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tuesDAY • JulY 04 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 181• 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Every imperial agent wants to reduce what is possible to what is available 18 confirmed dead in fiery Bavarian bus crash; 30 injured
Deisel price in Kohima for July 4 Rs 52.05 per liter Prices applicable from 6:00am on July 4, 2017
Nagaland Govt notifies civil societies on RN Ravi’s visit DIMAPUR, JULY 3 (DIPR): The Government of India’s Interlocutor for Naga Talks, RN Ravi is visiting Nagaland on a two-day tour from July 6 for holding consultative meetings with various stakeholders on the Naga issue. He will be available to meet civil societies as follows: At Kohima on July 6 from early evening to mid morning of July 7; at Dimapur from evening of July 7 to mid morning of July 8. Civil Societies wanting to meet him can contact Secretary Home, Rovilatuo Mor at +91 94360 05679 and give their details. The Home Department will intimate the date, timing and venue subsequently.
JCC & NTAC dismayed by govt’s casual attitude to ULB poll issue
C M Y K
DIMAPUR, JULY 3 (MExN): The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) have expressed dismay at the casual attitude of the Nagaland State Government for not paying any attention to the former’s representations for revocation of the resolution dated November 24, 2016 passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in connection with holding of Urban Local Bodies Election with 33% Women Reservation. The two bodies had also demanded for suitable amendment of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, by safeguarding the rights conferred under Article 371A of the Constitution of India. Besides the two representations, dated March 18, 2017 and May 18, 2017, a co-ordination meeting of the Cabinet Sub Committee, JCC and NTAC was held on April 22, 2017 at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur and had elaborate deliberations on all the issues and appraised the Cabinet Sub Committee to take up the matter with all seriousness with the Government of Nagaland at the earliest. “Inspite of the representations, the Government has turned a deaf ear and left the matter unattended,” they lamented in a press note today. In view of the “casual attitude” of the government in resolving the issue, the JCC and the NTAC expressed serious concern and resentment and reminded the government that the issue will not be resolved by delaying the matter but may “aggravate the situation.” The JCC and the NTAC further reminded the Government that their “considerate reasoning and patience should not be taken for granted as their weakness.” “On consideration of the entire aspect of the matter,” the JCC and the NTAC submitted this reminder to the Chief Minister and demanded prompt action so as to resolve the issue in the interest of all concerned.
T R u T H
— Walter Brueggemann
Woodworking his Germany survive Chile to way to a better future win Confederations Cup
PAGe 09
Petrol price in Kohima for July 4 Rs 61.81 per liter
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PSAN dEMANdS bASIC RIGhT Morung Express News Kohima | July 3
What does it feels like to work hard only to find out that someone with privilege and connections gets the job? “Frustrating!” says Chonpen echoing the mutual feeling of each protestor present at the Public Service Aspirant of Nagaland (PSAN) protest on July 3 outside the Nagaland Secretariat in Kohima. Braving the heavy rains of the unpredictable Kohima weather, over 300 aspirants and supporters gathered outside the nerve centre of the Nagaland State Government to protest against rampant backdoor appointments, nonrequisition of posts to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) for direct recruitment, and demand for free, fair and open competition. “Most of us have given exams more than 12 times- civil services as well as departmental exams. It’s discouraging. At the same time, being unemployed is a burden not only to myself but the family. We are not given equal opportunities to compete,” said Chonpen, as he and his friends dis-
cussed about the manner of exams conducted in departments—the application fees are over-rated ranging from a Rs 100 to Rs 300, the advertisements for the vacant posts are just for namesake. The protestors also mentioned that the civil service exams in the State are not 100 per cent fair. “Even if the marks you secure the cut off for the EAC post, unless you have some connection, they are going to push you to the post of a Secretariat Assistant,” said one. Mhonbeni Kithan, another civil service aspirant spoke about the recently held exam at Food and Civil Supplies for two posts. “More than 3000 aspirants appeared for the exam on June 29 and within two days the results were declared. The way they conduct exams is suspicious. It is a huge discouragement for those who have worked hard especially lesser privileged aspirants,” Kithan said, while pointing out that despite supposed advertisements published by departments, most of the posts are already filled through backdoor. The unjust and unfair means of appointments are an injustice upon the sincere
Chief Secretary assures to look into points of concerns
KOHIMA, JULY 3 (MExN): Following the submission of the PSAN demands in Kohima today, Nagaland State Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar assured to take reviews on the former’s points of concerns. He informed that appointments made on contract basis after June 6, 2016 will be reviewed by the State Government for termination and requisitioning of the posts to NPSC. The Chief Secretary added that the P&AR office memorandum dated August 11, 2016 regarding the regularisation of the government employees appointed on adhoc and contract basis will be taken up for review by the P&AR department. Further, he added that deputation to posts in various departments in the State Government falling within the purview of NPSC will be reviewed for necessary corrective action. The Chief Secretary meanwhile requested the PSAN to Protestors shouting slogans at the PSAN agitation which was held in Kohima on July 3. provide details of specific cases of appointments/depu(Morung Photo) tations to facilitate the review of such cases. hardworking aspirants, she viewed. At the protest, the placards seem to speak louder than words. Some of them read: ‘I dare to enter from the front door’; ‘Can you also enter Heaven through Backdoor means?’; ‘Your injustice took away our hardwork’; ‘Political appointment or backdoor appointment. Call it whatever you want. They are all the same for us- Unethical! Unfair’; ‘Free, Open and Fair Competition is our right’ etc. Alen Yimchungrü, who
was also in the protest said: “My father sold a plot of land to send me to Kohima to appear for civil service exams.” The young aspirant voiced out how he has lost hope because there is no fair way to become an officer in Nagaland if one is not privileged. Quoting Nelson Mandela, ‘It seems impossible until it’s done’, Bendangrenla Anar, another protestor, stood up holding the megaphone speaker and shouted: “We have crossed the saturation point of tol-
erance. We may differ in ideas, methods, religion, approach and ideology but I believe our moral cause is one and it is big.” Kevitho Kera, presenting a Christian viewpoint, noted how even church leaders today are compromising their integrity and beliefs by conniving with officers and bureaucrats to get their children jobs through backdoor appointments. “There is inefficiency in bureaucracy because of backdoor appointment,” viewed Kera who encour-
aged the protest to continue to spread the message of meritocracy. During the protest, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT), All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANSCU), Nagaland Law Students’ Union (NLSU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) extended their solidarity to PSAN. A five charter of demands was also submitted to the Chief Secretary. It demanded: immediate revocation of P&AR OM
Dated 11th August 2016; immediate termination of all backdoor/contractual appointments to posts which are under the purview of the NPSC; immediate requisition of all the posts with Grade pay of 2800 and above to NPSC for direct recruitment, free, open and fair competition for entry into offices under Government of Nagaland in accordance with Article 16 under the Constitution of India; and immediate stop to rampant deputation on political grounds.
Six engineers associations seek CAN-Nagaland demand rollback of clarification on extra roll numbers GST on disability aids & appliances
DIMAPUR, JULY 3 (MExN): Six engineers associations have sought more details from the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) on the latter’s clarification with regard to the extra roll numbers which were published in the recently declared NPSC results for the combined technical services exam. This was sought in a press statement from the Graduate Electrical Engineers Association (GEEAN), Association of Mechanical Engineers Nagaland (AMEN), Unemployed Civil Engineers Association Of Nagaland (UCEAN), Forestry Graduate Association Of Nagaland (FGAN), Agriculture Engineers Graduate Association Of
Nagaland (AEGAN), All Nagaland Unemployed Veterinary Doctors Association (ANUVDA), and Electronics & Communication Engineers Association Nagaland (ECEAN). The six associations asked for more details as to “which item number of the advertisement is the rule implemented and also stating the name of the branch for which NPSC has adapted in the recent Combine Technical Services Exam (CTSE) 2016 written result.” Further, the associations asked for reasons as to “why the candidate 7099 was rejected and also to furnish the contents of the court order which permitted the candidate to sit for exam
without any official notice by NPSC. It is also made to know that the results were delayed and declared after 117 days because of those 3 petitioners who filed the court case.” They meanwhile appealed to the NPSC to provide the answer key for Combine Technical Services Exam (CTSE) 2016 “to enable aspiring candidates to assess their performance as well as to ensure transparency in selection of candidate.” “The present existing system doesn’t even allow the candidate the basic rights to assess their own performance, which causes so much unfair environment to the aspiring candidate,” the associations stated.
DIMAPUR, JULY 3 (MExN): Standing in solidarity with disability groups across the country, Connect Ability Network Nagaland (CAN-Nagaland) has demanded rollback of GST on disability aids and appliances. Questioning the wisdom of the government in taxing the disabled and making life more difficult for them, Diethono Nakhro, CAN-Nagaland in a press statement demanded that aids and appliances for all types of disabilities be made available and affordable. It pointed out that under the GST, taxes ranging from 5-18% on goods used by people with disabilities have been approved. So far, these goods were exempt from any form of excise and customs
duty. Now, all these goods are set to become more expensive. As per rates approved by the GST council on May 18, 2017, 18 per cent tax has been imposed on Braille typewriters and cars for the physically disabled, 12 per cent on Braille paper, 5 per cent on carriages for the disabled, wheelchairs and assistive devices, and 12 per cent on hearing aids. The most essential goods and services are supposed to attract nil rate of GST under Exempted Categories. Assistive appliances and other aids are most essential and a necessity not a luxury for people with disabilities, it stated. For example, for a person with a hearing impairment, a hearing aid is essential, for someone with a loco-
motor disability, a wheelchair is indispensable, and for the visually impaired, books in Braille are part of daily life. The CAN-Nagaland also pointed out that many people with disabilities come from economically weaker sections, and hence the government decision would be a huge impediment to their education and employability and general quality of life. “This decision of the GST Council comes as more of a shock as it blatantly violates the provisions of the recently enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016 which talks about promotion of the personal mobility of persons with disabilities at affordable cost,” it said.
No LPG connection in 6 CM hopeful of early solution to Naga issue NE states till May: RTI
NEw DELHI, JULY 3 (IANS): In six out of eight northeastern states, the Modi government failed to provide even a single LPG connection under its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). The Yojana is an initiative on whose success the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rode to power in Uttar Pradesh, having provided over 4.3 million connections in the state to BPL families. The information was received from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) through an RTI application by IANS in May. According to the RTI reply, till May 8, 2017, not a single family benefitted from the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in states like Arunchal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. Just the two BJP-ruled states in northeast India -- Assam and Manipur -- saw five and 27 LPG connections, respectively. In Assam, Baksa district received one connection, Darrang got one, Dhemaji district one and Dibrugarh got two. In Manipur, Kakching district received highest number of connections with 15, followed by eight in Thoubal, two in Imphal West and one each in Jiribam and Churachandpur. The RTI reply also says that till May 8, 2017, a total of 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh have released
4,337,706 connections under the PMUY. The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh in the run up to the assembly elections in the state, which was held from February 11 to March 8 this year in seven phases. The BJP swept through the assembly elections in Uttar Pardesh, bagging 325 seats out of 403 seats and dislodging the Samajwadi Party government, which along with the Congress could manage only 54 seats. It is believed that women in UP were pleased with the central government’s initiative and voted for the BJP. The RTI reply also said that till May 8, 2017, a total of 21.933 million connections had been released in the whole country under PMUY. However, to a question as to how much the government had spent under the scheme in Uttar Pradesh and in the whole country, the reply came that the information was not available with IOCL. Meanwhile, on the website of PMUY under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, it is mentioned that till July 1, 704 districts had been covered and 24.4 million BPL LPG connections had been released. The BJP came to power also in Assam last year (2016) and Manipur early this year, uprooting the Congress governments.
Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu interacting with the probationers from SVP, National Police Academy, Hyderabad at his Civil Secretariat Office on July 3.
KOHIMA, JULY 3 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Monday lamented that due to the prolonged Naga political problem many developmental activities have been affected but expressed hope for an acceptable settlement soon, which will lead to progress and development of the state. The Chief Minister was interacting with the visiting team of 20 IPS Probation-
ers and 2 faculty members from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad as part of Bharat Dharshan at Chief Minister’s Office Chamber, Civil Secretariat, Kohima. A press note from the CMO reported the Nagaland CM as saying that Nagaland attained statehood fifty years back but the state could not progress in many ways. However, he pointed out that the Naga political problem is
genuine national problem and the Prime Minister is doing his best to bring a solution. “We are talking to the outfits in a hard and truthful way in order to move towards a solution”, the Chief Minister said. Replying to Probationers’ queries during the interaction, Dr. Shürhozelie said the main purpose of education is to make a person a good individual. Because of high literacy which is not in sync
with the development in Nagaland, the youths are joining central jobs like the Indian Army, he stated and rued that because of the political problem many things could not be achieved. On Tourism, the Chief Minister said that the state government is doing its best to improve infrastructure despite frequent rainfall which hampers infrastructure developments like roads. He added that the state government is trying to improve the tourism infrastructure as Nagaland has enormous tourism potential. During the interaction, the Chief Minister told the probationers that he takes pride in the uniformed personnel which are capable of tackling any problem today. “You’ll reach the top rung in your service one day, you have a huge responsibility for our Country,” he exhorted the probationers. The CM meanwhile also stressed on the need to be prepared for any eventuality. He then encouraged the visiting IPS probationers and hoped that they would do justice to their uniform. The delegation consisted of Bhutan and Maldivian Police Trainee Officers.
2
tuesday 04•07•2017
NAGALAND
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Chillax & Relax- new eatery in Dimapur
Tired of Corruption Vote Right!
This time Vote for good roads, hospitals and schools
Boqhito Chishi, Associate Pastor Youth, Thahekhu Baptist Church dedicating Chillax & Relax restaurant in Dimapur on Monday. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News Dimapur | July 3
Produced by SABAK, CRBC, OTS, The Morung Express and Little Villages
A new place to chill and relax eating out with family and friends for the denizens of Dimapur, a restaurant named, Chillax & Relax was inaugurated at Plaza Point Junction behind traffic booth, Nyamo Lotha Road on Monday. The restaurant was dedicated by Boqhito Chi-
shi, Associate Pastor Youth, Thahekhu Baptist Church in the presence of proprietors and well wishers. With many entrepreneurs venturing into the field of business and given the love of food by the Naga people, the new fast food restaurant with a fresh ambience located in the centre of the town promises to be a happening place for food lovers.
Woodworking his ExpressionLife: A craft home décor & accessories way to a better future Morung Express News Dimapur | July 3
Vishü Rita Krocha Kohima | July 3
There is something special about wooden houses especially for the warmth that it emanates and the naturally healthy living environment that it provides. Wooden houses are rare nowadays but constructing them means livelihood for Pachou Sheu, who hails from Thangnokniu- a village that falls under Myanmar bordering Nagaland. He belongs to Khiamniungan tribe and spent his childhood in Noklak after which he moved to Kohima and studied at GMS, Kohima village. Later, he finished his high school from Zion School in Tuli and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Kohima Bible College. He also served as the Chaplain of Eastern Naga Fellowship in Kohima for a period of 3 years and further pursued M. Div in Yangon. Pachou Sheu came back to Kohima in 2014 and has ever since been involved in different kinds of woodwork and more extensively, building wooden houses. His association with woodwork however goes a long way back even as he recalls working on doors, windows, tables, cupboards, etc as a teenager. “I was waiting for my class 10 results and I spent my holidays creating these wooden products,” he says while adding that “I used to earn Rs. 60 then.” Every vacation that followed in the later years, he invested his time and energy in learning and earning from woodworks. “It also helped me a lot in my studies because I could buy books with the money I earned,” he puts across. In the course of his journey as a builder, he clearly remembers the time he built their home back in the village as well as the Pastor Quarter and the church office. Wooden houses, he says, are economically viable. He also observes that people have land here but do not have enough money for bigger construction,
Pachou Sheu
and therefore, opt for tin or wooden houses. In the last few years, he has done more of building wooden or tin houses including repairing. He has been instrumental in building at least 7-8 houses in the last one year period. The self taught builder has also definitely grown with experience. “One of the challenges in woodwork is that you have to first visualize the product in your mind- consider the size, imagine it before you start the actual work,” he enlightens. But it is not just the livelihood aspect that drew him to woodwork. He confesses that he immensely enjoys the entire process of making any wood related product. “There is so much joy in carpentry. Even if you are doing it all the time, you keep learning…there is something new that I learn from each product that I make and the happiest moment for me is to see the final product,” he puts across. *Year of Construction Workers (YOCW) is a joint program of the Government of Nagaland in partnership with YouthNet, Zynorique and the Department of Labour & Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Feeling “stressed out and emotionally down,” Tasang Imchen was going through a phase of still grieving the loss of her mother and juggling between work and home front when she realized that she needed a break. Despite the financial constraints, she decided to visit Thailand and that is where the beginning of ExpressionLife evolved. Tasang stayed in Thailand undergoing training for a month on soft skills including ‘decoupage’, a decorative technique which artistically combines paint, paper napkins or rice paper on any surfaces like wood, glass, canvas, basketry, fiber, tin, cloth, cement or clay. She also managed to get some other training. Equipped with advance course training on this creative art, Tasang established her own business called “ExpressionLife” on July 2, 2016. ExpressionLife is a one-stop shop for your home decor needs where pretty things meet function. The items are frequently updated to ensure that customers find the latest styles and best models. Sharing about the name, ExpressionLife, the recognized woman entrepreneur who also runs the “Wedding Pathway” says, “I felt it was appropriate to brand it as ExpressionLife. The fact that our production would define our customers love for colours,
Bird House tissue holder
Ethnic holder Proprietor of ExpressionLife, Tasang Imchen (sitting right) with friends and well wishers during the first anniversary celebration on July 2. (Morung Photo)
scene, images and style, not forgetting that God gives life to the fullest, we try to define life through our works. Believing that the life God gives us is beautiful, calm and peaceful; we try to portray such images in our items.” Tasang recalls that the few months after they started off, most of the products were on trial basis and risk involved. She said, “Most of the materials we need for work had to be imported online stores. Hunting for raw material was a far cry.” Despite the struggle and difficult beginning, today ExpressionLife has established itself as a trusted brand and its products are available in many shops in town. In Kohima, the products are now available in the newly opened shop “The Local Store.”
“We have come a long way when it comes to skills, work quality and finishing touches and sales. We have realized that people have come to know about our company, our sales concept and our extended ministry out of this sales and production,” Tasang reviewed with a sense of accomplishment. “ExpressionLife is not a business but it is expanding into ministry,” she said while adding that “ExpressionLife is planning to do a survey on how Christ has helped the women for their empowerment and also helped the poor. When I look at the staffs, I see testimonies in them too,” stated Tasang, the ministry driven business woman. She also disclosed that ExpressionLife will sponsor the education of chil-
dren and do more ministries with the slum children in the years to come. In the future, ExpressionLife hopes to expand its business by collaborating with women who are willing to be their retailers. “We also hope to train more women on soft skills which will further help in their livelihood. With faith, five years from now, we see ourselves not just as a big production company but as a training house for women,” Tasang concluded in a positive note. ExpressionLife celebrated its first anniversary on July 2, 2017 at its centre located at Kevijau Colony, Dimapur. A small informal function was held where ExpressionLife Magazine was released by Kenei, Principal, Pilgrim School, Dimapur.
