May 21st, 2016

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

saturDaY • MaY 21 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 138 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

T R u T H

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy — John Adams Public notice

C M Y K

8:00 PM Deadline for submission of Press releases to the Morung express. effective from May 20, 2016

• The Morung Express wants to make the newspaper available in the early morning hours to readers in the districts of Nagaland, as well as, in towns and cities in the North East. In order to make this happen, the newspaper seeks the understanding, cooperation and support of our readers, this includes the Government, Civil Society organizations and the public.

• Effective May 20, 2016, The Morung Express will have a new publication deadline of 8:00 p.m., for all documents including press releases, articles and other news items. Any documents received after the new 8:00 p.m., deadline will be published in a later issue.

• This new deadline will make it possible for us to go to the printing press early and open opportunities for districts outside Dimapur and Kohima to receive the paper in the early morning.

• We appreciate your continued support for making it possible for the news to be distributed more fully throughout Nagaland.

Editor, The Morung Express

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

EgyptAir crash: Belongings, debris found at sea PAGE 09

cong protests misuse of MGnreGA bJP in Assam: Windfall or

challenges for nagaland?

Morung Express News Dimapur | May 20

NPCC President K. Therie and others during a protest dharna in front of Raj Bhavan Kohima on May 20. (Morung Photo/Chizokho Vero) TG won the bout, but the challenger beat him on points.

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Our Correspondent Kohima | May 20

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today staged a dharna across the state in the respective DC office premises “to deliver the rights under MGNREGA to the people.”

In Kohima, after staging a dharna in front of Raj Bhavan, the NPCC submitted a memorandum to Governor P.B. Acharya and demanded that an impartial Inquiry Commission headed by a retired High Court Judge be constituted within a month’s time to investigate and take necessary and appropriate action to implement the Act effectively.

The memorandum stated there is a drought-like situation due to lack of money circulation in the rural areas across the state.

It reminded that District Congress Committees submitted a representation demanding 100 days’ wage be realized to each entitled household, to their respective deputy commissioners on February 2, 2016.

However, the NPCC lamented there has been no reply till date and alleged that the state government has misused the Act by “refusing to give job cards to the employees, pressuring VDB Secretaries and VCCs to sign blank cheques, avoiding to conduct social audit, misinterpreting the meaning of convergence by diverting 50% of the MGNREGA money as VIP discretion and not implementing 100 days employment and wages as guaranteed in the Act.” Addressing the gathering, NPCC president Kewekhape Therie alleged that “the state budget vanished within the council of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, government employees and few contractors.”

He added that the NPF government

has misinterpreted the meaning of convergence. “In the guidelines the meaning of convergence is understood, to convert other department funds to enhance the 100 days employment. But government has converted 50% of wages money into MLA discretion and are completely misused according to their whims for political party interest,” he said.

Therie also alleged that “50% of the fund was taken by minister, department and MLAs.” “Officers claim its top direction and top money. Officers also claim we are helpless as small government servants. Government has willfully violated the Act and Guidelines,” he said. “According to internet it shows state has drawn Rs. 199.47 crores during 2015-16. Where has the money gone if only 3 days wage was paid?” Therie asked.

The NPCC chief said that many VDB secretaries admit they were pressured to sign blank cheques. “When asked why one should sign knowing there is going to be corruption; they reply, that officers threaten them, that, the village fund will not be released,” he claimed.

Therie further said that it is wrong for the VDB Association to interpret MGNREGA guidelines saying 100 days wage is not mandatory. “100 days employment is guaranteed under the Act. MGNREGA is not just guideline alone but is an Act of Parliament,” he stated.

He informed that the NPCC would continue their demand until job cards are distributed, 100 days wages achieved and the guidelines fully implemented without discrepancies.

Later, the Kohima District Congress Committee led by its president Kevi Vizo also submitted a memorandum to the Kohima Deputy Commissioner.

Related news on Page 5

The BJP’s victory in Assam by dethroning the 15-year Congress rule on Thursday can either prove to be a windfall or lead to greater challenges for Nagaland State - expressly on the issue of illegal migrants, political and social analysts voiced on Friday.

Keeping in mind that the BJP had ardently promised to make Assam free of “Bangladeshi infiltrators” if voted to power, there is a growing apprehension that mass influx of illegal migrants will start flowing into Dimapur, the gateway to Nagaland.

Assam’s biggest election issue was illegal immigration.

Relatively, the issue of influx of illegal migrants to Nagaland is not unfounded. It is geographically directly linked to Assam from where illegal migrants reportedly infiltrate into the state with possession of dubious documents supporting their Indian citizenship. Some, they acquire from Nagaland itself.

In the 2016 Assam election recently held, it was reported that thousands of suspected illegal migrants residing in Nagaland, particularly in Dimapur, Niuland and Athibung made a beeline to participate in the Assam electoral process.

“Time is approaching for mass exodus of illegal migrants to Dimapur.

High time for Nagaland State government and civil societies to become more alert,” cautioned a concerned Naga residing in Assam, who is an expert in the issue of illegal migrants and history of Assam-Naga boundary issue.

According to him, with the onset of BJP, and with Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal at the helm of affairs, the illegal immigrant issue would be dealt a firm hand. Besides, the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) process to identify illegal migrants is expected to be more stringent now.

This, he said, may not go down well for Nagaland as it increases the

the change of guard with optimism of developing better ties.

Nagaland, currently governed by NPF-led DAN government with TR Zeliang as Chief Minister also has BJP as a partner.

In the last decade, relationship between the two neighbours had mostly been sour or brusque as serving Chief Ministers of both the states failed in sustaining the friendship reportedly enjoyed by Dr SC Jamir and Hiteswar Saikia during their chief minister-ship.

The unresolved Assam-Naga border issue has also exacerbated further the tension between the two.

This is one key point, which Nagaland state wishes to resolve.

“We will see better Assam-Nagaland ties under the BJP led government in Assam,” BJP’s Mmhonlumo Kikon, who is Parliamentary Secretary for Labour & Employment (Including Skill Development) and Border Affairs told The Morung Express.

According to the Border Affairs Parliamentary Secretary, the previous Congress led government was not keen on solving the border issue.

“We expect a positive response towards an amicable settlement of the border issue,” he said.

Further, there is the ‘old friends’ angle.

Kikon maintained that Sarbanabda Sonowal is an old friend of the Nagas, who was “engaging with us right from the time he was All Assam Students Union (AASU) president.”

According to Wathi Ao, a concerned citizen, the civil societies of both Assam and Nagaland should join to sensitize whatever issues between the two states to the new government in Assam.

Ao also said Nagaland government should also take steps to improve the rapport with its counterpart. Chief Minister TR Zeliang, on Thursday, Nagaland expecting better while congratulating Sonowal said he ties with new govt in Assam With BJP and its allies led by Sar- was looking forward to a “much better bananda Sonowal set to form a gov- working relationship with the new BJP ernment in Assam, Nagaland is eying government in Assam.” possibilities of an influx of illegal migrants if left unattended.

Dr Khekugha Muru, co-chairman of ACAUT Nagaland said the Nagaland State government could begin its task to stop infiltration of illegal migrants by bringing Dimapur under the purview of Inner Line Permit (ILP) zone.

New Field Check Gate and Dillai Check Gate to Assam should be made into ILP zone so that influx can be checked effectively, Dr Muru further pointed out.

Sounding positive that with the BJP coming to power, the nerve centre of infiltration and sheltering of illegal immigrants would be put to an end, Dr Muru said other North East states should take advantage of the opportunity that is about to open.

“Nagaland in particular must not to miss this historic opportunity or we will be overrun by illegal migrants,” he said while adding, the government has to wake up on this.

The demand for ILP in Dimapur is one of the key objectives of Survival Nagaland (SN), a pressure group formed to address the issue of “unchecked” and “unmonitored” influx of illegal immigrants in Nagaland.

“It is very clear on what the BJP will do in Assam to weed out illegal migrants. And it is also clear that they will start running towards Dimapurthat is unless the state government tackles the issue at the earliest,” SN member Daniel Swu said.

He said that once they (illegal migrants) enter Dimapur, it becomes difficult to tackle the issue, compounded by the fact that documents are also easily accessible in the state.

In 2014, Survival Nagaland had claimed that there are at least 5 lakh illegal migrants of Bangladesh origin in Nagaland, though their claim cannot be verified.

NSCN (K) says it remains true to reconciliation & sovereignty Cabinet clears ordinance to defer NEET for a year

DIMAPUR, MAY 20 (MExN): The NSCN (K) today claimed that it is the only entity that remains true in its commitment to the 2009 Covenant of Reconciliation (CoR) basing on the “historical and political rights” of the Nagas.

In a press statement released by the MIP to the media, the NSCN (K) said that the CoR signed by the “highest political leaders S.S.Khaplang, Isak Chishi Swu and Singnya representing respective Governments in the year 2009 was in fact conditioned by the locus the historical and po-

litical rights of the Nagas”.

The CoR, NSCN (K) stated, therefore clearly underlined the need to reconcile on the premise of the ongoing “Naga Sovereign Independent” struggle inclusive of all the Naga’s ancestral domains.

According to the NSCN (K), the “historical and political rights” precisely mean the sovereign independent Naga republics prior to British and Indian forceful occupation of Naga country.

It asserted that “the NSCN/ GPRN led by SS Khaplang still uphold and adhere to this principle of reconcili-

ation and the accusation that Khaplang backed out from the process as alleged

by NSCN (IM) is a complete distortion of truth.”

It also stressed that various accords and agreements at several stages of the struggle had in the past attempted to side track “Naga sovereignty” and appease few selfish sections of “pseudo-nationalists.” This it said had caused “irreparable divisions, fratricides and wanton killings within.”

Therefore, having experienced the past bitterness and to prevent further recurrences of such political

tragedy, the NSCN (K) led

by Khaplang had whole heartedly welcomed the holistic reconciliation approach initiated by the FNR basing on this “political and historical rights,” the press statement asserted.

However, the NSCN (K) stated that its commitment to “Naga Sovereignty” appeared to have been a stumbling block to certain partners of the 2009 Covenant of Reconciliation, whom it alleged, were then contemplating on exclusive settlement with Government of India.

“The NSCN (IM) ostensi-

ble call on reconciliation and its interpretation of “Covenant of Reconciliation” may therefore be understood from their present position vis-a-vis Framework Agreement signed with India and similarly Khehoi camp and its emphasis on exclusive settlement for the Nagas of Nagaland state,” the NSCN (K) pointed out.

It emphasized that “The covenant stands relevant only to S.S.Khaplang led NSCN/GPRN for it is the only entity that remains true to commitment on reconciliation and Naga sovereignty.”

r&b Minister on bad roads in nagaland Our Correspondent Kohima | May 20

Following a campaign for good roads initiated by the Concerned Citizen of Nagaland (CCN), Minister for Roads & Bridges, Y Vikheho Swu today said people need to first understand the entire reason for bad roads in the state.

While appreciating the CCN for initiating such a move, the Minister during a press conference today said: “Every citizen has every right to express their grievances to the government or any authority. What concerns us is that when people want to take up issues concerning public welfare they must first understand the issue thoroughly. Otherwise it will end up projecting only one side of the issue and this may send a lot of wrong information to the general public.”

He underlined that PWD R&B is responsible for the major length of roads, followed by the National Highways department, and other

stretches come under the Municipal Councils, BRO, and General Supply roads (GS) which is under the army, and respective villages.

The Minister observed that one factor for bad roads is that line departments like Telecom and PHE contribute to premature wearing away and damage caused by digging channels for cable lines or pipe lines, without taking permission from the departments. He informed that in most cases after laying cables or pipe lines the openings are left without proper recovery. “We see leakages of water from the pipe line running out on the roads surface and also creating seepage’s underneath that leads to creating pothole, much earlier than expected,” he added.

Secondly, he noted that in many places the public does not give sufficient space for road construction, including the “right of way.” He also stated that side drains are clogged due to garbage dumped by public, thereby affect-

ing longevity of roads.

Citing the land ownership issue as another problem, he said “Landowners in many cases have negatively contributed to the developmental works including roads. Firstly, not allowing others to work on their land causes great delay in execution of works. Secondly, unethically disturbing the progress of construction works throughout if they wish to do so.”

The Minister however conceded that poor workmanship is a major problem. This, he stated is where the department comes in, wherein, first and foremost proper Detailed Project Reports must be provided.

He stressed on the need for supervision of works and urged contractors to follow the work specification provided by the department.

“Our roads are bad because government does not have enough money for repair and maintenance of roads,” he added while pointing out that the centre does not provided fund for repair and mainte-

nance. The Minister divulged that before 2014, fund was provided to the state through special category funding. After lifting of special category funding, R&B was affected the most, he said, as fund for maintenance has come down to Rs. 40 crore from Rs. 200 to Rs.300 crore.

He concluded that the government, contractors, public and land owners all need to take responsibility on this issue.

Nagaland requires Rs. 350 Crore each year for road maintenance

The Minister revealed that Nagaland requires a minimum of Rs. 350 crore each year to maintain the existing roads. He however said that the state is recieving only Rs. 40 crore per year.

He further revealed that the department is contemplating bringing out a road maintenance policy, while also informing that the maintenance policy will be put up in the cabinet and hopefully approved.

NEw DElhI, MAY 20 (IANS): The union cabinet on Friday gave its nod to an ordinance to defer, for one year, implementation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which has been made mandatory for medical entrance across India following strong objections from some states, sources said. The ordinance, which puts on hold the Supreme Court’s May 9 ruling ordering the implementation of NEET from this year, was

cleared in a cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, official sources said. This step of the government has come a great relief for thousands of students who were preparing for medical examination across the country this year. Many states and members of parliament, across spectrum of political parties, had raised concern over the apex court ruling.

Related story on Page 8

2

saturDaY 21•05•2016

NAGALAND

KDLSA releases yearly bulletin

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Peren town hit by water scarcity

Submits 15 days ultimatum to PHE for restoration of water supply

Justice Nishitendu Chaudhury, Judge, Gauhati High Court release yearly bulletin of the Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) at the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.

KohiMa, May 20 (Mexn): A ceremony was organised by the Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) at the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench with the Justice Nishitendu Chaudhury, Judge, Gauhati High Court & Executive Chairman, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority releasing its yearly bulletin.

A press note stated that the programme was chaired by Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS, Chief Judicial Magistrate & Secretary, KDLSA. She mentioned that the KDLSA wants to make this bulletin a regular feature and the idea of

releasing the bulletin was to highlight its activities so that many people will be able to get insights and will be able to come forward to avail the benefits meant for them.

A short time was given to the Editor of the Bulletin, Neiteo Koza, Panel Lawyer KDLSA where she said that it was a wonderful experience when she started compiling the records for the bulletin.

It may be mentioned that the Bulletin is available at the front office of the KDLSA, District Court Building, adjacent to DC Office, Kohima free of cost.

Peren, May 20 (Mexn): Water scarcity has hit Peren town really hard and old rusted PHE pipeline, which have not been replaced for several years, is one major reason leading to water scarcity. The outdated pipelines fitted many decades back is yet to be replaced, which has been causing frequent pipe bursts.

It is worth mentioning that the PHE water pipelines were connected more than 40 years back whereas the lifespan of these pipes are maximum 25 years.

The public of Peren town facing acute water scarcity had more miseries piled-up to their woes when some miscreants taking advantage of the “ongoing land dispute between Peren Village and Tesen Village” had destroyed the entire stretch of PHE Pipelines at Tesangki source.

Moreover, “the fact boils down to the fact that whether Tesangki River falls under Peren Village or Tesen Village jurisdiction for that matter, the people of Peren Town, for no fault of theirs, are facing untold

ACAUT Nagaland extends support

M

Public of Peren town undertakes silent public procession from Peren main bazaar to ADC Office, Peren to submit 15 days ultimatum to the government on May 20.

pain and hardship due to the absence of drinking water since January,” stated a press release received here.

On May 20, the public undertook a silent public procession from Peren Town Main Bazaar to ADC Office, Peren and submit-

Effective implementation of COTPA 2003 ACT

KohiMa, May 20 (DiPr): The Deputy Commissioner and DLCC Chairman, Rovilatuo Mor IAS has notified to all the Head of Department (HODs ) and all the concerned hotels/restaurant owners and managers to effectively implement Section 4 of COTPA 2003 – ‘Prohibition of smoking in public places’ by putting up signage boards prohibiting smoking in their respective Departments and in public places. The DC has therefore requested all the HODs and owners/managers of hotels and restaurant to abide and follow the in-

structions with immediate effect whereby defaulters will be fined as per the law.

It is also notified to all concerned colony Chairmen to send either a Gaon Bura or a Panchayat member as a member for the Tobacco Control Committee of Tobacco Free Schools in their respective colonies.

This notification was issued in exercise of the power conferred by Section 21, 24 and 25 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of the trade and commerce, production, supply and dis-

tribution) Act 2003 and for effective implementation of Section 4,5,6,7 of COTPA 2003. The above Sections of COTPA 2003 will be implemented in Kohima District with immediate effect.

The Deputy Commissioner and DLCC Chairman, Rovilatuo Mor IAS has notified all the Shopkeepers to strictly abide and follow Section 6 of COTPA 2003‘Prohibition on sale of Cigarette or other Tobacco Products to a person below the age of 18 years’; ‘Prohibition on sale of Tobacco Products in an area within a radius of 100 yards of an educational

Institution’.

It is notified that the signage specifications for Shops selling Tobacco Products to put up Signage boards measuring 60cmx30cm of minimum size; It should be displayed at a conspicuous place and the warning is in an applicable Indian Language. The Signage boards should read as follows “sale of tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 years is a punishable offence”. The DC further cautioned all the shopkeepers to strictly abide and follow Section 6 of COTPA 2003 whereby defaulters will be penalised.

eanwhile, the ACAUT Nagaland has extended support to the silent procession organised by public of Peren Town to express their resentment against the lackadaisical attitude of the Government and the PHED Department.

ACAUT Nagaland also extended it solidarity with the plight of the people of Peren district due to acute water shortage. “It is incomprehensible that in these this age, the people of Peren Town are struggling for basic amenities like water for drinking,” stated a press release issued by Media of ACAUT Nagaland.

They also stated that although on numerous occasions this problem was highlighted to the PHED Department and the government of Nagaland, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears as the people have not received even a single drop of water for several months now, the people are being forced to resort to drastic measures as they simply have no means to penetrate the thick skinned of the Government.

ACAUT Nagaland supporting the demand of the people of Peren Town said that the Minister for PHED should constitute a ‘Special Investigating Team’ to study and consider the matter with utmost urgency for restoration of clean Water supply.

ted a 15 days ultimatum to the department of PHE to set up a ‘Special Investigation Team’ for restoration of water supply to Peren town. The public has cautioned the Government that, “in the failure of to meet its demand within 15

days time, the Department of PHE would be closed down indefinitely.”

The District Administration headed by ADC, Peren S. Tainiu assured to provide all help to the citizens of Peren, The press release also

Home Minister visits Peren DEF

Sangphur Village gets new Government Primary School

P e r e n, M ay 2 0 (Mexn): Minister for Home Nagaland, Y. Patton visited Peren DEF on May 19 and interacted with officers and personnel of DEF Peren. He was accompanied by LL Doungel IPS DGP Nagaland and L Bendang Lemtur IPS IGP (R/ NAP) Nagaland.

