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The Morung Express
A Daily Publication of Morung for Indigenous Affairs & JustPeace
Dimapur VOL. III ISSUE 326
www.morungexpress.com
“ ” Unification of Naga areas under Delhi’s scan
Monday, November 24, 2008 12 pages Rs. 3
Love, and do what you like
that he was in touch with several allies within the Congress led UPA government. A significant political development is the reported ‘endorsement’ from the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is the UPA government’s most powerful ally. The General Secretary of the SP, Amar Singh, known to have the ears of both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is reported to have studied in detail, a memorandum submitted to him on unification of Naga areas. After going through the memorandum, Amar Singh reportedly forwarded his ‘recommendation’ to senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee. “I am positive and hopeful because the SP is the biggest partner of the UPA”, says Charenamei disclosing that he had received a letter from the SP General Secretary informing of the latter’s missive to the Congress high command on the issue. It may be mentioned that a rare mention of the Naga peace talks was heard in the floor of the Lok Sabha just before the July 22 trust vote was to take place. On that occasion, the Naga MP had appealed to the Prime Minister of India to take up the Indo-Naga peace talks “in the right earnest” pointing out that the aspiration of the Naga people must be fulfilled. For those who missed it, the Naga MP had explicitly pointed out in his speech before the Trust Vote (beamed live on national television) that he had been assured by the UPA government that the Com-
mon Minimum Programme of the UPA will be re-examined so that the demand for territorial redrawing of boundaries can be taken up through the available constitutional process. Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were seen applauding and thumping their desk after the brief address on the floor of the house by the Naga MP.
that he was only acting as a pressure group of the Naga public “ventilating the wishes of the Nagas for a peaceful and lasting solution to the Indo-Naga political issue”. It may be mentioned that one of the hurdles of the Indo-Naga talks has been the CMP and in particular the Left parties being opposed to any redrawing of territorial boundaries. Ahead of the trust vote, the Outer Manipur MP besides meeting the Prime Minister, was handed a letter of assurance signed by Congress trouble shooter Pranab Mukherjee that the CMP will be re-examined besides another letter endorsed by Oscar Fernandez referring to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution on reorganization of States. Meanwhile, there are also reports that the Government of India is wary about disturbing the 11-yearold Naga peace process and wanting the parleys with the NSCN-IM to continue, the government is working overtime studying various pros and cons of previous accords signed between the Nagas and the Centre. While it will be too intricate to get into the specifics vis-à-vis the IndoNaga political talks at this juncture, yet the obvious assumption is that no matter how difficult it may be for Delhi to address the issue, constitutional propriety would demand that the reorganization of territorial boundaries is both permissible and possible. The only thing lacking is the required political will.
- Saint Augustine
“Redrawing territorial boundaries not unconstitutional”
Outer Manipur Member of Parliament Mani Charenamei. (File photo) Along Longkumer Morung Express News
EVEN THOUGH there has been no visible sign of forward movement in the Naga peace process, there is every indication that one of the substantive issues in the negotiating table — the unification of contiguous Naga inhabited areas — is now being seriously discussed within the power centers in Delhi. The aftermath of the July 22 trust vote in Parliament, necessitated by the withdrawal of support by the Left Front over the Indo-US nuclear deal, has meant that not only is there a guarantee to take a re-look into the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) vis-a-vis the redrawing of territorial boundaries but there are now powerful lobbies that can be mobilized to push the case for the unification of Naga-inhabited areas. Outer Manipur Member of Parliament Mani Charenamei disclosed
Making the case for getting a government-sponsored bill introduced in Parliament, the Member of Parliament from Outer Manipur categorically cleared the air by saying that redrawing of territorial boundary was not an “unconstitutional act”. “No executive or political power has got the authority to violate the constitution”, the Naga MP from Manipur says making reference to provisions related to territorial redrawing of boundaries mentioned in Article 3 and 4 of the Constitution of India. Charenamei is however aware of the limitations and says there is still a lot of work to be done. But he is keeping his fingers crossed hoping for the right time and more importantly a favourable political climate that will give a push to the unification of Naga areas. He also clarified
The writer is former Editor of The Morung Express and presently the Chief of Bureau
Oksana Domnina, right and Maxim Shabalin, of Russia, perform their free dance to win the silver at the Cup of Russia figure skating ISU Grand Prix event in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, November 23. (AP Photo)
‘Nagas no longer at crossroads’
Nagas reach out DGP informs PM of FNR to each other
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Morung Express News Dimapur| November 23
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India failing to crush Maoist NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (AFP): PRIME Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said India was failing in its efforts to crush a Maoist rebellion plaguing vast swathes of the country. Addressing a conference of senior police and security officials in New Delhi, Singh once again described the ultra-leftist insurgency as ‘the most serious internal security threat’ India was facing. ‘It is evident that despite the efforts that have and are being made, the measures taken so far have not yielded desired results,’ the premier was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency. ‘The inability of intelligence agencies and the police to obtain pinpointed and actionable intelligence and in time has enabled these outfits to carry out some high-profile attacks.’
The United National Choir: The choir, comprising members from different Naga political groups at the Sumi Baptist Church, Dimapur. Singing in a church platform for the first time, the participants showed positive spirit, while many kneeled crying for their prayers for Naga reconciliation to be answered. Morung Express News Dimapur| November 23
AS A SYMBOLIC expression of the desire to take forward the Naga reconciliation process, the “united national choir”
comprising of cadres from different Naga political groups performed at the Sumi Baptist Church in Dimapur for the first time since their appearance at the Naga reconciliation soccer match on November 13.
Giving hope to reconciliation, Reverend Dr. Wati Aier, convener of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, said today that “Nagas are no longer at crossroads but have a sense of direction.” Continued on page 3
NAGALAND’S DIRECTOR GENERAL of Police, J Changkija today placed before the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the efforts initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation “in ushering peace” in Nagaland over the past few months. Interacting with the Prime Minister in a top brass meeting, he said the forum is moving in a positive direction “to maintain peace” in the state. Changkija was in Delhi to attend an annual conference of all the state DGPs. Changkija, speaking to The Morung Express from Delhi, said terrorism and extremism formed the core discussions during the meeting with the Prime Minister and the National Security Advisor, MK Narayanan. Pointing out that Nagaland has witnessed less violence compared to other north east states like Manipur and Assam, Chankija said peace initiatives have been set and preventive measures ‘discussed for Nagaland’. He also informed that steps will be taken to maintain better coordination among the north east state DGPs and more frequent meetings to tackle problems of common concern.
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | November 23
“NAGA PEOPLE WANT peace, unity and reconciliation and wanted to live as one people.” That was what the Peace Journey’s team gathered from series of meetings with various civil society organizations and individuals during its 12 days ‘peace journey’ covering 9 districts in Nagaland and Manipur, November 10-21 last. The team members communicated this message to media persons here today on completion of its ‘peace journey phase 1- Nagaland and Manipur’. Rev. L. Kari Longchar Ao, Director of NBCC’s Peace Committee, who was also one of the members of the team, said that the journey was to spread the message of love, peace and
reconciliation, not only amongst the Nagas, but also to neighboring communities. “To have peace in our land, we have to have peace among ourselves,” he said. Sharing their experiences, the team members said the overwhelming opinion was to bring the Nagas closer. “This is the desire of the people. People really wanted peace,” said another participant. The journey covered a distance of 1467 km touching nine districts- Dimapur, Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Kohima (Nagaland) and Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati (Manipur), where the team met representatives of six tribes in Nagaland and 16 tribes in Manipur. They had also met with 65 civil organizations during the peace journey. Continued on page 3
Master craftsman makes a Statement
Longrangty Longchar
Mokokchung | November 23
CREATIVITY HAS no limit, and so is a person’s determination to excel. For thirteen years, Yanger Pongen, a self-taught master craftsman now, from Mokokchung district, has made a mark in the field of handicraft and has won acclaim in the state. Starting off with a Naga dao and a saw (belonging to his grandfather), 36 years old Yanger Pongen began with making candle-stands and trays way back in 1995. His humble beginning has now grown into a Rs 3 Lakh small-scale industry employing seven young locals who help him and at the same time learn the fine arts of carpentry and sculpture. An imaginative portrayal of Naga traditional handicraft expertise in woodcraft is his trademark; and he uses just a hammer and some chisels and patience to put his imagination to life like the Naga warriors and the Last Supper in wood. Smoothness and subtlety mixed with the some amount of imagination is what one customer described his work. Yanger Pongen is selling his products under the name ‘Acme Crafts’ and it has be-
‘GOVERNMENT JOB NOT THE ONLY WAY’
Master craftsman Yanger Pongen (right) at work and (left) one of his woodcrafted creations.
come more or less a brand name for him. He has some certificates of excellence from the government and has been short-listed for a ‘state award’ from the state government. Yanger’s sitting room is now adorned with intricate imaginative creations of woodcraft which would fetch him some profit ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 25,000. The most expensive creation being the ‘Last Supper’, (Leonardo’s creation of Jesus and his twelve disciples finely sculpted in wood and the intricate use of shading giving life to the piece of wood). Finely sculpted pieces are presented in black marble background along with other creations like wooden vintage cars, flower stands and wooden stools. They will find exposure in the popular Hornbill Festival this December. “It (the Last Supper) took me six months to create it,” said Yanger Pongen, a man of very few words. Yanger said he has created four pieces of it and has already sold three for Rs 25,000 apiece. However, the most fascinating thing about this man is his sheer determination to make life out of his talent. Continued on page 3
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LOCAL
Monday 24 November 2008
The Morung Express
DAN government misusing funds
Morung Express News Dimapur | November 23
THE OPPOSITION CONGRESS has come out with disclosures on what it described as the DAN government’s misuse of funds for their own benefits. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) gave examples of “random corruption” under the present DAN government pointing out that the UPA Government had released crores of rupees to Nagaland state but DAN Government misused the funds for their own benefits. The NPCC was responding to the State BJP after the latter had alleged in the local media that the NPCC was stalling the normal flow of funds meant for various developmental projects in the State in connivance with the Congress-led UPA government. “NPCC still wonders that Nagaland State BJP does not know how their DAN Government is functioning in the State. That shows their ignorance about the functioning of the state government. Or is it a case of NPF befooling their partner?” the NPCC responded in a press note issued by its Vice President Nillo Rengma. Adding that the State BJP should know from where the funds are coming and running the DAN Government in the State for the last six years now, the NPCC stated that the BJP’s ignorance or foolishness was understandable. “If the flow of funds for various de-
velopmental projects including normal allocations stop coming from New Delhi for three months, in that case, there would be no government in the State as Nagaland State depends on 90% of its resources from New Delhi. Nagaland State cannot stand on its own in matters of finance. Therefore, whatever developmental projects or welfare schemes are being implemented in the State; it is funds from New Delhi and not from DAN Government resources. Therefore, the question of stalling the flow of funds to Nagaland by the UPA Government does not arise at all,” the NPCC stated. The Nagaland Congress alleged that under the Prime Minister Package for road development programme, the Central govt. accorded Rs.69.00 crores for road development of Tuensang and Mon districts, and it was placed under DUDA Department for implementation. “However, the fund was totally misused due to collection of heavy commission from the contractors by the DAN Government.” It was also alleged that the said package was handled by DUDA with a single E.E in violation of all rules and codes of Work & Housing Department and DAN amassed the funds. “BJP is supposed to know how Rs.69.00 crores had been spent with no roads.” On the PGMSY Scheme, the NPCC clarified that this scheme was being implemented in the State and GoI was generously giving funds in or-
der to connect roads in all habitations by 2009. The NPCC alleged that when phase V & VI were implemented in the State during 2007-08, certain percentage was collected from the contractors on the pretext of party fund, and work order was issued only after contractors deposited the ‘party fund’ at the high up levels of DAN govt. Thereby, many contractors either left the work half-done or could not do the work as per specifications, it was pointed out. It was informed that recently, under this scheme, phase VII tender had been
“Such high above the schedule rate was given to get high percentage of commission. That was the sole motive,” the Congress maintained. With regard to the fruit processing unit, the NPCC alleged that this was given to the former Minister (Industries) and present Rajya Sabha MP’s son on lease for 30 years without floating tender which is blatant corruption. It went on to state that the unit has about 44 bighas of land with all pucca infrastructure which cost more than Rs.4.00 crores and it has been leased
STATE CONGRESS HITS BACK AT BJP called. “Who knows, this time also the contractors may face the same problem about the ‘commission’ if the usual DAN practice is still followed. Nagaland contractors are the best judge whether such percentage are being collected or not,” the NPCC stated. The NPCC also made mention of “random corruption” under the DAN Government and cited several instances to prove its point. On the construction of 10th IRB headquarters at Saijang, the NPCC alleged that the Department awarded the construction of the works at 86% above the schedule rate of 2005.
out at Rs.25,00/- per month. “After 30 years of lease period, neither the land nor infrastructure may become visible”, the NPCC stated. On the Lakhimro Hydel Project the NPCC stated that this had been privatized to one firm, and “the one who is holding high office has a share in it.” It went on to allege that the proprietor of the project is provided with police vehicle whenever he is in Nagaland. “As a citizen of India, one is entitled to get body guards for protection of his life but providing police escort is never known. It is misuse of Govern-
ment machineries.” With regard to the construction of the DGP’s residence of 4 storeys, the NPCC stated that this was “a contract oriented building solely for collection of higher percentage of commission” and that similar was the case of spending 30.20 crores for a single Medical Department Directorate office. The NPCC also shed light that from the 13th to 31st December 2007, Rs.198.00 crores was withdrawn by the DAN Government when it was reduced to a minority and “thereafter, contractors were paid in cash, not by cheque.” For example: an amount of Rs.4.6 crores was released for construction of temporary sheds for CPMF by CAWD and the contractors were paid in cash instead of cheque which is in violation of procedures. This procedure was adopted by the DAN Government to get more percentage collection of commissions,” the NPCC stated. It was further alleged that under the DAN Government, contract and supply works were given to only those who can pay ‘commissions’ and that those getting works without paying the commission meant that they were relatives of persons running the govt. “For example Carriage work was given to M/S Jimti Ao in 59 places for transportation of essential commodities in Nagaland by the supply Department. And whereas, he has given power of attorney to non-locals in 28 places. This clearly shows that
Exposure tour enriches farmers, floriculturists
National workers presenting a special song at the 1st anniversary of the ‘Unification of Nagas’ of the GPRN/NSCN, at its Khehoi designated camp in Dimapur, on November 22. (Morung Photo)
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DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Department of Agriculture, Nagaland State Agricultural Marketing Board, with the objective to update the upcoming cardamom farmers and floriculturists of the State organised an exposure tour programme to Gangtok, Sikkim, from November 17 to 19 last. The team led by N Lanu Aier, Assistant Marketing Officer, and Sazolie, Assistant Marketing Officer, also included farmers and APMC members from different districts. The team visited the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Regional Research Station, Tadong, at Gangtok, where different techniques of cultivating different varieties
15 feet Python operated on
of cardamom was displayed to the team by the officer in charge of the station. Besides the Research Station, the team also visited a few cardamom farms managed by private farmers. The team also visited the Sikkim Himalayan Orchid Limited, a joint venture company between Natsyn Flora, Chennai, and Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department, Government of Sikkim. The team further visited Horticulture farms managed by different SHGs, the National Bamboo Mission Nursery at Chotasingtam, and the Cardamom Marketing Agency at Siliguri in West Bengal. This was stated in a press note issued by N Lanu Aier, Assistant Marketing Officer at the District Agriculture Office, Mokokchung.
Senior Congressman joins NPF
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): For the first time in the state’s history, a seriously injured python was successfully operated upon and medically treated by a team of veterinary doctors from Veterinary Hospital, Dimapur, on November 21. The team, led by Dr. L G Zhimomi, Deputy Director, includes Dr. Asenuo Linye, veterinary assistant surgeon, and wildlife staff of Nagaland Zoological Park. In the surgical operation, which lasted for about one and a half hour, the 15 feet long python weighing 29kg was operated for a fractured cervical vertebrae. The python is presently recuperating in the rescue centre at Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar, under close supervision. The condition of the python is reported to be stable. Meanwhile, the forest department has thanked the veterinary department, especially the doctors and staff of Veterinary Hospital, Dimapur, for their selfless and valuable service in assisting the department in protecting and saving the state’s wildlife resources.
DIMAPUR,NOVEMBER23 (MExN): Timir Choudhury of District Congress Committee of Dimapur has joined the NPF party during the last general convention of the NPF held at Kohima on November 18 last, informed a press note issued by LepshiAo,presidentofNPFDimapur Division. “He has been an active member of the Congress party for the last 28 years. His experience and knowledge will be of immense importance and the NPF will use his service forthewelfareandpromotionof the party in Dimapur district,” the note stated.
genuine and able local contractors and suppliers are being deprived the privileges in unscrupulous manner.” Regarding 4-laning of road between Dimapur and Kohima, the NPCC informed that the GoI has decided to provide fund under special accelerated Road Development programme (SARDP) and placed it under phase ‘B’. “As and when phase ‘A’ of SARDP formalities are completed, phase ‘B’ will take place. BJP, as a ruling party should know about your Government’s works programme”, the NPCC stated. On the issue of 25000 unemployment youths to be employed, the NPCC pointed out that the state Government was not even in a position to detail the sectors where there is to be employment. Therefore, GoI should not be blamed when state Government fails to give the detail programme for placement, the NPCC defended, while also adding that the State BJP should not shed crocodile tears for Christians in Orissa and other states when their own BJP brigade, the VHP, was stopping reconstruction of churches in Orissa. On the price hike, the NPCC stated that this was a worldwide phenomenon; therefore, UPA Government cannot be blamed. Rather, it went on to allege that the DAN Government is responsible for escalation of prices in the state for failing to check anti-social elements “who extort business community and thereby create artificial escalation of prices.”
NSCN(IM) welcomes rival cadres DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The ‘GPRN/ NSCN-IM’ of Angami Region Authority appreciated and welcomed six cadres of the Khaplang group for joining the ‘actual organisation’, the GPRN/NSCN, under the leadership of its President, Isak Chish Swu, and General Secretary Th. Muivah. According to a press release issued by Helie, Central Administrative Officer, Angami Region, GPRN, the members who have been inducted into its fold are Lt. Medoneizo, Lt. Balie, Lt. Abei, Lt. Neiboulie, Sgt. Adusü and Sgt. Niu. “The Angami Region Authority appreciates their wisdom for realizing that they had been wasting their precious time by working for a group which does not have any interest for the cause of the Nagas,” added the release. The group further appealed to all likeminded people to step forward and support the NSCN-IM in achieving the desired goal of the Nagas.
DNSU foundation stone laying ceremony DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) building construction committee has informed all concerned that the foundation stone laying ceremony will be held on November 25 next at 11 am at its office premises. The committee has invited all the constituent units of DNSU, NGOs, civil societies and well-wishers to attend the programme. Khekiho Zhimomi, MP of Rajya Sabha, will grace the programme and lay the foundation stone. This was stated in a press note issued by Obed Yimchunger, Convenor of the construction committee.
Yitachu to inaugurate Aizuto tourist destination KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): Yitachu, parliamentary secretary for tourism, art & culture and law & justice, will inaugurate the Aizuto Tourist Destination at Aizuto Mission Centre on November 25 at 9:00 am. Khekiye K Sema, IAS, commissioner and secretary, tourism, art & culture, will also attend the programme. The function will be chaired by G Zhekuto Zhimo, chairman OC, while evangelist Rev. Yehoto Chishi will pronounce the invocation prayer. Welcome address will be delivered by Er. Vitoshe Rochill, ECM, while the ATC will present a special song. Vote of thanks will be tendered by Rev. Dr. Joshua Rochill, SBAK. The programme will be followed by cultural performances.
