November 29th, 2015

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www.morungexpress.com

SunDAY • november 29 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 325 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

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T R u T H

Deep doubts, deep wisdom; small doubts, little wisdom — Chinese Proverb Will use all might if sovereignty threatened: President PAGe 8

Pukhayi graces SKK Platinum Jubilee day 3

NE United lose 2-1 to Delhi

PAGe 2

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forgiveness in a time of turmoil from a ‘Ghost town’ to a place of healing

Japanese Church leaders seek forgiveness for wrongs of WWII Morung Express News Kohima | November 28

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The Japan-Naga Christian Reconciliation and Revival Summit was held today at Khedi Baptist Church, Kohima Village, with NBCC General Secretary, Zelhou Keyho stating that “today is important because we come together to bury the past hatred and ask for forgiveness for the wrong deeds we have done to each other.” “When the war ended and you returned to your land in fewer numbers you carried with you regrets and hurts. The Naga population became smaller as well as our hardships many, our fields and our homes were razed to the ground. And yet when we see you no more, stories of unkind deeds emerged, unfriendly guests we became at times and those stories continued to be retold. Kind deeds could not cover the unkind attitudes. And we carried with us till this day. In war no one wins. The loser gains an enemy and the winner loses a friend,” he said. “For 70 years, we lived with guilt and today we want to bury the guilt in love and forgiveness,” Keyho stated. After seventy years, a group of 30 Japanese Christian delegates along with 6 delegates from Thailand came to Kohima to seek forgiveness for the past atrocities that Japanese troops committed during the Second World War. The event was attended by hundreds of Church leaders, Naga elders and the Japanese guests. Keyho asserted that the Japanese and Nagas were not at war with each other but there was a war

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

CIHSR completes eight years of serving, nurturing and transforming

Morung Express News Dimapur | November 28

Naga Church leaders, elders and Japanese delegates stand together as an ‘Act of Reconciliation’ during the Japan-Naga Christian Reconciliation and Revival Summit at Kohima on November 28. (Morung Photo)

of abuse, unkindness, high handedness, murder and hatred. Though there were pleasant stories of how Nagas befriended Japanese soldiers, there were also unpleasant stories, thus Keyho hoped that both parties have the courage to forgive and reconcile. “It was a time when we saw the worst of ourselves. The Japanese in their hunger for food forgot about their good behavior and ransacked our villages for food and used the Nagas as forced laborers. The behavior angered the Nagas and therefore in retaliation the Nags also responded unfavorably towards the British committing acts of disgrace to them,” said Zhavise Vihienuo, a WWII veteran. He also mentioned that many Japanese soldiers were killed by the Nagas and felt Nagas should have asked the Japanese people for forgiveness much earlier. Reconciliation being one of the most important essence of Christian life, Vihienuo said, “We forgive and we also ask the Japanese to forgive us.” Another elder Khietso Pienyü also mentioned that Nagas

had done many wrongs towards the Japanese but hoped for forgiveness. Rev. Jun Takimoto, Senior Pastor, Shinshiro Church Aichi Japan in a solidarity message said: “We should have done this much sooner because it happened 70 years ago. It has taken us so long for us to come here but in the bible 70 years is known as the period of deliverance and restoration to take place.” Speaking on behalf of the Government of Nagaland Chotisüh Sazo, Speaker, NLA shared the miseries that Nagas faced during WWII. Villages like the Kohima village, Chedema, Chizami, Kikruma, Kezoma, Kidima and Khuzama, areas like Chandmari and Aradura suffered the brunt of the war, with homes and paddy fields destroyed. In some areas, not even a house was left standing;. “Many Nagas became prisoners of the Japanese. It is reported that there was no more livestock except few villages who hid their herds of cattle in the secluded forest areas. Villages on the Japanese line of communication were hit hard and

had lost almost all their stocks of food,” said Sazo. Sazo however stated that most atrocities were committed by members of the Indian National Army, the Japanese Indian fighting forces. He expressed hope that through the reconciliation and forgiveness, Japan and the Nagas together would together win the world with love through Jesus Christ. The act of Reconciliation was performed by Rev. Dr. Hevekhu Achumi, Executive Secretary of WSBAK. Church leaders, elders and the Japanese delegates stood together; made a covenant of peace and friendship and exchanged Bibles. As the crowd stood together and witnessed the reconciliation, tears were shed, hands were shaken and hugs freely given. When the crowd settled down, a guest sang Chris Tomlin’s song ‘God of the City’ and the chorus went, “For Greater things have yet to come and Greater things are still to be done in this city. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done here.”

