November 23rd, 2015

Page 1

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

monDAY • november 23 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 319 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

Perhaps too much of everything is as bad as too little Bangladesh executes two opposition leaders for 1971 war crimes PAGe 9

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | November 22

C Y K

C M Y K

The GPRN/NSCN has reasserted that it remains firm on the move for Naga unification initiated eight years ago. “GPRN/NSCN began the unification move and we continue to believe and insist that unity is possible,” stated a message from Gen. (Rtd) Khole Konyak, ChairYou didn’t have money for man of the GPRN/NSCN ‘Chai pani’ so the good of- on the 8th ‘Naga Unificaficer took your pocket in- tion’ commemoration on stead? November 22 at its designated camp, Khehoi. The Morung Express The message was read Poll QuEsTion out by Alezo Venuh, Envoy Vote on www.morungexpress.com to the Collective Leadership at the function, which sMs your answer to 9862574165 had in attendance leaders Are you satisfied with the of four NNC/FGN offshoots. Nagaland State govt’s Kiumukam Yimchunger, initiative for a new recruitment President of NNC (Non Acpolicy that is fair, transparent and judicious? Why? cordist) (Kiumukam/Hangping); Z. Royim Yimchunger, President of NNC (Non AcYes no others cordist) (Z. Royim/V. Nagi); Rather than taking honest responsibility for failures and Puthai Lam, Kilo Kilonser challenges are Nagas hiding of FGN (Shingya/Zhopra); behind the cloak of religion? and Temjenyanger Aier, Yes 71% president of NNC (Non Ac10% no cordist) (Temjenyanger/ 19% others Hozheto) were the leadDetails on page 7 ers present besides a host of representatives from the Naga civil society. Khole, in the message said that the unification KOHIMA, NOV 22 (MExN): Nagaland state Governor, PB Acharya has summoned the 10th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on December 14 in the Assembly Hall, Kohima from GUWAHATI, NOVEM9:30 AM onwards. This was BER 22 (TNN): Nagacommunicated through land governor P B Acharya a press release issued by stood by the Assam Rifles’ Commissioner & Secretary, October notification isN Benjamin Newmai. sued to newspapers in that state, which accused them of being complicit in illegal activities by publishing statement of banned organizations. Acharya, who is also KOHIMA, NOVEMBER governor of Assam, said 22 (MExN): Speaker of here on Sunday that the Asthe NLA, Chotisuh Sazo, sam Rifles had done what is has now disposed of two prescribed under law. petitions concerning the “As per the law, the AsNPCC. The first, K. The- sam Rifles had done the rie, President, NPCC Vs S.I. right thing. Any banned Jamir MLA and others, was organization will not get dismissed vide an Order the publicity in our newsdated November 20. The papers. If they (armed outsecond, in which S.I. Jamir fits) are in peace agreement and seven others claimed with the government, their merger was accepted and statements can come in the the claimants declared as newspapers,” Acharya said. members of the NPF LegThe Assam Rifles sent islature Party vide an order the notification on October dated November 21. Mean- 25 saying that by reporting while, the NLA Speaker has of press statements issued also disposed off the peti- by National Socialist Countion filed for disqualifica- cil of Nagaland (Khaplang) tion of MLA Noke Wangnao (NSCN-K), the newspapers and 18 others as withdrawn. were supporting the unlawful association intentionally or unintentionally. The notification accused the editors of violating the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Acharya also echoed DIMAPUR, NOVEMthat as NSCN (K) is a BER 22 (MExN): The Phom Students’ Confer- banned organization the ence (PSU) today stated Assam Rifles had to send that “the workmanship the notification. “There is a central law and work quality of state which prohibits publicity PWD has always fallen short of the expectation of banned outfits. Let law across the Eastern Na- takes its own course,” the galand all through the governor added. Following Assam Rifles’ years…” The PSU, in a press note, expressed support to notification, three English the ENSF’s demand that dailies in the state carried all major roads in eastern blank editorials on NaNagaland be transferred tional Press Day on Monto the BRO. It stated that day last in protest. Many of though road connectivity the editors in the state have and maintenances is the termed the notification as only lifeline of eastern Na- an attempt to gag the free galand, “the state PWD has press. They said they were failed to restore the dam- committed to ensuring imaged roads,” and urged the partial journalism by creatstate government to accede ing space for diverse viewpoints. to the ENSF demand.

NLA session on December 14

C Y K

PSU supports ENSF demand on eastern Nagaland’s roads

C M Y K

T R u T H

— Edna Ferber

‘Prologue’ to Vision Mokokchung 2040

Suarez, Neymar humiliate Real in ‘Clasico’ romp

PAGE 5

PAGe 12

move of 2007 was a step towards the formation of a single political platform for all Nagas. It gave a fresh impetus to the political environment, while it sought to erase all past differences and avoid further feuds. However, Khole said that the prospect of unification alarmed “a section of national workers”, who feared it would harm their policy. Spreading of false propaganda to derail the process and the chairman of the NSCN (IM), Isak Chishi Swu’s statement “denying endorsing any authority within NSCN (IM) to work for Naga unification,” he added. “The term ‘national principle’ was interpreted to suit their interest… some apex Naga organisations became party to ‘Solution first and Unity second’… thus began a new round of factional feud.” The message, while appreciating the solidarity of the NNC leaders, stated that the GPRN/NSCN Collective Leadership believes the “Naga sovereignty issue is inseparable from our existence.” With the NSCN (K) entering into an agreement with the Myanmar govern-

(From l-R) Alezo Venuh, Envoy to the Collective leadership GPRn/nsCn; Puthai lam, Kilo Kilonser of FGn (shingya/Zhopra); Gen. (Rtd) Khole Konyak, Chairman of the GPRn/ nsCn; Temjenyanger Aier, President of nnC (non Accordist) (Temjenyanger/Hozheto); Kiumukam Yimchunger, President of nnC (non Accordist) (Kiumukam/Hangping); and Z. Royim Yimchunger, President of nnC (non Accordist) (Z. Royim/V. nagi) at the 8th ‘naga Unification’ commemoration on November 22.

ment in 2012 and the NSCN (IM) supporting the United Naga Council’s demand for ‘alternative political arrangement’ for the Nagas of Manipur, the GPRN/NSCN has been forced to act for the rights of the people of Nagaland, Khole said in the

message. It further stated that SS Khaplang’s agreement with Myanmar and the NSCN (IM)’s August 3 Accord, if it suits the interest of Nagas living across the international border and Nagas of Manipur, the GPRN/NSCN has no issue

with that. It however added, “What pleases the Naga people in Manipur will not necessarily be acceptable to the people of Nagaland.” With the Government of India ruling out merger of Naga-inhabited lands into

Nagaland “All Nagas must therefore live and progress in their own states and domiciles till such time future generation attains physical integration of Naga areas through historical right and greater political will.” On the same note, Ato Kilonser, K Kitovi Zhimomi, in his address said that with Th. Muivah admitting that sovereignty and integration is not possible, the Nagas of Nagaland should have a separate agenda. Muivah choosing not to make public the contents of the August 3 Accord only shows that it is not significant to the Nagas of Nagaland, he added. Peace activist, Niketu Iralu, who also addressed the function, recalled the ideals and aspiration of the pioneers, who launched the Naga struggle for identity and dignity. Stating that such a struggle is the most demanding and complicated, he said that the people involved make mistakes because of the weaknesses and shortcomings common to all human beings. “We the Nagas too have made serious mistakes.” “Our crisis today is threatening to overwhelm us because instead of admitting our own mistakes,

which will inspire others to do likewise, we are blaming one another and this has paralysed our struggle and our society.” According to Iralu, it is time to seriously listen to “our conscience” instead of only listening to “our head”, which has produced cleaver tactics and stratagems against one another. From conscience will come imaginative, constructive ideas of statesmanship that will be right for all Nagas, he said while quoting, “Statesmanship is doing today what events will force you to do tomorrow.” This kind of statesmanlike leadership is what we urgently need from the leaders of all groups and factions today, he urged. Meanwhile, Alobo Naga, who performed at the function, challenged the leaders of the Naga struggle to let go of tribal and personal interests and fight for the Naga identity. “We are Nagas first.” “We’re living in such a small place but we’re always fighting amongst ourselves,” he said, further reminding that beyond the boundaries of the state, Nagas become insignificant with other people barely aware of “our existence.”

Gov backs AR notification Following paper leak, NBSE class IX to nagaland newspapers exam rescheduled to November 28

NLA Speaker declares 8 former Cong MLAs as NPFLP members

M

o F

Unity is possible: GPrn/nscn Morung Express news

M

P o W e R

C M Y K

Persecuted Hindus have right to come to India: Nagaland Gov GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 22 (IANS): Assam and Nagaland state Governor PB Acharya on Sunday said that Hindus persecuted anywhere in the world have the right to come to India and it was the duty of Indians to welcome them. “Hindus persecuted in other parts of the world have the right to come to India. It is our duty to receive them. Otherwise, where will they go? It is in this regard that I said that Hindustan is for Hindus,” the governor told the media at Raj Bhavan here. His statement on Sunday came a day after a section of the media quoted Acharya as saying that “Hindustan is for Hindus and that there is nothing wrong with that”. Acharya said a section of the media had published only half of his statement, making it controversial. The governor’s statement on Saturday about “Hindustan is for Hindus” stirred a controversy amid reports of large-scale illegal immigration from neighbouring Bangladesh and against the backdrop

of the Centre’s recent notification to allow religious minorities from neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh, fleeing persecution in those countries, to settle in India. About the Muslims living in these countries, Acharya said, “The Muslims can go anywhere. They can go to Pakistan or to India, just like Taslima Nasrin has come to settle in India.” Acharya expressed concern over the ongoing updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and said he had asked the department concerned to ensure a correct NRC without the name of even one illegal Bangladeshi migrant. “The officials concerned told me they have received 68,33,204 applications as of August 31. The process of physical verification is on. I am sure the department will complete the process by December, as fixed by the central government,” he said. “I am sure the updated NRC will not have names of any illegal immigrants,” the governor said.

A gazette notification earlier this month declared NSCN (K) and its front organizations as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The NSCN (K), which was involved in killing 18 army personnel in Chandel district of Manipur on June this year, was formed in 1988. The outfit abrogated ceasefire agreement with the centre on March this year. It signed the peace agreement in March 2001. Acharya said that with

NSCN (IM), the largest armed group in Northeast, having peace framework with the centre, the hope for peace has rekindled in the region. “If peace comes in Nagaland, it will give great hope for peace in the whole of Northeast. The peace framework with NSCN (IM) has rekindled that hope. Also the democratic process in neighbouring Myanmar is a positive symptom for the region’s peace and security,” the governor added.

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): Following the leakage of question papers for the NBSE Class IX final examinations 2015, the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) today rescheduled the exam to be conducted from November 28 to December 14. In a press release, NBSE Chairman, Asano Sekhose provided more insight into the details of the paper leakage. The board informed that the confidential packets containing the question papers were collected from the board’s office by the Headmaster of Mount Hermon School, Purana Bazar, Dimapur on November 19. However, on reaching Dimapur, “instead of keeping the packets in the school under safe custody, it was kept in his residence,” the NBSE said. The NBSE then revealed that on the morning of November 20, the Headmaster’s son, who is a Class IX student, had “stolen the packets, opened it and took out the question papers for English, Alternative English, Social Sciences,

Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, thereby causing leakage of the questions.” The NBSE informed that the Headmaster reported the matter to the board on November 20 in the afternoon, and subsequently an FIR was registered at East Police Station, Dimapur. As an immediate penal action, the board has cancelled the examination centre at Mount Hermon School. Further course of action will be initiated as per rules, it assured. The board informed that it would be issuing new question papers for English, Alternative English, Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education. Regarding the remaining subjects, it notified that schools may use the question papers already issued by the board. The new question papers will be delivered to the district headquarters on December 3 and 4 by the board officials, while schools under Kohima district can collect the papers from the board’s office.

NSF calls for thorough probe The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for a thorough investigation into the question paper leak for Class IX final examinations. A press note from the NSF Education Secretary, Imtiyapang urged that those responsible “must be punished severely so that this kind of unwanted incident does not happen in the examination system of the state.” While acknowledging the NBSE for their timely response to the situation, it appealed for the concerned authority to find a mechanism to tackle this kind of problem with utmost seriousness, once and for all. “This kind of question paper leakage problem has been happening from time to time,” the NSF stated. It further asked students to discharge their duty responsibly, and urged the public to provide “good ambience to the students so that they may be able to study properly without any disturbances.” NBSE Notice on Page 9

Nearly 100 bodies pulled from landslide at Myanmar jade mine

YANGON, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Nearly 100 bodies have been pulled from a landslide near a jade mine in Myanmar’s northern Kachin State and an estimated 100 people are still missing, a rescue official said on Sunday. The landslide happened in the early hours of Saturday in Hpakant, an area that produces some of the world’s highest-quality jade, but the mines and dump sites for debris are rife with hazards and landslides are not uncommon, though rarely this deadly. Workers, many of them migrants from other parts of the country, toil long hours for little pay. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said that many of the miners were sleeping in huts when the landslide occurred. An official with the Hpakant Township Fire Brigade told Reuters by telephone that 99 bodies had been recovered by late Sunday afternoon and that this number was likely to

People look for the bodies of miners killed by a landslide in Hpakant jade mine in Kachin state November 21, 2015. Picture taken November 21. (REUTERS)

rise. “We are sure the death toll will go up since many are still missing,” he said. The official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that the accident occurred near a mining site controlled by Triple One Jade Mining at around 3 a.m. on Saturday. It was unclear as to what triggered the landslide in the remote and mountainous region that is almost entirely off limits to foreigners.

A lawmaker also confirmed the figure. Zaw Htay, a senior official from the President’s Office, said that rescue efforts were being carried out by local authorities. “Responsible officials from Kachin State government are taking care of rescue and relief works,” he said. Myanmar’s jade industry is extremely opaque and much of the jade that is mined in Hpakant is believed to be smuggled to neighbouring China where the stone is highly valued.

According to researchers from environmental advocacy group Global Witness, which published a comprehensive report on the sector earlier this year, the value of jade production in Myanmar is estimated to have been as much as US$31 billion in 2014. Many of the jade mines are connected to government officials, members of armed ethnic groups and cronies with close ties to the former military government, the group found.

C M Y K

C M Y K C M Y K

C M Y K

C M Y K C M Y K


C

2

monDAY 23•11•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C

M

M

Y

Y

Bhojpuri Samaj honours young achievers

K

Morung Express News Dimapur | November 22

(LEFT) A feAther in the cAp of nAgA MAhilA bAttAlion: Personnel of the 15 NAP (IR) Mahila taking part in the drill competition on the final day (November 20) of the XXXVI Nagaland Police duty-cum-sports meet 2015 held at NAPTC ground, Chumukedima. The Mahila battalion march past 29 other units of Nagaland Police to emerge champions in the drill competition. The Naga Mahila battalion earned accolades for their security duty during the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi. (RIGHT) Woman personnel of the 15 NAP (IR) Mahila taking part in the weapons handling demo during the XXXVI Nagaland Police dutycum-sports meet 2015 held at NAPTC ground, Chumukedima. The Mahila battalion emerged runner-up in the weapons handling competition.

PSC federal assembly

LoNgLeNg, November 22 (mexN): The Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) will hold its Federal Assembly on November 27, 10:00 am at Anaki Phom village to be hosted by Anaki Phom Students’ Union. Therefore, the Union Assembly has requested all the

PSC officials and five members each from federating and sub-ordinate units to attend the meeting. It further appealed to all participants to reach Anaki village by November 26 and cautioned that stern action will be taken against the absentees.

One arrested for forgery

C

Kohima, November 22 (mexN): One woman has been arrested in Kohima for using the name and official seal of a public leader to make fake sale deed/ agreement. A press release from PRO, Kohima Police informed that an FIR was lodged at North PS Kohima by a public leader of Kezekie North Block, Kohima stating that his name and official seal was used for making fake sale deed/ agreement by the woman identified as Salieneiü Pienyü. Accordingly, the accused was taken into police custody Further, it was informed that during house search of the accused, Police recovered one sale deed/ agreement, two round seal and official stamp seal of the

Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, one RGD (Registration) stamp seal, one stamp seal of Block Development Officer (RD Block Chiephobozou), one stamp seal of Judicial Magistrate, 1st Class, Kohima, one stamp seal of GB Middle Bayavu colony, Kohima and one stamp seal of GB North Block – 3, Kezekie, Kohima from her possession. During preliminary enquiry, it was ascertained that the accused used to execute fake sale deed/ agreement and dupe the innocent public since 2013, the release stated. In this connection, a regular case vide Kohima North P.S Case No. 0104/15 U/S 466/467/478/475 IPC has been registered against her for conducting further investigation.

We feel pride in the success of any citizen in Nagaland, no matter which community they belong to, said Chief Minister TR Zeliang today. He was speaking as chief guest at the 5th Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj felicitation programme here today at Durga Mandir Hall, Dimapur. The annual event is held to honour young academic achievers from the Bhojpuri community in Nagaland. Congratulating the achievers, Zeliang said, “Human resource is most important amongst all parameters of development.” Society can be trans-

formed into a civilized society if an individual is changed, he implied. He acknowledged the contribution of the Bhojpuri community in Nagaland especially in construction and infrastructure development. Stressing that mediocracy is no longer enough in this fast changing world, he encouraged the students to constantly strive to do better and generate healthy competition among themselves. Noting that the successes of the students are largely dependent on parents also, Zeliang maintained that better awareness among the parents enable achievement. The guest of honour at the event, advisor to the Ur-

ban Development, SI Jamir noted, “Your civilization is more ahead of us with illustrious instances like the ancient Nalanda University and Taxila, the centres of learning in ancient India.” Jamir further said that as his constituency, he has better affinities with the older generation of migrants from the Bhojpuri community, but the younger generation – born and brought up in Nagaland – were no less a citizen. Batting for a cohesive society, he urged the gathering to show the rest of India that there is no religious intolerance in Nagaland. “Let us all maintain communal harmony,” he exhorted.

