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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 263
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www.morungexpress.com
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
A society should never become like a pond with stagnant water, without movement White tiger kills youth in Delhi Zoo [ PAGE 8]
MOGPL reiterates its commitment
Miley Cyrus Burglars to Face Imprisonment
[ PAGE 2]
[ PAGE 9]
By Sandemo Ngullie
Limasenla Jamir
Dimapur | September 23
Tenant is here to collect the monthly house rent.
2014 may become hottest year on record
Kakheho is a happy 14 year old boy. He was born a healthy child, but eight months after his birth he suffered from typhoid and malaria. His sickness gave way to symptoms of cerebral palsy, and the wheel chair became his companion for 13 years hence. In a quest to part with his wheelchair, Kakheho has sought treatment in many places—it was, however, at home in Nagaland where he found useful intervention. Today, he can walk on his own, eat with his own hands and share a joke with his siblings—one cannot tell if he was on a wheel chair a day in his life. A little known practice, forging miracles for disabled persons, the Nagaland Rehabilitation and Research Centre (NRRC) in Dimapur, came to his rescue. Hamlong, in his late 40’s, has a similar story. A year ago he was diagnosed with hyper lordosis, a kind of spinal deformity. He tried to get help from many but in vain—he became bed ridden, gained weight and the spine went from bad to worse. After a month’s treatment at NRRC, Hamlong has lost more than 15 kilos, can drive his own car and manage most activities. These are real life experiences of people whose lives have been transformed by the will and effort of three young health practitioners in Nagaland who set up the NRRC. Supongwati Jamir is a Bio-engineer, the only known Prosthetist and Orthotist in Nagaland.
Bindra signs off with two bronze medals [ PAGE 12]
Dr. Khekaho Chishi is one among the only two Occupational Therapists in Nagaland and Dr. Disinlung Gangmei is a Physiotherapist. In a State where disabled persons are “cured” by giving out wheel chairs, the young trio made the timely intervention of setting up the Nagaland Rehabilitation and Research Centre in Dimapur in January 2014, the first and only physical and mental rehabilitation centre in Nagaland.
out on their own and help disabled people in a way no one in Nagaland had attempted before—the NRRC tries to understand the socio-economic conditions of the disabled community, and the persons they treat. The charges for the treatments are nominal and the devices and appliances that they custom make for their patients are five folds cheaper than those available outside Nagaland. The Centre has patients not only from within the State but also from Assam, Tripura and Manipur. “The State’s attitude towards the disabled community needs to change. Something which can be treated and cured cannot be done away with a wheelchair,’’ asserts Jamir. The NRRC specializes in rehabilitation related to Autism, Polio Foot Drop, Bells Palsy, hand therapy, splinting and pain management and provides cosmetic restoration such as hi-tech artificial limbs, Orthotics, clubfoot lumbar corset, scoliosis, lordosis and knee braces silicone products. Along with their rehabilitation centre they also run their workshop where they make custom devices and appliances for their patients according to their needs. “The people and the disabled community need to be aware that there are doctors and specialists out there who can make life easier and independent for them,” says Dr. Chishi, adding, “The Government and NGOs, in a way, make the disabled further dependent by giving out wheel chairs instead of helping them live an independent life through proper treatment.”
Nagaland Rehabilitation and Research Centre steps in where government fails disabled persons
An Indian villager carrying his goat on his shoulder walks through a flooded road at the Chaygaon village in Kamrup district of northeastern Assam state, India, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. Landslides and flash floods triggered by two days of heavy rain have killed at least 28 people in India’s remote northeast, officials said Tuesday. (AP Photo)
UN adopts plan to enhance rights of indigenous people
UNIteD NAtIoNS, Sep 23 (IANS): The first World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, a colourful assemblage from the world over, began here Monday with a boost from the UN General Assembly which adopted a plan to enhance their rights. The normally drab General Assembly hall was a riot of colors as hundreds of representatives of indigenous people in their traditional regalia joined world leaders at the forum. A woman blowing a conch on the Assembly’s dais set the tone for the meeting that highlighted their need to preserve their cultures. General Assembly President Sam Kutesa said the plan contained in a
document, known in UN officialese as “Outcome Document,” would require member nations to “demonstrate resolve in addressing inequalities that adversely affect indigenous communities.” The document follows up on the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People adopted by the Assembly and sketches out an action-oriented plan for the Declaration’s implementation. Representing indigenous people, Aili Keskitalo, president of the Sami Parliament in Norway, said, “”The challenge now remains to implement the provisions of the declaration, by closing the gaps between theory and prac-
tice, between inspiration and reality.” Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon began his speech with a greeting in six languages of indigenous people from around the world. He said, “Indigenous peoples are concerned about issues that top the global agenda. They are deeply connected to Mother Earth- whose future is at the heart of the Climate Summit opening tomorrow.” There are more than 5,000 distinct groups of indigenous people - the equivalent of schedules tribes in the Indian Constitution - spread across 90 countries. According to the UN, they number 370 million and are more than
5 per cent of the world’s population. “These peoples continue to self-identify as distinct peoples with strong links to traditional territories with their own social, economic and political systems as well as unique languages, cultures and beliefs,” the UN said. Dalee Sambo Sorough, Chair of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, highlighted an issue that affects many of them around the world: “Indigenous peoples’ right to their land and resources remains essential to their survival.” Nations should go beyond their legal imperatives and be guided also by moral imperatives and obligations,she said.
