March 25th, 2016

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

FriDAY • MArch 25 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 82 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

To be conscious that we are perceiving or thinking is to be conscious of our own existence Mehbooba Mufti set to be next chief minister of J&K

WORLD TB DAY 2016: ‘UNITE TO END TB’

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reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | March 24

A

Dutch soccer legend Cruyff dies aged 68 PAGE 12

able as “no such staff were in the pay roll of the establishment.”

Another such case involved the District Education Officer, Kohima, who in August 2015 stated that excess drawal of pay and allowances amounting to Rs 22,441 pertained to three newly appointed RMSA teachers.

However the CAG said this reply is “inadmissible as the same employees were already paid for the particular month.” “The department also furnished copies of pay bills regarding drawal of Rs 14,912 by inserting additional names of employees to suit the inflated amount. However, there were no such employees. Hence Rs 37,252 still remained outstanding for recovery against the DEO Kohima,” the CAG stated.

Meanwhile, the CAG alleged that the Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts was also responsible for “double drawal” of Rs 18.05 lakhs for computer hardware and peripherals. This was done by “duplicating” bill vouchers already drawn, it stated.

The CAG also highlighted the case of Rs 2.54 Crores “fictitiously drawn” by the Sub Divisional Education Officer (SDEO) Zunheboto on behalf of “pseudo anonymous employees” during 2010-14. Records from March 2014 of the SDEO revealed that in addition to the regular monthly bills for pay and allowances, an amount of Rs 2.54 crore was drawn in 23 bills for different categories of teaching staff at pay and allowances, without routing the same through the bill registers maintained by the establishment during 2010-14.

• State government’s response to the findings has been ‘obnoxious’ • CAG recommends an independent investigation

The CAG noticed that the 23 bills were not recorded in any of the 28 bill registers, though the bills were presented to the Treasury through the Treasury Transit Register and was passed by the Treasury Officer for payment. This was subsequently accounted for in the cash book.

The SDEO could not furnish records such as pay bills and acquittance roll relating to payment of the Rs 2.54 Crores. The CAG hence concluded that the amount was withdrawn “fraudulently” by the establishment

and needs further investigation.

This specific case was reported to the Department concerned and the Government in June/ December 2015 and in July 2015.

However, the CAG did not receive any reply till January 2016.

Discrepancies in recovery

In reply to the audit, 27 DDOs reported recovery of Rs 91.34 lakhs. However the CAG said that in some cases proof of recovery has not been produced.

One case mentioned by the CAG involved the General Man-

ager (GM) of the District Industries Centre Zunheboto, who in his reply in September 2015 stated that only Rs 5.34 lakh was recoverable and not Rs 8.65 lakh.

The GM claimed that the same had been recovered as of July 2015. “However documentary evidence in support of the GM’s claim of recoverable amount and the amount recovered has not been furnished. Thus Rs 8.65 lakh still needs to be recovered,” the CAG informed.

Another case involved the Director of IPR, who replied that Rs 0.11 lakhs was recovered in August 2015. “However actual excess drawal was Rs 2.79 lakh and remaining Rs 2.68 lakh still needs to be recovered,” the CAG said.

The CAG observed that DDOs and Treasury Officers in the state have failed to exercise internal controls and non adherence to prescribed rules and procedures.

In October 2015, the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department allegedly “accepted” the existence of excess and fraudulent payments and stated that it is a matter of concern to the State Government. “However the government was silent on initiating administrative action against the offenders,” the CAG lamented.

Nagaland Govt’s response ‘obnoxious’

While the Nagaland State Government has accepted the “facts” discovered by the report, the CAG expressed concern at the government’s response to specific cases.

It referred to a case involving the Department of Planning and

strengthening local women’s NMSA concerned by non-issuance leadership and knowledge of sponsored PGT seats at RIMS

Five percent TB patients die in North East annually

C M Y K

— Aristotle

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n astounding amount of monetary fraud allegedly committed by several departments of the Sir, your bogus employees Nagaland State Government has are demanding pay raise, DA, provident funds, job been revealed by the Comptrolregularization.... ler and Auditor General of India (CAG). It has further expressed shock that the government’s response to the report’s findings has been “obnoxious” to the extent of “encouraging offence.”

In its report for the year ending March 2015, the CAG reported that Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) attached to several government offices are CITIZEN UMBRELLA suspected to have been involved CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. in “fraudulent drawals” of Rs H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 2.81 Crores. And this is the result Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 Fax : (033) 2271-2151 of the CAG auditing vouchers of E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com only 41 DDOs, which witnessed 51 cases of irregularities such as inflated totals, fraudulent and The Morung Express excess drawals.

Similar cases from those not will be closed on Friday, selected for the test cannot be March 25, 2016 on account of Good Friday, and ruled out, the CAG stated. DDOs will re-open on Saturday, are officials of all government ofMarch 26, 2016. The next fices who are authorised to draw issue of your Morung Ex- money from the state exchequer press will be available on and to disburse such money.

March 27, 2016.

We wish all of you a Specific Cases Highlighting specific cases, blessed and meaningful the CAG informed that the Chief Easter Weekend.

The Morung Express Medical Officer (CMO) Peren, while furnishing replies in August 2015, said Rs 3.39 lakh was drawn to meet salary expenditure of Dhais and staff nurses of the establishment and furDIMAPUR, MARCH 24 nished new set of documents in (DIPR): In view of the forth- support of the claim. It however coming Assam Assembly stated that reply was not acceptElection, ADC Mangkolemba, T Imtiwapang Aier has directed all Village Council Chairmen under the Sub Division to inform villagers in their respective jurisdictions that movement of all vehicles and people within 5 km belt on the Assam side of A practicum on gender equality Assam Nagaland Border has been restricted from 8:00pm and empowerment underway to 5:00am, as night curMorung Express News few from dusk to dawn has been imposed by the Jorhat Dimapur | March 24 District Administration. It further advised all villag- To strengthen the advocacy of gender ers not to carry arms for any equality and empowerment, a workpurpose including hunting. shop on Gender Equality and EmpowPublic are also advised not erment was jointly organized by Indigto carry cash amounting to enous Women Forum North East India, more than Rs. 50,000 while Naga Women Hoho and Naga Indigenous passing through Assam as Women Association (NIWA) in collaboraElection Model Code has tion with Henry Martyn Institute (HMI), been enforced.

Hyderabad.

The workshop (March 22-26) which is underway at Don Bosco Center, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur stressed on the issues of Inter-ethnic conflict: Women’s involvement in peace building, strengthening local women’s leadership and knowledge, AGARTAlA/AIzAwl, technology and its values from a women’s MARCH 24 (IANS): On perspectives, challenges for women in the an average, 5% of tubercu- biblical context, and dialogue initiative losis (TB) patients die each between men and women in relation to year in the NE region, an ex- women’s role in social cultural and ecopert said on Thursday. “On nomic governance issues.

“We already have a command at home an average, five percent of the total TB patients die in but we have tougher challenges when we northeast India every year. come out of the house. And being a womThe national average is also an, we have more challenges,” said Ela the same,” TB expert Babul Mary from YARD who spoke on strengthDas told IANS. Das, who has ening the local women’s leadership and attended many national knowledge on March 23.

Mary, while pointing out the strength and international scientific and medical events on TB, of Naga women in their homes where they while quoting the World TB manage the house and nurture the famreport 2015, said India con- ily besides multitasking other jobs and tinues to account for 23 per- responsibilities, at the same time, delibcent of the global TB bur- erated on how women can do leadership den. “Each year, about 2.2 differently.

Further outlining the need for women million people develop TB in India and an estimated to navigate in a male dominated society, 220,000 (rpt 220,000) peo- Mary said, “Our roads are not blocked, ple expire due to the disease we just need to be tactful enough to find which clearly explains that our way.” She encouraged the particimore steps must be taken to pants to increase the networking, be well check the ailment,” he said. informed, to read more, and to create an The expert said that in most environment which is resilient.

“As women, we have lots of obstacles. cases, due to lack of awareness and treatment, TB Unless and until we take care of ourselves, turned into cancer and HIV- we will not be able to take care of others. positive, and many patients Be strong enough to be able to look after others, take on to what you believe,” conalso die of a heart attack.

Govt issues public advisory

T R u T H

nagaland: cAG reveals fraudulent fund withdrawals by departments Morung Express News

Public Information

o F

Dr. Achan Mungleng, independent researcher speaking at the workshop on Gender Equality and Empowerment.

cluded Ela Mary.

Speaking on the challenges for women in the Biblical context, Dr. Achan Mungleng, independent researcher affirmed that the Bible and Jesus are the strongest advocates of women but also questioned the limitations of the role of women in the Church or full participation as cited in few scripture verses.

Although the Bible is God’s word, Dr. Mungleng stressed on the need to understand who wrote it and in what context while also explaining the different writing styles and narratives of the Bible which helps in interpreting the meaning.

“Scriptures are written from a cultural milieu that is extremely different from today’s world. Therefore, if not careful, the Bible can be interpreted to support nearly every human agenda,” asserted Dr. Mungleng.

At the opening session, Khesheli Chishi, Advisor, IWFNEI spoke on technology and its values from women’s perspectives.

Participants during an open discussion counted better and faster communication, educative, networking, easy access to resources, saves time and energy as the advantages of technology. However disadvantages of technology outnumbered the advantages with cyber crimes, wrong education, barrier in mutual relationship, laziness, promoting negative mindset, isolating oneself from society, affecting family budget, time etc. The workshop will conclude on March 26.

DIMAPUR, MARCH 24 (MExN): The Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) has expressed concern at the non issuance of State sponsored Post Graduate Training (PGT) seats for Medical Officers (MOs) of Nagaland in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal to eligible qualified candidates, despite them having cleared the AIGPMEE. A press note from the NMSA informed that RIMS has been allocating 7 sponsored PGT seats for Nagaland as NE quota every year in different specialities. However this year, it informed that some MOs who cleared NPSC and AIPGMEE were not allowed for PGT despite availability of sponsored seats at the RIMS, due to certain discrepancies in the criteria for candidature selection.

Stating that a government notice vide no.cad2/2008 provides certain relaxation of criteria for the same, the NMSA urged the government to ensure that these seats are not wasted.

Stating that the state is lacking in healthcare facilities and manpower, it said that not utilising these opportunity would be a huge loss to the state. Depriving candidates who are willing to take up further studies would deprive the state of quality healthcare, it added.

The NMSA further suggested the possibility of providing access to the sponsored PGT seats for contract doctors, along with necessary and additional criteria for them after completing their PGT course, in the event that there are no candidates available among the regular State MOs.

Coordination and the Nagaland Civil Secretariat. It alleged that the departments “fraudulently drew” Rs 9.40 lakhs by presenting “duplicate” hotel bills in connection to the visit of the 14th Finance Commission (FC).

Three departments had drawn the same bill for the visit of the same visiting FC officials.

The Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts on October 3, 2013, drew Rs 34,75,000; while the Nagaland Civil Secretariat drew Rs 39,48,000 and Department of Planning and Coordination drew Rs 20,00,000 on November 17, 2013.

After crosschecking of withdrawals, the CAG concluded that the withdrawal made by the two latter departments were “duplications,” resulting in a “fraudulent” drawal of Rs 9.40 lakhs.

While accepting the facts, the government on August 2015 allegedly stated that there were some “unforeseen expenditure” such as “cultural, musical and social programmes for which payments were made to outsourced cultural troupes and musicians along with other entertainment bills.” It reasoned that to adjust these expenditures due to “time factor,” the same bills were produced and drawn.

The CAG termed the government’s response as “obnoxious.”

It said that instead of discouraging such “blatant malpractice,” the government is trying to “legitimize/cover-up the matter and even going to the extent of encouraging offence.” It recommended that an independent investigation be initiated to bring the offenders to the book.

Ao Senden, AKM reject RMSA advt on language teachers MOKOKCHUNG, MARCH 24 (MExN): The Ao Senden and the Ao Students’s Conference (AKM) today “totally rejected” the advertisement issued by the RMSA dated March 22, 2016, regarding 16 vacant posts for Ao language teachers under the RMSA. A joint statement from the two organizations informed that they had met the Nagaland State Chief Minister on February 25 to resolve the confusion created by an earlier RMSA advertisement of the same issue dated January 27, 2014. The latest advertisement, they stated is “contrary” to the talk held with the CM. The Ao Senden and the AKM has urged all Aos “not to apply for the said post till an amicable solution to this issue is made as per the decision made thereof at CM’s table and Aos as a whole.”

It cautioned that if “any untoward incident occurs during such times the department will be solely responsible.” “If the government fails to fulfill its demand the Ao Senden and AKM will reiterate its decision and take stern action,” it added.

Vibrant colors and happy people at Holi - the Festival of Colours 2016 in Dimapur, Nagaland. Photos by Imti Longchar

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FriDAY 25•03•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

WORLD TB DAY 2016: ‘UNITE TO END TB’

Towards eliminating TB as a public health burden

Kohima, march 24 (mExN): Kohima District Tuberculosis Control Society (KDTBCS) under the establishment of the Chief Medical Officer observed the World TB Day with the community of Chedema village at the village Sub Centre on March 24 on the theme ‘Unite to End TB.’ The programme was observed with the objective to generate awareness and mobilize political and social commitment for progress towards eliminating TB as a public health burden.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Neisakho Kere, stated that despite the availability of effective treatment, nearly one-and-half million deaths occur globally every year and tuberculosis remains a curse to humanity causing vast socio economic loss mostly in developing countries.

Dr. Mezhiinuo Angami, Senior Specialist, TB Hospital Khuzama, in her keynote address informed the participants about the benefits of DOTS and MDR TB as it prevents the spread of tuberculosis thus reducing the incidence and prevalence. She requested the public to join hands in preventing TB disease and encouraged the villagers to spread awareness about the disease so that stigma and discrimination could be removed from the mindset of the people.

In a voluntary speech, Chedema Village Chairman, Sabeituo and Village Health Committee Chairman, Kruvilie thanked the department for organizing the programme in the village. A patient also shared about the treatment journey under DOTS programme and support given by District TB Control Society. A press note stated that on the occasion, essay writing competition were carried out to mark the day where three students, three cured TB patients, Lab technician and village council chairman were felicitated in acknowledgment of their efforts in fighting against TB. The programme was chaired by DTO, Dr. Asiinii Sakhrie.

CIHSR commemorates World TB Day

A section of the people gathered to attend the health education programme at the Community Hall in Master colony, Kuda Village to commemorate World TB Day 2016 on March 23.

Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The Community Health Department of the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR - Referral Hospital) organized a health education programme on March 23 at the Community Hall in Master colony, Kuda Village to commemorate World TB Day 2016 with the theme ‘Unite to End TB.’ Dr. Rohan Michael Ramesh, MBBS, MD, Community Health Department, CIHSR in a press statement stated that the department runs a weekly community clinic in the same location focusing on mother and child health, communicable and non communicable diseases and thought that

this was a good opportunity for the team to celebrate this occasion with the community it has been working with.

Another reason for choosing this locality for this health education was because it has a large number of non locals from various cultures who frequently travel around the North and North East region of India mostly for occupational purposes, and may be exposed to other TB patients unknowingly when they travel. When they come back home, due to the poor living conditions the family is at risk of developing the disease and in turn can be a source of infection to the entire community.

Amidst the colour and high spirits

brewing in the colony on the eve of Holi, a group of around 80 to 90 people gathered and waited eagerly for the program to start.

Dr. Viu Meru, Deputy Director, CIHSR welcomed the gathering with a few facts about the disease. An informative and entertaining skit was presented by the nursing students of CIHSR, which threw light on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of TB, whilst addressing the issue of Stigma among TB patients. The students also presented the results of a survey they conducted in the locality during the day. In the survey of 97 individuals, 22 had symptoms suggestive of TB, 15 had cough lasting for more than two weeks and three individuals had history of having TB. Dr. K. Domeh, MBBS, MD, a specialist in Internal Medicine from CIHSR, then addressed the crowd with a colorful slide show summing the topics covered in the play and also stressed on the importance of early identification of the symptoms of TB and the need for initiation of free treatment from a RNTCP center. He also reminded the gathering about the duration of treatment which lasts around a minimum of 6 months and dangers of developing Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB which is a dangerous form of TB, if patients did not comply to the medications.

The programme ended with a song in Nagamese about TB, followed by free sputum collection for anyone who had cough with sputum for more than two weeks, blood stained sputum, weight loss, chest pain and people who had evening rise in temperature.

High TB detection rate in Mon district moN, march 24 (Dipr): World TB Day was observed at Mon on March 24 with Deputy Commissioner, Mon W. Honje Konyak as the guest of honour at District Hospital Complex, Mon. The DC Mon asserted that due to lack of awareness, many people are unaware of the TB facilities provided free of cost in the hospital and go outside of the state for TB treatment. He lamented that even after 144 years of TB virus discovery Konyaks are still in the awareness period and the detection rate very high. Therefore, he appealed to the young Konyak local doctors to create a forum to educate, to mobilize, to influence, to disseminate awareness and change the mindset of the ignorant public.

KNSK president Lomei Konyak in her short speech said that TB is curable but fatal if untreated and urged the students to carry the message to the parents back at home.

Acknowledging the high TB detection rate in Mon district she urged the district administration and the department to propose for a separate TB hospital in Mon District.

Briefing on the significant of the day and activities of the TB Control Programme in the district Dr. M. Imyangluba Ao, DTO, Mon spoke on symptoms and treatment of TB and said that irregular use of medicines would result in drug resistant and prolong its treatment. He appealed to jointly combat TB through awareness campaign and to end social stigma and discrimination.

Sashi Imchen TB Forum Mon in his vote of thanks appealed to the NGOs and the civil Societies of Mon to extend cooperation and support to the TB Control Program and said that without ownership, the program would be a failure.

Kehile Semp, DCO, Project Axshya CHAI gave away the Prize to the winners of the essay competition to the students. Earlier, the Program started with invocation by the Chaplain District Hospital Mon Mr. David, special number was proposed by Yithmei and motivational speech by Langwang, and the program was chaired by Eunice Thalih, DCM Mon.

New CBNAAT Machine installed at Dist Hospital Dimapur

Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): Dimapur District observed World TB Day at District Hospital’s Chapel Hall, Dimapur on March 24 under the theme ‘Unite to end TB’ organized under RNTCP Dimapur.

World TB Day in Dimapur District was marked with the installation of a new CBNAAT (Cartridge Based Nuclic Acid Amplification

Test) Machine which was inaugurated by Kesonyu Yhomi, Deputy Commissioner Dimapur.

Dr. Tali Ozukum, District TB Officer Dimapur in his keynote address highlighted the importance of CBNAAT machine; he stated that before the installation of this machine in the district, TB patients’ sputum samples had to be sent to

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FLC at Power House Colony Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): Nagaland Rural Bank, Burma Camp branch conducted a Financial Literacy Camp supported under FIF by NABARD on March 23 at Power House Colony, Dimapur. The camp was part of a series of FLCs to be conducted by the NRB supported by the NABARD under the Financial Inclusion Fund. The primary objective of the camp is to sensitise citizens on the benefits of banking and the various financial services (assistance) provided by the banks.

KSUK informs Kohima, march 24 (mExN): The Khiamniungan students' union Kohima informs those Khiamniungan individuals residing in Kohima as student/ domestic helpers/both without the knowledge of the union to contact the office bearers and get themselves registered. Further, the union appeals to the respective guardian and owner to take the initiative. Contact: 9612786644, 9862332408, 9615562303, 7085190807.

(10-04-1960 tO 20-03-2016)

“Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your Shepard’s rod and staff protect me”.

Psalms 23:4 With profound-heartfelt gratitude, we the family of Late Mr. V. Manna Yepthomi, who passed away on the 20th of March 2016, would like to extend our outmost appreciation and acknowledgement to all the well wishers who stood by us at the time of our grief. We would like to thank all those who extended their help through finances, materials, physical presence and prayer support in the time of need. Although we could not convey our gratitude to each and every individually but May the Lord Almighty bless you abundantly.

We would like to convey our Special Thanks to: 1. Sumi Baptist Church, Kohima 22. Merhulietsa Panchayat.

2. Sumi Baptist Akukuhou, Diphupar B 23. Sumi Merhulietsa Fellowship.

3. Lukhami Baptist Church 24. Women Combined Fellowship, 4. Kiyevi Baptist Church Merhulietsa.

5. Kiyevi Baptist Church 25. GMS Merhulietsa Staff.

(Youth Department) 26. Kohima Sumi Students Union.

6. Kiyevi Baptist Church 27. Sumi Students Union, Kiphire.

(Women’s Department) 28. Natsumi Union, Kohima.

7. Christian Revival Church, Zunheboto 29. Kohima Sumi Officer’s Kughakulu.

8. Sumi Aphuyemi Baptist Church 30. Office of the Superintend of Excise 9. Naga Shisha Hoho and Prohibition, Kohima, Nagaland.

10. Women Prayer Cell, 31. NSEFSA. Nagaland Civil Secretariat 32. Office of Commissioner of Excise.

11. Hebolimi Prayer Fellowship 33. Department of Excise, Mobile Squad, 12. Prayer Group, KNZ Colony, Kohima.

Dimapur .

