November 17th 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 317

G20 commits to growth, fight climate change

By Sandemo Ngullie

Morung Express Feature Pughoboto | November 16

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Is the Nagaland media strengthening transparency in public affairs? Yes

no

Others

Will the Ebola epidemic affect inflow of tourists to The Hornbill Festival 2014? Yes

27% 57%

no Others

16%

Details on page 7

Wreathed Hornbills sighted at Dimapur Zoological Park DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 16 (DIPR): The Director of the Zoological Park Dimapur has informed that six wreathed Hornbill birds (Rhyticeros undulates) have been sighted at the Zoological Park, Dimapur on November 15. The Director of the Zoological Park has attributed the arrival of the birds to the wildlife protection efforts that have been initiated and to the rising awareness in the state on the need to protect wildlife. He has appealed to the people to preserve these rare birds and save them from extinction.

Travelling with a smoker increases cancer risk

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NEw YORk, NOVEMBER 16 (IANS): While simply sitting in cars with people who smoke, nonsmokers breathe in a host of potentially dangerous compounds that are associated with cancer, heart disease and lung disease, says a new research. In a significant study, 14 nonsmokers sat for one hour in the passenger seat of a parked sport utility vehicle behind a smoker in the driver’s seat. The nonsmokers showed elevated levels of butadiene, acrylonitrile, benzene, methylating agents and ethylene oxide (carcinogens and other toxins) in their urine. This group of chemicals is “thought to be the most important among the thousands in tobacco smoke that cause smoking-related disease”, said senior investigator Neal Benowitz, professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). This is the first study to measure exposure to these particular chemicals in people exposed to second-hand smoke. “This tells us that people, especially children and adults with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma or a history of heart disease, should be protected from second-hand smoke exposure in cars,” lead author Gideon St. Helen from UCSF said.

Monday, november 17, 2014 12+4 pages Rs. 4 –Socrates

‘Truth, Mercy, Justice and Peace form reconciliation’ [ PAGE 2]

Defamation not an offence elsewhere, India reluctant to follow [ PAGE 08]

[ PAGE 11]

Kohli’s century helps India sweep ODI series [ PAGE 12]

‘I’m not confident enough to do business’

Thuwu-ni steps in to strengthen farmer confidence

Sir, is there nothing left to steal? never mind, please leave some for me.

Beware the barrenness of a busy life

‘Mandela always told me to use myself to help other people’

[ PAGE 09]

reflections

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When Aheli Sheqi (40) is asked what a ‘government’ means, she is slightly baffled. Is it a trick question? “Supply korey,” she says, after some prodding, implying that the government supplies things to the people—but people “on top” or close to local leaders get access to these ‘things.’ She has voted nearly 10 times in her life but has never met a candidate. A road to Pughoboto is the only sign that tells her that a government does this work too. What does she expect from the government? Nothing, she says, at first, but then admits that a ration card could help. For many such little identified residents of Pughoboto, Thuwu-ni, a festival for growth and progress, has come as a surprise. Aheli looks up at her Yongchak (tree beans) as the music from the Pughoboto Town local ground hosting Ahuna at Thuwuni pours in—she has heard that farmers (both men and women) from the 24 villages of Pughoboto have

set up stalls to showcase/ sell their produce. “I won’t go this year—it’s difficult to take care of my child without a babysitter and I’m not confident enough to do business,” but she has the Yongchak in mind which she sells to whoever comes by to fetch them at whatever price because “I can’t even pluck them!” Thuwuni could be her way out. She sees them as a means to escape her over dependence on an alcoholic husband. For honey producers, Vitoshe Sheqi (44) and Vitohe Swu (57), the stalls at Thuwu-ni are a boon. Since they began production, in the past 3-4 years, their honey has been marketed by the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM). This year, NBHM didn’t show up, but Thuwu-ni came along. “A platform like this encourages us a lot— we might have potential to produce but little chance of exposing them,” says Vitoshe, who, like other farmers finds it hard to independently market, or even store what they produce. Becoming part of the market economy is a long way still. “People have moved too far away from the fields in a bid to enter the cash economy,” explains entrepreneur Nitoshe Sheqi (30) from Mishili village, Pughoboto, who handled

Women from Mishilimi village excited about selling a wooden dao-holder to a customer on november 14 at their stall during Thuwu-ni, Pughoboto. On sale were farm produce like orange, ginger, peanut, banana, honey, pumpkins etc. apart from hand crafted wood work from 24 villages in the Pughoboto area. (Morung Photo)

the marketing aspect at the stalls. “Selling vegetables for even 10 days has the potential to earn people as much as a 4th grade government job—going back to the land is the most profitable option for the Naga people,” says a confident Nitoshe. Start small, he advices, but start. Learning business is like learning how to swim; you learn a