With its motto, “Serve, Nurture & Transform,” the Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) today observed its 9th founding day, in a simple yet graceful thanksgiving function reflecting on its past journey and reaffirming its vision for the future. Deemed one the most profitable PPP projects in the entire North East Region, the premier institute resulted out of a tripartite agreement between the Government of Nagaland, Emanuel Hospital Association (EHA) New Delhi and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore in 2005. It has since become a place that provides quality healthcare at reasonable cost.

Anxious origin but successful growth

The seed for its establishment was sowed initially by the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association in the late 1980s, followed up diligently by the then Chief Minister, Dr. SC Jamir, informed Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS (Retd), who was the chief guest at the occasion. Jamir added that the project was approved by the incumbent Prime Minister of that time, the Late Rajeev Gandhi and started with initial sanction of 15 crores in 1989. A well intentioned project, he noted that it went awry and by 2000, already Rs 65 crores were spent without completion, with another revised estimate of Rs 185 crores. The entire

A doctor interacts with people at an exhibition of health services held today as part of the CIHSR’s 9th foundation day on November 28.

State budgetary expenditure that time was around 300 crores, he maintained putting into context the enormity of the situation. “People often wondered whether the Referral hospital was a tourist hospital as every visiting dignitary was shown the incomplete hospital and the need to revitalize the project,” he recounted. However, he credited Arun Shourie, the then DoNER Minister, for giving a sympathetic hearing to the problem and suggesting its reform and restructuring. Consequently, a failed takeover meeting with Apollo Hospitals Groups chairman Dr. Prathap C Reddy proved fruitful as he suggested reviving the project via public-private partnership (PPP) mode, Jamir said. As a result, three entities bid for a government’s tender but it eventually went to EHA&CMC. We went back to Shourie in April 2007 and within four month he agreed, Jamir added. Dr. Christy Joseph, a CMC Doctor in his felicitation, admitted that nationally there are more than 53 Christian organisations running around 200 hospitals between themselves but most are struggling. In this context, he said, the success of CISHR is re-

markable adding that the growth of CISHR is also part of the horizontal footprint for CMC.

Mission Mode

Dr. Nandira Changkija, Principal Director, Health& Family Welfare, who was the guest of honour, while congratulating the institute also urged them to remember those working at difficult terrains across the state. Society is going through a tumultuous upheaval as reflected through various media outlets, depicting the weaknesses in our society, she opined, challenging people to ask oneself whether we do justice to our commitment and pledges. What legacy do we leave the next generation? It fills me with worries and trepidation; she confessed, adding it is a responsibility to add some principles, and a positive legacy to the next generation to fall back upon. She asked the CIHSR fraternity to continue the positive legacy being cultivated, and exhorting them to sow the seeds with a happy heart. “If changes occur, be motivated and do more. If not, continue to pull along those in need.” The Director of the CIHSR, Dr Abraham Joseph in his annual address reported increased patients com-

ing to the institute, including from neighboring states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. There is 25% increases in patient attendance, including an outpatient average of 400 a day, he informed. Reporting improvement in all fronts, he attributed the success to the dedicated commitment of its staff who work tirelessly in a mission mode. 47 staff from different departments were honoured during the occasion for completion of 4 years of services. CISHR is also successfully running nursing and health services in its campus.

Looking ahead

Meanwhile, Alemtemshi Jamir contended that CIHSR can become an epitome of healthcare in the region and the Act East Policy is tailor-made for it. Talking about the hospital’s purposes and intention, he noted that the churches can be approached to push towards the establishment of a medical college. Noting the rise of religious intolerance and uncontrolled technological advancement, he said healthcare services are a powerful tool to spread the gospel of healing and love. God had a definite plan and its formation was providential, he maintained. To become an institute of excellence, Dr. Christy affirmed that the CMC shoulder and might is behind CISHR. Noting that while the institution may not have grown as intended by man, the director said, “As we look back we realize that God has directed us through another path which was good for the institution.” “CIHSR is fortunate to have the cooperation of all section of the society, let us honour this trust with more commitment and services” he exhorted.