Tissue holder
Wooden jewelry chest
House keys (Image Courtesy/ www.expressionlife.com)
Barkweaver Days concludes with Poetry readings Morung Express News Kohima | July 3
“This place, once sacred, it is where wildflowers grew…” began a line from Avinuo Kire’s poem that she read from her book titled, “Where wildflowers grew” on Monday evening marking the last day of Barkweaver Days at Ozone Café. The poem, she said was about a meadow that is now raised to an office building. Apart from this, she shared few other poems from her book. Also joining in the readings were The three poets- Avinuo Kire, Dorothy Chasie, Lhutu Keyho and Easterine Kire seen with others on the Dorothy Chasie, an emerging poet last day of Barkweaver Days at Ozone Café. (Morung Photo)
and member of “The Four Felons” and Lhutu Keyho, an assistant professor at Baptist College, Kohima. In her opening remarks, Easterine Kire said, “of course, we can understand poetry” as opposed to many people’s notion about poetry being difficult to understand. Reading from her book, she also asserted that “we have to try and use our own metaphors to popularize poetry.” In the meantime, she thanked Ozone Café for hosting the 3-day Barkweaver Days while putting across that “we have had wonderful days here and been very happy.”
CTC post graduate woman’s hostel inaugurated
Mokokchung, July 3 (MExn): Clark Theological College (CTC) post graduate woman’s hostel was inaugurated by K. Tiayanger Tzudir, Principal Director, Treasuries and Accounts and dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. Ponen Longchar, Pastor, Mokokchung Town Baptist Arogo, followed by thanksgiving service in the College Chapel Hall. Principal of the College, Rev. Dr. Marnungsang while welcoming said that with the introduction of Post Graduate studies at CTC in 2007, and the fast development in adding different branches and also visible increase of women students during the last one decade and not forgetting research scholars visiting CTC for short visits from time to time necessitate separate
hostel for PG women students. The Principal acknowledged that the initiative to construct this building was taken up during the leadership of former principal of the College Prof. Takatemjen and Rev. T. Yanger Jamir Public Relation Officer, CTC. The Principal also informed that the original design of the building was three storeyed building but due to the pressing need, the college is inaugurating the building after completion of two floors and therefore opportunity to participate in the Ministry of CTC by contributing to construct the third floor is open. The ground floor of the building was constructed with the contribution made by EMW Germany and few other local donors. The first floor of the building was
constructed with the contribution made by I. Koti and family and named as MR. & MRS. I. Koti, Changki Memorial Block. In his short speech, K. Tiayanger Tzudir son of I. Koti, who officially inaugurated the building, informed the august gathering that during the Christmas in 1977, their mother Tiyongnaro, a prayerful mother, inspired all of them and initiated to save all Christmas expenses and give to the needy people. Since then they started a ‘family relief fund’ with an aim to help needy people. With the passing of each year, their humble contribution with this Nobel cause in mind increased and that is how the family could contribute towards the Ministry of CTC in times of their need, he stated. He also mentioned how their extended family members
also generously joined in for the cause. The Chairperson of the CTC Board of Governors, I. Meyionen Jamir, DIGP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell, Government of Nagaland, in his short speech observed that, “Our all knowing God way back in 1977 spoke to I. Koti and children and prepared them to support the Ministry of Clark Theological College in times of their great need and therefore this is an unequivocal sign of God’s faithfulness.” Toshi Aier, Convener of the Building Committee and the chairperson of the inaugural programme observed that the post graduate women’s hostel is constructed not only with money and materials but with sincere love, care and concern of the donors.
Public Service Aspirant of Nagaland (PSAN) members protest outside Nagaland Secretariat, Kohima on July 3. Over 300 aspirants and supporters gathered outside the nerve centre of Nagaland to protest against rampant backdoor appointments, non-requisition of posts to NPSC for direct recruitment, and demand for free, fair and open competition. During the protest, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation, All Nagaland College Students’ Union, Nagaland Law Students’ Union, Naga Students’ Federation extended their solidarity to PSAN. (Morung Photo)
Tuesday 04•07•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
FLOOD SITUATION IN NORTH EAST REGION
Manipur Govt declares flood situation a ‘State Calamity’ Newmai News Network Imphal | July 3
Even as flood situation continued to remain grim in many localities in the state, an emergency 'review meeting' chaired by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was held today at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to assess the flood situation in Manipur. The meeting was attended by IFCD Minister Letpao Haokip, Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, Chief Secretary O. Nabakishore, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, DCs and Directors of different Departments. After thoroughly perusing the reports presented by the officials and the DCs concerned, the meeting decided to declare the present disaster as ‘State Calamity.’ The Chief Minister also informed the meeting that he has requested the Central Government to declare the same as a calamity of ‘severe nature’.
Considering the urgency of the affected people, a 24x7 State Disaster Control Room with telephone number 0385-2443441 has been opened with immediate effect to attend to the distress calls from the public and co-ordinate with the DCs and concerned Departments. This is in addition to the existing Flood Control Room of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) having telephone number 0385-2451550. Moreover, District Disaster Control Rooms, which would function round the clock, have also been opened. Singh also directed the officials concerned to open at least two medical camps in all the flood affected districts. Directorate of Health Services and Directorate of AYUSH have also appointed two Nodal Officers each to attend to calls from flood affected people regarding health/medical related matters.
Directorate of Health Services may be contacted on phone numbers 9862284898 and 9436206298 and Directorate of AYUSH on 9862003144 and 9436894604. The Chief Minister also asked officials of IFCD to make necessary arrangements to immediately rush flood fighting materials to the affected areas. He also directed the DCs to provide relief materials to the affected people. On the other hand, the Chief Minister also instructed the Veterinary Department to step up measures to give necessary care to cattle and other domestic animals in the flood affected areas. The PHED officials were also asked to distribute drinking water in these areas. As per the report presented by PHED officials, two water tankers aredistributing drinking water in Thoubal and Imphal East districts and one tanker in Imphal West.
Life remains paralysed in Arunachal
People wading through flooded street after heavy monsoon rain, in Guwahati on July 3. (UNI Photo)
Minor killed in Assam landslide Guwahati, July 3 (iaNS): A six-year-old girl was killed in a landslide here in Assam on Monday morning, police said. Dipika Barman was preparing to go to school when mud from a nearby hill caved in and buried her in Panikhaiti area. Although her parents and neighbours dug her out immediately and rushed her to a
hospital, the doctors declared her dead. Incessant rains have been triggering havoc in different parts of Assam and the northeast for several days. The Assam government has identified several hill areas in Guwahati and adjoining areas as landslide prone. They have advised residents to be cautious on rainy days.
itaNaGar, July 3 (Pti): Heavy rains lashed several parts of Arunachal Pradesh, including the capital, causing landslides and floodlike situation in many areas across the state.The administration has alerted residents located at vulnerable areas, such as river banks, streams, landslide-prone zone and advised them to move to safer locations. Heavy damages to roads, culverts, houses and other infrastructure were reported from the districts. More than 20 stranded passengers, including four patients, three children, women and students were airlifted from Sagalee to Naharlagun yesterday. Meanwhile, incessant rainfall led to erosion of a major portion of the National Highway 415 between Naharlagun and Itanagar. The National Highway 415 connecting Itanagar and Naharlagun has been closed and all vehicles were diverted to Papu-Nallah and Itanagar via Jollang Road.The situation worsened as the soil below Barapani Bridge began eroding due to the rise in water level, official sources said. Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan prohibited heavy vehicles from using the bridge till further notice and directed the department concerned to construct a retaining wall to stop soil erosion. On the other hand, the Jullang
road, which is currently the only lifeline connecting Itanagar and Naharlagun, is also in a bad condition with mudslides causing considerable damage at several points. The Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Management Kaling Moyong yesterday assessed the damages at Barapani Bridge and Chandranagar area. A detailed report would be submitted to the chief minister so that necessary measures could be taken at the earliest, Moyong said. Meanwhile, landslide triggered by heavy downpour destroyed two houses of Santi Colony at Sagalee in Papum Pare district on Sunday. Landslides have been reported from almost the entire stretch of Seppa-Sagalee-Kheel Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH), Sagalee ADC Jalash Pertin said. Two bridges that connected Sagalee were washed away leaving around 100 commuters stranded. Sagalee remained cut off and stranded passengers were accommodated in the inspection bungalow and at former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki?s private residence. Landslides along the Papu-Yupia-Hoj-Potin stretch of the Trans Arunachal Highway, left many vehicles stranded. The district administration issued a circular to stop traffic through the highway between 5pm and 9am.
Meghalaya govt eyeing Limca Book of Records Liangmai leaders resign Irom Sharmila to spearhead Green Alliance from Zeliangrong Union
ShilloNG, July 3 (iaNS): the Meghalaya election department will soon submit documentation regarding the formation of the biggest human logo by young voters, an official said on Monday. The logo formation was held on Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, as part of the launch of a state-wide drive to enrol voters with a special focus on first-time electors. "A total of 2,830 young boys and girls in the age group of 18 and 19 enrolled as new voters and formed a 75 feet x 120 feet size human logo," Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor told IANS. "We are in touch with officials of the Limca Book of Records. We will be sending the documentation (video recording, photographs) to them by July 8. We are hopeful of entering the Limca Book of records," he said. Earlier this year, more than 6,000 voters took their photos collectively with voter cards in their hands at one place at Ludhiana in Punjab and entered into India Book of Records.
Swine flu strikes Champai town aizawl, July 3 (Pti): Swine flu has struck Champai town on the Indo-Myanmar border and has claimed the lives of a number of pigs and piglets in the last one month. Mizoram Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department director Saingura Sailo today said that the second laboratory test by the laboratory of the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry at Selesih had confirmed the incidence of swine flu. There were fears that the pigs had died of the dreaded Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, which had claimed the lives of over 4,000 pigs in six Mizoram districts last year and over 3,000 in 2013. Champhai District Vawkvulh Association (association formed by those engaged in piggery) has claimed that at least 90 pigs and piglets have died due to classical swine flu during the last one month.
12-hr ‘bandh’ hits normal life in Assam Guwahati, July 3 (hiNDuStaN timeS): Normal life was affected in several places across Assam since early Monday morning due to a 12-hour strike called by six communities demanding scheduled tribe (ST) status. Organisations belonging to the Koch-Rajbongshi, Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai Ahom and Adivasi tea garden workers communities have called the strike protesting the failure of the state and central governments to fulfil promise of granting tribal status to them. Members of these communities blocked highways in several districts in upper and lower Assam by burning tyres, preventing movement of vehicles and closing down shops and business establishments since 5am.
Prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised ST status to these communities once the Bharatiya Janata Party to came to power. It was reiterated by the BJP before assembly polls last year. But with nothing happening, despite the saffron party coming to power in New Delhi and in the state, the communities under the banner of Soi Jonogusthi Oikyo Manch has been organising strikes since last year. According to the tribal affairs ministry, it follows the process, which involves getting an approval from the ST commission and the Registrar General of India, before getting a sanction of Parliament. Sources, however, said there is no deny-
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ing the role of political parties in pushing for certain communities. Granting ST status to these communities will render Assam a tribal majority state and would entitle it to special safeguards, which under present circumstances, might be the only way out to resolve the state’s problems arising out of reported large-scale immigration from nearby Bangladesh which has already hit Assam’s demography. If granted reservation, the number of assembly seats reserved for tribals is expected to jump from the existing 16 to about 85-90 in the 126-seat state assembly by way of fresh delimitation of assembly constituencies.
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Newmai News Network Imphal | July 3
Responding to the standing decision of the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M) and the subsequent "request to any Liangmai individual serving in any Zeliangrong organisation to withdraw his or her position" from the latter (any Zeliangrong) organisation immediately, three Liangmai leaders serving in Zeliangrong Union (ZU) have resigned from their respective posts on Monday. Poukenpon Newmai, Vice President of ZU (Manipur), Ch Champonbou, Chairman of ZU (Tamei Zone) and Changchapbou Newmai, Secretary of ZU (Tamei Zone) have resigned from their posts saying that their move was "in compliance" with the standing decision of the Liangmai People's Convention held on October 9, 2015 at Konsaram village and the consequent stand-
ing decision of the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) on the issue. Few days ago, the Liangmai Naga Council had "requested “any Liangmai individual associated with any Zeliangrong organisation to withdraw his or her position from the latter organisation immediately.” The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNCM) had also written to the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) and Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) ‘requesting’ the two bodies to strike out “liang” from the nomenclature Zeliangrong. The LNC (M) also had said that “we have no other option but to disassociate ourselves from every social organization of the erstwhile Zeliangrong bodies”. The Liangmai apex body also had explained the reasons for its move in its letters to the Zeliangrong Baudi and Zeliangrong Union.
AFFIDAVIT
Regd.No: 01 Date: 01-07-2017 I, Shri. VIKATO S/o Yehoto Yeptho resident of Viyixe Village, Zunheboto, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare an oath as under: 1. That my name is inadvertently recorded as Y. Vikato in my Service ID Card, Vikato Yeptho in my Aadhaar Card and SBI passbook bearing A/C No. 30789970477, but my actual name is Vikato which is recorded in my all other official documents. 2. That the above mentioned names are one and same person which is referred to me. That my name shall be used by the name as Vikato for all official purpose and legal proceedings at all times and occasions. Deponent Solemnly declared before me by the deponent Notary Public Zunheboto: Nagaland
New Delhi, July 3 (uNi): Iron Lady from Manipur Irom Chanu Sharmila, along with several activists from across the country, formed the 'Green Alliance' of different organisations, where she was unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the same. The Alliance also constituted a 21-member steering committee, to bring together different organisations, working for the similar cause. In a meeting chaired by Sharmila, the steering committee today discussed upon several ideas by pooling in various political, environmental, social and ecological issues, in view of pushing these forward in the right direction. Different aspects ranging from women empowerment, ecology, water crisis and environmental balance were discussed here in connection with the current political practices prevailing in the country, as they had a direct impact on
AFFIDAVIT
Regd.No: 920/17 Date: 03-07-2017 I, Smti. K. HUTONI D/o Zhehoxu Sumi, Permanent resident at Alahuto Colony under Zunheboto District, Nagaland do hereby affirm and declare as follows:1. That my official name is “K. Hutoni” as entered/recorded in all my official documents. However my name has been inadvertently entered/ recorded as Hutoni Sumi in my SBI Passbook bearing A/C No.31454201654 and HUTONI SUMI in my pan Card bearing Pan No. FPGPS0885M. 2. That the Name 'Hutoni Sumi' and ‘K. Hutoni’ are one and the same person. 3. That this affidavit is made for the purpose of correcting my name, it should be read, correct and understand as "K. HUTONI" for all official purpose. Deponent Solemnly declared before me by the deponent Notary Public Zunheboto: Nagaland
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND
DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION
NAGALAND : KOHIMA Dated, Kohima the 3rd July, 2017
NOTIFICATION
NO.DTE/ ESTT-2/ 3/ 2016-17: In pursuance of this office NOTIFICATION of even number dated, 12th June ’2017, it is to inform that nomination letter in respect of candidates selected for undergoing 3 year Diploma courses outside the state during 2017-18 session will be issued on 4th July, 2017. All selected candidates are hereby directed to collect their nomination letter from the office of the undersigned on 4th July ‘2017 at 1:00 P.M (ER. ARJUN SINGH), Director Issued by DIPR
casion, water and community activist Siraj Kesar discussed the grave socioeconomic problems faced by different states and communities in the country, including the 'water wives' practice in a village of Maharashtra, where a man has up to three wives, wherein one takes care of kids, while the other two share the work of bringing water from wells miles away from the village and take care of other household jobs. Convener of the Green Alliance Suresh Nautiyal later expressed concerns over the vision that led the current run of the mill politics and said 'the current political ideologies were far from the issues on the ground and none cared about the essential elements of life.' He emphasised on the fact that the increasing problems and environmental imbalance had no other option, but green politics.
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER WOKHA NAGALAND
NOTICE
Dated Wokha the 20th June 2017
No. Judi-47/2016-17/ Whereas, Smti Nmeri, wife of Late Shri Thungpvu Kikon a resident of Area Old Village has applied for issue of Succession Certificate to enable her to draw all dues and benefits pertaining to PPO No. 111610346 and to draw/operate AC No. 36454341255 in favour of her deceased husband, Late Shri Thungpvu Kikon who expired on 25/11/2016. Now, therefore, public and relatives are hereby asked to file claims/objections if any, within 30 (thirty) days from the date of issue of this notice. No claims/objections will be entertained after the cutoff date and succession certificate shall be issued. Sd/- WEZOPE KENYE Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Nagaland
AFFIDAVIT
Regd.No: 232/17 Date: 05-06-2017 I, Smti. L. Kheholi Assumi, D/o Luhovi Assumi R/o Alahuto Colony, Zunheboto, Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare an oath as under: 1. That my name is inadvertently recorded as: (a) Ms. H. Kheholi Assumi in my SBI A/C no. 11736606037. (b) Ms. Kheholi Assumi in my PAN Card & Aadhaar Card. (c) Ms. L. Kheholi Assumi in my HSLC/PU/BA/B.ED documents. But my actual name is L. Kheholi Assumi. 2. That the above mentioned names are one and same person which is referred to me. That my name shall be used by the name as L. Kheholi Assumi for all official purpose and legal proceedings at all times and occasion. Deponent Solemnly declared before me by the deponent Notary Public Zunheboto: Nagaland
inhabitants of the land. Speaking about the aggressive rate of depletion of the resources, which was a result of abusive usage, anthropologist Daniel Taghioff said 'perhaps the earth also wants to join the brother and sister planets that had no life, and the day was not far.' One of the female activists pointed out the role of women in politics, and said the country has a long way to go as the participation of women in politics, as well as important administrative responsibilities, was far less compared to men. However, quoting nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, she said 'There was a time, when women activists asked men to stand up for their rights but this time, we will do it for ourselves'. She emphasised on the need for women to participate more in managerial and administrative works, than being restricted to households. Speaking on the oc-
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ZUNHEBOTO
NO.JUD.2l/2017-18/57
Dtd. Zbto, the 28/06/2017
Notice calling objection for the issue of Succession Certificate Shri. V.C Hokuto of South Point East District Zunheboto has applied for the issue Succession Certificate declaring that his wife Late H. Toshili Sema has expired on 19/05/2017. It is hereby notified that if no objection to issue this certificate is received from anyone within a period of 30 (thirty) days w.e.f the date of publication in press, the Certificate shall be issued and no further complaint will be entertained for issue of the same. Sd/- Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto: Nagaland
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4
TuesdaY 04•07•2017
business
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
GST: Domestic LPG gets costlier, commercial LPG is cheaper
Indian manufacturing growth cools in June
New Delhi, July 3 (iANS): With all grades of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) coming under GST, consumers in India will be paying mo’re from this month for their cooking gas cylinders. While petroleum is not under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that rolled out from July 1, the central government clarified that day that both domestic and commercial liquefied LPG grades will be taxed under the GST, which is now effective pan-India except in Jammu and Kashmir. LPG has been placed in the lowest 5 per cent GST bracket, the other MuMBAi , July 3 (reuterS): Activity in India's manufacturing sector eased to a four-month low in June amid a slowdown in output and new orders as softer domestic consumption partly offset strong foreign demand, a private business survey showed on Monday. The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, compiled by IHS Markit, fell to 50.9 in June from 51.6 in May, but still held above the 50 level that separates growth from contraction for a sixth straight month. Factory activity has recovered since December, when it contracted for the first time in a year after
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Nov. 8 move to ban high-value currency notes crunched demand. Manufacturing growth slowed last month largely as domestic consumption cooled even as external demand remained solid. The new orders sub-index - which takes into account both domestic as well as foreign demand - declined to 51.3, the lowest level since February, from 52.6 in May. "For the third month in a row, production growth in India eased during June. The slowdown occurred due to weak client demand, with order books up at a slight and softer pace," said Pollyanna de Lima, econo-
mist at IHS Markit. Optimism about future output also slipped for the first time in four months as manufacturers expressed concerns about the initial impact of a goods and services tax that came into effect on Saturday. On the brighter side, recovery in foreign demand for Indian manufactured goods helped drive export orders to an eight-month high in June, after a contraction in May. Although manufacturers experienced reduced input cost pressures last month they did not pass on the benefits to customers. As expectations of a normal monsoon is seen keeping food prices in
check, inflation is unlikely to breach the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent in the near future. That, alongside India's economic growth slumping to a more than two-year low of 6.1 percent in January-March, has increased the chances of a central bank rate cut by year-end. However, a successful implementation of the GST is expected to boost economic growth. "With the impact of demonetisation largely over and the GST unlikely to substantially derail consumer spending, IHS Markit forecast real GDP growth to hit 7.3 percent for FY 17/18," de Lima said.