Mon DPDB to sponsor pre-Christmas celebrations A common sight in Dimapur – reportedly one of the fastest growing commercial centres in the region – the intersection near the traffic island, on the Dimapur-Golaghat road in Dimapur, lies in deplorable shape. (Morung Photo)
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MON, NOVEMBER 23 (DIPR): The Mon District Planning & Development Board Meeting was held under the Chairmanship of C L John, Chairman DPDB & MARCOFED, on November 20 at the Mon View Resort Center. Welcoming the members present, the Chairman thanked the officers for serving the people of Mon in spite of the poor facilities available in the district. He on behalf of the DPDB also extended gratitude to MLA Lanpha for hosting the meeting. Addressing the house, the Chairman said that due to heavy public engagement and other private schedules, the real office duties of the Legislature had been neglected by the elected members, and requested the members to understand the ‘unofficial responsibilities’ of the elected members besides their normal activities, and called upon the officers to share their views and give suggestions to the elected members in any activities for upliftment of the district. John also shared his experience with the members about the life and culture of the people of China, Bangkok and Korea, where
he had visited recently as part of the Year of Capacity Building. MLA Aloh in his speech asked the members to work ‘coordinately’ breaking all barriers of political differences and party line for peace, unity and development of the people. He also asked the officials to freely express and report in case of any kind of threat from antisocial elements to the concerned authority for peaceful atmosphere in the district. While expressing appreciation for the activities taken up by the DPDB and stating its importance, MLA Lanpha said that the DPDB should be a platform where all the officers and elected members share their opinion freely for the development of the district. He also shared his view of setting up a Botanical Garden and Zoological Park for the people of Mon and shared the experience of his trip to China. Tonwang Konyak, Vice President of Wangkhao Government College, presented the overall activities of the College and requested the members to strongly recommend to the Government for creation of Sociology Department that had been intro-
duced in the year 2006 and was later transferred to Dimapur Government College. The Board after a brief discussion, recommended to the Government for immediate creation of Sociology Department to Wangkhao College and also to rename the Govt. Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Mon, to Lt. Khaoba Memorial School after the name of late Khaoba, the then Chief Angh of Mon village. With the initiative of the Chairman, the board resolved to sponsor the Mon Town Combine Pre-Christmas Celebration-2008 on December 14, at the local football ground, Mon, in which the local churches will be facilitators. The purpose of the celebration is to bring all the local churches under Mon closer, and also to mark the year 2008 as the Year of Capacity Building. The board also constituted a 13-member coordination committee along with all the Pastors of Local Church, Mon town headed by Those, ADC (Planning), Mon, as convenor for celebration of the event. Khoiwang Konyak, the President of KU, also exhorted the house.
LOCAL
The Morung Express
BJP slogans ‘devoid of substance’: NPCC
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The NPCC today charged the state BJP on all fronts for raising slogans ‘devoid of substance’. Responding to the charges of the state BJP on ‘stalling flow of funds to the state,’ the Congress lashed back at the BJP alleging that ‘whenever funds provided by UPA Government to Nagaland are mismanaged and exhausted by the people in power, they (BJP) have the usual habit of raking up infamous slogans.’ Contrary to the issues raised by the BJP alleging that ‘NPCC connived with Congress led UPA Govt. in disrupting fund allocation to Nagaland,’ R. Paphino of the Congress in a statement noted that it is under the able leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that ‘the UPA is generous in allocating sufficient funds to DAN/NPF Govt. in Nagaland.’ “The BJP also should know that un-
less the DAN Govt. do away with the habit of mishandling fund allocated to Nagaland by the UPA Govt. no amount of money sanctioned to Nagaland can fulfill the infinite lust of BJP/NPF leaders,” the NPCC cautioned BJP. “On Naga political issue, the BJP is also a partaker in the equi-closeness investment of NPF which is diametrically opposite to the call of unity, reconciliation and solution to the Naga political problem as it is a political approach of keeping some section of people close and alienating others.” NPCC lamented that this antagonistic policy is creating division within “our family” and stands as a sole impediment towards solution of the “elusive Naga political problem”. The NPCC also stated that “Abhinav Bharat, Sadhivi, Lt. col. Purohit, (alleged involvement in) Malegaon blast,
DIC Chozuba informs
PHEK, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The General Manager of the District Industries Centre, Chozuba has informed that November 28 will be the last date for submission of application under PMEGP Scheme 2008-09 for Phek district. Further the interview for KVIC/NKVIB applicants will be held on December 4 next and for DIC applicants on December 5 next at the DC office, Phek at 10:00 am. “During the interview all the applicants are suppose to bring their documents in original. No separate call letter shall be issued on this matter,” stated Zachive Thele, Deputy Commissioner of Phek cum Chairman of the District Task Force Committee of PMEGP.
NNC Non-Accordist clarifies
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Sumi Region of the NNC (Non-Accordist) has clarified that there is no ‘Nagi faction’ of NNC in Nagaland. A press note issued by Shivito Sumi, vice-chairman of the NNC, Sumi Region, stated that “it is still working for its democratic principles under the leadership of Dr. Senka Yadden and V Nagi, President and General Secretary respectively, based on 1929 and 1951.” The NNC also expressed appreciation for the FNR, DB’s and GB’s for their prayer and support to bring all factions under one umbrella. The note further extended best wishes to all factions and people for a “merry Christmas and happy New Year.”
Coordination meet held at Kiphire KIPHIRE, NOVEMBER 23 (DIPR): A coordination meeting of the district administration, security forces, representatives of NGOs, and the GBs and DBs joint forum was held on November 19 last in the office chambers of the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire. During the meeting, the DC apprised the members about the latest terror attacks in various cities of the country and informed the members to remain vigilant in case of any eventualities. After thorough discussion and deliberation, the members are reported to have adopted some resolutions.
DHEP, LOU coordination meeting held DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): A coordination meeting between DHEP Doyang officials and office bearers of the newly elected Landowners Union (LOU) was held on November 4 last at the IB conference hall, DHEP Doyang. The DHEP team of officials was led by its DGM while the LOU was led by Y Odyuo, president. In his address, Odyuo appealed the DHEP officials and staff to “work harder hand in hand” with office bearers of LOU “to bring about drastic change, harmony and understanding to achieve the final target of the project.” This was stated in a press release issued by Y Odyuo, president of LOU DHEP, Doyang.
erstwhile Jan Sangh, Bajrang Dal, RSS, VHP, BJP and NPF in Nagaland are all sailing in the same boat.” The Congress mocked the “BJP’s foxy howling attitude” of condemning Christian atrocities, while it continue to have links with “Hindu fanatics”, also charging the “BJP-NPF duo” that they “cannot run away from the liability of their Hindu militants who are perpetually committing grievous and brutal crimes against minority Christian community in BJP ruling states”. The BJP had earlier blamed the UPA govt. for failing to check escalating prices. To this regard NPCC warned that the ‘BJP should be little cautious before they take a leap’ in making comments. “They are running the State Govt,” NPCC noted, also questioning, “what have they done when, for instance, prices of tomato had
gone as high as Rs.50/- per Kg in the market. Meat and fish sellers are openly cheating the consumers in the broad daylight and right in front of the Government.” Not amused at the performance of the DAN, that which BJP is also a part of, the Congress questioned the sincerity of BJP’s concern over genuine issues. “Did they show even a slight concern? Did they tackle this market menace?” Reaffirming faith in UPA’s ability in handling the current global financial crises NPCC wondered, “Imagine how NDA/BJP would tackle this phenomenon if they were in power in Delhi!” NPCC dismissed the allegations made by the BJP stating that “the statement (made by BJP) appears to be clear depiction of a child crying for more sweets when it is exhausted.” (sic)
‘Nagas no longer at crossroads’
From page 1
Dr. Wati spoke on reconciliation as a process hoping to bring different groups together towards a common goal while admitting it is still “going to be difficult task”. In the last couple of meetings with all the Naga groups, a wave of positivity is ushering in and there is better understanding and trust among the different groups now, he said “Wounds are still fresh but by the grace of God we are moving in the right direction,” Dr. Wati said. Dr. Wati, pointing out the ‘clear vision given by God’ for reconciliation, said the forum alone is not taking the process forward but urged every Naga to be a part of the healing and reconciliation process. “The message of reconciliation has been entrusted to all of us. The Bible
says so,” Dr. Wati quoted the Bible in better light of understanding the calling to reconciliation. He also encouraged “peoples’ movement” saying without it, Nagas can achieve nothing. Clearly spelling out the greatest defeat for Nagas have been in “listening to rumors,” Dr. Wati said Nagas have been fighting each over due to ‘other’s creation’. He appealed to every Naga to support the reconciliation move through prayer and raise the “white flag” as a symbol of support. Members of the united national choir also expressed their desire for Nagas to overcome feelings of hatred and suspicion and to push forward the reconciliation process in a positive direction. The reconciliation process has brought them closer to realizing their goal, they pointed out.
Youth festival at Zunheboto
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Zunheboto, will organise the youth festival for Zunheboto district on November 26 and 27 under the theme ‘Bloom where you are planted’. In this connection, all interested cultural troupes, village or clubs are to contact the DYRO office or DYRO for more details.
AR recovers explosives in Naginimora DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): Naginimora in Mon district of Nagaland has come under the scanner with reports of explosives recovered from a house in the area of Darjeeling Basti. Informing this, Maj. Pallab Choudhury PRO, IGAR (N) in a press note disclosed that on the basis of a successful operation in Bihupar Village (Assam) on November 16 by 37 AR, where explosives were recovered, AR had stepped up vigil in the entire area and round the clock surveillance was being maintained on all identified sensitive areas. Subsequent to Operations in Bihupar village the owner of the house Sirajuddin Talukdar was arrested and on interrogation revealed that he owned a house in Darjeeling Basti (Nagnimora), Nagaland. “Relentless discreet surveillance in vicinity of the house and activation of sources by 37 AR yielded reliable info of explosives being hidden near the house”, the press note stated while also informing that on November 23 a patrol of 37 AR in conjunction with Nagaland Police led by Maj. K.K Charan launched
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Your daily Meetings, Appointments, Information and Reminder column
Sargam Golden Voice grooming session today
An emergency meeting with the Sargam Golden Voice Grooming session 2008 will be held on November 24 at 3:00 pm at Kevijau Colony, near hume pipe factory, Signal Basti Rangapahar Road, Dimapur. The participants that have qualified in the audition round are requested to attend the ongoing grooming session without fail as those found absent on the day, will be removed from the participants list without further information. JD (U) Party meeting today
An emergency executive meeting of State JD (U) Party will be held on November 24 at 1:00 pm at the residence of its president Limatemjen Ao, at Purana Bazar Dimapur. All central office bearers including women and youth wing are requested to attend the meeting positively. USLB meeting November 25
United Sangtam Likhüm Bümji (USLB) emergency meeting of all office bearers, executive committee members, action committee members and advisory board members will be held on November 25 at DUDA Guest House Kohima at 2:00 pm. All above mentioned members are requested to attend the meeting positively. It is further informed that fooding and lodging will be borne by USLB. PDSC meeting November 25
There will be a meeting of the P.D.S.C on November 25 at 10:00 am in the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner & Chairman, PDSC Peren. All members of PDSC are requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting without fail.
JNV observes National Education Day
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Yakukie, Kohima, had observed National Education Day on November 11 last by holding essay and debate competition, and illuminating lectures by experts. Sampriti Das, Chonbenthung and Baby Sinha bagged the first, second and third positions respectively in the debate competition. The topic for debate was ‘Scoring high marks in the examination should be the sole target of a student’. In the essay competition (Junior category) on the topic ‘Education makes a man good’,
Abhishek, Lhotovi and Vizonuo won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively, while in the senior category on the topic ‘The foundation of a state is the education of its youth’, Sampriti Das, Baby Sinha and Mussarat bagged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. Those who spoke on the occasion included K Alung Khumba, principal JNV, Jonali Deka, TGT (Assamese), C K Singh, TGT (Hindi), and G Talukdar, PGT (English). The programme concluded with the vote of thanks tendered by B Kollo, PGT (Physics).
EAC Kobulong urges govt officials to be sincere 37 AR personnel on a patrol with sniffer dogs in action, in this image to released to the media. The intensive search operation on November 23 led to recovery of explosives in Naginimora (Darjeeling Basti) .
an intensive search Operation in Darjeeling Basti (near Panbari) 2 Km south of Nagnimora town and premises of the individual was searched. Snifter Dog was put into action which finally traced the explosives near Dikhu River (flowing close behind the house) which was carefully concealed along the grain of the ground
to avoid detection. 17 electrical detonators, 100 feet safety fuse and 9 packets (each 125 gms) of explosives (NEOGEL) was recovered from the site, the press note informed. “AR is maintaining a state of high alert and vigil within the state with an aim to thwart any attempt of militants to vitiate peace or carry
Awareness on HIV/AIDS held KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): A one day awareness programme on HIV/AIDS was held on November 11 last at the Conference Hall of Women Development, Kohima. The awareness programme was imparted to vocational trainees and instructors of Training-cum-Production Centre (under Directorate of Women Development) which imparts training on weaving, tailoring and knitting to school drop out girls and rural women for self employment. Alipoker, consultant of NSACS, Paul R of NSACS and Bazo Kire of Kekhrie Foundation Kohima were the resource persons at the training.
Nagas reach out to each other
From page 1
The 11 members who joined the Peace Journey includes; Rev. L. Kari Longchar Ao, Director, Peace NBCC, Th. Robinson Tangkhul, Senior Facilitator CTP, HMI, Hyderabad, Lemwang W. Chukwanglim Konyak, Facilitator CTP, HMI, Hyderabad, M. Tolkham Maring, general secretary Chandel Naga Public Organization (CNPO) , K. Marigold Maring, general secretary NWUM, Worthing Horam Tangkhul, Auditor General NSF, B. Chubala Yimchunger, member, Tuensang District Mother’s Association (TDMA), T. Yenhola Yimchunger, member TDMA, S. Helula Yimchunger, member TDMA, Aram Pamei , convener Peace Committee Tamenglong and Sumshol Khular, member, NPMHR/ Chandel. Journeying for peace is a concept that Henry Martyn Institute (HMI) has some familiarity with as a result of its experiences in facilitating women’s inter-faith journeys. Since 1999 HMI has facilitated three journeys (international) and a conference based on the journeys. This innovative approach has facilitated bridge -building between different participants as well as clarity on process that help transform relations and understanding on issues. It may be recalled that the HMI conducted advanced level workshop in conflict resolution in Kigwema, Nagaland in March this year. The subsequent meetings with church elders, student organizations and women’s organizations have resulted in envisioning a peace journey. HMI is an organization and has been working in Manipur since 2000 and in Nagaland since 2002. It invests in developing process and models that contribute to building individual and
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out any subversive activities”, it informed while adding that all sensitive areas are being kept under surveillance to check movement of armed cadres or contraband including explosives. “All out efforts are being directed to help out the civil administration in maintaining law and order within Nagaland”.
MOKOKCHUNG, NOVEMBER 23 (DIPR): A coordination meeting of all departments under EAC Kobulong circle was held on November 19 at the office of the EAC at Kobulong. The meeting was chaired by the EAC, T Lamkosen Tsanglao, who urged all government officials to be sincere in their assigned works. The members present discussed the dismantling of uninhabitable government quarters of the Medical and Veterinary departments and the need for an approach road to the office of the Block Development Officer. They also agreed to hold an inter-departmental coordination meeting once every two months. The Headmistress of the Government High School at Kobulong briefed the members about the position of the school and the need for improvement of its operational system. In closing, the EAC urged all the officials to be regular and to work with dedication.
Condolences DGU condoles
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Dimapur Gorkha Union today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the untimely demise of Pandit Hari Prasad Poudel who passed away early morning on November 18 at his residence in Purana Bazar. Born in chandmari Kohima in 1942, late Poudel is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Deepak Chettri, general secretary of DGU in a condolence message conveyed prayers to the bereaved family and for peace to the departed soul.
eration (NSF) has expressed shock, grief and sadness at the sudden demise of late Lochunga, a teacher incharge of NSF, at Naga Chingmei School, Mon. On his demise, NSF in a condolence message said that his death has brought a great loss to NSF and the eastern Naga people in particular. Imchatoba, NSF President, in a condolence message avowed that the Federation would uphold and cherish his indomitable spirit of sacrifice that he had extended, and further prayed that the departed soul may rest in peace.
on the sudden demise of Late Vihoto Awomi on October 28. A press note issued by the union president, Ayeto P Shohe stated the deceased was a student union leader in 1983 and has also contributed greatly for the uplift of the society.
KMC mourns Vishul’s demise
The Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) mourned the untimely demise of its colleague Vishul Rhetso, “who was actively imparting his responsibilities as a government nominated members to the Council” until his brief USU condoles NSF grieved by illness, and who breathed his The Ustomi Students’ last on November 17 last at demise of member The Naga Students’ Fed- Union conveys condolences AIIMS, New Delhi. He was
first elected as KTC member from Chandmari ward in August 1995 and then as government nominee KMC member in January 2005. “In his untimely death, the Kohima Municipal Council establishments have lost a dedicated and efficient staff. The vacuum he left behind will be difficult to fill up in the near future but his exemplary leadership he demonstrated will continue to live in our memories forever,” stated KMC chairperson Vipopal Kintso in a condolence message received here. The KMC also prayed to the Almighty to give strength and solace to the bereaved family members and peace to the departed soul.
Master craftsman makes a Statement
From page 1
Members of the Peace Journey team pose for camera in Kohima on Sunday.
institutional capacities in the areas of peace building and believed that peace building is complex and requires sustained efforts over several years (even decades) to produce desired outcomes and some change. “The journey model in this case is being adopted to make some contribution to strengthen the social fabric of Nagas which has become strained over the course of several years due to conflicts and perceptions of the other, across different tribes and locations,” said a concept paper of the peace journey phase I. “We hope that significant learning’s might emerge on journey as a model, which can foster better understanding between peoples and tribes living far apart. It also facilitates learning on what are the priorities of people in different locations and how to have a more inclusive strategy when
working for peace,” it added. Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho, NPMHR and Naga Mothers’ Association was appreciative of the peace journey. “Peace that we long for will not evade us. However difficult it may be, let us give our best and work with one spirit and one effort to bring the glory one day in our society,” said NMA president Khesheli in her message. “We NPMHR strongly support the team and encourage our people to cooperate with the team as we all are working for the welfare of the peace in our society,” said NPMHR convenor Atoho Kiho. “We are happy with the initiative taken up by the Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad for this peace journey and for the effort to bring unity and peace among our Naga brotherhood,” said Keviletuo, President Naga Hoho.
A former drug addict, Yanger Pongen says that he took to drugs for about three years, until he realized that he has to change his habits. He met his wife, Akala and has nothing but good things to say about her. “I would have died if I did not meet her,” says Pongen modestly. His wife helps out in his work, spraying of paints and smoothing the finished woodcrafts. Interestingly, Yanger Pongen has been offered a government job as a carpentry instructor by a de-
partment, however he refused it and instead pursued his hobby, and he has no regrets about declining the offer. “Government job is not the only way to earn a living,” he says. Now, blessed with a son and a daughter, Yanger Pongen continues with his work in his residence which has been turned into a cottage industry and installed with carpentry machineries like a mini sawmill and drilling machines worth lakhs of rupees. Yanger did express regret that he had to leave school
AN PWD (RBH) WCEA pleas DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23, (MExN): The All Nagaland PWD (Road, Bridges & Housing) Work Charged Employees Association appealed the Head of Department, NPWD (Road & Bridges), Kohima to release the pending salaries from May 2008 till date. A release issued by its president and joint secretary lamented that it is not possible to survive without the salaries any longer and fervently asked to release salaries soon. The dearness and additional dearness allowances due allotted to them also must be given, otherwise it is not justified, it claimed.
at an early age. “Had I been more educated then I would be more efficient in talking and dealing with people,” he says. However, with his profession to keep his imagination at work, Yanger Pongen finds solace in his wife and his family. “She has helped me a lot in changing my behaviour and my lifestyle.” Now, thirteen years on since he took to carpentry, Yanger Pongen admits to wanting a showroom in the towns of Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur (‘that is, if God willing’,
he admits modestly). “Young people, if are they are sincere and honest and use their talents to the best of their abilities then they can also earn their own living without any problem and surely God would also help them,” he commented. Besides, his expertise in woodcrafts, Yanger Pongen is also a master carpenter who creates sofa-seats, cupboards and dressing tables. To place orders, once can contact Yanger Pongen at Acme Crafts Kumlong Ward, Mokokchung. Phone No (0369) 2226465 or 9436217550.
