November 24th, 2015

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

tuesDAY • November 24 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 320 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

Combine the extremes, and you will have the true center Modi calls India ‘bright hope’, wants anti-terror front

P o W e R

T R u T H

— Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

Djokovic ends year on high with Finals win over Federer

KSU takes firm step on issue of roads

PAGe 8

o F

C M Y K

PAGe 2

PAGE 12

A TWIST OF FATE, A With NO scholarships yet; DELIBERATE DESIGN? students continue to suffer • Nagaland ‘legitimately’ has now an opposition-less government • Now in better position to work united on Naga political issue, says CM LATEST COMPOSITION OF 12TH NLA NPF=46 BJP=4 NCP=1 JDU=1 Independents=8 Our Correspondent Kohima | November 23 C M Y K

C M Y K

Partly by a twist of fate, partly by a deliberate design, Nagaland now has an opposition-less government.

That is how a jubilant Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today described the latest development of the eight Congress legislators merging with the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and wiping the face of the Indian National Congress (INC) from the seats of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).

According to the Chief Minister, providence followed the serious internal crisis that threatened to undo the NPF party earlier this year, which had led to a situation where the ruling DAN government was left with no option but to seek a vote-of-confidence at the Assembly.

This, in turn, had set in motion certain unforeseen developments in the political alignments amongst the legislators of Nagaland, Zeliang said while addressing a press conference here today.

And when the voteof-confidence on the government was taken on the floor of the State Assembly on February 5, 2015, the entire House voted in favour of Zeliang’s government, which the chief minister claimed, is in itself unprec-

NPCC seeks replacement of Nagaland Governor C M Y K

C M Y K

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has termed the statement made by the Governor of Nagaland and Assam, PB Acharya that “Hindustan is for Hindus’ as unbecoming of a leader of his standing and therefore condemnable. In a press statement, NPCC president K Therie alleged that the utterance by the Governor that India is Hindustan for Hindus has revealed the agenda withwhichhewasappointed to a Christian State like Nagaland. “The Governor should be relieved of his duties of the two States and should perhaps be given time to pursue his religious fervor,” Therie said while adding, “They are the ones creating law and order problems in the nation through their irresponsible utterances.” The NPCC president has demanded that the Governorbereplacedimmediately if he cannot uphold the secular spirit of the Constitution of India.

Corrigendum Apropos to the picture caption that appeared on the front page of The Morung Express on November 23, it is hereby clarified that the person third from left in the picture is Ato Kilonser of GPRN/ NSCN, N Kitovi Zhimomi and not as rendered. The inadvertent error is regretted.

Speaker’s judgment a mockery of anti-defection laws: NPCC Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K Therie has alleged that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker has arm-twisted the antidefection laws to dismiss the disqualification petition filed against former 8 Congress MLAs who violated party directives.

“Dismissal of the disqualification petition has disregarded the NLA (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2003 and by which the Speaker has demeaned the constitutional office that he holds,” Therie said in a press statement received today.

He also maintained that accepting the merger of 8 Congress MLAs with the NPF legislature party without even bothering to notify the Congress party was akin to “daylight robbery.”

“The Speaker has lost all moral authority to hold the chair since he cannot rise above party politics to uphold the sanctity of the constitution,” the NPCC president went on to add.

He further said the judgment of the Speaker is a tight slap and a mockery of the entire anti-defection laws. edented in the history of parliamentary democracy.

“This development gave us momentum to try for an opposition-less government,” he pointed out.

The chief minister said with subsequent reconciliation within the NPF party, the prospect got even brighter because it followed with the 8 Congress legislators, the only MLAs constituting the opposition bench, deciding to join the government, and to become part of the treasury bench.

However, because of certain technical and legal requirements to be completed, the formal merger of the 8 Congress legislators with the NPF legislature party was delayed, Zeliang said.

“Now, with the formal approval of the merger by the president of the NPF

party, and its announcements by the speaker of NLA, formally notifying the merger, our effort to form an opposition-less government has become a reality, both de-facto, and de-jure.,” he said.

The composition of the 12th NLA now stand with 46 NPF legislators, 4 BJP, 1 NCP, 1 JDU and 8 Independents. The NPF with its standing 46 legislators is the highest tally clinched by any regional party in the history of Nagaland.

“Our government is also the first ever opposition-less government in Nagaland,” the chief minister said.

He said the main motivating factor towards forming opposition–less government is the desire to strengthen “our efforts to find solution to the Naga

political problem; which has always been at the top of DAN’s political agenda. “…It is not merely for a political slogan and propaganda or for social political points that we have formed this oppositionless government, but it is to strengthen our peace efforts,” said Zeliang.

He said merely forming an opposition-less government is not enough. “We really have to sink all our differences on the Naga political issue. We have to act and move forward as one group or entity, and work really hard for the final resolution of the more than six decade old Naga political issue,” the chief minister emphasized.

“Now, we are in much better position than ever before to work united for the common cause and goal of the Nagas,” he added.

If there was a reshuffle in the DAN ministry in the offing, the chief minister responded that there was none at the moment.

On AR notification to Nagaland media

Asked about the State government’s view on the issue between Assam Rifles and local media over a notification asking the latter not to publish articles from NSCN (K), Zeliang passed the buck onto the Governor while maintaining that it would be discussed with him (Governor) when he returns from Assam.

However, NPF president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said that as far as the party is concerned, “We are with you (Media).”

On November 23, Monday, the ANCSU began a poster campaign—its second stage of agitation—against the delay in release of scholarships to needy students by the Nagaland State Government. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News Kohima | November 23

Lhepong, a student from Kohima College, pooled in some money along with friends to help his neighbour pay a pending rent.

“He depends on his scholarship to pay his house rent. Because of the delay in scholarships, he and his brother were almost chased out of their rented house,” says Lhepong.

Lhepong’s neighbour is one of many students across Nagaland State who come from low income families and depends on government scholarships to fund their education. With the Nagaland State government failing to pay up the scholarship amount for more than four months now, students are turning to local students’ rights activists, like Lhepong, for help.

The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANSCU) began to agitate on the issue on November 20 by wearing black badges/ ribbons. On the same day, Nagaland’s Directorate of Higher Education assured the release of scholarships to merit students and research scholars. Till date, merit students have not received their scholarships.

Moreover, 3516 students studying outside Nagaland were informed that their scholarships will be released only in the second week of December.

Demanding that all students receive their scholarship at one go, the ANCSU started a poster campaign on November 23 as its second phase of agitation against the failure of the Nagaland government to release the scholarships on time. They will continue to

wear the black badges/ribbons through this phase.

The poster campaign aims to highlight how the government is blatantly denying the college students their rights and privileges, notes president of ANCSU, Zhoku Thuluo, expressing frustration over the silence and lackadaisical attitude of the government despite the Union issuing reminders and appeals.

The ANCSU has now ensured a “special attraction” for tourists during the Hornbill Festival if the Government fails to release all the scholarships.

Highlighting the lack of transparency in distributing scholarships, Veisounü from NEILIT Kohima wonders if the scholarship sanctioned by the Central government is “to manage government activities or for the purpose of students’

welfare?” A delay of a few weeks is understandable but four months is unacceptable, he reiterates.

Students from remote areas pursuing education in the capital and cities who depend on the scholarship to support their education suffer the most, adds Vesounü, who also participated in the poster campaign today.

Vimeyiekho Vitso from Kohima College says that the government is “not only hurting our feelings and rights but they are directly or indirectly against quality education because through these scholarships we buy books, pay fees and through that we get quality education—with this, we educate ourselves and our people.”

He also questions the Nagaland Government’s promise of engineering and medical colleges when it cannot even distribute basic scholarships on time.

“It is a wild dream to talk about engineering and medical colleges because those are plans which need sincerity and honesty. It saddens us that the government is not even able to issue our scholarships on time. We voted for our government with high confidence and it is disappointing and sad that they failed us,” he laments.

An ANCSU member affirms that “The image of our state is in our hands. If the government fails to fulfill our demands, we might take a step further. Even if the government gives verbal and written assurance, until and unless the money has reached the accounts of the students we will not stop the agitation. Once the engine of the ANSCU starts, the vehicle has no brakes; we will not stop until we have reached the destination.”

C M Y K

C M Y K C M Y K

Police cautions against selling of bank accounts ‘Muffling’ of media is slide

Criminals using accounts allegedly sold

by Naga students for fraudulent activities

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): Many bank accounts of Nagaland, belonging to Nagas, especially students are being used by criminals for their fraudulent activities, Nagaland Police revealed today.

According to a DIPR reports, SP

(Crime) & PRO, M Tungoe said illegal transactions using these accounts have been detected from States like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi etc.

There has also been allegation that bank accounts are being sold by students/youngsters to unscrupulous elements for easy money without realizing that such accounts can be used for committing crimes. And this leads to difficulty in tracing criminals using these accounts since they belong to others, the SP stated.

In this connection, the police cautioned that original holder of the bank accounts could also be implicated if their accounts are sold and used for criminal activities.

Police has therefore advised students leaving their place of studies after completion to close down their accounts unless they intend to continue using them.

All banks operating in Nagaland have been instructed to follow strictly the laid down norms and procedures for opening an account, it added.

NIA files charge sheet RMSA candidates indefinite DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charge sheet in connection with the March 26 firing incident in Kohima. Four personnel of the 19 Assam Rifles were injured in the incident.

According to an NIA press release, the charge sheet was filed on November 23 at the Special NIA Court set up in Dimapur.

The charges were filed against Khekaho Rochill, ‘Finance Secretary’ of the NSCN-K, who was captured by the Assam Rifles following the March 23 firing, and two others.

The other two were named as Ranjit Thapa alias Karan and ‘Major’ Kisheto Ayem, Kohima town commander of the NSCN-K. The charges were filed under sections 120-B read with 302,307,326 of IPC, sections 4 & 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, section 25 (1) (B) of the Arms Act and sections 16,18,20 & 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. While a case was registered at the North Police Station, Kohima, the NIA was directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the case. “The case investigation has revealed involvement of other absconding accused persons belonging to NSCN (K). The investigation is being continued into the case to arrest them,” the release added.

agitation from December 1

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): RMSA written exam 2014 qualified candidate forum has decided to go for an indefinite agitation once again starting from December 1 onwards coinciding with the Statehood day and celebration of Hornbill festival.

The agitation is being called in relation to the non-conduct of oral examination for sports instructor and for non- declaration of the result of subject teachers.

The advertisement for the posts (960 subject teachers and 58 sports instructors) were notified on December 14, 2013; written exam conducted on May 24, 2014, results declared on June 29, 2014 where 2317 candidates were declared as qualified. After many agitation and representation, oral exam for subject teacher was conducted from August 5-11, 2015 but results have not been declared so far.

When the forum threatened an indefinite agitation from October 27, the concerned authority assured

them that the results of the subject teacher would be declared within two weeks time followed by handing over of appointment order, the press statement said. Oral examination for the sports instructor would be conducted right after that, the authority is learnt to have assured the members. Following this assurance, the forum had suspended the infinite agitation.

However, the deadline has passed and with no result in sight, the forum alleged that the concerned authorities were playing delay tactics while taking advantage of the softness and silence of aspiring candidates rather than solving the issue.

Terming the existing system practiced by the government authorities as “daylight robbery,” the forum has urged the apex students’ body and right thinking individual (s) to support the forum and stand against corruption. It has also informed all aspiring candidates to come fully prepared for the agitation.

down to a ‘khakistocracy’

PUDR questions ‘utter silence’ of Nagaland state government; says it stand by ideals of constitution

pressure while trying to take account of the versions of all stakeholders.”

The present notification, noted the PUDR, could be seen as “yet another attempt to silence the media if it is not in favour of the armed forces of the state.”

NEw DElhI, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Nagaland episode of armed forces’ censorship of media indicates a slide away from the institutional practices of democracy and the values and foundations of India’s constitution.

The Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) stated this today in a public release, condemning the “muffling” of the media through an Assam Rifles notification to Nagaland’s media and terming the incident a slide down to “khakistocracy.”

Expressing “deep anxiety” about the state of affairs, the PUDR was “shocked” at the “utter silence” of the Nagaland State Government on the matter. Calling upon the government to “stand by the ideals of our constitution,” the PUDR demanded that the Assam Rifles take back the notification, offer an apology to the media houses, and be brought under appropriate action for trespassing their jurisdiction.

It also welcomed the suo motu action of the Press Council of India in calling upon the Director General of the Assam Rifles to give reasons for issuance of such the notification prima facie having an adverse bearing on freedom of press.

“Witnessing the longest armed movement for independence in the Indian context, Nagaland has constantly been under laws like AFSPA which give impunity to the state’s armed forces,” stated the body that advocates democratic rights. “In such a scenario, the media has always faced tremendous

Greater concern

For the PUDR, it is a matter of “greater concern” that a paramilitary body, which is supposed to follow the orders of the civilian authorities and the legal establishment, has “taken upon itself to issue notifications of this nature.”

“Democracies are not characterized by such actions of paramilitary forces,” maintained the PUDR. Further, the PUDR found the Assam Rifles’ response to the Editors’ joint statement to be “farcical.” In their response, the Assam Rifles had said that the joint statement, and reactions following the same, was an attempt by vested interests to “muzzle the voice of the Assam Rifles.”

“Empowered by laws like AFSPA and UAPA, Assam Rifles is one of the state armed forces which routinely violate rights of common people. The very fact that it felt empowered to issue such a notification shows how lame their pretense of helplessness is,” asserted the PUDR. It maintained that such “conviction of power” along with “quick pretense of being the victim” is a “dangerous mix” to be held by a paramilitary force.

“While a large number of forums and regions in the country are marred by intolerant vandalism of dominant groups in recent times, the Nagaland episode of armed forces censorship of media indicates a slide away from the institutional practices of democracy and the values and foundations of our constitution.”

C M Y K

C M Y K C M Y K

C

2

tuesDAY 24•11•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C

M

M

Y

Y

K

Police Union Baptist Church dedicated KSU takes firm step

kohiMa, noveMber 23 (DiPr): The new building of Police Union Baptist church was dedicated by the Executive Secretary NPBCA Dr. Hukashe Zhimomi in presence of the DGP L.L Doungel IPS at New Police Reserve (Phesema), Kohima on November 22.

The speaker of the programme, Dr. H. Zhimomi, shared on the ‘Prophetic witness of the church’ where he said that small numbers of Christians are visible in the prophetic ministry in the society. He, therefore urged the believers that when the spirit of the lord in them it is their duty and responsibility to be the voice of the prophetic ministry. He shared the message of the God‘s love and the vital role of the pastors and church leaders and also congratulated the construction committee on their successful completion of the building.

Director General of Police, L.L Doungel IPS acknowledged and felicitated those who had rendered their service for the new church construction.

He felt that completion of the magnificent church in his tenure is a dream which

The new building of Police Union Baptist church at New Police Reserve (Phesema) inaugurated on November 22. (DIPR Photo)

has become a reality. He called upon the God’s followers to go out and illustrate their Christian spiritual lives to others.

Convenor, Church Building Construction Committee, Triponse Sangtam IPS (Retd.) in his brief report of the church construction said that

the building construction foundation was laid by former Director General of Police, O. Alem IPS on 8th June 2012.

Finance secretary, PUBC Jehovi Achumi stated that as of 31st October 2015,the grand total income was Rs. 3,31,81,949/and the expenditure for

the construction was 3,00,00,000/-. He said that six times tithes contribution toward the building construction was received from different units during the period of the church building construction. He apprised to the gathering that the final report would be given after the audit ver-

ification.

IGP (INT) Renchamo P. Kikon gave the welcome address. IGP Kewtso Mero in his vote of thanks expressed appreciation to everyone who had shown their support for the church construction, especially by the police personnel irrespective of the denomination, four former DGPs involved in the construction, former chairmen, church construction planning Board, former DGP, Prisons& Home Guards, L. Thechamo Lotha (Rtd.) and others.

The church was designed by Police project Architecture Engineer, Neilazo Metha and Er. Neilabeizo Angami. Pastors and representative from different unit Police churches and chairman and also youth leaders in the vicinity attended the dedication programme.

The programme was chaired by the Pastor, PUBC, Vesotsu Rhakho and the special song was presented by the Remnants, PUBC, PBC 4th NAP Bn. Thizama choir, Phesema Baptist Church and voice of praise was sung by PUBC Choir.

K

on issue of roads

Appeals to CM to convene emergency consultative meeting before November 30

Mon, noveMber 23 (Mexn): In pursuance of the resolution adopted during the executive meeting of the Konyak Students Union on November 20, the Union highlighted the “manipulative game played” on Mon-Namtola where it is learnt that during Phase-I project 16 crores were sanctioned for improvement of the Mon-Namtola road but no changes had been made.

Rather the road has degraded more.

A subsequent project Phase-II amounting to 46 crores had been allotted in 2013-2014 financial year for same road, out of which 10 crores had been released so far without any work done, stated KSU Vice President Senpha Wangnao and Assistant General Secretary Hamshen Konyak in a

press release.

“Owing to this matter, KSU had intervened and appealed the concern department to expedite the work with utmost efficiency. However, government had turned deaf on the plea of the Union. Hence, the Union warns that any manipulation and confusion inflicted upon the people by depriving good roads are beyond any digestible mode of the Union,” the Union added.

The Union demands the EE PWD (R&B) Mon to respond in this regard within seven days from the date of publication, failing which the concern authority shall be held responsible towards any course of action.

The Union also endorsed support to the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) demand for transfer of 19 major roads to Border Road Organisation (BRO) from NPWD. The KSU expressed its resentment on the “rumors” that the existing Mon-Tobu roads and Mon-Longwa

roads are to be handed over to the NPWD from BRO which will cause untold hardship in future.

The inter-state connectivity roads from MonNamtola (Assam) and Mon-Naginimora had been left unattended for more than a decades and the inter district road connection between MonLongleng either via Apao Junction and Zero point Dikhu road had never been attended to. The Union resolved that the road from Tang Junction to Aboi Town via Chen town should be considered on equal priority with the rest.

The KSU appeals to the Chief Minister of Nagaland to convene an emergency consultative meeting as demanded by the ENSF in its representation before November 30 to expedite the demands. The Office of the Union further direct its 10 subordinating units to be “mentally prepared” for any consequence that may arise owing to the lukewarm attitude of the state Government.

LLRPO appeal to accelerate Make Kohima Smart City Mission into reality construction of Foothill Road Our Correspondent

C M Y K

C M Y

Wokha, noveMber 23 (Mexn): With the consent finally on the desk for the construction of Foothill Road, Lotha Lower Range Public Organization (LLRPO) has ardently appeal the PWD (R&B) Department, Government of Nagaland to accelerate the procedural task involved to go ahead with the second phase construction without losing another working season.

A press release issued

by LLRPO general secretary R Kemerio Yanthan; A/President Chenirao Jami; and Vice President N Abel Lotha stated that as published earlier in the local dailies, verification

team of LLRPO and SDO PWD (R&B) detected two portions for rectification of alignments which were connected by existing road. Under the supervision of SDO PWD (R&B) the team surveyed one portion of road and prepared the DPR according to the original alignment of the department and had been sent to higher authority for consideration.

The other portion of road which has not been corrected requires immediate attention of the department.

“These findings, if not taken into account while preparing the DPR for the second phase shall defi-

nitely impede the road from success,” stated the LLRPO while adding that in reiteration to its resolution the LLRPO once again appeal the PWD(R&B) department, Government of Nagaland to award the contract work under its sector only to competent contractors.

Mention may be made that the LLRPO by resolution of the public on October 12, 2012 resolved to supervise and support the construction of foothill road and as such, the first survey which was carried out at its sector was spearheaded by the officials of LLRPO and technical staffs of PWD (R&B) Bhandari.

MPC to join Mokokchung Town Quasquicentennial Celebrations

K

Kohima | November 23

Parliamentary secretary for municipal affairs and economics & statistics R Tohanba said that the capital city of the state has been selected as one of the 98 cities from amongst the whole of the country for the Smart City Mission.

“We have been bestowed a vision and it is the duty of each and every one of us to make that dream into a reality,” he said while addressing the state level consultative meeting on Kohima Smart City Mission at State Banquet Hall.

The Smart City Mission is a project which will enable the citizens to live comfortable lives, but it is also the duty of the citizens to contribute towards its cause, because until and unless the people as a whole support and understand the project, it will be a failure, he said.

Tohanba also urged upon all to ensure that they work and strive to develop Kohima into a smart city by leading responsible lives.

Chief secretary Pankaj Kumar said the idea of Smart City is to take new level of urban governance.

He said the Smart City will focus on adequate water supply, power supply, proper public transportation system, efficient management of solid waste management, full utilization of IT and e-governance, re-development of old structures, green field development etc.

H also stated that convergence is an important component of Smart City and asked the various departments to come forward on this approach.

He also stated that the funding pattern for North eastern states with regard to Smart City has been modified on 90:10 pattern.

Talking on challenges and prospects of Kohima Smart City, Kohima Municipal Council administrator Kovi Meyase said that lack of basis sustainable infrastructures and facilities like road, water, energy, digital connectivity, drainage, septage management, waste management and

sanitation etc are apparent and is likely to come under increasing pressure due to population growth.

He said experts continue to mention of the potentials of eco-tourism to becoming the most plausible revenue generating industry in the state, and for Kohima to be a “gateway of tourism,” but for its infrastructures.

“Our unique land holding system and the haphazard constructions bereft of any safety measures, unplanned and unregulated developmental activities coupled with the increasing traffic congestions etc are amongst the challenges that confront us, besides the absence of an effective and responsible common channel to address the grievances of the citizens in the urban delivery system,” he said.

