The Morung Express | Express news of Nagaland by The Morung Express

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The Morung Express

A Daily Publication of Morung for Indigenous Affairs & JustPeace

Dimapur VOL. III ISSUE 309

Explosives seized from bus SIBSAGAR (PTI): Explosives were seized from Assam’s Sibsagar district today and two persons taken into custody, official sources said. Troops of the 316 Field Regiment early this morning recovered three gelatin sticks, nine detonators and fuse wire from a bus at Sonari. The bus was bound for Mon district in neighbouring Nagaland, the sources said. A Naga woman was picked up in this connection, the sources said. An alleged ULFA conduit, Bhogeswar Panging, was also arrested from Senimora village of the district last night.

Dress code for GBs set DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): Pertinent to the vests Gaonburas wear, the GBs union of Dimapur today issued a number of specifications. The union said in a note today that the GBs’ waist coats should be made with the red blanket provided by the government. All GBs are to wear their respective tribe waist coat with the red-front and the traditional symbol on the back. GBs without any traditional symbol should wear the waist coat with the redfront and red-back, preferably satin or “silk”, the union stated. Naga tribe GBs should use their tribal motif ‘cloth’ for the back. No GB is to use a waist coat using the motif of the DBs, that is, waist coats having black “cloth” on the back. The specifications were made in a note appended by general secretary of the GBs’ union Yeheto Zhimomi.

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Friday, November 7, 2008 12 pages Rs. 3

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A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study

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- Chinese Proverb

Bhutan crowns young king Social ills in Naga society surface to guide young democracy Morung Express News Dimapur| November 6

THIMPHU, NOVEMBER 6 (AFP): The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan crowned a new king Thursday, placing a charismatic Oxford-educated bachelor as head of state of the world's newest democracy. With the rest of the world gripped by the historic US election win for Barack Obama, all eyes in Bhutan were on 28-yearold Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, now the world's youngest reigning monarch. In an ancient Buddhist ritual in the white-walled palace overlooking the picturesque Thimphu valley, Wangchuck was handed Bhutan's Raven Crown by his father. "It's a wonderful day, there is no cloud in the sky. The gods are here. It will be remembered as an event which unifies the Bhutanese people," Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley told reporters. The country now goes into three days and nights of festivities, and has even shut down its mobile telephone network for the occasion. The deeply revered former king, who is 52, abdicated two years ago as part of his plan to reform and modernise the staunchly traditional and insular nation of just over 600,000 people by ending absolute royal rule. Bhutan, wedged between India and China and never colonised, has witnessed sweeping changes this year -- having held its first democratic elections for a new parliament and prime minister in March. Since the former king's abdication, the century-old Wangchuck dynasty has been waiting for astrolo-

Bhutan’s 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk holding a Bhutanese girl waves to a crowd as he interacts with members of the public during a coronation ceremony at the Tendrel Thang ceremonial ground adjoining the Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu on Thursday. Bhutan crowned it’s 5th king Thursday after a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most auspicious for a successful reign by court astrologers. (AP Photo)

gers to give the go-ahead for the coronation. The palace was packed with hundreds of foreign dignitaries, including Indian President Pratibha Patil, ruling party leader Sonia Gandhi and Bollywood stars. It was also

surrounded by lines of jubilant locals dressed in their national costumes. The new king has pledged to maintain his father's unique philosophy of improving "Gross National Happiness," and not com-

mon economic indicators, to ensure well-being in the "Land of the Thunder Dragon." "I am happy, my friends are happy and in general as a nation we are happy," enthused Sonam Phuntsho, a 27-year-old civil servant.

"He is reaching out to the people. He is a very smart and decent man," he said of the new king. The royals in Bhutan are deeply revered, although the family clearly wanted to escape the fate of their counterparts in nearby Nepal which saw the outbreak of a Maoist insurgency in 1996 that culminated in the abolition of the monarchy there this year. "The best time to change a political system is when the country enjoys stability and peace. Why wait for a revolution?" Bhutan's former king said when he began the democratic reform process in 2005. Continuing to balance Bhutan's exposure to the forces of globalisation will be the new king's main challenge - especially as many in the younger generation now have access to satellite television and the Internet. Bhutan had no roads or currency until the 1960s and allowed television only in 1999. The extremely beautiful country also continues to resist the temptation of allowing mass tourism - preferring instead to allow access to only small organised groups of wellheeled visitors. "We are a small and traditionally oriented country. We have to preserve our traditions, and it's important to control external influence," explained Heroka Zangpo, a 25-year-old public utility worker enjoying the festivities. Still, many people are also confused over why the hugely popular former king decided to step down, and view the transition to democracy with trepidation.

A PLETHORA of social issues of common concern, for civil society organizations in Nagaland were brought to light at the FST (Foundation for Social Transformation) consultative meeting in collaboration with the NEZCC (North East Zonal Cultural Centre), held at NEZCC conference hall today. One of the curious findings that emerged was the startling information that certain politicians from the Mon areas are actually holding 1020 pension cards meant for the destitute. This was unearthed by an NGO as presented in the day’s session. FST along with YouthNet, YARD, Prodigals’ Home, Naga Women Hoho, Peace Channel, Bethesda, C-Cerp and several other NGOs based in Nagaland raised issues that are closely marked in Naga society and the need to address them. Apart from the many issues that were brought up, Prodigals Home’s startling data of “209 missing children” shed light on the problem of human trafficking, domestic servants and street children. All these issues were felt to have negative impact on the Naga society and with recent cases of girls being trafficked to places as far as Malaysia, the need to curb human trafficking was stressed upon. Gender violence also roped in a heated discussion with several representatives pointing out the need to spread awareness on rights and addressing other genderbased issues. Work-related gender bias was highlighted in the discussion. Naga Women Hoho expressed the need for women in conflict resolution and participation of women in policy and public

administration. Drawing attention to the problem of stigma and discrimination, NGOs dealing with HIV/AIDS and drug addiction brought out the problem of fewer acceptances of former drug users into the society and also the lack of support from families. OrganizationslikeYouthNet and other like-minded organizations focused on the lack of “dignity of labour” amongst Naga youths and pointed out that youth empowerment schemes have failed due to political intervention. They also expressed deep concern for the rate of school drop-outs especially boys. An interesting finding presented by a Mon-based NGO working for the destitute revealed, politicians from that area were holding 10 to 20 pension cards meant for the destitute which was unearthed by the NGO. Environmental NGO, C-Cerp pointed out that the hunting habits of the Nagas have led to extinction of many animals and bird species. While working against this, the NGO felt the lack of peoples’ cooperation. While issues were raised, suggestions to combat them were also put forward by several representatives. One of the felt needs was for NGOs to have research support documents to address issues and collect hard facts on existing situations. The need for networking amongst the NGOs for better facilitation and approach to address issues was also suggested. Group discussions on the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of participating organizations brought out many areas that can be worked upon and views exchanged for better understanding of issues and the solutions to them.

AR-public skirmish mark Tokhu Emong Media in Nagaland Short ﬁlms on women issues DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): North East Network and Breakthrough, in partnership with The Morung Express is presenting short films on “Women’s Issues and Human Rights” on November 21, at NH 39Go- Karting, Dimapur from 11:30 am to 4 pm. All interested persons and organizations are invited.

Citizens against graft in government DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Governor of Nagaland finds in senior citizens more support in his contention against corruption in the government. The senior citizens forum of Nagaland expressed support and solidarity with the governor that there is a “need” to stop corruption at all levels in the government. The senior citizens in a note from its executives said “proper accounts” should be maintained, as pointed out by the Auditor General of Nagaland, for the public and private sector units. The forum also wants the departments to “associate” the district senior citizens forum in the selection of old-age pension beneficiaries. This is to maintain transparency in its administration, the forum said. The forum in the meantime has expressed gratitude to the chief minister for assuring a number of facilities for seniors. The forum said the assurances include recreation centers in every district. Elders’ services are to be utilized to offer lectures and talks on Naga culture, tradition and practices, the forum said.

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6, (MExN): Tokhu Emong celebrations in Wokha town tonight spiraled into chaos as a ‘running battle’ between the public of Wokha town and the town’s 41 Assam Rifles cantonment, started around 10:00 PM today. The Wokha district administration informed that about 200 rounds were fired by the Assam Rifles following a skirmish that broke out between a number of Wokha citizens and AR personnel. A stampede broke out in the ground leading to complete chaos as a ‘running battle’ between the AR and Wokha public ensued. The 41 AR is reported to have caught about seven local youths and taken into the camp. The AR has refused to respond to contacts from the administration and public, sources said and the whereabouts of the youths are still yet to be ascertained. An administrative officer said that the citizens of Wokha are out in ‘full strength’. Organizers of the Tokhu Emong beauty pageant said at least 5000 people had gathered at the town’s only public ground.

Also, the Tokhu Emong festival’s annual beauty pageant was being held and was already in the final rounds of question-and-answer when the chaos broke out. Chief guest of the pageant Dr. Chumben Murry who had left to attend a social engagement rushed back as soon as the firing and chaos commenced. The 41 AR cantonment is just adjacent to the public ground. One of the performing participants informed this daily that the contestants of the beauty pageants were left alone on the stage, screaming and huddling in terror as the firing commenced, scattering the gathered populace. A good extent of properties has been damaged in the stampede while an unascertained number of citizens were seen injured, the participant informed. The cause of the entire skirmish is reported to have root in an incident yesterday. Reports said two Assam Rifle Jawans having liquor with local women were accosted by local youths after the jawans and the women were found to be searching for a place to ‘spend the night’. continued on page 3

‘working under pressure’

KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 6 (NEPS): Nagaland Minister for Urban Development Dr Shurhozelie said the media in Nagaland is second to none and their services are highly complimentary. He said this especially that the Nagaland media had been discharging their duties in an environment fraught with a longstanding unresolved political conflict. Talking to NEPS here today, the minister understood the kind of environment the state media has been undergoing while discharging their duties. ‘Because they are working in a conflict environment’, he explained. Stating that the media had played an important role in molding the society, Dr Shurhozelie said the right of the people to speak through a free Press is the hallmark of a democratic society. Further expressing his confidence in the services rendered by the media, he asserted that Nagaland’s Fourth Estate was second to none and if they continued in the same pace, “We (media) can set a model for the whole of the country.” The veteran regionalist, however, revealed that he, as a minister, “never do anything and make influence on the media”. For the media, the Urban Development minister had a word: they should give “more space in the front page” with regard to the “developments and achievements” to “attract the minds of the people”. “I feel bomb blasts, kidnappings, rapes, killings, etc. should not occupy the front page”, Dr. Shurhozelie added.

A girl from the Bajur tribal region waits to buy bread next to the Katcha Garhi camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday. Nearly 200,000 people have fled the fighting in Bajur regency to camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan. A bomb exploded amid a gathering of anti-militant Pakistani tribesmen Thursday, killing eight and wounding 45 in a northwest region where the military has clashed with insurgents for months, officials said. (AP Photo)

State government and AR charged for “partisan role” DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today alleged “serious case of state government and Assam Rifles playing a partisan role” is “coming up in the open”. The outfit referred to the November 5 capture of three NSCN (K) cadres in Kohima from a white Mahindra bolero, said to be a state government vehicle. The NSCN (IM) in a note from its MIP said that on November 5, the 26 Assam Rifles after intercepting a white Mahindra Bolero nabbed three NSCN (K) cadres along with sophisticated weapons and ammunitions from the Cathedral area, New Minister's Hill in Kohima. “What immediately draws our attention is that this is a state government vehicle. Who sanction this vehicle to be used by K-group for anti-social works? And who is the authorized owner of the vehicle? These two questions has to be answered by the state police and Home department, because crimes goes on unabated in Kohima and Dimapur in the hands of K-group. The abduction of four businessmen from Agri and Jail Colonies in Kohima on 5 November is just the latest case in point among many such cases (many cases not reported)” the NSCN (IM) stated. continued on page 5

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Dimapur

LOCAL

Friday 7 November 2008

The Morung Express

‘Focus on moulding good citizens rather than percentages’

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): Speaking as chief guest at the Bethesda Higher Secondary School’s Parents’ Day function, Commissioner and Secretary of Land Revenue & Excise, Achum Ngullie, highlighted concerns of the present trend in the education system in the state. He comment on the tendency of schools of emphasising on the pass percentage rather than grooming students to become good citizens and the rush for securing of top ten positions and glorying in 100% pass percentage rather than welcoming failed students and molding them. Achum also questioned the school authorities if it was one of the many schools that now substituted enormous homework with proper classroom teaching and encouraged compulsory tuitions. The Commissioner and Secretary further

(Left) Children of Bethesda Higher Secondary School perform a musical skit during the school’s Parents’ Day celebration today. (Right) Commissioner and Secretary of Land Revenue & Excise, Achum Ngullie, addressing the Parents’ Day celebration at Bethesda Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. (Morung Photos)

touched on the subject of schools resorting to changing of uniforms every year and setting up linkages with certain uniform shops, such

MEx File DYO informs on road repair and vehicle entry

that education was reduced to a mere business venture. He opined that the facilities provided by the school should be equal to the fees

collected by them. Elaborating on the role of parents on the education of children, the chief guest stated that family was the

nucleus of the society. In this matter, he opined, the present Naga society was being severely affected by the nature of family bond

which was the result of a break-down of the closeness within the family. Achum maintained that Naga children were rebelling because

‘Our Tenyimi roots are deeply embedded’

KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): Major repairs are being undertaken on the road culvert of Upper Chandmari, through Dzüvürü (Poterland) to SBI Lerie Branch, by the department of Roads & Bridges (South Division) and the Dzüvürü Youth Organisation. Notifying this for the benefit of all public, DYO Secretary, Tepushezo Puyo, through a press release has informed that entry of vehicles to that stretch of road will be stopped till November 30, 2008, and requested all public, especially drivers, to bear with the inconvenience.

Tokhu Emong celebration at Chumu DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Chumukedima Lotha Hoho (CLU) will celebrate Tokhu Emong on November 7 at the 1st NAP auditorium, Police complex at Chumukedima, from 9 am onwards, with E T Ezung, former Speaker and Philip Humtsoe, SP (Border), as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

DMC on repainting of shops, signs DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Dimapur Municipal Council has directed all shop owners of business establishments and residents of Dimapur town to start painting and renovating their own shops and establishments/buildings, preferably “with a decent colour of their choice,” within November 30. The concerned are also directed by the DMC to repaint their signboards and put up external lights in their shops. Any person failing to comply with this direction will be dealt as per law, the DMC warned. C M Y K

‘Impossible is nothing’ DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): Noting the success of Dr. Ndangkie for his success in the last combined technical examination, the Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) has stated that his success would encourage and inculcate the spirit of hard work and dedication for other aspiring NPSC candidates of the community. “Impossible is nothing through hard work and dedication,” stated a press note issued by its president, Kiesamyi, and secretary Hiarang. The union further wished him success in all future endeavours.

1st Death Anniversary Of our beloved Late. Atole Vincent Nakhro

It’s been a year since you left us for your eternal home on this day, the 7th November 2007. Though you are no longer with us, yet your memories are still a part of our lives. We fondly remember you everyday in our prayers. Loving Mom, brothers, sisters & relatives.

parents were spending too much time making money instead of showing good examples to their children and were trying to buy their chil-

Minister for Planning and Coordination, Nagaland, T R Zeliang (second from right), along with the newly elected TCU ofﬁce bearers at Maramkhullen on Wednesday. Our Correspondent Maramkhullen | November 6

ADHERING TO roots of racial identity while conversely affirming that, although segregated, the Tenyimi Nagas too have one genealogical identity, Minister for Planning and Coordination, Nagaland, T R Zeliang, on Wednesday said, “Tenyimi roots are deeply embedded that no Tenyimi could pretend to be a stranger or non-Tenyimi.” “We may not be living under one administration, but we have not forgotten our brothers across imaginary lines. The bond of our

common roots binds us all together wherever we are,” the minister said while speaking as chief guest at the General Conference of the Tenyimi Central Union held here at Maramkhullen village, under Senapati district, Manipur. The Tenyimis comprising of ten Naga fraternal tribes inhabit vast areas of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. But despite the differences and separation, the minister strongly maintained that Tenyimis remain integrated as “one people of the same brotherhood.” To this, he urged the Tenyimis to be united and work together in preserving their identity. The min-

ister also suggested having a ‘Makhel Festival’ (Makhel – place of Tenyimi origin) to uphold the rich culture and tradition of the Tenyimis. Pointing at the fertility of the land and also focusing on developing the economy, the minister called on the people to be diligent in making befitting use of the resources and opportunities around. “…living along the national highway, our Tenyimi people can do a lot of business… There is an urgent need to develop our region. We need to have a new vision for the future of our educated youth,” he said. On the present peace process, the minister called on the Tenyimi community to also show their leadership towards peace and non-violence with a clear vision. He expressed his hope that the present Tenyimi generation would build in leaving behind a legacy to make the future generation and posterity proud. “I want you to ensure that there exists no discrimination or undermining of one tribe by another, and vice versa, on ground of geographical difference or economical and social disparity,” he stressed, further adding, “Our motto at this moment should be to think politically smart, socially harmonious and economically prosperous.” In the day long general conference, new office bearers for 2008-2013 tenure were selected, where the oath was administered by the chief guest. A melodious folk song by the Maram elders and short speech by the newly elected TCU president marked the concluding session of the conference. The newly elected TCU office bearers will be led by Z M Sekhose as president, Keku Zeliang as vice president, Velahu Puro in the post of Treasurer, along with P Savi, Rosiepa and Isaha Nandu as secretaries.

DNSU raises safety concerns for Dimapur DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has vehemently condemned the series of bomb blasts that took place on October 30, 2008, in various places in Assam in which many innocent lives were lost and many injured. The students’ body though its vice president Medovoi Medeo also conveyed grief at the death of Pitolu Yepthomi, a student of R.G. Baruah College, Guwahati, who was killed in the same blast. A press release from the Union stated that the DNSU “deeply mourns and extends deepest sympathy” to the victim’s family members and all other families of the blast victims, also wishing speedy recovery to the injured. Strongly condemning the “antisocial elements and heinous crimes carried out by the perpetrators,” the Union urged the authorities to hunt down the culprits and bring them to justice, lest they carry out such activities in the near future and claim more innocent lives. With the onset of the festive season, the DNSU also reminded that Dimapur, as the commercial hub, was a soft target and requested all law-enforcing agencies to be more vigilant and sincere in their duties. At the same time, the students’ body appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the police personnel when they carry out their duty and to also take note of the public safety notifications issued by the police.

