said, Fine, we will go to prison for this. But you will have to take all of us—women, children, elders, everyone. We will all go to prison for the jungle. We’ll stay in your jail, but we won’t eat your city food. The officials just left,” Shikoka laughs.

“When they came to persuade us to plant eucalyptus and teak, we refused,” recounts Timoli Kurunjelika, another villager. “Even though they said, You will get more money.”

The soil, damaged by plantations, took time to replenish. The trees took years to regrow. But their efforts paid off, and today, after much work, the hills around Kumruka are flourishing with indigenous trees, plants, and flowers.

“This year, from June to July alone, we have regrown jungles in 35 villages in Muniguda block,” says Sukhomoti Shikoka, a resident of Muniguda. “About 6,000 families have got involved, each planting 10 to 15 trees.

Now the nutrition needs of our children will be well met, even when rains are gone.”

Living Farms conducts qualitative dietary diversity studies every six months to measure access to food variety and assess dietary nutrition in Odisha. Since 2014, it found that the number of families with poor diets had decreased from 58 to 18 percent.

The organization has also recently launched a school project in which children learn from farmers to identify, grow, and cook traditional foods.

In many districts, newly established tribal food festivals bring together adivasi communities to exchange ideas, information, and seeds. And several adivasi schools have introduced holidays celebrating local harvest festivals and rituals, in contrast to the current holidays largely based on mainstream Hindu festivals.

“We are looking at reviving local food systems,” Sarangi says.

Young adivasis are now joining the movement. Jagannath Majhi, who belongs to the Khond community, works in villages to raise awareness about the importance of locally available foods, traditional seed conservation, jungle diversity, and the need for protection.

He says he decided to do this when he saw the deep sense of inferiority his people had developed.

“They felt their food wasn’t good enough because outsiders—city people and the government—would reiterate that what they ate wasn’t ‘real food,’” he says. It is astounding to him now to see the recent trend among industrialized societies of adopting his traditional foods. “Everyone in the world is running after millets, and chefs on TV are talking about red ant chutney.” He thwacks his palm to his forehead when he hears city residents pay as much $2 for a half-pound of millets.

In the villages of Odisha, adivasi women sing songs that articulate their dependence on the hills and forests, pointing out that the forest doesn’t just provide their families with food—it also helps them heal.

Anuradha is a freelance journalist based in India whose work focuses on the environment, indigenous food issues, and sustainable living.

She is a member of an urban ecological group that creates awareness about sustainable living and helps small farmers sell organic produce in cities. Anuradha founded Jalebi Ink, an awardwinning media collective for children and youth.

Her media portfolio includes working as senior editor with two newspapers, a documentary on the prevalence of spurious medicines, reportage from Kuwait after the Gulf War, and a citizens’ media project in Afghanistan.

Standing Rock celebrates victory sarah Aziza

A

Waging Nonviolence

fter months of peaceful resistance, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their allies scored a historic victory on Sunday, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would deny construction permits for a key section of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The announcement essentially halts the project, while also highlighting the power of the sustained resistance movement

by Native Americans, environmental activists and thousands of allies.

The stand-off at Standing Rock began months ago, when several dozen Native demonstrators formed a peaceful “prayer camp” in the path of the impending 1,172-mile oil pipeline. As news of the project spread, the self-described “water protectors” attracted widespread international attention, sparked nationwide action and drew thousands of supporters to Cannonball, North Dakota.

While confrontations with law enforcement resulted in some injuries on the part of demonstrators, the organizers at

Standing Rock continued to emphasize the importance of “acting at all times in a peaceful and prayerful manner,” according to Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II. The movement never sacrificed this spirit of fierce open-heartedness, which made the victory a deeply meaningful one to organizers of all stripes. Environmental activist and author Bill McKibben said he “never saw a better example of how to organize.” In a story for the Guardian, he wrote that the #NoDAPL struggle “managed to build not just resistance to a project, but a remarkable new and unified force.” Meanwhile, Naomi Klein, who covered the story for The Nation, explained that unlike most victories, which “usually come incrementally … and at some delay after mass action,” the one in Standing Rock is “bright and undeniable.” What’s more: “It shows people everywhere that organizing and resistance is not futile.”

Others involved in the movement stressed the importance of intersectional solidarity. “We have more allies

now,” tweeted Daniel Health Justice, a member of the Cherokee Nation. “Our intersectional struggles are shared.”

Standing Rock Tribal Councilman Cody Two Bears told The Nation he sees the #NoDAPL struggle as part of a larger movement for sustainability, led by indigenous people. “The first people of this land have to teach this country how to live again,” he said. “By going green, by going renewable, by using the blessings the creator has given us: the sun and the wind.”

Archambault issued a statement of thanks immediately following yesterday’s news, expressing gratitude to “the tribal youth who initiated this movement” and to “the other tribal nations and jurisdictions who stood in solidarity with us.” Archambault also stressed the fact that the movement had insisted upon a “nation-to-nation relationship” between tribes and the Obama administration. He lauded Obama for the “courage” to engage in this way, adding, “Treaties are paramount law and must be respected.”

WRITE-WING

Nevertheless, most organizers are already looking ahead to the next steps in the struggle to preserve both indigenous rights and environmental resources. Many expressed their anxiety that the incoming Trump administration will prove far more resistant to issues of indigenous rights or environmental protection. In a press conference Monday afternoon, Trump reiterated his support for the pipeline’s construction. Not long after, reports emerged that Trump was selling his stake in Energy Transfer Partners, the company overseeing the pipeline.

It also remains unclear what may come of the Army Corps of Engineer’s promise to explore “alternative routes” for the pipeline — a point on which many are raising the call for sustained vigilance. “We are not opposed to energy independence, economic development or national security,” said Archumbault.

“But we must ensure that these decisions are made with the considerations of our indigenous peoples.” The Indigenous Environmental Network remains hopeful, if cautious, tweeting, “The fight is not over, but we are winning.”

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

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

Friday 09•12•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Castro Was No Saint, But He Was a Giant Stop tHe From his small island, the late Cuban leader faced down the Americans and made them blink

Blame Game!

The essence of democracy is founded on the freedom of expression of the citizens. This is symbolized by the citizens’ right to vote. The democratic process and its legitimacy depends on impartial expression of the citizens’ views through their votes and for the candidates to respect their judgment of the voters. This requires elections to be free and fair, where electoral processes are respected.

The first step to democracy is not clean but free and fair elections.

- VizolieKhatsu, BA 2nd Semester (English Honours)

W James McEnteer Foreign Policy In Focus

W

hen Fidel Castro died in his sleep at 90 on November 25 i n Hav a n a, American news consumers might have been forgiven for thinking he was slain in battle.

“Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades,” said Donald Trump in a statement.

“Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty, and the denial of fundamental human rights,” he continued. “While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long.”

Trump promised to join with the Miami Cubans toward a future in which “the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty.”

That should make the Cubans afraid. Very afraid.

As jingos jeered and cheered, even journalists one thought must know better leapt upon the burning bier. In an article entitled, “Fidel Castro Finally Dies,” The Daily Beast’s John Avlon excoriates Castro as “a bully and a thug: the latest in a long line of self-interested opportunists who rule through fear and pretend that it is love.”

Avlon condemns every “apologist” who swallowed the

myth of Castro as a revolutionary hero: “One of the most prevalent forms of moral myopia on western campuses and their downstream affiliates is a tendency to excuse whatever oppressive totalitarian violence is committed in the name of the left,” he insists.

“And when the full story of Castro’s personal enrichment and paranoid hold on power for more than a half-century at the expense of individual rights and individual life becomes better understood, those folks who fell for the combination of political myth and personal charisma, the late night conversations over drinks and cigars, will have been exposed as enablers to his tropical tyranny.”

Is Avlon jostling for a position with the Trump regime?

Not only does Avlon try to drive a silver stake through Castro’s black heart, he despises and demonizes anyone ever naïve enough to think Castro was anything but a selfish tyrannical dictator. It’s the idiom of Trumpian bombast, not reasoned discourse.

Avlon condemns Castro’s politics and methods but ignores the Cuban strongman’s tactical genius, immense courage, and his decades-long political balancing act — as well as the many advances Cuba was able to make in health care and education, even in the face of a cruel and stupid U.S. blockade that began decades ago and continues today. That blockade

imposed hardship and suffering on the Cuban people, but never threatened the Castro regime.

Before Fidel Castro took power in 1959, Cuba suffered under generations of U.S.-backed dictatorships that kept 60 to 70 percent of Cubans in poverty. The island was a U.S. tourist vassalage and sugar plantation, starting in 1898 when the Americans drove out the Spanish. Congress passed the Platt Amendment in 1901, giving it license to meddle in Cuban affairs. And meddle it did, discarding inconvenient rulers and installing complaisant puppets at will.

The consummate marionette was an Army sergeant named Fulgencio Batista, who led a military coup in 1933. He enriched himself and suspended civil liberties, and when his popularity waned he brought in the U.S. mob to open casinos and help run interference with his own people.

U.S. corporations loved him, but Cubans hated him. Batista stayed in power by ever more drastic measures. When he lost a presidential election, he staged another coup. But many Cubans were fed up with the prostitution and gambling that sustained him.