13. Aqahuto Tokukujo Sumi Totimi Hoho 34. Narcotic Cell Duty Party, Khuzama, 14. Kikimiye Lejo Nagaland.

15. Living Witness 35. Officers and Staff, Chief Engineer 16. True Vine Office, PWD (NH).

17. Lukhami council.

36. National Highway, Div -1, Kohima.

18. Lukhami Union, Dimapur.

37. National Highway, Div -11, 19. Kulolau Khukishe Ghami Kuqhakulu.

Mokokchung.

20. Tuensang and Kiphire Sumi 38. E.E, PWD, National Highway, Div 111, Kughakulu, Kohima.

Tuensang.

21. Seyochung Area Union, Kohima.

Loving Wife, Childre n, Grandchildre n,in-laws and Relatives

Kohima or Imphal for Multi-Drug Resistant Test.

Kesonyu Yhomi, DC Dimapur speaking on the occasion as chief guest gave a brief scenario of TB cases. He stated that the growing case of MDR are due to late diagnosis, faulty treatment and increase in drop-out rates. He further stated that, it is the duty and responsibility of every in-

dividual and not only the Health Department to fight TB or any disease. He, therefore, urged the public, NGOs and the Department to unite and fight against TB. The programme was chaired

by Dr. Panger, MO-TC and exhortation speech was delivered by Dr. M.A.Wati, CMO Dimapur. Rev. Mar, Chaplin, DHD said the invocation

prayer while School of Nursing and Children from Chavara Home also presented a special number and short play to mark the occasion.

The vote of thanks was delivered

by Kekuseno, STLS DTC Dimapur.

The programme was attended by Dr. Antoly, DyCMO, Dr Tungoe, MS, DHD, various Programme Officers, staff under CMO, MS and RNTCP.

YGOA 12th annual meeting held Morung Express News Dimapur | March 24

The 12th annual meeting of the Yimchungrü Gazetted Officers’ Association (YGOA) was held on March 24 at Old Showuba village, Dimapur district.

Addressing the annual YGOA meeting, parliamentary secretary for Municipal Affairs and Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba, called upon the Yimchungrü gazetted officers to be role models in terms of work ethics and to be agents of change in the society.

The parliamentary secretary said sincerity, devotion, obedience, integrity, honesty and humility are some of the important qualities that every public servant should possess.

Tohanba said as public servants, gazetted officers should never exhibit haughtiness or arrogance while discharging their duties but try to gain the trust and respect of fellow officers and subordinates by way of practicing what one preaches.

In this way, the officers would be able to inspire co-fellow workers which

Parliamentary secretary for Municipal Affairs and Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba, along with members of Yimchungrü Gazetted Officers’ Association (YGOA) at the annual meeting held at Old Showuba village. (Morung Photo)

in turn would allow the respective departments to deliver the goods for public welfare and overall development of the state.

The parliamentary secretary also called upon the Yimchungrü gazetted officers to play a pro-active role in maintaining intertribal harmony and to cultivate the art of working and living together.

Tohanba said the YGOA, which was formed in 1993, had remained defunct for some years due to

FELICITATION

various reasons. He said after YGOA was reorganized in 2014 at the Pungro session, the association had undertaken various activities including social welfare measures, humanitarian and charitable works and career guidance and counselling to encourage students. He also said YGOA has closely coordinated with other NGOs to promote better understanding among the Yimchungrü people and Nagas as a whole.

Dr. W Punsokiu, CMO Kiphire; K Janger, former NPSC member and president Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC), Keozhih, also delivered exhortations.

President YGOA, Murelim, delivered the welcome address and general secretary, YGOA, K Showuba, proposed vote of thanks.

The programme started with invocation prayer by Rev B Tochumong. Athrong, EAC Wokha chaired the meeting.

Easter Sunrise prog at Kohima War Cemetery Kohima, march 24 (mExN): Easter Sunrise programme on March 27 at Kohima War Cemetery at 5:00 AM. Service will be lead by Pastor Moba Konyak, and speaker will be Rev. Dr. Atsi Dolie. Chief Minister T R Zeliang will deliver the greetings, whereas special song will be presented by Rengma Baptist Church and Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima, Kitsubozou. All are invited to attend the service.

NFHRCC meeting on March 26 Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): There will be NFHRCC meeting on March 26 at 3:00 pm (Saturday) at Treasurer's Residence to discuss the progress of the ongoing project. All the NFHRCC members are requested to attend the meeting positively.

GBs Union Dimapur mass social work Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): GBs Union Dimapur is organising mass social work on March 26 from 6:00 am to 8:00 am in Super Market Area. All the GBs under DMC area are requested to attend the mass social work and reach Supermarket area by 5:30 am with spade and shovels.

The Kohima Village Youth Organisation would like to felicitate Mr. Seluokuolie Kire S/o Lt. Neisokielie Kire, Shot-put Gold Medal, Khrielasakuo Keretsü S/o Khrievozolie Keretsü - Discuss Throw Gold Medal, Mr. Khrietseizo Khezhie S/o Lt. Avi-u Khezhie - Discuss throw Silver Medal for bringing laurels to the Village in the recently concluded National Northeast Games 2016, held at Imphal (Manipur).

The Organisation further wishes them the best in their future endeavour.

(SALHOURÜ CHIELIE), Publicity Secy. KVYO

DIEA meeting on April 2 Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): All the office bearers, advisors and representative of District Industries Entrepreneurs Association are informed that there will be a meeting on April 2 at the office Near Airport Gate at 10:00 AM to discuss important matters about the Association.

Therefore all the members are informed to attend the meeting without fail.

FriDAY 25•03•2016

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

From militancy to candidacy, changing roles in Assam Guwahati, March 24 (indian ExprEss): Ten years ago, when about a dozen former militants belonging to the now defunct Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) contested the Assam assembly elections as nominees of the Bodo People's Front (BPF), it became a major talking point.

Not any more. Today, even national political parties such as the Congress and BJP have taken in former militants, and nominated some of them in the current assembly elections.

The BJP and the Congress are even on this count, each of them having fielded two former militants, while the AGP has fielded one.

The Bodo People's Front, a party that comprises mostly former rebels from the BLT, is an ally of the BJP and has fielded three former militants.

Of the two former militants fielded by the BJP, both ULFA, Kushal Duwori had contested the 2011 assembly elections as an independent and defeated veteran

Congress leader Devananda Konwar (later appointed Bihar governor) in Thowra.

The other ex-ULFA nominee of the BJP is Bhaskar Sarma, who is taking on Congress veteran Pradyut Bordoloi in Margherita.

The Congress has fielded former ULFA rebel Suresh Bora for the second time in Barhampur against former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta of the AGP, while Sib Charan Basumatary in Dudhnoi is a former BLT militant who had won in 2011 on a Congress ticket.

The ex-ULFA candidate of the AGP is Jayanta Khaund in Naoboicha.

"There should not be any problem about parties nominating former militants provided they pass through the legal process for their past activities," said former Assam Police director-general Dilip Kumar Bora, who is also a spokeperson for the AGP. "It is in fact good that such persons have found place in political parties,"

Bora added. "On one hand it proves that the democratic process is the correct path to fulfil aspirations, on the other hand it provides such persons the opportunity to put their energy and talent to good use."

The BJP agrees that it is giving an opportunity to former rebels to be part of the peaceful democratic process. "There is no legal bar against nominating former rebels. In fact, they are only getting a better opportunity to serve the people through the correct democratic process," said BJP state spokesman Bijan Mahajan.

The BPF, on the other hand, claims that it is an example of how armed militants can turn into good public representatives and even run governments. "The majority of our top leaders are former BLT militants," said BPF secretary Biswajit Daimary, who himself is a Rajya Sabha member. "While they have won elections and successfully run the Bodoland Ter-

ritorial Autonomous Council, at least one has served as minister twice in the state government when we were allies of the Congress."

The three ex-BLT militants in the BPF list are Chandan Brahma, Maneswar Brahma and Maheswar Boro, all of whom were members of the outgoing assembly.

Another former BLT rebel, Hitesh Basumatary, is now a candidate of the United People's Party (UPP) which is an ally of the Congress. The BPF's chief, Hagrama Mohilary, had been chairman of the erstwhile BLT, which signed the Bodo peace accord in 2003 to come back to the mainstream.

"I feel proud that a national party like the BJP has chosen me as its candidate," said Bhaskar Sarma, the BJP's candidate in Margherita.

"Yes, I was in the ULFA for five or six years, but that is not my only background.

I have been working among the people for over 20 years

after I quit the ULFA." Incidentally, the ULFA's anti-talks faction led by Paresh Barua has accused Bhaskar Sarma of being part of the "secret killings" of 1998-2001 and asked people not to get close to him. "I was a very low-ranking member in the ULFA. I don't know why they have singled me out. It could be the handiwork of some of my opponents too, you never know," Sarma said.

The pro-talks faction of the ULFA headed by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, however, considers it good that former rebels have found space in the democratic system.

"We are not involved in the election process because we are still talking peace with the government," said Raju Barua, "deputy commander-inchief" of the pro-talks ULFA faction. "But if former militants have found the opportunity to take part in the democratic process, it is definitely good. It is however for the people to judge."

CAG raps M'laya Baby rhino found in forest nursed back to health Forest department shillonG, March 24 (pti): The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has rapped the Meghalaya Forest department and six cement companies for 'conniving' to set up cement plants in forest areas resulting in commercial benefits of over Rs 42 crore.

The high-level committee, whose members belong both to the Centre and the state government, has opined that the plants have been set up in forested areas, but the forest department and the PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forest) did not take any actions, the CAG report tabled yesterday in the Assembly said. Of the 1502.44 ha of land held by these companies and assessed 642.87 ha of land was found to be forest land and 802.12 ha as non-forest area, the CAG said. "The lackadaisical approach of the forest department not only allowed undue commercial benefit of Rs 42.24 crore to the cement plants towards Net Present Value of forest land not realised but also resulted in unauthorised operation of these cement plants," the report stated.

1

Cong manifesto promises job to one member of each family Guwahati, March 24 (pti): One member of each family in Assam will be provided jobs if Congress returns to power in the state, the party said in its poll manifesto today.

Releasing the manifesto, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, "If I come to power again, I will ensure job to one member of each family. Our target is to give 10 lakh jobs in both government and private sectors in the next five years."

The manifesto also promised to classify families as 'poor' whose annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh and give benefits accordingly.

It said, if voted to power, Congress will fill all vacant teaching posts in schools and create two lakh more such posts in the next five years. It will also regularise services of all the employees within next five years.

The manifesto promised special packages to small tea farmers, a special package of Rs 2,000 crore for the development councils, while Rs 1,000 crore each will be given to the hill and Barak valley districts.

Also, Rs 500-crore packages will be offered to each Majuli island. For those residing in 'char' islands, the Congress will dole out Rs

manifesto stated steps will be initiated to recover the lost land through scientific research so that those areas can be utilised for industry and other purposes.

It also said agriculture universities will be set up in Dhemaji and Bongaigaon.

For Barak valley, Congress said a mini secretariat will be set up there and connectivity to the region will be improved.

The poll document also promised that the government will demand the Centre to construct a new airport and set up a Gauhati High Court bench in the Barak valley.

Our target is to give 10 lakh jobs in both government and private sectors in the next five years: Gogoi 1,500 crore special package in five years, it stated and also promised to uplift the SCs and STs. The party also promised to distribute sugar through government-owned subsidised supply stores.

Regarding erosion by the Brahmaputra river, the

Regd. No: 3795

AFFIDAVIT

Date: 08/02/2011

I, Smti. Kekhriesenuo Ringa aged about 22 years D/o Shri. Neilakuolie resident of Chesezu village district Phek and presently residing at Kohima Nagaland do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows: 1. That my present official name as per HSLC certificate/service book is Smti. Kekhriesenuo Rioh and I hereby change my name from Smti. Kekhriesenuo Rioh to Smti. Kekhriesenuo Ringa.

2. That from today onwards I shall be known as Smti. Kekhriesenuo Ringa for all my official/legal purpose and hereby undertake to give wide publicity through newspaper to let everyone know about the change of my surname from Smti. Kekhriesenuo Rioh to Smti.

Kekhriesenuo Ringa.

3. That the statement made in the affidavit and those statement made in the Para 2&3 are true to the best of my knowledge and those statements made in the paragraph are facts as derived from the record and which are true.

Solemnly sworn before me by the deponent.

2

Deponent

1 Class Magistrate st

A LecTuRe On

‘Human Rights in Naga Society: Today & Tomorrow’ Secretary General of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, Neingulo Krome, and Principal of Japfü Christian College, Dr. Visakhonü Hibo, come together to discuss the notion of human rights today and tomorrow, to envision its future in Naga society.

KaziranGa, March 24 (aFp): Wearing a red and grey-striped blanket, a 12-day-old baby rhinoceros is bottle-fed by keepers at a wildlife rehabilitation centre in northeast India, after being found alone in a remote forest region.

Rangers from Kaziranga National Park found the rhino calf lying in a stream and abandoned by his mother in the Bagori forest range in India's famous teagrowing state of Assam.

Dehydrated and in distress, the calf, a greater onehorned rhino, was brought to the nearby Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC),

which cares for orphaned or displaced wild animals.

Staff have begun handraising the rhino, bottlefeeding him milk replacement powder and vitamin supplements and allowing him to interact with other calves to reduce stress.

"When he came he was unable to walk properly, he was very weak and suffering from hypothermia," Dr Panjit Basumatary, a veterinarian at the CWRC, told AFP. "Now he is almost back to normal, another week or two of care and we think he should survive," he said.

The baby rhino will be released into the wild when he is about three years old,

the vet said, as he will be less vulnerable to being attacked by tigers or other wild animals.

Kaziranga National Park is home to two-thirds of the world's greater onehorned rhinoceros population, according to the park's website, as well as the highest density of tigers in a protected area.

Excessive hunting has left the Indian rhinoceros, which once roamed over wide swaths of the country, now classed as vulnerable, after its habitat was reduced dramatically.

The world's fourthlargest land animal, it can weigh up to 3,000 kilos.

Battleground Assam: What makes it a melting pot Guwahati, March 24 (tnn): Although Assam has eight assembly seats reserved for SCs, and 16 for STs of its 126 seats, no delicate caste equations work here -Assam always has voted along ethnic lines. People of diverse ethnic and linguistic origins -Austroasiatic, Mongoloid, Dravidian, Indo-Aryan -make up the melting pot that is Assam; ethnic identities even more sharply etched during polls.

A strong sense of neglect andor oppression among the various groups intensified ethnic identities; the repercussions felt in election season, says Monirul Hussain, political scientist at Gauhati University . Are they adequately represented in candidate lists plays on the minds of leaders of ethnic groups, and political parties.

The Assam Agitation that capped six years of anti-foreigner movement from 1979 to 1985, also impacted the way the state votes. It gave birth to powerful regional party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). With the rise of AGP and regionalism, assertiveness of ethnic groups increased and they sought a greater stake in the state's politics.Each group wanted to see its candi dates elected or have its own political outfit. The subsequent signing of the

3

Assam Accord also ended single-party domination in the state. Congress now no longer enjoys absolute sway among Muslims after the emergence of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 2006.

Muslims, too, are divided along ethnic lines, with Bengali-speaking Muslims extending support to AIUDF and Assamese Muslims preferring Congress.

A fraction of the minority community has also gravitated towards BJP , which in turn is trying to make inroads among adivasis, once a Congress vote-bank.

"Political institutions created on ethnic lines, like the autonomous councils, also play a role in accentuating ethnic identities in elections," said Arupjyoti Saikia, professor of history at IIT-Guwahati.

Elections in Assam have also shown a set of ethnic groups, their own differences notwithstanding, coming together to support a candidate who is pitted against one from a rival ethnic group. For example, in the 2014 parliamentary election, non-Bodo voters rallied behind former rebel and Independent candidate Naba Kumar Sarania, himself a non-Bodo, in the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat. Sarania defeated two Bodo leaders, UG Brahma who contested as an In-

dependent, and Chandan Brahma who contested on a Bodoland People's Front ticket, to become the first non-Bodo MP of Kokrajhar.

"Sarania won with the support of non-Bodo groups. Kokrajhar is a Bodo bastion and an ST-reserved seat," said Chandan Sarmah, professor of sociology at Tezpur University.

A few kilometres and decades of hostility separate Jalal Uddin, 33, (Khagrabari, Baksa), Ajay Basumatary, 34, (Chakrasila, Kokrajhar) and Som Murmo, 40, (Phulbari, Sonitpur), yet they live similar lives -displaced and disillusioned. Of diverse ethnicities, the one common thread is they're victims of ethnic clashes. And all three vote but have little hope from netas.

Attack on Bengalispeaking Muslims Jalal lost his son and a sister when militants opened fire in villages near Manas national park on May 2, 2014. About 41 were killed, hundreds displaced in the attack against B placed in the attack against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Khagrabari and adjoining villages.

"I'll vote. I expect nothing from netas. I lost my dear ones, my house... everything" Jalal has lived in a makeshift camp since. Though many have returned to

their villages, Jalal, and 50 others, have neither the courage nor the will to go back.

Attack on Bodos: Ajay, a Bodo, is a daily wager. He was a prosperous farmer till the Bodo-Muslim clash of 2012 that devastated his life. Father of a son and a daughter, he returned to his native village after normalcy returned, but to a life of poverty. Nearly 100 were killed in the clashes, about 4.5 lakh displaced. "I got Rs 50,000 to rebuild my house. You cannot make a halfway decent house with this money. It's now election time, we'll hear netas' tall promises. We always vote but it doesn't improve our lives."

Attack on Adivasis: Som survived the massacre of Adivasis by Bodo militants of the Songbijit faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland in December 2014, but he is unable to rebuild his life. His house and granary full of paddy were reduced to ashes during the attack that killed over 65 Adivasis. "We have seen so many elections, so many netas. But our Phulbari still languishes in backwardness... Netas hardly take care of our wellbeing," says Som, who runs a village school but still feels insecure in Phulbari, close to Arunachal's border.

PIC 1: A worker feeds the 12-day-old baby rhinoceros milk. PIC 2: The baby rhino which is being taken care of at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), near Kaziranga National Park. (AFP Photos)

Date : Saturday, April 2, 2016 Time : 1:30-3:30 pm Venue : DABA Elim Conference Hall, Duncan Bosti Limited Seats. Those interested to participate, kindly send us your name and phone number to:

 +91 (03862) 248854 @ morung@gmail.com The Morung Lectures is an initiative of The Morung for Indigenous Affairs & Just Peace, and The Morung Express

4

FriDAY 25•03•2016

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Cashew industry cries foul over customs levies bEngaLUrU, March 24 (ians): The labour-intensive cashew industry is crying foul over the budget for fiscal 2016-17 imposing five percent customs duty, four percent special additional duty (SAD) and three percent cess on import of raw cashewnuts without consulting stakeholders, especially farmers, processors and exporters.

“We were shocked to know that the budget has imposed a cumulative burden of 9.36 percent duties on import of raw cashew nuts in shell for domestic consumption and exports without consulting stakeholders,” Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association ex-president Prakash Kalbavi told IANS in an interview.

Though import duty is generally levied on a commodity to protect growers and those affected in the supply chain, the burden on cashew will force its processors to shut their units and lay off labour, mostly women, and growers will be denied the benefit of export price.

“We are more dependent on imports to meet the rising demand in the country and for exports, as the cashew crop is limit-

ed and seasonal, meeting around one-third of the processing capacity and consumption,” Kalbavi said at a trade event here.

As against the two-million tonne processing capacity, only 600,000 tonnes of raw cashew nut is grown and processed, mostly in the southern and western states of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra, although Andhra Pradesh, Odisha Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have started contributing of late to bridge the demand-supply gap.

“The processing industry imports around 1.5 million tonnes of raw cashew as the crop is not only far less than the demand but the yield is also lower than in other countries like Vietnam and those in west and east Africa,” Kalbavi noted.

The association has urged Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to roll back the duty, which affects manufacturers more than traders, as the latter get SAD refunded.

“As processors and manufacturers, we are at a disadvantage vis-a-vis traders, for whom SAD is refundable if imported cashews are sold raw or without processing. A trader also levies VAT (val-

ue added tax) when the shells are sold to a manufacturer for processing them into nuts,” Kalbavi pointed out.

Asserting that the duty would adversely affect the industry’s competitiveness in the domestic and export markets, Kalbavi said the imposition would negate the Modi government’s Make in India campaign, as selling imported nuts would be more viable than growing or processing them in the country.

“With about 4,000 units, the industry directly employs about 400,000 skilled workers through the year for processing the shells imported from Vietnam and Africa, which grow the crop in October-December, and make up for the shortfall in domestic production. If the duty is not withdrawn, many will shut as they cannot absorb the burden,” association secretary M. Tukaram Prabhu told IANS. Raw cashewnuts are grown by small and marginal farmers and processed by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in rural areas, employing mostly women (90 percent) and generating indirect jobs for about 400,000

Bill introduced in US Cong to help India join APEC

people.

The association has appealed to Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to get the duty withdrawn before the budget is passed in parliament, as Jaitley did not respond to the industry’s plea despite the intervention of lawmakers from states where cashew is grown and processed.

“India is not only the world’s largest producer, processer and exporter of cashews but has also a huge domestic market for its kernels, especially their broken nuts, used in making sweets, biscuits, bakery items, confectionery and snacks throughout the year,” Prabhu said.

