March 2nd, 2017

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

ThursDAY • MArch 02 • 2017

DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 58 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

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T R u T H

If you can’t resolve your problems in peace, you can’t solve them with war — Somalian proverb Govt asks all banks to have mobile banking facility by March 31 PAGE 08

Exploring the thoughts and achievements of a Naga businessman

India won’t be butterfingers at Bengaluru, says Murali Vijay

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

nagaland: css teacher’s salary conundrum persists

An athelete competing at the ongoing Angami Sports Association’s Golden Jubilee Tournament in Kohima on March 1. (Morung Photo)

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Congress says NPF ‘lost its regional identity’

DIMAPUR, MARCH 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today stated that the recent statements made by former Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and Education Minister Yitachu on the government decision not to use central forces during the recent protests and violence “exposes their hollow mindset that has no respect for voices and sentiments of the people.”

A press note from the Don’t cry,be strong. Death is a reality we’ll all face,there’s NBCC media cell said that no escaping,by the way the entire ULB election fihow did your pig die? asco and loss of lives and property “could have been averted had these leaders tactfully handled the simmering situation.”

Govt notifies law to make banned note possession punishable

NEw DElHI, MARCH 1 (PTI): The government has notified the law that makes holding of more than 10 scrapped notes punishable with a minimum fine of Rs 10,000. The Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, was passed

by Parliament last month.

The law, signed by President Pranab Mukherjee on February 27, also provides for a minimum fine Rs 50,000 for false declaration by persons who were abroad during the demonetisation period (November 9-December 30, 2016) and given time to deposit such scrapped notes with RBI till March 31. With the law coming into force, possession of more than 10 pieces of the old notes by individuals and more than 25 pieces for study, research or numismatics purpose will be a criminal offence, attracting fine of Rs 10,000 or five times the cash held, whichever is higher.

“Moreover, TR Zeliang has brought disrepute to himself by claiming that he is the victim of majoritarian politics. If that be the case, how did he become the Chief Minister in the first place? Rather than be thankful to the legislators for allowing him the opportunity to head the government, his statement in Tamenglong speaks of pettiness and negative attitude that is unbecoming of the position he held,” the Congress said. “Playing the minority card is a desperate attempt to polarize the people on communal lines,” it stated, and asked the former CM to “know that he is playing with fire that can burn his hands in-

stead of others.”

The NPCC meanwhile termed it ironic that the NPF “claims to listen to the wishes and aspirations of the common people while asserting that people were the party’s high command.” Nagaland, it reminded, was shut down for more than three weeks “since the exact opposite action was taken by NPF government.”

It alleged that the NPF “lost its regional identity long ago and its high command is now the BJP-RSS.” “It will better for the NPF to merge with BJP-RSS rather than pretend to be separate entities when they are already two sides of the same coin,” it added.

DIMAPUR, MARCH 1 (MExN): While the past month has been dominated by the turmoil over the ULB poll issue, the ensuing violence and its effect on the government and the state’s political leadership, the dour plight of teachers appointed under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) in Nagaland continues.

The Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSATA) and the All Nagaland Hindi Teachers’ Union (ANHTU) today issued statements to remind the government and the new Chief Minister of the same.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu, the NRMSATA stated that the salary issue for the CSS employees under RMSA, SSA, Hindi teachers etc “blatantly speaks about the irresponsible attitude of the state government in solving the problem.”

It reminded that the associations have been raising their voices every now and again so far as regularization of salary is concerned.

“It is not at all encouraging to always engross ourselves in paper wars at regular interval. It’s a new year, a new beginning, a new academic session; therefore, from the early start itself, let us try not to whistle past on someone’s graveyard and spoil the whole show of the year. Allow the teaching community to have a joyful and prosperous year by putting to an end to this particular issue once and for all,” the NRMSATA ap-

pealed to the CM. The association asked the CM to confront the fact that the regular delay in salaries for CSS teachers “is not because of the Central Government.” It rather alleged that the Nagaland State Government is responsible for “creating the obstacles.”

It said that when the MHRD, Government of India “sanctions its 90% share as salary component to the state exchequer, similarly the state government is expected to give 10% of its due share.”

The association however lamented that the Nagaland State Government “always procrastinates to give its share on time; thus the delay of salary begins.”

“Because, until and unless the state government gives its due matching share, the concerned department will not be in a position to prepare the utilization certificate (UC), meaning to say, the RMSA, SSA officials have to show proof to the MHRD (GoI) that they have utilized the already sanctioned amount and are ready for the next installment, which is a mass of documents in order to receive the next stipends,” it informed.

The association further slammed the “lackadaisical attitude of state government,” who it claimed “never bothers to comply with the guidelines and procedure laid down by the MHRD (GoI),” and termed this as the “main hindrance for frequent delay of salary.”

While acknowledging that various new measures and

In this regard, the NRMSATA stated that there are two options: either, to retract the funding process from the Finance Department so that RMSA, SSA teachers directly receive the sanctioned amount from the MHRD (GOI); or the state government should give its due matching 10% share on time.

“Similarly, we as teachers will whole heartedly dedicate ourselves in facilitating the career of the students without any reserve or disturbances,” it assured.

The NRMSATA expressed hope that the CM would work towards finding an early solution to this problem without further delay.

ANHTU extends deadline for release of salaries Meanwhile, the All Nagaland Hindi Teachers’ Union (ANHTU) today informed that it has decided to extend the deadline for release of salaries to CSS Hindi teachers till March 7.

In a press note, the ANHTU reminded that it had served an ultimatum to the Director, Directorate of School Education to release the nine month worth of salaries by February 10. The department is yet to do so.

With the extended deadline, the ANHTU cautioned that if the department fails to fulfill its demands, the union would start a phase wise agitation along with the 1379 CSS Hindi teachers. It therefore advised all district CSS Hindi teachers representatives to “prepare for phase wise agitation.”

Industrialization: odds still stacked against Nagaland Cyclist on his 5th round of

‘Strong, committed and clear’ policies supported by ‘enlightened political will’ needed: Vision 2030 Our Correspondent Kohima | March 1

Odds seem to be stacked against the State in terms of industrialization but the challenges are surmountable. Strong, committed and clear policies supported by a strong and enlightened political will can change all of that, noted the Nagaland Vision 2030 document.

The lack of appropriate infrastructure especially that of connectivity covering the aspects of roads, power, IT and Telecom, lack of capital formation in the state and poor banking culture and coverage, lack of environment for investments starting with peace, law & order as also the peculiar land laws and land

tenure systems are some of the reasons why industrialization has not taken off in Nagaland.

This was stated in Nagaland Vision 2030 statement.

Other reasons include poor access to markets of India as a result of remoteness, isolation and a landlocked situation along with very poor connectivity, poor internal economy and lack of local markets for promotion of products before export, and lack of industrial labor force.

On the one hand, the population of the state is very low, without sufficient manpower for agriculture, while the growing educated population is focused mainly on government employment. There also appears to be a stigma associated with labor oriented jobs.

It also cited other reasons such as lack of entrepreneurial skills and technical know-how including management skills that appear to be the main rea-

sons for the failure of the Sugar Mill and the Paper Mill apart from inertia of public sector understandings, lack of identification of the products for ‘Make’ in Nagaland, high expectations and widespread dependence on government for the development of industries while on the other hand, the government has no resources and lacks technological knowhow to promote industries.

“Lack of clear definition and charter of duties of the industry department that it still functions on the principles and model of the Rural Industries Program (RIP) later renamed as the District Industries Centre,” it stated, adding that such limitations have further been translated to the functioning of the various corporations that have been set up as promotional bodies but have been neglected and have mostly become dysfunctional although their ratio-

nale still exists. These include Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Nagaland Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation and Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation.

“A look at the constraints appears as if the odds are stacked against the state. But they are not insurmountable obstacles. In fact, it does not mean that there is no potential for industrialization in the state,” the Vision document stated, adding that they can be overcome by a clear and determined approach involving strong, committed and clear policies supported by a strong and enlightened political will.

The instruments, the institutional arrangements and the philosophy of intervention for industrialization will need to be clearly defined and acted upon to create an enabling environment for industrialization to take off in the state, it added.

After 2010, India’s air deteriorated faster than ever

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policies have been adopted in order to improve the teaching learning process, it however cautioned that unless the salary problem is solved “there is less chance that the government run institutes will bear much fruits as expected.”

“We are seriously fed up of requesting and demanding for the release of our salary. As once said

by Napoleon Bonaparte: ‘An army marches on its stomach.’ An army here is no different with that of the teachers like us. No matter what, the basic need of an individual plays a vital role in any establishment,” it stated.

It reminded that when the CSS programme was freshly introduced, there was continuous free flow payment of salary and delays if any were for only a month or two as the fund was directly accounted to the concerned sections/ departments by the MHRD Accounts (GOI).

It however claimed that the prolonged delay in salaries now is due to the “state government diverting the funding process to the Finance and Planning department etc. where the fund for CSS employees are kept in the Government Civil Deposit to maintain the minimum balance in the state exchequer.”

The association strongly objected to this diversion of fund “just to serve their interest depriving the masses and RMSA, SSA employees in particular,” and questioned the state government’s “indifference” to CSS employees.

NEw DElHI, MARCH 1 (IANS/INDIASPEND): India’s air quality deteriorated faster than ever over the five years to 2015, compared to the period before 2010, according to the State of Global Air 2017 report, recently released by the US-based Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent global health research organisation.

The report also said a million Indians die from the effects of air pollution every year, a link that the government has rejected.

Although the rate of death and disability adjusted life years (DALY) has been reduc-

ing at more than one per cent a year in India, the indicators slowed between 2010 and 15, indicating a rise in air pollution over the period stalled improvement, according to our analysis of IHME data.

Deaths per 100,000 population in India due to air pollution reduced from 165 in 1990 to 135 in 2010, according to the IHME data.

But, the rate remained almost the same in the five-year period under consideration: 2010-15.

India has better air quality than Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, but its air quality is about 50 per cent worse air than China, two times worse than South

Africa and five times worse than the United Kingdom.

In the six countries considered for analysis, India reported the worst deaths-perpopulation ratio: 135 dead per 100,000 people.

The figures show that air quality in Saudi Arabia has been improving since 2010, at a rate faster than the rate of deterioration in India.

Air pollution due to particulate matter -- fine particles made up of oxides of sulphur, nitrogen and carbon -- especially PM 2.5, is the fifth-biggest killer in the world, after the diseases related to the heart and diabetes, according to the IHME report. PM 2.5 refers

to particulate matter known to pose the greatest threat to human health, smaller than 2.5 micrometers, or roughly 1/30th the thickness of a human hair. These particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing heart attacks and strokes, which account for three-quarters of 3.3 million deaths -- including 645,000 in India -- every year globally, according to a 2015 study from Harvard University.

Healthy years lost due to polluted air in India reduced from 4,138 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 3,022 in 2010, only to remain near constant till 2015 (2,922).

Even in terms of healthy

years lost, India fared worst amongst the six countries.

The report’s findings -- specifically the estimate of a million deaths in India every year -- were rejected by Environment Minister Anil Dave on February 22.

“There are many serious institutions in India -- NGOs, government organizations -which do research on this issue,” said Dave. “And a proud country always trusts in its own data and takes action on that. (Controlling) air quality is not rocket science. What state governments and local bodies have to do, they have been told a number of times. In the future as well they will be told.”

country to end discrimination

Cyclist Bhausaheb Bhawar (44), who has been traveling around the Indian Union to raise awareness on discriminatory practices of communities, is seen here in Dimapur, Nagaland, on March 1. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News Dimapur | March 1

Awareness campaigns often bring people to the campaign but a cyclist is taking the campaign to the people all over the Indian Union.

Bhausaheb Bhawar (44) is on his fifth cycling round all over the Union to spread his message against caste practices of dowry and female foeticide.

“I want to raise awareness on positive aspects of life. Practices like dowry lead to female foeticide, and further discrimination on gender lines. Women must have an equal footing in society,” said Bhawar who has been cycling from place to place to raise awareness since 1993. He just completed a month long visit to Manipur, cycling all the way to Moreh even, before he cycled to Kohima and then Dimapur.

Bhawar will speak on his mission and campaign at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sewak, Midland, here on March 2 at 7:30 am.

His white cycle is flanked by the Indian flag in front with a board carrying the message of anti discrimination apart from national integration; at the back is a huge

bag load of documents and papers.

On being asked, he opened up one whole folder of support and acknowledgement of his work from various quarters of the country that he received during his journey.

He also works to promote the Swacch Bharat Mission— cycling produces zero carbon emission thereby taking the mission of a clean environment to another level.

The cyclist highlighted much about his visit to Mizoram. “There they understand the issues and people appreciate such campaigns very much. I was able to meet and interact with a number of people who showed enthusiasm for my cycling mission and also helped me out,” said Bhawar.

The cyclist is from Jalna district of Maharashtra and mostly stays with community heads in order to maximize interaction on discriminatory practices of communities. He survives on a lean vegetarian diet and maintains the best possible health—his glasses, a watch, Rotary International tee shirt, track pants, shoes and cap are his permanent companions.

Bhawar’s next destination is Jorhat, Assam.

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thursDAY 02•03•2017

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Exploring the thoughts and achievements of a Naga businessman REM Group chief shares about his company, society and his philosophy in life Morung Express Feature Mokokchung | March 1

REM Group, a business conglomeration headquarter at Longtho (Mokokchung) is one of the fastest growing business companies in Nagaland. Founded during the years 2008-09, REM Group was established by a small group of Youngman led by Temjen Imna Along Longkumer as a ‘small business house’ with one ‘desk and one chair’. Today, it has grown and bifurcated into different branches like “REM Enterprise (based in Dimapur), REM Constructions & Infrastructure PVT Ltd, REM Hardware Electricals, and REM Coal Mining & Mineral Traders”.

It started off with ‘three persons’, today it employs more than a hundred youths, mostly locals, working in its different branches business. REM Group is also a corporation that is changing lives in the Japukong, Tsurangkong and Jangpetkong ranges of Mokokchung district through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes by building toilets, wells, retaining walls etc in the different villages as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. It is an initiative which was highly impressed the state Governor, PB

Acharya who awarded a Certificate of Commendation to REM Group MD & Chairman, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer on 17th February, 2016. Just recently, on February 17, 2017, the Chairman & MD of REM Group was conferred the International Award in Leadership Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship at the 7th edition of Middle East Business Leadership Awards (2016) at London, an award initiated by American Leadership Development Association (ALDA).

At thirty eight years of age, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, the MD & Chairman of REM Group, is a non-assuming, softspoken and a philosophical person whose one interest in life is to serve the people with a sense of social responsibility.

The Morung Express caught up with the REM Group chief at his office in Longtho (some seventy kilometers away from Mokokchung town), where he shared about his company, and his thoughts in a exclusive interview.

About REM Group ‘REM Group is a collective company’, says Along Longkumer, ‘it is a company owned by all the members, all the peo-

REM Group MD & chairman, Temjen Imna Along Longkumer at his office in Lohgtho, Mokokchung. He was recently conferred the International Award in Leadership Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship at the 7th edition of Middle East Business Leadership Awards (2016) at London. (Morung Photo)

ple. Starting from the handymen, drivers, the supervisors and everybody…in the right words, actually it’s a people’s company’.

He disclosed that the name ‘REM’ has been specifically chosen in honor of his paternal grandmother, ‘Remtsüngmerila’, who was a staff nurse working with the ‘downtrodden Adivasi people’ in the tea garden in Assam.

“When I was in Mumbai (as MD of Nop Global Info Solutions) and rest of the country, some of my friends and elders used to tell me that if I start some good enterprises in the name of my ancestors, then

God will be really happy and bless you…when I look back in my life, I knew the love of my grandmother from my very childhood days, and her services to the downtrodden people, the Adivasis in Assam, I thought Lord, I think I need to take her name. So taking her complete name Remtsungmerila would be an impossible task, so the name Rem started. That’s how REM Group came into being.”

Along Longkumer disclosed that REM Group started off as a business house, but living in Longtho, he wanted to do something for the area. Gradually, while visiting the villages and meeting people, slowly people

began to join in. However, it was not easy in the beginning; people were quite sarcastic and doubted what these ‘young people were doing or how long it will last’. But, eight years down the line, the Company has grown into a full-fledged and respectable company with business unit trading in Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai and Dimapur.

“We are the first business generation businessmen or corporate company businessmen from Nagaland. None of us here have a business background from any level. We are just children of farmers, children of middle class, lower middle class from all over Nagaland

and today we are working hard,” says the REM Group chairman with a sense of satisfaction.

He also disclosed that he chose a rural area like Longtho because Naga people has the potential to grow anywhere in Nagaland. But the scope of building a rural place is better than building a town or a city itself. He calls rural areas as ‘a better incubation place’.

‘If you start in a place like here, Longtho, and if you are consistent and persistent and hardworking, then you would have a better incubation period (for your venture to grow). For example, a hen or a chicken has a good chance of growing if there are no snakes around,’ he says. He added that he mostly employs local youths so as to create an opportunity for them to grow and earn their own livelihood. He expressed deep confidence that some of his company directors and supervisors will have their own companies 10-20 years down the line.

The REM Group is one of the most talked organization in the Longtho area because of its different social activities. Its contribution to the society through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) especially to the different villages through constructions of toilets, bore-wells, retaining walls etc has caught the attention of people at the state, national and even international levels. But, Along Longkumer said that what the company is simply doing what is needed among the people like good toi-

lets, water supply etc.

“REM Group as a business house whatever we earn or whatever we are doing we have a social responsibility towards our people and we have to do that without partiality, without prejudices without hypocrisy and without expecting anything to be given back in return,” said the REM Group chief.

About politics Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, who is also an Executive Member of State BJP Unit and Co-convener (Finance) of the party, strongly asserted that his involvement in politics is simply to be able to influence the policies that would reign in ‘Sustainable and Equal opportunity for all round development, so as to ensure a healthier future for the next generation’.

“As a youngsters and as a youth who is at the threshold of transitions, it is important to be involved politically, but not in the politics of toppling each other, or pulling each other or the politics of corruption; but to be in the politics of trying to be an influence in the policy making for the future generation of our people,” said Along Longkumer, while adding that he got into politics not to talk only about elections, but to bring in hope for the future generations through sincere hardword and efforts. He asserted that every political party is the right platform to bring collective and sustainable change for the people which every politician need to realize.

Pradhan Matri Awaas Yojana- Gramin launched in Nagaland Mandatory to upload photo of all houses

Call for bringing realistic transformation in lives of rural people Our Correspondent Kohima | March 1

Nagaland today launched Pradhan Matri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAYG) here by Minister for Rural Development & REPA C.L. John. Launching the PMAY-G scheme, the Minister called for effective implementation of the programme for the benefit of the rural populace.

He said with a view to address the gap in rural housing and to fulfill the government’s commitment to provide housing for all by 2020, PMAY-G programme was launched by Union Government with effect from April 1, 2016 across the country.

This programme is not a new one but a revamped of IAY hosing scheme which is being implemented for quite some time.

Releasing a guideline of PMAY-G, the minister asked the officers to educate the VDBs for optimal and successful implementation of PMAY-G in the state. Under PMAY-G with an enhanced allocation of Rs. 1,30,000 for hilly areas alongwith additional Rs. 13,000 to be provided for construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission and beneficiary to be provided daily wages of upto 90 to 95 days (Rs. 18,000) through MGNREGA

Minister for Rural Development & REPA C.L. John addressing the launching programme of PMAY-G in Kohima on March 1. (Morung Photo)

totaling Rs. 1, 60,000 for state like Nagaland, he said.

He urged that proper care have to be taken by the department to see that all the components are meaningfully availed and judiciously utilized for the benefit of the people. The minister informed that rural development has always been the priority both for the Government of India and the state government to alleviate poverty in the rural areas and improve the living standard of the rural people.

“Housing being a basic human want and necessity, special focus and attention has been given by launching dedi-

NIIT to reward 100 Toppers for 2017 DiMaPur, March 1 (Mexn): NIIT Dimapur Center has announced to reward the 10 toppers of the finals of each of the NBSE’s HSLC, HSSLC and Nagaland University graduation exams in all the streams i.e. Science, Commerce & Arts for the year 2017.

All the CBSEs HSLC, HSSLC candidates of Nagaland scoring 10 CGPA in the final exams 2017 shall also be rewarded similarly. All the 100 Toppers from 10 different exams, as shall be announced through newspapers & on the production of respective mark sheets after the result declarations, will be reimbursed 50% of their course fees for any modular courses for which they are eligible & enrolled for at NIIT Centers in Nagaland within April 10.

The awards have been facilitated as corporate social responsibility to motivate the youths of Nagaland to perform well in their academics so that they can bring laurels for Nagaland in future. All the College & School authorities are requested to spread the awareness amongst the respective students.

Eligible candidates may enroll at NIIT Dimapur Center for various modular courses viz.

MS Office 2013 courses, Hardware, Networking, Data Structure, HTML5, C, C++, C#, Java, Infoedge, Tally etc. which can each be easily finished in less than two months in fast track.

