February 22nd, 2015

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www.morungexpress.com

The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 50

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www.morungexpress.com

Sunday, February 22, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4

The unexamined life may not be worth living, but the examined life is no bowl of cherries either

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Filthy Indian air cutting 660 million lives short by 3 years

Prince Harry and Emma Watson secretly dating?

[ PAGE 8]

[ PAGE 11]

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– Samuel Johnson

Stress on crucial role of child Mayweather protection mechanism & Pacquiao [ PAGE 2] to fight May 2 Powerful ‘antibody’ to [ PAGE 12] kill dengue virus found [ PAGE 9]

Bomb blast in Kohima Mind your Language!

Around 25 Naga languages ‘vulnerable’ Moa Jamir Dimapur | February 21

‘If I forget my native speech, And the songs that my people sing What use are my eyes and ears?

What use is my mouth?’

—Alitet Nemtushkin,

Degree of enDangerment

Language is spoken by all generations; intergenerational transmission is uninterrupted Most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to Vulnerable certain domains (e.g., home) Children no longer learn the language as mother tongue in the Definitely endangered home Language is spoken by grandparents and older generations; Severely endangered while the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves The youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they Critically endangered speak the language partially and infrequently.

Source: UNESCO Safe

Seen here are two of the three vehicles parked nearby which were damaged when a bomb Evenki poet No, not today. My wife is a exploded in Kohima in the wee hours of February 21. (Morung Photo) devout Christian. She will Our Correspondent member NPF), parked on source said Nagaland Home The Atlas of the World’s ban me if she caught me the side of the road when Minister Y Patton rushed to Languages in Danger lists Kohima | February 21 drinking on Sunday! the blast happened, were the bomb explosion site and 197 languages in India that choose Alternative Eng-

DoSE urged to release salary & arrears of all Hindi teachers

Dimapur, February 21 (mexN): All Nagaland Aggrieved Hindi Teachers Association (ANAHTA) has lamented today that despite issuance of an order for the release of salary and arrears for aggrieved teachers by Nagaland’s Directorate of School Education (DoSE) from February 16 onwards, only the teachers serving under Kohima and Sub Divisional Education Officer (SDEO) Dimapur have drawn their salary and arrears. The remaining districts, informed a press release from ANAHTA, are yet under process of preparing payment and other formalities “as per the usual excuse and irregularities.” Thus, the ANAHTA has appealed to all District Education Officers (DEOs) & SDEOs to disburse the salary on or before February 24 “as per the Ultimatum served to the director DoSE which was also issued publicly through media on February 19 and 20 2015.”

The ANAHTA reminded that it is the responsibility of the Head of Directorate to direct subordinate officers to complete formalities on time and release the pay. “Due to the lapses of the Deptt, we are facing untold hardship,” stated the press note. It reiterated that the ultimatum to agitate shall stand in case of further lapse.

RALH condemns imposition of 144 CrPC

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WoKha, February 21 (mexN): The Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) has condemned the decision of the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat in imposing 144 CrPC at B-C sector of Lotha area in the Disturbed Area Belt. A statement from RALH chairman, Hayithung Lotha and secretary, CS Ovung further condemned the DC’s “intention/decision to enforce his own rule of law, i.e., allowing forceful settlement of the adivasi tenants in the land belonging to the Lotha Naga.” The Hoho reminded that any decision taken on land issue without consultation with the landowners shall not be accepted.

Meanwhile, alleging that the DC on February 20 at CRPF camp, Jandalashung ‘B’ village, had remarked “to shoot at the Nagas at any given situation,” RALH condemned the same. Further, the Hoho appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately withdraw the SSB from Ralan area “as the SSB are only following the orders/ directives of the DC Golaghat...”

A ‘high intensity’ bomb exploded this morning at 6:00am just about 100 meters away from Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s official residence, Kohima.

The bomb was placed just outside the wall of Parliamentary Secretary Y Vikheho Swu’s residence and about 10 meters away from the private residence of Parliamentary Secretary Deo Nukhu.

Police, when contacted, said the bomb explosion occurred at the circular road of Old Minister’s Hill Kohima towards the retaining wall of the official residence of parliamentary secretary Vikheho Swu and the bomb was of crude make (IED).

Injury if any has not been reported, police said.

Police said three vehicles bearing registration number NL10 8418 (Bolero) attached to PS to parliamentary secretary Yitachu, NL01H 5579 (Xylo) attached to PS to home minister Y. Patton and ML10 5680 (Ikon) belonging to Lisechem Sangtam (CEC

partially damaged.

Vehicles parked nearby were badly damaged as wind shields and tyres were also damaged by the impact of the explosion.

Police said that according to witness statements, the unknown miscreant came in a white gypsy.

Police arrived at the spot and registered criminal case, adding that investigation is on and a case has been registered at South Police Station, Kohima.

Chief Minister TR Zeliang has expressed deep concern of the incident and condemned it. Stating that the incident has raised some suspicion, he has given instructions that no efforts should be spared to nab the culprits and ascertain the people behind the incidents, stated a press note from the Media Cell of the Chief Minister’s Office, Karaibo Chawang. The CM has appealed to the public to remain calm and not to panic as all efforts are being made to prevent such actions in the future.

Meanwhile, an NEPS

inspected the situation.

He also strongly condemned the bomb explosion and further expressed that the intention of creating such unwanted development in the State capital at a time when all sections of people and agencies are trying their best to find solution to the Naga political issue and yearning for permanent peace in the State only showed that sections of people wanted to disturb the peaceful environment.

High ranking officials from Political, Assam Rifles and Para Military forces also rushed to the explosion site and inspected the nature of incidents.

Legislators of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have also condemned the two incidents of violence, including the attack on Dr. Benjongliba Aier’s residence in Dimapur. This statement came following an emergency meeting of legislators at the Chief Minister’s Office on February 21 to take stock of the law and order situation prevailing in the State.

are on their way to becoming endangered. Around 25 Naga languages appear on the list under the category ‘vulnerable’ including Ao, Angami, Lotha, Konyak, Kiamungan, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Tangkhul and Yimchungru and so on. Kachari is listed as “definitely endangered.”

February 21 was International Mother Language Day (IMLD), and holds significance for the Naga people.

The theme for this year is ‘Inclusive Education through and with Language – Language Matters’.

Given the vulnerability of Naga languages, The Morung Express asked the government if it is doing anything to preserve and promote mother tongues in Nagaland State. Vipralhou Kesiezie, Director, SCERT, Nagaland, said that at the school level, in government schools, it is mandatory to teach in a mother tongue. He however admitted that when the option to choose vernacular languages is offered in class 9 and 10, most students

lish or other subjects. But a mandatory policy in private school does not exist.

However, two teachers from Dimapur said that it is not strictly implemented in the town areas as most of students come from different communities. A teacher in Mokokchung district informed that in order to preserve and encourage usage of Ao languages, the Ao Senden Literature Board (ASLB) has made it mandatory even in private schools to teach them in schools. Books and syllabus are provided by them.

A student’s mother at a private school in Dimapur stated that though her children do not learn their mother tongue in school, they learn the same in Sunday schools. The role of church and local bodies are thus crucial to curb the decline.

According to native speaker, Guru Sangyusang Pongen, a Sangeet Natak Akademy awardee, as long as young people are willing to learn, people like him and others are wholeheartedly willing to impart.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage and “appropriate language education” is fundamental to enable learners to benefit from quality education, learn throughout life, and have access to information. And “if nothing is done,” half of the 6000 plus languages spoken today will disappear by the end of this century. Humanity would lose not only cultural wealth but also important ancestral knowledge embedded, in particular, in indigenous languages.

How does a language disappear?

For UNESCO, a language disappears when its speakers disappear or when they shift to speaking another language – most often, a larger language used by a more powerful group.

As a result, the next generation whose parents speak a ‘small language’

often grow up learning the dominant language. Many Nagas consider, with pride, their ignorance of their mother tongue as a “sign of advancement,” stated a commentator.

Many endangered languages, it is said, have rich oral traditions with stories, songs, and histories passed on to younger generations, but no written forms. With the extinction of a language, an entire culture is lost. Ruing the fast disappearance of languages, Guru Sangyusang said, “We have lost most of the words and songs that had profound meanings and connotations and the remaining are vanishing fast. The young generation should try to learn and honour traditional songs, languages, salutation etc to preserve the essence of our cultural heritage.”

He further maintained that words with deeper meanings and implication are ingrained within traditional songs, thus, learning these songs properly will go a long way in enhancing and preserving the richness of our culture.

nagaland state reiterates sekrenyi celebrations in Kohima preparedness to tackle flu Our Correspondent Kohima | February 21

Dimapur, February 21 perintendent on February 21 at NIC (Dipr): One more case of Swin Flu Centre, Nagaland Secretariat.

During the Video Conferenchas been detected in Dimapur. State Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease ing, Sentiyanger instructed all the Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Dr. CMOs and MS to keep in close touch Tiasunep, has disclosed that reports and coordination with all the private for the four Swine Flu suspected cas- practitioners and different hospies sent to Dibrugarh for examination tals. He also instructed that meetwere received at 8:30pm on February ing at Dimapur and Kohima be held 20. The report showed that three out among the doctors from Governof the four samples sent for verifica- ment, Army, Private and other Medition was declared negative, while one case was • Three out of four samples sent for declared positive. verification declared negative According to the Nodal Officer, the pa- • Patient in isolation ward in Kohitient who tested posima Civil Hospital; State prepared tive has been admitted in the isolation ward at to tackle flu Kohima Civil Hospital for observation and • 24x7 Helpline: +91 8413095255 treatment. This patient who is well informed and edu- cal Institutions at the earliest.

Commissioner & Secretary also cated, according to Dr. Tiasunep, is said to have returned from Delhi by said that the prescribed medicines train on February 19 and on discov- specific to H1N1 flu is currently to ery that he was exhibiting flu symp- be under the centralized control toms voluntarily called up the IDSP of the department due to paucity help line and took medical help, Dr. and shall be issued to the district only when need arises. The State Tiasunep informed.

The patient whose report was Medical department shall be takawaited from Dibrugarh reported ing up programme on vaccination back to the IDSP Control Room Ko- for which the State Government has hima on his own on the morning of written to the Government of India.

Director Health & Family WelFebruary 21. The Medical Department has requested any person fare, Dr. Neikietuo, during the vidsuspected of H1N1 flu to likewise eo conferencing, instructed all the co-operate with the Medical De- doctors and health personnel to be partment authorities in the interest in the respective place of postings and be geared up for combating of the general public.

The public can contact 24x7 H1N1 flu. Further he directed that Helpline at +91 8413095255 for any all District Hospitals to keep isolation ward facilities at hand. He also help and queries.

Meanwhile, Commissioner & instructed all CMOs and MS to issue Secretary, Health & Family Wel- press releases, briefings only in confare, Sentiyanger, held a video con- junction and consultation with the ference with all the District Chief Directorate for accurate disseminaMedical Officers and Medical Su- tion of information to the public.

Loud sounds of “Hoi Hoi,” “Hei, Hei” surrounded Kohima village as both young and old came in unison in their full traditional finery to celebrate Sekrenyi, the premier festival of Angami Nagas here today at Ziekezou Ground. Neivor Rutsa, chairman Kohima Village Council in his greetings conveyed that “Let this Sekrenyi be a festival of understanding, brotherhood, oneness and bear the spirit of sharing for all times to come.”

He also challenged the gathering to preserve “our high moral values and rich culture which signifies our identity.”

The festival pulled a large number of visitors. Interna-

Angami women take part in Sekrenyi celebrations in Kohima on February 21. (Morung Photo)

tional tourists mostly from United Kingdom and good numbers of domestic tourists experienced the colours of the festival and enjoyed the festivity. Several legislators including

home minister Y. Patton, power minister Kipili Sangtam, forest minister Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, parliamentary secretaries Yitachu, Y. Vikheho Swu, Khriehu Liezietsu etc. also graced the

festival. Cultural dances, songs and Sekrenyi feast marked the celebration. It was organized by Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) in collaboration with Music Task Force.

NSF condemns use of illegal immigrants by NPGs

Kohima, February 21 (mexN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has condemned Naga Political Groups (NPGs) for “using the services of IBIs and non-locals in different ranks and files,” and also questioned the “integrity” of the NPGs for “allowing and accepting people of Bangladeshi origin and non-locals operate on their behalf.”

A press release from NSF president Tongpang Ozukum, and finance secretary, Shikavi Achumi, reiterated that “If the claim of Nurjahan Hussien as one of the tax collector of NSCN (IM) is true, then it is a disgrace to the entire Naga people and Naga political movement. Naga people will never agree to fight for our

inherent rights with the support of nomads and illegal immigrants; rather, Nagas will choose to fight a lone but honourable battle to achieve our goal.”

The NSF has urged all Naga people to extend support and cooperation to the NSF as well as other students’ bodies, groups or organizations to tackle the problem of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants (IBIs). In that, it appreciated the “tireless effort” of Survival Nagaland (SN) for “sensitizing our people about the threat.”

The NSF will hold a consultative meeting in Dimapur on February 24 with the Naga Council Dimapur, Tribal Hohos and Union, Dimapur Naga Mothers’ Association and

its constituent units, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries (DCCI), Dimapur town Ward/colony leaders, GBs, DBs, SN and all the constituent Tribal students’ unions under Dimapur. The proposed meeting will be held at IMC Hall, Supply Colony, Dimapur at 1:00pm.

This issue of illegal immigration, it stated, is “very sensitive and complex issue; more so because it is Nagas, our own people who are harbouring the IBIs, giving them security and sheltering them at the expense of our future generation.” Nagas should understand, noted the NSF, that tackling the issue of IBIs is “a battle which Nagas must fight together in order to safeguard blood and identity

and most importantly to safeguard the future of our younger generation.”

Defending its tour of all Naga inhabited areas on the issue, the NSF stated that it is sharing concerns with apex Tribal Hohos, Women organizations, GBs, DBs, business community, town ward and colony leaders and at the same time seeking their constructive suggestions and opinions, support and cooperation in order to effectively tackle this sensitive issue. The Federation has assured that this will lay a “solid foundation” for a “strong and effective mechanism to effectively tackle the menace of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants after the ongoing tour is over.”

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2 Stress on crucial role of child protection mechanism Dimapur

Sunday

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22 February 2015

Wokha, February 21 (Mexn): The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Wokha, under the Department of Social Welfare held one-day sensitisation programme on February 19 at Old Ralan Town hall.

Mary Swuro Protection Officer (NIC), DCPU, Wokha in a press release said that Neinguvotuo Krose, Legal Cum Probation Officer, Phuleto Sema, Judicial Magistrate & Chairman Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Yahamo Patton, member of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Wokha were the resource persons.

Speaking on the topic Child Right & Child Protection and Integrated Child protection Scheme (ICPS), the resource persons highlighted that the objective of the programme is to raise public awareness about the reality of child rights situation and protection in the district. They also said that Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is contributing to the improvement in the well-being of children in difficult circumstances, as well as to the reduction of vulnerabilities to situations and actions that lead to abuse, neglect, ex-

ploitation, abandonment and separation of children from parents.

The target groups of ICPS is children in conflict with law, Missing and found children, orphaned abandoned destitute children, differently able children, Children from families at risk, engaged in substance abuse, HIV/ AIDS infected or affected children, affected by conflict and disaster, street children, working children, trafficked children and abused children.

The speakers also highlighted about the crucial role of child protection mechanism in the district, in the instances of where three children were apprehended for committing a theft and placed under Observation Home, Wokha. In the process of inquiry these inmates were offered counselling, made to read Bible, their lessons and after due inquiry they were released to their parents on probation of good conduct by the JJB. Thereafter, these children appeared their school examination and managed to get the first position in their respective classes.

Amongst them, one inmate

managed to secure distinction (100 out of 100) marks in mathematics subject.

With this instance, the resource persons make an appeal to the participants to join hands with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and help the less privileged children and explore the potentials that is been hidden in them. Filling pity for the children who comes from less privileged background is not enough but offered collective contribution and making these children understand that the community cares about them and makes a difference in their lives is important.

The programme was attended by about 100 delegates consisting of district administration, police, village council chairman, anganwadi workers, church leaders, woman leaders, youth leaders and students leaders from 16 villages under Ralan Sub- Division, Wokha district. Esther Zhimomi (Protection Officer) chaired the programme, opening remark

by Sekho Dawhuo (District Child Protection Officer) and invocation by Rev. Dr. Nrio Ezung.

The Morung Express

Project for informal education to destitute children launched

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Morung Express News Dimapur | February 21

Christ for the Downtrodden Ministry (CFTDM) on Saturday launched a new project to impart informal education to destitute children at Excel Children School, Ura Villa Colony.

The project under the theme “Hope for the Destitute” will focus on imparting informal education to destitute children besides giving them vocational training at a later stage.

Speaking at the launching programme, founder and chief functionary of CFTDM, Ato Angami, said the activities to be included in the informal education programme are learning through visual means such as slide show, study hour, music learning and recreational activities.

The target group of the programme is destitute children who are marginalized and do not have access to education. “The future of any society depends on the children of today. If we are able to nurture and provide them basic education, then the future will be in good

Christ for the Downtrodden Ministry members along with faculty and students of Excel Children School, Ura Villa Colony, during the launching programme of informal education for destitute children. (Morung Photo)

hands,” he said. Expressing gratitude to Ura Villa Colony authority, the land owner and Excel Children School authority for allotting the school to be used as the centre for the “Hope for the Destitute” project, Ato also appealed to the Ura Villa Colony council, elders and residents to extend their cooperation to make the programme a success.

Chairman, Ura Villa Colony, Imkongmeren Ao, lauded the ministry for bringing the project to the colony and expressed optimism that the humanitarian project would immensely benefit destitute children.

Excel Children school faculty and students led by the school principal, Ramanand Sah, participat-

ed in the launching programme.

CFTDM team member, Atoshe Awomi, chaired the programme.

Christ for the Downtrodden Ministry team members informed that CFTDM was founded in 2009 by a group of educated, enthusiastic and concerned people from different walks of life who felt the urgent

need to work collectively for the underprivileged people.

The ministry is registered with the state government.

“Our Ministry visualizes a society based on values, to respect and uphold the dignity of the downtrodden people and improve the quality of life, irrespective of tribe, religion and cultural differences”, stated CFTDM vision statement.

Symposium on understanding Islam conducted Cultural competition C M Y K

DIMaPur, February 21 (Mexn): Salesian College of Higher Education organised a symposium on understanding Islam. The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and began with a prayer by Fr. Tom Karthik, Rector Salesian College.

Ahidur Rahman Working President, Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD), made a brief presentation highlighting the five basic tenets of Islam and its organisational structure.

A press note stated that later, the floor was open for interactive session where some doubts and misun-

marks Sekrenyi fest

Participants at the Salesian College of Higher Education during the symposium on understanding Islam programme.

derstandings on Islam were cleared by the panel. The topics that came up for clarification included the concept of God, sin, role of women in society, jihad, fatwa etc.

Earlier in the day Fr.

Chacko, Rector Good Shepherd Seminary welcomed and introduced the resource persons to the assembly. They were Ahidur Rahman, Maulana Mahmood Qasimi, Pesh Imam,

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New Market Jama Masjid, Suibul Haque, Founder member (MCD), and Kalimur Rehman, Youth Secy.

(MCD). Fr. Paul Punii, Principal Salesian College proposed the vote of thanks.

