July 3rd 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 180

Chennai building collapse death toll now 47 [ PAGE 8]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

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www.morungexpress.com

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Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going Shakira To Close World Cup For A Third Time [ PAGE 11]

Thursday, July 3, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Sam Levenson

Paralegal volunteers urged to serve for justice [ PAGE 2]

March for democracy in Hong Kong [ PAGE 9]

Andy Murray crashes out

[ PAGE 12]

LivinG WiTHouT SAniTATion-i

Lives around Dimapur’s drainage

Morung Express News Dimapur | July 2

Keduneilie (90) arrived in Dimapur from Viswema in her youth. The stream that flows through the heart Online fight spilled over? of Dimapur town, which Oh…So what`s the latest she and her family settled around, was then surscore? rounded by paddy fields.

Her daughter, Kevizenuo (54) was born and grew up here; by the 1980s more people started constructing houses around the stream. It converted into a drain, later to become one of Dimapur’s main drains.

Kevizenuo’s son, Peter (35), even remembers fishing in it as a child. With Dimapur’s growing population and haphazard construction, waste increased while size of the drain decreased. The drain now delivers putrid sewage from all of Dimapur, along with occasional snakes and a gazillion malarial mosquitoes, right into the houses of those settled around it.

Prohibitory orders revoked in Referral and Green Park junctions DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): The Deputy Commissioner for Dimapur has, through a notification, informed that prohibitory orders under Section 144, CrPC, which was invoked in and around Green Park Junction and Referral Junction from 2:20pm, June 30 has been revoked.

The notification stated that this has been done in view of “the situation returning to normalcy.”

NSCN (IM) clarifies

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DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today issued a statement with regard to the “killing” of Athong Yimchunger on July 1. A press note from the MIP stated that “in 2008, the then sergeant Athong committed treason by deserting with three service arms after brutally killing the security commander Lieut. Thouthutho.” Since then, it said that the “Naga army had put him in the wanted list deserving death penalty.” “The killing of late Athong on July 1, 2014 in Jessami has nothing to do with factions, tribe or any ism. However, it is in direct consonance with the treachery he had committed in the past. No self respecting Government having a constitution of her own will tolerate such high level of betrayal to one’s government as well as to the comrades in arms,” stated the note from the MIP. It further appealed for the Naga people in general and the Yimchunger community in particular to “understand us in the right perspective.” “Reconciliation process for peace and unity shall continue but treason of this degree cannot be tolerated and shall not be encouraged by any group,” it added. It is reported that the deceased held the rank of a Major in the GPRN/NSCN.

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(LEFT This family lives next to a drain in Dimapur, which floods their houses to a level that furniture has to be lodged on cupboards and house abandoned whenever it rains. (RIGHT) The flooded drain in Dimapur after a bout of rainfall.

dealing with a bulk of Dimapur’s waste from Forest Colony, Supply Colony, Nepali Basti, Middle Point, Metro Hospital, Circular Road, Khermahal. And like Dimapur, its waste is ‘cosmopolitan’.

“Before you could find needles, saline bottles, gloves, post delivery placenta etc. from the hospi-

tal nearby flowing down.

While the medical waste has now stopped, rubber, tyre material, cans, mobil, etc. from the proliferating garages now clog the drain,” informs Peter.

When it rains, the same drain floods many of these garages forcing them out of work, and their waste into the drain.

FootHill Road: No transparency maintained by the Department

PAcHAsPUrA: SIT arrests one

DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): In the backdrop of piling allegations of anomalies in Government dealings, the Nagaland Steel Engineering Works (NSEW) has brought more details of the FootHill Road related Open Tender to the fore.

In a letter to the Convener of the Nagaland Foothills Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC), NSEW stated that it had participated in the Open Tender as per NIT No. CE(R&B)/TENDER/ FH/2013-14 Dated 8th May 2014, and was the “lowest bidder” with a bid of “5% below NPWD SOR 2013 and with the highest mark in the technical Bid.” Despite being “qualified and eligible” for carrying out the Foothill Road Project among all the “Tenderers,” claimed the NSEW, it was denied the work order. “Clearly, this shows

“Within 10 minutes of rain, water from the drain enters our houses—we have to ourselves clear it up,” says Kevizenuo, showing a long bamboo stick tied up to a pole on her balcony overlooking the drain, almost as a permanent fixture. Her house falls on the lower part of the stream drain, in Churches Colony,

that even in an Open Tender, there is no transparency maintained by the Department,” it maintained.

Further, he alleged that the Firm was informed through some sources that “we would not be allotted the work unless some monetary payments were made to the concerned Minister.” The NSEW categorically stated that “no advancements of such nature were made by us. Needless to say, we were not allotted the work.” The NSEW appended documents of the Open Tender to substantiate its claims.

While stating that the question of “favouritism” towards a particular contractor or Firm on the part of the Committee does not arise, the NSEW admitted that the NFHRCC had “approached the Firm in good faith despite the absence of fund and requested

the Firm to start work the Foothill Road on credit as a goodwill gesture for the Nagas as a whole.”

“It was in this spirit and not for any selfish purposes that the Project was taken up. When the question of Open Tender arose, as already stated above, we duly applied through the same in all earnestness and honesty,” noted NSEW in the letter.

The NSEW also brought to light how Road Tenders were recently awarded in and around Dimapur, Phek Town Road, the 300 Crore SPA Projects in ENPO areas through Table Tender and not through Open Tender by the Department. It further asked for the application of the “same yardstick” to the scrutiny of the above mentioned projects carried out through “the Table Tender and Backdoor methods.”

Lumami | July 2

The Nagaland University is in crisis, and this time it’s of the watery kind.

A post on a social networking site by a concerned student about the scarcity of water at the girls’ hostel of the University Headquarters at Lumami sparked heated discussion among concerned citizens.

The post highlighted the plight of the boarders at the hostels over scarcity of water over the past few weeks. There are five girls’ hostels at Lumami, including a hostel for Research Scholars; however, most of them face water scarcity.

The Morung Express visited the NU Headquarters and interacted with some students.

“We mostly get water once a week, or rarely, twice a week,” informs a student and hostel-boarder from the University. “Sometimes we have to buy water, or else survive even a day without drinking water!”

With the onset of the monsoons, or perhaps due to heated debated on the internet, the boarders disclosed that they are now receiving water. But no one is optimistic of how long this good fortune will last.

“Even the quality of water is very poor,” laments another student, adding that the water meant for bathing and washing is often full of insects and even snakes.

A visit to the wells near the girls’ hostel revealed ‘yellowish water’ gathered inside the concrete wells.

One boarder described it as ‘cow urine’. When the rain becomes scarce, and the taps run dry – the boarders have to fetch water from these wells.

There are cases of some female boarders getting rashes after using the water fetched from these wells. Sources have suggested that the Nagaland University has already spent an amount of Rs 1.10 crore for water supply to the campus.

“Scarcity of water is just an excuse as there could be alternative solutions, like a bore well or Syntex (plastic tanks) for water harvesting. Why can’t they provide it? I sincerely request the authorities to look into this problem,” said a student and boarder. The boarder expressed sym-

laka jhamela’ shouts someone—it the only thing on their mind.

“I cannot sleep at night every time it rains lest my house floods,” says Wahida Begum (32), who lives in a kaccha structure right next to the drain, whose children are “always itching”. Her house floods to an extent that she has to abandon it

KK Paul sworn in as nagaland Governor

DIMAPUR, JULY 2 (MExN): One person was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the killing of nine persons, whose bodies were recovered at Pachaspura, Chumukedima on January 3, 2014. Sources informed that the arrest was made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) who is investigating the case. It was informed that the SIT had been tracking the accused for a few days and was finally apprehended near the Dimapur DC’s office at around 11:00am on July 2. An amount of Rs 20,000 was also recovered from his possession. According to sources, the accused holds the rank of a Captain in one of the Naga Political Groups. It may be noted that three other persons were arrested in connection with the case earlier Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang presenting a gift to this year, enabling police Nagaland state Governor, Dr. Krishan Kant Paul during the to establish the identity of reception programme in Kohima on July 2. (Morung Photo) More news on page 5 those suspected to be behind the killings. expressing his commitment Chizokho Vero to discharge his duties with Kohima | July 2 fairnessandasenseofjustice.

Stating that peace is Meghalaya Governor, Dr Krishan Kant Paul was today essential for growth and sworn in as the Governor of prosperity, the Governor Nagaland state in the pres- stressed on the need to faence of Chief Minister, TR cilitate a conducive social Zeliang, Nagaland Legisla- environment, to enable pathy for fellow boarders tive Assembly (NLA) Speak- willing participation of all from other districts who do er, Chotisuh Sazo and sev- sections of society, for innot have a relative or friend eral other dignitaries here at clusive development.

“We need to ensure the in the nearest town – Mo- Raj Bhavan.

Justice T Vaiphei, Judge, highest standards of govkokchung.

“For us, we can go to our Guwahati High Court ad- ernance keeping in view relatives’ and stay there, ministered the oath of the the interest of our people but for my friends who office to Dr Paul at a swear- in mind. In this, the intercome from other districts, ing-in-ceremony here at ests of the poor have to be they have to undergo great Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan. supreme,” Dr. Paul said. difficulties at the hostels Later, he visited the 2nd Describing Nagaland as a beautiful state, he cited the World War cemetery. due to water scarcity.”

On taking office, 65 year Hornbill festival as an exWhile there might be water available now, old Paul assured that de- ample of unity in diversity boarders remain appre- spite being here for only a in the state. “Its green cover, hensive that if the Uni- brief tenure, he would up- water resources, mineral versity officials don’t do hold the traditions of “this wealth, bracing climate, tosomething about the wa- exalted position,” and will gether with the capacities ter problem then they will work for the principles that of its people, can energize have to undergo the same are sacred to democratic the dynamics of the state economy,” he added. He hardship as before, given values. the fact that the monsoon “The oath that I have just also stressed on the imporrains will recede in the next taken enjoins me to uphold tance of science, technolfew months and the infa- the Constitution of India, and ogy and innovation, which mous water scarcity prob- todevotemyselftotheservice he stated will contribute lem in Nagaland will show and well being of the people in building a knowledgeits face once again. of Nagaland,” he said, further based society.

nU lumami: residents affected by scarcity and poor quality of water Morung Express News

Every evening, by 6pm, the stench and mosquitoes arising from the drain force adults and children into their houses—preferably into a mosquito net.

Repellents don’t work; malaria and skin diseases are omnipresent. Residents are excited as someone approaches to speak to them about the drain—‘nalla

for a relative’s place if the rain gods decide to be kind.

Dr. Hesheto Chishi’s (43) backyard is basically stagnating sewage that flows in from the drain, and his children continually suffer from fever and diarrhea. “The only good water source in the area, our ring well, is now polluted and we are forced to buy water,” laments Dr. Chishi, who tries to keep the drain clean with a long hook.

Metro Hospital, at close quarters, employs people to clean their part of the drain. “This hospital has been here for 17 years but in the last few years, our basement that houses our nurses and a godown gets flooded whenever it rains,” informs a doctor from the hospital. Patients increasingly come in with water borne diseases, malaria, gastroentitis cases—vomiting and loose motion— that, the doctor feels, is an effect of the overall poor and filthy drainage systems of Dimapur.

While the Government of Nagaland makes numerous big leaps towards a process of ‘urbanization’, it has seemingly forgotten to look at its urbanscape.

‘We need to ensure the highest standards of governance’

Profile of Dr. Krishan Kant Paul After demitting office of Commissioner of Police, Delhi in July 2007, Dr Krishan Kant Paul took up a Constitutional position as member of the Union Public Service Commission. He has over 42 years of experience in administration, law & order and security intelligence at top levels in the government. He also served as Chief of Police in Arunachal Pradesh for over 2 years.

He has worked in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He was responsible for revamping VIP security set up in Delhi Police and as part of the IB, Dr Paul was in charge of the PM’s security set up and all SPG protectees.

He was the Chief Security Coordinator for the SAARC Summit hosted by India in 1995 and has had liaisons with security and intelligence organizations of over 20 countries for the PM’s foreign visits.

He also investigated the assassination case of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and has been credited for uncovering one of the biggest match fixing controversies in international cricket, involving former South African skipper, Hansie Cronje.

He has worked as Director, SIT Venkatswamy Commission of Inquiry and Phukan Commission of Inquiry into Tehelka matters.

His Ph.D thesis in Fluorine chemistry has resulted in 15 research publications, of a technical nature, in international scientific journals of repute. Dr Paul was involved in the recent changes in the UPSC for the examinations and selection procedures for the civil services.

Having worked as Superintendent of Police in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, he undertook intensive tours and established fresh channels of communications with tribal communities.

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Dimapur

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The Morung Express C M

Paralegal volunteers urged to serve for justice

Dimapur, July 2 (mExN): The three days training programme, paralegal volunteers of Nagaland commenced at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on July 2. A press release informed that the inaugural session was graced by the Justice HK Sema, (Rtd.) Judge, Supreme Court of India & Former Chairman, State Human Rights Commission, Uttar Pradesh as the chief guest.

In his address Sema said, “Judiciary and its concept of law is still very new to the tribal people including the Nagas who have experienced the concept only in recent times.” He said that being one of the first legal practitioners, he struggled as a lawyer financially where common people including officers would come for consultation on legal matters and leave without any fees for the services.

He said the paralegal volunteers are a bridge between the common people and the courts of justice.

Training of Paralegals in the North East, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir

The Article 14 of the constitution of India talks about equality, he however lamented that, due to huge gap between the poor and the rich, there is no equality before the law. He said, “Most people have no access to justice, not because they have no right, but because they are poor and ignorant.” Hence, by the 42nd Amendment, the Article 39 (A) of the Constitution of India was incorporated to provide free legal aid to the marginalised sections, so that everyone can have access to justice.

He challenged the Paralegal Volunteers (PLVs), educated Nagas and legal fraternity to be the voice of the voiceless and the speech of the speechless, if not nobody will.

He encouraged the educated lots to know the law to help people access to justice. He said, Article 21 of

the Constitution of India has been interpreted by the Supreme Court in its right intent that Right to life and Personal Liberty is incomplete without ‘Dignity’, hence, dignity means, having access to basic amenities to life.

Encouraging the lawyers to work hard, he said, “In the legal profession your function is your certificate and you don’t need any other certificate”.

He further said, “It is always better to learn from experience with hard work”. He challenged the Judicial Officers not to delay justice. He said, “Justice delayed and kept in cold storage is injustice”. He also advised the judicial officers not to be overly ambitious, but be impartial in exercising their independent jurisdiction empowered by law, because in the process of being overly ambitious,

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“you become timid in your dispensation of justice”. Finally, while expounding the role of the government in dispensation of justice, he said, “Governance is not rule of man, but the rule of Law”.

The welcome address was delivered by Ajungla, District & Sessions Judge, Dimapur, keynote address

by Namrata Chada, Team leader, CLAP and Vote of thanks by Bhawani Nayak, CLAP. The program was chaired by Joshua Sheqi, Advocate, Retainer Counsel for Nagaland State Legal Services Authority.

Committee for Legal Aid to Poor (CLAP) in collaboration with the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) organised the programme supported by the Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India. The technical sessions on ‘Understanding the Concept of Paralegal Volunteer’ was led by Geetanjali, Project Manager, Ac- Nagaland chief secretary, Banuo Z Jamir, ‘turning the sod’ at the site of the proposed Recess to Justice Project, Ministry of gional Institute of Paramedical Sciences at Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research Law & Justice, New Delhi.

(CIHSR) campus, Dimapur, on Wednesday. (Morung Photo)

SHG Bank linkage cum Suruhuto sub-div departmental coordination meeting held workshop conducted Suruhuto, July 2 (Dipr): All the Head of the Department under Suruhuto sub division held a departmental coordination meeting along with NGO's and political parties in the office of SDO (C), Suruhuto.

Under the chairmanship of SDO (C) Humtsoe, it was decided to make

mandatory that all HODs should be stationed in their place of posting and it was also decided that meeting of all HODs, NGOs and political leaders will be held once in two months.

SDO PWD (R&B) Hekiye gave a brief account of the ongoing road widening, and said that 25% work of the widening road has been

completed. He requested the administration, NGOs and public leaders to assist their department in the ongoing road widening in Suruhuto area.

Adhoc Town Council was entrusted with the task to check the encroachment of road and drainage in and around Suruhuto town.

Assistant Headmaster

GHS Suruhuto Hotoshe Awomi, pointed out the grievances on shortage of teachers and apprised in the meeting that replacement has not been done to the post who left on promotion as JEO. He also requested the government to complete the fencing around the school which is yet to be completed, to

safeguard the land and property of the school.

In the meeting, it was directed that the meter reader of electrical department should be stationed regularly so that the problems of collection/payment of electric bill is not awaited.

The meeting ended with a progressive approach for the betterment of the area.

NU dept of geology informs C M Y K

SLBC Sub-Committee meeting on Bank Linkage and Workshop being held at SIRD with V. Sakhrie, Chairperson, SLBC sub-committee and Commissioner & Secretary, RD, Government of Nagaland as chairman.

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Kohima, July 2 (mExN): Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) conducted a State level bankers’ subcommittee on SHG Bank linkage cum workshop on June 27 in the Conference Hall of SIRD. V Sakhrie, Chairperson, SLBC Sub-Committee chaired the programme and Commissioner & Secretary RD, senior level officers from SBI and NABARD and Branch Managers from Kohima District were present in the meeting. Resource persons from the National Mission Management Unit, NRLM, Rajan Babu, National Mission Manager and Sourav Roy

Mission Manager emphasised on NSRLM as being a demand side and Banks as supply side.

The objectives and bank linkages and roles of NSRLM were clearly explained and presented in power point presentation by the Ministry of Rural Development team. Resource persons also advised the bankers to avail the opportunities of business venture with the NSRLM in the interest of poor and at the same time avail benefit through interest subvention. The meeting also discussed various issues with the bankers to facilitate the SHGs. The Mission will sponsor exposure visit

for all the resource block bankers to project sites in Andhra Pradesh, for which the date and time will be initiated and fixed

by SMD, State Rural Livelihood Mission.

It may also be mentioned that a Refresher Course was conducted by NMMU/MoRD for the Block teams of State Rural Livelihood Mission(SRLM),Nagaland, for imparting soft skills on communication and facilitations at ATI Kohima.

Simultaneously, a Management Information System(MIS) Refresher Training was held for the District Teams by SRLM/ SMMU.

Kohima, July 2 (mExN): The department of Geology, Nagaland University is going to conduct a written test for admission to 1st Semester M.Sc. Geology Program 2014-16. All the eligible candidates are hereby informed to appear in the written test scheduled on July 9 at 11 am in the Department of Geology, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema. The list of eligible candidates will be available on the notice board of the Department on July 7. In case of any inquiry, the candidate may contact Dr. Santosh K. Singh Head, Department of Geology @9436604764.

T.C. Sangtam assigned additional charge Kohima, July 2 (Dipr): Commissioner & Secretary DUDA, T.C. Sangtam has been assigned additional charge of Commissioner & Secretary to Governor Nagaland, Raj Bhavan w.e.f. 30th June 2014.

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District Agriculture Officer and field staffs along with ATMA Kohima functionaries conducted capacity building cum demonstration on SRI (System of Rice Intensification) at Vürie on July 1.

