February 12th, 2016

C M Y K

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friDAY • februArY 12 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 40 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status Education is irrelevant without contextual learning

Governor can’t take away Speaker’s powers: SC PAGe 03

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Nagaland gets its first Solid Relative calm in Waste Management facility Shamator, Kiphire Dimapur | February 11

i think their exhaustion is caused by making too many bad decisions.

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Nagaland State’s first and the first of its kind Solid Waste Management Facility which was inaugurated in Kohima today.

Morung Express news no

others

Home Minister Y Patton dismisses rumors KOHIMA, FeBruAry 11 (NePS): Home Minister Y Patton has broken his silence on the rumors that he was trying to topple “TR Zeliang Government” in the State. Taking to NEPS here Thursday, the senior and heavyweight DAN Minister said Zeliang was chosen by them to be their leader and he would continue to be their leader. He further disclosed he was the first endorsing his (Zeliang) leadership. “How can I go against my leader,” he added. He, however, admitted that there were rumors in the State that he was trying to topple the Ministry headed by Zeliang. “But there is no such thing,” he said and further stated that there would always be political detractors manufacturing all these kind of rumors to confuse the people. “But there is no confusion as far as Zeliang’s leadership is concerned,” Patton said.

“He is our undisputed leader and will continue to be their leader even after 2018.”

Question of fund constraint does not arise: NNagaDAO

C M Y K

DIMAPur, FeBruAry 11 (MexN): The Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisation (NNagaDAO) today stated that the question of fund constraint regarding HIV programmes “does not arise.” A press note from the organisation informed that as per the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) Government of India sanction order T-11017/11/2015-16 (F) there is no lapse on their part. “The grant in question is from Government of India and World Bank for HIV programme only; thus the question of fund constraint do not arise,” it said. Regarding the Finance Department’s statement that the GoI released funds on February 6 and 10, the NNagaDAO termed it as “incorrect and directing Principle Director DOH&FW to put up a proposal without knowing the file position is misleading and condemnable.”

“NNagaDAO is very much aware of the file position, as NNagaDAO is a member of NSACS executive board.

We will appreciate if the Government consult concerned officers; Chairman NSACS (Commissioner & Secretary H&FW) or Project Director, NSACS for HIV/AIDS related program before providing any statement to public,” it added.

No mercy for Kobe in Cleveland farewell PAGe 12

Morung Express news

Yes

T R u T H

— Laurence J. Peter

PAGe 02

Ministerial team meets civil society organizations

Are religious crusades and revivals having any significant effect in Naga society?

o F

Kohima | February 11

Costing Rs. 48.04 crores with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Nagaland received its first Solid Waste Management Facility in Kohima, situated at Lerie. The facility which is said to be a first of its kind in the North East was inaugurated and commissioned on February 11 with Chief Minister T R Zeliang as the Chief Guest and S.I Jamir, Advisor, Urban Development as the Guest of Honor.

The project was taken up as a part of the North Eastern Regional Capital Cities Development Investment Program (NERCCDIP) of Government of India through the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) with State Investment Program Management Implementation Unit (SIPMIU) Nagaland as the Implementing Agency.

The contract is taken up by the M/s Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. Hyderabad for execution with M/s Imsong Suppliers, Dimapur as the local associate of the contracting firm. The facility includes a compost plant able to generate manure at 50 tons/day from the biodegradable garbage, vehicle garages, a 42000 cubic meter capacity Sanitary landfill cell, facility to develop two more sanitary landfill cells in future, treatment plant to handle 75000 liters of leachate, electrical substation and

diesel generator back up, rain water harvesting tank etc. It further includes vehicles/equipments including tractor mounted excavators with dozing attachment, backhoe with front end loader, vibratory roller, skid roller and tipper truck etc.

Er. Krosu Rhetso, Addl. Program Director, SIPMIU informed that the Ministry of Urban Development had approved a new subproject last year for the procurement of 35 garbage transportation vehicles, waste collection bins, dry waste sorting and re-use units etc for Rs. 11.70 crores.

While delivering the welcome address Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar stated that the project is a green project in all its aspects, and hoped that this will act as a model for other districts.

Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) Administrator Kovi Meyase stated that the facility is perhaps the first of its kind in the entire North East region which will help in mitigating waste. Waste management should be everybody’s priority, he stated and appealed to the authorities to look in to areas of basic concerns such as requirements for additional primary transportation vehicles, additional manpower and workforce, operation and maintenance aspects of machineries, deputation of mechanical and electrical staff to the landfill site along with guided as-

sistance and supervision during the second phase of the landfill.

Meanwhile Chief Minister T R Zeliang called for efficient and timely collection of municipal waste from the households and market places. He added that the solid waste management facility along with water and power supply, are criterion for Kohima’s hope to be included in the list of smart cities. “We want but we are failing in certain areas,” stated the Chief Minister who hoped that with the commissioning of the facility, Kohima would achieve at least eighty per cent of the criteria.

Admitting that the garbage collection of household wastes is not being done properly or regularly in many wards despite the provisions of garbage collection trucks to most of the wards, Zeliang urged the KMC to make serious efforts to improve their garbage collection system so that the solid waste management facilities receive regular supply of solid waste on a daily basis.

India being labeled as one of the dirtiest countries in the world, Zeliang requested the people of Nagaland to adopt cleanliness as a habit and way of life so that it becomes a part of lifestyles even without much deliberate effort. “Our problem will be resolved provided the people cooperate and municipal body carry forward the mission,” said Zeliang.

A sense of calm returned to Shamator on February 11 following two eventful days, which were marred by sporadic incidents of mob violence, arson and vandalism.

An official source from Shamator stated that situation was under control with security personnel on high alert as apprehension still prevailed.

In Kiphire town, the situation was also reported to be returning to normalcy with no untoward incidents reported since February 10.

Following the incidents of arson and vandalism at Pungro town on the night of February 8, no fresh incidents of violence has been reported from Pungro, official sources said.

Meanwhile, the Ministerial team led by Home Minister, Y. Patton visited Kiphire and Shamator today while having separate consultations with the civil society of the two towns.

A source, who attended the meeting at Kiphire, while speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the 6-point charter of demands served by the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), United Sangtam Students Conference (USSC) and Akehda Sangtamlaru Thsingmujang (AST) were the main points brought up at the meeting. The charter of demand-cum-ultimatum was served on February 8 and carries a deadline of 7 days.

According to the source, the organisations rejected the Nagaland State government’s offer of Rs. one lakh each as ex-gratia to the family of the two victims, who were shot dead on February 6. The organisations stood by the special ex-gratia demand

Feb 6 killing: TTC demands immediate arrest of culprits DIMAPur, FeBruAry 11 (MexN): The Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) has demanded the immediate probe into the February 6 killing of a couple in Shamator and arrest of the people responsible.

In a representation to the Nagaland State Home Commissioner, the TTC also asked the State Government/investigating team to “probe the role of the Officer-in-Charge of Shamator Police Station in this case.”

It alleged that the official had “failed in his duty for negligence and dereliction of his assigned duty as no arrangements for taking the dead to police station at PS Shamator and conduct of post mortem was done before handing over the dead bodies to relatives.”

The TTC assured “utmost co-operation to Government/investigating team to unearth the truth and see that the killers are brought to justice.” “If by any means the Government/investigating team is unable to probe the case and catch the murderers and if Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) still continue to deny their involvement and continue blaming the Tikhirs, the Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) fervently appeal to the State Government that issue be settled as per the traditional Naga custom of oath taking by biting the soil and blood of the deceased at the very spot where they were killed in cold blood.

This is to ensure that every man is judged by God and by the spirit of our forefathers according to his deeds and to ensure that justice is delivered,” the TTC stated. of Rs. 5 lakh each as stated in the 6-point charter. They were also not happy with the government’s response to the ‘job replacement’ demand against the deceased parents’ jobs. The source said that the government did not entirely fulfil that particular demand, which was employment in a ‘Grade-III’ position for any two kith and kin of the two deceased.

The organisations made it clear to the government that they will not accept anything less than what have been demanded, the source disclosed, while adding that they have no problem with the inquiry team set up by the government to probe the February 6 incident so long as it is fair and unbiased.

The Ministerial team later had a similar meeting with civil society at Shamator. The meeting at Shamator was facilitated by the Assam Rifles.

An Assam Rifles press release stated, “…the Civil Administration approached 15 Assam Rifles for providing the requisite administrative support for conduct of the meeting within the unit location.”

Though not much detail of the meeting could be had, an official source from Shamator described it as “fruitful. The Tikhir Tribal Council, Yimchunger Akheru Arihako, Shamator Public Forum, Yimchunger Women’s Organisation, GBs and Shamator Adhoc Town Council attended the meeting. According to the source, the organisations reiterated and stood by the demands issued by them, respectively. Both the sources said that the Ministerial team assured to look into the grievances and demands, while informing that there will be a Cabinet seating to discuss the issues shortly after they return to Kohima.

Rationalization of Nagaland govt Can the State resolve the issue of gender? schools completed: Yitachu says ICFAI University Chizokho Vero

Kohima | February 11

Minister for School Education & SCERT Yitachu today said the department has completed rationalization of the government schools in Nagaland and it would be implemented soon.

He said the rationalization of government schools has been done not to deprive any school but with a rational approach.

Addressing the Nagaland state level conference here today at NBCC Convention Hall, he said informed that the final list would be brought out in a booklet form. He requested officers of the department, including teachers to be ready to serve anywhere, be it the remotest areas. He further stated that the department will be coming up with a seniority list for officers soon.

Yitachu lamented that lack of systematic file processing between the Directorate, District Education Officers and Sub-Divisional Education Officers has been a major problem in the smooth functioning of the Department. The files should be systematically processed so that the next officer will not have problem in handling assignment of officers and teachers, he said.

Yitachu further cautioned criminal cases would be initiated against officers of the department who forward cases of recruitment out of favouritism.

He also said any infrastructural development, toilet provision, electrification, water supply should be well planed with proper coordination. Infrastructure, he stated, should be con-

structed on grounds of easy accessibility and convenience for students and teachers.

He also stressed on the need to do away with random upgradation of schools, saying this creates more problems than benefits.

The Minister also announced that the government will give full support to any remote village that wants to run the school in standard form. In addition, he said quarterly inspection reports need to be furnished for the months of February/May/August/ November.

Commissioner and Secretary for School Education and SCERT, FP Solo said the Education Department has more than 24,000 employees at present. There are 2073 schools in Nagaland, comprising of 41 GHSS, 253 GHS, 630 GMS and 1149 GPS. He stated that rationalization of government schools will be in the form of clubbing of 2-3 schools into a composite school, deployment of teachers from schools where there is no enrollment to other nearby schools, and redeployment of excess teachers within the same area or district. Details of composite schools and redeployment of teachers will be made available in due course of time, he informed.

Solo said the department will come out with the complete list of different categories of government schools and number of different categories of teachers available in each school.

Stating that many are more concerned about appointment, posting and transfers, Solo stressed on the need to pay more attention on the working and functioning of the government schools.

Nagaland holds National Seminar on Gender & Politics Morung Express news Dimapur | February 11

Government of Nagaland’s Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu, today expressed hope that the Women’s Reservation Bill be passed by the Indian parliament. He also expressed confusion as to why there were such few women contesting elections in Nagaland, particularly, and the North East, in general.

Nukhu could have found answers if he had attended the first session of the National Seminar on ‘Gender and Politics: Rhetoric and Accountability’ for which he proposed the inaugural address as Chief Guest at ICFAI University Nagaland, Sovima, on Thursday. The seminar is being held on February 11 and 12.

The Parliamentary Secretary wondered why there are more women in the teaching profession in Nagaland and they come out in larger numbers to vote, but are inadequately represented in political decision making? Even states he had assumed to be “backward,” like Madhya Pradesh, has 25 women elected to their Legislative Assembly, he informed. Nagaland has none.

Though some Village Councils and Village Development Boards in Nagaland are nominating women representatives, he figured that “customary practices” are preventing women from meeting higher political goals. Besides, the Nagaland State Government is in a legal tussle with women’s groups over providing a 33%

reservation to women in town and municipal councils. “I hope the court case will be resolved and women will come up in municipal bodies with or without reservation,” Nukhu said.

Gender and the system

However, at an interaction with Naga elders, Dr. V Sawmveli, a lecturer at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, was told that a 33% reservation for women will not matter as elders (male) will never accept women in decision making anyway.

In the scheme of customary laws, women have no such position. Indian law provides for both public and personal (or customary) laws to flourish in a mutually exclusive manner within its system.

Thus, Dr. Sawmveli wondered through her paper on ‘Gender, Law and State’ presented in the first sessionGender and State- of the seminar if legal routes are the best for feminists. Studying the codified Mizo customary laws in this context, Dr. Sawmveli’s paper examined the relation between social institutions and their responses to gender issues especially when the former perpetuates patriarchal ideology.

As in the case of Mizo women, “there is a tendency to think that the legal system can sort out issues of oppression,” she noted in her presentation. But customary laws are “rigid and consciously repressive of women” while public laws are caught in the dilemma between minority rights and women’s rights (or universal human rights and the particulars of cultural experience). The TISS lecturer, thus, called for an ‘intersectional analysis’ (towards a more radical approach) to sort out the dilemma for feminist thinkers among indigenous peoples—how do women transcend patriarchal roles without losing their

identity/politics as, say, Mizo or Naga?

Do women need to be stripped of their cultural identity to be treated as equals?

Stripping of cultural identity, on the other hand, is what Evangelical Christianity has done in the Naga areas—narratives point to Naga people emerging from ‘savagery’, ‘tradition’ and ‘darkness’ to ‘civilisation’, ‘modernity’ and ‘light’: Good News for the new faith. Dr. John Thomas from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, explored this in his paper ‘On Evangelical Christianity, History and the Making of Gender Relations among Nagas.’

He highlighted how patriarchy existed among the Nagas even before Christianity came, but there was little prejudice attached to the division of labour, and these lines remained more permeable than in caste societies elsewhere, leaving women with more dignity in their labour. But these traditional ways needed “cleansing and reform” as per Evangelist Christianity and man-woman conjugal relationships were re-structured by the Church into “suitable wives for Christian men” or “suitable mothers for Christian homes” models.

While the domestic space was evangelised through the mother, the father had to evoke the “real man” image of leaders and bread winners, albeit completely removed from his Naganess. From this newly “effeminate” man emerged a new sense of “masculinity” among Naga men, exercising greater control over women, particularly in the public sphere. Anyone who transgressed was either ridiculed or excluded from public sphere. With modernity exerted by Christianity came a patriarchy far more rigid and hierarchical, postulated Dr. Thomas.

In both Nagaland and Mizoram, the State remains tied to the Church.

Related news on page 2

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friDAY 12•02•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

VHC cum Quarinetine Check Post at Lotovi inaugurated

Education is irrelevant without contextual learning Morung Express News Dimapur | February 11

Parliamentary Secretary for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, S. Chuba Longkumer addressing the inaugural function of VHC cum Quarinetine Check Post at Lotovi village, Dimapur on February 11. (DIPR Photo)

Dimapur, February 11 (Dipr): Parliamentary Secretary for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, S. Chuba Longkumer inaugurated VHC cum Quarinetine Check Post at Lotovi village, Dimapur on February 11.

Addressing the inaugural function, the Parliamentary Secretary thanked the Head GB of Lotovi village for giving the land for opening of the Quarantine Check Post. He said that earlier opening of such post was not favoured

but now people have understood the benefit as it checks the health of all the animals from different disease which are harmful for human consumption.

Longkumer observed that the bazaar in Lotovi village is one of the biggest in the State and therefore urged the villagers to do business with patience and honesty.

He further sought the cooperation of GBs and the village council for successful functioning of the check post for the welfare of the

public. Where there is no public cooperation and unity there will not be any development, he said.

Director, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Thungchamo Ezung in his speech mentioned that opening of a Quarantine Check Post is a step further towards better living. He said that opening of a centre is a long process with financial involvement for which he thanked the government for allowing the department to open three such centres in the

State. He further encouraged the villager to adopt healthy habits of animal rearing for healthier living.

Ezung also acknowledged the sincerity and hard work of his officers towards successful completion of the quarantine check post and further sought the cooperation of the villagers.

The programme was chaired by C. K. Much while the vote of thanks was delivered by Tohevi Awomi, GB. Cultural song was presented by S. T. H Lotovi.

India is at the bottom of the world pot when it comes to political representation for women. This may be due to the inability of the education system to part education rooted in context that can bring up empowered citizens with knowledge and skills to facilitate sustainable development.

Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai, former chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC), put these thoughts into perspective today while speaking at the Inaugural Programme of a National Seminar on ‘Gender and Politics: Rhetoric and Applicability’ being held at ICFAI University Nagaland auditorium in Sovima, February 11 and 12.

Alongside Deo Nukhu, Nagaland’s Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, a

Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai talks about education at ICFAI University Nagaland seminar

book titled ‘Education and Nation Building’ by Col. Dr. VRK Prasad, Vice Chancellor of ICFAI University Nagaland, was released today. It has been published

by Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur.

“For sustainable development, it is important to develop the right kind of human resources,” noted Prof. Pillai in his keynote address. The role of educational institutions and systematic training is essential for this.

“Any society that invests in good primary education evolves well, irrespective of gender, caste or creed,” he maintained. Education’s duty is to make every person aware, for instance, of their entitlements as human beings, whether polit-

ical, cultural or social, leading to their empowerment.

Education should provide knowledge and skills but also the context in which these are learnt, said the former UGC chairperson. Without an understanding of the cultural, socio-political or philosophical premise in which the student is located, knowledge and skills will not be applicable. “The text and context relation is very essential without which education becomes irrelevant and fails to enhance the quality of life,” he asserted.

Giving an example, Prof. Pillai said that Nagaland has a context completely different from even the other states of the North East, leave alone the

rest of India. “The context of society is dynamic in nature. A person giving education should keep this in mind. Education is for life and throughout life. Thus, life experiences are a significant part of education,” he said.

Education, thus, should put us in a position to understand the politics of our locality, state, country and the world. While school syllabus is the “skeleton” of education, the experience of life becomes the “flesh and blood” of education.

“A degree, diploma or any other certificate is just a license for real education to begin,” he reflected.

With a certificate, we tend to think of ourselves as somehow better than others. But proper education begins only when we shed this prejudice and bring humility in order to start the true process of education, learning from all contexts of life.

Phonetics training for Govt Curricular guide book for headmasters released school teachers underway Our Correspondent

Kohima | February 11

Minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu on Wednesday released a curricular guide book for five days course outline for headmasters.

This course will be

launched by March this year at the newly established State Institute of Educational Management & Training (SIEMAT), here.

SIEMAT team has identified a capacity building programmes for the headmasters in Nagaland, believing that with such the headmas-

ters will hone their administrative and leadership skills so as to become effective educational school heads.

This five days training proposal is being made for 52 headmasters, one headmaster each from 26 SDEO establishments in Nagaland.

Currently, there are

more than 300 headmasters in Nagaland.

There will be four core courses namely; Educational Policy & Administration, Planning & Finance in Education, School Leadership Development and Job Management. Additionally, there will be one minor course on

information and communication technology and innovation in education.

Apart from the courses, there will also be sessions reserved for short field trips to some private schools, guest speakers and interaction with eminent officers from education sector.

Katibenla awarded at Samartya Event G. Khevishe Phucho addressing inaugural session of Phonetics training for govt school teachers in Kohima on February 11. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Kohima | February 11

Three day long phonetics training for Government school teachers got underway here today at Zonal Council Hall under the aegis of department of school education in collaboration with Jolly Phonics, UK. Gracing the inaugural session as the chief guest, G. Khevishe Phucho, additional secretary to the Government of Nagaland said that communication skill is necessary to teach the children in efficient manner.

He also stressed on the need to develop clarity in

explanation and pronunciation.