Our Correspondent

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Kohima | February 21

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Cultural competition marked a grand Sekrenyi festival celebration here this morning at Kohima village.

It was organized by Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) in collaboration with Music Task Force (MTF), Nagaland.

Result of various competitions are as follow: Licie/Lizha (Senior): 1st: Kezesatuo Peli, D Khel, 2nd: Khrietho Peli No. 11, P Khel, 3rd: Lhisemiapfü Mechü Krotho and 4th: Peli No. 16, L Khel. Tati Pfhe (Senior): 1st: Peli Union, D Khel, 2nd: Keneizhavi Krotho, P Khel. Weü O (Senior): 1st: Pfuchatsumia Students’ Union, 2nd: Khrietho Peli No. 11, P Khel. Lecie/Liezha (Junior): 1st: Tsütuonuomia Students’ Union. Tati Pfhe (Junior): 1st- Cultural Melodian, P. Khel and Pfuchazounuoko Krotho, 2nd : Peli Union, D Khel, 3rd: Tsütuonuomia Students’ Union. Weü O (Junior): 1st: Pfuchazoumia Krotho, 2nd: Peli Union, D Khel.

Lida (Open Category): Ist-Peli Union, D Khel, 2nd- Kekhowakhrie Peli, P Khel, 3rd - Cultural Melodian, P Khel, 4th- Keneisede Peli, P Khel.

Tsanu Ü (Open Category):1st- Kikruzolie Mere, P Khel,2nd- Dzieseneizo Keyho, P Khel, 3rd- Zapuo Solo, T Khel. Thupfhe Ü (Open Category): 1stSetsovinuo Solo, T Khel,2nd- Kikruzolie Mere, P Khel. Mepfü – War Chant (Open Category):1st- Kikrukhrielie Solo, T Khel, 2nd- Keduozonyü Whuorie, T Khel, 3rd- Thepfuselie Rutsa, P Khel and 4th - Ruokuosetuo Khezhie, D Khel.

A total cash prize of Rs. 82,000 was awarded to the winners in the various events.

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The District Administration and Police conducted removal of unauthorised tinted glasses and sirens from February 18 to 20 at Mon as per directives of the Supreme Court of India. A total number of eight plates, eight flag posts were seized and 105 tinted glasses were removed during the surprised checking. (DIPR Photo)

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Festival strengthens communal harmony

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Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Government of Nagaland : Kohima

Mokokchung, February 21 (DIPr): In an attempt to further strengthen the good brotherly relations among the people living in the border area of Sivasagar in Assam and Mokokchung in Nagaland, a daylong “Assam-Nagaland Festival 2015” was held at Amguri Tea Garden Field, Haluwating in Sivasagar district on February 20. The festival was held with the active initiation by the Sivasagar district administration as a part of Peace Outreach Program.

The DC of Sivasagar, Virendra Mittal, IAS and DC Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel, IAS traditionally inaugurated the daylong function.

Cultural teams, men and women volleyball teams, Self Help Groups (SHGs) from surrounding Assam and Nagaland villagers partook in the programme.

In his welcome address, ADC Sivasagar DN Morang has applauded the participants especially those from neighbouring Nagaland state for coming in a big number with their joyful participation in the meet.

Sivasagar DC Virendra Mittal too applauded the stakeholders and thanked the public participants including different NGOs led by the Mokokchung district administration and police.

He also thanked the Mokokchung District administration for the effective coordination they received at various times.

“It is with such exposure

DC Sivasagar, Virendra Mittal, IAS and DC Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel, IAS jointly inaugurates the Assam-Nagaland Festival 2015 held on February 20. (DIPR Photo)

amongst the people to people contact through sports, cultural exchange, meetings etc between the two neighbouring district that can surely yield the goodwill amongst all section of people and thus harmonize the society for peace and development,” Mittal said.

DC Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel has applauded his counterpart for organizing such a mega event for harbouring peace between the two neighbours and assured further cooperation in the days to come. “India is a unique country where Nagaland and Assam states are same stakeholders in it and interdependent on each other.

Nagaland was a part of Assam only and we share the

same sentiments with its people. Knowing and appreciating each other’s socio, economic and cultural values shall enshrine goodwill and help in reducing conflict,” Sushil said.

The daylong event witnessed tug of war (both men and women) between the teams of Assam and Nagaland where Assam men team won. On the other hand, Nagaland women team defeated their counterpart. In the same manner, in volleyball (Men), Assam defeated Nagaland while Nagaland women team defeated Assam. A host of cultural groups from Tuli area representing Tuli town, Tzudikong, Wameken, Kangtsung, Anaki etc have performed including display of

Naga Bamboo Cutting, Stick Walking, Go-Cart etc while Bihu dance, Jhomur dance, the famous Gumrag dance of “Mishing Tribe” of Assam etc were performed.

The program ended with prize distribution by the DCs of Sivasagar and Mokokchung. Another program of such caliber will be held at Aathkhel Bazar Playgorund at Gelakey (Sivasagar) on 25th February 2015. Participants from both Longleng and Mokokchung districts along with Sivasagar are expected in this meet. Friendly matches between Girl football teams are planned besides other indigenous games amongst the neighbouring public to foster more meaningful neighbourhood.

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REgional

The Morung Express

Russian woman rescued in Assam

Doctor arrested for 'luring' her to marriage Dibrugarh, February 21 (PTi): A Russian woman has been rescued from a hospital in Assam's Dibrugarh where she was allegedly forcibly admitted by an Indian doctor who had promised to marry her when he was studying medicine in Russia.

Following an FIR filed by an NGO under Dibrugarh police station, the doctor was arrested today under IPC sections 370A(2) for human trafficking, 420 for cheating, 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, 344 for wrongful confinement, 34 for acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention and 120(B) for criminal conspiracy. Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police Rana Bhuyan said "we have arrested the doctor and further investigations are on."

North Eastern Buddhist Cultural Association (NEBCA), the NGO which rescued the woman, has written to the Russian Ambassador in Delhi about the 25-year old Russian citizen's plight and sought "necessary action." A copy of the letter written by NEBCA secretary general Rajiv Hazarika made available to PTI, says on February 18 the NGO received information about the woman

being forcibly admitted to a local private mental hospital and locked up with other patients.

The hospital authorities told the NGO that the woman was admitted on being referred over telephone by a local doctor, the letter said.

Realising that her condition was normal, Hazarika demanded that the hospital provide medical attention to the woman in the general patients' section.

As her knowledge of English was limited, an interpretor was arranged and in her recorded statement, the woman claimed she was living with one Dr Samir Rahman who had gone to Russia to study medicine. The woman, who was a nurse, said Dr Rahman promised to marry her and had sent her alone to India on January 4, while he arrived on January 21.

Quoting the woman's statement, the NEBCA letter said misunderstanding cropped between her and the family of Dr Rahman who "stopped helping her." "Dr Samir and his family (mother and sister) conspired to deport her back to Russia without her consent.

They had taken her to the local airport of Dibrugarh and

STOLEN NOTICE Owner's Name : Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO) (Govt. of India undertaking) Manufacture : MAM Manufacture Date : 07/2011 Model : BOLERO LX Vehicle class : LMV Registration No : NL01H 1808 Engine No : GHB4F44152 Chess No. : MAIWE2GHKB2G84655 Colour : A3DMNDWHIT Stolen on : 18-02-2015 Stolen from : HUDCO Office Premises, Old Secretariat Complex, Kohima Finders may please contact HUDCO Office Nos, 0370-2291145, 2291146 / Regional Chief Mbl No.08974053850.

dumped her there with a return ticket and Rs 500," the letter said. The airport police informed her local contact to take her to Dr Rahman's residence, the letter said adding, the doctor and his family forcibly admitted her to a local hospital "on the pretext of urinary disorders and kept her there till February 18."

On being discharged, they did not take her back and "readmitted her in a mental hospital from where we have rescued her," Hazarika informed the Russian Embassy. The Russian woman has now been kept in Swadhar Home, a Central Government project for women in difficult circumstances, Hazarika said adding the Russian Embassy has contacted the woman.

Sunday

22 February 2015

Dimapur

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Assam jittery over MU students protest against police raid Bhutan hydel plans guwahaTi, February 21 (TNN): With a number of hydropower projects proposed in Bhutan, experts said Assam, which is located on the downstream of the neighbouring country, should raise the demand for carrying out impact studies along with civil society groups.

The demand came on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Itanagar how Nepal and Bhutan were harnessing hydropower to transform their economy. "Downstream impact assessment in Assam for Bhutan's dams is a necessity. The state government and civil society groups should take it up with the Centre. The Union ministry of environment and forests should be engaged in downstream impact assessment in Assam and neighbouring states," said an expert. According to India-Bhutan Hydro-

power Protocol 2009, India will assist Bhutan to help harness 10,000 MW power through hydropower projects by 2020. The surplus power is to be sold to India.

Many hydropower projects in Bhutan have been proposed on rivers which flow through Assam and the northern part of West Bengal. Experts said Assam faces the same concerns from hydropower projects in Bhutan like Arunachal Pradesh and China.

The experts said as India is helping Bhutan in harnessing hydropower, the Centre should also ensure that downstream impact studies are conducted in Assam and the northern part of West Bengal. Assam shares a 267-km border with Bhutan, while West Bengal has 183 km. The major transboundary river basins between Assam and Bhutan are Manas and Sankosh.

Nagaland Board of School Education Kohima

NOTIFICATION NO. 3/2015

Dated Kohima, the 20th February, 2015 NO.NBE-2/Ex-10/2014-15 :: It is hereby notified for information of all the registered schools under Nagaland Board of School Education that the following schools in the respective districts have been designated to act as the distribution centre on behalf of the Board for issue of forms. The schools in the respective districts shall collect the forms from the designated school of the district as given in the academic calendar and any other materials for secondary and higher secondary levels.

SL. NO DESIGNATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 1.

Govt. Higher Secondary School, Dimapur Dimapur 2.

Loyola Higher Secondary School, Kiphire Kiphire 3.

Phom Lempong School, Longleng Longleng 4.

Mayangnokcha Govt. Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung Mokokchung 5.

Konjong Higher Secondary School, Mon Mon 6.

Govt. Higher Secondary School, Peren Peren 7.

Govt. Higher Secondary School, Phek Phek 8.

St. John Higher Secondary School, Tuensang Tuensang 9.

Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha Wokha 10. Govt. Higher Secondary School, Zunheboto Zunheboto The schools from Kohima district shall collect the forms from the Office of the NBSE. Dates for collection of Forms from designated schools: Secondary Higher Secondary i. 11th - 13th March 2015 i. 10th -12th June 2015 ii. 12th - 20th October 2015 ii. 12th - 20th October 2015 The concerned schools must collect the forms within the specified time from the designated school. The forms shall however be submitted directly to the Board by the respective schools.

(Mrs. Asano Sekhose) Chairman

iMPhaL, February 21 (The hiNDu): Infuriated students of Manipur University (MU) went on a rampage on Friday protesting against unauthorised raids in boys’ hostels by Police Commandos.

Talking to reporters, some students said that at 9 a.m. on Friday, police commandos led by an additional police superintendent raided the boys’ hostels on the campus. The students allege that the police did not obtain

permission or even informed MU authority about the raids. Soon after the departure of the police, the students assembled in the hostel ground and held a meeting. Later they dragged out MU properties and furniture and burned the piles near the hostels.

MU Vice-Chancellor Nandakumar Sharma is under pressure to lodge a strong protest with the government over the unauthorised raids.

Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (Referral Hospital), 4th Mile, Dimapur.

VACANCIES FOR DOCTORS 1. General Surgeon - MS General Surgery preferably with 1-2 yrs experience.

2. Radiologist - MD in Radiology or Diploma in Radiology.

3. Pathologist - MD Pathology or Diploma in Pathology.

4. Psychiatrist - MD Psychiatric or Diploma in Psychological Medicine.

For information kindly contact the HR Department on the below address, The HR Department, Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, 4th Mile, Dimapur-797112 Or E-mail to: hrd.cihsr@gmail.com Phone: 03862-242555 (Extn: 2213)

TheTa TuTorials (Estd. 2006)

Lower P.R. Hill, Kohima, Nagaland

Admission Notice 1. Coaching for JEE (MAINS) – 2015 [for Engineering Courses] 2. Coaching for NSEE (Nagaland State Entrance Examination)/AIPMT-2015 [for MBBS, BDS & Allied Courses] Issue of Forms & Prospectus : In progress Admission : In progress Commencement of Classes : 02-03-2015 Contact No. (0370) 2226005

4

businEss

Sunday

Dimapur

22 February 2015

The Morung Express

‘FDI insurance rules could have been simpler’

CheNNai, February 21 (iaNS): The Indian government seems to have overstepped its boundary on extending foreign direct investment (FDI) limits for insurance intermediaries, industry experts say.

Welcoming the notification of rules relating to FDI in the insurance sector by the central government Friday, officials feel the approval process could have been simplified a bit.

As per the notified rules, FDI in insurance sector will be under automatic route up to 26 percent and anything above that limit up to 49 percent would be with the permission of the foreign investment promotion board (FIPB).

The rules also stipulate that FDI cap of 49 percent applicable to insurers would also be applicable to intermediaries like insurance brokers, third party administrators, surveyors and loss assessors and others.

Referring to the extension

of FDI limits to intermediaries Supreme Court advocate and an expert in insurance/company/completion laws D. Varadarajan told IANS: “The Executive seems to have overstepped the rule making power provided under section 114 of the Insurance Act as amended by the Insurance Ordinance, 2014.”

He said under the amended insurance law the central government has been invested only with the additional power to make rules as regards the manner and control of “Indian Insurance Company” as redefined under the Ordinance.

“In my considered opinion, this is an instance of avoidable Executive excess or over-reach, the vires of which is suspect,” he added.

Citing the banking sector where FDI is under automatic route up to 49 percent, a senior industry official preferring anonymity told IANS: “Already we have to get the permission of insurance regulator for in-

creasing capital. The government has now added one more bureaucratic layer in the form of FIPB permission.”

As per the notification, any increase of foreign investment of an Indian insurance company shall be in accordance with the pricing guidelines specified by the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

According to Varadarajan, the reckoning of 49 percent foreign invest is a complex and compound proposition under the rules.

FDI includes investment by non-resident entities/persons resident outside India and other eligible entities in the equity shares of an Indian Insurance Company under the relevant FEMA Regulations, 2000, as per the notified rules.

Furthermore, FDI also includes investment by foreign venture capital investors and portfolio investments - investments in the equity share of

an Indian insurer by foreign institutional investors, foreign portfolio investors, Non-Resident Indians, qualified foreign investors and other eligible portfolio investor entities or persons in accordance with provisions of FEMA Regulations, 2000.

“Thus, for reckoning the 49 percent limit all the above would be aggregated,” Varadarajan said.

However in case of a bank allowed to function as an insurance intermediary, the foreign equity investment caps applicable in that sector (banking) shall continue to apply, subject to the condition that the revenues of such entities from their primary (i.e. non-insurance related) business must remain above 50 percent of their total revenues in any financial year.

Industry officials told IANS that the notification has aligned the definition of control of Indian insurance company with that of the insurance

ordinance issued earlier.

“This will put into difficulty some of the insurers where the foreign joint venture partner is in the driver’s seat with the Indian promoter being a ‘passive’ investor,” a senior industry official told IANS. The rules defines Indian control of an Indian insurer to mean control by resident Indian citizens or Indian companies, which are owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.

The rules also defines the term ‘Indian ownership’ of an Indian Insurance Company to mean more than 50 percent of the equity capital in it is beneficially owned by resident Indian citizens or Indian companies, which are owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.

“Thus, the rules have cleared the cobweb in regard to the import and purport of ‘Indian owned and controlled’ conundrum,” Varadarajan said.

Rajan cautions against ‘strong govt without accountability’ mumbai, February 21 (TNN): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan went beyond monetary policy to caution against strong governments without democratic accountability.

“Strong governments may not move in the right direction.

Hitler provided Germany with extremely effective administration — the trains ran on time, as did the trains during our own Emergency in 1975-77. But Hitler took Germany efficiently and determinedly on a path to ruin. It is not sufficient that the trains run on time, they have to go in the right direction at the desired time.”

He asserted that a strong government does not mean one that is militarily powerful or uses its intelligence apparatus to sniff out enemies of the state.

Instead, a strong government is also one that provides an effective and fair administration through clean, motivated and competent administrators who can deliver good governance.

The RBI governor also cautioned against a system of multiple appellate processes against government and regulators. He

said such systems tended to work in favour of deep-pocketed entities rather than rectifying miscarriages of justice.

Speaking at the Ideas Festival in Goa, Rajan pointed out that India was not like other countries where a strong government emerged first and was later restrained by rule of law and democratic accountability. “In India, we have the opposite situation — there are strong institutions like the judiciary, opposition parties, a free press, and NGOs, whose aim is to check government excess.”

Warning against too many checks, Rajan said, “We cannot have escaped from the licencepermit raj only to end up in the appellate raj!”

“We will have to strengthen government (and regulatory) capability, resisting the temptation to implant layers of checks and balances even before capacity has taken root. We must choose a happy median between giving administration unchecked powers and creating paralysis, recognizing that our task is different from the one that confronted the West,” he said.

Vijaya Bank with EA organises Virus posing as ‘The Interview’ movie link hits cyberspace Japanese company Delhi, February 21 installed, it claims to allow users to legitimate Android applications and develops world’s most SHG bank credit linkage prog New (PTi): After triggering a cyber world watch the movie The Interview for free infects smart phones featuring this Kohima, February 21 to handover the sanctioned conflict between the US and North but instead installs a two-stage bank- operating system. “The Trojan is crepowerful microscope (mexN): Vijaya Bank in as- loans amounting to Rs. 35.00 Korea, a potent virus masquerading ing Trojan onto infected devices,” ated by modifying the legitimate ap-

sociation with Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) organised a Self Help Group Bank Credit Linkage Programme on February 20.

A press release received here informed that the chief manager of Vijaya Bank, RS Mishra gave a brief profile about the Bank’s early roots in Nagaland and particularly in the district of Kohima.

He stressed on the importance of women’s role in the society and how Self Help Groups could help in the uplift of women’s status in the society.

Meanwhile, Lanuteka Imchen, Chief Manager, Lead District Manager, SBI gave an overview of the importance of forming SHGs and how such groups can promote income generating activities making people economically independent.

Further, LG Solomon Rongmei, Manager, Vijaya Bank requested the guests

lacs to the 7 SHGs promoted

by EA who were present at the gathering. In addition, some other priority loans of Housing & Retail trade total amounting to Rs. 25.00 lacs were also sanctioned to women entrepreneurs in the function.

The whole concept behind the collaboration of EA and Vijaya Bank to link SHGs and take this movement to a higher level was explained

by Neichute Doulo, CEO, EA. Thereafter, a PowerPoint overview was presented

by Bendang Aier, Assistant General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) giving nuances of the nature of SHGs with practical examples to make SHGs sustainable in the long run.

An open session was also held, where the participants directly interacted and aired their views and grievances with the officials.

the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) said in its latest advisors.

The CERT-In is the nodal agency to combat hacking, phishing and to fortify security-related defences of the Indian Internet domain.

While a ‘Trojan’ virus, under cyber protocols, is the most deadly variety of an online malware as it cleverly cheats a user into downloading spam into his system, the movie The Interview featured a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and was produced by Sony pictures under the banner of its Hollywood films unit.

