January 10th, 2015

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 8

www.morungexpress.com

“

Try to learn something about everything and everything about something

”

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Saturday, January 10, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4 – Thomas Huxley

My silence not sinister, media should be sensitive: Shashi Tharoor

Three terrorists killed by French forces

‘Practice outside what is practiced inside the church’ [ PAGE 2]

Sharapova, Ivanovic reach Brisbane final

[ PAGE 8]

[ PAGE 9]

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 12]

Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone to marry soon?

Vying for power in nagaland Kaito leaves for Delhi A contest of principles or a battle of interests?

Imlisanen Jamir

Dimapur | January 9

“Politics is strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage,” once wrote the American satirist, journalist and short story writer, Ambrose Bierce. Bierce might have laid these words on the paper over a century ago, but they still ring true in the Machiavellian world that is the politics of power.

In Nagaland state, recent political developments bear testimony to this, with two sides vying for the reins of power, churning gems from the political safe words dictionary like “stability,” “democracy,” “peace,” “unity” and of course that oh so elusive “development.” In the tryst for the chance to lead, both sides seek support from the people. Or do they? And what do the people make of their ‘leader’s’ rhetoric.

“I am in debt and have to worry every night about providing for my family,” says Tiakumzuk Ao, as he stands near an ATM, waiting to cash in on what is left of his savings. He is a teacher, and married with three children. And he has not been paid for several months. For Tiakumzuk, developments in the political echelon of Nagaland have been nothing more than “words on paper.”

“Everybody promises but nobody delivers,” he states.

For him, there is a need for

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Seen in this file photo is the Nagaland Legislative Assembly building in Kohima. How will the recent political developments in Nagaland state affect the day today lives of people?

change. But a change in the approach of leaders in Nagaland state.

“How long has it been since there has been a real message of change.

A message that has been acted upon and realized in the greater interest of the people,” questions Nepe Konyak from Mon. As a young student, Nepe says her impression of idealistic politics in text books has been shattered by the apathy of government towards the people and by the constant rhetoric spewed by politicians to either claim or stay in power.

Jacbon Yanthan, a lecturer from Kohima meanwhile asserts that “We have always needed better roads, power, employment, peace, development and education.” “These are not new needs and the state has for the most part failed miserably, no matter who was or is in power,” he adds.

Commenting on recent

political developments, Yanthan questions “Allegations have been made and justifications have been given. So what next?” The people will have no say and political maneuvering from either side will lead to an eventuality. To this, Yanthan responds “Yes. But an eventuality that benefits who? Will the end result be a government that manages to stay in power and continue incompetence or another government comes to power and continues the same incompetence?”

Food for thought here.

Tovito Ayemi, on the other hand admits that he does not know much of politics or its recent developments in Nagaland state. He dropped out of high school early and now operates a pan shop in Dimapur. “I dropped out of school because I went through a rebellious phase where studies did not seem important,” he says. How-

ever, Tovito adds that now “he has tried to earn a living by himself and become a better man.”

While admitting little knowledge of political developments, he states, “It will not matter to me. I voted for the one that my colony chairman told me to vote for and I have not even seen that leader.” “No matter who leads, I will be at my pan shop everyday, inhaling dust from that huge pothole in front of my shop.” A tad cynical perhaps, but a reality for many Nagas.

And this reality, Jacbon Yanthan states “is the core reason for Nagas today treating state politics as nothing more than kitchen gossip.” Rumors, statements and allegations fill the air, choking the people, while they fall into potholes, wait in line for water, accumulate debts, pray for regular electricity and fear to venture into the night.

Public Information

It further claimed that the NPCC has “failed miserably as an effective opposition both inside and outside the house.” “If they are expecting BJP to play the opposition role of Congress, it only exposes how confused they are,” it added.

As an alliance of DAN, the BJP Nagaland said that “it is well within our moral right to appeal to the warring NPF groups to settle their internal dispute amicably.” It further stated that “there was also absolutely nothing wrong for BJP Nagaland to conform its decisions to the fast changing political development.”

Explaining the logic behind the BJP’s decision to “support the majority group

led by G Kaito Aye,” the BJP informed that “out of 44 DAN legislators (NPF -38, BJP - 4, JDU - 1 & NCP - 1), this NPF group has 23 and with 4 from BJP, they would have the command of 27 whereas, the other group with 15 and 1 each of NCP and JD (U) have 17 only.”

The BJP, it stated, “has no say in seeking support from other legislators” and that its main concern “is to provide a stable government which will last its full term.”

“When the magic figure of 23 was proven by head count as well as in letter, there was no basis for BJP to stay neutral. BJP makes it very clear that its support is for change of guard and not the government,” it added.

Dc tuensang urges public not to panic

Grenade hurled at ex-MLA’s residence Morung Express News Dimapur | January 9

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A hand grenade was hurled at the residence of an exMLA at Unity Village in 5th Mile, Dimapur, on Friday at around 9:30 am. The grenade however did not explode. Police informed that the residence where the grenade was hurled belonged to Imlong Chang, a former Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Police were unable to identify the person(s) responsible for the act. The motive behind the act also remains unknown.

CM seeks ‘vote of confidence’ in NLA

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agaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, along with NPF president, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Secretary General, K.G. Kenye met the Governor of Nagaland today requesting a special session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly “so that he may move a motion of confidence.” In a letter to the Governor, the CM said that the recent political development “has confused the people of Nagaland, besides affecting the normal functioning of the Government.”

Terming the move of the legislators calling for his resignation as “unconstitutional” he further termed the “election of Chief Whip of the NPF Legislature’s Party” as “illegal.”

Meanwhile central Office Bearers, Divisional Presidents, Frontal Chiefs and Cell Chairmen of the NPF held a meeting on January 9. The meeting endorsed the suspension orders issued by the NPF Pres-

The NPF Legislature Party further alleged that the NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu “had informed the NPF organization in today’s NPF Central Office Bearers meeting at the NPF Central office at Kohima, at 11 AM, that TR Zeliang’s camp has strategized with the Congress legislators to take the support of the Congress MLAs to try and garner a majority in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.” “That is why the TR Zeliang Camp has called for a special session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to prove his majority,” the press note stated. Rejecting this proposal, it asserted that “we are very much part of the NDA and we have agreed to form a stable government that will have a positive and constructive partnership with

ident to seven MLAs and appealed to the legislators calling for leadership change to “come back to the mainstream of the NPF and also to desist from indulging in dissident activities.” The meeting also endorsed the leadership of the party president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Chief Minister TR Zeliang. It further urged the DAN partners to “remain neutral during this period of intra-NPF political issue.”

A press note from the NPF press bureau claimed that the meeting was attended by 43 members out of the 48 members inducted to the Central Office on November 26, 2014 at the party’s General Convention.

Earlier, NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie referring to the suspension orders stated: “I have not mentioned in the orders the suspension period because I have kept room for consideration of revoking the orders once the legislators repent and mend their ways.”

the central government.”

Meanwhile, the NPF divisions of 55 A/C Tobu, 60 Pungro Kiphire A/C and 14 Southern Angami – 1 A/C , in separate press notes, have called for revocation of the suspension orders issued by the NPF President and extended their support to the leadership of G Kaito Aye. Noke expresses pain Senior NPF legislator Noke Wangnao, has expressed “pain” at what he termed was the “arbitrary action of the NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie who has issued suspension order on seven bonafide NPF members without assigning any valid reasons.” A press note from Wangnao stated that the NPF President has “made a mockery of the NPF Constitution as he has not issued any show cause

notice and has taken the so called disciplinary action without even consulting the disciplinary action committee.” Noke further stated “there is no reason whatsoever as to why Dr. Shurhozelie should resort to such kind of spiteful action against our own MLAs.” Namri Nchang clarifies NPF MLA, Namri Nchang today stated that he has extended “full fledged support to the leadership of Kaito Aye on my own free will since he enjoys the support of the majority of Members of the NPF Legislature Party in an overwhelming manner.” He further clarified: “I am not staying here under any forceful confinement or duress and anybody is free to come and meet me at any given time.”

BJP bats for ‘stable government’ neZcc prepares for ‘Maati Ke rang’

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 9 (MExN): The Nagaland state unit of the BJP today stated that “it has no hidden agenda but for stable Government for the interest of the state and is of the opinion that the best option to end this impasse is to call for physical parade at the earliest.”

A press note from the BJP Nagaland further stated that the recent statement of the Only two of us left. Can`t Nagaland Pradesh Congress we remain united without Committee (NPCC) “was fighting? very unfortunate and unbecoming of a national political party.” The Congress and particularly its legislature This is a reminder to all party, the BJP said, “should concerned that The Mo- do some self-introspection rung Express has only before blaming the public one official and valid and questioning BJP’s role.” email address. All press statements, memorandums, articles, reports and news related documents should be sent to: morung@gmail.com Morung Express News Editor, The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 9 (MExN): NPF legislator G Kaito Aye, accompanied by Nagaland MPs, Nephiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi left for New Delhi today. A press note from the spokesperson for the NPF legislature party, Imkong L Imchen, informed that the “national leadership of the BJP in Delhi has invited the leader of the NPF Legislature Party, G Kaito Aye to Delhi to discuss the formation of a new arrangement in the State under his leadership.”

The press note further clarified that that the current move for the change of leadership is not a move to “topple the government nor a case of defection, split or changing the party.”

It informed that the DAN coalition comprising of NPF, BJP and JDU is made of 43 members in the house of 60. It added that the change in the leadership “is to be amongst these 43 members and the person who enjoys the confidence of the majority of these members shall automatically be the leader of the DAN Legislature party.”

Even within the NPF Legislature party, it claimed that “out of 38 NPF MLAs, G Kaito Aye enjoys support of 22 MLAs making his claim constitutionally legitimate.”

Presently, the note informed that G Kaito Aye “enjoys the support of 26 legislators out of the 43 members of the DAN Coalition namely 22 NPF and 4 BJP.” On the other hand, it added that “TR Zeliang has the support of only 16 members namely 15 NPF, and 1 JDU.” The 43rd member is the Speaker of the NLA.

Dimapur | January 9

Following the reported ‘quit notice’ issued by an organisation informing ‘non-Yimchungru and nonChang’ residents of Tuensang to leave the town, the Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang has appealed the public not to panic.

A press release from the DC stated, “Apropos to the press release published in one of the local dailies on 9th January, 2015 by Yimchungru Public Co-ordination Committee (YPCC), public are hereby informed not to panic.” Stating that the government is taking “necessary arrangements for any eventuality” in and around Tuensang town, the release added that the government administrative machinery is making

“all efforts to identify the organization and to bring upon an amicable solution to the issue.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the NPCC Political Affairs Committee, KV Pusa has expressed dismay over the government’s handling of the situation arising from the dispute between Chendang Saddle and Yakhao villages terming it as “lackadaisical attitude of the state government.” While urging the State government to make effort to settle the issue, Pusa in a press release said the situation could have been prevented had the government taken all pre-cautionary measures.

“Simply imposing Section 144 CrPc would not work but negotiation with the two parties would resolve all outstanding issues.”

Pusa further appealed the contending parties to come to the negotiation table and settle the issue in the interest of all Naga communities adding that all issues could be settled through mutual negotiation. The congress leader also appealed the YPCC to withdraw the ‘quit notice’.

The Nagaland unit of the BJP, in a press release has also appealed for calm and peace. Vice president, Yanghose Sangtam in the release stated that “such clashes should be avoided in the interest of the public” and expressed hope that the contending parties would come together and resolve the differences. It further appealed that the ongoing dispute should not affect students who are preparing for the upcoming HSLC examination.

One of nation’s largest cultural festivals; entry free for all events Morung Express News Dimapur | January 9

The North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Complex in Dimapur was today abuzz with workers and artists preparing for one of India’s largest cultural festivals – Maati Ke Rang. From the stage to pavilions being built, the magnitude of the event was apparent.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and hosted by NEZCC, around 600 artists from all over the country will perform at the cultural extravaganza, which is being held in the North East for the first time; the previous two editions were hosted in Panchkula, Haryana in 2012, and in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 2013. This year’s edition will also see international performing artists from Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Addressing a press conference, Lipokmar Tzüdir, Director of NEZCC termed the festival as a rare opportunity. He asserted that the success of the festival would depend on the attendance of 10,000 - 15,000 visitors per day.

The ‘Maati Ke Rang’ 2015 scheduled to be held from January 13 to 17 will have pavilions of the seven Zonal Cultural Centres that were established in 1986 across India. The thematic pavilions (Aangans) will showcase the various regions and people of India who will exhibit their arts and crafts, dance and music.

At the East Zone Cultur-

Artists paint the pavilions prepared for the ‘Maati Ke Rang’ festival scheduled to be held from January 13-17 at NEZCC Complex, Diphupar Village, Dimapur. (Morung Photos)

al Centre pavilion, Pawan Kumar (28), from Bhagalpur, Bihar was adorning the wall with Manjusha painting using only three colours. All the pavilions had their walls painted with mostly traditional arts.

And, every art had a significant story to tell, like Sunita Jha (55), a Madhubani painter from Madhubani, Bihar explained that the banana tree and bamboo

in her husband’s painting signify proliferation and parrot signifies love.

A press release from NEZCC informed that the festival aims to bring together India’s cultural diversity on one platform, aspiring towards integration through art forms that bind the region together.

Highlights of the festival include a mini marathon run for a “clean and

healthy India” to kick off at 6:00 am on January 13 from the ADC Court Junction here, and end at NEZCC Complex. Arranged

by Anytime Fitness, Dimapur, this will feature as part of the Swacch Bharat Campaign.

A national crafts exhibition and Food Mela will be a permanent feature over the five days, alongside a painting, sculpture and Buddhist Exhibition.

North East Artifacts Exhibition will feature some of the best from this region.

Ethnic shows aside, the national, international and local audience will see bands from Nagaland (We The Giants, Alobo Naga & The Band, Alo Wanth and Tali Angh) perform from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm every day from January 14-17. On January 16, popular singers Amit Paul and Charu Semwal will enthrall the audience from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Meanwhile, international cultural show will be held 4:00 to 5:00 pm daily from January 14-17.

A Children’s Carnival for age group of 6-15 years has been scheduled for January 14-17 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm daily; children’s activities will include Fancy Dress Competition, Dance Competition (Free Style), Painting/Drawing Competition and Solo Singing Competition. The evening mega events will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm daily.

Entry is free for all events. Union Minister for Culture, Mahesh Sharma will grace the opening ceremony on January 13.

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Dimapur

Saturday

DHEP downstream affected people forms organisation Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): The Peoples of Podinakub has resolved to constitute into an organization to undertake all round social Economic development for the welfare, benefit and upliftment of the downstream affected people of Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP).

Chairman of the newly formed organisation, N Mhabemo Mozhüi in a press release stated that DAPO, DHEP Podinakub would “raise voices during the hardship, accident, disadvantages and in time of injustices face by the people and to seek all necessary and practicable help for

the Downstream Affected People from Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP).”

The Downstream Affected People Organization of (DHEP) Podinakub has elected a team of office bearers for the tenure of five years i.e. from 2014-2019 with N. Mhabemo MozhuiChairman; T.Wobemo Tsopoe-Secretary; Zumomo Lotha- Finance Secretary; Z. Khyothungo Jami-Legal advisor and three senior advisors.

The organization urged upon Doyang Hydro Electric Project (NEPCCO) to consul all developmental activities to the undersigned for better un-

derstanding between the Ekhung and the DHEP authorities. “The Ekhung will not accept arbitrary decisions of the DHEP authorities in all matters affecting the downstream people as it was fully authorised and endorsed by all the village councils through a resolution of the Podinakup of ten villages,” the release added.

To this effect the Podinakup Ekhung had already submitted formal representation duly endorsed by the SDO (C) Sanis and DC wokha to the HOP, DHEP for necessary action and it had been acknowledge by the DHEP authorities last year.

SASU 65th general conference at Kidima

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LocaL

10 January 2015

Kohima, January 9 (mExn): The 65th general conference of the Southern Angami Students’ Union (SASU) will take place from January 23 to 25 at Kidima village under the theme “Adapt, Improvise, Achieve.”

Viketol Sakhrie, commissioner & secretary for rural development will be the chief guest while Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi, rtd joint director, veterinary and animal husbandry will be the guest of honour.

Kezhazer Angami, former president Angami Students’ Union will be the introductory guest on Janu-

ary 23 at 4:30 PM. The session guests includes; Southern Angami Women Organization, Southern Angami Public Organization, Southern Angami Board of Trustee and Southern Angami Gazetted Officers Krotho.

The inaugural function will take place on January 24. The function will be led

by Kedovi Zhotso while SASU president Vilboto Hibo will deliver presidential note.

A career guidance seminar will take place on January 24 at 1:00 PM in which Dr. Vizovol Mekro, Asst. Prof. geology and Dr.

Visakhonii Hibo, principal Japfii Christian College will speak on the occasion.

Academic session also take place on the same day at 4:30 with Dr. K. Sophie, Deputy CMO Kohima as the speaker.

Rev. Neivotso Neikha, mission director Outreach NEICRC will be the speaker of the gospel service scheduled on January 25 at 10:00 AM. Extempore speech, debate competition on “Gender inequality still persist in Naga society,” introduction of SASU new team, SASU night, etc will also mark the occasion.

‘Practice outside what is practiced inside the church’

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Kohima | January 9

“Justice is about our will to give what is due to God and our neighbours. It’s about making transformation in the existing order,” said Rev. Fr. Dr. Sojan Xavier during the Silver Jubilee of the Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement. The Silver Jubilee is the 7th Nagaland Catholic Youth Convention which was held from January 8 to 12 at the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima under the theme taken from Matthew 5: 8, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Rev. Fr. Dr. Sojan Xavier who was the resource person of the first session on January 9 spoke on the theme “Social Mission of the Young People” with emphasis on the Catholic social teaching that is a key to catholic identity.

Stressing that one’s faith as profoundly social, Rev. Fr. Dr. Sojan Xavier exhorted the youth that they need to practice outside what is practiced inside the church.

“Everything that we do, as a politician or a labourer, our aim is to do good for the others, good for the human person because all of us are created in the image of likeness of God our

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A section of the gathering at the Silver Jubilee of 7th Nagaland Catholic Youth Convention which held at the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima. (Morung Photo)

father,” stated Rev. Fr. Dr. Sojan Xavier while adding that the Catholic social teachings has two dimensions namely justice and charity that is loving God above all things and loving one’s neighbours.

According to Rev. Fr. Dr. Sojan Xavier, justice is not just about giving money but making a change in the structure. As young people, we are called to bring about change in society, different from others asserted the Rev who further called upon the delegates to have the courage to tell the truth

on the face of the perpetrators who are being unjust and be prepared with the consequences.

On January 9, the inaugural mass was held with Rev. Fr. Tom Kathik SDB leading the main celebrant theme, which was followed by the hoisting of the NCYM flag and releasing of the Jubilee Souvenir Magazine. The session was followed by group discussions with Tosovi Philip Khale as the moderator.

A cultural program was also held in the evening along with the penitential

TuEnsang, January 9 (Dipr): The Tuensang DPDB meeting for the month of January 2015 was held at the DC Conference Hall Tuensang on January 6. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of new DC Alem Jongshi.

