C M Y K
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thursDAY • MArch 17 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 74 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
Liberty is rendered even more precious by the recollection of servitude
Petrol hiked by Rs.3.07 per litre, diesel by Rs.1.90 reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Don’t speak to me in that tone. The Minister is my father’s half brother’s wife’s cousin’s elder brother’s daughter’s uncle who is related to my father.....
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTioN
Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Should theologians and Church leaders get involved in politics in Nagaland? Why? Yes
No
others
NSF calls for changes in education policy DIMaPur, MarcH 16 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today called for specific changes in education policies of the state and called upon the Nagaland State School Education Department to intervene. In a letter to the Director, School Education Department, the NSF observed that while there is are an excess number of teachers in some schools, there are also many schools without adequate teachers. It asked for a stop to all transfers and posting of teachers in the middle of the academic session. It also demanded appointment/ deployment of teachers in the schools where there are no adequate teachers. The NSF then called for a review of the powers and functions of the Village Education Committee (VEC).
Nagaland CM to present 2016 State budget today our Correspondent Kohima | March 16
Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who also holds finance portfolio will present Nagaland budget on March 17 here during the proceeding of the assembly session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). The session will also witness general discussion on the Governor’s address.
Apao camp stands by Baba Kholi: Brig Shahwa Konyak clarifies
C M Y K
DIMaPur, MarcH 16 (MExN): Commander of the Apao Designated Camp, Brigadier Shahwa Konyak on Wednesday reaffirmed his March 14 declaration that “Apao camp belongs to Baba Kholi Konyak” and vowed that it will “stand with Baba Kholi till a solution to the Naga political issue is reached.” The Brigadier also denied the statement purportedly issued by him through MIP, GPRN/NSCN appearing on March 16 in this daily that the Apao Designated Camp is “still intact with GPRN/NSCN…” “I did not issue such clarification. It was done without my knowledge,” Brigadier Shahwa informed. He also reiterated that General Kholi had the support of senior leaders from both Phom and Konyak Region.
o F
T R u T H
— Cicero
Afridi powers Pakistan to big opening win at World T20
Nagaland launches National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness Week PAGE 02
PAGE 12
Aadhaar biometric database sedition law under review, rijiju informs rajya sabha raises ‘privacy fears’ in india
Village women stand in a queue to get themselves enrolled for the Unique Identification (uiD) database system at Merta district, Rajasthan, February 22, 2013. (REUTERS/Files)
NEW DELHI, MarcH 16 (rEutErs): Parliament is set to pass legislation that gives central agencies access to world’s biggest biometric database in the interests of national security, raising fears the privacy of a billion people could be compromised. The Aadhaar database scheme, started seven years ago, was set up to streamline payment of benefits and cut down on massive wastage and fraud, and already nearly a billion people have registered their finger prints
and iris signatures. Now the BJP, which inherited the scheme, wants to pass new provisions including those on national security, using a loophole to bypass the opposition in parliament. “It has been showcased as a tool exclusively meant for disbursement of subsidies and we do not realise that it can also be used for mass surveillance,” said Tathagata Satpathy, a lawmaker from Odisha. “Can the government ... assure us that this Aadhaar
card and the data that will be collected under it – biometric, biological, iris scan, finger print, everything put together – will not be misused as has been done by the NSA in the U.S.?” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has defended the legislation in parliament, saying Aadhaar saved the government an estimated 150 billion rupees ($2.2 billion) in the 2014-15 financial year alone. A finance ministry spokesman added that the government had taken steps to ensure
citizens’ privacy would be respected and the authority to access data was exercised only in rare cases. Those assurances have not satisfied opponents. Raman Jit Singh Chima, global policy director at Access, an international digital rights organisation, said the proposed Indian law lacked the transparency and oversight safeguards. New Delhi-based PRS Legislative Research said law enforcement agencies could use someone’s Aadhaar number and allow them to recognise patterns of behaviour and detect potential illegal activities but it could also lead to harassment of individuals. Sunil Abraham, executive director of the Bengaluru-based Centre for Internet and Society, said “Maintaining a central database is akin to getting the keys of every house in Delhi and storing them at a central police station…imagine a situation where the police is secretly capturing the iris data of protesters and then identifying them through their biometric records.” Lok Sabha passes Aadhaar bill on page 8
NEW DELHI, MarcH 16 (IaNs): The law on sedition is under review of the Law Commission and the home ministry has asked for a report on the issue as soon as possible, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Rijiju admitted in the upper house that the cases of sedition were often found to be violative of the right to freedom of speech. “The provisions (of the sedition law) are very wide. Anyone who speaks against the government established by the law can be booked under the sedition law,” Rijiju said in response to a question. “Often the sedition charge is found to
be violative of Article 19(1)b (a), freedom of speech and expression,” he said. The minister informed that a 1997 Law Commission report had admitted that the sedition law was defective, but did not ask for its deletion. “... reports and suggestions have come that there should be a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system in the country... sedition law has also been brought under this scrutiny, that there must be some amendment to it because the meaning is very wide,” he said. Rijiju said the government wants the Law Commission to take steps as soon as possible to address this law.