V. John, SP Peren briefed the Home Minister and visiting Officials about the history of DEF Peren and the present status of the unit. He also highlighted some urgent requirement of the Unit regarding construction of SP Office and other infrastructure at the new district Hq. The SP also apprised the Home Minister of the extreme shortage of manpower in the unit due to which no armed police could be deployed in any of the full fledged operational Police Stations in the district namely Peren, Jalukie, Athibung and Tening.

The Home Minister gave a patient hearing to the grievances and difficulties being faced by the unit and gave assurance that the Govt. would do its best to fulfill the requirements.

Briefing the Officers he also mentioned the strategic importance of Peren District which is bordered by Assam in the West and Manipur in the South and asked all officers to be sincere and dedicated in the performance of their duties. This was stated in a press release issued by Superintendent of Police, Peren.

added that Peren Town has witnessed several seminars, campaigns and programmes based on protection, conservation and judicious use of water, however, “the irony in Peren Town is that when the public talk of water, it is

still acute scarcity of drinking water for mere survival.”

The need to build a concrete dam and install new water pipelines right from Tesangki River was raised inorder to ensure regular drinking water supply to the public of Peren Town.

Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs and Eco & Statistics, R Tohanba, along with EAC Shamator, teachers and village elders at the inauguration of a new Government Primary School at Sangphur village, Tuensang district held on May 19. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News Sangphur Village | May 20

Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs and Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba, on May 19 inaugurated a new Government Primary School at Kewongthu Sangphur in Sangphur Village, Tuensang district.

Addressing the inaugural programme, the Parliamentary Secretary said after the government has gifted a new school to the village, it was now upto the Village Education Committee (VEC) and villagers as a whole to take proper care of the school.

“Unless there is coordination between the VEC, teachers and parents, the purpose of open-

ing a new school would be defeated,” Tohanba said. To teachers, the parliamentary secretary said the government was giving handsome remuneration to teach the students.

He however regretted that when it comes to results and deliverance of quality education, government schools are lagging far behind private schools whose teachers subsist on minimum salary.

This should serve as a reminder to government teachers and that they should to introspect on reasons behind government schools not living upto expectations.

He also requested SDEO Shamator to nurture the school so that even remote villagers get quality

education right from the lower primary stage.

Tohanba further appealed to parents to personally monitor their children so that they do not indulge in mischief or other activities which would vitiate peaceful environment of the school.

Co-ordinator, ERBC Shamator, Lakhum; second GB of Sangphur village, R Yanthrong and Z Royim, GB, also delivered short speeches. Earlier, pastor Sangphur Baptist Church, Rev. Lanu, offered the dedicatory prayer. The programme was chaired by teacher in-charge, GPS Kewongthu Sangphur, K Rhakiumong.

EAC Shamator, Vejoyi Swuro, also attended the inauguration programme.

'The Future Troopers’ campaign for clean election

KohiMa, May 20 (Mexn): ‘The Future Troopers’ consists of young college students who are currently interning with YouthNet. Their objective is to advocate for clean elections as they are visiting various schools talking about the importance of clean elections.

Noune, one of the team member shares, “I am 18 and I will be voting for the first time in 2018. There will be about 100,000 new voters and I’m excited because our votes can make a difference. I'm tired of the bad roads, poor electricity, backdoor appointments, proxy teachers and a system that only gets worse.

Nagaland needs a good leader, one who doesn't need to pay people to call himself a Leader.”

Another intern Lanu shares, “We need to start with ourselves, to stop being hypocrites. If there is anyone to blame it’s all of us- Laziness, tribalism, favors, family pressure, clan

issue, Nagaland is small yet we are divided and that creates complexity.

Young students want a future which is corrupt free, merit based, better higher education and facilities like young people in other states.”

“We are visiting schools and trying to reach to over as many students as we can during this campaign. Our target is Class11 and 12 who will

vote for the first time in 2018,” said the intern.

“Our Campaign is different, Young people are tired of listening to talks all the time. Our programme is open discussion on challenges, issues, opportunities and making an impact.

It is based on videos, skits, discussions and ends with a Lemon challenge. This is a challenge for anyone who believes in clean election and we hope to see

this go Viral. The message is clear. In a democracy we get the Government we deserve. We are responsible,” added the intern.

The team has thanked Sanjay Kumar, IAS, CEO Election commission of India, Nagaland for motivating them. The team consists of HImatoli, Noune, Yelika, Amenuo, Tiatuba, Whuto, Veshepa, Mhoreni, Keneichangu and Lanuyanger.

SaturDaY 21•05•2016 18

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Strike paralyses life in Manipur valley Newmai News Network Imphal | May 20

Life was brought to a complete halt on Friday in Manipur’s valley districts on the first day of a two-day long protest led by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) demanding the Manipur government to expedite implementation of three ILP related Bills.

In order to intensify the campaign for Inner Line Permit System (ILPS), the committee has called a 38hour mass stay away from work to stage a state wide protest that began at 4 am today.

The strike evoked a near total response in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur. Reports said the four valley districts witnessed a complete bandh. Hundreds of strike supporters blocked roads at various places.

Protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres, tree branches and poles.

The Imphal city was placed on lockdown. The Paona bazaar and Thangal bazaar, the main two markets in the city wore a deserted look.

A few vehicles were

damaged by protesters at different places during the course of the strike. A large number of women vendors of the iconic Ima Market blocked roads in the historic Khwairamband Keithel area of the city. Protesters also blocked the ImphalUkhrul road and National Highways 37 and 102 here.

A protester said: “We need ILP to regulate influx of migrants. The three Bills should be enacted at the earliest.”

The JCILPS, a conglomerate of citizens, is increasing pressure on the Manipur government to better manage the ‘unchecked’ influx of migrants into the state by introducing ILP. The passing of the three Bills was meant to control influx. The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015) and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015) were passed in the state assembly on August 31 last year.

Since then, the Bills are still pending with the President who requires giving his assent to convert them into Acts.

MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Affiliated to Nagaland University Near BSF camp, Below ATI Office, Kohima

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Note:- A few more seats are available in respective of all the streams under special quota for Schedule Tribes/Schedule castes.

Hostellers arrival day being on 28th May (4th Saturday) 2016.

Regular classes will commence from 30th May 2016 in fullswing.

(ADMINISTRATOR)

Mr. Onentemjen Ao, Principal, 9856294648; 9856974717

MODEL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Lower A.G Colony, Kohima-797001, Nagaland

GuwahaTI, may 20 (pTI): The new BJP-led government in Assam will be sworn in on May 24 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonwal said on Friday.

The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Khanapara field in Guwahati, Sonowal told PTI. Leading the alliance, BJP won 60 of the 126 Assam Assembly seats. Its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodo Peoples Front emerged victorious in 14 and 12 constituencies respectively.

Admission to B.Sc. and B.A. 1st Semester 2016 First Come First Serve on Basis of Result and Interview

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4,000 people rendered homeless in Tripura floods and no long-distance buses plied from Dharmanagar.

Tripura was cut-off from the rest of the country as the Assam-Agartala National highway, considered to be the life line of the state, was blocked due to floods.

Meanwhile, two labourers engaged in MGNREGA works at Krishnabari village of Khowai district died in incident of lightning yesterday, a police official said.

They were identified as Bipul Debbarma (19) and Basana Debbarma (42).

NEAR D.C. COURT AREA, DIMAPUR, NAGALAND

HURRY HURRY SEATS LIMITED

New Assam govt to be sworn in on May 24

aGaRTala, may 20 (pTI): Around 4,000 people from 800 families were rendered homeless due to floods at Dharmanagar, the headquarters of North Tripura district, while the arterial Assam-Agartala National Highway remained water logged cutting the state off from the rest of the country.

Due to incessant rain since Tuesday night, entire Dharmanagar town and its periphery were waterlogged and 4000 people took shelter in five relief camps, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pradip Acharya told reporters. He said 10 boats were pressed into service to rescue the people in the affected areas and added that the water had started receding.

Acharya said neighbouring Karimganj district in Assam was also affected by the floods and no vehicles could enter Dharmanagar from that side since Wednesday

ST. STEPHEN’S HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Five injured as police teargas protesters

Imphal, may 20 (IaNS): Five people, including three women, were injured when they were hit by teargas shells fired by police during a 38-hour shutdown in Manipur that began on Friday morning. The police action came after hundreds of protesters marched on Friday afternoon from Kwakeithel and nearby areas towards the secretariat to demand presidential assent to three bills already passed by the Manipur assembly.

Police in riot gear tried to stop the processionists near the Keishampat crossing but the marchers were adamant on moving ahead. Police then burst teargas shells to disperse the crowd. Meanwhile, another 24-hour "public curfew" has been called from Sunday midnight to protest the failure of police to nab three accused who fired at and injured 14 people at Nungei in Thoubal district last month.

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English Education Political Science Sociology History

Transportation Students Lounge Cafeteria Auditorium

Admission on for limited seats.

(Admission form along with Prospectus is available at the College Office) Time: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm For query, contact: 9402831942, 9436439791, 8794486207, 9856126522, 8974612585

NEISSR, M.S.W. INSTITUTE

ADMISSION NOTICE 2016-2018

INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE AND SEMINARY Near DC’s Office Complex, behind St. Stephen’s Hr. Sec. School Dimapur : Nagaland

Accredited by IATA, IICM and NATA

North East Institute of Social Science & Research (NEISSR)

Affiliated to: Nagaland University

Managed by: Diocese of Kohima

LAND FOR SALE

Post Box. 187 Tele Fax : 03862 – 248485, Email : itcsdmp@ymail.com

ADMISSION OPEN FOR 2016 – 2017

Sl.no Courses offered 1.

M. Div. (Master of Divinity)

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COURSES OFFERED: Master of Social Work( MSW) in Youth Development (YD), Peace & Conflict Transformation Studies (PCTS), Community Development (CD). ELIGIBILITY:

Graduation in any stream (50% marks for general and 45% for ST/SC) Candidates. Application forms are available at NEISSR, P./B. No. 03, Bishop’s House, Circular Road, Dimapur, Nagaland, India 797112 and Catholic Publication Centre, (CPC) Kohima from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. +913862-233435,+913862-237305/+918416068129, +91-7085977505, website:www.neissr.com, E-mail: contact.neissr@gamil.com

ADMISSION AWARENESS It's advisable not to study under free education Schemes/Scholarships offered by some colleges/agents/ Organizations as many students' career were jeopardized under this scheme recently and many have returned.

Be aware recently many students had withdrawn from Colleges in Punjab due to affiliation issue. Many universities/ Colleges like dental, engg, agri, allied etc not up to the mark & running with few students want to link with reputed Organizations, institutes, ministry and even Government departments just to get students.

So Students and parents are advised to be careful & can Avail free counseling at our office to verify good/ Bad College, education scheme, fake universities, Affiliations/ Agents before taking admission to prevent Untoward Career problems. We have inspected and verified Many Colleges/universities in India since 2008.

INDIA NORTHEAST TRIBAL COMMUNITY WELFARE SOCIETY EDU WINGLIBRA CONSULTANCY H/RS.3935/2004.Notun Basti, Dimapur #9612160086

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ADMISSION OPEN 2016-2017 EduAide Career & Counseling Service under Divine Bridge Ministries & Ao Students Conference (AKM) provides Free Service, Guidance & Counseling for admission in different parts of India for the following Courses MBBS BDS/MDS Engineering Architecture Horticulture Agriculture Forestry Nursing MBA/BBA Pharmacy, Law Hotel Management

Paramedical Fine Art&Animation Etc. Featured Facilities: • Concession in fees for economically weaker Section • Colleges affiliated to central university and approved & recognised by UGC/HRD • Exclusive hostels for north east students • Digital campus • Educational loan facilities • Sports quota available

Application forms available at: AKM Office, Mokokchung, Cornerstone Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. Contact: Mr. Supongchiten: 09718225382, 08413030690 09868893821, Mr. Akummeren, V.P; AKM, 09206321473, Ms. Sentila, Principal CHSS, 09774280548; Amenla, Dimapur; 08729829336

M. Mis.(Master of Missiology) B.Th. (Bachelor of Theology) D.Th. (Diploma of Theology) C.Th. (Certificate in Theology)

Duration Eligilibility 2 years B.Th. with B Grade and (B.Th 2nd above / Secular graduates Grade and above) 3 Years (B.A. B.Sc. or equivalents) 2 Years 3 Years 2 years 2 years

B.Th. / Secular graduates (10+2 passed) & 5 years (10 passed) (10 passed and equivalent) (Minimum Class – 8 passed and above)

The College provides (1). Computer Education, (2). Church Music, (3). We teach Fundamental English for C.Th, D.Th. and B.Th. Students, (4). Running Water for 24 hours, (5). Generator backup (Standby) (6). Healthy food, (7) Healthy Environment, (8). Full Time Lecturers.

(9). Good infrastructure (own land and R.C.C. building).

Sd/(DIRECTOR)

Sd/(ACADEMIC DEAN)

Note:- 1. 11th June 2016 being Students arrival day.

2. 12th June 2016 Thanks giving day.

3. 13th June 2016 orientation and class starts.

VACANCY

A committed male Theologian who have knowledge of music to work as Boys Warden for immediate appointment.

For more details, please contact : 09402719554 / 08974523243

4

SaturDaY 21•05•2016

BUSINESS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Apple is in India for next thousand years’ New Delhi, May 20 (iaNS): “I am looking at India holistically and we are here for the next thousand years,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Friday, adding that he instantly feels like he belongs here in India.

In an interview given to the news channel NDTV, Cook said: “India is much more strategic. We are thinking about a really long innings in the country. We are here for next thousand years. We are not making the most but the best. We will never make a product that we are not proud of.”

“Apple has a bright future for retail in India. We will sell pre-owned phones with new warranty,” he added.

When asked about China, Cook said: “India is different than China,” adding that the announcement about Apps development facility in Bengaluru and Maps Development Centre in Hyderabad were just the beginning.

Speaking on the importance of 4G, he said that “you will see a reliable signal quality after 4G which is critical for India’s progress”.

“We are planning to bring Apple Pay to India,” he added. Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service that lets users make payments through Apple devices.

“There is nothing like having customers telling neighbours you should buy

Apple products. Word of mouth is the best marketing,” Cook observed.

Earlier, Cook who arrived in New Delhi after watching an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Kanpur on Thursday, began the Delhi leg of his four-day India visit with a call at his corporate office where he was greeted by Apple India employees.

Defying the scorching heat, Cook later on Friday afternoon visited an Apple store situated at DLF Galleria, Gurgaon.

“I went to one store in the morning and I was very happy what I had seen there,” he told NDTV. Cook watched the IPL match between Gujarat Lions and Kolkata Knight Riders at Kanpur on Thursday. He arrived at the Green Park stadium on the invitation of IPL chairman and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla.

The atmosphere at the IPL match, Cook said, was “exciting”.

“It’s tough to watch in this heat. But it’s exciting to watch cricket,” he told IPL’s official broadcaster Sony Six channel during an interview at the ground.

Talking about his overall experience being in India, Cook said: “It’s hugely important and the talent here is incredible.

It’s unbelievable being here.”

Cook is slated to meet Prime Minister Apple CEO Tim Cook at an Apple store in gurgaon on may Narendra Modi this weekend.

20, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

ICAR conducts farmer awareness programme JharNapaNi, May 20 (MexN): A one day awareness programme on ‘Strategies to counter Climate Change in Agriculture and Allied Sectors’ organised by Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa, ICAR Research complex for NEH Region, Jharnapani, Medziphema was conducted at Conference Hall, ICAR on May 18.

Participants were from twelve villages of Dimapur district viz., Nihokhu, Yehokhu, Bade, Niuland, Kuhoxu, Nekhakhu, Zutoi, Xelhozhe, Seluophe, Khriezephe, Dhansiripar and Medziphema. Participants comprised of 14 male and 29 female farmers mainly engaged in agricultural activities.

Main objective of the programme was to empower the farming community to adapt to climate change.

Resource persons from different field and experts delivered the lecture.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme underway in Dimapur DiMapur, May 20 (MexN): A four week Entrepreneurship Development Programme under DST NIMAT was inaugurated on May 16 at Alaphra Group Conference Hall, Dimapur.

A press release informed that the programme is being sponsored by Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt.

Of Indian and Conducted by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India in collaboration with Putulong Foundation Society Dimapur.

Y.K.Shohe Nodal Officer (PMEGP) Khadi & Village Industries Commission Government of India was the chief guest of the programme.

In his inaugural speech, Y.K Shohe, shared about the importance of Entrepreneurship Development Programme and also the benefits of a faithful and hard working Self Help Groups in today’s fast growing economic world. He also encouraged the participants to be more innovative and dedicated in every work and should have a focussed goal.

A brief Highlight of the training was given by Sani Pongen State Coordinator of IIE Dimapur. A total number of 25 participants will be attending the training programme.

Name of Examination: Stenographer (Grades C & D) Examination 2016 No. of Vacancies: Not disclosed yet Job Location: All India Eligibility Criteria for SSC Stenographer (Grades C & D) Recruitment: Education Qualification: Candidates must have passed 12th standard or equivalent from a recognized Board/University.

Age Limit (as on 01-08-2016): 18 to 27 years Age Relaxation: • SC & ST Category Candidates: 5 years • OBC-NCL Category Candidates: 3 years • Ex-Servicemen Category Candidates: 3 years Selection Process: Selection will be made on the basis of written examination and skill test.

Application Fee: • SC/ST and Ex-Servicemen Candidates: NILL • All other candidates: Rs. 100 How to Apply: Interested and eligible candidates may apply online through SSC website www.ssconline2.gov. in or http://sscregistration.nic.in. from 07-05-2016 to 0306-2016.

Important Dates: • Starting Date of Online Application: 07-05-2016 • Last Date of Online Application: 03-06-2016 • Date of Written Examination: 31-07-2016 Important Links: SSC Stenographer (Grades C & D) Exam Notification 2016

DiMapur, May 20 (MexN): State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) organised a three days training programme on ‘low cost water harvesting methods in agriculture’ from May 17 to 19.

The programme was aimed at creating awareness about the importance of conserving water and educating the participants about ways and means of harnessing water for use during the dry season in the agricultural sector, as well as for day to day use. Director SAMETI, S. Bendangtemsu while welcoming the participants, exhorted them to sincerely disseminate the knowledge gained during the training to the target group, the farmers.

Detailed theoretical and practical sessions on Water Resource Management- Significance for sustaining Hill Agriculture under changing climatic

Nat’l Skills Qualifications Framework workshop in Kohima KohiMa, May 20 (Dipr): The first workshop on NSQF orientation in Nagaland was organized on May 20 by the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland in association with National Skill Development Agency (NSDA).

The objective of this workshop was to orient the state departments on National Skills Qualifications Framework and discus on implementation process of NSQF in the state of Nagaland. The resource persons were Nidhi Gautam and Pangkhuri Borgohain, both are representatives from NSDA. Director, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Nagaland Muthingnyuha Sangtam mentioned that the NSQF is a quality assurance framework which is a competency based on the framework that organizes qualifications from the entry level being 1upto the highest level being 10. Accordingly, to be certified to have the competency needed for any level, the learner can acquire the same through formal, non- formal or in-formal learning.

Consultant, NSDA Nidhi Gautam, informed that the main concepts of NSQF work are to accommodate the diversity of the Indian

education and training system and allow development to set qualification for each level based on the outcome which are accepted across the nation and also to provide structure for development and also for maintenance of progression pathway which provide access to people to move easily and readily between different education and training sectors and between those sectors and the labor market.