India bonds slump after RBI announces open market bond sale
MuMBAi, July 3 (reuterS): Indian government bonds yields rose sharply on Monday after the central bank announced an open market sale of debt to mop up excess liquidity that filled the country's banking sector following last year's demonetisation push. The announcement from the Reserve Bank of India late on Friday on a 100 billion rupees ($1.55 billion) sale of government bonds surprised traders, who had expected it to happen in August near the time when the central bank must pay a hefty dividend to the government. The RBI has so far resorted to selling short-end securities through a special scheme to drain some of the excess cash, a method that was seen as less disruptive than removing liquidity through regular OMOs. Traders said the open market sale appeared intended to help offset bond redemptions of 526.20 bil-
lion rupees due July 9, with another 303 billion rupees in August, which would have added liquidity to the financial system. "It looks like they are timing it with bond redemptions," said one senior dealer at a foreign bank, noting the overall impact of the open market bond operation would likely end up being broadly neutral on liquidity The new 10-year bond yield jumped as much as 11 basis points to 6.62 percent in early trade, its highest level since June 7, from its close
of 6.51 percent. It was trading at 6.59 percent at 0600 GMT. The five-year benchmark overnight indexed swap was at 6.34 percent compared with its previous close of 6.28 percent. Indian banks were flushed with deposits after the government abolished high-value currency notes late last year in a push to unearth billions of dollars of so-called black money, forcing people to deposit their unused notes with banks. The fall in bonds comes after a recent rally as lower-than-expected inflation data had raised hopes for a rate cut as early as the RBI's policy review on Aug. 2. Traders expect the central bank to conduct at least two to three more OMO sales in the July-September period given surplus liquidity of around 3 trillion rupees in the banking system, much above the RBI's traditional tolerance level of 1 trillion rupees.
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CROSSWORD # 3992
SUDOKU
Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
Game Number # 3989
Answer Number # 3988
BANgAlore/MuMBAi, July 3 (iANS): Billionloans Financial Services (Billionloans) on Monday said that it has closed a seed funding round of approximately Rs 7 crore ($1 million) from Reliance Corporate Advisory Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Capital. Billionloans is a technology-enabled financial services company, focused on providing flexible and affordable financing options to individuals and
small businesses that have so far found it difficult to access loans from the traditional banking system to meet their aspirations. V. Balakrishnan, Chairman, Billionloans: "Our goal is to fundamentally disrupt how borrowers are sourced and appraised using technology in the quickest possible manner. This will lead to a dramatic change in access, both for borrowers with thin credit histories and for lenders looking to expand beyond their traditional cus-
New Delhi, July 3 (iANS): With innovation being the key instrument in guiding businesses, customer retention is the top priority for Asian companies with India leading the trend, a new research revealed on Monday. According to "Innovation: All Eyes on Asia", a report by US-based cloud computing firm Salesforce, 70 per cent of Asian companies have customer retention as their key priority for the next 12 to 24 months and 53 per cent are likely to adopt new innovation to achieve this goal. Companies in India (90 per cent), Indonesia (83 per cent), Vietnam (85 per cent), Philippines (84 per cent) and Thailand (84 per cent) showed willingness to adopt a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Answer to Crossword 3991
While the companies rank enterprise apps (83 per cent), CRM, Cloud-computing (82 per cent) and AI as top innovation priorities, 93 per cent of Indian companies are likely to invest in these to boost customer retention, followed by Singapore (88 per cent), Philippines (88 per cent) and Malaysia (82 per cent). Asia with 77 per cent is being viewed as the region to lead innovation globally in the next five years, with America at a close second (64 per cent). Japan, Korea and China are the top three Asian countries seen to be driving the trajectory. However, cost, complexity of technology and lack of talent are the three key hurdles that are holding Asian companies back from adopting innovation, the report added. std code: 03862
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bani, Executive Director, Reliance Capital said: "Technology and innovation in financial services are going to play a big part in bridging the gap between aspirations of large number of Indians wanting access to credit on one hand and the ability of companies to build efficient and scalable lending models on the other." "We look forward to support Billionloans in their vision and partner in their growth."
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founder and managing director, Care and support society mokokchung, nagaland was felicitated by sbi ne circle on their 62nd foundation day at guwahati on July 1. he was one among seven individuals who were felicitated for contributing in field of social work as social worker. two entrepreneurs and four ngos from north east india were also felicitated at the same function.
TaHaMZaM
std code: 03871
(formerly senapati)
Civil hospital
232224
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229529 229474
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227930 231081
fire brigade
2222952
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231864 224117 227337
bethel nursing home
2224202
northeast shuttles
08974997923
police Control room
228400
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232106
east police station
227607
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232181
Cihsr (referral hospital)
242555 242533
dimapur hospital
224041 248011
police station fire brigade
222246 222491
KOHiMa
8575045501
Officer-in-Charge 8575045510 south ps
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kezocha ps
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248302, 09856006026
women Cell
eden medical Centre
248722 /248288, 9615945510
Control room
S
E
A
R
C
std code: 0370
kohimA ps/oCs Contact numbers north ps
Chumukedima fire brigade 282777
Annoy
tomer bases." "The investment from Reliance Capital is a great validation of our business model," said Balakrishnan, who was the ex-member of the Board of Infosys, Chairman of Exfinity Venture Fund and one of the early investors in Billionloans. According to Billionloans, it will initially focus on loans to SMEs, affordable housing loans, education loans and personal loans. Speaking at the announcement, Anmol Am-
India leads when it comes to customer retention via technology
8. Helps 9. Rodents 10. Crisp round cookie 11. Sporting venue 12. Small goat antelope 13. Flurries 18. Top part of an apron 24. Conceit 25. Unveiling 26. Largest continent 27. Doofus 28. Style of hairdo 29. Involving three parties 31. Shacks 33. Licoricelike flavor 34. Where a bird lives 36. “Do ___ others...” 37. Docile 38. If not 42. Pertaining to the liver 43. Terminate 45. One who leases 47. Catches 48. Anoint (archaic) 49. Metal 51. French for “Friend” 52. Blockheads 54. Information 56. Grumble 57. Double-reed woodwind 58. Forearm bone 59. Char 62. Citrus drink
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gime, where the tax on this category of item is at 18 per cent. Previously, LPG for commercial use attracted 22.5 per cent tax, including 8 per cent excise duty and 14.5 per cent VAT. A commercial LPG cylinder earlier available in Delhi for Rs 1,121, will now cost Rs 1,052. The lower GST on commercial LPG signifies lower prices also for auto LPG, thereby giving further boost to the use of this environment friendly fuel. On including petroleum under the GST regime, the matter has been tabled before the GST Council, which is yet to decide on it.
Billionloans gets funding from Reliance Capital
DiMaPUR ACROSS 1. An exchange 6. At a distance 10. Jokes 14. Heavenly hunter 15. Brand of credit card 16. Weightlifters pump this 17. African antelope 19. Roman emperor 20. Highly seasoned fatty sausage 21. Female sib 22. Chew 23. Assists 25. Trades 26. Border 30. Amass 32. The highest female voice 35. Include 39. A type of tincture 40. Burrow 41. Annul 43. Demesnes 44. To the rear 46. Jab 47. Urgency 50. Foot lever 53. Initial wager 54. One of the tribes of Israel 55. It secretes mucin 60. Clairvoyant 61. Possible 63. Urgent request 64. Fastened 65. Swedish money 66. Peddle 67. Unit of land 68. Lance DOWN 1. Fronts of ships 2. Murres 3. Small brook 4. Fizzy drink 5. Colonic 6. “___ Maria” 7. An elaborate party
rates in the new indirect tax structure being 12, 18 and 28 per cent. Pre-GST, most states did not tax LPG, while others levied value added tax (VAT) ranging between 2 per cent and 4 per cent. Domestic LPG attracted zero custom and excise duty. Post-GST implementation, an LPG cylinder will cost around Rs 1215 more in states that did not tax the clean fuel. Instead, in states that levied VAT, the increase will depend on the difference between earlier tax and the GST rate. The price of commercial LPG, however, has come down under the GST re-
H
8575045549
Officer-in-Charge 8575045538 8575045509
Officer-in-Charge 8575045519 8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)
FiRE STaTiONS
kohimA south: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) kohimA north: 7085924114 (O) dimApur: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) ChumukedimA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) wokhA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) mokokChung: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) phek: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) zunheboto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tuensAng: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) longleng: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC) we4 women helpline 08822911011 WOMEN helpline 181 CHiLD welfAre Committee Toll free No. 1098 childline
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woodland nursing home
2226263
hotel metsüpen (tourist lodge) 2226373/ 2229343
CURRENCY NOTES buy (rs) sell (rs)
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63.04 80.26 7.82 47.88 45.38 47.6 56.12 70.86 1.79 0.0537 16.61 8.91
65.88 84.14 8.71 50.22 47.60 49.91 59.28 74.29 2.00 0.0598 18.50 9.92
Tuesday 04•07•2017
NAGALAND
Ahthibung, Kebai Khelma public repair ‘worst’ stretch of road in the district
Public repair the road between Bongkolong and Gopibung in Peren district.
pErEN, July 3 (mExN): The president of Zeliang Kuki Pubpublic of Ahthibung and Kebai lic Organisation, Ahthibung & Khelma under Peren district conducted a joint social work on the Organisation appeals road between Bongkolong and Gopibung, a 10 km distance, from not to ply heavy vehicles June 26 to July 1. on the stretch till last The particular road is the part of October 2017 worst stretch of road in the district, according to a press release from Lamsei Singson, Kebai Khelma circle. The sixteen villages contribpresident and Rangnim, vice
uted materially, financially and physically to repair the pathetic condition of the road, it added. Stating that the work was done satisfactorily for plying of small passenger and light commercial vehicles, the Zeliang Kuki Public Organisation under Ahthibung & Kebai Khelma Circle has appealed to all concerned not to ply heavy vehicles on the said road till last part of October 2017.
NPF calls NPCC statements ‘hilarious’ Kohima, July 3 (mExN): As the paper war between the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) continues, the former today termed the latter’s recent statements “hilarious.” In a sarcastic retort, the NPF central office Media & Press Bureau stated NPCC’s claim that its president K Therie single-handedly revived the “dying” cock party and propelled it to power in 2003 “deserves a standing ovation because of its utter ridiculousness.” “Moreover, if statements of historical, political facts are considered by the NPCC as ‘tirades’ against a leader and ‘a payback of ungratefulness’, the NPF can only submit that it would rather be brutally frank with the truth than be with lies and flattery,” the NPF stated in a press release. Taking strong exception to the NPCC’s claim, the release further alleged that while being in the NPF party, Therie “started to hobnob with Congress leaders clearly showing his political principles and unwavering commitment to the party he belongs to.” With regard to the appointment of Khriehu Liezietsu as Advisor, which the NPCC questioned and termed NPF’s justification “hollow”, NPF maintained that “So far, there has not been
any instance of smooth transition of power within the NPCC.” NPCC has found “it hollow” because it is a political party whose presidential candidates resort to vandalism, arson and other tactics, it added. As for vacating one’s constituency for another, NPF said sacrifice is not new for the party. It cited that in 1990, sitting MLA KG Kenye vacated his Chizami constituency to enable Vamuzo to contest and fulfill constitutional obligations. “For the NPF rank and file, the interests of the party come first unlike the NPCC whose tradition seems to be the contrary,” it stated. Regarding the usage of the word “un-mandated” by the NPCC, the release said “it is threatening to cause mass nausea because former Congress Prime Ministers Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh were never considered as un-mandated when they were sworn in to office without them being members of either House of the Parliament.” Accusing the Congress of suffering from “selective amnesia,” the NPF said it was expected of the party which over the decades “had been taking the people of the country for a ride forcing itself to believe that the people were enjoying the ride.”
NBCC Youth Day of Prayer observed Baptist Mission Church, Alpine Open Scout Guide Unit annual Kohima, July 3 (mExN): The Kohima Liangmai Kohima conducts VBS &training Baptist Church D Block youth department observed camp held NBCC Youth Day of Prayer under the theme ‘Read bible the Amazing Amazon- A Jungle and obey’ on July 2 at the church premises. N. Silubo, Local Pastor, D Block emphasized that youth should live a Christian life and give back through their good deeds to their creator. He encouraged the youth to be faithful, honest to one another, and honour the elders stating they are the guide of the community. The speaker further asked the young people to remember their creator God and to learn self control in life. The youth department also distributed gift to its members on the day.
Meetings & AppointMents Dimapur DPDB meeting The Dimapur District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meeting for the month of July 2017 will be held on July 5, informed Augustine M Yanthan, Assistant Development Commissioner & Member Secretary, Dimapur DPDB in a press release.
Special prayer for NSCN (IM) members A special prayer programme for the NSCN (IM) members will be held on July 5, 9:00 am at Diphupar Ao Baptist Church, near the Monitoring Cell of NSCN. Therefore, all the NSCN members living in Dimapur have been requested to attend the prayer meeting. A press release from Rev. Seksim Kasar, general secretary, Council of Nagalim Churches has appealed to the Steering Committee members, Kilonsers and Dy. Kilonsers to attend the prayer meeting without fail. In a separate press release, NSCN (IM) UT-I Secretary as per the directive of CAO/caretaker UT-I, Rangkhamung Anar, Deputy Kilonser, informed all the Steering Executive members, Steering Members, Kilonsers, Dy. Kilonsers, Tatars, PRO, PO, APO and from Leacys to RSI of UT-I region to attend the prayer programme.
NCD calls meeting Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has convened an emergency meeting of all the councilors on July 5, 11:00 am in the council’s office. Therefore, all members have been requested to attend the meeting positively. A press release from NCD joint secretary, Rangau informed that no further notice/information will be served for the purpose.
ANGDA (CC) social work The All Nagaland Government Drivers’ Association (ANGDA (CC)) is organizing a social work on July 5 at the association’s ongoing building construction site, Themezie High School Road, Kohima. Therefore, all the members within Kohima circle who are off duty have been requested to participate in the social work from 9:30 am.
ANGPTA thanksgiving prog The All Nagaland Government Primary Teachers' Association (ANGPTA) will have a thanksgiving programme on July 6, 11:00 am at CANSSEA building, Kohima to mark the ANGPTA Foundation Day. Therefore, all the Central office bearers, advisors and all the district units (presidents, general secretaries and two other members each) have been informed to attend without fail. After the thanksgiving programme, there will be a discussion hour on important issues, stated a press release from Hoshika H Sumi, general secretary, ANGPTA.
Children during the VBS organized by Child Evangelism Ministry of Baptist Mission Church, Kohima from June 29 – July 1.
Kohima, July 3 (mExN): The Child Evangelism Ministry under Baptist Mission Church, Kohima conducted its annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) from June 29– July 1 under the theme ‘Cruisin’
Journey to Discover Jesus’. The concept was taken from David C Cook’s “Very exciting Bible School program,” according to a press release. “The concept behind this year’s theme was to lead children into developing an intimate and personal faith in Jesus by providing a setting which is fun, educative and relevant,” it said. The children were divided into five different groups and they took turns in exploring five different sites named “Danger Bend”, “Jungle Trekking”, “Forever Falls”, “Night Time Expedition” and “Tree Top”. As part of the many adventure activities, a Zipline was also set up by NAAME which added to the thrill of the event for the children. On the last day of the worship service, a special altar call was made where many of the children surrendered their lives to God, the release added. Over 250 children from 3 to 17 years of age participated in the VBS.
SASU annual presidential meeting Seyochung Area students’ Union (SASU) has convened its annual presidential meeting on July 8, 10:00 am at Sub Treasury, Kiphire Town. The Union has informed all the SASU officials, executives and unit presidents and general secretaries to attend the meeting without fail.
Kohima DC informs officials requisitioned for bye-election Kohima, July 3 (mExN): In view of the bye-election to the 10 Northern Angami - I AC scheduled for poll on July 29, and as per the provisions under Section 159 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, government officials are being requisitioned and assigned different duties to ensure smooth conduct of polls. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer of Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan (IAS) in this regard has informed all concerned that no exemption shall be entertained except under unavoidable exigencies.
Excise personnel seize liquor Dimapur, July 3 (mExN): The Dimapur district excise personnel manning New Field Excise check gate while checking suspected vehicles recovered 612 bottles of assorted IMFL from a zonal taxi (Maruti Alto) bearing registration number NL079911 on July 3 at 6:40 am. The owner of the contraband identified as Shyam Kumar (20) was arrested and penalized under Section 44 of the NLTP Act 1989, informed a press release from Superintendent of Excise & Prohibition, S Chanlei Angh. The liquor was seized under the command of Mainshila, AIE along with ten other personnel, it added.
Kevijau Colony affirms to abide by Clean Election principles Dimapur, July 3 (mExN): Kevijau Colony Council (KCC) in Dimapur held a general meeting on Clean Election Campaign with Rev. Kilang Jamir as the main speaker on June 30. In the meeting, the house declared to abide by the Clean Election principles and resolved to support the agreement made between NBCC and seven political parties, stated a press release from KCC chairman, Er. M Tia Jamir and secretary, Er. Nizal Tepa.
