10 Jan 2022

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXII No. 34

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 Pages 12 ` 5.00

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SPORTS, PAGE 12

Cyprus detects new ‘Deltacron’ Covid variant Combination of at least 10 mutations of the Delta and Omicron variants N E W D E L H I , JA N 9 (IANS): Cyprus has detected a new variant dubbed as “Deltacron”, that has a similar genetic background to the Delta variant, coupled with 10 mutations from Omicron. The variant has already affected 25 people in Cyprus.

According to Dr Leondios Kostrikis, the head of the laboratory of biotechnology and molecular virology at the University of Cyprus, of the 25 samples taken in Cyprus, 11 were hospitalised due to the virus, while 14 were from the general population, the Cyprus Mail reported.

Kostrikis stated that the fact that the frequency

of the mutation among hospitalised patients was higher could point to a correlation between the new variant and hospitalisations.

However, the new variant was not something to worry about at the moment, Cyprus’s Health Minister Michalis Hadjipandelas was quoted as saying.

It is “quite possible” that the new strain has not been found elsewhere, and the sequences of the cases have been sent to GISAID, an open access database that tracks developments in the coronavirus, the Cyprus Mail reported. Studies have shown that the co-existence of Delta and Omicron in-

India records 1.59L new Covid cases in 24 hours

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): In the biggest oneday spike in nine months, more than 1.59 lakh Covid-19 cases were recorded in India on Sunday that pushed the country's active caseload to 5.90 lakh, said the Health ministry, adding that the daily positivity rate has increased to 10.21%.

Meanwhile, 327 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

The country also saw a massive spike in its Omicron tally after it jumped to 3,623 from 3,071 on the previous day, as per the ministry's data which also said that 1,409 such patients have recovered from the infection.

Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state with 1,009 Omicron cases, followed by Delhi- 513, Karnataka-441, Rajasthan-373, Kerala-333, Gujarat-204, Tamil Nadu-185, Haryana-123, Telangana-123 and Uttar Pradesh-113.

creases the chances of a new variant as a result of them trading genes.

In line with this, France recently detected a variant with 46 mutations, and was dubbed as IHU. The new variant from the lineage named B.1.640.2 is believed to have infected 12 people in the country, according to the yet-to-be peer-reviewed study supported by the French government.

While it may pose a greater risk than Omicron, touted as highly transmissible but mild in infections and less lethal than previous the Delta variant, researchers said, “it is too early to speculate on virological, epidemiological or clinical features of this IHU variant based on (just) 12 cases”.

Cases of simultaneous flu and Covid-19 infections have also been detected - 2 in the US and 1 in Israel.

While in the US, ‘Flurona’ was found in two young children, in Israel it was detected in a pregnant woman. NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting “Over 80% of people to assess the Covid-19 panin the country have been demic situation in the counnaturally infected by the try amid a surge in cases and emergence of Omicron virus.

Over 91% adults have variant.

During the meeting, received at least one dose of anti-Covid vaccine, while Modi stressed on the need more than 66% people aged to ensure adequate health above 18 years have re- infrastructure at the district ceived both the doses of the level. He asked officials to vaccine. Keeping all this in maintain co-ordination remind, the overall impact of garding this with the states, the current surge of cases the Prime Minister's Office is likely to be much less...,” (PMO) said in a statement.

“A detailed presentahe said.

National health experts feel that though Covid cases may peak in India very soon, the current wave driven by the Omicron variant of the virus may ebb equally fast.

“Global data and our own experience during the past five weeks reveal that the infection caused by Omicron is mostly either asymptomatic or mild. Few seriously ill hospitalised patients either had other

co-morbidities and are over 60 years of age. The overall hospitalisation rate for people affected by Omicron is 1-2 per cent, which is much less to the rate of people requiring care in hospital during the Covid wave caused by the Delta,” Dr N K Arora, chairman of the Covid-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, told the Times of India.

1 killed, 3 injured in road mishap

Over 400 Parl staff test positive for Covid-19 ahead of budget session

DIMAPUR, JAN 9 (NPN): One person was killed and three others injured when the vehicle (Maruti swift dzire bearing Nagaland registration of one Rohit Jaiswal) was hit by a truck at Lahorijan, Assam on Sunday afternoon.

The victims, all from one family and residents of Dimapur, were returning from Lahorijan area where they had gone to attend a programme.

According to reports, the deceased succumbed to the injuries while on the way to the hospital. The truck driver was later arrested by Assam police.

It was also learnt that the same truck had hit another vehicle before the incident. However, the occupant managed to escape with minor injuries.

This is it!

"Why night curfew? I don't think Omicron will be out in the cold."

K Y M C

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Less than a month before the commencement of the Budget Session, more than 400 Parliament staff members were tested positive for COVID-19, according to official sources.

The officials told ANI that 402 staff members were tested positive out of the 1,409 staff of Parliament for the virus from January 4 to 8 after which their samples were sent for genome sequencing to confirm the variant.

“Close to 402 staffs were tested positive for COVID-19 from January 4-8 and all samples have been sent to genome sequencing for Omicron variant confirmation,” an official

INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Crucial all ‘Konyak Summit’ on January 14 DIMAPUR, JAN 9 (NPN): With the 30-day-ultimatum vis-à-vis justice to victims of the Oting massacre set to expire by January 10, Konyak Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have convened an all-Konyak summit on January 14 to deliberate on the further course of action due to non-compliance with their charter of demands by the government.

T h i s wa s d e c i d e d at an emergency meeting of Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) and Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) held on Saturday.

In a joint statement Howing Konyak, Ponglem Konyak and Noklem Konyak, presidents of KU, KNSK and KSU respectively, disclosed that the meeting, while appreciating the State government for instituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident, also reminded about point number 1 & 2

To decide on next course of action on expiry of 30-day ultimatum on Oting massacre in their charter of demands that-1. “All Officers and jawans involved in the killing of the 14 innocent lives should be booked under applicable civil court and -2. the action taken report must be brought before the public domain within 30 days.” The CSOs asserted that Konyaks would not rest till their demands were met.

The CSOs also endorsed the proposed walkathon by citizens on January 10 and also appealed to all concerned not to ignore “justice for Oting” demand while voicing out against the draconian Ar med Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The CSOs said any settlement without justice for Oting would be “injustice in itself ”.

They also termed the presence of Indian Army

camps in civilian territory as “totally an act of intrusion into civilian lives” and demanded that the Central government immediately remove the camps located with 10 km radius of towns and villages.

While acknowledging that Konyaks were “weeping for justice”, the meeting appealed to sections and element within their customary territories, not to ignite any situation that disturbed/disrupted the current flow. They declared that such acts would be considered as an attempt to distort the current flow as Konyaks fight for justice.

The meeting also declared that the resolutions adopted at the proposed all Konyak summit will be final and binding upon all. It was also decided

that summit will declare the stance of the Konyaks regarding the December 4 and 5 incidents, which should be adhered by all citizens.

The CSOs said the proposed summit is to be attended by all nine Konyak legislators, presidents and secretaries of all KU units/branches, subordinating units of KSUs, KNSK along with its advisory board councils, Konyak Village Councils’ Union, Mon District GB & DB Union, Mon District VBD Association, Konyak Gazetted Officers’ Union (KGOU), Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB), Konyak senior citizens, ex-parliamentariansand all ward presidents of Mon town.

They cautioned that those who fail to attend the proposed January 14 event without assigning any reason would be deemed as ignoring the grave issue of the Konyaks.

PM reviews Covid situation; stresses on adequate health infra at dist level

‘Omicron wave peak soon, but it may also quickly ebb’

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told ANI. According to an internal message from the staff of Parliament, the staff are advised to follow the precautions as per the guidelines of the government.

“There is a consolidated list of 200 Lok Sabha and 69 from Rajya Sabha and 133 allied staff who have tested positive, but we all need to take proper precautions,” an internal message read.

The list does not include who were tested for COVID outside the Parliament premises.

Several employees of both the Houses of the Parliament were put in isolation after they came into contact with their infected colleagues during work.

tion highlighting the surge in cases currently being reported globally was given by Secretary Health. This was followed by the status of Covid-19 in India highlighting various states and districts of concern, based on the surge in cases and high positivity being reported,” it said.

During the meeting, various efforts taken by the Central government in terms of supporting states to manage the upcoming challenge were highlighted and various predictive scenarios of peak cases were also presented.

