October 26th, 2015

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monDAY • october 26 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 291 • 12 PAGes • 4

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Journalism makes you think fast. You have to speak to people in all walks of life. Especially local journalism Students from different districts attend Diocesan vocation camp

Unity in diversity pride of India: Modi PAGe 8

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T R u T H — Terry Pratchett

South Africa crush India by 214 runs to win ODI series

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PAGe 12

Major fire leaves hundreds homeless ‘Preventive Vigilance as a tool for Good Governance’ control. Most of the houses were thatch structures with tin roofing built in close proximity.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Secretary for Information & Public Relations, Khekaho Assumi, who was at the site, highlighted the need for having in place preventive measures. Stating that congested localities with thatch dwellings have become fire hazards in Dimapur, Assumi said that the district administration should come up with guidelines for regulating the setting up of slum-like dwellings in Dimapur.

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Fire damages power feeder

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Residents try to douse the flames of a major fire which broke out at Nagarjan in Dimapur, on October 25. Photo by Caisii Mao

Morung Express news Dimapur | October 25

A major fire on October 25 rendered hundreds homeless in a thickly populated neighbourhood of Dimapur. The fire started at C M Y

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

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around 5:00 pm at KK colony, a sub-locality of Kuda village.

While there were conflicting reports on the number of families affected, estimates indicated that it ranged between 100-500

households.

No loss of life was reported. Fire & Emergency Services personnel stated casualty was limited to minor burn wounds, while it was yet to ascertain the cause of the fire.

NTC accuses Nagaland govt of ‘subversive action’ Asks government to seriously engage with PIL on oil exploration

Could you come back later?

Right now he is busy memorising, i mean familiarizing himself with Article 371(A).

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 C M Y K

Do you consider the North East as a single entity? Why Yes

no

others

Is the recent police warning against drunk driving an indicator that Prohibition is failing in Nagaland? And Why? Yes

56% 30%

no others

14%

Details on page 7

Mao Council withdraws memo on boundary issue C M Y K

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): The Mao Council has withdrawn the memorandum dated April 23, 2015, which was submitted to the Manipur state government with regard to the Kozuri and Dzukou boundary resolution issue. A press note from the Mao Council publicity wing said that the memorandum was withdrawn in order to uphold the “unity and integrity” of the Naga people and as advised by the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organisation.

It required 8 fire tenders and 30 firemen from Dimapur and Chumukedima Fire Stations, supported by additional fire tenders from the Airports Authority and the Army over 4 hours to bring the flames under

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has accused the Nagaland state government of indulging in “subversive action” by “lobbying against” the PIL filed by the Lotha Hoho in relation to the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulations, 2012 and Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2012. The PIL has also challenged the permit granted to Metropolitan Oil & Gas Private Limited (MOGPL) for mixed operations of petroleum and natural gas in Wokha district appearing at Zone No. NL-OG-10W-M. A press note from the NTC today said that the state government is trying to pursue civil bodies to go against the PIL, and by urging the Lotha Hoho to withdraw their case.

It is imperative for the citizens to seek judicial review to rectify the discrepancies and anomalies if any in the P&NG Rules and Regulation, 2012 so that laws will be interpreted in the right perspective and justice will be delivered to the deserving land owners, the NTC said.

It stated that Article 371A gives among others the absolute owner-

ship and transfer of land and its resources to the indigenous tribals of the State. The land and its resources belong to the private and individuals and Government cannot become land owner, it stated, while maintaining that the claim of the state to be the land owner infringes the right of the citizens and contravenes the provisions of Article 371A. The NTC further stated that neither the government nor civil bodies can claim ownership of land and its resources or share revenue at random. The revenue should directly go to the state treasury, it said.

“The government on behalf of the citizens of the State should negotiate with the land owners in matters of royalty, compensation and other pecuniary benefits due to the land owners before taking any steps for operational activities with clear provisions stipulated in the P&NG Rules and Regulation and towards these, the aggrieve party seeking the intervention of the court is legitimate and simply claiming what is guaranteed in the article 371A,” the NTC added.

As such, it urged the Nagaland state government to desist from “subversive activities” and seriously engage with the case as a responsible respondent to the petition with relevant documents and laws before the Court.

The fire at Half Nagarjan on October 25 evening has damaged the 66 kv Power House feeder.

Therefore, power supply to areas catered by Power House (Burma Camp), Diary Farm and Nito Farm sub-stations has been affected. The Power department, in a press note, has asked consumers to bear the inconvenience as the department is trying to restore supply at the earliest.

one Ar jawan killed, two hurt in chandel ambush our Correspondent Imphal | October 25

One jawan belonging to the 24 Assam Rifles was killed and two others wounded in an ambush reportedly launched by the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) early today in Satang village area, close to the IndoMyanmar border in Chandel district.

A group of heavily armed cadres of Manipur People’s Army (MPA), the armed wing of UNLF, ambushed a convoy of the 24 Assam Rifles, killing one jawan and wounding two around 6:00 am, reports said, adding the militants used sophisticated weapons in the attack. The Assam Rifles personnel retaliated and engaged in a gun battle with the MPA cadres lasting for nearly four hours.

The authorities of Chandel and Ukhrul districts have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC since October 12 across the border areas for a period of six months. The prohibitory orders have been enforced to check cross border movement by militants and smuggling of illegal items including arms and drugs.

Intelligence sources claimed that the UNLF carried out the ambush in Satang village area ahead of the outfit’s raising day which falls on November 15.

They said the outfit is expected to launch more attacks on security forces before celebration of its 51st foundation day.

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): The Nagaland state Vigilance Commission, in consonance with the rest of the country, is all set to observe ‘Vigilance Awareness Week’ from October 26 to 31 under the theme ‘Preventive Vigilance as a tool of Good Governance.’

Nagaland state Governor, PB Acharya, in a message for this occasion, urged the administration, institutions and individual officials to realise the need for bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the system of governance to minimise corruption.

The week is observed to promote probity and integrity in governance, the Governor stated, while noting that governance encompasses the process, structures and organisational traditions that determine how power is exercised, how stake holders have their say, how decisions are made and how decision makers are held into account.

Good governance, he said, includes governance through empowerment, participation, accountability, transparency, equity and justice. “It means freedom of information, a strong legal system and accountable administration of public funds with a clear mission to improve the quality of lives of citizens and establish legitimacy and credibility of institution.”

He proposed that within offices and departments, strategic mechanism to facilitate good governance can be made. One of the strategies towards good governance is preventive vigilance, Acharya said, which involves studying the organisation, its policies and people to identify vulnerabilities to corruption and recommend corrective measures. The preventive tools for good governance involves cut-

ting down administrative delays, reducing arbitrariness and discretion and decision making, simplification of rules and procedures and bring about more transparency, accountability and openness in government functioning, he added The Governor stated that a major source of corruption arises due to the lack of transparency, and said that accountability is only possible through transparency in operation.

Preventive vigilance, he said, ensures clean and prompt administrative ac-

work with honesty, integrity and sincerity to eradicate corruption from our society,” he encouraged.

“Good governance is about making the best possible policy decision and implementing them in the most effective manner. It is the best way to ensure that public funds are actually and effectively utilised for its purpose for which they are sanctioned and that government welfare measures actually reach the intended people,” he said.

Zeliang also affirmed his government’s commitment to fight corruption in the state.

He cited the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 which has been introduced in the Assembly as a sign of the government’s willingness to strengthen vigilance mechanisms.

“I am sure once the bill is passed, the hands of the vigilance commission will be strengthened and the fight against corruption will be intensified which will ultimately promote good governance,” he hoped.

The Nagaland CM called for the adoption of a package of measures to improve government systems and procedures, so as to reduce the scope for discretion and corruption. This is an important step towards good governance, transparency, accountability and efficiency in government, he said.

Stating that ‘Prevention is better than cure,’ the CM viewed that it is possible to reduce the number of wrong doings through preventive vigilance.

The CM however also pointed out that preventive vigilance is “not exactly the task of the vigilance commission but that of government authorities at every level.” Supervisory officials, he stated, can prevent their subordinates from committing wrongs and vice versa by maintaining vigilance over one another.

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On Vigilance Awareness Week, Nagaland Governor and CM call for accountability and transparency tion towards achieving efficiency and effectiveness of the employees in particular and the organisation in general. The Governor called for regular/surprise checks and inspections, discreet watch upon officers of doubtful integrity, to ensure rotation of officials in sensitive positions, and educating officers to take clean, honest, effective and transparent decisions. He stated that these measures would go a long way in improving the entire system of governance.

If adequate attention is paid to preventive vigilance, many vigilance cases will not arrive. Preventive vigilance calls for constant review of rules, procedures and practices which afford scope for corruption, he added.

Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang meanwhile appealed to every citizen that the task of combating should not be left to the Vigilance Commission alone. “All the concerned citizens should contribute their best in the fight against corruption and re-dedicate themselves to

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easterine Kire shortlisted for the Hindu Prize for Best fiction

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): Naga writer, Easterine Kire’s novel ‘When the River Sleeps,’ published this year, has been shortlisted for the Hindu Prize for Best Fiction 2015.

Six books have been selected for this year’s prize. They include: ‘When the River Sleeps’ by Easterine Kire; ‘Odysseus Abroad’ by Amit Chaudhuri; ‘Flood of Fire’ by Amitav Ghosh; ‘Sleeping on Jupiter’ by Anuradha Roy; ‘Seahorse’ by Janice Pariat; and ‘Patna Manual of Style’ by Siddharth Choudhury.

The jury for this year’s prize consists of well-known authors K. Satchidanandan, Susie Tharu, Antara Dev Sen, Arshia Sattar and columnist and author Pradeep Sebastian.

The prize was established in 2010, and is a literary award sponsored by The Hindu Literary Review which is

part of the The Hindu paper. It recognizes Indian works in English and English translation.

This is the second time that Easterine Kire’s work has been shortlisted for the award. In 2013, Kire’s novel ‘Bitter Wormword’ was also shortlisted for the award.

K. Satchidanandan, one of the jurors, said: “The five members of the jury among them read the books that were submitted for consideration and exchanged notes evaluating the books they had read and also recommending those that they felt were worthy of the shortlist to one another. Each member finally prepared his/her own shortlist. There were many books that were common to all or most lists and some that had appeared only in one list. After a final round of discussion, we decided to choose six books that had appeared at least in two lists.”

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Students from different districts attend Diocesan vocation camp

Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): The second Diocesan vocation camp was held at Holy Cross Parish, Dimapur from October 23 to 25. Organized for students of Class 7 to 12, the camp was attended by 95 students sent from Bhandari, Chiephobozou, Chumukedima, Dimapur, Jalukie, Kiphire, Kohima, Lazami, Longleng, Longsa, Lozaphuhu, Niuland, Peren, Pungro and Phesama.

A press release from Rev. Fr. Thomas Toretkiu informed that Rev. Fr. Mathew Thuniampral, Director, Shalom, concluded the camp with Holy Eucharistic celebration on Sunday. Fr. Mathew applauded the children who had come from far and near to attend the camp. He urged the community and children to have the eyes of the body so we may not be

blind to the reality of the evil in the world and also to see with the eyes of faith so we might not be blind to the truth and goodness in the world.

Earlier, on October 24, Rev. Fr. Justin Vinoto, Assistant Priest, Lazami, celebrated the Holy Mass.

In his reflection, he said, “Vocation is a personal call from God (Is. 43:1, Gal. 1:15, Eph.1.4), a call to those whom he desired” (Mk.3.13). Thus, he urged the campers to respond to God with sincere heart.

Rev. Fr. Thomas, vocation promoter from Diocese of Kohima, took the first session on ‘Vocation, A Divine Call.’ He maintained that everybody is called by God to know, love and serve him. The difference is how each one does this. “An Individual vocation vary between being single, married, consecrat-

Participants of the second Diocesan vocation camp with speakers.

ed, religious or a priest.”

However, he stated, “we usually use ‘Vocation’ to mean a call to the consecrated, religious or priestly life.” Stating that God gives each one a particular mission in life, he said, as one grows and life progresses, God makes it known, usually in indirect ways, more as an invitation than an im-

position. He urged the children to discover the call and follow the vocation to find happiness.

Sr. Rita Miasalhou, SCCG, spoke on “Mission in the Church?” She said with Baptism, "everyone in the Church is a disciple and we are all missionaries in the place which the Lord has given us". Every-

one "even the greatest is a disciple and the smallest is a missionary.” She urged children to be true witnesses of Christ and His Gospel through the ‘Call.’

Rev. Fr. Philip Magh, Principal, Holy Cross, Dimapur, spoke on Vocation in the Local Church. He began with the statement of St. Augustine’s “Qui

bene cantat bis orat” (Latin), which means “He who sings well prays twice”. He asked the children to live in constant connection with Jesus.

During the camp, Rev. Fr. John Lichoi, Assistant Priest, St. Joseph Parish, Chumukedima, shared personal testimony. He narrated how he was a

sick child and everyone gave up on him, but God. “If we have Christ in our life, we become a child of God,” he stated, adding today he is a priest because of God’s love.

Rev. Fr. Jaison Thomas, Director, Pastoral Centre, Dimapur, spoke on “Prayer”. He dealt on why one should pray. “In praying, we strengthen the recognition and the presence of God that draws us closer to Jesus,” he stated. “That is why the Church recommends that we pray frequently and make prayer an important part of our everyday lives.” He urged the children to rejoice always, and pray without ceasing (1Th. 5:16-17).

Rev. Fr. John Poji, Vice Principal, NEISSR, Dimapur, highlighted on ‘Discerning a Vocation.’ He asked why we read Bible, before adding, “We read

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to Know Him.” “When we read the Bible, we need to view it as our marching orders. Rather than coming to the Bible with our own agenda and trying to find verses that support what we’d like to do, we need to allow the Bible to shape our hopes and dreams.” He stated that Bible answers as long as we are ready to listen. He urged the campers to discern their vocation through Bible.

Rev. Fr. Augustine Kerketta, Rector Seminary Jalukie, spoke on ‘Vocation to Holiness.’ He told the students that doing the Father’s will in all things is the key to holiness, the perfection of charity.

Exercise, meditation, yoga, party-games and songs were taught during the camp. The camp ended with a get together, where varieties of items were presented by the groups.

Children’s camp held in Dimapur

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Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): A three-day camp sponsored by Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) for children from diverse backgrounds and communities across Dimapur was organized by Prodigals’ Home at its Women Short Stay Home at Fellowship colony from October 23 to 25. Moasenla, a missionary, was the main resource person.

Moasenla exhorted the children on how fearfully and wonderfully each person has been designed by God and also presented about Heaven and Hell during the camp. Engaging the children in various group activities, she also offered special and healing prayers for the camp parParticipants of the camp with camp director and staff of Prodigals' Home. ticipants, a press release from the camp director inProdigals’ Home, Lozia and Home, also engaged the duction on child sexual formed.

Besides Moasenla, Ma- Alemla, the camp director children in input sessions abuse and group activities.

The children were led in ong Jamir, Asst. Director of and also staff of Prodigals’ on rags to riches, harm re-

Tseminyu SDPDB meeting C M Y K

Visual artists collaborate to come up with a painting as part of the two-day Magnum Opus: Art & Music Festival organised by the Act of Kindness Movement in collaboration with the NEZCC on October 25 at the NEZCC. Six visual artists with individual styles were involved in the collaborative work, which the artists said had art and music as its underlying theme.

It was described as contemporary modern art using traditional elements. Photo by Manen Aier

tsemiNyu, OctOber 25 (Dipr): The Tseminyu Sub-Divisional Planning and Development Board meeting will be held on October 27, 11:00 am at ADC conference hall. Parliamentary secretary for housing, Er. Levi Rengma will attend the meeting as chairman of the SDPDB Tseminyu. All head of offices/ members have been informed to attend the meeting without fail.

PMK silver jubilee

KOhima, OctOber 25 (mexN): Pfuchatsumiapfii Mechü Krotho (PMK) will celebrate its silver jubilee on December 12 at Christ King Higher Secondary School, Kohima.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

REV. I ATSÜNG

3rd February, 1936 - 16th October, 2015

We would like to take this time to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all in our community and to all those who have shared expressions of sympathy during the passing away of Rev. I Atsüng on October 16, 2015.

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We have been deeply touched by your love, prayers and contributions. Your profound love has diminished what has been a very challenging process and we believe has facilitated our recovery and healing as well.

Thank you all so much for the gift of your friendship and support. May the Almighty God bless you all!

Children, Grandchildren andand Relatives Mrs.Beloved AsanglaWife, Atsüng, Children, Grandchildren Relatives

praise and worship by six sisters and one brother from a Mao family; they also taught songs to the campers.

Some of the campers, during feedback session, expressed gratitude to the organizers and the sponsors while stating that they learned many new things.

They shared their desire to be part of such camps in the future.

One child in particular, Students of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Kohima present welcome song on the last of the bicentenary celebration programme of Don Bosco at Don Bosco Higher Secondaccording to the release, day ary School, Dimapur on Sunday. (Morung Photo) moved the gathering when she stated that many children are denied the privilege of being part of such a camp though they want to be, thus concluding that the present campers were very privileged to have been a part of the camp.

Director and Asst. Director of Prodigals’ Home have thanked DABA for their generosity in sponsoring the children’s camp themed “We belong to God”.

Blue Orchid or commonly known as Blue Vanda in full bloom in Kezoma village of Kohima district. One of the most popular Asiatic orchids, Vanda is in demand for its big, blue/purple, longlived flowers. Blue orchid is native to NE India. According to a survey conducted by the Forest Department of Nagaland, there are more than 360 species of orchids belonging to 87 species and that is about 27.76 % of the total India’s orchid species of 1300. Photo by Chizokho Vero

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Kohima Euphony Choir representing NBCC performs at the Asia Pacific Baptist Youth Fellowship Conference, which was held in Bangkok from October 21-25.

NU: SASRD students demonstrate in villages

KOhima, OctOber 25 (mexN): Agri. students of NU: SASRD conducted their second phase of demonstrations in Kidima and Kezoma villages on October 23, followed

by Kezo Basa and Sakhabama villages on October 24 under RAWEP (Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme), which is jointly organized by NU: SASRD and State department of agriculture.

The students have been placed in these villages since August 4 for a period of three months so they get an opportunity to work in close association with host farmers to get practical experience in agriculture and allied activities in rural life situations, a press release stated.

Method demonstrations were conducted on management of new born piglets, silage making with locally available fodders, improved practices of brooding chicks, restraining methods of pig, preparation of jam, tapioca chips, chilli pickles, construction and use of zero energy cool chamber, serpentine layering technique, mulching, green manuring, land use

Students with host farmers and village functionaries at Kezo Basa village.

management, drip irrigation, use of improved farm implements including adjustable row maker, dibbler, hand hoe, tubular and rotary maize sheller, seed planter as well as sharing SWOC analysis of the respective villages.

The programme was attended by host farmers, village council chairmen and VDB secretaries, village elders, women farmers, SHGs as well as youths.

Prof. Aleminla Ao,

Dean, SASRD, graced the occasion in Kezo Basa and Sakhabama villages on October 24 and expressed support towards continued relationship of NU: SASRD with the farming community. She thanked the village authority as well as host farmers for accommodating and providing cooperation and best possible help to the students during the entire period of RAWEP. Vizonyu Liezie, Dis-

trict Agriculture Officer, Kohima, lauded the efforts of students for conducting need based demonstrations and provided feedback for improvement.

