10 Oct 2022

Shah fiscal advice to CMs of NE states

GUWAHATI, OCT 9 (PTI/AGENCIES): Fi nancial discipline of North Eastern states is essential to make the Indian economy the second largest in the world, Union Home Min ister Amit Shah said on Sunday.

Addressing the 70th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) here, Shah said insurgency, lack of connectivity and fail ure of previous governments to focus on the Northeast hampered the region’s devel opment for decades.

“Prime Minister Nar endra Modi’s government tried to understand the core problems and evolved ways to permanently solve the issues to take the region to the path of development,” he said. During the last eight years of the Modi government, many efforts were made to bring peace to the region, enhance con nectivity and give priority to development, he added.

Shah, the chairperson

States directed to refocus on UIP

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (AGENCIES): The Union health ministry has directed states and union territories to focus on the universal immunization programme (UIP), which was severely affected during the worst years of the covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

The UIP is one of the largest public health pro grammes targeting close of 26 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually. A child is said to be fully immunized if it receives all due vaccines as per the national immuniza tion schedule within the 1st year of life.

“During the pandemic, the immunization division of the health ministry was occupied with the covid-19 vaccination programme. As a result, the routine vac cination programme went in backlog. With more than 2 billion covid vaccine doses having been administered so far and covid cases declin ing, there is a need to revive the universal immunization programme,” a senior gov ernment official said.

The programme in volves vaccination against 12 preventable diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, teta nus, polio, measles, rubella, hepatitis B and meningitis.

In the last two years, there has been a dip of ap prox. 20% in the routine immunisation programme. Pre-covid, the vaccination coverage was around 90%.

of NEC, asked the chief ministers of the region to ensure financial discipline of their states which, he said, was essential to make the country’s economy the second largest in the world.

“The Indian economy is currently ranked fifth in the world and financial dis cipline by the North Eastern states is necessary to con tribute to making it second in the world,” Shah said at the meeting.

Shah also pointed out three major roadblocks to the development of Noth East. “There have been three

major roadblocks to the development of the North East for decades - violence by extremist groups, lack of rail, road and air connectiv ity and lack of thrust on de velopment of the Northeast by previous governments,” Shah said.

He further claimed that after finding the root cause of all the problems of the North East, the Govern ment of India has made many efforts to solve them.

He also urged the states to make full use of the North East Space Application Cen tre (NESAC) for flood con

trol, irrigation, tourism, af forestation and agriculture.

All the chief ministers of the region must appoint a nodal officer for NESAC in their respective states so that its maximum and better util isation can be done, he said.

Chief ministers, governors and officials of the eight Northeastern states were present at the meeting that was held at Administrative Staff College in Guwahati.

Shah said that the Cen tre was giving priority to or ganic farming, use of digital technology in the field of agriculture and certification

of natural products.

The Centre under the leadership of Modi is also committed to flood-free and drug-free Northeast, he said.

He urged the chief ministers to keep the states free from single-use plastics.

Referring to hydropow er projects in the region, he said their purpose is not only to generate energy but also can be used in flood prevention.

Shah said the rest of In dia considers the languages, cultures, cuisines and at tires of the Northeast as its heritage, and the Centre was striving to preserve and promote the identities of the region. The prime minister is of the firm belief that the all-round development of the country is possible by taking all the languages of the country together and a provision has been made in the new National Education Policy (NEP) to ensure that primary education is given in the mother tongue only, he said.

Nagaland Governor urges NEC to include power as thrust area

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN):

Considering that power was critical for industrialisation and technological advance ment, governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi urged North Eastern Council (NEC) to include power in thrust areas for overall economic develop ment.

Addressing the 70th Plenary of NEC at Guwaha ti on Sunday, he said Naga land was facing acute power deficit as the State gener ated only 26 MW against a peak requirement of around 115 MW. In this regard, he mentioned that the State Government had submit ted to NEC a proposal for construction of 2.4 MW Duilumroi Hydro Electric Project in Peren district for gap funding and requested the council to sanction it.

He stressed on capacity building and skill develop ment to give gainful em ployment to a large number of educated unemployed youth. He stated that Naga

Don’t consider our lack of assertiveness as weakness: NGHSSEA

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN): Nagaland Government Higher Secondary School Employees’ Association (NGHSSEA) has cautioned the State government not to consider its lack of assertive ness as weakness, reminding that it was the only officiallyregistered association and recognised by Personnel & Administrative Reforms (P&AR) Department.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebration of the association at Naithu Re sort, Dimapur on Saturday, NGHSSEA president Karen Yepthomi said registration and recognition had been taken as collective responsi bility to maintain coopera tion and unity with the de

partment heads and leaders, even as the association had many grievances that had not been addressed to. But, despite this, she pointed out that the association had nev er resorted to any agitation or the members neglected their official duties.

She said there were many instances where junior colleagues suddenly got double and triple promo tions within a year or so after submitting their Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR), adding that NGHSSEA members

were faced with unpleasant situation of submitting their APARs to their juniors be cause the latter had become their seniors. However, Yep thomi mentioned that the as sociation members had been swallowing the bitter pill of discontent as they had been put in a very embarrassing and awkward situation.

Though there were many anomalies in the sys tem, she hoped that the State government, especially the department heads, would sort out the anomalies in the days ahead. She said NGHSSEA was hopeful that all the grievances of the employees would be prioritised as the last few years and the development

Padma Shri Dr. Temsula Ao passes away

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN):

Former chairperson of Naga land Women Commission, Padma Shri Dr. Temsüla Ao passed away on Sunday night at Eden Medical Centre, Dimapur. Born on October 25, 1945, Dr. Temsula leaves behind one son, two daugh ters and grandchildren.

According to family sources, the funeral service will be held on October 10 at 1 p.m. at family residence, Lengrijan Dimapur.

Wife of former MLA late Assamwati Longkumer and mother of incumbent DGP Nagaland TJ Long

is widely respected as one of the major literary voices in English to emerge from Northeast India and her works have been translated into German, French, As samese, Bengali and Hindi.

in previous years’ service rules like downgrading the pay structure of PGTs was pretty demoralising.

She also noted that many political leaders and intellectuals traced their educational roots to gov ernment schools as these schools had a glorious repu tation many decades ago.

Yepthomi also claimed that the government higher secondary schools (GHSS) were ushering in an era of educational revolution, while NGHSSEA was try ing to bring back the former lost glory and reputation of government schools. But she lamented that their efforts and sincerity were never acknowledged.

land was struggling with the problem of employability of the educated unemployed youth. He observed that the youth of today had high as pirations and expectations.

And when these aspirations were not met, frustration set in and they were easily misled to take to crime and anti-national activities, he added.

Noting that most North-eastern States were confronted with insurgency, Mukhi remarked that if peace and development were to be ushered in, then the youth must be provided with opportunities to lead productive lives. He called for imparting these youth with skills in tourism and hospitality, aviation, nurs ing, paramedics, wellness industry, music and enter tainment, IT and the BPOs, sports, etc. besides special ised skills in automobile and construction sectors.

He said Naga tribes had their own rich costumes,

patterns and crafts, while basketry, using bamboo and cane, was an integral part of Naga activity. He mentioned that Nagaland had immense potential to export readymade apparel, handlooms, handicrafts and textile products to Southeast Asian countries.

“Harnessing this skill commercially will provide better means of income, particularly to womenfolk in rural areas. NEC may therefore give due emphasis for development of loinloom production of the NE States as a promotion of tra ditional industry,” he stated.

As Nagaland was an agrarian State, the governor commented that the State’s future lay in exploiting op portunities in agriculture and allied activities. He called for giving a push to commercial crops like coffee and rubber. Horticulture was another area where the State had immense potential, he said.

Rainfall to continue in NE till Oct 15, says IMD

DIMAPUR, OCT 10 (NPN): The Indian Me teorological Department (IMD) has predicted fairly widespread moderate rains and isolated heavy rainfall across the North Eastern region till October 15.

According to IMD, fair ly widespread moderate rains and Isolated heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh, As sam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur and Sikkim to experience wet weather during next week till 15 October. Places near to the Himalayas are bound to receive very heavy precipitation in this period.

Due to moist southern

winds, parts of North East will continue to receive rain fall, it added. Though Mon soon 2022 has left many areas of the country but due to Noru cyclone, there has been a period of rain in many parts of the country for the last several days.

The national capital received the second highest rainfall since 2007, accord ing to IMD data on Sunday.

The city weathered near ceaseless rains– measuring 74mm till 8.30 am Sunday–that brought the maximum temperature on Saturday down by 10 notches, closing in the day-night temperature gap to a record low.

kumer, late Temsula also served as director of North East Zone Cultural Centre.

She was also the recipient of the Governor’s Gold Medal (Meghalaya 2009) and Sah itya Akademi Award. She

A renowned short story writer and ethnographer, late Temsula also served a profes sor of English at North East ern Hill University (NEHU) and was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Min nesota, USA (1985–86). Till date she has published five poetic works, one book on Henry James Quest for an Ideal Heroine, a book on

Ao-Naga Oral Tradition and two short story collec tions-- These Hills Called Home: Stories from the War Zone and Laburnum for my Head. Her second book of short stories Tombstone in My Garden was published in 2022.

Some of her poems are prescribed texts in the M.A. English syllabus of Naga land University and M. Phil English Syllabus of NEHU.

She has an entry on Folklore of Nagaland in the Greenwood Encyclopaedia of World Folklore and Folk Life, Westport Connecticut.

NZPO writes to chief secretary on WSYF ultimatum

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN): Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organization (NZPO) has sought the intervention of chief secretary in connec tion with the ultimatum submitted by the Western Sumi Youth Front and has also raised objection to the composition of the joint verification committee by the state government.

In its 11-paged repre sentation, NZPO president Kevipele Iheilung reminded that the membership of the Lamhainamdi village comprise of all the tribes of Nagaland. NZPO, however, said that “should WSYF follow through with the threat contained in the ul

timatum” served on the state government and as published in the local dai lies, and that such action would lead to a state-wide conflagration which does not bode well for all.

In the first place,

NZPO said WSYF had no right to issue ultimatums or otherwise in the present case, as Lamhainamdi vil lage has no quarrel with or done anything against the said organization.

NZPO said that since WSYF involved itself into an issue of which was not its concern, and urged upon the government that it must, in no uncertain terms, cau tion the organization “to

mind its own business and to stay clear of the issue”.

NZPO asserted that the government was well aware that Lamhainamdi village had been doing ev erything only after due in timation to the government and also within the param eters of the law.

NZPO reminded that in its May 5, 2022 represen tation, it had appraised the home commissioner that the government was well aware of the fact that the land on which the Lamhain amdi village was established “is undisputedly traditional Zeliang land”.

In the representation, NZPO also highlighted the

unequal application of the “so called indefinite status quo order” issued by the home commissioner issued prior to the killing of three innocent victims of Lam hainamdi village on March 22, 2021 under the pretext of the matter being sub judice, despite there being no pend ing cases relating to the land.

NZPO also alleged that while the government was prohibiting villagers even to cultivate in their own land that led them to the brink of starvation, the encroachers were being given free hand to take up development work on the land illegally occupied by them.

GUWAHATI, OCT 9 (AGENCIES): Despite the dominance of social media today, radio still impacts minds in many remote parts of the Northeast. This per haps has prompted UNICEF India to rope in at least 70 radio professionals to help improve immunisation in the region, DHNS report stated.

UNICEF India on Sun day launched the Northeast chapter of the Radio4Child platform in which radio professionals will be roped in to help create innova tive messaging on children

and women’s issues in the region.

“Over the years, we have seen that there has been a steady rise in the immunisation coverage in the Northeastern states of India. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen surfacing of zero-dose children (those who have not received even a single dose of any vaccine) and also chal lenges in nutrition. Radio has the power of reach – it reach es the remotest of regions of Northeast. If key messages are integrated in the popu

lar shows that people tune into, then the information will stay with them,” said Maninder Singh, additional chief secretary, Assam, while formally launching the Ra dio4Child platform.

The chapter was launched in Guwahati on Sunday at the culmination of a two-day capacity building workshop on nutrition and routine immunisation for over 70 radio professionals from Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Naga land, Mizoram, Tripura and some North Indian states.

PWDFWU Peren demand release of salary

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN):

Peren District PWD Field Workers’ Union has reiter ated the demand for release of their salary without any categorisation at the earli est failing which, it would be compelled to take up another democratic means of agitation.

Union’s president Ku nam Hegeu and secretary Temsu Ao said the workcharge employees had not been released their sala ries for years together by PWD despite a February 2, 2022 order by secretary to Kevekha Kevin Zehol, which clearly stated that verification report of these employees would be com

pleted by February 14, 2022.

Following this, they said the workers had called of their agitation. But, they lamented that till now there were no news regarding the released of salary and no intimation from the author ity concerned.

Hence, they questioned the State government and PWD for the delay in veri fying genuine work-charge employees, when all neces sary formalities had been completed.

They also asked why the work-charge employees were placed under various category like R1 and R2, when Aadhaar and physical verification had been com

pleted in March 2020, and why assurance was given that all formalities would be completed by February 14, 2022. They questioned who would be held responsible for the accumulated credit and debt of the work-charge employees whose children’s future were at stake now, besides hampering their families.

The union alleged that the State government and PWD did not care and had no concern towards the plight of the workers who had been toiling under sun and rain. They therefore asked the government and PWD to respond to their queries at the earliest.

UNICEF launches radio platform to help improve immunisation in remote parts of NE

NGHSSEA officials and others during the programme.

Amit Shah with G. Kishan Reddy, Jagdish Mukhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma and others during the 70th Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC), in Guwahati, Sunday. (PTI)

Late Dr. Temsüla Ao

PHED Longleng organises skill development training

DIMAPUR: A community level skill development training programme under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) support activity was organised by Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Longleng division on October 8 at VCC and VDB Conference Hall, Longleng.

According to a DIPR report, special guest of the programme, SDO (Civil) Longleng, Trongdipa Tongpi Sangtam exhorted the trainees stating that skill development training was an opportunity to enhance skills and become selfreliant while contributing to the economy at large. He encouraged the trainees to be sincere and take up these kinds of activities which would provide sustainable income.

Sangtam further stated that JJM was envisioned to provide safe and adequate

Skill development training programme being carried out at VCC and VDB conference hall, Longleng (DIPR).

drinking water to all households in rural areas.

In a keynote address, district chemist, Sumachiba Walling said the training was aimed at imparting skills to the villagers for routine maintenance of drinking

BRIEF

DC Tseminyu informs: Deputy commissioner (DC) Tseminyu, Dr. Zasekuolie Chusi has informed that a workshop in commemoration of the Right to Information (RTI) Week 2022 would be held on October 12, 11 a.m. at DC Tseminyu office. DC has asked presidents of Rengma Hoho, Rengma Women Association, Rengma Selo Zi, Rengma Students’ Union Tseminyu, Rengma Village Council Chairman Forum Tseminyu and Women Club Tseminyu to attend the workshop along with three representatives. Principal/headmaster i/c of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Tseminyu and Baptist Higher Secondary School have been asked to attend along with five students each.

KLBC ‘Pastor Appreciation Day’: Kohima Liangmai Baptist Church (KLBC) under the Liangmai Baptist Association (LBA) Nagaland organised “Pastor Appreciation Day” on October 9 at the church premises. At the programme, head deacon, Rutmakbo delivered a message.

RPO convenes meeting: Rengma Public Organisation Dimapur (RPO) has convened a general meeting on October 24, 11 AM at Tetso College Auditorium, Sovima for the induction of new RPO Dimapur office bearers. In this regard, RPO has informed all range/union presidents of RMA Dimapur, DRYO, and DRSU to attend the meeting positively. Further, RPO informed that if a range/union president is unable to attend, an executive should be delegated to attend the meeting.

water distribution assets to ensure sustainability of water supply infrastructures.

The programme was followed by a practical session where the trainees were trained on plumbing, fitting and masonry.

AGBCN 3rd biennial youth conference concludes in Mon

DIMAPUR: The 3rd Biennial Youth Conference of Association of the Gorkha Baptist Churches Nagaland (AGBCN) concluded on October 9.

The three-day event which commenced on October 7 was held under the theme “Be still & know that I am God” at Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB) Mission Centre, Mon and was attended by 421 delegates from 42 churches.

In a press release, AGBCN informed that main speakers for the conference were Deputy Executive Director, International Needs Network, Nepal, Uma Magar and Nepal based songwriter & worship leader, Adrian Dewan. The speakers spoke on the theme and called upon the youths to have the spirit and passion of dignity of labour.

Meanwhile, youth secretary, AGBCN, Shishir

Lama in a brief address encouraged the youths to stand firm in their commitments until the next youth conference.

The three-day conference included various activities and competitions such as; battle of bands, culture dance, and secretary report competition.

NBC Kohima was adjudged winners at the battle of bands, followed by NBC Padumpukhuri and GBC Diphupar as first and second runners up respectively. In the cultural dance competition, NBC Thahekhu secured first place while NBC Wokha and NBC Kohima secured second and third places respectively. In secretary report competition, GBC Mon grabbed first position, followed by NBC Chümoukedima as second and NBC Kohima as third. NBC Kohima won ‘Best Discipline’ and was declared as the overall champion.

NZP, TSA India observes ‘68th Wildlife Week’

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) in collaboration with Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India observed the “68th Wildlife Week” on October 7-8 at NZP premises by organising competitions, wildlife quiz, and campaign.

A press release by TSA India informed that the two-day event was flagged off with eloquent

conservation insights from the chief guest of the event, chief wildlife warden and additional principal chief conservator of forests, Ved Pal Singh and director of Nagaland Zoological Park, Dr. C Zupeni Tsanglai. A total of 120 students from Unity College, Tetso College, Eastern Christian College, and St. Joseph’s University participated in a series of events including

face mask painting competition, wildlife quiz, a pledge signing campaign, and distribution of information leaflets.

Students were motivated to interact with zoo visitors and spread the news of wildlife conservation. The chief guest also inaugurated two electric rickshaws for senior and child visitors at the zoo.

Achumlo Ngullie 25/11/1999

10/10/2017

Five years ago, on this saddest day, you have gone to the place from here where no one ever back.

can't explain what is going through us.

