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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur Vol. X issuE 79
www.morungexpress.com
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[ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Monday, March 23, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4
God does not need a defense attorney. God needs a witness!
Land acquisition bill not antifarmer, asserts Modi
Isabelli Fontana vaccinates children against polio in India
Urban population on the rise in Nagaland [ PAGE 2]
Sania MirzaMartina Hingis win BNP Paribas Open title
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 12]
non detention Policy: A sweet ‘pill’ with bitter result Mao Jamir
non Detention Policy will be discontinued from this year
Dimapur | March 22
Yeeat... They gave us electricity without power.
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Is social media contributing towards positive social change in Nagaland? Yes
no
others
Details on page 7
J&K govt to examine need for denotifying disturbed areas JAMMU, MARCH 22 (PTI): Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said his government would examine the need for denotifying disturbed areas to initiate a phased withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from there. “Keeping in view the improving security scenario, the state government will examine the need for denotifying ‘disturbed areas’, which have been free from militancy-related incidents for quite some time,” Sayeed told the state Assembly in a written reply. “It will enable a phased withdrawal of AFSPA from such areas,” he said.
ASTD calls elected representatives out of ‘hideaway’
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DIMAPUR, MARCH 22 (MExN): The Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) appealed the “popularly elected representatives” of the State to “emerge from their hideaway” to uphold the rule of law by maintaining the true spirit of democratic norms. Deeply pained by the present affairs of the State due to lack of congenial political atmosphere, the ASTD urged the leaders to discharge their constitutional duties towards the public so as to uphold the mandate of public and to govern the system in a civilized manner. This was resolved in a meeting of the ASTD at its treasurer’s house. ASTD president Sobu Jamir said that ASTD expects legislators to stand up as “tonic” in “ailing situations by not remaining within the four walls of security when the general public is suffering.” Furthermore, the ASTD also appealed all organizations and groups “not to hold any rally or agitations or call for ban without the concern of all the Dimapur based organizations for peaceful co-existence as Dimapur is the commercial hub of Nagaland where people from all over the country are living together.”
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–H. Richard Niebuhr
Eruptions, Quakes, Cyclones: Vanuatu man survives them all
[ PAGE 11]
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The Non detention Policy (NDP), a clause under Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009 was implemented across the country with earnest intention, but the outcome over the past few years has become a bone of contention. The NDP, in essence, stated that no child can be held back or expelled from school till Class VIII, assessing them through a system called Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE). In Nagaland, most recently, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) argued that the NDP does not ‘suit’ the State and urged the Government “to review or revoke the policy.” Ever since its introduction, around 15,000 students have “dropped out from school in Class IX,” claimed the NSF in a memorandum to the Government. At the ground level, the aim of the policy seems to be sending out a wrong message. As a result, while the quantity of students is increasing, quality has become the biggest casualty. It is killing the future of the students, the NSF ominously maintained. A Morung Express poll right after the NSF’s demand showed 89% of the respondents agreeing with NSF’s contention. However, it also depicted a common consensus that the policy itself is good, but the outcome is the problem. Why NDP is not working: Ground Level Teachers and school administrators believe that
Morung Express news Dimapur | March 22
school children in uniform are seen walking to their schools in nagaland. Teachers and school administrators in the state believe that the non detention policy has caused development of a ‘lackadaisical’ attitude among students. (Morung File Photo)
students have developed a ‘lackadaisical’ attitude towards their study, knowing that they are going to be promoted regardless of performance in class. “Responsible use of freedom is missing in the students,” stated Father Joshua Gangmei, Principal Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS), Dimapur. “When even Class II students are disobeying teachers, saying they cannot fail them, something is amiss with NDP, despite its earnest intention.” On the other hand, teachers complain of apparent loss of ‘freedom’ to discipline students. In Nagaland, most students in
government schools are without the support of their parents or family. Many being domestic workers, they come to school whenever they can, a Government Primary School Teacher in Dimapur said. His counterpart in Mokokchung confirmed this. Seno Tsuhah, GPS Teacher in Sumi Village, Phek stated the system is good but not working, at least in the rural areas. Most of the students are first generation learners, therefore parental support is negligible. “Even after several remedial classes if a student fails to learn, either something is wrong with the students or technique
of teachings. We question ourselves.” “Are we aiming for higher enrolment ratio at the cost of quality? It’s a mockery of the education system,” stated another teacher. Implementation Narola Chuba, a faculty at Nagaland University thinks that the NDP is good on paper but the ability to tackle its implementation at the ground level is missing, leading to adverse outcomes. Some feel that the policy has been implemented without a thought to the context in which it is located. ‘Cut and paste’ policy
Director of State Council of Educational Research and Training, Nagaland (SCERT), Vipralhou Kesiezie, has informed that the Non Detention Policy (NDP) would be “discontinued” from the current academic year. In a telephonic conversation with The Morung Express, he admitted that despite implementing with honest intention, the result had been a ‘disaster’ and created a negative trend among the all stakeholders. “There will be 100 percent review,” he said. The directorate will be issuing a circular soon, he informed. The biggest failure he informed was the huge drop-out rate in high schools. Confronted whether SCERT is at fault for implementing the policy in a hasty manner without proper ground works, he said, “The policy implementation is at schools and therefore SCERT is not at fault.”
without checking ground reality resulted in this scenario, commented a Morung Express reader. It is high time that NBSE review the current pedagogic system to suit our needs and goals and not blindly adopt systems designed for and by others, opined another. An academician closely associated with elementary education said, politicians, without having any idea about the ground reality, simply implemented the system following direction from the centre. The administration from top to bottom simply followed and imposed a blanket program leading to the present situation.
He further argued that the intention was not understood by teachers and students. The teachers are taking the lesson casually, he maintained. For him, proper monitoring and quality was the biggest problem associated with the implementation. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) which is reviewed every 15 years will be done in March and will renew and formulate new educational policy, Kesiezie informed. It was last reviewed in 2005. The Ministry of Human Resource Development said a sub-committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education had recommended a review of the policy of automatic promotion up to Class VIII, and its implementation in a phased manner. “The committee has also recommended a review of a no-detention policy and its implementation in a phased manner,” the ministry informed the Lok Sabha in response to a parliamentary question.
Agreeing with the notion, Principal of the Holy Cross Higher Secondary School (HCHSC), Father Sunil CK maintained that under the system, “Most teachers trained in traditional ways are finding it hard to cope with NDP.” With no compulsion to pass examinations, other methods to motivate students to learn need to be devised alongside the policy. If a teacher imparts quality education and knowledge to the students, the NDP might work but such intent seems to be missing. Teachers might be required to work harder and with more dedica-
tion but such motivation is missing in our State, opined a reader. On another note, Father Joshua maintained private school are financially constrained from implementing the NDP in both letter and spirit. The policy requires a student pupil ratio of 1:33 in order to give added attention to students. Without government aid, explained Fr. Sunil, private schools need to hike their tuition fees. This will affect students from the lower income sections of society. “But we have to consider them. Private school education is not meant for the rich alone,” he asserted. To be continued...
Union Minister urges nagaland to Residents irked by clogged drains work towards ‘sanitation for all’ Chizokho Vero
Kohima | March 22
Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Birender Singh today hoped that Nagaland would emerge as a champion in both sanitation and water intervention. “We can achieve the goal of ‘Sanitation for all’ and ‘Safe drinking water for all’ only if we create widespread awareness,” Singh said while addressing the closing session of the National Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Awareness Week here, coinciding with World Water Day. He maintained that awareness should lead to need based approach and generate demand for sanitation, hygiene and safe water. Singh estimated that 60% of people living in rural areas do not have access to sanitation, while 85% of rural population do not have access to safe drinking water sources. He said lack of sanitation directly impacts health indicators leading to malnutrition and various diseases, thereby decreasing productivity. He informed that with the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission, sanitation coverage in India has accelerated. As per the latest NSSO survey, the rural sanitation coverage in the country stands at 40.6%. The objective is to bring improvement in general quality of life by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and
Nagaland govt contemplating water policy our Correspondent
the state government has further recommended 41 villages for the award. “The gradual and continuous depleChief Minister TR Zeliang today an- tion of discharge of water sources, frenounced that the Nagaland state govern- quent damages to the pipelines and other ment is contemplating a water policy to assets due to landslides, road construction ensure that water is used efficiently and works, high cost of schemes due to high transportation costs and laying terrain shared equitably. “The policy will also address issues of pipelines along the hilly terrains etc are sustainability and ensure protection of the some few examples of the unique probeco-system,” Zeliang said while speaking lems we are facing,” the CM informed. He continued that the state is looking closing session of Rural Drinking Water & at other options like ‘installation of Deep Sanitation Awareness Week here. He assured the state will do its best to Tube Wells’ clubbed with Iron Removal provide safe and adequate drinking water, Plants (IRPs) and rain water harvesting and to achieve total sanitation, the goal of structures. Recently, through the initiative of the Government of India, the state has Swachh Bharat by 2019. The CM informed that at present the made Ground Water Prospect Maps availstatus of coverage of individual households able to all important stake holders, who are with toilets in rural areas in the state stands involved in ground water exploration. Zeliang also informed that Nagaland at 62%. “We are amongst the best performing states in the total sanitation campaign has drawn up an action plan for achieving A residential structure constructed over the drainage at Railway Bazaar area, Dimapur. (Morung Photo) upto 2012-13, where as many as 90 villag- the goals of providing clean and sustainSpeaking to The Mo- the railway authorities in es have been given the prestigious Nirmal able drinking water and sanitation to evrung Express on the side- this regard remain fruitGram Puraskar award, “ he said adding that ery citizen. lines of activities initiated less, stated one of the colby the Dimapur Municipal ony leaders. The leaders achieving the goal of open the subsidy for developing especially due to demands Council (DMC) for clearing cautioned that they would defecation free status by community sanitary com- from industry and agriculclogged drainage at Railway be compelled to block the motivating communities plexes is Rs. 2 lakhs. ture, water tables are going Bazaar area, the leaders of railway track if authorities and PRI to adopt sustainOn drinking water, he down and the availability of able sanitation practices informed that the govern- ground water is depleting Morung Express news the colonies urged the dis- continue to remain untrict administration to can- responsive to appeals for through awareness and ment is pursuing that every in many areas,” the Union Dimapur | March 22 cel all such illegal pattas and clearing the drainage. health education. household has access to Minister said. The colony leaders said “For achieving total sani- piped water supply. NSSO Over the years, the Council members of vari- demolish various structation coverage, we need to figures of 2012 show that ac- Ministry has covered ous colonies such as West- tures built over drains. Fur- that more than 5000 famibuild around 11.11 crore in- cess to improved sources of much ground and out of yard, Railway Bazaar area, ther, they rued the apathy of lies have been affected by dividual household toilets water by rural households the 87 crore rural popula- Manipuri Basti, Chat- Railway authorities for their floods during rainy season and 1, 14, 315 community has increased from 84.2% to tion in the country, 44.48 teswari and Grace Colony inaction despite appeals owing to the clogged drainsanitary complexes in the 88.50%, he said adding that crores have access to piped in Dimapur have ques- made by the colonies to age. They further appreciattioned as to how the state clear the clogged drainage ed the works undertaken by next five years,” he informed. the area of concern here is water supply. At the central level, he that most of the drinking Singh also asserted on government issued pattas running underneath rail- the DMC led by its administrator, H Atokhe Aye. Sunsaid subsidy for construc- water consumed is soured the need for behavioral over drainages, owing to way tracks for many years. More than 100 feet day’s cleaning of the draintion of toilets has increased from ground water. change regarding safe and which the smooth flow of from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 “With increasing ex- rational use of water and sewage has been obstruct- of drainage system runs age at Railway Bazaar is part for every individual house- traction of ground water in adoption of safe sanitation ed, resulting in artificial underneath the railway of the DMC’s 2nd phase defloods in their areas. tracks. Letters written to velopmental project. hold in rural areas, while many parts of the country, practices. Kohima | March 22
Questions state government for issuing pattas over drainages
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11 villages get best performing WATSAN committee award
Representative from Losami village receives award from union minister Birender Singh. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent Kohima | March 22
One village each from the 11 districts of Nagaland today received best performing WATSAN committee award during the closing function of National Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Awareness Week here at NBCC Convention Hall. The awards carried Rs. 10,000 each. The villages were awarded based on
proper management of drinking water and good sanitary practices. The awards were given away by Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation Birender Singh in the presence of Union Minister of State for Drinking Water & Sanitation Ram Kripal Yadav and chief minister TR Zeliang and several other dignitaries. The recipients of the award included; Nihokhu
village (Dimapur district), Pungro village (Kiphire district), Rusoma village (Kohima district), Tamha village (Longleng district), Longpha village (Mokokchung district), Totochenko village (Mon district), Old Tesen (Peren district), Losami village (Phek district), New Pangsha (Tuensang district), Yikhum village (Wokha district), and Rotomi Old village (Zunheboto district).
Our Correspondent Kohima | March 22
As per Census 2011, Nagaland has registered a decadal growth rate of 69% while the average rate at the national level is 21%. Such high rate of urbanization was due to various factors such as natural growth of urban population, rural-tourban migration and inclusion of new urban areas as statutory towns, according to the annual administrative report of urban development department 2014-15 tabled in the just concluded assembly session here. “At this rate, the urban population is poised to overtake the rural population in the near future. This is evident in the fact that the rural area has recorded a negative growth rate during the census 2011,” the report stated. It is now recognized that urbanization is a positive change because cities and towns are central to the economic growth of any nation, the report stated, adding urban sector is positioned to get more focus in the future since urban centers now play a critical role in the structural transformation of the economy
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Theja Meru launches Harmonic Voices, Nagaland in Kohima on March 22. (Morung Photo) Kohima | March 22
Harmonic Voices, Nagaland was formally launched here this afternoon at a glittering function held at The Heritage. Harmonic Voices, Na-
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galand is a 14-member choral group comprising five tribes- Angami, Chakhesang, Sema, Lotha, and Zeliang. The idea behind the launching of Harmonic Voices is to promote choral music and to reach out
to global audience and also to act as ambassador of Christ. Renowned musician Theja Meru formally launched the Harmonic Voices and hoped that its voices will be heard across the world. He expressed optimism that Harmonic
The function was chaired by L Ethel Ngullie, co-coordinator of Integrated Youth Resource Express (IYRE), Wokha, while K Phyobemo Lotha, director of IYRE highlighted about the programme. A press release informed that the two-day programme covered topics like: National youth policy 2014; overview of 73rd constitutional amendment Act & PR Act and scope for youth participation; social auditrole of youth organization; need for youth policy; youth status; needs, concerns, issues, problems & priorities of youth; right to information & youth; group work, group discussion, and field work. The resource persons of the pro-
gramme were Penthungo Ngullie, vice principal, Bailey Baptist College, K Phyobemo Lotha, director, IYRE Wokha, L Ethel Ngullie, co-ordinator, IYRE Wokha, Sokenye Tep from SBI Wokha, Kranti Basumatry, FO, SBI Wokha, N. Janbemo Humtsoe, director, Green Foundation, Wokha, J Wopenthung Patton, Superintendent, Observation Home, Wokha, and Alumbeni Ngullie, PGT Chukitong. The programme was organized by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) in collaboration with Youth Resource Office, Wokha and IYRE wokha. The participants included youth organizations, NKYS, NYC, research scholars and entrepreneurs.
19th Ao Baptist Pastors’ Conference
NEW DElhi, march 22 (mExN): The 19th Ao Baptist Pastors’ Conference, hosted by Delhi Ao Baptist Church (DABC), will be held at All India Prayer Fellowship, Chandan Holla, New Delhi, from March 24 to 30. The weeklong conference will be attended by 143 Ao pastors from Nagaland and other parts of India, informed a press release issued by DABC secretary, Imkongmeren. It was informed that there will be twoday seminar (March 25–26) on Expository Preaching with the theme “Study the Word,
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Voices will take the challenges ahead and bring good name to God and Nagaland. Earlier, Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, Sr. Pastor, Chakhesang Baptist Church Minister’s Hill Kohima invoked God blessing for the venture.
Prog on decentralized governance & youth development
WoKha, march 22 (mExN): A two-day orientation programme on decentralized governance and youth development for youth volunteers from Wokha was held on March 19 and 20 at IYRE multi-purpose Hall, Wokha. A Robin Lotha, Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, while inaugurating the function as chief guest, encouraged the participants to be bold with right attitude to face the competitive and changing world. He further urged them to be informed citizens and participate actively as a chief agent of change in the society. He also advised the youth not to depend only on government for jobs, but to be innovative and self-reliant.
Practice the Word, Teach the Word” based on Ezra 7:10. The seminar speakers will be Chris Williams, Pastor and Founder, Pastoral Training Seminary (PTS), Goa; Sammy Willams, Pastor and Dean, PTS, Goa; Devraj Urs, Faculty Member, PTS, Goa. The Devotional Speaker will be CB Samuel, an itinerant Bible Teacher, the release said, adding, March 27 and 28 have been set aside for Educational Tour. DABC has requested all wellwishers and fellow-believers to pray for the success of the conference.
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Urban population on the rise in Nagaland
Harmonic Voices: New choral group launched
Our Correspondent
The Morung Express M Y K
No scope for major irrigation Coal exploration project in Nagaland Our Correspondent
Our Correspondent Kohima | March 22
The state of Nagaland has no scope for major irrigation project. There are five identified medium irrigation projects in the state. According to the annual administrative report of irrigation & flood control department 2014-15 tabled in the just concluded assembly session here by parliamentary secretary for irrigation & flood control Y. Vikheho Swu, the department has taken up one project- Dzudza Medium Irrigation project in Niuland SubDivision under Dimapur district, at an estimated cost of Rs. 7519.17 lakh with CCA of 8103 ha during the terminal year of
11th Plan (2011-12). The project being a green field project, the state government provided Rs. 300.00 lakh during 2011-12 to meet initial expenditure on land compensation, survey and infrastructure development. However, the report stated, as per the new guidelines introduced in 2013-14, in order to fulfill AIBP criteria for funding under Medium Irrigation project, the project has to be ongoing with minimum investment of 50% of the project cost i.e Rs. 3759.585 crore by the state government. Hence, due to constraint in the state plan allocation, the project implementation is kept in abeyance till viable funding source is identified, the report stated.
Kohima | March 22
Regional coal exploration in Northern Khar coalfield has been completed and final report is under completion. This was stated in the annual administrative report of geology & mining department 2014-15 tabled in the just concluded assembly session. The report also stated that geological interpretation from satellite imagery studies for 1000 sq.km of coal bearing belt covering Mokokchung and a part of Longleng district was completed, 10 numbers of outcrop coal seams were mapped naming, correlation and seam structure mapping of coal seams/outcrops were carried out. 34 drill core samples have been submitted to NEIST Jorhat for analysis. The report stated that drilling for coal at the New Block- Changki coalfield block-A, Mokokchung district commenced during this field season and up to a depth of 146m has been drilled. Preliminary geological mapping of 15.57 sq.km on 1:50,000 scale was covered and coal bearing area was broadly demarcated.
and in sustaining high rates of economic growth. Urban centers are also critical towards achieving inclusive growth because they create benefits beyond their own boundaries, it stated. In this light, the report maintained that sustained development and management of major urban areas is crucial for sustainable
economic development of the state as a whole. Besides the three largest towns - Dimapur, Mokokchung and Kohima with municipal bodies, it pointed out that the administrative headquarters, statutory towns and other small scale industrial townships are growing fast and inheriting urban characteristics
ANPWDWEA informs
WTI presents rice, ex gratia
Kohima, march 22 (mExN): All the executive engineers under Nagaland PWD (R&B), sub-divisional officers as well as work charged unit office bearers, presidents and secretaries of work charged employees have been informed to obtain pre-audit from the directorate of treasuries and account, Kohima for arrear bills in respect of work charged salaries of September 2003, October 2003 and November 2003. All concerned have been asked to obtain the following documents required during the audit: Service book of the incumbent; non-drawal certificate from the treasury officers/ sub treasury officers concerned; due and drawn statement with bills in nongazetted pay bill forms division wise showing deduction etc. Stating that this order has been faxed by the chief engineer of PWD (R&B) office dated 19-032015, All Nagaland PWD (R&B) & (H) Workcharged Employees Association (ANPWDWEA) in a release informed that in case of non-availability of the official order, the division concerned can collect the order from the Workcharged Employees Association’s head office in Kohima. Last date for submission of relevant documents is March 26, the release informed. For further information, call 9856518499.
requiring planning intervention. The smaller quasiurban settlements along the National Highways and State highways are also experiencing migration from nearly village, it added. The report further stated that essential urban infrastructure facilities need to be provided to the growing population, as well as
an increase in economic activities to cater to them. “ U n l e s s p ro p e r l y planned and managed, this growth will result in urban sprawl, mounting stress on infrastructure, creation of slums, deteriorating quality of urban services, and increased environmental pollution,” the report added.