RAWEP coordinator Dr. KK Jha congratulated the students for conducting demonstrations successfully and acknowledged the valuable guidance provided by the respective subject experts.

He also thanked the ProVice Chancellor & Dean,

NU: SASRD for their support and motivation, as well as the Director of Agriculture and all state officials involved in smooth conduct of RAWEP. Dr. Jha expressed happiness at the positive attitude of the host farmers, village elders, village council chairmen, VDB secretaries, GBs and youth bodies and thanked them for their participation and strengthening the village institution linkage.

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MondAY 26•10•2015

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NIa probe into Meghalaya IB officer's killing demanded

shillONg, OctOber 25 (iANs): The Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO), a women's group in Meghalaya, on Sunday demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency following the recovery of the body of an Intelligence Bureau officer and a cloth merchant, kidnapped by Garo militants.

On Saturday, Meghalaya Police recovered the bodies of Intelligence Bureau officer Bikash Kumar Singh and cloth merchant Kamal Saha from a forest area in South Garo Hills district. They were kidnapped and killed by A'chik Songna An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) militants.

"We demand an NIA probe into the incident as this puts in fear many offi-

cials and personnel serving to protect the people and the state," CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said.

"The NIA has to find out if the phone of this officer was tapped. The big bosses, who are involved in shady deals -- ranging from corruption to coal mining to allowing extortion -- have the knowhow to tap the calls of all those who oppose them in their offences," Kharshiing said.

The recovery of the two bodies was made following the arrest of ASAK militant Sengnal D. Shira, whose brother Sengbat D. Shira is the prime accused in the kidnapping and killing of Singh and Saha, from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills on October 22.

North east Briefs

Assam Rifles jawan killed

New Delhi, OctOber 25 (AgeNcies): One Assam Rifles jawan was killed in a fire fight with suspected People's Liberation Army (PLA) militants at Manipur’s Satang village this morning. Rifleman Paokholot Baite of the 24 Assam Rifles was killed in an encounter with the PLA cadres at around 6.30 am on Sunday. Army sources said that a search operation was in progress to recover his body and reinforcements had been rushed to the scene of the operation from the headquarters of the 24 Assam Rifles in Chandel district. Earlier, on September 5, a joint Indian Army and Assam Rifles unit ambushed and killed three PLA cadres in Chandel district along the state's border with Myanmar. The PLA is one of three Meitei armed liberation groups fighting for an independent Manipur state since 1978.

11 killed in Mizoram accident Aizawl, Octoner 25 (IANS): At least 11 people, including four women, were killed and 21 others hurt when a private bus in which they were travelling fell into a gorge in Mizoram, police said on Sunday. The bus was on its way from Lawngtlai in southern Mizoram to Aizawl when it met with the accident near Ramlaitui village on Saturday night. A police official said the bus fell plunged the gorge while its driver tried to avoid a head-on collision with a speeding truck. Of the four women killed, two were pregnant. The driver of the bus too was killed, the official added.

AR apprehend over ground PREPAK worker imphAl, OctOber 25 (mexN): Troops of 2 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) along with Thoubal Police Commandos launched a joint operation in Thoubal Bazar and apprehended an over ground worker of PREPAK on October 24. A press release from PRO, IGAR (S) stated that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence regarding movement of over ground workers. The apprehended person has been identified as Asem Sarat Singh (50). The release stated that Singh revealed he has been extorting money from schools, colleges and brick kilns at Thoubal district under the instruction of Malem, who is presently residing at Myanmar. Singh has been handed over to the Thoubal Police Station.

During the interrogation, Sengnal revealed that the kidnapped IB officer and cloth merchant were killed and led the police team to the forest area where the two hostages were buried in a pit near Bolchugre village, bordering Bangladesh, about 450 km from here.

The family members of Singh and Saha are expected to arrive at Baghmara, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills, on Monday to identify and claim the bodies.

Condemning the killing of the IB official and the cloth merchant, Kharshiing claimed that her organisation was informed by "inside sources" that there are many targeted killings and kidnappings.

"Coal barons and busi-

nessmen having proximity with high ranking cops of the state are never targeted but are allowed to get away with any crime," the CSWO president alleged.

"This puts in danger the lives of many honest officers and personnel who want to speak out against wrongdoings in the system but fear for their lives. This in turn leaves the public in fear of police and government, and they dare not fight for their rights," she said.

ASAK militants kidnapped the two on September 24 at a gunpoint from an area between Ampangre and Panda reserve forest.

Singh and Saha were travelling in a public vehicle when ASAK militants stopped the vehicle, sepa-

rated them from the other passengers and whisked them away.

ASAK, which means "vanguard of Garoland", is fighting for a separate Garoland, but denied its involvement in the kidnapping and killing of the two men.

An obscure militant outfit -- the Bangladesh Tiger Force -- claimed to have killed the two men.

In an e-mail to the media, its commander-inchief Dallim Islam said the officer and the cloth merchant were "executed in revenge for atrocities against Bangla nationals" in the border region.

Meghalaya Police and intelligence agencies, however, maintained that ASAK militants were behind the abduction.

UNC criticizes M'pur govt’s attitude to tribal people seNApAti, OctOber 25 (mexN): The United Naga Council (UNC) has lauded all the tribal Hohos/ Inpis, Naga frontal organisations, district apex organisations, regional frontal organisations and Naga and tribal general public for effectively enforcing the 48 hours total bandh from October 22 midnight to October 24 midnight in the Hill districts of Manipur in its “tribal resistance

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ary Kom’s biopic, starring Priyanka Chopra, was not shot in the boxing champ’s home state, Manipur. The makers preferred to opt for Himachal Pradesh instead. The North East has not been on Bollywood’s radar as a shoot locale. The seven sisters the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura - despite their pristine locations, are missing from Bollywood’s map.

Over the years, producers have preferred to log air miles to East European nations (Bollywood’s current hotspot) or traverse from Alaska to New Zealand.

As National award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua, who hails from Assam, points out, “The rest of India has been allergic to the North East since independence. There is this fear psychosis as it is the border area. They just do not want to take notice of the region.” Fortunately, that seems to be changing now.

Play it loud The sequel of 'Rock On!!'

(2008) is presently being shot in Shillong, Meghalaya. The film revolves around a music band, and Meghalaya is emerging as the rock capital of India.

The makers of the film which stars Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Prachi Desai - wanted to

movement against subjugation and state sponsored terrorism.”

In a press statement issued by its general secretary, S Milan, UNC deplored the lackadaisical attitude of the “communal” Government of Manipur towards the tribal people and disrespect to 9 dead bodies still lying at the morgue of Civil Hospital, Churachandpur HQs. It also questioned the “pol-

icy of the Central government’s stoic silence and giving free hand to O. Ibobi Singh who is running the state under goonda raj.”

UNC further appealed to all right thinking tribal people to support the struggle for a common secured future to live with dignity and honour, and also, to stay alert with all preparedness to “fight against all forms of subjugation and state sponsored terrorism.”

Puja committees to clean pandals within 3 days gUwAhAti, OctOber 25 (tNN): The Kamrup (Metro) district administration will take action against those puja committees that fail to clean the pandal areas within three days. Deputy commissioner M Angamuthu and Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) commissioner Narayan Konwar visited several pandals and expressed satisfaction. "The (waste disposal) scene is better this year than that in previous years.

We are thankful to the puja committees for responding positively to our requests," said M Angamuthu. This year, the use of plastic and non-biodegradable material dropped

significantly, he added. According to the directions of the district administration, the puja committees performed the immersion at designated locations on Friday. More than 430 pujas were conducted in the city this year. According to a 2004 survey conducted

by NGO Environ, Assam generated 50,000 kg of plastic waste every day.

This amounted to 15,00,000 kg a month and 1,80,00,000 kg a year. "In 2014, the figures increased to 1,48,000 kg a day, 44,40,000 kg a month and 5,40,20,000 kg a year. The scene becomes worse after Durga Puja," said Amarjyoti Kashyap, president of Environ.

Commission recommends high-power inquiry on illegal migration from Bangladesh gUwAhAti, OctOber 25 (pti): A one-man Commission report to the Supreme Court on IndiaBangladesh boundary has recommended that the apex court order a highpowered inquiry into issues concerning illegal migration from Bangladesh which is threatening to reduce the indigenous population of Assam to a minority by the year 2047.

The one-man Upamanyu Hazarika Commission, set up by Supreme Court, submitted its report on October 5 to the Court which has directed both the Central and Assam governments to respond to the recommendations within four weeks for hearing on November 5.

Undertaking extensive tours of the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam, the Hazarika Commission suggested creation of a 'Sterile Zone' by demarcating/ identifying a particular stretch from the international boundary in the riverine area and provision of identity cards to villagers there.

The report stated that though the operational agency guarding the border on the ground was in favour of creation of a sterile zone, a policy decision from the Central and state government is awaited.

Observing that the primary reason for illegal mi-

gration is hunger for land, the Commission recommended that there should be a restriction in the transfer of land - whether by way of sale, purchase, gift or any other such transaction, or by way of allotment from the government or any other agency - only to those who have been citizens of India in the year 1951 and their descendants.

It is imperative that the statutory restrictions on transfer of land to non-tribals in existing tribal belts in Assam now be extended to non-tribal areas as well to stave off illegal migrants from acquiring land, the report suggested.

The report claimed that the foreigners acquired land "through all means, the favourite mode being to pose as flood and erosion affected persons from other districts with the aid and assistance of a complicit and corrupt administration".

The big influx over the years has created a huge immigration population which competes for jobs, in government institutions with Indian citizens, without verification of the antecedents of such nonIndians, the Commission noted and suggested that the same benchmark for transfer of land be adopted to be an effective deterrent for any illegal migrant and

protection of indigenous inhabitants.

On illegal migration from Bangladesh threatening to reduce the indigenous population of Assam to a minority in the next 32 years, the report quoted eminent civil engineer Indrajit Baruah who has studied the problem since the Assam Agitation and instituted several cases in this regard.

The report said he has arrived at the finding after undertaking a statistical analysis of the change in the demographic pattern and by extrapolating the population growth figures in Assam.

"What has been held by the Supreme Court more than 10 years ago, in the Sarbananda Sonowal case, still holds good on the ground.

"In fact, the situation has become worse.

"In spite of all these facts being within the knowledge of the Central and State governments, the influx into Assam and into new areas of Assam continues unabated and in spite of being patently illegal, the governments have gone out of their way to support foreigners in direct contravention of rights of citizens and indigenous inhabitants," the report said.

Stating that a Bangladeshi passport holder can not only own land in Assam but also contest an

Assembly election, the report said it is indicative of the manner in which illegal migrants of doubtful nationality have managed to entrench and establish themselves in the state.

Therefore, the necessity, for an independent investigation and an enquiry into these nexuses and all the facts in this regard, cannot be overstated, the report asserted.

"It is only after unearthing the nexuses and the relevant facts in this connection that the apex court will be able to pass correct and appropriate orders.

"Furthermore, the unearthing of such nexuses and concomitant facts will be a valuable guide to laying down the procedure for verification of the antecedents of those who have applied to be included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) as also clearing the land under encroachment," the Commission said.

Other recommendations of the Commission include shifting of the cattle haats 20 km away from the international border to tackle the problem of phenomenal increase of cattle smuggling, have a customs impound centre on the international border and a system of ascertaining credentials of auction and purchasers be implemented immediately.

Why the North East has been off B-Town's radar as a shoot locale Shaheen Parkar | mid-day

3

capture the music festival scene in Shillong which is now on the go-to-list for rock music aficionados.

Filmmaker Biswajeet Bora, who is from Assam, points out, “Most filmmakers feel it is not feasible to shoot with big stars in the area due to the lack of fancy five-star hotels, but things have changed a lot in the region. They have to put their fears to rest.”

Bora shot his recent film, 'Aisa Yeh Jahaan', starring Palash Sen and Ira Dubey in the Golaghat district of Assam.

Another project Close on the heels of the 'Rock On 2' unit, is Vishal Bharadwaj, who is shooting his Saif Ali Khan-Shahid Kapoor-Kangna Ranaut starrer 'Rangoon' in Arunachal Pradesh. Knowing B-Town’s herd mentality, this might just have others following suit.

As 'Rangoon' is set against the backdrop of World War II, the region lends itself as the perfect location. Bharadwaj’s film will unfold in Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh which is considered a heritage site.

With two film productions in the North East, Bollywood is likely to wake up from its slumber and tap the region’s full potential.

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal was part of a task force to develop the region as a shoot location. He says, “Five years ago, the Meghalaya government was keen that Hindi films be shot in the state. I was part

of the initiative to promote it as a destination, but we had just one meeting and then things became quiet on that front.”

Benegal visited several breathtaking locations in the state. He says, “I wish I could have shot a film there. When I visited the place, I was stunned by the natural beauty. The Meghalaya government showed great interest. We visited several spots in the state which could be ideal locations. They were keen to offer several incentives to attract filmmakers, but things did not take off.”

Logistical issues What Benegal saw as a possible deterrent were the connectivity and infrastructural requirements. As he puts it, “A film unit consists of a large number of people all their needs have to be taken care of.” But Barua feels what matters more is the mindset, rather than the logistics, “People need to understand the region. They need to know about the area. Due to the Mongoloid physical features of the people, they are considered to be different from the rest of the country.”

Barua always shoots his films in Assam to highlight the culture and politics of the state.

“Most Bollywood stories do not match the North East region.

The stories do not reflect the people of the region. They feel you cannot have people with Mongoloid physical features in their films. It is all in the thinking; it needs to change.”

This sentiment is echoed by

actor Adil Hussain, who is from Goalpara in Assam. Best remembered as Sridevi’s husband in 'English Vinglish' (2012), he says, “It is because of the attitude of the political class that the area has been neglected.

Films are being shot all over India, even Kashmir. Bollywood only looks at commercial viability. It is driven by profits, rather than art. They would rather go to an exotic foreign locale than go to the North East. The North East is considered a sensitive area, they do not want to put their money at stake by shooting in the region.”

Birthday blast In November 2013, when Aamir Khan chose to bring in his wife Kiran Rao’s 40th birthday in Assam, it at least made Bollywood realise the region’s tourist potential. The star was accompanied by filmmakers Karan Johar and Ayan Mukerji. Though they raved about the state’s natural beauty, planning a film in the state remained a distant dream.

Unsafe terrain Safety seems to be a big concern for filmmakers. Benegal explains, “Decades of insurgency and unrest has a lot to contribute to Bollywood skipping the north east. But Bora has a different opinion, “Things have changed a lot now. There were issues, but all that is now the past. There are several Western tourists who visit the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Meghalaya has already become a rock

music hotspot, so why can’t Bollywood shoot here?”

Things may be changing, but as Barua maintains mindsets do not alter, at least not soon.

“The people of the terrain have gone through a lot,” says actress Ira Dubey, who shot in Assam for her film, 'Aisa Yeh Jahaan'. “There have been natural disasters and political unrest, but what I observed after spending time in Assam during the shoot, was the resilience of the people. There is so much positivity, the people are warm and clean-hearted.”

Ira also learnt the Assamese folk dance, Bihu, for a song.

“It looks simple, but there are some delicate hand movements which you have to get right.”

Talking about her experience of shooting in Assam, she says, “There was a scary episode when we were flying in a chopper from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam. We had to do an emergency landing, but we were fine. Later, I learnt that the two pilots, who had flown us, had perished in a crash.”

So is it this fear psychosis that makes industry folk keep off the North East for shoots?

Mary Kom director Omung Kumar chose not to comment about why he did not shoot in Manipur for his film. But for his upcoming biopic on Sarabjit Singh, he plans to shoot in the actual locations in Punjab.

So why did he skip Manipur? He has no answer — like most of the B-Town folk who just do not seem to want to tread the region.

The Commission also bridge and culvert areas, endorsed the proposal were the other recommenmade by Karimganj district dations.

Deputy Commissioner in 2013 to the Assam Government for relocating villages inside the fence between India and Bangladesh.

Increasing manpower strength of effective ground personnel, examining electoral rolls for unnatural increase and growth in population, addressing vulnerable patches in ar1st – 69418 eas where the internation2nd – 69411 al boundary runs through 3rd – 64746 middle of the river or Consolation: 73856, takes a ziz zag route, plug61551, 67704, 62300, ging vulnerable patches of 73439, 72976, 73021, 74671, 73450, 71256.

ANCSU RAFFLE DRAW RESULT

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VISITING DOCTORS FROM DISPUR HOSPITAL GUWAHATI AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION ON 29th OCT 2015 DR. P.K. BHATTACHARJEE MS (ORTHOPEDICS) Sr. Consultant Bone & Joint specialist Dr. T. A. CHOUDHURY MD DM (NEPHROLOGY) Sr. Consultant Kidney Specialist

MOUNT SARAMATI MONTESSORI & SCHOOL Unity village, 5th mile, Dimapur, Nagaland

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2. Salary: `18,000/- to `20,000/3. Additional `1000/- for B.Ed. Please call 9436830820/ 8974449797 to confirm for interview.

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DIMAPUR HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE Landmark Colony, Near West Police Station UROLOGIST CONSULTATION Available every 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday

Next visit 31/10/15 Patients with kidney stones, urinary bladder and prostate (BPH) problems or any other urinary related diseases may contact for appointment. *Lithotripsy (ESWL) for stone treatment is also available, which is painless, affordable cost and does not require operation/hospitalization.

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RESULTS OF RAFFLE DRAWN on 25th October, 2015 1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize 4th Prize 5th Prize 6th Prize 7th Prize 8th Prize 9th Prize 10th Prize 11th Prize 12th Prize 13th Prizes

-> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> ->

14th Prize

->

15th Prize

->

No.: 2347.

No.: 5287.

No.: 8125.

No.: 410.

No: 211.

No.: 9922.

No.: 1528.

No.: 551.

No.: 1191.

No.: 550.

No.: 6527, 9905, 1560.

No.: 4826, 873.

No.: 2987, 4837, 300, 033, 2127.

No.: 552, 2973, 055, 4739, 4766, 4764.

No.: 367.

Note: Prize winners are hereby informed to collect their prizes within 10 (Ten days) from the date of draw.

Sd/R. Sanen Longkumer, Advisor

4

MonDAY 26•10•2015

BUSINESS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

No interview for non-gazetted posts in government from January: PM Modi New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): From January 1 next year, there will be no requirement of interview for Group D,C and B non-gazatted posts in central government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today as part of efforts to put an end to the menace of corruption in jobs. In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, he recalled that he had suggested in his Independence Day address that the practice of holding interviews for recruitment at lower levels in governments could be done away with.

“The government has completed the entire process to do away with interviews for lower rank jobs.

There will be no requirement of interview for Group D,C and B non-gazatted posts in central government. It will come into effect from January 1, 2016,” Modi said. He said the practice was being abolished since it bred corruption and the poor people were being looted by ‘dalals’.

“People were getting

‘India’s gold monetisation scheme may be ready in weeks’ New Delhi, OctOber 25 (reuters): A programme to attract gold owned by households into a bank deposit scheme to monetise the precious metal could be ready in weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, a step aimed at cutting expensive imports. The scheme would allow people to put their gold into banks in return for interest payments in an attempt to mobilise thousands of tonnes of the metal sitting idle in Indian households.Indians prize gold as gifts and as a way of storing wealth.

The country consumes nearly 1,000 tonnes of gold every year, most of it imported, and gold is the second-biggest expense on the import bill after oil.