Various officials of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are also in isolation.

A recent order by the DDMA directed all government offices to run under 50 per cent of staff capacity and the rest will work from home.

Taking the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron seriously, the Central government also exempted its staff from biometric (daily punching) for attendance.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has restricted staff attendance.

According to the new directions, 50 per cent of officials and staff below the rank of undersecretary/executive officer have to work from home till the end of this month.

Narendra Modi during the meeting on Sunday. (PTI)

“The presentation brought attention to India’s consistent efforts towards the vaccination campaign, with 31 per cent adolescents aged 15-18 years having

been administered with the 1st dose so far within 7 days,” it said. Modi called for further accelerating the vaccine drive for adolescents in mission mode. He also asked to take up on mission mode the precaution dose vaccination for healthecare and frontline workers.

The prime minister also highlighted the need to ensure effective usage of masks and physical distancing measures as a new normal to control the spread, and called for effective implementation of home isolation for mild/ asymptomatic

cases and to disseminate the factual information to the community at large.

He also said that a meeting with chief ministers should be convened to discuss state-specific scenarios, best-practices and the public health response, the release said.

“PM also spoke about the importance for continuous scientific research in testing, vaccines and pharmacological interventions including genome sequencing given that the virus is evolving continuously,” it said.

State logs 6 fresh Covid-19 cases DIMAPUR, JAN 9 (NPN): Nagaland on Sunday recorded six fresh Covid-19 positive cases while no deaths were reported during the day.

All six fresh cases were from Kohima, taking the total caseload to 32270. The death remained unchanged at 703 (including 16 nonCovid deaths but with positivity).

Meanwhile, altogether a total of 1544 beneficiaries in the age group of 15-18 years have been inoculated against Covid-19 as on January 9. In Dimapur 1314 received the first dose of Covaxin and 230 in Kohima.

Fur ther, a total of 1342748 have been inoculated against Covid-19 which include—761835 first dose and 580913 second dose.

DC allows Jan 10 ‘March against AFSPA’ with rider DIMAPUR, JAN 9 (NPN): Dimapur deputy commissioner (DC) Rajesh Soundararajan has granted permission to Global Naga Forum (GNF) to hold walkathon scheduled on January 10 and 11 from Super Market here to Piphema, on condition that all COVID-19 SOPs and protocols would be adhered to.

The permit has been granted on the conditions that a) all par ticipants should be asymptomatic and fully vaccinated (taken both doses) against Covid-19; b)

security to hold the walkathon would be sought from Dimapur commissioner of police; c) all visitors observe Covid-19 appropriate behaviours, including compulsory

use of face mask, hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing; d) organisers would responsible for ensuring strict adherence to the terms and conditions.

The DC warned that any person/group of persons acting in violation of the conditions, including other existing orders/SOPs/ guidelines for preventing spread of Covid-19, would be liable to be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and under section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions.

Meanwhile, ahead of the event, the organizers also issued specific guidelines for all participants to follow.

K Y M C

2

STATE

3 receive CM’s Scholarship for Music

DIMAPUR: State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio on January 7 sent off three recipients (first batch) of the Chief Minister’s Scholarship for Music 2021 to KM Music Conservatory (KMMC), Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

A press release by Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) informed that the recipients- Vikhietuonuo Rutsa, Binthu Newmai and Vitolu Zhimomi would undergo three months customized professional course.

The release further informed that the Dr.AR Rahman, composer, who is a Grammy Winner and the Academy Award winning Musician, is the founder and Principal of KMMC, Chennai.

It said the conserva-

The three recipients with the chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

tory offers a wide range of part-time and full-time music courses of Hindustani and Western classical and music technology.

TaFMA said that for the Scholarship, open ad-

vertisement was invited, offering all empanelled artists to apply and seven applicants qualified to sit for the interview.

It said the interview board consisting of two

members from KMMC and two members from TaFMA recommended four artists.

However, due to “unavoidable circumstances” one candidate could not avail the scholarship.

KWD rescues two black bears Online creative competition DIMAPUR: A team of Animal rescuers from Kiphire Wildlife Division (KWD), led

by Wildlife Warden M Limaba rescued two female Black Bears from Shangsa Village, Mon on January 7.

The rescued wild animals were later transported to Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur.

In a press release, KWD official stated that the bears were reared for almost three years by P Apei Konyak and family of Shangsa village, Tizit. The family in response to department’s awareness creation efforts and to set an example wilfully donated the two black bears.

Black bears rescued by the Kiphire Wildlife Division.

The division further expressed gratitude to the family members, veterinary doctor Dimapur, Dr. Micheal, director Intangki National park, Ao Chuba, wildlife

warden Dimapur, Tokaho Kinimi and his team for the help and support. KWD also acknowledged Kamhi Wangsa, Shangsa village for information and support.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

International revival crusade DIMAPUR: International Revival Crusade under divine revelation have been scheduled for February 11 to 13 at Christian Prayer Centre, Chathe, Rüzaphema under the theme “Take words with you, and return to the Lord” (Hosea 14: 1-4).

The speakers of the crusade will be president of Apostolic Ministries, International, Rev. Dr. D.L. Sanchu; president NCRC, Nagaland, Rev. Vangpong Phom; and pastor Koinonia Baptist Church, Kohima, Rev. Zotuo Kiewhuo.

The programme is open for all Christians, irrespective of denomination and backgrounds.

Further details can be contacted through pastor Veyikha Lase, CPC Chathe (9436079839) and Rüüngutuo, chairman Chathe Five Villages (9856309506).

Book on ‘Naga political struggle’ released DIMAPUR: A book titled “Crossroad, Concise Historical Events in the Naga Political Struggle” written by Dr. Hokishe Yeputhomi, advisor Nagaland Tribal Council and former president Sumi Hoho was released by Nikheto Zhimomi, president Sumi Hoho at Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto on Sunday.

Nikheto said that the book would assist a great deal to history scholars and writers since it encloses lots of important subjects.

While congratulating the author, he also challenged the young educated generation that if an eighty seven year old man could write a book why not them and reminded them that the success of the octogenarian should be an eye opener for them.

Author of the book, Dr. Hokishe disclosed that

Nikheto Zhimomi relesaing the book.

it took him more than two year to write this book. The book is an ultra-compact documental volume which covers almost the entire Naga historical events and agreements that transpired from 12th century AD to the present context.

Yeputhomi further stated that although written in brief, the book could aid the researchers and scholars alike as they could easily extract their needs.

On the occasion, sec-

retary mission and evangelism SBAK Nito Mount, Vihoto Awomi offered a dedicatory prayer.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hokishe expressed sincere gratitude to Dr. Hutton Sümi, pastor Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto for giving him the opportunity to release the book in the church and also thanked Nikheto Zhimomi and all apex Sümi frontal organizations for their presence at the launching programme.

DIMAPUR: Directorate of School Education (DoSE) has informed that the 5th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC 2022), the unique interactive program of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with students, teachers and parents will be held through virtual mode in February 2022.

In a press release DIPR stated that in order to select participants who will be featured in the PPC 2022 programme, an Online Creative Writing Competition is being conducted at https://www.mygov. in/ on various topics (Annexure) from December 28, 2021 to January 20, 2022 for students of class 9 to 12, and teachers and parents. The competitions will be the mode through which students, teachers and parents have been invited to frame their questions to be addressed to the Prime Minister.

In this regard, Heads of all Schools (NBSE/CBSE/ICSE, both government and private) functioning within the State of Nagaland have been directed to encourage students, teachers and parents to take part in the Online Creative Competition and avail the chance of being selected for the PPC 2022 event.

Members of Bhandari Sanis District demand committee after a meeting held at Lotha Hoho ki Dimapur on Sunday.

‘Youth Triennial Conference’ at Suruhuto

EAC and AEO Phek, Mechietsho Koza with political party representative and officials during the final publication of Electoral Roll at DC office, Phek on January 5. The final electoral roll was published on January 5, 2022 by the respective Electoral Registration Officer of all the districts in the State. (DPRO Phek)

AGEI holds installation cum 60th anniversary

In MeMory of Late akavi ChoPhi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1998 - 10/01/2017 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death (PS. 48:14) You are always remembered in our hearts.

DP-122/22

Advisor, H Khehovi speaking at the conference.

DIMAPUR: Advisor Tourism, Art and Culture, H Khehovi attended the 7th “Youth Triennial Conference” held at Suruhuto on Sunday.

