November 8th, 2015

Page 1

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

SunDAY • november 08 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 304 • 12 PAGes • 4

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

o F

C M Y K

T R u T H

Blessed are those who give without remembering and take without forgetting — Elizabeth Bibesco Tokhu Emong: A day to revive and forgive PAGE 2

Modi pledges 800 billion rupees in relief and development for Kashmir

India beat South Africa by 108 runs in first Test

PAGe 8

PAGE 10

hopeful of ‘ropeway’ Memories and Aspirations Kohima with the ‘french connection’ Naga Archives & Research Centre to pass on ‘a legacy of hope’ Morung Express News Dimapur | November 7

C M Y K

C M Y K

Rev. Yankey Patton (91) frantically searches every pocket of his embellished Naga coat. The search gives way to a small leather pouch with a date embossed in white ink—14.08.1956. A small smooth semi-white stone emerges from the pouch, neatly fitting into his palm. “On that day, the first president of the Nagaland Federal Government, Baba Khrisanisa (Seyie), unfurled the flag and this stone fell on my head!” said Rev. Patton, gesturing with his hand how the stone fell from the unfurling flag and bounced off head. It is clearly his most treasured possession—“it was a miracle!” The first Chaplain of the Federal Government, Rev. Patton wept as he prayed at the inauguration of the Naga Archives & Research Centre (NARC) at Toulazouma today. Established in 2012, the Archives attempt to congregate and keep alive the history of the Naga peoples’ struggle for their aspirations—like a metaphorical collection of smooth semi-white stones that constitute the Naga national struggle. The NARC monolith was unveiled by Tokheho Yepthomi, Nagaland State minister for PHED. “To this day, the Nagas have not shown enough tribute and gratefulness to those lives that had gone into the making of the very foundation on which we stand,” noted Rev. Dr. VK Nuh, the chairperson of the NARC, in his welcome address at the inauguration. In support of the initiative were the neighbours of the

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

C M Y K

Leader of the NARC inauguration program, Dr. Visier Sanyu Meyasetsu, facilitates the “passing on” of the ‘Legacy of Hope’ from the elders to the youth at Toulozouma on Saturday, November 7. (Morung Photo)

Naga people, the Meitei and Asom. The presence of thinkers and scholars like Dr. Lokendra Arambam, professor of history at Manipur University and his colleagues, as well as Dr. Parag Thakur, vice president of the Asom Sahitya Sabha and his colleagues added “immense significance to the fledgling attempt we are making to preserve some collected documents of our history, and more importantly to live as loving neighbours,” said Rev. Nuh. Naga elder, Niketu Iralu, described the presence of “our two closest neighbours” as a “highly valued gesture of friendship and goodwill.” Meanwhile, thanking the “Naga civil component,” Rev. Nuh expressed indebtedness to Naga political groups for “creating a meaningful history and setting the foundation for Naga nationhood and per-

sisting with it.” “We regard this inaugural function today as a humble but serious attempt to pass on ‘a legacy of hope’ from the meagre progress made thus far to the coming generations. It represents our assessment of ourselves, and our determination to learn to go forward with others as we should,” said Niketu Iralu while presenting a ‘tribute to our people.’ As a symbolic gesture, Naga elders handed over historic documents—a Legacy of Hope—to the Naga youth. “History is a story of winners but history wakes up in time to tell the truth—this is a part of telling the truth about the journey of our people,” observed the leader of the program, Dr. Visier Sanyu Meyasetsu. In establishing Archives to preserve collected documents on what has

can’t afford.

ANAHTA suspends Bihar poll agitation Not just pollsters

C M Y K

Message from the neighbours

Dr. Lokendra Arambam, while extending support and cooperation to the NARC on behalf of the people in Manipur, provided an overview of narratives from Manipur that he