Chief guest along with director, NZP, students and others at Zoological Park, Nagaland.

12th SBAK Conference concludes

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Vol untary Consumers’ Organ isation (NVCO) president, Kezhokhoto Savi on Octo ber 8, stated that awareness on Right to Information (RTI) was still lacking in the state and that more dis closure was required with regard to various schemes and projects meant for vil lagers, especially the people below poverty line (BPL).

Speaking at the RTI week programme, Kezhok hoto stated that in 2015, NVCO in collaboration with Nagaland Information Commission carried out a study on use of RTI across Nagaland and its impact for the last 10 years.

study, he disclosed that NVCO found that several individuals and organisa tions were filing RTI appli cations “just for the sake of filing” and that they did not read and study the informa tion obtained through the powerful Act.

“We came across the maximum misuse of funds in MNREGA, Public Distri bution System (PDS), etc.”, he disclosed.

for government employees, however, it claimed that they were least bothered to take initiatives to create aware ness for the public.

NVCO also stated that the statement made by chief information commissioner, I. Meyionen Jamir on mis use of RTI in the state was true but also hurt the senti ments of “reasonable RTI applicants/activists” as they had “many success stories”.

WEATHER FORECAST

OCTOBER 10

Correspondent

AICHI SAGHEMI, OCT 9 (NPN): The 12th Sumi Bap tist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (SBAK, Nito Mount) chil dren conference concluded at Aichi Saghemi Village on Sunday afternoon. The three-day conference was held under the theme “In Jesus’ footsteps” and was attended by over four thou sand delegates.

Extending greetings on the concluding session, Advisor, Tourism and Art & Culture, H. Khehovi Yeputhomi sought the chil dren’s prayers before deliver ing his speech stating that children’s hearts are pure and virtuous. Quoting a

Chinese proverb, Yeputhomi said, “If you plan for a year, plant crops. If you plan for 10 years plant trees, and if you plan for 100 years, educate children”, and then stressed on the importance of nurturing children with spiritual teachings while also educating them the values of Sumi dialect, its customs, and traditions.

Stating that today’s children are the leaders of tomorrow and that they will carry on the legacy as elderly people tomorrow, the advisor said that investment on children should be valued and efforts should be made to focus on developing chil dren for the future genera tion. Taking a passage from

the Bible, the advisor called upon the children to obey their parents in the Lord so that they would receive blessings. He also exhorted the children to respect their elders, spiritual leaders in order to lead successful lives when they grow up.

Pastor, SBCZ, Dr. Hut ton Sumi delivered the word of God on the concluding session. The pastor dwelled on the importance of nur turing the tenets of prayer, obedience and respect in children despite the chal lenges that modernisation has posed in today’s society.

He said these challenges have ushered in added re sponsibilities on parents and these needed to be addressed

VK area landowners demand revaluation of land, properties along National Highway-2

DIMAPUR: Aggrieved landowners under the aegis of VK Area Adhoc Union NH-2 (Doyang to Izheto) have urged upon the district authorities of Zunheboto district to resolve their grievances pertaining to underval ued properties and non-inclusion of affected areas along NH 2 pending since the past five to six months and warned that no work would be allowed to begin and that, failure to accede to their demands will invite consequences for which they will not be held responsible.

In a statement, union legal secre tary Abel Sumi said several meetings were convened between the aggrieved landowners, the PWD (NH) Mokok chung and the district administration of Zunheboto to no avail.

The first meeting was convened by ADC Akuluto with PWD (NH) Mokokchung and the landowners and where the union was assured that

their demands would be looked into without delay.

As nothing was done, another meeting was convened by DC Zunhe boto with PWD (NH) Mokokchung and representatives of the union. The union said minutes of the meeting was then forwarded to the Commissioner Nagaland by ADC Zunheboto.

In response, the Commissioner Nagaland vide letter dated July 6,2022 directed the Zunheboto district ad ministration to examine and verify the complaints against undervaluation and non-inclusion of affected proper ties along NH 2 and initiate stapes to resolve the issue in consultation with the line department and submit the report for necessary action.

However, the union said de spite this directive, the Zunheboto district administration ignored it but coerced the landowners into issuing No objection Certificate (NoC) by

surrendering their rights for the work to begin. The union termed the NoC as “absurd and unacceptable” and done without any consideration of their demand.

The union alleged there was prima facie corruption in the case of the PWD(NH) and which should be held responsible and liable if permission because work cannot be authorised by any means for starting the work.

Further, the union also alleged that all steps and criteria decided by the PWD(NH) and the administration were “arbitrary and thus uncalled for” and that instead of rectifying the mistakes, the authorities were covering up “illegal activities” that were totally unacceptable.

Therefore, the union said unless the issues are resolved, it will be com pelled to respond and which could even create further complications.

collectively within a family.

Earlier, APC, SBC ‘B’ Mokokchung, Livika chaired the concluding pro gramme, APW, UBC Tizu Island, Iliholi offered the invocation prayer while pastor, Aquba New BC, Kitoi said the benediction. Secretary, children ministry, SBAK, Ghosheli Zhimo also expressed gratitude to Aichi Saghemi Village for hosting the three-day conference.

Highlights of the con cluding session included a choir presentation by Aghu nato Town Baptist Church, choreography presentations by Asukhuto Town Baptist Church and Surumi Baptist Church.

“The study was not intensive, however, NVCO did it by way of conduct ing awareness campaigns, meetings and interviews in almost all the districts in Nagaland”, Kezhokhoto informed. In course of the

In this regard, he stressed that the public must be aware about the Act so that transparency and accountability can be ques tioned. While appreciating the government departments for maintenance of records with the implementation of RTI Act, NVCO stated that there were no improve ments on corrupt practices, especially in public sectors.

The organisation stated that the government con ducted several trainings

In this regard, NVCO advised the department to take legal action upon any RTI applicant/activist found misusing RTI and that as per RTI Act, it was the duty of PIO/APIO to furnish all demanded docu ments/information within the time frame.

“If the department feels threatened to expo sure then the department is not clean and transparent in their functions”, NVCO stated.

Public hearing on social audit under NSAP in Peren

DIMAPUR: A district-level public hear ing on social audit under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) scheme was held on October 7 at Village Council Hall, Mhainamtsi Village, Peren.

According to a DIPR report, in a keynote address, state resource person NSSAG, SAU, Vepo Keyho shared the issues and positive findings and encour aged the AWWs to keep up the same spirit in serving the society.

During the discussion hour, the

public headed by the village chairmen, secretaries, village council members, and respective AWWs of the villages shared various issues of their villages.

The meeting chaired by DPO/DWO Peren, I. Tsungrosongla Ao. also adopted four resolutions. The villages covered by the social audit team under Peren district includes- Gaili, Ng walwa, Nkwareu, Old Jalukie, Jalukie ‘B’, Kejanglwa, Saijang, Jalukieram, Jalukiekam, and Mhaikam.

ACID, NDWM observe ‘World Day for Decent Work’

DIMAPUR: Assisi centre for Integrated Development in collaboration with Na tional Domestic Workers Movement Nagaland Re gion observed “World Day for Decent Work” on Octo ber 7 at Assisi Auditorium.

In a press release, ACID informed that speaker of the programme, Dr. Adv. Limanochet said the wage justice along with universal social protection was the at the heart of the new social contract that the world so desperately needs, to en sure financial security for households and sustainable economy.

He said this was particularly true for infor mal workers.

He also called on the government of Nagaland to govern in the interest of the workers rather than extract wealth from the workers.

Dr. Limanochet also urged the employers not to exploit the vulnerability of their workers.

Earlier, delivering a welcome address, ACID director and coordinator for NDWM Nagaland Region, Sr. Pramila said many a time, people think that only organised work was decent while unorganised was not.

She then clarified that every

work has its own dignity and respect.

Pointing out that mini mum wages in most of the states in the country are inadequate, Sr. Pramila said such inadequate wages leads the workers to continue to lose ground.

“Wage justice is a cornerstone of the social contract between workers, governments and employ

ers that has been broken in the interests of corporate greed,” rued Sr. Pramila.

Calling for action for wage justice in Nagaland, she advised all domestic workers movement and union of the state to stand united with other trade unions for wage justice for all workers, formal and in formal, so as to have a decent life and decent future.

DIMAPUR: Peren District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) monthly meeting was held on Octo ber 6 at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peren office.

According to a DIPR report, chairperson of the meeting, Additional Dep uty Commissioner (ADC)

Peren, Keyirangding Hegui informed the members that the 75th Anniversary of Peren Township which was scheduled to be held on October 11-12 have been de ferred and that the new date would be intimated later.

Longleng: Meanwhile, Longleng DPDB monthly meeting was held under

the chairmanship of DC, Dharam Raj on October 6 at the DPDB hall.

According to a DIPR report, addressing the DPDB members, Raj as serted that DPDB was an important platform where the development activities of the district were dis cussed to take appropriate

Demonstrationhallinaugurated atSTINER-TFCNagalandCentre

DIMAPUR: A training demonstration hall at Sci ence and Technology In tervention in North Eastern Region-Technology Facilita tion Centre (STINER-TFC)

Nagaland Centre, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) Nagaland Uni versity (NU) Medziphema Campus was inaugurated on October 7 by joint secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), government of India, Mercy Epao.

In a press release, STINER-TFC Nagaland Centre informed that special guest, Mercy Epao accentu ated on the role of MSME, government of India and the different schemes un der the ministry especially designed to help the people to start up or scale up their business.

She then encouraged everyone to access the facili ties provided by the ministry and avail the various pos sibilities to escalate their

decisions for the welfare of the people. The DC pointed out that a positive attitude and active par ticipation of the members and HoOs were required for a positive outcome. He said that DPDB was also an important platform for every HoOs and members to coordinate and learn each

other’s activities through the power point presentation in every meeting. While presenting agen das for registration of the societies, DC informed the members to scrutinize the motives of the society before the application was submit ted to the DPDB for for warding to the government.

DIMAPUR: Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) Me luri block Women Self Help Group (SHG) in col laboration with district administration, department of agriculture, forest de partment, JICA and rural development inaugurated a “marketing shed” for a weekly bazaar on October 7 at Meluri Town.

luri Yithachu Thur said a healthy competition between individuals and groups of individuals was essential for the the suste nance of a good market.

Short speeches were delivered by SDAO Meluri, Phrumasie Nyuthe, area coordinator NSRLM, Vivi Nyuthe and field co-ordi nator NFMP, Jitsiarho po. The Meluri women’s week ly bazaar was inaugurated by assistant conservator of forest, Dzuthovito Loho. business ventures.

The inaugural pro gramme was followed by a hands-on training pro gramme on banana fibre extraction and its v alue addition wherein 39 partici pants comprising of house wives, Self Help Groups (SHGs), aspiring entrepre neurs and experiential learn ing programme students from SASRD, NU took part.

The training was con ducted by project assistant, STINER-TFC, Dr. Sen tirenla Changkiri along with

two master trainers from the centre, Vibito Savino and Mhasivikho Kuotso.

Earlier, the inaugural programme was chaired by PI, STINER-TFC, professor Akali Sema, invocation was said by SASRD NU assistant professor, Dr. Razouneino

Zuyie, welcome address was delivered by dean, SASRD, NU, professor L Daiho and a brief remark was given by former PVC, SASRD, NU and advisor to STINERTFC, professor M. Ale mienla Ao.

According to a DIPR report, Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Me

NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II holds meeting

DIMAPUR: Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) 5 Ghaspani-II A/C held its annual general meet ing cum picnic on October 8 at TL Angami Park with Zhaleo Rio, MLA.

In a press release, NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C informed that the meeting chaired by NDPP general secretary and political advisor to MLA, Tokihe Zhimomi discussed is sues related to the constituency.

Addressing the party workers, Zhaleo said UDA and NDPP would bring about more positive changes in the coming years. He also requested NDPP Central leaders to strategise and set priorities for the constituency and also Dimapur region. The meeting was also addressed by NDPP party leaders from both central and district levels.

DIMAPUR: Four-day “evangelistic men’s camp” organised by Koinonia Baptist Church (KBC) Kohima under the theme, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7)

concluded on October 8 at Koinonia Prayer Centre, Tsiesema Basa.

A press release by KBC Media Ministry in formed that the speakers were KBC senior pastor and Kohima Bible Col lege (KBC) principal, Rev.

Advisor, H. Khehovi Yeputhomi (L) addressing the gathering at the 12th SBAK children conference at Aichi Saghemi Village on Sunday. (NP)

Zotuo Kiewhuo; KBC pastors, Medotseilieü Kiewhuo and Neibalie Kiewhuo; KBC assistant pastor, H Rokopra Mekro and KBC evangelist, Za shekho Hibo. The camp was attended by 120 camp ers and 59 officials.

Guest speaker along with domestic workers and others.

Joint secretary, Mercy Epao inaugurating demonstration hall at STINER-TFC Nagaland Centre.

Attendees of the camp at Koinonia Prayer Centre, Tsiesema Basa.

‘Marketing shed’ inaugurated at Meluri Town

DPDB meetings held in Peren and Longleng district KBC Kohima ‘evangelistic men’s camp’ concludes

Create investor-friendly ecosystem, Union minister tells NE states

GUWAHATI, OCT 9 (PTI): Union Minister G Kishan Reddy asked all states of the northeast re gion to create an investorfriendly ecosystem and suggested the authorities concerned to organise a global summit to attract investments.

Reddy, the minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), also directed senior officials to prepare an action plan for the proposed global investors’ conclave in the coming months.

“A global investors’ summit for northeast should be organised soon, and all state governments must start undertaking measures for developing an investorfriendly ecosystem,” he said on Saturday, addressing the 70th Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) here.

Various measures, such as changing existing policies to suit the needs of inves tors, digitising land banks with plot-level informa tion, simplifying processes, providing a single-window clearance system and de veloping an inventory of

readily investible projects, must be undertaken.

Each state of the re gion should work on es tablishing an investors’ fa cilitation centre and pump in money on supporting infrastructure like approach roads, power connectivity and water supply, he said.

The minister also emphasised on the need for private investment and stated that the Centre and the state governments need to jointly work to develop an investment-friendly en vironment in the northeast.

“The goal of making northeast the growth engine of India can be achieved

only with complete coor dination among the Centre and state governments,”

Reddy said. He suggested that a few target sectors need to be identified, and stressed on the need to enhance the investment potential of the region by overcoming bottlenecks in those segments.

Reddy said, “There is a need to conduct a ‘strength and weakness’ analysis and identify gaps in key sectors. This will help in more tar geted developmental initia tives.”

He mentioned that the DoNER ministry is constituting a task force to

Manipur women’s body rejects govt draft liquor regulation policy

Correspondent

IMPHAL, OCT 9: Wom en’s bodies and pressure groups in Manipur on Sunday rejected the draft regulation policy issued by the state government while reaffirming its stand against the government move to legalize liquor.

All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) reiterated that the apex body will not com promise its stand under any condition. Reiterating its demand to declare the gov ernment’s stand on whether the decision will be rolled back on not on October 10 (today), Nupi Samaj presi dent Th Ramani threatened the government to get ready to face the wrath of imas (mothers). As a part of its series of protest against the government move, wom enfolk of Heirangoithong area in Imphal West district today staged demonstration in their locality under the

aegis of the Nupi Samaj.

Taking part in the protest, the Nupi Samaj president alleged that the decision of the state govern ment led by chief minister N Biren Singh was in to tal contradiction with the expectation of the people of the state. “We never expected that chief minister N Biren Singh would take such a decision. It is beyond our expectation that such a chief minister who always talked for the wellbeing of the masses will take such a decision against the people,” she said.

“We thought that peo ple of the state will lead a better life under his leader ship as chief minister. But, all went in vain,” she added.

In a bid to pacify objections to the cabinet decision, the state govern ment recently circulated a draft regulation policy for legalization of liquor through social media. The draft regulation policy has eight aims and objectives

which include among others eradication of distillation, transportation, possession, consumption and sale of illicit liquor and restricting availability of local liquor as well as IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor)/FMFL (Foreign Made Foreign Li quor). Reducing the impact of illicit and adulterated liquor on health, reducing the demand of intoxicating drinks, addressing the men ace of illegal drugs, generat ing employment, generating revenue of the state and addressing the problem of black marketing of liquor on account of ‘prohibition’ were other aims and objec tives of the government decision to partially lift the prohibition on liquor.

Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA), a CSO leading a campaign against liquor and other intoxicants in the state had already rejected the policy and demanded rollback of the cabinet de cision.

ensure complete realisation of the tourism potential of the region. “Developing infrastructure, skilling and capacity building are the core priorities for tourism in the region,” he said.

Reddy also said that an ‘Agri Task Force’, which was recently constituted, would soon release its final report, and the findings must be leveraged to ensure complete utilisation in the current financial year.

The Centre has been working relentlessly to es tablish peace and stability, and enhance connectivity in the region, he said, add ing that the government has achieved “considerable success”.

The first day of the two-day NEC meeting fo cused on various aspects related to the development of the region.

Chief secretaries of states of the region made their presentations on ‘Pri orities & Success Stories’ and deliberated on impor tant themes such as re gional planning for telecom, broadband and internet connectivity, primary sector development and tourism.

1 more arrested in APSC paper leak case in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, OCT 9 (PTI): One more person was arrested in connection with the paper leak of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (AP PSC) assistant engineer examination, police said on Sunday.

With this, 10 people have so far been arrested in the case, they said.

The latest arrest was made by the Special Inves tigation Cell (SIC) of the state police, they added.

The investigation was started after a candidate filed a police complaint on August 29, stating that he suspected that the AE (civil) examination paper was leaked.

More than 400 can didates appeared in the examination that was held on August 26 and 27.

Last week, govern ment officials Binam Jo mang and Talung Jomang, and Loth Ezing, a civilian, were arrested, SIC SP An ant Mittal said.

‘AdoptbettermethodstomonitorprojectsbyNEC’

ITANAGAR, OCT 9 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh

Governor Brig Dr B D Mishra (Retd) on Sunday called for adopting innova tive methods of monitoring and evaluation of devel opmental projects by the North Eastern Council to ensure that funds are opti mally utilized to achieve its objective.

