February 26th, 2016

C M Y K

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FriDAY • FebruArY 26 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 54 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

T R u T H

Real glory springs from the silent conquest of ourselves — Joseph P. Thompson ‘Make in India’ scope in Nagaland

Sanjay Dutt finally walks out of jail to freedom PAGE 08

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Power failure? Thut, I thought I had gone blind.

Nagaland Rajya Sabha election on March 21 DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): Election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Nagaland State will be held on March 21, the Election Commission today announced. The biennial elections will be held for 13 RS seats in 6 states, of which 12 are falling vacant in April.

The sole seat from Nagaland was also to fall vacant in April. It may be noted that MP to the RS, Khekiho Zimomi had passed away in November last.

Travel advisory for Amguri-MarianiTitabar route

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): The Nagaland State government has issued a travel advisory to all Nagaland bound vehicles to avoid travelling along the Amguri-Mariani-Titabar route. According to a DIPR report, situation remains tense after five youth hailing from Hoolungri Tea Estate in Assam-Nagaland border under Mariani PS, Jorhat were beaten up by suspected Nagas on February 24 when they went to collect bamboo and firewood under Changdang village along the border area. DIPR, quoting report received from the District Administration, Mangkolmeba stated that following the incident, a mob consisting of around 500 people gathered at zero point, Mariani at around 10:30am on February 25 in protest against the incident and blocked the road while demanding the arrest of culprits and compensation to the victims. Border magistrate, dobhasis along with police were deployed at the area of blockade and detail reports were awaited, the report stated. Further, the Jorhat District Administration has sought 10 days from the aggrieved mob so that matter can be sorted with the Nagaland counterpart, the report also informed.

NSF to continue bandh

C M Y K

KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): Deputy Inspector General, IK Muivah, who is an emissary of the Government of Manipur and also the investigation officer of the February 14 assault incident met the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today at the NSF office in Kohima.

A press note from the NSF informed that the DIG has “expressed the seriousness on the issue by the Government of Manipur and also assured the Federation that the Government of Manipur will resolve the matter at the earliest.” Despite the meeting, the NSF, in its press note, stated that the federation would continue its ingoing bandh till its demands are met.

City close on last eight after win at Dynamo

PAGE 05

PAGE 12

railway Budget 2016 - no fare hike

NEw DElHI, FEBRUARY 25 (IANS): India’s rail budget has kept passenger fares and freight rates unchanged at least for now. A slew of measures has been announced for travel comfort. But the operational efficiency has taken a beating even as concerns remain over raising money for future projects.

This is the crux of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s budget for his ministry presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday - that shows targets set by him for this fiscal on a host of counts remained to be realised, be it on receipts from passengers and freight, revenue mop-up or efficiency.

“We have managed to break away from average capital expenditure of Rs.48,100 crore over the period 2009-14, and an average growth of only 8 percent per annum, to achieve a quantum jump,” he said.

“This year, our investment would be close to double of the average of previous years -- a feat never achieved earlier. For the year 2016-17, the capital plan has been pegged at Rs.1.21 lakh crore,” he added. He also hoped for a 10-percent jump in total revenue.

Spared a fare hike and promised involvement in the private sector better, industry chambers have reasons to cheer. The share markets however gave a thumbs-down to the budget. Disappointment over lack of any big-ticket projects, rail-related stocks fell

Rail budget reflects govt’s commitment to poor: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the Railway Budget lays emphasis on investment and information technology and shows the government’s commitment to the welfare of poorer sections of society.

Modi said the proposal to introduce Antyodaya Express and to add two to four Deen Dayalu coaches reflects the “government’s commitment

to the welfare of the poor”. He added the railway budget had made a “quantum leap” with huge investment as compared to the last five budgets of the previous government. “This budget would turn out to be an important link in nation building. More importantly, state governments are also going to participate in the development and expansion of the railways,” Modi said.

Railway budget has nothing for poor: AAP

Passengers board an overcrowded train near a railway station at Loni town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, February 24. (REUTERS)

railway Budget’s new schemes • 100 rail stations to get WiFi this year.

• Indian Railways will provide 17,000 bio-toilets on trains.

• Additional toilets at 475 stations before 2016-17 ends.

• E-catering services to be extended to 408 stations.

• Developing Delhi-Chennai, Kharagpur-Mumbai and Kharagpur-Vijayawada freight corridors on a priority basis. on Thursday -- BEML by 3.29 percent, Siemens by 1.06 percent, ABB by 1.37 percent, Larsen and Toubro by 1.5 percent, and Timken by 2.31 percent.

Some, though, rose.

Prabhu said his ministry will surpass the target of

• To create rail auto hub in Chennai.

• Watchdog proposed for railways.

• FM radio entertainment on trains.

• With new uniforms, railway porter will be called Sahayaks.

• Half of lower berths reserved for senior citizens.

• Baby food at stations, child menu on all trains.

• Local cuisine to be avail-

commissioning 2,500 km broad gauge lines this fiscal -- almost 30 percent higher than last year. There were also a slew of measures for passengers: 65,000 more berths on trains, over 2,500 water vending machines, 17,000 bio-toilets inside

able on trains.

• Ticket cancellation through phone calls.

• To install 1,780 automatic ticketing machines.

• CCTV surveillance in all stations in a phased manner.

• Local art to be highlighted at railway stations.

• Dedicated freight corridors envisaged for NorthSouth, East-West and East Coast alignments.

coaches, 1,780 automatic ticketing machines, 120,000 concurrent users for e-ticketing, and e-catering services at 408 stations.

This apart, he said, the quota of lower berths for senior citizens will be hiked by 50 percent to 120 such seats

The Railway Budget forsakes common man’s needs and creates interests for the corporates, Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Thursday. “Around 23 percent of unannounced hike in rail fares happened during last year. Passengers have been tricked by adding the insurance component which he will have to pay from his pocket,” an AAP statement said. “Apart from the token announcements of Antyodaya coach-

es for unreserved category, there is no step taken for making Indian trains truly accommodative for the poor and the needy.” “This government seems more concerned about improving the US and European economies, than that of India, and this is reflected in (the) budget. The fine print will tell that the US has been awarded a multibillion contract for supplying 900 diesel engines to celebrate ‘Make In India’,” it said.

Rail Development Authority will be independent Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday said the government will have the draft bill ready for setting up an independent Rail Development Authority to govern the rail tariff and other aspects.

Presenting the railway budget for 2016-17 Prabhu said: “We hope to have the draft bill ready after hold-

per train, more stations will come under special scheme for old and differently abled passengers, and a new train “Tejas” will be introduced at 130 km per hour.

He also announced WiFi at 100 more stations this year and 400 more sta-

ing extensive stake holder consultations.” He said the independence of the proposed institution will be ensured through arms length relationship with the railway ministry and transparent selection process of the people. The government had proposed setting up of Rail Development Authority last year.

tions in the next, fully unreserved trains and doubledecker sleeper coaches on high-density routes, 24X7 helpline for women, local art at stations, dignity for porters and better amenities at pilgrimage centres.

As regards ongoing proj-

ects, the minister said contracts for all dedicated freight corridors have been awarded, further connectivity has been provided in the northeastern states, work is on track for rail projects in Kashmir and bids have been finalised for two loco factories.

‘opportune time to lobby Bura Namsang GHS struggling with support for naga cause’ only five teachers; no headmaster

Nagaland CM and NLA Speaker respond to criticism against PWC

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and NLA Speaker, Chotisuh Sazo today issued a rejoinder to a recent statement made by five Naga political groups criticising the activities of the Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC) of the Nagaland Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue.

In a joint statement, the Nagaland CM and the NLA Speaker stated that the election manifestos of all political parties in Nagaland have always included the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue as one of its agenda. “This is sought to be done, not by active participation in the political dialogue between the Govt. of India and the NPGs, but by acting as a facilitator to the peace process,” it stated.

The CM and Speaker reminded that the Naga political issue “does not belong to the NPGs alone, it belongs to the entire Nagas as a whole.” They reasoned that elected representatives of the people have a duty and responsibility to help and facilitate the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue.

The PWC, they informed consists of “representatives of all Naga tribes and political parties having representation in the House, and the two MPs of Nagaland.” They said that the PWC met with several top leaders from the both the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, including NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser, Th Muivah, the Indian PM, Home Minister and interlocutor to the Naga peace talks.

The CM and the Speaker said that the PWC’s meeting with various leaders of the central government was to brief them about the unique history of the Nagas, their political struggle, and also to seek their support in Parliament as and when a final settlement of the Naga political issue comes up, either for amendment of the Indian Constitution, or for enactment of Special Acts by Parliament.

“We feel this campaign is not premature, because when the final agreement is arrived at, and bills are introduced in Parliament, the PWC may not have opportunities to meet various national political leaders, and discuss the Naga issue in details with them. So, we feel why should we wait till the last moment,” they stated.

The CM and the NLA Speaker informed that the parties to the Naga political dialogue have assured to the PWC that before signing the final agreement, all important stakeholders would be consulted. “So our activities are not to be misunderstood as giving a blank cheque to the Govt. of India and the NSCN (IM) to ink any agreement they deem fit and proper.”

While acknowledging that the Framework Agreement is “basically a preamble, setting out the commitment and intention of both the parties to resolve the Naga political issue at an early date,” the CM and NLA Speaker stated that “final detailed agreement will be worked out in consultation with all the NPGs of Nagaland, and other important Naga organizations, including the Nagaland Legislators’ Forum on Naga Political Issue.”

The CM and NLA Speaker expressed hope that the Indian PM and the NSCN (IM) collective leadership will work out a solution that is beneficial and honourable for the Nagas. “If we feel that the final agreement worked out by the parties to the dialogue is not beneficial or honourable for the Nagas, we still have the right to make suggestions so as to meet the expectations and interests of the Nagas,” they added.

Therefore, they stated that this is an opportune moment to brief the Indian political leaders about the Naga issue, and to “lobby for a wider support to the Naga cause, that will help in expediting or facilitating the final resolution of the Naga political issue.”

The CM and the NLA Speaker further welcomed broad-based consultations with all stake holder groups, including the NPGs, “so that we may work together in the spirit of oneness and unity to strengthen the Naga political cause.”

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): A students’ union is set to march all the way to the State capital Kohima from their village situated 302 kilometer away under Tamlu subdivision, Longleng district to protest against the lack of teachers in their village Government High School.

Left without option, the Bura Namsang Students’ Union (BNSU) on Thursday warned that if the Nagaland Education department fail to deploy a headmaster, assistant headmaster and graduate teachers, especially in Math and Science subjects by March first week, an agitation in the form of a “historic march from village to Directorate of School Education, Kohima would be launched.”

Giving reasons for their angst, the students’ union said the Government High School (GHS) at Bura Namsang

village under Tamlu division, Longleng district is being run with only five teachers and without any headmaster or assistant headmaster.

Normally, a GHS should have at least 16 teaching staff, but at Bura Namsang Village GHS there are only 5 teachers and no institutional headthe reason why no proper classes could be held in the previous session of 2015, Bura Namsang Students’ Union (BNSU) said in the press statement.

The students’ union also highlighted how the institution had struggled without even a single Science teacher for the past many years. A Math teacher posted in the village had to struggle by juggling between the two subjects for all the classes, it informed.

It also mentioned how the village council’s effort to keep a private teacher to help the students had to be discon-

tinued due to fund constraint.

And due to lack of teachers, the norm of teaching six subjects, which is mandatory in every government schools, is yet to see reality in the village GHS, the students’ union lamented.

In such bleak scenario, it reported that students enrolled in the school are beginning to think it a waste of time to attend a school where there are no teachers. Questioning the utter negligence of the concerned department, the students’ union has demanded that the required number of teachers and institutional head (s) should be deployed immediately with comparative ratio by the first week of March.

The students’ union has also asked the existing teachers posted in the Bura Namsang GHS and GPS to come to the posting place and resume their duties.

Rio breaks silence on edu qualification certificate

DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 25 (MExN): Nagaland State Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio on Thursday made his position clear vis-a-vis his educational qualification certificate.

According to his statement, Rio graduated from Kohima Arts College, NEHU in 1978. In the year 2012, since his degree certificate “could not be traced,” his office requested the Kohima College authorities to issue a provisional degree certificate which accordingly was issued by the College on December 4, 2012, Rio noted in a public statement today.

“No request was made whatsoever to issue a provisional certificate mentioning qualification as B.A (Hon),” Rio stated.

He further noted that “it appears that at the time of issuing the certificate instead of B.A. Pass course they ticked B.A. (Hon.).” Rio added that after the said provisional certificate was issued, it was placed in the file and “the error that had inadvertently crept in went unnoticed.”

The Nagaland MP sought to point out that the entries in the educational qualification column during his previous elections, including the assembly

elections in 2013 correctly read as B.A Pass, as supervised by his personal secretary. This fact, Rio pointed out has not been adverted to by those making the allegation against him.

However, during the Lok Sabha elections 2014, “those who supervised” the details of the typed entries had “gone by the erroneous certificate inadvertently issued by Kohima College,” he maintained.

Rio said the error committed in the provisional certificate by Kohima College came to his knowledge in October, 2015 and in pursuance, issued a communication categorically informing that, “I have studied and graduated from Kohima College in the year 1978 under roll no. 436. I did not take Honours in the Political Science as entered in the document attached. You are requested to rectify the error and issue a correct one at the earliest.”

In response, on October 9, 2015, the Kohima College issued a corrigendum clarifying that the B.A (Hon) certificate issued on 2012 had an inadvertent error, he informed. On receipt of these details an affidavit was submitted to the Chief Elec-

tion Officer, Nagaland giving the “factual picture” supported with all the documents which led to the error committed by the Kohima College and also the corrigendum issued by them, he added.

In the RTI application dated December 8, 2015, Rio informed that a question was raised as to “whether I had made any application for obtaining Political Science Honours Certificate.” The response given in the RTI, as per the MP, was “No application for Political Science Honours Certificate was received.”

“This fact has been willfully suppressed,” alleged Rio. The Nagaland MP went on to state that in all the editions of Who’s Who publication of Nagaland Legislative Assembly since 1989 till date, his qualification is shown as B.A Pass in the profile/bio-data.

Even in the bio-data submitted to the Lok Sabha, the educational qualification is shown as B.A and not B.A (Hon) Political Science, he said. Further, in the detailed Performa in the Lok Sabha of June 11, 2014, his educational qualification has been shown as B.A, Rio pointed out.

Full text on page 5

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friDAY 26•02•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

National Level Vendor Development Programme in Dimapur underway

APO conveys goodwill message on Sekrenyi Morung Express News Kisama | February 25

Parliamentary Secretary, Amenba Yaden inspecting stalls at Super Market, Dimapur on Thursday. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News Dimapur | February 25

A 2-day National Level Vendor Development Programme cum Industrial Exhibition got underway at Super Market, Dimapur on Thursday with Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce, Amenba Yaden inaugurating the programme.

Amenba said that the programme was organized with a view to establish market linkages for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and provide a common platform for the large industries and MSEs of the region to interact with each

other. He said that the programme would help large scale industries to locate suitable vendors and expressed the hope that MSEs would be benefitted by the prgramme in establishing long term business relationships.

Amenba also highlighted on the Public Procurement Policy which has become mandatory w.e.f April 1, 2015 the objective of which is to develop and promote MSEs by supporting the marketing of their products and other services rendered by them.

Stating that the Ministry of MSME has taken up several policy measures to

strengthen and increase competitiveness in this sector, Amenba said special efforts were also evolved to strengthen the market base which he added was crucial in linking the supply-chain management.

The inaugural programme was attended by a host of officials from Br. MSME –DI, Dimapur and other participating vendors.

The programme is being organized by Government of India, Ministry of MSME, Br. MSME-Development Institute, Old Industrial Estate, Dimapur in association with Alaphra Group, Dimapur.

“Sekrenyi is a time to remember the legacy passed on to us by our ancestors,” said Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi, APO President on February 25 where the Angami Public Organisation celebrated Sekrenyi with frontal Organisations at Kisama, Bamboo Hall.

While addressing a small yet significant crowd of Angami leaders during the Sekrenyi celebration, Dr. Seleyi also stated a few concerns of frontal organizations pertaining to peace and reconciliation of all Nagas at crucial times of the Indo-Naga talks.

“To reach a peaceful settlement without any violence and bloodshed is our main agenda,” stated Dr. Seleyi while updating the leaders on the current mission of APO in attempting to unite all NPGs in the Angami region. The APO President also shared concerns over the turbulent violence and enmity emerging in Tuensang and Kiphire and further wished the communities for peace and goodwill in the name of Sekrenyi.

Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, NPF President was the special guest for the celebration stressed on the sig-

Angami men geared up for Sekrenyi festival at Kisama on February 25. (Morung Photo)

nificance of Sekrenyi and the importance of one’s identity and roots. Sekrenyi or Phousanyi means the cleansing of the soul, mentioned Dr. Liezietsu, and although we have left aside the rituals because of the advent of Christianity, we must celebrate what our ancestors has given us.

Stressing on the importance of knowing one’s roots, Dr. Liezietsu asserted that the strength of the tree

Teachers training held on activity and competency learning KohiMa, February 25 (MexN): A three day long teachers training on Activity and Competency Learning (ACL) on government school teachers for the district of Kohima was held here at SCERT from February 23 to 25.

Altogether, 26 teachers from 18 schools participated in the training.

Gracing this orientation programme as the chief guest, SCERT director Vipralhou Kesiezie exhorted the participants to make use of the new innovative method of ACL in its best possible way and make the child involved in the learning process.

SCERT director Vipralhou Kesiezie and others during three day long teachers training on activity and competency learning in Kohima held from February 23 to 25.

He emphasized that ACL is an innovative project under the flagship progamme of SSA. From this academic year the schools under ACL will be expanded to 687 schools across the state.

KTDSSU 15th General Conference on March 4 & 5

Kiphire, February 25 (MexN): The 15th General Conference of Kiphire Tuensang District Sumi Students' Union (KTDSSU), which was postponed, is now scheduled on March 4 and 5, 2016. The conference hosted by Sukiur 'B' Village will be held under the theme, "Exceeding the Vision" with C. Kipili Sangtam, Minister for Power as chief guest and Tohanba, Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs Eco & Statistics as guest of honour.

Khekiye Sema, IAS Retd will be the theme speaker and Atoli, Deputy Director, Social Welfare the Introductory Speaker.

The programme which was earlier scheduled for three days has been rescheduled for two days owing to unavoidable circumstances.

As such, the Union has apologized to all programme officials who could not be reaccommodated in the newly printed programme due to

services constrain.

The Union also informed that a meeting will be held on March 6, 2016 at the Conference Hall. All the Units also invite the unit GBs, Council members, VDB Executive, Church leaders and elders to attend the meeting as scheduled. All bureaucrats of Grade 1 & ii, former officials of ESH, KTDSSU, KTDSKH and KTDSTH, Inhabitants of Kiphire and Tuensang districts residing outside the districts are also requested to attend the meeting positively.

The Union appeals all individuals, organisations and societies in the districts to maintain peaceful atmosphere during the conference. It affirms acknowledgement of all individuals, societies and Organisations in their cooperation and prayers This was stated in a press release issued by KTDSSU Yeshika president and Bothuka general secretary.

A documentary on ACL has been released and the feedback of the programme has been encouraging and it has been incorporated in most of the primary schools. Amongst

the most innovative approaches, ACL has been much exercised to this day.

Kesiezie, further reminded the teachers to remain vigilant, alert and identify those areas of tal-

ent in the child and give proper guidance, acknowledgement and appreciation to the children.

“Therefore, teachers are not only to transact the curriculum and syllabus but should play the role of a mentor and a modern teacher needs to be multitalented in all the aspects of life,” he said.

The programme was chaired by Thungchibemo, Reader, SCERT and the resource persons of the programme were Vikedono Sesa, Reader, Khriesenuo Solo, Research Associate, Kethovilie Sachu, TRA, Medohunuo Phewhuo, TRA and Katirenla, TRA.

is determined by the roots, and likewise an individual must know his origin.

Some important questions laid down for the future generation were, ‘Where we come from. What do others say about us? What kind of stories do people have about us?’

“Your name which is given to you by your parents or elders with meaning, the name of your village, and the name of your

nation holds great importance,” stated the NPF President while also regretting the fact that many indigenous names in Naga society has corrupted due to mispronunciation and the lack of willingness to correct the mistakes.

Therefore the importance of the indigenous terms and one’s history must be well taught and learned. Names are very important but over the

years they have been misused, stated Dr. Liezietsu while citing the example of Dimapur which was originally Kuda in the Angami language. Dr. Liezietsu further urged the people to try to start using the original names again.

Also discussing on the values of the Nagas which are revered by outsiders, Dr. Liezietsu also shared the dilemma of incorporating such values in changing times. Citing the example of Democracy, in the traditional Naga society where the Naga society is governed through the voice and opinion of the public, Dr. Liezietsu affirmed that the decision of the public has so much power and that the public’s decision is always the last word.

The celebration was followed by a Sekrenyi feast.

With the advent of Christianity, the rituals of Sekrenyi are only practiced by the few followers of the Krüna or Tsana religion (Ancestor’s beliefs).