The Chairman wished all the members a very happy new year and welcomed them to the meeting.

The DC informed the board that the temporary creation of HSLC and HSSLC examination centre at Shamator and necessary action has been initiated. To observe all necessary procedure and formalities before recommending to the government for opening of new school as notified by government.

Reviewing the last DPDB meeting minutes the board deliberated on requirement of convention hall at Tuensang town owing to give a committee Kidima villagers in their traditional finery during the golden jubilee celebration of Kidima Youth Organization held at Kidima has been constituted headed by DC Tuensang as Chairman and UDO as Memvillage under Kohima district. (Morung Photo)

Kohima, January 9 (mExn): The Ehunnu & Yikhanu churches celebrated their historic 75 years of Christianity from December 27 to 28 last with the theme “Proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favour”- Is.61:2. The speakers of the celebration were Rev. Dr. T. Alem Meren, Missionary to China and Haiwalo Apon, executive secretary, CRBC Zunpha.

The celebration was also marked by music fest featuring Alo Wanth, Jonathan Mesen, Sinya Kath etc.

Jubilee Choir, Kandi Group Choir, Nsunyu Group Choir and Ehunnu and Yikhanu citizens of Tseminyu town, Kohima and Dimapur also enthralled the congregation with songs. Rev. Sutensha Kath opened the session with dedicatory prayer. Rev. Pikhato Kath released platinum jubilee souvenir and memento while Z. Mesen, convenor, jubilee planning committee delivered welcome address.

In commemoration of the platinum jubilee, a park along with monolith stone were erected and dedicated to the Glory of God by Rev. K. Methalo Thono.

The citizens of Ehunnu and Yikhanu also acknowledged the first Christian convert Lt. Ghozukha Kath and Lt. Ghasilu Kath with a monument constructed in their memory.

UNTABA resolves to bring back ‘transferred’ Naga lands

Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): The United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) held the Executive Council Meeting at Unity Hall, Naga Council Dimapur on January 9 where the house resolved to pursue more vigorously for bringing back all the alienated traditional and historical Naga lands arbitrarily transferred by the then British Imperial Government of India from 19th Century onwards to Assam in accordance to the Representation submitted to the Prime Minister, Government of India on November 10, 2014.

UNTABA Chairman, Hukavi T. Yeputhomi and Joint Secretary

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Our Correspondent

service.

The other highlights of the Jubilee which will be held from January 8-11 are as follows: A social awareness drive will be held on January 10 followed by Thanksgiving masses. The afternoon session will be the Testimony service with Mario Joseph as the main speaker. The evening session “Way to the Cross” will be lead by Roseline Dzüvichü with reflections shared

by Rev. Fr. C P Anto. The Ecumenical meet and the Jubilee mass will be held on Sunday, January 11 with

Tuensang DPDB meeting for January conducted

Ehunnu & Yikhanu churches celebrates platinum jubilee

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Nagaland Catholic Youth Convention silver jubilee celebration underway

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The Morung Express

Yanger Sangtam stated in a press release that towards this end, the UNTABA shall explore all possible means democratically including legal course and fight both the Government of India and Assam until the demand of the Naga people are completely fulfilled as per the political agreements made between the Government of India and the Naga people prior to the establishment of Nagaland Statehood.

“Henceforth, the Naga people shall no longer recognize the so called ‘Disputed Area Belt’ unilaterally imposed by the Government of Assam in all the Naga areas border-

ing Assam, and that the people of Nagaland shall no longer recognize various ‘Interim Agreements’ made between the two States since the Government of Assam had arbitrarily abrogated all the terms of agreements made from 1972 onwards in order to unlawfully encroach on large areas of Naga lands,” it stated.

Further, it added that in this connection, the UNTABA shall work in close co-ordination with the Government of Nagaland and initiate appropriate course of action to thwart any unilateral action of the Government of Assam against the interest of the people of Nagaland.

ber Secretary and other members were SDO Civil Sadar, EE PWD Housing and LRSO. The agenda discussed during the meeting- upgradation of Tulip Residential Academy School Tuensang was approved and the board resolved to forward to the concern head of department for consideration. The DPDB member undertook discussion upon the selling of liquor stressing on the subject, the board amended to keep a check on sale of intoxicant and alcoholic substance in the town through law enforcing agency.

The CMO Tuensang has given clear picture that the health care facilities has been rendering a great deal of services to the people of Tuensang. In this connection, the DC has informed that in the near future he will summon the DPDB members to present departmental activities in the meeting.

The meeting concluded with words of thanks by the Chairman.

Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil as the main celebrant, which will be followed by the felicitation program with Francis Ngajokpa, Minister, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Economics and Statistics, Government of Manipur as the Chief Guest. In the variety evening, K Elias Lotha, IPS, DIGP (HQ), Nagaland Police will be the Guest of Honor. The Jubilee will concluded at Sunday evening Rosary with Reflections shared by Rev. Fr. P. X Francis SDB, Rector, Don Bosco, Imphal.

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Coordination meeting for R-Day on Jan 13

Kohima, January 9 (Dipr): A coordination meeting to chalk out the programme in connection with work distribution and ground arrangement etc for the ensuing Republic Day Celebration at Kohima on 26th January 2015 will be held on January 13 at 12:00 noon in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office Kohima.

All officials concerned are requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting without fail.

SKK Planning Board meeting

Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): The Planning Board Platinum Jubilee (SKK) will hold an emergency meeting at hotel Silhoutte, Kalbari Road Dimapur at 11:00 am onwards on January 10. All the Planning members and SKK Ex-officio's are requested to make yourself available for said schedule.

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ZCYO commemorates Foundation Day

Lt Deliezhü Angami Monolith erected

Abeiü Meru, President of NMA, Abou Sote and others during the Deliezhü Angami Memorial Monolith erection at Deliezhü Colony, Kuda Village 'C' Khel, Dimapur on January 8.

Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): A monolith in memory of Late Deliezhü Angami Sote was erected and inaugurated at Deliezhü Colony, popularly called ‘D’ Colony at Kuda Village ‘C’ Khel, Dimapur, Nagaland on January 8.

A press note issued by family of Late Deliezhü Angami stated that the Monolith was erected by the children/grandchildren and family of Late Deliezhü Angami, landowner of the colony who was the

longest-served GB of Kuda Village formerly known as Nagarjan. He served for 46 years from 1962 till his demise in 2008. Abeiü Meru, President, Naga Mothers’ Association unveiled the Memorial Monolith and the dedicatory prayer was invoked by Pastor Hundo Gwanilo of Nagamese Church, Kuda village C khel.

Late Deliezhü was from Pfuchatsuma Khel, Kohima village, born in 1916 in Kohima village. Abou Sote, GB, Kuda ‘C’ khel and son

of Lt. Deliezhü Angami, chaired the programme.

Late Deliezhü served in the Assam Regiment under the erstwhile British Empire from 1945-47 and was enrolled with the No. 4328488, dated 15/08/1945. He was recipient of 3 Gallantry Medals of the Empire including the Burma Star. After retirement, he founded Kuda village alongwith senior pioneers and settled permanently since 1948.

He first served as Assistant GB to senior GB Nim-

edo Sakhrie and later became the first Chairman of Nagarjan Village Council.

He was a patriarch to the people of Nagarjan (Kuda) and rendered numerous service and contribution to the villagers and public of Dimapur in its early years. He promoted peace and communal harmony among all citizens living together in the village.

The inaugural and unveiling function was attended by Chairman of Kuda Village Council Alhoulie Belho, Thepfuko Nagi, Head GB, Kuda Village, Vatsu Meru, former Minister, Savi Liegise, former President, Naga Council Dimapur, all Chairmen and GBs of Kuda village A, B & C khels, Khrieshütso Kiso, Retd Registrar, PHQ, Nagaland, colony residents and a hosts of relatives.

Members of Zuvotong Colony Youth Organisation during a picnic at Tourist Village Riphyim.

WoKha, January 9 (mExn): Zuvotong Colony Youth Organisation (ZCYO) commemorated its maiden Foundation Day on January 6 at the residence of Zuvotong Colony Union (ZCU) chairman.

On the occasion, the organisation honoured two young officers, Chumben Ngullie, Asst. Commandant (CISF) and Tsenthungo Ngullie (EAC), both members of ZCYO. A press release from ZCYO president, Chum-

chamo R Ovung and general secretary, Lichanbemo Yanthan informed that Chumben Ngullie, who delivered a message during the programme, urged the youth to set both short and long term goals in life to become a successful person. He advised the youth to distance from the negative impact of technology, which he termed “Virtual Madness”, where one’s interest is only with the latest electronic gadgets like computer (internet), cell

phone, TV etc. In this, he pointed out the minimization of interaction resulting in communication gap within families and friends.

He further encouraged the students to focus and concentrate on their studies at the same time to be active in social activities like students union, youth organisation, and youth fellowship, stating they are great platforms to shape and mould one’s personality, which he himself had experienced.

C M Y K

REgional Nido Tania case: HC issues notice over dropped charges The Morung Express

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (iaNS): The Delhi High Court Friday issued notice to the CBI on a plea of the father of deceased Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania against the trial court's order to drop charges under the SC/ST Act against the accused.

Nido Tania's father Nido Pavitra, a Congress legislator from Arunachal Pradesh, earlier moved the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court's order.

Justice Manmohan Singh sought response from the CBI, Tihar Central Jail superintendent and four accused by April 22.

The court issued notice to the jail superintendent as main accused Farman is lodged in the jail. He was not granted bail. Other three accused are out on bail.

Nido was allegedly beaten with iron rods and sticks after a fight with a shopkeeper and other men in South Delhi's Lajpat Nagar market, which even-

tually resulted in his death.

The trial court Sep 25, 2014, dropped charges of violations of the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act against the accused, saying the prosecution failed to establish that it was a case of "racial slur".

Even if Nido belonged to

any such caste, this fact was not known to any of the accused, the court said.

Advocate Prashant Mendiratta appearing for Nido's father told the court that having perceived that Nido Tania belonged to a Scheduled Tribe, the accused relentlessly mocked him for no reason while

he was just making an enquiry to find his way to an address.

"A perusal of the FIR and the statement of the eyewitness to the assault - Lokam Lulu - brings out that the solitary reason why the deceased (Nido Tania) was singled out and assaulted by the accused people was

because from his facial feature, which marked him as someone from the northeast of the country, the accused people perceived the deceased to be 'chinki' (in their words) and, therefore, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe," the plea said.

Seeking that the trial court order be set aside, Nido's father said even the subsequent assaults and the words used by the accused during the assaults bear out the fact that the main reason for his son becoming the subject of the accused people's hatred and ire was that he belonged to a Scheduled Tribe.

"The SC/ST Act was promulgated precisely to prevent and punish such caste motivated atrocities which have no place in contemporary society.

The entire purpose of the legislation would stand defeated if the hyper technical view adopted by the trial court is sustained," the plea added.

Delhi Police, who

were earlier probing the case, had slapped murder charges against the four attackers, accused in the case, after Nido Tania's post-mortem examination report revealed he died of head and facial injuries caused by a blunt object.

Police also slapped the attackers with charges under the SC/ST Act. The case was later transferred to the CBI. The maximum punishment under SC/ST Act is life imprisonment. While filing the charge sheet, the CBI dropped murder charges against the accused, saying the killing was not premeditated but a result of an altercation over the breaking of a glass counter at a shop in the market.

The four have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and common intent.

Three minors, who had also allegedly assaulted Nido Tania, are facing an inquiry before the Juvenile Justice Board.

Union Min's visit to North East Arunachal action plan to contain insurgency to be a fortnightly affair now

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (Pti): With northeast India being a key focus area of the Narendra Modi government, at least one Union minister will now have to visit one of the states in the region every fortnight.

In a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on Monday, Modi had emphasised that the ministers should put the seven northeastern states as well as the Himalayan state ofSikkim on their map.

He had asked them to spend "reasonable" duration of time in these states and chalk out their schedules accordingly.

Union Chemical Minister Ananth Kumar has been assigned the role of initial coordination with the ministers to ensure their presence in the region on a regular basis. He also metsome of the ministers over the issue three-four days back to chalk out the schedule.

All Union ministers -- Cabinet, Ministers of State with Independent Charge and Ministers of State -- have been asked to submit their travel plans to the northeast region in the coming days.

‘Order to act against Indian insurgents in Bangladesh’ aGartala, JaNuary 9 (Pti): Instructions have been given to launch operation against Indian insurgents using the soil of Bangladesh for carrying out "subversive" activities in India, a delegate for the ongoing two-day IndoBangla Joint Border Conference said today.

"We were instructed to launch operations if any Indian insurgents use the soil of Bangladesh for causing subversive activities in Indian side. We have also conducted a number of operations against them," Director of 54 Border Guard Battalion of Bangladesh Lt Colonel Kazi Mahamudunnabi said.

Bangladesh has decided to set up five more border outposts in the Chittagong Hill Tract areas bordering Dhalai district of Tripura for better vigil and stop cross border movement of insurgents, he said.

The 30-member Bangladesh team leader District Magistrate of Feni Humayan Kabir Khanderkar said, "We work at the district level and face various border-related issues and such meetings will help us to address them through dialogues."

From the Indian side, Dr Prashant Kumar Goyal, District Magistrate of Sipahijala said "We have discussed issues like joint border management, border smuggling, human trafficking, border crimes, infiltration and cross border movements of insurgents or terrorists."

"We pledged to cooperate with each other in this regard. Both side attached importance for better coordination in grassroots level to address the issues and improve relations between the two countries," he said.

itaNaGar, JaNuary 9 (Pti): Arunachal Pradesh police has made an action plan to check insurgency in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts through various initiatives, including setting up 11 new police stations and upgrading the existing nine.

Besides, 1769 posts have been filled up in the police department for the three insurgency-affected districts, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Tussar Taba told reporters here today.

To strengthen the police in these districts in terms of communication, vehicles, weapons and security equipments, 20 HF sets, 100 2W VHF sets, 217 VHF hand held sets were procured including 50 vehicles of various categories.

The department also

"We are free to choose any state we plan to visit. The visit may include meeting local leaders and officials on the issue of development," a minister said speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Sources in the government say that northeast and Jammu and Kashmir are key focus areas for the Prime Minister and he is particular that the plans of the government to reach out to people in these regions are carried out with precision and proper planning.

During his four-day trip to the NE states in November-December last year, the Prime Minister had said that while the rest of India which had SEZs (Special Economic Zones), the northeast region was full of NEZs - "Natural Economic Zones".

In his speech then, Modi had also taken a jibe at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh claiming that he did not visit Nagaland during his 10-year tenure.

BJP has minimal presence in the northeastern region. Of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in these NE states, BJP and its allies got 10 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

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NAGA PEOPLE’S FRONT 17TH CHIZAMI A/C. DIST. PHEK

NPF 17TH – CHIZAMI A/C SUPPORT G. KAITO AYE The Naga People’s Front 17th –Chizami A/C extend our support to the leadership of Mr. G.Kaito Aye who has been elected as the new leader of the NPF Legislature Party and his team of efficient NPF and DAN Legislators for taking the bold decision to form popular and stable government in the larger interest of the Naga people.

The 17th Chizami A/C also question the autocratic action of the NPF President for suspension of 7 (seven) NPF Legislators who are not found of their anti-party activities.

The irrational decision of the Party Chief has murdered the inner party democracy and demanded immediate revocation of the suspension order in the best interest of the party.

Meanwhile, the NPF 17th – Chizami A/C reiterates our unflinching support to NPF Party under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Deo Nukhu MLA. Rariiveyi Swiiro General Secretary 17th- Chizami A/C

Shekhozo Thiiliio President 17th- Chizami A/C

procured 313 5.56 INSAS rifles, 158 9mm pistols, 40 2'mortars, 33 7.62 LMgs and over two lakh AK-47 ammunitions during 2014, the AIGP said adding, 28 night vision devices, 20 video cameras, 23 digital cameras and other gadgets were procured for the districts during the year.

He said under citizen safety initiatives, anti-extortion cell was created in the police headquarters, besides introduction of beat system, tenant and servant verifications and five new check gates with surveillance system was set up in vulnerable places of the state capital.

Saturday

10 January 2015

Dimapur

3

Six NDFB militants nabbed

Guwahati, JaNuary 9 (iaNS): Six National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants have been arrested from Assam's Kokrajhar district and a huge cache of arms and ammunition has been recovered from them, police said Friday. The militants were arrested from a forest Thursday night.

Security forces recovered four pistols, one AK 47 rifle, one M16 rifle, four grenades, over 300 rounds of ammunition and four bags of medicine from their possession. "Two of the arrested militants, identified as Mithinga and Khurei, were directly involved in a massacre in Kokrajhar Dec 23, 2014. Mithinga is the deputy in-charge of the Kokrajhar unit of the militant faction," said a senior police official.

Stop illegal buffalo fights, rights group urges Gogoi

Guwahati, JaNuary 9 (iaNS): A rights group Friday urged Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to stop illegal buffalo and bulbul (songbirds) fights ahead of the Bihu festival in the state.

"The illegal practice of animal fighting, be it with buffaloes or bulbuls, involves immense cruelty that ultimately results in distress, injury and painful death of most of these animals," wrote N.G. Jayasimha, managing director of Humane Society International/India, in a letter to Gogoi.

Such fights are organised during the Bihu festival held between Jan 14 and 16 in various districts of Assam like Sivsagar, Nagaon, Morigaon and Kamrup. In May 2014, the Supreme Court passed an order prohibiting all animal races and fights, directing the Animal Welfare Board and the government to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.

4

Dimapur

businEss

Saturday 10 January 2015

The Morung Express

Higher spending calls put deficit targets at risk

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (reuters): A weak recovery from India’s longest growth slowdown in decades is pushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advisers to consider loosening fiscal deficit targets, risking the ire of investors, ratings agencies and the central bank.

Ahead of the budget in February, Modi’s new team of advisers has argued for higher deficits to fund infrastructure projects needed to remove bottlenecks constraining growth and to create jobs for a burgeoning workforce.

Yet with debt service devouring 42 percent of government spending, higher deficits would revive risks of a ratings downgrade and delay an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). “Fiscal consolidation is important. But should it be at the cost of growth?” one senior finance ministry official told Re-

uters. “We cannot afford to compromise with growth forever.”

In a mid-year report to parliament last month, the finance ministry’s new economic adviser Arvind Subramanian urged a comprehensive review of India’s medium-term fiscal strategy to create space for higher capital spending.

Economist Arvind Panagariya, named this week by Modi to run his new policy unit, has also argued for loosening deficit targets to boost capital spending. Weak investment has been a prime cause of India’s worst economic performance in a quarter century, with two successive years of sub-5 percent growth before a weak recovery began during 2014/15.

Portfolio investors pumped $40 billion into India last year, betting on Modi’s promise of “better days” ahead, putting Indian shares and bonds among

Supreme Court allows Sahara to raise loan for Subrata’s bail New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (reuters): The Supreme Court has cleared the way for embattled conglomerate Sahara to raise $1.05 billion in fresh loans backed by its overseas hotels, helping the group to fund the bail it needs to release its jailed boss.

Sahara Chairman Subrata Roy, one of India’s bestknown businessmen, has been held in a New Delhi jail for more than 10 months over the group’s failure to comply with a court order to refund billions of dollars to investors in outlawed bonds.