LJP Nagaland office shifted
Dimapur, July 3 (mExN): The office of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Nagaland State has been shifted from Purana Bazar to Sewak Road, near HMC School. Therefore, all the official party related works and correspondence will be done form the new office (PO Box 314) from now on. Kohima, July 3 (mExN): The Alpine This was informed in a press release issued by Manthungo Open Scout & Guide Unit, Kohima conducted Odyuo, Chief General Secretary, LJP Nagaland. its Annual Training Camp from June 26–29 at St. Edmund School, Kigwema with 55 Scouts Petroleum dealers’ & Guides, Scout Master & Guide Captains, resource person and Senior Scouts & Guides. bodies resolve to check adulteration Conducted under the leadership of Imlisunep, Scout Master of Alpine Open Scout Dimapur, July 3 (mExN): The petroleum dealers’ & Guide Unit, Om Prakash Gupta, District bodies of Dimapur and Kohima held a joint meeting on Training Commissioner (Scout) of Kohima June 30 in Dimapur and unanimously resolved to check district was the resource person at the camp. adulteration of fuels, according to a press release. In this The Scouts and Guides were mainly regard, the bodies warned individuals/groups against trained on the practical skills like Rope Work, possessing godowns, storing fuels in any form, or formFirst Aid, Pioneering Project, Different Types ing syndicate groups to practice such illegal activities. of Fire, Camp Craft, Estimation, Signalling, They affirmed to render fullest co-operation to the law enforcing agency in rooting out such illegal activities, Camp Gadgets, Wide Games etc, according stated the release issued by Neingutuolie Kengurusie, to a press release from Imlisunep, Adminispresident, Petroleum Dealers Association, Dimapur. trator, Alpine Open S/G Unit, Kohima. The campers also experienced a taste of ComTeachers attend training mando Bridge and Monkey Bridge built by the Senior Scouts of the Unit, it added. on harmful effects of tobacco John Tochimong, State Organising Commissioner (Scout) NSBSG, graced the grand WoKha, July 3 (mExN): The Wokha District Tocampfire as the Campfire Chief and exhort- bacco Control Programme under the National Tobacco ed the campers. District Organising Com- Control Programme conducted a training programme missioner (Scout) of Kohima district, Scout- for the school teachers on the harmful effects of tobacers & Guiders & well wishers also visited the co use and role of teachers in tobacco control on June 28 in Wokha Town. Dr. Meribeni Odyuo, DNO, NTCP, camp. The Unit Administrator has thanked all Wokha stressed on the need to advocate the ills of tobacco amongst children. The schools through the teachers, who extended support towards the camp. she said, have contact with the child from kindergarten through to class 12 and so they play an important role in reducing tobacco use amongst the young. She urged the teachers involved in tobacco control activities to be tobacco free and be role model for students. Altogether, 40 teachers participated in the training which was held at the Chief Medical Officer’s conference hall.
KROS College students debate on ULB election Dimapur, July 3 (mExN): The Department of Political Science & History of KROS College organised intra-departmental debate competition under the topic, ‘Should ULB election be put into practice in Nagaland’ on July 1. The competition was moderated by Kelühol Tase. Huvili Kits and Bangang Phom emerged as the first and second debaters respectively. Cash prize and certificates were awarded to the winners. The judges for the competition were Chubatoshi Jamir, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Watichila Imchen, HoD, Department of Sociology, Bonnie Lasuh, HOD, Department of English. The programme was chaired by
24 NL (I) Coy NCC training underway Kohima, July 3 (mExN): 24 NL (I) Coy National Cadet Corps (NCC) began its Annual Training Camp (ATC) on June 29 at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma. A total of 391 cadets and 6 ANOs from 20 different schools and colleges are attending the camp, which will end on July 8. The cadets will be given training in Firing, Weapon Training, Drill, Map Reading, Swachh Bharat and First Aid, informed a press release from Lt Col Shamsher Singh, Camp Commandant, 24 NL (I) Coy NCC. The opening address was given by Col. JS Dalal, the OfficiStudents during the intra-departmental debate competition organised by the ating Group Commander. He motivated the cadets and exhorted them to make best use of the training camp. Department of Political Science & History of KROS College on July 1. Teithuvi Zho of the Department of ered by Avelu Resuh, HOD, DepartHistory. Vote of thanks was deliv- ment of History.
Teronem Taku: T Senka Ao CECS, Dimapur and The Hans Foundation releases another book
provide ambulance to PHC Kangtsung
Rengma Tep Clan meeting The Rengma Tep Clan has convened an emergency meeting on July 8, 10:00 am at the residence of Kapun Tep, Forest colony Kohima. A release issued by information and publicity secretary of the Clan has requested all the officers of Tep clan and office bearers, Advisors, range representatives, one person from each village, to attend the meeting without fail.
MEx FILE
Subonenba Longkumer, Director CECS launches the ambulance provided to PHC Kangtsung on July 3.
Dimapur, July 3 (mExN): Community Educational Centre Society (CECS), Dimapur provided an ambulance to PHC Kangtsung as part of the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), a project supported by The Hans Foundation. The handing over
programme was held in Kangtsung Village on July 3 with Subonenba Longkumer, Director, CECS as the main patron in the presence of Dr. Imlinaro, SMO Tuli and Kangtsung Village Council. During the programme, chairman of Kangtsung
village, M Mar Lemtur appreciated the initiative and support from CECS headed by its Director towards developing healthcare in the village. Meanwhile, Dr. Imlinaro, SMO CHC, Tuli lamented government’s inability and lack of action in providing an ambulance to
the people of the area to address their growing woes. Subonenba Longkumer, Director CECS called upon the people to have a feeling of belongingness and ownership while making use of the ambulance facility and also to use it for the benefit of the adjoining villages. He also offered to sponsor the expenses of the driver and the vehicle for one year which will be directly monitored and reports on the services will be submitted on timely intervals. A press note stated that the programme ended with vote of thanks delivered by I Nungkum Pongen, Chairman of Village Health Committee (VHC) and benediction pronounced by Limawapang, Coordinator MMU, CECS.
Author of Teronem Taku (The Bitter Scent), T Senka Ao during the release of his book at Ongpangkong Watsü Mungdang office on July 3.
moKoKchuNg, July 3 (mExN): A book titled Teronem Taku (The Bitter Scent) authored by T Senka Ao was released today at Ongpangkong Watsü Mungdang office. During the book release, the author encouraged the mothers to teach their children the importance of one's mother tongue. He also urged the youth to write books in
their own mother tongue saying that one's sociocultural and traditional aspects "circle around one’s language." The book is reported to be sold exclusively by Ongpangkong Watsü Mungdang. The book was published by Tribal Development and Communication Centre Mokokchung with an ISBN-978-9381662-25-0.
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tuesday 04•07•2017
IN FOCUS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express volume Xii issue 181
Is the Govt Equipped?
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defining character of responsible governance is in its use of democratic means to evolve equitable solutions based on inclusive, participatory and nonviolent approaches. This is foundational to its ability for constructively addressing conflicts. Nagaland is filled with examples where the state government has used forceful methods for its own gain. These examples are evident in the mishandling of inter-village and inter-tribe situations. In more recent times, contentious issues such as exploiting natural resources, rampant corruption, and compromised municipal elections are clear indicators that the state has not invested in building capacity to address differences through peaceful means such as dialogue, mediation and negotiations. This finds Nagaland compromised and urgently needing to develop capacity and create mechanisms to democratically address conflicts. When conflict is present in our lives it indicates that harmony is broken at some level. Babu Ayindo and Janice Jenner from the Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding say that, “Whether at home with our families, at work with colleagues or in negotiations between governments, conflict pervades our relationships. The paradox of conflict is that it is both the force that can tear relationships apart and the force that binds them together. This dual nature of conflict makes it an important concept to study and understand.” They assert that understanding conflict as a feature of domestic and international relations are critical to peacebuilding processes. The challenge for governments is how to effectively, proactively engage, as well as address conflicts using inclusive participatory democratic approaches. For instance, a government may be confronted with conflicts around political aspirations, land, natural resources, border disputes, inequitable development, humanitarian crisis, inter-village differences, and armed violence, and so on. In many situations a government may be a party to the conflict or asked to intervene as a mediator. These situations require skills and techniques to constructively tackle the issues. On the one hand, a conflict can be managed negatively through avoidance, and by using threats, intimidation and force. On the other hand, a conflict can be positively engaged through dialogue, negotiation, joint problem solving and consensus building and reconciliation. Transforming conflicts is both a science and an art. The approaches used in conflict situations are largely based upon past experiences. Historic scenarios indicate that most governments approach conflict with the intent of achieving ‘negative peace,’ where in most cases the absence of violence has not addressed the root cause of the conflict. In today’s political context and increased human consciousness, ‘negative peace’ is not only limited and inadequate, but is counter-productive to sustainable JustPeace with harmonious outcomes. Ayindo and Jenner remind us that, “Positive peace is filled with positive content such as the restoration of relationships, the creation of social systems that serve the needs of the whole population and the constructive resolution of conflict. Peace does not mean the total absence of any conflict. It means the absence of violence in all its forms and the unfolding of conflict in a constructive way.” Real peace exists “where people are interacting non-violently and are managing their conflict positively—with respectful attention to the legitimate needs and interests of all concerned.” The Nagaland State Government, in particular its administrative officers, need to assess whether it is equipped to sincerely, respectfully and skillfully address its many local internal conflicts using nonviolent means. Taking a status quo stance and posturing with coercion and power will only de-legitimize its ability to govern the people. Now is the time for the Nagaland State Government to step forward to address conflicts constructively in order to achieve positive constructive outcomes.
lEfT WING |
IANS
'Brain training' app may improve memory
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"brain training" game app developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge could help improve the memory of patients in the very earliest stages of dementia, suggests a study. In the study, published in The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, the researchers tested the effects of the game on patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which has been described as the transitional stage between healthy ageing and dementia. It is characterised by day-to-day memory difficulties and problems of motivation. At present, there are no approved drug treatments for the cognitive impairments of patients affected by the condition. Cognitive training has shown some benefits, such as speed of attentional processing, for patients with aMCI, but training packages are typically repetitive and boring, affecting patients' motivation. "Good brain health is as important as good physical health. There's increasing evidence that brain training can be beneficial for boosting cognition and brain health, but it needs to be based on sound research and developed with patients," said Professor Barbara Sahakian, co-inventor of the game. "It also needs to be enjoyable enough to motivate users to keep to their programmes. Our game allowed us to individualise a patient's cognitive training programme and make it fun and enjoyable for them to use," Sahakian added. The researchers tested the effects of the memory game app, called the "Game Show", on cognition and motivation. The researchers randomly assigned a small group of patients with amnestic MCI to either the cognitive training or control group. Participants in the cognitive training group played the memory game for a total of eight one-hour sessions over a four-week period; participants in the control group continued their clinic visits as usual. In the game, which participants played on an iPad, the player takes part in a game show to win gold coins. The results showed that patients who played the game did better in a test of episodic memory. Episodic memory is important for day-to-day activities and is used, for example, when remembering where we left our keys in the house or where we parked our car in a multistorey car park. Compared to the control group, the cognitive training group also retained more complex visual information after
C O M M E N T A R Y
Pradip Phanjoubam The Wire
As the Splintered History of Lost Kingdoms Unravels, INDIA AND CHINA NEED TO CONFRONT THE FUTURE
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t is interesting that in invoking historical justifications in the latest standoff between China and India in the Sikkim and Bhutan tri-junction area, neither party is keen to recall that the region once constituted sovereign principalities – of Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan. Of the three, Bhutan is still independent, Tibet was taken over by China in 1951 and Sikkim became part of India only in 1975 by the exercise of Article 2 of the Indian constitution. The controversies behind these takeovers is another matter, but the moot point is that the histories of these erstwhile states have been splintered beyond recognition as they have been absorbed into other historical streams. How much of this destroyed history can, with any moral legitimacy, continue to be used as alibis by China or India to advance their interests in the region is the unasked question. China cites the 1890 agreement between itself and the British government fixing the boundary between Sikkim and Tibet, claiming that this is the boundary Indian troops have violated in objecting to Chinese road construction in Doklam. Britain signed this agreement with China in acknowledgment that China had suzerainty power over Tibet; however, the latter disputed this and refused to recognize the 1890 treaty and another one, signed again by the British and Chinese in 1893, on trade regulations – which allowed the setting up of a British India trade mart at Yatung in the Chumbi valley. The buildup to these treaties a decade earlier is not only interesting but also marked an important turning point in the triangular diplomacy between the British, Chinese and Tibetans. The British had for long been looking for a permanent presence in Tibet and towards this end in 1886, they planned a trade mission to Lhasa under the command of an officer by the name of Colman Macaulay. This was in keeping with the Chefoo Convention reached between the British and the Chinese in 1876 in Peking. The Chinese, though not in a position at the time to oppose the British, had weakly conveyed their reluctance, saying the plan would be opposed by the Tibetans – indicating they were unsure of their control over Tibet. The Macaulay mission was ultimately suspended, but for reasons many scholars, including Alastair Lamb, suspect had little to do with the British not wanting to embarrass the Chinese at their inability to control the Tibetans. The real reason was that the British had tacitly coerced the Chinese to recognise the British annexation of Upper Burma in 1885 – a country Manchu rulers considered their tributary state. Events that followed again proved Chinese apprehensions that Tibetans would oppose the British trade mission was not just an excuse to dissuade the British. Not knowing the mission had been called off, the Tibetans ‘sent a detachment into the British-protected State of Sikkim, a region to which they now reasserted ancient claims. In Sikkim, at the village of Lingtu, on the main road from Darjeeling to the Tibetan border at the Chumbi Valley, along which Colman Macaulay was expected to travel, the Tibetans set up a military post; and they refused to retreat even after there ceased to be any question of a British mission.’ (Alastair Lamb, The McMahon Line, A Study in Relation Between India, China and Tibet 19041914, Vol 1) Explaining the same episode, a British official and Tibetan observer of the time, Charles Bell, notes that the Tibetan were instigated by ‘the Ne-chung Oracle at Lhasa, which declared that its magic influence inside the fort would disarm any troops that the British sent against it, while the occupation would give them a commanding position in any negotiations that took place for the delimitation of the boundary between Tibet and Sikkim.’ (Charles Lamb, Tibet Past and Present). What followed is of importance. Despite repeated appeals by the British to the Chinese to have the blockade lifted, the Chinese were not in a position to do anything. It was then that Lord Dufferin in 1888 authorised the clearing of the blockade by force, which was done promptly and without much prob-
illustration from 1904 of British indian soldiers confronting a blizzard in the Chumbi valley. Credit: The Graphic/ Ebay
lem. Dufferin also became convinced then that the only way to deal with Tibet was to deal with it directly and not through Peking. However, despite the Lingtu blockade episode, the British did not abandon their policy outlook towards Tibet immediately, and the 1890 boundary treaty and the 1893 trade treaty were signed with Peking not with Lhasa. One of the reasons, as scholars point out, is that the Tibet anxiety of the British was informed by the possibility of other European powers, in particular Russia, coming to influence Tibet. This being so, entering into international treaties with Tibet, it feared would give the Tibetans de jure sovereignty status in the eye of international law and this may encourage the Tibetans to enter into independent treaties with other European rivals. To the British, then, China was the lesser danger. Things however changed under Lord Curzon. When towards the turn of the century, he became convinced that the 13th Dalai Lama was leaning towards Russia, he authorised the Younghusband Mission in 1904, to invade and teach the Tibetans a lesson. Col Francis Younghusband did precisely this and in a brutal act of aggression captured Lhasa. Though the 13th Dalai Lama managed to escape to Mongolia before he entered Lhasa, Younghusband forced the Lhasa Convention with the Tibetan government. Among the many humiliating concessions, the Tibetans were coerced into agreeing to pay a war indemnity of Rs. 75 lakh, an amount thought to be beyond the capacity of Tibet to pay, and until this amount was paid up, Chumbi valley was to remain with India. Not only this, the Rs. 75 lakh was to be paid in an instalment of Rs. 1 lakh a year, ensuring thereby that even if the Tibetans paid up, Chumbi valley would remain with India for at least 75 years. The Younghusband mission was not met with appreciation among all in Britain. Among those who held it in contempt was Lord Morley, Secretary of State for India. The latter ultimately ended up undoing most of what was achieved by the Younghusband mission, including the virtual transfer of Chumbi valley to India. First the amount was reduced to Rs. 25 lakh, and then, not long after Curzon retired in 1905, he acceded to a demand of the Chinese – who had, in a masterly stroke of diplomacy that won them prestige in the eyes of the Tibetans and strengthened before the world the legitimacy of their claims over Tibet – that Peking pay the Rs. 25 lakh on behalf of the Tibetans and also have the amount paid in just three instalments, ensuring thereby that the Chumbi valley returned to Tibetan custody in three years. With Curzon out of the way, China also convinced the British government that the Lhasa agreement can only be acceptable if it is ratified by another treaty between
the British and Chinese, and this came to be so by the Peking Convention of 1906. What became evident at the time was also the difference in security perceptions between British India and the British Empire. For men like Curzon in India, controlling Tibet was important for India’s security. For men like Morley in London, this interest was only a small and incomplete wrinkle on the larger security map of the empire. In Morley’s words, what Britain does in Tibet, other rivals may want to do in other sensitive regions like Mongolia, Afghanistan, Iran etc. He even derisively referred to men like Curzon as “these frontier men”, calling them too raw to understand the intricacies of the larger interest of the empire. But in the end, it was the empire which dissolved, leaving the colonies to bear the burdens of the exertions made on their behalf. The uncertainties over India’s northern boundary is a prime example. The Bhutan case is also interesting for another reason. British India concluded an important treaty with Thimphu in 1910 by which Bhutan was to pursue its foreign policy in consultation with India. What prompted this treaty was the Chinese forward policy that began in 1908 in what is generally described as the Qing Dynasty’s last burst of desperate energy before is collapse in 1912 in the face of the Republican Revolution, a tumultuous period in Chinese history captivatingly depicted in the Hollywood classic, The Last Emperor. Chinese troops entered Tibet, forcing the 13th Dalai Lama who was on his way back to Lhasa from his exile in Mongolia, to flee to India. The Chinese not only took charge of Tibet, but also began probing the neighbouring principalities of Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. The British were not worried about Sikkim which was their protectorate, nor too much about Nepal either for the latter had a robust army, but they became very concerned about Bhutan. At the time, the British had only an 1865 treaty with Bhutan but this was an agreement for the Bhutias not to raid the Dooars plains and for this the British would pay a compensation, much like the Posa arrangement the Ahom kings in Assam made with the hill tribes as a conflict resolution mechanism. This treaty however would not have been able to protect Bhutan if the Chinese decided to enter it. The British, at the behest of Charles Bell, who was then their political officer in Sikkim, visited the Bhutan king in 1910, and had the latter agree to sign a new treaty which merely added one more clause to the 1865 treaty – that Bhutan would pursue its foreign affairs in consultation with India. The Chinese threat, however, did not last as the Qing Dynasty soon fell. Not long after, in 1913, the British called the Simla Conference in an effort to secure India’s boundary in this sector. The history of this boundary is murky, and it gives no one any credit to invoke it to justify present policies. The current standoff between India and China on this border probably has, as so many commentators have pointed out, nothing to do with this history, but with current realpolitik. In the wake of India leaning towards the United States, and the US allegedly attempting to use India as a pivot to counterweigh China, Beijing probably is sending a message to New Delhi that it can have a better friend nearer home, and equally, a worse adversary nearer home. The two giants need to acknowledge certain truths. On China’s part, it needs to understand India’s concern about the Chumbi valley where the mutual allegations of border incursions are being made. This narrow valley wedged between Sikkim and Bhutan, points like a dagger at the Chicken’s Neck or Siliguri corridor, which connects the Northeast with the rest of India. It is, therefore, legitimate for India to be worried about a dagger pointed at his neck even if the dagger is not touching its neck or the wielder of the dagger is a friend. On India’s part, since Tibet is now Chinese territory, it is legitimate for the latter to connect its territories by roads. A settlement, if any, will have to be placed between these two concerns. Pradip Phanjoubam is editor of Imphal Free Press and author of The Northeast Question: Conflicts and Frontiers (2016).