Batista was still in power in 1959 when Fidel Castro and a few dissidents launched a guerilla war that became a revolution.

For most Cuban people, who led impoverished lives under the rapacious Batista, Castro was a blessing. He gave them literacy and self-respect. He took them seriously and they loved it.

Castro encouraged education on all fronts. Cuba became a medical pioneer and treatment center, churning out doctors and making medical advancements despite the intransigent U.S. blockade. Cuba has long exported medical help and training to many poor nations in Latin America and Africa, who have no other resources.

By treating patients who never saw a doctor before, Cuba has become beloved in many dark corners of this planet where U.S. aid has never been seen.

Castro’s example electrified Latin America. From his small island he had faced down the almighty gringos and made them blink first. That was his greatest threat to the United States. Castro inspired many people in various countries living under U.S.supported despotic regimes — who until then considered their situations inevitable and intractable — to rise up against inequality and injustice.

Fidel was the godfather of Latin America’s leftist turn: in Nicaragua, Honduras, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Brazil. The populist spirit has always been embattled in Latin America. Fidel proved it could triumph. He survived the regimes of 10 U.S, presidents, each of whom figured to crush him and none of whom could.

Fidel Castro was no saint. But he was not the corrupt, bloodthirsty despot Trump and Avlon make him out to be. He was a

perspicacious fellow who knew the political score at an early age and took action. That makes him a hero. Many see the wrongs of this world but very few move to right them. Castro did.

It is worthwhile finding out in detail about how he organized his “invasion” of Cuba from Mexico. With a few dozen men, Fidel Castro crash-landed a leaky boat in the middle of nowhere and took to the hills to oppose the entrenched, oppressive U.S.-backed Batista government. The odds were never in their favor. But their quixotic action was the spark that ignited an incipient rage for justice, in Cuba and beyond.

Fidel Castro was the Road Runner to the USA’s Wile E. Coyote. He withstood decades of intrigue against him by the United States, including assassination attempts, a naval blockade and military invasion. He played the Cold War superpowers off against each other in a high-stakes gamble for his nation’s survival. Trump and Avlon’s defamatory anger bespeaks their frustration with a smarter, braver political opponent. Millions around the world loved the show.

Fidel Castro was a symbol of hope and independence among darker, militaristic spheres of influence, a political giant of the 20th century.

James McEnteer’s most recent book is Acting Like It Matters: John Malpede and the Los Angeles Poverty Department. He lives in Quito, Ecuador.

A united Canada without the Monarchy Jeffrey Cunningham

C

anada and England would fit seamlessly into the international community without the Monarchy!

It is not accidental that the great majority of nations are republics. It has been the result of humanity’s long groping in the dark, tribulations and sacrifices.

Its first and greatest benefit for Canada is that it will deliver a forceful disincentive to the separatist movement in Quebec because after the disposal of the Monarchy, everyone across the land will take the oath of allegiance to Canada itself. We will pledge allegiance to one another and that per se will awaken a great sense of commitment, responsibility, and belonging in all of us.

Let us for the duration of time that it takes to read this article set aside the fact of the Aboriginals’ existence on this continent from time immemorial and state another fact that the French came here before the English and later on lost the colonial war to England and England unilaterally declared sovereignty over the entire land and dumped the Monarchy on it.

Wars are not any different from sports in the sense that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and to take the oath of allegiance to the English Mon-

arch simply does not bring out the best in our French Canadians; it only perpetuates the feeling of a past loss.

France is a major world power and several generations ago with its Revolution of 1789 it abolished the monarchy and the parasitism that went with it, ended the ancient regime (old system), and became the source of inspiration for the rest of the world. Now, what does it mean to a “free French citizen” to come all the way to Canada for a new life only to be labelled as “the subject” of the English Monarch? Who is anyone else to decide for our French Canadians how they should feel about taking the oath of allegiance to the English Monarch?

As humanity’s experience has shown, a monarchy has never been a marketable system. Monarchies by their nature breed untold privileges based on someone’s birth and have been crumbling one after the other and, very fortunately, it is impossible to convince a republic to convert its system to a monarchy.

What are we waiting for here in Canada? Are we waiting for the English to arouse from their coma to dispose of the Monarchy before we decide to become a republic? The Monarchy has always worked for Canadian politicians.

One politician after the other has sought the highest office only for the sake of becoming the Prime Minister and the rest was to deal with the day-to-day routines of the office and at the end to collect a fat retirement pay cheque!

We must salute Australia for moving in the direction of a republican system. Its former prime minister, Julia Gillard, had the courage to make it her political platform during her campaign to end the Monarchy in Australia and when the Queen visited Australia, she had the courage of her convictions and delivered the message by standing tall and graceful and refusing to curtsy. What a great and unforgettable moment it was for a nation moving towards a republican system! Unfortunately, a coterie of misguided and sexist politicians did everything they could to bring her down, but they cannot stop Australia from moving forward.

The best living proof that the separatist movement in Quebec will evaporate and disappear after the monarchy is ended is the state of Louisiana in the United States. Very briefly, in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned four prominent jurists to simplify and naturalize the Roman law, which was prevalent all over Europe. Their finished work became known

as the French Civil Code. In 1808 the state of Louisiana adopted it as the Civil Code of Louisiana. Even though the Code has undergone several amendments and revisions, it is still heavily influenced by the Napoleonic Code!

Now, why is it that the early settlers in Louisiana, the Canadian Acadians, who were expelled from the Atlantic Canada by the British in 1755, and their descendents, the Cajuns, never wanted to separate from the United States to form their own independent French state? Obviously, because the United States is a republic and there was no trace of any monarchy to look down its nose at them and furthermore, they could identify with the United States because the United States itself revolted against the British and hence, the Fourth of July celebration! The secession of Louisiana during the Civil War (1861-1865) over a century after their settlement had only to do with the “slavery” issue, which was a completely different matter.

English Canada is satisfied to think that the separatist movement will go away on its own while the Monarchy is firmly in place, but the hard facts indicate that it is alive and well and only simmers down from time to time. Since Rene Levesque, the

founder of the separatist party, Parti Quebecois, and the first Quebec Premier from that party, resigned from politics in late 1985 (premier: November 25, 1976 to October 3, 1985) to this date we have had five more Parti Quebecois premiers in Quebec and there will be more in the years to come.

This leads us to the fair conclusion that it now only takes a great and charismatic French Canadian leader to rise to power and sweep them off their feet and give at least the majority of the voters, if not all of them, enough get-up-andgo to say yes to “sovereignty”!

The dire consequences are that the cost to all of us will be astronomically high and unbearable and still worse is the fact that after the break-up the rest of Canada will become a bird’s nest on the ground for the United States.

Time is marching on very fast and we must act decisively.

We must stop once and for all falsely and complacently pointing fingers at our French Canadians. Instead, we must train our eyes and our united efforts towards removing the actual cause, which is the Monarchy and its divisive effect on our lives in Canada.

Jeffrey is self-employed, lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and his dream is a united, strong and separatist-free Canadian republic.

hen observing the prevailing scenario of the political situation in our state, my mind conjures the image of an overfed pig. The public is fed by the candidates with money to further advance their interest of accomplishing their quest of dominating the seat of power. Pigs enjoy the food that is provided to them, and they grow fatterwith each passing day. They oink peacefully and remain completely oblivious of the impending doom, its eventual murder. In the sameway,the public too is blind to the future, being too caught up in momentary pleasures and false promises. We are behaving like pigs when it comes to the democratic running of our state. In this way, our society faces a metaphorical death.

During the elections, like the pigs who get aroused by the smell of food, the whiff of cash makes people forget all morals.The notes are gathered in a hurry, like savages fighting for food, and later people throng to the church and pray ceremoniously to wash off the guilt. In searching for the cause of theinefficient governments, we are swift in lifting our hands and swinging it left and right, trying to pin the blame on someone. The fault lies in us. We are filled with the vice of self-righteousness and pride,and cannot look beyond the realm of our own self-interest.

The money that the politicians sway in front of our faces to lure usis much like the traps set by hunters for wild animals. This unscrupulousmethod works as people willingly approach the money in spite of beingmorallyaware that it is a bribe. The society thus falls into the hole dug by the hunter, and we get trapped by the politicianwho has been “elected”. The metaphorical deep and dark hole, full of pain, is the situation we live in today.It seems like a never-ending processand is deeply embedded into the very thread of our society. In this “darkness”, corruption and malpracticesprevail.

Now there are metaphorical holes, and then there are real ones, like the thousands of potholes in our roads. Any driver from our state could race inthe Formula One sporting event! The potholes inour state’s roads heighten the senses and skills of the driver as he swerves and veers, trying to avoid the potholes. This is the only benefit I see from this utterly sad predicament. Nagaland has been a state for 53 years now, and yet the roads remind one of the lunar surfaces. How many years more before we get proper roads? This should be taken as an eye-opener to the deteriorating condition of our state.