In a press release, PS to advisor stated that Khehovi in his speech thanked the host of the conference, Medical Colony, for taking the initiative in a big way.

Cautioning the most of the youths were “mislead by smart phones”, he encouraged them to use the same for constructive purpose and not to misuse it.

He reminded them that if they want to become someone in life they should learn to respect their elders and leaders.

Further, the advisor expressed happiness on witnessing large turnout of youths at the conference, however has lamented that most of the participants never implement the topics which were discussed in the conferences.

He therefore, urged the youngsters who were going to be the future leaders to not only listen but put into practice what they have learnt.

From Parents, Siblings and loved ones

1st Death anniversary

Born : 12/05/1970

Delegates at the installation programme of different ministry committees-cum-celebration of 60th AGEI ministry anniversary.

DIMAPUR: Assemblies of God of East India (AGEI) held its installation programme of different ministry committeescum-celebration of 60th AGEI ministry anniversary under theme, “Looking beyond for excellence” on January 7-9 at Bethesda K Y M C

Celebration Centre, Dimapur.

A press release by AGEI stated that the speakers of the programme were pioneer, AGEI, Rev. Solomon Wasker, district superintendent, Uttarakhand, AGNI, Rev. Dr. Asher Wasker, academic

dean, Buntain Theological College, Kolkata, Rev. Dr. Anil Satralkar and general superintendent, AGEI, Rev. Moses Murry.

The speakers spoke on being sensitive to God’s voice and surrendering under His will. They also reflected on God’s glory

and asked the congregation to remember their first love which is Jesus Christ.

AGEI informed that 60 participants from across North East India attended the programme and that vote of thanks was delivered by general secretary, Rev. Sanga Keivom.

Died : 06/01/2022

We the bereaved family members of Late koramoa Longkumer would like to gratefully acknowledge and express our heartfelt gratitude and profound appreciation to each and every individuals, unions, churches, 1 st NAP (Chumoukedima) and well wishers who stood by us physically, emotionally, financially and through unconditional prayers and support during his illness till his last journey.

We regret our inability to thank each and every individual personally but we sincerely pray that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

DP-28/22

Loving family members and relatives

Late Hekiye Sema

Died – 10/01/2021 Dad, Its been a year since you left us for your Heavenly abode, not a day passes by without something or someone reminding us of you. Your death has left us bereft and this void can never be filled.

We miss you greatly.

Always remembering you.

Loving Wife, Children, In-Laws and Grandchildren k-37/22 K Y M C

nagalandpost.com Poll Q: Is the govt neglecting the urgent need to do more testing for Covid/Omicron?

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

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MJA golden jubilee celebration begins KCR betrayed people of Telangana: Sarma

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A

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Yes. No. Can’t Say.

C

90% 8% 2%

NEXT POLL

Q: Should online classes

be reviewed to ensure practical learning ?  Yes.  No.  Can’t Say.

WEATHER FORECAST JANUARY 10

(Temperature in ºC)

Max Min

Agartala Hazy sunshine

24 14

Aizawl

Sunny and pleasant

Guwahati Hazy Sunshine Imphal

Sunny and pleasant

Itanagar Mostly sunny and nice

24 9 26 12 25 6 23 14

Shillong

Nice with sun, some clouds

19 6

Kohima

Mostly sunny

20 8

Dimapur Mostly sunny and pleasant

26 12

Mkg

Sunny and pleasant

Tuensang Sunny and cooler Wokha

23 9 14 4

Mostly sunny and not as warm 20 11

Zunheboto Abundant sunshine

19 7

3

NORTHEAST

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Former Mizoram CM and founder president of MJA Lal Thanhawla speaking at the celebration. (NE Now) AIZAWL, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA), an umbrella body of all working journalists in the state has begun the celebration of the golden jubilee. The organisation will turn 50 years in March this year.

The scribes body on Friday organised a jubilee torch lighting programme across the state, while some district MJA erected memorial stones in view of the golden jubilee, NE Now reported.

Fo r m e r M i z o r a m chief minister and founder president of MJA Lal

Thanhawla kicked off the year-long celebration of the golden jubilee by lighting a torch in Aizawl.

Speaking on the occasion, Lal Thanhawla recalled how he and a handful of journalists founded the Mizoram Journalists’ Association, which now survives as the lone journalists’ body in Mizoram, in 1972. Lal Thanhawla was the editor of Mizo daily newspaper Mizo Aw when he became the first president of the scribes’ body.

Citing that they knew little about journalism in

those days, the founder president said many of the newspapers in the past failed to have editorials and sometimes very biased by giving undue favour or blaming individuals.

Lal Thanhawla said he was delighted to witness the significant progress that journalism in Mizoram has made during the last 50 years.

Citing that journalists played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, the journalist turned politician urged the scribes to enrich the Mizo language and train the new generations

in this regard.

“Although Mizo language is rich and beautiful in nature, the new generations are careless in its usage. I wish the scribes to lead and mould the new generation to ensure that they use correct and standard Mizo language,” he said.

With nearly 30 daily newspapers published from Aizawl besides district headquarters having their own newspapers, Mizoram has one of the highest numbers of newspapers based in the population, he said.

MJA president Zonunsanga Khiangte said Lal Thanhawla has contributed a lot to the association.

MJA was established on March 23, 1972, with Lal Thanhawla as president and C Chhunbura, editor of Hmar Arsi as the vice president.

The first MJA treasurer was Lalbuaia (Mizo Arsi) while RK Pautu (correspondent, Times of India) was the first secretarygeneral. Lal Thanhawla held the president post for three-term from 1972 to 1977. There are now 195 members under MJA. The grand golden jubilee celebration will be held on March 23 in Aizawl.

HYDERABAD, JAN 9 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday alleged that his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao betrayed the people, especially the unemployed youth.

Addressing a meeting organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Hanamkonda town, he said Chief Minister KCR failed to fulfill his promise of providing jobs.

Sarma claimed that despite being a smaller state than Telangana, Assam is doing well in providing jobs to the unemployed.

He said the BJP government in Assam was working to fulfil the election promise of providing one lakh jobs in one year.

He alleged that KCR had failed to provide two lakh jobs in a year as he had promised. He said the Telangana Chief Minister was not giving jobs despite vacancies in government departments.

The meeting was organised by the BJP to demand amendment to government order 317 regarding transfer of government employees and teachers.

The Assam Chief Minister was invited to address the meet as part

Himanta Biswa Sarma of party’s efforts to rope in top leaders from across the country to target Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government for ‘illegal’ arrest of BJP state unit chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar and other party leaders.

Sanjay and others were arrested during the protest over GO 317 in Karimnagar on January 2.

Stating that BJP will come to power in Telangana in 2023, Sarma warned that the party will take revenge for the humiliation meted out to its leaders.

Alleging that police broke into Bandi Sanjay’s office, the BJP leader said in 2023 the police may enter KCR’s farm house.

The Assam chief minister said that both the government employees and unemployed youth were unhappy with the TRS government. “The government

has support of only the police,” he remarked but reminded KCR that police merely obey the directions of those in power.

Sarma said KCR was frustrated over the defeat of TRS in recent by-election to Huzurabad Assembly seat and was hence resorting to steps like using police against the BJP leaders.

He also targeted KCR for being concerned only about his family and for running the government from his farm house.

“A chief minister has to come to the secretariat and meet 500 to 1,000 people. The government can’t be run from a farmhouse,” he remarked.

He also alleged that the KCR was running the government with the support of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi.

“Owaisi will not be able to save you. The way Article 370 was scrapped and Ram temple’s construction started, the name of Nizam and Owaisi will also be written off. That day is not very far,” he said.

Sarma also criticized KCR for luncheon meetings with leaders of CPI-M and CPI. He reminded the TRS chief that the CPI-M had opposed formation of Telangana state.

Successful paragliding on trial Special initiative to promote textiles in Bodoland areas basis at Jampui Hills in Tripura

Paragliding trial run from Jampui Hills.

AGARTALA, JAN 9 ( AGENCIES): Tourism potential of Tripura reached a new height on Saturday when a trial run of paragliding was conducted successfully from Belianchip in the hills of Jampui to Baganbari in Dasda area in North Tripura district, reports Tripura Info way.

The skydivers covering the distance generally take

three hours by road within 17 minutes only thrilling a large number of people who were present to remain witness to the major event.

