July 8th, 2015

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 185

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Wednesday, July 8, 2015 12 Pages Rs. 4

We trust God when we are able to let go, despite our pain and fears, and leap into life

Young Indians embrace dating apps despite the social taboos [ PAGE 8]

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Finish college, get a government Job, find a girl, settle down and live happily ever after? What a Dream!

Probe period into IEDSS case extended till Sept

DIMAPUR, JULY 7 (DIPR): The period of investigation into the Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) in Nagaland conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been extended by another three months (i.e. till September 2015). This has been done in order to enable the SIT to complete the physical verification and investigation in the remaining five districts, which is pending due to the closure of schools on account of summer vacation.

NCD responds to NSCN (IM) stand on taxation

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DIMAPUR, JULY 7 (MExN): The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), while responding to the recent NSCN (IM) statement on tax collection, today stated that “on the issue of taxation, organizations/movements voicing the concern of the common masses cannot be condemned as criminals abetting tax evasion.”

A press note from the NCD, while recognising the Naga movement as legitimate, however stated that “Nagas will not accept any form of threats against its leaders.”

“The recent press release given by NSCN (IM) on July 4 is not worthy of an organization which claims to be the torch bearer of Naga political legacy,” the NCD lamented and expressed pain that an “organization which is pursuing peace-talks with the Government of India for an honourable solution to the protracted Indo-Naga imbroglio should speak the language of extremists.” The “danger with these kinds of statements,” it cautioned, is that “it will only serve to alienate the general Naga population, thereby having grave consequences for the Naga movement itself.”

Truck plunges into the Chathe C M Y K

DIMAPUR, JULY 7 (MExN): One goods-laden truck skidded off the road and fell into the Chathe River on July 7. The mishap occurred near the Patkai bridge at around 8:30pm.

Traffic police, who responded to the site, said that the truck (NL 01K 1995) was found half-submerged with its front jutting out of the water, while the fate of its occupants could not be ascertained. The swelling waters of the river made rescue efforts difficult, the traffic police added. It was carrying gravel and roofing material and was reportedly headed towards Kohima. Update on fate of the occupants was awaited till the time of filing this report.

—Jean Blomquist

Djokovic beats Anderson to reach Wimbledon quarters [ PAGE 12]

134-crore programme to uplift 10,000 households in nagaland

By Sandemo Ngullie

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Lives of thousands in peril as Mapithel Dam submerge villages [ PAGE 2]

reflections

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Zeyar Lwin, third from right, a leader of student activists, talks with a police officer during a rally to mark the the 53rd anniversary of 1962 students uprising at University of Yangon, in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, July 7. The uprising was brutally cracked down by the then military dictator Gen. Ne Win-led military government, killing dozens of students, culminating with troops blowing up the historic student union building. (AP Photo)

NSCN (K) directs Airtel to withdraw from Nagaland DIMAPUR, JULY 7 (MExN): The NSCN (K) today directed telecom giants Airtel to withdraw operations from Nagaland state and remove all infrastructures and installations within one month. A press note from the MIP of the NSCN (K) cautioned that failure to act within the stipulated dateline would invite “demolition of every structures and military action shall be enforced upon any company official found contravening this directive.”

The NSCN (K) alleged that Airtel “has been found culpable of practising manipulative lobby to misguide certain major NGO and also attempting to cre-

ate chasm between NSCN/GPRN, civil organisations and Naga public with pure ulterior motive to maximise its profit.”

It added that the NSCN/GPRN takes “strong exception of a private company daring to challenge and undermine its authority and such conspiracy shall never be tolerated.”

The NSCN (K) further notified that “other enterprises/companies willing to accept the local dynamics of Nagaland and prepared to ascribe to interdependent coexistence are invited to establish its commercial undertakings in the state and NSCN/GPRN assures complete cooperation.”

More exposés in the offing: ACAUT

DIMAPUR, JULY 7 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today informed that it has filed RTIs with regard to backdoor appointments in several departments and urged the Public Information Officers (PIOs) to strictly adhere to the timeline of 30 days within which they are to furnish the answers. Failure to do so, it cautioned “may cast aspersion on the integrity of the ACAUT and the PIOs will be solely responsible for misleading the public.”

It may be noted that ACAUT had alleged instances of “backdoor appointments in the Rural Development Department” recently, which it termed as “only the beginning of our phase wise campaign.”

A press note from ACAUT Nagaland informed that “many more exposés are in the offing, provided the PIOs of the other departments furnish the correct RTI answers on time.”

The ACAUT further alleged that filing RTIs in Nagaland is a “roaring business and many indi-

viduals and organisations have become rich, thanks to the departments’ unhealthy practice of buying the silence of the RTI applicants.” It therefore cautioned departments “not to make unsolicited calls to ACAUT unless it is related to RTI application.”

“The issue of corruption is a disease afflicting every section of society knowing no caste, creed, tribe, religion or territorial boundaries,” ACAUT said, and urged citizens “not to be swayed by false propaganda on the motives of ACAUT.”

Bsnl employees on hunger strike

Members of All India Graduate Engineers & Telecom Officers’ Association and All India BSNL Executives’ Association protest at the premises of BSNL NE – II Circle, OCB Telephone Exchange Dimapur on Tuesday.

Morung Express News Dimapur | July 7

Even as the BSNL authorities observed Digital India Week, its employees under the banner of All India Graduate Engineers & Telecom Officers’ Association and All India BSNL Executives’ Association are on a 3-day hunger strike starting July 7 across the nation.

Members of the two associations demonstrated outside the BSNL OCB Telephone Exchange, NE – II Circle Dimapur on Tuesday demanding immediate withdrawal of Manage-

ment Training recruitment and settlement of long pending HR issues.

They are also demanding implementation of Central Public Service Units cadre hierarchy and that no lateral entry of freshers be entertained at any level above JTO/JAO equivalent.

The protesting members said that some of the officers have been in the same position for around 15 years owing to external recruitment even when there were more than 15, 000 qualified employees within BSNL itself across the country.

Other demands in-

clude implementation of standard IDA pay scales E-2 and E-3 for JTO/JAO and SDE/AO equivalent and pay parity to the executives recruited after January 1, 2007; promotions through LDCE in SDE cadre, conduct of various CPCs on a regular basis etc.

Providing reasons as to why BSNL connectivity was poor, the protesting members attributed it to the apathy of officers.

They said that the suggestions of junior officers who have been posted at one place for years and know the ground reality, were often ignored by higher officers whose tenure is only 18 months. “This adds to several reasons why BSNL connectivity is poor,” one of the members said.

After the three days hunger strike, the two Associations under the banner of United Forum of BSNL Executives’ Association are scheduled to organize a ‘March to Delhi’ and stage an ‘Indefinite Dharna’ at BSNL Corporate Office New Delhi from July 22 till their demands are fulfilled.

KOHIMA, JULY 7 (MExN): The Nagaland state government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tata Trusts to collaborate towards sustainable development and “improvement of the overall quality of life” for 10,000 households in eight blocks under the three districts of Phek, Kiphire and Tuensang.

A press release informed that Tata Trusts, through its associate organisation, the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) will implement the programme in Nagaland. NEIDA in coordination with the Nagaland government aims to strive towards reduction of poverty for low income rural households in the state.

The MoU was signed by Pankaj Kumar, Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland and Burzis S Taraporevala, Tata Trusts, which will be effective for a period of five years. The total outlay of the programme is Rs 134 Crores. The Trust will give a grant amount of Rs 30 Crores to NEIDA for implementing the programme.

The remaining funds will be raised from various sources including the community and through credit linkages for farmers.

“Through promotion of household level piggery enterprises, forest based livelihoods and conservation initiatives, market oriented agriculture and horticulture production activities we look forward to enabling each house-

hold to earn an income of Rs 1.5 lakhs per annum.

Other pilot projects that are in the pipeline will focus on education, health, youth skill development, drinking water & sanitation to help improve the overall quality of life of the households in Nagaland,” said Ratno Dharani, Deputy Development Manager, Tata Trusts & Executive Director, NEIDA. The Tata Trusts will be the lead resource organiza-

comed the initiative taken by the Tata Trusts and assured that the state government would lend all possible support towards achieving the target for the programme in the state. He urged the various line departments to co-operate and lend its best officers to support the project in the selected districts.

Motsuthung Lotha, Mission Director for the Nagaland state Rural Livelihoods Mission informed

Nagaland govt signs MoU with Tata Trusts to improve ‘overall quality of life’ for 10,000 households in Phek, Kiphire & Tuensang tion by providing technical and management support for the programme. It will design the implementation strategy and ensure an overall governance of the initiative, including financial due diligence.

The Nagaland government will synchronize actions of concerned government departments and agencies so that project objectives are successfully executed. Funding from the Nagaland government will be expected in terms of cofinancing the various programme activities through its schemes such as NSRLM, MGNREGA, RKVY and key development projects.

Nagaland Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar wel-

that in order to review the progress of this collaboration as well as provide direction for future work, a State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) would be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.

District Level Coordination Committees (DLCC) will be formed in relevant districts under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to assess the progress of the initiatives falling under this MoU and to discuss and resolve all outstanding issues, he added.

Retired Chief Secretary and Vice Chairperson of NEIDA, Alemtemshi Jamir along with officers of various line departments also attended the MoU signing

event held at the Conference Hall of the Chief Secretary’s Office in Kohima.

It may be noted that the Tata Trusts have been supporting development initiatives in the state since 2009.

They have funded community development projects through its local partners like the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED), Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), Prodigals Home, Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), Entrepreneurs Associate, Rongmei Baptist Association, Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Agency for Porcine Foundation and Development of Nagaland.

Tata Trusts have been working in several areas of community development by supporting and driving innovation in areas of natural resources management, education, healthcare & nutrition, rural livelihoods, enhancing civil society & governance, arts, crafts & culture and diversified employment. They engage competent persons and government bodies, international agencies and like-minded private sector organizations to “nurture a self-sustaining eco-system that collectively work across all these areas.”

The NEIDA operates in three states and has its offices in Kohima, Aizwal and Papumpare. NEIDA will partner with select local NGOs and village level Project Management Committees (PMC).

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Dimapur

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Morung PhoTo Essay

The Morung Express

Lives of thousands in peril as Mapithel Dam submerge villages

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Chingya Luithui

he Mapithel Dam, a component of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project in Manipur, was approved by the Planning Commission of India in 1980 and was conceived without the knowledge of the public, especially those who are going to suffer the brunt of its adverse impact. Originally slated to be completed in 1987,

its construction started only in the 1990s despite widespread protests from the villagers affected by the dam.

Once completed, the dam will span 1074 meters with a height of 66 meters. Official estimate puts the submergence area of the dam at 1215 hectares. However, this number is unverifiable as the government is yet to survey a large part of the area to be affected by the dam.

On the other hand, calculations based on surveys conducted by non-governmental and community organizations put the figure at 3,568.77 hectares. More than 8000 tribals (and non-tribals) in 22 villages would be affected by the dam. On the upstream Chadong, Lamlai Mongbung, Louphung, Phayang, Ramrei Khullen, Ram-

View of paddy fields from Chadong village. Ramrei Aze (Lamlai Khunou), one of the villages that will also be displaced, is partially visible in the background. The electric post visible in the foreground is already under water; the topmost part of the only bridge that connects Chadong to the outside world is under at least 25 feet of water. Except for two canoes joined together for better stability which can carry a maximum of 8 (eight) people, no other mode of transport exist. Villagers are currently depending on this for transporting the most basic necessities. When it is windy and the water gets choppy, the boat cannot ply. Photo by Chingya Luithui

rei Khunou, Riha, Thawai (Thoyee), Shangkai, Sharkaphung (Sikibung), Zalengbung would be affected; while on the downstream, Bethelphai, Itham, Island, Leishiphung, Maphou, Moirangpurel, Nongdam Kuki, Nongdam Tangkhul, Rishophung, Shiloijang, Thangchingpokpi, Tumukhong would be affected.

Of the 22 villages that are affected, homesteads and agricultural lands of 6 villages (Chadong, Louphung, Phayang, Ramrei Khullen, Ramrei Khunou) will be completely submerged while the remaining villages will suffer partial submergence of either their agricultural lands or homesteads. Another 27 villages are within the catchment area of the dam which is 565 sq. km in size;

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the community’s access to their wet paddy fields and usage rights of forest and other natural resources in the catchment area would be restricted.

Aside from the serious threat to their livelihood and survival, the construction of the dam has given rise to numerous incidents of human rights violations of peoples in the area, including illegal detention, torture, forced displacement etc. The construction has been accompanied by massive militarization and systematic abuse of fundamental freedoms of the people in the area such as the right to free expression, the right over traditional lands, territories and resources, the right to free, prior, informed consent, etc.

A house that was being dismantled when we arrived the previous day now lies under water. The cost of the dam in its proposal estimated it at 47.25 crores and was to be completed by 1990-91. With widespread irregularities the cost had escalated to 536 crores by 2005 and the target date for commissioning the dam has been revised at least 4 times. Meanwhile, many of the areas that would be submerged has not been properly surveyed. Photo by Chingya Luithui

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4. A family prepares to move their belongings to higher ground. Many families were manipulated, and sometimes threatened, into taking a pittance as compensation. However, there are at least 138 households in Chadong which have not taken compensation. The Government of Manipur is shirking responsibility in rehabilitating and resettling the villagers in a holistic manner arguing that once compensation is given, their responsibility ends. However, the Rehabilitation and Resettlement An aerial view of Chadong village. At the time of taking this photo (July 3, 2015), two houses had already been submerged Policy of the Government of Manipur clearly states that all resettlement and rehabilitation programmes including basic escompletely. The water is expected to rise by at least 100 feet from the level visible in this picture; and according to projected sentials like water and electricity should be in place at the new resettlement site and these should be completed one year estimates, once the water reaches its intended level, only the cross of the church will be visible. Photo by Indigenous Perspectives before the dam is commissioned. Photo by Chingya Luithui

Villagers wait for the boat to come in. Since this picture was shot (June 30, 2015), the water level has risen up to the window of the house seen in the picture. Photo by Chingya Luithui Perhaps, attending this church for the last time, villagers come out of their Sunday morning service (July 5, 2015).

Against all odds, people were praying and hoping that the water will recede. Photo by Chingya Luithui

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With a grim future looming over them, a woman ponders her fate. A villager remarked that many people do not realise the tragedy is not just about losing their land but also about the history of the village, the memories of the land, their ties with nature, and their identity. Photo by Chingya Luithui

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Storm clouds gather over the paddy fields of Thoyee (Thawai) village. At least 5 kilometers upstream of the dam, the paddy fields visible in this picture would all be completely submerged. At least 5 villages will have their fields totally or partially submerged. However, they are not part of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy solely because their homesteads are A fire hearth, one of the most important places for the Naga society, lies desolately abandoned. One can only imagine the conver- not affected. "At the end of the day, even if our houses are not under water, our survival will be," remarked a woman from sations of love and affection, of loss and mourning, of hope and inspiration that it witnessed in its heydays. Photo by Chingya Luithui Thoyee village. Photo by Chingya Luithui

REgional

The Morung Express

Wednesday 8 July 2015

JCILPS bandh paralyses 10 more JE positive cases normal life in Manipur in Assam, 12 deaths so far Our Correspondent Imphal | July 7

Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) called a 19-hour bandh on Tuesday to press the Manipur Government to introduce a ‘tough bill’ for implementation of Inner Line Permit system in the State.

The strike that began past midnight seriously hit normal life. Vehicles stayed off the road and all shops downed shutters.

Most parts of the state, including Imphal city, wore a deserted look. All types of passenger services suspended in the state due to the general strike.

But the strike ended peacefully at 7 pm.

On March 15 this year, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh intro-

duced a bill in the state assembly to safeguard the interests of indigenous people.

But the JCILPS is saying ‘Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers' Bill 2015' (MRVTMW Bill 2015), which was passed by the House on March 16 cannot be accepted at all.

The committee which has been spearheading the ILP movement is strongly opposing the bill calling it ‘anti-indigenous people.’

The committee had earlier submitted a memorandum on ILP legislation to the Manipur Government for insertion of five points—issue of pass or permit to migrants, fixation of 1951 as the cut-off base year in demographic influx into the state, no

Northeast Briefs

BSNL to ask government to allow MNP in North East

land ownership rights to all non-indigenous people, strengthening of the Labour Department for registration and regulation of inter-state migrant labourers, and detection and pushing back of illegal migrants.

Chief Minister Ibobi had said that to prohibit outsiders from buying and selling of land in the state is ‘against the fundamental rights of citizens’ guaranteed by the Constitution and that the Centre would not approve such a provision.

Since the monsoon session commenced on June 26, there has been a noticeable surge of protest under the aegis of JCILPS in the state demanding the Government to withdraw the MRVTMW Bill 2015 and replace it with a tough one to safeguard the indigenous people.

Magisterial inquiry ordered to ascertain how many children and adults were left out during vaccination drives GUwAHATI, JULY 7 (TNN): A five-year-old girl succumbed to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Kamrup rural district on Sunday, with 10 more positive cases being reported from different parts of the state on Monday.

While four new cases were reported from Kamrup (rural), three persons were found afflicted in Baksa and one each in Bongaigaon, Morigaon and Nalbari.

Since February this year, the scourge has so far afflicted 67 people, including the 10 new cases. Kamrup (rural) district alone reported 11 positive cases till Monday, which is the highest among 27 districts.

Sonowal injured as dais collapses at youth meet

DIbrUGArH, JULY 7 (TNN): Union minister of state for sports and youth affairs Sarbananda Sonowal sustained minor injuries when a makeshift stage collapsed during a youth convention of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) at the Chawalkhowa playground, 7km from Dibrugarh town.

The event was organized to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee. BJYM national president Anurag Thakur had left the venue an hour before the mishap. The incident occurred around 2.30pm after Assam BJP in-charge Mahendra Singh finished his speech. His speech was followed by a vote of thanks when about 140-150 party workers rushed to the dais to meet Six commit suicide in Mizoram Sonowal.

AIzAwL, JULY 7 (PTI): Six persons committed suiUnable to bear the cide in different parts of Mizoram, according to Dr Zaweight of the crowd, a porwmsanga Sailo, a social worker who is conducting extention of the 5-feet-tall stage sive study on suicidal deaths in the state. The number of incidents of suicide yesterday as reported by Sailo was confirmed by the state police. Sailo said that at least 64 people including 20 women committed suicide in the state so far this year. He described the situation as alarming in the state having a population of barely ten lakh.

AIzAwL, JULY 7 (ENS): Mizoram Finance Minister Feature film in Nyishi language Lalsawta presented a secITANAGAr, JULY 7 (PTI): An action-packed ro- ond vote-on-account budmance, dealing with the topic of extra-marital relations, get of Rs 1,823 crores for is now all set to release in Arunachal Pradesh and other the current financial year parts of the country in local Nyishi language with sub before the assembly on titles. Directed by well-known local film maker Shambo Tuesday, saying it remains Flago, who so far produced six films, the 150-minute impossible to present a movie retains the typical flavour of the Northeast re- regular budget because the gion with haunting local melodies. The shooting of the Centre has not yet issued film, which tackles the issue of extra marital relation- clear directions on how fiship having made inroads in Arunachal society as well, nances for Centrally Sponwas wrapped up in a record 23 days time. "We are ex- sored Schemes (CSS) are to pecting a big response from the people of the state as be shared. the film is a departure from the past and set to give a new The Finance Minister taste to the audience. The film deals with a social issue," also warned that Mizoram producer Chopa Cheda said. The story line of the film “being a resource deficient revolves around an engineer N Tapi, who was sacked state… may not be in a posifrom service owing to frequent absentions from work tion to take up certain Cenapparently due to extra-marital relations with a young girl. "It's a potpouri of romance, comedy and tragedy with situational melody songs," Flago said. The film is in high definition with dolby digital effect.

SHILLONG, JULY 7 (PTI): BSNL will pursue the Telecom Ministry to allow Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in the north eastern region, a senior company official today said. "I'll try to ensure that the MNP service is extended to NE states. I'll raise this issue with the union minister who will be visiting Agartala later this month," BSNL NE1 Chief General Manager D P Singh told reporters here. North eastern states are barred from MNP, implemented in the rest of the country on July 3 for security reason, he said. He said that over 100 towers located in remote areas of the region have been shut down due to cost overrun. These towers were earlier funded by the centre under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) scheme.

