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SunDAY • OctOber 23• 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 291 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
A writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution PM hints at ‘surgical strikes’ to unearth black money PAGE 08
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Nagaland hosts Radiation Oncologists Conference 2016
o F
T R u T H
— Jean-Paul Sartre
Arsenal, Spurs fire blanks, champions Leicester win
PAGE 02
PAGe 12
tHe roAD oUt of corrUPtion Church leaders come out with action plan to address issues of corruption Morung Express News Dimapur | October 22
corruption in a developing society like that of the Nagas and for the Church to establish its position theological, philosophical and ethical. Iralu said in an isolated corner like Nagaland where people watch and emulate the happenings around the world, the common thinking trend is “when right things cannot be done even in advanced society, why bother?” He said public leaders considered as role models have also not helped much on the issue of corruption. He also said the Church needs to be clear on three questions – What is kingdom of God? Where is kingdom and God? When is kingdom of God? As Christians, if Nagas are confused with these questions, then the fight against corruption might as well be a lost battle, he
Resolutions (Action Plan) adopted
al) manner. “Today, corruption is like the cancer of our society. It has not only made us sick but it has made us non functional in more ways than recognized. It has eaten up all the good things in us. It has eaten up the hopes and aspirations of the younger generations if not my generation and it has made us an impotent society. It has given birth to so many unwanted elements in the society. It has taken the trust in us and in our frustrations and desperations we now blame each other. But unless we come out and own the issue we will be fighting the losing war”, Rev. Keyho said. Keyho further said the Church must enter into the following endeavor to address the issue of corruption- a high standard of professional eth-
• To educate and look into a framework for effective governance- going back to Scriptures. Church leaders from vari• Launch anti-corruption awareness within churches to instill a self-awareness to ous denominations unsay ‘NO’ to bribery and corruption; at the same time in inculcating a culture of der the aegis of Dimatransparency. pur Christian Fellowship • Get our “own house” in order – having guidelines on church governance, disclo(DCF) have come out with sure of personal interests to avoid conflict of interest, internal audit for accountan action plan to address ability, peer accountability – no ‘yes man’ in leadership etc. the issue of ‘Corruption’ • Working with NGOs within the civil society movement to counter practices of that has eaten into the vibribery and corruption. tals of Naga society. • Serve as a platform to develop and instill a “check and balance” within the systems The church leaders at a and institutions of society to ensure the practice of transparency. In this respect, You cheat. Who is this wom- consultation on the theme seminaries, Bible schools and churches ought to consider having such courses “Christian response to an, huh? within their curriculum. corruption in public life” held here on Saturday acsaid. Iralu said Christians members and leaders of Keyho, who spoke on knowledged that as Chrisare fixated on dying and local churches. “Church’s response to cortians leaders and believers, heaven, forgetting that Quoting GK Chesterton ruption in public life”, said they have failed to prevent the whole Scriptures is “Christianity has not been though the Naga Church is DIMAPUR, OCTO- corrupt practices in the about kingdom of heaven tried and found wanting; still very young, it has been Church and society and reBER 22 (MExN): The on earth. Citing the plight it has been found difficult called to grapple with a giEastern Nagaland solved to take a more proof students of primary and not tried”, Iralu added, ant issue –corruption. Legislatures’ Union active role in combating (ENLU) has appealed corruption. schools in villages who are “How do I live out God’s He said the journey to the Eastern Nagadeprived of their fair share gospel on earth? If we are (fight against corruption) Delivering the keynote land College Students’ address on the theme, soof education due to absen- clear on this, Nagaland will must begin today and the Union (ENCSU) to call cial activist, Niketu Iralu, tee teachers, the social ac- be shaken.” Church must be able to off the ongoing agita- said it is important to know tivist said many such abGeneral Secretary, respond to it in a biblicaltion imposed in the en- the contributing factors of sentee teachers are active NBCC, Rev. Dr. Zelhou theological (ethical & mortire Eastern Nagaland jurisdiction in connection to the recent selection of MBBS/ Technical course, normally reserved for backMorung Express News has been to engage in a spiritual fight ward tribes and NSEE with the Church having no hidden II Exam 2016. A press Dimapur | October 22 agenda, he maintained. statement from ENLU Pointing out the many malpracNBCC Youth Secretary, Vikuo Rhi secretary R Tohanba on Saturday defended the Church’s tices, he stated that the “tribal mindwhile appealing the stance on Elections - based on mor- set” of taking community decisions ENCSU to call of the al grounds - as opposed to the per- has usurped the individual’s freedom agitation in the larger interest of the ENPO ceived general apprehension that it of choice and further discouraged the area in particular and is meddling in matters considered practice of prayer groups and church Nagaland in general, workers visiting candidates’ house. wholly socio-political. has assured that the While suggesting measures to Speaking at a ‘Seminar on SoENLU shall take up the cial Issues’ organised by the Youth counter the malpractices, he said matter to the State GovDepartment, Chakhesang Baptist that the youth has a great role to play. ernment, particularly Church Dimapur, Rhi said