Earlier, talking about the activities of NRC, KP Avikasit informed that the Samaj consists of native inhabitants of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and, to some extent, Madhya Pradesh. Felicitating the nearly two dozen students who excelled in various academic fields, he noted that most of them are from humble backgrounds. They are sons and daughters of drivers, manual workers and small businesses making their success most sweet, he maintained. “If you have high intention, determined effort and skilled execution, you will excel,” he advised the students. The NRC general secretary RC Gupta also in-

CBCC mission conference 2015 at Phüsachodü

PheK, November 22 (mexN): The Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) is all set to hold its Mission Conference 2015 from November 27 to 29 under the theme “Partnership in Mission” at Phüsachodü Baptist Church. The speakers and resource persons of the conference include; Rev. Dr. Phuveyi Dozo, founder president, UCTM, Rev. Dr. VK Nuh, general secretary, FNBC, Rev. Khriitsoyi Lüruo, president, CBCC, Rev. Dr. Vezopa Tetseo, executive secretary, CBCC, Rev. Dr. Kenny Kapfo, director Mission International, AUR, Rev. Dr. Neingupe Chiero, pastor, Pfütsero Town Baptist Church, Rev. Kedoungulo Mero,

director, Chakhesang Mission Society, CBCC and Rev. Besütsoyi Demo, missionary in Nepal. They will talk on various topics like; “The Great Commission,” “Giving In Mission,” “ Revival & Mission,” “ Church Mission & Partnership,” “ The Blessing of doing Mission,” “Mission Oriented Church,” “Tent Making & Mission Opportunities,” “Church Planting & Multiplication Method” and “Living Sacrifice.” The opening service will take place on November 27 at 4:00 pm. The service will be led by Rev. Dr. Weyiete Lohe while organizing committee chairman Kiidecho Khamo will de-

liver welcome address. Inspirational service will take place on November 28 from 10:00 am onwards. Seminar has been scheduled at 1:00 pm. Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Chotisuh Sazo will also share greetings in the 2nd inspirational service at 4:00 pm. Sunday worship service will take place from 10:00 am onwards on November 29. Workshop will start at 1:00 pm. The closing service will take place at 4:00 pm. It will be led by Rev. Dr. Nüvocho Dzüdo. Food/accommodations shall be provided free of cost by the organizing committee and the host church.

formed the event was started in 2011 with a ‘thirst’ to do something for the community as suggested by young minds. Urging their community to stay connected with the Samaj, he stated, “A leaf stays alive as long as it remains connected to a tree.” Zeliang and Jamir were also accompanied by other State legislators like Minister of Power Kipili Sangtam and Minister for Road and Bridges, Vikheho Swu among others. The felicitation programme was followed by a cultural programme with varied group and solo performances highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Bhojpuri community.

NPCC meeting on November 26

Kohima, November 22 (mexN): The extended executive meeting of NPCC will be held on November 26, 11:00 am at Congress Bhavan, Kohima. Therefore, all the executive members, DCC presidents and frontal chiefs have been requested to attend the meeting without fail.

Cleanliness drive in Zboto

ZuNheboto, November 22 (DiPr): In view of the forthcoming All Sumi Students’ Union’s (SKK) Platinum Jubilee to be held from November 26 to 29 in Zunheboto Town, a mass cleanliness drive was held at the initiative of SKK on November 21. The social work was carried out in all the colonies and was participated by students and public leaders. C M

M Y

Dearest Mummy,

C Y K

Now that you are in the company of the Blessed you are reunited with Apuo. And smiling at you are all your beautiful ones that had gone before you... Now you will make joyful music with the angels, but for someone who spent her whole life teaching people how to sing, I imagine you might even be teaching the angels a new song or two! As for the rest of us who are left behind, we can only wrap ourselves in a prayer shawl of comfort and beseech our Father of Faithfulness that He will comfort us from all that appears too much to bear at this moment, from all that feels as if it might be the breaking point, from all that seems to threaten our peace of heart. We pray that He will be our shelter for this time of overwhelming grief, our shade in this time of sorrow too deep for words.... Meanwhile Mummy, this is my personal tribute to you: For all the times you stood by us For all the truth you made us see For all the wrongs you made right For all the love we found in you We are forever grateful. And like that song which sings of Heroes, you were always ours. We could fly because of youThe wind beneath our wings. Despite your poor, battered heart The strongest of us all. A Hopi prayer I once read Now tells me what to doSo I will not stand at your grave And weep For you are not there: You are the thousand winds that blow. You are the diamond glint on the snow; You are the sunlight on ripened grain; You are the gentle rain. When I waken in the morning's hush You are the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. You are the soft stars that shine at night. I will not stand at your grave. You are not there. You did not die. And everything beautiful that I see will bring a memory of you.... Kevileno (Haralu) Sakhrie. My grandma taught me many things. She taught me how to tie my shoe lace & wear my uniform the first day I went to school. She taught me to share my sweets & toys with others. To be generous. She taught me to be patient, to be humble, to be brave & most of all; to fear the Lord. I miss her so much. Atsa, go in peace. I'll always be your Kuku

C M Y K

Y

IN MEMORY

K

M

K

Raitu Haralu 16th November 2015, who would have known that this day would be the last day I'd be having my last conversation with my Atsa Lhusi Haralu. The next morning I was asleep when I got the call that she passed away, which I still think I haven't woken up from, I say this because my grandma

K

was not like anyone I know, young or old. Even though she was 83 years old she was strong and always active. I'm still in shock and its like a dream that she's not with us anymore. I keep thinking she'll pop up anytime asking " what are you all upto?". She was always curious when we were huddled in groups n just chit chatting. Amongst all her characters one of my favourite was her protectiveness, no matter who u were, she would always be there for you. I remember when I was at my lowest, my grandma called me n said "you are in my thoughts and I'll be praying for you". She was good for the soul my Atsa was. She was also very funny. My cousins and I would laugh about her and also with her. She was mischievous in many ways n always with a funny retort. For those who knew her u know u r blessed but I write this for those who didn't know my grandmother. My Atsa, she was someone who was exceptional in every way. Someone who can never be replaced and someone who is loved with all our hearts. I read somewhere that says "you never outgrow your grandmother's arms" I miss my hugs with her the most. I miss u Atsa. Watch over us. We will always love u.

C M Y K

Thejangunuo Medom I'm thinking of you with love today but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and the days before that too. I think of you in silence, cried a thousand times and often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. The moment that you died my heart was torn in two, one side filled with heartache, the other died with you. I often lie awake at night, when the world is fast asleep, and take a walk down memory lane, with tears upon my cheeks. Remembering you is easy, I do it everyday, but missing you is heartache that never goes away. I hold you tightly within my heart and there you will remain. Until the joyous day arrives, that we will meet again Atsa Hosanna Haralu "A sü npuo mu nzuo ho..." she would tell me, whenever I was low and confronted her. I miss you mummy. Thank you for being "everything and everyone" for me. Even if I start from now, I will never be able to achieve or do as much as you have done...never for yourself, but always for others! I love you so much mummy... Phono Haralu Today at the passing of my dearest Atsa, I am saddened and lonelier than ever before. This sudden death has broken my heart completely and I am still in shock and in disbelief. I always truly believed she would live upto a hundred being the vibrant and full of life person that she was. There is no amount of time that would ever fill up the huge hole that you've left in my heart. But Atsa today I also celebrate your life ! Your never ending love, your concern for absolutely everyone both young and old and your eagerness to always help. You were always there for everyone and will always be there still in spirit. I am honored and privileged to have such a beautiful and wonderful angel as my grandmother. Someone who lived a life soo full of LOVE. My stronghold, my mentor and my inspiration ! Rest in Peace Atsa. Until we meet again. I love you. Iliangna Haralu

C M Y K


MondAY 23•11•2015

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

3

surgeon fined Rs.2 aZsU (aMN) attains 50 years in Dec Tripura lakh for laxity in operation

DIMAPuR, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): Constituted in 1965 in Kohima with the objective “For Glory Unite,” the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union, (Assam, Manipur, & Nagaland) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee from December 15-18. The formation of the union was to garner the Zeliangrong students everywhere and strengthen the perpetual solidarity inherited as a legacy from the common ancestor, stated AZSU (AMN) Info & Pub Secretary, Abu Pame in a press note. The Golden Jubilee is being celebrated with the honour attributed to the Centurion Rani Gaidinliu

To be celebrated alongside Gaidinliu’s birth centenary

(1915-2015), it informed, adding that the yearlong celebration of Ranima’s birth centenary culminates in December. The celebration to be held at Khoupum, Thanagong in Tamenglong district will be jointly organized along with the Central Organising Committee (COC) of Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary and will be called “Ranima’s Birth 100 years anniversary-Cum-50 years old Golden Jubilee of AZSU.” ASZU will hold its 23rd

Trans-Arunachal highway to be completed before 2018 ItANAGAR, NOVEMBER 22 (ANI): Improving road connectivity in the northeast region is one of the priorities of the central government. Over the years, it has pumped in huge funds and initiated many schemes to achieve this objective. In this context, it is important to know that the work on the transArunachal highway is going on in full swing. The mega two-lane highway project in Pradesh will connect Tawang to Kanubari, covering a distance of over 1500 kilometres. The highway once completed, is expected to touch eleven of the existing district headquarters of the country's most strategically located state. Funded and implemented by the Government of India under "Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East, the construction work is expected to be completed by early 2018. It will cost an estimated Rs. 10,000 crore. Bora Ete, Chief Engineer, Eastern Zone Highways, told ANI, "Out of 1,556 kilometres, about 1,000 kilometres are in various stage of progress, and the remaining 600 kilometres has already been awarded and the work will start very soon. One of the projects of the Trans-Arunachal Highway, which is 311-kilometres long, was awarded the 'Sushee IVRCL Arunachal Highways Ltd.' Award. It connects Nechipu in West Kameng to Hoj in Papum Pare, cutting Seppa in East Kameng. It is doing extremely well." Avneesh Bajaj, a project

manager, said, "The official completion date of construction of this road is actually in January 2018, but we are working with speed and our endeavour is to complete this work before time so that we can give a good road to the Arunachal people." The highway will provide improved connectivity to Itanagar and important locations of population concentration and economic activities, including the sites of major hydro electric power projects. It will connect important places such as Tawang, Bomdila, Seppa, Ziro, Changlang, Khonsa and Kanubari. Locals believe that the highway will boost the economy, especially agriculture and tourism in the state. A villager said, "After completion of the road construction, it will lead to development in our area. It will also benefit the farmers and will help locals during any medical emergency." A local said, "The Arunachal highway, which is under construction, will be extremely helpful for our generation. We are thankful to the government for this facility." There is also a proposal to construct 1800-Kilometer-long Indo-China Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh. The proposed highway will pass through Tawang, East Kameng, Changlang, Hawai and Vijaynagar in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh. There are also plans to build an industrial corridor in the state to improve its economy and generate jobs for the locals.

North east Briefs

AR apprehends KCP cadre

IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): Troops of the 12 BIHAR of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) along with Patsoi Police launched a joint operation in general area Patsoi-I and apprehended a cadre of KCP on November 21. The apprehendee was identified as Taorem Tombisana alias Tan Singh, aged 31 years, who was later handed over to the Patsoi Police Station.

Another rhino killed in Assam’s Kaziranga park GuwAHAtI, NOVEMBER 22 (IANS): Poachers killed yet another one-horned rhino at the Kaziranga National Park and took away its horn in the early hours of Sunday, taking the death count of the endangered species in Assam to 16 this year, park officials said. The rhino’s carcass was found during a search operation on Sunday morning. “There was heavy firing in Burhapahar range of Kaziranga since last night (Saturday). Although forest guards launched an operation, the poachers succeeded in killing the rhino, chopping the horn, and taking it away,” a park official said. Officials also found about 20 empty cartridges of an automatic weapon from the site.

Bihar to give land to Arunachal Pradesh for cultural centre ItANAGAR, NOVEMBER 22 (PtI): The Bihar government will allot government land to Arunachal Pradesh for the establishment of a cultural centre cum guest house at Bodh Gaya by the state government. The decision of allotment of half an acre land was taken after Chief Minister Nabam Tuki with a ten-member delegation inspected the land at Gaya yesterday along with senior representatives of the district administration of Gaya. The Bihar government will soon formally hand over the land, an official statement said here today.

General Conference concurrently. Further resolving to garner round the solemn pledge of “Chukthoibe/ Nsuk ToiBe/ Chukthoibo/ Chuksumei” made in April 1, 1934, AZSU declared to work towards social cultural renaissance of Zeliangrong community on every General Conference for ages to come. In connection with the celebration, AZSU will be holding the Zeliangrong areas ‘Golden Queen Crown.’ Interested individ-

uals can get the form and information for the contest by contacting COC and AZSU leaders at Nagaland8131909111, 8974552677, Assam- 9435368763, 8472090993, 9435077788, Manipur- 8414980449, 7085269086, 9089238744 or from the Cham-Chiu O f f i c e, Ta m e n g l o n g (8415965658). The AZSU and COC team also appealed to all the religious institutions of Zeliangrong to pray for the success of the program and requested all the local

MLAs, ADC Members, political leaders, Social leaders, NGOs, activists, and the general public to support “morally and prayerfully.” The civil bodies and organsations of different tribes and communities living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have also been fervently requested not to call bandh, blockade, and protest that would hamper the ongoing preparation of the program. The Union further extended profound gratitude and remembrance to the pioneer leaders of AZSU starting from its first president to present as well as all the contributors to the union.

AGARtALA, NOVEMBER 22 (IANS): A Tripura consumer disputes redressal forum has imposed a Rs.2-lakh fine on a senior surgeon for laxity in an operation nine years ago, a lawyer said here on Sunday. The doctor after a gall bladder operation of a young woman had left an eight-inch corrugated drain tube inside her abdomen. "West Tripura district consumer disputes redressal forum on Friday slapped a fine of Rs.200,000 to senior surgeon Pratap Sanyal for negligence in surgery in a private nursing home in January 2006," lawyer Su-

jata Deb Gupta told IANS. The forum has asked the doctor to pay within 45 days Rs.1 lakh in lump sum to the complainant as compensation towards medical expenses, Rs.50,000 as reimbursement to the mental agony and harassment, and Rs.50,000 more as charge of litigation, the lawyer said. "If the amount is not paid in full in the stipulated time, the doctor has to pay nine percent interest to the plaintiff," the lawyer added, quoting from the forum's order. "While performing laparoscopic surgery on Sarbani Deb's abdomen in January 2006, doctor Prat-

ap Sanyal acted in a grossly negligent manner which amounts to criminal negligence or criminal offence," the court said earlier. It heard the petition of Sarbani's husband Bapi Roy Choudhury, a senior journalist, who filed a case in a lower court (first class judicial magistrate) against the doctor. The lawyer said after the surgery, the patient complained of severe pain in the abdomen and contacted the doctor on a number of occasions. She said the doctor misbehaved with the Deb couple when they approached the surgeon repeatedly with the scan report from a different institution.


4

MonDAY 23•11•2015

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Reforms, derivatives expiry to drive markets MuMbai, NoveMber 22 (iaNS): Parliament’s upcoming winter session and the derivatives’ expiry are set to rock the equity markets during next week’s trading session. As per market observers, with the end of the earnings season, investors will be glued to political developments to see whether the government is able to pass key economic legislation during the winter session that begins on November 26 and will run till December 23. “Markets will now look forward to political cues such as the passing of key bills and the government’s stance towards the opposition in ensuring the winter session is not wasted,” Vaibhav Agarwal, vice president and research head at Angel Broking, told IANS. Last week, the government’s efforts to reach out to the opposition before the crucial winter session to get the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill passed cheered the equity markets. Furthermore, the central government has shown willingness to amend the draft GST bill to form a consensus on the is-

sue ahead of parliament’s winter session. The government needs to pass the GST bill in this session to meet the April 1, 2016, rollout deadline, as just central parliamentary approval is not sufficient enough for the pan-India indirect tax regime. The bill has cleared the Lok Sabha and is now with the Rajya Sabha, where the Congress and other parties have demanded a series of amendments. If that happens, the bill will go back to the Lok Sabha and will then have to be ratified by at least half of the 29 state legislatures. By subsuming most indirect taxes levied by the centre and the states such as excise, service tax, VAT and sales tax, GST proposes to facilitate a common market across the country, leading to economies of scale and reducing inflation through an efficient supply chain. Full implementation of GST could lift India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.91.7 percentage points, according to a study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

Investors will also be cautious ahead of the futures and options expiry next week, market analysts said. “We are entering the F&O expiry week with VIX (volatility index) placed at the lower end, suggesting that volatility can rise in the expiry week which could lead to choppy trading sessions,” Nitasha Shankar, vice president for research with YES Securities, told IANS. “In the coming week, a move above 7,880 (on the Nifty) could trigger further short covering, taking it to levels of 8,000-8,070. However, a below 7,800 index could witness fresh selling pressure, dragging it lower to 7,7207,660.” Gaurav Jain, director with Hem Securities, said: “Interest of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), trends in global markets and commodity prices worldwide will dictate the trajectory of the bourses in the truncated week ahead.” “Indices are expected to remain in a narrow range.” The Indian equity markets will remain closed on November 25, Wednesday, on account

of Guru Nanak Jayanti. The FPIs participation in the Indian equity markets would be widely noticed, as recently the FPIs have gone on a selling binge. The data with stock exchanges showed that the FPIs sold stocks worth Rs.2,749.44 crore in the period under review. The data with the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) showed that the FPIs sold Rs.5,459.41 crore or $825.49 million in equity and debt markets from November 16 to 20. Moreover, the imminent rate hike decision by the US Federal Reserve will provide key triggers for the market, cited Brijesh Ved, Senior Portfolio Manager - Equities, BNP Paribas AMC. The minutes of the October federal reserve policy meet suggested a likely rate hike in December; this reflected confidence in the US economy to sustain a rate hike. Nevertheless, in the short term, higher interest rates in the US are expected to lead away FPIs from emerging markets such as India. Pankaj Sharma, head of equities for Equirus Securities,

told IANS that the government’s continued focus on reform measures will be positive for the equity markets. “It is really good to see that the government is back to business after the Bihar distraction. If they (reforms) continue, we are getting increasingly confident that the medium to long term implication for markets is positive,” Sharma said. A relief rally triggered by strong global cues, clarity on US rate hike, hopes of further reforms and prospects of consumption-led demand helped the key bellwether indices to gain over 1.00 percent each last week. The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (S&P Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), gained 257.96 points or 1.00 percent to 25,868.49 points from its previous weekly close at 25,610.53 points. Similarly, the wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) rose during the weekly trade ended November 20. It ended higher by 94.3 points or 1.21 percent to 7,856.55 points.

Air India mops up Rs 7,000 SBI tags Mallya, his 2 firms as wilful defaulters present his case in person. by State Bank of India in early crore through aircraft sale However, the Supreme Court 2010 after a second debt reNeW DeLHi, NoveMber 22 (PTi): Air India has mopped up Rs 7,000 crore by selling nine of its 21 Dreamliner planes to a Singaporean lessor, which it has taken back on lease from the company under an SLB arrangement. A major chunk of these funds will go into repayment of the bridge loan availed earlier for purchasing these Boeing 787-800s, airline sources said. Under a Sale and Lease Back (SLB) arrangement, the seller of an asset leases it back from the purchaser for a long-term period and continues to use it without actually owning it. Air India has 131 aircraft in its fleet, consisting of Boeing, Airbus and ATR planes as well as CRJs. Of these, 21 are Boeing 787-800s. Earlier also, the flag carrier had sold and leased back 12 Dreamliners under a similar arrangement. “Air India has sold all the nine Dreamliners to one Singaporean lessor for a little over Rs 7,000 crore. These planes have now been taken back on lease by the same firm,” Air India sources told PTI. Sources said that of the total proceeds, about Rs 6,000 crore will be used for repayment of the bridge loan taken against these planes at the time of acquisition

while the remaining Rs 1,000 crore will be utilised for other purposes. The airline is saddled with a debt of about Rs 40,000 crore that includes a long-term loan taken for aircraft purchase and working capital loan. It has accumulated a loss of close to Rs 30,000 crore. The airline, however, is expected to report around Rs 6 crore operating profit this fiscal. These nine B 787-800s were inducted into the national carrier’s fleet between March 2014 and June this year. Air India had last month invited bids from domestic and international banks /financial institutions to sell these planes. The airline had fixed a reserve price of not less than USD 123 million for the planes acquired in 2015 and USD 120 million for the aircraft inducted in the fleet during 2014. As part of its fleet expansion plan, the national carrier had in 2006 placed orders with Boeing for 68 aircraft- 27 Dreamliners, 15 B777-300ERs, eight B777-200LRs and 18 B-737- 800s. Surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package from the parent, Government of India, Air India had reported a net loss of Rs 5,547.47 crore in the last fiscal on the back of total revenues of Rs 19,781 crore.