ZION HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTER NEUROLOGIST FOR CONSULTATION
Dr.R.R. Das MD DM (Neurology) from Guwahati will be available for consultation on the 29th and 30th of November 2008. Please contact the reception for registration # (03862) 231864, 230889, 227337
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Flights by Indian carriers declining
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): With passenger traffic falling sharply in the past few months owing to high airfares, the number of flights operated by Indian carriers also registered a substantial decline between March and November. The number of flights each week fell from 10,922 in March to 9,635 this month, according to latest official figures, with both corporate and leisure travel on the decline. The slowdown in the Indian aviation sector, which registered an estimated combined loss of Rs 4,000 crore in 2007-08, led to a 30 per cent shortfall in passenger traffic at Delhi’s IGI Airport and 32 per cent in CST Airport in Mumbai. According to the official data, the industry losses are estimated to more than double this financial year to Rs 10,000 crore. Besides the high fuel costs, caused primarily by high taxation, the airline industry was also suffering from the weakening rupee against the US dollar as the airlines make large payments in dol-
lars for several goods and services as also to the foreign crew they hire. State-owned National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL), which runs Air India, posted a loss of Rs 2,144 crore in 2007-08 and is estimated to lose over Rs 2,180 crore in 2008-09. Its working capital borrowings, which include aircraft acquisition, were Rs 11,500 crore at 15 per cent interest in 2007-08. On top of this, all airlines put together owe the oil companies Rs 3,000 crore and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Rs 1,100 crore. However, the carriers are currently in the process of paying back the oil companies and the AAI. Several airlines that have placed big aircraft orders were also on the verge of defaulting on mortgage payments for their aircraft, it has been officially stated. The major cost-cutting exercise and reduction in flight operations undertaken by the airline industry is threatening employment opportunities in the sector and allied areas like ticket-
Textile industry in Surat faces closure
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24 November 2008
SURAT, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Once known as India’s Manchester, the textile hub of Surat is now struggling to stay afloat on account of the ongoing economic slowdown. Most factories here are on the verge of a shutdown as UK and US buyers cancel bulk orders. Even the union textile minister admits things are grim. “Export orders are under pressure due to liquidity crisis and credit squeeze in the USA where major retail chains used to buy bulk products from Surat. There is delay in payments and things are now in pretty bad shape,’ said Shankersinh Vaghela, Union Textile Minister. Over a lakh migrant workers employed here have already returned to West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. The rest are trying to find jobs in small industries around Surat. Another two lakh workers are on a forced vacation as factories take a break. Manufacturers say that if demand from the West does not pick up in the next six months, Surat’s textile industry may not survive. “There is a major drop in exports in the last six months. During the first half we exported readymade garments worth Rs 137 crore which is down to Rs 57 crore during the second half,” said Rakesh Choudhury, president, Surat Textile Exporters’ Association. Although the textile industry in Surat has grown steadily over the years but rising production costs and declining demand have pushed the textile industry in Surat to the brink of closure. Two years ago, the flood in Surat had hit the textile industry badly. And when it had just started recovering this time drastic cut in demand could be a blow that Surat may not be able to bear.
ing, transport, catering and ground handling. According to latest data, the percentage year-on-year domestic traffic growth rate in India continued to fall since November last year and declined by 15 per cent this July compared with 10 per cent growth in the same month last year. The international traffic growth rate in the country, however, remained on the positive side, hovering between 20 and 10 per cent, the figures showed. Price-sensitive travellers, who had just started embracing air travel as a viable alternative to ground travel, were effectively priced out as the Indian aviation sector witnessed a deep downturn this year. While asking the airlines to reduce fares, a government panel has also urged the Finance Ministry to rationalise taxes by including jet fuel in the list of ‘Declared Goods’ to help the beleaguered airline industry. The designation of jet fuel as Declared Good would allow the imposition of a flat four per cent tax on it across the country.
Tata Motors to shut plant for five days
A visitor sits in a Volvo C70 T5 sedan during the 6th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition at the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou of south China’s Guangdong province Saturday, November 22. (AP Photo)
Economic blockade affects life in Manipur IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 23 (UNI): Frequent imposition of economic blockade on NH 39 passing through the state badly affects normal life in Manipur. The Manipur government has decided to bring in stranded trucks on the Manipur-Nagaland border
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by providing escort considering the shortage of essential commodities and steep hike in their prices following the blockade. The oil depots were not able to meet the public demand and cooking gas was sold in black market at exhorbitant prices.
The prices of edible items have also skyrocketed. The economic blockade was imposed by the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) to demand repair of the highway. It was relaxed for six days and re-imposed on November 19. The Works
Minister K Ranjit has assured the repair of the highway. Meanwhile the truck owners raised their security concerns and said three drivers were kidnapped on Nov 19 near Kohima for alleged failure to cough monetary demands of the militants.
MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 23 (REUTERS: India’s largest vehicle maker, Tata Motors Ltd, will shut its commercial vehicle plant in Jamshedpur for five days amid slowing demand, the Financial Express newspaper reported on Sunday. The plant, which had already shut for three days from Nov 6, will be closed again from Nov 2529, the newspaper said. Vehicle saleshavebeenslumpingacross the world as economies weaken and consumers cut back on spending, forcing many automakers to consider output cuts. “Across the industry, it has been seen in the month of October 2008 that unavailability of finance coupled with high interest rates is forcing customers to postpone purchases,” the newspaper quoted Tata Motors as saying. “The sales slowdown witnessed would call for appropriate action from Tata Motors from time to time to match the production with demand and avoid unnecessary build-up of inventories in the company or with its dealers.” it added. Earlier this month, Tata Motors said it would close two of its commercial vehicle plants for six days to avoid unnecessary inventory build-up. It said its plant in Pune, in the western state of Maharashtra, will be shut Nov. 21-26, while its plant in Lucknow would be shut Nov 10-15.
Top 10 cos lose Rs 30,000 crore in a week on bourses
MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Even as four firms, including State Bank of India, managed to add to their market capitalisation amid high volatility on the bourses, the elite club of country’s top 10 companies saw their valuations tumbling by a whopping Rs 30,000 crore in
just one week. The 10 firms, comprising six from public sector and four private sector entities, together lost Rs 30,474 crore in market capitalisation for the week ending November 21. At the end of Friday’s trade, the total market value of the 10 most-valued firms
stood at Rs 9,50,253 crore, down from Rs 9,80,727 crore a week ago. Among the losers, state-run mining giant NMDC declined the most, shedding Rs 11,874 crore in valuation, followed by another public sector company MMTC, which saw a fall of Rs 8,605 crore in market capital-
isation. Telecom giant Bharti Airtel witnessed substantial decline in its valuation, dropping Rs 5,890 crore. Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries’ market value dropped by Rs 3,336 crore, accounting for nearly 10% of the total losses incurred by the 10 companies. On the
Planned China provincial investments exceed $1.4T, AS
BEIJING, NOVEMBER 23 (AP): China’s provincial governments have proposed more than 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) in infrastructure spending, state television reported Sunday, following Beijing’s launch of a massive stimulus plan to revive slowing economic growth. China is trying to boost domestic consumer spending by injecting money into the economy in hopes of insulating it from a sharp drop in global demand for its exports. The biggest proposal came from Yunnan province in the southwest, which plans to invest 3 trillion yuan ($439 billion) over the next five years, Chinese state television said. There was no indication in the report how much of the provincial spending, if any, was new, or whether officials were re-announcing earlier plans in an effort to reassure the public and investors that the government was taking action. “Within a week, the governments of various provinces announced massive-scale investment blueprints,” the CCTV report said. “Based on a rough calculation, the current total investment by all the provinces and cities has
already exceeded 10 trillion yuan. “ China’s economic growth slowed in the latest quarter to 9 percent, down from last year’s 11.9 percent. That prompted Beijing to launch a stimulus package Nov. 9 that aims to boost growth through heavy spending over the next two years on construction, tax cuts and aid to the poor and farmers. Beijing puts the total value of its plan at 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion), but only 1.2 trillion yuan is coming from the central government. The rest is expected to come from local governments and state companies. The plan also includes previously announced projects. Many local governments may be trying to win central government approval or financing for previously proposed projects by publicizing them after the launch of the stimulus plan, which calls for higher spending on airports, highways and other infrastructure. Beijing’s stimulus package represents a drastic step away from lending curbs and other anti-inflation measures it imposed over the past three years but has been rolling
back since mid-2008 as growth slowed. Zhang Liqun, a researcher at a think tank attached to the Cabinet’s planning agency, said the provinces’ planned spending is mainly focused on projects involving rail, road, port and low-income housing construction, according to the CCTV report. “It will have quite an obvious effect on the country’s medium- and long-term economic development,” Zhang said. He cautioned that the country should also watch out for possible signs of overheating in investment next year if the economy improves. CCTV gave no indication of whether the provinces would get financial support from the central government. But according to a report Friday by the 21st Century Business Herald, a major Chinese business newspaper, much of the proposed provincial spending is still awaiting approval by Beijing. The newspaper said few investments announced by the provinces were new. Most are either already under construction, have been under discussion for some time or had been planned but not begun due to lack of money, it said.
other hand, apart from State Bank of India, two other public sector entities -- NTPC and BHEL -- and private sector player ITC added to their market valuation. While SBI added Rs 828.52 crore to its market capitalisation, NTPC gained Rs 824 crore. Further, ITC and BHEL saw their val-
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uation rising by Rs 170 crore and Rs 56 crore, respectively. Weak global cues and heavy selling pressure battered the benchmark Sensex this week, with the 30-share index losing 470 points. However, Sensex snapped its losing streak on Friday and closed at 8,915.21 points.
Even Google scales back on holiday fun SAN FRANCISCO, NOVEMBER 23 (REUTERS): Internet search giant Google Inc is known for hosting the most extravagant holiday parties in Silicon Valley, often drawing crowds of over 10,000 and prompting some employees to post ads for party dates on classifieds Website Craigslist. But even Google has decided to scale back its holiday celebrations this year due to a global economic downturn and an ever-expanding workforce that had grown to 20,000 in October, according to a person familiar with the matter. Silicon Valley has few reasons to celebrate this year as companies, including Hewlett Packard Co, Yahoo Inc, Sun Microsystems Inc and Applied Materials Inc, have cut over 140,000 jobs in the last few months because of the bleak economy, according to Challenger, Gray and Christmas consulting group. Google has fared better than most tech companies, but
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The Morung Express
CROSSWORD # 1161
The Morung Express number game
Sudoku # 1144
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Civil Hospital: Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital: Shamrock Hospital Zion Hospital: Fire Service: Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station CIHSR (Referral Hospital)
departments at the Internet company will have smaller events this year to encourage camaraderie between employees and celebrate more economically, said the source. Team holiday activities will include spending an afternoon volunteering followed by evening social activities such as dinner parties and museum outings in San Francisco. This is a striking difference from previous years, when Google holiday parties included ice sculptures of the company’s logo, virtual reality video game stations, karaoke booths, sushi buffets and burlesque dancers. Last year a party crowd of 10,000 spread throughout the Shoreline Amphitheater, near Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, said workers -- called Googlers. A handful used the Web to find dates. But this year only one looked for a companion in a recent search on Craigslist. Google declined to comment on this year’s change.
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KOHIMA Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home:
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CHEVROLET CARS PRICE LIST NOVEMBER’ 2008
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.”
Yesterdays answer Sudoku #1143
ACROSS 1. Particle of snow (5) 7. Cure rate [anag] (8) 8. Resides (5) 10. Defeated (10) 12. Jam (8) 14. Scuffle (4) 16. Hike (4) 17. Emphasised (8) 20. Amass (10) 23. Religious songs (5) 24. Epidemic (8) 25. Start (5)
DOWN 1. Stimulus (6) 2. Capital of the Ukraine (4) 3. Country borderisng Jordan (4) 4. Implied, unspoken (5) 5. Sanction (9) 6. Fatal (6) 9. Kept (5) 11. Copy (9) 13. Scrutnise (3) 15. Ship’s dock (5) 16. Lethal- - -’ film (6) 18. Blue-black fruit (6) 19. Smug look (5) 21. Borrowed money (4) 22. Jane - - -’ Bronte novel (4)
Answers to CROSSWORD #1160 Across: 1. Subtract, 5. Must, 7. Rung, 8. Swindier, 9. Big Top, 12. Adamson, 15. Bedrock, 19. Planet, 21. Training, 22. Lisa, 23. Want, 24. Laybout. Down: 1. Strobe, 2. Tight, 3. Aesop, 4. Tolled, 5. Medium, 6. Turban, 10. Gold, 11. Ouzo, 12. Ask, 13. Anil, 14. Skin, 15. Bostow, 16. Resist, 17. Cybill, 18. Stralt, 19. Piggy, 20. Ad-lib.
CAR MODEL
PRICE
SPARK 1.0 BASE
268,648
SPARK 1.0 PS
289,992
SPARK 1.0 LS
304,641
SPARK 1.0 LT
334,123
U-VA 1.2 BASE
401,753
U-VA 1.2 LS
444,299
U-VA 1.2 LT
484,090
SRV 1.6 OPT. PACK
790,100
AVEO 1.4 BASE
606,461
AVEO 1.4 LTD EDI
661,631
AVEO 1.4 LT OPT.PACK
754,930
TAVERA 2.5 LT 9S BS3
877,748
TAVERA 2.5 SSD1 7S (C) BS3
993,249
OPTRA ROYAL 1.6 LT (PETROL)
967,686
OPTRA MAGNUM 2.0 LT ACC (DIESEL)
1,074,547
CAPTIVA 2.0 LT VCDI
1,812,688
For details contact: Urban Station, Near NSC Petrol Pump, 6th Mile Dimapur. Ph No : 240994 CURRENCY EXCHANGE
CURRENCY NOTES US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Japanese Yen /1000 Malaysian Ringtt Singapore Dollar Thai Bhat / 100 U.A.E. Dirhams Euro
BUY(Rs) 47.60 71.40 5.90 490.00 12.25 30.60 134.30 12.75 59.70
SELL(Rs) 50.90 76.90 6.60 524.00 14.30 34.10 145.80 14.00 63.95
Monday
REGIONAL
The Morung Express
24 November 2008
Tribal refugees to cast votes through postal ballot AIZAWL, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): About 8,000 Reang tribal refugees, sheltered in camps in neighbouring Tripura, would cast their votes in Mizoram assembly elections next week through postal ballots, officials Sunday said. The election to the 40-seat Mizoram assembly is scheduled Dec 2 and the results are expected December 8. “We welcome the Election Commission’s decision and want all the eligible voters to exercise their franchise,” said Elvis Chorkhy, president of the Mizoram
Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF). About 35,000 Reang tribal refugees are sheltered in six Tripura camps for the past 11 years following ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos. An election commission notification said all the Reang refugee voters residing in six camps in north Tripura and two camps in Mizoram could vote through postal ballot in their respective camps Nov 26 and 27. The Reangs, also called Bru, are recognised as a primitive tribe and con-
stitute about 10 percent of Mizoram’s one million population. Clashes with the Mizos in October 1997 forced them to flee to Tripura and other places. “We shall support those parties in the election who keep their promises for the betterment of the Reangs after the formation of the government,” Chorkhy told reporters. The Reang tribals have fielded three candidates in the Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei districts in southern and eastern Mizoram so they can have their representatives in
SIBSAGAR/DIBRUGARH, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Huge quantity of explosives, including 10 kg of RDX, were recovered following a gunfight between ULFA militants and security forces in Assam's Sibsagar district today. Sibsagar SP Shyamal Prasad Saikia told PTI that an information was received that a group of about 9-15 top ULFA cadres had sneaked into the district from Myanmar through Nagaland and had taken shelter in the house of one Shivlal Sarmah. Police and the army corManipur People Army (MPA) displaying their arms during the 44th Anniversary of United doned off the house at HuNational Liberation Front (UNLF) at General Head Quarter in Manipur. (UB Photos)
naipur Soraihojiya under Geleki police station bordering Nagaland this afternoon and a heavy exchange of fire took place but the militants managed to escape. Search operation was continuing in the neighbouring thick jungles to nab the militants. Huge quantities of arms and ammunition, including 10 kg of RDX, eight electronic detonators, blankets, sleeping bags, a camera and some documents on the latest activities of ULFA were recovered from the house. The security forces also recovered a letter, sent from the ULFA 'headquar-
ters' with an illegible signature, that directed cadres to "take action and create havoc in Upper Assam districts and act as discussed and planned", Saikia said. Meanwhile, two relatives of ULFA's 28 battalion commander Sujit Mohan were nabbed from Sapekhati area of Sibsagar, defence sources said. The security forces recovered five LIC policies in the name of the ULFA leader and his wife Bijulee Barua, Rs two lakh in cash, some magazines and documents from the duo Sanat Barua and Juthika Barua, who are Bijulee's brother and sister.
Organizations plea for fence on zero line The Telegraph
SEVERAL NGOS, along with the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Peoples (FKJGP) and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) urged the government to start border fencing right from zero line. The appeal came after the Meghalaya government recently asked deputy commissioners to resume border fencing at the earliest. The NGOs, part of the government-constituted Co-ordination Committee
on International Border Fencing, said they were not consulted while chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee gave directions to the deputy commissioners. Chief minister Donkupar Roy heads the co-ordination committee as its chairman. “As the co-ordination committee is an official body on matters related to international fencing, we should have been informed about the decision,” a member of the committee and KSU general secretary Hamlet Dohling said today. Following the October 30 serial blasts in Assam and the subsequent appre-
hension about illegal migrants from Bangladesh, including militants, sneaking into the Northeast, the chief secretary had a meeting with Union government officials at the ministry of home affairs last month regarding the early completion of the fencing. Meghalaya has a 443km-long border with Bangladesh, of which more than 50 per cent fencing has been completed. The fence is to prevent Bangladeshi criminals from entering and also aimed at preventing influx and smuggling. There is opposition from
the border residents and the NGOs as they fear that they will lose vast cultivable land once the fencing is completed. They want the fencing to start from the zero line itself instead of leaving the mandatory 150-yard gap. The Meghalaya government last year after a meeting with the National Building Construction Company, which was constructing the border fencing, decided not to carry out fencing in controversial areas in Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills. Fencing along the IndoBangladesh border in Meghalaya, especially between
Nongjri in East Khasi Hills and Jaliakhola in Jaintia Hills, was suspended following the recommendation of the co-ordination committee that fresh survey should be carried in these areas. The demarcation of the international border, separating erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from Assam (now Assam and Meghalaya), Tripura and West Bengal, was completed in the mid-Sixties. After the demarcation, there were certain pockets in both the countries, which were described “adversely held areas”.
In Meghalaya, the adversely held areas are Lyngkhat, Kurinallah, Pyrdiwah in East Khasi Hills and Tamabil, Baljuri, Rongkhong, Amki, Amjlong and Muktapur in Jaintia Hills. Boro Hills in Khasi Hills sector and Labhacherra and Nuncherra Tea Gardens in Jaintia Hills are “adversely held areas” in Bangladesh. According to the HNYF president and member of the committee, G.H. Kharshanlor, fencing cannot be carried out in adversely held areas, as the matter has to be settled by both India and Bangladesh.
Criminal case against ruling MLA in M’laya SHILLONG, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): In a virtual embarrassment for Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, another criminal case has been registered against one of the MLAs of the ruling coalition for allegedly assaulting his PSO. NCP MLA Adolf Lu Hitler Marak is charged with assaulting his PSO, S Lyngdoh, and a case has been lodged against him at Sadar Police Station here, a senior police official confirmed today. The incident took place last week at the MLA hostel. After an FIR from the PSO, police registered a case of assault against Marak, who is also the chief whip of the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government. This is the second criminal case regis-
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the assembly. The total number of voters among the Reang tribal refugees who received the Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) are 6,479, while the total number of refugees included in the electoral list are 8,061 as per the draft electoral rolls of 2008. Chorkhy alleged that the ruling Mizo National Front had conspired to keep off more than 8,000 tribal refugees of the voters list and these people were going to be deprived of the right to Vegetable sellers carry vegetables traded in from various islands of river Brahmaputra, in Gauhati on Novovember 23. Those islands produce vegetables only in winters. (AP Photo) exercise their franchise.
RDX recovered following encounter
Shillong | November 23
Dimapur
tered against an MLA of the ruling coalition, with Mining and Geology Minister D Massar facing charges of assault and intimidation on some labourers and a village headman. Three separate cases have been registered against Massar at Ranikor and Pynursla police stations. In the just concluded assembly session, Chief Minister Donkupar Roy had said investigation against the minister would proceed in compliance with the law. NCP MLA from Rangsakona, Marak was earlier taken into police custody during the March assembly elections for threatening police personnel and towing away a seized vehicle. He was also arrested in 2003 on charges of having links with Cultural troupe performs "Mao Dance" on the occassion of 68th NCC Day celebration on November 23 at NCC rebel groups. campus,Imphal. (UB PHOTOS)
Heavyweight campaign boosts Mizoram Congress AIZAWL, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Contesting from two prestigious seats of Serchhip and South Tuipui in Mizoram, state Pradesh Congress Committee President Lalthanhawla sounded hopeful of turning the tables on his political opponents. The 40-member Mizoram assembly is going to polls on December 2. Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi’s campaign in Serchhip has boosted the confidence of Congress workers in the state, party sources said. Other Congress heavyweights like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to hold rally in state capital and nearby constituencies. Political analysts feel these rallies would come in aid to Congress’s flagging morale before assembly election. Rahul, whose family is popular in Mizoram with his grandmother Indira Gandhi, father Rajiv Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi, has campaigned for Lalthanhawla in Serchhip. Huge crowds greeted Rahul Gandhi during his visit on Friday and it has boosted confidence to the former chief minister. “The mood is upbeat and Congress is going to win this election,” says an upbeat 61-year-old Lalthanhawla. The former Chief Minister, who faces corruption charges related to assets disproportionate to his income and hydel project scandal, will have to fight it out against R Lalhnuna, MNF’s General Secretary and a first time candidate.