TPO draws attention to HIV/AIDS prevention

Rev. Fr. Neisalhou is Vicar General, Diocese of Kma KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Angami Catholic Union (ACU) has expressed happiness over the appointment of Rev. Fr. Neisalhou Carlus, the present Parish Priest of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Kohima, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Kohima. “This is the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in Nagaland having appointed a local priest to such a prestigious post. The Angami Catholic Union would like to congratulate Rev. Fr. Neisalhou Carlus for having elevated to such a prestigious post,” stated Luolhoulie Linus, president, and general secretary Neisievilie Joseph, of ACU, in a press note. It also thanked Bishop Jose Mukala, the Bishop of Kohima.

dren’s love with money. The chief guest also advised the schoolchildren not to look down on less fortunate children studying in the villages and other schools with fewer facilities. For this, he said that parents were responsible for instilling the correct attitudes in children through which they are able to relate to the conditions of other students. The Commissioner and Secretary of Land Revenue & Excise was speaking at the 15th Parents’ Day celebration of the Bethesda Higher Secondary School at Walford, Dimapur. The function which began at 10:00 am saw an array of items presented by talented students which kept the parents and others in the audience thoroughly entertained. The welcome address was delivered by the Principal of the school, and the message by the hairman, Rev. Moses Murry.

Minister for health and family welfare, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, and others during the inauguration of building for the District Hospital in Tuensang, on November 6, which was upgraded under the PM’s package.

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): An awareness programme on HIV/AIDS and Immunization was held on November 3 at Tizit, with the initiative of the Turning Point Organization (TPO) Mon, and supported by the District AIDS Committee (DAC), a press release from the TPO informed. The programme was graced by Shejang Boungle, ADC Tizit, as chief guest. The chief functionary of TPO, Chongying Yinlung, pointed out that the focus of the programme was to sensitise on health status while also drawing more attention towards HIV/ AIDS, STD (sexually transmitted disease) and their preventive

measures. He stressed on the importance of educating women regarding health issues on mother to child care. The chief guest also highlighted the responsibilities of citizens in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS. He also expressed his appreciation to the TPO for organising programmes like these for the society. The programme covered topics on factual information on HIV/AIDS, service availability at Tizit PHC/ ICTC and immunization, and STD. Pastors, village council chairmen, secretaries, stakeholders, student leaders and youths participated in the programme, the note from the TPO added.

NSCB for development of rural economy DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): A workshop on ‘Prospect of Rural Economy through Banking’ was organised by the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Ltd (NSCB) on November 5 at Phek in DPDB Conference hall where about one hundred representatives of Agricultural Cooperative Societies, VDB Secretaries, and Village Council Chairman of the district participated. The workshop was inaugurated by Issac Jamir, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Phek. The Managing Director of the Bank, B K Thadani, along with Kekhwengulo Lea, Board of Director representing Phek district, and Rajuselie Lhousa, Board of Director representing Kohima district, were also present. Issac Jamir in his inaugural speech said that the NSCB since its inspection has been doing its best to uplift the economic condition of the rural mass through its network of branches. He lamented that the people have failed to acknowledge the contribution of

the bank that extends credit facilities for their economic development and that most of the borrowers have failed to repay their loan. He said in case of the loanable fund of the bank, if blocked by few individuals, then other people who were in need of money for their economic activities would not get the opportunity to avail loan due to shortage of fund. In this regard, he asked the borrowers to repay the loan in time so that the process of development was not interrupted. B K Thadani, Managing Director of the Bank, in his keynote address said that 70% of the state's population lives in rural area and mainly depends on agriculture for their livelihood, as the scope for industrial activities in the state is very limited. Therefore, development of rural economy is the only prerogative and for this, money is required, and the bank extends help through loans from a separate loanable fund which are rotated and recycled among the borrowers. Further, he

said, if the loan is not repaid in time the whole process is disturbed. The bank has also introduced new deposit and loaning schemes for bringing the rural poor into the fold of banking. Those who spoke on the occasion were, among others, Rajuselie Lhousa, Board of Director representing Kohima, and Khosapa Venuh, President, Phek District Cooperative Union. Some beneficiaries of SHGps narrated their success story after availing loans from the Nagaland state Cooperative Bank Participants in the workshop. They unanimously vowed to adopt the resolution to associate themselves with the Nagaland State Cooperative more closely than ever before, and also to coordinate with the bank for financial inclusion of those poor people who do not have access to banks by helping them open ‘no frill’ accounts, besides helping the bank in recovery of loans in their respective areas by extending all possible cooperation.

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Dimapur

BUSINESS

Friday 7 November 2008

The Morung Express

Google pulls out of search ad deal with Yahoo Yahoo chief says Microsoft should buy his ﬁrm

Google signs shown inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Monday, October 27. Google Inc. has scrapped its Internet advertising partnership with struggling rival Yahoo Inc. Wednesday November 5, abandoning attempts to overcome the objections of antitrust regulators and customers who believed the alliance would give Google too much power over online commerce. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): Google Inc canceled plans for a search advertising partnership with Yahoo Inc amid opposition from antitrust regulators and advertisers, Google's chief legal officer said in a blog posting on Wednesday. Yahoo expressed dismay at Google's decision, saying it was "disappointed that Google has elected to withdraw from

the agreement rather than defend it in court." The U.S. Justice Department, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said it had told Google that it planned to file a lawsuit to block the deal on antitrust grounds. "Had the companies implemented their arrangement, Yahoo's competition likely would have been blunted immediately with respect to the search pages that Yahoo

chose to fill with ads sold by Google rather than its own ads," the Justice Department said. Google shares were down 2.05 percent in latemorning trade at $359.30, while Yahoo was up 4.34 percent at $13.93. Both are traded on the Nasdaq market. Google and Yahoo, Nos. 1 and 2 in the Internet search market, announced the planned partnership

in June but delayed implementation to allow the Justice Department to scrutinize it for antitrust issues. Google said it pulled out of the deal rather than face a protracted legal fight. "After four months of review, including discussions of various possible changes to the agreement, it's clear that government regulators and some advertisers continue to have concerns

In this October 21, 2008 ﬁle photo, a worker walks in front of Yahoo headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif. Yahoo is back where it began the year, scrambling to engineer a turnaround under a management team on shaky ground with shareholders. Without Google's muscle behind it, Yahoo's chances for digging out of a long slump are looking even poorer, making it appear more likely that the company will turn to Microsoft or AOL to help weather the economic downturn. (AP Photo/ﬁle)

about the agreement," the Google legal officer, David Drummond, said in his Internet posting. "We're of course disappointed that this deal won't be moving ahead," he said. Between them, Google and Yahoo had more than 80 percent of the web search market in August, according to comScore Inc. In some ways, Google's decision to scrap the deal comes

as a surprise. In August, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said the company would move forward with the partnership in October, with or without approval from the Justice Department. Advertisers -- who apparently had the ear of regulators -- hotly opposed the deal, arguing that Google and Yahoo's dominance of the market could mean they would rise prices.

Part of the impetus for Google's decision could be Yahoo's talks on buying the content and advertising operations of Time Warner Inc's AOL unit. Yahoo initially struck a deal with Google as a way to fend off an unsolicited takeover bid from Microsoft Corp. There had been hints that the Justice Department was prepared to challenge the Google-Yahoo deal: The

department hired litigator Sandy Litvack to work on its probe of the agreement. Litvack was the department's antitrust chief under U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The department's decision to hire Litvack was unusual, antitrust experts said, recalling the department's hiring of David Boies as outside counsel for its antitrust case against Microsoft.

India will withstand meltdown, Rupee down by SBI reduces Prime Lending Rate by 0.75% MBA Admission Through MUMBAI, NOVEM- suit by this week-end. vate sector and foreign and keep growing: Bill Gates 6 (AGENCIES): Several public sector banks that they would 16 paise against $ BER Management Aptitude Test (Mat) Loans from premier banks such as Punjab consider an interest rate

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NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): Terming the global economic meltdown as a temporary phase, Microsoft founder Bill Gates was confident that the recession would not have a longterm impact and India would continue to grow at good pace. Gates felt the global economy would be on track in the next six months and the fall in markets didn’t reflect true economic position. “The US’ economic recession is having impact in some countries, not all,” he told a packed auditorium at IIT Delhi, where he had come to launch Microsoft’s free software for students, Dreamspark. Gates, who has now taken up philanthropy through the Melinda and BIll Gates Foundation, asked India to pump in more money for creating young “brilliant minds” by opening new IITs and universities to provide global level skills. The government has already announced that eight new IITs and 30 new world-class universities would be opened by

2012. ‘Obama will bring change’ Gates is currently on a four-day visit to India, which included fact-finding meeting on polio eradication and a trip to the Taj. While his country opted for change and voted in its first coloured President, Bill Gates was in Delhi’s sprawling slum Seemapuri visiting a nine-month-old afflicted with polio. On Barack Obama, Gates said his election would bring freshness in the US administration and can lead to huge difference worldwide. He was amazed to find that US presidential elections had generated so much enthusiasm all over the world. Gates appeared to have a lot of faith in Obama. “Even with a very challenging budget, Obama will deliver on key issues of public health funding. The US will be a even more key partner (in funds for public health),” he said. Gates did not expect the change is US administration and the economic meltdown to affect his Foundation’s work.

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): The Indian rupee on Thursday weakened by 16 paise to 47.60/61 against the US currency in late morning trading after a sixday strong winning streak, on fresh dollar demand amid a fresh slide in local stocks. In active trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market, the domestic currency resumed weak at 47.94 a dollar from its last close of 47.44/46 a dollar and later was quoted at 47.60/61 a dollar in late morning trade. The rupee moved in a wide range of 47.60 and 47.97 in the initial thirty minutes of trading on alternate bouts of dollar buying and selling. Forex dealers said the exchange market continued to witness heavy dollar buying from oil refiners as well as selling by foreign banks as the American currency firmed up in overseas markets. They said the rupee recovered from its early lows of 47.94 as foreign banks heavily sold dollars and almost matched demand for the US currency. A fresh slide in equity markets, however, weighed on the rupee sentiment. Indian benchmark Sensex was down 365 points or 3.61 per cent at 1015 hrs today.

public sector lender, State Bank of India, will be cheaper with the bank deciding to cut its Prime Lending Rate (PLR) by 0.75 percent from Monday. Accordingly SBI’s PLR will stand reduced to 13 percent from the present 13.75 percent, bank’s Chairman O P Bhatt said today. SBI being the largest lender, more banks are expected to follow

D S

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 6 (NDTV): It's been a historic election for the Americans but back in India, IT companies have watched every move closely. The new US President will determine their fate. America is where they earn their bread and butter from. IT companies are hoping Obama will not

walk his anti-outsourcing talk, with over 60 per cent of the industry's revenue, coming from the US. A lot is at stake, almost 25 billion dollars. Industry stalwarts like Infosys founder, Narayana Murthy are watching the developments closely, but seem fairly certain that outsourcing is too deep root-

ed, to be wished away by the new US President. Other IT leaders say that India still has its cost arbitrage advantage in place and a massive talent pool. "America doesn't have the technological prowess and thus they have to depend on us for their services. We will not be affected," said Som Mittal, Chairman, NASSCOM.

DAILY CROSS WORD R

U O B B Y K C O R F O L O O H C S L J J B S N O S N I B O R E H T T E E M K O B N V T C L ? T E Y E N O D E W E R A M J

SUDOKU

The Morung Express number game

Sudoku # 1128

CROSSWORD # 1145 1

14 16

R E T N E C E D A R T D L R O W A D K T

E I L E F U P G I T E N M S L N S A A O

G C F N D E A E H N O P T U A A T L R R

Y Z B I R M I E O S E H B M N Z A U T E

G Z A P O H E M E E N A L M T J W A K E

J N L M E T I N E A B O C N K S A R L L

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 #1127

1. Lemon, lime etc. (6) 4. Religious verse (5) 7. Bathe (4) 8. Skier, - - - Girardelli (4) 10. Dormant (5) 11. State capital of Washington, USA (7) 12. Overdue (4) 14. Door fastener (5) 16. Purple colour (5) 18. Trunked plant (4) 19. Chilly (4) 21. Dentures (5) 22. Fury (5) 25. Article (4) 28. Accomplish (7) 29. Look Back in - -- John Osborne play (5) 30. Discharge (4) 31. Satellite receiver (4) 32. Evergreen bush (5) 33. Mayonnaise sauce (6)

Wg Cdr V S Bejoy Director | AIMA-CMS

DIMAPUR

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)

STD CODE: 03862

232224; Emergency- 229529, 229474 227930, 231081 233044, 228846 228254 231864, 230889 232201 228400 232106 227607, 228400 232181 242555/ 242531

KOHIMA Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home:

STD CODE: 0370 2244279 2244923 2242897 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202

CAR MODEL

ACROSS

2 A E A A S H R E K T H E T H I R D H L

The demand for managerial manpower exists in today’s economy irrespective of the phases of growth of the economy. Therefore, there is a growth in the number of BSchools in the country both in the formal as well as in informal sectors of education. Management Association being a professional programme to developing business leaders who have to take decisions both critical and expeditious; there is a need to screen the candidates for admission to MBA programmes. Such screening is a globally accepted practice. In India, there are five tests for admission to MBA, which have been approved by Govt of India, Ministry of HRD as national level tests. Management Aptitude Test (MAT) being administered by All India Management Association (AIMA) has been attracting the patronization of hundreds of B-Schools and registration of several lakhs of candidates during the year. MAT is administered in a fleximode, four times a year facilitating both the B-Schools and the candidates to obtain the scores according to their convenience. This is a candidate friendly arrangement in a country like India; wherein hundreds of Universities have different academic calendars. Forthcoming Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is on 7 December 2008 (Sunday). The bulletins with forms for this MAT are now available with select branches of Bank of Baroda. Graduates as well as final year students of degree courses are eligible for MAT. Candidates may also obtain the forms by sending a DD of Rs. 790/- in favour of AIMA-CMS payable at New Delhi. DD is to be sent to Manager-CMS, All India Management Association, 14, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi110 003. For additional details website www.aima-ind.org may be visited.

CHEVROLET CAR PRICE LIST

N O U M E V R S P U R T T D B V R C I G

Piratestwo Schoolofrock Shrek2 Shrekthethird Starwars Superman Superman2 Theantbully Thebenchwarmers Thegameplan Thesandlot Thesimpsonsmovie Transformers Underdog Worldtradecenter

19 21

G O D R E D N U E G A C S Z E L K E E A

D J P I R A T E S T W O G L Y Y T T S U

X F D 2 K E R H S H E E N M D T Y P H D

G P T H E B E N C H W A R M E R S V C Y

W O U F E V E R P I T C H B V V J R N R

B S I H O R T O N H E A R S A W H O B C

G D E S S I K N E E B R E V E N I Y I I

N E D R E N C H A N T E D X F E S I S O

M C A R S T R A N S F O R M E R S E O P

Arewedoneyet? Batman Beemovie Cars Collegeroadtrip Dracula Enchanted Feverpitch Hortonhearsawho Inkheart Leatherheads Meettherobinsons Neverbeenkissed Piratesone Piratesthree

cut in a fortnight. The earlier hardening interest rate cycle is getting reversed after RBI eased money supply to spur growth in the wake of global financial crisis, which has some effect on the Indian economy. The Reserve Bank had slashed its reserve ratios and shortterm lending (repo) rate to inject over Rs 2,60,000 crore into the system.

Obama win: Do Indian techies need to worry?

LEISURE W

National Bank, Union Bank, UCO Bank and Syndicate Bank, have already effected a cut in their PLRs. On Tuesday, Finance Minister P Chidambaram met heads of PSU banks following which bankers had promised to cut their lending rates by up to 0.75 per cent. Yesterday, Finance Secretary Arun Ramanathan also got assurance from pri-

DOWN 1. Desert ruminant (5) 2. Fortune-telling cards (5) 3. Bathing costume (8) 4. Small medicine-bottle (5) 5 Deflect (5) 6. Equaled (7) 9. Labour PM 1945-51, - Attlee (7) 13. Atmosphere (3) 15. He-vicar [anag] (7) 17. Vision (8) 18. Canal-side track (7) 20. Fib (3) 23. Seraph (5) 24. English couturier, --Amies (5) 26. Entice (5) 27. Engine (5)

Answers to CROSSWORD #1144 Across: 1. Satchel, 5. Piea, 9. Adjust, 10. Tramp, 12. Manet,13. Riposte, 14. Artery, 16. Punnet, 19. Unearth, 21. Comic, 23. Accra, 24. Bundle, 25. Ever, 26. Calypso. Down: 2. Arden,’3. Counter, 4.Entire, 6. liaison, 7. Apprentice, 8. Step, 11. Immaculate, 15. Treacle, 17. Uncanny, 18. Phobia, 20. Roar, 22 Miles.