Addressing the 70th Plenary of North Eastern Council (NEC) at Guwa hati, Mishra proposed for creation of a dashboard by NEC in association with the state planning department for real time monitoring of the uploaded projects.

Highlighting the chal lenges before the state gov ernment, he also suggested ways forward in implemen tation of welfare measures and projects. Stating that NEC has been an impor tant developmental partner for the state for decades, Mishra stressed that the NEC must keep its guide lines adaptable enough to adapt to the changing needs of the region, an official communique said here.

“Important sectors like sports, water resources and flood management should receive adequate attention in addition to sectors like power, roads and school education. While allocat ing resources, due consid

eration should be given to the expanse of the state’s geographical area, its re moteness, and the present status of development,” he emphasised.

The governor said that there is a need to increase the allocation to NEC in a phased manner and re quested the DoNER and the council to support the developmental needs of Arunachal Pradesh by en suring that the resources al located match the financial requirements to bridge the huge developmental gap of the state. He added that while financial resources are an important area, the other major area to work is developing the absorption capacity of the states in the region by training and handholding.

“There is a huge scope for development of the en tire North Eastern Region which can be achieved with

the support of NEC by becoming the think tank of the region,” he said.

The governor said that NEC can emerge as Niti Ayog of North East by providing guidance and assistance to the states and suggested that NEC start preparing a road map for the NER 2047 in a 10-year rolling manner and present the same during the next plenary meeting.

Mishra informed that the state used the COV ID-19 pandemic period to rejuvenate the health sector by converging resources from all sources and re duced the human resource gap in the health sector from 33 per cent to 6 per cent.

He proposed the NEC and DoNER to consider supporting Tomo Riba In stitute of Health and Medi cal Science (TRIHMS), the lone medical college of the state, not only for capital expenditure but for revenue expenditure also.

For a fund-constrained state like Arunachal Pradesh, it is becoming dif ficult day by day to provide resources for the tertiary health care sector as the state is investing in primary and secondary health sec tors, he said. Highlighting on border area develop ment, Mishra informed that the state government

has launched the ‘Golden Jubilee Border Village Il lumination Programme’ with a mission to construct 50 micro-hydel projects in remote border villages to provide continuous electric ity to the villagers as also the Armed Forces.

A comprehensive pro posal for development of border areas within 50 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is under active consideration of the Centre, he said. Mishra also apprised the Council about the initiatives of the state government in various sectors including counter insurgency, police modern ization, border area devel opment, health, education, preservation of cultural heritage, climate resilience, reforms in governance, skill development and entrepre neurship promotion. He added that Prime Minister’s doctrine of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’, Arunachal Pradesh has taken up a number of commendable initiatives towards self-sufficiency.

“The state has launched its own Atma Nirbhar schemes that will empower the people of rural areas. We have also made good progress in startup and entrepreneurship development sectors that have already started bearing fruit,” he added.

Mizoram seeks funds

AIZAWL, OCT 9 (AGEN CIES): Mizoram has sought funding for solar water pumps from the Centre to provide water to farmers across the state, according to an official statement, reports East Mojo.

State agriculture, irri gation and water resources minister C Lalrinsanga had met Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister Raj Kumar Singh in New Delhi last week and discussed the matter with him, the statement added.

Lalrinsanga informed the Union minister that so lar pumps would be suitable to use in Mizoram because it is one of the remotest states in the country. He also said that funding of solar pumps is a feasible option for farmers in the state. Raj Singh assured Lalrinsanga that he would discuss the matter with Union Home Finance Min ister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss the possibilities.

He also informed Lal rinsanga that he would visit Mizoram soon. Lalrinsanga also met Jhalsakti secretary Pankaj Kumar on Friday and urged him to release the second installment of project 13 under PMKSY (Har khet Ko Pani).

Shah prays at Kamakhya Temple in Ghy

GUWAHATI, OCT 9 (PTI): Union Home Min ister Amit Shah on Sunday offered prayers at the fa mous Kamakhya Temple, one of 51 Shakti Peethas, atop the Nilachal Hills here on the last day of his threeday visit to Assam.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, Shah came to the temple from the State Guest House where he spent the last two nights.

The Union minister and Sarma reached the sanctum sanctorum of the temple where they offered prayers to the deity with the help of three priests.

Shah was inside for over 10 minutes and, after coming out, made a ‘pari krama’ (circumambula tion) of the temple which is the centrepiece of the Tantrik Shaktism cult in India.

He was received at the temple by senior ‘Do lois’ (priests) and office bearers of the Kamakhya Devalaya.

The Union Home minister greeted devotees present at the temple before leaving for the Assam Ad ministrative Staff College where he will address the 70th Plenary session of

the North Eastern Council (NEC). Shah will later go to Dergaon in Golaghat district where he will ad dress the state-level Super intendents of Police before leaving for New Delhi from Jorhat’s Rowriah airport.

He had arrived here on Friday evening and chaired a meeting on floodfree Assam where the Chief Minister and senior offi cials were present. He also attended the BJP’s core committee meeting presid ed over by party President

J P Nadda.

On Saturday, he in augurated the newly con structed state BJP office and addressed party work ers along with Nadda in two events.

In the evening, he chaired a regional meet ing on drug trafficking and national security, a review meeting of the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) and attended a cultural function at the Srimanta Sankardeva Ka lalshetra here.

Era of insurgency history now, says Assam CM

GUWAHATI, OCT 9 (AGENCIES): Assam

Chief Minister Dr Hi manta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the era of insurgency can be said to be history in Assam, adding that processes have been initiated to reach a permanent solution to Assam’s boundary dispute with Arunachal Pradesh, reports ANI.

Stating that insur gency was a major issue in the Northeast that was hindering the progress of the region on multiple fronts, the Chief Minis ter lauded the efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for steps taken to resolve it.

“Owing to the Home Minister’s focus on the subject, the era of insur gency can be said to be history in Assam now, the Chief Minister said as he attended the second and final day of the 70th Ple nary of the North Eastern Council (NEC), at the As sam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara.

The Chief Minister

NFR rescued 12 children in past one week

GUWAHATI, OCT 8 (IANS): The Railway Pro tection Force (RPF) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has apprehended six Bangladesh nationals and rescued 12 children and one lady from different stations in seperate drives conducted during the past one week, officials said on Saturday.

NFR’s chief PRO Sabyasachi De said that six Bangladeshi nation als, including two women, were arrested from Assam’s Badarpur railway station on Tuesday as they could not produce any valid docu ments and confessed that they had entered India il legally. The RPF personnel rescued 12 minors and one lady during different checks and drives conducted at Badarpur, Kumarghat (Tri pura), Dimapur (Naga land), Katihar (Bihar) and Hasimara (West Bengal) stations.

The CPRO said that RPF staff deployed at sta tions and trains are very vigilant against illegal mi grants, Rohingyas and sus pected persons involved in human trafficking. They keep a close eye on the movement of children in a suspicious manner, travel ling alone, without a proper guardian etc., he added.

also stated that permanent peace in the Northeast would provide a new fil lip to the region’s growth momentum.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, who is also the Chairman of the Shillong-headquar tered statutory advisory body, was also present at the occasion.

“The Assam Chief Minister also spoke upon the measures being taken to reach an amicable set tlement to the inter-state border disputes in the Northeast, adding that 50 per cent of Assam’s boundary dispute with Meghalaya has al ready been resolved. Pro

cesses have been initiated to reach a permanent solu tion to Assam’s boundary dispute with Arunachal Pradesh,” the Chief Min ister added.

Addressing the Ple nary, the Assam Chief Minister spoke upon mul titudes of issues crucial for inclusive and sustainable growth and the develop ment of Assam in particu lar and the Northeastern region in general.

Stressing the need to tackle the menaces of narcotics and flood in the State, the Chief Minister stated the deliberations on the two issues at the Plenary would go a long way in effectively and effi ciently dealing with them.

Sarma stressed the need for collective efforts of the governments of Northeastern states for reaching a final and per manent solution to the border settlement.

The Chief Minister added that initiatives such as Udan Scheme have lent new momentum to the communication sce

nario in the Northeast.

Improving the air-con nectivity scenario between the states of the Northeast would be a huge boost for the region in general, the Chief Minister added.

Dr Sarma added the need for a museum in Assam to highlight the eth nic, and cultural artefacts and products of the States of the Northeast.

The Chief Minister assured the North East ern Council (NEC) of all cooperation, including allotment of land, from the government of Assam, if the regional statutory advisory body comes up with a concrete plan for such a museum.

Today’s Plenary was also attended by Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) G Kishen Reddy, Minister of State for DoNER BL Verma, Assam and Naga land Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi, Governors and Chief Ministers of the States of the Northeast, along with a host of other senior dignitaries.

Tripura attempting to boost economy with Agar plantation

AGARTALA, OCT 9 (PTI): Agar tree or Aq uilaria malaccensis, a major source of medicines and perfumes, might be a criti cally endangered species on the IUCN list, but it grows in abundance in Tripura, giving the state a glorious opportunity to commer cially cultivate the plant and boost the economy, a top forest official said.

Capital city Agartala has been named after the evergreen tree, he noted.

“Intercropping adapta tion could make Agar a pre ferred cash crop, given the low input for management and growth,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) KS Sethi said.

Officials said the Tri pura government, under its agarwood policy launched last year, aims to double plantation by 2025.

Agar trade is expected to generate around Rs 2,000 crore per annum for the state, they said. The state government has applied for certification from Con vention on International Trade in Endangered Spe cies of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for export ing Agarwood and other extracted products, stated Sethi.

“We are in touch with the CITES authorities for necessary clearances and certification after which we will be able to export Agarwood,” he maintained.

Notably, Tripura aims to export 75,000 kg of agar chips and 1,500 kg of agar oil in the current fiscal, ac cording to the policy.

“The state forest de partment is taking initiatives to set up a dedicated Agar market in North Tripura dis trict and open another Agar International Trade and Research Centre (AITRC) in Agartala,” the PCCF said. The centre will also facilitate linking of Agar markets, he underlined, adding that funds have been allocated in the last state budget for setting up the re search centre. P L Agarwal, the director of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Centre of Excellence, who

looks after the Agar project in the state, said North Tripura has the highest con centration of Agar trees “So far, 1.13 crore Agar trees have been enumerated in the North Tripura district. In our census, it was found that around 56 lakhs trees have matured only recently.

For the last couple of years, the state government has been making efforts to en sure the proliferation of Agar trees,” said Agarwal.

Last year, around 10 lakh saplings were planted in the entire state, he said.

As many as 20 lakh Agar nurseries are expected to be raised in the next planta tion season (April to Octo ber), he pointed out. Both Sethi and Agar wal have recently visited Kadamtala in North Tripura, where the dedicated Agar market, with around 20 stalls, will be set up soon.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a visit to the Kamakhya temple, in Guwahati, Sunday. (PTI)

G Kishan Reddy

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Brig Dr B D Mishra (Retd)

Contest with Tharoor for good of country: Kharge

SRINAGAR, OCT 9 (PTI): Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said his contest with Shashi Tharoor for the post of party president was aimed at putting forth their viewpoints for the betterment of the country and the party.

Kharge said this during an interaction with party delegates at Congress office here, where he sought their support for the AICC presidential election.

“This is an internal election. It is like two brothers at home, who are not fighting, but placing their points of view and trying to persuade each other,” he said.

The Congress party veteran said the election campaign was not about what a particular candidate will do if he becomes the president of the party, but what they can do together.

“My belief is... What I will do is not the question. The question is what we both will do together for the

country and for the party, this is important.

“Let us not talk about whether I will do this or that, or talk about someone else. How will you (party workers) and me together make the party stronger, save the country’s constitution and its democracy, that is the question.

“Today, the country’s atmosphere is deteriorating and we have to make it stronger by peace and unity. That is why Bharat Jodo

yatra is on,” he said.

Kharge, 80, said he would implement the Udaipur declaration of the party if he gets elected.

“If I get an opportunity, then I will try to fully implement the Udaipur declaration, because you have made the declaration after deliberations and placed a few things before the party, the country. I will try to take that forward and will take you along.

“It is important to take

everyone along. I will take everyone’s advice and find solutions to the problems by discussing with PCCs and others… It is collective leadership,” he added.

Appealing to the delegates to support his candidature, the former leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha said there was no pressure on anyone and whoever was supporting him, was doing so happily.

He also said Rahul Gandhi was the only option if the party has to become stronger and powerful.

“When I met Madam (Sonia) Gandhi, I told her if the party has to become stronger and powerful, then there is no option other than Rahul Gandhi because he fights on the roads, in the Parliament, and now he has vowed to walk 3500 km and he has walked three states.

“It is his commitment.

He is walking on the roads and not taking decisions in an AC chamber. Thousands and lakhs of people are joining. This Bharat Jodo

Increase in girl students in technical edn will speed up country’s progress: Prez Bangladeshi cattle smuggler shot dead by BSF

CHANDIGARH, OCT 9 (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said the number of girl students should be increased in technical educational institutions to give more impetus to the progress of the country.

Murmu was addressing 52nd convocation and closing ceremony of centenary year celebrations of Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in Chandigarh.

The president lauded the institute and said she was happy to note that it has provided many luminaries to the country.

Among its famous alumni, she named former Chairman of ISRO and father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India, Prof Satish Dhawan, eminent educationist and founder Director of IITDelhi, Prof R N Dogra and an expert in missiles technology and strategic systems, Dr. Satish Kumar

Murmu said, Kalpana Chawla, an alumna of PEC’s aeronautical engineering department, became the first woman astronaut of Indian origin and created an inspiring history of selfsacrifice for science.

Noting that Kalpana Chawla Chair of Geospatial Technology is established in the institute, she said, “The number of girl students should be increased in technical educational institutions to give more impetus to the progress of

Uddhav-led Sena gives 3 choices for poll symbol

MUMBAI, OCT 9 (PTI):

The Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena faction has submitted to the Election Commission its three options of a trident, rising sun or mashaal (burning torch) for its poll symbol, sources said on Sunday.

The Election Commission had on Saturday barred the Shiv Sena factions led by former chief minister Thackeray and present Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde from using the party name and its election symbol ‘bow & arrow’ in the Andheri East Assembly bypoll scheduled on November 3.

In an interim order over claims by the rival factions for control of the organisation, the commission asked them to suggest by Monday three different name choices and also as many free symbols for allocation to their respective groups.

A source from the Thackeray faction said, “The Sena has submitted three options as an alternative before the Election Commissiona trident, rising sun or a burning torch, also known as mashaal in Marathi and Hindi languages.”

The Thackeray camp has also given some options for its official name in polls, the source said without elaborating.

The EC’s interim order on Saturday came on the Shinde faction’s request seeking it be allocated the

symbol as the Andheri East assembly bypoll is approaching.

The rival factions had approached the Election Commission after the split in the Shiv Sena ranks in June this year, with both sides claiming to be the ‘real Shiv Sena’.

The bypoll to Andheri East Assembly seat in suburban Mumbai has been necessitated due to the death of incumbent Sena MLA Ramesh Latke.

The Congress and the NCP have decided to support Ramesh Latke’s wife Rujuta Latke, the candidate of the Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, their coalition partner in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally of the Shinde faction, has decided to field Murji Patel, a corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

the country.”

She urged students to never forget their duties towards the motherland, whatever they choose to become in their life as they are the builders of India of tomorrow.

The president said as students are entering in a world of unlimited opportunities and possibilities, she has no doubt that they are capable of converting opportunities into success and possibilities into certainties.

Age catching up with Nitish Kumar, claims Kishor

PATNA, OCT 9 (PTI): Poll strategist-turnedactivist Prashant Kishor on Sunday alleged that age was catching up with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who was also feeling “politically isolated, after being surrounded by people whom he did not trust”. Kishor made the stinging remarks in response to the statement by 71-yearold Kumar the day before the former was working for BJP and had once advised him to merge JD(U) with Congress. “Slowly, age seems to be catching up with Nitish Kumar and he seems to be growing delusional,” said Kishor, who has earlier worked with Bihar CM both as a professional and a party colleague.

“Kumar starts speaking one thing and ends up speaking something altogether different. If he believes I am working for BJP, why would I suggest a move that could strengthen Congress,” 45-year-old activist, who is currently on a 3,500-km-long ‘pada yatra’, covering every nook and corner of Bihar, said in a short video statement.

Kumar keeps uttering things which have no meaning, the founder of political consultancy firm I-PAC claimed. “The English word delusional fits Kumar perfectly. He is feeling politically isolated as he is surrounded by people whom he does not trust.

This has left him fearful and in trepidation,” added Kishor.

KOLKATA, OCT 9 (IANS): A member of a cross-border cattle smuggling racket was killed in firing by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the IndoBangladesh border in West Bengal’s Nadia district on late Saturday night, officials said. A BSF jawan was also injured in the clash.

The deceased has been identified as Muntaz Hossain, 32, resident of Choto Baldia village under Damurhuda sub- district in Bangladesh. Hossain, along with others, were trying to smuggle cattle through the porous border in the region, when they were caught by BSF personnel at border gate number 54 in Krishnaganj block of Nadia.

Hossain attacked a BSF personnel with a sharp weapon and injured him. In self- defence, the BSF personnel opened fire, killing Hossain. Later the BSF handed over the body to the local Krishnaganj Police Station.

yatra is about uniting the thinking of the people of the country and not about dividing them,” he said.

Responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s charge that the Congress only talks about dividing the country, Kharge said if the country is prospering today, it is because of the Congress party.

“Our leaders have given so much to the country,” he said.

Kharge said it was Shah’s habit to talk about dividing the country and not uniting it everywhere he goes.

“We talk about uniting the country, uniting the society, getting everyone together and saving the constitution so that the country functions as a democracy. We believe in that and we are working for that,” he said.

He also asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah helped in getting the country its independence.

Gandhi family blessing me and Kharge: Shashi Tharoor

MUMBAI, OCT 9 (PTI):

Congress presidential polls candidate Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said the Gandhi family was blessing him and the other candidate Mallikarjun Kharge, and had no bias towards either of them.

Speaking to media after meeting party functionaries at Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee office here, the former diplomat also said his aim was to make Congress stronger before the 2024 polls.