Interested candidates may contact Daniel Changkiri, NIIT Dimapur on Ph.No.96121-71341 or may visit NIIT Dimapur Centre, Marwari Patti for more details. Further, it may be mentioned that all the candidates registered within March 31 may avail surprise gifts too. This was informed in a press release issued by NIIT Dimapur Centre Head of Centre Ajay Sethi.

cated scheme specifically for providing houses in rural areas by successive government,” he reiterated. It should, he said, therefore, be our collective drive to ensure that the PMAY-G scheme is effectively implemented and maximum benefits derived from it.

Keeping in mind the need of inclusive and holistic development in the state within a stipulated time frame, the minister said the state government has also came up with a 2030 Vision Document by incorporating all spheres of development.

“Towards this direction, I urge the officers to make full use of the various programmes being implemented by the department so that our people are developed at par with town dwellers,” the minister said.

Constant engagement and coordination among different stakeholders of rural development is a must to bring rapid tangible development, he added.

Further, the minister made a fervent appeal to all officers to deliver prompt and responsive public service to the best of their abilities. “Together let us strive to bring about realistic transformation in the lives of our rural people,” he urged.

Earlier, keynote address was delivered by rural development secretary Kelei Zeliang. The function was chaired by rural development director Metsubo Jamir while rural development joint director Imnukshila Jamir proposed vote of thanks.

completed under IAY and PMAY-G scheme Our Correspondent Kohima | March 1

Nagaland’s rural development secretary Kelei Zeliang today said that it is mandatory to upload photograph of all the houses completed under the erstwhile IAY and now PMAY-G scheme.

He said the Ministry of Rural Development with the support of NIC has developed an android based application called AwaasApp for uploading the photographs of house construction on AwaasSoft, adding that photographs captured through AwaasApp will be geo tagged.

Speaking at the launching programme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY-G) here at RD department conference hall, he told the BDOs across the state to get photograph the constructed houses in their respective block and do the necessity.

He said to address the gap in rural housing and in view of government’s commitment to provide “Housing for All” by 2020, the scheme of Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) has been restructured into Pradhan Matri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from April 1, 2016.

In order to increase the awareness about the PMAY-G scheme, it is proposed that various activities may be taken up at different level of adminis-

Kelei Zeliang addressing the launching programme of PMAY-G in Kohima on March 1. (Morung Photo)

tration to generate awareness among the beneficiaries about the scheme and its benefits, he said.

Highlighting some features of PMAY-G, he said while distributing annual targets priority may be accorded to village covered under SAGY, Rurban Cluster, Open Defecation free villages and where strong capital has been developed through Self Help Groups under DAY- NRLM. The identification and selection of the beneficiaries shall be done by the community through Gram Sabha, from the SECC-2011 list, based on the housing deficiency and other social deprivation parameters set by MoRD.

He said the construction of house should be completed within 12 months from the date of construction.

In order to maintain transparency, MoRD has shifted all scheme implementation procedure, reporting and monitoring to digital platform (AwaasSoft, AwaasApp and FTO. He said mandatory electronic fund transfer system will be used for all financial transaction of the scheme. All funds will be transferred

by Fund Transfer Order (FTO) generate through AwaasSoft having digital signature. Only admin cost can be transferred to the DRDAs and payment for procurement of housing materials will be done electronically to the suppliers.

The Secretary lamented that SECC- 2011 data base of the state has some deficiencies (8160 beneficiaries are missing from the data base) which is being rectified by the MoRD and is on the verge of completion.

He said that MoRD has communicated the state annual target and district targets will be communicated soon.

Further, the state has written a proposal to MoRD for approving the department request to continue implementation of the scheme by providing assistance in kind and to make BDOs as one of the vendor for procurement of material of house construction.

Forest dept brings development to Apoji Village World Cancer Day:

‘We can, I can’

Villagers of Apoji with the officials of Forest department during the inauguration of the waiting shed on February 28.

Call to church to partner with forest department towards safe forest and environment Tuensang, March 1 (Mexn): A waiting shed was inaugurated on February 28 by the Divisional Forest Officer Tuensang Dr. Sentitula, IFS under FDA 2015-16 at Apoji Village under Sitap Range.

The programme was well attended by village elders, womenfolk and school children of the village. Chairing the programme, Buchang, Village Council Chairman of Apoji village highlighted that their Village was established in 2005 and was recognized by the government in 2012.

He also categorically mentioned that till date no government depart-

ment has ever visited and no development activity been ever carried out in their village. The chairman expressed gratitude to the forest department for bringing continual blessing to the villagers.

He said that forest department distributed solar lamp to all the households in the village when there was no electricity connection and now the most basic amenities and long felt need to have a community waiting shed for the villagers to hold meetings and for resting is fulfilled through the kind initiative of the forest department.

Dr. Sentitula IFS, DFO Tuensang, chief guest for the occasion gave a very practical definition on the word development. She emphatically said, “The real and true devel-

opment begins the moment one realizes the need for change.” She said that pro-activeness and cooperation by the villagers lay the path for development. Calling and challenging the villagers for active participation and initiatives, she said blessing always comes with responsibility and as Christian everyone is called to be faithful stewards. A special call was extended to the church to partner with forest department towards safe forest and environment.

Rajesh ACF in his speech encouraged the villagers to work in coordination to protect the forest and wildlife Ailong, Ranger in his speech also mentioned the forwardness of the villagers by devoting their time and energy and selflessly working for the community.

Peren, March 1 (Mexn): World Cancer Day was observed in Peren on February 28 with the theme ‘We can, I can’ at Deputy Commissioner Conference Hall, New Headquarter Peren.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Tiala, Dy CMO said that the World Cancer Day is observed worldwide and it’s been observed in Peren District for the first time. She stressed on the point that together we can fight Cancer and how everyone as collective or individuals can do their part to reduce the burden of cancer.

Exhorting the gathering, Zarenthung Ezung, Deputy Commissioner in his speech stated healthy lifestyle is very important and that Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths. He also stated that awareness is the main tool and it’s the duty of every individual to spread the message and raise the profile of cancer in people’s minds. He said that Healthy living includes happiness which is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy life. He called upon the medical department if they could utilize the church platform to create intensive awareness on health issues.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ngangshimeren, Chief Medical Officer expressed his sincere appreciation to all participants for attending the program. He mentioned that World Cancer day was observed worldwide on 4th Feb 2017 but due to unavoidable circumstances it’s been observed on 28th Feb 2017. He highlighted on why World Cancer Day is observed and its significance. He highlighted about the symptoms of cancer, the main types of cancer, the risk factors and its prevention. He stated saying that the main aim is to create awareness and education, to encourage its prevention, detention and treatment about cancer pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action. He also said that the primary aim of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death cause by cancer by 2020. He said that currently 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year.

A press release from the CMO office Peren stated that a total of 30 patients availed the services. Out of which 1 person was diagnosed with diabetes and 3 hypertension cases.

THURSDAY 02•03•2017

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

to merge plan, Trinamool eyes 2012 repeat performance in Manipur Meghalaya non-plan expenditure in budget

IMPHAL, MARCH 1 (PTI): Seeking to play an important role in national politics ahead of parliamentary election, the Trinamool Congress is eyeing a 2012 repeat performance in Manipur to emerge as the main opposition party there after the Assembly poll.

The TMC is contesting in 24 seats in the 60-member Assembly the election to which is scheduled to be held on March 4 and March 8. The results will be announced on March 11.

In the 2012 Assembly poll, the TMC had bagged seven seats, but later all of its MLAs switched sides joining either the Congress or the BJP. The TMC, which holds power in Bengal and a major force in Parliament with 34 MLAs in the Lok Sabha, had been working hard for the last two years with a new team of leaders in Manipur hoping to play a big role in case of a hung Assembly.

"We are in a very good position to win at least 7-8 seats in Manipur. Our understanding and the ground report says that it will be a hung Assembly as neither the Congress nor the BJP will be able to gain a majority," TMC vice-president Mukul Roy told PTI. According to the party leadership, Manipur is very important to them in order to emerge as a potent force in the east and the Northeast.

"In Tripura, the TMC is the main opposition party and in Manipur if we attain the same status as the last time, it will strengthen our party," a senior TMC leader said.

"Keeping 2019 Lok Sabha election in view, if we are able to win four/five seats in the Northeast, then that will be a big boost for our party," he observed.

Though it won seven seats in the 2012 Assembly election in Manipur and emerged as

the second largest party, subsequently it failed to keep its flock together.

While a by-election, necessitated by the death of a TMC member, was won by the Congress, two other Trinamul MLAs - Thongam Biswajit Singh and Khundrakpam Joykishan Singh - were disqualified under the Tenth Schedule.

The two contested the byelections on BJP tickets and retained their seats. Party MLA and president Th. Shyamkumar Singh, MLAs Irengbam Ibohalbi Singh, Konthoujam Sarat Singh and Oinam Lukhoi Singh joined the Congress last year.

TMC vice-president Mukul Roy, under instruction from party supremo Mamata Banerjee, reconstituted the entire state unit.

In order to reach out to the masses fed up with the politics of economic blockade, the

TMC embarked on publicising various welfare schemes, it intended to launch if it has the leverage in governemnt formation, which had handed the party rich dividends in the last Bengal Assembly poll.

The party put up posters informing people about the Kanyashree scheme, which offers monthly scholarship of Rs 750 to girl students from financially weak families, Sabuj Sathi scheme under which cycles are given away among students and Khadya Sathi scheme which offers rice and wheat at Rs 2 per kg to around seven crore people.

"The people of Manipur have seen Congress government for the last 15 years, but have hardly heard of such schemes. If TMC gets decisive power in government formation we will push for these schemes," TMC leader Samrat Tapadar, who looks after poll arrangement for the party, said.

BJP office vandalised

IMPHAL, MARCH 1 (PTI): With three days to go for the first phase of assembly polls in Manipur, volunteers of Kangleipak Students Association(KSA) vandalised the BJP main office here today.

A group of KSA members first gathered at the gate and demanded to meet BJP leaders but when they were told that none was present they went on the rampage, damaged furniture in the office and broke the glass panes of its windows, BJP sources said.

The students left the place shouting slogans and the police was called in by BJP workers.

Earlier, KSA members had reprotedly tried to storm the Congress Bhavan here but women office bearers of the party managed to handle the situation by placating the agitating students.

Congress sources said the students were demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Manipur.

Police said investigation into the incident was on but none were arrested.

Polling for the 60-seat Manipur assembly would be held on March 4 and March 8.

SHILLONG, MARCH 1 (IANS): The Meghalaya government has decided to do away with the distinction between Plan and Non-Plan expenditures in its budget for the fiscal 2017-18, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Wednesday.

"The Cabinet which met on Tuesday evening has approved the proposal for merger of Plan and Non-Plan expenditure in the state budget," Sangma, who also holds the Finance portfolio, told the media.

The budget session of the Meghalaya Assembly is slated to be held from March 3.

In fact, the Union budget had merged the Plan and Non-Plan expenditures, as well as the merging of the general and railway budget.

Under Plan expenditure, the government incurred expenses for various developmental projects, whereas the NonPlan expenditure was allocated for salaries, office expenses, subsidies, loans and interest.

Sangma said that allocation of funds to various departments would be based on this exercise.

He said the exercise to change the budgetary format was given to the planning and finance department, after which a proposal was made jointly for approval of the cabinet.

Diary shows arrested BJP leader's Tripura party protests opposing citizenship bill connection with traffickers: Bengal CID SILIGURI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Arrested BJP leader Juhi Chowdhury, suspected to be involved in a child trafficking racket in West Bengal, was being intensely grilled with the CID sleuths saying that a diary has details of her links with traffickers, police said on Wednesday.

Chowdhury was arrested by the state police's Criminal Investigation Department on Tuesday night from Batasia area close to the India-Nepal border in Darjeeling.

She is the fourth person arrested in the Jalpaiguri district case which has created a storm in West Bengal with its political connotations.

Chowdhury, who was on the run for the last few days after her name was linked to the case involving trafficking of at least 17 children, has been brought to Matigara police station here for interrogation.

She will be presented in the court on Wednesday, the officer said.

According to CID sources, the sleuths recovered the diary with detailed entries about Chowdhury's connection with the traffickers from fellow accused Manas Bhowmik who was arrested earlier this month.

According to the diary, Chowdhury accompanied the prime accused Chandana Chakraborty to Delhi on February 2 and held a

meeting with BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya.

They were supposed to meet a central minister to discuss about the adoption centres in Jalpaiguri, sources said.

Chowdhury's arrest came on a day when Chandana Chakraborty, arrested in connection with the scandal earlier, blamed her for wrongdoing.

Chakraborty, chairperson of Jalpaiguri-based child adoption centre Bimala Sishu Griho, was arrested with Chief Adoption Officer Sonali Mondal for selling at least 17 children through shady adoption deals.

"Chowdhury is involved with the adoption centre for the last three years. If something wrong or immoral was done, it was done by her. Why am I being victimised? I am not the culprit," Chakraborty said on Tuesday.

She admitted going to Delhi with Chowdhury to seek "help" for her organisation and claimed that the BJP leader did all the negotiations with the senior leadership while she was in a different room.

"Juhi assured me she would sort out all the issues," Chakraborty said.

"I haven't talked to anyone, Juhi did. She might have talked to (BJP leaders) Roopa Ganguly and

Kailash Vijayvargiya. I was sitting in a separate room.

We are innocent. We will definitely help in the investigation," she said.

Meanwhile, BJP state President Dilip Ghosh claimed on Wednesday that his party's legal cell will try to get Chowdhury out on bail.

Ghosh said the party was not calling her innocent or guilty at this stage, but the law of the land should prevail.

Ghosh on Tuesday alleged that she was being victimised as part of a larger political conspiracy.

"Juhi is our party worker. I know her. Now suddenly her name has been linked into the case. So we are taking our own time.

That doesn't mean that we are calling her innocent."

"She has to be tried according to law. If she is guilty, the party will not take her side. She should be punished as per law of the land. Our legal cell will try to secure her bail because till now we don't hold her guilty," Ghosh said.

Queried about Chakraborty naming her, Ganguly shot back: "Why should I respond to what an accused has said?"

DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): A tribal-based party in Tripura on Wednesday launched a three-day protest here against the central government's citizenship bill and demanding a separate state in Tripura. Members of the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), a leading non-Left opposition party, launched the demonstration at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital.

Around 350 IPFT members and supporters began the sit-in. It will continue until Friday evening, IPFT President Narendra Chandra Debbarma told IANS in Agartala. Debbarma, who could not attend the agitation due to poor health, said an IPFT delegation was likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajanath Singh.

The IPFT, along with

two other tribal based parties - The Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) and the National Conference of Tripura (NCT) - has formed the All Tripura Indigenous Regional Parties Forum (ATIRPF) to oppose the citizenship bill introduced by the Modi government.

The ATIRPF observed a 12-hour shutdown in the Tripura Tribal Areas Au-

tonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas on February 8. The bill seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or with documents that have expired in recent years, to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation.

Rajya Sabha MP Abdul Salam Army conducts operation to from Manipur passes away flush out militants in East KA Newmai News Network Imphal | March 1

Rajya Sabha MP Haji Abdul Salam from Manipur passed away due to a personal illness last night at a private hospital here. He was 69. Abdul died due to ailment. He passed away after getting a short treatment at Raj Medicity.

Born on March 1, 1948 at Heibong Makhong of Thoubal district, Abdul was the Manipur’s first Muslim to become a Member of Rajya Sabha in 2014. Late Abdul, a former minister, was elected three times in Manipur assembly elections from Wabagai constituency. He was a senior

Congress leader.

He Joined active politics in 1979. He also actively involved as leader of local organizations for various developmental activities for village areas from boyhood. Abdul also worked for communal harmony, national integration, upliftment of rural and village areas in all respect, protection of downtrodden masses. He also took keen interest on the protection of ecology, especially protection of natural lakes of Manipur valley.

Meanwhile, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, political parties and social organisations condoled his death.

GUWAHATI, MARCH 1 (PTI): The Army conducted operations in East Karbi Anglong District of Assam to flush out terrorists based on intelligence inputs, a Defence spokesman said today. The operations were planned to flush out antinationals who were also engaged in large scale extortion from their hideouts in the jungles of EKA District, the spokesman said.

The Army is also keeping a strict vigil and maintaining a robust area domination and counter terrorism posture in the disturbed areas of Upper

Assam and East Arunachal Pradesh amidst regular inputs of terrorist groups trying to make their presence felt in the area and also seeking opportunities to cause attrition to the security forces, he added.

P.G FOR COLLEGE GIRL WITH INVERTER FACILITY OPP. GREEN PARK JUNCTION, 5th MILE, DIMAPUR FOR DETAILS CONTRACT: 7085126811

NAGALAND MULTISPECIALITY HEALTH & RESEARCH CENTRE MIDLAND DIMAPUR Ph: 9856006026 / 03862-248302 / 248295

DOCTOR FROM INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL GUWAHATI AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION ON 4TH MAR’17

Dr. Neil Bardoloi MD DM (Cardiology)

NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE NHM/NL/IEC-II/109/2016-17/

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND KOHIMA: NAGALAND

/dated Kohima, the 28th Feb. 2017

INFORMATION

State Health Society, National Health Mission, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Of Nagaland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Faber Sindoori Management Service Private Limited, Chennai, for Equipment Maintenance in the Government Hospital across the State. The MoU has come into effect from the 1st of December 2016. Therefore, the Medical Superintendent, Medical Officer In-charge of all District Hospital, Community Health Centre, Primary Health Centre and Sub-centre may call the Toll Free Number- 18001213767 which is based in Kohima, Nagaland for any equipment maintenance services required in their Health Centre, wherein, the technician from the above mentioned company will directly visit the Health Unit and rectify the problem.

Sd/- (DR. N.BENDANGYANGER JAMIR) Mission Director, NHM, Nagaland

OFFICE OF THE

NKIO LUI COUNCIL Peren, Nagaland

PUBLIC NOTICE

Date: 01/03/17

This is to bring to the notice of all concerned that Mr. Deilungbuing Abraham, of Mpha Village Manipur, who has no inch of land in Nagaland is organizing to establish New Village within Old Nkio Village territorial jurisdiction.

We hereby inform all concerned that we the Old Nkio Village, Nagaland being the absolute Land Owner of Khelma Village strongly object the said initiative of Mr. Deilungbuing Abraham a native of Manipur and WE HEREBY DECLARE THAT WE WILL PROTECT OUR LAND AND DEFEND OUR RIGHTS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. We hereby request the Zeliang and Kuki not to co-operate with Mr. Deilungbuing Abraham as he has no good intention and this will inevitably give rise to enmities amongst us and between villages and many unforeseen evil consequences that will engendered if the evil intention of Mr. Deilungbuing Abraham is brought to fruition.

In this regard We have already informed the District Administration that we will protect our land and defend our rights.

Therefore, we request all concerned to be extremely cautious AND WE HUMBLY REQUEST NOT TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE EVIL DESIGN OF MR. DEILUNGBUING ABRAHAM. Looking forward for co-operation from the Zeliang and Kuki in the interest of peace and harmony.

KUSAP Chairman, Old Nkio Village

KUNAMYI NEIMI General Secretary, Nkio Lui Council

EXAMINATION NOTICE FOR GRADE-III OF NAGALAND JUDICIAL SERVICE

THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT AT GUWAHATI (The High Court of Assam, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh)

Preliminary Examination (Objective type multiple choices) on OMR answer sheets, in connection with direct recruitment to Grade-III of Nagaland Judicial Service, will be held on 19-03-2017 (Sunday) from 11.00 AM to 1.00 PM at Kohima, Nagaland. Other details of the examination like provisional list of candidates, Admit cards, etc. can be seen in the relevant notification published in the official websites (www.ghconline. gov.in & www.kohimahighcourt.gov.in) and Notice Boards of Gauhati High Court at Guwahati as well as Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court, Kohima, Nagaland.

Sd/- Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, Kohima, Nagaland

INFORMATION

Eden Medical Centre is proud to announce that Dr. Rushulo Khing, MBBS, MS Obstetrics & Gynaecology & Dr. Mezhuneituo Raleng, MS Surgery will be available for consultation from 2nd of March 2017 between 9am to 4pm.

4

thursDAY 02•03•2017

nagaland

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Training for newly recruited govt employees Wokha, march 1 (Dipr): Inaugural function of DOPT sponsored induction training programme for the newly recruited Group-B & C for State Government employees of Wokha District began on February 28 at DC’s conference hall, Wokha.

The training programme was organised by Administrative Training Institute, Nagaland, Kohima in collaboration of Wokha District Administration. Addressing the trainees, guest of honour, SDO (C) Asalie Lese urged the participants to be attentive and try to gain maximum benefit out of the training for speedy deliverance of service to the public. He said that the Government is serious about the training programme and appealed to all trainees to take the training seriously.

Dr. Alum, ATI, Kohima gave a brief introduction to the programme. Resource persons and Master Trainers for the training included Thungdemo, Asalie, Libemo, Johny, Imliakum, Zhavituoii and Thungchanbemo.

Topics to be deliberated include personal effectiveness, organisational values, e-governance & ICT, managing conflicts, time management, leadership & team building, citizen centric behavior, machinery of government, file management, noting and drafting skills, record management, fundamental rules and pension rules. The inaugural function was chaired by EAC, Wokha Imliakum.