He said citizens have realized that the purpose of the Smart City Mission is to improve the quality of the citizens of this city and drive economic growth by enabling local area development and harnessing technology, especially

C M Y K

Parliamentary secretary for municipal affairs and economics & statistics R. Tohanba addressing the state level consultative meeting on Kohima Smart City Mission on November 23. (Morung Photo)

technology that leads to smart outcomes.

He said with the state government and all allied departments and “our valued consultants working in tandem, it may not be too far-fetched for us to say that we are hopeful of our selection in the Top 20 of the second phase of selection.”

A brief mote on smart solutions on Kohima Smart

Professional skills development training held at Tsiepama

kohiMa, noveMber 23 (Mexn): Eco Village Tsiepama in collaboration with Zynorique Initiatives and YouthNet held a twoday professional skills development training at the village on November 18 and 19.

The session started with a challenge and encouragement from Richard Bel-

Members of Mokochung Photography Club at Cafe Cityville on Monday, November 23.

Mokokchung, no veMber 23 (Mexn): Joining in the grand celebration of the Mokokchung Town Quasquicentennial Celebrations, Mokokchung Photography Club will be exhibiting a photography gallery at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex.

The Mokokchung Photography Club (MPC), formed in 2011, has been

actively involved in the promotion of photography as an art in the society.

The club consists of photography enthusiasts from diverse fields – journalists, writers, entrepreneurs, and others – who share a deep love for the photography.

The Mokokchung Quasquicentennial celebration, which will be held

in the second week of December, will feature diverse activities, and this photography exhibition cum will be an added attraction.

It may be mentioned here that the Mokokchung Photography Club has successfully organized photography workshops and also constructed the world’s first Morung Pin Hole camera in the year.

ho, chairman of Zynorique Initiatives, who said, “We Nagas have great potential to do well in life, but what stops us from succeeding is the disease called laziness. Once we are secured and contented we forget to learn and work, this should not be the trend. We continue to be hungry for more, do more to help and

to learn.”

The training aimed to promote dignity of labour, enhance the key soft skills required to increase the employability factors among the youth, develop professional traits, create healthy work culture and know the importance and benefit of customer service.

The resource person for

the training was Nuneseno Chase from YouthNet, accompanied by Sulika Chishi and Medongulie Kense.

The training was attended by participants from Tsiepama, Piphema, Medziphema, Chozuba, Riphyim New, Wokha, Kohima, Kiruphema, Mezoma, Zhavame, Porba Village and Nachama.

ANSTA condemn leakage of questions papers

Request NBSE to setup a committee to probe the incident

kohiMa, noveMber 23 (Mexn): The All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) has out rightly condemned the leakage of Class-9 final examination questions papers from Mt. Hermon School Purnana Bazaar Di-

mapur on November 20.

ANSTA President Ponchulo Wanth and General Secretary Visato Koso in a press release while condemning the “irresponsible action of the responsible officer” questioned that how such confidential papers were just left unattended at the home of Headmaster. It also stated that the question papers packets should be deliv-

ered to the designated school only and should be kept under the safe custody of the school authorities with strict vigil as it contains the career of the thousand innocent students.

ANSTA urged upon the NBSE to setup a committee to probe the incident and award an exemplary punishment to the erring officer/school as per Board Rules so as to check recur-

rence of such evil practices in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Association appeals to students appearing Class-9 final exam 2015 not to panic / disturb with the incident as the case has now been well taken care by the NBSE, but to follow the rescheduled exam routine (November 28 to December 14) with more dedication and confidence.

City was given by Atreyee Mitra Aggrawal, head, Infrastructure Planning & Design, Voyants Solutions Private Limited, Gurgoan.

The programme was chaired by Dr. Moangwati Aier, secretary municipal affairs while Dr. Toshimanen Ozukum, additional director & HoD, municipal affairs Nagaland proposed vote of thanks.

C M Y K

Nagaland Pharmacists’ Association meeting kohiMa, noveMber 23 (Mexn): The Nagaland Pharmacists’ Association (NPA) will hold its meeting on November 27 at 2:00 PM at Elken Office, PR Hill, Kohima. The president and general secretary of all the district units, cadre review committee members and NPA members have been requested to attend the said meeting without fail. All the units are further requested to submit membership fee of Rs. 100 for each member.

For further queries, one can contact 9612672016, 8794728868.

Phek Town to celebrate pre-Christmas on Dec 4-5

C M Y K

Christina Memorial Hr. Sec. school, Aoyimti, Dimapur, Pre-Christmas Musical competition was held on 21st (Saturday). Classes 1 and 2, class 3, class 6 and classes 9 and 11 bagged the 1st prize from categories A, B, C & D.

Phek, noveMber 23 (Mexn): The Phek Town preChristmas celebration 2015 will take place on December 4 and 5 at Phek Town Local Ground under the theme “Good News of Great Joy” (Luke 2:10).

The programme will be hosted

by Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu & family.

Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, pastor, CBCMH Kohima and Rev. O. Alem Jamir, chairman, Baptist Churches Pastor’s Fellowship, Phek Town will be the guest speakers.

Phek Deputy Commissioner Murohu Chotso will formally inaugurate the competition events,

while cake race will be flagged off

by Rukewelo T. Mero, Superintendent of Police, Phek.

Launching of balloon brawls and lighting of fireworks will be done by Mangko Yanchu Chang, commandant, 5th NAP Phek and commandant 46th Assam Rifles respectively.

The celebration will be marked by competition like carol singing, sack race, three-legged race, greased bamboo pole climbing, balloon hug, back ward race, skit, pork fat eating etc.

It will also witness entertainment in the form of song, drama, mono act, Nepali dace, choral,

folk song, choreography etc from Catholic Church, Konyak Baptist Church, Angami Baptist Church, Kuki Baptist Church, Ao Baptist Church, Bible Hill Baptist Church, Sema Baptist Church, Sangtam Baptist Church, 5th NAP Baptist Church, Phek Town Baptist Church, Nepali Baptist Church, Pentecostal Church, Pochury Baptist Church, DEF Baptist Church, Revival Church, Lotha Baptist Church, Rengma Baptist Church, PTCB praise & worship band, Thujoi Rhakho, Elite Music Academy, Mesehiwe Mekrisuh, Momentum Crew, Vedeto Keyho etc.

The introductory service will take place at 4:30 pm o December 4 with pronouncement of blessing

by Rev. Kewezolo Mero, pastor, Nepali Baptist Church Phek Town.

Lighting of bonefire will be done by MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, who will later share greetings.

Welcome address will be delivered by organizing committee convenor Salie Khesoh while message will be shared by Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao.

On Carnival Day scheduled for December 5, there will be balloon blowing competition for senior citizens and balloon fight for children (6-12 years).

C M Y K

TuesdAY 24•11•2015

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

remove acharya, Gogoi reiterates guwahaTi, novembeR 23 (PTi): Reiterating his demand for Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya's removal, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said the incumbent "does not know how to maintain his dignity" as the Constitutional head.

Acharya's reported statement that "Hindustan is only for Hindus" and his subsequent clarification saying Indian Muslims are "free to go Pakistan" exposes his communal mindset as well as of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, Gogoi said. "He (Acharya) does not know how to maintain his dignity. Governor's office is a very prestigious office. I have worked with Governors appointed during earlier NDA regime also, but never saw such a person.

They all worked with dignity," Gogoi told reporters in Guwahati. "Appointment of such persons as Gover-

Mizoram to be developed as bamboo State: DoNER Minister new Delhi, novembeR 23 (PTi): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh addressing a press conference at Aizawl, Mizoram said, the government is committed to develop Mizoram as the Bamboo State of India.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the State of Mizoram is blessed with very high production of bamboo, which can be turned into a major source, not only for furniture but also for paper supply to the rest of the country.

In this regard, he said, he had already initiated an effort to reinforce Bam-

Assam Guv did not make religious comment: Rijiju new Delhi, novembeR 23 (PTi): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today sought to defend Assam Governor P B Acharya over his controversial remarks that "Hindustan is for Hindus" and Indian Muslims are "free to go Pakistan", saying he did not make any religious comment. "The Governor did not make a religious comment. But it was for all religions not any particular one. But I have not heard the other comment (about Muslims in India being free to go to Pakistan and Bangladesh)," he told reporters here.

Rijiju, Minister of State for Home, was responding to a question on the Assam Governor's controversial comments in Guwahati in the last two days.

The Assam Governor has stoked a controversy after he reportedly said on Saturday that "Hindustan is for Hindus", drawing sharp criticism from Congress which alleged that it was reflective of the divisive ideology of RSS and BJP which has led to incidents like Dadri lynching. Acharya's attempt yesterday to clarify the alleged remarks he made on Saturday at a book launch function further stirred the row after he said that "Muslims in India are free to go anywhere....If they want to go to Pakistan, Bangladesh, they are free to go". nor and such statements will disintegrate the country and affect the unity. He is playing divisive politics," he added.

The Chief Minister also attacked Acharya by saying that the way he is functioning, it is contradictory to Modi's claim of 'Team India' spirit and federalism.

"He (Acharya) is just an acting Governor. No permanent Governor has been appointed so far for a long time. He is just behaving

North east Briefs

Six persons injured in accident

Rangia, novembeR 23 (PTi): At least six persons were injured seriously in a road accident at Goroimari under Chhaygaon police station in Kamrup district of Assam, police said today. A van carrying cattlehead collided with a car injuring its six passengers last night, according to police. The passenger were admitted in Goroimari Primary Health centre and then shifted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital. Police has seized both the vehicles.

Mizoram bans sale & import of particular turmeric powder aizawl, novembeR 23 (PTi): Mizoram Health and Family Welfare department has banned the sale and import of reddish turmeric powder from neighbouring Myanmar after the State Public Health Laboratory found the powder "unsafe". State Commissioner of Food Safety Dr K. Ropari recently issued a notification banning the turmeric powder, locally called 'Aisen'.

The notification said the 'Aisen' sample was sent to the State Public Health Laboratory in Guwahati where it was found that the turmeric powder is unsafe. The colour used in manufacture of the 'Aisen' was in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations, 2011, the notification said, adding that it was found to be sub-standard. While turmeric powder is generally called 'Aieng' in the local dialect, this particular product is called 'Aisen' due to reddish hues and widely used in hotels, restaurants and also at homes. It is also used for making pickles.

like an RSS Pracharak. He should not be appointed in an important state like Assam. "He should be removed immediately...You (Centre) appoint anyone who can hold the dignity of the post," Gogoi said.

On Sunday, Gogoi had demanded that the Centre should appoint a 'permanent' Governor for the state by replacing Acharya, who is holding additional charge along with Nagaland.

Talking about Bihar

Al Jazeera

After 18 years of prohibition, residents of the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram are now allowed to buy alcohol again.

In October, Home and Excise Minister R Lalzirliana said the state has so far issued permits to 56,631 people to buy booze from 22 retail shops in Mizoram.

He told the Mizoram state assembly this has brought in $2.94m in revenue for the state government during the eight months since the sale of liquor became legal this year.

"What a relief!" exclaimed businessman Biakchuunga, who like many people in the region goes by one name, as he sipped a glass of wine after a hard day's work. "We were drinking all this for awhile, but we never got what we wanted - and often had to buy spurious liquor smuggled from neighbouring states."

Prohibition just did not work, said Lalsawta, Mizoram's finance minister. "We lost revenue and people drank bad liquor and fell sick."

Some argue that prohibition also drove many young people to use dangerous narcotics that are easily available in Mizoram, smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar.

Prohibition 'to ensure social peace' The tiny, picturesque hill state of Mizoram, with a population of more than one million, is located on India's far eastern border with Myanmar's Chin state. The vast majority are Christians and the Presbyterian Church is the biggest denomination - about half

of Mizoram residents are members.

Liquor is part of Mizo tribal traditions and zu, the local brew, was used for social ceremonies until prohibition was enforced by the Mizoram government under heavy pressure from the powerful church.

"Alcoholism was rampant and ruining many families. Drunken brawls were frequent and the streets did not look safe after dark. So we pushed for prohibition to ensure social peace and harmony," said Reverend Chuathuama of the Mizoram Presbyterian Synod, justifying the ban.

In 1997, Mizoram's state government was ruled by a coalition headed by the Congress party, which passed the Mizoram Liquor (Total Prohibition) Act, banning the sale and purchase of all forms of liquor. Though the Congress party lost the next election, the victorious Mizo National Front (MNF) continued with the prohibition law under Chief Minister Zoramthanga, a former separatist rebel turned politician and a devout Christian.

But in 2013, the state government - once again led by the Congress party - amended the prohibition law to permit the sale of a fixed monthly quota of liquor to those holding permits. In January 2015, prohibition was finally lifted in Mizoram.

State residents need a government permit to buy liquor, though. It costs 500 Indian rupees ($7.60), and entitles its holder to buy up to six bottles of hard liquor and 10 bottles of wine and beer every month.

Although the church at first resisted the opening of liquor shops, it

eventually relented. To appease the church, the government ensured the new law included stringent measures against drunk driving and drinking in public.

Mizoram is heavily dependent on funding from the Indian federal government, and currently raises just four percent of its budget from its own resources.

"We are a small state desperate to raise our revenues. Sale of liquor helps us with that," explained Lalzirliana. "Why should we miss out on revenue when this prohibition has clearly not worked?"

Free flow Prohibition has also not worked in the nearby states of Nagaland and Manipur, as liquor is smuggled in from neighbouring Assam.

In Nagaland, another Christian-dominated state, prohibition has remained in force since 1989, and the church and civil society groups continue to place strong pressure on the government to uphold the ban.

By contrast in Manipur, separatist rebels were the first to enforce the prohibition law, threatening wine shops to close or else face attacks. The rebels play the moral cop, periodically burning the drugs and liquor their armed members seize. The government, under rebel pressure, banned the sale of liquor in Manipur in 1991. But local brews such as Sekmai remained available.

In 2002, the government lifted the ban from five hill districts, where Manipuri separatists do not have much presence. However, in the rest of the state, prohibition remains in force.

The eastern Indian state of Tripura does not enforce

local municipal bodies to be elected through the poll on 26th November will be expected to play a crucial role by mobilizing local population to avail of the facility provided by the Modi Government.

Mizoram has a high literacy rate of over 92%, next to the State of Kerala, said Singh and added that some of the scholars from Mizoram are occupying important teaching faculty positions in reputed colleges and Universities in the rest of the country. But, he said, the irony is that local government here has failed to bring up standard educational institutes which has led to brain drain to other parts of the country.

Chakma-Hajong issue: Tuki terms SC decision unexpected

polls and subsequent change in guard at BJP's Assam unit, he said it is a clear indication that the party is "losing its ground" in the state going for Assembly polls next year. "BJP will be defeated in Assam. I will defeat them. They are trying to divide everyone. They are taking people from Congress, AGP, extremists, surrendered militants and many other groups. They are scared, so they are behaving like this," Gogoi said.

iTanagaR, novembeR 23 (uni): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today termed the dismissal of the special review petition of the Arunachal Government by the Supreme Court on the Chakma-Hajong issue unexpected.

The Chief Minister said, “We are not against granting Indian citizenship to the Chakma Hajong refugees, but opposed to their permanent settlement in Arunachal Pradesh and the exemption of Inner Line Permit.”

Assam BJP chief when the party won seven of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 elections, has also been appointed the election management chief by the party for the assembly polls. The term of Assam assembly ends in June next year.

Soon after its victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP announced 'Mission 84' for Assam, setting a target of winning at least 84 of the 126 assembly seats in the state.

Assam BJP leaders said that the party will launch its campaign in the state on November 27 with a rally by BJP's national president Amit Shah.

Sonowal sought to sidetrack a query about possible benefit to the BJP in Assam with the deportation of United Liberation Front of Assam leader Anup Chetia.

"Anup Chetia can play a very important role in the peace process and dialogue; it is very significant and can change the rules of the negotiations," he said.

ing people" and "misusing funds".

"Governments formed by the Congress or the AGP have not been successful in making any visible changes in the lives of Assam people," he said.

Asked what would be the BJP strategy in the state under his leadership, Sonowal said it would be chalked out after getting a feedback from a large cross-section of people.

Sonowal's appointment came months before the crucial assembly polls in the state where the BJP wants to make a determined bid to come to power after its debacle in Bihar and Delhi assembly polls.

Sonowal's appointment is also seen as change in strategy on the part of the BJP which did not project a chief ministerial candidate in Bihar. In Delhi, it projected former Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi as the chief ministerial candidate close to the polls.

Sonowal, who was the

Booze flows again in Mizoram after lengthy ban Subir Bhaumik

boo Development Board of India.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the successive Governments had neglected Mizorams vast potentials and this is an opportunity for the people of the State to ensure adequate implementation of various pro-poor Central schemes initiated by the Modi government.

Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to the rising prevalence of cancer in the State, which is the highest in Mizoram and said, at the initiative of the DoNER Ministry, very soon, we will have cancer care facilities in collaboration with other advanced institutes of the country like Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai. In this regard, he said, the

He mentioned that the state government would again take legal recourse in the form of a curative petition before the court on this issue.

This has been a long pending issue regarding which many political decisions were taken in the past, he informed.

The Supreme Court rejected the state government’s special review petition regarding granting of citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees.

The Arunachal Pradesh govern-

'People of Assam see BJP as the only option' Chetia sent to new Delhi, no vembeR 23 (ianS): Newly-appointed Assam BJP unit chief and union minister Sarbananda Sonowal has said the people of Assam see his party as the only option for fast development of the state as they have already tried other parties, including the Congress.

"The people of Assam have firm faith in the BJP as they know that only our party is capable of transforming the state and ensuring speedy development. The people of Assam have already tried all other parties, including the Congress and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and are feeling betrayed," Sonowal, 53, told IANS in a telephonic interview from Dibrugarh.

The union sports minister was on Saturday appointed Bharatiya Janata Party's Assam unit chief.

Sonowal also accused the Tarun Gogoi government in the state of "fool-

3

judicial custody

guwahaTi, novembeR 23 (ianS): A CBI court on Monday sent ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia to 14 days judicial custody. He was brought to Assam on a transit remand on November 18 and was produced before a special CBI judge here. The court remanded him in fiveday CBI custody. Chetia was deported to India from Bangladesh on November 11.

"As the five days remand of the CBI expired today, the central agency produced Chetia in the court today (Monday). The CBI did not seek further custody of Chetia and so the court sent him to 14 days judicial custody," Chetia's advocate Bijan Mahajan said. "He would be lodged in Guwahati Central Jail and the court has also asked the jail authorities to arrange good food and medicines for Chetia during the custody," said Mahajan. Mahajan added that they would move the court soon for the release of Chetia.

ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE JAKHAMA PB No. 39, Kohima, Nagaland — 797001

prohibition, but its communist government refuses to issue licenses for bars, in order to cut down on public drinking.

Other states in eastern India allow the sale of liquor and vie with each other to lower taxes to promote sales. A significant portion of the liquor sold in states such as Assam and Meghalaya is smuggled into dry states like Nagaland and Manipur.

Applications are invited for the post of Lecturer in the following subjects (1) BBA (2) History (3) English (4) Political Science Qualification 55% marks at the PG level (SC/ST candidates 50%) Preference will be given to those who have cleared the NET Exam.

Applications with Bio-data may be submitted in person or by e-mail to stjosephc@gmail.com on or before 20th December 2015.

Contact No: 9436437544 Principal

A Unique, Fun & Creative School-Readiness Program, incorporating the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and the Montessori Method:



PRE-SCHOOL



L.F.S. Rd., Below Circuit House, New Ministers’ Hill, Kohima

   

Early Learning Centre for 2.5– 5 yr olds

 

Literacy & Numeracy Language & Communication Science & Nature Multisensory Learning Creative & Individual Development Social & Emotional Development Cognitive Development Physical Development

Enrolments for 2016 now open. Contact: 9859484993

ALL NAGALAND TAXI ASSOCIATION KOhImA UNIT

PUBLIC NOTICE This information is for the General Public that the ANTA, Kohima Unit has decided to discourage/disown all Private Automobiles Plying as Taxis (PAPATs) both day and night and to refrain from this illegal practice and has also appealed the general public to avail ANTA Taxi’s only for all commercial purposes.

The Public and Drivers/Owners of PAPATs are requested to please comply with this directive henceforth.

SD/Viba Solo, President ANTA Kohima Unit Ketsusielie Khruomo, General Secy., ANTA Kohima Unit

ment had filed the review petition in view of the apex court’s judgment on September 17 to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees who fled to India between 1964-69 from Bangladesh.

The collective sentiments of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, especially that of the organisations that are agitating for the interests of the state has to be given careful consideration as per the provisions of the law, he informed.

LAND FOR SALE LAND FOR SALE Zeliangrong Village (Dhobinala)

500ft. from Police area Contact No: 9615353775/ 8974620139/8974039375

NO BROKER

Nagagaon Signal near St. Thomas School

Contact No: 9615353775/ 8974620139/8974039375

NO BROKER

ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE Free FIBROSCAN Date : 25th November 2015 Time : 10:00am - 3:00pm Place : Zion Hospital & Research Centre.

For further information, kindly contact the Reception:  03862-227337, 224117

FELICITATION The Citizens of Pholami gratefully and heartily congratulates Mr.Vengota Nakro for being selected as Proposal Writer with Government of Nagaland under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This momentous achievement have raised your estimation and our Village to a higher level. May God bless you with a long life and the wisdom in your undertaking. mr. Nevotso medeo, Chairman, Village Council Pholami Village mr. Shekhoyi Vezhü, (P.G.D.) Chairman, Pholami

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Through this column, the Zion Hospital family would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to every organization, family & individual stood by us physically, financially & materially during the sudden demise of Late Bapu Das who was an employee of Zion Hospital & Research Centre, Dimapur.