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WTI official hand over ex-gratia to Pangti village for protecting Amur Falcons roosting site in 2014.
WoKha, march 22 (mExN): As a relief measure, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Nagaland forest department distributed rice under the grain-forgrain programme to households affected by humanelephant conflict in Wokha district. The grain was distributed under WTI, Nagaland conservation project. A total of 10 tonne of rice was distributed among 200 families in 27 different villages of Wokha district. Assistant Manager and Project lead, WTI, Dilip
Deori in a press release informed that people residing in the vicinity of forest under Wokha district with elephant population of around 140 are highly affected by wildlife crop depredation problems. Wild elephants have extensively damaged agriculture crops of poor farmers, he stated. In the same grain-forgrain programme, some search lights were distributed to the most humanelephant conflict villages. The release further informed that WTI will form
anti-depredation squad to reduce the human-elephant conflict in the region. Meanwhile, the release informed that on March 20, ex-gratia were released by Wildlife Trust of India to Pangti village for protecting the roosting sites of Amur falcons in the year 2014. WTI for consecutive two years had initiated the exgratia for protecting Amur falcons in Wokha district, the release said, adding nearly Rs. 10, 00, 000 have been released to the villagers of Pangti.
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Villages urged to set up Child Protection Committee Kohima, march 22 (mExN): Following the Supreme Court’s order for every village to set up a Village Level Child Protection Committee, the State Child Protection Society (SCPS) has started its campaign to mobilize every village to set up the same in order to confront the day-to-day child related cases. The setting up of Village Level Child Protection Committee mainly focuses on handling cases of children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law at the grassroots. The committee is also aimed at developing every child to be responsible and productive citizens by providing them an environment which is conducive for their social and physical wellbeing. Speaking as resource person during the sensitization programme on ‘Child Rights & its importance’ for Kohima block at LCS building Saturday, Rokokhrielie Gwirie, programme officer, SCPS, emphasized on the good upbringing of children and giving them proper training to make them responsible citizens of to-
SCPS officials and village leaders under Kohima block during the sensitization programme on Child Rights & its importance at LCS building.
morrow. Stating that children are the supreme assets of the country, he urged all concerned to initiate measures for child rights and their protection. Addressing a host of village council leaders, Gwirie also underlined the urgency to set up a strong Village Level Child Protection Committee at the earliest. “The department looks forward to engage with all the villages in the State in creat-
ing an environment where children are safe and protected. Our efforts will be a failure without the community’s support,” he said. Though every village has its own way of tackling cases at the grassroots, he urged the village leaders not to handle child related cases at their own limit, but to approach the District Child Protection Unit and Child Welfare Committee (CWC), so that correct
and appropriate measures are taken for juveniles who come in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection. To this, he added that the government has several schemes for children’s welfare. Elaborating on the importance of child rights, Gwirie also reminded the gathering that children below the age of 18 years need special care and guidance, and that they have the right to survive,
to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive adequate care and to grow up in a protective environment. Delivering the keynote address, Ruth Mero, counselor, SCPS, also appealed for cooperation and support from all the villages towards this venture. “Understanding the importance that every child is an asset, let us all create a healthy environment for their better tomorrow,” Mero said.
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REgional
The Morung Express
Monday
23 March 2015
NSCN (IM) ‘incursion’ to faultlines leads to confrontation: ZUF TAMinglong, MArch 22 (MExn): Giving its take on the “fierce arms confrontation” between the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and NSCN(IM) on March 19 at Guiteng in Khoupum valley, the ZUF today maintained that it was a “backlash” to NSCN-IM dastardly incursion into the fault-lines of the ZUF operational area. “The NSCN-IM cadres intruded the area and grossly violating the human rights and peaceful environment which is, in fact, against the Naga customary and international human rights norms,” the ZUF stated in a press note issued by Information & Publicity Secy, L Longmei.
According to the eye witnesses at the front, the cadres of NSCN (IM) were “dictating and harassing” the innocent villagers at their will by ordering to bring their domestic livestock, rice and other essential commodities without payment, the press note alleged adding that the villagers were also asked to carry their items as porters to different places of their destination at gunpoint. “The harshest to bear for the villagers was that NSCN-IM made them to stand as a watchman in different strategic location vis-à-vis asked to guard their camp in order to shield their lives,” it added.
Meghalaya decision to hike tobacco tax ruffles traders body shillong, MArch 22 (PTi): With Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma announcing a 7 per cent hike in tax on tobacco and its products, traders in the state are a worried lot. The traders apprehend the hike would encourage influx of cheaper products manufactured in neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar. "This would have an impact on at least 30,000 traders involved in direct and indirect sales of the products in the state, the second highest revenue generating product after alcohol," Rajem Rapsang, one of the traders, told PTI. He said high tax on cigarettes would force their prices to go up triggering rise in price differential as compared to those manufactured in neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar. "The situation is such that smuggling and illegal trading will take place thereby rendering the legal traders to suffer," he said. Already, cigarettes from Bangladesh are available in certain market pockets in
the state which were being smuggled from across the porous international border, another trader Swapan Kumar Dey said. Further increase in tax on tobacco and similar products would only reduce the revenue of the state as was the case with Tripura and Assam, which he said, suffered 15 per cent slash in revenue after hiking tax to 35 and 30 per cent respectively. Pleading with the state government to roll back the tax hike to its previous 20 per cent, another trader Bablu Das said Tripura had learnt the futility of the hike it announced in 2013 after the revenue dropped by 15 per cent. "After rolling back the tax hike, there was reduction in illegal stock inflow and increase in tax revenue by at least 120 per cent in the last couple of months," Das said. In his budget speech, Mukul Sangma announced a seven per cent hike from the current 20 per cent in tobacco, the third highest tax imposed on tobacco and similar products after Tripura and Assam, in the region.
Itanagar edition of North East Fashion Week from April 10 iTAnAgAr, MArch 22 (PTi): Emphasizing on the importance of promoting weavers across the state by introducing their outputs to the fashion world, the North East India Fashion Week - Itanagar Edition will be held here at Dree Ground from April 10 to 12, noted fashion designer Yana Ngoba said here today at the Arunachal Press Club. The North East India Fashion Week's main objective would be to promote and support weavers, designers and craftsman of the region, and to empower women of Northeast by providing them a networking opportunity and by facilitating buyers for their products. The Itanagar edition of the fashion week will witness a workshop for weavers along with the fashion shows where networking opportunities for weavers with design houses, silk promoters and retailers to market their produce will be facilitated.
Thus the ZUF argued that it carried out the operation against the NSCN (IM) “to thwart out the misery of the villagers.” “Two of its (NSCN IM) cadres were shot dead on spot and another two were seriously wounded… the cadres of ZUF also recovered one AK 47 with large quantities of ammunition and two common bag,” the press note informed. The ZUF, however, expressing its surprises that whereabouts of the two deceased cadres is not known yet, argued that it exposes the usual anathema practice of “hiding their deceased cadres, by burying in the jungle, without informing the family and public
simply to conserve their wrong doers in the eyes of general public, by the NSCN (IM). The two wounded cadres were reportedly handed over to Assam Rifles by the Khoupum Village Authority Council. It further informed that, prior to the Khoupum Village incident, there was a fierce confrontation between the two at various places in Zeliangrong areas and particularly in Khoupum Satudai conflict, where two cadres of NSCN (IM) were killed but the deceased were buried in the wood. “The jungle of Zeliangrong is fast turning a burial ground of the slain NSCN IM soldiers. It is unimaginable to desecrate
a lifeless body in forest without proper funeral in Christian doctrine and NSCN-IM being a propagator of “Nagaland for Christ” has crossed all limits,” the ZUF also alleged. In this connection, the Front also appealed the Zeliangrong Frontal organizations, civil societies, indigenous faiths and churches to look into the matter. It also warned the “Zeliangrong’s NSCN (IM)” cadres to learn lesson that they were sent to die in the hands of fellow brethren merely to “fulfil the undying interest of some vested officers of their own whose motive is to capture more power with mammoth greed.”
Fourth 'border haat' may open in Tripura next month AgArTAlA, MArch 22 (iAns): The fourth 'border haat' (market) along the India-Bangladesh border is likely to be inaugurated next month to boost trade in local produce of areas on the two sides along the international boundary, a Tripura minister said on Sunday. "Another 'border haat', built at a cost of Rs.2.44 crore, is ready at Kamalasagar, bordering Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh. This would be the fourth 'border haat' along the India-Bangladesh border in the northeastern states and second in Tripura," Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Tapan Chakraborty told reporters here. He said: "Indian and Bangladeshi ministers, in presence of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, would inaugurate the new 'border haat' at Kamalasagar (30 km south-west of Agartala) likely next month." India's Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by her Bangladeshi counterpart Tofail Ahmed and the Tripura chief minister, jointly inaugurated a 'border haat' in Srinagar about 140 km south of state capital Agartala - on January 13.
Two border haats were set up in 2012 on the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border -- at Kalaichar (India)-Baliamari (Bangladesh) and at Dalora (Bangladesh)-Balat (India). The 'border haats' are allowed to sell local agricultural and horticultural products, spices, minor forest produce (excluding timber), fresh and dry fish, dairy and poultry products, cottage industry items, wooden furniture, handloom and handicraft items. Chakraborty said a Land Customs Station (LCS) at Agartala's Srimantapur, bordering Comilla district of Bangladesh, is also ready for operationalisation to facilitate border trade between the two countries. Tripura has eight LCSs along the Bangladesh border to regulate trade between India and its neighbour. "After inauguration of Srinagar 'border haat' on January 13, commodities worth Rs.6.50 lakh were sold every Tuesday on an average. As per the understanding between the two governments (Bangladesh and India), the 'border haat' functions once a week," the minister said. He said the Tripura government had proposed to
Dimapur
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Northeast Briefs
Man gets life imprisonment for murdering family members
AizAwl, MArch 22 (PTi): A man who murdered all three members of his family in 2013 as they opposed his marriage to his lover been sentenced to life imprisonment by the District and Sessions court of south Mizoram Lunglei district. C. Lalramzauva (39) murdered his mother Lianngengi (76), his eldest brother C. Vanlalbela (50) and Vanlalbela's son Chhakchhuakthanga (11) on September 2, 2013 inside their home in Tawipui North. The prosecution said that Lalramzauva, after committing the crime, ransacked the house to mislead the police into believing that it was an outside job. He left the crime scene to stay with his widowed lover and pretended to learn about the incident the following morning, the prosecution said. He, however, later confessed to the crime and said that he murdered all his family members as they objected to his marrying his lover. Judge Marli Vankung convicted and sentenced him on Friday.
Five APPSC officials arrested in APPSCCE exam paper leak case iTAnAgAr, MArch 22 (PTi): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police has arrested five persons in connection with the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (APPSCCE-2014) paper leakage issue, which had rocked the state. The arrested persons, all officials of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) include, Joram Nagu Under Secretary APPSC, Nima Tondrang Joint Secretary, Bate Koyu Deputy Secretary, Debhasish Dey, Private Secretary to Chairman and Swaroop Bhattacharjee Personal Assistant to Joint Secretary, SIT Additional SP Amulya Boruah said today. They were arrested between March 18 and 20, Boruah said. The leakage of General Studies ? II paper rocked the state with the aspiring candidates demanding immediate cancellation of the entire exam and rescheduling of fresh exam besides termination of the members of the Commission. The aggrieved candidates also launched a series of agitation including hunger strike for several days which, compelled the state government to order an enquiry by the SIT on January 8 last. Among the arrested persons, Swaroop Battacharjee has been remanded to 7 days police custody while the others arrested are under 4 days police remand, Boruah informed. The SIT team is led by SP Amit Sharma cracked the highprofile case after three months of investigation. Other than Joram Nagu, all arrested persons were under suspension since January 2015 based on the recommendation of Magisterial Inquiry of APCS officer Hento Karga, Boruah disclosed.
set up eight 'border haats' along the state's borders with Bangladesh, but the governments of the two countries had so far agreed to set up only four. Equal numbers of traders (25 to 30) from both sides living within a five km radius of the border are being allowed to sell and buy locally produced goods and crops. According to a union home ministry report, India is keen to set up 70 border markets along its border with Bangladesh. The four northeastern state governments -- Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram -- have also proposed the setting up of 15 'border haats' along the India-Myanmar border to develop trans-border trade and business. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-km border along West Bengal (2,216 km), Tripura (856 km), Assam (263 km), Meghalaya (443 km) and Mizoram (318 km). The two neighbours have 2,979 km of land border and 1,116 km of riverine boundaries. The four north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and UDWJA elects new body Mizoram (510 km) share 1,643 km of UkhrUl, MArch 22 (MExn): The Ukhrul Disan unfenced border with Myanmar. trict Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA) in its General Body Meeting cum Election held recently has unanimously elected the new team of office bearers for the term 2015-2018. At present, UDWJA has 12 working journalists based at Ukhrul and Imphal as its members. It has also changed its nomenclature from Ukhrul Disfulla Kumar Mahanta who had sent a let- trict Journalists’ Association (UDJA) to Ukhrul District ter staking claim to the party president's Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA) July 27 with post. "The disciplinary action commit- the objective of strengthening its functioning. Accordtee will decide if Mahanta's act violated ing to press note from UDWJA Secretary, Rehoboam the party's code of conduct," said Kalita. Lester Makang, the new team consists of: Thotshang Since July last year, Mahanta was away Shaiza, President; Rehoboam Lester Makang, Secrefrom the president's post after the par- tary; Ragui Tungsa, Vice-President; Mungchan Zimik, ty's general council refused to accept his Joint Secretary; Ningthemngam Shimrah, Treasurer; resignation. It was at this juncture that Sothing Shimray, Accountant; and Addie Chiphang, working president Atul Bora was given Valley Rose Hungyo and Sothing Shimray as Advisory the responsibility. However, Mahanta Board members of the association. staked claim to the post recently saying that he was away for six months on Arms, ammunition recovered in Assam health grounds and hadn't quit. In a press statement, Mahanta said TEzPUr (AssAM), MArch 22 (PTi): The Army he is ready to make the ultimate sacrirecovered some arms and ammunition in Biswanath fice for the sake of the party. "I will not Chariali area of Sonitpur district, a defence spokesperseek the president's post. I'm ready to son said here today. Two .303 rifle with silencers, two serve the party as a general member. magazines and 17 rounds ammunition were found burThe leadership should be handed over ied under the ground and were recovered from Biswato youngsters to regain the lost glory of nath Ghat locality last night, the official said. the regional party," said Mahanta.
AGP gears up for BTC polls amid prez post row
gUwAhATi, MArch 22 (Tnn): The AGP is gearing up for the April 8 Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls amid differences within the party for the president's post. The party leadership said it will take the support of various social and non-political groups in the region. The party has declared the names of candidates for five seats out of total 40 constituencies in BTAD. The nominees are Zakir Hussain from No. 7 Fakiragram (General), Ashwini Barman from No. 20 Mathanguri (Nonreserved), Bhairav Deka from No. 30 Goreswar (ST), Apurba Kumar Deka from No. 35 Mudiobori (Non-reserved) and Bhanu Chahu from No. 39 Pachnoi Serfang (General) constituencies. Over 20.64 lakh people are eligible to vote in the four BTAD districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and
Udalguri. Voting will be held in 2,778 polling stations. "We are holding discussions on how to go about in the election. As always, we will focus on the issues which will help in solving the problems of indigenous people. A number of non-political organizations are in touch with us for the election. In due course of time, we will decide with whom we will go ahead," said AGP general secretary Ramendra Narayan Kalita. This time, several non-Bodo organizations are contesting the polls to fulfill their various demands. The last date for filing nomination is March 25 and repolling, if any, will be held on April 10. Counting of votes will be done on April 11. Meanwhile, the party's steering committee meeting has decided that the disciplinary action committee will take a call on former chief minister Pra-
NEZCC Workshop to boost NE artisans
BIG BOOK SALE
16-28 MARCH
9:00-5:30 (SUNDAY CLOSED)
Venue : O.M.BOOKS City Tower Junction, Circular Road Dimapur Contact : 03862-229370, 9862008081 Email : dimapur@ombooks.org
PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform that the plot of land located at Darogapathar, near Delhi Public School with Patta No.585, Dag No.767/787 measuring 00B-04K-00Ls previously belonging to Sri Temjen Longkumer S/o Alem Longkumer is now the rightful property of Sri Abraham Botoking. Henceforth, any individual/organization is advised against the sale or purchase of the aforesaid plot of land without the knowledge of the rightful owner. Contact no.9856437965
AFFIDAVIT
Regd.No: 84/15
gUwAhATi, MArch 22 (MExn): As a unique and pioneering initiative, the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) under the Union ministry OF culture will be organizing a “Production Mela” for 113 rural artisans from across the region with an aim to foster the art of traditional weaving and craftsmanship, and expand their market. On the sidelines, some
of the best wood sculptors from the region are also creating masterpieces depicting the cultural heritage of the eight North Eastern states, NEZCC informed. It has started from Saturday and will continue till March 31. The production Mela aims to engage rural artisans directly to probable buyers and even suppliers with a hope that it will provide a much needed break
for some of them. The traditional artforms, practiced predominantly by the rural communities with little or no access to commercial market, thus leaving the art at “grave risk of losing its worth or even worse” Lipokmar Tzudir, Director NEZCC stated, “'The alarming scenario is that the rural artisans are now opting to hazardous and laborious professions to
meet the economic challenges, thus resulting in neglect of family responsibilities, besides health.” Thus, the Government of India recognizing this is taking the initiative to provide opportunities for the artisans to engage themselves in line of their expertise through various schemes; but the extent of streamlining these resources to the rural areas by the implementing
agencies is highly questionable, he further mentioned. Tzudir also said that the NEZCC under the Union Ministry of Culture is more than willing to continue with this initiative in the region, but he also maintained that it will require other Ministries such as Tribal Affairs, Handloom and Textiles and DoNER besides others, to take a proactive
role towards financing such programmes. "With the number of brilliant artisans we have in the region, we can easily meet the demand of global market, and if the policy makers want to realize the ‘Act East policy', this is one aspect that cannot be ignored, we cannot dream of reaching the moon whilst our own people are starving in their own kitchen” Lipokmar Tzudir added.
Dated: 21/03/15
I, Shri. N. Achengbou, aged about 34 years, S/o Shri N. Lunkingbou, R/o House No 159, Kevijau Colony, P.S. Sub-Urban, Dimapur 797112 Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as under: 1. That I am a bonafide citizen of India and belong to Zeliang Tribe of Nagaland. 2. That I am called and known by the name Shri. N. Achengbou for all intents and purposes. 3. That my name Shri. N. Achengbou has been correctly recorded in my matriculate as well as in my Pre-University certificates and Admission Ticket, University of Delhi, as well as in the Mark sheet for the 1st year B.A. 5. That my name has been inadvertently recorded by the officials of Delhi University as N. Achengbdu, S/o Lunkingbdu, in my 2nd & 3rd year B.A. as well as in the B.A. degree Certificate instead of N. Achengbou. 6. That Shri. N. Achengbou S/o Shri N. Lunkingbou and Shri. N. Achengbdu, S/o Lunkingbdu, is one and the same person. Deponent Sworn before me by the deponent on this day the 21st day of March 2015. Notary Public Dimapur, Nagaland
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businEss
Monday
Dimapur
23 March 2015
‘No disconnect between RBI & govt’
NEW DElhi, March 22 (PTi): Scotching murmurs of differences between the government and the RBI over regulation of money market, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said there is no ‘disconnect’ between the two and hoped banks would follow the central bank in reducing interest rates. Jaitley, who addressed the RBI board on his proposals in Budget for 2015-16, said there have been regular interactions and the government often takes opinion and suggestions of the central bank. On the possibility of future interest rate cuts, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said it would depend on the pattern of inflation and added that the central bank would carefully watch the impact on unseasonal rains and hailstorm on the price situation. “We have complete free and frank discussions and therefore there is no question of any disconnect... between the bank and the government, I have repeatedly clarified that,” Jaitley told reporters
after the meeting. Jaitley in his budget had proposed to shift powers to regulate trading in government bonds from RBI to capital market regulator SEBI. “As far as proposals in the Finance Bill are concerned they are before Parliament. Some of them we discussed earlier, we discussed them even now ... I don’t wish to comment at this stage,” he said. He further said that discussion between the government and the RBI always continues. “They (discussions) have been before the budget and have taken place after the budget as well,” he said. When asked whether banks would be pressurised to pass on rate cuts to consumers, Jaitley said the government doesn’t put pressure but hopes and it is hopeful that they would do it in line with the RBI policies. Jaitley said, “We do not put pressure on them. We only expect and our expectations come true.” Despite RBI cutting short-term lending rates by 0.50 per cent in
quick succession, banks have yet to reduce lending rates for borrowers. As far as future rate cut by the RBI is concerned, Rajan said it would primarily depend on the domestic price situation and partly on global factors, especially hike in rates by the Federal Reserve. “While external environment is a constraint, a lot of what we need to do has to do with the internal environment,” he said adding that the Federal Reserve may take a little longer to raise interest rates. However, he added, “that (Fed rate hike) can’t be the primary factor. The primary factor in allowing for greater monetary easing will be the pattern of inflation and how that proceeds.” On the impact of unseasonal rains and hailstorm on farm output, Rajan said, “As far as rains go, there is no direct one-to-one correlation between rains and prices. It depends on what crops (are impacted). “What it means is that we have to be more careful in food management and government has re-
peatedly said it is looking at food prices and is engaged actively in food management. It needs greater vigilance.” Answering questions on the fiscal deficit situation, Rajan said, the government has taken a number of steps and much would depend upon the external and internal environment, especially the disinvestment programme which is dependent on the markets. “It (fiscal deficit) also depends on the actions of the state governments. So, we have to look at all these to see how much fiscal consolidation is happening over the course of the year given the intent that has already been expressed,” he said. The government proposes to bring down the fiscal deficit to 3.9 per cent of GDP in 2015-16 from 4.1 per cent estimated in the current fiscal. The 17-member RBI Board comprises of Governor Raghuram Rajan, four Deputy Governors, nominees from Finance Ministry, industry representatives and other experts.