_

LEISURE

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

SUDOKU Game Number # 3413

W

O

BODieS Of WAteR INDIANOCEAN PACIFICOCEAN AMAZONRIVER PACIFICOCEAN MISSISSIPPIRIVER OHIORIVER LAKEERIE LAKEONTARIO LAKEMICHIGAN SNAKERIVER WALHONDINGRIVER MUSKINGUMRIVER TUSCARAWASRIVER LAKEPLACID LAKEPARK MISSOURIRIVER LAKEHURON LAKESUPERIOR THAMESRIVER NILERIVER SCIOTORIVER

R

X C G O T H A M E S R I V E R A E X A Q

D

A M A Z O N R I V E R P W N J P I P D Q

Q V J O N R R R R J N O R U H E K A L N

S D E M J V F V R F S C V P I G I I Y K

structuring for the airline. SBI has an exposure of Rs 1,600 crore to the airline. Out of this, the bankers, which recalled the loan in February 2013, could recover only around Rs 1,100 crore after selling pledged shares of UB Group companies. Other banks that have exposure to the airline include Punjab National Bank and IDBI Bank (Rs 800 crore each), Bank of India (Rs 650 crore), Bank of Baroda (Rs 550 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs 410 crore). UCO Bank has to recover Rs 320 crore, Corporation Bank (Rs 310 crore), State Bank of Mysore, (Rs 150 crore), Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 140 crore), Federal Bank (Rs 90 crore), Punjab & Sind Bank (Rs 60 crore) and Axis Bank (Rs 50 crore). This February, SBI had taken over the possession of the airline’s prime property Kingfisher House, near the city airport, after a protracted court battle. The 17,000 sqftproperty at Vile Parle near the domestic terminal is valued at around Rs 100 crore.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3425

Answer Number # 3412

S

P E L G L E K E H X X S E L M I A C I B

MuMbai, NoveMber 22 (PTi): After a protracted legal battle, State Bank of India (SBI) has declared industrialist Vijay Mallya a ‘wilful defaulter’ for defaults on nearly Rs 7,000 crore loans to the long-grounded Kingfisher Airlines. “SBI has declared Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines and its holding company United Breweries Holdings as wilful defaulters,” sources told PTI. The sources said after the Bombay High Court in August this year allowed Mallya to be represented by his legal counsels, SBI moved the Supreme Court challenging the HC order, saying that HC order violated the RBI rules on grievance redressal committee that allow only the borrower to be

upheld the High Court verdict and asked SBI to consider this only as “a one-off instance” and allow Mallya’s lawyers to represent him at the grievance reddressal committee meeting which was held recently. However, the lawyers could not satisfactorily present a case of genuine distress of Mallya and his companies in not paying the money they owe to the bankers. Following this, SBI declared them as wilful defaulters, the source added. However, Mallya can still challenge the label in the apex court through review petitions, according to banking experts. Meanwhile, following the development, the 17 lenders to the airline has said they will e-auction the assets of the grounded airline, in their latest bid to part recover their dues of around Rs 7,000 crore and accrued interest on the principal, that not been serviced since January 2013. The airline, owned by flamboyant liquor baron Mallya, had taken Rs 6,900 crore from a consortium of 17-lenders led

E

U I A F R I A I G Z N I I O S O N F J O

R G A F E R P R V L A O R O S L D I J H

L L W V V S A G X U K T M F I U I C I I

A

A P U P I A C N T O E O U F S S A O J O

K Y R Z R W I I B Y R R G S S G N C Z R

E R V G I A F D D G I I N A I S O E D I

R

E Z W D R R I N P Y V V I A P D C A I V

R I N F U A C O Q D E E K B P B E N C E

I K D C O C O H D N R R S Y I I A P A R

C

E T Z K S S C L V E K R U F R V N Z L G

Y K I P S U E A U V V N M A I P U D P I

V G C P M H N A G I H C I M E K A L K J

I V R P E G L A K E S U P E R I O R A K

NeW DeLHi, NoveMber 22 (PTi): Maruti Suzuki India maintained its leadership position in the domestic passenger vehicle (PV) market in October with four of its models featuring in the top 10 selling brands last month. According to the latest data from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in the top 10 best passenger vehicles, Maruti’s Alto retained the top position in October with 22,861 units, as against 21,443 units in October last year. The company’s compact sedan Dzire was the second best selling model with 21,084 units as compared to 16,542 units in October last year. Its premium hatchback Swift was third, selling 17,669 units, as compared to 14,310 units in the year-ago month. WagonR stood at fourth position last month with 14,734 units. The company had sold 14,310 units of the compact car in the same period of last year. Hyundai Motor India’s Grand i10 occupied the fifth position with 9,612 units in October. It was at seventh position in October last year with 8,400 unit sales. Elite i20 stood at sixth position with sale of 11,019 units last month. At seventh slot, Mahindra & Mahindra’s Bolero continued to be in the top ten with sale of 7,754 units. Hyundai’s new SUV Creta, which was launched in July this year, came eighth with sales of 7,225 unit. Honda Cars India’s mid-sized sedan City was ninth, while its compact sedan Amaze was at tenth position.

Telecom Ministry puts state-owned BSNL on notice over poor service quality NeW DeLHi, NoveMber 22 (PTi): The Telecom Ministry has issued notices to state-owned BSNL, MTNL and India Posts after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad personally took note of citizen complaints over service quality on social media since July. Prasad, who has over 4.65 lakh followers on Facebook, received the complaints relating to the three departments under his ministry. “Till date, 102 notices have been issued to departments under this ministry and 64 have been resolved. BSNL now has an official page on Facebook to connect with people,” an official said. The Minister has asked BSNL and other concerns to use the social media, following which it held a workshop for officers in-charge of public grievance redressal in each telecom circle. On top of that, BSNL has appointed an agency to look into issues raised by subscribers on social media sites. When contacted, BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava confirmed that the complaint monitoring mechanism on social media is already up and running. “We have started training our officers to handle complaint on social media following the minister flagging the issue. Whenever we get complaint on our Facebook page, we start forwarding it to the customer care department, which then reaches out to the aggrieved customer,” he added. “BSNL reported operating profit after a long time and within 18 months of the new government coming to power. This is a sign of improvement in services.” As part of its efforts to step up, BSNL has outsourced its call centre activity to a leading agency that handles similar assignments for leading telecom operators. “Since we are deploying new equipment, our capacity to handle more customers is increasing. That is why we launched free night calling service as we can handle large traffic now. We have most widespread network in the country which we are rapidly improving,” Shrivastava said. According to Trai rules, consumers can register their complaints by calling up the customer care or shooting off an e-mail to the telecom operator. DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

L A K E P A R K O I R A T N O E K A L L

STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

East Police Station West Police Station

227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

ACROSS

1. Distend 6. An enclosure 10. Biblical kingdom 14. Stage between egg and pupa 15. Participate in games 16. 13 in Roman numerals 17. Capable of being reached 19. Grasp 20. Fireplace 21. A late time of life 22. Notion 23. Lofty nest 25. Sleighs 26. Spouse 30. Paradise 32. Windflower 35. Provide commentary 39. Layers 40. A small mug 41. Affinity 43. Spartan 44. Basement 46. Feudal worker 47. Leg bone 50. Requested 53. Angle of a leafstalk 54. Cashew or almond 55. Cavort

DOWN

1. Ho-hum 2. Shoestring 3. Killer whale 4. Affirm 5. Flavor 6. Consumer Price Index 7. Even though 8. Sailing ship 9. Gave the once-over 10. Thrill 11. Thermionic tube 12. Lubricated 13. King with a golden touch 18. Timid 24. Regret 25. Fathers 26. Disguise 27. Against 28. Small slender gull 29. Castrate 31. A Maori club

33. Different 34. Found on a finger 36. Air force heroes 37. Change direction 38. Type of sword 42. Acclaim 43. Biblical boat 45. Keen 47. Destined 48. Give off 49. Half note 51. Eastern newt 52. Sediments 54. Short sleeps 56. By mouth 57. Tibetan monk 58. Bit of gossip 59. To tax or access 62. One time around Ans to CrossWord 3424

KOHIMA: 0370 2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC) DIMAPUR: 03862 232201/ 101 (O) 9436017479 (OC)

CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862 282777/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC) WOKHA: 03860 242215/101 (O) 9862039399 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369 2226225/ 101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 9862130954(OC)

KOHIMA

ZUNHEBOTO: 03867 280304/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC)

STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 8414853519 MON: 03869 251222/ 101 (O) 9436208480 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE 60. Bluefin 61. Mix with impurities 63. Modify 64. Falafel bread 65. Contests 66. A Greek territorial unit 67. Stair 68. Closes violently

FIRE STATIONS

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

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

H

C O H N I T A W N I L E R I V E R H E D

4 Maruti models in top 10 best selling passenger vehicles in Oct

Toll free No. 1098 childline

KipHire: 8414853767 (O) 8974304572 (OC)

WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

MOKOKCHUNG: Police Station 1:

STD CODE: 0369

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

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

64.44 97.71 8.05 45.59 45.22 48.24 51.95

67.35 102.43 8.96 47.84 47.45 50.61 54.88

Euro

68.65

71.97

1.73

1.93

0.0533

0.0594

41.56

43.60

9.75

10.86

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan


MondAY 23•11•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Rally for Assam Rifles exservicemen on November 24 Dimapur, November 22 (mexN): 6 Sector Assam Rifles will conduct an ex-servicemen rally at Urban Haat, Dimapur from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on November 24. The rally is aimed at reaching out to the Assam Rifles ex-servicemen residing in Nagaland and Assam, a release from Assam Rifles said. The event will include Assam Rifles ex-servicemen predominantly belonging to districts of Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur, Kohima and Peren. In addition, ex-servicemen belonging to the Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts of Assam have also been encompassed in the rally. The rally will provide the ex-servicemen an opportunity to resolve their grievances related to pensions, CSD facilities, medical facilities or any other aspect concerning them. For resolution of any other issues, a ‘General Grievance Cell’ will be established. In this cell, specific problems of the ex-servicemen will be registered and on spot advice will be provided. A medical camp will be conducted alongside the rally. Lieutenant General HJS Sachdev, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles will grace the occasion as chief guest. Major General MS Jaswal, YSM, SM, Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) and Brigadier Brijesh Dhiman, Commander, 6 Sector Assam Rifles will also attend the event. Cultural events and felicitation of Veer Naris/ Gallantry Award Winner/ War Veterans have been planned as part of the event. Apart from districts mentioned earlier, any other ex-servicemen belonging to Assam, Nagaland may also form part of the event, the release added. For further details of the programme, Assam Rifles exservicemen have been requested to contact the Helpline Number 03862247204.

‘Prologue’ to Vision Mokokchung 2040 held moKoKchuNg, November 22 (mexN): A ‘Prologue’ to “Vision Mokokchung 2040” held recently agreed that physical infrastructural development must be first preceded by a change of mindset of all the stakeholders concerned. Through discussions, it was highlighted that no amount of financial resources pumped in would be enough unless the mindset of those who handle or implement the projects and programmes, including those of the citizens concerned, are first changed. The event was conducted by Mayangnokcha Award Trust (MAT) in collaboration with the Mokokchung District Art & Culture Council (MDACC) at the ADC (Planning) conference hall, Mokokchung. Rajesh Soundararajan, ADC Mokokchung, gave

the welcome note and encouraged the gathering for a productive deliberation, and to come up with achievable goals for Mokokchung by 2040. Moderated by Akok Walling, MAT President and Sugpongasang, MAT Trustor, the ‘Prologue’ was in three sessions. A press release from MAT informed that in the first session, as a panelist, Er. Moa Aier, MAT Trustor, presented on how they would like to see the vision document be based on the four broad themes of Socio-cultural context, Political, Economic and Education. This was followed by group discussion and feedback. The second session saw presentation by panelist Dr. Sunep Imchen, MAT Trustor, on how Mokokchung could be developed based

Orientation on Morung Indigenous Food Contest Dimapur, November 22 (mexN): As part of preparations for The Morung Fest 2015, Ao Students’ Union Diphupar (ASUD) conducted an orientation programme for participants of the Morung Indigenous Food Contest 2015 on November 21 at the Bambusa Restaurant, 6th Mile here. After a brief address by the convenor, Organising Committee, Opanglemba, the Morung Indigenous Food Contest judges led by the Chief Judge Chef Joel Basumatari and his colleagues Chef Alemjungla Jamir and Chef Chenti Phom explained the rules and regulations of the contest and other instructions to the participants. ASUD will be providing stalls to each participating tribe to display and sell their respective culinary items as well as souvenirs and other

Participants of the Morung Indigenous Food Contest 2015 during the orientation programme held on November 21.

gift items. A lottery was conducted to allocate stalls to the participants at the end of the programme. The organisers of The Morung

Fest 2015 have invited one and all to come, explore and experience the Morung Indigenous Food Contest on December 3 and 4.

on a better understanding of mindset change, sanitation & waste management, Mokokchung as hub, and on tradition, culture and modernity. This was further followed by group discussion and feedback. The third session was again presented by Panelist Er. Moa Aier on Liberated Mind, Concept of Mokokchung, and on the key factors of Justice, Peace & Development. Several groups and individuals also submitted their views and opinions on paper, the release added. A lively discussion took place on infrastructural development such as roads, water, electricity, educational institution, sports facility, medical & health care, need for a modern museum and library, development of the town park, digital highway, tourism, food processing,

town expansion, peace & freedom, role of the mass based organisations and the church to be more actively engage in human resource development, support to entrepreneurs, ‘buy local’ campaign, teaching financial literacy and management to children etc. In his concluding remarks, Akok Walling asserted that “together we can make this Vision Mokokchung 2040 into a peoples movement, where we shall be able to see tangible changes for the better.” MAT has requested to give views and feedback on Vision Mokokchung 2040 through the print media or social media at www.facebook.com/groups/ilovemokokchung. One can also write at moaaier@gmail. com or akok_n@yahoo. co.in., or text or WhatsApp at 8794158145.

Teachers trained on career Golden Crown College holds guidance and counselling leadership & management seminar Kohima, November 22 (mexN): A five-day training on career guidance and counselling for higher secondary school teachers was organised by the School of Counselling, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, from November 16 to 20 at Mount Sinai Higher Secondary School, Kohima. The programme, coordinated by Dr. Zavise Rume, Associate Professor, SCERT Nagaland, was attended by 35 teachers from various schools and institutions. The training was facilitated by the following resources person: Dr. Zavise Rume, Rev. Fr. Vemedo, Er. Medozho Zango, Nuozhienino, Rokotono, Rev. Fr. George Rino

Meanwhile, following were the topics covered in the training: Introduction to RGNIYD and its programs; Understanding issues related to adolescents; Evolution and concept of career; Importance of career planning; Factors influencing career choice; SWOT Analysis; Goal setting SMART; Understanding the World of Work; Current trends of career development; Counselling process; Career development theories; Counselling skills; Ethics in counselling; Attitude, motivation; Life Skills; Job search skills; Assessment in career counselling. The training widened the teachers’ knowledge about guiding the students’ career and helped to develop an insight into the concept and skills of counselling, according to a release received here.

MEx FILE NFHRCC meets Nuklutoshi Dimapur, November 22 (mexN): The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) today met Minister for National Highway, Mechanical & Election and deliberated on the Nagaland Foothill Road and the government’s recent announcement to eventually transform it into the Nagaland Express Highway. The NFHRCC lauded this move and informed that the Minister had assured his support to the construction of the Foothill Road project till its completion. The Minister further sought the helping hand of the NFHRCC in order to execute the proposed Nagaland Express Highway.

2K Hotel to launch website Kohima, November 22 (mexN): 2K Hotel will officially launch its website on November 24, 5.00 pm at the hotel located at Officer’s Hill, Kohima. Kovi Meyase, administrator, Kohima Municipal Council will launch the website.

Night Carnival cum Concert in Niuland Dimapur, November 22 (mexN): Niuland Area Citizen Forum (NACF) is organizing Night Carnival-CumConcert (national band) from December 10 -12 at Niuland Town Local Ground. Parties interested to open stalls have been asked to contact 09612839752. Entries for the stall will be accepted till December 2, a press release informed.

Security reviewed ahead of Hornbill Festival

TAPWO silver jubilee pheK, November 22 (mexN): The Tizu Area Public Welfare Organization (TAPWO) will be celebrating its silver jubilee on November 27 under the theme “Towards a shared goal” at Khuza near Phek town. Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienu, MLA, 19th Phek A/C will grace the occasion as the chief guest while Er. Abija Khing, executive engineer, PWD Phek will be the cultural guest. Deputy commissioner of Phek, Murohu Chotso and Phek Area Public Organization president Vezhehü Vero will also share greetings at the celebration. The inauguration of the silver jubilee monolith will take place at 9:30 am, while the main function will start by 10:30 am with Shekhohü Chizo, general secretary TAPWO as chairman. TAPWO president Vechineyi Khesoh will deliver presidential address. The celebration will also be marked by cultural exhibition at 12:00 noon. All the constituent villages of TAPWO have been requested to send atleast 150 delegates to the celebration. It is compulsory for the frontal organizations of all the villages under TAPWO to attend the celebration. TAPWO has also extended its invitation to the neighboring villages of Pochury, Sumi, Sekrezu and Phek area to the celebration.

Dimapur, November 22 (mexN): Golden Crown College hosted a 4-day crash course on Christian leadership and church management from November 17 to 20. A press release informed that the resource person, Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Pritz, was from Colorado Springs, USA and currently serves in One Challenge (formerly known as Overseas Crusade). He holds a Ph.D in Organizational Development and Planning. He also served in US marines as helicopter pilot and fixed wing flight instructor from 1970-1974. After being called into

ministry, Ron and his wife Mikel Ann served at Mission Aviation Fellowship and One Challenge, ministering mostly in Asia such as Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, and Bhutan. The first two days of the course covered the leadership aspects like authority, spirituality and vision, and passing on leadership. The last two days focused on management aspects such as philosophy of ministry, priorities and plans, finances, organizational and leadership development, developing strengths and staffing weaknesses, motivations, decision making

and problem solving, the release said. It was an intense and educationally challenging course delivered in simple and understandable language, it was informed. According to the release, Founder-Director of Golden Crown College, Rev. Dr. Nzan Odyuo, and Lecturer Rev. Thungjamo Lotha (One Challenge missionary, and North-East India Co-ordinator for Global Church Planting Network) said a similar course will be organized for the church leaders in the future if the churches are willing and interested.