SPARK 1.0 BASE SPARK 1.0 PS SPARK 1.0 LS SPARK 1.0 LT U-VA 1.2 BASE U-VA 1.2 LS U-VA 1.2 LT SRV 1.6 OPT. PACK AVEO 1.4 BASE AVEO 1.4 LTD EDI AVEO 1.4 LT OPT.PACK TAVERA 2.5 LT 9S BS3 TAVERA 2.5 SSD1 7S (C) BS3 OPTRA ROYAL 1.6 LT (PETROL) OPTRA MAGNUM 2.0 LT ACC (DIESEL) CAPTIVA 2.0 LT VCDI

PRICE

268,648 289,992 304,641 334,123 401,639 444,184 483,975 790,100 606,461 661,631 754,930 877,748 993,249 967,686 1,074,547 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) 47.67 74.76 5.31 470.72 12.26 30.14 133.40 12.21 59.87

SELL(Rs) 50.11 78.79 7.27 520.17 15.19 34.95 144.90 14.27 62.95

LOCAL|REGIONAL

The Morung Express

NPF accuse Cong of ‘irrational scanning’ DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The NPF responds to another attack of the NPCC over the law and order issue in the state. The Congress is “irrationally scanning and demeaning the mammoth infrastructural achievement of the DAN Government within a period of six years” a rejoinder the NPF said. According to the NPF “democratic polity allows two kinds of entity – ruling (and) opposition to achieve the true meaning an objective of democracy, but merely opposition and critizing the government of the day without any rhyme or reason undermined the true essence of democracy”. The rejoinder issued through NPF associate press secretary Shilumar Ao reminded the Congress “to look back and refresh their governance of two decades”. “It is given fact that during the Congress regime, extortion, unnecessary harassment of innocent civilians, random factional killing were the order of the day. The Naga people were un-

der constant pressure to protect their livelihood. Ethnic cleansing and assassination attempt prosper during the Congress regime whereby even the then chief minister was attempted many a time from being assassinated” the NPF asserted. During their regime, the NPF said, the Congress “even contemplated to banned and divided the apex student body of the Nagas the Naga Students Federation (NSF).In totality, divide and rule was their hidden agenda that rule the roast, the scar of which, is yet to be heal”. The NPF explained that “in the final front, with no proper planning and management, the financial reality was at lowest ebb with no direction, works programme was never heard of and more so become a taboo, cutting of plan money to mind size in the middle of the fiscal year become a normal practice.’ The government employees were constantly in tenterhooks, so called tightening of the belt or plan holiday was always a good option for the

Friday 7 November 2008

Dimapur

Adidas makes it mark in Kohima

Congress party” and the “matter of the fact is fiscal management, was alien to them”. With regard to the allegation of extravagance of the DAN government for constructing the residential bungalow of the DGP, the NPF stated that the allegation may be termed as “joke of the year”. “The residential Bungalow of the DGP is not a private property of the NPF nor of the DAN government. It belongs to the people of the state and it is the pride of the state. The DAN government is constructing not only big buildings, countless of roads and other frastructures, but also many departmental staff quarters, which were neglected by the Congress government, during the 20 years of the rule” the NPF claimed. If at all the Congress is serious for the welfare of the Naga people, the NPF said, “they should spell out what they had done and achieve during their 20 long years, perhaps, they are capable of finding faults even on the place of par- A glimpse of the newly opened Adidas showroom of the Tribal Enterprise Pvt. Ltd., located opposite the main post ofﬁce, Kohima. The adise, they are quite smart”. showroom was inaugurated here this morning by Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary of Nagaland. (morung Photo)

Manipur bus service to resume today Czech jailed forester returns from India

Newmai News Network Imphal | November 6

THE ALL Manipur Inter State Bus Association will resume its bus services between Imphal and Guwahati from Friday following agreements with the state government, informed A Budha Luwang, president of the bus association. This was however greeted by the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Driver Union with an objection to start agitation by stopping transportation on National Highway (NH)–39 from Friday in support of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), which have called for an indefinite strike along the NH 39. Informing of the decision of the All Manipur Inter State Bus Association to resume bus services from Friday, the president told the media that the decision was taken in the interest of the public and with faith in the state government’s assurance to improve the condition of the road and tighten the security. The bus asso-

ciation has opened the interstate bus ticket counter from 2 pm Thursday and the bus service will resume from Friday, added the president. About the assurance, the president further said that the government of Manipur had assured to repair the NH-39 within a short period and further assured an increase in security posts in between Mao gate and Imphal. Further, an instruction from the government of Manipur to GOC 3 Corps Assam and Nagaland to tighten the security of NH-39 security will also be sent, conveyed the president. Regarding the ex-gratia, judicial enquiry and monetary benefits to the bereaved family of the deceased and other injured passengers at Lahorijan on October 23 in the ill-fated bus MN-01\1664, the chief minister had agreed to have the matter process in the home department, stated Director of Transport Norbert Disinang to the association, informed the president of the association. The director has also

State government and AR charged for “partisan role” From page 1

Among the three apprehended from the state government vehicle, one was identified as one Isak Sumi, “the K-group military spokes person” the MIP said. However, the NSCN (IM) said, what matters most is the leniency extended to “any arrested cadres of Kgroup”. According to the NSCN (IM), “had the three been NSCN members NSA would have been applied” and “this is the tragic state of treatment meted out by state police in collaboration with AR and intelligence agencies against NSCN”. Recently, the outfit said, two NSCN members, one Akato Sumi and a Hureya Sumi, were apprehended from Dimapur and were booked under NSA.

“What further irked the NSCN is the manner of raiding the areas of suspected NSCN places in Kohima and Dimapur. But taking shelter in the false reports of its intelligence sources about the hideouts of Kgroup, raids are hardly conducted against the K-group. When businessmen are abducted to be slaughtered if the demanded amount is not paid, what greater crime is the state government looking for that warranted immediate action under NSA? What manner of public security measure is the state government adopting to ensure public security, particularly the businessmen who have been placed at the receiving ends” the NSCN (IM) MIP added.

requested to file up a petition of the deceased and injured for ex-gratia. With these assurances of the government and in the interest of the public, the association has decided to resume bus services, said A Budha, president of the association. On the other hand, supporting the Senapati District Students’ Union’s call for indefinite economic blockade from the midnight of November 1 demanding repair of the NH-39 road, the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Driver Union have decided to stop transportation from Friday until an agreement was brought up between the government and SDSA regarding the NH, informed Th. Rajendra, general secretary of the tanker union in a press release on Thursday. Condemning the silence of the state government to the demands of the public, the secretary held that it was disregard of the government towards the people and appealed for an agreement as soon as possible so as not to harm the people of the state.

NPO concerned by NLCPR project DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): “No inauguration regarding the drinking water NLCPR project in Senapati district will be conducted by State Government until and unless the project is fully completed and water is ready to use by the consumer,” decided the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati, in its executive meeting held on November 5 last at its office. A press note issued by its general secretary, Simon Chawang, stated that the concerned department (PHED) should conduct smooth inquiry and ensure that the project is implemented and completed by concerned contractors before the inauguration is taken up.

Nightmarish story comes to an end with daring escape

Curtis M. Wong The Prague Post

MORE THAN anything, Emil Kučera just wants to put this past summer’s events behind him. After what has by all means been a tumultuous odyssey, the 52-year-old forester and aspiring entomologist arrived back in the Czech Republic Oct. 24, having fled India after receiving a threeyear prison sentence for illegal insect collecting. “I hope it won’t be long until I’m feeling better mentally,” Kučera said from his home in Tábor, south Bohemia. “Some people have congratulated me on being back ... Mostly, I’m just trying to get over the experience now.” Kučera’s cross-border escape is the latest development in a case that has been plagued with problems since its onset. On June 23, Kučera and his friend, Academy of Sciences entomologist Petr Švácha, 51, were arrested near the Singalia National Park in the northern Indian province of Darjeeling. After spending a month at the Darjeeling District Correctional Facility in a cell with 28 other inmates, the pair was released on bail, followed by a trial that began Aug. 25. On Sept. 8, both were found guilty of collecting insects without a permit, a decision which was overruled two days later. Contrary to published reports, Švácha was not acquitted, but instead was fined 20,000 rupees, whereas Kučera received a prison sentence of three years. While the pair says they were initially treated fairly by both inmates and staff during their month in jail, both Švácha and Kučera describe the subsequent trial as extremely disorganized and contend prosecutors entered tampered evidence, including forged confessions,

during the proceedings. “We were really shocked by the deceptive behavior of local forestry officials,” said Švácha, who is currently in Delhi awaiting an exit visa. “It is unimaginable that civil servants of a country thought to be a standard democracy would resort to practices like forgery. We were even more surprised when all of these [documents] were accepted by the court without question.” Kučera said he appealed the court’s decision immediately with the aid of Czech Embassy officials. In the meantime, he was not sent to jail but instead resided at the Traveler’s Inn, one of the two Darjeeling hotels where he and Švácha lived during the trial. The first hearing was scheduled for Oct. 16, but Kučera arrived to an empty courthouse — neither representatives for the prosecution nor the appointed judge appeared that day. Kučera then contacted his girlfriend, who sent a duplicate passport and money, before setting off for Nepal in a rented Jeep.

Escape from India

After the four-hour journey, Kučera says he continued across the border on foot for two hours, before renting a second Jeep followed by a bus ride to the Nepalese capital Kathamandu. There, after being fined for entering the country without a visa, he “paid a certain sum” to local immigration officers

before being granted an exit visa and finally purchasing a flight home through a travel agency. Indian authorities have yet to react to the incident, though Kučera said his own attorney, T.K. Pandit, is seeking an international arrest warrant for his return. “I would like to point out that I don’t owe him any money,” Kučera said. Officials at the Indian Embassy in Prague declined to comment. The Czech Foreign Affairs Ministry said last week that local authorities consider the case closed. Officials at the Justice Ministry said they would await action from Indian authorities before taking any further steps in the case. From the start, both men have called the case a misunderstanding. Although park rangers confiscated 200 live beetles and more than 200 butterflies, moths and larvae estimated by authorities to be worth 7,000 rupees, as well as a specialized insect collection device, from the cottage where the two men were staying prior to their arrest, both Kučera and Švácha maintain they were unaware that they had entered national park territory. Among the confiscated insects were larvae of the long-horned beetle, of which Švácha is arguably one of the world’s foremost experts. Some officials have speculated that political unrest in the Darjeeling region may have also had an impact

on the case. At the time, the region’s hillside inhabitants, the Gorkhas, were renewing a decades-old fight for autonomy from local government. In September, Czech Ambassador to India Hynek Kmoníček stated charges against Kučera and Švácha were not presented in a formal or timely manner — despite this being standard legal practice in the region — because of a local police strike. Neither Kučera nor Švácha have been able to comprehend the reason behind the difference in sentencing. Kučera only notes that court documents listed him as being Švácha’s accomplice, which may have resulted in an additional charge. “The charges were listed the same for both of us,” Kučera said. “I hadn’t done anything differently than Švácha, so the judgment was extremely unfair. ... I felt really frustrated. It was complete nonsense, and on top of that, it was supported by forged evidence.” Švácha speculated Indian courts may have been more lenient towards him because he is a professional entomologist, whereas Kučera’s trade is forestry. The language barrier may have been another problem. “The situation just became more and more complicated and unpleasant for us,” he said. He went on to congratulate Kučera on his escape. “If you want my personal opinion, it was a good job. To play fair only makes sense if the other party does the same, which wasn’t the case in our situation.”

Assam blasts: We had prior information, says BSF Controversial killings in Manipur continue Police detain ﬁve more Newmai News Network Guwahati | November 6

Members of AUDF taking out a Silent procession to Rajbhawan in Guwahati on 06-11-08 in protest against the recent Serial bomb blast that rocked the state on October 30th. (UB Photos)

SHILLONG, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): Indicating HuJI hand behind the serial blasts in Assam, BSF on Thursday said they had prior information on a possible intrusion by the terrorists from Bangladesh for carrying out the deed. “BSF’s Tripura frontier had received the information in the first week of October that some 20 HuJI cadres would sneak into Assam via Karimganj sector for carrying out explosions in the state with the help of local outfits,” BSF IG (Assam and Meghalaya Frontier) P K Mishra said. The information was not specific and said the possible

targets could be Guwahati or Dibrugarh and the HuJI operation, according to the input, was to be carried out in liaison with local groups like ULFA. The information was communicated to all security agencies and consequently vigilance was intensified at all vulnerable places, including those along the border, Mishra said. It was possible that the militants or the explosives used in the blast had entered much before the information was received, he said and the militants could have entered through the Maynmmar or Bangladesh border. The focus of the security agencies had, however, shift-

ed to the communal clashes in Darrang and Udalguri and this might have helped the militants to carry out their nefarious designs. “Several battalions of the BSF were taken to control the communal clashes and some deployed in the poll-bound J&K and Chattisgarh,” he said. Referring to the threat posed by Muslim fundamentalist groups and their nexus with home-grown militants, Mishra said the BSF has intensified the security machinery along the porous Indo-Bangla border to thwart influx from the neighbouring country in the wake of the blasts.

THE ASSAM POLICE on Thursday detained five more persons for their probable link with the serial blasts that rocked the state on October 30 killing 84 persons and injuring over 300. The five persons were identified as – Chandra Boro (48), Raju Boro (22), Bhola Boro (40), Arabinda Boro (32) and Bhupesh Boro (28), police said, and added that they would be arrested if their links are proved. The investigation into the blasts case is now being under taken by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the government after the blast. The police however, remained tightlipped over the developments as the government has earlier asked the SIT not to divulge anything to the media. On being asked about the detention, Nalbari Superintendent of Police Jitmal Doley only said, “We have picked up the five persons from areas like Damdama and Santipur on Thursday. We are not in a position to comment as we have handed them over to the SIT.” Sources in the SIT however, informed that the breakthrough was made following the recovery of the number plate of the vehicle which was used to trigger the blasts at the CJM court in the city. “The vehicle bearing registration no AS01M 0327 was owned by one Deepak Boro. These five arrested persons are linked to Deepak Boro,” the sources said while adding that a probable link between the Islamic fundamentalists and the NDFB is also being investigated. Like the Ulfa, the NDFB – who is in ceasefire now, might also be used by the Islamic fundamentalists to carry out the subversive attacks,” said the sources.

Newmai News Network Imphal | November 6

CLAIMS AND counter claims between the police on one hand and the family members of the deceased on the other, have cropped up with regard to the two persons killed on Wednesday evening in an alleged encounter with the Thoubal police commandos at Thoubal Khunou in Thoubal district. Although the family members of the deceased have revealed different versions regarding the incident, the police claimed that the two deceased were suspected militant cadres who were killed during a shootout at Thoubal Khunou on Wednesday evening at around 6:30. During a frisking routine of the police commandos, the militants began to shoot at the security forces. In retaliation firing, the suspected militants were killed, alleged the police press release. A .32 pistol loaded with (four) live rounds of .32 ammunition and one Chinese made hand grenade were recovered from the deceased as per the information of the press release. On the other hand, family members of the deceased have identified the two slain persons killed by Thoubal police commandos on Wednesday evening at Thoubal Khunou and held them innocent civilians who were picked up by the forces and then killed later. They have been identified as Phamdom Inaocha, 39, s/o Ph Rajen of Arapti Lilong, a father of two and a former

LIC agent and Md. Musha alias Ibomcha, 28, s/o (L) Banyamin of Lilong bazaar and a father of two kids too. Protesting against the ‘killing of innocent people’, family members of the deceased stated that these two persons were picked from the house of Md. Najibul, 28, s/o Nizamuddin by the Thoubal police commandos and were killed later. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed against this killing in a public meeting held at Lilong bazaar, resolved for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) as it was disturbing the lives of the people. The resolution also demanded an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs each for the two deceased from the government else warned of an agitation. The JAC submitted a memo to the chief minister Thursday evening led by JAC convenor Md. Kabir and S. Bogendro. Meanwhile, in another incident a suspected militant was gunned down in the general area of Tangjeng and Kiygam by the Thoubal police commandos in the wee hours of Thursday morning at around 2. A 9 mm pistol along with 2 live rounds was recovered from the deceased and the corpse has been deposited at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) morgue for further identification, stated the press release. Meanwhile, a cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) was arrested by the Thoubal police commandos at Lilong Mairelkhun

at around 4:40 am today. The arrested militant has been identified as Md. Nijamuddin (31) s/o Md. Feijuddin of Lilong Mairelkhun. He was arrested from his house along with explosive substances of about 250gm from his possession, stated the police press note.

3 killed by police commandos IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): Three militants were killed in separate encounters by police commandos in Thoubal district of Manipur, official sources said Thursday. Sources said commandos, attached to Thoubal police station, raided Thoubal Khunou area, about 25 Kms from here last evening, following reports that some militants were hiding in the area. As they stepped up search operation, militants opened fire at them, sources said, adding that two of them were killed in the ensuing encounter. One pistol and a grenade were recovered from the spot, sources said. After an hour, militant fired at the police personnel combing the area, sources said. In the encounter that followed, one militant was killed. Over 310 persons, including civilians, were so far killed in militancy-related incidents in Manipur this year.

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Abdul Basit

Mr President, We Too Have A Dream History Making Obama FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2008 VOL. III ISSUE 309

Change—Yes we can

he only superpower in the world and the oldest democracy— United States of America—made history on November 4 by electing its’ first ever African-American as its 44th President. Democratic candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama captured the White House by a landslide victory over Republican John McCain after a grueling campaign—the most intense and closely watched in recent memory. As America and the entire world lap in the celebration of a new US President, it is only appropriate to put on record—the great satisfaction of seeing this historic moment—for so many reasons—but more so because of this newspaper’s own belief in the triumph of the human spirit. Obama’s story of bringing change and the journey that has capitulated him into the US Presidency is truly inspiring—not only for the American people but also for the world. The simple yet profound message of “change—yes we can” is also something that has been very close to the heart of the Morung Express and continues to inspire us towards a better future—of a democratic spirit, personal integrity, civility, accountability in leadership and more importantly of consciousness of shared history and a common future. The victory of Obama is made more remarkable by the nature of his win—a complete endorsement from every section of the American people. Among whites, he won over 40% of the votes, fewer than his rival John McCain, but the best showing of a Democratic candidate among whites in recent memory. The so called rainbow coalition of new America—the youths, women, people of mixed race, Hispanics, Latinos, African, Asian etc. backed Obama to the hilt. Another achievement of Obama was taking big wins in Republican strongholds such as Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Iowa, Colorado, Nevada and Indiana. No wonder John McCain did not wait long to concede defeat. While Obama was able to invigorate his campaign with the message of change right until the end—yet one should not lose sight of his skilful art of coalition building, of reaching out to every section of the American people, of ending divisiveness, healing the past wounds and moving forward with new hope and courage. As compared to his rival, Obama’s campaign was a more inclusive one—which was successful in carrying the message of hope for all Americans—and at the end this broad-based support along with his message of change formulated his ascendency into the Presidency. As one reflects on the phenomenal rise of an African-American to the highest (most powerful) office in America and indeed the world and not to forget the remarkable democratic process as practiced in the US—there are many valuable lessons to learn, many stories to share and the many inspiration that can also encourage us—to make the changes that we need—as did Obama’s America. As rightly pointed out by Obama himself in his victory speech—the change did not happen because of him alone but due to ordinary men and women who wanted to make things happen and in the process demonstrating the effectiveness of a political campaign that draws from a people centric bottoms-up approach. What is admirable about Obama’s win was that, to begin with, he was a coloured and therefore an odd candidate running for President. In the beginning there were not many endorsements or money. Yet he was able to rally people together in large numbers—the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proving the proverbial truth of Abraham Lincoln’s adage of a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Obama’s election to the White House is indeed historic, inspiring and a phenomenal achievement of the human spirit.