Roads create the first impressions of a place. I wonder what’s the first impression that people have of us as they enter Nagaland. I bet the tourists feel like a new speciesas their internal organs get rearranged while traversing our roads, which almost look ravaged by some war. Mostroads are temporarily fixed in December before the coming of tourists to our state. If they stay for a few months after the Hornbill Festival, the true colours shall be visible. These patchworks are like putting lipstick on a pig. Who are we trying to fool? A chain of corruption exists, and its end product is pitiable roads like ours.

In our elections, there are honest candidates.

Sadly,theyseldom win.The ones who have a reputation for being shrewd and corrupt are the ones who mostly win. They are well-to-do and thus provide “gifts” to the voters. The moral and good candidates refrain from such practices, and so it is an inevitable continuous cycle that keeps on repeating itself.It is no longer considered as something illegal but as the norm. Bribing voters has become so common that it is an open secret, which no one is abashed to admit of taking part in it.

And so in our collective waste, we roll around like swine, comfortable in the evil which has been now normalised. And in doing so, the society suffers as a whole.

The money that the corrupt candidates give the public is a slow poison that will kill eventually. Government employees not receiving their salaries, huge sums of money disappearingfrom airports, horrible roads, and lack of women in the government are perhaps sideeffects of this poison. The problem may be credited to the corrupt political candidates as they are the ones who are bribing their way towards power. But this is not totally justifiable, as, without the voters, the candidates would remain without power. In reality, the power actually belongs to the public.

The problem of the electoral malpractices has more to do with the individual voter. We are the ones making the choices.If we want to see a change, we need to get rid of our short-sightedness and put on our new metaphorical glasses to be able to get a clearer view of the path ahead of us. We simply cannot be swayed by momentary persuasions, and be involved in practices which would be a spit on the faces of our past leaders of our nation who fought so hard for our future and the glory of the Naga hills. Only by doing so, one can hope to achieve a society devoid of tyranny and justice. Nagaland is a beautiful state, with good people. We can, and I really believe that we will create a better tomorrow.

Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr. Hewasa Lorin, Anjan Behera, Dr. Salikyu Sangtam, Nivibo Yiki, and Kvulo Lorin. For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org.

8

friDAY 09•12•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Parliament disrupted again, Speaker warns stern action

New Delhi, December 8 (iANS): Parliament failed to function and transact any meaningful business yet again on Thursday as the government failed to find a common ground with the opposition protesting in both the houses.

Both opposition and the government continued to blame each other for the parliamentary stalemate even as an anguished President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday advised the MPs to "do their job" instead of indulging in sloganeering and protests.

In the Lok Sabha, miffed at unrelenting sloganeering by some members, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan warned of "harsh steps".

The opposition members were on their feet as soon as the house met at 11 a.m. and gathered near the Speaker's chair while shouting slogans. In the din, Mahajan carried out the Question Hour for about half an hour, repeatedly warning the protesting members.

But the ruckus only got acute and the house was adjourned until noon.

When the house met at noon, the Speaker warned of action if the opposition members did not stop

Disruption of Parliament unacceptable: President Pranab

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan speaks in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

protesting and disrupting those speaking.

"It is not proper to come in front of a member and disturb them but it is happening here," Mahajan said as opposition members raised slogans near her podium.

"I would like members to keep this in mind, so that we do not have to take any harsh steps. Any member speaking is an elected member and has the right to speak," she said.

Mahajan then contin-

ued with the Zero Hour amid sloganeering before adjourning the house till 2 p.m.

When the house re-assembled, the Speaker took up the Supplementary Demands for Grants, but Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge was stood up to ask for permission to speak.

Mahajan, however, sought an assurance that the opposition would let the house function if she allowed him.

With the opposition not

giving any assurance, the Supplementary Demands for Grants were passed by voice vote amid the din.

The house was then adjourned for the day.

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house for the day amid ruckus by the opposition and treasury benches soon after it was reconvened post-lunch at 2 p.m.

Earlier, when the house met at 11 a.m., Ansari asked members to resume the

New Delhi, December 8 (iANS): Expressing strong displeasure over the continued logjam in Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said "disruption in Parliament is totally unacceptable".

Delivering the Defence Estate Day Lecture 2016 here on 'Reforms for a stronger democracy', the President said people send their representatives to Parliament to work for the country and not to agitate.

He expressed concern that disruption of parliamentary work has become a practice.

"Do your job," he told the MPs. "Dharnas can be organised anywhere else," he said asking all concerned to debate and discuss issues of public importance in the House.

He said he was not criticising debate on demonetisation but opposition members raised slogans, which were countered by some members from the treasury benches who also trooped into the aisle.

Ansari then adjourned the house for the day.

Earlier, when the upper house met for the day, opposition members alleged that more than 100 people have died since demonetisationwas announced on November 8.

Union Minister M. Ven-

any particular political party but all concerned must work together to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament.

He said only a minority disrupts parliamentary proceedings by entering the well of the House and raising slogans, when the majority was ready for a debate.

"The majority never participates in disruptions. Only the minority comes to the well, shouts slogans, stops proceeding and creates a situation," Mukherjee said.

The President also favoured simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and said India needed electoral reforms.

"I am convinced that the country needs electoral reforms.

We should (first) have a public debate and thereafter make the

kaiah Naidu said the opposition was making it a usual practice to raise the issue, even as a structured debate has already been initiated.

He said: "November 8 will remain a historic day in India."

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad called those who died after the November 8 demonetisation as "martyrs" and said the government was not ready to offer condolences over these deaths was a "height of

reforms," he said.

Appreciating the country's parliamentary democracy, Mukherjee said frequent elections are a "costly affair" and should be done away with.

"We are ready to pay the price for democracy but it should not be on the cost of development," he said, adding that the country should find a way out to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies.

Mukherjee also shared his own experience when he had urged the countrymen to vote decisively as frequent elections, because of hung Parliament, were causing lots of problems for the country.

"I had urged the nation to vote diligently and I was criticised by some political quarters," he said.

shamelessness".

"People are dying and you are saying everything is alright. Besharmi ki bhi hadd hoti hai (There a limit even to shamelessness)," Azad said.

Members from the treasury benches taunted Azad, saying the opposition levels allegations against the government but does not listen when the government tries to respond.

Ansari told them it was an established practice that the Leader of House or the

Leader of Opposition was allowed to speak whenever they wanted.

The house was adjourned till noon after Ansari's intervention went unheeded.

When the house reassembled at noon, opposition members began raising slogans against the demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 notes that has led to a nationwide cash crunch.

Ansari then adjourned the upper house till 2 p.m.

Pak wants 'result-oriented' Around 68% surveyed believe Kashmir on edge: Civilian dialogue with India corruption will reduce in 5 years and three militants killed

iSlAmAbAD, December 8 (iANS): Pakistan on Thursday said any dialogue with India should lead to "ultimate resolution" of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, responding to questions at a weekly news briefing here, said the dialogue should not be "for the sake of dialogue but result-oriented and sustainable".

He said that despite a number of gestures by Pakistan, India remains "defiant and intransigent" to resumption of the dialogue. Zakaria said Pakistan believes that the international community has a role in the resolution of the long-standing dispute. He also welcomed US Vice President-elect Mike Pence's statement regarding mediation on Kashmir.

Bilateral relations between Islamabad and New Delhi deteriorated in July following resurgence of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and India placed the blame for the September 18 Uri military camp attack and continuing infiltration attempts on Pakistan. Things turned worse with the spike in ceasefire violations at the border that have claimed dozens of lives in barely two months.

New Delhi, December 8 (iANS): Around 68 per cent of Indians surveyed expect that corruption in India will drastically reduce in the next five years, according to citizens connect platform LocalCircles.

According to the survey, in which 8,681 people participated, 16 per cent said that the reduction in corruption will only be marginal and 16 per cent said that there will be no reduction in corruption in India at all.

Forbes recently named India as one of the most corrupt

country's in the world with Transparency International ranking it at 76th out 168 in its 2015 corruption perception index.

for various registration and taxation related matters while only 6 per cent paid bribes to the local electricity board or power department.

According to the survey, 49 per cent citizens said that there has been no reduction in corruption in the state government and local administration in the last two years.

A majority of citizens also believe that India's demonetisation programme, which is focused on reducing black money and increasing cashless transactions, will help in reducing corruption.

Dec 9 is International Anti-Corruption Day On another question in the survey, four in 10 respondents said they paid a bribe last year to get work done. Of those who paid bribes, 32 per cent citizens paid to the civic body.

While 31 per cent paid bribes to the local and traffic police, 31 per cent paid bribes

Triple Talaq is cruelty against Muslim women, rules court AllAhAbAD, December 8 (PTi): The Allahabad High Court has come down heavily on the practice of “triple talaq”, saying this form of “instant divorce” is “cruel” and “most demeaning”, which “impedes and drags India from becoming a nation.”

“Muslim law, as applied in India, has taken a course contrary to the spirit of what the Prophet or the Holy Quran laid down and the same misconception vitiates the law dealing with the wife’s right to divorce”, a single judge Bench of Justice Suneet Kumar said.

The court observed that “divorce is permissible in Islam only in case of extreme emergency. When all efforts for

effecting a reconciliation have failed, the parties may proceed to a dissolution of marriage by Talaq or by Khola.”