5

Kohima, November 22 (mexN): IGAR (North) called a meeting regarding the security situation in Kohima Town on November 17, which was attended by Rovilatuo Mor, Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, GBs and chairmen of villages in Kohima, president of important NGOs and youth organisations along with administration heads for the forthcoming Hornbill Festival. The IGAR (N) Maj Gen MS Jaswal stressed on the importance of Assam Rifles and civil organizations joining hands to keep the environment peaceful for conduct of the festival, informed a press release from Assam Rifles. Meanwhile, DC of Kohima and civil administration urged village authorities to extend their support to security forces and police by sharing information of any activity which will hamper the security situation during the festive season. The civil administration was also requested to inform security forces about any faction moving in and around the town, especially NSCN (K), the release added.

‘Menesu Kenseka’ inaugurated Kohima, November 22 (mexN): Menesu Kenseka (waiting shed) has been inaugurated at Menesu between Tseminyu and Phenshunyu village by John Wesly Magh, Block Development Officer (BDO), RD Block Tseminyu. The waiting shed, funded under GIA scheme, was constructed by T. Zisunyu Village Development Board (VDB). The BDO lauded Zisunyu Village Council for constructing the waiting shed not only for its villagers, but also for the surrounding villagers, especially for travelers and farmers. He apprised the users to maintain civic sense. He also appealed to the VDBs secretaries, VDBs management committee members and village authorities to utilize fund judiciously and do the works as per the guidelines given by the department according to the project. After the function, the BDO and SO interacted with the VDB secretaries under RD Block Tseminyu about the IPPE schemes and project and Rozgar Diwas, MGNREGA programmes, guidelines.

Good Shepherd Ministry anniv Kohima, November 22 (mexN): The Good Shepherd Ministry, Kohima is all set to celebrate its 25th anniversary on February 12 next year. Governor of Nagaland will grace the occasion as the chief guest.

Swachh Bharat campaign in schools 30 schools paint to ‘Keep Dimapur Clean’ Inter-school quiz contest in Medziphema meDziphema, November 22 (mexN): Medziphema administration in collaboration with Medziphema Town Council and Medziphema Students’ Union organized an inter-school quiz competition as part of Swachh Bharat Mission awareness campaign at Medziphema Town Hall on November 20. ADC Medziphema, S Sarah Jamir said that cleanliness is next to godliness and pointed out that cleanliness is the only way to avoid diseases like dengue, malaria, etc. Mahatma Gandhi also thought of making India clean and throughout his life he worked not only for freedom but freedom

for clean environment, she stated. She said that the Prime Minister of India has launched the Swachh Baharat Mission to keep India Clean and Medzephema Town has also launched Swachh Medziphema with the theme “Keep my town clean”. 12 students from six schools participated in the quiz competition on the Swachh Medziphema theme “Keep My Town Clean”, where the first, second and third positions were secured by Rivenburg School, SFS Hr. Sec. School and Chakhro Baptist Mission School respectively. They were given cash prizes along with certificates.

‘Clean Peren, Clear Peren’ Ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission, Dimapur district Geoffrey Yaden seen with the winners of the drawing competition held on the topic ‘Keep Dimapur Clean.’

Dimapur, November 22 (mexN): Swachh Bharat Mission of Dimapur district under the initiative of District Education Officer, Dimapur conducted a drawing competition on the topic ‘Keep Dimapur Clean.’ Altogether, 30 government and private high schools under Dimapur participated in the competition which was held at Christian Higher Secondary School on Friday. The Editor of Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden, who is also the ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission, Dimapur district was the special guest. In his speech, he emphasized on the importance of keeping Di-

mapur clean and called for conscious efforts from all departments and schools for more participation for greater impact in the success of the mission. Describing Swachh Bharat Mission as a wonderful mission, the special guest said that the students can be the greatest teacher and inspiration in carrying out the campaign and creating awareness among the populace. In the drawing competition, the following emerged winners: First - Punami Gosh of Pranab Vidhyapith Hr. Sec. School; Second - Anish Shah of MGM Hr. Sec. School; Third - Ariapongla Amer of Carewell High School.

pereN, November 22 (mexN): Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign was held at Government Higher Secondary School, Peren on November 20 on the theme “Clean Peren, Clear Peren”. Speaking at the programme as chief guest, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ambassador, Abei-u Meru highlighted that the Mission was initiated by Government of India with a mission of ‘Clean India’ by October 2, 2019, the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Swachh Bharat Mission aims for elimination of open defecation, conversion of unsanitary toilets to pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, to ensure a behavioral change in people regarding health sanitation practices and intensive campaign for awareness generation and health education to create a need for personal, household and environment sanitation facilities. She stated that in Nagaland, PHED department together with other sup-

porting departments have embraced the mission in very ambitious manner by constructing toilets in most rural pockets as well as in schools which has little access to proper sanitation. She further added that lack of proper waste management, civic sense, and bad drainage have put citizens’ health and existence at risk. Swachh Bharat Mission can be successful only when every citizen becomes a stakeholder and every home is implementation ground, she said.

‘Clean Kiphire Green Kiphire’ Kiphire, November 22 (mexN): District Education Office, Kiphire organised a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan programme in Kiphire Town on November 16 with A Chumremo Odyuo, Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire as chief guest. More than 450 students along with 35 teachers and general public attended the programme. The keynote address was given by Deenabandhu Panda, District Education Officer (DEO), Kiphire. In his speech, the chief guest exhorted that it is the responsibility of everyone to clean themselves as well as their surroundings to make everyone happy and healthy in all aspects - physically, mentally, socially and intellectually - by reducing the chance of diseases. The Mission has planned to make a chain of nine people who will call another nine people to join in the campaign to continue the chain to reach every corner of Kiphire district, State and the country to make the campaign a success, a press release from DEO Kiphire informed. Meanwhile, prize distribution for the painting competition organised under the theme, “Clean Kiphire Green Kiphire” was held right after the programme. The first and second prizes went to Good Shepherd High School and Loyola Hr. Sec. School respectively. Certificate of participation along with cash was also awarded to all the participating students. The programme was chaired by Sepithrong, DEO staff, while vote of thanks was delivered by Thomas Mathew, Headmaster of Holy Cross School. In the morning, all the schools in Kiphire were divided into 3 groups and a social work was conducted at various locations of Kiphire Town.


MonDAY 23•11•2015

IN FOCUS

6

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 319X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume By moa Jamir

Et tu, Governor?

The Head of the State's stand on pluralism and freedom of speech and expression is under scanner again

A

midst the ongoing debate over the idea of India as a secular democratic nation with accusation from various quarters regarding the growing intolerance and threat to freedom of speech, the Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya has stirred up another related storm. The Governor is not new to controversies. His usual footin-mouth syndrome is known to generate both extreme consternation as well as admiration depending upon one’s ideological and political proclivity. The syndrome, this time around, visited him on two occasions, both having dramatic ramification on the idea of a democratic society as well as the freedom of speech and expression. The first salvo was fired on Sunday, when the ‘beloved’ Governor reportedly stood by the Assam Rifles' October 25 notification issued to Nagaland newspapers accusing them of being “complicit in illegal activities by publishing statement of banned organizations.” When the Nagaland Media was reeling under the said notification described as “pernicious,” (Editors Guild of India) and a downright “overreach,” (Indian Express) the shocking statement by the Head of the State has only added salt to injuries. As a constitutional head of the state, the populace looks upon the Governor to act as their custodian of rights guaranteed under the constitution, not to justify their denial! Little can be said about other organ of the ‘State’, the legislators, who are acutely illustrating its glorious credentials, by failing to utter even a monosyllable in defense of the media, or the constitutional rights guaranteed by the State they were elected to govern. The Governor fired his second salvo during a book launch where he reportedly asserted that, “Hindustan is for Hindus” (The Times of India) putting the whole idea of India as a democratic and pluralistic society into jeopardy. It holds bigger connotation since the comment comes from a head of the state bounded constitutionally by oath to solemnly denounce what he is reportedly espousing. While the Governor has subsequently said that he was misquoted, often his proselytizing comments have put his secular credentials into question. His controversial statements at regular intervals may be construed as foot-in-mouth syndrome, but their regularity and similarity makes one wonder whether the utterances are a passing mistake or a calculated strategy? While the Nagaland Media has made its position clear on the notification and does not need a State machinery to affirm or negate the same, the Governor’s stand on the issue is devoid of any merit and puts to question the safeguarding of constitutionally guaranteed rights. For any comment, drop a line to moajamir@live.com

lEfT WING |

Vishal Gulati IANS

Cold Tibet quickly becoming warm, warns Buddhist monk

T

he rate of warming at the Tibetan plateau - the third largest concentration of ice after the south and north poles - is two times greater than the global average, observed a top Buddhist monk who is also an environmentalist. The river systems that flow from the Tibetan plateau go to countries like India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. Tibetan religious head and 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje told IANS in an interview: "Given that the rate of warming in the Tibetan plateau is at least two times greater than the global average, we know flooding and droughts are bound to worsen." The 29-year-old Buddhist monk, the third most important Tibetan religious head who spent initial years of life in eastern Tibet, is upbeat about the United Nations Climate Change Conference. "We are all looking forward to the Paris conference on climate change, which will begin at the end of this month to see if the world leaders will be willing to limit rising greenhouse gas emissions," he said. Climate researchers of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) say the Tibetan plateau is highly vulnerable to climate change. They have warned that over two-thirds of the glaciers could disappear by 2050. The plateau has seen an increase in temperature of approximately 0.3 degrees Celsius every 10 years, says a researcher. In the past 50 years, the temperature has increased by 1.3 degrees Celsius, three times the global average, he said. The Karmapa, who now resides in a monastery on the outskirts of this town, was born into a Tibetan nomad family. He loves to paint and pursues calligraphy and poetry. The Tibetan plateau in southwestern China with 46,000 glaciers makes it home to the third largest concentration of ice after the south and north poles. Known as the water tower of Asia, it directly sustains over 150 million people and affects the lives of several billion downstream dwellers. The Karmapa believes the effects of climate change on the Tibetan plateau will not occur in isolation. "When we think about climate change impacts in mainland Asia, we should think deeply on the role of water in the region," the Buddhist monk said. Praying that a global agreement emerges when senior officials from almost 200 nations meet from November 30 to December 11 in Paris for climate talks, he said: "If there is one thing we now know about climate change it's that its impacts do not discriminate on the basis of a nation's wealth or power." The Karmapa, who fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000, is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four sects of Buddhism. He's considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.

C O M M E N T A R Y

L K Sharma

Modi at Wembley – the empire strikes back Modi and Cameron put on a great show, but to what end?

M

ove over Bollywood! Move over Hollywood! Modiwood rules the world. Prime Minister Modi’s London show on Friday will be recorded as a landmark event in the history of the Anglo-Indian encounter. Imagine Prime Minister Narendra Modi landing on the stage of Wembley Stadium in the Pushpaka Vimana, the flying machine invented in India. The crowds turn hysterical seeing their God descend in an aeroplane that was copied by the western scientists without royalty payment. This act may have been kept in reserve for Modi’s next gig in the UK. Modi was bathed in mass adoration as the 60,000 Indian spectators had come determined to chant “Modi, Modi, Modi”. The five hour cultural-political spectacle was described by British commentators as a heady blend of pop, patriotism and propaganda. It was superbly choreographed, with the prime minister of India as the lead performer and the British prime minister doing a warm-up act. Modi said India has acquired an equal status. This was reflected in the mega show. The British have an old tradition of coats of arms, banners and bits of bunting, and in India they borrowed more from the Mughal and Hindu kingdoms while staging a display of pageantry. Both the countries are steeped in Ornamentalism. So the British aeroplanes flew in the sky with a tricolour trail, skimpily dressed singers performed on the stage and other artists presented Indian classical and folk dances and music. The Team India-Britain has raised the hopes not just of the business leaders in the two countries. Earlier, it produced the dish called Chicken Tikka Masala and Wembley Stadium resounded to Rap Bhangra and a special Hinglish song. In the famous Delhi Durbar of 1877, the imperial power mounted an extravaganza to impress the natives of its power and glory. At Wembley Stadium, the Indian community staged a Delhi Durbar in reverse. Modi was anointed as an uncrowned king of the British Indians, with Cameron paying homage. Modi's devotees in India had honoured him as Hindu Hriday Samrat (Emperor Living in the Hindu Hearts) when they voted for him 18 months ago. The extravaganza that marked Modi’s coronation in the UK cannot be replicated in India, just as the glitter of the Viceroy's ceremony in India always surpassed that witnessed at Buckingham Palace ceremonials back home. The empire struck back on Friday. Cameron did a great service to millions of TV viewers in India watching the Wembley mega show. They went to sleep reassured by the British prime minister that, “Acache din zaroor aeyega” (Good days will definitely come)! Cameron wanted to send the message that Modi’s election-eve promise was not an empty slogan. Cameron’s assurance was important because Indians have more faith in the words consecrated in England. Cameron’s faulty Hindi thrilled the audience. The crowd was even more thrilled to hear him say that one day a British-Indian would be living in 10 Downing Street. The affluent Indians ditched the Labour party a long time ago, but Cameron’s statement and the very presence at the Modi show would turn thousands of Indians into committed Conservatives. Narendrabhai, who hugged Cameronbhai publicly, was only too glad to lend a helping hand since the Labour people tend to rake up outdated issues, such as the suppression of the civil rights that has been adopted by all democracies as a standard technique to curb terrorism. David Cameron ignored the normal protocol and attended a community meeting addressed by a visit-

W

omen face a dilemma. If we do the caring, men do not become carers with us but consumers of the care we provide. And if we refuse to care, those who need care suffer neglect and worse. This weekend Global Women's Strike's international women’s conference in London made visible a growing women’s movement, of those who do most of this reproductive, caring work. Women do two thirds of the world's work, and most of it is unwaged. The experiences shared with others from many parts of the world, including Canada, Greece, Haiti, India, Ireland, Palestine, Peru, Romania, New Zealand, Norway, Thailand and the US, included the ways they fight for the right to be carers, but at the same time not to be impoverished, overworked, isolated, exploited and even demeaned for doing this work. Our central demand is for a living wage for all workers, including mothers and other carers. Marxists may have incorporated into their thinking some of the considerations of the unwaged work of reproduction almost always done by women, but they have not often understood all the implications, and are weakest in appreciating the struggle over this work in a political, that is, an anti-capitalist way. In fact, the struggle by women – as mothers, as nurses, and other care workers – is based on challenging the uncaring market. We struggle against the market fetishism that governments

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R), Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (2nd R) and his wife Samantha (3rd R) meet performers in a backstage area during a welcome rally for Modi at Wembley Stadium in London on November 13, 2015. (Reuters Photo)

ing Prime Minister. He ignored a newspaper columnist’s advice to “hold your nose and shake Modi by the hand”. He paid his tributes and joined his sariclad wife away from the stage to listen to the English translation of the Hindi speech through headphones. Why did Cameron find it necessary to spare so much time? To show his love for India and Indians based in the UK. He wanted to learn the style of oratory that moves the voters. And he wanted to be cheered by more than 60,000 Britons. This was the first experience of its kind in his long and illustrious political career. A political leader in the UK is thankful if a few hundred persons turn up at his rally. And the expensive event was free for him because Her Majesty’s Government had not paid a penny for this very expensive light-and-sound spectacle. Cameron must have felt a bit puzzled when Modi unstrapped his analogue wrist watch with flair. Like a magician, Modi flashed it and asked the spectators to take off their non-digital watches. Then the prime minister went on to demonstrate a trick. How to keep dual time with a single watch. He flipped his watch around and it showed the Indian Standard Time. He ended the demonstration with a kind of statement that one expects from his political enemy Lallu Yadav. "As long as the sun and the moon exist, as long as time exists, the ties between India and Britain continue to grow." Modi said the watch trick showed the synergy between India and Britain while others may argue that flipping the watch in the opposite direction indicates that the East is East and the West is West and never the twain shall meet. Modi’s gesticulation was a little restrained in comparison to his speeches in the Bihar poll campaign. But the speech abroad did not lack in political content. The audience also got to see a video on Modi’s performance as prime minister. As for the powerful status of India, his presentation is always riddled with a basic contradiction. If India has acquired a new status, surely, Nehru and all other previous prime ministers of India, including his own party leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, must have done something right. But then Modi goes on to highlight public defecation, villages without electricity and the enduring poverty to highlight the failures of all previous governments. Then follows an account of his own record as prime minister that seems to suggest that the history of a successful India began just 18 months ago. Even as Gujarat’s chief minister, Modi had used every Bharatiya Pravasi Diwas to criticise the then

national government through innuendoes and direct attacks. For that he was always cheered by his fans from the USA and UK in the audience. The key to Modi’s popularity among the Indian diaspora is the power of Hindu nationalism. The demolition of the mosque, the Gujarat riots or the rising religious intolerance in India do not diminish Modi’s popularity, as far as a large section of the Hindus settled abroad are concerned. These sections have enough resources, organisational networks and enthusiasm for event management. Modi is grateful to them for their support in his election campaign in India. The British prime minister was tempted to share a piece of this cake. In his speech in the stadium, Modi presented a variety show, flipping from topic to topic. Hearing the chant of “Modi, Modi, Modi” and seeing some in the audience wearing the Modi masks, he talked about his vision of the development of India. He indulged in word play and used extended metaphors – referring to James Bond and Brooke Bond and financial Indian bonds in the same breath. Intermittently he asked the audience to reply to him in ‘yes’ or ‘no’, knowing that they would cheer him even if he declared that the sun rises in the east. The most significant and surprising part of his address came when Modi highlighted India’s diversity. He said it was the nation’s pride and strength. He praised Sufism and pointed out that had that tradition been stronger in Islam, no one of that faith would have picked up a gun. Modi, in an allusion to the criticism of rising intolerance in India, said the TV channels and newspapers were misrepresenting India. The media in India and the UK have been covering the protest movements against the divisive politics promoted by some of the BJP leaders. Modi’s references to India’s diversity have been criticised as “hypocrisy” by his political opponents in India. However, these have raised the hopes of the secular supporters of Modi who want him to repudiate those of his party leaders who provoke sectarian confrontation. Did Modi offer a lesson by observing the Hindu beneficiaries of Britain’s multiculturalism? Or did he conclude that if the pseudo-Hindus win in India, it will be only in Britain that the real Hindus will be flying the saffron flag? When Britain was first struck by the vulgarity of democracy, it was believed that the last of the Englishmen would be found in India!