Elections “Youth should stand firm on integrity to Higher & Technical has become as “spiritual issue.” While and not be allowed to be used as tools Education to solve the admitting the Church should mind in the hands of candidates,” Rhi said. grievances amicably its own, Rhi however held that, it does Change, he asserted must start from through consultation. not imply it shy away from the social “oneself – you and I must be the first”, This resolve was made while adding that the Church should issues facing the present. during an emergency With its roots at the NBCC’s 36th be loud enough “to voice out right is meeting on October 21 annual session in 1972, the Clean right and wrong is wrong.” at the official residence Khekiye K. Sema speaking on Election campaign was born out of of CL John, Minister, RD a necessity to rid undesirable prac- ‘Addressing the current Naga Politi& REPA, the press stateA local miner wades through water as he walks down from a mountain in Benguet a day tices that had crept into the election cal Scenario’, articulated on the proment added. process in Nagaland. The objective gression of the Naga movement, and after Typhoon Haima struck northern Philippines. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
ENLU urges ENCSU to call off agitation
ics must be promoted and maintained; efficient, economic and effective use of resources must be promoted; public administration must be addressed to stay accountable, justice, equality and fairness must be preached and taught and be pursued and, people living beyond their means must be questioned rather than try to encourage them by using them to further the cause of the church agenda. An action plan was adopted after interaction and panel discussion, with Dr. Hesheto Chishi, as the moderator. The panel members included Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Pastor Yanbemo Lotha, Rev. Dr. Shiwoto Sumi, Rev. Dr. Thungdemo Ngullie and Rev. Dr. Solomon Vizo. Earlier, chairman, DCF, Rev. RP Murry, delivered the welcome and introductory address.
‘Elections has become a spiritual issue’
pointed out that it is today at a crossroad. Stating that the pioneers of the movement gave their lives, he said that their sacrifices would be in vain until Nagas unite as one people and give credence to the Plebiscite of 1951. Mentioning in particular the ‘Framework Agreement’ between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, he questioned as to how the people will accept an outcome when majority of the Naga populace are unaware of the contents of the Agreement. “Are we only good for realising tax from, and not fit enough to be consulted on issues that concerns us all?” he questioned. While acknowledging the NPGs as instrumental in making the GoI realise the uniqueness of the Nagas as a people, he questioned the direction the movement is taking today. The question, besides others, he said pertains to what kind of government the envisioned Naga nation would embrace.
CGBU requests NMA to tHink GlobAlly, Act locAlly withdraw SLP from SC NEIMUN 2016 starts off; to end on October 24
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DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 22 (MExN): The Chakhroma GBs Union (CGBU) on Saturday accused the Naga womenfolk under the aegis of the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) of trying to “destroy aged old customs by demanding reservation … and even going to the extent of knocking the doors of the Supreme Court of India.” Terming it as imperative to set records straight, CGBU president Thepfukedo Kuotsu and general secretary Atso Gwizan in a press statement said the customs and traditions of the Nagas would be seriously compromised if the 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies is implemented, “which we, as the guardians and custodians of our customary laws cannot allow.” It said the “act of our womenfolk seeking to crush out customary practices by seeking redress from the Supreme Court, by-passing our customary courts is seen as a direct challenge and insult to the Naga society at large and therefore may lead to serious ramification.” To support this argument, the CGBU pointed out that even India has decided to leave the practices and usages of Nagas untouched while acknowledging its rich distinct customs and traditions and granted special protection by inserting an extra provision in the Indian Constitution with the 371A. “This being so, we are now baffled to see womenfolk under the aegis of the NMA trying to override this special provision and destroy our age old customs by demanding reservation…” the CGBU maintained. It argued that if the SC is to pass
its judgment on the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Naga women (NMA) in favour of the petitioners, it has to be done by superseding the provisions of the Art. 371A of the Constitution as the matter directly concerns meddling with the customary practices of the Nagas. “And there is no doubt that Indians will be more than happy, if we Nagas our self, in this way make this particular Article irrelevant and obsolete so as to be struck out of the Constitution as their jealousy towards the special protection granted to the Nagas is no secret,” the CGBU claimed. Despite this, the CGBU held that, “some people, be it in the government or the NGOs, in their zeal to be as heroes and harbinger of changes are ready to surrender the hard-earned status and protection given to us. We should also remember that there are every chances of being called traitors and blackmailers by our upcoming generations instead of being remembered as heroes.” The CGBU has therefore “advised and request our womenfolk” to withdraw the Special Leave Petition filed before the SC and let the matter be resolved as a domestic problem where “any concessions and considerations can be chalked out and implemented.” It further went on to add that any ruling of the SC in favour of the womenfolk would not have any profitable effect because “no matter where you are placed by the judgment, the Nagas custom and traditions may not be in a position to recognize that in the true spirit.”