TOLIC Dimapur meet emphasizes Indian Air Force Recruitment 2017 on progressive use of Hindi Group C Job Vacancies Details

Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): The first biannual meeting of Dimapur TOLIC (Town Official Language Implementation Committee) for 2017 was held at ARTC&S, Dimapur under the chairmanship of Brig Gurjap Singh, Commandant ARTC&S on February 27.

The meeting was attended by 35 members of Central government offices situated in Dimapur.

Representatives from TOLIC member offices presented inputs on progressive use of the official language in their respective offices, informed a press release.

Assessing the progress on implementation of Hindi in Central government offices in Dimapur, Brig Gurjap Singh stressed on the importance of progressive use of Hindi and exhorted all members

to implement the policies issued by the Government of India regarding publicity and implementation of the official language policy. He also emphasized that Hindi should be implemented by “incentive and inspiration” in all Central government offices, the release said.

Meanwhile, Naib Subedar (Hindi Translator) Deshraj applauded the efforts of the members of TOLIC Dimapur for wide publicity of the official language.

He also highlighted the importance of the progressive use of Hindi in Central government offices and requested all the members to implement all Hindi incentive schemes introduced by the Government of India in their respective offices.

In order to enhance the spirit of healthy competition amongst

the offices of Central government, TOLIC Shield Scheme 2015-2016 was introduced. Under this, three member offices were adjudged as first, second and third in order of implementation of official language policy.

Office of the DIG, Group Centre, CRPF, Khatkhati Headquarters, 11 Tactical Air Centre, Indian Air Force, and 32 Assam Rifles were awarded first, second and third Shield respectively. No 1 Maint Group Assam Rifles, Headquarters 6 Sector Assam Rifles, No 1 Workshop Assam Rifles, Headquarters, Chief Engineer, Sevak Project, Dimapur and Central Bank of India, Dimapur were also given Commendation Certificate for their good work done in the field of official language implementation, the release added.

ATMA Niuland block conduct activities Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): ATMA Niuland Block conducted Kisan Ghosthi programme at Niuland town on February 23 where Demalu Hasnusa, BTM, Niuland Block spoke on the topic “Application methods of Micronutrients”.

He said that micronutrients are essential for plant growth and play an important role in balanced crop nutrition. A lack of any one of the micronutrients in the soil can limit growth, even when all other nutrients are present in adequate amounts. He directed farmers on the amount of micronutrient doses to be mixed with water before spraying it directly in fields or on standing crops. Lat-

er, the farmers were distributed micronutrient packets at the programme chaired by Moakumzuk, ATM, Niuland Block.

Mobilization of Food Security Group (FSG) programme was conducted at Hovishe village on February 25. An FSG group named ‘TOPENI FSG’ that includes 12 members was formed whose activities are banana and tree bean plantation.

During the programme, H.D. Singh, SMS (Horticulture), KVK-ICAR, Jharnapani illustrated on the topic “Cultivation methods of banana and tree bean” to the women farmers.

He highlighted on soil, water and pests management and its economic importance.

Scientific Advisory committee (SAC) meeting for the year 2016-2017 of Krishi vigyan Kendra Kohima was conducted on February 28 at KVK conference hall, tseminyu. Annual progress report for the year 2016-17 was presented by Imtisenla SMS (agronomy) while annual action plan 2017-18 was presented by Khekali sema sMs (Horticulture) where she highlighted the activities to be conducted during the coming year. the programme was chaired by dr. V Akashe Zhimomi , senior scientist and head KVK Kohima. the meeting was attended by Hods under tseminyu subdivision as well as representative from farmers club.

Leprosy campaign: DC Kohima appeals not to discriminate kohima, march 1 (Dipr): In continuation of the ‘Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign’ held from January 30 to February 13, a brief function was organised to observe Anti-Leprosy Day on February 28 at DC’s office chamber in Kohima.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan (IAS) stated that leprosy is still a problem in our district/

country. Leprosy is a common disease caused by bacteria called Lepra bacilli which are not contagious and treatment is freely available at all government hospitals and health facilities. The DC stated that if leprosy is identified and diagnosed early then it is completely curable and physical disfigurement can be prevented. The duration of treatment is either six or 12 months.

The early signs and symptoms of leprosy include hypopigmented skin, one or more than one patch on the skin with loss of sensation, painless, pale and dry, loss of eye-lashes, nodules over ear and ear pinna, and face having oily skin, hand and feet having dryness, loss of sensation, and muscle wasting.

Stating that MDT is sure cure for leprosy, the DC appealed not to discriminate the

leisure

CROSSWORD # 3873

SUDOKU

Answer Number # 3868

signs and symptoms of the disease. People with patches on the skin should be sent to the nearest health facility for diagnosis and treatment. Health facilities provide diagnosis and treatment free of cost. Timely treatment cures the disease and prevents deformities. Any patches on the body should not be neglected and persons with such problem should go to the hospital for diagnosis.

ACROSS 1. Floating masses of ice 6. Stigma 10. To tax or access 14. Convex molding 15. Sea eagle 16. By mouth 17. Flower part 18. Twosome 19. Central area of a church 20. Worthy 22. Stair 23. Information 24. Accompany to a party 26. Brother of Jacob 30. Bro or sis 31. Japanese apricot 32. “Darn!”

33. Kind of bean 35. Rehabilitation 39. Make happy 41. Anagram of “Reenact” 43. Aromatic solvent 44. Bristle 46. Lummox 47. Confederate soldier 49. 54 in Roman numerals 50. Shade trees 51. Embroidery yarn 54. Nights before 56. Mentally irregular (slang) 57. Not oriental 63. Smell 64. Infants 65. Nigerian monetary unit 66. Express in words 67. Coagulate 68. Velocity 69. Tilled 70. Not his 71. An analytic literary composition DOWN 1. Alike 2. Pear variety 2. Always 3. Lasso

TaHaMZaM

Selection Procedure Selection Procedure: Written Exam, Skill Test, Interview How to apply: Candidates satisfying the above eligibility conditions Use Following Procedure Given Below to Apply Offline Mode: 1. Go to Indian Air Force official website careers page at indianairforce.nic.in 2. Download Indian Air Force Group C Notification & Application form 3. Candidates should read all instructions given in Advertisement 4. Fill required details and Make Payments 5. Hard copy of duly filled and signed application along with the photocopies of (i) ID proof (ii) Proof of Date of Birth (iii) Educational Certificates: Mark-Sheets/Degree Certificate (iv) Caste (v) e-Receipt for fee payment as applicable and attested copies of relevant documents should be addressed to “Address Mentioned in Official Notification” by post so as to reach us by 26.03.2017. Envelope must be super-scribed with “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF “…………….”

Important Dates 1. Starting Date for Submission of Application: 25.02.2017 2. Last date for Submission of Application: 26.03.2017 3. Date of Written Examination: April/May 2017

std code: 03871

(formerly senapati)

Police station Fire Brigade

222246 222491

4. Happy 5. Not fluid 6. Anagram of “Dissonate” 7. Sniveler 8. A Freudian stage 9. Ransom 10. Ethical motive 11. Muse of love poetry 12. Hoarder 13. Napped 21. Thigh armor 25. Arid 26. Border 27. Sodium chloride 28. Nursemaid 29. Hades 34. Reformers 36. Corridor 37. “Smallest” particle 38. What we sleep on 40. To endure (archaic) 42. Ranted 45. Voter 48. Stain 51. Fabric 52. Cowboy sport 53. French school 55. Feel 58. ___ slaw 59. Short sleeps 60. Fastens 61. Region 62. Gentlewoman

Civil Hospital emer

232224

MH Hospital

227930 231081

Fire Brigade

2222952

Faith Hospital

228846

naga Hospital

2222916

shamrock Hospital

228254

oking Hospital

2243339

Zion Hospital

231864 224117 227337

Bethel nursing Home

2224202

northeast shuttles

08974997923

railway

131/228404

Answer to Crossword 3872

Airport Indian Airlines

229366 242441 225212

229529 229474

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std code: 0370

Police Control room

228400

KoHIMA Ps/oCs Contact numbers

Police Traffic Control

232106

north Ps

east Police station

227607

west Police station

232181

south Ps

CIHsr (referral Hospital)

242555 242533

Zubza Ps

dimapur Hospital

224041 248011

tseminyu Ps

8575045507

Officer-in-Charge 8575045517 8575045505

Kezocha Ps

248302, 09856006026

eden Medical Centre

248288

C

Officer-in-Charge 8575045516

Officer-in-Charge 8575045515

nagaland Multispecialty Health & research Centre

R

Chiephobozou Ps 8575045506

Khuzama Ps

232032, 231031

A

8575045508

Officer-in-Charge 8575045518

nikos Hospital and research Centre

E

8575045502

Officer-in-Charge 8575045520

Apollo Hospital Info Centre 230695/ 9402435652

S

8575045501

Officer-in-Charge 8575045510

Chumukedima Fire Brigade 282777

W AFFIX AttUne CHIeF CoLLAr ConFUsIon ConIFer dAIs FIGHt FIns GrAtUItY HABIt HAGs HAstY HeFt HeroICs LAPse LeAd Lens LIQUor nerVes

Eligibility Criteria Educational Qualification: 1. Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) 10th pass or equivalent 2. Store Keeper - 12th passed 3. Supdt (Store) - Any Graduate 4. Lower Division Clerk (LDC) - 12th passed or equivalent and typing speed of 30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi or manual typewriter: or A typing Speed of 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi on computer 5. Stenographer - 12th pass or equivalent 6. Mess Staff - 10th pass or equivalent 7. Fireman - 10th pass or equivalent and must have undergone training in Fire Fighting under a State fire service 8. Lab Assistant - B.Sc. and 1 year experience in a Laboratory 9. Hindi Typist - 12th or equivalent. A typing speed of 25 wpm in Hindi or manual typewriter or A typing speed of 30 wpm in Hindi or Computer 10. Jr Artist - 10th or equivalent 11. Cook - 10th pass or equivalent and 6 months experience in trade 12. Driver - 10th pass or equivalent and valid civil driving license for light and heavy vehicles 13. Ayah/Ward Sahayak - 10th or equivalent 14. Safaiwala - 10th or equivalent 15. Dhobi - 10th or equivalent 16. Carpenter - Industrial Training Institute Certificate in the appropriate/akin field or trade viz. Carpenter or Ex-Serviceman in appropriate trade

std code: 03862

DiMaPUR

Simple Rules - Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Game Number # 3869

persons affected by leprosy.

January 30 is observed as Anti Leprosy Day, the day Mahatma Gandhi passed away in 1948. Gandhi was known for his love and service towards persons suffering from leprosy.

He kept the leprosy patients in his ashram and cleaned their wounds with his own hands. He proved to the world that leprosy does not spread by touching.

It is easy to recognize the

viz. Carpenter 17. Painter - Industrial Training Institute Certificate in the ap• Organization Name: Indian propriate/akin field or trade Air Force (IAF) viz. Painter or Ex-Service• Employment Category: man in appropriate trade viz.

Central Govt Jobs Painter • Total No. of Vacancies: 232 • Job Location: All Over India Age Limit: Candidate’s Age Limit Should be between (For Name of the Post & Stenographer, Junior Artist, FireNo of Vacancies: 1. Multi Tasking Staff (MTS) - 66 man - 18 to 27 Years), (For All Other Posts - 18 to 25 years). The 2. Store Keeper - 17 Upper age limit is relaxed by 5 3. Supdt (Store) - 01 4. Lower Division Clerk (LDC) - 20 years for SC/ST; 3 years for OBC, 10 Years for Persons with Disabil5. Stenographer - 02 ities (15 years for SC/ST PWD’s & 6. Mess Staff - 18 13 years for OBC PWD’s) and for 7. Fireman - 14 Ex-S as per Govt. of India rules.

8. Lab Assistant - 01 Candidates Relaxation in Upper 9. Hindi Typist - 02 Age limit will be provided as per 10. Jr Artist - 02 Govt. Rules. Go through Indian 11. Cook - 25 Air Force official Notification 12. Driver - 02 2017 for more reference 13. Ayah/Ward Sahayak - 06 14. Safaiwala - 49 Pay Scale: Rs.5400 15. Dhobi - 02 20200/- with Grade Pay 16. Carpenter - 02 Rs.2800/2400/1900/1800/17. Painter - 01

8575045549

Officer-in-Charge 8575045538

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women Cell

8575045509

Officer-in-Charge 8575045519 Control room

8575045500 (Emergency No. – 100)

FiRE STaTiONS

KoHIMA soUtH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) KoHIMA nortH: 7085924114 (O) dIMAPUr: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKedIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC) woKHA: 03860-242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC) MoKoKCHUnG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHeK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUnHeBoto: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) tUensAnG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC) Mon: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC) Kiphire: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) Peren: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LonGLenG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC) we4 woMen HeLPLIne 08822911011 WOMEN HeLPLIne 181 CHiLD weLFAre CoMMIttee Toll free No. 1098 childline

MOKOKCHUNG

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Police station 1 Police station 2 Police station Kobulong Police station tuli Police station Changtongya Police station Mangkolemba Civil Hospital

9485232688 9485232689 9485232690 9485232693 9485232694 9485232695 2226216

woodland nursing Home

2226263

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Thursday 02•03•2017

NAGALAND

Governor bats for ‘Heritage Village’ tag to Ruzazho Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): The Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya today advocated for declaring Ruzhazho village, in Peren District as a ‘National Heritage Village’ by the Central government since Subhash Chandra Bose came to the village during freedom struggle and the villagers contributed food items and scouts for guiding INA at different places.

Acharya said this during his meeting with Chairman of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Memorial Development Society (NSCBDS) Nagaland, Dr. Er. Vekho Swuro and his team met at Raj Bhavan Kohima on March 1.

The team met him with an appeal for recognition of Ruzazho village as a “National Heritage Village,” the PRO to Governor informed in a press release.

The Governor further stated that Nagas who fought under Indian National Army (INA) should be declared as freedom fighters and also receive fi-

Road blockade in Peren Town lifted Dimapur, march (mExN): The road blockage imposed by Mdipuiram and Beilikui Ward in Peren Town from February 27 due to non-completion of work in the wards have been lifted after assurances from the concerned contractor.

The representatives of the wards held a meeting with the district administration today at the Conference Hall of ADC Office, Peren where the issue was discussed.

“After thorough de-

liberations the meeting decided to clear the road blockade basing on the assurance of concerned contractor,” informed a press note received here.

The district administration was represented

by S. Taniu, ADC Peren; ; Tsidi, EAC Peren; Er Toba Angami, EE Municipal Affairs Department; Er Chuba Longkumar SDO; and T. Mirhu, Contractor while wards were represented by respective Chairman and youth.

During the meeting,

nancial benefit, it said.

He also said that a proper befitting memorial should be held for the Naga people and also for Netaji who fought under INA in Nagaland, it added.

Acharya said that he will approach the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar and briefed him about the urgent necessity to recognise Naga freedom

KCSC parting social The Kohima College Students' Council will be celebrating its 50th Parting Social at the College Auditorium from 10.30 AM on March 4.The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan will graced the function as the Special Guest.

Tuensang DPDB meeting on March 6 The monthly meeting of Tuensang District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) for the month of March is scheduled on March 6, 11AM at Deputy Commissioner Conference Hall. All the DPDB members are requested to attend the meeting positively.

WHKAA meeting Western Huker Kiuru Arih Ako has convened a meeting on March 4 at the residence of its Union treasurer in Loyir Village at 10 AM. All the Office bearers, Executive and Advisors are requested to attend the meeting.

UBCANEI Meeting A joint meeting of all the executive board members, women executive members and women leaders of United Baptist Churches Association North East India will be held on March 4 from 9 AM at the UBC Balijan.

All the concerned members are requested to attend the said meeting without fail.

Pughoboto SDPDB Pughoboto SDPDB meeting for the month of March will be held at Chisolimi village at 11 AM on March 8.

Members needing transportation are informed to report to ADC office compound at 8 AM.

Alleged extortion racket busted in Kohima Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): The Assam Rifles today said that an “organised set up” allegedly for collection of extortion from local populations was busted with the arrest of an NSCN (K) tax collector near BOC in Kohima on February 27.

The arrest was made by 3 Naga Hill Bn Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) alongwith Nagaland Police, an AR press note informed.

The arrest of the cadre identified as on Tokuto Aye has revealed the 'flow of extortion money' to the NPGs, it maintained.

Tax are from collected from every trader as well as local and non local worker in Kohima “through the area trade unions and is subsequently paid to NSCN(K) and other proscribed groups,” it added. The apprehendee was later handed over to OC, South Police Station, Kohima, the press note informed.

fighters under INA, the release maintained.

He further assured felicitation for those fighters who are still alive and also for the children of people who died fighting for India’s freedom.

Acharya also paid homage to 97 years old Poswuyi Swuro, who contributed immensely as a Dobashi to administer Ruzhazho during Netaji’s visit.

The Governor also mentioned that the Central Government had released some funds to Tsiesezou village where Netaji last came and promised to make sure that the fund goes for the right purpose, the release said.

The Chairman was accompanied by Secretary NSCBDS, Dupoyi Nyekha and Advisor NSCBDS Phek District, Kuvehu Soho.

A total of 40 students and two teachers from Government Higher Secondary School, Jalukie took part in a trekking expedition to Mt Paona from February 2628. The expedition was organized by 36 Assam Rifles under aegis of Headquarters IGAR (N) as a part of Environment Awareness Campaign.

Catholic Church celebrates 'Ash Wednesday' Kohima, march 1 (mExN): The celebration of Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a season in which Christians are invited to prepare spiritually for the great mysteries of Christian faith – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

At the Cathedral Church, Kohima Holy Mass with the imposition of ashes was presided over by Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General of the diocese of Kohima. In his homily he spoke of the three traditional pillars or

tablets of Lenten observance, namely, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Fr. Neisalhou further explained the meaning of Ash Wednesday saying that the Catholics Church of the Latin Rite uses this service to prepare the members to better appreciate the death and resurrection of Christ through self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial.

Ashes from the burned palms of the preceding year's Palm Sunday are blessed. With these ashes, the priest

marks a cross on the foreheads.

A second service was held at the Cathedral Church in the evening presided over by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima. During the homily he stressed the perennial teaching of the Church that God is a loving and merciful Father who invites and waits for his children, the human being, to return to Him. This was stated in a press release issued by Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima.

TRGU graduation cum parents meet held Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): TRGU Vocational Training Centre, Dimapur organised graduation cum parents’ meet on February 24.

Tainla Jamir, Proprietor of TRGU spoke about the need to realize and build the inherent potential in each of the trainees to be a good professional. She emphasized on the qualities of trainees, which include discipline and practical involvement, and how along with these qualities, one should be creative, innovative and hardworking.

While exhorting the gathering, Akhrienuo Kire, Coordinator/Instructor of TRGU Vocational Train-

TVTC trainees with others after the graduation cum parents meet.

ing Centre (TVTC), shared the importance of meeting for an organisation to be strengthened to focus more in skill training, according to a press release.

Kohima, march 1 (mExN): PHED held a farewell function in honour of the retiring Additional Chief Engineer, Er. J Walter Longchar on Febraury 28 at PHED Directorate Office, Kohima.

Er. Longchar joined the Dept. as SDO in 1985 and retired on attaining Superannuation of age, a PHED release said. In his farewell speech, the Engineer thanked the Officers and staff for the support and friendship that he received during the course of his career and said that the department during the past Er. J. Walter Longchar, Addl. few had made much progress chief engineer delivering his outin all fronts especially in the going speech

Parents of the trainees shared concerns such as the need for career guidance for the young people, where they can be guided with career options based

on their skill and interest.

A number of parents of the trainees attended the function. The function started with an invocation prayer by the Instructor of TVTC.

area of personal management and expressed optimism that a high standard of performance would continue in future, it said.

The Commissioner & Secy. in his speech lauded the high level of committed service by the outgoing Officer and expressed hope that he would continue to scale higher in the service of the people after retirement.

Er. Kevisekho Kruse, Chief Engineer speaking on behalf of the Department said that Er. Longchar had served with distinction and integrity for nearly 32

years and the speed and the manner in which he administered personal management were particularly laudable.

Er. Yhusinlo Tep, the in-coming Addl. Chief Engineer and Er. Khetoi, Executive Engineer & President of Association of PHE Engineers also spoke at the function. Er Mezivil Kikhi, SDO and PHED staff presented farewell songs while vote of thanks was pronounced by Er Repang Longkumer, SE (M&I) and the function was chaired

by Er K.G.Sumi, Director, WSSO,PHED.

Army Recruitment Rally for youth of Nagaland only once during the rally.

“If an individual is found to have applied twice, one of his applications will be cancelled. Candidates who have registered in the previous rally can login directly and check eligibility and apply fresh.”

The online application will open from March 19 to May 12 and the admit card will be generated by ARO, Rangapahar and candidates can print their Admit Card forwarded to them on their registered e-mail ID, the release said.

They can also log in with their id with joinindi-

Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): The Dimapur Municipal Council has informed all the mobile tower companies with installed facilities within its jurisdiction that a meeting has been fixed on March 8,12 noon at the Office Chamber of DMC Administrator. The meeting will discuss some important matters related to mobile tower and all concern entities are requested to attend the meeting without failure.