The participants were made aware about the key initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry with special focus on NSQF, RPL. The Nagaland State Government was asked to identify the various qualifications which can be aligned to NSQF and to form a core committee for implementation of NSQF in the state Consultant NSDA, Pangkhuril Borgahain said that NSQF is a joint responsibility team of many stake holders and each organization has a role to play for development. She added that National Skill Development Agency and been maintained to anchor and operationalised. The NSQF is entrusted to maintain and ensure that quality and standard sector with specific requirement and to facilitate the set up of professional bodies to supplement the existing

leisure

ACROSS 1. Skid row 5. Heroic tales 10. Close violently 14. Prong 15. Merriment 16. Hefty volume 17. Rudeness 19. Female sheep (plural) 20. Snake-like fish 21. Lacquer ingredient 22. Rink 23. Smiled contemptuously 25. Channel selector 27. Donkey 28. Client 31. Deadly snake 34. Ways 35. Mineral rock 36. Rectum 37. Washed-out 38. Feudal worker 39. Animal doctor 40. Reveals 41. old hat 42. Cosmetic 44. Arrive (abbrev.)

45. Consumed 46. Latticework 50. Brusque 52. Ancient Greek marketplace 54. Card with one symbol 55. Clods 56. A type of craftsman 58. Egg-shaped 59. Loudly laments 60. Female chickens 61. French for “Head” 62. Something of value 63. Backside DOWN 1. Pigpens 2. Flax fabric 3. Parental brother 4. Japanese apricot 5. Grins

CROSSWORD # 3599

SUDOKU

vocational trained man power by evolving a sustained and on evolving basis and further added that the competencies can be acquired through vocational education/training or through experimental learning.

It may be added that NSDA facilitates operationalise of the frame work through the National Skills Qualification Committee (NSQC).

This committee comprises of Chairman, representatives from the key GoI ministries, State Skills Development Mission, Sectoral Representatives Regulatory Bodies and Selected Training Bodies/Agencies pertaining to the sector. NSDA has conducted meeting and consultative workshop with States Sector Skills Council (SSCS), Academic Institutions and Industries representatives for sensitization and awareness on NSQF. The workshop on NSQF orientation programme was attended by various departments, which include ITI from all districts, Nagaland Tool room & Training centre (NTTC), Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), SCERT, DUDA, Technical Education, Nagaland University, Social Welfare, Industries & Commerce, Planning Department, Government Polytechnic, State Urban Development Agency.

Daily Cross WorD

SSC Stenographer (Grades C & D) Exam Notification 2016 Online applications are invited by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to fill Stenographer Grades C & D vacancies in Ministries/Departments of Central Government through Stenographer (Grades C & D) Examination 2016.

Candidates who are willing to apply for these jobs may check the eligibility criteria and apply online on or before 03-06-2016.

More details about SSC Stenographer (Grades C & D) Examination 2016 including vacancy details, eligibility criteria, selection procedure, how to apply and important dates are mentioned below:

SAMETI trains on low cost water harvesting methods in agriculture

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

Game Number # 3584

Answer Number # 3583

Life in the Ocean JELLYFISh

WhALE

ShARk

CORAL

STARFISh

ANEmONES

LOBSTER

hERmITCRABS

SPONgE

PERIWINkLES

CRAB

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scenario; Low cost rain water harvesting through Jalkund structure; Indigenous technical knowledge for rain water harvesting in hilly terrain; In-situ moisture conservation for productivity enhancement; Integrated farming system- Key for sustainable agriculture in hill eco system; Rain water Harvesting and its efficient utilization; Water harvesting for sustainable use of ground water; Construction of low cost water harvesting structures were imparted

by Dr. D.J.Rajkhowa, Joint Director, ICAR Nagaland Centre; Dr. P.Chowdhury, SMS (Soil & Water Conservation) KVK, Longleng and Er. Tsuktinungsang, Superintending Engineer, S.ECircle – I Dimapur.

The valedictory function was chaired by Tiajungla Longchar, DPD SAMETI, while feedback on behalf of trainees was given

by Yezaho Swu, DPD Peren and Rokoshuno Angela, DPD Kohima. Dr. Watimongla Jamir, Lecturer IETC, in her valedictory speech encouraged the trainees to emulate qualities such as hard work and dedication for upliftment of the farming community. On the whole, the training program saw a good turnout of participants from all districts of the state and concluded with distribution of certificates to the participants by Dr. Watimongla Jamir, Lecturer IETC, while vote of thanks was pronounced by Sentinaro Longchar, DPD SAMETI.

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For more information contact : 9774444847 dImAPUR Civil Hospital:

STd COdE: 03862 232224; Emergency- 229529, 229474

MH Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

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

228400

CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital

242555/ 242533

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

232106 227607 232181

224041, 248011

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

ANSWER TO CROSSWORd 3598

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

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

WE4WOmEN hELPLINE 08822911011

S I P S A Y h S A S R I I E N

R

h N S V F N C O m B E R d N A

P E R I W I N k L E S V E E R

C

E L S P O L L A C S k R A h S

H

W h A L E d T A U T O g N W k

d P Z g W C O R A L Z F P h F

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

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

Toll free No. 1098 childline

A

KoHIMA NoRTH: 7085924114 (o)

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

ChILd WELFARE COmmITTEE

mOkOkChUNg:

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

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

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

kOhImA

FIRE STATIONS

STd COdE: 0369

Police Station 1:

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

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

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

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

65.87 95.84 8.21 47.5 47.58 50.09 59.36

69.01 100.73 9.16 49.95 50.03 52.68 62.87

Euro

73.77

77.54

1.78

1.99

0.0535

0.0598

17.35

19.38

9.71

10.84

Thai Baht Korean Won UAE Dirham (AED) Chinese Yuan

SaturdaY 21•05•2016

NAGALAND

Experts in state for Scientific Rainwater Harvesting System Our Correspondent Kohima | May 20

A team of scientists and experts from Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India (GoI) is in Nagaland to inspect the implementation of Scientific Rainwater Harvesting System for Safe Drinking Water sponsored by the DST, GoI and implemented by Nagaland Science and Technology Council (NASTEC).

The team led by Head of Technology Mission Division (Nano, Energy, Water, Solar, Supercomputing) DST, GoI, Dr Rajiv Sharma called on the State’s Minister for Public Health Engineering, Tokheho Yepthomi today and discussed issues of quality drinking water in the State.

The team reportedly suggested adoption of Scientific Rainwater Harvesting System for Safe Drinking Water technology to tackle various problems of drinking water.

Dr. Sharma also asserted that the Centre will impart training on main-

Scientists and experts from Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and NASTEC officials while reviewing the Water Referral Laboratory at NASTEC Kohima on May 20. (Morung Photo)

tenance and usage of the technology. He said that the DST, GoI is willing to fund good proposals for Nagaland.

Tokheho shared the problems faced by State in reaching to all the villages with safe drinking water.

The other members of the team include Scientist E from Technology Mission Division (Nano, Energy, Water, Solar, Supercomputing) DST, GoI Dr. Neelima Alam and two experts - Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, DAV (PG) College, Dehradun, Dr. Prashant Singh and Director of Adaptive Technologies, SM Sehgal Foundation, Gurgaon,

Haryana, Er. Lalit Mohan Sharma.

The two experts along with the DST officials, GoI reviewed the Water Referral Laboratory at NASTEC. They suggested that state government should create permanent manpower for NASTEC. Lalit Mohan Sharma gave a presentation on BIOSAND Water Filter, which is a low cost water technology.

It may be mentioned that the laboratory is to be used for water quality testing which is open to any public enterprise, organizations, departments, scholars or individual on payment of nominal charges. It will

also be used for carrying out in-house researches relating to water issues of the State.

Out of the six Scientific Rainwater Harvesting System for Safe Drinking Water provided in Kohima and Longleng by NASTEC, the visiting team yesterday inspected three most interior villages in Kohima, including Phekerukriema, Kijumetouma and Dihoma villages.

Member Secretary NASTEC, Dr Zavei Hiese along with NASTEC engineers Pelengulie Chücha and Ditho Katiry guided the team to the project sites. The team will leave for Delhi on Saturday

NPF asks to refrain from undemocratic accusations Kohima, may 20 (mExN): Reacting to articles published in the local dailies over suspension of former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio from the party, NPF today stated that the party functionaries were compelled to take the harsh decision to suspend Rio from both primary and active membership of the party based on his own activities and attitude “which were not only detrimental but treacherous in nature for the party government in power.”

Rio’s activities, a rejoinder from NPF Press Bureau stated, were closely observed for an adequate period of time and the party found a befitting case to place him under suspension for corrective purpose. It asserted that when it comes to party rules and discipline, the NPF Constitution is the Law Book for the party and no member is above it.

The rejoinder maintained that the party does not, in the slightest sense, mean to deprive or overlook the hard work, sacrifices and loyalty of party men and women at all levels including the grassroots. Every party MLA or MP has sworn under the party constitution to remain steadfast and loyal to the party during party ticket distribution.

The party expected Rio to act as senior advisor through thick and thin even after his departure to Delhi as MP Lok Sabha on his own interest, it said. “However, the party is dismayed, by his indifference to the party and the party government. The party remains to ensure that the party government functions with stability in its governance and deliver the promises made to the citizens during election time. The party is not only interested to be in power but to see that the stable government delivers.”

Further, it stated that the party has changed its nomenclature several times from Democratic Party of Nagaland in 1964 to Naga People’s Front today to suit the demanding situation of the different periods. But, it affirmed, the policy, principles and symbol, with the motto –“Fide non armis” meaning “by faith not by arms” on which the party was founded, has remained steadfast and unchanged.

Meanwhile, NPF stressed that at this juncture it is of paramount importance for supporters, loyalists or well wishers to refrain from throwing “denigrating tirades or undemocratic accusations” to the NPF or any of its leader/s for the "inevitable action" taken. “Suspension is not expulsion; therefore, any such accusation or provocation from loyalists may further embolden the suspended MP to continue his mission that may invite severe party action.”

Patton urges police officers to NCSU reiterates come forward with grievances stand on Maytas & Gayatri firm Morung Express News Dimapur | May 20

Nagaland state Home Minister, Y. Patton has called upon police officers to openly come forward and share grievances without fear so that it can be taken up. Patton, who is currently in the midst of a statewide tour, stopped over in Dimapur today to interact with officers based in the district. He also made a round of the Dimapur Police Commissionerate, Nagaland Police Central Store and the 1st NAP and 15th NAP (Mahila IR) units stationed in Dimapur. The Home Minister was accompanied by the DGP LL Doungel and IGP (NAP), Bendang Lemtur.

Rounding up the visit with a meeting at the Police Conference Hall, Chumukedima, officers who attended the meeting used the opportunity to submit representations to the HM. The 1st NAP, 15th NAP (Mahila IR), NAPTC, Nagaland Police medical wing

moN, may 20 (mExN): The public and leaders of Mopong Hongkong villages have raised objection to the transfer of Mopong EAC hq. It has been brought under SDO (Civil) Angjangyang from Tobu ADC “without the consultation and consent” of Mopong Hongkong public, a press release stated. Seven recognised villages and four unrecognised villages and Mopong EAC hq were under the establishment of Tobu ADC. The release informed that the public and leaders of Mopong Hongkong villages held a meeting on May

11 at Mopong Town and resolved that “all eleven villages including Mopong EAC HQ which fall under the Mopong EAC hq Centre shall remain under the administration centre of ADC Tobu Sub-Division.”

The vice chairman of Adhoc Town Committee Mopong, A Yangkon Konyak in the release requested the authority concerned to re-instate the EAC Mopong under ADC Tobu and keep the cabinet approval and its notification order in abeyance as desired by the public for the interest and convenience of the public of Mo-

DimaPur, may 20 (mExN): The NPF divisions of Mon and Zunheboto have endorsed the suspension of Neiphiu Rio, former Chief Minister of Nagaland and present Lok Sabha MP, from the NPF party.

A release from NPF Mon division President, L. Yanlong Konyak and General Secretary (Admin), P. Wango Konyak stated that

the action against Rio is an “inevitable punishment according to the party constitution that was determined by his anti-party activities.”

In a separate release, NPF Zunheboto division maintained that the action of the NPF President against Rio will remain exemplary in strengthening the party in the years to come. The release issued

by NPF Zunheboto divi-

T

sion President, Akavi Sumi acknowledged that Rio undoubtedly contributed so much to the party during his three times as Chief Minister. “However, it is very unfortunate that the damage (party crisis) he initiated has caused more damage than what he once had contributed.” It pointed out that the leniency by the NPF to initiate disciplinary action against its legisla-

DCC Peren demands Inquiry Commission

Kiphire | May 20

Congress today held a silent protest rally in Kiphire against non-release of 100 days MGNREGA fund by the State government and submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner.

Addressing the party people, SK James, PCC member questioned the State government where the money meant for public has gone. “Each person should get Rs. 15,000 year, but we are not getting what is due to us and the State government is misusing all the money that is meant for us,” he alleged.

Another PCC member Throgathe disclosed that there are 4,15,000 job card hold-

ers in Nagaland and the State is supposed to get Rs. 643.5 crores. However, so far the State is getting only Rs. 199.47 crores, he said and asked the government where all the money has gone. He also alleged that VDB secretaries and chairmen in all the villages are forced to sign blank cheque making the government to withdraw the amount without their knowledge.

Meanwhile, Thritsali, Kiphire District Congress Committee President accused that the present government, instead of giving importance to issues is more into corruption. He further asked the people to come together to fight for the right of the poor.

Later, the party members marched to the DC's office to submit a memorandum addressed to the Governor of Nagaland.

PErEN, may 20 (mExN): District Congress Committee (DCC) Peren today organized a dharna in Peren to demand proper implementation of MGNREGA. It then submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding that an impartial Inquiry Commission headed by a retired High Court Judge be constituted within a month's time from the date of submission of the memorandum to investigate and take appropriate action to implement the Act effectively.

The memo appended by Aluibe Iheilung, DCC Peren President noted that MGNREGA was passed in 2005 with an aim to provide at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every rural household in India whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

The memo stated there is a “drought-like situation” due to lack of money circulation in the rural areas across the state. In this backdrop, the DCC Peren submitted a representation to the DC Peren on February 2, 2016 demanding 100 days' wages be realized to each entitled household. However, it lamented, there has been no reply to the representation till date.

It further alleged that the State Government has misused, mismanaged and misinterpreted the Act and rules by way of “refusing to give Job Cards to the employees, pressurizing VDB Secretaries and VCCs to sign blank cheques, avoiding to conduct social audit, misinterpreting the meaning of convergence by diverting 50% of the MGNREGA money as VIP discretion, not implementing 100 days employment wages as guaranteed in the Act.”

tors, MPs and party workers was taken for granted in the past. Party crisis, it said, was a by-product of such loophole.

However, it stated, awakening of upholding party's Constitution has begun. It lauded the “just and bold” action taken by NPF President, Dr. Shürhozelie in exercising the President's power irrespective of relation, power, and status.

Public SPace The Rape of intangki

Congress protest non-release of MGNERGA funds

Morung Express News

pong Honkong.

He added that the public of Mopong circle have strongly expressed displeasure and disapproval of the government’s decision to transfer the EAC Hq and want the status quo to be maintained to stay under Tobu sub-division.

“The public are determined to stand by the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Nagaland (submitted to Home department on 03/03/2016) for retention of EAC HQ Mopong under ADC Tobu Sub-Division,” the press release added.

NPF Mon, Zunheboto divisions endorse Rio’s suspension

he Morung Express deserves to be thanked for the exhaustive reports on what is going on again in the Intangki National park. The revelation is most timely and altogether outrageous that a few Nagas can loot with such shameless greed and impunity what is possibly our most precious asset – the magnificent but easily destroyable green-cover forest resource the Zeme people gave to the Nagas and the world to preserve and be protected by.

It is really another monstrous case of gang-raping by all the ‘underground’ and The National General Secretary, YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) of India, Vinodhini Moses and Rita Bhuyan from Guwahati YWCA visited the YWCA of Di- ‘over ground’ culprits cited in the report. mapur on May 20. The two had an interaction with the Board of management, members And of course we need not doubt that they and staffs at the YWCA Dimapur office at Kuda Village (Nagarjan). are all Christians. Lord God of hosts, have mercy on us! Stab our conscience awake and make us hungry for your bread of life so that we do not feed on what never satisfies.

The Zeliang villages should be shown soonest they are not alone in guarding our

Congress workers in Kiphire during the rally to protest non-release of MGNREGA fund.

Kohima, may 20 (mExN): The Nagaland Contractors' & Suppliers' Union (NCSU) head office Kohima has reiterated its stand that construction of SARDP phaseI project in Nagaland, i.e., Mon-TamluMerangkong, Longleng-Changtongya, Phek-Pfütsero, and Chakhabama-Zunheboto roads, undertaken by Maytas & Gayatri (JV) and sublet to M/S Ratna should be completed before the Maytas' & Gayatri firm takes up new project in Nagaland.

In a press release issued by its Secretary, Imsünok Jamir and Vice President, KL Setuo Rutsa, NCSU stated that the Maytas & Gayatri should not make “lame excuse” of technical problem since it had thoroughly ascertained the actual position before taking up the project. “So pointing out technical problem at this stage does not arise,” it stated.

It further demanded that the company should resume the work according to the directive given by the court commission and complete the work within the stipulated time. Failing to do, NCSU warned, it will initiate its own course of action in the interest of general public.

Appeal to retain Mopong EAC headquarter

NBA informs DimaPur, may 20 (mExN): Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) has informed that membership fees and applications for enrolment are to be submitted for the year 2016 -17 by all existing members and lawyers from all districts seeking membership to the NBA. The following are the requirements and revised enrolment and membership fees: Enrolment fee - Rs. 1000/-; Annual fee - Members with 10 years practice and aboveRs. 1000/-, below 10 years - Rs. 500/-; Bar enrolment certificate; Recommendation from two senior lawyers with 10 years practice; Affidavit declaring that the applicant holds no office of profit or is engaged in any other profession which pays financial remuneration; Certificate of practice.

A press release from NBA Joint Secretary, Nathaniel Kevichusa and General Secretary, V. Hukavi Zhimomi informed that the applications and fees may be submitted to the office bearers at the NBA office, Deputy Commissioner’s office complex, Dimapur between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on any working day. Further details may be sought via e-mail (nbanagaland@gmail.com).

and Training & Border submitted representations highlighting the lack of infrastructure faced by the units.

Responding to the representations, Patton said that 50 percent of the demands have been included in the Police Modernisation Project 2015-16. While maintaining not all demands can be addressed at once, he added that matters will be attended to priority-wise.

Informing that the State government has requested for one-time grant from the Ministry of Home Affairs, he added that as and when the amount is released, more development activities will be taken up. He also instructed all the division engineers to submit evidence of buildings that require renovation.

As regards the Dimapur Police Commissionerate, Patton said it is among his top priorities, while informing that upgrading the Women Cell, Dimapur to a full-fledged police station is under consideration.

common heritage.

What should be done before it will be too late is something very urgent, democratic, uplifting and doable. A massive march to Beisumpuikam and the other villages mentioned by all who care for our imperilled tomorrow. The purpose – to find out what is really going on and who is doing exactly what?