“The Gandhi family is blessing me and Kharge ji. Because we are contesting for making the party stronger,” he said.

Tharoor dismissed speculation that the ongoing electoral battle with Kharge was one between an “official candidate” (Kharge) and an “unofficial” one (himself) as claimed by certain leaders.

“My interactions with the Gandhi family have convinced me that there is

no bias from them towards either me or Kharge,” he said.

The BJP should start preparing for being a part of the opposition as they will have to sit there after the 2024 elections, Tharoor said.

“Our party needs change and I feel I am the one who will be the catalyst of change,” Tharoor said.

Tharoor said Congress has run the country nicely and has experienced people in the party. “We need to

win the trust of voters,” he added, during the delegate outreach event at the Congress state headquarters in Mumbai.

Congress state unit chief Nana Patole was not present.

“I had a word with Patole ji and he informed me about his prior commitment. I am not complaining at all,” Tharoor said, when asked Patole’s absence.

Members of the All India Professional Congress greeted Tharoor at Tilak Bhavan. Former Lok Sabha MP Priya Dutt and former Rajya Sabha MP Bhalchandra Mungekar were also present.

Tharoor visited Chaityabhoomi, the cremation place of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial at Shivaji Park, and the Siddhivinayak temple before reaching Tilak Bhawan, the state Congress headquarters.

We have to save youth from hate politics: Rahul

TUMKUR (K’TAKA),

OCT 9 (PTI): Holding banners against “rising” unemployment and communal divide in society, a group of youths met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday and joined him in the Bharat Jodo Yatra which, the party said, seeks to highlight their issues.

On the 32nd day of the yatra that started on September 7, Gandhi said some political parties were trying to spread hatred in the country by misleading youngsters.

The former Congress president, who was accompanied by senior leader Siddaramaiah and Karnataka PCC president D K Shivakumar, interacted with many people, including children, women and a local singer, during his 20-km yatra on Sunday.

He appealed to the youth to join the yatra to spread the message of peace and brotherhood and unite India.

Sharing a picture of his interaction, Gandhi said

Nadda likely to get extension till next Lok Sabha polls

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (PTI): BJP president J P Nadda is likely to continue at the helm at least till the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as the party top brass believes that a sense of organisational continuity will help it in a string of key assembly polls in the coming months and the next general election.

Nadda’s three-year term will end in January next year, and the BJP parliamentary board, its apex body, is expected to endorse an extension for him before that, sources said. With organisational polls in BJP state units yet to start, it is obvious that he will continue at the helm, they noted. The party rules stipulate that organisational polls should be over in at least half of its state units before the election of its national president.

His predecessor Amit Shah also got an extension as the party wanted him to continue during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It was only after the parliamentary elections were over that the organisational polls began and Nadda was elected unopposed with Shah joining the Union Cabinet during Narendra Modi’s second stint as the prime minister. A Modi confidant who also shares warm ties with the RSS leadership, he is seen to have maintained the organisational momentum and dynamism that the BJP was infused with under his predecessor.

The low-key and

J P Nadda

affable personality of the Himachal Pradesh leader (61) is seen as an asset in terms of the BJP’s organisational functioning and coordination that requires navigating a fresh set of challenges every now and then, with the state poll cycle always on the move, party sources said.

Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are among the important states where assembly polls will be held this year and the next. With the prime minister keenly invested in the BJP’s organisational functioning and Shah also playing a critical role, especially in some of the more politically crucial states, Nadda is credited for driving the coordination and implementing strategies for its expansion, they added.

The BJP has notched up several important poll successes with Nadda at the helm, including retaining power in states like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and putting up an impressive show in Bihar.

these youths are saying that there is no room for hate in our beloved India.

“Why are the people of the country raising their voices against hatred? You all know it,” he said.

The former Congress chief said a few years ago, the country did not have such an atmosphere as exists today.

“Earlier there was brotherhood, there was mutual love, but today it is not like this. And this is a big reason for the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,” he said in a

Facebook post in Hindi.

Noting that the youth are the future of our country, he said, “They don’t want hate, they want love, they want employment so that they can make the future of themselves, their family and country.”

“Some political parties are misleading these youth, keeping them unemployed, for doing their hate politics,” he said.

“We have to save the youth from going astray, create a better tomorrow for them, organise

good education and employment,” he said.

Gandhi said the Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting great support from the youth.

“They are openly talking to me and I am listening to them. Our youth are so talented. Throwing them in the fire of hatred will destroy the future of the country.”

Gandhi said people of every religion and every caste are walking together in the yatra, hand in hand, without asking each other’s names.

If someone is left behind, people stop for him, if someone falls, people support him and pick him up, he noted.

“The beauty of this journey is its unity and integrity. Our India was like this before and we have to make that beautiful India again.

“We are all moving forward with the message of peace and people are continuing to join us. Come, let’s raise the voice of these youth and unite India together,” Gandhi said.

PATNA, OCT 9 (PTI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has grown indifferent towards Extremely Backward Classes who are, by and large, supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leader and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi alleged.

At a press conference here, Modi demanded the resignation of his ex-boss whom he squarely blamed for the adverse judgement of Patna High Court that declared as “illegal” quotas for OBCs and EBCs in urban local body polls, which has caused the election process to hang in balance.

“The state’s Advocate General Lalit Kishor had through communications dated February 4 and March 12 advised the state government to set up a Commission to fulfil the Supreme Court’s triple test criteria for such quotas. On March 22 and May 11, the State Election Commission also sought instructions from the government on the matter,” claimed Modi.

The triple test required the state government to set up a dedicated commission to gather data on the backwardness of OBCs in every local body, to specify the proportion of reservation in each local body in light of the commission’s recommendations, and ensure that such reservation does not exceed 50 per cent of the total seats reserved for SC/ST/OBC together.

“But, because of the

obstinacy of the Chief Minister, the Advocate General had to change his own opinion. However, the State Election Commission, mindful of the Supreme Court order which impacted recently held municipal polls in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, still held the view that triple test must be fulfilled in Bihar too,” claimed the Rajya Sabha MP.

The Advocate General could not be reached for his comments. Sushil Modi asserted that contradictory stances of the SEC and the state government resulted in the High Court striking down the reservations on October 4.

“Kumar knows that EBCs are supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi so he has given up on them. We demand that municipal polls be held at the earliest by fulfilling all the necessary criteria for OBC and EBC quotas.

Candidates who have lost their money in campaigns be compensated by the state government, Modi said.

He also demanded that Kumar take moral

responsibility for the “humiliation” of the EBCs and tender his resignation.

Modi recalled that he was the state’s minister for urban development when quotas for EBCs were introduced in urban local bodies in 2007.

“The Supreme Court order for the triple test has been in force for the last 12 months. Nitish Kumar remained adamant, labouring under the impression that just because elections were held without the triple test in 2007, 2012 and 2017, these will be allowed this time too. The result has come in a judgement that deprives the EBCs of their rights,” alleged the BJP leader, whose party lost power in the state two months ago.

The Patna High Court on October 4 ruled that reservations for OBCs and EBCs in the state’s urban local body elections were “illegal” and ordered that the process be held by “renotifying” reserved seats as general category ones.

The SEC has, subsequently, put on hold the polls which were to be held in two phases on October 10 and 20. Modi, a former loyalist of Kumar who has become the latter’s strident critic since the upheaval of August, also alleged that the JD(U) leader, who counts on the EBCs’ support for his political clout, no longer cared about the sizeable, but politically disorganised social group.

Mallikarjun Kharge with party leader Gourav Vallabh addresses media at DPCC office in New Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in Tumkur, Karnataka, Sunday. (PTI)

Uddhav Thackeray

Nitish should resign, has grown indifferent towards EBCs: Sushil Modi

Sushil Kumar Modi

Droupadi Murmu presents certificate to a student during 52nd convocation of PEC, in Chandigarh. (PTI)

Between dreams and reality

Currently, India’s economy is under tremen dous pressure as inflation today is 7 per cent; wholesale inflation is 12 per cent. In flation rate in India accelerated for the first time in four months to 7% in August of 2022 from 6.71% in July, above market expectations of 6.9%. The unemployment rate in rural India rose from 6.1 per cent in July to 7.7 per cent in August. More impor tantly, the employment rate fell from 37.6 per cent to 37.3 per cent. The World Bank on October 6, revised its projection of India’s economic growth by projecting it at 6.5 per cent for 2022-23, a drop of one point from its June 2022 projections. But it did note India is recovering stronger than the rest of the world from international setbacks such as the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.In dia’s economy grew by 8.7 per cent in the previous year. The rupee hurtled to an all-time low of 82.3 against the dollar on October 7 amid other bleak economic cues - service growth at a 6-month low, price rise, widespread unemployment and India’s growth forecast slashed by the RBI and the World Bank. Although the government depicts a rosy picture of the economy, what role these economic headwinds play. The present economic situation paints a different picture from the big ticket an nouncement by prime minister Narendra Modi in 2019 that India will be a $5 trillion economy and global powerhouse by 2024-25. Following the prime minister’s big ticket announcement, various ministers have only parroted it with a great deal of defiant confidence. However, when viewed from economic data, even on the period by which India is to emerge as a $5 trillion economy; the predictions have differed. Chief Economic Ad viser (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran on June 14 said India would become a $5 trillion economy by 2026-27 and $10 trillion by 2033-34. Whereas former RBI Governor D.Subbarao said India may become a USD five trillion economy by 2028-29 only if the GDP grows at nine per cent per annum consistently for the next five years. Speaking at the Federation of Telangana Chamber of Com merce and Industry on India @75- Marching

Towards USD 5 Trillion Economy, on August 15, Subbarao said India can become a 5 trillion economy as envisaged by Prime Minister Nar endra Modi not before 2028-29. Also for this, he said there is need to clock an annual GDP growth of 9 per cent consistently for the next five years. This clearly indicates economic stagnation. But it has not stopped the government from providing a bright picture of economic growth. The gov ernment is cutting subsidies on food, fertilizers, petrol, diesel, and gas. It is lowering the budget al location for the procurement of agricultural goods at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and for rural development. At the same time, the government is extending tax favors to big corporate in name of promoting start-ups. This is happening when the fiscal deficit is still projected at 6.4% of the GDP for the coming FY 2022-23. In other words, out of a total budget size of 39.44 lakh crores, as much as 16.61 lakh crores, i.e., more than one third of the budget (around 42%) will be borrowed. In the light of the facts and figures, the big ticket announcement of a $5 trillion economy seems to be weighed down on the ground.

DailyDevotion

Building on the Atonement

…present…your members as instruments of righteousness to God. —Romans 6:13

I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atone ment for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Do I have faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made the perfect atonement for sin. Am I in the habit of constantly realizing it? The great est need we have is not to do things, but to believe things. The redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith on it. If I construct my faith on my own experience, I produce the most unscriptural kind of life— an isolated life, with my eyes focused solely on my own holiness. Beware of that human holiness that is not based on the atonement of the Lord. It has no value for anything except a life of isolation— it is useless to God and a nuisance to man. Measure every kind of experience you have by our Lord Himself. We cannot do anything pleasing to God unless we deliberately build on the foundation of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.

The atonement of Jesus must be exhibited in practical, unassuming ways in my life. Every time I obey, the absolute deity of God is on my side, so that the grace of God and my natural obedience are in perfect agreement. Obedience means that I have completely placed my trust in the atone ment, and my obedience is immediately met by the delight of the supernatural grace of God.

Beware of the human holiness that denies the reality of the natural life— it is a fraud. Continually bring yourself to the trial or test of the atonement and ask, “Where is the discernment of the atonement in this, and in that?”

World, India totter: UN hope hinges on exports

The critical world situation, a jerky journey, continuous strengthening of the dollar calls for a policy stimula tion and rethink on being more swadeshi for main taining the fast domestic growth amid predictions of UNCTAD, World Bank (WB) and IMF of decelera tion of world and Indian growth process.

WB says 50 million more Indians slipped be low poverty line during pandemic. Remedies are not easy and need home grown solutions.

The UNCTAD ex pects India to grow at 5.7 percent in 2022, WB puts it at 6.5 percent from earlier 7.5 percent and slashes 2022-23 growth by 80 basis points to 7.4 percent and the IMF cuts it to 6.1 per cent for 2023-24. The Re serve Bank of India keeps it at 7 and 7.2 percent. India’s Chief Economic Advisor Anantha Nageswaran on September 20, 2022, said the Indian economy will grow at over 7 percent, down from above 8 percent projections in January.

Indicators point to a contraction at global level as rupee falls below 81 to a dollar, imports surge and exports fall. The current account deficit is increasing and chances of exports growing looks not easy. The UNCTAD in its

Trade and Development Report predicted world growth at 0.9 percent less than the projections now at 2.6 percent. It observes 90 developing country cur rencies weakening against the dollar this year – over a third of them by more than 10 percent. It makes trade difficult.

Former Niti Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagarhia agreeing with Nageswaran says that In dia to grow around 7 per cent, check fall in rupee value and devise how trade grows.

The CEA remains optimistic that it will be come the world’s third largest economy ahead of the UK. His confidence is based on the parameters of the domestic growth and other favourable point ers. Real GDP grew 13.5 percent in the first quarter of 2022-23, surpassing the pre-pandemic level by 3.8 percent. However, private consumption and investment during JulySeptember in many sectors was sluggish. Possibly he does not take money circu lation into account which has doubled from about Rs 16 lakh crore in 2016 to Rs 32 lakh crore.

The international market and the stocks may remain subdued as the Ukraine war, the politics of sanctions and the en

ergy crisis pose problems for the Euro zone as also adds to pressures on the US economy. Under the new prime minister Liz the UK economy following Brexit is going to be raunchy with high inflation, production issues and sterling losing to dollar.

Internationally it is not an easy situation. India has to see how imports are reduced and avoid in ternational purchases like GM farm tech, train rakes and similar other products that the country’s highly experienced railway sector could produce. The metro coaches manufactured in the country and the Vande Bharat or T 18 trains produced by Integral Coach Factory have raised the hopes of the country’s capability to produce the best. It saves precious foreign exchange, increases jobs and gives the hope of earning if the country exports such products.

Rashtriya Swayamse vak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosa bale’s comments highlight ing India’s poverty, unem ployment and inequality at a Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) event has virtually been a reminder that if the country continued with boosting its indigenous production it could solve

many of these problems. The domestic economy has always been strength even during 1970s and 1980s.

The country was producing enough to feed its people.

That is a prescription sug gested for reducing income inequality.

In January, the Sanghaffiliated SJM, along with seven other right-wing or ganisations, has launched the ‘Swavalambi Bharat Abhiyan’ (SBA), which aims to make India unem ployment-free by 2030. The latest event, ‘Swawalam ban ka Shankhnaad’, was part of a series of events being organised under the SBA banner. The SJM has been a conscience keeper even during the prime minis ter Atal Behri Vajpayee’s time. The BJP has taken Hosbale’s comment, “We should be sad that 20 crore people are below poverty line and 23 crore people are earning less than Rs 375 a day” in its stride. Whether it means a change in the policy might be a bit too much to expect but mod eration is possible.

It is often touted that globalization has improved the development of many countries, including India, by creating economic inter dependence among them. Globalization has infused investments but there also

Post-mortem

have been high repatria tion. Innovation is the key to success for economic growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat is not anti-globali sation, said Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog two years back.

India without mak ing much fuss has initi ated petroleum imports cut with ethanol blending programme. The govern ment proposes to blend 20 percent ethanol in petrol by 2025.

Average output growth of developing coun tries to reduce by 3 percent, says UNCTAD and recom mends all governments for tighter regulations for price reductions. India is finding price control not easy.

It has initiated another move to reduce 40 percent imports from China in 36 sectors. India imported around $87 billion worth of goods from China during 2021 wherein top 10 import product categories com prised around $54 billion. It can reduce imports in 36 sectors including includ ing chemicals, automotive components, bicycle parts, agro-based items, handi crafts, drug formulations, cosmetics, consumer elec tronics, and leather-based goods among others. But it has also to consider how it can reduce some hi-tech imports planned for rail ways, rapid transit systems

Importance of starting a conversation about mental health in the church

Today marks an impor tant day; it’s World Mental Health Day. What better day than today to raise awareness and start a conversation about mental health and well-being?

Addictions, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, ministry burn out, loneliness, hopelessness, marital discord, and grief are no longer the issues of other people; they are issues of our congregants.

In fact, no one is im mune to the mental or emo tional struggle, including Christians, because it affects us in the same way that can cer, diabetes, or arthritis do.

That means real people with real issues are sitting in the pews of our churches looking for help, hope, and healing. As a faith-based therapist in private practice, I don’t need a statistic to know these things to be true.

The conversation around mental health gained mo mentum worldwide during the pandemic, and the global church is now beginning to recognize mental health problems as a top ministry priority. But sadly, mental health still remains highly unaddressed in most Naga churches.

In fact, mental health re mains a taboo topic. No won der, the lack of conversation or attention to this crucial issue by the church has left individuals struggling with

mental health concerns stig matized, judged as spiritually lacking, or feeling completely unsupported.

Silence is not an option. The church cannot afford to remain silent, as the impact of mental health is now too great for the church to ignore.

However, the church’s apathy towards mental health crises might not be due to a lack of compassion but rather a lack of knowledge about how to help, as mental health is not a topic on which most church or ministry leaders get educated and equipped (ministry for mental health is not a course taught in most seminaries in Nagaland or India for that matter).

In contrast, some ministry leaders might not be aware of how important the issue of mental health is to their congregation.

Regardless of the rea son, there needs to be a para digm shift within the church to become more intentional about addressing this crucial issue.

With mental health is sues being so rampant and the church’s response negligible, here are some pointers on how the church can start a conversation about mental health.

1. Raise Awareness Emotional Care Sun day, Mental Health Sun day, Suicide Prevention and Awareness Sunday, or even a sermon series on mental

health topics are examples of mental health awareness initiatives that churches can undertake. The church can also invite mental health professionals to speak or facilitate seminars on issues like depression, suicide, or addiction.