BJP declares candidate for bye-poll NSF, ANCSU intervenes to cancel exam Morung Express News Dimapur | September 23
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–Mikhail Gorbachev
Moving towards independent living
reflections
New York, September 23 (IANS): The year 2014 is poised to become the warmest year ever measured, suggests new data released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The combined temperature of June, July and August has been unprecedented in historical records, said the NOAA data, suggesting that Earth’s oceans reached a level last month not seen since humans have been keeping comprehensive weather data, wired.com reported. “Global ocean temperatures in August 2014 warmed to the largest departure from average for any month on record,” according to a NOAA statement. The previous record was set in June 2014. “If the next four months rank among the five warmest on record, 2014 will be the warmest on record for the globe,” Jake Crouch of the National Climatic Data Centre was quoted as saying. “Having an El Nino would increase the chances of 2015 starting out much warmer than average, and approaching record or near record warmth,” Crouch added.
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US, partners begin airstrikes on Islamic State
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The bye-election to 11 Northern Angami II assembly constituency is likely to see a “friendly” but “tough” straight contest between the DAN coalition partners NPF and BJP. Both the NPF and BJP have a lot in stake in the so-called “friendly” contest as the outcome would have political ramifications in the DAN coalition and also act as a pointer to the 2018 assembly elections. Throwing the gauntlet first, the BJP Tuesday night declared its candidate for the bye-election here at Hotel Saramati, attended by a large number of BJP party workers which exceeded the party’s expectations. The BJP has been a partner of the DAN coalition since 2003 when Neiphiu Rio swept into power. The party’s candidate, Visasolie Lhoungu, is a former bureaucrat who was last posted as chief executive officer NRLM (Rural Development). The 61-year-old BJP candidate hauls from Dihoma village. Nagaland state BJP president, Dr M Chuba, who handed the party ticket to Lhoungu, said the latter’s name was approved by the national BJP parliamentary board at a meeting held on September 20. Expressing optimism of a BJP victory in the bye-poll, the state BJP president also said he was impressed that the Northern Angami II BJP unit has been set up booth level committees in all 29 polling booths within short notice. The lone BJP legislator in the state
and parliamentary secretary for Transport and IPR, Paiwang Konyak, who also graced the programme said the event should not be considered as one of “celebration” but of commitment and responsibility. Stating that it is the collective responsibility of all rank and file of the state BJP to ensure victory of Lhoungu, Paiwang further appealed to all party workers and well wishers to contribute financially, physically and morally. “It is our responsibility to report back to Delhi with our head held high and return the trust reposed in us”, the parliamentary secretary said. The BJP candidate in his acceptance speech said he was overwhelmed by the support and concern shown by the state BJP and all its frontal organizations. “This is just the beginning of the journey and we still have a long way to go”, Lhoungu said. He also pledged to uphold the BJP’s principles and ideologies. Sources have disclosed that the Congress will convene a meeting tomorrow to finalize on setting up a candidate for the NA-II bye-election. There are reportedly two aspirants for the Congress party ticket but the party would take a final decision on whether to set up its candidate in tomorrow’s meeting. NPF to declare candidate today Meanwhile, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has informed that the ticket distribution ceremony to Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, son in law of Neiphiu Rio, for the forthcoming by-election will take place on September 24 at NPF Central Office, Kohima at 11:00 AM.