The film was scheduled for a Christmas release last year but Sony became the target of the biggest cyberattack in US corporate history just before this, as a result of which it cancelled the film’s theatrical release and it was eventually screened in select art-house cinemas and released on the Internet and via cable TV providers.

The deadly virus, also called ‘Badaccents’, is a premium service banking Trojan that arrives bundled with

under the pseudonym of Hollywood movie, The Interview, has been seen prowling in the Indian cyberspace to attack and damage Android-based smart phones.

After triggering a cyber world conflict between the US and North Korea, a potent virus masquerading under the pseudonym of Hollywood movie, The Interview, has been seen prowling in the Indian cyberspace to attack and damage Android-based smart phones.

Cyber security sleuths have detected the activity of this ‘Trojan’ category virus in the domestic Internet circuit which falsely leads a user to download the much talked about international film leading to compromising of secret private information of a genuine smart phone user.

“Once installed (the virus), the application will display an icon using imagery from the poster of the movie The Interview. When the Trojan is being installed, it requests permissions to perform either open network connections, write to external storage devices or install application packages.

“When the app (application) is

_

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 3145

plication and then re-distributing via marketplace or other separate channels,” the cyber security agency said.

It also tricks the user to respond to a popup with a message to lure the user into launching the downloaded application packages saying: “Google play needs to be updated”, which at times, is malicious in content. The agency also suggested some countermeasures to stop the illegal activity of such viruses. “Do not download and install applications from untrusted sources, install applications downloaded from reputed application market only, run a full system scan on device with mobile security or anti-virus solution and check for the permissions required by an application before installing. “Also, exercise caution while visiting trusted/untrusted sites for clicking links, install and maintain updated mobile security/anti-virus solutions, users are advised to keep an eye on data usage and unusual increase in mobile bills, avoid using unsecured, unknown Wi-Fi networks and make a practise of taking regular backup of Android device,” the advisory suggested.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3155

Answer Number # 3144

ToKyo, February 21 (iaNS/eFe): Japanese multinational conglomerate Hitachi has developed a microscope with the world’s highest resolution based on the transmission of electrons and capable of making observations at the atomic level, company officials told Efe news agency Friday.

The transmission electron microscope (TEM), work on which was started in 2010, was completed this week and has a 43-picometre resolution (a picometre is one-trillionth of a metre and 43 picometres is less than half the radius of most atoms). The device, which occupies an entire room, was able to achieve this recordbreaking resolution thanks to a large concentration of electronemissionsthroughcablesandcircuitsspecially designed for this task, said a Hitachi spokesperson.

Other striking features of the microscope are the acoustic lining on its base to reduce the negative impact of vibrations as well as the installation of magnetic barriers around the device. This reduces the effect of external factors that cause lens aberrations and affect the resolution, the main limitation of such microscopes, according to the company.

Electron microscopes, invented in 1930 by German physicist Ernst Ruska, have a much higher resolution than optical ones due to the use of electrons instead of photons thus allowing scientists to study the structure and composition of atoms in a wide number of materials. The new device will allow scientists to optically observe atomic positions, which, according to Hitachi, could help them in developing new materials with diverse applications.

DIMAPUR civil hospital:

STD CODE: 03862 232224; emergency229529, 229474

metro hospital:

227930, 231081

faith hospital:

228846

shamrock hospital

228254

Zion hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

police control room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

east police station West police station

227607 232181

cihsr (referral hospital)

242555/ 242533

dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

apollo hospital info centre:

230695/ 9402435652

railway:

131/228404

indian airlines

229366

nagaland multispe- 248302, cialty health & 09856006026 research centre

W

O

R

Composting Words List

decompose

earthWorms

soak

greens

dampness

broWns

add

grass

turn

Woodchips

recycLing

driedLeaves

nature

pLants

heat

rinds

topsoiL

dirt

seasonaL

bLack

temperature

backyard

bacteria

safe

fungi

responsibLe

aroma

Water bins

nutrients

D

Y W G N H V E F A S G I I G J O X Q X Y

R N M L R B A C T E R I A M O R A I I X

S

Z D F J G U G R B A C K Y A R D I R T N

I Z F E G R E E N S O V Y I R Q S S E N

K S V S P I H C D O O W J D F B E X R F

E

T M P P V J Y Y F N L P J J I Z V J U T

K R Z L X X D C K A O S I K A U A T T Y

O O G A T F G L R L U E J L O A E F A E

A

G W D N U T R I E N T S Z E Q P L U R S

V H F T R Z A N S A O I Q Z K H D B E O

G T H S N L S G P A P A B P N A E L P P

R

J R E T A W S R O B S U R N G Z I A M M

L A A D D U N N N Y O X O Z A S R C E O

E E T H R I N D S N I B W J B O D K T C

C

A I C G T G E W I F L P N K N A T U R E

A H K R B N V N B A S Z S S E N P M A D

H

W C P K D U X L L J G D Q O I I Q B M X

U R N F P F K P E A S H N J L G A W Y R

R O P A Q O V O F P D A B N H K Y I Y O

V O P R D Y P O S I B D K W Q R E R U X

ACROSS

1. A proofreader’s symbol 6. Border 10. Angers 14. Entertain 15. Stink 16. Ark builder 17. Noteworthy 19. An enclosure 20. Guarantee 21. Little bit 22. Small island 23. In progress 25. Go in 26. Sneaker or pump 30. Periphery 32. A protective ear covering 35. Provide commentary 39. Mysterious 40. Trader 41. A breed of dog 43. Herringbone 44. Burning 46. Feudal worker 47. Hurried 50. Stogie 53. Against 54. Estimated time of arrival 55. Robber 60. Nil

61. Opposition 63. Dash 64. Adult male sheep 65. Master of ceremonies 66. Stitches 67. Close violently 68. Accomplishments

DOWN

1. Concern 2. Ends a prayer 3. Certain card games or liquors 4. Brother of Jacob 5. Latin name for our planet 6. Historic period 7. Someone who owes 8. Jelly 9. Barely managed 10. Burn 11. Cut of beef 12. American symbol 13. Absolute 18. Hemp 24. Not on 25. Everglades bird 26. Oceans 27. Stringed instrument 28. Killer whale 29. Emissions 31. Nil 33. Bring together

34. Sense 36. Beers 37. Small slender gull 38. Sea eagle 42. Milky 43. Dowel 45. Unhealthy vapors 47. Fogs 48. Anoint (archaic) 49. Chaff 51. Commercials 52. Deserved 54. Makes a mistake 56. Arrived 57. A single time 58. Chilled 59. T T T T 62. Belief Ans to CrossWord 3154

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

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

CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862 282777/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369 2226225/ 101 (O) 9436012949 (OC) PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 9862130954(OC) ZUNHEBOTO: 03867 280304/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC)

MON: 03869 251222/ 101 (O) 9436208480 (OC) KipHire: 8414853767 (O) 8974304572 (OC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

Police Station 1:

DIMAPUR: 03862 232201/ 101 (O) 9436017479 (OC)

TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 8414853519

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE

MOKOKCHUNG:

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

WOKHA: 03860 242215/101 (O) 9862039399 (OC)

chumukedima fire 282777 brigade nikos hospital and 232032, 231031 research centre

KOHIMA

FIRE STATIONS

STD CODE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY EXCHANGE CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

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

60.80 93.67 7.59 47.37 44.67 48.63 50.78

63.57 98.25 8.45 49.71 46.91 51.02 54.09

Euro

69.04

72.41

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.81

2.01

0.0529

0.059

45.72

47.99

9.37

10.44

5 LOCAL One arrested with 10 Organisations condemn blast in Kohima kg of pangolin scales Sunday

The Morung Express

22 February 2015

Dimapur, February 21 (mexN): The Old Ministers' Hill Panchayat (OMHP) and the Old Ministers' Hill Youth Organisation (OMHYO) have condemned the act of unidentified person(s) who hurled explosives below VIP guest house at Old Ministers' Hill Colony in Kohima on February 21 around 6:00 am. According to a press note

by OMHP chairman, K. Temjenwati Jamir and OMHYO president, Achum Lotha, three vehicles as well as neighbouring residential buildings were damaged by the explosion. OMHP and OMHYO further called upon the administration and law enforcement agencies to nab the persons responsible and bring them to light at the earliest.

The 10 kg pangolin scales which was seized by Kohima police on February 20.

Kohima, February 21 (mexN): The Wildlife Crime Control Unit of Kohima police arrested one person for smuggling pangolin scales on February 20 around 11:00 pm at Peducha Check Gate, Kohima.

Dinag @ Ditan Gangmei (45) was taken into police custody for illegal possession of 10 kg of scales of pangolin, which is an endangered species, informed a press release from Atu Zumvü, Sub–Divisional Police Officer & PRO, Kohima. The scales, it said, were found to be as hard as ivory and rhino horn.

According to the release, the seized pangolin scales were smuggled into Nagaland from Assam recently and was supposed to be delivered to a client in Manipur for exporting it further to Myanmar. The pangolin scales are reportedly used in manufacture of

traditional medicine, jewelry and hand-held weapons etc., for which, there is high demand of it in the international markets, it added. Further, it informed that the international market value of pangolin scales per kilo is reportedly US $ 3000 (Rs. 1,86,676.35/- in the country). According to sources, one need to kill at least 5 pangolins to get a kilo of pangolin scales, it was added.

The arrested person has been booked vide Sechü (Zubza) P.S Case No.0007/2015 U/S 51 Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for illegal possession of wildlife products and forwarded to judicial custody, the Kohim police PRO said.

Meanwhile, the release informed that “District Police Wildlife Crime Control Unit” Committee was constituted on February 16 comprising of Addl.

Superintendent of Police, Kohima as convener, SDPO Kohima as member secretary and OC’s of the Police Stations under DEF Kohima as members. The Committee was set up as per the order of Director General of Police, Nagaland and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide No. 10-27/WCCB/2014/Part1/No. 05-14/1801 Dated 14/11/2014.

Some of the important roles of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit are to seize, search and prosecute all those involved in selling, poaching wildlife and involved in wildlife crimes, the release said, adding people found involved in trade and business of protected trees, plants and flowers would be prosecuted as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

NPF Central Youth Wing: The NPF Central Youth Wing has also condemned the “cowardly acts” of some miscreants who fired gun shots and lobbed grenade at the residence of MLA Dr. Benjongliba Aier on February 18 in Dimapur, and the bomb blast near the residence of Deo Nukhu and Vikheho

Swu today in Kohima. “It is unfortunate that some frustrated elements are using armed miscreants to threaten and bully the elected members after they fail to convince the later with all their wrong hopes and propaganda,” stated the Press Bureau of NPF Central Youth Wing in a release. “This cowardice act of violence of some people is the seer expression of their desperation to salvage themselves from their political misadventure and not for any good cause...” The NPF Youth Wing further cautioned it will not remain mute spectator to such “anti-social activities” but will “deploy every means to counter the agents of such violence so as to let the Naga people live in peace and prosper.”

perpetrators. Meanwhile, it lauded the “timely intervention” of the Assam Rifles and the Police. The organisation further appealed to the investigation authority to apprehend and book the culprits and the architect behind the incidents.

NPF Youth Wing, Phek: The Youth Wing of NPF Phek division has expressed shock over the incidents, which took place on February 18 at Dr. Benjongliba's residence in Dimapur and on February 21 in Kohima. The president of NPF Youth Wing, Phek, Merhaso Pfüno condemned the incident and asserted that such an "inhuman and sinister act" has no place in our society. He further urged the law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter and CPO: The Chakhesang Public punish the culprit as per the law at Organisation (CPO) has also con- the earliest. demned the blast in Kohima today and the attack on Dr. Benjongliba's NPF Women Wing, Phek: residence in Dimapur on Febru- Condemning the blast, which took ary 18. The CPO in a release urged place near the residence of Deo every right thinking individual to Nukhu, the Women Wing of NPF condemn the “childish acts” of the Phek division has appealed to the

Dimapur | February 22

The Dimapur Lotha Students’ Union (DLSU), Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) and the Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union (DSSU) have jointly demanded the State Education department to explain the reasons and circumstances behind the allotment of 55 posts of ad hoc primary school teachers in Dimapur district to one tribe in particular. The Core Committee of the three students’ bodies, while referring to the advertisement dated January 23, 2015 published by the Education department, stated that Dimapur district is a place inhabited by people of varied communities.

In the advertisement, the department

published the availability of 55 posts of ad hoc primary teachers in Dimapur district, all of which was mentioned as reserved for candidates from one tribe, the ‘Core Committee’ said. Basing on the advertisement, it asked as to why the department has favoured only one tribe.

“We demand from the Education department as to how and why the 55 seats allotted to the district was reserved for one tribe only,” the Core Committee stated, adding that it expects explanation at the earliest. The Core Committee further clarified that its demand is in no way intended at targeting the tribe reportedly favoured by the department rather is against the way the department ignored the interests of candidates of the other communities residing in Dimapur.

WSSU extends support to Survival Nagaland; appeals for co-operation Dimapur, February 21 (mexN): The Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) has assured its solidarity towards the movement of Survival Nagaland and resolved to stand and fight for the cause hand in hand. In a press release, WSSU president, Atokiho Sumi and assistant general secretary, Tito Shohe lauded the SN for their “tireless effort” in checking the influx of IBIs (Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants) and the illegal activities carried out

by the IBIs in and around Dimapur. WSSU further appealed to all the concerned citizens, student organisations, NGOs to support and co-operate with the movement where and when the need arises.

Meanwhile, the union expressed shock over the report of apprehension of one non-Naga who was reportedly working under some non-Nagas affiliated to Naga Political Group.

“IBIs as tax collectors of the NPGs is highly intolerable and such tag should be stopped before hand and

should never be repeated again,” the statement said.

The union also conveyed dismay towards the head of administration and government offices who are entertaining IBIs in their offices. It appealed to all the heads of departments of government offices to ensure that such incidents are not reported again.

Further, WSSU called upon all the responsible citizens to become part of SN movement stating “together we shall preserve, protect, and rebuild our society for a better future.”

Dimapur, February 21 (mexN): Two teams of CAN Youth (formerly known as Youngs’ Club) represented Nehru Yuva Kendra Nagaland at National Integration Camp (NIC) held in Thoubal, Manipur from February 6 to 10 and at NEZCC, Dimapur from February 10 to 14, which was organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

CAN Youth, a youthled NGO, which works for youth and child development has given a

platform to various youth from rural and urban areas to participate at NIC for learning and exposure through the initiative of Nehru Yuva Kendra Dimapur.

CAN Youth in a press release stated that the Nagaland team participating at NEZCC bagged the first prize in quiz competition and Eric Sakhamo representing NYK Nagaland was awarded for the best performance in social service at NIC, Thoubal, Manipur.

eration and get their animals vaccinated when the team approaches.

The SDVO said that the vaccination campaign team has already started in Pughoboto and Mishilimi villages where a total of 812 numbers of livestock & birds have been immunised against various economical diseases.

The SDVO added that the pre-monsoon initiative would not only be important for preventing animals and birds from likely occurrences of epidemics, but would also be an important drive in the prevention of the present reports on outbreak of diseases in the country and neighbouring state.

Bosco Tech, AIDA Centre, Dimapur inaugurated its 12th batch with 53 trainees on February 21. Rev. Fr. Jose Palely, Provincial Economer, Salesians of Dimapur Province, was the chief guest at the inauguration.

Andrew Gangmei, State Coordinator, Dimapur Province, gave a report on DB Tech’s activities carried out in different centres across the country. He informed that till date, DB Tech, Dimapur has trained 4549 persons and placed 3449 rural unemployed youth in Hospitality, Beauty & Spa and Food & Beverages services, Housekeeping, Security Guard, Electrical,

ZUK: The Zhavame Union Kohima (ZUK) has also condemned the “cowardly act of anti-social elements in the form of dislodging a bomb” near the residence of Deo Nukhu. Stating that the incident created fear psychosis among the residents, ZUK president, Tsükha Krocha and general secretary, Sarhünyi Dukru, in a release urged the authority to book the culprits at the earliest.

RPOK: The Razeba Public Organisation Kohima (RPOK) has expressed shock at the bomb blast near the residence of Deo Nukhu.

RPOK president, Danyi Domeh and general secretary, Darhu Shupao, in a release condemned the “dastardly act of intimidation on its leader and other innocent citizens residing within the vicinity of the incident.” RPOK also appealed to the law enforcement agency to probe into the case and book the culprits at the earliest.

for National Integration Tour

Kohima, February 21 (mexN): A 10-day National Integration Tour to Delhi and Agra was flagged off from Meluri recently.

The tour, organised by 46 Assam Rifles of HQ 5 Sector, is being participated by 20 students and 3 teachers from St Xavier Higher Secondary School, Christian Mission School and Govt Higher Secondary School of Meluri sub-division in Phek District.

A press release from

Assam Rifles informed that the tour will take the participants to visit important places of Delhi and Agra apart from interaction with eminent personalities in Delhi. The tour, it said, endeavours to show the children from Nagaland the rich cultural diversity of the nation. “The children, teachers and parents promised that on personal fronts everyone associated with the tour will make an endeavour to gain maximum from the opportunity afforded to them,” it added.

The tour team left for Delhi from Dimapur early morning of February 19.

The tour is scheduled to meet the President of India on February 21 and will also visit a number of places in Delhi, including Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Jantar Mantar, Lotus Temple as well as the Baptist Church in Delhi.

The team will then move to Agra to see one of the seven wonders of world, the Taj Mahal, and the Fatehpur Sikri.

The tour team will return back to Dimapur on February 27. The entire travel, food and stay expenses during the tour will be borne by Assam Rifles under the civic action programme, it was informed.

MEx FILE Special Education Teachers’ appeals Leo Club of Dimapur organised a free dental screening camp on February 21 at Lions Health Centre, Midland in Dimapur, where 126 people were screened. Temporary fillings and minor extraction were also done and free medicines were provided to the patients. The camp will also be held on February 22 from 10:00 am till 3:00 pm. Chairman Leo Sandeep Jain has requested the people to register themselves before 1:00 pm to avail the service.

Parents of children with intellectual disability sensitised moKoKchuNg, February 21 (Dipr): An awareness programme was held for parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities on February 19 at Ongpangkong Salang, Mokokchung. Sponsored by National Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Care and Support Society and District Welfare Officer, Mokokchung organised the programme.

A team led by Dr. Sheilajarao, HoD (special education) from National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad conducted the programme.

Dr. Sheilajarao highlighted that it is important for the parents to identify whether

their child is developing normally, while pointing out that the period from 0-4 years is very important for child development. She added that parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities should tirelessly train and educate the child with special care to help the child enjoy a full and decent life in dignity and achieve the greatest degree of selfreliance and social integration possible.

Earlier, a short programme of free distribution of aids and appliances to People with Disabilities (PWD) under Disabled Person for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme sponsored

by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,

Government of India and implemented by Cheery Blossom Society, Kohima was held, where 8 wheel chairs and two walking sticks were distributed.

Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Bendanglila in her speech stated that certain agencies are needed to take the initiative to implement the various schemes provided by the Government. She therefore lauded the Care & Support Society, Mokokchung and Cherry Blossom Society, Kohima for taking the initiative to enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung Dr. S. Akaba and Dr. Kilang (IMDH) also delivered short speeches.

in various service sectors like Taj group of Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, ITC Hotels, JW Marriot hotels, Le-Meridien hotels, Westin Hotels, Raddissions hotels and Resorts, Club Mahindra, Sterling Holidays, TajJiva Spa, SanSha Exports, O2 Spa, Lakme, Apollo groups of hospitals and wellness, Loccitane Spa, Tattva Spa and Naturals’ Spa and Beauty Saloon, Shahi Exports Private Limited and Fenolex, he said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Jose Palely encouraged the trainees that will, determination, perseverance, and endurance will support them wherever they go. He

if they have these four qualities. All the other qualities will come automatically, he added. Fr. Jose further wished the trainees continued hard work, excelling each day competing with one self and becoming better than the previous day.