7 killed in Sikkim road mishap GANGTOK, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Seven people, including six students of Mangan Senior Secondary School, were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling fell into a riverbed some 800 ft below in Sikkim's East district on Sunday, police sources said. The incident took place around 8 am when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it fell down 800 feet below on a riverbed near Rangtang Khola on Mangan-Singtam highway in East district, Superintendent of police, M S Tuli said. The deceased were identified as - Milan Pradhan (driver), Man Bahadur Rai, Kunjong Bhutia, Diki Ongmu, Sagar Gurung, Penti Lepcha and Calden Bhutia (all students). The bodies have been recovered and sent for autopsy at Singtam hospital, the SP said. A case has been registered at Singtam police station and an investigation was underway to ascertain the cause of the incident, Tuli said, adding that the students were going for a picnic at Kalimpong from Mangan.
Journalists urge PCI to oversee media security in NE AGARTALA, NOVEMBER 23 (UNI): The Press Club today demanded to constitute a high-level committee, headed by the Chairman of Press Council of India (PCI), to oversee the safety and security of mediapersons working in the northeastern region. In a statement issued here, Agartala Press Club secretary Pranab Sarkar said the working journalists were facing security threats because of reluctant attitude of the state governments to protect the mediapersons. ‘’Particularly, the outlawed outfits of the region have made the media a soft target and are forcing journalists to publicise their activities. Two journalists were killed within a week in the region by the militants,’’ the statement added. Terming the killing as indicative of the growing lawlessness in the region, Mr Sarkar said the government had failed to protect the lives and property of the media community. The statement came following killings of Jagjit Saikia, a reporter of Assamese daily ‘Amar Asom’ by unidentified assailants in Kokrajhar yesterday, and Konsam Rishikanta, a journalist of Manipur last week.
Project to document NE’s endangered languages Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI | November 23
AN INTELLIGENT MIX of community involvement and government support could possibly help revitalize some languages of the North-east, which face threats of being endangered, and worse, dying out. Research scientists Dr Gregory Anderson and Dr K David Harrison of the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages, told The Assam Tribune that the people of the region should appreciate the incredible diversity of languages and Devotees in masses offering prayers in a unique way during the 241st “No Logua Festival” at Barbhati , Jorhat, As- dialects, which they believe is also a common treasure of sam on November 23. (UB Photos)
humanity. At the end of a tour of Arunachal Pradesh, the duo who are part of Enduring Voices, a project to document endangered languages, agreed that there was a chance to revitalize some of the indigenous languages of the region, because people still took pride in their cultures and their languages. Dr Anderson said that some of the endangered languages of the region could be described as having unique characteristics, including the nature of sound systems not found in nearby areas. “We have documented the Aka and Miji languages in some
detail and found them very interesting,” he said. According to the researchers there was a great need for supporting such languages, because they enrich understanding not just about modes of communication, but help access information, that is equally valuable. Revealing the importance of safeguarding languages, Dr Harrison remarked, “…when we lose a language, we lose centuries of human thinking about time, seasons, myths, mathematics, music, the unknown and the everyday.” He underlined the need for promotion of the languag-
es in schools, because school age children were not being acquainted with their native tongues, ultimately leading to their disuse. “Significant shifts could be observed among schoolchildren, who are more familiar with other languages like Hindi or English,” he noted. As part of the project – a joint initiative of National Geographic Society and Living Tongues Institute – Dr Anderson and Dr Harrison with National Geographic Society photographer Chris Rainer are touring ‘language hotspots’ around the world documenting linguistic communities, which are dwin-
dling with time. The researchers have already identified areas of greatest endangerment and diversity of languages and the first map was published in October 2007 National Geographic magazine. Additional material would go into production of a twodimensional thematic map and lesson plans for school students. The project seeks to improve the social standing of the threatened languages by helping communities appreciate the intrinsic value of their languages, and fostering community-based efforts at language revitalisation.
As a goodwill gesture, the researchers today handed over a media kit comprising a digital video recorder, a digital still camera and a sophisticated sound recorder to the Department of Linguistics, Gauhati University. Ongoing efforts under the project would seek to raise understanding and awareness about the endangered languages of the North-east, for which ties have already been formed with the GU Linguistics Department. The project further envisages reaching out to various communities so that extensive documentation could take place at the community level.
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IN-FOCUS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2008 VOL. III ISSUE 326
Solution not Rhetoric
T
here are no two opinions that the root cause of child labour is economic poverty and the impoverishment of millions who continue to live below the poverty line will only make it more difficult in uprooting the problem. A recent seminar was held in Kohima on child rights where many points were raised on how to address this particular problem. No one should be under the illusion that the problem of poverty and its cause effect—child labour—can be eliminated overnight. It will be a mounting challenge and one that will involve the active participation of several actors—both government and civil society. For instance, as Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayanan during his address at the seminar pointed out, we have rules and regulations but its implementation is poor. Further more, he gave another dimension to the issue by rightly recognizing that if the practice of child labour has to stop, then the mindset of the people should also change. Therefore it is clear that only a multi-dimensional approach involving multiple players will be able to take us to a point from where the problem itself can be addressed. As far as the law is concerned, while it is estimated that there are more than 10 million child workers in India, yet it is anybody’s guess that State governments across the country other than saying that they remain committed in enforcing the law banning child labour, in reality the enforcement of such laws—banning employment of children in households, eating joints, teashops, hotels, catering units, hostels, clubs, spas and recreation centres, remains merely on paper. And as per the notification by the Labour Ministry, no child up to the age of 14 years can be employed at such places from October 10, 2006 onwards. Facts will speak for itself but one can only assume that given the continued prevalence of child labour, the two years since notification of the ban, at best the status-quo continues. This is not surprising because even an earlier law banning the employment of children in factories, mines and hazardous work hardly acted as a deterrent for employers. What is also desirable is to ensure public awareness on the laws prevailing and also for interest groups and individuals to hold the government accountable when it comes to enforcing such bans on child labour or trafficking. Beyond the realm of law, what is naturally required is to improve livelihoods especially of those vulnerable sections. The plethora of poverty alleviation programmes not to mention the rural employment guarantee schemes, need to be well guided and directed to reach the beneficiaries. What should be of concern to policy makers is that poor implementation has meant that there is large scale corruption taking place and the good intentions of government policy remains only on paper and slogans. Unless the fruits of development reaches the poorest of the poor, the millions in poverty will continue and thereby stalling the progress of human development—whether health, education, security. The other solution bearing area of intervention needed is on education. Whatever doubts or concern there may be, the ban on child labour should be seen in the context of fulfilling the constitutional mandate of the right to education and to ensure that children below the age of 14 years instead of working should be actively encouraged to join schools and in the process achieving the goal of universalizing elementary education. The recent welcome move to make elementary education a fundamental right under the constitution is another step in the right direction. But again such well meaning measures must be matched by the implementation on the ground.
LEFT WING |
Walter Fernandes
Bangladesh, Our Sorrow? What did the Assam blasts point to? Let’s at least ask the right questions
T
HE BOMB blasts that shook Assam on October 30 reopened the debate on the immigration issue. Intelligence agencies that could not foresee such a well-organised attack jumped to the conclusion, within hours, that it was planned in Bangladesh, and immigrants were involved. Later, they changed it to say that a Bodo outfit had joined Muslim groups. We were asked to believe that these two groups, who were killing each other on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra just four weeks earlier, had come together for this operation. These accusations have revived the demand for the expulsion of Bangladeshi immigrants. That immigration is a serious issue is beyond doubt, but it cannot be identified with Bangladeshi Muslims alone. A comparison between the 1971 and 2001 census shows an excess of 40 lakh persons over the natural growth rate in Assam alone. Around 17 lakh of these are Bengali-speaking Muslims, presumably of Bangladeshi origin. The remaining 23 lakh are predominantly Hindi-speaking Hindus, and a few Nepalis. However, the debate is limited to Bangladeshi Muslims in the Northeast. The remaining communities are ignored. For example, Hindu Bangladeshi immigration reduced the tribal population of Tripura from 58 percent in 1951 to 31 percent in 2001, but they are considered to be Indians. It is forgotten that the major issue is land and not religion. The immigrants encroach on tribal and non-tribal common land that sustain these communities. Most immigrants were landless agricultural labourers. Most land in Assam and parts of the Northeast is community-owned. But colonial land laws that continue to be in force recognise only individual ownership, and consider community-owned land to be state property. That makes it possible for migrants to take over such land. That is what happened in Tripura and Assam. In Tripura, Bangladeshi Hindus encroached over 60 percent of tribal land. The tribal insurgency there began as a way of defending the land. Most other conflicts in the Northeast centre around land. The ethnic groups of the region fight for control of the little land that is left. Besides, most immigrants who were agricultural labourers in their region of origin know cultivation techniques. They prosper by growing three crops on the land that they occupy. The original owners of that land are unable to do this. They resent the fact that outsiders thrive on the land alienated from them. Conflict follows from this. Expelling immigrants is not the solution. Nor is a border fence. The border cannot be fenced because 40 percent of it is riverine. Nor can a fence prevent corruption. Persons of Bangladeshi origin indicate that they have to pay the BSF and BDR at least Rs 400 every time they enter or leave India. Immigration cannot be treated in isolation or given a communal colour. Immigration from present-day Bangladesh began in the 19th century. Thus, Bangladesh’s economy is well-integrated with that of the Northeast. That is why twothirds of the trade here is illegal, because it is a continuation of the traditional exchange of goods. Both such exchange and immigration, considered illegal by the state, are intrinsic to the integrated economy of the region. That, too, continues because of corruption among the protectors of the border. Ways have, therefore, to be found of dealing with these. One must treat immigration as an economic issue. Corruption must end. Also, legalise trade considered to be illegal. Work permits and identity cards for immigrants are other possibilities. The land issue cannot be ignored, but must not be communalised either. Moreover, the law must be applied equally to all immigrants, whatever their origin or religion.
THE EDIT PAGE
C O M M E N T A R Y
Harish S Wankhede
MARGINS TO CENTRE A comparison of US President-elect Obama and UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s rise to prominence
T
he victory of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America has thrilled the whole world. Especially the minority groups, the underprivileged and deprived sections are excited and jubilant as they relate this victory to the triumph of their hopes and aspirations. Obama is defined as a symbol of ‘change’ in the American social psychology and political environment which has been for a long time, dominated and hegemonised by the elite, white Protestants. In India, it is the right time for the Dalits to be galvanised by Obama’s victory as his success has a history which supplements the great legacy of the dalit struggle against caste discrimination and social prejudices. However, a comparative analysis between the Obama and Mayawati in this regard has raised many questions. Similar to India, America has also witnessed a prolonged struggle against slavery, racial discrimination and exploitation. As Abraham Lincoln struggled for the emancipation of Blacks from the clutches of slavery, in India, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar carried forward and furthered the social movements initiated by Mahatma Phule in the nineteenth century. Against the inhuman treatment of the Black population, a heroic and militant struggle was fought under the leaderships of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during 1950s and 1960s. They strove to become equal citizens of America, acquiring equal human rights for a dignified social presence. Two decades earlier to this development, the ‘untouchables’ in India also nurtured similar aspirations under the dynamic leadership of Ambedkar. He was well aware of the exploitation of the Black population and their struggle against it. In writings, we see a scholarly analysis on caste and race. In these movements, a sound critique of existing social order and modern libertarian ideas were used to transform the orthodox social relationships. The political and social aspirations of both the movements were drawn from essential human values considered a
prerequisite for a modern liberal world. Therefore, today, when the political analysts and scholars compare the success of Obama with the aspirations of Dalit leadership in India, I believe they stop at the superficial comparison of the personalities of Obama and Mayawati or even Ram Vilas Paswan. What is needed is to assess the influence of these subaltern personalities in the democratic world. Many analysts of the presidential election in the US believe that race was not an issue and argue that Obama’s victory was based on his calibre to present himself as the leader of the whole nation without carrying any prejudice against a particular race. The downplaying of the racial card by Obama was seen as a strategic move to win over the conservative voters. Others see Obama as a symbol of the African-American race and his presence in political domain naturally reinforces the values which his race upholds. He cannot possibly rid himself of the natural values which were appropriated by him and his community. They rightly evaluated him as a ‘proper American citizen’, highlighting the maturity and progressive nature of the American democracy which has rightly upheld the principles and values of liberal democracy and eventually electing him as a black man as the most powerful person in the world. This approval of a black man as the president of the US endorses the promise of liberal democracy and demonstrates that the political domain has finally entered a liberated era. However, there is an apprehension in the subaltern political circles of mere rhetoric doing the rounds. The dalit perspective is that this is a passive assertion as it hardly challenges the dominant social relationships. Obama’s charisma and his political strategies brought about a historical win. He articulated his political issues with some classical liberal analogy and with the dominant and popular themes of nationalism and citizenship. He has never claimed to be a leader of the Black population nor articulated any radical promise for the welfare of the deprived and the
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AN APPEAL TO DC DIMAPUR •Sir- Through this column I would like to draw the attention of Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, the road from Dimapur to Jalukie via Shoukhuvi (Pimla) which is the life line from Peren district because of it short distance and convinience to travel however the road has many short coming and hurdles , tax collection in the name of pimla village council and road maintenance taxes including Town council and underground taxare collecting Rs 200 (Two hundred) each by both the cited collector respective from goods truck and 100 or 50/- in small vehicle like mahindra Tata Mobile even the empty Truck bound to Dimapur to Jalukie also collecting Rs 50 (Fifty) as village entry tax or road maintenance tax, for in distance Truck with goods load have to spend atleast Rs 1000 – 2000 as taxes to reach Jalukie Peren. On Nov. 8 while we were coming from Dimapur from Mahindra of St Xevier Parish Jalukie along with Father and Brother with ration and vegetables in the lauggages taxs collector and GBs of Pimla village charge Rs 30/- with invalid receipt when the brother argue to the collector and GBs about the invalid receipt book collector said that printing mistake GB said village council receipt is no more with us so we are using this booklet for a time. Being at first we refuse to pay they told us not to boss the road next time however we paid and go away. It is very shameful to charge money from such a small church vehicle how crazy in money we the Naga. Again on Nov. 15th while we are coming from Jalukie toward Dimapur from Truck at around 10;30 to 11am where the collector stop our vehicle and charge Rs 50 as Village entry tax from there I raise question to why you charge tax from Khali Gari (Empty vehicle ) this is not the way no more we are not entering to your village the tax collector then reply that some vehicle with load goods use to go from Meziphema via Punglwa side and came back from this road (Short cut) due to this reason we are collecting even from empty truck. This is because several illegal taxes are collected in many places beside rob extorting and harassments meet to the public by some anti element which is not safety to cross at night in this road. I therefore concern citizen rough clarification rob DC whether they were given authorize to collect tax in this way or not, if not I urgent your esteem responsible authority to immediately check such an illegal tax collection so that the general publics of Peren district will be highly grateful.
marginalised. The acceptance of his leadership is based on his submission to the claimed moral values of commonness and universality which have been etched in the American psyche. In India, we have to be realistic in our expectations of Mayawati. The nature of Indian democracy is different from the US in the sense that modernity yet to reach the political elite. The Indian democracy is yet to imbibe the modernist values of nationalism and citizenship in a positive sense. The socio-cultural, religious, regional identities are constantly contesting with one another for greater primacy in the political spectrum. The disturbing social realities of the perpetual caste and communal tensions reappeared in new guises keeping the primitive values intact. For an ideal liberated social milieu, the public spaces should be made more inclusive and the multicultural and ethnic values should respected. Here, the public spaces including the political domains are mostly exclusive and dominated by an elite brahmanical culture and values. Amid such biases, Mayawati has articulated her political ideology within the prescribed norms of a liberal political democracy. Mayawati has refused to bow to the accommodative political agenda of nationalist parties and has formed an alternative strategy to represent the marginalised in the political domain. She has articulated the concerns of the deprived sections with a matured display of communitarian ethics, rejecting the hegemonic modernist values of universality and oneness. Unlike Obama, Mayawati is politically active in a specific socio-religious and economic context. In comparison with the Blacks in America the dalits still have to live with caste abuses, social exclusion, and denial of basic human rights. The Blacks have achieved remarkable success in the field of sports, entertainment and education. The economic conditions of the Blacks have shown improvement because of the creative mechanism the state has developed through affirmative action. But dalits are still struggling to achieve a dignified social and cultural status. Their
economic conditions remain stagnant even when the State has periodically proposed welfare programs. Another point on which Mayawati differs from Obama is she has taken up the mantle of a torchbearer to these depressed and deprived sections of India. Her politics caters to specific communities. As a leader, Obama has never projected himself as the representative of the black people or of other deprived sections in order to avoid any kind of confrontation with the conservatives. For this reason, it will be difficult for him to propose radical transformative programs for the welfare of his community. His victory in a subtle way is the victory the political elite which is bent on keeping racial discrimination from mainstream political debates. The rise of Mayawati, on the other hand, has rendered Indian democracy more vibrant. She has never used the liberal or conservative nationalist vocabulary. Instead, she calls herself ‘chamar ki Beti’ (daughter of a shoemaker) giving the oppressed a feeling of dignity. She has formed political alliances with non-dalits without diluting the cultural autonomy of the respective societies. She has continually directed her political campaigns against the dominant political elite and confronted the conservative religious dogmas. Her confrontational attitude not only valorises the dalit struggle but also profoundly argues for its legitimate space in the political domain. Mayawati’s ascent has revolutionised the ideals of dalits, which have, so far, only operated in the narrow framework of social reforms The comparison between Obama and Mayawati has come naturally to political analysts. But projecting Obama as the ideal and belittling Mayawati will only demonstrate elitist prejudice. Weighing the two contexts which produced the two figures, I consider Mayawati more meritorious and dynamic than Obama. Mayawati’s work is far from over; she has shown the promise of being able to radically alter the social and political landscape. She exudes an audacity of hope which the marginalised cannot, perhaps, expect from Barack Obama.
Closing Gitmo is Not Enough Laurel E. Fletcher & Eric Stover
P
resident-elect Barack Obama has pledged to close the notorious Guantánamo prison camp. This will be a first step toward restoring America’s reputation abroad, but it must not end there. To ensure that our fight against terrorism is consistent with U.S. laws and values, the new Administration must launch a full investigation into the treatment of detainees held in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and other U.S. detention centers since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. We recently published the findings of our study of 62 released Guantánamo detainees from nine different countries. What we found was alarming. Most of the men we interviewed had been arrested or kidnapped and sold to the United States for bounties as small as $5,000 - simply because their captors said that they were members of Al Qaeda or the Taliban. Our research found that U.S. authorities failed to verify whether these men were really “enemy combatants” and a serious threat to the security of the United States. Guantánamo is nothing more than an interrogation center where guards and interrogators work together to “break” detainees. Half of the respondents in our study (31 of the 55) willing to discuss their interrogation sessions called them abusive. They described being subjected to short shackling, stress positions, solitary confinement and exposure to extreme temperatures, loud music and strobe lights - often simultaneously and over long periods of time. The cumulative effect of these methods constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment that, in some cases, could amount to torture as defined by the UN Convention Against Torture, which the U.S. ratified in 1994. Several detainees were driven to despair and tried to kill themselves at Guantánamo, despite the strict prohibition against suicide in Islam. Twelve of the 18 attorneys we interviewed during the two-year study said that their clients’ mental states had deteriorated dramatically as a result of their detention. Of these, nine explicitly stated that prolonged periods of solitary confinement were particularly damaging to the detainees’ psyches. While some prisoners received treatment for their psychological problems, others refused to seek help because medical personnel shared their information with interrogators who used it to coerce prisoners. This practice LIANGKEBO PAMAI, Gen. Secretary alone is a flagrant violation of medical ethics. New Jalukie Students Union Over 500 prisoners have been released from Guan-
tánamo since it opened in January 2002, yet not one of them has been convicted of a crime. In the past two months, two detainees still held in Guantánamo have been found guilty by military commissions. A third, David Hicks, pleaded guilty in 2007 and was released after serving the remainder of his sentence in Australia. Government officials have acknowledged to reporters that many - if not the vast majority - of detainees held at Guantánamo should never have been locked up in the first place. Of those who have been released, many bear a lasting “Guantánamo stigma.” Almost two-thirds of the men we interviewed reported deep psychological and emotional scars. Most have been shunned by their communities and families. Only six of the released detainees we interviewed had jobs. Former businessmen are now bankrupt; their families sold everything and borrowed money to make ends meet. Jobless and penniless, these men can’t pay back the loans, and some can’t afford to send their children to school. “Years of my life were wasted over there,” one released detainee told us. “I lost the chance of living as a human being; my family lost the chance of being with their father and husband. I lost the chance of being with my children and my wife; a person’s life passing by, you never can get that back.” We Americans cannot sweep this ugly chapter in our nation’s history under the rug by simply closing the Guantánamo prison camp. The new administration should create an independent, nonpartisan commission comprised of distinguished military, legal and medical experts to investigate U.S. detention and interrogation practices in the “war on terror.” The commission should determine what went wrong and who should be held accountable, and recommend ways to help those falsely imprisoned clear their names and recover from the abuses they have suffered. Commission members should be armed with subpoena power, given full access to classified material and be able to conduct their work unhindered by presidential pardons or amnesties designed to shield the culpable from accountability. We must get at the truth that the Bush administration has tried for so many years to hide. Only then will we restore America’s commitment to humane treatment and rule of law.
