June 10th, 2016

C M Y K

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • june 10 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 158 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

We must seek the loving-kindness of God in all the breadth and open-air of common life 117 guides & scouts honoured with Rajya Puraskar Award 2016

Israel suspends 83,000 Palestinian entry permits after Tel Aviv attack PAGe 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

T R u T H

— George A. Smith

Philippe Coutinho leads Brazil rout as Ecuador thwart Peru at Copa America

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

Modi a ‘game changer’ for ne: nagaland cM

Morung Express News Dimapur | June 9

region is not that large as compared to the mainland, it would be possible for the NDA government to tackle the problem effectively even within a time frame of three years or so.

“An era appears to be dawning under the NDA Government, where the problem of mainstreaming the NE Region with the mainland is slowly disappearing, and political and sentimental intergration appears to be firming up”, he stated.

On the electoral front, Zeliang said BJP and NDA allies in the North East region need to work out a strategy of cooperation and adjustments through the newly formed North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) platform to ensure that all the NE states are ruled by allies of the NEDA before the next Lok Sabha election slated for 2019.

The Chief Minister also reminded that the NDA Government had introduced a number of pathbreaking reforms and schemes like Make in India, Skill India, Stand up India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat and Dhan Yojna,

Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today said the people of the North East are already looking up to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as the “game changer” as far as development of the region and emotional integration of the people with the mainland are concerned.

Err...just say ‘hello’ and “It is under his (Modi) sit down. They know your direction that central leadspeech by heart. ers and officials have been regularly visiting Northeast region during the last two years. We are proud to have a prime minister who is convinced that all the Morung Express News States of the Union should be equally developed and Dimapur | June 9 we are confident that his viAn unidentified man sion will materialize sooner was seriously wound- than later”, the Chief Minised in an accident at the ter said in his address at the Dimapur railway sta- second anniversary of the tion on June 9. The acci- NDA Government today at dent occurred at the rail Agri Expo Dimapur. tracks below the New Expressing optimism Flyover at around 5:00 that the NE would see a pm. According to the po- drastic change under Molice, the man was found di’s leadership, Zeliang said with one arm severed even in the area of employand with trauma on the ment, since the number of forehead. Believed to be unemployed youth in NE a non-Naga, the police said that the unidentified man was admitted to the district hospital in an unconscious state.

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): ACAUT Nagaland on Thursday claimed it has evidence that the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kiphire, has deducted and collected approximately Rs 15 lakhs from its employee salaries to Morung Express News be distributed equally to 4 (four) Naga Dimapur | June 9 Political Groups (NPGs).

The corruption watchdog, in a press Four juveniles were ar- statement through its media cell, also rested by the police in alleged that every government departconnection to the assault ment in Kiphire district, as per the ongoon the pastor of Rong- ing practice, is going to hand over their mei Baptist Church, K. 24% deducted money to the four NPGs Sachu colony, Dimapur through the “good office of a certain traon June 3. According to ditional body of the district.” the police, the four were “It is unbelievable that such a rearrested on June 8 in Di- spected body would be party to what is mapur. At least five were essentially an extortion racket and the suspected to have been ACAUT Nagaland totally condemns the involved in the incident, unholy alliance,” the press statement, the police said, adding without naming the organization, said.

In this connection, ACAUT Nagathey were on the lookout for the 5th, also suspect- land has requested the DC, Kiphire to take cognizance and dismantle the ed to be a juvenile. extortion racket being carried out for whatever ill-justified reasons.

While recalling the public declaration made by ACAUT to all departments

One injured at railway tracks

o F

Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang at the second anniversary celebration of the NDA Government at Agri Expo Dimapur on June 9. Photo by Caisii Mao

during the last two years to revive the country’s stagnant economy, and to take development process on the fast-track.

“All these have dispelled the atmosphere of pessimism that had pervaded the nation during the last 10 years of UPA rule, and replaced them with hope and optimism. I think this positive change in mood and mind-set of the people itself is a big achievement”, he added.

Gehlot assures Nagaland will progress ‘very fast’

Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot today said the country under the BJP-led NDA government was emerging as a major economic power. He assured that under the Modi Government, Nagaland state would progress very fast on all fronts.

The Union Minister

said under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, India’s GDP registered a positive growth from 4.4% to 7.9% in the last two years.

Addressing the second anniversary of NDA government held at Agri Expo site, jointly organized by the BJP-NPF led DAN alliance, the Union minister said even during the previous NDA rule under then Prime Minsiter, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NDA Gov-

ernment managed to salvage the tattered economy left behind by the Congress.

Gehlot reminded that when Vajpayee took over the reins at the centre, the financial condition of the country was in bad shape with the GDP below 4%. However, in the next 6 years of NDA Government, the GDP rose raised to 8.4%.

But after Vajpayee’s exit and followed by ten years of Congress rule, the country’s GDP again plummeted to 4.4%, he said.

Gehlot lamented that though the then Congressled UPA government had “three best economists”, the GDP went down drastically due to the party’s inclination for corruption and also alleged that corruption was highest during the UPA-I & UPA-II governments.

Gehlot said it was during Vajpayee’s time that a separate ministry was created for the North East States for development and now Narendra Modi as Prime Minister is continuing the development works in the North East.

He claimed that during the two years of NDA government, people have seen

how the government has performed and now they have full trust and faith in this government.

The Union Minister pointed to how after achieving majority in the last Lok Sabha polls, the BJP forged alliance with other parties and continued to run the government at the Centre, adding, in Nagaland the BJP-NPF alliance will also go on for development of the state. Claiming that Modi had given a corruption-free government in the last two years, Gehlot said nobody can question the government on corruption.

On the occasion, the Union Minister also highlighted the various achievements of the BJPled NDA Government and pro-people schemes launched during the last two years.

Earlier, Nagaland Minister for Trasport, Civil Aviation and IT, Paiwang Konyak delivered the welcome address and Minister for PWD (R&B), Vikheho Swu, proposed the vote of thanks.

Nagaland State BPJ President, Visasolie Lhoungu, chaired the programme.

CMO Kiphire deducted 15 lakhs for four NPGs: ACAUT Naga Hoho opposes transfer of

4 juveniles arrested in pastor assault case

Ward in Tuensang reeling under darkness

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Chang Union and the Chang Students Union, 13th Saksi NAP Sector Tuensang have appealed to the Power Department for early installation of new 33 KV transformer, as the old transformer has been grounded since March 19. A press note from the unions stated that the public of 13th Ward have been suffering due to power failure for almost three months now and “it is totally unacceptable to endure such a long period without electricity.” It further pointed to “lapses and inefficiency on the part of Power Department, Tuensang in installing the new transformer, which otherwise should not take this long.” “Till date, the public of 13th Ward are reeling under darkness while the other Wards/ Sectors under Tuensang Town remain unaffected,” it informed. It demanded that the Chief Engineer, Power department consider their appeal on top priority “before the public runs out of patient.”

ACAUT Wokha says Yikhum village will not oblige to summon

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): An emergency meeting was held between ACAUT Wokha Unit and Yikhum village GBs and VDB members on Thursday to deliberate on the issue of a summon made upon the Yikhum village leaders by one major of NSCN (IM), who is also the town commander cum ZCO Wokha, through telephonic conversation.

Informing this, ACAUT media cell in a press statement said the house during the meeting observed that NSCN (IM) major had summoned the Yikhum village GBs and VDB members at the Thungbo brigade Totsu without any clear reason or any written letter.

After deliberation, the house de-

cided that the Yikhum village leaders would not go to the place where they have been summoned, as there was no detailed reason given.

The ACAUT Wokha unit has also called for a meeting of all the Lotha frontal organizations, GBs (village & towns), Wokha district VBD Association and VDBs from all the blocks on June 11 at 10 am at the Lotha Tribal Council Hall to reaffirm on the Naga public resolution of “One Government One taxation.” Further, it also impressed upon all the Head of Departments to submit to the office of the ACAUT Wokha unit attheearliesttimepossiblethedemandletters served to them by any of the individuals or Naga Political Groups.

to return whatever deducted amount within 1 week, ie, on or before June 13, it requested the CMO of Kiphire to do the same or an FIR would be filed.

On the issue of “24% extortion and demands by NPGs,” the ACAUT Nagaland asserted that most of the district administrative officers have lost their courage, thereby exposing almost

1,00,000 lower-cadre government employees to anti-people elements and vested interest NGOs. “This probably explains why the Mokokchung police and the district administration still haven’t arrested the so-called town commander of the NSCN (IM) even after a week of FIR being filed,” it maintained.

Rs 86, 75, 17,000 withdrawn from Calamity Relief Fund during 2011-2016 DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority under the Home Department from financial year of 2011-12 to 201516, withdrew a staggering amount of 86, 75, 17,000 (Eighty-six crore seventy-five lakh and seventeen thousand) from the Calamity Relief Fund through sixteen different drawal orders.

This information was contained in the response from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under Home Department to an RTI filed by a section of public leaders and social activist.

A press release providing details of the RTI from the petitioners namely Aheto V Yeputhomi, Hukavi T Yeputhomi, Kitoho S Rotokha, l Khevishe Achumi and S Zhevihe Sumi was furnished to the media on Thursday.

According to the petitioners, the department did not specify on the reason for the withdrawal of the quoted amount.

“To most public, this information of drawal authority under different categories of the natural calamities and relief fund provided to Home Department need to be revealed,” the petitioners stated.

It therefore questioned, “How such huge amount was utilized for what purposes in what manner and through which agencies or

authorities” and sought details on the “individual beneficiaries under NSDMA and in what manner they were assisted through whose authority.”

Further, the NSDMA in their response highlighted that Nagaland received Rs 19, 41, 00, 000 (Nineteen crore and forty one lakh) from the financial year 2010-11 to 201415 as grant in aid under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

Out of this amount, Rs 12, 99, 00,401 (Twelve crore, ninety-nine lakh and four hundred one) had been distributed to 11 district, the beneficiaries totaling to 15,288 (fifteen thousand two hundred eighty eight) persons for various natural calamities such as - fire, landslide, storm, etc.

The SDMA had also contributed Rs 10, 00,000 (Ten lakh) to Uttarkhand on June 24, 2013 and had spend Rs 69, 15,430 (Sixtynine lakh, fifteen thousand four hundred and thirty) to unspecified individuals.

Accordingly, an amount of Rs 6, 41, 99,599 (Six crore, forty-one lakh, ninety nine thousand, five hundred and ninety nine) is still to be utilized, the RTI response stated.

On this, the petitioners also sought answer as to how the Government and the concerned authorities envisages on utilizing the available resources at hand.

land ownership to non–Nagas

DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has expressed concern that non-Nagas are acquiring land ownership in Nagaland through various means particularly through financial institutions.

“It is seen that indigenous Naga bank loan defaulters landed properties are being transferred to non–Nagas either through auction or otherwise...this is blatant violation of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution including the Nagaland Government Land and Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act 1978, Section 2 (2),” a press statement from Naga Hoho vice president HK Zhimoni stated on Thursday.

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law, usage, contract or agreement, no person (other than the Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland) shall acquire or posses by transfer, exchange, lease, agreement of settlement of any land,” the Hoho while opposing the act maintained.

It has therefore cautioned all national banks, financial institutions,

private lenders and commoners not to indulge in selling and auction of land to non-Nagas in the State of Nagaland, which it feared, will have fatal ramification for the Nagas.

On the other hand, the Hoho sought to explain that this does not mean it was protecting the defaulters in various financial institutions but is being “constrained to issue this statement following the decision of the Executive council in order to safeguard the rights of the Nagas.” The Hoho also said it will not be responsible for any forthcoming trouble in near future for “those non Nagas who have already acquired land in Nagaland after December 1, 1963 onward which is in violation of customary and statutory provisions.”

It also appealed to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly/State Government to ensure and exercise their powers based on Article 371 (A) concerning land with prudence and inform to all land registering authorities to strictly act according to the land Rules and Acts.

there is more than the ‘devil’ in the ‘worship’ PART II

Morung Express News Dimapur | June 9

There is more to it than the brew of black magic, pentagram rituals, bloodletting sacrifices and supernatural elements damning the so-called ‘Satan’ worshippers in Nagaland.

In the midst of holding ‘Satan’ primarily responsible for all the woes, other underlying and equally vital factors like issues of the family, society, peer pressure, social media, obsession, addiction, mental health etc are being overlooked.

The Longjang village pastor disclosed this telling information. Many of the socalled ‘Satan’ worshippers counseled at the Kotak prayer center came from poor or broken family. In addition, most of them were enticed into it for want of a reward as per their confession, he claimed.

Cases of teens obsessed with online gaming and assumed to have links with Satan worship and sent off to prayer centers by parents are nothing new. ‘Prayer warriors’ also reported how, youths with history of substance abuse, turn into ‘Satan’ worshipping.

A teen from Dimapur, for instance, confessed how he was ‘initiated’ into a cult of satanic worship through inhaling of the dendrite adhesive. This adhesive is sniffed/inhaled for their mind-altering or behavioral effects.

More to the point, counselor at Chathe prayer centre quoting confession of ‘Satan’ worshippers pointed out how the troubled teens were reportedly enticed into the

group with promise that “they would get anything that they want,” so long as they obeyed the biding of the devil and performed rituals.

Dr P Ngullie, a psychiatrist practicing in Kohima feels that there is more to it than the devil and such cases of ‘Satan’ worship among teens should be approached through holistic ways.

“To deal with such issues, we need a multi-pronged approach: spiritual, medical, psychological as well as social,” Dr Ngullie said.

The psychiatrist said there are also chances that these teens are vulnerable to mental health problem. Instead of giving time to the child, many parents practice the ‘short cut’ of sending them off to prayer centers, he said.

Dr Ngullie also observed that the church, rather than announcing about such issues in the congregation, should delve into the roots on the how and why’s, about the family dynamics and other societal issues with an open mind and without any kind of judgmental attitude.

Viewing from another angle, the psychiatrist, while keeping in mind the rebelliousness and vulnerability of teenagers to different experiments, opined on the possibility of young people being exploited by people in authority for different motives.

The society and family need to truly open up to them and find answers as to what makes them do what they are doing“Is society failing to cater to their needs?

Do they feel that believing or worshipping a different element (‘Satan’ here for instance) gives them more spiritual power?”

Need to understand the culture of young people: NBCC Gen Secy “I cannot say it is not there. It must be there if people are talking about,” Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho responded when asked to comment on the emergence of ‘Satan’ worship particularly among the teens.

Dr Keyho, however, chose to term the situation faced by the young people as a pattern of worship not aligned to Christian worship. “An alternate form of worship, which is wrong…some that counters with Christian life style, and way of worship is visible,” the NBCC general secretary stated. He also noted that this alternate form of worship, practiced by some youth is not an organized group.

“It’s not an organized group that people have seen or heard, or else it will become apparent,” Dr Keyho pointed out.

In a situation such as this, the NBCC general secretary said it was important to understand that the culture of the present young people is very different from what it was before. In music, gadget, lifestyle, the earlier generation have not faced what the young people today are going through.

He said the church has a greater role to play. “Church needs to gear up her ministry for the young people and not just remain confined to graduating children from Sunday schools,” he stated.

Dr Keyho also said there is need to stop the tendency of putting every problem, troubles to prayer centers. “I am not saying prayer centers are bad. Prayer center is good but what we need more right now is good parenting and good counseling center,” he stated.

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FriDAY 10•06•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

117 guides & scouts honoured with Rajya Puraskar Award 2016 Our Correspondent Kohima | June 9

Officials during the destruction of IMFL and ganja on June 9 at KMC Dumping site, Kohima.

As per direction from the District and Sessions Judge, Kohima, destruction/pre-trial destruction of illegal IMFL, Spasmoproxyvon and ganja was conducted in the presence of Tukuno Vamuzo, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Alezo Kire, Government Pleader, Vikyato, APP, Medothi PSI, Visetuo DB, Lhaliezhii DB and other personnel.

World Day against Child Labour

Dimapur, June 9 (mexn): The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU, Dimapur) in collaboration with the Nagaland Affiance for Children and Women Rights (NACWR) will commemorate the World Day against Child Labour on the theme ‘End Child Labour in Supply Chains’ on June 11 (Saturday), 10:00 a.m. at Elim Hall, DABA, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur. The World Day Against Child Labour falls on June 12, but the organiz-

ers have decided to commemorate it on June 11.

The penal speakers are Dr Temsula Ao, chairperson, Nagaland State Women’s Commission; Khekiye Sema, IAS Retd; Shikyo Zalipu, general secretary, GB Federation; and Rev Dr Wati Aier, principal, OTS. Ivitoli Swu, child right movement will be the child speaker while Love care Home, Darogapathar will present a special presentation. Others participants are Hukheli Wotsa, presi-

dent, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur; Dr. KPA Iiyas, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-II Dimapur; Esther Aye, panel lawyer, legal advisor NACWR; and Dr Aküm Longchari, Editor, The Morung Express.

This will be followed by discussion hour with concluding remarks by K Ela, advisor, NACWR and closing prayer by Fr Chacko Karinthayil, Rector Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur.

Altogether, 117 guides and scouts from Nagaland state have been honoured with Rajya Puraskar Award at the award ceremony of the Nagaland State Bharat Scouts & Guides (NSBSG) held here at Raj Bhavan.

Rajya Puraskar Award is also known as Governor’s Award which is the highest honour at the state level given to the scouts and guides in recognition of their sincere service to the mankind through this Bharat Scouts and Guides movements worldwide.

Nagaland’s governor P.B Acharya, who is also the chief patron of NSBSG gave away award 2016 to 56 Scouts and 61 Guides.

The awardees are from the districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur and Kiphire.

Acharya congratulated to all the awardees for having achieved the highest honour at the state level and hoped that their contribution in uplifting the society will not go unheard and definitely be rewarded.

He also expressed happiness that 12 Guide captains and 3 scouts’ masters

Special MBBS counselling AOs told to be actively seminar held in Dimapur involved in Mission Indradhanush

Nagaland’s governor PB Acharya and others with the awardees on Kohima on June 9. (Morung Photo)

from state have qualified for the highest training of a scout Master & Guides Captain, the Himalaya Woodbadge in 2015.

“This shows that leaders are trained qualitatively which in turn will positively affect the Scouts & Guides at the schools,” he said.

He also expressed happiness over Nagaland State Bharat Scouts & Guides for its emphasis on training for developing leadership qualities, especially among the young and the youth on various activities such as Swachh Bharat training of adult under state, regional and national programmes, youth development programmes.

“These single subjects for development of leadership qualities at a very young age can help transform lives of individuals as well as change our society,” he said and described it as “most laudable aspect of scouts and guides.”

Governor said the guiding motto of Bharat scouts and guides, ”Duty to God, Duty to others and Duty to self,” can help establish a more dynamic society in Nagaland as “today we require leadership of the youth in Nagaland.”

He said the young leaders who are capable of looking into the future because what’s going to hap-

pen 20 to 25 years from now is much more important for our children, our sons and daughters.

In this, he encouraged the NSBSG, being a highly motivated and well-organized body of the dedicated youth and experienced leadership with its strength that is non-political, to take its activities to the remote and far flung areas of the State to bring maximum possible number of youths under its ambit.

Acharya reminded of the great saying “The service to man is Service to God’’ and it never fails and this should be the guiding principle for everyone

Governor also thanked each and every member of the Bharat Scouts & Guides for their selfless service to the state and the country in general.

Youth Resources & Sports, Director Asangla Imti and rural development officer Thease Thongstar were inducted as a Life Member of NSBSG. The function was chaired by Khyomo Lotha, Ex-MP and state chief commissioner NSBSG while welcome address was delivered by R. Apollos, Headquarter Commissioner (Scouts), NSBSG. The NSBSG will be celebrating its golden jubilee by 2017.

MGHSS avails mid-day meal scheme

mokokchung, June 9 (Dipr): Mid- day meal scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) launched by the Government of India on August 15, 1995. Under this scheme the students of Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School (MGHSS) Mokokchung consist of class 7 and 8 with an enrolment of 110 students are benefitted in this academic session. The school is receiving enough food grains and cooking cost and other requirements as per the laid down rules given by the department.

For effective implementation of MDM scheme the school authority formulated the action plan by nominating two teachers to look after the effective implementation

Dimapur, June 9 (mexn): Special MBBS counselling seminar was held on June 8 at Don Bosco Leadership and Development. It was organized

by Educational Hub Centre Dimapur. The programme was organized for those who are seeking admission in MBBS/MD at abroad.

Educational Hub Centre Dimapur, Director, K. Sumi informed in a press release that resource person was Pravesh Bhadviya, Director at IIRMA Education Consultancy PVT LTD & Ed Value chain solutions Pvt Ltd. Gujurat, India. He said MBBS/MD Admis-

sions at abroad are available but the parents must carefully study the universities before admitting their ward.

IIRMA Education Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Gujarat, India is the principal education associate (partner) of well recogized University like De La Salle Health Science Institute; University of CEBU; CEBU Doctors’ University; Lyceum of Philippine University; Manila Central University; AMA School of Medicine; University of Perpetual of System Delta (UPHS).

Some of these Universities are in Top 20 Medical College in Asia.