few tricks and then master organized production for it with practice. sale and profit is yet unclear. Thuwu-ni’s organizThuwu-ni: Festival ers aim to take small steps of growth & progress towards larger goals, from The Thuwu-ni Festival subsistence to sustenance. seeks to provide this ini“From 2014 to 2017, we tial confidence that people will follow a process whereof Pughoboto area lack. in the best produce from evFarmers, for instance, in ery village will be identified Pughoboto have produced first,” says Y. Vikheho Swu for their own consumption (47), convener of the Festitill now, so the concept of val, and Parliamentary Sec-

retary for Irrigation & Flood Control, and Election, Government of Nagaland. The focus to develop his constituency is in the three core areas of ‘farming, meat production and tourism.’ “From 2018, once we know what we produce best, we can focus on bringing technology, and then on food sufficiency, or Food for All, by 2025,” he articulates of his vision for the constituency that elected him as their leader. Thuwu-ni will follow a cyclic process where awareness is raised around the best crops for the season in Pughoboto area, and boards placed around villages to disburse information. The cycle will end with Thuwu-ni in Pughoboto as an annual fare. The cycle will also touch upon cleanliness. The focus on this aspect was clear as Vikheho Swu picked up empty plastic bottles and wrappers whenever he could. Everyone stuck their garbage to bamboo woven bins placed all round Pughoboto Town, the rest was picked up by young boys from the local community on the round all day during the two-day Festival. This remained in striking contrast to festivals in Dimapur which leave a mountain of plastic waste for magic and ragpickers to

clean up. The overall achievements will take time, admits Vikheho. “Only last year Pughoboto got a new road,” he says. “80% of the people travelling to and from Zunheboto now pass by Pughoboto,” which shows the new found level of exposure. Thuwu-ni saw visitors from Kohima, Wokha, Zunheboto and Dimapur districts. It is this exposure that will bring more people like Aheli Sheqi, still wary of how to move forward, out slowly. “By the second year of Thuwu-ni, we expect more farmers to utilize the platform, but it is by the third year that they would be truly empowered to use and extend the platform,” explains Vikheho. The level of the Thuwu-ni team’s confidence is unfettered. The route, however, is clear and they are ready to chart it. Supporting indigenous affairs (sports, music, food) yet contemporizing the events around the celebration of indigeneity, is no small feat, often muddled up with a clawing effort to modernize by giving up core identities. Thuwu-ni is a platform around festivities that can be owned by the people for their sustenance, bringing social equity and working with the environment.

UNTABA considers filing PIL on border dispute ‘Media crucial to strengthen Morung Express news Dimapur | November 16

The United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) has stated that it is contemplating filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with regard to the land dispute between Assam and Nagaland states. According to the UNTABA, the case filed by Assam state in the Supreme Court in 1988 was unconstitutional. “Litigation of inter-state boundary by any court is unconstitutional,” said Hukavi Yepthomi, chairman of the UNTABA on November 16 in Dimapur. An UNTABA delegation recently visited New Delhi to bring the Prime Minister’s attention on the protracted border dispute. According to Yepthomi only the Parliament has power over boundary demarcation of a state or states. He asserted that the claim has constitutional basis as enshrined in Articles 3 and 4 of the Con-

stitution of India. The Assam Government’s insistence on the ‘1925 Notification’ of the then British Government as the binding and final boundary demarcation between the two states has no basis, Yepthomi said, while maintaining that Nagaland has genuine documentary evidence to disprove Assam’s claims. While the delegation could not meet the PM, it however submitted a 13-point representation to be forwarded to the PM, while another copy was submitted to the Union Home Minister. The delegation also met Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State (Home Affairs) and the Director of Internal Security, in-charge of the north-east. While stating that UNTABA received the “green signal” from the Nagaland Chief Minister for the Delhi visit, he added that it will be submitting a copy of the representation to the Nagaland

government soon. “Bringing back Naga territory transferred to Assam by the British Government was the core of the issue,” reiterated Yepthomi. In this regard, Yepthomi appealed to all Naga Political Groups in negotiation with the Centre “to raise the issue in the right perspective.” Maintaining that the Supreme Court has acknowledged that it cannot arbitrate on the matter, Yepthomi said that the SC has, as a result, through an interim order, directed the Home Ministry to amicably settle the matter. The Home Ministry had communicated the same to the two state governments in concern. An outcome of the initiative is a Chief Secretarial level meeting of the two states, which was initially set for November 15, will take place on November 16 in Guwahati. Yepthomi further said that the delegation would revisit Delhi to meet the PM

in person. This will however depend on the outcome of the meeting between the two Chief Secretaries, it was added. The subject of the representation to the PM read: “Demand for fulfilment of political agreements of point no.4 & 6 of ‘9 Point Agreement’ and point no. 12 & 13 ’16 Point Agreement’ vis-à-vis bringing back the Naga territories in Assam to Nagaland.” It outlined the history of the gradual transfer of a large tract of Naga territory (some 12.8 thousand square kms) to Assam during the last century, which the UNTABA asserts was merely for administrative convenience. It termed the ‘Disturbed Area Belt’ nomenclature as a unilateral declaration of the Assam state government and termed this as unacceptable, while reiterating the UNTABA’s stand of not recognising “all the interim agreements” entered since 1972.