Personal laws of any community cannot claim supremacy over the rights granted to individuals by the Constitution, the Bench said.

The observations were made while dismissing the writ of an elderly Muslim man who was seeking protection for himself and his second wife, half his age.

The man submitted in the court that he had divorced his first wife through the custom of "triple talaq" and now felt threatened by relatives of his second wife and his own family.

"The instant divorce [triple talaq]

though has been deprecated and not followed by all sects of Muslim community in the country, however, is a cruel and the most demeaning form of divorce practised by the Muslim community at large. Women cannot remain at the mercy of the patriarchal setup held under the clutches of sundry clerics having their own interpretation of the holy Quran. Personal laws of any community cannot claim supremacy over the rights granted to individuals by the Constitution," the court said.

Justice Kumar said the matter was in the Supreme Court. "I would not like to say anything further for the reason that the Supreme Court is seized with the matter."

The arbitrary use of "triple talaq"

by Muslim men was not in sync with Islamic law, he said.

"The judicial conscience is disturbed at this monstrosity. The first wife has to live life for no fault of her but for the reason that her husband got attracted to a lady half of her age which is the reason for being divorced. The view that the Muslim husband enjoys an arbitrary, unilateral power to inflict evil instant divorce does not accord with Islamic injunctions," he said.

"It is a popular fallacy that a Muslim male enjoys, under the Quranic Law, unbridled authority to liquidate the marriage," he said.

SriNAgAr, December 8 (iANS): A civilian was killed in one of the clashes that erupted between protesters and security forces in parts of Kashmir on Thursday following the death of three militants in a shootout in the south of the valley that was limping to normalcy after months of a bloody unrest since July.

The state police said Arif Amin Shah of Sangam village in south Kashmir was killed after a mob threw stones at security forces in a neighbourhood, some distance away from a village where three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed in a sixhour gunfight.

An officer told IANS that the slain militants were all Kashmiris and apparently belonged to southern Kashmir where widespread clashes erupted between security forces and civilians after news spread about the militants' deaths.

Some villagers tried to march towards the shootout site in Arwani village, some 40 km from here, in Kulgam district. They threw stones at police contingents and paramilitary troopers.

The police said Shah was hit by a stray bullet but residents alleged he was killed in firing by the security forces. At least a dozen civilians were also injured. One of them was critical, the locals said.

Clashes also erupted at a dozen places in Anantnag and Kulgam -the worst hit south Kashmir districts in the unrest triggered by the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

In the wake of the unrest since then, some 100 persons died in the

months of daily protests and shutdown, which was spearheaded by separatist leaders.

The situation in the valley had just started easing. Separatists on Wednesday relaxed for three days -- Saturday, Sunday and Monday -their weekly protest calendar.

But the protests in south Kashmir on Thursday brought back the memories of the violent days after Wani's killing.

Mobile phone and internet services were suspended in parts of south Kashmir to prevent rumours and leaking of details of the counterinsurgency operation through social media.

Although authorities did not formally confirm that the mobile phone operations were suspended, sources told IANS the action had been taken to check spread of rumours in the area.

LeT commander Abu Dujana, one of the most wanted militants in the state, was earlier rumoured to be among the gunmen holed up in the house that was targeted by the security forces.

Locals said he escaped from the hideout in Arwani village which lies close to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's ancestral Bijbehara town.

But security officials neither confirmed nor denied if he was among the militants who were trapped on Wednesday night.

The police said security forces surrounded the village following a tip-off.

"As security forces tightened the cordon, some gunshots were heard.

But after that there was no exchange of fire," an officer said.

RBI says no notes shortage, outside Delhi hundreds face job losses

By Malini Nair IANS/IndiaSpend

Around 8.30 every morning, hundreds of workers arrive at the main bus depot in Noida Phase II, about 30 km from New Delhi. They fan out into the lanes of the neighbouring hosiery complex.

With nothing more than a tiffin box in their hands, they begin their daily job hunt Almost every factory gate has a board proclaiming "Avashyakta hai (wanted)". It lists the daily requirement of jobbers-tailors, finishers, 'pressmen' (as those employed for ironing are called), packers and so on-needed by the 200 small, export-driven garment units in the complex. The boards have been blank since the factories were hit by the aftermath of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

These men and women are among the 92 per

cent of India's workforce employed in the informal sector, which generates about half the country's gross domestic product, according to the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector. Casual workers enjoy no job security or benefits of labour regulations, and about 79 per cent of them live below the official poverty line.

With 7 million workers, the textile and apparel industry is the second-biggest employer in India - after agriculture - and about 80 per cent of these workers are temporary. They are paid almost entirely in cash, currently in severe short supply, despite Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel saying on December 7, 2016, that there was no shortage of currency nationwide.

Losing even a day's work, at the minimum wage of Rs 350, is not an option for workers like

Chanchala Devi, 35, a native of rural Nalanda in southern Bihar. Devi is a tailor, and has been trudging up and down 2 km for an hour and she has been turned away at every gate.

The first shift has begun and gates have shut at 9.30 am. But she is reluctant to return home.

When the peak season turned slack For the textile and apparel industry, November to January is peak season, a time when factories normally send out vehicles to pick seasoned workers like Devi off the street. In these three months, garment factories produce merchandise for the spring-summer lines of fashion houses in the West.

This year is different.

Demonetisation has created a cash crunch that has sent the small-scale units, which form 78 per cent of the readymade garments sector, into disarray. Nearly 80 per cent of the work-

force in this sector is employed as casual, off-rolls labour, and they are paid entirely in cash.

Workers like Devi are paid every fortnight - either as dehadi (daily wage), which is Rs 350 in Noida, or on piece-rate basis. Two cycles of fortnightly payment have gone past since November 8, 2016, and the units and workers managed to tide over the cash crunch-mostly by using old currency notes. But now, there is anxiety about where the factories are going to find the cash to pay these workers.

"I haven't had a job since November 10, and I am missing my wage every day that I stand in a bank queue to exchange/deposit cash instead of looking for work," said Nandan (he uses only one name), a 25-year-old tailor from Umrala in Bulandshahr, western Uttar Pradesh.

of the most stable units in the complex. Just last week, the factory shut down two assembly lines - each line usually employs between 25 and 45 workers.

Owners of the smallscale units say they have no choice but to downsize because the seasonal and unpredictable nature of the business and its economies do not allow for permanent staffing and formalised modes of payment to labour.

A small to mid-scale entrepreneur, who did not wish to be named, said in an average November-December, he would have at least 1,500 workers at his factory; of them 75 per cent temporary. He has, post demonetisation, cut the numbers to 500.

"We are in a wait-andwatch mode, but if the liquidity crunch remains, we will downsize even more.

And others (in the field) are saying that too," he said.

No jobs as units downsize On the shopfloor, there are Nandan worked in one lines where sewing ma-

chines sit unmanned, huge piles of cloth waiting to be stitched.

"Productivity has taken a huge hit and if a single link in the assembly line drops, the whole process collapses," he added.

Word of the layoffs spread quickly around the complex. Knots of anxious workers stood exchanging tips about possible openings. "Factriyan band ho rahin hain. Suna hai kala dhan pakad rahein hain.

Par amir log nahin honge to haemin naukri dene wala kaun hoga? (Factories are closing. We hear that the rich are being caught with black money.

But if they are put away, who will give us jobs)," asked Javid (he uses only one name), a tailor from Motihari in north Bihar.

He has managed to hang on to his job, but has lost daily wages for four days, queuing up at banks to exchange old notes.

Like Nandan and Javid, most workers in this complex are migrants, unskilled or partially skilled.

Almost all of them come from the impoverished districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, mostly men who leave their families behind. They live in the rural islands that still dot an area being swallowed by high-rise housing estates.

Nayagaon, Bhangel, Haldawani, Nangla Charandas, Yakubpurthese are the urban villages flanking the complex where they cram in small rooms, three or four workers to a room. Since the work is seasonal, they have no reason to drop anchor in the city.

Labour activists have, for a long time, been criticising the high levels of informalisation or casualisation of the workforce in the garments industry.

But small-scale employers insisted that in a seasonal industry with The hunt for seasonal jobs fluctuating demand con-

ditions, this works ideally.

"These migrant workers look for seasonal employment and return to their villages in dull months.

They are not interested in permanent employment and they prefer nakad (cash)," a factory owner said. "They don't want salaries in banks, or the headache of ESI (employees' state insurance) or PF (provident fund) cuts."

He added that if employers add the cost of permanent staffing to their costs, they will have to raise their prices and thus lose the competitive edge in the world market. Jobbers say they prefer the flexibility the arrangement offers, the freedom to look for the best-paying employer in the market and the scope for overtime at any given point of time.

The next month will be critical for the industry and if the cash scarcity continues, workers like Devi and Javid may have no option but to return home.

fridAY 09•12•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

75 years later. Remembering Pearl Harbor LOS ANGELES/HONOLULU, DEcEmbEr 8 (rEUtErS): It has been 75 years but U.S. Navy veteran James Leavelle can still recall watching with horror as Japanese warplanes rained bombs on his fellow sailors in the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor that plunged the United States into World War Two. Bullets bounced off the steel deck of his own ship, the Whitney, anchored just outside Honolulu harbour, but a worse fate befell those aboard the Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah and other U.S. ships that sank or capsized in the attack that killed 2,400 people.