With the prices of other dry fruits like almonds, walnuts and pistachios declining the world over by 30-40 percent, the industry fears that if the duty burden is passed on to consumers, consumption of cashew nuts would slump as its buyers may switch over to other nuts that are cheaper.

“As cashew prices are at an alltime high when prices of other dry fruits have declined worldwide, we cannot absorb the additional duty,” Kalbavi concluded.

Membership in APEC would provide India a constructive forum to glean insight from other Asian countries

Washington, March 24 (Pti): A group of influential American lawmakers have introduced a legislation asking the Obama administration to help India join the APEC forum, saying an economically prosperous India benefits the US’ strategic goals in Asia.

“Membership in APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) would provide India a constructive forum to glean insight from other Asian countries that have already taken significant steps to advance their economies,” Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Matt Salmon, who introduced the legislation in the US Congress, said.

“Indian Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is striving for major economic reforms to open India’s has been under pressure to reform its markets, improve trade military-style working culture to foster volume, and facilitate innovation. his growing population’s Some current and former employees need for continued job say it will be difficult for a company like Samsung, which has global headcount of more than 300,000, to transform itself. Analysts also say there is the risk of MOUNtaIN VIeW ChrIstIaN COlleGe Affiliated to Nagaland University Samsung losing its edge as a fast-execuNear BSF Camp, below ATI Office tion hardware company by attempting to hOstel attaCheD change its ways.

Admission is going on for Class 12 Lee has been hospitalised since a hostel facilities for both Boys & girls 2014 heart attack, and the group is in the Bus Service provided for day Scholars Principal, 9856294648/ 9436608678 midst of a transition to control by his son, Jay Y. Lee. Other moves in recent years to ease a rigid corporate culture include flexible working hours, a loosening of dress code requirements for weekend work and less pressure on employees to attend afterGrabs the eyes. steals the heart. work drinking sessions that have long Brings you a wide range of home furnishing products been a staple of Korean corporate life. with variety of mind-blowing colours, Samsung said it will also cut down Textures and designs. on unnecessary internal meetings and It’s no wonder, you will fall in love with it. simplify reporting procedures in order UPhOLSTERY, CURTAINS, CARPETS, WOOLEN to improve productivity and offer trainFLOORINgS, WALL COVERINgS, ing to employees to strengthen their BLINdS, mATTRESSES, “winning spirit”. It will also reduce undRAPERY ROdS, BEd & BATh. necessary overtime and weekend work Opp. daily Bazar, Near Bank of maharashtra, and push employees to spend time with Purana Bazar dimapur their families or take advantage of learnContact: 03862-225047 ing opportunities.

Mallya quits as chairman Sanofi Samsung Electronics to reform corporate culture MUMbai, March 24 (ians): Beleaguered business tycoon Vijay Mallya has decided to step down as the chairman of pharma major Sanofi India, nearly 33 years after he assumed the post, the company said in a statement here. Mallya conveyed his decision not to seek re-election as a director at the company’s ensuing Annual General Meeting, said the Sanofi statement issued late Wednesday.

Mallya had first joined in December 1973 as director of Sanofi India Ltd (SIL), then known as Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He functioned as the board chairman since December 1983. “I have been privileged to preside over the board of this company, which started as Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and to have participated in its phenomenal growth and prosperity over such an extraordinarily long period of time,” Mallya said in a farewell statement.

Mallya, who is believed to be hiding in the United Kingdom, is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case.

SIL Managing Director Shailesh Ayyangar said under Mallya’s leadership, in the past 10 years, the company’s sales grew from Rs.800 crore to Rs.2,000 crore, share price shot up from Rs.1,655 to Rs.4,358, market cap has almost tripled and the employee strength more than doubled from 1,500 to 3,700.

The SIL announced plans to induct Aditya Narayan and Usha Thorat as two new independent directors for five years from April 30, 2016. Subject to fulfilling all requirements, Aditya Narayan, 64, is slated to succeed Mallya as SIL Chairman.

Jaguar unveils remake of Classic XKSS nEW York, March 24 (agEnciEs): After 3 consecutive Le Mans wins with the Jaguar D-Type in the 1950s, the company decided to convert the 25 excess DTypes they had on hand into the more road-friendly XKSS. Think accoutrement like a windshield and a passenger side door–nothing too fancy. 16 of those were made, but then a fire struck the factory and the remaining 9 were lost.

Until now. Due to the success of the E-Type project which brought back to life the iconic 1964 racer, Jaguar will handbuild those remaining 9 XKSS. A ‘continuation’ as they say.

The price will be in excess of $1.4 million. The first lucky customers will begin to receive their XKSS in early 2017.

While the new cars will stay true to the original 1957 design, Jaguar is will most likely include a fuel gauge which was absent in the older versions. Why? “It would be nice to know when you are running out of gas,” said Tim Hannig, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic.

sEoUL, March 24 (rEUtErs): Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world’s biggest maker of smartphones and memory chips, announced on Thursday that it plans to adopt a corporate culture akin to a start-up, seeking to become more nimble as growth slows.

Samsung’s executives will sign a pledge to move away from a top-down culture and towards a working environment that fosters open dialogue.

The flagship firm of South Korea’s dominant conglomerate will also reduce the number of levels in its staff hierarchy and hold more frequent online discussions between business division heads and employees.

“We aim to reform our internal culture, execute as quickly as a startup company and push towards open communication and continuously innovate,” it said in a statement.

The pronouncement is the latest among sweeping changes attempted at a time of crisis by the conglomerate and carries echoes of a 1993 exhortation by Samsung Group patriarch Lee Kun-hee to executives to “change everything but your wife and children”.

Hurt by a rapid decline in smartphone profits and the absence of new businesses to drive growth, Samsung

leisure

Daily Cross WorD

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

Game Number # 3529

Answer Number # 3528

MaMMals

krishi Unnati mela held in New delhi from march 19 to 21 was webcast in different districts of Nagaland by ATmA in collaboration with National Informatics Centres in some.

Seen in the pictures are participants of the webcasting programme with officials in Kohima (Top), Phek (Middle), and Tuensang (Bottom).

ACROSS 1. Impetuous 5. Iron 10. With competence 14. murres 15. Auspices 16. Not false 17. Annoying 19. Ripped 20. East southeast 21. Light refractor 22. Small freshwater fishes 23. Conference 25. historical period 27. Play a role 28. Pamphlet 31. Originates in 34. Aches 35. Record (abbrev.)

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CROSSWORD # 3543

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growth,” he said yesterday.

Salmon is joined by Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian- American lawmaker in the current Congress, Co-Chair Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans; Ed Royce, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee; Elliot Engel, Brad Sherman, George Holding, Derek Kilmer, Dana Rohrabacher and Scott DesJarlais.

Bera said that India is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.

“An economically prosperous and regionally engaged India benefits the US’ strategic goals on Asia,” Bera said.

The legislation notes that the US-India partnership is vital to the US strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region and across the globe, and is an integral aspect to the Administration’s Rebalance to Asia.

Observing that India enjoys a location within the Asia- Pacific region which provides an avenue for continued trade and investment partnerships with APEC member states, the legislation asks Secre-

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W N L g I g h T B O N W Y N F N S d L B k N

dImAPUR Civil Hospital:

tary of State John Kerry to develop a strategy to obtain membership status for India in APEC, including participation in related meetings, working groups, activities and mechanisms.

It directs the Secretary of State to actively ask APEC member states to support such membership status for India and submit a report to the Congress within two months of the passage of this legislation.

Singapore-headquartered Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 economies to promote free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.

STd COdE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) STD CoDE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

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

64.93 91.79 8.1 49.04 47.36 49.5 57.16

68.33 97.43 9.09 52.33 50.30 52.59 61.22

Euro

72.37

76.93

Thai Baht Korean Won UAE Dirham (AED) Chinese Yuan

1.77

2.03

0.0543

0.0609

17.1

19.20

9.68

10.85

FridAY 25•03•2016

NAGALAND

Vehicles seized with fake documents, two detained Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): Kohima Police traffic officers have seized 2 cars with fake vehicle documents and taken two people into custody in this connection on March 24, the SDPO & PRO Kohima informed today in a press release.

Atu Zumvü NPS said the two were arrested in two separate incidents.

The first arrest was made when the Anti Vehicle Theft Squad (AVTS) along with DIB of DEF Kohima and A/10 NAP (IR) personnel were conducting routine checking of vehicles at Old Bye-Pass Checkgate detained 1(one) Tata Sumo ( NL-07T-0159) on

suspicion.

Upon thorough verification, the Engine and Chassis number mentioned in the Vehicle documents was found not in tally with the Engine and Chassis number engraved in the seized vehicle, the official added.

Consequently, one person identified as Athisü Mao (23 yrs) of Kalinamai Village under Mao PO/PS of Senapati district, Manipur, was taken into custody and a case was registered against him for conducting further investigation at Kohima North Police station.

The second arrest was made when the Anti Vehicle Theft Squad (AVTS),

DIB DEF Kohima and A/10 NAP (IR) personnel conducting routine checking of vehicles intercepted another Tata Sumo (NL01T-7515) and found the mismatches between the chassis and engine number engraved in the vehicle and the vehicle documents.

Athirü Mao(29 yrs) of Ragunamai Village under Mao PO/PS was arrested on the charge of plying with forged vehicles documents, the police informed.

A regular case was also registered against him at Kohima South PS for conducting further investigation.

Kevijau approach road inaugurated Morung Express News Dimapur | March 24

Advisor, Urban Development, SI Jamir on Thursday inaugurated construction of approach road at Kevijau Colony, Dimapur in the presence of DMC officials and colony residents.

The road inaugurated at Kevijau was the 14th road constructed by Dimapur Municipal Council in 15 months.

In his speech, Sungit Jamir congratulated Dimapur Municipal Council led by its Administrator, H Atokhe Aye for ushering in commendable developments to the town and encouraged the Council to

Advisor, Urban Development, S.I. Jamir speaking during inauguration programme in Dimapur on Thursday. (Morung photo)

continue sincerely working for the welfare of the people.

He also lauded the colony residents for extending their support and contribution towards construction of the road.

He urged the public to emulate such spirit of participation in all developmental activities.

DMC Administrator Aye said that the Council has been undertaking all developmental activities on its own through its fullfledged engineering wing and thanked the public for their cooperation.

A total area of 615.3 x 3.6 = 2215 sqm road was inaugurated on Thursday.

Ex. Underground Khellers IVR resolves Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The Ex. Underground Khellers of Industrial Village Razhüphe has resolved to occupy the land/area which was allotted to the Ex. Underground for their rehabilitation but presently under the temporary occupation of the NIDC and their entrepreneurs.

A press note from Theja Angami, the Sessional Secretary of the ‘Khellers’ informed that the decision for the same was taken at its general meeting held March 22 where the house decided to “Take

any course of action deem fit against the NIDC and their entrepreneurs if they continue to go against the High Court standing order which restrained both the parties from doing any unwarranted and illegal activities but to maintained Status quo till the matter is finalised by the appropriate court.

The meeting also appealled the NIDC and their entrepreneurs to immediately vacate the area so as to maintain cordial relationship as Naga brothers or else pay their land tax to the Ex. Underground khel-

lers as ordered by the council earlier.

Failing to comply with the above resolution the NIDC and its entrepreneurs of any untoward incident arisen of it shall be their sole responsible, it cautioned adding that the house further “resolved that not even an inch of land shall be given to NIDC nor its entrepreneurs.”

Meanwhile, the meeting also elected Imto Yimchunger as Ex.UG Khel Chairman in replace of Azuzu Thur and Lanutoshi as Khel Secretary respectively.

World TB Day observed in Kiphire, Peren KiphirE, march 24 (mExN): Kiphire and Peren Districts joined the World TB Day commemoration on Thursday under the theme “Unite to end TB”.

In Kiphire, the District Health Society in collaboration with KPNP+ Care and Support Centre conducted a programme to commemorate World TB Day at District Hospital Kiphire.

The programme was attended by CMO staffs, MS Staffs, Church Leaders, stake holders and various NGOs, a press release received here informed.

DTO Dr. Khelito Zhimomi delivered the keynote ad-

dress and also gave a presentation on the district scenario on TB, activities carried out, performances, gaps and achievements.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Kiphire DC Chumremo Odyuo said, “It is not only the Medical Department but with the help of NGOs, society and other organizations, the TB programme is being carried out.” He encouraged everyone to continue to work together and motivated those diagnosed with TB saying, “Do not feel shy and hide your sickness. Get it treated earA cured TB Patient planting tree in CHC Jalukie dur- ly by availing the free treating the commemorating of ment provided by the govWorld TB day on March 24. ernment.”

cepted at Patkai college area. 9 blocks of ganja weighing a total of 140 kg was recovered from the car and the driver Dahrüni was arrested and forwarded to judicial custody.

In a separate incident, one G. Kuhovi Yepthomi was arrested at Chumukedima Excise check gate by the same duty party for possession of 21600 capsules of restricted Spasmoproxyvon drug. The drugs were intended for Zunheboto town.

Acquiring inner peace to transmit peace to others Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): A total of 54 leaders of Peace Club from different schools in Dimapur were motivated to acquire ‘inner peace to transmit peace to others’ at a one day training programme.

Held under the theme, “Motivational leader” the programme was conducted by Peace Channe.

Speaking at the occasion, Janthuiyang RK John project Coordinator encouraged them to open up themselves and grab the opportunities.

While highlighting the origins and activities of Peace Channel, field coordinator, Vikhuli Achumi stressed on the importance of acquiring inner peace to transmit

peace to others. She also presented the seven principles of Peace Channel and how it can transform its follower.

Motivation is the inner drive for success, opined Elow Chaju speaking on the topic “Motivation and Goal Settings” for the Student leaders.

Motivation is much easier to sustain if one have clear dreams and goals, he said adding that without clear goals, it’s easy to bounce back and forth between other people’s ideas of ‘what you should do with your life.’

Chaju also questioned the participants of their dreams, their purpose of life and how do they see themselves in future.

Training for all the medical officers under Mokokchung District in relation to the new DMHP was held on March 22, at IDSP Conference hall Mokokchung.

CMO Dr. SS Akaba exhorted and encouraged the participants to be attentive throughout the programme as it is a new programme.

NPCC extends Good Friday, Easter greetings

Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The 2016 Tatar Hoho budget session of the NSCN (IM), which began on March 23 ended today.

A press note from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) informed that Chairman, Isak Chishi Swu in his budget speech gave much emphasis on

Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): NPCC President K Therie on Thursday extended greetings for a blessed Good Friday and Easter Sunday to everyone. “Jesus gave himself to redeem our sins making it a good day for us and was resurrected on the third day which we celebrate as Easter Sunday. Through this, we find forgiveness and the promise of eternal life from God,” the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee President said in his message. “This Easter, I call upon the Nagas to allow Jesus to live in your hearts and be honest to God, self and the people,” he added.

the importance of ethical revenue collection and judicious spending. “Revenue collection and creation of revenue sources has to be done with an objective of attaining self- reliance,” he stated. The NSCN (IM) Chairman called upon the Finance Depart-

ment to maintain “highest standards of revolutionary patriotism, sincerity and transparency while executing the financial matters.” The 2016-17 budget was presented by Chaplee Kilonser, Lima Chuba and adjourned by Tatar Hoho Speaker Zarshie Nyuthe.

NNC Yimchugrü Region observes 1954 ‘Invasion’ day Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The Naga National Council Yimchungrü Region today observed what it described as the starting of day of “war between Nagaland and India” “The Yimchungrii Region on 24th March 2016 observed India invasion and war started Day of 24th March 1954 in Tuesang Region, Nagaland as the day of war between Nagaland and India since India invaded Naga country of

Tuesang Region with her army,” stated press note issued by Akhum Yimchungrii on behalf of the NNC Yimchungrü Region.

According to the press note, the day is observed as day of war “between Nagaland and India” every year since then where “martyrs” who sacrificed their lives in defence of Tuensang Region and Nagaland are remembered as a mark of respect.

Around 2000 Yimc-

hungrii public and NNC officials observed the day where Z Royim ,the Acting President of NNC and Brigadier Kiusang Naga Army in their messages conveyed their regards and gratitude to the people for their tireless efforts and contribution towards the Freedom Movement, it added.

They also asked the people to love each other by maintaining peace and cooperation among the Naga people.

Tuli indefinite strike in 'abeyance' Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The indefinite strike in Tuli area called Tuli Area Joint Council Forum (TAJCF) has been kept “in abeyance” following a meeting between the Forum and State Government delegation lead by Secretary Industries and Commerce, other officials and Tuli ADC on March 24. In a press note, TAJCF Chairman O Benjung said the meeting was held as 30 days ultimatum put forwarded by the Forum to the government for the revival plan of the Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Ltd. (NPPCL) expired on March 24.

Rev. Dr. Mar is next NCCI President

impur, march 24 (mExN): Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary, Ao Baptist Church Association has been appointed as the President of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI). Ao Baptist Church Association (ABAM) while acknowledging the Reverend said that he is the first among the North-Easterners to hold the post of President in NCCI. NCCI is an ecumenical community comprising of 14 million members from 30 Protestant and Orthodox Churches, 17 Regional Christian Councils and 24 other Church related ecumenical bodies rooted in the Gospel as revealed in munity feast.

It will also feature the person, life and work of Jesus Christ. Prior to this apspeeches by Phom Peoples’ pointment, he served as the first Vice-President of the same organization. Additionally, he is also the present Council Vice President P. president of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC).

Longphe Phom; The Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) Shahsha L. Interaction on ongoing Menhahu; Ex Minister N political process held Metpong aomng others.

The organising com- moN, march 24 (mExN): Tongmeth Wangnao, mittee has invited all the member Collective Leadership and Indo-Naga Political Talk team during an interaction programme briefed the particpants and inter- the Konyak public about the ongoing political process ested person to come and at Mon Town on March 21. According to a press note, in witness the premier festival course of his speech, Tongmeth said, “Many problems of the Phoms. in the Naga society today comes out from single problem, which is Indo-Naga political problem that must be solved without betraying the Nagas right. Solving this Indo-Naga political issue has been the concern of each and every Nagas and the endeavor of the NSCN.”

Monyu feast organising committee informs Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The official program of Monyu, the premier festival of Phom Nagas will be celebrated on April 1 at Pongo Village, about 10 Km away from Didtrict H.Q Longleng, the organising committee of festival informed today.

While the usual celebration of the festival stretches from from April 1-6, the official celebration will be held at the ‘tourist

destination and festival village’ Pongo with the Deputy Commissioner of Longleng Y Denngan Avenoho Phom as the Chief Guest, a press note from the Organising Committee Chairman L Yingsham Phom stated.

Fold song and dances, indigenous games, Log drum beating competition as well as nightlong Monyu Folk songs will be some highlights of the festival, it added apart from a com-

tal Health DHFW Kohima, highlighted about the programme and sought co operation and support from the participants for successful implementation of the programme.

Nodal Officer (DMHP) Dr. A.Temsuyanger gave a detail appraisal of the DMHP and highlighted about the

respective Health Centres in relation to the programme.

He informed the participants that enough medicines, psychological tools and boyles apparatus with electro convulsive therapy machine has been supplied from DHFW Kohima. He also gave presentation on different kinds of Mood Dis-

Resource person Dr. Along of Mental Health Institute Kohima, presented on different kind of Psychotic disorders and their management. He also gave a presentation on Anxiety Disorders, which is one of the commonest mental disorders and is a part and parcel of any medical conditions.

DUDA organises medical camp at Tamlu PHC Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): As many as 437 patients were registered with 86 surgery cases in a health camp at Tamlu Primary Health Centre (PHC) under Longleng District on March 22. It also included 47 cases of ENT, 69 cases of Eye OPD had, 191 General Medicine and 44 Obst & Gynae cases.

Hearing aid were distributed to 18. out of 47 ENT cases.

Organised by Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA), the health camp covered Tamlu Town, Tamlu Village, Bura Namsang, Kangching and Netnyu villages.

Alongside the Medical Camp, a holistic and integrated project of DUDA in collaboration with Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) was launched by L. Kire IFS Commissioner & Secretary, DUDA, a press note informed adding that the project would cater to sectors such as, Health, Education, Sanitation & Livelihood in the Districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng & Kiphire.

Speaking at the occasion, Kire said that the

Organised by the District Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) Peren, the trees were planted by TB cured patients. Incentives were also given to the cured patients, a press release from the office of the Chief Medical Officer Peren stated.

Attending the program, SDO Civil Jalukie, Rosietho Ngourie encouraged the cured patients to lead a healthy lifestyle and also to be examples to other TB patients. The SDO (C) emphasized that TB is 100% curable provided TB patients on medication take the complete course of treatment.

NSCN (IM) Tatar Hoho budget session concludes

Drugs, ganja seized at Training for medical officers under Mkg held Dr. Leamnyei State Pro- roles and responsibilities of orders and their manageoKoKchuNg, Chumu excise check gate mmarch 24 (mExN): gramme Officer on Men- the Medical Officers in their ment.

Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): On March 21, the Excise duty party stationed at Chumukedima Check gate under the command of Sechoba AIE, signaled a Maruti Alto bearing registration AS12F3830 to stop for checking, but instead the car sped off.