“If you do that, the world will bow before you and give way to your dreams and quest and you will walk like a conqueror.”

Earlier, Nelozu, one of the trainees welcomed the gathering and Simon Chang shared his testimony on behalf of trainees. The audience were enthralled by Lotha folk song, Chakhesang folk

Dimapur, February 21 (mexN): The Special Education Teachers Association Nagaland (SETAN) has expressed shock over the news of officials misappropriating funds under Inclusive Education of the Disabled at the Secondary Stage (IEDSS). A press release issued

by SETAN Info & Publicity Secretary, L Ekonthung Lotha, expressed distress that meanwhile the SETAN under “whole lot of hardships” has been fighting for extension of service since the last extension expired in July 2014.

Yet, it pointed out, all the SETs (Special Education Teachers) had been attending to their assigned duties until last academic year and some are involved in invigilation duties at the ongoing board examinations even without extension or salary. Meanwhile, the Association lauded the vigilance commission for bringing out such “atrocity” to light and “giving hope to the aggrieved teachers.” Further, it requested the government to take stock of the situation, and look into the matter of extension to “relieve the victimized teachers from their misery.”

ANATTA informs on membership Dimapur, February 21 (mexN): All Nagaland Adhoc Trained Teacher Association has informed all the members not to pay membership fee of Rs.300/for the year 2015, which was published in a local daily on February 20, 2015. ANATTA further informed that it will have an emergency meeting on February 25 at 11:00 am. All District representatives have been requested to attend the meeting without fail. T.A will be provided by the ANATTA. For more information contact: 9774416963/ 985689772.

NBCC calls for prayer on Feb 28

Kohima, February 21 (mexN): In view of the alarming increase in the persecution of Christians in India and around the world, and the conflict situation in Tuensang, Nagaland Baptist Church Council has called upon all its member Churches to stand in solidarity with the suffering believers through prayer and fasting on Saturday, February 28 from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm in their respective churches. Nagaland Baptist Church Council in a press release has requested all the churches to cooperate with the directives sent by their respective associations. Meanwhile, the Council appreciated all who are willing to support the cause of the suffering dance, Mao folk song, sisters and brothers. “The atrocities and conflict, taking Rongmei dance per- place around the world may be beyond our power, but formed by the trainees. not God’s,” the Council added.

After the inaugural function, parents-staff Lotha Youth Hoho office inaugurated meeting was held along with the trainees. 50 par- WoKha, February 21 (mexN): The new office ents attended the meet- of the Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH), located at daily maring. The meeting was con- ket complex, Wokha Town was formally inauguratducted in order to inform ed by Zurenthung Humtsoe, Youth Director, Wokha the parents and trainees Town Baptist Church on February 20. At the inaugural programme, Thungjano Lotha, President, Kyong about the purpose of the Eloe Hoho; Amos Odyuo, President, Kyong Students’ training and placement, Union; Tsatheo Tsanglao, Secretary, Wokha District Vilthe release said. During lage Council Chairman Association; and Mhonlumo the interaction, State team, Odyuo, Chairman, Wokha Town Colonies Union delivCentre-in-Charge along ered short speeches and urged the youth community to with the trainers briefed work not only for the welfare of the youth, but also strive the parents and trainees to work for the welfare of the general public as youth about the training pro- are the pillar of the society. Earlier, the programme was gram, personal grooming chaired by LYH general secretary, Y Likhao Humtsoe. and the work culture in in- Phyochamo Ngullie, President, LYH delivered the weldustry and the importance come address while the closing remarks was delivered of completion of the course by LYH women co-ordinator, Jandeno Ezung. for job placement.

Pughoboto: Vaccinate Don Bosco Tech, Dimapur starts 12th batch animals and birds Dimapur, Febru- Motor Mechanic and ISMO. assured them that no situaary 21 (mexN): The Don The candidates are placed tion or event can stop them

pughoboto, February 21 (mexN): The SubDivisional Veterinary Officer (SDVO) of Pughoboto has directed the farmers and public under the sub-division to inform his office @ 09862530727, 09436602933 and 9436002610 if there is any suspicious cases of animals and birds disease outbreak, or if their animals suffer without any reason.

SDVO Pughoboto Dr. Toshi Aier informed in a press release that enough vaccines for livestock and poultry birds have been procured and issued from directorate, Kohima against the sub-division. Therefore, he requested all the VCCs and public to render coop-

authority concerned to book the culprits at the earliest.

Nagaland participates at NIC Students from Meluri set out

Student bodies in Dmp demand explanation from Education Dept Morung Express News

Dimapur

Sunday 22 February 2015

6

www.morungexpress.com

EXPRESS

Review

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The secreT T hisTory of swine flu

Ten facts you should know

Debora MacKenzie & Michael Marshall

S

newscientist

wine flu emerged as a massive threat to global health.

It seemed to come out of nowhere, but our timeline explains how the origins of the H1N1 pandemic go back more than a century

1889 Prior to 1889, the main flu virus circulating in humans has been from the H1 family. But this year, a new strain of H2 flu emerges in Russia and spreads around the world, killing about 1 million people. Afterwards, H2 replaces H1 in humans. Such replacements seem to be a regular feature of flu pandemics. People born before 1889, who have been exposed to H1 flu, have some immunity to it. This affords them 16 August 1957: a nurse at Montefiore Hospital gets the first Asian flu vaccine some protection in the deadly shot in New York (Image: Associated Press) H1N1 epidemic of 1918. Those born after 1889 do not have any not as lethal to humans as the 1918 No one knows where it came from, immunity to H1. virus, which came, with few chang- though it looks like an H1N1 that 1918 es, from birds. People tend to mount circulated in the Soviet Union in The "Spanish flu" epidemic of the best immune response to the 1950 and some suspect it escaped 1918 kills at least 50 million people first kind of flu virus they experi- in a laboratory accident. worldwide. It is caused by an H1N1 ence. Because of this, people born The virus causes a mild flu panvirus which evolves directly from a before 1957, whose first experience demic, which mainly affects people bird flu into a human flu. of flu would have been the H1N1 vi- born after H1N1 flu disappeared in After a mild wave of infections ruses then in circulation, have some 1957. However, the real surprise is in the summer, the epidemic goes immunity to the 2009 H1N1 strain that it does not displace the previglobal: one-third of the population causing the current pandemic. Peo- ous, and more virulent, seasonal eventually get sick. Although most ple born after the 1957 pandemic do flu, H3N2. Instead, it continues circases are mild, many sufferers de- not have this immunity. culating alongside it. velop a rapidly fatal infection deep 1968 The antibodies people produce in their lungs. People born before An H3N2 virus causes the after being infected by this new sea1889 are less susceptible, thanks to "Hong Kong" flu pandemic, which sonal H1N1 do not protect against their previous exposure to H1N1. is even milder than the Asian flu, 2009 H1N1. However, infections Most deaths are caused by bac- killing an estimated 0.75 million to also trigger another reaction called terial lung infections that move in 1 million people worldwide. cell-mediated immunity, in which after the virus. Modern antibiotics The virus only differs from H2N2 certain white blood cells target might mean that a re-run of the 1918 in one of its surface proteins, the and destroy infected cells. Tests of pandemic would be less dangerous. H; since many people still have an- the 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccine After 1919, the descendants tibodies to the unchanged N2 pro- show that, unlike antibodies, cellof the H1N1 virus continue to cir- tein, its effects are less severe. But mediated immunity to seasonal culate and cause seasonal flu out- because H3N2 completely replaces H1N1 may help protect against the breaks in humans – and pigs.

H2N2 in people, no one born since pandemic virus. This does not pre1931 vent disease altogether, but can re1968 has any immunity to H2.

Swine flu is first isolated from a 1972 duce its severity pig in Iowa.

Researchers Graham Laver and 1998 1933 The predecessor of the 2009 Robert Webster discover that waThe first human flu virus is iso- terfowl are the natural hosts of in- H1N1 swine flu virus emerges in the lated at Mill Hill in London. When fluenza viruses. The birds harbour US. It is a hybrid of human, bird and given to ferrets, it produces a disease strains unknown in humans that swine flu viruses, and by 1999 it is whose symptoms are all but identi- could reassort with human strains the dominant flu strain in US pigs. cal to the Iowan pig virus. But ferrets and give rise to new human panUS pig farms try to control it that have had the human virus are demics. with vaccines, but these attempts not fully immune to the pig virus, 1976 are largely ineffective because the showing that the two viruses have An H1N1 virus jumps from pigs to virus evolves too rapidly, changing already started to evolve apart. humans and kills a US army recruit. the surface proteins targeted by the 1957 However the virus does not spread vaccine while keeping its internal An H2N2 virus causes the beyond the army base and fizzles out genes unchanged. The 2009 pan"Asian" flu pandemic, completely without triggering a pandemic. demic virus is a variant on this 1998 displacing the H1N1 viruses that Nevertheless, fears of a replay of flu, and behaves the same way. have been circulating in humans the 1918 pandemic lead to 48 mil- 2004-2006 since 1918. The pandemic is fairly lion people being hastily vaccinatH5N1 flu, first identified as a mild, killing 1 to 1.5 million people ed against the swine flu virus. The threat to humans in Hong Kong in worldwide. vaccine is associated with an un- 1997, spreads from Asia around the The virus is produced by a reas- usual number of cases of Guillain- world, apparently carried by wild sortment, in which human-adapted Barré syndrome: 532 people get it, birds. While this "bird flu" proves H1N1 swaps genes with an H2N2 and 25 die. deadly to humans, killing more than bird flu. The new H and N surface 1977 half of its victims, it is kept in check by proteins mean most people do not An H1N1 virus appears in its inability to spread readily from huhave antibodies to the virus, allow- north-east China and starts cir- man to human. H5N1 is alsofound in ing it to go pandemic. However, its culating in humans. It causes sea- pigs in Indonesia, raising fears that it human-adapted genes mean it is sonal flu in every subsequent year. might reassort with other human flu

he swine flu menace is back in the country with ing. Avoid touching your face, nose and eyes ofover 6000 people testing positive for the virus ten. It can also spread through inanimate objects across nine different states. Every day the palike the mobile phone, laptop etc. which we end pers and internet are full of swine flu numbers up frequently using. So, it’s better to avoid using form across the country which makes people wonderothers’ belongings. In case of sore throat, gargle ing what the symptoms are, how it can be treated and with warm salt water. why it’s dangerous. Read more about causes, symp- 7. It is possible to prevent swine flu. Maintain your toms, diagnosis and treatment of swine flu. health and immunity well. Eat healthy food, get good sleep, avoid stress. Avoid visiting crowded public places if you can. If you do visit them, wash your Here are the top 10 facts you should know about the disease: 1. Swine flu or H1N1 type A influenza is transmitted hands and feet well. Better still, just take a shower. from people and NOT from pigs or swines. Here’s 8. Though injectable vaccines (Influvac, Agrippal, how you can prevent the spread of H1N1.

Vaxigrip, Vaxiflu-S and Fluarix) against swine flu 2. If you have normal immunity, you may not be are available, the Government has ruled out uniprone to swine flu. versal vaccination for now and has recommend3. People who are at high-risk include very young ed that it be used only for people who are actively children, pregnant women, diabetics, people treating the swine flu patients (doctors and other with heart conditions and those whose immune medical practitioners). Read about why the swine systems may be weak and compromised. flu situation in India is bad.

4. Sudden fever of more than 100 degree Fahrenheit, 9. Swine flu can only be diagnosed for sure in labs. It fatigue, chills, headaches, cough and sneezing, is diagnosed by identifying the particular antigens sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of appetite are some associated with the virus type. In general, this test of the symptoms of swine flu. Read more about is done in a specialized laboratory and is not done symptoms of swine flu. by many doctors’ offices or hospital laboratories.

5. One cannot exactly know that he/she is sufferHowever, doctors’ offices are able to send speciing from swine flu because the symptoms are very mens to specialized laboratories if necessary. similar to regular flu. If you have very high fever 10. There are certain antiviral drugs which help treat for more than a day or two, sudden breathlessswine flu – Zanamivir (Relenza) and Oseltamivir ness, you should contact your doctor immedi(Tamiflu).One should take these only with a docately. Here’s how India prepares to tackle another tor’s prescription since indiscriminate use could epidemic. lead to resistance to the virus. The patient will 6. If you already have fever, it’s better to stay at home need to hospitalized, isolated and put on a ventiin order to prevent the disease from spreading. Allator in severe cases. ways cover your face while coughing and sneez(Source: The Health Site)

viruses that pigs can harbour.

The threat posed by bird flu leads to the first real efforts to be made atpandemic planning: governments start to stockpile antiviral drugs, and the world's drug companies start doing serious research on pandemic vaccines. These plans are made with the highly lethal H5N1 in mind, meaning that they are not always appropriate for the 2009 pandemic.

2007-2008 Pandemic fears boost spending on flu research. European scientists start organising to track flu in wild birds, Vietnamese scientists find that antibodies from bird flu victims can cure other cases of the virus (a technique used in Hong Kong in 2009), the risk of dying of flu is found to be partly genetic, and it turns out that your mother was right to warn you about catching the flu when it's cold out.

However, Indonesia, where most H5N1 outbreaks are happening, refuses to share samples of the virus, arguing that it will not benefit in return from any vaccines developed as a result. This means scientists cannot monitor the virus's evolution.

But worries about H5N1 subside as it fails to become contagious in people – although virologists continue to warn that it is not the only threatening flu virus out there.

Viruses from the H9, H7 and H2 families all give cause for concern.

March 2009 The first cases of a new type of swine flu are reported in California and Texas in late March. Subsequent genetic analysis suggests that it may have started circulating in humans in January.

April 2009 On 27 April, with 900 cases of suspected swine flu reported in Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgrades the pandemic warning level from 3 to 4 on a six-point scale. Intensive efforts to understand the virus and develop a vaccine begin immediately.

The US government advises against travel to Mexico, although research suggests that travel bans will not stop the virus spreading.

May 2009 Although swine flu seems to be spreading slowly, it is still progressing quickly enough to justify preparing for a pandemic. How-

ever, the WHO delays declaring a pandemic, partly because there is not enough evidence that the virus is spreading in the general population outside the Americas, where it originated.

New Scientist reveals that Europe is not testing people with flu symptoms unless they have recently travelled to an affected area in the Americas, or have had close contact with someone who did.

As a result, Europe cannot detect spread in the general population.

These restrictions may be making the pandemic "invisible" to the monitoring authorities.

As concerns mount, it transpires that many countries are poorly prepared for this scenario and that supplies of H1N1 vaccine cannot be prepared in time to catch the second wave.

June 2009 The UK and other countries change their rules and start testing people who have flu but no North American contacts. Cases of swine flu are soon detected.

On 11 June the WHO officially declares swine flu to be a pandemic. This is the signal for the vaccine industry to start making pandemic vaccine (paid for by governments), rather than conventional flu vaccine (paid for by ordinary health services).

July 2009 Treatment plans are shaken by the discovery of swine flu that is resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu and the realisation that the H1N1 vaccine is growingonly half as fast as the ordinary flu vaccine.

The US decides to use its standard formulation for flu vaccine, so no new regulatory tests will be needed. This will allow it to authorise pandemic vaccine before September, when a renewed wave of the pandemic is expected. But this formulation uses a lot of virus, and so reduces the number of doses that can be made.

Researchers discover that the swine flu virus binds far deeper in the lungs than ordinary flu, possibly explaining why it is sometimes fatal. However, the majority of cases are still mild, and it appears that many of the people with severe cases have an underlying health problem – although some of these "problems" are no more remarkable than being overweight, preg-

nant or unborn.

In the southern hemisphere, where it is winter, swine flu apparently replaces the usual seasonal flu. This suggests that the pandemic virus will displace the two previous seasonal flu strains, as previous pandemics have done. However, after the experience of 1977, when this did not happen, scientists do not rule out the return of H3N2 after the autumn wave of swine flu.

August 2009 A New Scientist poll reveals widespread concern about swine flu among public health officials and epidemiologists, many of whom have obtained supplies of antiviral drugs for their own families.

September 2009 Four major vaccine manufacturers report that their swine flu vaccines work with only one shot.

This is good news, given that vaccine is in short supply despite researchers' success in finding faster-growing strains. The vaccine's effectiveness suggests there must be pre-existing cell-mediated immunity, possibly because of similarities between the surface proteins on swine flu and the seasonal H1N1 flu that emerged in 1977.

As autumn arrives in the northern hemisphere, experts are on tenterhooks: a particular worry is that swine flu will hybridise with bird flu to create a readily contagious human flu armed with a lethal H5 surface protein. At time of writing, the virus had not become more severe, causing mild disease in most sufferers but making a small number – probably less than 1 per cent –extremely ill.

October 2009 Vaccination programmes begin in the US and Europe, but many healthcare workers are reluctant to have the vaccine, even though it is virtually identical to the seasonal vaccines used in previous years, which have a good safety record.

Production delays also continue to plague the deployment of vaccine. By 22 October, the US has only 27 million doses available, compared with the expected 45 million. Researchers show that this much vaccine will reduce the number of cases in the second wave by less than 6 per cent – but that is still enough to save 2000 lives.

How YoU can protect YoUrself from swine flU

I

ndia is grappling with a swine flu epidemic. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the worst-affected states with their respective tolls standing at 165, 144, 76 and 58, official figures said. And with cases on the rise, there is heightened panic among people.

So, here’s all you needed to know about the dreaded virus and simple tips one can follow to keep it at bay.

How do people become infected with influenza A (H1N1)?

Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission.

When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air.

Another person can breathe in the contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?

water, especially after you cough or How soon can someone with sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners the flu infect someone else? are also effective.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symp- • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. toms develop and up to seven or more • Try to avoid close contact with people days after becoming sick. having respiratory illness.

• If one gets sick with influenza, one must What surfaces are most likely stay at home, away from work or school to be sources of contamination? and limit contact with others to keep Germs can be spread when a person from infecting them. However, if one touches something that is contaminatis having any respiratory distress, one ed with germs and then touches his or should report to a nearby hospital. her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person What should I do to keep from getting move through the air. the flu?

First and most important: wash your How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacte- hands frequently. Try to stay in good generria can live two hours or longer on surfaces al health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. active, manage your stress, drink plenty of Frequent hand washing will help you re- fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid touchduce the chance of getting contamination ing surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with peofrom these common surfaces. ple having respiratory illness.

What can I do to protect Are there medicines to treat swine flu? myself from getting sick?

Yes. Oseltamivir is the recommended Currently available seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu. anti viral drug for the treatment and/or There are everyday actions that can help prevention of infection with the influenza prevent the spread of germs that cause re- A H1N1. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can spiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. everyday steps to protect your health: They may also prevent serious flu com• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw plications. For treatment, antiviral drugs the tissue in the trash after you use it. work best if started soon after getting sick

ment has adequate stock and the drug is made available to government hospitals at the time of outbreak and would be available to you free of cost. The drug is to be administered under supervision of clinicians.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where influenza A H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms, for instance, fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms.

Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

• In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen • Sudden dizziness • Confusion • Severe or persistent vomiting Can I get influenza A H1N1 from eating or preparing pork?

No. swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

DOs: • Wash your hands • Avoid crowded places • Stay more than an arm's length from persons afflicted with flu • Get plenty of sleep • Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DON’Ts • Shake hands or hug in greeting • Spit in public In children emergency warning signs that • Take medicines without consulting a physician need urgent medical attention include: • Fast breathing or trouble breathing For people who are sick: • Bluish skin colour • Not drinking enough fluids/eating food • Stay home and limit contacts with others as much as possible • Not waking up or not interacting • Being so irritable that the child does not • Rest and take plenty of liquids • Cover your mouth and nose when you want to be held cough or sneeze • Flu-like symptoms improve but then re• Seek medical advice if needed. turn with fever and worse cough

Sunday 22 February 2015

6

www.morungexpress.com

EXPRESS

Review

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The secreT T hisTory of swine flu

Ten facts you should know

Debora MacKenzie & Michael Marshall

S

newscientist

wine flu emerged as a massive threat to global health.

It seemed to come out of nowhere, but our timeline explains how the origins of the H1N1 pandemic go back more than a century

1889 Prior to 1889, the main flu virus circulating in humans has been from the H1 family. But this year, a new strain of H2 flu emerges in Russia and spreads around the world, killing about 1 million people. Afterwards, H2 replaces H1 in humans. Such replacements seem to be a regular feature of flu pandemics. People born before 1889, who have been exposed to H1 flu, have some immunity to it. This affords them 16 August 1957: a nurse at Montefiore Hospital gets the first Asian flu vaccine some protection in the deadly shot in New York (Image: Associated Press) H1N1 epidemic of 1918. Those born after 1889 do not have any not as lethal to humans as the 1918 No one knows where it came from, immunity to H1. virus, which came, with few chang- though it looks like an H1N1 that 1918 es, from birds. People tend to mount circulated in the Soviet Union in The "Spanish flu" epidemic of the best immune response to the 1950 and some suspect it escaped 1918 kills at least 50 million people first kind of flu virus they experi- in a laboratory accident. worldwide. It is caused by an H1N1 ence. Because of this, people born The virus causes a mild flu panvirus which evolves directly from a before 1957, whose first experience demic, which mainly affects people bird flu into a human flu. of flu would have been the H1N1 vi- born after H1N1 flu disappeared in After a mild wave of infections ruses then in circulation, have some 1957. However, the real surprise is in the summer, the epidemic goes immunity to the 2009 H1N1 strain that it does not displace the previglobal: one-third of the population causing the current pandemic. Peo- ous, and more virulent, seasonal eventually get sick. Although most ple born after the 1957 pandemic do flu, H3N2. Instead, it continues circases are mild, many sufferers de- not have this immunity. culating alongside it. velop a rapidly fatal infection deep 1968 The antibodies people produce in their lungs. People born before An H3N2 virus causes the after being infected by this new sea1889 are less susceptible, thanks to "Hong Kong" flu pandemic, which sonal H1N1 do not protect against their previous exposure to H1N1. is even milder than the Asian flu, 2009 H1N1. However, infections Most deaths are caused by bac- killing an estimated 0.75 million to also trigger another reaction called terial lung infections that move in 1 million people worldwide. cell-mediated immunity, in which after the virus. Modern antibiotics The virus only differs from H2N2 certain white blood cells target might mean that a re-run of the 1918 in one of its surface proteins, the and destroy infected cells. Tests of pandemic would be less dangerous. H; since many people still have an- the 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccine After 1919, the descendants tibodies to the unchanged N2 pro- show that, unlike antibodies, cellof the H1N1 virus continue to cir- tein, its effects are less severe. But mediated immunity to seasonal culate and cause seasonal flu out- because H3N2 completely replaces H1N1 may help protect against the breaks in humans – and pigs.

H2N2 in people, no one born since pandemic virus. This does not pre1931 vent disease altogether, but can re1968 has any immunity to H2.

Swine flu is first isolated from a 1972 duce its severity pig in Iowa.

Researchers Graham Laver and 1998 1933 The predecessor of the 2009 Robert Webster discover that waThe first human flu virus is iso- terfowl are the natural hosts of in- H1N1 swine flu virus emerges in the lated at Mill Hill in London. When fluenza viruses. The birds harbour US. It is a hybrid of human, bird and given to ferrets, it produces a disease strains unknown in humans that swine flu viruses, and by 1999 it is whose symptoms are all but identi- could reassort with human strains the dominant flu strain in US pigs. cal to the Iowan pig virus. But ferrets and give rise to new human panUS pig farms try to control it that have had the human virus are demics. with vaccines, but these attempts not fully immune to the pig virus, 1976 are largely ineffective because the showing that the two viruses have An H1N1 virus jumps from pigs to virus evolves too rapidly, changing already started to evolve apart. humans and kills a US army recruit. the surface proteins targeted by the 1957 However the virus does not spread vaccine while keeping its internal An H2N2 virus causes the beyond the army base and fizzles out genes unchanged. The 2009 pan"Asian" flu pandemic, completely without triggering a pandemic. demic virus is a variant on this 1998 displacing the H1N1 viruses that Nevertheless, fears of a replay of flu, and behaves the same way. have been circulating in humans the 1918 pandemic lead to 48 mil- 2004-2006 since 1918. The pandemic is fairly lion people being hastily vaccinatH5N1 flu, first identified as a mild, killing 1 to 1.5 million people ed against the swine flu virus. The threat to humans in Hong Kong in worldwide. vaccine is associated with an un- 1997, spreads from Asia around the The virus is produced by a reas- usual number of cases of Guillain- world, apparently carried by wild sortment, in which human-adapted Barré syndrome: 532 people get it, birds. While this "bird flu" proves H1N1 swaps genes with an H2N2 and 25 die. deadly to humans, killing more than bird flu. The new H and N surface 1977 half of its victims, it is kept in check by proteins mean most people do not An H1N1 virus appears in its inability to spread readily from huhave antibodies to the virus, allow- north-east China and starts cir- man to human. H5N1 is alsofound in ing it to go pandemic. However, its culating in humans. It causes sea- pigs in Indonesia, raising fears that it human-adapted genes mean it is sonal flu in every subsequent year. might reassort with other human flu

ing. Avoid touching your face, nose and eyes ofhe swine flu menace is back in the country with ten. It can also spread through inanimate objects over 6000 people testing positive for the virus like the mobile phone, laptop etc. which we end across nine different states. Every day the paup frequently using. So, it’s better to avoid using pers and internet are full of swine flu numbers others’ belongings. In case of sore throat, gargle form across the country which makes people wonderwith warm salt water. ing what the symptoms are, how it can be treated and why it’s dangerous. Read more about causes, symp- 7. It is possible to prevent swine flu. Maintain your health and immunity well. Eat healthy food, get toms, diagnosis and treatment of swine flu. good sleep, avoid stress. Avoid visiting crowded pubHere are the top 10 facts you should know about the disease: lic places if you can. If you do visit them, wash your 1. Swine flu or H1N1 type A influenza is transmitted hands and feet well. Better still, just take a shower. from people and NOT from pigs or swines. Here’s 8. Though injectable vaccines (Influvac, Agrippal, how you can prevent the spread of H1N1.

Vaxigrip, Vaxiflu-S and Fluarix) against swine flu 2. If you have normal immunity, you may not be are available, the Government has ruled out uniprone to swine flu. versal vaccination for now and has recommend3. People who are at high-risk include very young ed that it be used only for people who are actively children, pregnant women, diabetics, people treating the swine flu patients (doctors and other with heart conditions and those whose immune medical practitioners). Read about why the swine systems may be weak and compromised. flu situation in India is bad.

4. Sudden fever of more than 100 degree Fahrenheit, 9. Swine flu can only be diagnosed for sure in labs. It fatigue, chills, headaches, cough and sneezing, is diagnosed by identifying the particular antigens sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of appetite are some associated with the virus type. In general, this test of the symptoms of swine flu. Read more about is done in a specialized laboratory and is not done symptoms of swine flu. by many doctors’ offices or hospital laboratories.

5. One cannot exactly know that he/she is sufferHowever, doctors’ offices are able to send speciing from swine flu because the symptoms are very mens to specialized laboratories if necessary. similar to regular flu. If you have very high fever 10. There are certain antiviral drugs which help treat for more than a day or two, sudden breathlessswine flu – Zanamivir (Relenza) and Oseltamivir ness, you should contact your doctor immedi(Tamiflu).One should take these only with a docately. Here’s how India prepares to tackle another tor’s prescription since indiscriminate use could epidemic. lead to resistance to the virus. The patient will 6. If you already have fever, it’s better to stay at home need to hospitalized, isolated and put on a ventiin order to prevent the disease from spreading. Allator in severe cases. ways cover your face while coughing and sneez(Source: The Health Site)

viruses that pigs can harbour.

The threat posed by bird flu leads to the first real efforts to be made atpandemic planning: governments start to stockpile antiviral drugs, and the world's drug companies start doing serious research on pandemic vaccines. These plans are made with the highly lethal H5N1 in mind, meaning that they are not always appropriate for the 2009 pandemic.

2007-2008 Pandemic fears boost spending on flu research. European scientists start organising to track flu in wild birds, Vietnamese scientists find that antibodies from bird flu victims can cure other cases of the virus (a technique used in Hong Kong in 2009), the risk of dying of flu is found to be partly genetic, and it turns out that your mother was right to warn you about catching the flu when it's cold out.

However, Indonesia, where most H5N1 outbreaks are happening, refuses to share samples of the virus, arguing that it will not benefit in return from any vaccines developed as a result. This means scientists cannot monitor the virus's evolution.

But worries about H5N1 subside as it fails to become contagious in people – although virologists continue to warn that it is not the only threatening flu virus out there.

Viruses from the H9, H7 and H2 families all give cause for concern.

March 2009 The first cases of a new type of swine flu are reported in California and Texas in late March. Subsequent genetic analysis suggests that it may have started circulating in humans in January.

April 2009 On 27 April, with 900 cases of suspected swine flu reported in Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgrades the pandemic warning level from 3 to 4 on a six-point scale. Intensive efforts to understand the virus and develop a vaccine begin immediately.

The US government advises against travel to Mexico, although research suggests that travel bans will not stop the virus spreading.

May 2009 Although swine flu seems to be spreading slowly, it is still progressing quickly enough to justify preparing for a pandemic. How-

ever, the WHO delays declaring a pandemic, partly because there is not enough evidence that the virus is spreading in the general population outside the Americas, where it originated.

New Scientist reveals that Europe is not testing people with flu symptoms unless they have recently travelled to an affected area in the Americas, or have had close contact with someone who did.

As a result, Europe cannot detect spread in the general population.

These restrictions may be making the pandemic "invisible" to the monitoring authorities.

As concerns mount, it transpires that many countries are poorly prepared for this scenario and that supplies of H1N1 vaccine cannot be prepared in time to catch the second wave.

June 2009 The UK and other countries change their rules and start testing people who have flu but no North American contacts. Cases of swine flu are soon detected.

On 11 June the WHO officially declares swine flu to be a pandemic. This is the signal for the vaccine industry to start making pandemic vaccine (paid for by governments), rather than conventional flu vaccine (paid for by ordinary health services).

July 2009 Treatment plans are shaken by the discovery of swine flu that is resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu and the realisation that the H1N1 vaccine is growingonly half as fast as the ordinary flu vaccine.

The US decides to use its standard formulation for flu vaccine, so no new regulatory tests will be needed. This will allow it to authorise pandemic vaccine before September, when a renewed wave of the pandemic is expected. But this formulation uses a lot of virus, and so reduces the number of doses that can be made.

Researchers discover that the swine flu virus binds far deeper in the lungs than ordinary flu, possibly explaining why it is sometimes fatal. However, the majority of cases are still mild, and it appears that many of the people with severe cases have an underlying health problem – although some of these "problems" are no more remarkable than being overweight, preg-

nant or unborn.

In the southern hemisphere, where it is winter, swine flu apparently replaces the usual seasonal flu. This suggests that the pandemic virus will displace the two previous seasonal flu strains, as previous pandemics have done. However, after the experience of 1977, when this did not happen, scientists do not rule out the return of H3N2 after the autumn wave of swine flu.

August 2009 A New Scientist poll reveals widespread concern about swine flu among public health officials and epidemiologists, many of whom have obtained supplies of antiviral drugs for their own families.

September 2009 Four major vaccine manufacturers report that their swine flu vaccines work with only one shot.

This is good news, given that vaccine is in short supply despite researchers' success in finding faster-growing strains. The vaccine's effectiveness suggests there must be pre-existing cell-mediated immunity, possibly because of similarities between the surface proteins on swine flu and the seasonal H1N1 flu that emerged in 1977.

As autumn arrives in the northern hemisphere, experts are on tenterhooks: a particular worry is that swine flu will hybridise with bird flu to create a readily contagious human flu armed with a lethal H5 surface protein. At time of writing, the virus had not become more severe, causing mild disease in most sufferers but making a small number – probably less than 1 per cent –extremely ill.

October 2009 Vaccination programmes begin in the US and Europe, but many healthcare workers are reluctant to have the vaccine, even though it is virtually identical to the seasonal vaccines used in previous years, which have a good safety record.

Production delays also continue to plague the deployment of vaccine. By 22 October, the US has only 27 million doses available, compared with the expected 45 million. Researchers show that this much vaccine will reduce the number of cases in the second wave by less than 6 per cent – but that is still enough to save 2000 lives.

How YoU can protect YoUrself from swine flU

I

ndia is grappling with a swine flu epidemic. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the worst-affected states with their respective tolls standing at 165, 144, 76 and 58, official figures said. And with cases on the rise, there is heightened panic among people.

So, here’s all you needed to know about the dreaded virus and simple tips one can follow to keep it at bay.

How do people become infected with influenza A (H1N1)?

Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission.

When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air.

Another person can breathe in the contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How soon can someone with water, especially after you cough or the flu infect someone else? sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners Infected people may be able to infect are also effective. others beginning one day before symp- • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or toms develop and up to seven or more mouth. Germs spread this way. days after becoming sick.

• Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.

What surfaces are most likely • If one gets sick with influenza, one must to be sources of contamination? stay at home, away from work or school Germs can be spread when a person and limit contact with others to keep touches something that is contaminatfrom infecting them. However, if one ed with germs and then touches his or is having any respiratory distress, one her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from should report to a nearby hospital. a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

How long can viruses live outside the body?

First and most important: wash your We know that some viruses and bacte- hands frequently. Try to stay in good generria can live two hours or longer on surfaces al health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. active, manage your stress, drink plenty of Frequent hand washing will help you re- fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid touchduce the chance of getting contamination ing surfaces that may be contaminated with from these common surfaces. the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Currently available seasonal influenza Yes. Oseltamivir is the recommended vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu. anti viral drug for the treatment and/or There are everyday actions that can help prevention of infection with the influenza prevent the spread of germs that cause re- A H1N1. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can spiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. everyday steps to protect your health: They may also prevent serious flu com• Cover your nose and mouth with a tis-

ment has adequate stock and the drug is made available to government hospitals at the time of outbreak and would be available to you free of cost. The drug is to be administered under supervision of clinicians.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where influenza A H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms, for instance, fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms.

Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

• In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen • Sudden dizziness • Confusion • Severe or persistent vomiting Can I get influenza A H1N1 from eating or preparing pork?

No. swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

DOs: • Wash your hands • Avoid crowded places • Stay more than an arm's length from persons afflicted with flu • Get plenty of sleep • Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DON’Ts • Shake hands or hug in greeting • Spit in public In children emergency warning signs that • Take medicines without consulting a physician need urgent medical attention include: • Fast breathing or trouble breathing For people who are sick: • Bluish skin colour • Not drinking enough fluids/eating food • Stay home and limit contacts with oth• Not waking up or not interacting ers as much as possible • Being so irritable that the child does not • Rest and take plenty of liquids want to be held • Cover your mouth and nose when you

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Sunday 22 February 2015

The Morung Express

Petroleum ministry leak: Executives sent to police custody, 2 offices raided

New Delhi, February 21 (iaNS): Five corporate officials, arrested in the sensational petroleum ministry document leakage case, were Saturday sent to three days police custody by a court here even as police raided two places in the city as part of its investigations and Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that no one guilty will be spared.

Those sent to police custody till Feb 24 are RIL corporate affairs manager Shailesh Saxena, Jubilant Energy senior executive Subash Chandra, Reliance ADAG DGM Rishi Anand, Essar DGM Vinay and Cairns India GM K.K. Naik. All were arrested Friday and booked under sections dealing with criminal conspiracy and use of stolen property. Their arrest took to 12 the number of those behind bars in the case.

The court had Friday sent

three of the seven other accused to judicial custody for 14 days. The remaining four had been sent to police custody of three days. The espionage case in the heart of the national capital assumed a wider dimension Friday after police complaint said the papers stolen included inputs for the forthcoming union budget and a letter relating to the prime minister's office.

The documents also related to the power and coal ministries, police said. Former journalist Santanu Saikia, who is among the arrested, said Saturday it was a Rs.10,000 crore scam. "It's a Rs.10,000 crore scam and it was a cover up," Saikia told reporters outside the Crime Branch office here, while being taken to court.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lauded police for cracking the case and ad-

'No official record of Modi being tea-seller' New Delhi, February 21 (iaNS): There is no record available that shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a tea-seller on railway platforms or trains during his childhood, an RTI query has revealed. A Congress supporter and social activist Tehseen Poonawalla, had sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the Railway Board about whether there was any record, registration number or official pass issued to Modi allowing or entitling him to sell tea on trains and at stations.

Quoting the RTI response from the railway ministry, she said: "No such information is available in TG III Branch of Tourism and Catering Directorate of Railway Board."

Swine flu: 774 dead, nearly 13,000 affected New Delhi, February 21 (Pti): Swine flu claimed 31 more lives raising the number of dead to 774 and people affected by it inching closer to 13,000 even as the Government today asked state drug controllers to ensure that chemist shops display prominently availability of medicines for its treatment.

"The total number of persons affected due to swine flu is 12,963 while the total number of deaths was 774 till February 20 this year," a Health Ministry source said.

Union Health ministry figures till February 20 said that the death toll in Rajathan reached 206 while the number of affected persons were the highest 4,185. In Gujarat it stood at 186 while 2,637 persons have been affected by it. A total of 103 people have perished in Madhya Pradesh while 92 have died in Maharashtra.

Telangana has reported 51 deaths while Karnataka has reported 33 deaths. Punjab and Haryana have reported 31 and 20 deaths respectively. Delhi has reported nine deaths.

"To create awareness in public about the availability of the drugs, you are requested to direct chemists shops in your states and UTs who have been granted license to sell, stock and distribute by retail drugs... "...specified under Schedule X to display the description 'Swine Flu Medicine Available Here' in conspicuous manner in a prominent place in the respective shop," the letter written by Drug Controller General of India G N Singh to drug controllers of all states and UTs said.

In another letter, the DGCI directed the state drug controllers to set up a "Swine Flu Drugs Availability Monitoring Cell" with a designated officer to ensure close monitoring of availibility of drugs and vaccines.

vised it to trace those who had benefited from leaked information."Compliments Delhi police for bursting espionage racket. During interrogations, police should try to reach top people, who would benefit from leaked information," he tweeted Saturday.

Police had Thursday announced arrest of five people, including two petroleum ministry employees, for stealing documents from the ministry office located in the high-security Shastri Bhawan near the Parliament House complex, and leaking them to corporate houses.

