C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
ThursDAY • OcTOber 06• 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 275 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
o F
T R u T H
Evil when we are in its power is not felt as evil but as a necessity, or even a duty — Simone Weil Trio wins Nobel chemistry prize for “world’s smallest machines” PAGe 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
FUEL ADULTERATION: Time for Govt to shows its sincerity
‘Suicidal’ heavyweight Tyson Fury admits cocaine use
PAGe 02
PAGE 12
Kohima goes green for a day Oxygen declining from Earth’s Vehicles remain off the roads as AYO calls for a ‘moment of solidarity to enable our environment’ our Correspondent Kohima | October 5
Vehicles stayed off the roads while many business establishments, institutions, offices, and schools functioned normally in Kohima today, as people of the state capital chose to go sir, forget the broken transformer and get over here, green for a day. This was in response to pronto! the Angami Youth Orga(AYO) call for ‘a The Morung Express nization’s moment of solidarity to enPoll QuEsTion able our environment’ in Vote on www.morungexpress.com Kohima from 6: 00 AM till 6: sMs your answer to 9862574165 00 PM within the jurisdiction of Kohima district. Do you agree that an The appeal was made inactive lifestyle is by the AYO in order to a leading cause for impress upon the presheart diseases in ent generation for an atNaga society? titudinal and behavioural change towards nature and Yes no others the environment. Some schools closed down to show solidarity The Morung with the initiative, while no matches were held in the Express App ongoing 17th NSF Martyrs’ for Android Memorial Trophy as well, to display support to the phones is AYO observance. Office now available attendace was low while several businesses also for free at downed their shutters. Speaking to The Mothe Google rung Express, AYO PresiPlay Store. dent Medo Yhokha bethat this initiative is a Download now. lieved first of its kind in the coun-
try taken up by an NGO. He appealed to the different communities within the state, country and other parts of the world to come forward in adopting a responsible attitude towards the environment. Yhokha also expressed gratitude to the citizens of the state capital, and the Naga community who came out to support and show solidarity with the initiative. Meanwhile, the AYO President urged the government to initiate more environmental awareness programmes for the coming generation to live conveniently. Yhokha further informed that the initiative is part of the AYO silver jubilee celebration, which will be celebrated from November 4-5. Angami Public Organization (APO) President, Dr Vilhousa Saleyi said that today’s observance showed cooperation, coordination and solidarity among the people of the capital. He said it showed that people living within the APO jurisdiction are ready to serve and contribute for the well being of mankind and towards the health of the planet. The AYO had earlier stated that the October 5 appeal was made to cam-
atmosphere at faster rate now
The streets of Kohima on october 5. Vehicles stayed off the road on Wednesday follwoing the AYo’s appeal to reduce usage of fossil fuel in the state capital today. (Morung Photo)
paign for efforts towards enabling an environment that will enhance and be suitable to sustain and support lives. Pointing out that the environment was at an unprecedented point of vulnerability and that the damage and the threat to human existence had become too important to be left unattended, the AYO stated: “We need to act to repair what can be repaired, conserve what can be conserved to prepare a future for ourselves and for posterity.” It said that this call was made to “stir the mind of the present generation and to help them change their attitude and behaviour towards Mother Nature and the environment which would in turn create a world that would enable a decent
and convenient living for the coming generation.” It had appealed that all vehicles remain off the road for the day; all mills/ crushers/ print/ fabricating houses/ workshops/ cafes/ constructing agents using planners and other power driven equipments, etc. to down/ cease their power driven machinery/ activity for the day; minimal and judicious usage of power on home appliances such as TVs/ refrigerators/ PCs, etc; and all vehicle owners/ drivers to cease engines even at home or garage. It clarified that the event was not a bandh, and no restriction was imposed on human movement and activities, except on the engagement and usage of the above highlighted mediums. It had asked all government offices/ corporate
houses/ establishments, etc, to maintain mandatory attendance on the day. People were encouraged to walk to work, “do work with human driven energy, feel a day with nature – a day without dependence on fossil fuel energy related life, to take a walk for a healthy and better life, a day to enable our environment to recoup its vitality for human sustenance.” District administration, police, paramilitary forces on duty, media persons, doctors and nurses, fire services, people on “emergency and on important engagements,” schools/ students/ faculties on scheduled duty; people attending wedding, festivals and funerals; government officials, HODs/ AHODs and departmental buses were however exempted.