While trying to evade arrest, the car hit an oncoming car in the opposite direction, however did not stop. After a high speed chase by the duty party, the car was inter-

Maintaining that the reality of accessibility of treatment in Nagaland remains a myth in spite of many years of statehood, the DC stated that a healthy society is “an asset” and called upon all to unite and fight the disease.

During the programme, a DOTS patient spoke about his recovery and encouraged those at risk to get diagnosed early without hesitation, understand their treatment options and live a healthy life.

In Peren, the World TB Day was observed in Jaukie Town and was marked by planting of trees at CHC Jalukie and SDO Civil’s Office, Jalukie.

Animal health camp and training at Lumami Lumami, march 24 (mExN): A day long animal health camp cum training was conducted in Lumami village on March 22 on ‘some important diseases of poultry’, by Dr. Z. Nongothung Z. Ezung, Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), KVK, SASRD, Nagaland University, Hqrs:Lumami, Zunheboto. The programme was chaired by Mr. Howoto Kinny, Head GB, Lumami village.

Diarrhoea in piglets and CRD in poultry were some of the common diseases encountered by the villagers. A total of 81 pigs and 314 poultry were treated and free medicines and health supplements were provided to the farmers to improve productivity of birds and animals.

Diet Washing contractor meeting Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The indenting Contractor’ and Suppliers’ of Diet and Washing under the department of health & family welfare will be holding an emergency meeting on March 29, 10AM onwards at NCSU Conference Hall, Kohima. The Convenor of Diet and Washing Contractors’ Forum Pausap in a press note has requested all the concerned Contractors to attend the meeting without fail.

Tenyiphe-I new VC team selected

Some of the atendees at the Medical Camp organsied by DUDA at Tamlu PHC on March 22.

mandate of DUDA is to look into the welfare of the people living in backward areas and its footprint is seen in all the Districts of Eastern Nagaland.

He however noted that much more is needed to be done by way of giving special focus on human resource development and improvement in livelihood and the integrated project with ECS had been initiated to meet such challenges.

Stressed that resources are limited, Kire urged the Community to work in partnership and engage in

collective efforts to bring change.

While appreciating Rev. Dr. Chingmak Chang and his vision seen through the ECS, Commissioner & Secretary also maintained that DUDA chose ECS because of its comprehensive approach to development and the commitment to the agenda that communities in active participation with the Government can lead the land and its people to progress.

Meanwhile, for the health camp, 6 doctors namely Dr. Watsutho Nyuthe, Sr. Specialist,

NHAK; Dr. Bernard Amer, Sr. Specialist, NHAK; Dr. Phyansythung Patton, Sr. Specialist, IMDH, Mokokchung; Dr. Zimatho Nyusou, ENT Specialist, NHAK Dr. S. Manyau Phom, SMO, Medziphema; and Dr. Imnameren Phom, Sr. Specialist , DH Longleng offered their voluntary service.

The camp was attended by the District Administration headed by Shayung Phom, ADC Tamlu, Council Members of all four villages, President ENSF and Village Health Committee.

Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): Tenyiphe-I Village Council has selected the new team for the tenure 20162021 on March 24 in an election chaired by Sessional Chairman Nolesa Zhotso. The new council will be headed

by Helie Kruse as Chairman and Tosovil Rhetso as Secretary who will be assisted by the other 23 VCMs representing the five khels of the village. For any council related activities and other matters relating to the village, the Chairman and the Secretary may be contacted for any communication, informed a press release issued by Tenyiphe-I Village Council Sessional Secretary Atso Gwizan.

TYSWO condemns Dimapur, march 24 (mExN): The Thenyizumi Youth Social Welfare Organisation has condemned the “dastardly act” of Kuzhokhoyi Nyekha and Mudosayi Nyeka of Chesezu Village for allegedly indulging in “extortion” from trucks in highway on March 17. Any such act which disturbs the peace and security of the community especially under the jurisdiction of Thenyizumi is highly commendable and will be dealt with accordingly, stated TYSWO President Mohusa in a press note issued by its president. The law enforcing agency should also punish such offences as per the law, it added.

6

friDAY 25•03•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 82

Indigenizing a Naga discourse

I

n the current context of humanity the powers that be are using their dominant forces to shape international systems in accordance with their values. This reshaping is taking place while indigenous self-governance, inclusive leadership, economic self-reliance and just peace are not yet realities, as they remain ongoing struggles.

Democracy, Inclusive Participatory Development, SelfGovernance, Inclusive Governance, Transformative Leadership, Accountability with Transparency and Self-definition are all essential principles at the core of human creativity and human progression. From an indigenous perspective, all these characteristics are interdependent and are defined as people’s capacity to be self-determining emerges. Part of this process requires that the indigenous perspective deconstruct the myth of the domination system which creates barriers between peoples, while arousing critical consciousness amongst those who accept the myth.

Alfred Taiaiake, a Kanien’kehaka (Mohawk) philosopher, writer, and teacher points out that indigenous existence cannot be realized without respecting all facets of tradition: culture, spirituality and governance. The principles of leadership, governance and justpeace need to be understood holistically.

This covers the length and breadth of the land that defines each and every indigenous person and their nations. In fact, one cannot exist without the other.

The praxis of these principles is a dynamic ongoing process, which proceeds from gaining knowledge that stimulates critical consciousness. It defines the self in both individual and collective terms. It is perhaps most important to understand them as a process of learning and understanding with the ability to adopt and adapt on their own terms.

A primary attribute of indigenous governance is its respect for sovereignty – both individually and collectively. It begins in the individual self with its inherent freedoms, powers and responsibilities. They each hold portions which are essential parts of the whole.

Prior to any colonial infiltration, indigenous peoples recognized, understood and respected this balance. It is no wonder that indigenous peoples remain composed of many nations and languages, because each one is considered as essential within the diverse spectrum of humanity. The question of the right to self-definition is essential to the indigenous peoples’ struggle for sovereignty and peace.

The distortion of the Naga people’s story, history, spirituality and identity is dehumanizing and has blatantly contributed to a systematic breakdown of relationships. This distortion has perpetuated oppression, and internalized violence, all of which is deeply wedded to politics and economics. These manifest as creating inequalities and injustice that deny basic human needs to be met.

Having the clear understanding that the Naga struggle for their rights is not identity based is critical, rather, it is a struggle for human dignity and justice. Ultimately, identity is intimately tied with the moral and ethical notion of human dignity within a people. The Naga self-definition and the dignified will of the people indeed represents the primeval aspirations wedded together in the politics of Naga existence and all of its relations in the web of life.

lEfT WING |

Vikas Datta IANS

Not-so-common wisdom for today's Aam Aadmi

Book Review: Love is Always Right and Other Musings; Author: Vinita Dawra Nangia; Publisher: The Times Group Books; Pages: 248; Price: Rs.299 Modern life, work, relationships and even recreation can throw up their own unique challenges, and while some might have their own roadmap to deal with them, many others might find them daunting. And some advice would not be remiss for both types - even those with maps may sometimes need to seek directions, or course corrections.

There is no shortage of advice - in a bewildering variety of approaches. For it is not only philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual leaders, but management experts, soldiers, economists, sportspersons, actors and others who have also chipped in to probe various facets of the human condition and to present a range of solutions. These however may not always be applicable, feasible or effective.

Sometimes it is the more simple, the uncommon "common" sense and sometimes counter-intuitive advice, presented almost informally rather than a diktat, that proves to be the best.

And that is what author, journalist, and columnist Vinita Dawra Nangia offers here.

In this second anthology drawn out of her long-running "O-zone" column in Times Life, the Times of India's Sunday supplement, she offers a well considered but refreshingly uncomplicated take on issues of life, love and livelihood, spanning individuality, personal and professional growth, whether being nice or modest precludes success and if aggressiveness is of any help, risk-taking, on standing out, the quest for perfection, the responsibility and perils of loyalty, love's various stages, dilemmas and games, different aspects - anticipated or unanticipated - of its desired ultimate stage, healing broken hearts when things don't work out, creating personal spaces, gender roles, whether solitude (in marital terms) is desirable, emotional maturity, and more.

These are issues that we face but don't even recognise till there pointed out and then seem obvious - one of them, only made possible in these days of advanced digital technology, is the penchant of many of us to strive first to ensure memories of a pleasurable time rather than savour it then.

As Nangia asks in "The Magic of Now" (which seems to be a contemporary echo of Leo Tolstoy's celebrated short story "The Three Questions"), "standing in the midst of the most amazing scenery on a holiday, or while celebrating a special occasion, how often have you found yourself looking at things through a camera?" Unfortunately, for many of us, it will be more often that not for "so happy are you with the present moment that you believe it isn't enough to just lose yourself in the happiness. You need to do more, you need to freeze capture the moment for posterity..."

But the problem is that in "an attempt to capture present moments for the future, you forget the right-now time". As noted it seems obvious when pointed out, but we never feel it at the moment, and then inexplicably feel sad over the tootransient nature of our pleasures. Take one in which she seeks to discern "what distinguishes you from 'others' and gives you the cutting edge?" and brings out the salutary lesson that it is not only embracing the concept that is needed but something more fundamental - a distinction many never understand and explains why they languish unnoticed.

And it is only not lessons that are imparted here - there is a lyrically beautiful description of a rainy day in Hyderabad that offers a compelling account of how to forget LCD screens to use more natural means to stoke imagination and inspiration.

There are many more - but they need to be perused first hand and thought over. For this is not an infallible guide but more of a manual for identifying the issues involved so you can deal with them - on your own. This is what makes it a valuable read.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Mathew Guest

Can universities still provide a transformative experience?

At least for the purposes of surveillance and control, the possibility of being politically awakened by higher education is alive and well

F

or some years now, a university education has been conceived by UK governments as a universal good. At least in their rhetoric, politicians from the left and the right promote higher education as something that should be available to all those who have the aptitude to thrive in it. But what do students actually get from this experience, and what’s on offer aside from the obvious degree scroll and the family photo? Does the “transformational experience of going to university” still exist, as one British politician recently described it?

One response to this question highlights the empowerment and inspiration that can be generated when young adults congregate together, acquire new ideas and knowledge, and envision new ways of living their lives. This narrative evokes the student protests of the 1960s and the campus-based political activism that followed in its wake, imagining universities as places of personal and political awakening.

A second interpretation focuses on economic benefits: higher education equips students with social and cultural capital, i.e. contacts, knowledge and skills that enable them to pursue more rewarding and lucrative careers. In a recent opinion piece in The Guardian, UK Minister of Universities and Science Jo Johnson was keen to stress the role of universities as “engines of social mobility.”

In this line of argument, higher education should be made accessible to a wide constituency because this is the means by which those from ‘less privileged’ backgrounds ‘get on.’

Universities are agencies for tackling inequality because they accord merit based on academic ability rather than social background.

Both of these understandings of the university’s transformative potential are myths, not in the sense of being necessarily untrue, but because they constitute enduring narratives by which we make sense of the world. They are stories that are told to illustrate why going to university is good; narratives of discovery, empowerment and promise that are romanticised by those who find meaning in them for their own lives; and loudly proclaimed by those in the business of promoting higher education.

Nevertheless, one of the most striking developments of recent decades has seen the first of these myths almost entirely eclipsed by the second story around jobs and social mobility. This echoes a broader tendency for higher education to be subjected to utilitarian evaluations that call on both individuals and academic disciplines to justify

their existence by their ‘usefulness.’

While ‘usefulness’ can be defined in a variety of ways, in practice the dominant narrative emphasizes economic productivity. In this narrative universities achieve a valuable transformation in the lives of individuals when they produce employable graduates who are ready to contribute to the global economy. In the now ubiquitous league tables that rank universities, an increasingly salient metric is the starting salary of a typical graduate. Success, it seems, it not simply assessed in relation to employment but also in terms of wealth.

That being said, the appeal to utility has not entirely eclipsed deeper notions of the university experience, and concerns about the identity-transforming capacity of higher education have re-emerged in recent years, this time around religion, and especially the supposed threat from radical Islam. Do universities provide a prime site for nurturing religious radicals, just as they did for political radicals during the 1960s?

A few years ago, a series of incidents occurred on UK campuses that highlighted tensions between evangelical Christian students and university authorities. In 2012, the University of Bristol’s Christian Union provoked controversy by barring the inclusion of women speakers at some of their events, reflecting an interpretation of the Bible that privileges male ‘headship.’ While apparently resolved, these incidents drew attention to the challenges that face universities when seeking to maintain both freedom of expression and a strong opposition to discrimination and intolerance.

The university campus is often lauded as a site for both these things, yet this is a difficult balance to strike, especially when conservative religious perspectives on gender, sexuality and interreligious relations run counter to the equality norms embedded in western culture and enshrined in British law.

Wariness towards on-campus religion was heightened when radical Islam became an object of public concern. As far back as 2009, isolated acts of terrorism had been associated with individual Muslims connected to UK universities. This in turn led to closer scrutiny of external religious speakers invited onto campuses, often by student-run Islamic Societies.

The suspected link between universi-

ties and the fomentation of radical Islam has been given further fuel by alarmist media reporting and government rhetoric. Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May, for example, accused universities of “complacency” by being insufficiently “willing to recognise what can be happening on their campuses and the radicalisation that can take place.”

‘Radicalisation’ has now entered common parlance about Islam, yet the assumptions on which this idea rests remain largely unexamined. The UK Counter Terrorism and Security Act of 2015 has given legal force to the Home Secretary’s concerns, making it incumbent on universities to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.” Guidelines on compliance have been incorporated into the government’s anti-radicalisation ‘Prevent’ programme, including ways in which public institutions are expected to monitor and intervene in possible cases of ‘non-violent extremism.’

‘Extremism’ in this sense is defined as including “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.” Possible examples cited include extremism of the faith-based, environmental, animal rights, far right and far left varieties.

To put it simply, universities are charged with intervening in cases where ideologically subversive ideas are being voiced. So at least for the purposes of governance and control, the possibility of being politically awakened or existentially transformed by the experience of higher education is alive and well.

In some circles this rhetoric has reached even more extreme levels. U.S. Presidential hopeful Donald Trump, for example, recently proposed to address Islamic terrorism by banning all Muslims from entering the USA, provoking over half a million people in Britain to sign a petition calling for Trump himself to be banned from the UK. Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne rejected the call to ban Trump, suggesting that “The best way to defeat nonsense like this is to engage in robust and democratic debate.” But ‘more debate’ is not what has faced speakers deemed too ‘controversial’ for British campuses, whether they have been supportive or critical of

religious perspectives.

As in the case of ex-Muslim human rights campaigner Maryam Namazie, for example, who was banned from speaking at the University of Warwick by a Student’s Union fearful that she might ‘incite hatred,’ the increasing tendency is to exclude and delimit debates about difficult issues. The Counter Terrorism and Security Act exacerbates this tendency because it encourages university management to become more risk averse about contentious topics being aired on campus for fear of legal sanction.

Within this framework of anxiety and risk, universities are treated as places for the free exchange of knowledge, but within ever-narrowing limits. Strikingly, some of the loudest advocates of this censorious approach seem to be students themselves. Recent campaigns to ‘no platform’ invited speakers have seen a quest to provide ‘safe spaces’ on campus involve the exclusion of figures usually viewed as progressive.

Examples include feminist Germaine Greer for her views on transgender identity and equal rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, in part because he supported Greer’s right to free speech.

For some this reflects an appropriate sensitivity to vulnerable groups who are sometimes belittled by the liberal elite, but it also comes with a rising discomfort with the kinds of open, rigorous debates that have previously been upheld as central to the transformative power of a university education.

One irony of this situation is that government anxieties about the power of the university experience to shape the minds of young people have intensified at the same time that academics are bemoaning cross-sector changes that encourage the opposite. With higher education increasingly treated as a ‘free market’ and students as ‘consumers,’ the pressure is to accentuate accessibility, predictability and standardization rather than to encourage risk-taking and innovative thinking.

The financial constraints faced by students mean that fewer and fewer are free to engage fully in campus life due to part-time work commitments, decisions to study locally, or lack of disposable income. Against this background, students are more strategic in their investments of time and money, while teachers are more constrained in how they foster learning. Any ‘existential awakening’ seems an unlikely outcome of this process, yet the counter terrorism agenda rests on the assumption that universities are prime sites for the radical transformation of identities.

The myths of university experience seem to be serving an agenda that valorises the freedom to consume higher education but not the free exchange of ideas. Radical transformation through learning is only raised when considered as a threat. But since all great ideas are threatening to someone at some point in time, there may be good cause to worry about the capacity of universities to produce truly critical thinkers in the future.

Losing our land like losing our lives Chris Arsenault

Thomson Reuters Foundation

Investors describe it as one of the last frontiers for major agricultural expansion - a vast area in Brazil's poor northeast that the government is eager to open up to investors hoping to set up big new soy farms and cattle ranches.

But for Maria de Jesus Bringelo and tens of thousands of other Afro-Brazilians who earn a living from the land in more traditional ways, the MATOPIBA region has another value: it's their home.

Bringelo, a 68-year-old grandmother of nine and long-time rights campaigner, wants to block new large-scale investments from encroaching on territory where her family has lived and worked since Brazil abolished slavery in 1888.

Her house was burned down in 1979 after she led a letter- writing campaign criticizing cattle ranchers for forcing local residents off the land, but says that is not the worst thing that could happen.

"Losing our land is the most violent attack we can face," Bringelo told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "We lose our history, our lives, our knowledge."

A key member of the National Commission for People and Traditional Communities, a Brazilian government advisory body, Bringelo addressed World Bank officials in Washington on Wednesday to raise objections to new large-scale agriculture plans.

'WE NEED BUSINESS' Brazil wants to open the savannah region - larger than France - to investment projects under the MATOPIBA Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Plan launched last year.

Latin America's largest country is suffering from a serious recession and political turmoil, and officials say bringing capital into the area is crucial for economic growth, broader development and poverty reduction plans.

"Agriculture is the industry that is employing people in this country... in agriculture there is no (economic) crisis," Agriculture Minister Katia Abreu said after a tour of MATOPIBA with foreign investors earlier this month.

"We need to create opportunities to bring business here."

Opponents of MANTOPIBA say large farms create fewer jobs than small-scale traditional agriculture.

Foreigners cannot buy farmland directly in Brazil, but often form partnerships with local investors to seal big deals, said Bastiaan Reydon, a World Bank consultant and professor at the University of Campinas.

The MATOPIBA region, some 73 million hectares (180 million acres) of territory in the states of Maranhao, Piaui, Tocantins and Bahia, is home to many of Brazil's indigenous people who live traditionally, harvesting crops from the land. The price of land there is cheaper than in the country's more developed south.

NEED FOR CONSULTATION Residents like Bringelo make a living harvesting Babassu nuts, a multi-use crop that grows in the wild and can produce porridge, cooking oil and cosmetics.

Most of them, including Bringelo, do not have formal ownership of their ancestral land.

But the Brazilian constitution recognizes ancestral and indigenous land tenure, World Bank consultant Reydon said.

Local communities have not been consulted about new large-scale investment plans, Bringelo said, arguing the initiative violates United Nations guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure designed to prevent displacement and land grabs.

"Legally, most of this land is owned by the state," Reydon told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "There is no clear institutional setting to stop (land grabbing)... people will be murdered if this continues."

Across Brazil, 34 people were killed in land conflicts in 2013, according to figures cited by Human Rights Watch last year, and nearly 2,500 rural activists have received death threats over the past decade.

It is not clear how many people the MATOPIBA investment plans may displace as the initiative is still under discussion.

But foreign investors have shown interest in starting soy farms, cattle

WRITE-WING

ranches and orange juice processing facilities in the region.

POVERTY REDUCTION Poverty in Brazil, a country of 206 million people, fell rapidly in the past decade, largely because of the commodities boom, fuelled by large-scale investments such as those Bringelo is opposing.

Between 2003 and 2013, more than 26 million Brazilians were lifted out of poverty, according to the World Bank.

Fewer than eight percent of Brazilians face poverty today.

Starvation has been virtually eliminated in South America's largest economy, and supporters of Brazil's farming model say export earnings have provided the government with revenue to help poor families buy food.

Bringelo and her friends are directly benefiting from government food policies. They sell Babassu nuts to the state which uses them in its school feeding programme for poor children.

Activists say the problem is that big plantations don't provide as many jobs as smaller-scale agriculture, and can have a harmful impact on local people - who therefore need to be consulted about plans to change land use.

"Exports are an important part of the national economy," Douglas Hertzler, a policy analyst with the charity Action Aid, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"But we can't use the recession as an excuse to trample the rights of traditional people."

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

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

friDAY 25•03•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Jesus Was a Protester

7

What the ‘Death of Democracy’ Means in Southeast Asia region Democracy has died and been reborn several times in different countries in the region Mong Palatino

O Stephen Mattson

I

Sojourners

n today’s political climate we’re witnessing plenty of protesting — there is indeed much to protest.

But some Christians, particularly in evangelical circles, believe protesting is sinful, that it’s only something that young, uneducated, unemployed, liberal fools do just for the sake of causing trouble.

The term ‘protester’ invokes strong opinions depending on whom you talk to and in what context. The word can invoke feelings of irritation, annoyance, and even anger. Like anything, protesting can be used for ugly and horrific purposes, and it’s not meant to inspire — or be motivated by — hate, rage, violence, and vengeance.