WRITE-WING
Laurel E. Fletcher is director of the International Human Rights Law Clinic at University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. Eric Stover is faculty director of the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: editor@morungexpress.com. All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. 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.
7
MONDAY
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
24 NOVEMBER 2008
PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE
Separatists Battle Moderates in Jammu and Kashmir Polls Athar Parvaiz
I
Inter Press Service
ndia’s Jammu and Kashmir state votes Sunday for the second round of staggered, seven-phase, provincial elections that have pitted separatists against mainstream political parties. The voting follows violence on Saturday in Baramulla town, 55 km north of Srinagar, where police shot dead two young men participating in demonstrations to promote a separatistsponsored boycott of the polls. Separatist political parties have been appealing for a boycott of any electoral exercise until there is a resolution of the Kashmir issue, whereas mainstream political parties are encouraging people to participate in the formation of a government that can negotiate a political settlement. "More than the government formation these elections are seen as an open contest between the mainstream politicians and separatists who stand locked against each other over the issue of participation or nonparticipation,’’ noted political commentator Mohammad Sayeed Malik told IPS. "These elections have two strands; one is the wider one involving politics surrounding the Kashmir issue, and the other involves a struggle for power wherein mainstream political parties are contesting for government formation," he added. Several separatist political leaders who were running anti-election campaigns have been detained by the government. These leaders include Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik, Nayeem Khan, Ghulam Nabi Sumji and others. Apex separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Farooq were repeatedly put under house arrest and there have been frequent curfews to thwart anti-election programmes. While most separatist leaders favour independence from India, some advocate merger with Muslim Pakistan. Separatist politicians and militant groups are opposed to the polls because they believe that elections could strengthen India’s claim over the Muslim-majority territory. Lying dormant for years, separatism received a shot
in the arm about three months ago through a controversial land transfer by the government to a Hindu shrine, triggering regional and communal clashes in the state and revived the freedom movement in Kashmir. In July, the state was put under direct central rule after the elected government collapsed over the land row amidst mass street demonstrations and clashes with security forces that left some 50 people dead. Elections were announced in the immediate aftermath of this controversy, though after considerable dithering.
regard Kashmir as a dispute though they have their varied perspectives on it." The mainstream political parties in Kashmir are now openly advocating for the resolution of Kashmir issue and maintain that they are only participating in the elections for governance. "We are simply contesting elections for governance; Kashmir issue needs a resolution and the separatists are fighting for that,” says former chief minister of the state Farooq Abdullah. Abdullah's National Conference (NC), which has ruled the state for about three decades, has
Many voices cautioned against holding elections in the state at a time when it was reeling under regional clashes and a renewed freedom sentiment. In the end, India’s Election Commission, which has a reputation for fairness, went ahead and announced a schedule for the Nov. 17 – Dec. 26 exercise. It was expected that the polling percentage would be low given the complex setting in the state and the repeated calls for a boycott of the elections. However, the first phase on Nov. 17, covering the three constituencies of Bandipore, Sumbal and Gurez, showed an impressive 65 percent voter turnout. "This is mainly because the space for mainstream political parties has been increasing ever since the 2002 assembly elections," says Sayeed Malik. "Political discourse in Kashmir has changed after those elections. Presently there are many common points between the mainstream and separatist politics -- both
unveiled an exhaustive manifesto. “It is for the first time that the NC has come out with an elaborate election manifesto or vision document in which the party talks about the need for the resolution of Kashmir issue through its greater autonomy formulation,” says Gul Mohammad Wani who teaches political science in Kashmir University. "However, in the vision document much space has been given to development and governance issues probably for separating conflict-resolution from governance." The other main political party in the state, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has also come out with an election manifesto in which it has talked about issues ranging from self-rule to the concept of a loose sovereignty and the need for development in the state. “Broadly speaking, the regional political parties have sharply positioned themselves on several important and critical issues facing the state ranging from
The Morung Express
good governance to conflict resolution,” says Wani. According to him parties like the NC and PDP have enough stakes in these elections. “NC lost power to the PDP and Congress [combine] in the 2002 elections after ruling the state over decades. So it would be keen to get back to the seat of power. Should it fail to do so, it faces the danger of disintegration,” Wani told IPS. “Similarly, the PDP, which is a nascent political party and fancies itself as a viable alternative to the NC, badly needs to perform better in these elections for its political survival,” Wani said. Wani says that the stakes are even higher for the Congress which is a pan-India party. "Congress's victory or defeat in Kashmir is likely to influence its performance in the parliamentary elections in India next year. So the party is fairly cautious and has, in its election manifesto, not gone beyond the need for decentralisation of power and overall development in the state." Smaller parties, apart from laying focus on a resolution of Kashmir issue, have emphasised the need for relaxation of the live border with Pakistani Kashmir, setting up of a commission for disappeared persons and building a consensus in India regarding the Kashmir issue. The stakes for Kashmiri separatist leadership are also high. “More than anything else, the separatist leadership has its political legitimacy and reputation at stake. They badly need good response from people about their election boycott calls; should people ignore their appeals, it would be quite precarious and embarrassing for them,” says political analyst Noor Ahmad Baba who teaches in Kashmir University. Till the other day, the equation was tilted in favour of the separatists, but after the good turnout of voters in the first phase it looks as if people may participate with enthusiasm in the remaining phases as well. “It would not be fair to criticise the separatists if people come out to vote. After all, they were not allowed to campaign against the elections and most of them have been put behind bars under false pretences,” said human rights activist Showkat Sheikh.
POLL RESULTS
Is the print-media in Nagaland practicing responsible journalism?
40% 31%
29%
YES
NO
OTHERS
Some of those who voted YES had this to say: •
• • •
•
•
The media in Nagaland is the only industry in Nagaland that produces a new product every day and employs hundreds employees. In terms of this it is doing a good job, which people fail to appreciate. They are also working under pressure and threat and under narrow financial opportunities, but it needs improvement in news content. The English presentation is okay, but the quality of information needs to improve significantly. Yes it is doing a good job.. but need some polishing and more focus... hats off to all the journos Yes it definitely is, unlike other state papers that get either all their facts wrong or are biased towards the Nagas. Keeping in mind the violent situation that we live in and the sensitive emotion of the Naga people who react negatively to most things, I think the media in Nagaland has bravely functioned with relative freedom and responsibility. Yes, media in Nagaland are doing fine, but what we lack today in journalism is investigation. Media will be more responsible if they can bring out reality. Print media in Nagaland is still young and
when compared to other northeast newspaist fight corruption if they are being patronpers, the local newspapers are doing a good ized by politicians. The journalist must underjob. But it still needs a lot of growing up and stand that they have to uncover news. maturing of the journalist is a must. • There has been a marked improvement in Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: newspapers in Nagaland. Finally with the • Its yes and no. Some newspapers are doing newer journalist and newspapers we are beginit while some are not. In all fairness some of ning to see a lot more human interest stories. the newer newspapers have taken the quality It is encouraging to see that they are slowly beof print media up, but while they bring in a ginning not to depend only on press releases whole new dimension of journalism in terms for news, and are actually going to the people. of substance, they lack consistency in terms It however needs much more work on investiof quality, which is something that will come gative journalism. through with experience. The more estab• Some degree of professionalism in terms of lished newspapers need to take a leadership layout presentation is seen these days and Narole in responsible journalism. galand newspapers are much better in terms of • Well i don't like the way news are reported. presentation in the northeast, but much more Reporters need to differentiate between newsy work is needed in the content. writing and opinion writing... Just report the Some of those who voted NO had this to say: news, don't write your opinion. ya really need to brush up things around in that factor. Leave • Print media in Nagaland is very tender still... your flowery language for opinion piece.. for they are only covering stories that they get in news we want it straight and simple.. Don't use terms of press releases and press notes..we are big words, remember you are writing for the will look for the day when our press will bemass and not just the section of people who are come an effective one, taking on government, educated or have PHD in English literature. corruptions, highlighting issues that never got Well otherwise I should say print media.. in any any publicity etc .. Nagaland is doing a tremendous job and I be• They are under the influence of both the polieve in a matter for 2 to 3 years it'll be better. litical and factional leaders. • All media are biased • By publishing all UG publications, they are • While the quality of the print media has imkilling the very root of journalism. Look at the proved in the last few years, I still feel it can do kind of language they use. Poor quality. The much more. Right now it seems to be focusing worst I bet. too much on day to day petty crime stories. I • I think its controlled by the govt. and by the am sure this is what sells because most Nagas other govt. it doesnt know when to say No or like crime and detective kind of stories. But in YES. its a gagged journalism. No papers dare the long run, this is not journalism. The role to speak the truth!! many of the papers are poof journalism needs to be much more than just litically biased. Guess its time for print media daily crime stories, and in fact most them hardto be more responsible and daring too!! ly scratch the surface as it is. So i would like to • Journalists in Nagaland think to highly of see more investigative journalism in Naga socithemselves just because they get to travel with ety, because this is when journalism is at its best VIPs and other big shots. When you look at the and this is what will transform Naga society. stuff they write, they don’t deserve just high • Nagaland print media is coming off age, but praises. The quality of journalism stinks. the standard of writing and editing needs to • It is sad to see that most of the reporting is be improved a lot. The newspapers are makconfined to government functions and touring ing a lot of effort to improve and this can be of ministers and politicians. Some journalist seen quite clearly, but it has to get some profesmust be making a living only by covering the sional input to see that the quality of news also activities of the politicians. How can journalmatches up to the product.
Triumph of those who dare to resist violence Daniel Finkelstein
Obama's is a victory not just over the white supremacists, but also the black separatists for democracy over terrorism It was Sunday, February 21, 1965, and the black activist Malcolm X had just emerged on stage for another of his rallies at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. No sooner had he done so than a commotion began. “Get your hands out of my pocket,” someone shouted, as if accosting a thief. Heads turned at the diversion. And at this moment three gunmen stood up and sprayed Malcolm X with bullets. Hit 16 times, he died shortly after arriving at hospital. I wish I could tell you that he had been killed in the service of civil rights, gunned down by white supremacists to silence him. At least then his death would have made some sort of sense, advanced a cause, changed some minds. But racial politics wasn't why Malcolm died. Malcolm X was killed by other members of his own Nation of Islam movement, as part of a sordid squabble about women and money. He had said he would reveal that Elijah Muhammed, the head of the movement, was not the holy man and spiritual leader he claimed to be. Instead, Malcolm believed he could show that the man was a fraudster and a philanderer. He had evidence, he said. Elijah's two secretaries had turned up on the lawn outside the leader's home a couple of years before, carrying their children and shouting that they wouldn't go away until Elijah comforted his babies. The women had been frightened off, but Malcolm, being himself familiar with violence, was not so easily frightened. Not when Nation members chased him in his car and tried to drive him off the road, not when they burnt down his house. He went on threatening exposure, so, in the end, he had to die. I start with Malcolm X's miserable death, because I want it to be remembered in the week that an African-American went to the White House, preparing to move in. Barack Obama's victory has been widely reported as a victory for Martin Luther King. And so it is. But it is not just a victory for King over the White supremacists, and Democrats of the Jim Crow Deep South. It is also a victory for King over Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. Reading now of King's campaign for civil rights, the only reaction is to be stunned by its courage, awed by its restraint. It is not just the little children who marched to jail, or the beating of marchers who got right up and kept marching that impresses. It is the discipline and the humanity. Beaten bloody, even shot, and needing medical attention, civil rights activists would find the entrance to the hospital blocked by jeering, violent white thugs. Marching, they would be knocked to the ground. Eating in a restaurant they would be punched and kicked. Yet through it all, they would not raise their arms in violence. They had been trained not to, they taught themselves not to, they resisted that human impulse because they thought that it was morally wrong and would damage their cause. How much greater can courage get? But to many African Americans, King's non-violent campaign didn't seem courageous at all. The students were frustrated at their elders in the movement, chafing at their compromises, yawning or even laughing at speeches from leaders - even those of King - that they sometimes thought pompous and beside the point. When Martin Luther King marched in Harlem in early 1960s, eggs were thrown at him. So the courage King needed was not just to withstand the beatings and jailings, it was also to withstand the taunts and the accusations of people like Malcolm X. Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam argued that non-violence would never work, that it was cowardly. Blacks and whites could never live together, they said, and there would never be anything approaching equality. So they eschewed the Civil Rights Movement, banning members from political action and holding the jail marches in open contempt. They wanted segregation of their own, based on black pride. And they openly espoused violence, even if they mainly used it against each other. After his death, Malcolm X became a cult hero, largely as a result of his autobiography, a book that was mostly written for him by Alex Haley, the man who later wrote Roots. Malcolm X is considered a hero of the black struggle. There are schools named afer him, and a boulevard in New York. There has been a film. There has been an opera. The reality was rather different. The black pride of Malcolm X was understandable. The rejection of nonviolence was understandable too. It required saintly forbearance not to take up arms against the oppression that black people were suffering and not everyone is capable of such saintly forbearance. What is striking about Malcolm X then is not his exotic doctrine, but that he was extraordinarily ineffectual. Read Malcolm X's story alongside that of Martin Luther King and you will see that while King soared, moved mountains, changed lives, Malcolm X spent the best years of his life in fractious arguments with his own allies. As the Civil Rights Movement reached its peak in Selma and Birmingham and Jackson, Malcolm X was rowing with Elijah Muhammed about who should appear in The New York Times, or had fled abroad to avoid being gunned down by his political associates in a dispute over his mortgage. A new film about the boxer Muhammed Ali - a devotee of the Nation of Islam, Cassius Clay was given his new name by Elijah Muhammed - attests that he addressed a Ku Klux Klan rally. And the Nation also palled about with the American Nazi party. They all wanted the same end, you see - racial segregation. The irrelevance and the internal rows and the pacts with the Devil are all part and parcel of embracing cultist violence and rejecting mainstream compromise. And the election of Mr Obama is a rebuke to people like Malcolm X, a symbol that Martin Luther King was right with his patience, and his give and take and his belief in democracy. For, in the end, democracy triumphed. In the end, non-violence worked. In the end, moderation and selfdiscipline and restraint worked. The election of Mr Obama is a rebuke too, to the Eta Basque separatists who put bombs in shopping centres, to the IRA with their pub bombs, to the Baader-Meinhof gang with their abductions and killings. It is a rebuke to the Irgun terrorists whose terrible crime was to blow up the King David Hotel and to the murders and missiles of Hamas and Fatah. It is a rebuke to all those who abandon law and peace in favour of the gun. And it is an affirmation that sometimes it is the moderates who are the boldest, the slow route that is the quickest, and the man who refuses to raise up his arms who is the most courageous.
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.
C M Y K
8
Dimapur
NATIONAL
Monday 24 November 2008
PM’s 100-day roadmap to fight terror Obama aide says Indo-Pak talks
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Voicing concern over the "new danger" posed by the spread of fundamentalist and extremist ideas, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the "virus" of communal violence should be checked in time. "....we need to guard against the new danger posed by the spread of fundamentalist and extremist ideas. We have, of late, been witnessing the emergence of such pernicious tendencies and trends, and there are elements in our society who are actively pursing such programmes," Singh said. The Prime Minister was addressing the annual conference of Directors and Inspectors General of Police here on the concluding day of two-day meet. Singh also suggested setting up of a task force to initiate a 100-day plan to address "emerging challenges" in the areas of terrorism, Naxalism and insurgency. Describing communal violence as a virus that threatens the secular fabric of the country, he said it needed to be checked in time, "otherwise our multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multicaste society could well unravel." Noting that the police have a critical role to play, he said "whatever the circumstances, the police must not remain passive spectators when deliberate efforts are made by communal elements and others to disturb the peace". While asking the police to create an image as "a
fair and impartial entity", he said a major challenge before them will be to restore the faith of the people – especially those belonging to religious and ethnic minorities and weaker sections – in their impartiality and effectiveness. "Today, aspersions are being made regarding police impartiality and capabilities.... This is so even when policemen die in the line of duty," he said in an apparent reference to the recent Batla House encounter here. With the "globalisation" of terror, the Prime Minister cautioned that the scale of terrorist incidents could only grow in the future. The Prime Minister said in the realm of security, globalisation has produced a whole new range of interactive threats and risks. "Globalisation has also led to a blurring of the distinction between external and internal threats," he said. While noting that "time is not on our side", Singh said the country cannot afford a repetition of the kind of terrorist attacks that have recently taken place in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Guwahati and some other urban centres. He said every time a terrorist attack took place there was a public outcry over the failure of the government, accompanied by criticism of police and intelligence agencies. "I am aware that many terrorist attacks have been prevented, thanks
to the vigil of the police and intelligence agencies, but a single incident of reasonable magnitude causes repercussions, and calls into question the capability and the capacity of the Government and its various agencies," he said. Observing that the globalisation of terror has made terrorism an all encompassing danger, the Prime Minister said "we should anticipate that the scale of such terrorist incidents would only grow in the future and this would then become a major test of our capabilities. You must therefore be prepared for such an eventuality". Referring to "some misgivings" that exist as to whether the police is adequately geared to deal with today's complex security problems, he said the contours of internal security have changed fundamentally over the years, and the basic character of threats has become greatly enlarged and also more complicated. The Prime Minister said a question often posed was whether the police have adequately upgraded their skills, have an indepth understanding of today’s security problems, are technologically qualified, and have honed their abilities. "This is particularly true of the threat posed by Left wing extremism, perhaps, the most serious internal security threat that we face." Singh rued that measures taken so far have not produced desired results.
BJP to retain power in three states: Rajnath
GWALIOR, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that his party will retain power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and win the Delhi Assembly polls. The BJP will perform better in Jammu and Kashmir and Mizoram, he told reporters here. “We are going to retain power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and register win Delhi Assembly polls,” he said. Asked about the Election Commission’s notice served on the BJP over the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls manifesto carrying the pictures of officers, he refused to comment over the issue. Alleging that the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) was playing into the hands of the UPA government at the Centre, he said it was highly objectionable that Pragya Singh Thakur – a suspect in the Malegaon blasts, adding that the Sadhvi had been made to undergo three narcotests. He said though Pragya had been booked under MCOCA, the challenge against her has not been put up in the court yet. The BJP president said his party was against the people involved in act of terrorism but added the way Pragya is being treated was highly objectionable. He demanded that a central law should be enacted to check mass religious conversion, saying that conversion was on rise in the country. C M Y K
The Morung Express
‘Hindu terror’ coined for poll gains
LUCKNOW, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was branding Hindus as terrorists to veil its “complete failure to combat rampant terrorism”, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief KS Sudershan said on Sunday. “As elections are around the corner, the government has floated the term ‘Hindu terrorism’ to gain political mileage,” Sudershan told reporters here Sunday after addressing an RSS gathering. “There is nothing as Hindu terrorism. In fact, terrorism cannot be associated with any religion like Hindu, Muslim or Christian. It is disgraceful that the government is linking terrorism with religion,” he added. Sudershan is in the city to participate in a five-day annual meet of the RSS’ Awadh region unit, which started November 21. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are also participating.