If it is led by NSF and ENSF and fully supported by Naga Hoho, ENPO, NPMHR, the Nagaland Christian Forum, and the non-Naga organizations in Nagaland, the gravity of the Crisis will be driven home to all. Equally important the world too will come to know and join the battle to preserve Intangki. A very important point about Intangki is that it is not something we can allow anyone to play with for their own gain.

Niketu Iralu

Rejoinder to ‘rebuttal to claim on Rio’s NPF founder-member tag’

I

would first like to express my gratitude to NPF bureau and the party for remembering the efforts and sacrifices made by both N. Rio and Kewekhape Therie notwithstanding, that both were suspended and now being openly demeaned in various aptitudes.

As for the claim and counter claim of being a founder member, NPF was not NPC and NPC was not NPF to my limited understanding. There were lots of likeminded leaders who didn’t want to be a part of NPC and if not for the effort and attempt made by N. Rio and Kewekhape Therie to bring under one umbrella all together for the sole purpose of bringing change to Nagaland at that point of time.

That was why a conglomerate team was set to, of course along with NPC, but, when the party came to power, unfortunately, it has become a party that sends that most show cause notices ever to its members. It still is going by that path unceasingly. Imagine why this press release is being released?

This was the reason why the nomenclature of NPC needs a change to NPF. The then NPC, now NPF, (Naga Peoples Front) today was in ICU at that point of time when these two leaders were in Congress,

call them disgruntled leaders or whatever but, without their effort and struggle, NPF or NPC would still have being in a position that you can imagine yourself without someone telling you. I am sorry that Kewekhape’s name was unnecessarily dragged into this rebuttal issue. May the wisdom of those who still remember Kewekhape’s name be blessed and if it is God’s willing, like the saying goes ‘politics has no permanent enemy or friendship’, so may the acumen of our dearest God bring you together one day for the benefit and betterment of our state.

In conclusion, I wish that the wisdom of God will lead all of you who write not just to gain mileage in your life but, be more sensitive in your thoughts so that we don’t hurt each other’s feeling or demean each other too much. The rebuttal and claiming of who is and who is not, the real founder member is too cheap to be claiming by real politicians. When someone has done something good for our people, please let the credit go to them and please stop this claiming attitude.

Ri (Rilo) Therie Upper Agri Colony, Kohima

The Morung Express “Public Space” is to provide space for diverse opinions to be expressed and heard. The opinions in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper nor the editor.

6

saturDaY 21•05•2016

PeoPle, life, etc...

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Could Our Obsession with Calorie be Making Us Fat? So much time, money, and, well, energy are put into burning off all that food. But does that really make a difference?

subject in 2014.

I’ve taken things a step further by arguing exercise, particularly too much, might be making us fat.

How so?

One theory is that exercise may make us feel like we earned our food—our reward for all that hard cardio or heavy lifting. We exercise and then we gorge. We may even drink abeer to keep the high going—more empty Johnny Adamic calories. The former is called an acute eating episode.

I’ve fallen victim to it. The latter happens because I grew up in Milwaukee. e eat too much. Period.

According to a 2011 study in the Journal of Obesity, for And because we eat too much, we try to cancel the ‘calories in’ with ‘calories out’ equation via exercise. We use exercise as our safety net for our eating habits.

But the math isn’t that simple. And too much exercise might even be making us fat.

There, I said it.

Exercise poses tremendous benefits to themind and body, and I am a huge advocate for incorporating as much active living—taking the stairs while at work—or physical activity into our lives as possible. Who doesn’t like planking next to a tree in Central Park on a Saturday morning among the hordes of smoking, European tourists who just watch and stare at us crazy, fitness-obsessed Americans?

But it could be all for naught if the intention of our exercise is for weight loss.

Since the 1980s, the U.S. has gotten measurably fatter. Have our lifestyles changed? In one way they have not. We move no more now than we did 30 years ago. According to a 2008 study in the International Journal of Obesity, our energy output has not declined since the 1980s and matches energy expenditures of wild mammals. In fact, we are only getting fatter, as obesity rates have more than doubled over the past 35 years. some obese individuals who exercised under mediumWhat does this mean?

We should not feel guilty sitting on our couches term supervision for a 12-week intervention, the physiwhile binging on Game of Thrones because we did the cal activity increased the reward value of high-energy same thing with the Back to The Future movies in the food for them—like sweets or pizza—and diminished ‘80s—when we were still thin. The only difference is the impact of exercise on fat loss. It didn’t happen with wallpaper is no longer in vogue, VCRs are a foreign con- everyone, and it was a small sample size of only 34 obese cept to my seven-year-old nephew, and I spend way too male and female participants, but the take away is that if you go into your exercise program and already have an much time talking about the Night’s Watch.

But physical inactivity is one thing. Exercising to increased liking for foods, this can make you eat more calorie-dense, high-energy foods in response to exercise. lose weight, however, is the question at hand.

It’s almost like we’re avoiding the real problem— How certain are we that exercise doesn’t help with our food addiction—when we exercise; or we exercise weight loss?

Vox media recently reported about it: “Why you to cancel out our food choices later.

Consider that excessive exercising and dieting could shouldn’t exercise to lose weight, explained with 60+ studies,” and hit-home the message that exer- flare up an acute eating episode—a typical slice of pizza cise is excellent for health, but not for weight-loss. has 410 calories. This won’t solve any problems.

Exercise also might radically slow down the metabIt’s a great read. The New York Times touched on the

W

olism if you work out really hard for months on end like we witnessed in a study about The Biggest Loser contestants from season 8 (this is not what I would consider a normal or healthy weight loss procedure).

These calories mean nothing because the majority of what is being burned is glucose to fuel movement, stored as liver and muscle glycogen or circulating blood. A typical person has about 1500 calories of available glycogen in the body. Glucose is what fuels most of our explosive movement, not our belly fat, when doing burpees with Bob the trainer.

So what’s the point of all this?

Thinking that exercise cancels the food we eat really boils down to our obsession with the calorie.

According to this 2014 paper in the journal Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, the answer for weight loss may be found in what we eat and the climate in which we live.

“Increasing exercise time may not be a major factor in obesity prevention for the general public. Simply increasing activity through exercise in the absence of a significant lifestyle dietary modification is unlikely to have a significant impact. On the other hand, lifestyle modifications involving diet alone can significantly impact both obesity and chronic disease,” the authors of the paper write.

Simply put, exercise without changing food habits probably won’t result in weight loss.

Better yet, place all your bets on changing your food game if you’re to do anything at all.

And lead author Ray Cronise of the study, a former NASA scientist who was obese and prediabetic, turned his life around by doing exactly what the paper suggests: eating nutrient-dense foods and calorically restricting what he ate.

His book, Our Broken Plate, a top-ten funded Kickstarter journalism project of all time, is due to come out late summer where he addresses the dialogue surrounding food, the American obsession with the calorie, as well as the unintended health consequences driving chronic overnutrition as a result of our society organizing foods as proteins, carbs, and fats.

Exercise causes energy loss, but it does not necessarily cause fat loss. And interestingly enough, though we are moving just as much now as we did 30 years ago, the number of overnourished people exceeded the undernourished in 2011, according to this World Disasters report.

Lesson learned, exercise might not be the most efficient way to rid the excess fat we’ve accumulated through our overnourishment. Do wild animals exercise? In nature, animals eat to support their activity.

Humans do the opposite: we do activity to support our eating. We might be the only species that intentionally exercises to off-set the consumption of calories we consume, and something is not working.

The voice of a legend Ahead of Bob Dylan’s 75th birthday, Phoenix MarketCity hosts a tribute concert by renowned artist Lou Majaw Deepa Alexander ob Dylan, considered one of the icons of popular music, turns 75 on May 24. In all the years that he has strummed his guitar, wearing that classic Stetson and singing of dreams and an idyllic world, he made music and history with songs (‘Blowin in the Wind’, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’, ‘The Times They are AChanging’) that liberated a generation and pushed musicians to jump on the creative bandwagon.

Dylan’s voice, first heard in the dusty mining town of Duluth, Minnesota, found its way into the soul of a boy from a town that teeters on the edge of the Khasi Hills in India’s Northeast. For more than four decades now, the man known as ‘India’s Bob Dylan’ — Shillong musician Lou Majaw — has been Dylan’s faithful troubadour, echoing his assertion that popular songs could address war and peace, the human mind, and everything beyond. Since 1972, Lou Majaw, in his signature denim shorts, socks, sneakers and flowing grey hair, has celebrated Dylan’s birthday unfailingly at a festival in Shillong that draws bands from across India and the world. Lou began his musical career in the 1960s, when it was a good time to be a musician anywhere, moving to Calcutta to sing for various bands at different bars before he found the crooner from America who performed from the songbook of life.

In a telephonic chat from his hometown, Lou’s gravelly voice travels across the airwaves declaring that “everyone, every once in a while, has to go back in time and hear Dylan. It’s a good thing — listening to his romance of poetry, promises and love”.

Performing in Chennai “not for the first time and definitely not for the last”, Lou says the audience here can expect the best of Dylan from the best of his years, and laughingly adds that he “does not expect anything from the audience, except love”.

With no set litany, Lou says the concert “will be about performing meaningful songs. It’ll be a spur-ofthe-moment thing. With Dylan, you sing what you feel, there’s a song for every mood”.

Does Dylan still draw a certain kind of audience?

“Dylan’s music grows on the listener — slowly but surely. His songs are relevant even today, because he writes of what has happened in the past, with a message for the future.”

B

Meet the woman taking on a century of patriarchy in Fifa W Antoinette Muller

hen Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura was announced as the new secretary-general of Fifa last week, the organisation was widely praised for appointing a woman to its second-most powerful post.

But since then questions have been raised about how Fifa can have taken more than 100 years to put a single female or nonEuropean on its executive – and whether giving someone without any sporting experience such a senior role could be setting her up to fail.

Samoura won high praise from Fifa’s new president, Gianni Infantino, when announcing the new position “Fatma is a woman with international experience and vision who has worked on some of the most challenging issues of our time,” he said.

“She has a proven ability to build and lead teams, and improve the way organisations perform. She also understands that transparency and accountability are at the heart of any well-run and responsible organisation.”

Samoura returned the favour by welcoming the “fresh approach” and “reform work” undertaken by football’s world governing body following the exit of the dis-

graced Sepp Blatter amid widespread accusations of corruption.

“Today is a wonderful day for me, and I am honoured to take on the role of Fifa’s secretary-general,” she said. “I believe this role is a perfect fit for my skills and experience – strategic, high impact team building in international settings.

“I also look forward to bringing my experience to bear on the important reform work that is already underway at Fifa. Fifa is taking a fresh approach to its work, and I am eager to play a role.”

On the surface, Samoura’s appointment is historic and should be welcomed as a groundbreaking move that goes some way to shattering the perception of Fifa as one of the world’s most enduring old boys’ clubs..

Yet it was not without controversy.

Samoura was a surprise appointment, recommended by Infantino without much consultation among the 211 council members. This ruffled a few feathers, with anonymous insiders questioning how the Senegalese had been recruited and whether the council had sufficient scrutiny over the process.

It is not clear whether this was out of resentment towards Infantino for stamping his authority or whether the members really

are resistance to a slight chipping away at the patriarchy.

There have also been raised eyebrows over the fact that Samoura has no previous experience in sporting administration, although Infantino has always said that he wanted an independent as his number two.

The role of secretary-general is largely

an administrative one. Samoura will be responsible for implementing council decisions as well running Fifa’s finances, international relations, the organisation of the World Cup, and other competitions.

If there is one part of this job where Samoura certainly has more than enough experience it is with international relations. The 54-year-old Senegalese brings with her more than two decades’ worth of UN work.

She is the organisation’s humanitarian co-ordinator and UNDP resident representative in Nigeria, where she is in charge of budgets, human resources and procurement, among other things, and oversees nearly 2,000 staff members. She monitors and evaluates the security, political and socio-economic situation and trends in Africa’s strongest economy.

Samoura started her career at the UN as senior logistics officer with the World Food Programme in Rome in 1995. She has served as a country representative or director in six countries: Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Madagascar and Nigeria. She speaks four different languages – French, English, Spanish and Italian.

With a master’s degree in English and Spanish from the University of Lyon and a

post-master’s degree in international relations/international trade from the Institut d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées in Strasbourg-France, her CV is as impressive as you’d get when picking a completely independent voice.

Her experience in diplomacy will be invaluable when it comes to tackling her first task: persuading Qatar to improve the living and working conditions for the migrant workers constructing the facilities for the 2022 World Cup. Samoura’s biggest struggle will probably be with understanding the delicate political dynamics of the footballing world, especially as most of the officials have been sitting comfortably in their posts for years.

As required by Fifa regulations, Samoura will undergo an eligibility check administered by the independent Review Committee and will assume the role before mid-June.

Her appointment heralds a new era for female administrators in sport, but there have been questions about whether this is simply window dressing by Infantino.

Should Samoura stumble, will Fifa use this as an excuse to return to its old ways, arguing that it “at least tried” to be more inclusive and representative?

A Korean cut

Shailaja Tripathi

Lie Sang Bong feels that Korean fashion has succeeded because it has remained rooted in traditions and also absorbed modern influences

L

ie Sang Bong is one of the most eminent South Korean fashion designer in the world. His clothes are worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Juliette Binoche and Yuna Kim. The senior designer blends an array of influences like Korean poetry, calligraphy and architecture, cubism, Bauhaus design to create clothes using techniques like laser cutting, embroidery and digital printing. Lie has also designed limited-edition cell phones and uniforms for the A1 Grand Prix Korean national team in 2008.

In the past, Lie has also occupied the position of President of Council of Fashion Designers of KOREA (CFDK) and cultural ambassador of Seoul. In an email interview, he elaborates on how the K-wave has taken over the entire world.

How much is the Korean fashion industry pegged at?

According to the Korean Fashion

Industrial Research Centre, Korea’s fashion market grew 2.3 per cent (about 550M dollars) in comparison to 2014 to 2015, with the total market value of 28.4 trillion dollars. Unlike earlier in Korea where fashion used to be a necessity, today higher incomes allow a consumer to utilise fashion to express oneself.

Who are the major takers of Korean fashion? How important is Indian market for designers like you or for smaller labels and designers in Dongdaemun market?

Korea’s Fashion Business & Fashion week has now changed to a ‘Title Sponsorship’ system, and is sponsoring major international select shops, fashion media outlets, and fashion consultants to visit Korea and witness its fashion scene. Chinese retailers have become a major player in the international wholesale market in the past few years for both designer and Korean mass brands. India is

one of the fastest growing markets that many designers are interested in. I am always fascinated with beautiful and rich culture of India. I have visited it more than three times and would love to show my collection there one day.

What is the reason behind the popularity of K-beauty and K-fashion? In India, there are Korean film clubs, people follow K-serials and Kpop.

I think that the main reason is ‘K-wave’. They admire Korean stars, and they love to follow their makeup and clothes and style. This has been helped by Korean Government which is supporting the ‘K-Wave’ for the past 10 years. There is exceptional interest in K-pop, K-star, K-drama, K-movie, K-food, K-beauty and Kfashion and people are listening to Korean songs, buying leading brands of Korea and even following Korean street fashion. Social media has fur-

ther helped the cause. People actually visit Myeong-dong and Garosugil to observe Korean fashion and style.

What has been the journey of South Korean fashion industry?

When I was Korea’s PR ambassador, inviting the press and organising meet-ups was the only way to promote. However today, international press voluntarily comes to Korea to analyse and research more about our fashion industry. We have so many Korean designers who are wellknown internationally through their fashion shows and boutiques.

Korean designers have challenges to face in the Korean market and are going overseas to cities like London and New York to explore fashion further. But they don’t forget Korean aesthetic. Because Korea has retained its traditional aspect and experimented with modern ethos, it has been able to gain the respect it has today in the fashion world.

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.

SaturDaY 21•05•2016

Morung Youth Express

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

An online encyclopaedia is trying to be the one-stop destination on Indian culture

7

The Naga Blog is a forum on facebook where Nagas from Nagaland and around the world network, share ideas and discuss a wide range of topics from politics and philosophy to music and current events in Nagaland and beyond. The blog is not owned by any individual, nor is it affiliated to or associated with any political party or religion. The only movement it hopes to stir is the one raised by the voices of the Nagas every step of the way, amassing perhaps to mass consciousness one day. www.facebook.com/groups/thenagablog

Christians and Social Responsibility

Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri

D

Scroll.in

ressed in a crisp linen sari, her salt and pepper hair pulled back in a bun, Sudha Gopalakrishnan explains the philosophy behind Sahapedia. “Nothing like this has been attempted in India before. We are trying to bring in as many voices as possible through the enabling medium of the internet... Culture is such a vast word and means different things to different people. One article doesn’t do justification to any topic.”

It has been a month since she launched Sahapedia with her team of 20 from an office in South Delhi and the website already has hundreds of articles, videos, images and virtual walks.

There is a photo feature on the Mithila art of north Bihar, an essay on Chola temples with accompanying videos, and an introduction to Sufi literature. There are posters of Satyajit Ray’s films, write-ups on Namdeo Dhasal’s poetry, a video of EP Unny crafting a political cartoon, and a recitation of Ramcharitmanas by a street performer. A page on the Kalamkari textile art form of Andhra Pradesh explains its origins, and an institutional archive holds gems like the history of Thumri written by eminent musicologist Prem Lata Sharma.

“I see Sahapedia as one more experiment in archiving and knowledge production,” cultural theorist Ranjit Hoskote told Open magazine in April.

Gopalakrishnan however views the site more as a “one-stop destination” on Indian culture and history – a place which give its readers exhaustive information on India’s arts and histories through text and multimedia.

Launched on April 23, Sahapedia’s name is a conjuction of the Sanskrit word “Saha”, meaning together, and pedia, from the Greek word paideia, which means cultural education.

An open call for contributions on its Facebook page says: “Whether you are a proud cit-

izen, aficionado, scholar or student, help preserve the diversity and rich heritage of South Asian culture.”

But, unlike Wikipedia, not anybody can write in.

“You have to have prior knowledge about what you’re writing or contributing to,” said Gopalakrishnan. “We, of course, credit their name so that there is a certain responsibility from the author’s side, and we are also accountable for what is being put on the website.”

A small platoon of in-house editors and researchers vet the contributions before they are uploaded. The staff historians, anthropologists, conservationists and writers are guided by a team of advisors, which includes Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shamim Hanafi and Priyadarsini Govind.

The design of the site may be a little roughedged but that shortcoming is made up for by the content. Besides the contributions, Sahapedia also holds a growing repository of archival information from partner institutions like the National Centre for The Performing Arts and National School of Drama.

In the month since its launch, Sahapedia has garnered about 68,000 page views, but that is not how it is measuring its impact. Gopalakrishnan, an author and researcher who started the Sahapedia organisation in 2011, sees the site as a way to archive and disseminate India’s histories.

“In the past month, since the website went up, we have had many people and institutions come forward and express interest in writing for us or collaborating with us on various project,” said Gopalakrishnan. “There is a wealth of knowledge in the archives of many public and private institutions in the country. So many of these have a treasure trove of already documented information, but no means of dissemination.”

The content is mostly curated as multimedia modules – comprising articles, interviews, photographs, videos and timelines – to explore each

subject in depth. At present, the site has 10 broad sections, including Knowledge Traditions, Visual and Material Arts, and Performing Arts.

The Performing Arts theme has, among other things, conversations with theatreperson Moloyashree Hashmi, Kathak exponent Kumudini Lakhia, and a performance of Balivijayam

by Kathakali great Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair.