“The way the Japanese planes were coming in, when they dropped bombs, they’d drop them and then circle back,” said Leavelle, a 21-year-old Navy Storekeeper Second Class at the time of the attack.

Leavelle, now 96, was among 30 Pearl Harbor survivors honoured at a reception in Los Angeles before heading to Honolulu to mark Wednesday’s 75th anniversary of the attack.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor took place at 7:55 a.m. Honolulu time on Dec. 7, 1941, famously dubbed “a date which will live in infamy” by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Fewer than 200 survivors of the attacks there and on other military bases in Hawaii are alive.

Obama praises ties with Japan

Pearl Harbor survivor Robert Coles salutes active U.S. service members after the ceremonies honoring the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at Kilo Pier on Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii.

(REUTERS Photo)

Wednesday’s commemoration at a pier overlooking the memorial to the sunken Arizona began with a moment of silence at precisely that time.

The battleship Arizona sank with 1,177 officers and crew on board and lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.

Wearing leis of fresh Hawaiian flowers around their necks, about 350 U.S. veterans of World War Two and

their families received blessings and prayers for peace.

A performance by the Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band was made bittersweet by the knowledge that every member of the USS Arizona band, one of the Navy’s best, died that day.

Two families were to participate in a private ceremony in which the ashes of crew members who survived the attack and died

later were to be interred in a turret of the Arizona.

Across the United States on Wednesday, Americans remembered those who died at Pearl Harbor and the long, difficult war that followed.

WAR BEGINS The shock of the Pearl Harbor attack is vividly illustrated in an exhibit at Massachusetts’ Museum

of World War II, which features relics including a West Point cadet’s letter to his father, then-Brigadier General Dwight Eisenhower, on preparing himself for war.

On Dec. 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan. Three days later, Germany declared war on the United States.

Will Lehner, 95, was among those who had a chance to fight back in the

WASHINGtON, DEcEmbEr 7 (AFP): President Barack Obama on Wednesday (Dec 7) praised the alliance between Japan and the United States, exactly 75 years after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour that led to America’s entrance into World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make a historic visit to a memorial in Pearl Harbour later this month - the first such visit of a Japanese leader - where he will be joined by Obama. “As a testament that even the most bitter of adversaries can become the closest of allies, I look forward to visiting the USS Arizona Memorial later this month along with (Abe),” Obama said in a statement.

“This historic visit will stand as a tribute to the power of reconciliation and to the truth that the United States and Japan - bound by an alliance unimaginable 75 years ago - will continue to work handin-hand for a more peaceful and secure world,” he added.

Japan’s devastating attack on Pearl Harbour on Dec 7, 1941 caught America off guard and saw eight US battleships sunk or heavily damaged. The two-hour Pearl Harbor attack. The 2nd class naval fireman was in the boiler room of the USS Ward, which was patrolling the entrance to the harbour, when crew members spotted a Japanese submarine.

“That submarine was on the surface and our skipper didn’t know if it was ours or not,” Lehner, 20 at the time, said at the Los Angeles event. “He said,

attack killed 2,403 Americans and injured more than 1,100 others. Abe’s visit to Hawaii will come a few months after Obama visited Hiroshima, where a US bomber dropped one of two atomic bombs that would lead to Japan’s surrender.

Japanese officials say Abe will not be making an apology for the Pearl Harbour attack, but will commemorate the victims of the war. Recalling the huge death toll from Pearl Harbour, Obama underscored how those soldiers’ sacrifices galvanised the resolve of millions of US troops and civilians.

“In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that ‘the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory,’” Obama said. “Thanks to the heroism of a generation, we did.” During his May 27 visit to Hiroshima, Obama, the first sitting US president to visit the city, clasped hands with one survivor and hugged another.

Obama reiterated calls for a nuclear-free world and offered no apology for the atomic bombings, having insisted that he would not revisit decisions made by US president Harry Truman at the close of a brutal war.

‘Load your guns.’”

“The first shot went right over the top, the next shot right after it hit that submarine and punched a hole in it.”

After the war, a historical discrepancy nagged at Lehner. The Japanese submarine had not been recovered and many historians doubted that it existed.

That changed in 2002 when the submarine was found.

“For 62 years,” Lehner said, “nobody believed us.”

For his part, Leavelle would be touched twice by the hand of history. After the war, he became a policeman in Texas. On Nov. 24, 1963, he was the Dallas officer handcuffed to Lee Harvey Oswald when the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy was shot to death by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.

S Korean Prez: If impeached, Myanmar stops migrant workers going to Malaysia ‘Saturn moons younger than previously thought’ Park fate in hands of 9 judges

South Korea’s President Park Geun-Hye talks to her staff during the East Asia Summit (EAS) plenary session during the ASEAN Summit in Naypyitaw November 13, 2014.

(REUTERS File Photo)

SEOUL, DEcEmbEr 8 (rEUtErS): If South Korean President Park Geun-hye is impeached in parliament on Friday, she faces an uphill court battle to overturn the motion, experts say, even though the judges were all appointed by her and her conservative predecessor. An impeachment vote appears likely, and the nine-judge Constitutional Court would have up to six months to uphold or overturn it.

Legal experts say the case against the president looks strong, while the overwhelming public mood is for Park to quit, with massive weekly protests calling for her resignation and an approval rating down to just 4 percent.

But the conservative make-up of the Constitutional Court would appear to be in Park’s favour. For her to be impeached, at least 6 of the 9 judges must uphold the parliamentary motion.

The terms of two justices are set to expire soon - one on Jan. 31 and the other on March 13 - and experts say it is unlikely that replacements would be appointed amid the political crisis, potentially leaving just seven judges, the minimum required. A smaller bench works in Park’s favour because the number of judges needed to uphold impeachment remains at six.

“Two judges retiring is like two judges voting for overturning,” said Chon Jong-ik, a law professor at Seoul National University who served as the court’s spokesman during the impeachment trial of President Roh Moohyun in 2004. Roh is the only South Korean president to be impeached, but the Constitutional Court overturned the motion. In that case, impeachment was unpopular with the public, which saw it as an abuse of power by the opposition, which held a parliamentary majority.

However, Ha Kyung-chull, who led Roh’s nine-member team of lawyers at the trial, said the case against Park that she allowed a friend to meddle illegally in government affairs - appears to be strong. “The argument will be that, as she has said all along, she has acted believing it’s all for the national interest and that she did nothing for personal gain, and she believes that will be sufficiently convincing,” said Ha, who served on the Constitutional Court from 1999 to 2004 before entering private practice. But he said there were “clear grounds to support impeachment”.

TEMPORARY LEADER No South Korean president has failed to finish a fiveyear term under the democratic president set up in 1987.

The Constitutional Court will hear arguments from the two sides - the chair of parliament’s Judiciary Committee for the impeachment motion and lawyers representing Park - in open hearings before delivering its ruling. Park is unlikely to be present.

If she is impeached in parliament, she will have to step down from the presidency and the country’s prime minister will serve as interim leader while the court reviews the impeachment. Political parties have said they believe there were more than the 200 votes needed to impeach Park in the 300-seat parliament on Friday, with support from some members of Park’s conservative Saenuri Party.

If passed, the 9 judges who work from a court building a few blocks from the presidential Blue House will be making a once-in-a-career decision. “The minute the impeachment motion is passed by parliament, you can say the judges will promptly lose their appetites,” said Kim Jong-dae, who served on the bench between 2006 and 2012.

YANGON, DEcEmbEr 8 (rEUtErS): Myanmar has stopped workers going to Malaysia after Malaysia’s leader criticised its treatment of Muslims, while Indonesia joined a growing chorus of concern about the fate of Myanmar’s stateless Rohingya Muslims.

Violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, home to many Rohingyas, has become the biggest challenge facing Aung San Suu Kyi’s eight-month-old government and has sparked international criticism that the Nobel Peace Prize winner has done too little to help the Muslim minority.

At least 86 people have been killed and about 30,000 displaced in a Myanmar army crackdown in Rakhine State, launched after attacks on police posts near the Bangladesh border on Oct. 9 in which nine policemen were killed.

The prime minister of mostly Muslim Malaysia, Najib Razak, on the weekend described the violence as “genocide” and called for foreign intervention.

Myanmar on Tuesday summoned Malaysia’s ambassador over what it described as Najib’s “unverified and unsubstantiat-

ed allegations”.

The deputy permanent secretary of Myanmar’s Labour Ministry, Maung Maung Kyaw, said Myanmar workers had been temporarily stopped form going to Malaysia because of security worries.

He declined to comment when asked if the ban was in response to Najib’s criticism, saying only it was “because of the ongoing situation”.

“We instructed all licensed overseas employment agencies to pause sending migrant workers to Malaysia effective December 6 as there are reasons to worry about their security,” Maung Maung Kyaw told Reuters.

It was not clear how long the freeze would last, he said.

Labour-short Malaysia hosts about 147,000 Myanmar migrant workers, according to latest data available from Myanmar.

A “sizeable number” of undocumented workers from Myanmar are also in Malaysia, Myanmar officials say.