Stating that everyone needs to undergo for basic training before performing its duty and responsibility, he called upon the teachers to take the ongoing training as opportunity and utilize the same for our children.

Stating that teachers are the builder of the nation, he said holistic approach to child development depend how “we train and groom them.”

In this planet, he said, we need to adapt with all the changes as situation demand and further urged upon the teachers to be an

agent of change.

Resource person Shainaz Sussa, MD and principal Jolly Phonics Mumbai stressed on the need to learn the right way of communication and adopt child-friendly teaching method.

Vamu Lohe, joint director, Directorate of School asked the teachers to equip themselves with the subject matter and do the job in the best interest of the children.

Earlier, the inaugural session was chaired by Ruth Chang. The training programme will go on till February 13.

Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): In yet another milestone achievement, Katibenla an active member of the Disability People’s Organization, Khensa Village under the Care and Support Society Mokokchung was awarded for extra ordinary achievements of individual persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the field of art and culture in the Samartya Event.

Collective action for Basic Rights Foundation (CBRF) in collaboration with Social Work Department of St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous) Bangalore organised the event which was held on February 5 and 6.

Katibenla receives the award for extra ordinary achievements of individual persons with Samartya is an annual disabilities (PWDs) in the field of art and culture in the Samartya Event.

Event held at Bangalore that celebrates the skills and achievements of the people with disabilities with an objective to showcase the talents, skills and achievement of the People With Disabilities (PWDs) hailing from Rural India and to create awareness among the general public on the issues of people with disabilities so that more support would be gained from the general public in taking forward the cause of persons with disabilities.

From across 52,000 person with disabilities from 17 States and 1 Union Territories of India Katipenla was one among the achievers in the award ceremony.

MEx File

AIFFSO Nagaland unit informs

Kohima, February 11 (mexN): Nagaland State unit of All India Freedom Fighters & Successors Organization (AIFFSO) held its executive meeting on February 10 in its office at PR Hill, Kohima. The meeting resolved to direct all district unit presidents of AIFFSO to collect the pension formats duly filled up by the district office bearers and submit immediately to the AIFFSO State unit office through respective Deputy Commissioners for further submission to the All Freedom Fighters & Successors Organization, New Delhi.

This was informed in a press release issued

by AIFFSO Nagaland unit information secretary, Y. Taiwang Konyak.

Ao Senden, AKM calls emergency meeting moKoKchuNg, February 11 (mexN): Despite repeated appeals to RMSA for the anomalies created in the selection of Ao Language teacher, the concerned department had so far not given a concrete and positive reply. Therefore, to start with the agitation beginning from February 16, Ao Senden, President, Imolemba Jamir and AKM, President, L Jemti Longchar in a press release informed that an emergency meeting. Ao Senden Officials, Ao Students’ Conference Office bearers, Aor Tzükong Trok Mungdang Office bearers and Aor Tzükong Trok Kaketshir Mungdang Office bearers are informed to attend the meeting without fail in order to discuss the steps to be taken.

Conference on ‘mainstreaming the NER’ Kohima, February 11 (Dipr): A national conference on “Mainstreaming the North East Region” will be held in Kohima on February 12 and 13 at the Hotel de Ori-

ental Grand. The inaugural session will be held at 9:00 AM which will be inaugurated

by Chief Minister, Nagaland, T.R Zeliang while Minister of State, Food Processing Industries, Govt of India, Sadhavi Niranjan Jyoti will be the chief guest on the occasion who will also deliver the keynote address.

Welcome address will be delivered by Prof.

Manoj Pant, JRU and AEDR.

IMFL destroyed at Zunheboto ZuNheboto, February 11 (Dipr): Excise department, Zunheboto on February 11 destroyed Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) consisting of 3880 bottles of whisky, ram and cane beer at ZTC dumping site. The articles were worth 14.16 lakhs and was destroyed in the presence of District Administration, Police Personnel, Sumi Totimi Hoho (STH) and Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto (SBCZ). Earlier Sr. Pastor, SBCZ, Rev. Yevuto Zhimo pronounced a prayer before destroying the seized items. Superintendent of Excise, Zunheboto has expressed gratitude to all the officials for peaceful destruction.

New BG railway line survey to start from February 15 Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): In connection to survey works, identification of affected landowners and preparation of estimates for land acquisition for construction of new BG railway line from 18.30 km to 48.00 km, all affected village councils and landowners concerned are informed that two survey teams shall begin the detail survey from Moava and Sirhima villages simultaneously from February 15, 2019, 9:00 am onwards. DC Dimapur Kesonyu Yhome, IAS in a notice has directed all the head GBs, chairman, council members and landowners of affected villages to be present on the spot for physical verification of the land and its assets.

FriDAY 12•02•2016

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

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Imphal economic blockade Governor can't take away Speaker's powers: SC affects transportation of goods New Delhi, February 11 (PTi): The Supreme Court on Thursday critically examined a decision of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa ordering maintenance of the party-wise position of MLAs in the assembly and said he had "no role to play" in it, as the anti-defection aspect fell under the domain of the Speaker.

"How can the Governor take away the constitutional powers of the Speaker to disqualify lawmakers on the grounds of defection?

The Governor may have some role in the functioning of the assembly, but he has no role to play in issues prescribed in the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection provision) of the Constitution," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice J S Khehar said.

Observing that democracy was part of the basic structure of the Constitution, the bench said, hence, any "undemocratic" decision would be open to judicial review.

"Democracy is a basic structure of the Constitution and if some decisions are anti-democratic, it is the subject matter of judicial re-

'Destination NE' starts in Delhi today aGarTala, February 11 (iaNS): 'Destination North East 2016' festival begins in the national capital from Friday in an effort to bring the rest of India closer to the northeast region. The union ministry of DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) is organising the three-day event at New Delhi's Pragati Maidan.

"Destination North East is being organised aiming to bring the rest of India closer to northeast region.

The region has certain speciality which is a great asset for the nation," a statement issued by the ministry said here, quoting union DoNER minister Jitendra Singh.

"The region would play an important role in India's 'Act East Policy'," the statement said.

Guv Rajkhowa cancels all officiating appointments GuwahaTi, February 11 (eT): Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa has cancelled all the officiating or functional appointments and the promotions on 'out of turn' basis.

According to an official communiqué from Rajbhavan, Rajkhowa has issued an Office Memorandum (OM) directing cancellation of all officiating or functional appointments and the promotions made on 'out of turn' basis with immediate effect. "All departments will ensure that postings to posts are as per inter-se seniority".

The Governor has instructed concerned Secretaries and Heads of Departments (HoDs), to issue necessary orders accordingly.

It has been decided that henceforth, no officiating posting or promotion outside the merit or inter-se seniority list view," the bench, also comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Madan B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana, said.

Senior advocate T R Andhyarijuna, appearing for Rajkhowa, defended the Governor's decisions saying when the Speaker was under clout and part of a conspiracy with the state government, the Governor exercised his discretionary power which is "undefined" in the Constitution.

would be allowed to any junior level officer by bypassing a senior officer in any Department, Organization or Office under the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The communiqué added that in exceptional circumstances, any officiating or functional arrangement is required to be made that too for a very short period purely in public interest, the same may be considered only as an exception, for which written approval from the Chief Secretary has to be obtained on file, in advance.

The governor has justified the action and added this was necessitated in view of numerous complaints received from civil societies, NGOs, as well as Government officials and other aggrieved officers alleging such kind of out of turn promotions in an irregular, illegal and unjustifiable manner.

He also said such an exercise of discretionary powers leaves hardly any scope for judicial scrutiny.

Andhyarujina also said the Governor's act may be "questionable", but he is not "answerable".

"The Governor has three kinds of powers under the Constitution. He has to act on aid and advice of the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.

Second, he has discretion...

quence of political events leading to the imposition of the President's rule in the state. The bench is examining the constitutional provisions on the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor. The court would now resume hearing on February 15.

On Wednesday, embattled Rajkhowa defended his actions of advancing assembly session and fixing its agenda claiming that the Chief Minister and the Speaker were "hand-in-glove" and trying to remain in power despite losing majority.

Terming the political situation in the "sensitive border" state as "chronic and chaotic", Rajkhowa's counsel had said, "the Speaker (Nabam Rebia) was under the clout and was hand-inglove with the Chief Minister (Nabam Tuki).

"The Governor apprehended that the biased Speaker would act in support of the Chief Minister...

It was not justified to wait till January 14 this year, so he advanced the session to December 16. This was done for the public cause and in their interest. What was wrong in that," the counsel said.

Numaligarh set to become India’s 1st Biofuel refinery GuwahaTi, February 11 (bS): With Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) witnessing a surge in the requirement of biofuel, as national policies mandate certain percentage of its blending with petrol and diesel, India within next three years will get its first bio-fuel refinery in Assam.

It will be implemented

by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), in partnership with Chempolis Oy, a Finland-based company, the Rs 950-crore project will use bamboo, which grows abundantly in the region, as its feedstock and produce fuel grade bio-ethanol.

Presently, the ‘National Policy on bio-fuel 2009’ mandates 10% blending of petrol and diesel and targets to up this level to 20% in near future. The refinery would be producing 49,000 tonnes of ethanol annually and this would primar-

ily be used to blend petrol and diesel of NRL and the surplus will be sold to other oil marketing companies to cater to the Eastern and Northeastern markets.

The requirement of biofuel is expected to shootup in Northeastern states post 2017 as the exemption of selling blended petrol and diesel would end by then. The project has been planned keeping in view the future demand of biofuel in the region. “By the next week all the approvals and formalities from the government are expected to be over. The work is going to start by this financial year and we expect to complete the project within two and half years to three years. As this project is now made part of the ‘Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for Northeast’, we expect things would move fast,” said a NRL spokesperson.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND : kOHIMA

Dt. Kohima, the 11th Feb, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

No. DTE/TECH-A/7/2010.11/2658: North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) Arunachal Pradesh, has reserved 1 (one) seat for 3 (three) years Degree module in either Mechanical Engg. or Computer Science Engg. for in-service candidate as nominee of Nagaland.

ELIGIBILITY (a) Only those candidates already in Government Service and who have secured 60% and above in aggregate in 3 years Diploma level in the relevant stream from an Institute which is approved by AICTE. (b) The candidate should not be more than 40 years (45 years in case of ST and PH and 43 years in case of OBC and women) as on 1st August 2016.

Interested in-service candidates can apply for the reserved seat through proper channel so as to reach the office of the under signed latest by 18th March 2016.

Relevant educational documents must be submitted along with the application.

No application shall be entertained after 18th March '2016.

(A. KATHIPRI), Director

MGM COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION (AWAITING NCTE AFFILIATION) INVITES APPLICATION FOR THE FOLLOWING POSTS: SL. NO.OF NAME OF THE POST NO VACANCY

QUALIFICATION

1

PRINCIPAL

1

PhD in education or in any pedagogic subject, 8 years teaching experience in a secondary teacher education institution.

2

LECTURER (MATHS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL SCIENCE, LANGUAGE)

4

M.A, M.Ed/M.Sc, M.Ed with minimum 55% from a recognised university.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUDUCATION INSTRUCTOR

1

4

FINE ARTS

1

MFA with minimum 55% marks

5

PERFORMING ARTS (MUSIC / DANCE/ THEATRE)

1

Post graduate degree in Music/ Dance/Theatre Arts with minimum 55% marks.

6

LIBRARIAN

1

B.Lib with 55% marks

7

LAB ASSISTANT

1

BCA with 55% marks

8

LAB ATTENDANT

2

3

Third, (his) power is undefined," he said.

During the hearing, the bench said the Governor may have the power to summon and advance the sitting of the House, but he cannot ask that a particular partywise composition be maintained, as it would amount to interference in the working sphere of the Speaker.

"Is the Speaker prohibited under the law not to accept the resignation

of legislators," the bench asked when one of the lawyers raised the manner in which the resignations of rebel Congress MLAs were accepted. The court also said its observations are "tentative" in nature.

The Governor's stand was supported by senior advocate Ashok Desai, who represented 10 MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh including the Leader of Opposition. He said "the Governor's decisions are final, which should not be questioned...There are numerous letters, which point towards the nexus between the Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and then Speaker Nabam Rebia."

"Is the letter, which you are reading, enough for declaration for emergency in the state," the bench said.

The bench also said if the Chief Minister loses majority, the Governor, at best, can ask him to go for a floor test. In any case, there is a "constitutional command that the House will have to meet within six months. If they (the assembly) meet, the Governor has nothing to do...," it said.

Meanwhile, Desai took the bench through the se-

M.P.Ed with minimum 55% marks

The company in 2014 had signed a partnership agreement with the Finnish company for jointly implementing the “world-class” project. Chempolis Oy has developed a patented technology – formicobio, for processing non-food raw materials into cellulosic ethanol, cellulosic sugars, bio-chemicals and bio-coal.

Sources from NRL informed that the company would convene a board meeting next week to take its final approval on forming a joint venture with the Finnish company. “As soon as we get the board approval, we will proceed and form the 50-50 joint venture,” the spokesperson said. The funding will have a 70:30 debt-equity ratio. The project would come up within

the existing campus of NRL. Production of fuel grade bio-ethanol is expected to reduce NRL’s requirement of imported Methyl TertiaryButyl Ether (MTBE) and PyGas for petrol blending due to higher octane number of ethanol and would result in net savings for the company.

NRL and Chempolis jointly undertook an assessment study for ascertaining the availability of the required feedstock in Northeastern India. The Finnish company also carried out experimental testing of various specimens of bamboo and other potential biomass feedstock materials available in the region and provided the entire pre-project technical consultancy required for completion of the Detailed Feasibility Study

for the project.

The project is expected to give a fillip to bamboo cultivation in the region and help bring an economic transformation for many in rural areas. Last December, NRL had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) for sourcing of 2 lakh tonnes of semi-processed bamboo from Nagaland annually. “This refinery project will link local farmers of the region to the hydrocarbon economy of the nation. It has the potential to bring around an economic revolution in the rural areas of Northeast similar to what tea has been doing in Assam,” said Dharmendra Pradhan, Union petroleum and natural gas minister, here on Tuesday.

ANNUAL PICNIC

HIGH SCHOOL AREA TRADERS UNION Date -13th Feb. 2016

Place- Khetsie, D.Khel

Departure- 8 am, High School Junction, Kohima Note:- Only Registered Shops/Members are invited.

- All Shops/Members should bring their Membership Card.

- All registered shops shall remain close on this day.

A penalty of 1000/- shall be charged against defaulters.

- Transportation shall be provided to all.

ACkNOWLEDGMENT

The Transformation Crusade team sincerely would like to thank the Phek Town Pastors’ Fellowship for sponsoring the Transformation Crusade held at Phek from 4th to 7th Feb. 2016. We pray that our Almighty God would abundantly shower His blessings for the good work.

We also like to extend our sincere thanks to the DC, SP, 46 Assam Rifles and all the govt. departments in Phek Town for their active support and participation.

Through this Crusade many sick people got healed; blind could see, deaf could hear etc. Satanic worshippers both possessed as well as influenced were also delivered. Many also came to Christ and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour.

Transformation Crusade Team

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE NAGALAND: kOHIMA

NO.DHFW-1, Depute/2009/11355-58

Kohima, the 9th Feb 2016

ADVERTISEMENT

(*Remuneration to the following posts will be paid as per UGC/GOVT. norms.)

Send your application to mgmctedimapur@gmail.com or contact 9856001335.

Applications of eligible and willing candidates are invited for 1(one) post of Adviser (Health) in the North Eastern Council Secretariat, Nongrim Hills, Shillong- 793003, on deputation (including short term contract) basis. The details of post, eligibility Criteria, job requirement, age limit, qualification and experience required may be downloaded from the NEC website http://necouncil.gov.in and submit to this Directorate on or before 15-02-2016.

Sd/DR. SUKHATO A. SEMA Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland: Kohima.

imPhal, February 11 (iaNS): A five-day economic blockade imposed along National Highway 37 from Wednesday midnight has adversely affected transportation of essential supplies from other states to Manipur, an official said on Thursday The blockade has been imposed by the Jiribam Districthood Demand Committee (JDDC) to press its longstanding demand for the upgradation of the Jiribam subdivision of Imphal East district to a full-fledged district.

If the government remains unconcerned at the end of the five-day blockade, there will be an indefinite total blockade of the highway, the protestors said.

There had been numerous economic blockades and general strikes in the past relating to this demand.

However, the Manipur government has always managed to buy time with promises to look into the matter.

As a result of the economic blockade, hundreds of trucks and oil tankers were on Thursday stranded along the highway and at Jiribam town.

BJP frustrated, so celebrating alliance with BPF: Tarun Gogoi GuwahaTi, February 11 (iaNS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said the BJP was "frustrated" and that was why they were so upbeat over the alliance with the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) for the upcoming assembly elections. A day after BJP president Amit Shah hailed the alliance between his party and the BPF, Gogoi at a press conference said the BJP "cannot even contest the elections" without the BPF. "Now without the BPF and its chief Hagrama Mohilary, they (BJP) cannot even contest the elections. Can you imagine the prime minister coming twice to meet Hagrama Mohilary in Kokrajhar. "... yesterday (Wednesday) party president Amit Shah came to meet Hagrama Mohilary, who is confined to a small area like Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) and represents a small community. This only indicates frustration of the saffron party," said Gogoi.

The chief minister said the Congress had also allied with the BPF in the past. "We had also formed an alliance with the BPF in the past. However, I never went there to meet him. It was Hagrama Mohilary who came to us (Congress) and met me. "The BJP has now made Hagrama Mohilary a bigger leader than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," he said.

On Shah's Wednesday remark at a public rally that the CAG did not get replies to 822 inspection reports for more than 10 years and that there were serious financial irregularities of Rs.1,79,755.12 crore, Gogoi said Shah was nobody to ask him. "Why should I reply to Amit Shah? Let the prime minister ask me, I'll reply then. "This is nothing but propaganda before the elections. I submit memorandums to the prime minister and finance minister of India. Let them ask me about the irregularities, I'll reply," Gogoi said. On Shah mentioning rhino killings, Gogoi said: "Neither Shah nor the prime minister mentioned a single word about the 150 people who died during the floods in Assam in the last two years.

"Does it mean that rhinos of Assam have more value than the people of Assam for the BJP," he asked.

NAGALAND MULTISPECIALTY HEALTH & RESEARCH CENTRE MIDLAND DIMAPUR

URGENTLY REQUIRED MALE RECEPTIONIST Min. Qualification: 10 + 2 passed Fluent in English & Hindi For information Contact: 03862-248302/248295/9856006026

IN THE COURT OF 1ST CLASS MAGISTRATE JALUkIE: NAGALAND

AFFIDAVIT

Regd. No. 546

I, Heidaisile Zeliang w/o Ramwang a resident of Jalukie town PO & PS Jalukie, Peren Dist. Nagaland hereby declared that: 1. I am the deponent of this affidavit.

2. That the name Heidaisile Zeliang and Daisy Zeliang is of same person.

3. I hereby declared that my correct name is Heidaisile Zeliang and shall be used for all official purposes in the future.

Deponent

1st Class Magistrate

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Regd. No. 134/16

AFFIDAVIT

Date: 11/02/16

By this deed I, the undersigned Francis Zhunyu previously called Visazoto Zhunyu, doing employment in a private sector and resident of, H/No. C-123, New Socunoma, Dimapur – 797106, Nagaland, India solemnly declare: 1. That for and on behalf of myself and my wife, children and remitter issue, I wholly renounce/relinquish and abandon the use of former name/surname of Visazoto Zhunyu and in place thereof, I do hereby assume from this date the name/surname Francis Zhunyu, so that I and my wife children and remitter issue may hereafter be called, known and distinguished not by my former name/surname, but assumed name/surname of Francis Zhunyu.