The Morung Express
CG Foods eyes Rs 10,000-crore sales for Wai Wai noodles in India NEW DElhi, March 22 (PTi): Nepal’s CG Foods, makers of the popular Wai Wai noodles, is targetting the brand to touch Rs 10,000 crore turnover in a decade in India that could require an investment of Rs 5,000 crore to add manufacturing capacity. “Wai Wai has a turnover of Rs 600 crore in India now. Our aim is to take it to Rs 10,000 crore in the next 10 years,” CG Group Chairman Binod Chaudhary told PTI. The company, a part of the Chaudhary Group, at present has six manufacturing units in India. It plans to expand its production footprint with a unit each in Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Commenting on the Indian market, he said: “The per capita consumption of noodles in India is very low,
but in due course of time, it is bound to grow.” In order to prepare for the future, Chaudhary said the company is adding new
production units. “We will have a new unit operational in Madhya Pradesh in the first quarter of 2016. This will serve Western India market,” he said, adding a new unit was also being set up in Assam. “The North East Indian
market is one of our biggest markets. We have manufacturing presence in Guwahati and Silchar in Assam, besides one in Sikkim,” he said. The company’s other plants are in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, Purnia in Bihar and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh and its total employment in India is over 2,500 people. It is also setting up a food park in Rajasthan. When asked about the investment, he did not share an exact amount, but said, “For Rs 600 crore turnover we needed Rs 300 crore of investment, so for Rs 10,000 we may need around Rs 5,000 crore.” He said with the proposed manufacturing locations, the company, traditionally strong in East and NE, would be more or less prepared to have a pan-India presence.
‘Enough cereals, but need to import oil, pulses’ ‘India’s economy likely to grow 8% in next fiscal’ NEW DElhi, March 22 (PTi): The Centre has told the Supreme Court that though the country has become self sufficient in production of cereals, it is dependent on imports to bridge the gap between domestic production and demand of edible oil and pulses. Responding to a PIL on increasing farmer suicides in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture said in an affidavit, “India has not only ensured self-sufficiency in most of the agricultural crops but has also built sufficient buffer stocks of wheat and rice and is also in a position to export to other countries.” “We are not self-sufficient in edible oil and pulses,” the government conceded and added that it has initiated programmes such as National Food Security Mission, Accelerated Pulses Production Programme and National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm to increase production and productivity of pulses and oil seeds to bridge the gap of domestic requirements and minimize the need for their import. In respect of all food items including processed ones, the country has “sufficient surpluses” and it is in a position to export them to other countries, it said, adding exports are on rise. The Centre also rubbished the view that agriculture was still dependent on monsoon and said that approximately 48 per cent of the land, used for food grains production in the country, is irrigated.
Further, it said, India accounts for only 2.4 per cent of the world’s geographical area and four per cent of its water resources but has to support 17 per cent of the world’s human population and 15 per cent of world’s livestock. The affidavit said that a Working Group on Agriculture was constituted in 2010 by the Standing Core Group under the chairmanship of the then Prime Minister, making several recommendations which are at various stages of implementation. The affidavit said, “In its report, the working group, made wide ranging recommendations, which inter-alia, included, measures to improve yields, expand winter rice cultivation in Eastern India, electric power availability, water control, improved farming system, new varieties and hybrid seeds, highest seeds replacement rate, fertilizer use, agri-business, private sector investment, marketing, insurance and other related areas.” It also said that government has considered and examined the recommendations of National Commission of Farmers, set up under the chairmanship of Prof M S Swaminathan and finalised the National Policy for Farmers (NPF), 2007. “The policy provisions include, asset reforms in respect of land, water, livestock, fisheries and bio-resources; supply of good quality seeds and disease-free planting material, issue of soil health passbooks to the farmers and integrated pest management system...
“...support services for women, timely adequate and easy reach of institutional credit at reasonable interest rates and farmer-friendly insurance instruments, support services and inputs like application of frontier technologies, agricultural bio-security system, use of information and communication technology and setting up of farm schools to revitalise agricultural extension...,” the affidavit said. Other provisions include enhancing Minimum Support Price (MSP) across the country and establishing community food grain banks, curriculum reforms in agricultural universities, special categories of farming like organic farming and contract farming, it said. It said that many of the schemes/ programmes were being implemented by Central and state governments as per the NPF provisions. The government’s response came on a PIL filed by Punjab-based NGO, Youth Kamal Organization, through its resident G S Happy Mann, which had highlighted the issue of farmer suicides in the country, saying various problems faced by farmers compel them to take their lives. It had said farmers are forced to buy seeds every planting season which increases poverty and indebtedness, compelling them to commit suicide. The NGO had also told the court that so far nothing has been done by the Ministry of Agriculture for the benefit of farmers.
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LEISURE
Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”
SUDOKU Game Number # 3173
MuMbai, March 22 (PTi): The country’s economy is likely to clock 8% growth in the next financial year and 8.3% in 2016-17, says a report. “India is the only BRIC country, where growth will accelerate, to 8% in FY16 and 8.3% in FY17, based on revised data series,” Fitch said in its report on Global Economic Outlook. The forecast has been made taking in reference the revised GDP data series. The agency’s earlier
forecasts were 6.5% for 2015-16 and 6.8% for 201617, based on the old series. The Central Statistical Office (CS0) has recently changed the base year for calculation of GDP to 201112 from 2004-05 earlier. This has resulted in an increase in the official real GDP growth number for FY14 to 6.9% (at market prices) from 4.7% (at factor costs). The CSO estimates the country’s real GDP growth at 7.4% in the current financial year.
Recently, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde had said the country’s economy is likely grow at 7.2% in FY15 and will exceed combined total of Japan and Germany by 2019. The rating agency praised the government’s effort to produce GDP data in line with international standards. It, however, said these new GDP growth levels and the pick-up from mid-2013 are difficult to reconcile with indicators and anecdotal
evidence that show low investment levels, weak corporate balance sheets and a rise in banks’ non-performing loans. Globally,it expects GDP to grow by 2.7% in FY16 and 3% in FY17. u Growth will accelerate in 2015-16 in all of the three largest advanced economies for the first time since 2010, while emerging markets will continue to slow, due primarily to recession in Russia and Brazil and the structural adjustment in China, it said.
Black money law: Foreign property to be taxed at current price NEW DElhi, March 22 (PTi): Indians having undisclosed property abroad will have to pay tax and penalty on the basis of the current market value of the asset, and not at the purchase price, as per the new black money bill. However, the tax and penalty would take into account the part-disclosure, if any, made by the taxpayer with regard to the purchase of the concerned property. Giving an illustration on how the tax would be charged, ‘The Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) bill 2015’ says that the tax liability on an overseas property would be computed on the basis of its current market price, and not the price at which it was acquired.
The illustration provided in the Bill, which seeks to deal effectively with the black money stashed abroad, talks about an overseas property supposedly purchased by an Indian in 200910 for Rs 50 lakh, whose current market value rises to Rs 1 crore in 2017-18. The calculation takes into account that tax assessment was made on an amount of Rs 20 lakh after purchase of the property, meaning a non-disclosure of assets worth about Rs 30 lakh at that time. Since the the total value of the property has doubled to Rs 1 crore, in the same ratio the quantum of undisclosed asset also doubles from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh. It would also include those property about which the assessee failed to give explanation
DAILY CROSS WORD
CROSSWORD # 3183
Answer Number # 3172
about the source of investment to the tax officials. The Bill, tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday, also provides for rigorous imprisonment of 6 months to 7 years with fine for abetment of offences relating to concealment of overseas income on assets. This clause could cover chartered accountants and consultants. The Bill provides for a separate taxation of undisclosed income abroad which will be no longer taxed under the Income Tax Act. The bill says that concealment of income in relation to a foreign asset will attract penalty equal to three times the amount of tax (90 % of the undisclosed income or the value of the undisclosed asset). This would be over and above tax at a flat rate of 30%.
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ACROSS
1. Japanese wrestlers 6. Trudge 10. “____, and it’s gone” 14. Bumbling 15. Relating to aircraft 16. Sea eagle 17. Anagram of “Merit” 18. Mortgage 19. Ascend 20. A type of craftsman 22. College girl 23. A Maori club 24. Happenings 26. Not yours 30. Glass container 31. One of the tribes of Israel 32. Urgent request 33. Comply with 35. Stalwart 39. Disentangle 41. Economic independence 43. Lustrous fabric 44. Shade trees 46. Eccentric person 47. Pull 49. Large flightless bird 50. Being 51. Convulse
54. Green 56. Warmth 57. Everyplace 63. Hindu princess 64. Ripped 65. Intended 66. Therefore 67. Layer 68. Overgrown with ivy 69. Biblical garden 70. Chooses 71. Geeky
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1. Seats oneself 2. Module 3. Quick note 4. Not closed 5. A throat infection 6. Acceptable to the taste 7. Time available for relaxation 8. Chocolate cookie 9. Put clothing on 10. Portion 11. Heavenly hunter 12. Beginning 13. Provides food 21. Captain’s superior 25. Widespread 26. Creative work
27. Forearm bone 28. A musical pause 29. The state of being clean 34. Complainers 36. Mining finds 37. Hawaiian strings 38. Kid 40. Rectum 42. Unlawful rate of interest 45. A young hare 48. A poor city district 51. Half of six 52. Listened to 53. Cooktop 55. Author Mark _____ 58. Voice Over Internet Protocol 59. Apiary 60. Arab chieftain 61. Marsh plant 62. Countercurrent Ans to CrossWord 3182
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The Morung Express
Mass anti rabies vaccination drive in Mkg Mokokchung, March 22 (MExn): Altogether 2985 dogs were registered and 2787 dogs were vaccinated free of cost in a mass dog registration campaign and anti-rabies vaccination drive at Mokokchung Town. The programme which was carried out in two phase concluded today and involved all the 18 wards under the jurisdiction of the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC). The first phase was conducted on March 15 and the second phase which started on March 20 concluded today. According to a press note from Dr. Aoyimsen Jamir, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Mokokchung, the program was implemented under the supervision of four veterinary doctors, 37 para vets along with the assistance of the respective ward authorities. During the inaugural function, Dr. Mapumeren Chief Veterinary Officer, Mokokchung in his key note address highlighted the importance of vaccinating dogs against rabies and its related public health safety concern as a “zoonotic and notifiable disease”. He also informed that the
Monday 23 March 2015
anti rabies immunization and Dog Registration was conducted under the National Livestock Mission and in collaboration with Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC). ADC & Administrator MMC Bendanglila while appreciating the initiative made by the dept. of Vety & AH., hoped that the ward authorities will maintain
Awareness campaign on Swachh Bharat
their Dog Registration and Vaccination Records properly and regularly update the same. With the completion of registration of the present dog population in the town, she further urged the local ward authorities to give their wards rabies free and to reign in the littering of public areas by the animals. The office of the Chief Vet-
erinary Officer, Mokokchung also expressed its gratitude to the MMC, the ward executives, Dr. Rongsensosang Longkumer KVK Yisemyong, the office of the DPRO Mokokchung and the public in general for their strong support and assistance rendered during the entire process which has made it a grand success.
Panchayat Lower Chandmari Colony flays vehicle theft
Dear Countrymen, take this opportunity once again to extend hearty greetings to our people on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland. Fifty nine years ago on this day the 22nd March, 1956 the Republic of Federal Government of Nagaland was established. This year, the national day celebration coincided with our Lord’s day of rest, and demands our devotion to God with thanksgiving as we owe our thanks for His constant love and care for Nagaland through the years. Also we pay our respect and honor to our past national leaders and workers for their selfless sacrifices for which we are what we are today, as a people and a nation. Dear friends, on this historic day of the nation let us look back to our national history and be refreshed with our national stand. First, the ancient sovereign independent life of Naga Villages and Communities (now Regions) were complete within themselves and were never ruled by any foreign power. In this matter let it be clear of any doubt or misgivings that in some part of Nagaland where the British settled for a period of time were never subjected to British Empire and that it is clearly recorded in British History. Secondly, the proposal for a Reform by the British Simon Commission was politely re-
kohiMa, March 22 (MExn): In connection with the news item, three people were arrested for “vehicle theft” by Kohima police and remanded into custody police custody, the Panchayat Lower Chandmari Colony today claimed and declared that one of the accused Sinilo Rengma, was the same person who earlier stolen a KMC Sanitation Bolero Pick-Up truck belonging to the colony January, 29. The accused was “clearly identified” by eye-witnesses consisting of two gents and three ladies that, he (Sinilo Rengma) was roaming around the colony in the morning where the stolen colony bolero pick-up was parked, and they have given their deposition to Kohima South Police Station and Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima, stated a press note from Panchayat Lower Chandmari Colony. In this regard, the Pachay-
fused by our forefathers because such offer may lead to dominance by neighboring people and their alien culture thus it laid the first foundation of modern Nagaland. Thirdly, after the World War II, when the British were to withdraw its occupation from South Asian countries our forefathers under the leadership of A.Z.Phizo, met Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Indian Nation, in Delhi and told Gandhi that ‘Nagas are not Indians and Nagaland is not Indian territory’ Gandhi agreed and affirmed the Naga stand and said the matter ends there. Then Nagas declared their independence on 14th August, 1947, one day ahead of India attained its independence from her British Rulers. Again the Naga voluntary Plebiscite of 16th May, 1951 affirmed Naga independence with 99.9% vote in favor to remain independent. No nations on earth surpass the distinct historical foundation and national right as Nagaland. By the year 1954 India invaded Nagaland to annex Nagaland, therefore Naga people took up arms in defense of their homeland against Indian invasion, as such our case with India is a case of invasion and it is war. In the present scenario, few literate Nagas create confusions in the minds of our people with irrelevant expressions such as struggle for freedom, self determination and
and nature in professional manner,” it added. The Colony, therefore, “earnestly” requested Kohima South P.S to investigate the vehicle theft cases thoroughly and to confirm the above mentioned accused have committed the theft of the colony Bolero Pick-Up as per the eyewitnesses account. It also demanded that the said vehicle be produced at the earliest in good condition and till such time the accused must be kept in police custody failing which the colony would go by Naga customary laws imposing seven times of the kohiMa, March 22 (MExn): stolen property or vehicle and The IDBI Bank, Kohima branch is all even take its own course of acset to install another ATM booth at tion till justice is served. PR Hill, near PHQ, Kohima. This will The press note was ap- My dear countrymen, be the third ATM booth for the bank pended by the Panchayat n this auspicious occasion marking the in Kohima, which will be inauguLower Chandmari Colony, 35th Naga Republic day, I extend my rated by parliamentary secretary for Chairman Bentilo Rengma; revolutionary greetings to each and evland resource BS Nganglang Phom Secretary , Nohokhul So- ery citizens of Nagaland. on March 23 at 9:20 am. Glory to our Almighty God, the Protector phie; Supong Ao G.B: and IDBI Bank, a major player in and Keeper of all nations whose sustaining the banking industry, has geoHoshito G.B love has brought us to this day, ensuring each graphical presence across India succeeding Naga generation to experience His with 1663 branches, 2970 ATMs sustaining grace, unceasing love and ceaseless and 1214 centres. IDBI Bank, a new mercy. Today, we are still firm in our hope, vigeneration Government of India sion and aspiration that, no matter how difficult owned bank is operating successthe journey ahead might be, we will uphold the fully since 2004 and was recently ranked as the 2nd most trusted DiMapur, March 22 (MExn): The gen- further urged state government to take up the integrity and sovereignty of the republic nation. Whilst we celebrate this day, we reminisce brand in the PSU category in “The eral public and the village council of Kanjang boundary issue over encroachment which have on the bygone days, the roads we travelled, and Branch Trust Report 2015.” village, Phek has expressed its ‘shock and dev- been neglected for too long. we remember our brave pioneers who had sacFailure to do so, the villagers will take its own astation’ over the “arson” allegedly committed by bordering villagers of Soraphung (Krowemi) course action for which the government would rificed for the nation by laying down their lives, so that the future generations would strive on to be held responsible, the council warned. village, Manipur. “The persistent problem created from across cherish our distinct identity as a free and soverA press note from Chairman of the Kanjang village, Nyuwesie Pojar stated that more than 45 the border can be subsided if an independent eign people. Their sacrifices have not gone in vain, but it will be etched in the records of the kohiMa, March 22 (MExn): paddy field huts belonging to Kanjang villagers Border Magistrate is put in place to monitor history of our Naga Nation. It is because of them such issues in the area” the press note further were allegedly torch down to ashes on March The Kohima Municipal Council that we are who and what we are today. (KMC) has informed all general 18 without any provocation causing huge loss maintained. Our homeland which is recently under the Meanwhile, calls upon all rightful thinking public that KMC office has opened and unaccounted damage on the verge of culsuppression of India is entailed with massive vicitizens to condemn such “heinous act, ” the viltivating season. The ‘cowardly’ incident had oca Public Grievance Cell to oversee olation of human rights through the Indian drathe inquiries, bookings or lodging of curred only a couple of weeks after the visit of lagers also sincerely appealed for the support of conic laws, and enshrined under its so called all the machineries and NGO’s involving in borcomplaints etc. In this connection, D.C. Phek, it added. In this connection, the Kanjang village der issues to help them and further requested democratic constitution. Nagaland as a Repubany person with inquiries, bookings lic nation while upholding the international law or lodging of complaints may call at council has demanded prompt “justice and the government to compensate the loss that has will respect the integrity of neighbouring reaction” from the law enforcing agencies and been incurred by the villagers. 0370-2290316 on working days. publics which must have status quo. Our struggle has a common ground, a legitimate right to be free, and with God by our side, we cannot fail This day is also a moment to retrospect on our yesterdays and introspect on today to build for a stronger tomorrow. Even if time change with the people, our concept and theory as a nation remain unchanged. And it is a comprehensive responsibility for us to ponder upon oking, March 22 (MExn): The 60th Republic DiMapur, March 22 (MExn): The up the good works. The envoy also maintained that the Day (March 22, 1956) of the Federal Government and act on it. The insincere attitude displayed by GPRN/NSCN observed the 35th Republic day at the CHQ (Council Headquar- 'Glorious Works' done by “our brave of Nagaland was being observed all over the “Naga GoI towards our political issues cannot give us ter) Designated Camp, Khehoi with fathers” in pushing back and fighting nation” was also held here today with reaffirmation the excuse to indoctrinate fratricide. It is in fact Vitoi Aye, Kilonser, Alee (foreign) Affairs against the brute force of 'Aggressors to “work in unison” towards vexed political issue. an opportunity for us to rededicate our commit“On this momentous occasion, every Region ments on unity, so that our cherished Naga naas Chief Guest, who unfurled the 'Naga and Suppressors' has kept alive the National Flag' and also took the 'Repub- 'Naga Cause' and their legacy which headed by Midan Peyu and central representa- tion will be a nation among the nations. Dear Nagas, for everything there is a time, lic Day Salute' as the 'Naga Army' gave is praiseworthy and cannot go un-ac- tives delivered/read out the Kedahge’s message and at this stage of my life, and Six decades of and successfully observed this 60th Republic Day the 'Guard of Honour.' The 'Presidential knowledged, needs to be carried forand also reaffirmed to work in unison towards the my sacrifice and service for the Naga nationAddress' of Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak, ward. "Our brave fathers had far sighted vi- vexed Naga Political issue with utmost loyalty and al cause, I have had only one wish, a wish for President, NSCN was also read out by sion that Nagas cannot and will never be sincerity,” a press note from Ministry of Rali Wali unity among Nagas irrespective of clans, tribe the Chief Guest. or boundaries, abhorring bloodshed among A one minute silent prayer was also a part of the Indian Union, and as such Affairs, FGN stated. All all rank and files of the Federal authorities us. And to this day, I have remained firm on it observed remembering departed “com- the Spirit of Nationalism and the Flame rades and compatriots.” Akato Yeptho, of National Movement was ignited by have been deployed and represented at different and shall continue to stand on it. Reviewing our Secretary, Keeya (Defense) Affairs who our patriotic fathers and now it is our Regions to strengthen the government and to de- past experiences, our ignorance and negligence presented the “Obituary Reference” im- duty to keep it burning until our quest liver the voice of the “Kedahge” to all the National have played a vital part in giving an edge to the plored upon all the members to pay trib- to live as free people in a free Nation is Workers and for the Naga people in general, it fur- enemies within, thereby internal chaotic inferther informed. The occasion were also marked by no has created a strong chasm. The time is now, achieved,” he stated. utes to their legacy. to re-organize ourselves in all possibilities to acchithat/programme on different platform. The Envoy also stressed that it is very In a short speech, Alezo Venuh, EnIn UT (Union Territory), the chithat was chaired celerate the process for an attainable resolution voy to the Collective Leadership, delib- high time where every Nagas should erated briefly about the 'Present Naga “Retrospect and Introspect” every as- by Eno. T.V. Litsaba Sangtam, Dy. Kiklonser, Killo and changes, because our political future lies in Political Status' and also emphasized on pect the National Movement, as the Affairs and recorded by Eno. Ghuvishe V. Zhimomi, the present undertakings. Believing that, for an some important viewpoint with special struggle “started” with and will end with Secretary, Rali Wali Affairs & Tatar Hoho. Invoca- acceptable and honourable freedom to prevail, it is the task of every individual to play an imperreference to the 'Presidential Address'. the Naga people. He further called upon tion was pronounced by Eno. Atoi Shohe, Tatar. Eno. Zhopra Vero, Kedallo, FGN who delivered ative role of oneness. Our movement has always The Envoy while re-affirming and re- the Nagas to once again “Re-dedicate posing faith upon the Collective Lead- ourselves, Re- energize ourselves along the Kedahge’s message, also took a solemn pledge been a people based movement since the beership, also acknowledged the tireless with unconditional faith in our Almighty and made a briefing to the National Workers about ginning of the time of our struggle for an Indeeffort of the Collective Leadership in God' and continue to pursue our Com- the reminiscence of NNC/FGN in strengthening the pendent Nation, and it has been so, to this day. It government, the press note further added. Eno. Cho- begins with the people and it shall end with the trying to restore “Peace and Tranquility” mon Goal.” This was stated in a press note issued thrikyu, Dy. Kilonser, Poza Affairs, also delivered a people. Thus, GPRN appeals to every conscious among Naga Brethren as yearned by the Naga People and continuing to work in by Ministry of Information & Publicity short note of greetings, followed by a benediction pro- Naga from all political groups, organization and nounced by mass concluding the “chithat fruitfully.” tribe to avail themselves of this opportunity to close proximity with the FNR to keeping (MIP), GPRN/NSCN kohiMa, March 22 (MExn): Nagaland governor PB Acharya will be launching an awareness campaign on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on March 23 at 2:30 pm at Old NST Junction, Kohima. Nagaland chief secretary Pankaj Kumar will also be present on the occasion. Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) administrator Kovi Meyase has asked all the panchayat chairmen in Kohima to attend the said programme.