Lawyer-activist Sarachandra Bose’s Bharat Yathra to reach Kohima

Kohima, July 2 (mExN) : Creating a groundswell of support against the evils of casteism, the 40-day-long Bharat Yathra, led by eminent lawyer and social activist K K Sarachandra Bose, will reach Kohima tomorrow (04 July). The Yathra, flagged off from Thiruvananthapuram on June 9, has been receiving an enthusiastic response from all sections of the society.

Along with a team of 34 volunteers, the sexagenarian has been addressing people and freely distributing copies of his book, “ Caste Away! India, Hinduism & Untouchability”, all along the way to root out the deep old malady from the nation. The Yathra is coming from Itanagar to

Kohima and it will proceed to Imphal as its next stop.

The Yathra has so far covered places like Port Blair, Trivandrum, Nagercoil, Puducherry, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Pune, Mumbai, Daman, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Kolkatta, Ranchi, Gangtok, Guwahati and Itanagar. It will be covering a total distance of 14,000 km before culminating in Delhi, mid-July.

Dubai-based Bose (62), who hails from central Travancore in Kerala, has already served a mandatory notice on the Government of India to eradicate the caste system by this calendar year. The notice comes in the form of his 208-page book he brought out in No-

vember 2013.

A native of Mezhuveli in Pathanamthitta district, Bose has been practising law in the Gulf for over three decades and is a member of the International Bar Association. All along his Bharat Yathra, he is carrying over 10,000 copies of the book -- for free distribution. The book, which is supported by 40 years of research, has already been handed out to the President of India, the Prime Minister, all Members of Parliament, besides chief ministers, legislators, judges of the Supreme Court as well as several High Courts and lower echelons of the judiciary. It has also gone to the UN Secretary General, Heads of States of different countries, intellectuals and

mediapersons.

The Yathra, which is covering all state capitals and holding meetings in another 35-odd cities and towns, is a completely selfsponsored initiative of the activist.

Bose, who is a partner of a leading legal consultancy firm in Dubai, is a member of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association and Karnataka Bar Council. He is also associated with the Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Dubai, is a visiting professor in International Business Law and a legal columnist in several publications. He chairs Global Dialogue Foundation and the “Unity in Diversity” under the auspices of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

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Anti-Malaria month observed in Mokokchung

moKoKchuNg, July 2 (mExN): With an aim to eradicate the most common and life threatening disease Malaria, the month of June 2014 was observed as anti-malaria month in the district along with the rest of the world.

Rotary Club Kohima members alongwith the inmates of Kohima Old Age Home during the A campaign programme observation of Rotary Annapoorna Day on July 1. was carried out successfully in 15 villages around the district. Awareness was given on the preventive and control measures of malaria, and health issues related to

malaria. Health personnel were given training on the skills and knowledge of malaria to update themselves in rendering their duties effectively.

Leaflets, posters, folders etc were also used in the campaign. The team was lead by DMEIO, IEC personnel, Malaria Surveillance workers and the respective Malaria Inspectors.

Malaria surveillance workers collecting blood slides

Exclusive ‘Schema’ extension opened in Kohima Our Correspondent Kohima | July 2

An exclusive ‘Schema’ extension was opened here this morning at Old MLA Hostel Junction, Phoolbari, Kohima. It was inaugurated by Pastor Neisalie Rossi, Midland Baptist Church in the presence of several well wishers. Located between Oking Hospital and Viliethie Complex, this new ‘Schema’ extension run by Imkong Longkumer as proprietor, deals men’s, ladies and kid’s wear including accessories and gift items. It also offers discount sale.

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Rotary Club of Dimapur launched its first community service program to mark the beginning of Rotary Silver Jubilee year celebration with Annapoorna Day on July 1. The camp was conducted at the premises of Dimapur railway station where the club provided food to about 500 people comprising especially street children and low income group people.

Pastor Neisalie Rossi and proprietor Imkong Longkumer and others during the inauguration of an exclusive ‘Schema’ extension at Old MLA Hostel Junction, Phoolbari, Kohima on July 2. (Morung Photo)

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REgional

The Morung Express

UNC to begin consultations today SeNAPATI, JuLy 2 (NNN): The United Naga Council (UNC) is all set to begin its series of meetings and consultation programmes from Thursday, July 3, at Senapati town.

Sources said today that the UNC meet involving all the Naga tribe presidents and tribe body executives will also dwell heavily on "Land issues" in Manipur. However, the main theme will be the Alternative Arrangement (AA) demanded by the Nagas of Manipur under the aegis of the UNC outside the government of Manipur. The

sources also said on July 5 a serious consultation will be there on issues and the next course of action to press for the UNC demands.

Earlier, the UNC had decided to convene a high power meeting on June 21 at Senapati district headquarters but postponed due to what the UNC called 'unevitable.'

On May 6 at Mao Gate, UNC president L Adani had said that the Government of India would place a "special committee" or high level committee to examine the 'Alternative Arrangement'

for the Nagas of Manipur after the 16th Lok Sabha election process got over.

"The Government of India must exercise its political will and commitment to bring this process to its logical conclusion. We will continue to vigilantly engage with it and with sincerity, seriousness and in good faith in the democratic process of dialogue," L Adani had stated. He then strongly urged the Naga people to believe in the position that "we have taken as a people at this crucial phase of history."

It can be recalled here that on February 6, the United Naga Council (UNC)'s demand for the 'Alternative Arrangement' for the Nagas of Manipur was elevated to a 'political level'.

The 7th round 'tripartite talks' involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC) was held at Senapati on February 6, 2014. That day's development was significant because the previous six rounds were mere meetings of UNC leaders with the bureaucrats for which reason

the Naga body was fuming.

The UNC had expressed then that the February 6 talk was a cordial one although no concrete decision was arrived at.

Shambhu Singh, Home Secretary (NE- in Charge), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) led the Government of India’s delegation during the February 6 talks. The ministerial team of the Manipur Government was led by Govindas Konthoujam, Industries Minister, Francis Ngajokpa, Minister Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and N. Biren, MLA.

Northeast Briefs Mizoram wants Rajnath's help to TSA threatens 72-hour Manipur bandh IMPHAL, JuLy 2 (NNN): Thadou Students Association-General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) has threatened to impose a state wide 72 hour bandh from the midnight of July 6 if the state government fails to terminate Chaba Lukho, the Commanding Officer (C.O) of the 7th IRB from his post by July 6. Addressing media persons here at Manipur Press Club today, general secretary of TSAGHQ James Haokip and vice president Vum Khongsai said that Lukho continues to show indifference and callous attitude to the accident victims incurred by his convoy on June 16 between Koirengei and Khonghampat in north Imphal. The TSA-GHQ leaders alleged that on the fateful day, the convoy hit the Alto car and sped away without bothering to halt and see what had happened.

In the accident six occupants of the car including a 3 year old boy was hurt. They got treated at hospital in Imphal. Irked by the attitude of Lukho, the TSA-GHQ submitted a memorandum to Manipur home minister Gaikhangam demanding that the IRB officer be terminated from his post by July 6.

Jaitley agrees to integrated package for border areas ITANAGAR, JuLy 2 (PTI): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has agreed to an integrated package to usher in holistic development in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, an official release said here on Wednesday. The offer comes in the wake of Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki’s appeal for a special impetus for the development of border areas in the state to check urban migration, a press release from the Chief Minister’s office (CMO) said. Jaitley, who also holds the Defence and Corporate Affairs portfolio, conveyed the message to Tuki when he met him in New Delhi yesterday, the release said. The chief minister has laid special emphasis on boosting connectivity and the enhancement of administrative and basic essential services in the border areas, the release said. The Finance Minister assured the CM that he would take up the border roads development issue with Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to expedite the completion of various projects. The Finance minister also said that he would take measures to connect the 10 un-connected administrative centres to expand the scope of public delivery services in the state, the release said. While discussing the fiscal condition of the state, Jaitley assured all possible help from his side with respect to the release of pending TFC (Thirteenth Finance Commission) funds and other financial support due to the state. In accordance with the PM’s positive response regarding the matter of a separate window of domestic funding in lieu of projects funded by external agencies like ADB and World Bank, the minister assured to resolve the matter on priority to compensate the state, the release added. It said Jaitley would visit Arunachal Pra desh along with the Chief of Army Staff after the Parliament session. The union minister would also visit Tawang to inaugurate the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) at Dirang.

Presbyterian Church opposes relaxation of prohibition in Mizoram AIZAWL, JuLy 2 (PTI): Mizoram Synod of the Presbyterian Church of India, the largest church in the state, today protested the recent proposal of the state government to relax prohibition in the state. Posters would be displayed in Aizawl city protesting the proposal of the state government and letters would be sent to the chief minister and excise and narcotics minister not to introduce the proposed bill to relax prohibition, senior Executive Secretary of Mizoram Stunod Rev. Lalzuithanga said. The church also proposed to take out a procession if major non-governmental organisations - the Young Mizo Association (YMA), the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or women's federation and Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) or elders' association agreed to support the church in the issue. The proposed "Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Bill, 2014" has been endorsed by the ruling Congress Legislature Party and the Council of Ministers and is set to be introduced and deliberated in the state assembly on July 10.

resolve border row with Assam

AIZAWL, JuLy 2 (IANS): Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has sought union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's intervention to resolve the Assam-Mizoram boundary dispute, an official said here Wednesday.

"The chief minister met the union home minister in New Delhi Saturday and requested him to intervene in the long pending boundary dispute with Assam," said an official of the Mizoram government speaking on condition of anonymity. He said Rajnath Singh, as president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during an election campaign before the 2013 assembly polls in Mizoram,

NEC reviews projects SHILLoNG, JuLy 2 (DIPR): Two meetings were held in the NEC Secretariat, Shillong on July 1.

The first meeting was held to review all on-going projects supported by NEC and the second meeting was held to discuss the preparation of regional plan for Industries Sector under the chairmanship of Ameising Luikham, Secretary, NEC. The meeting was attended

by State Government Officials and representatives from CII, ICC and FICCI. Industr ies S ector has 34 ongoing projects.

These includes 3 from Arunachal Pradesh, 3 from Assam, 3 from Manipur, 2 from Meghalaya, 4 from Mizoram, 3 from Nagaland, 2 from Sikkim, 3 from Tripura & 11 regional projects.

NEC Secretary Ameising Luikham mentioned that NEC will focus on industries which have a competitive advantage and also based on the locally available resources.

The region has strengths in agro processing industry and handloom and handicrafts. He said that there is scope for NEC and NSIC to work together for the unemployed youths.

Gautam Chintey, Adviser (Banking, Industries and Tourism) mentioned that Industries Sector is committed for the overall socio-economic development of NE and requested the states to focus on timely completion of the on-going projects.

Luikham said that it is the time to think for a regional planning strategy for the NE Region to support the North Eastern Region

'Arunachal to face power shortage in current fiscal’ ITANAGAR, JuLy 2 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh is going to face a power shortage of 156 MU (million units) during the current fiscal based on a projection made

by Shillong-based North East Regional Power Committee (NERPC). "The likely power position released by NERPC indicates that during 2014-15 there is a shortfall of 156 MU against the demand of 793 MU," Power Secretary K Tayeng said in a statement here today.

He said 91 per cent of the total power requirement of the state was being fulfilled from the allocation of the central sector share. "The power supply availability to the state is entirely dependent on central sector generating stations in the north eastern region as well as the technical soundness of the North East Grid.

had said the border dispute would be resolved if the BJP came to power at the Centre.

Occasionally, the border disputes between northern Mizoram and southern Assam have flared-up among the people of the two northeastern states, forcing the authorities to intervene. Southern Assam's Karimganj, Cachar and Hailakandi districts share their border with Mizoram's Kolosib district -- which was one of the districts of Assam till 1973 when Mizoram became a union territory.

On the repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram, the chief minister told Rajnath

"Power production problems in the central sector generating stations, including regional grid faults, lead to power supply disruption in the state," he said.

Of the total central share allocation (130 MW), 80 per cent of power was from hydro power projects and therefore the production of power in the north eastern region essentially depends on good monsoon and resultant discharge in the catchment areas, he said.

Being predominantly run by riverbased hydro power projects, power production from central sector generating stations was seasonal and so generation drastically falls during lean season. "The generation during the lean period is almost one-fourth of the installed capacities of the projects," he added.

as a whole. The participants elucidated the need for providing an enabling environment for doing business in the region. They also cited that much needs to be done in improving the industrial infrastructure especially reliability of power supply. Another major issue which was flagged was the land laws in the hill states for facilitating industrialization. Connectivity to South East Asian Countries, access to ports in Bangladesh especially for Tripura, use of waterways for economic activity and connectivity within the region and to mainland India were highlighted.

Singh that a section of refugee leaders have been creating problem opposing the repatriation process.

"However, Mizoram has taken steps for the repatriation of the refugees and as on June 23, 1,237 tribal families have returned to Mizoram from Tripura," the official said. The official cited Rajnath Singh as telling home ministry officials to do whatever is possible at the earliest.

3 ZSUD condemns UNC’s resolution to boycott Mani Thursday

3 July 2014

NeW DeLHI, JuLy 2 (MexN): UNC’s resolution to boycott Mani Charenamai has come under fire from the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi.

In a statement received here today, ZSUD stated, “We, the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi (ZSUD) while maintaining political neutrality express shock and dismay at the decision of United Naga Council (UNC) by pronouncing social boycott and ostracizing Mani Charenamei with the charges of defying UNC’s directives and customary practices. The apex body showed its immaturity and true color of authoritarianism by taking such a biased decision.”

The statement was signed by ZSUD President Rachubui Pame and General Secretary Meidinlung Gangmei.

The student body strongly condemning UNC's Resolution No. 5 of the Presidential Council Meeting held at UNC Office, Tahamzam, on May 28, stated that it considered the resolution to be “baseless, unfounded and politically motivated which serves the decision of only

few vested interests.”

Stating that the decision taken by UNC is not only misleading but it clearly indicates an attempt to assassinate the character and malign the political career of an individual by passingthe-buck and victimising the dissent to their wrongful decision, ZSUD questioned the legitimacy of the UNC “on such unfounded and one-sided allegation.”

“UNC’s allegation against Mani Charenamei of initiating counter movement and disrespect of the Naga issue, thereby questioning the legitimacy of the Alternative Arrangement (AA) is unfounded and untrue.

"The prejudice of leaving the big defaulters unharmed and victimising an individual is rather a cowardly attempt and reflects personal vendetta.

Dimapur

Such prejudice is nothing but manifestation of immaturity and failure in leadership discipline which may eventually destruct the founding principles of the organization, whose main agenda is to bring development, peace and unity through socialpolitical emancipation,” ZSUD stated.

The student union strongly upheld the decision and appeal of Rongmei Naga Council Manipur, Liangmai Naga Council Manipur, Zeme Naga Council and Inpui Naga Union Manipur of their press statement on June 24.

Further stating, “It is high time to introspect and stop playing the politics of exclusion,” ZSUD asked UNC to be the guardians of Naga unity and requested the decision be reconsidered for the greater interest of unity.

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RejoiNDeR My attention is drawn to the advertisement appearing in page-3 of The Morung Express dated 1st July 2014 issued by New Market Area Panchayat under the caption ‘Open Letter to Er. S Meru’ on JnNURM scheme. I am appalled at the wisdom of New Market Panchayat and also being caught in the wrong footing which is not at all expected from one of the oldest social justice instituted in Kohima.

The advertisement in question pertains to Panchayat supporting few beneficiaries in JnNURM who are included in the category of 3-5 recipients of beneficiaries in a single family. I have also applied for the scheme but my precious name was left out for space constraint. Nevertheless, I took it in a sporting way that there were more genuine applicants more deserving than me. But after seeing the names in advertisement, I am rather bewildered that my name was rather made scapegoat. The Panchayat instead of questioning the department should have rather checked the double entries of beneficiaries and accordingly brief the department for rectification so that the fence sitter in the scheme could avail few amount through local adjustment.

The Panchayat coming out with a statement that too in an advertisement supporting few hungry wolves speaks volumes about the ulterior intention of the signatories, which is uncalled for and a bad precedent for divisive agenda. ‘Look before you leap’ is an adage that needs to be reminded upon the law keeper of the Panchayat.

Megose (Houseowner) Lower Sector New Market, Kohima

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4

Dimapur

public discoursE

Thursday 3 July 2014

imbroglio between nFHRCC and the PWD (R&b)

I

n a constitutional democracy, debates, arguments and other forms of disagreement about political or social issues can often be raucous, messy, chaotic, infuriating, irrational and even upsetting. While arguing a point, some inadvertently or even unknowingly reveal their bigotry (their racism, tribalism, sexism, their class prejudices or suffering from a sense of entitlement) for the entire world to see and judge. Having said that, the ongoing imbroglio between the Nagaland Foot Hill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) and the PWD(R&B) has caused severe embarrassment to the state Government. The NFHRCC was formed as a watchdog for a 300 km road entailing a new 70 km alignment avoiding Assam. Initially, the NFHRCC has the popular support but the recent developments, issuing

of diktats, threats and unreasonable ultimatums has left a bad impression in the minds of the general public.

There has been enough misleading or beguiling statements. The committee was formed with all good intentions, however, the committee seems to be deviating from the main objective for which it was formed.

Public s entiments has been hurt when the NFHRCC decided to go with the proposed June 30 bandh. It is quite regrettable that NFHRCC abused the democratic rights of the people by calling bandh just because they felt neglected and insulted by the state Government when their nominated contractor did not get the work. Furthermore, they want to maintain their prestige at all cost. The committee seems to be aloof not realizing what the Nagas are calling for. Instead of asking the R&B minister to step

down the NFRHCC should be dissolved for encouraging lawlessness and generally irresponsible behaviour not expected of a sensible adult by imposing bandh in our commercial hub.

It is most unfortunate that despite this and that appeals from various organizations and repeated warnings from the Government, the NFHRCC defied the law, their own ethics for which it was formed. Is this the thing we looked for in modern Nagaland? Certainly not! There is no logic for calling these bandhs and strikes when so much hardship is caused to the common people. The backbone of the economy is badly affected. If political agendas get mixed with selfish ulterior motives and ego problem it is usually to the detriment of ordinary public interests.

At this juncture, the public must understand that opportunistic opposition will

try hard to incite and cause as much disruption as possible so as to gain what they failed to at elections. Dejected ruling party leaders will also try hard to jeopardize the situation and take full advantage of it. Moreover when the committee tries so hard to make the foothill road issue a tribal issue which can be seen clearly in their statements, “support of ten tribes”, “under ten tribes”, “mandated by the ten apex Hohos” and imposing the bandh, we the public at the receiving ends now wonders if the NFHRCC is really working for the best interests of the ten tribes in particular and the Nagas in general. Was the bandh imposed just to satisfy their selfish ego?

No one has an inherent right to label, ridicule or attacked a Government servant for following a standard government procedures and norms. This is obviously nonsense. It’s time we all

buck up and grow a backbone. We should stop acting out our macho fantasies and be more self-critical and self-reflexive. The incorporation of RTI acts are steps in the right direction to ensure transparency and strengthen the pillars of democracy so instead of resorting to violence, the NFHRCC should follow a more decent established procedure. There needs to be a focussed attempt at reducing the burden on the common man out there, ensuring his wellbeing and safety if not the very reason for the formation of NFRHCC is defeated.