Equally vibrant is the Histories section. It includes a module on the Pattanam excavation site in Kerala, an interview with Romila Thapar, a bibliography on Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and a photo essay on Humayun’s Tomb.

One of Sahapedia’s biggest tasks has been simplifying content to make it accessible to all.

“We don’t want Sahapedia to be a website for scholars,” said Gopalakrishnan. “We want it to be more of general interest and to educate its reader even if they are looking at a subject with no prior knowledge about it.”

The page on Kalamkari textiles, for instance, has quick facts, an interview with the wood block makers, images from a workshop, and an essay that explains the narratives within the art form besides its history.

The not-for-profit also has its own team doing fieldwork and bringing in interesting folk stories that are embedded in India’s oral traditions. For example, it discovered a little-known pond in Hampi, called Pariyon ka Talaab (the pond of fairies), which is believed to be visited by fairies and angels.

“We had to distinguish belief from fact, but that’s what the local legend said,” explained Gopalakrishnan. “Even now only women are allowed to visit that pond. This is another thing we are trying to achieve. Not just capture knowledge, but also localise it. Give it some colour.”

Gopalakrishnan says that in 10 years “we want to have done enough to be seen as the portal for all cultural knowledge by schools, universities and educational institutions and also sync the various institutional archives with the website”.

How dogs find their way home (without a GPS)

Jacqueline Boyd

A

The Conversation

nimals’ ability to navigate long distances has long been shrouded in mystery.

From the skill of racing pigeons to find their way home, to the seasonal breeding migration of the humpback whale, a huge range of creatures are capable of navigating in a consistent, precise and effective way.

Science has been slow to fully identify and understand the processes and cues involved in animal migration. However, evidence now suggests that a vast array of species, from beetles to birds to dogs, demonstrate amazing abilities to travel long distances, without the use of electronic GPS – something many humans have perhaps become over-reliant upon.

In April, the story of Pero, an adventurous four-year-old working sheepdog was reported.

Pero managed to find his way from Cockermouth in Cumbria back to his previous home, near Aberystwyth, on the coast of mid Wales.

In a real-life story reminiscent of “Lassie Come

Home”, Pero somehow navigated about 240 miles in two weeks. Significantly, his microchip confirmed this was not a case of mistaken identity, this young sheepdog really had made it back to his first home.

Stories like that of Pero’s often attract media interest, leaving readers puzzled over how an animal can travel so far. Without speculating over whether the dog had been simply dropped off at the farm by someone who recognised him, these sorts of tales apparently prove the remarkable nature of animal instincts. The deep relationship between people and their dogs also seems to drive a desire to believe that there is something magical about this ability. So, is this navigation skill because of “personal bonds” between owner and dog, or is there a scientific understanding of the biology involved?

A huge variety of animals use a number of different sensory systems in order to travel distances. Desert ants, for example, use environmental olfactory cues and odour plumes – clouds of scent dispersed by the wind moving odour molecules – to navigate their way both to food sources and back to their nests. Honeybees appear able to recall routes to feeding sites when exposed to scent from that location. Other species such as sea turtles, some amphibians, spiny lobsters and birds are able to use magnetic positional information to migrate or orientate towards specific target locations. This latter ability to exploit geomagnetic information is significant, as it is unlikely to be affected by weather conditions, cycles of light and dark, seasonality or global position in the same way that other cues might be affected.

In addition to a “magnetic compass”, birds also appear to use sun and star “compasses” for navigation. Parasitic nematode worms are capable of moving towards new hosts by responding to seismic vibrations and other species use vibrations for prey capture. Bats, birds and marine mammals can also identify location and travel with the help of sonar and infrasound, while visual landmarks appear critical for species such as ourselves.

But just how did Pero find his way home?

It is likely that many animals, including dogs, navigate using an integration of many of the internal systems and external signals mentioned above. Dogs are also very reward driven – so positive associations with particular places or people are likely to result in a desire to return.

The intense olfactory ability of dogs is also likely to assist location awareness – my own dogs appear to “smell” the beach miles before we actually see it.

Interestingly, recent evidence that dogs and some primates possess a molecule associated with magnetoreception – the ability to sense a magnetic field – might further explain Pero’s return home. Cryptochrome 1 is a light-sensing molecule that regulates circadian rythmns in species as diverse as plants and fish. It seems that this molecule is present in the retinal cone cells of a range of other species too, including dogs, foxes, wolves, bears and badgers. It has also been identified in some primate species including the Bornean orangutan.

The reason for the presence of this molecule remains undetermined and researchers have acknowledged that it might not be related to magnetoreception. However, the identification of cryptochrome 1 in the photoreceptors of these mammals’ eyes is identical to the location of the same molecule in birds. This might suggest that the ability to respond to magnetic positional information is maintained in birds and some mammals. Indeed, magnetoreception has been documented in different mammal species, leading to the suggestion that dogs might even defecate in response to the earth’s magnetic field.

It is interesting to note that researchers have as yet failed to identify this molecule in species such as bats, an animal already known to be capable of navigating using magnetic fields. Perhaps some species have evolved different ways to use magnetic fields to identify location, or, alternatively, a range of interacting biological processes may be involved.

It is important to remember however, that Pero and other animals reported as having travelled miraculous distances tend to be the exception rather than the rule. For every amazing story of a pet dog or cat travelling huge distances to return “home”, there are many more who are quite simply, lost. For those animals, even a deep bond with their human caregiver is not enough to drive or facilitate a long-distance return.

So while there does appear to be some fundamental biology that means even our domesticated species can navigate long distances, nailing down the exact science that enabled Pero’s exceptional feat of navigation remains tricky.

Vebu Khamo: When Jesus calls the Christians as salt and light, he was pointing to the fact that the Christians were to act as an agent to bring the Kingdom’s perspective in the realm of this world. The social problems and issues faced by the Christians and the world today have innumerably shot up to its zenith. Although counsellors, educators, social activists, experts in various fields plagued our society, the onslaught of all the social evils seems to evade and erode every aspect of our lives. With regret, one can only philosophise what has gone wrong with us and the world and ponder on those propositions.

Living in one of the most Christian populated regions, the society ought to have an ambiance of peaceful atmosphere. But sadly, this small society is infected with the poison of social evils as that of killing, rapes, murder, hatred, bigotry, isms, divisions, corruptions, greed, sexual perversion and immorality which has pervasively disturbed the hilly people for decades. The voices of the weak, poor, underprivileged, disabled and less fortunate in towns and villages is no longer heeded as the rich pompously overrides every spheres of our society. The wicked person thrives and the city is weeping.

With the advent of Christianity, modernity, in terms of food habits and lifestyles have washed away our old traditional way of life. Yes, our looks and outfits stand at par with the world but not in any other sense. The absence of morality is becoming more apparent with the changing times. We have adopted westernization but not real Christianization. The Christians are well polished and refined and does not care to get hands dirty by involving outside of the Church premises. O! I love the Church choir and well-neat 45 minutes sermon on Sundays while the rest of the other days, I’m off to my own world. Now, the worthlessness of religion without mercy is clearly painted in the Bible. There are too many seeker-friendly Churches that crave for wealth in building their kingdom. It’s “my Church, my denomination,” but not Jesus.

Too many legalistic opinions are expressed in saying that the church and the state are two different entities. What a blunder to have such a view! I’m not preaching a social gospel here. But the Church is supreme over the society and has a voice to say in matters of societal concerns. It should rebuke and reform the society with its godly and unchanging biblical principles. But no! The Church has lost its authority. Where is she now? She has turned to harlotry for her survival. Never will her husband be glad about such a forlorn pitiful state of his once-beloved bride. Her voice is too weak to speak out against corruption for she is equally corrupted. She cannot stand with the same strength of her younger days. She is afraid to lose the favour of her companions and so remains callous to the rebuke of her husband.

Who is responsible for the mess we are in? Should we blame the Church leaders, politicians, administrators or publics? I pathetically confess with Chesterton, “I am.” Of course, we cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. As the well-known quote sounds, “What we need is not better government, but better men and women in government,” so also changes cannot be expected in our society unless the Christians are totally transformed by God’s power.

Charles Colson is so right in making this comment, “If Christianity is true, then it bears on every aspect of life- and we must seek to examine all things temporal in light of the eternal. If we confine our faith to just “spiritual” topics, we begin to think inwardly, talk only to ourselves, and make little impact in the world.” One reason, says he, “that the Christians have separated the “Christian” part of their lives from the everyday, “secular part.” Christian morality and ethics are only played in the Church but not in the world. God is not omniscient for many Christians, we need eyes of the law to be the watchdogs but sadly, they’re blind too. No wonder, daylight corrupt practices, bribery and other abominable forms has taken over this Christbought land. Until Christians realise that the reason for failure is not the government but themselves, will there be a cleansing in any forms!

Dr. Nancy Pearcey hit the nail with these words, “The best way to drive out a bad worldview is by offering a good one, and Christians need to move beyond criticizing culture to creating culture. That is the task God originally created humans to do, and in the process of sanctification we are meant to recover that task. Whether we work with our brains or with our hands, whether we are analytical or artistic, whether we work with people or with things, in every calling we are culture-creators, offering up our work as a service to God…” She drove to this one simple thought, “All service is to God.” It is not the Church thing that is required of being sanctified but all that we do for one’s livelihood. Christians are accountable for every task in hand, not a single one is devoid of God’s future verdict. In that light, Christians have to carry out their God-given responsibilities with pure motive and clear conscience.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).

Reminiscing the old good Nagas of yore

Akhoto Sakhrie: Nagas were honest once, they were direct with their feelings and emotions once; hypocrisy was a far fetched dream.

But now, our words are carefully thought as everything around us fills with corruption and evil. Now, we flavor our words with sweet lies and false truths.

Nagas were a race of hard working individuals, every single person striving at their works and doing it well; not seeking appreciation but helping people without reluctance.

But now, we seek to find easy ways to earn money and fill our stomachs with pleasures that money can buy. We all want to lead but nobody is willing to slave themselves and reach the top. We judge people based on what we can do and not what they can do. We have lost our purposes, and we have filled our minds with vain endeavours. We are all wise to our eyes that we have forgotten what life is.

The Nagas were an easy people to get along with, friendly and witty.

Laughter filled the atmosphere when a group of Nagas came together.

But now, sarcasm has taken roots in the innocent minds. Sarcasm that is meant to hurt someone badly, and everybody's expected to take the joke even while faking a laugh. Fake laughters has filled the air, isn't it way better to live without laughters or humours than fake a laugh.

We were once not proud to be a Naga, but blessed and happy to be living in such a beautiful God given place. We treated even outsiders well, our love was not only limited to ourselves but the outsiders as well.

But now, we think we are better than the outsiders, so stuck in our own little world, so proud of our ruthless past even when pride cannot do anything except for love. Not looking at how we are living, yet trying to maintain our pride by showing off our wealth and power.

The Nagas in the past followed certain rules well, and there were hardly a few who dared to go against it.

But now, we are so filled with hypocrisy that rules are just meant for strangers only, while overlooking our friends and loved ones. Rules are biased and hypocritical, partial in nature and very flexible.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Naga Blog.

A CLIP Rummaging through my drawer today, I chanced on a clip you gave me.

Perhaps this clip is the only reminder of our relationship as women of a household.

Where you chose to be the ‘in law’ and not ‘mother’ This clip you gave me now only serves to ‘clip’ us is

the recesses of my memory.

For TJ - because funny is funnier with you.

To me you are sunshine and rain.

Sunshine on a cold day, and rain on a hot afternoon.

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

SaturdaY 21•05•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

40 million Indians at risk from rising sea levels: UN UnITed nATIons, MAy 20 (PTI): Nearly 40 million Indians will be at risk from rising sea levels by 2050, with people in Mumbai and Kolkata having the maximum exposure to coastal flooding in future due to rapid urbanisation and economic growth, according to a UN environment report.

The Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6): Regional Assessments said that the worst impacts of climate change are projected to occur in the Pacific and South and Southeast Asia. It said focusing on the population at risk from sea level rise by 2050, seven of the 10 most vulnerable countries worldwide are in the Asia Pacific region.

India tops the chart with nearly 40 million people in the country projected to be at risk from rising sea levels, followed by more than 25 million in Bangladesh, over 20 million in China and nearly 15 million in the Philippines. It said that changes in settlement patterns, urbanisation and socio-economic status in Asia have influenced observed trends in vulnerability and exposure to climate extremes.

The report said that in many coastal areas, growing urban settlements have also affected the ability of natural coastal systems to respond effectively to extreme climate events, rendering them more vulnerable. "Some countries, such

In this File image of November 2010 released by Greenpeace, a girl in Satjellia island, India is seen affected by the rising sea level. "I am a student and my school is flooded with water. There are too many mosquitoes, flies, and a bad smells comes from the water," Greenpeace quoted Anjana Koyal as saying. (Image: Peter Caton/Greenpeace)

as China, India and Thailand, are projected to face increased future exposure to extremes, especially in highly urbanised areas, as a result of rapid urbanisation and econom-

Vijayan to be Kerala's next CM T h I R U vA n A n ThAPURAM, MAy 20 (IAns): The CPI-M on Friday decided to name veteran leader Pinarayi Vijayan, son of a toddy tapper, Kerala's new chief minister, sidelining former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

Party sources said Achuthanandan, 92, was apparently not happy with the decision because he had felt he might get a second chance, at least for a while, before handing over charge to Vijayan, 72.

The two leaders are known to be long-time rivals within the otherwise regimented Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M), which led the LDF to a victory in elections to the 140-member assembly.

The CPI-M opted for Vijayan at a meeting of the party's state secretariat chaired by general secretary Sitaram Yechury and attended by his predecessor Prakash Karat, who is known to be close to Vijayan.

A formal announcement is expected to be made later on Friday. Vijayan will be the 22nd chief minister of Kerala.

CBSE Class 12 results to be announced today neW delhI, MAy 20 (PTI): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will announce the result for class XII board examination today.

The Board will announce the results for all its regions at 12 noon. The second phase of telecounselling will also commence along with the announcement of the results and will continue till June 4, 2016.

The CBSE exams began on March 1 and concluded on April 22. This year, a total of 10,67,900 candidates registered for the Class 12 exam as against 10,40,368 in 2015.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani had earlier this week assured students during a Facebook chat that the result for CBSE Board exams for class X and XII will be declared "on time" before the end of this month and, as per a decision taken earlier, state boards are also expected to declare their results by May 31.

Several Indians indicted in marriage visa fraud in US WAshInGTon, MAy 20 (PTI): Several Indians and Indian- Americans have been indicted on charges of a UVisa fraud and arranging fake marriages for the purpose of entering the US, authorities said.

Investigating authorities said these people would enter into a fraud marriage with the citizens of the US for the purpose of entering the country and then also fraudulently apply for a special category of U-visa which is normally given to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement.

The indictment alleges that Simpson Lloyd Goodman, a licensed attorney, submitted fraudulent documents to US Citizenship and immigration Services for the purpose of obtaining U-Visas for other co-defendants.

The false documents submitted to USCIS included falsified police reports allegedly prepared by Officer Ivory Lee Harris of the Jackson Police Department.

Other defendants engaged in and caused various acts which enabled defendants to attempt to obtain U-Visas from USCIS. In the 16 count marriage fraud indictment, it is alleged that they would enter into marriages between persons who were already citizens of the US solely for the purpose of obtaining immigration status to which the aliens would not otherwise be entitled.

"These marriages were not entered into because of mutual love and affection between the parties, but solely to create a legal status that would provide a basis for immigration status for the alien partner and usually for some economic benefit to the United States citizen," the Department of Justice said.

ic growth," it said.

It listed Mumbai and Kolkata in India, Guangzhou and Shanghai in China, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Yangon in Myanmar, Bangkok in Thai-

land, and Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong in Vietnam as projected to have the largest population exposure to coastal flooding in 2070.

"Many of these cities are already exposed to coastal flooding, but have limited capacity to adapt due to their fixed location," it said.

The report, published ahead of the UN Environment Assembly taking place in Nairobi next week, said the worst impacts of climate change are projected to occur in the Pacific and South and Southeast Asia.

In 2011, six of the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change worldwide were in Asia and the Pacific. The report said livelihoods can be impacted negatively by natural disasters, economic crises and climate change.

On coastal areas highly exposed to cyclones and typhoons the poor tend to be more exposed to natural disasters because they live on hazardous land.

Evidence suggests that climate change and climate variability and sea-level rise will exacerbate multidimensional poverty in most developing countries.

By 2050, areas of storm surge zones are expected for Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with a combined total of over 58 million people at risk.

SC issues rare warrant against CPCB boss in Gujarat silicosis deaths case MUMBAI, MAy 20 (ThoMson ReUTeRs FoUndATIon): Supreme Court has issued a rare warrant against the chief of the country's pollution control board in the decade-old case of stone workers in Gujarat who died of silicosis.

The Supreme Court issued the warrant this week after the head of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) failed to notify the court of steps taken to prevent the deaths of workers from the respiratory disease, according to Radha Kant Tripathy, a lawyer with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Activists welcomed the move for greater accountability.

"It is very significant and very unusual that the court issued the warrant," said Colin Gonsalves, founder of the Human Rights Law Network which represented the petitioner, the charity Peoples' Rights and Social Research Centre (PRASAR).

The CPCB takes the matter very seriously, and will address the court's concerns, A. Sudhakar, a senior official, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

India is one of the largest producers of raw stone, accounting for more than a quarter of stones mined worldwide.

Millions of workers in India's quartz mines, quarries and stone-crushing factories have contracted silicosis from longterm exposure to silica dust, say activists.

About a fifth of mine workers in India are children.

Many of the workers are poor tribals or bonded labourers who work for little or no money. They rarely receive medical care or compensation for loss of pay because of the disease.

"These workers are abandoned by their employer, by the state. They have no

Ordinance to defer NEET, move challenged in SC neW delhI, MAy 20 (AGenCIes): The Central government on Friday issued an ordinance to postpone the implementation of NEET or the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - the common entrance test for medical and dental courses - for state governments and their affiliated institutions by a year so that the students have enough time to prepare.

The Centre issued the ordinance following clearance from the Union Cabinet this morning. Talking to reporters, Union health Minister JP Nadda said, ''Some states have issues, I assure all that we will resolve the matter very soon.''

The NEET issue is still being reviewed, he added.

The ordinance needs to be approved by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, to come into effect. However, a petition was filed against the Centre's move in the Supreme Court. This isn't in the interest of the students or the nation, we will challenge this ordinance, said Amit Kumar, petitioners' lawyer challenging the NEET ordinance Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him not to bring any order against the Supreme Court ruling on NEET, saying the students had welcomed

the decision as it discouraged well endowed parents from making 'donations' to get their children admitted into reputed private medical colleges. The exam, however, will be applicable for those applying for Central government and private management institutions under the management quota. The decision to issue an ordinance was taken in the aftermath of several meetings between Union Health Minister JP Nadda and state health ministers to discuss the issue.

The state government representatives had asked the Centre to consider the stress the students will face if uncertainty prevailed. So

far 6.5 lakh students have already sat for the first phase of NEET held on May 1. The next phase of the exam is scheduled for July 24.

Last month, the Supreme Court said that students need to take only one common entrance test, the NEET, for entry to medical colleges, following a large number of complaints about corruption in a situation where all state governments and private medical colleges held their own exams.

