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wednesdAY • JAnuArY 11 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 09 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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T R u T H
But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful! — Friedrich Nietzsche
Amid hacking row, pressure builds on Trump to soften his pro-Russia rhetoric PAGe 09
Changtongya citizens eagerly waiting for ATM recalibration
FIFA agrees to expand World Cup to 48 teams
PAGE 02
PAGE 12
Myanmar to fence Naga SAZ bordering India
33 from Wokha & 13 from Tening qualified to contest Construction will not restrict the after scrutiny regular travel of both the peoples in DIMAPUR, JANUARY 10 (MExN): Altogether 33 candidates qualified from the Wokha Town Council election while 13 candidates qualified from the Tening town council for the forthcoming municipal and town council election after scrutiny, reports received from the DIPR informed. In Wokha, Returning Officer, Wokha, Hotolu Swu in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha on Tuesday, supervised the scrutiny. Out of 15 wards, BJP has filed 13, NPF 12 and 8 Independent candidates. Altogether 12 female candidates will be contesting for the Wokha town council election out of which two female candidates are contesting under general quota. The ADC and RO Thuvisie Phoji scrutinized for the Tening town council election. Papers of thirteen candidates, which include 9 NPF, 3 Independent and 1 Congress were found valid and eligible to contest in the forthcoming election. It should be mentioned that 22 candidates had filed nominations for the Tening town council.
accordance with their tradition and custom, claims Foreign Ministry Morung Express News Dimapur | January 10
The Government of Myanmar has announced that it will erect physical fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border. Myanmar Foreign Ministry on Tuesday announced that it would build the border demarcation fencing with India. This undertaking is expected to seal off around 3500 acres of Khiamniungan Naga land. According to Xinhua news agency, Myanmar will construct the fence in its Naga self-administered zone; 10 metres from the demarcation borderline. However, the construction will not restrict the regular travel of both the peoples in accordance with their tradition and custom, the news agency reported. It is for regional authorities to effectively manage the border affairs, said the statement. While the construction works for the border fencing at Pangsha area
was clearly visible for quite some time, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India said that India was not involved in the construction of the fence. “Ministry of Home has not proposed any fence on the Indo-Myanmar border. On this issue, the MEA has been apprised as it is their subject. We have told our people that there will be no construction in our zone and also there will no construction in non-construction zone. Assam Rifles will ensure that,” Pradeep Gupta, Joint Secretary (Border Management) in the ministry, told IANS on January 1, 2017. “If the Myanmar government is doing this, then we will ensure that no construction is done in the 10 metres of no-construction zone. The government is trying to clear all the doubts of the locals living in the border areas on this,” said Gupta. However, people at the ground level viewed that judging by the ongo-
Citizens of New Pangsha, Pangsha Old, Dan village and ITC Dan are seen taking out a rally along the jungle clearing demarcated to construct the international fencing to seal off the border at ITC Dan on December 22, 2016.
ing state of affairs at Pangsha clearly indicate that the project of erecting border fencing is not the sole handiwork of Myanmar alone but a collaborative effort with India having a hand. It is feared that the sealing off 3500 acres of Khiamniungan Naga land will result in a loss of livelihood for the people. The Khiamniungan people have
condemned this “policy of separation” and termed the move a “felonious act.” At least, 160 Khiamniungan villages fall under Myanmar. Seeking the urgent attention of both the Indian and Myanmar governments, the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar President U. Htin Kyaw, urging them to halt
the fencing work, as they were not consulted on the issue. The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), the Naga Hoho and different Naga Political Groups have also unanimously voiced opposition on the ongoing construction of international border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border at Pangsha village.
The border fencing is a state-sponsored attempt by India and Myanmar to rewrite the history of Nagas, the Naga Hoho had stated. On Monday, the Naga civil society organizations based in Myanmar had also objected to the ongoing fencing project as “direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people.” “We perceive the currently undertaking fencing project in the Naga territories by the concern authorities as an act of insult against all Nagas on earth and direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people,” it said. The Indo-Myanmar border runs for 1,643 km. Fencing along this border is being done in hopes to curtail cross-border crime, including amuggling of goods, arms and counterfeit Indian currency smug drug trafficking, and insurgency. Erecting this fence will however have a negative outcome as it will divide many ethnic communities whose lands straddle the regions between the two countries. While the primary objective of the fence is to control illegal cross-border activities between the two
countries, the cross border movements of insurgents, gun runners and drug peddlers along the international border with Myanmar will not be prevented by a 10 km fence as the issues and vulnerability of the Indo-Myanmar border stems from a number of factors. The imaginary boundary line was never accepted by the Naga communities living between the borders as the land they are residing now has been inherited from their forefathers. Erecting a border fence would only prove to stir more problems, protests from the ethnic communities due to its historical linkages, and factors. With no proper inspection of the borderline, the Nagas residing between the borders will face challenges and inconveniences, making the issue more sensitive than it is now. Besides forced to live as citizens in different countries, 43 villages, about 3000 households and around 20,000 villagers of the Naga, Mizo, Manipuri and Arunachali tribes living between the borders will be affected by the border fencing work undertaken by the Centre. (With inputs from IANS and the northeast today)
Weaving threads into art of heritage Quit notice to Minister evokes sharp response Ketholeno Neihu
Dimapur | January 10
C M Y K
Weaving is a tradition common to Naga society, and women share an exclusive monopoly in this art, with techniques being passed on through generations. However, this art is starting to wither away in many places. Despite attracting a lot of admiration and a huge market, the art of weaving and spinning has become the art of the few. In Kigwema, a southern village of the Angami tribe, young females at work provide the picture of weaving as it was decades ago. Most of the young women including educated unemployed(s) master the art, skill and technique of weaving shawls and wrappers known in Angami dialect as Lohe, Phemhou etc. These garments are worn during all occasions and church events and come in variant colours and apparels; and sometimes they makes up the whole of an outfit. Although not regular weavers, the women here, on days off from the working in the fields, sit on their looms for long hours weaving the horizontally stretched wool to and fro. The end product is made for the family members or is sold to local customers in the market. It is also a tradition and a form of prestige for every woman in the village to gift hand-spun woven shawls or wrappers during special occasions such as wedding to close friends and relatives. The process of weaving is primitive and done through a step by step process, which is slow and tedious. A complete woven shawl or wrapper consumes four to six days. The wool is first washed with a white substance which they generally call ‘sabudana’. The dried wool is then spun into balls, after which the thread wool is carefully pulled and arranged longitudinally with wood supports standing in a lateral position, which also frames the structure of the cloth. The weaver pulls in a belt attached to the end of the loom with the feet placed on a firm support. The horizontal threads are then interlocked with the use of pick-up sticks made from fine bamboo and wood. One such unique stick is the ‘dziike’ also called a beating stick which is straight on one side and has a convex rectilinear shape on the other. Two pieces are usually woven separately, cut and stitched together. In the borderline, a pattern of about two inch is embroidered with silk threads which are usually shiny and contrast the co-
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 10 of the Government. “The Minister in vincing response” as to why it served (MExN): The Nagaland State Cabi- charge of Mokokchung District was a quit notice to the Minister, who is a net, along with the Ao legislators of also discharging his duty in his of- citizen of the village. A press note from the Riongthe present Nagaland Legislative As- ficial capacity and not acting in his sanger Putu Tatar Salang, Chuchuysembly, the Riongsanger Putu Tatar personal interest,” it said. “While the relationship between imlang Village stated that all citizens Salang (Village Council), Chuchuyimlang, and the NPF Mokokchung the Legislators and the Civil Society of Chuchuyimlang Village “in no ununit have asked the Ao Senden recon- Organisations like the Ao Senden has certain terms reject and condemn sider and rethink its decision to serve always been cordial and good where the ultimatum issued by Ao Senden to our bona-fide citizen, Nuka quit notice to the Nagaland Minister for Highways, Nuk- • State Cabinet says resolution does lutoshi.” It demanded that the Ao Senden issue a response lutoshi. not behove an Apex tribal org within three-days from the The Nagaland State Cabinet, through a press note from • Ao legislators ask Ao Senden to re- issue of this letter. Till then, it informed that no citizen of the Chief Minsiter’s Office Lathink and reconsider decision Chuchuyimlang Village will mented that the contents of the resolution do not “behove • Chuchuyimlang Village resolves participate in any activity of an apex tribal organization.” It to ‘disassociate from Ao Senden’ Ao Senden; the Minister will A young woman weaves traditional apparel by method of the traditional pro- pointed out that a Minister is a not leave Ao territory and cess of weaving. duly elected Member of the Legisla- discussions and dialogues has always cautioned that if any untoward incitive Assembly by the electorate and been the norm in resolving any issues dent takes place involving the Minishas taken oath under the Constitu- in the past, the Ao Legislators fail to ter, the entire responsibility will rest understand as to why in the present with Ao Senden. tion of India. The Mokokchung Unit of the A joint statement issued by Ao case the Ao Senden has taken such a legislators C Apok Jamir, Imtikum- hasty and harsh decision upon one Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) also dezuk, S Chuba Longkumer, Dr Ben- of its bonafide member over an issue nounced the quit notice served to the jongliba, Dr Longri, Merentoshi R that pertains not only to one single Minister and appealed to the Ao SenJamir, Dr Imtiwapang and Amenba community but to the entire people den to revoke the same at the earliest. “As all government employees are Yaden, expressed shock that the Ao of Nagaland,” it stated. Meanwhile, a joint meeting held duty bound to serve and follow the Senden resorted to using “unparliamentary words like so called Minister with the participation of Chuchuy- instructions of the government, the which demeans the status and office imlang Senso Mongdang (Citizens Minister who is in charge of MokokAssembly) and the Riongsanger Putu chung district is duty bound,” it statof a Minister.” The statement pointed out that it Tatar Salang (Village Council), Chu- ed. The NPF Mokokchung also said was not the decision of an individu- chuyimlang resolved that “Chuchuy- it finds no justification in singling out al Minister to conduct the elections imlang Village and its citizens will re- the Minister “when all government to the Urban Local Bodies in Naga- main disassociated from Ao Senden” machineries are operative to conduct land, but was the collective decision till the Ao Senden conveys a “con- the ULB elections.” The wool used by weavers, whose finished products are in high demand.
lour of the shawl or wrapper. This is done to add more detail and beauty. “I would excitingly weave small bags spun by my mother on holidays,” said Akhono, recollecting her yonder days of practicing weaving during childhood. “Weaving was taught by my mother and my other sisters and neighbors also do weaving for themselves. We all want to compete with our weaving skills and it has become a way of our life,” she added. The type of labour exerted in this art however has certain health implications. Eyesight is affected and backaches aren’t uncommon among the weavers. Dokheno, a graduate who was weaving a wrapper for an upcoming programme shared that it was her first time weaving a one ply (Thailand) wrapper. “The pattern at the border are very delicate, bending forward and constantly concentrating at the colored thread gives one a dizzy feeling,” she said. In Kigwema village, three wool
shops are located in the highway along the village. While the shops supply the wool and other necessary items for weaving, it also takes the finished products at wholesale rates from the villagers. The proprietor of one, Kekhrie Wool House, the oldest operating wool shop in the village informed that more than 50 women purchase wool items from their shop and also sell their finished products to them. The shawls and wrappers; scarf and coats have prices ranging from Rs 2000 to 10000, depending on their design and quality of wool. The village also has many of the men engaged in carpentry. This in turn prevents the women from running out of weaving. The tradition of weaving remains strong here, with the people holding on to their culture and as it also provides them with an avenue for sustenance. The writer is currently an intern at The Morung Express.
Search for happiness in life, Prez advices students NEw DElhI, JANUARY 10 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee, in his New Year’s message to students on Tuesday, called happiness fundamental to human experience of life happy and presented them with a ‘toolbox’ to use to achive this. In his message, titled “Building a happy society”, to students of higher learning and faculty members, which was conveyed via livecast, hee called upon the youth to enhance happiness by learning to wear a smile always, laughing at life, and connecting with nature and getting involved with the community. “The incidents of against women, road rage, substance abuse, and sui-
cides are all manifestations of unhappiness,” he said, and urged students to practice yoga and meditation to overcome these feelings. Recounted the journey of India in numbers from a poverty-stricken nation 70 years back to present times when it is reckoned amongst the swiftest advancing economies, At the end of his address, Mukherjee exhorted students to think through their problems and devise their solutions. “Remember that our happiness is not divisible. If we care for ‘others’, then we also share our knowledge and other resources with them. Happiness then becomes an inevitable derivative of a humane pursuit,” he said.
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wednesdAY 11•01•2017
NAGALAND
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Changtongya citizens eagerly Chepoketa and Ikiye village waiting for ATM recalibration reconciles after 64 years Morung Express News Dimapur | January 10
While the 50-day waiting period for demonetisation process ended in December 30, problem still persists. It is no exception for the people of Changtongya Town, one of the oldest towns in Nagaland. The lone ATM in the town has gone kaput along with the old notes putting the citizens in severe hardship. It now merely stands as a decorative structure, town citizens complained. While the ATM was working intermittently before the demonetisation process, it reportedly stopped working completely after the 50-day waiting period ended. There are only two banks in the town – Nagaland State Co-operative Bank and State Bank of India (SBI), which opened last year and operates the lone machine. “We have a funny Cash Deposit Machine not an ATM. I have been able to deposit cash as late as December but withdrawal was out of question due to
The lone 'ATM' in Changtongya Town remains inactive for the want of recalibration.
calibration problem,” said a town citizen. However, talking to The Morung Express, the Branch Manager of SBI Changtongya said that the facility available in the town was only a Cash Deposit Machine (CDM), also known as Cash recycler – an ATM like machine that
allows customer to deposit cash directly into their account using the ATM cum debit card. The cash that is deposited to the recycler is also the cash that are dispensed from it and the CDM accepts denominations of only Rs. 1000/-, Rs. 500/- & Rs. 100/-.
As per the instruction, when the acceptance of old notes ended, we shut the machine, the manager added. On November 8, 2016, when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, 50 days period was given to customers to exchange old notes in banks. In order to accept and dispense new notes the machine needs recalibrating, he said, adding that since it involves technicalities, few more days is needed to recalibrate the machine. The higher authority has already been informed about the same and the problem is not restricted to Changtongya alone, the manager further maintained. Meanwhile, the town citizen felt that with the 67th general session of Ao Student Conference (AKM) slated to be held in Changtongya village from January 18-20, where thousands of students’ delegates and others are expected to congregate, the machine needs urgent recalibration.
Members of Chepoketa and Ikiye village during the reconciliation meeting held at Chepoketa Baptist Church on December 20, 2016.
Phek, January 10 (Mexn): The reconciliation meeting between Chepoketa and Ikiye village was held “in the name of Jesus, our Prince of Peace” at Chepoketa Baptist Church on December 20, 2016. While informing about the meeting, Chepoketa and Ikiye Village Reconciliation Meet Chairman, Zhopra Vero in a press release said that the animosity between the two villages arose as a consequence of
an incident on February 20, 1952 where Late Sakiye Aye from Ikiye village was murdered by some men from Chepoketa village and in retaliation Ikiye villagers burnt down the entire Chepoketa village in the same year. “Since then there was no further communication on the matter although there had been no unwanted situation concerning the past event,” Vero stated. The reconciliation meeting was made possible
by the efforts rendered by JP Vikugha Jimo, DIG (Rtd.) who took initiative to pave the way for reconciliation to bring peace between the two villages. Rev. Vezopa Tetseo and Inato, son of Lt. Sakiye spoke on forgiveness on behalf of both the villages and pronouncement of blessing was done by Hekheto son of Lt. Sakiye, Head GB, Ikiye Village and Yesai Vero, Head GB, Chepoketa Village. As a sign of sincere rec-
onciliation by both parties, Holy Bible was exchanged and reconciliation papers were signed by both village leaders. Rev. Puduhu Khesoh was the minister of the reconciliation service, and the meeting was chaired by Zhopra Vero. The meeting was also supported and attended by neighbouring villages. “We give glory and honor to God, under whose mighty Grace we reconcile,” Vero added in conclusion.
Director General Assam Gaan-Ngai –Rongmei Naga tribe festival celebrated Rifles visits Nagaland state Morung Express News Kohima | January 10
CM of Nagaland TR Zeliang with Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan YSM, SM, VSM Director General of Assam Refiles on January 20th morning at the CM’s residential office, Kohima. (Photo Courtesy: CMO Kohima)
kohiMa, January 10 (Mexn): Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan, YSM, SM, VSM, Director General Assam Rifles, visited Kohima on January 10. PRO, Assam Rifles, Kohima in a press release said
that on his maiden visit to the State as the Director General of the Elite Force, General Chauhan paid homage to the martyrs at the Kohima War Cemetery. He visited Headquarters IGAR (North) at Kohima
and the Assam Rifles garrison at Chiswema where he reviewed the security situation. During his visit to the Kohima Garrison, he complimented the troops of the Force for their dedication and devotion to duty and felicitated six outstanding personnel with the Director General Assam Rifles Commendation Card. The DGAR also called on PB Acharya, Governor and TR Zeliang, Chief Minister of Nagaland. The dignitaries had a discussion on wide ranging issue during the interaction. His Excellency the Governor and the Chief Minister of Nagaland complimented Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan, YSM, SM, VSM, on assuming the coveted appointment of Director General Assam Rifles and conveyed their appreciation for the outstanding contribution of the Assam Rifles towards maintaining peace and tranquility in Nagaland.
Gaan-Ngai – the Rongmei Naga tribe festival was held on January 10 at Khuochiezie, Kohima local ground with Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, MLA & Chairman NSMDC as the chief guest and Pou. Namgai Gonmei, President, RNPO as the special conferrer. The celebration began with the fire making ritual of Gaan Ngai festival. Johnny Ruangmei, Advisor, Rongmei Council Kohima (RCK) who shared the significance of the Gaan- Ngai festival mentioned that the premier festival of the Rongmeis is celebrated after the harvest as thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest. It is a five day celebration to thank the Creator as well as pray for the fate of the New Year and the future cultivations. Another significance of the festival is that it is a celebration of both the living and the death, as highlighted by Ruangmai where on the first the day the best portions of the meat, rice beer
A cultural troupe performs at the Gaan-Ngai –Rongmei Naga tribe festival held on January 10 at Khuochiezie, Kohima local ground. (Morung Photo)
and food are taken to the graves of loved ones and kept on top of the graves indicating that even the dead celebrate with the living. The second day is marked by sports and games where the youth of the vil-
lage gather and celebrate with indigenous games and sports. The young also wrestle with the elders whereby they are selected and assigned their Morungs. On the third day, a mock drill on warfare is practiced and
showcased to the rest of the village. An essential part of the festival is the gathering at the village gate where an elder will narrate and interpret his dreams and predict the fate and destiny of the New Year.
Emphasizing on the importance of preserving the Naga customary values which are diminishing in the present day Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu lauded the festival organizers because through such celebrations people understand the value of cultures and traditions. Dr. Keditsu also stressed on the importance of unity and fraternity stating that any tribe whether big or small should be united and choose good leaders to progress in the future. The MLA challenged the young generations to be self sufficient and venture into other professions apart from government service, further encouraging the young to take pride of their identities and their professions. Dr. Keditsu also urged the Rongmei community to spread valuable practices of the tribe with other communities. Reminding the gathering on the significance of the festival, Dr. Keditsu exhorted on the importance of loving each other and peaceful coexistence with each other for a better society.
Book on 'Church and its People' released Ao Students’ Union Diphupar attain 25 years Morung Express News Dimapur | January 10
A book titled, “The Church, its People” authored by Rev Dr Phughoto Sema was released on Tuesday by Executive Secretary WSBAK, Rev Dr Hevukhu Achumi at Kiyeto village. Speaking at the book release and dedicatory proRev Dr Phughoto Sema seen along with Rev Dr gramme, Rev Dr Phughoto Hevukhu Achumi releasing the book at Kiyeto village said the book was based on his on Tuesday. (Morung Photo) experiences and observations
3rd Chakhesang Day observed Our Correspondent
of the Church and its people which he analysed in his 35 years of service for the Lord. He also said that the book includes a discourse on divisive politics and illegal vote banks which negatively affects the Church and its people. "If we do not live properly today, there is a bleak future awaiting us," he said and added that the danger of today’s reality was also discussed. Rev Dr Phughoto informed that
the book was a second edition of a similar book authored by him in 1991. Earlier, Rev Dr Hevukhu pronounced a dedicatory prayer before releasing the book. Release of the book also coincided with completion of 35 years of Rev Dr Phughoto's service for the Lord as well as his 60th birthday. The programme was attended by a host of prominent Church leaders and well wishers.