World class medical education through IIRMA is an ideal option for Northeastern students to pursue medical education. Presently thousands of students are studying in Philippines through IIRMA Education, including some from East India. All universities are listed with MCI (Medical Council of India) and WHO (World Health Organization). IIRMA invited parents to personally visit the university with their child and experience the service provided by IIRMA education.

Visit the website for more detail. WWW.iirma.org.

Free Medical Camp at Jalukie Kam on June 11

Authorized dealership of JCB-Nagaland Mokokchung all set to be Earthmovers open in Kohima ‘open defecation-free’ by 2017

Pravesh Bhadviya, Director at IIRMA Education Consultancy speaks at the Special MBBS counselling seminar held on June 8 at Don Bosco Leadership and Development.

Dimapur, June 9 (mexn): Indian Red Cross Society, Dimapur District Branch is organizing a massive free medical camp at Jalukie Kam on June 11 where it is expected that villagers from 30 nearby villages would be benefitted.

Camp will start at 9:00 am.

The team will comprise of Gynecologist, Dermatologist, Dentist, Ophthalmologist, Orthopedic, Gastroenterologist, Pediatric, and ENT specialist, General Physician, Homeopathy and Pathologist.

IRCS, Dimapur District Branch Honorary Secretary KK Paul request all the community leaders, Patrons. vice-patrons, managing committee members, life members and junior Red Cross members to assemble at NIIT Dimapur Center, Jain Temple Road at 6:30 am on June 11 to proceed together. Doctors and sympathizers may contact Chairman Kuldeep Jain Ph: 9436111111 for humanitarian services or any further information.

Dimapur, June 9 (mexn): The District Task Force held a meeting on Mission Indradhanush (MI) 3rd Round on June 6 at DC’s conference hall.

The meeting was held to review the performance of the previous two rounds of Mission Indradhanush and sensitize the members on the action plan to be carried out during the third round of the Mission.

Kesonyu Yhome, IAS, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman DTFI directed the Administrative Officers (AOs) to be actively involved and mobilize the beneficiaries through the local authorities in their respective jurisdictions. He also reminded the Social Welfare Department to continue involving the AWWs actively during the MI. Dr. Lanuakum, DPO, UIP-RCH presented a comparative study of the first two rounds of immunization coverage during Mission Indradhanush in Dimapur district.

He informed the members on the improvement achieved during the 2nd Round of MI. He lauded the Social Welfare Department for the active involvement of AWWs to mobilize the beneficiaries and thanked the Administration for activating the wards and colony councils of identified MI areas to take measures and support the Health Department to improve the immunization status in their respective jurisdictions.

Dr. Lanuakum also highlighted the measures taken by the Health Department to improve the coverage during MI. The meeting was attended by the stakeholders of the various departments - Administration, Social Welfare, Education, Medical and also all the Administrative Head of all the Blocks under Dimapur district.

Students of Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School relishes midday meal during school hour on June 9. (DIPR Photo)

of the scheme, besides a cook School authority said that food under MDM, a centrally sponis appointed for this purpose. grains are received regularly sored scheme.

Nurses trained on district mental health

mokokchung, June 9 (mexn): One day training for nurses on district mental health programme was held at IDSP Conference hall, IMDH Mokokchung on June 9.

Dr Medem Medical Superintendent IMDH, Mokokchung gave the welcome speech where he thanked all the Nurses and the participants for attending the training. He challenged the participants to take this training as a privilege and learning and to

take maximum advantage of the training.

Dr Kibangkumba Dy. CMO, Mokokchung also gave a short speech on exhortation. He said that we need to learn from birth to death and the more you learn the more you gain. Mental health is very important and it is also a big problem because people were not aware of it earlier. He also challenged the participants for maximum learning in this one day training.

Our Correspondent Kohima | June 9

Nagaland Earthmovers an authorized dealership of JCB under the aegis Nagaland JCB, Chabou & Co. was formally opened here today along Nagaland civil secretariat road.

Nagaland Earthmovers will deal in machines sales, spares and service.

Exhorting the gathering, Prof. Tali, retd director school education encouraged the staff of Nagaland Earthmovers to be more skillful in their assignments and deliver good service to the people.

He was appreciative that young people possesses full of potential and asked them to be honest and thoughtful in their dealings. City Church Kohima pastor Kedo Peseyie offered prayers to the Almighty to increase the skills of the staff in their professional and business life.

Neithono Zashiimo, customer relation manager said Nagaland JCB, Chabou & Co Kohima branch was opened in 2011 at Mohonkhola with its head office at Dimapur.

Staff of Nagaland Earthmovers Kohima and others during opening ceremony in Kohima held on June 9. (Morung Photo)

There are more than 400 registered JCB under Kohima and Nagaland Earthmovers will be monitoring daily operations and services required.

Also to foster its service for customer satisfaction, Nagaland Earthmovers be opening a workshop soon, she added.

J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited, universally known as JCB, is a British multinational corporation, with headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, manufacturing equipment for construction, agriculture, waste handling and demolition. It is

the world's third-largest construction equipment manufacturer. It produces over 300 types of machines, including diggers (backhoes), excavators, tractors and diesel engines. It has 22 factories across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America; its products are sold in over 150 countries.

JCB was founded in 1945 by Joseph Cyril Bamford, after whom it is named; it continues to be owned by the Bamford family. In the UK and India, 'JCB' is often used colloquially as a generic description for mechanical diggers and

excavators and now appears in the Oxford English Dictionary, although it is still held as a trademark.

Today, JCB in India is a leading manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment and has five world class manufacturing facilities.

The function was chaired

by Kh. Phoshu, branch manager Nagaland Earthmovers Kohima. Nagaland Earthmovers Kohima has a total strength of 12 staff. Ramen Das, branch manager of HDFC Bank Lt, Kohima Secretariat Branch also present on the occasion.

Dr Temsuyanger DIO (RCH& UIP) & District Nodal officer for Mental Health and the facilitator of the training trained the participants on different mental health programme. He explained about mental illness and its common types like anxiety disorder, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, somatoform disorders, childhood mental disorders, etc. He said mental is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in

mokokchung, June 9 (mexn): Mokokchung district is on course to becoming the first ‘open defecation-free’ district in the state, thanks to the initiative of the District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee (DLVMC) under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). The DLVMC had last month during its meeting on May 12 resolved to make the district ‘open defecation-free’ by 2017.

In pursuit of this goal, DLVMC had a meeting on June 8 chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Sushil Kumar Patel IAS, wherein strategies for achieving and sustaining ‘open defecation-free’ were formalized.

Further, the DLVMC has also embarked on a district-wide campaign on ‘sensitisation on behavioural change towards open defecation-free’ under SBM to be held from June 9 through 11 in all the nine administrative blocks of the district involving stake holders. The sensitisation drive will be held on

thought and/or behaviour, resulting in an inability to cope with lives ordinary demands and routines.

The other facilitator of the programme was Azungla clinical psychologist, Monica Phom psycho social worker and Ajungla Tutor. They were also trained on different mental health problems like psychological care, psycho social care, myths about mental illness and psychiatric nursing care.

June 9 for all the towns and villages under Longchem, Tsurangkong and Mangkolemba blocks, on June 10 for Tuli, Changtongya and Chuchuyimlang blocks, and on June 11 for Kobulong, Ongpangkong (N) and Ongpangkong (S) blocks.

All the village councils chairmen and VDB secretaries, as well as two members each from GBs of each village, church, Watsü units, teachers, respective student bodies, all communitized committees and anganwadi workers have been detailed to attend the sensitization drive on the above said days. The role of the church is considered preeminent in sensitizing the masses on behavioural change towards achieving the open defecation-free tag.

To make Mokokchung district open defecationfree by 2017, the DLVMC aims to sensitize the masses on proper sanitary practices including sanitary toilets for each household

with siphon, covered septic tank, soak pit, water bucket, mug and soap. In the villages, all the schools are expected to maintain separate toilets for boys and girls and all community halls, anganwadi centres and households are expected to maintain proper toilets. All public places in the villages are also expected to have urinal sheds and proper drainages. A set of livestock sanitation guidelines has also been prepared to compliment the open defecation-free campaign.

Further, in order to achieve ODF by 2017, the PHED will conduct a district-wide baseline survey to identify households without sanitary latrines and all such identified households will be provided with plastic squatting plates, CGI sheets, drainage pipes and other necessary items to maintain a proper toilet.

This was stated in a press release issued by SBM Mokokchung district.

FriDAY 10•06•2016 18

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Forum demands PR imposition in Manipur

3

Panic-gripped Imphal queue petrol pumps

Denounces all tribal MLAs, MP from the state Newmai News Network New Delhi | June 9

Tribal organisations in Manipur while demanding the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur have denounced all tribal MLAs and the lone tribal MP (Lok Sabha) for their "silence on such a crucial issue in passing the three anti-tribal bills on August 31, 2015".

In a lengthy memorandum addressed to the President of India which was made available to Newmai News Network this evening, the Outer Manipur Tribals' Forum (OMTF) "on behalf of the tribal people of Manipur" has said that the 20 odd tribal MLAs and the lone tribal MP from Outer Manipur, "in spite of the unrelenting" protests and agitations by the tribal people they represent, "have chosen to remain silent on such a crucial issue in passing the three antitribal bills" on August 31, 2015.

"We, therefore, denounced them as our representatives since they have failed to truly represent the tribal people of Manipur. It is our humble request to you to kindly initiate the process of impeachment for the 20 odd tribal MLAs and the lone tribal MP from Manipur as we no longer accept them as our representatives," the memorandum said.

OMTF is an apex platform of Hmar Inpui, Mizo People Convention, Thadou Inpi, United Naga Council and Zomi Council.

In the strong worded memorandum addressed to Pranab Mukherjee, the tribal organisations said, "With the situation in Manipur deteriorating by the day, the only viable solution now is for the Union Government to interfere directly into the issue by imposi-

tion of President’s Rule in the State and work towards a solution that is sustainable and acceptable to the tribal people of Manipur".

The Outer Manipur Tribals' Forum demanded that the President of India should immediately intervene into the "dubious and questionable actions of the Manipur Government in its handling of the issues" arising out of the passing of the three anti-tribal bills and Resolutions by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015, viz. the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015; the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015; and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.

The memorandum mentioned that Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh had admitted to the 18-member delegation team of the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC) on December 29, 2015 at his office chamber that the three bills are the agenda of CorCom, an umbrella of various Meitei militant groups. "Hence, the State Government is not in a position to convene a Special Assembly Session to discuss the provisions of the bills and the JAC’s Charter of Demands", it added.

The memorandum of the tribal forum also mentioned that The Indian Express had published a picture on its newspaper dated June 2, 2016 of Khomdram Ratan – the key leader of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), the group spearheading the movement in favour of the "three anti-tribal bills" – taking an oath of allegiance with the flag of a banned Meitei insurgent group,

United National Liberation Front (UNLF), with the oath being administered by its Organization Secretary, Nongyai.

The OMTF memorandum further mentioned that the Manipur Police Department subsequently announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakhs to any individual who may provide information leading to the arrest of Khomdram Ratan, and a criminal case was registered at Singjamei Police Station, Imphal West against the JCILPS leader “for being a member of the banned outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF), and for indulging in prejudicial activities against the State, promoting social unrest and enmity among the different groups of people living in Manipur.”

The memorandum stated that the “All Political Party” delegation led by the Chief Minister is in New Delhi to pressurize the Union Government to give President’s assent to the three anti-tribal bills. This is in spite of the Chief Minister himself having admitted that the three bills are CorCom’s agenda and after his own Government putting a ‘wanted’ tag on the key person spearheading the agitation for his links with the proscribed Meitei group.

"These actions of the Manipur Government, its machineries and various other non-State agencies clearly expose the deep-rooted nexus between the outlawed Meitei militant groups, the Manipur Government and the Meitei civil organizations like the JCILPS," it stated.

In addition to the three "antitribal bills", there are three other demands by the "dominant Meitei community" in the pipeline which are perceived by the tribal people

of Manipur as the 4th, 5th and 6th “anti-tribal bills”, the OMTF pointed and stated that the three additional demands have the potential to be more detrimental to the rights of the tribal people, viz., the Manipur Population Commission, the Manipur Land Reforms Commission and the demand for inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list. "It may be noted here that the Manipur Government has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the JCILPS on August 25, 2015 that the Manipur Population Commission and the Manipur Land Reforms Commission shall be constituted within one year from that day," the memorandum added.

According to the OMTF, the above three demands are the exclusive designs of the "dominant Meitei community" to grab tribal lands and undermine tribal rights, and are an integral part of the "communal" Manipur Government’s long-term policy of subjugation, marginalization and exclusion of the tribal people.

With the tribal people of Manipur agitating for more than nine months now refusing to bury the nine "tribal martyrs" who still await justice, and with no acceptable and sustainable solution in sight, the OMTF maintained, "The hillvalley divide is becoming more pronounced by the day and is now way beyond repairs."

Meanwhile, OMTF leaders demanded the President of India to question the Manipur Governor as the latter continues to remain "indifferent" to the prevailing situation in Manipur. OMTF also wanted the President to note the "drive against the non local people" in the Manipur valley.

Smuggled gold robbery: all 14 accused released on bail Newmai News Network Aizawl | June 9

All 14 accused arrested in connection with the sensational robbery case of 52 smuggled gold bars worth Rs 14.5 crore were released on bail.

Aizawl Chief Judicial Magsitrate (CJM) on Thursday granted interim bail to 8 Assam Rifles Jawans accused in the robbery case and one civilian for 60 days.

Earlier on May 30, the suspended Commandant of the Aizawlbased 39th Assam Rifles Col Jasjit Singh, one of the prime accused in the smuggled gold robbery case, was released on bail by a local court on medical ground. Two other civilians – former student

leader Lalmuanawma Mathipi and Aizawl-based businessman Bulaki Chand Baid – were also released on bail on May 13.

Police have arrested 10 AR jawans including suspended commandant Col. Jasjit Singh and four other civilians in connection with highway dacoity allegedly committed by personnel of Assam Rifles in the outskirts of Aizawl city on December 14 last year.

The incident came to light on April 21 when Lalnunfela, the driver of the vehicle which the AR personnel waylaid on December 14 last year, filed an FIR at the Kulikawn police station alleging his vehicle was robbed by armed personnel from the 39 AR in the

southern outskirts of Aizawl city.

He said the men who stopped his car, refused to identify themselves and searched the car. He and his two companions were made to wait outside. He alleged that the AR personnel decamped with 52 gold bars worth around Rs.14.5 crore, a mobile phone and Rs.75,000 in cash.

The complainant said that he filed complaint almost four months after the incident because he was threatened by the robbers at gun point and was asked to keep his mouth shut.

The Mizoram government has meanwhile decided to hand over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation for faster probe. Citing the reasons for its willingness

Manipur Univ accused of tampering UGC doc Imphal, June 9 (nnn): The authority of Manipur University (MU) has been accused of tampering the original circular dispatched to all the Central Universities by the Union Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Human Resource Development.

All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) today alleged that the mala fide intention of Manipur University (MU) authority has once again surfaced its ugly head by tampering the original circular dispatched to all the Central Universities by UGC/ HRD by speed post on March 23, 2016 wherein the salutation “Manipur University, Canchipur,

Imphal-795003, Manipur” has been inserted in original circular. It said that normally UGC sends circular in general without naming any Central Universities in the address, adding that in any general circular “the Registrar, all Central Universities” is the salutation.

But the circular of the March 23 bears the name “Manipur University” in full address. A copy enclosed in the same circular vide the letter number F.21-2/2015 (CU) dated 32-03-2016 does not specify any particular varsity.

The salutation begins with “the Registrar all Central Universities and Principals, UCMs, and not as

CYMA adamant on its stand on Bru repatriation aIzawl, June 9 (nnn): Making its standpoint firm, Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) president Lalbiakzuala said the organisation is in favour of using 1995 electoral roll as base year for verification of Bru families to be repatriated likely in November.

This came against the government’s official statement which allows using of 2014 electoral roll as the base year for repatriation of displaced Bru families. The government in its official statement on June 6 said the repatriation is planned based on 2014 electoral roll, while for those not included in 2014 electoral roll but claiming to be gen-

uine residents of Mizoram, verification would be done through their forefathers or from the people of their villages where they had been living. Verification will first be done in the camps, the statement added.

He said that the CYMA standpoint was to repatriate Bru resident and their descendants based on the 1995 electoral roll and this too was the standpoint of all political parties and NGOs. “We have been looking closely to the plan made by government for Bru repatriation and if the refugees are taken back based on electoral roll other than 1995, we would strongly resist it,” he said.

“the Registrar, Manipur University.”

The union said the Deans’ resolution on 7.5 percent in admission for ST and the subsequent agitations launched inside the MU campus for and against the reservation norms had hit hard the erstwhile peaceful academic environment forcing alteration in academic schedule and creating a trust deficit between the tribal and non-tribal.

It demanded that the Government of Manipur and UGC/HRD investigate the matter promptly and the culprits be booked and punished under relevant IPC for tampering the document of UGC/HRD.

to hand over the case to the CBI, Home Minister R Lalzirliana at a press conference earlier this week said that the case has national as well as international implications as gold smuggling racket was at the root-cause of the dacoity.

He said that lack of modern scientific technology and equipment were also impediments to the investigation as the state police does not have a polygraph or lie-detector machine.

However, Lalzirliana maintained that the handing over of the case to the CBI does not imply the state police’s inability to handle the case. The state police will continue to investigate the dacoity case and help the central investigating agency in the process, he informed.

Two wheelers queue outside a petrol pump in Imphal on Thursday. (NNN Photo) Newmai News Network Imphal | June 9

Panic gripped Imphal as residents queued Petrol pumps to buy fuel on Thursday. Fuel outlets are likely to shut down due to the 10-day long economic blockade called by tribal civil societies under the aegis of the ‘Joint Action Committee against Anti-tribal Bills’ in protest against the three "anti tribal bills".

The economic blockade imposed along all National Highways connecting Manipur began on Thursday midnight. Fuel and other consumer goods are likely to remain in short supply.

All highways in the state pass through tribal areas in the hill districts of the landlocked state.

The strike comes after a delegation represented by

Four arrested for assault on non-local Imphal, June 9 (nnn): Four boys, including two minors, have been arrested by Cyber Crime Unit of Manipur Police on the charge of assaulting a non-local boy here. The incident which was videotaped was uploaded on social media and later went viral. The 27 seconds-long video showed the non-local boy being punched and pushed before being kicked in the head, rendering him motionless on the ground.

Sd/- Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto: Nagaland

Public information on national Electoral Roll Purification 2016. (NERP) 1. Enroll your name in the electoral roll if you are 18 years of age and above as on 01/01/2016 through Form 6.

2. Voluntarily disclose and delete your name in the electoral roll through Form 7 if your name is registered in more than one place.

3. Delete entries of dead, shifted, absentees, bogus electors through Form 7.

4. Get your particulars in the electoral roll and EPIC corrected through Form 8.

5. You can transpose your name to another polling station within the same assembly constituency through Form 8A. 6. Replace your poor quality/mismatched photograph through Form 8.

7. Submit your mobile number and email address to your BLO for easy communication during election and getting information on electoral roll related activities.

8. Ensure one man one registration. Avoid multiple registrations.

9. Check your enrolment status through ECI web site www.eci.nic.in or www.ceonagaland.nic.in.

10. For any information, call toll free number 1950.

11. Enrollment at more than one place is a criminal offence punishable under Representation of People Act 1950 and Indian Penal Code with imprisonment or with fine or with both.

Issued by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland.

EssEntial DrEams HousE the House of imported Furniture Rengma Logwaka Building Kezieke Adjacent to Kohima Lotha Baptist Church Kohima: 797001 Deals in all kinds of furniture

Regd.No: 5272-2016

AFFIDAVIT

Dated: 9/6/16

I, Neikhrole Terhuja, wife of Petevizo Terhuja, aged about 29 years, resident of Terhuja Building, Circular Road, Dimapur, Nagaland, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under: 1. That prior to my marriage, my maiden name was Neikhrole Chiero and has been recorded as such in my service and academic records.

2. That following my marriage, I have adopted my husband’s surname and I am now known as Neikhrole Terhuja.

3. That this affidavit is affirmed for the purpose of declaring that Neikhrole Chiero and Neikhrole Terhuja are one and the same person.

4. That the statements made in this affidavit are true and nothing false has been stated herein.

Deponent

Solemnly sworn before me by the deponent on this 9th day June, 2016 at Dimapur, Nagaland

Notary Public, Nagaland

1. Coaching for Class 10 (all subjects) 2. Coaching for Class 12(Science) 3. Coaching for JEE Main 2017/ AIPMT(NEET)2017/NSEE 2017

Dt. Zbto. the 09/06/2016

Smt. Nivili Sema of Surumi Village, Zunheboto has applied for the issue of Succession Certificate declaring that her husband Late Shiluvi Sema has expired on 17-05-2016.

It is hereby notified that if no objection to issue this certificate is received from anyone within a period of 30(thirty) days w.e.f. the date of publication in press, the Certificate shall be issued, and no further complaint will be entertained for issue of the same.