But after the court's order, several states - including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu - had said the implementation of the common entrance test should be deferred by a year.

rights, no protection," Gonsalves said.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ordered the Gujarat government to pay 300,000 rupees ($4,445) to the families of each of the 238 migrant workers from Madhya Pradesh who died of the incurable lung disease, which they had contracted working in quarries and stone-crushing factories in Godhra, in Gujarat.

That order came a decade after PRASAR had filed a petition, in 2006, asking for compensation and rehabilitation of the workers, as well as measures to protect other workers in eight states.

On the Supreme Court's direction, the NHRC submitted a report in 2010, in which it said that Gujarat had failed to protect the workers from Madhya Pradesh.

In ordering compensation to be paid, the Supreme Court said: "In the interest of the kith and kin of those people who died on account of the disease, and in the interest particularly of those orphan children of those deceased, we are of the view that the state of Gujarat should forthwith comply with the direction of the National Human Rights Commission."

The state must submit proof it has paid compensation within eight weeks, the court said.

It said Madhya Pradesh will rehabilitate a further 304 workers from that state who contracted the disease.

"We hope that the compensations will be paid immediately," said Gonsalves.

"More importantly, we hope that measures to identify and treat all workers suffering from silicosis will be taken," he said.

The next hearing at the Supreme Court is on June 30.

Obama, Modi to meet next month in Washington WAshInGTon, MAy 20 (ReUTeRs): U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House next month to discuss security and other issues when the PM visits Washington, the White House said on Friday.

In a statement, the White House said Obama and Modi will discuss economic growth, climate change, clean energy, and security and defense cooperation during the meeting on June 7, which follows Obama's trip to New Delhi in January 2015.

"The visit will highlight the deepening of the U.S.-India relationship in key areas," the statement said. The two countries' partnership is seen as critical in Washington, which is seeking to counterbalance China's increasing power.

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan has also invited Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress during his Washington visit, an opportunity extended to few foreign leaders.

In 2005, then-U.S. President George W. Bush's administration denied Modi a visa citing a 1998 U.S. law barring entry to foreigners who have committed "particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

'Muscle, money power evident in recent assembly poll' Sena ridicules BJP’s victory

neW delhI, MAy 20 (IAns): Ample display of money and muscle power was witnessed in the recent assembly elections in four states and a union territory, going by the information furnished by winning candidates in their affidavits to the Election Commission.

The analysis of affidavits by Delhi-based think tank Association for Democratic Rights (ADR) shows a rise in both the number of criminal cases as well as the wealth of these candidates.

"We analysed the information furnished by 812 candidates elected to the assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The results are quite disturbing," said professor Jagdeep Chhokar, founder-member of ADR. Of the 812 MLAs whose affidavits were analysed, 294 have declared criminal cases against them.

Of these, 176 have serious crimi-

nal cases like murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion etc. registered against them.

State-wise, West Bengal, has the highest percentage of MLAs with serious criminal charges against them (32 percent), followed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala (19 percent each).

The small union territory of Puducherry is not far behind with 13 percent of its recently elected MLAs having serious criminal cases against them.

Assam has the least percentage (8 percent) of MLAs with criminal cases.

Notably, there has been a steady rise in the number of MLAs with criminal background in all the five states as compared with 2011.

The most notable rise has been in Kerala where the percentage of such MLAs rose from nine percent in 2011 to 19 percent now. West Bengal recorded an increase of eight percent in MLAs with serious criminal cases,

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with three percent increase and Assam with the lowest spike of two percent.

In terms of wealth - or the number of 'crorepati' (multi-millionaire) MLAs, as per the think tank - the highest percentage, a whopping 83 percent, is in Puducherry which has just 30 assembly seats.

Tamil Nadu is a close second with 76 percent multi-millionaire MLAs. Assam has 57 percent while Kerala and West Bengal have 44 percent and 34 percent crorepati MLAs respectively.

In 2011, these figures were: Assam (39 percent); Kerala (29 percent); Puducherry (63 percent); Tamil Nadu (51 percent) and West Bengal (15 percent).

"These figures tell us that the muscle and money power are increasingly dominating politics. Alternately, we can also say the criminalisation of politics is on the rise," Chhokar said.

MUMBAI, MAy 20 (IAns): Punching holes in BJP's claims, the Shiv Sena said on Friday that the outcome of the assembly elections in five states show that national parties can't vanquish regional parties.

The results of the elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry was "nothing shocking or surprising," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana.

"The BJP could only defeat the Congress in Assam but could not vanquish Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu or the Left in Kerala and the Congress won in Puducherry. We have to admit that the BJP could not defeat the regional parties," the editorial said.

Now, it is being touted that the Congress was thrown out in Assam and Kerala but why is not being said that the BJP was defeated in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, asked the Sena.

It pointed out that BJP President Amit Shah had called for a 'Mamata-mukt Bengal'. Now, however, the BJP said it was satisfied with opening an account in West Bengal.

The Sena asked if "opening an account" alone was the motive, why did the entire BJP brass including Prime Minister Narendra Modi camp there.

Mob attacks BJP MP for visiting Uttarakhand temple with Dalits dehRAdUn, MAy 20 (hT): A mob of uppercaste villagers in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region injured BJP parliamentarian Tarun Vijay and some Dalit leaders on Friday afternoon for allegedly going into a temple where the entry of backward caste people is prohibited.

Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay, local Dalit activist Daulat Kunwar and other members of the community were hit with stones while coming out of the Silgur Devta temple in the remote Punah village – around 180 kilometres from state capital Dehradun.

“The (upper caste) villagers of a nearby area had organised a bhandara (feast in honour of local god). The irritated villagers pelted stones when they

BJP’s Tarun Vijay (centre) being escorted by policemen after the attack. (HT Photo)

saw the Dalit crowd coming out of temple and injured all of them,” a police official said.

Police said the injured MP was rushed to a nearby military hospital as the irate

crowd damaged his car and threw it into a gorge.

The entry into Silgur Devta temple was the start of a campaign by the Dalit community in the state against a centuries-old tra-

dition that forbids them from entering and worshipping at 349 temples of the hill state’s JaunsarBhabar region.

Dalit leaders have said they will forcibly enter the

temples, especially five popular shrines in the Chakrata region. The BJP MP who is retiring from the Rajya Sabha next month was backing the campaign.

Dubbed the holiest land for Hindus, the Himalayan state is studded with thousands of temples, many of which have been off-limits for backwardcaste people. Many Dalit villagers HT spoke to last week expressed fear of an upper-caste backlash to the temple entry campaign.

The incident comes amid a nationwide debate on caste-based discrimination following the suicide of PhD scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad earlier this year. Caste-centric discrimination, including untouchability, was banned in India in 1955, but centuries-old feudal attitudes

persist in many parts of the country and Dalit people, who represent 16% of the country’s population, still face prejudice. They are sometimes beaten or killed for using a well or worshipping at a temple.

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was stopped at the gates of the Jagannath temple in Puri as she was deemed an outcaste for marrying a non-Hindu.

In 2014, a temple in Bihar’s Madhubani district was “purified” — the shrine cleaned and its idols washed — after a visit by then chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, a member of the Musahar community.

Last year, a 90-year-old Dalit man was brutally attacked with an axe and set on fire for trying to enter a temple at Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh.

SaturdaY 21•05•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

EgyptAir crash: Belongings, debris found at sea CAIRO, MAy 20 (ReuteRs): The Egyptian navy said on Friday it had found the personal belongings of passengers and other debris floating in the Mediterranean, confirmation that an EgyptAir jet had plunged into the sea with 66 people on board.

The military said it had found the debris about 290 km (180 miles) north of the port city of Alexandria and was searching for the plane’s black box flight recorders.

Egypt’s President Adbel Fattah al-Sisi offered condolences for those on board, amounting to Cairo’s official acknowledgement of their deaths.

The defence minister of Greece, which has also been scouring the Mediterranean, said Egyptian authorities had found a body part, luggage and a seat in the sea just south of where the signal from the plane was lost.

Although suspicion pointed to Islamist militants who blew up another airliner over Egypt just seven months ago, no group had claimed responsibility more than 24 hours after the disappearance of flight MS804, an Airbus A320 flying from Paris to Cairo.

Three French investigators and a technical expert from Airbus arrived in Cairo early on Friday to help investigate the fate of the missing plane, airport sources said.

Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said on Thursday that it was too

Plane crash prolongs Egypt’s economic misery

Unidentified relatives and friends of passengers who were flying in an EgyptAir plane that crashed yesterday wait outside the Egyptair in-flight service building. (REUTERS Photo)

early to rule out any explanation for the disaster. The country’s aviation minister said a terrorist attack was more likely than a technical failure.

Friday’s announcement that debris had been found followed earlier confusion about whether wreckage had been located. Greek searchers found some material on Thursday, but the airline later said this was not from its plane.

cause of the crash, suspicion fell on the militants who have been fighting against Egypt’s government since Sisi toppled an elected Islamist leader in 2013. In October, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for blowing up a Russian jetliner that exploded after taking off from an Egyptian tourist resort. Russian investigators blamed a bomb smuggled on board.

Last year’s crash devasSUSPICION FALLS ON tated Egypt’s tourist indusMILITANTS try, one of the main sources While there was no of- of foreign exchange for a ficial explanation of the country of 80 million peo-

ple, and another similar attack would crush hopes of it recovering.

While most governments were cautious about jumping to conclusions, U.S. Republican candidate for president, Donald Trump, tweeted swiftly after the plane’s disappearance: “Looks like yet another terrorist attack. Airplane departed from Paris. When will we get tough, smart and vigilant?”

Later in the day, his likely Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, also said it appeared to be an act of terrorism, although she said an

Incoming UN climate chief seeks swift action - at odds with Trump OsLO, MAy 20 (ReuteRs): The United Nations’s incoming climate chief said on Thursday she will push for rapid action under a U.N. accord to slow global warming and expressed hopes that U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will drop calls for a renegotiation if elected.

Mexico’s Patricia Espinosa, a former foreign minister appointed on Wednesday to head the Bonn-based U.N. Climate Change Secretariat from July, urged all governments swiftly to ratify the 195-nation accord hammered out in Paris in December.

She told Reuters that “it’s not impossible” that the agreement, seeking to transform the global economy away from fossil fuels this century, could enter into force as early as this year, giving it strength in international law.

Espinosa is at odds with Trump, who is sceptical that man-made emissions cause climate change. He told Reuters on Tuesday that he was “not a big fan” of the Paris ac-

cord and that “at a minimum I will be renegotiating those agreements”.

Asked about Trump’s threat, Espinosa said the Paris deal was a hard-won compromise by more than 190 nations. “It would not be easy for anybody to just say ‘I want to renegotiate this’,” she said.

Nations who agreed in Paris range from top greenhouse gas emitters China and the United States, small island nations fearful of rising sea levels and OPEC members who depend on income from oil.

Renegotiation “is really not a scenario that in a multilateral process you can see as something feasible,” she added.

Espinosa said she would be “respectful of everybody who has a role to play in any country” but at the same time seek to build momentum for action. Many other backers of the accord have expressed dismay at Trump’s call.

The Paris Agreement will enter into force once 55 nations responsible for 55 percent of global emissions formally ratify the deal.

So far, 16 nations have ratified, accounting for just 0.03 percent of emissions. Many nations, including China and the United States which together represent 38 percent of emissions, say they will join this year.

Espinosa, 57 and now Mexico’s ambassador to Germany, will succeed Christiana Figueres of Costa Rica, who is stepping down after six years.

Espinosa said she also will seek to link action to curb climate change to all aspects of development in coming years.

She agreed with Figueres, who has said governments will have to toughen existing pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit a rise in temperatures linked to more droughts, floods and rising seas.

“I think it’s possible but very difficult, not reachable with the commitments we have on the table,” Espinosa said of the toughest goal in the Paris Agreement, to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.

investigation would have to determine the details.

Officials from a number of U.S. agencies told Reuters that a U.S. review of satellite imagery so far had not produced any signs of an explosion. They said the United States had not ruled out any possible causes for the crash, including mechanical failure, terrorism or a deliberate act by the pilot or crew.

Amid uncertainty about what brought down the plane, Los Angeles International Airport became the first major U.S. air transportation hub to say it

CAIRO, MAy 20, (AFP): Egypt’s latest air disaster is another crushing blow to a country whose tourism-dependent economy is struggling to recover from years of jihadist attacks and political turmoil, analysts said.

The crash is the third airline incident in less than a year involving the Arab world’s most populous nation, undermining efforts to attract tourists and their much-needed revenues. “Egypt’s return to international news headlines in the context of a plane crash at its national carrier, no doubt this is very harmful,” said Amr Adly, an economist with the Carnegie Middle East Centre in Cairo.

“This will prolong the stumbling of the tourism sector,” he said.

The key industry has been hit by a series of disasters. A 2011 uprising that unseated strongman Hosni Mubarak triggered years of political turmoil that kept many foreign visitors away. The military overthrew his successor Mohamed Morsi in 2013 and launched a bloody crackdown on the Islamist’s supporters.

Since then Islamist insurgents have

killed hundreds in attacks, mostly members of the security forces but also tourists. The security forces themselves have also killed tourists by mistake.

Eight Mexican tourists died in an air strike in September 2015 after they were mistaken for militants while picnicking in the desert. “All this is adding to the negative sentiment towards Egypt’s tourism sector,” said Hany Farahat, senior economist at CI Capital in Cairo.

“And definitely, it postpones any potential for recovery in 2016 as far as tourism revenues are concerned,” he said.

Tourism revenues slumped 15 percent in 2015 and Egypt’s foreign currency reserves are under intense pressure, falling to $17 billion in April from more than $36 billion in 2010. The recent incidents have dashed hopes of a recovery in the sector, which had seen signs of improvement. “Arrivals from key markets plummeted in 2011 and started gradually to recover until 2015. But those never achieved the performance from prior to the events,” said Kinda Chebib, senior analyst at Euromonitor International.

was stepping up security disappeared from radar measures. screens soon afterwards.

There was no official in“LIVES ARE SO CHEAP” dication of a possible cause, The plane vanished just whether technical failure, as it was exiting air space human error or sabotage. controlled by Greece for air Ultra-hardline Islamists space controlled by Egypt. have targeted airports, airGreek Defence Minister Pa- liners and tourist sites in nos Kammenos said the Air- Europe, Egypt, Tunisia and bus swerved radically and other Middle Eastern counplunged from 37,000 feet tries over the past few years. to 15,000 before vanishing The aircraft was carrying from Greek radar screens.

56 passengers, including According to Greece’s one child and two infants, civil aviation chief, calls and 10 crew, EgyptAir said. from Greek air traffic con- They included 30 Egyptian trollers to MS804 went and 15 French nationals, unanswered just before it along with citizens of 10 left Greek airspace, and it other countries. A320s nor-

mally seat 150 people. The plane had made scheduled flights to Tunisia and Eritrea on Wednesday before arriving in Paris from Cairo.

At Cairo airport, a man sat on a brown leather couch crying with his hands covering his face on Thursday. “How long will Egypt live if human lives are so cheap?” he said. The mother of a flight attendant rushed in tears out of the VIP hall where families waited. She said the last time her daughter called her was Wednesday night.

“They haven’t told us anything,” she said.

New Taiwan president pledges peace Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen waves during an inauguration ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan on May 20. (REUTERS Photo)

tAIPeI, MAy 20 (ReuteRs): Taiwan’s new president urged China on Friday to “drop the baggage of history” in an otherwise conciliatory inauguration speech that Beijing’s Communist Party rulers had been watching for any move towards independence.

President Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in with Taiwan’s exportdriven economy on the ropes and giant neighbour China looking across the Taiwan Strait for signs of creeping independence or anti-Beijing sentiment that could further sour economic ties.

Tsai’s Democratic Progres-

sive Party (DPP), which has traditionally favoured independence from China, won parliamentary and presidential elections by a landslide in January and takes over after eight years under China-friendly Nationalist Ma Ying-jeou.

Tsai, Taiwan’s first female president, said Taiwan would play a responsible role and be a “staunch guardian of peace” in its relationship with China.

“Cross-Strait relations have become an integral part of building regional peace and collective security,” she told thousands of people outside the presidential office.

“The two governing parties across the Strait must set aside the baggage of history and engage in positive dialogue for the benefit of the people on both sides,” she said.

There was no immediate reaction to Tsai’s speech from China, which has never renounced force to take back an island it regards as a renegade province.

Beijing said earlier this month the new Taiwan government would be to blame for any crisis that might erupt.

Taiwanese markets reacted calmly to Tsai’s inauguration.

Taiwan’s main index reached an intraday high as she spoke, before settling 0.4 percent higher for the session.

Tsai pledged to abide by the constitution of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, and promised to safeguard the island’s sovereignty and territory.

She also mentioned the East China and South China Seas, where an increasingly muscular China has been at odds over territorial claims with its neighbours.

“Regarding problems arising in the East China Sea and South China Sea, we propose setting

aside disputes so as to enable joint development,” she said.

The American Institute in Taiwan, which represents U.S. interests in the island in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, said it looked forward to working with the new government.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but is also Taiwan’s biggest ally and arms supplier. China is deeply distrustful of Tsai’s DPP, whose charter includes a clause promoting “a sovereign and independent Republic of Taiwan”.

Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists fled to Taiwan after losing the civil war to the Communists in China in 1949. China has pressured the new Taiwan government to stick to the “oneChina” principle agreed with the Nationalists.

That allows each side to interpret what “one China” means.

Voted in by a Taiwanese public distrustful of growing economic dependence on China, the DPP also champions Taiwan’s own history. There were massive protests in 2014 that stalled a trade pact with China and were a key element of the DPP’s rise.

Obama’s visit to Hiroshima looks to the future amid charges of selective amnesia t O KyO / WA s H I N G tON, MAy 20 (ReuteRs):- Japan and the United States are presenting U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Hiroshima as an affirmation of a strong alliance and a step towards world denuclearisation, but critics see selective amnesia and paradoxes on nuclear policy.

Aides have said Obama will not apologise when he becomes the first sitting U.S. president to tour the site of the world’s first atomic bombing next Friday, accompanied by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Nor is Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 partly for making nuclear non-proliferation a centrepiece of his agenda, expected to address the debate over whether the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified.

The bomb dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killed thousands instantly and about 140,000 by the

end of the year. Nagasaki was hit on Aug. 9 and Japan surrendered six days later.

A majority of Americans see the bombings as having been necessary to end the war and save U.S. and Japanese lives, although many historians question that view. Most Japanese believe they were unjustified.

Officials in both countries have made clear they want to stress the present and future, not dig into the past, even as the two leaders honour all victims of the war.

“It is an important landmark in a continuing process of paying homage to the victims of war in general and the atomic bombing in particular, in the process of trying to eliminate nuclear weapons in the world,” former Japanese diplomat Sadaaki Numata told Reuters. “... Both sides worked hard to shift the focus to a forward-looking agenda that has resonance worldwide.”

Even without an apol-

ogy, some hope that Obama’s visit will highlight the huge human cost of the bombings and pressure Japan to own up more forthrightly to its responsibilities and atrocities. Asian neighbours China and South Korea often complain Japan needs to be more sincerely repentant about the war, despite its numerous past apologies.

“Part of the subtext is telling this and future Japanese leaders that ‘If I can go to Hiroshima and take flak for it at home, you can certainly do a little more to own up to what Japan did,” said one U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The visit was hotly debated in the White House, not least because of fear of domestic blowback in an election year.

JAPAN “IN DENIAL” The Abe administration has affirmed past government apologies but asserts that future generations should not have to apolo-

gise for the wartime sins of their forebears.