CCRCCA Nagaland 9th General Session conducted
Kohima | January 10
The Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) today held its 35th general session-cum- 3rd Chakhesang Day at Yoriiba village under Phek district. Speaking on the occasion as the speaker, KG Kenye, MP Rajya Sabha called upon the Chakhesang community to stay united and work in unison for the welfare and common interest of the community. Stating that our forefathers had live in unity in all front, he challenged the community not to talk about division of the Chakhesang community in any manner today. He said division should not be created among us. Maintaining that literature is our wealth, he stressed on the need to treasure the same to uphold the identity of the community. Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Chotisuh Sazo shared greetings while Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president Kewekhape Therie exhorted the gathering. Earlier, CPO president Kekhwengulo Lea delivered presidential address. The programme was chaired by CPO vice president Ariyi Nienu. Act of blessing was pronounced by Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh while welcome address was delivered by Yoriiba Village Council chairman Vesolhu Veswu.
Chakhesang Christian Revival Church ChildrenAssociation (CCRCCA), Nagaland members with Chotisuh Sazo, Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly during the 9th General Session held at Sodzulhou CRC, Dimapur.
Phek, January 10 (Mexn): The Chakhesang Christian Revival Church Children Association (CCRCCA), Nagaland 9th General Session was held from January 6 to 8 at Sodzulhou CRC, 6th Mile, Dimapur under the theme ‘Living in God’s Light’. Altogether 22 churches from different districts of Phek, Kohima, Peren and Dimapur participated in the event. The total delegate registered was 775 on the first day and total
attendees on final day rose to 1300. The main speaker for the session was Dr Adela Mero, Administrator, Rainbow Academy, Resource Center and Rokosano Koza, Associate Pastor, CCRC (Upper PWD), Kohima. The Association also organized the ‘evening melodies’, a musical program on Saturday evening with Chotisuh Sazo, Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly as the honoured guest in aid of CCRCCA office construction.
A press release issued by CCRCCA), Nagaland stated that the jam-packed crowds were enthralled by the special appearance of Nagaland Singing Ambassadors, Zenith Band, Ado Kezo, Vevo Ringa, Lhiwe-ü Rabvo and Tali Angh. On Sunday, January 8, a total of 27 Sunday school children were baptized by Rev. Zhowhüyi Nyekha. A new team under the president ship of Wekhrope Marhu was also installed for the tenure 2017 to 2019.
Jubilee choir presenting a special number on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebration of Ao Kakheshir Telunjem Diphupar (AKTD) at NEZCC Complex on Tuesday. Morung Express News Dimapur | January 10
The silver jubilee celebration of the Ao Kakheshir Telongjem Diphupar (Ao Students’ Union Diphupar) was held here at NEZCC Garden on Tuesday with former pro-vice chancellor, Nagaland University, Prof. A. Lanunungsang, as resource person and former minister, Kuzholuzo Neinu (Azo), MLA, as special invitee. Prof. A. Lanunungsang, in his address dwelled on the theme of the jubilee ‘Unifying to liberate’ and said at present Naga society is so much divided that unity seems to be a far-fetched cry. He said the need of the hour is for Nagas to remain united in order to fulfill their aspirations and also march forward to the future. Prof. Lanunungsang said if Naga people really desire to liberate themselves, then they must come together as one and march forward for a corruption free society. The former pro pro-VC also touched on the biblical context of celebration of jubilees. Kuzholuzo Neinu (Azo) in his address said jubilee is a time for reconciliation in its true spirit, beginning with one’s own brothers and sisters and extending to neighbours and even enemies. Elaborating on the essence of jubilee as per the
Christian Gospel, Azo said to receive blessing during jubilee time, one must forgive one another, let bygones be bygones and strengthen the brotherhood and humanity among all fellow citizens or villagers. Stating that in the past, Nagas have misused reconciliation resulting in more divisions and conflicts among brethrens, Azo said Nagas should learn from past mistakes and try to forge unity and brotherhood among Naga brethrens in they are to have a future. He further reminded that Nagas as Christians should imbibe and live upto the Christian principle of forgive and forget and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood. On the current imbroglio relating to election to the urban local bodies (ULBs), Azo expressed optimism that Christian wisdom would finally pave the way for an amicable solution. On the occasion, the former minister also released jubilee souvenir of AKLD. Latong Pongen chairman, ASTD, Kumlamo Patton, president, DNSU, Lanutoshi Aier, president, AKTD delivered short greetings while Tangit Jamir, president AKTD said the welcome and presidential address. First AKTD president Moayanger in his speech highlighted the reminiscence of AKTD.
wednesday 11•01•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Collector escapes attempt on life in Manipur
imphAl, JAnuAry 10 (iAnS): The Collector of Tamenglong district in Manipur escaped an assassination attempt at his official residence on Monday night. Some unknown people hurled petrol bombs from across the perimeter brick walls, the police said. The guards at the residence of M. Luikham opened several rounds of fire in the air to ward off the attackers. It was not immediately known if it was a militant attack as no group has claimed
responsibility for the attack. "At least nine petrol bombs were lobbed. We have also recovered some unexploded bombs. Nobody was hurt in the attack. Investigation is on," a police official said. "It is yet to be verified whether the attackers were militants or local youths who have been picketing offices," the official added. The security of the Collector's house -- which is also his office -- has been beefed up. Besides, the number of armed escort
personnel for Luikham has also been increased. The police said it did not want to take any chances following a recent armed attack on two trucks. The drivers were wounded. Tamenglong, which is one of India's poorest districts, lies on the National Highway 37. On Nov 1, the United Naga Council (UNC) imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the highway. Besides, UNC activists have been picketing the government offices.
North East could feed India up to 1,100 MW of power by yearend
AgArtAlA/Shillong, JAn- generates 1,290 MW from its sevuAry 10 (iAnS): The northeast- en power plants -- a mix of hydroern region, with its huge energy electric, gas- and solar-based units. "NEEPCO's generation capacpotential -- 50,000 MW, by some estimates -- could soon become the ity would rise to 2,060 MW by this "power house of India". And taking end-2017 as commissioning of a small first step in this direction, three more power projects would it is expected to feed the rest of the be completed much before the end country up to 1,100 MW by the end of this year," NEEPCO Chairman and Managing Director A.G. West of this year, energy experts say. Seven northeastern states, ex- Kharkongor told IANS. "The company is now commiscluding Sikkim, currently have an installed capacity of 2,690 MW, sioning three power projects -- 600 but as some of the plants are very MW and 110 MW capacity plants old, the output is some 100 MW in Arunachal Pradesh and another short of the peak-hour demand of of 60 MW capacity in Mizoram," he 2,200-2,300 MW. However, there added. "If the government allows is a surplus of 300 MW during offpeak hours, while another 767 MW NEEPCO, it would supply surplus of capacity will be added by year- power to other states of the counend. Sikkim is self-sufficient at try," Kharkongor said. And, to feed the surplus power 95.70 MW. grenade under the orders of L. Mangoljao State-run North Eastern Elec- from the northeast to other parts aka Lamyanba Khuman, the commander- tric Power Corporation (NEEP- of India, the state-run Power Grid in-chief of the outfit, believed to be hiding CO), a mini-ratna company under Corporation of India Limited now in Nepal," police said. the Union Ministry of Power, alone (PGCIL) has erected 800-kv caThe special search operation was conducted under the supervision of S. Ibomcha, Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations), Imphal West. P. Labango Mangang, Editor of KanNear Firing Range, Lingrijan, Dimapur gla Pao evening newspaper, told IANS on Classes – Nursery to 10 Tuesday that the Editors' Guild Manipur is yet to get an official statement from the police. "Our appeal is that armed persons ADmIssIOn nOTICe and others should not harass the scribes Admission is going on for Classes who are working amid constraints in this – Nursery to 9(Nine) insurgency-affected state. We should be Hostel facilities are available for Both Boys & Girls allowed to discharge our duty freely," he added. Office hour: - 9:00am to 1:00pm Security was tightened in the district Contact No:- 9862251085 following reports that extortion threats may be made to the candidates in the GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND coming elections, police said.
Outfit threatening Manipur editors identified imphAl, JAnuAry 10 (iAnS): In a major breakthrough, Manipur Police have identified the militant group that had been threatening local editors. On December 26, a hand grenade was left in the office of the Pandam News evening daily with a note saying that it was a "new year gift to the editors". This triggered a 24-hour cease-work strike by the local scribes on December 27. Police late on Monday arrested Mohen Kangabam, 63, an active member of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Lamyanba Khuman), a proscribed militant outfit, and recovered some extortion letters and incriminating items from his house. The threats were carried out by Corcom, an apex body of six outfits, a spokesperson for the para-military Assam Rifles here said. "Mohen has confessed to his crime. He disclosed that he planted the hand
that this was a move for the government to gain political mileage. A press note from the TWSM condemned the arrest of Naga United Council (UNC) President Gaidon Kanter and Publicity Secretary Stephen Lamkang on November 25, 2016; “divide & rule policy by creating of seven new districts without consulting the Hill Areas Committee; vandalisation of more than 45 vehicles by mob While acknowledging that the economic blockade imposed in protest
Toy train derails in Darjeeling, five injured
Siliguri, JAnuAry 10 (iAnS): At least five people including the train driver received minor injuries as a toy train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on Tuesday derailed at Kurseong in north West Bengal, an official said. "Total 5 persons including driver received minor injuries and shifted to Kurseong hospital," said Darjeeling District Magistrate Anurag Srivastava. Railway managers had reached the spot and were probing the cause of the accident.
Meghalaya: eleven traders abducted by suspected militants Shillong, JAnuAry 10 (pti): Suspected militants today abducted eleven traders, but eight of them managed to escape their clutches, near Gasuapara in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The traders, most of whom were from Assam and travelling to conduct business near the village of Gasuapara, were waylaid at about 6.30 AM, a police official said. Eight traders managed to escape from the captors, he said. The three traders who were taken at gun point by unknown militants, are all from Dalu in West Garo Hills district and have been identified as Tamal Dey of Killapara, Dulan Mahanta also of Killapara and Durgapada Dutta of Chaipani. “We rushed a team to the spot and were still awaiting details. Poor connectivity is causing problems,” Superintendent of police, South Garo Hills Anand Mishra said. Incidentally, its was the local MLA who informed the police that some traders might have been kidnapped after some vehicles were waylaid by armed men. Eleven traders of Assam were kidnapped by militants from near the same spot about three months ago.
solar and wind power in the next five years. With a population of 45.58 million in the northeastern region, the eight states including Sikkim, have a per capita electricity consumption of 257.98 kilowatt hour (kWh) against the national average of 778.71 kWh. State Power and Transport Minister Manik Dey said that Tripura has agreed to supply an additional 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh over and above the 100 MW being supplied since March 23, 2016. "The Bangladesh government has sought more electricity from India to tackle its power crisis in the eastern part of the country. India's power ministry recently wanted to know whether the Tripura government is ready to provide additional 100 MW of power to Bangladesh. We have accordingly agreed," Dey told IANS.
LIZ WOODLAND SCHOOL
TWSM condemns creation of new districts in Manipur
DimApur, JAnuAry 10 (mExn): The Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai (TWSM) has condemned the actions of the Manipur Government to create 7 new districts in the state without consulting the Hill Areas Committee, and for failing to resolve the issue amicably. It stated that the Manipur Government has dishonoured the four memorandum of understanding signed between the various Naga civil society bodies and the Manipur government. The TWSM stated
pacity and 1,728-km-long High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line from Biswanath Chariyalli in Guwahati to Agra in Uttar Pradesh at an investment of Rs 12,000 crore ($1.8 billion). The power ministry has estimated the hydro-power potential of the northeastern region at 58,971 MW, almost 40 percent of the country's total potential, but only less than two per cent (1,200 MW) has been exploited till last year. Energy expert Sudhindra Kumar Dube said that the power generation potential of the northeastern region must be utilised with proper planning. "The region has not only potential to generate a huge amount of hydropower but also has scope to set up more gas- and coal-based plants in the region," Dube told IANS. NEEPCO also plans to generate at least 1,500 MW from non-conventional sources of energy such as
against the government’s action has affected the community in Manipur, the TWSM however said that the UNC imposed the blockade to draw the attention of the government and resolve the issue. It asked all communities in Manipur to understand that the “fight is between the Government of Manipur and Nagas.” “We should not create communal hatred and enmity but pressurise the State Government to resolve the issues at the earliest,” the TWSM urged.
AFFIDAVIT
Regd. No. 07 I Shri. Gaizoklung S/o of Gonmeijei of Dungki village, PO & PS Jalukie, Peren Dist. Nagaland hereby declare that the name Gaizoklung and Namgong is of same person. I hereby declare that my correct name is GAIZOKLUNG and shall be used for all official purposes in the future. Deponent 1st Class Magistrate
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ZUNHEBOTO NO.JUD.21/2016-17/78
Dt. Zbto. the 20/11/2016
Notice calling objection for the issue of Succession Certificate
Smti. Toshini of Mapulumi Village District Zunheboto has applied for the issue of Succession Certificate/ Guardianship Certificate declaring that her Husband Late S. Khusheto Sema has expired on 10-11-2016. It is hereby notified that id no objection to issue this certificate is received from anyone within a period of 30 (thirty) days w.e.f the date of publication in press, the Certificate shall be issued, and no further complaint will be entertained for issue of the same. Sd/- Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto: Nagaland
OFFICE OF THE CLARK MEMORIAL HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL IMPUR – 798615
Admission Notice for Class A – 9 Academic Session 2017 Admission to Class A – 9 is going on. Interested candidates may obtain Admission Form from ABAM Book Depot Mokokchung or from School Office during office hours (9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.) Special Offer for Church workers’ children: a) Impur compound staff : Admission Fee free b) Neighbouring Villages (day Scholars) : 50% concession in Admission Fee c) Students residing in hostel : 50% concession in Mess Fee Hostel available for both Boys and Girls Admission closes on 31st January 2017
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC KOHIMA NO.GP/CDTP-1/2013-14
ADVerTIsemenT
Interested candidates are invited for undergoing FREE trainings in the following trades stated below under Community Development through Polytechnics (CDTP) Scheme based on Modular Employability Skills organised by Government Polytechnic Kohima. Slno 1 2
Program title Baking House wiring
Training venue Don Bosco colony Kohima Govt. Polytechnic Kohima
Minimum Qualification Not required Not required
Duration 3 days 2 weeks
Intake capacity 20 20
NB: 1. Applications can be collected from the office of the Principal Government Polytechnic Kohima with immediate effect on all working days from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 2. 2copies of passport photo to be submitted along with the application. 3. Date of commencement of trainings is 16th Jan 2017. 4. Selection of candidates shall be done on the basis of first come first. 5. The selected candidates will be pasted on the notice board of Government Polytechnic Kohima on 13th January 2017. 6. All the selected candidates have to report to the undersigned on 16th January 2017 at 11:00 AM without fail for a short briefing and after which, the candidates will be proceeded to different venue for training. (Er. Vipulhou Lhoungu) Principal
For further details, contact: 1. 9436017624 – Chairman, Managing Board 2. 9436426583 – Principal Sd. Principal, CMHSS, Impur
INDIAN NAVY
EMPLOYMENT IN INDIAN NAVY- BEWARE OF AGENTS/ CHEATS It has come to the notice that some agents/touts/unsocial elements on pretext to provide employment in the Indian Navy, make upbeat promises about chances of employment and virtually all of them ask innocent candidates to pay for their services. To achieve their end, they use dubious advertisements depicting Indian Navy address, website details, false certificate and email etc. to deceive unsuspecting job seekers. It is informed that recruitment of sailors is undertaken by Directorate of Manpower Planning and Recruitment (DMPR) of the Indian Navy whereas adequate publicity is undertaken by way of recruitment advertisement published in Employment News/leading newspapers across the country. All the details are also put on DMPR official website www.joinindiannavy.gov.in as per the schedule. It is reiterated that there is no requirement for anyone to pay any money at any stage of recruitment including filling of application form, written test, physical fitness test, medical examination and merit list. davp 10701/11/0064/1617
Dated, Kohima, the 9th January 2017
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THE MORUNG EXPRESS
‘Clarifications on online sale of medicines soon’
E-pharmacy players, in recent months, have come under attack from off-line chemist stores that allege that the former are violating foreign direct investment (FDI) rules by offering discounts
New Delhi, JaNuary 10 (ageNcies): The government will soon come out with clarifications on the sale of medicines online, acceding to requests of startups seeking a legal framework for e-pharmacy business. “The ministry of health is working on clarifications on this issue,” commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act—which regulates the import, manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs and cosmetics in the country — doesn’t explicitly disallow the sale of medicines online
with a valid prescription, although more clarity is required on this issue, some analysts have said. E-pharmacy players, in recent months, have come under attack from off-line chemist stores that allege that the former are violating foreign direct investment (FDI) rules by offering discounts. Off-line chemist stores have also raised concerns about the quality of drugs sold by online players. Already, the uncertainties have hit some start-ups. Phaneesh Murthy-backed online pharma market place Zigy.com has trimmed operations substantially following court cases brought by offline chemists and druggists. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has initiated discussions with certain fi-
Bank of Baroda beats SBI in offering cheapest home loan New Delhi, JaNuary 10 (ageNcies): Traditionally, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s biggest lender, has offered home loans at cheapest rates. But it has now been upstaged by rival Bank of Baroda, which has lowered it home loan rate to as low as 8.35%. State-run Bank of Baroda (BoB) has reduced its home loan rates by 70 basis points to 8.35%, which will be applicable for customers having a strong Cibil score, which is a measure of creditworthiness of the borrower. At 8.35%, Bank of Baroda’s home loan rate is lower than industry leader State Bank of India’s 8.50% on offer. SBI and some other lenders, including private sector major HDFC Ltd, have already reduced their rates. Bankers have attributed reduction in interest rates to surge in deposits with the banks post-demonentisation. Bank of Baroda also said its existing customers whose loans are linked to base rate can also switch to the new MCLR or marginal cost of funds-based lending rate regime without any additional charges. However, several other lenders charge a switch-over fee, which is a minimum of Rs. 10,000 or 0.5% of the outstanding loan amount in case of SBI. Banks have switched to MCLR as their new benchmark lending rate from April last year, replacing the base rate system for new borrowers. All new floating rate loans are linked to MCLR and banks charge a premium over the MCLR to offer a loan. FiRe StatiOnS
KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC)
New Delhi, JaNuary 10 (iaNs): While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is still reconciling the quantum of demonetised currency that has been returned to banks by the December 30, 2016 deadline, NITI Aayog Member Bibek Debroy feels about 10 per cent of such notes won’t return to the system. “Even now, Rs 1.6 lakh crore is what will be missing at the end of it all. Those are the figures. If I take a base of roughly rounding off demonetised currency around Rs 16 lakh crore, 10 per cent of it is about Rs 1.6 lakh crore,” Debroy told IANS in an interview. “Figures say that still Rs 1.5 lakh crore that has not come back. There is still a gap. People have made estimates that may be 10 per cent will not come back,” he added. Some reports have said about 97 per cent of the demonetised currency notes worth Rs 14.97 lakh crore have been deposited back as on December 30. The government had earlier estimated that about Rs 15.4 lakh crore of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000
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notes -- or 86 per cent of cash in circulation -- will be taken out of the system. Meanwhile, the central bank has cast doubts on its own estimates. “The periodical SBN (specified bank notes) figures released by us were based on aggregation of accounting entries done at the large number of currency chests all over the country,” it said. The last figure released by the RBI was that deposits of Rs 12.44 lakh crore have been received till December 10, 2016. “Now that the scheme has come to an end these figures would need to be reconciled with physical cash balances to eliminate accounting errors/ possible double counts. Till this is completed, any estimate may not indicate the actual numbers of the SBNs that have been returned,” RBI had said. Debroy said the bulk of the old currency coming in is a positive indication. “I can look at it as a positive thing. If it doesn’t come back, then that currency is destroyed. It reduces RBI’s liability to that extent. For the
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accelerators associated with startups, Sitharaman said after holding a comprehensive meeting devoted to only incubators that play a major role in boosting the start-up ecosystem. SIDBI manages the ‘fund of funds’ of Rs10,000 crore, which was part of the package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year to help start-ups. The fund is supposed to invest in Sebiregistered Alternative Investment Funds which, in turn, will invest in start-ups. In the meeting with Sitharaman, some incubators have pitched for adequate tax incentives. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has sought the approval of the expenditure finance committee of the finance ministry for setting up a credit guarantee fund, Abhishek said. The proposed Rs 2,000-crore fund, a part of the corpus meant for the fund of funds, will provide up to 80 per cent risk cover for collateral-free credit being given by banks to start up.