In his monthly ra-

A saleswoman shows a gold earring to customers at a jewellery showroom in Mumbai.

(REUTERS Photo)

dio address, Modi said the programme should be ready before Dhanteras next month, a festival when it is considered an auspicious period to buy gold. “Please, don’t let

robbed for getting employ- there was the need for an ment and even when they interview for small jobs. could not get a job. It often I have never heard of a crossed my mind as to why physcologist who can eval-

‘Daily Use Items Pinching Pockets of Most Indians’ New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): Inflation may have dropped significantly from last year, but most Indians still find prices of goods and services consumed on a daily basis growing beyond their comfort level, an Assocham study said.

Despite fuel prices coming down and a moderate rise in wages, costs of education and health services - two critical areas of interest to the middle-class have risen much higher than the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September at 4.41 per cent, the industry body noted.

Retail inflation in pulses and products category has risen after prices of lentils reached as high as Rs 210/kg, while that of spices have witnessed rose 9.2 per cent, it said.

“With severe shortages of education and health facilities in the public sector, the middle-class has to depend on private sector schools, colleges and hospitals and their

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 # 3385

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ExCEl ACCOUNTINGFORMAT AUTOSUM CELLADDRESS CHART CELL COLUMN COLUMNBORDER COLUMNHEADER FORMULABAR FORMULAS LABELS MERGEANDCENTER ROW ROWHEADER VALUES GRIDLINES BORDERS ORIENTATION MARGINS CURRENCYSTYLE BOLD ITALICS FOOTER FUNCTION PRINT FORMULAPREFIX EQUALSIGN SELECTALL ALIGNMENT PERCENTSTYLS HOMETAB COPY INSERTFUNCTION

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particularly help the poor who would have to resort to “recommendations” or fall prey to brokers who made

discourage people from use of such products or services.

Besides, such taxes are often the most common measures by the governments to shore up their tax revenues as people generally refrain from opposition to such levies as they are indirect in nature and affect only their end users.

The Finance Ministry is currently seeking inputs from the industry and other stakeholders at national, state and local levels on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law.

“Everybody is getting a chance to interact with us so that they get a clarity on the concept and the business precesses, which we are in the process of finalising,” the official added.

“If we find there are some gaps or areas of concerns, we will certainly look into those areas. Nothing has been frozen so far and all these proposals are

drafts as of now.

“We are waiting for the comments and suggestions and we will be going through all suggestions from the industry. After making necessary changes based on those suggestions, a final report would be placed before the GST council before the final GST law is framed,” the official added.

GST is being seen as one of the biggest tax reforms in the country. While the Constitution Amendment Bill to roll out the law has been passed in Lok Sabha, it is awaiting clearance from the Rajya Sabha where the ruling NDA lacks a majority.

The government is meanwhile undertaking the preparatory work necessary for GST implementation, which will subsume various taxes like excise, service tax, sales tax, octroi, etc, and will ensure a single indirect tax regime.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3398

Answer Number # 3384

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New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): Alcohol and tobacco industries will have to pay more taxes towards an additional ‘sin tax’ under the proposed GST structure that seeks to bring in a uniform indirect tax regime across the country.

“We have kept a provision of having an additional tax for the sinful industries such as alcohol and tobacco,” a senior Finance Ministry official said.

However, the official did not specify the rate at which this tax would be levied under the proposed GST regime.

‘Sin tax’ is a globally prevalent practice under which products like alcohol and tobacco attract higher rates of tax.

Typically, ‘sin tax’ is an excise tax that is levied on products and services considered to be bad for health or society such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling. These additional taxes are also seen as efforts to

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SUDOKU

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uate a person during an interview of one to two minutes,” Modi said. He said abolition of the practice will

ing the country’s current account deficit to a record $190 billion in 2013, prompting the government to hike its duty on imports to 10 percent, an all-time high.

‘Sin tax’ for alcohol, tobacco industry in GST regime

costs have become quite high.”

“While the annual increase in prices of these services may not show huge rise, the base price of such facilities is so high that it is becoming increasingly difficult for a large number of people in cities and small towns to afford them,” Assocham secretary general D S Rawat said.

Rawat suggested that public expenditure on health and education be raised significantly, both at the central and state government levels. The chamber’s study showed that other items of use for the middle-class, like meat, fish, milk and milk products, have also seen significant price increase between 5 and 5.5 per cent.

“While the RBI has in the last instance reduced the policy rate by 50 basis points, the average transmission is not above 30 bps despite so much of prodding by the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),” Assocham said.

LEISURE

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your gold be dead money,” Modi said. “Gold is very important for the country.

Gold can become an economic strength for us.”

Huge gold imports were blamed for push-

way with their money.

In his Independence Day speech, Modi had said he had seen youth often looking for ‘sifarish’ (recommendation) after getting an interview call.

“Even poor widows are compelled to look for recommendations for interview of their children,” he had said then.

Recently, Minister for Personnel Jitendra Singh had written a letter to all Chief Ministers asking them to identify such posts which could be exempted from interviews.

“The governments view is that the interviews should be discontinued for recruitment to junior level posts where personality or skill assessment is not absolutely required.

“The objective behind abolition of interviews for such posts is that it will curb corruption, ensure more objective selection in a transparent manner and substantially ease the problems of the poor and resourceless aspirants,” he had said in his communication to the CMs.

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C O T U L R F L N L S G D D M T L N N Z

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F N L O E O E U A G E T N E O N L E G Q

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C D I F A U F R N C U L E L F I D U S O

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V X F L P E M D T P T L A V E R D S L O

G Z F C A C C O U N T I N G F O R M A T

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S L Y T S T N E C R E P V P A L S D E Q

E C E P N G R V S C I L A T I F O B Z N

KOlKata, OctOber 24 (iaNs): Tyre manufacturer Ceat has forayed into the tubeless tyre segment for scooters and launched a new range of such products in the country.

“Available in sizes 3.50-10 and 90/100-10, the tyre offers an improved load carrying capacity with high mileage and greater safety,” the company said in a statement. Named Milaze Tubeless Tyres, the products will be available in key markets across India.

According to the flagship company of RPG Enterprises, these tyres have been specifically designed to suit the need of business community who use scooters for day-to-day business.

“A higher NSD (non-skid depth) coupled with the flatter tread profile provides a better tyre life. The presence of sturdy blocks with sipes in the tyres make it excellent in providing good traction and uniform wear, and the deep shoulder grooves ensure excellent water pumping on wet surfaces,” the statement said.

As per the company, the tubeless tyre market is poised for rapid growth given safety and convenience associated with tubeless tyres. The forecast for tubeless tyres in India is quite positive with an increasing number of brands launching vehicle models fitted with tubeless tyres.

Amazon continues to invest ‘very heavily’ in India New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): Global e-commerce giant Amazon continues to invest “very heavily” in the Indian market, encouraged by its strong sales numbers and expanding seller base, a top company executive has said.

Amazon Senior Vice President and CFO Brian T Olsavsky said the US-based company has seen sales quadruple during the festive season (pre-Diwali sales) compared to last year. “We’re really encouraged with what we are seeing, both on the customer side and the seller side. On the customer side, active customer accounts are up 230 per cent year-over-year.

“We are in the middle of the Diwali season that is going really well. Sales are 4x what they were last year,” he said on an investor call. Olsavsky added that the company has been adding 40,000 products a day so far this year on its platform and the number of sellers has grown more than 250 per cent year-on-year.

“About 90 per cent of those sellers are using our logistics and warehouse services. And as a result, we’ve tripled our fulfilment capacity year-over-year. “So, we are very encouraged, as I said last quarter in India, and continue to invest there very heavily,” Olsavsky said.

However, he declined to disclose specific investment details. India is one of the fastest growing markets for Amazon.The online retail giant had announced an investment of USD 2 billion to expand its operations in India last year.

Amazon, which competes with the likes of Snapdeal and Flipkart in India, operates under a marketplace model here as regulations in the country do not allow foreign capital in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce. According to a BCG report, the e-commerce industry in India is expected to touch USD 60-70 billion by 2019 from USD 17 billion in 2014.

Amazon is investing heavily into setting up warehouses across the country to speed up delivery and efficiency. Earlier this month, it set up a new fulfilment centre in Pune, taking the total count to over 21 with a cumulative storage capacity of over five million cubic feet.

“India is a different market and does not have a lot of the same ready fulfilment options that some other countries did. We see that as an opportunity,” Olsavsky said.

DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

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STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

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231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

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227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

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229366

ACROSS

1. The quality of being funny 6. Decays 10. Grumble 14. Practical 15. River of Spain 16. Type of sword 17. Criminal 19. Central area of a church 20. Vascular tissue in plants 21. Citrus drink 22. Journey 23. Inflexible 25. Achievements 26. Probabilities 30. Irregular 32. Grumpy 35. Freshness 39. Gad about 40. Japanese hostess 41. Blight 43. Sunshade 44. Scuffle 46. Past tense of Leap 47. Send, as payment 50. Cut wood 53. Send forth 54. What we sleep on 55. Not days 60. Boyfriend

DOWN

1. Something that bulges out 2. Salt Lake state 3. Foundry 4. Margarine 5. Cite 6. Record (abbrev.)

7. Get 8. Trampled 9. Achy 10. 100th anniversary 11. 3-banded armadillo 12. Face with masonry 13. Glances 18. French for “Friend” 24. Chap 25. Not as many 26. Monster 27. Heavy cart 28. A hemispherical roof 29. Replacement

31. Lyra’s brightest star 33. Influence 34. Not his 36. Being 37. Store 38. Sodium chloride 42. Gist 43. Church bench 45. “Portable stairs” 47. Renegade 48. Manicurist’s board 49. An unwholesome atmosphere 51. N N N N 52. Repeat 54. Partiality 56. Food 57. Employ 58. Checks 59. Blackthorn 62. Utilize Ans to CrossWord 3397

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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 61. Manufacturing 63. At one time (archaic) 64. Cards with 1 symbol 65. Engine supercharger 66. An acute inflammatory disease 67. Arid 68. Overweight

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

L H V K N H A G N O I T C N U F S S Q R

Ceat launches tubeless tyres for scooters

Toll free No. 1098 childline

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WE4WOMEN HELPLINE 08822911011

MOKOKCHUNG: Police Station 1:

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Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

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MonDAY 26•10•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

eNSF reconstitutes platform for its college students

5

Daba Sunday School Graduation Day

The new body will provide voice for various issues pertaining to the infrastructural facilities and academic performance of the colleges, the ENSF said in a press statement Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) in accordance to the Longpang Resolution 2007 had reaffirmed to reconstitute a platform for all the college students from Eastern Nagaland.

This was decided at a meeting held on October 24 attended by al the the Federating units and Sub-ordinate bodies of ENSF along with the college representatives from all over Nagaland.

It was as a consideration of the plea of many students who batted for a solid plat-

form in voicing out various issues pertaining to the infrastructural facilities and academic performance of the colleges within Eastern Nagaland and also taking serious note of various grievances faced by the college students studying elsewhere, a press statement from ENSU stated.

During the aforesaid meeting, the house approved for an interim council with a responsibility to coordinate, organize and convene the first conference in the mid of 2016.

It further informed that

the House nominated Longre Chang of Loyem Memorial College and Theose Sangtam of Zisaji Presidency Govt College as Chairman & Secretary respectively of the interim council till next general conference.

The council will also be assisted by representatives from Kohima, Dimapur, and Mokokchung etc.

It was also decided that the ENSU’s union in all colleges within Nagaland shall be affiliated to ENCSU henceforth; and the membership shall be paid directly to ENCSU.

The ENSU also requested the management boards of the institution/Colleges to strictly comply with the resolution of the Federation without failure.

The house also resolved to organize the first general session of ENCSU in the month of July 2016 tentatively.

The press statement appended by Achemba K Sangtam, Soc & cult Scy convener ENSF also informed that the first meeting of the Interim council is scheduled on November 30.

Sunday School graduates with church workers posing for lens on the graduation day.

Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): Christian Education Ministry of Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) held its Sunday School Graduation ceremony for 2015 Intermediate Final Year students on October 24 at DABA Main church.

The Speaker for the programme

was DABA associate pastor, Rev. L. Lima Jamir. Pastor Rev. N. Tzüdir pronounced a special prayer for the graduating students. Chaired by Sunday School Teacher Limala Aier, the event commenced with DABA Associate Pastor Women Amongla Aier saying the invocation. CEM Director

R. Asenla Jamir gave away the certificates.

Altogether, 157 students from 8 fellowship and 3 prayer cells graduated. The ceremony was graced by all the DABA Associate Pastors, CEM Board members and concerned deacons.

Training held on capacitating through decentralization

As part of the nationwide Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, NEZCC conducted a mass social work on October 23 at its office complex at Diphupar. All officers and staff under the leadership of the Director attended the cleanliness drive. This was organized as per the directive of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and the same will be reported upon. The officers and staff of the Centre were also urged upon to continue the cleanliness drive as a social obligation.

Kigwema Baptist Church building dedicated KOhima, OctOber 25 (mexN): The new building of Kigwema Baptist Church was dedicated today by ABCC director, Church Relations & Ministerial Training, Rev. Mekhale Yhoshü in the presence of hundreds of believers.

According to a press release, Christianity in Kigwema dates back to 1920 and the first big Baptist church was built in 1972.

In 2001, besides the need for renovations, church leaders and elders also discussed the need for a bigger building to accommodate more believers and the works began shortly for construction of a new church building.

The executive director of Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC), Dr. V Atsi Dolie and Dr. Diethoo Yhoshü were the main speakers of the occasion.

During the programme, the Church Building Plan-

ning Committee chairman, Dr. Akho Yhokha expressed gratitude to all those who contributed towards the construction of the new church building in the form of materials, cash, manpower and prayers.

AR gives training Free diabetic screening camp in Mkg to Army aspirants mOKOKchuNg, Oc- esiometer Machine to deDimpaur, OctOber 25 (mexN): The Assam Rifles is currently conducting training of candidates in various locations of Nagaland for Army Recruitment Rally scheduled next month at IG Stadium, Kohima. An AR press note further said that it also organised an arts and craft competition at Government Middle School, Forest Colony, Kohima to generate goodwill and provide platform to showcase talent where 60 students were participated and the selected few were awarded prizes.

tOber 25 (mexN): The Rotary Club of Mokokchung in partnership with Fourrts Pharmaceuticals and B. Braunn is organizing a free diabetic screening camp on October 30 and 31 at Dr Imkongliba Memorial Mother and Child Health Care Centre, Rotary House Mokokchung from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.

The two-day camp will have free testing of blood sugar, free distribution of diabetic medicine, free check up for diabetic patients, and free testing of nerve function with Bioth-

tect diabetic neuropathy for those suffering from diabetes (This test costs a minimum of Rs 1000/- per test in the market), a press release from the Rotarary Club secretary, Dr Takosunep Ao stated.

There will also be a seminar on diabetes on October 31 at the Rotary House for those who are interested to learn more about diabetes.

Interested persons can also buy Omnitest 3 glucometer and Omnitest 3 strips at a subsidized rate during the camp.

Durga Puja culminates in Dimapur Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): People of Dimapur thronged the Durga Puja Pandals to offer their tributes to the goddess Durga on the last day of the festival on October 23. The idol of goddess Durga along with her children, Lakshi, Sawaswati, Ganesh and Kartika were immersed in Dhansiri river on Vijaya Dashami (October 23).

In the morning, women indulged in “sindoor khela” smearing each other with vermilion in many pandals in Dimapur, before the idols of goddess Durga were taken out for immersion.

A press release from Hindu Seva Samiti president, Gopal Prasad Sharma has thanked the district administration and police for their contribution and support for smooth conduct of the puja and for providing all round security during the four days. The Samiti also thanked the different committees, samaj and social workers, who worked hard for the event.

Meanwhile, during the Durga Puja,

the Hindu Seva Samiti nominated five judges to see the overall Durga Puja celebration in all the Puja Pandals in Dimapur and select three winners and also select best idol, best decoration, best discipline, best ambience, and best music.

The following are the winners: First Prize - D. Colony Durga Puja Committee, D Colony Second Prize - PWD Complex Durga Puja, PWD Colony Third Prize - Durga Mandir puja Committee, Old Daily Market Best Idol - Sri Sri 108 Nava Durga Puja Committee, 6th Mile Best Decoration - Sarbajanies Durga Puja, Netaji Colony Best Discipline - Master colony Durga Puja Committee, Master colony Best Ambience - K Kire Durga Puja Committee, K Kire Colony Half Nagajan-C Best Music - Bank Colony Bazwari Durga Puja committee.

Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): A two day building training workshop entitled “Strengthening Decentralized Governance of Village Council and VDBs” was organised with an active participation of 60 elected Village council and VDBs from 20 villages in Wokha District, Nagaland.

The training was organised by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) GoI, Sriperumbur in collaboration with Integrated Youth Resources Express (IYRE) Wokha and office of the Deputy Commissioner

Wokha from October 10-20.

A press note from, Phyobemo Lotha Director, YRC IYRE informed that during the inaugural day, the chief guest, A Robin Lotha, the Deputy Commissioner of Wokha exhorted the village leaders to be self-reliant, self-dependent in the process of decision making, planning and implementation as its highest authority in the Village.

He also stressed that without transparency and accountability by the village leaders, there will be no growth and progress.

At the technical session on first

day, advocate W. Rainbow Ngullie Central Govt Standing Council (GSC) Nagaland, discussed on 73rd constitutional Act and Nagaland village Council Act while Penthungo Ngullie, vice principal Bailey Baptist College, Wokha dwelt on village council and other participatory structure at the village level and enhancing youth participation.

‘Analysis of Planning & Implementation of Project in the Village’ was presented by P. Zubentung Humtsoe ADC SSA wokha in a session. The 1st day session was facilitated by Ethel Ngullie, co-ordina-

tor youth resources centre (YRC), IYRC Wokha, Nagaland.

On the second day, Mhomo Tungoe SDO Civil Wokha took the session on ‘Resource Mapping & Participatory Planning for the Village’ while Athrong EAC Wokha spoke on ‘Innovative Projects for the Youth Development.’ K Phyobemo Lotha director YRC IYRE Wokha discussed on ‘Youth Participation In Local Governance’.

The second day session was felicitated by Z. Tsenthunglo Ezung trainer/counselor YRC IYRE Wokha Nagaland.

37 AR recovers illegal weapon Dimapur, OctOber 25 (mexN): An illegal weapon with ammunition and some combat dresses were recovered when the 37 Assam Rifles conducted a successful operation under aegis of Headquarters 6 Sect Assam Rifles at Nihoto village on October 20.

According to an AR press note, the operation was launched in Nihoto village in early hours of October 20 after receiving confirmed information from multiple sources regarding presence of an NSCN (IM) cadre with illegal weapon and ammunition.

The suspected house was cordoned and subsequently the AR

searched the same along with police personnel and Goan Bura, it maintained adding a one Point 38 Revolver, ten rounds of assorted live ammunition and some NSCN (IM) uniforms were recovered from the house.

The owner of the house, cadre identified as SS Capt Shikuto Awomi (40yrs), a NSCN (IM) cadre was found absconding, the AR further informed.

It further said that as it was in contravention to Ceasefire Ground Rules, the recovered weapons were later handed over to Diphupar Po- Members of Leo Club of Dimapur served water on the occasions of lice Station and an FIR has been Vijaya Dasami. A total of 1000 litres of packaged water was served to all the public on the bank of Dhansiri river on October 23. lodged against absconding cadre.