Thailand is Patient Zero once again If you’d told Thais in 1997 that 20 years on men with guns would be running the place, few would’ve thought it remotely possible William Pesek
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Asia Times
n Thailand, everything turns on the number 20. At the same moment the nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Asian financial crisis, Prime Minister General Prayuth Chano-cha is rolling out his 20-year vision for the economy where it all began. Odd, perhaps, given that Prayuth wears a military uniform — he headed the junta that grabbed power in 2014. Thailand’s has a long, sordid history of internment military rule, 19 coups since the 1930s. But if you’d told Thais in 1997 that 20 years on men with guns would be running the place, few would’ve thought it remotely possible. The nation today is, in many ways, a direct result of the lack of progress made since July 2, 1997, the day Bangkok’s baht devaluation set Asia’s financial meltdown in motion. Thais hate it when foreign observers mention their dubious patient-zero role. If Indonesia, South Korea and even Malaysia had healthier financial systems, cleaner governments and greenlighted fewer unproductive invest-
ments, Thais retort, the contagion never would’ve infected their economies. Fair point, perhaps. But 20 years on, Thailand is again Exhibit A -– this time for economists mulling the next lostdecade patient. It’s become a macabre parlor game, of sorts. Who might next follow Japan down the deflationary rabbit-hole of chronic malaise, mushrooming bad loans and governments ill-equipped to escape? Prayuth and his fellow generals are making it too easy for the pessimists. Try as he may, Prayuth can’t spin a 3.3% growth rate that’s the weakest among the eight biggest Southeast Asian economies. The Philippines and Indonesia, for example, are operating above 6% and 5%, respectively. The generals have moved too slowly to accelerate infrastructure projects, including a US$5.2 billion high-speed rail undertaking with China. They’ve also been slow to build more advanced industries and cultivate innovation. Now, as Donald Trump’s White House threatens trade wars and protectionism spans the globe, Thailand is more exposed to external shocks now
than before the junta grabbed power. Concerns about political paralysis and weak global demand are fueling a prolonged period of soft private-sector investment. Exports, after all, fuel about 70% of Thai growth. Because of that structure, looser Bank of Thailand policies are getting little traction. One answer is marshaling the roughly US$67 billion of infrastructure projects the military government has unveiled into action. Another is putting aside the shorttermism that’s pervaded Thailand these last three years. The irony of Prayuth’s reign is the extent to which he’s emulated the policies of the man from whom he claimed to be saving Thailand. Much of the political turmoil from 2006 to 2014 surrounded the mercurial Thaksin Shinawatra, prime minister from 2001 to 2006. Even after he was ousted in a 2006 coup, Thaksin played a larger-than-life role in local politics –- from exile. His supporters, mostly the rural poor, clashed incessantly with the urban elite.
WRITE-WING
In 2014, Prayuth grabbed power pledging to settle the dispute for good. Oddly, though, he embraced Thaksinomics and its emphasis on populist cash handouts to rural communities to win support. This strategy adds more to the national debt than competitiveness. Better roads, bridges, ports and power grids would encourage the Toyota’s and Samsung’s of the world to build more factories in Thailand. Less corruption would ensure that economic growth reaches more of Thailand’s 68 million people. Nor do Prayuth’s handouts strengthen government institutions, enhance human capital or build a credible legal system. Perhaps Prayuth can cajole President Donald Trump to broker a US-Thailand trade deal at the White House next month. So, yes, Thailand is stable and devising 20 year-national strategies. But before Prayuth can take Thailand forward, his government must make up for lost time on economic and political reforms. If not, today’s drift, on top of last two decades of start-and-start repairs, will ensure a lost decade -– one a developing nation wracked by inequality can’t afford.
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TUESDAY 04•07•2017
PERSPECTIVE
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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India, Israel and Palestine: A Triangle That Does Not Sum Up When Modi visits Israel on July 4, what should we expect? Will he refer to the Palestinian cause? to ICC of which India is not a member. But a report in The Telegraph showed that India voted at least twice in favour of UNHRC resolutions which refer to the ICC in the context of atrocities in Syria. India’s altered voting behaviour therefore caused speculation that India had changed its policies on Palestine which the government has denied.
Urvashi Sarkar
I
The Wire
t is the 50th year of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It has been 50 years since Israel annexed the Palestinian territories of West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip following the Six Day Arab-Israeli War of June 1967. During this time, Israel has tightened its hold over the territories, crushed Palestinian resistance and created hundreds of thousands of refugees. Its discriminatory policies affecting every area of Palestinian life have invited comparisons with the South African apartheid. However, UN resolutions condemning the occupation and Israeli settlements in the West Bank leave Israel unaffected, even as it relies on the continued support of the United States for its actions. This is also the year that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Israel; the first Indian PM to
do so. He will address a gathering of Jews of Indian origin in a community reception in Tel Aviv on July 5. Modi he will not visit Palestine. Historically, India framed its relationship with Israel based on a priority accorded to Palestine. In 1936, Jawaharlal Nehru informed the Zionist emissary Immanuel Olsvanger that he could not tolerate imperialism in India or Palestine. P.R. Kumaraswamy, professor of West Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, writes that while anti-colonialism was an important aspect of India’s backing Palestine, there was a religious dimension to the matter. The Congress and the Muslim League perceived the anti-imperialist Palestinian cause as a way to win over Indian Muslims whose support they were competing for and to unite Indian Muslims with the resistance against the British. Supporting Palestine was also a method of leveraging India’s interests in the Middle East.
Road to Washington and arms access through Israel Nevertheless, India established full diplomatic ties with Israel only in 1992, even though it had formally recognised Israel in 1950. The end of the Cold War in 1991 reconfigured world politics and established the United States as the sole superpower. Vijay Prashad, professor of International Relations at Trinity College, says: “India’s road to Washington and arms lay through Israel. After India’s nuclear weapon tests in 1998, the US imposed economic and military sanctions. During the 1999 war with Pakistan, Israel supplied arms to India, which were American in any case. India under Indira Gandhi had already reached out to Israel in 1971 for arms despite absent diplomatic ties. The Palestine issue started getting sidelined long ago, while the Congress was in power.” In 2009, following lobbying by US and Israeli governments, India
diluted its stand on the Goldstone Report which showed the illegality of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and accused it of violating international law. The Congress expressed “reservations in making unqualified endorsement” of the report recommendations. According to Prashad, there is not much difference in the language used in 2009, and the language subsequently used by India for Israel’s attacks on Gaza in 2012 and 2014. Then, for the first time in 2015, India abstained on a UNHRC resolution calling for a probe by the International Criminal Court into war crimes by Israel. It continued to abstain on the resolution in 2016 and 2017 as well. However, it has voted in favour of other UNHRC resolutions that criticised Israel on the expansion of settlements and the right of Palestinians to self-determination. India justified abstaining on the grounds that the resolution referred
India-Israel bonhomie under Modi Undoubtedly, there is markedly more visible warmth between the two countries since 2014 when Modi was elected PM. High level visits to Israel by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, President Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj have already happened. While Singh did not visit Palestine, Mukherjee and Swaraj did so. During the Congress regime too, a steady stream of bilateral visits continued to Israel. Interestingly, the first time that a senior Indian minister visited Israel was only in the year 2000, when the BJP was in power; and the minister was L.K. Advani. This is despite the fact that diplomatic relations were established since 1992 and Israel had been sending its presidents and prime ministers to India since 1993. The most recent visit being of President Reuven Rivlin in November 2016. India and Israel have been cooperating in a range of areas including agriculture, water conservation, science and technology, trade and investment. India and Israel also view each other as victims of Islamist terror which complements Modi’s Hindutva background. But by far, the largest area of cooperation is in defense. Israel’s defense industry bagged its biggest security contract in April 2017 with the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries being awarded contracts worth $2 billion for providing medium range surface to air missile systems to the Indian Army. There are expectations of further arms deals when Modi visits Israel. It is no secret that India is currently the biggest importer of arms in the world while Israel is its second largest foreign supplier. Where does Palestine stand? Where does Palestine stand next to India-Israel bonhomie? When Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited India last month – his
third state visit to the country – Modi mentioned India’s unwavering support to Palestine and for a two state solution. He also spoke of a ‘sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel.’ Even before Abbas’ visit, a Palestinian Authority official said that while India had the right to build relations with Israel, it should not come at the expense of support for Palestine. How has that panned out? Is it possible for India to de-hyphenate its ties with the two countries, considering that one is an internationally condemned transgressor state and the other fighting for independence from it? India’s defense ties with Israel make this even more difficult. Palestinian embassy officials in Delhi who monitor India-Israel ties have expressed unhappiness over the increasing defense relationship. A Der Spiegel investigation in 2014 showed that Israel invests significant sums into defense research and production. A good chunk of defense production is exported to countries like India. Defense export revenues in turn make it possible for the Israeli forces to sustain the military occupation of Palestine, inviting allegations that India is subsidising or underwriting the occupation. When Modi visits Israel on July 4, what should we expect? Will he refer to the Palestinian cause? One can expect utterances about ‘the peace process and support for the two state solution. But it is doubtful he will go further – he is unlikely to raise the issue of the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike for example. Any criticism of Israel’s human rights records at international forums could invite criticism of the Modi government’s own policies in Kashmir where he has militarily suppressed dissent and separatism. Neither Netanyahu nor Modi will embarrass each other; Netanyahu in particular would be eager to win over India for the longer term, especially as a voting ally at various human rights forums. As Palestine observes its 50th year of Israeli occupation, hard strategic and military calculations define India’s national interest and colour its ties with Israel and Palestine. Urvashi Sarkar is an independent journalist and a 2016 PARI Fellow.
A look at Duterte’s stormy first year in power
Jim Gomez and Teresa Cerojano
I
most vocal critic of China’s aggressive behavior in the disputed waters until Duterte took power and reached out to Beijing, partly to secure funding for infrastructure projects. His move has effectively deescalated tensions in the busy sea, but critics have warned the president’s friendly overtures to China may gradually erode the country’s chances to demand that China comply with the ruling and relinquish its claims to waters regarded as the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Associated Press
t’s been a remarkably turbulent first year for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, whose war on drugs has left thousands of suspects dead and prompted critics to call his rule a “human rights calamity.” One accused him of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. A former state prosecutor, Duterte denies condoning extrajudicial killings and remains popular with the masses who embrace his unorthodox leadership style, profanity-laced outbursts and draconian bent in an Asian bastion of democracy. Last month, he declared martial law in the south to deal with an unprecedented siege by Islamic State group-aligned militants that continues to devastate Marawi city and alarm the rest of Southeast Asia. A look at some of the issues that ruffled the first of his six years in office: ISLAMIC STATE-LINKED SIEGE Duterte was with his top security officials on an official visit to Russia for talks with his idol, President Vladimir Putin, when an estimated 500 militants, some waving Islamic State group-style black flags, blasted their way on May 23 into Marawi, a mosque-dotted enclave of Islamic faith in the southern third of the predominantly Roman Catholic country. Joined by dozens of foreign fighters, the attackers occupied buildings, set free more than 100 inmates before burning a jail, destroyed a cathedral and barricaded streets and three access bridges in 19 of 96 Marawi neighborhoods. Most of the more than 200,000 residents fled. From Russia, Duterte declared martial law across the southern Philippines for 60 days and ordered a major offensive backed by airstrikes. At least 303 militants, 82 soldiers and police and 44 civilians have
been killed. A 1 ½ month later, less than 100 gunmen were still holed up in four neighborhoods with more than 100 civilian hostages, according to the military. Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, said that weak law enforcement and a stalled government autonomy deal with a large Islamic rebel group, which could have helped ease Muslim restiveness, set the conditions for the militants to try to gain a foothold in the south. DRUG WAR A former mayor of southern Davao city, where he earned the nickname “Duterte Harry” after the crime-busting Clint Eastwood movie character, Duterte expanded his anti-drug crackdown nationwide after winning the presidency.
During the campaign, he promised to rid the country of illegal drugs in three to six months and repeatedly threatened traffickers with death. But he missed the deadline and later declared he would fight the menace until his last day in office. When then-President Barack Obama, along with European Union and U.N. rights officials, raised alarm over the mounting deaths, Duterte lashed at them, once telling Obama to “go to hell.” Duterte’s fiercest critic at home, Sen. Leila del Lima, was detained in February on drug charges she said were baseless. Nearly 5,000 suspects have died so far, including 3,151 in reported gunbattles with police and 1,847 others in drug-related attacks including by motorcycle-riding masked gunmen, police said. Human rights
groups have reported a higher death toll and called for an independent investigation of Duterte’s possible role in the violence. Duterte “has unleashed a human rights calamity on the Philippines in his first year in office,” U.S.based Human Rights Watch said. In April, a lawyer filed a complaint of crimes against humanity against Duterte and other officials in connection with the drug killings before the International Criminal Court. An impeachment complaint against the president was dismissed in the House of Representatives, which is dominated by Duterte’s allies. SOUTH CHINA SEA More than a month into Duterte’s presidency, the Philippines won a landmark arbitration case before a tribunal in The Hague that invalidated China’s massive territorial claims
in the South China Sea under a 1982 U.N. maritime treaty. However, Duterte, aiming to turn around his country’s frosty relations with China, refused to demand immediate Chinese compliance with the ruling. He promised he would take it up with Beijing at some point. Confronting China, which has dismissed the ruling as a sham, risks sparking an armed conflict that the Philippines would surely lose, Duterte contended. Nationalists and critics blasted Duterte for what they see as a sellout to China. After a Beijing meeting between the two leaders, China allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal, where Chinese coast guard ships had driven Filipinos away since 2012. The Philippines has been the
VERBAL FLIP-FLOPS Duterte has made U-turns on public pronouncements that have kept reporters and even Cabinet members guessing and clouded his policy direction. He repeatedly declared last year that he would end military exercises with U.S. forces and drive them out of the south, where he says the American presence has helped fuel restiveness among minority Muslims. His defense secretary later said that the president had approved continuing joint exercises with the Americans, although the number of drills would be reduced and exclude mock assaults that have riled China. Labeling himself a leftist, Duterte has declared he would chart a foreign policy independent of the United States, his country’s longtime treaty ally. When asked how that policy could be affected by the U.S. military’s deployment of a spy plane to help Filipino troops locate militants in Marawi, Duterte said he didn’t seek America’s help himself but gave his defense officials leeway to do everything to crush the siege. Duterte also explained that he only had a feud with Obama but not with the American people and the State Department, adding that “as far as (President Donald) Trump is concerned, he’s my friend.” He grudgingly thanked the Americans for the assistance in Marawi, which he said was helping save lives.
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tuesDAY 04•07•2017
INDIA
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Modi heads to Israel, lifting the curtain on close ties
NEW DELHI/TEL AVIV, JULY 3 (REUTERs): Narendra Modi begins a first visit to Israel by an Indian prime minister on Tuesday, in a public embrace of a country that he has long admired for its military and technical expertise but which his predecessors kept at arm's length. India has traditionally trodden a careful diplomatic line in the region, analysts say, wary of upsetting Arab states and Iran upon whom it relies for its vast imports of oil - and its large Muslim minority. It has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, even as it quietly pursued ties with Israel. But now Modi is lifting the curtain on a thriving military relationship. He will hold three days of talks with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, to advance sales and production of missiles, drones and radar systems under his signature "Make in India" drive, officials in Delhi and Tel Aviv said. Netanyahu, hailing what he described as Modi's "historic visit", said on Monday he and the Indian leader have worked together over the past few years to build a "steadfast friendship"
between Israel and India. "This visit will deepen cooperation in a wide range of fields - security, agriculture, water, energy - basically in almost every field Israel is involved in," Netanyahu told his cabinet in public remarks. Modi will not travel to Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority and a customary stop for visiting leaders trying to maintain a balance in political ties. At home, the apparent shift in what has long been a bedrock of India's foreign policy risks sharpening criticism that the country's 180 million Muslims are increasingly being marginalized under Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which swept to power in 2014. "Narendra Modi's visit to Israel will only strengthen its occupation of Palestine," said Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of India's federal parliament from a regional group that promotes Muslim rights.
owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the country's biggest defence firm, said it was supplying India with drones, radar, communication systems and cybersecurity.
ser Arafat was a regular visitor to New Delhi, pictured hugging then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when the two were championing the Non-Alignment Movement. In May, Modi hosted Arafat's successor, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and offered help in health and Burgeoning Relationship information technology, but In previous decades, under the trip was low-key. the left-leaning Congress Party, The scale of the ongoing colformer Palestinian leader Yas- laboration with Israel dwarfs
anything India is attempting with the Palestinians, officials say. "We have a wide ranging partnership with Israel that ranges from agriculture cooperation to homeland security," said Bala Bhaskar, head of the foreign ministry's West Asia division. He said India's ties with Israel and Palestine were important in their own right and neither should viewed through the prism of the other. But an Israeli diplomat said Modi's
standalone trip to Israel was an important signal. The two sides are expected to announce strategic partnerships in areas including water, agriculture and space technology during Modi's visit. But it is the defence relationship that is most advanced - India is now Israel's biggest arms market, buying weapons at an average of $1 billion each year. Eli Alfassi, executive vice president of marketing at state-
Missiles, Food Security The centrepiece of the collaboration is the Barack 8 air defence system, built jointly by the two countries in a boost for Modi's campaign to develop a domestic defence industry. "We are adjusting to the 'Make in India' policy which says only local companies will win tenders, so we are setting up three joint projects in India with local companies," Alfassi said. IAI has signed a memorandum of understanding to build missiles with India's state-run Bharat Electronics Limited, launched a joint project with Dynamatic Technologies to make drones and is scouting for a partner for a joint venture for its subsidiary Elta, which specialises in electronic warfare and communication systems, he said. India is in the midst of a military modernisation programme worth more than $100 billion to help counter rivals
Not in race for PM's post, Grand Alliance intact: Nitish
PATNA, JULY 3 (IANs): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday declared that he was not in the race to become the Prime Minister in the 2019 Lok Sabha election and that the state's ruling Grand Alliance was very much intact. Describing his Janata Dal-United (JD-U) as "a small party", Nitish Kumar told the media here: "Hamari party choti hai aur hum PM pad ke race mein katai shamil nahi hai." He said that he never lived in illusion. "My party is a regional party and I am
not at all in the race for the post of PM." Nitish Kumar also downplayed his earlier comments holding the Congress responsible for the "current mess" in the opposition ranks. He said all was well in the 'Mahagathbandhan' Bihar's Grand Alliance of JD-U, the RJD and the Congress led by him. "The Mahagathbandhan is intact... There is no issue now, it is all based on interpretation of the media." Nitish Kumar said the alliance was a result of a
definite agenda which was endorsed by the people of Bihar and wasn't merely based on opposition unity. "It is our priority to implement the agenda of the Mahagathbandhan government." Nitish Kumar's remarks came a day after he had purportedly said during a party meeting that the Congress alone was to blame for the current mess in the opposition ranks. He had also attacked the party for not taking the JD-U into confidence for the Presidential polls. Nit-
ish Kumar's JD-U was the first among the opposition parties to lend support to the NDA's Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, a former Bihar Governor. "On Presidential election, different parties have their own opinions and thought processes, and they make their decisions accordingly. "The Presidential elections are being projected in such a manner that the farmers' issues have taken a back seat." Nitish Kumar said he had said earlier that the Congress was a big par-
ty and it had every right to set the agenda and inform all the opposition parties. The Congress should start work on an agenda only after the approval from other opposition parties, he said. "Opposition parties have to decide their role and they should start preparation for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. But the opposition needs an alternative narrative, just a reactive narrative wont work." The JD-U leader also said that opposition parties should be united at the
national level. In a reply to a question, Nitish Kumar said he did not attend the GST unveiling in Parliament because he was not invited. "If I had got the invitation from the central government, I would have attended the GST meeting in Delhi." He said the Goods and Services Tax regime was a good system and he had supported it since the beginning. "Whatever issue is in the interest of the people and the country, I always support and always stand for it."