2. Break the Silence

The church should dis cuss emotional and mental health issues more openly. Otherwise, our silence hurts people by leaving them to struggle in isolation. The silence also covertly con veys a message that God is not unconcerned with their suffering, that church isn’t a safe place for those who experience mental health challenges, and that our faith has no answers for struggles like theirs.

Additionally, by avoid ing the topic of mental health, the messages of stigma and shame are reinforced.

3. Talk about it from the Pulpit

One notable way churches can de-stigmatize mental health and emotional struggle is by preaching from the pulpit in a clear and com passionate manner. When pastors openly discuss mental health issues in sermons, it reduces stigma, validates people’s suffering, creates a safe space, and encour ages congregants who need support to come forward to receive help. While it may be uncomfortable for min

istry leaders, it’s desperately needed.

4. Get Equipped

According to research, the church is often the first place people go for help when dealing with mental health issues. Unfortunately, many church leaders lack the skills to offer the support people need, either directly or through appropriate referrals.

Consider having pas toral staff trained in basic counseling skills as well as training in the art of referral and basic training about com mon mental disorders.

As mental health be comes a growing concern, having intentional conversa tions about mental health is the need of the hour. Let’s collectively pledge to begin this conversation sensitively as we commemorate World Mental Health Day today. It is only by breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues that we can truly be the inclusive community that God wants us to be.

This is essential if we are to thrive as a church in the post-pandemic future. My challenge, therefore, to the Naga churches is that we move beyond the whisper ing, the silence, the shame, and the stigma and bring the church to the forefront of conversations about mental health and work together to address it.

Dr. Yehoto Swu Kiho, Founder, Insight Hub

and such others.

The government has initiated steps to cut im ports carefully to save forex. The exports during April-September rose by 15.54 per cent to $229.05 billion. Imports increased by 37.89 per cent to $378.53 billion. The trade deficit during the first six months of the fiscal has widened to $149.47 billion as against $76.25 billion during April-September 2021-22. But commerce secretary BVR Subraman yam expects trade deficit to moderate. Merchandise exports may range between $470-480 billion compared to $ 420 billion in 2021-22 and hopes trade deficit to remain at a comfort level.

The export basket has to be widened but in a shaky globe opening new markets or selling new products remains a chal lenge. The present fiscal may not be that easy but if exports could match the expectations, the rupee may have more stability.

It is tightrope walk. Global conditions remain difficult. September ex ports dip by 3.52 percent. The present fiscal as per UNCTAD will remain critical. If the export trends improve so may do the ru pee. Otherwise the country may slip into challenging situation unless internal economy improves.

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of men tal health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

Many aspects of mental health have been challenged; and already before the pandemic in 2019 an estimated one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. At the same time, the services, skills and funding available for mental health remain in short supply, and fall far below what is needed, especially in Nagaland.

Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations.

We must deepen the value and commit ment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors.

We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.

Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively.

We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their hu man rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.

Mental Health day awareness is to give an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employ ers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to recognize progress in this field and to be vocal about what we need to do to ensure Mental Health & Well-Being .

Mrs.Vivi Zhimomi, MAC Counselling Psychologist

How parents verbal abuse affects adolescents mental health

Adolescents whose parents verbally abuse them have poorer mental health de terring them from devel oping a well-balanced personality and making them vulnerable to de velop mental health con ditions. “…I don’t know if it is me or the environ ment that is being toxic.

I am tired of living. I feel like living is worthless.

I feel useless, hopeless, someone with no future.

All my surroundings feel suffocating….”

This one case repre sents many teenagers who face verbal abuses from

their parents or primary caregivers.

Parents verbal abuse can range from condemn ing words or phrases like “Sa la! Itu bi na pare! Budhu! Pakala! Third class! Satan laga bacha! You are good for noth ing! You are worthless! You are useless! What a wastage of money! What will these marks bring for you? Can’t you be like that neighbour’s children? Is there nothing that you can do?

Such verbal abuses of parents in the form of disciplining their children however becomes detri mental to their well-being.

“…My parents barely notice the things I do well. They only take notice of my failures and wrong doings…” says xyz.

Children ultimately end up seeing themselves as “not good enough, never good enough” and therefore not worth trying in studies, inter-personal skills and other life skills.

Adolescents facing deficit of parents appreci ations are also more likely than others to yield into risk-taking behaviours like sexual activity both physi cal and online, tobacco, alcohol and other sub stances abuses; behavioral

disorders without any re gard for the consequences characterised by excessive activity seeking attention, difficulty paying attention, feigning sickness, mental perpetration of violence getting ideas from the graphic violent content they watched as an escape means which can result in actual criminal behavior.

“I self-harm. I get a sense of relief” says abc. Self-harming behaviors in clude slashing or scratch ing wrists or arms with available sharp objects, pinching until it becomes sore, punching hard ob jects, choking oneself; the

list is not exhaustive.

Such self-harm activi ties have become the chil dren’s coping mechanism which has the potential to prove lethal.

Made to feel worth less and hopeless, not only do they indulge in suicidal ideation but make actual suicide attempt.

What should the re sponse be?

Focus on parents’ education through various interventions like oneon-one-counselling, fam ily counselling, seminars, workshops to heighten the parents’ empathy level for their adolescent children

who are at a junction between childhood and adulthood, and undergo ing many changes become crucial to nurture adoles cents into healthy adults.

At times we focus so much on the person who is suffering.

As we observe World Mental Health Day, it is imperative to also address those inflicting mental distress.

Kariuganhliu Kamei Koza, Founding Man aging Director, Centre for Integrated Counsel ling Services, Kitsubo zou, Kohima, Nagaland

“Everything negative – pressure, challeng es – is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

Shivaji Sarkar

M K Stalin elected again as DMK chief

Sets sight on winning 2024 LS polls in TN

CHENNAI, OCT 9 (PTI):

DMK stalwart and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin was unanimously elected as party president at the party’s general coun cil meeting held here on Sunday.

In his address follow ing his election, Stalin asked office-bearers to take a vow to work towards securing a landslide victory for the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha (LS) polls and emerge in national politics as an unas sailable force.

The party should win all the 39 Parliamentary constituencies in the state and the lone seat in neigh bouring Puducherry as well, he said. This is the second time Stalin is being elected unopposed as party chief.

Exuding confidence that the DMK would win all the 40 Parliamentary segments, he tasked party functionaries to begin work right away to set up booth committees to face the polls and complete the work in two months. Targeting both the BJP and the AIADMK,

Stalin said the saffron party is attempting to do politics in Tamil Nadu against the DMK through defamatory propaganda as it has no achievements to list.

“The BJP is trying to do politics by stoking re ligious and spiritual senti ments,” he claimed.

Since the people of Tamil Nadu have never mixed politics with spiritu alism, the “BJP is suffocat ing”. The AIADMK is a divided house, riddled with factional feud, and the na tional party is trying to use it to its benefit. “Do not forget that the BJP would go to any extent of cheap politics to win the next LS polls,” he alleged. The DMK chief told the party functionaries that the AIADMK and BJP would try to insult the party

through a campaign of lies in the run up to the Parlia mentary polls. “We have to face it through our welfare measures for the people.”

After he took over as party chief in 2018, the party has won all the polls, be it the civic polls to rural or urban local bodies and elec tions to the state Assembly (2021) and the Lok Sabha (2019), he said adding this trend of continuing electoral victories must be sustained at all times.

However, he warned party people against slack ness and underlined the need to work together with a team spirit. The party should win hands down the next state Assembly polls (2026) as well, he said.

After the death of for mer chief minister J Jaya

Rahul Gandhi will be seen in new avatar after Bharat Jodo Yatra: Digvijaya Singh

TURUVUKERE (K’TAKA), OCT 9 (PTI):

Rahul Gandhi has become a symbol of “Bharat jodo” (unite India) and will be seen in a new avatar post the Congress’ pan-India march, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said.

Singh, who has been a part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra since it started from Kanyakumari, told PTI in a interview that the march has definitely impacted the Congress positively as it is for the first time after many years that the grand old party is being discussed in remote areas, villages and people are very impressed that Rahul Gandhi is walk ing all the way.

The yatra will help strengthen the party, he said while noting that the com mitment to ideology and leadership is missing in the Congress at present.

Rahul Gandhi is spear heading the yatra that be gan from Kanyakumari and will end in Jammu and Kashmir. A host of Congress leaders will walk 3,500 km during the march.

“In this country, if anyone does ‘tyag’ (sacri fice), he is always revered. Sonia Gandhi did ‘tyag’ of the prime minister’s post. And here, Rahul Gandhi is walking, sweating in the

Digvijaya Singh

heat, standing in the rain, fighting all kinds of fake news and defamation. He has become a symbol of Bharat jodo,” the former Madhya Pradesh chief min ister said.

Asked which way has the Yatra helped Rahul, Singh said, “Well, you shall see him now in his new ava tar.” He said he has known Rahul for a long time and once he decides to do some thing, nothing can stop him from achieving that.

“The day he decides, no one will be able to stop him,” he said on Rahul’s political journey forward.

“Frankly, I have al ways seen him as a very highly committed and ideo logically committed person with a highly inquisitive mind. He would not let you go until he has his an swers. And, he is a prolific leader and very spiritual too,” the veteran Congress leader said. Singh, who has dropped out of the race for the post of Congress presi

dent and became proposer for party veteran Mallikar jun Kharge, noted that the Congress is “extremely poor” as an organisation as compared to the BJP organ isation, which is a cadrebased party. The Congress is part of a mass movement and new leaders emerge out of past movements.

“Obviously, new lead ership will emerge from the party,” he said, adding those who are taking part in the march have left their homes and showing their commitment.

Elections for the Congress president’s post will take place on October 17 and results will be an nounced on October 19.

The Congress veteran also dwelled on the weak nesses of the party and efforts to overcome them.

What is missing in this party is the commitment to ideology and leadership, he rued, adding the party is also giving confused sig nals.

“One of the major weaknesses of the Congress party is that it works in si los. There is no horizontal integration of all Congress men at the cutting edge, which is the grassroot at the ground level. We have attempted this in this yatra. This is the format that we are preparing,” he said.

PM Modi declares Modhera in

MODHERA (GUJARAT),

OCT 9 (PTI): Prime Minis ter Narendra Modi on Sun day declared Modhera in Gujarat’s Mehsana district as the country’s first 24X7 “solar-powered” village.

Addressing a rally af ter the function, Modi said Modhera was once subject to countless atrocities of all kinds committed by invaders in the past, but is growing now with modernity while retaining its ancient char acter. He said Modhera, famous for the Sun temple, will also be known as a solar-powered village.

On the first day of his three-day visit to his home state, where elections are due in December this year, the prime minister inau gurated and laid the foun dation stone for multiple projects worth over Rs 3,900 crore at the Modhera event.

The solar project, a first of its kind in the country, realises the Prime Minister’s

vision of solarisation of the sun-temple town of Mod hera. It involves developing a ground-mounted solar power plant and more than 1300 rooftop solar systems on residential and govern ment buildings, all inte grated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), as per a government release.

“Whenever there will be talks of solar power, Modhera will be the first name to emerge. Because here everything is running on solar power. Whether it is light, farm....even effort is being made to run buses, vehicles on solar power.

lalithaa in 2016, the AIAD MK is in a shambles and does not have a strong lead ership, he said in a veiled attack against the principal opposition party’s interim chief, K Palaniswami.

The AIADMK has di minished into four factions, Stalin said, which is seen as a reference to Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam, T T V Dhinakaran and V K Sasi kala.

Earlier, in the newly constituted general council, which held its meeting here, the DMK declared Stalin as elected unopposed to the top party post.

Party veterans Duraim urugan (Water Resources Minister) and T R Baalu (Lok Sabha MP) were unan imously elected as general secretary and treasurer re spectively. All the three lead ers have been elected to their posts for the second time.

As part of the DMK’s 15th organisational polls, party president, general secretary and treasurer were elected following recent elections to party posts, at various levels across the state and the new general council was constituted.

I Periyasamy and K Ponmudi (state ministers), Anthiyur P Selvaraj (Ra jya Sabha MP) and former Union minister A Raja were

6 die due to electrocution in UP’s Bahraich

BAHRAICH (UP), OCT 9 (PTI): Six people, includ ing five minors, were killed while four sustained burn injuries after they came in contact with a high-tension wire in this Uttar Pradesh district on Sunday, police said.

The incident took place around 4 am in Masupur village in the Nanpara area when the villagers were taking out a procession and an iron rod kept in a cart came in contact with the wire, locals said. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Ashok Kumar told PTI that while four people were killed on the spot, one died during treatment in a hospital.

Later, another boy, Arafat (10), died in the hos pital, pushing the death toll in the incident to six, of ficials said.

Superintendent of Po lice Keshav Kumar Choud hary said the other victims have been indentified as Sufian (12), Ilyas (16), Ta brez (16), Ashraf Ali (30), all residents of Bhaggadwa in Nanpara, and Shafiq (12) from Malhipur in Shravasti district.

The family members of the victims have told police that they do not want postmortem of the bodies to be conducted as no one is to be blamed for the accident, the officer said.

named again as deputy gen eral secretaries. Lok Sabha MP and women’s wing secretary, Kanimozhi was newly named as a deputy general secretary.

State Minister K N Nehru was renamed as the party’s principal secretary. Deputy Speaker K Pitchan di was among the four mem bers elected to the party’s audit panel.

When the Chief Min ister arrived at the venue of the general council meeting here, he was accorded a rousing reception by party workers.

Stalin said the work of office-bearers, elected from the level of branches to dis trict and other posts would be monitored. The party and its ideology is above individuals and functionar ies should work unitedly bearing this in mind, he said.

The 69-year-old top leader, the younger son of late party patriarch M Ka runanidhi, has held several party posts, including that of DMK treasurer and youth wing secretary.

On his Twitter handle, Stalin thanked cadres for choosing him as the party chief for the second time and pledged to continue his work to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu.

Delhi AAP minister resigns after row over presence at conversion event

desses and would not even dream of insulting any deity through any action or word of mine.” The minis ter added that he had raised the issues of education, health, employment, price rise and social equality in his speech at the event, but BJP leaders were spreading “rumours” against him.

At the event, the AAP Minister, among a thou sand others, was heard tak ing an oath, saying, “I shall have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, nor shall I worship them”.

as

“For a self-reliant India of the 21st century, we have to encourage such efforts for our energy needs. I am working day and night to take the country in the di rection of providing (energy security) for Gujarat, the country, and to our coming generation,” said the prime minister.

Modhera is known for the Sun temple situated on the bank of the Pushpavati river. The temple was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty.

Shifting to Gujarati intermittently during his speech, Modi said the solar rooftop project will help residents of Modhera not just generate free electricity for their needs but will also help them earn money by selling extra units of elec tricity to power distributors.

“House owners and farmers have now become owners of electricity factories,” he said.

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (AGENCIES): Delhi So cial Welfare Minister Ra jendra Pal Gautam resigned today, following vigorous protests by the BJP over his presence at a religious conversion event in Delhi on Friday.

After his resignation, Gautam tweeted: “Today is the manifestation day of Maharishi Valmiki ji and on the other hand it is also the death anniversary of Man yavar Kanshi Ram Saheb.

In such a coincidence, to day I have been freed from many shackles and today I have been born again. Now

I will continue to fight for rights and atrocities on the society more firmly

without any restrictions.” Gautam’s resignation is significant in view of the fact that his presence at the religious conversion event had given the BJP an issue to attack the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which claims to be the main challenger to ruling BJP in Gujarat, where assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year.

On Friday, Gautam had issued a statement, ac cusing the BJP of spreading “rumours” against him and apologised to “anyone who has been hurt due to such propaganda”. He said: “I am a deeply religious per son. I personally respect all the Gods and the God

Following the inci dent, the BJP had launched an attack on Mr Kejriwal, asking him to sack Gautam. They also put up posters against him that were later removed by his supporters ahead of a rally in Gujarat’s Vadodara yesterday. Coun tering the BJP’s charges and chanting “Jai Shri Ram” while addressing the rally, Kejriwal said: “Main Ha numan ka bhakt hun. Aur ye Kansa ki aulaad hain (I’m a disciple of Hanu man, while they are the descendants of Kansa.) He added: “I was born on the day of Janmashtami. God has sent me with a special motive: Go destroy Kansa ki aulaad and the ones do ing corruption.”

India, Taiwan should consider finalising FTA as soon as possible: Taiwanese Envoy

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (PTI): India and Taiwan should firm up the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) at the earliest as it will re move all barriers to trade and investment and help cre ate a resilient supply chain, Taipei’s de-facto Ambassa dor Baushuan Ger said.

The Taiwanese rep resentative said Taiwan is keen to share its expertise with India in critical sectors such as semiconductors, 5G, information security and ar tificial intelligence and that his country can be an “excel lent” partner to develop In dia’s high-tech supply chain.

He said Taiwan has been actively pursuing FTA with like-minded trading partners including India and reaffirmed Taipei’s focus on supporting the rules-based international order.

“The signing of the FTA will further remove all trade and investment barriers and lead to a jump in bilateral trade and invest ment,” he told PTI.

“In addition, it will help attract Taiwan com panies to invest in India to establish production bases, sell India-made products to the world, and help India transform into a global man ufacturing centre,” Ger said.

His comments came amid escalating tensions in

the Taiwan Strait following China’s military build-up in the region in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the selfruled island of more than 23 million people in August. China considers Taiwan as its breakaway province.

Taiwan is a leading producer of semiconduc tors globally and at least a couple of Taiwanese com panies have shown interest in India’s production-linked incentives (PLIs) scheme worth Rs 76,000 crore for the electronics sector.

“To build on the mo mentum of increasing bi lateral investment and trade collaboration, it is high time that Taiwan and India con sider signing an FTA at the earliest possible in order to create a secure and resil ient supply chain and more value-added platforms for long-term cooperation,” Ger said.

India does not have formal diplomatic ties with

Merely making laws to help backward community not enough, says RSS chief

KANPUR, OCT 9 (PTI):

RSS chief Mohan Bhag wat on Sunday said merely making laws to help the backward is not enough and mindsets have to be changed to ensure their upliftment.

Bhagwat made the re marks here on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti.