‘Towards a better world’ Former CM Vizol’s biography released on 100th birth anniversary Our Correspondent Kohima | November 16

A biography of two time Nagaland state Chief Minister, Vizol was released today in commemoration of his 100 birth anniversary at John Government Higher Secondary School Viswema. Authored by Akhale Vizol Khamo, daughter of Vizol, the biography entitled ‘Towards a better world,’ was released by the former Chief Minister’s wife, Razoulhouii, who is 94 years old. Born on November 16, 1914 at Viswema village, Kohima district, Vizol underwent his education at Mission High School, Kohima, and graduated from St Edmund’s College, Shillong. He then served in the Royal Indian Air Force from 1941 to 1946 during the Second World War. After the war, he served as a private teacher in John High School in Viswema village. He later served as the principal

Former nagaland CM Vizol.

of the Naga National High School, Kohima, from 1953 to 1956. He joined politics and contested in 1964 from the 15 Southern Angami II Assembly Constituency and was elected as the leader of the opposition in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He was re-elected in 1974 and served as Chief Minister from 1974 to 1975, was again chosen uncontested to the Nagaland Assembly in 1977

and became the Chief Minister for the second time from 1977 to 1980. He was a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 1992 to 1997. He was the co-founder of the Democratic Party of Nagaland which is now Naga People’s Front (NPF). At the launch event, speakers stated that during his life “Vizol led a life of simplicity, honesty and was peace loving person, which he depicted by giving living example to the rest of the people.” His motto at the age of 80 years “Towards a better world” depicted his vision for the society to have a better future, ultimately deriving the title for the biography, it was added. Dr. Dietho-o, ex MLA shared his brief experience with Vizol. M Zhasa, retired Commissioner and Secretary; KV Pusa, former Minister; Viketol Sakhrie, Commissioner and Secretary for Rural Development and KN Pusha also spoke on the occasion.

transparency in public affairs’ Our Correspondent Kohima | November 16

Nagaland along with the rest of the country today observed the National Press Day under the theme ‘Transparency in public affairs- Role of the press.’ Events were held at Kohima and Dimapur to commemorate the day. In Kohima, the event was held at the Kohima Press Club (KPC), jointly organized by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations and KPC. Theme speaker, K Temjen Jamir, Editor of Tir Yimyim and President, Nagaland Press Association said that without transparency in public affairs, people are deprived from the right to know and remove them from participation in decision making processes, even if it affects their present and future lives. He further stated that the absence of transparency creates an undesirable social and political condition that encourage corruptions, abuse of power, unresponsive and insensitive government and various form of nepotism. “The consequences of running public affairs without transparency are drastic and will impair all democratic values and makes the principle of welfare state a mockery,” Jamir said. “People have the right to know the details of the steps and measures taken by the different elements of the system,” he asserted. Jamir however lamented that the lack of transparency in the state has prevented execution of legislations passed in the assembly, increase in the

state’s financial deficit, abnormal growth of the number of state government employees and the failure of most projects undertaken by the government. To address this, he termed the role of the media as crucial. “The press is regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy and often termed as a watchdog. It is therefore natural that people have high expectations from the media in the matter of ensuring transparency in public affairs,” he said.

in society and highlight their living conditions.” Meanwhile, in Dimapur, the day was commemorated at Press Point Dimapur. Principal of City Law College, Dimapur, P Leonard Aier noted that the “press fraternity” is, by extension, a reflection of society’s health. While briefing the gathering on the various legal provisions in relation to the freedom of the press vis-à-vis the freedom of speech and expression, Aier likened the freedom of the press to the biblical “arc of covenant.” “Just as Noah’s Arc saved humanity, democracy is also saved by the freedom of the press,” he said. He further encouraged the media to play the role of inter-mediator between the ruled and the rulers to ensure transparency of process. Aier further observed that advertisement rates in local newspapers, especially for obituaries and felicitations, “have become too expensive.” Reasoning that business doesn’t always mean “exorbitant rates”, he suggested that the rates should be “made reasonable.” Editor of Nagaland Page, Monalisa Changkija encouraged journalists to “read a lot” and understand their responsibilities clearly. She also encouraged them to “move ahead” while saying, “by no stretch of imagination I am going to say we have done a great job” as journalists. “All of us need to do a lot,” she stated. DPRO Dimapur, Siewatho also spoke at the event and called for better communication with the department of IPR.

Media fraternity in Nagaland observes National Press Day Jamir added that people expect the media to highlight the government’s policies, schemes and projects and reveal the actual positions of their implementation. He continued that it should be the role of the media to highlight to the public both the successes and failures of government policies and programmes. “When we analyze the situation in Nagaland, the media has, of late been aggressive in highlighting corruptions in public affairs, though lacks proper investigative reporting, which could have helped in building a culture of openness and disclosure that has made the government more accountable,” he said. Also stating that the media should keep citizens engaged in the business of governance by informing, educating and mobilizing the public, Jamir said “The press must reach out to the most marginalized and effected groups and persons

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November 17th 2014 by The Morung Express - Issuu