However, the Festival is still celebrated across the Angami region to preserve the culture of the Angamis.

Phousanyi, and popularly known as Sekrenyi is celebrated to mark the beginning of a new year and a new beginning.

Sekrenyi festival at Tuophema from today

KohiMa, February 25 (MexN): The Angami Sekrenyi (Phousanyi) festival 2016 will take place from February 26 to 27 at Tuophema village, about 41 km away from state’s capital Kohima. MLA Namri Nchang will grace the occasion as the chief guest. The inaugural function, commencing from 10:00 AM onwards, will be chaired by Kechangulie Kense. Tuophema Village Council chairman Pfuduolhou Kense will deliver welcome address. Day one (February 26) event will be marked by folk tune, folk dance, folk song and mass Tuophema folk dance.

Modern politics calls for winning hearts: Toyang

Philanthropic Association St. Joseph’s College Jakhama representatives with Parliamentary Secretary Toyang Chang during the interaction held on February 23.

KohiMa, February 25 (MexN): Philanthropic Association St. Joseph’s College Jakhama led by its president K. Chumseli Anar along with three of its members met Toyang Chang, Parliamentary Secretary, New Renewable Energy, Fire and Emergency Service, on February 23 at his office.

During the interaction, responding on how to eradicate the power of money in election, the Parliamentary Secretary replied, that unlike traditional politics, modern politics calls for winning the hearts of the people like the countries of the first world, for democracy is a government of

public opinion.

He advised the students, to utilize all opportunities enclosed in the envelope of morality in life to serve the people. He reiterated that knowledge comes from texts and wisdom from God. To be a leader, recalling his grandfather’s advice, said that, one should not be in haste to speak but to listen. He strongly insisted the student to continue serving the society even after their studies for the Association’s maxim states, “Service to man is service to God”.

During the interaction, the Secretary said that DAN Government is committed in working honorable settlement to the Naga problem. He also said that his grandfather, who served as Head Dobashi for four consecutive terms during the British era, his father, who was an Ex MLA and, Nagaland inspired him to join politics.

Students of Yemhi Memorial College listen on during a Seminar on ‘Blood Donation’ at Yemhi Memorial College at Nepali Bosti, Dimapur on February 25. (Morung Photo)

A residential building was gutted by fire at Salangtem ward, Mokokchung at around eleven am on Thursday, February 25 where no casualty was report. The fire is reported to have been caused by a short circuit. (Morung Photo)

KVBC Mission Team visits Leyshi Town

DiMapur, February 25 (MexN): The Kuda Village Baptist Church (KVBC) Mission Team lead by Nekhozoto Savino, Neikepelie Yhoshu and Neikemhigzo Yhor visited Leyshi Border Town of Myanmar under the guidance of N. Rhuletsu, President of International Border Area People’s Welfare Organization (IBAPWO) to proclaim the Gospel from on February 16 to 20.

IBAPWO President N. Rhuletsu in a press release said that this is perhaps the “first ever Gospel Team from Nagaland to visit Leyshi” with the mission to reach the unreached soul.

During the course of the Mission, the KVB Church interacted with the Leyshi Baptist Church members

Kuda Village Baptist Church Mission Team with Leyshi Baptist Church pastor during the mission trip to Leyshi Border Town of Myanmar from on February 16 to 20.

and held meeting on vari- der area Nagas of Myanmar. committed to establish an ous issues confronting the The Mission Team of Kuda English Medium School problems faced by the bor- Village Baptist Church has to educate the Children of

Leyshi Town as well as to create English as medium to preach the Gospel.

The press release also mentioned here that Kohima and Leyshi Border town of Myanmar was established in the same day by British colonel as Administrative Town, “but as the Gospel of Jesus Christ could not reach in proper time and Leyshi Border Town remained underdeveloped.”

Meanwhile, the IBAPWO urges Churches of all advanced major tribes of Nagaland to send their Mission Team at all times so that the Gospel can be proclaimed and preached to unreached souls. The IBAPWO said that it is ready to extend help to willing churches/missions for the mission.

The Fire & Emergency Services Nagaland Kohima conducted a mock drill on fire safety and the use of fire extinguisher at Trinity School, New Reserve, Phesama on February 24. A mock drill on fire safety, evacuation and rescue drill was also demonstrated in the school premises with the students and teachers. The team demonstrated the use of fire extinguishers. Students were taught with the practical handling of various classes of fire extinguishers. The teaching staffs and the students of the school expressed satisfaction with the awareness programme carried out by the department.

fRIDAY 26•02•2016

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

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Pul win trust vote in Arunachal NST Bus Station in Imphal shut down assembly, Lowang new speaker Our Correspondent Imphal | February 25

Itanagar, February 25 (IanS): Newly sworn-in Arunachal Chief Minister Chief Minister Kalikho Pul won a trust vote in the state assembly on Thursday while Wangki Lowang was elected as the new speaker.

Pul, who was swornin on February 19 after the central government recommended that president's rule, be lifted from the state, won by voice vote.

There were 40 lawmakers present in the 60-member assembly, whose strength now stands at 58 following the expulsion of two Congress legislators in the recent political crisis, while ousted chief minister Nabam Tuki and his 16 loyalists

Congress members did not attend.

Pul, who had openly revolted against Tuki, informed the assembly that he has the support of 28 congress legislators as per the attendance at the Congress Legislature Party meeting held on Wednesday, besides the support of 11 Bharatitya Janata Party legislators and two Independent members.

He also asserted his strong political will and vision for the development of the state and its people.

Veteran BJP legislator Tamiyo Taga said that the BJP with its 11 members is giving unconditional support to Kalikho Pul government from outside in the interest of the state's

Bewildered over silence of Manipur Government: ALT

Unfortunate that GoM deliberately ignored NSF appeal: NPF Manipur

Chandel, February 25 (Mexn): The Anal Lelruwl Tangpi (Anal Students’ Union) today expressed “shock and bewilderment” over the complete silence maintained

by Manipur Government on the NSF imbroglio even after more than 10 days. In this, the Union appealed for immediate settlement of the issue.

Condemning the highhandedness of the State Police force in the strongest of terms, a press statement from the Information Cell, ALT questioned what prompted the commandos to resort to such act.

Consequent to the unprecedented action of the Police commandos, the NSF imposed ban on vehicles owned by Meitei brethrens in Naga areas. “This would no doubt lead to more troubles and unrest between the two neighboring states,” ALT stated. In this regard, the student body appealed to student organizations in the valley to play their part and act swiftly to defuse the tension by pressuring the state government to penalize the offenders.

Meanwhile, the union also appealed to AMSU to show sympathy towards the NSF executives who underwent “tremendous torture” and assist in delivering justice, instead of threatening to retaliate in the same manner. “Mutual respect and showing solidarity is important in times of such unfortunate event, as this may happen with any student organizations in Nagaland too,” the Anal Students’ Union argued.

LOST NOTICE I, Mr. Harish Kotecha have lost my motorcycle on 23 rd Feb’16 from G.S. Road, Dimapur, Nagaland.

Name: Super Splendor Colour: Black Red Regd. No: NL07M0300 Engine No: JA05ECD9F22609 Chassis No: MBLJA05EKD9F22592

dIMapur, February 25 (Mexn): The Manipur unit of the Naga Peoples’ Front today termed it “unfortunate” that the Government of Manipur (GoM) deliberately ignored the appeal of the Naga Students Federation in sorting out the problem arising “out of indiscipline” by state police personnel on February 14 at Koirengei.

In a press release, NPF stated that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister should have invited the student leaders and solved the problem.

Observing that “delay and ignore tactics” has created unnecessary problems many a times in the past,

development and better governance.

Earlier, Lowang was elected by a voice vote.

The speaker's election was necessitated after 21 legislators led by Pul impeached the then speaker Nabam Rebia during a assembly session at a makeshift venue here and elected Pul as the new leader of the house.

Deputy Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, who presided over the election of the speaker is likely to be made a minister.

Former tourism minister Pema Khandu, of the Congress, moved the motion that Lowang be chosen speaker which was seconded by another Congress legislator Kamlung Mosang.

NPF stated that the ban called by NSF could have been avoided if the State had taken the issue seriously. “More problems will come if such tactics of dealing [with] any situation by the state government continue,” it contended and maintained that the Manipur Chief Minister should immediately invite the stu-

Lowang promised the members that he would uphold and maintain the dignity of the house and come up to their expectation while delivering his duty.

He also sought the cooperation and support from the members in smooth conduct of business of the assembly.

Congratulating Lowang, Pul said that Lowang was one of the senior-most and highly qualified leaders of the house with wide knowledge of parliamentary democracy and constitutional provisions.

"Lowang would defend the constitution and its democratic values and serve the state with dignity," he said.

dent leaders and resolve the issue.

Calling upon all communities to respect each other’s sentiment, the Naga People’s Front has also appealed to the NSF to restrain from any violence and instead, urged the student body to explore other means to resolve the problem.

NOTICE

Dt. Dimapur, the 23rd Feb ’16

NO.REV-1/90-D/20405-06 : Notice is hereby given that Shri/ Smti T. Sashi resident of Dimapur, Nagaland who has apply for issue of mortgage clearance concerning to Patta No.: 1092, Dag No.: 1299,53/1809 measuring an area:00-00-13 ½ located at Block No:04, Mouza No.: 02 which has been mortgage in the NIDC Bank.

Claims & Objection if any on the aforesaid land may be submitted in written in the Court of the undersigned on or before 01-03-16.

Sd/- Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur: Nagaland

AFFIDAVIT

We, (1) Shri. Penmi Horam, previously known as Penmi Varah,S/o.

Luiphang Horam, and (2) Shri. Luiphang Horam, formerly known as Honsan Varah, F/o Penmi Horam, permanent residents of Halang Village, Ukhrul District, Manipur, and temporarily residing at River Belt, Colony, Dimapur, in the district of Dimapur, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm on oath and declare as follows:1. That previously Penmi Horam was known as Penmi Varah and Luiphang Horam was known as Honsan Varah respectively.

2. That our names have been recorded as Penmi Varah and Honsan Varah in our relevant documents and other documents. That now we have changed our names as (1) Penmi Horam and (2) Luiphang Horam in place of our previous names Penmi Varah and Honsan Varah respectively.

3. That for and on behalf of ourselves and our wives, children and issues, we wholly renounce the use of our former names/ surname of Penmi Varah and Honsan Varah and in place thereof, we do hereby assumed/changed from this date the names/ surname as Penmi Horam and Luiphang Horam respectively, so that we and our wives, children and our issues may hereafter be called or known and distinguished by the assumed new names/ surname and not by former names and surname.

Deponents Sworn before me by the deponents .

Notary Public, Dimapur: Nagaland

TRANSFORMATION CRUSADE Theme: “Arise and Shine…”

(Isaiah 60:1)

Date: 26th Feb. 2016 Time: 4:30 PM Venue: Khouchiezie (Local Ground), Kohima 1. Leader

: Pastor Vezopa Rhakho Associate Pastor, Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima

2. Pianist

: Mr. Mhasi Keretsü

3. Conductor

: Mr. Vizosietuo Neo

4. Invocation & Offertory Prayer : Pastor Toshi Imchen Ao CRC Kohima 5. Speaker

: Rv. Zotuo Kiewhuo Pastor, Koinonia Baptist Church cum Principal, Kohima Bible College

This crusade is for all. Come with faith and receive the Blessings of Salvation, Deliverance, Healing and the Confirmation message.

In response to the ban called by Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), volunteers of All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) today shut the office of Nagaland State Transport Bus Station here besides creating obstruction to movement of two buses at North AOC. Talking to reporters, AMSU general general secretary Manjit Sarangthem warned of banning all offices related with the state of Nagaland in Manipur if the stir by NSF is not withdrawn.

He said AMSU has high respect for NSF but urged it to withdraw its stir launched against a single community.

The union had earlier also appealed in a statement to the Naga student body to cancel their agitation.

Meawhile, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today told the Manipur Assembly that a state police official has been sent to Nagaland as state representative to hold talks with Nagaland in an effort to resolve the issue.

Responding to a calling attention motion raised by the opposition bench in the House, Gakhangam who is also the Home Minister informed that DIG Range-I IK Muivah would be holding talks with his Nagaland counterpart.

He further informed that the Home Department was conducting an inquiry into the incident wherein some leaders of NSF accused the Manipur Police personnel of harassing and assaulting them at Mantripukhri in Imphal West on February 14.

Defending the Manipur Police

Commandos, Gaikhangam stated that the police personnel led by a Sub- Inspector were simply carrying out their duty and did not do any harm to the NSF representatives during the incident and.

The NSF had accused the Manipur Police Commandos of roughing up their delegates who were on their way to Ukhrul to take part in LuiNgai-Ni festival.

NSF imposed a ban on movement of all vehicles owned by Meiteis/Manipuris in Naga inhibited areas after the Manipur government failed to fulfill their demand for action against the involved police personnel.

The stir began 6 am yesterday, due to which many Manipur-bound vehicles have remained stranded along National Highway 2 (ImphalDimapur road).

Irom Sharmila to continue fast unto death IMphal, February 25 (IanS): Rights activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on a 15-yearlong hunger strike to press for the abrogation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, has said she would continue her fast unto death.

At the court of the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal west, where she was presented on Wednesday, Sharmila told reporters that she would continue her fast at Kangla, the old capital of Manipur, through March 1 when she is expected to be released.

On fast since November 4, 2000, she has been charged -- more than once -- with attempt to commit suicide under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.

As the law court had released her as not guilty last year, her lawyer hopes that this time too she will be set free. Since the District and Sessions Court did not find her guilty, it ordered the court of the chief judicial magistrate to release her.

The court released her on January 22, 2015. However, the police re-arrested her two days later as she continued her fast at the

NOTICE

Dt. Dimapur, the 24th Feb ’16 NO.M-161/16/20449-50: Notice is hereby given that Shri. Tokiye Awomi -Vrs- Kivipu V. Awomi resident of Dimapur, Nagaland under Rule 50 & 51 of Assam Land Regulation 1886 have applied for Mutation of land described in the schedule below:The undersigned under Rule 52 of the said rules do herby invites claims/objections concerning to the said land, if any & should be submitted to this court in writing.

SCHEDULE OF LAND AND BOUNDARY Name of Patta Holder : Tokiye Awomi Block No :3 Patta No : 1008 Dag No : 102/1221 Area :3 Sd/- Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur: Nagaland

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION KOHIMA : NAGALAND

NOTIFICATION

NO.DTE/EXAM/48/2007-08: This is for information of all concerned that the State Council for Technical Education, Directorate of Technical Education, Nagaland, Kohima, is now issuing Diploma (passed) certificates to students who have successfully completed 3-year diploma courses from Government Polytechnic, Kohima; Institute of Communication & Information Technology, Mokokchung and Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu; in examinations conducted during November 2013 to May 2015. Successful candidates may apply for the same along with a fee of Rs. 100/(Rupees one hundred) only in the form of Treasury challan under the Head of Account: Major Head : 0202 – Education Sub-Major Head: 02 - Technical Education Minor Head : 101 - Tuition & other fees (A. KATHIPRI), Director, Technical Education

women's market in Imphal.

Since the Act under which she is arrested provides detention for one year only at one go, Sharmila is ritually released at the end of each year.

She was once released on October 5, 2006. She slipped away to Delhi to

carry on her fast at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police arrested her and a trial is going on at the Patiala House court on the charge of trying to commit suicide.

Sharmila is lodged in a security ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences here.

JAN SHIKSHAN SANSTHAN Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India (New Delhi) Dimapur requires Director

Qualification: Essentials 1. Minimum Second Class Masters Degree from a recognised university/institution or equivalent 2. Seven years experience in a supervisory and capacity building, preferably but not necessarily in the field of Education or Social Sciences 3. Working knowledge of the local language Desirable: 1. Experience in Administration/Management 2. Experience in guiding/conduction of research or evaluation Age: The upper age shall not exceed 55 years whereas there shall be no minimum age.

Emoluments: Consolidated salary of Rs.18,000/- per month.

Contract: Initially for 1 year and extendable for two more years on satisfactory performance and by mutual agreement.

Outstation Candidates called for interview will be reimbursed to and fro with 2nd Class Ac Train fare. Apply within 1 month from the date of publication of advertisement to Chairman, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, H-no. 133, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur-797112, Nagaland, with complete bio-data indicating name, date of birth with division and percentage of marks, work experience particularly relating to education and related activities, extracurricular activities and two references. Affix passport size photo duly signed.

Contact: +919612156400 Email: jss_duncandmp@yahoo.co.in

4

FriDAY 26•02•2016

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

IMF warns G20 that world Farmers deep in debt, seek economy ‘highly vulnerable’ subsidies, help with insurance Rina Chandran Thomson Reuters Foundation

Indian government action to increase spending on irrigation and crop insurance is not enough to end a cycle of indebtedness that has led to thousands of farmer suicides, and a complete overhaul of credit and subsidies to farmers is needed, activists said.

Drought in many parts of the country has hit rice, cotton and other crops, and lower world commodity prices have added to the farmers’ plight.

More than half India’s farming households are in debt, owing banks and moneylenders hundreds of millions of rupees, despite numerous loan write-offs by successive governments.

Tens of thousands of farmers across the country have killed themselves over the past decade, several farmers’ lobbying groups said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who presents the federal budget for fiscal 2016-17 on Feb. 29, has to balance stimulating economic growth with aiding farmers and poorer sections of society.

Farmers’ groups have been demanding better monsoon forecasts, bigger fertiliser subsidies and a state-funded insurance scheme for all crops, to help farmers improve yields and help prevent crop failures.

“The need of the hour is a focus on the dying farmer community,” said activist Kishor Tiwari, who heads a task force set up to recommend action to tackle farmer suicides in western Maharashtra state, which accounted

ing unviable for many. Financial assistance provided by the government usually doesn’t cover the losses, and some farmers have migrated to urban areas for lowpaid jobs, even selling their blood to make ends meet.

had large numbers of farmer suicides.

The cabinet last month cleared a proposal for the country’s first major crop-damage insurance scheme. The government has said it will reduce premiums to be paid by farmers, and ensure faster settlements.

Delays in estimating crop damage and paying claims are a big challenge, said Sunita Narain, director of non-profit Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi.

The government must encourage the use of new technologies, including remote sensing and mobile-based image capturing systems to improve yield data and claims processing, she said.

“Insurance coverage has to be universal and payouts enough to cover losses,” she wrote in a blog.

Farm output contributes about 15 percent to India’s $2 trillion economy, and farmers and rural communities are a large and powerful vote bank.

Politicians have often promised to waive farmers’ loan repayments, but have not addressed the underlying reasons for their chronic indebtedness, Tiwari said.

“Loan waivers are not the solution; it is like a simple dressing for a cancer tumour. You need to excise the tumour and address the cause of the disease,” he said.

More than half India’s farming households are in debt, owing banks and moneylenders hundreds of millions of rupees, despite numerous loan writeoffs by successive governments. for more than half of all suicides among Indian farmers in 2014.

“Debt is a core issue, and it needs a long-term plan to resolve it,” he said.

While inter-generational bonded labour in the farming community is no longer as common as before, the number of poor and landless workers who are in debt bondage is rising, particularly in agriculture, brick kilns and stone quarries, activists say.

Indian farmers seldom own the land they cultivate, and often take loans to buy seeds and fertilisers. Only about one tenth of India’s 263 million cultivators take out crop insurance because of the high premiums.

Unpredictable weather and low crop yields have made farm-

washiNgToN, February 25 (PTi): The International Monetary Fund has warned that the world economy is “highly vulnerable” and called for new mechanisms to protect the most vulnerable countries.

In a report on economic challenges ahead of the Shanghai meeting of finance chiefs of the powerful Group of 20 economies, the global crisis lender yesterday said world growth had slowed and could be derailed by market turbulence, the oil price crash and geopolitical conflicts.

“The global recovery has weakened further amid increasing financial turbulence and falling asset prices,” the IMF said.

“Strong policy responses both at national and multilateral levels are needed to contain risks and propel the global economy to a more prosperous path.”

The report, to be presented to the finance ministers and central bank chiefs of the G20 leading economies meeting in Shanghai on Friday and Saturday, said the Fund expects to lower its forecast for world growth in 2016, barely six weeks after making its most recent

Tiwari, in a plan submitted to the Maharashtra government, has recommended direct cash subsidies for farmers instead of the current indirect agriculture credit.

He also suggested the central and state governments help underwrite full crop insurance cover and promote the adoption of organic farming methods in droughtprone districts, to help restore soil quality and benefit from the higher price of organic produce, even though yields are lower.

A total of 5,650 farmer suicides were recorded in India in 2014, more than half of them in Maharashtra, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chattisgarh and Karnataka also

Govt to develop 300 rural clusters with eco activities New Delhi, February 25 (PTi): As many as 300 rural clusters in the country will be developed by provisioning of economic activities and providing infrastructure, Lok Sabha was informed today.

The government proposes to develop rural clusters in the country under Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) which aims to develop 300 clusters in all states and union territories, of which 100 clusters will be taken up in the first phase, Rural Development Minister Birender Singh said.