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 Francis Zhunyu as my name/surname in place and in substitution of my former name/surname.

3. That I expressly authorize and request all persons in general and relatives and friends in particular, at all times hereafter to designate and address me, my wife, my children and remitter issued by such assumed name/surname of Francis Zhunyu.

Deponent

Solemnly signed before me by the deponent on this 11th day of February 2016.

Notary Public, Kohima: Nagaland

4

FriDAY 12•02•2016

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Mobile phone industry wants flexible labour laws

hyDerabaD, February 11 (buSiNeSS liNe): As it embarks on a mission to achieve a production capacity of 500 million phones by 2020, the Indian mobile phone industry has asked the Central and State governments to have flexible labour laws in the country.

“There is an absence of forward looking and flexible labour laws in the Centre and States. Labour law framework with flexibility on hiring and termination of services (firing) based on the business reality,” the industry has asked the Central and State governments.

The Indian Cellular Association (ICA), which is in active dialogue with the Centre and States to promote manufacturing ecosystem, has felt that this is among the top roadblocks that the industry is facing to thrive.

“Phone firms work on the edge. Some die in a short period. We need to have flexible laws that allow retraining of peo-

FB withdraws Free Basics from India

Tamil Nadu will revive its strengths in mobile phone production,” Pankaj said.

hit hard post the closure of Nokia’s manufacturing facility in Chennai that used to produce 180 million phones at one point of time, the industry is now looking at developing manufacturing clusters in some progressive States.

ple to accommodate in other jobs. We have written to a few States on this issue,” Indian Cellular Association President Pankaj Mohindroo told BusinessLine.

M a n u fa c t u r i n g clusters Hit hard post the closure of Nokia’s manufacturing facility in Chen-

Small savings rates to be revised soon: official New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): The government will announce a revision of interest rates for small savings schemes in a couple of days so as to align them with market rates but those for the girl child and senior citizens will be kept unchanged, a senior official said on Thursday.

“The decisions have been taken and executive order and notification would be issued in a day or two.

Broadly the underlying philosophy of small savings rate changes is to make the rate more frequently market-aligned, make it as closely market-aligned as possible,” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters here.

“At the same time, taking into consideration the interest of small savers and some important social sector measures of the government, the rates under the girl child scheme, the senior citizen scheme, they will continue as it is. They will have quarterly adjustments but whatever spreads they have over the G-Sec rates will not be altered,” he said.

“First effect of these changes will take place from 1st of April. They will be reset from 1st April,” he added.

The economic affairs secretary said small savings rates are linked to government securities and readjusted every year, but now be adjusted on a quarterly basis.

Moreover, all long term savings of over 5 years will continue to have the spread, he added.

“That is whatever policy rates are being announced by the Reserve Bank, the small savings rate will also pass it on. But at the long end of the curve, the spread will be protected. Government has taken into consideration the interest of small savers and the need to also encourage long term savers,” Das said.

The finance ministry had, last year, announced its plan to review interest rates on small savings after bankers said high rates on such schemes run by the government make it difficult for banks to lower fixed deposit rates.

Asked if commercial banks would pass on the benefit of the Reserve Bank of India rate cuts to customers, Das said they were free to decide on their interest rates.

“Banks are free to decide on the interest rate. It is for banks to decide by what basis points they will cut interest,” he said.

HP unveils new ink tank series for low cost printing

New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): Hewlett-Packard (HP) on Thursday unveiled the new HP DeskJet GT series -- wireless printers with ink tanks that can print thousands of pages in an efficient and low cost way.

“The new HP DeskJet GT series makes high quality and reliable printing more affordable, making printing and ink refill easy and fuss-free for small businesses that constantly look out for innovation that can reduce cost and minimise disruption to their work,” Parikshet Singh Tomar, country category leader (HP Inc. India) said in a statement.

The new series has two printers -- HP Deskjet GT 5820 all-in-one printer that is priced at Rs.14,670 and HP Deskjet GT 5810 all-in-one printer which is available for Rs.13,041. The HP DeskJet GT series prints up to 8,000 pages with a set of three HP spill free colour bottles and up to 5,000 pages with the HP spill-free black pigment ink bottle out of the box.

Each ink bottle is available for Rs.498. The inks are formulated to deliver sharp text, vibrant graphics and photos that resist water and fading.

The printers enable users to connect the printer with devices including iPhone and iPad using AirPrint, or smartphones and tablets running on Android and Windows.

nai that used to produce 180 million phones at one point of time, the industry is now looking at developing manufacturing clusters in some progressive States.

The industry expects to touch the 100-million units mark this year, almost doubling the capacities from last year’s 58 million. “We are aiming to reach the 500-million

mark by 2019-20, emerging as a top player after China,” he said.

The size of the market would grow to Rs. 3 lakh crore by 2020 from about Rs. 1 lakh crore now.

Most of the additional production capacities would come up in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. “We hope

HuMan resources In order to support the production capacities in phones and ancillaries, the ICA is in talks with the Centre to set up an Iconic Centre of Excellence on the lines of the one in Taiwan that trains 10,000 people exclusively for the telecom sector.

“We have identified about 40 job roles, taking care of a number of aspects.

To begin with, the centre will train 10,000 people annually. Over a period of time, the centre would train 50,000,” A Gururaj, Director of Telecom Sector Skill Council, said.

“Skilled human resources are in short supply with only 50,000 of them available. We would be needing 14.5 lakh skilled people by 2020 to achieve the landmark of 500 million phones,” Pankaj said.

The Iconic CoE would be operational in the next 12-18 months.

Coca-Cola suspends manufacturing at 3 plants New Delhi, February 11 (PTi): The decision to close down a plant is a business decision taken on the basis of its long-term economic viability and market demands of the products being manufactured at that particular plant, said a source to PTI. Coca-Cola India’s bottling arm Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) has suspended manufacturing at three locations in India citing absence of “long-term economic viability”, which may affect at least 300 employees.

The company has suspended manufacturing at Kaladera near Jaipur (Rajasthan), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Brynihat (Meghalaya).

“The decision to close down a plant is a business decision taken on the basis of its long-term economic viability and market demands of the products being manufactured at that particular plant,” a source told PTI. “Accordingly, the decision to suspend manufacturing at these locations including Kaladera was made. At these locations all operations

except for manufacturing is continuing,” the source said.

When contacted a Hindustan CocaCola Beverages (HCCB) spokesperson said, “Like with any other manufacturing organisation, we are going through a process of consolidation where new state-of-the art facilities are being built and existing production capacities are being optimised. “These decisions are taken in keeping with plant capacity utilisation considerations, based on the market demands and projections,” he added. “With regard to our Kaladera plant in Rajasthan, while we have currently suspended manufacturing, we are continuing with all other operations at Kaladera. We also retain the licence to produce at this plant, which is testimony to the fact that should there be a change in demand and volume, we may utilise this latent capacity at the Kaladera plant,” the spokesperson said.

HCCB has 54 plants in India of which 24 are franchise plants, 25 are companyowned and 5 are co-packers.

leisure

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

Game Number # 3488

Answer Number # 3487

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T A A A d R E J R J Y Q E L A J d T U R

Sl. Job Profiles No. 1 Receptionist (Female)

Location & Eligibality No. of Post D i m a p u r 10+2 and above/ (one) Basic Computer knowledge.

Sales Agent D i m a p u r Graduate/Expe(Male) (one) rience in Sales/ Preferably with two wheeler.

Sales Agent Kohima Graduate/Expe(Male) (one) rience in Sales/ Preferably with two wheeler.

2

3

S C R T T O F h V E Q W A U S O E A S S

tinue its “efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the Internet”.

Later, however, the developments after the watchdog order took a curious turn. On Thursday, Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg had to disown a controversial statement from his colleague that Free Basics was like colonialism, alluding that the same was good for Indians.

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with Reliance Communications, is an app that promises free access to the Internet for a host of basic services on topics like news, health, travel, sports, jobs and communication. As the watchdog was examining the issue of Net neutrality, Reliance Communications had kept the free basic service offering on hold.

“As directed by the TRAI, the commercial launch of Freebasics has been kept in abeyance till they consider all details and convey a specific approval,” a Reliance Communications spokesperson had said in a statement December. Reacting to the TRAI order, Facebook said it was “disappointed with the outcome” but will con-

VACANCY

Daily Cross WorD

CROSSWORD # 3500

SUDOKU

New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): Facebook had cut off its Free Basics service for India three days after the country’s telecom watchdog said no to discriminatory pricing of data content.

“Free Basics is no longer available to people in India,” a Facebook spokesperson said in an e-mail statement to IANS. No further comment was offered.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in its February 8 order had disallowed service providers from offering or charging discriminatory tariffs for data services purely on the basis of content.

Free Basics, for which Facebook had tied up

STd COdE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) STD CoDE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

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222246 222491

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66.66 96.32 8.28 46.9 47.89 47.64 59.51

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Euro

75.42

79.10

1.83

2.04

Thai Baht Korean Won UAE Dirham (AED) Chinese Yuan

0.0538

0.06

17.56

19.57

9.86

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FridAY 12•02•2016

NAGALAND

Mkg PDS Scam: ACAUT questions Collegiate Science Fest kicks off at SJC F&CS Dept ‘conspicuous silence’ Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): The ACAUT or Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation today questioned the role of Food and Civil Supplies Department on the ongoing PDS Scam in Mokokchung District.

“While the Store Keeper of F&CS department, Mokokchung, is on the run, the fact of the matter is that the department in the eye of the storm, F&CS, is conspicuous by its silence,” stated a press note from Media Cell, ACAUT Nagaland.

The Mokokchung Police and District Administration had raided some establishments on January 31 where suspected pilfered rice was found is huge quantity leading to sealing of their premises.

Calls for probe in all districts Alleging that the F&CS department, without doubt, is one of the most “unaccounted for department and the least transparent in the State” it maintained it is not surprising that the Store Keeper is still evading arrest even when the unearthing of the scam happened “ages ago” on January 31.

“This is the ‘bread and butter’ department for the political class” it noted.

In this connection, ACAUT said it was imperative that the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung treat the issue “most seriously” and thoroughly probe the matter in a free

and impartial manner.

ACAUT further called for setting up an Inquiry Committee by the DC which would include 2 members from Mokokchung civil society as demanded, so as free itself from questionable influences “Unless this demand is fulfilled, the DC will not be able to escape allegations that he himself has vested interest or is acting at the behest of his political and administrative bosses or even the undergrounds in order to sweep the issue under the carpet,” it maintained.

While the scam is being probed, ACUAT also re-

quested the DC of Mokokchung to ascertain whether other items under Public distribution system (PDS) such as kerosene, wheat and other essential commodities reaches the beneficiaries in Mokokchung district.

“In fact, the DCs of all the districts are requested to probe whether PDS items such as rice, kerosene, wheat, etc., reaches the beneficiaries at all” ACAUT further pointed out.

Besides, it also noted there is allegation in certain quarters that F&CS department cannot undertake this “massive siphoning” exercise without the “help

and aid” of the district administration.

“It is up to the DCs of the districts to prove otherwise,” ACAUT taunted.

ACAUT also appealed to all the tribal youth organisations in all the districts to declare an all-out ‘War Against Corruption’ and asked them to check whether welfare departments such as Rural department, Social welfare department, Relief and Rehabilitation department, etc., have been acting in the interest of the rural people. “ The war against rampant corruption in Nagaland has so much in the interest of our well-being, as to be bogged down by narrow variables such clanism, villageism, rangeism, and tribalism,” it further opined.

Students participate in the eureka Science fest organised by St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, Department of Science.

Kohima, February 11 (mexN): St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, Department of Science, organized a two day Eureka Science Fest on February 11 and 12 with the theme ‘Eureka’ – ‘I have found it’!

Emmanuel College, Kohima Science College and Model Christian College along with the host college

NSCN (R) exempts taxes in Naga areas of Arunachal WRSUN questions authority on RPF assault case Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): The NSCN (R) has decided to exempt house taxes and ration taxes from the people of Tirap, Changlang and Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh with immediate effect. This was informed in a press note from the MIP of the NSCN (R) today.

It directed all NSCN (R) commanders to strictly adhere by this order and asked them to be “vigilant against any member or cadres who will indulge in any kind of such collection from the villagers.” It cautioned that “prompt and stringent action” will be initiated against any member/s found acting

against the order.

The NSCN (R) stated that various groups and organisation for the past several years have mercilessly exploited the Nagas living here. “The successive state and the central government had also failed miserably to give adequate support to uplift the life and economy of the people,” it added.

The people in these three districts, it lamented, “hardly live for themselves or in other words hardly find time to think, work or do for themselves or their children.” “On and above their pathetic and battered economic situation arising out of the lackadaisical and step motherly attitude

of the state government, they would witness a patrol team from one or the other NSCN group every other day,” the NSCN (R) said.

“In between the Indian security forces would also give their attendance leading to lot of commotion making the life of the people really-really pathetic and a living hell on earth,” it added.

The NSCN (R) further appealed to all Naga political groups “to be lenient and if possible they should also exempt the Nagas in these three districts of house tax and other form of taxes which will be a very major relief to the local populace.”

Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): Accusing the Railway Protection Force of misusing the “faithful authority vested upon them” by harassing or harming innocent citizens, the WRSUN today strongly condemned February 3 incident where on Senenlo Kath was physically assaulted by RPF personnel at the Dimapur Railway Station. The victim, who is in coma, is under Intensive Care Unit at the Gauhati Rahman Hospital.

Condemning the “heinous act,” the Western Rengma Students’ Union of Nagaland (WRSUN) in a press note issued by its

president Aga Rengma wondered, “How safe is an innocent citizen if the one entrusted for his welfare and security is the one attempting his life instead?

It also alleged that its “fellow brother” was beaten into coma on his way out after undertaking a fair “compromising talk" in the RPF office with the personnel adding that his head was hit so bad that he had blood clot in the right side part of his brain as per doctor’s report.

WRSUN also questioned the integrity of the concerned authorities who displayed their the “indifferent attitude” by giving bail to the culprit on bail af-

ter arresting him based on such “serious case FIR.” In this connection, the Union extended its full support to the victim and his family in their quest for justice and further endorsed the memorandums submitted to concerned authorities by other organizations.

The WRSUN further demanded the arrest of the culprit at the earliest and provision of “all kinds of assistance to the victim” and medical treatment along with compensation by the RPF authorities.

The Union also wished and prayed for an early and complete recovery of Senenlo Kath.

Shamator incident: Condemnations continue to pour in

Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): More organisations and civil societies across the state today reacted strongly and condemned to the February 6 killing in Shamator and the violence ensued aftermath the incident. A couple identified as T Alemba Sangtam and Narola was shot dead by unidentified miscreant(s) in the incident.

NSCN (IM): The NSCN (IM) today in equal terms condemned the ‘brutal murder’ of the couple as well as the “arson and destruction” of houses committed by mob aftermath of the incident. A press statement issued by Ministry of Information & Publicity, NSCN (IM) also conveyed its deep sympathy and condolences to the bereaved orphans and to

Kohima, February 10 (Dipr): Nagaland observed the launching programme of National Deworming Day (NDD) at TM Government Higher Secondary School Kohima on February 10.

Principal Director cum Mission Director NHM, Health & Family Welfare Nagaland, Dr. Sukhato A. Sema addressing the programme said that the government will surely initiate and work among the children from the age group of 1 to 19 years and ensure that their health is improved and they have easy excess to their studies.

He said that allied departments like Health & Family Welfare, School Education, PHED and the Village Council will work together for the wellbeing of the children and urged the people of the State to join hands together in nurturing our children.

Health & Family Welfare Director (H), Dr. N. Mhabemo Kithan in his keynote address said NDD is a single day event observed through the platform of schools and anganwadi centres all over the country. The main objective of NDD is to deworm all pre-school and

the families of the victims.

The NSCN (IM) further appealed the people to localize the incident and to solve the problem amicably through peaceful means.

The incident has affected scores of students who are appearing their Board examinations and other dayto-day daily lives, which is a social wrong, the statement further read.

In this connection, it also informed that it is investigating into the matter to bring the perpetrators to justice. All those responsible for the killings shall be held accountable, NSCN (IM) stressed urging all citizens to actively cooperate in this regard.

ries rise of violence and the killing of an innocent couple in Kiphire on February 6.

The association also strongly censured the recent murder of Charlie Hangsing on February 2 and the “brutal rape” of a minor disabled girl in Kohima. Expressing its deep resentment over the tragic trail of violence and bloodshed, the NMA in a condemnation note received here said, “Such destructive trend of violence must be abjured at all cost.” In this regard, the association urged the government to seriously probe into these crimes and bring the culprits to book. It also appealed the citizens as well as different Naga political groups for peace and sanity. “Co-operate with the law NMA: The Naga Mothers’ enforcing agencies and exAssociation (NMA) today ercise utmost restraint and strongly condemned the se- avoid spreading of rumours,

provocative comments to avoid further escalation of tension” it requested. NMA further conveyed its deep condolences to the bereaved family members and prayer of eternal peace for the departed soul.

TSU: The Tikhir Students’ Union (TSU) has strongly condemned the “inhuman” killing of a husband and wife duo of T Alemba Sangtam and Naro Tikhir on February 6 and challenged every individual and society to condemn the same so that such “innocent killing” does not recur in future.

A press note issued by its President Temong Y Tikhir and General Secretary S. Longkamse also urged the the Government, NGOs and security force

to arrest of perpetrator(s) at the earliest and award befitting punishment. "We express our ‘deep cry’ and share our tears to the lost lives and bereaved family members” it added.

Longkhim-Chare GB’s Union: At a meeting held today Longkhim Town, the Longkhim Chare Area GB’s Union has strongly condemned the “cold-blooded" February 6 killing stating that,"There is no place in this civilized society for anyone to commit such a barbaric act in the present context.”

The Union has strongly resolved to stand through “thick and thin” the ultimatum submitted to state goverment by the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) and the

Akehda Santamlaru Thsingmujang (AST), it said a press note issued by its President Chubangangshi.

Any suspicious movement of any stranger within Longkhim & Chare jurisdiction shall be dealt with iron hand, the Union further cautioned.

Urging the concerned authority to arrest the culprit(s) as early as possible, the Union further appealed and asked the “people of ENPO” that when the world is negotiating and yearning for peace and harmony, Why violence and bloodshed in our area? Such act of brutality and bloodshed should be condemned by one and all."It also conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayer of eternal peace for the departed souls.

participated. Colonel Anjani Kumar, Commanding Officer, MAHAR Regiment graced the inaugural function as the Chief Guest. In his speech said “College is the best time in a person’s life and it should be utilized to the fullest”.

The main aim of the fest is to bring radical and innovative ideas in the field of

education to make it more interesting and instructive.

Various competitions like Science exhibition, Debate, Quiz, Dance, Group song, etc. were displayed by the participants to rekindle the spark of education.

The day ended with Flip Flop competition and the participants look forward to another exciting day.

On line application for army recruitment mandatory Kohima, February 11 (mexN): Brigadier KK Roy Choudhury, SM, VSM (Retd), Secretary Rajya Sainik Board and Director Sainik Welfare & Resettlement Nagaland has informed that Army Recruitment Rally will be held at Kohima from April 5 to 7. All aspiring youth of Nagaland are requested to register and apply on line at joinindianarmy.nic.in. Candidates who have already registered during previous rally to login with old user ID and password and apply afresh. Only when a roll number is generated after submission of application that the process is deemed as completed. No candidates will be permitted without on line application and production of Admit Card.

NVBDCP Wokha conducts training WoKha, February 11 (mexN): The NVBDCP under Wokha District completed the training of District Community Mobilizer, Block ASHA co-ordinators, Block level ASHAs and the NVBDCP field staff on February 2. The training topic included DO’s and Don’ts of LLINS usage, Miking information to the selected villages, pre-distribution, during and Post LLINS distribution to the beneficiaries where API (Annual Parasite Incidence) is above 1 or 2. Dr. Zuben Kikon DVBO apprised all the NVBDCP Staffs, ASHA co-coordinators and ASHAs to diligently and actively participates during LLINS distribution so that, all the house hold receive its share according to the Data which worked out already.