Morung Express News Dimapur | October 22
The 1994 Rwandan genocide led to a unique situation—it left behind a population of 70% women. In need of good leadership, Rwanda turned to its women who re-built the country in the past two decades leading to substantial social, economic and political progress. Today, 64% of Rwanda’s parliamentarians are women. But it should not take genocide to create political opportunities for women. Advocating for equal representation, Laurabeth Goldsmith, Lead Trainer from Best Delegate, USA, explained the situation of gender imbalance across developed, developing and underdeveloped countries around the world and, through the Rwandan example, pointed to the impact of women’s participation in governance. These include the addressing of pertinent issues like water and sanitation, equal pay for equal work, pensions, gender equality etc. leading to progressive governance. She was speaking on ‘Gender Equality, Sustainable Development Goal – 5’ at the Opening Ceremony of the fourth session of the three-day North East India International Model United Nations (NEIMUN) that was later declared open by its Secretary General Limaienla Aier at the Don Bosco Institute here today under the theme ‘Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’ The annual NEIMUN conference is the first Model UN conference to be held in the north east region, held in Kohima, Shillong and Guwahati so far. “Gender equality cannot simply
Speakers and organizing team at NEIMUN 2016 which will be held from October 22-24, 2016, at Don Bosco Institute in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)
be achieved through political participation alone but will take a change in social norms among men and women,” observed Goldsmith, also noting that equal representation starts from equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities. “You do not have to be a politician to make a difference,” she asserted. By taking “small actions” like controlling the way one participates in, for instance, social media can have an impact on the lives of women and girls everywhere. “Stand up and say something when you see something that is not okay” or endangers another gender, was her appeal as she spoke at the Opening Ceremony of NEIMUN 2016.
with active involvement in decision making, noted Limabenla Jamir, Founder of NEIMUN, which has seen participation from over 2500 delegates from the country in the past three years who have come together to discuss, debate and pass resolutions. However, “it is sad to see the situation here at the local level. Young people are seen as individuals without expertise and experience,” observed Jamir, stating that the NEIMUN platform hopes to equip young people with “skills and knowledge to address the social, economic, political and cultural changes” of our times. Motivation to this effect was given by Dzüvinguno Dorothy Chasie, Under Secretary General of NEIMUN 2016, Objectives in the form of a poetic recital, ‘Whisper These are the kind of discussions of Hope’. that the NEIMUN 2016 plans to further, providing young people a plat- Illicit arms trade in Nagaland form to “gain insight into the art of LL Doungel (IPS), Director Gendiplomacy, ethical leadership, under- eral of Police, Nagaland, admitted tostand the value of collaboration and day that “it is not uncommon” to find building community,” elaborated Sec- “illicit arms trade” in Nagaland. “Diretary General Limaienla Aier. mapur is a confluence of populations, “Young people across the world and illegal activities form the basis of are at the forefront of making change” some people’s livelihood,” he said to-
day while speaking on ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG – 16’ at the ceremony. With porous borders, free flowing traffic through NH-29, and provision of road, rail and air connectivity, “these activities are inevitable,” he stated, however maintaining that “it is not alarming” but needs vigil which the law enforcement agencies are keeping. But for peace to reign supreme, he stated that justice is a key ingredient. “Peace, justice and strong institutions must complement each other,” Doungel iterated, noting that this creates the space for cooperation and harmony in society for reaching common goals. ‘Think globally, act locally’ Imkong L Imchen, Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, as Chief Guest at the occasion wrapped it up by advising the young delegates to “think globally and act locally.” Stating that he is the “only opposition member” in an Assembly of 60, Imchen stated that to have a sustainable future for human society, one must make “good contributions” to their neighbourhood first. He described the Naga political issue as a “sustainable issue” because “it has sustained for more than 50 years” and may sustain for a 100 years depending on fortune. But UN could reach such places as Nagaland in a manner that promotes coexistence, he hoped. The rest of the sessions for the day saw elections for President of the General Assembly as well as numerous discussions and training sessions. NEIMUN 2016 is scheduled to be held till October 24.