NEW ARRIVAL Visit

ADMISSION NOTICE

oFFiCE oF tHE DEPutY CommissionEr ZunHEBoto

Notice Calling Objection for the issue of Succession Certificate

Mizo People Convention, Thadou Inpi, United Naga Council and Zomi Council, convened in Imphal and decided to impose the highway blockade.

Condemning the recent incident that took place in New Delhi during a protest demonstration, the JAC backed by OMTF also called a 24-hour total shutdown in all tribal areas of Manipur from June 8 midnight. Reports reaching here said the strike affected life in the hill districts.

Inter-district and interstate transport services remained off the road due to the shutdown which ended peacefully.

ThETA TuToRIALs Lower P. R. Hill, Kohima, Nagaland

GoVErnmEnt oF naGalanD

NO: JUD.21/2016-17/07

leaders from various political parties functioning in Manipur initiated talks with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to seek assent to the bills from the President of India.

“The tribal people will not settle for anything other than a permanent and sustainable solution, and shall continue the fight for tribal identity and land rights till a solution that is acceptable to the tribal people is reached,” the tribal JAC said.

Earlier, a joint meeting of the committee with the Outer Manipur Tribals’ Forum (OMTF), a tribal apex body of the Hmar Inpui,

Issue of Form & Prospectus : 13-06-2016(Monday) Admission : 13-06-2016(Monday) Commencement of Classes : 04-07-2016(Monday) Contact No. (0370) 2226005/2244814/9436410403

GoVErnmEnt oF naGalanD

oFFiCE oF tHE EXECutiVE EnGinEEr irriGation anD FlooD Control ZunHEBoto: naGalanD

SHORT TENDER NOTICE No.IFC/Zbto/Tech-10/2015-16/ : Sealed tender affixing Court Fee Stamp of Rs. 7.50 (Rupees seven and fifty paise) only and earnest money in the form of DAC in favour of Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Zunheboto, Nagaland is hereby invited for the below mentioned works as per/above/below Nagaland PWD SoR 2013 and the same will be received in the office of the undersigned up to 12.00 hrs on 20/06/2016 and which will be opened on the same date at 14.00 hrs in presence of the intending tenderer or his authorised representative. Details can be obtained from the office of the undersigned on any working day up to 17/06/2016.

Sl. No. 1

Name of Work

Estimated Cost (Rs.)

Earnest Money None Tribe Tribal 2% 3% 4 5

time

2 3 6 Rain Water Harvesting proj24 (Twenty Four) 1. ect at Pughoboto, Ghatashe 1,94,19,000.00 2% of Colmn. 3 3% of Colmn. 3 Months and Asukiqa area.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Earnest Money in case of 1st Class Contractors will be 50% of the Percentage indicated at Column 4 & 5.

2. No materials will be issued by the Department.

3. The Technical Estimate/Drawing may be obtained from the undersigned office on any working day.

4. Tender Rates may be quoted both in figures and words on percentage basis at the rate above/below/As per Nagaland PWD schedule of Rates 2013.

5. The works are required to be completed as per NPWD specifications.

6. The work done below specification will not be measured for payment.

7. 10%(ten) of the security deposit i/c Earnest Money will be deducted from the bill and which will be released after 6 (six) months of successful completion of the work.

8. If the tenderer fails to complete the works within the time allowed, the work order will automatically cancelled and the work will be awarded to other contractor on the same Terms and Conditions.

9. Payment will be made as per the availability of fund only.

Sd/- (Er. HUSKHA YEPTHO) Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Zunheboto, Nagaland

4

FriDAY 10•06•2016

NagalaNd

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Books on State Agri Plan and ATMA success stories released

The department of Veterinary and Ah Tuensang conducted a farmer’s exposure tour to guwahati, Assam from may 31 to Jun 4. The team visited goat Research Center AAU, Bynihat; NRC on Pig ICAR Rani and Poultry Farm owned by private entrepreneur.

Kohima, June 9 (mexn): State Level Sanctioning Committee meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar IAS on June 8 at Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall, Kohima.

The meeting highlight was release of books prepared by Agriculture Department including, State Agriculture Plan released

by Amitabh Gautam, State Extension Work Plan of ATMA for 2016-17 released

by Pankaj Kumar, Chief Secretary and ATMA success stories was released by V. Kezo OSD (Gen & Bud) Finance.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner & Secretaries and HoDs of Agri & allied departments.

Amitabh Gautam IAS, Joint Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Co-operation & Farmers Welfare represented Government of India. The meeting was held in connection with formal approval of RKVY for the

year 2016-17 and other CSS programmes that requires SLSC approval.

The Chief Secretary gave introduction of the meeting and the purpose for which this meeting was called.T. Imkonglemba Ao IAS who is the Agriculture Production Commissioner & Commissioner & Secretary Agriculture gave power point presentation on review of RKVY programme in the State. The review includes points to be considered by SLSC and Action

Kiphire DPDB meeting held

witter Theological College (wTC), Vankhosung (LBES mission Compound) in collaboration with Forest department, wokha, organised a tree planting programme in the campus in commemoration of world Environment day, 2016.

Around 300 saplings were planted in the campus.

kohima College organised a tree plantation drive as phase-1 of the Campus green Project under higher Education, government of Nagaland with the theme ‘Towards a green Campus’ on June 4. The programme was organised by the NSS unit and Students welfare Committee, kCk and spearheaded by moanungla kevichusa, Co-ordinator, IQAC. with this beginning, the Campus green Project will continue to take place in phase wise manner and organised by different Committees of the College.

modern College, kohima organized ‘Swachh Bharat’ to commemorate world Environment day in the college campus and dzüvürü area. About 600 students participated in planting saplings and cleaning of classroom, campus and locality under the initiative of NSS and Eco-green Club.

The college faculty members also went to their new campus at Piphema and planted saplings.

Kiphire, June 9 (Dipr): The monthly meeting of Kiphire District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) was held at Deputy Commissioner Conference Hall, on June 8 under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner & Vice Chairman DPDB Kiphire, Sedevikho Khro.

Chairman welcomed all the members present including new member E.E. Roads & Bridges, Kisheto Sema. The Chairman also introduced himself to the members as this was his first DPDB meeting in Kiphire. Noting that most of the officers are based either at Dimapur or Kohima, the Chairman stated that the members cannot be totally expected to be in the station throughout the month, as responsible Officer of the district, he advises the members to be present at least for 50% of the working days. He also warned the members that simply making themselves present in the DPDB meeting and going out of

station cannot be tolerated as the absence of the Officers hampers the functioning of the Government machinery of the district.

After reviewing the last meeting minutes, the Board discussed on registration of Kiphire Tuensang Sumi Students Union and has decided to recommend to the Government for necessary action. Proposal for approval of Reverted LADP 2015-16 fund from MGNREGA submitted by 59/60 Assembly constituencies were discussed. The amount could not be utilised under MGNREGA due to technical reasons. The Board decided to approve the proposal amounting to Rs. 10 lakh each and forward to the planning department for necessary action.

The Board gave away prizes for best attendees in the DPDB meeting during 2015-16, namely BM (NSCB), Vizol Kera, SDO(P), Hionwachu, BDO Langshen, Longmatra, BDO Kiphire ,Hongan Chingkhong.

Dimapur, June 9 (mexn): ATMADhansiripar block conducted a ‘within district farmers training on seed storage and testing’ at District Agriculture Officer’s (DAO) office, Dimapur on June 1 with Longshithung Lotha, Technician, Seed Testing Lab, Agriculture Department, Dimapur as the resource person. He explained in detail about the importance of moisture during seed storage and their management. Seed storage is the maintenance of high seed germination and vigour from harvest until planting. The farmers were then taken to the seed testing laboratory where they were shown how the seed testing were done and the techniques involved.

A farmer to farmer technology dissemination programme between farmers of Wokha and Tseminyu block organized by ATMA Wokha in collaboration with BTT Tseminyu was held on June 8 at Town Hall Tseminyu.

Dr. Mhonchan Shitiri PD highlighting on the meet, said that it was organized to create a platform for the farmers of the two districts to exchange their knowledge, ITKs and agricultural practices so as to enhance their production and productivity.

Viwehoto Thorie SDAO & BTT convenor in his short speech said that such a meet between farmers of two districts is first of its kind in

leisure

No. of Vacancies Pay Scale

Junior Officer Trainee 04 Posts (HR)

Rs. 16500

Job Location: All India

SUDOKU

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

Game Number # 3604

Answer Number # 3603

Eligibility Criteria for PGCIL Recruitment: Educational Qualification: • For Diploma Trainee: Diploma in Electrical/Electronics & Communication Engineering from recognized Technical Board/ Institute with minimum 70% marks.

• For Junior Officer Trainee: Two year full time Post Graduate Degree/Post Graduate Diploma/MBA in Human Resource/Personnel Management/Industrial Relation/MSW or equivalent from recognized Institute with minimum 55% marks.

Age Limit (as on 22-06-2016): 27 years.

Age relaxation: • For SC Candidates: 5 years • For OBC (Non Creamy layer) Candidates: 3 years Application Fee: • SC/ST/PWD/Ex-Servicemen Candidates: NILL • All Other Category Candidates: Rs. 300 Selection Process: Candidates will be selected on the basis of written test.

How to Apply: Interested and eligible candidates may apply online through PGCIL website www.powergridindia.com from 08-06-2016 to 22-06-2016.

Important Dates: • Starting Date of Online Application: 08-06-2016 • Last Date of Online Application: 22-06-2016 Important Links: PGCIL Recruitment Notification 2016

WoKha, June 9 (Dipr): The monthly District Planning and Development Board meeting was held on June 9 at DC conference hall, Wokha.

The meeting was chaired

by DC & Vice Chairman Wezope Kenye. Two new members were introduced namely DFO Doyang, Sentinaro and EE (R&B), Er. Mhathung Kikon.

The board after deliberation approved registration of society for Ralan Old Baptist church and approval of scheme for re-allocation of convergence fund under LADP 2015-16 for 4

Dog BASSET hOUNd BEAgLE BLOOdhOUNd BOXER BULLdOg ChIhUAhUA ChOw ChOw COCkER SPANIEL COLLIE CORgI dAChShUNd dALmATIAN dEERhOUNd dINgO gERmAN ShEPhERd gREAT dANE gREYhOUNd hUSkY LhASA APSO

a lot. He encouraged the farmers to keep exchanging their ITKs in future also taking advantage of this first meet.

Dr. Vibeilie Keretsu BTM gave PICO presentation on Tseminyu block activities and Yanglen DPD gave presentation on behalf of ATMA Wokha.

In the round table exchange discussion farmers from both the districts freely share their experiences, knowledge and practices and found that most of the crops grown in Tseminyu and Wokha have similarities and so have scope for seed exchange and so decided to have such exchange program even at the individual farmer’s level in future.

ACROSS 1. Supporting column 6. L L L L 10. Fabricated 14. House style 15. 71 in Roman numerals 16. out of control 17. African virus 18. Keen 19. olympic sled 20. Remedy that alleviates pain 22. Frosts 23. Alkaline liquid 24. Strikingly unconventional 26. orbital high point 30. Affair 32. Player 33. Relaxed 37. Baking appliance 38. Exclamation expressive of regret 39. optimistic 40. Family tree 42. A river through Paris 43. Angers 44. Bumped around 45. Filched 47. Father 48. Not yours 49. Legislature 56. 8 in Roman numerals 57. Death notice 58. Creepy 59. French for “State” 60. Thorny flower 61. Ringworm cassia 62. Depend 63. 365 days 64. Shooting sport DOWN 1. Stair 2. Brass instrument 3. False god 4. Take it easy 5. A wheeled domicile

CROSSWORD # 3619

Vacancy Details:

Rs. 16500

Wokha DBDP discusses re-allocation of convergence fund under LADP

Daily Cross WorD

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) has released a notification for the recruitment of 74 Diploma Trainees and Junior Officer Trainees in Northern Region Transmission System-I and Northern Region Transmission System-III. Interested candidates may check the eligibility criteria and apply online till 22-06-2016.

Diploma Trainee 70 Posts (Electrical/Electronics & Communication)

Naga Students’ Union, Kolkata will be assisting students seeking admissions in various colleges and universities in and around Kolkata for the academic year 2016-17. The union has further appealed to the families and relatives of students to send their wards into the city with proper verification and consultation from the union. This will facilitate admissions of students into proper and recognised institutions, and avoid recurrences of unfortunate instances, whereby students were duped into unrecognised and fraudulent institutions.

The following persons can be contacted for necessary assistance: 1. Alono Thorie- 8013167939 2. Nungsangtoshi Jamir-9831655717 3. Nibo D. Zhimo-9674492272 4. Meshach Khing-8131936409 5. Ayang Ozukum-8697239607

Assembly constituency under Wokha. The chairman thanked all for the successfully conducting the social work. He informed that the Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland will be visiting Wokha on June 15 and will hold a meeting with Head of departments, NGOs, BLOs, Supervisors District nodal officers, in this regard the DC requested all HoDs both Central and State government departments to attend the meeting without fail.

Superintendent of Police Wokha, Chumrenthung Lotha informed the

ATMA-Dhansiripar block Farmer tech dissemination prog held FOR Sale conducts farmers’ training Tseminyu, June 9 (mexn): the block and will help the farmers TOYOTA COROLLA

PGCIL Recruitment

Post Name

Plan of RKVY submitted by each line departments. Detail discussion was held on the action plan with views and comments from the Chairman and Ministry representative. All departments gave clarifications by giving justifications for each project that are proposed during 2016-17.

All action Plan proposed for the year was accordingly approved with necessary correction as per Ministry Division’s comments.

NSU Kolkata assistance for admissions

W mALAmUTE mASTIFF PEkINgESE PINSChER POINTER POmERANIAN POOdLE PUg RETRIEVER ROTTwEILER SAINT BERNARd SAmOYEd SChNAUZER SETTER ShAR PEI ShEEPdOg SPITZ TERRIER whIPPET

o

R

D

S

E

6. Gladden 7. 66 in Roman numerals 8. 64 in Roman numerals 9. Buddy 10. Slacker 11. Berserk 12. Motherless calf 13. Anagram of “Seek” 21. Yes to a sailor 25. Writing liquid 26. All excited 27. Cover with asphalt 28. Portent 29. Unselfishness 30. Emblems 31. Delicate 33. Blackthorn 34. French for “Black” 35. Feudal worker 36. Not the original color 38. Parable 41. Be unwell 42. Unhappiness 44. Glass container 45. Hotel offering 46. Courtroom event 47. Discourage 48. Not under 50. Double-reed woodwind 51. Brand of credit card 52. Docile 53. Sea eagle 54. 3 times 3 55. Nipple

members that Nagaland Police has introduced NPVMS (Nagaland Police Vehicles Monitoring System) to track lost of vehicles and urged all members to register the details of the vehicles from the Office of the SDPO, Wokha. He added that if offices are intimated with taxation or extortion from any quarter, he requested to report/inform the police so that timely action will be initiated.

LAND FOR SALe

Colour: Black Tip Top Condition NL Register Rs. 3.25,000(negotiable) Contact : 9856041069

At ThAhekhu ViLLAge Highway touched 2 Bighas Approx Lump sum & reasonable Contact: 8258807883

Mountain View Christian College Affiliated to Nagaland University Near BSF camp, Below ATI Office, Kohima

Admission Notice Class 11-12(Arts & Commerce) & BA (Gen & Hons)

BUS Service Available / Hostel for both Boys & Girls Admission Fee-Rs 6500/Principal 9856294648

dImAPUR Civil Hospital:

STd COdE: 03862 232224; Emergency- 229529, 229474

MH Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station

228400

CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital

242555/ 242533

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

232106 227607 232181

224041, 248011

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

ANSwER TO CROSSwORd 3618

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

STd COdE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

wE4wOmEN hELPLINE 08822911011

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C

H

CHUMUKEDIMA: 7085982102 (o) 8732810051 (oC) wOkhA: 03860242215/101 (o) 8974322879 (oC) MoKoKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (o) 8415830232 (oC) PHEK: 8414853765 (o) 8413822476(oC) zUNHEBoTo: 03867-280304/ 101 (o) 9436422730 (oC) TUENSANG: 8414853766 (o) 9856163601 (oC)

kIPhIRE: 8414853767 (o) 9436261577 (oC) PEREN: 7085189932 (o) 9856311205 (oC) LONgLENg: 7085924113 (o) 9862414264 (oC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

A

KoHIMA NoRTH: 7085924114 (o)

MoN: 03869-251222/ 101 (o) 9862130954 (oC)

ChILd wELFARE COmmITTEE

mOkOkChUNg:

KoHIMA SoUTH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (o) 9402003086 (oC)

DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/ 101 (o) 9856156876 (oC)

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

kOhImA

FIRE STATIONS

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

65.27 94.85 8.13 48.6 48.19 51.18 60.65

68.21 99.41 9.06 50.97 50.54 53.69 64.06

Euro

74.11

77.69

Thai Baht Korean Won UAE Dirham (AED) Chinese Yuan

1.79

2.00

0.0546

0.0609

17.2

19.15

9.61

10.7

FRIdAY 10•06•2016

NAGALAND

ENSF supports demand NSF flays ‘brutal act’ on protestors for SBI Branch at Tobu TUENsANg, JUNE 9 (MExN): Following the demand made by the people of Tobu and Mopung Area for establishment of SBI branch at Tobu, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has also extended unbending supports since the demand itself qualifies every criteria established under the Indian constitution or an act/policy passed by the parliament.

The Federation appealed to the State Government to immediately address the needs of banking for the remote area of Mon District without delay.

While agreeing with the statement of justification

endorsed by various public organization of the region, the Federation also strongly opined that it is feasible and of utmost necessity to immediately set up SBI Branch at Tobu which covers Tobu ADC HQ, Muknyakshu SDO (civil) HQ and Mopung EAC HQ. Apart from those administrative conveniences, the entire populace of the region should also be made to avail banking facilities and avenues at their door step, the federation contended.

ENSF General Secretary Honang M Jessuhu in a press release said that state Government should ardently appeal the con-

cern agency whereby the meeting minutes passed during the SLBC meeting dated June 22, 2015 should be materialized by this financial year end.

It should be noted that when all the policies of the central Government is being targeted in streamlining all system through banks, the concern SBI incharge of the region should not hesitate but instead foster on with its expansionist minds and avenues to the far flung unreached and least privileged citizen of the country.

The main reason for the involvement of the Federation in setting up the bank is also to facilitate the

school students in the region whereby only through bank, they can avail their scholarship. Thousands of students in the remote eastern region face untold inconveniences for acquiring even their sanctioned scholarship under the Ministry of Minority affairs/ Tribal Affair, it stated.

Therefore, in order to bridge people’s aspiration to the well established law of the land, the Federation appealed to both the state government and the AGM, SBI, RBO Mokokchung to sincerely uphold people’s demand by setting up the bank in the region without delay.

KOHIMA, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Naga Students' Federation has vehemently condemned the ‘brutal’ act of the Manipur Rifles and the Delhi Police on the peaceful tribal protestors at Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi on June 7.

“The barbaric act of the Manipur Rifles and Delhi Police is a clear sign of ven-

geances meted out to the unarmed peaceful protestors of Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi (MTFD)," the NSF said in a statement issued by its President Subenthung Kithan and general secretary Bovio Poukai Duo. The Federation is extremely pained to see the inhuman harassment meted out to the tribal of

KOHIMA, JUNE 9 (MExN): The NPCC today reiterated its demand to the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya for the appointment of an Impartial Inquiry Commission into the MGNREGA scheme in the state.

The Nagaland Pradesh

KOHIMA, JUNE 9 (MExN): All principal and headmaster of both government and private higher secondary/high school under DEO Kohima are informed that the payment of Children Education Assistance Fund (CEAF) for the year 2015-16 is being released.

All the concerned Principal/Headmasters are directed to collect the Scholarship money by producing

Congress Committee demanded that the commission must be headed by a retired High Court Judge.

Welcoming the Governor’s attention to its earlier Memorandum on MGNREGA, NPCC President K Therie in a press statement claimed that MGNREGA

the Progress Reports (Xerox Copy) of their beneficiaries from the office of the undersigned during office hour.

Those who fail to furnish the progress report shall have their scholarships withheld. “The scholarship money should be claimed within one month from the date of issue of this notification,” informed a press release issued by Neizetuonuo, Deputy District Education Officer, Kohima.

AR conducts financial awareness programme

funds in the state have continuously been siphoned off over the years.

Many of the villages have not received even onethird of the funds drawn, it alleged further lamenting that the State is yet to appoint Lok Ayukta despite the Congress’ demand.

NPCC further maintained that while the Vigilance Commission (State) has plenty of pending cases, the need for State Government’s sanction prior to Vigilance Commission’s action against any Government employees is a “major obstacle” for probing any case.

MEx FILE Governor extends Ramadan greetings KOHIMA, JUNE 9 (MExN): Governor of Nagaland and Assam, PB Acharya today greeted the Muslim community and people of the state on the beginning of Ramadan and said it is a time for contemplation, reflection, acts of kindness and charity. It is also an opportunity for families and friends to come together, and to promote goodwill and harmony in the wider community, the Governor said in his message. As the holy occasion of Ramadan is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, he added. “May this Ramadan bring you the utmost in peace, joy and prosperity.”