Note Ban: 10% currency won’t come back: Niti Aayog’s Debroy
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nancial sector regulators like the IRDAI and the PFRDA on allowing insurance companies like LIC as well as pension funds to invest in start-ups, DIPP secretary Ramesh Abhishek said. The DIPP move follows comments by various start-ups that while large insurance firms invest mainly in risky assets like stocks, they don’t fund start-ups. The DIPP has convened a meeting on February 2 of SIDBI, venture capitalists, various incubators and
08822911011 WOMen HeLPLIne 181 CHiLD weLFAre CoMMIttee Toll free No. 1098 childline
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amount that comes into the system, people will have to pay taxes, penalties, that is the money that actually comes to the government,” he said. The scrutiny of the money deposited in banks, however will take time, he added. Debroy also said demonetisation has checked the disproportionate cash in the Indian society, and that the cash-GDP ratio in India is way higher than its other Asian counterparts. “Around 2000, the cash-GDP ratio in India used to be around 9 per cent while today it has gone up to 13 per cent. Obviously the use of cash is disproportionately high to what is required for transaction purposes,” he said. As per official data, Sri Lanka, for example, has cash-GDP ratio of just 3.5 per cent, Bangladesh has 5 per cent, while Pakistan has 9 per cent. Quite clearly, there is excess cash in India that needs to be reduced, Debroy said. He said about 97 per cent of households in India have bank accounts, though it is a separate matter that for various reasons they have not been encouraged.
std code: 0370 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923
New york/New Delhi, JaNuary 10 (iaNs): Yahoo, which was acquired by US wireless communications service provider Verizon for a mere $4.8 billion in July last year, will soon be called Altaba, media reported on Tuesday, adding that Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer will step down from the board of directors. “Six Yahoo directors will be leaving after the Verizon sale, including Mayer,” The Wall Street Journal reported. After the sale of its core internet business, the company will change its name to Altaba Inc., Yahoo said in a regulatory filing. The name is a combination of the words “alternate” and “Alibaba,” a person familiar with the matter was quoted as saying. “The idea behind the name is that Altaba’s stock can now be tracked as an alternative to Alibaba because Yahoo owns a sizeable chunk of the Chinese company,” The Washington Post reported. The Yahoo acquisition will lead Verizon to firm up its operations in the digital ad space. According to experts, the viable option for Verizon is now to marry online Yahoo assets with AOL, which it acquired for $4.4 billion. AOL has properties like The Huffington Post and technology
websites Techcrunch and Engadget -and now Yahoo Finance -- which together can become a strong digital advertising platform for Verizon. “Verizon will surely monetise both Yahoo and AOL operations to get the best out of this deal,” Vishal Tripathi, Research Director at global market consultancy firm Gartner, told IANS. Photo-sharing website Flickr and the slowly growing microblogging and social networking website Tumblr are two Yahoo assets that show some promise for growth. “Verizon has now got Tumblr, Flickr, Yahoo Sports and Yahoo News. With the consolidation, the deal may prove to be a sweet one for Verizon,” Tripathi said. The deal means an end to the struggle to survive for Yahoo which was once valued at over $125 billion at its peak in January 2000 when the dot com bubble was nearing its end. Following the sale, the company will be left with about $41 billion it invested in the Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba as well as Yahoo Japan. Verizon makes most of its money from mobile phone connections while Yahoo generated more than twice as much revenue from search and display ads on desktop computers than it did from its so-called MAVENs businesses (Mobile, Video, Native and Social).
LCD-like flat screens could remotely charge all your devices washiNgtoN, JaNuary 10 (Pti): Someday you could be able to remote charge your smartphone by switching your TV on. A flat-screen panel your living room wall that resembles a TV could one day remotely charge smartphones and tablets within its line of sight, making dead batteries a thing of the past, according to new research. Scientists, from the University of Washington and Duke University in the US, said that the technology already exists to build such a system. “Whether its headphones, cell phones, watches, or even your mouse and keyboard, a major irritation for consumers is the hassle of being tethered to cords to recharge batteries,” said David Smith, professor at Duke. “Our proposed system would be able to automatically and continuously charge any device anywhere within a room, making dead batteries a thing of the past,” said Smith. “There is an enormous demand for alternatives to today’s clunky
MOKOKCHUnG
charging pads and cumbersome cables, which restrict the mobility of a smartphone or a tablet,” said Matt Reynolds, associate professor at University of Washington. “Our proposed approach takes advantage of widely used LCD technology to seamlessly deliver wireless power to all kinds of smart devices,” Reynolds said. “The ability to safely direct focused beams of microwave energy to charge specific devices, while avoiding unwanted exposure to people, pets and
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other objects, is a gamechanger for wireless power,” he said. “We’re looking into alternatives to liquid crystals that could allow energy transfer at much higher power levels over greater distances,” he added. Some wireless charging systems already exist to help powerspeakers, cell phones and tablets. These technologies rely on platforms that require their own wires, however, and the devices must be placed in the immediate vicinity of the charging station, researchers said.
CURRenCY nOteS
Us dollars sterling Pound Hong Kong dollar Australian dollar singapore dollar Canadian dollar Japanese Yen euro thai Baht Korean won UAe dirham (Aed) Chinese Yuan
BUY (rs) 66.52 80.88 8.3 49.01 46.35 50.3 57.29 70.54 1.81 0.0538 17.53 9.36
seLL (rs) 69.52 84.79 9.24 51.42 48.62 52.75 60.50 73.93 2.01 0.06 19.52 10.43
leisure
Contact numbers
8575045501 8575045510 8575045502 8575045520 8575045508 8575045518 8575045506 8575045516 8575045507 8575045517 8575045505 8575045515 8575045549 8575045538 8575045509 8575045519 8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)
Yahoo to be renamed Altaba, CEO Marissa Mayer to step down
CROSSWORD # 3825
H
SUDOKU
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3820
Answer Number # 3819
ACROSS 1. Earthenware jar 6. Lummox 10. Yowl 14. A radioactive gaseous element 15. Attraction 16. River of Spain 17. Spry 18. Winglike 19. Many millennia 20. A decorated dart 22. Be worthy of 23. City in Peru 24. Leash 26. Greek cheese 30. Chitchat 31. Diminish 32. Matured 33. Chalcedony 35. Wide 39. Win over 41. Gist 43. Fruity-smelling compound 44. Dispatched 46. Pang 47. Neither ___ 49. Caviar 50. Lock openers 51. Sleeping sickness carrier 54. Iridescent gem 56. Beige 57. Fish seller 63. French for “Black” 64. Pearly-shelled mussel 65. Line of a poem 66. Leader 67. Prig 68. Jagged 69. Celebrity 70. Feudal worker 71. Propelled with oars DOWN 1. . Fourth sign of the zodiac 2. Indian music 3. Norse god
4. Frigid 5. Drop to one’s knees 6. Applicants 7. Cradlesong 8. By mouth 9. Lower the capability 10. Grief 11. A religion based on sorcery 12. Scribbled 13. Hermit 21. Severity 25. Wanes 26. Visage 27. Prima donna problems 28. Canvas dwelling 29. Daredevil 34. He fears foreigners 36. A single time 37. Sore 38. D D D D 40. God of love 42. Water vapor 45. Ablation 48. Decline 51. Looks after 52. Pathfinder 53. Genus of heath 55. Admirer 58. Hotels 59. Roman emperor 60. Get bigger 61. Being 62. Marsh plant Answer to Crossword 3824
Wednesday 11•01•2017
NAGALAND
NSCN (IM) takes note of ‘Embrace and imbibe the culture of hard-work and truth’ ‘communal colours’ within AR 41st General Conference of Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang begins Condemns physical and mental torture of senior member Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): The NSCN (IM) has condemned what it called “unwarranted raids and physical and mental torture” meted out to its senior member Namchum, Tatar, at Noksen village in Tuensang district by the 5 Assam Rifles based in Zunheboto on January 5, 2017. A press release from MIP, NSCN (IM) alleged that the Assam Rifles personnel entered the house of Namchum at 12:00 midnight and started questioning which group he
belonged to. When he identified himself as a member of the Tatar of NSCN (IM), two AR jawans abused him stating “you NSCN (IM) are the causes of all troubles in Manipur,” the MIP claimed. The two jawans, it said, spoke in Meitei dialect and added that the NSCN (IM) has taken extreme note of the communal colours within the Assam Rifles. Accusing the Assam Rifles personnel of venting out their personal vendetta against the innocent Nagas, the NSCN (IM) questioned, “Where was the need and
the reason to insult and torture when nothing wrong was found in his possession which is beyond doubt.” According to the release, the NSCN (IM) Tatar was taken to an undisclosed location by the AR troops and “brutally tortured black and blue” after raiding his house, where they could not find anything objectionable. The NSCN (IM) has demanded the Commanding Officer of the 5 Assam Rifles based in Zhunheboto to initiate stringent steps against the erring jawans.
DC Wokha asks officers to gear up for town council elections Wokha, January 10 (Dipr): The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Wezope Kenye has asked the officers in Wokha to gear up and be ready for the forthcoming town council elections. He said this while cautioning that the beginning of the year will be very trying time because of the forthcoming town council election as there have been differences of opinions coming up regarding the election. Speaking at the monthly District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting at the DC’s conference hall here, the DC further reminded all the officers to remain in station until the election processes are over. Asserting that all Head of Offices
should ensure that all employees remain in station and perform their respective assigned duties, he stated that no exemption of employees deputed for election duty will be done except on medical ground. Apprising the board members regarding the conduct of Wokha Town Council election, Returning Officer & ADC Wokha, Hotolu Swu informed that all preparation work for the election is in full progress. During the meeting, distribution of appointment order for the polling personnel was also done. Hotolu also informed that training for the polling personnel will be conducted very soon and urged all employees involved to attend
the training positively. All Head of Offices who have not submitted the details of vehicles (type of vehicle, name of driver and registration number) were requested to submit the same at the earliest. Distribution of specific work to different departments for the forthcoming Republic Day celebration was also done. The Deputy Commissioner requested all officers to make sure that all officers and staff remain in station and attend the Republic Day celebration and warned that action will be initiated against those absentees. The meeting also resolved to conduct mass social work on January 21 in view of the Republic Day celebration.
Morung Express News Sungratsu | January 10
The 41st General Conference of Asetkong Kaketshir Telongjem Mungdang (AKTM) got underway at Sungratsu village today with more than 400 delegates from the different villages under Asetkong range and also other AKTM units attending it. The general conference which is being held on the theme: ‘The past in our present’ has the Principal of City Law College Dimapur, P Leonard Aier as the main speaker, and a host of dignitaries slated to grace the conference as guests and invitees. Formally inaugurating the general conference, Dr Maongwati Aier, IAS, Secretary to the Government - PHED, strongly exhorted
Kubulong Students’ Union presenting a special number at the opening programme of the 41st General Conference of AKTM at Sungratsu village on January 10.
the student delegates to embrace and imbibe the culture of hard-work and truth, which he said were so prevalent among the Naga forefathers. He pointed out that the Naga society is in shambles, adding that just like the prophet Nehemiah in the Bible, the Naga people also need to be like Ne-
hemiah to rebuild our society for a better future. In this regard, he said that the task of rebuilding the fallen walls of the Naga society cannot be the work of an individual, but a collective effort. He therefore called for unity among the people, to have the spirit of sacrifice and truthfulness.
Nagaland gets new Ashok Leyland outlet
Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group and the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, inaugurated a new outlet in Dimapur today. It is a sales, service, and spare parts 4-bay facility spread over 30,000 sq ft. The outlet Lerinah Motors is run by Pukreni Lerinah, who is a first generation entrepreneur in Dimapur. The facility, strategically located at 7th Mile on Asian Highway 1, will cater to all the vehicles of Dimapur, Kohima, and other floating population. The state-of-the-art workshop, built to customer
satisfaction, is equipped with all modern tools and equipment, stated a press release received here. Speaking on the occasion, R. Nagarajan, Vice President-Global Service, Ashok Leyland Limited said, “Nagaland is a very important market for us and we are very pleased to inaugurate this facility in the state. With this new outlet, we look forward to increase our market share in the North East region from the existing 21%. The major drivers of economy in the region are road construction, agriculture, tourism, and trading. We are confident that this new outlet will further strength-
en our strategic presence in Nagaland.” The press note stated that Ashok Leyland has one of the largest networks in the commercial vehicle industry – over 500 touchpoints with an additional 5000 outlets for Leyparts, the genuine spare parts brand. With a service centre at every 75 km on all major highways, Ashok Leyland delivers its “Tatkaal” promise of reaching customers within 4 hours and getting their vehicle back on-road within 48 hours. In an absolutely rare instance of a delay, the company pays a penalty of Rs. 1,000/- per day to the customer.
Mission Clean Water Body In-service prog at St. Paul Institute of Education The institute has been con- activities and rhymes to make January 10 Campaign on January 14 kohima, (mExn): St. Paul Institute of Edu- ducting such refresher courses for teaching-learning an enjoyable Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): Anglers Association Nagaland (AAN) will conduct Mission Clean Water Body Campaign on January 14 at Chathe River, New Chumukedima Village. AAN General Secretary Ricky Ozukum in a press release said that the main objective of the Mission is to help in maintaining integrity and overall health of the water bodies throughout India by launching a cleanliness drive of the freshwater resources along with associated catchment areas spearheaded by the angling community of India. It is an initiative
of All India Game Fishing Association (AIGFA). Along with the affiliated district units, New Chumukedima Village Council will join the programme by participating in the campaign. AAN has appealed to the people who are willing to join and support the cause in the drive to protect the river systems. The programme will start at 9:00 am, New Chumukedima Village with brief introductory function followed by tree plantation, cleanliness drive, banner campaign along the Chathe River stretch.
cation, Phesama, one of the oldest teachers’ training institutes in North East, began its annual in-service programme with the theme ‘Smart Teachers for Tomorrow’ through the ‘Self Discovery Approach.’ The institute gives an opportunity to the teachers of North East who are working in different schools to refresh themselves with the latest skills and techniques of teaching. A total of 87 teachers from different schools of North East are enrolled in the 13-day crash course, which is loaded with theory as well as practical aspects.
the last 17 years in areas like skills and techniques of teaching, Classroom Management, Behaviour Management, Accelerated Learning, study of the Brain and its Implications in the Learning System, Adapting Teaching to the Modern Students, RTE, etc. The resource persons include Rev. Dr Philip Abraham SJ, Rev. Fr. Boniface SJ, Fr. Charles SJ, Fr. Gerard SJ, Rev. Adv. Ravi Sagar SJ, Sr. Tessin FCC, Sr. Deepthi FCC, and the principal Fr. Felix SJ. Apart from the various areas of teaching-learning, the programme also includes various
activity for the teachers. Activities like rhymes, dancercise and dynamic games are taught by Zapuvino, Kevisedeno, Thejaseno, Mhasivino and Asiu. A press release stated that the crash course gives an opportunity to the teachers to realize that teaching profession is a creative and enjoyable one. The teachers from all over North East learn practical aspects of teaching which will equip them to cater to the needs of their students, it added. The programme began with ice-breaking session conducted by Bro Avi SJ and Bro Pheiga SJ.
Catholic priest ordained in Akuk village List of amendments for Wokha, January 10 (mExn): The third Catholic Priestly ordination of Reverend Deacon Marius Zachamo by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima was held at Akuk village in Wokha district on January 10. “You are my Son; today I have begotten you” (Hebrew 5:5) is the motto of the new priest. About 20 priests concelebrated with the Bishop. Deacon Zachamo clad in traditional Lotha attire was brought with traditional tune and dance to the Church for the ordination. Rev. Fr. George Anthony, the Parish Priest, accorded warm welcome to the Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, village leaders, dignitaries, priests and sisters from different parishes, NCYM, NCWA, the invited guests, government officials, catechists, pastors of different churches and other participants. Bishop in his introduction said that Deacon Marius Zachamo had been preparing himself for this day for the last thirteen or more years
draft electoral roll published
Reverend Deacon Marius Zachamo arrives in traditional attire for the ordination at Akuk village in Wokha district on January 10.
and from now on he will be called Fr. Marius and will assume a new role and identity – the role and identity of a Catholic priest. Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima in a press release stated that the Assistant Priest, Holy Redeemer Church, Tobu, Rev. Fr. Peter Pethungo anchored the commentary and Nt-
somo Kithan, Assistant Teacher, Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur was the MC for the felicitation programme, where a special song was presented by childhood friends of Fr. Marius. The newly ordained priest expressed words of gratitude, after which, many friends and well wishers congratulated him with gifts.
Winners of essay competition conducted at Youth Voters’ Festival Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): Imkongnukla Ao, BA V Semester student of Patkai Christian College and Rachel, class 11 student of Christian Higher Secondary School have been declared first winners (in the college and higher secondary school categories respectively) of the essay competition held as part of the Youth Voters’ Festival for college and
higher secondary school levels. In the college level, Rukusheyi Rhakho, BA 1st Semester student of Tetso College and Ato Tzüdir, BA 3rd Semester student of Immanuel College bagged the second and third positions respectively. Meanwhile, Anwesha Dey, class IX student of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School won the second position
and Luchu Sangha, class 10 student of Government Higher Secondary School, Dimapur bagged the third position in the higher secondary school category. A press release from Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur informed that the winners will be awarded prizes along with certificates on January 25 during the National Voters’ Day celebration.
mokokchung, January 10 (mExn): Additional Deputy Commissioner & Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Mokokchung, Bendanglila has informed that the list of amendments of the last part of draft electoral roll for the 21Tuli, 22-Arkakong, 23-Impur, 24-Angetyongpang, 25-Mongoya, 26-Aonglenden, 27-Mokokchung Town, 28-Koridang, 29-Jangpetkong and 30-Alongtaki assembly constituencies has been prepared with reference to January 1, 2017 as qualifying date and in accordance with the Registration of Electors Rule, 1960. A copy of the said roll together with the list of amendments has been published and is available for inspection at the ADC & ERO office, Mokokchung. In a separate notification, S. Tainiu, Additional Deputy Commissioner & Electoral
Registration Officer, Peren informed that the list of amendments to the draft electoral roll for the 6-Tening and 7-Peren assembly constituencies has been prepared with reference to January 1, 2017 as the qualifying date. A copy of the said roll together with the list of amendments has been published and will be available for inspection at the ADC’s office and with Booth Level Officer of respective polling station/ areas. Electoral Registration Officer for Dimapur also notified that the list of amendments to the draft electoral roll for Dimapur I A/C, Dimapur II A/C, Dimapur III A/C, Ghaspani I A/C and Ghaspani II A/C has been prepared and a copy of the said roll along with the list of amendments has been published and will be available for inspection at her office.
He categorically urged the students to have good moral value while seeking education, stating that one’s education would be useless to the society if one does not have moral values in their lives. Sungratsu Students’ Union presented the curtain raiser, while the Chairman
of Sungratsu Village Council, M Teka Longchar delivered the welcome address. Short speeches were also delivered by the presidents of the Ongpangkong Students Conference, Jangpetkong Students’ Conference, and Tsurangkong Students’ Conference. The Kubulong Kaketshir Telongjem presented a special song. Meritorious Awards were also given to successful students who achieved excellence in the academic fields. On Thursday, the Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, S Chuba Longkumer will be the chief guest at the main prgramme that starts at 9:00 am. The 41st General Conference of AKTM will conclude on Friday, January 12, 2016.
MEx FILE DC Dimapur informs Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Dimapur has informed the public under the jurisdiction of RTA, Dimapur that fresh application for issuing of autorickshaw assurance certificate will not be entertained till March 31, 2017. This decision was made at the meeting of RTA Board Dimapur held on December 20, 2016.
Medical Board Examination for grade III, IV staff kohima, January 10 (mExn): Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kohima, Dr. Avino Metha has informed all the head of departments that the Medical Board Examination for confirmation of service, invalidation and commutation of pension etc. for grade III & IV staff will be held in the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima located at Para Medical Colony. The examination will be held at 9:30 am on February 2, May 4, August 3, and November 2, 2017. The CMO in a circular informed that the medical board will sit the next day if there is holiday on the mentioned dates. The head of departments have been requested to inform their DDOs concerned to send the list of candidates to the CMO office in advance.
NSCN (IM) expresses sadness Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): The NSCN (IM) today expressed sadness over the sudden demise of Cyphus, Tatar, on January 8 around 4:00 pm at Senapati district headquarters. Cyphus joined the NSCN (IM) in 2011 along with his colleagues from NSCN (K) and was assigned as Leacy. In 2014, he was promoted to Tatar. “In this short period of time he served the party will full honour and sincerity,” stated a condolence message from A. Ashiho Mao, Secretary, Tatar Hoho, NSCN (IM). The Tatar Hoho Secretary prayed that the Almighty God will give strength to the bereaved family.