HC refuses to quash ED Railways to allow foreigners to book ticket 360 days in advance case against Himachal CM NEW DELHI, JULY 3 (IANs): The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others seeking quashing of a money laundering case filed against them by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Justice R.K. Guaba rejected the plea of the Chief Minister, his wife Pratibha Singh, son Vikramaditya Singh and two others, saying the plea against possible arrest and attachment of property cannot be allowed. "The powers conferred on the enforcement officers for purposes of complete and effective investigation include the power to summon and examine 'any person'," said the court. Earlier, the ED had summoned Virbhadra Singh for questioning. The court said the law declares that every such person who is summoned is bound to state the truth and at the time of such investigative process the person summoned is not an accused. "No person is entitled in law to evade the command of the summons issued under section 50 PMLA on the ground that there is a possibility that he may be prosecuted in the future," the order stated. On September 2015, the ED had lodged the case against 83-year-old Singh and others under the PMLA after taking cognisance of a criminal complaint filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The CBI had filed a
chargesheet on March 31, hours after the High Court refused to quash the FIR lodged against Singh and his wife in the disproportionate assets case. Singh had earlier claimed that the FIR was the result of a "political vendetta". The court, however, said the argument of "political vendetta" was not supported by any material. "... those in public life are expected to be open to probity. Higher the position in life (or polity), higher the obligation (moral, if not legal) to be accountable. Endeavours to stall investigation into their affairs by the law enforcement agencies, particularly on technical grounds, have the potency of giving the impression that there is something to hide," said the court. The ED is probing allegations against Singh and his family members of having amassed wealth of Rs 6.1 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2009 and 2011 when he was the Union Minister of Steel. It has also attached assets worth around Rs 14 crore in this case under the PMLA. The ED had arrested a LIC agent, Anand Chauhan, in July 2016 under provisions of the PMLA as he was allegedly not cooperating with the investigating officer. The ED had alleged that Singh, while serving as the Union Minister, had invested huge amounts in purchasing LIC policies in his and his family members' names through Chauhan.
NEW DELHI, JULY 3 (IANs): The Indian Railways on Monday said that it will soon allow foreign nationals to book tickets 360 days in advance in order to promote tourism. "Now the foreign nationals or NRIs (non-resident Indians) can book their tickets under foreigners quota in 360 days advance," a Railway Ministry official told IANS.
As of now, foreigners are allowed to book ticket 120 days in advance of their planned travel. The official said the new facility would be officially announced on July 7 or July 12. Under the new facility, foreign nationals can book first AC, second AC and executive class tickets in premium trains like Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, newly launched Tejas
Express and Gatimaan Express. Foreign nationals would require to give details of their passport, visa and their mobile numbers through the IRCTC site. "IRCTC would charge Rs 200 per ticket as service charge from the foreign national passengers," he said. The official added that for cancelling the ticket, existing rules would apply.
China says India using Bhutan to cover up illegal entry
BEIJINg, JULY 3 (IANs): China on Monday said India was using Bhutan to "cover up" the illegal entry by Indian troops into "Chinese territory" and demanded their immediate withdrawal. China said India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had accepted the 1890 treaty, a pact Beijing has sworn by to claim Donglong, which is disputed between China and Bhutan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said India's action went against the "basic principles of UN charter and the international law and infringed upon Chinese territorial integrity". Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang cited letters by Nehru to then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. China and India have refused to budge from their positions over the standoff between their troops in Donglong, which the Chinese claim as their territory and which India calls a disputed region between China and Bhutan. Tensions have been building up between the two Asian giants. A Chinese expert said that war between the two countries could
not be ruled out. "In order to cover up the illegal entry by Indian troops into the Chinese territory, the Indian side even wants to infringe upon Bhutan's sovereignty that is futile," said the Foreign Ministry spokesperson. China says India should not interfere in the dispute between Thimpu and Beijing. However, Bhutan has opposed China's building the road in the disputed Donglong. "We have no objection to normal bilateral relations between India and Bhutan but firmly opposed to the Indian side infringing on Chinese territory using Bhutan as an excuse. "The Bhutan side does not know previously that the Indian troops entered the Doklam area, which is not in line with what is claimed by the Indian side," Geng said. Asked what he thought about Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley's remarks that the India of 2017 was not the India of 1962, Geng said: "To some extent, he is right in saying that India in 2017 is different from the India in 1962, just like China is also dif-
ferent." Last week, after China had warned India to learn from its military debacle of 1962, Jaitley had said that the India of 2017 was not the India of 1962. "Donglong is located on the Chinese side of the boundary and belongs to China. By entering into Chinese territory and obstructing Chinese military troops' normal activities, the Indian side has violated existing convention," Geng said. "We have noted the statement from the Indian side; (it) evaded the 1890 convention between Great Britain and China and Tibet. "Indian Prime Minister Nehru on behalf of the Indian government explicitly recognised that the 1890 convention has defined the boundary." Geng cited two letters by Nehru to Zhou En Lai in 1959, stating that 1890 defined the border as demarcated. "The action taken by India is undoubtedly a betrayal of the consistent position held by successive Indian governments," Geng said. "We request India to respect the treaty and pull back the border troops immediately."
Astronomers from India discover giant radio galaxies
KoLKATA, JULY 3 (IANs): A team of astronomers from India has reported the discovery of a large number of extremely rare kind of galaxies called 'giant radio galaxies' (GRGs), the largest galaxies known in the universe. The last six decades of radio astronomy research has led to the detection of thousands of radio galaxies. However, only about 300 of them can be classified as GRGs. The reasons behind their large size and rarity are unknown. "The huge size of GRGs has defied any theoretical explanation so far. Our work will help in understanding how these galax-
ies grow to be so large," said lead researcher Pratik Dabhade, at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA, Pune) and also at the Netherlands' Leiden Observatory. Dabhade worked with Joydeep Bagchi (IUCAA), Mamta Pommier (CNRS Observatoire de Lyon), Madhuri Gaikwad (NCRATIFR Pune and Max-Planck Institute Bonn), Shishir Sankhyayan (IISER Pune) and Somak Raychaudhury (IUCAA). "We are studying whether they are born in regions of very sparse galaxy density, or they have extremely powerful, well-
collimated, long-lasting radio jets which allow them to expand to very huge distances," he said in a statement. The team carried out a systematic search for these radio giants and found a large sample of GRGs, using a nearly 20-year-old radio survey. In the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the scientists report the discovery of 25 GRGs from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array Sky Survey. These extremely active form of galaxies harbour a super mas-
sive black hole 'central-engine' at the nucleus, which ejects a pair of high energy particle jets nearly at the speed of light, which terminate into two giant radio lobes. According to Joydeep Bagchi, "understanding the life-cycle of the black hole's energetic activity, properties of the matter which falls into it, and the influence of the surrounding medium which acts on the lobes far away from the host galaxy, and provides a 'working-surface' for the radio jets to act, are among the most important problems in this field". GRGs are visible only to radio telescopes.
These behemoths span nearly three million light years across, or even more sometimes. This size corresponds to stacking nearly 33 Milky Way like galaxies in a line. Since the GRGs are known to expand to such large sizes, they are believed to be the last stop of radio galaxy evolution. The first GRG was discovered in the 1970s using the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope in the Netherlands in 1974. Since then, all major radio telescopes and powerful computer simulations have been used in an effort to unravel their mysterious nature.
Pakistan and China. Israel, the United States and Russia are India's top military suppliers, and Modi's government has said it will favour countries that are ready to share technology. Avi Mizrachi, executive vice president of business development for Israel and Southeast Asia at Elbit Systems, which supplies electro-optic systems and upgrades of helicopters and combat vehicles, said it would be bidding for a tender to supply drones in partnership with India's Adani group. The two countries stress, though, that there is more to the relationship than arms deals. Modi will be discussing a plan for Israeli help in boosting India's food security, officials said. The plan is to expand 26 agriculture expertise centres that Israel has set up in 15 Indian states to help increase output of everything from vegetables to mangoes and pomegranates. Modi wants Indian companies involved in turning these small centres into commercial entities that would help tens of thousands of farmers to boost productivity.
2 militants killed in Kashmir Valley sRINAgAR, JULY 3 (IANs): Two militants were killed on Monday in an ongoing gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. A police spokesman said the killings took place in Bahmnoo village. The first militant was killed earlier in the day after the Army, acting on specific information, carried out cordon and search operation in the village. The Central Reserve Police Force assisted the police in the operation. Monday's offensive in Pulwama came barely 10 hours after civilian protesters helped a group of militants to escape a cordon in Malangpora village in the same district. The protesters had clashed with the security forces on Sunday evening, forcing them to call off the operations.
SC stays proceedings against Arundhati Roy NEW DELHI, JULY 3 (IANs): The Supreme Court on Monday stayed all proceedings against author and social activist Arundhati Roy, facing a contempt plea before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court for an article in an English magazine on Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba. The bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud stayed the proceedings before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court after it was told that the matter was initiated by a lawyer. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had issued notice to Arundhati Roy on a contempt plea by the advocate who had contended that Roy's piece was interference in the administration of justice. Roy in her article had said: "So afraid is the government of this paralysed wheelchairbound academic (Saibaba) that the Maharashtra Police had to abduct him for arrest." Saibaba was arrested by the Maharashtra Police in May 2015 for alleged links with an alleged front organisation of the banned CPI-Maoist. The Supreme Court had on April 4, 2016 granted bail to Saibaba.
Avoid rigidity of mind: PM to young IAS officers NEW DELHI, JULY 3 (IANs): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday advised young IAS officers to avoid a mindset which resists change and to fill India's administrative system with the energy of 'New India'. Addressing the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officers of the 2015 batch at the inaugural session of Assistant Secretaries, Modi commented on India's progress which, he said, had lagged behind others since independence. According to an official statement, Modi said "countries that achieved independence after India and faced greater resource constraints than India have touched new heights of development". He said "boldness is required to drive change" and that "fragmented administrative arrangement does not allow the collective capabilities of officers to deliver to the optimum level". A "dynamic change is needed to transform the system", the Prime Minister said. He urged the young officers to interact freely with the senior-most officers during next three months of their training so that the "system could benefit from the combination of their energy and fresh ideas, and the administrative experience of Secretary-level officers".
Centre's reply sought over ban on mosquito spray in flights NEW DELHI, JULY 3 (IANs): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday sought reply from the central government over spraying mosquito disinfectants with passengers on board, after an airline IndiGo moved a fresh plea. IndiGo has challenged the NGT's 2015 order to Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that puts blanket ban on the fumigation inside the plane if any person is inside. On Monday, a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim issued notice seeking details from the concerned departments, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Director General of civil Aviation (DGCA) and others. The budget airline has observed mosquito menace at many airports which include Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Dehradun and Bhubaneswar. In its plea, the airline pointed out the possibility of growing cases of dengue and malaria with the onset of monsoon and said it was unable to take appropriate steps to avoid the menace due to the NGT ban of fumigation inside the aircraft with people aboard. The airline said many passengers also complained about the mosquito menace.
TuesdaY 04 •07•2017
WORLD
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
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Japan PM's party suffers historic defeat in Tokyo poll, popular governor wins big TOKYO, JulY 3 (ReuTeRs): Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party suffered an historic defeat in an election in the Japanese capital on Sunday, signalling trouble ahead for the premier, who has suffered from slumping support because of a favouritism scandal. On the surface, the Tokyo Metropolitan assembly election was a referendum on Governor Yuriko Koike's year in office, but the dismal showing for Abe's party is also a stinging rebuke of his 4-1/2-year-old administration. Koike's Tokyo Citizens First party and its allies took 79 seats in the 127-seat assembly. The LDP won a mere 23, its worst-ever results, compared with 57 before the election. "We must recognise this as an historic defeat," former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba was quoted as saying by NHK. "Rather than a victory for Tokyo Citizens First, this is a defeat for the LDP," said Ishiba, who is widely seen as an Abe rival within the ruling party. Past Tokyo elections have been bellwethers for national trends. A 2009 Tokyo poll in which the LDP won just 38 seats was followed by its defeat in a general election that year, although this time no lower house poll need be held
until late 2018. Koike, a media-savvy ex-defence minister and former LDP member, took office a year ago as the first female governor in the capital, defying the local LDP chapter to run and promising to reform governance of a megacity with a population of 13.7 million and an economy bigger than the Netherlands'. Among her allies in the Komeito party, the LDP's national coalition partner, got 23 seats. "I am excited but at the same time, I am also keenly aware of the weight of my responsibility," Koike told NHK, adding the results had exceeded Tokyo Governor and head of Tokyo Citizens First party Yuriko Koike puts a paper flower to the name of an elected member of her party at the party election results center for Tokyo Metroher expectations. politan Assembly election in Tokyo, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo July 2. (REUTERS)
SPECULATION, COALITION CRACKS, RIVALS The strong showing by Koike's party will fuel speculation that she will make a bid for the nation's top job, although that may not be until after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It could also widen cracks between the LDP and the Komeito while damaging prospects for the opposition Democratic Party, which won five seats. Abe's rivals in his party could be encouraged by the LDP's dismal performance to challenge him in a leadership race in September 2018, victory in which would set Abe on course to become Japan's
longest-serving leader and bolster his hopes of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution. The LDP's thrashing, however, could make it harder for Abe to pursue his cherished goal of revising the U.S.-drafted constitution's pacifist Article 9 by 2020, a politically divisive agenda, said Sophia University professor Koichi Nakano. "His prime motive to stay in power is his desire to revise the constitution, but once his popularity really starts to fall, that becomes very difficult to do," Nakano said. Abe's troubles centre on concern he may have intervened to help Kake
China & Russia share opposition to US THAAD in South Korea: Xi
BeIJING, JulY 3 (ReuTeRs): Chinese President Xi Jinping set off on a visit to Russia on Monday stressing the grave threat a U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea poses to both Chinese and Russian interests. China has repeatedly stated its opposition to the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system and has called for its deployment to stopped, and the missiles already installed to be removed. China says the system's powerful radar can probe deep into its territory, undermining its security and a regional balance while doing nothing to stop North Korea in its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. "The U.S. deployment of an advanced anti-missile system in South Korea gravely harms the strategic security interests of China, Russia and other countries in the region," China's state Xinhua news agency cited Xi as saying. The United States and South Korea say the THAAD is solely aimed at defending the South from North Korea.
China and Russia have maintained close communication and coordination on the issue and held very similar views on it, Xi said in an interview with Russian media. "Beijing and Moscow are steadfastly opposed to the THAAD deployment and seriously suggest that relevant countries stop and cancel the installation," Xinhua cited xi as saying. China and Russia would take "necessary measures", either together or independently, to protect their interests, Xi said, without elaborating, according to Xinhua. Xi also said China and Russia should work together to boost trade and increase investment and financial cooperation, Xinhua reported. Xi will arrive in Moscow for a state visit on Monday before travelling to Germany to attend a G20 summit. Relations between China and South Korea have been strained by the THAAD deployment though both sides have struck a more conciliatory tone since President Moon Jae-in took office in South Korea in May.
Gakuen (Kake Educational Institution) win approval for a veterinary school in a special economic zone. Its director, Kotaro Kake, is a friend of Abe's. The government has not granted such an approval in decades due to a perceived glut of veterinarians. Abe and his aides have denied doing Kake any favours. Potentially more devastating is the impression among many voters that Abe and his inner circle have grown arrogant. "We must accept the results humbly," said Hakubun Shimomura, a close Abe ally and head of the LDP's Tokyo chapter. "The voters have handed
down an extremely severe verdict." Abe is expected to reshuffle his cabinet in coming months in an effort to repair his damaged ratings, a step often taken by beleaguered leaders but one that can backfire if novice ministers become embroiled in scandals or commit gaffes. Among those many political insiders expected to be replaced is Defence Minister Tomomi Inada. Inada's remark during the Tokyo campaign seeking voter support in the name of the Self-Defence Forces, as the military is known, came under heavy fire. By law, the military is required to be politically neutral.
Abe seeks to regain public's trust after Tokyo poll setback
TOKYO, JulY 3 (ReuTeRs): Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday he will work to regain public trust after his party suffered an historic defeat in an election in the nation's capital, signalling trouble ahead for the premier amid tumbling support rates. The dismal showing for Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Sunday's Tokyo Metropolitan assembly election was a stinging rebuke for his 4-1/2-year-old administration, although on the surface it was a referendum on popular Governor Yuriko Koike's year in office. "I want to regain the people's trust by unifying the party and ... showing results," Abe told reporters. "It was a severe judgment suggesting (voters) thought the Abe administration was getting slack," Abe said. "We must accept this firmly and seriously and make every effort to return to our original aspirations of when we regained power." Past Tokyo elections have been bellwethers for national trends. A 2009 Tokyo poll in which the LDP won just 38 seats was
followed by its defeat in a general election that year, although this time no lower house poll need be held until late 2018. The huge victory for Koike's party and its allies has sparked fresh speculation that she will take her party national, but any bid by Koike herself for the country's top job looks unlikely until after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics - if her popularity remains high and her party proves it is able to govern. "This was less a vote for 'Tomin First' (Tokyo Citizens First) than a repudiation of Abe," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asia studies at Temple University's Japan campus. "It was not a grass roots firestorm." Abe's support rate, which tumbled in surveys last month, slipped again to 38 percent from 41 percent in an Asahi newspaper poll conducted at the weekend. That was lower than the 42 percent who did not back his cabinet. Abe will likely reshuffle his Cabinet to try to repair his battered image, although the tactic has backfired in the past when new ministers became involved in scandals or committed gaffes.
"The good scenario for the economy and markets is that the Tokyo Assembly election result triggers a pro-reform Cabinet reshuffle, and returns focus to economic issues," wrote Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities' economist Robert Feldman. "The bad scenario is the LDP becomes paralysed, and few reform actions are taken," he said. The LDP's poor result could also boost Abe's inclination to delay yet again an unpopular rise in the national sales tax to 10 percent scheduled for 2019. A decision needs to be made around the middle of next year. It could also affect his push to revise the pacifist Article 9 of the post-war, U.S.-drafted constitution, a politically divisive goal that Abe said in May he wanted to achieve by 2020. "I don't think that will go as planned," said Atsuo Ito, an independent political analyst and author. Abe had been considered on track for a third three-year term when his tenure as LDP president ends in September 2018, but his sliding ratings and the election loss have clouded that outlook.