Myanmar authorities have rejected accusations from residents and rights groups that soldiers have raped Rohingya women, burnt homes and

killed civilians during the latest crackdown.

Ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and the Rohingya Muslims have lived separately in Rakhine State since clashes in 2012 in which more than 100 people were killed.

Indonesia’s foreign minister Retno Marsudi said on Wednesday she had expressed her concern to Aung San Suu Kyi over the treatment of Rohingya Muslims.

“I have conveyed Indonesia’s concern to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi about the situation in Rakhine State,” Marsudi said in a statement after the two met in the Myanmar capital.

“The Myanmar government has opened its doors for humanitarian aid from Indonesia to reach Rakhine State.”

Indonesia has the world’s biggest Muslim population.

There are more than 135,000 Myanmar refugees living in Malaysia, including about 55,000 Rohingyas, according to the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR. Myanmar says the Rohingya are not Myanmar citizens but illegal migrants form neighbouring Bangladesh.

NEW YOrk, DEcEmbEr 8 (IANS): Saturn’s moons may be younger than previously thought, says a study based on freshly-harvested data from NASA’s Cassini mission.

“All of these Cassini mission measurements are changing our view of the Saturnian system, as it turns our old theories upside down,” said Radwan Tajeddine from Cornell University in the US. Tajeddine is a member of the European-based Encelade scientific team that pored over the Cassini data.

The Encelade team provided two key measurements in the research -- the rigidity of the tidal bulge, or the Love number - named for Augustus E.H. Love, a famed British mathematician who studied elasticity - and the dissipation factor, which controls the speed at which moons move away.

While Saturn is mostly a gigantic shroud of liquid hydrogen and liquid helium, it contains a rocky core -about 18 times the size of Earth, which responds to tidal forces from all of Saturn’s major moons by bulging.

The forces of the bulging core, in turn, push the moons slightly away.

The team detected and examined the orbits of four tiny moons

associated with the larger moons Tethys (Telesto and Calypso) and Dione (Helene and Polydeuces).

While these tiny moons do not affect the tidal forces on Saturn, their orbits are disturbed by Saturn’s core tidal bulges.

“By monitoring these disturbances, we managed to obtain the first measurement of Saturn’s Love number and distinguish it from the planet’s dissipation factor,” Tajeddine said. “The moons are migrating away much faster than expected,” Tajeddine said.

If Saturn moons actually formed 4.5 billion years ago, as currently believed, their current distances from the home planet should be greater, Tajeddine explained.

Thus, this new research -- published in the astronomy journal Icarus -- suggests, the moons are younger than 4.5 billion years, favouring a theory that the moons formed from Saturn’s rings.

“What we believe about Saturn’s moons history might still change in the coming years with the finale of the Cassini mission,” lead researcher Valery Lainey of the Paris Observatory said. “The more we learn about Saturn, the more we learn about exoplanets,” Lainey noted.

Pakistan Air Crash: investigators seek answers ISLAmAbAD, DEcEmbEr 8 (rEUtErS): Pakistan on Thursday mourned the 47 victims of its deadliest plane crash in four years, among them a famed-rockstar-turnedMuslim evangelist, two infants and three foreigners, as officials sought to pinpoint the cause of the disaster.

Engine trouble was initially believed responsible, but many questions remain, stirring new worries about the safety record of moneylosing state carrier Pakistani International Airlines. The ATR-42 aircraft involved in the crash had undergone regular maintenance, including an “A-check” certification in October, airline chairman Muhammad Azam Saigol said.

“I want to make it clear that it was a perfectly sound aircraft,” Saigol said, ruling out technical or human error. The aircraft appeared to have suffered a failure in one of its two turboprop engines just before the crash, he said, but this would have to be confirmed by an investigation.

“I think there was no technical error or human

mart, and so, so talented.

Tragic loss,” Mosharraf Zaidi, an Islamabad-based development professional and analyst, said in a tweet.

Others simply shared his band’s many charttopping hits, such as ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’, which has become an unofficial anthem, played at public gatherings since its release in 1987.

Rescue workers survey the site of a plane crashed a day earlier near the village of Saddha Batolni, near Abbotabad, Pakistan on December 8. (REUTERS Photo)

error,” he told a news conference late on Wednesday.

“Obviously there will be a proper investigation.”

Outpourings of grief erupted online soon after flight PK661 smashed into the side of a mountain near the town of Havelian, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, late on Wednesday afternoon, after taking off from the mountain resort of Chitral.

It crashed just 50 km

(31 miles) short of its destination, the international airport in Islamabad, the capital.

Much of the anguish focused on Junaid Jamshed, the vocalist of Vital Signs, one of Pakistan’s first and most successful rock and pop bands of the 1990s, who abandoned his musical career in 2001 to become a travelling evangelist with the conservative Tableeghi Jamaat group.

Many of the reactions on social network Twitter spoke to this apparent dichotomy between his two lives, first as a heartthrob pop sensation singing about love and heartbreak, and later as a stern, bearded preacher admonishing young people for straying from Islam.

“Junaid Jamshed’s journey was so quintessentially Pakistani. Conflicted, passionate, devoted, ubers-

FOREIGNERS AMONG THE DEAD Some urged Pakistanis to remember the 46 others who perished, including two infants, three foreigners and five crew listed on the passenger manifest.

“Junaid Jamshed’s death has saddened many.

But don’t let this overshadow the tragedies of other families who lost their dear ones,” tweeted Islamabadbased journalist Umar Cheema.

The foreigners included two Austrians and a Chinese man, the airline said.

Foreign tourists increasingly flock to Chitral every year, besides thousands of domestic visitors, as Pakistan emerges from years of violence caused by a Taliban insurgency.

The dead included a member of Chitral’s traditional royal family and his wife and family, as well as a regional administrative official, Osama Ahmad Warraich, killed with his wife and infant daughter, the Dawn newspaper said.

SAFETY CONCERNS The aircraft, made by French company ATR in 2007, had racked up 18,739 flight hours since joining PIA’s fleet that year.

Its captain, Saleh Janjua, had logged more than 12,000 flight hours over his career, the airline said.

Concerns are growing over air safety as media in recent years have reported near-misses following overshot runways, engines catching fire and landing gear deployment failures.

In the worst such disaster, in 2010, all 152 people on board were killed when a passenger plane operated by airline Air Blue crashed in heavy rain near Islamabad.

Two years later, all 127 aboard were killed when a plane operated by Bhoja Air crashed near Islamabad.

10

FriDAY 09•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Dortmund hold Real as Porto, Sevilla make last 16 PAris, December 8 (AFP): Borussia Dortmund set a new Champions League scoring record in a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid on Wednesday while FC Porto and Sevilla claimed the two remaining last-16 spots.

Dortmund made sure of top spot in Group F after fighting back from 2-0 down against defending champions Madrid, leaving the Spanish giants with theoretically a tougher draw to make the quarter-finals.

Marco Reus was the star of the late show at the Santiago Bernabeu, hitting the equaliser two minutes from time.

A double from Karim Benzema looked to have Real well set to leapfrog the Germans and secure a home game in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the arrears before substitute Reus slid in to turn Aubameyang's dangerous low cross high into the net.

Dortmund scored 21 goals in their group campaign, the most for any team in a group stage in the history of the tournament.

Marco Reus scores a late equaliser for Borussia Dortmund to snatch a 2-2 draw away to Real Madrid. (EPA Photo)

"Real had some big chances in the second half, but we hoped for a lucky punch and we got it," said Reus. "'Auba' was world-class with his pass and I was happy to get on the end of it -the goal was 99 percent him and one from me."

Real coach Zinedine Zidane said his team should have killed off the game.

"We gave the game away by missing chances to score the third goal," said Zidane.

Sevilla made the last 16 for the first time in seven years after soaking up the pressure to draw 0-0 away to Lyon.

Lyon -- who lost 1-0 in Seville in September and trailed the Spaniards by three points -- needed to win by two clear goals to go through.

But they could not find a way through, with Corentin Tolisso and Mathieu Valbuena both hitting the woodwork.

"I am satisfied because

we have put in enormous efforts to qualify against very important opponents," said Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Table-topping Juventus defeated Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 with Gonzalo Higuain and Daniele Rugani on target. The Croatians finished their campaign having failed to score a single goal.

- Leicester claim unwanted record Leicester City, who had already made sure of top

spot in Group G in their debut season in the competition, suffered their first loss of the campaign, 5-0 at Porto who went through as runners-up.

Porto, the 1987 and 2004 European champions, opened the scoring after just six minutes when Andre Silva headed in a corner from Jesus Corona.

Corona hit a spectacular second goal with a leftfooted volley from a cross

by Yacine Brahimi after being left unmarked in the area. Brahimi made it 3-0 with a cheeky backheel before the interval.

Silva added a fourth from the penalty spot on 64 minutes after Danny Drinkwater had hauled down the striker in the penalty area with Diogo Jota making it 5-0, the biggest Champions League defeat for an English club.

"We can lose, but I want us to show our character and our strength. We didn't do that well enough tonight," said Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri.