Saikia and Prayas Jain, a Melbourne-based energy consultant, were arrested Friday.

Later in the day, the five executives were arrested. Police Saturday raided the Patel Nagar office of Jain and Chandra's office in Noida.

Police officials said that Chandra's office and some other rooms were searched to recover stolen documents. They also said that Saxena had in his possession some documents relating to "national importance and security" and these had been passed by him to his seniors.

All documents seized are "sensitive", an official said.

Rajnath Singh told reporters that strong action will be taken and no guilty person would be spared.

"We should be commended as we found out that this was happening, the culprits will be punished," he told reporters."If we would have not been vigilant, this (scandal) would not have been busted," he added.

Rakesh Kumar, 30, Lalta Prasad, 36 - both brothers and residents of Delhi, and Raj Kumar Chaubey, 39, a resident

of Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, were held red-handed with photocopies of some secret documents in Shastri Bhawan Feb 17.

Based on information provided by them, government employees Asharam, 58, and Ishwar Singh, 56 were also arrested. They were part of the multi-tasking staff (MTS) in Shastri Bhawan.

The FIR details how the "secret papers" were photocopied after office hours by Kumar and Prasad, who used duplicate keys to open offices after entering Shastri Bhawan with forged identity cards and temporary passes obtained fraudulently.

The photocopies were passed on to Saikia and Jain.

While Ishwar Singh, Asharam and Chaubey are in judicial custody, all others have been sent to police custody.

HM vows strictest punishment in the ‘Rs 10,000 crore scam’

New Delhi, February 21 (ageNcieS): In the wake of the sensational corporate-espionage case which has rocked the country, home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that those involved in the scandal would not be spared and strictest punishment would be meted out to them. He said the police probe into this case will soon unravel the truth about everything.

Talking to reporters in here at a function, he said, “Jaldi doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani ho jayega (Everything will be clear soon). No guilty person would be spared and strictest punishment would be given to them.”

The home minister also did not rule out a nexus between middlemen and government officials in the case. He said, “It is possible. I am not ruling out any possibility. Delhi Police investigating the whole issue. I think the issue will come to light very soon.”

So far, twelve people have been arrested in the case.

‘Rs 10,000 crore scam’ Meanwhile, making a dramatic claim in the corporate espionage case, arrested journalist Santanu Saikia has said that it’s a Rs 10,000 crore scam. Saikia made the dramatic admission while going out of the Delhi Police crime branch office. “Quote me, I was doing a cover up,” Saikia said. “It’s a Rs 10,000 crore scam,” he said.

‘US committed to work with India on diversity issue’ waShiNgtoN, February 21 (iaNS): Amid the flak generated by President Barack Obama's recent comments about religious intolerance in India, the White House has said it's committed to working with India to reaffirm the principle of diversity around the world.

The reiteration came in an official White House response to an online "We the People Petition on Religious Freedom in India." Urging Obama to "Question Modi 'WHY Indian constitution labels 'Sikhs' as Hindus?' while attending Constitution Day events on January 26."

It also asked Obama to raise the issues of "Sikh Genocide"; and "Sikhs' Right to Self-determination". The response came after the petition initiated by Sikh For Justice (SFJ), a US based rights group, on Dec 1, 2014 gathered 125,050 signatures. To receive a response a petition must reach 100,000 signatures within 30 days.

"During his recent trip to India, the President discussed the importance of religious freedom and tolerance in India on January 27 during his speech at Siri Fort in New Delhi," the White House noted.

President Obama, it said "underscored that India's success depended on the nation not being 'splintered along the lines of

religious faith.'"

Obama had also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra "Modi's February 17 condemnation of religious-based violent acts, and his assurance that his government will give equal respect to all religions," the White House said.

The response recalled that Obama in his January 27 speech in New Delhi had said: "In both our countries, in India and in America, our diversity is our strength." "We are committed to working with India to reaffirm this principle not just within our own countries but around the world," it said.

The petition noted that Sikhism, with over 30 million followers, is the world's 5th largest religion. "On January 26, 1950 Constitution of India was enforced without the consent of Sikhs who refused to sign it because Explanation II to Article 25(b) of the Constitution labels 'Sikhs' as 'Hindus,'" it suggested.

"January 26, 2015 marks the 65th year of Sikhs' struggle for right to self-determination, for which Sikhs have been subjected to "Genocide" with impunity," the petition said. It listed these as "June 1984, Military action against Golden Temple; November 1984, Organized killing of over 30,000 Sikhs; and 1984-98, Extra-judicial killing of over 100,000 Sikhs.

A child bends to take a closer look at ceremonial horns blown by exile Tibetan Buddhist monks during a special morning prayer on the third day of the Tibetan new year in Dharmsala on Saturday, February 21. Losar, or Tibetan New Year, was marked on February 19. (AP Photo)

PDP, BJP reach agreement, Mufti to be Jammu & Kashmir CM Jammu, February 21 (iaNS): PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister after his party reached an agreement for forming a government with the BJP, top party sources said Saturday.

Sources close to PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who returned to winter capital Jammu Friday after spending a week in Mumbai, told IANS an agreement had been reached on all contentious issues between the PDP and the BJP. "Yes, main agreement has been reached on the draft of the CMP (common minimum programme) on contentious issues like article 370, armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) and the plight of West Pakistan refugees.

"It has been agreed that without any written reference to it,

both the parties would respect the wishes of the people of the state in consonance with the constitution of the country with regard to article 370," a top party source told IANS. As per the agreement, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be the chief minister for the full six years.

The PDP insider who is engaged with the BJP in the dialogue process on government formation on behalf of his party also said instead of accepting the demand that the AFSPA should be revoked from the entire state within one year, it has now been agreed by the two parties that a committee would be formed which would recommend gradual, but timely, revocation of the act from areas in the state.

Sources in the BJP said: "The PDP has agreed to the BJP demand that the CMP should ac-

cept that the problems faced by West Pakistan refugees should not be politicized, but treated as a humanitarian issue that needs to be addressed on humanitarian grounds." When asked to comment on media reports that government formation in the state was imminent because the PDP and the BJP had agreed on the draft of the common minimum programme (CMP) for governance, party chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar told IANS in winter capital Jammu: "I am meeting Mufti Sahib today and if anything has been worked out, we will hold a briefing about it during the day."

Unlike his steady dismissal of any agreement with the BJP during the last nearly two months when he maintained the "structured dialogue between the BJP and the PDP had not even start-

ed", Akhtar sounded less circumspect Saturday about his lack of knowledge regarding an agreement on the common minimum programme with the BJP. West Pakistan refugees are those over 25,000 families who came to the state after the IndiaPakistan wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971. Since these people were not citizens of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir as it existed before accession to India in 1947, they cannot vote in the state assembly elections, nor buy property in the state.

These refugees cannot apply for government jobs since all the state government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir are reserved for permanent residents of the state.

As an anomaly, the West Pakistan refugees can vote in the parliament elections, but not in the state assembly elections since

the state has a constitution of its own in addition to the country's constitution and both apply concomitantly to the state.

With regard to the PDP demand on return of NHPC owned hydro-electric power projects in the state to state ownership, the sources said it had been agreed that the two would work together for central assistance for state ownership of these projects.

"The nuts and bolts job has been completed. All that now remains is an announcement on the agreement between the two which could be made within the next two to three days," said sources.

The sources added that Mufti Mohammaad Sayeed would formally call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the PDP and the BJP announce having formalized the draft of the CMP.

Filthy Indian air cutting 660 million lives short by 3 years Katy Daigle AP Environment Writer

I

ndia's filthy air is cutting 660 million lives short by about three years, according to research published Saturday that underlines the hidden costs of the country's heavy reliance on fossil fuels to power its economic growth with little regard for the environment.

While New Delhi last year earned the dubious title of being the world's most polluted city, India's air pollution problem is extensive, with 13 Indian cities now on the World Health Organization's list of the 20 most polluted.

That nationwide pollution burden is estimated to be costing more than half of India's population at least 3.2 years of their lives, according to the study, led by Michael Greenstone of the University of Chicago and involving environmental economists from Harvard

In this Monday, Jan 26, 2015 file photo, a local train moves past burning garbage at a local train station in Mumbai, India. India’s filthy air is cutting 660 million lives short by about three years, while nearly all of the country’s 1.2 billion citizens are breathing in harmful pollution levels, according to research published Saturday, Feb. 21, 2014. While New Delhi last year earned the dubious title of being the world’s most polluted city, the problem extends nationwide, with 13 Indian cities now on the World Health Organization’s list of the 20 most polluted. (AP File Photo)

and Yale universities. It es- levels above what the WHO timates that 99.5 percent of deems as safe.

India's 1.2 billion people "The extent of the probare breathing in pollution lem is actually much larger

than what we normally understand," said one of the study's co-authors, Anant Sudarshan, the India di-

rector of the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago. "We think of it as an urban problem, but the rural dimension has been ignored."

Added up, those lost years come to a staggering 2.1 billion for the entire nation, the study says.

While "the conventional definition of growth has ignored the health consequences of air pollution, this study demonstrates that air pollution retards growth by causing people to die prematurely," Greenstone said in a statement.

For the study, published in Economic & Political Weekly, the authors borrowed from their previous work in China, where they determined that life expectancy dropped by three years for every 100 micrograms of fine particulate matter, called PM2.5, above safe levels. PM2.5 is of especially great health concern because, with diameters no greater than 2.5 micrometers, the particles

are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.

The authors note, however, that their estimations may be too conservative because they're based in part on 2012 satellite data that tend to underestimate PM2.5 levels. Meanwhile, India sets permissible PM2.5 levels at 40 micrograms per cubic meter, twice the WHO's safe level.

India has a sparse system for monitoring air quality, with sensors installed in only a few cities and almost unheard of in the countryside. Yet rural air pollution remains high thanks to industrial plants, poor fuel standards, extensive garbage burning and a heavy reliance on diesel for electricity generation in areas not connected to the power grid. Wind patterns also push the pollution onto the plains below the Himalayan mountain range.

Sarath Guttikunda of

the independent air quality research group Urban Emissions called the study a solid effort to quantify some of the economic costs of pollution, given "what information is available."

"Everything comes down to a lack of monitoring data in India," said Guttikunda, who was not involved in the study. "If you don't have enough monitoring information, you don't know how much is coming out in the first place."

India developed extreme air pollution while relying on burning fossil fuels to grow its economy and pull hundreds of millions of people up from poverty.

More than 300 million Indians still have no access to electricity, with at least twice that number living on less than $2 a day.

While India has pledged to grow its clean energy sector, with huge boosts for solar and wind power, it also has committed to tripling

its coal-fired electricity capacity to 450 gigawatts by 2030. Yet there still are no regulations for pollutants like sulfur dioxide or mercury emissions, while fuel standards remain far below Western norms and existing regulations often are ignored.

To meet its goal for coalfired electricity, the Power Ministry says the country will double coal production to 1 billion tons within five years, after already approving dozens of new coal plants. That will have predictable consequences for the country's already filthy air, experts say.

The coal expansion plans through 2030 will at least double sulphur dioxide levels, along with those of nitrogen oxide and lungclogging particulate matter, according to a study published in December by Urban Emissions and the Mumbai-based nonprofit group Conservation Action Trust.

InternatIonal

the Morung express

‘IS burned alive over 40 people’ baghDaD, February 21 (IaNs): Islamic State (IS) militants burned up to 43 people alive inside iron cages in Iraq’s western province of Anbar, a provincial security source said Saturday. Earlier, IS fighters captured the 43 Iraqis from the albu-Obeid Sunni tribe in the battlefield town of al-Baghdadi, some 200 km northwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, Xinhua news agency reported citing the source.

Those abducted were believed to be local police and government-backed Sahwa paramilitary group members, and were later transferred to the nearby militants-held town of Heet, the source said. The terrorists, according to the source, put the victims in iron cages and set fire to them in a chilling reminder of the murder of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh last month in Syria.

The executions came after the killing of some 70 others during the past 10 days when the IS militants carried out major attacks on al-Baghdadi and the nearby air base of Ain al-Asad which houses hundreds of US Marines. However, their attacks on the air base were repelled by security forces and US aircraft, while fighting continued in the town after Iraqi troops regained control of large parts of it.

Meanwhile, the militants laid siege to a neighbourhood in al-Baghdadi town housing dozens of families of security members and Sahwa fighters, said the source, who confirmed that the residents were facing acute shortage of food and drinking water, as well as weapons and ammunition. Ain al-Asad military base is used by Iraqi military forces, as well as roughly 300 US Marines deployed there as military trainers and advisers.

The IS has seized around 80 percent of Iraq’s largest province of Anbar and has tried to advance towards Baghdad, but several counter-attacks by security forces and Shia militias pushed them back from western areas of the capital. Since December last year, there have been insurgent attacks in the Sunni Arab heartland west of Baghdad which stretches through the Anbar province.

Powerful ‘antibody’ to kill dengue virus found sINgaPOre, February 21 (IaNs): Raising hope for the development of effective dengue treatment, researchers have identified a super-potent antibody which requires a minute amount to neutralise the virus. Only nine-10 g of antibody 5J7 is needed to stop the infection of dengue serotype 3 virus (DENV3), the findings showed.

“We are optimistic that we will make a treatment breakthrough within these few years but antibodies against all the other serotypes have to be identified first,” said senior author Shee Mei Lok from the DukeNUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore. Over the last 50 years, the incidence of dengue virus has increased by 30 times worldwide. However, till now, there is no licensed dengue vaccine or therapeutic agent due to the presence of four circulating virus serotypes (DENV1-4) complicating their development, the study noted.

In this recent study, researchers isolated 5J7 from 200 different candidate antibody molecules by studying blood samples from a dengue-infected patient. By examining the virus-antibody complex structure at very high magnification, they showed that each arm of the antibody is surprisingly effective in grabbing three surface proteins on the surface of the virus at the same time. “The movement of virus surface proteins is highly essential for invading cells - you can think of antibody 5J7 locking the virus surface proteins, thus strapping the virus,” she pointed out. The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications.

UN calls for more efforts to fight human trafficking uNIteD NatIONs, February 21 (IaNs): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said that the World Day for Social Justice comes at a pivotal moment for people and the planet, adding that this year’ s commemoration focuses on the scourge of human trafficking and the plight of approximately 21 million women, men and children in various forms of modern slavery.

“New instruments such as the ILO (International Labour Organisation) Protocol and Recommendation on forced labour and human trafficking are helping to strengthen global efforts to punish perpetrators and end impunity,” the secretary-general Friday said in his message to mark the Day, which falls Friday. “We must continue to do more. We simply cannot achieve development for all if we leave behind those who are socially and economically exploited,” Xinhua reported.

In what he described as a crucial year for global development, the secretary-general said more needed to be done to eradicate all forms of human exploitation.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed Feb 20 as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting member states to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the 24th session of the General Assembly.

With member states working to craft a post-2015 agenda and a new set of sustainable development goals, the secretary-general called on the international community to build a world of social justice where all people can live and work in freedom, dignity and equality.

“Around the world, there is a rising call to secure a life of dignity for all with equal rights and respect for the diverse voices of the world’s peoples,” he said. “At the core of this movement lies the need for social justice.” In a separate message for the Day, ILO DirectorGeneral Guy Ryder said, “There is no inevitability, no excuse: Forced labour can be stopped.”

Ryder said that the economic gap continues to widen, with the richest 10 percent earning 30 to 40 percent of total income while the poorest 10 percent earn between 2 and 7 percent. In 2013, 939 million workers, or 26.7 percent of total employment, were still coping on two US dollars a day or less. “The situation is aggravated by the widespread absence of basic social protection. Millions of people are subjected to unacceptable conditions of work and the denial of fundamental rights,” Ryder said.

Sunday 22 February 2015

Dimapur

9

Moscow protesters strike out against Ukraine and the West MOsCOw, February 21 (aP): For the thousands of Russians gathered near Red Square on Saturday, Maidan — the square in Kiev synonymous with pro-European protests last year — is nothing to celebrate.

“Maidan is a festival of death ... Maidan is the smile of the American ambassador who, sitting in his penthouse, is happy to see how brother is killing brother ... Maidan is the concentration of everything anti-Russian ... Maidan is the embryo of Goebbels,” the organizers of Russia’s new Anti-Maidan movement shouted from the stage.

Demonstrators vowed that last year’s protests in Kiev — centered in the Maidan square which ultimately forced Ukaine’s pro-Russian president to flee on Feb. 21 — would never be repeated in Russia. “Maidan” is the Ukrainian word for “square” and in common usage refers to Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square).

The protesters in Moscow were an assortment of ultranationalist bikers, pensioners, war veterans, members of student organizations and activists from other pro-Kremlin groups. Many of them waved Russian flags, others bore banners that said “Die, America!” or “U$A, Stop the War!”

Activists from Russia’s Anti-Maidan movement gather together waving various patriotic flags in central Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, to mark an anniversary of Ukraine’s pro-EU protests that started on Kiev’s central Independence Square, widely known as the Maidan. (AP Photo

Police said that 35,000 people attended, though those numbers were impossible to verify independently.

In the year since Ukraine’s transformation, anti-Western sentiment in Russia has spiked, largely over what many perceive as the West’s hand in fomenting

the protests in Kiev in order to gain a foothold of control near Russia.

“The United States is the world’s biggest terrorist. ... We believe we can rise up again if they leave us alone, but they are always trying to teach us how to live,” said 65-year-old Nina Kishkova, a retired teacher who was

Protein tied to asthma identified New yOrk, February 21 (IaNs): Researchers have identified a protein linked to the development of asthma even in the absence of viral infection. “This work is the first step in generating a novel type of asthma therapy that may have the power to prevent development of post-viral asthma in young children,” said one of the lead researchers Brian Volkman, professor of biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in the US. Viral infections have been associated with the majority of asthma attacks and also in the development of asthma. However, currently, there is no cure for asthma; all current therapies focus on providing symptomatic relief and reducing the number and severity of attacks. The researchers reported

that a human chemokine (protein) called CCL28 can play a role in the induction of asthma pathology even in the absence of a viral infection. Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that affects more than 300 million people worldwide, the study said.

“Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which asthma develops and establishes itself as a chronic disease is key to elucidating alternative and potentially curative therapies,” Mitchell Grayson, associate professor of allergy and immunology at the MCW added. “We propose that by exploiting the unique structural features of CCL28, potent and specific CCL28 inhibitors may be developed,” Volkman noted. The findings were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Yemen’s former leader flees to Aden saNaa/aDeN, February 21 (reuters): Yemen’s former president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi escaped weeks of house arrest by the Houthi militia at his official residence on Saturday and fled to his home town of Aden, sources close to him said.

Houthi’s official status since quitting last month in protest at the Houthis overrunning the presidential palace and his private residence remains unclear because his resignation was never formally accepted by the parliament.

The Houthis, who said they were taken unaware by

his flight from the capital, have now called an urgent meeting of the cabinet in Sanaa’s presidential palace, a government official said.

Hadi’s flight to Aden follows an agreement between Yemen’s rival fations on Friday, brokered by the United Nations, to set up a transitional council that keeps the parliament in place and gives a voice to some other groups.

Hadi fled his residence in disguise, Houthi politburo member Ali al-Qahoum was quoted as saying by the local news website alAkhbar. But it added that it no longer mattered if the

former president remained there or departed.