Addressing a gather ing at Nanarao Park here, Bhagwat said, “The Valmiki community is still very weak and is lagging behind. It has to come forward. Provi sions have been made in the Constitution. The king (government) is looking after implementation of the law.

Despite this, if there is no ‘apnaapan’ (sense of belongingness), then it will not benefit those for whom it is meant.”

The Rashtriya Sway amsevak Sangh sarsangh chalak said that Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar made provisions in the Constitution for the upliftment of the Scheduled

Mohan Bhagwat

Caste and Dalit commu nities. “He had said that now the Dalits would sit with everyone. We made this provision. But, merely making the provision will not be enough. The mind set has to be transformed, and an awareness has to be brought,” Bhagwat said.

“Dr (Ambedkar) sahab had said that by making this provision, we have given political and economic inde pendence to them. But, this will prove to be meaningful, when social independence will come. And, hence, an other doctor sahab (referring

ram Hedgewar) had started the work in Nagpur in 1925 to bring in that feeling -- the feeling of social harmony and belongingness,” Bhag wat said.

He hailed Maharshi Valmiki and credited him for making the people know about Lord Ram, after which the god became role model for people in “Akhand Bharatvarsh”.

“Bhagvaan Valmiki was the one who intro duced the character of Shri Ramchandra to the Hindu community. Had he not au thored Ramayan, we would have never known who was Ram,” the RSS chief said.

He also asked the Valmiki community to visit RSS ‘shakhas’ and interact with the volunteers.

People have to learn from Maharishi Valmiki the sense of compassion, dedication and the feeling of duty, he said, after garland ing the statue of Valmiki.

Taiwan but both sides have trade and people-to-people relations.

Following the eastern Ladakh border row with China, some experts in In dia have been pushing for upgrading New Delhi’s ties with Taipei, especially in the trade and investment sectors.

The Taiwanese envoy said given the changing in ternational political and eco nomic dynamics, there is an opportunity for India to play a more important role in the supply chain “realignment”.

He said Taiwan has comprehensive supply chains and ecosystems in the manufacturing sectors including semiconductors and noted that a deeper trade collaboration would be beneficial to both sides.

Last year, the two sides set up four groups with a focus on setting up of a semiconductor hub, training manpower for the industry, to explore a bilateral invest ment pact and a free trade agreement.

“Since the US-China trade conflicts, Taiwanese companies have shown flex ibility while acting in line with the government’s ‘New Southbound Policy’. Specifi cally, many have relocated their production bases back to Taiwan or to Southeast

Asian countries,” Ger said.

“The sectors involved include high-end servers, ICT equipment, smart trans portation, panels, and au tomated production lines, etc,” he added.

Unveiled in 2016, the New Southbound Policy is aimed at expanding po litical, economic, and peo ple-to-people linkages with democratic countries includ ing India.

Ger said Taiwan has advantages in semiconduc tors and electronics manu facturing, including US-rec ognised 5G, clean network technology, as well as AI, information security and smart cities technology.

He said Taiwan could be an “excellent” partner for India’s high-tech supply chain and product develop ment.

“Other areas of po tential cooperation include machine tools, photovolta ics, biotechnology and phar maceuticals. We are looking forward to strengthening cooperation with India in these areas for mutual ben efits,” he said.

The envoy said India has been actively attract ing foreign investment and made every effort to opti mise the investment envi ronment with favourable incentives.

DMK President and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin addresses the party’s General Council Meeting, in Chennai, Sunday. (PTI)

Rajendra Pal Gautam

Baushuan Ger

India will stand out with 7 pc growth: EAC-PM

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (PTI): Amid fears of the world slipping into reces sion, India will perhaps emerge as the strongest major economy with 7 per cent growth rate in FY23, Economic Advisory Coun cil to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal said on Sunday.

Sanyal observed that India can grow at 9 per cent in an external condu cive environment like in early 2000s when the global economy was growing.

“We are clearly enter ing an environment where many countries around the world will be facing much slower growth or even slip ping into recession.

“This is due to a com bination of factors rang ing from tighter monetary policy to higher energy costs, as well as disruptions caused by the Ukraine war,” he told PTI in an interview.

The World Bank on October 6 projected 6.5 per cent growth rate for the Indian economy for 2022-23, a drop of one per centage point from its June 2022 projections, citing deteriorating international environment.

“Under those circum stances, India’s perfor mance will stand out as being perhaps the strongest of any major economy in the world with around 7 per cent GDP growth rate in current fiscal year nonethe less,” Sanyal said.

He emphasised that the cumulative impact of supply side reforms over many years by the Modi government has meant that India’s economy is currently much more flexible and resilient than it used to be.

Sanyal noted that if India gets an external envi ronment like the one it had during 2002-03 to 2006-07 when the global economy was growing, global in

flationary pressures were muted, then its economy is capable of delivering 9 per cent growth.

“But obviously, we are not in that environment right now. So given that situation 7 per cent GDP growth rate is a good per formance,” he said.

The EAC-PM member however cautioned against pushing growth unnecessar ily “when the highway has so many bumps and hurdles in the way”.

The Reserve Bank of India recently slashed the growth projection to 7 per cent for current fiscal year from the earlier forecast of 7.2 per cent, citing aggres sive tightening of monetary

Govt to kick off FY24 Budget making exercise on Monday

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (PTI): The government on Monday will kick off its annual Budget making exercise for financial year 2023-24, that is expected to look at measures to revive growth amid a gloomy global outlook.

The meeting would start with consultations with various ministries and departments on the revised estimates (RE) of expenditure for ongoing financial year and the fund requirement for 2023-24.

On the first day on Monday, RE meetings with Ministry of Environ ment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of La

bour And Employment, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Minis try of Statistics and Pro gramme Implementation and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports would take place.

Most of these discus sions to finalise RE for ongoing financial year (2022-23) and Budget Es timate for 2023-24 would be chaired by the Finance Secretary and Expenditure Secretary.

The month-long de liberations would end on November 10, with con sultations with Ministry of Cooperation, Department of Agriculture and Farm

ers Welfare, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Road Transport and High ways, Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as per a notification of Budget Divi sion of the finance ministry.

The Budget Estimates for 2023-24, will be pro visionally finalised after completion of pre-Budget meetings.

These meetings would take place against the back drop of many institutions, including the Reserve Bank and the World Bank slash ing India’s growth forecast to 7 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively.

policies globally and mod eration in demand.

On the Indian rupee touching a historic low last week, Sanyal said,”I don’t think we should get too fussed about looking at just the dollar INR exchange rate.”

According to Sanyal, there is obviously a very sharp strengthening of the US dollar against all cur rencies and in that circum stance, the rupee actually is appreciating against all currencies except dollar.

Noting that the Re serve Bank is correct in allowing the rupee to find its level while at the same time using the reserves to smoothen the volatility, he said “ the central bank should not defend a particu lar level, it should however, use its reserves to control volatility.

The rupee hit a historic low of 82.33 to a dollar on Friday.

Recently, RBI Gover nor Shaktikanta Das said that the central bank has zero tolerance for volatile and bumpy movement in the rupee and added that the RBI actions have helped in its smoother movement.

Asked whether high inflation will become the norm in India, Sanyal said India is facing fairly special circumstances where global inflation is clearly very high.

He pointed out that inflation in many developed countries is in double dig its and in many emerging economies, it is 70 to 80 per cent.

“So in that context, I think 7 per cent (inflation) is a creditable performance.

“But of course, in the medium term, we would like to bring it back into the 2 to 6 per cent range and the Reserve Bank is taking mea sures, including tightening monetary policy to be able to make sure that inflation remains in a reasonable range,” he emphasised.

India’s retail inflation was at 7 per cent in August, above the RBI’s comfort level of 6 per cent, mainly due to higher food prices.

The Reserve Bank fac tors in retail inflation while deciding on its monetary policy and it has been man dated by the government to ensure that inflation re mains at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side.

Falling rupee makes education costlier

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (IANS): Studying abroad has become costlier amid a sharp fall in rupee. The cost for studying in the US has gone up by Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh per year.

The increase in tuition fees in the US, the UK and Australia by 10 to 20 per cent is another reason be hind the costlier education abroad. Also, the airfares have increased in recent times, which has added burden on students studying abroad. Adding to the woes, the visas of lakhs of Indian students have not been ap proved in countries like the US, the UK, Canada and Australia.

There are long delays in getting student visas while at the same time those stu dents, whose visas have been approved, are facing infla tion due to rupee deprecia tion. Indian students abroad are also facing problems in finding accommodation due to the increase in the prices of hostels and homestays.

Germany seems to be reaping the benefits due to this delay in the approval of student visas by other countries.

According to a recent report by the German Aca

FPIs invest Rs 2,400 cr in Indian equities in first week of October (From p-1)

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (PTI): After withdrawing over Rs 7,600 crore last month, foreign investors have resumed buying Indian stocks and have invested more than Rs 2,400 crore in the domestic equity markets in the first week of October.

FPI flow is expected to remain volatile in the coming months on a slew of global and domestic factors, experts said.

“The fall in job open ings in the US and lowerthan-expected rate hike by the Australian central bank imbibed hope among inves tors that global rates may peak soon. However, till then it seems FPI flows will remain volatile in the com

ing months,” said Shrikant Chouhan, Head-Equity Research (Retail) at Kotak Securities.

According to data with the depositories, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) invested a net Rs 2,440 crore in equities during October 3-7, after pulling out over Rs 7,600 crore in September, on hawkish stance by the US Federal Reserve and sharp depreciation in rupee.

Prior to this, FPIs made a net investment of Rs 51,200 crore in August and nearly Rs 5,000 crore in July. Before July, foreign investors were net sellers in Indian equities for nine months in a row from Oc tober last year.

demic Exchange Service (DAAD), the number of Indian students studying in Germany increased from 17,570 in 2017 to 34,134 in 2021.

Actually, education is subsidised by the German government. All interna tional students studying in state-funded universities in Germany do not have to pay tuition fees. This is one of the biggest benefits for the international students in Germany and a major relief for Indian students amid the costlier education in other popular countries.

Although various courses are available at low cost to Indian students in countries like Germany, the students do not change their preferences easily.

Sumeet Jain, co-found er, Yocket, a communitybased platform for overseas studies, said, “Due to the rupee depreciation, the aver

age additional cost to study in the US has gone up by Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh per year. Despite this, the students do not make decisions without comprehensively evaluating various aspects.

Some students, who want to pursue post research, for them there is no point in moving to other countries. While many students keep their options open.

Students prefer the US for STEM courses while for non-STEM courses they opt for the UK and Australia.

Experts believe that the continued delays in vi sas have jeopardised the competitiveness of popular places of study. While ear lier countries like the US, the UK, Australia and Canada were the first choice of the students, now Germany, Spain, France, Portugal and the UAE have emerged as the preferential places to study abroad.

Nagaland Governor urges NEC to include...

In an age of advanced digital technology today where online services had made many services ac cessible to common man at the click of a button, he observed that many young aspiring entrepreneurs were starting small businesses operating from home and marketing their products online. However, he la mented that Nagaland was still struggling with poor internet connectivity. He therefore requested NEC to intervene in providing in frastructure for high speed internet connectivity up to village level in the entire region.

He mentioned that with the introduction of flagship initiative “Start-up India”, the State govern ment too had launched Nagaland Start-up Policy that aimed to establish Nagaland as a model startup leader in the region, by creating a culture of entre preneurship that nurtured creative and innovative

youth, allowing them to build successful start-up companies, become job creators and contribute towards building a healthy and sustainable economy.

Under the policy, he said the State aimed to facilitate growth of at least 500 start-ups in the next five years, with focus on estab lishing innovative “Made in Nagaland” products and services. In this regard, he remarked that NEC might intervene in establishing an Innovation hub to house all the start-ups under one roof on PPP mode.

Coaching played a vi tal role for candidates in clearing competitive exams. But Mukhi noted that most civil service aspirants from Nagaland could not afford to go to New Delhi for coaching as the fees charged by the coaching institutes had become very high.

He suggested that NEC could come forward in this field by tying up with a re

puted coaching institute for providing online coaching classes at subsidised rates that would immensely help the civil service aspirants.

Further, sports persons from the region were bring ing laurels to the country in various international events and competitions. So, he urged NEC to in clude sports as one of the thrust areas.

Apart from creating sporting infrastructure, he pointed out that there was a need to create opportuni ties for developing the skills and providing exposure to young people at the nation al and international levels.

“It will be very good if NEC could organise ju nior level interstate football tournament in line with senior level Dr T Ao North East Football Tournament, which will give the neces sary platform and expo sure for young talents,” he added.

Two killed as Iran protest enters 4th week

SULIMANIYAH, OCT 9 (AP): Anti-government demonstrations erupted Saturday in several loca tions across Iran as the most sustained protests in years against a deeply entrenched theocracy entered their fourth week. At least two people were killed.

Marchers chanted antigovernment slogans and twirled headscarves in repu diation of coercive religious dress codes. In some areas, merchants shuttered shops in response to a call by activ ists for a commercial strike or to protect their wares from damage.

Later Saturday, hackers broke into the evening news on Iran’s state TV for 15 sec onds, just as footage of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was being broadcast.

The hackers flashed an image of Khamenei sur rounded by flames. A cap tion read “Join us and stand up!” and “The blood of our youth is dripping from your claws,” a reference to Khamenei.

A song with the lyrics “Woman. Life. Freedom”

— a common chant of the protesters — played in the background.

The protests erupted September 17, after the burial of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who had died in the custody of Iran’s feared morality police. Amini had been de tained for an alleged viola tion of strict Islamic dress codes for women.

Since then, protests spread across the country and were met by a fierce crackdown, in which doz ens are estimated to have been killed and hundreds

arrested.

In the city of Sanandaj in the Kurdish-majority northern region, one man was shot dead Saturday while driving a car in a major thoroughfare, rights monitors said. The Francebased Kurdistan Human Rights Network and the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, said the man was shot after honking at security forces stationed on the street.

Honking has become one of the ways activists have been expressing civil disobedience. Video circu

Five teenagers detained in Hong Kong under security law

lating online showed the slain man slumped over the steering wheel, as distraught witnesses shouted for help.

The semi-official Fars news agency, believed to be close to the elite para military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, said Kurdistan’s police chief denied reports of using live rounds against protesters.

Fars claimed that peo ple in Sanandaj’s Pasdaran Street said the victim was shot from inside the car without elaborating. But photos of the dead man indicate that he was shot from his left side, meaning he likely was not shot from inside the car. The blood can be seen running down the inside of the door on the driver’s side.

A second protester was killed after security forces fired gunshots to disperse crowds in the city and 10 protesters were wounded, the rights monitors said.

A general strike was observed in the city’s main streets amid a heavy secu rity presence and protesters burned tires in some areas. Patrols have deterred mass

gatherings in Sanandaj but isolated protests have con tinued in the city’s densely populated neighbourhoods.

Demonstrations were also reported in the capital Tehran on Saturday, includ ing small ones near the Shar if University of Technology, one of Iran’s premier centers of learning and the scene of a violent government crackdown last weekend. Authorities have closed the campus until further notice.

Images on social media showed protests also took place in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

Other protests erupted at Azad University in north ern Tehran, in other neigh borhoods of the capital and in the city’s bazaar. Many shops were closed in central Tehran and near the Univer sity of Tehran.

President Ebrahim Raisi in a meeting with stu dents from the all-female AlZahra University in Tehran alleged again that foreign enemies were responsible for fomenting the protests. He has made the claim without giving specifics or providing any evidence.

Russian strikes kill 17 in Ukraine following bridge attack

ZAPORIZHZHIA

(UKRAINE), OCT 9 (AP):

A Russian missile barrage that crumbled apartment buildings and houses in Ukraine’s city of Zapor izhzhia killed at least 17 people and wounded doz ens, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday as Moscow strained to enforce its take over of illegally annexed territory.

The blasts that col lapsed at least one highrise residential building and blew out the windows of others came from six missiles launched in Rus sian-occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region, the Ukrainian air force said.

The region is one of four Russia claimed as its own this month, but the regional capital remains under Ukrainian control.

The multiple strikes came after an explosion on Saturday caused the partial collapse of a bridge linking the Crimean Peninsula with Russia.

The Kerch Bridge at tack damaged an important

supply route for the Krem lin’s faltering war effort in Ukraine and a towering symbol of Russia’s power in the region.

Stunned residents watched from behind police tape as emergency crews tried to reach the upper floors of a building that took a direct hit.

The attack collapsed several floors, leaving a smoldering chasm at least 40-feet wide where apart ments had stood. Several hours later, the top floors caved in as well.

In an adjacent apart

ment building, the barrage blew windows and doors out of their frames in a radius of hundreds of feet.

At least 20 private homes and 50 apartment buildings in all were dam aged, and at least 40 peo ple were hospitalised, city council Secretary Anatoliy Kurtev said.

Zaporizhzhia resident Mucola Markovich, 76, said he and his wife hid under a blanket when they heard in coming rockets and booms from blasts. “There was one explosion, then another one,” he said.

Jaishankar inaugurates new IHC Chancery in New Zealand

A teenage dissenter being produced in court for advocating overthrow of Beijing regime.

HONG KONG, OCT 9 (IANS): In a first, five teen agers have been sentenced to three years’ detention in Hong Kong for advocating overthrow of the Beijing government. The national security law has been used in court against under-18s in Hong Kong for the first time,

the BBC reported.

Beijing introduced the wide-ranging law to make it easier to prosecute protesters in the city in 2020. Many who defyed the Chinese government have since been jailed, removing much of the political opposition.

The court heard the

defendants had used social media and street booths to advocate a “bloody revo lution” to overthrow the Chinese state in the former British colony, the BBC reported. Judge Kwok Waikin said: “Even if one per son is incited, Hong Kong’s stability and residents’ safety could have been greatly harmed,” quoted by the BBC. The teenagers (aged between 16 and 19) were members of Returning Val iant, a pro-Hong Kong in dependence group.

Mr Wai-kin said he appreciated the defendants’ “age and immaturity”, which meant that they were sentenced to a detention fa cility for young people (also known as a training centre) instead of going to prison.

WELLINGTON, OCT 9 (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday inaugurated the new Indian High Commis sion Chancery in Welling ton and said that playing with each other’s strengths is a more sensible way of growing the important relationship between India and New Zealand.