FC Copenhagen had harboured hopes of pipping Porto for second place but despite a 2-0 win at pointless Club Brugge,

they had to settle for a Europa League place.

In Group E, Bayer Leverkusen, already assured of second spot, downed Monaco 3-0 but the win wasn't enough to overhaul the table-topping French side.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, came back from a goal down to defeat CSKA Moscow 3-1 and claim a Europa League place.

Alan Dzagoev put the Russians ahead after 33 minutes, but the lead lasted just five minutes until Dele Alli levelled from a Christian Eriksen cross to ensure that CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev's miserable Champions League record of failing to keep a clean sheet stretched to 39 games.

Harry Kane and an Akinfeev own-goal gave Spurs the three points.

England star Kane admitted that Tottenham need to improve their home form if they are to progress in future European adventures.

"You are playing the best teams in Europe so you can't rely on away results which we have done this season," said Kane.

Cavs silence Knicks, Warriors clobber Clippers Los AngeLes, December 8 (AFP): LeBron James let his game do the talking as his NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers humbled the New York Knicks 126-94 at Madison Square Garden.

While the Cavs were dismantling the Knicks, Western Conference powerhouse Golden State were producing another dominant win of their own, routing the Clippers 115-98 in Los Angeles.

The Warriors launched a five-game road trip in emphatic style against the third-ranked team in the West.

Cleveland's trip to New York was the Cavaliers' first since last month's comments

by Phil Jackson in which the Knicks president described James's business associates as a "posse" in an interview with ESPN. James found the term offensive, but insisted it didn't give him extra motivation.

"I'm motivated for the love of the game," he said. "I'm motivated by the process. I'm motivated knowing my kids are watching me tonight on national television.

"So I don't need more," James said, adding that he had no plans to talk to Jackson about the matter while in New York.

His performance on the floor, however, spoke volumes. He scored 25 points, handed out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds.

Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and dished out six assists. Tristan Thompson pulled down a season-high 20 rebounds and Kevin Love had 16 points for the Cavaliers, who notched their sixth straight win at Madison Square Garden and their eight win in a row over the Knicks.

Cleveland led all the way and were never really threatened.

LeBron James slices through the Knicks’ defense for a dunk. (Getty Images)

"We were getting stops and we were able to get out in transition," said Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue, whose efforts to get his team back to step up their defensive efforts have paid off with two straight victories after a rare three-game slump.

While offense "comes easy" Lue said, defensive effort remains key in the quest for a championship.

"When it comes easy we tend to get caught up in the just back-and-forth instead of getting stops and taking on that

tough grind-it-out game," Lue said. "When you've got guys like Kyrie, Bron and Kevin who can score so easy, sometimes that just (becomes), 'Oh, you scored, but we know we can score the basketball.'

"So now we've got to get back to playing Cavaliers basketball on the defensive end."

- Warriors dominate Clippers again Defense was also key in Los Angeles, where the Warriors raced to a 37-19 firstquarter lead -- holding the Clippers to just 33 percent shooting in the opening period.

"I really never thought that we got our spirit back after the beginning," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

Klay Thompson scored 24 points and Draymond Green contributed 22 as the Warriors beat the Clippers for the seventh straight time.

Stephen Curry chipped in 19 points and six assists. He missed all eight of his three-point attempts but he came up with seven steals to help keep the Clippers out of synch.

Kevin Durant added 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Warriors, who held Clippers forward Blake Griffin to just 12 points on five-of-20 shooting.

Jamal Crawford led the Clippers with 21 points while point guard Chris Paul notched 15 points with six rebounds and five assists.

Up 62-49 at halftime, Golden State had stretched their lead to 91-75 going into the fourth. They out-scored the Clippers 5838 in the paint and handed out more than twice as many assists.

"When we don't turn the ball over and we play great defense we can move the ball, create more possessions," Curry said.

"Obviously to keep a team like that under 100 -- that's pretty special."

While the Clippers were getting beaten up at Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers were taking a pounding in Houston, falling 134-95 to the Rockets.

Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 26 points and James Harden added 25 and eight assists as the Rockets blew out the Los Angeles Lakers 134-95.

The Rockets drained 15 three-pointers, extending their NBA-record streak of games with at least 10 treys to 21.

WSSA Annual Meet underway

A nine-member team along with Team Coach and Team Manager from the Nagaland Mansuria Kung-Fu Association (NMKA) representing the state will be leaving for New Delhi to participate in the 2nd World Martial Art Council Tournament which is going to be held from December 11 to 14.

41st KVYA Sports Meet

Phek, December 8 (mexn): The 41st Sports Meet of the Khütsami Village Youth Association will be held from December 14 to 17 at the village’s Local Ground. A press release from the association stating this has invited all the citizens of Khütsami and well wishers to join the event.

Neposo Thelüo, Secretary of School Education, Government of Nagaland, will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony while Cihonyi Nyekha will be the guest of honour at the closing ceremony.

Two girl artists present a special number at the 'Buffet Day Programme' of Dimapur District Veteran Football Association held at DDSC Ground, Wednesday evening. The event was graced by Khekaho Awomi as chief patron and Vikali A Zhimomi, as patron.

Umpire Reiffel hospitalised after blow to head mumbAi, December 8 (iAns): Umpire Paul Reiffel was hospitalised for a scan after being hit on the back of his head by a throw from the deep during the first day of the fourth cricket Test between India and England here on Thursday. Reiffel, former Australia pacer, collapsed on the ground after being hit by a throw from India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was fielding at deep square leg. He received medical attention on the field initially and later in the dressing room. The incident happened in the post-lunch session. Reiffel was positioned at the square-leg when Bhuvneshwar's throw, aimed at Cheteshwar Pujara, hit him midway. After the blow, the 50-year-old fell to the ground, holding up play for 10 to 12 minutes. Third umpire Marais Erasmus took Reiffel's place as the onfield umpire. The results of the scan weren't immediately available.

Ashwin fights back for India after Jennings' debut ton mumbAi, December 8 (reuters): England opener Keaton Jennings struck a century on debut before off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin led an Indian fightback with late wickets to leave the visitors 288 for five on the first day of the fourth test at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The touring side, trailing 2-0 in the five-match series, had been cruising on 230-2 thanks largely to left-handed opener Jennings who made 112 after being dropped on nought. But Ashwin, the world's top-ranked test bowler, picked up four wickets to peg back England who had been eyeing a large first innings total on a track already assisting the spinners. At stumps honours were even with Ben Stokes unbeaten on 25 and Jos Buttler on 18.

Jennings, the son of South African former wicketkeeper and coach Ray, only arrived in India on Monday after being called up from the England Lions squad in the United Arab Emirates.

After skipper Alastair Cook won the toss and opted to bat, the 24-year-old Jennings was dropped by Karun Nair at gully off paceman Umesh Yadav. India also wasted a review after Jennings was given not out to an appeal for leg before off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who came into the side for the injured Mohammed Shami.

He settled down though and grew in confidence as he shared in an opening stand of 99 with Cook.

Cook looked solid during his 60-ball 46 and hit five boundaries before he was out to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja's third ball of the morning. Dancing down the wicket he was beaten by the spin and was stumped by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.

Jennings played some handsome drives against the pacemen and some fine sweep shots to the spinners. He reverse swept off-spinner Jayant Yadav for a boundary to bring up his hundred. England lost Joe Root for 21 after lunch when the right-hander edged Ashwin to India captain Virat Kohli at slip.

But Jennings and Moeen Ali kept England on course by stitching together a stand of 94 for the third wicket. Kohli made a valiant effort and got his fingertips to an edge from Moeen, then on 13, off Umesh but failed to hang on. Kohli then turned to Ashwin to break the stand and the off-spinner obliged by picking up Moeen and Jennings in three balls in the first over of his new spell. Moeen fell on 50, top-edging a sweep, while Jennings got an edge to second slip to end an innings that contained 13 fours. Ashwin also dismissed Jonny Bairstow for 14 as England stalled, losing three wickets for the addition of 19 runs.

Thipuzu Village Youth Sports Association Sports Meet held Team captains of the participating being introduced to Chief guest Neiphiu Rio during the opening ceremony of Western Sumi Sports Association annual meet at Kiyeto village on Thursday.

DimAPur, December 8 (mexn): The annual meet of the Western Sumi Sports’ Association featuring the 18th M.B.E. Zhuikhu Memorial Football Gold Cup and 9th Zukhevi Achumi Volleyball Trophy got underway this morning at Kiyeto village.

Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Neiphiu Rio graced the inaugural ceremony of the meet as chief guest and declared the event open. Rio was accompanied by MLAs C.M. Chang, Thomas Ngullie, Namri Nchang and Zhaleo Rio, a press release received here informed.

In today’s football matches, Nihoto edged Kiyeto 1-0 to register the first win of the tournament. In the second match, Pimla eased past Qhehoi 3-1 while Vihokhu defeated P. Vijeto with a similar scoreline.

Earlier, Rio, speaking on the occasion as chief guest, said such an event was important day like a festival in which all par-

ticipate in the true spirit of friendship that endures lifelong. He encouraged the people to foster unity and friendship through such occasions.