18 confirmed dead in fiery Bavarian bus crash; 30 injured
BeRlIN, JulY 3 (AP): A bus carrying German senior citizens on vacation crashed into a truck Monday on a highway in Bavaria and burst into flames, killing 18 people and injuring 30 others, some seriously, officials said. The accident took place around 7 a.m. when the bus rearended a trailer-truck at the end of a traffic jam on the A9 highway near Muenchberg, not far from the Czech border. The accident led to long traffic jams on the A9, the main thoroughfare from Berlin to Munich. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, but prosecutors have opened an investigation. The bus seemed to have caught fire immediately upon impact with the truck, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters after touring the crash site. The truck’s trailer also burst into flames. “Two people are still in lifethreatening condition,” Dobrint
Firefighters are seen at the site where a coach burst into flames after colliding with a lorry on a motorway near Muenchberg, Germany in this still image taken from video on July 3. (REUTERS)
said. Two drivers and 46 passengers were on the bus. The remains of all bodies were recovered from the bus, including that of the driver at the wheel during the crash, police said. Police said the truck driver was
not injured. Some 200 emergency crews rushed to the scene and five helicopters whisked the injured to nearby hospitals. Simple wooden coffins were wheeled in for the remains recovered from the blackened, twisted wreckage of the bus.
Police said the ages of those on the bus ranged from 41 to 81 and they were primarily from the eastern German state of Saxony. The news agency dpa reported that all the passengers were German. German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked the emergency crews involved. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and we wish all those who were injured a speedy recovery,” she said. Dobrindt said when firefighters first arrived, the fire was so hot that they couldn’t get anywhere close to the burning vehicle to rescue those stuck inside. “All they could do was extinguish the fire,” he said. “The heat was so strong that nothing that’s inflammable is left from the bus — only the steel frame.” The A9 highway remained closed on both sides for hours. Police tweeted later that the A9 highway going south would be shut down for the day.
Saudi Arabia & allies give Qatar Singapore PM wants to avoid 2 more days to accept demands taking family feud to the court DuBAI/DOHA, JulY 3 (ReuTeRs): Four Arab states which accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism agreed to extend until late on Tuesday a deadline for Doha to comply with a list of demands, as U.S. President Donald Trump voiced concern to both sides about the dispute. Qatar has called the charges baseless and says the demands, including closing Qatar-based al Jazeera TV and ejecting Turkish troops based there, are so severe that they seem intended to be rejected. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have raised the possibility of further sanctions against Qatar if it does not comply with the 13 demands presented to Doha through Kuwait, which is acting as a mediator. According to a joint statement on Saudi state news agency SPA, the four countries agreed to a request by Kuwait to extend by 48 hours Sunday’s deadline for compliance. They have not specified what further sanctions they could impose on Doha, but commercial bankers in the region believe that Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini banks might receive official guidance to pull deposits and interbank loans from Qatar. Foreign ministers from the four countries will meet in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss Qatar, Egypt said, while Arab media reported that Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani arrived in Kuwait on Monday to deliver Doha’s formal response to the Arab demands. The four states cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting terrorism, meddling in their internal affairs and advancing the agenda of regional foe Iran, all of which Qatar denies. Mediation efforts, including by the U.S., have been fruitless. Trump spoke separately to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in the UAE to discuss his “con-
A shop with a picture of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is seen in Doha, Qatar, June 6, 2017. (REUTERS/Files)
cerns about the ongoing dispute”, the White House said. “He reiterated the importance of stopping terrorist financing and discrediting extremist ideology. The president also underscored that unity in the region is critical to accomplishing the Riyadh Summit’s goals of defeating terrorism and promoting regional stability,” the White House said. “President Trump, nevertheless, believes that the overriding objective of his initiative is the cessation of funding for terrorism,” it said. On Monday, Trump tweeted: “Spoke yesterday with the King of Saudi Arabia about peace in the Middle-East. Interesting things are happening!”
Qatari officials say the demands are so strict that the four countries never seriously intended them as a negotiating position and see them as being aimed at hobbling Doha’s sovereignty. Qatar says it is interested in negotiating a fair and just solution to “any legitimate issues” of concern to fellow member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE. Qatar’s Gulf critics accuse Al Jazeera of being a platform for extremists and an agent of interference in their affairs. The network has rejected the accusations and said it will maintain its editorial independence. Gulf countries have insisted the demands were non- negotiable. URGING RESTRAINT The UAE’s minister of state for foreign afA State Department official said on Sun- fairs, Anwar Gargash, has played down the day that the United States encourages “all chances of an escalation, saying “the alternaparties to exercise restraint to allow for pro- tive is not escalation but parting ways”, sugductive diplomatic discussions.” gesting Qatar may be forced out of the GCC.
sINGAPORe, JulY 3 (ReuTeRs): Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday he wanted to avoid suing his brother and sister for defamation over allegations that he had abused his power in a dispute with them over what to do with their late father’s house. The bad blood between the heirs of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, has gripped the city-state since mid-June, when the younger siblings launched a series of attacks on their elder brother in social media postings. “In normal circumstances, in fact, in any other imaginable circumstance than this, I would’ve sued immediately,” Lee said in a statement to a rare special sitting of parliament, before taking questions from members. He said any such action would “further besmirch my parents’ names”, while drawn-out legal proceedings would distract and distress Singaporeans. “Therefore, fighting this out in court cannot be my preferred choice,” the prime minister said. The prime minister’s younger brother and sister, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, allege Lee Hsien Loong has abused his power in the dispute over the old family home at 38 Oxley Road, and fear that he would use the organs of the state against them. Lee Hsien Yang has said he and his wife, lawyer Lee Suet Fern, would be leaving Singapore because they felt closely monitored and hugely unwelcome. The prime minister has consistently denied the allegations, and said he was very disappointed that they have chosen to publicise private family matters.
‘NOT A KOREAN DRAMA SHOW’ Monday’s parliamentary session was extraordinary for Singapore, a small but wealthy island nation that prides itself on being a rock of stability in Southeast Asia. The accusation of abuse of power prompted
Lee to call for the special sitting of parliament to defend the integrity of his government. Taking a rare step, Lee removed the Party Whip for the debate, allowing lawmakers from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) to question their own cabinet regardless of the party line. The PAP controls 83 of the 89 elected seats in parliament, and lawmakers submitted their questions in writing at the end of last week. More than 30 lawmakers were due to put questions over the course of Monday and Tuesday. Low Thia Khiang, a leader of the opposition Workers’ Party, criticised the prime minister for not taking his siblings to court, saying there was no reason they should be treated differently from other citizens. He also said that if the siblings had evidence of the prime minister lying or abusing power “they should have made them public by now” rather than conduct a media campaign that had left Singaporeans in suspense. “The government needs to move on. I am personally perplexed and lost on the Lee family saga,” said Low. “However, this is not a Korean drama show.” Lee Hsien Yang and his sister, Lee Wei Ling, say they want to honour their father’s wishes, expressed in his will, for the house to be demolished once Lee Wei Ling vacates the property, rather than it be turned into some kind of museum. Prime Minister Lee has questioned the will, while a government committee, from which he has recused himself, considers whether the old family home should eventually be turned into a heritage site. He has said his personal view is that the house should be demolished in accordance with his father’s wishes, but the decision rests with the government. His siblings suspect him of being disingenuous and have suggested he wants to preserve the house for political reasons, but Lee insisted that was untrue.
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TuesDAY 04•07•2017
sports
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Kohli praises West Indies bowling after India loss North SouNd (ANtiguA), July 3 (iANS): India skipper Virat Kohli praised the West Indies bowlers after his side suffered an 11-run defeat in the fourth OneDay International (ODI) at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here. "Credit to the West Indies bowlers, they created those dot balls that induced those mistakes. We faltered with the bat and that can happen in this game. We just have to put this behind us and come back fresh for the next game," Virat Kohli told reporters after Sunday's game. The hosts, who elected to bat first, were restricted to 189/9 in their allotted 50 overs here on Sunday. The West Indies then produced a disciplined bowling performance to wrap up the Indian batting for 178 runs. West Indies skipper Jason Holder picked up a five-wicket haul to help his side successfully defend a low total. The Indian skipper also applauded his bowlers but criticised the batsmen for the failed show. "We bowled really well to restrict them to 189," Kohli said. "Our shot selection wasn't up to the mark, losing crucial wickets at crucial stages. You've got to keep up the momentum through the game."
India batting coach Sanjay Bangar expressed his unhappiness with the nature of the track here. He said that because the pitch kept getting slower and slower, shot-making wasn't really easy. "And those have been the nature of wickets we have seen so far because, again, we are playing on same track [we played on] just two days ago." "So, the wicket kept getting slower and slower, we didn't really bat to our potential... it was a gettable score. I just felt that batsmen
let the team down," Bangar said. Except opener Ajinkya Rahane who scored a patient 60 off 91 balls, no other Indian top order batsmen managed to reach double figures. Shikhar Dhawan (5), Virat Kohli (3), Dinesh Karthik (2) were sent back to the pavillion within the first 13 overs of the chase. Bangar said he wanted one of the top order batsmen to bat till the end. "Plan was definitely for someone to bat deeper into the innings and that's what Ajinkya did till the
time he was given out. Till that time, we were really on course and we also lost couple of wickets after Ajinkya, even Kedar got out to a good delivery," he said. "Those wickets in the middle overs actually pushed us back and the run rate kept on creeping higher and higher." The Indian batting coach also defended Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his slow innings. Dhoni produced an excruciatingly slow innings, reaching his half-century in 108 balls. The former India captain scored 54 runs, hitting a single boundary during his 114-ball stay in the middle. "See, you need to assess the conditions. At times you need to play the situations well and when you're batting higher up the order, which MS is doing, and with the kind of depth that we have at No. 6, 7 and 8, and when they don't really come off, he can't play with the kind of freedom that he should," Bangar said. "It all boils down to how the batsmen at the other end are also batting and how many wickets we have in hand, because one of our plans is to not lose too many wickets in close intervals and when the wickets fall, we try to rebuild."
Open Futsal night tournament diMAPur, July 3 (MExN): The Open Futsal Night tournament 2017 organized by East Dimapur Sumi Youth Organization will be held from July 4 to 6 at 4:00pm at A1 power play,
Darogopathar and not as rendered earlier. Spot registration will also be done till 2:00pm. Futsal players have been asked to reach venue before 3:30pm.
Kohima Dist Inter-School Football Tournament St.Mary's HSS, Mt. Hermon HSS enter quarter finals Our Correspondent Kohima | July 3
Registering win in their respective pre-quarter final matches, St. Mary's HSS and Mt. Hermon HSS today entered quarter finals of the ongoing Ist edition of Kohima district inter-school football tournament 2017 under the aegis of Royal Club
Kohima and school education department here at Khuochiezie. In the 5th pre-quarter final match, St. Mary's HSS overpowered BMS Jotsoma 2-0 and found quarter-finals berth. Supongyanger opened the account for St. Mary's HSS in the 20th minute while Vivotso sealed the victory box for the team after contributing another goal in the in the 69th minute. In the 6th pre-quarter final match, Mt. Hermon
HSS defeated Baptist HS Tseminyu 3-1. Viyodi, Haicen and Khriesi contributed a goal each to Mt. Hermon in the 19th, 43rd and 58th minute respectively. A solitary goal in favour of Baptist HS Tseminyu came through Siyalo in the 66th minute.
JULY 4 MATCHES
1st Match: Azedon vs G.Rio @1:00 PM 2nd Match: Dainty Buds vs Riizhiikhrie HSS @ 2:40 PM
TT tourney at Mopungchuket
Force India drivers reminded that the team comes first loNdoN, July 3 (rEutErS): Force India coowner Vijay Mallya has reminded drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon that the team must take priority after a collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix wrecked hopes of a first win in Formula One. The Indian said they would be allowed to continue racing without the need to be reined in, however. "It’s still frustrating to ponder what might have been had things played out differently," Mallya said in a
preview for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, the race following on from Baku. "Since Baku we’ve had some conversations internally and reminded our drivers that the team must always come first. It’s never acceptable for team mates to make contact with each other and it certainly cost us points in Baku," added Mallya. "However, the events of Azerbaijan won’t change our approach. Our drivers
can race freely and I’m sure they have learned some valuable lessons ... I know they are mature enough to work together for the good of the team." Force India, currently fourth overall in the constructors' championship, have yet to win a race since Mallya arrived in 2008 and renamed a team that had gone through various previous guises as Jordan, Midland and Spyker. They have come close, with a pole position and
second place in Belgium in 2009 with Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, and four third places for Mexican Perez since he joined in 2014. In Azerbaijan, Perez and French rookie Ocon were fighting for a podium spot when they collided. Ocon suffered a puncture and significant car damage but continued to finish sixth. Perez initially retired, before the race was stopped and then re-started due to debris on the track caused by the Force India collision.
THE WINDS OF CHANGE Kahuto Chishi Sumi Akukau (G.B.) Hevishe Village Khaghaboto Range, Dimapur
I
n my article,"Missing the Forest for the Trees"(Eastern Mirror 1011-16), I pointed out how we Nagas were so engrossed in the symptoms of corruption like bad roads, irregular electricity, blocked drains etc (the trees of corruption) that we were missing the fact that Nagaland had become a forest of corruption. I did not feel that it was necessary to write on specific cases of corruption, such as backdoor appointments, taxation by the various "Freedom Fighting " factions etc.; except in passing. For it is my belief that unless the Disease of Corruption is eradicated from the Naga psyche, different manifestations of the disease will keep cropping up; similar to a man plucking the budding leaves of a weed without uprooting it, a never ending exercise.But an appeal from Mr. K.T., (a Facebook friend, who wishes to remain anonymous) made me re-think my approach; maybe there are some symptoms of corruption you just cannot ignore. Then I realised the dangers of stifling the aspirations of the educated youth of any society. The Naga Movement for Freedom was born out of a fear of the Nagas to an imposition of alien laws of an alien people. It was not a revolution in the strictly accepted sense of the word; rather a mass uprising, by the Nagas, against inclusion in the newly created Nation of India. A revolution, on the other hand, is a revolt against well established governments and institutions. The present day State of Nagaland can be considered as a well established government, and the day is fast arriving when Nagas will revolt against it. No government in the world can claim to satisfy the needs and aspirations of all its citizens, but every existing government satisfies the needs of the majority of its citizens. It is when
the dissatisfied form the majority, that the danger of revolution rears its ugly head. Nagaland is at the point where an overwhelming majority of the people are unhappy about the present state of affairs. Some gripe against bad roads, some against irregular supply of electricity; some groan under the burden of multiple taxation by our "brothers" in the various "underground" factions. Some bemoan being shortchanged of essential supplies under the PDS, whereas others decry the gross inadequacies of the government educational system and overcharging of the private educational system. All these and many other complaints are slowly coalescing into one united thought; the thought that something must be done. The people only need direction and a spark and Nagaland will go up in flames. This brings me to the issue of "backdoor" appointments. Humans are unique in that as long as we have "Hope", we are able and willing to endure any and all forms of privations and trouble. Taking away a person's hope, leaves him desperate; and desperate men commit desperate deeds. The vast majorityof educated Nagas hope to gain some governmental job or the other. This hope focuses all their mental, physical and financial capabilities into achieving this goal. And the dread of turning overaged before they can fulfil their aspirations looms over them. They must be given an equal opportunity to achieve their goal. For a person may resign himself to failure, if given a chance to compete; but a person who is denied the chance to compete will never forget. The erstwhile Chairman of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland and present Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Surhozelie Liezietsu, in a note to the then Chief Minister of Nagaland, Mr. T.R. Zeliang, mentioned the danger of cancelling the illegal appointment of some 1000 government employees because
it would lead to the alienation of those people and their families from the NPF Party. But I ask you," What about the alienation and anger of the tens of thousands of aspirants and their families?" They do not seek guarantees to government jobs, unlike the well-to-do and well-connected, all they seek is an Equal Opportunity to compete for those jobs. Given this opportunity, I'm sure they'll be contented to accept their lot, in the event of failure, but deprive them of this opportunity, and you leave a vast number of citizens and their families, simmering in anger. There is a storm brewing over Nagaland, just waiting to break out. It just needs direction and a target. The Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland is comprised of what is, arguably, the best and brightest of Nagaland. God forbid that their hopes and aspiration should be stifled, for they could provide the spark that sets fire to Nagaland; for within them resides the seed of the future Nagaland, they have the power to turn Nagaland into an orderly, peaceful land, or provide us with a new breed of freedom fighters, fighters with real resolve and purpose, fighters against freedom from corruption, tribalism, nepotism and all the many ills that plague Nagaland. Fighters who will ensure that the corrupt and their children will not enjoy the fruits of their corruption. For there is no more dangerous animal in this world than an educated man with anger in his heart, fire in his soul and a target in his eyes. I have always sought to bring attention to problems plaguing Nagaland so that those in power may resolve them before things come to a head. I plead with the people holding the reins of power to resolve this current imbroglio, so that the winds of change over Nagaland may come as a welcoming breeze of fresh air instead of a whirlwind of destruction that razes all in its path. GOD SAVE OUR NAGALAND
Of the cars ahead of them at the time, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton lost the lead after pitting to fix a loose headrest while Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was handed a 10 second stop and go penalty and finished fourth. "Vettel got his penalty due to that restart, so we would have beaten him. And (Red Bull's eventual winner Daniel) Ricciardo we would have beaten," said chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer after the race.
President of MDTTA, Watitoshi Ao (centre) with PKSA officials and Mopungchuket Village Council elders at the inaugural edition of Ao Temulung Table Tennis Championship, Mokokchung.
diMAPur, July 3 (MExN): The inaugural edition of Ao Temulung Championship, a Mokokchung district open table tennis tournament got underway here today organized by Pongen Khel Sports Association (PKSA), Mopungchuket under the aegis of Mo-
kokchung District Table Tennis Association (MDTTA). A total number of 26 players from across the district are participating in the tournament. The tournament is being played in three formats – Men’s Juniors (Under 19) singles and doubles, Men’s Seniors (Above 19)
singles and doubles, and Women’s open category. The two-day tournament, played at the Community Hall, Mopungchuket was declared open by the president of MDTTA, Watitoshi Ao as special guest. Umpires from the MDTTA are officiating the matches.