Public SPace Embarrassed, Befuddled & Concerned over a Queen’s Memorial

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agas are bestowed with existence, land, time and opportunities to be stewards of their endowments granted by Providence. Over the years, one thing we seem to have learned very well is, “we are right, others are wrong”. In other words, by justifying and defending our stand and censuring what others feel, think, say and do, we have together created situations after situations – political, social and cultural, emotional and spiritual. The greatest challenge today is how we respond together to these ‘Goliaths of Quagmire’!

Presently, I am embar-

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rassed because my tribe and church organizations have spoken their minds and have made the Rani Gaidinliu Memorial Project at Kohima a big issue.

I am muddled because I don’t have a very clear knowledge or idea about the matter except that the work has already been going on for some time without any apparent or stiff opposition till now. I am concerned today because the controversy is mounting and dividing lines and opinions are emerging which could lead this sensitive issue to more ugly and adverse consequences.

To oppose or defend

he recent celebration of Durga Puja in Kohima and Dimapur has really amazed me.

Not because the Hindus are celebrating it but because many Naga youths are joining this event in great numbers. Some have voiced out in the social media about this concern and I perceive their responses to be mind-boggling because the idea of inclusivism and liberalism are obviously evident.

For one moment, I thought, “Are they really serious about their talk? I find their answersto be affirmative. I was really flabbergasted at the thought that so many Church goers do not take seriously about what the Bible has to say aboutidolatry. It is a sign of out rightlymocking Christ to open shame (Nothing more and nothing less). Alas! The Bible is no more taken seriously. It has become a mere book for one’s own whims and fancies. “Do not judge…” will be quoted over and over to suit one’s own evil ways.

But have you not read, “Our God is a consuming fire,” He is the judge

someone who is absent or no more is no simple task.

It requires more sensible and reasonable justifications and rationalizations from authentic sources and resources, who are or were contemporaries of the person and more conversant with ground realities. This case needs more careful approaches rather than passing resolutions and damaging articles through papers which pollute the air for our children.

A humble proposal and appeal to all – let us formulate a Mid-Course Connection (M.C.C.) to bring one another to the central and safe zone and prevent further di-

visions and self-destruction/ damages. There are always some better options and alternatives when we listen to each other personally and arrive at some compromise and accommodative agreements. We still have so many common grounds to stand on together. Let us not take inventory of what has gone wrong where, why, how and by whom, but start together on what is still intact and common.

Why, no one ever had it so good like the Nagas, with all our vintage historical stands and rights. In a way, we are cradled and nestled in nature’s lap; we are pampered with so much natural

assets and potentials out of which we can generate, create and construct so many beautiful common projects if we sit together, listen and converse and consent together to seek out the best for all. All obstacles can be overcome because we have a bigger issue at hand and a greater general call for all Nagas to search our hearts and recognize what comes first in life. Our Guide Book says we shall have problems in the world, but we are to take heart because our Master has overcome the world. Today is not the last day for us.

Dr. Dietho-o ‘South Corner’, A.G. Road, Kohima

christians and idolatry of all men (Hebrews 12:23, 29).

The Bible clearly teaches that He detests idolatry in the highest level (Exodus 20:3; 23: 24; 1 Corinthians 10:7). Dire consequences have incurred upon those individuals and families who participated in idolatry worship (Numbers 32: 35).

Therefore, it is a serious wakeup call to all the Churches irrespective of denominations to openly correct and warnbelievers participating in idolatrous worship. They are not just onlookers or bystanders but participators and indulgers in all the pagan revelry and merriment. Ah! Nagas have come to a point where we are taking everything lightly and I’m fearful that God will treat us the same if we do not mend our ways. He is not a clown to play with. The pagan idolatrous culture is slowly invading our land and we are silently watching as if nothing is falling apart. It seems like we are all in a spiritually slumbering mode while nemeses are taking over our economic system, political system, ethical values

and our spirituality. No, No, No!We won’t let this happen to our Christian state. Christian minister have too long gone on a vacation on the top of the mountain (Exodus 32:7, 8). You’ve got to come down from your comfortable zones and diagnose the spiritual ailments and problemsof our people before the situation gets out of hand.

Discussing the Church’s diminishing adherence to the tough truths of God’s word, Charles Spurgeon said this: “There will come another generation, and another, and all these generations will be polluted and injured if we are not faithful to God and to His truth today… How is the world to be saved if the church is false to her Lord?” One theologian aptly commented in response: “We who love the Lord and His church must not sit by while the church gains momentum on the downgrade of worldliness and compromise.

Men and women before us have paid with their blood to deliver the faith intact to us. Now, it is our

turn to guard the truth. It is a task that calls for courage, not compromise. And it is a responsibility that demands unwavering devotion to a very narrow purpose.” How relevant and timely is this message for the Churches and the Christian ministers today. Yes, Christians do love but not to the extent of syncretising or negotiating the truth in the process. Jesus explicitly stated that the Christian path is the narrow one and will never be accepted by the mainstream lots. Therefore, in a sense, Christianity is religiously intolerant because the truth by definition is exclusive.

Final Note: This article does not in any way epitomize the views of many popular and happy-go-lucky Christians but the writer has written it with the pure conviction that the full counsel of the Word has to be taught and practiced if we have to save a generation from compromising the true faith that has been handed down to us with tears and blood.

Vebu Khamo Kohima Bible College

The Morung Express states that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

MonDAY 26•10•2015

IN FOCUS

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 291X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume By aheli moitra

Mung Dung Sung Kham

C O M M E N T A R Y

Jeffrey Lewis Foreign Policy

The Great Asian Missile Race

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he historic town of Sibsagar in upper Assam—originally called Rangpur—is about four hours away by train from Dimapur. Among the many capitals that the Ahom kings had from the 13th century, this was one of them.

It is indeed the Land of thousand Golden Fields—Mung Dung Sung Kham (in Tai)—albeit lush green at the moment, the paddy approaching harvest. The train ride is as beautiful as it can get, with sudden bits of tea gardens that appear in the field of vision—food production models were turned into capital generating ones by the British. These colonial shifts gave rise to a number of conflicts later in the region that continue to be intractable.

Sibsagar town has a semi urban and rural feel. The heart of town is neat and relatively quiet. With decently constructed small scale roads, the town has a limited number of private vehicles. People mostly walk, bicycle or take electric autorickshaws (tuk-tuks) to commute within the town. For longer distances, to the other important hubs around Sibsagar, Tata Magic vehicles rule the roads. With good urban ethics, one rarely finds traffic clogs in the town even at festival time.

This is one of the places in the sub-continent that still houses a mosque next to a temple. The Shiv temple next to the Sibsagar tank has a mosque right opposite to it. Outside the two places of worship, people from both religions do business selling fresh coffee, snacks, sunglasses, religious totems and what not. With this, a walk around Sibsagar tank, well fenced and clean, is a complete experience.

This probably comes from the history of Sibsagar being the cosmopolitan town of yore. The Ahoms lived here, in discussion and assembly, with the Nagas, Meitei, Garos and many other peoples of the region. Till date villages of these peoples remain intact in Sibsagar.

The Ahom kings were far sighted, and a healthy exchange of ideas with neighbouring communities existed. Their major form of transport was through waterways—even the British maintained this mode of transport through rivers but the Indian State could not take it forward. The Ahom kings also built a thousand artificial ponds (tanks) all over Sibsagar. The tanks were (are) so large, they came to be called sagar (sea) by the people who came to live in the Brahmaputra valley. Though only a few remain now, each flanked by a dole (temple), they remain well maintained by communities that live around these areas. Little pathways make sure one can take a walk around these impeccably clean, water lilied, tanks.

However, apart from local educational institutions, some prime property around these tanks has been occupied by either the Indian Army or the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC India)—finding these lands empty when they first came here and with no security required to protect their equipment, lands were easily usurped. Incidentally, the ONGC was born in Sibsagar, and continues to operate in full swing. Its multibillion dollar market capitalisation has not moved the public sector company to bring the profits to its place of birth.

That is the history of Assam, marked by colonial loot—it began with the British and was dutifully taken over by the Indian State. It has left this great pocket of civilisation with scars but the people of Sibsagar carry on unhindered in some ways. This is evident as you sit beside one of the serene tanks, with music from a Naamghar (prayer house) nearby conjuring a mirage of the simple opulence of the Ahom kingdom.

Other travel diaries may be shared at moitrmail@yahoo.com

lEfT wiNg |

Stanley Hauerwas Christianity Today

Don't Laugh, but I Think Theology Should Be Funny An excerpt from "The Work of Theology"

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ost of those who practice Christian theology think they are engaged in a serious science. This should not be surprising given the reality that at the center of Christian theology is a crucified Savior. Moreover, theology must well deal with the fundamentals of life—that is, life, death, and all the stuff in between. Stuff like love and the betrayal of love. Sentimentality and superficial nostrums must be avoided. Humor can be one of the ways that sentimentality and superficiality can be defied.

I do think, in spite of considerable evidence to the contrary, that theology can and should be, in some of its modes, funny. Theology done right should make you laugh. It should be done in an entertaining manner. Humor is not the only mode of entertainment the discourse of theology can take, but it is surely the case that we are often attracted to speech and writing that is funny. This calls into question the presumption by some that if you want what you have to say to be entertaining, then what you have to say cannot be serious. I have tried to defy that presumption by attempting to do theology in a manner that “tickles” the imagination.

A number of times, when being introduced before giving a lecture, the story is told of my encounter with a student at Harvard. It seems I was walking across Harvard looking for the library. Not sure I was going in the right direction, I asked an undergraduate if he could tell me where the library is at. He responded by observing, “At Harvard we do not end sentences with a preposition.” I am said to have responded, “Can you tell me where the library is at, [expletive]?”

There is just one problem with that story. It did not happen. However, the story now seems to have reached a canonical stage.

I relate this phenomenon because the story also reflects the general presumption that I am a “funny guy.” Some even think I have a gift for the one-liner. It is not for me to claim to be funny, but I do hope that I have been able to do theology in a funny manner. I think my work is funny in at least two ways. First, I hope that people laugh out loud about something I have said or written. Second, my work is funny because I try to find ways to “do theology” in disguise. So I push the limits of the presumptions about “serious” theology in the hope that the difference might make a difference for how we live.

It is one thing to suggest that theologians need a sense of humor. It is quite something else to argue that their theology must be funny. I acknowledge the distinction, but I will maintain that not only should theologians know how to laugh at themselves but also their theology should manifest the joy that reflects the glory of God. Of course, joy is not the same as what makes something funny, but what is funny depends first and foremost on a joyful recognition that God is God and we are not. The joke is on us.

This excerpt is adapted from parts of the chapter, “How to Be Theologically Funny.”

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n the past few months, China and North Korea have shown off new nuclear-armed missiles during massive military parades. If this all seems very USSR circa 1965, well, it is. China and North Korea are one-party states. Not just in the Leninist sense, either. They know how to throw only one kind of party: a giant military parade.

In September, China celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II with a giant military parade along Beijing’s Chang’an Avenue. The procession included a massive amount of military equipment, including new or seldom-seen missiles like the DF-15, DF-16, DF-21D, DH-10, and DF-5B. You don’t have to remember the names — the Chinese helpfully painted them in English to make sure we all got the point. (And, it isn’t like there’s going to be a quiz at the end of this column.) A few weeks ago, North Korea had its own 70th-anniversary parade to celebrate the founding of the Worker’s Party of Korea, with Scuds, Nodongs, Musudans and — the pièce de résistance — a redesigned KN-08 ICBM. (Seriously, I swear: No quiz!)

The missiles on parade are also very Soviet in a second, more alarming sense. China and North Korea continue to think that an important way to demonstrate vitality and legitimacy of their current ruling figures is by standing up to the West. And, as Marshal Chen Yi famously said, having nuclear weapons has helped them straighten their backs.

Asia is in the midst of a massive missile race — even if no one seems to have noticed. The two parades, however, offer a moment to take stock of where we are — and just how dangerous this race has become.

China has the world’s most active program to develop ballistic and cruise missiles. In recent years, China has developed a whole generation of solidfueled ballistic missiles: running from short-range missiles like the DF-15 and DF-16, to medium rangemissiles like the DF-21 and DF-26, to intercontinental-range ballistic missiles (ICBMs), like the DF-31, DF-31A, and apparently the DF-41.

China is also refurbishing older liquid-fueled missiles like the DF-5, the B version of which has multiple nuclear warheads. While China has nuclear weapons, most of these new missiles are conventional. China’s strategic rocket force, the Second Artillery, has evolved from a force exclusively armed with nuclear weapons to one today in which the majority of missile units are conventionally armed. That is a huge organizational change, and one that is seldom remarked upon.

China has also developed a more aggressive doctrine for using its conventional missiles than the restrictive no-first-use policy in place for nucleararmed ones. Finally, China has also made an interesting decision, choosing to equip some missiles, like the DF-21 and DF-26, with the option to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.

China might have the world’s most active missile program, but Kim Jong Un loves missiles more than anything, maybe even more than he loves Dennis Rodman. And 2014 was a banner year for North Korean missile testing. Pyongyang tested new rocket artillery, a 125-mile range version of the KN-08, and a surprising number of Scuds and Nodongs. The pace slowed in 2015, but the parade showed off much of the previous years’ handiwork, including a redesigned KN-08 ICBM that looks way more plausible that the dummies (simulators) showed off in the 2012 and 2013 parades. One lovely little detail: the plaque on the side describes the new version as an improved “Hwasong-13 launcher overseen by Comrade Kim Jong Un.” Which is perfect because the upper stage of the redesigned KN-08 is, just like Kim Jong Un, significantly wider than its predecessor.

But it takes two to tango — or have an arms race.

It isn’t just China and North Korea that are parading around new missiles; America’s allies are doing the same.

South Korea has developed new long-range ballistic and cruise missiles. It has released test footage of both and showed off the cruise missile in its own 2013 parade. South Korea also won U.S. permission to modify bilateral missile guidelines so it can develop a 500-mile missile that can reach targets throughout North Korea. South Korea’s missiles are conventionally armed, but South Korean officials like to point out that they are so accurate they can fly through Kim Jong Un’s office window. He loves it when they say that.

Taiwan has developed its own long-range cruise missile, the HF-2e. Taiwan was going to show off this missile in its 2007 parade, but the United States per-

Northeast Asia needs to hold off on the military parades, put down the DF21s and KN-08s, and talk it out before an arms race spirals out of control suaded Taipei that this would be unnecessarily provocative. Taiwan instead just deployed the missile — disguised as delivery trucks! Seriously, locals spotted a new delivery company – like FedEx, not takeout — called “Red Bird Express” on the streets of certain neighborhoods. But the trucks looked like repainted missile transporters. And the livery didn’t include a website or a phone number in case, say, you wanted to send a package. And the business wasn’t registered. Oh, and the trucks were parked at known missiles bases, visible in satellite images. A Taiwanese official later admitted that this was, and I quote, “idiotic.” The Taiwanese seem to have painted the trucks green again and put netting over the parking lot.

Only Japan has passed on joining in the missile race in Northeast Asia, owing to an interpretation of the constitution that seems to prohibit “offensive” weapons like missiles. But that is an interpretation — and interpretations can change. In 2009, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) completed a position paper that said Tokyo should acquire cruise missiles and long-range, solid-fueled, ballistic missiles to deal with the threat of missile launches from North Korea. The LDP lost that election. But recent reports suggest that the hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has quietly resumed discussions with the United States about the possibility of acquiring offensive capabilities to respond to the missile threat from North Korea — although those discussions have not reached the hardware stage.

When they do, it will be much harder in coming years to argue that Tokyo should forego the capabilities that all the other Northeast Asian states possess.

So what if Asia has a big missile race?

First, missiles represent one of the fundamental challenges to stability in the modern age — they drastically reduce warning time, forcing decision makers to act under incredible time pressure and stress.

We have an image of August 1914 — thanks to Mrs. Barbara Tuchman, the world’s most overqualified “housewife” — of the European powers driven by rigid mobilization schedules into the abyss of World War I. Historians still argue about whether the parties would have stopped if they could, but it is easy to catch the first glimpse of the pace of modern life in those portentous days. The Guns of August starts with a sort of parade too — a funeral procession. Its opening lines are among the most admired in literature: “was the spectacle on the May morning of 1910 when nine kings rode in the funeral of Edward VII of England that the crowd, waiting in hushed and black-clad awe, could not keep back gasps of admiration. In scarlet and green and blue and purple, three by three the sovereigns rode through the palace gates, with plumed helmets, gold braid, crimson sashes, and jeweled orders flashing in the sun. After them came five heirs apparent, forty more imperial or royal highnesses, seven queens — four dowager and three regnant — and a scattering of special ambassadors from uncrowned countries.” The steady pace of procession sets the narrative on a march through crisis and into the horror of the Great War,

into the trenches, the slaughter, and the gas.

Conventional missiles are so accurate that they make a perfect weapon to kill a foreign leader in a surprise attack — something the United States tried to do with Saddam Hussein in 2003. In this way, they impose their own rigid demands on leaders. Decisions must be made in the flight time of a missile, or the precious moments following warning by satellite or radar. It is natural to worry that leaders might come to regret decisions about war and peace made under this pressure, and to worry about the tendency to beat the clock by delegating the authority to use missiles to lower-level commanders who might survive.

Which leaves us in quite a pickle. We can keep arming ourselves to the teeth. We can, along with our friends in South Korea, Taiwan, and even Japan, stockpile thousands of conventional ballistic and cruise missiles. We can also continue to deploy missile defenses. There is a growing interest in the United States in more exotic conventional weapons, such as boost-glide systems. The upside is that these capabilities will scare the bejesus out of leaders in Beijing and Pyongyang. The downside is that these missiles will scare the bejesus out of leaders in Beijing and Pyongyang. Whatever we gain in deterrence will also come with a significant helping of paranoia, miscalculation, and surprise. Whether that works out for us or not will be an interesting question.

The other option, of course, is to think about talking through our problems to attempt to find a common interest in making war less likely and, if possible, less hostage to short decision times. At the moment, the countries of Northeast Asia engage in very little regional security dialogue, with almost no serious discussion of strategic issues like nuclear weapons and missile proliferation. While there are official dialogues between the United States and China that do discuss arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, no one thinks this dialogue comes anywhere near what one would expect for such an important relationship. And even this limited dialogue excludes Taipei, for obvious reasons, and Japan. Meanwhile, our allies in Tokyo and Seoul don’t coordinate with each other owing to historical animosities. And then we have the North Koreans. Talking with Pyongyang is no one’s idea of a good time.

And yet the stakes are so high. Even my colleagues who are really excited about ideas like AirSea Battle or acquiring the forces to conduct offensive missile operations against targets in China, have wondered how we go about bombing the crap out of military units in Guangdong without unnecessarily escalating things. Elbridge Colby, the Robert M. Gates senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, has proposed “observing geographic boundaries for such a fight, cordoning off certain kinds of targets, and clearly and credibly communicating efforts at limitation to” the Chinese “are not things that can be done well at the last minute or improvised in the moment.”

So, let’s not improvise. Let’s have that conversation. It is perhaps time to resurrect long-proposed notions like a ban on intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. Such an agreement would prohibit the deployment of MTCR Category I missiles — capable of carrying a 1,100 lbs. payload to 190 miles — up to, but not including, ICBMs such as the DF-31.