NSCN (IM) condoles Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): NSCN (IM) has mourned the demise of Aokumdang Imchen, Deputy Kilonser, Ministry of Internal Security, NSCN (IM) on January 10 morning at his residence in Mokokchung. A condolence message from G. Robert, Cabinet Secretary, NSCN (IM) informed that Aokumdang joined the National Service on May 29, 1995 and “served the nation with utmost sincerity and dedication in various capacities.” It added, “Naga Nation will always cherish and appreciate the selfless service he had rendered.” The NSCN (IM) further prayed to God to give strength and solace to the bereaved family to bear the great loss.
Meetings & AppointMents Mokokchung DPDB meeting The monthly meeting of Mokokchung District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) for the month of January 2017 will be held on January 12, 11:00 am at the conference hall of ADC (Planning) Mokokchung. Therefore, all the members of the Mokokchung DPDB have been informed to attend the meeting.
SUC general meeting Sangtam Union Chumukedima (SUC) has convened its 28th general meeting on January 14, 9:00 am at the union’s treasurer’s residence near North Town Hr. Sec. School Chumukedima. A press release from SUC general secretary, Tsali Sangtam has requested all Sangtams aged 18 years and above living under Chumukedima jurisdiction to attend the meeting without fail.
Training for polling officials
Dimapur, January 10 (mExn): The Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur has informed all polling officials appointed for the forthcoming urban local bodies’ election that the first round of training will be held on January 12 at Dimapur Government College at the following time: 11:00 am onwards – Presiding Officers & 1st polling officials; 1:30 pm onwards – 2nd and 3rd polling officials. The DC further informed that the Men at work at the ongoing road repair works undertaken by BRO second and third phase of along National Highway towards Lerie, Kohima. (Morung Photo) training has been tentatively
scheduled to be held on January 20 and 27 respectively. Any changes will be intimated later, he said in a press release. Meanwhile, training for presiding officers and polling officials of the Phek Town Council election 2017 will be held on January 17 and 27 at 10:00 am in the conference hall of Phek Town Council. The Deputy Commissioner of Phek has informed the master trainers of Chozuba, Meluri and Pfutsero Town Councils to attend the training positively.
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IN FOCUS The Power of Truth
The Morung Express volume Xii issue 9 By Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
Lessons from Morung
W
e have come a long way from our traditional culture and have reached a stage where our culture is almost reduced to symbolic representation of the material. The technological impact on our lives is tremendous and it has further dissociated us away from our traditional modes of lifestyle and living. More so, the tension in the modes of thinking in trying to attune with the changing times, and in the pursuit of our ‘identity’, has taken us further away. This shift has rather misplaced us in the form of a crisis - a moral crisis of identity. Within this crisis, there is a further disintegration from the ‘community’ to the ‘individual.’ A resultant effect is being witnessed today in the form of ‘violence’ and where the good of the community and society finds lost to individual ‘good’ and ‘well-being.’ This has happened largely because we have failed to think together, neither do we imagine and envisage rationally for the good of our society that we long, yet, without working on the change agents. A restart is required and we need to trace back to the roots of our traditional identity because we have ignored and left behind a very integral aspect of our culture that informs about community living and its associated values. There are so many lessons that need to be drawn from our traditional institution called Morung. Call it the ‘University of Happiness’ towards the attainment of what can be surmised as the ‘highest good’ of the community. More than an institution of learning, Morung was a very important place for the people to come together as a community. Morung brought people together and taught the values of ‘shared living,’ the goodness of sharing responsibilities and the importance of the communitarian good over the individual. It taught the community to come together as a unit and strive towards peace and prosperity of community life and living. The New year has begun with issues more pronounced, of power struggle over clashes of ‘misinterpreted values.’ …And before we lose all sense of belonging as a ‘Naganess’ and as a community, we need to go back to the heart of our traditional Morung system in coming together to recreate the communitarian values through a well-informed imagination in providing structure, sense and direction. Perhaps, these will inject a moral sense of duty and responsibility in our life and living. Our society will then see transformation. (Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is Editor of heritage publishing house. He writes a weekly guest editorial for the Morung Express. Views and comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
lEfT wiNg |
George Lakey Countercurrents.org
Return of The Nonviolent Campaign
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wednesday 11•01•2017
onviolent campaigns are often dramatic and catch the attention of millions—think of Standing Rock water protectors resolute in the face of a brutal police force. All the more puzzling that the concept of a “nonviolent campaign” is little known and often ignored when people talk about how to mobilize power. For many, the choices are limited to lobbying, petitions, and looking for promising progressive candidates to run a different kind of campaign—the electoral campaign. Thinking outside that box usually means a one-off march or rally, or possibly a protest. The trouble is, a nonviolent march or rally or protest is not nearly as effective as a nonviolent campaign. One or two of those actions could not have the impact of the enduring Standing Rock campaign. Swarthmore College researchers have been digging into that question, analyzing over 1,000 nonviolent campaigns waged in almost 200 countries. The researchers found protests are usually one-off events that express grief, outrage, or plain opposition to an action or policy, and if the protest gets attention, it may be repeated. Campaigners, by contrast, carry out a strategy over time. They plan a series of nonviolent actions that continues until the goal is reached. That may be a matter of weeks, or months, or years. Nonviolent campaigners know what they want: clean water in North Dakota for indigenous people; the Dream Act for students brought to this country as children by undocumented immigrants; a cleanup of chemicals at Love Canal in upstate New York; university goods and clothing made by workers who are treated fairly with safe working conditions. Campaigners also know who can make the decision they need. In her later years, when I interviewed Alice Paul, who led the National Woman’s Party campaign for suffrage, she said she was confident that Wilson could make the difference in persuading a balky Congress to pass the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. She was right. Her 1917 escalation of the campaign brought voting to women just three years later. Escalation is an art: The 1960s civil rights movement showed expertise in locating and sequencing direct actions to escalate pressure on their target. When President John F. Kennedy refused Martin Luther King Jr.’s request to provide leadership for a civil rights bill, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference made an unusual strategic decision. Instead of taking the obvious next step of focusing action in the nation’s capital in order to gain victory there, the SCLC decided to escalate in Birmingham, Alabama, at that time a major industrial city. It was where the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a member of SCLC, had for years led an ongoing antisegregation campaign. In spring 1963, SCLC brought additional organizers and trainers to Birmingham to join the local struggle. Campaigners escalated their tactics, confronting the segregationists’ police dogs and fire hoses with nonviolent discipline. When mass jail-ins left a scarcity of adults available for civil disobedience, children stepped in to fill the streets. The sheer volume of disruption dislocating Birmingham and the national charisma of Dr. King effectively pressured the White House. Kennedy reportedly got on the phone with U.S. Steel President Roger Blough and others of the power elite, gaining agreement that the time had come for a national civil rights bill that would guarantee equal accommodations. The civil rights struggle also illustrates the way campaigns build mass social movements. On Feb. 1, 1960, just four college students initiated a sit-in campaign at a segregated lunch counter near their campus in North Carolina. Inspired, students at other campuses followed suit. Within a month there were student sit-ins throughout the South and a solidarity campaign at Woolworth stores in northern cities as well. Multiple, replicated local campaigns turned a few students’ efforts into the widespread and iconic “freedom movement.” However, no one hears how nonviolent campaigns won or what their strategic choices were. Context is absent: What mainstream media source gives us that kind of context about Standing Rock, comparing it with other campaigns waged by indigenous groups for their tribal and environmental rights? When do we hear academic experts on nonviolent struggle explain the dynamics behind breaking news in a nonviolent campaign? The result is a public ill-informed about its options when facing an authoritarian president or a wave of policy changes that diminish human rights and planetary sustainability. The good news is the reemerging art of the nonviolent campaign.
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
C O M M E N T A R Y
Garga Chatterjee
IN A DIVERSE UNION OF PEOPLES: Federalism & democracy are not negotiable
T
he Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a landmark tax structure change in the Indian Union that would amalgamate goods tax (levied by the state government) and services tax (levied by the Union government) into one combined tax who rate would be uniform all across the Indian Union. This is the single biggest tax structure reform in the Indian Union ever. The GST council is the apex body created to negotiate the final form of the GST bill. It has representation of state finance ministers and the Union government. These negotiations have hit a huge roadblock. GST negotiations between the state finance ministers and the Union government has hit a roadblock after it was exposed that the Union government had been concealing true data from the state finance ministers during a large part of the negotiations. The present stalemate is around the issue of jurisdiction on the service taxpayers in the under 1.5 crore revenue category. That the Union government has presented misleading data to state finance ministers that hugely under-represents the actual taxpayer base size is a pretty serious affair. It’s not surprising that it didn’t make big letter headlines given how the Delhibased think-tanks and a segment of the business media is cheering for the Union government’s side in the GST negotiations. This sort of thing should have ended the GST negotiations altogether, but the state governments have greater faith in cooperative federalism than the Union government had. Now that this is out in the open, Arun Jaitley is finding it difficult to defend the Union’s claims on a tax base that he earlier took for granted, given the allegedly misleading information that was fed by the Union government officials to the state finance ministers. Now, those “gains” by the Union government, based on allegedly previously concealed information, is suddenly up for negotiation and grabs. The future of this negotiation will decide a very crucial issue of federalism in the Indian Union – would the states retain any serious amount of revenue autonomy at all or will they become total beggars seeking alms in the court of the New Delhi Empire. Let us understand the implications of this alleged concealment of data. The crucial issue is, who will control the service tax base for entities under the 1.5 crore Rupees annual revenue threshold. This is not a theoretical argument but one that is premised on numbers – the most crucial among which is the actual size of this under 1.5 crore revenue service tax payer base. In the initial meeting of the GST council, service taxpayer data supplied by the Union government to the state finance ministers showed a service taxpayer base of 11 lakhs. Negotiations thus happened on the basis of this number, which the state finance ministers in good faith believed to be true. One does not expect that in a cru-
cial forum like the GST council, the Union government would be concealing real information and feed allegedly misleading information. Based on that 11 lakh number and its estimated revenue corpus, the states were magnanimous to the Union and decided to let the Union government retain control of the under 1.5 crore annual revenue service tax base. Everything changed turned out that this 11 lakh number that was supplied by the Union government to the state finance ministers was deemed to be misleading by them. New data available with the state finance ministers suggest that the actual service taxpayer base with under 1.5 crore annual revenue is almost 31 lakhs! That is almost 3 times the number that the Union government fed the state finance ministers earlier. Chairman of the empowered group of state finance ministers, West Bengal’s Finance Minister Amit Mitra has directly accused the Union government of concealing service taxpayer information from the states. A three-times increase in tax payer base has very different revenue implications. On the basis of that, a majority of the states have now proposed that for the under 1.5 crore revenue class, state governments will have full control of both goods and service taxes, while over the 1.5 crore slab, there will be dual control and revenue sharing between the States and the Union. Any entity whose bluff has been called out so directly would be embarrassed and would respond directly to the serious allegations that have been raised. Not so the Union government. It has refused to agree to the formula proposed by a majority of the states, including Kerala, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Delhi, Odisha and others. Thus the stalemate continues. It is unfortunate when a 31% vote share government has the power to hold at ransom the united political decision of a majority of state governments. That is a fundamental flaw in the federal structure of the In-
dian Union. In the 4th November meeting of the GST council, the state finance ministers wanted updated data on assesses of service tax, excise and VAT. Without giving updated data to state finance ministers on such crucial matters, what is the point of a GST council meeting? Was the Union government thinking that the GST council will be a tea-drinking rubber-stamp club for New Delhi’s decisions? After the state finance ministers raised a cry based on the new data on service taxpayer base, the Union government tried to counter that by calling for a “re-opening” of the settled decision that states have exclusive control over the goods tax payer base under 1.5 crore. The goods and services issues are not equivalent. The service taxpayer base issue was “settled” earlier based on false date. Updated data that shows the actual base to the nearly 3 times larger than what the Union government’s earlier allegedly misleading numbers showed has resulted in this justified calls for negotiations from a majority of the states. There has been no such corresponding allegation of concealment from the states about the goods taxpayer base. The Union government has retained the right to impose cess at will. Thus, it has a rate elastic source of revenue. The state governments, on the other hand, after GST proposals, have not been left with any elastic source of revenue. Thus, Union will generates its own revenue in response to what it deems as an emergency. The states will have to go with a begging bowl to Delhi in a similar situation. This is unjust and a blow to the powers and dignity of the states. Also, the upper slab of luxury goods, which represents a whopping 25% of the total indirect tax base, has been forcibly kept low of Union government’s insistence since it wants to add cess over it, which it does not have to share with the states. Thus, Union already wants to deprive states from their
legitimate revenue claims in the topmost tier. Either states should also have the power to impose cess or the highest slab has to be revised upwards significantly to the squeeze the space for Union cess. Otherwise this becomes another way in which states will be deprived of their rightful revenue. One hopes that the BJP will not be so shameless as to introduce the GST bill as a money bill and silence the Opposition majority in Rajya Sabha after the immense cooperation that had been extended by most of the opposition on the issue of constitutional amendment for GST, in spite of many the many reservations and concerns about GST that the opposition had voiced during the parliamentary GST debate. The states, by agreeing to GST, have given up exclusive revenue powers. By dangling deadlines and roll-out dates and its pressure tactics via big corporate controlled industry bodies, the Union will try to force the state into a dishonourable and damaging settlement. It is up to the states to stand up to this black-mailing coming from same Union government that can allegedly mislead state governments by giving wrong information during crucial GST council meeting. This is about the future federalism in the Indian Union and preservation of the basic structure of the Constitution of India. If the state governments do not have exclusive control over any part of the tax-payer base, it will mean that the federal structure of the Indian Union will be damaged permanently. That may result in cheers in Delhi for it will result in the economic servitude of the peoples of the states to the New Delhi administration. In a diverse union of peoples, federalism and democracy are not negotiable. Any union government that misleads state government by concealing revenue data does not have any moral or ethical right to claim jurisdiction over the revenue sources situated in states.
Subversive Women in Colonial North Africa Kaylee Steck
C
Fair Observer
olonial encroachment in North Africa created new opportunities for women to travel and challenge social norms. During my travels in Morocco, I discovered Emily Keene’s memoir, My Life Story. In the 1870s, Keene traveled to Tangier as a governess for an English family. Soon after, she married the leader of a prominent religious order. As part of the public duties affiliated with this role, she received followers who came to do homage and seek alleviation of various maladies. Keene contributed to her husband’s healing persona in remarkable ways. She used her own pharmacy and medical knowledge to support new mothers, treat infants and inoculate Moroccans against smallpox. The expansion of colonial power in North Africa shaped her medical activities in Morocco. Colonial Medicine In late 19th century Europe, medicine was transitioning from the study of humors to the study of pathogens. This eventually led to the development of vaccines. However, this scientific advancement developed alongside insidious sociological theories that justified European “superiority” over indigenous populations. There was a view that local medicine should be reformed under European tutelage. French doctors criti-
cized certain practices, such as visiting shrines and consulting popular healers. Ironically, European and Arab regimens for bacterial infections still bore striking resemblances since they were both based on the idea that diseases resulted from humoral imbalances. Keene encountered and treated disease in this context of medical progress and stagnation. She relied first and foremost on her own knowledge, maintaining a skeptical attitude toward local medical men. When her child fell ill, she rebuffed the remedies of an apothecary. She also showed disdain for a medical attendant, whom she accused of accelerating her husband’s deteriorating health. Still, her skepticism about local doctors did not necessitate the view that they were primitive minds, no different from “sorcerers” or “fetishmen”—terms that circulated in the vocabularies of French sociologists. While Keene understood herself as a civilizing agent, she was content to operate as a clinical extension of her husband’s role as a religious leader and healer.
her vaccines and medical advice into Moroccan communities. Born almost 30 years after Keene, Isabelle Eberhardt also traveled to North Africa in her early 20s. In 1900, she left Geneva for Algeria, where she disguised herself as a young man and joined a Sufi brotherhood. Despite Eberhardt’s sloughing off of her European identity, she became a close friend of Hubert Lyautey, a French army general and administrator. Moreover, she used her faith (she converted to Islam) in order to curry favor with religious leaders and encourage their compliance with colonial rule. While Eberhardt was transgressive, she was also complicit in the consolidation of colonial rule in North Africa. Likewise, Keene seemed to accept, if not welcome, the inevitably of European rule herself. Nevertheless, these women jettisoned certain attitudes and behaviors that would have prevented them from becoming steeped in local culture. They are subversive because they “lost caste,” as Larry Rue noted in an article about Keene in the Chicago Tribune near the end of her life.
selective and does not offer the reader a broad historical understanding. Additionally, memoir tends to focus on the impressions and experiences of one person. As a result, it conveys a single reality, highly mediated by gender, power and class. These limitations characterize My Life Story. For example, the memoir depicts Morocco as a space lacking resistance by leaving out voices that rejected European rule. Likewise, it does not show how Moroccans, and Moroccan women in particular, challenged cultural assumptions of their own society. Given Keene’s frequent movements between religious orders, she could have addressed the phenomenon of itinerant female saints and mystics in North Africa. These omissions leave the reader with misconceptions about local agency. Despite these shortcomings, My Life Story can help us reimagine colonial encounters and women’s position in the late 19th century. Keene engaged in a wide range of activities that did not conform to gender normative behavior for Victorian women. She traveled alone and developed a public persona through political and medical campaigns. Additionally, the memoir unsettles notions of colonial power. It challenged dominant discourses by Women and Colonial Encounter depicting the meeting and negotiation Both Keene and Eberhardt left be- of cultures, rather than the imposition hind records of their travels. There are of one culture upon another. several pitfalls to consider while readThis article is republished with the permission of Fair Observer ing their works. In general, memoir is
wRiTE-wiNg
Women Travelers Traveling women strained conventions of femininity in 19th century England. Keene went against the grain of her time by publicizing her personal life in Morocco. Moreover, she redefined notions of femininity by injecting
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WednesdAY 11•01•2017
Morung Express Learning
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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Choosing the best universities in My idea of Nagaland after 10 years State; the Switzerland of the east.’ syndrome jutted by the increasing India for Degree and PG Courses agaland’ - my beau- Assessing our strength and weak- number of educated unemployed/ Tovitho Nyusou
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s platforms of higher learning- sensible to seek admission in the uniuniversities of India fall under versity affiliating your college. But in case, you are keen as well as the following categories. eligible for specialized study of techni• Union universities or Central Uni- cal excellence there is meaning to conversities in India - constituted in ac- sider inter university transfer. If you are meritorious enough to be cordance with the parliamentary actdirectly under the control of Union loaded with multiplicity of choices; do consider the ranking or grading pattern. Government It is important to avoid states or • State universities - controlled by the provinces lagging behind in literacy, respective state governments. • Deemed university - with the power rather it is sensible going to states advanced in literacy; providing due faciliof autonomy. • Private universities- approved by ties for development of resources. Points to be kept in mind while University Grant Commission- one of the leading affiliating bodies. They choosing technical and management are not eligible to have colleges under institutes for degree courses and higher studies. their purview It is important to keep in mind the • Agricultural universities & technical forums- imparting vocational train- grading pattern; because there are different modes of categorization to set ing and technical knowledge. one apart from the other. Grading patPoints of fundamental essentiality tern is directly relevant to their respecwhile choosing a college or university tive standards. In case one is keen to specialize See for yourself- Rather than go by hearsay, make a comparative analysis of in the so called off beat lines such as different Indian universities. Visit their sculpting, dancing, agriculture and film respective websites to find out about making; it is important to choose instiinfrastructure, management, examina- tutes /universities particularly catering tional details and how much it has to of- to those. fer to your course of learning. Situational details- Location of the rating of universities chosen university also matters because There are standardized methods accordingly you will have to arrange for of rating, leading to their respective necessary modes of communication. categorization. Several yardsticks are Quality of performance- One of the kept in mind so as to rate universities most important yardsticks as it serves on merits of their strength. There are to reflect on the techniques guiding nationalized as well as internationally knowledge transfer. Again in this re- significant standards of rating. Despite, spect dependence on print media and their relative differences, they are dewebsites will help you assess the exact signed to benefit the prospective stupicture. dents seeking admission. Rating is diMethod of evaluation- It is impor- rectly relevant to the qualitative output tant to know if examinations are held on of the university. Thus, it plays an ima regular basis; or political activism disportant role when it comes to the questurbs the same. Facilities for campus interview- tion of choice. Yardsticks/categories borne in mind Technical institutions as well those cawhile rating- In general by means of the tering to general study have been gradfollowing standards universities are ratually becoming oriented towards job ed. Depending on the university's conprospects. This in turn is leading uniformation to the following standards versities to encourage corporate bodies they are either given 'star' rating or to hold campus selection. Keeping this in mind it is important that the prospec- graded in categories such as A, A+, B,++ and so on. tive student keeps track of the same. Points which should be kept in mind while choosing a college/University for pursuing degree course. Criteria for admission. Facilities for scholarship and financial aids. Whether or not the criteria of seat reservation works in your favor. Respective in-house amenities. Relevance of the university in the International context. ways to be judicious and pragmatic while choosing a university It makes sense choosing one of the better ones where you can avail the benefit of scholarship reservation. For students of the average category, it is advantageous if they persist with higher education from the state to which they belong. In case you happen to have graduated from a particular college, it is more
recognition & accreditation Indian universities are duly affiliated by University Grant Commission or UGC. Usually those listed under central, state, deemed and private categories are all recognized by UGC. The body also has a coordinating role to play. Accreditation is also accorded by various professional councils- Several technical and professional councils are there as well. Deriving their respective power from the laws of the land; they serve to co- ordinate as well as authorize the functioning of different technical institutes. For instance, institutes dealing with agricultural study should bear the due recognition of ICAR( Indian Council Of Agricultural Research) (Source: http://www.prokerala.com/ education/selecting-universitiesin-india-for-degree-courses.php)
Quiz #43
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tiful State where majority of the people are Christians. Nagaland is rich in flora and fauna. Different varieties of species of plants and animals can be found in my beautiful state. Life styles of people in Nagaland are complicated to other state. My state is small comparing to other state but our ways of living is so advanced, we the Nagas follow western style of living. Nagaland being under India control, we cannot do our wish or follow our own steps. Lately Nagaland have sign peace accord on August 3, 2015 and I’m hoping for a bright future for my state. Being a citizen of Nagaland, it’s my responsibility to make plans for my state. In a sense, how to make my state beautiful, develop and compete with other states. Being a citizen of Nagaland, we don’t want someone to rule or control over us in a sense we don’t want someone to rule or control of India. If my state gets independent, it will be good news for us because we will open our mind, thinking and the thought and plans how to make it work to be a responsible country. My views about my future planning for Nagaland are full of wishes and beautiful thoughts. A part of Nagaland State Human Development should mainly focus on key areas of peace, population stabilization, national and international connectivity, sustainable agriculture, infrastructure and action oriented missions. I visualized a future Nagaland as ‘An evergreen
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eligibility criteria: Any Indian girl studying in college, between the ages of 17 to 23 years (as of 31st December 2016), i.e. born between 1st January 1993 and 31st December 1999 with a career objective is eligible to apply. Scholarship amount and purpose: The scholarship is a one-time reward of INR 25,000/- and is meant to advance the girl’s career in some way – be it an allowance for pursuing an internship or undertaking a project in the chosen field, payment towards a specialized training program, special equipment, etc. Deadline: 31st January 2017. application Link: internshala.com/i/957
imtinungchet aier Class 10, Maple Tree Dimapur
artiStS We are, who we are. We stand not too far. Our skills may vary, But one mind we carry. We are the bridge, That links the dream world. We are the ridge, That separates the real world. What we seek, Is beyond reality. But what we keep, Are endless possibilities. We are, who we are. We stand not too far. When our minds collaborate, Wondrous things we do create.