Lastly, the Naga society should continue to uphold the values of oneness and mutual respect for each other which have been the cornerstone of progress.

Kenneth Rengma & Lanu Aier Upper AG Kohima Nagaland

NFHRCC bandh unnecessary harassment to the public

business

L

Infosys becomes first IT firm to file sustainability report

ately, the state has been witnessing the tussle between the State PWD (R&B) Department and the Nagaland Foot Hill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC). The bandh recently called by the Committee was viewed by many as an unnecessary harassment to Dimapur and to all others plying to and fro. It even led to injury of many volunteers involved in the bandh. Did the bandh really serve the purpose?

At this juncture the role of the NFHRCC (which I presume was set up to oversee the smooth progress of the foot-hill road) on the foot-hill road issue have become blurry and confusing (even sinister). Years ago people were demanding for the foot-hill road within the state so as to ease the harassment faced by those who traverse through Assam to reach home. The state government responded to their pleas and started the foot-hill road project.

Now NFHRCC seems to have made a complete U-turn and changed its colour. Their demands have veered slowly towards personal and financial gains. The NFHRCC demands for contract works to be allotted to contractors who hold high ranking posts in the name of Committee is unimaginable and extremely selfish. If the Committee is protesting, because the government is not delivering or did not provide quality work than that would have been

Bangalore, July 2 (IanS): Global software major Infosys Ltd became the world’s first IT firm to file a sustainability report based on the latest global reporting initiative (GRI) framework, the IT bellwether said here Wednesday.

“As a value-driven company, we follow the highest levels of disclosure, besides ensuring compliance with the laws of the land.

“The sustainability report demonstrates our reporting practices and addresses expectations of our stakeholders,” the $8.3-billion company said in a statement. GRI’s fourth generation (G4) is the widely respected sustainability reporting framework, worldwide. Reporting as per G4 guidelines demonstrates the company’s commitment to advocate the adoption of integrated reporting practices globally. The company’s integrated reporting framework provides synergy between its economic, social and environmental strategies, action plans and desired outcomes.

“The framework has helped us achieve our sustainability goals, reducing per capita electricity and fresh water consumption by 44% and 35% during the last fiscal (2013-14),” the statement said. The company’s sustainability efforts have recently won gold at the Ashden awards in London, considered the Green Oscars, for its achievements in building energy efficiency.

The company also contributed to the well being of local communities through various projects undertaken by its foundation.

more genuine and appealing to the public. But now the priorities of the Committee have changed and now they want to convert that necessary into their golden goose.

It is surprising to note how some organization reacted to this issue and how some chose to remain silent. The Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union (NCSU) who has been demanding for transparency in allotment of government contract remained a mute spectator when NFHRCC opposed R&B Department for floating Open Tender and awarding the work to the most eligible contractor. On moral grounds, the union should desist from making any protest after the aforementioned incident.

Apex Naga bodies such as the Naga Hoho, NMA, NSF and NPMHR made an appeal to both the NFHRCC and PWD (R&B) to focus on the greater benefits and interests of the Nagas and not to politicise it or drag the issue into tribal lines . I am sure the department of PWD (R&B), government of Nagaland exists for the sole aim of providing greater benefits and interests to Nagaland, where else would it put its focus on if not the home state. I don’t know how the PWD (R&B) Department is politicizing the issue but if anyone is doing so it has to be NFHRCC who have gotten into the habit of stressing the

point that it represents 10 tribes which is not so and is highly regrettable. Just because one or two from a particular tribe is a member of the Committee they can not claim to represent the whole tribe.

With active participation from the Naga Council, Dimapur (a unit of Naga Hoho), Dimapur Naga Students Union (a unit of NSF) in the recent bandh called by the NFHRCC, would it be fair if someone were to ask the Naga Hoho, NSF and NFHRCC not to drag the Foot-hill Road†issue on tribal lines just because their leaders happen to be from the same tribe? As Apex Civil Bodies, it is your moral obligation to clearly identify and define what is right and what is wrong. As it is, we are already plagued with factionalism and related problems, we should not let Tom, Dick & Harry Committees hijack the government least it ceases to function for the greater benefits and interests of Nagaland. The NFHRCC has lost its face and ground and therefore, in the greater interest of the Nagas the Committee should be declared illegal and banned for instigating communal conflict. There is no doubt in the mind of the Nagas as to who or which community the Committee belongs to.

I

The Morung Express

12 hour Dimapur bandh was “unfortunate”

t is very unfortunate on the part of the Dimapurian especially the socalled ten tribal’s forming a committee NFHRCC to pressurize the state government especially for a particular project. Infact, they so-called committee should be grateful to the DAN III ministry whoever is in power for they are the one who approved the so-called NFHRCC proposed project for the benefit of the inhabitant of the particular region/area instead of all hurdles including budgetary. However, after the commencement of the project, I would like to place in record that even the Minister in charge have being closely monitoring the project and took stock of the work progress at the site for several occasion for quality workmanship.

Further,Iwouldalsoliketostatethat, the pathetic and deplorable road conditions in Dimapur town in particular have been revamp by the Minister in charge who personally took interest in developing the city which was long neglected. It is notable that various road constructions and repairing have been initiated across the state under the leadership of the present minister. However, I would like to questioned the so-called Committee who initiated a ban yester-

day, that is this the reward and appreciation presented to the Hon’ble Minister Road & Bridge Shri. Azo Nienu for his sincereandactiveparticipationtowards development of the state?

Hence, calling a ban in Dimapur to address their problem by NGO’s such as NFHRCC committee is a direct insult and challenge to district administration as well as the state government as the said project has nothing to do with the genuine and common citizens of Dimapur District. Therefore, it is advise that in future course of action such as to organize ban or any form of agitation for a particular purpose be held in the particular effected area/region and not elsewhere as because, this will jeopardize the unity of Nagas in particular.

Lastly, I would like to call upon the Hon’ble Minister Road and Bridge not to shy on his part and stand firm towards his commitment for bringing more development in the state. I wish and prayed that our heavenly God shall ponder more wisdom to our Minister Azo Nienu to leads the Nagas further.

Thejangulie Angami IVR, Dimapur

Bandhs And Silent Sufferers

J

ust after the bandh on 1st July morning 2014, I met a widower vegetable vendor who came to my house for a loan to pay up for her only daughter’s school fee . I asked her how much she require and she replied me to lend her Rs 200/- (Rupees two hundred) only which she’ll repay me back after one week time. She narrated to me that her daily earning through vegetable sale is Rs 200/- to Rs 400/- in average which were all hampered by the bandh not only for that day but her whole week transaction were jeopardized because the suppliers from various villages could not bring the goods.

On my own rough estimate of business transaction quantum in dimapur with 200000 (Two lakhs) population of meager Rs 300/- per head we are incurring a loss of at least Rs 2 crores daily apart from other unseen activity losses.

I believe, even Nagas can adopt or borrow peaceful and civilized form of protest even if they feel that the Govt. is not fair by first going to the secretariat or directorate of that particular department and present their grievances for redress. And if their plea is not heard even after that, then they can resort to “Sit in Dharna” in front of the offices. But one should not in the first step resort to barbaric bandhs and threatening which is not effective Martin Yeptho, or productive any more in this new Agri Forest Colony, Kohima generation but rather creates hatred

among the groups. However, if bandh become deadly necessary, then they should go to Kohima and do bandhs there but not in Dimapur or any other district headquarter because most of the Govt. Head offices are in Kohima.

Why should the innocent public in other district headquarter for no fault of theirs suffer through ugly bandhs and quarrels because of the government’s intactness’ at Kohima (Being the capital)?

Our poor and innocent brothers silently suffer sacrificing their daily wages and children’s career because they are not counted when the fight is between the great people involving crores of rupees, but beware!! God is the God of poor and rich alike. And even the poor people has their limitation of remaining silent.

Here in Dimapur are more of our brothers and sisters deserving our love, whose children lay in wait with great expectations and smiles on their angelic faces every evening at the door of their rented houses for their parent’s returning home joyfully with their daily wages.

Why not we the more fortunate ones give a second thought before imposing a bandh in our only commercial town Dimapur which is a place and home to most of the poor people in our state ?

Er. Kiyeto Shohe Dimapur

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

_

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 2925

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2932

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

STD CODE: 03862

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital: Shamrock Hospital Zion Hospital: Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital Apollo Hospital Info Centre: Railway: Indian Airlines Chumukedima Fire Brigade Nikos Hospital and Research Centre Nagaland Multispecialty Health & Research Centre

Answer Number # 2924

KOHIMA

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

232224; Emergency229529, 229474 227930, 231081 228846 228254 231864, 224117, 227337 228400 232106 227607 232181 242555/ 242533 224041, 248011 230695/9402435652 131/228404 229366 282777 232032, 231031 248302, 09856006026

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DOWN 1. Was a passenger 2. Black, in poetry 3. Not straight 4. Feudal worker 5. Student 6. Warning signal 7. 66 in Roman numerals 8. Allies’ foe 9. Supplemental news stories 10. Painkiller 11. Indian monetary unit 12. Something to shoot for 13. D D D D 21. Detachable container 25. Eastern Standard Time 26. Auspices 27. Wealthy 28. Not under 29. Loyalty 30. Carries

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DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/101 (O) 9436601225 (OC) CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862-282777/101 (O) WOKHA: 03860-242215 (O) 9402643782 MOKOKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/101 (O) 9856872011 (OC) PHEK: 03865-223838/101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)

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LOCAL Nagaland govt accords warm welcome to Governor

The Morung Express

Our Correspondent Kohima | July 2

The state government today accorded warm welcome to new Governor of Nagaland Dr. Krishan Kant Paul by organizing a reception programme here at CM’s Banquet Hall. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Paul thanked the people of Nagaland for according warm welcome to him.

On the various issues raised by Chief Minister, he said, “All your concern also become my concern” and assured to look into it.

In the form of suggestion, he stressed on the need to ensure highest standard of governance.

Chief Minister TR Ze-

liang in his address informed the Governor that Nagas are not merely confined to Nagaland but spread across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Myanmar.

Stating that unification of all Nagas under one administrative umbrella has been the craving of all Nagas and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have passed several resolutions in this regard, Zeliang said the DAN government is deeply committed to this sentimental issue.

He also stated that Nagas have been fighting for their political rights for more than six decades. Earnest efforts have been made by the state government

and the legislative assem- centre and we are hopeful bly to persuade the Union that the Union government government to arrive at an will bail us out." expeditious solution to the Chief Minister further protracted Indo-Naga po- informed the Governor litical problem. “Somehow, that the state does not have the much awaited solu- a single engineering or tion has medical eluded Chief Minister apprise the college, us so far. which We are new gov on various issues h a s hopeful comthat some settlement will be pelled the youth to seek arrived at in not too distant a higher education in others future,” he expressed. parts of the country where He also stated that suc- their security has now becessive finance commis- come an area of concern. sions have not been fair to Zeliang also said Nagathe state due to which the land is the only state with state is reeling under pre- just five flights a week flying carious resource crunch. into Dimapur. “Despite our “We have taken up the mat- requests to the Civil Aviater with the newly installed tion Ministry, as well as priNDA government at the vate operators, our people

have not had the benefit of adequate air connectivity with the rest of the country.”

“We are a resource scarce state and the only option for us is to generate our own resources through exploitation of our mineral resources,” he informed the Governor, adding that these resources in Nagaland belong to the people and not to the state and the Article 371A (1) (a) guarantees this.

“We have accordingly made our own state legal framework for exploiting petroleum and natural gas.

We have requested the Centre to support our framework. We want to enact such legal frameworks in respect of other mineral resource as well. Once we are on our

own feet, our dependency on the Union government will reduce. People of Nagaland will become the arbiters of their economic life,” Zeliang said.

Chief Minister sincerely believed that Governor will lend the support of his good offices in all endeavors “so that Nagaland’s economy is turned around and people of the state are put on a new path of economic recovery.”

The function was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary and finance commissioner Toshi Aier.

The programme witnessed cultural presentation from Zeliang, Sangtam, Cultural Vibrant, Menguse, Kenei and Rainbow Choir.

ENSF organizes first phase counselling MDNPFF responds to NPF Central (Mkg) Dimapur, July 2 (mExN): In continuation of the 2013 ENSF Education Initiative (EEI) for higher professional studies, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) conducted second batch, phase-1 counselling for aspiring technical students of Nagaland on June 30 at DUDA Guest House, Kohima.

"The main objective of such initiative is to provide job oriented study avenues for the poor students of the state and to solve the unemployment problem for the young generation," ENSF stated in a press release. “The Federation is compelled to take up such herculean task in the state as many general scholarships meant for the poor and deserving students are not being availed.” In this regard, the Federation, without collaboration with any third person/agencies will directly initiate for scholarship for each student from the central ministry and the state government concerned, it added.

The counselling was conducted for admitting students to undergo engineering studies under Vidya Group of Engineering Institution (VGEI) in three different campus -

(Vidya Vikas Institute of Technology (VVIT), Lords, and Vidya Vikas Engineering College (VVEC). For more details, students may log in to WWW.vidyagroup. ac.in, www.lords.ac.in, www.vvit.in.

The release noted that in the year 2013, the Federation gave opportunity to 77 students from the state under management quota and they are pursuing their second year of studies.

According to the note, ENSF will take up the responsibility of filling online application for each student enrolled under EEI. In event of non availability of scholarship, the Federation shall bear 50% of the entire course and the remaining will be paid by the students based on reimbursement policy within manageable range and affordable instalment. Under special consideration for Scheduled Tribe and national minority, students securing 44.6% will be eligible to be admitted in the university but without scholarship.

However, they need to maintain 55% marks aggregate in the first year in order to avail scholarship in the coming years.

This year, the note said, EEI has included Petroleum, Mining, MBA

and polytechnic courses apart from other technical studies/engineering.

In collaboration with the Vidya group, the Federation will be managing hostel within the campus accommodating all students from Nagaland. It will have separate Naga kitchen and management.

The second phase counselling will be held on July 8, 2014 at DUDA Guest House, Kohima for medical studies at both Bethel Medical and Hosmat Hospital Educational Group (Bangalore) as well as for engineering studies. Technical applicants who failed to attend the first counselling due to some unavoidable circumstances as well as the fresh applicants may attend the said counselling. For details on courses offered, students may refer to the press advertisement dated June 5 for Eastern Mirror & The Morung Express and June 7 for Nagaland Post. Forms will be available at Duda Guest House or it can be collected on the day of counselling.

For more details, contact: 9612383284/ 8730958533.

Further, it was informed that the Federation in collaboration with the institution shall provide placement opportunity for the meritorious students from Nagaland.

moKoKchuNg, July 2 (mExN): In response to the press statement of NPF Central (Mkg), Mokokchung District NPF Forum (MDNPFF) has clarified that on June 27, there were thousands of MDNPFF volunteers at the NPF office and its premises to convey to the district Incharge Minister not to carry forward with the meeting since the situation was not conducive. However, it claimed, “the minister along with his entourage did not relent to the re-

quest, but rather enraged as he could not control his temperament and thereby that was the moment when the Pandora box was open.”

The “so called” NPF Central leaders/office bearers “trying to divide and mislead the Aos with their selfish and whimsical design will never be acceptable to our community,” stated MDNPFF Media Cell in a release. “The justification put forth by those leaders was totally baseless and on unfounded terms.”

The MDNPFF further

questioned the “so called Central leaders” why they picked only two names when thousand of volunteers were at the helm.

“Why these three leaders want to provoke, concoct and make malice justification, when we have enough evidences through audio and captured pictures.” The forum also asked the “unmandated leaders from Ao community to sincerely introspect (whether) your stance of indulgent is for the betterment of the society.”

Six eliminated from School Campus Idol KiphirE , July 2 (mExN): In the second round of School Campus Idol held at Hopongkyu Memorial Hall, six contestants were eliminated leaving 13 contestants to take part in the second stage of voting round to be held on July 10. The contest is being organized by Eastern Explorer Kiphire with the theme ‘Nurturing talents’.

Likhumba, member of the organizing committee said Eastern Explorer is creating a platform for young talented students in the district to explore one’s gift so the society is

benefited. He disclosed that the winner of the first School Campus Idol will be the brand ambassador for next year, in addition to getting a year scholarship.

The first runner up will be provided a year course in computer and the second runner up will be provided with certificate course in computer as well.

All together 25 contestants took part in the first round, where students from various schools were screened and selected to take part in this first ever competition in Kiphire town. Lilongla, Akok, Achumba were the judges

One of the contestants of School Campus Idol performs during the second round of the contest.

and Levi Keor was the guest judge of the elimination round.

Plight of Teacher as per the Existing System of Promotion

F

dering valuable services to the society. Hats off to all my dear students out there!

The zeal and enthusiasm almost wearing out, I at last got promoted to AHM, then HM (as of now), unexpectantly or unwillingly and was placed/

thrown somewhere else.

Side note: To get posted at a distant place is "by rule" a must if one is to avail oneself of this chance of promotion. It prompted irregularity and my dedication and commitment to my adorable job is now fatally disembarked. How

unfortunate?

In spite of being elevated, the yore days of my encounter with students by imparting as much as I could, is truly missed and is now just a memory. At times, the guilt of my irregularity (because of the existing phenomenon) tor-

ments me. How much can I contribute during these few years of my elevation?

I wonder if I can devote my all till the day of my retirement. I leave it to our dear system of teachers' promotion. Our God, The Wise Judge, judges.

Beside other various

problems (in our department), this has proved to be a big disaster, and if not restructured, the poorness of the Government schools' results will persist and will remain unimproved.

Hotoli K. Shohe Headmistress Diphupar

How deep is the water in our Pond?

D

uring the middle of 1960s, a cousin (he is still active today) of mine who returned from China, extensively shared his experiences with me.

According to him, beside physical training, Chinese political teachers used to give political classes. The teachers used to teach about the philosophy of Mao Tsetong on revolution. I forgot a lot of interesting stories heard from him, but I vividly remember one axiom ‘The Revolutionaries are fish and the people are water’. My cousin, being illiterate, could not explain the byword to me at that time. Myself being quite dull and young, I did not understand its implication except the retention in memory. After few decades when I recollected it, I could understand what does it mean to Revolutionary movement like Naga political movement. What a relevance.

By the way, a very recent incident which was highlighted in local papers refreshed my memory on the aforementioned max-

im. The news item was related to an incident at Khensa Village in Mokokchung Distict published on 5.6.2014 in local papers.

The incident happened when few cadres from two factions were apprehended and detained by the village youth volunteers who were reportedly provoked. Subsequently, the mob gathered and demanded the cadres be handed over to them. Had not the Civil Administration and 31-Assam Rifles intervened and rescued them from the wrath of public of Khensa Village, it could have given birth to some other different story.

The incident might be minor as no untoward situation ensued. I am sure the matter was amicably settled already. Nevertheless, this piece of incident at a Naga village generated a small still voice which is a solid message for us to learn now. This is the cent-percent reversed role played by the villagers contrary to our past. In those golden days of Nagas having unity in undivided house, the Villagers in all

Naga villages were the protector and the refuge of revolutionaries whenever they face threat from enemies who were Indian security forces and State administration. Thousands of Naga revolutionaries and their protectors were arrested, tortured, jailed, tortured to death, raped and killed by Indian security forces without intervention of Civil administrative authorities.