He, however, said that the centre has recently approved a proposal to implement a comprehensive development plan for the north eastern region at a cost of over Rs 5,336 crore aimed at connecting 8,617 villages. "This project which includes 2G mobile service in uncovered areas and providing reliability in transmission networks will be commissioned in September next year," Singh said.

Stating that the NE1 circle has made a loss of Rs 88 crore this year, Singh said the revenue collection went up by Rs 17 crore and assets worth Rs 46 crore had been added to the network. While informing that wi-fi hotspot connectivity would be provided at important tourist places, Singh said 44 locations in Meghalaya, 35 in Mizoram and 94 in Tripura have been selected for the service.

caved in, injuring the minister who was seated in a chair.

A few minutes later, he left for his home in the Mancotta area of Dibrugarh after being provided first aid. Doctors, who attended him, said his condition was normal.

Earlier, Sonowal spoke about the various welfare schemes undertaken by the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He claimed BJP will form the next government in Assam on its own.

BJYM president Anurag Thakur expressed confidence that the party will win 100 of the 126 assembly seats in Assam. He said BJP has managed to enroll 10 crore members, including 25 lakh members in Assam. He added the PM was taking personal interest in the all-round development of the region.

Other leaders present at the event were MPs Rameshwar Teli and Kamak-

The total number of deaths, including Sunday's one, has touched 12 so far.

Golaghat district has reported the maximum number of deaths at four.

Deputy commissioner Kamrup (rural) district, in view of the rising number of positive cases and the death of a five-year-old, has ordered a magisterial inquiry to ascertain how many children and adults were left out during vaccination drives.

Kamrup district had initiated a vaccination drive for children in 2009.

By 2011 it was included in the routine immunization programme. The campaign for adults was launched in February 2014.

"We are monitoring the situation. We have intensified community awareness programmes along with fogging. We want to know the reasons why there has been an increase in JE cases. Investigation is on. The death of the five-year-old girl is tragic. The enquiry will find out how many children were left out of the vaccination

programme," said Kamrup (rural) deputy commissioner Vinod Seshan.

There has also been an increase in the total number of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases across the state as well. Till Monday, the total number of such cases was at 142 with 12 dead.

"We think the affected cases were the ones who were not vaccinated.

But the number of cases has gone down compared to last year's," said Bhavesh Bhagabati, of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

On March 26 this year, the state health department undertook a vaccination drive for children and adults in districts not included in the last drive. The coverage for the vaccination drive for children was 75.61%.

The performance of Kamrup (metro) and Chirang districts was not up to the mark. On the other hand, the adult coverage was 50.57%. Nagaon district, part of the adult drive, was only 46%.

Four important government bills introduced in Arunachal Assembly ITANAGAr, JULY 7 (PTI): Four important government bills were introduced in the first day of the 15-day Budget session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly today.

Education Minister Tapang Taloh introduced the 'Arunachal Pradesh Education (Amendment) Bill, 2015' to deal with transfer and posting of teachers taking into consideration the requirement of teachers and other human resources for smooth functioning of educational institutions and other establishments under the education department.

Research Minister Thangwang Wangham introduced the 'Arunachal Pradesh Heritage Bill, 2015', which would have provisions for conservation and protection of heritage sites including

buildings, artifacts, structures, areas, streets and precincts of historic, cultural or environmental significance and sites of scenic beauty.

The bill would also have provisions for conservation and protection of area of environment sensitivity and matters connected with it.

To consolidate laws relating to scientific planning and development of road network and connectivity, PWD Minister Gojen Gadi introduced the 'Arunachal Pradesh State Road (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2015.

The bill would deal with systematic regulation of road development by giving impetus to safe custody and maintenance of assets in the state for all round economic development and welfare of the people.

PHED Minister Takam

Mizoram Fin Min presents 2nd vote-on-account budget

Tripura: Hundreds protest after suspected case of honour killing AGArTALA, JULY 7 (ANI): Hundreds of people protested by organising a sit-in in front of the East Agartala Police Station, demanding the arrested of those involved in the suspected honour killing of a local youth. The protestors alleged that 22-year-old Pritam Roy was killed after the family of his wife refused to accept their marriage. "An innocent boy has been killed and we want that the mystery of this death is revealed. The circumstance in which the death took place - we are sure that he was murdered.

We have gathered here so that an unbiased investigation takes place," said Pankaj Chakraborty, a protestor. The protestors later dispersed after the police assured them that a thorough investigation would take place in the alleged murder. The police also said that they are waiting for the post-mortem report, which has been sent to Kolkata.

trally Sponsored Schemes.”

“We have not yet received clear cut instructions from the concerned Ministries of the Central Government about the exact ratios of sharing pattern of various CSSs which cause difficulty in presenting a regular budget,” Lalsawta said.

“Even though the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission was in favour of state governments by increasing the share in taxes from 32% to 42%, the discontinuance of the Special Category Status of the NorthEastern states has caused

insurmountable financial problems,” he added.

Chief ministers of the seven Northeastern states and Sikkim had earlier sought PM Narendra Modi’s intervention to continue with the Special States Category status to their respective states. The CMs had each signed on a resolution demanding the same calling the move to exclude them from the status a “dangerous and disastrous move” that “cannot be accepted” because of the infrastructure bottlenecks the states face due to geography and location.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had last met Modi in New Delhi to press him on the issue, but Sarkar returned to Agartala only to say Modi “did not give any assurance regarding our demand” and had instead directed Sarkar to discuss it with the NITI Ayog.

The PTI news agency reported that Sarkar also criticized the PM by asking, “The Prime Minister talks of co-operational federalism and team India, but how those things will be implemented if the chief ministers cannot talk to the Prime Minister?”

Tripura co plans piped gas supply to 10000 homes

AGArTALA, JULY 7 (TNN): Aiming to ensure smokeless cooking gas to kitchens in Agartala, Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd (TNGCL) has set a target of supplying piped natural gas (PNG) to 10,000 new households

by March 2016. TNGCL had already connected more than 20,000 households in Agartala with PNG. "If we replace all Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders with PNG in the city, the cylinders can be distributed in the villages where women are still cooking with firewood," said Jitendra Choudhury, chairman of Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDC) and Lok Sabha MP. He added that TNGCL is a joint

venture of TIDC, a government of Tripura undertaking, and AGCL is a government of Assam undertaking.

Since 2005, Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) is also a major shareholder to facilitate the implementation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in the transport sector of the state.

Agartala became the first city in eastern India in 2010 when conversion of vehicles to CNG was launched. It was targeted to convert all vehicles to CNG by 2013. But non-expansion of CNG filling stations is the reason why it did not happen yet, said Choudhury. He however, pointed out that besides PNG connection to kitchens, more than 5000 auto-rickshaws and over 1,500 other

vehicles, including buses, were being fitted with CNG kits mostly in Agartala and Udaipur. "Due to insufficient flow of gas in northern and southern parts of the state, TNGCL is not being able to expand the network of CNG filling stations. ONGC is exploring new gas fields to enhance performance of the existing wells," added Choudhury.

Besides household connections, TNGCL has already provided PNG connection to 300 commercial business centers and 47 factory units in the Bodhjungnagar industrial area on the outskirts of Agartala. To cater to the increasing number of CNG vehicles, the company has set up a main CNG refilling station at Udaipur in South Tripura.

Gogoi for White Paper on receipt of Central funds GUwAHATI, JULY 7 (IANS): The Assam government will publish a white paper soon on the status of Central funds received by the state from the current BJPled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre and the also by the Congressled United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the last few years.

"We are going to publish a white paper within this month to

show as to how much funds, we have received during the present NDA government and during the UPA government in the past.

The white paper will cover all aspects related to the central funds and financial assistance. While the North Eastern Council (NEC) had allocated Rs.312.39 crore for Assam during 2014-15 and only Rs.71.84 crore had been released so far," said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to the reporters.

"Similarly, an amount of Rs.289.63 crore had been allocated for Assam by the Centre under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) in the 2014-15 fiscal. However, we have received only Rs.151.15 crore against this allocation so far," the minister added.

Gogoi also expressed concern over the statistics of recent socioeconomic census and stated that the government had already

formed a committee to study the survey results so that we can launch special programmes for the deprived people.

"The census indicated that one-third people of Assam are still deprived of lands and homes and there also exists illiteracy.

We have taken this seriously and emphasis will be given on existing schemes as well as on new schemes to help under-privileged section," he said.

Gogoi, however, expressed happiness that Assam, despite its problems and backwardness, has stood ahead of some of the developed states in some aspects in the census.

"Our percentage of literacy is 72.19 percent against all India average of 72 percent only and we are placed above many BJP ruled states like Rajasthan (66.11 percent), Madhya Pradesh (69.32 percent) and Jharkhand (66.41 percent)," Gogoi said.

Pario introduced the 'Arunachal Pradesh Water Supply Bill, 2015' to regulate water supply including levy of reasonable tarrif on consumption of piped water supply in the state.

Three important government papers were also laid in the house during the day.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki laid the 26th annual report of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission for the year 2013-14, while Women and Child Development Minister Wanglin Lowangdong laid the combined annual administrative report (2012-13 and 2013-14) of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW).

Education Minister Tapang Taloh also laid in the house the Arunachal Pradesh Education (Amendment) Rules 2014 and 2015.

Dimapur

3

Darjeeling landslides: Death toll reaches 35 SILIGUrI, JULY 7 (IANS): Rescue operations in landslide-hit Darjeeling hills in West Bengal may be over in another two-three days, an official said here on Tuesday.

"We are apprehensive that more bodies can be recovered in the ongoing rescue operations and it may be over after two-three days," officer-in-charge of the district disaster management cell Anindya Sarkar said. He said a favourable weather in the hills is aiding the rescue operations.

Thirty-five bodies have been recovered till Tuesday noon. Eight people are still missing. However, several sections of NH-10 connecting Gangtok and Siliguri have been damaged and some time would be needed for repairing them.

The damage is critical especially in Sheti Jora, around 7.5 km away from Siliguri on NH10, where another landslide has been predicted in the ongoing monsoons.

"It will take time to restore the road (NH-10) and until the monsoons are over the situation may not improve," an official in the district cell had said earlier.

However, the official said that the vehicles are plying under risky conditions in some pockets of the highway.

The General Reserve Engineering Force is carrying out the highway restoration and repair works.

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Land for Sale at Purana Bazar, just few meters from Zion Hospital, near Tikhir Baptist Church, Model Colony, Purana Bazar, East Dimapur. Rs. 230 Per Sq.Ft. Negotiable any size available Contact: 8575654464 8415969424

OBJECTIVE NOTICE Dated Peren the 7/7/2015 NO. PRN/JUDL-SC-1/2015/399: Shri/Smti Khono of Jalukie town has applied for issue of succession certificate in his/her name to draw Gratuity/GPF/GIS/Pension/Pay/Bank Account (Saving) etc of his/her husband Late Akangbo Zeliang of Jalukie town Village, Peren District.

Public are hereby invited to file claims/objections within 30(thirty) days w.e.f date of publication in local papers. If no objection is received from the public within the stipulated time, the succession certificate shall be issued in his/her name.

(PETER LICHAMO) Deputy Commissioner, Peren: Nagaland.

St. JoSeph’S CommUNity College

Jakhama, Nagaland Sponsored and approved by UGC

Admission Notice 2015 COURSES : Tourism and Service Industry DURATION : 1 year ELIGIBILITY: 10+2 and above Internship in Thailand for three months For further details please contact: 9612292694 or 8414833815

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4

businEss

Wednesday

Dimapur

8 July 2015

The Morung Express

economic census bares impact of cuts in social sector spend Rakshita Swamy

their income from manual labour.

It also states that in close to 75% of rural households, the main earning member earns less than Rs.5000 per month. The MGNREGA, legislation passed to provide employment in the form of manual labour to all rural households on demand, is an initiative of the government to enhance the basic incomes of this very constituency. However, MGNREGA allocations have registered a continuous dip in real terms - from 0.45% of the GDP at market prices in 2011-12, to a meagre 0.32% in 2014-15. The stagnant budgetary allocation to MGNREGA in real terms, coupled with inadequate and delayed release of funds to the states has effectively attacked the basic legal mandate of the programme.

As per the SECC, there are 68.96 lakh female-headed households with no adult members between the age of 16-59. Given the precariousness of the economic situation that such households may be prone to, the presence of preventive social security mechanisms specifically targeting such households should be a priority. However, the government’s will as demonstrated by its budgetary outlays are contradictory. Allocation for women specific schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, National Mission for Empowerment of Women, Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for empowerment of

IANS

T

he recently concluded socio-economic caste census (SECC) is an exercise that draws considerable amount of awe for its sheer reach. The census surveyed 23.49 crore households across India using 6.4 lakh electronic handheld devices to arrive at a database of all households. It then ranked them on a relative scale of deprivation, after accounting for automatic inclusion (16.5 lakh) and exclusion of households (7.05 cr) based on a set of predetermined indicators.

The government’s intent in using the data thrown up by the SECC is quoted in its own press release where it states that “SECC provides an opportunity to simultaneously address the multi-dimensionality of poverty by addressing the deprivation of households in education, skills, housing, employment, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, social and gender mobilization and entitlement.” This article attempts to assess whether the government’s investment into the social sector is indicative of this intent. In short, is the government putting its money where its mouth is? The answer is a loud no.

The SECC results state that there are 5.37 crore households who are landless and derive a majority of

Adolescent Girls fell from Rs.1,075 crore (2014-15 RE) to Rs.587 crore (2015-16 BE).

The SECC results state that fewer than 10 percent of youth of rural households make it to the higher secondary level or above and just 3.41% of households have a family member who is at least a graduate.

Households with no literate adult above the age of 25 amount to a staggering 4.21 crore. In light of this dismal statistic, the government’s allocation to a significant sector like education is even more shocking.

The allocation to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the only centrally-funded intervention designed to achieve universalized elementary education fell from Rs.24,380 crore (2014-15 RE) to Rs.19,800 crore (2015-16 BE), while the allocation for the Department of School Education and Literacy fell from Rs.46,805 crore (2014-15 RE) to Rs.42,200 crore (2015-16).

Then, given the unanimous scientific agreement on the role of adequate nutrition in enhancing children’s learning abilities through the education system, the budget of the Integrated Child Development Services fell from Rs.18,391 crore (201415 RE) to an unacceptable Rs.8,449 crore (2015-16).

Rural housing seemed to be one of the fortunate sectors that received the government’s attention, at least in terms of public articulation. The

SECC results have confirmed the need for such attention, given that 13.25% of rural households live with only one room, a temporary wall and a temporary roof. But the trend of cutting social sector budgets continues unabated even in this case.

The allocation of Indira Awas Yojana - the only centrally funded intervention to provide rural housing - fell from Rs.16,000 crore (2014-15 RE) to Rs.10,025 crore (2015-16 BE).

These are only a few examples that indicate how the government is not adequately prepared, and intends to continue being ill-prepared if we are to assess its intent, through its budgetary decisions, to deal with the problem of providing basic entitlement of quality education and health to households deprived on multiple counts as reflected in the SECC. It is worth noting that the only flagship rural development interventions introduced by the current Government - Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana are ones that do not involve any budgetary commitment for putting in place minimum infrastructure to be able to deliver tangible basic services. The union budget outlay for all social sector ministries have registered a drop from 1.92% of the GDP (2013-14) to a deplorable 1.68% in 2015-16.

Toyota recalls 7,129 units of Corolla in India LPU opens Counselling New Delhi, July 7 (PTi): Toyota that is the Corolla model will be extended to Corolla Offices in Imphal present in India through a joint venture with models manufactured during April 2007 till the Kirloskar group, said the Corolla units being recalled were manufactured between April 2007 and July 2008.. (Reuters) Japanese car giant Toyota is recalling 7,129 units of its executive sedan Corolla in India to fix faulty passenger side airbags as part of a global exercise.

The company, present in India through a joint venture with the Kirloskar group, said the units being recalled were manufactured between April 2007 and July 2008.

“As an expansion of the existing service campaign held voluntarily by Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) and in line with the global recall by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), TKM today announced that the special service campaign for passenger side air bag in

Birthday greeting Dearest Akecha, When the heart abounds with love, wishes flow on their own- This greetings comes, ESPECIALLY 4 U to wish u all that’;s best in life. loving n heartfelt greetings on yr ‘;b’; day.

-4ever yours KT.

June 2008,” the company said in a statement.

In addition to that, few vehicles manufactured between June 2008 and July 2008 fall under the ‘7 year mandate’ of voluntary recall code and for the same, TKM will initiate a voluntary Recall to inspect and rectify the vehicles, it added.

TKM also confirmed that no complaints have been received in India so far and this campaign has been extended in line with Toyota’s global practices.

In 2013, Toyota had recalled a select lot of Corolla sold in India as part of its global recall of 17.3 lakh vehicles to rectify defective airbags. Corolla cars produced between January 2003 and June 2003 in the country were recalled.

The airbags were made by Japanese parts maker Takata, whose airbags have sparked a global recall crisis. Various manufacturers, including Nissan and Honda have also been impacted due to faulty airbags supplied by Takata.

Last week, Nissan announced a recall of around 12,000 units of various models, including mid-sized sedan Sunny and small car Micra, manufactured between June 2013 and March 2015 in India as part of its global campaign to rectify engine switches and airbags.

_

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 3279

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Put An End To Distracted Driving DISTRACTED DRIVING PHONE TEXTING TECHNOLOGY SAFE COMMUTE EAT DRINKING ACTIVITY VOICEMAIL SILENCING CALLERS MESSAGE RINGING ENCOURAGE FAMILY FRIENDS DEVICES PARK

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P R U O N D K G L J I P Q J G S I I T I

Q I V G A I Q G O P P D B O B I X Y Y S

“Digital India”-A retrospection

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overnment of India’s ambitious plan to digitize India has received wide appreciation from many sectors. Considering that 70% of Indians live in rural areas, it is pertinent of the government to have included Ministry of Rural Development in this ambitious project. The vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economyby evolving the rural areas is a welcome development. Ensuring government services to be available electronically will immensely benefit the citizens economically& transparently.

Mr Temsu, CSC, Operator, Chuchuyimlang was having a hectic day as people queued up to fill their NPSC examination form. On enquiry, he told me that since opening the CSC in 2013, hundreds of candidates have applied for SSC, NPSC and other such online Applications. Comparing this to the pre-CSC-era, these candidates would have spent an enormous amount of money, time and energy to visit the Directorates for the same work that was executed in a computer in less than 10 minutes. Delivering Infrastructure in the form of CSC as a Utility to the citizen is one of the many success that Digital India seek to achieve.

One is compelled to say that we can foresee a not-so-distant future where one may not need to visit DC offices to make ST certificates. Individuals can fill online forms and upload relevant documents online and such services will be integrated with UIDAI, payment gateway and mobile platform.Business process re-engineering will be undertaken to improve processes and service delivery to the individual. Similarly other government services can be implemented in the same fashion.

Many individuals are not willing to work at remote locations. Many of such individual either don’t attend their Office or keep some proxy inlieu of them. This has hampered the very basic of development and deployment of government schemes.

The government’s plan to deploy Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System in all government offices will hugely benefit in transparent governance. A web based application software system will enable online recording of attendance and its viewing by the concerned stakeholders. Of course these talks have been going on for years and we are skeptical about this but realization of such a thing is imminent with the government’s plan to allocate Rs. 1,13,000/-crore and restructuring of various nodal agencies to implement the same.

Each individual element stands out, but is also a part of the larger picture. Digital India is to be coordinated

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3290

Answer Number # 3278

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X Z R O P R P Y P A V Z N K A O S M O O

New Delhi, July 7 (AgeNcies): Considering the interests of students and their parents from distant regions, Lovely Professional University has opened various counseling offices in all the states across India. These offices serve as an easy access for the students to get careercounseling and complete know-how about admission procedures and scholarship opportunities available at the university campus. These arrangements have been undertaken for the comforts and at requests of the parents.

Although all information & processes are available on the university website, yet sometimes parents want to have face to face interaction to understand the whole process.