The Supreme Court in March last year asked the group to pay bail of $1.6 billion to secure Roy’s release.

The court gave its go-ahead to Sahara’s plans to remortgage its hotels, but said on Friday it would need to obtain necessary approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other authorities to comply with foreign exchange rules.

Ruling on Sahara’s plea, the court also allowed the flamboyant Roy to use a makeshift office inside the jail premises, with facilities such as phones and computers, from Jan. 12 to Feb. 20.

Sahara’s three overseas properties, which include the Plaza hotel in New York and the Grosvenor House in London, are tied to a loan from Bank of China. Sahara wants to takeover the existing loan and to refinance the properties to raise extra cash.

Sahara failed in its earlier attempt to sell the hotels, and Roy was sent back to jail in early October, after spending almost two months in a makeshift prison office.

Sahara, which has interests in finance, real estate and media among its varied businesses, is a household name in India as the former main sponsor of the Indian cricket team. Roy has been often photographed with senior politicians, cricketers and stars of the Bollywood film industry.

While Sahara argues it has repaid most investors, the Supreme Court and the SEBI have disputed this.

the best performers globally. To make good on that pledge, Modi plans to spend up to $50 billion in the year to March 2016 on new roads, rail lines, ports and irrigation facilities.

“The most urgent priority (is) to build the productive capacity of the economy and launch a supply-side revolution,” said Jayant Sinha, a deputy finance minister, adding that India needs growth rates of 7-8 percent to prosper.

RISKS This strategy could mean ditching targets to trim the fiscal deficit to an eight-year low of 3.6 percent of GDP in 2015/16 and 3 percent the following year. The economy’s slowdown has depressed tax revenues to just 10 percent of GDP from a peak of 11.9 percent in 2007-08, forcing New Delhi to cut spending and roll over outlays to contain the deficit in the past two years.

This fiscal year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will resort to similar methods to cap the deficit at 4.1 percent, aides say. With a national debt at 70 percent of GDP and a consolidated fiscal deficit above 7 percent, India’s public finances are worse than its peers and it has spent recent years at risk of a downgrade of its sovereign credit rating to ‘junk’ status.

Success in narrowing the deficit by 1.2 percentage points to 4.5 percent last year helped ward off downgrades. Keeping India at the lowest investment grade rating, major rating agencies have urged New Delhi to invest more without increasing borrowing.

“High fiscal deficits constrain India’s sovereign credit profile,” Atsi Sheth, senior vice president at Moody’s, told Reuters. “If higher public investment was pursued by redirecting expenditures away from

Lenovo launches A6000, will take on Xiaomi in India las Vegas, JaNuary 9 (Fe): Fresh from the success of the Vibe X2, Lenovo has tied up Flipkart to launch the A6000, a Qualcomm Snapdragon-based affordable 4G LTE smartphone. While the India price has not yet been announced, the $169 phone is expected to come to India by the end of January at under Rs 10,000. But consider-

ing that the phone will take on the Xiaomi Redmi Note and the Yureka Yu, we wouldn’t be surprised if the final price is under Rs 8,000.

The A6000 will be powered by the 1.2GHz 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor and will have a 5-inch HD IPS display. There will be 8GB internal memory and 1GB RAM and a 2300 mAh bat-

“The products will be feature Company plans to invest Rs 150 crore during the year for add- rich variants, keeping in line with ing an assembly line for CLA the company’s strategy of bringing the right products at the right compact sedan

price,” it said.

Besides, the company plans to invest Rs 150 crore during the year for adding an assembly line for CLA compact sedan, expected to be launched in the country later this month.

“Mercedes-Benz India will continue its aggressive strategy in its operations as well with an additional investment for capacity expansion in the Chakan Plant, taking the total investment to over Rs 1,000 crore,” it said.

The extended facility has secured the necessary clearances and will begin production by June, it added.

“With this expansion, the plant will now have a capacity of 20,000 units per year, the largest for any luxury car manufacturer,” the company said.

Mercedes, which reported re-

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (Pti): German luxury carmaker Mercedes- Benz plans to introduce 15 new products in India this year, and pump in Rs 150 crore for adding a new assembly line for its upcoming CLA compact sedan at the Chakan facility.

“Mercedes-Benz will introduce 15 products in 2015, including products with no predecessors in India. These new products are Mercedes-Benz India’s biggest product initiative till date,” the company said in a statement.

The aim is to not only retain the loyal patrons attached with the brand, but also winning new young customer groups aspiring for a Mercedes-Benz, it added.

LEISURE

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

Game Number # 3104

tery. The rear camera is 8MP, while the 2MP fixed focus front camera. It runs Android 4.4 Kitkat. The final specifications of the Indian version could be a bit different.

Colin Giles, Lenovo’s senior vice president for worldwide sales, said the value proposition of the phone will make it a good buy for India.

“We think the Indian

buyers will want to future-proof themselves for when 4G services become more widespread in country. Buying a smartphone is a big decision involving a sizeable portion of their disposable income and they wouldn’t want to take a chance,” he told IndianExpress.com. Asked about the India price, Michael Adnani of Flipkart just said: “You will love it.”

Mercedes-Benz to launch 15 products in India

_

SUDOKU

current and towards capital spending, thus supporting growth without increasing fiscal risks, it would be credit positive.”

Finance ministry officials say it is premature to say whether fiscal targets will have to be jettisoned, as they are banking on windfalls from tumbling global oil prices and mobile spectrum and coal block auctions. With inflation declining steeply to 4.4 percent in November, the RBI is holding out prospects of a cut in its 8 percent benchmark interest rate, but Governor Raghuram Rajan is waiting for Jaitley’s budget before acting.

A higher deficit may compel the RBI to keep rates on hold, which Manish Wadhawan, managing director and head of rates at HSBC, said would spark a sell-off in bond markets that have rallied hard since Modi took power last May.

cord sales of 10,201 units in India in 2014, also plans to enhance its dealer network by around 15 outlets in 2015.

“The product offensive will be supplemented with an aggressive network expansion during the year.

Another 15 outlets will be inaugurated in mature as well as tier II and III cities, in continuation with the ‘go to customer’ strategy,” the company said.

This will be the highest ever in a year for the brand in India and will continue to further expand the densest luxury car network in India, it added.

Mercedes-Benz India, Managing Director and CEO, Eberhard Kern said: “Enriched product portfolio, future ready operations, best customer experience, enhanced touch points and efforts to be a responsible corporate citizen will be the catalysts in propelling the company towards its objective.

Public DiscoursE

I

Will India discard Father of the Nation?

n pursuance of BJP’s election Manifesto of 2014, its MP Sakshi Maharaj praised Nathuram Godse as national patriot who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on 30th January 1948. The Hindu Mahasabha calls Nathuram as ‘martyr’. The frontal organisations of BJP are contemplating to install the statue of the murderer of the Father of the Nation. Madan Acharya, the national general secretary of Hindu Mahasabha, despite warning from UP Govt., insisted that Nathuram’s statue will be erected ‘in different parts of the country, including Meerut’. He said that the same ‘statue would be installed at Ambala where Godse was executed’. The Hindu Mahasabha had already organised a ‘bhumi pujan’ on 24.12.2014 in order to install Godse’s statue and a temple at Meerut. The Hindu Mahasabha is reportedly preparing to have a grand ‘shourya diwas’ meaning bravery commemoration, I hope my query on the translation is correct, in not less than 16 States in the country. All these activities have the tacit support of the Union Government.

The PM Modi refused to give statement on proselytization with the lame excuse that such is the responsibility of the concerned State Govt. and not of the Union Govt. I can think of one reason for which the PM could not give statement on the debate on conversion was, as PM of India, he cannot afford to speak against the spirit of secularism enshrined in Art 25 as long as it is not amended. Had PM become vocal for secularism, it would checkmate him from toeing the drawn line of RSS and rather disabled him from issuing directive on declaration of 25th December as working day. Similarly, when ‘shourya diwas’ is observed widely by Hinduism activists on January 30, 2015, the Union Govt. may adopt the same posture of silent spectatorship.

The bravery commemoration or ‘shourya diwas’ on the 30th January 2015 by Hinduism activists under the aegis of Hindu Mahasabha means that the RSS cadre Nathuram Godse had bravely and sacrificially annihilated Mahatma Gandhi as desired. The barbarous and dastardly act of Godse who mercilessly murdered the frail and feeble (due to age), innocent and unprotected Father of the Nation India on 30th January 1948 is going to be hailed by BJP and its frontal organisations. If Hinduism activists are determined to venerate the killer of Gandhiji, either the date of his birth or of his execution would have been more appropriate. The worst is, how they are going to venerate their ‘patriot’ and ‘martyr’ Nathuram Godse on the date on which the Father of the Nation was cold bloodedly murdered. This is too much of a rubbing so much salt to the injury. This indeed deeply hurts the sentiment of all the right thinking citizens of India. This is a sheer challenge to the principle of Unity in Diversity.

So the questions are: Is BJP contemplating to discard Mahatma Gandhiji from the status of Father of the Nation? Is BJP trying to replace Mahatma Gandhiji with their ‘patriot’ and ‘martyr’ Nathuram Godse as the Father of the Nation? Is BJP willing to do away with Father of the Nation? Having inflicted so much insult to the name of Gandhiji, will BJP Govt. continue observe the 2nd October with solemn reverence as before or will it face the same fate as Christmas?

The questions to ourselves are: Do we agree with Hindu Mahasabha that assassination of Gandhiji was justified? No. Do we agree with Hindu Mahasabha for the veneration given to the murderer Nathuram Godse? Never.

Mahatma Gandhiji was the undisputed and unmatched leader of nonviolence and peace. He is not only recognized and respected by people of India but by people across the globe.

Now, what message is being sent to other nations when India is showering much venerations with the titles of ‘patriot’ and ‘martyr’ to a murderer of no other than the Father of the Nation?

What message is being passed onto our children when a killer is being so much praised and going to be honoured nationwide?

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3113

Answer Number # 3103

Z Lohe

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.

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ACROSS 1. Infections of the eye 6. Angers 10. A pouch in some birds 14. Angry 15. Formally surrender 16. Vagabond 17. Someone who is paralyzed 19. Ends a prayer 20. Phrase structure 21. Astern 22. Nipple 23. 67 in Roman numerals 25. “Smallest particles” 26. Storm 30. Provoke 32. Enliven 35. Competitor 39. A ceremonial procession 40. Seamster 41. Defamation 43. Twister 44. Photographic necessity 46. Midway between white and black 47. Blend 50. Evanesces 53. Trickle 54. Paraphernalia

55. Silicon dioxide 60. Spanish lady 61. Enteric 63. Boor 64. Whip mark 65. Parental brother 66. If not 67. Bright thought 68. Knells

DOWN 1. Tastes 2. Found in a cafeteria 3. Tale 4. French for “State” 5. Flower part 6. Frozen water 7. Get back 8. Building 9. Religious offshoot 10. Nattering 11. Juliet’s love 12. Perpendicular to the keel 13. Habits 18. 70 in Roman numerals 24. Compete 25. Fragrant oil 26. Openings 27. A Freudian stage 28. Former Italian currency 29. Liberate

31. Within 33. Large African antelope 34. Abound 36. Winglike 37. Connecting point 38. “Iliad” city 42. Processed 43. Little bit 45. A baby’s toy 47. Befuddle 48. Dribble 49. Subtract 51. S 52. A stomach exercise 54. Flightless bird 56. Connects two points 57. Ancient Peruvian 58. Phone 59. Beers 62. Estimated time of arrival Ans to CrossWord 3112

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LOCAL

The Morung Express

One arrested for theft in Dimapur Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): One person identified as Sunjemmeren Imchen (31), presently residing at Nagarjan was arrested while he was stealing construction materials from Naga Cemetery in Dimapur on January 8 around 11:00 pm.

The arrest was made by a joint team of Dimapur police personnel and Naga Cemetery in-charge and his party. A press release from Addl Superintendent of Police/ PRO, Dimapur informed that as revealed by the accused, some of the stolen items which were stolen on different occasions were recovered. Moreover, one accomplice, Ekhonthung of Notun Bosti Dimapur managed to escape under the cover of darkness, the release said. A case has been registered at West Police Station (Case No. 0003/2015, U/S. 379/34 IPC) and investigation is on to arrest the co-accused, it added.

Rongmei Day observed in Dimapur Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): The Rongmei Council Nagaland today organized ‘Rongmei Day,’ which was marked by panel discussions on the theme: “Significance of Rongmei Day and People’s Issue.” The event held at Rongmei Customary Court, Chungaijang Burma Camp Dimapur had dignitaries speaking on the importance of upholding and promoting the history, culture and vision of the Rongmeis.

A press release received here informed that the day not only stressed on the importance of Rongmei being recognized by the Government of India as a tribe in the year 2012, but resolved to move forward through renaissance, restoration and rejuvenating the lost culture, history and political involvement.

The Rongmei Day was observed in all Rongmei inhabited areas to "remember the deliverance, triumphant and the progressive achievement of the people and to identify the people as indigenous people having their own special day set aside to retrospect and introspect the progress and advancement of the people in the field of science, literature, politics, and social and economic growth."

According to the release, the day was also an occasion to honor the past and present patriots and leaders and to uphold the traditional and cultural practices of the people as their way of life. On this day, the people come with their traditional attires upholding their old high moral and ethical standard of the indigenous people, it was stated.

Saturday 10 January 2015

Dimapur

5

aaSu comPleteS 25 yeaRS

Students urged to renew commitment

Dimapur, January 9 (mExn): The Ato Area Students’ Union (AASU) celebrated 25 years of existence along with its 16th session at Nikhekhu village from January 5-7 with “Retrospective generation” as the theme.

Speaking at the event, Er. Ghukhuyi Zhimomi, Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, the chief guest, said jubilee is a celebration of blessings of God and also to retrospect oneself. He challenged the students to renew their commitment in their quest to acquire education that would make them (students) successful citizens of tomorrow. The chief guest also released a souvenir.

Meanwhile, Er. Ahoto Zhimomi, Executive Engineer, PWD, the special guest, encouraged the students to be determined and hardworking to be

Students present song during the Silver Jubilee cum 16th session of Ato Area Students’ Union. (R) Chief guest releasing the jubilee souvenier.

progressive in all aspects.

He also unveiled the jubilee monolith.

Mughavi Zhimomi, Director, Airport Authority of India, Dimapur was the valedictory guest. He said corruption has marred the Naga society and for

which there is much need of social reformation. He was of the view that only students can bring about reformation.

Dr. Anitoly Suu, Senior Medical Officer, Pughoboto was the speaker on the session's theme. Vic-

to Sema, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tuensang and Atokiho Sumi, president WSSU also shared words of greeting.

Dr. Vitoyi Rochill, Chairman, AACLF pronounced dedicator y prayer for jubilee mono-

(L) Stage being set up for the mega ‘Maati Ke Rang’ cultural festival to be held from January 13 to 17 at the North East Zone Cultural Centre in Dimapur. (R) 28-year-old Pawan Kumar from Bhagalpur, Bihar paints a Manjusha art for the festival at NEZCC complex.

lith while Nikhekhu Students’ Union performed an opening act during the introductory session.

Antioch Missiology Academy, Alino Awomi and Ghokuto villagers presented songs.

The three-day session

concluded with closing ceremony performed by Hozukhe Students’ Union which was followed by cultural gala. More than a thousand students from villages under Ato area attended the jubilee celebration cum 16th session.

Rani Gaidinliu Vedic Gurukulam, Azailong recently distributed blankets for free to the senior citizens of Azailong village under Peren district. NPF Minority President, Bishnu Bhattacharjee attended the programme as chief guest with Dr Shiromani and Santosh Shastri of Arya Samaj, and village chairman and GBs of Azailong area. Bhattacharjee is also the president of ‘Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Hostel’ at Azailong.

Public SPace Open letter to the president NPF So, the Rocking boat Started to Rock

I

t has come as a surprise to me and many grassroots Party Workers to note the damage of inner democracy in the Party.

Our Party always preach that the Regional Party is different from National Parties; it does not dictate the whim and fancy of the high command but it is the majority and the voice of the people that prevail.

A Leader no matter how powerful He/She maybe

unless a dictator, listens to the voice of the people.

It’s unfortunate that our season politician and fatherly Party President has taken harsh decision by suspending seven Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries without taking into confidence of the Party ranks and files.

I am wondering how our Party will be strong by this act. It is weakening our Party working for

the interest of our Political Advisories. Please do not destroy the Party democratic norms which we build and allow the majority to take over smoothly for the interest of the Party as shown by Hon'ble Leader Noke Konyak and ask the Hon'ble Chief Minister TR Zeliang to gracefully step down and pave the way for the interest of the Party.

Tokuho Suhoi Neho Advisor NPF Dimapur Division

THE CHANGING OF A CHIEF MINISTER Thepfulhouvi Solo IFS Retd. (RR-68)

T

he Prime Minister saw he needed to reform the archaic Japanese Postal Systems, a good number of his Cabinet Members were reluctant. And without them the Prime Minister could not carry his Cabinet. So the Prime Minister called a snap Poll, changed the Government democratically and reformed the powerful but archaic Postal System.

This is the correct democratic political Practice.

The Prime Minister of Israel wants to renew the Government’s Building Policy in the West Bank the UN and some of his coalition peace Partners disapprove. The Prime Minister therefore legally and democratically changed the coalition Partners to fit his Party’s Policy of Construction –a politically and democratically correct legal Action.

Japan, in Asia and Israel in the Middle East perhaps change their Government most often but the change is affected democratically.

Change in a Government is often necessitated to implement new policy to affect faster growth in the Society. It may happen the Prime Minister may want to legislate an Act to facili-

tate certain Reformations in the Government certain Group in a Coalition Government may not agree and therefore he/she democratically reshuffles the Government.

Nothing of such democratic decencies seems to interest the Politicians in Nagaland. The political Tamashas in the State appear without any Rhyme or Reason, no political Ethics, no political Principle.

Is it because the current Chief Minister, whatever his weaknesses and inadequacies may be, is from a small Tribe that he is treated so shabbily? Can they treat any like this if he were from a major community who has no better tract records? We feel ashamed with the Governor and the Non-Nagas of the State or even outside that such thing happen in a Christian State.

It is like some Dogs fighting each other over a piece of bone. The players do not deserve any of our Respect: it is sheer selfishness and ungratefulness.

When political disturbances happen in a State, it is not only the Government alone but the whole of the State also becomes disturbed, worried and agitated; such public disturbances of Mind bring

nothing good to the State.

The political leaders of Nagaland have brought this situation to the State.

They do not realize this and hence the public considers them selfish.

All these troubles would not have come to Nagaland had not the former Chief Minister Neiphi Rio wanted to see the wide world and left Nagaland. It seems he has now within some 7 months realized Nagaland Representative is just a single drop of water in the vast Ocean of Indian Parliament now desires for Nagaland deshi Cow’s tasteful Milk.

Nagaland’s politicians have politicized everything with partisan political feelings in the State except Sunshine. In addition to malpractices in the Elections -the mother of all evils in the State- they have politicized all Bodies, Clubs, Councils, Groups, Hohos NGOs, Organizations, Societies, and even to a great extent the Churches where there are Pastors, Reverends and Leaders.