Jaishankar, who is here on his first visit to New Zealand as the Exter nal Affairs Minister, also said that the relationship between both countries is “due for an update”, and “due for refresh”.

“Inaugurated the new Indian High Commission Chancery in Wellington to day. Three Ministerial vis its in a short span of time reflect our shared desire to grow India-New Zealand ties and make them fit

for purpose,” Jaishankar tweeted on Sunday.

The relationship between India and New Zealand “draws strength from the vision and com mitment of our Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @jacindaardern,” he tweeted.

While addressing members of the Indian

NZPO writes to chief secretary on WSYF ultimatum

(From p-1)

Asserting that such discrimination cannot be borne any longer, NZPO demanded immediate eviction of the encroach ers and protection of the innocent villagers.

NZPO said in another representation submitted to the home commissioner on July 20, 2022 demand ing response to its May 5 representation, and also highlighted the facts on government record regard ing shifting and renaming of the Kiyevi village to the Dhansiripar area.

NZPO claimed that sine the DC Dimapur had refused to comply with its July 27, 2022 representa tion vis-à-vis disbursement of damage compensation (2-lane NH 129A package 3) to Kiyevi village, NZPO was compelled to call for indefinite lockdown of NH-129A.

Besides the compen

sation issue, NZPO said it had also sought eviction of the illegal inhabitants of the erstwhile Kiyevi vil lage and the unrecognized illegal encroacher of “selfstyled villages of Kehoi, Vihuto, Jacob Zhimomi, Pushito and Aliwo, to recall/revoke the NH 129A in respect of the erstwhile Kiyevi village and immediately book those involved in the killings of three innocent men from Lamhainamdi on March 22, 2021.

NZPO said that soon after the lockdown was imposed, it received a let ter from Commissioner Nagaland conveying the receipt of DC Dimapur’s letter that all related mat ters had been considered and a joint meeting with DCs of Peren and Chü moukedima would be convened and the mat ter regarding payment of damage compensation be

kept on hold till further discussions.

NZPO said, that based on the letter from Commissioner Nagaland on August 13, 2022, it suspended the lockdown and subsequently issued a press statement.

Thereafter, a meet ing with DCs of Peren and Dimapur was con vened by Commissioner Nagaland on August 16, 2022. NZPO said at the August 17 meeting with DC Peren, Lamhai village submitted a representa tion giving permission to disburse the compensation to the residents of the erst while Kiyevi village on the condition that they must vacate the village after re ceipt of the compensation.

NZPO said the meet ing minutes reflected that an opportunity can be given to explore any av enue for resolving between Kiyevi Village and Lam

hai Village and feedback submitted latest by August 18, 2022.

NZPO said the same message was conveyed to the Commissioner Naga land in another meeting held on August 19, 2022. NZPO said after consider ing their representation, the Commissioner issued an order dated August 20,2022 stating that compensation shall be deemed to be re leased to the structure own ers of Kiyevi village, but the release of damage com pensation to the owners of the structure without “any pre-judice to any claims/ counter claims over land ownership issues that may arise in the future”.

NZPO said it was not averse to allowing any person(s) from setting up village in the entire area of land up to the river Kovaru or Tehaikai, which is the traditional boundary with Chümoukedima village,

Palestinian gunman kills woman Israeli soldier in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, OCT 9 (AP): A Palestinian opened fire on an Israeli military checkpoint in east Jerusalem on Saturday night, killing a female Israeli soldier and wounding three other peo ple, Israeli authorities said.

The attack came hours after a pair of Palestinian teenagers were killed during an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank.

It was the latest blood shed in the deadliest round of fighting in the area in seven years. It also came less than 24 hours before Israel was to begin celebrating the weeklong Sukkot holiday, a time when tens of thousands of Jews visit the holy city.

Saturday night’s shoot ing occurred at a checkpoint near the Shuafat refugee camp in east Jerusalem.

Police said the assailant got out of a car and opened

fire, seriously wounding the female soldier and a security guard before running into the camp. The army an nounced early Sunday that the woman, who was 19,

had died.

Police said two mem bers of the paramilitary bor der police unit were lightly wounded by shrapnel.

Police said they were searching for the attacker, with special forces and a helicopter involved in the search. Police said early Sunday that they arrested one person on suspicion of involvement in the attack, but were continuing the manhunt.

“Our hearts tonight are with the wounded and their families,” said Prime Minister Yair Lapid. “Ter rorism will not defeat us. We are also strong on this difficult evening.”

but no independent village will be permitted but that the land shall be called by the name “Lamhainamdi, i.e., Greater Lamhai Vil lage, and it intended to stick by the decision.

NZPO said had Western Sumi Youth Front approached it, then it would have informed the front of the above position. However, NZPO said WSYF sought to “issue the ultimatum to your authority (chief sec retary) and your authority also, without affording us any opportunity to have our say in the matter, promptly set up the Joint Verification Committee comprising of officials of the Peren and Dimapur district administration.”

NZPO claimed that no official intimation was made to it or Lamhain amdi village informing them about the setting up of the committee.

community, he addressed the possibilities for in creased cooperation in various sectors like busi ness, digital and agriculture sectors.

“The more sensible way of growing our rela tionship is really to play with each other’s strengths. We must find ways for doing more business be

cause, at the end of the day, business is good for any relationship. For once if there is a strong business foundation to a business re lationship, that relationship is truly strong and steady,” he said.

“Possibilities abound in business, digital, agri culture, education, skills, traditional medicine and maritime security domains. Stronger cooperation will ensure peace, prosperity and progress of our com mon region,” he tweeted.

“In recent years our Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Jacinda Ardern have established a relation ship, meeting from time to time often on the sidelines of the events... It does make a difference when the leaders of the highest level meet and also makes a difference when Foreign

Ministers get along very well,” he said while ad dressing the gathering dur ing the inauguration of the new Chancery.

“We sincerely believe that India and New Zea land relationship is due for an update, is due for a refresh...,” he said.

“There are so many challenges, so many possi bilities which are important for countries like India and New Zealand to think openly with an engaging approach to help ourselves and help the world.”

“So, I was pleased that I had an opportunity to send that message out that India is open for busi ness, that we would like to see more of New Zealand, and there are areas where you have experiences, best practices and capabilities that make a big difference.

France wants to be India’s best partner in defence manufacturing: French envoy

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (PTI): France wants to be India’s “best partner” in boosting its defence manu facturing and has decided to share the best technolo gies and equipment in sync with the growing “trust” be tween the two sides, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said.

Without divulging specific details, the envoy said French and Indian companies are working together on “equipment of the future”, platforms and engines. “I do not think any country provides India with the same level of technolo gy. The progress is also due to the fact that we recognise that India wants to boost its strategic autonomy, wants to build its industrial base and we want to be India’s best partner in this move,” he told PTI.

office of the aoyimti KaKetshir telongjem

Indo-French strategic ties have been on a major upswing after India inked an inter-governmental

agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale jets at a cost of around Rs 59,000 crore.

“Defence has always been a very strong compo nent of our cooperation be cause there is a lot of trust between our two countries. When you want to work on these issues, you need trust because you commit your self for 10, 20, 30 years,” Lenain said.

NatioNalist

The NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A.C held its Annual General Meeting-cum-Picnic at TL Angami Park, New Chümoukedima, on October 8, 2022 together with Shri. Zhaleo Rio, MLA & Advisor, Govt. of Nagaland. The house deliberated on a number of pertinent issues and resolved the following:

1. The house welcomed all the new members into the party fold from other political parties and pledged to support the sitting MLA, Shri. Zhaleo Rio, IAS (Retd.), in the forthcoming General Assembly Election 2023 who is a capable and efficient leader bringing about positive infrastructural development and Human Resource Development to the constituency.

2. The house reaffirmed to wholeheartedly support the dynamic leadership of Shri. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister, Nagaland, and Shri. Chingwang Konyak, President, NDPP Nagaland, for all all-round development, peace progress and prosperity.

3. The house reiterated its commitment to uphold the party’s motto ‘facta non verba’ working unitedly for the welfare and uplift of the common man and for the peaceful resolution of the decades old Indo-Naga political issue.

(Dosau Kuotsu) (toKihe Zhimomi)

“Facta Non Verba” 5 Ghaspani II A/C Regd. No. 56/222/2017-17/PPS-I

Kurdish supporters hold a portrait of Iranian Mahsa Amini in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

S Jaishankar during inauguration of the new Indian High Commission Chancery, in Wellington, Sunday. (PTI)

Mucola Markovich, 76, wipes a tear as he stands next to a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

Israeli security forces patrol next to the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem, Saturday. (AP)

Emmanuel Lenain

Zisela Rüdithongrü wins 1st Witness Music Conference

Z isela Rüdithongrü became the first to win Witness Music Conference (WMC), organised by like-minded God loving individuals from Kiphire district, held from October 3 - 5 at USBLA retreat center under the theme, “God in the Beat”.

With a whooping price of ₹ 1 lakh, Zisela will be recording her first ever gospel originals with a total of five songs from a professional studio along with one professional music video from one of the best videographers from Nagaland Kohdi Jings, who is an awardee of best music video director from Nagaland in the year 2020 and best music videographer 2021 for a famous song “Die A Legend” featuring artist JPolland.

The first runnerup was bagged by Arola Jinger while the second runner-up was adjudged to Vitila Sangtam. Both the runners-up will also get to take up professional

recording and music video next year. Arola Jinger, the first runner-up will be recording two professional studios recording and one professional music video, while Vitila Sangtam, second runner-up will be recording one professional studio music additionally

all the recordings and music video will be assisted by WMC team.

Zisela Rüdithongrü did her high school from Kohima (Mezhür Higher Secondary School), bachelor from Sazolie College, Kohima and masters from ICFAI University, Aizawl.

She loves to read selfhelp books and creating & recreating outfits.

To a query about her choice of genre in music, she said “I’m open to every genre of music but gospel has always been close to my heart because that is where I find solace and I

Slideshow: Better Skin After 50

Get Glowing Skin Now

Your wisdom and confidence may grow as you get older, but the same isn’t true for many of your hormone levels. During menopause, lower levels of estrogen have a big impact on your skin. Less estrogen makes you prone to thinning, sagging, and wrinkling. Fortunately, you can relieve some of the skin-related effects of aging by taking care of your specific skin care needs.

Your Skin and Menopause

Menopause causes many changes to your skin.

Your body stops making as much collagen. You lose some fat under your skin and your skin’s elasticity drops. That, combined with dryness caused by hormonal changes, can cause sagging -- especially around the neck, jawline, and cheeks -- and fine lines and wrinkles. The lines and wrinkles you get with menopause are often crow’s feet and lines above the upper lip.

Clean Up!

Cleansing is an important skin care step -- especially as you age. As you get older and your skin gets drier, your skin especially can benefit from extra moisture. The key is using a cleanser that’s right for drier skin. So, opt for a creamy formula that hydrates instead of foam or gel cleansers, which can strip moisture away.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

After menopause, your skin gets drier because oil glands aren’t as active. Try to give skin more moisture with a heavier cream. Skip long, hot showers and put on moisturizer while your skin is still damp. That helps boost hydration.

You Still Need SPF

Even though skin cancer and wrinkling are caused by the amount of sun you got in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, you still need to protect your skin. Why?

Skin may have less natural protection than when you were younger. So look for a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, and wear it every day.

Minimize Wrinkled Skin

You get wrinkles from too much sun damage over the years, as well as the hormonal changes of menopause. As your hormone levels decrease with age, that can change your skin quality and make wrinkles worse. Wrinkles may be more obvious when your skin is dry, especially as you age. Use

moisturizer on your face, jawline and neck every day, and look for skin care products designed to help fight fine lines and sagging and that lead to a brighter appearance overall.

Hit the Spots

Age spots on the face, hands, and chest can look more obvious around menopause. Help prevent them by using sunscreen every day. Already got spots? Fade them with exfoliating products that shed dead skin cells, which can be dull and flaky. Skinlightening products can help fade spots. Toners can also help even out skin color.

Help Your Hands

The backs of your hands can lose moisture, collagen, and fat during menopause. That can make veins more obvious and skin more wrinkled. Plus, your skin can look see-through and bony. To reduce the look of wrinkles, use moisturizer often on your hands. Protect them from the sun. And wear gloves when doing house or yard work.

Eat Your Antioxidants

Collagen gives your skin its youthful plumpness and keeps your skin tight. As your estrogen levels drop, so does the collagen in your skin. Eating foods with antioxidants may help make your skin stronger from the inside out. Look

for brightly colored fruits and vegetables (they get their color from these healthy compounds) and try to eat every color of the spectrum.

Stock Up on Soy Soy is rich in isoflavones, plant-based compounds that seem to act like estrogen in the body. Isoflavones may help improve age-related changes like thinning skin.

Experts believe about 50 mg of isoflavones -that’s like like 3 ounces of tempeh or a half cup of miso -- a day can help menopausal women in other ways, too.

Look for Balance

Stress can make your skin drier and more sensitive. It can also trigger conditions like psoriasis. And if you’re stressed out, you might even forget your skin care routine. Try yoga, meditation, and other stress-reduction techniques to help you relax.

Work It Out

Exercise does more than just tone your muscles. It helps skin in two ways. First, it relieves stress. Exercise also boosts circulation, which begins to slow with age. The extra oxygen and blood flow can help your skin look brighter and healthier.

Bulk Up on Beauty Sleep

Getting enough sleep helps your skin look fresh. Sleep can help prevent dark circles under your eyes, and it also gives the rest of your body a chance to recharge. Lack of sleep can change your hormone levels and metabolism in many of the same ways that aging does. So shoot for a solid 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye every night.

Medically Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD

OffICe Of

wish to pursue my career as an artiste further with my sole focus on gospel music, and as of now I don’t know how to go on to achieve that but as always, I’ll leave it to God for His guidance and whatever His will is, so will be hers”.

Expressing her joy to the organizing committee of WMC, she genuinely felt so honoured that WMC has organised such a conference to reach out the youths for better relationship with God.

Her experience at WMC was great and practical, it helped her understand more about the myths of worldly desires and how-to live-in God’s presence, indeed God is in the business of transforming lives.

Her other takes from WMC were how each individual have different perspectives, it helped her to look more into the diversity of human mind and through this conference it inspired her to work harder.

Dwayne Johnson reveals final decision about running for US President

H ollywood Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has dismissed the idea that he will run for US President, much to the disappointment of fans.

Despite saying last year that he would enter the race for the White House if he had enough public support, the wrestlerturned-actor said that it is now “off the table” for the sake of his family, reported aceshowbiz.com.

He speaks about the prospect of running for the White House in a teaser trailer from his forthcoming interview for CBS Sunday Morning on October 9.

“It’s off the table. Yes, it is off the table. I will say this, ‘cause it requires a B-side to this. I love our country and everyone in it,” the 50-year-old star explains.

“I also love being a daddy. And that’s the most important thing to me, is

being a daddy - number one, especially during this time, this critical time in my daughters’ lives.”

“Because I know what it was like to be on the road and be so busy that I was absent for a lot of years when my first daughter (was) growing up, at this critical time in their life, that’s what the presidency would do,” he continued.

“So, my number one priority is my daughters... sure, CEO sounds great! But the number one thing I

want to be is daddy. That’s it.”

The Rock shares 21-year-old daughter Simone Garcia Johnson with his ex-wife, Dany Garcia, as well as girls Jasmine, six, and Tiana, four, with wife Lauren Hashian.

In 2021, the expro-wrestler-turned told Sunday Today with Willie Geist: “I do have that goal to unite our country and I also feel that if this is what the people want, then I will do that.”

The Rock’s family admission comes after he admitted his “cold, dark soul” was overcome with emotion after one of his superfans wept after getting the actor’s autograph.

He recently made a man cry “tears of joy” by signing his replica WWE championship belt at a ‘Black Adam’ fan event at Diego Rivera Museum, Mexico City. (IANS)

Somasundaram wins Best Actor at Asian Academy Creative Awards 2022

Well-known Tamil actor Guru Somasundaram has won the award for Best Actor at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2022.

The winners of Asian Academy Creative Awards 2022 were announced recently.

Movies from 16 countries contested in various categories including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Actor, and Best Technicians for the awards.

India was chosen for the ‘Best Actor Award’ for his performance in the Malayalam movie ‘Minnal Murali’, which was directed by Basil Joseph and which featured Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas in the lead.

In fact, Tovino Thomas had, after the film, said he had not just found a friend in Tamil actor Guru Somasundaram but also a mentor.

Guru Somasundaram, best known for his brilliant portrayal of Mannar Mannan in the critically

acclaimed superhit Tamil film ‘Joker’, which won over 12 awards including two National Awards, plays Shibu in ‘Minnal Murali’.

Guru Somasundaram will receive the award at an awards ceremony that is to be held in a grand fashion in Singapore this December.

Many eminent personalities from different countries in the Asian continent are expected to participate in the grand event.

(IANS)

SERVICE SELECTIONS SO FAR ACROSS INDIA JUST LIKE FAKE NEWS, FAKE ADVERTISING MUST STOP MISLEADING NPSC ASPIRANTS & THEIR PARENTS MUST STOP AS IT’S THE MATTER OF LIFE’S GOAL NPSC ASPIRANTS ARE SMART ENOUGH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT-BASED TRACK RECORD OF NICSE AND TO IDENTIFY LIES BY OTHERS WHEN THE GOAL IS BIG COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION NAGALAND’S NO.1 SHORT

(L-R) Zisela Rüdithongrü, Arola Jinger and Vitila Sangtam.

Actor Guru Somasundaram from

Ntl Games: Pragnya wins triathlon gold

GANDHINAGAR, OCT 9

(IANS): Gujarat’s Pragnya Mohan made light of the surround sound of expec tations to claim the 36th National Games women’s individual triathlon gold with a powerful show at the IIT Gandhinagar here on Sunday.

She dominated the field with ease, notching up the third-fastest time in swim ming and the fastest times in both the cycling and running legs, to leave Maharashtra’s Mansi Mohite gasping well over 5 minutes behind her. Tamil Nadu’s S. Aarthi took home the bronze.