Having a firm belief that sports helps in building of a strong society/nation, Rio was of the opinion that Nagas should also take up games and sports seriously. Stating that there is no dearth of talents in Naga people, the Lok Sabha MP called for more opportunities with better infrastructure for developing the talented youngsters.

He pointed to a need for good policy, proper infrastructure and a calendar of activities like trainings and seminars to hone the talents of those who can compete in national and international level.

Former minister, Dr. Kakheto Zhimomi, Vihuto Yeptho, President, Western Sumi Kukami Hoho and Kakuho Yeptho, President, Western Sumi Sports Association also spoke on the occasion.

Our Correspondent

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Kohima | December 8

he 33rd Sports Meet cum Cultural Day of the Thipuzu Village Youth Sports Association was held on December 7 with Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Chotisuh Sazo gracing the occasion as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Sazo lauded Thipuzu village for being pioneers in religion, education and national politics in the area. “Even today, Thipuzu village is leading the people of the area in promoting horticulture, which is laudable and worthy of replication,” he said.

Sazo also reminded the youth gathered that every sportsperson have defining characteristic such as commitment, sincerity and dedication. Every sportsperson who have excelled have nurtured these qualities whereby they have achieved their feats, he stated and urged the youth to imbibe these qualities whereby they can become good sports person.

Sazo also stressed on the good cultural values such as honesty, integrity, hard work etc.

NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo and others during the inaugural function.

that we have inherited from our forefathers. He however rued that many of these cultural values and ethos are diminishing.

Reminding the gathering that culture is not only putting on traditional dresses and singing folk songs and dance, he insisted that true culture lies in imbibing the good cultural values and traits.

Towards this, he urged the youth to be vigilant in preservation of our good cultural values.

Prior to the inaugural function of the 33rd Youth Session, Sazo inaugurated the Ve-

kuhuce (Progressive) cum Badminton Stadium followed by NH Alternative road constructed under NLCPR. This was followed by inauguration of the new Water Supply to the village.

The Village Council Chairman Chorhitso while proposing the vote of thanks expressed his gratitude to the NLA Speaker for not only gracing the Youth Session but also meeting the development needs and aspiration of the people.

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

Friday 09•12•2016

EntErtainmEnt

day 9 highlights *Culturally Yours “Culturally Yours,” daily cultural performances by various Naga tribes continues at Kisama. December 9 schedule with title of performance as follows;

Kithagha Village Cultural Troupe (Rengma) presents indigenous game at the Hornbill Festival at Kisama. (Morung Photo)

Zeliang Nagas at their Morung in Kisama. (Morung Photo)

Morning session: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

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rangkong Village Cultural Troupe (Longleng, Phom)- Buo-Ow, Chingdang Village Cultural Troupe (Konyak)- Sham Shu Pu (Dragging of log drum), Tuensang Village Cultural Troupe (Chang)Thaonyu- Dongsen Chia, Waromong Village Cultural Troupe (Ao)- Ponji- Majem, Yehemi Village Cultural Troupe (Sumi)- Ghile Tusho (Harvesting of crop), Phaijol Village Cultural Troupe (Kuki)- Sagoi Phei Khai, Pathso Noken Cultural Troupe (Khiamniungan)- Chucha Chu-ye, Ekranipathar Village Cultural Troupe (Dimapur) Garo- The Jakol-Kala (Traditional Game), Phoyisha Range Cultural Troupe (Pochury)Sedusie Ralie.

A tourist pose for camera with Chakhesang damsels at Kisama. (Morung Photo)

Afternoon session: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

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song Village Cultural Troupe (Zeliang)- Folk dance, Wokha Village Cultural Troupe (Lotha)Games, Pholami Dzuvekro Cultural Troupe (Chakhesang)- Uphe Kuthi Li, Kachari Cultural Troupe, Purana Bazar (Dimapur)-Daosri Delal, Kithagha Village Cultural Troupe (Rengma)- Folk song, Sangphur Village Cultural Troupe (Yimchunger)-Mure Yankhi, Angangba Village Cultural Troupe (Sangtam)- Jumuru Khingkuru Khi, Mezoma Village Cultural Troupe (Angami)folk dance. * Online registration of farmers and exhibition cum sale of flowers continues8:30 AM at Kisama. *Exhibition cum sale of handloom & handicraft continues at Kisama- 8:45 AM *Hornbill International Photo Fest continues9: 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 *Tug of war competition at Kisama @ 12:00 Noon * Music band competition and Bamboo stilt walking as part of Kids Carnival at Children Park. *Hornbill night carnival continues.. 6:00 PM onwards * Hornbill International Music festival12:30 – Avancer, 2:00 PM- Karaoke, 3:30 PM- Joshua and The Not Ninja, 5:00 PMDance Competition, 7:00 PM- Hornbill Rock Contest finale.

Garo Cultural Troupe from Ekranipathar Village, Dimapur perform at the Hornbill Festival in Kisama. (Morung Photo)

Pathso Noken Cultural Troupe of Khiamniungan tribe at the Hornbill festival at Kisama. (Morung Photo)

Vivek Alva to grace Hornbill festival

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or the first time in the history of Hornbill Festival, a chief guest from the Educational Institution has been invited so that young boys and girls can have more and more exchange and understand each other’s culture. As a mark of respecting diversity Vivek Alva is the chief guest for the 9th Day of Hornbill Festival on December 9, 2016.

Vivek Alva is the Managing Trustee of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri and son of Dr. Mohan Alva, Chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation, Mangaluru District.

Alva’s Education Foundation is a popular multifaceted organization founded by Dr. M. Mohan Alva and it is considered as the crown of Moodbidri.

It has 20 educational institutions with more than 24,000 students majority

of them are Residential students from all over the country out of which 4500 students are under full scholarship for Academics, Sports, Cultural, Tribal, North East, Economically backward students provided by foundation. It caters to the needs of cultural and educational development. It started its activity in the year 1995 with Nursing and Ayurveda streams of education and now it has Primary to Post-Graduate courses in General Education, Paramedical Courses, Engineering and Management. There are academic courses for Alternative Medicine.

This year, on request by Dr. Mohan Alva, Governor of Nagaland, P.B Acharya had identified 10 students from Nagaland and sent them for free Nursing Education in Alva’s Institute, Moodbidri.

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A band performing in the qualification round at the ongoing Hornbill International Rock contest 2016 on December 8 at Hockey Ground, IG stadium Kohima.

Yngwie Malmsteen to perform in Arunachal

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t is time for rock lovers to get ready for a shredding sound check. Renowned Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen will headline the third edition of the Orange Festival of Adventure and Music (OFAM) in Arunachal Pradesh this month in his maiden show in India, organisers said on Thursday.

Hosted at the breathtaking Lower Dibang Valley's quaint village Dambuk, OFAM returns this year on December 15 as the venue for the world famous metal guitarist Malmsteen's first India show, the organisers said in a statement.

The festival will be held over four days from December 15 to 18.

"I'm very excited to play

in India for the first time and can't wait to see all my Indian fans and rock out to a very magical night,"

Malmsteen was cited in a statement as saying.

Malmsteen is the most technically accomplished hard rock guitarist to emerge during the 1980s.

His largely instrumental debut album, "Rising Force", provided the major catalyst for the 1980s guitar phenomenon known as 'shredding', in which the music's main focus was on impossibly fast, demanding licks rather than songwriting.

Malmsteen released a series of albums over the course of the decade and recorded at a prolific, rapid pace, continuing to play the music he loved in his patented neo-classical

style.

"From its first edition, OFAM in Arunachal Pradesh established itself as India's premier festival dedicated to an unusual variety of adventure sports and music and is the perfect venue to host Malmsteen," the statement said.

OFAM 2016 continues to host an array of bands both from the northeast and the mainland, including Menwhopause (Delhi), Ganesh Talkies (Kolkata), Yesterdrive (Arunachal Pradesh), Frisky Pints (Delhi/Mizoram), Shubhangi Joshi Collective (Mumbai) and Ginger Feet (Kolkata/ Darjeeling), among others.

Itanagar-based hard rock band Tani and metal band Sacred Secrecy will open for Malmsteen on December 17.

The Baby Boomers from Bhutan will also play in the festival this year.

"The line-up of the adventure activities gets bigger and better this year. Apart from JK Tyres' second edition of their annual off-roading competition, Orange 4x4 Fury, OFAM also welcomes Maruti Suzuki's Rally Championship this year.

"Apart from these competitions, there will also be high adrenaline sports that all festival-goers can enjoy like river rafting, ATV ride, zip-lining, and tackling the Burma bridge," the statement said.

There will be elephant rides and trekking with the first Arunachali woman Everester, Tine Mena, and much more, the organisers added.

Source: IANS

Bhavesh wins Beatboxing Championship

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havesh Sharma aka Rockstar from Mumbai won the First India Beatboxing Championship held at IG Stadium, Kohima today. The championship is part of the Hornbill International Festival.

Bhavesh edged Ishan from Delhi in the final to emerge as the winner. Karun and Rishab from Bangalore were joint third place winners.

Four participants from Nagaland took part in the contest with two reaching the semifinals.

Hillstar NOW SHOWING Befikre

11:00 am | 02:00 PM 05:00 PM | 08:00 PM

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