But too often, it’s not employed enough by good people, by Jesus-followers.

Protesting is the antithesis of being apathetic, complicit, callous, and passive, and Christians should take comfort in the fact that Jesus — the son of God — was very good at it.

Sometimes Jesus did this quietly, and other times it was inflammatory, provocative, and publicly disruptive. But there’s no doubt that Jesus was a radical, a person who was eventually arrested, beaten, and sacrificed on a cross because of his words and actions.

Within the Christian life, there may be times when God calls us to complement our prayer with protesting, and throughout the Bible we see how Jesus purposefully intervened, acted, spoke, and was present in various situations in order to protest, dissent, demonstrate, object, question, defend, revolt, and challenge.

Here are just a few examples: When Jesus spent 40 days and nights

in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11), he rejected the temptation of worldly power and boldly stood against Satan’s temptations — because Jesus was a protester.

When Jesus stormed into the temple courts, interrupted the proceeding by overturning tables, yelling, and driving both people and animals out of the room using a whip, he was condemning the greed and corruption of religious hypocrites — because Jesus was a protester (John 2:13-25).

Jesus boldly stood up and spoke in the Synagogue — one of many he would speak in — proclaiming things so countercultural and radical that he created a mob so furious at him they eventually chased him with the intention of killing him — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 4:16-31).

Jesus took his message to the masses, speaking and advocating wherever he could, and created a movement based on justice, hope, and love — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 4:23-25).

Jesus garnered fame from the oppressed and notoriety from those in power — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 5:15).

Jesus confronted the leaders about their wrong practices, evil thoughts, and destructive deeds — because Jesus was a protester (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 11).

Jesus asked people to follow him and join his cause — because Jesus was a protester.

Jesus broke the religious expectations and laws of the day, to the point of people wanting him to die — because Jesus was a protester (John 5:16; Mark 3:1-6).

Jesus made public proclamations and tried to change social sentiment through talks, teachings, and speeches — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 5-7).

Jesus openly rebuked, held account-

able, challenged, and called out people who refused to change from their misguided ways — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 11:20-30).

Jesus empathized and advocated for the oppressed, hurt, abused, downtrodden, abandoned, alienated, and victimized — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 7).

Jesus was viciously challenged, mocked, scrutinized, threatened, slandered, ridiculed, besmirched, and discredited by authorities and leaders — because Jesus was a protester (Luke 11: Matt. 9:34; Matt. 13:56-58).

Jesus created, inspired, and sent out others protesters — because that’s what protesters do (Matt. 10)! And these other protesters (the disciples) were eventually arrested and killed, because, they too, were protesters.

Jesus went to places he wasn’t supposed to go and talked to people he wasn’t supposed to talk to — because Jesus was a protester (John 4).

Jesus was accused by the “experts” of being disruptive and evil — because Jesus was a protester (Matt. 9:2-8).

Jesus stands alone before a mob that’s ready to kill a woman and intervenes on her behalf, saving her life — because Jesus is a protester.

Jesus devoted his life to speaking, helping, supporting, defending, empowering, healing, freeing, and loving everyone, especially saving those who were in desperate need from the hands of oppressors, rulers, officials, mobs, and those who intended to harm, kill, and destroy — because Jesus was a protester.

Throughout his life Jesus protested and brought awareness about gender inequality, religious hypocrisy, political corruption, racism, hate, segregation, empowerment, and social injustice.

Christ humbly sacrificed and served to

advocate for the outcasts, protect the poor, shelter the homeless, uplift the exploited, show hospitality to stranger, energize the weary, and love humanity.

Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, abused, intimidated, and arrested because he dared to become a protester. Eventually, he was arrested and put on trial, and then he was publicly humiliated, mocked, and severely tortured.

It was in this context where his greatest demonstration of protest happened: dying on the cross, where God incarnate proved to the world that love trumps evil, grace trumps revenge, mercy trumps cruelty, generosity trumps selfishness, hope trumps fear, and God trumps Satan.

So today, when politicians — and the masses that follow them — promote racism, hate, bigotry, deception, and oppressive policies that are inhumane, immoral, violent, and blatantly anti-Christian, we must ask ourselves: What would Jesus do?

Will followers of Christ follow in his footsteps and be bold enough to speak against, act against, and protest against sin? Contrary to our religious assumptions about righteousness and holiness, sometimes the most Christ-like thing we can do is protest.

Christianity isn’t political power, military might, safety, wealth, control, fame, or comfort — it’s emulating Jesus. After Jesus departed and the disciples started their various ministries, founding the church as we know it today, most of the earliest believers were ruthlessly hunted down, arrested, persecuted, and horrifically killed for following Jesus, martyred for being Divine protesters.

Defending the gospel for the sake of humanity — people love and created in the image of God — was the reason Jesus protested. Are we willing to do the same?

God help us.

The Gender Conversation We Aren’t Having Tish Harrison Warren

I

Christianity Today

t seems there are two rival gangs in the evangelical world: complementarians, who believe that men assume primary leadership in the church and in the home, versus egalitarians, who believe women can share leadership in these realms. Denominations, parachurch organizations, seminaries, advocacy groups, even Christian websites segregate along these lines and can use them as a false litmus test for orthodoxy.

But lately, I find myself frustrated that these terms (which are often left slippery and undefined) obscure as much as they reveal. I want to look at each realm— home and church—to see how these terms can fail us and examine what is lost when these gender role labels dominate our conversation.

First, marriage. Though views of women’s roles can seem straightforward in an abstract theological argument, in the intimate, ordinary crucible of marriage, things are never so tidy. My own marriage began as one that may be described as “soft complementarian”—my husband and I professed a vague notion of male “headship.” Over time, through studying Scripture and tradition, our position changed. We came to see patriarchy as a consequence of the fall and the restoration of parity between men and women as part of the reconciliation offered in the gospel. At this point, if you pressed us, we’d define our relationship as “egalitarian.”

But despite the shift in terminology, if I’m honest, there's basically no difference in my day-to-day married life. We were sinners trying to love each other and submit to each other back when we were complementarians, and we are sinners trying to love each other and submit to each other now. Our views on gender roles never shortcut the difficult, sacred work of dying to ourselves for the sake of loving another, which is the call for men and women alike in any Christian marriage. If the goal of Christian marriage is, as Paul states, to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” it isn’t clear how these labels help us.

Secondly, the church. While complementarian/egalitarian labels can be

helpful when discussing women’s ordination, in the pragmatic realities of ministry, these labels aren’t clear-cut either.

I am a female priest, so my church may rightly be called “egalitarian.” Still, according to some—like Anglican priest John Stott, for instance—my ordination fits in a complementarian view since I serve under the authority of a male bishop. Other complementarians see female pastorship or priesthood of any sort as impermissible. But the categories become more complex and blurry if we ask about women teaching adult Sunday School, leading worship, writing books, preaching at conferences, speaking at church gatherings, or heading parachurch groups.

The terms themselves obscure the crux of arguments about the ordination of women. “Egalitarianism,” in general use, refers to the belief that all deserve equal rights. Yet, rhetoric over rights fails us when discussing ordination, an ancient practice not shaped by an American notion of individual rights but by the wisdom of the church for the benefit of God’s people and mission. On the other hand, “complementarianism” is an unfortunate word choice given that most evangelicals who’d be called “egalitarian” also insist upon the complementarity of the sexes given in Creation.

To be clear, it’s important to have theological and hermeneutical arguments about gender roles. But the problem with these labels is that they can become a smoke screen and distraction from the true conversations we should be having.

Regardless of our complementarian/ egalitarian labels, all believers need to honestly and frankly address the sin of sexism. Sexism is not the property of one theological position; it is a pattern and state of the heart. It’s an often subtle, yet entrenched proclivity to ignore or denigrate voices of women. It’s the insistence that women fit a narrow personality type or mold. It’s an (easily overlooked) idolatry of maleness. And it exists in the church—in both complementarian and egalitarian places.

I have a female friend who is theologically trained, gifted, caring, and getting ordained in a mainline denomination. Yet, in her church, as men around her were asked to preach, lead, and be

formed as pastors, she felt frozen out— her pastor never allowed her into the life and ministry of her church. When I questioned my friend and another (male) leader about it, they said the same thing: Though the pastor was, by category, a “pro-woman egalitarian,” the reality is that he developed an unexamined habit of disempowering and marginalizing women around him. His egalitarian label actually served as a way to self-justify and leave deeper sexism unexamined. This could be dismissed as a mere personality conflict, except that it happens so often—I know similar stories from women all over the country.

In the other camp, complementarians can spend their energy arguing for male leadership while neglecting pressing problems of sexism in their midst. A pastor friend told me recently that working alongside a woman in lay ministry convicted him that he had ignored voices of women in his congregation, where pastor and elder roles are reserved for men. He is now trying to actively repent by meeting with female congregants to ask them about their experiences, including women in all church decisions, and learning about the history and current reality of sexism. He’s working to make voices and gifts of women a priority, even while maintaining his stance against female ordination.

If one professes male headship, then it is particularly important to rigorously disentangle that view from sins of sexism and cultural misogyny. Otherwise, complementarianism can become a mere façade to “baptize” the dehumanization of women and self-centeredness of men. It isn't enough to merely argue for male headship without also asking how to create a church culture where women thrive. All churches and church leaders—on both sides of the issue—must actively seek the flourishing of women and explicitly condemn mocking, belittling, or denigrating women as unbiblical.

We can oversimplify arguments about gender roles into two opposing extremes, but reality is that there is a continuum with unbiblical extremes on both ends—denying any gender difference and biological limits on one end or ignoring, abusing, and objectifying women on the other. But in the vast, spacious, varie-

gated middle, there is room for people to come together. Churches and individuals—regardless of label—would do well to meet in this open space with our resources, energy, prayers, best minds, and strategies for ministry.

Despite our egalitarian/complementarian labels, we can support healthier, holier, and better marriages; work toward the ability of women to serve the church with their gifts; foster cultures and laws that allow for safer, more joyful, abundant lives for girls and women across the globe; and seek to reflect Christ’s love and health in our intergender relationships.

Our culture is wrestling with what it means to be male and female, struggling with what marriage is and what it is for, and confused about issues of power and mutuality. The watching world does not need Christians squabbling with each other about abstract “gender roles.”

What people will find compelling about Christian marriage and the church— and the gospel these represent—is seeing husbands and wives submitting to each other in every way they can, struggling through dark places of pain in marriage to speak truthfully about our sin and need, or brothers and sisters in our churches loving, listening, and learning from each other, together addressing sexism and seeking repentance and reconciliation. Egalitarianism or complementarianism, as terms and as rallying cries, are helpful only to the extent that they serve these ends.

The brokenness we find in sexism, abuse, and the marginalization of women comes not so much from our stated positions on gender but from our failure to love our neighbor, to take seriously God's call to mutual submission, and the ways these deeply embedded sins play out in systems, cultures, and patterns over generations. Therefore, each of us is called to be part of God’s redemption and restoration of the full human dignity of women.

Tish Harrison Warren is a writer and a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. She works with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries at The University of Texas at Austin and has two young daughters. Her forthcoming book "Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life" releases in December.

The Diplomat

n March 2, 1962, General Ne Win led a coup in Myanmar (then known as Burma) and established a military dictatorship which lasted until 2010. Slightly more than a decade later, on September 21, 1972, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law which allowed him to remain in power until 1986. And just a few years before that, on September 30, 1965, a mutiny led to the killing of some generals which provoked the Indonesian military to retaliate by arresting and killing communists and suspected sympathizers of communist groups across the country.

In Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia, these were historic events which made a lasting political impact. For local scholars and activists, these were the days when democracy died in their countries.

The 1962 coup in Burma gave the military absolute power to rule over the whole country. While it didn’t end the ethnic civil wars which are still raging up to this day, it made the junta the most powerful political force in the country. A student uprising in 1988 challenged the junta but it was violently suppressed. Elections were held in 1990 but the junta ignored the results and arrested leaders of the winning party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

It was only in 2010 when significant political reforms were instituted which led to the release of political prisoners, the lifting of media censorship, and the holding of an and open and free election.

The military is still influential in the bureaucracy but its party experienced a major defeat in last year’s election, which saw the NLD win a supermajority. Some observers noted that after 54 years, democracy was restored in Myanmar when the NLD assumed control of the government.

While there are various reasons why Myanmar remained an underdeveloped nation in the past half century, many are blaming the ‘death of democracy’ in 1962 as the crucial turning point in the country’s history.

Historian Thant Myint-U, who is also executive director of Yangon Heritage Trust, wrote a Facebook post which quickly became popular about the significance of the 1962 coup. “Burma was then one of the better off countries in the region, with a per capita income three times greater than Indonesia, twice that of Thailand and nearly equal to South Korea. Over the coming decades, the Burmese people would receive little in return for having to surrender their basic freedoms,” the historian wrote.

This argument is also invoked by pro-democracy forces when they accuse the junta of subverting not only Myanmar’s democracy but also the country’s development.

Interestingly, Filipinos also attribute the country’s lack of development to the brutal reign of a military-backed government. Marcos placed the country under military administration in 1972, purportedly to thwart a communist takeover. But his political rivals believed it was only a ruse to extend his term which was supposed to end in 1973. During martial law, opposition leaders were detained, media censorship was enforced, and the people’s civil liberties were taken away. When Marcos was ousted by a peaceful uprising in 1986, the Philippines was already known as the ‘sick man of Asia’ because of widespread poverty in the country. Marcos and his cronies were accused of plundering the nation’s coffers while majority of Filipinos lived a life of penury.

Marcos declared September 21 as National Thanksgiving Day. But for most Filipinos, it was the day when democracy died in the Philippines.

The events that led to the communist purge in Indonesia are not widely known and discussed because the government is unwilling to determine what really happened during those critical months when almost a million people died across the country. What is clear is that it led to the rise of General Suharto, who went on to rule Indonesia until 1998 when he was ousted.

Suharto is often compared to Marcos because both relied on the military for political support, both were accused of taking part in unprecedented corruption and committing human rights abuses during their term; both were unseated by a mass uprising. It was only after Suharto’s fall from power when survivors and other witnesses were able to testify about the 1965 mass killings. Indonesia’s democracy suffered during the reign of Suharto and the collapse began during the failed coup attempt on September 30, 1965.

Remembering the day when democracy died proved useful in mobilizing the people to take action in order to expel or challenge the anti-democratic elements in society. It is also an effective information campaign to keep the democratic struggle relevant.

In the case of Myanmar, it sustains the narrative to push the country’s transition to modern democracy. In the Philippines, it is once more a potent political issue because the son of Marcos is running for vice president in the May 2016 elections. In Indonesia, survivors and relatives of the 1965 anticommunist hysteria continue to seek justice and apology from the state.

Elsewhere in the region, civil society groups are accusing the incumbent ruling parties of killing democracy as part of a campaign to build a strong political movement. Thai activists are calling for the restoration of civilian rule after the army grabbed power in May 2014. In Malaysia, various groups formed a coalition to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak who is battling corruption charges. Najib is also accused of stifling the people’s right to free speech.

Democracy has died several times in Southeast Asia and its death has often inspired many people to join forces in order to bring it back to life. At times, it has taken many years and decades before democracy has been restored. But what is important is that the democratic ideal has become the true, unifying goal in the region.

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

8

FridAY 25•03•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Decks cleared for Mehbooba to head new J&K govt

SriNagar, March 24 (iaNS): Mehbooba Mufti was on Thursday unanimously elected as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, paving the way for her to become the first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and head a government in India's only Muslim majority state after months of tension with the ruling partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Mehbooba Mufti has been nominated as the chief ministerial candidate of the PDP," party spokesman and former minister Naeem Akhtar told reporters outside the Fairview residence of the Muftis on the high security Gupkar Road in Srinagar.

PDP lawmakers had gathered at the Muftis to discuss government formation with the BJP. Akhtar said the decision was unanimous and every legislator and senior PDP leader was on board.

Mehbooba is meeting Governor N.N. Vohra on Friday and is most likely to stake claim to power. BJP state president Sat Pal Sharma is also meeting the governor on the same day at the state Raj Bhawan in winter capital Jammu.

Senior BJP leaders, Jitendra Singh, minister of state in PMO, and Ram Madhav, par-

ty national general secretary, are expected to be Jammu on Friday to hold a meeting with the state BJP legislators and senior leaders to discuss the government formation with the PDP. The swearing-in date is also expected to be announced after Mehbooba and Sharma meet Vohra, separately though. Top sources told IANS that the oath taking ceremony of the Mehboobaled new government would take place in Jammu early next month.

Mehbooba, 56, will now succeed her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who died on January 7, as the chief minister. Jammu and Kashmir has been without an elected government since.

Mehbooba was tipped to take over the reins but she dragged her feet on continuing to ally with the BJP and wanted it to redraw the alliance terms that her father had authored. However, the BJP refused any fresh concessions and said it will only give assurances on the agenda, finalized last year when the two parties came together to form the state government.

After remaining entrenched in their respective positions for more than two months, the two sides

Omar accuses Mehbooba of wavering on govt formation

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti addresses the party's legislature party meeting at Gupkar in Srinagar on Thursday, March 24.

warmed up to each other following Mehbooba's meeting with Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday in Delhi.

Senior PDP leader and Lok Sabha member Muzaffar Hussain Beigh denied that there has been any give and take with the BJP. "There is no addition or subtraction from the agenda of alliance agreed upon by the two parties. The agenda will be implemented

in letter and spirit."

PDP leader and Lok Sabha member Tariq Hameed Karra, a vocal opponent of his party's continuation of alliance with the BJP, was also present in Thursday's meeting.

Before chairing the PDP meeting, Mehbooba went to her father's grave in south Kashmir Bijbehara town along with one of her daugh-

ters to pray there and apparently seek blessings for the governance innings she would be playing for the first time in her political career.

She presently represents south Kashmir's Anantnag constituency in the Lok Sabha. She will now have to get elected to either house of the state's bicameral legislature and also resign her Lok Sabha seat.

JaMMu, March 24 (PTi): Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today accused PDP president Mehbooba Mufti of showing indecisive and wavering leadership on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"If the last two months are a precursor and an indication of the next more than four years to come - God save our state for such indecisive, wavering leadership," he wrote on his Facebook page. Abdullah said for over two months, the state has witnessed a roller-coaster performance of political posturing from PDP underlined by a display of indecisive leadership.

"After the demise of late Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) Sahib, Mehbooba Mufti declared her unwillingness to take over the reins of power unless BJP and the central government announced certain confidence building measures (CBMs)," he said.

Mufti had termed her father's decision to align with BJP as an "unpopular" one, he said and noted that her intentions were viewed as docile and noble - at least as far as BJP is concerned.

"She wanted to be seen as a rebel who was immune to the temptation of power that her father had succumbed to. What started as her claim for higher moral ground has ended in

the same old territory of serious contradictions - by now an all too familiar hallmark of her politics and that of her party's," he said.

PDP is now clearly about to form the government with BJP and Mehbooba Mufti would become the Chief Minister, shattering the expectations raised by them for the last two months, he said.

Abdullah questioned as to how such a leadership will confront divisive forces that threaten the state's integrity, its amity and its peace.

"How will such indecisiveness affect the state politically and economically is something that remains to be seen. Sadly, the script seems to have been written and the preview is alarming," he said.

Abdullah said that the tables have turned now.

"The last month was apparently spent in mollifying the BJP's central leadership and reiterating an unconditional, unquestionable loyalty to them.

"Now it is the PDP serenading the BJP. Soon after meeting the Prime Minister, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav went on record to say that there was no talk of government formation in the meeting between Mehbooba Mufti and the Prime Minister and also reiterated that PDP had not made any demands," he said.

Attempt was made on Bal Cong charges Ramdev with a role in rebellion by party MLAs in U'khand Thackeray's life: David Headley DehraDuN, March 24 evidence to substantiate his Ramdev said he was unnecessar- "We have no role to play in this

File Photo of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley.

M u M b a i , Mar ch 24 (iaNS): In a shocking disclosure, Pakistani-American terrorist-turned-approver David Coleman Headley on Thursday claimed that an attempt was made on the life of late Shiv Sena founder-patriarch Bal Thackeray.

"I believe an attempt was made on the life of the Shiv Sena chief... The man who made the attempt had escaped from police custody," Headley said in the Special Court of Additional Sessions Judge G.A. Sanap.

His replies came on the second day of his crossexamination conducted by lawyer Abdul Wahab Khan, the defence counsel for Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who

is facing trial in the 26/11 case.

During his examination-in-chief by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on February 12, Headley had first confirmed the Lashkar-e-Taiba's plot to target Thackeray, but had said nothing on an unsuccessful bid made to kill him and the attacker having slipped from the police hands.

"The LeT wanted to target the chief of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray). LeT wanted to kill him whenever a chance arose. I have no first-hand knowledge, but I think an attempt was made to kill him," Headley said.

Denying knowledge of how the attempt was made, he said the person sent to kill Thackeray was arrest-

ed but slipped from police custody.

When Khan asked him how many times he visited the party headquarters Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar and what was the motive, Headley said he recced the building twice and reiterated that the LeT's target was the late Thackeray.

To the question, under whose instructions, Headley said he was instructed by his LeT supervisor in Pakistan, Sajid Mir. On any other attempts on Thackeray's life, Headley said he had learnt of one previous attempt on the late champion of Hindutva (Thackeray), and the man who made the bid had escaped police custody.