In this connection, LPU has open its Imphal office at Hotel Classic, North AOC, Imphal and the office timing are also stretched from 10 am to 7 pm to allow the parents’ to visit the office after their work hours. LPU has also opened a Tollfree line 1800 102 4431 to provide support to parents and students. LPU Chancellor, Ashok Mittal informed that, “With the opening of counseling offices, LPU wanted the students should take an informed decision. We are getting positive feedback and hundreds of students are visiting these offices.” Talking about LPU scholarship program, he added that, “LPU has largest private scholarship program by strongly believing that financial constraints may not stop meritorious students in getting quality education. Students can avail full scholarship up to Rs. 5 lakh per student till 30th June 2015. Since inception of this program, more than 25,000 top students of the country have been benefited.”

DIGITAL INDIA week serIes

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P K S P P V N D O I E H K J I G J Y L V

S T D M N I D N F G I A G N L K T U L U

U K N F G N V E F O A D I W H R F Y H M

R D E N L G U V S L G I D J Q X U X F S

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Y O I F J H J X A U N Y J R O Q B N I T

C R R S E C I V E D I J K F Q A M L R S

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I E W P E R F V B G X I E V Z N S F H H

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E J D G O X L P T E C H N O L O G Y Y A

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G A H C F B F A M I L Y A K P U I O L M

L D R I N K I N G D U Z N C H T A E J Q

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

P A C K A L O W F E N O H P A E R X R Y

Daniel Meren I/C NIELIT Chuchuyimlang STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

East Police Station West Police Station

227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

ACROSS

1. Grave marker 6. Cabbagelike vegetable 10. Rapscallions 14. Consumed 15. Send forth 16. Roman emperor 17. Twisted 18. Part of a skeleton 19. Told 20. Horn 22. Ancient Peruvian 23. Chemist’s workplace 24. Spiteful 26. Gabfest 30. Slopped 32. Prank 33. Sprinkled 37. Blue-green 38. Barbed 39. Schnozzola 40. The philosophy of beauty 42. British biscuit 43. Sheeplike 44. Move unsteadily 45. A thin porridge 47. Big wine holder 48. Balm ingredient 49. Whirling Italian dance 56. Religious splinter group

DOWN

1. Stitched 2. Tropical tuber 3. Decorative case 4. Focusing glass 5. Cherubic 6. Souvlaki 7. Out of control 8. Connects two points 9. Forever 10. Continual and persistent demands 11. Intended 12. Expensive 13. Fizzy drink 21. Chart 25. Altitude (abbrev.)

26. Way in 27. 1 1 1 1 28. Immediately 29. An outline of a solid object 30. Seasoning

31. Shallow metal containers 33. Whirl 34. Part of a plant 35. Feudal worker 36. Backwards “Reed” 38. Raising up on stilts 41. Night before 42. Colonist 44. Buff 45. Adhesives 46. Parts portrayed 47. Flower jars 48. Highest point 50. Diva’s solo 51. Peel 52. Overhang 53. Caustics 54. Gave temporarily 55. The products of human creativity Ans to CrossWord 3289

KOHIMA: 0370 2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) DIMAPUR: 03862 232201/ 101 (O) 9436017479 (OC)

CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862 282777/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC) WOKHA: 03860 242215/101 (O) 9862039399 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369 2226225/ 101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 9862130954(OC)

KOHIMA

ZUNHEBOTO: 03867 280304/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC)

STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 8414853519 MON: 03869 251222/ 101 (O) 9436208480 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE 57. Colored part of an eye 58. Stratum 59. Encounter 60. 1 less than 10 61. What’s happening 62. Being 63. Spurs 64. Relaxes

FIRE STATIONS

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

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

H

I E I F K T R N M S D L P Q A M W R T R

by DeitY and implemented by the entire Government. The implementing agency, the government and most importantly the citizens have their own major roles to play and no entity can function without the other. We have to understand that the entire process requires the entire system to work in sync. Yes the government may come up with various schemes, projects and services but to avail these services the citizen has to be made aware, has to be educated about the system of functioning of these services.

Despite the vast and significant advancement of the IT sector in India, many in the rural areas still continue to be denied access to Information and Communications technology. The very aim of digitizing India is to bridge the digital divide between the rural and the urbans sectors of our diverse country; to give the growing young population a platform to stand on and stand out.

The Digital world is a great platform to work together and build a better world, but it also has its dark side. The establishment of Digital Communication causes degradation of the environment in some cases.

“Electronic waste or “eWaste” is an example. Cyber crimes like identity theft, cyber stalking, spreading malware, hacking websites, child pornography etc., are on the rise because of the misuse of the technological tools available for our use. Every year billions of dollars are made in a number of different cyber crimes, and the victims are usually people like you and me. These disadvantages are only the tip of the ice. The scopes and visions of “Digital India” bring with it the chances of misuse and therefore there is a great need to educate the masses on the pros and cons that these technologies can bring about and how to keep oneself safe and secure both online and offline.

Such an ambitious project for digitization by the Central government will fail if the local bodies are not taken into confidence. The government may provide the digital infrastructure such as high speed Internet, electronics products, digital resources in web and mobile platform but if basic necessity such as electricity is not available 24x7, this mega-plan will be another project in paper only. Similarly, we cannot remain uninformed and mi-informed, both equally dangerous. We cannot definitely afford to miss this bus of opportunity.

“Almost every successful work begins with two beliefs; the future can be better than the present, and we have the power to make it so”.

Toll free No. 1098 childline

KipHire: 8414853767 (O) 8974304572 (OC)

WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

MOKOKCHUNG:

STD CODE: 0369

Police Station 1:

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

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

62.14 96.58 7.76 46.43 45.91 49.19 50.42

64.95 101.26 8.64 48.72 48.17 51.61 53.26

Euro

68.49

71.82

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.78

1.98

0.0534

0.0595

41.43

43.50

9.68

10.79

LOCAL

The Morung Express

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Strengthen cooperative movement: Imtilemba Our Correspondent Kohima | July 7

Nagaland’s cooperation adviser Imtilemba Sangtam today stressed on the need to revamp and strengthen cooperative movement in the state.

Speaking at the orientation & interactive meeting of the cooperation department here at the office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, he called upon the officers to identify and adopt positive

Birthday GreetinGs

Dearest Shilubenla, ishing you happiness, W good health……. on your 6th Birthday. Your

presence in our life has brought all the happiness, laughter, love…….

“Happy Birthday, God bless you dear.”

Loving Oja, Oba & Family Members.

approach to strengthen the department and carry forward various programmes to improve the living condition of the people.

He observed that many foreign countries flourished because of the strong and efficient cooperative system. He added that most of the assets belong to the cooperative societies in many countries but lamented that the state is not giving importance to cooperative units.

Sangtam also underscored

the need to revamp MARCOFED Ltd and WEAFED Ltd and at the same time the need to get back some programmes which was surrendered to some departments.

Further, he said the department require adequate financial grant from the government to carry forward its activities for the welfare and upliftment of the people. The activities of NStCB Ltd, MARCOFED Ltd and WEAFED Ltd also highlighted at the interactive meeting.

NSCN (I-M) recovers one auto Dimapur, July 7 (mExN): The NSCN/GPRN has recovered one Auto Rickshaw bearing Chassis No. MD2AA24ZZR WD15018 and Engine No. AEMBRD17452.

A press notification from NSCN/GPRN UT -1 general secretary, Akato Swu has informed the rightful owner to claim the same by producing original documents within 5 (five) days at CAO Office or contact at 986292544 or 8415981688.

E-service for scholarship to be launched today students of sinai educational Centre with others during the two days summer retreat, which was held from July 6-7 in dimapur. anungla Jamir, teacher at Maple tree, was the resource person, while the sinai Worship team led the singing. Other highlights of the event were one-to-one interactions and counseling and craft making from materials like newspaper.

Governor, CM extend greetings Kohima, July 7 (mExN): The governor of Nagaland PB Acharya has extended cheerful greetings to all “my beloved brothers, sisters and children” of Sumi community on the occasion of Tuluni festival. “Tuluni festival is significant for its abundance and fruitful season of the year in Nagaland,” he said in a note.

“May the celebration of this festival would bring prosperity, peace and fruitful season of the year, a press release informed. The community celebrates the festival with splendor and

5

Mex FiLe

Tuluni celebration in Kohima today Kohima, July 7 (mExN): Kohima Sumi Hoho will celebrate Tuluni, the premier festival of Sumi community, on July 8 at Khuochiezie, downtown Kohima.

Kohima Village Council chairman, Neivor Rutsa will grace the celebration as guest of honour and Minister for Roads and Bridges (PWD), Y. Vikheho Swu will be Tuluni Father.

The occasion will see cultural extravaganza, followed by a community feast. The Hoho has asked all Sumi people residing in Kohima town to participate in the celebration.

The most significant festival of the Sumi community, Tuluni is celebrated to rejoice the most abundant and

Dimapur

serenity to all the people of our Nagaland.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister TR Zeliang also extended his greetings and good wishes to all the Sumi’s as they celebrate their most important festival ‘Tuluni’.

“Let the celebration will be meaningful and mark new beginnings, and that the festive occasion will promote the spirit of harmony and brotherhood in the society” Zeliang stated in his message. grandeur. There are prayers and offerings that are given to Supreme God, the deity of fruitfulness who gives life

and protection to the crops.

During the festival, a goblet is made with the leaf of plantain to serve the rice beer. Tuluni is the name of this beer that is consumed by the Sumi community.

Anni is another name for Tuluni meaning the season of plenteous crops.

To make the celebrations much more joyous, during Tuluni, the fiancé are invited over to the fiancée’s place and the young couples exchange gifts. Engaged couples get married and start their new lives and all are fed lavishly with meat and other delicious food, the release said, adding there are folk songs and ballads that are sung to keep the spirit of the festival high.

NSCPCR constituted as full-fledged commission

Kohima, July 7 (Dipr): The Department of Information & Technology & Communication is launching e-services for scholarship forms and public redressal on July 8 at Secretariat conference hall at 11:30 am. Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner, R. Binchilo Thong will grace the occasion as chief guest.

Tuensang DPDB meeting

TuENsaNg, July 7 (mExN): The mmonthely meeting of the Tuensang District Planning and Development Board Meeting for this month will be held on July 9 at the conference hall deputy commissioner Tuensang from 11AM. The Parliamentary Secretary, Economics & Statistics, Municipal Affairs and Chairman of DPDB Tuensang, R Tohonba will preside over the meeting. A press note from District Planning Officer and member secretary DPDB, Nribemo Lotha requested all DPDB memKohima, July 7 (Dipr): bers of the district to attend the meeting positively.

The Government has constituted the Nagaland State Commission for Protection Kohima Congress meeting of Child Rights (NSCPCR) Kohima, July 7 (mExN): The Kohima District Conas full-fledged independent gress Committee (KDCC) has scheduled its first office commission with its head- bearers meeting on July 9, 11:00 am at its office. The quarters in Kohima. The meeting will discuss some important agendas pertainCommission will exercise ing to NPCC directive for revamp of party organisation power and perform func- and membership drive. The members have been retions assigned to as con- quested to bring their agendas for deliberation. A press ferred under the Act. The release from KDCC general secretary further informed Chairperson and Members that the 9th Kohima Town ACCC executive meeting will shall hold office for a tenure be held on July 10, 11:00 am at KDCC office. In this reof 3 (three) years from the gard, all the ACCC office bearers and frontal chief have date on which they assume been requested to attend the meeting. office. The service condition of the Chairperson and Legislators’ Forum on AIDS meeting Members will be regulated Kohima, July 7 (mExN): The Executive Committee as prescribed in the Act. of Legislators’ Forum on AIDS will be holding a meeting on July 17 from 11:00 am to 1:00pm at the Committee Hall, Assembly Secretariat Building to discuss important and crucial matters pertaining to “HIV/AIDS epidemic and future course of action in the State.” A press note from State Consultant LFA, Dr. Vinito L. Chishi has requested mobility. “The NGN is all the Members are requested to kindly block the date aimed at increasing land- and be available on that day. The notification is issued line users at a time when with approval and direction of the Speaker of NLA, who everyone is using mobile is the Convenor of LFA, the press note added. connectivity for communication,” Prasad added. Siimi village community building NGN technology has been recently commissioned at Kohima, July 7 (mExN): The Siimi village commuSignal Basti, Dimapur and nity building will be inaugurated on July 9 at 9:30 AM at Tetriibe Dimapur by Neitelo Rhakho, the then chairman VilKohima in the first phase.

Responding to queries lage Council Siimi. All the village council members, village from media persons about development board members and village leaders have poor BSNL connectivity, been requested to attend the said programme positively.

Prasad said that the BSNL was constantly monitoring Induction-cum-inauguration traffic levels and working on of B.Ed, M.Ed to provide a wireless option.

Kohima, July 8 (Dipr): The induction-cum-inauguration of 2nd year B.Ed and M.Ed programmes will be held on July 8, 10:00 am at the State College of Teacher Education, Kohima. Commissioner & Secretary for School Education & SCERT FP Solo will be the are completed at the ISBT. chief guest while Secretary, Higher & Technical EducaSwachh Bharat Mis- tion Imjung Panger will be the guest of honour. sion brand ambassador for Mokokchung and Mon districts, Ex-MLA Subongmeren briefed the DPDB members about the launching of the mission and ap- Dimapur, July 7 tranquility of the city is pealed for members' sup- (mExN): Maintaining shattered where innocent port. It also discussed and that the explosion near people are put to risk for resolved to forward to the Durga Mandia area last no fault of theirs whatsodepartment concerned night has disturbed the ever,” stated a press note regarding construction of peaceful atmosphere in issued by Sumi Council, road connectivity between Dimapur, the Sumi Coun- Dimapur chairman Kuhoi Longchem to Tzurong val- cil, Dimapur today ap- Zhimo.

The Council stated ley under Mangkolemba pealed to the law enforcsub division under NEC ing agency to be alert to that the matter needs to programme and from Chu- situations of this nature be thoroughly investigatchuyimlang to Yali via Sal- and avert any attempt to ed and the culprits should ulamang-Longra-Yangpi. create a situation where be brought to book at the It further decided to urge the general public feel earliest possible time. It the government to allocate threatened and unsafe. further appealed to all secfund for DC complex Mo“It is not only disturb- tions to desist from activikokchung under Special ing but highly condem- ties which are detrimental Plan Assistance to avoid de- nable when the peace and to the society at large. lay in construction.

Landmark, Residency council notifies BSNL observes ‘Digital India Week’ Dimapur, July 7 (mExN): The joint council of Landmark and Residency colony vehemently condemned the “cold blooded murder” of Krishna Bahadur Sharma by Anil Kumar Sharma on July 4, at PWD office complex. Expressing shock over such "act of barbarism," the joint council warned the public not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the

colony. “The joint Council urges the appropriate authority to give befitting punishment to the culprit. [and] ...appeals the concern department to look into the grievances of the bereaved family and compensate adequately,” they added.

Meanwhile, the councils also notified the general public that selling of liquor and drinking at pub-

lic places within their colony jurisdiction is “totally prohibited” and they will conduct surprise checking at regular interval and defaulters will be penalised.

Playing of ‘Tambola’ within its jurisdiction is also banned, a joint press note from Landmark Council, L Temjen Imsong and Residency Council Chairman Simon Kelio informed.

BAN questions mandatory ADHAAR card Dimapur, July 7 (mExN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) today questioned the notification of Directorate of Industries & Commerce (DIC) and department of KVIC for the making ADHAAR card a "mandatory requisite" for applying PMEGP scheme when there is a “Clear ruling by the Court that ADHAAR card is not a compulsory requisite for availing any governmental scheme.”

In this connection, a press note from Media cell, BAN cautioned the DIC and KVIC to select only genuine entrepreneurs and not to buckle under any pressures from “different quarters or show favor to certain candidates.”

It further maintained that during its numerous interactions with the banks, BAN has been con-

sistently told that the reason for negative bank loan ratio in Nagaland was due to non re-payment of loan by individuals selected under PMEGP scheme.

“Most of the candidates selected under PMEGP scheme are done under political pressures and top bureaucratic favor shown to certain individuals and not based on genuineness of the entrepreneur” BAN reasoned adding that negative bank loan ratios are hampering the opportunity of genuine Naga entrepreneurs from availing the facilities from the bank.

Further expressing “extremely” serious concerns over the lack of PMEGP forms availability within one hour of its opening at DIC office, on July 6 -leaving lots of entrepreneurs dismayed and wondering behind the logic - BAN

"strongly" asserted that it should be made available free of cost for all the genuine entrepreneurs and the best and feasible projects should be selected.

“BAN is left with no choice but to wonder whether this is a sinister ploy of KVIC” it added.

BAN further demanded selection committee should, henceforth be constituted, to ensure that only entrepreneurs are selected without bias and pressures from any quarters.

Wondering how long the department will “cheat ourselves” by selecting undeserving candidates, BAN reminded the department that, it will scrutinize the list of selected candidates under PMEGP scheme to confirm authenticity of the candidates and to ensure taht the chances of genuine entrepreneurs are not jeopardized.

Morung express news Dimapur | July 7

In its effort to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, the BSNL NE – II Circle Dimapur on Tuesday observed Digital India Week at its OCB Telephone exchange Dimapur.

During a press conference held in this connection, Durga Prasad, CGM, NE – II Circle briefed me-

dia persons on the initiatives taken by BSNL to achieve the goal of Digital India. According to Prasad, subscribers can now make online request for landline, broadband, WiMax through Uddan portal. He said that the BSNL has also launched Next Generation Network (NGN) which offers various facilities similar to mobile technology.

He said NGN is a packetbased network that can be used for both telephony and data which supports

MKg DPDB approves proposal for ring road moKoKchuNg, July 7 (Dipr): Construction of a ring road from Tsuzapang (NH-2) to Inter-State Bus Terminus at Khensa village merging with Mokokchung– Mariani BRO road, shifting of buses to ISBT, launching of Swachh Bharat Mission in Mokokchung district and proposals for approval of DPDB road connectivity of vital areas in the district dominated the monthly meeting of Mokokchung DPDB on July 7. Parliamentary Secretary, Industries & commerce and Chairman of the DPDB Amenba Yaden presided over the meeting.

Seeking approval of the house for construction of about 10 km ring road, E.E PWD (R &B) Imnumeren said that Mokokchung town, being one of the fast growing

towns next to Dimapur and Kohima in the State, is steadily and gradually heading towards a situation prevailing in Kohima and Dimapur.

Highlighting the traffic congestion in the town during office hours, he said there is little room for further expansion/ extension of the existing roads including the NH2, which passes through the town. He therefore, sought the approval of the House to forward the proposal for the construction of the ring road urgently. The house approved the agenda and decided to forward to the government.

Meanwhile, DC & Vice Chairman, DPDB, Sushil Kumar Patel informed that all buses operation will be shifted to ISBT on July 13 as all necessary arrangements

SCD condemns grenade explosion

Orgs demand befitting punishment for accused of farmer assault Putuonuo Nursing Home completes 25 years of service Dimapur, July 7 (mExN): Taking a serious note of the “inhuman act and life attempt” on Sanyi Dukru at Murgipatti, Dimapur on July 1 without any “rhymes or reasons,” the Phek District Farmers’ Union (PDFU) today stated that it “strongly and repeatedly” condemns the assault. In a press note PDFU president, Khazi Lea claimed that Dukru, a leading producer and leader of farmers in the district, went to the Murgipatti on the fateful night on “his official duty” to ascertain the latest position of purchase and sales rate of vegetables and fruits as well as the legal/illegal collections of taxes from transporters at different point and gates. But the culprits failed to understand his intention and “tortured him black and blue which no right thinking citizen can tolerate and accepted,” it added.

PDFU further main-

tained that the Union does not blame the entire wholesalers and business communities but the culprit(s) should be punished as per provision of the law. It also extended full support to the Nagaland Timber Association’s FIR against the culprits and the ACAUT’s demands for establishing trading centre outlet.

Meanwhile, calling for proper monitoring and rate control by concern authority, the farmers’ union further informed a difference of nearly Rs. 20 exist between farm-gate and retail outlet price of cabbage. “The consumer (public) should note that the prevailing rate of cabbage during this peak season is normally Rs. 4 per Kg at farm-gate but they (consumer) are paying Rs 25-30 with a difference of 20 per kg” it added.

galand Students’ Association (CNSA) today condemned the assault on a Naga farmer and businessman Sanyi Dukru from Zhavame village by some non-Naga traders at Murgipatti here on July 1.