Mrinal Kanti Das, Assistant Director of the Tourism Department was present there during the trial run and said shortly this adventure sports will be included in the state’s tourism map. He said three

youths from Jampui Hills have been sent to Himachal Pradesh for training that is nearing completion. The department will formally start the paragliding sport once these three youths return to the state.

Jampui Hills is one of the major tourist spots in the region and the new addition will enhance its attraction many more but the related infrastructure is too inadequate to accommodate the tourist.

On Saturday itself 60 tourists arrived in the hills but none of them found any room in the Eden Tourist Lodge as all are occupied.

Some of them were provided shelter in the Kitchen and corridors while some others were accommodated in the houses of the locals.

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry will take a special initiative to promote textiles in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region to help the weavers and sector growth, SGCCI President Ashish Gujrati said on Saturday.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of the SGCCI Expo 2022 held at Surat in Gujarat on Saturday, a press release said.

He said the chamber -- which represents the major textile industries of the country -- will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region) administration, headed by Pramod Boro, soon as part of the Bodoland Textiles Mission in Assam.

The expo was inaugurated

by Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshana V Jardosh in the presence of BTR chief Boro and representatives from the textiles industry.

Bodoland textiles sector was the focus of the inaugural session of the expo.

In accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for ‘Ek Bharat

Shresth Bharat’, the union minister stressed the need to support the BTR areas to achieve their full potential in the textile sector by using modern technology and market linkages to add to the traditional strengths of the weavers.

The minister, who had visited the BTR areas twice recently, inaugurated the

Bodoland Textiles Mission along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Kokrajhar.

She said a new era of collaboration between the BTR and Surat textiles industry will commence with the signing of the MoU with the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SIGCCI).

The BTR chief highlighted the traditional strengths of Bodo weavers and the beautiful garments produced by them and appealed to the industry representatives to participate in the mission through sharing of technology and knowledge, skill development and training, among other initiatives.

How chocolate from Assam reached Myanmar markets!

G U WA H AT I , J A N 9 (PTI): A chocolate named ‘dark fantasy’, manufactured in Assam’s Mangaldai town, made its way into the markets of Myanmar after travelling over 2,000 km and passing through Siliguri, Kolkata, Singapore, Yangon to finally reach Kale.

This nugget of information was shared by K K Dwivedi, Commissioner to the Department of Industries & Commerce, Assam, while speaking at the ongoing Northeast Festival here on Friday.

At the ‘Make in Northeast - DoNER Dialogue’, Dwivedi also dwelt on several aspects of the region including how the term ‘Northeast’ was first used in 1884 by the then chief commissioner of Burma, Alexander Mackenzie, in his book ‘History of the Relations of the Government with the Hill Tribes of the North-East Frontier of Bengal’. Dwivedi also recalled how Jyoti Prasad Saikia coined the term ‘seven sisters’ for the northeast while participating in a talk show in 1971. On the journey of ‘dark fantasy’, he said this is a classic example of why there is a need for proper connectivity for cost effectiveness and saving of time.

“A team of officials and MLAs from Assam had visited Kale in Myanmar. In a small market there, they saw a chocolate made in Mangaldai called ‘dark fanK Y M C

tasy’. After inquiring about it, they found the chocolate came through Guwahati, Siliguri, Kolkata, Singapore and Yangon before reaching Kale town,” Dwivedi said.

The chocolate travelled over 2,000 km and for nearly two months when it would have taken two days had it travelled through the border town of Moreh in Manipur, he added. Once there is con-

nectivity network, trade and commerce will accelerate, he asserted.

The DoNER Dialogue under the chairmanship of Union Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister G Kishan Reddy saw a series of discussions highlighting the Northeast as an ideal destination for investments and start-ups.

K Y M C

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Shun violence, don’t let politics divide: Mnp CM Correspondent IMPHAL, JAN 9: Manipur on Sunday remembered Maharaja Gambhir Singh, the king who freed the then Manipur kingdom from Burmese invaders in 1828 on his 188th death anniversary.

King Gambhir Singh is remembered as one of the most revered rulers of Manipur along with Maharaja Khagemba, Garibniwaj (Charairongba) and Chingthangkhomba (Bheigyachandra).

He was the king who restored normalcy in the Manipur kingdom consequent to the seven years devastation (Desertion) in between 1819-1826 following invasion by Burmese invaders.

He was considered as one of the most far sighted rulers during whose reign Manipur’s territory extended upto the Ningthi river of Burma and always strived to protect and promote Manipur in the region.

Besides government organized state level observation function held at

Manipur CM N Biren Singh led the people in paying rich tributes to Maharaj Gambhir Singh on his 188th death anniv on Sunday. the Maharaja Gambhir Singh Samadi at Langthabal, Imphal, the day was observed at various levels as ‘Reconsolidation Day’ to marked the observance of the infamous chapter of ‘Seven Years Devastation’ in the history of Manipur had come about due to lack of unity.

Chief minister N Biren

Tripura govt to impose night curfew from today

AGARTALA, JAN 9 (FD): The Tripura government on Sunday decided to impose night curfew across the state from Monday in a bid to curb the spread of rising coronavirus cases.

The night curfew will remain in force from 9 pm till 5 am for 10 days starting Monday, a notification said.

State Information and Cultural Affairs minister Sushanta Chowdhury said health experts have predicted that Tripura is likely to witness a “peak” in COVID-19 cases in January and February.

Appealing to people to maintain COVID appropriate behaviour to tackle the crisis, Chowdhury told reporters at the Civil Secretariat here, “We will review the situation before the tenure of the night curfew expires and take further decisions”.

A health department report suggests that the state

now has an overall 5 per cent positivity rate while the Agartala Municipal Corporation has a 16.95 positivity rate.

The notification said meetings and gatherings will be allowed in closed places, at one-third of its capacity, and people have to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety precautions.

No public meeting will be allowed in open spaces, it said. Movie halls, sports complexes and stadia, entertainment parks, bars will have to operate with 50 per cent capacity, the notification said .

All standalone shops and commercial establishments including shopping complexes, malls, beauty parlours, barber shops will remain open from 6 am to 8:30 pm.

Medicine shops, however, shall remain open at all times.

AG A RTA L A , J A N 9 (AGENCIES): Tripura government’s imposition of compulsory RTPCR test in the airport for incoming air passengers has created a chaotic situation in the airport’s terminal building, reports Tripura info.

More than six hundred passengers from Bengaluru, Calcutta and Guwahati have already arrived in the airport and are waiting their turn to undergo the mandatory RTPCR test amidst inordinate delay.

There is only one counter in the terminal building for collecting samples and sending transmitting them away to laboratories Calcutta . Sources from airport said that the laboratories testing the RTPCR does not delay sending back the result but the lone counter in the airport and huge rush of passengers have created a major problem.

Many incoming passengers have been waiting for hours together for obtaining the certification of fitness and non-infection of Covid.

Protests held against death of Tripura Trinamool leader

Mujibur Islam Majumder AGARTALA, JAN 9 ( AGENCIES): The death of former Congress-turnedTrinamool leader Mujibur Islam Majumder has create a major issue in the state with the state Trinamool and its branches in subdivisions organizing protest marches in different parts of the state, reports Tripura infoway. .

Describing Mujibur’s death as a ‘case of murder’ the Trinamool steering committee convener and former MLA Subal Bhowmik said that on August 28 Mujibur had been severely beaten up and injured by ‘goons of the BJP’ in his home and as a result of this attack and injury he had to be shifted to Calcutta for treatment but Mujibur died there.

“It is a clear case of murder and the culprits must be booked under Section-302 of IPC and arrested” said Subal. Yesterday the central leadership of Trinamool held a silent procession at Agartala with candle lights in hand to protest the ‘murder’ of Mujibur Islam Majumder who was universally popular.

The procession demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits involved in the ‘murder’. The procession with candles and festoons marched through different parts of Agartala before returning to the head office.

Apart from this, a similar silent procession also hit the streets in Teliamura from Ampi chaumuhuni. All the participants in the procession carried candlelights in hands demanding punishment for the culprits responsible for ‘murder’ of Mujubir Islam Majumder. The Trinamool leaders who took part in the procession included Ashok Dasgupta, Rathindralal Das, advocate Gauri Shankar Roy, student leader Jay Das and other leaders and workers of Trinamool.

those who laid down their lives in the war for the motherland.

The chief minister also offered flowers at the statues of Maharaj Gambhir Singh, Meidingu Narasingh and Sana Herachandra.