The District Vector Borne Officer (NVBDCP) Wokha also informed in a press release that the preparation for LLINS distribution in the district is in progress.

Phek DPDB meeting held pheK, February 11 (Dipr): The monthly meeting of Phek DPDB meeting was held on February 10 at its conference hall, Phek under the chairmanship of Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education & Chairman, DBDB, Deo Nukhu. In the meeting, departmental activities was presented by the Department of Agriculture and discussions were held on up-gradation of Christian Mission High School, Phek to Higher Secondary School to be forwarded to higher authorities for necessary consideration. Registration of society in respect of R/O Vekuhu spices producer society at Pholami village under Phek District was recommended and forwarded to the government. Slide show on National Tobacco Control was presented by Nodal Officer, Phek district.

NDD programme launched across Nagaland

school age children, either enrolled and non-enrolled, between the ages of 1-19 years in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status access to education and quality of life.

On the major activities on NDD, Kithan in his briefing stated that in schools, the teachers will administer 1 (one) albendazole tablet to all school enrolled children and in Anganwadi centers the workers will administer Albendazole tablet to all children of 2-5 years and record the same in the register.

Children between 1-2 years will be given half a dose of Albendazole tablets while awareness generation activities at community level will be done to mobilize school children by ASHA. National De-worming day (NDD) target beneficiaries include; children enrolled in government schools, private schools, pre-school children registered at Anganwadi centers, preschool children not registered with Anganwadis and school age children who are out of school.

Technical Officer from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India, Diksha Chaudhury who also spoke in the

(Left) Mokokchung observed National De-worming Day on febraury 10 (Photo: DPRO Mokokchung). (Right) National De-worming Day was observed at Medical Colony Anganwadi Centre in Dimapur on february 10. Dr. Antoly, Deputy CMO, Dimapur; Dr. Lanu, DiO, Dimapur; S. Nezolu Rhakho, DPO, Dimapur; Asangla Jamir, CDPO (U); and supervisors were present at the programme. launching programme of Longkumer proposed the symptoms of fatigue, mal- February 10. Robin Lotha NDD said that in 6 union ter- vote of thanks. Around 500 nutrition, anemia and can Deputy Commissioner ritories and 30 States all over students from TM Govern- have impaired physical and launched the programme India, the Government of In- ment Higher Secondary mental development in the amidst officials from the dia is concentrating in main- School and around along long run. allied department. On the taining the life of the children with the Health & Family Children from 1-9 years very onset, Dr. Enrithung as they are the future of the Welfare officials attended of age were provided Alben- Chief Medical Officer welcountry and the government the programme. dazole tablet in both Govern- comed the members presis giving priority to the chilment and Private Schools; ent at the function. dren and students to reduce Longleng: Longleng Dis- the respective Anganwadi Dr. Tumchobeni Dy the worming problem in trict observed NDD on Centres- Tamlu and Long- Chief Medical Officer hightheir health. Diksha Chaud- February 10, at Good leng block is undergoing the lighted on the observation hury said that launching of Shepherd School. The pro- De-worming process. The of the Deworming Day. She this deworming day is to give gramme was chaired by Schools and Aganwadi Cen- urged the Officials from quality of life to the children Taula Phom, School Health tres under the aegis of Chief the allied Departments to all over India.

Coordinator. Dr. Imtiwa- Medical Office, Longleng will extend their support and Principal T.M. Gov- bang Aier, DPO (RCH/ initiate the mop-up round co-operation to make sure ernment Higher Second- UIP) gave a brief introduc- for non-enrolled children on that all children get the right ary School Kohima, Avino tion on the importance of February 15. dose of the deworming tabTase chaired the function. De-worming in children lets to improve their overall State Programme Offi- and also said children who Wokha: NDD was ob- mental and physical health. cer (RCH) Dr. Bendangla have worms suffers from served at the District on Albendazole Tablets are is-

NDD highlights  The main objective of the NDD is to de-worm all pre-school and school age children between the age of 1-19.  1 (one) albendazole tablet to all school enrolled children and in Anganwadi centers. The workers will administer Albendazole tablet to all children of 2-5 years and record the same in the register.  Children between 1-2 years will be given half a dose of Albendazole tablets while awareness generation activities at community level will be done to mobilize school children by ASHA.  National De-worming day (NDD) target beneficiaries include; children enrolled in government schools, private schools, pre-school children registered at Anganwadi centers, pre- school children not registered with Anganwadis and school age children who are out of school. sued to the schools and the Anganwadi workers to deworm the children between the age of 1-19 years at the District. Members present at the launching programme were DWO, CDPOs, SDEO, MOs and DPO (DAPCU) Tuensang: The district Health Society under Chief Medical Office Tuensang held the launching of NDD at St. Joseph School, Tuensang on February 10. The programme was launch

by CMO, Dr.T. Pangjung Sangtam in the presence of Dr. Temsu Longchar, DPO (RCHUIP) and staffs of CMO Office. The programme will cover chil-

dren from 1-18 years for De-worming in the district.

The CMO appreciated the school authority and appeal the general public for further cooperation.

Mokokchung: Along with the rest of the State, Mokokchung district observed the NDD in all the 6 (six) projects. Albendazole Tablets (400 mg) were administered to all 1-5 yrs children registered in the Anganwadi Centres and the same was administered to school boys and girls from 6-19yrs.

The Mob Up Day (MUD) will be on February 15 for all those who were left out on 10th February 2016.

6

friDAY 12•02•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 40

By Chingya luithui

(Mis)Appreciating Culture

A

mong the seasons, the gradual stretch from winter to the onset of spring is perhaps the most significant for the Naga people. In the harsh realities under which most Nagas live, it is a gentle reminder from nature about new opportunities and possibilities. Nagas, naturally, commemorate this through the seed-sowing festival, perhaps the most important celebration for them.

What is significantly different now though, from past celebrations, is that the festival has transformed from localized, village based celebrations to mega events involving huge amounts of money and the whole tribe, or in some cases, a conglomeration of tribes. The festival, in many cases, has also gone beyond just being “cultural” but has often reflected political positions.

These are not necessarily bad developments but it comes with certain ramifications that require careful assessment.

Firstly, do people understand the traditional logic and purpose behind such celebration? For many Nagas today, the seed-sowing festival is merely an event in their social calendar; they know that it is important but, unfortunately, do not know why. For a society that is rapidly moving away from agriculture as the main activity, this is not surprising. However, if Nagas are to insist on their unique culture, knowing why their culture is unique is necessary for advancing the argument.

Secondly, and intrinsically tied to the above is, how are the values and meanings that underpin such celebration respected, preserved and transmitted? For one, amongst others, the seed-sowing festival is a reflection of the sagacity of the Nagas’ deep understanding and acknowledgement of the bond between nature and mankind. This knowledge came with the clear recognition of the need to be responsible stewards of nature and the environment. A quick look around will reveal that Nagas are really terrible at caring for the environment.

Thirdly, the commercialization of such celebration raises a whole dimension of concerns surrounding cultural appropriation. Appropriation of culture, simply put, is the adoption of rituals, icons, motifs, designs, beliefs, and behavior of one culture by another without proper understanding of the context or meanings of such activities and images resulting in the reduction of the significance of these into banal popular culture or meanings that are completely different to what was originally intended. What happens then when Nagas themselves actively contribute to the appropriation of their culture by others?

Commercialization also reduces the celebration, and by implication the whole value system underpinning it, into a mere product for consumption. Much of the cultural activities like dances and folk songs performed in the seed-sowing festival (or other festivals for that matter) today are highly corrupted versions packaged to sell as the exotic which would attract more consumers. It again raises the important issue of how Nagas themselves are perpetuating stereotypes that are harmful, in the long run, to their identity and culture.

All these point to the failure of the Nagas to understand the values that underpin their cultural practices—values which should be the cause for the celebration. Unfortunately, the manner in which the seed-sowing festival is celebrated these days is indicative of the Naga peoples’ obsession with the visible and tangible practices without trying to understand why they exist in the first place. One can see the negative consequences of this myopia being played out in other areas of the Naga social fabric as well. For instance, the ignorant irresponsible argument that a rape can be compromised by slaughtering a pig or buffalo because that was what was the customary practice without understanding the context and values that informed such practice.

The prognosis then is clear, if Nagas are to reclaim their culture as really theirs, they would need to first reclaim the values that are the foundation of their culture.

The writer can be reached at chinxwrites@gmail.com

lEfT wiNg |

Syed Raza Hassan and Krista Mahr Reuters

Director hopes Oscar-nominated film will help end Pakistan honour killings

A

n Oscar-winning filmmaker hopes her latest Academy Award-nominated documentary will help bring tougher laws against honour killings in Pakistan, which account for the deaths of hundreds of women and men each year.

The film, which follows the story of a young woman who survived attempted murder by her father and uncle after marrying a man without their approval, was nominated for an Oscar in January, prompting Pakistan's prime minister to pledge to take a firm stand against the "evil" practice.

More than 500 men and women died in honour killings in 2015, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Many of these crimes, carried out by relatives who say their mostly female victims have brought shame on the family, are never prosecuted, observers say.

"People need to realise that it is a very serious crime," Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy told Reuters in an interview in the southern city of Karachi. "It's not something that is part of our religion or culture. This is something that should be treated as pre-meditated murder and people should go to jail for it."

Obaid-Chinoy's film "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness", scheduled to air on HBO in March, tells the story of 19-year-old Saba from Pakistan's Punjab province.

After marrying a man without the agreement of her family, Saba's father and uncle beat her, shot her in the face, put her in a bag and threw her in a river, leaving her for dead.

Saba survived, and set out to ensure that her attackers were brought to justice.

Her father and uncle were arrested and went to jail, but Saba was pressured to "forgive" her attackers. That option under Pakistani law can effectively waive a complainant's right to seek punishment against the accused, even in the case of attempted murder.

Altering the law to remove the possibility of "forgiveness" could help reduce the number of honour killings in Pakistan, advocates of such a change say.

An act that would amend the law across Pakistan was passed by one house of parliament last year, but did not clear the other chamber due to delays, said Sughra Imam, who introduced the bill when she was a lawmaker.

Both she and Obaid-Chinoy hope the attention the film has received abroad and at home, including from Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, might help push the amendments through. "The greatest win of 'A Girl in the River' would be if the prime minister does take the lead, brings the stakeholders on board and they pass the (act)," Obaid-Chinoy said.

After the film was nominated in the short documentary category, Sharif issued a statement congratulating the filmmaker and pledging his government's commitment to rid Pakistan of the "evil" of honour killings by "bringing in appropriate legislation." Obaid-Chinoy has already won an Oscar in the same category for "Saving Face", a film about acid attacks in Pakistan.

Sharif invited the director to screen the new film at his residence to an audience of prominent Pakistanis.

Although it is not clear exactly how Sharif proposes to change existing legislation, Obaid-Chinoy said his reaction was a pleasant surprise.

"This could be (Sharif's) legacy ... that no woman in this country should be killed in the name of honour, and if she is, people should go to jail for it," she said.

C O M M E N T A R Y

George Lakey Source: Waging Nonviolence

What Role were you Born to Play in Social Change?

B

ill Moyer was a street-wise, working class white boy from rowhouse Philadelphia, who — in the turbulence of the 1960s — went to Chicago to work for an anti-racist housing campaign. He wound up joining Martin Luther King Jr.’s national staff as an organizer. I played tag football more than once with Moyer, catching his grin as he mercilessly overwhelmed his opponents through daring and smarts.

He might have been the most joyfully aggressive Quaker I’ve known. By the time he died in 2002, Moyer had given significant leadership on multiple political issues, including the national anti-nuclear movement.

In California, Moyer went to graduate school to study social movement theory and indulge his love of analytical thinking. He became best known for identifying eight stages of successful social movements, which he named the Movement Action Plan, or MAP. I found activists using MAP as far away as Taiwan, where they had already read it in translation before I got there.

Moyer also invented a powerful tool that clarifies how we work for change on two levels: individually and organizationally. Four Roles of Social Activism, he called it, and right now the tool is helping environmentalist organizations in the Philadelphia area clarify their relationships to the new campaign Power Local Green Jobs. The tool also empowers individuals to become more effective. In this column I’ll describe the four roles so you can notice their resonance personally for you and also for your group.

With Moyer’s permission, I tweaked the names of three of the four roles, making the differences sharper; you’ll get both names here. I call the roles advocate, helper, organizer, and rebel.

The advocate role The advocate focuses on communication with what Moyer called “the powerholders,” who can change a policy or practice. Think of the civil liberties lawyer suing the city for stopand-frisk that profiles people of color, or the lobby group urging city council to change that policy. Moyer calls this role the “reformer,” while acknowledging that an advocate might urge changes that are radical in content.

In workshops, I invite people to scan their childhoods to recall whether they usually turned to an authority to correct what they felt was an injustice or problem. Maybe they went to the teacher after class to report bullying on the playground, or told a parent that little sister was upset. I’ve found that many adults who prefer to play the advocate role in social movements expressed that preference early, often developing some skill and confidence.

The helper role The helper is drawn to direct service, personally doing what they can to remedy the situation. They address gender and racial discrimination in jobs by teaching how to write resumes

or initiating job training. They attack carbon pollution by weatherizing houses or starting solar installation co-ops. Because much of mainstream community life is marked by service, Moyer’s name for this role is “citizen.”

When adults known for playing helper roles look back on their childhood they sometimes remember their own intervention to stop the bully, or their being the first one to bring a bandaid when little brother falls off the bike.

The organizer role While the advocate and helper who want to make a bigger difference may themselves need to organize — by starting a nonprofit, for example — the organizing part is not the most satisfying for them. The advocate is happiest when convincing the judge that equal marriage is constitutional. The helper loves to witness the graduating class that includes more people of color.

The organizer, on the other hand, experiences joy from collecting people who may not even know each other and turning them into a well-oiled team, or tripling the attendance at the union local’s monthly meetings. Organizers often believe that the sheer power of numbers will make change because powerholders are afraid of alternative sources of power and may concede something to head off further growth.

When organizers were children they may have been the ones who revived the celebration of Martin Luther King Day at school, or boosted the flagging morale of the drill team. Moyer calls them “change agents,” and he himself was certainly that.

own sake but to determine “how many people will it take to create what degree of crisis?” Alice Paul left the mass movement for woman suffrage in order to lead a smaller band of rebels willing to make the nonviolent trouble that forced U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to give in to justice.

Roles can be played positively or negatively While some activists dismiss one or more of these roles as uncool — “the nonprofit-industrial complex” or “sellout lobbyists” or “infantile protesters” — Moyer found the record clear: Successful social movements include all four roles.

He acknowledged, though, that any of these roles can either assist or undermine a movement, depending on how people play the role. Advocates, for example, can — through communication with powerholders — find ways of framing demands that make it more likely that the movement will take a large step forward. On the other hand, they can get co-opted by the powerholders and undermine a campaign’s clarity so it settles for less.

Rebels can either generate drama that motivates the undecided to take the issue more seriously and to side with the movement, or it can choose tactics that are so self-marginalizing that the undecided lend their support to the powerholders.

Helpers can empower people who are feeling helpless by giving them skills and assisting them to see that they can only get what they really want through solidarity with others. Or the helpers can adopt the false belief that society changes through individuals enhancing their lives one-by-one.

In his book “Doing Democracy,” Moyer describes a number of positive and negative ways each role can be played. Looking fearlessly at his analysis helps our learning curve.

The rebel role The rebel who sees a problem or injustice prefers to make a commotion of some kind to force powerholders to make a change. Martin Luther King Jr. explained that a campaign must create a crisis. Gandhi made so much trouble that he made India ungovernable by the British. True, some famous rebels How do you play your role?

I’ve personally performed a lot of needed organizing skills to scale up their commotion to the crisis point. voluntary service, started and led new But rebels look at numbers not for their organizations, and lobbied elected of-

ficials. In my heart of hearts, though, I’m a rebel. To avoid burnout, I need to remember that. I’m healthiest, most creative and productive when I’m in touch with my rebel self and find a group that’s OK with that.

Becoming self-aware is also helpful for organizations. They do best when they clarify their mission, even when that means saying “No” to lots of otherwise good ideas that are offered but aren’t really aligned with the essence of their role. Earth Quaker Action Team, my primary affiliation, claims its rebel role in the larger struggle for environmental, economic and racial justice. In our new campaign Power Local Green Jobs, other groups we talk with expect that we will join with them as they advocate, or organize, or do job training.

We get to explain over and over the advantages of a division of labor: “Do what you’re best at and we’ll root for you while we do our rebel thing.”

A group that embraces its particular role in the movement can also have a diversity of roles within its membership. Within EQAT we have people who as individuals shine as organizers, helpers and advocates and contribute quite a lot to the group’s internal life. Within any group there is room for all as long as they support the clear, overall mission.

Of course a membership that includes multiple role identities will also experience conflicts, and that’s a good thing — especially when hard choices must be made. An organizer may object that a rebel’s tactical proposal is premature because the group doesn’t yet have the resources to deal with the consequences. A helper may say that more solar installation training needs to be in place before the utility yields and funds extensive rooftop programs, or else the poor and people of color will be overlooked when workers start lining up for jobs. An advocate may note that the opponent is for the first time engaged in serious consideration of the demand, and argue that this is the wrong time for militant action.

People who face strategic hard choices are more likely to come up with creative and wise next moves when the four roles fight it out — fighting fairly while acknowledging differences. The research is clear: Over time, diversity actually does produce the best outcomes. Or at least diversity works when everyone agrees on the bottom line: The role the group plays in the larger movement.

This illustration from Earth Quaker Action Team can be repeated for organizations taking a different role: advocacy, say, or helping or organizing. The combination of diversity of membership and unity of purpose is a winning combination.

Bill Moyer’s Four Roles is about effectiveness. Instead of one organization trying to do many things and risking scatter, his vision was that of a proliferation of groups, each maximizing strength through focus while networking and supporting a broader sense of unity. That’s what a powerful movement looks like.

Rural youth can be tomorrow’s entrepreneurs Nteranya sanginga Inter Press Service

Bolstering widespread prosperity in Africa is a key necessity if the world is to achieve its commitments to eradicate poverty and hunger by 2030.

The sheer numbers indicate the scale of the challenge, and also strong hints as to the path to pursue.

The continent’s population has doubled in three decades, and while urbanization has moved at a blistering pace, it has not offset the number of people living in rural areas. Agricultural productivity has in fact increased faster than the global average, but not fast enough to resolve the paradox of the continent with a majority of the world’s unfarmed arable land remaining a net importer of food.

Those are the facts. And they highlight some basic principles: Africa has huge potential, but progress must include the rural and agricultural sectors. Smallholders contribute around 80 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s food supply, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and these are the critical enterprises that must be tapped to produce incomes, jobs and opportunities.

Much work is being done by governments and international organizations to shore up food security, through social protection and targeted agricul-

tural development programs.

What we at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture think is essential is that people themselves have to be enabled to truly leverage their own and their continent’s potential.

While there is absolutely a role for public policies and large private-sector initiatives to make this happen, individual empowerment is also essential.

On the surface, that is obvious. While our core mandate is to be the lead research partner facilitating agricultural solutions for hunger and poverty in the tropics, our core vision is based on the idea that the connecting links for the broad array of initiatives around the land, not always perfectly coordinated, are entrepreneurs.

Family farmers are far and away the world’s largest investors in agriculture.

Likewise, bottom-up business activity is the most efficient way to maximize efficiency.