KBSU invites KOHIMA, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Khulazu Basa Students' Union (KBSU) invites its student members to contribute articles for the forth coming 60th year Anniversary Souvenir. The contributors may submit the same to its mail address KBSUI1956@gmail,com or submit it directly to Magazine Secy. Venesalü Keyho (8119019536/8575809489) before the end of August.

Power supply to be affected in Peren dist DIMApUr, JUNE 9 (MExN): The power supply to Peren District will be affected from 6am to 1pm on June 11. The Executive Engineer (E), Peren Division N Myingthungo Ngullie in a press note informed that a shutdown of power supply will be undertaken for jungle clearance along the main 33KV Sub-Transmission line from Ngwalwa Town to Peren Town and maintenance work at Power Sub-Station at Jalukie Town and Peren Town respectively on that day. The department has requested the consumer to bear with the inconveniences.

DIMApUr, JUNE 9 (MExN): A total of 75 villagers including members of village councils, President of Self Help Groups & police representative of Zubza Police Station attended a Financial Awareness Programme Zubza sub-division in Kohima district on June 4.

The 37 Assam Rifles The Pranabananda Women’s College Alumni Association along with the B.A 5th Semester students organized a along with NABARD and plantation drive in the college campus on June 5 to celebrate World Environment Day.

State Bank of India conducted the programme.

Informatory lectures and presentations were conducted on newly introduced govt welfare schemes

by Bendag Aier, Assistant General Manager, NABARD; Medo, Manager of SBI Branch Zubza; and Lanuteka Imchen, Chief Manager, Head Bank, SBI Kohima, an AR press note informed.

IRCS Dimapur to organize Using theatrics, a call for healthy tobacco free-life ‘biggest’ free Medical camp DIMApUr, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Indian Red Cross Society, Dimapur District Branch has informed that it will organise a "massive" Free Medical Camp at Jalukie Kam on June 11 from 9 am.

Villagers from more than 30 nearby villages would be benefitted from the "biggest ever free Medical camp", Honorary Secretary of the District Branch K K Paul said in a press note.

Specialist like Gynecologist, Dermatologist, Dentist, Ophthalmologist, Orthopedic, Gastroenterologist, Pediatric, ENT

ment of Manipur, NSF maintained. “The barbaric act and the high handedness of the Manipur Rifles and Delhi Police personnel should be condemn by all in strongest term.”

The Federation further extended its solidarity to “all people who are fighting for the tribal rights in Manipur.”

NPCC reiterates demand for inquiry commission

Central official visits Naga Hospital Kohima CEAF 2015-16 released KOHIMA, JUNE 9 (MExN): Additional Secretary & Mission Director of National Health Mission, C.K Mishra today said that high quality care service can be “rendered and implemented in providing services.”

He said this while interacting with officials of Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK) here, where he visited every department and unit of the hospital.

During the interaction, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of NHAK also stressed the urgent need of Pediatrics unit for child health, inculcating to blood separation machine and hospital management in JSSK incentives.

The NHAK authority will also put up a proposal to the Government of India for rendering better health service to the community, the MS added.

The Mission Director of NHM also made a monitoring and supervision visit to Jakhama PHC where he also interacted with the Medical officer in-charge in line of management, manpower etc. The health unit performance report gave remarkable asset in reaching out to the grass root level, a NHAK release stated.

The visit ended at Pfuchama where Additional Secretary & Mission Director of NHM, MoH&FW, C.K Mishra interacted with Village chairman, Mishra with Commissioner & Secretary M. Patton, State Officials & ASHA and staff of the concerned Sub-Centre.

NHAK Officials.

Manipur, it added.

NSF further alleged that hundreds of protestors were seriously hurt. Four young mothers were indiscriminately assaulted and also molested, it claimed.

The dealing of the situation clearly shows the incapability of the men in uniform and also lack of sincerity by the Govern-

specialist, General Physician, Homeopathy and Pathologist are expected to atend the camp, it added.

It further requested all the community leaders, Patrons & vice-patrons, managing committee members, life members & junior Red Cross members to assemble at NIIT Dimapur Center, Jain Temple Road at 6.30 am June 11 to proceed together to the camp.

Doctors & sympathizers may please contact Chairman Kuldeep Jain Ph: 9436111111 for their humanitarian services or any further information, it further informed.

meetings & Appointments ASU emergency meeting The Angami Students' Union (ASU) will be holding an emergency ASU senior consultative meeting on 11 June at ASU office from 4pm. The union President has requested all the seniors to attend the meeting without fail.

Sastami Union Dimapur Sastami Union Dimapur (SUD) has convened a general meeting on June 11, 10am at the residence of Tokhevi Yeptho, Joint Commissioner (Taxes) 5th Mile, Dimapur.

All members have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

ADC Medziphema calls meeting ADC Medziphema Sara S Jamir informed all the heads of departments under Medziphema that a departmental coordination meeting is called on June 15 at 11am in the office of VFATI, Medziphema. The departmental presentation will be presented by VFATI, Medziphema and CDPO, Medziphema. All the concerned are asked to attend the meeting without fail.

Governor to meet press fraternity Governor of Nagaland & Assam, PB Acharya, would like to meet the Press Fraternity on June 11 (Saturday) at 5:30pm at the Circuit House (Conference Hall), Dimapur. In this regard, all the media persons (Local & National), DDK, AIR, both print and electronic media, etc. are requested to attend the proposed Press Meet.

ASSU Felicitation programme Performers gesture with their hands and make facial expressions representing the deadly effects of tobacco during a group ensemble performance at Modern College Kohima on June 8.

Kohima | June 9 Morung Express News

Enacting the causes and effects of tobacco, a group ensemble performance at Modern College challenged the audience for a healthy tobacco free-life.

The ‘students’ of Modern College of Teacher Institute (MITE) staged the Ensemble Performance entitled, "Say No Tobacco – Live Healthy" at the college auditorium on June 8.

Challenging the audiences with the dramatic performances, the performance also portrayed how people have become only passive listeners and not actors on the deadly afA section of the congregation worship during the 9th service of the ongo- fects of tobacco. ing "40 Days of Revival" at Life Spring Corner, Dimapur, on June 9.

Using various quirky slo-

gans like “Life is precious, be brighter, put down the lighter!”; “If you can’t stop smoking, cancer will!”; Cancer cures smoking”; and “A cigarette say: Today you turn me into ashes, but tomorrow is my turn,” the performance drove home the point regarding the harmful effect of tobacco.

Using hand gesture to represent the deadly effects and face expression to denotes how it pollutes and litter the body, it also highlighted various disease caused by tobacco.

Directed by Temjenzunba Kechu, Theatre director/Actor and National School of Drama alumna with specialization in Theatre Techniques and design, the performance was presented in collabora-

tion with Doordarshan and Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) under the Department of health and family welfare.

The Nagaland Street Art, K Cynthia Kolkhe, Muzung Yimchunger, Imjung Longshiri and Louis Chhetri also collaborated in costume, make up, property, body art and visuals.

The performance was developed as part of the drama and art in education curriculum where students analyze various pressing social issues and transform the classroom into a creative and dramatized zone.

The performance on antitobacco was one such conceptualization, according to the director.

The Aghunato Area Students Union (AASU) will be organising its ‘Felicitation Programme cum Freshers’ Meet’ at Town Hall Dimapur from 10am on June 11. Dr. Sukhato Sema, Rtd Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare Department and Hokuto Zhimomi, Former DMC Advisor will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively. The union has invited all the advisors, invitees and students of Aghunato area to attend the event.

Zeme Council Kohima (Nagaland) launching prog The Zeme Council Kohima (Nagaland) launching programme will take place on June 11 at 10am at D’ Block Panchayat Hall, Kohima. Kelei Zeliang. IAS, Secretary Rural Development will grace the occasion as the chief guest. All the Zeme people residing in Kohima have been invited to the programme.

Corrigendum Apropos the news item "Naga Student drowns in Mysore" which was published in Morung Express on June 9, 2016, the deceased was part of Church Committee Members Picnic of NCF Mysore and not as published.

IN FOCUS

6

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 158

I

Friday 10•06•2016

Brainkruptcy

n a world of uncertainty, one condition that remains constant is change and what defines the quality of human life is the direction in which growth is progressing. Yet, the quality of growth is reflected in the constraints of the status quo and fluidity of the social discourse. It is when the human mind remains entrapped by the status quo that it quickly envelops into an acute sense of Brainkruptcy. This sense of Brainkruptcy invokes a deep sense of hopelessness and stunts the human mind from having any political imagination.

For some time now, the acute Brainkruptcy of ideas has been stifling the Naga existence of its human worth. Just a discerning gaze around reveals a serious Brainkruptcy of news ideas and thoughts. The manner in which human affairs are being conducted and pursued has only succeeded in bringing to public expression the increasing human frailty, accompanied by a serious lack of imagination. The absence of a critical imagination is rapidly contributing towards a conformist, uncreative existential reality of life.

The homogenous and hegemonic nature of Brainkruptcy has a cause-effect connection with the education’s banking system, which emphasizes literacy rather than learning. It no longer gives importance to discovering Truth and Knowledge, and instead focuses on developing technical skills. In this manner, the guiding pedagogical pillars for inspired learning have been undermined, and human consciousness is numbed through emphasis on rote memorization and focusing on achieving high test scores.

In this manner, a climate of conformity has replaced genuine learning, and human creativity has been reduced to a state of confusion, and all forms of dialogue are limited to a monologue. All of these unjust conditions reaffirm and reinforce each other as the status quo.

For Brainkruptcy to be overcome, Naga critical consciousness needs to be rediscovered. Without the consciousness of reality, there is no knowledge; without knowledge there is no freedom, no creativity, no completion and no contentment. It is based on one’s individual personal consciousness and place in the world, that an individual has the ability to both discern and direct or determine the ‘will’ and purpose of his or her existence.

It is in this natural and inherent process of human activity and consciousness that new ideas and thoughts are perpetually stimulated, taking in new information and processing it, which creates a new sense of awareness and understanding. This dialectical approach of knowing and understanding from the view of the ‘other’ is perhaps the seed, when nurtured, that leads and enables progressively by adopting and adapting originality that evolves from the interaction of knowledge and action.

The challenge to overcome Brainkruptcy presents more than just a conceptual dilemma. It presents a spiritual, moral, social, philosophical and political predicament, which is embedded in the human understanding of what constitutes a vision. For instance, if the Nagas are clear about their vision for a dignified sovereign future, then, partaking in creating a praxis consisting of ideas and actions that shifts society’s direction from monologue to dialogue, from conformity to creativity, from passiveness to action and from destruction to building is essential.

In the end, the problem of Brainkruptcy can be directly confronted and overcome by our desire to be fully human and peacefully living our shared vision together.

lEfT wiNg |

Nityanand Shukla IANS

Development suffers as Jharkhand bureaucrats have too much on their plates

T

oo many departments and not many bureaucrats. That's the way the Jharkhand government is functioning. The result is worrisome: the top bureaucrats are overburdened as they handle several key profiles and the pace of development is sluggish, says the opposition.

Even though the number of government departments have been reduced from 45 to 31, it seems that shortage of capable bureaucrats is affecting the smooth functioning.

Officials are holding additional charges for the cabinet, planning and finance, environment, power, water resources, forest and environment and IT departments.

And certain departments do not have a full-time director.

For example, Sukhdeo Singh, a bureaucrat with Principal Secretary rank, is responsible for key departments like water resources, forest and environment. But he is also the Managing Director of the Greater Ranchi Development Authority (GRDA).

Four bureaucrats with Chief Secretary rank are holding additional charges as well.

Additional Chief Secretary N.N. Pandey, who handles the home department, also holds the additional charge of the cabinet department. Development Commissioner Amit Khare has the additional responsibility of the planning and finance department.

Sanjay Kumar, the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Raghubar Das, has the additional charge of information and public relations department, while the Chief Minister's Secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal has the additional charge of the IT department.

Senior IAS officer U.P. Singh is holding the charge of mining department besides being the chairman of the Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation. He is also the Mines Commissioner, Investment Commissioner and the Resident Commissioner.

Rahul Purwar, who is in charge of the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd, has been given the additional responsibility of the Secretary of Power Department. Purwar's additional responsibility became inevitable after the then power department secretary S.K. Rahate went on leave as he didn't want to change the conditions for the Adani power plant which is being built in the state.

Rural works department secretary M.R. Meena is holding the additional charge of the road construction department.

The budget of the rural works and road departments notches up to Rs 6,300 crore.

It's not that the overburdened bureaucrats are happy. "The additional charge overburdens an official and affects the performance. If a secretary is holding a big department then he should be handed over a low-budget department as an additional responsibility," a senior government official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Echoing a similar view, another senior bureaucrat said: "We have to attend the meetings with the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and such other engagements. The secretariats are situated at three places which are 15 kilometre apart. Sometimes we have to attend meetings in Delhi. Additional charges and the meetings are big hurdles in our performance."

Moreover, some of the subordinate secretaries are "not competent enough," he said.

While the entire bureaucratic matrix looks like a cobweb, the Opposition is training its guns on the Chief Minister for slow pace of development.

"Chief Minister Raghubar Das is holding more than halfa-dozen key departments like home, vigilance, energy, industries, road, finance, forests and others. And we all know what has been the result... be it the law-and-order situation in Jharkhand or the power sector. Development has taken the back seat," said state Congress general secretary Alok Dubey.

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C O M M E N T A R Y

Michael Kugelman Foreign Policy

What was Mullah Mansour doing in Iran?

In this photograph taken on November 3, 2015, Afghan Taliban fighters listen to Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund (unseen), the newly appointed leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, at Bakwah in the western province of Farah. A breakaway faction of the Taliban has appointed its own leader in the first formal split in the Afghan militant movement under new head Mullah Mansour, posing a fresh hurdle to potential peace talks. Mullah Rasool was named the leader of the faction in a mass gathering of dissident fighters this week in the remote southwestern province of Farah, according to an AFP reporter who attended the meeting. (AFP/Getty Images)

In the wake of the Taliban leader’s death, we’re only now coming to understand just how ties between Tehran and the Taliban are evolving

O

n May 21, after a drone strike obliterated a car and its two occupants in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, local officials discovered a Pakistani passport, miraculously intact, amid the smoldering wreckage and two bodies charred beyond recognition. The passport belonged to a man identified as Wali Muhammad. Its photo bore an uncanny resemblance to Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, the supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban targeted by the drone strike, who lay dead close by. According to reports in the Pakistani press, the passport indicated that its owner, presumably Mullah Mansour, had been returning from Iran, where he had been since April 26. He had also traveled there for several weeks in February and March.

Mullah Mansour’s decision to visit Iran and leave his sanctuary in Balochistan — where the Afghan Taliban’s top leadership had long been safely ensconced — is odd. After all, Tehran is no friend of the Taliban; on the contrary, it has formally aligned itself with Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance and other antiTaliban actors. It played an instrumental role at the 2001 Bonn Conference that established a post-Taliban government. In the early years of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Tehran gave Washington maps showing Taliban positions, and its military offered to train 20,000 Afghan troops.

Iran also has good reason to distance itself from the Taliban. Simple sectarian considerations — Iran is Shiite, the Taliban is Sunni — offer one explanation.

But the divergences run deeper: The Taliban harbors links to Jundallah, an anti-state Sunni terror group in Iran. It oversees a flourishing narcotics trade that feeds Iran’s crippling heroin epidemic, and it has been blamed for the killings of nearly a dozen Iranian diplomats at their consulate in the Afghan city of Mazare-Sharif in 1998, which brought Iran and Taliban-run Afghanistan to the brink of war (according to some accounts, the Pakistani anti-Shiite militant group Sipahe-Sahaba was behind that attack).

Western authorities have a simple explanation for Mullah Mansour’s presence in Iran: He was there to receive medical treatment, according to a European official quoted in the New York Times, in order to avoid Pakistani hospitals and the watchful eye of his patron, Pakistan’s intelligence agency. No specifics were given as to what he was being treated for.

The Wall Street Journal, curiously, has reported that Mullah Mansour was actually in Iran to visit family.

In any case, U.S. officials knew of his whereabouts and, aided by communications intercepts, were able to track him there. According to a tweet by NPR correspondent Tom Bowman, Washington even had his

W

HEN Muhammad Ali said, “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong. No Vietcong ever called me nigger,” he spoke for many of the black soldiers and Marines who were in Vietnam fighting for an America that continued to oppress and marginalize them. One night in Chu Lai, I heard a black Marine say to a white one, “Look, I don’t want to hear ‘gook’ or ‘dink’ ’cause I don’t know what you’ll call me tomorrow.”

I was in Vietnam — a reporter for the military newspaper Southern Cross — two years after Ali had been convicted of dodging the draft in the summer of ’67. Thousands of black soldiers were fighting in Cu Chi, Phu Bai, Long Binh, Da Nang and hundreds of landing zones and firebases pockmarking South Vietnam, some wearing black unity wrist bands braided out of boot laces. Most received news of the civil rights movement — sit-ins, bombings, struggles with the police and dogs in the streets of cities and towns across America — in letters from home and in magazine headlines in those rare moments of stand-down at division headquarters.

Racial tension would often flare up in the rear. We knew the uniform or code of conduct couldn’t erase what was in the hearts or on the lips of troops at the enlisted men’s clubs where they guzzled 3.2 beer. Then the next day, the

SIM card number.

Mullah Mansour’s trip to Iran may well have been a simple trip to the doctor. But the trip may have had more nefarious purposes, too. Despite the differences between Tehran and the Taliban, they share some key interests and have often cooperated operationally.

Indeed, Tehran and the Taliban have a more symbiotic relationship than meets the eye.

Indeed, Tehran and the Taliban have a more symbiotic relationship than meets the eye. In particular, they are both wary of the West and particularly the United States. And each seeks to undercut Washington’s influence.

Thomas Joscelyn, an international security analyst and senior editor with the Long War Journal, has presented a compelling case of long-standing links between Iran and the Taliban. These links date back to 2000, when, according to unclassified U.S. government memos, Mullah Mohammed Omar tasked Khirullah Said Wali Khairkhwa, the Taliban governor of Herat province, with improving relations between the organization and Tehran. As a result of this outreach, Iran agreed to supply the Taliban with mines and small arms. (On two separate occasions in 2007 and 2011, international forces in Afghanistan intercepted arms shipments from Iran destined for the Taliban.)

The two sides also inked an open border agreement that enabled the Taliban to smuggle money, goods, and fighters into Iran. Khairkhwa’s outreach laid the groundwork for a later, major triumph of Iran-Taliban cooperation: the 2012 opening of a Taliban office in the Iranian city of Zahedan, home to many of the several million Afghans residing in Iran.

Historically, a key factor driving Iran’s cooperation with the Taliban has been mutual concern about the U.S. military presence, and broader American influence, in Afghanistan. Tehran, for example, has that U.S. forces could launch attacks on its nuclear facilities from Afghanistan.

Today, circumstances have changed. U.S. combat forces have withdrawn from Afghanistan, and Iran and the United States have concluded a landmark nuclear agreement. One might assume these developments would ease some of Iran’s anxieties about America’s designs and suggest fewer incentives for Tehran to cooperate with the Taliban — think again.

News reports over the last year suggest increased levels of Iranian cash and arms transfers to the Taliban. But why? One reason, which may also help explain Moscow’s recent outreach to the Taliban, is the shared unease about the rising influence of the Islamic State in Afghanistan, where several thousand former Taliban fighters, most of them in the eastern province of Nangarhar, have declared their allegiance to the group. Some of Mullah Mansour’s supporters, demoralized by their leader’s sudden death, could join these Islamic State-aligned fighters.

Another factor that may help explain Iran-Taliban comity is the Taliban’s desire to wean itself off Pakistani sanctuaries and other largesse. As I’ve written previously, NATO interviews with Taliban detainees reveal that many of the group’s leaders and fighters

chafe at their reliance on Islamabad, a patron many Taliban members do not trust because of the tight control it likes to exert over them as well as its willingness to arrest those Taliban personnel deemed uncooperative. With the Taliban reeling from the death of Mullah Mansour in Balochistan — a sanctuary where the group had never felt vulnerable before — it may have an even stronger incentive to secure alternative arrangements that do not involve Pakistan. For the Taliban, this could amplify the utility of retaining, if not intensifying, its ties to Tehran — and particularly, as some observers have suggested, by using areas it controls in Afghanistan to work out arrangements with Iran to receive covert financial support.

For Iran, a strong incentive for continuing cooperation with the Taliban is the need for a hedging strategy: Amid all the uncertainty and volatility in Afghanistan, where the insurgency continues to make inroads and a weak national unity government faces an uncertain future, it pays for Iran to keep its options open with the Taliban, arguably Afghanistan’s most consequential non-state actor.

This isn’t to say that the Taliban have no reason to cooperate with Kabul. On the contrary, Iran would be much better served by scaling back measures — from arms shipments and money transfers to the provision of the Taliban office in Zahedan — that strengthen the Taliban. A stronger Taliban means more instability in Afghanistan, which in turn portends a more robust narcotics trade and higher refugee outflows. Both have direct and deleterious consequences for Iran.

Additionally, a more destabilized Afghanistan imperils promising development projects critical to Iran as it struggles to recover from years of sanctions.