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Yearning for unity, respect and equality Rengma Nagas celebrate Ngada

Morung Express News Jongpha (KA) | November 28

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IMLF banned during Hornbill? Orre,..when was the prohibition lifted? Anyway kudos to our administrators for promoting local liquor.

Indian courts have always upheld free speech: Jaitley

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New Delhi, November 28 (iANS): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said courts in the country have always upheld and defended the right to free speech and expression. “Courts in India have always defended right to free speech, guaranteed under Article 19 of the constitution,” said Jaitley while addressing the Times LitFest in Delhi. Following Independence, he said, the judicial system was “weak” as it was “overpowered” by governments. But there were many landmark judgements that “resisted” this, he added. He mentioned 2 cases holding significance (Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala case and the Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India case). He also said the “judgement on gay sex should be reconsidered” by the courts.

Bokajan MLA for Assam Legislative Assembly, Klangdon Engti, said today that little to no development will happen in constituencies that are not part of the ruling government in Assam. Engti said this as chief guest at the Ngada celebration, the primary festival of the Rengma Naga people, held today in the Western Rengma region of Akuiphuta Jongpha in Karbi Anglong, Assam. “The standing Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) from Nillip constituency is not from the ruling government which is why not much development is happening here,” said the young MLA in his speech, referring to a constituency that lacks even basic roads, electricity and healthcare till date—part of the Rengma Hills, many Rengma Nagas have lived here since time immemorial. Engti is the son of standing Congress MP from Assam State, Biren Sing Engti. When asked to clarify if people are being forced to vote for a single party, the junior Engti insisted that if you are in the ruling government, it is easier to lobby for more funds for development. “Otherwise you will get only basic development,” said the leader. It may be noted that the MAC of Nillip constituency of the Karbi Anglong Autono-

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A Rengma Naga youth showcases his athletic skills in a high jump match that entails overthrowing a stick on top of a spear. The Rengma people celebrated their primary festival of Ngada on Saturday, November 28, at Akuiphuta Jongpha in Karbi Anglong, Assam. (Morung Photo)

mous Council (KAAC) district is from a regional party. Klangdon Engti was responding to issues raised by Phenpiga Himbü, president of the Rengma Naga Students’ Union (RNSU) in his welcome address for Ngada 2015. “It pains to see fundamental needs deprived to us—this is a land in Assam devoid of roads, bridges, electricity, health care or proper educational institutions even in this fast changing world. Experiencing the Right to Life as enshrined in the Constitution of India remains a far cry for citizens like us of the Indian union,” said Himbü to a gathering of people from Karbi Anglong, as well as Nagaland, some from as far away as Meluri in Nagaland. The Rengmas identify themselves to reside in a

spatial view of West, Central and East (Pochury), falling in present day Karbi Anglong, Tseminyü and Meluri respectively. Hoping that the festival (Ngada) would empower Western Rengma Nagas “culturally, economically, socially and politically,” the president of RNSU called for the day to be given to rebuilding peace in this region. “We wish to see unity, respect and equality, which will strengthen the spirit of brotherhood,” he said. Klangdon Engti, in turn, assured the Rengma Nagas of KAAC’s “full cooperation” in making sure that the violent incidents of 2013 will not be repeated and that “full precautions” have been taken to make sure of that. Ngada is a post harvest festival celebrated by

the Rengma Naga people. Traditionally celebrated for a period of 7-10 days, the festival marks the reconciliation between warring villages in the spirit of forgiveness and the beginning of a new year, marked by big time merry-making. Ngada 2015 was organised by the Rengma Naga Peoples’ Council (RNPC) showcasing a host of Rengma traditional songs and dances, apart from Karbi and Asomiya dances. The guest of honour for the day was Prodip Singnar, Executive Member (Forest) of the KAAC. The elder’s blessing to the festival was given by Toshale Kemp. Invocation was offered by Rev. Athang Sebu and a vote of thanks by the general secretary of the RNPC, Solomon Himbü, followed by the Ngada feast.

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