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 7 (MExN): Nagaland Government is once again contemplating the feasibility of setting up ropeway service in Kohima to ease traffic congestion. This time with aide from the French. According to Media Cell, CMO, modalities are being worked out to ease the infernal problem of traffic jams in the capital town for which the Chief Minister TR Zeliang was said to be seriously viewing alternatives to ease the problem. One alternative is the construction of ropeway with the help of the French government, the press statement informed. “I have met the Ambassador of France earlier this year in June at New Delhi and he has been kind enough to depute his assistant Jean René Cougard and his team to Nagaland the other day. We have discussed with the French delegation possibilities of setting up Ropeways in Kohima,” Zeliang revealed. The chief minister said modalities were being worked out and if the plan can see the light of day, Kohima would see ropeway service from Ministers’ Hill to PHQ and then on to Old Secretariat area to Bayavu, to High School Junction and then on to New Secretariat. “Once implemented I am confident many will chose this mode of travel to reach the offices and thereby ease the traffic congestion. This will not only help commuters but will also lend aesthetic beauty to the Capital city,” he said. Zeliang however went on to add that no concrete agreement has been arrived at as of now, even though the French delegation has agreed in principle to take up the matter if the proposal is found to be viable. The CMO statement also informed that the department of Municipal Affairs is currently working on this project at the cost of more than Rs 400 crore. And as far the French Government is concerned, the quantum of funds required does not seem to be a problem but what they wanted to know was the feasibility of the proposal, the release added. Besides the ropeway service, some other projects that the French delegation expressed keen interest in were solar power generation, pig breeding (Artificial Insemination) cum slaughter houses and sustainable development. Another round of talk is scheduled to be held later this month either at New Delhi or here in Nagaland, the press statement from CMO further informed. It may be recalled that during 2011, the

State government had announced setting up of an ambitious ropeway service with a project called the ‘Kohima metro cable.’ The project was to be implemented under the initiative of Nagaland State Transport (NST) and cable work was to be carried out by a New Delhi-based company, Leading Edge Adventures and Airparks Pvt Ltd. The then minister for urban development, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu had maintained at that point of time that feasibility studies have been carried out and the company has submitted a proposal to the government. However, the project has not seen the light of day so far. ‘Citizens have greater role to play’ Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang issued a clarion call to the citizens of Kohima town for cooperation so that Kohima can be adopted as one of the experimental Smart Cities by the Government of India (GoI). According to Media Cell, CMO, Zeliang said this during an interaction with a group of government officials at his residence in Dimapur. He maintained that the citizens have as much a role to play, if not greater, as the government to ensure that the GoI selects Kohima as one of the Smart Cities in the first phase. It may be mentioned that the GoI has decided to select 20 cities throughout the country for the futuristic program of Smart City initiative. Appreciating the decision of Kohima Village Council to extend full cooperation to the government to develop the capital city, Zeliang said people should come forward with such positive attitude. “The government alone cannot bring all-round development without the wholehearted support and cooperation of the public,” he added. The chief minister also explained about the plans to install about 200 closed-circuit televisions in Kohima and about 300 CCTVs in Dimapur for which the DGP was working on the proposal. “We hope to be one step ahead of criminals and with the installation of these CCTVs in strategic locations we can not only track and locate known criminals; we hopefully can even prevent crimes from taking place,” he pointed out. In this regard, Zeliang stressed on the need for building owners to cooperate with law enforcing agencies while the CCTVs are being installed, adding they should not object to the installations since it will be in the interest of ever one.

C M Y K

C M Y K C M Y K

BJP Nagaland says it does not mix with any religious groups

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 7 (MExN): BJP Nagaland on Saturday termed the accusation made by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) of being ‘RSS apologists’ as a desperate attempt to re-strengthen the latter’s organization by unnecessarily connecting them with the right wing Hindu organization. In a rejoinder, Media Cell, BJP Nagaland asserted that the party is with, for and supporting the Nagas and minorities and said the State Congress attempt to demean and derail the BJP Nagaland will not win the hearts of the people who had badly suffered Ooi. Don’t pray for stuff I poverty and inequality for decades

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 7 (MExN): All Nagaland Aggrieved Hindi Teacher’s Association (ANAHTA) informed on Saturday that it will suspend its agitation from November 10 onwards following an assurance given by the Department of School Education. A press note from the Association said the agitating teachers have decided to resume normal classes after the department assured them that their pending salaries of five (5) month would be released within a week. At the same time, it also cautioned that if the assurance given by the department is not realized on time, the teachers should not be held responsible for any further course of action.

happened in our recent history, asserted Iralu, “we are affirming to ourselves that our aspirations and beliefs and our struggle for them are important to us.” Giving a thorough history of the Naga national movement, Gen. Thinoselie M. Keyho reiterated his ‘belief and vision’ for the people. “I believe the Naga national movement for free and independent, sovereign Nagaland state is a gift of God, a divine movement. Whatever we have achieved today is only because of this movement... in the end, the truth will win and the truth is with the Nagas.”