Born on: 09/02/1982 We would like to express Died on: 18/11/2015 our special thanks to1. The People of Doyang 3. The Police Dept. Wokha Village, Wokha Town 2. The Police Dept. 4. Mr. Benri Shitiri, OC, Doyang Village, Wokha Police Station, Wokha

4

TuesDAY 24•11•2015

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

No hitch in permanent solution on food security at WTO: Nirmala New Delhi, November 23 (pti): Members of the WTO will have to provide permanent solution to India’s food security issue and the country does not see any “hitch” in that, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said.

“Peace clause is with us and it’s only natural that they (WTO) have to give a permanent solution. How it is going to be given... I do not see any hitch in that.

Whether it is going to happen before Nairobi meet or not is get to be seeing,” Sitharaman told PTI. Ending months-long deadlock, the World Trade

Organization in November last year acceded to India’s demand to remove constraints on the food stockpiling issue.

The WTO’s General Council, the highest decision making body of the organisation, had accepted India’s demand for extending the peace clause till a permanent solution is found for its food stockpiling issue.

This has enabled India to continue procurement and stocking of foodgrain for distribution to the poor under its food security programme without attracting any kind of action from WTO members even

if it breaches the 10 per cent subsidy cap as prescribed by the multilateral trade body.

For a permanent solution, India had proposed either amending the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap of 10 per cent, which is based on the reference price of 1986-88, or allowing such schemes outside the purview of subsidy caps.

If no solution is found by the agreed deadline of December 31 this year, the peace clause will continue till the time a solution is found. “...the peace clause which we did last year,

so that till the full fledged permanent solution for the public stock holding is given, we at least have something in our hand in terms of providing support to our farmers,” Sitharaman said.

The food security issue concerns several developing nations which provides subsidised food grains to their poor.

Talking about the trade facilitation agreement (TFA), the minister said India is committed to the pact and has already started work for its full implementation.

“The Finance Minister has already made a lot of

announcements towards achieving trade facilitation. Whether it is the ports being run more efficiently, putting all things online, customs being available 24x7, all these steps are towards trade facilitation,” She said.

She said India would also give its list to the WTO towards the fulfillment of TFA. TFA, the only pact W TO members have agreed upon since the establishment of this multilateral trade body since 1995, aims at easing customs norms and procedures for smooth flow of goods across the globe. .

Financial Literacy Camp conducted at Mopungchuket m o p u N g c h u K e t, November 23 (mexN): To promote the cause of financial literacy, a one day Financial Literacy Camp (FLC) supported under FIF managed

by NABARD was conducted at Mopungchuket village on November 23 organized by Nagaland State Co-operative Bank in Collaboration with Care and Support Society in coordination with NABARD District Office, Mokokchung.

Programme was

chaired by Imchawati Kichu, Managing Director, Care and Support Society, welcome address was addressed by Nokchalemba Aier Chairman, Mopungchuket Village Council.

Du r i ng t h e p ro gramme Temsulepden, Assistant Branch Manager, FLC In charge Nagaland State Co-operative Bank Ltd, Mokokchung discussed on various banking products available, benefits under, APY, PMSBY, PMJJBY, Saving Account, JLG and Credit

Facilities. He explained FLC to understand your expenses, do not spend more than your income, Plug non essential expenses and increase your savings, needs are limited-spend, wants are unlimited-reduce, vices are risky-avoid. Thank twice before spending, do not loss your hard earned money, and always save in a bank account. Saving account in a bank is the key to all other services.

Altogether 83participants attended the programme.

Challenges and 1st SRI Farm School in Nagaland inaugurated November 23 Nagaland this new technology to embrace this new method of scope of Kiwi Kohima, (mexN): With the objective has been found to be the most paddy cultivation when SRI was knowledge about Sys- successful at Tora. Yhome said first introduced in her village. fruit studied totemmake Later a training program on of Rice Intensification (SRI) that Tora is one of the potential KigwemaN, November 23 (mexN): A joint visit to Kiwi Farm School at Kigwema was conducted

by ATMA Kohima along with officials from KVK, Tseminyu on November 18.

The team visited the farm and interacted with the farm school teacher and with the farmers present at the farm.

The Farm School was established on July 29 with Neiphrezo Thorie as the Farm School teacher.

After the farm visit a short programme was conducted where Wapang BTT Convenor Jakhama Block chaired the programme. Khekali (Scientist, Horticulture) spoke on the challenges and scope of Kiwi fruit.

The farmers were taught about inter cultural practices such as land preparation, spacing, manuring, weeding training and pruning of Kiwi cultivation. She also emphasis on the market linkages, value addition and medicinal values of kiwi fruit and encouraged the farmers to put forward and work on the interest of one another.

The farm school teacher also gave his experience sharing on grafting method through live demonstration. The programme was followed by farmers’ scientist interaction where the farmers shared on the problems and challenges faced by them.

The programme was attended by DAO & PD ATMA Vizonyü Liezie, Shri Kethoneilhou Vimera (A.O-II), Mhasikhotuo Mere (A.O-II) and along with ATMA Officials. Altogether 17 farmers attended the programme and got benefitted.

Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): To promote management of organic disease and insect in vegetable crops, training cum demonstration was held for farmers on “Biological Control of Plant Disease and Insect Pest Management in Solanaceous Vegetable Crops” under TSP from November 18 to 20 at ICAR, Jharnapani.

The 3-day programme focused mainly on biocontrol agents, bio-pesticides available for disease and insect management, bio-fertilizers for nutrient and plant health management at field level to increase the yield and quality of produce along with improved cultivation practices of solanaceous vegetables. Further, demonstration was conducted on different methods of application of bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers in crops plants, preparation and use of plant products.

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

game Number # 3414

WhAt YOu NeeD CAmpiNg CAMPING TRAILER TENT SHOWER BEAR BERRIES WOOD FIREPIT COOLER COTTAGE MOSQUITO WATER WAVES SEAGULLS TREES DOCK SAILBOAT KAYAK SAND BARBEQUE CHARCOAL FRIENDS SUNBURN SUNSHINE OUTHOUSE SMORES HOTDOGS

R

E A F G U P A G D D I Q J J N B K W N H

D

D A V R J R A O B S F T K N G Z R I F F

I W P K X N B L I U I R L W A U X R T R

With an aim to boost awareness and expose the farmers to new ideas of agricultural practises, ATMA Kiphire and Peren undertook a farmer’s exposure trip to Shillong; Meghalaya from November 17 to 21. The team led by Deputy Project Director of both the district along with 5 ATMA functionaries visited various experimental farms at ICAR Institute such as horticulture farm, medicinal plants, piggery farm, rabbit farm, and fishery, where the experts explained scientific methods of cultivation and uses of medicinal plants followed by an interaction with the scientist. Altogether 8 ATMA officials and 21 farmers attended the tour.

L R G A Z N B T P B E I Z R M P A I X H

State sericulture farmers Atoi Zhimomi from Henivi village in Dimapur and Kevilelie Medom from Chedema village, Kohima received national awards for best nursery grower and eri graineur respectively from Ministry of Textiles during national workshop on innovative technologies and best practices of sericulture held on November 17 at the Central Sericulture Research & Training Institute, Mysore, Karnataka. Officials from the department and sericulture farmers were led by Mhathung Kikon, deputy director of sericulture, Government of Nagaland.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3426

Answer Number # 3413

S

G U Z F F W Y U V N R A E J B A Q X Y B

The resource persons were E. Lireni Kikon, Dr. Rajesha G, Bendangsenla, Dr. James Kikon, Dr. HD Talang, Dr. Susanth Banik, and Temsuwati from ICAR Research Complex-Jharnapani, NU-SASRD, Biocontrol Lab Medziphema, KVK Dimapur and KVK Longleng. All together, 22 farmers from Dimapur district participated in the training program.

During the valedictory function, Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, Joint Director, ICAR mentioned that Nagaland will be declared an organic state officially soon and advised the farmers to practice and share the learning experience to other farmers about organic insect and disease management in their respective village. Inputs like Trichoderma, Rhizobium, Azospirilum and Phosphotica were distributed to all the farmers to promote organic insect and disease management in vegetables.

_

SUDOKU

O

‘Post- Harvest Management of Paddy’ was conducted where Smt. Seyievono, A.O II DAO Kohima was the resource person.

Measures to minimize post harvest losses, the importance and scope of post harvest management, its different practices viz, clearing; grading, storage and packaging in rice were taught to the farmers. The resource person also spoke on the value addition of paddy, market linkages and encouraged the farmers to go for improved machineries to fetch better market price and grading. Altogether 22 participants attended the program.

Training on organic disease & insect management held

LEISURE

W

areas within the state where a target for mechanization cultivation can be done. In his keynote address, the resource person highlighted on the concept of farm school, its objectives and the role of farm school teacher in motivating fellow farmers. He also challenged the farmers to be a motivator for other fellow farmers in adopting new technologies other than SRI. On the inaugural program, Posan Mekro was appointed as ‘farm school teacher’, who is a 47 years old farmer from Kezoma village and was the first lady to come forward willingly

widely available and to support networking among interested organizations and individual farmer, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Jakhama Block inaugurated the first ever SRI farm school in Nagaland at Tora, Kezoma village on November 21.

The resource person was Kekhrieletuo Yhome, Assistant Plant Protection Officer (APPO) DAO kohima where he stated that in the year 2012-13 under NFSM, the department of Agriculture initially introduced SRI in Nagaland and that with the exception from other Districts of

E

P V S H O W E R E U P L P W O O D M R N

Y W D R L A R E F R I E N D S A N D O K

R N F H U V R E I N T R N T Q H Y Y X Y

A

Z D C R O E I S A I J Q Z E U A E Y P L

I Z K G Y S E S U Y Z N B N I Z Q U T T

K I P V G L S A I L B O A T T W I C O L

R

T H N X Y P F G X C H A R C O A L A S J

K C P T D O A S P J S B B F I T S M M R

O R P B N O J C Z J E B E A R E X P O F

C

G O N D E F A O D C A K Q I L R J I R I

V O L P V H O T D O G S U N S H I N E O

J D O C K A Y A K L L G J O Q O F Y Y V

L M E D K F P G H E L I K Q O I U X L U

E F H V V S I E A R S D O K Q G B N L M

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. Cries 6. Backside 10. Auspices 14. Be in trouble with 15. Tracks 16. Naked 17. Large long-necked wading bird 18. Annoying insect 19. Tall woody plant 20. Miscellany 22. Quaint outburst 23. Gambling game 24. Exit 26. Forearm bone 30. Bird call 31. Chart 32. Tailless amphibian 33. Parental sister 35. Fondle 39. Deputize 41. Flavorless 43. Scoundrels 44. Indian dress 46. Warbled 47. Santa’s helper 49. Annoy 50. If not 51. Renter 54. Bright thought

DOWN

1. Baroque composer 2. Hairdo 3. Blue dye 4. Breathing organ 5. Streamlined 6. Jason’s crew (Greek mythology) 7. Decrepit 8. Male deer 9. High regard 10. Kirk’s starship 11. To swallow up (archaic) 12. Notions 13. Sows 21. Smooth brown oval nut 25. Jokes 26. Salt Lake state 27. Easy gait

28. Back of the neck 29. Teenager 34. Fatigue 36. Iridescent gem 37. Skittles 38. Border 40. Small island 42. Disallowed 45. Flyer 48. Type of grass 51. Unit of luminous flux 52. Wear away 53. Fathers 55. Cravat 58. A soft porous rock 59. Pipe 60. Press 61. Misled 62. Young girl Ans to CrossWord 3425

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 56. Relating to urine 57. Impasse 63. Not less 64. Adorable 65. Papal court 66. Biblical garden 67. Flying saucers 68. Double-reed instruments 69. Where a bird lives 70. Hearing organs 71. Looks after

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

G G J Q X O U T H O U S E A H S T G S S

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

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

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.73

1.93

0.0533

0.0594

41.56

43.60

9.75

10.86

TuesdAY 24•11•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

5

Success of Kohima Smart city only with involvement of whole community: cM Morung Express News Kohima | November 23

Success of the Kohima Smart City Project will clearly depend on the involvements and contributions of the whole community of Kohima, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said today while making particular mention of the landowners, who, he said should be willing to sacrifice individual interest for the larger cause of the whole community as and when necessary.

“If any portion of our land is required for the project, we should be ready

to part with it for a fair and reasonable amount of compensation. If we don’t have that spirit of sacrifice and accommodation for the sake of public interest, it will be difficult to make Kohima a Smart City,” the chief minister said while addressing the State level consultative meeting on Kohima Smart City Mission at the State capital.

Zeliang said the concept of a “Smart City” which is one of the new national flagship programmes of the NDA Government at the centre is a new thing for the people of Nagaland.

According to the chief

‘Landowners should be ready to part with their land for a fair and reasonable amount of compensation’ minister, a smart city is to be a progressive and sustainable city equipped with a good and efficient transportation system, quick and effective system for disposal of solid and liquid waste, sufficient and regular supply of water and electricity, good health care and education facilities, and effective policing system and security arrangements, etc.

However, viewed in the

context of the present Kohima city, Zeliang said these goals all seem to be a very tall order.

The chief minister said it may not be possible to achieve all the above targets or objectives to the desired level, basically because Kohima is a very old and unplanned city.

“There will be serious limitations. What we are to do is basically that of retrofitting an old city and not

developing a new planned township or city,” he pointed out.

Zeliang also was of the opinion that Nagaland shall also have to go for a “Green City Project”, which will be a planned city. The projected city can be located somewhere between Kohima and Dimapur, so that it can draw support from these two existing cities,” he suggested while pointing out that only such

a new planned city will be able to satisfy the aspirations of the present and future generation of Nagas in the long run.

With this in mind, the chief minister has urged the State urban planners to simultaneously start planning for such a modern planned township for the youth and the future generation while going about in trying to retrofit Kohima into a smarter city, to the

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna is new GOC of Spear Corps Gariphema Village Council denounces ‘murder’

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna.

Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): Lt Gen Abhay Krishna, AVSM, SM, VSM, an Infantry Officer from the Rajputana Rifles has taken over the command of Spear Corps from Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, who is

proceeding to another assignment as GOC, MG&G Area.

A press release informed that Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has conveyed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the people of the North East for their wholehearted support and cooperation during his tenure as the GOC of Spear Corps.

Lt Gen Abhay Krishna did his schooling from St Xavier’s Patna and is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He passed out from Indian Military Academy in June 1980. The General Officer has rich experience in

deserts of Rajasthan, plains of Punjab, mountains and high altitude areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim and North East, the release said.

He has had a career spanning various command, staff and instructional appointments.

Besides commanding an Infantry Battalion, an Infantry Brigade and a Mountain Division, he has also served in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Mozambique, Rwanda & Burundi.

The General Officer has extended his warm greetings to the people of the North East region, the release added.

Catholic youth leaders’ meet held in Kohima Kohima, November 23 (mexN): North– Eastern Regional Youth Leaders’ meet was held at Mount Tabor, Kohima from November 21-22 under the auspices of Northeastern Regional Youth Commission (NRYC).

The youth directors and leaders (Presidents, secretaries and lady animators) of the Youth Movement from 15 Dioceses of North East India numbering 60 participated in the annual youth meeting cum seminar, which is held at different places every year.

The highlights of the programme were sessions, election of new Executive members to North Eastern regional youth office and representatives to National Youth office and visit to the historical places in and around Kohima, a press release from Nagaland Cath-

olic Youth Movement general secretary, Olivia Richa informed.

The programme started with an inaugural function on November 21, where Regina, the Nagaland Catholic Youth president accorded a warm welcome to the participants. The Choir from St. Francis De Sales Parish and Christ King Parish, Kohima enthralled the participants with their welcome song and cultural programme, the release said.

The next day programme began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Sojan Xavier, youth director of the Diocese of Kohima and concelebrated by the youth directors from other dioceses. The first session of the day was animated by Rev. Fr. Noas, the youth director from Dibrugarh diocese. He spoke on

Public SPace

Recommendation forwarded on the NSF Seniors’ Conclave on November 21, 2015 at Hotel de oriental Grand, Kohima A. FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT: All the members participated with positive mindset as the Naga Political talk is very intricate.

The Naga Students’ Federation upholding the principle stands of the Naga political solution for an “Honourable & Acceptable” solution, the following points were recommended: 1. Appreciates the efforts of the NSCN (IM) for singing the Framework Agreement on the 3rd August, 2015.

2. Every responsible citizen should not shy away from the current issue rather consider it as a common issue for an amicable solution.

3. The Nagas should be realistic rather than self-sophisticated/artificial.

4. The Naga Students’ Federation since its inception have been advocating for the Naga political movement with the motto “For Unified Lim & Glory of the Nagas.” Therefore, for any political settlement, like that of signing of the recent Framework Agreement, the Federation impress for Sovereignty and Integration of all Naga inhabited area, but not ECONOMIC SOLUTION. 5. The Federation appreci-

ates and also appeals the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to continuously carry forward the dreams and aspirations of the common people in bringing all the NPGs under one umbrella.

6. The Federation sincerely appeals all the NPGs to come together for a common goal in the process of the Framework Agreement/ongoing talk to avoid mistakes as “Mistake Creates Precedence.”

B. OFFICE BUILDING: The august house recommend for construction of a new building.

C. ILLEGAL INDIGENOUS CERTIFICATE: The house endorsed the Executive Council to appraise the state government to direct the concern department/ issuing authority that no indigenous certificate be issue to any non-indigenous inhabitants. If any issuing authority is found, the concern officer/authority should be held solely responsible.

The programme was attended by the officials who have served the Federation in various capacities from 1970 till the present team.

Rapporteur: Eli. Esther Rhakho & Eno. Krelo Eshwuo

the topic, “leadership’. This was followed by the election of the new office-bearers for the Regional Youth Office, Guwahati.

Dr. Patha S. Datta, research officer of Kripa foundation, addressed the participants. He spoke on the evil effects of alcoholism and drug abuse. He stated that alcoholism and chemical dependence are diseases which have lasting consequences on the users. He also called upon the youth leaders to organize awareness programmes in their own respective places and save their peer members from the bondage of the menace.

The participants also visited Naga Heritage village at Kisama, Catholic Cathedral, Kohima and St. Joseph College, Jakhama.

The programme was hosted by Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement.

Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): Gariphema Village Council (GVC) has condemned the “heinous and despicable act of murder” of its villager, Khrieketou Chiese by two people on November 6.

In a press note issued by its chairman, Dziesevi Pielie and secretary, Ravo, GVC alleged that Chiese was allegedly murdered by one Neiselhoulie (Tutu) of L Khel Village and presently residing at Pezielietsie Col-

ony, Kohima and Purchiba of Chungtia Yimsen Village and currently resident of Sepfüzou Colony, Kohima.

Maintaining that crime was committed without any regard to “basic value of humanity,” the council demanded the accountability of the perpetrators and severe punishment for the crime.

Stating that there can be no justification for such “deliberate” act, GVC also called for immediate and

prompt expedition of the investigating process and appealed to the authority concerned to deny bail to the guilty party.

“Such crime does not intimidate the society, but rather stiffens the resolve that there has to be a common effort to combat and deter such crimes,” GVC asserted.

Meanwhile, the council expressed its deep sympathy and offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the victim.

Training on Mahila Arogya Samiti held Kohima, November 23 (mexN): Under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM), three days orientation training on Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS) was held at the office of the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima from November 17 to 19.

MAS is a local women group with an elected chairperson and a secretary. It is one of the key interventions under NHM aimed at promoting community participation in health related aspects. MAS is expected to take collec-

tive action on issues related to health, nutrition, water, sanitation and social determinants at the local level facilitated by ASHA. There are 18 MAS in Kohima and 17 more are expected to form in the coming months. The training comprised of two batches and 35 MAS members attended the training.

Dr. Avino Metha, Chief Medical Officer, Kohima in a release stated that the participants included Urban ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and MAS members from

Kohima. The objective of the training was to provide an introduction to the roles, functions and objectives of MAS to the participants.

The resource persons comprised of Chubala, ASHA Programme Manager (NHM), Rajesh Khartu Monsang, Consultant Community Process (RRC-NE), and Puni Kokho, State Facilitator Nagaland, RRC-NE. The next batch of training on MAS is scheduled to be held in second week of December 2015.

BSSI first Northeast alumni meet held Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): The Baptist Seminary of South India (BSSI) Bangalore, formerly Northwest Baptist Seminary-India Extension (NBSIE), held its first Northeast Alumni Meet on November 21 at Hotel Tragopan, Dimapur.

Pastor Simeon Sundar, Chairman, Adco BSSI was the speaker of the programme. He exhorted

the gathering from Psalm 63 with three important truths about the soul that is touched by God. A soul that is touched by God thirsts for God. A thirsty soul gets satisfaction in God and a satisfied soul is attached to God who as a result finds joy and confidence, he stated.

Many alumni, including pastors, Bible college lecturers, homemakers, and ministry leaders from Assam,

Manipur and Nagaland attended the programme.

A press note also stated that holding forth to its theme- “Equipping God’s servants for the church”, the seminary offers graduate level degrees and imparts rigorous training with programs designed to make servant-leaders competent with the text (Scripture) and efficient in the local and para church ministries.

Nagaland attends global conference on disaster risk reduction ShilloNg, November 23 (mexN): Parliamentary secretary for Geology & Mining, Govt. of Nagaland, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier is representing the State along with officers from various departments at the ‘Global Confer-

Guards and his team displayed their disaster fighting equipments at the conference exhibition hall.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya Rowell Lyngdoh was the chief guest at the inaugural func-

tion. Dr. Shailendra Chaudhari, Director (Science & Technology) addressed on the theme of the conference, and Ram Muivah, Secretary, North Eastern Council presented the keynote address.