These clusters would be developed by provisioning of economic activities, developing skills and local entrepreneurship and providing infrastructure amenities.

The Rurban Mission will thus develop a cluster of Smart Villages, he said during Question Hour.

Singh said under the SPMRM, the state governments would identify centrally sponsored, central sector or state government schemes relevant for the development of the cluster and converge their implementation in an integrated and time- bound manner.

Fourteen components have been suggested as desirable for inclusion in the development of Rurban Cluster. They are piped water supply, agro processing, agri services, storage and warehousing, sanitation, solid and liquid waster management, health care connectivity, skill development, public transport, LPG connection and full digital connections, among others.

The Minister said the state governments may at its own discretion additionally converge any other state or central government scheme not falling under the above components.

These could be finalised after due consultation with the Gram Panchayats and should aim at addressing the unique needs of the Rurban Cluster and enable it to leverage its full economic potential, he said.

policy, near-term fiscal policy should support the recovery where appropriate and provided there is fiscal space, focusing on investment.”

Besides the shocks to the world economy from China’s slowdown and the crash in commodity prices, the IMF said geopolitical issues like the Syrian refugee crisis and the rising infections in Latin America from the Zika virus pose economic threats.

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mission Road, Near North Police Station Ph: 0370-2290672, 9863143388, 9436071373

DIMAPUR

Churches Colony, City Tower (Near Lotha Church) Ph: 03862-248030, 9436830572, 9436831033

Admission going on for: 1. NPSC/UPSC: Prelim- 2016 (NEW BATCh) 2. NPSC (main): 2015-16 3. SSC, Banking, Railway etc 2016 4. Coaching for JEE, AIPMT, NSEE- 2016 5. Intensive Coaching for NERIST-I, II & III 2016

6. Special Coaching for CBSE/NBSE Course (Phy, Chem, Maths, Bio) 7. Computer Course: Basic, DCA, ADCA & PgDCA Winter offer for Students 8. Spoken English & Hindi, Soft Skill (Kohima) Stenography & Music Classes

District Welfare Office Mokokchung have started paying the beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Old Age, Widow, disable, Blind Pensions, disable Scholarships from February 25 which will be done till April 8. The payment will be done as per Range/Village/Ward wise as scheduled and notified earlier. According to District Welfare Officer, Mokokchung Bendangkokba, a total number of 7200 Old Age, 4700 Widow and 139 disable under mokokchung will be benefited. (DiPR Photo)

leisure

ACROSS 1. . Secluded valley 5. Consumed 10. Expectoration 14. Be worthy of 15. Shame 16. killer whale 17. detestation 19. Newbie (slang) 20. Foot digit 21. humble 22. deservedly receives 23. Typographical error 25. muse of love poetry 27. directed 28. Wieners 31. hoses 34. humorous 35. Utilize 36. god of love 37. Spoofs 38. heredity unit 39. An Old Testament king 40. Planet 41. Ascended 42. home alone after school= ______ kid 44. mayday 45. Slumber 46. Catch 50. An official in India 52. Fancy 54. Crimson 55. historical periods 56. Nutritious 58. Auspices 59. Express audibly 60. Pot 61. Small horse 62. hangman’s knot 63. Untidyness DOWN 1. grille 2. Work hard 3. Aromatic solvent 4. Prefix meaning “Modern”

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

Game Number # 3501

Answer Number # 3500

Block Farmers Advisory Committee (BFAC) meeting was conducted by ATmA dimapur, Niuland Block at muga Farm School, Niuland Town on February 22 to discuss about various farming activities to be conducted and demalu hasnusa.

Jet Airways enters into partnership with Korean Air

NFL StarS PEYToNMANNiNg

BRENTgRiMES

CHRiSJoHNSoN

ELiMANNiNg

AARoNRoDgERS

MiCHAELviCK

RAYRiCE

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CAMNEWToN

AJgREEN

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BENRoETHLiSBERgER

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PHiLLiPRivERS

N. B.: Hostel Available for Both BOYS & GIRLS

Daily Cross WorD

CROSSWORD # 3514

SUDOKU

New Delhi, February 25 (iaNs): Leading Indian flyer Jet Airways on Thursday announced codeshare and reciprocal frequent flyer programme partnership with Korean Air for increasing connectivity further.

“The codeshare cooperation with Korean Air is an important milestone in growing our relationships with carriers around the globe to provide guests access to the destinations they value most,” said Jet Airways senior vice president Gaurang Shetty in a statement.

According to the agreement, Jet Airways will place its marketing code on non-stop Korean Air flights between Incheon, Seoul and Mumbai and also on flights between Incheon, Seoul, Bangkok and Singapore.

Similarly, Koran Air will deploy its marketing code on Jet Airways’ flight operations between Singapore and Mumbai and between Bangkok and Mumbai and Delhi, the statement said.

Scheduled to be effective from March 1, the latest codeshare agreement was Jet’s 23rd and frequent flyer agreement the 30th.

estimate of 3.4 per cent.

“Global activity has slowed unexpectedly at the end of 2015, and it has weakened further in early 2016 amid falling asset prices,” the report said.

How countries should react to the threats to growth will be the main agenda in the Shanghai talks. The IMF is urging countries to boost fiscal stimulus and to push through reforms in order to increase demand.

It said central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, need to keep monetary policy accommodative to be sure tighter financial conditions do not stifle growth momentum.

However, the Fund stressed, “to avoid overreliance on monetary

FRANKgoRE

W

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L D C d R E W B R E E S M A J G R E E N

A S R g K C N O T S L O C S E U Q R A M

A E H T I M S E V E T S F D P K B D F M

R

R E I J C A R E T S O F N A I R A T G Y

O A S O I M G A V d I O F M L S T S N G

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R J O F L E L U N N H T R A E N L T N I

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E S O C C N R S I E A I M F L R R R N E

5. A small earphone 6. Perpendicular to the keel 7. Bronzes 8. Reverted to the state 9. Born as 10. A musical composition 11. defers 12. Computer symbol 13. Checks 18. Charges per unit 22. Not difficult 24. Beers 26. Tracks 28. Foolish 29. Feudal worker 30. Observed 31. Blue-green 32. Constellation bear 33. A petty officer 34. Newspaper picture 37. Awakened 38. Essence 40. At what time 41. hemp cords 43. Stylish 44. Lampoon 46. Remedies 47. Pee 48. Leases 49. Borders 50. Very intense 51. Therefore 53. Car 56. Religious sister 57. An unskilled actor

STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency- 229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station

228400

CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital

242555/ 242533

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

227607 232181

224041, 248011

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

KOHIMA

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

WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

S N K V M E Z d F U T O P K E R A M T T

R

P I L O L G E O J h C O Z P H G R O Y U

Y A T B E N R O E T H L I S B E R G E R

C

C K E R H D S R E V I R P I L L I H P N

R C A A D R I A N P E T E R S O N V Z E

H

k L L V B R E N T g R I M E S V D U L R

d L O E L I M A N N I N G N G X P J U Y

Z T F R A N K g O R E G G P R T Q X O D

KoHiMA NoRTH: 7085924114 (o)

CHUMUKEDiMA: 7085982102 (o) 8732810051 (oC) WOkhA: 03860242215/101 (o) 8974322879 (oC) MoKoKCHUNg: 0369-2226225/ 101 (o) 8415830232 (oC) PHEK: 8414853765 (o) 8413822476(oC) zUNHEBoTo: 03867-280304/ 101 (o) 9436422730 (oC) TUENSANg: 8414853766 (o) 9856163601 (oC)

KIPHIRE: 8414853767 (o) 9436261577 (oC) PEREN: 7085189932 (o) 9856311205 (oC) LONgLENg: 7085924113 (o) 9862414264 (oC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

Police Station 1:

KoHiMA SoUTH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (o) 9402003086 (oC)

MoN: 03869-251222/ 101 (o) 9862130954 (oC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE

mOkOkChUNg:

FIRE STATIONS

DiMAPUR: 03862-232201/ 101 (o) 9856156876 (oC)

232106

Chumukedima Fire 282777 Brigade Nikos Hospital and 232032, 231031 Research Centre

ANS TO CROSSWORd 3513

A

R O N O I B S T N F L I V C J H Y O O L

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

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 NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

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

67.02 95.02 8.35 47.95 47.67 48.64 59.09

70.05 99.65 9.30 50.32 50.02 51.02 62.44

Euro

74.27

77.88

1.82

2.02

0.0526

0.0587

17.66

19.67

9.94

11.08

Thai Baht Korean Won UAE Dirham (AED) Chinese Yuan

FridAY 26•02•2016

NAGALAND

‘Make in india’ scope in Nagaland Morung Express News Dimapur | February 25

“The lion hearted mission of Make in India is relevant in mainstreaming the Naga youths through MSME Schemes but to achieve this, the guidelines are required to be aligned to incentivize the challenges focusing on quality, imports substitutions and exports promotions,” said Lt. Col. Doshehe Y. Sema, Vice Chairman, Tri-services Coordination Committee, Government of Nagaland.

He was speaking at a seminar in Guwahati on ‘Make in India and Rural

North East: The Challenges’ organized by National Institute of Rural Development, NER Centre, Guwahati on Thursday.

Speaking in the context of Nagaland, Doshehe said that the state is endowed with substantial resources, having potential for producing surplus food, electric power, petroleum and natural gas, building materials etc. “However, it is an irony that Nagaland remains starved in all these items which is the main bottle neck to the industrial and economic growth,” he added.

He said Nagaland offers for both domestic and

foreign investments in a number of potential areas for exploration and exploitation. Some of the long term plans for Make in India which Doshehe spelled out included oil refinery and other downstream petro-chemical industries based on oil and gas and power generation; intensive exploration for oil and natural gas, followed by their commercial production, in the foothill regions of the state etc.

According to Doshehe, some of the short and medium term plans of Make in India include food processing: organic based mega

food park, honey products, spices, fruits, vegetables, rice, oils, meat, fish etc.

Other areas he identified concerning the manufacturing sector included Naga king chilli grenade and spray; herbs and vegetation products, such as repellent of snake, mosquitoes and insects.

The former Minister said that the reason that the enormous natural and human resources in the state have remained untapped was due to remoteness, lack of infrastructure, lack of inflow of Investment, electric power struggle, inadequate credit facility, deficiency

of policies and guidelines, marketing hurdles etc.

Some of the strategies he suggested were improvement of connectivity – development of interstate and intrastate roads, helipads, ropeways, waterways, railways and information technologies.

He said all these should be based on the strategic approach as population benchmark guidelines does not suit NE hill states.

He also suggested providing viability gap funding and soft loan to private investors for development of sustainable assets projects.

Doshehe highlighted

conducive assets for investment in Nagaland by pointing out to the availability of labour with population growth rate of 64.41 percent (2001), literacy 80.1 (2011), an English speaking population, and industrious and energetic youths. He said the people of the state were hospitable and friendly with unique administration in every village council. Doshehe further mentioned the availability of fresh water streams and rivers throughout Nagaland having pleasant working climatic conditions besides the exemption of income tax.

KVYO warns against forming parallel org Nagaland Youth Summit 2016 from today Dimapur, February 25 (mexN): Stating that some person with vested interest is contemplating to form a parallel youth organisation of Kohima town, the Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KYVO) today has warned against such move.

“The move is being viewed as an offence against KVYO,” the KYVO declared in a press note isssued by its Vice-president Medovilhoulie Tseikha and General Secretary Lhoulievi Belho.

In this regard, it informed the general public that “Kohima Village is bounded by Phesama/Pfuchama towards South, Jotsoma/Mezoma to the West, Chakhabama/Chedema/ Rusoma to the East and Merema/Tsiesema to the North.

“The area within the said traditional boundary, be it town or village, belongs to Kohima Village” KYVO said reiterating that, “KVYO is the one and only youth organisation that keeps control of its juris-

diction.”

It further asserted that all the colony/ward youth organisations are subordinate organisations of KVYO and no other controlling body will be recognised in Kohima traditional jurisdiction.

“As such individuals attempting to form a parallel organisation which amounts to questioning of the inherent authority of KVYO in its own jurisdiction will be doing so at their own risk,” KVYO further cautioned.

Our Correspondent Kohima | February 25

A two day long Nagaland Youth Summit 2016 under the aegis of YouthNet in partnership with Government of Nagaland will take place from February 26 to 27 here at NBCC Conference Hall under the theme “Celebrating Young Nagas; Preparing the Next Generation.”

The Summit aims to present and promote the new roles of youth in Nagaland state and also celebrate the success of young Naga men and women and their

achievements.

It will provide opportunity for the 2000 delegates to discuss and learn various best practices in leadership, inspiring stories, constructive dialogue and what new generations may do to create new opportunities for partnerships, sustainability and cooperation.

The Summit will also include various government departments which will highlight their work and disseminate information that pertain to the youth.

54 young Naga achievers from across the country

will be speaking at the summit, which will include panel discussions on good governance, entrepreneurship, Nagas as ambassadors of Christ, skill building, entertainment, sports etc.

A thematic session will also be held on three themes where one recommendation each will be put forward to the Government.

The themes are:- Role of entrepreneurs in building the economy of the state; Role of young government officers in good governance; and Young Nagas in entertainment, sports and music.

WYSU unhappy over govt’s handling of Shamator-Kiphire incidents Dimapur, February 25 (mexN): The Western Yimchungru Students' Union (WYSU) has expressed displeasure at the Nagaland state government’s handling of the recent incidents at Shamator and Kiphire and its fallout. “The apathetic nature of the State Government towards Kiphire Town victims is very questionable as even after two weeks of the incident the State Government is yet to announced relief/ ex- gratia to the 229 displaced families,” stated a press release from the WYSU. According to the WYSU, the displaced families are facing acute shortage of clothing, food and shelter while efforts to reach relief to the affected have become difficult. While maintaining that the administration and ENPO have been helpful, the WYSU however added that whatever material the displaced has received has not covered 5 percent of their needs.

While calling for fairness, the WYSU stated that the Governor should also condemn the “6th Feb and 7th Feb 2016 incident

equally and not like some organizations who condemned only the murder and remained silent on the mob attack at Kiphire Town…”

It also questioned the stand of the administration and security personnel stationed at Kiphire town on an incident which reportedly occurred on February 21. Stating that one house was destroyed on the said date, the WYSU wondered as to whether “law and order” is for select sections only.

On the SIT instituted in the aftermath of the February 6 incident, the WYSU asserted that the State government should perform its duties to its full potential. It further raised allegation that “most of the FIR filed at Shamator Sub Division forwarded to SP Tuensang for necessary action does not reach State Commissioner’s office.”

While condemning the incidents that occurred subsequent to the February 6 incident, the WYSU reiterated its stand on the ultimatum submitted by the Yimchungrü Tribal Council to the government.

Allahabad Bank Kohima branch inauguration

SSA teachers demand Nagaland KUD for justice to Feb 21 murder victim govt to release pending salaries

Kohima, February 25 (mexN): The Allahabad Bank, Kohima branch will be inaugurated on February 26 at 10:00 AM at Keziekie, Central Building, Below North Police Station, Kohima.

Dimapur, February 25 (mexN): Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) and its dependent on Thursday appealed the Nagaland State government to release their pending salaries from December 2015 till date without further delay.

In a press statement, NSSATA said the SSA teachers were facing intolerable miseries due to irregular trend of releasing salaries by the State government since 2013.

It has therefore asked the State government to release the pending 10% State matching share and also clear the due/deficit share against the fund re-

Dimapur, February 25 (mexN): The Kuki Students' Organisation, Nagaland will start touring of Kuki villages and Kuki inhabited towns to interact with GBs, VCCs, VECs from February 26. The tour is being conducted on account of the upcoming Golden Jubilee cum General Conference - 2016 slated to be held in the month of December at Ahthibung Town, Peren, a KSON press note informed.

leased by the Government of India (GoI) at the earliest so that the State mission authority, SSA can arrange the requisite documents and pursue for the 2nd installment of 2015-16 financial year.

The association pointed out that due to “delay tactics and unresponsive attitude” of the Finance department, Nagaland was yet to receive the 2nd installment for 2015-16 financial year while other States have already received their share.

At the same time, it has reminded the State government to strictly follow the Project Approval Board (PAB) guidelines for release of funds which is -within 15

days of the release of funds by the GoI, the State government has to transfer entire amount to the implementing agency. The State government also has to deposit its % share within 30 days of receipt of the central contribution.

The association said if the State government and its implementing agency sincerely adhere to the PAB guidelines of funding procedure, then the problem of irregular payment of salary would not arise at all.

It also put in a word of caution that the patience of the teachers has been running beyond tolerance and “may burst out if delayed further.”

Dimapur, February 25 (mexN): The Konyak Union Kohima (KUK) has demanded strict punishment for the culprits involved in the February 21 murder of Rahul Dey in Kohima.

A press note from KUK President, T Ngamjok Konyak and General Secretary, YT Manlem Konyak

said that two of the four accused are from Mon distric and were residents of New Secretariat, Kohima.

While identifying them as Ngamphong Konyak hailing from Totok Chingha village and Hantong Konyak hailing from Chinglong village, the KUK appealed the authorities to give them the appropriate

punishment as per the law.

Extending support and sympathy to the bereaved family, the KUK further cautioned its members not to indulge in criminal activities. “Failure to heed the Union directive such individual, group and others shall be solely or otherwise, bear the responsibility at their own cost.”

KSON to tour villages

Former Parliamentary Secretary Er. Saku Aier laid to rest Dimapur, February 25 (mexN): The mortal remain of late Er. Saku Aier was finally laid to rest today at his native village Lakhuni under Mangkolemba sub-division in Mokokchung district.

After a prolong illness late Er. Saku Aier, a former Parliamentary Secretary and founder of SM College

passed away in the early morning of February 24 at Zion Hospital, Dimapur.

A funeral service was held on the same day at his private residence in PWD colony, Dimapur after which his mortal remain was taken to his native village Lakhuni on the evening of February 24.

The final funeral service today at his native village was chaired by Pastor, Lakhuni Baptist Church while the invocation was pronounced

by Rev. Alem; Pastor, Alongtaki Baptist Church.

People from all walks of life attended the funeral service including Changdang Village Council mem-

bers; Changdang Baptist Arogo;Alem Meren, President of Japukong Senso Mungdang; Imtiwabang, ADC Mangkolemba; Moatoshi, retired Director of Land Resources Department; and Tiameren, former minister of 30th Alongtaki A/C. Speaking at the funeral, Tiameren Aier described

late Er. Aier was a sensible, dedicated worker and a man of principle who entered into politics to serve the people tirelessly.

Late Er. Saku's vision was serving of God's mission by educating and deploying youngsters and his involvement in religious activities noted by all, he added.

Public SPace

Setso Liegise, the Prince of Naga Crooners: An Obituary Kethoser (Aniu) Kevichusa

T

here was a time when Naga bands were typically formed by teenage friends coming together – just for the love of music and the celebration of friendship.

Because friendship is talentblind, every band inevitably contained discrepancies and weak links in terms of the musical abilities among band members. Usually, the least talented, the least skilful, and the least impressive ended up being – the vocalist.

It was Setso Liegise who almost singlehandedly (or, more precisely, ‘singlemouthedly’) changed this ‘Naga tradition’ and brought the vocalist back to where he or she belongs – the centre stage.

As vocalist of a number of Naga and Indian bands brimming with gifted musicians, Setso was still, always, able to keep the focus of a concert where it should be – the songs being sung.

Setso was, and will always be, the finest singer of my generation.

Although he was a vocalist in a number of popular rock and heavy metal bands, and was extremely versatile both in range and repertoire, Setso was essentially a soloist, a crooner, and a troubadour. The hopeless romantic that he was, he was at his most soulful element when singing ballads.

Having known him since childhood, Setso was an ever gentle, generous, and sensitive soul. Although extremely intelligent and informed, well spoken and articulate, he was not someone who obnoxiously hogged the limelight or dominated

conversations. In fact, he was often the hapless butt of many of his friends’ ruthless jokes. He got the limelight on stage, but gave it to others off it.

Setso’s life is also a vivid and exaggerated picture of what we all are as humans – created gloriously and gifted handsomely, yet deeply and helplessly flawed. He was never able to fully overcome certain habits of nature and nurture, and remained unhealthily dependent on one unhelpful substance or another throughout most of his life.

But the ‘stuff of earth’ that pulled him downward also pushed him upward to God. Setso knew and experienced God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy – and responded to and related with God in his own way, as best as he knew how, warts and all.

In a way, Setso was a prodigal son of sorts. He did not necessarily live or play by the religious rules, but he still knew and related with God, his ‘Father’ – unlike some of us, legalistic ‘elder brothers’, who keep all the rules but neither know God as ‘Father’ or one another as ‘brother’.

Setso passed away peacefully at Oking Hospital, following a brain haemorrhage. He was 42. He leaves behind his mom and his wife. He leaves for us his songs.

Setso the Prodigal has returned home. Heaven, they say, has music.

It is one more singer the richer.

‘Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!’

– Hamlet (William Shakespeare) Setso Liegise, 14 September 1973 – 24 February 2016. Requiescat in pace.