Today, Naga revolutionaries are no more hunted or wanted by Indian security forces and civil administration. For a very long period we have not heard any revolutionary being killed by Indian security forces or any confrontation between them in Nagaland. Thank God. Of course, I do not think Khensa Village has strained relationship with any faction. I believe that Khensa Village youth did not have any predetermined motive against those two factions whose cadres happened to be at their Village at that particular time. I also believe had the cadres from other factions been there

and committed similar acrimony, the same reaction of the youth would have been there. Why Khensa citizens dared to show resentment in action knowing that any faction has the capability to be reactionary? To me the following factors are contributing to the Pond getting dry: a) Out of wrongs rights are established. Though universal it varies from case to case with merits and demerits. b) The ideological determination to live by the past and the refusal to live for future. c) Putting the Divisional Cart before the Nationhood Horse is suicidal. d) Wasting decades on nurturing the ego is avoidable. e) The rigidity in unforgivingness has become the cornerstone of disintegration. f) Preferring myth to reality. Will myth ever emerge real is the question. g) Causing irreparable damages to Naga common properties of image, of morality and of pride is

as worst as burning down the Naga villages by Indian army decades ago. h) The famine of magnanimity of revolutionaries causes doubt on their determination. i) The frequent announcements on ‘home coming’ is found to be more embarrassing than comfortable. What pride can be accrued out of such defections and counter defections. It repels rather than attracting. After all, whose home is home and whose is hunted. j) True revolutionaries know, care, guide and promote the growth of its economy. Serious introspection imperative. k) Unconsciously the Nagas are in a perverted democracy laced with Aristocracy coupled with substantial percentage of Anarchy in our land. (Needing elaboration).

Beside, had it been some time ago, one cannot imagine those individuals, namely, S.Pahru Sapa, Pastor, Liyai Village (Manipur) and Elijah Chara, Research Scholar from

3 July 2014

Dimapur

5

MEx FILE One arrested by Dimapur police Dimapur, July 2 (mExN): Personnel of Suburban Police Station, Dimapur has arrested one person identified as Asheto Yeptho (40), resident of Signal Basti.

The accused was arrested following a complaint received at the Police Station from 29 Assam Rifles. The accused was arrested for firing with a small firearm at the security forces while they were conducting MVCP near Kevijau colony on June 26 at around 7:30 pm, informed Addl. SP/ PRO, Dimapur in a release. The Assam Rifles MVCP party had stopped an autorickshaw for checking during which the accused jumped out from the vehicle and fired a few rounds at the duty personnel before fleeing the spot, stated the release. Accordingly, thorough search of the area was conducted by the police and the accused was apprehended. The firearm used is yet to be recovered and police are investigating. A case has been registered against the accused in this connection.

Three GPRN/NSCN cadres apprehended TuENsaNg, July 2 (mExN): 23 Assam Rifles apprehended three GPRN/NSCN cadres from Tuensang Town on June 29. The cadres have been identified as SS Sergent Major Yanten Chang, SS Sergent Anato Yimchunger, and SS L/Corporal Ashing Konyak, according to Assam Rifles. The AR team also recovered one point 22 Pistol, one point 32 Pistol, one 12 Bore Rifle, one 303 Musket Rifle, 101 assorted ammunition, weapon manufacturing tools and “incriminating” documents. The cadres have been handed over to police, Assam Rifles informed.

Entrance test for MA Sociology in NU lumami, July 2 (mExN): It has been informed that entrance test for admission to M.A Sociology programme (2014-2016) under Nagaland University will be held on July 9, 2:00 pm in the Department of Sociology, Nagaland University, Lumami. Eligible candidates whose names have been shortlisted for entrance test may check the department notice board or Nagaland University website wwwnagauniv.org.in. This was informed in a press release issued by Prof K R Singh, Convenor, Admission Committee, Department of Sociology, NU.

Headmasters/ principals of Kohima informed Kohima, July 2 (mExN): All headmasters/ principals of High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools (both govt. & private) under the jurisdiction of District Education Officer, Kohima have been asked to collect District Teachers’ Award Nomination Form for the year 2014 from the DEO Kohima, Senthang during office hour. The last date for issue of form is July 20, 2014, informed the DEO in a press release.

Public SPace

or teaching being a noble profession, I had been teaching for 30 years with full sincerity and commitment

by God's grace, with great satisfaction on my job in this field of education, being able to produce many individuals who are ren-

Thursday

Mumbai would give their satirical comments as seen on 19.6.14 and 21.6.14 respectively or one can never imagine about the formation of ACAUT. Had it been some time ago, would the organisations and the village authorities dare to come out openly in support of the contractor Vilelie Khamo. I am sure worst treatments than that were meted out to several contractors, business people and individuals earlier and yet none had gut to voice against it. Unfortunate for GPRN/NSCN, Lotha Region to bully the contractor at the wrong time.

To read the signs of time is relevant. The true revolutionaries have unconditional love for the water in the pond knowing the natural law: the fish cannot survive at the dry bottom of the pond. The Khensa episode and the voices are prelude to the Drying Revolutionary Pond.

After all, who will be happy with those who brought cyclone of disappointments.

Z. Lohe

Consultative meeting of Lotha organizations Kohima, July 2 (mExN): A consultative meeting of Kohima Lotha Hoho (KLH), Lotha Lower Range Public Organization (LLRPO), Dimapur Lotha Hoho (DLH), and Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) officials and members will be held on July 5 (Saturday) at Lotha Hoho Ki, Dimapur at 10:00 am to discuss urgent important matters. Therefore, all members concerned have been requested to attend the meeting positively. Elders and concerned citizens have been urged to be part of the consultative meet and contribute wisdom and insights. The decision to call the meeting was taken during the emergency meeting of KLH officials and executives on June 30, informed Kohima Lotha Hoho general secretary Thunglamo Ovung in a release.

CMO Dimapur informs Dimapur, July 2 (mExN): Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dimapur has informed MSs of all the hospitals, CHCs (both government and private) having ultrasound machine and proprietors of ultrasound clinics within Dimapur district to register/ renew their registration at CMO office within 15 days from July 3. CMO Dr. M A Wati has directed all concerned to comply with the directives without fail. For necessary information, call 9436003248 and 9436064221.

ANSWFSA emergency meeting Kohima, July 2 (mExN): All Nagaland Social Welfare Field Staff Association (ANSWFSA) has convened an emergency meeting on July 5 at Hotel Saramati conference hall at 10:00 am to deliberate on the ongoing court case and other related service matter. Therefore, all the members concerned have been asked to attend the meeting along with the prescribed contribution without fail.

ADC Longleng informs loNglENg, July 2 (mExN): ADC Longleng has informed all charge officers, enumerators, and supervisors in the district that honorarium for first phase of biometric exercise which was conducted in 2012 has arrived. Therefore, all the officials and persons concerned have been requested to meet the ADC T Wati Aier personally from July 14 onwards at his office chamber and collect the honorarium.

Assam Rifles organize awareness prog on drug abuse moKoKchuNg, July 2 (mExN): 7 Sector Assam Rifles carried out extensive awareness programmes to commemorate “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” on June 26. Assam Rifles doctors delivered lectures at all important villages and towns in Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Mon, and Longleng districts. The lectures were organized so as to make the youth and local population aware of the menace of drug abuse, informed Assam Rifles in a release. Antidrug rallies were also organized in collaboration with schools, youth, and women organisations. Banners against use of drugs were displayed at important places in towns and pamphlets on avoidance of drugs were also distributed, it added.

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

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express THursDAy 3 July 2014 volumE IX IssuE 180

By Aheli moitra

The alien right to protest

I

n the light of the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) calling for a Dimapur bandh on June 30, there was unprecedented reaction from various quarters, most drowning out the voice of the people to keep intact the voice of the State.

The youth wing of the ruling regional party, for instance, looked at the issue from supporting one person’s position and got down to immediate condescension. Questioning the identity and legitimacy of the NFHRCC, calling it names, calling a bandh “uncivilized” or “savage” reflected its poor understanding of the right to protest as a part of political change. It deliberately used the language of procedure to take the light away from procedural corruption, thereby aiding and abetting the same.

The opposition fared no better. It continued to relay its political drone of blaming the DAN government for having “randomly empowered” civil bodies instead of getting to the core of the issue. There is a reason why the party has faced near total annihilation—it stopped listening to the people long back.

Also, the same channels of corruption had made many of its ministers thick in the pocket once upon a time.

The Cabinet Sub Committee set up by the Government of Nagaland to look into the problems that arose last week tried to ensure a bizarre gimmick: to protect the interest of all contractors involved. It did not matter how contracts are given or taken despite procedure, if corruption involved needed to be looked into—it simply asked the NFHRCC not to exercise the protest “in the interest of the public.” Protecting corporate interest has become an unfortunate agenda of this State, with the former actively buying support, the cash of whose kind is not available to the people, leaving them with the mere right to protest. In the interest of the public, the cabinet needs to set up a committee instead to examine corruption within itself that has resulted in a paralyzed State.

The Dimapur district administration’s actions were a disaster. At first, it thought of invoking 144 CrPC on June 30 under the pretext of border tension. As an afterthought, the administration withdrew the first order and made a proclamation of disallowing the bandh under no certain provision of law (this later turned out to be a Cabinet decision!). A mistake in publishing the right piece of news by a local newspaper led to confusion on the day of the bandh, perhaps even contributing to an irony. It, however, became probable that State machinery was being used by its political masters for repressing dissent, a routine practice in rogue States. Unfortunately, even some people’s voices were co-opted by the State, mired in tribal divisions, to push its “alien” agenda against the “alien” right to protest (much like the alien cars, trains, trousers and boots).

The NFHRCC, it seemed, had already charted all forms of communication with the Government before taking direct action through the bandh calling attention to entrenched corruption in State mechanisms, resulting in an overall poor quality of life in Nagaland. By using the language of delegitmisation, the State made sure that the whole issue was washed off as noise that disrupted the squeaky clean governance being run by it. No Naga civil body has objected to any of the State’s actions—corruption by powerful people, in Nagaland, is clearly not corruption enough.

Comments may be sent to moitramail@yahoo.com

lEfT wiNg |

Joseph Pisani AP Business Writer

Is a college degree still worth it? Study says yes

S

ome comforting news for recent college graduates facing a tough job market and years of student loan payments: That college degree is still worth it.

Those with bachelor's or associate's degrees earn more money over their lifetime than those who skip college, even after factoring in the cost of higher education, according to a report released Tuesday by The Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The study, by economists Jaison R. Abel and Richard Deitz, also found that a degree is still a good investment for college grads whose jobs don't require college. About a third of all college graduates remain underemployed for most of their careers.

A person with a bachelor's degree can expect to earn about $1.2 million more, from ages 22 to 64, than someone with just a high school diploma, the report said. And someone with an associate's degree will bring in $325,000 more than someone with a high school education. The study used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Rising tuition costs, surging student debt levels and an increase in unemployment rates among new grads since the recession have caused some to question the value of higher education. The New York Fed study is just the latest to say that a degree is a good investment. A Pew Research Center report from earlier this year said young adults with college degrees make more money, have lower rates of unemployment and are less likely to be living in poverty than those with just a high school education.

The New York Fed report said that between 1970 and 2013, those with a four-year bachelor's degree earned an average of about $64,500 per year, while those with a two-year associate's degree earned about $50,000 per year and those with only a high school diploma earned $41,000 per year.

After subtracting tax benefits and average financial aid awards, the researchers said a bachelor's degree cost about $122,000 in 2013, while an associate's degree cost $43,700.

Those numbers take into account that students held off earning money from a job to go to school. The study used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education Department and The College Board.

Even college graduates stuck in jobs that don't typically require higher education, such as coffee shop baristas or clothing store cashiers, have more earnings power than those with just a high school diploma, the report concluded.

That suggests that even in those jobs, college graduates are paid more than workers with just a high school diploma.

Recent graduate Katie-Beth Vornberger thinks her degree will eventually pay off. The 24-year-old graduated from George Mason University in May with $20,000 in debt, even though she worked part-time to help pay for some of the tuition.

She's currently working in a paid summer internship where she helps a consulting company in Fairfax, Virginia, manage their social media accounts. She said she is earning about $4 more an hour than the job she had before graduating, which she attributes to having a degree.

"I'm hoping it turns into a full-time position," said Vornberger.

C O M M E N T A R Y

THE EDIT PAGE

Alan Minsky and Meleiza Figueroa TruthDig

The 2014 Copa do Mundo as a Window to the World

In this June 28, 2014, file photo, Colombia soccer fans celebrate a goal against Uruguay as they watch the World Cup round of 16 match on TV in Bogota, Colombia.

Never before has the star-crossed nation made the quarterfinals. There is even waxing poetic about World Cup unity accelerating the pace of 18-month-old peace talks to end a half-century of conflict that has claimed some 220,000 lives. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano,File)

T

he World Cup is the world’s most popular spectacle and, as such, speaks volumes about the state of humanity today. This year’s event is far more than a soccer tournament in Brazil. It encompasses millions of social and civic gatherings across the globe, a tsunami of digital posts and communications, a physical and virtual carnival. This gives us a month-long window into the mind of the global masses in 2014, and also into how the global 1 percent takes control of the most popular human activities and puts them to use for its own purposes. Even if Brazilian protesters were not taking the opportunity presented by the World Cup to challenge the very logic of the globalized neoliberal economic order and its spectacles, we’d argue that anyone who calls him- or herself a progressive or leftist should sit up and take note of the World Cup and its global audience.

Before offering some observations on what we can discern from the hundreds of millions who are fervently following the tournament, we want to discuss a few massive “constituencies” who do not make up the traditional base of World Cup fanatics: women, India and China, and the U.S. If the World Cup’s tremendous global popularity tells us something about the people of the world today, then it also reveals insight into the people less drawn to this spectacle, which is now being projected into almost every sizable community across the globe.

The relation of women to sports and, in particular, male-dominated spectator sports is, of course, a subject far too large to do justice here, but it is an essential component to address if we are to get a grip on humanity’s most popular spectacle and what it tells us about ourselves.

Although there are nuances and exceptions across the globe, on balance the culture of soccer fans has been male dominated and highly patriarchal throughout the history of the sport and remains so to this day. Thus, the fact that the men’s World Cup is casually recognized as the world’s most popular event, and that the gendered nature of the spectacle is accepted as the norm, speaks volumes about the state of gender relations globally.

The World Cup is, of course, much more than the games themselves; it extends to the social spaces where the games are watched and into the advertising blitzes that accompany the tournament—which in both cases are almost universally constructed to welcome the “real men” fans of the game, while marginalization and objectification are as often as not the order of the day for women and other fans from historically subjugated social groups. This, of course, should be called out and fought in every manner possible, as a global community must welcome all people to the party equally.

The two authors of this essay have experience with soccer culture in two of the sport’s core countries: Meleiza in Brazil and Alan in Italy. In both cases, club soccer culture is highly gendered and at times frighteningly sexist. However, the hyper-sexist culture of club soccer fans is only somewhat replicated during the men’s World Cup, which many more women follow in both countries—a trend that appears to be true across the globe. Thus, in many ways the men’s World Cup tournament provides an opportunity to observe patriarchy in action around the world as well as to critique and combat it.

Of course, the great hope for soccer as a means to combat global patriarchy lies in the rise of the women’s game. As rapidly as the men’s game is growing, it is surpassed by the rate of growth of women’s soccer, as more and more girls and women the world over are playing organized soccer. Certainly both the Olympics and tennis provide examples of sports in which fan interest, and resource investment, is more balanced than soccer (though neither are yet equitable). It’s very possible that women’s soccer will become the most popular sport among women to the same degree that it prevails among men. It will no doubt take considerable struggle against entrenched patriarchy, but due to soccer’s phenomenal grip on

the public’s imagination, there is considerable potential for it to become one of humanity’s chief weapons against gender inequality in the coming decades.

Shifting gears to the question of China and India: Detractors of soccer’s claim to be the global game point out that neither China nor India (which account for over a third of the world’s population) are traditional soccer hotbeds. However, soccer is now recognized as the most popular sport in China and second in India (to cricket), and both countries have seen tremendous growth in television viewership of top European leagues over the past four years, leading to speculation that this year’s World Cup will be more popular in both countries than ever before.

(Though it should be noted that the substantial time difference between Brazil and those two countries will undoubtedly depress live TV viewing numbers; if the growth of the sport continues apace in China and India over the next four years, expect the 2018 World Cup in Russia to shatter the global all-time viewership records for this reason.) Still, the question of whether soccer will capture the imagination of the Chinese and Indian populations in a manner comparable to Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East remains an open question; and just how popular this year’s tournament will be in the world’s two largest countries will be interesting to follow. At any rate, it is clear that a growing number of Indian and Chinese people have caught the soccer bug, and greater access to satellite broadcasts means the sport is well on its way to overcoming another barrier on its messianic mission to unify humanity.

As for the good ol’ USA, a huge country itself and still the world’s largest economy, soccer has grown in leaps and bounds to the point that it is the most played youth sport in the land, but as a spectacle it still falls behind American football, baseball, basketball and even hockey (though it should be noted that the U.S. certainly qualifies as a sports-mad country, and thus the amount of money generated by even the fifth most popular spectator sport is more than healthy). And soccer is closing the gap rapidly. In its first week and a half, the 2014 World Cup shattered previous viewing records as the U.S. defied the odds by doing well in the “Group of Death” round, and other games featured more drama and many more goals than in recent men’s World Cups.

More significant for the long term, Major League Soccer has established itself, global soccer has started building a year-round audience, and with each passing year more and more former youth players come of age and become adult sports fans. Of course, the U.S.’ relationship to the global game is unique in other ways, most particularly in the rival popularity of the women’s game domestically and the fact that outside of immigrant communities, the sport is more rooted in prosperous communities than in workingclass ones. This, of course, means that a disproportionate amount of advertising money is attracted to the sport even if other sports have larger audiences.

Another salient aspect of the U.S.’ relationship to soccer is that the sport’s popularity is rising at the very time that America’s global cultural hegemony seems to be on the wane. Indeed, throughout the era of America’s greatest cultural influence, the post-WWII decades, global soccer was a huge phenomenon that operated away from the influence of the cultural hegemon (the U.S.). This, no doubt, was attractive to those who opposed U.S. imperialism (whether of the soft or hard variety). Now that the U.S. is becoming established as a more prominent member of the international soccer community (the men’s team has now qualified for seven straight World Cups, and the women are stalwarts), perhaps this presages the U.S. accepting a more balanced role in the community of nations. Such a suggestion might seem like a stretch, but in an increasingly globalized world, the percent of Americans comfortable as international bullies may decline as more of them embrace a “foreign” sport and get integrated into the global game.

Leaving the land of wealthy suburbanite footballers, let’s return to the question of what we—in

particular, those of us on the political left—can learn about the global masses from World Cup 2014, There is a persuasive argument that in large parts of the world (Brazil and Latin America may be an exception in this regard), the “left” is no longer able to connect with the majority of the population (which by definition the left is supposed to represent). The argument goes that when it comes to specifics, the left’s appeals to social justice and economic equality are rooted in an antiquated conception of human subjectivity—or, at least, of human aspirations.

To put it another way, and to be less theoretical, the left is living in the past and doesn’t know where people’s heads are today; this is so much so that the vast majority of people across the globe are furiously indignant about the vast fortunes and overwhelming political control of the 1 percent but, judging by their actions, seem willing to accept this state of affairs.