Parties rope in ‘faith healers’ to woo voters
RAJOURI, NOVEMBER 23 (CNN-IBN): The hill district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir is doing the last minute campaigning in the name of god. Its second-phase polling starts on Sunday. Muzaffar Hussain Shah or Baji Sahib as he is known, is the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) trump card in Rajouri. He is a popular faith healer and enjoys a strong following among the locals. He has been roped in by PDP in an attempt to win its first seat ever in the district. PDP candidate, Kalakote,
Rajouri Abdul Khalaq says, “Is waq hallat ke andar baji jahan jaate hai inke peeche (He is a strong supporter for our party where ever he goes, people follow him in large numbers). For the residents of these hills, Baji Sahib’s words carry more weight than lofty promises of politicians. Voter Nasir Hussain says, “Meri bakri, ghoda inhone theek kiya (This man healed my horses and my cattle so I will listen to him).” Not to be outdone, the National Conference (NC) too is banking on faith to rope
in votes. It is countering Baji Sahib’s charms with MLA and spiritual leader Mian Bashir, who is leading the party’s campaign. Top leaders of both parties are even invoking the name of spiritual gurus at their rallies. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti says, “Aapko Qasam hai Baba Ghulama Badshah ki is paar PDP ko hi vote dena (Please cast your vote to PDP this time). However, which of these spiritual leaders will work the miracle for either party will be revealed only on the counting day.
"It is evident that despite the efforts that have, and are being made, the measures taken so far have not yielded desired results... The inability of the intelligence agencies and the police to obtain pinpointed and actionable intelligence and in time - has enabled these outfits to carry out some high-profile attacks," he said. Suggesting augmentation of the strength of personnel in police stations, he said there were far too many vacancies, and much larger numbers need to be recruited into the police, particularly into the civil police. He also said the intelligence machinery at centre and state levels needs to be upgraded and made more sophisticated. "Police training has not kept pace with requirements. A quantum increase in the Police Budget across the country is also called for," he said. While emphasising on setting up of a task force, he said risks are often unforeseen in today's work and threats were often hidden. This has made the work of law and order professionals far more challenging than ever before. "When it comes to hightech crimes, terror situations, insurgent problems, or complex law and order matters, the perception remains that the police have a great deal of leeway to make up. This is something that has to be taken up urgently," he said.
right approach to Kashmir issue
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Seeking to allay apprehensions on the Kashmir issue, a key aide of US Presidentelect Barack Obama has said the new administration understands that the right approach on it was through an Indo-Pak dialogue process and voiced confidence that Washington will support the exercise from outside. Former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth said “too much has been made” out of Obama’s interview to Time magazine and MSNBC TV channel where he stated that he wants to try and resolve the Kashmir issue seriously and would devote serious diplomatic resources to get a special envoy in there. “I think there is no question on the right approach to Kashmir. It is just to allow the two parties -- India and Pakistan -- to address it themselves bilaterally taking into account the concerns and ambitions of the Kashmiri people. I have no doubt at all that would be the approach of the new administration,” Inderfurth said in an interview to a news channel. “I also believe that if the United States can be supportive of that process that the US
Curfew-like situation in Kashmir
An Indian paramilitary woman reads a newspaper outside a closed shop in Srinagar, November 23. Thousands of armed government troops patrolled streets and around polling stations as the second phase of state elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir opened Sunday. (AP Photo)
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): A curfew-like situation prevailed in Kashmir as authorities deployed thousands of security personnel to scuttle any attempt by separatists to march to Ganderbal to disrupt the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections today. Polling is underway in two constituencies of Kangan and Ganderbal in Ganderbal district and four constituencies of Nowshera, Darhal, Rahouri and Kalakote in Rajouri district today. Heavy deployment has been made in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley in view
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama gestures as he addresses a press conference in Dharmsala, November 23. The Dalai Lama warned Tibetan exile leaders Sunday to be prudent in their plans or risk failure, after they said at a key conference they might push for independence for their homeland if China refuses to grant it autonomy soon. (AP Photo)
and that the opinions of delegates who wished "to pursue complete independence or self-determination if no result comes out in the near future were also strongly expressed." The Dalai Lama had called the conclave after admitting his attempts to secure concessions from China had failed to achieve a breakthrough. But many delegates were reluctant to drop the policy instigated by their leader, saying any shift would lose Tibetans international support and further
antagonise Beijing. "His policy is practical," Jamyang Jinpa, a 29-year-old monk attending the meeting, told AFP. "It's one that can move with the times." Lhadon Tethorg, a pro-independence delegate and New York president of Students for a Free Tibet, said the week had left her with mixed emotions. "We are in a democratic system, but the opinion of the majority may not be the right one," she said. The meeting had no policymaking power but the exiled
elect thinks that India and Pakistan can resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally or they should be pushed to do so even after 60 years, Inderfurth said: “I can’t answer this question for him. But, if I were to answer this, I would say that this issue has to be solved bilaterally and US can help them.” Inderfurth also recalled the “variable” role played by the then US President Bill Clinton during the Kargil War in 1999 and said that the US did its best to avoid a crisis “that could have had” more serious complications. “I also wanted to recall the variable role played by Bill Clinton in the Kargil War. He spoke to the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, not to give any directions, but to explain to him about the ways he is trying to get the crisis resolved,” he said. When asked whether the then Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif sought a US role during the crisis, he said: “Pakistan always wanted to get the US involved in sorting out the problem.” “But the US has been saying that it is not its role and that just (wanted) to involve (itself) in the peace process. But what the US can do is try to support a dialogue between the two parties to resolve the issue.”
Centre plans more judges in SC, HC KOCHI, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Union Defence Minister A K Antony today said the Centre is planning to increase the strength of judges in Supreme court and High courts and a legislation in this regard is in the offing. Supreme Court Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan had pointed out that there were three lakh pending cases before various courts and hence the government had decided to increase the number of judges in various High courts and Supreme court, Antony said addressing a special session at the Indian Lawyers Congress Legal Enrichment camp here. However, increasing the strength of judges alone is not enough, he said, adding lawyers should also stop seeking frequent adjournments and the legal community should also ensure that benefits of law reaches the commonman. Stressing the need to preserve the rule of law, he said, all political parties and organisations should be committed to it. Earlier, Antony told reporters after inaugurating the Special Olympics here that the Centre would provide financial help to state governments to modernise their police department with modern electronic equipment.
Thackerays meet, say it’s not for politics
of a call – ‘Jehan election waha challo’ (where elections march there) – given by Separatist’s Co-ordination Committee, spearheading the ongoing movement for right to self-determination, official sources said. The deployment was strengthened as compared to last week’s first phase of elections in the wake of killing of two anti-election protesters in firing by security forces in Baramulla town yesterday. The police and paramilitary personnel were seen driving back people to their homes and patrolling the deserted streets to foil any attempt by
Dalai Lama warns of ‘great danger’ facing Tibetans
DHARAMSHALA, NOVEMBER 23 (AFP): The Dalai Lama warned Sunday of the "great danger" facing the Tibetan people as he addressed leading exiles who vowed continued support for his policy of seeking greater autonomy from China. "My trust in Chinese officials has become thinner and thinner," the Tibetan spiritual leader told nearly 600 delegates after a week-long review of the Dalai Lama's strategy towards Beijing. "In the next 20 years, if we are not careful in our actions and planning, then there is great danger to the Tibetan community," he said in the exiles' base in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala. On Saturday, representatives from the global Tibetan movement ended their meeting by backing the Dalai Lama's "middle way" of talks with Beijing seeking what they call meaningful, or greater, autonomy for Tibet. The decision was a disappointment for those groups who had favoured a policy shift towards an unequivocal demand for full independence. "After frank and candid discussions... the majority decision was to continue the policy of 'middle way,'" said the meeting's final statement released on Saturday. However it added their patience was not unlimited,
should be, because this is a major issue that affects not only the two countries, but also the region, I don’t believe that the President-elect has made any decision about how he intends to actually accomplish helping support that process,” he said. “And if the special envoy role is looked at it will only be pursued if it would be both helpful and appropriate. He has said that. So I think that too much has been made of that. Let him take office, he still has a few more days to get through the transition and January 20 we will see where the administration goes,” he said. Holding that there has been progress on the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, Inderfurth lauded the confidence building measures like people-to-people contact and cross-LoC trade undertaken by the two governments. “These kind of actions should be taken between the parties and the US can be supportive of this. The US should bring together the both parties and it is not an unfriendly interference. It is just a friendly facilitation,” he said. “It is not friendly interference. I do not want to interfere in India’s internal affairs,” he said. Asked whether the President-
Tibetan parliament should view its outcome "as a form of research," said the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. On Friday he was again accused by China of covertly campaigning for independence -- a view that the meeting's conclusions were at pains to disprove. He stressed that the meeting's support for autonomy was uninfluenced by his own views. "I deliberately remained silent to allow for the free expression,"
he said on Sunday, explaining why he had not attended the event. Before the meeting, he had said he needed guidance due to the lack of progress in talks with China. In March, protests against Chinese rule in the capital, Lhasa, erupted into violence that spread to other areas of western China with Tibetan populations. Tibet's government-inexile said more than 200 Tibetans were killed in a subsequent Chinese crackdown. Among the meeting's recommendations was a plea for the Dalai Lama, now 73, not to repeat recent comments that he was winding down his active duties. The delegates urged him "to continue to shoulder responsibility of the spiritual and temporal leadership of the Tibetan struggle at this crucial time by not stating even a word of semi-retirement or retirement." But he disappointed them by telling reporters that "my position has long been semi-retirement." "I am a human being and I also have human rights," he said with a grin. "The majority of decisions are taken by the prime minister. I act as his senior adviser." However he stressed the divide between his official and spiritual roles, saying "my moral responsibilities will always been there until my death."
separatists to assemble here for the march. The separatists have rejected the elections and had called for protests on the election days, besides a complete strike to draw the attention of the global community towards the Kashmir issue. In view of strict restrictions imposed by the security forces and a general strike called by the separatists, all shops and business establishments are closed. All modes of transport are off the roads here and elsewhere in the valley, although transport was exempted from the purview of the strike, the sources said.
MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Maharashtra politics is abuzz after Raj Thackeray met his uncle, Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray, on Sunday afternoon. It was a rare meeting between them after Raj left the Shiv Sena in December 2005 and formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Sources informed that Raj went to the Shiv Sena leader’s residence ‘Matoshree’ to wish him well for his health. Uddhav Thackeray, Balasaheb’s son and Shiv Sena executive president, was present at the 30-minute “family” meeting. The last time Raj met Balasaheb was on January 23, 2006, the Sena chief ’s birthday. “I went to meet him today to return some of his old books I still had with me. We spoke about cartoons (and) old memories,” Raj said after the meeting. “We spoke on topics other than politics. I am happy at meeting him after such a long gap.” Raj and Balasaheb were reported to have had a telephonic conversation four days ago. Raj expressed concern about Balasaheb’s health. Balasaheb reportedly said he was concerned about the cases filed against Raj. Raj broke off from his uncle in 2005 and formed his own party after Uddhav was selected to lead the Shiv Sena. “I sought respect, but all I got was humiliation,” he had said then. After forming MNS, Raj has almost hijacked Shiv Sena’s demand that Maharashtrians be given preference in jobs in the state. Be it demanding that ‘outsiders’ respect and learn about Marathi culture or attacking North Indian immigrants, Raj has been more successful in portraying himself as an advocate of the Marathi Manoos (Marathi identity).
Nepal seeks India’s support in its peace process
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Vowing that it would not allow any anti-India activity from its soil, Nepal today sought New Delhi’s support in taking its fragile peace process to “a logical conclusion.” Ahead of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s three-day visit here beginning tomorrow, Nepalese Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav said the Himalayan nation needed India’s help in its ongoing peace process. “It would be difficult for Nepal to take the peace process to its logical conclusion without India’s support,” he told PTI in an interview. “We
also hope to receive India’s help and cooperation in our development and reconstruction works,” he said, adding these issues will come up during talks with Mukherjee, apart from the matters relating to trade and transit. Replying to a question, the Minister said Nepal had “good friendly relations” with both India and China. “But we have more interactions and dealings with India as we share an open border and have cultural and religious similarities.” “I hope the forthcoming visit by India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Nepal
will help to further strengthen the bilateral relations and expand cooperation between the two sides,” Yadav said. The Minister also said Nepal will not allow antiIndia activities from its soil. “Nepal will not allow any activities directed towards our friendly countries including India.” He said that during his recent visit to India, matters relating to border problems, including Kalapani and Susta, were figured. “We have to delineate border in those areas where there is no clear demarcation. We have to deal with technical aspects before coming to any conclusion.”
Permanent Commission for women officers: HC
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Pressing for gender equality in armed forces, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to ensure serving woman officers in defence forces are granted Permanent Commission without delay. The High Court’s tough talk on benefits for women serving officers followed the government’s claim that it had decided to grant Permanent Commission to women officers who would be recruited in future. The government’s policy decision, however, did not go down well with the High Court which directed it not to overlook the cause of the serv-
ing women officers. “This is a salutary step taken by the three armed services but still falls short of our expectations. This would imply that there was no jam yesterday, no jam today and only jam tomorrow,” observed a Division Bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Mool Chand Garg in an order. “It may not be possible to reopen past cases but we can see no cogent reason why at least for women personnel who are still in service, the policy can not be made applicable,” the court ordered. Following High Court’s earlier direction to treat wom-
en officers at par with their male counterparts in armed forces, the Central government in September took a policy decision to grant Permanent Commission to those women officers who would be recruited in future in Judge Advocate General and education departments. It was decided that the benefits would not be extended to serving women officers. The direction came on petitions filed by women officers, through counsel Rekha Palli, seeking direction to the Centre to stop alleged discrimination against them in the matter of grant of Permanent Commission.
INTERNATIONAL
The Morung Express
Monday 24 November 2008
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Congo rebel leader slams deployment of extra UN troops
RUTSHURU, NOVEMBER 23 (AFP): Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda slammed the planned deployment of extra UN troops in Democratic Republic of Congo saying they could not usher in peace as he held his first rally in an eastern town he seized last month. About 1,500 people gathered at an overgrown stadium at Rutshuru, about 80 kilometres north of Goma -- the main city in Nord-Kivu province -to see the cashiered general, a persistent thorn in the side of President Joseph Kabila. Nkunda arrived in style in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with tinted glasses, flanked by bodyguards and armed fighters and wielding his trademark cane, topped with an eagle's head, and sporting gold rimmed sunglasses. He launched a strong warning to locals not to accept the additional 3,000 peacekeepers from the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known by its French acronym MONUC. "They are sending another 3,000 blue helmets and you are applauding. You are
mistaken!" said the rangy Pentecostal Christian who sometimes sports badges saying "Rebels for Christ" in a speech peppered with Biblical references. "We will not accept outsiders coming in to provide security for us here," he thundered. "Either you help us in the revolution or you keep quiet with MONUC. But if you wait for MONUC to bring you peace, you can wait forever." "We must unite to work to ensure our security. Every day you ask for something more but how long will you go on begging?" There are now 17,000 troops from 18 nations, including 4,000 from India, in MONUC -the biggest UN peacekeeping operation in the world. About 5,000 of them are in Nord-Kivu. Nkunda, also urged the region's disparate ethnic groups to "cohabit" peacefully. "There is only one solution, that we co-exist peacefully," he said. "There is enough place for even foreigners." In a display of unabashed showmanship at the stadium, Nkunda danced
National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) rebel leader Laurent Nkunda, left, gestures during a public rally in Rutshuru, 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Goma, eastern Congo, November 23. (AP Photo)
with young women and assiduously wooed the crowd, which was entertained with French songs and an ener-
getic jig performed by bare- fear, adding that they had dent, said he was heartened footed pygmy dancers. How- suffered rape, looting and by Nkunda's appeal to the different ethnic groups to live ever, locals said many people other violence. Innocent, a young stu- in harmony, but added: "He shunned the event out of
said we can move freely but we cannot." "At night there is sexual violence, extortion and he did not let us bring up these problems," he said. Long simmering tensions between Nkunda and Kabila spilled over into a new conflict in August with the rebels accusing the government of discriminating against Congo's Tutsi minority, to which Nkunda belongs. Nkunda's fighters withdrew from two key frontlines in Nord-Kivu this week, ostensibly to boost a peace mission by UN special envoy Olusegun Obasanjo, who is seeking to end the conflict and the ensuing humanitarian disaster. But they remain poised outside Goma, where the conflict is centred. Obasanjo was due to return to Congo next Saturday, Nkunda said, but the United Nations did not immediately confirm the claim. The UN peacekeeping force has been criticised for failing to protect the estimated 250,000 people displaced by the fighting, and atrocities by both the rebels and government forces. With the UN
Security Council on Thursday having approved 3,000 reinforcements for MONUC, a Kinshasa government spokesman urged a new approach. "It needs a mandate that is a lot more appropriate to the circumstances on the ground," Lamert Mende Omalanga told AFP. A Congolese journalist with the UN-sponsored Radio Okapi was meanwhile shot dead late Friday at Bukavu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the radio said, with MONUC expressing "concern" about the event. Didace Namujimbo "was returning home last night. He was shot down a few metres from his home," the radio's editor in chief Leonard Mulamba told AFP. Many armed groups, pro-government militias and rebels, operate in the unstable region which borders on Nord-Kivu, scene of fighting for nearly three months between the army and Nkunda's rebels. The MONUC said there was a lull in fighting for a second straight day Saturday with no incidents reported in Nord-Kivu.
Mystery “Buddha boy” in Nepal vanishes Thai protesters begin “final battle” against govt
Ram Bahadur Bamjan, believed to be the reincarnation of Buddha, looks on as devotees come to seek his blessings, in Nijgadh town, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Katmandu, Nepal, in this Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 file photo. The Nepalese teenager revered by many as a reincarnation of Buddha returned to the jungles to meditate after a few days of appearance in the public, officials said Saturday November 22. (AP Photo)
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 23 (REUTERS): A teenage Nepali boy many believe is an incarnation of Lord Buddha went missing after
blessing thousands of supporters, police said on Saturday. Ram Bahadur Bamjon, 17, blessed devotees for nearly 10 days in the remote forest of
Ratanpuri, 150 km southeast of Kathmandu before disappearing on Friday, junior police officer Santosh Budhathoki said. Bamjon came into the limelight in 2005 when tens of thousands of people turned up to see him sitting crosslegged under a tree in a dense forest for nearly ten months. The Buddha is often shown in sketches sitting under a tree in a similar posture. Ten days ago Bamjon reappeared after almost a year when he had disappeared in order to meditate in the jungle. This is the third time Bamjon has disappeared since his first appearance three years ago. Thousands of people, some out of sheer curiosity, including many from neighbouring India walked to the site in the middle of dense forests to see him this time. "He gave a 25 minute religious discourse to more than 5,000 people on Friday then went into an underground site for meditation," Budhathoki said. He said the boy had wrapped a white cloth around his body and sometimes sat for more than 12 hours at one stretch during the discourse. "Not everyone can do this without any special power which he has," Budhathoki said. "Whether he is a Buddha I can't say." Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born a prince in Lumbini, a sleepy town in Nepal's rice-growing plains about 350 km southwest of Kathmandu more than 2,600 years ago. He is believed to have attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, which borders Nepal.
BANGKOK, NOVEMBER 23 (REUTERS): Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in central Bangkok on Sunday, the start of what they call the “final battle” in a five-month street campaign to oust the administration. “I fear nothing. We will not bow our heads to the dark power destroying our country,” said Cat, a 48-yearold businesswoman, among the thousands of protesters waving placards and shouting “fight, fight” inside the Government House compound they have occupied since late August. The crowd led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) planned to march to parliament early on Monday, where police have erected barricades and stationed trucks with water cannons. A similar protest in October left two people dead and hundreds wounded, including scores of police, when police fired tear gas to break up the rally aimed at disrupting parliament. This time, police have been ordered not to use tear gas or other “weapons” and only carry shields, government spokesman Nattawut Saikuar said after a meeting of security ministers. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, whom the PAD accuse of being the puppet of exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, his brother-in-law, assigned army chief Anupong Paochinda to monitor the protests while he attends an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru. Major bloodshed would raise the chances of a military coup only two years after the army’s removal of Thaksin, who now lives in exile after skipping bail on corruption charges. But Anupong, who has put more than 3,000 anti-riot soldiers on standby to help the police, has
said a putsch would do nothing to resolve Thailand’s fundamental political rifts. The PAD enjoy the backing of Bangkok’s urban middle classes and elite, including Queen Sirikit, while Thaksin and the government claim their support from the rural voters that returned a pro-Thaksin party in a December election. The PAD is calling the march “its final battle” to oust the government, which it blames for a grenade attack last week that killed one person and wounded 23. Another grenade blast near their protest site wounded eight PAD security guards on Saturday. Somchai has denied the government or its supporters are behind the blasts. Police have made no arrests so far. On the outskirts of Bangkok,
thousands of red-shirted government supporters rallied in a Buddhist temple on Sunday to show their support for Somchai. Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said they would not march on parliament on Monday to confront the PAD. Raising the pressure on Somchai, public sector unions have called a nationwide strike for Tuesday unless he stands aside, a threat that, if carried out, would deepen the economic impact of a political crisis now in its fourth year. Government decision-making has ground to a halt, intensifying fears about the export-driven economy’s ability to withstand a global recession. Some foreign firms are already cutting back.