Without Democratic Rule of Law, Reality, Honesty and Truth where fundamental essence of the Spirit of God lives; Nagaland is just Chaff in the Storm Wind. May Naga Politicians contemplate on this?

I

t was not long ago the Nagas voted the present government to power, not once, not twice, but thrice. Despite widespread malfeasance and unprecedented growth of a few ‘classy’ people, the Universal Adult Franchise practitioners in Nagaland still decided to further cast their votes again and again and again for the government. First time, trial and error; second time, forgiven; but third time is utter foolishness on our part. Now, what is the matter?

The matter is that the government, after being empowered thrice will not, but liberally show its overarching impertinence against the public voice and ‘better’ judgment. Because it is now a tradition for them to be elected to power, notwithstanding their dreadful and impoverished ‘reign of terror’ on the State and its people. They know that the public will easily fall prey to their ‘monetary trap’ during the election.

Who wants power? Who wants money? Everybody.

There is however a primary factor that our politicians need to realize for their insatiable quest for money and power minds.

Election is one manifestation of a democracy, whereby the voice of the majority triumphs. There should be no mistranslation of this gesture as “attestation” or “leverage” for further enhancing personal idiosyncrasies. They can act powerful and misappropriate funds, but they should not abuse and disrespect the voice of the electors and the public office to which they are elected.

Renegades, they are. Dissenters, they are. Defectors, they are.

It is a fashion, a habitual trait, ingrained in their DNA. That was how our present government came into existence – a conglomeration of renegades. The way evident activities are broiling, their motive to destabilize by squabbling and bifurcating themselves can only be attributed as sheer talent and nothing else. A party, or any organization or group, formed by regular runaways will find itself difficult to remain intact, especially when the pioneers are money hungry and power thirsty. In this

case, even the ‘gluest glue’ cannot hold them together for long.

It was a matter of great dishonor to our state and the people that in just about a year after being elected for the third term, our Ex-CM resigned from his position and contested for the Lok Sabha election. He left the state stranded and debt-ridden. He deserted his ‘fans’ leaving no hope and scope for development.

He was still elected to represent Nagaland in the 16th Lok Sabha. Once we saw him this winter session trying to raise the interminable Naga political issue of last century, which has found its sustenance even in this century, in dull monotone. This is apart from the fact that the imperatives in our door steps are health, education, infrastructures, drainage, toilet, roads, sinecures, bureaucratic red-tapism, random bribery everywhere, nepotism, and countless other issues, or on broader context, racism, NE women, alienation, economic disparity of NE States, and many more contemporary relevant issues but which he clearly failed to address. Priorities needs to be relocated and re-sorted. But then he was never interested in such issues as records will show. But who can fathom the conspiracy, if at all there is any, brewing inside the mind. One should never go beyond and be forced upon that which seems incompatible with ones character, of course.

It will be worthwhile to mention that the Government at the Centre did not utilize the ‘goodness’ of our lone representative to tackle any responsibilities, did somebody say “good for the nation”?

The government, in order to function after our ex-CM “graciously” abdicated his throne, went into a frenzy of power-lust.

‘Enemy’ camps were established in Kohima and Dimapur led by heavy weights eager to fill in the vacant slot of Chief Ministership, and other top offices. Since then, despite having reached a common understanding ground to elect a new CM, bickering(s) within the rulers’s party were heard from time to time. Tribal-

ism, regionalism, nepotism, and other evil forces seeped in and controlled and guided the minds of those ‘power’ filled people.

Voices of displeasure were heard about the party’s manipulation over ‘appointment’ process, not only from within the party but also from public and various organizations.

And now, it culminated into what happened. Resources are scarce, needs are unlimited, suitable leaders are rare. Therefore, the one path that leads to that one highway for survival is to fight.

And that’s just what happenedthe thrice-empowered government entangled in the vortex of frivolous power-mongering discordance smack in front of our eyes. Two reasons: either one is equally bad than the other or the other is equally good than the other. It is either too many bad people or too few good people.

It is perplexing to ‘cogitate’, why such appetite for leadership despite having proved unworthy to bring or add anything positive?

Many are assuming the role of our former CM, who having failed to make his presence felt in the Centre and thus returned with escalated ambition and engineer the ongoing political crisis within his own party. “Best Friends” are now “with friends like you who needs enemies”, sadly.

We are left with only one question. Anyway who is gonna bail us out of these undesirable hours in our Naga history? This might remain a rhetoric for lifetime.

It was sometime back we did not have many educated people, not many who could create awareness or were aware, but now we have academicians, intellectuals, activists, and people who care. Administration and leadership should have competency and proficiency, with uninterrupted stream of self-less diligence in their daily strides. By all means the roads are bumpy and too full of potholes to go uninterrupted, but who said potholes cannot be repaired?

As if we the people haven’t had enough of miserable living, we still prefer to remain muted observers

on many occasions. Undoubtedly, we are given to choose between the devil and lesser devil to lead us.

The good news is it is within our ambit to steer and drive whichever direction we want to. We can make a corrupted leader straight and honest for lifetime with our constant ‘nagging’ and maybe with punitive actions whenever deemed necessary. Whatever they do inside their house is their personal private venture, but whatever they do from the public platform should be within public’s purview and should be scanned at regular intervals.

The need of the hour is stability- a stable government that will bring respite from all the felonies; a government that will take up the ‘real responsibility’ and work for the state and the people; a government that will cater to the basic needs of the people; a government that will let us experience the spoils of modern technologies and scientific inventions; a government that can bargain for the state; a government that will value the principle of democracy “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

On the other hand, the public need to be sensitive. Voting and electing is just the beginning.

What about finding a proper toilet whilst strolling around our towns and markets? What about a world class institution? What about a best hospital? What about regular supply of power and drinking water?

What about proper drainage and roads? We need to raise our voice and actively participate in decision making and implementation process. We need to put a check and act as the regulator of all the benefits meant for the public. We have every right to live a decent life. Take the officials and politicians to the court. File FIRs and RTIs. Let the government try to enact dramas, but we are the chief actors.

Without us there can be no government. Without our voice there can be no positive changes in our society. It is time for us to retrospect our choices, decisions, and judgments and make necessary amends, for us and for posterities.

Toshi Longkumer New Delhi

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate 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

People, life, etc...

Saturday | 10 january, 2015

Paris attack: clash on freedom of the press John Thor Dahlburg

the associated Press

Two sides in conflict over whether there should be limits to the liberty of selfexpression clashed violently in a usually tranquil side street on the Right Bank of Paris.

When it was over, a dozen people lay dead — including some of the most prominent political cartoonists and satirists in France, and the police officers assigned to protect them.

Wednesday's attack at the offices of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo seems the latest chapter in a clash of values between the West and a version of militant Islam that is at least a quarter-century old, beginning when Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's supreme leader, issued a 1989 fatwa calling for the assassination of novelist Salman Rushdie, accused by some conservative Muslims of blasphemy.

In France, the conflict over what limits to place on press freedom has often involved the satirical weekly, whose mix of crude, often obscene artwork and brashness has few if any parallels in Anglo-Saxon media.

Press freedom and the right to self-expression in general differs vastly in the world, with even a generally liberal country like Sweden passing laws that criminalize hate speech and prohibiting expressions of contempt directed against a group or one of its members.

Depending on the political system or climate,

A woman holds up a pen during a gathering in solidarity of the victims of a terror attack against French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Wednesday, January 7.

Masked gunmen stormed the Paris offices of a weekly newspaper that caricatured the Prophet Muhammad, methodically killing 12 people Wednesday, including the editor, before escaping in a car. It was France's deadliest postwar terrorist attack. (AP Photo)

critiquing the ruler or the government may be a red line that few dare to cross — treated as taboo, criminal or even treasonous. In extreme cases, some governments have sought to extend their bans on criticism outside their own borders, attacking dissidents abroad, or using diplomatic means to quell insults or demand respect.

Few forms of criticism are as sensitive or divisive as those touching on religious belief or ideology, or inspire the lethal fury demonstrated in the attack on Charlie Hebdo.

In 2006, the left-leaning, iconoclastic tabloid, which regularly skewers a wide range of targets from the Vatican to Hollywood, reprinted 12 cartoons of

the Prophet Muhammad whose original publication by a Danish newspaper touched off riots in some Muslim nations. Some Muslims were outraged that their religion's founder was being made fun of, or even depicted at all.

Five years later, after Charlie Hebdo published a spoof issue supposedly guest-edited by Muham-

Make in india but Make it Green Rajendra Shende IanS

A century back, on January 9, Mahatma Gandhi made his determined journey to India with a singular goal to Make in India. He wanted to make in India a movement of freedom from foreign oppression, discrimination, and social apartheid. The capital needed for this was in the form of bold assets of non-violence and civil disobedience.

Speaking on Independence Day August 15, 2014 from the ramparts of New Delhi's historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his equally historic and rousing Make in India campaign. His venture capital in launching this movement is in the form of India’s unique demographic dividend - the youth that constitute 65 percent of its population.

The timing of the campaign is the most promising and opportune. The last time India arrived on the world scene with its technological supremacy was in late 1990s when software engineering crews of India created their back-office hives to help digitally managed businesses of the West.

That was a Make from India campaign! Those hives and their verticals and scale-ups are now over-dripping into the national treasury a stream of honey of $125 billion, of which exports are nearing $100 billion.

The role of the Indian diaspora in India’s transformation into a digital world had been crucial.

Their vast networks with corporate houses, their elite image, well groomed expertize and their financial muscle-power helped Indian companies make inroads in the US and in European markets.

Once again India has a unique opportunity for yet another transformation.

India reminded the world of its brain-power by taking lead in resolving Y2K

bug at the dawn of this millennium. We now can remind the world of our belief in nature-power to address the defining challenge of this century - climate change. By turning Make in India into Make in India with Green Power, we can create a winwin situation. The role of the diaspora in moving forward with sustainable development by using renewable energy will again be crucial.

The renewable energy revolution is literally round the corner. For last more than five years renewable energy has been part of an amazing story all over the world. It is the only energy sector where investment and installed capacity have consistently grown with surprisingly steep rates even during the global financial crisis that began in 2008 and is still casting gloom. From 2008 to 2013, as per United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), electricity produced from solar PV cells has grown at an average roaring 39 percent.

Investment in clean energy is $275 billion, at least 10 percent better than in 2013. A whooping 44 GW of solar PV added in installed capacity worldwide in 2014 is 10 percent more than in 2013.

Nearly 50 GW of wind turbines have been installed, up from 32 GW added in 2013. Sales of electric vehicles have increased by 50 percent.

The International Energy Agency chief has shown that solar energy could become the first source of electricity in the world before 2050. Going by its report, the World Energy Outlook 2014, renewable sources should in 2040 dethrone coal as a primary source of electricity, the cost and variability in availability of solar and wind energy is no longer considered an insurmountable obstacle.

Decoupling fossil fuel based energy generation from the present growth model would bring inclu-

sive, fair, equitable and the sustainable growth that recognizes the value of ecosystems and respect for the Sun and Mother Earth. That indeed was the foundation on which our ancient Vedic science and technologies were built on. Labeling the products Made in India with Green Power would once again demonstrate India’s scientific legacy that values the ecosystems. Indians can create unique model for addressing freedom from poverty, inequality, and impacts of climate change.

Will the use of green energy, generated from renewable sources, be really sufficient enough for the Make in India campaign?

Abundant availability of solar and wind energy coupled with India’s proven soft power is poised to ensure that it green energy is not a distant dream.

The ability of communities in India to take bold initiatives has not been fully harnessed.

Communities of residents, farmers, self-help groups, SMEs and corporate houses can come together to build solar PV electricity generation plants on rooftops of every building, on the arid land around villages, unused land of farmers, on the long routes of irrigation water canals (as is done in Gujarat), on railway and bus stations, on factory shades, corporate houses, government buildings and even parking places. These micropower plants could then be ‘wired’ to develop the community grids - an energy internet - that would provide electricity for self-use, with the surplus tbeing sold to the grid for commercial purposes.

Deploying an affordable and efficient storage technology to enable the stocking of electricity can resolve the problem related to cloudy days when solar energy is inadequate and quiet days when wind energy is not generated. Such storages could be based on the present

technology of using nanotechnologies or storing hydrogen produced by water electrolysis using solar energy. When millions of buildings are generating small amounts of electricity locally, on-site, they can sell the surplus to the grid and share electricity with their neighboring communities.

Is this a utopian road map? Jeremy Rifkin, political scientist and technology forecaster who is a promoter of the lateral energy-network concept, is already assisting Germany to implement similar plans. Twenty million Germans (25 percent of the population) have chosen to be off-grid and generate their own electricity. Half of the electricity in Germany, a country known for its cloudy weather, is by solar energy.

Nearly 10,000 farms in the US also harvest renewable energy along with maze and wheat in their farms. They use renewable energy for their own agricultural operations and extra electricity is sold in the grid-market to earn money.

Many of the 25 million Indian diaspora, spread over 180 countries have the potential to contribute to the Make in India with Green Power campaign by providing their expertise. Venture capitalists like Vinod Khosla and Kanwar Rekhi could promote manufacture of efficient solar cells and storage technology; software honchos like Satya Nadella and Sabeer Bhatia could develop the energy-internet and finance experts like Vikram Pandit could provide a financial road map. The last diaspora-driven transformation was seen when the European diaspora in America helped Europe rise from ashes after World War II. India has chance to be the first in using the diaspora’s potential to fight the global war against the climate change through the energy-internet.

mad, its offices were firebombed and its website hacked. The publication has been sued by several French Muslim organizations, accused of publishing racist cartoons, but won acquittal. In 2012, French police detained a man suspected of threatening to decapitate the editor-in-chief.

This week, the publication's front page featured one of France's most controversial writers, Michel Houellebecq, whose latest book imagines France in a not-too-distant future af-

ter an Islamic government takes power.

Also in the latest edition, Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier contributed the caricature of what clearly is meant to be a Muslim extremist — a bearded man with a Kalashnikov and an Afghanstyle hat — hinting at a terrorist attack sometime this month in France.

Charbonnier, whose pen name was "Charb," was one of those killed Wednesday.

In 2012, speaking to

The Associated Press, he defended his magazine's right under France's laws safeguarding the freedom of expression to print crude, lewd caricatures of Islam's founder.

"Muhammad isn't sacred to me," he said. "I don't blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings. I live under French law. I don't live under Quranic law."

At that time, though, the French government, as well as the White House, openly questioned not the magazine's right to print, but its good judgment. At least 30 people had already been killed in violent protests over an amateur U.S anti-Islam video that portrayed the religion's founder as a fraud, womanizer and child molester.

"Is it pertinent, intelligent in this context to pour oil on the fire?" French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius asked then. "The answer is no."

In the wake of Wednesday's bloodbath, such calls for editorial restraint vanished. French President Francois Hollande, speaking outside Charlie Hebdo's office, said the gunmen had targeted journalists striving to "defend their ideas, and to defend precisely the freedom that the Republic protects."

"We are threatened because we are a country of liberty," Hollande said.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo mourned the slain cartoonists and journalists as "martyrs of freedom, of freedom of the press, the pillar of democracy," and called upon all freedomloving people to hold a solemn march in their memory Thursday.

President Barack Obama denounced an attack on the "values that we share with the French people — a universal belief in the freedom of expression."

But in some parts of the world, the mass slaying at Charle Hebdo were celebrated because it was deemed to have outrageously and repeatedly abused its freedom to mock and shock.

A member of the al-Qaida in Yemen extremist organization, posting on the Twitter social network, accused the weekly of engaging in the "defamation of Islam." As newsof the killings in Paris reached the Middle East, celebratory gunfire was reported in a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham condemned the attack on Charlie Hebdo but also criticized the magazine, the official IRNA news agency reported late Wednesday.

"Taking advantage of freedom of expression and ideological extremism and character assassination of respectful figures of religions and nations as well as insulting divine faiths and their values and symbols which are respected by those religions are not acceptable and are condemned," she was quoted as saying.

Rushdie, who spent years in hiding for fear of Islamist death squads, said Wednesday the clash of values is a stark and irreconcilable one, between the art of satire as a "force for liberty" on the one hand, and "tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity" on the other.

india, New Delhi, NorthEast india and racism Zhoniu Pfozhe

In a Survey released last year by The Washington Post, India was ranked among one of the most racist country in the world today. With this fact on the backdrop, we take a quick visit to the“Land Of The Big Hearted” or “Dilli Dilwalon Ki”. New Delhi, the capital of India where arguably people from the North-East India faced the worst case of racism and stereotyping within their own country by their own countryman because of the way they look, dress, work and their eating habits.

However I must add that I hate fact when people take on to the streets protesting about certain injustice but having no clue what the best possible solution could be. Somehow I wonder if that’s what I see every day. That’s how a useless and desperate soul does who wants themselves heard or wants an instant fame out of a situation or with a covet personal gain or whatever, but has no intention in solving the actual problem. So we will meet “World Comics India” and what they are doing to address the above mentioned issues using their “Grassroots Comic Movement”.

Let’s imagine it this way; you walk down the road and someone calls you a foreigner. You walk into a store, the clerk mocks at you with an ugly racial remarks and the store manager does nothing instead he joins in the party. You go out in short skirts on weekend and they raped you with their lecherous eyes. You work at a spa or a beauty parlor and the aunties think you are cheap or available or hopefully a prostitute. You

went out searching for an apartment; you couldn’t get one because you are a non-vegetarian. You throw a party last night because it was your birthday, the next day you get a warning from your landlord to vacate. You walk into a police station to lodge a formal complaint (or an FIR); the constable makes sure you are being humiliated and violated.

You are being specially targeted to rape or beaten to death because of your different racial feature and the cops generalize you for either a prostitute or drunkard instead of lodging a formal complaint. You are being kick out of your job without paying because your boss thinks you are an outsider with no backup to come back and protest…

Now my question is; where are all the big hearted now? Or is this big hearted only applicable towards the white tourists? Steps in “World Comics India”, a non-funded organization founded by Sharad Sharma, one of the most prominent faces in the world of Indian Comics and a Delhite, travels India and abroad conducting seminars and teaching the importance and the untapped power of using basic comics as a medium to express.

Using just four frames on an A4 size paper, some basic comic characters and a story; World Comics India tells stories of people by locals in local dialects.

And very recently I had a great opportunity be become a part of one such seminar cum sensitization program against racism and stereotyping faced by the people from the North East India in New Delhi. With students from

both North East, local Delhites and other parts of the country under one roof discussing, exchanging culture and personal experiences, clearing perceptions and finally working together in creating a series of comic strips addressing the issue of such inhuman and shameful act met towards fellow Northeasterners, which later was displayed to other students and general public through seminar and open conversation.

The initiative became a very effective platform for open discussions and educating locals why it was unacceptable and inhuman act towards the people from NE who traveled far away from home because of the prevailing inhuman military dictatorship rule impose in their regions by the world largest Democratic Indian Government, for better higher education and for better job opportunities Delhi provides. Soon it gained momentum and slowly with the acceptance from the locals who after realizing what they did, were willing to open up and join in the movement. That’s how you raise your voice in a creative way and not just staging on the streets and shouting slogans.