“The latest incident comes as a big shock to the Naga public because the atrocious and brutal action of the non-local traders on a local farmer indicates that the commercial capital of Nagaland is being overrun by unscrupulous traders who are taking undue advantage of the local farmers,” stated a press note appended by CNSA president Charles Lotha and general secretary Yimlanger Jamir.

CNSA declared that if such incidents recur in the future, it would not remain a mute spectator but initiate appropriate action. The association also appealed to the law enforcing agenCSNA: The Central Na- cies and the administra-

tion to be more vigilant so Kohima, July 7 the public feel more secure (mExN): Putuonuo Nursing Home, one of the oldest in the society. private medical establishNSF: Naga Students’ ments in Nagaland celeFederation today has vehe- brated 25 years of functionmently condemned the “life ing on July 6 at Hotel Vivor, attempt” on Sanyi Dukru at Kohima.

While it is a pioneer in Murgipatti, Dimapur on July 1. A press note issued NSF ultrasonography, laparogeneral secretary, Boveio scopic surgery and colposPoukai Duo and social & copy in the state, Putuonuo culture secretary Boketo Nursing Home bought the Kiho, maintained that the first ultrasonography maSyndicate system, which chine and the first 3D and has been manipulating and 4D ultrasound machines exploiting Nagas farmers in the state. Besides, it infor a long time, would not troduced many cutting have been possible unless edge and world-class surthey are protected by some gical instruments like ligalocals. The farmers are left sure, harmonic scalpel and unprotected and every right ForceTriad, a press note inthinking Naga intellectual formed. and public should underThe celebration enlivstand its impact, NSF ar- ened with a nostalgic flavor gued. It further urged the law as Keviseno Sakhrie, the enforcing agency to book the first baby be born in Nursabsconding culprits at the ing Home 25 years back, earliest and award befitting was felicitated at the event. punishment to them.

It also saw the unveiling of

cal practice.

A mentor to numerous doctors and nurses, currently working in the state, Dr. Keditsu also recognised the importance of solidarity within the medical community.

He also acknowledged two junior professionals for their contribution to his medical practice and the state at large, Dr. KhriesataKeviseno Sakhrie, the first baby be born at Putuonuo lie Yhome, a pioneer anesNursing Home, being felicitated by its Managing Direc- thesiologist of the state and tor, dr. Kezevituo Keditsu.

Dr. Tseilhoutuo Angami, Managing Director of KObronze bust of its founder well as the Grace of God. and Managing Director, Dr. Since then, Dr. Keditsu HIMAS. While the former Kezevituo Keditsu. Delhi- expressed his appreciation was felicitated for his dedibased Sculptor Kekhri- that the current scenario cation to his field, the later elezo Mark Medom made has changed much and was recognised as one of the bust to commemorate many Naga medical pro- the top laparoscopic surthe Silver Jubilee. fessionals making medical geons in the state.

The low-key ThanksIn his speech, Dr. Kedit- practice competitive and of su, recounted the early ever higher standards. He giving affair was attended years of venturing into pri- stressed the importance of by current and former staff vate practice in Nagaland continuing medical edu- of the nursing home, famwhich was an unchartered cation and training as the ily members, members of territory full of risks that re- ways to keep up to date the medical fraternity and quired some daringness as and ensure a lasting medi- well-wishers.

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express WEDnEsDAy 8 July 2015 volumE X IssuE 184

By Dr. Asangba Tzüdir

Questioning ‘Survival’

T

he Greeks used two terms to define life - ‘zoē’ and ‘bios.’

‘Zoē’ expressed the simple fact of living common to all living beings including gods, and ‘bios’ indicated the form or way of living proper to an individual or a group. The former, talks of existence while the latter implies living. There is also a latin verb vivire meaning ‘to live.’ Now, where do we ‘fit’ in?

A reflection on our Naga society is aptly seen in Bee Gees disco’s heyday song - ‘Staying Alive’ meaning survival. With the struggle to stay alive, and looking at the brighter side the pursuit of survival helps people defend and protect their lives and determine their own future. This brings us to the question of “survival of the fittest.” This ‘phrase’ can be interpreted to express a theory or hypothesis that ‘fit’ as opposed to ‘unfit’ or that which cannot ‘fit in’; and who gets to eat or who gets eaten. Bringing in a gist from a very familiar fable about the ant and the grasshopper, we can see ‘contrasting lifestyles. The grasshopper wasted all summer while the ant stored food for winter. When winter came, the grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger. In their ‘kingdom’ only the ‘workaholic’ survived.

A reflection on our society today presents a tragic reality that we are traversing a path of not only the struggle for ‘survival’ to stay alive but bluntly put – Nagas are being hijacked and ‘reduced’ because of our lackadaisical attitude towards work culture, ignoring and ‘despising’ our rights and thereby our life and living. Aren’t Nagas slowly being made into redundant objects? At the current juncture Nagas are not only stranded but confronted by questions of survival – of political, social, cultural, economy, religion, moral, etc. It is really sad that Nagas are still talking about ‘survival’ rather than ‘living.’

An apt reminder of how our every ‘spaces’ are knowingly encroached, besides other things is the huge influx and stay of illegal immigrants which is perceived as a looming threat in the evolution of Naga economic livelihood and ‘Naga identity.’

Such perceived threats led to the emergence of peoples movements like Survival Mokokchung, ACAUT, Survival Nagaland etc. Almost no corner of the earth has been untouched by movements and uprisings. The World has seen popular charismatic leaders, movements, uprisings, and ideologies, eliciting acts of heroic sacrifice in paving the way for a better world order.

Revolutions have turned the pages of history. Today, it serves as a prologue to carry forward our struggle for reclaiming our ‘rights’ and for our ‘survival.’ It remains a central component of not only in theory but a foundational aspect of our everyday life and living. Its longevity may have less to do with its explanatory usefulness but more to do with its ability to intimate even those who are averse to or remain mute to the issues and struggles.

Changes does not occur overnight and in this strain, even the initiative of Naga Market, a laudable effort of Survival Nagaland is an important step and a collective effort towards the revival of our consciousness in injecting a sense of ownership and belongingness. This is a much needed boost in the resurgence of our economy. Such ideas and noble initiatives need sustained efforts in order to facilitate the way for picking up other attributes that creates an effective change. We need to transport certain beliefs like ‘washing hands before eating’ in all the desired aspects of our life in making it a routine affair.

There lies the credibility of ‘survival’ and also the ‘will to live.’

(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is an Editor with Heritage Publishing House.

He contributes a weekly guest editorial to Morung Express.

Feedback and comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)

lEfT WING |

Beatrice Paez Inter Press Service

South Sudan once again tops Fragile States Index

F

or the second year in a row, South Sudan has been designated as the most fragile nation in the world, plagued by intensifying internal conflict that has displaced more than two million of its people.

Headline-making events of the past year have spurred much of the movement of countries’ rankings – for better or worse – in the Fragile States Index (FSI), a joint annual report by Foreign Policy magazine and think-tank Fund for Peace (FFP) released on Jun. 17. Sub-Saharan Africa found itself leading the pack, with seven out of the top 10 countries ranked as the most fragile. As far as regional trends go, the Islamic State’s encroaching influence pulled states such as Yemen, Libya, Syria and Iraq into the top 10 most-worsened countries of 2015.

Cuba stood out as the most-improved country this past decade, owing its designation to the thawing of relations with the United States and the gradual opening of its economy to foreign investment. Though trends suggest the nation is on track to improving conditions, there remains the challenge of access to public services and upholding human rights.

In an effort to measure a state’s fragility, the index accounts for event-driven factors and makes use of data to illuminate patterns and trends that could contribute to instability. The report analysed the progress of 178 countries around the world.

“At the top of the index, countries do tend to move minimally, but at the centre of the index, you tend to see a lot more movement,” said Nate Haken, senior associate of FFP. “That’s partly because fragility begets fragility and stability begets stability.”

And yet, the report highlighted, there are outliers like Nigeria that defy easy categorisation even as pressures on all fronts – political, social, economic – would indicate a country on the brink of descending into conflict. “For me, Nigeria was one of the most interesting stories of the year. All indicators showed intensive pressures on all fronts,” Haken told IPS. “Oil prices were down, there was more killing this past year.”

But in an unexpected turn, Haken noted, the political opposition led by Muhammadu Buhari emerged as a credible threat to incumbent Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party. He added that many expected a polarising outcome that would pit the north and south against each other, whatever the outcome. “I think most observers looking at these trends thought this was bound to be a disaster,” said Haken. “Every empirical measure shows a high degree of risk and yet, people were able to really rally at the local, national level.”

Meanwhile, Portugal and Georgia joined the ranks of Cuba for the most improved, with strides being made in the economy.

Whereas some countries’ progress or decline has held steady, a closer look can reveal an emerging narrative, said Haken. The United States’ year-over-year score (ranked at 89) has remained flat, but group grievances – tensions among groups – has been increasing since 2007, with respect to the immigration of children fleeing Central America and protest against the police over racial relations.

Far from being a predictive tool, the index functions as a diagnostic tool for policy makers working in human rights and economic development to identify high-priority areas, he noted. As well, it serves to turn the spotlight on countries that seemingly have marginal bearing for the international community.

The index relies on 12 indicators (plus other variables) to make its assessment. They account for state legitimacy; demographic pressures; economic performance; intervention of state or non-state actors; provision of public services; and population flight, among others. Each indicator is given equal weight, and countries take a numerical score, with one for the best performance and 10 for the worst. Since 2014, FSI moved away from the use of the term “failed” in favour of “fragile,” as a way of acknowledging that in some instances, the pressures a state faces can be beyond its control, said Haken.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Nabil Echchaibi

Where are you, Arab intellectuals?

A

s ISIS continues its bloody march into Iraq and Syria and the memory of the Arab Spring recedes into painful oblivion, one question haunts me everyday: where are our Arab intellectuals?

You: Arab poet, novelist, playwright, filmmaker, philosopher, doctor, painter, why is it taking you so long to deliver us from the politics of despair, to inspire us, and to jolt us into action? Yes, the foreign incursions in your land infuriate you, the beheadings of ISIS revolt you, the complicity of our leaders repulses you, but we demand more than just your indignation.

We are desperately waiting for you to lead our belated cultural revolution.

Help us unlearn the language of pain and desperation and teach us how to speak hope and emancipation.

You see our loudest voices are our most vulgar and despicable and you, our so-called luminary, when you ever roar, well, we can’t hear you. Amidst the streams of blood in the streets of Baghdad, Tikrit, Aleppo, Tripoli, Sana’a, and Paris, who is calling us to a new future? Who is speaking to us from a mountaintop?

Whose ideas inspire us today?

Sadly, Al Qaida speaks to us from the darkness of caves and the Islamic State hails us from the barrenness of the desert. Few listen, but most of us resent the dearth of our reformers, the staleness of our politicians, and, above all, the eerie silence of our intellectuals. Our past is rich, but our present is remarkably poor. That existential gap is at the root of our contemporary despair.

The Arab world is intellectually depressed, bursting at the seams with frustration, gambling with its youth and burying its shimmering hopes of salvation. It is no surprise that the agents of this implosion are none other than the apocalyptic goons of the Islamic State. So what do you propose we do, dear Arab intellectual?

It’s complicated, you say. Those who speak up wind up in jail, killed or blasted with the slur, “infidel.” Sadly true, but we are sitting at the edges of a precipitous cliff with two grim choices: live in police states under the mercy of censorship and the semblance of democracy or join militant groups like ISIS and Al Qaida and share in the illusion of a hollow religious triumphalism. Don’t you see that we live on the shoulders of our more enlightened ancestors and on the ideas of other cultures.

The wisdom of our now too distant philosophers was in their intellectual audacity to reread our texts and challenge our dogmas. Their legacy is their enduring contribution to our universal history, not just our Arab and Islamic history. Their important work was not free of risk. They had to labor in fear of retaliation and deadly accusations of heresy. How far are we from the lucidity and generosity of their thought?

Our textbooks sing the exploits of our civilization but only with a tone of ruins and envy. Those western values of democracy, tolerance, and equality so proudly promoted in the massive march following the Charlie Hebdo attacks, well, we helped build them too. The French then invoked their great philosophers Voltaire and Monstesquieu on the question of tolerance; our great thinkers Averroes and Ibn Khaldoun also wrote on the virtues of tolerance.

These are our values too and we must reclaim our place in history so we can restore our intellectual and emotional dignity. All the oil wells, Kalashnikovs, and F-16s of the world could not get us there. Only you, Arab intellectual could make us dream again of the value and weight of our own ideas.

ISIS is a warped idea and you simply cannot bomb an idea out of sight. You need a stronger idea, not a vengeful reaction; a humane proposition, not a hopeless resignation; and an inspiring imagination that reconnects our culture, our values and our faith with the world at large.

Many Arab intellectuals have spoken loud and clear against religious extremism and dictatorship.

Few of you even marched with protesters during the Arab uprisings, but we need more from you. Iraqi

A

t a militant training camp in Pakistan, a new recruit asks his instructor why his comrades are attacking churches and mosques rather than enemy bases. "This world is full of sin. It needs to be bathed in blood," the instructor replies, nurturing seeds of doubt that will eventually lead the young man to turn away from violence.

It's a scene from a three-part comic book, titled "The Guardian," that a private group has started to distribute in Pakistani schools to help combat extremism. The author, 31-year-old Gauher Aftab, says it was inspired by his own experience of nearly joining militants fighting in Kashmir as a teenager.

Pakistan has been battling Islamic extremists for more than a decade, but despite $30 billion in U.S. aid and an American drone campaign, the country still hosts powerful armed groups that have killed tens of thousands of people. A growing number of civil society initiatives are aimed at what many see as the source of the problem — indoctrination of youth.

In the southern port city of Karachi, friends of the late Sabeen Mahmud, an activist gunned down in April because of her liberal views, have assembled 300 local artists to paint over violent graffiti.

The group says it has created some 2,000 murals depicting historic buildings and nature scenes. "If you read hatred all the time, it is leaving a mark, especially on young minds," said artist Adeela Suleman, who's taking part in the project.

Aftab recalls his own experience in the late 1990s at Aitchison College, an elite school in the eastern city of

A plea for the poetic inspiration and vision needed to counter despair, complacency, repression and extremism

poet Sinan Antoon told the New York Times at the height of the Arab Spring events, “I don’t think there is a need for intellectuals to spearhead any revolution. It is no longer a movement to be led by heroes.”

Well, intellectual heroes are fundamentally what we need today to help us lead a cultural revolution.

The Arab Spring has short circuited because at the root of its anger was no enduring intellectual vision, just a political claim of change, still unfulfilled today.

Take example from the late Mahmoud Darwish, the Palestinian poet who became the voice of his people documenting the misery of their existence and commemorating their spirit of resistance. But his penetrating verse did not only dwell on suffering, but also prolonged hope for an eventual return to the homeland in the midst of political deadlock and aggressive occupation. Darwish defiantly challenged those who claimed there was no such thing as a Palestinian people and in doing so rallied Arabs behind a cause that animates much passion today and sends millions to the streets to protest Israeli occupation.

We need a similar courage and commitment from our intellectuals today. We crave poetic inspiration and guidance when the forces of politics conspire to keep us mired in our complacency and stuck in our obedience. My point is not to accuse you of cowardice or dismiss your work as trivial. Far from it. I simply call on you to address our paralysis today and provide that tone of hope and provocation to shake us from our cozy state of dogmatic bliss.

Egyptian feminist Nawal Saadawi, whose books have inspired a whole generation of Arab women, regularly invites young Egyptians in her home to talk literature, philosophy, and politics. She was one of very few vocal intellectuals in Tahrir Square. Surely, many of you supported the uprisings across the Arab world, but you failed to inspire millions of protesters when they finally found their voice.

Every revolution had its committed intellectuals who steered it, critiqued it, and inspired it at a time when it needed lucid ideas and enduring visions.

We invoke Karl Marx when we think of the European Revolutions of 1848. We remember the political philosophy of Jean Paul Sartre when we think of the student revolts of May 1968. Anti-colonial liberation movements had the perceptive brilliance of Frantz Fanon and the biting poetry of Aimé Césaire. What Arab intellectual will we remember when we think of the Arab Spring? Can you honestly think of one?

Who could have inspired Zainab El Mahdy, a young Egyptian activist who took part in the events leading up to the ousting of president Mubarak, but recently took her life in despair? She grew acutely depressed about

the bleak prospects of democracy after a brutal military takeover in what seemed to be a hopeful revolutionary climate in Egypt. Her last tweet captured her anguish, "There's no justice. We're lying to ourselves just to live."

Who else could have inspired the thousands of young Arabs who join ISIS? It is not simply the slick messaging and multimedia spectacles that lure these people, but the lack of similarly loud alternative ideas and hopes for a more dignified future that stunts their humanist resolve. When our young retreat to a bloody desert, self-immolate, and hang themselves to scream their angst and haunt us into action, the worst we can do is turn a blind eye or “lie to ourselves just to live”. Our questions are painfully existential and our intellectual depression is too deep to ignore. This is where it hurts the most.

Maybe we have convinced ourselves that we are a civilization consigned to the waiting room of history. But we have a humanist spirituality, brilliant minds, great human and natural resources, deep histories, creative artists, vast and beautiful landscapes. So why on earth are we in the back of the line?

You, Arab intellectual must speak to us more and address us with an alarming urgency and hope. French Arab philosopher Abdennour Bidar did just as much last year when he wrote his open letter to the Muslim world bravely calling for Muslim self-critique and lamenting the fact that since the 18th century, Muslims have not yet responded to the intellectual challenge from the west.

Our reactions have been, Bidar notes, either the spectacular obscurantism of dogmatic Islam or the caricaturesque modernity of technology fetishism and neoliberal consumerism. “Where are your wise, and do you still have any wisdom to offer to the world?” asks Bidar. “Where are your great men and women? Where is your Mandela, your Gandhi, who is your Aung San Suu Kyi? Where are your great thinkers whose books should be read around the world just as Arab mathematicians and philosophers were once important references from India to Spain?”

My generation of Arabs was instructed to leave when frustrated with the status quo. This is no viable exit strategy. We can’t simply quit and surrender these societies to the grip of atavistic ideologies.

You want Arab democracy, but you wait for others to give it to you. You rightly denounce foreign imperialism, but you offer little to fill our vast political vacuum. You hope for change and when millions bravely take to the streets to secure it, you retreat to your cynicism and say it must be just a false dawn.

What cue are you still waiting for?

It would be unfair to assume that Arab artists, thinkers, journalists today do nothing to address their societies’ problems and anxieties. My concern is not the retreat of Arab intellect but the ability of the intellectual not only to diagnose the problems but also prescribe the solutions.

Sure, many of our problems are not only of our own making, but let’s address those we inflict on ourselves. Unless we speak up and drown out those loud obscurantist voices among us, we will remain forever caged in our dogmatism or in our silence in the face of humiliation.

What is under attack today are not our sacred symbols and faith as we witnessed in the Charlie Hebdo attacks, but how we use them to flatten our differences and fence off our intelligence.

The spectacle of desert beheadings and caged burnings today is nothing more than a vicious metaphor of the futility of our ideas and the tragic retreat of our humanist resolve. Only the wisdom of education could deliver us from the lure of violence and the grip of frustration because as one important prophetic saying reminds us, “the ink of the scholar is more precious than the blood of the martyr.”

This is a plea to you, dear Arab intellectual, to spill more ink…

Artists look to counter violent extremism Asif shahzad Associated Press

Lahore where a former student who had become a well-known jihadi was revered as a cult hero. The militant, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, would go on to kidnap and kill Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002.

Aftab says he was brainwashed at the college by his religious studies instructor, a veteran of Afghanistan's civil war, who convinced him to join militants fighting India in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

He had worked out a plan with his teacher to travel to Kashmir after the school year ended. But two days before then, his parents showed up unannounced because there had been a death in his family. "Being a 12-year-old or a 13-year-old with limited access, I couldn't leave home and join that particular struggle."