Rio clarifies on allegations in media Neiphiu Rio

stead of B.A. Pass course advertently issued by picture supported with about the error more so they ticked B.A. (Hon.).

Kohima College.

While all the documents which in view of the fact that am deeply pained at After the said provisionsigning the papers/afled to the error committhere was no complaint the various allegations al certificate was issued fidavit I had no reason ted by the Kohima Colpending against me from appearing in the meit was placed in the file to believe that this error lege and also the corriany person. It may be dia regarding my eduand the error that had had crept in and, theregendum issued by them. worthwhile to point out cational qualification. An inadvertently crept in fore, accordingly the pa7.

It appears that the Deputy that in all the edition of unfortunate picture is porwent unnoticed. Therepers were sent to the reChief Electoral Officer, Who’s Who publication trayed in the press that I had after, the Nagaland Legturning officer.

Nagaland on 17.10.2015, of Nagaland Legislative deliberately procured a B.A. islative Assembly elec6.

The error committed in the forwarded these docuAssembly since 1989 till (Hon.) certificate from Kotions were held in the provisional certificate by ments along with my afdate, my qualification is hima College on 04.12.2012. year 2013 whereupon Kohima College came fidavit to the Commisshown as B.A. Pass in my Therefore, to set the record all entries made in the to my knowledge in Ocsioner, Nagaland with a profile/bio-data. Even in right it is my solemn obliganomination paper/aftober, 2015 and pursucopy to the Deputy Comthe bio-data submitted tion to make this requisite fidavit submitted to the ant to the same I issued missioner and District to the Lok Sabha my edclarification. returning officer was a communication dated Election Officer, Kohima ucational qualification supervised by my Per08.10.2015 wherein I for information. Till such is shown as B.A. and not 1. I graduated from the Kohisonal Secretary who have categorically intime there was not even a B.A. (Hon) Political Scima Arts College, NEHU, was attached to me for formed them that “I have complaint against me. In ence. In the detailed Perin the year 1978. over a decade, and who studied and graduated the RTI application dated forma in the Lok Sabha 2. In the year 2012, since my was well aware of my from Kohima College in 08.12.2015 it appears that dated 11.06.2014 my eddegree certificate could qualifications. Therethe year 1978 under roll a question was raised as ucational qualification not be traced, my office fore, he supervised the no. 436. I did not take to whether I had made has been shown as B.A. had requested the Koentries in the educaHonours in the Politiany application for obIf at all I was trying to give hima College authoritional qualification colcal Science as entered in taining Political Science a false picture about my ties to issue a provisional umn correctly as B.A. the document attached.

Honours Certificate. The educational qualificadegree certificate and Pass as was done in all You are requested to recresponse given in the RTI tion then even in these accordingly the provimy previous elections. I tify the error and issue a is as under: “No applicarecords I would have sional certificate was iswould like to point out correct one at the earlition for Political Science shown that I had passed sued by the College datthat those who were est.” On 09.10.2015, the Honours Certificate was B.A. (Hon.) and not B.A., ed 04.12.2012 which was spreading this misinforKohima College issued received.” This fact has something which I have kept in our records. mation against me have a corrigendum clarifybeen willfully suppressed. never done.

3. No request was made not adverted to this fact. ing that the B.A. (Hon.) On 28.01.2016 the con- 9. I hope this clarification givwhatsoever to issue a certificate issued to me cerned officer even sent en by me will put to rest provisional certificate 5. In the meanwhile I contested the Lok Sabha on 04.12.2012 had an inthese communications the matter and if anybody mentioning my qualifielections 2014. On advertent error and that to the Principal Secretary, still derives pleasure in cation as B.A. (Hon.).

19.03.2014 I submitted I had actually cleared Election Commission of creating confusion they 4. In the said provisional certhe requisite documents B.A. and not B.A. with India with a copy to the are welcome to do so as tificate in the second line along with the affidavit Political Science as menSecretary, Election ComI have satisfied my conit is mentioned that “appertaining to my edutioned in the provisional mission of India. science and I stand by my peared in the B.A. (New/ cational qualification.

Certificate. On receipt of 8. In the first place, if there is statement. To my detracPart-II Pass Course/ Those who supervised these details I submitted any iota of truth in this tors, whoever they may Honours in …………. the details of the typed an affidavit to the Chief then there was no nebe, I have no misgivings Examinations),” it apentries went by the erElection Officer, Nagacessity for me to inform against them and I wish pears that at the time of roneous certificate inland giving the factual the College authorities them well. issuing the certificate in-

I

The Morung Express “Public Space” is to provide space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

6

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 54 By eyingbeni Humtsoe-Nienu

This World is not your Toilet

B

y now, most people must feel disgust at an Additional District Magistrate in Allahabad urinating on the confluence of the three rivers considered sacred by Hindus – The Triveni Sangam. “What a filthy act!” So would a lot of people watching it on national TV say. To make matters worse, he was shown wearing a “Clean Ganga” campaign shirt. What an unholy alliance between his attention grabbing act and his garb! But don’t throw him to the gallows of shame just yet.

In my previous place of service, outside Nagaland, I observed quite a disturbing behavior similar to the one above.

After one solemn outdoor ceremony, I was greatly surprised to notice that young men were rushing for the trees. I thought, for once, that the ceremony was not over and that a surprise element was awaited. What I realized was no less a major surprise though not of a pleasant kind. Who would enjoy the sight of young men urinating behind trees in the presence of many other folks? I for one was not at all amused and had to bring it up to the youth who were clearly oblivious to the gravity of their supposedly normal habit.

Back home, I am forced to believe that men do consider the whole world as their toilet. It’s common to see men alight from public conveyances, usually halfway through their destinations, and lining up beside the main road to do their thing.

One can only wonder if showing their backs excuses them from such crude exhibitionism. Drunks in broad daylight will shamelessly empty their bladders anywhere, including their own pants! Towns greet us with unsightly stinky corners created by males. Government urinals frequented by men are usually left unusable, especially by women.

In Naga village context, usually every home has a covered structure to relieve themselves. Also, every passerby, guided by the principle of “your toilet is my toilet,” is free to use anybody’s urinal. In the towns there is rarely that sort of camaraderie at work. In most cases, public buildings like shopping centers, offices and institutions lack free access to restroom facilities. They’re usually locked and key is accessible only to staff. In such a situation, women are compelled to hold it and men, well, they’ve the whole world at their disposal – anything they presume hides their urinal anatomy is deemed ideal for doing their business.

The health hazards associated with such practice needs no repetition. Moreover, in a bladder emergency other’s health is naturally judged as of least concern compared to the health risk posed to the one in crisis. But also the distress caused to the one holding it is so grave one would wish to close the eyes and leak it anywhere. Either way, public hygiene per se is not treated with seriousness by the general Nagas. But creative sanitation campaigns connected to the murder of aesthetic appeal would possibly work especially on style conscious, perfume heaping, fairness crème splattering Naga boys and young men.

For the rest of the populace also, the Swacch Bharat program should not be limited to cleaning streets, rivers, offices, and constructing home toilets. They’re all commendable initiatives in poverty stricken and civic sense deficient country like India. But basic facilities for human convenience like decent restrooms should be made available along highways and all other roadways that stretch to reasonable distance. Towns need to have adequate public toilets for both men and women, equipped with ample water supply.

Even after all that, for all those who openly urinate in public spaces, the penalty could be well paid by exacting appropriate fines and/or making them do “social work.”

The author is faculty at Clark Theological College and is available at: eyingtsoe@rediffmail.com

lEfT wiNg |

Maggie Black New Internationalist

Why don’t they go and look?

O

friDAY 26•02•2016

IN FOCUS

ne of the best moments in the Oscar-nominated movie The Big Short is when a couple of those who are beginning to realize that the US mortgage business has become a Ponzi scheme actually go out to see what is happening on the ground, where people live. They discover a contagion of ‘for sale’ boards and mortgage default: the evidence of the coming 2007 crash was there if you went to look.

If only leading international development experts had the same instinct. Too often, they never go near the situations of poverty which form the rationale and underpinning of their entire career. ‘I used to go to “the village” 20 years ago,’ one such professional remarked to me. ‘I don’t need to do that any more.’ Why not? Is every ‘village’ in Africa or India the same?

Today, not just the bureaucrats, consultants and ‘knowledge hub’ commentariat, but even regular programme staff spend less and less time troubling themselves with visits to ‘the field’. That is not how to climb the aid-industry career ladder. They will do better by attending a meeting in the Nairobi Marriott or the Dhaka Hilton on ‘bottleneck analysis’ or ‘resilience theory’.

How do you justify claiming a fee of $800 a day to assess or analyse poverty-reduction policies and practices when you never go near any person who is living on the proverbial $2 a day or less? It should be mandatory – if it is not self-imposed, which it clearly is not – for people whose work is paid for out of official and NGO aid budgets to spend a few days a year in a really dreadful slum, with filth at their feet and stink in their nostrils, before they presume to descant upon the prospects of ending poverty any time soon.

Assuming, that is, they are capable of engaging the brain while suffering such discomfort. If they manage that, it would become self-evident that the prospects of ‘eradicating extreme poverty’ or ‘ending hunger’ in 15 years’ time – the headliners among the new list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals – are totally unrealizable.

All the maths and graphs and pie-charts about world-poverty trends cannot substitute for common sense. In many cities in Asia, Africa and Latin America, proportions of between 30 and 90 per cent of residents are living in slums and illegal shanty-towns. Many of them eat only once a day. Few have regular jobs: they live hand-to-mouth in the informal snackfood and plastic-bag economy.

If we are to believe the nonsense that we have eradicated half of extreme poverty in the last 15 years, these slums would be dwindling. Instead, they are growing. Even where bulldozers erase them, new ones spring up elsewhere. How do the experts explain this phenomenon? They don’t. The statistics they crunch are more comfortable allies than the spectacle of misery and marginalization the statistics ought to represent – but never do.

Today’s practitioners of international development spend more and more time and resources at further and further remove from the reality of what they are addressing. They want to improve lives en masse by attending to the ‘upstream’ policy environment in donor talking-shops. There are moments when one wonders if anything coming out of those exercises seriously impacts the ‘downstream’ environment in both town and countryside where people are trying to survive.

Next time they say they have halved extreme poverty, why don’t they go and look? One day, when they have miraculously computed poverty away, they may finally realize the absurdity of their claims.

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C O M M E N T A R Y

Lisa Herzog

Can ‘effective altruism’ really change the world?

We must transform the world, not simply make choices that appear to be rational within the current global order

L

et’s imagine you have some spare cash to give away and you want to do something useful with your money.

Should you spend it on food for starving children or vaccinations in refugee camps? Mosquito nets or courses in financial literacy? Animal rights at home or carbon off-setting in Latin America? Or a ballet school for disadvantaged kids from a slum because you’ve always liked to dance, and beauty helps to fight the ugliness of the world?

Whatever your whims or good intentions, there will be lots of organizations that tell you to support their cause because it’s the most important or urgent or compelling. But a new movement called ‘effective altruism’ claims that there’s a more neutral and ‘scientific’ approach to the thorny questions of philanthropy.

Promoted by philosophers like Peter Singer, William MacAskill and others (along with Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz), the basic premise of this movement is simple: when people want to give money to good causes, they should try to do so in the most effective way. ‘So much more could be done,’ argue the effective altruists, to help those who are ‘less fortunate’ in the ‘natural lottery’ of where and when they are born. This approach leads naturally to a focus on saving lives in lower-income countries where conditions are most acute.

But there’s no agreed or universal definition of ‘most effective’ in the world of social change: how do you measure, let alone compare, the impact of regime change in a dictatorship, for example, the reduction of factory farming, and better schooling in rural India? Can you even put a price tag on such things when relatively simple metrics like “quality-adjusted life years” (this movement’s favourite measurement) lead to huge controversy among philosophers and economists? And even if these thorny issues could be resolved, is it realistic to expect people to spend large amounts of time evaluating every different option, or does this make the exercise of morality too burdensome?

Although the effective altruists are asking serious questions about what it means to be a moral agent, they seem to be missing something essential about the world in which we live: they don’t look at the structures of society that are in most urgent need of transformation. In that sense, the key issue is not that this movement is too demanding, but that it doesn’t demand enough.

Effective altruism starts from a picture in which individuals with money to spare choose between different options in order to ‘maximize their utility’—to do what gives them the greatest satisfaction according to a narrow definition of what that means.

This is the same picture that one finds in many economics textbooks, except that in most economic models, utility only encompasses self-interest. By contrast, in effective altruism it includes the wellbeing of other people, animals, and the environment.

What’s missing from this picture is something deep and important about human life: the ways in which social structures shape people’s decisions, habits and preferences. The concept of ‘econom-

ic man’ has often been criticized for being utterly unrealistic: human beings are far less rational than utility theory suggests, and they have a far broader range of motivations. How they behave depends on the social settings in which they find themselves.

There’s also something deeply consumerist about this approach, in which people pick ways of spending their money just as they are supposed to pick the best value-for-money-deal from a menu at a restaurant. It’s also very passive, in the sense that some other organization is expected to bring about the wellbeing of people or animals for you. There’s no close connection between giving and action, no active engagement with problems or solutions. This is an abstract, technical transaction.

But being a moral agent means much more than donating money to far-away places, important as that may be. As philosophers from Aristotle to Hegel and Marx have argued, and as the best evidence about human nature from history and psychological research confirms, human beings are social and political animals. They live in social structures that are inherited from the past. Habits, narratives, and emotions play an important role in maintaining these structures, which are undergirded by formal institutions and practices including those that regulate access to property rights and power.

What matters for a good human life, in which basic needs are met and individuals have some autonomy, is that these institutions and practices function to the advantage of every person, now and in the future. But most existing institutions are defective in this respect. They serve small elites, exploit the environment, and keep large numbers of people in poverty and inequality.

Such institutions are very difficult to change, not only because human beings are creatures of habit, but also because there are powerful vested interests that want to keep the current order in place.

But they are not set in stone. They are designed and maintained by human beings, and it is up to us, collectively, to re-order them. Because of its focus on the ‘rational choices’ of individuals within the current system, this is the point that effective altruism misses or ignores.

If social structures are taken as given, then individuals are powerless: each person faces a system that functions according to its own logic. Therefore, the only thing that people can do is to spend some of their money to help repair the worst damage that’s done by this system in parts of the world that need immediate assistance. This is the underlying assumption of Singer and his colleagues: they take the current institutional order as given, implicitly denying that it can be transformed.

The individualistic bias of effective altruism is important here. We seldom change institutions and

practices on our own. Instead, we need to develop ties of solidarity with others. And we have to use our knowledge and agency to bring about change collectively. From this perspective, morality is not about picking and choosing charities from an armchair; it’s about trying to become a force for change in daily life, and supporting whatever cause we can contribute to actively, passionately, and in ways that can create institutions and practices in line with our moral values and ideals.

Struggles against climate change and global inequality are striking examples of how we all participate in structures that urgently need to be transformed. Both in our private and in professional lives, each person can take responsibility for reducing emissions, raising awareness, and pushing for change—not only by donating money but also by changing the institutions and practices that keep us tied up in a carbon-intense, unjust economic system.

This alternative approach has one thing in common with effective altruism—it can be very demanding: we can’t simply go on living our lives, but instead must take responsibility for the world around us. What’s different is that it acknowledges the need to transform the underlying structures of self and society if change is going to be effective.

Therefore, one of our greatest responsibilities is to address the structures of capitalism-gone-wild that are doing so much harm. This is one of the observations that Angus Deaton, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, makes about the effective altruism movement.

The picture of the economy that has been built on the model of utility-maximizing individuals implies that—as jobholders—people are supposed to obey orders and earn money. They are not obliged to take active responsibility for what they do in their organizational roles by asking whether the structures and practices of the economy are compatible with their moral principles. But people are moral and political agents whatever their roles and positions. We are all responsible for doing what we can to repair the ship on which we are sailing, plank by plank by plank.

This doesn’t mean that people should stop donating money, and when they do it’s important to ask what they support and why. The effective altruists are right to raise that question. But when we look for answers to it we have to evaluate the causes of the problems that concern us, and pay attention to the ways in which different actions help or hinder the development of new institutions, challenge power structures, and strengthen the moral and civic capacities of individuals who are disenfranchised and exploited. That's the only way that altruism could ever be effective in the transformation of society.

In this journey from emaciation to emancipation

“People may dub me as a coward.

And selfish, or stupid once I am gone. I am not bothered about what I am called. I don’t believe in after-death stories, ghosts, or spirits. If there is anything at all I believe, I believe that I can travel to the stars. And know about the other worlds.” – Rohith Vemula’s Suicide Note (Jan 17, 2016).

“I

write this as a warning to the world,” thundered Wilfred Burchett; while reporting about Atomic Plague in Hiroshima, Japan (August 6, 1945). I presume this is the only sentence Rohith Vemula missed out in his suicide note.

They say he committed suicide. No. It was a clear case of systemic murder.

Hailing from Guntur, Rohith always cleared the entrance exam for the programme of his choice in the open category (OC). Almost all the universities in this country have the tendency to label students with certain markers like * (SC), ** (ST), *** (Physically Challenged), # (OBC) among others, to ridicule students entering houses of learning. Very few students in the entire country clear CSIR and/or UGC research fellowships.

Such is Rohith’s academic brilliance. He cleared both. And, what stance did the system take? Nip such brilliance at the

bud. He was committed about social issues so much so that he relinquished his pursuit of becoming a scientist and became a social scientist. And what have we done? Just gave him an exit point in the form of death.

His death is not just a sign of one person’s anguish at having been institutionally ostracised and resorted to what the dominant social order would call an extreme step. It is also symbolic of punishment meted out to curtail, pin down, and dissolve the growing assertions the oppressed have made to existing knowledge systems and the norms producing them.

No wonder cutting across sections, regions, classes, castes and tribes; sensitive people are with Rohith and the cause. Why else would people from Sema, Angami, Ao, Lotha, Konyak, Tangkhul, Chakhesang among many of our fellow Nagas get concerned and agitated? There are no immediate answers. In his suicide note, resonating Walter Benjamin (one of the greatest Jewish thinkers and an anti-fascist, who also committed suicide), Rohith mentioned: “My birth is my fatal accident. I can never recover from my childhood loneliness.”

Behind this violence survives the

grand brahmanic design trying to promote a Karmic order through Dharmic rituals of passage – which is to decide the contours of an individual’s capacities based on their birth into a community. This parasitic design has its centres of militia when it comes to propagating ‘their order’ as ‘the order’ in all the four estates of democracy; viz;, Legislative, Executive, Judiciary and our very own Press.

W h ile tragic deaths of the oppressed are quite evident, the Indian Universities top the list when it comes to latent scheming of plots against aspiring students from the Bahujan composite i.e. the Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, and allied Minority communities.

The oppressed have for centuries shouldered this violence from the oppressive castes who claim ownership over life, limb, and land. At times the oppressed had to surrender. Most times, they fought back and became martyrs of their communities. This has been the untold history of the Bahujans; a history of injustice; a history of struggle. For centuries these assertions were embodied in various forms, and sometimes, by killing the self to symbolize their right over their body and loosen the oppressor’s control and tutelage.

In this journey, from emaciation to

wRiTE-wiNg

emancipation; education played a critical role for the oppressed in pursuing livelihoods that were deemed by brahmanical agents as ‘unlike’ them. The oppressed pursued nevertheless, taking giant strides as they explored, challenged conventional and conservative ideas, and produced new knowledge systems not just for them, but even for the oppressors. The most scientific, social, and just ideas of cohabitation and cooperation have emerged from the Bahujans’ experience and teleology. While the brahmanic order is meant to oppress the Bahujan one is meant to liberate.

Being an alumnus of University of Hyderabad, I must confess that my visits proved to be very eerie. By taking his life, he created an emotion that the rest of us are lifeless and hopeless beings.

A mere look at Rohith’s Smaraka Stupa is Kafkaesque. There lie reminiscences of a person who wrestled with his own self and the system. He loved to study ‘stars,’ and aspired to become a science writer but ended his life abruptly. Rohith may not have studied the stars, but he definitely did trigger the star wars.

Bhargav Nimmagadda is a doctoral scholar from University of Hyderabad. He worked with as a journalist with an English national daily. As a researcher, he presented papers and chaired seminars in many national and international avenues.

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

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

FriDAY 26•02•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Boutros Boutros-Ghali turning point in the Un Roberto Savio

I

7

Uneducated Women Entrepreneurs Defeat Poverty Aliya Bashir

Inter Press Service

t is no coincidence that Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the only Secretary General in the history of the United Nations able to serve only one term instead of the two that have become traditional. The United States vetoed his re-election, in spite of the favourable vote of the other members of the Security Council.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who died on February 16, was considered too independent. We have now forgotten that at the request of the Americans, in 1992 he authorized, a United Nations intervention in Somalia, run by an American general, whose aim was to distribute $90 million in food and aid to the former Italian colony, that had been shaken by an internal conflict between local warlords.

The intervention cost $900 million in military expenditure, and ended with the downing of two Black Hawk helicopters, and the tragic death of 18 American soldiers, dragged into the streets of Mogadishu.