Lastly, it will be very unfair on the part of people from North East if we are not willing to adjust and live in harmony with this people around us by accepting and respecting their cultural and traditional values. It will also be very unfair on our part if we do not allow ourselves to become a part of this culture because one way or the other, it’s our home far away from home. And it will very unfair on our

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.

part if we do not take up the initiative of teaching and educating ignorant people about our own culture, traditions and our ways of life.

I am not a very active social activist but I am from North-East India, so I have had my own share of firsthand experience on how we are being discriminated here in the national capital.

Of course during the recent times, many unrelated situations have been blown out of proportions by the media, NGO’s and Student's Organizations from the North East itself with their own coveted intentions. For example, incidences where criminal cases being put to spotlight as racial attacks which eventually attracts more hatred and communalism. This must stop and we as a civilized citizen should start realizing the negative impact of such actions. Some few years ago, the whole of India and Indians around the world join hands in protest against the Australian government because of unprecedented racial attack met towards fellow Indians in Australia. However the real question that remains unanswered is; what about those racial attacks happening everyday within the country by their own countryman against their own fellow countryman?

If Narendra Modi wants to clean India, he should also better start working on this situation and not preach India as a Hindu country. In fact Hindi is not even our national language.

Last Words: “Dilli Dilwalon Ki” needs a new heart. The road to the new beginning.

Morung Youth Express

Saturday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

10 January, 2015

7

The tensions beneath - Challenges for 2015

A

n event that was unexpected eventually became as the most significant in the year 2014.

The outcome of the 16th general elections which saw a political party vis-à-vis the BJP, an ultra-fundamentalist Hindu right-wing party captured majority of seats in the Lok Sabha on its own. BJP for the first time in three decades formed the government without the support of any alliance partners. The resurgence of BJP with an absolute majority was considered as unparallel in the contemporary political history of India. However, beneath the apparent emergence of BJP government at the centre amidst a number of promises, there are strong subterranean tensions. The intolerance displayed by fringe elements belonging to ultra rightist Hindu organizations such RSS, Bajrangdal, Hindu Maha Sabha and host of others spew venom at the Christians, Muslims, Tribals and Dalits.

Since May 2014, the whole country has been witnessing a spate of hate speeches, outrageous utterances and provocative statements by the BJP MPs, cabinet ministers, and fringe elements belonging to Hindu organizations that threaten the Christians and the Muslims. PM Modi thus far has not openly condemned these elements.

While on the other these outfits pretend and out rightly defy PM Modi. Everyone by now knows the game that the BJP government, its ministers, MPs and other ultra-rightist Hindu organizations play and what they are up to. It is nothing but creating psychological trauma in the minds of Muslims and Christians so that they would fall in line to the dictates of the Hindu fundamentalists.

The Government at the Centre failed to intervene. The levels of verbal tirade that fanatical mind-sets utter show their perverted attitude and in-built intolerance against the Christians and the Muslims. Modi’s Government should reckon with the fact that the utterances and statement that the Hindutva forces made has definitely affected and thus derailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grand plan of reviving the economy. If the same trend continues in the year 2015 the economy would further be affected.

Certainly it would have its ramifying effects in other facets too. Their agenda on Hindu Majoritarianism pitched against Muslims and Christians as BJP’s political project will boomerang.

It is against the tenets of India’s plural context enshrined in the Constitution.

Divisive politics carried out by BJP and its affiliates shall not bring fruits that became evident in the recent elections in J&K elections.

Polarizing Indian society on religiocommunal levels shall never succeed.

Communal politics and spewing venom on some communities have been vehemently opposed in the recently concluded winter session of the parliament. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha winter sessions were totally stalled.

It clearly reveals the limitations of the Majoritarian political strategies currently being pursued by the ruling BJP. BJP’s brand of politics polarizes Indian society.

The classic example is J&K elections. The saffron party swept the Hindu-dominated region but totally failed to show its presence in the Kashmir valley. BJP hardly mustered one per cent of the votes polled where Muslims are in an overwhelming majority. Further, it is glaringly visible that BJP has no Muslim and Christian presence as MPs. Talk of “inclusive development”

and “inclusive governance” by PM Modi is just a gimmick and a farce.

Presently those other than Hindus are alienated and thus considered as “non-Indians”.

PM Modi had refused to make statements about the verbal and physical attacks perpetuated by the Hindutva outfits. Recently in order to appease the minorities the BJP government seems to have hired Amitab Bhachan for his PR campaign to reach out to the minorities primarily to push BJP’s slogan on “inclusive development” and “total governance”. PM Modi should know that the people have come to know his true colors. We will have to wait and see who is a better actor Amitab or Modi. Minorities numbering about 150 million are indeed huge in number. More importantly BJP cannot have a disturbed social atmosphere. Further, PM Modi cannot ignore this segment which would affect his image inside as well as outside.

His government at the Centre is filled with tokenism and symbolism, but failed in translating the promises in real terms. Frenzy Hindutva organization continue their attacks unabated. In the name of protecting “Hindu culture” the fringe elements recently targeted a Hindi movie entitled PK in which Aamir Khan is the hero. A bunch of hoodlums from the ultra-right organizations attacked the theatres at various places such as Surandranagar, Ahmedabad, (Gujarat), Rajkot, Nagpur, Bhopal, Delhi and other places where the film is being screened.

These hoodlums gave 24-hours ultimatum to the producers to cut ‘antiHindu’ scenes. The reason they gave was the movie hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus and their religion.

Prior to screening it went through the usual procedures such as the Censor Board and even the Supreme Court of India gave its verdict in favor of screening it. Despite Hindutva brigade bashes the phenomenal success of PK shows that for India “Unity in Diversity” holds good than that of “majoritarian-sectarian ideology”.

Prime Minister Modi somehow evaded to condemn those in his party who were spewing hate speech in the name of Hindu nationalism. By deliberately abstaining to condemn could prove to be the weakest link for the BJP government that lost its political will to provide better governance and cleaner administration in the coming years.

BJP blaming the opposition particularly UPA and others, but when BJP was the principal opposition party for ten years it behaved in the same way. BJP government is very fortunate that the fall in oil prices—as well as the prices of other commodities—has resulted in the inflation rate coming down to its lowest level in a decade.

BJP President Amit Shah claims in the public meetings that the present government should be appreciated and given the credit. His claims are baseless because the fall of oil prices at the global scale has obviously brought down the inflation and not because of BJP government. BJP government should at least now concentrate on reviving the economic front by inviting investments (FDI) and opening up employment opportunities. Since May 2014 the whole country has been witnessing BJP’s tall claims, lofty pronouncement and brazen declarations.

The language and the use of words such as “haramazadon” or illegitimately born— by Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti at a public function – cannot be accepted in democratic

discourse. She openly declared that those who are not Ram followers are “haramzadon” which means “born to someone”. This is indeed the height of their arrogance that shows total callousness and intolerance.

The tendency to use abusive language is growing. BJP and its affiliates think that they could make irresponsible, irrational and nonsensical statements and escape. In a matured democracy like ours they should understand that their elevation as MPs and Ministers is purely because of the people who made them as the representatives of all Indians first and political activists next. This ought to be borne in mind.

Defying the rules of the game, basic etiquette, civility and guiding principles could lead them to doom. People are watching them closely. Their statements and the way they conduct themselves are accessed in a world of mass media. And yet some MPs and Ministers of BJP and others from the ultrarights’ Hindu organizations keep issuing derogatory statements against the Muslims and Christians so that their political project be realized. Nonetheless, we are witnessing today a deeply polarized polity that has led to alarming levels of abuse.

Over and above, RSS, Hindu Mahasabha, Shiv Sena, Bajrangdal and other elements of the Sangh Pariva want to make India into a Hindu Rashtra through mass conversions called ‘ghar wapsi”. PM Modi could probably be referring subtly this to “Make in India”. “Mass conversions”, or “re-conversion” or “home coming” whatever one may call it, there are a couple of serious obstacles in achieving their objective. Apart from others, one major obstacle is the Constitution which clearly defines India as a secular republic. We should all understand clearly the project that ‘ghar wapsi’ campaign that the Parivar spear-heading is to wapsi-ing back to their ghar which did not belong to the ghar in the first place which makes it difficult, semantically at least for them to come back to it.

The Parivar is targeting tribal communities especially in parts of Northeast for “reconversion”. They knew very well that the Tribals by and large were animists and did not belong to the Hindu fold. The fringe elements in connivance with BJP targets Dalits. Dalits have been converted to other religions because of caste stratified heinous Hinduism that treated Dalits as outcastes.

In view of the basic tenet and character of Hinduism, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar openly declared that he would never die as a Hindu and thus embraced neo- Buddhism along with millions of Dalits.

He went to the extent of saying that Hinduism by all means should be annihilated because Hinduism reifies and reinforces casteism. Further, due to inhumane and oppressive nature of Hinduism Dalits en masse embraced Islam and Christianity.

It is totally ridiculous and improbable to think about ‘re-conversion’ of the Tribals and the Dalits because of the fact that Hinduism enforced “Untouchability” and looked down at the Tribals and Dalits as “inferiors”, “avarnas” and “vanachals”. How could the Hindutvaadis think that the Tribals and the Dalits be brought back to Hindu fold which excluded them for centuries. It is ludicrous to use the term that the rightwing organizations “home coming” because Hinduism as a religion has never been the home of the Tribals and the Dalits. In the same way when it comes to representation (not by way of tokenism and symbolism) in leadership,

ministerial berths, portfolios and MPs, we hardly see BJP accommodating the Muslims and Christians. So, “inclusive development and wholistic governance” is antithetical and diametrically opposing principles to BJP and its affiliates.

Declaring December 25th as Good Governance Day and many more such declarations are to follow in the Year 2015. Conversions, re-conversion and mass conversions in the pretext of “home coming” being spearheaded by BJP and its affiliates are part of their strategy to Hinduise the Indian society. Let us not heed/bow down to anti-conversion law; continue to invoke the Constitution and the privileges extended to each one of us. Right to religion, profess, and practice are the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution. We are Indian Christians; we are Indian Muslims and we are Indian …. This privilege is given to us as citizens of this country. This constitutional provision cannot be taken from us. Minorities constitute a huge number totaling up to 160 million.

The BJP and its Sangh Parivars are involved in “reconversion” of Tribals, Dalits, Christians and Muslims. But what they have failed to do is to convert Hinduism so as to bring proselytizing within its purview. This is the biggest problem being faced by BJP and its fringe elements. Unlike Christianity and Islam, Hinduism has never been a proselytizing religion. In order to sustain and further the “Majoritarian” identity and to absorb/subsume other religious identities, the BJP and its Sangh Parivars are vigorously involved in “reconversion”.

Conversion should not be forced or by ways of luring or dolling or other means. As Indian citizens we are absolutely free to convert to any religion.

Nobody has the right to stop us embracing any religion. The tensions are brewing in the terrains of Dalits, Tribals, Christians and Muslims. There is a limit. We should never sulk to the Hindutva brigade and BJP’s bashings, rather be firm and resolute. Let us struggle for our rights and freedom.

Certainly Year 2015 shall unfold new challenges and enormous possibilities for an Inclusive India.

In wishing Indians a happy and prosperous New Year, the President urged everyone to dedicate themselves to an inclusive society. Social cohesion is an essential prerequisite for inclusive development and growth.

PM Modi and fringe elements should come to terms whether they like it or not that ‘inclusive development’ does not go hand-in-hand with majoritarianism. Hindutva and development in a plural democracy are in letter and spirit contradictory and shall never be complimentary. The tactics and strategies of BJP and fringe elements follow may yield short-term electoral gains, while the long-term consequences of such policy will be detrimental both for its developmental agenda and the composite fabric of India. Sabka saath, sabka vikas shall never take place if the Indian Muslims and Indian Christians; Dalits and Tribals are treated as second class citizens. Year 2015 will be a litmus test for PM Modi and the people of India are watching.

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.

--Hal Borland Dr John Mohan Razu, Professor, Social Ethics, CTC, Mokokchung

The Naga Blog is a forum on facebook where Nagas from Nagaland and around the world network, share ideas and discuss a wide range of topics from politics and philosophy to music and current events in Nagaland and beyond. The blog is not owned by any individual, nor is it affiliated to or associated with any political party or religion. The only movement it hopes to stir is the one raised by the voices of the Nagas every step of the way, amassing perhaps to mass consciousness one day. www.facebook.com/groups/thenagablog

Nagaland's need to beef up its security Charles Mhonthung Ezung:As long as our State police higher ups do not wake up to the need for a revamp of the state Intel setup, incidents like the recent bomb blast will reoccur.

The irony of the matter is that outsiders are having a "Blast" in our land due to certain shortcomings within our security establishment. The most crucial part of any security establishment is the Intel gathering and dissemination process.

What I observe in our state is total breakdown of this process.

Forewarned is well prepared and effective. Placing uniform personnel on the streets and vantage points are not sufficient or effective to contain lawlessness and secure safety for the people. Take a look at the USA the strength and effectiveness of their security establishment lies in the foundation of real time intel gathering process and strategy. Moreover they do not spare any effort or funds to develop the latest technology to augment the Intel gathering process. What our state require pronto, is not to create more battalions of police personnel but improve the Intel gathering machinery. The most crucial part of Intel business is communication interception, every type of communication, voice, text, email, etc. need to be monitored regularly and deciphered properly. In this matter some Liberals may have an issue concerning personal privacy or personal liberty, but what use is personal liberty or privacy when our land is full of terrorist not home bred but foreign. No terrorist operation occur spontaneously but it is carefully planned and coordinated by a hub which may be located outside our state. The mastermind of such heinous acts will always coordinate with their field or foot soldiers through different means of modern communication. Analysing different success ops of the USA security agencies against terrorist, reveal that it is the Intel collected and deciphered that determine the success or failure to provide security to the American citizens. Intel gathering involves both HUMINT, and TECHINT (SIGINT, IMINT, CYBINT, FININT) and these two aspects of Intel gathering process are equally important.

The GOI is sanctioning crores of rupees for modernisation of our state police force, I wonder how much of this fund is spent to improve the intel setup of our state. Wake up before Nagaland is transformed into another Beirut or North Western frontier Province of Pakistan.

Worhonthung Ezung: A perfect opportunity for our police to introspect and retrospect.

Few months/years ago, learnt from the media, the opposition party questioning the govt about the 18 cr Police Modernisation funds and many other infrastructure development projects. Also as someone had said that except the NPS, there is no advertisement for various other posts and hence are never heard of. But no vacancy and always excess appointments. Often heard from passers by that many of our jawans are not fit at all seeing their short physical stature or mental IQ. Charles Mhonthung Ezung: Our state police has their Intel section, however a look at the way it is managed will make you wonder how on earth officials of high calibre from the IPS are functioning.

Andrew Ahoto: The irony & of course the reality on the other hand is corruption which has to be totally uprooted & irradicated at all levels. Then suerly we can be rest assured of a better governance from the corrupted government, we can't expect the blind to lead the blind. Hope the society wakes up before it's too late and revamp the situation for a better tomorrow.

Atoba Longkumer: Just citing a small example, the IED bomb which was planted in an ATM in mokokchung was detected and reported at around 10am while the defusing squad led by the Assam rifles could arrive only at around 1Pm. In the mean time the lone traffic police was seen warning the people about the bomb. Is there any bomb defusing squad under Nagaland Police?

The Naga youth's say in Seeking forgiveness and a love song the ongoing political drama

T

his is reportedly a true story of a Sandinista minister of the Nicarguan Government who was visiting the prisons which housed members of the National Guard – men who were responsible for the brutal killing of about 50,000 Nicarguans. On one such visit, the minister came across the guardsman who had tortured him. The guardsman realized that the Minister had recognized him and said, “What are you going to do to me? What is your revenge?” The Minister extended his hand and said, “I forgive you. That is my revenge.” This incident reveals a number of complex dynamics. While the Minister appears to have risen above the searing tendency for revenge and retribution, he is eminently aware of the power he wields over the prisoner. The very fact that he is in a position to offer his forgiveness is itself evidence of the shift in the balance of power between the two men. This offering is his revenge, because it dually illustrates his moral and political superiority over his adversary.

In today’s time, I can relate with the imprisoned guardsman, and hopefully the recipient of the same grace and forgiveness.

As the first person this New Year in Nagaland to have understood the writing on the wall and therefore to join the BJP, and thereby be a part of the pressure group to keep a check on the extremism of the fringe groups in the BJP, my sincere prayer to our Hon’ble leader Neiphu Rio to also forgive

me for jumping the gun and becoming a follower of Narendra Modi. What ever may be and whatever will be, you will always be my everything. And just because words alone is inadequate, kindly please allow me to sing this song to you which Yours truly and Mark Anthony together composed, but again which however Mark Anthony took all the credit for.

Oh I just wanted you to comfort me When I called you late last night you see I was falling' into love Yes, I was crashing' into love Oh of all the words you sang to me About life, the truth and being free, yeah You sang to me, oh how you sang to me Girl, I live for how you make me feel So I question all this being real 'Cause I'm not afraid to love For the first time I'm not afraid of love This day seems made for you and me And you showed me what life needs to be Yeah, you sang to me, oh you sang to me All the while you were in front of me I never realized I just can't believe I didn't see it in your eyes I didn't see it, I can't believe it Oh but I feel it When you sing to me Now I long to hear you sing beneath the clear blue

skies And I promise you this time I'll see it in your eyes I didn't see it, I can't believe it Oh but I feel it When you sing to me Just to think you live inside of me I had no idea how this could be Now I'm crazy for your love Can't believe I'm crazy for your love The words you said you sang to me And you showed me where I wanna be Yeah you sang to me, oh sang to me All the while you were in front of me I never realized I just can't believe I didn't see it in your eyes I didn't see it, I can't believe it Oh but I feel it When you sing to me How I long to hear you sing beneath the clear blue skies And I promise you this time I'll see it in your eyes I didn't see it, I can't believe it Oh but I feel it When you sing to me “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 Benito Z Swu

Mhathung Lotha: Which of the following will have a better option for the Nagas in DAN Govt?

1. Leadership remains same but changes in Portfolios of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and induction of MLAs from NPF and other political parties in the Ministry.

2. Change of guard with total reshuffle of Portfolios, induction of MLAs from NPF and other political parties with more friendly Ministry with the centre.

Tarachu Fithu: My humble opinion is that, cabinet berth & portfolio allocation must be purely based on efficiency & capability. It is a great waste to have some cabinet members who are not capable to contribute any prudent idea for the uplistment of the State. So far cabinet & portfolio allocation is more or less along tribal consideration as such Nagaland is not progressing. The elected members must also give equal consideration to all the districts, thus covering all tribes. As for the change of guard, if we are changing for a better deal then its fine. But if the change is merely to feed personal interest of some selfish elected individual, then why create unstability. Due to unstable political environment a lot of precious time & energy of elected members are wasted.

Kum D Jamir: I'll go with option 2. As it seems that some old political leaders are not satisfied wth thier portfolio and seems that they are not doing thier role for strengthening thier govt. Or else PR should be imposed and re-election. And by the way, PR may/can be imposed without delay on the ground of Financial emergency.