Another IDBI ATM booth in Kohima
at in its emergency executive meeting on March 22 further resolved to condemned the crime theft committed by the above mentioned accused and to submit a written appeal to OC/IO of South P.S with a demand to pray for further remand from court as the accused were still require by the police for further query and investigation. It will also to submit another written appeal to the Session or Magistrate courts, Kohima not to grant bail at this stage. Expressing grave concerns and anger that at least eight vehicles mostly Bolero were stolen in and around the colony within a span of six months, the meeting also maintained that since the “culprit” who had stolen the colony Bolero Pick-up were caught and kept in police custody, the same team might be involved in the theft of other vehicles from the area. “The other stolen vehicles were done in the same style
Kanjang village condemns border arson
KMC opens Public Grievance Cell
GPRN/NScN celebrates 35th Naga Republic Day
FGN Observes Republic Day
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Public SPace Message Of The Kedahge, Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, Federal Government Of Nagaland on Nagaland Republic Day, 22nd March 2015
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Dog owners waiting for their turn to vaccinate and register their pets during the Mass Anti Rabies Vaccination and Dog Registration Drive organized by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Mokokchung covering all wards under Mokokchung Municipal Council.
Dimapur
independence etc. They talk and write much through media for peace, reconciliation, and unity etc. but their actions encourage and fuel misunderstanding as they patronize renegade factions; they also speak uniqueness of Naga history yet advocate solution under Indian constitution. They speak through their mouth full of good words but found obvious emptiness in their heart. Nagaland is clear about its National stand, that: Nagas are a Nation in their own rights Nagaland is a sovereign State, never became a protectorate at any time - Nagas rejected Autonomy offered by India in 1947 because we are a sovereign nation before India - India became a nation only on January 26, 1950 - Nagaland‘s problem is not Indian internal affairs - we are not demanding or asking anything from India but telling India to withdraw her occupational forces from our land - Nagaland. We believe in God Almighty and God in His own good time will open ways for Nagas to voice their rights aloud. If Nagas seek Him in truth and ask for the way to open, it will be opened to us. But we must faithfully follow His path and direction at all times. So on this important national day, I urge every Naga to come together under God’s guidance. May God bless Nagaland. KUKNALIM
‘Wake up and rise above ism’
Speech of Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak, President, GPRN/NSCN on the 35th Naga Republic Day
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contribute their suggestions practically and realistically, paving ways for peace and tranquility among us, that, it would bear fruit in our aspirations for a free Naga homeland. The recent undertaking of the United Naga Tribe Association of Border Area (UNTABA) regarding the border issue is commendable and worth appreciating. But one must understand that the settlement issue on the demarcation of border areas lays with the political group and the Government of India. One should reflect on the 16th point agreement signed by the Naga People Convention (NPC) and the Government of India without taking the Naga political parties into confidence, which resulted in the killing of some leaders and this should not happen again. Any settlement without the concern or consent of the Naga political parties should be deemed as an artificial settlement, because the issue of such settlements cannot be accepted till there has been an amicable solution or settlement between the Government of India and the Naga political groups. However, the present social unrest along the Nagaland and Assam border area should be jointly dealt by both the Nagas and Ahoms against the illegal immigrants and their encroachment policies, creating enmity without respecting the cordial relationship between the two neighboring brothers. While appreciating the enormous task of FNR and all other NGOs who have been contributing your services for Nagas cause without ceasing, the present peace process which has given us a common ground to grab the opportunity to manifest our desired political goal, GPRN/NSCN is of the view that our mutual trust, respect and commitments towards it should be firm, because the result of failure or success depends on it and its entity. GPRN/ NSCN will leave no room for dictation and imposition of ones will upon the other. We see no solution without respect for the aspiration of the Nagas and we see no solution without fulfilling the desired aspired political goal. I wish for the best, on the ongoing talk between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, and hope they reach a solution soon. As I had been emphasizing, we have to be very practical in our political approach, and I am confident that before finalizing any settlement with the NSCN (IM), the centre will take the GPRN/ NSCN into confidence as we have a separate agenda. This is because the government of India has ruled out the integration of all Naga inhabited areas, which, Mr. Th. Muivah the chief negotiator has also compromised to the Indian political situation and condition at this point of time, as such, we are concerned and worried about the children of Nagaland. I am hopeful and optimist that, a day will come when we will be at peace and celebrate our formal entry into the global village and enjoy the fruits of peace with human dignity with our children along with the rest of the global villagers. In conclusion, the collective leaders ardently appeal to the Nagas to wake up and rise above ism and have the feeling of oneness, because to absorb our vision of a better and stronger Nagaland, there can only be one tribe, a tribe called ‘Nagas’ God Bless Nagaland Kuknalim
The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.
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IN-FOCUS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express MonDAy 23 MArcH 2015 voluME X IssuE 79
Along Longkumer consulting Editor
Models of Sovereignty
The Way Forward on Kashmir & the Nagas
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he government of the PDP-BJP alliance under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed assumed power ending 49-days of Governor rule which had become necessary as Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir last year did not give a clear majority to any party in the State. In all probability, the BJP would have known all along what it was getting into when it stitched up an unlikely alliance with the pro-Kashmir nationalist PDP led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. In fact the BJP and PDP have extreme ideological positions on most issues and both parties have admitted in public that the alliance was like the North Pole and the South Pole coming together. The BJP’s hard line position on doing away with Article 370, which guarantees a special position to the State of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Union, and the equally strong nationalist position of the PDP when it comes to the Kashmir political question, including on self-rule and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) does make the BJPPDP alliance difficult to comprehend but at the same time it is indeed a unique experiment and a way forward. It also gives credence to the saying that politics is the art of the possible. One only hopes that the BJP-PDP government will be a “historic opportunity”, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “to fulfill aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. It is true that both the BJP and the PDP had to give and take on their respective core agenda of Article 370 and AFSPA. Like any coalition government, the BJP-PDP alliance is based on a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and both parties will be expected to give priority to things like good governance and development. However the fact that the two parties have been compelled by the very nature of the mandate, the BJP sweeping the Hindu dominated Jammu region and the PDP doing the same in Muslim majority Kashmir valley, it is not going to be an easy alliance to run despite having the CMP. The larger point however is this. The BJP by going into an alliance with a pro-separatist party like the PDP has taken itself the task of engaging with the Kashmir problem and seems willing to talk to people’s groups, whether it is the Hurriyat and other pro-separatist elements. This is a very bold, imaginative yet welcome step of the BJP to think out of the box in order to try and address what is essentially a very old problem in postIndependent India. For many years now the political establishment in India has tried to sidestep the Kashmir problem. At a time when the Modi government in Delhi is working on a time-bound solution to the decades old Naga political issue, the political initiative in Kashmir by the BJP will hopefully lead to the evolution of working models on federalism that addresses the aspiration of self rule of peoples groups like the Kashmiris and Nagas while at the same time strengthening the Indian Union. To refresh public memory, the PDP has in the past advocated “shared sovereignty” of an integrated and united Jammu and Kashmir between Indian and Pakistan. Similarly, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, which is in talks with the Government of India, has put forth its proposal for a ‘Special Federal relationship’ between India and the Nagas. Both the idea of a shared sovereignty and special federal relationship are major departure from mainstream political discourse and should be seen as forward looking and the way ahead for reconciling the aspiration of the Kashmiris and Nagas with the larger vision of a strong India. (Feedback can be sent to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)
lEfT wiNg |
Mazie Nakhro, Ph.D
When is Civil Disobedience Okay? Thought-Provoking Question: The Bible says that he who rebels against governmental authority “is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:2). Does this mean that Christians should always comply with everything the government says? What does God say? Read Acts 4:8-22 Because the disciples of Christ preached the Gospel, the Jewish religious authority (the Sanhedrin) arrested some of them and ordered them “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). But the apostles Peter and John answered, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (4:19-20). Then on another occasion, the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men!” (5:29). This is a clear affirmation of the principle that God requires His people to disobey the civil government if obedience would mean directly disobeying God. We also have a similar example in the Old Testament. When allegiance to God led the three friends of Daniel to commit an act of civil disobedience, they were willing to face the consequences whether or not God would rescue them (Dan. 3:1-23). Are there other reasons that could biblically justify the act of civil disobedience? Yes, we can cite at least two more examples: First, when our conscience is being violated: Though Daniel and his friends were just teenagers and far away from the pressures of their elders, they resisted the temptations of the local Babylonian culture by refusing to eat unclean food and to drink wine. They held fast to what they believed was right even when disobeying the king’s order was a risky decision (Dan. 1:3-16; 6:6-10; James 4:17). Second, when innocent people will be affected by our wrongdoing: The Hebrew midwives feared God so they hid the infants and protected them against Pharaoh’s order (Exod. 1:15-22; 2:1-2). Similarly, the Magi disobeyed Herod’s order by their failure to report back about the Child who was born King (Matt. 2:7-12). Okay, so now what? While the Bible is against violent protest or overthrow of one’s own duly constituted government, it gives permission for civil disobedience. When a government violates the law of God or some higher moral principle, we must choose to stand for what it just and right. Sometimes we may not know how things will turn out when we stick up for the truth, but it won’t be dull--and it will be right. Prayer: Lord, You said in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Give me the courage to do that when I am threatened for my faith. Amen. Taken from the book “Breakfast with the King: The 100-Day Devotional” by Mazie Nakhro
C O M M E N T A R Y
THE EDIT PAGE
Maria Cheng and Raphael Satter Associated Press
UN health agency resisted declaring Ebola emergency
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n a delay that some say may have cost lives, the World Health Organization resisted calling the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency until last summer, two months after staff raised the possibility and long after a senior manager called for a drastic change in strategy, The Associated Press has learned.Among the reasons the United Nations agency cited in internal deliberations: worries that declaring such an emergency — akin to an international SOS — could anger the African countries involved, hurt their economies or interfere with the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Those arguments struck critics, experts and several former WHO staff as wrong-headed. "That's like saying you don't want to call the fire department because you're afraid the fire trucks will create a disturbance in the neighborhood," said Michael Osterholm, a prominent infectious diseases expert at the University of Minnesota. In public comments, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan has repeatedly said the epidemic caught the world by surprise. "The disease was unexpected and unfamiliar to everyone, from (doctors) and laboratory staff to governments and their citizens," she said in January. Last week, she told an audience in London that the first sign that West Africa's Ebola crisis might become a global emergency came in late July, when a consultant fatally ill with the disease flew from Liberia to a Nigerian airport. But internal documents obtained by AP show that senior directors at the health agency's headquarters in Geneva were informed of how dire the situation was early on and held off on declaring a global emergency. Such an alert is meant to trigger a surge in outside help, or, as a WHO document put it, "ramps up political pressure in the countries affected" and "mobilizes foreign aid and action."When WHO experts discussed the possibility of an emergency declaration in early June, one director viewed it as a "last resort." The delay in declaring an emergency was one of many critical problems that hobbled the agency's ability to contain the epidemic. When aid agency Doctors Without Borders warned Ebola was spiraling out of control, WHO contradicted it, even as WHO's own scientists called for backup. When WHO did send staffers to West Africa, they were of mixed caliber. Fellow responders said many lacked Ebola experience; one WHO consultant who got infected with Ebola broke his own agency's protocol, putting others at risk and getting WHO kicked out of a hotel, the AP found. In an email Thursday, WHO said: "People often confuse the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern with our operational response. It is very different. WHO mounted a strong operational response a year ago when we were notified the outbreak was Ebola." WHO is the only agency with the authority to lead a global response to health crises, by providing medical, laboratory and other support when there are outbreaks of unusual or new diseases. Its handling of the Ebola epidemic has been roundly criticized and led to a new call for reforms. The vacuum of leadership at WHO was so damaging the U.N. created the Mission for Ebola Emergency Response to take over the overall fight against the disease. Dr. Sylvie Briand, head of the pandemic and epidemic diseases department at WHO, acknowledged that her agency made wrong decisions but said postponing the alert made sense at the time because it could have had catastrophic economic consequences. "What I've seen in general is that for developing countries it's sort of a death warrant you're signing," she said. As Ebola continued to spread in the summer, the situation on the ground grew increasingly desperate, with only a fraction of the needed treatment beds available in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Some regions didn't even have enough soap and water; patients were literally dying outside the gates of Ebola clinics as foreign mine workers evacuated and neighboring countries restricted travel. By the time WHO declared an international emergency, nearly 1,000 people were already dead. Overall, more than 10,000 are thought to have died in the year since the outbreak was announced. Chan, the WHO leader, declined interview requests with AP for this story. But Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO's top Ebola official, said labeling the Ebola outbreak a global emergency would have been no magic bullet. "What you would expect is the whole world wakes up and goes, 'Oh my gosh, this is a terrible problem, we have to deploy additional people and send money,'" he said. "Instead what happened is people thought, 'Oh my goodness, there's something really dangerous happening there and we need to restrict travel and the movement of people.'" Former WHO doctor Matthieu Kamwa said that logic doesn't fly. Kamwa, who worked as the agency's representative to the Democratic Republic of Congo during a 2008 Ebola outbreak, said sounding the alarm sooner would have saved lives. "People died because things were not done," he said. 'THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG' WHO announced the discovery of Ebola in Guinea on March 23, when it posted a two-sentence update on its website saying a "rapidly evolving outbreak" had been confirmed after months of mysterious deaths in the nation's forest region and capital city, Conakry. The virus typically overpowers the immune system, causing leaks in blood vessels that can lead to organ failure and shock. There is no licensed treatment or vaccine and the death rate can be as high as 90 percent. The signs this was no ordinary outbreak were there from the beginning, and many are recorded in a memo sent to WHO's Africa director on March 25: The virus had never been seen in Guinea before; health workers were dying, panic was setting in and reports of infections had already come in from neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone. Its spread to Conakry was particularly disturbing. "From the start we were very worried about cases in the capital," said Briand, the WHO official. "We told ourselves: 'From the capital it can go elsewhere.'" In mid-April, by which point there had been at least 100 deaths in Guinea, an experienced Ebola expert with WHO's Africa office wrote to a Geneva staffer saying the situation had taken a critical turn: many health workers at the capital's Donka Hospital
In this Thursday, November 20, 2014 file photo, a Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) Ebola heath worker is sprayed as he leaves the contaminated zone at the Ebola treatment centre in Gueckedou, Guinea. In a delay that some say may have cost lives, the World Health Organization resisted calling the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency until the summer of 2014, two months after staff raised the possibility and long after a senior manager called for a drastic change in strategy, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay/ File)
had been exposed to the virus. "What we see is the tip of an iceberg," said Jean-Bosco Ndihokubwayo. The scientist requested the help of half a dozen veteran outbreak responders, writing in all-caps in the email's subject line: "WE NEED SUPPORT." WHO official Stella Chungong said she was very worried, warning in an email that terrified health workers might abandon Donka Hospital and — equally alarming — new Ebola cases were coming out of nowhere. "We need a drastic ... change (of ) course if we hope to control this outbreak," she said. WHO dispatched a top Ebola expert, Pierre Formenty, to the region. But many of the other managers sent to Conakry "had no idea how to manage an Ebola epidemic," according to Marc Poncin, who was mission chief in Guinea for Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF. In public, WHO downplayed concerns. Spokesman Gregory Hartl told reporters in early April that "this outbreak isn't different from previous outbreaks." In a Twitter message sent by Hartl — and preserved by Britain's ITV News — he is shown asking: "You want to disrupt the economic life of a country, a region (because) of 130 suspect and confirmed cases?" The news kept getting worse throughout April. Formenty said teams in Conakry had seen patients pop up all over the city with no known link to other cases. "This means there is one part of the epidemic that is hidden," he wrote later in an internal trip report. "The Ebola outbreak could restart at any time." 'OVERWHELMED WITH OUTBREAKS' As the epidemic spread, WHO struggled with competing crises. In some ways the World Health Organization is small — its roughly 7,000 employees make it less than half the size of the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control — but its responsibilities are wide-ranging. Among other things, it monitors some 800 outbreaks every year. Most don't make international headlines. By mid-2014, several had. The first was polio, which came back from the brink of extinction to claw its way into conflict zones such as Syria. Its rise was labeled an international health emergency in May. The second was the baffling Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, which had sickened nearly 700 people and killed 204, mostly in the Arabian peninsula, by early June. It was around that time that West Africa's Ebola epidemic surpassed the previous largest outbreak, in Uganda, where it infected 425 people in 2000 and killed about half. The triple threat came at a time of steeply reduced budgets for WHO following the 2008 financial crisis. Cuts have continued since; its outbreak department shrank by about 20 percent in 2013. At a June 2 meeting in Geneva, scientist Stephane Hugonnet warned that the agency was "overwhelmed with outbreaks." In Africa, the true reach of Ebola was being obscured by Guinea's Ministry of Health, which only shared information on confirmed cases and deaths, according to WHO documents. That was a problem because refusing to report suspect and probable cases meant the world wasn't getting an accurate picture of the epidemic. One alleged motivation was mining. Guinea has the world's largest reserves of bauxite, for example, and the mineral is its main source of foreign currency. Guinean officials' insistence on only reporting confirmed cases was intended to "minimize artificially the magnitude of the Ebola outbreak to reassure expatriates working in the mining industry," Formenty, the WHO Ebola expert, wrote in another trip report. Another issue was the hajj in October. If Saudi Arabia further restricted travel in the wake of the outbreak, that could become a political liability for Guinea, an overwhelmingly Muslim country. Guinean government spokesman Albert Damantang Camara said Thursday that officials in Conakry never tried to hide the scope of the outbreak, but WHO official Briand said the dispute spilled out publicly when the Guinean government criticized WHO for publishing conflicting figures. "They were not happy," she said. In a memo sent to Chan days later, WHO officials noted the Guinean authorities interpreted the discrepancy between WHO and Guinean figures "as a threat to their credibility." Meanwhile, WHO employees wondered whether headquarters should be doing more. On June 4, scientist Lucien Manga wrote to Briand to tell her senior staff in Africa had proposed declaring the Ebola outbreak a global emergency. "What do you think and what is your advice?" Manga asked in an email. In a response tapped out over her iPhone the following day, Briand argued against the idea, saying it wouldn't help control the epidemic and might harm the countries involved. "It may be more effective to use other diplomatic means for now." On June 10, Briand, her boss Dr. Keiji Fukuda and others sent a memo to WHO chief Chan, noting that cases might soon pop up in Mali, Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau. But it went on to say that declaring an international emergency or even convening an emergency committee to discuss the issue "could be seen as a hostile act."