That is why IITA is investing heavily in spreading our Business Incubation Platform, a model closely linked to our Youth Agripreneurs programs and aimed at accelerating the rollout of a series of useful services to be offered along the value chain. Our approach is particularly geared to fostering productive and profitable opportunities for youth, especially rural youth.

Not all youth, after all, can permanently migrate to cities; and if they were to do so, the countryside would suffer from an ageing work force.

Let me emphasize that the goal here is to make money, not just spend it! I jest, but only to hammer home the point that real sustainability requires viable networks that can carry research ideas to positive fruition.

Consider NoduMax, one of our Business Incubation Platform’s star developments. This is a legume inoculant for soybeans that allows them to access more nitrogen from the air – which ultimately also improves soil fertility – and thus lead to up to 450 kilograms of additional yield per hectare. It’s easy to use and affordable.

The technology was developed in our Business Incubation Platform in Ibadan. Now the time is ripe to produce it in larger quantities and for sales networks to spread the word. All of this is a form of sustainably intensifying agricultural production and creating greater food security, and its driving force does not involve touching a till or needing to own new land.

We’re also developing aflasafe strains to combat the aflatoxins that are such a scourge to major staple crops across Africa. Aflasafe is a natural

wRiTE-wiNg

biological control product developed

by IITA and partners to fight aflatoxin contamination. Again, we incubate its development, but it can easily be transferred to the private sector and scaled up in multiple sites, meaning more jobs in construction, manufacturing and as laboratory analysts.

Both products also of course increase the food supply – through yields or reduction of losses – and thus catalyze further commercial opportunities.

Projects in the works include an innovative fish-pond system and foodprocessing activities for our mandate crops: cassava, soybean, cowpea, yam, plantain and banana.

Operating our business incubation platform also means individuals naturally network, meeting partners, potential funders and others useful to an array of enterprises, which may range from innovative risk-sharing or credit-supply services to the discovery and establishment of new markets for both inputs and specialty crops. These “externalities” are intrinsic to the whole idea that agriculture is not an ancestral destiny for the poor but an exciting frontier that can be conquered by Africa’s burgeoning demographic group: Youth.

While policy makers have a lot of work to do to create enabling environments for smallholder farmer families to prosper, those environments must also be populated, and that is what we are trying to do.

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 12•02•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

the World Health Organization critical challenge: Healing itself Kate Kelland

W

Reuter

hen executive board members of the World Health Organization sat down for their annual meeting in Geneva in January, many powerful figures spoke forcefully of the need to reform the leading global authority on health and disease.

"It's time to stop talking," Stewart Jessamine, New Zealand's director of public health and a WHO executive board member, told the delegates. "We have to change."

Jimmy Kolker, a leading member of the U.S. delegation, told the meeting the WHO must "recognise how crucial this moment is for the future of the organisation, and the resources and the trust that are in the balance."

For years the WHO has talked about streamlining its complex structure, governance and financing to make it more efficient. Critics say the organisation needs deep reforms to allow it to show clear leadership in promoting health and to respond decisively to disease emergencies that may span many countries. But progress has been painfully slow.

Margaret Chan, Director General of the WHO since 2007, acknowledged the concerns of delegates and agreed with Jessamine: "Yes, it’s time to stop talking," she said.

She promised to act swiftly on reforming the WHO’s emergency responses. "We are committed to implementing a single programme, with a single line of accountability, a single budget, a single set of business processes, a single cadre of staff and a single set of performance benchmarks," she said.

The pressure for change has been building after a series of missteps by the global health body. Last year, while still smarting from accusations it overreacted to the 200910 H1N1 flu pandemic, the WHO faced withering criticism for not reacting fast enough to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. The organisation's Lyon-based International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has become a target of ridicule among some health experts for issuing confusing warnings on everything from the air we breathe to the meat we eat to the phones we use. And the WHO is now being questioned about its response to the Zika virus.

Public health specialists, non-governmental organisations and some of the WHO’s biggest donors say the organisation is unwieldy, poor at coordinating responses to epidemics, and too thinly spread. And increasingly it struggles to set its own priorities because many of its donors give it money earmarked for specific projects.

Some experts inside and outside the organisation say those flaws mean the WHO's lead role in global health is now at risk. Nils Daulaire, who was until recently the U.S. representative on the WHO's executive board, told Reuters the WHO “is not functioning well” and cannot "survive in its present form for another decade."

He said global officials who engage with the WHO regard it as bogged down by internal processes and often forced by its members to take on more than its resources can manage.

"I've heard from a lot of former colleagues representing other countries that are major contributors to WHO, and other institutions that contribute financially, that either (the WHO) has to get fixed in a relatively short period – five to 10 years – or they're going to take their marbles and go elsewhere," said Daulaire.

Reuters spoke to more than a dozen people who know the WHO and its leadership well. All said the world needs the WHO to succeed. But most were also frustrated and even angry with its current state - senJohn Feffer

A

be the "absolute essence" of the WHO: "If it doesn't deal with health emergencies across the world, then what is it there for?"

Foreign Policy In Focus

mericans don’t care about East Asia. That’s a strong statement. So, let me make a few qualifications.

First, Americans love Chinese, Japanese, and (increasingly) Korean food. They like to visit East Asia. They will, on occasion, watch a Hong Kong action film or the latest from Park Chan-Wook.

But when it comes to the pressing issues of the day, most Americans simply don’t follow what’s going on in East Asia. I’m not talking here about Asia experts, who are essentially paid to follow the news. I’m also not talking about diaspora communities interested in what’s going on in their home countries.

I’m talking about average Americans.

And I’m talking about what they see on network news.

According to the latest Tyndall Report, which annually tracks coverage of the news by the three major television networks, East Asia is invisible to the American viewer. No stories from the region cracked the top 20 news items. When it comes to foreign policy, the network news focused in 2015 on the Islamic State, the wars in Syria and Iraq, the refugee crisis in Europe, the terrorism attacks in Paris, and the nuclear negotiations with Iran. The top stories did not include China, Japan, or Korea.

Foreign policy stories made up only

A health worker carries out fumigation as part of preventive measures against the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases at the cemetery of Carabayllo on the outskirts of Lima, Peru in this February 1, 2016 file Photo.

timents that were on open display at January's meeting in Geneva.

Chan told delegates that she recognised the concerns. "We hear you loud and clear on your expectations on how you would like to see us reform the programme," she said.

A WHO spokesman, Tarik Jasarevic, told Reuters that changes to the agency's response systems "are already under way" and would include the establishment of a single programme for outbreaks and emergencies. He said The WHO "is also committed to an independent mechanism of assessment and monitoring of the performance of the organisation, reporting to the governing bodies."

TOO MANY CHIEFS The WHO is unique among UN agencies because its structure includes six regional offices, each with its own director elected by regional member states. Beneath them is a sprawling network of around 150 country offices.

Charles Clift, who led a 2014 report for the Centre on Global Health Security at Britain's Chatham House entitled "What's the World Health Organization for?," said the complexity "is one of the main reasons why the WHO, in many ways, is dysfunctional."

Clift, who was secretary of the WHO's commission on intellectual property rights, innovation and public health from 2004 to 2006, describes the structure as "not one but seven WHOs" - the Geneva headquarters plus the regional offices whose directors are answerable not to Chan but to their own member states.

The flaws in the structure were evident in the Ebola crisis. Despite repeated warnings by the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) that national governments were not on top of the seriousness of Ebola's spread, WHO officials in Geneva declared the outbreak "relatively small still" in April 2014. It wasn't until August, when the epidemic was out of control in West Africa, that Chan declared it a global emergency.

"The lack of a direct line of control from Geneva to what was happening at country level was probably one of the main reasons for why they were so slow," said Clift.

Chan said late last year the WHO had been "overwhelmed" by the Ebola outbreak, which she said "shook this organisation to its core."

Some health officials fear the current scramble over the Zika virus is another example of the WHO's lack of coordination.

As members of the executive board met in

Geneva, the health body's regional office in the Americas issued an alarming statement.

The little-known Zika virus was spreading fast, it said, and threatened to infect millions.

The spread of the virus is thought to correlate with a rise in birth defects in Brazil - but no causal link has been proven. The regional office's statement caught WHO headquarters by surprise: No one had bothered to tell it the statement was going to appear. The contents of the Zika warning were accurate, WHO staffers say, but as one Geneva-based WHO insider said: "They put it out without telling us."

A spokesperson for the regional office, the Pan American Health Organization, said that it shares information with WHO headquarters but sometimes acts independently so that it can respond swiftly. In the case of Zika, it issued a statement at the request of a country office to counter misleading local media reports about sexual transmission of the virus, the spokesperson said.

The effect, though, went wider. Just as the WHO's week-long annual executive board meeting was beginning, the Geneva headquarters found itself unexpectedly fielding urgent inquiries about the Zika virus.

Some board members expressed concern that once again the WHO looked slow-footed on the emergence of a potentially major epidemic. Chan hurried to reassure them. Within days she was moved to convene an emergency expert panel on Zika, saying the mosquito-borne disease had grown from a mild threat and was now "spreading explosively."

One reason for the lack of streamlined communications was that the regional office PAHO "sees itself as semi-autonomous," according to the WHO insider. This is partly because PAHO was founded in 1902, more than 40 years before the WHO itself was created.

A spokesperson for PAHO said: "While PAHO has its own constitution, PAHO always coordinates with and informs WHO HQ ... While Zika was not an emergency in other regions of WHO, it is for PAHO because most of the member states affected are in the Americas."

PAHO had treated Zika as an emergency since May 2015, said the spokesperson.

WHO headquarters declared Zika a public health emergency only this month.

It's in cases like this that some countries, such as Britain and the United States, are keen to have clearer lines of authority. But some smaller member states are reluctant, according to Clift, Daulaire and some cur-

rent WHO staffers. They say this is because less dominant states worry that ceding all power to a central headquarters might mean that their own governments could be chastised by the WHO for failing to report, control or prevent chronic ill-health, infectious disease, or pandemic threats.

MISSION CREEP There's another big problem, many people say: The WHO tries to do too much.

It was founded in 1948 – an era in global health when "the entire focus was infectious diseases" and "in some ways life was much simpler," said Richard Sullivan, a professor of cancer policy and global health at King's College London.

"It's important to remember that's where the WHO came from," he said. "Non-communicable diseases (such as heart diseases, cancer and diabetes) just weren't on their radar at all."

Since then, global health has become far more complex. A quick glance at the WHO's current "health topics" list shows it offers expertise on a vast array of issues, from sunburn and domestic violence to CrimeanCongo haemorrhagic fever and plague.

On a side table outside the board meeting in Geneva, a pile of discussion documents included everything from the sound management of chemicals to reducing road traffic accidents. There was a "global vaccination action plan," a paper on pandemic influenza, and a draft policy on "multi-sectoral action for a life course approach to healthy ageing."

Jeremy Farrar, an infectious disease specialist and director of the UK-based global health charity the Wellcome Trust, says the WHO is floundering because it can't, or won't, say no to anything.

"It's so thinly stretched," he said. "There's arguably no organisation on earth that could cover all those (topics) at sufficient depth to be authoritative."

Farrar argues the best way for the WHO to become "a totally respected organisation" is for it to set top priorities for global health "and do those at a really high level."

But with member states – the owners and directors of the WHO – requiring it to cover such a vast range of health issues, the WHO's ability to focus is hampered. Barbara Stocking, a former chief executive of the charity Oxfam UK who chaired an expert panel reviewing the WHO's response to Ebola last year, said the health body "got distracted" by very broad agendas determined by its members.

Stocking says outbreak response should

East asia is invisiblE

6.5 percent of the network news coverage overall. So, Americans are not paying much attention to foreign policy in general. But even within that narrow share of the news, East Asia rarely appears. When you look at an expanded list of stories from 2015, coverage of the region doesn’t even make it into the top 150 stories.

Let’s choose one of the less covered topics of 2015.

Hurricane Patricia, which hit in October, was the most intense cyclone to hit the Western hemisphere. But because it hit rural areas in Mexico, it didn’t cause as much damage as anticipated and only led to a few deaths. It also barely touched the United States, only affecting the southern part of Texas.

In total, Hurricane Patricia received approximately 20 minutes of combined coverage from the three networks in 2015. That’s a pretty low bar. And yet, East Asia was unable to clear it. Hurricane Patricia received more coverage than U.S.-Chinese relations, what’s going in North Korea, or Japanese

Prime Minister Abe’s overturning of the Peace Constitution.

So, the next time you wonder why Americans are not outraged at Japanese textbooks or worried about the Chinese economy or following the latest twist in relations between North and South Korea, it’s probably because they simply don’t know what’s going on.

True, Americans get their news in lots of different forms: the newspaper, on-line publications, and cable news, to name just

three. But television is still the main source of news for the majority of Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll. And the network news programs – on ABC, NBC, and CBS – continue to attract far more viewers than cable shows, by a factor of seven.

Of course, East Asia is of interest to various niche consumers of the news who get their information from Facebook or English-language versions of East Asian news outlets. But East Asia is invisible when it comes to the mass market. And that’s where public opinion is formed.

There is, of course, an up side to ignorance. A country most often appears on the network news when something horrible is happening there: an earthquake, a civil war, a famine. Or the networks feel obligated to pay attention to a part of the world that the Pentagon has targeted for destruction. At the moment, East Asia is not facing any catastrophes. And the Pentagon is sending neither bombers to combat a nuclear-armed North Korea nor aircraft carriers to confront China in the South China Sea. Invisibility has its rewards.

WHO'S PAYING, AND FOR HOW LONG? The WHO faces another major hurdle in trying to nail down its core functions: It has budget pressures and has lost control of some of its own objectives.

In 2011, hit by the global financial crisis, member states cut the WHO's budget, reducing it by 13 percent from the previous year. This hurt the WHO's department for global health security and became "a fundamental driver," according to Daulaire, of the WHO's slow response to the Ebola outbreak.

Another change may have had an even bigger impact. Sixteen years ago, the WHO received 49 percent of its money as "assessed contributions" from member states.

The WHO could mostly do what it wanted with this money. By 2014, assessed contributions had dropped to about 20 percent of funds the WHO received.

About 80 percent is now made up of "voluntary contributions." Some come from member states that want to give extra, others from bodies such as educational institutions, trusts and charities, including the foundations of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Mike Bloomberg, the financial-information mogul and former New York mayor.

Almost all these donations come with strings attached – stipulations that the money must be used for certain projects or diseases. In all, 93 percent of the money given to the WHO for its health programmes is now "specified" – earmarked – by donors for particular projects.

The largest of the non-government donors by a long way is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. From a standing start a decade ago, it has been contributing between $250 million and $300 million a year.

In one year – 2013 – it was the largest donor bar none, overtaking even total contributions from the U.S. government.

The impact of funds from private donors can be seen in WHO spending. One of the Gates Foundation's priorities is the eradication of polio – a crippling disease that can be prevented with comprehensive vaccination campaigns. A breakdown of the WHO's finances shows that its polio programme is by far the best-resourced, accounting for 23.5 percent of the WHO's current programme budget. The next biggest programme is outbreak and crisis response, which gets 15.3 percent.

The WHO can push back against donors' wishes only so hard – or risk donors taking their money elsewhere. Daulaire said that he has talked to "very senior people at the Gates Foundation" who are studying the WHO's current state “with a great deal of interest and concern - and they certainly have the capacity and the right to put their money elsewhere."

Asked whether the Gates Foundation was planning to put its money elsewhere, Steve Landry, its director of multilateral partnerships, said: "The foundation invests in a variety of organisations to improve global health surveillance, build resilient health systems, and strengthen national and global pandemic preparedness. WHO plays an essential and unique role among the partners. Several of our investments in WHO are designed to help it deliver on this mandate."

The organisation's fate will depend in large part on the deep-pocketed United States. The current American board member of the WHO is Tom Frieden, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Geneva, emerging from the tense morning session on the first day of the January meeting, Frieden said: "The world needs a really strong WHO. If we don't make these changes now, they are not going to get made."

The lack of coverage continues despite the Obama administration’s efforts to execute its famous “Pacific pivot” to reorient U.S. foreign policy toward Asia. The administration has sold a lot of weapons to Asian countries and rearranged some of its deployments in the region. It has aggressively pursued the Trans Pacific Partnership freetrade agreement.

But judging from the network news coverage, none of this is particularly newsworthy. When it comes to foreign policy, the focus remains on the Middle East.

In 2016, East Asia could make a dramatic return to the news. Something could go horribly wrong in the region. Or the Pentagon could decide it must show some muscle in Asia to scare China or North Korea. The U.S. presidential candidates will probably indulge in some ritual China-bashing. All of this could increase the visibility of the region to the average American.

It’s not likely, however, that the Obama administration will do anything to rock the boat in its final year in office. Military engagements are not in the works. But the administration is also not likely to invest any political capital in trying to achieve some kind of nuclear deal with North Korea. It probably won’t undertake any spectacular bilateral initiatives with China either.

So, expect more of the same invisibility for East Asia in 2016 when it comes to the network news and U.S. public opinion – for better and for worse.

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

8

FridAY 12•02•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Odd-even scheme to return April 15-30: Kejriwal New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): The odd-even traffic scheme aimed at curbing pollution will be back in Delhi from April 15 to 30, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced here on Thursday.

He said three days before his AAP government completes a year in office this was decided following feedback from the people after the January 1-15 experiment which he and his ministers said was a hit.

"The next phase of the odd-even scheme will start from April 15," Kejriwal said, adding that two-wheelers and women motorists would continue to be exempted.

He said the scheme cannot be implemented on a permanent basis in Delhi - home to some 90 lakh vehicles - despite demands until the public transport was in a position to cope with all those who would take to it.

"If we implement the scheme on the nearly 30 lakh two-wheelers, there will be chaos."

Kejriwal, who took office on February 14 last year, said the April 15 date had been chosen because the annual school-leaving examination, barring "one small paper", would be over by then.

He said the overwhelming response of Delhiites was that while they wanted the odd-even scheme, they did not desire it when the school exams were on.

Kejriwal said his government was debating if the scheme, under which cars with odd registration numbers ply on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates, should be enforced every 15 days a month.

"If the people of Delhi cooperate, if they can bear with the difficulties for

'Odd-even plan is temporary, we have long-term solution for Delhi's pollution'

A traffic policeman wears a mask to protect himself from dust and air pollution as he signals to drivers in New Delhi. (REUTERS File Photo)

six days a month, we can think of this," he said, flanked by Transport Minister Gopal Rai. According to Kejriwal, when the traffic curbs are implemented for two weeks, each category of car owners gets affected only for some six days as the scheme is not applicable on Sundays.

After the January 1-15 trial period of the odd-even scheme, there were conflicting claims on whether reducing the number of cars curbed pollution levels in the national capital.

But it was universally accepted that it drastically cut down the number of cars - which form a third of all

vehicles in Delhi - on the otherwise perennially clogged roads, making commuting a smooth affair.

"This is something even we did not anticipate," said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Kejriwal added that about 500 retired military personnel would be recruited to enforce the odd-even scheme in April.

He said most people wanted the exemption given to the VIPs in January to go. He indicated he was not ready for this.

"We will request VIPs to follow the (odd-even) system. But we will keep the exemptions. The more the

VIPs follow it voluntarily, it will be good."

Earlier, speaking to a select group of journalists at his house, Kejriwal said the odd-even scheme would be implemented for short periods. "We can't do it on a permanent basis."

The chief minister said Delhi would get 1,000 new buses by May, another 1,000 by August and yet another 1,000 by the end of the year to strengthen its public transport.

Unless "a convenient and easily accessible" public transport was in place, motorists who give up driving during odd-even restrictions won't embrace buses and trains, he said.

PalDev (MaDhya PraDeSh), February 11 (iaNS): Delhi's experiment with odd-even car days was a "short-term solution" but the union government was putting in place steps which would result in a permanent solution on the rising level of air pollution, says a senior minister. Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said the government would notify new construction and demolition rules, a bypass for trucks has been ordered to be built and Euro VI emission norms would be brought in by 2020.