MEx FILE KCSU search committee formed Kohima, march 1 (mExN): The Kohima Chakhesang Students' Union (KCSU) held a meeting on February 28 and set up the search committee to elect the new executives for the tenure 2017 - 2019. The committee members are Wekhrope Marhu Convernor, Veshekhoyi Chizo Member Secretary, Sekhotso Rhakho Member and Hukhoto D. Vadeo as ex-officio. Therefore, the interested candidates may kindly contact the committee @ 8794316677/9612713250/8119889060/9089261178.

KGPO reaffirms resolution on taxation Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): The Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organisation (KGPO), Kuhuboto Ghakhu Kukami Kuqhakulu have re-affirmed the earlier Kuhuboto Baghi Hoho resolution no. 3 dated August 4, 2015, wherein an appeal was made to stop all sorts of illegal taxation carried out by all Naga Political Groups (NPGS) under Kuhuboto jurisdiction. This decision was made during the emergency meeting of the organization along with their executive council held on February 28 at KGPO Hall. In this regard, the KGPO in a press release issued by its President, Ghoshito Shohe and General Secretary, Z. Ato appealed to all NPGs not to collect any sort of taxation on the roads of Kuhuboto jurisdiction, but to approach village council chairmen or Head GBs concerned for any form of normal taxation.

NSSATA Phek Unit demand to release pending salaries

PHED bids farewell to Addl. Chief Engineer

wer adding that screening of the candidates will be done as per admit card date depending on the total number of online application in each category.

Effort will be made to club district wise on the basis of production of Admit Card generated after applying online at joinindianarmy.nic.in, it said.

The candidates are advised to report at rally site at 5 A.M. strictly as per the dates given on admit card for the recruitment rally, the release informed further clarifying that a candidate can register and apply

lease said.

While highlighting the reason for the delay of blacktopping, the contractor assured the representatives that he will start the work, whether the amount is “sanctioned or not” and also assured to take up the work without delay within March 15, it added.

The representatives of the colony also highlighted the problem faced by the residents, including health complications due to dusty road which resulted in the blockage.

DMC informs mobile tower cos

Governor, P.B. Acharya along with Chairman NSCBDS, Dr. Er. Vekho Swuro Secretary NSCBDS, Dupoyi Nyekha and Advisor NSCBDS Phek District, Kuvehu Soho after the meeting at Raj Bhavan, Kohima on March 1.

Meetings & AppointMents

Kohima, march 1 (mExN): An Army Recruitment Rally primarily for the youth of Nagaland will held from May 18 to 23 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima for enrolment of male candidates into the Indian Army, informed a defense release today.

For candidates from Nagaland, vacancies are available for soldier general duty, soldier technical, soldier clerk/store keeper technical / inventory management, soldier nursing assistant and tradesmen categories, said the press release issued by PRO (Defence) Col C Kon-

while the ADC highlighted the issue of road blockage, Er Toba highlighted the practical difficulties faced by the department, it said.

He told the meeting that work order amounting to 6 crores is a central project, with 90% contribution from the centre and 10% from the State. Since the State government has not contributed its share, the second installment has not been released, it added.

He also reminded that the work order stands till September 2017, the re-

anarmy.nic.in & click on print out the Admit Card.

The tentative date for issuing admit card for the respective districts are as follows: • May 18 candidates from Peren and Phek districts • May 19 candidates from Kiphire, Zunheboto and Longleng districts • May 20 candidates from Wokha and Mokokchung districts • May 21 candidates from Tuensang and Mon districts • May 22 candidates from Dimapur and Kohima districts

NCC cadets, sons of servicemen/ex-servicemen/ war widows will also appear as per the Admit Card dates, the release said.

The above dates are tentative, Districts wise screening test dates will be decided on May 13 by ARO Rangapahar on the basis of total number of applicants who have applied online, it added.

It further informed that written exam for soldier general duty, soldier technical, soldier clerk/ store keeper technical / inventory management and tradesmen categories will be conducted at Rangapa-

har and soldier nursing assistant will be conducted at Recruiting Office Headquarter, Shillong on July 30.

Candidates are also advised to check the rally poster for age categories, certificates required and other details displayed at each DC Offices, notice board of PRO etc.

Help of Assam Rifle units can also be taken to ascertain the details and one can approach ARO Rangapahar on 03862248845 & 8974958673 from 0830h to 1400h on working days for the entire duration for further queries.

phEK, march 1 (mExN): The NSSATA Phek Unit has demanded for the release of the pending salaries and arrears as per the written assurance “NSSATA/ ULT/01/06 given by the government on 02/11/16.” NSSATA, PHEK unit President Sheta Hesu and General Secretary Weriteu Mero in a press release said that the SSA teachers are compelled to ask the competency of the State government for the failures that has brought untold miseries to the teachers for the past years since the appointment in 2013. “Yet we are still attending our duties at school in spite of the hardship faced but if the concern authority continues to threaten our rights and security, we will be left with no other choice but resort back to our own course of action,” the Unit added.

Online registration in KV Lumani Lumami, march 1 (mExN): Online registration is currently open for Class-1 in Kendriya Vidyalaya Lumami NU. The last date for registration for Class-1 is March 10 (till 4:00 PM). Those unable to access the internet may fill the registration form available in the Administration Section, Nagaland University, HQ Lumami. Online Registration for Class-II to V will open from April 5 to 18. The links for the online registration are: www.darpan.kvs.gov.in & www.admission.kvs.gov. in. The admission to the KV will be as per the priorities/ rules prescribed by the KVS from time to time for the KVs under IHL Sector.

SD Jain Samaj offers condolence Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): SD Jain Samaj has condoled the sudden demise of Dr. Ashit Baran Choudhury, who passed away after a cardiac arrest on February 23 evening. “His soft spoken nature befriended each and everyone. He could speak almost all the dialects of Nagaland,” Om Prakash Sethi, President, SD Jain Samaj remembered in a condolence message.

The Samaj prayed for his soul to rest in peace and also to give strength to the family to bear the sudden loss.

Srimad Bhagwat Gyan Yagya and Yoga Shivir in Dimapur Dimapur, march 1 (mExN): Srimad Bhagwat Gyan Yagya and Yoga Shivir will be held at Maa Laxmi Mandir at Naharbari in Dimapur near Padumpukhuri pond from March 3 to 10. A press release from president of Naharani Hindu Kachari Samaj informed that the Gyan Yagya will be conducted by ‘Shraddheya Pt. Sri Lekhram Rimal Shastriji Maharaj’ from Vrindavan and Yoga Shivir by Narayan Yogiji Maharaj, yoga expert. ‘Kalas Yatra’ will begin at 8:00 am on March 3, while daily ‘Kirtan’ will be held from 6: 00 pm to 8:00 pm. Other programmes will be held from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm daily.

6

THURSDAY 02•03•2017

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express VOLUME XII ISSUE 58

By Aheli Moitra

Zero Discrimination

D

uring the World AIDS Day on December 1, 2016, a doctor in government service made a startling revelation. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Dimapur between April-October 2016 stood at 5.04% as compared to Nagaland State’s 1.72% -- out of 13,286 tested at the Dimapur District Hospital, 527 were tested positive within a period of seven months.

More disturbingly, out of total 7869 persons registered at the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre, Dimapur, as on October 2016, only 4879 are on ART medication. 682 persons are known to have died since the inception of ART Centre in Dimapur—this still leaves us with a deficit of 2308 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) who are receiving no treatment at all.

It is important to consider why that is.

One of the significant markers of the HIV/AIDS graph in Nagaland has been the high prevalence rates registered in Dimapur.

A large part of this is because more people from the far flung districts of Nagaland (and some from Assam) come all the way to Dimapur to get tested, and sometimes even to receive therapy.

According to doctors, stigma and discrimination associated with the Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has led more people to get tested, and treated, far away from home in Dimapur. The fear remains that if the family, communities or the workplace find out about their positive status, they will be shunned out of society and discriminated against in all facets of community life.

Often the fear is placed in reality and leads to self discrimination among PLHIV. In turn, this keeps them away from getting the right treatment, turning instead to spiritual healing and painkillers. This eventually leads to spread of the Virus.

The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) highlighted that 1.96 lakh new HIV infections were reported in the State in 2015—while the national adult HIV prevalence in the Indian Union is estimated at 0.26%, Nagaland has 1.29% estimated adult HIV prevalence. Doctors suggest that approximately 300 persons die in Nagaland every year from HIV/AIDS. March 1 was Zero Discrimination Day. Millions around the world face social and economic exclusion due to intolerance and prejudice—this particularly includes women and children who are also a vulnerable population in terms of violence and abuse, in turn keeping them away from healthcare.

This year’s theme is to ‘make some noise’ around the issue of discrimination that keeps PLHIV from getting equal and unbiased access to healthcare. Without the elimination of HIVrelated stigma and discrimination, experts believe that we will not manage to end the suffering caused due to the epidemic.

“Discrimination is a violation of human rights and must not go unchallenged,” former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had said. “Everyone has the right to live with respect and dignity.”

It is only when people are able to participate with dignity in their daily lives without fear of discrimination and persecution that they will access health services. It is impossible for many people in Nagaland to come down to Dimapur to access healthcare and it is important that they at least have the confidence to approach the ART centres in each of their district headquarters, not just for testing and treatment but also education on containing the epidemic.

Suggestions may be sent to moitramail@yahoo.com

LEFT WING |

Madeline Kennedy Reuters Health

What belongs in medical kits for climbers and hikers?

F

or mountain climbers and hikers, injuries often include broken bones, sprains and skin wounds, but many don’t carry the right supplies for the injuries and illnesses they are most likely to face, a recent study found.

Researchers analyzed data from 11 previous studies of injuries and illness among climbers, and came up with the list of medical supplies that should be in every mountaineer’s backpack.

Then they surveyed climbers on 11 mountains in Colorado higher than 14,000 feet to see what medical supplies they carried. More than a third of the climbers weren't carrying a medical kit at all.

“It is hard to come up with a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” said Dr. Robert Quinn, a professor of orthopedics at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, who studies mountain injuries and preparedness.

“Experienced climbers will learn over time what is essential and what just takes up space and weight,” Quinn, who was not involved in the study, told Reuters Health.

Dr. William Brandenburg of the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver and a colleague write in the Journal of Travel Medicine that people hiking, climbing, backpacking and doing other sporting activities in mountain areas run the risk of injury or illness with little medical care available nearby.

To identify the most common difficulties experienced while mountaineering, the study team searched a medical database for studies of injuries and illnesses among climbers and hikers.

Based on those studies, the most common problems needing medical care resulted from falls or other accidents, which made up 58 percent to 76 percent of all injuries.

Strains and sprains, which made up 25 percent to 29 percent of injuries, were more common among people involved in events or trips.

Stomach upset and flu-like sickness were the most commonly reported illnesses, but were less likely to need formal care than dizziness or light-headedness.

Of the 355 individuals surveyed on the mountains, only 212 carried a medical kit.

Among the 158 people who provided descriptions of their medical kits, the most commonly carried medical supply was Band-Aids or other types of bandages. The most common medications carried were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs like ibuprofen.

Some mountaineers also carried ointments, including Vaseline and antibiotic creams.

The research team offered new recommendations for hikers’ and climbers’ medical kits, including wound care supplies such as medical gloves and medical tape, bandages and splinting materials.

The researchers also advise carrying syringes, tweezers, skin glue, Vaseline and blister treatments. In addition, bring NSAIDs, fever reducers, anti-diarrheal medicines and rehydration packets. For climbers who have proper training, opioid painkillers and anti-vomiting drugs may be carried as well, they suggest.

Quinn noted that the recommendations for what climbers will need are likely true across the world, though outside of North America, mountain-goers may need to be more concerned with water treatment and antibiotics.

“BE PREPARED! Don’t underestimate the outdoors, particularly the mountain environment,” Quinn said by email.

“Become educated about the potential dangers before you go and bring the proper equipment,” he said, adding that in addition to medical kits, this includes proper clothing, water, navigation and communication equipment.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Ali El Aallaoui openDemocracy

Can the African Union pressure Morocco to accept a referendum on the Western Sahara?

Can Morocco's admission to the African Union last month trigger a lasting solution to the forty-year long Western Sahara conflict?

W

hile Morocco’s admission to the African Union (AU) last month should not make any tangible difference on the forty-year long Western Sahara conflict in the short term, it could however eventually trigger a new dynamic for a lasting solution.

The fact that the two North African foes, Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), are sitting next to one another in the AU’s premises, might make the union a better place juridically and politically to find a way to reconcile under the auspice of the United Nation (UN). In order to do so, a genuine and sincere position must be the sine qua non condition. However, in the current situation, it clearly appears that Morocco does not intend to depart from its initial position of preventing the organization of a referendum as stipulated in the UN’s charter.

Moreover, while last year, many analysts were surprised by Morocco’s demand to join the AU, it is important to understand that Rabat’s position vis à vis the last colony in Africa, has not changed since its withdrawal from the Organization of the African Union (OAU) in 1984.

So why did Morocco decide to surprise that for Rabat, the Western eventually join the AU? Sahara is a crucial territory as it proInternal factors vides Morocco with an important It is paramount to understand that yearly revenue extracted mainly from behind the curtains of a seemingly the phosphate and fishing industries. ongoing democratic process in Mo- Currently, the fishing industry officialrocco - the country is often presented ly provides jobs to more than 70 000 as a model for the region and even people, accounting for 17% of the GDP the wider Arab world - the King, Mo- of the Western Sahara territory. As for hamed VI is in reality the sole holder phosphates, this accounts for 20% of of all strategic decisions concern- Morocco’s annual budget. Also, 10% ing his country. More importantly, if of Morocco’s total exploration, equivMorocco is in theory a constitutional alent to 6% of Morocco’s GDP in 2012 monarchy, in practice, it is more of a was extracted from Western Sahara royal and political despotic system. soil by the national Moroccan comFor instance, it must be noted that the pany, the Office Chérifien des Phosforeign affairs portfolio is under his phates (OCP). The OCP’s ambitions unique control. Moreover, Mohamed are to double its production by 2020, VI’s legitimacy is largely founded on which would further create a de facto religious grounds, presenting himself economic dependency on the Western as Commander of the Faithful, mean- Sahara’s phosphates. Western Sahara ing that he is from the Prophet Mo- is also a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa hamed’s direct lineage. where Morocco has been actively presThe king is the first entrepreneur ent in the past few years. and the only one who decides in MoYet, the December 2016 Court of rocco. Economically, despite some Justice of the European Union (CJEU) tangible results and success stories ruling stipulating that any economic at the continental scale, such as the agreement between Morocco and the Attijariwafa Bank numerous invest- EU does not include the Western Saments in West Africa and in Tunisia hara territory is a serious blow for the for instance, Moroccans continue to Makhzen, or the central state. For the suffer from high unemployment and CJEU, the agreement between the Euinequalities. According to the 2015 ropean Union and the Kingdom of United Nations Development Pro- Morocco “must be interpreted, in acgramme (PNUD) report, Morocco cordance with the relevant rules of inwas ranked 126, that is in the me- ternational law applicable to relations dium human development category. between the European Union and the As a regional comparison, Libya and Kingdom of Morocco, meaning that it Tunisia are ranked 94 and 96 respec- does not apply to the territory of Westtively while Algeria is ranked 83. This ern Sahara”, underlining henceforth rather poor economic situation has that neither Morocco nor the Europebeen further deepened by the current an Union (EU) have the right to exploit economic crises hitting the European the resources of Western Sahara.

Union (EU) and primarily France and Spain, the main economic partners of External factors Politically, Morocco’s annexation the Moroccan Kingdom.

Furthermore, bearing in mind this of Western Sahara has complicated the socio-economic situation, it is not a former’s foreign affairs to the extent

that Moroccan diplomats see, perceive and analyse the world and international relations solely through the Western Sahara prism.

Rabat can nonetheless rely on France, its main ally on this thorny conflict. Indeed, as a key-regional partner but also due to strong historical ties, France has always helped Morocco military and economically. For instance, Paris has always blocked any UN resolution that would go against the interests of Rabat, such as the 2013 UN human rights text condemning Morocco’s violation of human rights in Western Sahara.

Sub-Saharan Africa In Sub-Saharan Africa, Morocco has been pursuing an aggressive and rather successful political and economic policy by investing massively and striking different economic deals encompassing the banking, phosphate and services sectors in numerous countries, especially in West Africa.

This economic strategy is intended not only to strengthen the economic ties between Rabat and its neighbours but also to rally them under the Moroccan cause over Western Sahara. This also explains why Morocco and its supporters were disappointed when their ally, the Senegalese Abdoulaye Bathily, was not elected as Chairperson of the AU. In this politico-economic strategy, Morocco has even convinced Nigeria - a strong supporter of Western Sahara - to build an oil pipeline from Nigeria to Europe crossing Western Sahara and Morocco. This could also well be intended to counterweigh the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) conducted by three staunch advocates of Western Sahara’s selfdetermination: Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa, who also happen to be among the ‘big five’ of the AU.

Prospects for a solution to the Western Sahara conflict?

Following more than thirty years of the rather unsuccessful politics of the empty chair at the AU, Rabat has decided to eventually join the AU to work and lobby from within.

Morocco’s decision has been preceded by pragmatic and strategic economic policies or soft-power. Yet, Morocco’s presence within the AU is very unlikely to go smoothly and will now be facing a new battle from within. No doubt that the question of self-determination and referendum, the issue of human rights and the question of natural resources will always be reminded to Rabat and its African allies.

As a result, there might be some hope that under tremendous pressure, Morocco will be obliged to eventually sit and genuinely talk to the SADR and its political representatives, the Polisario Front, to find a lasting solution.

On the other hand, if Morocco’s intentions are to divide and eventually make the AU fall apart, it will definitely find great resistance in front of it, even among its current allies who are all too aware of the importance of the AU for Africa and Africans despite its imperfections and shortcomings.

Having said that and no matter its real intentions, Morocco is now accountable to the AU and its member states. And the Kingdom will now have no choice but to engage in peaceful and constructive negotiations with the SADR to put an end to the last colony in Africa.

Ali El Aallaoui is an analyst and researcher in law and politics based in El Aaiun Western Sahara. He got his PhD in International Law and International Relations in 2007 from the French Language University of Casablanca, Morocco.

India’s child trafficking and child beggars conundrum

An anti child trafficking campaign in India asks the public to photograph and share pictures child beggars, but it’s not as easy as it seems, argues Mari Marcel Thekaekara Mari Marcel Thekaekara

A

New Internationalist

heartbreaking issue, one I shrink from in abject cowardice, because of the sheer, daunting, terrifying enormity of the task, is child trafficking.

The thought of children being kidnapped, brutalised, tortured and maimed, to beg, and/or be sexually abused, makes any average person shut down. I admire people who have the strength and tenacity to deal with these children. The rescue missions, the counselling, the rehabilitation process – all of these require tremendous courage, patience and compassion.

Today I received a WhatsApp video called ‘No More Missing’. It exhorted people not to give money to child beggars as this encourages trafficking.

I have thought a lot about this. I tend to hand out food to street children: bananas, boiled eggs, oranges and packets of biscuits, mostly. I buy them breakfast often. A hot masala dosa or

idly-sambar is not easily come by, so its generally a welcome treat.

But I have friends who work with street children. So I’ve heard these kids stories often. From their point of view. Not from the point of view of the passer-by on four wheels.

When I watched the video, I was taken with the idea. Don’t give these kids money it said. You’ll be helping traffickers. Take a snapshot and post it on the website, ‘No More Missings’.

I thought posting pictures of little kids on the street seemed a wonderful idea. Then my daughterin-law pointed out, it could endanger the kids further. Vulnerable children up for grabs by predators and perverts because there’s a data base giving paedophiles information about them and their pictures. I did a double take.

Children rescued from Mysore streets, living in a hostel where they are now affectionately nurtured and cared for, tell us they often went hungry on the streets. So a meal is a wonderful thing. And most of them

ran away from home because of an abusive drunken father, a proverbially cruel stepmother or stepfather, after being orphaned, or ill treated at their place of work. It’s still common for Indian children as young as seven or eight to be apprenticed and to work in Dickensian conditions. They work long days, often twelve to fourteen hours, are beaten for the smallest mistake and fed badly. That’s sadly, still a reality.

We need thousands more re s cu e c e nt re s for such children, in every district of India. But every such centre needs monitoring closely by volunteer women’s groups, because often rescued kids are abused in state-run institutions.

Solutions are not easy. Raids have uncovered children’s homes being run by paedophiles. Unless local communities are involved in the children’s welfare, their safety is not guaranteed. I have personally heard stories of abuse of children in religious-run institutions ranging

WRITE-WING

from Christian boarding schools to Hindu Ashrams to Muslim madrasas to Buddhist monasteries. Not a pretty picture.

As for the video which inspired this blog, it’s for experts to debate the advisability, its pros and cons.

There are issues surrounding our right to randomly photograph a child.

And the more frightening one of paedophiles and perverts pouncing on this information. It needs serious discussion, not knee jerk solutions.

Far more urgently, we need to create awareness, so that neighbours, communities and concerned citizens look out for abused and trafficked children and for help line and child protection centres to be advertised and information regarding rescue teams to be more widely circulated – so it becomes as common as any other emergency number.

It’s a sad comment on the state of our society, that in this age of advanced technology and https:>information, we still allow people to get away with trafficking and abusing children. And we dare to call ourselves civilised.