This week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tehran to conclude a series of accords with Iran and Afghanistan linked to the development of Iran’s Chabahar port, an initiative meant to facilitate trade and transport among gas-rich Central Asia, Afghanistan, and India. In effect, Iran could serve as a gateway to much-coveted markets and a lynchpin of a major effort to scale up regional connectivity. Yet if Iran keeps showering the Taliban with money and arms, thereby contributing to Afghanistan’s destabilization, Chabahar may be a port to nowhere.

In reality, Tehran is likely to play a double game: It will continue to work with Kabul while providing covert support to the Taliban. The U.S.-Iran nuclear deal may have eased some of the tensions in U.S.-Iran relations, but the two nations have not magically become friends. Meanwhile, the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, which may not be drawn down as quickly as President Barack Obama had wished, will continue to trouble Iran, even if it is secretly reassured that U.S. forces could help bring a modicum of stability to Afghanistan. Furthermore, Iran is unlikely to simply wash its hands of an organization that controls more territory in Afghanistan than at any time since 2001.

Ultimately, the complex ties between Tehran and the Taliban exemplify a slight variation of a wellknown diplomatic dictum: The enemy of my enemy is my frenemy.

Muhammad Ali in Vietnam Yusef Komunyakaa NYT

soldiers and Marines would plunge back into the leafy quagmire of the jungle or climb the bald hills of firebases for another deadly encounter with the Vietcong or North Vietnamese Army.

Ali was more than life-size in the psyche of the black soldier. Other conscientious objectors were in Canada or Sweden, but here stood a black man, the heavyweight champion of the world, saying, “Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?” Of course, some black soldiers knew this fueled North Vietnam’s propaganda, and Hanoi Hannah’s radio rants across the rice paddies, but they also knew the hard reality of race and politics transported overseas.

It wasn’t uncommon to see two black G.I.s from different units walk up

to each other and tap their clenched fists together — without exchanging a single word. Behind the “dap” between young black soldiers in Vietnam was a scream. It was a greeting of kindred souls, but it was also, if not an outright affront, at least a bold statement within the military machine. The dap was a counteraction to a fraternity of ritual that prided itself on ironclad tradition, whose first mission was to challenge the idea of the individual and personal style. At times, the dap seemed choreographed to Ali’s words, a dance of defiance on the edge of battle.

For most of the black officers and career noncoms in ’Nam, however, this ritual by young black G.I.s broke rank with the history of blacks serving in combat, and some saw it as a direct affront to that fought-for social terrain.

Many of these career soldiers also did not agree with Ali. They were determined to prove that change happened from within an institution. Hadn’t they

wRiTE-wiNg

put their lives on the line — in many instances heroically — to prove this by acquiring status through rank?

The enlisted men — whether black or white — had less hope. In that climate of blood and dust where buddies were maimed or killed, the survivors often made desperate claims. And some black G.I.s told themselves that if change didn’t happen, there would be blood in the streets when they returned home.

But what many black vets felt after they returned was self-betrayal. War had changed us. We were alone. Flower power was everywhere. Big Brother and the Holding Company. Nina Simone. Jimi Hendrix. Some vets were hiding out in the woods, on the edge. Others were lost in suburbia.

And every now and then one of us would meet a ghost of himself talking in anonymous streets across America. Some of us had taken blood oaths and participated in scrimmages we are ashamed of — the tragedy of My Lai being one of many. Others returned with nightmares riding shotgun in our heads. Ali was not exactly a slayer of the “masters of war,” but it meant something to us that, as a young man, a beleaguered citizen, he had stood up to the most powerful country on earth.

Yusef Komunyakaa is the author, most recently, of the poetry collection ”The Emperor of Water Clocks.”

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.

FRiday 10•06•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Obama and the Myth of Hiroshima Illiberal Democracy Rising Latha Jishnu Dawn

I

Peter Van Buren

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CommonDreams

n May 27, Barack Obama became the first sitting American president to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the site of the world’s first atomic bombing. Though highly photogenic, the visit was otherwise one that avoided acknowledging the true history of the place.

Like his official predecessors (Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Peace Memorial in early April, as did two American ambassadors before him), Obama did not address the key issues surrounding the attack. “He [Obama] will not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb,” Benjamin Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, stated.

With rare exception, the question of whether the atomic bombs were necessary to end World War Two is debated only deep within the safety of academic circles: could a land invasion have been otherwise avoided?

Would more diplomacy have achieved the same ends without the destruction of two cities? Could an atomic test on a deserted island have convinced the Japanese?

Was the surrender instead driven primarily by the entry of the Soviets into the Pacific War, which, by historical accident, took place two days after Hiroshima—and the day before Nagasaki was immolated?

But it is not only the history of the decision itself that is side stepped. Beyond the acts of destruction lies the myth of the atomic bombings, the post-war creation of a mass memory of things that did not happen.

The short version of the atomic myth, the one kneaded into public consciousness, is that the bombs were not dropped out of revenge or malice, immoral acts, but of grudging military necessity. As a result of this, the attacks have not provoked or generated deep introspection and national reflection.

The use of the term “myth” is appropriate. Harry Truman, in his 1945 announcement of the bomb, focused on vengeance, and on the new, extraordinary

S

ome weeks back I had gone up to the BOC junction for some personal works and it was during this time that I first came across the marvelous portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Che Guevara and others drawn on the wall just below the PHQ complex. When my eyes fell upon these pictures on the wall, for a moment I completely forgot about my work for which I had gone up there in the first place as I was completely bowled over and mesmerized by the sketches. I got myself immersed in observing the sketches from all possible angles and distance and the pictures looked marvelously amazing and inspiring from all angles.

Upon seeing these pictures, my first impression was that it was probably the handiwork of some renowned artists brought from outside Nagaland by some govt. departments or local organizations with a view to beautify our capital city and also to instill the Naga youngsters to take up these kinds of art work. After observing the sketches from all possible angles, I finally walked up to a shopkeeper and asked him who had drawn the pictures and to my utter surprise, he replied it was some local Naga youths who had painted the pictures. “Are you sure that it was some Naga youths?” I asked back and he replied that he was sure because the youths were not talking in any unfamiliar languages. I took pictures of the sketches in my phone and returned home after finally remembering and doing my personal work for which I had gone up there in the first place. (It is said that Leonardo Da Vinci took 10 years to paint just the lips of Mona Lisa. But here in the 21st century Nagaland, Naga artists have in a way surpassed even the great Leonardo Da Vinci by drawing such marvelous sketches on our street wall in a couple of just a few days).

I am neither an artist nor a student of Fine Arts. As such I don’t know anything about the basics, technicalities and nittygritty of art. But at least I can say that anybody who sees the sketches at the BOC junction will be impressed and touched in one way or the other. The art-works are simply so damn good that it is impossible to be unimpressed and untouched by it.

I am sure many have been completely mesmerized by the pictures like myself.

Even if some renowned artists from outside Nagaland had come and drawn those sketches, we would still be impressed

power the United States alone possessed. The military necessity argument was largely created later, in a 1947 article defending the use of the atomic bomb, written by former Secretary of War Henry Stimson, though actually drafted by McGeorge Bundy (later an architect of the Vietnam War) and James Conant (a scientist who helped build the original bomb). Conant described the article’s purpose at the beginning of the Cold War as “You have to get the past straight before you do much to prepare people for the future.”

The Stimson article was a response to journalist John Hersey’s account of the human suffering in Hiroshima, first published in 1946 in the New Yorker and later as a book. Due to wartime censorship, Americans knew little of the ground truth of atomic war, and Hersey’s piece was shocking enough to the public that it required that formal White House response. Americans’ general sense of themselves as a decent people needed to be reconciled with what was done in their name. The Stimson article was quite literally the moment of creation of the Hiroshima myth.

The national belief that no moral wrong was committed with the atomic bombs, and thus there was no need for reflection and introspection, echoes forward through today (the blithe way Nagasaki is treated as a historical after thought – “and Nagasaki, too” – only drives home the point.) It was 9/11, the new Pearl Harbor, that started a series of immoral acts allegedly servicing, albeit destructively and imperfectly, the moral imperative of saving lives by killing. America’s decisions on war, torture, rendition and indefinite detention are seen by most as the distasteful but necessary actions of fundamentally good people against fundamentally evil ones. Hiroshima set in motion a sweeping, national generalization that if we do it, it is right.

And with that, the steps away from the violence of Hiroshima and the shock-and-awe horrors inside the Iraqi prison of Abu Ghraib are merely a matter of degree. The myth allows the world’s most powerful nation to go to war as a victim after the trag-

ic beheadings of only a small number of civilians.

Meanwhile, the drone deaths of children at a wedding party are seen as unfortunate but only collateral damage in service to the goal of defeating global terrorism itself. It is a grim calculus that parses acts of violence to conclude some are morally justified simply based on who held the knife.

We may, in fact, think we are practically doing the people of Afghanistan a favor by killing some of them, as we believe we did for tens of thousands of Japanese that might have been lost in a land invasion of their home islands to otherwise end World War Two. There is little debate in the “war on terror” because debate is largely unnecessary; the myth of Hiroshima says an illusion of expediency wipes away any concerns over morality.

And with that neatly tucked away in our conscience, all that is left is pondering where to strike next.

Japan, too, is guilty of failing to look deep into itself over its own wartime atrocities. Yet compared to the stunning array of atrocities during and since World War Two, the world’s only use of nuclear weapons still holds a significant place in infamy. To try and force the Japanese government to surrender (and no one in 1945 knew if the plan would work) by making it watch mass casualties of innocents, and then to hold the nation hostage to future attacks with the promise of more bombs to come, speaks to a cruelty previously unseen.

For President Obama to visit Hiroshima without reflecting on the why of that unfortunate loss of lives, acting as if they occurred via some natural disaster, is tragically consistent with the fact that for 71 years no American president felt it particularly important to visit the victimized city. America’s lack of introspection over one of the 20th century’s most significant events continues, with 21st century consequences.

Peter Van Buren spent a year in Iraq as a State Department Foreign Service Officer serving as Team Leader for two Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs). Now in Washington, he writes about Iraq and the Middle East at his blog, We Meant Well. His new book is We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People (The American Empire Project, Metropolitan Books).

The Sketch on the Wall

and inspired. But the fact that the pictures were drawn by some of our own Naga youths makes the whole story even more impressive, inspiring and touching.

Like I said above, I am not familiar with the technicalities of drawings and paintings, so I do not know with what materials they drew those pictures and I also do not know how long the sketches will last there without fading. But if the sketches were to last beyond this generation, I am sure that even the coming generations would be totally bowled over and mesmerized by the art-works and the location (BOC junction) will certainly become an important landmark in our capital city.

After seeing the sketches that fateful day, I started to make enquiries from all possible sources about the artists who could have probably drawn the inspiring pictures. Finally through a news coverage in my favourite Morung Express I came to know the whole story behind the ingenious and innovative drawings.

As per the news coverage in the Morung Express, the sketches are the handiworks of two young Naga artists namely Vineizotuo Tase and Vithuse Temi. These artists had drawn the pictures in collaboration with the Project 72 Hours Team spearheaded by the ever innovative, ever smiling and ever

polite Sievituo Solo (whom I know personally). The Project 72 Hours team had also earlier won the hearts of many denizens of Kohima when they voluntarily took upon themselves the challenge to clean up the capital town in their own unique and unassuming manner.

Now as I ponder about the unbelievably impressive pictures and also about the kinds of innovative endeavours undertaken by the likes of the Project 72 Hours Team, I am extremely happy to know that there are at least some Naga youngsters who believe in doing things differently and who are prepared to go down the lane which others usually do not even consider to be a lane. Regarding the beautiful sketches on the wall, it’s still hard to believe that some Naga artists can draw such kinds of impressive sketches. So what is the Nagaland state government doing or will do for these Naga geniuses? It would be a hard slap on the face of the whole Nagas if we are to let these Naga talents slip into oblivion and obscurity without giving them the due platform and recognition that they truly deserve. Yes, we need to encourage youngsters who are willing and ready to think and act outside the box instead of treading down the same old saturated

lane over and over again.

I always believe and feel that Naga youths need to think beyond government service. As often stated, the Nagaland state government service sector is already at a saturation point. If only Naga youths can realize that there are limitless opportunities for making money, earning recognition and showcasing one’s talent even beyond the periphery of the Nagaland state government sector, a new era will dawn upon us all. And here, I am happy that at least a trend has been started by the likes of Vineizotuo Tase, Vithuse Temi, Sievituo Solo and their Project 72 Hours Team.

Yes, a real issue with majority of the present Naga youngsters is that they think only about government jobs and about driving SUVs. But the truth is that even if we drive up and down over all the roads of Kohima and Dimapur in our impressive SUVs, in the long run nobody is going to admire or adore us if we don’t have the heart to pursue and cherish the real worthwhile values and virtues of life. After our time is done and after we are dead and gone, there will be no footprints even for our own children to see and follow. Driving up and down in SUVs does not in any way mean that Nagas have become so developed, so advanced, so accomplished or so up-to-date because everybody knows that all the cars in Nagaland were and are imported from outside. Up to this day, we have not manufactured even a bicycle (let’s not forget). And at the rate at which we are buying cars, a day will surely come when our roads will not be in a position to accommodate our cars because with every new car, our roads are getting narrower. Therefore it is only when we think and act differently that we can see some desirable changes in the tapestry of our society.

Allow me to conclude by saying that I dedicate this write-up to the marvelous art-work displayed at the PHQ junction and I am of the firm conviction that innovative ideas and worthy ideals can bring about desirable changes in our society.

In the times of Daniel in ancient Babylon, it was “The Writing on the Wall” that shook and changed the destiny of the people and I will hope that “The Sketch on the Wall” at PHQ Junction Kohima will at least bring about some changes in the mindset, mentality and attitude of the Nagas especially the youths……. And yes, kudos to the artists Vineizotuo Tase and Vithuse Temi for the magical touch…..

ndian democracy is quite often about the politics of visibility, the image most often replacing the substance. Political parties celebrate their leaders, both living and dead, in huge newspaper advertisements that cost an enormous amount. For leaders who have passed on, there is usually a remembrance on their birth and death anniversaries whereas in the case of serving politicians just about any occasion is an excuse to indulge in an extra splash of image building.

In recent days, the clash of ideologies and personalities of India past and present has been playing out even in the ad space with the BJP and the Congress marking anniversaries that commemorate critical milestones in India`s democratic journey. Loud and characteristically in your face was the advertising blitzkrieg unleashed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mark the second anniversary of the Narendra Modi regime (May 26).

And there was a twist. Most of the fulsome tributes came from party chief ministers in BJP-ruled states who, like the vassals of yore, lauded their chieftain for his `outstanding governance` or `great achievements` or the `innumerable achievements` of his `charismatic and visionary leadership`. So we know who picked up the tab for this anniversary extravagance apart from the government of India.

A day later, there was a much smaller ad and very few of them in memory of India`s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary.

That commemoration did not come from the government of India as it should have; it was put up by the Congress party. This was all of a piece with the policy of the BJP regime which is trying to obliterate Nehru`s memory and legacy in mission mode, and not just because of his staunch ideological opposition to the politics of communalism. That legacy of his which kept India on the secular path for decades is being whittled away by a ferocious political campaign and in unsavoury ways by the saffron underbelly of the party.

An entire online industry has sprung up to promote websites that spew venom against India`s first prime minister with gross calumny while its army of Internet trolls flood social websites with misrepresentations that only reveal their lack of history and culture.

It is undoubtedly galling for the BJP and its ideologues in the parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, that they can flaunt no heroesof their own from the freedom struggle. That they did not take part in the freedom movement is a historical truth they cannot undo. On the other hand, they have to contend with a Nehru who spent close to nine years in prison and was once paraded in chains by the British.

That is one reason why the Hindu supremacist BJP resents Nehru and the liberal, secular Indians who subscribe to his ideals. The most irksome is Nehru`s known opposition to religious fundamentalism which, like poverty, he believed to be the worstscourge of the country. But there are clearly more reasons for the Hindutva brigade`s implacable hatred of the man who steered India in the first 16 years of its independence, an extraordinary stint that was marked by visionary successes and some profound failures.

At the simplest level it is, perhaps, a class issue.

Nehru was British-educated and patently Westernised even if he wore khadi and a Congress cap along with his trademark bandhgala Modi`s attire, incidentally, is a flattering imitation of this attire, down to his churidars and he was suavely cosmopolitan. He wrote and spoke in elegant English and he was comfortable in the company of women. To add to his aura was wealth which he gave away, a fact that the class of people who subscribe to the saffron ideology probably find astonishing. Besides, he mattered greatly in the global scheme of things.

Today, when liberals ask why they are the target of the saffron brigade, the answer could be that for the most part they come from a similar background and champion the values that Nehru held dear. At least that comes across as a major grouse with the saffron lobby if you read their blogs and other online rants.

But there are obviously deeper reasons for the grow-ing chasm between the secular opponents of the majoritarian principles pushed by the Modi regime and the supposedly rooted Indian who prefers the vernacular, is proud to belt out Bharatmata kiJai (victory to Mother India) and is above all a proud Hindu.

As the saffron ideology becomes increasingly popular, specially with the middle class, there is a marked inability in the ranks of secular society to come to terms with this phenomenon. Their antipathy to Hindutva is also marked by a similar revulsion tinged with derision. Where, they ask, are intellectuals of repute who can make a persuasive case for the country`s rightward shift? Why does the BJP and its brotherhood of saffron suffer from such a striking intellectual deficit? They have no historians or even Sanskritists of repute. They might have some economists in their retinue but certainly no thinkers with a compelling vision for the country`s future.

One way for the Modi men to understand why Nehru`s legacy endures would be to understand his towering vision for the country. To start with they could peruse Nehru: The making of India, published in the centennial year of his birth (1988). The book is long but easy to read and it shows why Nehru is still important to the idea of a modern India. `His most important contribution in a life full of contributions was a clear establishment of a vision in which to lift India from the 18th century towards the 21st, explains M.J. Akbar, the author, who repeatedly emphasises Nehru`s conviction that communalism was the worst evil facing independent India. `Having watched religious emotions play havoc with the unity of the country and the people, to stand up and take positions against what might be called fundamentalism, to seek to define a new language by saying that the steel mills and the dams were the temples of modern India, this required conviction, courage and the confidence that swaying them with religion was not just wrong but injurious … these were remarkable convictions that shaped India.

The author, once a Congressman, now has clout in the BJP. He is a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament) and is national spokesman of the party. If he could he persuade Modi and his cabal to read his book, would it change the disastrous trajectory of current politics?

The writer is a journalist based in New Delhi.

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

8

FRIDAY 10•06•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

India plans expanded missile export drive

NEW DELHI, JuNE 9 (REutERs): India has stepped up efforts to sell an advanced cruise missile system to Vietnam and has at least 15 more markets in its sights, a push experts say reflects concerns in New Delhi about China's growing military assertiveness.

Selling the supersonic BrahMos missile, made by an Indo-Russian joint venture, would mark a shift for the world's biggest arms importer, as India seeks to send weapons the other way in order to shore up partners' defences and boost revenues.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered BrahMos Aerospace, which produces the missiles, to accelerate sales to a list of five countries topped by Vietnam, according to a government note viewed

by Reuters and previously unreported.

The others are Indonesia, South Africa, Chile and Brazil. The Philippines is at the top of a second list of 11 nations including Malaysia, Thailand and United Arab Emirates, countries which had "expressed interest but need further discussions and analysis", the undated note added.

A source familiar with the matter would only say the note was issued earlier this year.

New Delhi had been sitting on a 2011 request from

China leads resistance to India joining nuclear export club

India's Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, mounted on a truck, pass by during a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. (REUTERS File Photo)

Hanoi for the BrahMos for fear of angering China, which sees the weapon, reputed to be the world's fastest cruise missile with a top speed of up to three times the speed of sound, as destabilising.

Indonesia and the Philippines had also asked for the BrahMos, which has a range of 290 km and can be fired from land, sea and submarine. An air-launched version is under testing.

WARY EYE ON CHINA Unlike Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia, India is not a party to territorial disputes in the South

India's water reservoir levels at 16% capacity in past week NEW DELHI, JuNE 9 (REutERs): Water levels in India's main reservoirs were at 16 percent of their storage capacity in the week to June 9, down 11 percentage points from a year earlier, government data showed on Thursday The latest levels were lower than the last 10 years' average of 20 percent, but 1 percentage point down compared with the previous week.Monsoon rains, crucial for India's farm sector, arrived at Kerala coast on June 8, a day later than forecast. Water levels in reservoirs are important primarily for irrigation during the summer and winter months, and for hydropower generation.

Swedish general appointed to head UN India-Pakistan military observers uNItED NAtIoNs, JuNE 9 (IANs): UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed Swedish Major General Per Lodin, a logistics expert, to head the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) that monitors the situation in Kashmir. India does not recognize the UNMOGIPÂ’s mandate. He is to succeed Major General Delali Johnson Sakyi of Ghana, who is completing his two-year assignment in July, Ban's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday. Lodin is currently the head of Strategic Material Management at Forsvarets materielverk (FMV), the Swedish defence ministry's procurement and logistics arm. He had earlier served as the head of the task force centre of Kosovo Force (KFOR), the multinational peacekeeping mission led by NATO in 2006-2007.