With few exceptions, the global 99 percent are largely docile, and this summer, instead of protesting, they’re watching the World Cup (not that the two have to be mutually exclusive). Well, what better way to learn about what people really want than to watch them engaged in something they really love: the World Cup? This is not meant glibly. We can learn a lot about humanity from the carnival: about which elements of the status quo people want to subvert and which elements they embrace. But most particularly, you get a clear sense of how people would like to live. The World Cup 2014 will offer up a sense of this in more parts of the world than any global event to date. Will work be sacrificed for the spectacle? How will communities gather? Will the sense of palpable solidarity extend beyond national boundaries? Will it feel global? How will people integrate the new technologies of the day? What will it tell us about 21st-century subjectivity in this era of instant global interconnectivity? Which visions of freedom and equality are expressed? And, of course, what kinds of political dissent will be apparent?

As for the question “is it all bread and circuses?”— by which we mean a distraction from the injustices of our time—the answer is undoubtedly no. It’s not “all” bread and circuses. To a certain degree, yes, but not “all.” There’s no denying that people really love soccer.

Will they do so at some later date when they live in a society less rife with alienation? Who knows? We don’t live in such a time. Do they love soccer so much now because it’s delivered across the globe as this source of fun and excitement by the mechanisms of corporate controlled media? Sure, but that too is part of the world we live in. There’s as much evidence as not that people would crave just such a spectacle in any future society; after all, what else can we go on but the evidence up to the present? In our time, people love soccer.

Indeed, the left must accept that people love much of what makes up life in this fragmented, contradictory era. Nonetheless, there remains a craving for social justice, for fair treatment. Watching the world at play this summer should provide clues as to what kind of better society would appeal to the billions of people in the varied regions of the planet.

The struggle over what global soccer is, and means, to people the world over is, therefore, a crucial aspect of what cultural theorist Antonio Gramsci called the struggle for hegemony. Informed by his extensive studies on language, Gramsci’s concept of hegemony as a form of power involved not simply how the institutions and spectacles of the elite impose their interests on the rest of society, but also how systems of meaning, or “common sense,” function as a common “language,” or framework, by which people understand, accept and contest the social relations that structure their everyday lives.

Soccer—by virtue of its widespread accessibility, relative simplicity of play and ability to inspire unbridled passion and ecstasy—is a kind of universal language, a mode of expression that brings people together in both conflict and community. It is, literally and figuratively, a “playing field” on which, as the late Stuart Hall put it, “power relations are both established and potentially unsettled.”

Game on. The whole world is watching.

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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.

7

Thursday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

3 JUly 2014

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Congress resists Obama on Myanmar

A

steve hirsch Asia Times

fter a period of broad bipartisan support, US President Barack Obama's cautious opening towards Myanmar's reformist quasi-civilian government is starting to meet resistance in Congress. Concerns center on Obama's budding engagement with Myanmar's rights-abusing military and his administration's reluctance to place preconditions on expanding strategic ties.

Military-to-military relations have so far apparently been limited to such matters as allowing Myanmar observers to two US-led Cobra Gold regional military exercises in Thailand, talks on human rights and exchanges on the rule of law. Obama administration officials have claimed the limited engagements have exposed Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, to international norms of behavior and built new trust after decades of disengagement with the previous military-led regime.

Congressional critics, on the other hand, believe that Obama has moved too fast and given too much.

Representative Steve Chabot, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and sponsor of new pending legislation on the issue, has raised questions about whether Myanmar has instituted enough reform to justify Obama's unilateral decision to undertake high-level military-to-military engagement.

In October last year Cabot told a meeting at the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington that despite superficial changes, problems related to ethnic insurgencies and political prisoners bubbled below the surface. "The [Myanmar] military's leverage over the government remains intact and its participation in human rights abuses against ethnic and religious minorities is rampant," Cabot said.

Chabot's proposed legislation would bar security assistance to Myanmar unless the secretary of state certifies the country has taken steps toward political and military reform in establishing civilian oversight of the military, addressing human rights abuses committed by the military, severing military ties with North Korea, and ending the country's numerous ethnic conflicts.

The bill does not bar Myanmar's participation in a Defense Department program of training on civil-military relations and human rights or prevent US provision of disaster assistance in the country.

Chabot told the same meeting that in switching from an "action-for-action" policy approach to a less restrictive strategy the Obama administration had "essentially given [Myanmar] a blank check."

Myanmar's military has and maintains a reputation for brutality. On June 9, the third anniversary of renewed fighting between the Tatmadaw and the rebel Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Thailand-based organization Fortify Rights issued a report saying that Myanmar authorities have "systematically tortured" Kachin civilians believed to be aligned with the KIA for the past three years.

The report stated that "Myanmar Army soldiers are operating within a permissive environment with respect to the use of torture, and torture appears to be carried out with the knowledge and consent of senior military officers."

The same day a group of Kachin Americans visited Washington to lobby members of Congress, calling on them to back legislation that places conditions on future assistance to Myanmar and ties military engagement to progress on human rights.

A handful of bills has been filed recently with bipartisan backing in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Legislation has included a bill similar to Chabot's earlier version introduced last year by Senators Robert Menendez, Bob Corker, Benjamin Cardin and Marco Rubio, the senior Democrats and Republicans on the Foreign Relations Committee and its East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee.

Rubio, the Asia subcommittee's top Republican, lauded efforts to strengthen reform in Myanmar but said that "while the Obama administration has continued to normalize relations, I am concerned about long overdue political and military reforms that are yet to be taken."

The bill, he said, would provide the means to ensure "that US military assistance is not provided to the [Myanmar] government until meaningful accountability reforms are taken, including the fair and equal treatment of all ethnic groups, addressing human rights abuses committed by the military, and cutting off military relations with North Korea."

Building cities with no souls amit Kapoor IANS

U

In this photo taken on March 23, 2014, a protester shows a document of permission to a police officer as they march to protest against Myitsone dam project in Kachin State, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's parliament amended a controversial law that requires people to obtain permission for public protests and subjects violators to penalties, including prison terms, state media reported Wednesday. Under changes to the "Peaceful Assembly Law" the maximum penalty for those who cause unrest has been halved to 1 year in prison, while the penalty for those who fail to seek permission for protesting was halved to 6 months. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

be sustained to encourage continued reform. Judith Cefkin, the State Department's senior adviser for Myanmar, told Chabot's subcommittee in December that "carefully calibrated military-to-military engagement to share lessons on how militaries operate in a democratic framework will strengthen the hand of reformers."

Those views were echoed by a senior State Department official in a recent interview with this correspondent. "Our experience," the official said, "has led us to feel very strongly that engagement is the way that we're going to have more leverage and more influence, and we've seen examples of that in the last several years."

The official, who requested anonymity, said that while there is a "whole variety" of areas where the Obama administration expects Myanmar to make progress, "we don't want to necessarily tie ourselves up, saying, you know, well, they've made great progress on 'a, b, c,' but we told them they had to do 'd' before we could do 'a'. We think that through flexibility and being able to be nimble and respond to developments on the ground we're actually going to have more influence with them than by having a very rigid script."

The official described current military-to-military engagement as "virtually nothing right now" and stressed the US is moving forward cautiously and slowly. While the Obama administration would like to expand its current exchanges to include more formal training in such areas as human rights and civilian control of the military, there were no plans for training in "anything that is in the traditional military combat [or] logistical capacity building."

"I mean, nobody has an interest in that until there's really substantial changes, reform of the institution," the official said.

It is not clear that any of the proposed legislation will pass within this year. However, it does seem that the administration will face increasing resistance on future Myanmar policy, one of Obama's few selftouted foreign policy successes.

Vikram Singh, until recently deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia, said in an interview that he sees major risks in adopting the sorts of preconditions to even modest military engagement that congressional critics are proposing. Even so, he sees skepticism emerging toward the administration's opening towards Myanmar.

Singh, now vice president for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress in Washington, suggested that because conditions might not be met for years Myanmar's military could opt instead to develop ties with other countries.

"I think the opportunity cost there is that the void will get filled by others, that we will diminish our influence, that we will fail to build the relationships we could build with the leadership of what is and will be a very vital part of this society for a long time," Singh said.

Instead, he said US policy should be more oriented towards supporting President Thein Sein's democratic reform efforts. At the same time, Singh acLimited encouragement Obama administration officials contend that en- knowledged that there has been recent deterioration gagement with Myanmar's military is limited and should in support for the administration's Myanmar policy,

partly due to the natural consequence of its novelty wearing off, partly due to concerns it has moved too fast in some areas. "I would argue," Singh said, "that they moved quickly in a lot of symbolic ways but moved very carefully in substantive ways."

Inviting Thein Sein to visit Washington last year, he suggested, was seen as giving too much, too fast. At the same time, Singh said "that was a very useful symbolic gesture. It showed, hey, we support you because you have taken the hard steps of reform, and it didn't mean that we somehow opened the floodgates." "I think," he said, "the administration has been trying to do a very carefully crafted, step-by-step engagement process and sometimes the public part of that, which is that we should embrace the reform, gave people the impression that they must be going way faster than we think, or being more reckless than we think."

Frank Jannuzi, formerly the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's policy director for East Asian and Pacific affairs, suggested that what is causing congressional concern is that the pace of the US-Myanmar military relationship has accelerated quickly, even if it is still a limited relationship.

Some sort of engagement with the military is necessary both from the US and Myanmar perspective, according to Jannuzi, now president of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington. The Myanmar military, he said, "remains the most influential, important institution in the country."

Given its institutional power, Jannuzi said, the military "has to see value from the normalization process. They have to see some benefit for them flowing out of handing over more and more power over time to the civilian leaders, because if they don't they'll put a halt to it."

In addition, he said, the US has a range of security issues it wants to pursue with the Myanmar military in areas such as Myanmar's regional role, potential counter-terrorism cooperation and balancing China's growing influence in Southeast Asia.

He suggested the administration could accomplish its greater goals with proposed congressional restrictions in place, as proposed legislation does not aim to cut off all military engagement.

Congress, he said, "is just a little bit gun-shy literally - about sort of over-militarizing the US[Myanmar] relationship at a time when it's US policy to bolster the civilian side of the governance package in Myanmar."

Jannuzi suggested the US has more leverage with Myanmar's military than the administration thinks partly because of its interest in moving away from China as its sole benefactor and returning to the good graces of the US. The administration wrongly believes that if it were to demand significant, measurable military reforms in exchange for graduated assistance "that basically the [Myanmar] military would tell the US to go to hell."

Steve Hirsch is a Washington DC-based journalist who has reported extensively on Myanmar and Western policies towards Myanmar

rbanization has been an integral part of India’s growth story. The country today has an urban population of 377.10 million (31.2 percent of the total) and is continually expanding its base. Factors such as the rise in population, migration to urban areas and increase in nuclear families have changed the entire demographics of the country.

This swift progression of the population base demands newer sets of cities, both for the urban and urban poor population.

According to a JNNURM report on “India’s Urban Demographics Transition” published in 2011, India requires 35 new cities by 2031 to support the mushrooming population base. These cities are anticipated to be world-class, having a nearly perfect blend of technology, infrastructure, green environment, and governance. The emerging growth centers are thus being looked upon as the new face of the country.

Development models of cities like Gurgaon, Pune and Hyderabad have, however, created apprehensions. These 21st century cities are the clear reflections of potential growth coupled with huge unprecedented urban challenges in the form of infrastructural shortages. These supposedly planned cities seem to raise questions on the theory of a planned city because of their shortsighted vision. Since a decade, only partial development has taken place on their agenda. They exhibit a weak infrastructural set up which is further eroded by the pursuit of converting them into favorable investment zones and overlooking their quality of life.

Now, government solely cannot be blamed for transforming our futuristic cities into chaotic and saturated urban centers.

Instead, real estate developers are equally responsible. They have always converted an opportunity into mere money making deals, be it Gurgaon or Noida. They have smartly tried to make our cities look like pigeonholes in the shadow of bridging the demand and supply gap of houses. They have well understood the underlying potential of the housing sector in the country and have thus customized their business models accordingly.

Earlier, developers emphasized on building premium and luxury homes but now, they have tailored their offerings according to the needs of the masses. They are aware that owning a house is of paramount importance for a majority of the people today so they are tactically positioning and marketing themselves around it. Their focus has shifted from ‘high margin’ to ‘high volume.’ As a result, they are disorderly constructing houses and office spaces around the country. To make their deals look more lucrative, they are efficiently compromising with the planned environment of the city.

Gurgaon is an active case in point. It is a by-product of a real estate developer’s genuine efforts. Still, the anticipated millennium city of the country, around which a lot of corporate development has taken place, is fundamentally an urban disaster. It has a huge dearth of basic infrastructure, from affordable housing options and integrated urban transportation to other public services like water and electricity. It is a perfect example of how a city should not grow. The city has numerous highrises of varied size and shape, mostly comprising big office buildings. It has very few liveable and affordable places within its territory. The city is a perfect blend of congestion and pollution, thus worsening the overall quality of life.

In such a scenario, the real victims of the agony are the urban poor, who are forced to live in matchbox houses just opposite or near some big office spaces. Every developing Indian city is demonstrating a similar trend wherein, right next to a grand, towering modern building lie unauthorized colonies. Interestingly, it reflects widespread inequality in front of our eyes and is still being overlooked. Nobody is ready to cater to the masses present at the bottom of the pyramid.

The question thus arises: How are we envisioning another set of new cities when our existing setup is flawed? With this pace and proficiency, building them will certainly be a huge challenge. There seems to be no clear planning agenda of our upcoming cities, especially with respect to their liveability.

There is thus, a pressing need for an approach that is comprehensive yet precise. Like it is in the case of Singapore. The city is a successful model of development with economic innovation, effectual policies and planned environment. They had smartly sketched long-term strategic plans and involved private players in the development process at an early stage by maintaining transparency and accountability. Undoubtedly, by making planning an inclusive process, Singapore today has become a soulful city. It has the right mix of all crucial dimensions of urban life. Indian cities should certainly take cues from such successful models but not blindly imitate them. The real estate developers and government should make joint efforts in India. They should understand that for a city to prosper it requires connectivity, mobility and good quality of life in conjunction with economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

People are pinning their hopes on the new government, anticipating that its version of planned development would act as a strong tool to manage the widespread urban issues and transform our Indian cities into bright, futuristic and smart urban centers.

Wacky haircuts a standout feature of 2014 World Cup

I

steve douglas AP Sports Writer

t was an odd place to find three international footballers on the eve of a crucial World Cup game, inside a small hair salon located on the forecourt of a gas station on the outskirts of a remote Brazilian city.

But there they were, Nigeria stars Emmanuel Emenike, Kenneth Omeruo and Ahmed Musa, eager for a new style and color touch-ups for the big match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "They are very vain," said Dirce Cardoso, owner of the Salao de Beleza Aeroporto in southern Cuiaba. "They wanted to be pampered."

So Cardoso obliged. She canceled her other appointments, closed the salon and gave the footballers the full VIP treatment.

Two of them got a Mohican and two of them had their hair dyed black.

Total cost: $71 — and Cardoso was even treated to a ticket for the match.

It seems like we have a new addition to the footballer's pre-match routine — healthy meal, massage, a few media interviews ... and a new haircut. This World Cup has been a tournament full of goals, surprise results and breath-taking skills, but also some of the wackiest, most outrageous hairstyles you'll find in sports.

Rat tails, mohicans, dreadlocks, braids, bleached blond, outlandish side-partings, the "Afro" — you name a hairstyle, and at

Kyle Beckerman

Rodrigo Palacio

Mario Balotelli

least one player is certain to have had it. And it's been the talk of Twitter during games.

Footballers appear to be pre-occupied with their hair like never before. "I found out that my haircut got quite a lot of people talking on social media," France defender Mathieu Debuchy told The Associated Press, sporting a hairstyle that can best be described as shaved on the sides with of lizard-shaped comb-over/side-parting. "So much the better if people talk and communicate about it. I feel good this way, I like it and that's the main thing, no?"

Ever-changing hairstyles used to be domain of David Beckham, who experimented

with the shaved head, the cornrows, the Fauxhawk and bleach-blond look, among others, in the blink of an eye. Now everyone is at it, and the styles are getting bolder and bolder.

Take Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, for example. The world player of the year had a different hairstyle for each of his three games at the World Cup — for the second, against the United States, he had a zig-zagstyle engraving in the right side of his head.

Similarly, Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan had a blond No. 3 dyed into the side of his black hair to represent the number of his jersey that had been handed to him by his brother, Baffour. "It's my favorite number,"

Gyan said. "It's a powerful number."

The mohican is becoming increasingly popular among players and has been best demonstrated at the World Cup by enigmatic Italy striker Mario Balotelli, France midfielder Paul Pogba and Portugal's Raul Meireles. In fact, Meireles' overall appearance has been one of the sights of the tournament, complementing his wacky hair with a bushy beard and tattoos that appear to cover almost all his body.

When Meireles and U.S. midfielder Kyle Beckerman — famous for his messy dreadlocks — collided in a challenge during their teams' group-stage match, it was more a clash of the haircuts. U.S. Soccer posted on

Twitter: "Dreads vs. Mohawk/Beard" with a photo. A combination of boredom, vanity, football being increasingly fashionable and maybe even the influence of sponsors means that players are becoming more daring with their styles. "I love that they all have their unique styles," Cardoso said. "They all are very modern. I wouldn't choose one over the other. "This year, everything looks kind of strange. But it's normal. It's about being young and different. It's beautiful."

Here are five of the craziest hairstyles at the World Cup: • Rodrigo Palacio, Argentina: with his shaved head except for a rat's tail at the back, Palacio arguably has the most jaw-dropping haircut at the World Cup. • Raul Meireles, Portugal: his Mohawk has been compared to the one sported

by Robert De Niro in 'Taxi Driver.' His thick beard and all-over body tattoos add to his scary-looking appearance.

• Marouane Fellaini, Belgium: the king of the football "Afro" but maybe not for much longer. Fellaini has vowed to chop it all off if Belgium wins the World Cup. • Kyle Beckerman, United States: let his curly hair go wild after leaving home some years ago. Now Beckerman looks like the U.S. squad's very own Bob Marley.

• Paul Pogba, France: not satisfied with having a bleached line through his Mohawk, Pogba also has two bleached stripes on the shaved sides.

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

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Thursday 3 July 2014

The Morung Express

US spying row overshadows McCain’s trip to India

neW Delhi, July 2 (ReuteRs): A visit to India by U.S. Senator John McCain on Wednesday was overshadowed by a row over reports that the National Security Agency was authorised to spy on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in 2010.

McCain cancelled a news conference due to be held outside India’s foreign ministry after India summoned a senior U.S. diplomat to the ministry over the spying report. U.S. and Indian officials gave differing explanations for the cancellation, but said it was not linked to the row. India sought an assurance that any such surveillance would not recur.

“India has sought an explanation of the information contained in the press reports, and an assurance that such authorisations will not be acted upon by U.S. government entities,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Indo-U.S. relations have been delicate for months, following a major spat over the treatment of an Indian diplomat who was arrested in New York in December, an incident that was widely blamed for the resignation of the U.S. ambassador to New Delhi.

The Obama government has sought to revive ties since Modi’s election in May, with an eye to ramping up bilateral trade and defence deals with India.