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.

THURSDAY 02•03•2017

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Another Betrayal on the Horizon

A

s the New Year 2017 dawned, the Nagas were greeted with very disturbing news that was enough to give any person with true Naga blood in him sleepless nights.

With the New Year came the news of the Indian and Myanmar governments arbitrarily constructing border fencing cutting right through the lands of the Nagas. This was really like piercing a sharp sword deep into the heart of the Nagas all over again. And we all know that this is not the first such piercing of our hearts. Time and again, the Indian government has demonstrated that it has never been serious enough when it comes to dealing with the Nagas, their sentiments, their aspirations and their lands. Thus when most Nagas living elsewhere focused on issues like corruption, women reservation and ULB election, our Eastern Naga brothers and sisters living in the border areas are made to fight a much more serious battle threatening their very existence, their ancestral lands, their community lives and their will to survive and stay as one people.

It is a well-known fact that the Nagas have never accepted the arbitrary international boundary pillars set up by the Indian and Burmese governments in the past. Despite these so-called international boundary pillars (some of which even runs right across some Naga houses), the Nagas living in these lands continue to remain one in heart and soul. The Nagas living in either sides of the so-called international border have remained as one family defying all the odds and they never consider their brothers living on the other side as foreigners or aliens. Many of these Nagas living in these lands cross the so-called international border everyday to meet their everyday needs and do their daily chores. This is a great testimony to one and all about Nagas refusing to bow down to the highhanded and arbitrary policy and action of the Indian and Burmese governments that was committed upon the Nagas in the past. I salute these Eastern Naga brothers and sisters for keeping alive the true Naga spirit all these years.

History says that the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his Burmese counterpart U Nu divided the Naga lands amongst themselves after doing an aerial survey of our lands in the early 1950s without ever consulting or in-

forming the Nagas. This is a treachery of the highest order because this clearly demonstrated that these foreign leaders never had any true regard for the Nagas. Maybe they thought that the Nagas were only a tribal, savage and primitive people who would not come to know even if their lands are bifurcated. And maybe they also thought nobody and no nation would come to the rescue of the Nagas even if they divide the Naga lands amongst themselves in this manner. Or maybe Nehru and U Nu thought that, in their new found hour of glory and total independence, they should take advantage of the situation and usurp the Naga lands when no one was watching. But whatever maybe the reason, we the Nagas protest and refuse to acknowledge these arbitrary lines drawn by foreigners across our lands.

What the Nagas need to learn from this is that the Indian government has never been found to be honest and serious when dealing with us. The Indian leaders say one thing and do exactly the opposite. Referring to the Naga lands, Nehru himself said in 1946 that the tribal areas are those lands that do not belong to India or Burma or any other foreign country. But Nehru became mischievous and tried to usurp the Naga lands which he knew was foreign to India. Again, this first Prime Minister also said that India shall be a union of free people willingly joining the Indian union and that no force would be used upon any people to join the union. But history is testimony to the fact that Nehru

did use brutal force to make people join the Indian Union. As far as the Nagas were concerned, it was during Nehru’s time that the Indian army unleashed a reign of terror upon the Nagas as we refused to do anything with this new nation.

Yes indeed, the treachery and betrayal committed by India upon the Nagas is a never ending episode. In the 16 Point Agreement which gave birth to the state of Nagaland in 1963, it was clearly mentioned that the Naga lands and forests outside the periphery of the present Nagaland state would be returned to Nagaland in due course of time. But this has not happened till date because of the insincerity and dishonesty of the Indian government coupled with the apathy and lackadaisical attitude of the Nagas towards these matters. Moreover, the 16 PA placed Nagaland under the Ministry of External Affairs. This was of paramount importance because this clearly demonstrated once and for all that even Indian government knew that the Naga case was foreign in nature to India. However, in 1972, India again did a treacherous act by unilaterally and arbitrarily transferring Nagaland from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Ministry of Home Affairs thereby apparently making the Naga case an internal affair of India. And the sad part in all these betrayals and treacheries is that the Nagas who should have started a revolution over these matters remained as mere spectators and never raised any worthy protest.

Today because of all these betrayals and treacheries, our lands and our people

remain divided under different administrations. Today we live in a comparatively much peaceful environment when compared to the 1950s and 1960s. But even today we literally live under the shadow of the gun because of tags like ‘Disturbed Area’ and ‘AFSPA’. India seems to be in no mood to relieve the Nagas from these draconian tags because the Indian government still considers our land to be potential battleground which can explode into a full-fledged war-zone anytime.

We Nagas make a great deal about the Article 371A as if we are completely save and secure under this Article. But time and again, we have seen glimpses which show that this Article may not be able to save us after all. Because when the opportune time comes, the Indian government may easily interpret, turn, twist, wrench or even overrule this Article to suit its own sinister purposes. On and off, we have clearly seen this from the utterances and speeches of prominent Indian leaders. Yes, Article 371A may be just a catalog to appease the Nagas and keep us quiet for the time being.

So in our long association with India spanning 7-8 decades, it has been one betrayal after the other. So I guess it is time for us to say “enough is enough”.

Our Eastern Naga brothers through whose lands this imaginary international boundary runs are protesting against this highhanded and arbitrary action of the Indian and Myanmar governments. And this time around we should not allow our Eastern brothers to fight a lonely battle against two foreign governments arbitrarily trying to divide the Nagas and our lands. All Nagas with Naga blood in them living anywhere should render their support to our Eastern brothers in this very critical battle for survival, unity, identity and our future. The Indian home ministry may be saying that it did not sanction this border fencing or that it is unaware of this border fencing going on. Or official reports may be saying that the border fencing has been stopped. But given the record of betrayals in the past, can we be foolish enough to rest assure just yet? India and Myanmar may also be saying that the construction of this border fencing will not affect the unity and daily lives of the Nagas living in these lands. But given the fact that the Indian government has miserably failed to deliver on its promises and words given to the Nagas in the past…. Let us continue to keep vigil because ‘old habits die hard’…….

Can going green help pick the slavery out of cotton?

"The world is changing and it is starting to be far more about local sourcing but getting to the middle of the supply chain is a real challenge" Belinda Goldsmith Thomson Reuters Foundation

W

earing thick gloves and a shawl wrapped around her face, Kanchen Kanjarya is busily picking cotton in the midday sun on her small farm in Mayapur in India's western state of Gujarat.

Kanjarya, 42, works up to eight hours a day on the six acre plot, one of millions of small holder farms in India supplying cotton to garment factories making clothes for Western brands.

But while the days are long and the heat can hit 35 degrees Celsius (95°F), Kanjarya is delighted to be among a small but rising number of farmers being trained to grow sustainable cotton that can cut water and chemical use and improve profits.

With the global cotton industry under scrutiny for using forced and child labour and polluting the environment, more Western companies are starting to work with farmers to clean up fashion's leading natural fibre - and its complex supply chain.

"With the extra money we can invest in our children's education, buy equipment, and repair our homes," Kanjarya told the Thomson Reuters Foundation outside her house in the small, dusty village of Mayapur, showing off her new toilet and shower.

"I have bought a tractor and also a motorbike for my son to get to his job.

Two of my three daughters are teachers.

This is good for the whole family and my children now have a future."

Kanjarya is one of 1,250 women farmers in Gujarat, India's biggest cotton and cottonseed producing state, taking part in one of a number of small initiatives led by companies to combat environmental problems and break the cycle of child labour.

For the past three years these women farmers have had classes and infield training twice a month in sustainable farming methods such as water efficiency, natural pesticides, and soil health, designed to increase cotton yields and income.

The pilot, by social enterprise CottonConnect, India's Self Employed Women's Association and funded by UK budget retailer Primark, has pushed up profits more than two-fold and is expanding to 10,000 farmers over six years, its founders say.

LOCAL SOURCING Elsewhere in India the C&A Foundation, affiliated with global retailer C&A (and in a partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation on trafficking), is working with various groups to help

25,000 farmers move to organic cotton.

And the non-profit Better Cotton Initiative, set up in 2005, has nearly 1,000 members including retailers like IKEA, H&M, Burberry and Adidas, committed to fair work practices in cotton and regulated use of land, chemicals and water.

"We are seeing an increasing trend for companies to get involved in cotton production," said Alison Ward, chief executive at CottonConnect which was set up in 2009 to work directly with farmers to address social and economic issues.

"The world is changing and it is starting to be far more about local sourcing but getting to the middle of the supply chain is a real challenge," she said.

Ward said only 10-12 percent of cotton globally is sustainable and it will take time, effort and investment to shift to farming methods that could boost profits and combat labour abuses in the crop historically plagued by slavery.

Industry experts say the cotton supply chain is the hardest to crack as the journey from field to store involves so many stages - from seed production, to cotton growing, to gins to separate seeds and fibre, spinning mills to garment factories.

The global cotton industry is also massive, estimated to support about 250 million people in about 85 nations, many poor, with an estimated four million cotton farmers in India.

A U.S. Department of Labor report in 2016 said forced labour in cotton had been documented in eight countries - with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

widely condemned for state-sponsored forced labour - and child labour in 17 nations, including India.

India, the world's second largest cotton producer after China and ahead of the United States and Pakistan, is the only country named for having child and forced labour in both cottonseed production as well as cotton growing.

Indian group Glocal Research's 2014 study "Cotton's Forgotten Children" found the number of children under 14 working on cottonseed farms doubled from 2010 to 200,000 with small hands useful in cross pollination to produce hybrid seeds.

Director Davuluri Venkateswarlu said new research to be published this year showed the situation has not changed as more small farmers in India take up the profitable crop.

This meant the continuing use of child labour, as a recently enacted law allows children under 14 to work in a family enterprise as long as they also attend school.

"LONG WAY TO GO" "In pockets of Gujarat and Rajasthan the situation has deteriorated and the issue is what defines a family enterprise and whether children registered for school do attend," said Venkateswarlu, blasting state governments for not doing enough.

He said interventions by such groups as the Better Cotton Initiative and CottonConnect involving companies were helping.

M. C. Karina, deputy rural labour commissioner for Gujarat, was confident the industry in Gujarat was free of child labour after a major drive to clean up cottonseed farms.

"We've been working on this concern for the last eight years and are now sure that not a single child is working on the cottonseed farms," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

With the complexity and lack of transparency in the cotton supply chain, international brands are getting more involved for the sake of their reputation and to meet ethical commitments.

Katharine Stewart, Primark's ethical trade and environmental sustainability director, said her company set out to find an ethical and sustainable way to produce cotton at the same price as conventional cotton. Organic and Fairtrade has a premium.

Primark, part of Associated British Foods, sells low-priced clothes such as $5 T-shirts in 11 countries, and is constantly under pressure to explain how it makes clothes so cheaply without exploiting workers.

Stewart said the retailer, with a high volume, low cost business model, ensured workers were well treated in supplier factories and paid at least the minimum wage with regular and surprise audits but wanted to dig further into the supply chain.

"We thought it would be easier to go bottom up when you are talking about agricultural production and then work from both ends of the supply chain to join it all together," she said.

She said the Gujarat pilot proved sustainable cotton could be produced at the same price as conventional cotton but Primark would not give figures for the "significant" amount invested.

"We are looking and trying to do something about cotton and people are watching closely what we are doing," said Stewart. "But you have to pick where you are going to prioritise. You can't do it all at once."

Patricia Jurewicz, director of the Responsible Sourcing Network and creator of initiative Yarn Ethically and Sustainably Sourced (YESS) working in spinning mills, said the cotton supply chain remained tainted despite initiatives to clean it up.

"There are improvements little by little and the most where brands get involved in production as they don't want to be linked to abuse," she said. "But there's a long way to go".

Some Power-Addict Incumbents are beyond Public Usefulness

P

ervez Musharraf, a former military chief, seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then rising to become Pakistan’s Prime Minister himself. His undemocratic actions during his 10-year rule included the suppression of the judiciary in an attempt to suspend the constitution and the oppression of the media by curbing the law. Under his rule, many civil institutions were damaged. This was how civilian supremacy was lost to his military backed-government. All this resulted in civil unrest as more and more people, led by the legal community, began shouting, “Go, Musharraf, go!”

Thankfully, civil societies’ opposition to the elected leaders in Nagaland may not be as bad as some other places. But could this be because we the people are least concerned even if our leaders don’t seem to care about the sufferings of our common people? Perhaps we have learned the “secret” of tolerating political corruption and governmental abuse. Also, maybe we are okay with no proper roads, no reliable water supply, frequent power cuts, and so on. Or, could it be that our leaders are able to outsmart us with their clever political tricks?

Here are some tactics some political parties would employ so that their candidates can get elected again and again despite their uselessness to the public: First, those who are still currently holding political offices have more name recognition over their challengers due to their previous work in the office. They are more familiar to their constituents over the previous years. They have the advantage of using their office to keep their names and faces before the public in various ways –public appearances, interviews, speeches, and press releases. That’s why they can be reelected easily every election cycle, although there are many less-known people who are much more capable than them.

Second, incumbents have a strong advantage with funds necessary for campaigning. Either they have accumulated enough over the years while in office, or maybe because individuals and groups seeking access to them are still willing to make contributions to get them reelected. This is how potential candidates from poor backgrounds are perpetually kept out from contesting, simply because they don’t have enough money or financial backers.

Third, many incumbents have resources of office for their reelection. They have office staff to make contacts for them. They can travel to their districts or constituencies virtually year-round, using travel allowances, to make local appearances, speeches, and contacts. They have the advantage of bringing to their constituencies good roads, good schools, grants, contracts, employment opportunities – all at the government’s expenses. If they are truly caring public servants, the longer they have occupied the office, the more favors they have performed and the larger their networks of grateful voters. For these reasons, incumbents have a strong advantage when they seek reelection.

Fourth, incumbents have the established party organization to support them. For example, the NPF has a well-oiled party machine which has its tentacles spread in every district, with office buildings manned by well-fed party loyalists. (By the way, if these NPF buildings are paid bypublic funds – say, maybe from the 5% collection for party fund or from the 12% deduction by concerned minister – then perhaps the buildings should be turned over to the public again or to various non-partisan tribal Hohos for community-oriented activities). These structural resources tend to serve the narrowed-interests of the incumbents and enhance their chances of winning to the point that their challengers can hardly complete with them.

These unequal accesses to publicity, campaign funds, resources of office, and organizational advantages are “killers” of a fair play in election. To put it another way, the present set-up of our election system in Nagaland unduly favors the incumbents and deprives the common person any chance of winning or holding public office. This being the case, it’s important that the public insists on creating a fair electioneering system where every candidate, whether an incumbent or a first-timer, can compete with anyone from an equal playing field in every election cycle.

But realistically speaking, it’s quite unlikely that the present political parties will want to make any change. This is because they have created the current unfair system. They live off the system to stay in power. To maintain the status quo is their goal.

Perhaps there are two ways to handle this unfair electioneering system. One way to do it is by running for office yourself. To do so as a challenger, you must attack the record of the incumbent, point out the current deplorable conditions in your constituency, and stress the need for change. In other countries, challengers frequently opt for the “outsider” strategy, capitalizing on distrust and cynicism toward government.

There’s another way, too. Voters can exercise an anti-incumbent vote against elected officials currently in power. They can register their discontent with sitting government officials, particularly when protesting against certain actions taken by the government or the elected officials in question.

An anti-incumbency factor can also be responsible for bringing down incumbents who have been in office for many successive terms in spite of failing performance indicators. Indeed, now could be the right time as there is a pervasive voter discontent as a result of widespread corruption and repulsive electioneering practices.

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

ThursDAY 02•03•2017

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Gurmehar gets security from Punjab police

Chandigarh, MarCh 1 (ianS): Haryana Health and Sports Minister Anil Vij, known for courting controversies, continued his tirade against Delhi University student Gurmehar Kaur, who has got police security in Punjab. Vij said the 20-year-old Lady Shri Ram College student was doing politics over the "martyrdom of her father".

Officials in Jalandhar said two women constables of the Punjab Police had been stationed at Gurmehar's residence for her protection.

She left New Delhi on Tuesday for her

hometown Jalandhar.

Gurmehar on Tuesday said she was withdrawing from the social media campaign she launched against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), blamed for violence in Delhi University.

"She is doing politics on the martyrdom of her father. She has given a clean chit to Pakistan, which has been fighting with India, directly and indirectly, from a long time," Vij told the media at Ambala, 45 km from here.

"People who are supporting her are pro-Pakistani. They should

be thrown out of this country," the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said.

ABVP activists were accused of assaulting students and teachers at the Delhi University campus on February 22, a day after the student body forced Ramjas College to axe a seminar.

When Gurmehar took on the ABVP, she got death and rape threats. She is the daughter of a slain army officer.

Gurmehar's grandfather Kanwaljit Singh on Tuesday threw his weight behind her, saying she had done no wrong. Her teachers at Lady Shri Ram College also rallied to her defence.

Not allowed to speak in Jamia event because I am in BJP: Shazia Ilmi

nEW dELhi, MarCh 1 (ani): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Wednesday claimed that she was not allowed to speak on the issue of triple talaq at a seminar in the Jamia Millia Islamia University because she belongs to the saffron party. “I was invited to speak and was one of the participants in a panel discussion and it was to be on triple talaq. It is a very important issue on that we had to debate, but there was a lot of pressure on the organizers. They felt if Shazia will speak then it would lead to some kind of disturbance in the campus,” Ilmi told ANI. Asserting that double standards and hypocrisy prevails in the political narrative, Ilmi alleged that she was barred to speak in the event just because she was from the BJP. “I have never

Shazia Ilmi was to speak on Triple Talaq during the seminar at Jamia University.

ever caused any disturbance. I have always spoken against violence and led a very successful Anna Haza-

Demonetisation: 'Hard work' won over 'Harvard', says PM

Maharajganj (uTTar PradESh), MarCh 1 (ianS): Referring to encouraging GDP growth figures released on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that "hard work" has won over "Harvard-educated economists", who had predicted otherwise.

"Well-known intellectuals from Harvard and Oxford (universities), who have been at key positions in the Indian economic system, had said the GDP would go down by two per cent, some others said it would go down by four per cent," Modi said at an election rally here. Without naming anyone, the Prime Minister said: "On one hand, there are these intellectuals who talk about Harvard, and on the other, there is this son of a poor mother, who is trying to change the economy of the country through hard work."

Whether Harvard would win or hard work, the farmers, labourers and honest people of the country had already proved, he said. "Hard work is more powerful than Harvard. India is among the world's fastest growing economies," Modi said.

"Yesterday GDP figures came out, and it was proved that despite demonetisation, the honest and hardworking people of India, villagers, farmers and the youths did not allow the development of the country to get hampered," he said. India's GDP for the third quarter ending December 31 stood at Rs 30.28 lakh crore, recording a growth of 7 per cent, compared with 7.3 per cent in the second quarter, official data released on Tuesday said.

re campaign. How can they blame me as I have no track records of violence? Just because I am in BJP and there

is open discrimination, I was not allowed to speak,” she added.

“Because we are part of a party, because we call the bluff of Communist and call Congress corrupt, we have to face this harassment,” Ilmi said. As per reports, protests erupted in Jamia University after the organisers rescheduled the event and also changed the list of speakers removing Ilmi. Ilmi was scheduled to attend a seminar at the college organised to discuss the controversial triple talaq issue on February 16.

The incident came to light at a time when assault on freedom of speech is coming under spotlight in the national capital where two incidents – Delhi University’s Ramjas College row and Gurmehar Kaur controversy, triggered a stir.

ABVP activists protest outside Delhi Police headquarters

nEW dELhi, MarCh 1 (ianS): Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists on Wednesday held a "symbolic protest" at the Delhi Police headquarters here over what they alleged was police inaction against those who raised anti-India slogans at the JNU last year.

The protesters demanded action against those who raised slogans against the country at the JNU campus. They, however, did not submit any memorandum to the police on the matter.

The protesters raised slogans like 'Deshdrohi par reham karne wali Delhi Police sharm karo! (Shame on Delhi Police for sympathising with anti-nationals), 'JNU mein deshdrohi naaro par kaarwahi kab?' (When acttion against JNU's antinational sloganeers?).

"We haven't been able to hold a dialogue with police. This is a symbolic protest just to remind them that anti-national slogans were raised on the JNU campus by some communist cadres," ABVP Media Convener Saket Bahuguna told IANS. "After creating a commotion at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, these anti-national sloganeers have now moved to the Delhi University. Delhi Police have a responsibil-

ity in the matter but they have not been able to file a chargesheet in this case," Bahuguna said.

"Police have not been able to identify all the culprits, even while facts are coming out that anti-national slogans were indeed raised at the JNU and also at the Ramjas College," he added.

After the February 22 violence at the Ramjas College, a Lady Sriram College

student and daughter of a Kargil martyr, Gurmehar Kaur, had launched a social media campaign #StudentsAgainstABVP - from which she withdrew after receiving rape and murder threats.

"There have been many attempts to divert attention from this issue -- like Gurmehar Kaur coming in with her campaign alongside many allegations against the ABVP," Bahuguna said.

"But the ABVP knows that the fight is against very dangerous people; those who are trying to break this country, trying to justify stone-pelting by separatists in Kashmir, trying to justify Maoist violence in Bastar in Chhattisgarh, and are also trying to justify the arms struggles," the ABVP leader said.