NU Vice Chancellor calls for sustainability

Peren unit endorses NCSU resolution

Kohima, November 23 (mexN): Nagaland University (NU) Vice Chancellor Prof. BK Konwar has stressed on the need to think first and act for sustainability.

He was speaking at the two-day farmers exchange program organised by ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on pig (AICRP-pig), Nagaland centre and Dept. of Livestock Production & Management (LPM), Nagaland University, School of Agricultural Sciences & Rural Development (SASRD), Medziphema Campus on Saturday at SASRD campus.

Prof. Konwar felt that today our rural farmers are exhibiting their products and innovations for sustainability. “We on our part need to support their system with improved scientific management to enhance productivity and profitability."

ence on Disaster Risk Reduction - Major Initiative in North East towards Disaster Resilience’ being held at Hotel Pinewood, Shillong from November 23-25.

A press release informed that the DIG Home

NU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. NS Jamir called for improvement of the traditional system of rearing livestock so that it can enhance the economy of the rural people.

Dzüviu Krose, a farmer, expressed happiness to the teaching faculty and staffs of the SASRD for periodical awareness program held at different villages and wards of Medziphema and surrounding villages under Dimapur district.

58 farmers participated in the programme by showcasing the innovations and good practices in livestock management in rural areas.

Vizonyü Liezie, District Agriculture Officer, Kohima was the resource person for the first session. He emphasized on the need to change our mindset and adopt the latest good technologies in order to progress.

Dr. V. Rutsa, resource person for the technical

session II spoke on the topic “Improved pig feeding practices”. He mentioned about the declining rate of pig population and disproportionate rise in demand for pork and production in the State and added that it is the single most utilised item. Rs. 288 crores worth of pork are imported from neighbouring states and it should be considered a serious matter, he added.

Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR- National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani, stressed the importance of saving the selected best seed for future production instead of consuming while citing the story of the hen which lay golden eggs. “If we kill the hen that lay golden egg we may get few numbers of precious eggs and that is the end of getting golden eggs. So select and save the female and male pig for piglet production.”

extent possible.

Zeliang also said Nagas should start cultivating a better “civic consciousness” to make our town clean and healthy, and as the first steps towards the smart city project.

While pointing this out, he expressed appreciation to the efforts of NGOs and the Kohima Municipal Council for organising mass social works for cleaning the State capital.

However, Zeliang said occasional cleaning once or twice in a year cannot be a sustainable solution and called for involve-

ment of departments like PHE, Power and Road & Bridges etc to renovate or replace the entire system to be a sustainable one. “To bring smart city, let us try to be smart or even to be the smartest, but without being over smart,” he quipped.

Awards for the three events organized by the Municipal Affairs department to create awareness on the smart city mission namely- Smart City Essay Competition, Smart City Logo Competition and Smart City Marathon Race were given to the participants during the consultative meeting.

MEx FILE KMC informs ward panchayats Kohima, November 23 (mexN): Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) has informed all ward panchayats that there will be a meeting on November 22, 2:00 pm at KMC conference hall with Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, SIPMIU officials and members of Swachh Bharat Mission Local Committee. A press release from KMC administrator informed that following are the agenda to be discussed: Laying of water pipelines by the Tantia Group; Swachh Bharat Mission and formation of Local Committee. All the ward chairmen have been requested to attend the meeting or send reliable representatives without fail.

CMA expresses grief pheK, November 23 (mexN): The Chakhesang Mother's Association (CMA) has expressed grief at the death of Lhusi Haralu. In a condolence note, CMA stated, “Lhusi Haralu has contributed much to our society in so many different ways. We also especially remember her for being an exemplary mother who raised her children to become contributing members in the society, all of whom are in very responsible positions.” It added that the deceased was and will continue to be a role model for many women, particularly mothers in Nagaland.

Dimapur Night Carnival info Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): The first selected list of applicants for Dimapur Night Carnival2015 has been uploaded in the carnival website and available in the notification link of the carnival's website: www.dimapurnc.in. It is also displayed in the notice board of DMC office, Dimapur. A press release from convenor, Stall Committee, Dimapur Night Carnival2015 informed that the selected applicants are to deposit fee and collect stall permit from the DMC office on or before December 5 during office hours.

Mao Hoho Dimapur meeting on Nov 28 Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): Mao Hoho Dimapur has convened its General Body Meeting on November 28, 1:00 pm at its Community Hall, Ashihe Mao Colony, Kuda (Nagarjan). Therefore, all the members have been requested to attend the meeting positively.

Meeting for Committee on Public Undertakings Kohima, November 23 (mexN): All the members of the Committee on Public Undertakings, Nagaland Legislative Assembly have been informed that the first meeting of the committee has been fixed on December 9, 11:00 am in the Assembly Committee Hall for consideration and adoption of 76th, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th Reports on Nagaland Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation (NHHDC) under Industries and Commerce. Commissioner & secretary, NLA, N Benjamin Newmai has requested all the committee members to attend the meeting.

WCO condemns alleged threat to life

Dimapur, November 23 (mexN): The Western Chakhesang Hoho has condemned a “threat to life” allegedly issued by one Shitokhu Sumi, Town Commander of NSCN (R) to Joseph Mero, president of Dimapur Goods Transport Union and his family. In view of the “eminent threat to life and safety” of Joseph Mero and his family, the CHO in a press statement issued by its president, Vekhosayi Nyekha and general secretary, Dimapur, November Kiesalie Thopi further demanded immediate action 23 (mexN): The Nagaland from responsible group and law enforcing agency to Contractors and Suppliers ensure their safety.

Union (NCSU), Peren Unit has strongly reaffirmed and extended support on the resolution passed by its head office, Kohima on November 12. The NSCU head office had resolved to demand the break-up of four lane project between Dimapur-Kohima in order to accommodate local contractors for the project.

A press note from the Unit president, NR Zeliang and general secretary, T Mirhu also extended its appreciation to its head office for the resolution and appealed to the State and Central government to provide neces- 15 Assam Rifles conducted a medical camp at Shamavillage in Tuensang district on November 23. A total sary trainings, seminar on tore of 354 patients were treated by the team and free medie-tendering and EPC mode cines were distributed during the camp, which was inauwhich would benefit local gurated by Brig Rajeev Nanda, Deputy Inspector General contractors.

Assam Rifles (North).

6

TuesDAY 24•11•2015

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 320X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume

To Lead by obeying the will of the people

I

s there good self-governance in Nagaland? Or, are we in a state of limbo! These are basic questions that can no longer be avoided. The state of our roads, the deafening silence towards ‘backdoor appointment’ to government jobs, the abuse of power, the heights of corruption, the lack of policies to basic public needs, the degree of public despair and helplessness are all symptoms of a state that is crumbling from within.

Despite numerous protests and various social movements for change in Nagaland, the fact remains: nothing has changed or it is imperceptible because we are living inside it.

And hence, the pursuit to improve our quality of life continues. One aspect that needs to be explored is to recover indigenous values as a means of reconnecting Nagas with our roots and identity. Engaging in this exploration has the potential to be liberating and a catalyst for change. The free spirited nature of the Naga person has implications on – the governed, the ungoverned and to govern (to rule, the ruled and the unruled). Hence, keeping in mind the independent spirit, can the Nagas find a way forward by rediscovering the concept of – to lead by obeying the will of the people?

The Zapatistas in Mexico, who are rooted in indigenous culture, consciously forged an alternative understanding of political power. Their indigenous movement was premised on the maxim – mandar obedeciendo – “to rule by obeying” the people’s will. The National Indigenous Congress describes the guiding principle as: “To serve, not be served; to represent, not supplant; to build, not destroy; to propose, not impose; to convince, not defeat; to come down, not climb.” The concept is based on humility, not subservience, and equality and mutuality, all of which are not hierarchical.

The principle of “to rule by obeying” is the foundation for an alternative form of organizational structure that will be decentralized, horizontal, rotating, collective, inclusive, flexible, representative, plural, gender-equal and non-partisan.

Hence, in this way, “to rule by obeying” redefines the relationship between power and ethics, and justice based on accountability and transparency to and with the people. The dignity and respect for life is upheld as it is interdependent and interconnected nature – the web of interdependency.

Indigenous understanding of power critiques the Western notion of power as a centralized, specialized and privileged sphere that is formally related to the State. On the other hand, the indigenous worldview of power emphasizes the need to decentralize, and to spread, or share power. “To rule by obeying” implies a profound process of consciously and carefully redefining and reconstructing power in both its content and application.

The indigenous praxis of power is not a political project to ‘homogenize or hegemonize;’ rather to strengthen and affirm the web of interdependency. In essence, the indigenous concept of power “to rule by obeying” is a critique that suggests transcending the State’s system of power. It opposes and challenges both elected Governments and Revolutionary movements that seek to reproduce the structures of domination notwithstanding their different names or forms.

The challenge for Nagas as indigenous peoples is to have the courage to critically examine and consider how the concept of “to lead by obeying the will of the people” can be put into action.

lEfT WING |

Sheikh Qayoom IANS

Heart of Darkness: Why Kashmiris link power woes to Indo-Pak dispute

E

lectric power woes in winter have become endemic in Jammu and Kashmir and, for the moment, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. People of the state have become cynical enough to say that the problem would be solved only after India and Pakistan resolve the Kashmir issue.

Many in the state trace the problem to the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, though new power projects have not kept pace with demand.

The daily requirement - metered and unmetered - is around 1,600 MW against a supply of a 1,200 MW. There's also the question of rampant pilferage by domestic consumers.

"The state gets 12 percent of the power generated from National Hydel Power Corporation of India (NHPC) projects as royalty. The rest is to be purchased. The biggest buyer of electric power from the NHPC is J&K, according to a retired chief engineer of the Power Development Department who did not want to be named.

The previous prime minister, Manmohan Singh, had announced an economic package for the state that included Rs.1,850 crore for the NHPC to build power projects in Jammu and Kashmir. About Rs.750 crore was given to the power department to build infrastructure to buy power from the NHPC. "In layman's terms, this means NHPC was paid to generate power from J&K so that the same is sold to J&K," the chief engineer told IANS. Yet, the shortages continued. "It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs that the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 450 megawatt second stage of Baglihar power project, a curtailment schedule was announced by the local electric department", said Javaid Ahmad, 45, a businessman here.

The NHPC owns five hydro projects in Kashmir. These are the Salal, Uri, Dulhasti, Nimmo Bazgo and Chutak projects.

The output during winter falls sharply because of the low water levels.

The root cause of the problem, many say, is the treaty signed with the neighbouring country in 1960. Under the treaty, no water storage dam can be built on any of the three major rivers of the state - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

"We can build only run-of-the-river power projects on these rivers. This wastes thousands of megawatts of electric power potential of J&K which could be tapped through building of dams," says an expert, who talked on condition of anonymity.

He said the hydropower potential of the state would be around 20,000 MW. "There is no compensation for Kashmiris in the Indus Water Treaty. That is why we say Kashmir's electric power woes would only be solved after the Kashmir problem is resolved," he added.

The locals are, expectedly, angry. "There is darkness all around in the evenings as electric supply is switched off without notice. We have a daily scheduled curtailment of eight hours as per the electric department, but we are supplied electricity not even for six hours," said Abdul Majid, 66, a resident of rural Ganderbal district.

The authorities say widespread pilferage and low payments also add to the woes. "The total daily supply is 1,200 MW, out of which we import nearly 80 percent from outside, costing the state Rs.10 crore daily," a senior engineer of the electricity department told IANS, unwilling to share his name.

He said on an average a family in the Valley pays just Rs.330 per month while using power worth Rs.5,000.

For Jammu and Kashmir residents, the winter of discontent seems to be unending.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Samhita Barooah

Fragmented Frontiers

M

on in the eastern most tip of Nagaland is a fragmented frontier along the IndoMyanmar border. Borders are fragile, fluid and fractured in many tangible and intangible ways. It takes about 4 hours to cover a distance of 44 kms before reaching the Mon town. Dimapur is the nearest district with adequate commercial, civic and economic resources which will cater to the urgent needs of the native population of Mon. Being a border town, Mon is a matter of great relevance and curiosity for avid travellers, military and intelligence personnel, factions of armed groups and connoisseurs of artefacts and cultural folklore. For many national and international agencies also Mon finds a priority in allocation of resources and accessibility of basic facilities and even in execution of various schemes.

Most human development indicators are dismal and the district finds its grip in the rock bottom when any comparative analysis is drawn. Territoriality was everything for the ancestors of the Konyak community whose identity is defined within the realm of the land, forests, social and cultural dynamics of Mon district.

Mon is the land of Anghs or the chiefs whose presence, prominence and prolific rule define the essence of the rich history and current trajectory of this district of Nagaland. Living across an International border where the homes, fields, kitchens and all commons are shared between two nationalities can be very challenging and at the same time a matter of great pride. Within a distance of 100 meters two schools are located, wherein one teaches in English medium and another teaches Burmese. I wonder whether children have the choice of sitting in both the schools to enjoy the best of both the worlds.

Tourism seems to be a way of life for the young and the old in this part of the world. International community from across the world mostly from Europe, America and Australia have crowded this district for a very long time. The most significant tourist attraction is the village Longwa which shares the border with Myanmar in a very simple way.

The house of the Chief of Anghs of Longwa is located right on the border of India and Myanmar. His kitchen has international walls and his courtyard is home to the Indian intelligence officials. It is such an experience when a home becomes an exhibition space where there is no personal space and privacy and one is constantly in the public, military and global eye for the location of one's ancestral home.

Infact the Angh is always photographed by tourists when they visited his home.

When we entered the village, we witnessed a death of one of the Anghs who used to be photographed a lot for his tattoos. It seems he was unwell and died a very silent death that night. His body was carried to the neighbouring village from where he came from. There was a gloomy silence and the family members of the Angh gathered around the fire to mourn his death.

But still the community moved on with the regular work of attending to tourists. Two of the striking livelihoods of people in Longwa village was selling of traditional jewellery, artefacts and memorable and the other was selling of Burmese currency notes.

Home stays and guesthouses have also emerged as a trend in the village.

Opium plantation is very common in the Myanmar side of the border area and its consumption is also very high in that area. In fact most of the tourists also came to the border village to taste the opium aroma. Children were fascinated by the inflow of tourists with the aspirations of soaring heights. People from the Longwa village also go to the neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh border villages to buy their local supplies.

Headhunting practices in Mon district is part of the cultural history of the community which has been archived and preserved through oral storytelling, artefacts and heritage sites. In Longwa village there is a spot where the skulls are buried underneath a tree

I

n the recently concluded elections of Bihar, many propaganda jingles were produced and played by political parties. Many of them were in Bhojpuri, Magahi and other languages of Bihar. These were played in areas where nearly every voter is counted in the Indian Union’s official census numbers as ‘Hindi’ speakers. But strangely, in this officially Hindi-land, Hindi was not enough as the medium of political communication. A gigantic fraud is committed on the people of Bihar every 10 years by counting almost all of them as ‘Hindi’ speakers as per census, even when they mention their own non-Hindi languages as their mother-tongue. This is something that is exposed when political propaganda is done using people’s own non-Hindi mother-tongues. Frauds are good for census purposes, but in elections, mostly real people with real non-Hindi mother-tongues vote. Thus, in areas where there are no Bhojpuri medium schools but plenty of Hindi medium schools and almost every citizen is registered as a ‘Hindi’ speaker, Bhojpuri was widely used for political purposes.

So politicians know what this ‘Hindi’ is, just like the priests at the temple of Delphi must have known that there was no real oracle.

Languages are not intrinsically ‘funny’ - promoting them as such is an old conspiracy by dominant groups and their languages of hegemony. Hegemonic languages are never ‘funny’.

They are ‘neutral’. When Lalu Prasad’s language is made ‘fun’ of and his ‘funny’ videos go viral, what is at display is nothing short of linguistic racism.

Millions of mostly lower caste people don’t think its ‘funny’. They hear the

as shared by the young guide who took us through the social history of the village. Headhunting was not a meant for pleasure but more for survival and sustaining the territorial integrity of a particular village.

Interestingly women never practiced headhunting but they were also hunted by the warriors of the past.

Headhunting and tattooing are closely linked in the context of Konyak community. In fact when the whole face is tattooed the metal necklaces with human head lockets are worn by the men to define the number of heads collected by them in their lifetime.

Such practice was heroic and celebrated with great pride. Headhunting was a matter of survival and resource sharing in a relative& hostile and ghastly natural environment where food and water had to be shared with carnivores in the thick forests. Any new intruder in such a limited natural space can threaten the survival of the community so the best practice was elimination rather than inclusion.

Human evolution, education, missionary zeal and spiritual well-being had immensely contributed

to the changes in violent customary practices which was self-destructive and outside the realm of human understanding in the present context. My only concern was in the exoticism of the enigmatic past which sustained the livelihoods of many in Mon, is the present and the future generations at stake with pangs of poverty, epidemics, intoxication and militarised atmosphere?

The idea of a border village with both state and international boundaries drawn through the homes of people creates a huge tourist attraction. Border villages are fluid identities of pluralism which is indeed a very dynamic phenomenon and cannot be restricted with barbed wires, guns and stringent laws.

Human association and access has much more deeper value than the context of political borders and its associated complexities. My journey of Mon was a revelation of many facets to human existence and struggle for survival within restricted spaces and sceptical thoughts.

Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan: political hegemony of a singular narrative Garga Chatterjee language and its content. They speak it, make love in it, swear in it, cry in it.

That’s a world beyond Lalu Prasad’s ‘funny’ speeches going viral. There is a caste difference those who make love in Lalu’s language and those to ‘love’ his ‘funny’ videos.

The Union government at New Delhi refuses to publish the socioeconomic caste census (SECC) data.

What truth in those numbers does it fear? Lalu Prasad Yadav drove that point home, by quoting some shocking data ( that 51% people are manual casual labourers, 14% families living in one-room kuchcha house, 14% are landless households, etc) and rhetorically asked the people whether people with such pathetic condition were brahmins, thakurs or bhumihars or from the lower castes? His audience knew the answer. Everyone knows. Like caste and class, language, in the Indian Union, unfortunately, is another axis of exclusion, that is intimately tied to caste and class. Hence, like Lalu Prasad Yadav, one can ask, who are the people who know only Bhojpuri or Angika or Magahi and no Hindi. Are they brahmins? Are they thakurs? Or are they overwhelmingly from the lower castes?

The forced uniform Hindu-ness is not unrelated to forced uniform Hindiness. Bihar voted against uniformity forced by erstwhile dominant groups.

Bihar voted for itself.

Hindi-ization of public sphere and political idiom excludes the majority. This Hindi-ization in the context of Bihar is led by upper-castes (except with the marginal exception of Maithili speakers, where upper-castes along with others are trying hard to fight for their language). The dominant group, due to their links to the West and especially to the Hindi circles to the West (including, most crucially, Hindi literature and media circles) have also made Hindi an aspirational language.

This works to the advantage of these already dominant groups, as the other castes lose the less unequal playing field they might have had, when it comes to Bhojpuri or Angika. The ultimate aim of this design is to rob the majority of their Angika, Bhojpuri or Maithili agency and being converted into mere appendages of a SavarnaHindi leadership. Everyone knows what kind of political forces benefit from this trend. This forced minoritization of the majority was only partially

WRITE-WING

Samhita Barooah is a Researcher and Travel Writer

broken in 1990 with the ascendency of Lalu Prasad Yadav to Bihar’s Chief Ministership. The displaced elites, especially those hegemonic caste-groups whose strangehold on politics was partially broken in the 1990-1995 period, have been trying to claw back to power ever since. Hence, when Nitish Kumar was making the case for the Bihari visa-vis the Bahari, that statement can be read in multiple ways. Every text has a sub-text. Every speech, even when made in Hindi, may have a non-Hindi sub-speech within it. Not everything can be heard clearly from Anglo-Hindi perches of Delhi. Certain readings require compassion, humility and taking-off Delhi-mark imperial blinders.

One such reading (or one may call it a ‘spin’) is that RJD-JD(U) called for unity among the Angika, Bajjika, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Maithili speaking peoples against the forces of Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan. The result is clear.

Looking into the future, if peoplecentric empowerment is part of the RJD-JD(U) agenda, then that process cannot happenusing Hindi as the unform medium of communication from the government to the people and vice-versa. Bihar’s own languages desperately needs basic infrastructure and recognition that can come from funds that were historically looted and monopolized by upper-caste Hindi-wallahs to extend their sphere of hegemony. People should be able to study at least in primary school, speak in the Bihar assembly, have forms and signs in Angika, Bajjika, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Maithili. This much dignity they deserve and has to be a part of any future social-justice agenda.

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.

tuesDAY 24•11•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Cutting through the helplessness of the refugee crisis

F

Frida Berrigan Waging Nonviolence

ences. Barbed wire. Plexiglass riot shields.

Refugee camps. Unanswered questions. Terror. Roiling seas in flimsy boats. Waiting. Fear.

Walking. Huddled in wet, cold fields with no shelter and no certainty about what tomorrow brings.

This and so much more is the experience of refugees fleeing the violence and civil war of Syria in Europe.

And now there is a new misery: Investigators into the Paris attacks found a Syrian passport near the bodies of dead bombers and assert that one was a Syrian who entered Greece as a refugee. This piece of information means that all those seeking refuge are now suspect and subject to fear, hatred and another layer of vulnerability. There is already so much misery, and now this. The terrible actions of a few punishing all.

The horrific violence that slayed cafe-goers, partiers and fans of rock music is the same violence that these countless men, women and children are fleeing.