“We are successfully proceeding with (U.S.-Japan) reconciliation. As for how the war came about, leave it to the historians,” said former Japanese diplomat Kunihiko Miyake.

Critics argue that by not apologising, Obama will allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim.

“What the Japanese government is doing now is denying the fact that Japanese soldiers committed atrocities and the Japanese nation as a whole committed the war of aggression.

Somehow, they are trying to sanitise Japanese war conduct,” said Hiroshima historian Yuki Tanaka.

Nuclear disarmament proponents meanwhile hope Obama’s visit will breath fresh life into a stalled process.

“At a time when, frankly, momentum is stalled, this visit will be an opportunity to reactivate that,” Hiro-

shima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki told Reuters, adding insistence on an apology might have prevented Obama from making the trip.

But critics note Obama has made scant progress towards nuclear disarmament and is spending heavily to modernise the U.S. atomic arsenal. “Arguably, a nuclear-free world is less likely now that when Obama actually took office,” Richard Fontaine, an Asia adviser under former president George W. Bush, told a think tank conference.

Obama’s aides counter that he has secured concrete achievements, such as a new nuclear arms control deal with Russia in his first term and last year’s nuclear pact with Iran.

Japan stresses its unique status as the only nation to suffer atomic attacks and advocates disarmament, but nonetheless relies on the U.S. nuclear umbrella as an extended

US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrive for a joint news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (REUTERS File Photo)

deterrent.

And Tokyo has long taken the position that nuclear arms would not violate its pacifist constitution, although it rules out possessing them.

Ultimately, Obama’s visit may be a sort of Rorschach test, a psychological inkblot test in which view-

ers see what they are predisposed to perceive.

“Anti-Obama-ites will call it an ‘apology tour’ even if there is no apology,” said Massachusetts Institute of Technology political science professor Richard Samuels.

“Japanese nationalists will declare vindica-

tion of the empire and of the Japanese people, even if the president insists we are all culpable for war and its effects, and pacifists will imagine this is a step toward the end of nuclear weapons despite new U.S. investments and Japan’s open embrace of the nuclear deterrent.”

10

saturDaY 21•05•2016

public discourse

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

NagalaNd iN act East Policy Charles Chasie

Background The tearing down of the Berlin Wall signalled the end of the Cold War world and the collapse of the former USSR drove the final nail in it’s coffin. Or so, it was thought. In any case, it gave rise to euphoria in the capitalist world and globalisation began to spread its wings through multinational companies and international financial institutions.

India could not remain unaffected. The economic sanctions by the West and its allies in the aftermath of India’s nuclear tests made it realize the need to look elsewhere for its economic growth and survival. It had witnessed the Tiger Economies of South East Asian countries seemingly enjoying disproportionate economic growth compared to their sizes, the rapid rise in the populations and economies of China and India and their jostling for political and economic leadership of Asia. And then there was Japan, the second biggest state economy. Moreover, there were traditional ties with South East Asia and the geographical contiguity was tempting. All these made India move closer to ASEAN and the East.

Look/Act East Policy It was in the coming together of various above events and India’s own circumstances at the time that moved India to launch its Look East Policy in 1992. Once this was decided, it was natural to talk about the resource-rich North East as the launching pad of this policy given its geographical contiguity to East and South East Asia. It became fashionable for people to say, “Look East through North East”!

Sadly, apart from talk nothing much happened and the opening up of new markets in ASEAN countries only benefitted those on the mainland, particularly in South India, as admitted by no less than Mani Shankar Aiyar during one of his visits to Nagaland as union minister.

People started asking if the NE was just going to be a bridge or corridor for the mainland instead of the launch-pad that was touted about.

NE dynamics – common destiny with different needs!

NE was a thriving centre of world trade before and at the time of Indian Independence.

The per capita income of the region was higher than the rest of India it represented a main foreign exchange earner. “Indian Independence” changed all that! The North East became landlocked, its natural outlets cut off by international boundaries, with only a very narrow strip of land connecting the mainland. The region became neglected. `Insurgencies’ took over the region.

Because the states in the North East are all so small that often by necessity the region is clubbed together. But in so doing, the dynamics of the NE, and the genius of the peoples who make up the region, are frequently ignored.

True, the NE must also find its common destiny. But the unique ethnic “individualities” of the communities of the region must not be sacrificed in the name of an unclear whole.

What does the Policy mean for NE? More than 20 years after pronouncing the Look East Policy it has now become Act East Policy once the BJP came into power. Obviously, the intention is to show that the BJP mean business.

But still, precious little have happened to give the people confidence that things will happen.

For instance, even the study of the infrastructural needs of the region has not been done.

Only now the study process is being launched by inviting bids for a study of the infrastructural needs of the region. But there is no guarantee that the best proposal would be accepted. Indeed, there is already indication that quality may be sacrificed on the altar of perceived cost.

On the other hand, there are doubts due to continuing internal contradictions and confusions. (i) Although everybody seems to understand the Look/Act East Policy, the Policy itself still does not seem to be available on paper. This makes it inexact and open to confusion and, therefore, difficult to act. The flip-flops of the Government in the field of foreign policy only make things worse. (ii) Undemocratic legislations still on the statute books do not inspire confidence, domestic and foreign. For instance, the whole of the North East has been a disturbed area with legislations like AFSPA in operation. Who will want to come and operate in an area declared “disturbed” by GoI? (iii) What development models will be pursued in/for NE? Till now the Gangetic plains model of development has done havoc to the region simply because it is not suited to NE. Also, the conditions prevailing in the plains and hills of NE are different requiring different strategies! Till now, there is no adequate visioning for the region. NE Vision 2020 is not a proper vision at all. (iv) The North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP), 2007, which gave a package of fiscal incentives for industrial growth in the North East has been withdrawn.

Federation of Industries and Commerce of North East Region (FINER) has filed a case for its retention in Gauhati High Court and it may be taken to the Supreme Court. (v) The Special Category status of the Northeastern States which gave special favourable financing to the states in the region has been withdrawn and not re-instated. (vi) The budget allocations for North Eastern Council (NEC) and Department of North Eastern Region (DoNER) have either remained stagnant or actually decreased over the years (media reports of Lok Sabha discussions in April and May, 2016).

Under these circumstances sceptics think that the Look/Act East Policy is only so much hype and that the North East far from becoming the launch-pad may actually be made the foot mat of the Policy and the region may act only as a corridor for the mainland particularly as two and half decades later no significant things have happened in the NE itself.

Nagaland : Special Case Nagaland became a State in 1963 as a consequence of a Political Agreement. The State was placed under the External Affairs Ministry. By statute law, land and its resources were guaranteed as belonging to the people and customary socio-cultural and religious practices took precedence over Common Law enacted by Parliament. Thus, legislative acts of Parliament on these matters are not to take effect unless they are first

ratified by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Due to violent conflicts, Nagaland missed out on the first three Five-Year Plans and deprived of the benefits of development and infrastructure building through focused planning.

What was worse was that due to continuous armed conflict, even after Statehood, much of the resources of the State had to be spent on security related matters, leaving little to spend on development. Such development deficits had to be carried forward all the time, accumulating and increasing the burden of backlogs further.

The trouble with such a situation is that whenever there was an opportunity for development, these were speeded up without adequate planning. This further made things worse in some cases because they led to lopsided development! As a result of all these, the infrastructure gap for Nagaland had risen to Rs 11,000 Crores by 1996 according to the R P Shukla Commission. This can only have risen higher by now!

Development & Governance : Naga Style Despite initial difficulties, Nagaland has achieved commendable progress on several fronts and have even made unique contributions. Two easy examples are : (i) The Village Development Board (VDB). This governance system based on Naga traditions inspired the Indian Panchayati Raj system of de-centralised governance which has now been taken to every nook and corner of the country. It has become a much loved and revered national institution of development and governance. (ii) The Nagaland Communitization of Public Institutions and Services Act, 2002, became a major landmark in the history of innovative development concepts. Built on the foundations of Naga traditional social practices, the programme put Nagaland on the world map by getting the UN Award for Public Service from Asia and the Pacific at New York in 2008 The VDB and Communitization have shown that when a system is carefully built on the foundations of the traditions of the people they succeeded beyond expectations and made immense universal contributions both at home and abroad.

Now, we have another award to be proud of : “Lifetime Achievement Award in Transformation” given to Nagaland Chief Minister at Bali on April 23, 2016, on the occasion of the 6th Global Leadership Award by the American Leadership Development Association. An “opposition-less” government in a democratic set-up may sound like a contradiction in terms but the unity displayed by Naga leaders was recognized because no one else in the world had achieved this before. Here the leaders of a people had cast aside their differences and come together to solve the problem of their people that has defied solution for so many decades. The Nagas may be small but what they were doing could not be ignored.

Their effort had to be recognized because if all leaders in the world did the same, world problems could be reduced to solvable sizes! This writer had already pointed out the Oppositionless Government as a unique achievement in his article titled “Unnoticed achievements in Nagaland” and published in Nagaland Post and Morung Express on 13/7/2015.

Inherent advantages/strengths The Naga people should consider themselves a very fortunate people in so many ways although the challenges they face are also huge. Let us consider some of these inherent and historical advantages, partly due to their location as well.

1. Our background is full of assurance of our people’s resilience and ability to survive in any circumstances. North East and Nagaland were part of the Alternative Silk Route to China and the region was already a world centre of trade by around 2nd century AD. 2. The smallness of the size of Nagaland and its population has, far from being a hindrance, often proved to be advantageous. For instance, apart from the fact that it was built on Naga traditional social foundations, the application of the Communitization Programme was possible because of the smallness of the size of Nagaland State. In the process, Nagaland became a world `laboratory’ on Governance! Similarly, the Village Development Board (VDB) which model was picked up and applied all over India as Panchayati Raj! 3. Our social capital and community spirit, with well developed institutions at village level, are such great assets. If every Naga tribe decided to give its best to make the most contribution for the good of all Nagas “tribalism” would become a positive asset! Further, there is widespread use of English which, as an international language, is important for trade and commerce.

Contiguity to South East Asia, and Mongoloid origins, can only be added bonuses.

4. Forest and land based products, both natural and produced by human hands, are the greatest strengths of Nagaland. Every development effort is based on forests, agriculture, horticulture or minerals and oil. Nagaland has a wealth of biodiversity and bio resources. For instance, it is estimated that Nagaland possesses 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora (Nagaland State Human Development Report, 2004). And in many instances, our people’s knowledge of conservation and agriculture are far superior to those of other peoples. And despite the hilly terrain, various altitudes and the State’s remote location, good climatic conditions prevail for diversified cropping, using traditional methods of agriculture which are organic by default.

5. North East India, along with South East Asia, are said to be the original home of the world’s flowering plants. (Ref. “Flowering Plants : Origin and Dispersal” by Armen Takhtajan, Translated by C. Jeffrey, Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh and Otto Koeltz Science Publishers, 1981). Nagaland, as part of NE inherits this rich heritage. Without too much study, we already have the tallest Rice plant, the tallest Rhododendron and the hottest chilli. Rice and tea also came out of this region and Nagaland has as good a claim as anyone in the region. Sadly, selective mono-culturistic development, as prioritized by the Government, has been leading to loss of so many species.

Visioning Nagaland In 2001-2002 an attempt at visioning Nagaland was made under the theme “Enduring Peace and Sustainable Prosperity”. It was a first attempt to rise above the general atmosphere of gloom and doom that has pervaded Naga soci-

ety as a regular feature and imagining a future for our people. It was a commendable effort.

But habits die hard and the implementing machinery slowly slid back to the old ways of seeing and doing things! Now the Chief Minister wants to prepare a new vision for Nagaland. He deserves support. However, we must be wary about depending too much on the North East Vision 2020 as it is an inadequate vision for the region and even more so for its individual parts.

Nagaland ought to prepare its own independent vision document based on its needs.

The period too should be of longer duration and with a more distant horizon because 2020 is just round the corner. Further, Nagaland’s needs are different. In the proposal for study of infrastructural needs for North East under the Techno-Economic Development Fund (TEDF), Nagaland took first initiative and the other States followed. Perhaps, Nagaland ought to take first initiative again and carry out its own individual vision, say, “Vision 2030”? Why not? Getting clubbed together with other States in NE is the easier route but not necessarily the best or ideal solution. This is because the needs of the hills and plains are different, and each state has its own unique strengths, challenges and needs.

Approach to Visioning Despite some scepticism with which many in the region are bound to hold the Act East Policy because of the inaction till now, there is no doubt that we should try and make the most of whatever opportunity presents itself to us through this Policy.

It is also clear that trade with foreign countries or no, Nagaland must do what is best for the Naga people. And as shown by above examples, initiatives that grew out of Naga values and societal lives do work and find relevance nationally and internationally. So, we ought to seek the core solutions from within our society even in the area of trade and commerce. Our illiterate forefathers could carry on trade with people from far off places. Now, with education and exposure, present generations ought to be able to do much better!

Trade and commerce is primarily about buying and selling. So, the first question to ask is, “What have we got to sell?” If we do not have things to sell, we are only retailers and middlemen keeping shop for others and providing them service. We become full participants in trade and commerce when we also have our own things to sell. Here we must even differentiate between whether a product is indigenous or not. Some time back Citronella was cultivated as a cash crop. Likewise, we are still cultivating coffee, rubber, coconut etc. But these are crops are indigenous to other people and they have a competitive edge over us.

Fortunately, we do have a lot of crops that are indigenous to Nagaland. We must build our USPs with products that are indigenous and where we have a decidedly competitive edge over others, particularly given our remoteness and lack of proper infrastructure. Nagaland is a rich source of all kinds of foods, many of them still in the wild. Just look at our wild berries, fruits, vegetables, wild flowers and medicinal and herbal plants. Some of these products can be “domesticated” and cultivated. How can others compete with us on products only we have?!

They must become our foundations and build our name.

Basically, we must build on the inherent strengths that we have. So, the basic and logical approach to visioning ought to be on the following lines:i. Identify the indigenous products for sale (including industries to build on). ii. Build infrastructure according to needs identified as per (i) above. Infrastructure must follow and fulfil the needs of the people and State. We have a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) built at great cost in a remote area which is hardly used. Such practise must stop.

Some Challenges/Needs We must remember that Nagaland is in a remote, isolated and neglected region with very poor infrastructure, assailed with disturbances over s very long period and with little political clout in Delhi. In order to take advantage of the Act East Policy, Nagaland needs to intelligently build on its inherent strengths and work out the challenges facing it. Some of them are listed below.

1. The first challenge is to overcome the general tribal mentality of subsistence economic production and transform into a market oriented one. There is as yet little concept of market forces and much learning is required. A few Border Haats and Land Customs Stations (LCS), where the trade is largely on barter, will not bring prosperity.

2. Nagaland is a net importer of goods and services. Most businessmen in Nagaland are basically retailers. Even in food, Nagaland is not selfsufficient. This picture has to be overturned and Nagaland become a net exporter. Nagaland has good potential in agriculture and horticulture fields. If volume is an issue, it can be overcome through cooperative farming and/ or zoning for production according to suitability of soil, climate, knowledge and practice etc.

But usually production is not a problem; the failure comes at the post-harvesting stage.

3. The State is characterized by high artificial inflation caused by absence of infrastructure, corruption at various levels, illegal taxes, absence of coordinated official planning and concerted action, general indifferent attitude of the people etc. What is often true is that the same goods brought from mainland India are sold cheaper in Imphal than in Kohima!

4. A key issue that needs to be addressed is the non-availability of land mainly due to the tiny size of the State and the landownership pattern where the people own the land as opposed to the Government. This is where the State Government may have to plan more on areas which do not heavily depend on land. Perhaps, Nagaland could strategize and make the international trade centres on the Myanmarese border as part of the State’s supply centres, bringing benefits to Nagas across the border as well?

5. Trained and skilled man-power desperately required. The shortfall in skilled man-power in the region as a whole is very high and Nagaland may be near or at the top end.

6. Perhaps, an adjunct of 3 above, but specialized personnel in all areas of marketing – from production to sales and after sales – will

be required for the State to have a well-oiled commerce machine. Market infrastructure and marketing network, including effective and latest information, are vital urgent needs.

Clear strategies required to produce and market goods while retaining and protecting the “niche” advantages of the State.

7. Prioritized infrastructure requirements. For instance, a few arterial all weather roads, world class telephony and internet services, adequate power to provide urban amenities to rural areas, overall good health facilities etc.

Social infrastructures must not be neglected.

R & D and IPR are ignored and neglected areas but vital in the long run.

8. Security and safety must be made a priority issue. Law and order machinery must be finetuned. Legislations too, including those that will arrest sub-standard products and unethical practices. After decades of conflict the biggest question now is, “How to prepare Naga society for life in peace?!” Overcoming impacts of prolonged violence and conflict and rebuilding and re-construction particularly in the area of societal institutions are imperative.

9. Traditional knowledge systems of our tribes are very rich, many of them with universal applications. We must create a system of recognizing and rewarding knowledge keepers and idea givers in society. This will help Naga society to remain vibrant and relevant all the time.

10. Comprehensive and long term strategic planning and faithful pursuit of policies whether in agriculture and allied sectors, industry, tourism, forests etc. are needed. Every department and segment must have clear-cut objectives and system of functioning. And, of course, Government must be willing to hand hold and give adequate support to any area in need.

Some Potentials and suggestions Nagaland has great potentials. The following are some : 1. Build and properly maintain National Highway 29 and the ‘X’ Roads proposal, suggested in the Nagaland Human Development Report (NHDR) 2004, in collaboration with UNDP and Planning Commission, linking the food producing areas of Nagaland with the mineral and oil producing areas and international trade centres as well as rail and air services and neighbouring states and Myanmar/Burma. Without these two all-weather arterial roads and improvement of feeder roads Nagaland’s hope of an economic boom may not happen. But with proper transport and communication infrastructure, Nagaland could aspire to become the main transport base and transit route for goods from the mainland going to Myanmar and beyond to other SE Asian countries.

2. Care should be taken to intelligently use our mineral resources. These are finite products.

They should also not destroy our people. Nigeria is an example of where their oil resources seem to have caused more problems than bringing benefits to the people. This should not happen to us. Creation of wealth and beneficial use must be properly studied.

3. The forest wealth of the State is disproportionately in favour of our people but so far we have not done much in this area. The opportunities are immense. Given its rich natural wealth, Nagaland could go for biotech-industries, including setting up of Biodiversity institute and seed/ gene banks. This is still a sunshine sector. Floriculture, medicines and pharmaceutical products, aromatic plants etc. could all be covered.

4. Culture and food are two very popular areas with great potentials. In recent years, Naga restaurants are sprouting out in various parts of India and they are proving to be very popular, not least because they are healthy. And our different tribes and colourful dresses etc. have always fascinated people. Traditional handloom and handicrafts, arts, cane and bamboo based products etc. could all be brought in.

5. Protect our niche products particularly in the agricultural and horticultural fields and provide adequate support. We are still not doing any planned promotion of our products which have been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. More studies could be done to uncover rare and endangered species available. Lateral thinking, overall, is much required.

6. Naga history too is an important USP of the Naga people. Take Battle of Kohima for instance. More and more people are coming to Nagaland in connection with this particularly after the Battle of Kohima-Imphal was voted the most significant battle in the history of Britain. Likewise, we can fine-tune other histories of our people.