"Every initiative has its importance, but (odd-even plan) is a shortterm solution. The steps we are taking offer a long-term solution to the problem," Javadekar told IANS in an interview here.

The Ministry of Environment has organised the visit by journalists to the Paldev gram panchayat in Madhya Pradesh, where Javadekar has adopted six villages for setting up their social infrastructure.

Javadekar argued that construction and demolition waste was one of the major contributors to the pollution levels in the National Capital Region. "For the first time in India, we are ready with construction and demolition rules which will be declared in the next 15 days," Javadekar said.

The minister said the construction of a bypass for thousands of non-Delhi bound trucks and other

vehicles will permanently bring down the pollution level.

"The project was being discussed for the last 10 years but Modiji got the construction started and it will be ready in the next 18 months," he said. "This will bring big relief to the citizens who will also have to contribute by maintaining their vehicles, sticking to their lanes, cycling to nearby places and using public transport as much as possible," Javadekar said.

He also said the government's target of having Euro VI emission norms by 2020, fours years in advance as compared to the previous UPA government's target of having it by 2024, was a "huge target" which he said his government was confident of achieving. These norms for vehicular emissions are far stricter.

He said that some 150,000 erickshaws would ply on the roads of the national capital in the next couple of years as his government had already passed the e-rickshaw bill.

Following the CoP21 climate change meeting in Paris last December, the minister said that by June this year the government would have a broad outline on how to achieve emission targets in the next 5 years in every state and district.

"Currently, India's contribution to the world emissions is only 5 percent, whereas China, Europe and the US together account for more than 60% of the emissions," he said.

Ishrat Jahan was LeT suicide bomber: Headley MuMbai, February 11 (PTi): In a significant claim, Pakistani- American terrorist David Coleman Headley today said that Ishrat Jahan --who was killed in an alleged fake encounter in 2004 in Gujarat--was actually a suicide bomber of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit. The disclosure is likely to ignite a fresh row around the controversial encounter.

Testifying via video-link from the US, Headley spilled the beans on the 19-yearold Mumbra girl and picked up her name when quizzed

by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam about a "botched up operation" mentioned to him (Headley) by LeT commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi.

Headley told the court that Lakhvi had mentioned to him about a "botchedup operation" conducted in India by another LeT operative Muzammil Butt where a female member of the terror outfit was killed.

Prodded by Nikam to elaborate on the operation and the members involved in it, Headley said, "(I was told) It was a shootout with police in which a (female) suicide bomber was killed."

'Sonia, Rahul should apologise after Headley's disclosure over Ishrat Jahan' New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): The BJP on Thursday demanded that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi appologise after Lashkare-Taiba terrorist-turned-approver David Coleman Headley said Ishrat Jahan was a member of the terror outfit.

"These Congress leaders should apologise to the nation and to the heroes who killed LeT terrorist Ishrat Jahan and her three accomplices," BJP leader Shrikant Sharma said here. shrat Jahan was allegedly killed in a staged gun battle on June 15, 2004, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat with Deputy Inspector General D.G. Vanzara, who was latTo which the prosecutor prompted three names of which Headley picked up Jahan before telling the court that "there is a female wing in LeT and one Abu Aiman's mother headed it."

Four persons- Ishrat Jahan, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed in an encounter with Gujarat Police on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004.

er jailed in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh case, leading the police team.

"Instead of praising the brave policemen, questions were raised on their sincerity and they were put behind bars by the then Congress government. Now the mask has come off their faces," he added.

Sharma said the Congress hatched a conspiracy and tried to politicise terror in order to defame the Bharatiya Janata Party and the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

"The previous UPA government at the centre questioned the police action and politicised it instead of appreciating the police for killing them. It was a hate conspiracy against the BJP leaders and the

The city crime branch had then said that those killed in the encounters were LeT terrorists and had landed in Gujarat to kill then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The CBI, which took over probe from the Gujarat High Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), had filed charge sheet in August 2013 saying that the encounter was fake and executed in the joint

Headley's claim has exposed the people who objected to the encounter," the BJP leader said.

He also alleged that the Congress leadership tried to influence the National Investigative Agency and Central Bureau of Investigation probes into the encounter.

"Several investigative agencies and officers also termed Ishrat Jahan a terrorist but the then UPA government ignored the fact and misused investigative agencies to link Modi and the BJP with the episode," he said.

Earlier, the Congress on Thursday questioned attempts to use Headley's court testimony to justify the "fake" Ishrat Jahan encounter which it said were "not permissible by law".

operation by the city crime branch and Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB).

In further disclosures, the 55-year-old, who recently turned approver in the 26/11 case, also told the court that that LeT operative Muzammil Butt was the head of his (Headley's) group before Sajid Mir. He told the court that a person, whom he identified as Abu Dujuna introduced him to Muzammil.

Headley said that he and Muzammil had once visited Kashmir to fight against the Indian troops.

Earlier in the day, Headley exposed how ISI and LeT majorly funded terror operations in India and financed him from time to time and that Pakistan native Tahawwur Rana visited Mumbai before the terror strikes in November 2008, which left 166 people dead and 309 injured. .

Rescued Siachen soldier loses battle for life

Three Service Chiefs pay last respects to Lance Naik Hanamanthappa at Brar Square in New Delhi. (ANI Photo)

New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad died here on Thursday, three days after he was found miraculously alive under 35 feet of ice for six long days in the treacherous Siachen glacier.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death as Koppad's body was flown to Hubbali in Karnataka in an IAF An-32 plane,

accompanied by his grieving family. From there, the body will be taken to his village Betadur in Dharwad for the last rites on Friday.

Mukherjee called the 33-yearold a "hero who demonstrated exemplary will power and courage in the face of adversity".

Koppad died at 11.45 a.m. at Delhi's Army Hospital Research and Referral, where he was admitted on Tuesday, following

multi-organ failure, disappointing millions in the country who had prayed for his recovery.

Koppad was found from under 35 feet of hardened ice at an avalanche-hit army post in the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir -- six days after an enormous snow wall came crashing down with a massive roar on the post he and nine other soldiers were occupying.

The bodies of the other nine have been found. Siachen, in Jammu and Kashmir, is the world's highest battlefield where more Indian and Pakistan soldiers succumb to the extreme climate rather than fighting. An India-Pakistan truce has been in place on the glacier since 2003.

Mukherjee added: "The nation shall always remember Hanumanthappa for his bravery and indomitable spirit."

Modi tweeted: "He leaves us sad and devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India."

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar added: "The nation salutes him."

Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh said: "The soldier in him will continue to inspire generations."

Besides the army chief and Parrikar, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal laid wreaths on the body at Delhi Cantonment. Koppad's wife Mahadevi and two-year-old daughter Netra were present.

When Koppad was found alive late on February 8 in Siachen, he was conscious but disoriented. The next morning, he was flown to Delhi where his health took a turn for the worse on Wednesday.

On Thursday, doctors said in the morning that he was "extremely critical", with worsening multiorgan dysfunction.

He had suffered from pneumonia and multi-organ dysfunction, and the blood clotting disorder showed no sign of reversal.

The soldier was serving in the high altitude Siachen glacier from August 2015 and was chosen for deployment on one of the highest posts, where temperatures fall below minus 40 degrees Celsius with wind speeds of 100 km per hour.

Koppad has earlier served in difficult and challenging areas for 10 of the 13 years of his military service, the army said.

His postings had earlier taken him to Jammu and Kashmir (200306 and 2008-10) and the northeast.

Siachen glacier is one of the five largest glaciers in the Karakoram range, situated at an average altitude of 17,700 feet above sea level and is contested by India and Pakistan.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Al Zayed Nehyan, Crowned prince of Abu Dhabi visits the Rajghat to pay homage to MK Gandhi during his maiden state visit to India on Thursday. (Express Photo)

Cancer patients increase due to lifestyle changes New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): India has seen a 7.5% rise in the number of cancer patients due primarily to poor lifestyle choices such as consumption of alcohol, 'pan masala' and tobacco, a study has revealed.

The lifestyle problems have contributed to cancer of lips, mouth, stomach, colon and rectum among men and to breast, ovarian and cervix uteri cancers among women, says the 'Globocan' project study conducted by International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The latest findings of the study show that India wit-

nessed 10 lakh new cancer cases and 6 lakh deaths last year, a 7.5% rise over the corresponding figures in 2008.

The Globocan project aims to provide contemporary estimates of the incidence of, mortality and prevalence from major types of cancer, at national level, for 184 countries of the world.

"With more than 10 lakh new cases and over 6 lakh deaths reported in a year, India bears a heavy burden of cancer. Considering the current trends, the incidence and mortality are expected to reach more than 12 lakh and more than 8 lakh by 2020, respectively," said the study. Late detection is also the cause of 70% of cancer

deaths in India, it said.

While 50% of the deaths in the US are accounted for by people above 70 years of age, 71% of the deaths in India claim people in the productive years of 30 to 69 years. Fifteen percent of patients are children, compared to the global average of 0.5%. "There is a lack of knowledge regarding cancer. There are regions where cancer patients are still treated as untouchables and deserted by even close relatives. The fact is that the quality of life can be improved through proper guidance of doctor and support of the family," said Asha Kapadia, head of oncology at PD Hinduja hospital in Mumbai.

Frame uniform scheme to compensate rape victims, Supreme Court tells states New Delhi, February 11 (iaNS): The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all state governments and union territory administrations to formulate a "uniform scheme" for compensation to victims of rape and sexual exploitation on the lines of one framed by Goa. "All the states and union territories shall make all endeavour to formulate a uniform scheme for providing victim compensation in respect of rape/sexual exploitation with the physically handicapped women as required under the law ..." said a bench comprising Justice M.Y.Eqbal and Justice Arun Mishra in their judgmenty.

The court said that uniform scheme of victim compensation should take into consideration "the scheme framed by the state of Goa for rape victim compensation", as it noted different states and union territories had a lot of variation - Goa paying Rs.10 lakh compensation, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh a "paltry amount" of Rs.50,000 and Maharashtra none.

The direction came as the court dis-

missed a plea by Taken alias Takram of Chhattisgarh who had challenged his seven year rigorous imprisonment after being convicted for sexually exploiting a blind girl on the false promise of marrying her.

Directing the Chhattisgarh government to provide the blind victim of sexual exploitation a sum of Rs.8,000 every month in her lifetime, Justice Eqbal, speaking for the bench, said: "It would not be possible for the victim to approach the National Commission for Women ... for relief and rehabilitation... the victim, who has already suffered a lot since the day of the crime till now, needs a special rehabilitation scheme."

Chhattisgarh government "shall pay a sum of Rs.8,000 per month as victim compensation to the victim who is physically handicapped, i.e. blind, till her life time", the court said in its direction.

"Indisputably,no amount of money can erase the trauma and grief the victim suffers. This aid can be crucial with aftermath of crime," it said.

FridaY 12•02 •2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

WHO advises women on Zika protection G E N E VA / L O N D O N, FEbruAry 11 (rEutErs): The World Health Organisation advised women on Wednesday on how to protect themselves from Zika, particularly if pregnant, but also reassured them that most women in areas affected by the mosquitoborne virus will give birth to “normal infants.”

The illness, until recently viewed as relatively mild, has sparked concern because of a possible link between infection in pregnancy and microcephaly, a rare birth defect in which infants are born with abnormally small heads that can be accompanied by developmental problems.

Brazil, the worst hit country in an outbreak sweeping the Americas and now present in more than 30 countries, is investigating a potential link between Zika infections and more than 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika infection in 17 of these cases, either in the baby or in the mother, but have not confirmed that the virus can cause microcephaly.

In its advice, the Geneva-based WHO said women in areas with the virus should protect themselves, especially during pregnancy, by covering up against mosquitoes and practicing safe sex through the use of condoms. It said more evidence was needed to confirm whether sex commonly transmits the virus.

The agency, which declared a health emergency over Zika on Feb. 1, did not recommend travel restric-

World’s top scientists pledge to share all findings to fight Zika

A health technician analyzes a blood sample from a patient bitten by a mosquito at the National Institute of Health in Lima, Peru on February 2. (REUTERS Photo)

tions but suggested women should consult their doctors or authorities if travelling.

Pregnant women in general, including those who develop symptoms of Zika infection, should see their health care provider for close monitoring. But the WHO was also reassuring, declaring: “Most women in Zika-affected areas will give birth to normal infants.”

A study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine provided new evidence strengthening the association between Zika virus and a spike in birth defects, citing the presence of the virus in the brain of an aborted fetus of a Euro-

pean woman who became pregnant while living in Brazil.

Professor Tatjana Avšič Županc, who led the researchers in the study, said in an email her team’s findings “may present the most compelling evidence to date” of the link between Zika and birth defects.

As scientists race to find out more about the virus and its possible effects, 30 of the world’s leading scientific research institutions, journals and funders pledged to share for free all data and expertise on the virus as soon as they have it.

“The arguments for sharing data and the consequences of not doing so (have been) ... thrown into stark relief by the Ebola and

Zika outbreaks,” said the agreement by an unprecedented number of signatories in the Americas, Japan, Europe and elsewhere.

There is as yet no vaccine or treatment for the disease.

Specialists welcomed the initiative, saying it showed how the global health community had learnt crucial lessons from West Africa’s Ebola epidemic, which killed more than 11,300 people.

Mark Woolhouse, a University of Edinburgh professor of infectious diseases, said the commitment “if acted upon...will save lives.”

Zika has raised issues of a woman’s reproductive rights The Zika outbreak has

raised the issue of a woman’s reproductive rights including abortion, a contentious issue in much of Latin America. The WHO said on Wednesday that, “Women who wish to terminate a pregnancy due to a fear of microcephaly should have access to safe abortion services to the full extent of the law.”

Abortion is illegal in many cases in Brazil, and in much of the region. Reflecting the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in many parts of the Americas, a Catholic group appealed to Pope Francis on Wednesday to allow Church members to “follow their conscience” and use contraception or to let women have abortions to protect

LONDON, FEbruAry 11 (rEutErs): Thirty of the world’s leading scientific research institutions, journals and funders have pledged to share for free all data and expertise on Zika to speed up the fight against an outbreak of the viral disease spreading across the Americas. “The arguments for sharing data and the consequences of not doing so (have been) ... thrown into stark relief by the Ebola and Zika outbreaks,” said a statement issued by signatories from around the world.

Specialists welcomed the initiative, saying it showed how the global health community had learnt crucial lessons from West Africa’s Ebola epidemic, which killed more than 11,300 people and saw scientists scrambling to conduct research to help in the development of potential treatments and vaccines. Mark Woolhouse, a University of Edinburgh professor of infectious diseases, said the open sharing of data commitment was “one of the most welcome developthemselves against Zika.

Catholics for Choice, a liberal advocacy group based in Washington, said in a statement it would run ads in the International New York Times and El Diario de Hoy in El Salvador on Thursday, the eve of a papal trip to Cuba and Mexico.

“When you travel tomorrow (Friday) to Latin America, we ask you to make it clear to your brother bishops that good Catholics can follow their conscience and use birth control to protect themselves and their partners,” the ad will say, according to advance excerpts released in the statement.

The Catholic Church teaches that life begins at the moment of conception

ments” he’d seen in decades. “If acted upon, this declaration will save lives,” he said.

Signatories to Wednesday’s agreement to share the fruits of that research included the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), France’s Institut Pasteur, the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the Wellcome Trust global health charity. Scientific journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, Science and The Lancet, pledged to “make all content concerning the Zika virus free to access”.

Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and a signatory of the statement, said research is an essential part of the response to any global health emergency. “This is particularly true for Zika, where so much is still unknown about the virus, how it is spread and the possible link with microcephaly,” he said.

and that abortion is killing.

It also bans artificial birth control such as condoms, arguing that they block the possible transmission of life. The ban is widely disregarded in many countries, but activists say there is still a stigma attached to birth control in some Latin American countries because of the edict.

In its statement on Wednesday, the WHO said microcephaly cannot reliably be predicted by early ultrasounds, “except in extreme cases.” This point is important, as even in countries where abortion services are freely available, they are generally prohibited after a certain point in the pregnancy.

The head of the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday told a Congressional hearing that he expects Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, to be hard hit by Zika.

Mosquitoes have already passed the virus to people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“We will likely see significant numbers of cases in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden told the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing.

So far there have been no cases of Zika passed by mosquitoes in the continental United States, said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Wednesday.

Koirala’s death sparks ‘controversy’ in Nepali media Sleep deprivation can lead to false confessions kAthmANDu, FEbruAry 11 (IANs): The sudden and unexpected death of former prime minister Sushil Koirala earlier this week has sparked a controversy in Nepal, giving rise to questions in the media like why his illness was kept in the dark and why was he not taken to a hospital for treatment.

Nepal’s major dailies on Thursday -- a day after Koirala, 76, was cremated with state honours on the bank of the holy Bagmati river -- raised several questions related to his death and dragged Koirala’s personal doctor and aides in the controversy.

Koirala had undergone radiotherapy for lung cancer in 2014 and surgery for tongue cancer 10 years ago in the US. He died on Tuesday due to pneumonia.

Koirala was a bachelor and used to live with Shashank Koirala, a close relative. He was looked after by his niece and other family members.

Hours before his death on Monday night, Koirala collapsed in the bathroom, writes Nepal’s major national daily, Kantipur, raising questions like why was he not taken to hospital.

There was a small wound on his forehead which was covered by sandalwood paste but his aides and doc-

tor claimed that Koirala collapsed on Saturday not Monday, the daily wrote. Doctors, politicians, activists, journalists and other social network users have raised doubts over Koirala’s death and termed it sheer negligence, the Nepali language daily said.

Koirala was also under pressure due to the upcoming 13th general convention of the party, Kantipur wrote. To elect the new leadership, the party held local elections across Nepal and Koirala was looking forward to a second term but he was challenged by aspirants from the Koirala family itself and party vice president Ram Chandra Poudel.

At least three hospitals are located within one-km-radius of Koirala’s residence but none of his aides and doctors felt the need to take him to any for a check-up, the daily wrote.

Different kinds of statements made by his private doctor and his aides also added fuel to the controversy.

The first photo released after his death by the Nepali Congress -whose president Koirala was -- clearly shows that there was something wrong with his forehead and there was a blood spot on the white cloth that covered his body.

Why was he not taken to a hos-

pital when he was suffering from an illness, asked another Nepali language daily Naya Patrika. Koirala was consuming sleeping tablets without a doctor’s prescription after he complained of sleeplessness prior to his death.

His private doctor Karbir Nath Yogi had earlier said that it is extremely harmful for people with lung problem to consume sleeping tablets and had stopped prescribing sedatives to Koirala. His face was swollen and his health condition was eroding on Monday, the daily added.

Another report, in the English daily The Kathmandu Post titled “Was Koirala’s illness kept in dark?”, also raised the question of political expediency.

“Koirala’s illness was concealed by his aides who wanted to showcase him as a healthy figure for their own benefit in the convention,” contended Nepali Congress lawmaker Ram Hari Khatiwada.

Close aides of the former prime minister knew about the seriousness of his illness but recklessly endangered his health in the hope that it would not be fatal before the convention, The Kathmandu Post reported citing Khatiwada.

NEw yOrk, FEbruAry 11 (IANs): People who are deprived of sleep are more likely to sign false confessions to a wrong they never did, than individuals who are well rested, a new study says.

The odds of signing a false confession were 4.5 times higher for participants who had been awake for 24 hours than for those who had slept 8 hours the night before, the findings showed.

“It’s a crucial first step toward understanding the role of sleep deprivation in false confessions and, in turn, raises complex questions about the

use of sleep deprivation in the interrogation of innocent and guilty suspects,” said Kimberly M. Fenn, associate professor at the Michigan State University, in the US. Those who indicated a higher level of sleepiness were significantly more likely to sign the false confession, the study revealed.