Can they still have hope? Can they still find a destination, a future free of violence and political turmoil?

Can they keep going? Winter is coming, fast and bitter.

I have watched this crisis ebb and flow across my daily newspaper, mostly just shaking my head and feeling disconnected and helpless. Like many others, the picture of tiny Aylan Kurdi, his lifeless form washed up on a Greek island, affected me deeply. The three-yearold Syrian boy — who along with his mother, father and siblings — fled the militias and fighting in their hometown of Kobane only to drown as rough seas overtook the crowded boat. Only the father survived. I opened the newspaper to that now unforgettable picture and burst into tears. It is a funny expression that is often incorrect — burst into tears. But that is what happened.

An outburst of sorrow, anguish and even responsibility. What have I done for these refugees? What have I done to help Aylan’s family? Nothing.

We talked all through breakfast — my husband, our eight-year-old daughter Rosena and three-year-old son Seaus, who wears Velcro shoes, little red shirts and blue pants. He is fatter and taller than little Aylan, and loves playing on the beach at the edge of waters, like the Aegean Sea, that took that little boy’s life. We talked with our kids about the war in Syria, which has created more than 4 million refugees. We talked about how our country has accepted fewer than 1,500 so far (.04 percent of those who have fled their homes) and said that it would allow another 70,000 over the next year (if they could pass through the world’s most rigorous vetting process).

We saw that they were still listening, still feeling, and so we pointed out that the United States has provided nearly $8 billion in military aid to Syria since 2011.

“We have space for a family,” Rosena said, her eyes taking in our large dining room and mentally rearranging the rooms upstairs. “They could have my room and I can be in Seamus’s top bunk.” This is how they want to be sleeping anyway, even though neither would sleep well if we greenlighted this plan. I was bowled over by her generosity. It cut through all the fear, scapegoating, othering, racism, politics, bureaucratic inertia and red tape that defines Washington and other world powers.

Rosena is not alone. In fact, the mayors of an impressive number of cities have made a similar call to President Barack Obama. Last month, mayors from around the country sent a letter to the White House that read, in part: We “urge you to increase still further the number of Syrian refugees the United States will accept for resettlement. The surge of humanity fleeing war and famine is the largest refugee crisis since World

D

“Arena of Mind” portrays a space for idea germination, a field where ideas from multi-disciplinary viewpoints fertilize the world of intelligence. The writers aspire to envision a new future by exploring the mind, discovering new seeds of insights and unleashing them to enlightenment.

A Thing to Ponder Neizosie-o Rhutsu, Asst. Professor, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama

T

War II. The United States is in a position to lead a global narrative of inclusion and support. Our cities have been transformed by the skills and the spirit of those who come to us from around the world. The drive and enterprise of immigrants and refugees have helped build our economies, enliven our arts and culture, and enrich our neighborhoods.”

The letter is signed by the mayors of major metropolises like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston and my very own hometown of Baltimore, as well as smaller cities like Allentown, Pennsylvania and Central Falls, Rhode Island. It is worth reading in full and working with your own mayor and city council to get more cities to add their names to the list. It made me cry so hard because the letter represents some of the best of our country.

Three of my grandparents were immigrants to the United States. My mother’s parents were both born and raised in County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Elizabeth O’Mullan was the eldest of four. Their father died when she was a teenager. She educated and trained as a secretary and a social worker, but as a Roman Catholic, she could not find work. Responsible for her younger siblings and mother, she decided to follow hundreds of thousands of her countrymen, who left Ireland because of religious persecution and lack of opportunity. She settled in New Jersey. William McAlister was the second youngest of 10 children on a poor farm — also in County Antrim. Most of his siblings were boys and there wasn’t enough work for them all, so he headed for the United States too. There was no terror or barbed wire in their stories. The indignities of Ellis Island, the fear of the unknown and separation from their homelands seemed small prices to pay for the promises of a brighter future. Friends told McAlister to look up the good-hearted, hardworking Elizabeth when he landed.

The rest was history. They lived in New Jersey all their lives. My grandfather started a contracting company and made a good living. They owned a home, raised seven kids, summered at the shore, sent money back to relatives in the North and were stalwart members of their local Catholic Church.

It is not hyperbole or hokum to say that they lived the American Dream. They escaped poverty, lack of opportunity and religious discrimination with almost

nothing and they built a life, a living and a legacy in the United States.

It grieves and angers me that those opportunities are closed to Syrians, who have already suffered so much. What can we do to make President Obama and Congress listen to the wisdom of an eight-year-old girl and 18 mayors?

There is no doubt plenty we can do. Perhaps, for inspiration, we should look to what others around the world are doing to not just sit idle, but have some positive effect on this ever-unfolding tragedy. For example, we have friends from the War Resisters League who spend time each year in Turkey. This year, they sent out an email to friends and family saying that they were raising money for refugee efforts. I was so grateful for the opportunity to be connected to what was happening so far away. We had given through our church to refugee efforts, but this felt so much more direct and immediate.

They have just returned and here is some of what they shared: “Without exaggeration, this was one of the saddest and most rewarding experiences of our lives. Pikpa camp in Mytilini on the Greek island of Lesbos is the allvolunteer camp we went to. It was an unused summer camp for disabled children that four activists occupied three years ago. Their vision was to open a new kind of refugee camp with a focus on treating the residents with respect and providing conditions that enable them to live with dignity until they are ready to move on.” Our friends raised more than $8,000 and brought with them medicine, medical equipment and other critically needed items — simple things like baby carriers and diapers.

On their last day at Pikpa, our friends helped other volunteers amass winter clothes for the refugees. “This was a reminder of what the refugees face as they head further north into Europe,” they wrote. “Not just chilly weather, though, but a sometimes hostile reception. In the face of this reality, it is reassuring to know that it is not just on Lesbos, but from Athens to Norway, even in Hungary, there are many thousands of ordinary people making extraordinary efforts, stepping up and welcoming their fellow human beings in their time of need.”

I have read and reread these words, finding hope and sustenance in the efforts of ordinary people to help and save and take care of one another. It cuts through the helplessness I feel.

Conflicted Catharsis: On ISIS and Revenge Films

enis Villeneuve’s Sicario is a one of 2015’s best films. Artfully made and intense from start to finish, the drug war-themed thriller (starring Emily Blunt and Bencio del Toro) focuses on CIA operatives hunting down a highranking cartel chief whose brutal tactics have left a trail of victims via bomb, acid bath, dismemberment and beheading.

Sicario reminded me of Kathryn Bigelow’s controversial 2012 film Zero Dark Thirty, which chronicles the covert hunt for Osama bin Laden. Both films are about retributive justice and the CIA’s efforts to end the reign of bloodshed of a terrorist tyrant. Both films end with a violent climax that is simultaneously cathartic and conflicting: cathartic because an evil villain is dispatched in a fittingly violent manner, but conflicting because we aren’t quite sure we should feel so good about it.

These sorts of “conflicted catharsis” endings are common in films about revenge and justice. Quentin Tarantino includes denouements of this sort in nearly all of his films, often featuring some sort of previously disenfranchised victim exerting bloody vengeance on their abusive and powerful victimizer. Kill Bill and Death Proof show this in terms of women exacting vicious revenge on abusive males. Django Unchained shows this in terms of a black slave (Jamie Foxx) cathartically killing a comically evil slave owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). Inglourious Basterds gives Jews the weapons to inflict disturbingly mortal wounds on Nazis via knife, gun, explosive, and baseball bat.

The climactic scene of Inglourious Basterds is perhaps the ultimate in conflicted catharsis. Inside a Parisian theater filled with Nazis and Adolf Hitler himself, Brad Pitt and his band of Jewish soldiers spray bullets from the balcony on the crowd of Germans below, mowing them down in a bloodbath as they stampede for the locked exits. If not killed by the bullets, they are blown up by planted bombs or engulfed in flames.

Everyone dies, including Hitler. It’s a disturbing and brutal scene, yet undeniably cathartic, playing out like an almost eschatological vision of supernatural justice (the melting-face-Nazi ending of

7

Brett McCracken Christianity Today

Raiders of the Lost Ark is another example). Its revisionist history offers a satisfying slaughter befitting the villains who exterminated millions of Jews.

I was thinking of this particular scene this week, reading articles and watching the news about the Paris terrorist attacks. Disturbingly, the Bataclan theater massacre bears an eerie resemblance to the ending of Inglourious Basterds: Gunmen in a Paris theater firing indiscriminately on an unsuspecting crowd, sometimes from the balcony, turning the victims’ night of entertainment into a horror-show bloodbath of cinematic proportions.

The difference is the Bataclan victims were not Nazis at the height of World War II, but innocent civilians enjoying a rock concert during peacetime.

The outrage of these horrific events naturally leads us to desire justice for the perpetrators. I was glad to hear that the terrorists in Paris were killed. I was glad to hear that French fighter jets bombed ISIS strongholds in Raqqa.

But should I be glad? As a Christian, how does this square with Jesus’s command in Matthew 5:44 that I love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me?

Can Christians simultaneously pray for ISIS and feel a celebratory catharsis when they are killed?

Was it not a good and valid emotion for my grandparents to have felt joy and relief at the end of World War II when the Axis Powers were crushed and the concentration camps liberated? Is it not a good thing when a SWAT team puts an end to an active shooter situation by shooting and killing the gunman?

This is where “conflicted catharsis” becomes more than just a feeling at the end of a Hollywood movie but an inescapable tension of the Christian life.

Is it incongruent that Christians would pray for ISIS members to come to know Jesus and serve his church, while at the same time supporting government efforts to destroy ISIS via bullet or bomb, before they can behead or blow-up another life?

Part of the answer to living in this tension is making a distinction between the church and the government. They are not the same thing, but God does involve government in his purposes. Paul said as much in Romans 13:4, where he compares governing authorities (with militaries) to “God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”

Expanding on this verse in his book The Skeletons in God’s Closet, pastor Joshua Ryan Butler notes that Paul is talking about the purpose of government here: “The reason [government] is given the sword is ‘for our good’—for the well-

being of society, the flourishing of God’s shalom in the world. Whether the Roman authorities know it or not, God’s purpose for them is to protect and preserve the thriving of his world.”

The police, the military, the enforcement agencies who preserve peace in the world—when they are not abused— are agents of temporal justice in a world desperately seeking shalom.

In an article entitled, “Should We Pray For ISIS to Be Defeated or Converted?” Russell Moore says Christians are called to be “a people of both justice and justification” who simultaneously pray for the salvation of enemies like ISIS and for justice against them.

“This terrorist group is raping, enslaving, beheading, crucifying our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as other innocent people. To not pray for swift action against them is to not care about what Jesus said we should seek, what we should hunger and thirst for, for justice. A world in which murderous gangs commit genocide without penalty is not a ‘merciful’ world but an unjust horror show.”

The complication, of course, is that sin infects not just the “murderous gangs” but also those sword-wielding protectors charged with keeping the peace and crushing the gangs. This is why we must have body cameras on policemen and military courts for errant soldiers. This is why the abuses of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay happen. This is why we feel unsettled in that “conflicted catharsis” way at the end of Sicario and Zero Dark Thirty.

Little “j” justice is a good thing but will always be an imperfect thing. It will always be a justice that makes us long for the big “J” Justice of the ultimate Judge, Messiah Jesus. He’ll arrive in a manner more cinematic than any Tarantino film: Riding a white horse, eyes aflame, sword coming out of his mouth. He will bring a cathartic justice that every revenge film has only faintly foreshadowed: a justice that makes all that is wrong right and all that is sorrow joy; a justice that inaugurates a perfect kingdom and a shalom that lasts.

Brett McCracken regularly writes about film and culture for CT and recently contributed an essay on Quentin Tarantino to the newly published book, Tarantino And Theology.

oday the world is changing at a rapid pace, with the advancement in the field of science and technology, where new things have replaced the old – new things with newer facilities. As we look around, we see many changes happening. We are enticed by the changes and development that are taking place around us.

Change is an inevitable mighty law of Nature and we have to adapt with it but we cannot discard everything that is old. Our Tradition and Culture is our identity and by losing it we lose everything. Thus, it is high time for us, Nagas, to retrospect and revive our past culture.

Culture plays a vital role in forming and shaping the society. Culture governs the society and every individual is indispensable to it. Nagas have a long past but a short history and by learning the glorious past culture, our society can be rejuvenated and revitalized. If India is known for its “Unity in Diversity”, Nagas contributes a great deal to it. The customs and traditions of the Nagas have been verbally handed down from our forefathers and through them we have come to know of our varied cultures. There are still a handful of people with grey hairs in our villages whose knowledge and memory about our culture are unparalleled but the young minds do not pay a head to them, only a handful do listen and record them.

What is the worth and value of our education if it does not enlighten and direct us to learn our culture?

The purpose of Education is to develop a whole being, but its aim can never be achieved if we neglect our culture as it reconciles us to everything. “Custom is the principal magistrate of man’s life”, says Francis Bacon.

Do we ever ponder about the importance of culture in our lives? Can we simply neglect our culture as we are living in the 21st century? Let us be true to ourselves as Nagas – not forgetting our root and origin.

In olden days, Nagas were known as Animists and they lived under the law of Nature. Though illiterate and ignorant they had accuracy in calculating the habits of nature. They have never read Wordsworth’s philosophy of nature but they believed that nature has a Devine power. As keen observers of nature they were able to carry out their daily activities according to the changing phenomena of nature. They take only what was needed and do not simply destroy nature. They did not have the modern machineries that we have today but they were hard working and through sheer hard work and determination they were able to make their living independently. Their zeal and spirit for hard work have no bounds. Taxes and revenues were never collected as an individual was the master of his own affairs. They led a simple life yet they had a civilized culture which taught reverence and respect for one another.

The old customs and traditions are priceless. Disputes were settled according to the customary laws and through the proverbial wisdom of the village elders. The culprits were dealt with severity in public so as to teach them a lesson for life. The code of conduct was imparted to the young through Morungs. Young boys and girls were taught certain values and virtues of life through Morungs by the elders so that they become good citizens. Respect and courtesy towards the elders was considered a virtue and everyone abided by it. Helping the weak and the needy was considered a moral duty. The burden of a family was shared by everyone and this imparted a sense of mutual obligation to every member of the society. Their sense of oneness, belongingness and unity in times of difficulties showed the very essence of interdependence as social beings for their survival.

There was no robbery and no extortion so people only used two cross bars to lock their doors – can trust among neighbours ever be greater than that?

Another pride of our forefathers lay in the hospitality shown towards strangers. The act of receiving strangers was a joy and a blessing for them. Strangers were always offered the best food and drink. Festivities and celebrations were part and parcel of their social lives as every festival has a meaning or reason of why it is celebrated.

Festival times also manifested their rich culture and heritage where the young and the old alike sang, danced and made merry together. Folklores and folktales were narrated to the young minds by the elders during times of festivals as it was a time where they can pass their legacy to the younger generation. Festivals were the times where the young people learnt about their customs and traditions through games, dances and listening to the elders.

Those were the joys and glories of the bygone days.

True, Nagaland is a blessed land and a land of festivals. The rich cultural heritage and the age old traditions and customs of the Nagas are remarkable. Besides these, the marvellous beauty stretching from the breathtaking sight of Dziikou valley to the height of Saramati and from the length of the Dhansari river to the breath of Shiloi lake make Nagaland the “Switzerland of the East”.

The Nagaland of today has changed from the Nagaland of yesterday. There is a wide gap between the past and the present generation with regard to the practice of customs and traditions. Westernization has taken a deep root in the minds of the young people. The social media have overpowered our present generation. Youngsters are only confined to the four corners of their room with electronic gadgets without any room for learning our cultures and traditions. Living in peace and harmony were the days of the bygone ages. People have become so materialistic, individualistic and spiritually hollow.

Our political systems have become the game of the rich with lots of corruptions like backdoor appointment, bribery etc. If you have a gun you have everything and anything. If you don’t have money, you have no voice in the society. The code of discipline ‘shame’ and ‘genna’ do not exist anymore. Daily newspapers are flooded with reports of extortion, kidnapping, rape and murder.

Sadly, this is the truth. Does this prick our minds?

Brethren, it is not too late to revive and trace back our glorious culture which is fast deteriorating. Let us be wise enough to preserve our identity. The key is in our hands. There is no mountain that we cannot climb, no sea that we cannot cross if we have a strong will and desire to do it. Let us wake up, join hands together to revive the true image of NAGALAND.

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

TuesdAY 24•11•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

India and Malaysia to deepen defence cooperation, expand trade KuAlA lumpur, November 23 (IANS): India and Malaysia on Monday agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation and expand bilateral trade while signing three accords in the areas of cyber security, culture and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the third and last day of his visit to Malysia that marked the beginning of the bilateral phase, held delegation-level talks with Malaysian Premier Najib Razak, following which the two leaders held a joint press conference.

Modi attended the 13th Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India Summit on Saturday and the 10th East Asia Summit on Sunday here.

“I am particularly grateful to you (Razak) for our security cooperation,” Modi said at the press conference.

“It underlines our shared commitment to deal with our security challenges. We will continue to deepen our cooperation in this area,” he said.

He said the recent spate of attacks in different countries, apart from the “ceaseless terrorist attempts against India and Afghanistan”, were a reminder of the global nature of this threat.

“We will also make our defence cooperation stronger, including for advancing maritime

security and strengthening disaster response in our region,” the Indian prime minister said.

He also said that the agreement to cooperate in cyber-security between the two countries was very important.

“As our lives get more networked, this is emerging as one of the most serious concerns of our age,” he stated.

While the cyber security agreement was signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Team (CERT-IN) and Cyber Security, Malaysia, the one on culture was inked between the ministries of culture of the two countries. The infrastructure development agreement was concluded between India's NITI Aayog and Malaysia's Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu).

The Indian prime minister also called for scaling up trade and investment relations with Malaysia.

The two sides agreed “to promote joint collaboration, especially in infrastructure and construction sectors, and to facilitate joint projects and collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries, in line with the new developmental and business initiatives undertaken by India, such as the Make in India, Digital India, Smart Cities and Skill Development that offered

Centre launches drive to eradicate Hepatitis B mumbAI, November 23 (IANS): The health ministry in collaboration with UNICEF on Monday launched a media campaign with the resolve to make India Hepatitis B Virus-free by the next decade. The government also launched the Hepatitis B vaccine programme in Maharashtra after the successful trial of the vaccine in other Indian states including Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka among a few others.

Speaking at the launch, union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said "Society is the main element that can help us in tackling a dreaded disease like Hepatitis. We will ensure that with the end of hepatitis, all others preventable diseases see an end."

The country is estimated to have around 40 million HBV carriers. Of the 2.6 crore (26 million) infants born anually in India, approximately 10 lakh (one million) run a life time risk of developing chronic HBV infections.

Stating that the government has included the HBV vaccine in the national universal immunisation programme, Nadda said the country will add four more vaccines to the existing Indradhanush vaccine programme that already has a vaccine combination of seven diseases.

Goodwill ambassador of HBV's media campaign and megastar Amitabh Bachhan, on the occasion, said "India should take less time to eradicate hepatitis in comparison to what it took to eradicate polio which was a result of 10 years efforts of the government and the Unicef."

"There has to be a continuity in the work of the campaign and the field workers towards awareness," said Bachchan, who was once afflicted with HBV. UNICEF representative to India Louis Georges Arsenault said "Hepatitis destroys the liver over the time and leads to death.

"Majority of the cases go undiagnosed as it has no symptoms, which is a major problem as the chances of transmission from a pregnant mother to her child remains 90 percent," he added. There are over 780,000 deaths annually due to acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.

Fishermen go by traditional wisdom to predict weather KochI, November 23 (IANS): Despite significant advances in meteorological field, hundreds of fishermen in Kerala still have a thing or two to tell scientists. They rely on their traditional wisdom on weather and sea currents handed down the generations to ensure a good catch of fish from sea.

Fishermen in the state total around 10.02 lakh, contributing about nine percent to the gross state domestic product. Kerala is at the second spot after Gujarat in marine fish production in the country.

Fisherman K. Sreekanth of Vallarpadam near here said those catching fish the traditional way could predict rain by watching the shape and colour of the clouds and wind direction.

"Chances of rain are high in case of 'dhennikkattu', a wind blowing from south-east to north-west direction.

There will be no rain despite presence of clouds if the wind blows from north to south," he said. According to him, timing was more important in getting a good catch.

"Thakkam, the 12 days after 'Ekadashi', is a crucial period during which fishermen usually operate a stake net (commonly called oonnivala) to get a good catch," Sreekanth said. Fishermen even rely on the colour of the sea to estimate the availability of fish. "A reddish hue in the horizon during certain evenings indicates availability fish like mackerel," the fisherman said.

"Red-water phenomenon covering wide areas and drifting along the currents due to intensive multiplication of certain micro algae is a precursor to fishkill. We avoid fishing in such areas," Sreekanth said.

Another fisherman, V.T. Sebastian, said practical knowledge helped them decide the time to use their fishing equipment for a bumper yield of fish.

"Ashtami, that falls in the middle of two full moons (vavu), is the ideal time for good yield of snappers and groupers," he said. Both fishermen were part of an eightmember group who made a presentation before the faculty and students of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies here on Saturday, celebrated as World Fisheries Day.

significant investment opportunities for Malaysian businesses”, the joint statement issued at the end of the talks said.

India and Malaysia also agreed to discuss further with a view to concluding the signing of an MoU on transfer of sentenced prisoners to each other's prisons.

Modi and Razak later jointly inaugurated a Torana Gate, a traditional gateway to Hindu and Buddhist temples, here.

“This Torana is not merely a piece of art on stone. This is connecting the two nations and illustrates the two great cultures,” Modi said while inaugurating the gate at Brickfields, popularly known as Little India, here.

