C M Y K
C M Y K
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 261 • 12 PAGes • 5
www.morungexpress.com
thursDAY • september 22 • 2016
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The children of the revolution are always ungrateful, and the revolution must be grateful that it is so — Ursula K. Le Guin President Barack Obama urges Israel end occupation and Palestinians accept Israel PAGE 09
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE COMMEMORATED
Fabregas downs Leicester, Everton crash out
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pAGe 12
india ends colonial-era practice: nagaland oil extraction issue to merge rail and union budgets LH says it will not withdraw PIL unless NP&NG is amended NEW DELHI, SEpTEmbEr 21 (rEuTErS): India will merge its railway budget with the annual union budget from the next fiscal year, ending a nearly century-long practice and easing the way for the government to cut populist subsidies and push through structural reforms. The world’s fourth-largest rail network employs about 1.3 million people and pays the government a net dividend of about 40 billion rupees ($596.81 million) annually. The practice of a separate railway budget dates back to the days before India’s independence from Britain in 1947, when the network was a major industrial asset and revenue earner. Since then the need for a separate budget has waned, but the exercise has also turned into an opportunity for political parties to press the government to hand out expensive subsidies on passenger fares, and curry favour with voters. “It should give flexibility to the railways ministry to make its own pricing policy without waiting for parliament approval,” said N.R. Bhanumurthy, an economist at a Delhi-based think tank, the National Institute of Public Finance
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
People board a train at a railway station during heavy rains in Kolkata. (REUTERS/File)
and Policy, which is partly funded by the government. After the merger, the railways will not have to pay the government a dividend, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters following the cabinet decision on Wednesday. India inherited a railway network from the British that was more than twice as long as China’s, and has since grown it by a fifth, to 65,000 km (40,390 miles). In contrast, China’s rail network is close to double the size. Subsidies on passenger fares cost more than $4 billion a
“It would increase the year, analysts estimate. Railway-related stocks jumped focus on reducing the revenue deficit and enhancing after the news. capital spending, setting the stage for improvement BUDGET OVERHAUL Separately, Prime Min- in the quality of the fiscal ister Narendra Modi’s cabi- deficit,” Nayar said. The government also net also decided to scrap a distinction between plan plans to advance the date and non-plan expendi- the general budget is pretures in the annual budget, sented in parliament, usually the last working day in Jaitley said. Categorising expendi- February, to ensure propostures as revenue or capital als take effect from April 1. The date for the 2017/18 instead would benefit state spending, said Aditi Nayar, budget has yet to be decided, an economist at ICRA, the however, as authorities have Indian arm of rating agency to work around state assembly elections, Jaitley added. Moody’s.
Sunday closure lifted temporarily
Three countries advise its citizens to avoid Nagaland
GuWAHATI, SEpTEmbEr 21 (TNN): The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have asked their nationals to avoid visiting five northeastern states, along with troubled areas of Jammu & Kashmir and the India-Pakistan border. Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland have been mentioned on the latest travel advisories issued by these countries. All three countries updated their travel advisories and asked citizens to either cancel or reconsider their visit to the northeast in view of major incidents of terrorism and insurgency.
hold the provisions of Article 371 A, but questioned why the Nagaland State Government “imposed CrPC 144 to launch the MoGPL at Tssori Champang, on the 21.7.2014, in violation of the provisions of Article 371A.” It informed that the Lotha Hoho had in this regard, submitted a memorandum to the NP&NG Board on June 25, 2014 requesting the State Government to reconsider the permit issued to MoGPL. However, it lamented that instead of responding to the memorandum, the State Government brought MoGPL to the worksite for launching exploration/extraction works on July 21. It further reminded that when the Lotha Students’ Union went to raise its voice of dissent; “the state government imposed Section 144 CrPC, and prevented the students and people, from reaching the launching site.” It further alleged that “the Police, under cover of 144 CrPC, assaulted the student leaders, who tried to show their presence at the launching site.” The Lotha Hoho contended that the MoGPL was launched without the consent or participation of the people. The PIL, it said “has in no way undermined
the rights of the Nagas; but the PIL seeks to sustain the rights of the Nagas, under the said Article 371 A.” It urged Nagas to understand that all the eleven listed oil zones of Nagaland will be affected eventually. “Do the Nagas mean to file individual PILs, only when it comes to your zone or should the NP&NG Rules and Regulations be streamlined, in a land-owners’ friendly manner, for all time to come?” it questioned. The Lotha Hoho further asked whether the leaders have read and understood the contents of the NP&NG Regulations and Rules 2012. “Instead of misleading the common Naga people, by blaming the LH, the elected Naga leaders need to understand that they are themselves Nagas and that the future of their children should not be bartered away for temporary gains,” it said. On the Parliamentary Secretary’s call for negotiations, the Lotha Hoho asked that “if the State Government is willing to listen why did it turn a deaf ear to the 7 submissions, starting from 2008 to 2015.” “Let the Nagas judge whether the Nagaland state government is ever willing to listen, when it had
remained adamant to the submissions, of the Lotha people, starting from 15th July 2008 to 20th July 2015,” it stated The Lotha Hoho further questioned “whether the Lotha land (Wokha district) is to be made an experimental playground before actually executed in other places?” It lamented that the State Government did not even invite the LH to the NP&NG Board consultative meet of September 19, 2015. “With such attitude of the State govternment and under such circumstances; does any sensible Naga think that the landowner is protected under Article 371 A and whether the state govt is doing right to uphold the said Article?” it asked. It requested elected Naga leaders to be “realistic and not to say or do anything that can mislead the common Naga public who are ignorant of the subject matter; but which would be a mockery to the honest Naga intellectuals.” It further asserted that the Lotha Hoho will not withdraw its PIL, as long as the NP&NG Regulations and Rules 2012 is in its present form, which it stated would infringe and undermine the rights of the Naga land owners.