Sex racket involving models and actresses busted PANAJI, JuNE 9 (IANs): The Goa Police on Thursday said it had busted a prostitution racket operating in Maharashtra and Goa involving actresses and models and arrested one of the key pimps. Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Karthik Kashyap said the police had found crucial evidence and details of high profile clients, models and actresses from the pimp, Anand Kumar alias Andy, who was arrested from his residence in a tony housing colony on the outskirts of Panaji.

Even as police sources said the list contains detailed contacts of celebrities and politicians in the client list, Kashyap refused to divulge more details about the same.

In the raid, which the police conducted using a decoy customer, police also arrested four other pimps working under Kumar and rescued three women from another flat near Panaji.

India denies Google's Street View NEW DELHI, JuNE 9 (PtI): India has rejected Google's plans to put Indian cities, tourists spots, hills and rivers in an application in which one can explore through 360-degree, panoramic and street-level imagery. The Home Ministry has conveyed to Google that its plans to cover India through the Google Street View is rejected. Security establishment got wary of allowing such image-capturing given that planning for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai is believed to have involved photographic reconnaissance of targets by Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley.

Official sources said the rejection came after a detailed analysis by security agencies and defence forces which feel that allowing Google to cover India would compromise country's security interest. The internet services giant wanted to cover most of the Indian territory through the Google Street View. It explores places around the world through 360-degree, panoramic and street-level 3D imagery. Everything taken under it posted online. Google had on an experimental basis launched Street View in some of the tourist sites like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Varanasi river bank, Nalanda University, Mysore Palace, Thanjavur temple Chinnaswamy stadium besides others in partnership with the Archaeological Society of India.

China Sea, a vital global trade route which China claims most of.

But India has an unsettled land border with China and in recent years has grown concerned over its powerful neighbour's expanding maritime presence in the Indian Ocean.

It has railed against China's military assistance to arch-rival Pakistan and privately fumed over Chinese submarines docking in Sri Lanka, just off the toe of India.

"Policymakers in Delhi were long constrained by the belief that advanced defence cooperation with

Washington or Hanoi could provoke aggressive and undesirable responses from Beijing," said Jeff M. Smith, Director of Asian Security Programs at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington.

India's export push comes as it emerges from decades of isolation over its nuclear arms programme.

It is poised to join the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) after talks between Modi and U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington this week.

BrahMos' range means it falls short of the 300 km limit set by the voluntary

VIENNA, JuNE 9 (REutERs): China is leading opposition to a push by the United States and other major powers for India to join the main club of countries controlling access to sensitive nuclear technology, diplomats said on Thursday as the group discussed India's membership bid. Other countries opposing Indian membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) include New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa and Austria, diplomats said. The 48-nation NSG aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by restricting the sale of items that can be used to make those arms.

India already enjoys most of the benefits of membership under a 2008 exemption to NSG rules granted to support its nuclear co-

organisation.

India's accession to the MTCR may also strengthen its case for joining another non-proliferation body, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a move China has effectively blocked. Both groups would give India greater access to research and technology.

BrahMos Aerospace, co-owned by the Indian and Russian governments, said discussions were underway with several countries on missile exports, but it was too early to be more specific.

India is still a marginal player in global arms ex-

operation deal with Washington, even though India has developed atomic weapons and never signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the main global arms control pact. Opponents argue that granting it membership would further undermine efforts to prevent proliferation. It would also infuriate India's rival Pakistan, which responded to India's membership bid with one of its own and has the backing of its close ally China. A decision on Indian membership is not expected before an NSG plenary meeting in Seoul on June 20, but diplomats said Washington had been pressuring holdouts, and Thursday's closed-door meeting was a chance to see how strong opposition is.

U.S. Secretary of State John

ports. The unit cost of the missile, fitted on Indian naval ships, is estimated at around $3 million.

GETTING CLOSER TO VIETNAM India has been steadily building military ties with Vietnam and is supplying offshore patrol boats under a $100 million credit line, its biggest overseas military aid.

This week Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart General Ngo Xuan Lich in Hanoi and both sides agreed to exchange infor-

Kerry wrote to members asking them "not to block consensus on Indian admission to the NSG" in a letter seen by Reuters and dated Friday. China, however, showed no sign of backing down from its opposition to India joining unless Pakistan becomes a member. Most of the hold-outs oppose the idea of admitting a non-NPT state such as India and argue that if it is to be admitted, it should be under criteria that apply equally to all states rather than under a "tailor-made" solution for a U.S. ally.Mexico's president said on Wednesday his country supports India's membership bid, but one Vienna-based diplomat said it still opposed the idea of it joining under conditions that did not apply equally to all.

mation on commercial shipping as well as expand hydrographic cooperation, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement on Monday.

A source at the defence ministry said India was hoping to conclude negotiations on the supply of BrahMos to Vietnam by the end of the year.

The Indian government is also considering a proposal to offer Vietnam a battleship armed with the BrahMos missiles instead of just the missile battery, the source said.

"A frigate integrated with the BrahMos can play a de-

cisive role, it can be a real deterrent in the South China Sea," the source said, adding New Delhi would have to expand the line of credit to cover the cost of the ship.

Indian warships are armed with configurations of eight or 16 BrahMos missiles each, while sets of two or four would go on smaller vessels. A Russian official said exports of BrahMos to third countries was part of the founding agreement of the India-Russia joint venture. Only now India had armed its own military with the BrahMos was there capacity to consider exporting, he added.

Maneka and Javadekar lock horns over culling of animals NEW DELHI, JuNE 9 (PtI): Two Union Ministers--Maneka Gandhi and Prakash Javadekar--today locked horns over culling of animals with the former saying there was "lust" for killing in the Environment Ministry. Javadekar, who is the Minister for Environment and Forests, on his part said animal culling is allowed on the request of states to protect crops and restricted to a particular ar-

eas and time period.

The war of words between the two BJP leaders was quickly seized upon by the opposition parties which alleged there was no teamwork or cohesion in the Modi government.

The outburst by Maneka, who holds the Women and Child Development portfolio and is an animal rights activist, came in the wake of the recent killing of 'nilgai' (blue bulls) in Bihar, which

she termed as "biggest ever massacre". Around 200 Nilgais were reported to have been gunned down in Bihar in the past one week.

Maneka said the Union Environment Ministry "is writing to every state government, allowing them to provide a list of animals that can be killed so that the Centre can give permission. "This is happening for the first time. I don't understand this lust for killing of

animals. It is shameful."

Responding to the charge, Javadekar said it is being done as per existing law and is not a central government programme.

"As per existing law when farmers face a lot of problems and their crops are completely damaged and when state government sends a proposal, only then we allow (culling) and grant approval to the state government's proposal for a partic-

ular area and time period for scientific management.

"It is not a programme of the central government. The law is such," he said. Maneka said 53 wild boars have been killed in drought-hit Chandrapur in Maharashtra and the Environment Ministry has allowed killing of 50 more, even when the state wildlife department does not want that.

"The Ministries do not have cohesion among

them. This is not the first time such a thing is happening. All ministries are clashing and that is why work is stalled. There is lack of teamwork," JD(U) spokesman Ajay Alok said.

NCP spokesperson Rahul Narvekar said, "There is no synchronisation between various ministries of the government, thanks to one single person dictating terms. This is another example of bad governance.

As 'Udta Punjab' sparks heat, politics plays out in Punjab The film depicts the drug menace in the state CHANDIgARH, JuNE 9 (IANs): Punjab appears divided in the ongoing row over the censor board's major cuts in "Udta Punjab" and its decision that all references to the state be deleted from the Bollywood film.

Congress leader and former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has condemned the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) for raising major objections to "Udta Punjab"."It has clearly been done at the behest of the Akali-BJP government in Punjab. The movie has been banned with a guilty conscience," Amarinder Singh said.

He accused union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who also heads the information and broadcasting ministry (which

controls CBFC), "for being a party to this authoritarian decision" though the movie depicts the "harsh reality of Punjab".

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is defensive on the issue. "How the state government could be held responsible for it when the CBFC is exclusively under the control of the government of India?"

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has emerged as a major player in Punjab, too maintains that the Akali Dal and BJP are to blame for the problems "Udta Punjab" -- which depicts the drug menace in the state -- is facing.

CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani, at the centre of the controversy, alleged on Wednesday that he had heard that the film was funded by the AAP. This drew angry reaction from AAP leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The con-

troversy over the film has attracted varied opinion from people, especially on the social media.

A Radical Sikh organization Dal Khalsa slammed the censor board for its objections to "Udta Punjab". "The film was about rising drug problem that Punjab was facing... It's a harsh reality," its leader Kanwar Pal Singh said, blaming the Akalis and the BJP for the controversy.

Amarinder Singh, who has taken a religious vow to eradicate the drugs problem from Punjab within four weeks if the Congress was voted to power, said there was no need to delete references to Punjab or other places. "It is like taking the soul out of the film's body," he said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal, which has been in power in Punjab since 2007 in alliance with the BJP, and its leadership has been accused by critics of patronizing

A still from the movie Udta Punjab which is in the middle of a cencorship row.

the multi-million dollar drugs mafia in the state. Akali Dal leaders told IANS the party leadership was "feeling uncomfortable" with the way the drugs abuse of Punjab was being projected and this could harm the party in assembly polls next year.

Various studies in recent years have indicated that substance abuse, including drugs, is rampant across Punjab, especially in rural areas. The extent of the substance abuse is put by some surveys at over 70% out of Punjab's 2.8 crore population.

79% passports delayed, Delhi Police verification fastest Devanik Saha IANS/IndiaSpend

It took 71 days to issue an Indian passport in 2014, nearly three times as long as the 24 days fixed by the government, and the police took twice as long as they should (42 days instead of 21) to verify applicants’ information, according to a recent audit report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

No more than 21 per cent of passport applications were processed that year by regional passport offices (RPOs) within three working days, as they should be after police verification. The proportion of passports processed in time fell from 26 per cent in was conducted between 2013, the CAG report said. June 2012 and August 2015.

In 2008, Tata ConsulThe audit of 37 regional passport offices (RPOs) tancy Services (TCS), an

information-technology company, signed a deal with the Ministry of External Affairs to speed up

passport issue.

The average time for regional passport offices (RPOs) to process passport applications, after police verification, increased from nine days - against the prescribed three days - in 2013 to 16 days in 2014, more than five times longer than it should be. The national average for issue of normal passports (police verification + processing) was 71 days in 2014 against the total prescribed time of 24 days (three days for processing applications + 21 days for police verification).

“Henceforth, normal passport applications of all first-time applicants furnishing Aadhaar, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Permanent Account Number (PAN) and an affidavit will be processed on postpolice verification basis,

enabling faster issue of passport, without payment of any additional fees,” said this statement from the Ministry of External Affairs earlier this year.

Passports issued increased by 54 per cent, from 5.2 million in 2010 to 8.1 million in 2014. Average police verification time 42 days, twice as long as it should be In 2014, police verification of applicants, a key step in issuing new passports, took 42 days, double the time fixed for the process, 21 days, the CAG audit found.

This was seven days quicker than in 2013.

The average time declined to 36 days for 2015 for the period for which data were available, January to June. In Delhi, the police verification process took 12 days, compared to 265 days (9 months approx-

imately) in Assam.

The CAG report also mentioned that the delay in police verification report in some states and union territories was because there was no electronic connectivity with passport offices.

As many as 35 per cent of police verifications took more than 180 days. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court recommended that the Centre “revisit” its system of applicant checks, noting that even the government admitted to “lacunae in the system” that allowed the use of false or forged documents.

Passport offices received as many as 84,647 complaints in 2014, 63,831 (75 per cent) of which were addressed; 20,816 complaints (25 per cent) remained unattended until the end of the year.

friDAY 10•06•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Thailand’s animal tourism under scrutiny after Tiger Temple raid BANGKOK, JuNe 9 (ReuteRs): From selfies with tigers to elephant rides and orangutan boxing, Thailand offers tourists an array of attractions that animal rights activists say are cruel and should be shut down.

Wildlife officials discovered scores of dead tiger cubs while rescuing 137 tigers from a Buddhist temple last week, raising fears that other tourist attractions could be fronts for animal trafficking.

The Tiger Temple was “just the tip of the iceberg”, said Jan Schmidt-Burbach, a Bangkok-based adviser at World Animal Protection.

“We see an increase in demand for wildlife entertainment, and there’s limited transparency on what goes on behind the scene and how those venues are profiting from the animals.”

During their week-long raid on the Tiger Temple west of Bangkok, wildlife officials found frozen tiger carcasses, skins and dead cubs in jars, as well as other protected species.

It is unclear why the Tiger Temple was storing dead tiger cubs and parts, although officials have said they might have been used for traditional Chinese medicine.

The authorities have filed complaints against 22 people, including six

Thai tiger temple denies abuse, trade

Dead tiger cubs are displayed by Thai officials after they were found during a raid on the controversial Tiger Temple, a popular tourist destination which has come under fire in recent years over the welfare of its big cats, in Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok, Thailand June 1, 2016. Daily News/via REUTERS

monks, whom police will investigate for illegal possession of wildlife and wildlife trafficking.

The temple denied the allegations at a press conference on Thursday.

Thailand has long been a hub for illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products, and endangered animal species are often sold in its markets.

Thailand’s animal tour-

Holocaust victims’ belongings uncovered after 50 years WARsAW, JuNe 9 (IANs): More than 16,000 personal items belonging to Jews who were held in the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz were uncovered in Poland’s capital Warsaw, after 50 years since they were excavated.

The long-lost objects, including jewellery, thermometres, empty medicine bottles, watches, buttons and keys, were presented on Wednesday at a press conference at the Auschwitz Museum in Oswiecim, Poland, Xinhua news agency reported. The huge range of items were first discovered in 1967 by archeologists searching an area where a gas chamber and crematorium had stood at the former Second World War death camp set up by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland.

They were then stowed in 48 cardboard boxes to the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, where they remained forgotten for about 50 years. Auschwitz Museum Director Piotr Cywinski said in a report that in most cases, these are the last personal belongings of the Jews.

Cywinski said the objects were a remarkable testimony to the history of the camp and the extermination conducted by Nazi Germany, and a moving personal testimony of the victims. The Auschwitz concentration camp, built in 1940, was first constructed to hold Polish political prisoners and later became a major Nazi death camp.

First element discovered in Asia named “nihonium”, after Japan tOKYO, JuNe 9 (ReuteRs): Japanese scientists behind the discovery of element 113, the first atomic element found in Asia - indeed, the first found outside Europe or the United States - have dubbed it “nihonium” after the Japanese-language name for their country.

“I believe the fact that we, in Japan, found one of only 118 known atomic elements gives this discovery great meaning,” said Kosuke Morita, a university professor who led the discovery team from the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science. “Another important meaning is that until now, all the elements in the periodic table have been discovered in Europe and the United States,” he told a news conference on Thursday.

Element 113 was first found in 2004, and the number refers to its atomic number, or the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. It does not exist naturally and has had to be synthesized.

Though the element was publicly recognised by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in December 2015, the name was not announced by IUPAC until Wednesday. It will become permanent after a fivemonth public review. If approved, it will join other newly announced elements: moscovium for element 116, tennessine for element 117 and oganesson for element 118.

Air pollution may affect mental health in kids LONdON, JuNe 9 (IANs): Increased exposure to air pollution can negatively affect the brain as well as mental development of children and adolescents, finds a new study. The findings showed that air pollution increased the risk of at least one psychiatric diagnosis for children and adolescents.

In particular, the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were found rampant in residential areas. The risk increased 9% with a 10 microgram per cubic metre higher concentration of nitrogen dioxide even after socioeconomic and demographic factors were taken into account.

In addition, children and adolescents living in such areas were more likely to have been given medications, including sedatives, sleeping pills and antipsychotics, for a psychiatric disorder. “The results can mean that higher concentration of air pollution, first and foremost trafficrelated air pollution, may increase psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents,” said lead author Anna Oudin, researcher at Umea University in Sweden.

ism fuels the illicit trade, said Steve Galster, executive director of Freeland, a Bangkok-based group fighting human and wildlife trafficking.

“We know that some zoos and a lot of wildlife operators supply animals into the black market,” Galster said. “They breed the animals, have some there to make money from tourists, and sell the extra ones.”

The Department of National Parks said it plans to inspect other tiger attractions following the raid on the temple.

On Wednesday, the department seized more than 100 animals, including two tigers and two elephants, from a zoo in the seaside town of Hua Hin. It said it would also inspect the popular Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Chonburi, east

of Bangkok, which came under scrutiny in 2004 after it shipped at least 100 tigers to a Chinese zoo.

“Sriracha was under the same kind of spotlight that the Tiger Temple is now,” said Galster. “But it was never shut down and the tiger numbers are still high there.”

Like the Tiger Temple, Sriracha Tiger Zoo also charges tourists to feed or take selfies with cubs. Its

BANGKOK, JuNe 9 (IANs): The controversial Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua Buddhist monastery, popularly known as the Tiger Temple accused of abusing dozens of tigers seized by wildlife authorities in Thailand, on Thursday denied allegations that it mistreated or traded the animals.

At a press conference, a representative for the monks Siri Wangboonlert said: “This is a robbery. They have no right to confiscate the tigers,” CNN reported.

The Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi province was a popular attraction with visitors who paid an entrance fee to pet and pose for photos with the 137 cats, but it had faced substantial criticism over its alleged practices.

The temple’s abbot, Luang Ta Chan, was expected to speak at the press conference, but arrived on a gold cart and waved at reporters before leaving.

Temple officials said he was not involved in the running of the sanctuary and could not speak as he had recently undergone a heart operation.

During a raid by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to remove the tigers in late May, authorities found 40 cub bodies in the temple’s freezer, along with other animal parts.

Five men, including three monks, have been charged with possession of endangered animal parts without permission. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of four years in prison and/or a fine of $1,100.

Earlier, the temple defended itself on Facebook, saying that the cub mortality rate was high and that the bodies were preserved for scientific purposes.

But authorities said whether it was for research or the more sinister intent to sell them, it was illegal to keep unregistered cubs.

The 137 confiscated tigers have been moved to a new home at a governmental sanctuary in Ratchaburi province, about 90 km away. main attraction is a circus in which seven tigers display what a ringmaster calls their “talents”: leaping through rings of fire and walking on their hind legs while the audience applauds.

The Sriracha Tiger Zoo’s management declined to comment. Both the Tiger Temple and Sriracha Tiger Zoo are promoted on the website of the Tourism Au-

thority of Thailand (TAT), a department of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul told Reuters she had “no knowledge” of the trafficking allegations against the temple and said it was not her ministry’s responsibility to look into them. “But if they’re true, of course we will not condone it,” she said.

The TAT told Reuters

the information on its website was “outdated” and was being updated.

Thailand introduced a new animal welfare act in 2015 to curb abuse, but activists say it is poorly enforced. Galster urged the government to spend more money on combating wildlife trafficking.

“The government has to put their money where their mouth is,” he said.

Israel suspends 83,000 Palestinian entry permits after Tel Aviv attack JeRusALem, JuNe 9 (ReuteRs): The Israeli military on Thursday revoked permits for 83,000 Palestinians to visit Israel and said it would send hundreds more troops to the occupied West Bank after a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault by the two gunmen on Wednesday in a trendy shopping and dining market near Israel’s Defence Ministry, but Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups were quick to praise it.

The assailants came from near Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. They dressed in suits and ties and posed as customers at a restaurant before pulling out automatic weapons and opening fire, sending diners fleeing in panic.

The dead included two women and two men, while six people were wounded. The attack followed a lull in recent weeks after what had been near-daily stabbings and shootings on Israeli streets. It was the deadliest incident in eight months.

The attackers, cousins in their 20s who security experts said appeared to have entered Israel without permits, were quickly apprehended. One of them was shot and wounded.

“It is clear that they spent

time planning and training and choosing their target,” Barak BenZur, former head of research at Israel’s Shin Bet domestic security agency, told reporters.

“They got some support, although we don’t know for sure who their supporters are,” he said, adding that they appeared to have used improvised automatic weapons smuggled into Israel.

The attack, as families were enjoying a balmy evening out at the open-air Sarona complex, took place just a couple of hundred yards from the fortified Defence Ministry in the heart of Tel Aviv, which has seen far less violence than Jerusalem.

After security consultations overseen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military said it was rescinding some 83,000 permits issued to Palestinians from the West Bank to visit relatives in Israel during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

It also announced that two battalions would be deployed in the West Bank by the end of the day to reinforce troops stationed in the area, where the military maintains a network of checkpoints and often carries out raids to arrest suspected militants. Israeli battalions are comprised of around 300 troops.

Such measures, including restrictions on access to Jerusa-

People hug each other following a shooting attack that took place in the center of Tel Aviv on June 8.

(REUTERS Photo)

lem’s Aqsa Mosque compound, the holy site in the heart of the Old City that Jews refer to as Temple Mount, have in the past lead to increased tension with the Palestinians.

After the attack, fireworks were set off in parts of the West Bank and in some refugee camps people sang, chanted and waved flags in celebration, locals said.

Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran called it “the first prophecy of Ramadan” and said the location of the attack, across the road from Israel’s fortified De-

fence Ministry, “indicated the failure of all measures by the occupation” to end the uprising.

During the recent wave of violence, Israel’s government has repeatedly criticised Palestinian factions for inciting attacks or not doing enough to quell them.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the largest group in the Palestine Liberation Organization after Fatah, the Western-backed party of President Mahmoud Abbas, described the killings as “a natural response to field executions conducted by

the Zionist occupation”.

The group called it a challenge to Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s new defence minister, who must decide how to respond to the violence, possibly with tighter security across the West Bank.

Lieberman said he would act, but didn’t say how. The United Nations’ special coordinator for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, condemned the shootings and expressed alarm at the failure of Palestinian groups to speak out against the violence. The European Union did the same.

With men gone, women shake up farming in Nepal PHuLBARI, JuNe 9 (tHOmsON ReuteRs FOuNdAtION): - Ratna Chaudhary delicately lifts the hem of her pink and green dress with one hand, while using the other to scoop up a batch of cabbages in her garden in the village of Phulbari, a dozen kilometres from the NepalIndia border.

She calls three women to help, who join the dancelike movement, bending and swaying as they pick up vegetables and lay them in a basket.

“Since my husband works in India now, I’m responsible for harvesting all our crops,” said Chaudhary, holding two cabbages to her face before throwing the yellower one to the ground.

Her husband, Chatkauna, is one of at least 2.2 million Nepalis – nearly 10 percent of the population – who work abroad, according to the Nepal Institute of

A woman carries a basket as she heads towards her field at Khokana in Lalitpur, Nepal.

(REUTERS File Photo)

Development Studies.

For the past three years, Chatkauna has taken on seasonal work for most of the year as a miner in the Indian city of Haldwani. It pays more than the daily jobs he used to do in his hometown, and he returns to Phulbari every four months to see his family and hand over his earnings.

Migration of mainly

low-skilled workers is a key source of income for Nepal, where remittances account for around a quarter of gross domestic product.

The outflow of male workers – in particular from rural areas faced with worsening climate conditions – has major implications for the country’s agricultural sector, believes Madan Pariyar, project director

at International Development Enterprises (iDE), a non-profit group that helps poor farmers with work and income opportunities.

“Men going to find jobs in India and the Middle East leaves few to manage agricultural activities that were traditionally men’s preserve,” he said. “As a result, more women are taking charge of farming work.”

Chaudhary used to work on a sugarcane farm in India herself. “We just couldn’t earn enough in our village,” she said.

For the past six months, however, she has cultivated her own patch of land and leases the remainder of it – 1,700 square metres (18,299 square feet) – to other poor, low-caste farmers from the “tharu” ethnic minority group, one of Nepal’s largest.

In 2015, iDE helped Chaudhary set up a village vegetable co-operative, which she chairs, to boost local farmers’ incomes. The project is part of the Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) programme, funded by the British government.

“Rural communities in Nepal are plagued by extreme poverty, which is the result of recurring disasters such as floods, droughts or earthquakes,” said Pariyar.

Phulbari is no exception. Its long, flat stretches of land are well-suited to farming, but their proximity to the Mohana river makes them particularly vulnerable to floods.

With iDE’s help, 25 subsistence farmers - 18 women and five men - grow vegetables on 68 square-metre plots of land, which they rent from Chaudhary, paying her in cash or in kind.

They bring their spare produce to a collection centre, which transports the vegetables and other crops to large markets or sells them to regular buyers.

The co-operative also gives farmers better access to cheaper seeds, fertilisers and finance such as private investment and microcredit.

While the project is still in its early days, it is already yielding results. “Farmers now earn 50 rupees ($0.50) more a day than they did previously,” said Pariyar.

10

FriDAY 10•06•2016

sports/public discourse

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

More sponsors keep backing India unveil six new test Sharapova despite 2-year ban venues for new home season

VIENNa, JuNE 9 (aP): Two more sponsors reinforced their support of Maria Sharapova on Thursday, one day after the five-time Grand Slam champion was banned for two years for doping.

Racket supplier Head and bottled water company Evian followed sports gear giant Nike by saying they continue to back the 29year old Russian, who is set to appeal her suspension.

However, Avon announced it would not extend a partnership that was set to expire. But the manufacturer of beauty and personal care products said its decision had nothing to do with Sharapova's doping ban. Head CEO Johan Eliasch called the suspension imposed by an International Tennis Federation anti-doping tribunal ''a flawed decision,'' repeating his comment that the substance Sharapova tested positive for, meldonium, shouldn't have been added to WADA's banned list on Jan. 1.

According to the Austrian-based racket company, there was a lack of scientific evidence for the supposed performance-enhancing effect of meldonium, and

Maria Sharapova of Russia speaks during a news conference at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia on January 1, 2013. (REUTERS/File Photo)

there were also no studies indicating its usage could affect the health of an athlete. ''It appears that the ITF have made their decision based upon a flawed process undertaken by WADA,'' Eliasch said. ''That clearly highlights how WADA have broken their own rules in determining whether or not meldonium should be banned.''

He claimed the World Anti-Doping Agency made its decision ''based upon the amount of athletes using meldonium rather than

any scientific evidence.''

More than 170 athletes, mainly from Eastern Europe, failed doping tests in the first three months after meldonium became a banned substance. Meldonium is a blood-flow drug that historically was used to improve Soviet soldiers' endurance.

In April, WADA said athletes could avoid sanctions if their sample showed only minor traces of meldonium, indicating they stopped taking it before it was banned. That, however, didn't apply to

Sharapova.

Head backed Sharapova three months ago when she was initially suspended and revealed she failed a doping test at the Australian Open in January. Head even announced a new racket deal with her. She has been using the equipment since 2011.

His company ''will continue to stand by Miss Sharapova,'' Eliasch said.

Evian said it was still supporting her because her infringement of the doping rules was ''not intentional.''

Other brands, including TAG Heuer and Porsche, suspended their support of the world's highest-earning female athlete in March.

Sharapova has announced she will appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport. ''While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension,'' she said on her Facebook page. Sharapova claimed she had been taking the drug for 10 years for various health issues, and that she failed to check the new list of banned substances last year.

Eden to host first day-night Test in India

Anurag Thakur, newly-elected president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), smiles during a news conference in Mumbai, India, May 22, 2016. (REUTERS)

NEW DELHI, JuNE 9 (REutERs): Often accused of not taking cricket's longest format seriously, India unveiled six new test venues on Thursday and announced a busy 201617 home season when they will play 13 tests against four visiting teams.

Indore, Rajkot, Vizag, Dharamsala, Ranchi and Pune will host test matches for the first time, the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) announced after a meeting of its Tour Programme and Fixtures

Committee. India will also play eight one-day and three Twenty20 Internationals. The only time India played as many as 13 tests at home was in 1979-80.

"I welcome the new test venues hosting this prestigious format of cricket and their arrival will take test match cricket to every corner of the country," BCCI president Anurag Thakur said. Indore will debut as a test venue when New Zealand visit later this year to play three tests, one of them likely to be a day-

KoLKata, JuNE 9 (IaNs): The venerable Eden Gardens ground will play host to the first ever daynight Test in the country when India take on New Zealand later this year, a senior Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official confirmed on Thursday. The Tour Programme and Fixtures Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced the fixture stating that New Zealand will play three Test matches and five One-Day Internationals here. The venues for the Test matches are Indore, Kanpur and Kolkata. “We had written to the BCCI and they have accepted our request. Eden Gardens will host the day-night Test against New Zealand. This is fantastic news,” a top CAB official told IANS. The New Zealand series will be followed by five Test matches, three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals against England. In total India will be playing 13 Tests in the upcoming season. nighter, and five one-day internationals.

The subsequent series against England will see Rajkot and the coastal venue of Vizag host tests for the first time. Apart from five tests, England will also play three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals, according to the BCCI statement. Set at the foot of the Himalayas, the picturesque Dharamsala will host its first test when Australia arrive in February to play four tests in India. The series will also feature two

Climatic Concerns, Irresponsible Lifestyle

J

Jonah Achumi

ean Rostand said ‘Science has made us gods even before we are worthy of being men’. A photo of a hungry malnourished skinny African child with an empty plate in his hands and a caption on the side reads “The world’s hunger is getting ridiculous; there are more nutrients in a rich man’s shampoo than in the food of a poor man’s plate”. I bet if anyone has a heart will be emotionally touched by this. Climate change or global warming is no longer just only a risk but it is already a reality which we are living with.

It’s going to be much far worse if we humans keep living our same way without changing our irresponsible lifestyles. The human irresponsibility has been the dominant cause of observed warming since the mid-20th century. Scientists warn we have very little time to cut global greenhouse emissions before they continue to rise to dangerous levels.To be clear, they are saying that without an action there will be a catastrophic climate change.

Global agreement on how to reduce carbon emissions is vital because it will enable our leaders to set bold national policies that make a difference. Time to act locally while thinking globally now.

Not only climate change is a threat but it’s a problem multiplier as it exacerbates poverty and water scarcity, it compounds food and nutrition insecurity and it makes it even harder for poor households to secure their rights. Pope Francis say “Anyone who takes a breath, drinks a drop of water or eats a bite of food, and wonders where all this nourishment comes from, understands that every single one of us depends upon nature for our lives”. We need robust long-term strategies that reflect the reality we are facing now. Ignorance may be bliss and a virtue long back but not anymore in our present context. The more we are ignorant about it the more harm and damage is inflicted on our environment and our children. One very worrying factor is that the global climatic change is happening much faster than the scientists has predicted.

Many of us never have imagined that humaninduced climate change might force whole countries to go out of existence. But the melting of glaciers in the Polar Regions and the rising sea levels are really disturbing. Modern wastes materials take a long time to wear out, and they’ve been very widely disturbed across the planet. Almost nowhere is safe.

Even most mud samples taken from remote ocean beds now contain plastic fragments.

The awareness campaign in our state Nagaland on the World Environment Day by our people and leaders shows positive signs that our people has now woke up. Churches initiating about environmental awareness in their services are truly a blessed step. Anyone, whether a literate or an illiterate can witness the changing seasonal patterns of temperatures, rainfall, wind bringing unexpected hailstorms, landslides, floods, droughts, food shortages recently happenings all around us can no longer let us remain in our pretentious slumber. Though it may seem to be like a far-fetched idea here, yet I do at times have to agree with the socialist countries mode of limited production of goods. The capitalists unlimited and uncontrolled production of material goods for the consumerists goods ultimately overburden the nature such as soils, plants, water, air by using of chemicals and other toxic elements choking the planet Earth gasping for breath.

Seven billion people, let’s consume with care. Though our people seems to have woken up and now seem to have been imbibed with some sense of responsibility with lots of social work in their respective localities cleaning up clogged drains, road repairs, planting trees and so on. But no matter how much we carry out social works, clean our neighborhoods and clear those clogged

drains; what good is it if we don’t change our habits and lifestyles? No matter how much we clean our neighborhoods, what good is it if we keep on throwing every rubbish and dirt everywhere around we live? No matter how much we fill up our potholed roads or repair it what good is it if we don’t give even an inch of land to make drains for water to flow? No matter how much we drive around in ritzy glamorous cars wearing chic branded clothes donning Gucci or Armani shades with bejeweled ornamental luster of countless accessories around our bodies scented with most expensive perfumes but keep throwing out your litters in the streets? What good is it when you just plant some tress for creating awareness but cuts down in hundreds for illegal logging business? Singing hymn ‘Holy Night Silent Night’ at the church service in the evening during Christmas time and bursting mega-loud firecrackers polluting the whole town and causing knee-jerking sleepless nights reactions in the middle of their sleep to the newborns and the aged and sick are very much part of our Naga Christmas celebration. Why not just buy some clothes, food or give that cash to some needy ones instead of intoxicating and poisoning our good earth? The riversides in the evening after a New Year’s Day picnic and Easter Sundays show how many tons of garbage is accumulated by us.

Emphasizing environmental conservation in the media and in our chief guest speeches when all our office corridors and walls are stained with tamul and gutkha stains while the office garbage are strewn at the backyard only contradicts what we preach.

Collective responsibility with positive outcome and shared anxiety for making it our own surroundings a better place needs to be culminated in all of us without any delay. Predictions about climate change and its implications brings more gloomier thoughts and worries no matter how much we try to be positive. How can we expect ourselves to be optimistic with our future when nothing seems to be going well? There are predictions that India will be facing with acute water scarcity by 2030-40 is another alarming issue. Another issue of creating multiple wastes in our local context is during the weddings season. Our big fat Naga weddings see huge amount of food wastage with half eaten plates of food strewn all over, half drunk water bottles scattered all over the tables and the venue, spoons, forks, napkins, paper wastage etc. Aren’t all those a product of Mother Nature? Mass weddings seem to be the solution in order to save time, energy, traffic pollution, wastages and ultimately conserve all those things that are sucked out from Mother Nature and the good earth. In a surprising yet a very welcoming move now in some community to save expenditures, time, and energy wedding invitations are being done over the phone personally. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle seems to be the only quick fix solution that will yield immediate results and atleast solve some impending dooms at this time. Walking and cycling atleast, if we cannot in the blistering Dimapur daytime heat, we can in the morning and evening hours to ease our traffic snarls. E-ticketing for train and air travels, LCD display of programmes instead of printing programmes wasting money or paper for just an hour or a two are now heralded by new breed of environment conscious people to curb wastage of paper. Yes surely our habits need to change. Driving only when we have to and not just because we want to will save fuel, energy and ultimately less pollution of the environment. By tele-communicating we save energy and cause less pollution which is the need of the hour. The absence of parks and playgrounds in almost all localities by our never ending greed of rampant encroachment also prevents many to undertake even short strolls during evening

and morning hours and due to lack of clean fresh air. It clutters our thought for clear clean thinking too with haphazard concrete jungle prowling all around us. Deforestation due to ever increasing population to accommodate human settlements is one gravest issue concerning climate change causing serious ripple effects like soil pollutions, garbage disposal problems, carbon emissions, blockade of clean fresh air, rising temperature, depleting ground water table etc. The problems are way too many even to list it all out.

But we still control the future to a certain extent, however, as the magnitude of shifting weather patterns and the frequency of extreme climate events depends on how much more greenhouse gases we emit. We aren’t facing the end of the world as envisaged by many environmentalists in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but if we do nothing to mitigate climate change then billions of people will suffer and a catastrophic end seems much obvious. If anything needs justice right now, the climate needs it the most at present times. The Earth is our mother and her natural resources are sacred; they are God’s energy and how we respect and utilize them is what will determine the fate of the world.

The solution to current environmental concerns is to change our consciousness from exploiting the earth for our own purposes to protecting and honoring the earth for God’s purposes.97% of the world’s climate scientists agree that human activity is causing dangerous global warming, threatening life as we know it. At previous climate summits the world’s politicians have failed to reach meaningful agreement on how to respond.

But the UN believes there is still some hope of global agreement in Paris 2015 if the moral call for action is so loud that politicians can’t ignore it. Government and the people together need to act without any delay or else we are creating our own Doomsday Conspiracy Theory in Practicality. This planet is our one and only home. We have no other choice — we must care for it. “How often in life do you have this ability to plan ahead for? If you knew something would happen in your life and you had 10 years to get ready for it, wouldn’t you do that, or would you sit on your hands and wait for it to hit you?” I think addressing environmental issues is critical and overrides everything else for the people of the world besides terrorism.

Many new diseases are emerging which is probably because something’s wrong with their environment. If roads are flooded due to unusual rainfall or storm surge, and people can’t get to work, it’s because of the environment. If deforestation washes sediments into the rivers, sea, destroying water-bodies and threatening livelihoods, it’s because of the environment. If we compromise environmental health, we can’t move forward socially, economically or in any other way. It’s important that communities be intimately involved with the decision-making process. Because we are the ones who will be the most effected by whatever activities we are trying to undertake in future. We need to emphasize on nature-based activities and work in tandem with more conventional man-made constructions. Issues like overfishing, habitat destruction and poverty are all inter-related, and solving them will require that all aspects of the problem be addressed. As affluence increases, consumers demand greater variety, quality and quantity of food and all material things. Scientific method and high yielding variety to meet the demand of our growing population seem to be only aggravating the situation. Clearing more wildernesses to plant crops threatens biodiversity and is not sustainable. Recently, a local newspaper correspondent reported that Nagaland eats even its official wildlife totems like Mithun, Tragopan and Hornbills. Now forget about

other poor creatures of the wild found in our land because every wild animal for Nagas are a ‘Dawai’. True to the comic line ‘Nagas eat anything that moves’. Our gluttonous habits of devouring even our heritage are sure bringing them on brink of extinction does not augur well for either us or our coming generations.

Forgive me if am wrong but I haven’t come across any Naga vegetarian yet. Nagaland on a positive note has been declared as the Amur Falcon Capital of the world. All thanks to the initiatives of the state government, the people of the Wokha district and the concerned NGOs. Mithun rearing in Phek has given an advantage in restoring Phek’s forest cover. It is a win-win situation initiative for the people as well both flora and fauna of the region. The Governor in his address on World Environment Day stated that around 400 communities/villages in Nagaland(Community Conservation Areas) are conserving their forests and natural resources which accounts for 1/3 rd of the forest cover.

Unless our commitments turn towards more health, less poverty, more food, less waste, more biodiversity, less degradation, we are going to see only gloomier days ahead. Sol let us rescue farmlands, let us help biodiversity flourish. We have only one planet and we’re using it at the rate 0f much faster than it can take. What we’re asking it to provide is simply not sustainability. It’s time to think differently, live differently. It involves not only the world leaders but each one of us in finding a way through the complexities of accepting responsibility for the causes, agreeing what needs to be done and making ourselves available to prevent the situation from getting worse. Across the world, people from different faith and communities are coming together and are now involved in these kinds of activities to help communities cope with the impacts of climate change and to shift to clean energy use. Education and awareness activities at our local level in schools, colleges and especially our churches will surely help everyone shrink their carbon footprint at our homes, at work and in communities. Public policy engagements to encourage more enlightened laws and financial incentives for purchasing low carbon economies must be initiated. Investment activities to support sustainable economic development must be implemented. Let us plant trees and embrace green technologies, such as solar, wind and biogas. Let us appeal to all levels of governance for polices that mean sustainable action and brighter futures. Today let your own individual actions be heroic and let us all together do some historic act to preserve our environment for the coming generations. Today, change must begin with you and me so that there may quite simply be a tomorrow for all. The greatest threat to our planet is that we think someone will save.

This is the only one, there is no planet B. An environment which is not safe for plants and animals is neither for humans too.

We should all learn from Bhutan which has become the first carbon negative country in the world. The country’s forest absorbs more carbon dioxide each year than it produces.72% of the country is still forested and its constitution guarantees at least 60% will remain that way .In June 2015 a team of 100 volunteers planted 49672 trees in just one hour setting a new world record. This March 82000 households planted trees to celebrate the birth of their Queens’ first child. This tiny kingdom with a population of just 7 and a half lakhs is ranked number one in Human Development Index making it the world’s happiest country. Bhutan is the only country in the world to measure Gross National Happiness to measure its Growth. And now yet again, BHUTAN HAS SHOWN THE WORLD TO REVERSE THE GLOBAL WARMING. Are we even listening?

new venues -- Ranchi, the home town of India's limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Pune.

Bangladesh will play a one-off test at Hyderabad.

"Some of the best teams of world cricket are coming to play in India this season and we are excited to announce the schedule well ahead of time," BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said. "This gives the staging associations and the BCCI, sufficient time to prepare and present, one of the most memorable cricketing seasons for our fans."

Backdoor Appointments Fraud

M

uch has written and debated about the unethical, illegal, arbitrary appointment in various Departments by various writers and intellectuals, however Government instead of taking a corrective measures to effectively stem the unabated 'backdoor appointments' it has rather exponentially expropriated to unimaginable level liquidating thousands of careers of educated youth.

Backdoor Appointments has become a standard procedure. It has in a way become 'money spinning' business for unscrupulous elements.

Backdoor appointments thrive as a result of illicit clandestine marriage between politicians and bureaucrats; to benefit their kith and kin or those of their close subjects. What is illegal about backdoor appointments is the 'breach of trust' and laid down Government rules which unambiguously calls for open exam for recruitment to any post without discrimination, bias or favour on the ground of socio-economic race, gender, cast, creed or religion. It is intriguing how appointments are blatantly made when the same has not been advertised, Sanctioned nor requisitioned to NPSC. Which is the Competent Authority tasked with the responsibility to conduct exam for recruitment in Government sector.

It is commendable various Students bodies and Social Organizations in their pursue for just and honest society through RTI has brought to light humongous excessive 'backdoor appointments' in various. It will be stimulating to see if Government will initiate action on this issue or if the Government will cover it up with an absurd justification/clarification.

As has been revealed through RTI query on backdoor appointments, it only confirmed our beliefs backdoor appointments is only 'gaining ground' and exacerbating in contrary to the Government directive to all Administrative Head of Department (AHoDs) to immediately cancel all such unethical, illegal appointments made in contravention of the laid down rules. It is remotely possible unjustly act of 'backdoor appointments' will be censored.