For the study, 88 participants completed various computer activities and a cognitive test during several laboratory sessions over a week-long period.

On the final day of the experiment, half of the participants slept

for eight hours while the other half stayed awake overnight. The next morning before leaving the lab, each participant was shown a statement summarizing his or her activities and falsely alleging the participant had pressed the escape key.

Participants were asked to sign the statement, check a box confirming its accuracy and sign their name.

The results were striking: 50% of sleep-deprived participants signed the false confession, while only 18 of rested participants signed it.

Alcohol allows bacteria to infiltrate into liver NEw yOrk, FEbruAry 11 (IANs): Alcohol allows gut bacteria to migrate to the liver, promoting alcohol-induced liver diseases, reveals a new study.

According to the researchers, natural gut antibiotics are diminished by alcohol and leave mice more prone to bacterial growth in the liver, exacerbating alcoholinduced liver disease. “Alcohol appears to impair

the body’s ability to keep microbes in check,” said senior author Bernd Schnabl from University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in the US. “When those barriers breakdown, bacteria that don’t normally colonise the liver end up there, and now we’ve found that this bacterial migration promotes alcohol liver disease. Strategies to restore the body’s de-

fenses might help us treat the disease,” Schnabl added.

The study was published in Cell Host & Microbe. For the study, mice engineered to lack REG3G and fed alcohol for 8 weeks were more susceptible to bacterial migration from the gut to the liver than normal mice who received the same amount of alcohol.

REG3G-deficient mice also developed more severe

alcoholic liver disease than normal mice. and reduced bacterial growth. Likewise, restoring REG3G in mice protectedthemfromalcoholinduced fatty liver disease, a condition that precedes liver cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease. Not only do patients with alcohol dependency have lower levels of REG3G than healthy people, they also have more bacteria growing there, the study found.

North Korea feels global pressure but not completely ostracized sEOuL, FEbruAry 11 (rEutErs): From building statues and training police in Africa to trading with India and Thailand, North Korea is managing to maintain business ties and friendly diplomatic relations with a dwindling number of Cold War-era friends.

That is despite being cut off from much of the world for conducting a decade of banned rocket and nuclear tests, including the launch of a rocket last weekend that North Korea says put a satellite into space. The United States and its allies saw the launch as a missile test.

Indeed, Pyongyang has been squeezed by layers of U.N. sanctions since 2006 targeting its once-lucrative arms trade and the flow of money that financed its weapons programme.

China, North Korea’s most important ally, as well as Russia have signed up to U.N. Security Council sanctions over the missile and

nuclear tests.

Votes in the U.N. General Assembly over the past decade censuring Pyongyang on human rights also show ebbing global support.

Thailand, which had abstained from voting on six resolutions against North Korea has since 2011 voted in favour of the three on which votes were recorded.

Botswana severed diplomatic ties with North Korea in 2014, linking its decision to a U.N. report on crimes against humanity in North Korea, while Indonesia switched in 2010 from voting against North Korea human rights resolutions to abstaining, according to U.N. records.

Still, the country has enjoyed consistent backing in U.N. General Assembly votes on human rights from a core group including Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Venezuela, which is currently part of

the 15-member Security Council, as well as from China and Russia.

Much of North Korea’s support is from fellow members of the Cold Warera Non-Aligned Movement, with which it trades in goods and services.

Besides China, which accounts for 90 percent of its trade, North Korea’s biggest trading partners in recent years include Russia, India and Thailand, according to South Korean government data through to 2014.

It has imported Indian dyes and paints, Russian mineral oil and Thai rubber, and sold electronic components to India and clothes to Russia.

India exported precious metals and stones worth nearly $2 million to North Korea in 2014, up from $103,000 in 2013, said a report by the U.N. Security Council’s Panel of Experts on North Korea, which monitors implementation of sanctions.

The report, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, said India told it the exports did not violate a ban on luxury goods entering North Korea.

STATUES AND SMUGGLING When North Korea set out to forge diplomatic ties in newly independent African countries, founding leader Kim Il Sung provided financial and military support.

It has also sent artists and construction engineers to Africa to build public artworks to earn revenue. A $27 million North Korea-built bronze statue called the Monument of African Renaissance that opened in 2010 in Senegal stands taller than the Statue of Liberty.

“In the 1950s and 1960s, North Korea made much more progress on the diplomatic front than South Korea,” said Yoon Hae-joong, South Korea’s ambassador to Indonesia between 2003

and 2005, describing North Korea’s diplomatic relationships as mostly about form and symbolism, not substance.

Last year, a report by the U.N. expert panel noted police cooperation between North Korea and Uganda, with the North Koreans providing training on the use of AK-47s and pistols.

The latest report said training was continuing as of December.

Uganda has abstained from voting on all nine U.N. General Assembly resolutions on North Korean human rights for which votes were counted since 2005, a record mirrored by countries including India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali and Qatar.

Hong Soon-kyung, a North Korean defector, said that when he worked as a counsellor at Pyongyang’s embassy in Bangkok during the 1990s, he imported Thai rice for his famine-stricken homeland and did business for

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a long range rocket launched into the air in this still image taken from KRT footage and released by Yonhap on February 7.

(REUTERS Photo)

a North Korean biometric firm, which he said was funded by a Singaporean businessman.

“North Korea opened up a state fingerprint firm’s branch to make money out of fingerprint keys,” said Hong, who also served in

Pakistan, where he says he sold expensive duty-free liquor to local merchants, before defecting to the South in 2000.

North Korea has 53 embassies and overseas missions, according to South Korean government data,

some of which have been notorious for engaging in business, including illicit activities.

Last year, Bangladesh expelled a North Korean diplomat caught smuggling $1.4 million worth of gold.

10

FriDAY 12•02•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Month before World T20, problems mount in India Pakistan undecided on World T20 participation

New Delhi, February 11 (aFp): Storm clouds are gathering over cricket's World Twenty20 tournament, with organisers still to release tickets or confirm the venues less than a month before the event begins in India.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters are expected to attend the 16-team contest which begins on March 8, the first time India has hosted the world cup for the game's newest and most popular format.

But with question marks over the presence of the West Indies and New Delhi yet to receive clearance to host matches, fans who need to secure flights, hotels and even visas are still unable to firm up travel plans. The official line from the Indian board is that any glitches will be ironed out and there is no cause for alarm.

"Everything will be sorted out very soon," Anurag Thakur, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told AFP.

But Paul Ford, cofounder of New Zealand's Beige Brigade fan club, said it was now simply too late for some fans.

"We would have loved to travel to India as New Zealand have a good team this time round," Ford told AFP. "But the delay in ticket sales and the venue being undecided has really made it hard for the fans to plan their travel."

Tickets for other major sporting events in 2016 such as the Rio Olympics in August and football's European Championships which take place in France in June went on sale months ago.

Thakur told reporters last Friday that tickets would be released at the start of this week, a month before the first matches involving the tournament's minnows.

But that deadline came and went and organisers have set next Monday as their new target, a month before India play New Zealand in the first heavyweight clash.

New Delhi, February 11 (pTi): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today said its government will decide over the national team's participation in next month's World T20, to be held in India, within this week. "We expect the government to decide on the matter within this week. We are well prepared in case the government gives permission for the team to travel to India. The visa applications for the players and support staff have been processed, which is part of standard procedure," PCB's media director Amjad Hussain told PTI. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had yesterday assured highest possible protection to the visiting teams for the mega event in March-April Pakistan are scheduled to play their tournament opener in Kolkata on March 16, following which they are scheduled to play hosts India in the scenic Dharamsala on March 19. Pakistan and India have not played a full bilateral series since 2007. India stalled cricketing ties in the aftermath of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. Pakistan, however, had toured India for a short ODI series in 2012.

The delay can be explained in part by the uncertainty over whether New Delhi's Firoz Shah Kotla stadium will receive all the permits needed to stage its four matches -- including the first semi-final.

While the Delhi High Court indicated on Monday it was likely to give its green light, it also left open the possibility that it would not make a final decision for nearly another three weeks. "Twenty days is the maximum time given, we

Accusations fly as Windies World Twenty20 squad stand firm

KiNGSTON, February 11 (reuTerS): The impasse between the West Indies squad for the World Twenty20 and the region's cricket board appeared no closer to resolution on Wednesday with both sides sticking to their positions.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive Michael Muirhead says a new team will be chosen if the players do not abide by the previously agreed financial terms to play in the global event, which takes place in India from March 8-April 3.

The players, however, want a new deal and have given no indication they will back down and sign the offered contract ahead of Sunday's board-imposed deadline.

Wavell Hinds, the president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), negotiated the terms of the deal but captain Darren Sammy said

will get things in order in 10 days," Chetan Chauhan, vice-president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association, told AFP. "We have already told the BCCI to start the ticket sales. We have told them that we are absolutely fit to host the matches with all the approvals in place."

Mystery 'Plan B' Nevertheless, the BCCI says it has drawn up a Plan B without revealing which venues might step in.

But the problems have

evoked unfortunate memories of the ODI World Cup in 2011 when Kolkata lost its right to host matches after furious fans had already paid for their flights from England. Veteran sports writer Ayaz Memon said the uncertainty over whether India's capital was fit to stage matches was "agonising".

"If Delhi loses its World Cup games then it is a big blow to the BCCI and a setback to the cricket administration in India... and that is not acceptable," Memon

the body did not speak on behalf of the squad. "Firstly, as a group we don't accept that WIPA can represent us. WIPA became conflicted during its negotiations with you and compromised itself," Sammy wrote in a second letter to Muirhead in less than 24 hours.

"It could not and did not actively represent the best interests of all West Indies cricketers and is a major reason we are having this discussion."

Hinds responded in an interview on Jamaican radio station RJR 94fm on Wednesday. "Those are claims that were made by Mr Sammy and they stand by themselves, unsupported, no substantive evidence to support what he is saying and just a claim left idle by itself," Hinds, a former test opening batsman, said.

"But as far as I’m concerned, whatever WIPA have done has been above board and was in the best interest of all

told AFP. Another crisis is brewing in the Caribbean where a pay dispute shows little sign of being resolved before a February 14 deadline for players to sign contracts drawn up by the West Indies board.

While it appears unlikely the West Indies will boycott the event, its credibility would take a major hit if stars such as Chris Gayle stay at home and are replaced by secondstringers. The 2009 winners Pakistan have also voiced

its members."

Hinds questioned the motives of the players, who he said collected match fees under this same payment plan for test matches and one day series in Sri Lanka and Australia last year, as well as regional tournaments.

"I don't understand now, why this one item is being plucked out. It is a payment plan which incorporates everything," he said.

Both Hinds and a release from the WICB on Wednesday noted that five players in the squad -- Jerome Taylor, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin, Jason Holder and Darren Bravo -- were present when the payment plan was agreed in May 2015 and none of them had objected.

West Indies are former World Twenty20 champions and currently second in the world rankings in the shortest form of the international game.

concerns about security in India while stopping short of threatening a boycott.

The South Asian arch rivals have not played a bilateral series for more than three years amid diplomatic tensions but they are due to play each other on March 19 in the Himalayan town of Dharamsala.

Thakur said it was ultimately up to Pakistan whether they decided to come to India. Memon acknowledged the delay to ticket sales was unhelpful

but added that it would be unfair to lay all the blame at the door of the Indian board as it was an International Cricket Council (ICC) event.

No one from the ICC was available for comment when contacted by AFP. "As far as the tournament is concerned, I hope that West Indies don't send a third-string team," said Memon. "And I also hope that Pakistan don't skip the event because that will take away the sheen from a world tournament."

AR Inter Sector Boxing C’ship Liverpool owners bow to fans over ticket prices

Dimapur, February 11 (mexN): The Assam Rifles Inter Sector Boxing Championship was conducted at ARTC & School, Shukhovi, from February 2 to 6. A total of 108 pugilists representing the twelve Sectors of AR vied for the coveted ‘DGAR Boxing Trophy’ in ten weight categories.

RESULTS

Weight Category Light Fly (46-49 Kg) Fly (49-52 Kg) Bantam (52-56 Kg) Light (56-60 Kg) Light Welter (60-64 Kg) Welter (64-69 Kg) Middle (69-75 Kg) Light Heavy (75-81 Kg) Heavy (81-91 Kg) Super Heavy (>91 Kg)

HQ 9 Sector emerged as the Inter Sector Boxing Champions while HQ 21 Sector was the runners up. Rfn V Zansang Puia of HQ 27 Sector was declared the Best Boxer while Rfn Brijesh Kumar of HQ 27 Sector was declared the Best Loser.

Winner Rfn T K Dey, 28 Sector Rfn V Zansang Puia, 27 Sector Rfn Eveson Kharraiar, 9 Sector Rfn L Lova, HQ 27 Sector Rfn N Hajang, HQ 21 Sector Rfn K Liana, 26 Sector Rfn Bisan Hamal, HQ 9 Sector Rfn Sonu, 10 Sector Rfn K Manham, HQ 21Sector Rfn P Hrango Pumoi, 21 Sect

Runner up Rfn Seikho Kai, 21 Sector Rfn G Rengmai, 28 Sector Rfn T Taping, 26 Sector Rfn C Kungkho, HQ 10 Sector Rfn Vinod Kumar, HQ 9 Sector Rfn Lalthazuala, 23 Sector Rfn R K Singh, HQ 23 Sector Rfn K B Jamatia, 27 Sector Rfn D Patel, HQ 9 Sector Rfn Brijesh Kumar, 27 Sector

lONDON, February 11 (reuTerS): Liverpool's American owners bowed to pressure from the club's fans by backing down on plans to increase ticket prices significantly for next season following a mass walkout protest at their Anfield stadium on Saturday.

Around 10,000 supporters headed for the exits during the club's 2-2 Premier League draw with Sunderland, in protest against proposals to introduce a highest-priced 77-pound ($112) ticket for next season.

Principal Owner John W Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon issued a statement on the club's website on Wednesday, apolo-

gising for any distress that had been caused and saying those plans had been scrapped.

The most expensive ticket will now be 59 pounds. "It has been a tumultuous week. On behalf of everyone at Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club, we would like to apologise for the distress caused by our ticket pricing plan for the 2016-17 season," the statement said. "The three of us have been particularly troubled by the perception that we don’t care about our supporters, that we are greedy, and that we are attempting to extract personal profits at the club’s expense.

Quite the opposite is true."

The club said that while

Coe 'won't accept' Nestle split with scandal-hit IAAF

GeNeva, February 11 (aFp): World athletics chief Sebastian Coe on Wednesday angrily hit back at Nestle's move to terminate its sponsorship of the scandalhit IAAF, insisting he will not accept the decision.

Nestle, the world's largest food company, became in 2012 the main sponsor of a programme aimed at promoting athletics for youths worldwide. It was reported to be worth $1 million a year.

"Angered and dismayed by today's kids' athletics announcement. We will not accept it. It's the kids

who will suffer," said International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Coe in a brief statement.

Nestle said they were concerned over fears that the corruption and doping scandals surrounding the sport could damage the company's reputation.

"I confirm that we have decided to end our partnership with the IAAF Kids Athletics programme with immediate effect," Nestle spokeswoman Lydia Meziani told AFP in an email.

"This decision was taken

in light of negative publicity associated with allegations of corruption and doping in sport made against the IAAF," she added.

The IAAF is facing crises on multiple fronts, including widespread allegations of corruption and bribery under disgraced former boss Lamine Diack.

Before Coe's toughtalking reaction to Nestle's decision, the world body had been keen to stress the benefits of its partnership with Nestle. "The IAAF is in discussion with Nestle concerning the final year of its

five-year partnership with IAAF Kids' Athletics," said the IAAF in a statement.

"This has been a successful programme with 15 million kids aged seven to 12 years in 76 countries taking part in fun team activities which promotes a healthy, active lifestyle.

"In 2016 IAAF Kids' Athletics plans to reach a further 15 countries, training 360 lecturers, instructing 8,640 physical education teachers, with three million children participating by the end of the activation."

The defection of Swit-

zerland-based Nestle as a sponsor came after the IAAF admitted last month that it was battling to retain corporate backing, amid reports that Adidas was also walking away.

The deal with the German sportswear giant signed in 2008 and reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars was due to run until 2019. Independent investigations have found that corruption was embedded in the IAAF during the tenure of Diack, a Senegalese national now facing criminal charges in France.

some prices may move marginally from this season, total ticket revenue would be frozen at the current level, excluding new seats which are due to be added in the redeveloped Main Stand.

A number of high-profile Liverpool figures joined Saturday's protest with the club's former defender and now Sky pundit Jamie Carragher leaving Anfield on 77 minutes and ex-manager Roy Evans tweeting his support.

The Liverpool protest has gained widespread support among fans from other clubs and supporters' groups, while Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron said in Parliament that he would "look very carefully" at

the issue of ticket prices.

Liverpool has comparatively high levels of unemployment to other cities and is ranked the fourth most deprived local authority, according to national statistics for 2015.

In defence of their record, Liverpool's owners said they had not taken a "single penny" out of the club and had invested heavily in the playing squad and infrastructure. The Fenway Sports Group took over at Liverpool in 2010, replacing former co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett who had faced widespread protests from fans for leveraging the club with debt and pushing it to the verge of insolvency.

McCullum set for another milestone with 100th test

Leicester and Tottenham face huge title tests lONDON, February 11 (reuTerS): Leicester City will be wary of a reality check when the Premier League front-runners visit Arsenal on Sunday before Tottenham Hotspur's burgeoning title ambitions come under scrutiny at Manchester City.

A quirk of the fixture list has pitted the top four against each other and although there are still 13 matches to go, this weekend could prove pivotal.

Against all the odds, Leicester have sustained their push for a first-ever English top-flight title, and their magnificent 3-1 win at Manchester City last time out finally convinced bookmakers to install them as favourites.

Tottenham's odds for a first English title since 1961 also shortened after they eased into second spot, five points behind Leicester, with a narrow victory over Watford last weekend.

While Arsenal and Manchester City, third and fourth respectively, are familiar with the home stretch of a title chase, once

Leicester City fans celebrate their win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester on February 6. (Reuters)

described by former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as "squeaky bum time", Leicester and Tottenham are entering unfamiliar territory.

Leicester spent most of the past decade outside the Premier League, while Tottenham's target is usually a top-four finish, something

they have achieved only twice since 1992. With the pressure mounting, Arsenal, who are also five points behind the leaders, will probe for mental cracks having inflicted one of only two league defeats this season on Leicester.

That was a 5-2 hammering at the King Power Sta-

dium in September -- a result many expected would precipitate a return to the lower regions of the table.

Instead, it sparked a 10-match unbeaten run that was halted by Liverpool in December, since when Leicester have scaled the summit on the back of another seven-game

stretch without defeat.

Arsenal are chasing a first title since 2005 but have stuttered since the turn of the year and victory at Bournemouth last week was their first in five games.

With a huge Champions League tie looming against Barcelona, beating Leicester would give Arsene Wenger's side momentum with which to attack the final months of the season.

Manchester City, six points adrift of Leicester, plundered 10 goals in Tottenham's last two league visits to the Etihad Stadium with Sergio Aguero scoring six of them.

They also won 5-1 at Tottenham in 2014, but have already experienced Tottenham's rapid improvement this season, going down 4-1 at White Hart lane in September.

While it looks likely the title will be contested by the current top four, Manchester United are lurking in fifth place, six behind City, and are still eyeing a Champions League spot.

They visit struggling Sunderland on Saturday.

New Zealand's Brendon McCullum plays a shot during a cricket practice session in Jaipur November 30, 2010. (REUTERS/Files)

welliNGTON, February 11 (reuTerS): As the clock ticks down on Brendon McCullum's international career, the New Zealand captain will achieve one more milestone on Friday in the first test against Australia at the Basin Reserve.