Modi was for years denied a visa for travel to the United States following religious riots while he was a state chief minister. He has responded positively to the U.S. advances and shown

India seeks explanation from US over BJP snooping row

U.S. Senator John McCain waves to the media as he leaves after a meeting with Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi on Wednesday, July 2. McCain, the Republican Senator from Arizona, is part of a group of legislators urging the Congressional leadership to invite Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session of the US Congress when he visits Washington. (AP Photo)

no resentment publicly.

McCain, whose Arizona constituency is host to some of Boeing and Raytheon’s most important defence businesses, told the Senate last week that Washington should seek to help India’s economic and military development. McCain and India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj discussed taking forward bilateral relations, the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is also

expected to visit India soon.

The United States does not currently have an ambassador in New Delhi and its most senior diplomat is the charge d’affaires.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was among a handful of political organisations a U.S. court allowed the intelligence agency to spy on, according to a 2010 classified document leaked by former security contractor Edward Snowden and published by the Washington Post.

The other organisations

included Lebanon’s Hezbollah-allied group Amal, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, and the Pakistan Peoples Party, the leaked legal certification approved by U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court showed.

BJP CAUTIOUS The BJP, a Hindu nationalist party that had been in opposition for a decade, swept to power in May under Modi with the first outright parliamentary majority in 30 years. Modi has not publicly commented

on the snooping allegation.

BJP leaders offered cautious remarks that the government would take appropriate action.

Akbaruddin said that if the snooping reports were true, it was “highly objectionable”. The foreign ministry had voiced concerns a year ago about allegations that U.S. agencies spied on the Indian embassy in Washington, but critics say the issue has largely been brushed under the carpet. U.S. officials acknowledged they have yet to respond and said they would do so, Akbaruddin said.

neW Delhi, July 2 (ians): Conveying its serious concern over reports that the BJP was among parties which the US National Security Agency (NSA) was authorised to spy upon, India Wednesday summoned a senior US diplomat and sought an explanation on the issue.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India has clearly explained its concerns to the US government and sought an assurance from the country that any such authorisation will not be acted upon. “We have already communicated to the government of the United States. We have said that we have seen reports in the US media regarding authorisation given to entities of the US government to intrude upon the privacy of communications of the Indian government, its citizens and Indian entities. If such intrusions have indeed been authorised and have taken place, these are highly objectionable,” Akbaruddin said.

According to a report in the Washington Post, India was among 193 countries “concerning” whom the NSA has been authorised to intercept information by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The NSA exempted only four countries - Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - “in a group known collectively with the US as the Five Eyes” from such surveillance, the newspaper reported.

The US has had broad no-spying arrangements with these four

countries, the Post said, citing a new set of top secret documents leaked by Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor-turnedwhistleblower who has been given asylum in Russia.

India figures in the list of “193 foreign governments as well as foreign factions, political organisations and other entities that were part of a 2010 certification approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court”, said an accompanying exhibit cited by the newspaper.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which leads the ruling National Democratic Alliance government, was one of the six non-US political parties across the globe that the NSA received official permission in 2010 to covertly spy upon, the Post reported.

Akbaruddin said the government had conveyed its message “clearly and lucidly” and will wait for a response from the US. Asked about the response of the US official, he said the US has conveyed that it will get back after making judgement on what information it would like to share. Akbaruddin did not name the US diplomat to whom India conveyed its message.

Akbaruddin had Tuesday termed the revelations that that BJP was among the foreign political parties authorised to spy upon

by NSA, as totally unacceptable and “extremely disconcerting”.

India has in the past raised with US the issue of its intelligence apparatus trawling electronic communications, mainly e-mails.

US daily blames ‘sand Chennai building collapse death toll now forty-seven mafia’ for Beas tragedy NHRC issues notice to Tamil Nadu govt

Washington/shimla, July 2 (ians): Less than a month after 24 students of an engineering college from Hyderabad were swept away in Himachal Pradesh’s Beas river, a US daily Wednesday blamed the “sand mafia” for the tragedy.

“Millions of Indians have gazed in horror at videos showing 24 cheerful engineering students wading in a tranquil stretch of the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh last month and then being swept to their deaths as the waters around them surged,” the New York Times said in editorial “Erosion of Trust in India”.

The water, it said, was released from a dam upstream, apparently to deposit sand on the riverbed for easy mining. That release, and the drownings it caused, “have been attributed to the `sand mafia’, a nexus of corrupt officials and the sand miners they let loot a basically free natural resource”.

“An essential ingredient in cement, sand has seen its value soar along with the fortunes of India’s equally corrupt construction industry,” the editorial added. BJP leader and former two-time chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal blamed Virbhadra Singh-led state government for promoting mining mafia.

“I visited the spot next day after the tragedy (June 8). A number of link roads along the river were visible there. My question to the government is that who has constructed those link roads,” Dhumal Wednesday told IANS over phone.

He said if the government has not constructed these roads, connecting the National Highway-21 with the riverbed, it’s most likely the handiwork

of the sand mafia.

“Why the government has not initiated action against the erring officials who allowed them to dig link roads. The sand mafia is probably behind it but the government is primarily responsible for this disaster,” Dhumal added.

Official sources said various big and small road inlets have been made by the sand mafia along the national highway in Mandi and Kullu districts to reach the riverbank. Even at the accident site in Thalot in Mandi district, a majority of engineering college students, who were on a holiday trip to Manali, used one of these link roads before they were caught unawares by the surging waters June 8.

“The students, after descending from the main road, reached the bank of the river by using one such path made by the mining mafia for plying tractor-trailers,” said a state mining official. A hair-raising video, which was shot by a local, showed a tractor-trailer loaded with sand plying in the area when a strong upsurge in the river water carried the students away.

The video, now on YouTube, showed the students standing on the boulders in the riverbed for a picturepostcard shoot with the gurgling river in the background, and then a wall of water suddenly pushing the screaming and howling victims away.

Bodies of 21 of the 24 missing students were recovered till Tuesday.

One tour operator is also missing.

More than 50 students and faculty members of the V.N.R. Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad were on the excursion.

Chennai, July 2 (ians): The toll in the 11-storey building collapse in Chennai continues to mount, with the number of people who lost their lives touching 47 Wednesday, officials said. A total of 73 people were caught under the debris in the building collapse Saturday evening. Of the total, 27 are alive and have been rescued.

Workers involved in the rescue work going on since Saturday fear some more people could be under the debris. A person who was rescued Tuesday told officials that several people were watching television in a room along with him when the building collapsed.

As strong stench emanated from the debris, rescue workers were vaccinated by the health department against infectious diseases. Some

The residential project Trust Heights was being developed by Prime Sristi Housing Pvt. Ltd. The Chennai, July 2 (tnn): Taking suo motu cognizance of a media project comprised two 11-storey report, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a no- blocks - The Belief and The Faith. tice to Tamil Nadu chief secretary Mohan Verghese Chunkath, calling for Most of the people trapped under a report within two weeks into the incident of building collapse at Mouli- the debris are said to be construction vakkam in Chennai. workers and some might have taken The 12-storeyed under construction building collapsed during rains shelter in the building as it was rainon Saturday evening, claiming 47 lives so far. At least 27 construction ing at the time of the collapse, people workers have been rescued until Wednesday noon on a massive opera- in the area said. tion undertaken by various government agencies, including National DiGiant steel rod cutters and other saster Response Force. The workers belonging to Tamil Nadu, Andhra equipment have been pressed into Pradesh and northern states were in the basement to collect their weekly service, while sniffer dogs and sowage when building collapsed. NHRC cited a media report quoting chief phisticated cameras are at the acminister stating that the building collapsed due to structural defects and cident site to locate trapped people. the builder had violated various norms.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Public Works Department declared “unof the residents living near the acci- decomposed state, making it difficult safe” an adjacent 11-storey building dent site have vacated their homes for relatives to identify them. One of - part of the same project. The buildunable to bear the stench. The bodies the ways to identify the bodies is by ing will be pulled down once the resthat are being recovered now are in a doing a DNA test. cue and recovery operations are over.

Don’t undermine conduct of country’s election: SC

neW Delhi, July 2 (ians): The Supreme Court Wednesday decried the tendency of undermining the conduct of election in the country while comparing it with elections in England and America, saying the world was envious of the way elections were carried out on such a vast scale in the country.

“Why you compare elections in the country with that of other countries? You can’t imagine the scale at which elections are conducted through EVMs across the country. People, the world over, are envious of the way elections are conducted in

the country,” said apex court bench of Chief Justice R.M. Lodha, Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph.

“They can’t believe that India held elections by EVMs. They don’t use it in America.

They want to adopt Indian system. Don’t undermine the conduct of Indian elections,” the court said as it declined a public interest litigation (PIL).

The PIL sought direction to the Election Commission to put in place a mechanism so voters know the antecedents of the candidates they have to choose from before they go to exercise their votes at polling booths.

Govt takes steps to curb exports, hoarding of onions

neW Delhi, July 2 (ians): The government Wednesday hiked the minimum export price of onions by 67 percent and brought it under the Essential Commodities Act to curb hoarding as prices soared in the domestic markets.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to include onions and potatos under the purview of stock holding limits under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The step will empower the state governments to undertake de-hoarding operations and to control the prices of onions and potatoes, Telecom and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told media persons here after the cabinet meeting.

Earlier in the day the commerce ministry announced that an Inter-Ministerial panel has unanimously decided to hike minimum export price of onions by 67 percent to $500 per tonne in a bid to discourage exports

and improve local supplies.

The government has taken tough steps for the second time in nearly two weeks to curb onion exports. With a view to discouraging onion exports, government had June 17 set a minimum price of onion exports at $300 per tonne.

After the increase, the minimum export price of onions translates to Rs.30 per kg. Onion prices have soared in the domestic markets in the recent weeks and the vegetable is now sold for Rs.20-30 per kg in retail markets.

“I request the people that there is no need to panic. The government is committed to control the price rise,” Minister of Law and Telcom Ravi Shankar Prasad told media persons after the cabinet meeting here.

Prasad also expressed hope that monsoon would improve in the coming days that would have positive impact on food prices.

“Let’s not panic rain god will smile on us...Government hopes that the rain will be ok,” he said.

The decision to hike the minimum export price was unanimously taken by an Inter-Ministerial Committee at a meeting here June 30. “Keeping in view the rising retail and wholesale prices and delayed monsoon, the Committee unanimously decided to fix the minimum export price at $500 per tonne which translates to Rs.30 per kg with a view to arresting domestic price rise and augmenting domestic supply,” a commerce ministry statement said.

The commerce ministry said there was “no appreciable decline in the exports of onions” despite the $300 per tonne minimum export price set June 17.

Rise in general price level, especially in the prices of onions and potato, has been a big worry for Modi government.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said controlling inflation is one of the major challenges confronting the government. India’s wholesale price-based inflation rose to a five-month high of 6.01 percent in May against 5.20 percent in the

previous month due to a sharp jump in food and fuel prices.

Retail inflation measured in terms of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was recorded at 8.28 percent in May, according to the latest government data. The Centre has convened a meeting of state food ministers Friday to discuss “measures to check unreasonable increase in prices of some food items”.

Finance Minister Jaitley will chair the meeting to be held in the national capital. “The prices of some of the commodities, especially onion and potato, are a matter of concern. It is very urgent to discuss the measures to be taken to address the issue,” the food ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

“Steps to prevent hoarding of these commodities and plans for distribution of specific essential items through public channels and improving other supply channels will be discussed in the meeting,” the statement said alluding to the state food ministers’ meeting.

The conduct of elections for the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies came in praise of the court as PIL petitioner Banwari Lal Sharma referred to British practice where voters are well informed about the candidates they have to choose from before they go to polling booths to exercise their votes.

Sharma said the right to know the background of the candidate is a fundamental right of the people as it facilitates an informed expression of opinion - a right guaranteed under Article 19(1) of the Constitution.

The PIL petitioner said

the apex court in its various decisions had declared the right of the voter to know the antecedents of the candidates in the fray was a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Sharma, in his PIL, referred to an earlier apex court verdict which said: “...a democracy can’t survive without free and fair election, without free and fairly informed voters. Votes cast by uninformed voters in favour of X or Y candidate would be meaningless... one-sided information, disinformation, misinformation and non-information all equally create an uninformed

citizenry, which makes democracy a farce.”

He said for a successful democratic system, it is a must that best people should come forward and be elected as representatives of the people. However, the petitioner said this was not happening.

“At present for most politicians, politics has become a most profitable business.

Donors (financially backing politicians) become the partners in this business. They invest huge money in the elections and earn more than that. This becomes the root cause of all ills of Indian democracy,” the petition said.

Controversy around Pushkar’s death revives after AIIMS doctor’s claims

neW Delhi, July 2 (ians): The controversy surrounding the death of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was again revived Wednesday after the chief of the AIIMS forensic department reportedly said he was pressurised to show her death as “natural”. As union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan sought a report from AIIMS, the institute denied the allegation made by its senior doctor.

Tharoor also requested the authorities to conduct a “thorough investigation” to conclude the inquiry “rapidly and transparently”. Top officials of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India’s premier health and research institution, categorically denied the allegations made by forensic department chief Sudhir Gupta.

“The AIIMS administration has come to know through media reports about the allegations made by Sudhir Gupta about he being pressurised to amend the post mortem report of Sunanda Pushkar,” said Neerja Bhatla of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology.

“The AIIMS administration categorically denies any such allegations. There was no attempt to change the post mortem report,” she added.

Media reports said Gupta alleged that he was pressurised by top officials to show Pushkar’s death as “natural” but as he refused to bow down to pressure and the autopsy report that he

gave Jan 20 stated that Pushkar died due to drug poisoning that could be both suicidal or homicidal, he feared he would be removed.

Gupta in an affidavit before the Central Administrative Tribunal, which settles disputes regarding recruitment and conditions of service of people appointed to public services, two months ago alleged that a decision was taken by AIIMS to promote his junior as the head of department and to remove him.

Guptafearedhewasbeingremovedashegave the“rightpost-mortemreport”,sourcestoldIANS. As the controversy was raked up again, Tharoor in astatementfromThiruvananthapuram,whichhe representsintheLokSabha,said:“Uponthetragic loss of my wife Sunanda and from the very beginning,Ihaverequestedforathoroughinvestigation by the authorities to be conducted and concluded rapidly and transparently.”

Pushkar, 52, was found dead in her room at a five star hotel in Delhi Jan 17. Speaking on the controversy, Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi said Gupta will be examined if necessary and his affidavit brought on record. “If it is necessary to examine Sudhir Gupta, he will be examined and if it is necessary his affidavit which apparently has been filed by him before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) will also be brought on record,” Bassi told the media.

InTErnaTIonal

The Morung Express

Thursday 3 July 2014

March for democracy in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, July 2 (AP): Hong Kong police arrested more than 500 people who refused to leave a street in the city’s financial district Wednesday, a day after tens of thousands of people joined a massive march to demand democracy that’s free from China’s interference.

The march has become an annual affair held on the anniversary of the day China took over Hong Kong from Britain on June 1, 1997 with the promise to give the city a high degree of autonomy for 50 years.

But there is growing unease among its residents — especially the youth — that the Western-style civil liberties they’ve know all their lives are being eroded as Beijing has increasingly tried to impose its authority over the freewheeling capitalist enclave.

The fears are only going to be heightened following the pre-dawn crackdown by the Hong Kong police, who normally do not have an antagonistic relationship with the people, unlike the security forces in mainland China.

Police said 511 people were arrested for unlawful assembly in the Central business district and preventing police from carrying out their duties. After warnings failed to dislodge them, the police moved in to remove the protesters, who lay down on the street with arms locked, taking them away one by one. The protesters had vowed to stay until 8 a.m., just before the height of rush hour begins, but the police started moving in to evict them at about 3 a.m.

Protesters are taken away by police officers after hundreds of protesters staged a peaceful sit-ins overnight on a street in the financial district in Hong Kong on Wednesday, July 2, following a huge rally to show their support for democratic reform and oppose Beijing’s desire to have the final say on candidates for the chief executive’s job. (AP Photo)

Some left willingly but others were forcibly removed, taken away by officers on both arms or carried away off the ground. One officer stood behind a protester and put an arm around the man’s neck as he and other officers tried to pull his hands free, knocking off the eyeglasses of the demonstrator he was clinging to.

Those arrested were mostly students who had decided to occupy Chater Road after taking part in Tuesday’s rally, which police said attracted 98,000 people at its peak. Organizers said 510,000 people turned out, the high-

est estimates in a decade.

Hong Kong researchers put the number at between 154,000 and 172,000.

Whatever the numbers, the march and the vehemence of opposition is certain to raise the alarm in Beijing, which tried to keep the news away from people in mainland China.

The Chinese media predictably did not report it, and comments about the protests were deleted from microblogs and other social media. Some users posted comments saying friends’ accounts were blocked after they discussed the protests.

A Hong Kong protester, Kennie Chan, lamented that Beijing was less restrained now in exerting its influence over Hong Kong.

“In the past, it seemed like they were doing it step by step, but now, it’s obvious that they cannot stand Hong Kong people. We are not obedient anymore, and are resisting more and more,” said the 30-year-old, who works as a stage manager.

China’s Communist leaders have pledged to allow Hong Kong residents to vote for the leader by 2017.

However, they’ve rejected calls to allow the public to name candidates, insisting

instead that they be vetted by a Beijing-friendly committee like the one that has hand-picked all leaders since the handover.

Also, three weeks ago, the Chinese government released a so-called white paper that said Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy is not inherent but is authorized by the central government in Beijing.

Anger against those moves was on display during the march Tuesday when peaceful crowds carried banners and posters urging democracy. They steady throng of people walked in sweltering heat

and occasional rain from Victoria Park, through a broad boulevard lined with skyscrapers to the financial district. Thousands of police kept watch and ordered the city’s iconic trolleys to shut down along the boulevard to reduce overcrowding.

“After seeing the white paper’s content, we should be worried,” said Jeff Kwok, 28, an export firm employee at Victoria Park, where six soccer fields and surrounding areas were jammed with people. Beijing is “trying to tell the Hong Kong people that ...

Hong Kong is just one of their regions. They’re trying to tell us they have absolute power to rule us.”

Kwok complained that Beijing doesn’t respect the principle of “one country, two systems” under which Hong Kong is allowed to retain control over much of its own affairs. Ahead of the rally, one group of protesters burned a copy of the white paper outside a ceremony attended by officials to mark the handover.

The protest comes days after nearly 800,000 residents voted in an informal referendum aimed at bolstering support for full democracy. Beijing denounced the referendum as a political farce. Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader, tried to soothe tensions, saying in a speech that he’ll do his “utmost to forge a consensus” on implementing universal suffrage on schedule.

But the government later released a statement saying it is unlikely that public nominations will be allowed because it’s legally “highly controversial.”

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Sarkozy faces charges in French corruption probe PARIs, July 2 (AP): Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s car wheeled out of the court parking lot in the dead of night Wednesday after he was charged in a corruption probe, a televised reminder of just how often France’s political elite is charged with wrongdoing in office.

The former conservative party leader, whose political comeback has been floated by his faltering UMP party, had been in custody answering questions from judicial officials. His personal lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and magistrate Gilbert Azibert were also questioned.

Sarkozy is accused of tapping political allies to gain intelligence on a flurry of probes linked to campaign finance. He has vigorously denied wrongdoing and planned to address the latest allegations on television Wednesday.