The heyday and hegemony over illegal appointments enjoyed by Politicians and bureaucrats can only be check to some extent, if State Vigilance Commission (SVC) is made to exercise it's given power to the fullest extent without interference from the Politicians, if at all Government of the day is serious enough to see to it it's directive issued directing AHoDs to cancel all illegal backdoor appointments. But to adapt to chameleon tactics to speak in correct political term and to act in contrary will be setting a pre-posterous precedent.

Consequences of backdoor appointments are pernicious on state economy and those in Service creating logjam in promotion. It incinerates the morals and affects the apparatus of the working structure. Backdoor appointments also give rise to multiple litigations, hampering the efficiency and work of the department.

Political appointments rived the core of socio-economic equality. If the culture of political appointments is to be curtailed, Election Commission request to the Government to amend the electoral law to empower to it either to postpone or countermand elections if evidence emerge of use of money to influence voter need to be amended. Election Commission request to insert clause '58B' in the Representation of the People Act, if amended it will usher a paradigm shift in electioneering system in checking corruption and bribery. Most backdoor appointments are made as a vote bank. Nagas are desperately in need of young, raw, unpolluted Politicians who share the dreams of the youth. The magnanimity of the backdoor appointments demands minute scrutiny. Impartial Investigation Commission should be set up to unearth the truth. The pot of sins continues to overflow showing no sign of abetting any time soon.

P. Achumse Sangtam, Kiphire

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.

Friday 10•06•2016

EntErtainmEnt

ANTB @ Signature IndiBus Tour: Naga musicians to Startup Masterclass spread awareness on social issues

A

NTB played at Signature Startup Masterclass at Terra Mayaa, Guwahati. The show was hosted by Cyrus Sahukar, MTV VJ & Bollywood Actor, and the master class was given by Dr. Palash

Sen, Singer song writer of the top indie band, Euphoria. The band played after the talk show session to a packed audience. ANTB Played for 90 minutes singing most of their new originals from their upcoming

album, plus some cover songs to keep the crowd dancing the whole night.

Signature Startup Masterclass is a celebration of the real life success stories and provides an unique platform to passionate individuals who are looking for the right inspiration and guidance by giving them an opportunity to hear their icons share the story of how they managed to successfully convert their passion into paycheck. The platform also offers a unique networking opportunity with like-minded people. The master classes will be conducted across 10 metros and mini-metros in India.

Naga musicians with Theja Meru during a briefing on the IndiBus initiative in Kohima on June 9. (Morung Photo) our Correspondent Kohima | June 9

Twenty Naga musicians will be travelling on a bus to connect various educational institutions in Kohima and Dimapur on various social issues through the ‘IndiBus’ initiative.

The tour will start on June 10, with the musicians performing at various colleges in Dimapur and KoParticipants in colourful traditional attires during the observance of International Arts hima. The musicians will also spread awareness on Education Day at DIET Pfutsero held on June 7.

various social issues. The tour will start from Kohima and reach Dimapur on Monday (June 13), informed Theja Meru, President of the Rattle & Hum Music Society, Nagaland.

This nobel initiative is a collaborative effort of Indihut and LifeInside and endorsed by the Music Task Force, Nagaland.

Meru said that Indihut is the biggest and first online music store in Northeast. It was set up by Yan-

pvuo Kikon and so far visited by about 3 lakh music lovers around the world.

Indihut, launched in 2013, strives to channelize the energy of the vibrant hidden talents from NorthEast and set them free into the global arena. It also helps in discovering new possibilities by reaching out to a global audience.

Meru stated that Indihut is doing a wonderful job of selling the Naga music and giving Nagaland

visibility to the world.

Indihut has 151 registered artists with more than 350 original songs released online so far, with around 3.1 lakh visitors from 60 countries. Top visitor countries include; India, UK, Thailand, South Korea etc.

LifeInside is an event management group and focuses promotion of the young artists. The organizers said that this time round they wanted

to make a different platform through IndiBus where musicians will not only be singing but create awareness among young people.

They will be visiting various schools and colleges and talk about various social issues like women empowerment, cleanliness, clean election etc.

Among the many artists include Alobo Naga, Polar Lights, Shalo Kent, Zaza, Metet etc.

the rumours, but Brown is now confirming they were true. "I know. We were married for 14 years. There are some things we talked about that were personal to us," he said.

Bobby is sure Whitney kept the relationship hidden because her mother, Cissy Houston, would have been completely against it. In 2013, the 82-year-old told Oprah Winfrey she would not have accepted Whitney's life, Whitney her daughter being gay or would still be alive today," bisexual. "I really feel that Brown added.

Source: PTI if Robyn was accepted into

Hillstar

Karan and I are the craziest people: Ridhima Pandit Whitney Houston was

T

V actress Ridhima Pandit, who is excited about her first outdoor shoot with her co-star Karan Grover from the show “Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant”, says they are both the craziest people and can’t wait to have fun in Goa. In the upcoming sequence from the Life OK channel’s show, Shaan, essayed by Karan and Rajni, played by Ridhima, will head towards Goa. According to the plot Mathew wants his Robot Rajni back but family is unaware about the truth. Shaan lies to his family that they are going on their honeymoon but the twist in the situation will bring lots of humour and fun

C M Y K

bisexual: Bobby Brown

to viewers.

“As Rajni this is my first outdoor shoot. More than the excitement, right now I am mesmerized to visit Goa with my super exciting onscreen husband. Karan and I are the craziest people, I just can’t wait to go to Goa and have fun with my crazy team,” Ridhima said in a statement.

The actress knows it’s going to be very hectic because of the climate, but she hopes “it will be kind to us and we can enjoy our time.”

“I am just hoping that we get the chance to spare sometime from our shoot to have fun,” she added.

B

obby Brown is convinced his late exwife Whitney Houston would still be alive if she did not have to hide her relationship with her best friend Robyn Crawford.

Rumours about the superstar's sexuality circulated for several years prior to Whitney's death in 2012, with gossips suggesting she was bisexual and involved in a very private relationship with Robyn, who was also her assistant.

"The I Will Always Love You" singer always denied

Source: IANS

ShAh Rukh khAN Salman Khan returns to Mumbai, Iulia Vantur by his side confirms Aryan and Suhana want to act!

A

ctor Salman Khan was photographed at Mumbai airport early Thursday morning, returning from Budapest where he had been filming what was left of his new movie Sultan.

His travel companion was rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur, who is often pictured with the 50-year-old actor now.

The grapevine insists that Salman will soon be giving up the bachelor status he has guarded so fiercely all these years. Wedding bells in December, says the gossip. Salman and his family carefully say nothing.

However, these pictures of Salman and Iulia at actress Preity Zinta's wedding reception and at the airport on a previous occasion might be supposed to be worth the proverbial 1000 words.

Sultan is directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and also stars Anushka Sharma, Randeep Hooda and Amit Sadh. Produced by Yash Raj Films, it will release on Eid this year.

NOW SHOWING

Ticket Rates PlaTinuM - `320 Gold - `150 SilveR - `80

11:00 Am | 05:00 pm

Source: NDTV

Ed Sheeran faces US$20m copyright lawsuit over ‘Photograph’

W

e all know Shah Rukh Khan is one of the best fathers in the world. Being one of the biggest superstars in the industry, his children – Suhana, Aryan and AbRam are always in the news. Though they are popular, none of them are arrogant. In fact, SRK has always told them to be down-to-earth and has always supported them.

Shah Rukh has also never stopped them from following their dreams.

So when news broke out that Aryan was making his debut, he was unperturbed. Though he denied the news by saying that his kid was concentrating on

his studies, he neither denied nor confirmed about his plans to get into acting.

However, after constant speculations about Aryan and Suhana’s desire to act, SRK finally opened up.

In an interview with a leading daily, Shah Rukh confirmed that Suhana and Aryan want to act, but he didn’t say when or how they will make their debut.

He said, “Suhana wants to act. And I want to say this to every child that acting is not about Bollywood. You could do theatre, television or films. It’s an interest she has and she is good. So is Aryan. Suhana likes theatre. I will be a proud father if she does well.”

Source: Bollywood Life

T

wo California-based musicians are suing British singersongwriter Ed Sheeran for US$20 million (RM80.457 million) over his hit song Photograph, which they claim bears a similar structure to one of their songs, according to court documents filed yesterday.

The copyright infringement lawsuit was filed by Martin Harrington, a songwriter and producer, and Thomas Leonard, a songwriter signed to Harrington’s company HaloSongs, in federal court in the Central District of California.

The two musicians allege Sheeran’s ballad Photograph, released as a single in 2015, has the same musical composition to their song Amazing, which they said they wrote in 2009.

Other named defendants include Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, credited as a co-writer of Photograph, as well as units of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner Music Group and its subsidiary, Atlantic Recording Corporation.

Representatives for Sheeran, McDaid, Sony Music, Warner Music and Atlantic did not immediately respond to Reuters’

requests for comment on Wednesday.

Harrington and Leonard are seeking a jury trial and damages in excess of US$20 million, as well as royalties from the song.

In documents that include musical note comparison and chord breakdowns of the two songs, Harrington and Leonard claim the chorus of Sheeran’s Photograph shares 39

identical notes with Amazing, saying the similarities are “instantly recognizable to the ordinary observer.”

The documents say that Photograph has sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, and most recently was featured prominently in romantic drama movie Me Before You, released last week, as well as trailers for the film.

Grammy-winning Sheeran, 25, has become one of UK’s top-selling artists in the past two years, and has written and cowritten tracks for artists such as One Direction, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

“Photograph” was the fifth single from Sheeran’s breakout 2014 album X (pronounced ‘multiply’).

The lawsuit says Sheeran had called the song “the

one that will change (his), kind of, career path”.

Harrington and Leonard’s song Amazing was adapted into a single of the same name for British singer Matt Cardle, the 2010 winner of the UK’s The X Factor reality singing competition.

Cardle’s Amazing to date has just over 1 million views on YouTube, while Sheeran’s music video for Photograph has 208 million YouTube views.

The lawsuit against Sheeran comes after the family of late soul singer Marvin Gaye successfully sued R&B recording artists Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for copyright infringement last year over their hit single Blurred Lines, winning a US$7.4 million judgment.

Source: Reuters

02:00 pm

08:00 Pm

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SPORTS

Euro 2016 FixTurEs

Former Liverpool & Denmark defender Daniel Agger retires

Daniel Agger, former captain for the Danish National team, announces his retirement at a news conference in Copenhagen, Denmark June 9. (REUTERS)

CoPenHAgen, June 9 (AP): Denmark captain and former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger says he is ending his career at the age of 31. Agger says at a news conference on Thursday, ''It has been tough (decision) but I am pulling the plug.'' On Twitter, he adds, ''I'm proud of my career.'' Agger played 75 matches for Denmark over 11 years, and scored 12 times. Denmark didn't qualify for the European Championship which starts on Friday. He played in the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. He returned to Brondby in 2014 after eight seasons at Liverpool, which granted his transfer on compassionate grounds. Agger, plagued by injuries, said he was no longer able to play up to Premier League standard, but later said he also felt under-used by manager Brendan Rodgers. His contract with Brondby just finished, Agger announced his retirement at his childhood club, fifth-tier Rosenhoj in the Copenhagen suburb of Hvidovre.

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FIFA clear Chelsea of wrongdoing over Salah loan ZürICH, June 9 (reuters): FIFA have cleared Chelsea of any wrongdoing over Mohamed Salah's loan to AS Roma in 2015 and rejected Italian club Fiorentina's complaint against the Premier League side. Fiorentina accused Chelsea of committing a "breach of contract" after they loaned the 23-year-old to Serie A rivals Roma for the 2015-2016 season. Salah spent part of the 2014-15 season on loan at Fiorentina, who claimed they had a deal in place with Chelsea for the Egyptian international to return for an additional season. "We can confirm that the dispute resolution chamber (DRC) dealt with the dispute opposing the Italian club, ACF Fiorentina, to the player, Mohamed Salah Ghaly, and the English club, Chelsea FC," a FIFA spokesperson told British media. "The claim of the Italian club was rejected. Since the decision is not yet final and binding, we are not in a position to comment on it any further." Salah made 34 league appearances last season for Roma who finished third in the Serie A behind Napoli and Juventus.

France vs Romania (Group A)

00:30 AM

FriDAY 10•06•2016

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Philippe Coutinho leads Brazil rout as Ecuador thwart Peru at Copa America

Los AngeLes, June 9 (AFP): Philippe Coutinho completed a hat-trick as Brazil routed Haiti 7-1 at the Copa America Centenario while Ecuador produced a gutsy fightback to thwart Peru's push for a quarter-final berth.

Coutinho on Wednesday conjured up the sort of form which made him one of Liverpool's most potent attackers in the Premier League last season as the Brazilians outclassed Haiti in the first ever competitive meeting of the two nations.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder grabbed his first two goals inside the first half hour of a one-sided Group B game at Orlando's Citrus Bowl in Florida.

Coutinho then grabbed his third in the dying seconds of injury time, curling in a spectacular shot to complete a fine night's work. Brazil, who had drawn 0-0 with Ecuador in a lackustre opening game last weekend, now lead Group B on goal difference, level on four points with Peru, who were held 2-2 by

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (22) celebrates after scoring a goal against Haiti during the first half of a Copa America Group B match in Orlando, Fla. on June 8. (AP Photo)

the Ecuadorans elsewhere on Wednesday.

Brazil manager Dunga was left purring with pleasure at the performance of Coutinho, who scored 12 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

"He is really taking ad-

vantage of the opportunities he has been given," Brazil's 1994 World Cupwinning captain said.

"We have talked quite a lot to him about being the 'Liverpool Coutinho' to take the initiative, be a leading part of the team, all

within his own style," added the coach.

Brazil's other goals came from Renato Augusto (2), teenage star Gabriel Barbosa and Lucas Lima.

- 'We've done nothing' The goal-feast was a welcome return to potency

for Brazil's attack against admittedly feeble opposition. Defender Filipe Luis however cautioned that Brazil would face a sterner challenge against Peru in their final Group B game at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

"It was a comfortable win but we have to be humble, we have done nothing yet," the Atletico Madrid left back said.

"We tied the opening game so it was really important for us to win, which we did. Now we have to win against Peru."

Haiti midfielder JeanMarc Alexandre meanwhile said the memory of his first game against Brazil would always be clouded by the result. "It is very bitter-sweet for us. You always remember defeats like this.

You can't make mistakes against a team like Brazil and they punished us for every mistake we made," Alexandre said.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Ecuador frustrated Peru's hopes of sealing their quarter-final berth, fight-

ing back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw in Glendale, Arizona.

A superb individual strike from West Ham's Enner Valencia and a second half effort from Brazilbased midfielder Miller Bolanos completed Ecuador's comeback. The Ecuadorans had earlier been left reeling after falling 2-0 down inside the first 13 minutes.

Peru, who had beaten Haiti in their opening game on Saturday, appeared to be cruising into the last eight after the early efforts from Christian Cueva and Edison Flores. But Ecuador's recovery leaves Group B evenly poised heading into the final round of games.

Brazil are in pole position likely needing only a draw against Peru to advance given their goal difference of plus six following their big win over Haiti.

However Ecuador could conceivably sneak into the last eight with a big win over Haiti in the final game. Ecuador are third with two points from two games.

Srikanth Cavaliers role players awaken in blowout of Warriors Saina, sail into quarters

CLeveLAnd, June 9 (AFP): Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith found the scoring touch they had been lacking in the NBA Finals and as a result, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally look like a championship threat. Irving scored 30 points and passed off a game-high eight assists while Smith made 5-of-10 3-pointers on his way to 20 points. Tristan Thompson contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds Wednesday in a 120-90 rout of defending champion Golden State.

"I can't play indecisive, just constantly in attack mode," Irving said. "I know my teammates consistently want me to do that." The victory lifted the Cavaliers within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series with game four on Friday in Cleveland, which has not seen a sports champion since the 1964 NFL Browns.

LeBron James gave another virtuoso effort with 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Cavaliers, who were without forward Kevin Love, sidelined by a concussion suffered in a game two loss last Sunday. Aggressive defense sparked scoring for the Cavs, who netted 34 points off 18 Golden State turnovers. Cleveland never trailed, jumping ahead 9-0, 19-4 and 33-14 in the first quarter, with Irving scoring 16 points in the opening period.

"Kyrie setting the tone early offensively really gave us confidence," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. "We got the ball up the floor with great pace. He was able to attack in transition. No one can stop Kyrie one-on-one." Added James: "He's a special kid and we need him to be A young girl leaves a flower at a makeshift memorial for late special throughout this series." boxing champion Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Kentucky, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said IrU.S., June 8. (REUTERS) ving's effort after producing only 10 LouIsvILLe, June 9 (AFP): Thousands of people are expected to attend an Islamic prayer service for Muhammad Ali on Thursday, the start of two days of poignant ceremonies honoring the late boxing legend. Ali's hometown of Louisville in the southern US state of Kentucky will host the tributes that will bring together VIPs and huge crowds of ordinary fans in the city of 600,000.

Ali, a three-time heavyweight world champion whose remarkable boxing career and civil rights activism made him one of the indelible figures of the 20th century, died last week at age 74 after a decades-long battle with Parkinson's disease. Born Cassius Clay at a time of racial segregation in the American south, the boxer converted to Islam in 1964, changing his name to Muhammad Ali. The 30-minute prayer service will be held at Louisville's Freedom Hall arena, the site of Ali's last fight in his hometown, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on November 29, 1961.

"The service is a traditional Muslim funeral," said Imam Zaid Shakir, who helped organize it. "Muhammad Ali has a very very special significance for the Muslim community," he said. For millions of Muslims around the world, Ali symbolized the true face of Islam, promoting peace and tolerance. Thousands are expected to attend the service.

On Friday morning, a funeral procession will wind through Louisville, passing sites that were important to Ali: his childhood home, the Ali Center, the Center for African American Heritage -- which focuses on the lives of blacks in Kentucky -- and, of course, along Muhammad Ali Boulevard before arriving at the cemetery.

Actor Will Smith -- who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Ali on the silver screen -- and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers. An anonymous individual has pledged to cover the path to the grave with red rose petals. On Friday afternoon, Ali will be honored at an interfaith memorial service at a large sports arena that will bring together heads of state, VIPs and ordinary fans. Former president Bill Clinton and comedian Billy Crystal will eulogize Ali, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend.

The 15,000 free tickets to the memorial service were given out in half an hour and a black market for the coveted tickets soon sprouted online. "Anyone selling or buying tickets online at Craigslist, eBay or any of the other sites that have those sales up will be reported to law enforcement," Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said, calling the activity "despicable."

Thousands expected to bid farewell to Ali

11 June

points in a game two loss was symbolic of Cleveland's entire energetic fightback.

"He was just really aggressive," Kerr said. "He had a couple of tough games and I thought his play mirrored their team's play. They bounced back and played a fantastic game and Kyrie played a great game." Smith, who went a combined 3-of9 for eight points in the first two games, opened space for Australian-born Irving and James with his hot outside shooting, spreading Golden State defenders.

"It means a lot," Lue said. "When he's making those shots, it really opens up the paint for LeBron and Kyrie and those guys to have space around the rim."

Smith said he didn't have to forget poor efforts from the first two games.

"It really doesn't do much to my confidence," Smith said. "I let that side of my brain turn off." Thompson contributed inside scoring in addition to his usual solid rebounding. "He's the heart and soul of our team," Lue said. "His toughness, his versatility defensively, his offensive rebounding ability and he just puts a lot of pressure on teams. He brought a lot of energy and a lot of toughness." Richard Jefferson, who turns 36 later this month, replaced Love in the starting lineup, his first opening tip on the court in an NBA Finals since 2003, when James was still a teen prep prodigy.

Jefferson had nine points and eight rebounds after taking extra inspiration from a pre-game huddle in which James told his teammates to "Follow my lead." "When he said that, I knew what he meant. We've been doing it all year," Jefferson said. "Every team he has been on has followed his lead. He did a great job in leading us to victory."

of Australian Open

sydney, June 9 (IAns): Star Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth registered straight wins to sail into the quarter-finals of women's and men's singles of the $750,000 Australian Badminton Open Superseries at the Sydney Olympic Park here on Thursday.

Seventh seeded Saina edged past Malaysian Jin Wei Goh 2112, 21-14 while World No.13 Srikanth beat Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21-19, 21-12 to find themselves in the last-eight stage of the competition. In the quarters, Saina will face World No.2 Ratchanok Intanon, who beat Hong Kong's Yip Pui Yin 21-7, 21-9 in the second round.

Srikanth will next take on South Korean qualifier Kwang Hee Heo in the quarters. World No.1 Chen Long beat Malaysian Zulfadli Zulkiffli 21-17, 21-12 to set up a quarter-final clash with Ginting. Earlier in the day, India's Sameer Verma and Tanvi Lad crashed out of the tournament after suffering contrasting defeats. While Sameer went down fighting to Indonesian Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-11, 7-21, 19-21, youngster Tanvi was Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving shoots over the defense of Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes in no match for her fourth seeded the first half, June 8, 2016 during game 3 of the NBA finals Chinese rival Wang Yihan as she went down 18-21, 6-21. at Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: John Kuntz/cleveland.com)

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