The ABVP is the students wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

India to Pak: Reinvestigate 26/11 Government asks all banks to have attack, put Hafiz Saeed on trial mobile banking facility by March 31

LahorE, MarCh 1 (PTi): India has asked Pakistan to reinvestigate the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case and put on trial Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed who is currently under house arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism law.

India has made a fresh demand in a reply to Pakistan's request to send 24 Indian witnesses to record their statements in the case, an interior ministry official said on Wednesday.

"We have received a reply from Indian government in response to our letter regarding sending 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements in the Mumbai terror attack case. "But instead of entertaining our request India has sought reinvestigation of the case and also demanded trial of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operation commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Pakistan," the official said.

The Pakistan government on January 30 had put Saeed and the four leaders of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat under house arrest in Lahore under the

country's anti-terrorism act.

Saeed, who carries a reward of $10 million, was also put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009. The official said Indian witnesses statement are needed to conclude the case which has been pending for the last seven years.

He said Pakistan has no issue in trying any suspect of Mumbai case provided it has evidence against him. "If India provides some strong evidence against Hafiz Saeed in Mumbai case we will try him," he said, adding that Lakhvi was too released on bail because of lack of solid evidence against him.

India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest. It has said that enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan to prosecute the accused.

Meanwhile, no hearing in the Mumbai case was held today. This was 17th consecutive hearing of the case in which no progress has been made primarily because the anti-terrorism court was awaiting reply from India regarding sending of 24 Indian witnesses to record

their statements.

The trial court has already completed recording of the statements of all witnesses here and their crossexamination and other relevant record has also been presented before it.

The trial court is likely to be informed about the Indian reply on next hearing scheduled for March 8.

Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum have been facing charges of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the attack.

Lakhvi got his freedom some 22 months ago after he secured bail in the case. He has been living in undisclosed location since then. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. Ten LeT militants killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught. Kasab was executed after a court found him guilty and handed down death sentence.

Trump condemns Indian's killing, for merit-based immigration

WaShingTon, MarCh 1 (ianS): President Donald Trump has denounced the killing of an Indian techie in Kansas and endorsed a "merit-based" system focused on allowing high-skilled workers into the US. Trump began his first address to Congress at the Capitol Hill on Tuesday by condemning the fatal attack on Srinivas Kuchibhotla, saying the country "stands united in condemning hate and evil".

"Last week's shooting in Kansas city reminds us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms," he said.

A White House spokeswoman said the shooting appeared to be "an act of racially motivated hatred". "The President is keeping the family of the victim, who was senselessly killed, in his thoughts, and we're praying for the full and speedy recovery of those wounded," Trump's Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sander said.

"We want to reiterate that the President condemns these and any other racially -- or religiously -- motivated attacks in the strongest terms."

In his highly anticipated State of Union address, Trump also acknowledged the recent surge in threats against Jewish institutions and desecration of their cemeter-

Students and teachers of Delhi University, JNU and Jamia during their protest march against ABVP at North Campus in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

The White House on Tuesday condemned a shooting attack in a Kansas bar that left one Indian man dead and another wounded as an apparent act of “racially motivated hatred. (Facebook Photo)

ies. In a move that could benefit Indians, the President called for adopting a merit-based immigration system. He said the US should give out green cards using a meritbased system similar to those of Canada and Australia. "Such a system will save countless dollars and raise workers' wages."

By not following such a system, he said the US was "straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon". However, Trump made no mention of those working in the US on temporary professional

work visas known as H-1B. Trump also called on Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with "reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and provide better healthcare".

The Affordable Care Act, signed by former President Barack Obama, was designed to increase health insurance quality and affordability, lower the uninsured rate and reduce the costs of healthcare. He also vowed to take a hard line against "radical Islamic terrorism". And the President paid

a moving tribute to Ryan Owens, the US Navy SEAL team member killed in the January 27 raid on a suspected Al Qaeda compound in Yemen. Owens widow's Carryn received a long, emotional standing ovation after Trump spoke.

"Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero, battling against terrorism and securing our nation," Trump said.

Carryn was seated next to Trump's daughter Ivanka and received repeated applause even as she was moved to tears.

The President, stepping away from decades of US insistence on engineering the world according to its perceptions, said his job was not to represent the world but to put America's interests first while respecting the right of nations to chart their own course. Presenting a gentler version of his America First policy, he said Washington will "respect the sovereign rights of nations". "Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people -- and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path."

The US President also spoke about increasing military spending. "I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defence sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defence spending in American history," he said.

nEW dELhi, MarCh 1 (PTi): The government has asked all banks to provide mobile banking facility to all customers by March 31 in a bid to push digital transactions.

“What we have asked the banks to do is to enable all customers who have mobiles for mobile banking… We are asking banks to run a nationwide campaign up to March 31 to ensure that every customer who has a mobile phone is enabled for mobile banking,” Electronics and IT Secretary Aruna Sundararajan told reporters here. She added this is part of the government’s efforts to boost the digital payment system.

“The reason is earlier mobile banking wasn’t such a priority. And therefore, many customers may not have said they

want mobile banking services. But today, they want it… This is to ensure that whoever wants to do mobile banking but has not been enabled, should be enabled by March 31,” she said.

Sundararajan said customers who are using UPI or BHIM app should automatically be enabled for mobile banking. “We have said that any customer who accesses UPI or BHIM they should automatically be enabled for mobile banking because it means they want mobile banking,” she said, adding the banks have been asked to enable this.

The government has been aggressively pushing payments through digital platforms, especially after announcing its demonetisation exercise on November 8.

India test fires another interceptor missile

nEW dELhi, MarCh 1 (ianS): India on Wednesday successfully tested the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile, the second level of the two-tier interceptor missile system that can destroy hostile ballistic missiles. The test took place around 10.15 a.m. at the Abdul Kalam island off Odisha, officials said. The AAD is part of the two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence system developed by the DRDO, the research and development wing of the Defence Ministry, with the Hyderabad-based Research

Centre Imaarat (RCI).

The latest test comes less than a month after India successfully tested the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor missile on February 11.

The PDV can destroy a hostile balistic missile in space, before entering the earth's atmosphere. The 7.5 meters long AAD is a single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile, with a navigation system. The second level of the system is the endo-atmosphere AAD missile tested on Wednesday.

Modi betrayed country's farmers and youth, says Rahul Gandhi

KuShinagar (uTTar PradESh), MarCh 1(ianS): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of waiving off loans of 50 rich families of the country, while betraying the farmers and the youth. "Modiji has waived off loans worth Rs 1,40,000 crore of the 50 rich families of the country, but has betrayed the farmers and the youth," said Gandhi during a public rally here. "The farmers

feed the entire country, they produce crops, but the benefits of it are enjoyed by others. "The farmers don't get benefits.

The only demand of the farmers are waiving off their loans, halve the electricity bills and to fix right price for crops." "But, Modi ji has failed to fulfill these promises. Farmers are committing suicide, and youth are not getting employment. He has also failed to generate employment for the youth," he said.

Modi, Sonia, Kejriwal condole demise of writer Taarak Mehta

nEW dELhi, MarCh 1 (ianS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday condoled the passing away of popular Gujarati humourist Taarak Mehta. Condoling the demise of Mehta, who died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness, Modi said the popular Gujarati humourist's writings reflected the "unity in diversity" of India.

"I would like to pay tribute to the noted playwright and comedy writer Taarak Mehta. He never left the side of satire and pen," he tweeted.

Reminiscing about his meeting with Mehta, Modi said: "I have had the privilege of meeting Mehta several times. I also got a chance to meet him when he was honoured with the Padma Shri. His

work reflects unity in diversity in India."

Remembering him as literary genius, Gandhi said: "Taarakbhai, through his writings, took Gujarati literature to new heights. He championed human values of peace, happiness and social harmony."

She also conveyed her solidarity to the family, friends and admirers of AMehta, in this hour of grief.

"Gujarati writer and Padma Shree Tarak Mehta ji passes aways. May his soul rest in peace," Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party is planning to contest the next Gujarat elections, said in his tweet.

Mehta died aged 88 in Ahemedabad, his family said. His famous works include "Duniya Ne Undha Chasma", which inspired the hit Hindi sitcom "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah".

thursdAY 02•03•2017

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Trump softens immigration stance, takes measured tone in speech

WASHINGTON, MArcH 1 (reuTerS): President Donald Trump told Congress on Tuesday he was open to immigration reform, shifting from his harsh rhetoric on illegal immigration in a speech that offered a more restrained tone than his election campaign and first month in the White House.

Trump, in a prime-time address to a country that remains divided over his leadership, set aside disputes with Democrats and the news media to deliver his most presidential performance to date, seeking to regain the confidence of Americans rattled by his leadership thus far.

The president’s speech was long on promises but short on specifics on how to achieve a challenging legislative agenda that could add dramatically to budget deficits. He wants a healthcare overhaul, broad tax cuts and a $1 trillion publicprivate initiative to rebuild degraded roads and bridges.

Trump built a base of support behind his presidential campaign by vowing to fight illegal immigration. In his speech, he took a more moderate tone, appealing to Republicans and Democrats to work together on immigration reform.

He said it was possible if both Republicans and Democrats in Congress were willing to compromise, although he also said U.S. immigration should be based on a merit-based system, rather than relying on lower-

US President Donald J. Trump arrives to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington on February 28. (REUTERS Photo)

skilled immigrants.

Comprehensive immigration reform eluded his two predecessors, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican George W. Bush, because of deep divisions within Congress and among Americans over the issue. Trump said reform would raise wages and help more struggling families enter the middle class.

“I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation’s se-

curity, and to restore respect for our laws,” said the Republican president.

Trump’s first month in office was dominated by a fight over his temporary travel ban on people from seven Muslimmajority nations, repeated attacks on the news media and harsh personal criticism of judges who blocked his immigration order.

In his speech on Tuesday, he appeared to look for a reset, trying to move past a chaotic period that sowed doubts about his ability to govern effectively.

“The time for trivial fights is

behind us,” he said.

PARTISAN DIVIDE Financial markets showed a muted reaction as Trump gave few specifics or new details.

Early signs showed Trump’s speech drew a positive response. A CNN/ORC poll found 57 percent of viewers thought Trump’s speech was very positive and 69 percent said they felt more optimistic about the future of the country.

“He’s lost his foot and mouth disease,” said Tom Beckwith, 71, of Seminole, Florida. “This was a tremendous speech. He’s cured.”

Still, there was plenty of evidence of ongoing partisan divisions. In the chamber of the House of Representatives where Trump spoke, Democrats sometimes sat in silence and turned their thumbs down at his remarks. Many women lawmakers wore white in a subtle show of protest.

Democratic Senator Christopher Coons of Delaware called Trump’s speech one of “the most coherent public addresses he’s given in a month.”

But Coons said he viewed Trump’s forthcoming budget proposals as “gravely concerning,” citing the president’s plan for paying for a defense buildup by cutting foreign aid and other programs.

Much of Trump’s speech focused on solving problems at home in line with his “America first” rhetoric. Apart from criticizing Obama for increasing the national debt, Trump did not mention the federal budget deficit, which will severely limit any new spending programs.

On immigration, Trump again pledged to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, but he made no mention this time of Mexico paying for it. He also said he would “shortly take new steps to keep our nation safe,” referring to a new executive order he is to sign to replace one embroiled in the courts.

Trump focused part of the speech on foreign policy, stressing his support for NATO but insisting allies pay more for

their defense.

In a possible nod to his bid to warm relations with Russia, which he did not mention by name, Trump said: “America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align.”

Trump has been criticized for his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A U.S. congressional committee is investigating contacts between Trump’s election campaign and Russia to see if there were any inappropriate communications.

“We want harmony and stability, not war and conflict,” said Trump, who said, however, he would embark on a big defense buildup.

‘MASSIVE TAX RELIEF’ Trump said he wanted to provide “massive tax relief” to the middle class and cut corporate tax rates. But he did not offer specifics and failed to comment on the most pressing tax issue facing Congress, a proposed border adjustment tax to boost exports over imports.

Lawmakers have been looking to Trump for more leadership on an issue that has divided corporate America and Republicans in Congress.

Trump called on the Republican-led Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access and lower costs.

Republicans remain divided on how to accomplish that

goal and Democrats vehemently oppose tampering with a system that provides health insurance for millions of low-income Americans.

While Trump’s comments lacked detail, it was the first time he publicly supported tax credits to help Americans purchase their own coverage, a nod to health insurers who say they are necessary to keep people in the market.

Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear said in the Democratic response to Trump’s speech that “you and your Republican allies in Congress seem determined to rip affordable health insurance away from millions of Americans who most need it.”

In the most emotional moment of the night, Trump singled out Carryn Owens, the widow of U.S Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens, who was killed in a raid on al Qaeda in Yemen.

Owens, tears streaming down her face, clasped her hands and looked upward from her spot in the balcony as lawmakers and the president applauded her in the longest ovation of Trump’s hour-long speech.

Trump said the mission that her husband participated in obtained vital intelligence that could be used against Islamist militants, taking issue with news reports quoting U.S. officials who said little was gained from the raid

Nepal banishes old vehicles from Kathmandu’s streets to fight smog Women charged with North Korean’s murder leave court in bullet-proof vests

A woman covers herself as she walks along a dusty road in Kathmandu on February 27. (REUTERS Photo)

KATHMANDu, MArcH 1 (reuTerS): Nepal has forced 2,500 old vehicles off roads in its capital city of Kathmandu, part of a fight against alarming air pollution levels that have hit nine times World Health Organisation (WHO) limits.

Air pollution has been a chron-

ic problem in rapidly growing Kathmandu, which sits in a Himalayan valley and is home to more than three million people. Rising public anger with the smog is turning into a headache for a beleaguered government headed by former Maoist rebels.

Dust from road works, exhaust from old, poorly maintained vehicles and smoke from coal-burning brick kilns blend in a murky haze that hangs over the ancient city, raising the risk of cancer, stroke, asthma and high blood pressure, experts say.

Officials hope the ban on vehicles more than 20 years old will be a step towards a cleaner future.

“The old vehicle ban will help improve air quality and ease traffic congestion,” Transport Department official Tok Raj Pandey said on Wednesday.

State-run monopoly Nepal Oil Corporation has said it will distribute more environment-friendly fuel, which meets Euro 4 emissions standards from next month.

But activists say the government must do more, including enforcing stricter emission standards for new vehicles, as well as switching to cleaner transport.

Levels of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can reach deep into the

lungs, rose to 89.7 micrograms per cubic metre at noon on Wednesday in the tourist district of Patan, the Department of Environment said.

That compares with a WHO guideline of an annual average of 10 micrograms per cubic metre.

“It is a very serious problem, which poses a threat to people’s health,” said Khem Bahadur Karki, head of state-run Nepal Health Research Council.

“Around 30 percent of respiratory illnesses are contributed by outdoor air pollution,” Karki said, referring to a recent council study.

Activists cite a WHO estimate that outdoor air pollution causes nearly 10,000 deaths in Nepal every year, a bigger toll than a devastating 2015 earthquake.

“The pollution is disgusting and shameful,” said Ananda Prasad Bhattarai, a 35-year-old teacher, wearing a face mask as he walked through clouds of traffic fumes.

“I don’t think the government cares.”

As Philippines police await return to drugs war, more bodies on the streets MANILA, MArcH 1 (reuTerS): Jomar Palamar and his girlfriend Juday Escilona were killed in the early hours of Wednesday, cut down in a hail of bullets fired by unknown gunmen in a rundown backstreet of the Philippines capital Manila.

Described by a family member and community leaders as drug users, the couple appeared to be the latest victims of the deadly war on drugs launched by President Rodrigo Duterte in which over 8,000 people have died. Most have been small-time dealers and users killed in police operations or shot dead by unknown gunmen.

Duterte said on Tuesday he would recall some police to anti-drugs operations to provide fresh impetus to the campaign.

He had suspended police from operations a month ago after which the killings slowed but did not end.

Police said they did not know who killed Palamar, 22, and Escilona, 20.

“They were on a watch list, because they were users,” said Nestor del Rosario, the deputy leader of the local barangay, or community, who was huddled along with dozens of neighbours behind a police cor-

don at the crime scene.

Police and barangay officials said the two died in shots fired by gunmen on motorcycles as they stepped out of a ramshackle convenience store in the Pasong Tamo area of Manila. At least a dozen shots were fired, they said, going by spent bullet casings on the street.

Palomar died on the spot, shot in the head. His body was lying on the street when a Reuters team arrived at the scene, his face covered in blood. Escilona was taken to hospital but didn’t make it there alive.

No one in the crowd claimed to have witnessed the shooting. Del Rosario said four security cameras on the street could have captured the killing. But none were working.

Duterte suspended the national police from his war on drugs in late January after rogue officers kidnapped and killed a South Korean businessman and handed charge to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

More than half a dozen drug users and dealers in some of Manila’s toughest areas told Reuters that the drugs trade had come out in the open after the suspension, although it was

People look on as the body of a suspected drug pusher, whom police investigators said was shot and killed by unidentified men, waits to be transferred to a funeral van along a street in Quezon city, metro Manila, Philippines on March 1. (REUTERS Photo)

not possible to verify their comments.

The “vigilante-style” killings of drug suspects slowed, down to about 400 in February, but it was unclear how many were drugs-related.

On Tuesday, Duterte said he needed more men to fight drugs, and had no choice but to put some police back in the campaign.

He said the PDEA would remain in charge of the crackdown, with the support of the police and the military.

However, authorities have not spelled out when police are likely to return to

the campaign.

DEATH LISTS In one of a series of investigative reports last year into the war on drugs, Reuters found that low-level officials in poor neighbourhoods helped police assemble “watch lists” of alleged drug users and pushers that were effectively hit-lists, with many of the people named ending up dead.

Authorities strenuously deny that, and dismiss allegations that police are behind thousands of these shadowy killings, either pulling the trigger themselves, or

paying hit men to do it.

National police chief Ronald dela Rosa warned on Monday that lawlessness and narcotics were returning to the streets and gains in the drug war would soon be lost unless police were allowed to tackle the problem.

In another part of Manila after midnight on Tuesday, the body of a man was pulled out of a swamp behind a labyrinth of slums in the city’s Malabon area.

Police at the scene declined to give details. “Still under investigation,” said the lead officer.

KuALA LuMPur , MArcH 1 (reuTerS): Malaysia on Wednesday charged two women - an Indonesian and a Vietnamese - with murdering the estranged half brother of North Korea’s leader in an assassination using a super-toxic nerve agent that killed in minutes.

Siti Aishah, a 25-year-old mother of one from Jakarta, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from rural northern Vietnam, could be hanged if they are convicted for the killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13.

Police brought the two women to court handcuffed. As they left, they were made to wear bulletproof vests, reflecting Malaysian authorities’ fears that others involved in the killing could want the women silenced. No plea was recorded after the charges were read out against them.

But, Aishah and Huong have told diplomats who visited them in custody that they were unwitting pawns in an assassination that U.S. officials and South Korean intelligence have said was organised by North Korean agents. Huong’s lawyer told reporters outside the court that his client had told him she was innocent.

“She denied. She denied.

She said ‘I’m innocent’,” Selvam Shanmugam said. “Of course, she’s definitely distressed because she is facing death penalty,” he added.

The next court date will be on April 13, when prosecutors will apply for the accused to be tried jointly.

Kim Jong Nam, who had criticised the regime of his family and his half-brother Kim Jong Un, died after the two women allegedly smeared VX nerve agent, a chemical described by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, across his face. He had been preparing to catch a flight to Macau, the Chinese territory where he had been living under Beijing’s protection since going into exile several years ago.

According to the charges the women and 4 unnamed people, who are still at large, were in the airport departure, with the intention to murder the North Korean citizen. One North Korean man, identified by

Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong leaves a Sepang court after she was charged with the murder of North Korea Kim Jong Nam, in Malaysia on March 1. (REUTERS Photo)

police as Ri Jong Chol, is still in police custody and has not been charged yet.

Police have identified 7 other North Koreans wanted in connection with the case, including an embassy official in Kuala Lumpur.

Amid a bitter diplomatic row, members of Malaysia’s cabinet met with a high level North Korean delegation that arrived on Tuesday to press for the release of the citizen in custody, and for the body to be handed over. North Korea maintains the victim is a North Korean citizen, but denies he is the half brother of its leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea’s foreign minister told a U.N. sponsored disarmament conference in Geneva on Tuesday that its unpredictable, nuclear-armed neighbour has thousands of tonnes of chemical weapons, including VX. Yun Byung-se called for “collective measures” against North Korea, including possible suspension of its U.N. membership.

“WASHED HANDS” Security camera footage, which has been broadcast in the media, showed two women assaulting Kim Jong Nam at the airport around 20 minutes before he died.

Both women have told diplomats from their countries that they had believed they were carrying out a

prank for a reality television show. Indonesian diplomats said Aishah told them she was paid around $90 by whoever tricked her into taking part.

Malaysian police have said the suspects had washed their hands after the assault, and were aware that the liquid smeared on their victim’s face was toxic.

Aishah’s lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng was granted a gag order to restrain police and potential witnesses from making public statements that may incriminate his client.