LEFT WING |

Sean Gonsalves

Anything Is Possible "THE MORAL arc of universe is long is but it bends towards justice." — Martin Luther King It's tempting to be swept up in the emotion. It was only 50 years ago that black people were being regularly lynched to the glee of terrorist mobs. Folks like my grandfather — one of the lucky ones — endured the humiliation of having fellow Navy men look for his "monkey tail" in the shower. In what other nation has a member of a historically-oppressed minority risen to the highest elected office in the land? But, as easy as it is to be caught up in the moment, it's also disorienting. Obama may be a transformational figure, but he's not transcendent, otherwise we wouldn‘t be talking about race — at all. Culturally, Obama's election changes the race dynamics equation. But how? Is this progress? As out of touch as it may seem, one of the Right's favorite black writers, Shelby Steele, author of A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win, predictably doesn't think so. In a recent interview, Steele said an Obama presidency isn't a sign of progress because America has been "ready" to elect a black person at least since Colin Powell. I think what he meant was that America was ready to elect a conservative black candidate. Will there be a backlash, as we've seen every time there's been even a perceived symbolic victory for racial justice? The Civil War and Reconstruction gave birth to Jim Crow nation. The civil rights movement was followed by the New Right, which eventually gave rise to the racially-charged and ruinous reign of the neocons. The psychologist and philosopher William James once said (and I'm paraphrasing): most people say they're thinking when, really, they are only re-arranging their prejudices. Still, blacks and whites will have to recalibrate their thoughts about the relationship between race policy and upward mobility. How do you make the case for affirmative action now? Although the singular achievement of Obama will transform how America thinks about race, it doesn't magically erase the historical inequities of accumulated wealth that have cascaded down the generations to the present-day, privileging white America with a 200-year economic head start. To the extent that economic opportunity is largely a function of who you know and what kind of access you have to financial resources (loans, family inheritances, etc.), an Obama victory doesn't change any of that. Looking beyond race, which is where most of Obama's supporters have been focusing, there's hope America can rejoin the international community as a multilateral leader, instead of trying to unilaterally impose a global empire. There's hope that torture as official U.S. policy will end. There's hope real intelligence will mean something in Washington again and the tide of anti-intellectualism will recede. There's hope that the prevailing ethos of I‘ve-got-mineto-hell-with-you-if-you-don‘t-have-yours will be eclipsed by an ethic of I-am-my-brother-and-sister's-keeper. There's hope — not because one man was elected — but because the election realigns the political establishment, creating opportunities for us to bring pressure to bear on an Obama administration to make real change. There's hope. And while that may seem a trivial thing to the comfortable, for those afflicted by a sense of hopelessness it's exactly what the doctor ordered. It'll be years before the true significance of Obama can be measured. But this, I'm sure about: when black parents tell their children "You can be anything you want to be when you grow up," the parents will really believe it. We won't just be making a leap of faith. We'll be pointing out the obvious. It's a tribute to my own parents that they convinced me I could be anything I wanted long before Obama was on the scene. It was an outlook nourished in the black Baptist church of my youth, where I began my spiritual quest in earnest. It was that tradition that introduced me to theology, where I eventually encountered the writings of Soren Kierkegaard. His definition of hope has been burned into my soul: "Hope is the passion for what is possible." As a father, my job is to instill in my children a sense of hope and possibility as well as the self-discipline required to turn dreams into reality. And contrary to the popular myth pedaled by conservatives — that the core of black culture lives in the victim-hood — me and millions of other Americans of African-descent come from a long (albeit imperfect) history of instilling a thirst for achievement in the next generation. But now, for the first time, without all the caveats, I can tell my kids — this is what makes America great: in this country, anything is possible — and the only constant is change.

ear Mr. President-Elect, Barack Obama, First of all, let me convey my heartiest congratulation to you on your election as the President of the United States of America. I consider your election as President of United States of America as a miracle in itself. Born as the son of a Kenyan man and a white woman from Kansas who weren't welloff or well-known, through hard work and perseverance today you have become the President of United States of America. Unlike most of your predecessors, your humble background and past experience including your work as community leader will surely provide a different perspective about the reality from the grassroots level. Taking into consideration the path you treaded to reach the pinnacle of power, I surely believe that it is not without a purpose, particularly as you campaigned and got elected on the platform of 'Change'. I only hope that this purpose is for the well being of humanity as a whole. In fact, your election as the President of USA has suddenly brightened the image of your country and hope you enhance this expectation with the right policies that will unite humanity. Secondly, you have come to power at a time when the United States of America is facing major financial, political and social crises with its very existence and reputation as the sole superpower at stake. The main reason for this is the eight years of misrule by outgoing President Mr. George W. Bush. In fact, it was the Dark Age in the history of the United States of America. As you mentioned in your acceptance speech in Denver, Americans didn't want to see the extension of this Dark Age for another four years. So, change was not an option, but a necessity because if the same policies pursued by your predecessors are continued any longer, it would have consequences on the very foundation of the American Nation. That is why the American people and the world have responded to your call for change and entrusted this prestigious position upon you. The hatred and crises that the Bush Administration created through misrule and aggressive foreign policy are far reaching and beyond conceiving. The knee-jerk and immature reaction to the September 11th incident and the following invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in the name of war on terrorism, not only had an affect on the societies of the invaded countries, but also had negative impact on the image of American nation globally with consequences to its social stability and economy. In contrast, your background and down to earth speech during the election campaigns, created a glimmer of hope about the different path you might take from the previous administrations in tackling burning issues that will affect the American society and the world alike. The main reason for writing this letter is to invite your attention to some burning issues that the previous administrations failed to tackle resulting in present predicament your country is facing especially related to foreign policy and the reputation of your country among the comity of nation s.

Middle East Crises During the election campaign you had explicitly stated your policies on Iraq and Iran. You had expressed your keen desire to withdraw the American forces at the earliest from Iraq and also expressed your desire to have a direct dialogue with President Ahmedinejad of Iran to settle the nuclear dispute. But with respect to the Arab-Israeli conflict and War on Terrorism, you seemed to follow the same course pursued by the previous administrations. The Arab-Israeli conflict has been the central issue that has influenced the US foreign policy for the last 60 years and can be rightly considered as the mother of all tribulations. Most of the conflicts and hostilities particularly in the Middle East region during second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twentyfirst century have their roots in this crisis. This conflict including the question of Palestinian self-determination have directly or indirectly ignited other conflicts including the Lebanon crises, the war on terrorism, invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent two Gulf Wars, the deteriorating relationship with Iran and emerging nuclear showdown. This has also preoccupied the successive US presidents and will continue to haunt your presidency. In fact, the Middle East crisis has engulfed the whole world including the very stability of United States. This crisis has also deteriorated the relations between the communities of three major religions, namely Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities. If this issue remains unresolved it will not only further destabilize the relationship between the Palestinian and Jewish societies, but will also have negative effect on the American nation.

The question is why has it remained unresolved and smoldering for last many decades? The main reason for the complexity in finding solution to the Palestinian crises is because of the lopsided solutions put forward by previous administrations as a result of the undue influence of certain religious lobby, vote-bank politics and internal political compulsion. This unwarranted influence and compulsions have blinded the successive administrations to

the reality and hindered and misguided their effort in resolving this conflict. Instead, the policies of these administrations only created more mistrust and tensions between Palestinian and Israeli community. The punishment and sanctions that is being imposed on Gaza Strip by the same apostles of democracy who are hell-bent on installing democratic governments in the Middle East, because the Palestinian people utilized their legal democratic right of electing the Hamas government, proves the contradiction of the US foreign policy. The cataclysmic human and material sufferings inflicted by the Israeli regime on the people of Gaza strip with the endorsement and support of the Mahmood Abbas and the Bush Administration, have only created more dissent and violence. This unresolved crisis had ignited many new conflicts that have spread globally resulting in far- reaching consequences much beyond the borders of the Middle East region. If you want to make a difference from your predecessors and find solution to this crisis, you have to be bold enough to tread a different approach and overcome the internal compulsion and undue influence of these religious lobbies and address the issue based on justice for all and appeasement of none. The solution to crisis is important for world peace and well being and good relationship between Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities worldwide.

War on Terrorism The war on terrorism pursued by the Bush Administration after the September 11th incident have in fact inflamed and further aggravated the already complicated relationship between nations and religious communities. Instead of addressing the basic reasons that have led to the growth of terrorism, the American administrations under George W. Bush only added fuel to the fire by aggressively pursuing arrogant policies that led to the growth of terrorism.

What are the reasons for the genesis of terrorism? The most basic reason as mentioned earlier is the worsening situations in the Middle East and other occupied regions like Afghanistan. As stated earlier, the persecution and brutality imposed on the Palestinian people by the Israeli army for the last many decades, which has resulted in shattered lives and broken dreams, has been the impetus and motivation for the growth of terrorism. To grasp the magnitude of the brutality meted on the Palestinians, we must view the facts from the position of the subjugated instead of viewing it from that of the oppressor. Instead of solving this crisis, the previous American administrations especially that of the George W. Bush spread this brutality in the name of War on Terrorism across the region to other countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and other Arab, Asian countries and created anti-Muslim hatred in Europe and Americas. Here, I would like to invite your attention to a young American girl Rachel Corrie, from Olympia, Washington who sacrificed her life by being crushed to death by the Israeli military bulldozer near Gaza on March 16, 2003 (few days before George Bush's "Shock and Awe" in Iraq) while preventing the demolition of house of Palestinian family near Gaza. By her ultimate sacrifice, this young girl was not only preventing the brutality of Israeli military bull-dozers. She was showing the world the original reason for growth of terrorism. In the emails that she sent to her parents she mentions the gravity of the situation in Gaza. While referring about the children of Gaza, she wrote "I don't know if many of the children here have ever existed without tank-shell holes in their walls and the towers of an occupying army surveying them constantly from the near horizons. I think, although I'm not entirely sure, that even the smallest of these children understand that life is not like this everywhere." This is the gruesome reality that this young American girl realized and the leaders of her nation failed to realize. The warnings of important personalities like Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu and Javier Solana about the situation in Gaza went on deaf ears and International community remained silent and complacent. Instead they spread the persecution to other countries including Iraq and Afghanistan in the name of war on terrorism.. How can you expect generosity and non-violence from Palestinian people when 1.5 million Palestinians suffer from starvation, thirst, pollution, lack of medicine and while fuel and electricity supplies are cut off due to the unilateral sanctions imposed by Israel, thus creating the largest concentration camp in the history of mankind? How can they forgive the powers that demolished their houses upon them, killed their parents, sisters and also young children on their way to school? These actions of the Israeli army and the US military that have shattered lives, resulted in lose of loved ones and destroyed houses have created apprehension and a realization that they will never get any justice, security and peace in their life. It is this hopelessness and despair that have misguided and motivated some youths to extremism and terrorism. Although these ill-advised and unforgivable actions by the terrorists should be

condemned at the strongest terms, it can be only prevented when the state terrorism pursued by Israel and the previous administrations of your country ends. The American military might and their tanks, missiles, Apaches and drones that bomb and kill innocent people, shatter the lives, and destroy the houses and infrastructure, cannot help in winning the War on terrorism. Instead they will only ignite further hatred and create a fertile ground for new recruits for terrorism. It is high time to reassess the strategy that has been hitherto pursued by the previous administrations, as it has been a major failure. The War on Terrorism can only be won by winning the hearts and minds of the people of Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. As an initial step, as you promised during the election campaign, you must withdraw your army not only from Iraq and Afghanistan but must also advice your ally Israel to withdraw the sanctions imposed on the Palestinian people and return the occupied lands. Israel may have the right for self-defense, but denying the right of self-determination and the basic human rights of the Palestinian masses cannot attain it. Measures also must be taken to rebuild the lives of the people who have been shattered by the brutalities of the American and Israeli military and help them regain confidence and hope of a brighter future.

Meeting Between Extremes Along with the above measures, contrary to the Bush- Cheney approach to diplomacy that refuses to talk to leaders whom they don't like, instead of opting for war, we should engage in dialogues and peaceful negotiations as the ONLY option to settle the disputes and to prevent future wars. The wars during the second half of the 20th Century and beginning of this century have already created a heavy toll on the humanity and environment that resulted in the consequences on the habitability of earth. Whether it is the nuclear issue with Iran, the sectarian issues with Iraq, The Fatah- Hamas dispute, Al-Qaeda question, the clash between Taliban and Afghan government, can only be solved in the drawing rooms instead of battlefields. So I request that you not only pursue the path of dialogue between the hardcore enemies of your nation including Taliban and Al-Qaeda. I also request you to play a pro-active role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and Israel, Hamas and Israel, Hamas and Fatah and also between the Taliban and Afghan Government. There has already been glimmer of hope in this direction with the willingness of Pakistan and Afghanistan Government to negotiate with Taliban and the important role-played by Saudi Government in this regard.

Destroy Enmity, Not the Enemy The fundamental reason for the arrogant foreign policies pursued by the previous administration with the support of its allies was the concept of pre-emptive strike to destroy the enemies to ensure the security of the United States without frustrating the peaceful and diplomatic options. Contrary to Bush-Cheney policy of destroying the enemy, what we need is to destroy the enmity and antagonism that has negatively effected relations between nations, racial and religious communities. This enmity has and hatred has been the root cause for the irrational, unbalanced and self-destructive policies pursued the previous administration. The subjugation and economic exploitation of weaker nations by the powerful nations with the support of international organizations has created lots of inequalities and conflicts. Along with this, the worsening relationship between the different religious, racial and ideological communities, as well as the growing social fragmentation and sectarian divisions in different parts of the world, have resulted in civil wars, violence and social unrest. There is a great deal of fragmentation, hatred and intolerance at the individual, social, religious and national level that has had an affect on all the sectors of the society. The sectarian violence in Iraq, the anti-Muslim feelings that are widespread in America and Europe, the Danish cartoon controversy, the communal violence, bomb blasts and fake encounters on minority communities in India, the hate campaign and worsening relations between religious communities; shows the gravity of the situation. This hatred and intolerance was also rampant during your election campaign when opposing candidates accused you of your Muslim background and the pains you had to take to prove otherwise. As Collin Powell asked, is it a sin to be a Muslim or Afro-American? Instead of confronting these powers of bigotry, what we see is the apologetic reaction from the people who are being accused as if they have committed a major sin by being born in a particular race or religious community. As you got campaigned and elected on the theme of "change", if your administration wants to play the historical role of implementing changes and if you want the term of your administration to be different from the previous administrations, you will have to address these issues and change attitudes and mentality.

Towards Inter-National and Inter-Religious Integration The recent financial crises and climate

change crises that had repercussions on all countries and continents have emphatically proved that we as humanity have a common destiny. No country can live as an oasis of affluence while the other parts of the world suffer from hunger and poverty. Moreover, no part of this planet will escape the consequences of climate change including natural calamities, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, droughts, floods, forest fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, extinction of many animal and plant species, depleting water resources and reduced output of agricultural yield. It is high time that we organize beyond the confines of geographic, racial and religious boundaries and unite to address the common issues that concern existence of the humanity as a whole and sustaining habitability of earth. We have to overcome the infinite physical and mental boundaries that have divided mankind into many nations, religions and creeds, which is the basic reason for these conflicts. Since we are facing an existential crisis of humanity as a whole due to global warming, climate change and global financial meltdown, this crisis provides a rare opportunity for people from all faiths, ideologies, races and nations to unite to overcome this period of uncertainty and make the necessary transformation to guide humanity out of this crisis. Moreover, these leaders should guide their followers within their respective confines to a sustainable and eco-friendly way of life. In this hour of crisis, let us unite as one human community and face the challenges together. We also have to replace fragmentation, selfishness, competition and antagonism that are prevalent nowadays with noble values of unity, cooperation, compassion and mutual understanding. Mr. President, there is no other person more apt than yourself to provide the leadership for unity of all nations and religions. With the family relationship extending three continents and two major religions, you are appropriately positioned to play a pro-active role in uniting humanity to face the existential challenges.

We Too Have a Dream Two score and five years ago of the day you accepted the nomination as the Democratic candidate for the President of United States of America, a great Civil Rights leader who was guided by the non-violent philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi dreamt and wept for his community, which lived in acute poverty and was victimized and segregated for centuries. The invigorating autumn of freedom and equality that Martin Luther King Jr. prophesied, where his little children will live not being judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character, came to reality on the day you are elected as the President of United States. This dream that was watered and grown by tears, sweat, blood and pain of millions of Afro-Americans must not go in vain. Hence, let your presidency be a beginning of renewed spirit for the upliftment and progress of all the subjugated people around the world. Mr. President, on this joyful occasion of your election as President, I want to take this opportunity to inform you that we as the people of the Third World and Middle East countries too have a collective dream. We have a dream that one day from the mountains, valleys and the olive and almond farms of the West Bank to the deserts of Gaza that are currently sweltering under injustice, persecution and sufferings, the sons of the invaded and the sons of the invaders will sit together on the table of brotherhood while their children go to schools together to build a bright future without fear and insecurity. We have a dream that one day will raise a leader from the ashes of one of the oppressed nations of Palestine, Iraq or Afghanistan to rescue the humanity from the shackles of enmity, hatred and discord and guide them to a bright and sustainable future. We have a dream that after the withdrawal of the American forces, as a free nation, Iraqi people on the banks of Tigris and Euphrates and Afghan people in the mountains regions of Kabul and Kandahar will one day unite above all sectarian and racial confines to rebuild their countries to a new dawn of prosperity after a long night of wars and persecution. We have a dream that one day our children, because they belong to a particular religion or nationality, will not be terrorized and face travel restriction and harassment just because of their background, and instead, will be an asset for the western countries and welcomed with all respect. We have a dream…that one day the people of African countries like Somalia, Darfur, Zimbabwe and Asian countries that have been the backyard of conflicts and are suffering from civil wars, dictatorship, hunger and poverty will be blessed with prosperity progress and peace. We have a dream that one day the capitalist system based on materialism, which has resulted in the overexploitation of the natural resources and uneven distribution of wealth, will give way to more sustainable and eco-friendly economy based on material and spiritual satisfaction and redistribution of wealth so that there will be no poverty and hunger. And in this way we will be at peace with ourselves, peace with our co-habitants and peace with the nature. Yes Mr. President, we are one people and we have only one nation- Earth. May God bless the humanity and this planet…

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FRIDAY

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7 NOVEMBER 2008

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Change Has Come I

f there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their chil-

dren fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough forcollege. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking

this nation the only way it's been done in America for twohundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has

won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America. President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech in Chicago as released by his campaign