Later, he offered Tarpan and paid obeisance at Dhop Pala.

Addressing the occa-

Congress does not respect democracy: Sonowal

Sitting Congress MLA defects to BJP in poll-bound Manipur

G U WA H AT I , J A N 9 (PTI): Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal Sunday slammed the Congress over the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Punjab and said it does not have the “minimum respect” towards democracy.

Sonowal asserted that “conspiracies hatched by the Congress” will not impact the popularity of Modi, who is a global leader. In a “massive security breach” on Wednesday, the prime minister’s convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur, after which he returned from poll-bound Punjab without attending the planned events, including a rally. “Congress stooped to a low level of politicking and the people of India have unanimously condemned it. The party did not show even the minimum respect towards democracy.

Correspondent IMPHAL, JAN 9: In the run-up to the poll, opposition Congress in Manipur received yet another blow when its vice-president and sitting legislator Chaltonlien Amo joined the BJP on Sunday even as politicians continued to switch party affiliation even after the Election Commission of India announced election schedules for the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The saffron par ty rolled out the red carpet for the MPCC vice president and felicitated him in a grand function at state BJP head office in Imphal today.

Amo’s defection to the saffron fold comes in less than a week after sitting MLA D Korungthang of the Congress left the party to join NPF. Earlier, the Congress had lost its state president Govindas Konthoujam

Chaltonlien Amo who defected to the BJP. Union minister of forest and environment and BJP Manipur election incharge Bhupendra Yadav, chief minister N Biren Singh, Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Pratima Bhoumik and BJP state unit president A Sarda Devi were among others who welcomed the Congress leader to the saffron fold.

Talking on the sideline of the function, Bhupendra Yadav said that the coming of the Congress leader to

Sikkim Tourism Minister B S Panth contracts COVID-19 GANGTOK, JAN 9 (PTI): Sikkim Tourism Minister B S Panth on Sunday said he has tested positive for coronavirus and is in home isolation.

In a social media post, the 69-year-old minister said, “I have tested positive for coronavirus. I have isolated myself at home.”

Meanwhile, the Himalayan state’s COVID-19 tally rose to 32,719 on Sunday as 70 people, 25 more than the previous day, tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said.

Fifty-one cases were registered in East Sikkim, followed by 13 in West Sikkim and six in South Sikkim.

Sikkim now has 218 active COVID-19 cases, while 352 patients have migrated to other states and 31,740 people have recovered from the disease.

The recovery rate stood at 98.1 per cent, the bulletin said. The state’s coronavirus death remained unchanged at 409 as no fatality was reported in the past 24 hours.

As many as 2,82,349 samples have been tested for coronavirus in Sikkim thus far, including 576 in the last 24 hours.

Mizoram logs 903 COVID-19 cases

RPF with the seized contraband items. conducted vigorous check/ drive over the platforms of New Jalpaiguri railway station.

During the check/drive at Platform number 2, they apprehended one person -Samsul Shaikh ( 25) S/o Nafar Shaikh, resident of Baranaldaha, PS: Palasipara, Nadia district of West Bengal , with a black colour synthetic leather bag. On being questioned, he gave misleading reply, which created more suspicion. As such, he was brought to RPF Booth, New Jalpaiguri for further interrogation. On checking his leather bag, a packet of heroin, wrapped with cello tape, weighing 0.990 kgs was found.

On further searching the person, one Aadhaar card, one PAN card, one mobile and cash Rs. 4,765/-

Mandatory RTPCR test causes chaos in Tripura airport

Singh led the people in paying rich tributes to the king at the state level observance held at Maharaj Gambhir Singh Samadhi complex in Imphal’s Canchipur.

A contingent of Manipur Rifles offered guard of honour, gun salute and sounded last post as a mark of respect to Maharaj Gambhir Singh and all

NFR seize contraband, smuggled goods worth over Rs. 1 crore

MALIGAON, JAN 9: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of N. F. Railway (NFR) recovered contraband/smuggled goods worth more than Rs. 1 crore during the last few days. The items include 0.990 kgs of heroin worth Rs. 99 lakh recovered at New Jalpaiguri station and 21 kgs of ganja worth Rs. 2.10 lakh recovered at Agartala station.

According to a press release by NFR Chief Public Relations Officer ( CPRO) Guneet Kaur, the RPF on January 5, acting on information received from Central Intelligence Agency regarding presence of a drug trafficker at New Jalpaiguri railway station area and possibility of narcotic drugs in a train, a joint team of RPF/Post/New Jalpaiguri and officials of the agency

sion, Singh said consultation with intellectuals and historians to engrave the history of different kings of Manipur since 33 AD on the fencing wall of Maharaj Gambhir Singh Samadhi complex was almost complete.

However, it could not be expedited and completed on time due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the people of today’s generation needed to study the ideals of their forefathers, who did not have any fear to lay down their lives for the motherland, and adopt their patriotism On the ensuing state Assembly polls, the chief minister urged people to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections.

Stating that Manipur had experienced enough violence and unrest in the past, he also appealed to all not indulge in violence and not to let politics divide them. By allowing conducting a free and fair election, let the state be the inspiration of other states, he added.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

were also found. The heroin was seized in presence of ASC/New Jalpaiguri and the person was taken into custody. Later, the arrested person along with the seized articles was handed over to OC/GRP/New Jalpaiguri for further course of action.

Value of the recovered/ seized heroin is approximately Rs. 99 lakhs.

On January 6, RPF of Agartala conducted checking at Agartala railway station and recovered 02 unclaimed bags containing 04 packets of ganja, weighing about 21 kgs on platform No. 1.

The recovered Ganja packets were seized handed over to OC/GRP/Agartala for further necessary action.

The value of the recovered Ganja is approximately Rs. 2.10 lakh.

AIZAWL, JAN 9 (PTI): Mizoram on Sunday registered as many as 903 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state’s tally to 1,45,527, a health department official said on Sunday.

The state had reported 852 cases on Saturday.

The toll remained unchanged at 558 as no new fatality was recorded in the last 24 hours.

At least 117 children are among the newly infected people, the official said.

Aizawl district reported the highest number of fresh cases at 283, followed by Serchhip at 182 and Khawzawl at 150, he said. Mizoram currently has 4,367 active cases.

Altogether 1,40,602 people have recovered from the disease so far.

The single-day positivity rate in the state stood at 15.86 per cent, up from 15 per cent the previous day, the official said. The recovery rate clocked 96.61 per cent and the death rate 0.38 per cent.

The northeastern state has so far tested 15.38 lakh samples for COVID-19, 5,694 of which were examined on Saturday.

According to state immunisation officer Dr Lalzawmi, over 7.46 lakh people, including 13,775 children in the age group of 15-17 years, have been inoculated with anti-COVID vaccine.

Of the 7.46 lakh beneficiaries, 5.94 lakh have received two doses, she added.

the saffron family was an encouraging one and the party always welcomed those who came forward to the party fold.

He expressed strong confidence of BJP emerging as absolute majority while claiming that tribal leaders of the state have started switching to the saffron fold impressed by the developmental changes brought about in the state under BJP rule.

“We will win twothird of the total seats this time and form a stable government,” he said, hoping that people of the state will support the BJP. “BJP-led government has restored peace in the state. As peace is prevalent, the development paces accelerated. People believe in BJP and will get their maximum support this time,” he said.

Earlier, welcoming Amo to the saffron fold, chief minister N Biren

Singh claimed that he (Amo) shifted his loyalty to BJP as he is impressed by the changes in all fronts brought by the BJP-led coalition government in the last nearly five years.

A hill leader like Amo will help strengthen BJP’s strength in the hills of the state, he added.

On the other hand, the chief minister urged party functionaries and workers to work harder to ensure that BJP secures absolute majority and form a government on its own after the upcoming elections.

He also stressed on the need for BJP workers to focus on the micro levels with the Code of Conduct for election coming into force.

“We need to concentrate our activities constituency-wise and area-wise, giving more focus at the micro level. Our success lies with the joint venture of party functionaries and

workers,” he said.

BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sarda Devi said that the light of development came to the state since the BJP government at the Centre was giving special emphasis to the northeast region of the country.

“At this juncture, we need to work together to ensure BJP gets absolute majority,” she said.

The state BJP president added that the state only BJP government so as to further developmental works.

“BJP will make the state one of the fastest developing states of the country,” she announced.