An obvious expedient for the US was to place the blame on Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who became the scapegoat during the US electoral campaign.

Bill Clinton referred to him in his campaign, calling him BoooBoooGhali, and an agreement was made with the then US Ambassador to the United Nations, Madeline Albright, to get rid of him, in exchange for becoming the US Secretary of State.

I traveled on the same flight to Paris with Boutros Boutros-Ghali, just after he left the UN (only the Italian ambassador went to say goodbye at the airport), and I remember the ease with which, when we arrived at the immigration queue, he went to the Non EU line, in spite of a policeman inviting him to the diplomatic exit. He said, my friend those times are gone, now I am a citizen just like you. And when we took a taxi, he had to dissuade the driver, who was an Egyptian, that he should pay even though the driver did not want to accept money from him.

The fact is, he was not popular at the UN. He was very strict, very private (he never attended a reception), and he was very aloof. He was, in reality, a professor of International Law, which was his real interest in life. And he did not enjoy socializing very much.

He was suddenly alert when he met somebody with a personality, or an unusual person. But he saw the world of the UN as too pompous and formal.He always prefered a book to a diplomat. But if you could become his friend, you would find a very ironic and amusing mind, with a striking intellectual depth, and a shy human warmth.

He came from a traditional Egyptian orthodox family, who had been very rich, until President Gamal Abdel Nasser started the process of state nationalizations. He considered that because of his background, he could not be conditioned by power. He was a Copt, married to a strong and intelligent Jewish Egyptian, Leila, and he was able to make a career up to the level of Secretary of State, while maintaining his tenure at the University. When he was vetoed by the US for a second mandate, he told me: Americans do not want you to say yes: they want you to say yes, sir.

He never forgot his identity. He spoke of himself as an Arab, and he openly wondered if he would have been given the same treatment had he been white and American or European. He sympathized with what he called the underdogs and the exploited, and he tried to make the United Nations once again, a place of global governance. We have to remember that when he became Secretary General, in January 1992, the UN was at the end of a long process of decline, initiated under Reagan, in 1981.

In 1973, for the first time in history, the General Assembly unanimously approved a global plan of governance, which made international cooperation the basis for all its actions. Out of this plan, for instance, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido) was created. Even a Summit

M

of Heads of States was held in Cancun, Mexico, in 1981, to advance a New Economic Order. It was the first outside visit of the newly elected American President, and he made immediately clear that the days of the UN were finished. The US would not accept to be straightjacketed into a democratic mechanism, where its vote had the same weight as that of Montecarlo (he probably intended Monaco). The US become rich thanks to trade, and his slogan was trade, not aid. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was part of the Cancun Summit, and a new alliance based on making markets and free movement of capital became the new basis for international relations.

From 1981 to 1992, the world changed dramatically, not only because of the collapse of a bilateral world, with the end of the Soviet Union, but because the winners took literally the end of communism as a mandate for a capitalism unencumbered by any governance.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali was not a left wing person.

But he felt how the big powers were marginalizing the UN. The two engines of globalization, finance and trade, were already running outside of the organization. He spoke about this trend based on national interest with the concern of an Arab, and the distaste of a professor of International Law. He made a strong effort from the beginning of his term as Secretary General, establishing an Agenda for Peace, a strong juridical document with a clear role for the UN, which was conveniently ignored by the great powers.

He proceeded to hold a number of extraordinary conferences, from the Climate Change Conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 (the basis of the path to Paris), to the Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, the Conference on Population in Cairo in 1994, and the Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995, and the Beijing Conference on Women in the same year.

In all those conferences, the US and the other great powers had to bow down to the rules of international democracy, and accept resolutions and plan of actions that they would gladly have avoided.

When finally, they got rid of him, in 1996, the decline of the UN started again. Even Kofi Annan, who was chosen to succeed Boutros Boutros-Ghali on Madeline Albright’s request, eventually fell into disgrace, because he tried to keep a measure of independence in his actions. Now the UN has no funds for action, and has become a dignified Red Cross International, left with education, health, food, children and other humanitarian concerns, far away from the real sources of money and power.

The Millennium Development Goals, adopted with great fanfare by the Head of States of the world in 2000, would cost less than 5% of the world’s military expenses. The five permanent members of the Security Council are responsible for the international trade of 82% of weapons, and its legitimacy for military intervention is a blanket conveniently used according to the circumstances. The sad situation of Iraq, Syria and Libya is a case in point. And the great powers have not hidden their agenda of moving the debate on governance away from the UN. The Group of Seven has become the Group of 20, and the World Economic Forum a more important space for exchange than the General Assembly.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali viewed the decline of the UN with regret. He went into positions which were consistent with his concerns. He become Secretary General of the International Francophone Organization, where again he had trouble with the French, because he wanted to make alliances with other Latin language countries, as he had a cultural view and not merely linguistic one of the world. He then became Commissioner for Human Rights in Egypt, and he did not deviate from his overall political view by becoming the Honorary President of the European Centre for Peace and Development, an organization created by the General Assembly, based in Belgrade, that has played a unique role in creating academic cooperation all over the Balkans and other countries of Eastern and Central Europe.

In this centre he found the place where his ideals for justice and peace, development and cooperation, were still vibrant and active. He died right at the moment of clashes between the fundamentalists of Islam and the others. He tried to draw attention to this problem that he had clearly seen coming, and he leaves a world where his ideas and his views have become too noble for a world where nationalism, xenophobia and conflict have become the main actors in international relations.

It is time now to look more closely at those ideas and ideals, and less at Boutros Boutros-Ghali as a human being, with its inevitable flaws and shortcoming which is also as he would want to be remembered.

With him, we lived through what looks to have been the last great moment of the United Nations, with international law as e basis for cooperation and action.

Roberto Savio, founder and president emeritus of the Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency and publisher of Other News.

FUll circlE injUsticE

W

e lived through some turbulent times in my student days, during the late sixties and early seventies. The first elected communist government in West Bengal gave birth to the Naxalites, a splinter group of ultra-radical Marxists. Being branded Naxalite then, as now, gave the police then and para military forces now, the freedom to shoot a 'suspected' Naxalite in the back. It was called an encounter-killing.

People who lived through those times remember it with great sadness.

Thousands of young Bengali students were killed in the attempt to crush Naxalism. It touched us because it was not something happening far away in the jungles of central India. Murder and mayhem were a regular occurrence in our lanes and by-lanes. There were pitched battles between students and the police. Bombs, guns, knives and explosions were commonplace.

While I sympathized with the movement for justice, I could not condone the brainless violence. Ordinary constables were stabbed to death on an almost daily basis. The Calcutta government which had nurtured the Naxalite movement in the first place now decided it was out of control and swooped down with all the might of the state. To call it a heavy hand is to be euphemistic. Police mowed down the rebellious youth of West Bengal mercilessly. Predictably. Nowhere in the world can you kill a policeman with impunity.

Yet anyone remotely interested in justice, sympathized with the cause.

And the Bengali middle classes were the intelligentsia of India. Well-read and

Wall painting in Jawaharlal Nehru University, based on Picasso's Guernica mural.

articulate, they took pride in being informed beyond mere crass commerce and profiteering. Everyone knew that the students had been inspired to fight the rampant corruption and injustice heaped on our desperately impoverished peasantry by talk of revolution, both the Russian and Chinese variety.

While students didn’t really like to think of bloodshed and violence, many were brainwashed into participating in both. They were anti-establishment.

Slogans were predictable. Down with the government. Down with the bourgeoisie. Iconoclasts had a field day.

Everyone was a filthy neo-colonial,

exploitative bastard, from Gandhi to Tagore to almost every hero the country ever had.

We've come full circle. Anyone branded a terrorist or Naxalite can be spirited away, no questions asked.

There's a reign of terror in many parts of the country. Poor adivasis are caught in the cross fire between hooligans who call themselves Naxalites and the para military forces. Both groups often rape, torture and murder them with impunity. In the fight against terror, innocent Muslim boys are rounded up and imprisoned in the anti-terrorist operations.

Last week, a student leader Kanhai-

Mari Marcel Thekaekara New Internationalist

ya Kumar, was arrested and charged with sedition in Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University. The university has always been the epicentre of student politics and protest. Experts have written that to voice dissent is not sedition. At any rate, our sedition law is a relic of our colonial past enacted to jail freedom fighters during the battle for independence. It’s ironic that we should continue with this archaic law when Gandhi and Nehru urged us to revolt against it.

To make matters worse, students, teachers and journalists were viciously attacked and beaten up in the court complex and inside the court. The police refused to intervene while a mob rushed at them. More than 800 journalists have written to the Chief Justice of India, complaining of gross violation of their fundamental rights to report on court proceedings without fear of being beaten up.

While the sedition charges were dropped, the country awaits the Supreme Court verdict. There have been myriad articles, analyzing the pros and cons of the case. Can students shout anti-government slogans? Apparently that’s not sedition eminent lawyers tell us. False evidence, doctored video footage has been put up to incriminate the students, say news reports. It’s a shame that we as a country appear to be regressing on the human rights front, even while the government talks about a galloping economy.

Sadly, some things never change.

The silver lining is that it’s good to see students protesting seriously against injustice again. Hope springs eternal.

Inter Press Service

aryam Yousuf, 50, gently washes her hands under a common tap outside her house in Saida Kadal, a grassy middle-class locale encircled by the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir’s capital. She puts on a Pheran, the traditional long loose gown, and holding a large steel bucket walks towards a dimly-lit cowshed, made up of wooden shingles, in a corner of her home backyard. Nearby, children are playing cricket, flaunting wooden sticks as bats, and a flock of chicken cluck and nibble at left-over vegetables.

As the milk squirts into the bucket, Maryam says she can’t forget the day when her husband sold all the three cows after she had fallen ill. As a mark of protest, she didn’t eat food for three days. “My cows are very dear to me. They are like my children and when he sold them, I told him to give me back my identity”, she said. Her husband not only brought back the cows, he even purchased another one for her. “It was not less than Eid (an Islamic festival) for me,” added Maryam who has trodden the path of entrepreneurship as a dairy farmer for the last 30 years.

In this conflict-ridden Himalayan territory, entrepreneurship has witnessed many a metamorphosis. Initially, it was taken up by the educated upper class men who invested their own money to build their fortunes. Then educated women followed and few have made a significant mark over the years. However, what has not been recognised is that many uneducated women are also enthusiastically raising family incomes through micro ventures and reinvesting their earnings in their families and communities. These women also inspire other women in their localities to pursue their dreams through entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

Turning Tragedy into Opportunity In her community, Maryam is considered an inspirational woman who is making money in dairy farming. She believes that no one can stop a woman other than her own self: “We are managers by default. If we can run a house without doing any course, we can run a business too.” Her journey of entrepreneurship started when her husband fell ill due to strenuous work in carpet weaving. She had to look after six children – five sons and a daughter.

She sold off her belongings and started her venture with Rs 2,000 rupees ($ 29). When she first started, Maryam possessed less than one kanal (0.125 acres) of land. Today, she owns three kanals (0.375 acres). Each cow produces 10-18 litres of milk per day and she sells it at a fair price. She also makes cheese, curd, sweets and takes orders on special occasions. Maryam not only generates revenue for her family, she also offers small loans to other women in her community and encourages them to work. She is known by the name of ‘milk woman’. “My children help me to manage the accounts. They respect my struggle in life and owe their achievements to it,” she says.

Maryam earns Rs 8,000 rupees ($117) each month from each cow. From her three cows, she is able to look after her daily needs and add to her savings. She believes that rearing cows is her asset as she is managing everything from her home-based business. “The thing of satisfaction is that I don’t have to depend on my children. I recently married off my elder son without anyone’s help”, she proudly stated.

Building Her Dreams Daulat Begum, 65, is inspired by Maryam’s words of encouragement following her husband’s death. She has been growing a household Kashmiri vegetable, Haakh (Collard Greens) besides several others through conventional farming: animal manures, multi-variety cropping, crop residues, plant nutrients and other natural and sustainable ways of agriculture. Begum’s husband passed away after a brief illness in 1999, leaving behind three daughters and two sons. She took on the entire responsibility of the household on her shoulders as her children were young.

Begum started growing vegetables without anyone’s help and learned by her mistakes. “I didn’t want my children to starve,” she says, while picking vegetables in her garden. “I chose to control my own destiny and became what I wanted to become.” Begum never felt sorry for herself.

Her passion to become economically independent helped her to nurture her dream. She sells vegetables in the bustling market outside her home near the famous Hazratbal shrine of Srinagar city. “Poverty teaches you much in life,” Begum says. “I learnt the hard way.”

Begum resisted family pressure for her decision not to re-marry. “In a close-knit society like ours, independence is often synonymous with opposing moral and cultural values. I had already waged a war against my family,” she said, adding that “I was left with no option other than to struggle alone and push myself hard.” Her memories are fresh with the past struggles when they had nothing to eat for days. But that didn’t deter her and she kept going until she sowed the seeds of her fortune. “I feel so contented not to beg before anyone. People don’t pity me,” Begum says.

“I provide them fresh and healthy food to live a happy life.”

She owns four kanals (0.5 acres) of land and earns more than Rs 15, 000 rupees ($220) on a monthly basis. “I was very shy. I would struggle even talking to men. But today I have no apprehensions. I believe in myself,” Begum emphasised.

Transformational Leaders Kashmir is an agrarian economy with more than 70 per cent of the population depending upon agriculture for their livelihood. Even though grassroots female entrepreneurs like Maryam and Begum are not undertaking their businesses at a commercial level, they are breaking barriers and inspiring other women to become self-reliant. Unlike many working women who are finding it difficult to manage their professional and personal life, Maryam and Begum set an example.

The trend of women entrepreneurs is substantially increasing in Kashmir, says Dr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies at the Central University of Kashmir: “The uneducated women entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, still do not have access to technical and financial support that can give a fillip to their businesses from a domestic to a commercial level.” Dr. Shah has extensively worked in the field of entrepreneurship and published many books and research papers in the field. There are cultural and societal norms that hinder equal participation of women in ventures that men undertake. But women have to contribute to entrepreneurial activities in the best way possible, he argued.

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

8

fRIdAY 26•02•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Sanjay Dutt finally walks out of jail to freedom

MuMbAi/PuNe, FebRuARy 25 (iANs): Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt on Thursday walked free from a Pune prison and returned to his home in Mumbai to a hero's welcome, finally ending 23 years of legal troubles that began when he was found with an assault rifle reportedly linked to the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside his Bandra residence, celebrating with song and dance the return to Bollywood of their favourite hero who has been regaling cinegoers for over 30 years. Manyata, his third wife, their twin kids and sister Priya hugged and kissed him.

"For 23 years, I wanted to taste freedom, and finally the day has come," Sanjay told an army of journalists after reaching his residential building whose gate was adorned with flowers and surroundings featured his posters.

The feeling of being free "is not sinking in", said a tired but visibly happy Sanjay, 56. "I know I will come to terms with it... It still feels like I am out on a furlough or parole. Just to be free is an amazing feeling."

It was at 8.35 a.m. that

Sanjay Dutt with his wife Maanyata Dutt and twins Iqra and Shahraan. (Express Photo)

Sanjay, son of legendary actor couple Sunil and Nargis Dutt, stepped out of the Yerwada Central Jail (YCJ), carrying a large shoulder bag and a small plastic bag. In an emotional moment, he kept the large bag down, turned around to kiss the ground and stood up to salute the Indian tricolour fluttering atop the jail.

Sanjay, whose versatile filmography includes

Julka, 2 other former officials new information commissioners New Delhi, FebRuARy 25 (iANs): Former bureaucrats Bimal Julka and Amitava Bhattacharyya and former police officer Divya Prakash Sinha were on Thursday appointed as information commissioners at the Central Information Commission (CIC), said an official statement.

With their induction, the total number of information commissioners in the CIC including the chief information commissioner has gone upto 11.

Julka, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, last held post of secretary, information and broadcasting, and Bhattacharya was the chairman of the Staff Selection Commission prior to retirement, while Sinha, a former Indian Police Service officer, was secretary, security in the union home ministry. All three of them were administered oaths by the Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur, said the statement.

India's child mortality rate 48 deaths per 1000 births New Delhi, FebRuARy 25 (Pti): India has the third highest child mortality rate among SAARC countries with 48 deaths reported per 1000 live births, Union Women and Child Development minister Maneka Gandhi informed the Rajya Sabha today. According to World Bank data of 2015, country's under-five child mortality rate is 48 deaths per 1000 live births. Afghanistan has the highest rate at 91 followed by Pakistan 81.

"In India, the office of the Registrar General of India regularly releases reliable estimates of child deaths in terms of Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) using data collected through Sample Registration System (SRS)," Gandhi said in a written reply. According to ORGI, the U5MR, estimated as number of child deaths per 1000 live births, was 85, 77, 59, 55, 52 and 49 in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

She said India is also likely to miss the target of reducing U5MR by two-third, though 'narrowly'. "The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) has the goal to reduce by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, the under-five child mortality rate. As per the latest India Country MDG monitoring report titled 'Millennium Development Goals India Country Report 2015', the U5MR was estimated at 125 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990" "In order to achieve the target, U5MR is to be reduced to 42 deaths per 1000 live births by 2015. As per SRS 2013, the U5MR is at 49 deaths per 1000 live births. It is likely to reach 48 deaths per 1000 live births by 2015, missing the target narrowly," the minister said.

"Rocky", "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.", "Dushman", "Haseena Maan Jaayegi", "Vaastav: The Reality", "Parineeta" and "Agneepath", spent 18 months in jail as an undertrial before he was granted bail.

Later, after a Supreme Court order in May 2013, he was sent to YCJ to serve the remaining 42 months of his five-year sentence.

During his jail term, Sanjay came out on parole and

closely aligned to national development plans," he added.

Addressing the issue of decision-making and prioritisation, he said, "A related important issue is that of the governance structures of the funds and programmes where imbalance in the representation of developing and developed countries needs to be addressed."

Taking stock of the development scenario as the UN transitions to the ambitious programme of Agenda 2030, Narang said, "Even as the UN System prepares to rethink its role, it is of utmost importance that it does not slacken its focus on the needs of the poorest and the most deprived."

Laying out the magnitude of the tasks ahead, he quoted Prime Minister

- a former Congress MP -the most.

"If my father was alive, he would have been the most happy person," said the actor, who took a chartered plane from Pune to Mumbai with his family and close friends -- and went straight to the famed Siddhivinayak temple.

From there, he went to pray at his mother's grave first and later folded his hands in front of his father's

New Delhi, FebRuARy 25 (Pti): The Lok Sabha today passed a bill to grant voting rights to people who became citizens of the country following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh, even as the Opposition questioned the delay on part of the government in bringing the measure.

Moving the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 for consideration and passage, Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda urged the members to pass the Bill without delay.

The minister had introduced in the Lok Sabha the Bill to amend Section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and Section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

The Bill was later passed unanimously by a voice vote.

Gowda urged the House to pass the bill in the current session to enable the grant of voting rights to the people in these enclaves.

"EC is already working on it. The central government will provide all assistance to the state so that the people who have come from Bangladesh can be given the basic rights in the upcoming elections in West Bengal," the Minister said. The term of the 294-member West Bengal Assembly ends on May 29 and elections are to be held before that, hence there was a sense of urgency for early passage of the bill.

Congress member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said it was imperative on the part of the government to ensure voting rights to the people, especially when the time was too short due to the impending elections. TMC member Kalyan Banerjee and Shiv Sena's Anandrao Adsul too favoured passing the legislation at the earliest.

Lashing out at the government for "inordinate delay", RSP MP N K Premachandran questioned the reasons for delaying the Bill when the 100th Amendment Constitution Bill was passed in July last year. "Why was the Centre sleeping over it for all this time," he asked.

Echoing Premachandran, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim too questioned the delay on part of the Centre and the state government to expedite the process of granting voting rights to people living in these enclaves.

Supporting the Bill, TDP MP Jayadev Galla said when the government was giving voting rights these citizens, it should also consider giving voting rights to NRIs.

BJP-led government has renamed UPA schemes: Kharge New Delhi, FebRuARy 25 (iANs): Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misleading people by blaming the Congress for disruptions in the parliament and alleged that the government has only renamed several schemes of the previous UPA. Participating in the resumed debate on the motion of thanks on the president's address in the Lok Sabha, he said that several schemes including Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana were a recast of the programmes launched by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance gov-

ernment.

"The old programmes have been brought with new names," Kharge alleged.

Accusing the government of having a "small heart," he said it does not take the opposition along, and termed Modi's remarks about Congress creating obstacles in running of parliament as misleading and inappropriate.

"Stating that Congress creates disturbance is misleading. This is not correct," he said, adding that consensus, not blame game will help the government to run the parliament smoothly.

Kharge said that if the government deviates from constitution

and "walks along with RSS, the country will be destroyed".

"We want to go by the constitution and see that you also go by it," he added.

Kharge contended that several initiatives of the UPA government including the rural employment guarantee act and the food security act had earned universal acclaim, and took digs at Modi for criticising Congress over the former, saying if Modi thinks his stature will grow by running down the opposition, then it is wrong.

"Ridiculing MGNREA is ridiculing the poor," he said.