7. It goes without saying that tourism will play a key role. And many of the above suggestions will tie themselves to the apron strings of Tourism in the State. Our signature event, the Hornbill Festival, brings the world to us every year and must go on. But the government has been complaining that the income have not been commensurate with the investment.

This shows the need for better planning. But the benefits should not be calculated only in monetary terms. Also, how do we connect tourism with trade? For instance, Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand visited us a couple of years back. She visited only Bodh Gaya and Nagaland from reports. Did anyone follow up her visit? We must learn to make use of every available opportunity.

Conclusion The end-objective of economic development is the development and growth of the human being. Therefore, any talk of trade and commerce and better livelihood options etc. are for the improvement of life of the people and increasing their happiness factor.

If this is so, then we need to see the various parameters of Human Development and see if our trade and commerce objectives will fulfil these and whether they will further the UN Millennium goals!

Nagaland, like any other state or community, naturally, will require to plan adequately and to strategize its thought-through and well defined objectives.

(The author is State Representative on the Study on the Infrastructures based on the Act East Policy for the Northeastern States under the Techno-Economic Development Fund (TEDF) of GoI, administered by the NEDFI. The present piece is in response to the Chief Minister’s May 5 invitation (media reports) to share ideas and make suggestions for a new Vision document for Nagaland).

Forgive retired Indian bureaucrats but answer questions

I

t is the wonder of wonders that finally "NSCN (IM) responds to articles" through all the local Medias on 20-05-2016. The retired Indian bureaucrats are equally amused and more inclined to believe that it is NSCN (IM) who needs to stop 'whining at the wrong time' and start answering disturbing questions 'at the right time' so as to eliminate suspicion and confusion that they...[NSCN (IM)] in cahoots with R.N. Ravi... have thus far been able to generate. Let it very clearly be understood by the "Collective Leadership" that Naga issue is not an exclusive preserve of NSCN (IM). Every concerned Nagas worth their salt (regardless of whether they are retired Indian bureaucrats or otherwise) are stake holders and therefore has every legitimate right to 'poke their nose' and poke their everything else into this subject to clear their minds since all Naga related issues have direct bearing on their future without exception. The one sided eyewash 'in the form of Consultative Meetings' after the 'Framework Agreement' being referred to had only "sufficiently laid bare" the non-transparent "nature of the Talk" without a clue as to its prospect. Why else should so many awkward questions consistently keep popping up? May I beg to remind the NSCN (IM) that Mr. Bharat Bhushan is a respected mainland senior journalist and not just another street boy making useless noises and that he had qualified his analysis based on internal Naga source close to the ongoing negotiation?

It was therefore all the more valid a reason for the NSCN (IM) to have clarified their position on all those sustentative issues that were reflected that everyone anxiously wanted to know, instead of childishly brushing it off as an outsider poking his nose into our Naga business. It is not in anyone's interest to keep dodging the questions unanswered and instead waste time with snide personal remarks against others raising uncomfortable but well meaning questions.

So, yet again as a starter: Have the Nagas been struggling against the invaders these 70 long years to try and salvage their God ordained freedom just so as to have it trampled under the Communist regime of NSCN (IM) yet again through their so-called Independent NSCN (IM) Communist Naga Constitution supposedly being incorporated as an integral part of the Indian Constitution? While the notion of an "Independent Naga Constitution" within the Indian Constitution is a total hogwash of a theory based on which NSCN (IM) and Mr. R.N. Ravi have perhaps been loud mouthing the subject of 'shared sovereignty', there is no such thing as 'shared' sovereignty. Sovereignty is indivisible...a part of a whole cannot be the whole neither can a whole be a part. Be that as it may, it is more than unfortunate and certainly not very amusing for the Nagas to be watching The Chairman and the General Secretary of the NSCN (IM) 'failing to catch up' with all the phenomenal changes taking place around the world while they obliviously continue to swim in the stagnant pool of the past. That they happened to be in China and got cultured during 1966 'Cultural Revolution' that swept across China is unfortunate for the Nagas but an understandable infection where they individually are concerned. What is not understandable however, is their dogged entrenchment in the outdated Chinese philosophy discarded even by the Chinese themselves. There is no denying that they have benefitted immensely by adopting Mao Zedong's 'Red Book' philosophy that 'power flows through the barrel of a gun' and has thoroughly proven it to the fear stricken populace over and over again with their AK 47 induced multiple 'sovereignty tax' extortion which has unquestionably contributed towards opulent display of the personal wealth of almost all the big fish swimming in the communist cesspool of NSCN all over Nagaland and beyond, no matter which faction of the NSCN they belong. Their overzealous wealth and landed property amassing endeavours is in stark contradiction with their stated policy as enshrined in Part V: Article 1 and 2 of their 'Yehzabo' on the subject of "Nationalisation of land and forest and private ownership" respectively. Is it the intention of the "Collective Leadership" (whichever factions they may belong) to impose this law on the masses but not on themselves?

Otherwise, if they truly believe in the fairness of law enshrined in their "Yehzabo" their desperate efforts to amass personal wealth at the cost of the populace would be a meaningless exercise if it is all going to be 'Nationalised' in the end...don't you think?

Nagas would certainly like to believe that the NSCN (IM) has the best interest of the Nagas at heart but they are certainly not doing any favours to themselves to convince the Nagas of the same by their suffocating secrecy and hedging around the bush without addressing the core questions which have been troubling the minds of every well meaning sensible Naga. Such an arrogant attitude will positively generate more suspicion rather than foster confidence.

Please, with folded hands we therefore plead...if NSCN (IM) has nothing to hide from the Nagas of Nagaland, answer the questions forthrightly and try to garner support of all the Nagas without doubts.

It is the only positive option available.

Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd) Upper Forest Colony, Kohima E-mail ID: kksema@gmail.com

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.

saturday 21•05•2016

EntErtainmEnt

Pink tutus in the misty mountains…

The stor y of Ballet education in Nagaland Akangchila Longchar

D

~Ballerinas share their thoughts~

Sophia Lirhoni Mozhui “It is every girls dream to be a ballerina. Ballet has helped me to be graceful. Being a professional ballerina in the future won’t hurt.”

Vivien Shaw “Ballet instructors are supposed to be strict and unapproachable but Quine is warm and gentle. She’s also a motherly figure to us. We have so much fun learning ballet from her.”

Linovi Dora “We come alive when we do ballet. We look forward to ballet class even after a hard day at school. Initially, the boys in school used to tease us but they are now accustomed to us being ballerinas.”

Morung Express News

uring the 2014 Hornbill Festival, at Kisama, tourists got more than what they bargained for. After days of watching traditional dance troupes, they never expected to come across Naga ballerinas dancing effortlessly to ‘The Swan Lake’.

Ballet! In Nagaland???

Yes! And it was not just tourists, but a good section of Nagaland who took time to get accustomed to the tutus! Many assumed it was just a passing fancy, you know, one of those new age trends. Little did we know that this was the beginning of Ballet Education in Nagaland.

The story actually took shape in Singapore, when a petite Ballerina by the name of Quine met her husband Razo Vasa from Nagaland. Quine is Malaysian Chinese and a ballet dancer since school.

She recounts how sad she felt when she had to pack her ballet shoes to come to Nagaland. But everything changed, when she was introduced to the Director of Hope Centre for Ex-

cellence, Zubeno Mozhui (Zuby). Zuby is one of the visionaries behind the music centre which is instrumental and renowned in imparting world-class music training. ~The Inspiration ~ Zuby recounts how the idea of starting Ballet education in Nagaland stayed so strong in her after she met Quine. My daughter was young at that time, and every little girl wants to be a ballerina, so I thought why not explore the concept.

Everyone told me I was crazy, she laughs. But my desire to provide little girls the opportunity that one can only dream about really drove me to zero down and make it a reality. People even went to the extent of admonishing her that ‘this is not our culture’, but against all odds she persisted! Today her daughter is a Grade 5 ballerina. ~The Teacher~ Quine shares, “We provide ballet education using the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the most renowned ballet company in the world, established since 1920 and

(On the extreme left) Zubeno Mozhui, Director of Hope Centre for excellence (Right) Quine Vasa, Ballet Teacher with the ballerinas.

patrons by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Ballet builds up a child’s agility, balance, grace and strength gradually. In the beginner grades, small steps were designed to help develop basic skills and strength. When they reach grade 3 and 4 onwards where basic pointe, demi-pointe, turn out, split, and classical walking are matured. I continue to work on their confidence to perform solo and group dances, on top of that their expressions and pose.

There are two types of ballet shoes. Beginners wear a soft ballet shoe to learn the basic skills, steps and built up strength and technique. Subsequently, Pointe shoes enable the dancer to balance, spin,

hop, pounce, slide, and linger on the tips of her toes. A ballerina should be trained for several years in soft shoes before she wears a pointe shoes.

No one lacking proper technique and adequate strength should attempt toe-dancing.” ~Not just Entertainment~ Ballet is not like any other dance forms, it has an academic syllabus. It is a serious art and highly skilled dance form. Quine defines Ballet as “graceful strength” and says that it is not just physical training.” It builds a child; they also learn how to accomplish things. All these are good things for children, a lot of people see ballerinas as very frail or soft but we are not like that. In order to achieve a good pose we

For love of paintings and sketch works

need a lot of strength,” she adds. ~Ballet Takes Time~ Quine shares, “Trainees and their parents expect to see immediate results. They don’t realize you need time to develop.

A lot of parents ask why their kids are not standing on their toes still. The run out of patience and after a year they drop out. This really makes me sad.” ~The future of Ballet~ Quine hopes for a lot more participation in Nagaland, because ballet is not a solo act. There are solo parts for ballerinas, but it is not a solo act. Also, she feels Naga children are so talented and a delight to teach.

On this note, Zuby points out that Ballet is not pursued by many, mainly

because it is expensive. We don’t intend to but the costumes and shoes, staging for every ballet show is very specific. She adds, “I have done charitable shows to my best ability but I can’t always ask the teachers and professionals to teach or do shows for free, this is also their livelihood. So, I always think about this- If there could be patrons willing to sponsor talented kids in Nagaland to train in ballet, it would be amazing, don’t you think?

Ballet students at Hope Centre for Excellence, Dimapur have grown from 7 students from year 2009 to more or less 35 students now. It remains the only Centre in North East and East Zone of India which offers ballet education.

The 2014 Hornbill Festival ballet show which won the hearts of the people.

The first batch of ballerina way back in 2010.

The original batch of Hope Centre ballerina today!

INDIHUT artist of the week

‘T

C M Y K

I

t is amazing to see the collections of the painting and sketch works of Oken Jeet Sandham on various personalities.

Sandham, a senior journalist and an author, has been sketching and painting portraits of international, national and regional politicians including Barack Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RJ (D) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, MP Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland Home Minister Y Patton.

Some of them are caricatures and cartoons. He has also done caricatures on pop and film stars that included late Michael Jackson and Shahrukh Khan.

Sandham is the Editor of the North East Press Service (NEPS), an Independent News Agency, published from Kohima.

He has recently authored a book on the Naga Political issue – “Narendra Modi and Naga Peace Accord” which is now globally available.

He is also internationally known Muaythai leader and the President of the Muaythai Federation of India.

“I have been painting and sketching on natures, animals, insects and humans since my childhood,” he said when asked as how he could sketch so well.

“I love painting and sketching and it is really a wonderful medium, and sometimes more powerful than writing,” he added.

Morung Express Feature

he Shuffles’ from Kohima formed on August 14, 2015 is a free genre band as their band name clearly says “shuffles” that is they never stick to one genre (they experiment new tunes to integrate into their music), they are a member of four in the band crazy about music. The band is composed of “the unique” Mülüsü Vasa on the drums, Manfao Walim “the gentleman” and a talented bassist, Yongjun Lee “the serious Korean dude” strums the lead guitar and Thejakuolie Dennis takes charge of the keyboard and is the crooner of the band.

Their first single titled ‘His Name’ was released on Indihut on May 15 which was recorded from Element Indie Studio. The song speaks about what Jesus Christ is to them and how they want to sing for his name.

They have been performing in schools, local concerts and state level programs. They look up to Maroon 5, Queen, Mr. Big, Hillsong, and Bethel music, and they in turn inspire the band. For ‘The Shuffles’, music is a way of life and expression and they hope they will be able to convey it through their music.

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Yoga Training Cavaliers rip Raptors for Barca fans to get Scottish flags at Cup Final Free underway in Dmp 10th playoff win in a row

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals. (AFP Photo)

C M Y K

Washington, May 20 (aFP): With LeBron James producing another overpowering performance, the Cleveland Cavaliers routed Toronto 108-89 Thursday, stretching their playoff record to 10-0 and moving closer to an NBA Finals return.

James scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and passed out 11 assists as the host Cavaliers, who swept through the first two playoff rounds, seized a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals with game three Saturday at Toronto.

"We're just a well-balanced, (well-)oiled machine," James said. "You have to do multiple things depending on how the series and the games go and we've been able to do that."

Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 26 points and Kevin Love added 19 for Cleveland, whose run is one shy of the NBA record playoff start of 11-0 achieved by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989 and 2001.

"It's always difficult to deal with me," four-time

NBA Most Valuable Player James said. "It adds even more when you have two all-stars with you who command multiple eyes every possession. They are in such a great rhythm I can do other things to help us win."

"This is the best I've felt in a while. When you have two guys like this to help you, it takes a lot of things off you."

The Cavaliers are two wins from facing the Western Conference champion, either Oklahoma City or defending NBA champion Golden State, in the NBA Finals that begin on June 2.

Cleveland lost to Golden State in last year's NBA Finals, but Love was out with an injury and Irving went down with an injury in game one.

The Cavaliers have led Toronto by 10 or more points throughout the second half in both games and Cleveland's Tyronn Lue, the first NBA coach to win his first 10 playoff games, credits Irving and Love for helping ease the load on James.

"When Kevin and Kyrie are playing at a high level it opens the floor for LeBron.

He can take a game over," Lue said. "The better the team performs, the easier it is on him."

The playoff victory was Cleveland's 17th in a row over foes from the same conference, the longest such NBA streak since 1970-71.

James, seeking a sixth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals after four years with Miami and last year, is hitting 18-of-26 from the field, dominating Toronto inside.

James had his 15th career "triple double" -- double-figure statistics in three categories -- and passed Shaquille O'Neal to reach fourth on the NBA career playoff scoring list.

The Raptors, led by DeMar DeRozan's 22 points, suffered their first back-toback losses of the playoffs.

Kyle Lowry, who scored 43 against the Cavaliers in a regular-season game, had only 10 points on 4-of14 shooting Thursday but vowed he would bounce back.

MaDriD, May 20 (rEutErs): Catalan nationalists said on Friday they would hand out 10,000 Scottish flags to Barcelona supporters in the Spanish King's Cup Final soccer match on Sunday after Madrid banned the display of the Catalan pro-independence flag in the stadium.

The prosperous northeastern region of Catalonia has seen rising separatist sentiment following a deep recession and the regional government seeks a split from Spain. Separatists see a parallel between their campaign and that of Scottish nationalists who failed in a 2014 referendum to achieve secession from the United Kingdom.

The caretaker government of the centre-right People's Party (PP) has refused to allow the region to hold a referendum on independence from Spain.

"We've chosen this symbol because it highlights the different treatment that Catalonia receives from Spain, compared with the UK government's treatment of Scotland," a group of

Catalunya's separatist supporters wave "Esteladas" (Catalan separatist flags) supporting Scotland's independence during FC Barcelona's Champions League soccer match against Apoel Nicosia at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, September 17, 2014. (REUTERS/Files)

Catalan nationalist organisations said in a statement.

Scots rejected independence by 55-45 percent in a vote in 2014. Spanish officials said the banning of the whitestarred Catalan pro-independence flag, or 'estelada', was

Indian eves settle for bronze in Uber Cup

Kunshan, May 20 (Pti): Indian women's team settled for a bronze medal after suffering a 0-3 defeat at the hands of defending champions China in the semifinals of the Uber Cup badminton championship, here today.

After top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu went down narrowly against their respective opponents in the two singles match, Jwala Gutta and N Sikki Reddy also bit the dust in the first doubles, ending India's campaign. Indian eves had scripted history in the last edition when they won a historic bronze in New Delhi and they repeated the feat this time at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium.

Indian eves, who assured themselves a bronze after 3-1 win over Thailand yesterday, needed a magi-

cal performance to tame 13-time champions China at home but unfortunately the miracle did not happen.

Starting the proceedings once again, Saina played out of her skin before losing 15-21 21-12 1721 in a thrilling match that lasted an hour and four minutes. It was her eighth successive loss to Li. The last time Saina had beaten the Olympic champion was in 2012 Indonesia Open.

Coming into the match with a 4-5 head-to-head record against Shixian Wang, Sindhu went full throttle before suffering a 13-21 2123 in a 50-minute match. It was her fourth consecutive loss against the World No. 6.

Down 0-2 in the five-match rubber, Jwala and Sikki tried their best before capitulating 6-21 6-21 against Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei.

part of security measures in the match to be held in Madrid on Sunday between Barcelona and Sevilla soccer clubs. The group said they would hand out the Scottish Saltire flag - a white X-shaped cross on a blue background.

DiMaPur, May 20 (MExn): A onemonth long Free Yoga Training commenced here in Dimapur today. According to a press release received here, the Free Yoga Training is being undertaken

by Gnana Nirmala, National Training Commissioner cum Regional and Nagaland State Secretary, Hindustan Scouts & Guides, on the recommendation of Central Council of Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. The month-long training will conclude on June 20 culminating with the International Yoga Day celebration on June 21.

The training will be held at Holy Cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur from 5:30a.m. to 6:30a.m.; near Eastern Publication from 4.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. & 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and Jain Bhavan in the existing timetable. People from 5 years and above, both males and females can participate.

The dress code for children is T-Shirts and Tracksuits while Men and Women can wear clothes as per their comfort to do Yoga. Participants have been requested to bring bedsheets or mats. Students who have exams may participate and procure their certificates from June 5 to June 20 and join the grand International Yoga Day celebration on June 21, the release stated.

THE GLOBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, NAGALAND A State University established by the Government of Nagaland under The Global Open University Act 2006 (Act 3 of 2006) Headquarter : Dimapur 797 112

No.GOUK/PRC/7-7/2010

Dated Dimapur the 20th of May 2016

NOTIFCATION This is to notify all the students of distance education program under the establishment of The Global Open University, Nagaland that the upcoming June session examination is scheduled from 20th June 2016 to 30th June 2016 at Dimapur Campus, Sodzulhou Village, opp. JCB Showroom, NH-29, Dimapur, Nagaland.

All the concerned students are requested to submit their examination forms to the Dimapur Office by the 13th June 2016.

Forms can be collected from Dimapur Office or can be downloaded from the official website https://www.nagaland.net.in.

Final year students are also requested to clear any pending dues before the exam. All concerned students are requested to submit their assignments and thesis before the June exam.

Sd/Dr. KC MURRY Controller of Examinations The Global Open University, Nagaland

Published, Printed and Edited by Dr. Aküm Longchari from House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur at Themba Printers and Morung Publications , Padum Pukhuri Village, Dimapur, Nagaland.

RNI No : NAGENG /2005/15430. House No.4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur 797112, Nagaland. Phone: Dimapur -(03862) 248854, Fax: (03862) 235194, Kohima - (0370) 2291952

For news email: morung@gmail.com and for advertisements and circulation contact: (03862) 248854, Fax-235194 or email : morungad@yahoo.com

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