I don’t expect an enthusiastic response from Beijing. China has been cool to proposals to “globalize” the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, since that would require giving up hundreds of brand new missiles. In 2003, facing U.S. missile deployments in the region, China offered to “pull back” — but not eliminate — its massive inventory of new shortrange ballistic missiles near Taiwan in exchange for a reduction in U.S. arms sales to Taipei. The United States understandably showed little interest in such a one-sided offer. While it seems even less likely today, hundreds of missiles later, that China would agree to this proposal, there are new developments.

Taiwan’s new cruise missile must be getting some attention. Or maybe the prospect of 800 Japanese Tomahawk missiles would do the trick.

It may be that the conversation does not eliminate any missiles at all. But perhaps it would be the beginning of an effort by Asian leaders to seriously discuss the dangers of making decisions under pressure and the challenges of keeping local disputes from escalating into a general war. It’s time to start talking. The missile race underway in Northeast Asia is dangerous and destabilizing. If the Guns of August was depressing, the Missiles of August will be worse.

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Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

monDAY 26•10•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

W

An Oily issue

e tend to think of natural resources like oil, diamonds, gold and mineral ores as a boon from Nature-the natural equivalent of winning a lottery. In many ways this is so. When a state starts exploiting natural resources, developing country economies get access to financial resources that were hitherto absent allowing the government greater freedom to increase social sector expenditure. However, economists and policy makers who have studied the evolution of resource-rich economies have found a counter-intuitive result. On average economies that are resource rich fail to perform better than economies without natural resources. To describe this relationship, in 1993, Richard M Auty used the phrase natural resource curse.

Between the years 1970 and 2009 if we look at the data between mineral exports and growth rates of GDP, it there is a negative relationship between the two. This means that greater the export of mineral wealth the lower is the growth rate of GDP. We can contrast the poor growth performance of resource rich countries like Venezuela (rich in oil and natural gas), Zambia (rich in copper) and Gabon (rich in petroleum, natural gas) in contrast to the resource poor high growth performers like South Korea, Japan, China and other east-Asian countries. Resource rich countries also perform comparatively poorly on Human Development Indicators. Some of the reasons for this paradoxical regularity is examined below.

Transmission Channels Commodity prices are very volatile in nature. In good years, there may be years where the prices of the export commodity increases to a high degree and there may be years where the prices may fall to very low levels. The low level of oil prices at present is a case in point.

This swing of prices may result in the lower investment by the private sector.

Since the trajectory of prices cannot be predicted the private sector is unwilling to invest money in these sectors. Government is forced to intervene in these sectors to ensure that the fluctuation in the value of the domestic currency is kept within reasonable limits.

Before the coinage of the term, Natu-

policy

papers

By Vyasan R

ral Resource Curse the reduction in competitiveness due to the discovery of new natural resources was referred to as the Dutch Disease. This was first noticed in Netherlands when they discovered natural gas in the north eastern part of the country. The increased exports of natural gas led to an increase in the demand for the Dutch guilder and there was an appreciation of the guilder. The appreciation of the currency led to a fall in the output of the manufacturing sector because there was lesser investment in this sector due to the fall in the relative competitiveness of this sector. The new natural gas sector gained at the expense of the old manufacturing sector, non-tradeable commodities like housing became costly as there was generally more money to go around. Lesser jobs were created compared to the manufacturing sector as the natural gas sector which was capital intensive.The economy thus faced both unemployment and inflation- an economic double whammy.

Economic historians argue that if a country is rich in resources the owners of these resources tend to corner political power and behave like oligarchs. They ignore the creation of democratic institutions as revenue mobilisation through taxation became redundant. Since, taxation was not required there was no pressure to include the voices of people in the ruling of their kingdoms.Historically European colonies that were resourcerich like the countries in Latin America developed poorer institutions than countries in North America. In the wake of the industrial revolution those countries that had democratic institutions of self-government were able to adopt the new technologies faster as societies were more equitable and more educated. This

led to greater growth and economic development in those countries that had comparatively lesser levels of extractive industries. Thus resources turned out to be a curse in South America and Africa.

Exhaustible resources get depleted over the years. If resource-rich countries are unable to save resources generated from selling the latter and investing in alternative sources of income generation and modern industry they will slide back to penury once the resources get exhausted. A real world example is that of the Pacific island of Nauru that had deposits of guana that was a useful raw material for fertiliser. In the 1960s and 1970s Nauru had the highest per-capita incomes in the world but because of careless use of resources, there was a huge depletion of resources and Nauru became poor once again. All economies have to audit for the times when the resources may be exhausted.

Some resources are wide-spread in nature like fisheries, forests or underground water. Property rights are difficult to be imposed on these common property resources leading to the possibility of over exploitation. In such regimes the ability of the government to enforce individual rights of ownership becomes extremely difficult as there are multiple unverifiable claimants to the property.

This poor delineation of property rights lead to over-exploitation of the natural resource and a quick depletion of the resources that were in abundance once upon a time. In situations where property rights are not strictly enforceable, like our state, abundant caution is required if we have to maximise the revenues from oil for the longest possible period.

The presence of natural resources in the country without a strong govern-

ment may lead to rival factions fighting for the control of resources. This latter happens especially in societies that have a high degree of ethnic fractionalization (eg: Sudan) leading to civil wars breaking out in the country.

Escaping the Curse The above channels of transmission of the Natural Resource Curse, however does not mean that there is nothing inevitable about the resource curse. There are instances of countries which escape the trap of the resource curse as much as there are countries that fall in to the trap.

Chile and Botswana have managed their economic policies in an astute enough manner to have escaped the Natural Resource Curse. One of the main lessons to be learnt from economies that have successfully escaped the resource-curse is to lean against the wind or in other words follow anti-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies. That is when times are good, meaning thereby that when the prices of the resource is high, countries should save and be prepared for worse climes and when the prices of the resources fall they should dip into their kitty that was saved and spend resources to ensure that growth rates are stabilized. In addition economies that have used market instruments like hedging, investment in options in the futures market, indexation of contracts to prices in the commodity markets, and professional management of revenues that accrue from the sale of the natural resources have avoided being struck by the Natural Resource curse. Chile, for example, introduced an innovation in the form of a fiscal stabilization fund to smoothen the price fluctuations of copper.

Most of the above analysis especially the sections on currency appreciation and the increase in the relative price ofnon-tradable commodities may not be relevant to sub-national actors like our state. However, the general principle that underlies the experience of resource-rich economies is to not treat natural resources as a forgone conclusion for prosperity but to useprudent financial and economic policies to strengthen the arm of development.

(The author is an IAS officer of Nagaland cadre.

The views expressed in his column, featured every Monday, are personal. Feedback can be emailed to vyasan_r@yahoo.com)

The Act East Policy and what it bodes for the North East

T

Trishanu Bipul Borah

he North East links India with its Eastern neighbours, sharing international boundaries with Myanmar in the East, Bangladesh in the South and Bhutan, China, Nepal.

Geography and geopolitics of the past has thus ensured that the much neglected North East is a vital junction for India and any policy step, even tiny baby ones, towards the East, has to take into consideration the concerns of this region at the very outset.

That the Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj recently briefed the Governors of the North Eastern States about the various aspects of trade and upcoming cross border connectivity projects is a sign that the Indian State is pursing the matter in a serious manner, while the same cannot probably be said of the issues like the “framework agreement” with a single non-state actor and its not- so- realpolitikally- feasible demands, which have been termed as “historic”.

However, questioning the historicity or not, of that matter, is not the subject of this article; elucidating the possibilities and potentialities of a greater connectivity strategy in the North Eastern region is.

The North East part of India, which shares many of its cultural, ethnic, linguistic aspects with the land and people lying to its east, is connected to the rest of India through a small corridor which has been christened as the “Chicken’s Neck”.

This small stretch of land in the Siliguri district of Bengal which has ever since partition (and the formation of East Bengal) been India’s sole line of access to the North Eastern states is a mere 14 miles at it narrowest!

A section of people from the North East of India have for long complained about the perceived “step-motherly” treatment from the Centre, be it in terms of economic policies leading to exploitation or due to the implementation of draconian laws like the AFSPA which has led to widespread violation of human rights in a region which has already seen much division and in-fighting along ethnic lines. In the light of this, the new Act East Policy of the Indian Government brings about much needed optimism to the region, especially when it is seen in consonance with renewed efforts to bring in order and peace through “historic” peace deals.

What actually is Acting East? “..A new era of economic development, industrialization and trade has begun in India. Externally, India’s ‘Look East Policy’ has become ‘Act East Policy’,” was what the Prime Minister said in his opening statement at the 12th ASEAN summit in November, 2014.

The “Look East Policy” was formulated and implemented during the governments of P.V. Narasimha Rao in the face the opening up of the Indian economy and the subsequent globalization in the early 1990s and was followed up by A.B. Vajpayee. It aimed at forging closer trade and economic ties in order to expand Indian markets, security and strategic cooperation in matters of counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering etc. In the realms of soft power, it emphasized on the shared value, culture and history and sought to utilize the long running historical and religious connect between the region using Buddhism and tried to attract Buddhist tourism, bringing people to the birth place of Buddhism. While much had been attained during this period, including bringing in much needed investments from the ASEAN block, signing of Free Trade Agreements as well as varied schemes such as Harvest Schemes etc, a lot remained to be done, and thus, a new and enhanced outlook.

In the current scheme of things and the pro active pursuance of “Act East Policy” where trade, economic development and industrialization plays an important role, the development of the North East region becomes utmost important. Only then can the fruits of Acting East be amply enjoyed by the country, along with bringing about much needed stability, prosperity and job creation in the North Eastern States through the creation of new infrastructures.

Importance of Connectivity When it comes to the internal connectivity between the rest of India, often termed the “mainland”, and the North Eastern region, matters had been complicated due to the refusal of

transit via Bangladesh, which had long evaded the matter when raised by the Centre. This had put the focus on the narrow “Chicken’s Neck” and securing it was one of India’s main security concerns, especially with the areas nearby having borders with Bhutan, Nepal and with a Chinese geo-strategic threat never really off the cards. Siliguri district is also a hotbed of international smuggling, crime and occasional instability with the Gorkhaland demand always doing the rounds, thus only adding to the apprehensions. Of late, the Bangladeshi policy has changed for the good in this regard, with the starting of bus service, renewal of old riverine networks and the proposed setting up of a Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Guwahati following the visit of Prime Minister Modi during July this year, though much still needs to be done.

With the area bearing the brunt of not just terrorism and ethnic divide but also brutal State sponsored repression for a longer period in the post independence history, the pressure on the supply lines and infrastructure have been over stretched for long and one blockade or the other can suck the lifeblood out of a whole state. Manipur is a good example of this. Thus the shoring up of connectivity is even for important for not just the sake of the region but also for the sake of creating a bridge to the international borders and the countries that lie beyond it.

Projects and policy Steps in this direction 1. The recently signed BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) Motor vehicle agreement will promote safe, economical efficient and environmentally sound road transport in the sub-region and will further help each country in creating an institutional mechanism for regional integration.

BBIN countries will be benefited by mutual cross border movement of passenger and goods for overall economic development of the region.

2. The ambitious Trilateral Highway project to link India, Myanmar and Thailand can be further used to connect the region and even be used to promote trade and transport via MekongGanga cooperation.

3. Better railway connectivity within the region with the opening up of new railway links like Mendipathar-Guwahati and the proposed DimapurImphal rail link.

4. The enhanced railway connectivity can be relied upon for the reopening of Stilwell road, which can connect the region to the fast growing Yunnan province of Chin.

5. The building of BCIM corridor between Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar further enhances the potential of the region.

6. The opening up of pre-partition railway links with Bangladesh as well as re-establishing the dormant riverine links is of vital importance for transport of both passenger and goods.

The trade routes to the ASEAN block stand to be shortened via road linkages through the North East. The need for better roads and infrastructure, thus cutting down costs, becomes even more urgent in the light of the RCEP Free Trade Agreement between ASEAN+6 which includes India.

What we already have is a set of policy guidelines and projects either in incubation or semi-complete and in halfway stages. Though it sounds easy on paper, the important task is the coordination and connection of these well laid out plans so that seamless connectivity across the region can lead to the creation of a pan-Asian Highway of some sort someday.

India needs to be pro-active in doing the necessary. The North East can potentially be at a crucial junction in its history where globalization finally delivers the promised fruits. The increased opportunities arising out of growth of infrastructure, economic development and enhanced people to people contact can undo the harm that the hastily drawn boundaries of the past century had brought upon the people of the North East. Of course there are challenges that the government has to overcome, both in terms of economic feasibility as well as security which have to be overcome before all of the above mentioned projects can be delivered, but isn’t deliverance exactly what the Modi government had promised before and while coming to power?

The writer, Trishanu Bipul Borah, is a recent BITS PILANI graduate and a civil service aspirant

7

The Morung Express poll results

Is the recent police warning against drunk driving an indicator that Prohibition is failing in Nagaland?

56%

30%

14% YES

NO

OTHER

Some of those who voted YES had this to say • Yes it's a failure because it is out of control by the concerned authority everywhere. Even if in some cases, police or any other organization conducts raids and caught them and make a show of destroying the stuffs, it is still growing more and sales are so good that sellers doesn't care if they will be caught or not but goes on with more enthusiasm lost in getting huge never ever profit from thousands of Nagas thirsty for more and the number keeps on increasing with the increase of population and age.

• Yes. Cash bribery breaks all prohibition rules in Nagaland, making it most the difficult task for law agency to plucked thousands hole caused by it.

• Yes, its like asking not to breath, who is there to enforce the prohibition? the church ? the police? how can they when they are part of the problem.

• Yes alcohol should not mix in driving .

• Is that even a question one should ask? Anyone with eyes and ears with brains can tell you that it failed the minute it was implemented and the church is complicit in encouraging the crimes associated with prohibition indirectly by insisting on its implementation out of ego.

• By the mushrooming of whole sale shops near every traffic point...its a clear yes. Churches, hoho's and police ...nothing doing. Its the upper hand... with all the might. Police are just following orders for safe driving.

• Yes. Nagaland Liquor Prohibition Act remained only in paper and not in action. NBCC and NMA insist on total liquor ban but they are not doing anything to stop the flow of liquors in Nagaland.

• Yes there is no doubt about it. With Hornbill festival and Christmas season coming, we can only anticipate more accidents caused by alcohol.

This is very sad.

Some of those who voted NO had this to say • No. 60 % Nagas are still uncivilized and tried to show their might if the policeman or any protester on his uncivic behavior is unarmed. To pull them up to be civic or to change their mindset, it will take another generation. New generation must have interaction with the global partners to come to their standard in thinking, good & healthy ideas and commitment to their lives and thinking for the society.

• Not really. For those who have to drink alcohol they will always find a way to get alcohol with or without prohibition. These days we are more exposed to alcohol and other banned substances than in the past. The right preventive measures need to be taken. But it is very funny that a dry state like Nagaland has to resort to buying breath analysers. This itself tells you what is not working.

• No, Total prohibition in a place like Nagaland will not work. We can have strong restrictions but not total prohibition. Our local fermented juice and locally brewed rice beer is more potent than the IMFL, but these locally home made juice and rice beer is not banned. So there is no logic to it. As far as drunk driving is concerned, there should be strict policy enforced by trained and competent traffic police. I don’t think regular police can handle it.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say • With or without prohibition we must admit that drunk driving is a problem in Nagaland. There is no question that this problem has become bigger because of prohibition. The police warning is actually very late. Lets hope that the police also keep themselves away from the bottle when they go about checking drunk driving. We cant have drunk policemen checking drunk driving. There should be an internal affairs to also check the police for drinking while on duty.

• Let NBCC answer • Police are just trying to help people from accidents.

• Prohibition should be lifted, and the message should be of responsible consumption and no drink and drive. At present in Nagaland people pay double the price and consume substandard liquor.

• Prohibition has not totally failed or being well implement. The warning by police is an indication that things will take shape. Let's wait and see.

• This is a welcome step from the police. I hope they will implement it strictly. They should publish the names and photos in the newspapers of all those who are caught for drunk driving. Fine does not really work. But to really see that this is implemented, the police must also see that the police themselves are not drinking and drunk during working hours.

Many police stations stink of booze.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

8

MondAY 26•10•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Stage set for India-Africa mega summit New Delhi, OctO ber 25 (iANS): The stage is set for the third India Africa Forum Summit October 26-29 with a record participation of all the 54 countries of the continent, most of them represented by their heads of state or government - a high-profile event that will herald a new era in mutual partnership between two of the world's fastest growing regions.

This is perhaps the only time all the 54 African countries are coming together outside the continent for such a meeting.

At least 40 countries are expected to be represented by their heads of state or government.

Seen as a major diplomatic initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, the event has evoked international interest given its scale and the efforts by countries such as China to strengthen with Africa in their scramble for resources.

It is the first time that an international summit of such scale is being held in India after the Non-Aligned Summit in 1983 - the Com-

The Africa you did not know New Delhi, OctOber 25 (iANS): As the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit begins with preparatory meetings on Monday, IANS presents some key facts and figures about a continent that is not only one of the fastest growing regions of the world but one that is economically, culturally and linguistically diverse and is keen to engage more with India: • Africa is 10 times the size of India • Africa comprises 54 independent nations, the newest being South Sudan, which was carved out of Sudan • Africa's population is 1.1 billion (almost the same as India's) • Africa has a coastline of 26,000 km • Africa has a relatively young population, with 65 percent below the age of 35. In many African states, more than half of the population is under the monwealth Heads of Government Meeting the same year saw the participation of 42 countries - and the government has walked the last mile to ensure hassle-free arrangements with

• •

•

•

•

age of 25.

Indian diaspora in Africa is about 2.7 million.

The primary region of Africa is often called sub-Saharan Afri- • ca and excludes the mostly Islamic countries of North Africa like Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania.

Sub-Saharan Africa includes 42 • nations on mainland Africa and • six island nations.

Arabic (in various dialects) is the most common language spoken in Africa with about 170 million speakers, primarily residing in North Africa. In the continent as a whole, there are over 2,000 recognised languages.

At 171 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Egypt comes second with over 85 million people.

The largest country in Africa is Algeria with 967,490 square

every aspect having being gone into in minute detail.

A tight layer of security has been thrown at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here, the main venue of the event, with key hotels of

miles (2.5 million sq km). The smallest country is the island nation of Seychelles (175 sq miles or 453 sq km).

There are at least 3,000 distinct ethnic groups (tribes) in Africa.

Nigeria alone has more than 370 recognised tribes within its population.

Africa's top 18 cities have a total spending power of $1.3 trillion.

Currently, there are two competing narratives on Africa.

One is a story of modernization, growth and global integration.

It is the story of street traders with smartphones; new cities and skylines; factories supplying the likes of Cadburys, Unilever and Walmart; and multinational Western companies - from Google to General Electric. The second story is one of poor governance, conflict, poverty, marginalisation and underdevelopment.

the capital city also under security cover.

The agenda includes a meeting of senior officials on October 26, followed by meeting of foreign ministers on October 27 and

the summit on October 29.

There will also be bilateral meetings, while President Pranab Mukherjee will host a grand banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the evening of October 29.

The summit is expected to address key challenges including food, health and environment as well as deepen cooperation on maritime security and countering terrorism.

India and Africa together represent one-third of the world's population.

Both are seen to be on the cusp of the demographic dividend with vast sections of their population below the age of 35. Both India and countries in Africa face similar challenges in many areas and have a shared history of a colonial past.