The United Nations denied reports by two senior political sources in Sanaa that it had helped Hadi travel to Aden as false.

Hadi’s Sanaa residence was looted by Houthi militiamen after he left, witnesses said, but that was denied by Qahoum. The former president arrived at his home in the Aden district of Khormaksar, sources told Reuters. Early on Saturday, Houthi militiamen opened fire on protesters in the central city of Ibb, killing one person and wounding another, activists said.

at the protest with her friend. Another Maidan “will never win in Russia. I will bring the ammunition myself.”

According to a poll conducted this month by the independent Levada Center, 81 percent of Russians feel negatively about the United States — the highest

figure since the early 1990s — and 71 percent feel negatively about the European Union.

The number of Russians who dubbed relations between Russia and the U.S. as that of “enemies” leapt from 4 percent in January 2014 to 42 percent. The poll has a margin of error of about 3 percentage points.

“There has been no empire in history that did the kind of things to its colonies that America does to the world today,” said Alexander Zaldostanov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Night Wolves biker gang widely known by his nickname, the Surgeon.

The anti-Western sentiment, sparked by the West’s wholehearted backing of the protests in Kiev, has only deepened as the U.S. and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia for annexing the Ukrainian region of Crimea and for supporting the separatists fighting in east Ukraine.

“There’s nothing new about anti-Western sentiments in Russian society, the thing was to bring them to the fore,” said Maria Lipman, an independent analyst.

“People have said for a long time that the West is there to do harm to Russia. ... Now this sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy because now the West is always discussing how to punish Russia so that it will hurt more.”

UN food agency facing worst challenge since World War II uNIteD NatIONs, February 21 (aP): The World Food Program is confronting its worst challenge since World War II in trying to tackle five top-level humanitarian crises at the same time, the head of the U.N. agency said.

Ertharin Cousin said in an interview with The Associated Press that the five crises — in Syria, Iraq, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Ebola epidemic in West Africa — currently require large-scale operations by WFP and other humanitarian agencies.

In addition, she said, WFP is doing preparatory work for a potential scale-up in food assistance to four other countries where there is growing political instability — Yemen, Nigeria, Ukraine and Libya.

Cousin said the demands are overwhelming the donor community and as a result WFP had to cut food assistance to six million Syrians inside and outside the country by 30 percent in January.

“We have more crises that require surge operations of the humanitarian community, and WFP specifically, since World War II,” she said.

Cousin said WFP immediately requires $113 million for Syria and $102 million in the region to continue to provide food assistance during the upcoming months. The agency stopped giving food vouchers to two million Syrian refugees for several weeks in December because it had no money, and was only able to restart aid after a social media appeal that generated funding into January.

Syrian refugees who fled to Iraq to escape last summer’s advance by fighters from the Islamic State terrorist group are faring better because of a $148 mil-

lion donation to WFP from Saudi Arabia which has helped some 1.1 million people since June, Cousin said.

But she said that money will run out

by May 1 — around the time a military operation to retake Iraq’s second-largest city Mosul is likely to begin. WFP is appealing to donors for funds to meet the escalation in humanitarian needs for people displaced by the expected military action, she said.

Cousin lamented that despite increasing violence “the world is not paying attention” to South Sudan, where WFP aims to assist three million people this year, and Central African Republic, where it is helping 1.5 million people inside the country and in neighboring nations.

WFP has deployed a thousand people to the three hardest-hit Ebola nations — Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea — and is providing food assistance to 3.3 million people as well as logistical support to World Health Organization staff, she said.

Cousin said the U.N. is currently feeding five million people in Yemen “and it could get worse.” In Nigeria, she said, WFP is watching increasing malnutrition cases in the north and studying opportunities to provide assistance. In Ukraine, the agency has reached 50,000 people and is working to increase food assistance to 190,000 people on both sides in the conflict-torn east over the next few weeks, she said.

Cousin said WFP is helping 58,000 people in Libya through local non-governmental organizations and is watching the evolving political situation and assessing a “scale-up” in operations.

“Self-censoring” scandal at newspaper

A passenger reads the Daily Telegraph newspaper, featuring a front page interview with the ex-husband of accused Russian spy Anna Chapman, on the underground in London July 2, 2010. (REUTER File Photo)

LONDON, February 21 (reuters): One of Britain’s most storied newspapers has been accused of self-censoring for commercial gain, raising awkward questions about a centuries-old press culture which has prided itself on its no-holdsbarred approach to truth telling.

The 160-year-old Daily Telegraph strongly denied accusations in a resignation letter by one of its best known writers, who said the paper had soft-pedalled

coverage of a banking scandal to curry favour with an advertiser.

Britain’s press, known collectively as “Fleet Street” in reference to the London lane where newspapers were based for generations, is proud of its independence - able to make or break a political reputation with a merciless approach.

In his letter, Peter Oborne, known for caustic attacks on politicians as the Telegraphs’s chief political commentator, said the

paper had curbed coverage of reports that the Swiss arm of Europe’s biggest bank HSBC helped clients avoid taxes. The Telegraph, he wrote, wanted to keep the bank’s advertising. “(It) amounts to a form of fraud on its readers,” he wrote. “If major newspapers allow corporations to influence their content for fear of losing advertising revenue, democracy itself is in peril.”

The Telegraph came out fighting, denying it had pulled punches in covering HSBC and saying it had “no apologies” for journalism guided by a pro-business editorial line.

“We are proud to be the champion of British business and enterprise,” it wrote in an editorial.

“In an age of cheap populism and corrosive cynicism about wealthcreating businesses, we have defended British industries including the financial services industry that accounts for almost a tenth of the UK economy, sustains two million jobs and provides around one in every eight pounds the Exchequer raises in tax.”

It also lashed out at rival news sources that had criticised it: “None is the paragon of moral or journalistic virtue that their criticisms this week might suggest,” it said. “All have their own self-

serving agendas, both political port for the Conservative - or Tory and commercial.”

- Party, is chided by its critics for appealing to the middle classes STRUGGLING and the middle aged. But it is the Both the accusation and the biggest-selling of Britain’s “broadTelegraph’s rebuttal are likely to sheets”, the serious-minded nasting for a newspaper industry tional newspapers that distinguish struggling to adapt as readership themselves from the popular “tabdeclines and advertisers move loids” traditionally printed on paonline. per half the size. It gained stature Fleet Street’s reputation was in 2009 for an expose of lawmaksorely damaged in 2011 when ers’ expense claims that resulted Rupert Murdoch shut down the in resignations and prosecutions News of the World, a Sunday on all sides in parliament at Westtabloid, after it emerged that its minster. reporters had illegally eavesHowever the paper, like its dropped on voicemails of count- rivals, has cut staffing levels in less celebrities and a murdered recent years as it adapted to the schoolgirl. tightened financial times.

Lengthy public hearings were In Oborne’s resignation letter held into journalists’ ethics, re- he lamented what he described vealing uncomfortably close ties as a loss of standards, saying stobetween press bosses and those ries were chosen for the number who run the country. of online visits they bring rather Conservative Prime Minister than the news value. The paper David Cameron was forced to had recently run a story about apologise for hiring as his spokes- a woman with three breasts, he man a former News of the World complained. editor who was later jailed. La“Telegraph readers are a pretbour former Prime Minister Tony ty loyal bunch but in terms of the Blair acknowledged that he had paper’s status I think it will cause given advice to another former enormous, long-lasting damage,” News of the World editor on how Steven Barnett, communications to deal with the scandal. professor at the University of The right-leaning Daily Tele- Westminster, said of Oborne’s letgraph, nicknamed the “Tory- ter. “It harms its ability to say ‘We graph” for its longstanding sup- stand for truth and accuracy.’”

10

Dimapur

SPORTS

Sunday 22 February 2015

India can be market for EPL Nadal gets victory at 3:21 in the morning friendlies: Sunderland official

KoLKATA, FebruAry 21 (IANs): Observing that football was coming of age in India, Graham Robinson, head of international football development in Sunderland AFC, Saturday said the country has the potential to be a market for pre-season friendlies for EPL clubs.

As a part of the Kolkata Goalz - a global collaborative project between the English Premier League (EPL) and the British Council - Robinson is in Kolkata for a week to impart training to local coaches associated with the project. Hailing the Indian Super League (ISL) for rejuvenating football in India, Robinson said football in India was on rise. "The Indian football is on up and it's a huge market for the EPL. People here religiously follow the English clubs. The ISL has become huge and there are a few English players playing in India. The ISL matches had drawn huge crowds so it's a huge market," said Robinson.

"I can see the Indian market to have the potential for pre season friendlies for the premier league clubs provided the stands and the basic infrastructure are developed.

Having the potential, India can open the doors to the opportunities," he said. Robinson said there was cultural change in India where people are now taking up football despite cricket being the predominant sports.

"There are a range of factors that have hindered growth of football in India. It's a kind of cultural thing where football is seen as a hobby rather than a career. But that thing is changing and with the facilities now improving, people are taking up football despite India being predominantly a cricket playing nation," said Robinson.

Talking about his stint under the Goalz project, Robinson said: "We are here now to impart knowledge to the coaches but in future we hope to partner with clubs, with individual teams and produce players.

"It's not only about talented footballers, this project is about developing the belief that they can be anything they want to be," he said about the Kolkata Goalz which is also supported by the city police, nine Kolkata Premier League clubs, the All India Football Federation and Indian Football Association.

rIo de JANeIro, FebruAry 21 (AP): Top-seeded Rafael Nadal overcame the stiffest test so far in his first clay-court tournament of the season, defeating No. 6 Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 to reach the semifinals of the Rio Open.

The match ended at 3:21 in the morning local time on Saturday —more than 14 hours after the tournament opened play on Friday, as organizers scheduled all five top matches on center court, and they all went to three sets.

It's not a record. The ATP says one non-Grand Slam match ended slightly later — 3:24 a.m. in Tokyo in 2006. Nadal was not happy at being kept up so late.

"No tennis tournament should end at this time," he said. "It's tough for the players, but maybe worse for the fans. It very bad on the part of the ATP. It's not the tournament's fault. It was the ATP that didn't want to reschedule a match. If it's a Grand Slam you have a day to rest. It's seems like a terrible error to me."

Nadal will have about 16 hours to rest before he faces No. 4 Fabio Fognini in Saturday's semifinals.

In a marathon, Fognini of Italy defeated Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6-4,

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, eyes a ball at the quarter-finals match of the Rio Open tennis tournament against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early on February 21. (AP Photo)

6-7 (10), 7-6 (9). Nadal said beforehand that he'd have to step up his game against Cuevas, and he did. "It's a big win for me," Nadal said.

"I'm in the semifinals. It's a great result and it gives me confidence."

Cuevas collapsed in the final set, and as his game broke down fans began to jeer, which angered him more, prompting him to take a few wild swings in the last two sets with balls sailing high and wide. This is Nadal's first event on

clay since last year, a welcome change after losing last month on hardcourts in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, and being beaten in the first round in Qatar on hardcourts.

Nadal looks slimmer this season, though when asked about it in Rio he said his weight was unchanged — about 85-86.5 kilograms (188-190 pounds). He said perhaps he seems smaller because he has not be wearing sleeveless shirts when he plays.

Racism and violence still stain the beautiful game

LoNdoN, FebruAry 21 (reuTers): The veneer of respectability covering modern European football was rolled back to expose the rot that still festers below this week, with high-profile incidents of racism and violence bringing chill reminders of the bad old days of the 1980s.

That there was widespread shock and revulsion at the sight of Chelsea fans chanting "We're racist and that's the way we like it" while preventing a black Frenchman boarding a carriage in the Paris Metro, is something of a positive in that such incidents, once widely prevalent, are now uncommon. The condemnation from all sides that followed, with the club issuing three immediate banning orders and manager Jose Mourinho saying on Friday he was ashamed, are also indicative of how times have changed.

However, this was no one-off. Three years ago a group of Chelsea fans brought more shame on the club for making hissing noises during a match against Tottenham Hotspur, a repellent and once-common terrace gesture designed to replicate the Nazi gas chambers of the Holocaust and aimed at Spurs because of their traditionally strong Jewish following.

In 2013 Chelsea's Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun said he suffered anti-Se-

Italian policemen clash with Feyenoord's fans at the Spanish steeps, in downtown Rome, prior to the Europa League soccer match between Roma and Feyenoord on February 19. (AP Photo)

mitic abuse from the club's own supporters.

While it is undoubtedly true that such incidents are no longer the norm and that stadiums are far safer, more pleasant environments these days, the idea that football has been cleansed of violence and racism and is the glossy family affair that the authorities and clubs love to promote is to wilfully ignore the evidence from countries all over the continent.

Also this week fans of visiting Dutch side Feyenoord fought with Italian riot police ahead of their Europa League match against AS Roma, leading to dozens of arrests and leaving parts of the city cen-

Letter to DC/RTA on revised auto rickshaw fare

I

t has been about two weeks since the DC (RTA) has issued a revised AutoRickshawFare in Dimapur. However, the Auto Drivers are still charging the same old higher rate. Hence it has become a daily routine for people like us going to Office from Chumu to town everyday (up and down) to pick a quarrel and even got abused on many occasions. When there is a hike/increase in auto fare, the drivers never failed to mention that and even asked did not you read Newspaper.But now, even after two weeks, they feign ignorance on the revised fare and are not willing to accept the new rate (reduced rate). Forget about carrying a copy of new revised fare as directed by the Authorities. Even DDADU has not put up the new fare chart/ rate anywhere as they did when there was a hike/increase in fare. The concern authorities may come and kindly check the main passenger Auto parking at the Railway gate.

It is therefore requested to the concern Authorities, the DC, RTA, District Administration, DDADU and other concern authorities to either revoke or implement it through wide publication. The local papers are also requested to once again publish the new/revised Auto Fare Chart in front paper so that the general public is made aware. Additionally, it is requested to mention/insert Chumukedima in the New Passenger Rate along with 7th Mile (7th Mile and Chumukedima fare are same from Town).

Jenny, Khuzama Line Chumukedima

tre looking like a bomb site.

It is almost ironic that Italian authorities, with even the country's Prime Minister wading in, reacted with such shock given that their capital remains one of the most dangerous for foreign fans to visit, with attacks and stabbings in the surroundings of the Olympic Stadium almost commonplace. Football violence has been high on the agenda in Spain too after the death of a Deportivo La Coruna fan before a game against Atletico Madrid in November and the stabbing of two Paris St Germain fans outside Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium in December. Spanish

authorities have attempted to make the clubs more responsible, introducing stadium closures and potential point deductions as well as sanctions for verbal abuse. Swedish father of four Stefan Isaksson was another victim, kicked and beaten to death by rival fans as he made he way to a league match last year.

PRE-ARRANGED FIGHTS Dutch and Russian football has been plagued by domestic football violence for decades, but much of it now has been shifted to out-of-sight venues such as industrial estates and woodland, where fans meet for pre-arranged

fights away from the gaze of the police, often filmed to become internet hits.

In Germany last week a group of Cologne "ultras" wearing white medical overalls lit flares and fireworks before storming the pitch after their game at regional rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach, prompting calls from the German football association (DFB) to consider the option of banning away fans.

France is currently having problems with Corsicabased club Bastia and in December visiting Nantes player Paul Georges Ntep refused to take a corner kick as he was being racially abused by fans.

The countries of what was once Yugoslavia also remain hotbeds for racism, with Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia plagued with abusive ethnic slurs and chants. Last year Croatia's Australiaborn defender Josip Simunic was handed a 10-match ban that ruled him out of the World Cup after shouting a pro-Nazi chant to fans at an international match.

The latest incident in Paris moved the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner to issue a statement on Friday, clearly recognising that it was no one-off. "The events in Paris show that much work remains to be done before racism is truly eradicated from sport, let alone from society at large," the statement said.

The Morung Express

Raptors blow out Hawks in clash of East leaders ATLANTA, FebruAry 21 (AP): Toronto turned the anticipated clash of the NBA Eastern Conference's top two teams into a mismatch, winning 105-80 at Atlanta on Friday, with Lou Williams making seven 3-pointers.

Resuming after the AllStar break, the Raptors — who have giant advantage atop their own division — moved within 5-1/2 games of the Hawks for the East lead. Elsewhere, Golden State beat San Antonio in the meeting of league leader and defending champion, Dallas beat Houston to move onto the tail of its state and division rival, and LeBron James led Cleveland to a rout of Washington.

Toronto's Williams scored 26 points and DeMar DeRozan added 21 points for the Raptors, who outscored the Hawks 28-13 in the third quarter to open a 23-point lead.

Toronto has three wins from four this season against the Hawks, who have not lost more than once to any other opponent. Golden State's Stephen Curry had 25 points and 11 assists as the Warriors beat San Antonio 11099, opening a 4-1/2 game lead atop the Western Conference.

Klay Thompson scored 20 while Curry controlled the game the way he so often has this season, burnishing his MVP credentials by leading Golden State to big runs at the end of the second and third quarters. The Warriors went ahead by 21 points entering the fourth, and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rested his regulars the final 12 minutes.

Dallas beat Houston 111-100 to move within half a game of the Rockets in the Southwest Division.

Devin Harris scored 17 points and Al-Farouq Aminu set season highs with 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks.

James Harden scored 26 points to lead the Rockets. Cleveland's LeBron James set aside first-half foul trouble to finish with 28 points in only 25 minutes and help the Cavaliers overwhelm Washington 127-89.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points for Cleveland, which led by 22 points before halftime and as many as 40 to cruise to a 15th win in 17 games. John Wall had 18 points and nine assists for the Wizards, who suffered their heaviest defeat of the season.

An undermanned Detroit won 100-91 against Chicago, with Andre Drummond contributing 18 points and 20 rebounds.

Greg Monroe and

Toronto Raptors guard Louis Williams (23) shoots a 3-pointer against Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, of Germany, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, February 20 in Atlanta. Toronto won 105-80. (AP Photo)

Caron Butler each scored 20 points for the Pistons, who dressed only 10 players, having traded four away Thursday to get Reggie Jackson and Tayshaun Prince. Jackson was on Detroit's bench but didn't get clearance in time to play.

Prince won't arrive until Saturday.

Jimmy Butler had 30 points for the Bulls, whose lead over Cleveland atop the Central was trimmed to half a game. Utah dominated in the second half to beat Portland 92-76.

G o rd o n Hay w a rd scored 20 points, and Trey Burke had 19 points off the bench for the Jazz, who used a 39-10 run over the third and fourth quarters to turn an eight-point deficit into a 21-point lead.

Damian Lillard scored 19 points for the Trail Blazers. Milwaukee's new-look roster came up with an 8981 win against Denver.

Khris Middleton scored 15 points and John Henson added 14 for the Bucks, who overhauled the squad at the trade deadline.

Michael Carter-Williams, who was acquired from Philadelphia as part of a three-team deal that sent Brandon Knight to

Phoenix, did not play because of a sprained toe.

Wilson Chandler led Denver with 19 points.

Orlando won consecutive games for the first time in five weeks, beating New Orleands 95-84.

Minnesota edged an undermanned Phoenix 111-109, with the Suns only having 10 players available, having traded Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and three others the previous day.

Sacramento made new coach George Karl a winner on his return to the NBA, beating Boston 109101, with DeMarcus Cousins having 31 points and 15 rebounds.