The writer is a Class XII student of
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The Naga Tribes Stereotyped
Stereotyping. The act of judging or making assumptions about an individual or groups based on their looks, race, social group, economic status or gender which lead to generalisations. From the mundane to the serious - Methanilie’s songs, conversations over coffee to conferences and business meetings, are we constantly stereotyping each other and our Naga tribes, hence influencing our decisions and responses to one another? Stereotyping can be both positive and negative, and as we read on we see how it has not escaped Nagaland but affected the way we understand the various Naga tribes.
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tereotyping is a way of oversimplifying groups of people and has fortunately or unfortunately a) Nagaland Liberal Democratic Party become one of the easiest ways b) Democratic Liberal Party of Nagaland of establishing an identity. In Nagaland, c)The Democratic Secular Party of Nagaland stereotyping stems from a commonlyd) Liberal Democratic Party of Nagaland held view about a particular tribe or group and this fallacy may arise from 3. who has been sworn-in as the new chief Justice a single incident, which leads to a false of india (cJi)? assumption about the entire commua) Madan Lokur b) Kamlesh Khehar nity. It’s like colouring the entire comc) J S Khehar d) T S Patil munity with the same brush. Whenever 4. a new genus of Horsehair worms (nematomorpha) we don’t have a good understanding of has been discovered by Dr. arun K. Yadav, people or a particular tribe, we tend to department of Zoology, north-eastern Hill make assumptions about them. StereoUniversity, Dr. andreas Schmidt-rhaesa Zoological types are nothing but those assumptions Museum, University Hamburg, Germany and Dr that have become common knowledge. We assume that one’s character and Limatemjen Department of Zoology, Kohima personality are largely shaped by the Science college (autonomous) in tribe one belongs to. But how many of a) Viswema b) Khonoma us agree with the stereotypes about ourc) Kigwema d) Jakhama selves? We need to ask this question before we start stereotyping the other 5. recently two tigers from Thiruvananthapuram Zoo tribes. How does stereotyping affect our were transported to nagaland in exchange for two social relationships at school, work, our a) Black Asiatic Bears b)Blythe Tragopan friend circles, or our dynamics in the c) Three Hillock Gibbons d) Mithun neighbourhood? How does it affect the way we see ourselves and the way we Send in your answers to the Morung Express Office (address given view others? below) or email to morunglearning@gmail.com or WhatsApp/SMS There’s this song composed and @ 7085976283 sung by Methanilie, a legendary singer from NagalandAnswers to Quiz #42 – 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c, 5-d “Kohima te thakia khan nisa lage Winner of last week’s contest: phutani, Thejasetuo Sote, Guwahati College of Architecture Wokha para aha khan chalak, Each week, one lucky winner will be given a prize of Rs. 500. The chalak ahise. Mokokchung thakia khan style winner may collect the same from The Morung Express Office, 2. which regional party was recently formed in nagaland?
Now, within the context of our state, a facet of the idea of development should necessarily include restricting and ramping. Keeping in mind the looming climate of political uncertainty, the present Nagaland Government Political set up is in need of restricting. Further, certain sectors like the Nagaland State Transport (NST) and the kind of service it provides calls for serious deliberation or the lines of privatization. Education as a marker of any civilized society is another sector that requires through systems revamp and work towards building a system that will bring out the best in every teacher making effective use of human resources towards producing quality and qualified students. We may talk about development and its associated patterns but without quality education in place economic dependency
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1. the 1st national information infrastructure (nii) Pilot Project of the country was inaugurated recently at –
b) Meghalaya d) Manipur
Young Voice
unemployable will make matters worse leading to increased corruption and illegal activities in the state. One of the strengths of Nagaland lies in her natural resources but currently natural resources which cannot be replaced especially the Non-renewable resources are plundered at will greatly. Sadly the policies regarding the extraction of natural resources are inadequate thereby the economic performance remain not only poor but has opened the window towards for reaching detrimental consequences. This calls for proper investment policies especially on revenue generation with focus on shifting the pattern of economic development towards manufacturing and service sectors. Industrialization of both small and big industries is another major concern for economic development. The revival of Tuli Paper Mill is an urgent necessity if Nagaland is to revive economy. Another bid challenge to economic development comes from road and connectivity. Proper roads and connectivity ate vital to economic development. Proper roads and connectivity are viable transport system of a lifeline. Well, for all the failed vision, plans and policies, Nagaland is in urgent need of a proper policy transforming visions and developing model into reality. Nagaland should chart out a pragmatic vision plan and not any grand dream.
Internshala Career Scholarship for Girls – 2017
ParticiPate & win a) Nagaland c) Mizoram
ness and the looming threats at the base of the plans, the pattern of development becomes central to this vision document and thereby the need to conceptualize the term development within our context. This brings us to the key areas of development and how we want to develop. As a footnote, a tragedy to development is that, the state general election is taken as the parameter of development and the grand promises fails to go beyond lip servicing and thereby the ideas of development fails to progress.
Thungdeno Humstoe, HoD, Department of Sociology Roughly translated into English, it says Kohima folks have too much attitude, people from Wokha are very cunning, those from Mokokchung are too stylish, and the ones from Zunheboto keep getting into fights. This song gained popularity during the 90s. As a kid, this was the first Nagamese song I learned. Of course, back then I didn’t fully understand the meaning of the lyrics. But as I grew up it dawned on me that this song contains elements of stereotyping. The intention of the singer regarding the idea conveyed is best known to him. Perhaps the singer wrote it based on his own experiences with few people he had come across. Although I feel that he is at fault for generalising all the tribes purely by his own bias, we, however, cannot simply blame the media and Methanelie for producing such content. Listeners have an immense responsibility for judging and filtering the information they hear, see, or receive. We need to use our own values and knowledge to process the message. We popularised the song. We Nagas have specific stereotypes regarding each of our tribes. We can easily find such examples in abundance which are familiar to every Naga. We accuse certain tribes of being sly, while others are double-crossers. We classify some tribes as aggressive, while others as misers. Some tribes we say are unsophisticated, and others dipsomaniacs. Sadly, the list goes on.
fellow tribes chiefly based on our own experience with one or two people, or maybe tend to pre-assume. We habitually depict stereotypes through offensive songs, stories, and jokes, and thus help keep these ugly stereotypes alive! Stereotypes of this kind must be viewed with caution and be avoided at all cost as it leads to treating groups and communities as single entities. In one of the TED-Talk shows, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the Nigerian writer, argues that knowing a single story of a person, tribe, or country can cause misunderstandings, leading to the creation of stereotypes. People are influenced by a single story while remaining oblivious of the many stories that could change one’s perception. What if we see in other tribes and cultures not only what we believe, but the reality? We are so fixated on the narrow-minded perspective. Perhaps, we are victimised by the ‘Ophelia Syndrome’, best described as thinking or feeling a certain way because a person is told so. We fail to think independently due to the presence of social hierarchy and dominant popular culture. At this juncture, when we fail to make decisions based on our own thoughts, we lose our individuality. Though many of us do not openly endorse these negative beliefs, just the mere awareness of these stereotypes can have undesirable consequences for individuals who are being labelled.
Stereotypes have repercussions. It manipulates how we think about a person belonging to a particular tribe and how we behave towards them. “Past studies have shown that people perform poorly in situations where they feel they are being stereotyped”, says Michael Inzlicht, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, in a paper published in the 2010 edition of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. In the article published on the UC Berkely News website, Carol Hyman tells how stereotypes could cause problems in people from early ages. The problem of stereotypes is creating confusion in children as it encourages bullying behaviour that they carry into adulthood. It’s tough to eradicate all these stereotypes overnight because this is how our society is woven, but we can definitely start teaching our children to value and respect other people for what they are – wonderfully diverse. It is important to disapprove stereotypes in any form. Let’s not bind ourselves with chains which aren’t even real. This will make way for a better tomorrow for us Nagas. Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr. Hewasa Lorin, Anjan Behera, Dr. Salikyu Sangtam, Nivibo Yiki,
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WednesdAY 11•01•2017
INDIA
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Indians suffering after 'atrociously' planned note ban: NYT New York, JaNuarY 10 (IaNS): The "atrociously planned and executed" currency ban and a subsequent cash crunch has made life increasingly difficult for Indians, the New York Times has said in its latest hard-hitting editorial criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to check black money and corruption. The daily said in an editorial on Monday that there was little evidence that it had identified black money hoarders or curbed graft in the country. "Two months after the Indian government abruptly decided to swap the most widely used currency notes for new bills, the economy is suffering," the Times said. "The manufacturing sector is contracting; real estate and car sales are down; and farm workers, shopkeepers and other Indians report that a shortage of cash has made life increasingly difficult," it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on November 8 that the high value currency that made up 86 per cent of all currency in circulation could no longer be used in most transactions and would be replaced by new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes. Modi said this was necessary to combat corruption, black money and terror funding. "But the swap was atrociously planned and executed. Indians had to line up for hours outside banks to deposit and withdraw cash," the daily observed. "New notes have been in short supply because the government did not print enough of them in advance. The cash crunch has been worst in small towns and rural areas." "The amount of cash in circu-
Trinamool blames PM Modi for 'demonetisation deaths', to meet Prez
People queue outside a bank to withdraw cash and deposit their old high denomination banknotes in Mumbai. (REUTERS File Photo)
lation fell by nearly half, from 17.7 trillion rupees ($260 billion) on November 4 to 9.2 trillion ($135 billion) on December 23," the Times said citing the Reserve Bank of India. "No economy can lose that much currency in a few weeks without creating major hardship -- certainly not one like that of India, where cash is used for about 98 per cent of consumer transactions by volume. "And while a growing number of people have debit cards and cellphones that can be used to transfer money, most merchants are not set up to accept such electronic payments," the Times said. The editorial said: "There is little evidence that the currency
swap has succeeded in combating corruption or that it will forestall future bad behaviour once more cash becomes available." The government had said that people bringing more than Rs 250,000 of the old notes to banks would have to show that they had paid taxes owed on the money. "Because of those rules, officials had expected that a lot of black money would never make it back to banks. "Yet news outlets are reporting that Indians have successfully deposited the vast majority of old notes. That suggests that either there wasn't as much black money out there as the government claimed or that tax cheats found a
way to deposit their hoards of cash without attracting the government's attention, perhaps with the help of money launderers. "Many Indians have said that they are willing to tolerate some pain in the fight against corruption. "But their patience won't last if the cash crunch continues and the swap does little to reduce corruption and tax evasion, as many economists predict," the daily said. It was the second editorial the Times wrote to criticise the move. Earlier, in November the daily said the demonetisation of high value Indian currency had caused chaos and "was poorly thought out and executed".
New DelhI/kolkata, JaNuarY 10 (IaNS): The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, which has been agitating seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday held him responsible for over 120 deaths due to the note ban. The party said it will approach President Pranab Mukherjee to seekhis intervention. At the conclusion of Trinamool's three day nationwide stir against demonetisation and political vendetta by the Modi government, party MPs will meet Mukherjee on Wednesday where they are expected to raise both the issues. "We are meeting the President on Wednesday afternoon," said party MP Sultan Ahmed. According to sources, besides demonetisation they will also be raising the issue of a "national government" replacing Modi as the Prime Minister. Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has mooted a National Government headed by BJP veteran L.K. Advani or Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley or Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Earlier in the day, Banerjee tweeted details of 122 people who, she claimed, had died due to the cash crunch following the November 8 demonetisation. "Modi, you are arrogant. You are responsible for 120+ (122) deaths," she said posting statewise details of the "victims" including the reason for their deaths. As per the list, Uttar Pradesh, at 32, has the highest number of deaths followed by Bengal with 13 and Maharashtra with 11. Banerjee claimed that in Modi's home state Gujarat, five people have died due to demonetisation. While three of them died in bank queues, a woman commit-
ted suicide after failing to buy food for her family and a bank cashier ended his life owing to stress. Later addressing an event in Bengal's Burdwan district, she said the "Tughlaqi" decision (demonetisation) has crippled the economy and demanded Modi to own up the responsibility of the "demonetisation deaths". "Anyone who speaks out against the Centre is branded corrupt and agencies are sent after them," said Banerjee who has been accusing Modi of vendetta politics following the CBI arresting two of her MPs - Tapas Paul and Sudip Bandyopadhyay - in a chit fund scam. Ridiculing Modi's plan of a cashless Indian economy, she accused the Prime Minister of being a "salesman of plastic currency". On the second day of the anti-Modi stir, Trinamool MPs in the national capital, blamed Modi for destroying the economy and asserted that their fight will continue until he is removed from office. "During demonetisation protests in Parliament, Modi reached out to Sudip Da (Bandyopadhyay), but he refused to meet him, hence, this political vendetta. "Modi has lowered the status and dignity of the Prime Minister's office. Our fight will continue until Modi is removed from office," said Party MP Kalyan Banerjee Protesting in Odisha's Bhubaneswar, Trinamool General Secretary Subrata Bakshi said the party will intensify its agitation against Modi. The Trinamool on Monday launched its three-day "Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao" (remove Modi, save the country) campaign holding demonstrations across Odisha, Punjab, Bihar, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Jharkhand, besides West Bengal and the national capital.
BSF denies poor quality food served to troopers Election Commission warns parties of Speaking in Hindi, Yadav alleged that a gun to an officer. New DelhI, JaNuarY 10 (IaNS): The 'stern action' for violating model code "Considering the situation of his family Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday troopers were served bad quality food and said there was no evidence to allege that poor quality food was being served to its troopers on the border. Inspector General D.K. Upadhyaya said an enquiry by a DIG could not find anything to back the allegation made by a trooper on a video that has gone viral from the Jammu and Kashmir border. The statement came a day after a video uploaded by BSF trooper Tej Bhahadur Yadav went viral, prompting the BSF to initiate an investigation. In the video, Yadav sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention, saying the plight of troopers posted along the cold, hilly border was pathetic.
at times were forced to go hungry. Claiming to be from the 29th battalion of BSF, he accused unnamed officers of illegally selling off the food supplies meant for the troopers. He also posted other videos showing a poorly baked 'chapati' and dal which he said had "nothing except salt and turmeric". Refuting the allegations as baseless, Upadhyaya said officers and soldiers of the BSF were served similar quality of food. He said others, including the cook, would be questioned. The officer said Yadav had in the past been accused of insubordination and faced court martial in 2010 on charges of pointing
and children, the force took a lenient view in Yadav's case. Despite dismissing him, Yadav's service was continued only after giving him 89 days RI (rigorous imprisonment). "Since then he was kept in the headquarters so that he can work under supervision and could not repeat such an act again. "As he submitted a letter for voluntary retirement from January 31 and it has been accepted, he was sent to the post on December 28. He was sent there 15 days ago as some soldiers were on leave." Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday ordered the Home Secretary to seek a report from the BSF over the video.
Indian-origin woman in UK has 4 kids after 17 miscarriages loNDoN, JaNuarY 10 (PtI): An Indian-origin woman in the UK who suffered 17 miscarriages and was told she may never be able to have babies is now the proud mother of four daughters. At the age of just 18, Lytina Kaur, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive cancer of the white blood cells, was given the heartbreaking news that she may never be able to have children. Lytina who is now 32 was told she may never be able to give birth after she relapsed and had a bone marrow transplant.
"I was still quite young when I was told I couldn't have children. I didn't think about it too much at the time and thought I'd worry about it when I crossed the bridge. However, when I got married at 23, it was heart-breaking," she told 'Nottingham Post'. After her wedding in 2007, Lytina, who is from the East Midlands region of England, decided to try and have a family of her own. But before becoming a mother-of-four Lytina had several miscarriages, the first of which happened in 2010 after she conceived twins. Between 2010 and 2012, she
Organ donation awareness drive launched to check black market trade MuMBaI, JaNuarY 10 (thoMSoN reuterS FouNDatIoN): Doctors in India will now get text alerts reminding them to ask families to donate organs of their deceased loved ones as part of a nationwide campaign to solve the country's organ shortage that has fuelled a black market trade in organs. The drive, "Poochna Mat Bhoolo" - which means "don't forget to ask" in Hindi - will target 300,000 doctors and is the latest in a string of awareness campaigns in the country after a kidney racket involving a poor woman was busted in a top Mumbai hospital last year. According to government data, 200,000 people are waitlisted for kidneys in India and 30,000 currently await a liver. Legal donations meet about 3 to 5% of the demand. "Families don't remember to donate organs when a loved one dies, or it's too late by the time they do. So we are reminding doctors to speak to them immediately after a death," said Krishan Kumar Aggarwal, president of the Indian Medical Association, which launched the drive. "Human trafficking for organs will stop if cadaver organ donations pick up." Commercial trade in organs is illegal in India. Donations to a patient by a close relative are allowed but are few in number. Some waitlisted patients, in desperation, seek the services of middlemen to arrange organs for money. Campaigners say the organ supply-demand gap can be bridged if doctors, particularly those in intensive care units of major hospitals, are sensitised to counsel families to donate organs. The "Poochna mat bhoolo" campaign is critical as it would have doctors speak to families, eliminating middlemen. Posters reminding doctors to ask the donation question will be put up across hospitals as part of the campaign.
suffered as many as nine miscarriages before undergoing one free cycle of IVF on the UK's state-funded National Health Service (NHS) a year later, which was unsuccessful. Between 2013 and 2015, a hospital in India made six attempts to implant her embryo into a surrogate - but each ended in miscarriage and the couple gave up. However, she eventually became pregnant and gave birth to her first daughter Kiran in September 2015. The other three followed within months of that. In November 2015, twin ba-
bies Kajal and Kavita were born in India after the hospital had transferred the last four embryos to a surrogate as a goodwill gesture. And in June 2016, Lytina gave birth to Kiyara at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. "In the end, we were really lucky...I love spending time with my kids and I need to make the most because they'll be in school in a few years' time," said the mother of four. She said she goes through a box of 82 nappies every five to six days - and that she has also stopped counting the amount of baby formula and food she uses.