The 34-year-old will become the third New Zealander to play 100 test matches for his country, behind Daniel Vettori (112), who played one for a World XI in 2005, and Stephen Fleming (111).

McCullum, who is to retire from all international cricket after the second test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch that starts on February 20, has played all 100 of his tests in succession since debut, which is a world record.

South Africa's AB de Villiers played 98 successive tests from debut, a run that ended last January. Al-

lan Border played 153 successive tests for Australia, though not all from his debut.

"To be able to play 100 straight tests ... I'm pretty proud of that," McCullum told reporters at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.

"Not only the longevity but being able to overcome injuries and the toughness of touring and the ups and downs with performances and still being able to pick yourself back up ... and warrant a place in the team is something you can look back on with a bit of pride."

Initially a swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman when he made his debut against South Africa in Hamilton on March 10, 2004, McCullum gave the gloves away in the longest form of the game in 2010 as he fought a painful, chronic back condition.

He floated up to the top of the order after that, scor-

ing his first double century against India in November 2010 at Hyderabad, but once he assumed the captaincy he settled into the middle order, where he has played 19 of his last 22 tests.

Batting at number five, McCullum scored New Zealand's first test triple century, against India at the Basin Reserve two years ago, but it is the development of the side since that match is what McCullum said he would remember the most.

"The last 15-20 tests have been an incredible part of (my) life," he said.

"The changes we have been able to make and the evolution in the environment and the performances we have been starting to put up.

"For me it's about dirty whites, sweaty black caps, a beer in hand and you're able to look back on hard work achieved ... with a sense of pride."

Friday 12•02•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Kendall Paul McCartney launches Jenner Sues Paul McCartney Skincare Audio Mojis for Skype is embracing modern Company technology by teaming up with for $10 Skype to launch the first ever audio mojis in time for Million Valentine's Day (14Feb16).

T

he Live and Let Die legend has created new music to accompany Skype's range of love-themed animated clips, known as mojis, to help users better express their emotions on the phone and video calling platforms on the most romantic day of the year. MC-

Cartney was sent a brief of the specific emotions he needed to compose for, and the Beatles icon admits tackling the project was a lot of fun.

"It turned out to be a great laugh at the same time as challenging, because you suddenly realise you've got to compress a musical interpretation of an expression into less than five seconds," the veteran rocker explains. "It was like doing a huge crossword puzzle and coming up with all these solutions. And at the same time it was musical, so it was great practice for me in the studio."

"As one of the most iconic artists of all time,

Paul McCartney is known for expressing his passion through music, and when it comes to composing love songs there is no other artist in the world who has a better track record," Gurdeen Pall, Corporate Vice President at Skype, adds.

"Paul's music has touched the hearts of millions of people all over the world. We are thrilled to lend some of his magic to a set of Mojis conveying the world's most powerful emotion, love, through music and art. It was a great creative challenge for us to create the animations to match his legendary MCCartney's latest musi- the brains behind the Dessound." cal tech project after pre- tiny video game.

The Love Mojis deal is viously joining forces with Source: Contactmusic

K

upermodel Cindy Crawford said that her ex-husband Richard Gere is "like a stranger" to her, reported People magazine. Ms Crawford, 49, said that they are at good terms with each other but do not meet. "I didn't think I was young, though, but I was young. I was with Richard for, like, six years, but I was only married for two years. We're friendly, but I think it's almost like he's gone back to being, like, 'Richard Gere' again, like a stranger, because we don't really see each other that much," she said.

Ms Crawford was 26 when she married the then 42-year-old Richard in 1991. The couple officially parted ways four years later, in 1995. "I think part of the problem in our relationship was that we were a lot of other things, but I don't know if we were ever friends - like peers, because I was young, and he was Richard Gere," she said.

"And then, as I started kind of growing up and growing into myself - it's hard to change the nature of a relationship once you're already in it," she added.

endall Jenner's endorsement is worth eight figures and she won't take any less. The 20-yearold model is suing a skincare company which uses her face and likeness without permission.

Cutera uses her photo in advertisements for a laser treatment provided by the company. The ads, which popped up in New York this month, claimed acne "completely ruined" Jenner's self-esteem and the company helped her achieve her "nearly flawless skin." It failed to mention whether Jenner had used the treatment.

According to the lawsuit, Jenner never signed up to be Cutera's model.

"Cutera's use of Kendall Jenner's name and likeness is not, and never has been, authorized," the lawsuit read. "Cutera has never sought Ms. Jenner's permission to use her as a 'face' for its products and services, and Ms. Jenner has never given such permission." The court documents stated her numerous achievements including appearances on high-profiled magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Allure, Harper's Bazaar and InStyle. She also boasted her clothing line, reality TV show and social media presence. Jenner and her legal team are seeking $10 million in compensation and a temporary restraining order against Cutera in addition to the prohibition of "any use of Kendall Jenner's name, likeness, identity or person."

Source: PTI

Source: AceShowbiz.com

Cindy Crawford says Ex-Husband Richard Gere is ‘Like a Stranger’

S

Harry Potter’s eighth book to hit stores in July 2016

A

C M Y K

n original new script co-authored by J K Rowling, who has written the famed Harry Potter book series, is set to hit stores this July in the form of a book titled “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I and II,” publishers Little Brown Group have said. “The Special Rehearsal Edition of the script book will be published at 00.01 on July 31, 2016, following the play’s opening on July 30, bringing the eighth Harry Potter story to a wider, global audience,” publishers Hachette India said.

Hachette is distributing in India the book of the stage collaboration by Rowling, Jack Thorne and

John Tiffany.

The script eBook would be published simultaneously with print editions by Pottermore, in collaboration with Little, Brown Book Group in the UK, and Scholastic in the US and Canada.

“J K Rowling and her team have received a huge number of appeals from fans who can’t be in London to see the play and who would like to read the play in book format — and so we are absolutely delighted to be able to make it available for them,” David Shelley, CEO of Little, Brown Book Group said in a statement.

Incidentally July 31 is Harry Potter’s birthday.

The storyline picks up

19 years after the seventh book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” ended in the year 2007, and catches up with Harry, Ron and Hermoine.

According to information provided by the publisher, Harry is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted.

As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncom-

fortable truth: sometimes darkness comes from unexpected places.

Rowling has authored seven books in the Harry Potter series, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories and translated into 79 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films.

She has also written three companion volumes “Quidditch Through the Ages” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, and “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.”

T

up at the kind of age where your body starts changing... it was in that era when very, very, very thin people were popular in Hollywood, so that's what I had to look up

to. "When the Kardashians came on the scene that was the first time that I really associated curves with beauty, and it was just so new to me. I remember thinking, 'Wow, that's so cool!' And even in a time when I was still struggling with food, I was able to look at Kim's curves and be like, 'I should really be proud of my curves'."

Demi battled an eating disorder and checked into rehab in 2011 to tackle her body image issues.

Katie Holmes’ bipolar drama picked up by Mental Health Groups

P

aul Dalio's new film about the bipolar disorder has been hailed a breakthrough by mental health organisations. "Touched With Fire", in which Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby portray manic depressives on the run from a hospital, has been picked up by officials at several foundations and charities, reported Contactmusic.

Dalio, who spent five years in and out of psychiatric hospitals until he overcame his struggles with manic de-

pression, is thrilled his latest movie has been so well received.

"It's been astounding. A series of organisations got behind us and wanted to use the film and go around the country and have screenings, like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). "We haven't gotten one negative response from a doctor or patient or family member. Every single one said, 'This is exactly what it was like for me'."

Source: PTI

S

howing its newly-discovered liberal stance on Hollywood releases, the Censor Board Of Film Certification(CBFC) has passed Deadpool for an Indian release with seven cuts.

Will they, won't they?

There was a lot of nail-biting suspense over the fate of the new subversive superhero global blockbuster Deadpool, what with its content being panned and banned in several parts of the world including China where the film has been stopped.

Showing its newly-

Source: PTI

Demi thanks the Kardashians for making Voluptuous Sexy again he Cool For the Summer singer has been open about her own battles with body image, and now she admits Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian signaled the charge for her to get healthy. In an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show, which aired in America on Wednesday, Demi reveals Kim, in particular, should take credit for revamping what is considered hot.

"When I was growing

Banned in China, Deadpool passed in India with 7 cuts

"Now there's tons of beautiful, curvy women out there," she adds. During the TV chat, the Latina also opened up about her romance with "handsome" boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama, confirming the couple is not engaged, adding, "I don't see a ring (but) I wouldn't mind if I saw one." Demi and Wilmer have been dating "on and off" for five years, and the singer says, "There's time for everything."

discovered liberal stance on Hollywood releases, the Censor Board Of Film Certification(CBFC) has passed Deadpool for an Indian release with seven cuts.

Says censor chief Pahlaj Nihalani, "We have made very general cuts. If you look at what has happened to Deadpool in China, it was apparently banned because any number of cuts was seen to hamper the storyline of the film. I can assure you the cuts we've requested in no way affect the storytelling."

Sonam Kapoor's Neerja

BaNNed iN PaKiStaN

Source: DNA

Hillstar NOW SHOWING

R

am Madhvani's Neerja, which stars Sonam Kapoor as slain stewardess Neerja Bhanot, has been banned in Pakistan for allegedly portraying the country in poor light. Neerja documents the story of Neerja Bhanot, Source: Contactmusic who was killed in the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi.

"The ministry issued us a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to import the film and bring it to Pakistani territory, but later on revoked the NOC," an official with IMGC Entertainment said.

Mobasher Hasan, who heads the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), said that the decision to not allow import of the film had come from the information and commerce ministry.

"The film was never brought to us for censorship," he said, adding that the commerce and information ministry had also asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) to ensure that Neerja is not shown on cable channels throughout Pakistan.

An official at the commerce ministry said that due to objectionable nature of the content which

11:00 Am | 08:00 Pm

02:00 Pm

portrayed Pakistan in poor light, the certificate to import the film was revoked.

IMGC Executive Director Abid Rasheed admit-

ted that there were certain anti-Pakistan elements in Neerja and it showed Muslims in negative light.

Source: PTI

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friDAY 12•02•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

MS Dhoni threatens Hindi daily with defamation suit

MuMbAi, FebruAry 11 (AgenCies): Mahendra Singh Dhoni on February 11 sent a legal notice to Sun Star, a Hindi daily, for accusing him of match-fixing during India's 2014 tour of England. Days after a sting operation by the publication, which caught Sunil Dev, India's former team manager, accusing Dhoni, India's then Test captain, of fixing the fourth match of the 2014 Test series against England in Manchester, the 34-year-old's legal team has served a nine-pager notice, threatening to file a Rs. 100-crore defamation suit unless an apology is issued over the alleged match-fixing reports. Dhoni's lawyers, Dehi-based C&C Associates, have labelled Sunil Dev's allegations as "false propaganda" and an "attempt to defame Dhoni". The notice has also given the daily a 48-hour deadline to issue denials. Dev, however, came out in strong criticism of the report, calling it rubbish. "It is all rubbish. I am planning to sue this Hindi daily and will seek legal recourse against anyone else who makes such malicious claims," Dev said.

Blanc extends PSG contract until 2018

C M Y K

PAris, FebruAry 11 (AFP): Paris St-Germain said Thursday that coach Laurent Blanc has extended his contract until 2018, giving him a free rein for the tough Champions League campaign ahead. Blanc's current deal runs out at the end of the season and the club's wealthy Qatari owners moved to tie in the 50-year-old to a new contract without waiting to see how the side do in looming decisive Champions League clashes. PSG play Chelsea in the last 16, with the first leg next week. Former France international Blanc arrived at PSG in 2013 after Italian Carlo Ancelotti left for Real Madrid, despite the initial reservations of the Qatari owners who wanted a bigger-name.

But Blanc had his contract extended in 2014, and has so far won eight trophies with the Parisians, last year taking the three key titles as well as France's Super Cup. PSG are riding high in the French top-flight this season, with a lead of 24 points over nearest rivals Monaco with only 13 more matches to play.

Red cards, sin-bins on cricketing trial

LonDon, FebruAry 11 (reuters): Cricketers could soon find themselves removed from the ground or sin-binned for 10 overs as the sport's lawmakers trial new on-field sanctions to address the declining standards of player behaviour. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardian of the game's laws, has invited leagues, schools and MCC Universities in the United Kingdom to be part of the trial where umpires will be empowered to impose onthe-spot sanctions. Match officials currently report players or incidents to the match referee at the end of day's play following which actions are taken. The MCC has proposed 10 overs of sin-binning a player for level-three offences, such as threatening and intimidating behaviour, racist comments and bowling a deliberate beamer. A five-run penalty is the proposed sanction for lesser offences. "The trials are part of a thorough review of the Laws of Cricket being undertaken by the Club with a view to publishing a new Code of the Laws in October 2017," the MCC said.

No mercy for Kobe in Cleveland farewell

Los AngeLes, FebruAry 11 (AFP): LeBron James spoiled Kobe Bryant's Cleveland finale as the Cavaliers cruised past the Los Angeles Lakers in a victory overshadowed by an injury to Kevin Love. Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and James added 29 as the Cavs romped home 120-111 against the Lakers, before the Cleveland fans bade a fond farewell to the retiring Bryant.

Bryant finished with 17 points and six rebounds while shooting just five of 16 for the Lakers.

However, the Cavaliers victory was marred by an alarming injury to Love, who left the game in the final minute of the second quarter after a tangle with Bryant.

Love yelled out in pain after Bryant's arm appeared to catch his shoulder. It was the same left shoulder which saw Love sidelined for six months after surgery last year. A Cavaliers source said the injury did not appear to be as serious as the previous shoulder problem and that Love had left the match out of an abundance of caution.

Bryant meanwhile shared an embrace with James as he left the court for the final time with one minute left on the clock as the Cavaliers support rose in a standing ovation.

Bryant and James have always had a mutual respect. Lakers legend Bryant revealed before Wednesday's match that the two

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers guards LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of the match on February 10 in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP Photo)

players were closer than many fans realized. "We've been close.

We talk on the phone probably more than people know," said Bryant, who announced in November that he would retire at the end of this season.

"We talk about the game, we talk about different strategies that center around the game. We talk about different things off the court. Business related, players as-

sociation related. We speak, there is much more communication than people want to (believe)."

Bryant and James will have one more encounter when the Cavaliers face the Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles next month.

Between them they have combined to play in the last nine NBA finals, although oddly they have never faced each other in competition for basketball's big-

gest prize.

There is no chance of that changing in Bryant's farewell season, with the Lakers having the worst record in the Western Conference, a miserable 11-44 for the season.

Only the Philadelphia 76ers (8-45) have a worse record. The Cavaliers improved to 38-14 with Wednesday's win. The Golden State Warriors stretched their

India breaks SAG gold record

guwAhAti, FebruAry 11 (AgenCies): India broke its South Asian Games record of most number of Gold medals at the 12th South Asian Games today. It had won 118 Gold in the 2006 edition, and, now it already has 131 Gold, 73 Silver and 19 Bronze, with 5 days still remaining.

India again excelled in Track and Field and Shooting today. In Athletics, it claimed 6 Gold and 5 Silver medals on the penultimate day of its events.

Gold and Silver medals came in Men’s Triple Jump, Men’s Shot Put and Women’s Javelin Throw, with both Men’s and Women’s 400 me-

tres Hurdles also witnessing the Indian prowess. Ranjith Maheshwari, Om Prakash, Dharun A and Jauna Murmu were the Gold medal winners, besides Suman Devi who created a new Games record in Javelin Throw, and Chithra PU who won the Women’s 1,500 metres race.

In Shooting, India bagged 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze. They got the coveted yellow metal each in Men’s and Women’s 50 metres Rifle Prone Individual and Team events, besides Men’s 25 metre Center Fire Pistol.

In Individual 50 metre Rifle Prone, Chain Singh in Men’s and Kuheli Gangulee in the Women’s

won Gold medals. Gagan Narang and Lajja Gauswami settled for a Silver each.

India swept the Men’s 25 metre Center Fire Pistol Final, with Samaresh Jung securing the Gold.

Pemba Tamang took the Silver, while Olympic Silver medallist Vijay Kumar claimed the Bronze.

In Tennis, India claimed a Gold each in Men’s Singles and Women’s Doubles. Silver medals in both events, too, went to India as the other finalists were also from the host nation.

The Women’s Hockey Gold medal match between India and Sri Lanka will be played at 8 PM.

winning streak to 11 games to improve to 48-4 for the season with a comfortable 112-104 victory against the Phoenix Suns.

Once again Steph Curry topscored for the reigning NBA Finals champions, chipping in with 26 points, just ahead of teammate Klay Thompson with 24 points.

The Memphis Grizzlies bounced back from the disappointment of losing star center Marc Gasol to a broken foot to dominate Brooklyn in a 109-90 victory. The Grizzlies were left reeling on Tuesday after it was confirmed Gasol faces a long layoff -- possibly the remainder of the season -- after fracturing his right foot.

However they shrugged off that setback to ease past the Nets for a morale-boosting victory as they prepare for the All-Star Game season break.

"It was just a really good feeling because it has not been a fun 36 hours for us with the news about Marc," coach Dave Joerger said. "Yesterday was kind of shock. Today it kind of set in. So now we can go into the break, get some mental rest and some physical rest and have a plan of what we're going to do."

Grizzlies guard Tony Allen said the loss of Gasol had hit the side hard. "He's a former defensive player of the year, a franchise player. To see him go down is devastating," he said.

FIFA politics affected int’l fixtures: Prince Ali

geneVA, FebruAry 11 (reuters): Some national teams have been given unfavourable competition fixtures for failing to toe the political line inside soccer's world governing body, the Jordanian candidate to become its next president said on Thursday.

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, one of five men competing to take over as head of FIFA, described a climate of fear and reprisals inside the scandalplagued organisation, whose outgoing boss Sepp Blatter was suspended in October and banned for eight years in De-

cember.

"Let me tell you what happens when you don't go with the recognised powers in FIFA," Prince Ali, who is head of Jordan's football association, told a news conference.

"Development projects mysteriously stall; tournament hosting bids are suddenly compromised or withdrawn; national teams start to mysteriously face less favourable fixtures or even referees.

"All of these are effective ways to punish member associations that fail to demonstrate political loyalty."

Mhasilhousie is ASA wrestling champion

Top four winners pose for camera with others. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent pocketed a cash award of position and received Rs. Kohima | February 11

24 year old Mhasilhousie Nagi today emerged as champion of the 44th Angami Sports Association (ASA) Wrestling Meet held here today at the Kohima Local Ground.

Son of Neisako Nagi from Jotsoma village, he

Rs. 1,40,000.

22 year old Rovilhoulie Pier, son of Megokholie Pier from Khonoma village stood runner up and was awarded with cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000.

28 year old Zasevikho Meyatsu, son of Methalhouvi Meyatsu from Mezoma bagged third

80,000 while another 28year old Zasevito Chusi, son of Vimeyalhou Chusi from Mezoma village stood 4th position and was awarded Rs. 50,000.

All top four winners were from Western Angami Wrestling Association (WASA).

The four other quarter-

finalists also received Rs. 10,000 each.

17-year old Menuosetuo Yiese, son of Lt. Khrielatuo Yiese from Kohima village, was declared as “Best Tactic Wrestler” for Naga style and received Rs. 10,000.

Altogether, 72 wrestlers vied for the coveted championship.

Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Chotisuh Sazo graced the inaugural function as the chief guest. ASA President Er. Neisievilie Lhousa delivered presidential address while ASA Wrestling Secretary Visakhoto Krose administered oath to the wrestlers.

Meanwhile, Freestyle Wrestling will take place on February 12.

The closing function has been scheduled at 12 noon with MLA Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, Chairman NSMDC Ltd as the guest of honour.

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