INDIA : Secular Fabric Under Threat

Praful Bidwai

Inter Press Service

olice in India have unearthed a well-organised terrorist network inspired by intensely Hindu-chauvinist ideas, which they suspect, has been involved in a series of bombings since 2003, primarily targeting mosques and intended to kill Muslims. The discovery follows investigations into two bomb blasts on Sep. 29 at Malegaon, an industrial town in central Maharashtra, notorious for strained Hindu-Muslim relations and periodic communal (or intercommunity) violence. Seven people were killed in the latest explosions. At the network's centre are various organisations and individuals affiliated to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They are tied together by adherence to the ideology of Hindutva (Hinduness or Hindu-supremacism), and are collectively called the Sangh Parivar (RSS family or cabal). Also implicated are three retired officers of the Indian army, and a serving colonel, belonging to the intelligence corps. At least two of them are connected with the Bhonsala Military School, a Hindutva-inspired institution established in 1937 at Nashik in Maharashtra. The most prominent of the suspects arrested by the police for the bombings is Pragya Singh Thakur, a 38 year-old saffron-clad woman who calls herself a Sadhvi (the feminine for sadhu). One of the bombs that exploded in Malegaon was planted on a motorcycle owned by Thakur and loaned by her to prime accused Ramji. She has reportedly confessed to this. The police also claim Thakur was unhappy at the relatively low number of fatalities in the blast and wanted to know from Ramji the reason for this. Thakur has a strong RSS background and was an office-bearer of the BJP-sponsored students' union, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad for nine years, and more important, of the militant women's outfit, Durga Vahini. The BJP has been badly embarrassed by the disclosures, which have shocked the secular public. But after initial hesitation, the party has decided to brazen things

out and take the stand that Parivar activists are being framed. The police have gathered evidence exposing the myriad connections between the RSS, the BJP, and their front organisations, estimated at more than 100 in number, which are active in fields as diverse as labour unions, indoctrination and education, lawyers' organisations, semi-religious groups, relief and service delivery, and specific targeting of India's religious minorities, which make up 18 percent of its population of a billion plus people. Among the better known of the Sangh Parivar organisations are the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (world Hindu council) and Bajrang Dal (violent vigilantes named after the monkey warrior-god Hanuman), Vidya Bharati (which runs thousands of Hindutva-oriented schools) and Adivasi Kalyan Ashram (which actively proselytises among indigenous people). Groups like Durga Vahini, Rashtriya Jagaran Manch, Sanatana Sanstha and Abhinav Bharat are less well-known but often more active in militant ways. These groups have been involved in a spate of attacks on Indian Christians across seven states, after first erupting in eastern Orissa last Christmas. Affected states include southern Karnataka and Kerala, central Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and western Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF), an influential non-government organisation (NGO) has demanded, in an open petition to the government that the Bajrang Dal-- which it holds mainly responsible -- be banned for attacks that are “unconstitutional and threaten the secular fabric of the country”. According to published CSF estimates, over 50 Christians have been killed, 4,000 houses destroyed and dozens of nuns raped. “The State of India has abdicated its responsibility and duty to protect Indian Christians, by not taking the [concerned] state governments [ruled by the BJP] to task and failing to protect the life and personal liberty of Indian citizens,” the CSF petition charged. In the Malegaon bombing case, police say they have irrefutable evidence that three key individuals, Thakur, Abhinav Bharat, Sameer Kulkarni and former army major Ramesh Upadhye, were

conspirators. They were also probably responsible, along with other RSS-Bajrang Dal activists, for recent bombings outside mosques in four other towns in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The police are also looking for evidence of their possible involvement in recent mosque bombings, as in Hyderabad in May 2007, in Ajmer in October 2007, and possibly on the Samjhauta Express train to Pakistan in February last year. Police believe that Hindutva activists have been training themselves in bombmaking and other violent skills for many years with help from former military officers and institutions like the Bhonsala Military School. In April 2006, two RSSBajrang Dal activists were killed during a bomb manufacturing operation at Nanded, also in Maharashtra. According to the Maharashtra police's Anti-Terrorism Squad, the Nanded operation was part of a larger criminal conspiracy to create the impression that Muslim extremists would not hesitate to kill other Muslims. The motive was to sow disaffection, widen the communal divide and help Hindutva forces blame Muslims for acts of terrorism. Similar cases of parivar activists' involvement in other bomb-fabrication operations has recently come to light through accidental explosions in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and again in Nanded, Maharashtra (in February 2007). "This is not the first time that Hindu fundamentalists have been implicated in acts of violence," says Tanika Sarkar, a professor of modern Indian history at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and author of several books and scholarly papers on the Sangh Parivar and the Hindutva movement. "But this is probably the first time that an underground network operating on a large scale across different states, which has actually planted bombs targeted at Muslims, has been unearthed,'' Sarkar told IPS. Sarkar added: "These Hindutva-inspired terrorists are no less dangerous and indefensible than terrorists inspired by jehadi Islam. But the difference is that the first kind of terrorism has a wider base because the Hindus are a majority in India. It also enjoys official sanction and state patronage, unlike jihadi militancy." Sarkar argues that majoritarian extrem-

ism tries to pass itself off as inspired by nationalism, and that this is a major fallacy. It is as pernicious as minority extremism. The BJP stands isolated on the issues of its links with Sadhvi Thakur. It first denied that she has had anything to do with the BJP, the RSS or ABVP in recent years. However, Thakur campaigned for the BJP in the last two legislative assembly elections in Gujarat, in 2002 and 2007. She also has close links with high BJP functionaries, including Madhya Pradesh state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan. The BJP's prime ministerial nominee LK Advani tried to distance the party from Thakur, and said the law should be allowed to take its own course. But last week, the RSS intervened and demanded that the BJP staunchly defend Thakur and other suspects. Party president Rajnath Singh now says that there can be no such thing as a "Hindu terrorist" and those who believe in Hindutva can never be attracted to extremism because Hinduism is inherently tolerant. "This is hogwash," holds Sarkar, "because Hindutva is nothing if not a concentrated expression of intolerance, which believes in forcibly asserting and imposing Hindu primacy or supremacy on a society that is deeply plural, multicultural and multireligious." The BJP claims to be uniquely concerned about and determined to fight terrorism, and makes security a central plank of its politics. Its hypocrisy and double standards on terrorism have shocked secular liberals in India. They are anxiously watching the United Progressive Alliance government's moves. "The discovery of this network throws up a major challenge to the Indian state," says Zoya Hasan, an eminent political scientist, who is currently a member of the National Commission on Minorities. "The state has been tainted in the past by its perceived softness towards majoritarian and Hindu-communal groups. For instance, a Congress government allowed the Babri mosque to be demolished by the Hindutva forces in 1992. "If the ruling United Progressive Alliance government rises to the challenge and pursues the investigation and prosecution in the present case through to the end, it will have made a major contribution to the reaffirmation of secularism in India,’’ Hasan said.

THE TREND OF Present Naga Society

aving said that truth is bitter but thought to be imperative, I am writing this caption to draw the attention of the public servants and politicians in particular and our Naga society in general. Ethically, it is bounden for every one to maintain moral principles which are very essential and life is nothing like upholding the moral principles. But if we look at the present Naga society, people could not judge between right and wrong and those people who try to uphold the moral principles, are considered to be naive, but smart in corruptions are counted in the society. In the past, Nagas have been talking about the other community’s corruption and wondered as to why corruptions are being perpetuated without fearing God. Even after the statehood for about a decade, whether it be politicians or public servants were all truthful and sincere to their professions. Partially in those days were considered to be curse, common properties were taken care and treated as ones’ own. But all these ethical life, moral values and responsibilities have become the things of the past. In today’s society, if any body talk of moral principles, they are considered as stupid and said to be ignorant to decent society. Works in the public offices cannot be done without bribe, and genuineness has nothing to do in the offices. Even Superannuation issue, many over aged people through manipulations and tempering the real age claiming to be young and not paving the way for the youngsters to get employment. Had the old age people who by dyeing grey hair did not claim to be young, so many educated youth would have been employed and the existing unemployment problem would not have been much as it is. Above all, due to the political backings many public servants without attending the duties are enjoying pay and allowances, and those would be sincere if appointed are not getting employment opportunity. It is because of the right persons being denied to hold the job, most of those would be good people have turned to be notorious in the society. Now, if any one who do not have money to pay, they do not have to apply for any post nor need to search the service in any department. In fact, demanding the bribes are fraud, cheat and criminal sort of act, but very sad to mention that paying money for getting done the job has become the order of our society today. For employment, if any body got wind of ongoing whispers of selling post, it is considered to be an advertisement, but that is also depending on his/her availability of money. It is also fact that in the past every public servants were guided by the rules and regulations, and the word corruptions were alien to one and all. But now, the public servants who are supposed to serve the people have become the master of the people and looting the innocent people by demanding money for getting done the office works. Now the priority in exercise of powers and authority for most of the public servants are favoritisms, nepotism, tribalism and embezzlement of public funds. However, there are some public servants who are ignorant about the ongoing tactics are innocent, so if any one is lucky he/she can meet these people in the office. The service rule which is to protects and secure the rights to equality are also helpless for those innocent public servants. For example, merit and seniority is very important to count for every public servant, but whoever knows the tactics of manipulations are superseding the seniors. These are not the rubbish talks nor paradoxical bereft of substantial evidences, but fact findings through peoples watchful eyes. Above all, due to the fragile economy in the state, many have been pushed to become criminal in order to provide frugal meals to their families and because of which law and order are not smooth in the state. Meanwhile I write this, I am aware that many public servants may not be happy and comfortable, but let me also make it clear that if you are not corrupted as some other public servants, do not disturb your mind, but rather come out in support of uprooting corruptions in our society. Once again, it may be recalled that the Nagas of the naked days were ignorant about Christianity, yet then the truth was the basis of life, telling lies were considered to be poisonous for the generation, and most of all they were ignorant to be mischievous. In those days, hard labour, self reliance and independent life were the top priorities, and so they were known to be unique people and counted as separate national community in the world. But today, many are living lavish life out of corrupted money and the society have been sharply divided into two classes as “haves and have not”. As mentioned above, because of injustices, favoritism and exploitation of economic rights, the poor have become poorer, but the corrupted people are enjoying all lucrative life. Therefore if we want to save out society from further worst situation to come, then it is time for every concern citizens to come out from the cocoon to stand against the corruptions before it is too late. It is also propose to all innocent public not to lavishly praise those public servants for donating corrupted money to the society which in turn may encourage the public servants to vie for more corruptions. As it is observed that, even the innocent public is victimized by the influence of corrupted money without intentions. If the present corruption practices are to be wiped out, the present society have to regain and retain the worthwhile values of ethical life and differentiate between right and wrong. And most of all, the public servants need to learn to be sincere, honest and truthful. The above stated might be too derogatory languages, but it is felt necessitate for the fact that corruptions in our society have gone beyond comprehensions. Once again it is my humbly plead to all the public servants and politicians to get rid of the corruptions so as to save our society from further worst situation to happen. H K Zhimomi Social Activist

Ode to Lotha Tokhu Emong The essence of Tokhu Emong is fabulous. Merry making, expounding the spirit of amity to one another, a moment to attribute the Almighty, for showering his abundant blessing. Forget and forgive one another for the past mistakes. And to press ahead with unity, sharing one’s joy, to rejoice collectively to commemorate the monuments of Tokhu Emong A moment to retrospect our ancestor’s with contemplates their amicability. Oh! What enchanting God’s creation, Thankful, hardworking, content to endear their articulate characters, What giant and fabulous forefathers we inherit. Their legacy to emulate and appreciate. Ho! Come let us celebrate what our ancestor’s set apart a day for us. A moment to sing and adore to our heavenly father. A moment to portray the fabric of our Tokhu Emong with full of love and care. Love without expectation, care without selfishness. Oh! God, make this day. Tokhu Emong be a moment to renew and revive out hearts and mind to love our fellow being help us to extend our sympathy and concern without any delay, Breakout our boundaries of enmity, and hatred. Restore our land with full of grace and mercy. Let our Tokhu Emong be a banner of love and peace to every knot and corner of our beautiful Nagaland, A land where God bestowed to us. Long live Happy Tokhu Emong Y Thunglanpemo Ezung Associate Pastor Senjum Lotha Baptist Church, Dimapur

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

NATIONAL NEWS FILE ‘Rahul Raj was shot 40 lakh looted from General from close range’ Dimapur

Friday

Post Ofﬁce in Punjab

JALANDHAR, NOVEMBER 6 (PTI): Four unidentified armed persons allegedly looted Rs 40 lakh from a General Post Office in Jalandhar after tying two persons, including a security guard, in the wee hours on Thursday. The incident occurred at around 4 AM when the guard, Ashok Kumar, heard some noise inside the post-office and was soon attacked by the four persons. The armed men then tied him and another labourer present on the premises. They decamped with the cash kept in the strong room of the post office, Superintendent of Police S K Kalia said. Kalia did not rule out the involvement of the employees of the post office in the robbery. “We have asked the post office to provide us details of each and every employee who were on duty last night so that they can be questioned,” Kalia said. Senior Superintendent of Post N R Meena said there was no sign of a forced entry. “I got the information at around 7 AM and accordingly police was informed about the incident,” he said, adding that as the cash was to be distributed to other post offices it was kept in a box, outside the main safe, which was taken by the armed men. An alert has been sounded in and around the city to nab the culprits, Kalia said.

350 BJS workers resign over Uma slap row

CHHINDWARA (MP), NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): A day after Bharatiya Jana Shakti (BJS) party president Uma Bharti slapped a party worker here, about 350 others, supposedly angered by her behaviour, resigned from the partyBJS Chhindwara district president Nemi Chand Verma on Thursday resigned from the party along with 350 workers including several office bearers. Bharti had slapped the party’s district general secretary Anil Rai on Thursday and later addressed a press conference with him claiming they were like brother and sister and that she had the right to “love him or hit him”.Uma also sent a written apology to Rai, who is believed to be close to BJS’s breakaway faction led by Prahlad Patel, but he resigned. Those resigning along with Verma include Sanjay Konar, Kishor Munjare and Om Kumari.

Warrant against BSP MLA, brother in rape case

Muzaffarnagar, November 6 (PTI): A local court has issued a fresh warrant against BSP MLA Mohd Alim and his brother in a five-year-old rape case and directed them to be present in the court on November 18. Alim, a BSP MLA from Bulandshahar, and his brother Mohd Unus had defied the warrants numerous times before. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sumit Chandra directed the police to ensure that the two present are present during the hearing on Nov 18. According to the prosecution, police had freed 48 Nepali girls from Apollo circus on June 5, 2003 and later a case was filed against Alim, his brother and the owner of the circus accusing them of illegal confinement and rape of one of the girls. A medical examinations had confirmed rape. Chief Minister Mayawati had handed over the case to CB-CID during her previous tenure in 2004.

Now, judges in India demand pay hike C M Y K

The Morung Express

7 November 2008

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 6 (NDTV): Judges in India are pretty powerful but now they want more power and status. NDTV has learnt that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) has written to the Law Minister asking for a pay hike to keep up with bureaucrats after the Sixth Pay Commission. It seems that the issue goes far beyond money. The four-page letter written by the Chief Justice of India has created a flutter. Implementation of his request will first need the Cabinet’s approval and then the Parliament’s sanction. The controversy is not about them wanting more money. The government doesn’t know what to

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): In what could further fuel the ongoing controversy regarding the encounter of Rahul Raj, the autopsy conducted by a four-member panel of forensic experts at J J Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday confirmed that he was shot from very close range. The panel of doctors which conducted the post mortem on Raj revealed that there were five bullet entry wounds on his body, all in the chest and head region. However, there were only four exit wounds as one bullet was recovered from the body. The experts also confirmed that at least 1213 rounds of bullets were fired by the Mumbai Police team in a bid to end the BEST bus hijack drama. The autopsy report has not been made official and the panel of doctors will shortly submit it to the government. The findings of the postmortem could complicate things for the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police, which is already under scanner for allegedly killing the 23-year-old youth from Bihar.

In this photo provided by the India's Presidential Palace, Indian President Pratibha Patil, right, India's ruling United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, center, and lawmaker Rahul Gandhi look on during the coronation ceremony of the ﬁfth King of Bhutan at the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, in Thimpu, Bhutan On November 6. On Thursday morning, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, 52, placed the Raven Crown on the head of his Oxford-educated eldest son Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, 28, giving him the title of Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King. (AP Photo)

Trains to be extended to Baramulla by Dec No premature release of dowry death convict

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 6 (AGNECIES): Enthusiast over the success of train service in the valley, the Railways will run the trains from Qazigund to Barmulla in Kashmir by making 120-km long railway track fully operational by December. “Railways will run trains on 120 kms of rail track from Qazigund (Anantnag district) to Barmulla district by December first and work on the remaining track in the Valley would be completed by the end of this month,” a senior Northern Railway official said. Out of the 120 km-long rail track between Qazigund and Baramulla, the train is currently run-

ning from Rajwansher in Budgam district to Anantnag, covering a distance of 70 km. “We have kept November 30 as the deadline for completion of the railway track from Qazigund to Barmulla – a distance of 119 kms and make trains run on this section in the first week of December,” he said. “In this direction, we have sent 400 gang men during past few days for laying tracks in 34 kms Pattan to Baramulla rail section and AnantnagQazigund belt on war-footing,” he said, adding the gang men were drawn from Patna, Ferozpur, and New Delhi Railway divisions to

supplement the work being undertaken by the Ircon International. The Ircon – which is instrumental in setting up infrastructure in the Valley – has also started process of construction of several railway stations in Kashmir rail section and tenders have already been floated so that exclusive security infrastructure comes up in the Valley, said the official. The Kashmir train service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 11. It became an instant hit as over 74000 people took joy rides fetching over Rs 7.5 lakh to railways in less than three week period.

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): The Supreme Court has ruled that a dowry death convict cannot be prematurely released by the Government in the name of granting remission (reduction) of the sentence. A bench of Justices C K Thakker and D K Jain said the power of remission available under Section 432 of the CrPC would not be available to the Government in the case of those convicted for dowry death. The apex court passed the ruling while directing a dowry death convict Jolly Singla to surrender and serve his remaining sentence. Sin-

gla and his mother Reshma Devi were convicted by a sessions court in Patiala, Punjab and sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the death of his wife Anju Devi. However, the State Government while granting remission to several persons prematurely released Singla. The matter came to light only when the family members of the deceased filed an appeal challenging the acquittal of certain other accused in the case. The Punjab government in an affidavit before the apex court admitted that an order was issued by it in exercise of power conferred by Section 432 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure,1973 and Article 161 of the Constitution. Interpreting the provision, the apex court said, the clause expressly stated that the benefits referred in the code would not apply to certain case particularly Section 304 B (dowry death). “If it is so, in our opinion, the benefit could not be granted to Jolly Singla,” the bench observed directing him to surrender and serve the remaining period of his sentence. The apex court further said that if Reshma Devi was also released on remission, then she too should surrender and serve the remaining part of her sentence.

Kandhamal tense after murder of VHP leader

BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): The murder of a Hindu activist by suspected Maoists has renewed tension in Orissa’s volatile Kandhamal district, where communal violence since August has left at least 38 people dead and thousands homeless, officials said Thursday. Authorities Thursday issued a prohibitory order that bans the gathering of four or more people and deployed hundreds of policemen in sensitive parts of the district after suspected Maoists Wednesday killed 40year-old Dhanu Pradhani, an activist of the Rashtriya An activist of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lies as bird injured Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). by glass coated manja with a sign stating "Cut Out Glass Coated Manja, Not Wings" in Ahmadabad, November 5. PETA aims to show that ﬂying kites with glass coated Manja “The prohibitory order is a temporary step and we may injures and even kills thousands of birds. (AP Photo)

do with the CJI’s request to bring his pay at par with the Governor’s scale. Before the Sixth Pay Commission, the Chief Justice of India’s basic salary at Rs 33 thousand was on par with the Cabinet Secretary and Rs three thousand less than the Governor’s pay. Now the Chief Justice wants his salary to be hiked to Rs 1.1 lakh the same as the Governor. The Chief Justice also wants a hike for other judges. Rs 1 lakh for Supreme Court colleagues and Rs 90,000 for High Court judges. That’s the salary of the Cabinet Secretary – India’s NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 6 top bureaucrat. Will the (AGENCIES): Students who cheat during exams better watch out as government agree? the Supreme Court has advised the authorities to use an iron hand to check such malpractices which affect the country’s progress and academic standards. “We are of the firm opinion that in academic matters there should be strict discipline and malpractices should be severely punished. If our country is to progress we must maintain high educational standards, and this is only possible if malpractices in examinations in educational institutions are curbed with an iron hand,” the apex court observed. A bench of Justices Altamas Kabir and Markandeya Katju also ruled that even if an unauthorised chit is merely found in the possession it is deemed to be a malpractice, irrespective of the

lift it after reviewing the situation. We have launched a combing operation in the region to nab the culprits,” District Superintendent of Police S. Praveen Kumar told IANS. According to police officials, three people came on a motorcycle and shot Pradhani dead at Kumarigaon village. They are not sure if Wednesday’s killing has any link to the communal violence that followed the Aug 23 killing of another Hindu leader. “There was no major violence in the district since Sep 30. The Wednesday murder has, however, renewed tension,” a district administration official said. Pradhani’s brother Ananda alleged that some members of the local

Christian community killed him. However, police suspect the hand of Maoists because Pradhani was believed to be on their hit list. The district of Kandhamal, some 200 km from here, witnessed communal violence after the murder of Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides Aug 23. While the police blamed the Maoists for the crime, the Hindu groups blamed Christians for the murder, despite repeated denials by Christian organisations. Over 23,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes. While some have returned, more than 10,000 are still living in government-run relief camps in the district.