Albert Awomi: Whom to believe??? the present cabinets & Parl.secys under T.R are confident that no leadership changes will happen, whereas on the other hand the dissidents claims they've majority of elected members to change new leadership.

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

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Saturday 10 January 2015

The Morung Express

‘My silence not sinister, media should ‘Sunanda’s friend questioned, be sensitive’ Tharoor, 11 others to be quizzed’

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (ageNcies): Expressing concern over the way investigation was being done into the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday demanded a professional police probe without any political pressure or consideration and pre-determined outcome.

He also offered to face questioning by Delhi Police at an early opportunity to address the questions they may have. Days after the Delhi Police filed a case of murder in his wife’s mysterious death almost a year ago, the former Union Minister, who completed a twoweek Ayurveda treatment near here, met the media to say that he will extend full cooperation in a “fair” investigation.

“I have a number of questions in my mind and concerns over the way in which the investigation had moved so far. I have written to the Police Commissioner yesterday in detail. Hope he will have discussions with the investigating officers. It is for him to do what he wants to

do,” he said.

In his letter to the Police Commissioner, Tharoor said he is looking for an early opportunity to address questions “his people may have”. “It is very important that it (probe) should be done professionally without any political pressure or intervention and without any pre-determined outcome,” he said.

Tharoor again said that he was “taken aback” by the police decision to register a murder case as the family had no reason to believe “foul play” in Sunanda’s death. “I was completely taken aback as there is no reason to believe for any one in the family that foul play would have been involved in her passing away. Every one loved her and (there was) no question of any one having reason to harm (Sunanda),” he said.

“There was no reason for anyone who had access to her would do anything to do her any harm. But I pledge full cooperation in the investigation,” he said.

“Let the police do their job.

We all would like to see the

matter closed and justice is done to all including Sunanda,” 58-year-old Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in Lok Sabha, said.

Tharoor said many of the things coming in connection with the case were “unnecessary controversy, disinformation and sometimes outright lies”.

“I have been suffering for the last one year. We will like to have this procedure to get justice to all starting with her (Sunanda), family members and myself as husband. “I lost my wife. I am not allowed to mourn for more than an year. I have gone through a great deal of pain,” he said.

Dismissing criticism that he has maintained a “sinister silence” after the fresh FIR was lodged in the case, Tharoor said, “I have been silent on this for one year as the police investigation is on. The reason is very simple. Obviously when there is a police inquiry on it is my duty not to undermine or compromise the investigation any way.”

He voiced anguish over

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor addressing the media outside Ayurveda Mana Guruvayur on Friday.

“unnecessary public controversy” and “distortion” in media reportage. Tharoor refused to take ques-

tions saying he is not going to engage in public discussion over a very personal tragedy and asked media

to have some “soul and heart” and some “human decency:” while reporting on such personal tragedies.

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (iaNs): A friend of Sunanda Pushkar, who had dropped her to a south Delhi hotel from the airport, has been questioned in connection with her murder, Delhi Police said Friday , adding 12 more people including her husband Shashi Tharoor will soon be questioned.

Sunil Trakru, a businessman and a close friend of Pushkar, has been questioned twice, a few days before the registration of FIR (first information report) Jan 4, a police officer told IANS. He said Trakru’s name had surfaced during the questioning of Tharoor’s domestic help Shri Narayan Singh in November last year. Singh had again been questioned Thursday.

Singh was questioned for a few hours, during which he revealed that the couple had a fight a day before Pushkar was found dead. Singh had also told police that Trakru had dropped Pushkar from the Delhi airport to Hotel Leela Palace where she was found dead in her room (number 345) Jan 17.

The couple had returned from Kerala Jan 14 but Tharoor went to his house in Lodhi Colony, while Pushkar left for the hotel. Delhi police officials also told IANS that they will soon question 12 more people including Tharoor, Pushkar’s son Shiv Menon, her two brothers Ashish Dass and Rajesh Pushkar and her cardiologist Rajat Mohan.

They are also looking for a person named ‘Kaitie’ whose name surfaced during arguments between Tharoor and Pushkar, overheard by Singh. Police will also quiz Tharoor’s personal assistant (PA) Rakesh Kumar Sharma,and another family friend Sanjay Dewan, who found Pushkar dead when he came to enquire about her health.

At that time, Sharma was also present in the hotel.

Senior journalist Nalini Singh, with whom Pushkar was believed to be in touch over phone before her death, will also be called to join the probe, the officer added.

Besides, two of Tharoor’s officers on special duty (OSD) Shiv Kumar Prasad and Abhinav Kumar, along with driver Bajrangi will also be questioned.

Dawood Ibrahim will be brought India home to 200,000 refugees in first half of 2014: UNHCR JaNuary 9 (PTi): India was of June 2014 and had 4,718 pending cases risk of more and more vulnerable people (509,000), the Democratic Republic of the to justice wherever he is: MEA geNeva, Congo (493,000), Myanmar (480,000) and home to over 200,000 refugees in the first of asylum seekers, bringing the total popu- being left without proper support. gaNDhiNagar, JaNuary 9 (PTi): India on Thursday said that its stand on underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, wanted for the 1993 Mumbai blasts, was still same and the fugitive gangster will be brought to justice wherever he is.

“Our stand about Dawood Ibrahim is still the same, that he is an absconder from justice. We have not forgotten what he has done, that is the Mumbai terror attacks.

“Be assured that at some stage he will be brought to justice wherever he is,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in response to a question about India’s stand on Ibrahim, especially after an audio clip, purportedly showing that he was in Pakistan, emerged recently.

Asked about the missing Indians in Iraq, he said the Union Government was pursuing the matter. “We all are working on this issue. But the situation is what it was when we briefed you last time. We keep getting information from various sources that some Indian nationals are there in that region… But we don’t have any concrete information on what is their status today,” he said.

“We will never forget these people and pursue this matter. We will not give up our quest to find them. Once we verify the information, we will share it with their relatives as well as public,” added Akbaruddin.

Governor’s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, JaNuary 9 (iaNs): Governor’s rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir Friday after polls left a hung assembly and political parties failed to cobble together a coalition government. Governor N.N. Vohra imposed the six-month’s of governor’s rule under section 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir constitution, officials said.

“After receiving concurrence from the president, under section 92 (5) of the Jammu and Kashmir constitution, Vohra issued a proclamation under section 92 (1) of the constitution to impose governor’s rule in the state,” a Raj Bhavan release here said Friday.

After the polls concluded in November and December 2014 in the state, and declaration of results Dec 23 2014, outgoing chief minister Omar Abdullah had tendered his resignation Dec 24, 2014, it said.

“While accepting his resignation, Omar Abdullah had requested to continue in office till “alternative arrangements are made”, it said.

The governor held consultations during the past two weeks with the leaders of Peoples Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, the two parties which had secured the largest and the second largest number of seats in the state assembly, respectively.

“However, no party or group of parties has so far staked claim to form the next government in the state,” it said. “On Jan 7, 2015, Omar Abdullah informed the governor that he had decided to step down as the caretaker chief minister of the state with immediate effect.” “With the approval of the president, the governor’ s rule has been imposed in the state with effect from Jan 8, 2015.”

Fifth swine flu death in Delhi

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (iaNs): A 38-year-old woman swine flu patient, admitted at a city hospital for over a week, had succumbed to the disease becoming the fifth fatality in the capital, health officials said Friday. Five fresh cases were also reported, taking the number of affected to 36.

The woman was a resident of Uttam Nagar in west Delhi and admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in central Delhi Jan 4. “The patient died around 10 p.m Thursday.

She was on ventilation since the day she was admitted. Her conditions deteriorated thereafter,” said Charan Singh, the nodal officer for swine flu cases in Delhi.

H.K. Kar, superintendent of RML hospital said that the patient was suffering from respiratory issues which worsened with time.

The four patients who earlier died included a 30-yearold man from east Delhi, A 42-year-old woman from Uttam Nagar in west Delhi, A 39-year-old man from Faridabad in neighbouring Haryana and a 51-year-old woman from Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh admitted at a city hospital.

Among the five fresh cases reported Friday include four men and a woman.

six months of 2014, a period that saw over 5.5 million people displaced worldwide mainly due to war and violence across large swathes of the Middle East and Africa.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in its new Mid-Year Trends 2014 report said of the 5.5 million who were newly displaced, 1.4 million fled across international borders becoming refugees, while the rest were displaced within their own countries.

The new data brings the number of people being helped by the UNHCR to 46.3 million as of mid-2014 - about 3.4 million more than at the end of 2013 and a new record high.

India was home to 198,665 refugees as

lation of concern to 203,383.

“In 2014, we have seen the number of people under our care grow to unprecedented levels. As long as the international community continues to fail to find political solutions to existing conflicts and to prevent new ones from starting, we will continue to have to deal with the dramatic humanitarian consequences,” said UNHCR head Antonio Guterres.

“The economic, social and human cost of caring for refugees and the internally displaced is being borne mostly by poor communities, those who are least able to afford it,” said Guterres in a statement.

Guterres added that enhanced international solidarity is a must to avoid the

Among the report’s main findings were that Syrians, for the first time, have become the largest refugee population under UNHCR’s mandate, overtaking Afghans, who had held that position for more than three decades.

As of June 2014, the three million Syrian refugees now account for 23 per cent of all refugees being helped by UNHCR worldwide.

Despite dropping to second place, the 2.7-million Afghan refugees remain the largest protracted refugee population under UNHCR care.

Following that, the leading countries of origin of refugees were Somalia (1.1 million), Sudan (670,000), South Sudan

Iraq (426,000).

Pakistan, which hosts 1.6 million Afghan refugees, remains the biggest host country in absolute terms.

Relative to the sizes of their economies the burdens carried by Ethiopia and Pakistan are greatest.

Other countries with large refugee populations were Lebanon (1.1 million), Iran (982,000), Turkey (824,000), Jordan (737,000), Ethiopia (588,000), Kenya (537,000) and Chad (455,000).

Another major finding in the report is the shift in the regional distribution of refugee populations from Asia and the Pacific and now as a result of the crisis in Syria, the Middle East and North Africa.

In a first, women of armed forces to march on R-Day

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (TNN): The armed forces for the first time will have all-women marching contingents, apart from their regular ones, in the Republic Day parade on the majestic Rajpath this year, which will have US President Barack Obama as the chief guest.

It has been quite a scramble for the Army, Navy and IAF to look for 148 women each - one contingent commander, three platoon commanders and 144 in the marching block - since they still constitute a miniscule minority in the predominantly male environs of the over 13-lakh strong armed forces.

“The orders came from the top since PM Narendra Modi was keen on women empowerment and ‘Naari Shakti’ as the main theme for the parade. Women officers, with proper turnout, drill standards and fit enough for the

10-km march, have been pulled out from different stations across the country,” said a source.

Unlike paramilitary and police forces, the armed forces cannot draw women from other ranks for the parade since they induct them only as officers. Moreover, though women have been allowed to join the armed forces since the early1990s, they currently number just about 3,000 of the 59,400 officers.

The Army has around 1,300 women officers, IAF 1,350 and Navy 350.

Women officers till recently could serve just a maximum of 14 years in branches like signals, engineers, aviation, intelligence, ordnance, air traffic controller and air defence due to what were called “operational, practical and cultural problems”. They can now opt for permanent commission but only in a few wings like legal, naval con- School students pray by a sand sculpture made by Narayan Sahu as tribute to victims of the attack on structor, accounts and education. French satirical paper Charlie Hebdo, at Juhu beach in Mumbai on Friday, January 9. (AP Photo)

Indo-US collaboration in regenerative medicine to help acid attack victims

New Delhi, JaNuary 9 (iaNs): Holding out hope for scarred acid attack victims and those with congenital defects, researchers at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in collaboration with US-based Ohio University have developed a revolutionary technique to regenerate human body parts and tissue.

The new technique would have a direct impact on over 90 percent of Indian patients, suffering from health issues like malignant tumours, possible amputations, infected skin tissue and can even help tide over shortage of certain organs in the country, doctors associated with the project told IANS. As part of the project, both the top health-cum-education institutions have consented to set up a regenerative medicine centre at the newly inaugurated Convergence Block of AIIMS. “There is no doubt that this collaboration is going to create a revolution in the medical arena.

The chances of rejection and reaction while using a person’s body part in another patient will end forever. This medical advance-

ment is going to be a boon for acid attack victims with even 40 percent burn injuries as the damaged skin can be regenerated,” M.C. Misra, Director, AIIMS told IANS. Misra said the reason AIIMS choose to collaborate with Ohio University was that the US varsity has already regenerated body parts like the trachea, urethra and urinary bladder several times, and not just for Americans but also for patients in European countries.

As part of the collaboration, a delegation of 70 researchers from Ohio University will meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in the national capital and hold a press conference Jan 12-13 to announce the development.

Misra said that though the technology is fast catching up in the West, Indian medical institutions will be able to use the regenerative medicine technique for treatment in the next two-three years. The Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery in 2014 concluded that India alone witnesses around 9-10 lakh burn injuries annually leading to damage of skin and organs. Also as per the health minis-

try estimates, over 500,000 people die each year because of nonavailability of organs.

“Apart from helping burn patients, the regenerative medicine technique will also be a perfect cure for the rapidly growing problem of organ dysfunction or damage due to aging, cancer, trauma and metabolic diseases. They can effectively be managed by replacing it by tissue-engineered scaffold with impregnated stem cells,” Amit K. Dinda, president, Indian Society of Renal and Transplant Pathology and professor pathology at AIIMS, told IANS. Dinda said that the regenerative medicine technology can also be applied for engineered skin, bone, trachea and vessels.

Management of chronic wounds is also possible using this advanced mode of therapy.

“Application of 3D technology is used to fabricate a scaffold of bone exactly in the shape and size needed for a patient. The scaffold is fabricated with biocompatible material. Autologous (derived from the same individual) stem cells can be impregnated in the

scaffold and the defective part of bone can be replaced by this engineered bone,” Dinda told IANS explaining the process.

On why India lacked expertise in such technology, Dinda said that in India though there is some progress in stem cell research, the lack of interest among the major engineering and medical institutions to work jointly is the main factor.

Founded in 1870, Ohio State University is one of the largest public research universities in the United States. It’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Based Therapy (CRMCBT) has extraordinary research infrastructure and a massive research programme with annual research expenses of amounting to $one billion.

As part of the collaboration, several visits will be made by delegations from both countries so that the Indian medical scientists learn all the features of the medical advancement. Dinda said the project will also see joint efforts of experts from various fields like plastic surgeons, engineers, der-

matologists, oncologist and even general surgeons.

The project is to be funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).

Chandan K. Sen, Director CRMCBT of Ohio University, said the project will introduce a new discipline of medicine to AIIMS and CRMCBT will guide them at every stage.

“The number of patients Indian hospitals receive is much larger than in any other country.

Our focus will be to make AIIMS a pioneer in regenerative medicine. However, the point to be noted is that AIIMS should have thought of picking up such issues much earlier,” Sen told IANS over the phone from Ohio.

Sen noted that until there is willingness among the Indian experts from various fields to work together to develop such a technology, the project cannot be accomplished. “After all, this is the reason India lacks behind Western nations despite having the perfect minds and resources,” Sen said.

InternatIonal

the Morung express

Ousted Thai premier rejects charges at impeachment hearing

Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra leaves parliament in Bangkok, Thailand on January 9.

Thailand’s military-appointed legislature began impeachment hearings Friday against Yingluck, a move analysts say is aimed at ensuring the ousted leader stays out of politics for the foreseeable future. (AP Photo)

BANGKOK, JANUARY 9 (AP): Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra defended her role in a money-losing rice subsidy scheme Friday at the start of an impeachment hearing that analysts say is aimed at ensuring the ousted leader stays out of politics for the foreseeable future.

The charges against Yingluck have been dismissed by her supporters, who say they are politically motivated and part of a broader campaign that led to the overthrow of her government in an army coup last year.

Militar y-appointed lawmakers are expected to issue on a verdict by the end of the month. If impeached, Yingluck could be banned from politics for five years. Yingluck was forced from office in early May by a court verdict that declared she had illegally transferred the nation’s security chief. That decision came after months of street protests and one day before Thailand’s antigraft commission indicted her on charges of dereliction of duty in overseeing a widely criticized rice subsidy program, which accumulated losses of at least $4 billion and temporarily cost Thailand its position as the world’s leading rice exporter.

On Friday, Yingluck defended the rice scheme and said it was “worthwhile” and was designed to support farmers. “I guarantee that I ran the country with honesty, fully under the given authority, with transparency and justice.”

Yingluck also questioned the legitimacy of the impeachment process and said it was “unnecessary” since she was no longer premier.

She had insisted for months last year that the Southeast Asian nation’s fragile democracy was being

dismantled by protesters, the judiciary that removed her and finally the army, which staged a May 22 coup that wiped out the remnants of her administration.

Yingluck’s swift ascension was largely due to the popularity of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-exile in Dubai. Analysts say Friday’s hearing is more about the curbing the power of the Shinawatra family and keeping them out of politics. The junta has spoken of holding elections in 2015, but no date has been set. “The impeachment is geared to keep Yingluck at bay. If she’s allowed to run in the next election, there’s a good chance that she might win,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, the director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

If Yingluck is prosecuted, however, the government “could risk incurring the wrath of the pro-Thaksin camp. At the same time, it would also deepen the polarization and divisions that we have seen in Thailand.”

The National Legislative Assembly, hand-picked by the junta and dominated by active and retired military officers, is deliberating on whether Yingluck neglected her duties by allowing the failed subsidy program to continue.

The scheme, under which the government paid farmers double the market price, was a flagship policy that helped Yingluck’s government win votes in the 2011 generalelection.

On Thursday, the legislature began separate impeachment hearings against a former House speaker and a former Senate president for allegedly trying to amend the constitution, which the army suspended when it seized power.

Saturday 10 January 2015

Dimapur

9

Three terrorists killed by French forces THree HOsTages alsO repOrTedly kIlled

PARIS, JANUARY 9 (AP): Three terrorists who seized hostages at separate locations and ignited fear across Paris were killed Friday along with three of their hostages as the gunmen clashed with thousands of French security forces.

City officials scrambled to protect residents and tourists from further attacks, shutting down a famed Jewish neighborhood, putting schools under lock down and urging residents to stay indoors and remain vigilant.

France has been high alert since the country’s worst terror attack in decades — the massacre Wednesday in Paris at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people dead.

Two al-Qaida-linked brothers suspected in the Charlie Hebdo killings came out of their hideaway with guns blazing Friday, a French police official said.

Brothers Cherif Kouachi, 32, and Said Kouachi, 34, killed in a shootout and their hostage was freed, authorities said.

Another gunman who took at least five hostages Friday afternoon at a kosher grocery in Paris also died in a nearly simultaneous raid there, said Gael Fabiano of the UNSA police union. The gunman was identified as Amedy Coulibaly.

Two police officials also confirmed Coulibaly’s death and one said three hostages also died at the grocery. The two police officials were not allowed to give their names to speak about the quickly developing situation. None of the officials could say what happened to the woman listed on a police bulletin as his accomplice.

Security forces stormed the Paris grocery minutes after their counterparts assaulted the printing plant northeast of Paris where two brothers suspected in the Charlie Hebdo killings had holed up.