Carers of the world unite selma James

Women carers are still fighting for the right to not be impoverished, overworked, isolated, or exploited in their work ask us to worship: the idea that the uncaring market is central to survival. This is the exact opposite of the truth. Marx did not forget the crucial process: the production of labour power. In Capital Volume One he described “the production and reproduction of that means of production so indispensible to the capitalist: the labourer himself”. But he didn’t know so early in industrial capitalism’s history that capitalism would not always be able to take the reproduction of labour power for granted. One reason he didn’t see this reproductive work as part of the struggle was that so little of it was being done when the whole family was in the factory working 12 or 14 hours a day from an early age. That is why working class life expectancy was so tragically short in 19th century England. At the time,

there was not yet a powerful women’s movement, which could for example, organise a Birth Strike, as happened in the early 20th century. The invisibility of women’s care hides the impact on the whole society when women are driven out to work with the ethos that stacking shelves in a supermarket is work but that those caring for the new-born are (in Tony Blair’s word) “workless”. But why should waged work for capital by anyone be the priority, especially for those of us who are anticapitalist? It is at this moment, when millions of women in industrial countries are exhausted by the double day and many more millions of subsistence farmers find it even harder with climate change to feed their families, that payment for caring

WRITE-WING

work is forcing its way onto the agenda. Justice work is an even more hidden extension of caring work. 'Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives fighting for our loved ones’ lives' reads the slogan, held on banners at protests against deaths in custody, stop-andsearch, detention and deportation of immigrants and refugees. Women everywhere are doing justice work against every discrimination and in situations of occupation and war. We cannot avoid addressing the growing split in feminism. The 13% of women for whom the movement is primarily a career ladder for their ambition have defined anti-sexism as their struggle to rise in the class hierarchy. And when they do rise, little or nothing changes for those of us who are left at the bottom. Our conference heard about new important research on the “golden skirts”, in the professions, the boardrooms and government. As with every movement, some from the sectors the movement form to liberate have risen. But all this means is that the well paid ruling stratum is slightly more diverse. Recent figures show that boardrooms in top FTSE companies have 26% women. A recent report is pressing for 30% in the next 10 years. This is liberation for the few and sexism (and racism) for the many. Carers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose. You have a living wage and a caring world to win.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.


MonDAY 23•11•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

Teachers and Learning The Morung Express

policy

papers

By Vyasan R

L

ast week, I looked at the status of primary education in Nagaland and tried to examine the reasons for the low levels of learning outcomes in our state. The lack of access to schools was clearly not a reason for poor learning outcomes as households in our state had good access to schools. On the issue of whether cost of education or high levels of education expenditure was a reason for low learning outcomes we were not able to reach a definitive conclusion. We keep the issue of education expenditure aside and look at teacher absenteeism as a primary cause for poor learning outcomes. In our state teacher absenteeism is presumed to be the prime reason for poor learning outcomes even without proper analysis. For most of us it is either that teachers are to blame in its entirety for the malaise in our education system or not at all. No prizes for guessing who takes which side in a debate. I try to put some hard numbers down for further discussion. But before we look at Nagaland we try and get the national picture. It has been estimated that teacher absenteeism has a huge he fiscal impact of teacher absenteeism on our economy. By fiscal impact we mean pure wastage of public resources. An all-India study conducted by the World Bank whose results were published in 2014, placed the loss to the government exchequer of teacher absenteeism at `800 crores in 2010 prices. The survey was conducted only in 19 states in the country (only Assam from the North east was included) and was completed in 2010 by a group of researchers at the World Bank. The study also found a couple of interesting observations. That increase in teacherpupil ratio has led to an increase in teacher absenteeism and that strict enforcement of teacher attendance by frequent school inspections has understandably improved teacher attendance rates. Teacher Absenteeism in the Northeast

Teacher Absenteeism Tripura Sikkim Nagaland Mizoram Meghalaya

2014

Assam Arunachal Pradesh 5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Teacher vs Student Absenteeism

40

Figure 1: ASER 2014 Result Sheet Figure 1 uses data from ASER 2014 and looks at a snapshot of all the states in the North East. As a reminder ASER looks at rural schools in all the states and assess their performance mainly on learning outcomes. They also provide data on teacher absenteeism. Without any causal implications the above data gives a comparative picture of how our state fares among all states in the Northeast. With teacher absenteeism at 13.9%, our levels are higher than 5 other north-eastern states in but the differences among the states are not very large. For example, the difference between the best performing state (Mizoram with only 11.3% teacher absenteeism) and Nagaland is only 2.6 percentage points. Though there are differences in categories across states, preventing strict comparability across space, the above snapshot clearly shows that teacher absenteeism is not more or less widespread than in rest of the states in the region.However, we need to examine whether teacher absenteeism, low as it may be does lead to other serious factors that may impair learning.

poll ResulTs

Rather than taking honest responsibility for our failures and challenges are Nagas hiding behind the cloak of religion? 71%

25 20 15 Teacher 10

Student

5

19%

0 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Figure 2: Teacher vs student absenteeism in Nagaland The latter explanation is valid if we look at the above data in Figure 2. Absenteeism rates have remained higher among students than among teachers. Figure 2 also tells us that both teacher and student absenteeism go hand in hand. The curves go up and down simultaneously. Another worrying factor about both the curves is that there is an increasing linear trend in both teacher and student absenteeism rates in our state. This increasing trend is seen all over the country. It may also be pointed out that between 2010 and 2014 for which data is presented above, saw both the conduct of elections and census operations for which teachers were used. A disaggregation of the impact of these survey collection exercises is not however possible with the existing data. This begs the question as to why teachers absent themselves from schools. Teacher Absenteeism-an explanation Teachers cannot be completely blamed for their absence from schools. The government for want of an alternative generally make use of the human resource capability of the teachers in conducting elections and census work. They may also be sent out to district headquarters to attend trainings/ workshop or other official work. It is not uncommon in our villages for the teachers to help out in village administration and be engaged in these activities. These are all social pressures that keep the teachers away from classrooms. Government school teachers also blame the quality of their students. Admittedly, teachers in rural primary schools in our state end up with the most economically under-privileged group of students. The students who attend government classes come from poor families who cannot afford to send them to schools either to the nearest town/district headquarters/Kohima/Dimapur. These children maybe first generation learners or their parents may be too caught up in the daily farm work to give enough attention to their wards. Without adequate supervision and support from home, teachers feel dejected and helpless to perform their roles in an effective manner. Teacher Attendance-necessary condition but not sufficient for learning The fact is that ensuring teachers attend schools is a necessary condition for improving learning outcomes. Without teachers attending schools there is no way that learning outcomes of children can improve because teachers are the only source of learning in rural areas in our state.The rub of the matter however, is that ensuring teachers attend schools are not sufficient to improve learning outcomes. In other parts of the country, teachers have been found to be inadequately trained to teach the students and they themselves fail to pass certain tests of teacher competence. If the teacher herself is not competent one can imagine that student learning maybe inadequate. In our state we fortunately have teachers of high calibre. Instances are not rare, where engineering graduates have been appointed as secondary-level teachers.

Manipur

0

Teacher vs Student Absenteeism We look at the level of student absenteeism in our state. What use is cent percent teacher attendance if student attendance is negligible? Teacher absenteeism can lead to student absenteeism over the medium term. When teachers are consistently not present in school then parents become reluctant to send their children to school.

Proxy-teaching In our state the proverbial elephant in the room is the problem of ‘proxy.’ Whether proxy-teaching leads to adverse learning outcomes or not may be a point of debate. However, the practice of proxy-teaching cause perverse incentives in the entire education system. It dis-incentivises the honest teacher, who are the silent majority to a great extent. They feel cheated by a system which fails to take action against wrongdoers and hence feel dejected to perform their roles in an effective manner. In our state, if the above issue is not dealt on squarely all attempts education sector reform and improving learning outcomes of our children will come to nought. Conclusion In Nagaland we have adequate number of schools and teachers but inadequate learning outcomes. Reforming the sector would require both political and intellectual muscle. But even before we begin to think of reforms, policy makers should engage our teachers in meaningful discussion on possible reform measures that can be introduced. Teachers have joined the profession with a passion for their job. They, more than anyone else know what ails our education system. We should begin our journey to reform our schooling system by first engaging them more actively.

10% YES

NO

OTHER

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: 61 • Yes i think we Nagas use religion to justify everything. In the name of religion we collect tax, in the name of religion people are killed and we invoke the name of God for everything under the sun, but we do not follow the tenets of Christianity. We are hiding behind religion and using it to justify everything. Is this not blasphemy. • Yes, Easier thing to do. unluckily also unsustainable • They box their God within the church walls. Their practice of Christianity has failed to be relevant to current social issues. • Yes, we Nagas are not good in taking responsibility. We keep blaming others for our own fault and mistakes. We also keep hiding behind the cloak of religion. When we should be helping the poor and working for their upliftment we keep saying that Politics should be kept away from Christianity. • Yes masking and pandering • Yes, I agree we are hiding behind religion because there is too much gap between Christian principles and the lives we lead. It is hypocrisy. • Yes and it is too bad that nagas are reducing Christianity to a convenient tool. We are making a mockery of God and Church. • Yes, we have lost our morals and our principles. We have become a lost nation without any sense of responsibility. Some of those who voted NO had this to say: 9 • No, I think it is the other way round. Is it not religion that is hiding behind the people and not taking responsibility of being a responsible Church. So far, the Church has been conveniently been silent on many matters. • No, we cant blame the public. They are only obediently following what they learn in Church. We need to understand that the church does not focus on the teachings of taking responsibility in society. It only focuses on going to heaven. • This yardstick cannot be applied to all. Most of the public are actually rising up to the challenges and taking responsibility. This is why they are trying to bring change in our state. But our leaders, our politicians and our church leaders are shying away from owning up to the mess they have created and are blaming others for it. Unless our leaders change, things will not change in our state. Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: 16 • It is time for our parents, schools and churches to help the children – especially from a young age – to start taking greater responsibility in their lives and society. If this is done, than there is hope that we will not longer shy away from taking responsibility and we can confidently live without having to hide behind anything or anyone. • In no way honesty is to be found in Nagaland now a days. • We Nagas are very fond of blaming others. We hardly take any responsibility for our own actions. We have the gift of making wrong things into right and this is the reason why good people are not in the forefront. It is always the not so good that are doing much better. Over the generations we have lost our principles.

India opens boardrooms to women but few mid-career dropouts return Nita Bhalla

Thomson Reuters Foundation

T

anu Anand, an Indian international tax accountant with 13 years experience with multinational firms in India, Singapore and Hong Kong, lost hope of resuming her high-flying career after having a baby last year. "I sat at home for eight months rather depressed and very low in confidence. All of a sudden here I was, this person with all this international experience with top firms, sitting there with no opportunities or prospects," said Anand, 36. "I went for many interviews, but they wanted to put me on a slow career path because I had a baby. There was no balance where I could be a good mother and a good employee. I honestly thought of giving up and starting a bakery." A new law may have forced India Inc. to open the boardroom doors to women, but years of sidelining them has led to a high dropout rate among professionals like Anand resulting in a shortage of women to fill such positions. Around 530 out of 5,711 listed firms have been fined by the Bombay Stock Exchange for not having at least one woman director by the deadline. Other companies appointed relatives such as wives and mothers-in-law who are seen as proxies. Research by Catalyst, a nonprofit focusing on women in business, finds the shortage is due to the fact that far more women drop out

of the corporate workforce early on in India than in other countries. Catalyst's 2013 report "First Step: India Overview" found that nearly half of Indian women drop off the corporate employment ladder between junior and mid-levels, compared with 29 percent across Asia as a whole. The main reason cited is the lack of support given to women who want to return to work after having a baby, such as extended maternity leave, crèche facilities and flexible hours. "...the pipeline is not available. There are not enough women in senior management currently to occupy all the positions that are opening up for women," said Shachi Irde, Catalyst India's executive director. "Organisations have to focus on inclusion at all levels right from the beginning to ensure that they have a healthy pipeline to move up the ladder." INVISIBLE AND UNRECOGNISED Studies conducted by Catalyst, Mckinsey, Credit Suisse and others repeatedly show that board diversity leads to better performance in terms of productivity and profitability. A 2012 report by the Credit Suisse Research Institute, for example, found that stocks of large cap companies with at least one woman board director outperformed those with all-male boards by 26 percent over a period of six years. Yet, despite increased efforts by companies and governments around the world to lift the number of women

en climbing the corporate ladder face the usual unconscious gender biases, being perceived as unambitious, not capable enough, or misplaced home makers, experts say. "Bosses often think that due to family commitments, women cannot stay late in the office, attend events where they can network or take on extra projects. As a result, women are often passed over for promotions," said Sarika Bhattacharyya, co-founder of Biz Divas, a nonprofit promoting female leadership. "Women themselves are also not visible enough, even when they are ambitious. As a culture and as a gender, we have always been told from a young age to be humble and not boast about our achievements."

Tanu Anand, 36, an Indian international tax accountant, poses along with her daughter Tanvi, at her residence in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, November 17, 2015. (Reuters Photo)

in senior corporate roles, their presence remains stubbornly low. Women hold just 12 percent of boardroom seats worldwide, and only 4 percent of board chairmen are women, according to a June report by Deloitte after studying almost 6,000 firms in 49 countries. In India - despite the prominence of a few businesswomen such as Biocon Managing Director Kiran

Mazumdar-Shaw, ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar or HSBC country head Naina Lal Kidwai - the lack of women on boards is even more pronounced. Just 7.7 percent of board seats are held by women in India, compared with 17.5 percent in South Africa and 15.6 percent in the United Kingdom, the Deloitte report showed. As in other countries, Indian wom-

UNTAPPED TALENT Anand's fate changed in May when she saw a Facebook post from multinational Genpact, looking for qualified, experienced women wanting to return to work but within a flexible environment as part of their "Career 2.0." programme. In less than two weeks, she went through six gruelling interviews before being offered a job as an assistant vice president under a flexible working arrangement. "The way it is today is that I work hard to strict deadlines but I work with my own flexibilities. If there are no meetings, then I can take my work home. This gives me the opportunity to oversee my young child as well," she said. Research conducted by Gen-

pact estimates there are 1.5 million qualified Indian women like Anand, who have dropped out of corporate jobs largely because they cannot find suitable employment after starting a family. "We thought as part of our initiative to bring in gender diversity, let's introduce a programme aimed at attracting these mid career level women who have taken a sabbatical and are looking to get back into the mainstream," said Urvashi Singh, senior vice president of human resources at Genpact. "We are getting some really, really good talent and we are really excited about this. We have had a terrific response on social media." The Career 2.0. programme, launched on Facebook in May, has resulted in more than 1,000 applications and more than 10 women being hired at middle and senior levels such as assistant vice president. Catalyst's Irde says that initiatives like these, together with mentorship programmes and policies such as child care facilities and flexible working hours, are key to boosting the number of women breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling. "There is a growing realisation in India Inc. to have diversity in the workplace - whether it is in the boardroom or any other level of management," said Irde. "There are enough women there, but you need to look beyond the traditional sources of recruitment to find them."

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

MondAY 23•11•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Modi calls for new global resolve to fight terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the people from Indian community during an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

Kuala lumPur, November 22 (iaNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the East Asia Summit here on Sunday, called for a new global resolve to fight terrorism and spoke of unimpeded commerce in the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean regions. Modi had a hectic schedule on the second day of his visit to Malaysia, addressing the 10th East Asia Summit (EAS), unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda, meeting Malay-Indian political leaders and delivering a speech to a diaspora gathering in which he sought to revitalise the bonds between India and the Indian-origin people in this southeast Asian nation. Besides India, the countries that participate

in the annual East Asia Summit held immediately after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit are Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. In his remarks at the EAS, Modi said that “the barbaric terrorist strikes” in Paris, Ankara, Beirut, Mali and on the Russian aircraft that was brought down in Egypt's Sinai last month were a stark reminder that its shadow stretched across societies and the world, both in recruitment and choice of targets. “We must build new global resolve and new strategies for combating terrorism,

without balancing it against political considerations,” the prime minister added. Without naming Pakistan, he said no country should use or support terrorism. “There is no distinction between groups. There are no sanctuaries. There are no funds. There is no access to arms. But, we also have to work within our societies and with our youth. I welcom e the commitment to de-link religion from terrorism and the efforts to promote human values that define every faith,” Modi said. Stating that since his government came to power 18 months ago, no region has seen greater engagement from India than the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean regions, Modi outlined his vision of five elements for an

Asian century, including a regional architecture for security cooperation. Describing the ocean as a pathway to peace and prosperity, Modi said that India shares with Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) "a commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with accepted principles of international law...” Modi sought stronger cooperation in cyber-security, outer space and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. He also sought an early conclusion of a regional comprehensive economic partnership. Modi called for a concrete outcome in the Conference of Parties (CoP) 21 climate summit to be held in Paris later this month. Later in his address to the diaspora, Modi sought to enhance India's connect with the people of Indian origin in Malaysia with a lavish praise for their accomplishments and a string of announcements, including naming a cultural centre here after freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Of the nearly 30 million population of Malaysia, around two million people are of Indian origin. As over 15,000 people of Indian origin chanted “Modi, Modi” at the Malaysian International Exhibition and Convention Centre here,

the Indian prime minister acknowledged the large proportion of people of Tamil majority among the Indian diaspora in this southeast Asian nation by starting with the greeting, “Vanakkam”. Modi said his government was prepared to work with the Malaysian government to build a memorial to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in Malaysia during World War II. He said India and Malaysia should recognise each other's medical degrees, on which he would talk with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. He talked of India and Malaysia drawing strength from their respective diversities. "India is a land of unparalleled diversity... every citizen has equal rights which the court protects and government defends," Modi said. He also spoke on the issue of terrorism, describing it as the biggest threat to the world today. Modi said independent India owed a debt of gratitude to Malay-Indians. While unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Ramakrishna Mission complex here, he said that people should instil the values of the great Indian sage and philosopher in their mind and soul. Modi wraps up his Malaysia visit on Monday and leaves for Singapore on the second and last leg of his tour.

Black Money: ED scanner on Indians named in HSBC list New Delhi, November 22 (PTi): Tightening the noose around Indians whose names figured in the ‘stolen’ Swiss HSBC bank black money list, the Enforcement Directorate has begun a preliminary investigation in these cases for an independent hawala and money laundering probe. The agency recently has begun obtaining from various court registries the details of Income Tax department’s prosecution charge sheets filed against over 140 entities till now. The ED itself and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money had desired that these cases be shared by the tax department and its apex policy-making body Central Board of Direct Taxes with the former agency but the request had been continuously turned down citing strict treaty obligations riding the exchange of data from the authorities of foreign shores by India. Sources privy to the development say the agency, sometime back, finally decided to obtain the case reports from various courts in the country and examine them. Some cases have already been obtained by the agency, they said. Sources said a number of cases in the HSBC list, provided to India by the French government few years back after they were allegedly ‘stolen’ by an employee, prima facie invite charges under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and many of them would also attract the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In what will spell more trouble for stash fund holders figuring on this list, legal proceedings under PMLA are criminal in nature and a recent circular issued by the agency also states that any case which is booked under section 120B of the IPC (criminal con-

spiracy) could become the ‘predicate offence’ for the central probe agency to slap money laundering charges. The tax department, it is understood, has slapped this section of the Indian Penal Code in many of these cases while prosecuting the offenders. Sources said the agency was at an advanced stage of examining few cases and subsequently issuing FEMA notices to those against whom the IT department has filed court cases, even as it is forced to go slow as obtaining all the over 140 cases from various courts is a time taking affair. While undisclosed income of over Rs. 3,000 crore has been brought to tax on account of deposits made in unreported foreign bank accounts in this case till now, penalties under FEMA laws for doing hawala-like trade and money laundering is going to pinch the accused further monetarily and select cases could also entail a jail term under PMLA given their gravity on a case-to-case basis. There are a total of 628 names of Indians appearing in the HSBC list, where 200 were either non-residents or non-traceable, leaving 428 cases of residents which were found actionable. The net amount of peak balance for these 428 cases was about Rs. 4,500 crore, a government data had said. The Swiss government on its part had said these names are from “stolen data” and this stand had been an impediment for Indian investigators in getting additional details on these accounts as the alpine nation’s legal systems do not allow international cooperation on data sourced by stealing or theft. The IT department has subsequently launched over 140 prosecutions so far for wilful attempt to evade taxes and failure to furnish accounts and documents among other tax evasion charges.