Japanese camera maker Nikon has laid off 1,500 staff in Thailand, the Bangkok Post reported on Saturday. Last week, U.S. car giant General Motors Corp announced a two-month shutdown at its Thai plant, and Toyota Motor Corp said it planned production cuts in Thailand. House leaders have vowed to press ahead with Monday’s parliamentary session, which will debate legislation relating to next month’s regional summit in the northern city of Chiang Mai. They have refused to move the session to a new venue, setting up a potentially serious confrontation. Even if Monday passes off peacefully, tensions are likely to remain high with Thaksin set to address a rally next month.
A homeless person sleeps outside a discount clothing store November 23, in downtown Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo)
JFK killing haunts Secret Service protecting Obama Email exchange hampers work output
Members of the U.S. Secret Service Counter Assault Team prepare to join the motorcade with Presidentelect Barack Obama, not pictured, for a trip to a gym in Chicago, November 22. (AP Photo)
WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 23 (AFP): Americans reflected Saturday on the presidency of John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated 45 years ago, as once again a young, inspiring president is headed to the White House. President-elect Barack Obama has often been compared for his lofty ideals and charisma to the late JFK, who was shot dead in Dallas, Texas in 1963. Obama's cool speech delivery, his intellectual prowess, relative youth and inexperience -- the 47year-old was an Illinois state senator little over four years ago -- have been
seen by many as direct reflections of JFK. Even the charming families, along with an apparent command of admiration around the world, are touchstones of both Obama and JFK's broad appeal. But Obama's character and historic election as the first African-American US president have many people worried about potential threats to his life. "He is inspirational, he is an historic figure, he is the first African-American president; but there is also -- because of that potential
for stirring up social unrest -- that also makes him a target," said Scott Stuart, senior terror and security analyst for Stratfor, a publisher of geopolitical intelligence. The threats to Obama are nothing new in American politics. Four American presidents were assassinated: Abraham Lincoln in 1865, James Garfield in 1880, William McKinley in 1900, and JFK. President Kennedy's brother Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King were both gunned down in 1968. There have
also been assassination attempts against Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. "It's not only JFK. It's Robert Kennedy, it's Martin Luther King. We have had a history of violence against inspirational leaders in the US," explained James Thurber, professor of government at American University. Thurber said he recalls the era when the Kennedys and King were assassinated, and pointed out similarities between then and now. "I do remember the time and it is very similar except that Obama is even more inspirational than Kennedy in terms of turning people on and bringing people in from the Republican Party to vote for a Democrat," he added. "It's more historic in some way in the sense that Obama is African-American." Obama received the earliest ever Secret Service protection for a presidential candidate in May 2007 -- 18 months before the election -- due to threats and to the large crowds he attracted at campaign stops. His former rival Hillary Clinton already had Secret Service protection due to her status as a former first lady. Mrs. Clinton sparked massive criticism in May of this year when invoking the June 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy to defend her decision to remain in the presidential race through June. She promptly expressed regret for her comments, interpreted as a suggestion that she believed Obama's life was in danger. Once Obama "began emerging as a major candidate, he was actually afforded the same
level of protection as the president because of the threat and that was really unprecedented," added Stuart. "They were so concerned about the threat that he had much higher security than the other candidates." Two plots have already been thwarted: in Colorado during the Democratic convention and recently in Tennessee, where two white supremacists were arrested in what authorities said was a plot to conduct a string of armed robberies and murder 88 black people in a spree to culminate in a suicide attack on Obama. According to Stuart, the Secret Service worries most about discreet, covert threats that are more difficult to identify. The Tennessee supremacists were "basically amateurs, clowns," said Stuart, adding that a professional "lone wolf" character is what the Secret Service and FBI are most interested in. These kinds of loner-assassin threats "pose a lot of problems for law enforcement," he said. "There's no organization to infiltrate, there is no communication to intercept, there is no conspirator to turn (them) in -- that's why that kind of a person is very dangerous." Obama's high approval ratings, set around 70 percent before he takes up office at the White House, are also a source of concern. "He just captured the heart and minds of the American people," said Allan Lichtman, history professor at American University, commenting on the public's high expectations. "But we are all aware of the danger that comes with that, particularly for the first time an African-American is president."
LONDON, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): Emails have joined fags and runs for coffee as the latest threat to workplace productivity, for a new study has revealed that the popular online communication mode wastes an hour a day. Researchers in Britain have carried out the study and found that office workers actually waste an hour a day sending and receiving emails -- the obsession has led to a culture in which many process them without even thinking. They have based their findings on a survey of 4,000 employees from 150 business houses in Britain. The poll found that the average worker wastes one hour every day through inefficient use of email; most do not filter or organise their emails correctly; and many of emails sent do not help people do their jobs, The Daily Telegraph reported. And, according to a spokesman for communications consultants Expert Messaging, which commissioned the research, this could be because workers
had not been given appropriate training for proper use of emails. "As a communications tool that we have all grown up with, but seldom if ever given any formal training on or provided any corporate guidelines for, it's no wonder that email is a significant sources of stress, miscommunication and inefficiency for companies and individuals," he said. Agreed Nigel Shadbolt, a professor of artificial intelligence at Southampton University: "I think we are still working out what is acceptable and unacceptable email use. "Some companies have banned their workers from sending carbon copies of emails, and in extreme cases have banned them from sending emails altogether. There's a problem that with superabundance of information there's a scarcity of attention. "Since our attention span is always limited, since there are only a certain number of hours in the day, we have to be more thoughtful about what we send and receive.
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Monday 24 November 2008
The Morung Express
Spain win Davis Cup doubles
Webber undergoes surgery HOBART, NOVEMBER 23 (REUTERS): Surgery to pin the broken right leg of Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has been a success, his spokesman said on Sunday. Red Bull driver Webber, 32, was riding a mountain bike when he collided with a four-wheel drive while competing in his own multi-sport charity event in Tasmania on Saturday. Geoff Donohue, spokesman for the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, said Hobart Private Hospital doctors had inserted rods to mend the breaks in his lower right tibia and fibula. It was not known at this stage when Webber would be able to leave hospital, he added. "He's feeling sharp and spritely, all things considered," Donohue said. Police said no charges would be filed over the accident. Donohue said Webber was expected to fully recover in time for the start of the Formula One season in Melbourne on March 29 but he is likely to miss the start of the testing in Europe. "He may miss some early testing in the car, it's a setback but it's a minor setback," Donohue said.
Chat with Sachin Tendulkar humbles Adam Gilchirst
Spain's Feliciano Lopez, top center, and Fernando Verdasco, top left, and team's captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario, top right, celebrate with teammates at the end of the Davis Cup final's doubles match against Argentina in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008. Spain won 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-3. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
MAR DEL PLATA, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): It has been a fine year for optimistic outsiders and their new mantra. And when the Spanish Davis Cup team arrived in this blustery resort town without Rafael Nadal and with its new leader, David Ferrer, in a funk, one of the first things the underdogs did was put a sign on the wall in their locker room that read, in English, “Yes we can.” With one day remaining in this emotionally combustible final, Argentina, the home team with all the advantages, is now the home
team in a vulnerable spot. Despite the absence of Nadal, the world’s No. 1 player, who is on vacation in Mauritius and is recovering from a knee injury, the Spaniards lead by 2-1 and need to win one of the two reverse singles Sunday to win their third Davis Cup title of the decade. The Spaniards took the lead Saturday with their doubles team, Feliciano López and Fernando Verdasco, rallying to defeat David Nalbandian and Agustín Calleri, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Argentina’s shining goal of winning its first Davis Cup
has dimmed. Its top-ranked player, Juan Martín del Potro, has a strained groin that contributed to his loss to López in singles Friday. He will probably be replaced for Sunday’s first singles match by José Acasuso. Ferrer is expected to play for Spain, with López scheduled to face Nalbandian in the final singles match. There are also signs of cracks in the Argentine camaraderie. Nalbandian left the arena after Saturday’s defeat. He did not take part in the postmatch news conference and will be fined by the International Ten-
Former champion Lennox Lewis would return for $100m payday
LONDON,NOVEMBER 23 (REUTERS): Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis would be tempted
out of retirement by the lure of a $100 million payday as well as his desire to "save the sport", he told a British news-
paper on Sunday. Lewis who retired from the ring in 2003 after beating Vitali Klitschko but the 43-year-old said he could be ready for a title fight after six months of training. "If someone wants to pay me serious money, $100m or so, then I will fight again," he told the Mail on Sunday. "I don't have to do this, I don't need the money and my legacy speaks for itself. But boxing needs me. The heavyweight game is so boring now. All the characters are gone. I would like to save my sport." Lewis said the poor quality of the current crop of heavyweights was one of the main reasons he was tempted to return to the ring. "Boxers usually come back or continue fighting for two reasons," he said. "Either the atmosphere of the crowd or the money. Me? I don't need either, I'm happy as I am. "But I think the sport needs me and I love my sport. And I don't like seeing it the way it is."
nis Federation for his absence. Argentine television stations also reported that Nalbandian and Calleri had a dispute in the locker room; the team would not confirm it. For a change, tennis has the full attention of this soccer-obsessed nation of 40 million. Ole, the nation’s leading sports newspaper, dedicated the first 14 pages of its 40-page Saturday issue to this final, the first staged in this country. Argentine politicians have termed it the third-most important sports event held here, after the 1978 World Cup soc-
cer finals and the 1995 Pan American Games. But the Argentine team has failed to rise to the occasion on the quick indoor hardcourt that it chose to neutralize Nadal and to favor Nalbandian and del Potro. The only man to have won both his matches so far is López, who worked his way through a slow start with Verdasco. The key was a rollicking third set, in which the Spaniards blew a 5-1 lead and then found themselves trailing by 1-5 in the tie breaker when a Spanish fan yelled as Nalbandian was about to
hit a second serve. He ended up double faulting, and the Spanish swept the remaining five points and the set. The largely Argentine crowd of more than 9,000, which was given an official warning by Cup officials for interfering with play late in the third set, was not amused. There were louder whistles and jeers during the Spaniards’ service motions the rest of the way. The Spanish captain, Emilio Sánchez Vicario, who had complimented the crowd on its behavior Friday, said he was disappointed this time.
Emperor's Cup: Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament
LONDON, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): More than 10 years after saying that Sachin Tendulkar gave him nightmares, Australian spin legend Shane Warne now claims that he was never scared of the Indian batting maestro and his 1998 remarks were "no gospel". Warne was at the receiving end of Tendulkar's batting fury when Australia toured India in early 1998 and the retired Australian had made the widely-re-
ported comments that he saw the Mumbaikar in his nightmares after the beating he got on the field. In his recently published book 'Shane Warne's Century', Warne had named Tendulkar the number one batsman he has played against ahead of West Indian Brian Lara. "He never frightened me. I think I might have said 'I'm going to have a few nightmares tonight' once and some journalists
Gary Kirsten reveals recipe for success in India LONDON, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): India cricket coach Gary Kirsten says the secret of his successful stint with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men so far lies in the way he has embraced the country and its work ethics. "When people talk about me being a foreign coach I don't feel like a foreign coach because I've integrated my thinking, my philosophies and my style of coaching, along with Paddy's (Upton), into how the Indians go about their business. We are a very happy unit," Kirsten said. The former South Africa batsman, who replaced Greg Chappell as coach of the Indian team, said it was important to maintain a certain distance from the players. "Because of the culture barrier, that happens naturally here. In cricket time we're together and outside we go and do our own thing. But I know how tough it is for them. They're a good side and they're good people, but they're almost a paradox in many respects. "They're so very humble, yet they've got this superstardom status. You could easily see how it could go to their heads. But it doesn't. They're good listeners and they respect your space. "I can't really speak highly enough of them, and I'd have said that whether we were doing well or not," the former opening batsman told the 'Daily Telegraph'. Kirsten said Upton, the mental conditional coach of the Indian team, was making a big difference to the team's development. "His contribution is vital. He helps players really understand and fine-tune their minds for performance, at the same time he works extensively at the cutting edge of the art of coaching and man-management," Kirsten said.
Arsenal Tell William Gallas: Apologise Or Quit
Grand champion Hakuho, left, reacts after defeating Mongolian compatriot Ama in a deciding bout to win the Emperor's Cup at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, western Japan on November 23. (AP Photo)
I was never scared of Tendulkar: Warne took it as gospel, but I was never frightened of anyone. And that's not me being big-headed, I was just confident of my ability. "Players like (Brian) Lara and Tendulkar were always a challenge, because they were the best in the business and if you want to compete at that level you've got to step up to the mark. Of course some days they're going to smash you out of the park and you congratulate them afterwards, but you're going to get them next time," he told 'Sunday Observer'. Warne, who was named by Observer Sports Monthly as the Sportsman of 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award, however, suggested that Tendulkar was better than Lara in terms of entertainment value, number of matches he won for his team. Ask what criteria did he use for including or excluding players in his book, Warne said, "I went
MELBOURNE, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Adam Gilchrist might have no qualms in suggesting that Sachin Tendulkar was "bad sport" but the retired Australian said he had a humbling feeling while speaking to the Indian batting maestro to clear the air after the furore raised by his book ‘True Colours’. The retired stumper had accused Tendulkar of changing his statement during the 'Monkey-gate' appeal hearing involving Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh but later called up the Indian maestro to tell him he was quoted out of context. "When I was talking to him. A little voice in the back of my head was saying, 'Can you believe you’re really on the phone to Sachin Tendulkar?’ I mean this is one of the best cricketers of all time, someone I admire so much, and here I was talking to him on the phone," Gilchrist said. Gilchrist said he called up Tendulkar because of his nature of maintaining friendly rapport with those he had played with or against. "I didn't have to call him. It’s just that when I started playing cricket that was part of my approach. I wanted to get to know the people I played with and against. When I finished playing I wanted to be on friendly terms with them. "Not so we were all on each other’s email lists or anything like that, just so we got along. We’ve all got a common interest, we should be on good terms. Some people don’t care about that, but I do. "I wanted Sachin to know I'd been taken out of context. I wanted to explain," he said.
on the principle that when I'm watching a sport I want to be entertained. So my number one criteria was entertainment, two was what impact did they have on me as a player, three was the impact they had on the team -- could they win a match off their own bat -- and then there was their skill and their spirit. "I didn't look at their statistics too much. That wasn't a guide, because stats can be accurate but misleading. A match-winner can actually have quite a modest average overall. And some players are just better to watch. That's why I put Mark Waugh above Steve Waugh in the book, because if they were both playing in separate grounds in town on the same day, I know who I'd pay money to watch play." The maverick spinner, who led Rajasthan Royals to the Indian Premier League crown, said he now expects more salary from
the franchise as it has become richer. "The first year was amazing. I'm really looking forward to going back and defending our title. No one can ever take that away from us that we won the inaugural IPL. Off the last ball! What an achievement. It was a fairytale. Especially for all the younger players. "I reckon I deserve a lot more now that we won it. The franchise has tripled, maybe quadrupled in price. They've got me cheap!" Talking about coping with Indian food during IPL, Warne, notoriously conservative with his diet, said, "The wonderful people of Jaipur now make an amazing margherita pizza. I've spoken to the chefs and they've got it down pat. So I'm a lucky man. It's making me hungry thinking about it." On any advice he would offer to just-retired Anil Kumble, Warne said, "I
spoke to him the other day, actually. He's a very smart man, engineer by trade, and I'm sure, considering everything he's achieved, there'll be plenty of doors open to him in India and internationally. I sense he's weighing up his options. He's a wonderful human being." His 1993 'ball of the century' to dismiss Mike Gatting still ranks his best delivery. "Oh, for sure. Mike Gatting's in '93 is still probably the best. Umpire Dickie Bird's was almost as funny. He couldn't believe what he'd seen either. 'That was owt, yer've gat ta gore.'" And what is it going to take to get him to play for Australia again? "No chance, mate. My scriptwriter keeps telling me to do it. He says it could be the final chapter. But I said: 'Mate, you haven't got any pens left. There are no more scripts. Let's just let it be.'"
LONDON, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Arsenal have reportedly told William Gallas that he must apologise for his recent comments or leave the club, according to a report in the News of the World. The Frenchman was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy on Friday following remarks made to the press about his team mates and was also dropped for yesterday’s trip to Manchester City, which the Gunners lost 0-3. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to discuss his former captain after the game and the defender’s future at the club currently looks unclear. The News of the World reports that Gallas was furious when informed he was no longer captain, a role he cherished. “Gallas went ballistic when he was told by Wenger he had lost the captaincy and the row escalated from there,” the paper quotes a ‘source’ as saying. “He loved being captain. It was the first time in his career he had held the role as a captain. He wanted to remain as captain” The paper goes on to claim that the defender must apologise to Wenger and his team mates if he is to remain a Gunner. It states, “He will find it difficult to apologise for his behaviour, which is the only thing he can do to play for the club again.” Of course Gallas has courted controversy throughout his career and this is not the first time he has clashed with the club’s hierarchy. Yet the paper suggests that Arsenal have become tired of Gallas’ antics and that Wenger, in particular, has lost patience with his compatriot.
Milestone man Lee puts to bed India flop-show MELBOURNE, NOVEMBER 23 (PTI): The flop-show in India has been "put to bed" by Australian pace spearhead Brett Lee, who claims that his life and career are back on track after the agonising past few months. The tearaway bowler, who grabbed his 300th Test wicket in the just concluded Test win over New Zealand in Brisbane, said he has finally recovered from the slump that threatened his career. "It's sort of been a different thing to coming through injury," Lee, who managed just eight wickets in the four Tests against India, said after becoming only the fourth Australian bowler to enter the 300-wicket club. "I have been up against a brickwall the past couple of months. I actually feel like I have turned the corner now. The fitness feels really good. I feel like I am back to where I want to be bowling," he was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'. During the tumultuous trip to India, the pacer was put on drip after a bout of food poisoning and lost five kilograms at a place he calls his second home but the 32-year-old says he is fine now. "I wasn't happy on the whole with the Indian tour. That's behind me now. I have gotten over that. I have put that to bed. I am back back bowling in Australian conditions," he said. "I always try to take a positive out of any type of situation," he added.
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Mrs. India North East 2008 contest
Mrs. India North East 2008, Meenu Paul (centre) from Assam flanked by first runner up Ananya Auttri (right) also from Assam and second runner up Temjen Naro (left) from Nagaland. The 3rd Darpan Mrs. India North East contest was held at Machkhowa ITA Centre, Guwahati on November 22. (Photo: UB Photos)
E n t / Ta b l o i d MTV launches African music awards
ABUJA, NOVEMBER 23(AP): MTV launches its firstever music award program for Africa on Saturday, with acts from across the world's poorest continent nominated for prizes in the Nigerian capital. Winners were being selected by fans sending text messages, said Alison Reid, a spokeswoman for MTV Networks Africa. Africa has long featured a vibrant music scene, but artists have had difficulties breaking into overseas markets. Famous African artists include Senegal's Youssou N'dour, Nigerian legend Fela Kuti and South African impresario Miriam Makeba, who died this month. MTV hopes the awards can offer the artists more exposure and celebrate the continent's artistry. Nigerian R&B duo P-Square is competing in five categories including best group, best R&B act and the evening's top award, artist of the year. Performers from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Gabon and others are also nominated. African music is highly varied, reflecting myriad tastes in the vast continent. Included across the many genres are call-and-response chanting and heavy drumming, drawing on pre-colonial modes of communication among villages. Since independence movements swept the continent in the 1960s, African music has also increasingly been open to outside influence, incorporating salsa rhythms, rock beats and, increasingly, hip hop and R&B styles. Many of the new Nigerian acts nominated Saturday feature heavy beats pioneered by American rappers and hip-hop artists. The lyrics often reflect the desire of many Nigerians to escape poverty and corrupt governance. MTV's regional music channel MTV Base now reaches almost 50 million African viewers in 48 countries through a network of pay-per-view services and partnerships with domestic channels.