Morung Express News Kohima | September 23
With the intervention of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANSCU), an exam for four posts (Forester 1) under the Forest Department of Nagaland was cancelled. Although the recruitment came from the directive of the Government of Nagaland, there was no information given out to the public by the department on the vacant posts. An official from the department confirmed that no advertisements were given in the papers for the said posts. “They should not just recruit people hidingly. Equal opportunities should be given to all students,” said Jungithung Yanthan, Auditor General, NSF. The exam was to be held today at the Forest Office Complex, Kohima Division opposite Ministers’ Hill Higher Secondary School. 44 applicants had arrived at the complex to appear for the exam. “We are here for the welfare of the students. We strongly oppose this because they have not advertised the posts in any of the local papers. The department should
maintain transparency,” said Tsukjem Longkumer, President of ANCSU. He asserted that with unemployment increasing in Nagaland, unemployed youth are waiting for such opportunities, which should not be denied. “These exams should be made an open competition for one and all eligible candidates. There are many more who would be eligible for the said posts. Why should some few privileged get the chance? Why the backdoor exams?” questioned a concerned citizen, who further added that it is not the job of the people to go door to door to every department enquiring about job vacancies. “This is not how a government department works. They put an ad in the paper. And if the people don’t apply, then it’s their fault.” Applicants deem NSF as ‘unprofessional’ Following the cancellation of the exam, candidates who arrived at the Department to appear for the exam expressed their frustration over NSF and ANCSU members, who had already left the venue after cancelling the exam without any proper explanation as to why the exam
was cancelled. Some of the applicants informed that they came to know of the available posts after inquiring in the department. The applications were submitted last year. “They have valid reason because it was not published in the paper and it was unfair for those individuals who have not got the information about the exam. But we feel that it was not right for NSF to cancel in the last minute. Why have they not discussed it days before the examination?” said an applicant, who further stated that it was “unprofessional” on the part of NSF to cancel the exam and leave without any proper explanation. While the applicants acknowledged the reason for cancellation of the exam, they questioned why the NSF President or General Secretary was not present to address the candidates and did not provide the candidates a chance to express their voices. “Maybe if they had stayed and discussed with us properly we will not have been offended but they didn’t. They stormed out quickly and didn’t care to talk to the candidates” stated another applicant.
The Centre’s objective is to motivate and help disabled persons move towards an independent life. “Nagaland is badly in need of a State rehabilitation centre where the disabled community can avail required treatment,” says Jamir. After years of learning and training in their fields of study, these young and passionate specialists felt it would be a waste to just sit and do nothing—opportunities in the State are meager. Having come across the plight of disabled people in Nagaland, they realized it was time someone did something for the community. They used to work under the Dimapur District Rehabilitation Centre but after its closure, they were left jobless. They approached the Government of Nagaland for job opportunities in their area of specialization, but the Government, probably the only one in the world, did not need their assistance. However, the people of Nagaland did. So the specialists decided to venture
Naga Hoho resents ‘prohibitory orders’ issued against NE people DImApUr, September 23 (mexN): The Naga Hoho today expressed its resentment over what it termed were “prohibitory orders” issued to the North East staff of a hotel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat where they were reportedly told “to stay away from the hotel premises during the stay of Chinese Premier Xi Jingpin.” A press note from the Naga Hoho stated that the “decision of excluding” people from the Northeast at the hotel “no doubt comes from a top level, be it the Chinese or the Indian security agencies.” “Whichever agency has imposed this segregationist order… shouldn’t let go as a forgivable error,” it stated. It further lamented that the incident amounts to “racial discrimination.” The Naga Hoho further urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate a probe and take appropriate action and measures immediately. While stating that a lot has been said regarding the “successful visit” of the Chinese Premier to India, the Naga Hoho questioned whether “the prohibitory orders issued against people from the Northeast…
has been included in the successful lists of rolls.” The Naga Hoho stated that “whenever any national party leaders land up in Nagaland as well as North East region, they are the number one who will praise the hospitality of all of us, exclaiming at the top of their appreciation, how we are gifted in greeting guest, taking good care of them and the likes.” It further said that many programmes have been carried out in the past decade in the hospitality sector where people from the Northeast undergo training in the hospitality sector “in collaboration with private as well as government institutions all over the country.” It called upon the “institutions to share their solidarity and opinions with us in such racist related orders and assure us that no such stay away orders is imparted in their syllabus…” While scrutinizing the whole episode and the “mindset of the people in main land India,” the Naga Hoho stated: “we feel that the struggle for self determination in the NE region by different political groups is genuinely justified.”
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