Declaring an international emergency is no guarantee of ending an outbreak but it functions as a kind of a global distress call. "It's important because it gives a clear signal that nobody can ignore the epidemic anymore," said Dr. Joanne Liu, MSF's international president. In a meeting at WHO headquarters on July 30, Liu said she told Chan, "You have the legitimacy and the authority to label it an emergency... You need to step up to the plate." After WHO declared the international emergency. U.S. President Barack Obama ordered up to 3,000 troops to West Africa and promised to build more than a dozen 100-bed field hospitals. Britain and France also pledged to build Ebola clinics; China sent a 59-person lab team and Cuba sent more than 400 health workers. 'A DOCTOR WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER' WHO and MSF often work in tandem but are sometimes at odds over everything from epidemic response to vaccination drives. The tensions that flared over Ebola highlighted some of the U.N. agency's weaknesses — including a failure to lead. WHO did send reinforcements, including doctors, lab experts and logisticians — an "unprecedented" deployment, Chan said in September. Many were praised by fellow responders, but, in the initial stages at least, there were problems with consistency. "It's not that we don't have competent people in Africa," said Oyewale Tomori, a former WHO staffer who now serves on the agency's Ebola Emergency Committee. "It's that they never get to a position where they can act." He said one problem was a tendency within WHO to reward those who deferred to local authorities. That's an issue that came up in Guinea, where the Doctors Without Borders chief there, Poncin, complained that WHO officials kept contradicting his group's warnings, something he said pleased a government that "didn't want to frighten investors." There were personnel issues elsewhere. In Liberia, MSF's Lindis Hurum said she sent a letter complaining about a WHO consultant who was proposing "completely unrealistic" treatments. In mid-August, a Senegalese scientist working for WHO caught Ebola while working in Sierra Leone. At the time, staff with MSF, WHO and other aid organizations were all staying at the Luawa Resort Hotel in Kailahun, a safari lodge of bungalows with shared kitchens and public spaces. But instead of checking into a treatment center — the very clinics where health workers were desperately trying to persuade people with Ebola to seek help — he confined himself to his hotel room, and arranged for his own tests outside the clinic, according to MSF emergency coordinator Ewald Stals, who was there at the time. "We were pretty shocked that he was still at the hotel," Stals said. "You would expect more mature and responsible behavior from a doctor who should know better." Stals said two other suspect cases in the hotel appeared within hours: A cleaning lady and a handyman. Though both tested negative, Stals said the incidents were enough to spook many of the MSF staffers; 14 of the 22 deployed there left Kailahun. "We really struggled to keep the (Ebola clinic) open," Stals said. "It meant we had to run the treatment center with eight people instead of 22." The Ebola-infected WHO scientist, who later recovered, could not be reached for comment. The experience soured MSF on sharing lodgings. Others at the hotel, including the CDC and a mobile lab from Canada, also left. But WHO refused to vacate the hotel until a phone call between the two agencies' top leaders resolved the stand-off. During the call, Chan asked Liu if MSF could curb its public criticisms of the U.N. agency. "I said, 'I'm giving you a huge favor by not bringing up this story," Liu said. "A SINKING SHIP" The World Health Organization has pledged to reform itself, but past experience suggests that's unlikely. Reform proposals have been kicking around since the mid-1990s at least. In the wake of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, a major review suggested, among other things, a $100 million crisis fund and an emergency health workforce. The ideas came to naught but have been revived following the Ebola crisis. "It's very much reshuffling the deck chairs on a sinking ship," said Kelley Lee, an academic and author of a book on WHO. Infectious diseases expert Osterholm said the global health agency isn't the only one to be blamed and that the entire world failed to respond quickly enough to stop Ebola from becoming a humanitarian disaster. "The global health response system is broken," he said. The WHO member countries don't seem willing to overhaul the agency, leaving the world dangerously unprepared to deal with future health crises. "What happens if MERS blows up or there's an Ebola-like event in East Africa?" he asked. "I'm not sure WHO has a plan for that."
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Monday
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
23 March 2015
M
ulembe! is a form of greetings amongst the Luhya people of western Kenya. Their neighbors, the Luo, have adopted the greeting and also honour each other when they meet with Mirembe! Mulembe or Mirembe translates as peace or harmony. In the history of the Luhyaand Luo people, there is a tree that is so revered and cherished that people would never cut it, not even trim its branches, however desperate they may be for firewood or building material. This tree is also called Mulembe amongst the Luhya and Mirembe amongst the Luo. This column finds inspiration in the beliefs of my people, rooted in our traditions and culture. I was fortunate to grow up in urban Nairobi but with frequent trips to our rural ancestral home in western Kenya during school holidays. I benefitted from the education system in the capital as well as the education from the wisdom of my people in rural western Kenya. My grandparents, Kwara Odera K’Ogwande and Dana Josephina Ongecha Nyo’Tenda, were most influential in my education. My grandfather was a Luo while my grandmother was a Luhya. Through words and deeds they taught me what is meant to be a descendant of people who cherished Mirembe in a world of struggle. The stories I listened to and the encounters I had in both rural and urban Kenya are the raw material of my Mirembe stories. My grandmother was a great storyteller and her idea was that if you hear a story you must make it your own and retell it. And, if you did not like the story, then you were duty bound to create one. I hope that the stories you are about to read in this column will nurture the Mirembe tradition and that you, too, will do you part in ensuring the generations to come find the Mirembe tradition still standing – taller, stronger and stubbornly resilient.
“W
uololo, wuololo!” my grandfather Kwara Odera K’Ogwande exclaimed in the way he only did when he had witnessed something quite elephant. This was followed
PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE
Mirembe! by Babu Ayindo
A Mosquito of a Man
by his signature way of whistling in bewilderment. Then he capped it all with the deep exclamation: “Tho!” When Kwara made all these expressions, as if following some internal logic, you knew something had upset the equilibrium in a manner he was not prepared to accept. “Nyakwara, bende ineno gima aneno?” [my grandchild are you seeing what I am seeing?] Kwara asked me, looking across the road. Of course, my juvenile eyes could not discern what the subject of Kwara’s bewilderment was. Oh, dear reader, before I continue with this story, let me tell you of what happened just before the Wuololo encounter. It was on a Thursday. If you remember well, back in the day, Thursday was not just any other day of the week. Thursday was market day in Luanda town, some 6 kilometres from Koga village in Gem. This once-in-a-week event was significant: it was not simply a matter of buying and selling. No. This was the day to meet friends and relatives and update yourself about ancestors who had been reborn, or which family was planning to offer dowry to which family, or which relative or friend had joined the ancestral choir. In short, Thursday was the official day for orality to prevail. As an adolescent, I used to look forward to Thursday for it was the only day of the week when Kwara would treat me to a cold – ice cold – Coca Cola. It was also the day I counted the number of buses with new designs and flamboyant colours. Ah, yes, it was only on Thursday that I got to chew my fair share of that lovely root herb our neighbors, the Luhya people, called Omukombera. And, of course, it
was also on this market day that I got to meet my aunties and uncles from Bunyore (and they always had some kind of gift for me). Another Thursday it was and Kwara and I had just stepped out of Luanda Post Office where he had cashed a telegraphic money order sent from his first born son who lived in Nairobi, a Kenyan citizen by the name Enoka Ayindo K’Odera. So, what was this event that had sent my "a little richer" Grandfather into bewilderment? “Bende ineno gima aneno? [are you seeing what I am seeing?] my grandfather echoed again. He must have repeated this question more than three times. As I followed his gaze across the road, I still could not connect the dots. I shook my head to indicate I still could not see anything warranting wuololo. Kwara burst out laughing. His infectious laughter drew the attention of another elderly man also emerging from the Post Office. And, the man boomed back “aneno.” [I have seen]. And both elderly men laughed in rhythm as if they had known each other for years. Amused and satisfied that I could not see what he was seeing, Kwara pointed at the huge trailer that had snaked its way and packed across the road. In Dho’Luo, he told me: “Look at that gigantic trailer [Kwara pronounced it as tirela], do you see it now?” “Yes.” “Now, look at that man who is stepping out of the driver’s seat, do you see him now?” “Yes, I see him now.” “So, can you now see what I am
seeing?” I shook my head to indicate confusion as the man was simply taking his time in stepping out of the vehicle and slowly (and deliberately) slamming the door shut, then he was looking around like someone who knew his way around. “My grandchild, use your eyes, how can such a small man – a mosquito of a man – drive such a huge trailer?” My Grandfather and his instantly made friend broke into another round of deep belly laughter which sounded more like a mixture of amazement and disbelief. In my mind I began plotting how I would explain to Kwara and his instantly made friend about the new technology of hydraulics and actuators that I had learned in my form II class at Nairobi Technical School. Our automotive engineering teacher, Mr Chwiz, had provides us with practical lessons on power steering technology. I was still arranging and re-arranging the sentences in my mind when Kwara called my attention again and told me to focus on the small-bodied driver who was now walking back to the huge vehicle he commandeered. In silence, Kwara observed intently as the “mosquito of a man” opened the driver’s door, returned to his seat, and banged the driver’s door shut with an aura of confidence, like someone who knew everyone around was looking at him. The driver thrust out a hand signal and pumped the horn, not to warn other drivers but to say farewell to the entire Luanda town. The driver the look of someone who knew they are about to become famous. The huge vehicle lazily rejoined the main road to the border town of Busia on the Kenya-Uganda border. Kwara still shook his head in disbelief as the trailer disappeared then he prophetically wondered aloud as if talking to a gathering of all his grandchildren: “With these kind of things that humans are now inventing – big vehicles and big guns that even mosquito men can control – cowards will soon rule over you.”
The Kurdish Stand against ISIS
Scott atran and douglas M. Stone
T
NYT
HE Islamic State continues to control a huge section of Syria. But in Iraq, its advance has stalled. While Shiite militias and their Iranian allies fight the Islamic State ferociously, the Kurds have held a 640mile front against the Islamic State’s advance. Their steadfastness should prompt America to rethink its alliances and interests in the region and to deepen its relationship with the Kurds — who are sometimes described as the world’s largest stateless nation. Last week, the Sunni town of Tikrit (Saddam Hussein’s hometown) fell to largely Shiite forces from Iraq, backed by Iran. An offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city and the heart of Arab Sunni nationalism, is now within reach. The Kurds plan to enter eastern Mosul, where many Kurds lived before the Islamic State seized the city in June, but they say that moderate Arab Sunnis must lead the effort to retake the rest of the city — not Baghdad’s predominantly Shiite forces or the Iranian-backed Shiite militias. The Kurds point out that it was grievances against Shiite rule that helped drive Sunni support for the Islamic State in the first place. Together with Lydia Wilson and Hoshang Waziri, our colleagues at Artis, a nonprofit group that uses social science research to resolve intergroup violence, we found that the Kurds demonstrate a will to fight that matches the Islamic State’s. The United States needs to help them win. In Kirkuk last week, where only a narrow canal separates Kurdish and Islamic State forces, we talked to three captured Islamic State fighters, and to their captors: Gen. Sarhad Qadir, the city’s Kurdish police chief, and his deputy, Col. Gazi Ali Rashid. General Qadir, who lost a brother in earlier fighting, has been wounded 14 times in battles with Sunni militants, most recently in a suicide attack on Tuesday. The Islamic State recently paraded Colonel Rashid’s brother in a cage, along with other Kurds captured in a largescale offensive that stalled in late January. Arab Sunni
tribes have been trying to negotiate a prisoner exchange to signal to the Kurds that they are not all aligned with the Islamic State, but Colonel Rashid has no hope. “I know my brother will die,” he told us shortly before he was severely wounded on Tuesday. The Islamic State prisoners most likely will be executed for having committed assassinations and deadly car bombings. The three are in their early 20s; two have wives and young children. None finished elementary school. They recounted growing up in the failed Iraqi state during the last decade: a hellish world of guerrilla war, disrupted families, constant fear and utter lack of hope. They see Iran and the Shiites as their greatest enemy but they also believe that America allowed them to oppress the Arab Sunni minority for the sake of majority rule. When we asked the prisoners “What is Islam?” they answered “my life.” Yet it was clear that they knew little about the Quran, or Islamic history, other than what they’d heard from Al Qaeda and Islamic State propaganda. For them, the cause of religion is fused with the vision of a caliphate — a joining of political and religious rule — that kills or subjugates any nonbeliever. The Kurds’ commitment to Islam is matched by their commitment to national identity; theirs is a more open-minded version of Islam. They have defended Yazidis and Christians, as well as Arab Sunnis, who make up the bulk of the more than one million displaced persons in Iraqi Kurdistan. But perhaps what most reveals commitment by the Kurds is how they hold the line with so little material assistance. On the night of Jan. 30, the Islamic State used the cover of fog to attack a Kurdish battalion near the town of Mahmour. Seven Kurds were killed immediately. Their colleagues said that if they had had night-vision goggles — or better yet, thermal-imaging scopes to also detect vehicles — all would most likely be alive. When we gave them a gift of our small, store-bought binoculars with which we had been watching Islamic State movements less than one mile away, they expressed deep gratitude.
As we left, a mine went off as they moved earth to make a defensive wall, for there is no demining equipment. To be sure, coalition airstrikes have prevented Islamic State forces from deploying heavy artillery to break Kurdish lines, although Gen. Sirwan Barzani, who commands the main front between Erbil and Mosul, told us that a Pentagon lawyer must approve every strike (a policy intended to minimize chances of civilian casualties from drone attacks). Sometimes, that approval comes too late. With its big guns vulnerable to air attack, the Islamic State adapts its tactics, piercing Kurdish lines with suicide attacks in primitively armored vehicles. One Kurdish commando near the Mosul Dam showed us, on his smartphone, a video of the approach of a steelhardened vehicle. No amount of rifle fire or rocket-propelled grenades could stop the attack, which killed 23 and wounded 40. Yet the United States insists that the Kurds obtain permission, grudging and often denied, from the central government in Baghdad for essential equipment to counter these and better weapons that the Islamic State seized from the Syrian and Iraqi Armies. Meanwhile, the Islamic State won’t quit. Their wounded fighters often booby trap their bodies rather than be captured, and face down fire to recover dead comrades’ bodies. The leaders they call emirs, who are chosen because of their religious devotion and fearless effectiveness, and their foreign fighters, are especially fierce. The Westerners often die in suicide attacks; seasoned fighters from North Africa and the Middle East, and particularly from former parts of the Soviet Union (like Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Dagestan), are prominent as operational leaders and snipers. Foreign fighters return to their countries only if they escape or are sent home, because the punishment for defection is death. Local Syrians and Iraqis conscripted to fight for the Islamic State, in contrast, are not totally committed. In one conversation picked up by a Kurdish walkie-talkie, a fighter with a local accent asked for help: “My brother has been killed. I am surrounded. Help me take his body away.” The reply: “Perfect, you will join him soon in Paradise.” The fighter retorted: “Come for me. This Paradise, I don’t want.” The Islamic State will say to a local sheikh: “Give us 20 young men or we loot your village.” To a father with three sons, they will say: “Give us one or we take your daughter as a bride for our men.” One girl of 15 told how she was “married” and “divorced” 15 times in a single night to a troop of Islamic State fighters (under some readings of Shariah law, “divorce” is as easy as repeating “I divorce you” three times, which makes it easy to cast rape as marriage). In the face of such brutality, wavering supporters of the Islamic State could well rally to an Arab Sunni force allied with the Kurds. That is a prospect the United States, which fears leaving the fight mainly to Iran and its allies, should welcome. As we said goodbye at the front, a young Kurdish sniper promised us she would never abandon her comrades or their cause. Will the United States deny her people the means to counter the Islamic State — for the sake of upholding the costly illusion of an Iraqi nationstate, devised from three Ottoman provinces to fit British imperial desires but now hopelessly fragmented? Kurdish leaders say they would accept a federated Iraqi state if they were given autonomy in political, economic and security matters. The United States should have agreed to do this long ago; it’s not too late to do so now. If America does not, Iraqi Kurdistan will most likely declare itself an independent state, which Turkey, Iran and Syria will move forcefully to stop, for fear that their own Kurdish populations will try to join it. The United States must help the Kurds translate their bravery into a true ability to defeat the Islamic State. They are America’s most reliable friends on the ground, and should be treated as such.
how to Fight the Next Epidemic Bill Gates: The Ebola Crisis Was Terrible. But Next Time Could Be Much Worse
T
Bill Gates
he Ebola epidemic in West Africa has killed more than 10,000 people. If anything good can come from this continuing tragedy, it is that Ebola can awaken the world to a sobering fact: We are simply not prepared to deal with a global epidemic. Of all the things that could kill more than 10 million people around the world in the coming years, by far the most likely is an epidemic. But it almost certainly won’t be Ebola. As awful as it is, Ebola spreads only through physical contact, and by the time patients can infect other people, they are already showing symptoms of the disease, which makes them relatively easy to identify. Other diseases — flu, for example — spread through the air, and people can be infectious before they feel sick, which means that one person can infect many strangers just by going to a public place. We’ve seen it happen before, with horrific results: In 1918, the Spanish flu killed more than 30 million people. Imagine what it could do in today’s highly mobile world. Much of the public discussion about the world’s response to Ebola has focused on whether the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other groups could have responded more effectively. These are worthwhile questions, but they miss the larger point. The problem isn’t so much that the system didn’t work well enough. The problem is that we hardly have a system at all. To begin with, most poor countries, where a natural epidemic is most likely to start, have no systematic disease surveillance in place. Even once the Ebola crisis was recognized last year, there were no resources to effectively map where cases occurred, or to use people’s travel patterns to predict where the disease might go next. Then, once it became clear that a serious emergency was underway, trained personnel should have flooded the affected countries within days. Instead it took months. Doctors Without Borders deserves a lot of credit for mobilizing volunteers faster than any government did. But we should not count on nonprofit groups to mount a global response. Even if we signed up lots of experts and volunteers right away, it’s not clear how we would deploy them quickly into the affected area, or how we would transport patients. Few organizations are capable of moving thousands of people, some of them infected, to different locations on the globe with a week’s notice. The Ebola epidemic might have been a lot worse if the United States, Britain and other governments had not used military resources to fly people and equipment into and out of affected areas. But we should not assume that the next epidemic will limit itself to countries that welcome Western troops. Data is another crucial problem. During the Ebola epidemic, the database that tracks cases has not always been accurate. This is partly because the situation is so chaotic, but also because much of the case reporting has been done on paper and then sent to a central location for data entry. Then there’s our failure to invest in effective medical tools like diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines. On average it has taken an estimated one to three days for Ebola test results to come back — an eternity when you need to quarantine people until you know whether they’re infected. Drugs that might help stop Ebola were not tested in patients until after the epidemic had peaked, partly because the world has no clear process for expediting drug approvals. Compare all this to the preparation that nations put into defense. Armies have systems for recruiting, training and equipping soldiers. NATO has a mobile unit that is ready to deploy quickly. Although the system isn’t perfect, NATO members do joint exercises where they work out logistics like how troops will get food and what language they will use to communicate. Few if any of these approaches exist for an epidemic response. The world does not fund any organization (not even the W.H.O.) to coordinate all the activities needed to stop an epidemic. In short, in a battle against a severe epidemic, we would be taking a knife to a bazooka fight. I believe that we can solve this problem, just as we’ve solved many others — with ingenuity and innovation. We need a global warning and response system for outbreaks. It would start with strengthening poor countries’ health systems. For example, when you build a clinic to deliver primary health care, you’re also creating part of the infrastructure for fighting epidemics. Trained health care workers not only deliver vaccines; they can also monitor disease patterns, serving as part of the early warning systems that will alert the world to potential outbreaks. Some of the personnel who were in Nigeria to fight polio were redeployed to work on Ebola — and that country was able to contain the disease very quickly. We also need to invest in disease surveillance. We need a case database that is instantly accessible to the relevant organizations, with rules requiring countries to share their information. We need lists of trained personnel, from local leaders to global experts, prepared to deal with an epidemic immediately. We need trained military resources ready to respond, and a list of supplies to be stockpiled or commandeered in an emergency. Finally, we need to invest far more in research on drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests, and make it possible to accelerate the approval of new approaches in times of crisis. The United Nations should empower and fund a global institution to coordinate these efforts. The United Nations and the W.H.O. are studying the lessons of this epidemic; their evaluations would be a good starting point for a conversation about how to strengthen the W.H.O. and what pieces of the system it should lead. I have not seen a rigorous projection for what a system like this would cost. But we know the cost of failing to act. According to the World Bank, a worldwide flu epidemic would reduce global wealth by $3 trillion, not to mention the immeasurable misery caused by millions of deaths. Preventing such a catastrophe is well worth the world’s time and attention.
Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
8
Dimapur
NATIONAL
Monday 23 March 2015
The Morung Express
Land acquisition bill not anti-farmer, asserts Modi
New Delhi, March 22 (iaNS) Dispelling fears that the land acquisition bill was "anti-farmer", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his government was only removing the "shortcomings" in the existing legislation so that "our farmers don't suffer". "The Land Acquisition Act, 2013, was passed in a hurry. We too supported the government then but soon realised that it was not in the interest of the farmers and decided to remove its shortcomings," Modi said addressing farmers in his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat'. "This (present) bill is aimed at the welfare of farmers and villages," Modi said, adding that rumours against it were meant to keep the farmers poor and backward. "The shortcomings from the act were to be removed as we don't want our farmers to suffer," he said. The prime minister said the 2013 act had kept out of its purview 13 laws including those related to railways, highways and mines. These, he said, accounted for most of the land acquisition. "Was it not a mistake? And if we have corrected it, is it anti-farmer?" Modi said his government had to bring in an ordinance so that farmers get the right compensation for the land acquired. When the 2013 act was enacted, many MPs from the previous United Progressive Alliance government opposed it, saying it was anti-farmer and would only help bureaucrats and officers. "What we are doing is removing
all those shortcomings," Modi said, expressing anguish over what he said were rumours that his government was bringing an "anti-farmer law". "Brothers and sisters, I cannot even think of harming you," he said. "The compensation set by the earlier act will remain the same... nothing has been changed." The prime minister assured the farmers that the highlights of the old legislation had been preserved in the new bill including providing job to a young member of the family whose land has been taken away. He said his government had made it mandatory that the district authorities specify who would get the job and where the job would be. "I want to assure you through this new law, no extra land would be acquired... First a survey will be done and than the land will be taken according to needs." Modi said the 'Social Impact Assessment' that the existing legislation demands before land acquisition had proved to be a "complicated process" and would harm the interest of the farmers. Modi also clarified that it was wrong to think that land acquired in the villages would be used for private businesses. He said that rumours of a PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP) on lands were not true. "Suppose a road with RS.100 crore is to be built under PPP. Will that road be taken away by the investor? The ownership of that road will remain with the government," Modi said, asking farmers not to be misled.
Won't let you down, Modi assures farmers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File Photo)
New Delhi, March 22 (iaNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said farmers from across the country have written to him about their problems and he will not let them down. Addressing farmers during his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat", Modi said bullies and the mafia create problems for farmers and villagers. "There are several problems like non-availability of roads and electricity, increasing prices of fertilizers and women reporting about their husbands indulging in drug-taking activities," he said. Modi said he was pained to hear about poor crops due to unseasonal rains, farmers not getting fertilizers on time or being forced to drink dirty water. "I feel ashamed at times on what we (the ruling class) have done. I don't have any answer for that but I can assure you that I will make my government aware of issues related to you," he said. Modi also regretted that unseasonal rain had created problems for the farmers. "I know the farmer is in trouble. He who works so hard throughout the year has lost everything because of these problems. I assure you that I am with you in these difficult times," Modi said.
The prime minister said all departments and officials concerned have been asked to study the situation related to farmers so that the government could help them. Opening his heart out to the farmers, Modi said he did not imagine that they would ask him so many questions ahead of his radio talk. "When I thought of doing 'Mann Ki Baat' with farmers, I did not imagine these many questions would be asked," he said. "I was amazed to know how active and aware you are. I learnt about your pain after reading your letters," he said. The prime minister said farmers also told him about government plans. The farmers said they get to hear about lots of plans by the government but these do not reach them. "We feed people but our pockets are empty as we don't even get a buyer of our products and this forces us to sell it at lesser prices," Modi quoted the farmers as saying. He said they are also harassed by small traders, and that he would ensure that the government and other related authorities were aware of it. "I assure you that my government will protect your interests. I will also fix mistakes of the government on basis of your letters. You can write to me and I will talk to you once again," he said.
Chinese envoy due in India Major fire breaks out at Parliament Complex for Himalayan border row talks New Delhi, March 22 (reUterS): A Chinese envoy will hold talks in India from Sunday aimed at fixing a dispute about the Himalayan border that divides Asia's largest nations, part of a push to make progress on the festering row before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits China. China's special representative, Yang Jiechi, will visit India from Sunday until Tuesday for the eighteenth round of boundary talks, India's foreign ministry said in a statement. The talks are the first since Modi took office. The nationalist prime minister is keen to
resolve the dispute that has clouded rapidly expanding commercial links, and any progress would shed a positive light on his expected visit to Beijing in May. But there is no simple solution to a conflict that largely dates back to British colonial decisions about Tibet. The disagreement over the 3,500-km (2,175-mile) border led to a brief war in 1962 and involves large swathes of remote territory. China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq miles) disputed by New Delhi in the eastern sector of the Himalayas. Much of that forms
the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls South Tibet. India says China occupies 38,000 square km (14,600 sq miles) of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west. In September, the two armies were locked in a faceoff in the Ladakh sector in the western Himalayas just as Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting India for the first summit talks with Modi. Yang's visit to India is at the invitation of Ajit Doval, Modi's national security adviser and close aide, known to take a hard line on security issues.
New Delhi, March 22 (Pti): A parliamentary committee examining the Lokpal amendment Bill will miss the March 25 deadline for submission of its report and has sought more time to finalise it. The 31-member Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, headed by Congress MP E M Sudarsana Natchiappan, is examining the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 8 last year. It has been mandated to examine the Bill and submit its report by March 25. However, it will not be able to give the report to the House within the deadline. "We have sought more time from the Rajya Sabha chairman for submission of the report," Natchiappan told PTI. He said the committee has been examining other matters entrusted to it, including demands for grants for 2015-16 for ministries of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and Law and Justice, among others. A meeting of the panel has been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday to decide on the demands for grants of the two ministries. The panel has already got the views from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on the proposed changes in the anti-corruption Bill. The committee is examining suggestions received from individuals and organisations on the proposed amendments in the legislation.
tenders were rushed to the spot immediately to bring the blaze under control. There were no injuries, fire officials said. Thick black smoke was seen billowing above the red sandstone boundary wall of the 88-year-old Parliament complex as the flames raged just a few hundred metres away from the main building which suffered no damage. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had gone on a month-long break on Friday. "We had got a call at 2:21 PM following which 10 fire tenders,
including two hydraulic platforms under the supervision of a deputy chief fire officer were rushed to the spot and it was brought under control by 2:40 PM. By 2:50 PM, it was completely doused. I can confirm that there is no fire and there is no injury to anybody," said A K Sharma (Director) Delhi Fire Service. Police said that they will enquire into the cause and circumstances of the incident and responsibility will be fixed. "We have initiated an enquiry into the matter. We will
IT Dept to closely scrutinise foreign assets held by Indians New Delhi, March 22 (Pti): The Income Tax department will carry out closer scrutiny of those tax statements wherein an assessee has disclosed that he or she holds bank accounts or any other assets abroad before the current financial year ends on March 31. Sources said the drive has been undertaken by the department under instructions from its apex policy making body - theCentral Board of Direct Taxes - which desires that the taxman should "examine all cases related to foreign assets" as a number of these will get timebarred by this month end. The CBDT, in 2012-13, had introduced a new column in the Income Tax Return (ITR) forms which made it mandatory for individuals and other entities to disclose their foreign assets for the purpose of tax assessment. "A number of cases will get time barred by March 31 this year. This means that the I-T department will not be able to take action in cases pertain-
Shikha Roy, an Indian woman who lives on the pavement baths her one and half year old child Twinkle using water from a leaking pipe as it flows through a drain beneath on World Water Day in Gauhati on Sunday, March 22. The UN warns that the world could suffer a 40 percent shortfall in water by 2030 unless countries dramatically change their use of the resource (AP Photo)
Parliament panel on Lokpal to miss deadline, seeks more time
New Delhi, March 22 (Pti): A major fire broke out at the AC plant inside Parliament complex here today while welding work was underway gutting the unit and affecting air conditioning in the main building and it took ten fire engines to douse the flames in about 30 minutes. Delhi Fire Service Chief A K Sharma said prima facie it appeared to be a case of negligence as laid down safety norms were not followed in the maintenance work. The Fire department got a call at fire at 2:21 PM and ten fire
ing to 2007-08 assessment year where foreign assets or bank accounts are present and have been disclosed. "Under the current crack down on black money, instructions have been issued to field offices to undertake a close scrutiny of such cases where the taxpayers have disclosed such assets themselves or I-T investigations or intelligence have indicated presence of such assets in the name of an individual or entity," a senior finance ministry official said. The taxman has also been asked to obtain from the assessee information about the source of funds used for creating the particular asset or bank account in the foreign land and connected reasons thereof, the official said. CBDT has also asked tax officials to collect all such information and send it across to its Foreign Tax and Tax Research (FT and TR) unit so that any possible cooperation on such cases can be sought from foreign countries "well in time".
look into all aspects including the cause and circumstances of the fire and take action against those found responsible," Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) M K Meena told PTI. Home Ministry has sought a report on the incident. President Pranab Mukherjee also expressed serious concern over the fire and asked for an urgent enquiry into its cause. This was the second case of fire inside the complex in the last couple of days as a minor fire was reported in the AC wiring at gate number 5 on Thursday.
Climate change threatens world's iconic ecosystems
loNDoN, March 22 (iaNS): Without better local management, world's most iconic ecosystems are at risk of collapse under climate change, warn researchers. Protecting places of global environmental importance such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon rainforest from climate change will require reducing pressures like over-fishing, fertiliser pollution and land clearing, they said. Writing in the journal Science, an international team of researchers warned that localised issues, such as declining water quality from nutrient pollution or deforestation can exacerbate the effects of climatic extremes such as heat waves and droughts. "We show that managing local pressures can expand the safe operating space" for these ecosystems, they wrote. "Poor local management makes an ecosystem less tolerant to climate change and erodes its capacity to keep functioning effectively," said the study's lead author Marten Scheffer from the Wageningen University, the Netherlands. The authors examined three Unesco World Heritage Sites -- Spain's Donana wetlands, the Amazon rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. While many ecosystems are important to their local people, these ecosystems have a global importance too, hence their designation as World Heritage Sites.
India needs comprehensive tax policy for curbing tobacco use: WHO KolKata, March 22 (Pti): India needs to draft a comprehensive tax policy for all tobacco products if it wants to cut down the easy access to the plethora of low-cost and locally produced tobacco products available in the country, World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested. Describing the availability and affordability of low-cost and locally-produced tobacco products as a "formidable challenge in India", WHO noted that "taxes are low for the forms of tobacco that are most commonly used". "There is a need to develop a comprehensive tax policy for all tobacco products so that they are taxed at similar rates taking into account both price elasticity and income elasticity of demand, as well as inflation and changes in household income," the UN agency said. According to WHO, nearly a million deaths occur every year in India due to tobacco-related diseases with the total economic costs attributable to tobacco use (in 2011 for people aged 35-69 years) amounting to a staggering Rs 1,04,500 crore -- impacting not
only the human but also the fiscal health of the country. India is a leading tobaccoproducing country and has the provision of economically viable alternative vocations for those involved in tobacco cultivation and bidi production, WHO further stated. "Early ratification of the 'Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products' will provide the country with a strong tool to tackle illicit trade in tobacco products," it said. Besides, to protect health policies from commercial and other vested interests of tobacco industry, India urgently needs to implement Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), including Code of Conduct. It should be mentioned that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) constituted an Expert Committee to review and suggest amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003, to further its commitment
to tobacco control. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, the draft COTPA Amendment Bill, 2015, has been placed in the public domain to elicit comments from stakeholders and the general public. The draft Bill proposes to disallow the provisions for designated smoking areas in restaurants and pubs/bars, point-ofsale advertisements and loose sale of tobacco products, among others. In line with the provisions of the WHO FCTC and domestic law, the Centre has introduced strong tobacco control measures, including prohibiting smoking in public places and banning sale of tobacco products by or to persons under the age of 18 years (minors). It has also banned all direct and indirect forms of tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship and has made pictorial health warnings mandatory on packages of tobacco products. In this context, WHO's Country Representative to India, Dr Nata Menabde, said, "The Committee of Secretaries for Tobacco Control formed under the Chairmanship
of the Cabinet Secretary is commendable. It provides an excellent platform for accelerating FCTC implementation in the country. "Full implementation of the WHO FCTC would support global and national commitments to achieving a 25 per cent reduction in premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases by 2025, including a 30 per cent reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use in persons aged 15 years and older." The WHO FCTC, an international public health treaty, was negotiated under the auspices of the Geneva-based agency in response to the globalisation of the tobacco epidemic. It is one of United Nation's most rapidly ratified treaties and currently over 180 countries are party to the convention. India played a leading role in the development of the treaty and ratified the same on February 5, 2004. Further, all states in India, under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation, 2011, have banned the sale, production and distribution of gutka and other forms of smokeless tobacco. To
monitor the prevalence of tobacco use and track key tobacco control indicators, the Centre also took part in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS, 2009-10) along with the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS, 2009). These surveys revealed that almost 275 million Indian adults, nearly 35 per cent of the adult population and 14.6 per cent of youth (aged 13-15 years), consume some form of tobacco. The Centre, this January, has moved to amend the anti-smoking law and proposed radical changes, including a ban on sale of loose cigarettes and raising from 18 to 21 the minimum age for buying tobacco products. It has also proposed raising the fine to Rs 1,000 from Rs 200 for smoking in public places and has recommended the removal of designated smoking zones in hotels and restaurants. Incidentally, in 2007-08, the Centre had launched a dedicated National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) with the objective of, among others, creating awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.
InternatIonal
the Morung express
Sunflower Movement remembered
Students cheer on speakers during a gathering to mark the first anniversary of student groups stormed the parliament in Taipei, Taiwan on March 18. (AP Photo)
tAIPeI, MArch 22 (AP): About 100 university students gathered outside Taiwan’s legislative house Sunday evening, kicking off a scheduled 31-hour demonstration to mark the anniversary of a movement that occupied the island’s parliament. The students were preparing for a march around the compound that hundreds of studentled activists occupied for 24 days last March in what became known as the Sunflower Movement. Last year’s actions set back Taiwan’s relations with China and continue to be felt. The students are demanding that officials deal cautiously with old enemy China amid public worries that Taiwan is getting too economically close to Beijing. “Economic integration between China and Taiwan moved beyond what the center of gravity of public opinion in Taiwan could tolerate,” said Denny Roy, senior fellow at the East-West Center think tank in Honolulu, recalling last year’s occupation. “The inevitable effect has been to slow down this integration.” Beijing has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, but Taiwanese prize their democratic self-rule. President Ma Ying-jeou’s Nationalist Party government began talking to the eager Communist leadership in 2008, leading to a batch of agreements that authorities said would help Taiwan’s economy. But protesters last year questioned the transparency of the deals with Beijing and whether Taiwan should sign them at all while the two sides are politically at odds. The activist group Black Island Nation Youth Front organized the Sunday-Monday demonstration to pressure lawmakers into approving a bill that would strengthen oversight over future agreements with China.
Monday 23 March 2015
Aden, MArch 22 (reuters): Houthi fighters opposed to Yemen’s president took over the central city of Taiz in an escalation of a power struggle diplomats say risks drawing in neighboring oil giant Saudi Arabia and its main regional rival Iran. Residents of Taiz, on a main road from the capital Sanaa to the country’s second city of Aden, said that Houthi militias took over the city’s military airport without a struggle from local authorities late on Saturday. Eyewitnesses in the central province of Ibb reported seeing dozens of tanks and military vehicles headed southward from Houthi-controlled areas toward Taiz, while activists in the city said Houthi gunmen shot into the air to disperse protests by residents demonstrating against their presence. Conflict has been spreading across Yemen since last year when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and effectively removed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who now seeks a comeback from his base in Aden. The advance of the Iranian-backed group has angered Sunni Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia. The Houthi spread into mostly Sunni areas in the center and west have led to months of clashes with local tribes and al Qaeda, raising fears that the poor and heavily armed country at the base of the Arabian peninsula might descend into civil war. INTERVENTION The United Nations Security Council was set to discuss Ye-
on condition of anonymity, said on Saturday. “We always encourage our personnel to exercise appropriate OPSEC (operations security) and force protection procedures,” the official added. In the posting, a group referring to itself as the “Islamic State Hacking Division” wrote in English that it had hacked several military servers, databases and emails and made public the information on 100 members of the U.S. military so
US pulls out remaining forces
Anti-Houthi protesters demonstrate in Yemen’s southwestern city of Taiz on March 22. (REUTERS Photo)
men after Hadi, a U.S. ally, accused the Houthi militia of staging a coup and appealed to the U.N. for “urgent intervention”. Iran on Sunday called for dialogue, but suggested that Hadi should leave to spare the country further bloodshed. “The expectation is that President ... Hadi will resign rather than repeat mistakes, to play a constructive role in preventing the break-up of Yemen and the transformation of Aden into a terrorist haven,” said Iran’s deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, according to state news agency IRNA. But Gulf Arab leaders and security officials on Saturday said Hadi was Yemen’s legitimate ruler and they were ready to make “all efforts” to defend the country’s security.
“Yemen is sliding into a dark tunnel which would have serious consequences not only on Yemen but on security and stability in the region,” the officials, who included Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, said. “The security of Yemen and of the GCC countries is an indivisible whole,” it added. ESCALATING VIOLENCE Yemen’s struggle for power intensified on Thursday, when loyalists and opponents of Hadi fought gun battles in Aden. The fighting paused by nightfall, but suicide bombings against a Houthi mosque claimed by Islamic State militants killed nearly 140 worshippers, raising tensions and leading the Houthis to announce a military mobilization against the militants. On Sunday, anti-
aircraft guns opened fire at an unidentified plane flying over Hadi’s compound in Aden and appeared to force it away, witnesses said, in the third incident of its kind since last Thursday. U.S. officials said Washington had evacuated its remaining personnel from Yemen, including around 100 special operations forces, because of worsening security, marking a setback in U.S. efforts against a powerful al Qaeda branch. The Houthis are allied with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, still influential in the military despite having given up power in 2011 after mass protests against his rule. The Yemeni army has varied loyalties, with most units being controlled by the Houthis or Saleh, while some are loyal to Hadi.
that “lone wolf” attackers can kill them. The New York Times reported that it did not look like the information had been hacked from U.S. government servers and quoted an unnamed Defense Department official as saying most of the information could be found in public records, residential address search sites and social media. The Times quoted officials as saying the list appeared to have been drawn from person-
ised to punish all those involved and said 13 people, including eight police officers, had already been arrested. The killing was condemned by the Afghan president and other officials, but also drew praise from some quarters, including from a prominent cleric, who asserted the men had a right to defend their Muslim beliefs at all costs. Farkhunda was a teacher of Islamic studies, according to her brother, who denied media reports that she had been mentally ill. He said this was a made-up defense by their father, who wanted to protect the family after police told them to leave the city for their own safety. “My father was frightened and made the false statement to calm people down,” said Najibullah, who is changing his second name to Farkhunda in memory of his sister.
nel mentioned in news articles about air strikes on Islamic State. The group’s forces control parts of Syria and Iraq and have been targeted in U.S.-led air strikes. The posting, addressed to disbelievers, Christians and “crusaders” in America, included what the group said were the names, military service branch, photos and street addresses of the individuals. The posting includes the military rank of some but not all of those named.