Razak described the gate as a symbol of India-Malaysia friendship.

“Torana Gate is a symbol of India-Malaysia friendship. It offers a gateway to one of the oldest civilisations,” he said.

As the visit drew to a close, Modi held a meeting with Corporate Malaysia. "We have ended regulatory uncertainty to a large extent, creating a policy driven state," Modi said in his meeting with the corporate honchos.

"I assure you that India wants to progress. You have the experience and expertise. We have the requirement. It is a perfect match," he said.

Earlier on Monday, Modi was

'Online recruitment by IS matter of concern'

New DelhI, November 23 (IANS): Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday expressed concern over the Islamic State using Internet for recruitment, saying it was important to enhance information and communications technology (ICT) capabilities to face any threat. "...you take the example of terrorist organisation like Daesh or IS; they use Internet to ensure lot of recruitment and support. They are the ones who are the best users of Internet technology for promoting their cause," the minister said at an event.

"My worry is about information blackout due to various disruptive mechanisms... information corruption can be another danger to platforms; and information overload is also a problem," he said while talking about the Islamic State terrorist organisation.

The minister was speaking at the inaugural session of the 2-day DEFCOM-2015, jointly conducted by the Indian Army's Corps of Signals and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) under the theme 'Enabling ICTEC Infrastructure and Harnessing the Human Capital for Digital Army'.

"One way to progress is through ICT use and make a more digitised army... we need to enhance our capability so that we are protected," he said. "ICT has a very important role to play. The future wars may be cyber wars. I see the signals for it and this is not necessarily in a way we think... I believe very strongly that ultimately a conventional army cannot be replaced but it can be equipped with all the information to fight in a well planned way without interruption," Parrikar added.

Describing India as a source of human intelligence, the minister said: "We have been in the forefront of software development and now there is a need to go into better hardware designing and integration in our streams." The defence minister also inaugurated an exhibition of leading edge equipment by over 50 Indian and international manufacturers.

The IS is known to have extensively used Internet and social networking websites for recruiting youths from India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Torana Gate with his Ma- other parts of the world. It is possibly the first terrorist group laysian counterpart PM Najib Razak in Little India, Kuala Lumpur. to have used Internet to such an extent for recruitment. In May this year, around 14 students, heading to join the IS, were accorded a ceremonial welcome greeted with a hug by Razak. and a guard of honour at PutraHe later left for Singapore on stopped at Hyderabad airport. In September, a 38-year-old jaya, the federal administrative the second and last leg of his four- Indian woman, identified as Afsha Jabeen alias 'Nicky Joseph', was deported from Dubai for trying to recruit youth to the IS. centre of Malaysia, where he was day visit to southeast Asia.

PM Modi calls India 'bright hope', wants anti-terror front SINgApore, November 23 (IANS): India is now the bright hope to sustain Asia's prosperity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared here on Monday, even as he sought a global front against terrorism. "Asia's re-emergence is the greatest phenomenon of our era. From the darkness of the middle of the last century, Japanled Asia's rise. It then extended to Southeast Asia, (South) Korea and China," Modi said at the 37th Singapore Lecture.

"And, India is now the bright hope for sustaining Asian dynamism and prosperity," added Modi, who flew into the city state -- which is half the size of Delhi -from Malaysia. Talking about India's relationship with Singapore,

Modi said: "Singapore teaches us many things. The size of a nation is no barrier to the scale of its achievements.

"And the lack of resources is no constraint for inspiration, imagination and innovation."

With Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong among those listening to the Indian leader, Modi underlined the importance of ties between India and Singapore.

"As India opened itself, Singapore became India's springboard to the world and gateway to the East. "Today, Singapore is one of our most important partners in the world. It is a relationship that is as strategic as it is wide-ranging."

Talking about his 'Swachh Bharat' or Clean India campaign,

Modi said it was aimed at transforming the way Indians think, live and work. He said India was investing in its people through skills and education.

"And we are creating opportunities by reforming our laws, regulations, policies, processes and institutions; by the way we govern ourselves; and the way we work with state governments."

Modi said together with this software of change, it was building the hardware of progress like next generation infrastructure, revived manufacturing, improved agriculture, easier trade and smarter services. The prime minister also urged the world to speak in one voice against terrorism. "The world must speak in

one voice and countries must be held accountable for (providing) sanctuaries and support.

"Terrorism does not just take toll of lives, but can derail economies." The Indian leader called for delinking religion from terrorism and "assert the human value that defines every faith".

Organised by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISAS), the Singapore Lecture is one of the intellectual highlights of this city state. India, Modi said, would lend its strength to keep the seas safe, secure and free for the benefit of all.

"Terrorism is one such major global challenge, and a force larger than individual groups. its shadow stretches across our societies and our nations, both in re-

cruitment and choice of targets.

"The world must speak in one voice and act in unison. There will be political, legal, military and intelligence efforts. But, we must do more. "Countries also must be held accountable for sanctuaries, support, arms and funds.

"Nations must cooperate more with each other. Societies must reach out within and to each other." Modi said Asia was a region of enormous promise. "But we know that enduring peace and prosperity are not inevitable. So, we must work hard to realize our vision of an Asian Century. "Asia has the wisdom of its ancient cultures and all the great religions of the world. It also has the energy and drive of youth."

7 killed as chopper crashes in Katra 'All except Tamil Nadu to enact Jammu and Kashmir Depu- been sent to the accident site.

KAtArA(JAmmu), NovemFood Security Act by 2016' The shrine is located at a ber 23 (ptI) Seven people in- ty Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, cluding the pilot and a newly-wed couple were killed when a chopper ferrying them back from the over 700-year-old Viashnodevi Shrine crashed in Katra after catching fire following a suspected bird hit, in the first fatal plane accident in this holy town.

The 2010-make chopper of private airliner Himalayan Heli service, which was carrying six pilgrims from Sanjichat helipad in Trikuta hills, crashed at the new bus stand area in Katra, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana told PTI. In the crash, seven persons including a woman pilot were killed, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Surinder Gupta said.

Governor N N Vohra said according to preliminary investigation, "a vulture had hit the chopper". He said DGCA has instituted an inquiry which will probe reasons for the crash.

who rushed to the accident site, said,"As per initial information, a bird got caught in the tail rotor as a result of which it stopped functioning. Finding the area below populated, the woman pilot chose a safe landing area at the new bus stand to avoid casualties on the ground.

"As the plane was descending, its rotors got entwined in electrical wires and caught fire," he said.

Those killed included a newly wedded couple. The deceased have been identified as Pilot Sumita Vijayn from Hyderabad, Arjun Singh, Mahesh and Vandana from Jammu, Sachin, Akshita (5) and Aaryanjeet from Delhi.

He said arrangements are being made to send the bodies to Jammu and Delhi.

The Aircraft Accident Investigating Bureau is probingthe accident and a two-member team has

height of 5,300 feet on the Trikuta Hills. Katra town is 50 Kms away from Jammu. Nearly one crore visit the shrine every year, most of the trek the 13 km distance.

There are 100 two-way flights a day to Katara to a place near the shrine and back and about 1000 people use the chooper service daily. Two planes of the Himalayan Heli service and choppers of Global Victra operate on this route, Additional CEO of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board Ajit Kumar Sahu said.

He said the passengers have a 25 lakh insurance cover. In addition the Shrine Board has announced ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh for each of those killed including the pilot.

"The next of kin of every passenger shall be given Rs 28 lakh," Sahu said while expressing condolence to the bereaved families..

New DelhI, November 23 (IANS): Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said on Monday that all states and union territories, except Tamil Nadu, would implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by April 2016.

Stating that the public distribution system was "important to link governments directly to the vulnerable", Paswan, who also holds the charge of consumer affairs, emphasised the need for early implementation of the NFSA. Tamil Nadu has not indicated any firm date for implementation of NFSA but has indicated that computerisation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is likely to be completed by June, 2016

after which implementation of NFSA will be taken up, the ministry said in a statement.

In 2013, the NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67 percent of the population in the form of highly subsidized foodgrains at Rs.2 and Rs.3 per kg for wheat and rice respectively. The coverage under the NFSA has been delinked from poverty estimates.

During the initial one year provided in the Act for identification of beneficiaries, only 11 states and union territories have started implementing the Act. Though 11 more states and union territories have started implementing the Act in the last six months, 14 are yet to roll out the NFSA, the statement added.

Odisha's tribal women uphold age-old self-reliance Jeypore, November 23 (IANS): Every day, over 100 women in colourful attire are seen selling forest products, fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers in Jeypore town, the sub-divisional headquarters and nervecentre of Koraput district, around 600 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.

These are the women of Odisha's tribal-dominated Koraput district who dominate the rural haats (markets) by selling forest produce and minor agriculture products every day, flocking in large numbers. Venturing into the hilly terrain for collecting forest produce and traversing 30-40 km to sell their products shouldering the burden on their backs - to the Bidyadhar daily market in Jeypo-

re, they are the epitome of women's empowerment.

Tribals, including the Bonda tribes belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), reach these markets early in the morning even by walking miles from places with the least road connectivity.

Daimati, 43, a resident of Bisingpur village, is a common face in the Bidyadhar market. Travelling 20 km every day, she has been selling forest products like jhuna, palao, yellow rice and fresh vegetables for the past eight years in the market to earn her livelihood.

"Earlier we used to get rice and other products against our forest products in barter system. But with passage of time, things have changed a lot. I'm now earn-

ing Rs.300-Rs. 500 every day and I am happy with that," Daimati told IANS. "Earlier I used to stay at home and collect the forest products while my husband sold it in the market.

But I hardly got any money in return. Later, I brought the goods and sold them in the market. That fetched me a good price. Now, I am self-empowered and confident," Daimati said.

She said that her husband now collects forest products and works in the fields to grow vegetables.

With the rise in demand for forest products, flowers and local vegetables, more tribal women have turned up at the haat to sell their products at good prices.

"We were unaware of the opportunity and de-

mand for forest and local products in the market.

People used to purchase them from us at cheaper rates and sell them at increased prices in the market. When I learned about it, I felt I should reach the people and sell the product directly," said a confident 30-year-old Jamuna.

The tribal women are not only respected but also loved by all in the market.

They are the only source of forest and tribal products in the market.

"I was transferred to Koraput two years ago and I was stunned to see them selling the forest products at cheaper prices. We are confident these are not adulterated. They provide us fresh products," said a government servant,

Prakash Nayak.

"Since time immemorial, the (Bidyadhar) haat site is believed to have been exclusively dedicated to the women as no other roadside vendors or traders of other communities encroach upon the space, making it an unwritten order and age-old custom," Narendra Behera, president of the Bidyadhar Daily Market Merchant Association, told IANS. These markets are not merely places for trade for the tribal communities of Koraput district but centres for communicating their experiences, while marriages are also arranged there.

The tribals send communications to other villages through correspond-

ing persons present in the market.

Even though trading of vegetables and other farm produce by the tribal population has increased manifold, sale of forest products, traditional ornaments and transmitting their tradition and culture have retained their flavour in the markets.

Among other minor forest products, the tribal trade revolves around tamarind, sal seeds, jhuna, honey, arrowroot, mohua flower, brooms prepared from wild grass, various types of roots popularly known as 'kanda' and medicinal fruits, roots and herbs.

There are several such weekly markets in the district where the tribal women go to sell their products.

TuesdaY 24•11•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

World leaders seek new path to slow warming of planet Alister Doyle

N

Reuters

ext week, in the waning days of what is set to be the hottest year on record, world leaders meet on the outskirts of Paris for a summit that seeks nothing less than to steer the global economy away from its ever-growing reliance on fossil fuels.

The challenge is enormous and has proven elusive in the past. The U.N.-sponsored talks are aimed at getting 195 countries to agree on a path for cutting the greenhouse gas emissions which scientists say have raised global temperatures and begun upending the earth’s climate.

Opening the summit at Le Bourget on November 30, heads of government from big carbon burning countries such as U.S. President Barack Obama and China’s Xi Jinping will seek common cause with leaders from the smallest emitters in Africa and island states.

When it concludes two weeks later on Dec. 11 - give or take a couple of days for last-minute wrangling - their negotiators are likely to claim success in committing both rich and developing nations to weaning the world off the coal and oil resources that gave rise to the Industrial Revolution.

“Done right, it will shape the economy of the 21st century,” said Andrew Steer, head of the World Resources Institute think-tank. Done wrong, critics warn, the consequences could be catastrophic.

For climate scientists who overwhelmingly say that continuing to burn carbon even at today’s pace will raise global temperatures by several degrees, a weak agreement will

A

Many hurdles to Paris deal on climate change

lmost 200 nations will meet in Paris from Nov. 30-Dec. 11 for a summit on climate change, seeking a turning point away from an increasing reliance on fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution.

Following are among the hurdles to a United Nations accord that will map out action by rich and poor nations beyond 2020 to curb greenhouse gas emissions blamed for warming the planet.

nations question estimates by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development that climate finance reached $62 billion in 2014.

LONG-TERM GOAL Hosts France said in a Nov. 19 note that many countries favour the phrase “global transformation towards lowemission and climate resilient societies” to signal the long-term shift from fossil fuels towards greener energy.

But that may be too vague for some.

The Group of Seven industrialised nations set a target in June of a decarbonisation of the world economy this century. Some developing nations, and many climate activists, want a far tougher target of phasing out fossil fuels by 2050. China and India, heavily dependent on coal, are among those reluctant to set clear dates for giving up fossil fuels they see as vital to lift millions from poverty.

FINANCE Developed nations promised in 2009 to mobilise $100 billion a year by 2020, from both public and private sources, to help developing nations limit their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to more floods, heat waves and rising sea levels.

The main group of more than 130 developing nations wants ever higher figures beyond 2020. The United States, the European Union and other rich nations do not want to guarantee higher figures.

There are many uncertainties about LOSS AND DAMAGE how to count the money. Developing Developing nations want a longtrigger inhospitable changes to the earth’s climate systems.

A hotter planet would see dire - if hard to perfectly predict - effects: rising seas, more intense storms and droughts on land and extinction for vast numbers of life forms in warmer, more acidic oceans.

Yet an array of other voices contend that severing the global economy from its foundations on coal, oil and gas risks unleashing pain of its own: rising energy costs that would deny the world’s poor affordable power essential to improving their lives, and wound entire industries in wealthy countries.

Reconciling those forces has stumbled in past UN-backed

talks. The last attempt to strike a global agreement collapsed in rancour in Copenhagen in 2009, when a few developing countries balked at a deal they said did not go far enough in requiring industrialised nations to cut their emissions.

Chastened by Copenhagen and aware that another failure could dissolve any remaining appetite for collective action, expectations for Paris have been kept lower. And the mood will be sombre, amid tight security after the attacks that killed 130 people in Paris.

term mechanism to help them cope with loss and damage from disasters such as typhoons or the impacts of a creeping rise of sea level rise.

All governments agreed to set up a loss and damage mechanism in 2013 but it has yet to do any substantial work and is up for review in 2016. France’s note said nations want it included in the Paris deal.

The United States and many other rich nations are wary, saying they will not sign up to any text that implies “compensation” or “liability” - fearing it expose them to a mass of claims linked to their greenhouse gas emissions.

RAISING AMBITION The United Nations says promises by about 170 nations to curb greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020, made in the run-up to Paris, are too weak to limit rising temperatures to an agreed 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.

That means there will have to be a system to ratchet up action. France’s

51-page draft but much of the work, including new policies and regulations meant to curtail high-carbon energy use, has already been done back home.

About 170 countries have submitted plans for curbing emissions beyond 2020 - including some like Sudan or Bolivia that blocked the deal in Copenhagen.

China, reluctant to submit to any outside oversight of its carbon pledges six years ago, has promised to steer its coal-powered economy onto a greener path.

And there will be no repeat FROM DRAFT TO DEAL of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that Negotiators still have to mandated specific reductions resolve deep differences in a for rich nations. The agreement

Nov. 19 note says many nations want a first “global stocktaking” in 2018-19.

A weak agreement would delay any reviews until 2020 or 2025.

France’s note says a stock taking would merely identify “where we stand collectively” in fighting climate change, and not criticise laggards. It would help lay the basis for new rounds of promises to combat warming.

LEGAL FORCE All nations agreed in 2011 that the Paris deal will have some form of “legal force”. They left open about whether that meant a treaty under international law or a looser deal anchored in each nation’s domestic laws.

Many developing nations and the European Union favour a binding treaty, or protocol. But the United States and China, among those reluctant to sign up for international oversight, prefer an accord based on domestic laws and regulations.

is unlikely to carry the force of international law, something the European Union wants dearly but the United States opposes.

Instead, most nations now seem willing to commit to reviews of their policies every five years as a means of holding each other to account. For those pushing a tough accord, the urgency has been cranked up by the latest temperature data: 2015 is on track to be the warmest since records began in the mid-19th century.

Several scientific studies project that pledges made so far will - at best - hold the world to temperature rises of anywhere from 2.7 degrees to 3 or even

(Source: Reuters) 3.5 above pre-industrial times by 2100. That’s well above an agreed 2-degree UN limit.

But there is optimism, too.

Leaders of all major emitting countries have expressed support for an accord. Businesses, city mayors and religious leaders including Pope Francis have urged greater action to protect the environment. Even Europe’s major oil companies, such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell, say they favour a price on carbon. “It’s almost inconceivable that there won’t be an agreement given the number of leaders who have called for it,” says Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists. And big shifts in energy use are un-

der way.

Campaigns calling for investors to divest from high carbon industries have added pressure on an already squeezed coal industry. U.S. coal companies including Patriot Coal Corp and Walter Energy Inc have filed for bankruptcy as tighter regulations, falling energy prices and an economic slowdown in China have taken a toll.

The UN says investment in renewable energy has grown 500 percent since 2004 to $270 billion in 2014, and prices have fallen sharply. Britain, home of the Industrial Revolution, now plans to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2025. Even some OPEC nations are feeling the benefits of falling prices of renewables such as solar photovoltaics (PV).

“Solar PV is cheaper than gas - even at Abu Dhabi prices,” said Ahmad Belhoul, chief executive of the United Arab Emirates green energy firm Masdar.

Many developing nations say the biggest obstacle to a deal in Paris is to secure new financing to help curb their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to changes in their climate, building flood defences on rivers, for example, or shifting to drought-resistant crops.

Rich nations promised in Copenhagen to mobilise $100 billion a year in climate finance by 2020, but are resisting targets for higher amounts beyond that. By one estimate finance reached $62 billion in 2014. Indeed success in Paris may ride on that age-old argument of who pays: most developing countries have made their own promises contingent upon financing from the wealthier states.

Sixteen people injured Hong Kong: “Umbrella Soldiers”win seats in local district elections in New Orleans shooting NEW oRLEANS, NovEmBER 23 (REUtERS): A gunfight between two groups erupted on Sunday in a New Orleans park where hundreds of people were gathered for a block party and the filming of a music video, leaving 16 people wounded, police said.

Circumstances surrounding the shooting in the city’s Upper Ninth Ward, and details of what precipitated the violence, were not immediately clear, but New Orleans Police Department spokesman Tyler Gamble told Reuters no fatalities were reported.

Asked whether gang activity was thought to be involved, Gamble said it “was still too soon to say.”

“We know, by speaking with some of the victims, that there were two groups of people shooting at each other,” Gamble said.

Witnesses told police that both groups involved in the gun battle fled the park on foot immediately after the shooting, police said in a statement.

No arrests were immediately reported.

According to the statement, 10 gunshot victims were taken to area hospitals by ambulance, and six more arrived at emergency rooms “via private conveyance.”

Gamble said each of the 16 victims suffered either a “direct gunshot wound” or a “graze wound” and all were listed in stable condition, though the full extent of their injuries was still

to be ascertained. Police said they did not have the age or genders of the victims.

The incident unfolded at about 6:15 p.m. Central Time at the Bunny Friend playground, following a community “second line” parade that ended a few blocks away earlier in the day, police said.

Several hundred people were gathered in the park at the time for an unpermitted block party and the impromptu filming of a music video, according to police.

New Orleans police Commander Chris Goodley, speaking in a video clip posted by the New Orleans TimesPicayune website, said the crowd at the park remained “orderly” after the shooting. “But we were trying to preserve the crime scene as best as we could and tend to the victims,” he added.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison also was quoted by the Times-Picayune as saying, “no one has died at this time.”

Three witnesses told the newspaper they saw a man with a silvercolored machine gun, and also heard more gunshots coming from within the crowd as he ran away. Several people were lying on the sidewalk after the shooting, it said.

WVUE-TV said police believed the shooting stemmed from a fight.

HoNG KoNG, NovEmBER 23 (REUtERS): Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement got a boost on Monday with about eight candidates involved in crippling protests last year winning office at district-level elections, while some veterans from both sides of the political divide suffered defeat.

The election of the socalled Umbrella Soldiers - named after the 2014 demonstrations in which activists used umbrellas to guard against tear gas and pepper spray - reflects continued support for political change in the Chinese-ruled city.

“The paratroopers are the new force,” said James Sung, a political analyst at the City University of Hong Kong, referring to candidates inspired by the Umbrella movement.

“The paratroopers are a new power, a challenge to the government and the central authorities in Beijing.”

Results from Sunday’s polls, which saw about 900 candidates compete for 431 district council seats, where pro-Beijing parties currently hold a majority, were announced on Monday. “My greatest wish at this moment is

to serve the community well,” said Wong Chi-ken, 38, who took part in the protests and has been referred to in local media as an Umbrella Soldier.

The election of candidates who took part in the protests now casts them in a legitimate political light, in contrast to how they were perceived by some during the demonstrations, which were deemed illegal by the central government in Beijing.