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Miss Dimapur 2008
Miss Dimapur Moakala Phom (C) flanked by 1st runners-up Reema and 2nd runners-up Akaholi (Page Photo)
Vatican forgives Lennon for Jesus quip
he Vatican’s newspaper has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, calling the remark a “boast” by a young man grappling with sudden fame. The comment by Lennon to a London newspaper in 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burnt Beatles’ albums
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in huge pyres. But time apparently heals all wounds. “The remark by John Lennon, which triggered deep indignation mainly in the United States, after many years sounds only like a ‘boast’ by a young working-class Englishman faced with unexpected success, after growing up in the legend of Elvis and rock and roll,” Vatican daily Osservatore Romano said. The article, marking the 40th
anniversary of the Beatles’ “The White Album,” went on to praise the pop band. “The fact remains that 38 years after breaking up, the songs of the Lennon-McCartney brand have shown an extraordinary resistance to the passage of time, becoming a source of inspiration for more than one generation of pop musicians,” it said. Lennon was murdered in New York in 1980.
How Madonna Is Coping with Her Split
Forgetful Harry leaves Chelsy Davy in the cold
P The highly coveted beauty pageant for married women from across the eight north-eastern states of India was held at the Machkhowa ITA Centre, Guwahati on November 22. Mrs. India North East 2008 was organised by the Epitome Educational Society under the banner of Darpan, a chain of beauty training institutes of the state, the pageant is being held with the motive of giving a platform to showcase the talents and potentials of the married women of this part of the region. Apart from the three top crown positions, several other titles including Mrs. Translucent Skin, Mrs. Captivating Eyes, Mrs. Beautiful Smile, Mrs. Lustrous Hair, and Mrs. Photogenic were vied for. (Photo: UB Photos)
rince Harry's girlfriend Chelsy Davy was delighted to be invited to Prince Charles’s 60th birthday party last weekend – but she was left fuming after her Royal boyfriend forgot to arrange for her to be picked up from the station. Down-to-earth Chelsy, 23, shunned the offer of a chauffeur-driven car and travelled to Gloucestershire by rail – dressed in her stunning evening gown. But she was left stranded at Tetbury station when a car failed to arrive to take her on to nearby Highgrove. ‘Chelsy looked stunning and had no problems getting the train down but she was furious that she was made to hang around in the cold,’ says a spy. Last year, Chelsy was left waiting at Heathrow after Harry went to meet her at the wrong terminal.
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adonna is doing her best to get through her split from husband Guy Ritchie – with a little help from ex-husband Sean Penn, according to a source close to the singer. "It's a sad situation, but she's not heartbroken," says the source, who saw the 50-year-old icon hours before a London court granted the couple a preliminary "quickie divorce" on Friday. "She's handling it well." Madonna, who rocked Philadelphia as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour on
Thursday, is focusing on her work and her children to keep her mind off the end of her nearly eight-year marriage to Ritchie, says the source. "She's got a very busy life." Also helping her through the tough time is her ex-husband. The singer and Penn were spotted having drinks at the Greenwich Hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday night. "They have a nice rapport," says the source. "There's nothing romantic there. They're just good friends."
PRIME TIME TV GUIDES 06:00Candles on Bay Street 08:00Little Man 10:00Screamers 12:00Gladiator 15:00How to Eat Fried Worms 16:45Recount 19:00The Making Of Norbit 19:15Balls Of Fury 21:00Passenger 57 22:45Little Man 00:00Little Man 00:45The Dukes Of Hazzard - The Beginning 02:45Living with the Enemy 04:30The Legend of Butch and Sundance
06:00 - Equator 07:00 - Teleshopping 08:00 - Meerkat Manor 09:00 - Lyndal’s Lifeline 10:00 - Baby Planet 11:00 - Max’s Big Tracks 12:00 - Wild Africa 13:00 - Incredible Journeys with Steve Leonard 14:00 - Equator 15:00 - Penguin Safari With Nigel Marven 16:00 - The Most Extreme (Season 3) 17:00 - Lyndal’s Lifeline 18:00 - Meerkat Manor (Season 2) 19:00 - Max’s Big Tracks 20:00 - Wild Africa 21:00 - Penguin Safari With Nigel Marven 22:00 - Animal Planet Safari 23:00 - The Most Extreme 00 - :00 - Meerkat Manor (Season 3) 01:00 - Teleshopping 02:00 - Petsburgh USA (II) 03:00 - Monkey Business 7 04:00 - Petsburgh USA (II)
6:00 The 4400 7:00 The Amazing Race Asia 8:00 PUSHING DAISIES 9:00 The 4400
11:00 Early Edition 12:00 Pirate Master 1:00 Chronicles Of Riddick 3:30 eBuzz 5:00 Top Design 6:00 The 4400 7:00 PUSHING DAISIES 8:00 Pirate Master 9:00 The Amazing Race 10:00 Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! 11:00CSI: NY 12:00The Amazing Race 1:00Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! 2:00 CSI: NY 3:00 Early Edition 4:00 PUSHING DAISIES 5:00 Top Design
06:00 - Telebrands 07:00 - Dirty Jobs 08:00 - Wild Discovery 09:00 - New Detectives - The Case Studies In Forensic Scie 10:00 - Discovery’s Biggest Shows 11:00 - Discovery’s Biggest Shows 12:00 - Amazing Baby Videos 12:30-Baby Whisperer 1 13:00 - Planet Earth 14:00 - Discover India 15:00 - Dirty Jobs 16:00 - Hunters 17:00 - Wildlife Specials 18:00 - India With Sanjeev Bhaskar 19:00 - Wild Discovery 05:30 Antonia and Jane
06:00 - Global Tele Mall 07:00 - Body And Soul 07:30 - Tvc Sky Shop 08:30 - Instant Khichdi 10:00 - Shaka Laka Boom Boom 10:30 - Son Pari 11:00 - Mum Tum Aur Hum 11:30 - Shararat 12:00 - The Great Indian Laughter Challenge 13:00 - Ssshhhh Phir Koi Hai 14:00 - Dill Mill Gayye 14:30 - Mile Jab Hum Tum 15:00 - Movie 18:30 - Anu Ki Ho Gayi Wah Bhai Wah 19:00 - Dill Mill Gayye
19:30 - Mile Jab Hum Tum 20:00 - Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai 20:30 - Dill Mill Gayye 21:00 - Mile Jab Hum Tum 21:30 - The Great Indian Laughter Challenge 22:30 - Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai 23:00 - Dill Mill Gayye 23:30 - Mile Jab Hum Tum
06:00 - Seva Ganga 06:30 - Vignan Shashwat Sukh Ka 07:00 - Sangam 07:30 - Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat 08:00 - Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 08:30 - Kayamath 09:00 - Kumkum 09:30 - Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii 10:00 - Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil 10:30 - Hamari Devrani 11:00 - Grihasti 11:30 - Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat 12:00 - Bidaai 12:30 - Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil 13:00 - Kumkum 13:30 - Hamari Devrani 14:00 - Karam Apnaa Apnaa 14:30 - Grihasti 15:00 - Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 15:30 - Kayamath 16:00 - Sangam 17:00 - Kasturi 17:30 - Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat 18:00 - Bidaai 18:30 - Hamari Devrani 19:00 - Sangam 19:30 - Santaan 20:00 - Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat 20:30 - Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil 21:00 - Bidaai 22:00 - Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii 22:30 - Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 23:00 - Kayamath 23:30 - Karam Apnaa Apnaa 00 - :00 - Kasturi 00 - :30 - Kumkum 01:00 - Bidaai 01:30 - Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil 02:00 - Grihasti
06:00 - Fashion House 07:00 - Friday Night Lights 08:00 - Seinfeld
08:30 - Friends 09:00 - How I Met Your Mother 10:00 - Grey’s Anatomy 11:00 - America’s Got Talent 12:00 - Boston Legal 13:00 - Brothers and Sisters 14:00 - The Ellen Degeneres Show 15:00 - Fashion House 16:00 - Cold Case 17:00 - Grey’s Anatomy 18:00 - Friday Night Lights 19:00 - The Ellen Degeneres Show 20:00 - Seinfeld 20:30 - Friends 21:00 - 30 - Rock 21:30 - Scrubs 22:00 - Ugly Betty 23:00 -Jimmy Kimmel 00:00 - Friends 00: 30 - Seinfeld 01:00 - The Simpsons 01:30 - My Wife And Kids 02:00 - Grey’s Anatomy 03:00 - The Ellen Degeneres Show 04:00 - Cold Case 05:00 - The Simpsons 05:30 - Kenneth Copeland
1:30 - Rugby League World Cup Live: Final 3:30 - ATP Tennis 4:00 - ICL World Series HLs - World v Bangladesh 6:00 - Gillette World of Sports 6:45 - NFL: Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers 10:00 - ICL World Series HLs - World v Bangladesh 12:00 - WWE:Experience 13:00 - WWE: After Burn 14:00 - ICL World Series - Pakistan v Bangladesh 22:00 - Sportsnight 22:30 - WWE: After Burn 23:30 – Sportsnight
06:00 Madhur Jaffrey’s Flavours of India 06:30Dream Hotels 07:00Food Paradise 08:00Honeymoon Adventures 08:30Getaway 2006 09:00Hairy Biker’s Ride Again 09:30Feast India 10:00Innertainment 10:30Body And Soul 11:00Amazing Vacation Homes 11:30Superhomes 2 12:00American Chopper
13:00Kylie Kwong: My China 13:30Take Home Chef 2 14:00Finest Hotels In The World 14:30Indian Rendezvous 15:00Getaway 2006 15:30Hotel By The Bay 16:00Food Paradise 17:00American Chopper 18:00Ballroom Bootcamp 19:00Cruiseline 20:00Great Hotels Iii 20:30Cocktail Kings 21:00World Cafe: Asia 21:30World Cafe: Asia 22:00America The Wright Way 23:00Finest And Luxurious 00:00Miami Ink 3 01:00Jet Set 02:00Honeymoon Adventures 02:30Getaway 2006 03:00Made To Order 3 03:30Kylie Kwong: My China 04:00Innertainment 04:30Body And Soul 05:00Monster House
05:30The Contract 07:00 Charlie Chaplin 07:30Infomercial 08:00Debs 10:00Yanks 13:15Arahan 15:15Americano 17:00Charlie Chaplin 17:30Ocean’s Eleven 20:00The Bridge at Remagen 22:30Tuck Everlasting 00:00Tuck Everlasting 00:30Hollywood On Set (Entertainment) 01:00The In-Laws 02:30Basic 04:00The Contract 05:30Shore Ditch
06:00 - Sadgamaya 06:30 - The Faith Show 07:00 - Enjoying Everyday Life 07:25 - Ek Nazar 07:30 - Sales Slot 07:55Exposure Jhalak
08:00 - Teleshopping 08:25 - Ek Nazar 08:30 - Jai Ganesh 09:00 - Ramayan 09:30 - Naaginn 10:00 - Vivaah 10:30 - Betiyann 11:00 - Maayka 11:30 -Saat Phere 12:00 - Dulhann 12:30 - Kasamh Se 13:00 - Parrivaar 13:30 - Rakhi 14:00 - Teen Bahuraaniyaan 14:30 - Ranbir Rano 15:00 - Dulhann 15:30 - Maayka 16:00 - Saat Phere 16:30 - Kahani Ab Tak 17:00 -Teen Bahuraaniyaan 17:30 - Betiyann 18:00 - Kasamh Se 18:30 - Saat Phere 19:00 - Vivaah 19:30 - Shrii 20:00 - Dulhann 20:30 - Maayka 21:00 - Kasamh Se 21:30 - Saat Phere 22:00 - Betiyann 22:30 -Ranbir Rano 23:00 - Waaris 23:30 - Kasamh Se 23:55Ek Nazar 00:00 - Asian Sky Shop 00:55Exposure 01:00 - Asian Sky Shop 02:00 - Teen Bahuraaniyaan 02:30 - Kasamh Se 03:00 - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 200 - 9 04:00 - Vivaah 04:30 - Urja 05:00 - Parrivaar
05:00 Arlington Road 07:05 Underdog 08:50 Ice Age 10:35 Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer 12:30 The Namesake 14:55 Neverwas 17:00 Lonely Hearts 19:05 Power Rangers - The Movie 21:00 Wild Hogs 23:00 Outside Providence 00:50Ice Age 02:10 Neverwas 3:50 Lonely Hearts
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Spurs out of relegation zone
dle Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon, left, vies for the ball with Blackburn Rovers' Martin Olsson, right, during their English Premier League soccer match at the White Hart Lane stadium, London on November 23. (AP Photo)
LONDON, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): Tottenham moved out of the Premier League's bottom three with a victory over Blackburn, who had defender Martin Olsson sent off on 39 minutes. Aaron Lennon was Spurs' inspiration and he set up the winner when he robbed Olsson, went on a run and cut the ball back for Roman Pavlyuchenko to slot in. Pavlyuchenko almost grabbed a second when his glancing header hit a post. Olsson was dismissed when he brought down his tormentor Lennon and received his second yellow card of the match. The 20-year-old Swede had no answer to Lennon's direct running and suffered a horribly embarrassing afternoon. In contrast, Lennon produced a performance full of pace, confidence and incisiveness. With Blackburn one place and one point above Spurs in the table before the match, there was a lot at stake for both teams. The signs were initially encouraging for Blackburn as Tottenham's recent Achilles heel, goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, again looked vulnerable. Gomes dropped Rovers' first corner and was never convincing throughout and even the home fans cheered ironically when he did make a clean catch. It was clear that Spurs' best form of defence would be to attack, and in Lennon they had a potent weapon. And when the winger nicked the ball off Olsson and cut the ball back after sprinting to the byeline, Pavlyuchenko cracked in
a shot to justify his return to the starting line-up. The Russian was only denied a second by the foot of the post after he met David Bentley's free-kick with a glancing header. Yet there was the feeling that Rovers were not completely out of it, and Benni McCarthy might have done better than to volley over the bar from 12 yards. Back came Spurs, again in the shape of Lennon, who shot wide after another strong run. The next time Lennon ventured forward, he jinked past Olsson, who brought him down and promptly saw red. Tottenham's one-man show continued when Lennon smashed a fierce drive that former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson did well to save with his body despite the ball taking a deflection. Straight after the break, Rovers created a halfchance when Roque Santa Cruz did well to crouch down and direct a header on target but Gomes was equal to it. And despite their numerical advantage and greater share of possession, Tottenham were struggling to kill the game off. Tom Huddlestone tried his luck with two longrange shots that blazed over as Tottenham's nerves began to show. Substitute Frazier Campbell should have eased their anxiety but he nodded a good chance wide when unmarked. In the end one goal proved enough for Tottenham to move out of the relegation zone, while Blackburn have now failed to win in eight league games.
NTA informs players
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Nagaland Taekwon-Do Association (NTA) has informed all Taekwon-Do players in Nagaland those who want to appear black belt and Dan promotion examination to contact Heoshe Yeptho, vice-president of NTA before December 5 next through 9436066705 or 9436240175. The association will conduct the black belt examination and Dan promotion on December 15 next. This was stated in a press note issued by its vice-president.
NFA cannot vote in AIFA's December election
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) will not be able to vote in the up coming All India Football Association (AIFA) Election slated for December 23 next at New Delhi. Confirming this over the phone, P. Atuo Mezhur, secretary, NFA said that it was done as penalty for not participating in National level ‘under 21’ Football Championship last year. Some other states have also been refused the ‘right to vote’ for this year’s election due various internal problems. The secretary, however, added that they are performing very well and hope that the association will take part in the future events, which they have been doing enthusiastically this year.
1st Winter C'ship at Dimapur DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The 1st Winter Championship, Red Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament, organised by the Spark’s Cricket Club (SCC) will start from December 6 to 21 next at the GHSS, Nagarjan. A press note issued by its manager cum coach, Mintu Sinha informed that the winner and runners-up will be awarded Rs. 10, 000 and Rs. 4, 000 respectively, besides individual awards such as man of the match in every match, man of the series etc. The joining fee will be Rs. 800 and the forms will be available at SCC office near Poonam Hotel, Kher Mahal and Coffee Stall at DDSC Stadium. The last date of submission of forms has been fixed on December 4 next.
Rain plays spoilsport Sehwag joins elite 6000-run club
England players, from left, Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior congratulate bowler Stuart Broad, center, after he dismissed Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar. (AP Photo)
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Yuvraj Singh bats during the fourth ODI cricket match between India and England in Bangalore. (AP Photo)
BANGALORE, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): England suffered their first setback in the run chase early on as Munaf Patel got the desired breakthrough in the form of Ravi Bopara’s wicket. The batsman was caught brilliantly by Ishant Sharma at mid-on. He departed after scoring a run, bringing out Owais Shah to the crease. India posted a good total of 166 runs in the stipulated 22 overs even as MS Dhoni fell victim to Samit Patel after scoring 9 runs. The innings was ended with Yusuf Pathan who cracked the last delivery for a massive six that set the solid target for the visitors. England spinner Graeme Swann had spun into action in the penultimate over as he got the prized scalp of Gautam Gambhir. The batsman walked back after scoring 40 runs off 37 balls. India lost their second wicket in the form of Virender Sehwag when the batsman was trying to slog one out of the park off a Swann delivery. He departed after cracking 69 quick runs as there were less than five overs left in the innings upon the restart of play. The fourth ODI against England resumed after the second hiccup of the rain gods and the match was reduced to 22 overs a side. Two bowlers can bowl 5 overs each, three bowlers can bowl 4 overs each. The bowling and the batting powerplays will consist of 2 overs each. India’s blasting opener Virender Sehwag had resumed play with a vengeance as he slammed his 32nd ODI fifty against a stiff England bowling attack. However, the play was delayed again due to incessant rain that left the fate of the fourth ODI headed towards the doldrums. Prior to this, Gautam Gambhir came in to replace Sachin at the crease and got into business without wasting any time. He struck four boundaries in quick succession to take India to 61 for the loss of one wicket at the end of over number 10.
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 23 (NDTV): Indian opener Virender Sehwag on Sunday became the sixth Indian batsman to complete 6000 runs in one-day cricket during the fourth ODI between India and England in Bangalore. Sehwag reached the milestone when he hit 36th run. He took 195 ODIs and 190 innings to achieve this feat. Now his name features along side Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Mohammed Azharuddin and Yuvraj Singh in the elite club. Tendulkar stands atop the table scoring 16372, the highest in the world. The Delhi dasher achieved another milestone on Sunday. After striking the 17th run of his innings, Sehwag became the eighth Indian to record 2000 runs in One-Day Internationals on the Indian soil. He also slammed 32nd ODI fifty of his career, his sixth against England.
Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, right, and pole vaulter, Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia hold their "Athlete of the Year Awards" on November 23 in Monaco, awarded by the International Athletic Foundation. Bolt holds the olympic and world records for the 100 metres, 200 metres and the 4x100 metres relay, all set at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and Isinbayeva set a world record to defend her Olympic pole vault title, the 24th world record of her career and fourth of the year. (AP Photo)
Indian batsman Virender Sehwag raises his bat after scoring a half-century during the fourth one-day international cricket match between India and England in Bangalore, on November 23. (AP Photo)
SA pledges funds to secure safe World Cup
CAPE TOWN, NOVEMBER 23 (AGENCIES): South Africa has pledged to spend more than 1.2 billion rand (77.6 million pounds) on security for the 2010 World Cup, while admitting that the country is battling a perception that it is unsafe. "We have a challenge of making sure we are able to better communicate our successes," Deputy Safety and Security Minister Susan Shabangu told a media briefing in Johannesburg on Saturday. "There has been a decline in general crime in the last year but the biggest challenge in South Africa is in the area of contact crime. The number of brutal crimes and house robberies are some of the areas that are of concern to us."
South Africa also has one of the highest murder rates in the world and was last week described as a "killing field" by its own Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa. Saturday, Shabangu said the country had to ensure laws were made stiffer and police officers were better trained to ensure a significant deduction in crime. "We are confident we will be better than where we are today when it comes to crime prevention," she added. The South African police were planning to spend 640 million rand on the development of 41,000 officers for the World Cup, the briefing was told. The force had also embarked on a massive recruitment drive to in-
crease its numbers to almost 200,000 by the time of the tournament, Deputy Police Commissioner Andre Pruis told the briefing. A further 625 million rand is being spent on procuring special security equipment for the month-long tournament, while 10 mobile command centres costing around 6 million rand each were also in the pipeline. FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said he wanted the 2010 World Cup to be the safest event ever organised. "We must have a secure environment for all visitors to the World Cup," he said. "That's the commitment of the South African government to FIFA and from FIFA to all the people attending the World Cup."
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