Modi was present in the house when Kharge spoke.

The Congress leader said government's Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian had said that the rate of poverty reduction achieved from 2005-06 to 2011-12 was the fastest in the history of the country.

He also said that 24 crore accounts had been opened under the basic saving bank deposit account scheme of the UPA government and asked if there was duplication with the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

He alleged that move by BJP state governments to introduce minimum educational qualification for panchayat posts was aimed at keeping weaker sections away from such posts.

SC to hear contempt PIL against 3 violent lawyers New Delhi, FebRuARy 25 (iANs): The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear plea for initiation of contempt proceedings against three lawyers who were caught on camera admitting to have attacked JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and others when he was produced in the Patiala House Court complex last week.

"Let it be listed tomorrow (on Friday) before the bench concerned," said a bench of Chief Justice T.S.Thakur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as counsel Prashant Bhushan mentioned the matter seeking an urgent hearing of the PIL by counsel Kamini Jaiswal.

Bhushan told the court that the bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre has fixed March 10 for the hearing of plea by former JNU student N.D.Jaiprakash on the incident but sought an urgent hearing of the PIL also seeking SIT probe into it.

'Donor priorities should not override poverty compulsions' uNiteD NAtioNs, FebRuARy 25 (iANs): Demanding an "unrelenting focus on poverty eradication," India has said that the selective priorities of donor countries should not override the national development plans and needs of countries fighting poverty.

"Externally imposed prescriptions should be avoided and national policy space respected," Amit Narang, a counsellor at India's UN mission, told the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Wednesday.

"We clearly cannot talk of balanced implementation of an integrated agenda and yet have funding structures and functional implementation that responds to selective donor priorities."

"The UN system must also be responsive to and

furlough multiple times, leading to questions on preferential treatment.

Bollywood celebrated too. His friends from the film fraternity accorded a warm welcome. Sanjay is looking forward to being back on screen soon - and his own life story is set to be brought on celluloid by Rajkumar Hirani.

"I'm proud to be an Indian," said Sanjay, adding he was missing his father

portrait at his residence.

Manyata, his third wife, their twin children Iqra and Shahran, sister and ex-MP Priya Dutt and close friends were by his side.

Sanjay's fans were all over. They showered their love with garlands when he made his way to his house through a sea of admirers who raised their smartphones in the air to capture the moment.

Security was tight, with some of superstar Salman Khan's bodyguards deployed for Sanjay.

Near his home, a contingent of drummers played a deafening welcome tune for Sanjay, who sported a casual dark blue shirt and jeans, flaunted salt-pepper sparse hair and a stubbly beard.

Many others celebrated his homecoming in unique ways.

These included a free meal of 'Chicken Sanju Baba' at south Mumbai's Noor Mohammadi Hotel, 50 percent discount on all meals, and free servings of a specially created 'BhaiBaba Chal Mere Bhai' at the Bhaijaanz Restaurant in Bandra.

An auto-rickshaw driver, Sandeep Bachche, offered free rides in Bandra.

LS passes Election Laws (Amendment) Bill

Narendra Modi's speech to the recent ECSOC 70th anniversary special session, "While we have seen remarkable progress over the past 70 years, eradication of poverty remains the greatest unfinished business of the 20th century. It is also the most important unfulfilled objective of the United Nations."

Narang added, "An unrelenting focus on poverty eradication as the central and primary objective should, therefore, remain at the heart of UN's operational activities for development."

While humanitarian crises should receive more support, it should not come at the cost of developmental activities which actually reduce the chances of humanitarian crises occuring, Narang said.

Several journalists, as also Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on sedition charges, were assaulted in the court premises on February 15 and 17.

Jaiswal, in the PIL filed on Wednesday has sought initiation of suo motu contempt against three lawyers - Vikram Singh Chauhan, Yashpal Singh and Om Sharma - for allegedly interfering in the administration of justice and wilfully violating the apex court's February 17 order.

Alleging "complete inaction of Delhi Police" in the face of violence by a section of lawyers and others, the PIL has referred to the February 18 report by the six-member lawyers' panel sent by the apex court on February 17 to take stock of the situation, the February 19 report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a sting operation by a news channel and an eyewitness account of violence by a judicial officer.

The PIL said the three advocates were found to be leading an attack in two incidents as reported by the media and allegedly admitted by them in a sting operation. They have not only been identified but they also admitted to their involvement in the incidents of violence but still police did not make any attempt to arrest them, the petitioner contended.

The petition quoted a first-hand account by a journalist who talked about the blatant mockery of the judicial process and quoted the assailants as saying "Ab le aao SC ko apne saath, kahan gaya SC is waqt (Now bring the Supreme Court with you, where is the Supreme Court right now)."

The PIL also refers to the NHRC report of February 19 saying that the attack by some people dressed as advocates in the Patiala House court complex on February 17 on Kanhaiya Kumar "appears to be organised and pre-planned" and a "major security lapse".

Kharge also said that agricultural growth had declined during the BJP-led government and social sector spending had come down while the corporate sector had been benefitted with tax concessions.

He also said that the government has not been able to fulfill its promises of bringing back black money.

Referring to the India Africa Forum Summit last year, Kharge said that leaders from many African countries referred to the role of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in fostering better ties but the Modi government was hesitant to do so.

Local cuisine, children's food soon on trains: Minister New Delhi, FebRuARy 25 (iANs):P Passengers may soon be able to enjoy local cuisine in place of standard food currently served on trains, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Thursday while presenting the rail budget for 201617. Acknowledging that catering is an important parameter for customer satisfaction, Prabhu said several measures were being taken in order to provide quality food to passengers.

"The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will begin to manage the catering services in a phased manner. The IRCTC will unbundle the catering services by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and its distribution," Prabhu said in the Lok Sabha.

"We are exploring the possibility of making mandatory catering services optional in trains. Local cuisine of choice will be made available to passengers," he added.

Besides, 10 more mechanised and sophisticated base kitchens operated by the IRCTC would be added to ensure fresh and hygienic food on trains, the minister said.

The railway is also contemplating to reintroduce 'kulhads' (Baked earthen cups) for drinking tea. The minister said the railways would also make available children’s food on trains. Besides, baby food, hot milk and water would be made available at railway stations and changing boards for babies provided in train toilets, he said.

IS bomb supply chain includes firms in 20 countries including India: report ANKARA, FebRuARy 25 (ReuteRs): Companies from 20 countries are involved in the supply chain of components that end up in Islamic State explosives, a study found on Thursday, suggesting governments and firms need to do more to track the flow of cables, chemicals and other equipment.

The European Unionmandated study showed that 51 companies from countries including Turkey, Brazil, and the United States produced, sold or received the more than 700 components used by Islamic State to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

IEDs are now being produced on a "quasiindustrial scale" by the militant group, which

uses both industrial components that are regulated and widely available equipment such as fertiliser chemicals and mobile phones, according to Conflict Armament Research (CAR), which undertook the 20-month study.

Islamic State controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria. NATO member Turkey shares borders with both countries and has stepped up security to prevent the flow of weapons and insurgents to the hardline Sunni group.

A total of 13 Turkish firms were found to be involved in the supply chain, the most in any one country. That was followed by India with seven.

"These findings support growing international awareness that IS forces

in Iraq and Syria are very much self-sustaining — acquiring weapons and strategic goods, such as IED components, locally and with ease," said James Bevan, CAR's executive director.

The sale of these cheap and readily available parts, some of which are not subject to government export licences, is far less scrutinised and regulated than the transfer of weapons.

The study found that Islamic State is able to acquire some components in as a little as a month after their lawful supply to firms in the region, suggestion a lack of oversight in the supply chain.

"Companies having effective accounting systems to establish where the goods went after them

would act as a deterrent," towns of al Rabia, Kirkuk, Bevan said.

Mosul, and Tikrit and the Syrian town of Kobani.

'REFUSED TO The report's authors COOPERATE' said they attempted to conBevan said the Turkish tact the companies linked government refused to co- to the components, adding operate with CAR's investi- the firms did not respond gation so the group was not or were not able to account able to determine the effi- for where the goods went cacy of Ankara's regulations after they left their custody. regarding the tracking of Seven Indian compacomponents. Turkish gov- nies manufactured most of ernment officials did not re- the detonators, detonating ply to requests for comment. cord, and safety fuses docCAR gained access to umented by CAR. Those the components through were all legally exported partners including the under government-issued Washington-backed Kurd- licences from India to enish YPG in Syria, the Iraqi tities in Lebanon and TurFederal Police, the Kurdis- key, CAR found. tan Region Security CounCompanies from Bracil and forces of the Kurdis- zil, Romania, Russia, the tan Regional Government. Netherlands, China, SwitThe components were zerland, Austria and Czech recovered during major Republic were also inbattles around the Iraqi volved, the report found.

FridaY 26•02 •2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Myanmar: Amid transition, Senior General emerges from the shadows YANGON, FebruArY 25 (reuters): Like many of his generation, the head of Myanmar’s powerful military is a recent but enthusiastic convert to Facebook. On his profile background picture, the commander-in-chief gives a “thumbs up” from the cockpit of an airplane.

Posts show him celebrating new year in a traditional boar tusk headdress and visiting wounded soldiers.

It’s a far cry from just a few years ago, when the only glimpse into the work of the military top command came in turgid reports from state media, and offers a daily reminder that the changes sweeping the Southeast Asian nation have reached even the secretive generals who ruled for almost 50 years until 2011.

As he cements his position as de facto No. 2 on Myanmar’s post-election political scene, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has transformed himself from taciturn soldier into a politician, public figure and statesman, say diplomats in Yangon.

“It was like speaking to

a politician,” said one senior Western diplomat of a recent meeting. “Not a soldier.”

People who know him say he is keen to show the army - still loathed by many after decades of iron-fisted junta-rule - is a positive force in the transition to democracy, but also that he is in no hurry for the military to step back from politics.

Until Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a resounding victory in the first nationwide democratic election for 25 years in November, Min Aung Hlaing had never had a oneon-one meeting with the Nobel peace laureate.

Since then, they have met at least three times as the historic foes of the army and NLD try to reach agreement on how they will work together once a drawn-out power transition is completed at the end of March.

Min Aung Hlaing has shown no sign he is prepared to give up the 25 percent of seats in parliament reserved for unelected soldiers, nor of allowing a change to the junta-draft-

ed constitution that bars Suu Kyi from becoming president.

“The time is not ripe yet. It is still early,” he said when pressed on when the military would return to barracks, according to the transcript of an interview with the Washington Post uploaded to his Facebook page shortly after the election.

“The best time may come when there is total peace and stability in the country.”

“NO ARAB SPRING FAILURE” Under the constitution the commander-in-chief, not the civilian president, appoints the heads of the home, defence and border security ministries, giving the military control of Myanmar’s civil service and security apparatus.

With media reports that Min Aung Hlaing’s term will be extended by five years, he will be the second most powerful figure in government, after Suu Kyi, for the duration of the NLD’s term.

The military’s reluctance to step back from

politics completely, despite the overwhelming popular vote for the NLD, has been criticized by Western nations and human rights groups, who also accuse it of continuing abuses.

Myanmar’s generals say they have a duty to hold together a country fractured by ethnic conflicts until they deem its democracy is stable and durable.

Min Aung Hlaing has studied other political transitions, and makes much of the need to avoid the chaos seen in Libya and other Middle Eastern countries after regime change in 2011.

Brazil’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Alcides Prates, said the commander-inchief told him at a meeting in the capital, Naypyitaw, in January: “We are not going to let Myanmar become an Arab Spring failure.”

Min Aung Hlaing did not respond to an interview request from Reuters.

SLOW BUT STEADY RISE Min Aung Hlaing steered clear of the political activism that was then widespread while studying law at Rangoon University

from 1972-1974, according to a retired senior law officer who was a contemporary.

“He was a man of few words and normally kept a low profile,” the classmate said.

While fellow students joined demonstrations, he made annual applications to join the country’s premier military university, the Defence Services Academy (DSA), succeeding at his third attempt in 1974.

According to a member of his DSA class, who spoke on condition of anonymity, he was an average cadet. “(He was) not an outstanding student. Not a driven person, (but) not a lazy person,” said the classmate, who still sees Min Aung Hlaing at the intake’s annual reunion dinner.

“He was promoted regularly and slowly,” added the classmate, who said he had been surprised he had risen beyond the officer corps’ middle ranks.

A key goal of Min Aung Hlaing has been improving the image of the military, said Maung Aung

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (L), Myanmar’s commander-in-chief, shakes hands with National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Suu Kyi before their meeting in Hlaing’s office at Naypyitaw. (REUTERS File Photo)

Myoe, author of Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948, who says he wants the military to be seen as “the sons and daughters of the people”.

The Senior General’s

Facebook page, launched in 2013, has become his main tool for interacting with the media and public, amassing more than 450,000 “likes”, with near daily posts detailing his activities and meetings with

visiting dignitaries.

“He understands the military, for the last few years, has had a negative view and a bad reputation,” said Maung Aung Myoe.

And he has tried to improve it a lot.”

Thousands of Fijians homeless after cyclone Thaksin’s influence shows signs of waning sYDNeY, FebruArY 25 (reuters): Tens of thousands of Fijians remain homeless and living in evacuation shelters in the aftermath of a devastating cyclone at the weekend, officials said on Thursday, as aid began trickling in to the outer reaches of the South Pacific archipelago.

The death toll from Cyclone Winston, the worst storm ever recorded in the southern hemisphere, remained at 42 but officials at Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office fear that figure will rise.

Officials from the disaster agency estimate that 35,000 people are sheltering in evacuation centres, some of which are damaged and running short of food and other supplies.

Some 900,000 people live in the archipelago of more than 300 islands International aid agencies said supplies were being delivered but the scale of the damage to infrastructure, particularly jetties and communications equipment, was making it hard to reach remote communities where help was most needed.

CARE Australia spokesman Dylan Quinnell said there had still been no contact with some remote communities, including one at Yasawa on the northwest coast of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, since

Fijian woman Kalisi holds her son Tuvosa, 3, as she sits on a bed in the remnants of her home damaged by Cyclone Winston in the Rakiraki District of Fiji’s Ra province, in this February 24, handout picture provided by UNICEF. (REUTERS Photo)

the cyclone made landfall on Saturday. Others had been reached using radios dropped by the New Zealand air force.

Alice Clements, a UNICEF aid worker, told Reuters by phone from Nadi, Fiji’s main tourism hub, that some communities had been totally destroyed but that rebuilding had already begun.

“People are going out during the day to recover what they can, it’s not like they’re sitting in the shelters helpless, they are salvaging what they can and dusting themselves off,”

Clements said.

Ahmad Sami, the acting head of the International Red Cross in the Pacific, said providing shelter and water remained immediate priorities. “Volunteers on the ground are saying the destruction is like nothing which they have ever seen before,” Sami said.

“Houses have collapsed, communications are still down, power transmission is down, wharves are still not accessible and roads and highways have been damaged,” he said.

Joseph Hing, another UNICEF worker, landed

on the worst-hit island of Koro on Tuesday and said it “looked like someone took a torch and just burnt from one side to the other”.

“As we sailed closer, we started to smell the dead carcasses of livestock that were floating past the ships.

When we smelt those, we knew that this disaster was really, really bad,” he said in a statement.

Aid workers have warned of potential outbreaks of the Zika and Dengue viruses, both carried by mosquitoes that could breed in the stagnant water left by the storm.

bANGKOK, FebruArY 25 (reuters): Sitting in her busy Bangkok noodle shop, Bunruen Klinnak professes “love” for Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup and later fled abroad.

But Klinnak, 55, also fears Thaksin’s return to politics could spell further unrest in a country rocked by coups and bloody street protests over the past decade.

“We need to save money and be frugal because we don’t know what politics will be like in the future,” she says. This ambivalence among even his admirers suggests Thaksin’s political influence in military-run Thailand could be flagging despite a new publicity blitz by the self-exiled billionaire.

From his base in Dubai, Thaksin has thrown money and clout behind street protests and election campaigns, helping to install his sister Yingluck as prime minister in 2011.

But the military overthrew her three years later - she is now on trial for corruption - and purged the bureaucracy of Shinawatra sympathisers. It also monitored and briefly detained politicians loyal to the family.

Thaksin cannot take his old support base for granted, say analysts and allies, and might find himself struggling for relevance in a country which has undergone a profound political awakening in the past decade.

Even the “red shirts”, a grassroots political movement long considered loyal to Thaksin, show signs of outgrowing him.

In a February 23 interview with

Reuters in Singapore, Thaksin said Thailand had “gone backward” under a junta that had caused economic hardship and deepened political divisions. Thais would not tolerate the junta for much longer, he added, although it’s unclear if he can exploit this dissatisfaction.

“The symbolic power that Thaksin and his sister carries is still something the military is very much concerned about,” said Ambika Ahuja, a Southeast Asia specialist at Eurasia Group, a New York-based political risk consultancy.

“IT’S OVER” Thaksin remains hugely popular, especially in Thailand’s north and northeast. But this, he acknowledged, no longer translates into direct political power.

“Nobody from the Shinawatra family will be prime minister anymore. It’s over,” he said.

He is still wealthy, despite $1.4 billion in assets being frozen since the 2006 coup. According to Forbes, he is Thailand’s tenth richest man, with a net worth of $1.6 billion, although Thaksin told Reuters that he was “not even in the top 20.”

Returning home was Thaksin’s “most important priority,” said Chaturon Chaisaeng, a minister under both Shinwatras who was ousted alongside them in the 2006 and 2014 coups. But Thaksin’s homecoming would seem unlikely so long as Thailand’s military-backed royalist elite remained implacably opposed to it.

Thaksin was also preoccupied with helping his sister, said Chaturon.

Last year a junta-appointed assembly impeached Yingluck and banned her from politics for five years. She is currently on trial on criminal charges over corruption in a multi-billiondollar rice subsidy scheme.

“He persuaded his sister to come into politics and become the prime minister without much preparation,” Chaturon said. “And now she faces a very serious situation.”

Thaksin told Reuters he was worried about Yingluck.

BANNED CALENDARS Thaksin remained confident about his legacy, which included populist policies such as cheap loans and almost free healthcare.

“People never forget me,” he said in the interview.

But in recent months he and Yingluck have made many media appearances and distributed thousands of free books and calendars. The aim was “to remind people of their achievements,” said Phumtham Wechayachai, secretary general of the Shinawatra-backed Puea Thai Party.

Underscoring the military government’s allergy to Thaksin, the authorities in northeast Thailand banned the calendars. “Even in the northeast, a traditional Shinawatra vote bank, ambivalence towards Thaksin isn’t hard to find. “Thaksin thinks he knows the red shirts better than their leaders. This isn’t true,” said Thida Thavornseth, ex-chairperson of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, as the movement is formally known.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

Australian govt warns Too much exercise may DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION KOHIMA: NAGALAND travelers of possible militant be bad for your heart attacks in Indonesia NOTIFICATION tOrONtO, FebruArY 25 environment in which one may (IANs): Just as most therapies be criticized for even question-

JAKArtA, FebruArY 25 (reuters): Australia issued a warning on Thursday about possible militant attacks being planned in Indonesia, only days after a similar warning for the Malaysian capital, another sign of rising concern over militancy in Southeast Asia.

“Recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia,” said the travel advisory on an Australian government website (http:// smartraveller.gov.au/countries/indonesia).

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not respond to a request for more details. Australia issued a similar statement on Sunday about possible attacks in and around Kuala Lumpur. The British, New Zealand, Canadian and other diplomatic missions in Malaysia soon followed with notices advising against travel to coastal islands in the eastern state of Sabah.

Malaysia has been on high alert since a bomb and gun attack in Indonesia’s capital in January in which eight people were killed, including four attackers. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State militant group. Australia has consistently placed Indonesia in the second-lowest of four warning categories, recommending that travellers “exercise a high degree of caution”. Indonesia has been cracking down on suspected militants since the attack in Jakarta last month.

have a dose-response relationship whereby benefits diminish at high doses and the risk of adverse events increases, high level of intense exercise may also be bad for the heart, suggests a new study.

The researchers reviewed studies that looked into the relationship between exercise and heart problems and found that there is growing evidence that high levels of intense exercise may be cardiotoxic and promote permanent structural changes in the heart.

There is already fairly compelling evidence supporting the association between long-term sports practice and increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation -- abnormal heart rhythm characterised by rapid and irregular beating.

“Much of the discussion regarding the relative risks and benefits of long-term endurance sports training is hijacked by definitive media-grabbing statements, which has fuelled an

ing the benefits of exercise,” explained study author Andre La Gerche from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

“This paper discusses the often questionable, incomplete, and controversial science behind the emerging concern that high levels of intense exercise may be associated with some adverse health effects,” La Gerche noted.

The study was published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

“Given that this is a concern that affects such a large proportion of society, it is something that deserves investment. The lack of large prospective studies of persons engaged in highvolume and high-intensity exercise represents the biggest deficiency in the literature to date, and, although such work presents a logistical and financial challenge, many questions will remain controversies until such data emege,” La Gerche observed.