hoped would help “expand the dynamic nuances of the course of the Naga struggle, because of its universality, as well as its common angst experienced by peoples together under colonial and imperialistic bondage.” He educated the gathering on how the generation of armed opposition groups which emerged in the Imphal valley in the 1960s sought a ‘Pan-Mongoloid’ collective, “transcending ethnic considerations on struggle, yet respecting identities and gestured cooperation to the NNC, which was then at the forefront of the struggle.” Going through the shared history of struggle, Dr. Arambam arrived at issues when “the movement for Naga independence became a discourse which became a bone of contention with the neighbouring communities of Manipur.” The discourse, he said, “has yet to be peacefully addressed if alternative aspirations are seeking recognition and legitimacy at the same time.” Dr. Parag Thakur gave an overview of the problems plaguing the Assamese language currently, and how a three year centenary celebration of the Asom Sahitya Sabha (estd. 1915) will focus on bringing the limelight back on the “link language” for the region, especially Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. As living archives, the program heard a traditional mourning and lament from Porba village (Chakhesang) and a Naga chant from Talui village (Tangkhul). Thanksgiving prayers were offered by Rev. Z. Kathiry.

because of untold corruption in the garb of democratic development. It alleged that the Indian National Congress (INC) has been rejected by the people all over India including Nagaland while claiming that more and more Congress party workers have been joining the BJP since it came to power as people have realized that there is no future in the grossly corrupt Congress party. It also said the NPCC was ignoring the fact that 8 Congress MLAs had knowingly joint the NPF led DAN- III government in which BJP is a coalition partner. Asserting that the BJP Nagaland

results today

and politicians, even economists are keeping their fingers crossed PATNA, NOVEMBER 7 (AGENCIES): Counting of votes in the high-stakes close-to-call Bihar assembly elections, billed as a hot battle between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, will take place on Sunday. The counting for the 243 seats of the assembly will begin at 8.00 am and the verdict for a majority of seats is expected by the early afternoon. The results of the Bihar poll battle will make or mar political careers. The national politics may also witness a realignment of political forces against the current dispensation. Most of the exit polls have predicted a close contest between the BJP-led NDA and the grand alliance of JD (U)-RJD-Congress with a slight edge to the Chief Minister

Nitish Kumar-led grouping. Not just political analysts, economy watchers in India and abroad too are keenly watching the outcome of the Bihar assembly polls. Reason: Most economists expect the poll outcome to influence the future course of the NDA-government with respect to the economic and industrial reforms in the country. BJP’s weak position in Rajya Sabha has paved major hurdles for the party so far to push key reform bills, despite having clear majority in Lok Sabha. To be sure, a victory will offer the much needed impetus to the NDA-government to carry on with critical reforms, as it strives to improve its position in Rajya Sabha at least in the next two years. A win for the saffron alliance will also help BJP shake off the opposition attack on it over the “climate of intolerance” and embolden it to push its agenda ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. However, a loss for it will reinvigorate the opposition ranks and help Kumar acquire a key role in national politics.

is a state political unit of a national political party, the State BJP pointed out that it does not mix with any religious body and hence its mission was purely political. “The NPCC instead of challenging the BJP Nagaland to resign en- mass should ponder over why many Congress party workers are abandoning their party and joining and strengthening the BJP,” it went on to add. Further, NPCC leaders responsible for the downfall of the party should resign en- mass to give way to the party to sprout and grow as a new seedling if they really wish the party to be reborn, it also suggested.

C M Y K

CSCFM appeals to Modi on Framework Agreement DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 7 (MExN): The Concerned Senior Citizens Forum, Mokokchung has espoused confidence in the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi that the Framework Agreement would be delivered in letter and spirit to the Nagas under his able leadership at the earliest. In an appeal addressed to the Prime Minister of the day, the Forum appreciated the sincerity of the Government of India (GoI) and Narendra Modi in particular for making continuous peace building process while the Nagas were eagerly waiting for an inclusive solution once for all. It recalled that in the past, all Accords and Agreements signed between GoI and the Nagas failed due to insincerity of the past government and her leaders. While expressing confidence on the present leadership, the Forum expected that, by virtue of unique political history and situation, “the content and modus operandi of the Framework Agreement should also be unique in nature but not a kind of piecemeal solution and appeasement policy which will be very dangerous in future.” The Concerned Senior Citizens Forum, Mokokchung consist of lawyers, academicians, intellectuals and social activists.

C M Y K C M Y K


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

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