Elections to the state assembly will be held in two phases: on February 27 and March 3, as announced by ECI on Saturday. The Model Code of Conduct for the election has also come into force in the state immediately.

Assam issues 7-day discharge protocol for home isolation patients

G U WA H AT I , JA N 9 (PTI): The Assam government, in accordance with the Centre’s policy, has said that a COVID-19 patient under home isolation will be considered discharged after seven days without having taken a second test, provided the person did not get fever for three consecutive days.

Issuing a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for home isolation on Saturday, the Assam Health and Family Welfare Department said the country and the state are witnessing a third wave of the pandemic, possibly due to the latest detected variant of coronavirus, Omicron.

“Patients under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 7 days have passed from testing positive subject to the conditions that there has been no fever for three successive days and they shall continue wearing masks,” it added.

The patients will, however, continue to be under home quarantine for seven more days, the SOP stated.

“There is no need for re-testing after the home isolation period is over.

Asymptomatic contacts of infected individuals need not undergo COVID test but should monitor his or her health condition in home quarantine,” the document said. The guidelines asserted that the majority of the new cases are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms and such cases usually recover with minimal interventions, and may be managed at home under proper medical guidance and monitoring.

“The telemedicine and home-based medical care system has been strengthened across the state considering the possibility of large numbers of COVID-positive cases in the state,” it added.

The SOP also said that all the confirmed cases

which are not experiencing any symptom and have oxygen saturation of more than 93 per cent at room air may be considered as asymptomatic cases.

“Such cases should have requisite facility at their residence for self-isolation... A caregiver should be available to provide assistance 24x7,” it added.

The caregiver should ideally be someone who has completed his COVID-19 vaccination schedule with both doses, the SOP added.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press meet on Friday, had said that his government, this time, is encouraging people to undergo home isolation if their condition is not serious.

The state will provide them a kit with all medicines free of cost and tele-counselling services by doctors will be made available regularly, he had told reporters.

Arunachal’s COVID positivity rate jumps to 9.40% ITANAGAR, JAN 9 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh reported 59 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, which is 33 more than the previous day, taking the Northeastern state’s active tally to 186, a senior health official said.

Among the newly-infected patients are eight students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here who returned from other states after vacation, he said.

Besides, 10 Army personnel, four officials of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and one ITBP jawan are also among the new patients. The state did not report any recovery in the last 24 hours, the official

said. Arunachal Pradesh has so far reported 55,521 cases. The state has been witnessing a spurt in coronavirus infections over the last five days with total 169 cases reported.

Of the new patients, 27 are symptomatic, the official said.

The toll remained at 282 with no fresh fatality reported in the last 24 hours, he said.

Twenty-one of the new cases were detected in the Capital Complex Region and 11 in West Siang district.

The new cases were detected after testing 622 samples, recording a positivity rate of 9.40 per cent, as against 5.56 per cent on Saturday.

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NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY10, 2022

Precaution dose of Covid vax in India from today

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): India will start administering the precaution dose of Covid vaccine to healthcare and frontline workers and comorbid people aged 60 and above from Monday in a bid to stymie the coronavirus spread driven by its Omicron variant.

Personnel deployed for election duty in pollbound Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa have also been designated as frontline workers.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in a tweet on Sunday, said reminder SMSes have been sent to over one crore healthcare and frontline workers and senior citizens for their precaution dose.

An estimated 1.05 crore healthcare and 1.9 crore frontline workers, and 2.75 crore comorbid people in the 60 plus age group would be administered the precaution dose according to schedule, Health Ministry sources said.

There would be no mix-and-match of vaccines for the precaution dose. The beneficiaries would be given the same vaccine as their

previous two jabs.

According to guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry, the gap between the date of administering the second dose of vaccine and the precaution dose would be nine months (39 weeks).

CoWIN will send reminder messages to all those eligible for this dose and after administration of the shot, it will be noted in the digital vaccination certificate.

Online appointments for precaution dose began on the CoWin portal on Saturday evening. However, there is also the option of an onsite appointment and it will start on January 10.

“The government is ensuring the security of the health army that keeps the country secure. Reminder SMS have been sent to more than one crore health and frontline workers and 60+ citizens for their precaution dose. Appointments on COWIN are already open. Administering the doses will start tomorrow,” Mandaviya said in a tweet in Hindi.

Acccording to the Health Ministry, private

hospitals that function as COVID-19 Vaccination Centres can inoculate their eligible staff members.

Those aged 60 years and above with comorbidities will not be required to produce or submit any certificate from a doctor at the time of administration of the precaution dose of vaccine.

The countrywide COVID-19 vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2.

The next phase of inoculation commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1.

The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.

COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years commenced from January 3.

Covid vaccination certificates in 5 pollbound states won’t have PM’s photo

Covid vaccination certificates issued in the five poll-bound states will not have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo since the model code of conduct has come into force there, official sources said on Sunday.

The Union Health Ministry has applied necessary filters on the Co-WIN platform to exclude Modi’s photo from the vaccine certificate, a source said.

According to sources, the filters were applied on Saturday night soon after the poll schedule was announced.

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa will be held between February 10 and March 7 in seven phases with the counting of votes on March 10, the Election Commission announced on Saturday.

With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct for governments, candidates and political parties has come into force.

“The Health Ministry has applied necessary filters on the CoWIN platform to exclude the picture of the prime minister from the COVID-19 certificates being given to people in these five poll-bound states because of the model code of conduct coming into force,” an official source told PTI. In March 2021, Health Ministry had taken a similar initiative during the polls held in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry as suggested by the Election Commission following complaints raised by some political parties.

Announcing the month-long election schedule, the Election Commission has banned physical rallies and roadshows till January 15 due to Covid concerns.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said the ban on rallies, roadshows, nukkad sabhas, padayatras and vehicle rallies will be reviewed on January 15.

Congress to go without CM face in state polls

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (IANS): In the upcoming five state elections, the Congress has decided to go without declaring the chief ministerial face despite having incumbent face in Punjab as a chief minister.

Sources in the Congress say that it will only be decided after the results and Congress legislative party will decide the new leader with the consent of the high command, except at few occasions the party does not project a chief minister’s face.

The Congress leaders in Punjab and Uttarakhand want that Chief Ministers should be projected. Supporters of Harish Rawat, former CM and Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab Congress chief want to be projected as Chief Minister’s face. But party says it will not take risk to alienate other factions ahead of polls.

The Congress faces major challenge of retaining power in Punjab, and to come up with a credible show against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

Exce pt in Uttar Pradesh, the party is in direct contest with the BJP in three states, while in Punjab, it faces the Akali Dal-BSP and Aam Aadmi Party.

Though it is not the main challenger in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress wants to be ahead of the BSP in the contest.

The Congress is faced with a crisis in Goa, where almost all the MLAs have deserted the party, the party has three former Chief Ministers -- Digambar Kamat, Pratap Singh Rane but has not decided to project anybody as the face though former Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha is one of the contender for the top post.

In Manipur too, the Congress has faced an exo-

dus ahead of the polls. But there Okram Ibobi Singh, the former Chief Minister could be given one more chance if the party comes to power but won’t project anybody. The party is paying special attention to the northeastern state and has appointed Jairam Ramesh as the senior observer. In the last elections in Manipur, the Congress could not form the government despite emerging as the single largest party.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is top choice of the party in UP, but it’s unlikely that anyone could be projected as CM though party has very less chance in the state compared to other election going states.

UP polls: BJP to showcase law EC must curb rising misuse of religion during polls: Mayawati & order, Hindutva to woo voters

Yogi during an election rally.

with the development work.

According to party sources, the BJP leaders will try to woo people on the basis of this strategy.

Apart from listing the achievements of the public welfare work of the Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath governments, the BJP leaders will also discuss the issue of Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura, its core agenda.

Terming the issue of law and order as the biggest achievement of the Yogi Adityanath government, the BJP leaders are likely to be seen appealing to people to vote in favour of the party to keep the momentum going.

41% support ban on political rallies during polls: Survey

File photo of a political rally in UP.

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): A day after the Election Commission announced poll schedule for five states, a survey claimed that 41 per cent of people supported a ban on all political rallies.

According to the survey, held after the announcement by the EC, 31 per cent of citizens favoured postponing elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur altogether.