Moments later, several people were seen being led out of the Porte de Vincennes grocery store but security forces could still be seen moving around. It was not clear exactly how many hostages had been at the store or how many were freed. Minutes before the storming, the gunman in a Paris kosher grocery store had threatened to kill his five hostages if French authorities launched an assault on the two brothers, a police official said. The two sets of hostage-takers know each other, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the rapidly developing situations with the media.

By Friday afternoon, explosions and gunshots rang out and white smoke rose outside a printing plant in Dammartin-en-Goele,

Hezbollah chief says terrorists damage Islam more than cartoons

Armed security forces fly overhead in a military helicopter in Dammartin-en-Goele, northeast of Paris on January 9. (AP Photo)

Security officers escort released hostages after they stormed a kosher market to end a hostage situation, Paris, Friday, January 9. Explosions and gunshots were heard as police forces stormed a kosher grocery in Paris where a gunman was holding at least five people hostage. (AP Photo)

northeast of Paris. Security forces had surrounded the building for most of the day. After the explosions, a police SWAT forces could be seen on the roof of the building and one police helicopter landed near it.

Audrey Taupenas, spokeswoman for the town near the Charles de Gaulle airport, said the brothers had died in the clash.

Trying to fend off further attacks, the Paris mayor’s office shut down all shops along Rosiers Street in the city’s famed Marais neighborhood in the heart of the tourist district. Hours before the Jewish Sabbath,

the street is usually crowded with shoppers — French Jews and tourists alike. The street is also only a kilometer (a half mile) away from Charlie Hebdo’s offices.

At the kosher grocery near the Porte de Vincennes neighborhood in Paris, the gunman had burst in shooting just a few hours before the Jewish Sabbath began, declaring “You know who I am,” the official recounted.

The attack came before sundown when the store would have been crowded with shoppers.

The official said the gunman is also believed responsible for the road-

side killing of a Paris policewoman on Thursday.

Paris police released a photo of the gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, and a second suspect, a woman named Hayet Boumddiene, who the official said was his accomplice.

Several people wounded when the gunman opened fire in the kosher grocery were able to flee and get medical care, the official said.

Police said 100 students were under lockdown in schools nearby and the highway ringing Paris was closed. Hours before and 40 kilometers (25 miles)

away , a convoy of police trucks, helicopters and ambulances streamed toward Dammartin-en-Goele, a small industrial town near Charles de Gaulle airport, to seize the Charlie Hebdo suspects, who had hijacked a car in a nearby town after more than two days on the run. “They said they want to die as martyrs,” Yves Albarello, a local lawmaker inside the command post, told French television station i-Tele.

Cherif Kouachi, 32, was convicted of terrorism charges in 2008 for ties to a network sending jihadis to fight U.S. forces in Iraq.

BEIRUT, JANUARY 9 (REUTERS): The leader of the Shi’ite Muslim group Hezbollah said on Friday that Islamist terrorists had done more harm to Islam than any cartoon or book, a reference to the attack by suspected Islamist militants on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said what he called “takfiri terrorist groups” had insulted Islam more than “even those who have attacked the messenger of God through books depicting the Prophet or making films depicting the Prophet or drawing cartoons of the Prophet.”

Takfiri is a term for a Muslim who accuses others, including another Muslim, of apostasy.

Hezbollah considers members of ultra-hardline Sunni-dominated groups like al Qaeda and Islamic State to be takfiris.

Twelve people were killed in the presumed Islamist militant attack on Wednesday at the weekly Charlie Hebdo, which has often lampooned Islam and other religions as well as politicians and other public figures. Cartoons in Charlie Hebdo have provoked angry reactions from some Muslims. Footage of the killings at the paper’s offices showed gunmen shouting “we have avenged the Prophet Mohammad”.

Nasrallah was speaking to supporters in Beirut’s southern suburbs via video link to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet. Hezbollah, which Washington describes as a terrorist group, functions as a political party that is part of the Lebanese government. It also has a military wing that has sent hundreds of fighters to support President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in neighbouring Syria.

A Yemeni security official said his 34-year-old brother, Said Kouachi, is suspected of having fought for al-Qaida in Yemen.

Another senior security official said Said was in Yemen until 2012. Both officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of an ongoing investigation into Kouachi’s stay in Yemen.

Both brothers were also on the U.S. no-fly list, a senior U.S. counterterrorism official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss foreign intelligence publicly.

Maithripala Sirisena elected Sri Lanka’s new president COLOMBO, JANUARY 9 (AP): In a result that was unthinkable just weeks ago, former Cabinet minister Maithripala Sirisena won Sri Lanka’s presidential election, humbling his onetime ally and longtime president who paid the price for blatantly amassing power while failing to address the country’s economic troubles.

Sirisena, who defected from the ruling party in a surprise move in November, capitalized on outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s unpopularity among this island’s ethnic and religious minorities, as well as grumbling among the Sinhalese majority about his growing power.

Sirisena (si-ri-SAY’-na) received 51.2 percent of the votes in Thursday’s election and Rajapaksa got 47.5 percent, said Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya. Rajapaksa had conceded defeat and vacated his official residence early Friday morning, hours before the official announcement.

Sirisena, 63 and a longtime politician, called on his supporters to remain peaceful in the wake of victory, telling them at a gathering at the Election Commission that they shouldn’t “even hurt anybody’s feelings.”

“The honor of this victory is in

your peaceful conduct,” he said, thanking Rajapaksa for ensuring the transition had so far gone smoothly.

Sirisena was expected to be sworn in later Friday.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who met Rajapaksa early Friday, said the outgoing president saw his defeat in early election results and agreed to hand over power. He said Rajapaksa deserved credit for ending the civil war but the people had called for a change.

Deshapriya, the elections commissioner, said the election was peaceful, although some voters were prevented from casting ballots in the Tamil-dominated north, according to the Center for Monitoring Election Violence.

The lack of violence was a relief for the country, as well as because Pope Francis was scheduled to arrive in the country on Tuesday.

While Rajapaksa’s campaign centered around his victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009 and his work rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, Sirisena’s focused on reining in the president’s expanding powers. He also accused Rajapaksa of corruption, a charge the president

Sri Lanka incoming President Maithripala Sirisena waves to supporters as he leaves the election secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 9. (AP Photo)

denied.

Jagath Dissanayake, a 40-year-old businessman, said the people had collectively voted against corruption.

“We can’t give a vote of gratitude to him every day,” he said referring to Rajapaksa’s war victory.

Wimal Perera, 44, said the re-

sults reflected the people’s economic hardships. While the economy has grown in recent years on the back of enormous construction projects, many built with Chinese investment money, the country still has a large underclass, many of whom are increasingly frustrated at being left out.

Rajapaksa, who was elected in 2005, had been widely expected to easily win his third term in office until Sirisena suddenly split away in November, gathering the support of other defecting lawmakers and many of the country’s ethnic minorities, making the election a fierce political battle.

Rajapaksa was still thought to be tough to beat because he controlled the state media, has immense financial resources and popularity among the Sinhala majority. But polling was notably strong in Tamil-dominated areas, where voting had been poor in previous elections.

Many Tamils were believed to have voted heavily for Sirisena — not so much because they supported him but because they despised Rajapaksa so much. He not only crushed the Tamil Tiger rebellion but also largely ignored Tamil demands to heal the wounds of the fighting and years of ethnic divisions.

Rajapaksa had built up immense power after defeating the Tamil Tigers, using his huge popularity with Sinhalese majority who hailed him as a king. He used his parliamentary majority to scrap a constitutional

two-term limit for the president and gave himself the power to appoint many top officials. When the chief justice objected to his moves, he orchestrated her impeachment.

He had also created a cult image for himself and installed numerous relatives in top government positions, sidelining the party’s old guard, which helped give rise to the revolt that brought Sirisena to power.

One of Rajapaksa’s brothers is a Cabinet minister, another is the speaker of Parliament and a third is the defense secretary. One of his son’s is a member of Parliament and a nephew is a provincial chief minister. The diplomatic service was full of his relatives and friends.

Muslims, the second-largest ethnic minority, also appeared to have voted against Rajapaksa, who was accused of backing ultranationalist Buddhist groups and turning a blind eye on anti-Muslim violence last June.

And for the country’s Sinhalese, which make up about three-quarters of the population, Sirisena’s entry into the race gave them another credible option if they were fed up with Rajapaksa or wary of his growing clout.

The Morung Express 10 SPORTS Neymar hits double as Barca put five past Elche Blazers burn up Heat 99Dimapur

Saturday

10 January 2015

FC Barcelona's Neymar, from Brazil, top, duels for the ball, during a round of 16 first leg Copa del Rey soccer match against Elche, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, January 8. (AP Photo)

BArCeLOnA, JAnuAry 9 (reuterS): Neymar's double helped Barcelona cruise to a 5-0 victory in the first leg of their King’s Cup last 16 tie against Elche on Thursday to ease the pressure on coach Luis Enrique.

The Brazilian put the Catalan club ahead after 34 minutes when he fired home fol-

Valdes joins Man United as backup to De Gea

MAnCHeSter, JAnuAry 9 (AP): Manchester United signed former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Thursday as a backup to fellow Spaniard David de Gea. The 32-yearold Valdes, who has been at United training with the first team since October while rehabilitating from a knee injury, signed an 18-month contract, with the option for a further year.

"He joins the club as the No. 2 goalkeeper and is a great addition," United manager Louis van Gaal said.

Valdes, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in March before being released by Barcelona, won every major honor with the Catalan giant, and the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship with Spain.

Valdes is preparing to fight for his first-team place at United. "Now, in the moment, (De Gea) is the best goalkeeper in the world," Valdes said. "His performances every day and in every game shows everybody that his level is very high. He has had a great year." Valdes' signing is likely to increase the chances of the 30-yearold Anders Lindegaard leaving the club in January.

United's other goalkeeping options are 21-year-old Sam Johnstone, who is on loan at Doncaster, and 24-year-old Ben Amos.

lowing a well worked move and after that the flood gates opened against the bottom side in La Liga. Six minutes later Luis Suarez slotted past Przemyslaw Tyton after creating the chance with a delightful dummy as he allowed the ball to run through his legs before bearing down on goal. Lionel Messi, who was the focus of attention

following a reported bustup with Enrique, looked very motivated from the start with some lively runs and converted a penalty just before halftime after Neymar was felled by defender Enzo Roco.

Jordi Alba made it 4-0 with a clinical finish from a Messi pass after 55 minutes and Neymar got his second

foal with a deflected drive from distance five minutes later. Shortly afterwards Neymar was substituted and made it clear he was unhappy as he shook his head when walking off.

It was an important win for Enrique who was criticised for leaving Messi and Neymar on the bench for the defeat by Real Sociedad

last Sunday with his team stuttering under him.

The coach put out a first choice strike force against Elche as he could not afford another slip-up and he received a mixed reception from the Camp Nou crowd.

At several times during the game fans chanted his name but they were then drowned out by whistles.

“The only reflection that I will make is that which interests me, and I value the support of the fans to the players. They are the protagonists in this show and I like it that they are supported,” he told a news conference. “This is basic if we are going to have a good season and it is great if they can back the players.”

It has been a difficult week with presidential elections brought forward a year to the end of this season due to general dissatisfaction with the management of the club.

“I think that our supporters have belief in us and in this sense I am in favour of the decision to hold elections by the president (Josep Maria) Bartomeu as a generous gesture” said Luis Enrique. “This is a way of bringing some calm and hopefully we can build on that with some good results."

Barca will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the King's Cup quarter-finals once they finish off Elche. Atletico hold a 2-0 first-leg lead after the home leg on Wednesday.

PASA silver jubilee from January 14

PHek, JAnuAry 9 (Mexn): The 25th Anniversary of the Phek Area Sports Association (PASA) is scheduled to be held at Phek Village from January 14 to 17 under the theme, “Exploring Greater Heights” with Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu and Yitachu as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

Hukhonieyi Soho, PET, GHS, Phek Village will act as the Field Marshall of the tourney while Nukhuhuyi Sakha will be the chief referee. 13 assigned umpires will assist the Field Marshall and chief referee

in conducting the events of the competition. Hukhonieyi Soho and Vephilu Hoshi will be the Silver Jubilee Torch bearer.

According to PASA official sources, the 4-day long tourney marking the milestone of 25 years of its existence (Silver Jubilee) will feature 7 track events for both genders, 7 field events for men and 6 for women including football, volleyball and basketball for both genders as the highlights of the competition.

Individual prizes will be awarded to the best individual in athletics, foot-

ball, volleyball, basketball for both men and women.

Men’s football champion will be awarded the Late.

Thupuchiyi Khamo Memorial Trophy, women’s football champion will be awarded cash from all PASA Presidents’ donation, while women volleyball champion will be awarded the Late. Mhanetalu Vero Memorial Trophy along with cash prize of Rs. 20,000.

A new team of Executive Council for the tenure 2015-2017 will be installed during the tournament by the Search Committee.

On the day of the arrival on January 13, all units have been informed to pay Rs. 2,000 as registration fee.

There will be rehearsal ceremony on the arrival day from 1 p.m. onwards where all units are requested to submit 2 flags measuring 5X3. Business Hour will be held on January 13 at 5 p.m. where executives, umpires and 2 representatives from each unit shall be eligible to attend the same. PASA has invited all frontal organizations, elders, sports lovers, and well wishers to be part of the Jubilee celebration.

83 to close on NBA lead

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, right, shoots over Miami Heat center Chris Bosh during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, January 8. Aldridge led the Trail Blazers with 24 points and pulled in 12 rebounds as the Blazers defeate the Heat 99-83. (AP Photo)

POrtLAnD, JAnuAry 9 (AP): Portland used a big third quarter to beat Miami 99-83 on Thursday, pushing the Trail Blazers closer to the top of the NBA standings. In the day's other games, Charlotte won at Toronto while Houston predictably defeated New York, sending the hapless Knicks to their 14th successive loss.

Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 12 rebounds, including 10 points in the third, when the Blazers outscored the Heat 33-16 to take control of the game.

Wesley Matthews had 18 points for Portland, which moved a yawning 11

games clear in the Northwest Division and closed within 1-1/2 games of league leader Golden State.

Dwyane Wade led Miami with 23 points.

Charlotte's Gerald Henderson scored a seasonhigh 31 points and Kemba Walker added 29 to lead the Hornets past Toronto 10395. Walker made a jumper from just inside the 3-point line with 19.6 seconds to give the Hornets a six-point lead, all but securing their fourth straight win.

Kyle Lowry's 24 points, seven assists and seven rebounds led the Raptors, who were coming off a sixgame trip.

New York's 120-96

home defeat by Houston stretched the Knicks' losing streak to 14; their worst ever within a single season.

The Rockets beat New York for the 11th straight time and handed the Knicks their 24th loss in 25 games.

James Harden had 25 points and nine assists in just three quarters, with the Rockets already up by 24 points at the last break.

Trevor Ariza added 18 points for the Rockets.

Rookie Travis Wear scored a season-high 21 points for New York, which is closing in on its worst-ever losing streak of 20, which straddled the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.

FA charges Mourinho for verbal attack on referee

LOnDOn, JAnuAry 9 (reuterS): Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was charged with misconduct by the FA on Thursday following comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor after last month's 1-1 draw at Southampton in the Premier League.

The Portuguese was furious with Taylor after he booked Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas for diving in the Dec. 28 match.

Mourinho said the referee's failure to award a penalty was a scandal and that he should be ashamed. He added that his team were being unfairly targeted in a campaign waged against them

after Fabregas became the fifth Chelsea player to become involved in a row over diving in a matter of weeks.

The Spaniard, though, appeared to be tripped by Southampton defender Matt Targett in the penalty area. "In other countries where I have worked, tomorrow in the sports papers it would be a front-page scandal because it is a scandal," said Mourinho.

"It is not a small penalty, it is a penalty like Big Ben. In this country, and I am happy with that, more than happy with that, we will just say that it was a big mistake with a big influence on the result.

"I will go to the ref-

eree and wish him a good year and tell him he will be ashamed," added Mourinho.

In a statement, the FA said his remarks constituted improper conduct in that they allege and/or imply bias on the part of a referee or referees and/or bring the game into disrepute.

Mourinho has until 1800 GMT on Jan. 13 to respond to the charge.

The FA will not take any action against him following the comments he made before the game against Stoke City on Dec. 19 but gave him a formal warning as managers and players are banned from making pre-match

media comments about officials. Before the game Mourinho said he hoped referee Neil Swarbrick "does his job".

"I like these matches," added the Chelsea manager.

"It's no problem with a good referee that can understand what is aggressivity or when aggressivity finishes and when the rules of the game start.

"I know it is difficult for every team to play this kind of match but again I'm not worried. The referee is there exactly to judge what is aggressivity. And aggressivity I always welcome, it makes the game much more beautiful and difficult."

Jose Mourinho (AP File Photo)

41st KYO Sports Ozil, Ramsey set for Arsenal return Yaya Toure wins African footballer of the year Meet concludes LOnDOn, JAnuAry 9 (reuterS): Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that midkOHiMA, JAnuAry 9 Athletics fielders Mesut Ozil and (Mexn): The Kiruphema championship:Aaron Ramsey are back in training and in contention Youth organisation (KYO) Men for Sunday's game against sports meet which was held 1. High jump-Vilhourü Stoke City after lengthy under the theme ‘Unity 2. Long jumpspells on the sidelines.

Medokhrielie and Prosperity’ concluded Germany international today at the Kiruphema 3. Discuss-Thejanguto Ozil has been out since earLocal Ground with Pel- 4. Shot put- Thejanguto ly October with a knee ligahouvisie Hozoyie, Chair- 5. Javelin- Kekhrieneikho ment injury, while Ramsey man, Kiruphema Bawe as 6. 100m-Peteneizo has not featured since the the guest of honour in the 7. 200m-Peteneizo start of December, leaving Wenger short on goals and 8. 400m-Megovizo final ceremony.

The events of the sports 9. 4X100m-Kezekevi Kro-u creativity in midfield.

"Aaron Ramsey, Ozil meet included with footand Mathieu Flamini are ball (Men), volleyball (Men Women back in training. (Danny) & women) and athletics for 1. High jumpWelbeck is not available, Kelelhouneino both men and women.

(Olivier) Giroud is back Kekhrie Kro-u won the 2. Long jump-Neisevono from suspension," Wenger Football (Men) category. 3. Discuss-Diezeviü told reporters.

In volleyball, Nurhe Kro-u 4. Shot put- Vikuosano "Ozil will train with the squad today, he's been sick, won in the men’s category, 5. Javelin- Visaneino he will be available. Will I while Kekhrie Kro-u won 6. 100m-Neithobu start him? I don't know."

7. 200m-Sosono the women’s event.

Another player whose Pelengulie, Keviko- 8. 400m-Vikuosano place in the starting lineup lie and Neisevono were 9. 4X100m-Kenei Kro-u is perhaps not guaranteed awarded player of the touris goalkeeper Wojciech nament in men’s football, Individual player of the tour- Szczesny, who was fined by men’s volleyball and wom- nament were awarded to Pe- the club after being caught smoking in the changing en’s volleyball respectively. teneizo and Vikuosano.

room following their defeat to Southampton on Jan. 1.

The Pole has apologised, Wenger said, but it seems his manager will still leave him sweating on his place in the side.