After three months at home with his parents, he reconsidered the decision.

He eventually graduated at the top of his class and went on to attend Knox

College, a liberal arts school in Illinois.

Now Aftab works with a group called CFXcomics, which aims to counter extremist propaganda. His comic book has been translated into Urdu by a legendary Pakistani playwright, Amjad Islam Amjad. The group has distributed 15,000 copies in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province, focusing on areas of militant recruitment, says Managing Director Mustafa Hasnain.

CFXcomics has also launched a free app that allows people to read the book on mobile devices, and plans to release another 49 volumes. The project is funded by an NGO called Hope Alive.

The graphic novel follows two idealistic young men, Asim and Munir, who decide to join a militant organization because of its charitable activities.

When they find themselves at a militant training camp, Munir embraces the group's violent message while Asim questions it and ultimately leaves.

The two are reunited after Munir is

WRITE-WING

captured in a counterterrorism raid.

They then team up and use religious arguments to convince their captured trainer that he was wrong. Eventually the message is carried up the chain to top militant commanders.

Aftab says he began working on the comic book after a mass shooting at a military school in Peshawar in December, in which Taliban militants shot dead 150 people, nearly all of them students. "People thought that they were protected. They then realized that we have a shared goal. We need to save our children from people who will kill them," he said.

The comic book's message could still prove a tough sell in Pakistan's schools, where much of the curriculum is devoted to the glorification of past Islamic conquests and jihad against Pakistan's enemies.

Many Pakistanis believe America and the West are at war with Islam, thereby justifying attacks, and view militants in Kashmir as freedom fighters battling India, with which Pakistan has fought three wars. Pakistan is at war with homegrown extremists, but analysts say it has long backed Islamic militants in Kashmir and Afghanistan as a way to project power in the region.

Those conflicting impulses were on display during recent visits by CFXcomics to schools in Lahore. One student, 14-year-old Asim Mahmood, said he learned from the comic that terrorism has nothing to do with Islam.

But when asked if he would fight to defend Islam, he said he would.

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

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

WEdnEsday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

8 JUly 2015

7

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

A master plan for Indigenous freedom A Jillian K. Marsh

ustralian mining magnate Andrew Forrest is publicly heralded as an "industry and philanthropic leader". He is founder of the Walk Free Foundation, an organisation dedicated to leading a global movement for the abolition of so-called ‘modern slavery’, a condition it defines as the inability to walk away from a situation of extreme economic exploitation and violence or its threat. Forrest is also author of the 2014 report ‘The Forrest Review: Creating Parity’. This work was commissioned by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and purports to offer a solution to the problem of ‘the disparity between first Australians and other Australians’.

The Forrest review provides a national master plan for tackling what it identifies as problems stemming from a cultural ethos of worklessness and a lack of achievement in mainstream education. It does not, however, seek to repair undermined communities by strengthening corporate social responsibility, decolonising the school curriculum, or upholding human rights. The report furthermore frames Indigenous peoples and cultures through a problematic lens that allows for solutions steeped in corporate arrogance and homogeneity. Responses made following the release of the report are very revealing about the kind of freedom that is valued by Australians generally, and by Forrest and his admirers.

Bad reviews for the Forrest review Disparity comes at enormous and ongoing costs to Indigenous Australians.

They suffer from disproportionately illhealth and ongoing challenges in regard to cultural recognition as citizens of Australia. Despite decades of research, policy changes, and so-called best practice standards, Australia’s First Nations people continue to endure oppressive conditions in the workplace, as service recipients, and when attempting to exercise sovereign rights.

The Forrest review was criticised by the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia for its lack of commitment to individual and community-based capacity building, and lack of evidence-based claims. Emeritus Professor Jon Altman at the Australian National University, who has in-depth expertise in Indigenous affairs, described the report as “the most unsatisfactory review of an area of Indigenous policy I have seen”. He furthermore stated in his critique that: The Forrest Review, philosophically, blends 1961 assimilation policy ideas with 21st century neoliberalism focusing on the individual and the family as if policy can be removed from the community and society and operating on the basis of economic rationalism alone.

The review is situated amidst a national economic convergence strategy that continues to negatively impact the

T

hese are not pretty numbers, but they need to be top of mind. There are perhaps no figures about India that are of greater importance. According to the latest State of Food Security Report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India has the highest number of hungry people in the world. This equals almost 15% of its total population.

Despite this stark reality, the Narendra Modi government has slashed the budget allocation for health and nutrition of children and mothers. Sometimes there is a temptation to turn one's face away; see hunger as someone else's problem. But the issue of hunger and malnutrition snakes back and connects everyone in India in a chain of consequences: rich and poor.

There can be no demographic dividend, no growth figures can have any meaning until this phenomenon is tackled on a war footing. It is both a moral, economic and social crisis.

Here's what the numbers have to say.

195 million • That's the number of undernourished people in India • This is more than the total population of Pakistan • Which means about 1 in every 6 people you see in India is hungry • A chronically undernourished person suffers from constant fatigue, headache, anxiety, weight loss and is more susceptible to diseases 47 lakh • That's the number of undernourished people India added to its population in just two years, from 2012 to 2014 • Can you imagine the total population of Ireland lacking access to food in two years?

• While the number of hungry people in the world decreased by 26 lakhs in these two years, in India the number increased • India adopted the National Food Security Act during this period. The Act assured 5 kg of foodgrain per month

lives and places of Indigenous traditional owners and other First Nation Australians in a disturbing and retrospective manner, particularly where mainstream norms such as individualism are upheld as key indicators of success. It employs an official language that upholds and validates the core values of institutions currently disempowering Indigenous people. The adoption by government and industry of popular phrases such as ‘close the gap’ and the need to create ‘career pathways’ works to emphasise individual responsibility and choice. At the same time, it excuses or excludes institutional or societal-based responsibility by failing to consider the structural contexts in which choice and responsibility are exercised. Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s relationship with the First Nations people of Australia suggests that economic reform is his priority. He also appears to regard Indigenous people living in remote homeland communities as an economically unsustainable situation that is nothing more than a burden on Australian taxpayers.

Convergence as emancipation?

Both the Forrest review and the position of the Australian federal government suggest a strong alignment with the convergence model of addressing the legacy of slavery in the United States of America. This model, which seeks to close the gap in health, education, and business, was first utilised in the nineteenth century in response to the situation of black Americans in the post-emancipation era. Convergence includes the sanctioning of ‘human capital’ as a means of profiteering and empowerment by societies’ wealthy and powerful, who sought to adopt an individualistic ‘catching up’ mechanism during the abolition of slavery to assimilate people as quickly as possible into the capitalist framework of a modern society. Simplistic constructions of race and gender ensured that white

patriarchal domination remained intact despite the abolition of slavery.

Convergence in the Australian context extends to the commoditisation of Indigenous cultural resources and peoples via a legal and governmentregulated framework for land use negotiations that is primarily based on Western values. This includes the construction of academic concepts of Indigeneity, monetary compensation as the key to negotiating the destruction or loss of access to traditional sites, and a patriarchal engagement strategy that excludes Indigenous women and women’s knowledge from the impact assessment process.

The convergence model can be extremely destructive. In Australia, it disregards the dynamics of social hierarchies and the intimate connections between people and their traditional lands and waters that have existed for thousands of years in Indigenous Australian society. It further disregards the erasure of Indigenous structures and relationships that has resulted from governmental and industrial attempts to seize and maintain control of mineral and energy resources.

Not only are Indigenous Australian lands and water becoming increasingly challenged and consumed by imported ideas of power, wealth and knowledge, so too are the values and expectations of the descendants of these places.

The colonial present Where Forrest’s vision of freedom appears to be the freedom to enter the neoliberal labour market as a worker, others envisage a freedom that is linked to decolonisation. This would require reviews of the Australian constitution and the national school curriculum. The Australian constitution after more than 200 years of colonial impact fails to recognise First Nations peoples and cultures, industry successfully resists the pressure for First Nations to exercise sovereignty over their ancestral lands and waters,

Take India's hunger test See how much you know sourjya Bhowmick at Rs 3 to 75% people in rural areas and 50% in urban areas It met with a lot of resistance as an expenditure India could not afford 1,15,000 crore rupees • That's the amount that was allocated by the previous Congress government as subsidy for ensuring food security in 2013 • Congress leader Raj Babbar created a furore when he said poverty figures were wrong because Rs 12 is enough to have a full meal in Mumbai. Another leader Rasheed Masood said Rs 5 was enough in Delhi • In 2014-15, India's food subsidy bill was half the amount spent that year on India's defence - Rs 2,29,000 crore 1,24,419 crore rupees • That's the amount allocated by the Modi government as food subsidy in Budget 2015 to provide foodgrains at affordable prices for the poor • It's more than what the UPA had committed • But the Modi government has cut funds for the crucial mid-day meal scheme - which provides free food to school-children - and the ICDS (Integrated Child Development scheme) 36% • The proportion by which India has been able to reduce hunger from 1990 to 2015 • The Millennium Development Goals target was to reduce hunger by half • Neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal have achieved this target, despite having a weaker economy and political instability

48% • Or nearly 1 out of every 2 children in India, under the age of five, suffer from malnutrition • This is worse than Sub-Saharan Africa. Staggeringly, it also means 1 out of every 3 malnourished children in the world are from India • On the flipside, India is also the third most obese nation in the world • Malnutrition does not just mean the moral horror of hunger. It means stunted growth • So consider this: nearly half of India's children are doomed to a closed future. They will grow up physically, intellectually and emotionally stunted.

Often, unfit for work 1.3 million • That's the number of children in India who die every year from malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization • This means more children die of malnutrition every year than the total number of people who voted for Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi in both their constituencies put together • India also has the maximum number of infant deaths globally • Malnutrition in children leads to diseases like tuberculosis, diarrhea and pneumonia, which creates the maximum child deaths 14 • That's the number of children under 5 dying in Kerala per 1,000 live births. In other states, it's sometimes as high as 33 • Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been successful in reducing malnutrition be-

and governments increasingly strip traditional owners of access to and use of ancient cultural resources. At the same time, the Australian educational curriculum continues to falsely portray colonisation as a peaceful and bountiful process for all. The national psyche suggests that Australia, as a nation, remains a white society and an annexation of eighteenth-century British colonisers. This situation is reflected in the recent decision of Tony Abbott, Australia’s prime minister, to reintroduce knighthoods— the mark of colonial royalty—while continuing to problematise Indigenous poverty as a ‘lifestyle choice’. Australia’s colonial shackles remain firmly in place despite growing internal as well as external pressure to come of age and be fully respectful of Indigenous peoples.

Governments and industries across Australia continue to reinforce an assimilatory approach to economic participation that is neither appropriate to First Nations in Australia nor in line with decolonising movements in other colonised countries. For Indigenous Australian peoples little has improved in the past 200 years and much of their cultural identities has been irreversibly damaged or destroyed. Mining magnates, national figureheads, and outspoken academics all openly debate the colonial legacies evident in the institutional entrenchment of racist and colonialist ideas, practices, and policies.

What remains poorly understood by successive governments and big business are the ways in which economic, social, intellectual and political reforms can and should take place to address the huge discrepancies between quality of life, human rights, economic development, and the need for decolonisation.

The success of commercial activities billed as progress or development is often predicated on how effectively modern societies utilise and exploit resources. This is vastly different to how many Indigenous peoples, particularly traditional owners, continue to interact with their environment through a combination of both traditional and contemporary ideologies. The idea of ‘closing the gap’ is an insulting gesture that ignores the genuine efforts made to address disparity in the context of colonial legacies. Andrew Forrest’s vision of emancipation through convergence is a view of freedom that sits comfortably with his own mining interests and big business more generally. It is disturbing that, with his much publicised Walk Free Foundation, his influence in Australian politics may extend even further.

Jillian K. Marsh is of Adnyamathanha descent and member of the Yura community of the northern Flinders Ranges region of South Australia. She received her Ph.D. in environmental studies from the University of Adelaide in 2013, where she examined the government regulatory process known as ‘impact assessment’ and Indigenous community governance in the context of the Beverley Uranium Mine. As an early career researcher she regards herself as an ambassador for future Indigenous researchers, as well as a mentor and ethical collaborator within Indigenous research.

cause they focussed on the nutrition of the girl child, and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) • Madhya Pradesh, which recently ran into controversy after banning eggs in ICDS centres, ranks the worst in under five mortality rates: 89 children die per 1,000 live births in the state 56.1% • That's the number of women in India who suffer from anaemia - a direct consequence of malnutrition • This means more than half of India's women have low protein in their blood. They suffer from chronic weakness and deficiencies • Anaemic mothers means anaemic children: more than 70% of India's children are anaemic 3 • That's the number of food security programmes that exist in India. The global average is 27 60% • This is how much the budget was slashed for the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in this year's Budget • ICDS operates nearly 13 lakh anganwadi centres that provides food to more than 10 crore children and pregnant mothers • Funds for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, which provides cooked meals to nearly 10 crore children in more than 11 lakh schools yearly, was also reduced by 30% 109 kilocalories • That's the daily food deficit per person in India, according to the World Bank.

In other words, this is the average calorie shortage in an Indian's daily diet • Most other comparable economies like Brazil (12), Mexico (32), Thailand (49) and Indonesia (59) have a much lower calorie deficit 55 • India's rank out of 76 countries, according to the World Hunger Index, 2014

The Newspaper with an Opinion The Morung Express

“The first degree result of Nagaland University under the semester system has been declared.

Congratulations to all who’ve cleared and become a graduate. As per the result, taking all the different streams of Arts, Science and Commerce stream into consideration, Commerce had the highest pass percentage followed by Science and Arts. So, after this passing their exams, what is next? As is the trend in Nagaland, many of our students will probably be seeking a government job. But with the number of youth who are graduating every year, compared with the number of job vacancies, many will not get a government job. The fact that so many people are graduating every year without enough jobs being available is only going to increase the number of unemployed people. At times, I strongly feel that the wrong choice of stream after Class X may be one of the reasons for unemployment for many students.

Along with the stream, students should also focus on the stream where employment opportunity is high.

In my opinion, commerce may be the preferable stream where the above average student can thrive, and pursue the rising demand for professional commercial management of finance and accounts in the corporate or business world.”

Why You Should Choose Commerce Stream amar Ranjan dey, assistant Professor of Commerce

G

lobalization, privatization and liberalization has witnessed drastic changes in education, educational institutions and education systems. As economiesoffer opportunities year after year, management education is experiencing a boom in its growth. After a century, Commerce education in India has somehow provided a ground for development of management and other ancillary subjects.

Management, accounting, finance, banking, transport, trade, insurance are some such areas which sprang out of Commerce and developed their own disciplinesunder the broader umbrella of Commerce.

With growing opportunities due to liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG), there has been a considerable increase in the demand of commerce education throughout the country.But, the scenario looks gloomy for Nagaland when we compareNagaland with our neighbouring states and the country as a whole.As I was reviewing the enrolment booklet of NBSE for the last five years, I came to know that approximately 10 percent of students took admission in the commerce stream followed by 17-20 percent in science stream and 65-70 percent in arts stream during these five years. As a stream of study, commerce can be studied right after 10 years of schooling. After the 10 years of school – Commerce is available as an option in 10+2 or the Higher Secondary levels. This paves the way for higher studies in commerce related subjects. This implies that the scope for commerce education might not be understood and we are still following the traditional educational path, i.e.the bright and intelligent should pursue science and the rest should take up arts. But, can we imagine what percentage of mark is required to get admission in Sri. Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi or St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. Thesecolleges have cut-off marks which range from 90%-97% for admission every year.

It simply indicates that bright students are just as eager to take up commerce stream as our people seem to want to take up Science stream. Therefore, there is a need for more awareness programmes regarding the scope and prospect of commerce education specifically in a career centric point of view so that our students make the right decision. The educational policy makers of our stateshould alsothink about this matter seriously without much delay.

While pursuing courses in the field of commerce, one can acquire the knowledge of business and trade, nature and fluctuations in the market, basic of economics, fiscal policies, industrial policies etc. The concept of commerce consists of a wide range of inter-disciplinary branches including Accountancy, Business Administration, E-Commerce, Finance, Economics and Marketing. Since the Indian economy is one of the fastest growing economies among the third world countries, the need for talented professionals who can contribute towards the growth of the economy, is increasing. To serve the purposes, many commerce colleges in India are imparting quality education.After completing the course in the field of commerce and management, students can encourage joining any private or government organisation as a specialist in any of the streams of commerce and they can also pursue professional courses such as Chartered Accountant, Costs and Work Accountant, Company Secretary, Chartered Financial Analyst. A graduate in commerce can undergo careers in Financial Analyst, Tax Consultant, Financial portfolio manager, Financial analyst, Fund manager and security dealer and also a good entrepreneur etc. Commerce graduates can further pursue careers in Management such as (i) Personal Management, (ii) Production Management, (iii) Financial Management, (iv) Marketing Management, (v) Material Management, (vi) Hotel Management, (vii) Hospital Management, (viii) Tourism Management, (ix) Event Management, (x) Export-Import Management.

Commerce education provides immense opportunities to the students for employment but due to lack of employable students the advantages are not being taken to its fullest extent. Here the participants viz. university, colleges, faculty, students and society at large, along with the regulatory body and Government are equally responsible for the state of affairs today. All need to come and work together selflessly to bring positive change in the interest of the students towards nation building- the key objective of education.Finally, I urge the student community of the state who are studying under 10th standard to choose the right stream keeping in mind their area of interest and the demands of the current trend. “degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a naaC accredited UGC recognised Commerce and arts College. For feedback or comments please email: admin@tetsocollege.org”.

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Modi calls for closer security cooperation with Central Asia

A stAnA, July 7 (IAns): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for closer defence and security cooperation between India and Central Asia to defend peace in the region and defeat terrorism and extremism.

In his address at the Nazarbayev University in the Kazakh capital, Modi also said India's engagement with Central Asia has been short of promise and potential and added that he is determined to change it with closer cooperation.

Speaking at length on terrorism and extremism, he said: "We live at the frontier of instability. We live close to the crucible of extremism and terrorism.

"We see terrorism spawned by nations and groups. Today, we also see cyber space become a platform without borders for terror to draw recruits to its cause. "From theatres of conflicts to the calm neighbourhoods of distant cities, terrorism has become a global challenge as never before."

Modi said India and Central Asia would combat terrorism through the "strength of our values and our commitment to humanism". He said India is the new frontier of opportunities for the world and Central Asia a region of immense resources, talented people, rapid growth and a

the Silk Route of the 21st century. We will connect through space and cyber as we will by air, land and sea."

Later, he inaugurated the India-Kazakhstan Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology. Earlier, Modi held talks with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Massimov after his arrival here on Tuesday from Uzbekistan on the second leg of his Central Asian tour.

Prime Minster Narendra Modi being greeted by Kazakhstan counterpart Karim Massimov on Tuesday

strategic location.

"So, I am here to start a new era in our relationship with Central Asia. India is prepared to invest more in a new partnership of prosperity," he said. Modi said India's membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will deepen the regional partnership.

"And we have begun a study on a Free Trade Agreement with the and also spoke about boosting physical connectivity for trade, transit and energy. " He expressed hope that all of Central Asia would become members of the International North South

Transport Corridor and said that India is keen to join the Ashgabat Agreement on trade and transit.

He said India's upgradation of Iran's Chahbahar Port would open up routes into Central Asia. "I also hope that we can restore the traditional route to Central Asia through Pakistan and Afghanistan."

"India is at the crossroads of Asia's land and sea routes. We understand our responsibility. And, we are working with a sense of priority to connect ourselves to the East and the West, by land and success of connectivity through and across

Central Asia is important."

He said both sides would work together in the sector of minerals, industry, pharma, engineering and small and medium industries.

Modi also called for Central Asia to regain its central role in Eurasia. "From Europe to Asia, all nations must foster a climate of cooperation and collaboration, not competition and exclusion, in this region."

"The region must remain stable and peaceful, free from conflict and the violence of extremism and terrorism," he said. "We will all work together to build

Modi invites Kazakhstan to 'Make in India' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Kazakhstan to participate in India's "Make in India" initiative, Smart Cities and urban infrastructure programme to create a winwin partnership. Addressing CEOs of both countries at a business meet, Modi also praised Kazakhstan's development and progress.