army jawan accused of assaulting govt teacher
pfuTSEro, SEpTEmbEr 21 (mExN): Several organizations in Phek district have condemned the alleged physical assault on one Wekupe Tsuhah by an Army Jawan. In a condemnation note, the Mesulumi Village Council, Mesulumi Sub-Council Pfutsero Town, Mesulumi Students’ Union, Thetsumi Village Council, Chairman of Reku Colony, President of Reku Colony Youth, ANAHTA and ANHTU Phek unit alleged that the accused under the influBut you said your father is an ence of alcohol had assaulted MLA...you...you...even swore to transfer me to some re- the victim “without any reason” despite ascertaining his idenmote town, remember? tity as Teacher in a government school. They recounted that on September 16 around 3:40 pm, a DImApur, SEpTEmbEr 21 (mExN): The NSCN (IM) today informed that its earlier order for closure of shops on Sundays has been temporarily lifted considering the festive season for the Hindu community. This was informed in a press note from the CAO Caretaker, UT1, NSCN/ GPRN. It informed that this decision was taken in pursuant of request made by the market committees of Dimapur and in consultation with senior members of UT1, NSCN/GPRN.
DImApur, SEpTEmbEr 21 (mExN): The Lotha Hoho (LH) today stated that it is “astonished” at the recent statement of the Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining regarding the former’s PIL on the Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas (NP&NG) Rules and Regulations 2012. The Parliamentary Secretary had stated that the PIL would amount to surrendering the provisions of Article 371 A of the Indian Constitution. A press note from the Lotha Hoho stated that the Parliamentary Secretary has rightly pointed out that “coal and oil are for the socio economic development of the people. Therefore it must be utilised to our utmost abilities.” This, it stated, is exactly why the LH filed the PIL. The Lotha Hoho said it is not against having the NP&NG Regulations & Rules 2012; but stated that the PIL seeks for review and amendment of some of the provisions of the Regulations and Rules 2012, “which are anti land owners, in spite of the provisions of Article 371 A, for ownership and transfer of land and its resources.” The Lotha Hoho said that Nagas are keen to up-
group of Army Jawans under the command of a Major, 9th AR D-Coy Pfutsero, came in 3 vehicles and stopped near the petrol pump at Reku colony, Pfutsero, where one jawan allegedly pulled up Khroshe Puro, Finance Secretary, Mesulumi Students’ Union and started questioning him if he had seen any tax collector from the Naga political groups. When Khroshe replied he did not see any such person around the area, the accused jawan allegedly pointed at Wekupe Tsuhah and asked for his identity, according to the organizations. Khroshe confirmed that Wekupe is a Hindi Teacher at GPS Thetsumi village, from Mesulumi village. “Inspite of knowing his
identity, he straight away pulled up Wekupe Tsuhah into their mini truck,” they added, while alleging that the jawan “under the influence of alcohol started beating and punching him without any reason and the victim was not allowed to speak and continuously assaulted and proceeded towards Chizami jurisdiction…” “When he overacted, his comrade seized his service rifle. He verbally abused him,” it was further alleged. Later, when the Commanding Officer was asked through OC Pfutsero why the victim was taken away, the Major denied involvement of his Jawans. The organizations said that the Chizami post Commander had also denied sending out jawans
on that day. After intervention by the Reku public, villagers, Pfutsero Town Youth and OC Pfutsero, before the two vehicles returned from Mesulumi village bridge, the Major reportedly confessed that Wekupe was arrested based on mistaken identity. The Major, according to the organizations, had stated that a group of insurgents suspected to be from NSCN (K) had come to Pfutsero town, for which, he sent his Jawan and Wekupe was arrested based on wrong identification. The organizations, while condemning the incident, asserted that no one is above the law and asked the high authority to provide a clarification.