District councillors wield little power, acting more in an advisory role in which they can push forward policies, in particular grass-roots concerns, for the government in the Chinese-controlled city to consider. But the poll results may provide insight into how elections for the city’s powerful Legislative Council, due next year, and a controversial leadership poll in 2017 could pan out.

“The results show that the Umbrella Soldiers reflect the intention or wishes of the youngsters,” said political commentator Johnny Lau. At least 40 candidates who took part in the democracy protests, or were inspired by them, ran in the elections, local media re-

Kwong Po Yin (C), member of ‘Umbrella soldier’ group Youngspiration, shakes hands with district council election candidate Lau Wai Wing (R), after Kwong won a district council election at Whampoa West in Hong Kong on November 23. (REUTERS Photo)

ported. Two democracy veterans lost their seats.

Democratic Party lawmaker and heavyweight Albert Ho, who faced stiff competition in the gritty new town of Tuen Mun in the western New Territories, lost his seat.

So, too, did Frederick Fung, another pan-democratic candidate who ran in the workingclass district of Sham Shui Po. On the pro-Beijing side,

Chung Shu-kun of the proBeijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong was unseated in a surprise move after 21 years.

The mixed results from the elections, in which a record number of people voted, will not significantly change the numerical makeup of pro-democracy and pro-government groups.

The 79-day demonstra-

tions 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 choose from a list of candidates it has approved if they want a vote.

Paris suspect eludes Belgian dragnet

Belgian special police forces take part in an operation in the neighborhood of Molenbeek in Brussels, Belgium, November 22, 2015, after security was tightened in Belgium following the fatal attacks in Paris. REUTERS

BRUSSELS, NovEmBER 23 (REUtERS): Belgian police arrested 16 more people in late-night raids searching for those behind the deadly Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, but failed to find a prime suspect as the

government locked down the capital for a third day on Monday.

Brussels will again see its metro and many shops closed, as well as schools, while offices in a city that is also home to the Euro-

pean Union and NATO are likely to have few staff after the prime minister warned of imminent Paris-style attacks.

Salah Abdeslam, the 26-year-old suspect from Brussels who has been on

the run since he left Paris hours after his elder brother blew himself up at a cafe there, continues to elude a Europe-wide manhunt. A third brother, who was not involved, said Abdeslam may have thought better of going through with the killing. Belgian police fear he returned home to launch new attacks.

“What we fear is an attack similar to the one in Paris, with several individuals who could possibly launch several attacks at the same time in multiple locations,” Prime Minister Charles Michel told a news conference early on Sunday evening.

Shortly afterwards, armed police backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters stationed overhead began a series of raids in which 19 premises in Brussels and three in the industrial city of Charleroi, 50 km (35 miles) to the south,

or other suspected jihadists might be planning caused Belgium to call off an international soccer match last Tuesday. Late on Friday, it raised to the maximum Level Four the security alert in the capital. Michel renewed that advice on Sunday, shutting much of Brussels for a third day on Monday.

Possible targets are malls, shopping streets and public transport, Michel said, adding the government would boost police and army presence in the capital beyond already high levels.

Interior Minister Jan Jambon said Abdeslam was not the only security threat: “It is a threat that goes beyond just that one person,” he told broadcaster VRT. “We’re looking at more.

That’s why we’ve put in place such a concentration of resources.”

FEAR OF ATTACK Fear of what Abdeslam Bernard Clerfayt, the were searched.

Prosecutor Eric van der Sypt told a news conference early on Monday that no weapons or explosives were found and that a judge would review the detentions of the 16 arrested. In one incident, police fired on a car that was later found in Brussels, but it was not clear, van der Sypt said, if it was linked to the case.

“Abdeslam Salah was not found during the raids,” he added. Several Belgian media carried unsourced reports saying Abdeslam had been spotted in a car near Liege heading towards the German border.

There have been numerous reported sightings in recent days, but Abdeslam, a petty criminal who ran a bar in Brussels’ Molenbeek immigrant quarter, has eluded police.

mayor of the Brussels district of Schaerbeek, was quoted by broadcaster RTBF as saying there were “two terrorists” in the capital area ready to carry out violence.

Belgium has been at the heart of investigations into the Paris attacks in which 130 people were killed. Two of the suicide bombers, Brahim Abdeslam and Bilal Hadfi, lived in Brussels.

Mohamed Abdeslam, the brother of Brahim and Salah, urged Salah in an interview on RTBF television to give himself up, adding he believed he was still alive because he had had a last-minute change of heart while in Paris. The lawyer of one of the men who picked him up said her client had noticed he was “extremely nervous” as they drove back to Brussels, being pulled over and let go three times by French police.

LOCKDOWN The Belgian government has advised the public to be alert but not to panic. People have been told to avoid crowds in the capital, while authorities have also closed museums, cinemas and shopping centres.

Clubs and venues have cancelled events.

Brussels’ chief rabbi said the city’s synagogues were shut over the weekend for the first time since World War Two. Soldiers are on guard at Jewish sites and public buildings.

Forced indoors, some of Brussels’ multilingual 1.2 million residents took to social media to share and joke about their frustration. Twitter hashtag #BrusselsLockdown spawned many photos of kittens, some in combat gear, a wry reference to the security level: Four, or in French, Quatre - pronounced Cat’.

10

TuesDAY 24•11•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Rock-solid Atletico need forwards to start firing

Bopanna ends year as World No.9

Says that it has been a fantastic year LoNDoN, NoveMbeR 23 (IANs): Following their loss in the title round of the year-ending $7 million ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena here, top Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna has said 2015 has been a fantastic year for him and his men's doubles partner Florin Mergea of Romania.

Second seeds Horia Tecau and Jean-Julien Rojer defeated eighth seeds Bopanna and Mergea 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday evening for their 11th team title, and third of the year that includes their maiden Grand Slam at Wimbledon. "It was just a tough day today. But it's been a great week, making it to the final, first-time outing for us as a team," said the 35-year-old Bopanna after the loss.

"And for the season, starting out in April, playing just about a handful of tournaments and to qualify here, I think it's been a fantastic year for us. We can take a lot of positives from this year, and we are looking forward to starting fresh in January." Bopanna and Mergea first teamed up at Casablanca in April and end the year with a 31-16 record, including two titles from four finals. Mergea added:

G. Kaito Aye, MLA and former Home Minister, Nagaland addressing the Aqahuto Area Sports Association G.B.'s Trophy at Khehoi village under Dhansiripar Sub-Division of Dimapur district on November 23. The sports meet will conclude on November 28 where Khekaho Assumi, Parliamentary Secretary, Information & Public Relations will grace the occasion.

Chappell endorses idea of four-day Tests

ADeLAIDe, NoveMbeR 23 (IANs): Former Australian captain Greg Chappell has endorsed the idea of four-day Tests to shake up the longest form of the game.

Chappell's endorsement comes just before the first ever day-night Test match between Australia and New Zealand which starts here from November 27.

Chappell, who was involved in the breakaway World Series of Cricket in the late 1970s that introduced day-night cricket, colour uniforms and white balls, isn't afraid of changing Test cricket if it means the game will continue to thrive.

"I am a traditionalist but I am not that frightened by four-day Test matches," Chappell was quoted as saying by cricket. com.au.

"It was only the early part of last century they had unlimited days for Test cricket, never ending Tests, they used to go seven or eight days. In this day and age you have to consider these things. If you played enough overs in the day, and I think they're talking

about 100 overs in the day in four days, that's 400 overs of Test cricket.” "A lot of Test matches haven't gone that far. It's a hell of a lot of cricket - you should be able to get a result in that time. I think any business, and sport is a business, I think more than anything else if you don't continue to be evolving you're likely to be going backwards. I think we should look at all these things." Chappell also said he would want to limit the number of overs to be moved to 100 in the first innings adding that it would not make the batsmen suffer and added that the game needs a Test championship. "The idea of a Test Championship has been put up a few times and it hasn't got through the voting system at this point," Chappell said.

"Each of the sovereign nations want to have some control over when and how they play their Test cricket. I would love the idea over a four-year period that you have a Test Championship and a semi-final and a final at a venue each four years. Every Test match then would have meaning.”

MADRID, NoveMbeR 23 (ReuteRs): Atletico Madrid's defence is as rock solid as ever and if coach Diego Simeone can get his forwards firing on all cylinders they could have a real chance of winning something this term.

Simeone has had to integrate a host of new players in midfield and attack, with some like Colombia striker Jackson Martinez yet to find their feet and others like Belgium midfielder Yannick Carrasco flourishing. After they won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in 2013-14, Atletico had a barren season in 2014-15 but again look to have a deep enough squad to challenge in Europe and in the domestic league and cup.

Sunday's 1-0 success at Real Betis lifted Atletico above Real Madrid into second in La Liga and they are four points behind leaders and champions Barcelona after 12 matches.

A draw at home to Galatasaray in Champions League Group C on Wednesday will send them through to the last 16 with a game to spare. They have conceded a mere six goals in their 12 La Liga games, the fewest in Spain's top

Atletico Madrid's Gabi (L) and Real Betis' Alvaro Cejudo in action. (Reuters)

flight, and only two in four Champions League outings, with defensive stalwarts like Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis typically efficient.

"We just have to keep doing our thing, above all being solid at the back, which is what has lifted us to second in the table," Filipe Luis said after the win at Betis. "We are second now but it's an anecdote because the championship is very, very long and there are a lot of matches left,"

added the Brazil left-back.

"We are happy to be up there, close to Barca, but right now they are a very strong team." Atletico's victory, thanks to an early goal from their Spain midfielder Koke, not only kept them in touch with Barca but also put some distance between them and their probable rivals for a Champions League berth for next season, who all failed to win at the weekend. Valencia drew 1-1 at home to promoted Las Palmas and are seventh,

Sevilla were beaten 2-0 at Real Sociedad and slipped to 11th while fourth-placed Villarreal drew 1-1 at home to Eibar. "We knew we had to take the three points in this game (at Betis) because Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal didn't win," Filipe Luis told reporters. "Winning at a tough place to come like this gives us confidence for Wednesday's difficult match. "We have to keep fighting because the team is improving with every game."

public discourse

SmARt phoneS SAnS SmARtneSS

M

Fr. George Rino

obile phone is one of the fastest growing technologies. We see new apps with better facilities every fortnight if not daily. It is useful and helpful for many reasons. With this invention we can have so many things in our pocket: the whole world, the entire Bible, Prayer Books, Dictionary, Bank Account, Internet connection, etc. Many of the helpful things and tools are compact in the handset we use. In the 101 Most Useful Things, mobile phone is regarded as the Uno Numero Invention of the 21st century.

At the same time, there are areas we may need to use prudence with this appliance.

Mobile Phone has almost taken the place of God in the lives of many people as the Alpha and Omega. It is slowly but systematically killing grammatical and correct spellings in the form of SMS - Short Message Services and other messaging facilities. According to the

studies made, attention span is shortened by from 13 second in 2000 to 8 second in 2013 in the constant mobile phone users.

Many brilliant students have replaced their studies this gadget. Late sleep has become the pattern of sleep in many students as they keep chatting past midnight, depriving the REM sleep. It is said that the lack of REM sleeps affects memory besides putting one’s health at risk. The lack of sleep affects students, bringing down the rank drastically. This is because a student cannot keep the mind active in the classes the next day if s/ he kept chatting under the blankets throughout the night. Besides affecting one’s studies, Medical researchers also have found that microwave radiation of the type emitted by mobile phones causes eye tissue to "bubble" - a precursor to the formation of cataracts and can also interfere with the ability to focus and many other sicknesses. Professor Levi Schächter who led the team to study, warned the users saying, "Our results show that mi-

Impact of Coal mining on water quality in Mangkolemba region

M

Dr. T.Tiakaba Jamir

angkolemba is one of the regions blessed with rich natural resources and biodiversity. Bounded by rivers and mountains, the valley is also noted for its rice production. Of late, coal is one of the extensively utilized minerals in the region. The usual method of coal extraction is predominantly rat-hole mining while open cast mining is employed to a lesser extent. Mining operation undoubtedly has brought wealth and employment opportunity in the area but simultaneously has led to environmental degradation and disruption of traditional values in the society. Large scale denudation of forest cover, removal of top soil, scarcity and contamination of surface water, disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity are some of the conspicuous environmental implications of coal mining. Environmental problem associated with mining is of great concern, especially the water bodies which are the greatest victims of coal mining. Clean water is critical to the health, economic and social well-being, and quality of life. Any undesirable change in water quality affects not only the human beings and their activities but also the flora and fauna of the regions.

The degradation of water quality and declining trend of biodiversity in the water bodies of the mining area is primarily attributed to the Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). AMD is formed by a series of complex geochemical reactions when water comes in contact with pyrite (iron sulfide) present in coal. When pyrite is in contact with oxygen and water, highly concentrated sulfuric acid is produced which dissolves metals. And during the process of pyrite oxidation, dissolved Fe2+, SO42- and H+, followed by the further oxidation of the Fe2+ to Fe3+ are formed. Some or all of this iron can precipitate to cause turbidity of water in the form of red, orange or yellowish colour and sedimentation at the bottom of streams. The acid runoff or AMD aggravates the problem further by dissolving heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, copper, lead, mercury, etc. found in rocks and soil. As a result, the AMD contaminated surface water is not only acidic but also rich in dissolved metals. Consequently, the same rivers and streams that supported human life and activities, the rich biodiversity including many species of fish, amphibians, aquatic insects etc gradually lose their life sustaining role and become nearly devoid of aquatic life.

Preliminary study revealed that many water sources in and around the mining area is affected by Acid Mines Drainage (AMD). Contamination of surface water by AMD is evident by its colour which appears reddish to brownish. Low pH (high acidity), high ionic conductivity, high total dissolved solid, high sulphate content, high turbidity, moderately hard, low dissolved oxygen are some of the physicochemical parameters which characterize the degradation of water quality.

Under prevailing conditions, there is a need for initiating activities for eco restoration of the affected areas. Filling of abandoned mines, conservation of top soil, shifting of coal depot from the nearby river bank, afforestation, scientific management of AMD and water resources etc. will go a long way in restoration of the lost environmental glory of the area.

Faculty, Chemistry deptt Kohima Science College, (Autonomous) Jotsoma

crowaves can cause irreparable damage in the human body.” Like Professor Levi, many who did research on mobile usage, described about it the usage of Smartphone as ‘health destroyer’ ‘time killer’, ‘goal destroyer, ‘money consumer’, etc. Yet it has become a necessity in our lives and many of us have Nomophobia" or “no-mobile-phone phobia”. But if we do not take control of this, it will take control of us soon.

Looking at the recent happenings in Paris, a thought flip through my mind, our people need to learn a lot from them about the ways of using the social net-workings. They respected the dead bodies and so hardly showed any bloody images of those who die in the unfortunate incident. Though they were shocked, sad, yet they hardly showed any people wailing, blaming each other, politicizing. What they circulated were the candle lights, flowers, wreaths, and people kneeling in prayer but not the horrific images. None of us will be happy to expose the blood stained images of

our near and dear ones for everyone to see.

Let us remember the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Lk. 6:31).

Our society too has witnessed some very ugly incidents and later regretted for wild circulations of such scenes. Many people blamed the social media for aggravating the incidents, i.e. due to flooding with such unwanted images. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves a few questions before posting or forwarding the images. Is this image going to profit him/her?” What is s/he going to learn from this picture and become a better person? If it won’t, we need to learn to control from posting the horrific and bloody images in the social media.

The ethics of social media is careful in posting the violent scenes. It is because seeing over and over again; the people who watch absorb those images and styles. If we want our society to be a peaceful society, we need abstain from adding manure to our sub-

conscious mind with such horrific images.

Here, it may be good to note for the generous parents. Do you know the legal age for these facilities in the smart phones? 13 years is legal age for a person to use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, Reddit, Snapchat and Secret. Legal age for a person to use WhatsApp is 16 years of age. This legal age is set for some benefit of the children. But many parents themselves go against these rules and generously give all these gadgets to the children and later request the teachers and pastors saying, “Please tell him/her a little, s/he does not listen to me”. If parents can learn when to say, “No” to the children instead of pampering, they can avoid facing such helpless situation later. One may live in an IT-generation and use all the latest electronic devices but if one does not know the pros and cons, it won’t make a person upto-date by using it. Let us learn to use these devices to help us and to not harm us.

Cathedral Church, Kohima

Conflict zones & pressing times

R

Patricia Mukhim

eporting from a conflict zone has its share of anxieties. Media persons find themselves sandwiched between state and non-state actors and while the security forces complain that the media gives undue importance to the quotes of militant leaders and cedes space to regular releases from these outfits, the militant groups often call up media houses to question and intimidate when their releases are not carried verbatim. Similarly, security forces expect their releases to be given the importance “they deserve”.

In this game of one-upmanship, the role of Editors and their discretion and editorial wisdom are given a wide berth. In fact, when you are reporting from a conflict zone, you are told by the interested actors how and where to place their views. Everyone wants prime space even if they don’t deserve it. How do Editors negotiate that slippery slope without being seen as antagonistic to the cause of any single group? This is a tough call and there really is no standard operating procedure that one can follow except to rely on one’s experience and the broad parameters of media ethics.

The Editors of Nagaland find themselves in a predicament that is not new to their profession but which is jarring mainly because of the tone and tenor of the discourse. On October 24, the Assam Rifles wrote to Nagaland newspaper Editors asking them to refrain from publishing any news from the banned Myanmar-based NSCN (Khaplang) group. The Colonel General Staff for Assam Rifles, who wrote the letter, categorically stated that by carrying news from an outlawed outfit that carries on an agenda of violence against the Indian state, the Nagaland media was (a) intentionally or unintentionally supporting unlawful association; (b) they had vio-

lated the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967; and (c) by publishing statements by banned organisations, they were, ipso facto, complicit in the organisation’s illegal activities. These are serious allegations with dangerous portents. The Colonel’s order immediately co-opts the media as an agency of the state, thereby placing on it the responsibility of containing terror by not publishing missives from an outlawed militant outfit.

But this is clearly a faulty understanding of the role of the media. Its primary role is to report events as they unfold. When the NSCN (K) threatens to launch frontal attacks on the armed forces or their installations, or on rival militant outfits, a report in the media about such threats cannot be considered as a case of the media taking sides with the outfit and by default going against the state of which the armed forces are a visible image of state power.

It is also a question of interpretation and perception. For the Naga people, all rival factions carrying the same National Socialist Council of Nagalim acronym are considered “national workers” who have been pursuing the objective of a sovereign Nagaland for nearly 5 decades. While the factions may have their internal differences (and these differences are often created by the Indian state for its vested interests), for the people of Nagaland it makes no difference.

Each faction has its acceptability among different groups.

The media in Nagaland reflects the views, concerns and aspirations of the people there. It cannot be expected to take a statist position. The media reports what the state and non-state actors say; it has to report their acts of omission and commission (especially their acts of brutality) because the public needs to know and to form their opinion based on these reports. After all, every act, whether that of militants or state actors, impinges on the civilian population and

in that sense it is political.

As far as the NSCN (K) is concerned, the outfit had a ceasefire agreement with the Centre until March this year when SS Khaplang arbitrarily abrogated the truce and signed a pact with the Myanmarese junta instead.

This could not have been a positive development for India considering that the Modi Government had in August this year signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (IM) and that Government interlocutor RN Ravi has been insistent on bringing all stakeholders (armed outfits, civil society groups, academics, individuals, et al) within the ambit of the agreement.

The divorce with the NSCN (K) can only create roadblocks. But the Khaplang outfit has also earned the Centre’s displeasure after it launched a series of attacks on armed forces after revocation of the ceasefire; the most glaring being the one in June in Manipur, where 18 soldiers lost their lives. The Centre henceforth declared the outfit “outlawed” and recently gave it a “terrorist” tag. These are actions taken by the state - and they are inevitable, considering the outfit’s intransigence - but for the Naga people Khaplang represents their kinsmen in Myanmar who, by the senseless drawing of boundary lines by a colonial power, divided people of the same race and clans outside of their common hearths and homes; divided their social spaces; their kinship ties and their longing for a reunion that they hope will materialise one day. It is against this dichotomous backdrop that the newspapers of Nagaland operate. And one can imagine that it is not a happy situation.

On November 16, which is observed as National Press Day, the Editors of 3 newspapers in Nagaland - The Morung Express, Nagaland Page and Eastern Mirror - carried blank editorials to register their protest against the Assam Rifles’ diktat. They have also refuted point by point the allegations levelled by the

Assam Rifles and have circulated their responses on social media.

Messages of solidarity have been pouring in from the media fraternity throughout the country. But mere messages of support may not be adequate to safeguard press freedom in the Northeast. Institutions like the Press Council of India have to take a proactive stance to defend the rights of media persons reporting from conflict zones.

The PCI cannot just be a watchdog censuring the media for its acts of omission and commission. It is there to regulate, educate, build and strengthen media institutions and their practitioners so that they do not operate in a climate of insecurity and defensiveness but remain transparent and committed to their vocation. Thankfully this time the PCI has come up with a sharp statement against forces that seek to throttle press freedom.

Meanwhile, following the hue and cry from different quarters and from media establishments from across the country on its controversial missive, the Assam Rifles has clarified, albeit belatedly, that the intent of the letter was not to issue a “gag order” on the press but to prevent contact of NSCN (K) with the public for conveying their “Extortion Demands” or “Extortion Threats”.

This clarification is a feeble attempt to correct perceptions and does not reflect the tone and tenor of the first Assam Rifles letter to media houses. The force appears to gone overboard by taking on the Fourth Estate in its frustrated attempts to keep the NSCN (K) under check. But these attempts to check press freedom by different actors and institutions, including, at times, the judiciary are unwarranted. The media in India needs to take pause and stand together at this critical juncture to defend their sacred space.