He said Kazakhstan, despite being landlocked, has moved forward in development, which needs to be admired and praised.

He said the "Make in India" initiative meshes perfectly well with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev's "Nurly Zhol" programme.

"I invite you to Make in India. You have the raw materials and we have the youth who can contribute.

We can cooperate in this sector," Modi said.

The Morung Express

Why can't we bring you under RTI: SC to political parties new DelHI, July 7 (AGenCIes):In a maiden step to make political parties publicly accountable about their financial assets, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked six national parties, including the BJP and the Congress, to come clean and explain their hesitation to disclose complete details of their income, expenditure, donations, funding, including donor details, to the public under the Right to Information Act. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu gave the political parties six weeks to file their responses on why they should not be declared as “public authorities” under the Right to Information Act 2005, making them liable to disclose their financial assets to the public.

Besides the Congress party and the BJP, the petition has arraigned the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Nationalist Congress Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

The Election Commission and the Union of India through the Cabinet Secretary are also parties and will have to file their responses to the apex court.

The petition was filed by noted RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agarwal, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, and NGO Association for Democratic Rights (ADR) through its founder-trustee Jagdeep S. Chhokar.

The apex court's move to make the political parties accountable comes the very same week in which it refused to bring the medical expenses of sitting and retired Supreme Court judges under RTI ambit.

In this case, both ADR and Mr. Agarwal approached the Supreme Court following the attitude of non-compliance shown by the political parties to repeated orders of the Central Information Commission in both 2013 and March 16, 2015.

The CIC had declared all national and regional political parties to be public authorities under the RTI in its 2013 order. In March this year, it had reiterated the order as “final and binding”.

The petition argued that political parties should come under the RTI as they play a core role in governance, and in fact, enjoy a “stronghold” over their elected MPs and MLAs under Schedule 10 of the Constitution. The Schedule makes it compulsory for MPs and MLAs to abide by the directions of their parent parties, failing which the member stands to be disqualified.

It contended that it would be within the average voter's fundamental right to information to know the financial details of political parties in order to make an informed choice.

“Under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 all political parties must affirm their allegiance to the Constitution of India and such allegiance is made compulsory for the purpose of registration under subsection (7) of Section 29A,” the petition argued.

“Therefore, political parties so registered must furnish information to the public under the right of information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, since right of information has been held to be a part of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a),” it said.

It contended the Law Commission of India in its 170th Report on ‘Reform of the Electoral Laws’ in May 1999 had recommended transparency in the functioning of political parties.

The Commission had further made recommendations on the issue of disclosure obligations of political parties in its 255th Report on Electoral Reforms.

Besides the Congress and BJP, the petition has arraigned the CPI(M), CPI, NCP and Bahujan Samaj Party

Only 0.41 per cent of Indians seek Turkish flight lands at IGI after bomb scare Airport sources earlier told "The flight was made to land DelHI, July 7 (IAns): the bathroom. According to the information under RTI Act: Study new A Turkish Airlines aircraft made sources, the threat message was IANS that there were 148 pas- at an isolation parking. All pas-

Nagaland, Chhattisgarh, only states to have captured gender break-up of RTI applicants

new DelHI, July 7 (AGenCIes): India enacted the Right to Information Act a decade ago, but not even 1 per cent of the country's population exercises its power under the transparency law.

A nationwide study by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative has revealed that only 0.37-0.41 per cent of India's population sought information under the RTI Act in 2014.

As per the first of the annual survey on the number of citizens using their right to know, CHRI found that as a proportion of the electorate, people aged 18 years and above, this percentage works to 0.5-0.6 per cent of the population.

Though the absolute number of RTI applications is increas-

ing, the micro trend points to a male-female and rural-urban divide.

The study, which analyses data of different states, revealed that only Chhattisgarh among states captured the urban-rural break-up of RTI applicants. Less than a fifth of the applicants (19.85 per cent) were living in villages in the state. Although Chhattisgarh registered a 21 per cent increase in the number of RTI applications across the state in 2014 over that in the previous year, the proportion of rural applicants went down.

The study also shows that more men file RTI applications than women. "Only two state information commissions have captured gender break-up of RTI applicants Chhattisgarh and Nagaland.

In Chhattisgarh, women constituted 6.9 per cent of the RTI applicants while in Nagaland they comprise 2.53 per cent of the RTI applicants," says the study. It points out that the number of women applicants has fallen over the years. In

2014, a similar study RAAG-2 report had shown that women comprise about 8 per cent of the total applicants, which is higher than the figures thrown up by the CHRI study.

An analysis of socio-economic background of applicants shows an increase in applicants from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Chhattisgarh, the only state which has captured the indicative trend, shows that RTI applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes nearly doubled in a year, with 6.37 per cent of the applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes. Similarly, the percentage of RTI applicants from Scheduled Tribes grew to 5.5 per cent in 2014 from 3.06 per cent in 2013.

"The steady increase in the absolute numbers as well as in terms of percentage augurs well for the success of RTI Act as it is primarily aimed at empowering the disadvantaged segments of society to hold government and its instrumentalities accountable," says the report.

an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here following a bomb scare. However, no explosives were found onboard after a thorough search.

An official said that flight TK0065 was on its way from Bangkok to Istanbul with 134 passengers on board when someone saw a bomb threat written on a windowpane of

written by using a lipstick.

Turkish Airlines senior vice president (Media Relations) Ali Gence said that flight TK0065 from Bangkok to Istanbul (an A-330 aircraft, carrying 134 passengers) was diverted to Delhi "following a possible bomb threat on board" and "successfully landed" there. All passengers and cabin crew were evacuated safely.

sengers on the flight.

"The crew saw a message about 'bomb in cargo hold' written on a bathroom mirror and informed the pilot and co-pilot. The pilot contacted the Nagpur Air Traffic Control, who guided them to the Delhi ATC," a source said.

Sources said the plane made the emergency landing at around 1.40 p.m. at IGI soon after directions from the Delhi ATC.

sengers were evacuated safely from the flight and emergency declared at the airport," a police official said.

All security agencies, including the National Security Guard (NSG) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) were placed on high alert. The message eventually turned out to be a hoax and the plane has been cleared to take off.

Chouhan recommends CBI probe into Vyapam scam BHopAl, July 7 (IAns): Bowing to mounting pressure, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday recommended a CBI probe into the Vyapam recruitment scam that has reportedly claimed over 40 lives.

Addressing the media, a grim looking Chouhan said he was dispatching a letter to the Madhya Pradesh High Court requesting that the Central Bureau of Investigation be allowed to probe the scandal.

"In a democracy, the ruler should be above suspicion," he said. "There are questions in people's minds. People want to know the truth. Questions in people's minds have to be answered. "I bow my head to people's wishes... I am sending a request to the

high court that the CBI should be allowed to investigate the case."

Chouhan, however, made it clear that he had full faith in the investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) done so far which he underlined was being monitored by the high court. Answering questions later, he said he had not discussed his decision to go for a CBI probe with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now on a visit to Central Asia.

He said the opposition had been levelling baseless allegations against him. "They are not bothered about the deaths..." Tuesday's announcement follows increasing number of deaths of people allegedly linked to the Vyapam scam in one way or the other.

On June 4, Akshay Singh, a television

journalist covering the story in Madhya Pradesh, died mysteriously. The next day, a college dean from Madhya Pradesh who was helping the investigators was found dead in his hotel room in Delhi.

And on Monday, a woman police trainee recruited through the state-run Vyavasaik Pariksha Mandal (Vyapam) was found dead in Sagar district though the police denied any link with the scam.

The central government had on Monday rejected calls for a CBI probe into the Vyapam scam. More than 40 people associated with the admission and recruitment racket in Vyapam have died since 2013 - either in mysterious circumstances or have committed suicide.

Young Indians embrace dating apps despite the social taboos Rishab R. Jain Associated Press

A

diti Mendiratta's biggest worry as she's swiping left and right is hiding the smartphone notifications that read "Congratulations! You have a new match" from her parents.

"They wouldn't be cool with it," the 20-year-old journalism student said, flipping her long black hair out of her face. "I'd probably be lectured a zillion times about how irresponsible I am."

Mendiratta is one of hundreds of thousands of young Indians nervously exploring online dating apps — and breaking with India's centuries-old traditions governing marriage and social conduct. The dating app market has exploded in recent years, with more than a dozen companies operating in India and more than a million smartphone users who have downloaded at least one of them.

The success of social

dating apps may be somewhat surprising in India, a deeply conservative country where arranged marriage is still the norm and marrying outside of one's religious or ethnic community is often frowned upon. But youths raised during an era of economic growth and modernization are eagerly embracing Western ideas, and increasingly willing to risk scandal to do so.

"In India, you need to have a reference to speak with anyone," Sagar Datta, a 24-year-old interior designer who has met at least 20 people, both men and women, he was introduced to through an app. "I never imagined strangers would be open to meeting strangers, just by looking at pictures of each other."

App developers are seizing on what they see as enormous potential in India, where half of the 1.2 billion population is younger than 25 and smartphone sales are projected to surge 67 percent this year alone. Indian

companies are coming up with home-grown dating apps to compete with imports like Los Angelesbased Tinder. They even have the quirky names down: Woo, Thrill, TrulyMadly, HitchUp and DesiCrush, to name a few.

But because dating is still widely seen as a social taboo in India, "it is very difficult to get girls in India to start using a dating app," said Sachin Bhatia, co-founder of India's TrulyMadly.

Success also requires navigating extra security concerns, developers said.

India has been roiled in recent years by a series of high-profile cases of gang rape and violence against women, leading to frontpage headlines and stricter laws on women's safety.

"We realized verification, security and privacy are very important" to women, Bhatia said.

"That's what brings women to the app. They like to join an app where they can be sure that you will not have married men, stalkers or

folks like that."

His company includes special features to reassure women the company has their best interests in mind.

"Even a small incident will reflect badly on our app."

Developers said they were being particularly cautious after another app-based company, taxi service Uber, became embroiled in controversy in December and lost its license to operate in the Indian capital after one of its Delhi drivers was accused of raping a 26-year-old passenger.

Marketing to women means not just giving them more control over whom they connect with, but also carefully controlling which men are being featured and offering reassurance that the men are legitimate.

To do so, TrulyMadly encourages men to upload copies of their passports or other government-issued IDs, or to verify their phone numbers — all measures that might raise red flags over privacy in the West. It forbids risque photos, Bha-

Girls take a selfie at a party hosted by “TrulyMadly,” one of India’s online dating apps. (AP Photo)

tia said, and men who are married or post pictures of themselves smoking or holding a beer bottle are rejected outright. They'll even decide if a man looks desirable enough. If they're wearing an odd tank-top, or look thuggish, they're out. In total, a quarter of users who try to register on TrulyMadly are denied, Bhatia said.

Still, 65 percent of its users are men.

The app Thrill sidelines

up to 35 percent of male users, without telling them, to a so-called "phantom zone" where they can still log on and view others' profiles, but can't make contact and are invisible to other users.

"It keeps out a lot of the riff-raff, to put it simply," said co-founder Josh Israel, a New Jersey native now living in New Delhi.

Whitney Wolfe, who co-founded Tinder before leaving to launch the app

Bumble, said designing platforms that give women more control work in any country, not just India, where men traditionally take the lead.

"In the current landscape, women want to make the first move" but don't because they're afraid of what society will think, she said, explaining why Bumble allows only women to send a first message. The formula, she said,

reduces the fear of rejection for men and removes the idea of a woman being "desperate."

Some young Indian women say they've been thrilled by the chance to chat with men they might not meet through family functions or in the office.

Others relish the attention they receive.

"It just gives you so much control," said Anandita Malhotra, a 19-yearold student at an all-girl's college. "I'd be showered with compliments from 10 different guys every time I logged on. It made me feel extremely good about myself."

While Malhotra and many others may be dabbling in dating through the social apps, they're not all quite ready to give up on traditions like letting their parents chose their spouse.

"I want to have an arranged marriage," she said, flatly, adding that she recently told her mother, "'I don't trust my choice in men. So you will have to find me someone.'"

InternatIonal

the Morung express

‘Francis has given us back hope’

In this pool photo taken on Monday, July 6, 2015 and made available on Tuesday, July 7, Pope Francis, left, holds his pastoral staff as he celebrates a Mass at the Samanes park in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Francis is making his first visit as Pope to his Spanishspeaking neighborhood. (AP Photo)

QUITO, JUly 7 (AP): Pope Francis has a whirlwind final full day in Ecuador on Tuesday, with an open-air Mass in the capital sandwiched between meetings with bishops, indigenous groups and students and capped by a visit to a famed Jesuit church.

The 78-year-old pontiff, who has only one full lung, appears to be holding up well at the start of his eightday, three-nation South American tour despite the 2,800-meter (nearly 9,200feet) altitude of Quito and a day spent in the scorching sun of coastal Guayaquil.

He had so much energy he

slipped out again for a second night Monday to greet well-wishers who gathered outside the Vatican ambassador’s residence where he is staying.

“It’s always surprising what the pope can do at his age,” said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi. He noted that several people in the Vatican entourage awoke Monday with headaches due to altitude sickness, but not the pope.

“He has said it’s God’s way of helping him do his ministry, his service,” Lombardi said. Francis received a hero’s welcome Monday

in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s biggest city, as he celebrated the first public Mass of a South American tour that will later take him to Bolivia and Paraguay. He told hundreds of thousands of faithful their families are the bedrock of society but need to be supported better and strengthened.

Crowd estimates varied, with the government spokesman putting it at around 550,000 while Lombardi said it was “plausible and honest” to say 1 million people were on hand.

In his homily, Francis praised families as the nucleus of society, calling

them “the nearest hospital, the first school for the young, the best home for the elderly.” He said miracles are performed every day inside a family out of love, but sometimes the love and happiness run out.

“How many women, sad and lonely, wonder when love left, when it slipped away from their lives?” he asked. “How many elderly people feel left out of family celebrations, cast aside and longing each day for a little love?”

His words brought Janeth Valencia Bersosa to tears. The primary school teacher came to the Mass with her older sister Pilar from Cuenca, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) away, spending the night in the park and then baking under the heat of the noontime Mass. She said it was worth it.

“Francis has given us back hope in our families, in those we love the most, the nucleus of society,” she said. “I wept at each phrase.”

Francis has dedicated the first two years of his pontificate to family issues, giving weekly catechism lessons on different aspects of family life and inviting the entire church to study ways to provide better pastoral care for Catholic families facing difficulties today, including people who are divorced, gays and

families in “nontraditional” situations.

A preliminary meeting of bishops on these issues ended last year in bitter divisions between liberals and conservatives, particularly over ministering to gays and to Catholics who divorce and remarry outside the church. Church teaching holds that Catholics who enter into a second marriage without having the first one annulled cannot receive Communion.

In his homily Monday, Francis said he hoped the second meeting of bishops on family life, scheduled for October, would come up with “concrete solutions to the many difficult and significant challenges facing families in our time.”

“I ask you to pray fervently for this intention, so that Christ can take even what might seem to us impure, scandalous or threatening, and turn it ... into a miracle.”

“Families today need miracles!” he added. Lombardi, said Francis wasn’t referring to the gay or divorce issue specifically but was making a more general reference that he hoped the bishops would “help the church chart this path of leaving a situation of sin to one of grace.”

After the Mass, Francis had lunch with a group of Jesuits at a nearby high school.

China marks World War II victory over Japan Louise Watt

C

Associated Press

hina opened an exhibition Tuesday commemorating the World War II victory over Japan, part of a propaganda push to stir up nationalism by observing the 70th anniversary of the war’s end in Asia with great fanfare.

Soldiers and children stood in silence outside the museum in suburban Beijing at the opening ceremony for the “Great Victory and Historical Contribution” exhibition on the 78th anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. A clash at the Marco Polo Bridge in 1937 is regarded as the first battle of the second Sino-Japanese war, which lasted until Japan’s defeat by the Allies in 1945.

Relations between the two Asian giants have long been affected by what Chinese see as Japan’s failure to sufficiently atone for the suffering it caused during the war.

They have also worsened in recent Japanese Aggression, Liu Yunyears over competing claims to is- shan, the Communist Party’s prolands in the East China Sea. China paganda chief, said the exhibition has sought was to reto underthe Part of Chinese govt propa- member line what it “martyrs, to ganda to instill patriotism maintains cherish the is Japan’s peace and renewed militarism, while at the look ahead to the future.” same time becoming more aggresHe said the exhibition, which sive in pressing its own territorial uses photos and relics, “demonclaims. strates the bravery of all Chinese China’s ruling Communist people in this anti-Japanese war Party leadership also wants to and the critical role played by the highlight the communists’ role Chinese Communist Party.” It also in fighting the Japanese, though serves as “an excellent platform for technically Japan surrendered to patriotic education,” he added. the U.S.-led Allies in the Pacific As part of President Xi Jinping’s and then days later on the Chinese drive to stir patriotism, China is mainland to Chiang Kai-shek, promoting its participation in leader of China’s Nationalists, who World War II as never before. Last later fled to Taiwan after losing a year, it created three new annual civil war with the communists. national holidays linked to the war.

With the Chinese flag flying In September, China will hold Tuesday outside the entrance to a military parade to mark the annithe Museum of the War of the Chi- versary of the end of the war in Asia. nese People’s Resistance Against So far, only Russia has confirmed

‘Cardiovascular risk factors on the rise in Asia’ TOkyO, JUly 7 (IAnS): Cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes appear to be on the rise in Asia, particularly Japan, says researchers.

Using data from earlier studies and examining a health programme launched by the Japanese government, the researchers found many risk factors in the Japanese population remain unchanged or even worsened over more than a decade.

In Japan and China, there is an increasing incidence of hypertension and

is completely different than the US where rates of hypertension did not change.

Many risk factors in the Japanese population remain unchanged or even worsened over more than a decade.

“Cardiovascular disease deaths in Japan have increased and the prevalence of risk factors is expected to increase as the Japanese population continues to age,” said guest editor Masafumi Kitakaze in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

On the other hand, there has been an overall decline in coronary artery

disease-related mortality in the US and Europe. This decline has been attributed to reductions in risk factors and the promotion of treatments. “Data collection on patients, not only in Japan but in Asia and around the world, is key to understanding the status of cardiovascular disease and determining the future direction of care,” Kitakaze said. By combining data collection with clinical trials, the cardiovascular community can continue to develop new treatments and improve outcomes for patients.

UN: Goals helped lift 1 billion people from extreme poverty UnITEd nATIOnS, JUly 7 (AP): A 15-year effort to implement eight goals adopted by world leaders at the start of the new millennium has helped lift more than one billion people out of extreme poverty, enabled more girls to go to school than ever before, and brought unprecedented results in fighting diseases such as HIV/ AIDS, the U.N. chief said Monday.

In the final report on the Millennium Development Goals released Monday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the global mobilization to implement the goals by the end of 2015 has produced “the most successful anti-poverty movement in history.”

But he said inequality persists, with 80% of the people living on less than $1.25 a day residing in two regions — southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and 60% in just five countries, India, Nigeria, China, Bangladesh and Congo. “Too many people have been left behind, particularly the poorest and those disadvantaged because of their

sex, age, disability, ethnicity or geographic location,” Ban said in a video conference launching the report from the Norwegian capital, Oslo. “Too many women and children continue to die during pregnancy or from childbirth-related complications.

And too many people lack adequate sanitation facilities, especially in rural areas.”

Ban said other dangers have intensified since 2000. “Conflicts have forced almost 60 million people to abandon their homes - the highest level of displacement since the end of World War II, with staggering consequences for human development,” he said.

“Climate change has become an existential peril, environmental degradation is undermining development gains — and both are affecting poor people the most.”

Ban said global efforts now have to focus on these gaps. World leaders are set to adopt a new set of goals at a summit in September. But this time there will be 17 goals with 169 targets to be achieved by 2030.

it will send officials and soldiers to take part in the Sept. 3 parade.

On Monday, culture officials announced that “to increase patriotism,” 183 war-themed concerts, operas and other performances would be staged over the next two months, along with the screening of new movies, TV series, documentaries and cartoons.

Following the end of World War II, China’s communists and Nationalists continued their battle for supremacy. The Nationalists’ eventual flight to Taiwan resulted in the split between the island and the mainland.