In an unprecedented step, the commission on Saturday banned public rallies, roadshows and corner meetings till January 15 in the five states, citing the fresh surge in Covid cases, and issued stringent safety guidelines.

In the survey, conducted by digital community based platform LocalCircles, 24 per cent respon-

dents said that Covid compliance should be imposed on all political rallies, but they must continue.

Four per cent of the respondents said that no action is needed as risk of Covid spread due to elections is low.

The survey received over 11,000 responses from citizens in 309 districts of the country, including 4,172 responses from districts in the five poll-going states, the platform said in a statement.

While 68 per cent respondents were men, 32 per cent were women.

The announcement of assembly polls was welcomed by major parties, while parties, including the Congress, urged the poll watchdog to ensure a level playing field in view of the Covid curbs on campaigning.

The BJP has also prepared a blueprint for the digital campaign in an attempt to reach out to the voters amid restrictions imposed by the Election Commission following rise in the number of Covid cases.

A BJP leader associated with the election campaign told IANS the party would be making an effort to woo every section of the electorate to vote in favour of the party. Hence, “the party has taken special care of the youth, women, elderly, the workers as well as the voters associated with the party over the Hindutva ideology”.

Mayawati

also claimed that the BJP will lose the 2022 elections “if there is no misuse of government machinery and there are no discrepancies in EVMs”.

“The BJP will be thrown out of power this time, provided there is no misuse of government machinery and there are no discrepancies in voting machines,” she said while urging the poll panel to “keep an eye on it”.

Elaborating the reasons for her claim that the

BVJP will be thrown out of power, Mayawati said, “Owing to the biased approach of the (BJP) government, a ‘jungle raj’ of criminals is prevailing.”

“Due to this, people of every caste and section are feeling very sad. A section of the upper caste, which had in the previous elections voted enthusiastically for the BJP, is feeling very sad,” she added, insinuating that even upper caste voters will not support the BJP. Without naming the

Samajwadi Party, Mayawati said, “In the state, there is a party, which is dreaming of bagging 400 out of 403 seats (of the UP legislative assembly) by banking on people who have been expelled from other parties and allying with other parties.”

“Their dreams, however, will be shattered on March 10. The BJP and other parties too will face the same situation. Only the BSP can give a popular government,” she added.

Mayawati also said there has been a gross violation of the model code of conduct in the holding of rallies and roadshows amid the Covid pandemic.

The fear of the Election Commission must be there in the government machinery too and only then the elections can be successfully held, she added.

Claiming her party to be a “disciplined” one, she sought to assure that it will strictly adhere to the model code of conduct for which the party cadre too will be instructed separately.

She also demanded that adequate arrangements

should be made at hypersensitive booths for Dalits and people from the weaker sections of the society so that they could cast their votes.

Urging people to be wary of “alluring poll manifestoes of rival parties”, she said they must not be carried away by promises of freebies.

She said she has called a meeting of senior party leaders to select party candidates while claiming that her party will perform well in Uttarakhand and Punjab.

In Punjab, the BSP has allied with the Shiromani Akali Dal. The BSP chief also asked people not to be misled by survey agencies which show the BSP “out of the race” till voting.

“In the 2007 UP assembly elections, the BSP was kept out of the poll race and it was shown that the SP and BJP were in the contest. However, when the results came, these parties were much behind us,” she said, adding that the 2007 situation will be replicated this time.

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier begins another phase of sea trials

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant began another set of sea trials on Sunday to carry out complex manoeuvres in high seas ahead of its planned induction in August.

The 40,000-tonne aircraft carrier, the largest and most complex warship to be built in India, successfully completed a five-day maiden sea voyage in August and underwent 10-day sea trials in October.

“The IAC now sails to undertake complex manoeuvres to establish specific readings of how the ship performs in various conditions,” Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said, adding various sensor suites of the ship would also be tested.

The warship has been built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore and its construction propelled India into a select group of countries having capabilities to build state-of-the-art aircraft carriers.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited the ship recently in Kochi.

“After two successive high profile visits – the President and Vice President of India – within a span of less than two weeks, IAC

k-48/22

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (IANS): With the announcement of polling dates for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, all major political parties have intensified their campaign, apart from taking pot-shots at one another.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident of making a comeback in the state despite the opposition parties -- the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, giving the saffron party a tough fight.

The party has been sounding confident on the issues it has taken up for the elections, as well as on the popularity of its faces in Delhi and Lucknow.

In fact, the BJP veterans have been continuously claiming that the party will repeat its last election’s performance. The party which has often backed the idea of “a double engine government”, is constantly putting forth the issues and agendas related to Hindutva along

LUCKNOW, JAN 9 (PTI): Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday expressed concern over the “increasing” use of religion in politics during elections and said the Election Commission must curb this “worrying” trend.

Her remarks came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the assembly elections in the state will be an “80 per cent versus 20 per cent” one, alluding to the roughly 20 per cent Muslim population.

“In the past few years, during the elections, there have been attempts to derive electoral advantage using religion. This impacts the election and the entire country is worried about this,” Mayawati told reporters on Sunday.

“The Election Commission should take serious steps to curb the narrow politics of selfishness as was evident in the past few years,” she added.

Accusing the Adityanath government of foisting a “jungle raj” through its biased policies, Mayawati

INS Vikrant.

Vikrant is heading out for the next set of sea trials,” Commander Madhwal said.

“Both dignitaries, having reviewed the progress, had conveyed their satisfaction and expressed their best wishes to all the stakeholders involved in the project,” he added.

While the maiden sea trials were to establish propulsion, navigational suite and basic operations, the second sea trial witnessed the ship being put through its paces in terms of various machinery trials and flight trials.

“The ship in fact was out for 10 days proving its sustenance in the very second sortie. Various seamanship evolutions were also successfully cleared during the second sortie,” the Navy official said.

Several scientists from the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, a DRDO facility based at Visakhapatnam, are witnessing the third phase of sea trials of Vikrant.

The warship will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH60R multi-role helicopters.

It has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.

Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles, officials said.

The IAC is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and it has a height of 59 metres. Its construction began in 2009.

DC-09/22

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OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post VOL. XXXII NO. 34 DIMAPUR, MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

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Return of the virus

t the national level, eminent epidemiologists and virologists, since a year back had predicted that India may see a third wave of COVID-19 peaking from October and November last year onwards if a more virulent mutant than the existing ones emerge by September. It was also predicted that the intensity of the mutant virus is expected to be much lower than the second wave , according to a scientist involved in the mathematical modelling of the pandemic. They predicted that if the third wave peaks, the country could initially see some 1 lakh daily cases. The predictions have now come true as the new mutant-Omicron- has become India’s steadily rising virus. Fresh cases were being reported from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat and Karnataka. Most of those who tested positive for the new variant had either recently arrived from African countries or were in contact with such people. As fears of the new variant have engulfed the nation, one question that needs to be answered- Is India prepared to tackle the spread of the growing Omicron variant? Health experts in India say that one of the most worrisome thing about this new variant is its transmissibility rate. However, if there is a significant spike in the number of cases, the maximum impact will be on international travel. Domestic travel will be impacted to a much lesser extent and there is no saying what will happen if Omicron transmission reaches a level of concern. However, states like Karnataka and Delhi have reported Omicron cases of people without travel history. This has set health authorities in trying to weigh in the pros and cons about more stringent travel advisories within and banning international flights all again. According to the World Health Organization’s chief scientist, the Omicron variant could become dominant because it is highly transmissible. WHO concluded that it was possible for Omicron to become a dominant variant even as it continues to mutate though not as deadly as other variants such as the Delta variant. There is serious concern in Nagaland about resurgence in number of fresh covid cases. Sometime back, the state Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department expressed grave concern that “there is sufficient evidence of the possibility of a third wave anytime”, stating that many cases remain “undetected and underreported.”To highlight the concerns the department had shown the significant rise in number of new covid cases in Dimapur district during the past week. According to the department, out of a total of 54 fresh cases in the state, Dimapur alone accounted for 49 cases between January 1 to 7,2022. This, according to the department showed a meteoric increase of 100%.

The DoHFW also pointed out that though the overall weekly sample positivity rate (WSPR) of the state stood at 1.6%, the WSPR in Dimapur was 2%. There is no guarantee that the world will be rid of the virus so easily and early. There are different mutations which have functionally changed the Wuhan virus strain allowed the virus to get inside human cells more aggressively. The predicted third covid wave, even if not as deadly as the second, cannot be taken lightly as health limitations in most states in India are limited while in the north east, it is still totally inadequate.