Ahead of the summit, Prime Minister Modi has said that India's areas of focus in Africa will continue to be human resource development, institution building, infrastructure, clean energy, agriculture, health, education and skill development.

He said relations between India and African countries were not just political and economic but had very rich cultural traditions.

Modi said it is a relationship with a strong emotional link which has been

forged by intersecting history, centuries-old ties of kinship, commerce and culture, common struggle against colonialism, a quest for equality, dignity and justice, shared aspirations for progress and a voice in the world.

Modi also said that people from his home state of Gujarat launched trade and commerce with Africa and he had links with the continent even before he became chief minister of the western Indian state in 2001. Modi said he has had very good relations with various personalities of Africa.

Modi also hoped that India and Africa would continue to speak in one voice for reforming the United Nations Security Council and global financial institutions.

Modi had on Friday held an informal interaction with visiting trade ministers from Africa. The ministers were here for the 4th India-Africa Trade Ministers' meeting. India's trade with Africa has ballooned 20 times in the last 15 years and currently stands at $70 billion. India's

investment in Africa range between $30-35 billion.

Both India and Africa are seen as the bright spots of hope for the global economy. While India is the fastest growing major economy at present, Africa is also experiencing rapid growth.

Agriculture is another area with significant potential as Africa is estimated to have about 60 percent of arable land in the world but produces 10 percent of the global output.

Africa's development is seen as a huge opportunity for India as its resources including oil can power India's economic growth.

This would, in turn, would create wealth and jobs in Africa.

The two previous IndiaAfrica summits were held in 2008 and 2011, in New Delhi and Addis Ababa but with only representative participation from African countries. Following these summits, India has given a $ 7.4 billion concessional credit which has been used for 17 projects in 41 countries in fields such as infrastructure, agriculture, industry, energy and water.

UPSC's civil services main Unity in diversity pride of India: PM Modi 'Case against Himachal exam to begin from Dec 18 New Delhi, OctOber 25 dia's unity.

PM highlights need CM politics of vendetta'

New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): The civil services main examination will be conducted in December this year.

The civil services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The main examination will start from December 18 and end on 23, according to the time table finalised by the UPSC. The examination will be conducted in forenoon and afternoon sessions during these days. There will be no exam on December 20.

A total of 15,008 candidates have qualified in this year's civil services preliminary examination, results of which were declared on October 12. As against a record number of 9,45,908 candidates who had applied for the exam, about 4.63 lakh had sat in the test on August 23, which is about 49 per cent of the total applicants.

‘Rahul’s leadership unacceptable, Congress refuses to learn’ New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): A close aide of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has come out in the open to question the leadership credentials of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and says it is only a matter of time when it will be challenged within the party along with that of his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi.

Gandhi is a reluctant politician like his father Rajiv Gandhi and has his “limitations” as he has not been groomed for the job unlike his father whom Indira Gandhi herself groomed, says veteran Congress leader M.L. Fotedar in his yet-to-be-released book The Chinar Leaves. Fotedar, in the book, says Gandhi had “certain stubbornness” and his motivation to become a leader was “not very strong”. “Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is unacceptable to the people of this country and Sonia Gandhi has her best years behind her. The party has no one to provide direction. It refuses to learn.

“It has made wrong choices while appointing opposition leaders in both Houses of Parliament. It has made wrong choices about how to deal with the challenges in the Assembly elections. In fact, there is nothing right, which the party has done or is doing. It saddens me that the Nehru-Indira legacy has reached a cul-de-sac,” he said. He goes on to add that “Since Soniaji still is the unchallenged leader of the party, it should be her responsibility to reinvent the party. Blaming Rahul in a way is shifting the blame from the Congress president to someone, who has yet to display his leadership skills.

'British army included around 10-yrold Indian children during WW-I' lONDON, OctOber 25 (Pti): Britain's World WarI army included Indian children as young as 10-yearsold fighting against the Germans on the western front, according to a new book on the role of Indian soldiers in the Great War. The youngsters were shipped over to France from the far reaches of the British Empire to carry out support roles, but were so close to the front line that many were wounded and admitted to hospital, according to 'For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front 1914-18'.

The account by writer and historian Shrabani Basu is based on official papers at the National Archives and British Library. Some of the Indian children, including a 10-year-old "bellows blower", and two grooms, both 12, provided support to cavalry regiments, a 'Sunday Times' report said. One of the youngest boys involved in direct combat was a "brave little Gurkha" called Pim, 16, who was given an award for valour by Queen Mary while he was recuperating in hospital in Brighton.

Basu believes many of the children came from poor families and that they would have lied about their age at recruitment offices in India, where they were encouraged to sign up for a monthly salary of 11 rupees. "In the case of a 10-year-old, it should have been pretty obvious that they were underage," she told the newspaper. This embarrassment was shared by some British officials. In one dispatch to Lord Kitchener, secretary of state for war, Sir Walter Lawrence, a civil servant tasked with overseeing injured Indian troops, wrote: "It seems a great pity that children should have been allowed to come to Europe."

(iANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described diversity as the pride of India and the key to development.

In his "Mann ki Baat" radio address, Modi also said he was excited about inaugurating an Ambedkar Bhavan in London next month.

In his nearly half-hour speech, the prime minister did not mention any of the recent incidents of violence including the lynching of a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that he ate beef.

But he underlined that India was a diverse country, "and this diversity is the pride of India... Peace, harmony and unity... these are the key to development". Modi also recalled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose birth anniversary falls on October 31, and said he made a huge contribution to In-

"He had a dream for a united India, and he succeeded in doing that geographically."

The prime minister added that the 'mantra' of unity should "constantly be a part of our thought, behaviour and expressions". Modi said the government had bought the house where B.R. Ambedkar used to live in London.

"I will be making a trip to Britain a day after Diwali. I am looking forward to my trip. I'll inaugurate the Ambedkar Bhavan in London, which is now the Indian government's property," he said.

"For the Dalits, oppressed, poor, who spend their lives with difficulties, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Bhavan will be an inspiration that with will power all difficulties can be overcome," he said.

for organ donations Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the need for organ donation in the country and encouraged people for it. Stating that there is annual need of over 2.5 lakh kidney, heart and liver donations, the prime minister said the organ donation is "very important in the country".

"Only 5,000 successful transplants are done every year. Every year we need at least one lakh eyes. But we manage to do only 25,000 transplants. Those who die in road accidents, their organs can be donated. There are few legal formalities in this," he said in his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat".

He said few states have done well "in this regard by cutting short the paper work" while appreciating Tamil Nadu for having done "extremely well" in organ donation.

ShimlA, OctOber 25 (iANS): A day ahead of the apex court hearing challenging a court order granting relief to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in an alleged disproportionate assets case, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Sunday said it was "politics of vendetta".

The politics of vendetta and vengeance unleashed by the BJP against the chief minister would never succeed, a statement by the 11-member cabinet said.

They, in a joint statement, said the state government under the leadership of Virbhadra Singh was strong and stable and would complete its full five-year term.

"Virbhadra Singh enjoys full support of the Congress and people of the state and the dirty designs of the BJP to destabilise a democratically-elected government would fall flat," the statement said.

The ministers said the BJP was misusing the central investigating agencies against Virbhadra Singh. The CBI moved the Supreme Court on October 15 to challenge a Himachal Pradesh High Court order granting relief to Virbhadra Singh and his wife and protecting them from arrest in the alleged disproportionate assets case as the agency sought their custodial interrogation.

NDRF ties up with 30 PSUs to tackle disasters New Delhi, OctOber 25 (Pti): The NDRF, country's elite disaster mitigation combat force, has tied up with about 30 PSUs in order to develop mutual understanding and enhance capabilities to jointly tackle man-made or natural emergencies.

A coordination meeting in this regard was held recently here between the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and prominent Public Sector Undertakings like ONGC, GAIL, Air India and those in the mining and shipping and heavy industries sector. Over 40 senior officials from these PSUs took part in the maiden meeting held here on October 23.

"In order to solemnise the concept of empowerment and capacity building in the respective field of their expertise and geographical locations, we proposed that the force can really contribute in capacity building by strengthening the

skills, competencies and abilities of the workforce of the PSUs. "The effort is to build a good synergy between both the organisations," NDRF Director General O P Singh told PTI. He said the first of its kind initiative will ensure that in case of any emergency or disaster the two sides can come together and act as one strong unit and also ensure that in case of small or mid-level exigencies these units can function as first responders till the NDRF arrives on the scene, he said.

The NDRF has proposed to these large establishments that it could extend its skill modules like on tackling nuclear, biological and chemical disasters to train their personnel.

The DG said despite possessing excellent resources and skills, these organizations have been grossly underutilised A major fire broke out in South Mumbai’s busy Crawford Market in the wee hours of Sunday, when it comes to making effective re- October 25 gutting over 60 shops. Fire officials said there was no casualty reported in the sponse to disasters of all kinds. blaze. (Express Photo)

Supreme Court takes up cause of Muslim women New Delhi, OctO ber 25 (AgeNcieS): Thirty years after the Supreme Court urged the government to frame a uniform civil code to “help in the cause of national integration” in the Shah Bano case, a two-judge Bench of the court has suo motu ordered registration of a public interest litigation petition and asked the Chief Justice to set up a Special Bench to consider gender discrimination suffered by Muslim women owing to “arbitrary divorce and second marriage of their husbands during the currency of their first marriage”.

Justices Anil R. Dave and Adarsh Kumar Goel issued notice to the AttorneyGeneral and the National Legal Services Authority of India to reply, on November 23, whether “gender discrimination” suffered by Muslim women should not be considered a violation of the fundamental rights un-

der Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution and international covenants. The October 16 verdict refers to dozens of its judgments since the 1990s to record the court’s growing realisation that gender discrimination violated the constitutional rights of women.

They have been asked whether “gender discrimination” suffered by Muslim women should not be considered a violation of the fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution and international covenants.

The verdict, dated October 16, refers to dozens of its own judgments since the 1990s in order to record the Supreme Court’s growing realisation that gender discrimination is a violation of the constitutional rights of women.

Considering the strong pitch made by the Supreme Court recently for a common civil code, this

judgment is significant as this is the first time that the court itself has shed its selfimposed restraint by suo motu ordering the registration of a PIL petition.

Even in the 1985 Shah Bano case, the court had only reminded the government of the lack of “evidence of any official activity for framing a common civil code for the country.”

It had said a “common civil code will help in the cause of national integration by removing disparate loyalties to laws which have conflicting ideologies.”

Justice Goel wrote that the decision to “consider” the rights of Muslim women came up during discussions with lawyers on gender discrimination at the hearing of a batch of civil appeals on the issue of a daughter’s right to equal shares in ancestral property under the Hindu succession law.

“An important issue

of gender discrimination which, though not directly involved in this appeal, has been raised by some of the learned counsel for the parties which concerns rights to Muslim women. Discussions on gender discrimination led to this issue also. It was pointed out that in spite of guarantee of the Constitution, Muslim women are subjected to discrimination. There is no safeguard against arbitrary divorce and second marriage by her husband during the currency of the first marriage, resulting in denial of dignity and security to her,” the judgment recorded.

“It is pointed out that the matter needs consideration by this court as the issue relates not merely to a policy matter but to fundamental rights of women under Articles 14, 15 and 21 [of the Constitution] and international conventions and covenants,” Justice Goel wrote of the discus-

sions the Bench had during the court hearings.

Justice Goel wrote how even in the Danial Latifi judgment of 2001, the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench had not addressed the issue of gender discrimination, though it held that “Article 21 included right to live with dignity which supports the plea that a Muslim woman could invoke fundamental rights in such matters.”

In the Latifi case, the court attempted to uphold the constitutional validity of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, by extending the right of a Muslim woman to get maintenance till she re-marries. This Act had diluted the Shah Bano judgment and reduced the period of maintenance to the completion of iddat.

Justice Goel refers to several judgments of the past to show how the court stopped short of a judicial

debate on the uniform civil code, fearing it would then take on an “activist role.”

Changing stance But Justice Goel points to recent SC judgments, like Javed vs. State of Haryana in 2003 in which a three-judge Bench intervened in personal law to uphold the dignity of women, to show the change in attitude. In the Javed case, the court held that “polygamy is injurious to public morals and can be superseded by the State just as practice of ‘Sati’.”

Again, Justice Goel referred to the John Vallamattom case judgment of 2003, which said “laws dealing with marriage and succession are not part of religion.” Finally, Justice Goel refers to the 2015 judgment in the Charu Khurana case, in which the court struck against gender discrimination shown to women make-up artists in the film industry.

mOndaY 26•10•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Rift on refugees spurs risk to Europe’s unity BRUSSLES, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): A rift over Europe’s response to the sudden arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees is leading some in Brussels to voice fears for the future of the European Union.

The 28-nation bloc is torn between solidarity and security as governments struggle to cope with an influx of people fleeing war and oppression in Syria, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, which is fuelling a political backlash in many countries.

“What was unimaginable before is possible today - that is the disintegration of the European project,” Frans Timmermans, the European Commission vice-president coordinating EU action on the migration crisis, told the Friends of Europe think-tank.

Mu t u a l mistrust among EU governments has reached alarming levels, say old Brussels hands who are used to frequent past crises.

While German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging EU countries to open their doors and their hearts to refugees, other leaders see the top priorities as controlling the EU’s external borders to stem arrivals, deporting more people denied asylum and paying

Migrants wait to enter a registration camp in Preshevo, Serbia on October 24. (REUTERS Photo)

third countries to keep refugees on their soil.

Several EU partners, led outspokenly by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, accuse Merkel of having amplified the wave of migrants when she decided unilaterally in August to take in Syrian refugees without applying an

EU rule that asylum seekers must apply in the first European country they reach.

German officials say she was simply recognising the reality that the asylum rules, which put an unrealistic burden on Greece and Italy, had broken down and required a humanitarian

response.

A stampede of refugees heading to Germany across his country prompted Orban to seal Hungary’s borders with Serbia and Croatia, setting off a chain reaction of beggar-thyneighbour actions by overstretched governments.

That has stranded tens

of thousands in inhuman conditions in the Western Balkans as winter nears.

Support for far-right parties fanning fears of foreigners, Islam and terrorism is soaring in France, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. British Eurosceptics are using the crisis to buttress their

arguments for voting to leave the EU in a forthcoming referendum.

Governments in central and eastern Europe are resisting demands from Berlin and Brussels to admit mandatory quotas of refugees. A swing to the nationalist right in Poland is likely to harden that front.

At home, Merkel faces growing pressure within her own conservative party to close German borders and limit the number of migrants. Her government has cut benefits for asylum seekers and is speeding up the removal of rejected applicants.

The crisis has also opened up divergences among EU institutions, with the European Commission under JeanClaude Juncker treating it primarily as a long-term humanitarian challenge to integrate refugees.

By contrast, European Council President Donald Tusk, the former Polish prime minister who chairs EU summits, calls the wave of migrants a “threat” to be “stemmed” or “contained”, notably by paying Turkey to keep Syrian refugees on its soil.

Tusk sided squarely with the security camp in a speech to centre-

right leaders in Madrid last week, saying in a rare swipe at Merkel that those who want quotas for refugees to be agreed before Europe’s borders were secured were naive.

“We can no longer allow solidarity to be equivalent to naivety, openness to be equivalent to helplessness, freedom to be equivalent to chaos. And by that, I am of course referring to the situation on our borders,” he said.

“Citizens want to feel safe again, because only then will they be capable of helping people in need.”

RICH AND WEAK The influx poses profound challenges to ageing, wealthy but anxious European societies that were already struggling to adapt to globalisation and multiculturalism.

It comes at a time when many working class voters have switched their support to the far right out of anger over unemployment, falling living standards and immigration.

While some European leaders portray the refugee wave as a temporary issue that can be curbed with better border controls, Timmermans said: “The worst thing we could do is to present the picture to

people that if we take these measures, the problem will stop. It won’t. It will be with us for a generation.”

Even if there were a peace settlement in Syria’s four-year-old civil war, which seems a remote prospect, the wider refugee and migration challenge will remain.

At the congress of the European People’s Party, the dominant force among EU governments and the biggest party in the European Parliament, Orban drew applause when he denounced Merkel’s open-door policy as a magnet for “economic migrants, refugees and also foreign fighters”.

He depicted Europe as “rich and weak - the most dangerous possible mixture”.

While many European leaders may deplore his strongarm tactics and rhetoric, they are acutely aware of the challenge the crisis poses to the their own political survival and to cooperation in the EU. “The migration crisis will determine the future of our political family,” Orban told delegates. “We are in a deep trouble. The migration crisis is able to destabilise governments, countries and the European continent.”

South Korea fires warning shots Pope calls for more open-hearted Church Israel says Arab citizen used at North patrol boat near border VaTICaN CITY, OCTOBER 25 oases, creates other deserts,” he around the Bible story of Jesus paraglider to join Syria war

SEOUL, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): South Korean navy fired warning shots at a North Korean patrol boat near the rivals’ disputed maritime border, where sailors on both sides have been killed in past exchanges of fire, the two sides said on Sunday.

The incident, which took place on Saturday, coincided with the holding reunions of families separated during the 1950-53 Korean War under an August accord that ended an earlier standoff and called for better ties.

South Korea’s navy fired several shots at a North Korean patrol boat that crossed the disputed maritime border on Saturday, forcing it to retreat, a South Korean defence official in Seoul said by telephone, asking not to be named.

The North did not return fire or take other action, the official said.

North Korea has rejected the so-called Northern Limit Line (NLL), which was drawn up at the end of the Korean War, as the maritime border, insisting on a line further to the south.

The two Koreas remain technically at war because no peace treaty has been signed after the war, and despite several moves to normalise ties, the peninsula is tensely divided.

A North Korean spokesman said the South fired at its vessel conducting “routine” operation, calling it a “serious provocation,” and warned such action could spark military confrontation and refuel tensions on the Korean peninsula.

“There will be only a war disaster, far from the improvement of the North-South relations, as long as the South Korean military warmongers go reckless,” the unnamed spokesman said in comments carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Naval clashes in the region since 1999 killed dozens of sailors on both sides. In 2010, a South Korean navy vessel was sunk in a torpedo attack that killed 46 sailors.

The South blames the North for the attack but Pyongyang denies any role.

In August, the two sides agreed to work for better ties, ending a tense confrontation at the land border that involved trading of artillery fire. The family reunions were seen as one step in improving ties.

Push to make Buddhism Thailand’s state religion BaNgkOk, OCTOBER 25 (IaNS): Several Buddhist groups here are hoping that the drafters of a new constitution for the country will include Buddhism as Thailand’s official state religion, a media report said on Sunday.

Supporters have declared that this time proposals to the drafters would be made peacefully, after a previous attempt failed during the coup-installed government of former prime minister Surayud Chulanont in 2007, The Bangkok Post reported.

The Constitution Drafting Assembly in 2007 had rejected a proposal to make Buddhism the state religion in the draft charter, which resulted in violent protests staged by monks outside the Thai parliament.

“No government has ever taken an interest in Buddhism, resulting in a decline in the religion,” said Korn Meedee, the secretary of a committee to promote Buddhism as the state religion.

Supporters of the move want the government to enact bills to patronise and protect Buddhism with heavy penalties, such as jail terms for monks who cause “harm and disgrace” to the religion, and also eradicate images that do not properly represent it.

“We want to eradicate non-pure forms of Buddhism, such as using the religion for commercial purposes, as well as the use of Hindu statues inside Buddhist temples,” said Korn, who added that the move would not infringe the rights of other religions.