Taiwan’s Nationalists maintain the communists played only a minor role in the fight against the Japanese. On Saturday, Taiwan held its own major military parade to commemorate the victory over Japan, and Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said the fight was led by Chiang and that “no one is allowed to distort that.”

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.DTE/TECH-A/17/2015/

Dt. Kohima the 4th July, 2015

NOTIFICATION The following candidates have been provisionally selected for undergoing Diploma courses outside the State during 2015-16 as per the courses shown against their names.

All candidates provisionally selected may submit their acceptance letter to the office of the undersigned on or before 10th July 2015, during office hours.

LIST OF CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR UNDERGOING DIPLOMA COURSES DIPLOMA PHARMACY 1. MS. YANSARONI KITHAN 2. MS. BENLINARO 3. MS. ZUBONI R JUNGIO PRINTING TECHNOLOGY 1. MS. ONENTILA 2. MR. THUJOTA NIENU COMPUTER AIDED COSTUME DESIGN & DRESS MAKING 1. MS. MELITSHOPE-U 2. MS. PUSESANU KHATSO ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS 1. MR. ATO NYEKHA 2. MR. JONATHAN HANGSINGH 3. MR. WEBUZO NAROH 4. MR. PUTHAVIL TASE 5. MR. ANGTO WALIM M (BT) ARCHITECTURE ASSISTANSHIP 1. MS. RUNOLE KHING 2. MS. NYAWAN T KONYAK 3. MS. NYILE SEB AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING 1. MR. Y VISHIKA CHISHI 2. MR. VEKU SWURO 3. MR. NUNGTE T AIER 4. MR. YONGLU HAMLI L PHOM 5. MR. CHUKEYA KATH 6. MR. THEPFUSOLHU 7. MR. ANEIZO USOU 8. MR. BENJUNGNUNGSANG PHOM (BT) MINING ENGINEERING 1. MR. MHADEMO SHITIO ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION 1. MR. ONGUKA V JIMO 2. MR. ROVILHOULIE KIPU 3. MR. MEDEMKABA KICHU 4. MS. KHIUMEKIANGLU 5. MR. WEWATE WEZAH (BT) PHOTOGRAPHY 1. MR. PANGLOI K SALYM INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS 1. MR. THSAROSE L SANGTAM 2. MR. TSESENMO JEMU Sd/(Er. Arjun Singh) Addl. Director, Directorate of Technical Education

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Dimapur

9

Arthritis drug could treat blood cancer

lOndOn, JUly 7 (IAnS): A drug given to arthritis sufferers could be used to treat patients with blood cancer, say researchers from University of Sheffield in Britain.

The discovery may open up cost effective treatment options for people suffering from the blood cancer myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) across the world as the anti-inflammatory medicine is one thousandth of the cost of a promising drug which has been shown to work in the same way.

“We have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of this group of chronic diseases - a breakthrough that may represent a new treatment option able to bring relief to both patients and health

funders,” said one of the researchers Martin Zeidler.

Most often diagnosed in people in their 50s and 60s, MPN cause an overproduction of blood cells creating a significant impact on quality-of-life, with symptoms such as night sweats, itching and tiredness.

Currently, MPN treatment is limited to aspirin, removal of excess blood and mild chemotherapy. Recently, the drug Ruxolitinib was shown to provide relief, but at a cost of over 40,000 pounds per year per patient, it has not been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in Britain.

The study has discovered that Methotrexate (MTX) can work in the same way. It is commonly used at low doses to treat inflam-

matory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis and has few side effects.

“Given that a year’s course of low-dose MTX costs around 30 pounds, the potential to repurpose MTX could provide thousands of patients with a much needed treatment option and also generate substantial savings for health care systems,” Zeidler said.

In this study, the scientists tested the effectiveness of the drug in treating MPN in fruit fly and human cells. The researchers are now looking to undertake clinical trials to examine the possibility of repurposing low-dose MTX for the treatment of MPNs. The results of the study appeared in the journal PLOS ONE.

NAGALAND ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (NERC) NAGALAND : KOHIMA

Old MLA hostel complex, Nagaland:Kohima-797001 Tel: (0370)2292101(o)/2241592(R) Fax: 2292104(o); www.nerc.org.in e-mail:nerc_kohima@yahoo.com

PUBLIC NOTICE Dated Kohima, the 07th July, ’15.

No.NERC/REGN/2015: The Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Kohima has published the draft Multi year tariff Regulations, 2015 for the information of the persons likely to be effected thereby: Copies of the draft Regulations are available in the Office of the Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Old MLA Hostel Complex, Kohima and also in the office of the Chief Engineer, Department of Power, Nagaland, Kohima. The same can be seen by any interested person during office hours on any working day.

The Draft Regulations are also available at the NERC website: www. nerc.org.in Any person having any comments/suggestions/objections may submit the same in writing addressed to the Secretary of the Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) latest by 25th July, 2015 and the draft Regulations shall be taken into consideration on 31st July, 2015.

Sd/W.Y. YANTHAN Secretary Nagaland Electricity Regulatory, Commission (NERC), Kohima.

NAGALAND PUBILC SERVICE COMISSION KOHIMA

NO.NPSC/ADVT/EDS-2012

Dated Kohima, the 7th July, 2015

ADVERTISEMENT NO.NPSC-2/2015 NO.NPSC/ADVT/EDS-2012:: Applications are invited for filling up the following vacancies under the Government of Nagaland.

I. Assistant Professor under Higher Education Department: Item No 1: 2(two) posts of Education Item No 2: 2(two) posts of English Item No 3: 1(one) post of History Item No 4: 1(one) post of Mathematics Item No 5: 1(one) post of Philosophy Item No 6: 3(three) posts of Political Science Item No 7: 4(four) posts of Physics Item No 8: 1(one) post of Functional English Item No 9: 1(one) post of Computer Science (NCTE) II. Lecturers/TRA (SCERT) Item No 10: 1(one) post of Biology Item No 11: 1(one) post of Chemistry Item No 12: 1(one) post of English Item No 13: 1(one) post of Mathematics Item No 14: 1(one) post of Political Science Item No 15: 1(one) post of TRA(Physics) III. Post Graduate Teacher under School Education Department.

Item No 16: 1(one) post of Chemistry Item No 17: 2(two) posts of Commerce Item No 18: 2(two) posts of Computer Science Item No 19: 1(one) post of Economics Item No 20: 4(four) posts of English Item No 21: 1(one) post of Geography Item No 22: 5(five) posts of Mathematics Item No 23: 4(four) posts of Physics Item No 24: 1(one) post of Zoology Note: 1. Candidates are advised to access the Commission’s Notice Board or Website at www.npsc.co.in for eligibility conditions, relaxations and other terms and regulations.

2. Application Forms will not be issued from the office of the Commission.

3. Application Form (including Pattern of Examination, Syllabus and self-certification) can be downloaded from the Commission’s website at www.npsc.co.in and send the duly filled up Application Form by registered post along with Demand Draft of Rs.300/- (Rupees Three hundred only) drawn in favour of Secretary, Nagaland Public Service Commission, Kohima, payable at Kohima, being fees for Form and Examination.

4. Application form can also be submitted personally in the Commission’s Office on payment of Rs.300/- (Rupees Three hundred) only by cash.

5. The written examination is tentatively scheduled to be held in the early part of October, 2015 6. The last date for submission of Application Form is 24th July, 2015 Sd/- SARAH R. RITSE Secretary, Nagaland Public Service Commission, Kohima.

10

Dimapur

LOCAL

Wednesday 8 July 2015

The Morung Express

Young people urged to take advantage of Digital India DPDB meeting

Kohima, July 7 (DiPR): Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is one of the fastest growing and changing fields, said Nagaland Home Commissioner Neihu C Thur during a workshop on ‘Digital India’ held at NIELIT, Kohima on July 7 under the theme “Transforming India into a Digital Empowered Society.”

Pointing out that technology is developing rapidly and new devices and systems are being developed to provide faster and more efficient methods of information and communication, Thur said there is high demand for professionals in ICT and urged the students present to make best use of the ‘Digital India’ recently launched by the Prime Minister of India.

He said ICT is a tool and resource used to communicate and create, disseminate, store and manage information using computers, internet, broadcasting radios, television and telephones. In today’s world, Thur said, interest in harnessing computer and internet knowhow to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of formal and non-formal education at all levels has become very high. He added that ICT images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students and teachers to easily explain complex instructions and ensure students’ comprehension. He mentioned that teachers can also create interactive classes and make lesson livelier, colourful, and enjoyable.

He also said that education administrator is indispensable and teachers are required to be trained for effective use of ICT technology.

He noted that careers in ICT fields include a variety of roles and tasks

Online title application facility held in Peren

Kohima, July 7 (DiPR): Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), Government of India has introduced a facility for online title applications for newspapers and other periodicals from March 1, 2015 onwards.

This has been introduced in the light of government’s policy to increase use of Information Technology in official work-

ing and to ensure better and transparent services to the title applicant. The applicants can now fill the application online on their website www.rni.nic.in which will minimize the errors and will also facilitate standardization of application across the country.

After filling up the title application, the applicants have to take the printout and submit the same to the forwarding au-

thority, i.e., the District Magistrate (Deputy Commissioner) along with all supporting documents as required by the forwarding authority for verification. Before forwarding the title application to RNI, the forwarding authority in the district will ensure that the application is forwarded properly under reference number, date, seal, signature, name and designation of forwarding authority.

Sensitization on Digital India Week in Tuensang

TuENsaNg, July 7 (DiPR): To sensitize the Village Development Block volunteers about Digital India Week, the District Rural Development Agency conducted a meeting at CKS Hall, Tuensang on July 7. The meeting was attended by the BDOs, CAs, MIS workers, VDB Nagaland Home Commissioner Neihu C Thur and VDB secretaries under speaking during the workshop on ‘Digital India’ DRDA Tuensang. held at NIELIT, Kohima on July 7.

The main speaker of the associated with planning, researching, installing and monitoring the performance of ICT systems and transactions.

Meanwhile, the chief guest said that digital literacy is the knowledge, skill and behaviors used in a broad range of digital devices such as smart phones, tables, laptops and desktops PCs, all of which are seen as network rather than computing devices. He said that digital literacy does not replace traditional form of literacy, but builds upon the foun-

dation of traditional form.

The Home Commissioner further said that the basic idea of introducing Digital India is to infuse transparent and accountable government and to make the citizens of the country aware of the activities of the government.

Delivering the keynote address, Commissioner and Secretary (IT) KD Vizo said that India has an impression of world class in Information Technology (IT), mainly due to the success of India’s software

meeting, DIO Tuensang, Avi Khehie emphasized on the importance of Information Technology in the current world. He shared about the efficiency of internet and usage of technologies in official works and encouraged the gathering to adapt to the developments of Information Technology which, he said, can save time, resources, manpower and economy.

industry and contribution of people of Indian origin in Information Technology revolution in the United States. On the other hand, IT activities have just started in the state of Nagaland, he pointed out. He informed that under the Digital India programme, the Government of India is extending a lot of support in hardware sector, even promoting hardware manufacturing units through the slogan ‘Make in India’.

Noting that the development is good news for the youth and entre-

Project Director of DRDA Chubawati Chang in his introductory note lauded the Central government for establishing many projects and schemes useful for the citizens. He stated that it would be useful if Information Technology can reach the village levels. This, according to him, will improve the functioning of DRDA department in particular.

preneurs, Vizo said that henceforth, employment and business opportunities which are largely confined to IT services and software would extend to IT hardware sector.

Vizo also felt that Nagaland will not reap the full benefits of IT unless it creates opportunities for the youth, especially in rural areas, to realize the benefits from the same.

He appealed to the people to create platform for the growth of IT in the State by taking full advantage of Digital India programme.

Boys hostel inaugurated at Tobu

Tobu, July 7 (DiPR): Advisor NBDA, Naiba Konyak, inaugurated Newman School Boys hostel and also graced the Newman High School Freshers’ meet at Tobu on July 6 as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion Naiba Konyak encouraged the students to be more dedicated, disciplined and work hard with determination to achieve their goals.

He further called upon the staff to be sincere and work hard with determination and urged all to rise up with devotion. He lauded the people of Tobu area and Catholic Institutions for completing the hostel building within such a short span of time.

Earlier Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Nagaland blessed the newly constructed hostel boys building. In his message

Bishop thanked all those responsible for the support rendered for the development of the hostel. He said that the Catholic Church was able to build good infrastructure for providing quality education due to the great sacrifice and generosity of hundreds of Catholics all over the world. He underlined that the Catholic Church is here to serve the people and spare no effort shall be spared to render the best service to the people of Nagaland.

Welcome address was delivered

by Fr. Sivi George, Principal Newman Higher Secondary School Tobu. Exhortation and short speeches were delivered by Nyanngai Konyak Ex. Minister, S. Yangba Konyak, SP Mon, AH Wanmai, President MHSU, S.BPoangba, President, KU, Tobu branch. The vote of thanks was proposed by JaeintaEsang Konyak.

Eight young boys and girls were baptized on July 7 by pastor of Kohima Lotha Baptist Church (KLBC) Rev. Mhathung.

Among the eight, two were non Naga brothers who work as truck handymen at KLBC. Certificates will be handed over to the new baptised members on July 12 during the devotional service at the main church. As the new KLBC is under construction, the baptism was held at Zeme Baptist Church, Kohima. KLBC ministerial staff, parents, stewards and well wishers were present during the baptism ceremony.

e-marathon held across state SFS Parish retreat-cumOur Correspondent

the marathon race. In both categories, 10 consolation prizes were awarded.

The Top three winners were awarded Along with the rest of the country, the with smart phones while pen drives e- Marathon was held today at Kiphi- were awarded as consolation prizes. re Town. The programme was jointly organized by the District AdministraTuensang: Department of IT&C tion and the Department of Informa- in collaboration with District Admintion Technology & Communication istration organized emarathon at Tu(IT & C) Kiphire. The race was flagged ensang on 7th of July 2015 to mark the off by Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire India Digital Week. The race was parA. Chumremo Odyuo. ticipated by 65 males and 37 females Giving a short keynote address from various wards of Tuensang Town. before the flag off, the Deputy ComThungtiMoba Chang from 3rd missioner highlighted on the ongoing NAP Sector was placed in the first Digital India Week celebration and its position, NapamChangshou Chang importance and said that the Digital from Pulonyu Sector and Yongkhong India Programme aims to make all citi- Chang were placed 2nd and 3rd place zens digitally equip and to bring the in- respectively in the male category. ternet and e-governance to the people. Sentinaro from Polunyu sector was In the male category S Yimto Yim, placed in 1st position, Jemei from BaLitsachum Sangtam and Sethrili zaar-C sector and Sejang from BazaarSangtam emerged in the top three po- C lifted 2nd and 3rd positions in the sitions while Yimsola, Lirola and Vibi- female category. Consolation prizes kali emerged as the first, second and were also given to ten female and third position in the female category. male participants.

Around 300 participants took part at Deputy Commissioner of TuenKiphire | July 7

Late Awomi condoled

DimaPuR, July 7 (mExN): The Naga Council, Dimapur family had expressed its deepest condolence to the bereaved family of Z Ihoto Awomi, the general secretary of Sumi Council Dimapur, who passed away on July 6 In a press condolence issued by its president, T Bangerloba and general secretary, Nillo Naga, the NCD described Lt. Ihoto as a active social worker in all “sense of the term”, who had resigned from his job at SBI to dedicate his life fully for the welfare of his community and Nagas in general.

“He was a leader who was actively involved in the activities of Naga Council, contributing to harmony and good will in Dimapur,” NCD added.

It further prayed that the Almighty will grant peace and comfort to the bereaved family and eternal rest to the departed soul.

sang flagged off the male category and the Superintendent of Police Tuensang, flagged off the female category marathon. The prize distribution ceremony was held at Parade ground Tuensang where the eDistrict (Tuensang) Manager of IT&C Miss. WarlongumYimchunger addressed the gathering.

Deputy Commissioner Tuensang, Alemjongshi gave away the prizes for the male category while Superintend of Tuensang VikramEzung gave away the prizes for the female category.

Peren: Joining with the rest of the country, DC Peren,Peter Lichamo flagged off e-marathon at local ground, Peren on July 6. He encouraged the participants to run towards technological advancement through e-marathon.

In boys category Ikumlung (GHSS), Lungpetheing (PTYO) Kenuti(PTYO), won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. In girls category, Zierangyi (GHSS), Isolator (PTYO) and Keheibale (ASHSS) finished in the top three positions.

With DIPR inputs

music camp concludes

TENiNg, July 7 (mExN): A retreat-cum-music camp was organized at SFS Parish Tening from June 22-29, under the theme, “Youth and the challenges of being an apostles. It included a two days retreat as well as a four days music class, followed by the election of the Office Bearers to the office of the parish CYA. A press note informed that, the camp started with word of welcomes by Rev. Fr. Adani James, the Parish Priest while Rev. Fr. John Barman MSFS Franscialian Youth Director, animated the retreat with talks on various topics like the importance of sacrament of Holy Communion; meaning of Rosary means; how rosary work wonders in one’s life; and how rosary reflects the episode of the birth of Jesus, life, death and resurrection.

He further enlightened the

youth to be an apostle of Christ and to take up challenges of being an apostle. Sr. Esther spoke on faithfulness to one’s faith, while Sr. Sharon spoke on sacraments and Sr. Gracit deliberated awareness on basic hygiene, HIV/AIDS. Interactive Retreat concluded with a resolution to organize a sales day and a CYA Rosary service by every village CYA of the parish.

APRO Gaizam Moses inaugurated the music camp with a talk on the need of honoring one’s parents and how technology connects youth. Wangsam Patrick, Ringam Thomas and Sizanpi Anthony directed the music class.

Paulamle Angela Sephe ZCYAN President graced the closing service of a week long programme and handed the files to the newly elected office bearers and Rev. Fr. Panü Paul installed the new office bearers with a canonical blessing.

SCD: The Sumi Council, Dimapur (SCD) expressed its deep sadness over the untimely demise of its secretary Z Ihoto Awomi on the July6 at his residence in Niu Colony, Burma Camp.

In a press note, the chairman of SCD, Kuhoi Zhimo said that Late Ihoto was a man of “immense value” to the Council and his contributions towards the society as a whole were unmatched.

He was ready to extend his help in everyone, it mainitaned adding that the void created by his death will be felt for a long time to come.

“The Sumi Council, Dimapur pray to the Almighty for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace and also give strength to his wife, Mrs. Asile Awomi, children and other family members Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima along with District Health Society, Department of Health and Family Welfare, NHM in to overcome from this grief” SCD line with State government’s declaration to observe a week long “Cleanliness Drive” from July 2 to 6 conducted a mass social further condoled. work at the CMO’s office premises on July 6. The massive cleanliness drive was attended by all staffs.

PEREN, July 7 (DiPR): Peren District Planning & Development Board meeting was held on July 6 at New Headquarters, Peren under the chairmanship of DC & Vice Chairman DPDB Peren, Peter Lichamo. After reviewing the last month meeting minutes, the board discussed upgradation of Mechanical Engineer in the district, installation of transformer at high school and CHC at Jalukie town.

SDO (Power) informed the house on shortage of electricity. The board also recommended grant-in-aid to Peren Valley School, Jalukie and creation of additional post of SDPO at Jalukie which was put up by SP Peren. The board also asked the PWD for maintenance of road between New Peren to Athibung, which has been neglected for many years.

The meeting also discussed work distribution for the forthcoming Independence Day celebration. Earlier, the house welcomed new members including Chief Veterinary Officer Peren Dr. Atem Ao, SDO (PWD) R&B Asempe Npungcha, Technical Assistant Employment Kulo Kezo and SDO Sericulture Ngangshi.

NESESD holds special prog DimaPuR, July 7 (mExN): The North East School of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development (NESESD) had a special programme at its training centre here on June 28 with M Imliyanger, Administrator, Modern High School, Dimapur and Athri, Ranger, Intangki National Park, as guest speakers.

Imliyanger in his message shared that “God has a plan for every individual to prosper” (Jerimaiah 29:11) and for that one needs to put God first. Athri Sangtam exhorted the gathering to make best use of the government schemes and urged to overcome laziness as “it is the root of all failures.”