Huong was detained 48 hours after the murder in the same airport terminal where Kim Jong Nam was killed. She is believed to be the dark-haired woman wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the acronym “LOL”, whose image was caught on security cameras while waiting for a taxi after the attack.

Aishah was caught a day after Huong. Police said she suffered a bout of vomiting while in custody that they said was due to side-effects from exposure to the VX. In court, Aishah indicated that she understood the charges against her. “We hope that she gets a fair trial, afforded all her legal rights and not tried by the public,” Indonesia’s foreign ministry spokesman Armanatha Nasir told Reuters in Jakarta.

ThursDAY 02•03•2017

public discourse

10

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Challenge to Clean Election Campaign Z. Lohe

W

e are apprised of how five clean election activists were physically assaulted in 21-Tuli Assembly Constituency as highlighted by Eastern Mirror on 24.2.2017. Similar incident elsewhere was reported earlier. The people of Langpangkong Range in Mokokchung District are the first to resolve to have clean and totally democratic election in its jurisdiction in 2018. The Diezephe Village Council in Dimapur followed in action by deleting 274 bogus entries in its Village electoral roll on its own volition. The NBCC has sounded its concern for a cleaner election in Nagaland during 2018. The Aoyimti Village Council and Baptist Church also voiced against ‘ails and evils of election’. However, the rest of the tribal organisations, the youth organisations, the students’ bodies and concerned public organisations have been playing evasive on the issue of clean election.

Whereas, the assaults of the clean election activists including the recent case at Tuli is nothing but to sabotage the movement for change. Those who carried out such daring attacks on fellow citizens in the name of democracy are no other than mercenaries sponsored by politicians. Those political leaders who used to breed private army similar to that of jihadis do not believe in the democratic principles and its values in practice though they too profess in theory. Those politicians believe that violence is the best and the surest way by which one can go to Assembly. Those leaders do impart and train their mercenaries with all type of tactics as to how to subdue the gullible voters through coercions with both psychological and physical treatments. We

have the instances of how even women were not spared in the harassment spree in the past elections.

Those politicians in Nagaland who believe in violence as the best means for election are never true leaders but pseudo. Those leaders lacked confidence in themselves and what they are afraid of is free and fair elections. Those pseudo leaders have no gut to face normal, peaceful and free election knowing themselves that in such non-perverse election they lack confidence to win.

Those leaders have common election tactics though they may not necessarily belong to a single political party. They do determine to purchase community leaders, Village Council members, student and youth leaders, women organisation leaders including the fragile Church leaders to be kept at the back and call. And we all know the result of high stake business in undemocratic and repressive community and village resolutions. These leaders look for brutal and menacing forces belonging to NNPGs with huge expenditures and post election promises for huge financial benefits. Those leaders are the ones who used to raise the rate for votes. And those pseudo leaders are responsible for destruction of the democratic establishments of both its election and its governance. For all these reasons, 180 candidates spent Rs. 937,82,67,500.00 (Nine hundred thirty seven crores, eighty two lakhs and sixty seven thousand rupees), the figure I got from private party who unconventionally assessed, in 2013 Assembly election in Nagaland. And the people of Nagaland have been enjoying its consequences all through these years.

The modus openrandi of those who threatened, assaulted and abused the

clean election campaign activists at Tuli was terror tactic in nature though my observation is based purely on the paper report.

Similar tactics were used by which several leaders were elected in the past. I do not want to brand any Honourable Member of NLA as the leader of terrorism, and yet the strategies several candidates adopted for the elections in the past were found to be of terrorism in nature. Lest the political leaders realize and desist from adoption of terrorism style, a day will come where the beautiful Nagaland, the land which is for Christ, will be placed in the category of Pakistan and Afghanistan for the reason that our elected representative will be no less that Taliban and Mujahedin leaders.

The victims, as per the paper, appealed to parent bodies as LKMCECC, ABAM and NBCC to intervene and protect the Samaritan campaigners.

Perhaps the concerned authorities are in the process of examining the ground realities of the incident for which none has raised a voice even after almost a week has passed since the Tuli incident was reported

by Eastern Mirror. I hope the activists will not be left in the lurch after having deployed them in the forefront. It will become the saddest story if the clean election campaign is allowed to be ended with Tuli story of February 2017.

Whatever said and done and whatever may be the intention of few right thinking individuals in their respective capacities are trying to educate, encourage and whip up the sentiment of the citizens of Nagaland to stand against the evils, it is not encouraging to have hope. The fact is that we, the Nagas of Nagaland, have receded to animal mentality. Though none will remember my article carried by Eastern

Mirror dated 8.7.2015 in which I compared the elections in Nagaland to that of African Zoo as I used to see very few humans during campaigns. The voters in Nagaland are like drug addict and alcoholic. Those drug addicts and alcoholics know themselves that the drug and the liquor are injurious to their health, and yet they failed to resist and reject the substances.

Their desire for drug and alcohol always overpowers their mental strength of realization and therefore they go back to square one, that is, the evil.

Similarly, who the Naga voter does not know that selling vote is evil and sin?

Who does not know that selling vote has brought ruin to every home, clan, village and tribe? Who does not know that selling vote is ruining the future of our children? Who does not know that at this rate we will be cursed by God? Yet, the Naga voters have become vote sale addict. No matter who advocates for Christian election, meaning God fearing election and love Jesus election, prayerful election and the selection of the honest representative, no voter will listen to those clean election campaigners. Finally, the tribal Hohos, the youth organisations, the students’ organisations and the vocal community leaders will hobnob with Taliban and Mujahedin leaders and the clean election campaigners will be reduced to insignificant and helpless minority and to be laughed at. The greed of the voter for money and the mentality of sycophancy used to become un-resistible just as the desire alcoholic and drug addict. Ultimately, what the Nagas of Nagaland cannot escape hereafter is to force our children to become beggars, vagabonds and outsiders in our own land. May God help the honest minority.

Kevitho Kera

had received a written 'explanator y note with an implied threat' from Naga Ho Ho sometime during the last month for referring to them as 'Naga Ha Ha' in some of my earlier writings.

They had given me a time frame to explain...'within one week' who I was referring to as 'Naga Ha Ha'...as if they did not understand.

At the risk of being excommunicated from the Tangkhul territory, I felt it beneath my sense of propriety to respond...so I did not respond...but I do so now on hindsight for an entirely different reason: to try and engage the minds of the Nagas of Nagaland to rediscover our true identity with 'honourable pride and dignity' ... at least in our own backyard if not elsewhere.

Now, what would it take for the Nagas of Nagaland to really recognise the need to restore Naga Ho Ho as our own vibrant Apex Tribal Body that it once used to be, rather than continue tolerating this embarrassingly adulterated caricature of an organisation in our midst in its present redundant form? What would it take for the Nagas of Nagaland to really learn from history and begin asserting our own thinking process independently rather than rely on extraneous irrelevant wisdom from elsewhere and also begin shouldering legitimate responsibilities on our common internal issues of interest? This is not an exercise of trying to vindictively single out or segregate one Tribe or the other. It is more to do with pragmatically dealing with our ground realities.

Naga Ho Ho was originally born as a child of a collective conviction of all the Apex Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland to try and harness the strength of our collective leadership. Can we seriously activate our thought process and absorb this one factual beginning? We lost our steering compass somewhere along the way...albeit with all good intentions. We opened the 'membership floodgate' of Naga Ho Ho beyond our immediate geographical boundary without any set criteria.

This was capitalised upon by our neighbouring brothers from Manipur, predominantly from the Tangkhul Tribe, and allowed history to repeat itself. Take a factual look at what happened in the Naga National Movement (NNM) arena: Late Mr. Suisa's handpicked

intricate prelude of some of the present day creative expressionist in their own contexts from Manipur who rooted their transitions in life whether it was Akhu, Binalakshmi, Lucy, Sabitri and Kanhailal or Rajesh, Urmila, Biswajeet, Lin Laishram, Arambam Singh in each of the 12 stories. Such interlacing of the present with the past showed that Manipur has emerged from the power of a community of women who stood up against the might of the gun. The book reflects upon the stories of women who participated formed public opinion, raised the consciousness of the women in public and private spaces and aroused the possibilities of peaceful dissent.

In a world where uttering a slogan can put someone under the scanner or jeopardise the credentials of a person’s nationality, this book provides some grit to reflect upon why and how the bodies of protest transformed the dynamic discourse on power. It is about the pride which emanates from the armours and artilleries which divides a nation and its own people and how such pride cracks with the revelation

of facts. This book has enabled us to understand women’s rights in negotiating for peace amidst the omnipotent domination of militarised chauvinism which rummages through the bodies of discontent.

Manipur has communities of diverse ethnic and religious constructs whose appeal to the world have been voiced time and again through their public discourse. Women in public space have never been as powerful as they were during the naked protest in July 15, 2004 in the entire North East region with a shared history of fighting colonial constructs from both Indian and regional hegemonies. Mothers of Manipur throws open further possibilities of understanding the everyday ordeal of the women in common institutions whose lives are constantly judged within the current public and political discourse. My reading of these two intriguing tales of survival through deprivation, militarisation and assertion of women’s agency has left me with a hunger for more such untold stories from the forbidden and forgotten frontiers of North East India. It was almost like bearing two bullets at one go.

Are Dimapurians born dirty?

I

am a true Dimapurian and i love my city to the core. I especially love the cosmopolitan nature of Dimapur, all tribes and race lives here.

What is so upsetting is how dirty Dimapurians are. Check the filth in the streets in the main city and in the colonies.

Tetra packs, sweet covers, mineral water bot-

Samhita Barooah

I

n the last two months I have been reading, writing, travelling and re-writing my unfinished work. It has been a gruelling time to react, respond and recollect everything that flashed in a moment. During a twoday long train journey, I got the opportunity to read Temsula Ao’s latest novel ‘Once Upon a Life’. Somehow could not keep the book aside even for the major distractions like children crying, train brakes screeching or the food and utility vendors constantly trying to woo the railway passengers to buy their products. Temsula Ao has written an autobiographical account of her struggles and passion to pursue her studies in spite of all possible odds. Her rustic childhood prepared her for the trials of life very early in life which led to a rather stringent adolescence under the hawk eyes of boarding school authorities. Temsula Ao presented her personal tribulations while growing up and hence adjusting to the socio-cultural codes which made sure that women in Nagaland are upholding the community traditions till the last

tles, food wastes, paper wastes, etc... it is an eye sore and Dimapur is surely stink hell. In some parts, months of garbage collected is left unattended. Dimapur Municipal Corporation is also partly at fault. No waste bins provided in the main city. DMC really needs to provide waste bins in the main City. I wish the

different colony Councils provide dustbins, if the regular wastebins are expensive, they can provide those indigenous bamboo ones.

But the fault remains with us the Dimapur Citizens. We like to keep our homes clean but we don't care about our surroundings. Please let us learn to be clean. If you are in town

and you sipped a cool pack of Frooti, just don't throw it in the street or you just popped in Happy dent into your mouth, just don't throw its cover in the street. Find a waste bin and throw it there. DMC please provide waste bins.

Or am I just making a futile plea? Are Dimapurians born dirty?

TWO AT A TIME

straw. Her anecdotes and nostalgic reminiscences made sure that the reader is never bored. Ao’s struggle to complete her higher education and continue with her work across the North East Region was indeed another part of women’s role in promoting education. Her singlehood which goes beyond the boundaries of marital vows indeed enabled her to strengthen her academic identity and also ensure her children’s well-being. When she reflects upon her past from the epitome of accomplishment where she has given hope to many women struggling to liberate themselves from their destined present...it is indeed once upon a life. It is no fairy tale where a banished and battered self is rescued in the end by a prince charming.

It is indeed a story of selfemancipation which is made possible and exists in striking reality. Temsula Ao’s depiction of ceremonial death really touched my senses and could reimagine the occurrences as if they were sketched through the lifeless letters.

I was happy to travel for two days across the coastal length of the country in such intriguing literary company. My journey of

reading is supposed to be endless trying to grapple with theories, thesis and analysis where there is almost no space for amateur reading and reflection. But queering has always been fascinating for me no matter how much trouble I have landed up in because of such queering.

Just last week I have come across another queering take on the public protest of women in Manipur. While attending the book release of Teresa Rehman’s ‘Mothers of Manipur’ with an esteemed audience huddled together on bamboo mudhas in NEthing Northeast, it was a very fulfilling experience. Teresa’s journalistic lucidity, factual clarity and reflexive detailing make this book a thrilling one-sitting read. From an academic perspective this work is intensive in-depth biographical ethnography with snowball technique which struck me while reading the 12 stories of the valiant Meira Paibis. It was almost like the women almost said, ‘When you go back tell them we have given our present for their future...’ inscribed in the Kohima war cemetery. As a reader I was interested to find the

I

NAGA HA HA few Tangkhul brothers, (who joined the NNM at a much later date after the deadly storm of death and destruction had visited almost every Naga family in Nagaland in the hands of the Indian Army), instantaneously became important Cox in the NNC/FGN infrastructure by virtue of their educational qualification. Cracks then began to slowly emerge with a Tribal tinge within FGN where cohesion was the hallmark during the war before their arrival. The fact that Nagas of Nagaland were the original people who actively initiated the dreams of Naga freedom has now become inconsequential.

Without going into details, today 'they' are the ones in absolute control to arbitrarily decide the fate of the Nagas of Nagaland without declaring the contents of their 'secret pact' with the GoI. Now check out the similarity even in our 'overground' situation. As soon as the Tangkhuls along with other Tribes from Manipur joined the Naga Ho Ho, it was ENPO, the Apex Ho Ho of our so-called "Eastern Underdeveloped Region", who honestly expressed their inability to stomach the overwhelmingly unregulated influx of a strange arrogant diet from South of the border and officially walked out from Naga Ho Ho. Despite their so-called "Backwardness" they were the ones who sensitively displayed our ancestral sense of dignity and selfrespect while the so-called "Forward" Tribes slept on.

It resulted in the remaining Nagas of Nagaland becoming a minority within our own kitchen. With the further dissociation of Aos, Lothas and the Sumi Tribes from the Naga Ho Ho, we have now achieved the status of an absolute minority within "our" very own original organization. The story of the "Camel and the Arab" has literally been reenacted in our own backyard without our realisation...the Naga Tribes from Nagaland are the Arabs out in the cold; The Camels being our Southern brothers, comfortably settled within "our" tent. Ask yourselves: With what misplaced analogy are the remaining remnants of our few major and minor Tribes from Nagaland still keeping company with the Camel that has only shown a very sharp and sensitive focus on what is happening in Manipur while remaining silently detached and uninvolved when Nagaland was burn-

ing over the recent ULB election fiasco? This is pathetically unbecoming!

At this juncture, we must make a dispassionate effort to positively direct our thoughts in the right direction very pragmatically.

Naga National Movement is a very complex proposition critically needing all Naga hands on deck. It is in this context that an Apex Ho Ho like a "Pan Naga Ho Ho" becomes absolutely relevant...encompassing equal representation of all our Naga Tribes from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur including even Myanmar (though not physically possible at this juncture). However, instead of creating a fresh establishment to specifically coordinate important subjects of physical and emotional 'integration' of all Nagas, we the gullible Nagas of Nagaland did not even notice the surreptitious takeover of our "Naga Ho Ho" by others and convert it into a meaningless half-measure organization of neither this nor that. Firstly, though it ought to have rightly been called "Pan Naga Ho Ho", it does not really qualify to be named as such, under the present membership status, because it does not represent any of our Nagas Tribes from other neighbouring States...except for Manipur. Secondly, the present 'Naga Ho Ho' was ill at ease to get directly involved in any internal affairs of Nagaland because of its 'out-of-state majority composition'. Nagas are not in the habit of taking advice from unknown strangers even if they are Nagas. Any advice or directives emanating from the present Naga Ho Ho is unlikely to find receptivity from the majority of our Tribal Apex Ho Hos of Nagaland who have withdrawn from it. A stark example of earlier helpless ineffectiveness of our present Naga Ho Ho was seen during the 'Mukalimi incident' even though it had bigger presence of Nagas of Nagaland within it at that time.

Their complete redundancy was further proven during the very recent 'ULB election fiasco'. Thirdly, without meaning any disrespect to our departed Leader Inothi Isak Chishi Swu, he honourably shouldered the responsibility of fronting the larger Naga frame together during his lifetime while the crucial policies were by-and-large dictated by Ino Muivah. In a similar but very dishonourable way, the present

Naga Ho Ho is being fronted by Ino Ozukum from Nagaland even after being disowned by his own Ao Tribe and simply following the dictates of the 'South'... supporting the economic blockade of Manipur and giving full unreserved support to UNC against the creation of additional Hill Districts in Manipur and giving blind endorsement to the "Framework Agreement" even if the contents are unknown. The present Naga Ho Ho has most unfortunately become a mere mouthpiece of NSCN (IM) at the expense of Nagas of Nagaland. In short this organisation has really become the laughing stalk of the century in as far as the Nagas of Nagaland are concerned. It is therefore a tailor-made situation of being referred to as Naga Ha Ha. Given the above true scenario it makes sense for all the remaining Naga Tribes to withdraw from the present "Naga Ho Ho" and join hands to reform it under an appropriate nomenclature as "Pan Naga Ho Ho" with equal Tribal representation from all our Naga inhabited regions of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland including Myanmar. It is only then that "Pan Naga Ho Ho" will be in a position to command some respect on common issues such as "Integration".

This would then relieve the present messed up identity of Naga Ho Ho to the Nagas of Nagaland exclusively to strengthen and rejuvenate it to its former status of respect within Nagaland. Nagas of Nagaland would then be able to revive this platform to voice the sentiment of the people as it should have during the ULB issue instead of forcing the Nagas to find an impromptu JCC and NTAC... who fortunately have contributed a yeomen service to the people. Stating a comparative analysis bluntly in conclusion, our Tangkhul brothers have an independent UNC in Manipur rightly spearheading their Tribal issues within their State of Manipur and beyond even as they swallow Naga Ho Ho with their majority. The Nagas of Nagaland on the other end lost the voice that they had owned earlier while craftily being deprived of a platform to deal with our own internal affairs. This is stupidity personified that needs to be taken to the workshop for major repair.

Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Retd.)

Upper Forest Colony; Kohima

Exposing the truth we already know

T

his expose is for all the concerned Nagas and particularly the young generations that our thinking and perspective should be ahead of the present Naga society. If asked ‘why’ then the answer is simple, the system in our society is backward and more ‘stone age’ like.

When we sell our vote to a candidate for a few thousand rupees then eventually he’ll try to recover his capital period. The money he had spent to buy votes and more will be obviously financed back from the state fund which only means no better roads, public facilities, development for another five years. This is a simple logic and we need to start grasping reality if we really want to see a change.

When a bureaucrat “without an ounce of shame” tucks away public funds into his bank account, you see, that is not supposed to happen. The hours he had studied to get through the NPSC Prelim exam (and then backdoor appointment), the reward for his hard work is the 30k and annually increasing salary plus vehicles and other incentives.

We have a democratic government in our state and it is nothing more than a ‘social contract’ between the government and the citizens. Thus the citizens shall abide the law whereas the govt. officials would serve the citizens by the same. And nowhere in the constitution is it written for the government officials to take the public funds into their own pocket which is eminent on our state (like it’s their privilege because they have done the hard part, studying).

Today, in our fight against corrup-

tion, for underdevelopment of our state, we are not asking the govt. officials to develop Nagaland from their salary or even a single penny that belongs to them. We are asking them to give us only that which rightfully belongs to the people, nothing more. But since our system is ignorant because our elders were less educated to understand the procedures by which a govt. should function, even today we are letting corruption happen right under our nose.

Corruption is an overrated practice in the developed countries because they know that it only slows down their growth pace while other countries progresses further in the global scale. And since they are civilized and smart they only work hard to further develop their own country or state, preparing themselves from the mystery of the future.

But it is not so in Nagaland. Our officials here tries to compete among each other in terms of their bank accounts and assets when they should be competing with say Assam, Sikkim and other states and do their part in progressing Nagaland ahead of the other states.

The ‘United States of America’ are trying to put man on Mars (the Planet) in the coming decades where as, well you all know where we are!

It is time to stop kidding around (because our life is not a joke) and start doing things systematically as per the constitution. So we appeal to the young people to no longer be a slave of our traditional ignorant system and strive for a rational society.

Liberal Democratic Party of Nagaland (Media Cell)

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.

Thursday 02•03•2017

EntErtainmEnt

New Graphic Novel: The life of Bob Marley

G

reat news for all Bob Marley and comic fans.

A new graphic novel entitled The Life Of Bob Marley will be out on March 13.

The 160-page novel will be released by UK based Omnibus Press, which is the world’s largest specialist publisher of music-related books. They publish around 40 new titles a year to add to a backlist of over 500 titles. Back in 1983 they published the biography Catch A Fire: The Life of Bob Marley by Timothy White.

The extraordinary life of the legendary Jamaican musician Bob Marley is here celebrated in a superb graphic novel by Jim McCarthy and Benito Gallego.

A man of spiritual hunger and force with music in his bones, Robert Nesta Marley came to represent the essence of Jamaican music from the early 1960s until his death from cancer at the age of 36. Blending ska, reggae and rocksteady with international rock influences, he performed with The Wailers, converted to Rastafari and relocated to London for a time in the late 1970s, touring the US & Europe - performing over 300 concerts in total - and giving us some of the most recognisable and unforgettable anthems and political songs.