The Author is Editor, The Shillong Times, and member, National Security Advisory Board.

(Courtesy: TS)

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.

Tuesday 24•11•2015

Hornbill Festival 2015 Countdown Begins

Letters from THüvopisu Letters from Thüvopisu is a photo essay tribute inspired by "Cepho Celho Lizo", a song that narrates the reminiscence of youth and seasons of change by the Tetseo Sisters. It was Photo Documented

by Designer Imchatsung Imchen using Naga handloom textiles woven by the Mother of the Sisters at Phek District of Nagaland.

Photo Documents with Mhaseve Tetseo, Alüne Tetseo, Kuvelü Tetseo & Mütsevelü Tetseo

CM TR Zeliang inspects Hornbill Festival Site at Kisama on Nov 23.

Hornbill International Photo Fest The Eastern Art Council is presenting Hornbill International Photo Contest from December 1 to 10 with the theme “Colours of Nagaland.” Sponsored by tourism department in collaboration with Photography Club of Dimapur, this contest is open to all.

Prize money for this contest has been set at Rs. 25,000 (First), Rs. 15,000 (Second), Rs. 10,000 (Third), including two consolation prizes of Rs. 2500 each.

The three winners will also get free one month photography course at National Academy of Photography, Kolkata.

Last date of entry is November 27. One can mail entry at hipfest15@gmail.com Hornbill Choral Competition 2015 The Symphony Academy of Music Kohima is inviting all the interested choirs to the biggest choral competition in Nagaland- Hornbill Choral Competition 2015 scheduled for December 5 at Regional Center of Excellence for Music & Performing Arts (RCEMPA), Jotsoma.

This Hornbill Choral Competition 2015 is initiated

by Music Task Force, Government of Nagaland.

The winner will get a cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000, while the runner-up will pocket Rs. 1 lakh. Third prize winner will fetch Rs. 50,000. Other prizes include; best choir conductor, best uniform and audience choice award.

Registration is open now. There will be free entry. One can also email at symphonysorkohima@gmail.com 5th Hornbill Half Marathon 2015 The 5th Hornbill Half Marathon 2015 will take place on December 6 under the aegis of 3E Nagaland, certified by Nagaland Athletics Officials Club and supported by state’s tourism department.

Venue for the race will be at New Secretariat Kohima. The race categories will comprises competitive Half Marathon (Men & Women) -21 km, Great Hornbill Run (Boys & Girls) – 11.9 km (Class 8 & below in 2015).

There will also be invitational/ participatory special lap for persons with special needs on the theme “Championing Disability.” Route – New Secretariat Road (to and fro). Race type will be of open (Run, walk, wheelchair, etc.).

Morung Express News

A

Makuilongdi khuan Choir releases seCond albuM

n audio-visual gospel album titled “Aruangbo Rasi” in Liangmai (Zeliang), produced by “Makuilongdi Khuan Choir” (MK Choir) was released by Kitanwi Chewang, Executive Secretary of Liangmai Baptist Association, Nagaland on November 22 at Liangmai Baptist Church, Jalukie ’B’.

Special guest Namri Nchang, MLA 6th Tening A/C in his address appreciated M.K Choir for successfully releasing the 2nd album and encouraged them to produce more in future. He said that talented singers have an opportunity to glorify God through their songs.

Special Guest NK Namty Newmai, Assistant General Manager NST, Phek also encouraged the choir that the Liangmai commu-

Royal Preschool Dimapur students with their teachers during the day trip to the Nagaland Science Center. The trip was followed by an etiquette exposure to a lunch treat at a restaurant.

ing was invoked by Pastor Achangbo Newmai, Advisor of M.K Choir, Pastoral speech was delivered by LBP Pastor Shri. Kiratanbo Newmai. Brief introduction of the album was given

by Balubo Newmai, Secre-

American Music Awards Taylor Swift and 1D lead winners

A

C M Y K

nity too is not worst than the other tribes in singing.

However, He cautioned not to lose the God’s blessing by misusing it.

Earlier, the programme was compeered by Nambuibo Ntung, God’s bless-

n absent Taylor Swift dominated the American Music Awards, winning three prizes, including album of the year and song of the year.

One Direction also fared well, being named favourite group and artist of the year, for the second year in a row. Jared Leto made a moving speech about terror attacks in Paris, recalling the time his band played at The Bataclan.

Celine Dion then sang Edith Piaf's Hymne a L'Amour against a backdrop of Parisian landmarks.

However, the rest of the awards show took a less sombre tone.

Host Jennifer Lopez opened the ceremony with an extended dance routine, set to a medley of the year's biggest hits including Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk, Taylor Swift's Bad Blood and Drake's Hotline Bling.

Audience members Nicki Minaj and The Weeknd, whose songs were included in the mix, looked somewhat bemused by the honour.

Alanis Morissette performed her

breakthrough hit You Oughta Know, which turns 20 this year, accompanied

by Demi Lovato; while Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor locked lips at the end of an impassioned performance of their duet Marvin Gaye.

Actress Anna Kendrick skewered the cliches of acceptance speeches as she collected the best soundtrack prize for her film Pitch Perfect 2. The Weeknd and Nicki Minaj both took home two trophies, with Minaj scooping the hip-hop album of the year prize for the third time in her career. Ariana Grande was the surprise winner of best female, beating Taylor Swift. She used her speech to thank her grandmother, who accompanied her to the show. Earlier, Marjorie Grande was seen dancing in the front row as her granddaughter performed a cabaret version of her latest single. Focus.

The evening ended with a threesong medley by comeback kid Justin Bieber, riding high on the success of his new album, Purpose, which topped the US charts last week.

tary of M.K Choir followed by release of album by Executive Secretary.

Vote of thanks was delivered by Kawirangbo Pamai, Director M.K Choir and Benediction by Pastor Akimbou Chawang.

The album consists of 07085746925 both hymnal and com- • Peren - Balubo Newmai, posed songs in Liangmai Secretary: 09436201115 (Zeliang).

• Kohima & Dimapur To avail the Album one - Kawirang, Director: may contact the following 08014170946 numbers: • Tening – Agunkam • Jalukie – Daihau Nchang 9436683236

Harry Styles: I wanted to be a lawyer

O

ne Direction star Harry Styles says he wanted to be a lawyer before joining music industry. The 21-year-old singer admitted he had aspirations to study law but is now glad he never went ahead with his plans as he thinks he would have found it too difficult, reported Female First.

Styles auditioned for singing competition series The X Factor at the age of 16. "I wanted to be a physiotherapist and then all my teachers told me, 'No jobs in that.' [So] I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. This happened before I had to start working hard enough to be a lawyer. Now I can be like, I would have been a lawyer," he said.

Celine Dion, Jared Leto pay touching tribute to Paris victims at AMAs

A

ctor Jared Leto and Celine Dion recently paid an emotional tribute to the victims of Paris attacks at 2015 American Music Awards. In his touching tribute, the 43-year-old singer said, earlier this year he and his band had played an impromptu show called The Bataclan in Paris and it

was beautiful and peaceful, adding "What a difference a day makes. Seven months later, on the evening of November 13th, 2015, that same venue was under siege," E! Online reports.

The Suicide Squad actor continued, "Tonight, we honor the victims of the unimaginable violence that

‘Boney M’ singer Liz Mitchell: Disco music can never diminish

has taken place in Paris and around the world, "France matters. Russia matters, Syria matters, Mali matters, the United States matters. The entire world matters and peace is possible."

Notably, Dion also gave her performance of 'Hymne a L'Amour' in honor of the tragic events in Paris.

Hillstar NOW SHOWING

1970s

Ranbir can't get married till I allow him:

Q

uestions pertaining to Ranbir Kapoor's marriage to Katrina Kaif have been the talk of the town but his "Tamasha" co-star Deepika Padukone says the actor will not wed till the time she gives her nod. Ranbir, 33, who dated Deepika for a year, shares an amicable relationship with the actress post their split.

"Ranbir can't get mar-

Deepika paDukone ried till I allow it...," Deepika told PTI. To which Ranbir, who has been dating Katrina for sometime, added, "It's a very big question about my life. I completely believe in the institution of marriage.

When I will get married, I will let the whole world know about it."

Imtiaz Ali's "Tamasha" is Ranbir and Deepika's third film together after "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani". The co-stars took

a train ride from Mumbai to Delhi to promote their upcoming film, which is slated to hit the screens this Friday.

Ranbir and the "Piku" star started their career in 2008 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" and Shah Rukh Khan starter "Om Shanti Om", respectively. "It feels just like yesterday.

I saw Deepika outside 'Saawariya' sets walking across to 'Om Shanti Om' set. Eight years have

passed and we have no idea. We have worked hard and reached the point we have desired for in our lives," Ranbir said.

For Deepika, 29, Ranbir is still the same person that she met eight years ago.

"It's a very unique situation. We have heard about actors debuting in the same year but actors debuting on the same day is something which does not happen normally. I hope he never changes. But it has been an amazing journey."

popular JamaicanBritish band "Boney M" is on its maiden visit to India and the lead singer of the group Liz Mitchell is confident about the longevity of Disco music.

The band, who is known for hits like Daddy Cool, Rivers Of Babylon and Ma Baker, performed at a mall in Kurla here on Friday evening. "It (disco music) can never diminish. Disco music has had its opportunity earlier and now the young people have taken it to another level. DJs are using our music and creating innovative remixes out of it.

This is the way party is today. You can say, it's a new type of disco now," Mitchell told PTI in an interview here," The 63-year-old respected Pop/disco singer has never had her share of exposure to Indian music, but would love to collaborate with artists here if given a chance. "I am not wellacquainted with the names

of Indian artists. With the radio and Internet, Indian music is not unknown to anyone. There are so many wonderful styles and genres that are being introduced to the world. I would love to collaborate with artists here if the right oppor-

tunity comes," she said.

Asked if she would like to visit any particular place during her India visit, Mitchell said, "I wish we had more time to visit places in India. But our schedule is very tight during this visit."

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

12

tuesDAY 24•11•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Captain Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament Djokovic ends year on high

L L Doungel, IPS, DGP Nagaland and others with the players of the inaugural match between Nagaland Police and IGAR (North) on November 23 at the Kohima Local Ground. (Morung Photo)

DGP XI wins inaugural match Our Correspondent Kohima | November 23

Capt Kenguruse, MVC All Nagaland Memorial Football tournament got underway here today.

The tournament is being organized by the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) under the aegis of 3 Corps. The tournament was formally inaugurated

C M Y

by the DGP, Nagaland, LL Doungel at the Kohima Local Ground.

“History of Nagaland is replete with tales of valor and gallantry. Even in the modern era, sons of Nagaland have proved their mettle against formidable odds. The award of Mahavir Chakra to Captain Kenguruse also epitomizes the same heroism,” stated the IGAR (North) in a media handout. It added that to ensure the name of the brave son of the soil lives

FIFA ethics panel to rule on Blatter, Platini next month

K

on, the football tournament was organised.

While it envisages to become a premier sporting event of the state, it seeks to fuse the indomitable Naga spirit with the passion of the youth for football so that the young sporting talent of the state could get an avenue to rise and shine as professional footballers.

The DGP, in his speech, recollected the sacrifice made by the late Capt.

Kenguruse. Stating that Capt. Kenguruse was fo-

cused towards achieving his goals despite all odds, he appealed the youngsters to emulate his spirit. “It makes us proud that such a brave soldier has risen from Naga soil.”

The tournament carries a total cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs with the champions set to win Rs. 1,50,000. The runners-up will be awarded Rs. 70,000, while the losing semi-finalists will win Rs. 40,000 each. Rs. 2 lakh has also been set for individual performers. The

tournament is being hosted in four locations in and around Kohima and will conclude on November 30.

In the inaugural match (Group A), played at the Kohima Local Ground, DGP XI defeated HQ IGAR (North) 2-0. In the second Group A encounter, Falcon FC, Jalukie B Village defeated Meluri Division Football team 6-0.

In Group B, Ihoshe FC Lumami defeated Barak FC, Peren 3-0. In the second match of Group B, ADAX FC scored 5 goals over Longleng District Football Association.

In Group C, Vanguard FC, Tseminyu outclassed Legend Club Kiphire 7- 1 at the Tsisema Basa Ground.

In Group D, Naga FC, Kohima registered an easy win over Ao Yimkum FC by 6 goals. In the second Group D match played at the Chiephobozou ground, Wokha District Team defeated One Ton FC, Peren by 3 goals.

The winning teams have entered the pre quarterfinals which will be played on November 25.

Sri Lanka likely venue for Indo-Pak series, announcement on November 27

C M Y K

Zurich, NOvember 23 (AP): Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini should have their day in FIFA ethics court in December. FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert formally opened cases on Monday against the FIFA and UEFA presidents for alleged financial wrongdoing. "The adjudicatory chamber intends to come to a decision in both cases during the month of December," a spokesman for the German judge said in a statement. Blatter and Platini "will be invited to submit positions including any evidence with regard to the final reports of the investigatory chamber," the statement said. Both can request hearings, which are expected to be scheduled in December. Blatter and Platini, who are currently serving 90-day suspensions pending Eckert's rulings, face bans of at least several years. Any sanctions passed can be appealed to FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The FIFA ethics investigations unit said Saturday it submitted case dossiers and asked for sanctions against both officials. Details were not given. In recently judged FIFA ethics cases, former FIFA officials Chung Mongjoon and Harold Mayne-Nicholls were banned for six and seven years, respectively, despite their offences not including financial corruption. The latest case centers on $2 million of FIFA money Blatter approved for Platini in 2011 as backdated salary. Both deny wrongdoing and say they had a verbal contract to pay Platini for work as Blatter's presidential adviser from 1998-2002. Platini cannot campaign for the FIFA presidential election on Feb. 26 while suspended, and will almost certainly have his candidacy ended if found guilty of wrongdoing by Eckert.

DubAi, NOvember 23 (Pti): Sri Lanka has emerged as the likely venue for the much-awaited Indo-Pak bilateral cricket series and an official announcement may be made on November 27.

While BCCI made it clear that they will not play in the United Arab Emirates and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refusing to play in India, the only feasible option left was the island nation, which will act as the neutral venue.

With only a month's window available after India finish their Test series against South Africa on December 7, the series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

The proceedings had been fasttracked once BCCI president and current ICC chairman Shashank Manohar met PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and senior official Najam Sethi in presence of ECB supremo and chairman of 'Pakistan Task Force' Giles Clarke.

Without duvulging any details, both Sethi and Khan had said on Sunday that the meeting with Manohar was "fruitful" giving an indication that the deadlock on the marquee series was broken.

"Since PCB will need the permission of Nawaz Sharif before going official, Shaharyar Khan will need to go back to Islamabad and seek the Prime Minister's permission. Once he gets the green light from the PM, he will again come back to Dubai and intimate his decision to Clarke. Clarke is likely to officially announce the series on November 27," the

Frontier FC are Loyem Memorial Champs

C M Y K

C M Y K

tueNsANG, NOvember 23 (mexN): The 57th and the final match of the 23rd Loyem Memorial Senior Soccer Open Championship organized by the Confederation of Chang Students’ Union was played on November 23 between Frontier FC and Chongpo Vikings FC ‘B’.

Frontier FC prevailed over Chongpo 2-1 in a pulsating match in which Chongpo led for a brief period. Awang got the lead for Chongpo at the 39th minute but Frontier seized the match in the second-half find-

ing the equaliser through Nungsang at the 48th minute.

It was an energetic match with spectators thronging the venue. Score level at 1-1, the match went into extra-time.

The winning goal came at the 96th minute with Nyithong of Frontier FC safely sending the ball into the nets.

The match witnessed two cautioning as the referee awarded yellow cards to Ossen of Chongpo and Bamdibe of Frontier.

Earlier, Alemjungshi, Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang,

in his speech as the guest of honour lauded the organisers for holding the tournament without any hassles.

While emphasizing that the field of sports has become a paying employment avenue, he stressed on the need for a sportsperson to have a disciplined life with good character.

Golden Glove: Yanger of Chongpo Vikings FC ‘B’ Golden Boot: Benjamin of Vetao FC Golden Ball: Nyithong Magh of Frontier FC.

source told PTI on Monday.

It has been learnt that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they seem to be keen to host the series.

The two stadiums earmarked for the series are Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium) and Pallekele (Kandy). While the receding monsoon has hit the island nation badly, the weather forecast for the last part of December looks good.

While some T20 matches are scheduled at the Khettarama, the SLC will reschedule them at the first notice, once the official announcement is made.

This will be the first time that a Test playing nation has rejected playing a series in the UAE since it became Pakistan's adopted home after the 2009 Lahore attacks.

BCCI president Manohar is very much against India playing international matches in UAE. In fact Manohar was also a vocal critic when the first part of IPL was shifted to the UAE last year due to the general elections.

According to reliable sources, UAE has always come under scanner for being a haven for shady people and match fixers.

In fact, a recent ODI match between Pakistan and England came under scanner with former England captain Michael Vaughan expressing his suspicion through a series of tweets which he later removed.

However ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson downplayed the incident stating that there is no reason to be suspicious about the match.

with Finals win over Federer

Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Switzerland's Roger Federer pose with their trophies after their match. (Reuters)

LONDON, NOvember 23 (reuters): Novak Djokovic put the finishing touch to a magnificent season by beating Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 to win the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday for the fifth time in his career.

The Serbian underlined his complete dominance of men's tennis with another immaculate display to become the first player in the year-ending tournament's 46-year history to triumph four times in a row.

Federer brought the tournament to a close in anti-climactic fashion with a double-fault, although not as much as a year ago when he pulled out of the final with back injury.

After a modest celebration, Djokovic walked back to his chair and wrote "And now for vacation" in Serbian on a camera lens.

How he deserves one. The 28-year-old has stomped through the season to leave his rivals trailing in his wake -- securing the year-end world number one ranking weeks before the London finale.

He won three of the year's four grand slams, beating the evergreen Federer in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals to take his career haul to 10, and would have celebrated the rarest of 'calendar year slams' had it not been for an inspired Stanislas Wawrinka in the French Open final.

Not only that but he won a record six Masters

Series crowns and reached 15 consecutive finals after losing to Ivo Karlovic in the Doha quarter-finals at the start of the year.

He ended the year with an 82-6 win loss record -half of those defeats coming against Federer, including Tuesday's 7-5 6-2 group stage defeat by the Swiss that snapped his 23-match winning streak and threeyear unbeaten run indoors.

With the stakes raised, though, the 34-year-old Federer made far too many errors on Sunday while Djokovic's defences proved largely impenetrable, but for the odd flash of Swiss magic that had his large red and white fan club chanting their approval.

STAND-OUT SEASON "I returned more balls back than I did five days ago," Djokovic told a news conference. "Obviously sitting here with this trophy alongside me, I couldn't ask for a better finish of the season. "This season definitely stands out. I can't say I expected it, not at all. But I always gave my best, and I'm always asking from myself the most."

Federer's chances were fleeting. He had the first break point in the second game but fluffed a forehand into the net.

In the next game a nearidentical forehand found the net to give Djokovic the break and from there the world number one never looked back. The clinical

Djokovic teased Federer into a volley error on set point in the ninth game to move ahead.

UNRELENTING DJOKOVIC Federer, bidding for a record-extending seventh title at the year-ender, was staring at the abyss when he trailed 3-4 0-40 in the second set but escaped with five straight points.

Djokovic was unrelenting though and wore his opponent down with one brutal rally two games later, sealing victory when a Federer second serve sailed long. He has now levelled his head-to-head record (22-22) with Federer for the first time in his career, a day after pulling level with Rafael Nadal (23-23).

Djokovic is seven short of Federer's record 17 grand slam titles and, if he avoidd injuries, it is far from inconceivable that he could threaten that mark in the next few years.

However, world number three Federer warned that emulating 2015 will be a tall order for the Serb.

"Margins are small at the very top," Federer said.

"That's why this year of Novak's is amazing. Rafa has been there. I've been there. We both know how hard it is to back it up. It takes a lot of effort. "You've got to be physically in shape, no injuries whatsoever. Mentally you have to be at your peak at all times.

It's not as easy as it seems sometimes."

C M Y K

C M Y K

Hulkenberg wants to finish in top-10 in 2015 Abu DhAbi, NOvember 23 (iANs): Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg is aiming to finish in the top-10 of the Formula 1 drivers' standings ahead of the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix here this weekend. "The final race of the season is always important because you want to finish the season well and carry the momentum into the winter months. We have already secured fifth in the (constructors') championship but I want to make sure I end the season in top10 of the drivers' championship so there is still a lot to play for," said the German.

Hulkenberg is currently 10th in the drivers' standings with 52 points. He is 16 points behind his teammate Sergio Perez, who is ninth, while only three points off 11th placed Romain Grosjean of Lotus.

"Abu Dhabi is a fun place for the season finale. The venue is great and the twilight racing helps create a special atmosphere. As a track, it's not easy to get a good lap as the layout is very technical, especially in the final sector. It's quite easy to come into a corner too hot and make a mistake, and finding a good flow is a big challenge," said the 28-year-old.

This will be the seventh race at the 5.5 km Yas Marina Circuit. Hulkenberg has had a topsyturvy season with five retirements and one Did Not Start (DNS) while his best finish was sixth in Austria, Japan and the last race in Brazil. "Brazil was a very enjoyable weekend for me. The car felt great and we maximised every session to come away with a well deserved result. We can realistically aim for a similar performance this weekend. It's been a great year for everyone in the team and we deserve to finish on a high," said the German.

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