Use iron hand to deal with students who cheat in exams: SC

Curfew-like situation in Valley amid planned protest

A Kashmiri child holds the baton of a Paramilitary soldier as other looks on near the Jamia Masjid, or Grand Mosque, during curfew in Srinagar, November 6. (AP Photo)

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 6 (PTI): A curfew-like situation prevailed in the Kashmir Valley today as troops were deployed in strength to thwart a planned protest march by separatists to “formally” announce their antipoll campaign. The restrictions were imposed by the authorities as the separatist Coordination Committee had announced that it would “formally” announce their anti-poll campaign and march towards Jamia Masjid in protest against atrocities against Muslims in Jammu in 1947 the wake of Partition. However, officials at the Police Control Room said no curfew has been imposed and that security has been beefed

The finding is also expected to give credence to the allegations levelled by the Bihar government and Rahul Raj’s parents that Mumbai Police could have easily captured him, and there was no need to kill him. The Additional Commissioner of Police Mumbai Sadanand Date had earlier supported the stand taken by the cops and warned that anybody trying to take law in his hands would also meet the same result. Rahul Raj was killed by Mumbai Police when he tried to take a BEST bus hostage on gun point in order to send a strong message to MNS Chief Raj Thackeray for his party’s treatment to the North Indians. The incident drew sharp reactions from Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who alleged that it was wrong to shoot down Raj could and he could have been caught alive. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also spoke to the Maharashtra CM, Vilas Rao Deshmukh, and asked him to insure the safety of all sections so that incidents like this are not repeated in the future.

up in the city to prevent any law and order problem. All roads leading to the historic Jamia Masjid in interior city were sealed and people heading to their workplaces were checked by security personnel. Chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest yesterday, while most of the leaders of the Coordination Committee and other separatists have been already arrested. In view of the restrictions imposed by the authorities, all shops, business establishments, schools and other educational institutions remained closed in the city and elsewhere in the Valley, official sources said.

fact whether the student had copied from the said chit. “All that is relevant is whether the slip of paper found in the possession of the examinee pertained to the examination paper in question. If it does, then it is a malpractice,” the bench said. The apex court passed the ruling while upholding the appeal of a college management which challenged the Delhi High Court’s decision to condone a student’s malpractice. In this case the student Vaibhav Singh Chauhan a third year student of Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Nutrition & Catering Technology, was disqualified from attending the course for a one-year period as he was found in possession of a chit during the third year examination in 2004-05. He was permitted by the institute to take readmission for the academic

session 2006-07 in the same class and appear in the annual examination in 2007. A single judge of the Delhi High Court, however, quashed the punishment on the ground that it was disproportionate to the offence and also in view of the fact that the student confessed to the fact of possessing a chit and apologised for the same. The single judge accepted the argument of Chauhan’s counsel that there was no evidence to show that the student actually used the said slip of paper found in his possession. Further the judge observed “If we care to think back to our student days, one would invariably recollect preparation of such kind of slips for refreshing the mind immediately before an examination, with no further intent to use it in unfair or illegitimate manner.” A division bench of the high

court concurred with the reasonings of the single judge following which the management and the Director (Studies) appealed in the apex court. Rejecting the high court’s reasoning, the apex court said in this particular case, the said slip of paper was brought into the examination hall and was found to be in the possession of the examinee while the examination was going on. “Whether the respondent actually used that slip or not is irrelevant. These aspects of the case have been ignored. Once it is found that the chit/piece of paper contains material pertaining to the examination in question it amounts to malpractice, whether the same was used by the examinee or not,” the bench observed. The bench termed as “misplaced sympathy” the high court’s view that the student’s act should

be condoned as he had confessed and apologised to his act. The apex court also lashed out at the single judge’s reference to his own student days. “A judge is supposed to keep his personal view in the background and not inject them in the judgments. What was done in his student days was surely irrelevant for deciding the case or even passing an interim order,” Justice Katju writing the judgement observed. The apex court said that it is true that when a person confesses his guilt it is often treated as a mitigating circumstance and calls for lesser punishment if that is permissible. “However, this is not an absolute rule and will not apply in all kinds of cases. In particular, as stated above, in academic matters there should be no leniency at all if our country is to progress,” the bench observed.

6,000 model schools of Kendriya Vidyalaya standards to be set up

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 6 (PTI): Giving a boost to school education, the Centre has proposed to set up 6,000 model schools which would match the standards of the Kendriya Vidyalayas in terms of infrastructure and other facilities. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the proposal to set up the model schools at the block level at an estimated cost of Rs 9,321 crore during the 11th Plan period. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made an announcement to this effect

during his Independence Day speech last year. The cost sharing pattern would be 75 per cent for the Centre and 25 per cent for the state governments. The Centre’s share in the total expenditure comes to around Rs 7,457 crore. In the first phase, 2,500 schools would be set up through the state governments in educationallybackward blocks, Minister of State in PMO Prithviraj Chavan told reporters here. “The model schools will have infrastructure and facilities at least of the standards of the Kendriya Vidyalayas,” he said,

adding that the pupil-teacher ratio and curriculum would also match the standards of the Central Schools. As per the scheme prepared by the HRD Ministry, each block would have a model school which would look at comprehensive development of children. The schools would give equal importance to curriculur and extra-curricular activities including games, music, dance and arts. The scheme will be implemented throughout the country except in six poll-bound states where it will be enforced after the poll process was completed.

Students watch a video on AIDS awareness inside the Red Ribbon Express train in Amritsar, November 6. The special train carrying HIV/AIDS prevention messages, run by the Indian government and assisted by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and National AIDS Control Society, has reached Amritsar after covering a distance of 9,000 kilometers while crossing 180 districts across India. (AP Photo)

INTERNATIONAL

The Morung Express

Friday 7 November 2008

Dimapur

Among Barack Obama’s next challenges: His own security Obama victory sparks baby naming frenzy KISUMU, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS LIFE!): The U.S. election has triggered a new generation of mini Barack Obamas with parents in Kenya and the United States naming their newborns after the new president-elect. At the Nyanza Provincial General Hospital in Kisumu, western Kenya, Barack’s ancestral homeland, several mothers were naming their babies after the U.S.’s first AfricanAmerican president. The mothers told Reuters Television that they wanted their babies to grow up to have the same successful traits as Obama. “I would like that by the time he is in his 40s he becomes the president of this country,” said Nancy Otieno proudly of her newborn son Barack Obama. Another new mother, Millicent Akoth, named her new daughter Michelle Obama after the soon-to-be first lady. Obama has been elevated to rock star status in the east African nation which has named a beer, “Senator,” after him and where “Obama: The Musical” opened last weekend. Obama, who was born in Hawaii to a white mother from Kansas and a Kenyan father, is idolised by many Africans in the way the Irish revered U.S. President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s -- as one of their own who succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. But it is not just Kenyans naming their babies after him. South Florida couple Patrick and Sasha Hall were reported on Wednesday to be among the first since the election to bestow the name Obama on their child, Obama Hall, according to the Miami Herald. The name Barack means blessed, according to Web site babynames.com, while Obama was the given name of his great-grandfather that became his grandfather’s surname. President-elect Barack Obama walks to an ofﬁce building in Chicago, Wednesday, November 5. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 6 (AFP): Barack Obama made history by becoming the first African-American US president-elect, but security agents now face major challenges in protecting him, experts say, as his race may make him more of a target than his predecessors. The 47year-old Illinois senator who swept to victory on Tuesday has been under protection of the US Secret Service since May 2007, 18 months before the election, the earliest-ever security detail for a presidential candidate. It is an issue few people want to address directly, but as the nation's first black commander-in-chief Obama will likely face an unprecedented number of threats on his life -- including one just last week when two white supremacists, Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, were arrested in Tennessee for plotting to kill Obama. He and his family -- as well as vice presidentelect Joe Biden and family -- are under 24-hour guard by squads of elite, heavily armed agents of the Secret Service, the branch of the Department of Homeland Security tasked with protecting presidents and presidential candidates. Hillary Clinton, Obama's rival in the battle for the Democratic party nomination, has been under Secret Service protection for years due to her status as former first lady. In an indication of the ramped-up security around the election, Obama's lectern where he gave his victory speech was shielded by bullet-proof plexiglass -- the first time his campaign had employed such protection. "Changes in presidential

administrations necessitate a lot of operational planning and implementation in terms of our protective mission," Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told AFP, declining to provide specifics on the new security regime or say whether it would be intensified for Obama. "We make adjustments, obviously. But at this point... we have planned for every contingency." Yet the president-elect's skin color has only added to concerns in the country, where there are more than 200 million legally owned firearms and about 30,000 gun deaths per year, and where four sitting presidents have been murdered and two more wounded in assassination attempts. "It's going to be a unique and challenging environment" for Obama's security detail, Fred Burton, who is vice president of counter-terrorism at geo-political intelligence analysis firm Stratfor, told AFP. "The protective security threat and the challenges surrounding the protection for him is extremely difficult. It's going to take a lot of resources and a tremendous amount of protective and tactical analysis to stay ahead of the bad guys," said Burton, a former Secret Service agent who is publishing a Stratfor report Thursday on the issue. While Obama spends the next months plotting his political course and assembling an administration team, extremists -- particularly from the US white hate movements -- may be plotting to kill him, especially in the chaotic months before he enters the Washington security bubble. Burton believes protec-

‘Putin may return to Kremlin in 2009’ MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): Russian President Dmitry Medvedev could resign from his post in 2009 to pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the Kremlin, Vedomosti newspaper reported on Thursday, citing an unidentified source close to the Kremlin. Medvedev on Wednesday proposed increasing the presidential term to six years from four years, a step the newspaper said was part of a plan drawn up by Vladislav Surkov, who serves as Medvedev's first deputy chief of staff. Under the plan, Medvedev could implement changes to the constitution and unpopular social reforms "so that Putin could return to the Kremlin for a longer period", the newspaper said. "Under this scenario Medvedev could resign early citing changes to the constitution and then presidential elections could take place in 2009," the newspaper said, citing the unidentified source close to the Kremlinl. The paper said Putin, who is currently prime minister, could then rule for two six year terms, so from 2009 to 2021. The paper cited Putin's spokesman as saying he saw no reason for Putin to return to power in 2009. Investors, already jittery over the impact of the financial crisis on Russia's economic boom, are trying to work out who is really in charge of Russia, the biggest question for those seeking to ascertain political risk. They are seeking any details on how the current set up -- with Medvedev as president and Putin as prime minister -- could change. During Medvedev's speech on Wednesday the Russian stock market erased most of the gains it made earlier in the day.

The motorcade for President-elect Barack Obama heads toward downtown Chicago, Wednesday, November 5. (AP Photo)

Obama favors efﬁciency, deliberative style 106-year-old woman CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): BarackObama will bring a careful, deliberative style to the White House that differs from President George W. Bush’s tendency to rely more heavily on his gut instincts. The Democrat made history on Tuesday by becoming the first black U.S. president-elect and did so despite his Republican rival John McCain’s efforts to highlight the absence of executive experience on Obama’s resume. But even critics of the 47-year-old Illinois senator credit him with having run a highly effective campaign that was marked by discipline and organization and honed by his long battle against Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomination. That political operation offers insights as to how Obama will govern when he takes office on Jan. 20 amid a financial crisis and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One trait that his aides played up during the campaign was the calm demeanor that earned him the nickname among his staff of “No Drama Obama.” Staff members say they rarely, if ever, have heard Obama

raise his voice, though he has ways of making it known if he is dissatisfied with a decision. “His management style is to choose people in whom he has confidence and to give them a lot of authority and to hold them accountable,” said Obama’s chief strategist David Axelrod. “He wants to know what the plans are to achieve those objectives and holds you accountable for that.” Axelrod, known for his skills at shaping political messages, is one of a handful of top aides in whom Obama has put his trust. Also part of that inner circle are David Plouffe, Obama’s hyper-organized campaign manager who kept a zealous watch on campaign spending, and Valerie Jarrett, a lawyer and businesswoman steeped in Chicago politics. Jarrett is part of a team of three people who will head Obama’s transition team. For advice on press relations, Obama turns to Robert Gibbs, a toughminded Southerner with a genteel manner who oversaw tight control of media access to the candidate. Many of these advisers

are likely to have senior roles in an Obama administration. Gibbs is tipped to become White House press secretary and Axelrod is weighing a role as senior counselor but has not decided if he will move to Washington. Obama shares two traits with Bush, a two-term Republican president -- punctuality and a devotion to fitness. The Illinois senator hit the gym every morning even during the busiest moments of the campaign. Obama’s steadiness was seen as helping turn the election in his favor when the financial crisis erupted in mid-September. McCain reacted with dramatic gestures, such as vowing to suspend his campaign to help Congress negotiate a financial bailout package and calling for the firing of the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. By contrast, Obama held private conference calls with experts like former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers and investor Warren Buffett while monitoring market events on his Blackberry.

Obama’s approach on foreign policy is similarly cautious. To weigh issues such as the Iranian nuclear dispute, Obama talks with people like James Steinberg, a former aide to President Bill Clinton; Dennis Ross, the former Middle East peace negotiator, and former Sen. Sam Nunn, considered one of the Democratic party’s foremost foreign policy experts. History professor Leo Ribuffo of George Washington University described Obama as a “thoughtful, reflective” politician whose governing approach shows promise. But he said Obama’s lofty promises of reaching across the political aisle would probably run up against harsh realities. “Obama will find, like everybody else who’s in the White House, that he gets strong, maybe even fierce opposition and so he’ll have to decide how to act when he’s facing a noncompromising opposition,” Ribuffo said. “If 40 percent of the population doesn’t want to come together, you’ll have to decide how you’re going to deal with that,” he added.

tive intelligence agencies have infiltrated white hate groups, whose sympathizers are blamed for the assassinations of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X and Medgar Evers, as a means of thwarting attempts on the lives of protectees. Evers was gunned down in 1963 by a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a white-supremacy group whose website this week carried a video clip warning against an Obama administration.

"I don't want to sound like a doomsday prophet," Thomas Robb said on the Klan's WhitePride.tv. "But what will happen to this nation? "A lot of people are concerned if Barack Obama becomes president of the United States. There may be a backlash, there may be many white people throughout this country who will become awakened." In January, concerns were such that Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi wrote to offi-

cials who oversee the Secret Service to say Obama's profile "gives rise to unique challenges that merit special concern." "As an African-American who was witness to some of this nation's most shameful days during the civil rights movement, I know personally that the hatred of some of our fellow citizens can lead to heinous acts of violence," Thompson wrote. Obama spoke early this year with The New York Times about

his life in the security cocoon, saying "I've got the best protection in the world," repeating a line he tells concerned supporters. "So stop worrying." For Alnett Wooten, an 86-year-old black woman waiting in line at a Washington polling station Tuesday, Obama's fate is in God's hands. "I never thought I would live long enough to do it," she said of voting for a black president. "I just pray that He will keep him safe."

basks in Obama tribute

CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 6 (AGENCIES): In his victory speech broadcast around the world, President elect Barack Obama paid homage to his well-known wife, his hard-fighting opponent, historic civil rights leaders, and then to a 106-year-old woman no one had heard of before. Ann Nixon Cooper lives in Atlanta, and that’s where she voted for the man who would become the first African American president. Obama singled her out as someone who has witnessed first hand just how far America has come in the civil rights movement. Cooper had been tipped off by the Obama campaign that she would be mentioned in his acceptance speech. Toward the end, she got her moment. “I had heard that they would be calling my name at least,” said Cooper seated in her home a day after the election. “I stayed up to listen for it.” “Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old,” Obama told a crowd of thousands gathered to hear him speak on Tuesday night in Chicago’s Grant Park. “She was born just a generation past slavery, a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky, when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons: because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America.” On Wednesday, Cooper beamed as she greeted reporters at her southwest Atlanta home, wearing a gold cross around her neck that proudly displayed her age. She first registered to vote on September 1, 1941. Though she was friends with elite black Atlantans like W.E.B. Du Bois, John Hope Franklin and Benjamin E. Mays, because of her status as a black woman in a segregated and sexist society, she didn’t exercise her right to vote for years. Instead, she deferred to her husband, Dr. Albert B. Cooper, a prominent Atlanta dentist, who “voted for the house.” Her husband died in 1967. Cooper has outlived three of her four children and lived to see women gain the right to vote and the end of segregation. On October 16, she voted early for the Illinois senator, who called to thank her after reading a news article about her. Cooper said she believes Obama’s win could finally signal the change she has been waiting for. “I feel nothing but relief that things have changed as much as they have,” she said. She decorates her home with graying photographs of her long life, thankful she’s still here to help shape history and be part of an historic speech. She’s confident the civil rights movement will move on, even after she’s gone. “They’ll go further and further. After a while we will be all one,” said Cooper, who turns 107 in January, just a few weeks before Obama’s inauguration.

What happens to Sarah Palin now?