on earth Hour, switch off your lights for one HoUr
DIMaPur, MarcH 16 (MExN): The Nagaland State Department of New & Renewable Energy (NRE) has urged all people in the state to observe Earth Hour on March 19 by switching off lights as solidarity towards climate action. This Earth Hour, on Saturday, March 19 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm local time, people around the globe and world governments will switch off their lights for one hour.
A press note from the department stated that Climate Change is primarily caused by emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum products, etc. “Today, electricity in most of our homes is generated out of burning of fossil fuels such as coals/diesels in thermal power plants. Accumulation of these emitted gases ultimately causes Global Warming which culmi-
nates into climate change and is becoming one the greatest challenges the world is facing today.” It asked people to support to pledge and mitigate emissions of Green House Gases by switching off non-essential lights in each household, office and other spaces. “Your commitment to the planet helps to create far-reaching environmental and social impact to mitigate Climate Change,” it added.
PHED provides full water ‘We have to inspire ourselves with our memories’ imminent scientists and coverage to 566 habitations KSC Students Union acclaimed scholars so that our Correspondent Kohima | March 16
Minister for PHED Tokheho Yepthomi today said the state Public Health Engineering department has so far provided full water supply coverage to 566 habitations, partial coverage to 898 habitations, besides providing water supply to 2046 numbers of government schools in rural areas of Nagaland state. The Minister said the department has also implemented rejuvenation of traditional wells, roof top rain water harvesting schemes, surface water or monsoon run off harvesting and solar powered water supply schemes, where normal gravity based water schemes are not viable. Addressing the state level launching ceremony of National Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Awareness Week here today organized by Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanita-
tion, Yepthomi said under sustainability component of NRDWP, a total of 213 numbers of various sustainability structures are being targeted for completion during 2015-16, while another 162 numbers would be earmarked for construction during 2016-17. The department is also making good strides in making Nagaland 100% Open Defecation Free (ODDF) as per the National target of 2nd October 2019. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the department has provided 1, 85, 975 numbers of Individual House Hold Latrines (IHHL), 354 numbers of community sanitary complex and 7 units of Solid Liquid Waste Management. The department has so far identified 161 villagers as Open Defecation Free with many villages on the verge of achieving open defecation free status, the minister said.
celebrates 50 years
Morung Express News Jotsoma | March 16
The Kohima Science College Students’ Union (KSCSU) celebrated 50 years on March 16 at the College Auditorium with Chief Minister, TR Zeliang as the Chief Guest. Recalling the words spoken by Late APJ Abdul Kalam during his visit to Nagaland who said, “Every child must have a big dream”, Zeliang stressed on the need for students to dream and be inspired. “We have to inspire ourselves with our memories,” said the Chief Minister who also encouraged the college authorities and the students’ community not to lose sight of the mission statement of the college towards multi dimensional growth of students, equipping them with reflective and analytical thinking, preparing for responsible citizenship, and becoming agents of social change.
Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang along with various state legislators and members of the KsCsu.
The CM lauded the KSCSU for its discipline and enabling the college to achieve greater heights in its fifty years of existence while adding that 50 years is nothing for those who want to achieve more. At present, 10 among the 60 MLAs in Nagaland are alumni of the Kohima Science College, Jotsoma. Delivering the welcome address, Dr. I Anungla Aier, Principal stated that the Golden Jubilee of KSC Students’ Union is a celebration of all those who have passed through the gates of
KSC and has given their energy and intellect towards building the institution. While KSC has produced imminent leaders in the State, Dr Aier also reminded that the College does not believe in basking in old glories in the course of neglecting responsibilities but it believes in providing quality education consistently. “It is time to relive your past and visualize the future,” she stated. Dr. Aier noted that Kohima Science College is one among only two institutes in the NE region
to be awarded ‘A’ Grade by the NAAC. Dr. Aier also informed that the college is preparing to introduce NAC programs in six disciplines, which include Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Physics, Geology and Anthropology. Morality is the essence of any good society and the college must instill morality, stated Dr. N R Newmai while reminiscing on his days as a student of KSC in its early stage of establishment. Dr. Newmai encouraged the College to set a goal in 25 years to produce
the dreams and aspirations of the young students are made in the college. Avelü Rüho, ADC Pughoboto who also spoke as an alumni member reminded the students that KSC has produced students and leaders who are not just contributing immensely in the local level but also in the national and international level. A milestone of such magnitude is definitely a celebration in as much as a time of introspection and to remember teachers, students and leaders who gave the college 50 years of commitment and sacrifices, iterated Avelü. A jubilee trust fund of 3 lakh, initiated by the Alumni, was also launched during the event. The fund will be reserved for fellowships for deserving students in the college. The Chief Minister also contributed another two lakh for the fund. The Jubilee souvenir ‘Odyssey’ was also released by Deo Nukhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education.