New DelhI, JaNuarY 10 (IaNS): The Election Commission on Tuesday warned political parties of taking "stern action" again violation of the Model Code of Conduct, saying it will not remain a "mute spectator". In a letter addressed to office bearers of political parties, the poll panel reminded the parties that the Model Code of Conduct, that came in force on January 4 when elections in five states were announced, restricts leaders from making communal statements. "...political parties and their leaders should desist from making statements to the effect of creating disharmony between different sections of society on the basis of religion as the same disturb the peace and tranquility of the society which is absolutely essential for free and peaceful conduct of elections," the letter said. It also referred to Supreme Court judgments on the issue. "The Commission will not remain silent spectator if the provisions of law of MCC (model code of conduct) are violated and no one can do it with impunity. "The Commission will take stern action for all violations
under all powers available," the commission said. It asked the political parties to issue advisories on this. This comes on a day when a show cause notice was issued to BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj, who at a religious gathering on January 6 called for implementing the Uniform Civil Code and indirectly held the Muslims responsible for the population explosion. The panel also said on Tuesday that with a view to timely disposal of clearances sought under Model Code of Conduct by various state governments, and to avoid "frivolous references" being sent to the Election Commission and Chief Electoral Officers, screening committee headed by Chief Secretary have been set up in each of five pollbound states to examine each complaint before sending it to the Commission. EC fixes Jan 13 for hearing on Samajwadi Party's 'cycle' The Election Commission on Tuesday fixed January 13 to hear the Samajwadi Party's warring factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav to settle the dispute over control of the
party and its election symbol of "cycle". According to EC sources, the commission has asked both to appear before it on January 13 at 12.30 p.m. "The ECI will hear arguments from both sides before deciding on whom to award the party symbol 'cycle'," the source said. The commission's action came a week after both the factions led by Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh claimed their stake over the party symbol. Mulayam Singh first approached the EC on January 2, a day after he was dislodged as the party chief by Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and close confidante Ram Gopal Yadav at an emergency national party executive meeting. Ram Gopal Yadav approached the EC the next day to stake Akhilesh Yadav's claim over the party and its symbol. Meanwhile, Mulayam Singh and Ram Gopal also met the Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Monday asking him to speed up the process before January 17 as the process of nomination begins for the first phase of polling in the state to be held on February 11.
Unrest in the Valley: "Irreversible Loss" to Kashmir students, says Economic Survey Report New DelhI, JaNuarY 10 (PtI): The education sector has been badly hit in Kashmir Valley during the five-month-long unrest, causing "irreversible loss" to students, the Economic Survey Report has said. "Due to the closure of schools, the academic session got badly hit to the extent that it caused irreversible loss of study and tuitions to the students. The exams conducted by J&K Board of Secondary Education for 10th and 12th standard students covered only 50% of the total syllabus. "However, an option has been given to the students to appear in March (for 100 per cent syllabus coverage) also," according to the Economic Survey Report, 2016, tabled in the Assembly today. It said 31 school buildings were gutted -- 17 fully and 14 partially -- during the five-monthlong unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter, whereas 15 school buildings were saved by employees of education department and local community from being burnt. In 2016, schooling could be conducted only for a period of
four months in Kashmir valley, it said. The 10th class and 12th class exams held in November covered only 40%to 50%of the total curriculum, it said, adding that students of classes 1st to 9th had to be given mass promotion. The exposure to violence and armed conflict reduces the quantity of education attained by children of conflict areas. Main contributories to the lessening of attainment of quantity of education include destruction of infrastructure, fear of sending children to schools, incorporation of youth into armed groups, negative economic shocks to households and forced displacement, the report said. The loss of 50 per cent content of the syllabus will surely have to be covered by the student community itself so that they are able to compete in ensuing entrance exams held at the national level, it said. Around 95 per cent students have appeared in the 12th board exam and 99 per cent students have appeared in the 10th exam in the Valley and decision was taken by the government for relaxing Term-2 examination from classes 1st to 8th.
The total strength of the enrolled students in 10th and 12th classes in the Valley schools is of the order of 56,277 and 31,964, respectively, during academic session 2016. In higher education institutes, where the session started in March, class work could be conducted up to July 8 only and from July 9, the colleges have also been closed, resulting in loss of study of 130 days and more, the report said. This has resulted in the delay in the coverage of 1st semester syllabus and also is resulting in the delayed conduct of 1st semester exams, it said, adding that hartals have also badly affected coverage of other semester studies. Similarly, in the universities in the Valley, the class work at Master level remained badly affected. The class work in medical colleges and NIT was also affected badly, resulting in stress to students and their parents, it said. In the academic session 201617, 84,811 students are enrolled in all government degree colleges in Kashmir as against the strength of 72,000 in 2015-16. The loss of
studies of 130 days and more is "irreparable" and will have to be compensated through conduct of evening classes and additional classes on holidays to make the students have the knowledge in order to enable them to compete with student community at the country level, it said. The level of expenditure during the first two quarters of 2015-16 was of the order of Rs. 26.79 crore, while expenditure during the first two quarters of financial year 2016-17 is of the order of Rs. 48.43 crore, the report said. It further said that Rs. 8.98 crore has been utilised on development of infrastructure of University of Jammu, University of Kashmir, Islamic University, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. The prevailing turmoil and strikes in Kashmir Valley have obvious implications on the implementation of technical education programmes. The impact of strikes has been deep and profound on the educational atmosphere in the Valley, it said. Technical education institutions/ students in the valley were not
able to complete their academic/practical work fully within the prescribed period, it said. Skill-based courses require no disruption in the process in order to guarantee easy transmission of skills. The normal skill imparting process as well as new skill development initiatives got hampered due to strikes, resulting in truncation of initiatives. This may consequently affect the formation of generation's next workforce, the report said. A good number of working days have been lost due to the prevailing strike resulting in non-creation of adequate infrastructural facilities in various institutions and slow execution of new projects/works in the valley, it said. For proficiency and efficiency, the up-gradation of available facilities and equipment used in the teaching and learning in the technical/craft institutes, is a must. But, due to incessant strike, action in this regard got hindered, it said. Closure of financial institutions also led to recording of low financial progress under various programmes during the period, the report said.
wednesdAY 11•01•2017
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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Amid hacking row, pressure builds on Trump to soften his pro-Russia rhetoric
WASHINGTON, JANuAry 10 (reuTerS): President-elect Donald Trump is finding himself caught between his desire to improve relations with Russia and fellow Republicans who are pushing for a harsher response to what American spy agencies say was the Kremlin’s meddling in the U.S. presidential election. The tacit acknowledgement on Sunday by his incoming chief of staff, Reince Priebus, that Russia was behind the hacking of Democratic Party organizations suggests that Trump’s manoeuvring room could be shrinking. Trump has long been dismissive of the U.S. intelligence conclusion that Russia was behind the election hacks, which Russia has denied, or was trying to help him win the November ballot, saying the intrusions could have been carried out by China or a 400-pound hacker sitting on his bed. But following a report from U.S. intelligence agencies last week blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia experts say Trump will face growing calls for a stiff military, diplomatic, economic, and perhaps also covert response after his Jan. 20 inauguration. “The new U.S. administration will need to adopt a significantly tougher line,” said Nile Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington that is an influential voice in Trump’s
US sanctions Russia’s top investigator & four others for human rights abuses WASHINGTON, JANuAry 10 (reuTerS): The United States on Monday blacklisted Alexander Bastrykin, Russia's top investigator and a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and four other Russian officials for human rights abuses. The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury Department, are not tied to U.S. hacking allegations against Russia but to the 2012 U.S. Magnitsky Act for human rights abuses, U.S. officials said. However, the move comes on top of a series of measures taken by the Obama administration in recent weeks to punish Russia for the hacking during the U.S. presidential campaign and for harassment of American diplomats. Bastrykin heads the Russian Investigative Committee, the government body that decides whether to bring criminal charges. Also sanctioned were Gennady Plaksin and Stanislav Gordiyevsky, a state investransition team. Republicans in Congress wary of Trump’s push for detente with Putin could pressure the new president to withhold the thing the Russian leader wants most: a rapid easing of the economic sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Russia experts said. U.S. intelligence agencies say that since the election, Russian spies have turned to hacking other individuals and organizations, including prominent think-tanks, in what analysts think is an effort to gain insights into future U.S. policies.
Washington’s Brookings Institution, which is headed by prominent Russia expert Strobe Talbott, “received a big wave of attacks the day after the election,” but there is no reason to believe its systems have been compromised, said David Nassar, the think tank’s vice president for communications. SHOWDOWN WITH CONGRESS? Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he and fellow Republican John McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, would introduce legislation with stronger sanctions than the ones now in place.
“We’re going to introduce sanctions that ... will hit them in the financial sector and the energy sector, where they’re the weakest,” Graham told NBC television’s Meet the Press. Retired Marine General James Mattis, the nominee for secretary of defence who will face a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, is expected to advocate a stronger line against Moscow than the one Trump outlined during his election campaign.That could put him at odds with Trump’s national security adviser, retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who has had warmer relations with Putin’s government, and with Rex Tillerson, the
nominee for secretary of state, who as CEO of ExxonMobil had extensive business ties with Russia. If Mattis does push for a tougher approach to Russia, that could empower U.S. advocates for strengthening the American military presence in Europe. That could include reinforcing U.S. troops in the Baltic states and Poland, analysts say. NATO already plans to deploy 4,000 additional troops, planes, tanks and artillery to the three former Soviet republics in the Baltics and Poland this year. “There is nervousness about Trump among Europeans at NATO,” said one European diplomat. “Any
grand bargain with Russia would fundamentally change NATO’s course and threaten Europe with disunity,” the diplomat said. “But we don’t expect that. NATO is seeking to reassure Baltic allies, and the United States is a big part of the deterrent.” Some advocates of a sterner response to the Russian hacking say it should include cyber counterattacks, perhaps by leaking financial information embarrassing to some of Putin’s aides and close associates. So far, the Obama administration has refrained from such action, at least publicly, for fear that it could lead to an escalating cyberwar that could threaten crit-
tigator, both tied to Sergei Magnitsky, an anti-corruption lawyer who died in 2009 after a year in a Russian jail. The Magnitsky Act bars Russians believed to have been involved in his death or other severe human rights abuses from entering the United States, and freezes their assets there. Also blacklisted were Andrei Lugovoy, a Russian lawmaker, and Dmitry Kovtun, both leading suspects in the murder of Russian spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006. Litvinenko fled Russia for Britain, where he was poisoned after drinking green tea laced with a rare but potent radioactive isotope at a London Hotel. The inquiry found Lugovoy and Kovtun carried out the killing as part of an operation directed by the Russian Federal Security Service. Efforts to extradite both suspects to Britain have failed.
ical infrastructure such as said, key Senate commitfinancial transactions and tees, including Armed Serenergy transmission. vices and Intelligence, will investigate. TRUMP RUSSIA Experts say the close POLICY STILL A BLUR scrutiny of Russia’s actions Although Trump has will come just as Trump’s said the nation needed to administration starts to “move on to bigger and craft a comprehensive stratbetter things” following the egy on the former Cold War U.S. disclosure of alleged foe. It is likely to be weeks or Russian hacking, it ap- longer before a clear sense pears that Republican and of Trump’s actual Russia Democratic lawmakers are strategy comes into view. unlikely to drop the issue “Until there’s a team in anytime soon. place, until there’s a little McCain told NBC he more organization … I tend wanted to create a select to think we’re not going to committee to investigate the have clear answers,” said Russian hacking, if he can Heather Conley, a former convince the Republican- deputy assistant secretary controlled Senate’s leaders of state for Europe now at to charge their minds. the Center for Strategic and In the meantime, he International Studies.
barack Obama gets a Smoking costs $1 trillion, KabUl twin blaStS: at least 21 ‘job offer’ from Spotify soon to kill 8 million a year killed, 45 wounded in explosions
WASHINGTON, JANuAry 10 (IANS): Barack Obama ends his 8-year tenure as US President in a couple of weeks but he might not be out of a job for long as the world’s leading streaming service Spotify “offered him a job”. Spotify advertised an opening for “President of Playlists”, and said it was looking for someone with “at least eight years experience running a highly regarded nation”, reported CNBC on Tuesday. The opportunity was tweeted by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek on Monday. The streaming service said that the role requires someone with a Nobel Peace Prize, which Obama won in 2009. It further said that “knowing famous artists is a plus”. “Have good relationships with a wide range of artists and musicians. Ever had Kendrick Lamar play at your birthday bash? We’d love to hear about it!,” the tongue-in-cheek Spotify job posting reads. Another favourable characteristic of the candidate is the ability to “speak passionately about playlists at press events.” “Let us be clear, you should be nothing short of one of the greatest speakers of all time,” the job posting said. It follows a quip Obama made recently about waiting for a job offer from Spotify. “I’m still waiting for my job at Spotify … Cuz’ I know y’all loved my playlist,” Obama had said in an Instagram post. Obama has previously curated playlists for Spotify and his list this summer featured an eclectic mix of songs from “Rock Steady” by Aretha Franklin to “So Ambitious” by Jay Z and Pharrell Williams.
GeNeVA, JANuAry 10 (reuTerS): Smoking costs the global economy more than $1 trillion a year, and will kill one third more people by 2030 than it does now, according to a study by the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Cancer Institute published on Tuesday. That cost far outweighs global revenues from tobacco taxes, which the WHO estimated at about $269 billion in 2013-2014. “The number of tobacco-related deaths is projected to increase from about 6 million deaths annually to about 8 million annually by 2030, with more than 80 percent of these occurring in LMICs (low- and middle-income countries),” the study said. Around 80 percent of smokers live in such countries, and although smoking prevalence was falling among the global population, the total number of smokers worldwide is rising, it said. Health experts say to-
bacco use is the single biggest preventable cause of death globally. “It is responsible for... likely over $1 trillion in health care costs and lost productivity each year,” said the study, peer-reviewed by more than 70 scientific experts. The economic costs are expected to continue to rise, and although governments have the tools to reduce tobacco use and associated deaths, most have fallen far short of using those tools effectively, said the 688-page report. “Government fears that tobacco control will have an adverse economic impact are not justified by the evidence. The science is clear; the time for action is now.” HOW TO QUIT Cheap and effective policies included hiking tobacco taxes and prices, comprehensive smokefree policies, complete bans on tobacco company marketing, and prominent pictorial warning labels.
Tobacco taxes could also be used to fund more expensive interventions such as anti-tobacco mass media campaigns and support for cessation services and treatments, it said. Governments spent less than $1 billion on tobacco control in 2013-2014, according to a WHO estimate. Tobacco regulation meanwhile is reaching a crunch point because of a trade dispute brought by Cuba, Indonesia, Honduras and Dominican Republic against Australia’s stringent “plain packaging” laws, which enforce standardised designs on tobacco products and ban distinctive logos and colourful branding. The World Trade Organization is expected to rule on the complaint this year. Australia’s policy is being closely watched by other countries that are considering similar policies, including Norway, Slovenia, Canada, Singapore, Belgium and South Africa, the study said.
Afghan security forces stand guard near the site of two blasts in Kabul, Afghanistan on January 10. (AP Photo)
KAbul, JANuAry 10 (AP): At least 21 people were reportedly killed and nearly 45 others wounded in twin explosions that rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday, news agency AFP quoted officials as saying. The target of the blasts was probably an area that includes government and lawmakers’ offices, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Interior Ministry. The first explosion, carried out by a suicide bomber, was quickly followed by a second, caused by car bomb parked near the same site, he said. Sediqqi said the exact number of casualties remain unclear. Public health ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi only confirmed that three wounded civilians were brought to hospital. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibil-
ity for the Kabul attacks. Earlier in the day, a suicide bomber on foot struck in southern Helmand province, killing at least seven people, said Gen. Agha Noor Kemtoz, the provincial police chief. The target of the attack was a guesthouse used by a provincial intelligence official in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, said Kemtoz. Those killed include civilian and military personnel, and six others were wounded in the attack, Kemtoz added. A car full of explosives was found nearby. No one claimed responsibility for the Helmand attack but the Taliban frequently use use suicide attacks or roadside bombs to target government officials and Afghan security forces across the country.
Huge crowd bids farewell to Iranian ex-president who fell out with supreme leader DubAI, JANuAry 10 (reuTerS): Hundreds of thousands of Iranians massed in central Tehran on Tuesday for the funeral of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, an influential figurehead of the Islamic Republic whose pragmatism led to a rift with Iran’s supreme leader. Rafsanjani, who died on Sunday aged 82, was buried next to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 who founded its system of theocratic rule. Rafsanjani’s policies of economic liberalisation and better relations with the West attracted fierce supporters and equally fierce critics during his life. While many of his opponents turned out to honour him, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed
for political prisoners to be released, some hardliners were shouting ‘Death to America!’. But they didn’t clash. Everyone was respectful.” Some of the chants called for the release of former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi and of Mehdi Karoubi, a cleric and former speaker of parliament who lost the disputed 2009 presidential election to incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Both men refused to accept the results of that election and were placed under house arrest while Rafsanjani, who had backed them, Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. was politically isolated (REUTERS File Photo) along with his family. their close bond, what was formist ex-president MoKHATAMI ABSENT intended by the state as a hammad Khatami. Two separate sources show of unity was clouded An eyewitness told by the chants of thousands Reuters on the phone said Hashemi’s daughter opposition supporters, as from Tehran: “Some were Faezeh, jailed for six months well as the absence of re- chanting slogans asking in 2012 on charges of anti-
government propaganda, had told people at the funeral that Khatami had been banned from attending. On state television’s live coverage, the opposition chants were drowned out by solemn music. As a leading powerbroker, Rafsanjani helped Khamenei to secure Iran’s most powerful position, that of supreme leader, after Khomeini’s death in 1989, and won election as president himself a few months later. However, their friendship gradually turned into rivalry as Rafsanjani, who continued to wield enormous influence even after his eight years as president ended, sided with reformists who promoted greater freedom, while Khamenei interpreted the values of the Islamic Republic much more conservatively.
In his condolence message, Khamenei said political differences had never been able to “entirely break up” their nearly 60 years of friendship. Streets were filled overnight with billboards that showed a picture of the two men smiling and chatting as close friends. “No one will be like Hashemi for me,” the billboards quoted Khamenei as saying, using Rafsanjani’s first family name. KHAMENEI’S PRAYER It was Khamenei who said the final prayer over Rafsanjani’s body in the University of Tehran courtyard where the late president delivered many of his sermons during Friday prayers. Politicians, military commanders and religious figures from all camps
stood behind him. President Hassan Rouhani, the head of parliament, the head of the judiciary and senior Khamenei advisers stood in the first line at the service, while cabinet ministers and the deceased leader’s relatives filled the rows behind them. Rafsanjani’s body, sealed in a metal coffin with his white turban on top, was then brought in procession down Revolution Street in central Tehran, where hundreds of thousands of people came out in cold winter weather to pay tribute. Among those attending were Revolutionary Guards Commander Qassem Soleimani, leading Iranian Sunni cleric Molavi Abdolhamid Ismaeelzahi, several of Khomeini’s grandsons and even a number of Ira-
nian movie stars. Rafsanjani’s death is a blow to Rouhani, whom he had backed in the 2013 presidential election and who now faces re-election having resolved Iran’s long nuclear standoff with the West but shown little of the economic payoff that he had promised. Rouhani’s deputy chief of staff, Hamid Aboutalebi, tweeted: “The glorious presence of people of Tehran in the funeral and their tearful farewell show that they will never forget Rafsanjani’s moderate thoughts and his allies.” Rafsanjani was a member of the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body that selects the supreme leader. His absence from that debate, whenever it happens, means the chances of a pragmatist succeeding Khamenei are reduced.
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wednesdAY 11•01•2017
sports/pUBLIC DIsCoUrsE
NLTA coaching session for 2017-2018
KOHiMA, JANUARY 10 (MExN): The Nagaland Lawn Tennis Association (NLTA) would like to inform that the coaching session for 2017-2018 will begin shortly at Chavino Memorial Tennis Complex, Kuda Village. Interested individuals are requested to contact 8413087643 for further details. This was informed by David Kire, General Secretary, NLTA.
52nd CCSA meet begins
DiMAPUR, JANUARY 10 (MExN): The 52th meet of the Centre Chakhesang Sport Association was declared open by Chief Guest, Tohoshe Awomi, President, Nagaland State VDB Association on January 9 at Cepichozu, Pholami Village under Phek district. The 52" meet of the CCSA is a weeklong event from January 9 to 14 commemorating the running trophies of Lt. Poduyi Dzudo, Lt.Thisayi Lohe, Shri.Vetetso Lasuh, Shri.Cekropa Tenenu, Lt. Nukulu Lohe and Lt.Velakholu Khesoh. Participants will compete in field and track events, football, volleyball and basketball for men and women.