He said post 26/11, when he returned to India in March 2009 to plan out further attacks on behalf of the Al Qaeda terror group, its leader Iliyas Kashmiri funded him to the tune of around one lakh Pakistani rupees.

Headley said that though the LeT came under pressure after the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes, it did not become 'soft' towards India.

"I think the LeT became soft about Denmark, but not India. After the Denmark issue, I went to Al Qaeda as the LeT had become soft," he claimed.

(PTi): The political crisis in Uttarakhand took a new turn with the Congress dragging Ramdev into the picture accusing him of "hatching" a plot jointly with BJP leadership to topple the state government but the yoga guru today refuted the charge.

Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress President Kishore Upadhyay created a flutter in political circles here yesterday by alleging that the yoga guru and BJP chief Amit Shah had hatched a conspiracy together to dislodge the state government and the rebellion against Harish Rawat by the party s MLAs was a result of this.

Claiming that he had enough

charge, Upadhyay said "Ramdev was in touch with Congress rebels and is one of the key persons besides the BJP President involved in hatching a conspiracy against the ruling party.

"He(Ramdev) worked like a BJP agent to foment a rebellion against the state government and topple it."

Upadhyay claimed that Ramdev was in touch with the nine rebel Congress MLAs before March 18 when the crisis erupted in the state Assembly during a vote on the appropriation bill on the state s annual budget.

However, taking cognisance of newspaper reports in this regard,

ily being dragged into the ongoing political turmoil in the state despite the fact that he had nothing to do with it.

"I read in the newspapers that Ramdev and Amit Shah together conspired to topple the state government.

"Not even in my dream did I have a talk with any Congress MLA or party worker. Whatever we do, we do it openly.

"If we have to make or break something we do it openly we don t do anything with a hidden agenda behind the curtains," Ramdev told reporters in Haridwar when asked to comment on the charges levelled against him.

matter. Political parties are responsible for political incidents," he said.

Reacting to this, Pradesh Congress chief spokesman Mathuradutt Joshi said no amount of clarification on part of the yoga guru can absolve him of his role in the political crisis in Uttarakhand.

"The yoga guru runs a business empire worth nearly Rs 2000 crore in Uttarakhand and there are a number of cases under investigation against his trust.

"He has many scores to settle with the state government. "The involvement of Ramdev and the top BJP leadership in the ongoing rebellion is direct," Joshi claimed.

In a first, Kerala churches see 'washing of feet' ritual on women ThiruvaNaNThaPuraM, Mar ch 24 (iaNS): In a departure from an age-old custom and putting into practice a papal decree, bishops at the Holy Thursday service in two Latin diocese churches in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, for the first time washed the feet of women as part of a ritual earlier performed only on males.

Christians on Thursday commemorated Holy Thursday -- that recalls Jesus washing the feet of his 12 apostles before having the Last Supper.

The change in the 'feet washing' ritual on 'Maundy Thursday' is in line with

a decree issued in January

by Pope Francis, saying the rite should no longer be limited to men and boys, but also include women and young girls.

"The decision to extend the ritual to women and girls was taken after the church discussed it at various levels," a spokesperson of Latin Church's diocese told IANS. Archbishop M. Soosaipakiam washed the feet of six women, including two physically challenged women, and six men on Thursday evening at the St. Joseph's cathedral in the state capital, the spokesperson said.

The Latin Church is

in communion with the Roman Catholic Church headed by the Bishop of Rome, more popularly known as Pope. Along with the Syro Malabar Church and the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, it accounts for Kerala's Catholics who make up about half of the 61.41 lakh Christians in the state.

Washing of the feet is the most important ritual on Maundy Thursday.

The change, Pope Francis had said, was "an attempt to improve the method of implementation, to express the full meaning of the gesture performed by Jesus at the Last Supper".

While the Latin Church

diocese here decided to make the change, other dioceses have decided to take it up next year. The Syro Malabar Church also decided to look into the matter next year.

Leading the service in Kochi, Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, head of the Syro Malabar Church, however, washed the feet of 12 men only.

"Today (Thursday) this did not happen in our churches," Paul Thelekkat, a senior priest of the Syro Malabar Church, told IANS. The Syro Malankara Catholic Church also decided to keep the change in ritual in abeyance, pending

discussions at all levels.

Before becoming Pope, Francis, as a bishop, used to wash the feet of not only women but also nonChristians in the rituals in his home country Argentina, Thelekkat said.

"Now the Pope has made a change in the ritual. But as far as oriental Catholics (Syro Malabar Church and the Syro Malankara Catholic Church) are concerned, ritual changes are made not by the Pope, but by the synod of bishops of the particular church. I hope these two churches will look into it," said Thelekkat.

'Synod' refers to the governing body of a particular church.

India revels in sweet and colourful Holi New Delhi, March 24 (iaNS): India burst with colours and frenzied street dances by thousands of revellers on Thursday as the nation celebrated Holi, a seasonal festival joyously observed by all - young and old, rich and poor, Hindus and Muslims.

Celebrations of the festival of colours, heralding the onset of spring, began early on Thursday morning amid bright sunshine in many parts of the country.

People spilled out onto the streets to smear each other with coloured powder, coloured water and mud as well. Politicians and celebrities also didn't remain far off from the revelry of the day which like many Indian festivals is embedded in a Hindu legend.

There were clouds of colour in the capital's neighbourhoods as loud celebrations continued throughout the day. Elders cutting across religious and regional divides hugged

each other. Streets were filled with young and old, men and women drenching and splashing colour on one another.

Children were seen doing what they do best -playing pranks by spraying coloured water with 'pichkaris' or water guns and hurling water-filled balloons at passers-by from rooftops and balconies of their houses.

Elders drank 'thandai' -- an intoxicant made of 'bhang' or cannabis -- and offered sweet gujiyas to guests. Youngsters rode motorbikes, throwing colours in the air and shouting "Holi hai".

The day passed off peacefully as the authorities said no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the national capital, where over 2,500 paramilitary commandos along with 400 teams of Delhi Police were deployed in the wake of intelligence inputs of a terror threat.

Barricades were set up at many places to check trouble as more than 2,500 traffic policemen were on duty to keep a close watch on those flouting road safety norms and creating problems, particularly for women.

Police patrolled the main roads to keep miscreants at bay.

"No case of violence was reported," Special Commissioner of Police Muktesh Chander told IANS. But the Delhi Fire Services received over 12 complaints of minor fires from various parts of the national capital.

Delhi Police booked 558 people for drunken driving, with the highest from south Delhi, on the eve of the festival, associated with boisterous fun.

The celebrations were louder in crowded urban pockets of Delhi. "I was waiting for this morning since long. It is fun," said Ronit Tomar, a 14-year-old

boy, smeared with different hues of colour, from Sangam Apartments in Rohini.

He threw a watercolourfilled balloon at a passer-by who was caught unaware.

As the man looked around, Tomar shouted "Bura na maano Holi hai" (Don't mind, it is Holi).

Politicians also had fun, an apparent break from political mudslinging. Many of them made a big splash of the day and were seen clicking selfies with visitors.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted his Holi pictures and wished "everybody on this festival".

About the terror alert, the home minister said: "There are routine alerts issued before every festival. The country is safe."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul celebrated the day at the party headquarters with leaders and workers.

"My message is of peace and brotherhood," Rahul Gandhi told reporters.

A tourist sprays colour while celebrating Holi in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

Asked if the greetings were for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, he said: "Yes. My greetings are for everyone."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal celebrated Holi with auto-rickshaw drivers, his family mem-

bers and others at his official residence.

"Played holi with my family, volunteers, ministers, MLAs, officers, autowallas and my dear junta. Happy Holi," Kejriwal tweeted.

Bihar politicians like

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also celebrated Holi together.

Lalu Prasad drove off to the chief minister's residence along with his two minister sons - Tejaswi and Tej Pratap Yadav.

Holi also showcases Indian traditions of communal harmony as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs play it in large numbers with their Hindu brethren. Such scenes were seen in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and many other places of north and east India.

In West Bengal, the festival was celebrated a day earlier as "dol". People across the state marked it with colours, songs, dances and special dishes.

In Punjab, thousands of people gathered at Sikh holy town of Anandpur Sahib, 85 km from Chandigarh, for the final day of the 'Hola Mohalla' festival where traditional weapons and the 'gatka' martial art display were the highlights.

Celebrations also took place in Haryana. At some places in the state, especially in rural areas, women could be seen playing the 'lathmaar' Holi with sticks and wet ropes in which they hit men with them.

FridaY 25•03 •2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

China on charm offensive for first overseas naval base

BEIJING, March 24 (rEutErs): China has launched an unusual charm offensive to explain its first overseas naval base in Djibouti, seeking to assuage global concerns about military expansionism by portraying the move as Beijing’s contribution to regional security and development.

The message is in stark contrast to Beijing’s more bellicose stance on the South China Sea, where its claims on a vital trade waterway have raised hackles across Asia and the United States.

China has repeatedly said it does not seek a U.S.style “hegemony” by extending its military reach, including through bases abroad.

Now that it appears it may be doing precisely that, the government has been quietly briefing on its rationale for the Djibouti base and using state media to address fears of China’s aims.

“China is explaining it as part of the ‘one road, one belt’ strategy, to help link Ethiopia to the sea,” said one Western diplomat who has been briefed

by Chinese officials on the Djibouti base, referring to China’s New Silk Road strategy.

That involves opening trade corridors across continents that will help bolster the Chinese economy and connect it with the rest of the world.

A $4 billion railway will connect Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to Djibouti’s

Xi to push Obama on North Korea

A navy soldier (L) of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stands guard as Chinese citizens board the naval ship “Linyi” at a port in Aden. (REUTERS File Photo)

new Chinese-invested port, where a military facility will be located, according to Chinese media.

A second diplomat, also been briefed by China on the plans, said it was an “unusual” move by the normally secretive Chinese government to try and bring a degree of transparency to its plans.

“China does not want to be seen as a threat,” the diplomat said.

INDIAN ALARM In a lengthy statement to Reuters, China’s Defence Ministry confirmed it had communicated its intentions about Djibouti to “relevant countries and international organisations”, reiterating the facil-

ity was mostly for resupply purposes for anti-piracy, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.

“What needs to be stressed is that China upholds a path of peaceful development ... and has never engaged in an arms race or military expansion. This will never change.”

Djibouti, which already hosts military facilities for the United States and France, has echoed Beijing’s line that the base will be used for refuelling and other logistical support to fight piracy and protect trade routes.

But it also says the West should not be worried if China seeks “military outposts”, given that Western nations have had them for

years around the world.

Construction began in February in the country of fewer than a million people, striving to be an international shipping hub.

Djibouti’s location on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fuelled worries in India that it will become another of China’s “string of pearls” of military alliances and assets ringing India, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Indian military officials told Reuters that China’s naval presence in Djibouti would add another dimension to India’s military contingency planning, so far confined to land and air operations stemming from a decades-old border dis-

BEIJING, March 24 (rEutErs): Chinese President Xi Jinping will push President Barack Obama next week to resume talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, a senior diplomat said on Thursday, a meeting that could also touch on hacking and the South China Sea. China is North Korea’s sole major ally but it strongly disapproves of its nuclear programme and was angered by its fourth nuclear test in January and a subsequent rocket launch.

While China has signed up for tough new U.N. sanctions against North Korea, it has said repeatedly sanctions are not the answer and that only a resumption of talks can resolve the dispute over North Korea’s weapons programme.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said Xi and Obama will have their first meeting this year on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington next week, and will talk about North Korea.

“On this issue, China’s position is consistent.

We are dedicated to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula,” he told a news briefing.

pute with China across the Himalayas.

Together with China’s involvement in Pakistan’s Gwadar port, another potential military base, the role of China’s navy would be greatly enhanced and posed a threat to the Indian navy, Indian army brigadier Mandip Singh said in a paper for the governmentfunded Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

“Djibouti also enables China to base its longrange naval air assets there.

And these are capable of maintaining surveillance over the Arabian Sea as well as India’s island territories off the Western coast,” he wrote.

The Western diplomat briefed on the Chinese

plans added: “If I were Indian I would be very worried about what China is up to in Djibouti.”

A U.S. State Department spokesman said late last year: “We look forward to gaining greater clarity as to the roles and purposes of this new facility, and note that China participates in international counter piracy actions in the Gulf of Aden.”

STRING OF AFRICAN PEARLS More bases may be on the way, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hinted at this month’s annual meeting of parliament.

There are several African ports which China and Chinese firms are helping

“We think this issue should be resolved via dialogue and consultation. We are dedicated to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula. On this important issue, Presidents Xi and Obama will have an opportunity to have a full exchange of views.”

China has been calling for a resumption of so-called six-party talks between the two Koreas, China, the United States, Japan and Russia aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Russia has also urged Pyongyang to return to negotiations. Numerous efforts to restart the talks have failed since they collapsed following the last round in 2008.

North Korea is not the only issue Beijing and Washington do not see eye to eye on. Hacking has been a sore spot. In September, Obama said he and Xi had agreed that neither government would knowingly support cyber theft of corporate secrets to support domestic businesses. Li said disagreements on the hacking issue had been “hyped up” by the media, but that the two countries had a dialogue mechanism which was working well.

to build and develop. Commercial in nature, they all could berth Chinese naval ships one day.

One Chinese diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the idea for the Djibouti facility came up last year when China’s navy evacuated foreigners from Yemen.

The Chinese frigate involved had to give most onboard supplies to those evacuated, leaving it with the problem of finding new supplies. Unlike the United States, China has no permanent resupply bases.

“It’s a supply facility pure and simple,” the source said.

With Beijing keen not to call Djibouti a military

base, state-run media has reined back using the term to describe it.

The Global Times, an influential tabloid, quoted Chinese experts shortly after Wang spoke as saying China was not building a military base in Djibouti, only a supply facility.

Djibouti’s government, meanwhile, is keen to develop military cooperation with China.

“China is already well prepared to support Djibouti, to increase its military capabilities and guarantee its security,” Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan said during a visit to Djibouti in 2014, in comments carried on the website of Djibouti’s embassy in Beijing.

Brussels attackers were targeting Mozambique debris most likely from MH370 nuke plant, changed their minds sYDNEY, March 24 (rEal was found off the coast of MozamBrussELs, March 24 (rEutErs): Suicide bombers who blew themselves up in Brussels were originally considering an attack on a nuclear site in Belgium, but arrests started last week may have forced them switch to targets in the Belgian capital, the DH newspaper said.

Referring to an incident in December that prosecutors confirmed in which militants covertly filmed the home of an unidentified senior official in the nuclear industry, the paper quoted a police source as saying that two of the suicide bombers, brothers Khalid and Ibrahim Bakraoui, had filmed the daily routine of the head of Belgium’s nuclear research and development programme.

A 10-hour video from a camera hidden in front of the nuclear official’s house was found in December during a police raid in Belgium, linked to the Paris attacks a month before. On February 17, Belgian prosecutors confirmed the existence of the video seized in December and said the man in it was linked to the country’s nuclear industry.

Earlier this month, 140 soldiers were dispatched to guard the country’s three nuclear sites. On Tuesday after the Brussels bombings, the sites were sealed and non-essential staff evacuated as a precaution. While investigators had known the camera with the video had been removed from its concealment by two men, they did not know their identity. DH said it was now clear that it was the two brothers.

Investigators were not available for comment. Any plans for an assault on a nuclear site might have been foiled by a police operation last week in the Brussels borough of Forest, the newspaper said. In that raid, officers unexpectedly stumbled upon armed men in a flat that was searched in connection to the Paris attacks investigation.

One of the men in the flat, later identified as an Algerian national called Mohammed Belkaid, was killed by police in a shootout and police believe one or two others may have escaped. But clues found in the flat led the police to the arrest three days later of the prime surviving suspect in the Paris attacks Salah Abdeslam and another suspected militant Amine Choukri also using the name of Monir Ahmed Alaaj.

The arrests may have forced the hand of the attackers who decided to shift to targets in Brussels, focusing on the airport and metro: “There is no doubt that they rushed their operations because they felt under pressure,” the police source was quoted by DH as saying. “Even if one couldn’t prevent these (Brussels) attacks, one can say that their magnitude could have been much bigger if the terrorists had been able to implement their original plan and not opted for easier targets,” said the police source.

Hong Kong press freedom seen to have deteriorated hONG KONG, March 24 (rEutErs): Hong Kong residents and journalists believe the state of press freedom deteriorated in the city for a second straight year in 2015, a survey by a media group showed, apparently a reflection of general unease in the city about mainland Chinese control. For an English-language summary of the survey, see the link.

While there were no major attacks on the media last year, the case of five city booksellers who published gossipy books about Chinese leaders, and who went missing only to reappear in mainland Chinese custody, contributed to an undermining of faith in free speech, said an official of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, which conducted the survey.

“The squeeze in the newsroom is now so telling in newspapers and TV programmes that members of the public can sense it,” association vice chairwoman Shirley Yam, told Reuters.

Fifty-four percent of the public and 85 percent of journalists believed press freedom deteriorated in Hong Kong last year, as measured by a press freedom index, according to the survey released on Tuesday.

The survey of more than 1,000 residents and hundreds of journalists found that self-censorship was more common, with the greatest concern being over criticizing China’s Communist Party-run government.

Former British colony Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula meant to preserve its freedoms.

Mainland China has rejected calls for full democracy in a 2017 city election compounding concern about what many residents see as growing mainland restrictions. The mainland government and Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing city government have dismissed such concerns. The Hong Kong government said on Wednesday it was firmly committed to safeguarding press freedom. “Every endeavour should be made for journalists to report news professionally and accurately under the principle of editorial autonomy,” a government spokesman said.

utErs): Australia said on Thursday that plane debris recovered earlier this month from Mozambique was highly likely to have come from Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which was carrying 239 people when it went missing more than two years ago.

A Malaysian government investigation team has found that both pieces of debris are consistent with panels from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, said Australia’s minister for infrastructure and transport, Darren Chester.

“The analysis has concluded the debris is almost certainly from MH370,” he said.

“That such debris has been found on the east coast of Africa is consistent with drift modelling ... and further affirms our search efforts in the southern Indian Ocean,” Chester said.

Flight MH370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing in March The head of Mozambique’s Civil Aviation Institute, Comandante Joao Abreu, 2014. shows a piece of debris found on a beach that could be from a missing MaA white, metre-long chunk of met- laysia Airlines flight MH370, in Maputo on March 3. (REUTERS File Photo)

bique this month by a U.S. adventurer who has been carrying out an independent search for flight MH370. It arrived in Australia for testing earlier this week.

The debris was examined by investigators from Australia and Malaysia, as well as specialists from Boeing, Geoscience Australia and the Australian National University in Canberra.

Malaysia said this week it would send a team to retrieve a piece of debris found along the southern coast of South Africa to check whether it could also belong to MH370.

The jet is believed to have crashed in the Indian Ocean and an initial search of a 60,000 sq km (23,000 sq miles) area of sea floor has been extended to another 60,000 sq km.

A piece of the plane’s wing washed up on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, on the other side of Madagascar, in July 2015. So far only that piece, known as a flaperon, has been confirmed to belong to the missing plane.

North Korea claims rocket engine success; South Korea on high alert sEOuL, March 24 (rEutErs): North Korea successfully tested a solid-fuel engine that boosted the power of its ballistic rockets, state media reported on Thursday, as South Korea’s president ordered the military to be ready to respond to the North’s “reckless provocation”.

Pyongyang’s claim indicates it is continuing to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a rapid pace in defiance of U.N. sanctions, and amid assessment by the South’s officials that it could conduct a new nuclear test at any time.

The isolated state has in recent weeks stepped up bellicose rhetoric, threatening pre-emptive nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul, as well as making claims of advancement in its weapons technology.

The Rodong Sinmum, the North’s ruling party newspaper, carried photos of leader Kim Jong Un on site as a rocket engine laid horizontally on the ground emitted a fiery blast. A two-page report detailed the testing of the engine’s structure and thrust.

“He noted with great pleasure that the successful test ... helped boost the power of ballistic rockets capable of mercilessly striking hostile forces,” KCNA news agency said.

The North said last week

it had conducted a successful simulated test of atmospheric re-entry of a ballistic missile, and would soon test ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

On Wednesday, the North repeated the threat to attack the South’s presidential office, saying its large-calibre multiple rocket launch systems are on alert to strike the Blue House and its special operations unit is ready to go into action.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye ordered a heightened state of alert and put the military on standby to “respond actively to reckless provocations by the North,” according to her office.

The current tension on the peninsula follows the United Nations Security Council’s recent imposition of tough new sanctions against the North over its nuclear and missile programmes, and as South Korea and the United States conduct annual joint military drills.

The North calls the exercises “nuclear war moves” and has threatened to respond with an all-out offensive, as well as a series of rocket launches in recent days.

SOLID FUEL ROCKET ENGINE Pyongyang has previously launched long-range rockets that used liquid fuel but it was seen to lack the capability to

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches landing and anti-landing exercises being carried out by the Korean People’s Army (KPA) at an unknown location, in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on March 20.

(REUTERS Photo)

build solid-fuel long-range or intercontinental missiles.