In the past week, the group has distributed 100,000 forms for a petition in all provinces except the Muslimdominated Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

According to official sources, about 95 percent of Thailand’s total population are Buddhists.

(REUTERS): Pope Francis closed a contentious bishops’ meeting on family issues on Sunday calling for a more open-hearted, compassionate Church rooted in people’s lives and not a programmatic, arid one that fears changes and challenges.

At the end of the three week gathering, the bishops agreed to a qualified opening toward divorcees who have remarried outside the Church and currently cannot receive communion.

But the final document effectively sidestepped the issue of whether the Church should use more welcoming language towards homosexuals - a topic that threw a preliminary meeting into turmoil a year ago. On Saturday, the pope excoriated Church leaders who he said sometimes bury their heads in the sand and hide behind rigid doctrine while families suffer.

The overall results appeared to be a qualified victory for Francis, who is the final arbiter and will now write his own major document on family issues.

“A faith that does not know how to root itself in the life of people remains arid and, rather than

said on Sunday.

The pope has stressed since his election in 2013 that the 1.2 billion-member Church should be open to change, side with the poor and rid itself of the pomp and stuffiness that has alienated so many Catholics.

The synod avoided the very real possibility of ending in a total deadlock on some issues but the fact that conservatives came very close to defeating the articles on divorcees underscored the deep divisions that remain in its wake. The conservative Voice of the Family group said the meeting had left a “a crisis of trust” between the faithful and Church leaders over the opening to divorcees.

Father Tom Reese, a progressive analyst for the National Catholic Reporter, said that the synod was a defeat for “those (conservatives) who wanted to emphasize the law over mercy, who were opposed to any changes in Church practice.”

The pope continued his theme of a more compassionate, more listening Church in his Sunday homily of a Mass with the bishops in St. Peter’s Basilica.

He weaved his comments

stopping to restore sight to a blind man while his apostles had not been moved by the man’s cries.

“This can be a danger for us: in the face of constant problems, it is better to move on, instead of letting ourselves be bothered ... our hearts are not open,” Francis said at the Mass, attended by the synod’s 270 bishops.

He said Church leaders needed to beware “a scheduled faith” where everything was programmed, and a condescending point of view where “whoever bothers us or is not of our stature is excluded”. The pope’s tough speech on Saturday night was the latest in a series of his admonitions to his bishops to be more flexible and merciful without changing basic doctrine.

In it, he appeared to criticise the ultra-conservatives who nearly derailed some of the synod’s openings. He said the synod had “laid bare the closed hearts which frequently hide even behind the Church’s teachings or good intentions, in order to sit in the chair of Moses and judge, sometimes with superiority and superficiality, difficult cases and wounded families”.

JERUSaLEM, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): Israel said on Sunday that an Arab citizen had used a paraglider to fly illegally into neighbouring Syria, where he planned to join Islamic State insurgents in the four-year-old rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad.

The man’s flight on Saturday across the fortified Golan Heights frontier jarred Israel, which has seen dozens of its minority Muslim Arabs or Palestinians from East Jerusalem reach the Syrian civil war through legal destinations such as Turkey.

The Israeli military, whose aircraft dropped illumination flares around the Golan overnight before calling off the searches on Sunday, issued brief statements describing the paraglider as an Arab from the predominantly Muslim town of Jaljulia. He was not named. Israeli media gave his age as 23.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the man’s citizenship would be revoked as

part of a wider policy against militants.

A minister from Netanyahu’s rightist Likud party, Ofir Akunis, told reporters that the Israeli Arab had “crossed to the border into Syria ... to join ISIS (Islamic State) forces”.

A Syrian rebel whose group operates in the area said the paraglider had come down either in Quneitra province or western Deraa. Local rebel groups include the Southern Front alliance affiliated with the Free Syrian Army, the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, and a group called the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade, which other rebels believe is affiliated with Islamic State.

Israel is publicly neutral on the Syrian civil war, worried that Assad, a long-time foe with whom it had maintained a stable standoff, could be toppled by more openly hostile Islamists. It has outlawed travel there by Israelis on security grounds, and has cracked down on those suspected of trying to breach the ban.

UK nuclear deterrent to cost 167 bln pounds LONDON, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): The overall cost of replacing and maintaining Britain’s nuclear deterrent will reach 167 billion pounds ($256 billion), much more than expected, according to a lawmaker’s and Reuters’ calculations based on official figures.

If the figure is confirmed, it is likely to spur critics who say Britain should not be committing to spending billions of pounds on defence at a time when they say deep cuts under the government’s “austerity” policies are hurting families.

Some military officials also say the money would be better spent on maintaining the army and on more conventional technology, which have also faced cuts.

Until now, Prime Minister David Cameron’s government has said replacing the ageing fleet of four submarines which carry nuclear warheads to provide a continuous at-sea deterrent would cost an estimated 15-20 billion pounds.

Critics, who include the Scottish Nationalist Party which has campaigned for the Scotland-based Trident to be scrapped, have said Britain will need to spend 100 billion pounds, a figure based on a 2014 report by the independent

Trident Commission.

In a written parliamentary response to Crispin Blunt, a lawmaker in Cameron’s Conservative party, Minister of State for Defence Procurement Philip Dunne said on Friday the acquisition of four new submarines would cost 25 billion pounds.

He added that the inservice costs would be about 6 percent of the annual defence budget over their lifetime. The total defence budget for 2014/15 reached 33.8 billion pounds and rises to 34.1 billion pounds in 2015/16, according to the ministry.

“My office’s calculation based on an in-service date of 2028 and a missile extension until 2060 ... the total cost is 167 billion pounds,” Blunt told Reuters.

“The successor Trident programme is going to consume more than double the proportion of the defence budget of its predecessor ... The price required, both from the UK taxpayer and our conventional forces, is now too high to be rational or sensible.”

His figure was based on a presumption that Britain will spend 2 percent of its annual gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, as Cameron’s government has promised.

It also uses existing offi-

cial government and International Monetary Fund figures, and an assumption of GDP growth of an annual average of 2.48 percent between 2020 and 2060. Using the same figures, a Reuters calculation came to the same sum of 167 billion pounds.

Asked about the rising cost, a spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence said the government had published an unclassified version of a review on alternatives to Trident which “demonstrated that no alternative system is as capable, or as cost-effective, as a Trident-based deterrent”.

“At around 6 percent of the annual defence budget, the in-service costs of the UK’s national deterrent ... are affordable and represent an investment in a capability which plays an important role in ensuring the UK’s national security,” the spokesperson said.

“MONSTER” PROJECT The figures tally with comments this month by Jon Thompson, the top civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, when he described the project to replace the nuclear deterrent as a “monster”.

“That’s the project that keeps me awake at night the most,” he told parliament’s Public Accounts

A nuclear submarine is seen at the Royal Navy’s submarine base at Faslane, Scotland, August 31. (REUTERS Photo)

Committee.

“It’s the biggest project the Ministry of Defence is ever going to take on. If the government were to proceed with renewing the deterrent then in due course that would exceed 5 billion (pounds) a year. That is a significant proportion of the defence budget and it’s an incredibly complicated area.”

He added that it was extremely difficult to estimate what the future costs would be.

A final decision on replacing the four existing vessels carrying the Trident missiles -- four Vanguard-

class submarines -- is due next year and Cameron has said he will press ahead with the renewal.

In August, the government said it would spend more than 500 million pounds refurbishing its Faslane naval base in Scotland.

“I think it is right to maintain our independent nuclear deterrent and anyone who has any doubts of it only has to look at the dangers and uncertainty in our world,” Cameron told parliament on Wednesday.

In a speech last week, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said global threats

meant renewing Trident was vital.

“I appeal to all moderate MPs (lawmakers), to put our national security first and to support building four new Trident submarines,” he said. “Spread across the 30-year life of the new boats, this represents an annual insurance premium of around 0.13 percent of total government spending.”

The opposition Labour Party had also been a supporter of renewal but its new leader, far-left veteran lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn, an anti-war campaigner, is opposed to the plans.

10

monDAY 26•10•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Real clear at top after win against 10-man Celta

MADRID, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): Real Madrid pulled three points clear of second-placed Celta Vigo when they held off the valiant 10-man Galicians to secure a nervy 3-1 victory in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash in La Liga.

Real have 21 points from nine matches, with Celta level on 18 with Spanish and European champions Barcelona, who play their game in hand at home to Eibar on Sunday.

Sevilla continued their improvement after a stuttering start when Kevin Gameiro netted a hat-trick for the Europa League holders as they hammered 10-man Getafe, who had defender Carlos Vigaray sent off on the hour, 5-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan. Getafe's defending was appalling and they conceded three penalties, one converted by Gameiro and one each by Ever Banega and Yevhen Konoplyanka.

Atletico Madrid are fourth on 16 points ahead

ceded only three goals in Spain’s top flight this term, was on scintillating form in the first half and his saves from efforts by Orellana, Iago Aspas and Pablo Hernandez were out of the top drawer. Celta battled hard to get back into the game in the second half but their hopes were dealt a blow in the 57th minute when centre back Gustavo Cabral protested about a decision too energetically and was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Real failed to make their numerical superiority count, however, and Marcelo had to clear a Nolito effort off the line in the 72nd minute before the Spain winger pulled a goal back with a stunning drive into the top corner five minutes from time. Celta substitute John Guidetti fired just wide moments later but Real held firm and Marcelo scored with the last kick of the match in the 96th minute to make it 3-1.

Real midfielder Case-

of Sunday’s match at home to Valencia, when Villarreal, who also have 16 points in fifth, play at promoted Las Palmas. Sevilla are ninth, level on 12 points with eighth-placed Valencia but behind on goal difference. Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo and fullback Danilo struck early to put Real in control at Celta's Balaidos stadium and Real's Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas made sure they went into the break 2-0 ahead with a host of outstanding saves.

Real, missing injured regulars Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez but with fit-again Luka Modric back in the starting lineup, went ahead in the eighth minute when Lucas Vazquez squared for Ronaldo to finish past Sergio Alvarez in the home goal.

Danilo made it 2-0 15 minutes later with his debut Real goal when he found space on the right and had time to pick his spot. Navas, who has con-

miro blamed the team's inability to kill off Celta on fatigue after a draining 0-0 draw at Paris St Germain in the Champions League midweek.

"We were tired because we had a tough match on Wednesday," Casemiro told Spanish television.

"We knew they were strong at home," added the Brazilian. "Celta are a very good team and they will be fighting for the positions at the top of the table."

Nolito said that despite the defeat Celta, who thumped Barca 4-1 at the Balaidos last month, would be strengthened by the way they responded after the sending off. "Even when you lose there can be a lot of positives," he told Spanish television. "We played a great match even with 10 men and I think the team should be congratulated," he added. Granada climbed off the bottom pending Sunday's results when they drew 1-1 at home to 10thplaced Real Betis.

Third open Kohima district Manchester United fans of Nagaland converge for the love of football volleyball tournament begins Teamsqualifiedforquarter final (Men) are:1. Khonoma Y.O. 2. St. Joseph College 3. Kiruphema Y.O. 4. Prancers Phesama 5. Striking 10th Zhadima 6. Kezo Town Y.S. 7. Phetsukiku Khonoma 8. Kezieke Y.O. In Women Category, qualified for Semi Final are:- Shurho Mt. and Elite Sisters, remaining two teams will be decided on Monday first match at 9am.

Players in action during 3rd open Kohima district volleyball tournament at Kohima Local Ground on October 24. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent tion, Prancers Phesama, Kohima | October 25

The 3rd open Kohima District Volleyball Tournament (Men & Women) under the aegis of Kohima District Volleyball Association (KDVA) made a colourful start here this morning at Kohima Local Ground under the theme “Transcending through sports.”

18 men’s team and 8 women’s team from different parts of Kohima district are vying for coveted champion titles.

Men’s team included: Khonoma Youth Organization, St Joseph College, Strivers Kigwema, Forever Club Chiechama, Kiruphema Youth Organiza-

Jotsoma Youth Organization, Kiruphema Students Union, Striking Tenth Zhadima, Kezo Town Youth Society, Nerhema Sports Association, Unified Sporting Club Kiruphema, Apex Club Kezo Basa, Tama Youth Society Mima, BKK Tsiesema, Phetsukiku Club Khonoma, Keziekie Youth Organization and Naga Bazaar Youth Organization.

Women’s team: Naga Bazar Youth Organization, Elite Sisters Club, St.Joseph College, Shiirho Mountain Club, Keziekie Women Organization, Penky Sporting Club Kidima, Elixer Club Kezoma and Khonoma Youth Organization.

Quarter finals matches

CASA football tourney concludes DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): The Coco Area Sports Association (CASA) football tournament which kick started on October 21 at Akuhaito town with Secretary Finance, Kikheto Y. Sema as the chief guest successfully concluded on Saturday. Rotomi Sports Association lifted the champion's trophy along with cash and citations while Akuhaito Sports Association claimed the runner's up trophy. Altogether fives teams participated in the tournament.

Rossi penalised for kicking Marquez at Malaysian GP KUAlA lUMPUR, OCTOBER 25 (IANS): MotoGP championship leader Valentino Rossi will have to start his next race from the back of the grid as the Italian was penalised for kicking Marc Marquez off his bike during the Malaysian Grand Prix here on Sunday. The race was clinched by Dani Pedrosa of Honda while Jorge Lorenzo of Movistar Yamaha stood second. Rossi managed to grab hold of the third place but was slapped with three penalty points after a post-race investigation. The incident took place during the 13th lap after Rossi gestured something to Marquez. The final race of the season takes place in Spain on November 8 with Rossi leading Lorenzo by seven points. "Unfortunately, I lose a lot of time with Marc," Rossi was quoted as saying by the BBC. "And in turn 14, I tried to go a bit wide to take a better line and make him slow. He came to me and I think he crashed in that moment." However, Lorenzo said after the race that he believes Rossi had kicked Marquez. "It's clear that he took Marquez off," Lorenzo said. Before the race, the 36-year-old Rossi had accused Marquez of deliberately trying to impede him during the Australian Grand Prix on October 18 in order to help Lorenzo. "Marquez did not play with both of us, he played only with me," Rossi said. "He isn't playing fair. He would prefer Lorenzo to win. He is angry at me for a personal matter."

will start from 9:00 AM onward on October 26.

The champion in men's category will pocket a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 while runner-up will receive Rs. 20,000. Semi finalists will also get Rs. 5000 each.

In women's category, the champion will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 while runner-up will get Rs. 10,000. Semi finalists will receive Rs. 5000 each.

A cash prize of Rs. 2000 has been set for best spiker and best setter in both categories.

Neiphrezo Keditsu, chairman, Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd will grace the closing function as the guest of honour on October 26 at 2:30 PM. The function will be chaired by Xavier Rutsa. Zhavinuo Pielie will present special number.

MOKOKChUNg, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): Manchester United fand of Nagaland (MUFCN) from Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung today played an exhibition match at the Imkongmeren Sports complex on Sunday, October 25, 2015.

The Mokokchung Manchester United fans hosted the fellow Man United fans from Dimapur and Kohima, and the exhibition match was officiated by officials from the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA).

The MUFCN team played against Elation Football Club, a football club that played in the recently XXI MDFA Trophy 2015. Elation won the match 4-1.

Fans of Manchester United Nagaland, Elation Football Club (blue jersey), MDFA officials and well wishers after an exhibition match between the Elation Football Culb and Man United fans at the Imkonmeren Sports Complex on October 25. (Photo/Temjenlemba Longchar)

After the match, the Manchester United fans cleaned the Imkongmeren Sports Complex. The Mancheter United fans of Mokokchung deeply ac-

knowledges the MDFA for officiating the exhibition match, the Elation Fooball Club, the fans of other clubs who joined in the match and well wishers for

their support towards the sucessful hosting of the exhibition match.

The Manchester United fans ofMokokchung also screened live the Sun-

day match between Manchester United and Manchester United at a resort near Mokokchung which was witnessed by many football lovers.

Pakistan lead by 445 as England openers fall

DUBAI, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): England stumbled to 45 for two in their second innings of the second test at tea on Sunday, 445 runs behind Pakistan after the hosts’ Younus Khan had made a swaggering 31st test century.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ulHaq declared on 354 for six early in the afternoon to set England a daunting victory target of 491.

Batting for a second time, England looked as if they cared little for the scoreboard and were simply aiming to get through potentially more than 140 overs without

losing 10 wickets.

Pakistan were similarly unconcerned by the run rate, positioning four slips as Misbah began with an all-seam attack of Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan.

Moeen Ali (1) lasted 15 balls in another miserable outing for the novice opener, his series average now just 12, after a thick edge carried to Younus at second slip off Imran Khan. In came Ian Bell to partner skipper Alastair Cook, who is struggling with a groin injury that left him labouring between the wickets. Cook’s (10) torment

was soon over, however, after his attempted sweep off Yasir Shah offered Wahab Riaz a catch at deep backward square as England stumbled to 19 for two.

Bell (18) and Joe Root (14) will return to the crease after tea.

The hosts, who have never lost a series in their adopted home, resumed the fourth day on 222 for three but suffered an early setback when Misbah (87) thumped James Anderson's slower delivery to Cook at mid-off for a comfortable catch.

Yet Younus was unruffled, Pakistan's record run scorer registering

his 10th hundred in the UAE with a cut for four as Pakistan reached lunch on 311 without further loss.

That slowness lulled Pakistan into complacency, however, as Younus (118) lofted a top edge from Adil Rashid beyond the bowler’s head and Moeen ran to make a sprawling catch. That left the hosts on 337 for five and Younus’s partnership with Asad Shafiq halted on 113, the joint second-highest of the match.

Shafiq (79) was last to go, trapped leg before wicket by Moeen Ali as Pakistan scored 43 runs in seven post-lunch overs.

Joy for Wenger, gloom for Mourinho as Arsenal go top

lONDON, OCTOBER 25 (REUTERS): Bitter rivals Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho had wildly contrasting afternoons on Saturday as Arsenal went top of the Premier League and champions Chelsea lost again with their manager being sent off.

Wenger, once dubbed "a specialist in failure" by the Chelsea boss, punched the air in delight after Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 at a rain-lashed Emirates Stadium.

Mourinho, however, failed to show up at his post-match news conference after the Stamford Bridge club slumped to sixth from bottom following a 2-1 defeat at London rivals West Ham United.

On another bleak day for Chelsea they finished with 10 men after having Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic sent off. The mood of the visitors was not helped at a wet Upton Park when Cesc Fabregas had a first-half goal harshly disallowed for offside.

Arsenal won their fourth successive league match after headers from Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny in a three-minute spell in the first half helped them go top for the first time since February 2014.

They have 22 points from 10 games and will stay at the summit until at least Sunday when Manchester City, second on 21, play Manchester United, fourth on 19, at Old Trafford.

Chelsea's fifth league defeat of the season meant West Ham finished the day in third place on 20 points after a venemous first-

half shot into the bottom corner from Mauro Zarate and a late header from substitute Andy Carroll gave them victory.

Gary Cahill briefly drew Chelsea level with a close-range shot in the 56th minute after referee Jon Moss had ordered Mourinho to the stands when the outspoken Portuguese had approached him at halftime.

"The mood in the dressing

room is not great, like you’d imagine when you lose games," Cahill told the BBC. "The lads are devastated.

"You’re left scratching your head sometimes. In the first half the Fabregas goal could have been given and we had the goal that was nearly over the line. That sums up the way we’re going."