Hundreds of people attended her funeral on Sunday chanting “we want justice” and her coffin was carried by women. The United States and other countries have spent millions of dollars in Afghanistan on promoting the rule of law, justice and women’s rights since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. Under the strict Islamist rule of the Taliban, women could neither attend school nor were they allowed to work, and were forbidden from leaving the house without a male guardian. The last decade has seen much progress: Millions of girls now attend school and women can enter employment, particularly in major cities. But in some rural areas, little has changed and hardwon rights are at risk of being reversed as aid and foreign troops are withdrawn.
‘Mid-term polls can’t be ruled out in Pak’ IsLAMAbAd, MArch 22 (IAns): Mid-term polls and an interim government in Pakistan cannot be ruled out, former president Pervez Musharraf has said adding that the elections will be held once the incumbent government completes three years. Musharraf, while chairing an executive committee meeting of the All Pakistan Muslim League, announced that his party will “fully take part in local government elections”, Geo News reported. “The party is incomplete without reorganisation... however, it should be at grassroots if you want to bring it at country-wide level,” Musharraf said. The All Pakistan Muslim League political par-
Eruptions, Quakes, Cyclones: Vanuatu man survives them all FAte, MArch 22 (AP): Volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes and cyclones: 76-year-old Lik Simelum from Vanuatu has survived them all. He lives in a country that’s ranked by the United Nations University as the world’s most at-risk for natural disasters. But his story is remarkable even in an archipelago that has grown familiar with nature’s fury. It is also filled with sadness: his father and youngest brother were both killed by a landslide. Simelum survived yet another disaster this month when Cyclone Pam ripped through the South Pacific archipelago, destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 17 people. Simelum’s outdoor kitchen was blasted to pieces and he had to sweep the water from his home from flooding, but he doesn’t seem too worried about all that. Simelum’s story begins when he was just 11, living
on the island of Ambryn, located in central Vanuatu. In December 1950, violent tremors began on the Benbow volcano, which then turned into a major series of eruptions that lasted for almost a year. “I was frightened,” he said. “Sometimes during the day there would be a lot of ash going up and blocking the sun.” He said on those days his family would eat lunch with a lamp because it was so dark. “There was ash on all the trees and the bushes,” he said. “Sometimes you could only see the whites of people’s eyes, they were black with ash all over.” The ash affected everything, he said, killing crops and contaminating the family’s well water. So the joint French and British government evacuated much of Ambryn, relocating his family to Epi Island. He said the family was in Epi only a matter of weeks when a ferocious
cyclone struck, just before Christmas 1951. News reports at the time indicate the winds sunk four ships and killed an unknown number of people. Simelum said the rains were so heavy they triggered landslides. One roared through his home in the middle of the night, killing his father and his brother. “It carried them away,” he said. His mother survived by clinging to the rafters of their home, he said, although she broke her back. Simelum had been sleeping elsewhere that night, after his family had moved him for his own safety. He said his two sisters, who live near him now, were living on other islands at the time. He said his mother was taken to a hospital in Port Vila and the two of them were relocated from Epi for a second time, to a village on the main island of Efate, in the house where he still lives today. He said
he worked first as a teacher, and later as a district education officer. His mother, he said, died peacefully from conditions related to her age. In 1987, Cyclone Uma struck. It lifted the verandah from the home and flung it about 25 meters (82 feet), he said. It also caused flooding and filled the home with mud. Then in October 2009, a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake hit Vanuatu. Simelum said he ran outside during the shaking. “It was strong,” he said. His low-lying village soon got the news: it was about to be wiped out by a tsunami triggered by the quake. So he and the others left, leaving everything behind, and ran up a nearby hill. But the tsunami never eventuated and they were able to return. Life was relatively peaceful for a few years until Cyclone Pam hit. Simelum said he’s too old
sAnAA, MArch 22 (IAns): The US military has pulled its remaining forces out of Yemen due to the deteriorating security situation, media reported on Sunday. According to the US State Department, the evacuation involved about 100 Special Operations forces members from the Al Anad airbase, CNN reported. Those evacuated, which include Navy SEALs and members of the Army’s Delta Force, were the last American forces stationed in Yemen. “We continue to actively monitor terrorist threats emanating from Yemen and have capabilities postured in the area to address them,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said on Saturday. “As we have in the past, we will take action to disrupt continuing imminent threats to the US and our citizens.” The US closed its embassy in Yemeni capital of Sanaa last month after Shia Houthi rebels took over. “There is no military solution to Yemen’s current crisis,” Rathke said, adding, “We urge the immediate cessation of all unilateral and offensive military actions.” The US military has worked with Yemen’s government in carrying out numerous attacks like the 2011 drone strike that killed prominent Al Qaeda militant Anwar alAwlaki.
A woman tries to fetch water from a lake Sunday, March 22, in Dala township, 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Yangon, Myanmar. The U.N. warns that the world could suffer a 40 percent shortfall in water by 2030, unless countries dramatically change their use of the resource.(AP Photo)
Woman killed by mob in Kabul was innocent: investigator KAbuL, MArch 22 (reuters): A woman killed by an angry mob in front of police in the Afghan capital last week for allegedly burning a copy of Islam’s holy book was wrongly accused, Afghanistan’s top criminal investigator said on Sunday. Mobile phone footage circulating on social media shows police at the scene did not save the 27-year-old woman, Farkhunda, who was beaten with sticks and set on fire by a crowd of men in central Kabul in broad daylight on Thursday. “Last night I went through all documents and evidence once again, but I couldn’t find any evidence to say Farkhunda burnt the Holy Koran,” General Mohammad Zahir told reporters at her funeral on Sunday. “Farkhunda was totally innocent.” The top criminal investigator prom-
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Houthis seize strategic Yemeni city, escalating power struggle
Islamic State calls on backers to kill 100 US military personnel WAshInGtOn, MArch 22 (reuters): Islamic State has posted online what it says are the names, U.S. addresses and photos of 100 American military service members, and called upon its “brothers residing in America” to kill them. The Pentagon said after the information was posted on the Internet that it was investigating the matter. “I can’t confirm the validity of the information, but we are looking into it,” a U.S. defense official, speaking
Dimapur
In this Saturday, March 21, 2015, photo, Lik Simelum poses in front of his kitchen, which was destroyed by Cyclone Pam this month on the island of Efate, Vanuatu. The 76-yr-old has survived volcanos, landslides, earthquakes and cyclones, including Cyclone Pam, which struck Vanuatu this month, destroying thousands of homes. (AP Photo)
to repair his kitchen now, er extremes. and will leave that work to “Climate change will his children. But he said he cause more disasters to expects to see more weath- Vanuatu,” he said.
ty was founded by Pervez Musharraf in 2010. Musharraf warned that politics in Pakistan face major challenges. He said Pakistan progressed during his tenure as president -- from June, 2001 to August, 2008 -- due to fair distribution of resources. Commenting on the need of a third political power in the country, the former president favoured the idea and said: “Pakistan needs a third political power.” He greeted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan for making efforts to emerge as a third political power. “Change in government is to be made through change in system,” Musharraf said.
Israeli president calls for healing after divisive election
JerusALeM, MArch 22 (AP): Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said Sunday that the new Israeli government will have to serve “all the citizens of Israel,” and called for the country to begin a “healing process” after a stormy election campaign that highlighted deep internal divisions. Rivlin serves a mostly ceremonial role and he has positioned himself as a unifier since taking office last year. One of his few actual powers is being able to choose the person with the best chances of putting together a coalition government after elections. Throughout a close election campaign it looked like he would have a crucial role to play after the vote but a resounding victory by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has made his considerations mostly moot. On Sunday, Rivlin began his consultation with all the parties in parliament to hear their recommendations before he officially tasks Netanyahu. Rivlin used the platform to call for unity. In a last-ditch attempt to spur his supporters to the polls last week, Netanyahu warned that Arab citizens were voting “in droves” and endangering years of rule by his right-wing Likud Party. The comments drew accusations of racism from Israeli Arabs and a White House rebuke about the divisive language. Alluding to the uproar, Rivlin told Likud representatives that the emerging government will have to serve “all the citizens of Israel, Jews and Arabs.” “We have been through a stormy and passionate election period - this is the time to begin a process of mending and healing in Israeli society,” he said. Netanyahu’s Likud won the election by capturing 30 seats in the 120-member parliament. It looks to have a relatively easy time putting together a 61-seat majority along with its nationalist and religious allies.
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Dimapur
SPORTS
Monday 23 March 2015
6th Silver Cup T20 Cricket Tournament
KOHIMA, MARCH 22 (MExN): Flamingos Cricket Club Dimapur today became the last team to book berth for the semi-finals of the ongoing 6th Silver Cup T20 Cricket Tournament organised by Youth Department of Nepali Baptist Church Kohima under the theme ‘Peace and Unity through Cricket’. Playing the fourth quarter final match at Kohima Local Ground (Khouciezhie) this afternoon, Flamingos defeated Kohima Capitals by a huge 153 runs. Winning the toss, Flamingos elected to bat and struck a huge tally of 238 runs losing 5 wickets in 20 overs. Hokaito scored highest 50 runs of 35 balls while Govind managed to strike 48 in just 10 balls. Kohima Capitals bowler Pasang claimed four rival
wickets giving out 49 runs in 4 overs. Chasing the huge target of 239 runs, Kohima Capitals were bundled out at 85 runs in 18.3 overs with Lhoumogolie being the only batsman to score 16 runs. Flamingos bowler Vicky Hanse claimed three rival wickets while Jalal and Bipul took two wickets each. Hanse’s three wickets in today’s match has once again put him on the top of highest wickets takers of the tourney and become the holder of ‘Blue Cap’. Govind Chaudhury of Flamingos CC was adjudged the man of the match for his 48 runs and claiming one rival wicket. Gracing the fourth quarter final as match patron businessman Mukesh Agarwal handed over the award. 6th Silver Cup T20 Cricket Tour-
nament Earlier, on Saturday, defending champions Blue Star Cricket Club, Dimapur along with debutants Bashers CC and Kohima Hornbills registered easy entry into the semi-finals. Playing the first quarter final match, Bashers CC Kohima won against Eleven Weavers by 51 runs. In the second match, Kohima Hornbills overcame Sparks CC by 7 wickets. Playing the third quarter final, defending champs Blue Star CC Dimapur knocked Eighties CC Wokha by 120 runs.
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Atletico beats Getafe 2-0, stays in touch with top 3
SEMI-FINALS FOR MARCH 23: Flamingos CC vs Blue Star CC @ 9am Bashers vs Kohima Hornbills @ 12:30 am
2ND 10 NORTHERN ANGAMI-1 T20 BASH 2015
1st Match – Upper L. Khel Riders vs T. Khel Knights 25th March (Starts 10:00 am) 1st Match – High School Daredevils vs Lower L. Khel Vikings 2nd Match – Chedema Strikers vs Mission Compound Dukes 3rd Match – High School Daredevils vs D. Khel United 2nd Match – P. Khel Eagles vs Peraciezie Royals 26th March (Starts 7:00 am) 1st Match – Upper Bayavü Sixers vs Upper L. Khel Riders 2nd Match – North Block Warriors vs Chedema Strikers 3rd Match – RS Challengers vs D. Khel United
1st April (Starts 7:00 am) 1st Match – P. Khel Eagles vs Middle Bayavü Lions 2nd Match – Upper L. Khel Riders vs Lower Bayavü Giants 3rd Match – Mission Compound Dukes vs North Block Warriors
2nd April (Starts 10:00 am) 27th March (Starts 7:00 am) 1st Match – RS Challengers vs Lower L. Khel Vikings 1st Match – Kenuozou Wolves vs Middle Bayavü Lions 2nd Match – Peraciezie Royals vs Kenuozou Wolves 2nd Match – Lower Bayavü Giants vs T. Khel Knights 3rd Match – Zienuobadze High Flyers vs Mission Compound Dukes 4th April (Starts 10:00 am) 1st Match – Upper Bayavü Sixers vs T. Khel Knights 28th March (Starts 7:00 am) 2nd Match – Chedema Strikers vs Zienuobadze High Flyers 1st Match – RS Challengers vs High School Daredevils 2nd Match – Kenuozou Wolves vs P. Khel Eagles 6th April (Starts 12:00 noon) 3rd Match – Lower Bayavü Giants vs Upper Bayavü Sixers 1st Semi-Final – Winner of Group A vs Winner of Group B 30th March (Starts 7:00 am) 1st Match – North Block Warriors vs Zienuobadze High Flyers 7th April (Starts 12:00 noon) 1st Semi-Final – Winner of Group C vs Winner of Group D 2nd Match – Lower L. Khel Vikings vs D. Khel United 3rd Match – Peraciezie Royals vs Middle Bayavü Lions 8th April – FINAL MATCH (12:00 noon) 31st March (Starts 7:00 am)
Dortmund edges 10-man Hannover 3-2 in Bundesliga BERLIN, MARCH 22 (AP): Japan star Shinji Kagawa scored one goal and set up another as Borussia Dortmund edged 10-man Hannover 3-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Dortmund, bottom in February, is five points off sixth-place Augsburg with eight games still to play. "There are only a few more points to the Europa League qualification places. We have to look up from now on," forward PierreEmerick Aubameyang said. Aubameyang put the visitors ahead in the 19th, only for Leonardo Bittencourt to set up Lars Stindl's equalizer for Hannover in the 31st. Bittencourt missed a great chance to score three minutes lat-
er when he blasted wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Dortmund, eliminated from the Champions League by Juventus on Wednesday, was second best until former Dortmund player Bittencourt was dismissed with two bookings in quick succession by the 55th. Kagawa restored Dortmund's lead with a tap-in two minutes later, with Marco Reus providing his second assist, and the Japanese attacking midfielder then set up Aubameyang's second with the outside of his boot in the 61st. Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert deflected Reus' effort onto the post, before Stindl ensured a nervy ending by scoring
again with a fine strike to the top corner in the 82nd. "We started really well and then made life difficult for ourselves," said Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who had to clear Joselu's effort off the line before Bittencourt was sent off. In the late game, Karim Bellarabi's 35thminute rifled shot to the roof of the net from a difficult angle was enough for Bayer Leverkusen to win 1-0 at Schalke, keeping a direct rival for Champions League qualification at bay. "The Atletico (Madrid) game was still in our legs a bit," Bellarabi said, referring to Tuesday's Champions League exit on penalties to the Spanish side. "But we knew how impor-
tant this game is. We are now where we want to be." Leverkusen moved provisionally third, ahead of Borussia Moenchengladbach, which hosts league leader Bayern Munich on Sunday. Also that day, second-place Wolfsburg visits Mainz. Schalke coach Roberto di Matteo acknowledged Champions League qualification would be difficult. "But there are eight games left. We have to believe it's still theoretically possible," said di Matteo, whose side was five points behind 'Gladbach. Augsburg earlier lost 2-0 at Freiburg, which escaped the relegation zone on goal difference from Hamburger SV thanks to second half-goals from Jonathan Schmid and Nils Petersen.
Atletico de Madrid’s Koke, left, is embraced by team mate Fernando Torres as he celebrates after scoring a goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Valencia at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, March 8. (AP Photo)
BARCELONA, MARCH 22 (AP): Midfielder Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion set up two goals to help Atletico Madrid ease to a 2-0 win over crosstown rival Getafe and keep in touch with the top three teams in the Spanish league on Saturday. Atletico overwhelmed the visitors from the start at its Vicente Calderon Stadium with the defending champion's preferred weapon of scoring through set-pieces, with Fernando Torres sending in a long headed goal from Koke's free kick three minutes after kickoff. Torres' first league goal since rejoining his boyhood club in the winter transfer market — along with three goals in the Copa del Rey — came four days after he netted a decisive spot kick. Atletico beat Bayer Leverkusen in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to advance to a Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid. "Torres is improving, understanding his teammates better," Atletico
coach Diego Simeone said. "He lives to score and needed to score in the league. He creates healthy competition with (striker Mario) Mandzukic, who is a decisive player for us. We needed more from Torres and he is giving it to us." Simeone's side pressed for a second goal, coming close in the ninth when Koke's low strike hit the post and almost went in after the rebound hit goalkeeper Vicente Guaita's boot and squirmed by the upright. The decisive goal fell four minutes before halftime when Raul Jimenez flicked on Koke's corner for Tiago Cardoso to head home at the far post. "In the first 25 minutes my team played very well, passing well, creating a lot of scoring chances, showing intensity. Eventually we did our damage through set-pieces," Simeone said. Atletico ended a run of three consecutive draws in the league to remain one point behind third-place Valencia.
League leader Barcelona is six points ahead of Atletico before hosting second-place Real Madrid on Sunday, with only one point separating the fierce rivals. Asked if he would watch the clasico, Simeone said he was "more interested" in the match between fifth-place Sevilla and sixth-place Villarreal, also on Sunday. Getafe, which remained in 13th place, lost substitute forward Karim Yoda to a leg injury with seven minutes to play. Rayo Vallecano won its fourth straight home match by edging 10-man Malaga 1-0 to move into ninth place, two spots behind the visitors. Rayo forward Gael Kakuta headed in Alberto Bueno's pass for the 21stminute winner. Malaga's comeback effort was undermined by losing defender Marcos Angeleri to two yellow card offences in the 74th. Athletic Bilbao also used a dominant first half
to beat Almeria 2-1 and stay in eighth with its fifth victory in a row. Defender Xabier Etxeita headed in Bilbao's first goal in the ninth, and Mikel Rico controlled Julian Cuesta's clearance with his chest before floating a delicate shot over the goalie in the 26th. Almeria halved the difference two minutes after the restart when Welington Silva's shot hit Bilbao left back Mikel Balenziaga and went in. Almeria played injury time with 10 after Fran Velez received his second yellow card. Celta Vigo rose to right behind Rayo after substitute striker Charles slid to finish off a nifty passing combination from Pablo Hernandez and Manuel "Nolito" Agudo with four minutes left to deal Levante a 1-0 loss at home that kept it in the relegation zone. Granada likewise remained in danger of the drop after a 0-0 draw at home with 14th-place Eibar, which ended an eightgame losing streak.
public discourse
perspectives on Higher education in Nagaland
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agaland University (Central) with four Campuses and 62 Affiliated Colleges are scattered all over the state. The University was established by an Act of Parliament (No. 35 of 1989) and started functioning since 1994. Nagaland University has Kohima Campus at Meriema, Medziphema Campus (School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) at Medziphema and the interim Campus- Engineering, Technology and Management at Dimapur. The Headquarters has been functional since 2010 at Lumami under Zunheboto district which is about 45 km away from its district headquarters. Lumami is centrally located within Nagaland. The University with its central theme “Labor et Honor” meaning “Labour and Honour” , clearly portrays that hard work with sincerity and commitment will see the progress of the University and its students. As per the records of the year 2014 about 14643 Graduate and 1760 Post Graduate Students were enrolled for different courses. During the last five years about 200 Ph. D. Scholars were registered in the Ph. D. Programme. At present, there are Six Schools, Six Centres of Studies and Thirty Seven Departments in the University. The total number of Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors (Teaching-Staff Members ) is about 185. Total NonTeaching Staff Members are about 600. There are 26 Hostels for students, at present in the University. The University has established a College Development Council (CDC) in 2008. The future plan of the University is to develop curriculum focusing on professional and job oriented courses on economic development of the region. The University has enough of its own land in all Campuses, will be
able to provide capacity building, be it short-term or long-term by creating incubator facilities in each of the Campuses in each of the required areas. Many dignitaries and external experts visited the University Campuses for various meetings, seminars, examinations and evaluation which stated the working spirit of the University fraternity. Ambassadors of eight European countries under the leadership of the Secretary, European Union visited the University during the year 2012 and exchanged ideas with faculty members, Ph. D. scholars and Students. The former Hon’ble Prime Ministers of India Shri Rajiv Gandhi and Shri Atal Vihari Bajpai and former His Excellency the President of India Shri A P J Abdul Kalam and the present His Excellency the President of India Shri Pranab Mukharjee have visited the University in the recent past. John Henry Newman’s idea of a University is perhaps the universally accepted one. According to him, a University in its simple and rudimental form is a school of knowledge for every kind consisting of teachers and learners from every quarter. Human resource is now universally recognized as the most fundamental of all economic resources. The importance of higher education in accelerating the pace of socio-economic transformation of society through the development of highly skilled manpower has been duly recognized in India all through the Five Year Plans. Now the role of Higher education is constantly growing and knowledge based industries are now occupying the central place in the development process of the nation. Today, we are passing through a significant economic and technological transformation. Under this environment, the system of higher education needs
Types of Colleges Total Arts and Commerce 42 Science 07 Law 03 Education 07 Management 01 Other (B.C.A.) 01 Other (B. Sc. Nursing) 01 Total 62
to be strengthened to equip students with adequate skills and knowledge to enable their participation in the emerging knowledge society. Now time has come to focus on technical and professional education. For students to compete with the rest of the world, we need quality education with a greater emphasis on technology enhanced skills development. Nagaland has a progressive educational infrastructure at the school, college as well as University levels. The education system of Nagaland is very well organized. The history of education in Nagaland dates back to 1878 when the first School was started in the Naga Hills. Higher education was started in 1959, when Fazl Ali College was established at Mokokchung. At present, there are about 62 Colleges affiliated to Nagaland University with a total student enrolment of about 25000. Recently, Global Open University, ICFAI University and many colleges are also functional in Nagaland under private sector. As per the information provided by the College Development Council (CDC) of Nagaland University, the general status of the affiliated colleges has been described as below.