U-15 football talent hunt cum coaching from Jan 14
MOKOKCHUNG, JANUARY 10 (MExN): The Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) will be organizing a “Talent Hunt cum Free Coaching Clinic” from January 14-28, 2016 at the Mokokchung Village Ground for Under-15 footballers. The MDFA has invited all interested U-15 footballers to register for the football clinic which will be conducted by veteran footballers during the two-week training program. The interested footballers are informed to bring a photocopy of their Date of Birth Certificate and submit it to the officials at 2 PM on January 14, 2016 at the venue. The players are requested to report at the venue with their full playing kits. For further details contact the MDFA officials at 9856699423
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
VYO 71st wrestling cum MDCA Tournament Day 6: Zero sports meet underway Boys CC, and Züngamedem CC win Our Correspondent Kohima | January 10
A
four day long 71st wrestling cum sports meet under the aegis f of Viswema Youth Organization (VYO) got underway today at John Government Higher Secondary School Ground, Viswema. Addressing the inaugural function, Dr. Hovithal Sothu, Deputy Director ATI, Kohima encouraged the sports lovers to involve in the field of games and sports with commitment and sincerity. “Be an alert sportsman,” he told the youth. He maintained that in this competitive world one has to stay focus on what they are good, adding “You have to reach to the highest level be it in sports, education and other fields.” Stating that there is no place for mediocre people today, he urged upon the youth to give their best and at the same time asked them to go through trainings and sacrifice to fulfill their desired goals. He also called upon Viswema youth to excel in their respective fields and bring fame and glory to the village. Further, he encouraged the
Dr. Hovithal Sothu addressing the inaugural function of 71st wrestling-cum-sports meet at Viswema on January 10. Morung Photo
youth to believe in themselves that they can do it and become an asset to the village. Earlier, a newly constructed Rostrum as dedicated by Nosezol Valeo, pastor VCRC. The inaugural function was chaired by VYO president Visakho Kiso while welcome address was delivered by VYO advisor Eyosa Kikhi. Administration of oath was done by VYO games & sports secretary Vikekul Sothu. The meet will go on till January 13 with Zhotoho Kiso, chairman Viswema Village Council as the guest of honour. The meet will be marked by football, Naga wrestling, track & field events, volleyball, Sepaktakraw and Bamboo walk.
MOKOKCHUNG, JANUARY 10 (MExN): On the sixth match day of the ongoing MDCA Tournament played at Imkongmeren Sports complex on Tuesday, Zero Boys CC and Züngamedem CC registered wins against their respective opponents. In the first match of the day, Zero Boys outperformed Longmiasang in all departments of the game and won the match by mammoth 62 runs. After winning the toss and sending the Zero Boys to bat first, Longmiasang bowlers couldn't contain Imlikokba's batting exploits who scored 54 runs and helped his team set a target of 132 runs in 20 overs. Yarsen was the pick of the bowlers for Longmiasang with 3/ 14 and Ochijunger and Longsen scalped a wicket each. Chasing the target Longmiasang CC were bundled out for 69 runs in just 15.3 overs . For Longmiasang, Armen top scored with 24 runs while Longsen scored 13 runs. Along was the chief destroyer with ball for Zero Boys who ended with a splendid figure of 6/8 in 4 overs. Wadangren also picked 2/7 in 3 overs for Zero Boys.
The Premise: As a young ‘Naga’ adult, flicking through the scrambled chronicle and genesis of the Naga political struggle, one can decisively isolate the Original Sin of the Naga’s.The traditional Naga life before the advent of the British,centered around gaining prestige, social advancement and public esteembehind the materialistic culture viz., feast of merit, head-hunting, and warfareto name a few. It is an established fact that most of thethen Naga adults were bilingual or multilingual, speaking assorted Naga dialects despite the environment of head-hunting culture with the common perception of a disruptive social order. Each permanently established Naga village-statesmuch like the Greek city-states governed itself independently without interfering into each other’s affairsave for the internecine warfare and feuds amongst individual villages and groups of villages. The customary character of Naga’s original autonomousdemocratic village republics is the hallmark of the Original Sin of the Naga’s. The Arguments: The study of savage life (lower races of man) by anthropologists was part of the mission of the expansionists British Empire with colonies in every part of the world.The general feature of the mind of a savage is held like that of a child which is easily fatigued if questions are asked that requires effort of thought or memory then he gives random answers to spare himself the trouble of thought. As it happens, savages do not react without reason but their reason would often be unusually absurd. Savages are held to be passionately fond of ornaments, all savage races who leave much of their skin uncovered delight in painting themselves black, white, red and yellow which are the commonest color. They studied the Aryans, semi-Aryan and non-Aryan tribes in India and each and every subject race,their history, habits, food, dress, weapons, requirements, weaknesses and prejudices and the mental condition of the savage, understand the motives by which he is influenced to furnish the basis of political inductions and administrative foresight.Nagas were reckoned by the European anthropologists as the ‘Noble Savage’ for having the culture of a purest democracy. The British desired the Nagas to remain in backwardness, to lead the life of a noble savage by indirect rule and keep away the Nagas to form any national identity. As a matter of fact, the independent Naga village self-government failed to resist the British push into the Naga territory beginning from 1824. The British East India Company’s colonial rule tried to keep the Nagas isolated and underdevelopedwith the policy of “non-interference” ordered by Lord Dalhousie. However, to prevent the Nagas from raiding the British subjects in Assam, Cachar and Manipur, the East India Company’s military campaign and expedition into the Naga territory was inevitable. With the economic considerations of the tea plantations, British subjects began expanding their tea plantations seizing the entire Naga forest lands around the foothills of
Assam. TheNagas reacted with fierce resistance but the disunited village-states fell one by one into the hands of the Britishconquerors. The very weaknesses of the Nagas were exploited by the British administrative foresight and divided segments of Naga territory into Assam, Manipur, NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh) and Burma (Myanmar). In the very recent incident of 18th Dec, 2016 where Nagas were attacked by Meitei miscreants in Manipur, there were scores of disturbing comments in the social media making the victims (Nagas) the trouble maker against every neighboring society Meitei’s, Kuki’s, Assamese and Arunachalee. The abject perception of the contemporary general publicwho do not understandthe pasthistorical factsby virtue of which the Nagas are making its rightful claim against the wrong done by the then British rulers. But we cannot blame any of them viz., Meitei’s, Kuki’s, Assamese, Arunachalee or any outsiders since it was the handiwork of the British political shrewdness vis-à-vis the Original Sin of the Nagas.Kuki’s were outsiders brought by the British power to crush the Nagas but the Kuki’s cannot be blamed as they were only dogs of war. They are now part of Naga community and Naga history and history cannot be changed. Kuki’s are the living witness against the forceful occupation of Naga country by the British colonial power and the territories occupied by the neighbors. The encounter of the Nagas (noble savage) with the British government, the dawn of Christianity and the exposure in the First World War, as labour corps in 1916-17to France had awakened the Naga’sexistence into modern civilization. The formation of Naga Club in 1918 gave birth to the Naga Nationalism who submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. When the British Parliament questioned; how could “Savages” who were head-hunters possibly have any form of self-determination? After the Second World War in 1946, on the anvil of unity, tribal councils joined forces to form the Naga National Council (NNC) which was further strengthened by ZapuPhizo, a veteran of Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.From 1918 till 1950 when ZapuPhizo was elected the President of the NNC, the Naga Plebiscite of 1951, the boycott of the first general elections in 1952-53, the formation of the Naga Federal Government on 22nd March, 1956 and the subsequent recruitment and training of Naga Army in China and East Pakistan was the period when the Original Sin of the Nagas wasconquered for about 4(four) decades. The British manipulative occupationof Naga Hills by indirect rule on the basis of Gaonburas (authority on customary law) and Dobashis (paid interpreters) left its detrimental effect of corruption by colonial rule in the Nagasocial order. The absence of codified Naga customary law into formal system for the people to study and establish civil order remains maliciouslybiased. The Gaonburas and Dobashis were repressive instruments of British administrative ingenuity which are illogically still inmaintenance.‘Policy matters’when motivated by partisan politicsleads to destructive consequences and weaken a nation’s determination
and strengthen the enemies.Sidestepping the Naga National Council (NNC) and formation of the Naga People’s Convention(NPC) set in motion thebreeding ground for the Naga elitist club (NNO/UFN/UDF), who wanted the best of both the worlds? Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision (revelation), people perish (society heads in the direction of anarchy)”. Perhaps, the fullfledged statehood of Nagaland on 1st Dec, 1963was founded on the wrong premise by the Naga elitist club and the Govt. of India. The rule of law in the State of Nagaland is yet to see the light of day. Despite the Inner Line Regulation of 1873 (BEFRA), it is a surprising fact to note that the Live Birth and Death by Religion in Nagaland for 2011 recorded by Directorate of Economics and Statistics is higher for Muslims @3589/477 than the Hindus @2906/400 as against the Christians @38819/6004.Probably, theconcessions to illegal Muslim immigrants are the pound of flesh for sheltering, arming and training the Naga Army in the then east Pakistan! Is there a real threat of illegal Muslim immigrants especially the so called Naga-Miasakin to the crisis of the Rohingya people in the Rakhine State of Myanmar?Nevertheless, any movement that fools itself by crafting a policy based on bad evidence will sooner or later face the backlash. The Conclusions: Perhaps, the practical reality is the debates across the board where people don’t want to find the right answer but they only want to win the argument. Their ultimate reason is purposefully other than standing behind the truth but centered on gaining personal prestige, individual tribe’s socio-economic advancement and public esteem - the standing in their community. Back to the basics of materialistic Naga culture or the sinful human nature. The proof of the hypothesis when a smarter, better educated citizenry will not put an end to the materialisticcharacter but be better equipped to argue for their ownclan. However, people across the world had persisted to broaden their vision with devotion and sacrifice to gain nationhood including India,which had the herculean task of uniting 562 Indian princely states. The fact of the matter is that our primitive village-statesand Naga culture could not withstand the test oftime and the very concept of our disunited independent village self-government was the original sin of the Nagas. Nagas had already sacrificed thousands of precious lives on the altar ofsovereignty, there is no need for any more bloodshed. It is high time for the Naga society to gain historicalinsightsinto rationality, yet Nagas still wheel aroundto its original sin in the role of factions(NSCN/IM/K/U/R), (NNC/ NA/A), Naga Hoho/ENPO/NTC etc. The choice and fate forself-determination is within the Naga society, whether to seek outside help from China, US, Russia etc.,or follow the course of M. K. Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The point of politics for Naga nationalism is sound policy fostering more unity and fraternity transcending tribal, regional and village-independence with the civil society wielding clout over the underground factions.
sunep with an inning of 26 runs and Rongsenyanger's 19 runs were the chief contributions for Züngamedem in the run chase. The match went to the last over with 6 runs required with 4 wickets in hand for Züngamedem. The last over was bowled by Kalyen who bowled beautifully but a sloppy effort by the wicket keeper in the last ball sealed Trepuchet’s fate. With Züngamedem requiring 2 runs from the final delivery, Trepuchet’s strike bowler Kalyen delivered an unplayable ball which the Züngamedem batsman Benjung missed completely but the wicket keeper failed to stop the ball and let it pass him. There was enough pace in the delivery and the ball went for a boundary in byes, handing Züngamedem their second win of the tournament in as many games. For Trebuchet Merenkaba , Vickey Ali and Wapangtoshi took 1 wicket each. Today’s Fixture: 8:00 AM - Suzerain CC vs Zero Boys (A) CC 12 Noon - Jovial CC vs Rainbow CC
Reservation Hiccups
The Original Sin of W the Naga’s: A Thesis V.T. Chakhesang
The second match of the day played between Trebuchet CC and Züngamedem CC went to the wire with all results possible. Till the last ball was delivered, both teams had chances to win or tie but a last ball blunder by the Trebuchet's wicket keeper cost them the match and Züngamedem won the match by 4 wickets. It was arguably the most exciting as well as the most intense match of the tournament so far. Trebuchet having won the toss and electing to bat first could not score freely with the Züngamedem bowlers attacking with tight line and length. The bowlers were well supported by the fielders who took some spectacular catches. They restricted Trebuchet for just 96/9 in 20 overs. Imnayanger top scored with 23 runs and Kalyen added a much needed 21 runs to the scorecard. Lipokyapang, Temjentoshi, Funitchiba and Bendangopang took 2 wickets each for Züngamedem CC. Chasing the tricky target of 97 runs, Züngamedem got off to a decent start but lost their momentum after losing some silly wickets in the form of run outs and bad shot selection. Meren-
Jonah Achumi
ith an intense speculation on the ongoing tussle between our civil societies and the state government, and the raging debate refusing to die down on the issue of Women Reservation it has now become a matter of who blinks first. The government making its hard stance assuring that its application will not infringe upon the hard earned rights provided by Article 371A, however, where is their foolproof scheme to ensure this? Is it possible in a state such as Nagaland where customs and cultures are not always precisely defined, and differ widely across different tribes? The state government’s defiance of the people’s wishes to postpone the ULB election and seek clarification can be interpreted as an infringement of Article 371A in itself. The Article empowers the various Tribal Apex bodies to deal with matters concerning respective tribes and areas and undermining such rights by the State government is undemocratic. Who should decide whether Naga customary laws and rights are being threatened? Is it the legal fraternity that advises the state government or the guardians of our rights and customs which is our tribal hohos? It is undoubtedly true that we could not avail the flow of funds from Central Government in terms of development of Municipality and Towns but we should not look upon the funds alone leaving aside the future ramifications. Some people at present have even gone to the point of ridiculing at our apex bodies who are taking the stand on the ground that this reservation act will infringe upon Article 371A which indeed is very unfortunate as whatever privileges we are enjoying today was brought by the blood, sweat and tears of our fathers and pioneers who even gave away their yesterday for our today. Though the Article 371A came along with the creation of Nagaland state, its roots can be traced back to our political movement which resulted in this special allotment. Another aspect which needs to be understood by all Nagas both young and old is that this particular provision was given to us in order to suit our society because our way of life is much more different from the rest of the people of India in every sense of the term. As a result, the special provision of Article 371 (A) which is meant for our people cannot be interpreted like that of the rest of the provisions in the Indian Constitution. We should know also fully well that we Nagas are distinct in all aspects be it in appearances or landholding system or tradition and religion, etc. the Government of India has inserted the provision of Article 371(A) with a view of its historical and philosophical perspectives. Unlike the other States in India, the land holding system in the State of Nagaland is different. In the State of Nagaland, the land belongs to the individual/community and village authority. In other words, the private individuals are the owner of the land. The Government is not the landowner. For initiation of developmental activities, the Government acquires the land from the private individuals by way of purchased / paying compensation. Perhaps, many of us do not realize that this very provision belongs to us Nagas alone and not to any others. What we need to remember is that as of now this provision is the only bond of relationship and the main binding factor between Nagas and Indians and nothing more, nothing less. The 33% Reservation for women is just one component of Municipal Act of 2001 and 2006. With the current election scenario in Nagaland involving corruption, manipulation and brute power, many concerned people feels that women will be compelled to involve in such malpractices, which will totally lead to social degeneration. The dream of the clean elections will become completely shattered once again and remain once more a distant dream than ever before. Though for many gender issue doesn’t matter as long as the candidates who are contesting have the positive answers to questions like- do they possess leadership quality, are they genuinely going to work for you and me and the society, are they going to listen to you and me and truly work for the masses even after they are elected or are they just jumping in the fray because of this so-called reservation. The government would have come out much cleaner and better had this reservation issue done with proper grassroots homework with our tribal apex bodies rather than waiting for the ver-
dict which is yet to be passed by the Supreme Court. The extension of the nomination dates from 7th to 9th January has only invited more wrath and reaction from around the districts. So the big questions again remain for those who filed nominations, will polls be held no matter what? May wisdom prevail amongst our leaders. While the battle rages on let us ponder on some queries on reservation below: 1. Is the real focus of this reservation truly on social justice and gender equality or more on the benefits? If so, what we see are just some higher and upper income classes of women filing nominations to contest the ULB elections. So is this reservation implemented in the real sense? For instance, most of the intending candidates seem to wives, daughters or relatives of former councilors or from affluent background with strong political connections. 2. While allotting reservation in some wards to our women, what about our men in those particular wards who are capable and honest and are worthy to be good leaders? Won’t they be deprived their right to contest the elections because of this reservation policy? So won’t this amount to gender discrimination too? Won’t the reservation policy force the people to vote for some women even if they are incapable, corrupt or not worthy enough to be good leaders? 3. If an issue as women reservation can create such a furor and shake the foundations of our state with almost all our tribal apex bodies and civil societies crying hoarse, creating almost now a war-like situation, why do we remain silent and passive on other burning issues which are deteriorating our society such as the issue of illegal immigrants, bad roads, unpaid salaries, etc? 4. Will the rotation of the reservation seats give dedication, accountability and sincerity of elected representatives which is also one strong argument about the reservation policy. As both the electorates as well as the elected will not be serious enough since they won’t be for long in the service of the people of that particular place. 5. Why don’t the JAWCR as soon as possible set up a consultative meeting with our respective tribal bodies and sort out the whole matter? It is still clear in our minds that this very present state government said that the spirit of dialogue and discussion will solve any matter. So why not organize and initiate discussions/deliberations among the confronting on this beleaguered issue without further delay? The WR bill is one of the most controversial bills ever to implement not just because of gender bias but many feel it will benefit on an elitist group and further aggravate the plight of the poor and the deprived lot. So will our state be any different? Just because one doesn’t support this WR policy doesn’t mean that we don’t love our women-folks. Let us not just get too emotional over this gender equality/inequality issue or bias. Article 371 A may or may not infringe directly at the moment but it will surely open the floodgates of manipulation to encroach and dilute our special provision given by this article which no one can deny. Too much is at stake. The mediocre, incapable or some corrupt women may win only with reservation but the capable, talented and worthy women will win without any reservation on their own terms. True equality will take place only when women feel secure and safe in their homes and not just by mere granting of seats in some urban local body elections. What is most important is basic education, safety and security and above all respect in our homes and beyond. Naga women have always enjoyed a high place of respect in our society. Using development rhetoric and garnering of more funds as smokescreen has not been able to convince our tribal apex bodies so far. Some say this reservation is not about only allotting women some share of seats and can smell of politics but 33% reservation itself is politics in itself since its inception at the national level. Instead of strengthening the party in power before the assembly elections slated to be held next year, this reservation issue has not only deepened the chasms between the state government and the tribal bodies but has further created more divisions and inflicted fresh wounds amongst the partymen while in the issuing of tickets. It has not only seen the exit of some party loyalists joining other parties but affect the prospects of the results too.
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.
Wednesday 11•01•2017
EntErtainmEnt
American hip hop to debut Vin Diesel travelled at Vh1 Supersonic 2017 the World to assemble
T
he organisers of electronic dance music (EDM) festival Vh1 Supersonic 2017 will be adding a hip hop twist to the fest with the addition of Grammy Award winning hip hop artiste Macklemore to the line-up. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, was announced as the second headliner of the fourth edition of the fest via a statement on Monday. Macklemore is excited to play in India for the first time. With this announcement, Vh1 Supersonic has
introduced the hip hop genre for the first time into its line-up. "India is one of my favourite places in the world. Extremely excited to be playing this festival," Macklemore said in a statement. LIVE Viacom18's live property will be held in Pune this time instead of Goa. The three-day festival is set from February 10. Legendary Swedish DJ Eric Prydz will also be making his first appearance in India by headlining Vh1 Supersonic 2017. Macklemore is known for writing lyrics of his songs on themes close to his heart or on meaningful social causes. Source: IANS
Scarlett Johansson and Katy Perry to participate in Women’s March
Multicultural cast
V
in Diesel is back as Xander Cage, in the first xXx movie in 12 years, XXX: Return of Xander Cage. But joining Diesel this time around are a multicultural cast of actors, carefully chosen from all around the world, to give the film a truly international feel. Casting a multicultural group of actors is something Diesel initially started doing on the Fast and Furious franchise, but for xXx he truly travelled the globe to assemble his dream team. “I had been incorporating this multicultural tone to the Fast and Furious franchise to great success and I wanted to push it even further on xXx,” the actor said. “To the point where I wanted to go, not just to all the multicultural actors who lived in California, but I wanted to go into entirely separate film markets. Entirely different regions and celebrate their heroes and their actors.” Among the film’s cast are Hong Kong action hero Donnie Yen, Indian actress Deepika Padukone, Chinese star Kris Wu and Thai martial artist Tony Jaa. There’s also Australians Ruby Rose and Toni Collette, Rory McCann from Scotland and English UFC fighter Michael Bisping. “We really travelled around the whole world that was really very exciting and I knew we were on to something,” Diesel added. “I knew we were on to something special when we looked to the world to cast this movie and didn't just stay to the confines of Tinseltown.” XXX: Return of Xander Cage is set for worldwide release on January 20th 2017. Source: Contact Music
Jamie Foxx attacked, kicked out of restaurant
A
ctor Jamie Foxx was assaulted while having dinner at a restaurant here when a patron approached his table and complained to him and his friends about being too loud. They were later thrown out of the restaurant. The incident took place at Catch Restaurant here on January 7, reports tmz.com. The person reportedly yelled: "You don't want to mess with me. I'm from New York." A comedian who came with Foxx fired back and said: "F**k you, I'm from Oakland." That further angered the complaining person before he came charging at Foxx. Some witnesses said that Foxx fought back, put the random person in a choke hold and took him down, tmz.com reported. Both parties were eventually thrown out of the restaurant for the ruckus. There were several celebrities, including Jerry Bruckheimer, Cuba Gooding Jr, Michael Bay and Nicole Murphy, who witnessed the commotion.
Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400
Source: IANS
J C M Y K
ulianne Moore and Jessica Chastain recently announced they would be pounding the pavement for the Women's March demonstration on 21 January (17), and now a slew of other celebrities has also stepped up for the cause. According to the Associated Press, Avengers star Johansson will be taking part to "make my voice heard and stand up for what I believe in," particularly since U.S. Presidentelect Donald Trump and his administration have been "attacking" reproductive rights for women with their opposition to funding Planned Parenthood and their conservative
Streep vs. Trump sparks Twitter fray
D
onald Trump called Meryl Streep an "overrated actress" on Monday after the three-time Oscar winner publicly criticized him for having belittled a disabled journalist. Without naming the president-elect, Streep, the most admired U.S. actress of her generation, assailed him while giving a lifetime achievement acceptance speech at Sunday night's Golden Globe awards. Her speech received more than a million YouTube views. In it, Streep recalled her dismay at Trump's imitation of Serge Kovaleski, a disabled New York Times reporter, during the 2016 election campaign. "This instinct to humiliate when it's modeled by someone in the public platform by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody's life," the "Sophie's Choice" actress said. Trump on Monday tweeted that Streep was "one of the most over-
YIMCHUNGER & SUMI CULTURAL EXCHANGE CUM TSÜNGKAMNIO CELEBRATION stance on abortion. Pop star Perry, who campaigned hard for Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, is also expected to march in Washington, D.C., alongside the likes of comedienne Schumer, superstar Cher, and actresses Patricia Arquette, Olivia Wilde, Debra Messing, Uzo Aduba, Frances MCDormand, and Zendaya. Organisers estimate more than 100,000 people will join the demonstration, which will take place a day after Trump's inauguration on 20 January (17). Meanwhile, former Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has been appointed chair of the march's
"artist table" to help with the event's organisation. "Since the election, so many fear that their voices will go unheard," the actress explains of her participation. "As artists, women, and most importantly dedicated Americans, it is critical that we stand together in solidarity for the protection, dignity and rights of our communities." Solidarity marches are also being planned around the U.S. and across the world, with funny woman Chelsea Handler leading one such protest in Park City, Utah, where the Sundance Film Festival will be taking place. Source: Contactmusic
Date: 16th Jan. 2017 Venue: Chessore Village
Theme: “Reminiscence of Ancestral ties through Culture” Chairman: M. Khalenmew 1. Invocation 2. Welcome Note 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
9. 10. 11.
rated actresses in Hollywood." His comment sparked a top trending Twitter hashtag #ThingsTrumpThinksAreOverrated with users suggesting other issues he had similarly dismissed. "Being a war hero," tweeted one. "Laws against nepotism," suggested another. "Hamilton the musical," recalled another, while one user added "American intelligence services." Trump on Twitter denied mocking the reporter when he flailed his arms and slurred his speech at a campaign event. His top aide, Kellyanne Conway, said on Monday that the media should pay more attention to Trump's feelings than his statements. "You want to go with what’s come out of his mouth rather than what’s in his heart," Conway told CNN. Streep also urged viewers to support press freedom through the nonprofit Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Donations totaling $88,000
have poured in since her speech, more than the group received in the entire month of December, which was its best ever single month, deputy executive director Robert Mahoney told Reuters on Monday. "This has been a fantastic show of support for the CPJ," Mahoney said, adding the CPJ was not aware Streep planned to mention its work at the Globes ceremony. Josh Earnest, spokesman for President Barack Obama, said Streep had exercised her right to free speech with a thoughtful, deeply felt message. Trump succeeds Obama on Jan. 20. Others, including Meghan McCain, daughter of Republican Senator John McCain, took another view. "This Meryl Streep speech is why Trump won. And if people in Hollywood don't start recognizing why and how - you will help him get re-elected," she wrote on Twitter. Source: Reuters
Time: 10 AM
: Rev. Z. Thsankiu, Executive Secretary YBBA : Shri. Throngso Yimchunger, Convener, Organising Committee Significance of Tsüngkamnio : Shri. K. Lakiumong, President YGBF Cultural Values of Yimchunger & Sumi : Shri. Thsesong, Former President YTC Special presentation : Choir, Kihoto Theological College, Yakor Followed by Blessing: Rev. Shitozu Solidarity Message : a. Shri. Toniho Yepthomi, President, Sumi Hoho b. Shri. K. Keozih, President, Yimchunger Tribal Council Symbolic Exchange : Shri. K. Zungkum, Advisor YTC of Brotherhood Greetings : a) Shri. Tokheho Yepthomi Hon’ble Minister for PHE, Nagaland b) Shri. T. Torechu, Hon’ble MLA & Chairman NKVIB, Nagaland c) Shri. Y. Vikheho Swu Hon’ble Minister for Roads & Bridges, Nagaland d) Shri. R. Tohanba, Hon’ble Parl. Secy. for Municipal Affairs, Eco & Stats, Nagaland Cultural Items : a) Sumi Cultural Troupes b) Yimchunger Cultural Troupes Vote of Thanks : Mr. S. Tsuyihba, Secretary, Organising Committee Benediction : Mass
03862-237226 Ticket Counter (09:00 AM - 09:00 PM)
WWW.BooKMYsHoW.CoM (ID: PLAYBox DIMAPur)
Ward 5 (6) Burma Camp, Landmark - Near J.K Hospital Dimapur. Power House.
Hillstar NOW SHOWING PAsseNGers (3D)
Cultural Display & Tsüngkamnio Feast
NB: 1. One thousand delegates each from Yimchunger & Sumi are invited. 2. All present & former officials of Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC), Sumi Hoho (SH), present & former Legislators and
11:00AM | 05:00PM
DANGAl
representatives from various Organization/Association/ Villages from Yimchunger and Sumi communities are invited to grace the brotherhood celebration. 3. Delegates are informed to bring light beddings. 4. Food and lodging arrangements shall be borne by the host (YTC). 5. All Delegates are informed to reach the venue by 15th January 2017 evening.
02:00PM | 08:00PM
12
wednesdAY 11•01•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Ronaldo wins FIFA's player of the year award ZURICH, JanUaRy 10 (ReUteRs): Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA's player of the year award for the fourth time on Monday, beating his old rival Lionel Messi who was pulled out of the ceremony only a few hours earlier by his club Barcelona. Italian Claudio Ranieri won the coach of the year award for leading rank outsiders Leicester City to the English Premier League title. Ronaldo was rewarded for his performance in 2016 when he won the Champions League with his club Real Madrid and then Euro 2016 with Portugal. Fivetimes winner and fourtimes runner-up Messi was second and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann third. Barcelona said that We d n e s d a y ' s g a m e against Athletic Bilbao would take priority over the ceremony and that none of their invited players would travel, which
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the trophy. (Reuters Photo)
disappointed Ronaldo. "I would like Messi to have been here today but they have an important game on Wednesday and we can understand that," he said after accepting the
award from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. "I don't have much more to say, I think the awards speak for themselves," he added. "I'm very happy and I can say that
2016 was the best year of my career, the trophy shows that people aren't blind and watch the games." FIFA, which organised the award jointly with France Football magazine
from 2010 to 2015 when it was named the Ballon d'Or, rebranded it as "The Best" this year after splitting with the French publication. France Football continued with its own award which was also won by Ronaldo last month. The ceremony, previously held at the Kongresshaus theatre in central Zurich, this year took place in the much more modest setting of a television studio on an industrial estate near the airport. Ronaldo previously won in 2008, 2013, 2014 with Messi second on each occasion. Messi won from 2009-12 and then again in 2015 with Ronaldo second on every occasion except in 2010 when Andres Iniesta was runner-up. Ranieri said he was "crazy" after winning the coach's award ahead of Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title. "I am crazy now," he
said. "What happened last season in England was something strange. The football gods said Leicester must win." Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the Fair Play Award for conceding to Copa Sudamericana title to Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was decimated when a plane taking to the final crashed, killing 71 people. "We did nothing more than what we had to do.... handing them this trophy as a gesture of hope," said club president, Juan Carlos de La Cuesta. American Carli Lloyd won the women's player of the year award for the second year in a row. Mohd Faiz Subri, of Malaysian Super League side Penang, won the goal of the year award for a 35-metre free kick in which the ball dipped and swung in a bewildering fashion to leave the goalkeeper stranded.
Ronaldo lambasts media campaign against him
MaDRID, JanUaRy 10 (aFP): Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he had to overcome media "campaigns" against him to winFIFA's inaugural "The Best" prize for the world's best player in 2016. Ronaldo lifted the award at a star-studded ceremony in Zurich on Monday after a glittering year on the pitch saw him lead Madrid to Champions League glory and captain Portugal to their first ever major international triumph at Euro 2016. However, Ronaldo's year was blighted by reports from an international consortium of media organisations in December that claimed a huge data leak involving 18 million documents showed the Portuguese hid 150 million euros ($160 million) from image rights in the British Virgin Islands. Ronaldo, 31, has strongly denied all claims of wrongdoing. "There were many doubts, many campaigns against me from inside and outsidefootball," Ronaldo told Spanish radio station COPE. "They wanted to hit me from all sides and the truth is The Best was The Best and that is me, so I am very happy. "They wanted me to feel bad, but as I have said 'he who owes nothing, fears nothing in life'. As always, I have shut up a few mouths once again." The Spanish tax authorities have committed to investigating the allegations against Ronaldo and a series of other Spanish-based sports stars named in the "Football Leaks" investigation.
Kerber loses her opening match in Sydney Sharapova to make comeback after doping ban in Stuttgart C M Y K
syDney, JanUaRy 10 (aP): Top-ranked Angelique Kerber lost her opening match at the Sydney International on Tuesday, upset 7-6 (5), 6-2 by Darya Kasatkina in a setback ahead of her Australian Open title defense next week. Kerber, who won last year's Australian and U.S. Open for her first major titles, has opened the new season with one win in two tournaments in Brisbane and Sydney. The Australian Open starts Monday in Melbourne. Kasatkina broke Kerber's serve five times and registered her first win ever against a top five player. She moved into a quarterfinal against sixth-seeded Johanna Konta, who beat Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 6-3. Eugenie Bouchard continued her resurgent run heading into the season's first major with a 6-4, 6-3 win over WTA Finals champion Dominika Cibulkova to reach the quarterfinals in Sydney. Bouchard improved her career record to 4-1 against Cibulkova, who was ranked No. 5 and was voted the WTA's comeback player of the year in 2016 after her title win at the seasonending championship. Bouchard had an early break in the second set, but dropped serve and allowed Cibulkova, a finalist at the 2014 Australian Open, a way back into the match. But the Canadian star broke again quickly and
held onto the advantage, and later attributed her recent improvement to a reunion with coach Thomas Hogstedt. Bouchard had a breakout season in 2014, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open before making the final at Wimbledon. But she has only gone past the fourth round at a major once since then and slipped to No. 46 at the end of last year. After winning back-to-back matches at a tournament for the first time since August in Cincinnati, she will play a quarterfinal against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Former No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki beat Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 7-5 to move into a quarterfinal against Barbora Strycova, who ousted No. 9-seeded Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-3. No. 2-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska had a 7-6 (1), 6-1 win over Christina McHale and will next play Chinese qualifier Duan Yingyang.
In men's first-round matches, Alex De Minaur beat Benoit Paire 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (1), Andrey Kuznetsov was leading 2-6, 6-1, 3-0 when No. 7-seeded Martin Klizan retired, and No. 6 Gilles Muller advanced over Alexandr Dolgopolov. At the Hobart International, third-seeded Monica Niculescu moved into the quarterfinals by beating Kirsten Flipkens 6-3, 6-2, and Veronica Cepede Royg had a 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 win over Andrea Petkovic. At the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, fifth-seeded Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinola lost 6-1, 7-5 in the first round to friend and training partner Joao Sousa, and No. 8-seeded Marcos Baghdatis beat Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-4. Ramos-Vinola, ranked 27, and Portugal's Sousa, ranked 44, are both based in Barcelona and are supporters of the city's rival football clubs and Sousa described their match as "a kind of a derby."
Nagaland fighter wins Gold at Federation Cup Muay Thai C’ship Shührazhüo A Mao Dimapur | January 10
Hemavi Ayemi (25) of Shozukhu Village, Khaghaboto area, Dimapur, has won the 5th Federation Cup Muay Thai Championship, 2017. Trained at The Combat Academy (TCA)-Nagaland, Hemavi represented Nagaland at the Championship held at the Tepesia Sports Complex in Sonapur, Assam from the January 5 to 8. "I thank my friends, my TCA team and my Coach Khriemelie for training and preparing me for the fight. Thank you Jesus for this victory," Hemavi said after winning the competition. He won three bouts en route to his gold medal in the senior division lightweight (under 71kgs) category. He knocked out his final opponent in 1 minute 20 seconds of the first round itself. Hemavi works as administration co-worker at Faith Harvest Church Naharbari, Dimapur. He lives
Hemavi Ayemi (Right) with his Gold Medal at the tournament.
at The Combat Academy gym itself and helps coach its members as a form of livelihood to support his sporting activities. He first competed in Mixed Martial Arts in 2014 at the first ever Yoddha fighting championship event in Dimapur. He has previously won Bronze at the Evolution Grappling Indian Open (Brazilian Jiu-jitsu) tournament in Mumbai and silver at the Nagaland state Taekwondo championships in 2014.
Khriemelie Metha, proprietor of The Combat Academy, said, “I always believe good things happen to good people and Hemavi is among the nicest hearted people I’ve had the privilege to meet. The strength he takes from the Lord Almighty God is truly inspiring.” He also added that he and everyone from the TCA team heartily congratulate him on his much deserved victory. (The writer is currently an intern at The Morung Express)
LOnDOn, JanUaRy 10 (aP): Maria Sharapova will return from her 15-month doping ban at a tournament in Germany in April. Car manufacturer Porsche, which sponsors both Sharapova and the event in Stuttgart, said Tuesday that Sharapova has been given a wild-card entry into the tournament. It will be her first official competition since she tested positive for meldonium at last year's Australian Open. "I could not be happier to have my first match back on tour at one of my fa-
vorite tournaments," said the 29-year-old Sharapova, who won the Stuttgart tournament from 2012-14. "I can't wait? to see all my
IOA apologises, revokes Life Prez posts to Kalmadi and Chautala new DeLHI, JanUaRy 10 (Ians): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has revoked the decision to appoint scam-tainted former chiefs Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as its Life Presidents. In a letter to the Ministry of Sports dated January 9, IOA President N. Ramachandran claimed that the national Olympic body has not passed any resolution to honour the controversial duo. The IOA's decision to appoint Kalmadi and Chautala as Life Presidents invited severe criticism from various quarters with the sports ministry issuing a show-cause notice before suspending the deemed recognition of the national Olympic body. Following the suspension, the IOA has ceased to enjoy the privileges and prerogatives bestowed on it by the government as the National Olympic Committee (NOC). All government assistance, financial or otherwise, to the IOA has also been stopped. However, following Ramachandran's letter, Sports Minister Vijay Goel welcomed the IOA's decision to reconsider installing Kalmadi and Chatala as Life Presidents. The IOC also annulled Chautala's election for a second term as the IOA chief. He too faced corruption charges. Chautala is currently in jail over corruption in recruitment of teachers for government schools in Haryana.
great fans and to be back doing what I love." Sharapova will be eligible to return on April 26, the third day of main-draw
play, which could leave her facing a busy schedule of matches in order to win a fourth Stuttgart title. "I'm sure the fans will be excited to see her play," WTA CEO Steve Simon said in a statement. The Russian will have to rely on wild-card invites to tournaments, including Grand Slams, for a while because her ban means she has fallen out of the world rankings, which only count tournament performances over the preceding 12 months.
Sharapova was originally banned for two years but that was reduced on appeal in October. She said she had used meldonium for years for medical reasons and was not aware it had been banned for 2016. During her ban, she has played in some exhibition events. Known for setting up her own confectionary brand and for an interest in the commercial side of tennis, Sharapova also enrolled in a two-week program at Harvard Business School last year.
Phek Area sports tourney underway Our Correspondent Kohima | January 10
The 27th meet of Phek Area Sports Association (PASA) got underway today at Tuzatsii village with minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Yitahu stressed on the need to promote games and sports in the state. He also urged upon the sports lovers to actively involve in the field of games and sports and bring laurel to the community. The minister also expressed the need for improvement of road connectivity in the area. Guest of honour Kupota Khesoh, ex-chairman Phek Town Council also addressed the inau-
Minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu addressing the 27nd meet of Phek Area Sports Association (PASA) at Tuzatsii village on January 10.
gural function. Earlier, PASA president Vehiivo Rhakho delivered presidential address while welcome address was delivered by Veshehii Chizo, chairman
Tuzatsii Village Council. The inaugural function was chaired by Kevikho Vese, president Lozaphuhu Sports Association. The meet will go on till January 14.
FIFA agrees to expand World Cup to 48 teams ZURICH, JanUaRy 10 (aP): FIFA will expand the World Cup to 48 teams, adding 16 extra nations to the 2026 tournament which is likely to be held in North America. President Gianni Infantino's favored plan — for 16 three-team groups with the top two advancing to a round of 32 — was unanimously approved Tuesday by the FIFA Council. It meets Infantino's election pledge of a bigger World Cup, and should help fund promised raises for FIFA's 211 member federations. With 80 matches instead of 64, FIFA forecasts the equivalent of $1 billion extra income at current rates from broadcasting and sponsor deals, plus ticket sales, compared to $5.5 billion revenue forecast for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. FIFA projects an increased profit of $640 million despite some extra operating costs and prize money for teams. FIFA's six continents should find out by May how many extra places they will each get. UEFA wants 16 European teams at the tournament, which is strongly favored to be played in North America. The CONCACAF region has not hosted the World Cup since the 1994 tournament in the United States.
American, Canadian and Mexican soccer leaders have had informal talks about a co-hosting bid. Africa and Asia could be winners in a bigger World Cup with up to nine places each. They had only five and four teams, respectively, at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Still, FIFA said it expects the standard of soccer to drop compared to the 32-team format locked in for the next two World Cups in Russia and Qatar. The "absolute quality" of play, defined by high-ranked teams facing each other most often, is achieved by 32 teams, FIFA ac-
knowledged in a research document sent to members last month. It made 10,000 tournament simulations to reach that conclusion. Instead, Infantino wants to create fervor and months of anticipation back home in the 16 extra nations which would qualify, some probably making their World Cup debut. FIFA has pointed to Costa Rica, Wales and Iceland as examples of teams which overachieved at recent tournaments. FIFA must break with soccer tradition to make its new format work after an original 48-team plan — with an opening playoff round
sending 16 "one-and-done" teams home early — was unpopular. Instead, three-team groups will replace the usual groups of four to create simple progress to a knockout bracket. However, it leaves one team idle for final group games and could risk collusion between the other two teams. FIFA said it could guard against result-rigging by introducing penalty shootouts after group games that end in draws. Despite the 16 extra games, FIFA believes the current maximum of stadiums needed will stay at the 12 used by Brazil and Russia. However, the demand for more training bases and hotels means developed countries would be better equipped to win future hosting contests. North America is the strong favorite for 2026 because European and Asian countries are blocked by a FIFA rule excluding continents which hosted either of the two previous tournaments. Russia will host the World Cup next year and Qatar in 2022. South America has been focused on a centenary tournament including original 1930 host Uruguay, and African nations are seen as lacking existing capacity and unlikely to fund multi-billion dollar infrastructure spending.
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