NEw York, octobEr 5 (IANS): Driven by burning of fossil fuels, which consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, the rate of oxygen decline from the Earth’s atmosphere has speeded up over the past 100 years, says a study. Researchers from Princeton University compiled 30 years of data to construct the first ice corebased record of atmospheric oxygen concentrations spanning the past 800,000 years, according to the paper published in the journal Science. The record showed that atmospheric oxygen has declined 0.7 per cent relative to current atmospheric-oxygen concentrations, a reasonable pace by geological standards, the researchers said. During the past 100 years, however, atmospheric oxygen has declined by a comparatively speedy 0.10 per cent because of the burning of fossil fuels, which consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. “This record represents an important benchmark for the study of the history of atmospheric oxygen,” said Assistant Professor of Geosciences John Higgins. Curiously, the decline in atmospheric oxygen was not
accompanied by significant increase in the average amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To explain this apparent paradox, researchers said the global carbon cycle, atmospheric carbon dioxide and the Earth’s temperature are linked on geologic timescales. The researchers discussed a process known as “silicate weathering”, where CO2 reacts with exposed rock to produce calcium carbonate minerals, which trap carbon dioxide in a solid form. As temperatures rise due to higher CO2 in atmosphere, silicate-weathering rates are hypothesised to increase and remove CO2 from the atmosphere faster. The study suggests that the CO2 emitted due to declining oxygen concentrations in the atmosphere stimulated silicate weathering, which stabilised carbon dioxide but allowed oxygen to continue to decline. “The Earth can take care of extra carbon dioxide when it has hundreds of thousands or millions of years to get its act together. In contrast, humankind is releasing carbon dioxide today so quickly that silicate weathering can’t possibly respond fast enough,” Higgins noted.
action plan to promote languages of nagaland Naga educators to explore ‘creating thinking’
koHIMA, octobEr 5 (MExN): On invitation by the Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya, a delegation from the Central Institute of Indian Language (CIIL) is on a visit to Kohima. The team arrived on October 4 and is scheduled to be here till October 6. A press release from the Kohima Raj Bhavan informed that the Bharatavani Project, under CIIL, Mysuru has chalked out an action plan for development of the languages of Nagaland including development of dictionaries, learning materials etc. It was decided that an online learning programme for Tenyidie dialect may be commissioned within a year, in collaboration with Nagaland University, Kohima Campus. During his meeting with CIIL officials and representatives of various
knowledge institutions in Nagaland, the Governor advised that the languages and cultural identities of the Naga people have to be promoted. “The language of a person is his first identity. We have to give respect to each. Learning dialect is respecting them,” he said. The institute is concerned with protection and promotion of Indian Languages and development of such languages as a means of promoting better understanding among different communities and to strengthen integration. During the meeting, the Governor suggested bringing in knowledge institutions in Nagaland to develop content materials for Naga languages. He stressed that the Universities should be more active and involved
in the development of the younger generation. Bharatavani Project is a portal (URL: www.bharatavani.in) which has been launched to publish knowledge in and about all the Indian languages including most of the NE languages. It covers Tenyidie, Ao, Chakru/Chokri, Chang, Dimasa, Kabui (Rongmei), Khezha, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Liangmei, Lotha, Nocte, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimchunger, Zemi/Zeme in the first phase. The Governor called upon linguistic scholars from each tribe to interact with Bharatavani project officers for full-fledged documentation and codification of each dialect. “Our mother tongue is our identity. Let us take care of it and give respect,” he urged.
29,631 differently abled persons in Nagaland our Correspondent Kohima | October 5
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Dr. Prosenjit Majumdar, Social Welfare Officer, AYJNIHH, ERC, Kolkata today said the population of differently abled persons in Nagaland stands at 29,631 out of 26.81 million populations of PwDs in India. He said that 5.17 % of PwDs had a disability certificate in Nagaland and only 78,449 differently abled students are enrolled in universities (HRD 2014-15). He also stated that a report of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in Nagaland revealed a total of 3,672 differently abled children, in which 2,904 children (79.08%) were going to regular schools and 409 (10.97%) children were going to special schools. Only 35% of the schools were made barrier-free and 41.5% children received appliances, he informed while speaking at the one day orientation training programme on ‘Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities’ under the aegis of Ali Javar Jung National Institute for Speech & Hear-
ing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Mumbai, (DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice & Environment, Govt of India) in collaboration with Department of English, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus. He also highlighted the government schemes, which included: aids and appliances to PwDs, inclusive education, national scholarship, and reservation in government employment, bus concession, concession in railways and air travel and economic assistance for self employment. Referring to inclusive education, as per the scheme, he stated that no children should be denied school admission on the basis of being differently abled. There needs to be 3% reservation in all government/aided educational institutions and free education till the child attains the age of 18. On National scholarships, he informed that 2500 scholarships are awarded for degree and post graduate level, professional and technical course from rec-
ognized institutions in India, 30% scholarship is reserved for differently abled girls, allowance is paid for 10 months, Rs. 2500 per month for professional graduate courses and Rs. 3000 per month for professional graduate courses in one academic year. With regard to bus concessions in Nagaland, free travel pass is available for persons with visual impairment and their escorts in the state. Dr. Majumdar also said that differently abled persons are eligible to get financial assistance for self employment from public sector Banks, National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation, state welfare department etc. On making universities barrier free for PwDs, he said there is a Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), which provide financial assistance for barrier free environment in important buildings, including state and central university, provision for ramps, rails, lifts, adaptation of toilets for
wheel chair users, brail signage, auditory signals, tactile flooring etc and to make university website accessible to all. One can contact the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJ & E or visit www.disabilityaffairs. gov.in for more information. On role of universities, he said there is a need for effective implementation of PwDs Act 1995, ensuring accessibility in universities (under accessible India campaign), RCI courses in Nagaland to train more professionals and research studies on disability issues by universities, research institutes etc. He also called for a complete approach, also taking into consideration the parents’ socio-economic status before deciding the means of rehabilitation of a differently abled child. “Parents must be encouraged to make final decision. This means that the parents must be told about the pros and cons of each rehabilitative approach,” he added.