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin was a phenomenon as the Republican vice presidential running mate to John McCain, and the question for the self-styled moosehunting hockey mom is: What now? Alaska Gov. Palin, plucked from obscurity and thrust on to the national stage to mixed reviews, was publicly cool to talk that she might have caught the presidential bug and seek to run against Democrat Barack Obama in 2012. "I don't know politically where in the world I'll be then," she told reporters on Wednesday in Phoenix. But her interest in playing some kind of national role was evident from the words of McCain himself on Tuesday night in his concession speech after he was defeated by Obama. "We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, acknowledges the Party and our country," he said. Palin, 44, drew huge crowds crowd during an election night rally in Phoeon the campaign trail, bigger than nix Tuesday, November 4. (AP Photo)

McCain's. She proved to be a powerful performer in stump speeches, energizing the Republican base. But she was less effective in television interviews, botching a couple of early media encounters to the point that some prominent conservatives said she was too inexperienced to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Her folksy, "you betcha" style was both refreshing and grist for countless jokes on late-night television, giving a career boost to her actress doppelganger, Tina Fey of NBC's "Saturday Night Live." "She clearly has a future in national politics," said Republican strategist Scott Reed. "She has to work to rebuild the parts of her image that became a caricature. But she's extremely popular with the grassroots." "Palin needs to take some time back in Alaska and regroup with her day job. There's plenty of time to plot and scheme after the Christmas holidays," he said. While Palin was selected by McCain in 2008, if she ran in 2012 she would compete against formidable members of her own party

with their own visions like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Republican strategist Tony Fabrizio said Palin is not the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2012. He noted in particular some revelations uncovered by the news media during what amounted to a public vetting of her record once she was picked by McCain. Her acceptance of thousands of dollars in daily travel expenses from the state while living at home and the Republican Party's costly shopping spree to equip her and her family with designer clothing may come back to haunt her. "She needs to go back home and face all of the stuff that's been raked up in the presidential race. Voters in Alaska found out a lot of stuff about Sarah Palin that they didn't know about Sarah Palin. She's got to go back and get herself re-elected," Fabrizio said. Palin's future may depend on how the Republican Party itself changes

in response to its defeat. Social conservatives who are warmest to Palin represent a dwindling minority in the party, which was rocked by the Obama victory and will now undergo a period of reflection and soulsearching about the future. Palin was said to have little time for people who did not agree with her socially conservative views. "If she wants to be a voice for a part of the new failed Republican Party, she's going to have to broaden her appeal," said a McCain staff member who asked not to be named. Linda Fowler, a political science professor at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, said a drop in oil prices could hit Alaska's budget and make her job as governor much tougher, jeopardizing her high approval rating in the state. "I think there will be a different environment for her in Alaska both because of the national exposure, which won't necessarily be positive, and because the internal politics of the state will probably change," she said.

Dimapur

SPORTS

Friday 7 November 2008

The Morung Express

Arsenal players victims of cowardly tackles, says Wenger

LONDON, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): Arsene Wenger has accused some opposing players of being cowards and deliberately injuring his Arsenal side as he prepares his battered and bruised team for Wednesday's Champions League clash at home to Fenerbahce. Arsenal have a long injury list and are definitely without striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defenders Emmanuel Eboue and William Gallas for the Group G clash at the Emirates that can seal their place in the last 16. Winger Theo Walcott is also out after injuring his shoulder in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Stoke City on Saturday. That result came in the wake of a 4-4 home draw with bottom side Tottenham Hotspur and raised questions about Arsenal's ability to mix it with some of the more physical teams. Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen suggested Arsenal lacked the requisite spine to mount a lasting title challenge but Wenger made a vigorous defence of his players on Tuesday. "When I hear people say that my team are not brave, I tell you that they are brave," coach Wenger told a news conference. "For me you

need more courage to play football when you know that somebody is tackling you from behind without any intention to play the ball, just with one intention to hurt you. I can show you tackles where I can prove what I'm saying." Asked if he felt opposing players were deliberately injuring his players, Wenger said: "Yes, of course. "Was (Stoke's Rory) Delap trying to play the ball when he injured Walcott? Did (Ryan) Shawcross try to play the ball when he tackled Adebayor off the pitch? "The brave one is not the one who tackles from behind the player who tries to play football, they are the coward ones. "When you question the courage of my team, I'm sorry, the team that tries to play the game respecting the rules is the brave one." Wenger said he hoped Walcott would be available for the Premier League match at home to Manchester United on Saturday while Gallas, who has a hamstring injury, had an outside chance. Adebayor faces a longer spell out with an ankle injury, Wenger said. Victory over Turkish visitors Fenerbahce will give Arsenal 10 points with two group matches re-

BUENOS AIRES, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): Diego Maradona's reign as coach of Argentina has got off to a confused but entertaining start. Maradona, who makes his debut against Scotland in a friendly on November 19, ran into his first problem during Tuesday's official presentation when he backtracked over the naming of his assistants. The 48-year-old, who joked that he routinely got up at midday, announced last week that former Argentina team mates Sergio Batista and Jose Luis Brown would take on the role but on Tuesday changed his mind and said nothing had been

decided. Maradona has reportedly proposed that former defender Oscar Ruggeri and midfielder Alejandro Mancuso could work alongside him, a suggestion which has been widely questioned by the Argentine media and public. Ruggeri, known during his playing days for his ruthless tackling, has had a particularly unfortunate series of coaching experiences. He resigned at Mexico's UAG after losing his first six games in early 2003, then took charge of Independiente in his homeland but resigned four months later after being jeered and insulted by fans at a home game. In 2004,

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): A meeting of the Veteran Footballers was held recently at the conference hall of the DDSC Stadium in Dimapur, where 15 footballers decided to form the District Football Veterans Association of Dimapur. The members decided to have 5 member office bearers to run the association and a patron for the district. The members are Nizheto Awomi, DSO of Dimapur as coordinator, Pihoto Awomi, member of DMC as president, Rhibizo Peseyie, general secretary of DDFA and Superintendent of Geology and Mining as vice-president, Marianus Lotha, OSD Handloom and Handicrafts as secretary, Risang Jamir, as joint secretary and Bendangtoshi Ao, Deputy Commissioner of Excise as treasurer while Azheto Zhimomi, MLA of 3 Dimapur III A/C as a patron. The association also decided to collect a sum of Rs. 500 from each member as registration fee. The house informed all veteran footballers above the age of 40 years who could not attend the meeting to join the association at any time and contact any office bearers. All members and those who could not attend the meeting but are interested to join the association have been informed to submit their name and bio-data along with 2 passport photographs to the president or secretary of the association. All members are to meet and have football practice from 6 am to 7 am thrice in a week under the guidance and in-charge of Noksang Ao, senior football coach of Nagaland. The practice will start from October 6. “As suggested by Kohima district Veterans Football Association to have friendly football match with the Dimapur district Veterans Association, the Association have decided to have 2 matches at Dimapur and Kohima respectively if agreed by the Kohima Association,” stated Rhibizo Peseyie, sessional secretary, Dimapur District Veterans Football Association (DDVFA) in a press note.

Under 14 Cricket coaching camp in all districts Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner, top, vies for the ball with Fenerbahce's Claudio Maldonado, bottom, during their Champions League Group G soccer match at the Emirates Stadium, London, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

maining, usually a guarantee of progress to the knockout rounds, and Wenger is anx-

ious to get the job done. "Once we qualify in the Champions League we can focus on the

Premier League and have the chance to rest some players," Wenger said. "It's important

we qualify as quickly as possible because we had two bad experiences recently."

Confusing start for Maradona the coach Giggs to the rescue for below par ManU

New Argentina's soccer head coach Diego Maradona smiles during a press conference at the Argentine Football Association in Buenos Aires, Tuesday November 4. Maradona replaces Alfio Basile, who stepped down October 16, one day after a historic 1-0 loss against neighboring Chile in World Cup qualifiers. Maradona's coaching team has still not been officially announced. (AP Photo)

Veteran footballers’ association formed

he went to Spanish second division club Elche but was fired after 20 games. He returned to Mexico and joined America, the country's richest club, and this time lasted only six games. Ruggeri's last coaching experience was with San Lorenzo in 2006 where he was again fired after poor results, including a 7-1 home defeat by Boca Juniors. Maradona also gave few clues on how his team would play, which some critics interpreted as meaning that he had not yet decided. Maradona's first squad announcement -20 foreign-based players for the Scotland game -- included no real surprises and, like his predecessor Alfio Basile, he overlooked Italian-based striker Mauro Zarate despite his impressive recent form for Lazio. Whatever the outcome of Argentina's Maradona gamble, it certainly will not be boring if his presentation, described as a cabaret by the sports daily Ole, is anything to go by. With his 1986 coach Carlos Bilardo at his side in a new capacity as manager, Tuesday's event was a far cry from the standard footballing cliches about respecting the opposition and taking each game as it comes. Maradona answered questions with a frankness often lacking in soccer coaches while Bilardo, 69, said he wanted the media to criticise the team, hoping for a repeat of 1986 when his squad arrived in Mexico under a hail of criticism and went on to win the World Cup. "They have to hit (criticise) us more, when people start hitting you have to defend yourselves and that makes us tougher," said Bilardo, who warned his family not to expect him home early.

GLASGOW, NOVEMBER 6 (AFP): Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United could pave the way for Celtic to join his side in the knockout stages of the Champions League after Scott McDonald kept the Scottish champions' hopes alive in Group E. The United boss had to endure a tense evening at Celtic Park on Wednesday before Ryan Giggs's late equaliser cancelled out Australia striker McDonald's sublime firsthalf strike to leave the two sides tied at 1-1. That ensures United will advance to the last 16 barring the inconceivable combination of a defeat in Villarreal in two weeks time being followed by a four-goal defeat at home to Aalborg in their final match. Celtic's hopes of a winner-takes-all showdown with Villarreal here next month depend on United winning in Spain as well as them improving on their woeful away record by taking all three points from Aalborg in Denmark in their next game. But Ferguson gave them grounds for encouragement by indicating that he would be sending a strong side to Villarreal in pursuit of the points

they need to be sure of topping the group. "We want to win the group, so Celtic don't need to worry about that," pledged the Scot, who admitted that he felt his side were headed for their second defeat here in the space of three years. "Celtic are good enough to get that second spot, no question about that." Shunsuke Nakamura's glorious freekick proved decisive on United's last visit and McDonald's 13th-minute effort, a deftly cushioned lob over Ben Foster after 13 minutes, was in the same league. "I made the point before the match about Nakamura scoring a fantastic goal when we played here two years ago and they go and score another fantastic goal," Ferguson said. "The boy has shown great control and composure. It was a great strike." Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, who declared himself too drained by the evening's drama to contemplate his side's remaining matches, also showered McDonald with praise for the way he has coped in the absence of his injured fellow forwards Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras and Chris Killen. "It was a really calm finish," Strachan said. "What he has done

over the last month is phenomenal when you think he has lost all of his regular striking partners." Despite them leaving it late, Ferguson believes his side did enough to merit the point they claimed when Artur Boruc was unable to hold Cristiano Ronaldo's swerving drive, palming the ball into the path of Giggs. "We kept at them in the second half and I think we deserved to get a point," said Ferguson. "But with minutes to go you do think you are going to lose it, that it might not be your night." Ferguson had rested Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov with one eye on Saturday's Premier League trip to Arsenal, but all three had been pressed into action by the finish. Berbatov entered the fray at half-time and Ferguson felt the Bulgarian's guile significantly improved United's cutting edge. "He takes up such fantastic positions he is very difficult to pinpoint. But overall the urgency of the team proved their character. They needed to produce something in the second half and they did." Strachan also believes his side proved a point, which he underlined with a sideswipe at Paul Ince, the Blackburn manager who had described United's 3-0 win over Celtic last month as an "embarrassing" mismatch between "men and boys." The Celtic boss said: "I thought it was going to be one of those glorious nights, although we were not embarrassed when the equaliser went in. "I am just happy we got a bit of pride back, happy we gave them a good game. And I'm happy we are not boys. We are men. Boys don't play like with that kind of spirit."

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) has decided to hold coaching camp for Under 14 players in all districts (1st phase), conducted by the District Associations and sponsored by the NCA. A press note issued by Atha C Angami, member of NCA stated that the final selection for the State Team will be held at Dimapur. Therefore, all district cricket association should contact the committee members for the Under 14 coaching camp programme on or before November 15 next. Convenor, A Rahman of Dimapur (9436006776), Member, Atha C Angami of Kohima (9436001017) and Member, Sunup Imchen of Kohima (9436001775).

MDFA TROPHY

First Quarter Finals match played between Arkong Sporting Club 'A' and Youngsters Club in progress. Arkong S/C 'A' won the match with a goal score of 2-0. Tomorrow's match to be played between last years Champion Moanungsang Memorial Club (MMC) Vrs Youth Association Artang.

NDN Memorial Football Trophy

Juve win at Real for ﬁrst time in 46 years

Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero, center, celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid during their Champions League soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Wednesday, November 5.(AP Photo)

BELGRADE, NOVEMBER 6 (REUTERS): Juventus, inspired by twogoal Alessandro Del Piero, chalked up their first win at

Real Madrid since 1962 by beating the Spaniards 2-0 on Wednesday to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. The 33-year-old Ita-

ly striker received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd when he was substituted in injury time after an effervescent performance

hailed by coach Claudio Ranieri. "When you have a great player who is performing superbly and giving his all for the team the colour of his shirt does not matter," Ranieri told a news conference. "They applaud because they are applauding football, they are applauding a thing of beauty." Defeat left nine-times European champions Real in a precarious position in Group H, needing to avoid slip-ups in their final two matches against BATE Borisov and Zenit St Petersburg. BATE were beaten 2-0 by visiting Zenit on Wednesday. Real had the lion's share of possession but created few opportunities after Del Piero fired Juve into an early lead when he drilled in a low left-foot shot from 18 metres. Spain defender Sergio Ramos spurned Real's best chance midway through the second half and Del Piero made it 2-0 with a superb free kick that left goalkeeper Iker Casillas watching helplessly. "I am

extremely happy," Del Piero said. "We won, we have qualified, I scored. "I am proud of the applause I received at the Bernabeu, an incredible stadium and an extremely important one. You live for these kinds of emotions." Holders Manchester United, former winners Bayern Munich and Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyon moved a step closer to the last 16 but Arsenal still have plenty of work to do after a 0-0 home draw with Fenerbahce. United drew 1-1 at Celtic after a late header from Ryan Giggs cancelled out Scott McDonald's early opener, the Australian striker beating goalkeeper Ben Foster with a delightful lob from the edge of the penalty box. "In the second half we kept our perseverance and deserved the point but with minutes to go you obviously think you are going to lose," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "That's football and you keep thinking it's never going to be your night." The result left the Eng-

Players of Chandlushung Friends Club along with the 15th Lt. Nyamo, Daniel, Nzanbemo (NDN) Memorial Football Trophy lish and European champi- 2008 at the State Stadium in Dimapur, on Thursday. Chandons top of Group E level on lushung Friends Club defeated Lotha Oriental Sporting Club eight points with Villarreal, by 2-1 goals in the ﬁnal match. (Morung Photo)

who drew 2-2 at AaB Aalborg after the home side twice came from behind to keep a mathematical chance of progressing. Group F took on a similar look after Bayern drew 1-1 at Fiorentina and Lyon beat Steaua Bucharest 2-0. Tim Borowski struck in the 78th minute to put Bayern level on eight points with Lyon after Juninho and Anthony Reveillere scored in each half for the winners of seven successive French league titles. Fiorentina have three points and a slim chance of reaching the last 16 while Steaua, who have one point, can only hope for a UEFA Cup berth available to third-placed teams. Arsenal failed to break down a stubborn Fenerbahce at the Emirates Stadium but still lead Group G with eight points, two more than Porto following their come-frombehind 2-1 win at Dynamo Kiev. Dynamo are still in contention on five points.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) dunks the ball as forward Pau Gasol (16), of Spain, looks on during the ﬁrst half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, November 5, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

C M Y K

Ent/Tabloid

The Morung Express

Celebrities hail C Obama election victory

elebrities have been seen to play a prominent role in Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election and stars from Oprah Winfrey to Ricky Gervais have been quick to hail his triumph. Long-time Obama backer Winfrey, who was in Chicago for the US president elect's victory rally, said: "It feels like hope won. It feels like it's not just victory for Barack Obama. It feels like America did the right thing. "It feels like there's a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened here, like nothing ever in our lifetimes did we expect this to happen. It feels like anything is now possible." Ricky Gervais, currently in the US promoting his new film 'Ghost Town', claimed his famous comedic creation David Brent would have voted Obama. Speaking to the BBC, he said: "I think it's the most exciting election for Americans, from what I've heard, 'cos it's a clean break and just everything about Obama's so charismatic. David Brent would vote for Barack Obama. Definitely. He'd love to be on the side of the fact this could change the American landscape." George Clooney, who raised hundreds of thousands for Obama during his 21-month campaign for the presidency, said: "I congratulate President-elect Obama on his historic victory, and now it's time to begin unifying the country so we can take on the extraordinary challenges that this generation faces In Los Angeles, friends star

Courtney Cox held a victory party that was attended by Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer and Sacha Baron Cohen. Fall Out boy guitarist Pete Wentz had perhaps the best reason for voting Democrat. During polling, he admitted that his parents got together thanks to Obama's running mate Senator Joe Biden. Wentz told Associated Press: "They met on the campaign so they have this particular affection for Joe. He came to their wedding. If it weren't for Joe Biden, I would not exist as a human being." Rapper Usher also welcomed the result, saying: "This will go down in history, in black history, for all of the sacrifices that the great Joseph Lowery and Martin Luther King made, this actually pays off for their sacrifice. The great Rosa Parks. So many people sacrificed for us to have a voice. It was one thing to have a voice but, to eventually know the best way to use it and then it grows into this, it's just incredible. I'm speechless. I don't even know what to say." It had been claimed that one celebrity Obama backer, Tim Robbins, encountered difficulties when he attempted to cast his vote in favour of Obama. TMZ reports that the 'Shawshank Redemption' star and wife of Susan Sarandon had to battle with officials, who wanted him to use a provisional ballot, for five hours before he was allowed to vote, as he was not on the register in his usual polling station in New York. Robbins eventually ultimately allowed to cast his ballot and said: "This is just one example of how difficult it is to vote in the United States."

Obama win makes Oprah weep and DiCaprio proud

prah Winfrey wept tears of joy, Leonardo DiCaprio said he was proud to be an American and several hip-hop music stars said Sen. Barack Obama's election as the first black U.S. president fulfilled the dreams of America's youth. Celebrities played a large, and sometimes controversial, role in Obama's election campaign, organizing fund-raisers, performing at rallies and campaigning on his behalf. Republican candidate John McCain used Obama's popularity with actors and musicians during the campaign to mock the Illinois senator as little more than a celebrity himself. But when Obama was

declared president-elect on Tuesday, his A-list supporters spoke out again. DiCaprio, in Rome for the Italian premiere of his movie "Body of Lies", told reporters on Wednesday he had stayed up all night watching the election. "I couldn't be more proud of my country right now and proud of being an American ... I feel overwhelmed and I feel a tremendous weight has been lifted from my shoulders," the "Titanic" star said. Talk-show host Winfrey, one of America's most influential women, campaigned with Obama last year. On Tuesday night, millions of TV viewers saw her in tears among the tens of thousands gathered in Chi-

cago for Obama's victory speech. "It feels like America did the right thing," Winfrey told CNN. "It feels like there's a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened here, like nothing ever in our lifetimes did we expect this to happen." Hip-hop music and fashion mogul Russell Simmons said Obama's election was "a clear reflection of hip-hop politics." "While many older Americans, who marched and struggled so hard so Senator Obama could run for president of the United States never dared to believe in his candidacy's real potential, young people, particularly the hip-hop

community, had faith and their imagination became our reality," Simmons said in a statement. R&B singer Usher told Access Hollywood, "Barack Obama doesn't represent a colour. He represents change." Black music producer and singer Sean Diddy Combs said, "I felt like my vote was the vote that put him into office ... And that may not be true but that's how much power it felt like I had." People magazine, typically a place to read about Hollywood stars such as Katie Holmes and Britney Spears, put Obama on its front cover in a special edition marking his election. Actor George Clooney said

in a statement it was "time to begin unifying the country so we can take on the extraordinary challenges that this generation faces." And poet Maya Angelou, 80, author of the influential book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", said she could barely talk without weeping as she remembered all the African-Americans who had struggled for civil rights in the past. "We are growing up. My God, I'm so grateful," Angelou told "The Early Show" on CBS. "We have elected a black man to talk for us, to speak for us. We, blacks, whites, Asians, Spanish-speaking, Native Americans, we have done it."