Solid-fuel rockets have advantages in military use, although liquid fuel rockets are considered more sophisticated as their thrust can be controlled in flight.

The North has deployed short and medium-range missiles and test fired them, but never flight-tested the KN-08 ICBM it is believed to be developing.

The KN-08, which has been put on display at military parades and in official news media, appears to have a three-stage design that is likely intended to use solid fuel, according to experts.

Despite its boasts to be making progress, many experts believe the North is a decade or more away from building an ICBM capable of threatening the United States.

The North’s stepped-up rhetoric and weapons claims come ahead of its planned congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, which will be the first in more than 35 years.

Some Pyongyang-watchers say the North may look to claim a splashy achievement, such as a fifth nuclear test, in the run-up to the conference as young leader Kim Jong Un looks to bolster his legitimacy domestically.

“North Korea may think

it is better for them to complete their nuclear weapons programme and negotiate later, rather than just to sit back until it withers and dies,” Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University, said.

The North is ready to conduct a fifth nuclear test “now, immediately,” the South’s unification ministry said on Monday.

Its nuclear test site remained active, undergoing maintenance on existing tunnels as well as clean-up following the January test, according to 38 North, a project of the U.S. Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

10

friDAY 25•03•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

spurs, Warriors remain perfect at home

Los AngeLes, MArch 24 (AFP): The San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors kept their perfect home records intact as the Western Conference teams moved closer the Chicago Bulls' all-time single season record for consecutive home wins with 11 games remaining.

The Warriors toppled Los Angeles 114-98 to sweep the season series with the Clippers while the Spurs dumped the Miami Heat 112-88 on Wednesday as Kawhi Leonard matched his career high with 32 points.

The Spurs improved to 36-0 at home to move within one of the 1995-96 Bulls NBA record of 37 wins and no losses from the start of the season.

The Warriors aren't far behind as they improved to 33-0 to move into a tie with the 1995-96 Orlando Magic for third place on the all time list.

Both the Spurs (60-11) and the Warriors (64-7) have 11 games left in the regular season as they each try to become the first team to finish the season without a loss at home.

"If we take care of home court the rest of the way it

would be good," said Warriors star Stephen Curry on Wednesday night. "We don't want to limp into the playoffs. With the schedule we have, we got to take advantage of it."

Both teams are back at home on Friday with the Warriors facing Memphis and the Spurs hosting Dallas. Warriors coach Steve Kerr also said earlier Wednesday that the club's quest to set the NBA single-season win record was a real lure.

"We're getting there," he said. "That's pretty enticing." The Warriors swept the season series over the Clippers as Curry scored a game-high 33 points while Klay Thompson wasn’t far behind with 32. The teammates combined for 11 three-pointers.

D raymo n d G re e n notched his 11th doubledouble of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Shaun Livingston came off the bench to score 11 points.

The victory allowed the Warriors to remain four games up on San Antonio in the battle for top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Leonard equalled his

career high 32 points in 24 minutes of playing time before leaving the Spurs game against the Heat with a bruised quadriceps.

Leonard left the floor midway through the third quarter and headed to the San Antonio locker room with a towel over his face.

He did not return, but he was not needed as the Spurs went on a 18-4 burst in the first five minutes after he left.

Kevin Love returned to the lineup and finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-104.

LeBron James had 26 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Kyrie Irving had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Cavaliers, who have won four of their last five.

Gi a n n i s A nt e t o kounmpo had 24 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Bucks, who lost their third straight. Greg Monroe had 14 points.

Love missed one game with a cold that bothered him for about a week and broke out of a shooting funk that bothered him since the all-star break. He hit eight of 14 shots from the floor.

Clippers owner's lawsuit against NBA dismissed

Stephen Curry (30) crosses up Paul Pierce (34) in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

James spoke earlier telling the US media he would take less money to play on the same NBA team with his basketball friends -Dwyane Wade, Carmelo

Anthony and Chris Paul -before his basketball career ends.

"I really hope that, before our career is over, we can all play together,"

James said. "At least one, maybe one or two seasons -- me, Melo, D-Wade, CP -we can get a year in. I would actually take a pay cut to do that."

Los AngeLes, MArch 24 (AFP): A federal judge dismissed former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling's $600 million antitrust lawsuit against the National Basketball League, court papers obtained on Wednesday showed.

Sterling sued the league for more than $1 billion in damages immediately after his wife Shelly agreed in May 2014 to sell the team to former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.

The NBA countersued, claiming Sterling harmed the league with widely publicized racist comments that sparked a firestorm of controversy.

Lawyers for the 81-year-old Sterling last year amended the suit to include as defendants the last two NBA commissioners, Adam Silver and David Stern, Shelly Sterling and two doctors who found him mentally incapable of continuing as the team's owner.

In a 13-page order dated Tuesday, US District Judge Fernando M. Olguin wrote that the court was "skeptical Sterling suffered any injury at all, let alone an antitrust injury" and described other portions of the lawsuit as "clearly implausible".

The ruling comes less than two weeks after it was reported by the Los Angeles Times that Donald and Shelly Sterling had decided not to divorce. Donald Sterling cited "irreconcilable differences" in seeking a divorce last August, but this month his lawyer Bobby Samini told the Times that the couple had resolved their differences.

Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics ensured their first winning season in three years under Brad Stevens, by posting a 91-79 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Despite the loss, Toronto clinched its third consecutive post-season berth thanks to a 115-107 loss by Chicago to the New York Knicks.

public discourse Adam Johnson jailed for under-age sex offences Nagas cautioned against centralization of political power The 61st Republic Day speech of Gen. (Retd) Viyalie Metha Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland Date: Urra, Chedema, Nagaland, March 22, 2016 Fellow Countrymen, As we gather here today to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the founding of our Federal republic, let us all give thanks to God for His faithfulness in all the trials and adversities that the nation had faced in the past six decades.

In the history of nations, the founding of a nation's republic is always a joyous occasion celebrated in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. But in our case, the founding of our government was 'done amidst the sound of gunfire, bombs, destructions and deaths. This became the reality, because though we had declared our independence on 14th August 1947; before we could establish n our government with goodwill to all our neighbors, Indian troops started to invade our country from 1954 onwards. As proof of these

Adam Johnson and his former girlfriend Stacey Flounders are seen outside Bradford Crown Court in February 2016.

London, MArch 24 (AFP): Former England footballer Adam Johnson was sentenced to six years in prison at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday after being found guilty of sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan. Johnson, once a winger with Sunderland and Manchester City, was found guilty following an incident in his Range Rover car in County Durham, north-east England, last year. The 28-year-old had also pleaded guilty to another count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming a child.

Judge Jonathan Rose, passing sentence, said the victim -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- had been a Sunderland fan who would wait after matches to take pictures of her "favourite player", Johnson, who had known her age. "That was known to you -- to put it another way she had only just turned 15 when you began grooming her, because as you were to admit you found her sexually attractive," said the judge. Judge Rose said that the offences happened "at a time when you were engaged in frequent sexual intercourse with multiple partners".

"You made a deliberate decision to engage in sexual activity with this young girl, no doubt in the expectation that you would get away with it." Johnson was found guilty on March 2 before being granted bail ahead of Thursday's sentencing.

He was sacked by struggling Premier League side Sunderland last month as the north-east club terminated his £60,000 ($84,675, 75,909 euros) per week contract and Judge Rose said: "Your future as a pro-

fessional footballer must be in doubt."

He told Johnson he had "every opportunity" to enter guilty pleas to the charges he eventually admitted and that by not doing so his victim had been subjected to a year of being called a liar, including chants by fans. "She speaks of entering many dark places in that year and said she had suffered bullying and stress and had underachieved at school as a result of the case," the judge said.

Judge Rose also ordered Johnson to pay £50,000 of the prosecution's £67,132 costs. Gerry Wareham, the chief prosecutor for England's north-east region said Johnson's actions had had a "devastating effect" on his victim and that any sympathy regarding a football career cut short was misplaced. "Adam Johnson exploited a young starstruck fan, actively grooming her over a number of months in single-minded pursuit of his own sexual gratification," Wareham said in a statement.

"We should all be clear that there is only one victim in this case, the fifteenyear-old girl he sexually assaulted. "This situation had a devastating effect on the young victim and it is my sincere hope that she and her family will be granted the respect and space they deserve, to recover and rebuild their lives." The fallout from the case saw Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne resigning on March 8 after she admitted to making "a serious mistake" in being party to the decision to let Johnson play on for the club for nearly a year despite knowing he had admitted to kissing a 15-year-old girl.

facts, I would like to quote B.N. Mullik who was then, the Director of the Indian Intelligence Bureau. Mullik had 'written thus: "Troops moved into Tuensang by October 1955, and the war with the Nagas started from then." (B. N. Mullik, My years with Nehru p.308) Here it must be noted by every government on earth that it was not Naga troops moving into India; but Indian troops moving into Tuensang Nagaland, that caused the indo-Naga conflict and compelled us to establish our Government amidst our own blood and our tears. This tragic tragedy befell our nation at the stage of its birth because these invading Indian troops burnt our whole country side into ashes. But whatever adversities our nation had to face at its birth, the founding members of our nation nevertheless laid

down the basic infrastructure of our newly established Government. Though on the run and always relentlessly pursued by the Indian troops, our leaders from both the then British district of the Naga Hills and the then Free Nagaland of the British Linadministered territories joined together and established our Federal Government on the historic day of March 22, 1956.

Based on our national polity with its diverse customs and traditions, our national leaders laid down a unique system of governance where every region was given autonomy for conducting their own regional affairs. This was achieved in a way where, besides the Central Government of Nagaland embodied by the Tatar Hoho (Central Parliament), Regional Leacy Hohos (Regional Legislative Assemblies) with their own Regional Executives and Sub-Re-

gional Committees were also established.

The various regions were also empowered to establish their own Regional Courts and Sub Regional courts right down to the Village Courts. This system of governance was evolved from the traditional village sovereignty which was a unique feature of the pure form of Naga Democracy. Naga democracy is a system, where every village was a Sovereign Democratic Republic. And these are the foundations upon which our Sovereign Democratic Republic was established in 1956.

In the present changing world where centralization of political power is nullifying the individual's right to freedom and liberty, our people must take the utmost caution against all alien political ideologies that are threatening to overtake our Naga system of pure democracy.

Dissecting Presidential Speeches on Naga Republic Day 2016

‘The various speeches delivered by NPGs on 21st March 2016, lacked the taste of Naga nationality. We find no visionary or revolutionary speech that could provoke debate and discussion among the Naga public’

N

aga nation is a nation with many Presidents. Therefore, on every Naga Republic Day, i.e., 21st March, we listen to many presidential addresses that carry divergent views. It is unfortunate that Naga Republic Day is being used by some Naga Political Groups (NPGs) as a special occasion to open up the old wounds and rub salt on them. This is not only unhealthy but also shows disunity among the Naga families to the whole world. Time has come to accept the fact that what has happened in the past (Accords or Agreements) had happened because that was ‘the best (if not the only) option available at that period of time’. Therefore Naga leaders should not get obsessed with past events/mistakes but take them positively and guide the present generation with new vision so as to ensure security and development of future generation.

The main emphasis of the presidential address of GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) was to keep its flock together from being going astray to other camps/groups. I quote, “Leaders and workers may keep running from one camp to another basing on their personal needs and requirements, every human being ambitious social animal, weaker person or less determined person may be seen changing their colours but it’s the problem of individuals. The nation gains nothing but steps into more confusion when such people try to cover their own weakness and misadventures.” This statement assumed significance in the recent exodus event of Baba Gen (Rtd) Kholi and his loyalists from the GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) to NSCN (IM).

But GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) must not forget that when they criticise others about ‘running from one camp to another’ or ‘changing their colours’, they were also former members of NNC, NSCN, NSCN(K) or NSCN(IM) before forming themselves as GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi). Who is better than who in the defection games?

In the same vein of GPRN/ NSCN(Khehoi), the presidential address of the NSCN/GPRN-Reformation, after the ritual condemnation of Shillong Accord, cautioned the cadres of various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) against defection.

I quote, “Defecting from one faction to another faction at this juncture will not help the Nagas as such practices will only create enmity and antagonism among different NPGs. Rather, Naga people must try to know to live together as one people although they work under different NPGs.” This statement (especially the last sentence) makes us to wonder whether the various NPGs are really willing to unite for common cause. The existence of many NPGs had brought much hardship to the Naga public. The NPGs must answer this question: How many more years should the ‘Naga people must try to live together’ under different NPGs? The speech of the Acting President of NNC emphasised on unity of all Naga National Political Groups. I quote, “the NNC once again appeals to all the Naga National Political Groups to unite on one and only one political agenda for a solution in the interest of all the Naga people and future generations in consultation with all the stakeholders in the homeland.” It continues, “Lastly the Naga National Council will say once again on this occasion that the Government of India will always apply "divide and rule" policy to destroy Naga politics....” This shows that NNC is not ignorant of the danger of ‘divide and rule’ policy the GoI and the importance of unity among the Naga people. The problem with the NNC is that it cannot still accept the on-going talk between NSCN (IM) and the GoI as the talk had left behind ‘the mainland majority.’ One hopes that, for the sake of Naga nation, the NNC will, in the near future, translate its rhetorical speech of unity into action by befriending the different NPGs including the NSCN (IM). Even ‘right’ becomes ‘wrong’ when it is not applied in appropriate time. May be it’s ‘now or never’ for the Nagas to come together for common cause.

Every NPG must leave behind the mentality of ‘if my group is not involved then others should not do it.’

The presidential address of the NSCN (IM) gives a brief sketch of the Naga political history starting from the time of the British. It also highlights the sympathetic views of various Indian leaders ultimately leading to the Framework Agreement signed on 3rd August 2015. This time the President is wise enough to avoid mentioning the Shillong Accord. The main emphasis of the presidential address is the Framework Agreement. However, with the content of the Framework Agreement kept in the dark, the President could only give us veiled hints of the future of

the Naga people. I quote, “Since Gol has now recognized our sovereign right, the ownership of land and its resources, our unique history and identity, India will no longer be a threat to us. India and Nagas will be closely interrelated. We will be exercising maximum power for maximum development in all fields. This agreement will guarantee the rights of the Nagas and also address the security concern of India to a great extend.” It appears that the talk is heavily based on ‘Suisa’s Proposal’, so as to address the security concern of both India and Nagalim. Although the speech had highlighted ‘building bridge’ between India and Naga people, it did not talk about ‘building bridge’ among the various NPGs or tribes. We need solution not only with India but within Naga family. Political solution with India but devoid of economic and social preparation back at home will injure the hard-earned freedom.

The various speeches delivered by NPGs on 21st March 2016, lacked the taste of Naga nationality. We find no visionary or revolutionary speech that could provoke debate and discussion among the Naga public. What the Naga public expect from our leaders is not mere elaboration of ‘what has happened in the past’ but more of ‘what is happening now’ and ‘how the Naga people will be in the near future as a nation’. If any speech had directly addressed the present situation of the Naga people, then it is the speech of Kilo Kilonser of NSCN (IM). However the content of his speech lacks clarity. He stated that “The Nagas have now come to the stage of building material, mental and spiritual developments. This demands us to change from our rural mindset to that of the urban. We must move out of the land of scarcity and un-productivity to greener pasture. Urbanization of people is the beginning of developments...Let us rebuild our psychology, our faith, our land and our economy.” It is confusing what he actually means by ‘the stage of building material, mental and spiritual developments’, or ‘change from rural mindset to that of the urban’, or ‘rebuild our psychology’. If we think carefully, shifting from ‘rural mindset’ to ‘urban mindset’ may cause more problem than solving it. From time immemorial, the Naga people have been living in rural areas. They enjoyed life and did not lack daily basic needs. In urban areas there exists inequality. Scarcity is created.

Many people died of starvation. Many have no proper shelter. Urbanisation destroys tribal culture, habitats of birds and

animals, forest, water sources, fertile land, etc. This is what India is pursuing in the name of economic growth. It will be too costly for Naga people to define development, like India, in terms of establishing mega-dams, heavy industries, steel plants, nuclear reactors or Green Revolution. Development should be on ‘need based’ not ‘want or luxury based’. It is the rural people who keep alive urban population. Therefore, when Naga attain its freedom, maximum benefit must go to rural areas. Land must remain with local people/village and state should not take it away in the name of urbanisation/development. Any movement with ‘empire building mentality’ cannot bring positive peace in the land.

If the Nagas want to live as a distinct nation, they must retrieve, and improve the aged-old Naga village culture. When Naga villages become vibrant, a strong Naga nation will be born.

Today, Naga political leaders must tell us what different alternatives they have from that of Indian state or central government to address the problem of tribalism, economic inequality, political corruption, consumerism, sexual harassment, and patriarchy. How will they solve the problem of unemployment? What plans are there to protect land, forests and rivers from being grabbed by rich people/company? What kind of ‘development models’ are they considering as viable for the Nagas? What concern do they have for the welfare of the orphans, the differently-able people, the widows, the poor, old-aged, and the illiterate people? How are they going to enhance the living standard of vegetable vendors, of farmers, petty traders, butchers, carpenters, and others who are involve in daily manual labour? How are they going to take care of environment: trees, birds and birds, herbal plants, agriculture, seeds sovereignty from the threat of global market forces?

What will be the condition of Naga farmers whose labour we depend for survival? Let us talk about all these issues. Naga people have rich indigenous resources for social, political, and economic development. It is hoped that Naga leaders will employ innovative ideas and creative plans (much better than those of India) to develop Naga nation. Otherwise freedom from India will have no meaning at all.

The views expressed here are purely that of the author and did not represent the view or opinion of any institution or organization. #for discussion: zkpahr@ gmail.com# Z. K. Pahrü Pou, BTC, Pfutsero

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

Friday 25•03•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Rapper Phife Dawg dead at 45

R

apper Phife Dawg, a member of rap group A Tribe Called Quest, is dead. He was 45.

The rapper died on Tuesday at his home in the San Francisco Bay Area, his family said in a statement, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Dawg's death was confirmed by Dion Liverpool, his family and longtime manager.

"His love for music and sports was only surpassed by his love of god and family," the statement from the family read.

Dawg was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1990 and received a kidney transplant in 2008.

His death was prompted by complications of diabetes.

Dawg rose with A Tribe Called Quest in 1980s and broke up with them for the first time in 1998.

The group later reunited several times with the latest being last year to celebrate the anniversary of their debut album.

Before his death, Dawg had planned to release several more solo albums.

The band members said in a statement: "Our

hearts are heavy. We are devastated. This is something we weren't prepared for, although we all know that life is fleeting.

"It was no secret about his health and his fight.

But the fight for his joy and happiness gave him everything he needed. The fight to keep his family happy, his soul happy and those around him happy, gave him complete and unadulterated joy ...until he heeded his father's call.

"Thank you for the outpouring of prayers and support from the fans, fellow artists, music outlets, blogs, radio stations, DJ's, social media and the music community at large.

"This too is part of his joy and means a lot to him. His family is overwhelmed by the support, well wishes and are thankful. His music and what he's contributed is seismic and hard to measure.

"He's affected us as much as he's affected all of you. We're inspired by his daily joy and courage.

He wasn't in pain. He was happy. We take comfort in knowing he will be beside his grandmother."

Church is the centre of my ‘Naga Talents Promo’ SeaSon 4 social life: Jennifer Garner

P

heto Music Association Events ‘Naga Talents Promo’ season 4 will start in the month of May with district auditions followed by selection and elimination process.

After selecting the best contestants by providing intensive grooming session will be mentored to the contestants by professionals before the Next Rounds.

PMA informs people of

A

ctress Jennifer Garner says faith is important to her and the church is the "centre" of her social life.

Garner's Christian family still make regular visits to the Methodist church back home in Charleston, West Virginia, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“My parents did such a great job of raising my Source: IANS sisters and me in a world

Gwyneth Paltrow Dedicates New Cookbook to Celebs' Kids Including Blue Ivy

G

C M Y K

wyneth Paltrow's fourth cookbook, "It's All Easy", is dedicated to some of her famous friends' children.

The cookbook, which will be released on April 12, contains more than 125 recipes that are "surprisingly tasty, with little or no sugar, fat, or gluten." In the beginning of the book, the 43-year-old actress gave a special shout out to a list of only first names. She only mentioned their first names probably to protect the little ones' privacy.

However, TheWrap managed to recognize who they really are. Gwyneth noted Beyonce Knowles and JayZ's 4-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff's sons Matthew and John Owen, Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman's daughters Olive and Frankie, Ryan Murphy and David Miller's sons Logan and Ford, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's daughter Kate and son Sparrow and Jerry Seinfeld and Jessica Seinfeld's kids Sascha, Julian and Shepherd. In addition to those names, Gwyneth dedicated the book to her children with ex-husband and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. "Apple and Moses, this book is you for you," the passage read. Gwyneth also stated in the book's introduction that the book's suitable for busy parents.

"When I sat down to start this book, I had been polling my friends and colleagues on what sort of cookbook they were looking for," Gwyneth wrote.

where faith was part of our lives. It's the centre of our social lives, as well as a spiritual centre,” Garner said on “The Dr. Oz Show”.

The 43-year-old, who has children Violet, 10, Seraphina, seven, and Samuel, four, with former husband Ben Affleck, doesn't believe fame changes people in a "huge" way and those who let success go to their heads were probably always driven to

Source: IANS the staffs of Raj Bhavan Kohima on March 24.