Pragnya’s gold, after finishing tenth in the last edition of the Games, has swelled Gujarat’s gold tally to an impressive 12.

Adarsh Muralidharan Sinimol bagged the men’s triathlon gold to continue Services’ medal hunt. With titles coming in Wushu and Canoeing & Kayaking, they finished the day with a tally of 51 gold, 33 silver and 29 bronze for a total of 113 medals. Haryana (31 gold) and Maharashtra (29) con tinued their fight for second place on the medals tally.

Puducherry became the

28th team to win at least one gold in the 36th National Games when V. Sasikala and A. Kanimozhi beat the home side’s Manisha Zala and Nippa Barad in the women’s beach volleyball final in Surat. As many as 32 teams have now won at least a medal each in the Games so far.

Services were helped as their athletes claimed the four gold medals on offer in the Canoe and Kayak sprints on the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad. Mad hya Pradesh jumped to the

We are learning from the IPL, says NBA Asia chief Ramez

10th spot in the rankings, rid ing on their sweep of Slalom events. Kayaks Hitesh Kewat and Shikha Chouhan, and Canoeists Vishwajit Singh Kushwaha and Jahanvi Sriv astava did the star turn for them.

Karandeep Kochhar (Chandigarh) signed his fourth sub-par card to walk away ‘ith the men’s indi vidual golf gold with a su perb score of 21-under for the four rounds at Kensville Golf and Country Club near here. His performance was insurance enough for Chan

digarh to claim the Men’s Team gold as well, though his teammate Anant Singh finished with a 16-over.

Similarly, Karnataka’s Avani Prasanth starred in the women’s competition, winning the individual gold with an even-par 288 while also playing a major role in the team victory ahead of Haryana. Amanpreet Kaur (Punjab) had a forgettable round, with five bogeys on the first 9 holes to finish the day with an 8-over to lose her grip over the gold medal and take silver.

Italy to face England in Euro 2024 qualifying

LONDON, OCT 9 (AFP):

Reigning champion Italy was drawn on Sunday to face England, the team it beat in the final last year, and Ukraine in qualify ing for the 2024 European Championship.

Euro 2024, hosted by Germany, will be Italy’s chance to regain some pride after it failed to qualify for the World Cup which kicks off in Qatar in six weeks’ time. Italy beat host England in a penalty shootout at Wembley last year after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.

After the draw in Frankfurt, Italy coach Roberto Mancini said: “I knew we’d get either Eng land or France, but that’s okay. It’s a decent five-team group, no easy matches, all ones we can have a go at.” Italy will also play North Macedonia, the country which knocked them out of the World Cup in the play offs in Palermo in March.

“It’s one of those matches that you get every now and again, and as we saw in Pal ermo we have to take every match seriously, even those that seem the simplest,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

Verstappen wins Japanese GP; clinches F1 world title

SUZUKA, OCT 9 (AP): Red Bull driver Max Ver stappen clinched his sec ond consecutive Formula One drivers’ title by win ning the Japanese Grand Prix in the rain at Suzuka on Sunday.

Verstappen has been dominant all season and claimed the title with four races remaining.

The Dutchman start ed from pole in pouring rain only for the race to be stopped after two laps as several cars crashed. It was resumed two hours later with 28 of the 53 laps completed and Verstappen leading the whole way.

He was followed by teammate Sergio Perez in second and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. They were the only drivers who could have overtaken Verstappen for the title.

Verstappen now has an unsurmountable lead with 366 points. Perez has 253 and Leclerc 252.

Verstappen did not know initially that he had won the season title after the shortened race, think ing that the full 25 points

Brazil are better now than four years ago: Tite

RIO DE JANEIRO, OCT 9 (IANS): Brazil manager Tite believes Brazil will have a stronger team at this year’s FIFA World Cup than the one that was elimi nated in the quarterfinals by Belgium four years ago.

The 61-year-old said he would have greater depth of talent at his dis posal and improved tactical nous when the tournament begins in Qatar on Novem ber 20.

“We have more op tions in terms of players

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (AGENCIES): Ramez

Sheikh, MD of NBA Asia and India, said on Saturday that the league has a lot to learn from the Indian Pre mier League (IPL) in terms of fan engagement and in novation. “The IPL has done a tremendous job to evolve and create a product that continues to be relevant and fun,” he said to report ers in Abu Dhabi. “I think all sports, even the NBA in the US, need to continue to think about how to keep fans engaged. We can’t take fandom for granted, and in India, with the IPL, they would agree.”

“We are inspired by the IPL, and we’re learn ing,” he added. Sheikh, who was made in charge of the league’s operations in Asia and India earlier this year, is currently in Abu Dhabi for the double-header of pre-season games between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks, The Indian Express reported. He spoke about the IPL’s role in evolving the game of cricket, and how the NBA has taken inspiration from

that, like the addition of the play-in tournament last year, to evolve basketball.

“The IPL, specifical ly, has done a tremendous job in creating a spectacle. Changing the very nature of the game, the time, the format. That’s where, in the United States, we are constantly thinking about our game and product,” he said. “Those are the kind of things we are thinking about, and in many cases, we are inspired by the IPL.”

Sheikh echoed the sen timents of NBA commis sioner Adam Silver, claim ing the league would like to return to India for pre-sea son games as soon as pos sible. The last pre-pandemic trip of the NBA was two games in Mumbai back in 2019, when the Sacramento Kings, partly-owned by In dian-born Vivek Ranadive, and Indiana Pacers.

The league’s executive said that on top of playing live games, and making the regular season games more accessible, their grassroots initiatives in developing bas ketball talent in the country is of importance.

Tite

and our game plan,” Tite said in an interview pub lished by newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo on Saturday, reports Xinhua. “We have different models and have made adjustments to play

ers’ preparations. That has made a significant differ ence,” he added, alluding to modified training pro grams for certain players to reduce their risk of injury.

Brazil are among the favourites to win football’s showpiece tournament after finishing top of the South American qualifying group, six points ahead of second-placed Argentina.

The five-time world champions have been drawn in Group G along with Cameroon, Serbia

and Switzerland. Tite dis missed suggestions that this World Cup could be the last for talismanic for ward Neymar. “I strong ly disagree,” Tite said of rumours the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain player would retire from interna tional football before the 2026 World Cup.

for a win would not be awarded. But a short time later, the FIA — F1’s gov erning body — awarded full points. And he apolo gized to the crowd on the track public address system just after the race.

“The championship obviously did not come the way this time around,” he said. Seconds later, televi sion coverage declared him champion. At the start, Verstappen took the lead with a risky pass after a slow start but several cars further back lost control including Ferrari’s Carlos

Sainz, who spun and was knocked out.

Organizers stopped the race after two laps. AlphaTaura’s Pierre Gasly complained on his radio that he passed a recovery vehicle that was allowed on to the track shortly after the safety car emerged. This in cident apparently came just as the race was red flagged. This is a sensitive issue in Japan. In 2014, French driver Jules Bianchi col lided on the course with a recovery vehicle. He was placed in an induced coma and died nine months later.

Tokhü women volleyball trophy

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN): Lotha Youth Organisa tion Dimapur (LYOD) will be organizing its the Tokhü women’s volleyball running trophy on November 4 and 5 at MDSC (state stadium) , DC court junction Dimapur under the theme “Gender Equality in Sports”. The champions will receive Rs. 20000 along with running trophy and certif icate, runners up Rs. 10000 and semi-finalist Rs. 5000 each. Individual prizes and certificates will be awarded to all the participating teams. Registration fee for the participating team will be Rs. 1000. Interested women’s volleyball clubs and teams form Lotha Community, can contact at the fol lowing numbers: 9774220974/8131889282/6009829055.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you” John 16:22

We, the family members of Lt. Mr. Imonendang Jamir (Khensa), would like to express our profound gratitude and sincere thanks to all individuals, organizations, churches, families, friends, neighbours and wellwishers, who stood by us physically, emotionally, financially and through precious prayers at his sudden demise.

Words are inadequate to thank you all but it is our sincere prayer that our Almighty God bless all abundantly.

family members

Mr. Imonendang Jamir

July 19, 1994

Max Verstappen celebrates after winnings the 2022 F1 World Drivers. (Getty Images)

NBA Asia chief Ramez Sheikh says IPL’s ability to keep fans interested is inspiring. (File)

Pragnya Mohan (C) celebrates after winning the gold.

beat

RANCHI, OCT 9 (PTI):

Shreyas Iyer struck a sub lime century while Ishan Kishan displayed his brute force against a formidable South African attack to set up a series levelling seven-wicket win for India in the second ODI here on Sunday.

Mohammed Siraj led an inexperienced Indian bowling lineup brilliantly to restrict South Africa to 278/7 after the visitors opted to bat.

Iyer made his second ODI hundred (113 not out of 111) and shared a match winning 161-run stand with Kishan (93 off84) to ensure a comfortable win in 45.5 overs for a second string Indian team.

The 24-year-old Kis han looked a transformed batter and showed differ ent layers of his batting by switching to beast mode after a responsible start.

The lefthander smashed seven sixes and four boundaries in his ca reer-best knock from 84 balls, while Iyer played the perfect foil.

The designated vicecaptain of the series, Iyer, has been in top form in ODIs, having slammed one century and four fifties in his last six innings.

Locked one-all after

two matches, both teams will play the series decider in Delhi on Tuesday.

Earlier, Aiden Markram (79 off 89 balls) and Reeza Hendricks (74 off 76) looked in control of the proceedings in the

level series 1-1

which came courtesy a 129 run-a-ball partnership by Hendricks and Markram, South Africa lost three quick wickets with some clever field placements and bowling rotation by India skipper Shikhar Dhawan.

Even the in-form Mill er struggled to get going at the death and Siraj came out on top as they scored just 57 runs from the last 10 overs with the loss of two wickets.

Debutant Shabaz Ahmed jumped in joy af ter bagging his maiden international wicket as he trapped Janneman Malan in front of the stumps.

It seemed a perfect start for India with the visitors’ score reading 40/2 after 10 overs which had just seven boundaries on a dull and dry JSCA wicket.

But what followed was a composed and calculative approach by the middleorder duo of Markram and Hendricks who were happy to bide time, play out dot balls and forge a partnership.

Djokovic clinches Astana Open title

Subroto Cup (U-17): Nagaland, Manipur enter semi-finals

ASTANA (KAZAKH STAN), OCT 9 (IANS):

World No.7 Novak Djokov ic clinched the Astana Open men’s singles title after beat ing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in the final, here on Sunday. It was the ninth consecutive match victory for the fourth seed Djokovic, who won the title a week ago in Tel Aviv. This was the 90th tour-level title for the 35-year-old and it required only 75 minutes. For the third-seeded Greek Tsitsi pas, it was the ninth time he played in an ATP 500 final -- and the ninth time he came up empty. Djokovic now leads their ATP headto-head series 8-2 and has won the past seven.

NEW DELHI, OCT 9 (ANI): CT Higher Sec ondary School, Mayang, Imphal, Manipur; Pilgrim Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, Nagaland; Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37B, Chan digarh and Zila School, Chaibasa West Singhum, Jharkhand entered the semi finals of the 61st Subroto Cup Junior Boys (U 17) inter-school international football tournament played here at the Ambedkar Sta dium.

middle overs.

But Siraj triggered the collapse and also took a stunning forward running catch to dismiss a dan gerous looking Heinrich Klaasen (30).

From being 169/3,

Er. Zale flags off ‘Freedom Moto Ride’

Brief Scores: South Africa 278/7 in 50 overs (Aiden Markram 79, Reeza Hendricks 74; Mohammed Siraj 3/38).India: 282 for 3 in 45.5 overs (Shreyas Iyer 113 not out, Ishan Kishan 93; Wayne Parnell 1/43).

As a result of the win, the Serbian star secures himself a Top 20 spot in the ATP Live Race to Turin after the 2022 Paris Masters, meaning the reigning Wim bledon champion qualifies for the 2022 ATP Finals as a current-year Grand Slam winner.

CT Higher Secondary School, Manipur beat Govt. Haulawang High School, Mizoram 4 – 1 in the first quarterfinal. Bhaskar (15’), Bolnao (34’), Monex (37’) and Monis (70’) scored for the winners while Stain Lalthneela (12’) scored the consolation for the Mizoram school. In the second quar terfinal Pilgrim Higher Sec ondary School, Nagaland beat St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Megha laya in a thriller that went till the penalty shootout. Both teams were tied at a goal a side in regulation time.

Blananag Shangain gave the lead for Megha laya in the 5th minute while Tongtinlen equalized for Nagaland in the 65th min

ute. The game went on to extra time where the school from Meghalaya scored first again through J Yrwa in the 6th minute of added time but was levelled by a goal from Shotok in the 16th minute of added time for Nagaland to level the scores and take it to extra time.

Nagaland converted all their 5 kicks from the spot while Meghalaya could only convert 4 of their kicks. The final score read in the favour of the school from Nagaland 2-2 (5-4).

Zila School (10+2), Jharkhand beat Tripura Sports School, Agartala, Tri

pura by a solitary goal to en ter the semifinals. Jagarnath Tiu scored the winner for the school from Jharkhand in the 34th minute.

Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Chandi garh took the last semifinal spot by beating MIC EM HSS, Malappuram, Kerala 3-1 in the last quarterfinals. Lemmet scored a brace (24’, 41’) and Tarshveft (52’) completed the scoring for the winners. Moham med Adnan scored the goal for the Kerala side. The semifinals will be played on October 11 at the Ambedkar Stadium.

Aphuyemi FC crowned state Futsal champions

Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 9 (NPN): Aphuyemi FC from Zunheboto emerged as the champions of the second Nagaland State Futsal Championship by thrashing Proper V FC 10-6 in the final match at Reiphinyü Badze, Vürie in Kohima on Sunday.

The team walked away richer with a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and will also represent Nagaland State in the upcoming 2nd Indian Futsal Champion ship to be held later this year.

DIMAPUR, OCT 9 (NPN): Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports flagged off the “Freedom Moto Ride” from 2nd World War Museum, Naga Heritage Village Kisama, Kohima on Sunday.

According to DIPR report, Er. Zale spoke brief ly about the significance and history of the rally. He lauded the courageous efforts of the 75 riders for undertaking the 75-day journey to celebrate Aaza di ka Amrit Mahotsav and spread awareness about

fitness.

A special cultural item was performed by Jakhama Youth Organisation in hon or of the Freedom Moto Ride. Youth Resources and Sports secretary, Wezope Kenye, Additional Sec retary YR&S, Anthony Ngullie, director YR&S Akumla Chuba, additional director YRS Megolha Dolie, and others graced the event.

The riders departed to explore the iconic places of Manipur where district administration and police

personnel accompanied the bikers till the Khuzama check gate.

It may be noted that the contingent of 75 bik ers, which was flagged off by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah at New Delhi on September 10 arrived Nagaland on October 8.

The bikers were re ceived by Dimapur District Administration along with the district sports Officials and volunteers where a short interaction with the riders was held at Naga land gate on October 8.

In an exciting fi nal battle, Toka Achumi scored half of the goal to help Aphuyemi FC clinched the title.

Aphuyemi with 5 goals remained the match favourite in the first half while Proper V managed to score only a face saver goal.

Aphuyemi continued to maintain their lead even in the second half however, a spirited Proper FC came back stronger and piled up some pressure repeatedly.

Aphuyemi’s goallie Homuka Yeputho turned

out to be the match fa vourite as he made some impressive saves to stop Proper V’s efforts.

Aphuyemi FC also re mained the only unbeaten team by winning all the five matches.

Earlier, guest of hon our, Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) secre tary general, Abu Metha, in his speech said Nagas need to develop their own

Mumbai City hold Hyderabad FC 3-3

shot was deflected into goal by Hyderabad FC defender Chin glensana Singh.

Stewart found an able ally in Bipin Singh, who was also in volved in two of the three goals scored by Mumbai City FC.

Along with Lallianzuala Chhangte on the right flank, Bipin Singh was effervescent in the Mumbai City FC attack as Stewart played the playmaker’s role for most of the match.

Joao Victor, the Hyder abad FC captain who scored two goals in the match, ended the game with the lion’s share of goals.

It was a commendable ef fort from him, especially given that he had to play almost all of the second half with a cloth tucked into his nose to stop the bleeding after he had sustained a blow from a flailing arm.

PUNE, OCT 9 (AGEN

CIES): Involved in all three Mumbai City FC’s goals, Greg Stewart made a sen sational ISL debut for his new team in the six-goal thriller which ended 3-3 against defending champi ons Hyderabad FC in Pune on Sunday night.

No player created more chances in the ISL last season than Stewart, who played for Jamshed pur FC, and he also led the league in assists with 10.

On Sunday, making his ISL debut for Mumbai, he scored one goal and registered an assist for the

other as Mumbai City FC equalised twice to draw the match at 3-3 on Sunday.

While Stewart did not have a direct assist in his side’s first goal, the only goal in the first 45 minutes of the match, he did re lease Bipin Singh with his pass, whose consequent

He also began Hyder abad’s scoring on a significant note. Last season too, when they had won the ISL title for the first time, it had been a goal from the penalty spot by Victor which had begun their season. That match had also been against Mumbai City FC.

style of gameplay and im prove in order to compete with players from other parts of the world.

Highlighting the ver satility of football, he said the game could be designed to match the physique and mental capabilities of play ers all across the globe depending on their unique features.

Observing how newer football styles like

Tiki-taka or Tiqui-taca (‘tiki’taka), a style of play in Spain’s football char acterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession, Metha said Nagas could also develop similar styles portable to the Nagas.

In that regard, he urged football experts in the State to put their minds

together and bring out a practical style suitable for the Naga players.

He assured full sup port from the government and also the Nagaland Olympic Association to de velop football in the State.

The three- day cham pionship was organised by Kohima District Football Association under the ae gis of Nagaland Football Association.

Indian batters Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer greet each other after both completed their half centuries. (PTI)

Guest of honour, Abu Metha with NFA officials and the winners after the final. (NP)

Er. Zale Neikha flags off the ‘Freedom Moto Ride’ at Naga Heritage Village Kisama, Kohima. (DIPR)

Joao

Novak Djokovic