“This situation is serious. The facts are serious,” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told BFM television. “But as head of the government, I’m asking that we remember the independence of the justice system, which must carry out its work serenely. No one is above the law is the second principle. And thirdly, an important reminder, there is the presumption of innocence.”

At the heart of the investigations are allegations that Sarkozy took 50 million euros ($67 million) in illegal campaign funds from Libya’s late dictator, Moammar Gadhafi. He has not been convicted.

Valls said the investigation was being carried out by the new financial crime force independently of the Socialist government, which defeated Sarkozy in the 2012 election.

“This is yet another thing to erode the image of the political class, because it gives the image of an all-powerful group that believes itself to be above the law,” said Jean Garrigues, a political historian at the University of Orleans and the Sorbonne. Lawyers for Herzog and Azibert said the men were handed preliminary charges of influence trafficking. After further investigation, judges will determine whether to hold a trial.

NKorea fires projectiles before Xi’s Seoul visit Over 4,000 child soldiers in armed conflicts: UN

seOul, July 2 (AP): North Korea on Wednesday fired two short-range projectiles into waters off its east coast, South Korean officials said, on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s talks in Seoul expected to focus on the North’s nuclear weapons program.

The launches, the third in a week, were believed to be sending a message that the North is boosting its defenses and expressing its displeasure that Xi will become the first Chinese leader to visit rival South Korea before the North, analysts say.

The projectiles, with a range of 180 kilometers (110 miles), were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan and harmlessly landed in the sea Wednesday morning, South Korean defense officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of department rules.

The North also fired three short-range projectiles last Thursday and two short-range missiles again on Sunday, both into waters off the east coast, according

to Seoul’s Defense Ministry.

The North’s state media later said that leader Kim Jong Un had guided firing of missiles in a likely reference to those specific launches.

The launches sent a message that North Korea does not want anyone meddling in its building up nuclear and other defense capabilities, said Chang Yong Seok, a senior researcher at Seoul National University’s Institute for Peace and Unification Studies. North Korea “must be feeling bad” about Xi’s trip to South Korea, he said.

Xi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye were scheduled to hold their fifth meeting since Park took office in 2012. Xi has not yet met Kim since the young North Korean leader took power in 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. China is North Korea’s longtime ally and the main aid provider, but Beijing was angered when Pyongyang ramped up tensions last year with its third nuclear tests and a torrent of threats of nuclear strikes against

Seoul and Washington.

China has supported tightening of U.N. sanctions and cracked down on North Korean banking activity.

Wednesday’s launch also came a day after South Korea rejected a set of proposals by North Korea that it said would reduce tensions, including the cancellation of annual drills between Seoul and Washington. Seoul officials said the North must first demonstrate that it is serious about nuclear disarmament if it truly wants peace.

North Korea’s powerful National Defense Commission called for the drills to be scrapped, calling them a rehearsal for invasion. It also suggested that the two Koreas halt hostile military acts against each other at border areas and stop psychological warfare. South Korea and the U.S. have repeatedly denied that they seek to invade the North. The Korean Peninsula officially remains in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

uNIteD NAtIONs, July 2 (AP): The United Nations has documented more than 4,000 cases of children recruited and used in conflicts in 2013 and said in a report Tuesday that thousands more

are estimated to have joined armies and rebel groups around the globe.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s annual report on children and armed conflict adds Nigeria’s notorious extremist group

Boko Haram to the U.N. “list of shame.” It now includes eight government forces and 51 armed groups that recruit or use, kill or maim, commit sexual violence or rape against children in conflicts, or attack

A pile of mild stimulant drug Khat llies beside the wreckage of a Fokker 50 cargo plane after it crashed into a building on take-off at Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, July 2, 2014. According to a police official said Joseph Ngisa, the airport’s head of police investigations, four people aboard the plane were killed when their cargo plane crashed, transporting the mild stimulant drug known as Khat to the Somali capital of Mogadishu. (AP Photo)

schools or hospitals.

The report said the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict remained prevalent in 2013 and those who commit grave violations against children, especially sexual violence, usually don’t face justice.

Leila Zerrougui, the special representative for children and armed conflict, told a news conference launching the report that advances by Islamist extremists in Iraq “are creating extremely volatile and dangerous conditions for children.” She said the secretary-general has listed four new parties for recruiting and using children: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, al-Qaida affiliated Jahbat al-Nusra, the ultraconservative Islamic rebel group Ahrar al-Sham, and the Kurdish People Protection Units or YPG. In Nigeria, Zerrougui said, “Boko Haram continues to commit unspeakable violence against children.”

She said its listing for killing and injuring youngsters, attacking schools and abducting girls will allow the United Nations to collect and

verify information about its activities and “take action.”

Elsewhere in Africa, Zerrougui said recruitment and use of children is widespread in South Sudan and gains made by the government to address grave violations have been reversed following fighting that broke out in December which has sparked months of ethnic attacks. She said President Salva Kiir and former vice-president Riek Machar recently pledged to stop using child soldiers.

In the Central African Republic, Zerrougui said, children have been used by Muslim and Christian rebel groups and been victims of widespread violence including sexual attacks in 2013 “in total impunity.”

Children growing up in Somalia, Congo and Afghanistan also continue to suffer the consequences of conflict but Zerrougui cited one bright spot — Chad has been taken off the “list of shame” because it’s national army has implemented all measures to protect children in an action plan signed with the U.N.

Syria-Iraq ‘caliph’ incites Muslims to holy war

This undated image posted by the Raqqa Media Center, a Syrian opposition group, on Monday, June 30, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, shows fighters from the al-Qaida linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during a parade in Raqqa, Syria. (AP Photo)

DuBAI, July 2 (ReuteRs): The leader of the al Qaeda offshoot now calling itself the Islamic State has called on Muslims worldwide to take up arms

and flock to the “caliphate” it has declared on captured Syrian and Iraqi soil.

Proclaiming a “new era” in which Muslims will ultimately triumph, Abu Bakr

al-Baghdadi issued the call to jihad - holy war - in an audio message lasting nearly 20 minutes that was posted online on Tuesday.

It was his first purported

message since the group previously known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) - proclaimed the caliphate on Sunday and declared him its leader, in an audacious bid to sweep away state borders and redraw the map of the Middle East.

Baghdadi, who has assumed the mediaeval title of caliph, used the message to seek to assert authority over Muslims everywhere. He called on them to rise up and avenge the alleged wrongs committed against their religion, from Central African Republic to Myanmar (Burma). “Terrify the enemies of Allah and seek death in the places where you expect to find it,” he said. “Your brothers, on every piece of this earth, are waiting for you to rescue them.”

The audio message, titled “A Message to the Mujahideen and the Muslim Ummah in the Month

of Ramadan,” was posted online through the group’s media arm. Another account affiliated to the group posted translations in English, Russian, French, German and Albanian. “By Allah, we will take revenge, by Allah we will take revenge, even if after a while,” Baghdadi said.

While ISIL’s power grab may appeal to many militants, there have already been signs of dissent. Some Islamist groups fighting in Syria have rejected the announcement of the caliphate, saying its terms had not “been realised at present”, and urged Muslims to avoid siding with the Islamic State.Iraq’s Association of Muslim Scholars, which was formed to represent minority Sunnis, said in a statement: “Any group that announces a state or an Islamic emirate... under these conditions is not in the interest of Iraq and its unity.”

“Thundering statement” The audio message’s authenticity could not be immediately verified, but it was carried by SITE, an authoritative U.S.-based organisation that monitors jihadist statements. Fighters should “embrace the chance and champion Allah’s religion through jihad”, Baghdadi said. He called on Muslims to immigrate to the self-styled caliphate, saying it was their duty. In a direct, confident message, he urged them to “listen, realise and stand and free yourself from the shackles of weakness, and stand in the face of tyranny”.

“Let the world know that we are living today in a new era. Whoever was heedless must now be alert.

Whoever was sleeping must now awaken. Whoever was shocked and amazed must comprehend. The Muslims today have a loud, thundering statement, and possess

heavy boots,” said Baghdadi, according to the posted translation.

“They have a statement that will cause the world to hear and understand the meaning of terrorism, and boots that will trample the idol of nationalism, destroy the idol of democracy and uncover its deviant nature.”

“Vanguard of new islamic awakening” The declaration of the caliphate followed a threeweek drive for territory by ISIL militants and their allies among Iraqi’s Sunni Muslim minority. Dominating swathes of territory in an arc from Aleppo in Syria to near the western edge of Baghdad, the caliphate aims to erase colonial-era borders and defy the U.S.- and Iranian-backed government of Iraq’s Shi’ite prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki.

Earlier on Tuesday, Shi’ites failed to name a

prime minister to replace Maliki at the first meeting of a new parliament session, dashing hopes that a unity government would be swiftly built to save Iraq from collapse.ISIL also poses a direct challenge to the global leadership of al Qaeda, which has disowned it, and to conservative Gulf Arab Sunni rulers, who already view the group as a security threat.

Julian Barnes-Dacey, a senior policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Baghdadi had made a “bold call in proclaiming this caliphate and speaking out so vigorously now”.

“He perceives this as his moment, having been able to seize this unprecedented amount of territory,” he said. “It’s a bold, all-in strategy wherein he is trying to present himself as the vanguard of this new Islamic awakening.”

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Thursday 3 July 2014

The Morung Express

BelgiuM holds on to defeAt usA

SALVADOR, JULy 2 (AP): They captured the hearts of America — from coast to coast, big towns and small, all the way to the White House. Capturing the World Cup will have to wait. Just like four years ago, the United States is going home after the round of 16, beaten when Belgium scored twice in extra time Tuesday and then held on for a 2-1 win.

"Thirty-one teams get their heart broken," goalkeeper Tim Howard said.

"It has to end sometime.

It ended a little bit early for us." Playing the finest game of his career, Howard stopped a dozen shots to keep the Americans even through regulation and force an additional 30 minutes. He wound up with 16 saves — the most in the World Cup since FIFA started keeping track in 2002.

Before exiting, the U.S. showed the spunk that won America's attention.

The Belgians built a twogoal lead when Kevin De Bruyne scored in the 93rd minute and Romelu Lukaku in the 105th. But then Julian Green, at 19 the third-youngest player in the tournament, stuck out his right foot to volley in Michael Bradley's pass over the defense in the 107th, two minutes after entering.

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, centre, scores his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1. (AP Photo)

"I was sure that we would make the second goal and we would go to the penalty shootout," Green said. The Americans nearly did. In the 114th, Clint Dempsey peeled away on a 30-yard free kick by Bradley, who passed ahead to Chris Wondolowski. He fed Dempsey, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois bolted off his line to block the 6-yard shot.

At the final whistle, the U.S. players fell to the field in their all-white uniforms like so many crumpled tissues. "They made their country proud with this performance and also with their entire performance in this World Cup," said Jurgen Klinsmann, the former German World Cup champion who took over as coach three years ago.

The Americans advanced from a difficult firstround group to reach the knockout rounds of consecutive World Cups for the first time. Four years ago, they were eliminated by Ghana 2-1 on a goal in the third minute of extra time.

"Getting to the round of 16, if we don't do that, we're very, very disappointed," U.S. Soccer Federation

Psych report says Pistorius is traumatized

PRetORiA, JULy 2 (AP): Oscar Pistorius is severely traumatized after killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year and will become an increasing suicide risk unless he continues to get mental health care, the judge overseeing his murder trial heard on Wednesday. Defense lawyer Barry Roux read excerpts from a psychologist's report that said the doubleamputee runner is suffer-

ing depression and posttraumatic stress disorder and "his condition is likely to worsen" if professional treatment for those conditions is halted. The report was compiled during a 30-day observation period at a state psychiatric hospital. A report was also compiled by three psychiatrists. The experts concluded that the doubleamputee runner was not mentally ill when he fatally

Peren district inter village sports meet

Vincent opens up on match fixing involvement

PeReN, JULy 2 (mexN): The Peren District Inter- Village Sports Meet which is to be organized by Peren District Sports Association (PDSA) is scheduled to be held from September 29 to October 3 at Jalukie town. The Sports Meet will comprise of ten competitions namely High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Marathon Race, 100 mt race, Relay Race, Wrestling (Naga style), Volleyball, Table Tennis, and Chess. The presidents of the respective associations are asked to contact the office of PDSA for further details. A separate invitation alongwith the modalities and rules and regulations of the Meet shall be given to the Village council for necessary arrangements and for which the PDSA has urged the village authority to co-operate.

WeLLiNGtON, JULy 2 (AP): Disgraced former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent says he's "a good lad" whose participation in match fixing — for which he is banned from cricket for life — was like "being dragged into a thick spider web." In an interview with the New Zealand Herald on Wednesday, Vincent said he doesn't want sympathy but hopes for understanding of how he succumbed to the temptation to fix matches.

Vincent said he was motivated by greed when he first became involved in fixing while playing in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League. He was approached by a bookmaker who offered him $15,000 and the services of a prostitute to manipulate the outcome of games. Vincent reported the approach to a fellow player who he trusted, but found that player was already a match fixer.

"Being around this per-

shot Steenkamp through a closed toilet door in the early hours of Feb. 14, 2013.

The court-ordered evaluation occurred after a psychiatrist testifying for the defense said Pistorius was suffering from an anxiety disorder that may have influenced his actions on the night he killed Steenkamp.

At times during his trial, Pistorius has wailed and retched in apparent dis-

son who oozed self-confidence and self-esteem was uplifting," he was quoted as saying. "I went to this person's room, explained my situation, then he paused, looked up and said 'that's great, a good cover because now you're working for me and we're going to be fixing matches.' "Try saying no to that. He said the ICL was unsanctioned, like backyard cricket, exhibition stuff, so fixing was OK and he'd pay me $50,000 per game." Vincent variously refers to the player involved as "The Don" or "My Hero."

He said the player threatened him with a cricket bat when a fix failed because of his mistakes.

Vincent said he renewed his arrangement with the player involved when he went on to play for Lancashire in English county cricket. He admits approaching his Lancashire teammate, England player Mal Loye and

tress, particularly during graphic testimony about the shooting and also when the athlete was on the witness stand. At other times, he has been calm and taken notes. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel has suggested Pistorius feigned distress in order to dodge a tough cross-examination; the athlete's camp has denied his emotional displays were fake.

offering him money to fix matches. Loye refused and reported the approach to the England and Wales Cricket Board. On Tuesday the ECB banned Vincent for life from all involvement in cricket after he pleaded guilty to 18 fixing chargers relating to county matches.

Vincent describes the intricate system under which payments for his services were made.

"One time I was given an address at an industrial site in Birmingham," he said. "I went to a preinstructed street number and knocked. "I heard a latch and then the door opened and I walk into a small laundry. An elderly Indian couple in their 60s or 70s welcomed me. I'd been rung to say pick out any 20 pound note, and text the barcode to a bookie. I passed it on to these guys to verify my entrance.

They said 'there's your bag of cash' and off I went."

PDBA district level badminton meet 2014

Phek ADC Lovitoli with officials and some of the winners of district level meet of PDBA on June 27 at Phek

KOhimA, JULy 2 (mexN): The district level meet of Phek District Badminton Association (PDBA) was held from June 26 to 27 last at Phek Badminton Stadium with C. Khalong, director higher education as the chief guest in the opening ceremony and Lovitoli, ADC Phek as guest of honour in the closing ceremony. Altogether, 47 participants from 4 sub division of Phek district joined the tournament.

The event was chaired by Netsozu Tunyi, president PDBA while vote of

thanks was proposed by PDBA trea- • Women’s Doubles: Champion- surer Medowe-u.

Shekhotolu & Ruth; Runners-uVetani & Kusivolu WINNERS • Sub Veteran: Champion- Velo & • Junior Boys (Doubles): ChampiKhrolo; Runners-up- Wekhape & on- Nuvezo & Nuzo; Runners-upKekhrozulo Zuren & Besuto • Veteran: Champion- Thepuruyo & • Junior Girls (Doubles): Champion- Lhiwepelo; Runners up- Netzozu & Shekhotolu & Ruth; Runners-upMutsito Vetani & Kusivelu • Men’s Singles : Champion- • Men’s Doubles: Champion- Wewute; Runners up- Nuvezo Wewute & Athunbemo; Runners- • Women’s Singles: Champion- up- Nuvezo & Nuzo Shekhotolu; Runners-up- Ruth

President Sunil Gulati said.

"We get here and it's kind of the swing game. We get beyond here, then it's generally viewed as very successful — this year was a little different because of the group we had in the first round, so that I think is already a success."

The crowd of 51,227 at Arena Fonte Nova appeared to be about one

third pro-U.S., with 10 percent backing the Belgians and the rest neutral. Back home, millions watched in offices, homes and public gatherings that included a huge crowd at Chicago's Soldier Field.

President Ba ra ck Obama joined about 200 staffers in an Executive Office Building auditorium to watch the second half. "I

believe!" he exclaimed as he walked in at the front of the hall. "I believe!" Belgium outshot the U.S. 38-14. The 35-year-old Howard kept the ball out with slides, with dives and with leaps. But he never felt it was his special night. "If this continues, then we're in trouble," he recalled thinking.

With forward Jozy Altidore still not recovered from

the strained hamstring that had sidelined him since the June 16 opener, Klinsmann inserted Wondolowski as a second striker in the 72nd minute. He appeared to have a chance to win it in stoppage time when Jermaine Jones flicked the ball to him at the top of the 6-yard box, but with Courtois coming out, Wondolowski put the ball over the crossbar. While the linesman put out his flag, it was unclear whether he was signaling goal kick or offside.

In the third minute of extra time, Matt Besler tried to intercept a pass to Lukaku but fell down as the Belgian striker fought free. Lukaku sped in alone, crossed, and the ball rebounded off defender Omar Gonzalez. Kevin De Bruyne controlled it, took three touches as he spun and beat Howard just over his right foot.

"I thought I could make a play on the ball. I took a shot and missed and lost my balance," Besler said.

Twelve minutes later, with the U.S. pushing for an equalizer, Bradley's shot was blocked and De Bruyne burst ahead on a counter.

He fed Lukaku, who sent the ball over the left shoulder of Howard, his Everton teammate, and seemingly put the game out of reach.

Messi's worldwide attraction carries on Modest Messi hails Argentina team spirit

Switzerland's Ricardo Rodriguez, left, and Johan Djourou challenge Argentina's Lionel Messi during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Switzerland at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1. (AP Photo)

SAO PAULO, JULy 2 (AP): Lionel Messi fell, then jumped back to his feet with a little help from the gentlemanly Swiss player who had knocked him down. This happened all afternoon, because Argentina is still a one-man show at this World Cup attracting all of every opponent's attention.

Tackled, pushed or fouled practically each time he touched the ball, the feisty 5-foot-5 forward forcefully hit the ground again and again. Argentina's leader made one last run on exhausted, beat-up legs to help send Argentina back to the World Cup quarterfinals with a captivating 1-0 extra-time victory against Switzerland on Tuesday.

Messi made a burst down the middle and passed from the top of the 18-yard box to set up Angel di Maria's goal in the 118th minute. "First of all, I don't know whether I deserved this one or not, but what's important is that we moved on to the next stage," Messi

said when honored as man of the match. "It was difficult. We knew it was going to be a hard match."