"I've not selected the first 11 yet," Wenger added.

"I don't want to talk about what happens in our dressing room because what happens stays in the dressing room. Apart from the fact it doesn't stay in the dressing room," the manager joked. "He's a serious boy who works very hard.

He's not the first to make a mistake and not the last."

Arsenal's season is yet to truly ignite and they sit

sixth in the table ahead of the visit from traditional bogey team Stoke, who inflicted an embarrassing reverse on Wenger's side at the start of December.

Then Arsenal shipped three goals in the first half, rendering their secondhalf fightback academic in a 3-2 defeat. Stoke's traditionally combative approach has frequently exposed Arsenal's famed soft underbelly and with Mark Hughes's side comfortably placed in mid-table, Wenger is expecting another testing afternoon.

"Stoke are always especially motivated against Arsenal," he said.

LAGOS, JAnuAry 9 (reuterS): Yaya Toure was named African Footballer of the Year for a record fourth straight time at the annual Confederation of African Football awards on Thursday.

The Ivory Coast midfielder joins Samuel Eto’o as the only players to win the continent’s top individual award four times but only Toure has done it in successive years, starting in 2011.

His latest triumph came ahead of two other finalists, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, in a poll of the coaches and captain’s of Africa’s national teams.

"I've been very blessed all these years," Toure said at the ceremony. "I want to thank all the football fans and say 'Thank you Africa'." Toure's award comes on the back of his stellar performances for Manchester City in the Premier League rather than his achievements with the Ivory Coast.

The 31-year-old Toure scored in Manchester City’s League Cup final win over Sunderland in March and notched 20 goals in helping his side regain the Premier League title, a feat for a midfielder that only Frank Lampard had managed before him.

However, Toure suffered heartbreak in

Ivory Coast's and Manchester City midfielder YaYa Toure speaks after he was named African Player of the Year at the Glo CAF Awards in Lagos, Nigeria on January 8. (AP Photo)

Brazil when the Ivory Coast were denied progress from their World Cup group by a last minute Greece goal. He captained the Ivorians in two of their three games ahead of Didier Drogba.

Toure will lead the team at this month’s African Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea.

He had won the award ahead of Seydou Keita (Mali) in 2011, Drogba in 2012 and John Obi Mikel of Nigeria in 2013.

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Saturday

Entertainment

The Morung Express

Harry Styles in 'Talks' to Star in Movies Harry Styles is in "talks" to star in movies and has already been offered a part in a film by legendary film producer, Harvey Weinstein.

10 January 2015

Dimapur

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Jennifer Aniston: Justin Theroux Was a Gift From My Dead Ex

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Jennifer Aniston thinks Justin Theroux was a gift from her "first love", who later died of a brain tumour.

Jennifer dated actor Daniel McDonald for years before she landed her role on Friends. He later died of a brain tumor.

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arry Styles is in "talks" to star in a movie. The One Direction singer has already met up with legendary film producer, Harvey Weinstein, to discuss appearing in a Hollywood blockbuster. The 62-year-old film studio executive said: "There's no question he will enter the movie business. I get from him that he wants to. When you meet him, he's super-charismatic. "He came to our Oscars party last year and then

I went out to lunch with him. I've met him two or three times and he was very interested and charming.

I think the guy is a movie star." The 'Steal My Girl' hitmaker has already been offered a role by Harvey, who insists he's got the perfect part for the 20-year-old singer.

Harry, though, had to turn it down because of his world tour commitments with his bandmates: Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

Harvey shared to The Sun newspaper: "You know he's a dashing rogue - a fun-loving, spirited kind of actor that used to be in England all the time. Like David Niven or Douglas Fairbanks, he's got that vibe, he really does. "And he doesn't even have to audition for me. We offered him a part and he couldn't do the movie because he had the tour. The amount of money their tour did is crazy, so he's got obligations."

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ennifer Aniston thinks Justin Theroux was a gift from her dead ex. The 'Horrible Bosses' actress - who is engaged to the 43-year-old actor - admitted that the man was "unappreciated" by her, before revealing that he "died years later of a brain tumour". Speak-

ing of the unnamed man, she shared to the New York Times newspaper: "He was my first love - five years we were together. "He would have been the one. But I was 25, and I was stupid. He must have sent me Justin to make up for it all."

Meanwhile, the 45-yearold actress has revealed that

the couple are having "big discussions" about marriage, with the 'Cake' actress admitting she would happily marry Justin if she could tie the knot "without all the buzzing and the noise".

When asked if the couple had already set a wedding date, she said: "There's a big discussion in our house

right now: Do you just do it and say screw it? Or do you try desperately to get away with [a secret ceremony] where you don't have any fun because you're hiding in a cave somewhere? "If we could do it without all the buzzing and the noise...It can be done. Where there's a will there's a way."

Ranveer Singh, Deepika 'SHaMiTabH' plot is unique, 'i' clears hurdles, Padukone to marry soon? believes Amitabh Bachchan! release date fixed C M Y K

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f the latest buzz is anything to go by, then Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone will enter matrimony soon.

The two actors, who have never admitted to dating each other, were recently spotted holidaying in Maldives. Interestingly, Deepika’s family too was part of the vacation. Reports also

suggest that Ranveer was in Bangalore to celebrate Deepika’s birthday with her family. The super-talented actor is believed to have asked for Deepika’s hand from her parents. The dimpled beauty’s parents too are apparently happy with Ranveer. Ranveer and Deepika were paired opposite each other for the

first time in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus – ‘Goliyon ki Rasleela- Ram Leela’.

Ever since the film released, rumours of the two seeing each other started doing the rounds. Their onscreen chemistry set the silver screen ablaze and they soon went on to become one of the hottest 'jodis' to grace the Indian screen ever! Homi Adajania too decided to cast them as man and wife in his film ‘Finding Fanny’ (read: Ranveer had a special appearance in the film). And now the two are all gearing up to enthrall audiences in ‘Bajirao Mastaani’, SLB’s ambitious project. Ranveer and Deepika’s chemistry on and off the screen has painted a picture that almost testifies their personal equation. And it seems it is just a matter of time that the two will admit to being in love.

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ndian cinema's megastar Amitabh Bachchan is ready to stun the audiences one more time with his performance in 'Shamitabh'. The film has been directed by 'Paa' fame filmmaker R Balki, who so far has been successful in keeping the storyline under

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most fun people I have ever met, thoughtful and classy, there was everything good in that man.' Taylor would have celebrated his 85th birthday on Sunday.

He is survived by wife of 34 years, Carol Kikumura, and daughter Felicia from his marriage to Mary Hilem.

Taylor wed Hilem in 1963 and they divorced in 1969.

Prior to that he was married to Peggy Williams from 1951 to 1954. Felicia, aged

50, is a retired anchor-correspondent, who work for CNN International's World Business Today. She said in a statement to People: 'My dad loved his work. Being an actor was his passion – calling it an honorable art and something he couldn’t live without.' The actor was born in Sydney's Lidcombe in January 1930, and attended Parramatta High School. He moved to the US in 1954 after being rewarded the 1954 Rola Show Australian Radio Actor of the Year Award. He received a ticket to London via Los Angeles, but ended up staying in the United States where his career flourished. His famous Australian film roles included playing Jake Janiero in King of the Coral Sea in 1954, and Daddy-O in the 1997 AustralianBritish comedy film, Welcome To Woop Woop.

before in Indian Cinema ..!! And ... will never again !!”. 'Shamitabh' stars South superstar Dhanush, Kamal Haasan's daughter Akshara makign her debut opposite megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The film hits the screens on February 6, 2015.

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or those who are awaiting the release of 'I' eagerly, this is a very good news.

This Vikram starrer movie has cleared all the hurdles and is set for a release this Sankranthi. A production house named Picture House Media has filed a case against producer Aascar Ravichandran for not paying the amount he owes them. The court

produced verdict that the release of the film should be stalled for three weeks.

But Ravichandran said that the dispute among them has been settled and the film will be released on Jan 14th as planned. There are huge expectations on this film, directed by Shankar.

Amy Jackson is the leading lady and the songs by A.R.Rahman have become chartbusters.

Jackie Chan’s Son Handed Six Month Jail Sentence

The Birds actor Rod Taylor dies aged 84 od Taylor has died of natural causes at the age of 84. The legendary actor passed away on Wednesday, his representative told People. The publication reports that Taylor was surrounded by family and friends when he died at his home. Taylor was best known for his roles in The Birds, The Time Machine, and voiced the character of Pongo in 101 Dalmatians.

His final role was in 2009's Inglourious Basterds, in which he portrayed Winston Churchill. Taylor's co-star in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, Tippi Hedren, paid tribute to the Australian actor. 'There are so many incredible feelings I have for him. Rod was a great pal to me and a real strength, we were very, very good friends,' the 84-yearold said in a statement to People. 'He was one of the

wraps. Bachchan senior took to micro-blogging site Twitter and revealed that the plot of 'Shamitabh' is so unique that it has never been seen before in Indian cinema, nor will it happen again. He posted: “This I can say for #shamitabhMovie , its a plot never seen

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ackie Chan's son is heading to jail after being handed a six month sentence for drug offences. Jaycee Chan was arrested back in August on suspicion of possessing cannabis and was charged with sheltering others to use drugs in December.

The thirty two year old pleaded guilty at Beijing's Dongcheng District Court and faced a potential three years in jail. However, the court was more lenient with Chan and gave him just a six month sentence.

Speaking in court last week, Jaycee said: "I just gave [the

police] information and I confessed because I didn't know how to deal with the marijuana." The singerand-actor was arrested at the same time as his friend Kai Ko, who was released from police custody following a 14-day administrative detention for drug use.

Ko testified on camera that he had used drugs at Jaycee's home. Speaking shortly after his son's arrest, 'Rush Hour' actor Jackie - who was named an official Narcotics Control Ambassador by Chinese police in 2009 - said he felt "angry, shocked and ashamed". He blogged: "Regarding this issue with my son Jaycee, I feel very angry and very shocked.

As a public figure, I'm very ashamed. As a father, I'm heartbroken "Jaycee and I

together express our deep apology to society and the public. "I hope all young people will learn a lesson

from Jaycee and stay far from the harm of drugs. "I say to Jaycee that you have to accept the consequenc-

es when you do something wrong. As your father, I'm going to face the road together with you."

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Smith & Burns hustle India Smith eclipses Bradman's record Sydney, January 9 (IanS): Steven Smith's recordbreaking spree continued after the Australian skipper eclipsed one of Donald Bradman's longest standing marks against India on day four of the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Friday. According to foxsports.com.au, Smith's incredible run of form continued as he passed Bradman's record for most runs in a series against India, a mark set more than 65 years ago. Australian captain Smith scored his 19th run in the host's second innings that took him to 717 runs in the ongoing four-match Test series, going past Bradman's record of 715 against India in 1947-48. He went on to make 71 in Australia's second innings before being dismissed.

Most runs in a Test series against India: 769-Steve Smith, 8 innings in 2014-15; 715-Don Bradman, 6 innings in 194748; 706-Ricky Ponting, 8 innings in 2003-04.

• Stand-in captain Smith ends series with record 769 runs • India bowled out for 475 before tea on day four • Australia’s lead stands at 348 Sydney, January 9 (reuterS): Australian skipper Steve Smith led the way with another torrent of runs as Australia raced to 251 for six and a lead of 348 over India before rain stopped play at the end of the fourth day of the fourth test on Friday. Looking to wrap up the four-match series 3-0, the hosts dismissed India for 475 shortly before tea to take a 97run first innings lead and then embarked on a fierce assault on the Indian bowlers in a bid to force a result.

It started poorly when spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (4-104)had David Warner (4) caught in the slips after facing five balls and Shane Watson played on for 16.

Opener Chris Rogers, though, hit a 77ball 56 before he was caught at midwicket off Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Smith was soon back in his considerable stride. The Australian captain raced to his half century in 44 balls and had soon passed Donald Bradman as his country's highest scorer in a series against India.

Shaun Marsh came and went for a single run to give Ashwin his third victim before Smith's 93-minute innings came to an end

when Mohammed Shami trapped him plumb lbw. His 71 brought his series tally to 769 and a group of fans in the member's stand bowed low to him as he walked back to the Sydney Cricket Ground dressing room to ponder his declaration.

Joe Burns took up the mantle and hit three sixes and eight fours in his 39-ball 66, while Brad Haddin ably assisted with 31 not out.

"It was lots of fun," Burns told reporters. "It's a fantastic opportunity to come out tomorrow and win a test match for Australia, so very exciting.

"The wicket spun and I think it will only get harder to bat on as the game goes on. I'm sure we're going to create 10 opportunities. It's just a case of taking all 10." India captain Virat Kohli has been no slouch with the bat in this series but he was only able to add seven runs to his overnight score before clipping a Ryan Harris delivery to Rogers at midwicket some 20 minutes into play.

The 147 helped bring his tally over the four tests to 646 runs, the second highest by an Indian batsman in an overseas series after the 774 Sunil Gavaskar accumulated in West Indies in 1971. Despite the Indian tail wagging for the first time in the series and good batting conditions, the Australians managed to winkle out four more batsman. They got some help from the third umpire to get rid of Kumar (30), who put on 65 with Ashwin (50) for the eighth wicket, after a referred decision that will do little to persuade India to embrace the Decision Review System. "It's still pretty decently poised, although they definitely have an ace up," said Ashwin, despite 288 being the highest successful fourth innings run chase in a test at the ground.

Steve Smith attempts a reverse sweep off Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling during the fourth day of the Fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney on January 9.

Sharapova, Ivanovic reach Brisbane final Lampard, Man City admit he

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BrISBane, January 9 (reuterS): Russia's Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia won their semifinals at the Brisbane International on Friday to set up a highly-anticipated showdown in the lead-up to this month's Australian Open.

Sharapova beat the talented Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3 to reach the final without dropping a set while Ivanovic battled her way to a 7-6(2) 6-4 victory over American Varvara Lepchenko.

Sharapova beat Ivanovic in the 2008 Australian Open final and both women are in devastating form heading towards the first grand slam of the season, starting in Melbourne on Jan. 19.

Sharapova has dropped just nine games in her three matches to get to the final and showed no mercy against Svitolina, a rising star who won the 2010 junior French Open, as she reached her 56th WTA final.

"I expected her to play well. I think I did a lot of things good to try to take away her game," Sharapova said.

"In the end, it became a little bit more difficult. She became more free, went for her shots a little bit, a few unforced errors from my end, but overall I'm happy I stuck with it and finished the last point."

Ivanovic, who came from a set down to win her previous match, once again had to dig deep before seeing off Lepchenko after nearly two hours on the Pat Rafter Arena.

L e p c h e n ko t w i c e served for the opening set but Ivanovic broke back both times then won the tiebreaker.

In the second set, Ivanovic charged to a 5-1 lead before she got the wobbles, allowing Lepchenko to reel off the next three games before she finally sealed the win on her seventh match point.

"Definitely, (my) heart was racing a little bit, especially that it was really becoming a battle," Ivanovic said. "Even though I was

Fed-ex shows no signs of slowing down

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia celebrates winning the 1st set in her semifinal match against Varvara Lepchenko of the U.S. during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Friday, January 9. (AP Photo)

5-1 up, still felt like a battle all the way through."

Ivanovic will be chasing her 16th WTA career title and her fifth in 12 months after she began her latest resurgence up the world rankings. Currently ranked seventh, the 27-year-old is looming as one of the favourites for the Australian Open.

A former world number one who won her only grand slam title at the 2008 French Open, Ivanovic credits her return to form to finally learning how to

cope with fame.

"I struggled to be in the spotlight. For me, this is something that took time to get used to because I was very shy," she said.

"It was really overwhelming for me and all the pressures. I always play tennis as a game and not all these pressures and expectations.

"I felt like I had no time to go to movies with friends, you know, and this is what every person needs. So I really feel since maybe year and a half I found this balance."

BrISBane, January 9 (reuterS): Roger Federer sent a reminder to the young guns of men's tennis that he is nowhere near close to riding quietly into the sunset when he romped to victory in just 39 minutes at the Brisbane International on Friday.

The 33-year-old Swiss maestro produced a masterclass of shot-making as he thrashed Australian wildcard James Duckworth 6-0 6-1 to charge into the semi-finals of the Australian Open warm-up event.

Federer's amazing performance came just 24 hours after he struggled to see off John Millman.

It was also stark evidence that he remains a major force in men's tennis with an utterly dominant victory on the same day Japanese sensation Kei Nishikori led a trio of rising stars into the last four.

"I'm very happy actually.

I saved energy and stress and nerves and everything because yesterday was quite nerve wracking and physically difficult because it was first match of the season," Federer said.

"I felt tired. This morning, I had muscle pain and all that stuff. So I'm very happy I got it done quickly today."

Nishikori, still on a high after reaching the final of last year's U.S. Open, continued his impressive build-up to Melbourne when he demolished Bernard Tomic 6-0 6-4. He was joined in the last four by Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov, another two upand-comers tipped to challenge the old order at this year's majors.

Raonic rode his booming serve to a 7-6(5) 3-6 7-6(2) win over Australia's Sam Groth to set up a semifinal clash against Nishikori.

Dimitrov made light work of his quarter-final with Martin Klizan, defeating the Slovakian 6-3 6-4 to book an encounter against Federer.

did not sign NYFC contract LOndOn, January 9 (aP): New York City FC acknowledged on Friday that it unintentionally misled fans by wrongly announcing the signing of Frank Lampard last year when he never had a playing contract for the Major League Soccer expansion team.

After being released by Chelsea, NYCFC paraded Lampard in Manhattan in July after announcing he "signed a two-year contract which starts August 1st."

In fact, he agreed to only a "commitment" to play for NYCFC on a two-year contract from January 2015, the player and City Football Group said on Friday.

The uncertainty over the midfielder's status emerged only after his surprise switch to partner club Manchester City, which was initially wrongly described in August as a "loan" from New York, was extended on Dec. 31 until the end of the European season.

City acknowledges that Lampard's only playing contract is with the Premier League champion, with the midfielder's MLS career not now due to start until midway through the season in July.

The clubs' parent company told The Associated Press that the NYCFC announcement in July "was a genuine error which throws everything into confusion (for media and fans). It wasn't a contract.

It's an agreement with City Football Group with intention to play for NYCFC." Lampard's move to City was remarkable because only days earlier in July he said the MLS move was because he did not want to play for another Premier League team after 13 years at Chelsea. "When released from Chelsea last year at the end of my contract I signed a commitment to play in NYCFC for two years starting January 1st 2015," the former England international said in Friday's statement.

"I was then offered the chance to train and be part of the Man City squad in the interim to keep myself

in the best shape going into New York. This period has since been extended

by Man City and I now will start playing for NYCFC at the end of this current Premier League season."

Despite City acknowledging its mistake after a week of silence on the issue, Lampard said he had read "a lot of lies and nonsense over the last few days."

"There has always been a constant dialogue between all parties in this time to find the best solution for everyone," Lampard said. "I can say that I am very excited about arriving in New York."

NYCFC supporters' group, The Third Rail, said it was "outraged" by Lampard's prolonged stay in England because July's

misleading signing announcement was accompanied by a push to sell season tickets and the player's jerseys.

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