When he died the Jamaican Prime Minister said Bob Marley had been 'an experience which left an indelible imprint with each encounter. Such a man cannot be erased from the mind. He is part of the collective consciousness of the nation'.

With Benito Gallego's lively artwork and Jim McCarthy's passionate storytelling, this intense graphic novel captures the spirit of both the man and the music in every vivid frame.

Source: Reggaeville

Rihanna accept Harvard's Humanitarian of the Year Award

R

Dev Patel 'confirms romance with actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey'

H

C M Y K

e became a fully-fledged heartthrob this awards season following his Oscar nominated role in Lion.

And now, Dev Patel is about to break the hearts of his legion of female fans after he was spotted holding hands with his reported new girlfriend Tilda Cobham-Hervey on Monday in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old BAFTA winning actor appeared in jovial spirits as he spent his post-Oscar day with the two important women in his life, Tilda, 22, and his mum Anita.

The Rayners Lane native couldn't contain his

happiness as he wrapped his arms around his other half - who he stars with in upcoming film Hotel Mumbai - coordinating in khaki for their outing.

Sharing a giggle, the two looked adoringly at one another as their hands intertwined while they stepped out for the afternoon.

The dashing actor sported a smart casual look in a pair of blue chinos, green mariner crewneck jumper and his trademark scruff across his jawline.

Complementing Dev, the Australian beauty dressed her petite frame in a simple blue cotton blouse and matching green trench.

ihanna accepted Harvard University's 2017 Humanitarian of the Year award with a moving but often funny speech at the school's Sanders Theatre Tuesday.

The pop star opened her speech with a cheeky flip of her ponytail and the remark, "So I made it to Harvard," before discussing the roots of her humanitarian instincts. Rihanna recalled the commercials she saw as a kid that asked people to donate 25 cents to help children in need. "I would say to myself, 'When I grow up, and I can get rich, I'm gonna save kids all over the world,'" Rihanna said. "I just didn't know I would be in the position to do that by the time I was a teenager."

During her speech, Rihanna honored the people that inspired her various efforts, including a young girl who died of leukemia at age six and the singer's own grandmother, whose battle with cancer was the driving force behind the Clara Lionel Foundation.

"All you need to do is help one person, expecting nothing in return," Rihanna said. "To me, that is a humanitarian. People make it seem way too hard, man. The truth is – and what the little girl watching those commercials didn't know – is that you don't have to be rich to be a humanitarian, to help somebody. You don't have to be famous. You don't have to be collegeeducated."

In closing, Rihanna encouraged the crowd to commit to helping one person, one cause, in any way possible. She then passed on a poignant piece of advice from her grandmother: "If you got a dollar, there's plenty to share."

Rihanna received Harvard's Humanitarian of the Year Award in recognition for her work to improve cancer treatment in her home country of Barbados and for setting up a college scholarship to bring Caribbean students to study in the United States.

Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400

Source: RollingStone

BTS & TWICE music videos chart on billboard’s Youtube list

11:00 AM, 03:15 PM 05:30 PM

T

01:10 PM & 07:45 PM

he South Korean groups BTS and TWICE continue to achieve impressive milestones with their new tracks "Not Today" and "Knock Knock," respectively. Recently, the two Kpop songs debuted on Billboard's YouTube music chart.

BTS' and TWICE's music clips charted on Billboard's Top 10 list of popular YouTube videos, All Kpop reported. For Source: Mailonline the chart period covering

March 11, the Kpop girl group's music video for "Knock Knock" nabbed the eight spot.

TWICE released the music clip for the said Kpop song on Feb. 20, Monday. Less than a week after its launch date, the video already reached 30 million views on YouTube. It is expected to hit the 40 million mark before the middle of March.

The said Kpop song also serves as the title track of TWICE's latest album titled

"TWICEcoaster:LANE2" which is a repackaged version of the girl group's third album "TWICEcoaster:LANE1."

Apart from revised versions of the band's previous songs, the new album also contains two new tracks namely "Ice Cream" and "Knock Knock."

Meanwhile, BTS' music clip for "Not Today" entered the Billboard YouTube music list at number 10. The seven-member boy band

dropped the music video for the said track also on Feb. 20, Monday. With the Kpop song's upbeat sound, the music clip's popularity on YouTube broke several of the said South Korean group's records.

The YouTube view count for "Not Today" surpassed the 20 million mark at a faster rate than BTS' "Spring Day" music video.

The former achieved the said milestone in less than three days, while the latter

crossed over the 20 million mark in a little over three days, according to Soompi.

Both tracks are from the Kpop group's new album "You Never Walk Alone."

BTS released "You Never Walk Alone" on Feb. 12, Sunday, which contains four new tracks including extended versions of several songs from "Wings."

TWICE dropped their "TWICEcoaster:LANE2" album on Feb. 20, Monday.

Source: Koreanportal

03862-237226

Ticket Counter (09:00 AM - 09:00 PM)

WWW.BooKMYsHoW.CoM (ID: PLAYBox DIMAPur)

Ward 5 (6) Burma Camp, Landmark - Near J.K Hospital Dimapur.

Power House.

Hillstar

John Wick: NOW SHOWING Chapter 2 rangoon (hindi)

is queasily violent

Tom Delonge named UFO Researcher of the Year

F

ormer Blink-182 rocker Tom DeLonge has been honoured with an award celebrating his research into alien life. The 41-year-old musician, who quit the band in 2015 to focus on looking for Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and his solo career, was named as 2017 UFO Researcher of the Year by bosses at alien research organisation OpenMinds TV. Although he was not present at Tuesday's (28Feb17) OpenMinds's International UFO Congress event in Fountain Hills Arizona, the star sent a video message to his fellow UFO researchers. "Hello, I'm Tom DeLonge and I want to say thank you for

acknowledging some of the hard work I've been putting into some subject matter that concerns us all and that you're passionate about, just like I," he said.

Tom, who published book Sekret MAChines Book 1: Chasing Shadow in 2016 detailing his research, has also been named in emails obtained

by WikiLeaks as having advised John Podesta, one of Hillary Clinton's top aides on the possibility of alien life. "There's a lot that I can't say, but there's some that I can," he said in his speech.

"And I'm so appreciative that I've been acknowledged for this stuff, but I'm not done."

Condemning those who questioned his re-

search, he added, "I think a lot of people doubted it, and they thought it was crazy that this musician would have this kind of access. And then the WikiLeaks thing happened and you guys saw that I'm into some serious s**t and I'm making really good progress."

Although Tom has not toured or recorded with Blink-182 since 2015, he has said he is open to rejoining his bandmates Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, who signed up Alkaline Trio musician Matt Skiba to fill in while he took time out of the band. Tom releases the follow-up to his Sekret MAChines book on 7 March (17).

Source: Contactmusic

J

ohn Wick: Chapter 2 reunites us with the world’s greatest assassin (Keanu Reeves), who doesn’t say much, but once killed three men in a bar . . . with a pencil.

In the original 2014 film, Wick was teased out of retirement and into a bloodbath because someone murdered his dog.This time, it’s because someone has stolen his car. Don’t even think about stamping on his iPhone. There’s a kind of narrative involving an Italian super-criminal who forces Wick to go to Rome to repay a favour, then takes out a $7 million contract on his life, but really Chad Stahelski’s film is about the multifarious ways in which one man can kill lots and lots of others.

As before, it’s touch and go as to whether Wick terminates more people than he has syllables of dialogue.

Not that he gets away unscathed. He is shot, stabbed and hit by a car, each time emerging with a limp marginally more pronounced than before.

With a decent supporting cast (Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Franco Nero), but an almost total lack of dramatic tension, the film is slickly and often spectacularly choreographed, but adds up to little more than an extremely loud and colourful glorification of violence.

Source: Mailonline

11:00 AM | 02:00 PM 08:00 PM

guardians the superheros

05:00 PM

12

ThursDAY 02•03•2017

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

ASA Golden Jubilee tournament enters 2nd day

images from day 2 of the asa golden Jubilee tournament in Kohima on March 1. (Morung Photos) Our Correspondent Kohima | March 1

The five day long golden jubilee tournament of the Angami Sports Association (ASA) entered its second day here today at the Kohima Local Ground and Indoor Stadium. Parlia-

mentary Secretary for Mechanical & NSMDC Er Vikhoo Yhoshii and Parliamentary Secretary for Music Task Force & State Lotteries Khriehu Liezietsu graced the day-two events as special guests.

Indoor games kicked start this evening at Indoor Stadium. It will

continue till March 2.

Marathon race will take place on March 2. Chief patron Vilelie Khamo will flag off the race at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma at 6:00 AM. It will pass through PHQ junction, TCP gate, Razhii point, Tinpati, DBS, BSF Check gate, Seikhazou and finish at Kohima

Local Ground.

MLA Er. Kropol Vitsu will grace Football/Volleyball events at 9:00 AM on March 2 at Kohima Local Ground.

Meanwhile, ASA general secretary Er Zale Neikha informed that there will be a briefing for wrestling tournament on March

2 at 1:00 PM at Kohima Local Ground.

All officials assigned for the said event have been requested to attend the same.

He also stated that there will be volleyball exhibition match between ASA and AYO officials on March 2 at 2:00 PM.

DaY-TwO MeDal sTanDing Region NASA SASA WASA CSA

gold 11 11 2 1

silver 11 8 4 2

Bronze 9 12 1 3

Total 31 31 7 6

Liverpool announce £19.8m loss despite record £301m revenue 2nd open volleyball tournament at Pughoboto

C M Y K

LONDON, MARCH 1 (AFP): Liverpool made a £19.8m loss in the financial year ending 31 May 2016 despite overall revenue increasing to a record £301m, the club’s latest accounts reveal.

Despite failing to qualify for the Champions League - and Liverpool were the only club in the top ten of Deloitte’s financial league not to do so - both media and matchday revenue increased at Anfield, largely as a result of Jurgen Klopp’s team reaching both the Europa League and Capital One Cup finals.

Media revenue rose by £1m to £123.6m, matchday income by £3.4m to

£62.4m and commercial revenue was down by £700,000 to £115.7m. The decrease was attributed to the construction of the new main stand at Anfield restricting access to the stadium on non-match days, although ten commercial partnerships were signed during the period.

Overall revenue rose by £3.9m to a record £301.8m, the accounts reveal, but new signings such as £29m Robert Firmino and £12.5m Nathaniel Clyne contributed to a loss before tax of £19.8m. The accounts also include the professional contracts awarded to 12 youth academy players.

Liverpool launched new websites in Arabic, French and Spanish and its social media following climbed above 50m.

Andy Hughes, Liverpool’s chief operating officer, said: “These results demonstrate the solid financial progress that’s been made over the past six years under the leadership of FSG (Fenway Sports Group) with continued investment in the playing squad and the completion of the main stand.

“The increase in the underlying revenue adds further strength to the club’s financial position despite the cost of football rising with

player transfer fees, wages and agents’ costs. During this reporting period, we also agreed a new five-year credit facility which further secures the club’s long term financial stability. All three main revenues streams continue to show strength and commercial revenues held firm irrespective of the impact of the main stand at Anfield.”

Liverpool’s finances for the current year will be improved by revenue from the new main stand, that opened in September, and the record broadcasting deal that has come into effect.

Hughes added: “The investments from this owner-

ship have been a key factor to our financial and global progress. We have seen continued investment in the playing squad; the expanded main stand; the new flagship retail store opening later this year; fully refurbished retail stores in Liverpool and Belfast; and we are consulting on a proposed development at our Academy in Kirkby to bring together the first team and our young players.

“These investments all contribute to further progress and strengthen the club’s financial position which ultimately serves to support all of our football ambitions.”

Jitu gives India first gold Indian Boxing League likely by 2017-end at Shooting World Cup

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS):Two-timeOlympian shooter Jitu Rai on Wednesday gave India the first gold at the Shooting World Cup, by clinching the yellow medal in the 50m mens air pistol event while his compatriot Amanpreet Singh settled for the silver in the same event at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range here.

Jitu, who fired 230.1 points to finish on top also won the bronze medal in the 10m pistol event on Tuesday.

Competing in his maiden World Cup, Amanpreet shot a total of 226.9 to bag the silver while the bronze medal went to Iran's Vahid Golkhandan who shot a to-

tal score of 208 points.

Earlier in the qualification round, Amanpreet had led the charts with 561 points while Jitu was second with 559 points. They had finished first and second respectively in that round.

Jitu has now won nine World Cup medals including two this year. He had also qualified for the Rio Olympics but finished eighth in the finals.

India's medal tally at this World Cup stands at five with Pooja Ghatkar winning bronze in the women's 10m air rifle on the opening day of the event while Ankur Mittal added a silver in the double trap event.

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1 (IANS): Following successful conclusion of the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) 71st commission meeting here, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh on Wednesday announced that the first ever franchise-based Indian Boxing League (IBL) will most likely be held by the end of the year.

Addressing the media, Singh also announced that India is planning to host one major tournament every year in the run-up to 2020 Tokyo Olympics, starting with the women's Youth World Championships in November 2017.

"We will be starting our own boxing league later this

year and it will be a great opportunity for our boxers with respect to finances and exposure," Singh said.

"The women's Youth World Championships will be a great opportunity for the Indian boxers as they will be able to compete in such a huge event and it will also help in our preparations for Tokyo 2020," he added. "This is just the beginning of our plans as we wish to host one major event every year and our boxers will also be taking part in the 2017 World Series Boxing competition."

This was the first time that the AIBA commissions meeting was held in India and the chairpersons from 11 commissions of AIBA attended the event to discuss the future of world boxing.

Thanking AIBA President Wu Ching-kuo for having faith in his leadership, Singh said the commissions meeting was just the start of a long innings with the world governing body.

"The first step was the AIBA Commissions meeting where we projected a young vibrant India ready to take on the boxers from any part of the globe. Largely because of his (Dr Wu's) efforts and guidance that we could hold elections last year that was supervised by AIBA and conducted under Indian law.

The AIBA President said the situation in India has improved since BFI's formation and added that India has the potential to become a superpower in boxing.

Phelps urges push for anti-doping reform

WASHINGTON, MARCH 1 (REUTERS): Michael Phelps urged U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday to push for a reform of the global anti-doping effort in sport after a career in which the Olympic great said he was never confident he was competing against clean athletes.

Testifying in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Finance, the most decorated Olympian expressed his frustration at the lack of progress in the battle against the use of performance enhancing drugs in sport.

"I don't believe I've stood up at an international competition and the rest of the field has been clean," said Phelps, whose Olympic haul includes 23 gold medals. "I don't think I've ever felt that. I know when I do stand up in the U.S. I know we're all clean because we go through the same thing.

"Throughout my career I have though that some athletes were cheating and in some cases those suspicions were confirmed.

"Given all the testing I and others have been through, I have a hard time understanding this."

Phelps was joined at the hearing by Athens Summer

PUGHOBOTO, MARCH 1 (DIPR): The 2nd edition of open volleyball tournament (men & women) organised by Elizir sporting club Pughoboto which will be held from March 23 to 25

at Pughoboto town. Registration form for open entry will be available at Family Mart, Pughoboto. Cash prizes for the event will be Rs. 30,000 & Rs.15,000 respectively for men and

Rs. 5,000 each for semifinals. For women winners will get Rs.15,000&runner up Rs.8,000 respectively.

For further details one can contact (8014331597) (9856926408)

Napoli fuming after Juventus awarded two penalties in 3-1 win

TURIN, MARCH 1 (REUTERS): Napoli were left fuming after Juventus were awarded two penalties early in the second half on their way to a 3-1 win in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

To add insult to injury, Napoli had their own penalty appeal turned down immediately before Juventus were awarded their second.

Paulo Dybala converted both spot kicks for Juve and his fellow Argentine Gonzalo Higuain scored in between after Jose Callejon had given the visitors a halftime lead.

It was Higuain's second goal in as many meetings against Napoli since he left them to join Juventus in July after scoring a record 36 Serie A goals last season.

Higuain had two years to run on his contract with Napoli, who did not want to sell him, but moved after the Turin club agreed

to pay a 90 million euro ($98.83 million) buyout clause in his contract.

"This evening, we suffered a defeat because of decisions which were not debatable, but were shameful and harmed the whole of Italian football," said Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, however, said that the two penalties awarded to his team appeared to be correct. "In any case, we can't reduce our performance to just the two penalty episodes," he said.

Poland forward Arkadiusz Milik made his first start for Napoli since suffering a knee ligament injury in October and was involved in the move which ended with Callejon turning the ball in from a narrow angle in the 36th minute.

Juventus levelled within a minute of the restart when Kalidou Koulibaly

mis-timed a tackle on Dybala who converted the penalty himself.

Higuain then scored from the acutest of angles in the 64th minute when the ball fell to him after Pepe Reina completely missed Juan Cuadrado's cross.

Napoli had their own appeal turned down, claiming Raul Albiol had been tripped. Juventus immediately broke upfield before Reina dived at the feet of Cuadrado, who went tumbling over.

Replays showed that Reina got a hand to the ball before making contact with the Colombian but referee Paolo Valeri pointed to the spot and Dybala converted again.

"What am I supposed to do, disappear?" said Reina.

"This evening, the result was decided by the refereeing decisions, the whole of Italy saw it."

India won't be butterfingers at Bengaluru, says Murali Vijay

Murray against wild cards for drug cheats

Games shot put gold medalist Adam Nelson who waited nine years to receive his medal after Ukraine's Yuri Belonog was stripped of his gold following a failed drugs test.

Nelson delivered an emotional account as he recalled the day he received his gold medal while at a food court in the Atlanta airport from a U.S. Olympic Committee official who was there changing planes.

"The medal came with a side of fries and a free toy. Don't worry about it."

Nelson joked. "It was nine years after that moment had passed.

"The colour and timing of a medal matter, folks. Silver does not hold the same value and gold loses its shine over time."

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart, who has called for

stronger sanctions against Russian athletes after investigations uncovered evidence of state sponsored doping, used the stage to once again blast the International Olympic Committee for refusing to get tough on dopers.

Ignoring calls to ban Russia from the Rio Olympics, the IOC left it up to individual sport governing bodies to determine if Russian athletes should be allowed to compete in last year's Rio Summer Games.

"At least two Olympic Games were corrupted and at the Rio Games this past August scores of Russian athletes were allowed to compete without credible anti-doping measures," said Tygart.

"When the moment came, despite mountains of evidence and vocal opposition from anti-doping

LONDON, MARCH 1 (REUTERS): World number one Andy Murray is against giving wild cards to players returning from doping bans but the 29-year-old understands why tournament organisers make an exception for "big names".

Maria Sharapova has been given wild-card slots for tournaments in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome despite falling down the rankings as she serves a 15-month doping ban for testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

With Sharapova's ban ending in April, Wimbledon organisers are grappling with the potential dilemma of whether to hand the 2004 champion a place in this year's competition in July.

"I think you should really have to work your way back. However, the majority of tournaments are going to do what they think is best for their event," Murray told the Times newspaper.

"If they think having big names there is going to sell more seats, then they're going to do that. She (Sharapova) has an opportunity to try to improve her ranking up until that point and potentially not need a wild card."

"But then if she doesn't, that becomes Wimbledon's decision and how they want to play that," added the Briton.

"I'm sure they'll think long and hard about it and how they feel people will view it and then make the right decision for them." leaders and clean athletes from around the world, the IOC chose to welcome the Russian Olympic Committee to Rio." IOC President Thomas Bach declined an invitation to attend Tuesday's hearing.

The U.S. government provides funding for the World Anti-Doping Agency budget and the House committee may make recommendations on any funding increases they feel are may be needed to improve the current system.

BANGALORE, MARCH 1 (REUTERS): India opener Murali Vijay on Wednesday promised better catching from his side in the second test against Australia after the hosts spilled several in their sobering defeat in the series opener in Pune.

Visiting captain Steve Smith hit the only century of the match in Pune after being spilled four times by the butter-finger hosts who were thumped by 333 runs inside three days in the spin-dominated contest.

Smith's 109 allowed Australia to set India an improbable target of 441 to win the first match of the four-test series and the hosts duly collapsed.

"We had a chat about it and we are working on few of the areas where we could have done much better in

the last test match," Vijay, who spilled one himself, said ahead of the second test beginning on Saturday.

"We are looking forward to this game and hopefully we can pull of those catches."

Having conceded a 155run first innings lead, India badly needed to restrict Australia in the second but poor catching allowed the visitors to post 285 and effectively bat the hosts out of the contest.

"The first innings lead was little more than what we expected. From there on it was always going to be tough for us to get into the game," Vijay said.

"We had the opportunities, if we had taken those catches maybe we would have put lot more pressure on the Australians.

"But it didn't happen

and we got to take it in our chin and move forward."

The defeat snapped India's 19-test unbeaten run, shocking fans who expected the team to steamroll Australia.

Vijay said it was a challenge for his team to show their character and bounce back in the remainder of the series.

"We have lost the game and we have to accept that fact. We have to move forward," Vijay said. "We are looking forward to this game and start fresh... We will look to put the pressure back on the Australians.

"It's going to be a good challenge for us as a team and test our character.

That's why we are playing cricket and hopefully we can play the way we have to play and we have played before."

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