Princess Diana's seat Jennifer Aniston’s ex-ﬁance wants her back belt warning

ritain's Princess Diana's death could have been avoided if she had worn a seatbelt, according to the road safety minister. Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick has claimed the princess paid "the ultimate price", and is using the case as an example to drivers as part of a campaign to promote the importance of wearing seat belts. He said: "There's so much sensitivity about Princess Diana because of her memory, but the period between then and now is quite significant. As an example, it couldn't be more graphic." 6 million TV advertisement supporting Fitzpatrick's campaign - which shows a driver's heart after his rib cage is ripped open following a collision - is set to be shown. The princess died in a tragic road collision in Paris in August 1997, along with boyfriend Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul. Former bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones was wearing a seatbelt and survived. Fitzpatrick said: "The former security officer wearing a seatbelt lived whereas Henri Paul, Dodi Fayed and Diana all weren't wearing seatbelts and they paid the ultimate price." An inquest earlier this year confirmed the fact the deceased had not been wearing seat belts was a contributing factor to their death.

Jennifer Hudson Kisses Her Mother Goodbye at Funeral

ennifer Hudson kissed her mother goodbye at a private service for her slain family members in Chicago on Monday. The Oscar-winning actress spent a few moments at the caskets of her brother and nephew, and gently touched the body of her mother before leaning down to kiss her, the Chicago Tribune reports. Toward the end of the service, American Idol season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino sang a rousing rendition of the gospel classic "Your Grace and Mercy," grasping Hudson's hand. As mourners including Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah and music producer Clive Davis left Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God, Jennifer, 27, joined in the chorus of the recessional, "I Go to the Rock," a longtime family friend told PEOPLE. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley attended the service. After the funeral, a horse-drawn carriage led the procession to the cemetery. The private service comes a day after a public service was held for Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home. Police discovered the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother on Oct. 24, and her nephew's three days later. Though no one has been charged, police have classified Jennifer's brother-in-law, William Balfour, as "a person of interest." The Hudson family members will be buried at Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side of Chicago.

11 PRIME TIME Friday

7 November 2008

Dimapur

06:00 - Fashion House; 07:00 Friday Night Lights; 08:00 Seinfeld; 08:30 - Friends; 09:00 - Less Than Perfect; 09:30 Samantha Who?; 10:00 - Grey’s Anatomy; 11:00 - The Moment Of Truth; 12:00 - Jimmy Kimmel; 13:00 - Ghost Whisperer; 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 Friends; 19:30 - Seinfeld; 20:00 - How I Met Your Mother; 20:30 Samantha Who?; 21:00 - The Moment Of Truth; 22:00 - Blood Ties; 23:00 - The Unit; 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 Unit 06:00 - Animal Planet Safari; 07:00 Teleshopping; 08:00 - All New Planet’s Funniest Animals; 08:30 - Young And Wild; 09:00 - Nick Baker’s Weird Creatures; 10:00 - All New Planet’s Funniest Animals; 10:30 - Lords of the Animals; 11:00 - Planet Wild; 11:30 - Up Close And Dangerous; 12:00 - Wild Africa; 13:00 - Life of Mammals; 14:00 - Animal Planet Safari; 15:00 - O’shea’s Big Adventure; 16:00 - Big Cat Diary 4; 17:00 - Animal Planet Personalities; 18:00 - All New Planet’s Funniest Animals; 18:30 - Young And Wild; 19:00 - Planet Wild; 19:30 - Up Close And Dangerous; 20:00 - Wild Africa; 21:00 - O’shea’s Big Adventure; 22:00 - Animal Planet Safari; 23:00 - Big Cat Diary 4; 00:00 - All New Planet’s Funniest Animals; 00:30 - Young And Wild; 01:00 - Teleshopping; 02:00 - Petsburgh USA; 03:00 - Monkey Business; 04:00 Petsburgh USA; 05:00 - Monkey Business

Beats; 04:30 - Deewane

05:00 - Diljale; 07:45 - Gtm Keshyog; 08:00 - Subah Ho Gayi Mamu; 09:00 Suryavanshi; 13:00 - Vaishno Devi Kaal Bharavi; 16:30 - Zaalim; 20:00 - Jigar; 00:00 - Parivar; 03:30 - Making Of Honeymoon Travels; 04:00 - Jhankaar

06:00 - Telebrands; 07:00 - Wildest; 08:00 - Hunters; 09:00 - Raging Planet; 10:00 - Life In Cold Blood; 11:00 - Into Alaska With Jeff Corwin; 12:00 - Rhodes Across India; 13:00 - Planet Earth; 14:00 - Life In Cold Blood; 15:00 - Planet Food; 16:00 - The Beauty Of Snakes; 17:00 - Living Dangerously; 18:00 - Futureweapons; 19:00 - The Beauty Of Snakes; 20:00 Dirty Jobs; 21:00 - Fight Quest; 22:00 - A Haunting; 23:00 - Giant Of The Skies: Building The Airbus A380; 00:00 - Wild Africa; 01:00 - Telebrands; 02:00 - Giant Of The Skies: Building The Airbus A380; 03:00 - Futureweapons; 04:00 - A Haunting; 05:00 - Giant Of The Skies: Building The Airbus A380 06:00 - Seva Ganga; 06:30 - Vignan Shashwat Sukh Ka; 07:00 Sangam; 07:30 - Raja Ki Ayegi; 08:00 - Kyunki Saas Bhi; 08:30 Baa Bahoo Aur Baby; 09:00 Kumkum; 09:30 - Kis Desh Mein; 10:00 - Grihasti; 10:30 - Hamari Devrani; 11:00 - Baa Bahoo Aur Baby; 12:30 - Jahan Pe Basera Ho; 13:00 - Kumkum; 13:30 Hamari Devrani; 14:00 - Karam; 14:30 - Grihasti; 15:00 - Jahan Pe Basera Ho; 17:30 - Saibaba; 18:30 - Hamari Devrani; 19:00 Shararat; 19:30 - Kis Desh Mein; 20:00 - Aaja Mahi Ve; 21:00 Prithviraj; 21:30 - Baa Bahoo Aur Baby; 22:00 - Star Voice Of India; 23:00 - Kis Desh Mein; 23:30 - Jahan Pe Basera Ho; 00:00 - Kasturi; 00:30 - Ab Tak Ka Safar; 01:00 - Bidaai; 01:30 - Kis Desh Mein; 02:00 - Grihasti; 02:30 - Kayamath; 03:00 - Ab Tak Ka Safar; 03:30 - Kahaani Ghar; 04:00 - Kyunki Saas Bhi; 04:30 - Raja Ki Ayegi; 05:00 - Disney Time 04:35 - In Too Deep; 06:15 - Vip Access; 06:45 - Teaching Mrs. Tingle; 08:45 - On The Line; 10:35 - Dirty Pretty Things; 12:35 - Lonely Hearts; 14:40 - Mrs. Parker And Vicious Circle; 17:05 - Home Of The Brave; 19:10 - Spy Kids; 21:00 - Good Will Hunting; 23:20 - Partition; 01:35 - The Death And Life Of Bobby Z; 03:15 - Cursed; 04:55 - Faithful 1:30 - Us Pgatournament -Children’s Miracle Network-Day 1; 3:30 - European Tour Weekly 200 - 8; 4:00 - Inside The Pga Tour 200 - 8; 4:30 - Stanford 20-20: Superstars V England H/L’s; 5:30 - Great Centuries : Kumar Sangakkara 152; 6:00 - Uefa Champions League H/L’s:; 7:00 - Wwe: Raw; 9:00 - Icl Hl’s Mumbai V Hydrabad; 10:00 - Uefa Champions League H/L’s:; 11:00 - Stanford 20-20: Superstars V England H/L’s; 12:00 - Uefa Champions League : Celtic V Man U; 14:00 - Inside The Pga Tour 200 - 8; 14:30 - Icl Hl’s Mumbai V Hydrabad; 15:30 - Wwe: Ecw; 16:30 - Wwe: Smackdown; 18:30 - Icl 20-20 - Preview: Dhaka V Lahore; 19:30 - Icl 20-20 : Dhaka V Lahore; 22:30 - Icl 20-20 Review: Dhaka V Lahore; 23:00 - Wwe: Ecw 04:15 - Neil Simons The Odd Couple Ii; 06:15 - Plunkett And Macleane; 08:15 Dark Storm; 10:00 - The Truman Show; 12:00 - United 93; 14:15 - Forever Young; 16:15 - Hollywood’s 10 Best; 16:45 - Doc Hollywood; 18:45 - Bad News Bears; 21:00 - Gladiator; 00:00 Meltdown; 02:00 - Mobsters; 04:00 - Black August

ennifer Aniston’s ex-fiance Tate Donovan has been phoning the actress to tell her she was the “love of his life”. The 39-yearold actress – who recently rekindled her relationship with ‘Gravity’ singer John Mayer – is said to be considering giving her relationship with Tate a second chance. A source close to Jennifer, who split from 45-year-old Tate in 1995 after three years of dating, said: “Jennifer cannot believe it. A few

months ago she was single and heartbroken, and now she has got two men professing their love for her. Tate has been in touch with Jennifer on and off over the years. But this time it was different. He called her again and again and hinted they should start dating. Jennifer thought it was a joke at first, but she is immensely flattered and is considering her options.” Jennifer - who appeared with Tate in several episodes of ‘Friends’

when he played her love interest Joshua - is said to be finding it difficult to choose between the two stars and is considering which man would make a better father. The source added to a magazine: “Jennifer really wants a baby and whatever relationship she has now may be her last chance to settle down and have a family. I think Jennifer sees the family man in Tate, and that’s attractive to her. At the same time, she wants things to work between her and John.”

Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton dies

op-selling author Michael Crichton passed away in Los Angeles, US, after a protracted battle with cancer. He was 66. Born in Chicago on October 23, 1942, Crichton was the author of best-selling novels like Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, The Terminal Man, Prey and State of Fear among others. He also directed six films, including Westworld and Coma, and was a co-creator of the TV series ER. A statement posted on Crichton's website by his family said, 'While the world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us – and entertained us all while doing so – his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes.' 'Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand. 'He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world.'

06:00 - Shakti Yug; 06:30 - The Faith Show; 07:00 - Enjoying Everyday Life; 07:25 Exposure Ek Nazar; 07:30 - Amritwani; 07:55 Exposure Jhalak; 08:00 - Teleshopping; 08:25 - Exposure Ek Nazar; 08:30 - Jai Jai Tridev; 09:00 - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009; 12:00 - Dulhann; 12:30 - Kahani Ab Tak; 13:00 - Chhoti Bahu; 13:30 - Rakhi; 14:00 - Teen Bahuraaniyaan; 14:30 - Jhoome Jiiya Re; 15:00 - Dulhann; 15:30 Maayka; 16:00 - Kahani Ab Tak; 16:30 - Ranbir Rano; 18:30 - Chhoti Bahu; 19:00 - Vivaah; 19:30 - PArrivaar; 20:00 - Dulhann; 20:30 Maayka; 21:00 - Naaginn; 21:30 - Aladdin; 22:00 - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009; 23:30 - Kahani Ab Tak; 23:55 - Exposure Ek Nazar; 00:00 - Asian Sky Shop; 00:55 - Exposure; 01:00 - Asian Sky Shop; 02:00 - Shabhash India - Childrens Special; 02:30 - Parrivaar; 04:30 - Urja; 05:00 - Ramayan; 05:30 - Narseva Narayan Seva 06:00 - Hum Ladkiyan; 06:30 - Meet Mila De Rabba; 07:00 - Telebrands; 07:30 Teleshopping; 08:50 - Box Office Muzic Hitz; 09:00 - Comedy Circus; 10:00 - Meet Mila De Rabba; 12:00 - Hum Ladkiyan; 14:00 - Sharaabi; 18:00 - Comedy Circus; 19:00 - Cid; 20:00 Boogie Woogie; 21:00 - Indian Idol 4; 22:30 Cid; 23:30 - Hum Ladkiyan; 00:00 - Telebrands; 00:30 - Teleshopping; 01:00 - Boogie Woogie; 02:00 - Comedy Circus; 03:00 - Aahat - 3; 04:00 - Cid; 05:00 - Comedy Circus 6:00 - Numb3rs; 7:00 - So You Think You Can Dance; 8:00 - Chuck; 9:00 Numb3rs; 11:00 - Early Edition; 12:00 Afterworld; 12:03 - World’s Most Amazing Videos; 1:00 - Video Zonkers; 2:00 - The Amazing Race Asia; 3:00 - Ultimate Guinness World Records; 5:00 - So You Think You Can Dance; 6:00 Numb3rs; 7:00 - Afterworld; 7:03 - Chuck; 8:00 - World’s Most Amazing Videos; 9:00 - Ultimate Guinness World Records; 9:30 Ebuzz; 10:00 - Land Of The Dead; 12:30 - Afterworld; 12:33 Ultimate Guinness World RecordS; 1:00 - Axn Xtreme: India Vs Pakistan; 2:00 - So You Think You Can Dance; 3:00 - Early Edition; 4:00 - Chuck; 5:00 - Axn Xtreme: India Vs Pakistan 04:45 - Venom; 06:15 - Jill Rips; 07:30 Infomercial; 08:00 - Bat*21; 10:15 Bringing Out The Dead; 13:00 - A Goofy Movie; 14:50 - Turner And Hooch; 17:00 - Hollywoods 10 Best; 17:30 - Good Morning, Vietnam; 20:15 - Man Of The House; 22:30 - Air Force One; 01:15 - A Goofy Movie; 02:30 - Marie And Bruce; 04:00 - The Contract; 05:30 - Mr Bones 06:00 - Adventures Of The Ladies Tailor; 06:30 - Feast India; 07:00 Europe’s Richest People; 08:00 1000 Places To See Before You Die; 09:00 - Dream Hotels; 09:30 - Indian Rendezvous; 10:00 - A Makeover Story; 10:30 - Big Boutique; 11:00 - Superhomes 2; 11:30 - Amazing Vacation Homes; 12:00 - Bangla Bangers; 13:00 - I Do, Let’s Eat!; 13:30 - Indian Food Made Easy; 14:00 - Indian Rendezvous; 14:30 - Finest Hotels In The World; 15:00 - Seven Wonders; 16:00 - In The Lap Of Luxury; 17:00 - Dream Hotels; 17:30 - Feast Bazaar Year 2006; 18:00 Vegas Vegas; 19:00 - 1000 Places To See Before You Die; 20:00 Hotel By The Bay; 20:30 - I Do, Let’s Eat!; 21:00 - Europe’s Richest People; 22:00 - Nigella Express; 22:30 - Samantha Brown: Passport To Great Weekends; 23:00 - A Model Life With Petra Nemcova; 00:00 - Vip Weekends With Ian Wright; 00:30 - Getaway 2006; 01:00 - Europe’s Richest People; 02:00 - 1000 Places To See Before You Die; 03:00 - Surf And Snack; 04:00 - A Makeover Story; 04:30 - Big Boutique; 05:00 - Monster House

C M Y K

The

Morung

SPORTS

P 12

Tendulkar boosts India with a century to attempt a big shot. The Indian batsman offered another chance on 96. Lee ran back from mid-off to hold a skier but failed to judge it properly with Krejza again the unlucky bowler. Barring these lapses, Tendulkar looked in command and executed hand-

some shots on both sides of the wicket. He hit 12 fours in his 188-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Johnson, bowling with the second new ball. India were off to a brisk start, with Virender Sehwag (66) dominating a 98-run stand for the opening wicket with Murali

Vijay who made an impressive 33 on his debut. Australia's first success came when Watson had Vijay caught behind off a lifting delivery. Krejza then took two wickets in three overs, dismissing Sehwag and Rahul Dravid for a duck. The spinner, hit for a

four and a six by Sehwag in his opening over, extended Dravid's poor run with the bat when he had the Indian caught by Simon Katich at short-leg with a delivery that turned and bounced. Dravid has scored just one half-century in the series. Krejza, 25, celebrated

again when he removed Sehwag, bowled off an insideedge while attempting to cut. Sehwag hit one six and nine fours in a 69-ball knock -- his 16th Test half-century. His third wicket came in the last session when he had the well-set Laxman caught behind.

Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar reacts after scoring a century during the ﬁrst day's play of the fourth and ﬁnal test between India and Australia in Nagpur, Thursday, November 6. (AP Photo)

NAGPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (AFP): Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar smashed his 40th century to put India in a healthy position in the fourth and final Test against Australia here on Thursday. The hosts reached 311-5 at stumps on the opening day with Tendulkar (109) putting on 146 for the fourth wicket with Venkatsai Laxman, who made a solid 64 in his 100th Test. Sourav Ganguly, playing his final Test, was unbeaten on 27 with new captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on four not out. India looked in trou-

dle

ble when they slipped from 98 without loss to 116-3 in the morning session, with debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza (3-138) grabbing two wickets and seamer Shane Watson one. But Tendulkar, 35, and Laxman ensured their team did not lose the advantage of winning the toss on good batting pitch. Both scored freely against pace and spin. India lead 1-0 in the series following their 320-run victory in the second Test in Mohali. The matches in Bangalore and New Delhi were drawn. Australia, need-

ing a win here to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, failed to maintain pressure on the batsmen. Pacemen Brett Lee (0-46) and Mitchell Johnson (1-54) bowled well only in patches, while leg-spinner Cameron White failed to test the batsmen on a first-day wicket. Krejza's three wickets proved expensive. Australia also failed to make the most of the opportunities that came their way, with Johnson dropping Tendulkar on 85 off Krejza at deep mid-off when the batsman stepped down the track

o i t a

Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare

r A e w c a n r a e C n l ess a n 7 th November 2008

‘Detect Early,Save Life’

Cancer is preventable in early stages

Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi Hon’ble Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare

Warning Signals

Common Cancers: Cervix Breast Oral Cavity Lung Stay Fit & Fight Cancer : l l l l l l

Day

Stop Smoking & Chewing Tobacco Do regular physical exercise Maintain optimum weight for height & age Avoid Alcohol Eat Plenty of vegetables & Fruits Adopt healthy sexual & reproductive habits

C hange in bowel or bladder habits A wound that does not heal U nusual Bleeding or discharge T hickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere I ndigestion or difficulty in swallowing O bvious change in a wart or mole N agging cough or hoarseness of voice

Contact nearest Health Centre, District Hospital, Medical College or Regional Cancer Centre

National Cancer Control Programme, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India C M Y K

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