Permanent 20 07 nil 02 nil nil nil 29
Temporary 22 Nil 03 05 01 01 01 33
• Number of affiliated Colleges under 2(f) of UGC : 01 • Number of affiliated Colleges under 12 B of UGC : 25 • Number of Colleges having Science : 07 • Number of Accredited Colleges :09
Higher education is concerned with the process in more advanced phase of human learning, where students are mentally mature and capable to analyze, synthesize and grasp concepts and ideas of all kinds at abstract level. Higher education aims at attaining equity, equality and excellence with social justice through knowledge generating processes by way of teaching, research and extension programmes. Higher education influences all levels of education. It affects every field of human endeavour by providing human resources for production, planning, management and scientific and technological development. It therefore, influences the future of the state and nation. It contributes immensely towards national development through dissemination of specialized knowledge and skill. Higher education is important for its role in advancement of the frontiers of knowledge, discov• Number of Affiliated colleges un- ering of newer technologies and their application in industry, business and der the University :62 • Number of Autonomous Colleg- agriculture for the betterment in life of the people. World Bank states es : 02
“Higher education is of paramount importance for economic and social development. Institutions of Higher education have the main responsibility for equipping individuals with the advanced knowledge and skills required for positions of responsibility in government, business and the professions”. UNESCO emphasized that “State and society must perceive higher education, not as a burden on federal budgets but as a long- term domestic investments in order to increase economic competitiveness, cultural development and social cohesion”. Higher education system, it is also at the level of which prepares personnel for all other levels of education and expertise for greater variety of jobs that have to be manned in the social, economic and cultural sectors. Relation between higher education and development is a crucial one. Therefore, Higher education in any society is of vital importance in the whole educational system. If good primary and secondary education are like the strong stems of trees of society, higher education is like the fruits of these trees which are reaped in the form of socio-economic, industrial and technological development ultimately leading any nation towards better quality of life. Being at the apex of the educational pyramid, it has its own importance and place in almost all the societies of the world. In recent years, the scenario of Higher education has undergone a sea level change and prospect of Higher education has become more competitive and challenging. The state’s development model envisages higher sustainable and inclusive growth. To meet these goals, Nagas have to enable science & technology education, research and innovation to play a leading role. Research is unfortunately not
a preferred option in the colleges. To promote healthy environment for research, there is a need to increase fellowships, interdisciplinary, inter-colleges, inter-university organization, collaborations and establish industry incubation parks. The youth has to be equipped with capacity and expertise. Large scale formal vocational training is required for developing a capable workforce. Educational institutions have to usher more responsibility and accountability to elevate Nagaland to greater heights. Nagaland University now stands on a promise, for greater accomplishment and prominence. The work culture in the University as a whole is improving as it is a potential one. Many colleges in Nagaland are run by the products of Nagaland University. Keeping pace with the challenges ahead and to move forward with time and space, it is important to impart quality higher education in the state. Quality assurance in higher education is the need of the hour. The UGC has made it mandatory that all Higher Education Institutions undergo Assessment and Accreditation at the earliest. The immediate need is to reach out to the non-accredited colleges for the creation of awareness for getting accreditation from NAAC. Nagaland University is organizing a Two Day Awareness Workshop on “Quality Assurance in Higher Education” during March 26-27, 2015 at its Medziphema Campus (School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, SASRD), Medziphema near Dimapur. Interested readers may visit to the University’s website: www.nagauniv.org.in and the NAAC’s website: www.naac.gov.in . M. S. Rawat, Director, IQAC Nagaland University, Headquarters-Lumami-798 627 (Zunheboto)
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.
Entertainment
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Big B performs with Shillong Choir, Vienna Orchestra
Monday 23 March 2015
Dimapur
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Preity Zinta, Chetan Bhagat, Marzi Pestonji confirmed to judge Nach Baliye 7
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reity Zinta, Chetan Bhagat and Marzi Pestonji have been locked as judges for the upcoming seventh season of Nach Baliye, reveal sources. Preity was last seen on TV hosting a chat show, Up Close & Personal with PZ, while Marzi was earlier judging Dance India Dance. When contacted, he said that though he hadn’t yet signed the deal with the makers of Nach Baliye, talks were on. As for Chetan Bhagat, who is known for his bestsellers like Five Point Someone and 2 States amongst others, this will be his TV debut. As for the contestants, The first tentative list that we brought to you some days back boasted big names such as Mohit Raina-Mouni Roy, Sanaya Irani-Mohit Sehgal, Jay Soni- Pooja Shah and, last but not the least, Ruslaan Mumtaz and better half Nirali Mehta. However, the final list of participants hasn’t been locked yet.
Jean-Claud Van Damme wife files for divorce
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ollywood megastar Amitabah Bachchcan left the audience at the Umaid Bhawan Palace impressed with his serenading performance with Shillong Chamber Choir and Vienna Chamber Orchestra. The 72-yearold actor stressed on the importance of giving and togetherness
during his brief appearances inbetween the mesmerising fusion concert by the "India's Got Talent" fame Shillong Chamber Choir and Vienna Chamber Orchestra. Bachchan's invocations cast a spell on the audience on day two of the second edition of the Jodhpur One World Retreat, a biennial
funding even to raise money for the Indian Head Injury Foundation. The event was founded by the erstwhile ruler of Gaj Singh II. "Be grateful because you live great," Bachchan said while calling upon to celebrate smiles, choices, health, freedom, education, meals, shelter, love and for-
tune as many are not fortunate to have them. While talking about "giving", Bachchan said, "We give because someone gave us and we give because nobody gave us. We give because giving has changed us, we give because giving could have changed us." At the end of the gala, Bach-
chan hit the stage with the musical groups joining them in salutation to the nation singing the national song "Vandemataram". After the show, Bachchan congratulated the royal family of Jodhpur for this noble initiative to address the problem of head injury and trauma in India.
Losing voice opened Mobile game for 'Detective 'windows' for Julie Andrews Byomkesh Bakshy!' launched I
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he thrill and suspense of period film "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" has been teleported to moblie phones with the launch of game "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy" by Games2win (G2W), a global mobile games company. The game, launched with Yash Raj Films Licensing (YRFL), the licensing division of Yash Raj Films (YRF), is based on the film, which features Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead. Currently available on the Google Play Store, it is a hidden objects game. “We are delighted to have made a fantastic game inspired by the legendary IP of Byomkesh Bakshy. The game play of being a detective and solving almost real life criminal cases is the magical proposition of this game,” said Alok Kejriwal, CEO of the gaming company,
Case against Shilpa Shetty for Rs 9 crore fraud
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ccording to an IANS report, a Kolkatabased company has filed a police complaint against Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty alleging that it was fraudulently induced to invest Rs 9 crore in a company run by her, police said on Sunday (March 22, 2015). Police have initiated a case against Shilpa and Ripu Sudan Kundra of Essential Sports and Media Private Limited following the complaint by MK Media Private Limited’s additional director Debashis Guha, the report stated. “We have registered a case against Shilpa and her company on the charges of criminal breach of trust, cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Murli Dhar said to IANS. According to the complaint, “Shilpa and others allegedly induced the complainant company to invest a sum of Rs 9 crore with the promise of 10 times return against the invested amount within two years.” The complainant company has also claimed that against the investment of Rs 9 crore, it was allotted 30 lakh equity shares which were subsequently reported to be bogus, Dhar to IANS.
in a statement. “We hope fans of 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!' experience and enjoy the thrill of their favourite character while playing this game,” said Rohit Sobti, vice president of licensing and mer-
chandising at YRF. With artwork crafted to recreate the look and feel of Calcutta (now Kolkata), there is a touch of 1940s era in the game. On completing all the levels, a ‘Detective Certificate’ will be awarded to
the players, who can flaunt it on social media. The movie, directed by Dibakar Banerjee, is based on Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshy. It is slated to release on April 3.
t was "devastating" for Julie Andrews of "The Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" to lose her voice, but the actress says that it was then she discovered other pleasures in life. Andrews had lost her voice as she went under the knife in 1997 to remove non-cancerous nodules on her vocal chords. "If it had happened earlier, it would have been really devastating," Andrews told People magazine. The actress revealed that her vocal trauma forced her to develop other creative outlets. "For a while, I was in total denial," but then "I had to do something," she added. The actress then also penned dozens of books, including the "Dumpy the Dumptruck" and "The Very Fairy Princess" children's series with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. "What I say in the ('The Sound of Music') is true: a
Kanye West to become reverend? Kanye West is reportedly completing an online course in theology and religion so he can join the clergy as a ''reverend''.
racism. It's not an actual thing that even means anything.'' The 'Stronger' hitmaker also referred to himself as a ''servant to God''. He added: ''The more power that you have, the less you
are a king; the more you are a servant, the more power you have... ''To position yourself as a servant, because that's all we are, we're servants to God. This is a Christian view of mine.''
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ollywood playback singer Harshdeep Kaur, best known for crooning “Katiya Karoon” from Ranbir Kapoor’s “Rockstar”, has married her best friend Mankeet Singh. The couple got married yesterday in a Gurudwara. The 28-year-old singer took to Twitter to share the news with her fans. “Got married to my best friend Mankeet Singh yesterday... Need your blessings,” she tweeted. Harshdeep posted a picture on Facebook of the couple taking pheras. She wore a light pink lehanga, while Mankeet donned a white sherwani. Harshdeep has also lent her voice for songs like “Ik Onkar” (“Rang De Basanti”), “Heer” (“Jab Tak Hai Jaan”) and “Kabira” (“Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”).
I door closes and a window opens," added Andrews. What if the 79-year-old had not lose her voice? "I would never have written this number of books. I would never have discovered that pleasure." "I thought at the time (of the surgery), my voice was what I am. But it seems it's not all that I am," she said.
t was a triumphant finale for “Glee”,as the popular musical series waved goodbye after six seasons. The two hour long finale episode titled ‘Dreams Come True’ packed an emotional punch, as viewers were remind of how far the characters had come, as well as being given a glimpse into their futures, reported Ace Showbiz. The show’s first hour focused on the past, looking back to the formation of McKinley High’s Glee club back in 2009. It showed how each of the character fans had grown to love began life on the series as a misunderstood outcast. The second hour showed what the future had in store for the show’s main characters. The finale episode served as a fitting end to ‘Glee’s six year long journey, with each character’s story nicely wrapped up. The show’s creator’s Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk will next move on to another Fox series, “Scream Queens”, which will see them re-team with Lea Michele. “Scream Queen” is set to debut in the fall.
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Brazilian supermodel Isabelli Fontana vaccinates children against polio in India
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something, when you don't feel like playing with a cat. Let them literally fight over the bouncing ball. And the bouncing ball has nothing, no purpose, anything other than that it bounces. That's
Singer Harshdeep Kaur ties the knot
Fans bid farewell to ‘Glee’
razilian model and Rotary polio ambassador Isabelli Fontana travelled to New Delhi on March 17-18 to administer life saving polio vaccine and visited patients at St. Stephen's Hospital in New Delhi. Star of many advertising campaigns, high fashion model, Victoria's Secret model, current face of L'Oreal for Latin America and mother of two, Fontana signed on to be an ambassador for polio eradication in 2013.
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he 'Bound 2' hitmaker has reportedly began an online course in theology and religion so he is able to join the clergy. A pal told the Daily Star on Sunday newspaper: ''In the past year or two Kanye has become something of a born-again Christian. He used to go to church all the time as a kid but he lapsed badly as he got older. ''Now he's a father he's become more spiritual and a better person. He is even smiling a lot and thinks becoming a reverend will bring him closer to God.'' The 37-year-old rapper - who has 21-month-old daughter North with wife Kim Kardashian West - will certainly not be afraid of addressing the wider issues in his sermons. Recently he spoke up about racism, referring to it as a ''dated concept'' that is used to ''separate and alienate'' people from one another. He said: ''Racism is a dated concept. It's like a silly concept that people try to touch on to either... to separate, to alienate, to pinpoint anything. It's stupid. ''It's like a bouncing ball in a room with two cats, or
ction star Jean-Claude Van Damme’s wife, Gladys Portugues Van Varenberg, has filed for divorce. Portugues, an actress and former professional bodybuilder, filed papers in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences, reported People magazine. The pair have been separated since March 7, and Portugues is seeking spousal support, according to the divorce filing. Van Damme, 54, and Portugues have been married for 15 years and have two children. The actor continues to star in action films, including a “Kickboxer” franchise film that is in post production. He also made a splash in 2013 with an extraordinary physical feat of doing the splits between two semi trucks.
Although India was declared polio-free last year, Fontana will vaccinate children to ensure the disease does not re-emerge. "It is an honour to travel to India and vaccinate children against this paralysing disease. We cannot forget that immunizations must continue to keep polio from returning to India and being spread across the globe. I have participated in many campaigns in my homeland of Brazil for the same reason," Fontana said
India, once the world's epicenter of polio, was certified polio-free in March 2014 due to a massive joint effort by the Government of India, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a public-private partnership that includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
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Mata double sees United beat Liverpool
In this Saturday March 21, 2015 picture WBA light heavyweight boxer Juergen Braehmer, right, punches German challenger Robin Krasniqi in Rostock, Germany. Juergen Braehmer of Germany defeated compatriot Robin Krasniqi by technical knockout to retain his WBA light heavyweight belt on Saturday. Krasniqi's corner pulled the challenger out ahead of the 10th round with a deep cut above his lip, sustained after he took a battering in the previous round. (AP Photo) C M Y K
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Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis win BNP Paribas Open title
NEW DELHI, MARCH 22 (AgENCIES): Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis began their partnership on winning note as the duo defeated Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina to win the BNP Paribas Open doubles title. The No.1 seeds, Hingis and Mirza didn't even lose more than four games in any set all fortnight. After cruising through the first set of the final that stat looked a little dicey as they fell behind 4-2 second set to No.2 seeds Makarova and Vesnina, but they flipped the script from there with four straight games to end it, 6-3, 6-4. "This is something we were hoping for," Hingis told WTA website. "She hits a big forehand, especially on the right side, and I can move and finish off the point. She prepares, I finish. That's pretty cool to me. "I'm very happy we made this move. Obviously we had partners we played well with, like me last year with Flavia, and changing was a big move. I'm very
happy it worked out, because you never know what to expect. Winning the tournament in our premier, it's new energy, and hopefully we can keep it up." "On paper, obviously we are supposed to be a good team, but it doesn't always turn out that way when you steponthecourt,"Mirzacommented. "So we're really happy we weren't just able to win, but win in such dominating fashion, not losing a set and being down just two times in the whole two weeks." Mirza was asked what makes them such a good team in terms of strategy on the doubles court. "She's one of the best people who can complement the way I play," the Indian trailblazer said. "She's got probably some of the best hands in the world at the net. For me, I need that. I need someone who can finish the balls off where I set them up. And that's really it. Like I said, on paper everything looks great, but Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, and Sania Mirza, of India, are this years BNP Paribas Open Women's Doubles Champions. you still have to go out there. They beat the Russian pair of Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Names don't do anything. You have to go out and win." Makanrova 6-3, 6-4 for the title.
LONDON, MARCH 22 (AgENCIES): Steven Gerrard was sensationally sent off just 38 seconds into what will likely be his final Liverpool appearance against Manchester United, as Louis van Gaal's men took a huge step toward UEFA Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win at Anfield. Long regarded as the biggest game in English football, Sunday's encounter lived up to the billing with goals and excitement at both ends, yet it will be remembered for Gerrard's unceremonious exit. The Anfield captain was left on the bench by boss Brendan Rodgers before being brought on at halftime, only to be dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson less than a minute after his introduction. Having contested a fullblooded 50-50 challenge with Ander Herrera, Gerrard saw red for stamping on the leg of the Spaniard, meaning he will now serve a three-match ban that will leave him with just five more Premier League games in a Liverpool shirt ahead of his move from his boyhood club to the LA Galaxy. Earlier, Herrera had set up Mata for the opening goal with a superb pass as United suffocated a Liverpool side that had not lost a league game since its 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in December. The visitors' task was made easier in the second half thanks to Gerrard's moment of madness, with Mata subsequently dou-
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Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, left, fights for the ball against Manchester United's Phil Jones during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England on March 22. (AP Photo)
bling United's advantage with a goal that on another day would likely have stolen the headlines. He found the net with an acrobatic scissor kick, and Van Gaal's side was on
its way to a five-point gap over Liverpool in the race for fourth place. Daniel Sturridge netted a consolation with Liverpool's first shot on target with 21 minutes left, but
the hosts never looked like mounting a comeback. Had Simon Mignolet not saved an injury-time penalty from Wayne Rooney, United would have won even more convincingly.
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Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India
Djokovic, Federer advance to Indian Wells final
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INDIAN WELLS, MARCH 22 (AP): Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday, handing Murray his worst hard-court loss against the world's top-ranked player since 2007. Djokovic will play for his fourth career title in the desert in Sunday's final against four-time champion Roger Federer, who beat sixth-seeded Milos Raonic 7-5, 6-4 in the other semifinal. "It's the ultimate final that right now I can have," Djokovic said. "Probably the player that is in the best form." It will be the 38th career meeting between Djokovic and second-ranked Federer, who has won three of their last four. The Serb beat Federer in a third-set tiebreaker to claim last year's title, and also beat him in three sets in the semifinals here in 2011. "I feel great going into the finals, and I hope I can keep up this kind of a level," Federer said. "I'm happy I can still hang with him. He's in his absolute prime right now and I enjoy the challenge of him." Third-seeded Simona Halep plays 2010 champion Jelena Jankovic in the women's final Sunday. Halep advanced by walkover after top-ranked Serena Williams withdrew before their semifinal Friday night with a sprained right knee. Djokovic and Murray
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns to Andy Murray, of Great Britain, during their semifinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on March 21, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo)
were playing for the first time since he beat Murray in four sets for the Australian Open title in January. Murray's serve let him down, getting broken four times in losing for the sixth straight time to Djokovic, who connected on 56 percent of his first serves. "I tried to go for a few more serves today and to try to get a few more free points, but serving 50 percent or just below is not good enough against the best players," Murray said. "I thought I actually hit my second serve better than I did in Australia today, but
first serve percentage was too low." Murray hadn't lost to Djokovic so badly since a 6-1, 6-0 drubbing on hard courts in Miami eight years ago. He had 29 unforced errors and just seven winners Saturday. "I thought I played solid, with the right intensity from the beginning," Djokovic said. "Good firstserve percentage. Got some free points there in the important moments. Just overall it was a good performance." Murray had two break points on the Serb's serve trailing
3-1 in the second set. But he couldn't convert, and Djokovic hit a cross-court forehand winner to lead 4-1. Djokovic had triple match point on his serve when he lost three straight points, including a double fault, before Murray netted a backhand to end the match. Djokovic dropped just one service game in the 1 1/2-hour match. He reached the semifinals after a walkover when Bernard Tomic withdrew because of a back injury. Federer needed two minutes more than Djokovic to beat Raonic. He earned the only break of the first set in the 11th game, winning on his third break point when Raonic's backhand missed wide. Federer served a love game to take the set, 7-5, then broke Raonic on a backhand down the line to open the second set. Raonic managed just one break point on Federer's serve in the match, but couldn't convert and Federer held for a 3-1 lead in the second set. Raonic defeated Rafael Nadal in three sets for the first time in the quarterfinals. "I'm happy that I'm getting more and more traction each time and I can get some hopefully wins in my favor," he said. "It's never like you get on top of these guys. As you see between each other, they keep going back and forth with the results. I'm just trying to sort of get myself in that mix."
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Sukhdev
Bhagat Singh
Salute
Rajguru
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to the
Heroes Shaheedi Diwas, 23 March
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