Cahill was referring to a firsthalf header from Kurt Zouma that

went within millimetres of a goal.

Chelsea's defeat summed up Mourinho's season.

CONTROVERSIAL INCIDENTS Since falling out with former first team doctor Eva Carneiro on the opening day, he has been involved in several other controversial incidents.

Last week Mourinho was fined 50,000 pounds ($76,560)

by the FA for comments he made about referees when Chelsea lost at home to Southampton on Oct. 3.

Mourinho, who sat in the directors' box until eight minutes from time at Upton Park, is now facing another FA fine for not speaking to the media and a fresh punishment for being sent from the dugout.

While the Portuguese was a picture of abject misery, Wenger ended the day with a broad grin.

The Frenchman was delighted his team won again following their 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"When you win such a big game like Tuesday night and you can win again straight after, it tells you a lot about the mentality of your team," said Wenger.

Everton's Romelu Lukaku hit the bar and former England midfielder Gareth Barry was shown a late red card but Arsenal were good value for their win.

Ross Barkley was on target for Everton in the 44th minute.

Elsewhere, Leicester City beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to stay fifth with England striker Jamie Vardy scoring for the seventh successive league match.

Swansea City won 2-1 at struggling Aston Villa with goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew while West Bromwich Albion triumphed 1-0 at Norwich City thanks to Salomon Rondon's effort. Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi struck in Watford's 2-0 victory at Stoke City.

Monday 26•10•2015

AkummikA from Nagaland Toimei crowned Miss Longleng 2015 rocks NH7 Weekender

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agaland's electro indietronica band AkummikA comprising of DJ Sumika and Akum Jams rocked Shillong at NH7 Weekender, which is dubbed to be India's biggest and happiest music festival held over the weekends across 5 cities in India.

The duo was accompanied by Kevi Pucho (We The Giants), who performed with the band and Sinlo Kemp of Headstrong Designs, who is documenting the tour. The band played their originals along with their hit debut single 'Sakura' which was released on indihut.

The festival had 5 stages playing different genres of music simultaneously and it was a proud moment for AkummikA to take the main Breezer beatcamp arena sharing the stage with the top Indian and International Acts such as Parikrama, Borkung and DJ Ina from Nagaland, Dualist Inquiry, The F16's and several other top musicians.

Thousands of music lovers from across India and even abroad thronged to NH7 Weekender to catch some of the biggest international and Indian acts, which was graced by the Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya.

Over the last five years, Bacardi NH7 Weekender has grown to be one of the country’s most loved musical weekends - representing Bacardi India and Only Much Louder’s commitment to giving fans unforgettable musical experiences - a reflection of the untamable spirit of the festival. This year, over 150 artists will play at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender’s five editions – Shillong, Kolkata, Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru.

'The Hangover' fame actor wants to support cause in India

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f we go by the support shown by Hollywood stars like Chris Martin and Mandy Moore to social causes, India seems to be one of the favourite destinations.

And now, Korean-American actor Ken Jeong, best known for playing the comedic gangster Mr.Chow in "The Hangover" series, wants to spread awareness about cancer across the globe including India. He spends a lot of his off-time volunteering with Stand Up 2 Cancer, a charitable programme that raises funds to accelerate groundbreaking research and get new therapies to patients and save lives.

Asked if he would like to support a cause in India, Jeong told IANS in a telephonic interview from Los Angeles: "Absolutely.

I would love to. I am also grateful to my fans in India....just to be able to meet and connect with my fans is very important to me and also support a cause.

"I do a lot of work with Stand Up 2 Cancer because my wife is a breast cancer sur-

vivor. She is doing well now.

She is cancer-free. I would like to do something of that nature on a global scale."

But right now, Jeong, who made his feature film debut in "Knocked Up" in 2007, has focussed all energy on his new TV show "Dr.Ken", which is aired every Sunday on Comedy Central - Your Happy Place in India. "I co-created the show. It is based on my life as a physician and a family man. At this moment, I am

Salt-N-Pepa celebrates 30 years in music biz with ASCAP honor

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embers Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandra Denton (Pepa) and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper) paved the way for women in hip hop. It's been 30 years and Salt-N-Pepa is still pushing it. The spicy duo from Queens is celebrating reaching a new milestone as hip hop’s top female rap group. Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandra Denton (Pepa), who splashed onto the music scene in 1985, will be honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers on Wednesday night. "It feels amazing to be coming up on 30 years in the game and have our work still acknowledged and respected as pioneers in music," James told the Daily News. Fresh off of a sold-out show in Winnipeg, Canada, the rap stars said they are still blown

away by fans who line up to greet them at the airport .

"I don't know how they know what flight we’re on, but the fans are always there at baggage claim," Denton said. "They keep old CDs and other things forever to have us autograph." They were once called Super Nature and a remix of Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show” called “The Showstopper” transformed them from unknowns to superstars. “The first time we heard that song on the radio we were driving down the boulevard in Queens,” James reflected.

They also inspired a generation of young women to take risks – and nothing says teetering on the edge like coming home with an extreme buzz cut.

The duo plans to translate their style into an athletic wear line.

passionate about doing 'Dr. Ken' because it's a comedy that I want people to share with their family," said the actor, who was a practising physician earlier. Since he has been blending comedy with medicine for long, does he believe laughter is the best medicine to cure patients? "Laughter helps to keep someone relaxed, but I think medicine is the best medicine," said Jeong.

Asked if he would like to do different genres of com-

edy in Bollywood like family or sex comedy, he said: "I'd like to do all of them. I am an actor first and foremost and I think that I don't want to restrict myself to any one thing; otherwise I would still be doing R-rated comedies for the rest of my life. That would be boring."

Talking about Indian stars, he only has kind words for former beauty queen and now Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who made her international TV debut with "Quantico".

"What's really wonderful is that I got to meet Priyanka Chopra, who is on ABC's 'Quantico'. Since I have been doing a lot of work with ABC... that's the network that's distributing 'Dr.Ken' in the US, it's really been amazing. That's ('Quantico') my favourite new show. It is so great to see more diversity on television in America," said the actor, who enjoyed watching Gurinder Chadha's 2004 film "Bride & Prejudice", starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Miss Longleng 2015 (Middle) Toimei flanked by 1st runner up Leom (left) and 2nd runner up (right)

YWC President (left) Julia Yonghok along with chief guest L.Namchei (2nd from left) releasing the 1st edition of YWC calendar.

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oimei, 19 year old beauty, aspires to be a renowned musician. Her journey towards achieving her aspiration was enhanced considerably when she was crowned Miss Longleng 2015 at a glittering ceremony on Friday, October 23 at Government Higher Secondary School Longleng. Leom was crowned 1st runner up and Manshi was crowned the 2nd runner up.

The 10th edition of Miss Longleng 2015 organized

by Yingla Welfare Society (YWC) under the theme ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,’ a scheme of the central government that aims to generate awareness and improving the efficiency of welfare services meant for women.

The panel of the judges for the contest were SBI Manager Longleng,

the among the contestants.

The Yingla Welfare Society which has been organizing Miss Longleng for the 10th year received generous contribution from Minister for Transport & Civil Aviation, IT & C Paiwang Konyak, N.Shüngkong, Former Miss Longleng Choilung & Moiphen and Langba.

On the 10th edition of Miss Longleng 2015 the Yingla Welfare Society also released its first calendar.

Title winners in different categories: Miss perfect 10Y Pauphen Phom Miss PhotogenicToimei Ethnic Wear-Namshon Miss Talented- Leom Miss CongenialityManshi

'Angry Indian Goddesses' gets standing ovation at Rome film fest

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an Nalin's film Angry Indian Goddesses (AIG) received an eight-minute long standing ovation by the critics and reviewers at the Rome Film Festival. The director was overwhelmed by the response he got for the film.

"Italian audience have been very generous to me and my movies, I have a

special connection with this country as I often choose to come and write here.

So tonight's reaction reconfirms how universal 'AIG' is! It seems all women are connecting to 'AIG' almost all over the world," Nalin said in a statement.

The cast of Angry Indian Goddesses includes Sandhya Mridul, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anushka

Look Who's Back: A surprising film in many ways

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L Gangte; EAC Longleng Zhoi Lohe; Assistant Professors Yingli College, Longleng Konchem and Thsingvi Sangtam; and EAC Longleng Changsang Soted.

The prize for the evening was sponsored by chief guest of the event B.D.O L Namchei, Nyathei Pangnyu, Asangla Nganlang and Senti Toyang.

While the sub-title winners prize were sponsored

by Vitoli Toshi Angh, SDO (Civil) Longleng Japhath, Additional SP Longleng Yanger, Government High School Headmistress Shamthai Angam and Pongchai.

The evening also proved extra providential for the newly crowned Toimei, as incidentally, she also won the Miss Lucky 2015 – a first of its kind prize of Rs 10000, selected through a lottery among

ook Who's Back is a recently released film directed by David Wnendt. The film is based on Timur Vermes's bestselling 2012 novel of the same name. With more than 70 years since Adolf Hitler's death in a Berlin bunker. In the decades that have passed, Germany seems to have metamorphosed into a different nation than what it used to be during Hitler's Nazi reign.

It has transformed into a better place that is known for its analytical adeptness and reuse. The film is a comic representation of a hypothetically sheds light on how Adolf Hitler would make of the modern day Germany and what would the inhabitants of the present day Germany make of him.

Following a straightforward and absurd plot Hit- pears in a housing project he shot himself to death ducer, he contrives a plan ler played by actor Oliver in East Berlin near the site and after he incidentally to hog all the limelight Masucci suddenly reap- of the same bunker where happens to meet a TV pro- through the media.

Manchanda, Amrit Maghera, Rajshri Deshpande and Pavleen Gujral.

Angry Indian Goddesses follows the stories of seven girls. It narrates the tale of how Frieda, essayed by actress Sarah-Jane Dias, invites her closest girlfriends to Goa to announce her wedding, and it all turns into a wild bachelorette party.

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THE MORUNG EXPRESS

United and City share South Africa crush India by spoils in a drab derby 214 runs to win ODI series

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MaNcHeSter, OctOber 25 (aGeNcieS): The much talked about Manchester derby ended 0-0 and neither side managed to impress, despite having a plethora talented players on the pitch.

The contest started off at relatively slow pace and both teams struggled to successfully impose their will on their opponents.

Yaya Toure nearly gave the visitors the lead in the 40th minute after getting on the end of a corner from Kevin De Bruyne.

But unfortunately for him, and the travelling City

fans, his towering header went narrowly wide of David De Gea's right-hand post.

Louis van Gaal's men started the second period like a team with a point to prove and hemmed in their neighbours.

However, despite their dominance, they failed to create the cut chance they needed to test Joe Hart.

Both teams desperately pressed forward in the final third of the tie to try and nick the three points.

Van Gaal threw on Marouane Fellaini in the final 15 minutes of the contest in a desperate attempt to bag

Aston Villa sack manager Tim Sherwood

a late winner.

And the Belgian's introduction nearly resulted in a late winner for the home side when Chris Smalling got on the end of a knockdown from the former Everton star and fired a low shot towards goal.

But unfortunately for him, and the Old Trafford faithful, Hart was equal to his effort and tipped it around the base of the post. That proved to be the last chance of the game and meant that Manuel Pellegrini's men retook first place in the table, which prior to kick-off was occupied by Arsenal.

MuMbai, OctOber 25 (iaNS): Powered by centuries each from Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock, South Africa registered a mammoth 214-run win over a spiritless India in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) match at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday to clinch the series 3-2.

Fighting the heat and humidity, du Plessis struck 133 off 115 balls, de Villiers smashed 119 off 61, and opener de Kock hit 109 off 87 balls to put the visitors in the driving seat in the crucial contest with a massive score of 438/4 in 50 overs.

In reply, despite a fighting 58-ball 87 from local batsman Ajinkya Rahane and 59-ball 60 from Shikhar Dhawan, the hosts were bowled out for 224 in 35.5 overs.

For the visitors, young pacer Kagiso Rabada (4-41) and experienced seamer Dale Steyn (3-38) were the pick of the bowlers.

Chasing a mammoth target of 439, India got off to a modest start with openers Dhawan and local boy Rohit Sharma in good touch.

Playing his first ODI in his home ground, Rohit struck three boundaries before giving his wicket away to Kyle Abbott in the fifth over.

India suffered their second blow with incoming batsman Virat Kohli (7) falling in the eighth over -caught by wicker-keeper de Kock after nicking an outside off-stump ball to have India struggling at 44/2.

Rahane joined hands with Dhawan to try something different after two quick wickets.

South Africa's Faf du Plessis celebrates scoring his century with his captain AB de Villiers during their fifth and final oneday international cricket match against India in Mumbai, October 25. (REUTERS)

The duo managed to help India cross the 100run mark in the 17th over.

After striking a couple of boundaries and sixes, the 112-run partnership for the third wicket was broken when Dhawan was caught

by Hashim Amla off Rabada in the 24th over.

Suresh Raina (12) too didn’t last long as he was bowled around his legs while trying to flick the ball off Rabada.

Set batsman Rahane too departed in the 27th over, followed by Axar Patel (5) and Harbhajan Singh (0) to end India’s hopes of clinching the series.

For skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27), it was too onerous a task.

Earlier in the day, opting to bat first, the Proteas

started their proceedings on an aggressive note with de Kock and partner Amla (23) handling the Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar and Mohit Sharma comfortably on the batting friendly wicket.

But pacer Mohit came back strongly to give the hosts the first breakthrough in the fourth over. Amla was trying to cut the ball and got a thin edge which safely found the hands of wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. South Africa's score was 33/1 then.

Du Plessis, who has three fifties in the past four matches, and de Kock made it look too easy as they simply toyed with the Indian medium pacers and the three spinners -- Harbhajan, Amit Mishra and Axar. India had their best

chance in the 16th over to dismiss de Kock when the left-hander was on 58 but some sloppy fielding by Mohit, denied bowler Amit the wicket.

They brought up team’s 150 in just the 23rd over.

But a bowling change

by Dhoni worked as Suresh Raina as de Kock trying to hit over long-off found Virat Kohli. At this juncture, South Africa were 187/2 in 26.5 overs following the culmination of an 154-run stand between the duo.

The fall of the wicket did not bother the visitors as skipper de Villiers made it look easy as he got off to a blinder of a start.

Du Plessis and de Villiers brought up their 250 in the 36th over as the latter took only 34 balls to reach

his fifty. Their fluent batting brought up the 100-run partnership for the third wicket in 77 balls.

Even though du Plessis was struggling with cramps and was unable to run quickly between the wicket, he made it up by hitting big shots after his century.

After he went back to the pavilion retired hurt, an 164 run-partnership for the third wicket ended.

David Miller (22 off 12) punched some powerful shots later in the innings to put up the highest ODI score by any team at this stadium, the previous being 358/8 made by New Zealand against Canada in 2011. The mammoth total proved too tall a target for India, as they were bowled out for 224.

Nagaland Muaythai boxers to take part in Dasara Festival Cup

DiMaPur, OctOber 25 (MexN): The Nagaland Muaythai Association will be taking part in the forth coming Dasara Festival Cup & Kkarnataka Rajyastava Cup under Muaythai India Championship at Chamundi Vihar Indoor Stadium, Mysore, Karanataka from October 30 to November 1.

The twelve-member team including eight boxers and four officials is schedule to leave Dimapur early Monday morning.

While taking to media persons on the eve of their departure, Botovi Achumi, General Secretary, Nagaland Muaythai Association said that the State Government is generous in assisting them since its establishment in 2000. Achumi further appreciated the help render by Temjen Toy, the patron of the association, whenever they are in need. “The support that

has being to us by Sir Temjen will be always be cherish,” Achumi While maintaining, through true sportsmanship today’s youth can be discipline and experiment real competition in life, he urges younger generations to involved in sports.

The boxers include Aosashi, Moa Longchar, Sharoti, Khiampong, Pongham Meyou, Pishu, Imzunglong and Tanghiu Sangtam. The Nagaland contingent is being led by Takameren as team manager and Botovi Achumi, Mitlesh and Alfred as referee and judges.

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Nagaland Muaythai boxers along with officials posing for lens on the eve of their departure to participate in the forth coming Dasara Festival Cup & Kkarnataka Rajyastava Cup in Mysore, Karanataka on Sunday.

Halep storms to victory in WTA Finals opener

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LONDON, OctOber 25 (reuterS): Aston Villa have sacked manager Tim Sherwood, the Premier League club announced on Sunday. "The Board has monitored the performances closely all season and believes the results were simply not good enough and that a change was imperative," said a statement on the official website (www.avfc.co.uk).

"However, the club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tim for all his efforts during a difficult period last season and for the many positive contributions he has made to the entire football set-up during his time with the club. We wish him well in the future.

"Assistant manager Ray Wilkins, first-team coach Mark Robson and performance analyst Seamus Brady have also left with immediate effect and do so with our best wishes.

"A search for a new manager has commenced and the squad will be managed in the interim by Kevin MacDonald."

A 2-1 home defeat by

Swansea City on Saturday was their sixth league defeat in a row and Villa could be bottom of the table if other results go against them on Sunday.

Since winning the opening league game of the season at promoted Bournemouth, their only successes have been in the League Cup against lower division opposition.

Sherwood was appointed in February and kept the side safe from relegation by three points, as well as reaching the FA Cup final, where they lost 4-0 to Arsenal. In the summer he signed more than a dozen new players but lost key men in Christian Benteke to Liverpool, Fabian Delph to Manchester City and loanee Tom Cleverley to Everton.

"We cannot do more as coaches and managers," he told reporters after Saturday's defeat. "We are working as hard as we can."

Sherwood, 46, played three times for England and managed former club Tottenham for part of the 2013-14 season before joining Villa.

SiNGaPOre, OctO ber 25 (reuterS): Romania's Simona Halep kicked off her campaign for a maiden WTA Finals title in emphatic fashion with a thumping 6-0 6-3 victory over U.S. Open champion Flavia Pennetta in the opening match of the eight-woman season-ending tournament on Sunday.

The world number two is the highest ranked player in the field after Serena Williams, who has won the tournament the last three years, withdrew citing the need to rest after a year spent carrying injuries.

Halep crushed Williams in round robin play a year ago before losing to the American in the final and her love of the Singapore Indoor Stadium hard court was evident in a first set she wrapped up in 26 minutes after breaking serve three times.

The Romanian had arrived in Singapore under an injury cloud after picking up an ankle knock at the start of October, but the 24-year-old moved effortlessly around the court on Sunday and withstood Pennetta's attempts to get back into the contest.

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Simona Halep of Romania prepares to hit balls to fans after defeating Flavia Pennetta of Italy in their women's singles tennis match of the WTA Finals at the Singapore Indoor Stadium October 25. (REUTERS)

The 33-year-old Italian played more like she had on her way to a stunning victory in New York last month in the second set but her resistance ended in a marathon eighth game when she dropped serve to trail 5-3 after staving off three break points. Pennetta, who announced she would retire from tennis at the end of the season, forced only two break points, both in the opening game of the second set, during the entire match and her unforced error count of 27 made life

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much easier for Halep.

"I am so happy to be back in Singapore and glad that I was able to play really well today," Halep said in a courtside interview.

Round robin play continues later on Sunday when world number three Maria Sharapova takes on Agnieszka Radwanska in a contest between the other two players in the 'Red Group'.

The 'White Group' consists of Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber and Lucie Safarova.

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