Brooklyn's Joe Johnson scored 23 points and Brook Lopez added 22 off the bench to lead the Nets to a 114-105 victory over the skidding Los Angeles Lakers. Indiana made it five wins from six with a 106-95 victory at Philadelphia, with Rodney Stuckey scoring a season-high 30 points off the bench. Miami compensated for the absence of a hospitalized Chris Bosh and a yet-to-beavailable Goran Dragic by having eight players scored in double figures in a 11187 win against New York.

public discourse

The Unheard and Invisible Conflict in Nagaland

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istorically, no tribes, clans, or villages existed in the Naga society in the past without conflict among them and no society in the entire world exists without conflict. However, conflict, such as between the two tribes of the Chang and Yimchungru in the Naga community, are lately heard and visible in different parts of the world, as well as in the Naga society. Nagas are united everyday unconsciously, though divided consciously, which means that Nagas know every situation that happens in other tribes. Accordingly, neighboring communities visit as mediators and peacebuilders, peacemaking and seeking reconciliation through applying indigenous strategies. Many indigenous peacebuilding methods among villages worked effectively without the need for government, NGOs, or any modern institutions. However, Naga social evolution has obliterated such a culture and has become ignorant as to whatever takes place in neighboring places.

The recent conflict between the Chang and Yimchungru is not the issue of the two communities in the Naga society. It is the issue of the common people based on the Naga, as a whole, who believe to have the same identity as Naga. A brother against brother and family against family is a natural phenomenon that every society experiences. According to the history of the Chang and Yimchungru, they were brothers who were breast fed from the same mother. Due to some incompatibilities between the two brothers, conflict emerged and their rage, as well as many casualties, has taken place to the present day.

The invisible conflict that began in the year 2002, however, exploded into conflict that

escalated in the winter 2014 when people in other places were celebrating Christmas. The two communities spent the festive month in turmoilas the winter’s chilling breeze passed through every part of their body.

The conflict remains fresh and tense today for the two communities and people in Eastern Nagaland. The question here that comes is how many Nagas from other parts of Nagaland have even had a slight thought to pay solidarity towards these communities?

How many individual Naga, NGOs, Churches, schools, institutions, political leaders, and others have paid a moment of solidarity for these conflicting communities until the middle of February 2015? Nevertheless, the author does acknowledge those who have been helping the two communities from far and near at their best. Based on one’s own observations, both in social networking and media, not many Nagas mentioned above have paid attention to this conflict and it remains until today as an unheard conflict in Naga society. This unheard conflict intrigues people to postulate that the ignorance of people from other parts of Nagaland towards this conflict discerns the attitude of negligence to fellow brothers and sisters, explicitly. Some people may blame the people from the two communities and question why they have kept the conflict unexposed in social network or media? One may avoid such a question to justify one’s own conscious negligence. Comparatively, be it a minor or major conflict occurring in the western Naga world, it is immediately discussed, encountered, intervened upon, and mediated by the Government, NGOs, and individuals, but conflict like this happens in Eastern Nagaland (not backwards

area, but a less developed area) go unheard.

Albert Einstein says “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything”. Now who destroys the Naga community should become the instigator for every Naga citizen.

When people interact, the community is then formed and begins to exist. In other words, human beings made community through connecting with one another, both face to face and from a distance through different means (Kemp and Barker, 2007), both in bad and good times. If Nagas do not communicate, interact, and connect with one another as it has happened in this conflict, the Naga community will never form, but will remain desolate and divided. If Nagas, in general, continue to carry this cultural attitude of negligence toward others, no Naga can expect any peace and harmony anywhere in the Naga world.

Unlike other states in which the transition to democracy entered at a certain period, Naga people have been continuously adapting to the culture of democracy. This democracy can be avoided by people in any community in the form of manipulating one another. With an effort to bring peace and reconciliation between the two communities, it is encouraged to every Naga citizen to contribute any possible knowledge on peace building, both from inside and outside of the indigenous wisdom and strategy. At this situation of unrest, the author encourages the young intellectuals from the two communities to focus on human relations as the priority and follow up with relationship building to implant the knowledge of forgiveness and reconciliation in the hearts and minds of both victims and perpetrators at

this hour. Connectivity with the elders, middle aged, and young people is a need at hand.

Expressions of forgiveness on what has happened to what should happen to unite the two communities should be of utmost focus now.

Young intellectuals from the two communities would employ a quick campaign on deescalating any further violence in the region and assure peace and security for both the parties wherever they live. Do the best to have dialogue on how many lives can be saved rather than how many lives have been lost. This does not imply to ignore the pain of the families who have lost their dear ones. In the outset to deescalate violence, it is wise to see what young people can do to transform the situation without counting who killed who. Young intellectuals collaborating with the elders from the two communities are recommended to start a human relation method to bring about the community’s reconciliation. Traditional human relations methods focus on dialogue in conflicting communities, prevention of more violence, hate crimes, stereotypes, prejudice, and misinterpretation of any further information (Edward and Veizade, 1999). A reconciliation team that consists of young intellectuals in the communities may seek help from other citizens who have been engaging in the peace building field, both modern and traditionally. Above all, each individual needs to first seek the kingdom of God for what shall be given to you and me as we plan to bring peace to the community. May the peace of God be soon restored between the two forgiving communities.

Lemwang Chuhwanglim Researcher $ Activist lemswang@gmail.com

Entertainment

The Morung Express

coloUrfUl SEkrEnyi celebration in kohima

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Sunday 22 February 2015

Dimapur

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The Morung Express presents the colours of Sekrenyi festival celebration at Kohima village organized

by Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) in collaboration with Music Task Force on February 21.

(Morung Photos/Chizokho Vero)

UPEn PatEl

Prince Harry and Emma Watson secretly dating?

to walk the ramp for Brown Bows

Royal is 'smitten' with 'Harry Potter' actress: report

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fter playing a lover boy in Bigg Boss this season, model turned actor Upen Patel will now be the ‘Big Boy’ among the boys and walk the ramp for fashion label Brown Bows at India Kids Fashion Week 2015 on Saturday at The Lalit, Mumbai.

After playing a lover boy in Bigg Boss this season, model turned actor Upen Patel will now be the ‘Big Boy’ among the boys and walk the ramp for fashion label Brown Bows at India Kids Fashion Week 2015 on Saturday at The Lalit, Mumbai.

Brown Bows that will launch its website at the event caters only to boys aged 2 to 8 years and its founder Vidhi Sheth is excited to have Upen as the showstopper along with child show-stopper Shivansh Kotia who plays the role of Naksha in a daily soap.

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“I am looking forward to walk the ramp for Brown Bows. We now know there is someone at least who will understand the needs of boys too. I am supporting their cause,” said Upen jokingly.

Kids of other celebrities including Sudhanshu Pandey, Tanaaz Currim and Deepshikha Nagpal will

also get the feel of the fashion runway at the Brown Bows show.

Their collections included contemporary, fashion correct products and signature pieces that are a staple for every boy’s wardrobe. The brand embraces a youthful, infectious spirit and the freedom to express individual style.

rince Harry has reportedly met his royal match in actress Emma Watson, according to Women's Day Australia. After the 30-year-old royal learned that the Harry Potter star had split with her boyfriend, he reportedly sent her a sweet email that said he wanted to get to know her at a small party instead of a formal date.

To make sure Watson felt as comfortable as possible, the royal allegedly invited over 12 friends to their meet-up. Harry didn't want her to feel like she was put on the spot, the insider told the mag. A party also shows he's fun and not stuffy.

The prince was totally smitten by Watson, 24, the insider points, and it's more than Emma's looks. Prince Harry's last relationship was with Cressida Bonas, and the two reportedly called it off in April of 2014 because she didn't like being in the spotlight.

Rumours are abuzz that ‘Harry Potter’ actress Emma Watson has been in a secret relationship with Prince Harry for quite some time now. The alleged couple have shocked the world and sent social media users into a frenzy with this recent revelation.

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ricky Martin to judge Spanish music competition show

Ariana Grande Launching Fragrance

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op star Ariana Grande is set to release her debut fragrance. The Problem hitmaker has teamed up with bosses at beauty giant LUXE Brands to develop her own perfume after being urged by fans to create a scent.

Grande said in a statement, "I have always been obsessed with perfume. I'm asked so often about which fragrance I'm wearing, or if I have a signature scent. I do have favourites, but I really want to create something that encompasses everything I love... Which is why I am so excited to create my personal fragrance I can call my own.

"My fans have been asking me to do a fragrance for a while so I am beyond excited to share this with them, to be able to express my creativity in this new way, and also incredibly grateful to have partnered with LUXE Brands."

Other stars to have cracked the perfume market include One Direction, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

inger Ricky Martin has joined Simon Cowell's new Spanish language music competition show, 'La Banda', as a judge and executive producer. Martin is the first judge to be announced on the show which will premiere in September, said The Hollywood Reporter.

The show will seek out talented Latino male singers and put them together in bands.

The winner will be a recording contract with Sony Music Latin. Boys 14 and older living in the US and Puerto Rico can enter. "Our community needs musical projects in order to cultivate its talents, which is why I feel it's the perfect moment for a show like La Banda.

There is so much talent to be discovered and I'm sure we'll find the next musical phenomenon with the help of not only the judges but also the fans," said Martin, 43.

"Ricky's vast talents as a singer, actor and producer will greatly enhance our phenomenal production already underway," said Alberto Ciurana, president, programming and content, Univision Communications.

HUgH grant finds best friend in Hurley

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ctor Hugh Grant says he considers his former girlfriend and actress Elizabeth Hurley as his "best friend". The 54-year-old actor shared his equation with Hurley when he appeared on TV show "Watch What Happens Live" with host Andy Cohen, reports mirror.co.uk. A segment in the show has guests answer three questions with the option of staying silent for one, or pleading the fifth.

When asked about his romance with Hurley, Grant didn't back out and instead gushed about her when asked why it "didn't work". He replied: "You see the funny thing is, it did. She's still my best friend. The sex bit probably fizzled out but she's my absolute best friend. The number one person I call in a crises, so it didn't fizzle."

The "Notting Hill" actor dated the actress for 13 years before they finally went their separate ways in 2000.

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Tomorrow maTch

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mon, 23 Feb 2015 03:30 am IST

ENG vs SCO

hagley oval, christchurch

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West IndIes sInk hapless pakIstan Pakistan's new record: Worst start to an ODI innings, 1 run for 4 wkts against West Indies

Misbah criticises all departments of Pakistan team

Rain washes out aussies

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ChristChurCh, February 21 (aFP): West Indies condemned hapless Pakistan to a recordshattering start to a oneday international Saturday before completing a 150run World Cup rout, while Australia's clash with Bangladesh was abandoned in cyclone-battered Brisbane.

West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 champions, scored 310 for six at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, with 115 runs coming in a swashbuckling final 10 overs as Lendl Simmons, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy hit out.

In reply, 1992 winners Pakistan crumbled to their second straight defeat as they were all out for 160 after the top four wickets fell for just one run, the worst start in ODI history.

The West Indies, meanwhile, bounced back from their shock first-up loss to Ireland as six batsmen posted scores of 30 or more.

"In the last game things didn't go well for us, and we just turned up today and wanted to show the world that we are not just a pushover," said man-of-thematch Russell, who hit 42 not out off 17 balls before claiming three wickets.

Denesh Ramdin topscored with 51, Simmons added 50 to go with his century against Ireland, Darren Bravo scored 49 while Marlon Samuels and Sammy chipped in with 38 and 30 respectively.

Bravo was unfortunate not to reach what would have been his 17th ODI half-century when he was forced to retire hurt with a

pulled hamstring.

It was the second time he required medical treatment after being dazed earlier in the innings when a powerful throw from Younis Khan hit him on the side of the helmet as he scrambled through for a single.

The 26-year-old lefthander is expected to miss the next two games against Zimbabwe in Canberra on Tuesday and South Africa in Sydney next Friday.

However, that wasn't the end of Bravo's painful afternoon -- he was later reprimanded for swearing while he was at the crease.

"It was a wonderful performance," said West Indies skipper Jason Holder.

"We batted really well.

"Jerome Taylor (3-15) was excellent with the new ball."

Pakistan were staring down the barrel at one for four, the worst start to any ODI innings, with the previous record held by nonTest side Canada's four for four against Zimbabwe in 2006.

Nasir Jamshed went without scoring when he lobbed the second ball from Taylor to Russell at short midwicket.

Taylor finished off the opening over with Younis caught behind for a duck and in his next over dismissed Haris Sohail to have the impressive figures of three wickets for one run in two overs.

Holder bagged his first wicket of the tournament when he had Ahmed Shahzad caught in the gully for one in his first over.

Pakistan captain Mis-

West Indies batsman Andre Russell falls to the ground as he plays a shot from the Pakistan bowling during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group B match in Christchurch on February 21. (AFP PHOTO)

bah-ul-Haq didn't pull any punches after his side's second defeat in as many matches, with this result significantly worse than their 76-run defeat by archrivals and defending champions India.

"We just flopped in all three departments," Misbah said.

"We didn't bowl well, a lot of dropped catches and

batting totally flopped."

"As a bowler, as a fielder, as a batsman, you have to go there in the middle and perform. That's what we are not doing at the moment."

Two defeats left Pakistan, the 1992 champions, at the bottom of Pool B. They resumed their faltering campaign against Zimbabwe in Brisbane on March 1.

But the West Indies' chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals have improved considerably.

Australia's Pool A match with Bangladesh in Brisbane was predictably abandoned without a ball bowled because of torrential rain, a legacy of Tropical Cyclone Marcia which had caused widespread destruction and flooding

Mayweather and Pacquiao to fight May 2 Tim Dahlberg

AP Boxing Writer

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The Fight is finally on.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. will meet Manny Pacquiao on May 2 in a welterweight showdown that will be boxing's richest fight ever.

Mayweather himself announced the bout Friday after months of negotiations, posting a picture of the signed contract online.

"I promised the fans we would get this done and we did," Mayweather said.

The long anticipated bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will almost surely break every financial record, and make both boxers richer than ever. Mayweather could earn $120 million or more, while Pacquiao's split of the purse will likely be around $80 million.

The fight, which matches boxing's two biggest attractions of recent years, has been in the making for five years. It finally came together in recent months with both fighters putting aside past differences over various issues — including drug testing and television rights — to reach agreement. Pacquiao was sleeping in the Philippines when the fight was announced, but his camp issued a statement saying the fans deserve the long awaited fight.

"It is an honor to be part of this historic event," Pacquiao said. "I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world."

While the fight rivals the 2002 heavyweight title

FILE - In this combination of file photos, Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, prepares to spar at a gym in east London on May 22, 2009, and Manny Pacquiao, right, of the Philippines, weighs in for the junior welterweight boxing match against British boxer Ricky Hatton, May 1, 2009, in Las Vegas.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. will meet Manny Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 in a welterweight showdown that will be boxing's richest fight ever. Mayweather himself announced the bout on February 20 after months of negotiations, posting a picture of the signed contract online. (AP Photos)

bout between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson for interest, it comes more than five years after the first real effort to put the fighters together in their prime. Most boxing observers believe both have lost some of their skills, though Mayweather remains a master defensive fighter and Pacquiao showed in his last fight against Chris Algieri that he still has tremendous quickness in his hands.

Still, Pacquiao is 36 and has been through many wars in the ring. And while Mayweather has been largely untouched in his career, he turns 38 on Tuesday. "I am the best ever, TBE, and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win," Mayweather said in his announcement. "Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won't be successful.

He will be No. 48."

Oddsmakers believe Mayweather will do just that, making him a 2 1/2-1 favorite in the scheduled 12-round bout. The fight is expected to do record business in Nevada's legal sports books, with tens of millions wagered on the outcome.

It will also do record business at the box office — with the MGM expected to be scaled far higher than the $20 million live gate for Mayweather's 2013 fight with Canelo Alvarez. The pay-per-view revenue also is expected to be a record, though television executives said Friday they had yet to actually fix a price for people to buy the fight at home.

The fight will be televised as a joint venture between competing networks Showtime and HBO, which will share announcers with Jim Lampley and Al Bern-

stein reportedly handling the task at ringside.

Pacquiao began pushing hard for the fight after beating Algieri in November in Macau, and negotiations picked up last month when the two fighters met by chance at a Miami Heat basketball game and later talked with each other in Pacquiao's hotel room about making it happen.

"It's one of those fortuitous circumstance we couldn't have planned," Showtime boxing chief Stephen Espinoza said. "But we were lucky that it happened."

As part of the agreement, Mayweather insisted on having the right to announce the bout. He also won concessions from the Pacquiao camp on who enters the ring first, what type of gloves are used, and a number of other issues, including a reported 60-40 split of the purse.

But it didn't take long for Pacquiao's camp to start talking, either. Promoter Bob Arum expressed his elation in making the fight, while trainer Freddie Roach predicted a big win for his fighter.

"Floyd should enjoy being the A-Side while he can because on May 2 Manny is going to put him on his backside," Roach said.

Arum, who has promoted some of the biggest fights in history, said this one would be bigger than them all. "This boxing match will have the interest in the U.S. of a Super Bowl," Arum told The Associated Press. "I think it will set all kinds of pay-per-view records and gate records. It will be the biggest boxing event of all time."

Both fighters will bring 147-pound titles into the ring, but the fight is about far more than belts. Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 47 fights, wants to stake his claim as one of the greatest fighters ever, and remove any doubts about his legacy by fighting the boxer who is thought to be the greatest challenge of his career. Pacquiao, meanwhile, will try to show that a knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012 and a disputed decision loss to Timothy Bradley should not define a remarkable career that began 20 years ago in the Philippines Don't tune in looking for a big knockout, either.

The last time Pacquiao stopped anyone was in 2009 when he finished off Miguel Cotto in the 12th round, while Mayweather has only stopped one fighter (Victor Ortiz) in the last eight years.

throughout Queensland.

That meant both sides collected a point apiece for the no-result at the Gabba and left them on three each in Pool A, with runaway leaders New Zealand topping the group with six points following three straight wins.

"It was obviously disappointing not to get out there today. It's a place that

we play really well out here at the Gabba but we can't control the weather," said Australia batsman Steve Smith.

Australia now have a long gap between their opening 111-run win over England in Melbourne on February 14 and their next match against New Zealand in Auckland on February 28.

ChristChurCh, February 21 (reuters): Pakistan captain Misbahul-Haq found fault with every department of his team's performance in their 150-run loss to West Indies on Saturday which leaves his team at the bottom of Pool B in the World Cup. Misbah has not yet emulated Imran Khan by urging his team to play like "cornered tigers", the battle cry which has been credited with inspiring Pakistan's win at the 1992 World Cup. But something special will be needed if Pakistan are to make any impact on the tournament after a dismal performance on Saturday following their loss to India in the opening game.

As Misbah suggested, Pakistan's faults were widely distributed. They dismissed the West Indies openers cheaply after opting to field but failed to take wickets in sufficient quantities thereafter and conceded 115 runs off the final 10 overs.

Three simple catches were spilled and four wickets then fell for one run when Pakistan batted, which ended any hopes of overhauling West Indies' 310 for six. Asked at a news conference what had gone wrong for Pakistan, Misbah replied: "Everything, I think, in all three departments.

We couldn't bowl well, a lot of dropped catches. "At the end of the day as a batsman, a bowler and a fielder you have to perform. As a team, as players we need to pick ourselves up and we need to perform." "We need to really recover mentally and think about our game.

This is how World Cups are. You have to pick yourself up, think about your strategies, think about where you can improve."

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PUBLIC INFORMATION Coming soon to Kohima Advance life support ambulance 24x7 services with trained paramedics, equipped for transport of critically patients and trauma cases.

oKing hosPitaL, Kohima

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