'Country cannot progress India hits out at Kerry for terming it a ‘challenge’ at Paris meet without education for girls' New Delhi, November climate change. and strategic partner. His (Ker- India right now to try to bring ber 11 aims to achieve a legally ' eTawah (uP), November 22 (PTi:) SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today stressed on the need for girls and women education and said that the country cannot progress without their support. "Unless girls come forward with good education, till then the country and society cannot progress and this has been the thinking of SP," Mulayam said here while addressing students at a programme on the occasion of his 77th birthday today. Mulayam said that to promote girls' education, the SP government made it free till class XII and provided several other facilities. The SP supremo said that the party fulfilled all the promises made with the people, it made education cheaper, irrigation free and waived off the loans of the farmers. Due to the policies of SP and support of the officers concerned, Uttar Pradesh has marched towards development and it was being discussed everywhere, he said. The other parties make promises at the time of elections, but later forget them, he said. He appealed to the students to complete their medical education, become able doctors and serve poor and people.

Nadda urges doctors to improve preventive healthcare New Delhi, November 22 (iaNS): Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Sunday urged family medicine practitioners in the country to come up with solutions for improving preventive and promotive healthcare in the country. Family medicine practitioners are the doctors who treat patients at primary and secondary levels. "Family medicine practitioners can play a primary role in preventive and promotive healthcare and especially in the rural and peri-urban areas where a substantial portion of the population resides," Nadda said at the second National Conference on Family Medicine and Primary Care. "The out of pocket expenses incurred by a large section of population still remains high. Tackling this burden of non communicable diseases and high out of pocket expenses requires focus on preventive and promotive care at primary level and secondary level." According to the health ministry, non-communicable diseases account for 60 percent of mortality in India.

22 (PTi): India on Sunday hit out at US Secretary of State John Kerry for his remarks that India will be a “challenge” at the upcoming crucial Paris climate meet, saying they were “unwarranted” and made it clear that it is “not in the habit of taking any pressure from anybody”. Terming Kerry’s comments as “unwarranted and unfair”, India also blamed the “attitude” of some of the developed countries for the problem of

Hinting that there was no question of either compromising or making adjustments on any of the issues which the country has taken up, Environment Minister Prakash Javedekar said that it has always been on the side of consensus and is trying to “proactively” bring consensus among nations. “It is in a way unfair to say that India will be a challenge. It is actually not doing justice with India. The US is our great friend

ry’s) comment are unwarranted and unfair. The attitude of some of the developed countries is the challenge for the Paris conclusion,” he said. Kerry in an interview with a leading international business daily had recently warned that India could be a “challenge” at upcoming climate change talks in Paris, with its government reluctant to accept more of a role in addressing global warming. “We’ve got a lot of focus on

Winter session: Ordinance-related bills govt's key priority New Delhi, November 22 (PTi): With the land ordinance allowed to lapse, the government's priority will now be to take up three other ordinance-related bills fast as Winter Session of Parliament begins on November 26. Two of these bills are The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to deal with cheque bounce cases; and The Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Bill, 2015 that enables the creation of commercial divisions in high courts. Another bill is needed to convert The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 into an Act, which was brought to achieve the purpose of speedy settlement of disputes via arbitration. As the Monsoon Session

remained a near wash out and Opposition parties have closed ranks to corner the government on various issues in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha even in Winter Session, the government floor managers are working out a strategy to pass the less contentious bills. They are also discussing ways for clearing the crucial GST bill amid indications from Congress that it may not stonewall the measure. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu will meet leaders of NDA in both Houses on Tuesday, a day before he holds an all party-meeting on November 25 to reach out to Opposition to help the government pass the key bills. There are eight pending bills in Lok Sabha and 11 in Rajya Sabha. Key bills include the Goods and Services Tax (GST)

and Land Bill, which is pending before a Joint Committee of Parliament. The government is unlikely to move fast on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 after giving indications that it would prefer the state governments to frame their own bills. Other important pending bills are The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, The Repealing and Amending (Third) Bill, The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, The Consumer Protection Bill, The High Court and the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, and The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill.

them along. India has been more cautious, a little more restrained in its embrace of this new paradigm, and it’s a challenge,” he was quoted as saying. Javadekar said while “there is no pressure from the developed world on India, the country is also not in the habit of taking any pressure from anybody.” The Paris Climate Conference scheduled to take place from November 30 to Decem-

binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. “When you are doing a global arrangement, every country will put forth its issue. We have to take consensus along. India is always is on the side of consensus. We are proactively helping to bring consensus. We are not nay sayers but helping bring consensus. It is not about compromising,” Javadekar said.

Terrorism should not be linked with religion: Naqvi New Delhi, November 22 (iaNS): Terrorism, the biggest threat to the world's peace, should not be linked with any religion, union Minister of State for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Sunday. "...growing terror incidents across the world have strengthened India's view that terrorism has not remained problem of a particular country or region but the devil of terrorism has extended its presence across the world and it has become the biggest threat to the world's peace, stability and economy," he said in his blog titled 'Murder of Humanity to Establish Evil Empire'. Urging the world to stand united against terrorism and radicalism, Naqvi said people

should not look at terrorism through the "spectacles of religion for political motive". "The day we will link terrorism with religion we will be trapped into ill design of terror elements. Those elements who are indulged into such cruelty have nothing to do with Islam or humanity." He called for a united war against terrorism at the global level. "There is need for united efforts by all the countries, Muslim world, religious leaders, intellectuals against the menace of terrorism and radicalism." He also called for communication and coordination among the society, religious leaders, government agencies and the media to defeat the menace of terrorism.

I’m being subjected to ‘political witch-hunt’ and used as ‘political tool’ New Delhi, November 22 (PTi): Robert Vadra, whose land deals are being probed in BJP-ruled Haryana and Rajasthan, on Sunday contended that he was being subjected to a “political witch-hunt” and used as a “political tool”. Son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the controversial businessman said a distinction should be made between him as an individual conducting business like anyone else and the politics of the family of his wife Priyanka Gandhi Vadra “without constantly attempting to link the two”. Alleging that there was a “sustained political attack” on him, 46-year-old Vadra claimed that BJP was using attacks on him as a “political tool whenever they need to divert public

attention”. He said he has always conducted business transparently in accordance with the law but he was being “singled out” and “lies” were spread which made it difficult for him at times to come to terms with the “way I have been portrayed”. Vadra told PTI that “perception about me seems to have become so deeply embedded that it seems as if the truth does not matter to anyone anymore”. On the inquiry being undertaken against his business deals in Haryana and Rajasthan besides the Enforcement Directorate sending a notice to his company, he said, “There is a clear-cut political witchhunt…. The more they hound me, the more apparent it is becoming that

they are using their attacks on me as a political tool whenever they need to divert public attention.” On the probe in Haryana where the one-man Justice S N Dhingra Commission is looking into grant of land licences to some companies including that of Vadra’s in four villages of Gurgaon, Vadra

said he had not received any notices so far but has read the media reports in this regard. “I will deal with the notices from the inquiry and the ED as and when I receive them. Since these proceedings involve legal issues, I would not like to make any comment on them at this stage,” he said.

The BJP government in Haryana had in May set up the Dhingra Commission to probe alleged irregularities in grant of licences by the Department of Town and Country Planning to some companies, including that of Vadra, in Sector 83 of Gurgaon for developing commercial colonies during the previous Congress government of Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The Dhingra Commission has been asked to probe subsequent transfer or disposal of the lands, allegations of private enrichment, ineligibility of beneficiaries under the rules, and other connected matters, bringing Vadra’s land deal under the scanner. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on November 17 said the Commission will soon sub-

mit its report. Vadra said he has the highest respect for the process of law and expressed confidence that “the truth will eventually prevail over any political witch-hunt”. He said, “whatever I have or have not done, is in the public domain for everyone to see. Even the socalled facts forming part of media campaigns were based on information that I had myself provided to the ROC (Registrar of Companies) and other agencies.” He cited the example of debates repeatedly being held on “why I sold certain portions of land for a profit in an area where every single other buyer and seller of land made the same, if not more profit, during the same period of time. Those other transactions were never debated.”

Insisting that his work had nothing to do with politics of his in-laws, Vadra said, “I have always conducted my business strictly in accordance with the law and have been more transparent. Why am I being singled out?” He said the media should make a “distinction between me as an individual conducting a business as anyone else would, and my wife’s family in politics without constantly attempting to link the two”. He also expressed regret for aggressively brushing aside a journalist when questioned over allegations against him. “Perhaps I got more worked up over it than I should have. I regret that but I am human too and cannot always remain calm in the face of all sorts of wild accusations being directed at me. I wish

him all the best.” On the controversy with regard to his being on the VVIP list to be exempted from frisking at airports, he maintained that he had “never ‘enjoyed’ the special treatment” and “never availed it”. He added, “I am not a VIP nor do I want to be treated like one.” On current political and social atmosphere in the country, Vadra said, “I generally stay away from politics but just as an ordinary citizen, I feel that the prevailing social disturbance in our country is very sad.” He said that “to try to control freedom, expression and the rights of individuals to practice their own religion, or to live and eat and pray as they wish to, is an outdated idea. It stops progress and stunts development.”


MondaY 23•11•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

China won’t cease building on South China Sea isles

KUALA LAMPUR, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): China said on Sunday it will continue to build military and civilian facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea and the United States was testing it by sending warships through the area. “Building and maintaining necessary military facilities, this is what is required for China’s national defence and for the protection of those islands and reefs,” Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur. China planned to “expand and upgrade” the civilian facilities on the islands “to better serve commercial ships, fishermen, to help distressed vessels and provide more public services”, Liu said, adding that China rejects the notion that it is militarising the South China Sea. He said China has mostly built civilian facilities. Liu’s comments at the annual East Asia Summit, this year hosted by Kuala Lumpur, were some of the most forceful explanations that China has given regarding its position on the South China Sea. Washington was testing Beijing with its insistence on “freedom of navigation” patrols in the strategic waterway, Liu said. China, which claims almost the entire energy-rich South China Sea, has been transforming reefs into artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago and building airfields and other facilities on some of them. That has prompted concerns in Washington and across the region that Beijing is trying to militarise its claims in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, U.S. B-52 bombers flew near some of the islands, signalling Washington’s determination to challenge Beijing’s

China’s Premier Li Keqiang speaks during the 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur on November 21. (REUTERS Photo)

claim. At the end of October, the USS Lassen, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed around one of them. “This time, in a very high profile manner, the U.S. sent military vessels within 12 nautical miles of China’s islands and reefs,” Liu said. “This has gone beyond the scope of freedom of navigation. It is a political provocation and the purpose is to test China’s response.” Obama on Saturday called on countries to stop building artificial islands and militarising their claims and said the United States would continue to assert its freedom of navigation rights in the sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have territorial claims in the South China Sea. CONFRONT ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS Leaders from 18 countries including the United States, China, India, Russia, Japan and Southeast Asia who gathered for the summit

issued strong calls for action after a recent spate of attacks by Islamic State in Paris, Mali and Lebanon. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon urged Russia and the United States on Sunday to cooperate in rooting out terrorism and said he would unveil a comprehensive plan to fight extremism and violence early next year. “We need to show global solidarity to address ... the common enemy of ISIL, Daesh, some other extremists and terrorist groups,” he said, referring to Islamic State. Obama told a news conference at the end of the summit the United States and its allies would not relent in the fight to combat Islamic State extremists and would hunt down their leaders and cut off the group’s financing. “Destroying (Islamic State) is not only a realistic goal, we’re going to get it done,” Obama said. “We will destroy them. We will take back land they are currently in, take out

their financing, hunt down leadership, dismantle their networks, supply lines and we will destroy them.” Obama said it “would be helpful” if Russia directed its focus on tackling Islamic State and he hoped Moscow would agree to a leadership transition in Syria that meant its president stepping down. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said countries with large populations of Muslims, including Russia, should unite to fight against Islamic State. Medvedev said “it is now clear we can only fight this threat by bringing our forces together and by working through such international institutions as the United Nations”. The U.N. Secretary-General said he “highly commended the leadership of the Russian Federation together with the United States to address some of the roots causes of terrorism”. Ban said the United Nations is now gathering ideas and experience from its member states. “Early next year, the U.N. is going to present a comprehensive plan of action to defeat violence and extremism.” ECONOMIC COMMUNITY Before the start of the East Asia Summit, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations formally established an ASEAN community. It attempts to create freer movement of trade and capital in an area of 625 million people with a combined economic output of $2.6 trillion. “In practice, we have virtually eliminated tariff barriers between us,” said Najib, the summit host. “Now we have to assure freer movements and removal of barriers that hinder growth and investment.”

9

Hong Kong votes a year after protests

Junius Ho (4th L), a lawyer and main challenger for pro-democracy lawmaker and former Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho, gestures in front of supporters during a district council election campaign in Hong Kong on November 22. (REUTERS Photo)

HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 22( REUTERS): Hong Kong, decked out in colourful posters and flags, voted on Sunday in district-level elections that will mark the first real test of public sentiment since prodemocracy protests crippled parts of the Chinese-controlled city last year. About 900 candidates are competing for the 431 seats in 18 district councils, where pro-Beijing parties currently hold a majority, at a time when people are divided over the pace of political reform. The results, due late on Sunday, will provide insight into how a Legislative Council election due next year and a controversial leadership poll in 2017 could pan out. The 79-day demonstrations last year, when activists streamed on to highways to demand full democracy for the former British colony, became the biggest political challenge to Beijing’s Communist Party leaders in years. The protests failed to persuade China to allow a fully democratic vote in 2017. Beijing says city voters have to chose from a list of candidates it has approved. But they triggered what many in the financial centre see as a political awakening, which has included a lively debate over how much control China’s central government should have. Scores of new candidates have come forward since the protests, including Steve Ng Wing-tak, 30, a former chef. “Without the Umbrella Movement, I would definitely not have run for the district council,”

said Ng, referring to the democracy demonstrations. “I would’ve been more politically apathetic than most.” The city’s streets were festooned with banners and flags, while candidates and volunteers in sashes and colourful windbreakers handed out flyers to passers-by. “If you are fighting for democracy but not actually participating in a democratic election, you are a bit of a hypocrite,” said 29-year-old candidate Edward Lau, who took part in the democracy protests. Others said they would not vote for a candidate who took part in “trouble-making”. “People should not stir up trouble,” said a 79-year-old retiree surnamed Yung. “I have voted for a candidate who thinks this way.” One of the most keenly watched seats will be that of Albert Ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker who faces stiff competition in the gritty new town of Tuen Mun in the western New Territories. A bespectacled Ho, wearing a bright green T-shirt, told Reuters he was confident of winning and, when asked how he would feel if he lost, said: “I will only tell you if I lose.” Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that gives it substantial autonomy and freedoms, with universal suffrage promised as an “ultimate goal”. District councillors wield little power, acting more in an advisory role in which they can push forward policies for the government to consider.

Liberia monitors over 150 Ebola contacts as virus re-emerges Belgium widens hunt, with Brussels on maximum alert MONROVIA, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Liberia has placed 153 people under surveillance as it seeks to control a new Ebola outbreak in the capital more than two months after the country was declared free of the virus, health officials said. Three Ebola cases emerged in Liberia on Friday. The first of the new patients was a 15-year-old boy called Nathan Gbotoe from Paynesville, a suburb east of the capital Monrovia. Two other family members have since been confirmed as positive and they are all hospitalised. “We have three confirmed cases and have listed 153 contacts, and we have la-

belled them as high, medium and low in terms of the risk,” Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francis Kateh told Reuters late on Saturday. The West African country has suffered the highest death toll in the worst known Ebola outbreak in history, losing more than 4,800 people. It has twice been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, once in May and again on Sept. 3, only for new cases to emerge. It is not known how Gbotoe was infected and Kateh did not offer any explanation, saying that investigations were ongoing. Cross-border transmission seems unlikely since neighbouring

Guinea has zero cases while Sierra Leone was declared Ebola-free this month after 42 days without a case. In the Duport Road neighbourhood of Paynesville, health officials went from house to house on Saturday delivering food and water to neighbours of the infected family, deemed at risk of catching the disease. Unlike in previous months, there were no barriers or soldiers to enforce quarantines. Neighbour Elizabeth Powell said she was more worried about lost income than catching Ebola, which is transmitted through the bodily fluids of the sick.

N Korea threatens S Korea ahead of island shelling anniversary SEOUL, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Five years after North Korea fired shells on to a South Korean island, Pyongyang vowed on Sunday to retaliate mercilessly should Seoul hold fire drills near the border on the anniversary. North Korea fired scores of artillery shells at South Korea’s Yeonpyeong island on Nov. 23, 2010, killing four people including two civilians in one of the heaviest attacks on its neighbour since the Korean War ended in 1953. North Korea said it was provoked into the attack by

South Korean live-fire drills in the area that dropped shells in its territorial waters. The threat came after the two Koreas agreed on Friday to hold talks later this month, setting the stage for the first government-level meeting focused on easing tension since the two pledged to improve ties following an armed standoff in August. “If the South Korean military fires at the waters of the DPRK in the hotspot area of the West Sea of Korea on Monday, they will experience merciless retaliation of the South-

western Front units of the DPRK on the five islands,” the North’s official KCNA news agency quoted spokesman for the southwestern front command of the Korean People’s Army as saying. DPRK is an acronym for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. “They should not dig their own graves with war drumbeats for the preemptive strike against the DPRK but draw a lesson from the bitter defeat they suffered five years ago,” the military command

spokesman said. An official at South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said they were monitoring the situation but he declined to give further comment. Impoverished North Korea and rich, democratic South Korea remain technically at war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty. The North, slapped with U.N. and U.S. sanctions for its nuclear weapons and rocket programmes, often threatens to destroy the South, and its major ally, the United States, in a sea of flames.

BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Belgium widened its search on Sunday for armed Islamist extremists whose presence has put Brussels on maximum alert, with officials saying more than one militant was at large in the city. The alert has closed the capital’s metro system, although a senior minister said it was likely to reopen on Monday. Belgium has been at the heart of investigations into the Paris attacks on Nov. 13 that left 130 people dead after links emerged to Brussels, and the poor district of Molenbeek in particular. Two of the Paris suicide bombers, Brahim Abdeslam and Bilal Hadfi, had been living in Belgium. Fugitive suspected militant Salah Abdeslam, Brahim’s 26 year-old brother, slipped back home to Brussels from Paris shortly after the attacks. Asked whether Brussels’ maximum threat level since Saturday related to Salah Abdeslam alone, Interior Minister Jan Jambon told broadcaster VRT “unfortunately not”. “It is a threat that goes beyond just that one person,” he said. “We’re looking at more things, that’s why we’ve put in place such a concentration of resources.” Bernard Clerfayt, the mayor of the Brussels district of Schaerbeek, was quoted by broadcaster

B’desh executes 2 opp leaders for 1971 war crimes DHAKA, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Bangladesh executed two opposition leaders on Sunday for war crimes committed during the 1971 war to break away from Pakistan, a senior police official said, in a move likely to draw an angry reaction from supporters. Islamist opposition leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a former legislator from former premier Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), were hanged shortly after President Abdul Hamid rejected their appeals late on Saturday for clemency. “Both of them were hanged simultaneously on two separate platforms,” the police official said. Mujahid, 67, of the Jamaate-Islami party, and Chowdhury, 66, were hanged at Dhaka Central Jail. The Supreme Court had previously rejected their appeals against a death sentence imposed by a special tri-

bunal for genocide and torture of civilians during the conflict. The Border Guard Bangladesh paramilitary force has been deployed across the country to tighten security. Muslim-majority Bangladesh, until 1971 East Pakistan, has seen a rise in Islamist violence in recent months, with two foreigners and four secular writers and a publisher killed this year. Mujahid was found guilty on five charges including torture and the murders of intellectuals and minority Hindus while he commanded Al Badr, an auxiliary force of the Pakistani army, during the war to break away from Pakistan. Chowdhury, former legislator from former premier Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was convicted in October 2013 on charges of genocide, religious persecution, abduction and torture during the war. “While we are saddened that we have lost our father by way of a motivated and prede-

termined trial and where the country is gagged from speaking out, we find hope in the fact that the international community recognises the injustice and that fairness and truth shall be restored in Bangladesh,” Humam Quader Chowdhury, a son of Chowdhury, told Reuters. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened an inquiry into crimes committed during the war in 2010, paving the way for prosecutions by a war crimes tribunal that Islamists have denounced as part of a politically motivated campaign aimed at weakening Jamaat-e-Islami’s leadership. Two Jamaat leaders have been executed, one in December 2013 and another in April. They declined to seek clemency from the president. BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon said: ”Salauddin has fallen victim to persecution because of his political identity, and he has been denied justice.”

ALERT STATUS Intelligence, police and judicial officials would review the alert status during the course of the day. The national security council, including top ministers, was expected to convene on Sunday afternoon to determine what measures to take or retain. Justice Minister Koen Geens told VRT the metro system was likely to resume on Monday. “We will guard the metro stations ... We are not going to paralyse Brussels economically, nor the country. We are not led by panic and fear, but we have needed time to reorganise everything,” Geens said. Prime Minister Charles Mi-

chel has advised the public to be alert rather than panic-stricken, but also said Brussels risked Paris-style coordinated attacks. Belgium has urged the public to avoid crowds in the capital, and also closed museums, cinemas and shopping centres. Clubs and venues have cancelled events. Brussels Chief Rabbi Albert Gigi told Israel’s Army Radio on Sunday that the city’s synagogues were shut over the weekend for the first time since World War Two. Soldiers are on guard in parts of Brussels, a city of 1.2 million people and home to institutions of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO. That said, Brussels on Sunday morning resembled most other Sundays, with the normal limited number of shops, such bakeries and small supermarkets open, and many churches in the largely Catholic country still holding services. However, larger markets were shut. The weekend’s measures go far beyond those taken the last time Brussels was put on level four alert, for about a month at the end of 2007 and the start of 2008, when authorities intercepted a plot to free convicted Tunisian Nizar Trabelsi from a Belgian jail. Then the city closed the downtown Christmas market early and cancelled its New Year fireworks display.

NagalaNd Board of School EducatioN KoHimA

Journalist shot after funeral for hanged opposition leader DHAKA, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Unknown assailants opened fire on a Bangladesh television channel’s vehicle and wounded a journalist on Sunday, hours after 2 opposition leaders were hanged for war crimes committed during the 1971 war to break away from Pakistan. The shooting took place in southeastern Chittagong district when the vehicle was returning from the funeral of former lawmaker Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, who was hanged along with ex-minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid. Chowdhury, 66, was from ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He was dubbed the “terror of Chittagong” in Bangladesh for his part in hundreds of killings 44 years ago, and was convicted in 2013 by a special war crimes tribunal. Two unknown attackers opened shots at the vehicle and wounded reporter Rajib Sen, according to Naimul Hasan, additional police superintendent of Chittagong. “We are trying to nab the attackers and find out the reason behind,” he told Reuters by telephone.

RTBF as saying there were “two terrorists” in the Brussels area ready to carry out violence. Mohamed Abdeslam, the brother of Brahim and Salah, urged Salah in an interview on RTBF television to give himself up, adding that he believed Salah was still alive because he had had a last-minute change of heart while in Paris. Belgium’s crisis centre, a state body that advises the government on security, said on Sunday the alert status for Brussels remained at its highest level of four, meaning a “serious and imminent” threat of an attack.

Nagaland Board of School Education

NoTiFiCATioN KohimaNo. 35/2015

NOTIFICATION No. 35/2015 Dated Kohima, the 21st November 2015 Dated Kohima, the 21st November 2015

No. NBE-1/Ex- 9/2015-16/2282 :: It is hereby notified for information of all concerned that the Class-IX Final Examination 2015 is postponed and rescheduled. The revised routine is as follows and the examination shall be conducted on the following days. Day Subject (Time 9 am to 12 noon) 28 November 2015 Saturday Second Language: (i) Tenyidie (iv) Lotha (ii) Ao (v) Hindi (iii) Sumi (vi) Bengali 30th November 2015 Monday Sixth Subject: (i) FIT (ii) Music (iii) Home Science (iv) BK & Accountancy (v) TT/IT (vocational) (9 to 11 am) 8th December 2015 Tuesday Science Wednesday 9th December 2015 English 10th December 2015 Thursday Alternative English th 11 December 2015 Friday Social Sciences Saturday 12th December 2015 Environmental Education 14th December 2015 Monday Mathematics Date th

( Mrs. Asano Sekhose ) Chairman Note : 1. The Board shall issue new question papers for – Eng, Maths, Science, S.S, E.E and Alt. Eng. For other subjects, schools shall use the question papers already issued by the Board. 2. The new question papers will be delivered in the district headquarters on 3rd and 4th Dec. 2015. Schools under Kohima district shall collect it from the Board’s office.


10

MonDAY 23•11•2015

SPORTS/LOCAL

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

8th Naga Unification Anniversary Liverpool pull off stunning

I

Niketu Iralu

have attended consultations for building understanding and anniversary events called by the different political groups of the Naga struggle during the past 25 years or so. I have appreciated the invitations to the events as I do appreciate in equal measure the invitation to this event also today. I want to thank the collective leadership of GPRN/NSCN for giving me this opportunity. The Naga struggle for our aspirations for identity and dignity launched by our pioneers was and is right. It was not at all against India or Burma/Myanmar our neighbours. It was our considered decision to claim our identity and our rightful political status as a people and a nation as fully justified by the facts our history and geography, as our elders of the day understood. We made our position abundantly clear in writing before the British left their empire in South Asia. The Nagas have fought with heroism ever since for the past seventy years showing that that they meant what they had said. The Naga struggle therefore is not an illegal movement for secession from India and Burma, violating agreements made earlier for union – unlike the other movements and struggles that erupted in different parts of India after the British left. The struggle represents the response of the Nagas to the unprecedented changes that had come to impact them in their isolated homeland in the interior of Asia. But the struggle to become a people and to grow as a nation is the most demanding and complicated venture for any people to start and pursue. In all such struggles the people involved make

all kinds of mistakes because of the weaknesses and shortcomings common to all human beings. We the Nagas too have made serious mistakes. And let us not forget we are just at the beginning of our story. What we are meant to do is to learn from our mistakes by maturely and responsibly acknowledging where we have gone wrong. Our crisis today is threatening to overwhelm us because instead of admitting our own mistakes, which will inspire others to do likewise, we are blaming one another and this has paralysed our struggle and our society. This short-sighted, suicidal folly is provoking the worst, the meanest out of all Nagas. It has brought us to a dead end. This occasion today is a crucial moment when we together should discover the common meeting ground where we are all the same before our Creator. I am talking about the soul and conscience inside each one of us. It is the core essence of our personality and our only dependable guide for restoration of trust and unity that will enable us to survive and succeed today. Conscience is the truest friend of all of us no matter which faction, tribe or party we may belong to. Listening to our head only in the conduct of our politics and economic development has produced clever tactics and stratagems against one another. The problems that have resulted from this have become too heavy a burden for our people to bear. Let no group, faction or tribe underestimate the anger and the despair now in the hearts of our people. The time has come when we must all listen to the conscience that is inside all of us to find our way out of the dead-end we have come to. From our conscience will come imag-

inative, constructive ideas of statesmanship that will be right for all Nagas. It is said “Statesmanship is doing today what events will force you to do tomorrow”. This kind of statesmanlike leadership is what we urgently need from the leaders of all groups and factions today. Anything less will keep us in endless distrust and vengeful bitterness against one another. We all know we cannot achieve anything lasting if mutual distrust will be allowed to continue to paralyse us and keep us selfish and tribe-centred. We are entering a new year and a new situation where all Nagas of all tribes, factions and parties must take a united solemn pledge that that no faction or tribe will use violence and force to gain their own advantage at the expense of others. Nagas will no longer allow the darkness of hatred and violence that they have endured to return. The Government of India engaged in ceasefire and negotiation talks with various groups will be held equally responsible if violence and force will be used to implement any settlement and let the Nagas continue to suffer. I shall end with these questions: Did God make a mistake when He made Nagas into so many tribes? Did He make another mistake when He gave to all Naga tribes the common desire to be a people and a nation? There is no doubt it has become extremely difficult today to go forward together. I believe God did not make a mistake. But He gave us a most difficult assignment because He has a very difficult and important role for us to play as a bridge people in a region of Asia where some very ancient civilizations and great nations and cultures meet. I believe we will learn to play our role because He gave it to us obviously trusting us to rise to it.

win to thwart City title push

LONDON, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): The Juergen Klopp effect began to really take effect on Saturday as Liverpool hammered mercurial Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium to provide the Merseysiders' new coach with his most striking Premier League win yet. Klopp's men defeated struggling champions Chelsea 3-1 last month but an own goal from Eliaquim Mangala and two beauti-

fully worked goals from Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, all in the first 32 minutes, put them on their way to an even more impressive triumph on the road. Sergio Aguero, a minute before halftime, produced a brilliant curling effort to threaten the possibility of a comeback win that could have put erratic City back on top of the table. Yet Liverpool, whose impressive Brazilian Firmino squan-

dered a couple of other opportunities to seal the emphatic triumph, completed the rout with a thunderous, if unlikely, 81st minute strike from Martin Skrtel. Having lost just once in eight matches since Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool now lie ninth in the table on 20 points with City in third on 26, behind Manchester United on 27 and surprise leaders Leicester City on 28.

Bethesda Hr. Sec. School celebrates Children’s Day

DiMapUR, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): Bethesda Hr. Sec. School, Walford, Dimapur celebrated Children’s Day with pomp and gaiety with the theme ‘Honour your Father and Mother’ on November 14 at the new campus. The principal of the school welcomed all participants and special guests and highlighted the significance of Children’s Day. The highlights of the ATMA Tuensang, Longkhim block inaugurated cardamom farm school at Longkhim on November 20. Rangdongse has been appointed as the farm school teacher. The concept programme included songs of farm school was delivered by BTT Convenor, Longkhim block, Puchong, after which, and colourful dances, skits training and demonstration on topics such as packages and practice of cabbage, disease control measures of cabbage, cultivation techniques of cardamom and mushroom cultivation was conducted.

The 6th annual conference of AGBCN women department was held on November 14 and 15 at Mission Centre, Singrijan with the theme “Fear not for I am with you” Isaiah 41:10. 300 delegates from 32 churches under Association of Gorkha Baptist Churches Nagaland (AGBCN) attended the conference. The resource persons were Renemsongla Ozukum and Atula, counsellor, District Jail Dimapur.

and joke by the teachers. Rev. Moses Murry, chairman, Bethesda Hr. Sec. School, while exhorting the children quoted from the word of God and stated even a poor child can serve the Lord. Similarly, children can make a difference and be a great blessing by sharing their talents for the glory of God. Waiposong, pastor of Bethesda Fellowship pronounced the benediction and Esther Murry proposed vote of thanks.

NSS unit of PCC visits orphanage

kOhiMa, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): The NSS unit of Patkai Christian College interacted with Neibanuo Zaputou, daughter of Late Zaputou Angami, an awardee of the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award and founder of the Kohima Orphanage and Destitute Home on November 14. The NSS unit comprising 30 volunteers under the leadership of Bendangnungsang and Rokosito, Programme Officers, NSS NSS unit of Patkai Christian College with the children of Kohima Orphanage and Destitute visited the home to have fel- Home during their visit to the home on November 14.

Financial Literacy Camp held

The 25 Nagaland (I) company NCC cadets cleaned the areas in and around Mokokchung as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The ‘Friends of the Poor Society’ distributed relief items to the families of the October 25 fire victims at KK Angami colony, K Therie Colony and SP Colony in Nagarjan, Dimapur. The distributed relief items comprised of rice, water buckets, mosquito nets, bedsheets, dal, sugar and refined oil. The relief items have benefitted about 250 fire affected families, informed a press note from the society. The Relief distribution program started with a prayer by Dr. Bendangjungshi, Director, Friends of the Poor Society, Dimapur.

Teachers of Bethesda Hr. Sec. School perform a dance on Children’s Day.

MOkOkchUNg, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): To promote financial literacy/ inclusion, a one day Financial Literacy Camp (FLC) was conducted at Longsa village in Mokokchung on November 21. The programme was organised by AXIS Bank in collaboration with Care and Support Society and supported by NABARD. The programme was chaired by Imchawati Kichu, Managing Director, Care and Support Society, welcome address was addressed by Pongenmeren, chairman, Longsa Village Council. During the programme, Imsunaro, APM, NABARD District Office, Mokokchung highlighted the objectives of the programme and discussed the importance of banking, savings, financial planning, credit linked subsidy schemes etc. Molung M. Kansou, AVP & Branch Head, Axis Bank, Mokokchung Branch, discussed on various banking products available, benefits under APY, PMSBY, PMJJBY, Saving Account and Credit Facilities. Altogether 66 participants attended the programme.

lowship and spent time with the 79 children living there. A press release stated that the volunteers had a memorable time with the inmates and also learned a life of sacrifice and commitment for the needy in the world. The NSS volunteers, as part of their goodwill mission, donated one bag of rice, 6 kg each of potato and onion and used cloths collected from among themselves and students of Patkai Christian College and a sum of Rs. 1800 to the orphanage.

National Integration Tour to Kasauli ends

kOhiMa, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): ous imminent personalities like Dr Joana The team which had gone to Kasauli un- Wooderd, Dean of Sallib Harvard School, der National Integration Tour organised California USA, Maj Gen Sanjeev Bajaj. On November 12, a reception cereby IGAR (N) returned to Kohima on Nomony was organised to welcome back the vember 12. The team of 21 comprising 16 stu- team. It was attended by Maj Gen MS Jasdents and 3 teachers from three different wal, YSM, SM IGAR (N), officers of Headschools of Kohima - Little Flower School, quarters IGAR (N), Headquarters 5 SecDon Bosco School and Mt Sinai School, tor, 19 Assam Rifles, parents, teachers and and two officers from Assam Rifles started media persons. Phoebe, one the of the students, on bethe tour from Kohima on October 22. Students visited national capital Delhi ing asked about her best moment of the and met Jt commissioner Sarangi Rai, IAS, trip said, “walking down Rajpath to India Nagaland House, New Delhi. They also Gate was a proud moment for me as I’m visited India Gate, Red Fort, Rajghat and NCC cadet and one day I wish to command a NCC contingent on Republic Day.” experienced metro ride in Delhi. Meanwhile, Mezivolu Theriah, Chief During the 22-day tour, they also went to Chandigarh, Shimla, Solan, Chail and Judicial Magistrate, Kohima and one of many other places of historical impor- the parents said, “Tour like this provides tance and tourist spots. They were also ex- a unique opportunity for children to exposed to academic practices at Pinegrove plore our country and it will go long way in School, Kasauli, one of the top-ten insti- fostering an understanding of the diverse phEk, NOVEMBER 22 (MExN): A one day aware- tutions of India. The team also met vari- cultures among children of Nagaland.” ness camp on voluntary blood donation was held at District Hospital, Phek on November 14, organized by DAPCU and supported by Nagaland State Blood Transfusion Council. Dr. Rongsen, Senior Medical Officer and in-charge of Blood Bank DH, Phek was the resource person. Addressing the participants, Dr. Rongsen said blood is a vital component of human life and there is no substitute to human blood. He pointed out that every three seconds someone needs a blood transfusion; therefore, one must contribute by donating blood to save someone’s life in times of need. Through blood donation various diseases are also screened such as AIDS, hepatitis B, C, syphilis, malaria, etc, he said. He also explained facts, myth and misconceptions about blood donation. Dr Abi Khate, Sr. MO, also encouraged the gathering to donate blood to help the needy and also to avoid taking blood from professional or paid donors as they are not safe. Kuduvo Kezo, DPO, DAPCU shared the basics of HIV/ AIDS and also urged the health workers to maintain con- As part of the college co-curricular activities, the trainees and faculty of Ura College of fidentiality while dealing with HIV diagnosed clients in Teacher Education (UCTE), Kohima took a field trip to Tuophema village on November 14. hospitals as it leads to stigma and discrimination towards The itinerary included a visit to the museum at the tourist village, Peso Kharu (North gate), people living with HIV/AIDS. Around forty health staffs Telha chii (Granary), Dahou (Amphitheatre), Kense Pheseki (Community kitchen) and Niekra Kharu (South gate). The field trip culminated with a visit to Tuophema Resort. attended the camp.

Awareness on voluntary blood donation in Phek


mONday 23•11•2015

Chloë Grace Moretz: Feminism isn’t Hornbill International Music Festival 2015 about ‘Men Being Demolished’ C

C

hloë Grace Moretz is only eighteen years old, but she’s been acting for pretty much her entire life — and according to a new interview she gave to NYLON, she’s been a feminist for that long, too. “My mom was a single mom, so I’ve been a feminist since birth,” she told the magazine for their December/January cover story. “I think feminism is about strong women being who they want to be and fighting for equality on all accounts. It’s not about men being demolished to bring women higher up in the world. I think that’s incredibly misconstrued.” Moretz is currently filming “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,” the sequel to the 2014 comedy starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, and says that the set has been incredibly chill and very woman-friendly thanks to the amount of input the crew has gotten from female writers. “If any of the women ever feel there’s something inappropriate, we speak up, and they will never push the boundaries with us — they’ve been really respectful,” she said. In addition to discussing her feminist beliefs, her political leanings (spoiler alert ,she’s rooting for Hillary), and how she was influenced by her brothers coming out as gay, Moretz also disclosed that despite being an A-list actor, she, too, has low self esteem about her appearance. “When I was younger, I’d look at ads that promot-

ed a certain body type, and I’d always feel inadequate,” she admitted. “I’ve had certain projects tell me I need to wear push-up bras because I’m an A-cup, or I’ve been told I don’t have a pronounced-enough jaw,

Angelina Jolie's sons Pax, Maddox assisting in filming

that I have a moon face. When I was younger I really took it to heart.” But now, she says, she’s having an easier time accepting her body. “I’ve started to realize that if I change all of these things that are my

quote-unquote imperfections, like my little birthmarks and weird discolorations, my slightly lazy eye, or the gap in my teeth, then who am I? Am I a carbon copy of everyone else? Those things are what make me me.”