Xchange NE Youth Summit urged to engage the powers Morung Express News Dimapur | March 16
To change the existent power structures in society, new imaginations are necessary. Voluntarism assists this process by providing the space to explore, fail, rise and chart new paths, new imaginations. The work of Non Government Organisations (NGO) is often such an exploration. Examining a range of such issues that would help young people in their work with the people through NGOs, the Xchange Northeast Youth NGO Summit, organised by CAN Youth, entered its plenary session today. Youth leaders of 16 NGOs from Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, as well as students and others, gathered at Hotel Acacia today to hear from people who have inspired youth of the region to affect change.
Voluntarism & Imagination
The basic change in humans, our development, is pushed by volunteering. “The essence of voluntarism is to test myself and then use what I have to help someone without being asked,”
explained Dr. Fr. Jerry Thomas, Director of Bosco Institute, Jorhat. It entails exploration, which creates a space for failures, from which we learn lessons and find newer paths. Spaces for volunteering are plenty, with the spirit driven by an experience that touches the person—through personal experience or that of others. This exploration is not encouraged in academics. “The system does not allow us to explore,” noted Fr. Thomas. He asked the youth leaders what makes them angry enough to do something about it? This was extrapolated in an exercise conducted by Dr. Aküm Longchari, Editor of The Morung Express, defining the power structure presently at work in human society. The “silent majority” remains at the bottom, with the more empowered middle keeping them there while the privileged top leans on the structure in glee. For the top, “peace is for the bottom to suffer in silence” while for the bottom, a change in the structure become essential—our perspectives are defined by where we are in the structure. “Can there be transformation with-
of ideas in finding alternative models,” he said. While indigenous understanding of power, politics or knowledge needs to be brought to fore, it is essential, first of all, to “decolonise the mind,” a necessity for imagination.
Visions & Solutions
An exercise on how power works underway at the Xchange Northeast Youth NGo summit, Hotel Acacia, Dimapur, on Wednesday, March 16 (Morung Photo)
out changing the power system we live in?” questioned Dr. Longchari. NGOs, as well as the media, that often fall into the middle rung can facilitate that change, particularly by working more with the grassroots, the “silent majority.” But this needs imagination. “Revolutions have continually become victims of the system when they come to power. This is due to the bankruptcy
With that, NGOs are required to have a vision too. A vision ensures that NGOs address the aspirations of the people and are not corrupted, postulated Amba Jamir, Executive Director of Sustainable Development Forum of Nagaland. While the vision should not be taken too far from the ground reality, its imagination should be stretched, networks and information shared. Before engaging on the ground, NGOs should also make sure that their presence creates an “enabling environment” for development and that more conflict is not created on the ground, he advised. “Transparency and accountability” are the central tenets on which NGOs are built, which revolve around the circle of equality, not hierarchy, within an organisation. Bringing these ideas to life, Hasina Kharbhih, Founding Managing
Director of Impulse Social Enterprises, Shillong, opened the audience’s eyes to the concept of “social entrepreneurship.” “Social solutions do not come through the use of only one tool,” she said, explaining how platforms apart from NGOs can be used to bring change. A private limited company invested in social solutions, Impulse works with 30,000 artisans all over the Northeast producing artefacts marketed all over the world. In this, workers are made into entrepreneurs minus middle persons, she said while explaining how she slowly took her work forward. From supporting livelihoods, she later created the Impulse model, “a comprehensive tracking system that brings together the state government, security agencies, legal groups, media, and citizen organizations to combat the crossborder trafficking of women and children.” The model is used internationally today to combat human trafficking. Today’s plenary session was moderated by Dr. Neel Konwar, Psyhoclogist Advisor-Consultant and Xchange Summit Mentor. Related news on page 5