The Swiss swarmed Messi from every angle, and his chances were few, but he still delivered the key pass with his nation on the brink. That's the respect factor No. 10 brings each time he pulls on the uniform, and it was on full display under sunny skies at Itaquerao Stadium. "We know that Messi in one second can decide a match," Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.

The Messi phenomenon has traveled far beyond Buenos Aires and Argentina. This World Cup, it's all about Messi, Brazilstyle. Now, there's more: Argentina will face the winner of Tuesday night's match between Belgium and the United States in the quarterfinals Saturday in Brasilia. One fan Tuesday held a poster of Rio de Janeiro's famous Christ the Redeemer statue with Messi's head on it.

The crowd erupted in

cheers when "No. 10, Messi" was announced 30 minutes before kickoff, then Messi led La Albiceleste onto the field with tens of thousands dancing, singing and waving flags in the stands. He hugged the young boy who had the good fortune of walking hand in hand with one of the globe's most recognizable faces.

A humongous section of Argentines erupted into a 10th-minute trademark chant and Messi tribute tune: "With the hand of Lionel Messi, we're going to be the champions!" In the 87th minute, Messi became furious when he took an elbow to the head from Valon Behrami, who was shoved

by Messi as he got to his feet.

Messi, who turned 27 on June 24, scored four of his team's six goals to help Argentina capture the top spot from Group F. Those performances helped erase some of the sting of going without a goal in South Africa four years ago, when Argentina lost 4-0 to Germany in the quarterfinals.

SAO PAULO, JULy 2 (ReUteRS): Argentina's Lionel Messi picked up his fourth man of the match award in a row against Switzerland on Tuesday but he admitted the prize was barely deserved in a World Cup last-16 game was marked more by collective effort than individual brilliance. "I don’t know whether I deserved this one or not but what is important is that we move on to the next stage which is what we wanted," Messi told reporters after team's 1-0 extra-time win. "It was not an easy match and it’s been that way throughout the World Cup. What is important is that we won."

Messi was effectively shackled by a superb Swiss defence and had few chances to show the kind of form that won him four world player of the year awards in a row between 2009 and 2012. But when he did get a chance to run, his contribution was decisive.

With two minutes remaining in extra time he laid the ball off for winger Angel Di Maria to stroke the winner past Diego Benaglio.

"During that special play, a little bit of everything went through my head," said a smiling Messi. "I thought maybe I should take a chance, then I saw Angel over there and I decided to pass the chance to him and fortunately we are able to celebrate." Messi won manof-the-match awards in Argentina’s three group games against Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria and scored four of Argentina’s six goals.

But he admitted the Swiss gave him and his team mates a scare at the Corinthians arena. "I was nervous at times just like anyone else because we couldn’t score a goal and any mistake could have put us out, minutes were going by and we didn’t want penalties," he said.

"We wanted to define the game in extra time." When asked how he felt with the clock running down, he replied: "Suffering, suffering, that’s what we felt. We know will go through times like this. That’s football. We had luck on our side and we have to take advantage of it and to move on.

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Shah Rukh Khan receives France’s highest honour

Thursday

Entertainment

The Morung Express

Shakira

3 July 2014

Dimapur

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to Close World Cup

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occer-mad Shakira will perform her sports anthem La La La (Brazil 2014) during the closing ceremonies of the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. The pop superstar, who is dating Spanish soccer stud Gerard Pique, is hoping her native Colombia will be in the final after they beat Uruguay to progress to the tournament's quarterfinal stage. She has been flying the flag for the World Cupsince the competition began last month (Jun14), asking soccer fans to show their support for the event by taking a "flag-based selfie" and then sharing them online using the tag #daretodream.

In a post on her Instagram.com page just before the kick off, she wrote, "Are you daring to dream about your country's World Cup success? Send us

a flag-based selfie using #daretodream plus the country code!" Shakira has been re-posting the fan pictures on her social media accounts. Now her loyalty to soccer's big showdown has paid off - the Barranquilla-born beauty has been invited to perform in the Maracana stadium after the new champions are crowned, according to Colombia’s El Espectador.

The performance will mark a hat-trick for Shakira, who previously performed in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cup closing ceremonies. Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull opened the World Cup by performing the official FIFA World Cup anthem, We Are One (Ole Ola).

5SOS: We want to outlast the Stones 5 Seconds of Summer want to outlast The Rolling Stones and The Who when it comes to performing live.

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hah Rukh Khan was conferred with the Knight of the Legion of Honour, which is France’s highest honour on the very day which was his mother’s birth anniversary.

SRK was very happy on receiving the award and also said that his mother would have been very proud of him. He also said that had she been alive she would have been extremely happy for him. “It’s my mother’s

birthday. If she was alive, apart from being extremely old, she would have been extremely happy that her son has got the highest and the most prestigious honour in the world… so thank you on behalf of my mother,” Shah Rukh said.

The Legion of Honour was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It is the highest award given

by France for outstanding service to the coun-

try, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.

Shah Rukh also said a few lines in French during the award ceremony, which he had brought along with him. Shah Rukh showed everyone that those lines in French he had written in Hindi and brought alongwith. Thereby he laughed at the fact that this was the beginning of bilateral frendship between the two countries.

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he Australian pop punk band - whose self-titled debut album is set to hit the top spot this week and is already number one on iTunes in 69 countries - plan to keep performing live for years to come.

Drummer Ashton Irwin, 20, told the Daily Star newspaper ''We'd love to be here for another 50 years. ''For me as a fan, one of the coolest things is growing up with bands and seeing them evolve. ''I started listening to Green Day when I was 11, and I still listen to them now. They deliver the soundtrack to your lives.''

The band, known as 5SOS, drew huge crowds in Milan this week and their new record includes songs such as 'Kiss Me Kiss Me' and 'End Up Here'.

Talking about their loyal fans,

bassist Callum Hood, 18, said ''It's the best feeling being able to give them our music. We've been writing our album for two years and from day one the fans have been begging us to hear it.''

Ashton admits people thought their album would be ''watered down'' because they'd signed to Capitol Records. He said ''But we found a really supportive group of people and put out an album that we're really proud of.'' The group - also made up of singer Luke Hennings and guitarist Michael Clifford - are based in the UK at the moment but haven't forgotten their friends Down Under. Ashton added ''We feel like we're representing out country because Australia hasn't had anything big for a while.''

niCole SCherzinger John Cena has joined the cast of ‘The Openly Speaks Of "Paralyzing" Bulimia Hell

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he 36 year-old songstress opens up about the eating disorder that almost destroyed her 20's, at the height of The Pussycat Doll's success.

Nicole Scherzinger is the proud owner of one of the most desirable figures in showbiz, but the struggle to achieve this is not widely known.

Before the songstress finally became comfortable with her body image, she went through a paralyzing battle with bulimia.

And for the first time ever, Scherzinger speaks candidly about suffering from the eating disorder in the August issue of Cosmopolitan magazine in the U.K. [Opening up about bulimia] was hard for me to speak about, she said to the mag. It still is hard, and thinking about it I try not to well up.

It is such a horrible, paralyzing disease and it was such a dark time for me, she explained, referring to her mid-20s. I didn't think anyone knew in my group or in my family because I hid it that well, I was so ashamed.

I knew it wasn't normal or healthy because I was hurting myself through this cy-

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cle of disordered eating. It was my drug, my addiction.

It's an endless vicious cycle.

The 36 year-old admitted to only realizing the severity of her health when passing out while on tour. I had started losing my voice, I couldn't sing at shows, and then I remember my manager finding me passed out on the floor in Malta or in the south of France, she recalled. I thought, 'I'm going to lose everything I love if I don't love myself.'

One day when you feel like you've reached the end, you just say, 'I'm not doing this anymore.' It's sad to see how I wasted my life, Nicole added. I had such a great life on the outside, the Dolls were on top of the world but I was miserable on the inside. I'm never letting that happen again; you only get one life-I was 27 only once.

Now the fit and healthy star has plenty of things in her life to make her happy, especially dating Formula 1 racer Louis Hamilton. Well, it's something crazy romantic, she said. Relationships are hard and having to hold a long-distance relationship is even harder ... But I'm good and I'm happy.

madonna's boyfriend bonds with son

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adonna's new boyfriend is like a ''big brother'' to her eldest son. The 55-year-old singer has been romancing 26-year-old dancer Timon Steffens and is delighted he gets on so well with 13-year-old Rocco, particularly as the teenager doesn't get to spend a lot of time with his father Guy Ritchie.

A source said ''I'm sure Madonna loves that Timor has taken Rocco under his wing.

He's not a father figure, more like a big brother, which Madonna feels is important - especially as Guy can't always be around. ''Timor's been giving Rocco dance lessons and taking him on shopping trips and will undoubtedly be helping him navigate all those tricky teen issues he doesn't want to talk to his mum about.''

Madonna - who also has daughters Lourdes, 17, and Mercy, eight, and another son David, also eight - and Timor were first romantically linked on a skiing trip to Switzerland at the beginning of the year, but after being seen out together numerous times recently, friends say the relationship is getting more serious.

The source told Britain's Grazia magazine ''Until recently, they were keeping things casual, but things are gradually getting more serious.''

John Cena has accepted a role in upcoming comedy 'The Nest' starring 'Saturday Night Live' stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Nest'

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he WWE wrestling superstar has signed on to appear in the Universal comedy starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, under the direction of 'Pitch Perfect' helmer Jason Moore, according to Deadline. Although details of his character are being kept under wraps, it's been reported that the film could mark his first villain role after spending years as the all-American hero of the wrestling world.

'The Nest' tells the story of two sisters - played by Fey and Poehler - who, when they find out their parents are planning to sell their childhood home, return to throw one last wild party to mark their final weekend together in the house.

Cena's previous acting roles include 'The Marine', '12 Rounds' and 'Legendary' and he is currently filming for Judd Apatow's upcoming comedy 'Trainwreck' starring Daniel Radcliffe and Tilda Swinton. 'The Nest' is slated for release on December 18 2015.

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Sia Furler reveals

embarrassment over hit tune S

ia Furler reveals embarrassment over hit tune with David Guetta Titanium which was released without her knowledge but says it was best thing for career It was the song which thrust her into the mainstream, but it seems singer and song writer Sia Furler was less than impressed when David Guetta achieved global success with Titanium.

The 38-year-old singer from Adelaide wrote the song for the French DJ, 46, and it was originally meant to be sung by Mary J. Blige. However, David liked Sia's vocals so much he released it for digital download in August 2011 without telling her.

Sia, who usually refuses to show her face on stage, told the UK's The Sunday Times she was 'embarrassed' by it at first as she wanted to be taken more serious in the music business. 'I was like, "What the f**k?" I'd spent such a long time building what I thought was my own credible music career, and I found myself embarrassed by the commercialism of that music.'

However, it wasn't all bad for the Chandelier songstress who has five albums under her belt and is about to release a sixth. 'But, of course, when it buys you a house, it stops feeling like such a bad thing.' The ARIA award-winning singer also contradictorily admits: '[Titanium] was the best thing to happen to my career.'

Sia has collaborated with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Eminem, Flo Rida, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis,Katy Perry, Kesha, Rita Ora, Britney Spears, Jessie J, Celine Dion, and Maroon 5, but she often struggles to project an extroverted persona whilst on stage and has started using masks to hide her face or turning her back to the audience. Meanwhile, the tattooed blonde has recently become engaged to American filmmaker Erik Anders and has been spotted sporting gold engagement ring at events.

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Halep, Bouchard advance to Wimbledon semifinals

LONDON, JuLy 2 (AP): Simona Halep of Romania and Eugenie Bouchard of Canada will meet for a place in the Wimbledon final after winning quarterfinal matches in straight sets Wednesday. The third-seeded Halep, down 4-1 in the first set, won 11 games in a row to beat 2013 finalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-4, 6-0 in 57 minutes on Centre Court.

The 13th-seeded Bouchard defeated No. 9 Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semifinals at a third consecutive Grand Slam.

"I'm just excited to be in the semis again and I want to go one step further for sure," Bouchard said.

Simona Halep of Romania reacts to the ap- Halep, runnerplause of the crowd after defeating Sabine up at the French Lisicki of Germany in their women's singles Open, is the first quarterfinal match on July 2. (AP Photo) Romanian woman to get this far at the All England Club since the Open era began in 1968. Bouchard, who hasn't dropped a set in five matches, is the first Canadian woman to reach the Wimbledon semifinals. Their progress to the final four has underlined the rise of a new crop of players in the women's game. Former champions Serena and Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova are all out of the tournament.

Kvitova advances into Wimbledon semifinals

Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic celebrates winning a point against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of Czech Republic during their women's singles quarterfinal match on July 1. (AP Photo)

LONDON, JuLy 2 (AFP): Petra Kvitova booked a Wimbledon semifinal showdown against fellow Czech Lucie Safarova after ending the giant-killing run of Barbora Zahlavova Strycova with a 6-1, 7-5 victory on Tuesday.

Kvitova, the sixth seed, won her only Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2011 and is now just two wins away from emulating that achievement thanks to her dominant quarterfinal display on Centre Court. The 24-year-old took 88 minutes to see off world number 43 Zahlavova Strycova, hitting 29 winners to just five from her Czech opponent, who came up short after defeating Chinese second seed Li Na and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki en route to the last eight.

Britain's Prince William, right, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge applaud from the Royal Box on centre Kim Sears, left, girlfriend of Andy Murray of Britain looks out from the players box as Murray court after the men's singles quarterfinal match between Andy Murray of Britain and Grigor Dimitrov warms up to play Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria for their men's singles quarterfinal match at the of Bulgaria at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, on July 2. (AP Photo) All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London on July 2. (AP Photo)

LONDON, JuLy 2 (CNN): This was not how it was supposed to end. The past week had been a procession -- the next few days were supposed to end in a coronation. With the future King of England in the Royal Box, the man who wore the Wimbledon crown so proudly allowed it to slip on Centre Court.

Andy Murray, the first British man to win the tournament in 77 years, was not just thrown out of his court, he was brushed aside by a man threatening mutiny at the top of the men's game.

Grigor Dimitrov has hinted at performances like this before -- but this was the announcement his potential had always promised to deliver. The Bulgarian, 23, for so long hailed as the heir apparent to 17time grand slam winner Roger Federer, is ready to finally erase the tag which has haunted him since he first came to prominence -- that of "Baby Fed".

Ranked 13th in the world, Dimitrov gave a performance which left nobody in doubt that he is a serious challenger for the title following a 6-1 7-6 6-2 win over the defending champion. Never before has Dimitrov gone further than the second round at the All England Club -now he is just one victory away from a grand slam final. But the signs had been there. Dimitrov, who won the Queens Club title -- a warm-up tournament before Wimbledon -- has been improving with each and every match.

Born in Haskovo, Bulgaria, Dimitrov trained at

Andy MurrAy CrAsHEs out

Defending champion loses to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov

djoKoviC survivEs sCArE to EntEr sEMis

LONDON, JuLy 2 (AFP): Novak Djokovic reached his 23rd Grand Slam semifinal and fifth in a row at Wimbledon on Wednesday as the 2011 champion defeated Croatia's Marin Cilic for the 10th time in 10 meetings. Top seed Djokovic won 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-2 and will face Bulgarian 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who knocked out defending champion Andy Murray, for a place in Sunday's final. The six-time major winner went level with Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal by making the last-four at a major for the 23rd time.

the same tennis academy in Spain as Murray, albeit not at the same time.

The two are known to be friends off the court -- not that there was any sentimentality on show as Dimitrov wielded his racquet like a magician holds his wand.

He began at a rapid pace and never allowed Murray to find a foothold from which he could launch a fightback.

"I'm very disappointed with the way I started. I felt that gave him confidence at the beginning. It's a lot easier to settle down when you're two sets up," Murray, the world No. 5, told the BBC. "It wasn't a great day. I felt fine in the warm-up but got off to a bad start, which was the disappointing part.

"He played a very solid match, making few mistakes

and a lot of returns. All the percentages were in his favor.

I just wish I'd made it tougher for him." A year ago, it was all so different. Murray, the man who had cried his way into the nation's hearts after his 2012 final defeat by Federer, produced a performance so awe inspiring it shattered years of heartache and history. Only 12 months have passed since Murray dispatched Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Centre Court to become the first British man to the win the singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

If the first week of his defense was anything to go by, the expectation was that Murray would reach the semifinal stage at the very least. He had cruised through his opening four rounds without dropping a set -- a

complete contrast to his opponent Dimitrov, who had been forced to scrape and fight through a five-set contest in the third round with Ukraine's Alexander Dolgopolov.As those with British flags painted on their faces and draped in the Union Jack took their places on Centre Court, a Murray defeat was perhaps the last thing on their minds -- somewhere between a shortage of s t raw b e r r i e s and a drought of Pimms. But after sharing the two opening games, their hero failed, and failed spectacularly.

Andy Murray of Britain throws up his racquet during the men's singles quarterfinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Wednesday July 2.

(AP Photo)

France, Germany meet in all-Euro WCup quarter

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France's players train at the Santa Cruz stadium in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. France will face Germany at a World Cup quarterfinal soccer match on Friday. (AP Photo)

RIO DE JANEIRO, JuLy 2 (AP): A European presence in the World Cup semifinals is assured as Germany and France meet at the Maracana on Friday, looking to shrug off stumbling wins in the second round that exposed frailties in both teams.

Contesting a quarterfinal for the ninth straight World Cup, the Germans will start as slight favorites because of their vast experience in major tournaments but with doubts surrounding a slow, porous

defense that was breached repeatedly in the 2-1 extratime victory over Algeria on Monday.

If goalkeeper Manuel Neuer hadn't produced the kind of sweeper display that German greats Franz Beckenbauer and Lothar Matthaus would have been proud of, Joachim Loew's side could have been on the end of a real shock.

The French also left it late in the last 16, scoring twice in the final 11 minutes to beat Nigeria 2-0 in a gritty performance that failed to

match the swashbuckling attacking exhibitions they put on in the group stage.

France was thrust among the tournament favorites after scoring a combined eight goals against Switzerland and Honduras. Yet, Didier Deschamps' inexperienced team played within themselves against Nigeria, perhaps struggling under the weight of lofty expectations.

Deschamps counts France as the underdog.

"Don't forget that in the last two competitions,

Germany have reached the semifinals so it counts for something," he said, referring to the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2012.

"They're used to playing at the highest level and have experience of playing at this stage of a competition. All of the German players play in big clubs, a lot of them play for Bayern Munich." Still, after starting up in Brazil with a 4-0 victory over Portugal, Germany's displays have been far from convincing. Nerves are be-

ginning to show and Loew — under pressure to finally win a title in his fourth major tournament — has been on the defensive. "Should I now be disappointed that we are in the last eight?" he asked, rhetorically, on Tuesday. "There are such games in every tournament when you need the will power to advance."

Defense undoubtedly is Loew's chief concern, although the probable return of Mats Hummels at center back after illness will make up for the loss of Shkodran Mustafi for the rest of the tournament with a left hamstring injury.

There may also be a change in the center of France's defense, with Mamadou Sakho available again after a hamstring problem that caused him to miss the Nigeria game.

However, Laurent Koscielny had a good display as the replacement, helping the French to a third clean sheet in four games in Brazil, and would be unlucky to lose his place. As part of a revamped squad under Deschamps, the likes of Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann are playing at their first major tournament and being exposed to football's highest stage for the first time.

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