C M Y K

pected to reach out to the audiences for a captivating extravaganza night with their chart-topping hits. Along with them, Colored Keys, Mengu Suokhrie and Viriezhünuo Solo will perform on the same night. Beginning from December 3-6, the IG Stadium will be all set to welcome the selected 25 bands to compete for the Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC). Close to 100 bands were auditioned for this year’s edition, however, only 25 bands have made the cut to compete for the ultimate title of HIRC 2015, including five local bands, one international band and 19 national bands (seven from North East region). The first three nights from December 3 to 5 will be the audition round for the competing bands, while December 6 has been set aside for the grand finale of HIRC 2015. The prize money for the top three winners has been fixed at Rs. 10 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs 2.5 lakhs respectively. Reserving the best for the last, the Hornbill International Music Festival 2015 will come to a close on December 7 evening with the much anticipated Helloween show. The German power metal band Helloween, considered as godfathers of the metal genre, has delivered countless headliner world tours, and no doubt their

show is expected to assemble a big crowd this year. Prior before the German band takes the stage, Pulse Pundit, Manipur, The Hornbill Project Nagaland and Incipit, Nagaland will perform to the audience. Information on tickets for HIMF 2015 The tickets for Helloween show is priced at Rs. 3,000 (Front standing), Rs. 2,000 (Middle standing) and Rs. 1,000 (Back standing), while the tickets for Arrival-ABBA show on December 2 evening is priced at Rs. 3,000 (Front standing- admit two) and Rs. 1,000 (Back standing). It has been informed that there will be a separate gallery for VIPs and patrons priced at Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively. The entry ticket for Hornbill International Rock Contest from December 3 to 6 is priced at Rs. 30, while the entry on the first night (Dec 1) will be free of cost. For the convenience of the audiences, online ticket sale for Helloween and ABBA shows can be done at www.ticketgenie.in. The online ticket sale is already underway. The outlets for ticket redemption are Vuto Motors, High School road, IG Stadium, Kohima and High School Ground, Kohima, the organizers informed.

Petition calls for Boycott of ‘Zoolander 2’ over ‘Harmful’ Trans Character

I

t appears that Angelina Jolie is training her kids about camera details from a small age only as the actress revealed that her 11-year-old son Pax did lot of stills on the sets of her upcoming directorial 'First They Killed My Father'. The Unbroken helmer added that her oldest son Maddox, who has already worked as a production assistant in his parent's recent movieBy The Sea, is again assisting the star by doing all the research work and helping with the script, People Magazine reported. The 40-year-old actress mentioned that though her sons are aiding her in filming the movie, she makes sure they stay out of the set while a fight or sexual scene gets filmed. The movie, which is written and directed by the Oscarwinning actress, is adapted from Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung's 2000 memoir First They Killed My Father: A Daughter Of Cambodia Remembers. First They Killed My Father is presently getting filmed in Cambodia, where notably Jolie's oldest son Maddox is from.

ome December, music lovers across the State will once again get a lifetime opportunity of witnessing the performances of some of the world’s most renowned bands. As part of the Hornbill International Music Festival 2015, musicians from across the globe will be staging live performance at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Hockey Ground, Kohima. The participation of internationally renowned bands such as Helloween, one of the most influential metal bands in the world, and Arrival, the official tribute band of ABBA from Sweden, have added colours to this year’s Hornbill International Music Festival which will commence on December 1 till 7. The Hornbill International Music Festival 2015 is organized by the Music Task Force (MTF), Government of Nagaland, in association with Pepsi MTV Indies and Northeast Today. The event management partners are Sky Entertainment and Nagaland Outdoors’ Club (NOC). Meanwhile, the organizers have also officially announced Gionee as the title sponsor for this year’s edition. Starting from December 1 to 7, music lovers will have the privilege to witness endless music of different genres. Apart from Helloween and Arrival, it also comes as good news that other internationally renowned musicians will be making special appearances during the festival. But the organizers have decided to make this surprise announcement only in the first week of December. As per the sequence of the Hornbill International Music Festival, the music fest will begin on the first night of the Hornbill Festival 2015. On December 1 evening, the stage will be shared by Joshua & The Note Ninjas, Cadence, Infuse, Purple Fusion and other local artistes. While on December 2, internationally acclaimed band Arrival, the official tribute band of ABBA will take the stage. In presenting the music of ABBA, the band from Sweden is ex-

J

ust days after its first trailer hit, the upcoming Zoolander sequel has come under fire due to Benedict Cumberbatch’s character. Cumberbatch plays an androgynous model named Ali in the film, but some LGBT activists have labelled the portrayal ‘a 'cartoonish mockery' of transgender, androgyne and non-binary individuals’. The petition was started on

change.org by Sarah Rose, has so far received over 7,500 signatures. It reads: ‘In the Zoolander 2 trailer, an androgynous character played by Benedict Cumberbatch is asked by Zoolander and Hansel if he is a ‘male or female model’, and if they ‘have a hot dog or a bun’.’ ‘Additionally, Cumberbatch’s character is clearly portrayed as an

over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals. This is the modern equivalent of using blackface to represent a minority.’ The petition goes on to say that producers could have approached models like Andreja Pejic if they ‘wanted to provide social commentary on the presence of trans/ androgyne individuals in the fashion industry.’ Peljic walked the runways in both men and women’s fashion shows before coming out publicly as a transgender woman and undergoing sex reassignment surgery in 2014. ‘By hiring a cis actor to play a non-binary individual in a clearly negative way, they film endorses harmful and dangerous perceptions of the queer community at large,’ the petition adds. Zoolander 2 is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2016. The film reunitesBen Stiller and Owen Wilson as models Derek Zoolander and Hansel McDonald. In addition to Cumberbatch it also stars Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell and features cameos from Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Joe Jonas and Justin Bieber.

A Chakhesang man blows traditional horn during the 9th general conference of the Chakhesang Youth Front at Pfutsero in Phek district on November 21. (Morung Photo/Chizokho Vero)

Shabana Azmi invites crowd for Nirbhaya’s tribute

V

eteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi has urged the public to come in "large numbers" to pay tribute to the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape victim at Jantar Mantar here. The tribute for the victim who was named as Nirbhaya by the masses,

will be held on December 16. "Met Nirbhaya's parents today. They are organising a shradhanjali (tribute) for her on 16 December at Jantar Mantar. Please come in large numbers," the veteran actress tweeted on Friday night. The 2012 Delhi gang rape case involved a rape

A selfie with Kareena Kapoor Khan lands Chhatisgarh CM in trouble!

and fatal assault that occurred on December 16 in Munirka in South Delhi. The incident involved a 23-year-old girl, who was beaten and gang raped in a private bus in which she was travelling with a male friend. She later died in a Singapore hospital where she was airlifted for specialised treatment.

Hillstar NOW SHOWING

K

a re e na Ka p o o r Khan was present at a child rights event in Raipur organized by Chhattisgarh school education and child welfare department along with the UNICEF India on Friday. The state chief minister was so star struck with Bebo‘s presence that he attempted to click a selfie with the Ki and Ka actress between a session! The photo went viral on social media and slammed Raman Singh for his misbehavior. Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is the UNICEF India’s “celebrity advocate”, was a special guest of the function and the CM was a chief guest. Congress president lashed Singh’s acts and was quoted saying, “Farmers are committing suicide Naga Idol finalist 2010, Livika Swu presenting a song at the 8th Naga Uni- in the state due to draught fication Anniversary celebration at GPRN/NSCN Headquarters, Khehoi on and the chief minister is busy clicking selfie with KaSunday. (Morung photo)

reena,” He accused Singh of ignoring the issue at hand, that is farmer suicides. “What does the chief minister want to prove by

clicking a selfie with Kareena Kapoor when women of the state are being insulted by the state government? The people of

Chhattisgarh are far away from such culture. Here, people don’t celebrate if a bad incident takes place,” he told a leading daily.

Timings: 11:00 AM | 02:10 PM 05:20 pm | 08:30 pm


12

monDAY 23•11•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Lucky to have Sania as my partner: Hingis

C M Y K

C M Y K

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 22 (IANS): Swiss veteran tennis player Martina Hingis heaped praise on her women's doubles partner Sania Mirza on Sunday, terming the Indian as an extremely professional and optimistic and a partner she is lucky to play with. The unstoppable duo of Mirza-Hingis came up with yet another stupendous performance recently to win the women's doubles title at the prestigious $7 million WTA Finals in Singapore. It was the pair's ninth title together this season, having also won in Beijing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, US Open, Wimbledon, Charleston, Miami and Indian Wells. Sania also won the Sydney International in January with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands to take her doubles trophy count to 10 this year. "It has been a great year for me with Sania. She is a great player. We have great respect for each other. She is extremely professional and an optimistic player. Our friendship and relationship both on and off the court has lead to this success," Martina said at a press conference here. "Sania has improved a lot on the nets. We all know she is an extremely good at the backhand but she has improved on the nets too. Hoping to continue this good runs in days to come. Lucky to have Sania as a partner in the incredible journey," the 35-year-old said. Speaking on the her mixed doubles partner Leander Paes, she said, "Paes is a legend in this game. I can rely on Paes as he is a

great player in the nets and I can concentrate at the back. He also has great volleys." Praising both Sania and Paes, the Swiss star said the duo might have some weakness in the court but their strengths make them a champion in the game. "They both have different strengths and weaknesses. They have good qualities and that makes them champion that is their strengths," she said. Martina is in the country to play for Hyderabad Aces in the Champions Tennis League starting on Monday which is the mastermind of the legendary Vijay Amritraj. Reigning US Open women's singles champion Flavia Pennetta will play for Mumbai Masters in the six team tournament featuring Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Raipur, Nagpur and Chennai. The current men's top players who will feature in the league are, Marcos Baghdatis (Punjab Marshalls, Chandigarh), and French professionals Feliciano Lopez (Team Nagpur) and Fernando Verdasco (Chennai). Among the women players who will play in the six teams alongside Pennetta and Hingis are Serbian Jelena Jankovic (Nagpur), France's Alize Cornet (Raipur), Ukraine's Elina Svitolina (Chandigarh) and Heather Watson of Britain (Chennai). Speaking on the competition, Hingis said, "This is a great tournament to play in. I am looking forward to give my best for my team and do well. Amritraj has brought this up and I wish him all the best for this."

Suarez, Neymar humiliate Real in 'Clasico' romp

MADRID, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): Barcelona dealt a stinging blow to Real Madrid's title hopes when Luis Suarez and Neymar continued their scintillating form to fire the champions to a stunning 4-0 victory in the La Liga 'Clasico' on Saturday. Suarez struck twice either side of goals from Neymar and captain Andres Iniesta as Barca humiliated their arch rivals with an imperious performance at the Bernabeu. They surged six points clear at the top with 30 from 12 matches and ratcheted up the pressure on underfire Real coach Rafa Benitez who had the luxury of fielding the trio of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema but to little effect. Barca's dominance in the 231st meeting between the two teams, which prompted the angry Real fans to roundly whistle their own players and chant for president Florentino Perez to step down, was all the more remarkable considering coach Luis Enrique had started with a fit-again Lionel Messi on the bench. The Argentina captain, who has been out for nearly two months with a knee injury, came on for Ivan Rakitic just before the hour and promptly sent Suarez clear to score the European champions' fourth. An utterly dominant Barca could easily have added to their tally in the closing stages and Real's humiliation was complete when substitute Isco was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge at Neymar six minutes from time. "We played what was quite honestly a complete

match in every sense," Iniesta, who was given an ovation by the home fans when he was substituted late on, told Spanish television. "There is a long way to go, it's not decisive at all but we are going away very, very satisfied," added the Spain playmaker. A giant French flag was unfurled in the stands and the Marseillaise played during a minute's silence before kickoff to honour the victims of the Paris attacks and security was tight for the clash in the Spanish capital. In an ominous sign for the home side, Barca had the first clear chance

of the game when Suarez laid the ball off to Neymar in the seventh minute but the Brazil forward fired wildly over. Sergi Roberto burst through the middle and played Suarez in on the right of the penalty area to open the scoring in the 11th minute with a clinical finish. James Rodriguez had Real's only dangerous shot of the first half in the 28th minute before Iniesta slipped a pass through for Neymar to make it 2-0 five minutes before the break. Marcelo had to clear a Suarez effort off the line moments before halftime after brilliant work from

Neymar and as the players trooped off, a cacophony of whistles rang out around the stadium mixed with chants for Perez to go. FULL BLAST Real came out fighting after the break and Marcelo and Rodriguez each went close before Neymar sent a backheel into Iniesta's path in the 53rd minute and he hammered the ball past Keylor Navas into the top corner. Isco came on for Rodriguez shortly after and initially gave Real some muchneeded zip in attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth

Bale and Karim Benzema largely anonymous. Suarez's second effort in the 74th minute was the 20th he and Neymar have scored between them out of Barca's last 21 goals in La Liga. After the whistle, thousands of Real fans waved anything white they could get their hands on in the traditional sign of discontent with the board of directors while the music came on full blast to drown out any more embarrassing chants. Chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years, Barca have 30 points, with Real, who lost 3-2 at Sevilla in their previous outing, on

24. Atletico Madrid can climb back to within four points of Barca and leapfrog Real into second with a win at promoted Real Betis on Sunday. Valencia missed a chance to move above Celta Vigo into fourth when they lost the lead in a 1-1 draw at home to Las Palmas as Celta lost 2-0 at Galician rivals Deportivo La Coruna. Valencia have 19 points while Celta remain on 21. Goals from Imanol Agirretxe and Xabi Prieto gave Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan a winning start in a 2-0 success at home to stuttering Sevilla.

Mourinho relieved after Costa goal earns Chelsea victory LONDON, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): A 64th-minute goal from wayward striker Diego Costa earned Chelsea their first win in four Premier League matches on Saturday and some breathing space for Jose Mourinho, who said he was still targeting a top-four finish. Costa had been anonymous for most of the 1-0 win over Norwich City. He had hung back during waves of Chelsea attacks, shot high when set up by Pedro in the first half, failed to get on the end of crosses from Willian and Eden Hazard and hesitated in front of an open goal before halftime. But he made up for his quiet first hour when he controlled a quickly taken free kick from Cesc

Fabregas, steadied himself and placed the ball out of reach of a diving John Ruddy for his third Premier League goal of the season. “Every game you don’t score goals you have five kilos more pressure added,” Mourinho said. Mourinho kept faith with Costa despite the Brazilian-born Spain striker’s dearth of goals and suspect discipline this season. "The goal was important for him. It was important for us. He tries everything. He’s positive. If I had to choose anyone to score the winning goal I would choose him. "Everything is connected. When you are full of confidence it’s not just about goals you have fluency in your decisions, you choose well. When you lose con-

fidence you lose this fluency." The champions, struggling near the foot of the table after losing seven Premier League games this season, were clearly the superior side, keeping the lion’s share of possession. But jangling nerves showed throughout as they failed to penetrate a disciplined Norwich defence, misplacing the final pass or snatching at the goalbound shot. “I think we don’t deserve the heartbeat of the last four minutes. We deserved to be relaxed but we couldn’t,” the Portuguese coach said. “Once again the relation between the way we played and the number of goals we scored was not good. We could have scored four or five. But we got the result and are happy about that.”

Mourinho said he was not generally nervous during a game but the dying moments were tough. “It’s a bit of a relief... (Kurt) Zouma hit the post... then in the last minute maybe we could have scored an own goal so yes there’s a bit of relief." The coach, whose club offered him another vote of confidence this week when technical director Michael Emenalo said he trusted Mourinho to pull Chelsea out of their slump, said fourth place and a Champions League spot was still on the cards. “We have to go game after game. The fourth position is not an impossible mission," he said. "If you ask me the title I would say it’s an impossible mission -- maybe Tom Cruise can do it," he quipped.

C M Y K

C M Y K

Sublime Djokovic crushes Nadal to set up Federer final

C M Y K

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates winning after his match against Spain's Rafael Nadal. (Reuters) C M Y K

LONDON, NOVEMBER 22 (REUTERS): A year late maybe, but the ATP World Tour Finals will get a fitting climax to the season on Sunday after world number one Novak Djokovic and Swiss maestro Roger Federer marched to consummate semi-final victories. Djokovic turned on the

style to outclass old adversary Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-3 while in Saturday's evening session at a packed O2 Arena six-times champion Federer beat fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 7-5 6-3 with a masterly display. They will meet for the 44th time on Sunday when 34-year-old Federer will hope to make up for

the disappointment of 12 months ago when, after also beating Wawrinka in the semis, he was unable to face Djokovic because of a back injury. Federer, who had an unblemished record in group play including ending Djokovic's late-season 23-match winning run, hit back from 4-2 down in the opening set to brush aside his compatriot in little more than an hour. "Novak should be knocked out by now! No, I am joking," world number three Federer, who last won the year-ender in 2001 when he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, said on court. "He played a great match against Rafael Nadal earlier today and I'm sure it will be a fantastic meeting." Spaniard Nadal had looked more like his old dominant self with roundrobin wins against Andy Murray, Wawrinka and David Ferrer, but the world number five was no match for Djokovic who was at his clinical best. "Novak for the moment is almost unbeatable," Nadal said. Djokovic has now drawn level with Nadal for the first time in what is the most prolific rivalry since tennis turned professional. Both players have 23 vic-

tories. "Obviously, after 46 matches and 10 years of professional tennis, I managed to tie my headto-head score with Nadal," Djokovic told reporters. "It took a lot of time. "I think I was a few levels under him at the beginning of my career. Nadal was alongside Federer dominating the tour. I just couldn't really do much against him." "I won the last, what, three times we played against each other (before Saturday). That all plays a major role in the mental approach to these matchups." Djokovic, bidding for a fourth straight title at the season-ender, and a fifth in total, made his intentions clear from the start as the ball whistled off his strings. The 28-year-old broke Nadal's serve in the second game of the match with four exquisite winners that the Spaniard, one of the sport's best athletes, could only watch whiz by. From then on the Serb was barely troubled by the 14-times grand slam champion who could make little impression and did not sniff a single break point in the 79-minute encounter.

and he deserved to do what he did during the whole season," a magnanimous Nadal said. "He played just fantastic. When somebody's doing like this, just the only thing I can do is congratulate him and just wish not the best of luck for the next year!" Djokovic, who would have claimed a rare calendar-year grand slam this season but for a French Open final defeat by Wawrinka, suffered a first indoor defeat in 3-1/2 years against Federer this week, going down in straight sets. He then beat Czech Tomas Berdych to secure a semi-final berth and was back at full throttle against Nadal, crunching 24 winners and dropping just three points on his first serve. Some trademark defence, followed by a dipping backhand that forced a Nadal volley error, gave the Serbian two break points in the fifth game of the second set and he converted after Nadal succumbed in a fierce baseline rally. There was no way back from there for Nadal. Djokovic was clearly in a hurry to finish the job, "PLAYED FANTASTIC" breaking again at 5-3 with "He was better than me another flurry of winners.

C M Y K

C M Y K

Published, Printed and Edited by Aküm Longchari on behalf of Morung for Indigenous Affairs and JustPeace from House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur at Themba Printers and Telecommunications, 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

PO Reg No. NE/RN-722


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.