NO.DTE/EXAM/6/2011-12: Prescribed application form of Diploma Entrance Examination for admission to 3-year Diploma courses within the state during the session 2016-17 will be issued from the office of the undersigned with effect from 1st March 2016 during office hours on all working days at a cost of Rs.200/(Rupees two hundred) only per application form. Candidates who have appeared HSLC/HSSLC final examination of 2016 are also eligible to apply for the Diploma Entrance Examination 2016 - however they have to submit all necessary documents within the stipulated time period set by the Department and fulfill all criteria for selection to study of Diploma programmes.

Last date for submission of filled application form in the office of the undersigned is 30th March 2016.

Application form may also be downloaded from the website at http://www.dtenaqaland.org.in in which case the fee of Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two hundred) only may be deposited while submitting the form.

Programme offered in the Polytechnics: Sl. No.

Name of Institute

Programme offered

Required Minimum Education Qualification

Civil Engineering Electronics & Electrical Engineering (i) HSLC/10+ passed with Mechanical Engineering minimum aggregate of 45% in Automobile Engineering Mathematics & Science Institute of Communication Computer Engineering 2 & Information Technology, Electronics & Communication Engineering (ii) Secured Pass Marks in both Mathematics & science Mokokchung Information Technology subjects Computer Science & Engineering Government Polytechnic, Civil Engineering 3 Kohima Modern Office Practice HSSLC/12+ passed with minimum aggregate of 40% Fashion Design & Apparel production Khelhoshe Polytechnic, 1 Atoizu, Zunheboto

(A. KATHIPRI), Director, Technical Education

10

public discourse

Kudos to ASTD

I

am heartily congratulating the Ao Union, Dimapur (Ao Senso Telongjem, Dimapur) for the wise, conscientious and remarkable decision on prohibition of inviting VIPs as chief guest to social gatherings of Aos living in Dimapur District. Till I do this I continue to feel something amiss as though a reformative breakthrough is allowed to flow down the stream with waste without being noted by others. After a very long spell, the Ao citizens in Dimapur area volunteered to break the ice disassociating itself from chief guest culture which has become a prerequisite of Naga functions. The decision to do away with VIP chief guest culture looks simple and yet it has benevolence and its share of positive ramifications as it has attempted to do away with an ingredient of the present day menace.

As I understand the logic behind the decision, I am sure there was no ulterior motive either lacking confidence in their leaders nor their hatred towards them prompted the ASTD to take such decision.

Moreover, even when the ASTD continues to tax the VIPs as every organization does including some churches without sense of shame or punctuations, who the hell will blame the Union as the practice has become the accepted fashion.

Yet, as a conscience keeper and as a responsible organisation of the most advance tribe in Nagaland, a very befitting decision was taken. The decision is relevant to the situation prevailing in Nagaland requiring a beginning of such measure as there is no semblance of the State Govt. taking cognizance of the precarious financial condition. The decision is nothing less than reformative and austerity measure. The prudent decision is imperative in view of the dire need of austerity measures in the midst of the popular Govt. having consecutive Annual Plan holidays.

Such decision is imperative in view of the popular Govt. being unable to pay salary to its regular employees for months together.

In the light of severe resource crunch, the popular Govt. is expected to handle it sensitively and on war footing with befitting austerity measures. Whereas, in lieu of initiating massive austerity measures, the popular Govt. has unfortunately taken

sufficient anti-austerity decisions which had adverse impact on the already empty coffer. The way how the present day Govt. manages the affairs of Nagaland is observed as though the benefits of Statehood are exclusively meant for the privileged strata of society as drops of benefits have virtually failed to permeate down to the underprivileged majority lot.

Had people in any other State in India faced similar situation being faced by citizens in Nagaland, there would have been public upheaval without hesitation. The Govt. is for the public and the ministry remains so long the people are satisfied with its performance. The public has the power to bring the ministry to its knees when found wanted. Yet, the general public has remained subdued spectator. One of the reasons why we become helpless in the face of maltreatment by the elected Govt. is our rights were decommissioned in every election. What else the public can do even when people in power refused to grant your due share of money, when people in power embezzled your 10% matching grant whereby you do not get salary for months together and when your basic amenities as health care, education, power, drinking water and road are in total shambles. Even though regular employees do not get salary for half a year in certain Departments, none raises a voice. It is indicative that many Govt. employees do not consider salary as money or as required as they can survive without salary.

No wonder.

As it is, one cannot expect a better situation sooner because of the ground reality that the politicians and the bureaucrats of today have become a team against the common man. The check and balance system has already evaporated whereby broad day light robbery is just ‘legal’ and acceptable in Nagaland context. Therefore, unless the public organisations particularly those having molecules of patriotism and conscientious aptitude take such proactive roles towards reformative measures. If we are to merely watch, wait and depend on Nagaland Govt. to do something better, the common man will be drowned in the incessant flood of corruption.

Z. Lohe

Reclaim what's ours: register our legitimate voice

T

friDAY 26•02•2016

here can be no time more crucial than the present time for the Nagas of Nagaland (NoN) to exercise their God given wisdom to think honestly, clearheadedly and with courage. This is a time which calls for all hands on deck, abandoning our petty tribalism, clanism, blind loyalties and self-seeking priorities in order to protect our common frontier. This is the time to give our ancestral sense of HONOUR a rightful pride of place in our decision making. Fellow Nagas, we are standing at an uncertain crossroad with the final chapter of our history about to be written under a highly controversial circumstance without the stakeholders being given a fair involvement opportunity in the scripting of it. This is a momentous time for all NoN to forthrightly recognise the unscrupulous, unacceptable stage being set to decide our destiny and the destiny of our children.

The most pathetically frustrating part in it all is that the NoN have no recognizable forum of our own to voice our concerns.

Yes, it has generally been made clear to the NSCN (IM) that the NoN are not against the "Framework Agreement".

However, the right thinking people amongst the NoN have also made it amply clear that expecting us to blindly endorse this non-transparent agreement without knowing its contents, is an unethical proposition and an unacceptable option. NoN must first know what is in store for us before we put our left thumb impression on that framework paper. Period! But is NSCN (IM) listening?

The so-called 'endorsement' irresponsibly made by self-preserving 60 elected political representatives to our Legislative Assembly along with the equally irresponsible Apex Naga Ho Ho at Niathu Resort is being touted before the GoI by NSCN (IM) as an expressed will of the people in their support. Without pre-consultation with their respective constituent stakeholders such a blind endorsement can neither truly be defined nor accepted as the will of the majority. The GoI and Mr. Interlocutor ought to have perceived and understood this by now...but have they? The vain effort of Mr. Ravi, Interlocutor, carrying out side-show consultation /negotiation with the other Factions is a meaningless non-starter exercise as long as they (other Factions) are not formally and officially given a legitimate seat at the negotiating table. This is the factual scenario thus far which imperatively needs to be corrected through a loud unambiguous common voice from Nagaland.

In a pressurised time such as this the Nagas of Nagaland have lost a credible Apex body to voice our own exclusive political opinions and priorities. The ultimate burden of misreading the volatile political balance by those in authority will only boomerang on us, the helpless masses, in the end. The present nomenclature...

"Naga Ho Ho"... is a misleading misnomer representing all other brother Tribes from beyond our borders. It should have been christened as "Pan-Naga Ho Ho" instead, without defiling the original status of Naga Ho Ho which once exclusively belonged to the NoN. With ENPO formally withdrawing its affiliation from it, the remaining Naga Ho Hos of Nagaland have been reduced to a minority within this forum.

The 'puppet' President from Nagaland spearheading this forum is but a window dressing reduced to acting as a toothless stooge carrying out decisions directly in-

fluenced by NSCN (IM). The blind, senseless 'Ozukum' endorsement given to the 'framework comedy' is a visible testament of Naga Ho Ho acting on its master's voice.

One fails to understand the utter lack of self respect amongst the NoN so easily being manipulated by extraneous elements.

On the one hand NSCN (IM) has deviously achieved a masterstroke by supporting the practical transformation of the Naga Ho Ho to that of a pan-Naga status thereby effectively erasing the people's forum within Nagaland and also managing to silence the original voice of the NoN as a minority within this new forum while on the other hand perpetuate UNC in the South to aggressively address all their Southern Naga political problems and exert uncomfortable pressure on the GoI and Government of Manipur to suit their purpose.

The double standards thus being adopted

by NSCN (IM) is ominously clear and yet we the NoN are unable to comprehend the consequences of it all. What is wrong with us? Losing our rightful voice in a democratic world of majority is a fatal deficiency that can undermine our very existence.

Can the Nagas reset the hands of the clock to where it should be so as to empower ourselves to at least express our independent views without external interference or influence?

It is tremendously encouraging to see the stand of APO that [quote]: "all NPGs should be at the negotiating table, united on one side and then decide the fate of the Naga people". [Unquote] - (Nagaland Post 23-02-2016). Earlier the Sumi Ho Ho also made a formal declaration that blind endorsement to the framework agreement will not be given. The sentiments expressed both by APO and Sumi Ho Ho is relevant, but not significant enough without a consolidated participation of all the rest of our other Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland. The moot point therefore is: Can the likeminded Tribal Ho Hos take the initiative and convene an "all Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland" for a brainstorming session to take their status overview. They can then initiate a move to have the present Naga Ho Ho renamed as "PanNaga Ho Ho"... which is also a required relevant organisation to address issues such as 'Naga integration'... and reclaim Naga Ho Ho for the NoN. The voiceless vacuum from within Nagaland was the sole compelling reason which prompted the formation of NTC. Unfortunately even this forum suffers from critical membership affiliation flaw that has weakened its existence and effectiveness. If our own home grown Naga Ho Ho is revived, one reasonably believes that NTC would be prepared to step aside in support. At this juncture Nagas of Nagaland desperately need a strong vibrant voice of an apex forum to commandeer our fragile political circumstance... just like UNC, South of the border, is being able to do. Can our Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland carefully and sensitively take stock of this proposition? Nagas need an Apex body to send a clear signal to the to the Prime Minister of India that Nagas of Nagaland will not give blind endorsement to the framework agreement and also insist that all NPGs must be officially taken on board the negotiation table to ensure lasting solution. The consequences of our inaction will be fatal.

Nagas need to reclaim what's ours, register our legitimate voice and prove our worth to the world before it is too late!

Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd) Forest Colony, Kohima

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Reading from the Underside of History: A Brief Reading Report Sani Athisü

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he recently published monograph, Literary Cultures of India’s Northeast: Naga Writings in English by Dr. Veio Pou (Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur, Jan. 2016), Shaheed Bhagat Singh College (University of Delhi), can be described as creative writings at its best because of its rootedness in and attention to sociopolitical and cultural settings.

Similarly, another recently published monograph, Evangelizing the Nation: Religion and the Formation of Naga Political Identity by Dr. John Thomas (Rutledge, Nov. 2016), Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, is extremely timely and quite revealing and beneficial for those of us who are engaged both academically and socially at the intersection of religion and politics.

Interestingly, both of these works are updated versions of the two authors’ doctoral dissertations, which were submitted to India’s premier institution, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

My reason for linking together these two insightful works in this brief report owes to their chosen perspectives – reading history from the underside. That is, each puts forth a counterhegemonic voice that attempts to read history from the perspective of the subjugated and the oppressed as opposed to the dominant’s claim to some universal objective truth, where everything is rationalized and justified on the same basis. Likewise, with this intentional commitment the authors attempt to give voice to the stories of the peripheral broken people like the Nagas who have been crushed and trampled within the colonial and postcolonial political arrangements.

And yet, not surprisingly, not all Nagas share this lens of reading their history. We have witnessed representatives from a powerful coterie of Naga elites who opt for the opposite reading of Naga history in which they place themselves as the saviors of the so-called “unruly” “savage” Nagas.

Opposed to this, my contention is that a choice to side with the broken ones, as noted above, is an intentional, courageous commitment, which might even invite the wrath of those in power.

And yet, burdened with such concerns and commitment, Dr. Pou problematizes the postcolonial nation-state of India’s mode of “managing” the peoples from the peripheral regions through the production of knowledge about the “other.” The motif has been used to justify the militarization of the “frontier” for the last six decades and more. This is where additional questions are raised as to how and why the postcolonial nation-state of India became even more brutal and more oppressive than the colonial (Britain) master in the administration of the “frontier” region. Here, Pou seems to entertain the idea that Postcolonial India unwittingly has fallen into a trap of mimicking its former colonial master in the subjugations of the said region. Nonetheless, I do not think that Pou intended to concede any sense of such policies as a result of unintended circumstances. On the contrary, Pou is well informed of the sources and the context of the enactments of such spe-

cifically, intentionally crafted military laws that target particular people group/s. Such policies are likely located in the worldview of the ruling power/s that operate with a particular lens that views the “frontier” as both included and yet excluded at the same time in their imagination of postcolonial India. Underlying this sense of “part of” and yet “not part of” is where I think the primary culprit hides – again, the value systems of the dominant which renders the powerful unable and unwilling to accept the “frontier” peoples as equal conversation partners.

To further this position, I recommend Papori Bora’s work, The Nation and its Margins: Reading Gender and the Politics of Sovereignty in India’s Northeast (University of Minnesota). This work not only unveils some of the underlying hegemonic cultural nuances in operation but also to help one to understand how the nationstate employs legal maneuvering as a means to put extrajudicial powers in the hands of the law enforcement agencies to contain the “differentness” of the “other” by prescribing a region a socalled “disturbed area,” with impunity.

As critical as he is of the nation-state’s policies toward the marginalized, Pou is today equally troubled by the Naga political conundrum of factionalism. This is where he raises his voice the loudest alongside some of the powerful published works of Naga women whose voices are often silenced by the powers from within (and without), afraid that voices of dissent are not in the best interest in the larger scheme of Naga nationalism. Despite being misconstrued, the bodies of critical writings from Naga women today play the crucial role of critical self examination in the imagining of future Naga Peoplehood. As Pou intends to argue, with the women authors he has been in conversation with, unless the Naga leadership (at all levels) listens to the critical social commentaries (voices that are often times muffled) and brings about corrective measures to Naga cultural and political norms and practices, the promise of a future will remain a farce.

Tasked with similar concerns is Dr. John Thomas whom I suspect might have crossed paths with members of the Journey of Conscience that Naga people undertook some years back to reach out to the Indian civil society leadership. Even if he did not, Thomas did have several Naga colleagues (and more) as conversation partners as he undertook his chosen doctoral project. And for the extra efforts Thomas had to commit to are greatly appreciated, working as he did as a non-Naga in trying to understand the complexities of an ongoing unresolved political history of another people, meanwhile trying to be fair in producing this bold and revealing history of the Naga people.

As noted, Thomas’ work is articulated within the intersection of religion and politics with the primary focus of understanding how both of these dimensions are appropriated in the articulations of the Naga political identity that have caught the interests and the imaginations of so many. In so doing, Thomas also clarified and

corrected some of the major misconceptions, or perhaps, a deliberate misconstruing with ulterior motives, from certain quarters at times, about Christian religion as the perpetrator behind Naga political aspirations as a secessionist movement. What Thomas clarified about Naga Christianity is that faith does intersect with Naga political identity, but the political aspiration comes from who they are as a people, being shaped and influenced by particular geopolitical and historical circumstances of life.

Besides the debunking of the regular conspiratorial rhetoric of the dominant narratives that scapegoat Christian religion as the “misguiding” force behind the assertions for identity and rights by Naga people and others in the “peripheral” regions, Thomas’ reading of Naga Christian religion is quite revealing. Accordingly, in Thomas’ analysis the predominant Christian religion amongst Naga people turned out to be a religion that actually stays aloof of the historical experiences of the people. Thomas here alludes to the absence of any fitting critical theopolitical response to the historical sufferings of the people even as the Naga church leadership continues to call for “peace” in the region. Similarly, Thomas is very critical of past Naga church leadership, especially the Naga Peace Council, whom he accuses of sometimes working as conduits for state agencies, who were either left with no choice or due to a lack of theological imaginative power.

It is true that the predominant Naga theological worldview is a conservative one that usually will attempt to escape from addressing the material state of broken human conditions (especially those that are political in nature) by opting for the abstract eternal soul, claiming this is the primary responsibility of the church. Finding such disconnection between the predominant faith and the historical/political sufferings of the Nagas suspicious, Thomas also launched a critical and helpful review of the Naga theological heritage passed down from the pioneer missionaries (especially those with a New England background) in the context of imperial expansion. Thomas did acknowledge that his critique of the Naga theological worldview comes from being influenced by “Liberation Theology.” Interestingly, this revelation might raise some eyebrows in a context where any theological perspective that raises the political question (read responsibility) of the theological is usually dismissed as “worldly” and “unspiritual.” While this entrenched ideological divide is a battle to be fought another day, what is crucial about Thomas’ critique is the question of theological efficacy. That is, Naga theological articulations should effect real change in the historical context of the people, or otherwise, such theology will remain a farcical theology and will only end up reinforcing the established moral status quo.

Sani Athisü, currently on study leave from Oriental Theological Seminary, Bade, Dimapur, is a junior instructor in Political Theology and Social Ethics. The reviewer may be also reached at sathismao@gmail.com

Principles of Language Learning

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he problem of language learning is often misunderstood because it is too often oversimplified. "Learning" a language can mean a dozen different things to as many persons. It involves not one, but half a dozen diverse physiological and psychological processes. It is a matter of speaking, understanding, reading and writing. Each of these faculties represents a complex of acquired abilities and functions. In speaking, we must control the vocal organs so as to produce the proper sounds, at the same time we work with the memory, the understanding and the faculty of coordination.

There is no such a thing as an "easy" or a "difficult" language; every language, no matter how intricate it may seem to the outsider who undertakes to learn it, is easy to its own speakers, who have learnt it by the "natural" process since earliest childhood, by direct imitation of their elders, and trial and error method.

We are creatures of habit. From the moment we are born (some say even before) we start acquiring habits, physical, mental and psychological habits. These habits tend to become permanent and remain with us through life. Language definitely falls under this heading of habits.

A language will impress you as "easy" if it runs close to your already established linguistics habits, and "difficult' if it diverges from your language. Languages whose structural pattern, basis vocabulary, general mode of expression resemble those of your language strike you as relatively easy, those which differ radically as hard.

For example, Assamese language which have many points of contact with Bengali, will normally would be the easiest for a Bengali to learn.

Oriental languages seem to be difficult not only in their written forms but also in their morphological and syntactic structures, which differ fundamentally from those of Indo-European, e.g. Hindi is written in the ancient Devanagari characters inherited from Sanskrit; Urdu is written in the Arabic alphabet.

Moreover, some languages like, Chinese and Japanese are more highly organized than others and learners therefore require long training to write them correctly and stylistically, while they can speak them simply and effectively without running into much trouble.

Every language, even a quite primitive one, holds within itself a well-adjusted system, complete in itself and adequate for all needs. There is no such thing as an incomplete language in active use.

According to Dr. Eugene A Nida, the scientifically valid procedure In language learning involves listening first, to be followed by speaking.

Then comes reading, and finally the writing of the language. This is just the order in which a child learns his mother tongue; and only after he has acquired considerable facility in understanding and speaking, does he learn to read and write.

Dr. Mario Pei also says that "Children can master, without apparent effort and with great fluency and a flawless accent several languages at once, if they are in direct contact with their speakers. This seemingly simple mastery, of course, predicated not upon the written, but upon the spoken form of the languages, with Its more ordinary conversational reaches." For example I learnt 5 languages fluently without

any difficulty when I was a child, but now I find it rather difficult to learn a new language because I am more self conscious of my mistakes, most traditional methods of teaching languages to adults have almost completely reversed this process —first comes reading, closely linked with writing and then conversation. It was falsely assumed that since the classical tongues like Greek, Latin, Sanskrit etc. were taught exclusively through the printed page, therefore modern living languages should be introduced the same way. Thus making language learning very boring and discouraging.

Our main trouble is that we tackle the study of language from the wrong end. We are like the man who thinks he can learn swimming simply by reading books about swimming. Advanced instructions about swimming are helpful as we learn something from actual experience is the water. In the same way, the grammatical rules are valuable as we plunge into the language and need some assistance. But reading books never makes a swimmer and learning rules never makes a practical linguist.

Learning to speak is dependent upon hearing someone else speak, not upon reading. The emphasis upon the auditory perception does not mean that we should set aside all the other factors in the memory process. We should listen to expressions (an auditory process), and then pronounce them over and over (repeated motor process).For a success in language learning it is worth numbering certain fundamental principles.

1. MIMICRY AS THE KEY TO LANGUAGE LEARNING. People who can mimic easily have a great advantage in learning a foreign language. Language learning usually necessitates conscious mimicry. It means noticing carefully such matter as the position of the lips, the quality of the sounds, the speed of utterance, the intonation of the voice, the "swing' of the sentence, and even the characteristic gestures.

Mimicry consists of three aspects: (1) acute and constant observation (2) “Throwing oneself into it” (3) continual practice.

2. LANGUAGE LEARNING BY OVER-LEARNING Language must be automatic. The person who must stop to figure out the right forms or who must group constantly for words has not learned a foreign language. Expressions must be on the tip on the tongues.