A motorcycle was reduced to its metallic frame after it caught fire on Wednesday, September 21 evening near Don Bosco School, Dimapur. The fire was caused by sparks emanating from a welder’s fabrication tool. (Morung Photo)
Naga cuisiNe to be showcased iN italy! Morung Express News
slow food Movement, a response to McDonaldisation
Dimapur | September 21
The modest but varied and unique Naga cuisine is travelling thousands of miles to tickle the taste buds of top chefs, farmers and diners from all over the world. And displaying the rich Naga culture and ethnic heritage through food is Chef Joel Basumatri, who will be representing Nagaland at the world famous slow food festival Terra Madre Salone del Gusto held in Turin, Italy. The festival to be held on September 22-26 is slated to bring thousands of farmers, food producers, chefs from 150 countries to create a world in which there is good, clean and fair food. This initiative is an outcome of Slow Food India, the North East Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS), Chef Joel and NEbuzz.com, who are making collaborative efforts towards Slow Food Movement in Nagaland and the North East. In an exclusive interaction with The Morung Express, Chef Joel revealed that he has chosen to cook popular dishes like Awoshi Kipiki Ngo Axone (smoked pork cooked in a sauce of fermented soy-bean), Rosup Aon (assorted vegetables dry cooked in bamboo vinegar), and served with Kouve chutney and Naga red rice. He will prepare these dishes on the September 23, the second day of the food festival, at a taste
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(LEFT) Some of the dishes prepared by Chef Joel Basumatri. (RIGHT) Chef Joel Basumatri.
workshop planned for 30 people. On the 24th, he is collaborating with Chef Sean Sherman, a Native American of the Sioux tribe wellknown for revitalizing indigenous food systems in a modern culinary context. Together, they will serve a hundred guests at a pop-up kitchen in a local restaurant. Here, Chef Joel will prepare dishes which take simple and local ingredients and elevate it to fine dining standards. He has chosen Amurso (chicken rice broth with herbs), Doh sniang nei-iong (fresh pork cooked in black sesame paste), and his own innovative sticky rice and rosella ice-cream. Taking these simple and honest grassroots dishes, he plans to represent the rich culture and history of the Nagas, food practices, indigenous lifestyle, and the mul-
tiple tribes of Nagaland. For Chef Joel, who is the proprietor of ‘Smokey Joe’s’ and also coowner of ‘Naga Bowl and Grill’ in Dimapur, ‘Food’ is more than a job. He is one of the first chefs in Nagaland to actively advocate the important message of slow food. The realization for this need, he said, was a result of meeting with the members of North East Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS), and also attending Terra Madre 2014 in Turin and the Indigenous Terra Madre 2015 in Shillong. “I began to be more aware of what I’m serving to my customers- I finally started to question on how food is produced, who produces it, and where it comes from,” he stated. Chef Joel believes in the philosophy that every individual has a story to tell in terms of food. He
added: “Over the recent years I’ve been cooking Naga food but I still feel that I have so much to learn and research more. Food is something which is very vast. And with all the tribes and sub-tribes in Nagaland, it is varied and interesting.” He leaves us with this delicious thought that, “If Chinese and Thai cuisine can become popular worldwide then why not Naga food?” With several major tribes and many more sub tribes, the food Nagas eat, source and the manner of preparation is a unifying ingredient. It is the guiding force which shapes Naga identity and life. Naga cuisine, which is all about local and organic ingredients, sourced from kitchen gardens at homes or farmers fields and prepared in the traditional way will be right at home at the Terra Madre. Bon appétit, Italy!
low Food Movement is a grassroots organization founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986. It has since spread worldwide and growing fast. Initially, a response to the McDonaldisation of the world, it strives to promote traditional and regional cuisine with goals of sustainable foods, protecting the biodiversity, and promotion of local small businesses. Slow Food is based on the concept of food that is defined by three interconnected principles: good, clean and fair. Terra Madre Every two years, Slow Food organizes a big meeting for a network of food communities and congress in Turin. The world of food is presented from multiple points of view through the city’s museums, courtyards, squares and porticoes. People come from all over the world, those who support a sustainable food system gather to show their artisanal and local products and to exchange knowledge, experience and ideas. According to news published on the official website, the city of Turin will be turned into one big gigantic kitchen, where participants will learn to appreciate the world’s flavor, and the people behind them, from field to fork. The true protagonists of every slow food event are the people that cultivate, produce and cook the food we eat. Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2016 will dedicate an area in Turin’s Valentino Park to the Indigenous Terra Madre Network- a themed space dedicated to the stories, pressing issues and traditions of indigenous people. “Loving the Earth” is the main theme for this year’s festival. Together with producers, chefs, academicians, farmers, food producers, communities, there will be workshops, conferences, tasting sessions and educational courses to highlight the theme.