A Retreat for Educators at the Savannah College of Art and Design
The savannah College of Art and Design where naga educators are scheduled to travel for a retreat to explore ‘creative thinking.’
Vishü Rita Krocha
T
Kohima | October 5
he system of education has been confined to school curriculums for a very long time, giving little scope for creative thinking. This has hampered the development of creative capacities of students, and the need for teaching methods to inspire innovation and creativity, is a long felt need for many learning institutions. At a time when creative professions are barely recognized in Nagaland state, the ‘Retreat for Educators,’ an initiative of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) comes as a breath of fresh air, especially for young people who want to explore their creativity in different fields. SCAD, a university of Creative Careers (www.scad.edu) is a non-profit fully accredited American University that offers more degree programmes and specializations than any other art and design university in the world. For the first time, educators from Nagaland and Northeast including representatives from The Hope Academy School, The Assam Valley School and G. Rio School apart from a Photographer and a Journalist from The Morung Express will be part of the “Retreat for Educators” at Atlanta, USA in October. The trip, commencing from October 8 through October
14, 2016 will be an all paid expenses, sponsored by SCAD for the 5-member team. This initiative has been made possible by SCAD Executive Director, Maken Imcha Payne and Associate Director of International Admission, SCAD, Pelesino Ane Kevichusa, who are both from Nagaland and have strongly felt the importance of introducing to Nagas, the multitude of career possibilities that can be explored through an education in art and design. Towards this end, Payne maintained, “this will be a great introduction for Naga students and their parents to a marketable field of art, design and technology.” Kevichusa upheld that it is a given that Nagas are artistically inclined, but observed, “apart from a few artists and designers, we still don’t have many people pursuing education or careers in this field.” “I have personally seen so many talented people not being able to find a niche after having done their Bachelors and Masters and then ending up frustrated and disillusioned,” she enlightened. SCAD offers over 40 different degree programmes ranging from Architecture and Animation to Graphic Design, Interactive Design and Game Development to Sound Design, Fashion Design, Furniture Design to name a few. Since reaching out to every student in Nagaland is a logistical
impossibility, Kevichusa said, “We decided to invite some of educators so that they could return home and share their experiences with their students.” With many of the programs at SCAD either rated “Best” or ranked No.1 apart from being featured among the Top 10 in the US, she exuded confidence that the retreat for educators will be a great beginning for Nagas to make a lasting impact in the field of Art and Design. Meanwhile, Sashila Ozukum, Administrator of Hope Academy said she is looking forward to learn how to involve creativity in the classroom, which, she explained, would give her an opportunity to guide those students who are creative and have the skills that might take them further. “It is also an exposure for me to see how things are over there not just in terms of teaching but the way they do up their classrooms,” she conveyed. Khrienuo Moa, Managing Director of G. Rio School is expecting to “get a broader view of how to lead our students because we can only think of technical professions and we cannot think beyond that.” While expressing the need to update oneself, Priyanka Joshi from Assam Valley School felt that the Retreat would help her in her teaching profession and also enable her shape the careers of those students who are looking to pursue college in the field of art and design. With a keen interest in finding out the kind of programmes the college is offering, Photographer, Zubeni Lotha said she is going with an “open mind” while relating her own experience at a mass communication college (with a lot of so called art classes) she studied in earlier, which, in retrospection, she didn’t quite find it fulfilling. She hoped to explore and learn the programs offered at SCAD. Apart from the opportunity to visit the state-of-the-art facilities and see for themselves all that SCAD has to offer, the participating team from Nagaland and Northeast will be part of workshops at the Atlanta campus and experience SCAD life first hand. SCAD has five locations globally – Atlanta (USA), Savannah (USA), Hong Kong, Lacoste (France) and e -Learning.