A press release from NESESD director Thehose mentioned that NESESD aims to explore the potential of the job-seekers/ youth of Nagaland and provide the skills needed in varied industries for employment opportunities.

NESESD is providing short term (3-4 months) Employable Skills under SDI (Skill Development Initiative) schemes under Employment and Craftsmen Training Department, Govt. of Nagaland. The candidates will be given job placement once they complete the course, according to the release.

Presently, 53 trainees are undergoing residential training at NESESD training centre at 55 Circuit house Colony, Dimapur. The scheme provides free admission, training course, free food and lodging, relocation and placement.

2nd all Nagaland veteran & sub veteran badminton tourney postponed Kohima, July 7 (mExN): The 2nd All Nagaland veteran & sub veteran badminton tournament scheduled forJuly 10 to 11 at the Indoor Badminton Stadium, Officers’ Hill Kohima under the aegis of Evening Club Kohima, under the flagship of Nagaland Badminton Association has been postponed to July 17-18 due to some unavoidable circumstances. The tournament will be held under two categories: veteran 45+ years and sub veteran 35+ years. No two present state players can team up for the said tournament. Ex/present district players are eligible to participate.

For more information, participants can contact 9436830111, 9774035643. This was stated in a release issued by N. Khamo, member organizing committee.

1st King’s Summer Challenge Volleyball Tourney DimaPuR, July 7 (mExN): The first King’s Summer Challenge Volleyball Tournament is scheduled to commence from July 9 to 11 at state stadium Dimapur. A press note informed that the opening ceremony will be graced

by Longri Imchen, President of the Ao Youth Organisation Dimapur and the closing ceremony by Airnla Anung Longkumer, Proprietor of M/s Wapanginla Longkumer Handcraft and Handloom, Dimapur. The tournament offers a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 along with trophies and citations, including several individual prizes.

Wokha district open badminton C’ship WoKha, July 7 (mExN): The Wokha District Badminton Association (WDBA) will be organising Wokha District Open Badminton Championship for all categories on July 13 and 14. Selection for the forthcoming InterDistrict Tourney will also be done. All interested players have been informed to kindly contact WDBA Gen.Secy at 8575205891 for details.

Entertainment

The Morung Express

Logo Designer Wants Judge Removed From Jay Z Case A New York Designer Who Is Suing Jay Z For Royalties Relating To The Superstar's Roc-a-fella Records Logo Is Demanding The Judge Overseeing The Case Be Replaced Over Concerns Of His Impartiality.

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wayne Walker filed legal papers against the Empire State of Mind hitmaker, his former business partner Damon Dash, and executives at Universal Music Group in 2012, demanding $7 million (£4.38 million) in unpaid royalties over the use of the iconic symbol, which he claims he created in 1995. Last year (14), Judge Ronald Ellis ordered Dash to sit for a deposition to answer the allegations, while he chose to defer a ruling on whether Jay Z should give evidence until after he heard Dash's testimony.

Wednesday 8 July 2015

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However, Walker's lawyer, Gregory Berry, has since expressed his client's unease at having Ellis continue to oversee the dispute amid allegations he has continually issued inconsistent rulings in favour of Jay Z throughout the case.

Walker claims Ellis based one decision on a private call he took from a lawyer for the defendants, without seeking any input from the plaintiff, reports Reuters. He wants Ellis to remove himself from the case. Representatives for the judge have declined to comment on the accusations.

Getting hands-on with Apple Music - can the streaming service take over the market?

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pple Music. Where do we start? It took me a good 30 minutes to figure out just how to navigate my way through the iTunes Store, to the Apple Music streaming section where I'd be able to listen to more than just a snippet of a song without then having to purchase it. I was becoming increasingly agitated, almost to the point of giving up completely.

The process is a much easier one on the iPhone, but Apple Music on the PC, for now is a territory only the patient will be able to tread.

This isn't the most frustrating thing some users have faced however, with some complaining that their data has been lost after activating iCloud Music Library in the service. Luckily a fix has been confirmed - follow the below steps if you are one of those affected: Find an earlier iTunes library file on your computer, then drag it or copy and paste it into the iTunes folder. Rename the newer corrupt library file, then restart iTunes. This is done to ensure the corrupt file is restored by the older one upon iTunes' relaunch.

Alternatively, disable

iCloud Music Library under the Apple Music settings to eliminate the possibility of losing data altogether until a permanent fix is rolled out by Apple.

Moving on, the look here is classic Apple, sleek and clean, easy to navigate (once you've found it) and smartly presented. It's not far from anything we've seen before which we're actually grateful for. It's nice to see something familiar without the need to get to grips with an entirely new interface. Categories available on the 'New' page will include 'Top Songs' and 'Top Albums' as well as 'Trending' to show what's doing well with the masses, and there's a noticeable 'Spotlight on Glastonbury' section which will likely change as the weeks and months progress to a more topical-at-the-time subsection. Then there's the 'For You' section which re-

ally hones in on your tastes, bringing together a brilliant selection of tunes to suit your style. You'll be spoilt for choice here. Summer playlists are automatically created and ready for you to listen to, a variation of genres to suit most needs, and there's an intriguing 'AList' section which brings together a string of different tracks of varying kinds depending on your taste.

The A-List: Pop collection for example kicks things off with Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' (every time), but then is followed up with Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias with 'El Perdón' and Malika Ayane's 'Sensa fare

sul serio' not quite an A-List track in the United Kingdom.

Continue to explore and you may come across the activities section, where songs have been selected for different things you may be doing, such as chilling out, driving, entertaining or... breaking up.

The Beats 1 radio is fine depending on what's taking over the airwaves. This is the live radio Apple Music introduced with a plethora of different talent providing the entertainment - at one point I tuned into a top 20 chart show with Brooke Reese which of course consisted of mainstream pop music, while at another VICE were in charge, introducing me to some good material I hadn't heard before. It looks to be a good place to discover new music, but may take some getting used to for a British listener - it's an extremely

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Americanised station. Other radios will randomise songs depending on the type you choose - The Mixtape is a favourite of mine.

It provided the perfect songs for our weekend barbecue, a blast of 80s hits that got everybody singing along. Another interesting addition is the 'Connect' section which sees artists post updates much like they will do on social media, directly connecting with their fans. You can choose to automatically follow artists who relate to your libraries, or look for them yourselves. The former is perhaps the better option - it's incredibly precise and caters to all tastes.

Madonna next to Eminem on my feed? Perfect. The first big exclusive Apple have bagged is Pharrell Williams track 'Freedom'.

It's short, not too exciting but a great catch for the service. The future's looking good. Would we suggest Apple Music? We'd certainly suggest checking it out in the three month free trial period. It has the potential to replace the big players in the streaming game, but will have to continue to work on its accessibility and ease of use to really make its mark. We'd also suggest first checking it out on your handheld devices.

It's much easier to get into and you won't be left banging your head against your desk, willing something to work or happen.

Apple Music is available now.

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2015, file photo, reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler, right, crowns the new Miss Universe, Paulina Vega of Colombia, left, during the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Sunday. Vega said on Thursday, July 2, 2015, that Donald Trump's recent comments against Mexican immigrants where hurtful and unfair, but she added that if the Miss Universe organization had any anti-latino or racist sentiments, she would not be in the position she is today. (AP Photo)

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he reigning Miss Universe has refused to relinquish her crown despite a tide of condemnation following pageant owner Donald Trump's remarks on Mexican immigrants.

Paulina Vega on Monday said she would continue doing the organization's social work and dismissed Trump's accusation that she is a hypocrite for condemning his recent comments but declining to step down as Miss Universe.

"The fact that I am not giving up my crown doesn't mean that I am changing my stance about everything I said," the Colombian beauty said in her native country during an interview with radio station La W. "It doesn't make any sense that Donald Trump calls me a hypocrite because I'm not giv-

ing up my crown."

In his June presidential campaign announcement, Trump said that some Mexican immigrants to the U.S. bring drugs and crime, and some are rapists.

On Sunday, a few days after Vega called his remarks "unjust and hurtful," Trump tweeted: "Miss Universe, Paulina Vega, criticized me for telling the truth about illegal immigration, but then said she would keep the crown — Hypocrite."

"As a Colombian and as Miss Universe, I want to show my support and validate the sentiments of the Latin community," Vega had said on her Instagram account last week.

Vega, 22, won the 2014 Miss Universe pageant last January in Miami.

Pressure on her to quit has increased over the past

several days, with Colombia retiring its bid to host the event and Mexico announcing that it won't be sending any candidate to the competition.

Univision also cut its ties with Trump and all of his enterprises, and Colombian superstar Shakira, in reference to the tycoon's comments, tweeted that "no one living in this century should stand behind so much ignorance."

Vega, born in Barranquilla, stressed to the radio station that the Miss Universe pageant existed long before Trump acquired it and that "it will continue to exist if he stops being its owner someday."

"I have kept doing my job as Miss Universe all these days. The work continues as always despite all this craziness going on," she said.

Shahid-Mira now man and wife

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dAnces into Rs. 1 billion club

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arun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor’s dance film ABCD 2 has made Rs1.019 billion (Dh59 million) in its third week, say trade experts. With the success of the Remo D’Souza direc-

torial, Dhawan has made his debut in the Rs1 billion (Rs100 crore) club. ABCD 2 is the second Bollywood film in 2015 to cross the Rs1 billion mark after Kangana Ranaut’s Tanu Weds Manu Returns. “With #ABCD2,

Varun Dhawan as well as director Remo D’Souza will march into Rs.100 crore club. Shraddha Kapoor’s 2nd film to cross Rs.100 crore,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh posted on Twitter. The sequel of the 2013

film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance has had the highest opening day and opening weekend collection in the year so far. Kapoor’s film Ek Villain was her first Rs1 billion-plus film.

Meghan Trainor Delays More Shows due to Vocal Cord Hemorrhage

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eghan Trainor has canceled more dates on her "MTrainTour" as she still deals with hemorrhage on her vocal cords. The singer announced in an Instagram post shared on Monday, July 6 that she would reschedule two shows originally scheduled to take place in Detroit and Chicago later this week. She additionally had to scrap an appearance at Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing, Mich.

In the same post, which came along with a black-and-white video of her seeing her doctor in New York City, Trainor also gave fans an update on her condition. "But there is good news!! I'm feeling much better," she wrote.

"Thank you Dr. Kessler for seeing me immediately and being so helpful and thank you guys for all the edits/get well posts you made.

You made me feel a lot better about this crappy situation. I love you all so much!!" she added and ended her post with new dates for the postponed shows.

Trainor was previously forced to cancel the Atlantic City and Connecticut shows which were supposed to be held last weekend. "Right now the doctors want me on complete vocal rest until they are healed," she said in a statement last week. "I have never missed a tour date before so this is killing me."

Rescheduled Dates: 9/7: Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena 9/9: Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom 9/11: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore 9/13: Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Festival Park

t's official! The wedding ceremony of Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput has concluded. The two tied the knot in a bungalow in Rajokri amidst very close family members. According to sources, there were just 30-40 people who were a part of the wedding. It was pretty much the same guest list that was part of the sangeet last night. Shahid, after the sangeet ceremony at Chattarpur farms didn't go back to the hotel. He went straight to his bungalow at Rajokri and stayed there all night. Most of the fam-

ily members reached the venue at around 9 am this morning. The rituals started sharp at 11 am, which was the mahurat time, and got over by 12.30 pm.

As we report this, Shahid and Mira are taking blessings from the seniors in the family. It is reliably learnt that Shahid-Mira will now head straight to Trident hotel and may give a photo opportunity. A huge reception is planned tonight at Trident where more than 500 guests are expected to come and congratulate the newly weds.

INVITATION

The Nagaland Finance & Accounts Service Association will hold its 14th General Conference at 10.a.m on the 10th July, 2015 at the Conference Hall, Directorate of Treasuries & Accounts, Kohima.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri. T.R. Zeliang has kindly consented to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Dr. T.M. Lotha, Adviser, Treasuries & Accounts, Relief and Rehabilitation and Mr. Temjen Toy IAS, Principal Secretary and Finance Commissioner will also grace the occasion as Guest of Honours.

All the members of Nagaland Finance & Accounts Service Association are requested to attend the conference without fail.

(VECHISO CHAKHESANG) General Secretary

Mayweather Jr. stripped of title he won in Pacquiao fight

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LAS VEGAS, JULY 7 (REUTERS): Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been stripped of the welterweight world title he won after beating Filipino Manny Pacquiao this year for failing to comply with rules, the World Boxing Organization said on Monday.

Mayweather, who improved to 48-0 by beating Pacquiao in May, missed a deadline by which he had to pay a $200,000 sanctioning fee from the fight and vacate the junior middleweight title he also held, the

WBO said in a statement.

The WBO said it is against rules for boxers to hold world titles in multiple weight classes and that Mayweather had to indicate which weight division he would retain.

Mayweather, who finished ahead on all three scorecards of what proved to be the top-grossing prize fight of all-time, had until 4:30 p.m. ET (2030 GMT) last Friday to advise the WBO of his position.

"The WBO World Championship Commit-

TRANSFER TALK

tee is allowed no other alternative but to cease to recognise Mr. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as the WBO Welterweight Champion of the World and vacate his title, for failing to comply with our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests," the WBO said in a statement.

Mayweather, who earned over $200 million from the fight which generated a record pay-per-view revenue in the United States of $400 million, has two weeks to launch an appeal.

Djokovic beats Anderson to reach Wimbledon quarters

LONDON, JULY 7 (AP): Novak Djokovic survived a one-set shootout with bigserving Kevin Anderson on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals and keep up his bid for a third Wimbledon title.

The top-ranked Djokovic beat the 14thseeded South African 7-5 in the fifth set on Court 1 to complete a match that had been suspended by darkness at two sets apiece.

It took 45 minutes of play Tuesday for Djokovic to advance to his 25th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 6-7 (6), 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

He will next face Croatia's Marin Cilic, a player he has beaten in all 12 of their previous matches.

"I was two sets down.

To come back and win in five definitely gives me great satisfaction and confidence for the next challenge," Djokovic said. "It was frustrating at times, especially today, but I managed to go through, and that's what matters."

Djokovic struggled throughout the match in trying to tame the 6-foot-8 (2.03-meter) Anderson's

huge serve, but broke him to go up 6-5 in the fifth set to set up his victory.

"Kevin served exceptionally well," Djokovic said. "I find that this was one of the most difficult matches I've played at Wimbledon, maybe in my career. At times, I was really helpless with my return."

Anderson finished with 40 aces, including three in the first game of the fifth set and eight overall in the decider. But it was two consecutive double-faults by Anderson that proved crucial, leaving him 15-40 down in the 11th game. Djokovic took advantage on the first break point, hitting a forehand return that dropped sharply at Anderson's feet and forced an error.

Djokovic served out the match in the next game, helped by two return errors from Anderson.

With the loss, Anderson became the first player in the Open era to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam seven times without ever advancing to the quarterfinals. Djokovic's win completed the men's quarterfinal lineup.

In the other matches

Australia go into Ashes in a groove, England not so much

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning the singles match against Kevin Anderson of South Africa, at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Tuesday July 7. (AP Photo)

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Wednesday, seven-time champion Roger Federer will play No. 12 Gilles Simon, 2013 champion Andy Murray will face Vasek Pospisil, and French Open winner Stan Wawrinka will be up against No. 21 Rich-

ard Gasquet.

The women's quarterfinals were being played Tuesday, with 2004 champion Maria Sharapova up first on Centre Court against CoCo Vandegweghe, to be followed by five-

time champion Serena Williams against Victoria Azarenka. In the other two matches on Court 1, Garbine Muguruza played Timea Bacsinszky, and Agnieszka Radwanska faced Madison Keys.

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Barca strike agreement with Atlético for Arda Turan

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FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Arda Turan. FC Barcelona reserve the right to re-sell the player to Atlético until 20 July.

Source: AP

Foster Niumata

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Associated Press

Dzeko agrees Roma switch

Edin Dzeko has agreed a four-year contract worth €4.5 million per season with Roma but the Serie A club have not yet met Manchester City’s €25 million valuation.

Source: Calciomercato.com

Alderweireld passes Spurs medical Toby Alderweireld has passed a medical at Tottenham and is set to complete a £11.5m move imminently. The defender has agreed a five-year deal.

Source: Evening Standard

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Arteta bags new Arsenal deal

Mikel Arteta has finally signed a new oneyear contract at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger now unlikely to delve into the transfer market to recruit a new defensive midfielder. The French coach is happy with his options in central midfield.

Source: Daily Mirror

he biggest question for many going into the Ashes is: How soon will Australia win the series? The third test at Edgbaston? The fourth at Trent Bridge? Naturally, the Australians don't care if it takes until the last scheduled ball on the last day of the last test at The Oval in late August, as long as the urn is theirs. But the odds are it will be theirs long before then.

There are no glaring weaknesses in their team heading into the series opener at Cardiff on Wednesday. The batsmen plundered runs in the two warmup games, and the seamers took wickets. Offspinner Nathan Lyon toiled but captain Michael Clarke put it down to benign pitches.

They also appeared to resolve the two most competitive places: Shaun Marsh and his little brother Mitch could make their Ashes debuts together, as opener and allrounder respectively. Shaun opened both tests with David Warner in the West Indies last month after Chris Rogers was concussed in training. After a fluent century by Shaun in the first warmup game in England, Australia gave Rogers more chances to shine, and he produced one half-century in four innings.

Mitch appeared to do enough in the warmups to usurp Shane Watson for the allrounder's No. 6 spot in the lineup, as Mitch outscored Watson, and was expensive bowling his medium-pace but took wickets, whereas Watson claimed none.

The rest of the bowling spoke for itself: Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Lyon and Jason Hazlewood, man of the series against the West Indies.

The sudden, enforced retirement of fast bowler Ryan Harris, who rehabbed his dicky right knee for months only to break his tibia after 30 overs in the first warmup game, could be felt by Australia later in the series. He was replaced by Pat Cummins, restricted by a bad back to limited-overs cricket for two years.

For now, the squad that was tagged "Dad's Army" by Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler and England coach candidate, for featuring nine 30-year-olds, was in a groove.

Unlike last month's visitor, New Zealand, half of whom came straight into that too-brief test series from the IPL, the Australians won't

start underdone. They beat the West Indies in three days and four days respectively, and ticked the boxes in the warmup games.

Unlike New Zealand, too, the Australians will not play nice.

The English embraced the aggressive-butmagnanimous Kiwis in a tour they will long remember, and fast bowler James Anderson was one who said England was willing to continue in that spirit. But the Australians have made it clear normal service will resume: They will be ruthless, and they will sledge.

"I don't think anything is going to change," said Mitchell Johnson, who took 37 wickets in the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash in Australia. "He (Anderson) is just trying to get it out there to make himself look better."

Anderson failed to make any impact against New Zealand, but England remained over-reliant on its all-time leading test wickettaker. Stuart Broad also bowled too short, Mark Wood's slingshot was still in the promising stage, as was allrounder Ben Stokes as a bowler. England is persisting with the same team which drew the series with New Zealand. Gary Ballance and Ian Bell, both of whom couldn't buy a run, will remain at No. 3 and No. 4, followed by the in-form Joe Root.

Moeen Ali was also confirmed by new coach Trevor Bayliss as the first-choice spinner, even though he has lacked control and confidence since a side strain at the Cricket World Cup. He's played two county games lately for combined figures of 1-137 off 45 overs.

Meanwhile, legspinner Adil Rashid debuted in the one-day international series and was a revelation, taking eight wickets, and prompting observers to say he should make his test debut on Wednesday. But Bayliss, also enraptured of Rashid, who can move the ball both ways, said: "At some stage during this series I'd see him playing a part."

Ali or Rashid will still have to be used right.

Alastair Cook's bowling strategy against New Zealand was criticized, and while his place as an opener was set in concrete, his conservative captaincy was considered a weakness by the Australians, especially after Eoin Morgan's assured touch in the ODI series with the Kiwis.

"I'm not sure if that's exactly in Alastair Cook's DNA to be really able to put a game on the line," Shane Watson wondered. Cook, the rest of the slips cordon, and even wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, were also a concern for dropping a ton of chances this year. Will they drop an Ashes series at home, too, for the first time in 14 years?

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