To acquire an automatic language facility requires three processes: (1) drill and repetition (2) thinking in the foreign language and (3) continued opportunities to use the language.

One of the most effective ways to master a language is to drill on a series of related sentences, e.g. "I see the book", "I recognize the child book", "I talked to the mom". One can take this same series of sentences and substitute different objects in each sentence, e.g. "I see the man", "I see the woman", "I see the child", etc.

If one is able to drill With a native speaker, then this person can say the sentence first and the student can repeat, going through the series time after time including scores of repetitions, if necessary, until one acquires automatic facility.

Thinking in a foreign language is absolutely essential done intends to learn it. One cannot expect to speak fluently while going through the process of transferring ideas from ones mother tongue into another language. It will only make the speech slow and jerky, but the sentence will be predominantly your own language (translate this sentence into your own language-"Where are you going?")

3. LANGUAGE LEARNING BY LANGUAGE USING Simply learning the technical information about language structure or grammar will not make a skilled speaker. We must become surrounded by the constant hubbub of language use if we are to learn.

One must get out where the language is spoken and where we can speak. To do this, we need to look for real situation where the language can be used. e.g. A group of new missionaries were entering a country in Latin America, where one of the members of the group gallantry volunteered to do the marketing while the others were busy studying the host countries' language. It turned out, of course, that the one doing the marketing progressed very rapidly in the use of the language, for he had excellent opportunities to use his limited knowledge of Spanish since marketing involved constant haggling over prices.

4. PRACTICAL SITUATION (CHATTING AND CONVERSATION) Another practical situation is visiting. This means simply chatting about anything and everything. Conversation, however limited, with the servants, the gardener, and the peon in the office are all means of learning a language.

Most people have found that the "grammar approach" does not work well. If the ordinary person starts out to learn a new Language by reading rather than speaking, or by memorizing sets of forms and rules, he is likely to get nowhere fast. It does absolutely no good to try to learn to read and write without first forming speechhabits on which to base the reading and writing.

Many languages teachers make the mistake of forcing the students to speak on literary topics and of interrupting them for correction each time they make a mistake. After a short time the students are afraid to open their mouths, least they open the wrong way. The new system is to put the students on their own in a life-like imaginary situation and letting them play the role of themselves, while the instructor takes on the part of a native with whom they converse and who is far too polite to correct them, at least while the conversational exchange is in progress. The only requirement is that they make themselves understood.

According to Dr. Simeon Potter-"Learning a new language calls for no great originality of mind or critical faculty, but it does demand an eager intellectual curiosity and a constant and lively interest in the endless ways in which human ideas may be expressed. It demands quick observation first of all, reasonable ability to mimic and imitate, good power of association and generalization and retentive memory." Remember, one must murder a language before mastering it.

Achilla Imlong Erdican Duncan Road, Dimapur

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

Friday 26•02•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Adele dominates BRIT Awards with four wins

Amitabh Bachchan is the latest victim of the 'death hoax' row!

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es, you read that right! Apparently, the news or rather the rumors of Amitabh Bachchan's death has been doing the rounds for quite some time, thanks to some notorious brains working overtime. However, more than the hoax, what saddens us is how his fans got conned into believing that their favorite star has passed away.

With technology at our fingertips, it just takes a few seconds to check and confirm the authenticity of the news and the truth behind

S

it, however, his fans decided to believe the hoax instead and even started posting heartfelt condolences and messages on how 'the superstar will be missed'.

Amitabh Bachchan is not the only star to have fallen prey to the ridiculous death hoax row. However, the actor's representatives have officially cleared that the 73-year-old actor is very much alive and kick-

ing. "He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax.

He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the internet," they said.

Apparently, after realizing that they had been fooled by the rumors, fans started expressing their displeasure and anger towards people who were behind the hoax.

Source: TNN

People carrying flags of morality should watch 'Aligarh': AnuRAg KAshyAp

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angs of Wasseypur' fame director Anurag Kashyap says that everyone should watch upcoming film 'Aligarh', especially those roaming around with flags of morality. "Everyone should watch this film, especially those who roam around carrying

flags of morality," Anurag said at the screening of the film on Wednesday. "Everyone's work is marvelous; this film is on a different level altogether. Manoj Bajpayee has reached an incredible level in this film; it is such a wonderful film", he added.

The Hansal Mehta-directorial 'Aligarh' is based

on the life of an Indian linguist and author Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation. Manoj plays the role of Siras, and Rajkummar Rao plays a journalist, who shows interest in the case and the feelings of Siras.

Anurag lavished praise on his 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' actor, saying: "It is the best performance of Manoj Bajpayee ever, I am still reeling due to his performance, I can't talk enough about it."

After the debacle of 'Bombay Velvet', Anurag has wrapped up the shooting of his next Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer 'Raman Raghav 2.0', also starring Vicky Kaushal.

Source: IANS

inger Adele bagged four awards, including Best Album, at the 2016 BRIT Awards held at The O2 here. The 27-yearold singer took home British Female Solo Artist, British Single for "Hello", British Album of the Year for "25" and Global Success Award on Wednesday, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"I bet you're all f**king bored of me," Adele said in between sniffles after accepting her third award. She equaled Blur's BRIT Awards success in 1995 by collecting four prizes. "To come back after so long away and be so warmly received means so much. And to all the other girls that are nominated, Thank you for letting me be in your company. You're all incredible, you're all amazing and it's a privilege to be alongside you," she added.

The "Hello" singer also used her acceptance award to show her support for Kesha who is in the middle of a legal war against her longtime producer Dr. Luke. After thanking her label and management, Adele said during her Best Female victory speech: "I'd also like to take this moment to publicly support Kesha." Meanwhile, British boyband One Direction beat Adele in the category of British Artist Video of the Year, which is fan-voted. "We've been away for a little while, so it's been a bit like getting back on a bike tonight," said singer Liam Payne, referring to the group's hiatus which began late last year. Their space-themed video of "Drag Me Down" beat Adele's video for "Hello" and Ed Sheeran's visuals for "Photograph" among others.

Coldplay dedicates Brit Awards Win to Musicians in Refugee Camps

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oldplay on Wednesday dedicated their win at 2016 Brit Awards to the young people caught in the refugee crisis.

"We're very grateful, and we'd like to dedicate this to all the young men and women musicians in refugee camps around the world," frontman Chris Martin said while accepting the prize for best British group. "They could be us, we could be them, so we send them our love."

The lead singer made the dedication after acknowledging Coldplay's fellow nominees in the category, and naming off himself and his band members as those of One Direction. "Thank you so much for giving us our job," Martin concluded.

The awards show - the U.K.'s equivalent of the Grammys, held at London's O2 Arena also featured performances by Adele, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, The Weeknd and more, as well as a special David Bowie tribute.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Another winner of the night was singer Justin Bieber who picked up International Male Solo Artist. "Man, I'm shaking right now," the Canadian singer said, adding "Life is a jour-

ney. Everyone has their ups and downs." Other winners of the night include Coldplay, James Bay and Bjork.

The awards ceremony will be aired in India on March 14 on Vh1 India.

Full Winners List of 2016 BRIT Awards: British Female Solo Artist : Adele British Male Solo Artist : James Bay International Group : Tame Impala British Single : Adele - "Hello" British Group : Coldplay International Male Solo artist : Justin Bieber British Breakthrough Act : Catfish and the Bottlemen BRITs Global Success Award : Adele International Female Solo Artist : Bjork British Artist Video Of The Year : One Direction - "Drag Me Down" Mastercard British Album Of The Year : Adele - "25" Source: IANS

Demi returns to TV after 20 years Irrfan Khan completes 10 years in Hollywood

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C M Y K

emi Moore is poised to return to the small screen in a new drama titled 10 Days in the Valley. The actress has been tapped to play Jane Sadler, an overworked writer and single mother in the middle of a tense separation from her husband.

However, she faces even more trouble when their five-year-old daughter is kidnapped and she must do anything to get her back. Tassie Cameron, co-creator and executive producer of police series Rookie Blue, penned the pilot script and will serve as show runner.

A

ctor Irrfan Khan, who made his international debut with the Indo-British filmmaker Asif Kapadia's movie "The Warrior" in 2006, says he is "glad to be part of two most prominent cinemas of the world". "It's an inexpressible feeling. I started with an experiment to break the Indian stereotypical

10 Days in the Valley is currently being shopped to networks, and if it is picked up to series, the project will mark the first major TV role for Moore in 20 years. She became a breakout star in the 1980s on US soap opera General Hospital, before making a successful move into film.

Moore last appeared on the small screen in 2003 as a guest star on Will & Grace. Demi made it to the news last time after her split with actor Ashton Kutcher. Her career has seen a downward spiral after the split.

image in the West and was accepted with open arms there," Irrfan said in a statement. Over the years, Irrfan has carved a niche for himself in the West by being part of films like "Jurrasic World", "A Mighty Heart" and his upcoming film "Inferno" with Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.

The "Piku" star, who has been lauded for his

roles even in Bollywood, also expressed his love and gratitude to his fans for appreciating his work both in Bollywood and Hollywood. "I am glad to be part of two most prominent cinemas of the world and would like to express my gratitude to my fans for appreciating me for my work," he added.

Source: IANS

Hillstar

Source: contactmusic

NOW SHOWING

Italian PM opens

Deepika's 'XXX Milan fashion week 3' to release in January next year

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ollywood actress Deepika Padukone's Hollywood debut 'XXX: The Return of Xander Cage', in which she stars opposite Vin Diesel, will hit theatres on January 20 next year.

The 30-year-old actress

Ticket Rates PlaTinuM - `320 Gold - `150 SilveR - `80

is currently shooting the DJ Caruso-directed action film in Toronto, Canada.

Paramount Pictures announced the US release date of the third the Union', reported Ace 'XXX' movie, which is the Showbiz. first film in the franchise The movie will be since 2005's 'XXX: State of up against horror movie

'Split' from director M Donnie Yen, Conor McNight Shyamalan on the Gregor, and Tony Jaa also date. Samuel L Jackson, star in the film.

Ruby Rose, Nina Dobrev, Source: PTI

11:00 Am | 2:00 Pm

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi poses with Italian-Haitian fashion designer Stella Jean, second from right, and other young upcoming designers on the first day of Milan Fashion Week, at Palazzo Reale, in Milan, Italy, February 24, 2016.

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ilan's womenswear fashion week started here with Matteo Renzi becoming the first Italian prime minister to inaugurate the event.

It is strange that I am the first prime minister to open the fashion week, Renzi said at the event's inauguration on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The important thing is that I am not the last. It should become a tradition," he added.

The six-day fashion week running until Monday (February 29) will host 73 runway shows and a total of 184 collections for the

fall-winter season of 20162017.

Established brands such as Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo will be flanked by several labels on the runway for the first time, including Atsushi Nakashima, Diesel Black Gold, Lucio Vanotti and Piccione Piccione.

The Italian fashion industry, including textile, clothing, leather, footwear and leather and fur as a whole, represents 41 percent of the European fashion industry, against Germany's 11 percent and France's 8 percent.

Source: IANS

Regional ConClave of Msmes

05:00 PM

Organised by MiniSTRY oF MSMe, GoveRnMenT oF india & GoveRnMenT oF naGaland Participating States

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura Date: 26th February 2016

Time: 01:00 pm

Venue: Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumukedima, Dimapur

08:00 Pm

12

friDAY 26•02•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Naga drivers excel in motorsports challenge Annual Johnian Sports Festival 2016

Students participating in a race during the annual Johnian Sports Festival 2016. The two-day long annual Johnian Sports Festival 2016 got underway today at St. John School, Merhulietsa, Kohima with Rev Moa Longchari formally declaring the sports festival open. The inaugural function was marked by march past, music, drill display, followed by race and high jump events. (Morung Photo)

Our Correspondent, Kohima | February 25

Anguzo Sekhose and Lima Jamir, representing the Nagaland Adventure Club (NAC), brought laurels to the state in the Maximum Attack Challenge 2016 organized by Motor Sports Association of Meghalaya from February 22 to 23 at Rapleng near Laitlum, Meghalaya. Anguzo Sekhose emerged as champion of the SUV (4X4) category, and secured the runner up position in the open class (Car & SUVs), while Lima Jamir secured 3rd position in the SUV (4X4) category.

Messi sends autographed jerseys to little Afghan fan

C M Y K

KABUL, FEBRUARY 25 (AFP): Argentine football star Lionel Messi has sent not one, but two jerseys to the five-year-old Afghan boy who became an Internet sensation last month when he was pictured wearing a plastic bag with "Messi" scrawled on it in marker pen. Murtaza Ahmadi travelled with his family from eastern Ghazni province to Kabul to receive the gifts sent by Messi through UNICEF, where he is a goodwill ambassador. "Murtaza couldn't stop smiling. He kept repeating: I love Messi," UNICEF Afghanistan spokesman Denise Shepherd-Johnson told AFP. Messi autographed the jerseys, writing "With much love" in Spanish on them, and added a football to the treasure trove, UNICEF said. Purchasing a Messi jersey was beyond the means of Murtaza's poor family, members of the persecuted ethnic Hazara minority living in volatile Ghazni, near Kabul. His elder brother Homayoun, 15, improvised the blue-and-white-striped plastic shirt with Messi's name scrawled in black marker, and posted the photos of Murtaza wearing it on Facebook in mid-January. The image touched a chord with football fans around the world, and earned Murtaza the sobriquet "little Messi" on social media.

Pakistan get govt nod to play World T20

LAHORE, FEBRUARY 25 (IANs): The Pakistan government on Thursday gave permission to the country's cricket team to participate in the World Twenty20 championship which is scheduled to start in India next month. "I am pleased that the government has given its consent for our team to visit India," PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who is currently in Dhaka for the Asia Cup, was quoted as saying

by News International. "The PCB had asked ICC to put in place special arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team. We will also be expecting visa facilitation and other arrangements for the Pakistani fans wishing to visit India for WC T20," he added. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had sought permission from the government to play World T20 matches in India earlier this month. The PCB had also requested the International Cricket Council's (ICC) to stage Pakistan matches in a neutral venue in view of security concerns around the team. But the request was denied by the game's world governing body. Pakistan will start their World T20 campaign with a qualifier on March 16 in Kolkata before facing hosts and archrivals India at Dharamsala on March 19.

City close on last eight after win at Dynamo

KIEV, FEBRUARY 25 (REUtERs): Manchester City moved within touching distance of a first appearance in the Champions League quarter-finals after a dynamic first-half display at Dynamo Kiev helped them secure a 3-1 last-16 first-leg win on Wednesday.

City were irrepressible in the opening 45 minutes, slicing through their opponents almost at will and taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

The hosts, however, improved dramatically after the restart and Vitaliy Buyalskiy's deflected effort reduced the arrears to fire up the home crowd and spur on the Dynamo players.

City keeper Joe Hart was forced into a superb save to deny Buyalskiy an equaliser, but Yaya Toure curled home late on to leave the tie firmly balanced in City's favour ahead of the return leg on March 15.

The English side, who reverted to a fullstrength team after resting a host of players in a humiliating 5-1 FA Cup defeat by Chelsea, began with real intent, dominating possession and pressing their opponents into near submission in a classy first-half display.

The hosts, returning from their winter break, looked very much a side who had not played an official match in two and a half months. After a minor scare for City when Hart pushed an effort from Andriy Yarmolenko on to the crossbar, the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes.

Toure headed Silva's corner into the path of Aguero, who made the most of the space he had been afforded to chest the ball down and volley sharply past keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy for his 16th goal in his last 17 Champions League starts.

The visitors missed chances to extend the lead with Aguero flashing a shot fractionally wide and Toure forcing Shovkovskiy to palm his effort away at the near post, but it was not long before they doubled their advantage.

Silva, playing in a central playmaker role, finished off a teasing low cross from Raheem Sterling at the far post on 40 minutes after good work from Aguero.

Kiev came out in the second half with renewed vigour and reduced the deficit when Buyalskiy's rasping effort from the edge of the area took a big deflection off Nicolas Otamendi and nestled in the corner of Hart's net.

Kiev piled forward and Hart was forced into a superb low save to deny Buyalskiy an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining, but Toure put City within touching distance of the last eight when he curled in from 20 metres in the 90th minute.

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany in action against Dynamo Kiev's Vitaliy Buyalsky during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev on February 24. (Reuters)

Ten-man PSV hold on to frustrate Atletico

EINDHOVEN, FEBRUARY 25 (REUtERs): PSV Eindhoven played for more than 20 minutes with 10 men but held on for a goalless draw at home to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their ChampionsLeague last-16 tie on Wednesday.

The Spanish club have earned a well-founded reputation for iron-clad defence this season but it was the Dutch champions who had to produce a stout rearguard action to avoid being beaten and leave the tie balanced ahead of the return leg on March 15.

PSV, making their first appearance in the knockout phase of the competition since 2007, were forced to play the closing stages deep in their own half af-

ter 20-year-old striker Gaston Pereiro was sent off for a second booking in the 68th minute.

Having been cautioned in the first half, he was dismissed for a needless shoulder challenge on Atletico defender Diego Godin. “It was a difficult game. They were super good and super quick,” PSV defender Jeffrey Bruma told reporters.

“We fought with power and we did it well and we can be satisfied with the 0-0. We still have it in our own hands.”

The home side had started the game in an ambitious mood, fielding three attackers despite the absence of suspended top scorer Luuk de Jong.

Godin did put the ball in the net with a close-range header

midway through the second half but his effort was ruled out for a push on a PSV defender.

The best chance of the first half also fell to Atletico.

Forward Luciano Vietto raced on to a long ball inside the opening three minutes and scooped it over PSV keeper Jeroen Zoet, but saw his effort cleared off the line by the backtracking Bruma.

Atletico had to wait almost an hour for another opportunity with substitute Fernando Torres hitting a good effort wide almost immediately after coming on.

Bruma blocked a closerange effort from Angel Correa in the final 10 minutes with the ball striking him full in the face and knocking him off his feet.

McGregor, Diaz trade verbal shots ahead of UFC 196 showdown

tORRANCE, FEBRUARY 25 (AP): Conor McGregor has turned fight promotion into an art during his ferocious rise to the top of the UFC. In Nate Diaz, McGregor has an opponent with an abrasive personality to match his — and the brawling tendencies to turn their UFC 196 showdown into something worth talking about.

When the UFC put two of its most prodigious trash-talkers on a podium Wednesday to discuss their hastily arranged bout, the resulting display of verbal fireworks didn't disappoint the hundreds of fans who waited in a line stretching around a gym in suburban Los Angeles.

"With his soft body and his lack of preparation, he will not be able to handle the ferocity," McGregor said. "By the end of the first (round), I feel he will be put away.

There's a respect there between us, but it's business in there, and he will be KO'd inside the first round."

Even with less than two weeks to promote their March 5 bout in Las Vegas, McGregor's promotional sparring with Diaz might make the new main event bigger than McGregor's original matchup with lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, who pulled out Tuesday with a foot injury.

While Dos Anjos has few fans outside his native Brazil, Diaz is a popular veteran from a California fighting family. Diaz also embraces the antagonistic nature of promoting a fight with the boastful McGregor (192), who has joined

UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor (L) and lightweight contender Nate Diaz (R) are held apart by Dave Sholler (C), UFC vice president of public relations, after a news conference at UFC Gym February 24 in Torrance, California. (Getty Images)

Ronda Rousey as one of the UFC's biggest stars.

"I'm just going to kill or be killed," Diaz said. "That's what I'm coming with."

Even Diaz (18-10) seemed a bit overwhelmed by McGregor's verbal gymnastics in their first joint appearance, mostly keeping his comments short after infuriating the champ by repeatedly asserting McGregor is using steroids.

"How does it feel to be a millionaire now? It's nice, right?" McGregor asked Diaz. "Congratulations. You're rich now."

McGregor then asserted Diaz is an unskilled brawler and made fun of the bout's 170-pound weight limit requested by Diaz. McGregor won the 145-pound belt in December, and he has been training for a 155-pound fight with Dos Anjos.

McGregor is the UFC's feather-

weight champion, and the loquacious Irishman had hoped to win the lightweight belt simultaneously at the MGM Grand Garden Arena before Dos Anjos pulled out, predictably drawing the champion's scorn.

"Did you see (the injury)? It's a bruise!" McGregor said. "Ice! Ibuprofen! If I jumped under an X-ray (with that injury), the doctor would slap me and say, 'What are you doing, kid? Get out of here!'"

Diaz and his older brother, Nick, a former Strikeforce welterweight champion, have earned several high-profile fights in recent years for their combination of fighting skills and outlaw personae.

The Stockton-based brothers have become archetypal in MMA circles for their pugnacious style, unapologetic marijuana use and aggressively anti-social style: For instance, the brothers often make obscene gestures across the octagon at their opponents before rounds.

While getting in plenty of shots on Diaz, McGregor also acknowledged respect for Diaz and his brother, using creative language to approve of their willingness to take almost any fight.

"I honestly like Nick's little brother," McGregor said. "He's like a little ... gangster from the 'hood, but at the same time he coaches kids' jiu-jitsu on a Sunday morning and goes on bike rides with the elderly. He makes gang signs with the right hand and animal balloons with the left hand."

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