On appointment of Advisors to Dimapur Municipal Council Hejeto Chishi Former Member (Ward No. 9) Dimapur Municipal Council
I
, as a former councillor of the Dimapur Municipal Council having concern for well being and smooth functioning of the office of the civic body would like to share my personal view on the ap-
T
his write up is a result of a post that I recently read on facebook pertaining to the issue of Modesty in dressing which was addressed to the women. Unsurprisingly, there was mixed opinions (favored and disfavored) based on their own reason and perspective. And this drew my attention to write on this issue. There could be a lot of resources to refer for information but as a Christian, I believe the “Holy Bible” stands as a complete, authoritative, infallible and sufficient source in doctrine and practice. Therefore, firstly I would like to put forth certain biblical truths on the responsibility of women in dressing. Also, exception of men in this issue would be bias. So, the second section would be addressed to the men. 1 Timothy 2:9 sets the foundation to this issue, “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes”. For the sake of misunderstanding and misinterpretation, understanding the context is pivotal. The context of this verse sets out pointing to one of the problems in the church of Ephesus related to the women. “There was heresy, immorality and impurity in general, they were improperly dressed for worship. Under the pretense of coming to worship God, they were flaunting themselves and desecrating the worship service. Their dress and demeanor
pointment of advisors to the DMC. For the first time in the history, the office of Dimapur Municipal Council, since the time of Dimapur Town Committee was raided by the vigilance, bringing bad image to the reputation of the office. The raid was conducted during the time when the office was functioning under a team
advisors, which itself is glaring example of how the office had become corrupt under the advisors. On the other hand, people of Dimapur have evidently seen tremendous improvement in the function of the DMC as well as developmental activities taking place in the town even without a single advisor, when DMC has
MODESTY IN DRESSING Chandemo Murry M. Div, SABC
betrayed an evil intent rather than a heart of worship. The worship services at Ephesus were being polluted by women who saw in them an opportunity to flaunt their wealth and beauty. Their sexual allure was drawing the men's focus away from the worship service.” (John MacArthur). And such were the characteristics referring to the prostitutes. In light of these circumstances, we see Paul addressing this issue to the church. This does not mean a woman should never do anything with her hair or wear jewelry or put on clothing but the point is not on such things but on spiritual adornment. John Piper, beautifully states, “Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies. One can still dress beautifully and don't have to look stupid or out of style to be modest. You could still dress modestly and not cause men to stumble. There is something about the face that makes it the most full and complete expression of a person (Numbers 6: 24 – 26). My hands, my shoulders, and my belly tells you hardly anything! But my face says a lot about me—my eyes, my countenance, and my mouth. Having someone just stare at another part of my body
would make me very uncomfortable. I'd say, "Look at my face! I'm a person!" Women should handle the desire to be noticed by preserving it for one man, whether he is present yet or not”. Also the word adorn (verse 9) simplifies well suited to worship. Her clothing should reflect a humble, meek, worshiping heart and also lead her to thankfulness for her beauty. So Paul forbids dressing to show off, to flaunt wealth, to stimulate sexual desire or lust in someone else, to allure someone’s husband away. Anything like that desecrates the worship and dishonors God. A Christian woman should adorn themselves that attracts her character and virtue and carry a sense of shame not to be ashamed to be lovely but ashamed to cause any one to have an evil thought or to be distracted from worship. Secondly, this section also addresses to the men to practice godliness in all areas. Sexual immorality is a serious problem and many of us struggle with this issue. We are certainly not immune to lust and sexual sin. Any impure thoughts and actions displease and dishonor God. 1 Thess. 4:4 tell us, that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable. Therefore, in the words of the author Matt Schmucker, It teaches us
functioned under the Chief Executive Officer. Therefore, I urge the concerned department in-charge of municipal affairs not to appoint advisors to the DMC but to let the office run under the CEO for greater interest and all round development of Dimapur till election for the urban local body is held. to practice godliness in regard to sexual sins and also in our approach to women. Firstly, that we are made in the image of God. And this image signifies the moral attributes of God. And so, we represent our creator – God. Therefore, our lives should honor and glorify God. Secondly, we are to protect and not take advantage of our sisters in Christ - 1 Thess. 4: 3 -6 which means a man defrauds a woman when, by his words or actions, he promises the benefits of marriage to a woman he either has no intention of marrying, or if he does, has no way of finally knowing that he will. Statistically speaking, a single man should recognize that any single woman with whom he speaks will probably be someone’s wife, and he will probably be someone’s husband — maybe each other’s, maybe not. A Christian woman is first and foremost a sister in the Lord. Thirdly, guard your hearts, eyes, and bodies for marriage. This is to mean that let not your past physical relationships become impediments in the marriage bed or affect your marriage. Many married couples face the consequences though their past physical relationships. Therefore, the point is not to take advantage of anyone that will have repercussions in the future but rather protect your heart, eyes, and bodies for marriage. And lastly, men are also not to treat women as mere sexual objects but rather treat them with respect and dignity.
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.
Tuesday 04•07•2017
EntErtainmEnt
11:00 AM | 05:00 PM
‘Wonder Woman’ flies past Batman v Superman, Man of Steel, and Suicide Squad at box office
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onder Woman, starring Gal Gadot, is riding a wave of positive reactions, and has crossed fellow DC movies, Batman v Superman, Man of Steel, and Suicide Squad at the US box office. The Princess of Themyscira has achieved another milestone. According to Entertainment Weekly, Wonder Woman has become the highest-grossing film of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) at the US box office. Helmed by Patty Jenkins, the movie earned $2.685 million on Thursday, bringing its cumulative domestic total at the time to $330 million, putting it past previous top earner Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Now, with an additional $4.35 million on Friday, Wonder Woman’s total sits at $334.9 million (Rs 2100 crore). Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice earned $330.36 million domestically throughout its theatrical run. The movie still has to do a lot to surpass the worldwide total of BvS, which is $873.26 million. With $670.68 million worldwide, the movie already surpassed the international numbers for Man of Steel ($668.05 million) and the domestic total for Suicide Squad ($325.1 million). Source: ANI
Sir Mick Jagger: ‘Newspaper editorial saved me from jail’
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C M Y K
ir Mick Jagger says an editorial in The Times newspaper saved him from prison in 1967. The Rolling Stones frontman was arrested on minor drug charges and was facing up to three months in prison but when The Times ran an editorial insisting he should be treated the same as any other citizen, he was quickly released. Mick told The Times: ''What did it mean to me personally? That editorial got me out jail. One day it dropped, and the next thing I was out.'' The drama started when police raided a party Mick's bandmate Keith Richards threw at his West Sussex estate. Mick, 73, explained: ''It was just a rather ordinary bohemian party, you know what I mean. We had a nice day wandering across the downs. And then we just came back and were hanging out, talking and watching telly. ''It was a surreal moment. A rather ordinary nice English farmhouse and a lot of young people enjoying themselves in a sort of normal way without causing anybody any trouble, and suddenly 20 police-
Whoopi Goldberg among Academy's new Board of Governors
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eteran actress Whoopi Goldberg has been elected to the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy announced the election results, which included Goldberg, who will represent the actor's branch. Goldberg toppled actors Geena Davis, Edward James Olmos and Rita Wilson for her spot. The 61-year-old actress won her first Academy Award in a supporting role for 'Ghosts' in 1991 and was nominated for the best actress in 1986 for 'The Color Purple'. 'Boys Don't Cry' director Kimberly Peirce was also elected to the director's branch. Six out of the 10 new governors announced were women. Source: PTI
men barged in.'' Four amphetamine tablets were discovered on Jagger, and although they had been purchased legally abroad, he did not have a prescription for them in the UK. He was charged and said: ''They had to do you for something. That was the whole point.'' However, Lord Rees-Mogg of The Times believed that Jagger and his friends had been targeted because of their profile and he wrote an editorial insisting that they should be treated the same as everybody else. In the piece, which Jagger credits for saving him from three months in jail, he wrote: ''Mr Jagger's is about as mild a drug case as can ever have been brought before the courts. It should be the particular quality of British justice to ensure that Mr Jagger is treated exactly the same as anyone else, no better and no worse. There must remain a suspicion in this case that Mr Jagger received a more severe sentence than would have been thought proper for any purely anonymous young man.'' Source: Contactmusic
Happy couple: Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster have opened up about renewing their vows in a romantic ceremony at their 18th century Essex home, and shared gorgeous photos of their second special day in Hello! magazine. In photos shared with Hello!, former model Penny, 46, looked radiant in a stunning ivory lace strapless dress with semi sheer panels. (Image Courtesy/MailOnline)
2:00 PM | 08:00 PM
ABBA Announce
New Exhibition
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he Swedish pop superstars split up in 1982 after 10 years together, but are still dedicated to keeping the spirit and memory of the band alive for their fans. 'ABBA: Super Troupers' will hit London's Southbank Centre in December and will give their admirers the chance to delve into their archives. There will also be different rooms which have been setup to replicate the biggest moments in the bands' history. They include a reproduction of the Brighton Grand Hotel room the group - which was comprised of Björn Ulvaeus, BENNY ANDERSSON, Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad and Agnetha Faltskog - made their home during their 1974 'Eurovision' win. Singer Björn, 72, said: ''Since our songs, which were written in the 70s, are still being played today it's particularly interesting that the Southbank Centre exhibition is placing them in the temporal context in which they were created. ''We recorded 'Mamma Mia' in 1975. What happened that year in the UK and in the world? One thing is for certain - it seems unbelievably long ago!'' Frida said: ''We are so excited that the exhibition is taking place at the Southbank Centre, which is just a few short steps away from Waterloo.'' Last year, it was confirmed they were getting back together for a new virtual reality experience. The 'Dancing Queen' hitmakers teamed up with the Spice Girls' former manager Simon Fuller and Universal for the unique project, which allows fans to see and hear the group in a whole new way. Simon, 57, said at the time: ''The creativity and ideas flowing from the members of ABBA over the past few months have filled me with great excitement. We are exploring a new technological world, with Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence at the forefront, that will allow us to create new forms of entertainment and content we couldn't have previously imagined.'' The project was said to involve all four members of ABBA who first came together in Stockholm in 1972. However, rumours that they were to use the digital experience on tour in 2018 have been denied. 'ABBA: Super Troupers' opens at the Southbank Centre from December 14 to April 29, 2018. Source: Contactmusic
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Tuesday 04•07•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Germany survive Chile to win Confederations Cup
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St PEtERSBuRG, JulY 3 (REutERS): Germany survived a whirlwind assault by Chile and capitalised on an awful mistake by the South Americans to claim a 1-0 victory in a pulsating, badtempered Confederations Cup final on Sunday. Germany won the title for the first time after Lars Stindl scored the only goal in the 20th minute when Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz gave the ball away on the edge of his own area. Chile, playing with their trademark high octane style and driven forward by another relentless display by Arturo Vidal, dominated the match but were let down by poor finishing. A dramatic game featured missed chances, defensive howlers, scuffles and two video reviews, one producing a highly controversial outcome in the second half. Chile defender Gonzalo Jara elbowed Timo Werner by the touchline and Serbian referee Milorad Mazic, alerted by the video assistants, let him off with a yellow card instead of a red. Shortly afterwards, Mazic turned down Chilean appeals for a penalty, stood by his original decision after another review incident and booked Eduardo Vargas for drawing an imaginary television screen. It was a remarkable achievement for Germany to lift the trophy with a young, experimental squad, although it could also be a bad omen as no team has ever won the World Cup after winning the Confederations Cup the year before.
"The fact that these young players have won this tournament makes it an historic achievement, it's unique in Germany's history, it's outstanding," said Germany coach Joachim Loew. Open Goal Chile flew into the game in their inimitable style and Alexis Sanchez should have put them in front, but shot wide
Lacazette on brink of €45-50m Arsenal move
from close range after keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen parried Vidal's shot. Germany struck almost immediately as Diaz lost the ball on the edge of his penalty area to Timo Werner who slipped it through for Stindl to score into an open goal. Chile kept missing their chances, continued to look vulnerable on the break and nearly
MPL: Morung United end season on a winning note KOhImA, JulY 3 (mExN): Despite suffering a dry spell in last few games, Morung United ended their season on a high note by defeating Merhülietsa FC (MFC) 3-2 at the ongoing Morning Premier League being played in Kohima. Scoring early in the game through Pirong in the 3rd minutes, Morung United could not hold on the lead for long as MFC equalized the goal with Mhasi scoring in the 14th minute. United led the match again after 13 minutes with Zhabhi netting the goal in the 27th minute. But once again it could not guard its score for long as MFC equalized through Imli in the 36th minute to end the first half in 2-2. As the match resumed again after the interval, Pirong came to the rescue of his team again by scoring his second goal in the 51th minute. This time around, United were determined to guard the score line and managed do so to end the last match of the season on a winning note. With today’s win, Morung United now has 23 points from 18 matches, level on points with MRH Sunrisers who are at 6th. But with Sunrisers having a superior goal differences, United will end the season in 7th position.
PARIS, JulY 3 (AGENCIES): Arsenal are on the verge of signing Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette for a club-record fee, the French club's president has confirmed. Lyon president JeanMichel Aulas told French newspaper Le Progres that the deal is "one or two days" away from being finalised and will be worth upward of €50 million plus addons. Lacazette is expected to travel to London on Monday to finalise the deal, which is set to eclipse the £42m Arsenal paid for Mesut Ozil in 2013. "The deal will happen for something between €45 and €50 million. To be close to €50m is something unique, and will be a record for Arsenal and a record for Lyon," Aulas said. "One must also take into account that traditionally, a club like Arsenal do not have the habit of spending so much for one player." If completed, the signing would be a massive boost to Arsene Wenger, who has spent several sum-
mers searching for an elusive top-level striker without being able to close a deal. Lacazette has scored at least 20 league goals in each of the last three seasons, netting 37 times in 45 games in all competitions in 2016-17. He would be Arsenal's second signing of the summer after Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac joined on a free transfer, and would provide the club with the sort of bigmoney star fans have been calling for after a disappointing fifth-place Premier League finish. Lacazette had been set to join Atletico Madrid until the Spanish club's transfer ban was upheld this summer, giving Wenger a second chance to sign a player he had initially bid for last summer. Arsenal have also made a bid for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar but were rebuffed by the Ligue 1 club, while their hopes of pulling off a world-record move for teenage striker Kylian Mbappe look slim.
gifted Germany another goal before halftime when Jara gave the ball away in defence, but this time Claudio Bravo saved Leon Goretzka's shot. Germany were happy to contain Chile and play on their mistakes in the second half, although they were living dangerously at times. Substitute Angelo Sagal scooped the ball over the bar
from close range and Ter Stegen pushed away an Alexis Sanchez free kick in almost the last action of the game. "We put our ideas into practice," said Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. "We took the initiative, we took control and created chances.... but because of one of those things, those accidents, that happen in football, it was our turn to lose."
Terry joins Aston Villa on free transfer
lONDON, JulY 3 (REutERS): Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry has joined Championship side Aston Villa, the club's owner said on Monday. "Welcome JT to Birmingham city...Aston Villa!@AVFCOfficial Announcement shortly!," Tony Xia posted on Twitter in a sideways dig at the club's cross-city rivals, Birmingham City, who had also sought to sign the 36-year-old centre-half. Terry became a free agent at the weekend after 22 years at Stamford Bridge where he played his entire career in the Premier League.
The Birmingham Mail and other papers reported Terry had signed a one-year deal and already flown to Villa's pre-season training camp in the Algarve to meet his new teammates. He made his final appearance for the champions in May, leaving to a guard of honour 26 minutes into the game to correspond with his shirt number. But, despite interest from West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Bournemouth, he has been persuaded to drop down to England's second tier by Villa manager Steve Bruce.
Horn brushes aside backlash over Pacquiao decision
SYDNEY, JulY 3 (REutERS): Australia's Jeff Horn brushed aside the outcry against his shock victory over Manny Pacquiao on Monday and said he hoped taking the Filipino's WBO welterweight title would help reinvigorate boxing Down Under. The 29-year-old former schoolteacher was awarded a unanimous 12-round decision over the eight-division world champion after a bloody battle in front of more than 51,000 fans at Brisbane's Lang Park on Sunday. Not everybody was happy with the victory, awarded with scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 by the three judges, and former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was among those who disputed whether Horn should have won. "There's always going to be the backlash where people are going to say I lucky, or whatever," Horn, his right eye swollen shut, told reporters in Brisbane on Monday. "There's always naysayers saying I didn't win the fight. I think I won the fight, a lot of Queenslanders think I won the fight and people around the world. So you will always have the select few that are against you." The critics of the decision pointed to the 182 to 92 punch count in favour of the Pacquiao, with some suggesting that Horn was awarded the victory for effort. "This is what's wrong with boxing," Lewis tweeted. "Horn was a very game but I'm hard pressed to see how he could have won that fight by any stretch!" Pacquiao, whose defeat was his first since his blockbuster clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2005, indicated on Sunday that he would take up the option of a rematch and Horn said he would be delighted to face the 38-year-old in his first ti-
tle defence. "I'm happy to have a rematch, it'd be good to have him back here fighting," he added. "Manny Pacquiao is an absolute warrior, he's a legend of this sport. He might have come in underdone, if we have a rematch, if he puts it all in, I don't know..." Horn, whose career record improved to 17-01, said he would also like to have a crack at 40-yearold Mayweather, who has come out of retirement for a 12-round crossover bout against mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor. "I hope so," Horn said. "I'm world champ now. And he has been out of action and coming back to have a fight with Conor McGregor. It will be a good test for him to cement his record in history to fight another boxer for his title." Horn, whose meeting with Pacquiao shattered the Australian attendance record for a fight, said he would prefer to defend his title on home soil and was hoping for a bit more recognition ahead of his next bout. "It was, I guess, the Manny Show," he said of Sunday's fight. "Even on TV, I can remember watching programmes saying the Manny Pacquiao fight in Brisbane. "My name wasn't normally mentioned in those programmes, but now hopefully I'm a bit more recognised and I've established myself in the boxing community a bit more." Horn said he was prepared for the media attention becoming a world champion would bring, and hoped his victory would trigger a renaissance in Australian boxing. "It puts Australian boxing on the map, it's what we've needed for a long time, it's kind of died a bit in the past but hopefully this will invigorate it," he said.
Wimbeldon: Tsonga breezes through Norrie
lONDON, JulY 3 (REutERS): Twice Wimbledon semi-finalist JoWilfried Tsonga breezed into the second round on Monday with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over British wildcard Cameron Norrie, whose first grand slam appearance ended in a swift and painful exit. Tsonga, the 12th seed, was dumped out in the second round last year but was never forced out of second gear as he swatted Norrie aside on Court Two. The Frenchman began in his usual languid fashion before cranking up the pressure to break twice and take the first set against the South African-born Norrie, who has only recorded one tourlevel victory. While Norrie had weapons, principally a decent serve and a whip-crack forehand, they were all too often firing off target, allowing Tsonga to move through the gears at key moments. The match became increasingly one-sided in the second set as Norrie double-faulted to hand Tsonga a break in the sixth game before tamely netting a backhand to fall two sets behind. Tsonga broke twice again in the third set to wrap up victory in
bert, and sat with his head in his hands at the changeover after having his serve broken for 4-3 in the second set. Kyrgios, who has never lost in the first round at Wimbledon, reached the last 16 last year before being beaten by eventual champion Andy Murray.
one hour and 23 minutes. Kyrgios retires injured Australian 20th seed Nick Kyrgios retired injured in his first roundWimbledon match on Monday after losing the first two
sets to French doubles specialist Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Kyrgios, clearly still struggling from the left hip injury that forced him to drop out in his first round match at the Queen's Club tournament in London this month,
was 6-3 6-4 down to the world number 70 when he asked for a physio to come on court. Apart from in very rare flashes, the 22-year-old rarely ran to pick up the peppering of drop shots and lobs coming from Her-
Venus under way with win over Mertens Meanwhile, five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams came through a tricky firstround test against Belgian Elise Mertens on Monday emerging with a 7-6(7) 6-4 victory. The 37-year-old American has had a stressful build-up to the tournament after police last week blamed her driving for a fatal motoring accident in Florida that led to the death of a 78-year-old man. A nervous Mertens struggled early, going 3-0 down in the first set, but the 21-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, battled back to force a tiebreak which Williams won 9-7. Williams, who last won Wimbledon in 2008, was unable to convert two match points in the second set before a rain break, but she returned to serve out for victory.
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