Celebrity Zumba TV show to launch in India

D

ance based fitness reality show "Zumba Dance Fitness Party", which will feature celebrities like directoractress Divya Kumar Khosla, chef Ranveer Brar and singer Palak Mucchal, is all set to hit television screens.

Commencing on Saturday, the show will be cohosted by Bollywood actor Pallavi Sharda and will air on Zoom channel.

International master trainer of Indian origin, Sucheta Pal, will be seen teaching the six celebrities a unique non-stop Zumba routine in each episode.

“Perfect for everybody and everybody, each Zumba workout is designed

to bring people together to sweat it on. We take the 'work' out of workout by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorieburning dance fitness party,” Pal said in a statement.

The international trainer said that it will be a total workout, "combining all el-

ements of fitness -- cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility".

The six-episode series will showcase a different theme in each episode as Divya will work out to some popular 'Punjabi Zumba' whilst Brar will be seen dancing to some modern musical street rhythms

with Street Zumba.

DJ Shilpi, will be seen shaking-a-leg on 'Party Zumba' while actress Kainaat Arora will be a part of high-energy aquatic routine in 'Aqua Zumba'.

“In addition to this passion for dance, more and more people in India are becoming health

and fitness aware. Recent studies indicate the wellness industry is expected to touch Rs 1 lakh-crore mark, according to Ficci and PWC data, and we believe that Zumba can help to take this fitness revolution even further in India,” Alberto Pearlman, cofounder and CEO, Zumba Fitness, LLC said.

Rohit Tugnait, national revenue head, Zoom (ad sales and branded content) said: "It is the first time that a television channel is launching a reality show based on a fitness party.

Not only will it act as an entertainer but also help the audiences exercise to get fitter".

Source: IANS

Barack and Michelle

Obama tango in Argentina

S

tate dinners can be staid.

But not on Wednesday, when US President Barack Obama, on a visit to Argentina, was game for a go at tango - with a pro, no less.

Looking relaxed practicing a few steps with dancer Mora Godoy, while his wife First Lady Michelle Obama gave it a whirl with dancer Jose Lugones, the Obamas held their own on tango's home turf.

The US president "was telling me he didn't know how to dance

(tango)", Godoy said. "I told him 'just follow me'."

"He said 'OK', and then he started to dance. Then I started following his lead because he is a very good dancer," Godoy told the La Nacion daily.

Before the dinner with President Mauricio Macri at the Kirchner Cultural Center, Obama made remarks and quoted the late Argentine novelist Jorge Luis Borges's defense of "the inviolable right to have hope".

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

I get 'exhausted to the point of depression'

Hillstar

Justin Bieber cancels all future purpose tour meet-and-greets

NOW SHOWING

Film industry always stands up for causes: Jacqueline

A

will be of Rs 2 Lakhs and Rs 1 lakh for Individual category along with gift hampers and proficiency title certificates. The entry of registration form starts from April 20 onwards. For further information contact PMA office at Padumpukhuri Dimapur or call: (9436405817). Interested Event Groups or party to Co-organize as District Partners can also contact the mention office.

want recognition.

"I've lived in Los Angeles a long time and I know a lot of really incredible, down-to-earth people. I think a few people are kind of more into the idea of fame or whatever, but they were like that when they were kids, I'm sure," she added.

"I don't see people changing in some huge way. You are who you are." Governor of Nagaland and Assam PB Acharya and his wife celebrates Holi festival with

Source: aceshowbiz

ctress Jacqueline Fernandez says she loves the generosity of the film industry in offering help for films, causes or charities, like for her 'Jacqueline Builds' initiative.

"Our fraternity has been very supportive of each other. Whenever there is someone from the industry who seeks help for their movies, or promotions or even causes, charities, I always feel like Bollywood or the film industry always stands up in solidarity, and I love that about my industry.

"Already I have got a lot of support from a lot of my co-stars, people who have been working with me and who have worked with me, so we are always there for each other, very important,"

Nagaland who have the talents in singing, dancing, acting, martial art, drama, magic etc to come and participate in this mega event for recognition.

There is no age limit and anyone can come and participate in two categories individual and group.

In group categories participants should be more than four members.

The ultimate winner prize the show in group

said Jacqueline, who was at the Panbai School to thank schoolchildren who helped in her initiative.

Jacqueline said she intends to build homes for at least 10,000 families in Tamil Nadu, who were affected by the deadly floods late last year.

The event is scheduled to be launched on April 9 and she has tied up with NGO Habitat for Humanity.

"This year, I was particularly concerned about the floods in Tamil Nadu. Habitat for Humanity helped me put together 'Jacqueline Builds', but what we did not really actually expect was the amount of help that we have been receiving from all over India and my sincere thank you to everyone who donated and helped.

"I have done a build before, it is an amazing experience. You go there, you actually build the home with the person who will later be receiving the home, and you start from bottom up, so you're there carrying bricks, putting cement, you get really dirty and it's hot.

"There is a certain satisfaction that you get at the end of the day because you feel really happy, you put your blood and sweat into it. And the people you hand over the keys at the end of the day are so happy and grateful for the support you've given them, that is absolutely priceless," the actress said.

Jacqueline will be seen in "Housefull 3", "Dishoom" and "A Flying Jatt' this year.

J

ustin Bieber will not be meeting his concertgoers until further notice. The pop star announced on Instagram Tuesday that he has canceled all future meetand-greets, which cost $2,000.

"I'm going to be canceling my meet and greets.

I enjoy meeting such inSource: IANS credible people but I end

up feeling so drained and filled with so much of other people's spiritual energy that I end up so drained and unhappy," Bieber, 22, wrote.

Keep up with Justin Bieber in the pages of PEOPLE Magazine by subscribing now.

Fans who purchased the meet-and-greet packages will only be given re-

funds if they forfeit their tickets in exchange.

"Want to make people smile and happy but not at my expense and I always leave feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted to the point of depression," he continued in his post.

"The pressure of meeting people's expectations of what I'm supposed to be is so much for me to handle

and a lot on my shoulders."

The Justin Bieber "I'll Show You" M&G package has been changed into a VIP hangout, due to a security scare.

Adding, "Never want to disappoint but I feel I would rather give you guys the show and my albums as promised. Can't tell you how sorry I am, and wish it wasn't so hard on me.. And I want to stay in the healthy mindset I'm in to give you the best show you have ever seen."

Bieber's management confirmed the cancellations, explaining that a "security incident" caused Bieber to "re-think how meet and greets are handled." In the meantime, the management team is offering a "VIP hangout" as an alternative.

The singer has 114 shows on the remainder of his Purpose world tour. The next show is scheduled to take place on March 25 in Las Vegas.

Source: People.com

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

02:00 pm | 08:00 pm

11:00 AM | 05:00 PM

12

friDAY 25•03•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Dutch soccer legend Cruyff dies aged 68

Johan Cruyff: Football fluidity personified Raf Casert AP Sports Writer

Johann Cruyff led Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final (AFP Photos)

C M Y K

aMstErDaM, March 24 (rEutErs): Johan Cruyff, one of soccer's greatest players and most influential and visionary coaches, died aged 68 on Thursday after a five-month battle with lung cancer.

His death was announced on his website and soon after by the De Telegraaf newspaper, for whom he wrote a weekly column that was often controversial but always eagerly anticipated.

An ex-smoker who had heart surgery in 1991, Cruyff joined Ajax Amsterdam as a long-haired teenager before emerging as one of the world's greats in the early 1970s.

He helped Ajax Amsterdam win three European Cups in a row from 1971-73 and also named European Footballer of the Year in 1971, 1973 and 1974.

Born Hendrik Johannes Cruyff, he joined Barcelona for a then world record transfer fee of $2.0 million, and it was Barcelona that would later define his coaching career, helping

Christ King sports meet held KohiMa, March 24 (MExN): The annual sports meet of Christ King Hr. Sec. School Kohima was held from March 21 to 23 at the school ground with Francis Pelevituo Solo, Commissioner & Secretary, School Education & SCERT as Chief Guest for the inaugural function while Dr. Fr. AJ Sebastian SDB, former Professor & Head, Department of English, Nagaland Central University was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony.

The three day meet was marked by competitions among the four houses – Blue, Green, Red and Yellow – in various athletic events. Yellow House emerged as overall champion of the annual sports meet.

the Catalan club to win their first La Liga title in nearly 15 years in 1974.

He was also a key player in the great Netherlands team that reached the 1974 World Cup final when, for the first time, during the tournament a global audience saw him perform the now-famous "Cruyff turn" the movement in which the player with the ball plays it behind their own leg before swerving away in the direction of the ball.

The Dutch also got to the World Cup final but lost again in 1978, this time without Cruyff who had quit the national side, saying years later he walked away after an armed kidnap attempt.

Following stints at Los Angeles Aztecs and Washington Diplomats in the old NASL, then Levante in Spain, Cruyff returned to Ajax before ending his playing career at their bitter rivals Feyenoord in 1984.

In 1999, he was voted European Player of the Century

while he is often bracketed alongside Brazil's Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona as the three best players ever to grace the sport.

The Barca 'Dream Team' Cruyff coached won four straight La Liga titles between 1991 and 1994 and beat Sampdoria 1-0 for the club's maiden European Cup triumph in 1992.

The possession-based playing style Cruyff promoted, with an emphasis on relentless attack, has been widely copied and is credited with underpinning Barca's subsequent successes, as well as those of the Spanish national team.

Former England captain Gary Lineker, who played under Cruyff at Barcelona, summed up the Dutchman's contribution by saying on Twitter: "Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history."

Cruyff had announced last October that he was suffering

from lung cancer but continued to write his newspaper column and earlier this month travelled to Israel to visit his son Jordi, who is technical director at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Only last month he said he was “2-0 up in the first half” of his battle against lung cancer.

Poignantly that turned out to be one of the last public statements made by the man whose footballing pronouncements were eagerly sought after by soccer fans around the globe.

He died surrounded by friends and family at home in Barcelona, his website added.

His death prompted Dutch radio and television stations to suspend regular programming, with Ronald de Boer, another Dutch international who played at Barcelona, declaring: “He was the best footballer we ever had.”

Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said: “RIP @JohanCruyff, a genius, a legend and the man who changed the mentality of the @FCBarcelona."

It seemed no one could keep up with Johan Cruyff.

Not the greatest defenders of the 1970s.

Not rival coaches, tacticians or analysts.

Not even occasional critics during the half century that Cruyff voiced his thoughts -often profound, sometimes wacky - about all things football. The Amsterdam street kid had enough chutzpah, football smarts and aura to stare down and silence anyone.

Football lost one of its greatest on Thursday when Cruyff died in Barcelona after a battle with lung cancer. He was 68.

Cruyff stands next to Pele, Diego Maradona and Franz Beckenbauer among the best the sport has ever produced.

With his wiry frame and long hair, his loose shirt emblazoned with ''14'' flapping in the wind, he could wrong-foot the best defenders with a mere wiggle of the hips. In an instant, he would read a play - no, create a play that others would need a full second for. With stunning eyefeet coordination he could pick up a ball in midair and steer past a goalkeeper in one supremely graceful move. ''Speed and insight are often confused,'' Cruyff once said. ''When I start running before everybody else, I appear faster.''

Many children would try to replicate his signature ''Cruyff turn'' - his technique for passing defenders by faking toward them, then flicking the ball behind his own other leg in the opposite direction and darting after it.

A child of 1970s Netherlands, Cruyff symbolized how the country shed post-World

War II shackles of rigid social mores and embraced the sense of flower-power freedom that had blown over from California.

On the pitch, that sense of freedom was called ''Total Football,'' a revolutionary change in tactics with players interchanging roles, pressuring the opposition all over the field and constantly moving with the mesmerizing fluidity of an orange lava lamp. The innovation dumbfounded rival teams for several years before they started to copy it in full or in part.

It never was fully clear whether Cruyff or Ajax and Netherlands coach Rinus Michels was the chief architect of Total Football. But Cruyff was its personification.

He won three European championships with Ajax from 1971 to 1973. He was European player of the year three times and was named Europe's best player of the 20th century.

During the early 1970s, his magic eluded him only once, and only for 89 minutes of one game. It was when he needed it most - the 1974 World Cup final against archrival West Germany in Munich.

With a searing run from midfield before any German had even touched the ball, Cruyff earned the Netherlands a penalty after 50 seconds.

But then, in one of football's eternal mysteries, Dutch momentum that had built through the tournament stopped. After the early lead, Cruyff no longer was superlative and a Beckenbauer-led Germany came back to win 2-1.

Cruyff never won the World Cup. From Ajax, Cruyff moved midseason in 1973 to Barcelona, the underdog and fierce opponent of Real Madrid and the Franco regime. The adver-

sarial conditions fitted him like a glove. He led the mid-table team to its first national title in a decade.

That season was crowned with a 5-0 away win at Madrid so sweet that Catalans still sometimes refer to Cruyff as ''El Salvador,'' the savior.

Later, as a coach, he made himself immortal for Barca fans by winning the 1992 European Cup - the predecessor of the UEFA Champions League. Before that he coached Ajax to the 1987 Cup Winners' Cup title.

Like others of his time, Cruyff smoked heavily during his career and afterward. He quit after undergoing an emergency heart bypass in 1991.

In an anti-smoking film he made famous, Cruyff took a pack of cigarettes, crumpled it and started juggling it like a football, before kicking it away with a mighty thump.

After more heart trouble in 1997, he stayed true to his vow to never coach again at the highest level.

Instead he became an acerbic, sometimes hurtful, critic and analyst, savaging even his beloved Ajax, Barca and the Dutch national team whenever he felt it necessary.

He became a European version of Yogi Berra with his famous quotes: ''Every disadvantage has its advantage,'' ''You can't win without the ball,'' ''If I wanted you to understand it, I would have explained it better.''

Criticizing overly defensive play, Cruyff once said: ''Italians can't beat you, though you can lose to them.''

And perhaps best of all: ''Before I make a mistake, I don't make it.'' The Dutch call them Cruyffisms.

They'll live on - on his Amsterdam streets and beyond.

Twenty20's unstoppable rise fuels fears for Test cricket Vekuzo Vezhii – wrestler par excellence

MuMbai, March 24 (aFP): As he joined the sellout crowd for a Twenty20 match at the home of Indian cricket, Kaushal Loday said he wouldn't have come if the game was a Test. "I'm not interested in five-day cricket, it's too long," said Loday outside Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, ahead of a showdown between India and South Africa.

"T20's more entertaining. We like seeing sixes and fours." The success of the ongoing World Twenty20 should be cause for celebration for administrators, with millions of TV viewers and packed houses enjoying batting pyrotechnics from the likes of Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers.

But while T20 cricket was conceived as a way for cashstrapped boards to make some money on the side, its growth in the last decade has led to fears it might devour the longest form of the game.

The official line is that T20 can spread the game and encourage newcomers to the fiveday Test matches, or 50-over one-day internationals.

"We want to make sure all three formats of the game --

Test, ODI and T20 -- are going to able to co-exist well into the future and not only survive but flourish," said International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson.

But with the proliferation of domestic T20 tournaments giving players the chance to earn more in six weeks than they get from their boards in a year, some stars are turning their back on Tests. And with Tests often attracting paltry crowds, some players worry T20 cricket is endangering the format it was meant to underwrite. "I think it does threaten the traditional game," said England skipper Eoin Morgan, before admitting he didn't have any solution to the problem. This year's World T20 in India is the third on the sub-continent in a little over three years. In contrast the ODI World Cup is every four years.

Players such as the West Indies' Gayle have stopped playing Tests and instead earn big bucks in tournaments such as Australia's Big Bash or the Bangladesh Premier League.

Gayle has admitted he would "not be so sad" if Test cricket died a death, while de Villiers -- South Africa's Test

captain and still only 32 -- recently acknowledged rumours he was thinking of quitting international cricket in favour of Twenty20 tournaments.

"There are big tournaments going on around the world and some of them you can't ignore because financially they make a huge difference in our lives," he said. The biggest is the Indian Premier League (IPL) where an evening's entertainment features cheerleaders, fireworks and cameos by Bollywood stars. Speaking outside the Wankhede, home to India's board and the Mumbai Indians IPL side, Indian fan Rohit Bhosale said he only had time for T20s. "The whole crowd seems to be enjoying T20 cricket more than the one-day or Test cricket," he said.

India's board was initially cool on T20 cricket and only agreed to send a team to the first World T20 in South Africa in 2007 to secure the right to host the 2011 ODI World Cup. But the ecstatic reaction to India's eventual victory prompted a rethink and the IPL's birth.

Indian legend Kapil Dev said there was no point trying to hold back the tide and

"the T20 format is the future".

"There is no doubt that Test cricket is far superior -- but then the public, young and old, are hooked on to this format. It does not matter whether I like it or not!" he wrote in India's Mail Today newspaper.

Richardson said the ICC was trying to devise an international calendar that didn't force players to choose between their country and a T20 money-spinner, acknowledging the need for a balance to ensure "they don't cannibalise each other". In November, Australia successfully staged the first day/night Test, while the idea of a Test championship has long been debated to revive the format.

Indian commentator Ayaz Memon said it was wrong to lay Test cricket's problems at T20's door, saying the two shorter formats had been devised to reverse a fall in crowds.

Memon said the real challenge was to retain the interest of a younger generation "weaned on a lot of different formats".

"Everybody wants to preserve Test cricket as of now, but you don't know what may happen in the future," he said.

Our Correspondent Kohima | March 24

30 year old Vekuzo Vezhii excels in sports – particularly, Naga wrestling and boxing. Vekuzo’s wrestling prowess has recently been on display with him excelling in several competitions.

A Lance Naik in the 12th NAP (IR) and associated with NAPTC, Vekuzo recently stood runner-up in the recently held 25th Anniversary Tournament of the Nagaland Wrestling Association in Kohima and won cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh.

Son of Lt. Vechita Vezhii from Khomi village of Phek district, it was the second time Vekuzo had finished as runner-up in the Naga wrestling meet. The last was in 2014.

Apart from excelling in Naga wrestling, the 5’10” tall, 96 kilo bearing buff of a man was also three times gold medalist in boxing during the Nagaland Police meet during 2013, 2014 and 2015. He also bagged bronze under heavyweight category (boxing) during the North East Sports meet at Itanagar in 2015.

Earlier, in 2012 Vekuzo had claimed third position at the Chakhesang Wrestling meet before eventually going on to become champion of Phek Area Wrestling meet in 2014.

Vekuzo Vezhii

Among other honours, he has also won the Khomi wrestling meet twice – in 2014 and 2016 besides being a semi-finalist in the heavy weight category of Naga Wrestlemania-2 organized by 3E Nagaland.

Meanwhile, Vekuzo told The Morung Express that he wishes to participate in forthcoming wrestling tournaments.

He expressed gratitude to DGP Nagaland L. L. Doungel, IPS and NAPTC commandant Teisovisie Metha for their support and for enabling him to be associated with Naga wrestling apart from his normal duty. Vekuzo further thanked all the well wishers for their prayer and moral support.

Watson to quit international cricket after World T20

NEW DELhi, March 24 (rEutErs): Australian allrounder Shane Watson will bow out of international cricket after the World Twenty20 in India, cutting the team's last link to their golden era in the early 2000s.

The 34-year-old blond quit tests last year after losing his battle against a spate of injuries that plagued his career, and has not featured in a oneday international since September.

"One morning I woke up in Dharamsala, waking up to the beautiful view and I don't know what it was exactly but I knew now was the right time," Watson told reporters in Mohali where Australia take on Pakistan in their next Super 10 match on Friday. "I've really enjoyed my time being back in the Australian squad.

But it is quite different, none of the other guys I played with growing up are here any more," he added.

Watson made his one-day debut against South Africa in 2002, three years before he broke into the test team led by Ricky Ponting.

He played along side the likes of Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist and also helped to rebuild the side after his se-

niors quit the game.

Since his 2005 test debut against Pakistan, regular hamstring and back injuries have taken a toll on Watson's body, prompting him to end his test career after 59 matches, scoring a total of 3731 runs to go with 75 wickets.

Watson, along with three team mates, was axed during the team's tour of India in 2013 for ignoring team order and the all-rounder said he considered retirement after the "homework" controversy under the then coach Mickey Arthur. "That was a time I certainly was considering my future within the Australian team because at

that point in time I certainly wasn't enjoying the environment at all," he said.

"It changed within two or three months with Darren (Lehmann) coming in (as coach) and changing things around." Watson was a bigger force in limited overs cricket, amassing 5757 runs in 190 one-dayers averaging 40.54 and was part of Australia's 2007 and 2015 World Cup winning teams. A World Twenty20 title continues to elude Australia but Watson was adjudged player of the tournament at the 2012 edition of the tournament in Sri Lanka.

The big-hitting all-rounder, who attracted a $1.4 million bid from Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction last month, will continue to play domestic Twenty20 tournaments including the Big Bash League for the Sydney Thunder, Cricket Australia said.

"Shane should be proud of his contribution to Australian cricket," CA chief executive James Sutherland said. "At his best, he was a devastating batsman and skilful swing and seam bowler who thrilled crowds the world over. And to his enormous credit he is the only Australian batsman to have scored centuries in all three forms of the game."

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