DailyDevotion Prayerful Inner-Searching

May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless… —1 Thessalonians 5:23

“Your whole spirit….” The great, mysterious work of the Holy Spirit is in the deep recesses of our being which we cannot reach. Read Psalm 139. The psalmist implies— “O Lord, You are the God of the early mornings, the God of the late nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea. But, my God, my soul has horizons further away than those of early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature. You who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize. My God, search me.”

Do we believe that God can fortify and protect our thought processes far beyond where we can go? “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If this verse means cleansing only on our conscious level, may God have mercy on us. The man who has been dulled by sin will say that he is not even conscious of it. But the cleansing from sin we experience will reach to the heights and depths of our spirit if we will “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). The same Spirit that fed the life of Jesus Christ will feed the life of our spirit. It is only when we are protected by God with the miraculous sacredness of the Holy Spirit that our spirit, soul, and body can be preserved in pure uprightness until the coming of Jesus-no longer condemned in God’s sight.

We should more frequently allow our minds to meditate on these great, massive truths of God.

Quotes

Always remember that you are absolutely unique.

Just like everyone else.

~ Margaret Mead

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Post-mortem

Budget: Job loss to delay $ 5 tr economy

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he government has to do an uphill task to present an extraordinary budget that should be low cost, high on growth, have debt sustainability even as it contends with the third corona pandemic omicron wave.

It will not be an easy task as the country races to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s avowed GDP target - $ 5 trillion economy by 2025, and adjust if not check high inflation of 14.2 percent. Now the estimates are for about $ 2.6 trillion budget by 2025. The pandemic has certainly reduced the achievements by about $ 200 to 300 milllion.

More so as the wholesale inflation rises to 14.2 percent, the highest in recent memory, accentuating the government’s fiscal situation amid high debt, and causing imbalances that is affecting growth. Even the mildest disruption could affect the tepid recovery. The IMF observes that central government deficit has risen to 8.6 percent and those of the states to 12.8 percent in 2020-21 much of it due to the covid. The bank credit has also been subdued.

Omicron or not the government has to make provision for Rs 4.38 trillion

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for delay in 470 projects.

With offline mode and other restrictions to have a bearing on the state of the economy, it would be an exercise. With rising omicron numbers and pressure on the health sector, the government has to change gears in ongoing budgetary preparations. It has to keep public debt vulnerabilities in check.

Mending ways is not easy. In the new situation despite large deficits the government has to come out with novel approaches.

It must move out of the many hackneyed high-cost infrastructure investment.

The not so well-planned highway system has levied additional cost on the rural system as the neighbourhood gets distanced and made to pay high fees and tolls.

The country has also to reconsider whether it needs projects like bullet trains or metro trains. It is convoluting the system which is being dumped with high running and maintenance costs. The Delhi metro finding costs high is reducing frequencies. The CAG observes that metro has high overall cost.

S i m i l a r ly, c e r t a i n small and mid-sized cities

index (NIBRI) during the first and second pandemic phase.

The deficit and debt are bound to rise. The Economic Survey 2021-22 does not see high debt as a problem in Indian situation but it certainly raises debt service problems. The ES is of the view that since interest rates are low, the country would be able to sustain it.

It is a different issue that low interest rates have other problems and may not be really practical. It has Sarkar also added to NPA issues of late. A sustained rate rise could threaten the RBI’s case for keeping borrowing costs lower for longer to support the economy, given it has a mandate to keep consumer price inflation within its target band of 2 to 6 percent.

The RBI for many months has left key lending rates unchanged and vowed to keep the accommodative policy stance for as long as needed to support a durable economic recovery.

But covid is not solely responsible. India’s GDP - at a high of 7-8 percent when Modi took office had fallen to its lowest in a decade - 3.1 percent - by the fourth quarter of 2019-

20. During the pandemic it had minus 24.4 percent contraction in June 2020.

Even now its growth figures are projected at 9.7 percent over those low figures. It may look good but certainly calls for concern for accelerating it. The growth in September 2021 quarter was 8.4 percent higher than RBI 7.9 percent projections.

Former NITI Ayog CEO Aravind Subramaniam says growth figures are 2.5 percent overestimated.

The biggest concern is that private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) has still not reached the pre-pandemic levels in the September quarter. The PFCE is the largest component of India’s GDP and its weakness suggests that the recovery is still not broadbased and is being driven by the rich.

In India, covid 19 has exposed comorbidities and has further opened up the traditional fault lines, with the large unorganised labour sector bearing the brunt of the costs. At the last count, the Centre for Monitoring Indian economy (CMIE) estimated that over 130 million daily wagers in the urban centres were rendered jobless and homeless. India’s economy

has been in distress for most of the last decade - 2011-21.

Exports are stuck at around $300 billion for nearly a decade. The 68-day world lockdown has prevented India from bouncing back either on manufacturing or exports. The country is losing market share to smaller rivals such as Bangladesh, whose remarkable growth has hinged on exports.

That is less than the situation demands. The revenue projections remain moderate. India’s economic advisory council to the prime minister expects the country to grow at an actual of 7.7 to 7.5 percent.

The revenue collections may be moderately higher. But the country needing higher doses of cash infusion may not find it easy to manage the finances.

The major problem is the industry contributing 26.5 percent in 2019 (30.3 percent in 2010) is sliding and agriculture 15.6 percent sustains growth. The final result once again may be inflationary and the course to 2022-23 would remain a bit bumpy but expected to stabilize if the pandemic abates and normal functioning is restored.

India’s security scenario has some worrying new dimensions

ntelligence being the anchor of security, two fundamentals of national security provide the reasons for a periodical examination of whether the Intelligence infrastructure and its methodology were in need of an upgrade and expansion. First is the reality that the threat perspectives were never static since geo- politics could alter and new adversarial fronts shape up. The second is the principle that says ‘Security is a matter of degree’ implying that it should never be presumed to be perfect and should be constantly improved.

Our Intelligence agencies have performed very well with their existing resources and outreach but they might need a further backing, technological advance and new levels of coordination to measure up to the emerging challenges. Some of the new features of the contemporary security environs can be easily identified.

There is a shift from open warfare to ‘covert’ offensives in the post- Cold War world and nearer home use of terrorism by Pakistan as an instrument of ‘asymmetric war’ against India in Kashmir and elsewhere has necessitated induction of the armed forces in security operations on our own soil. This has pushed civil- military cooperation to an entirely new level, called for close functional rapport between DIA and civilian Intelligence set-up and made it vital for the Army to train for adherence to Intelligence-based operations

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and townships are being dumped with flyovers and metros affecting their functionality, aesthetics and capability to sustain highcost infrastructure. Aping the west does not pay.

It calls for cut in imports of products that could be made domestically like the rail track cement sleepers to save forex. The country’s foreign exchange reserves has declined by $ 2.053 billion to $ 633.614 billion in December 20221, reveals RBI data.

Shivaji Last year the budget for health sector was raised by 137 percent to Rs 2.23 lakh crore from 2019-20’s Rs 94.452 crore appears huge.

It is not really so. It clubs the figures of health - Rs 73,932 crore and Ayush - Rs 67,112 crore. Together the hike is only 11 percent but in actuality compared to the previous year’s revised budget estimates, it is a reduction of 11 percent.

Such window dressing has to be avoided.

How the finance minister changes tack remains to be seen. More restrictions as omicron spreads entail economic disruption. This was indicated by Nomura India Business resumption

for minimising collateral damage.

AFSPA may still be needed in the situation that was developing, but would require strict compliance in accordance with the spirit of law so as to avoid any charge of heavy handedness against the Army. Its operations fall under the umbrella of ‘aid to civil authority’. The Army has generally performed its duties in difficult areas, quite well.

Another prime threat to national security is the exposure to Cyber attacks of the adversary carried out by way of hacking of vital systems -- this is a new dimension of ‘proxy war’. Cyber defence has an intrinsic challenge because the breach was detected only after the attack had occurred and mitigation therefore had to be prompt and effective. Civil military cooperation on research and Intelligence production in the sphere of cyber security has to be built on solid foundations. The ‘jointness’ of Defence forces being established by the CDS should help in evolving shared protocols for Intelligence agencies, NTRO and DIA under the auspices of NSCS. It is necessary to focus on prevention of cyber attacks -- however difficult it might be.

Also, it is now well known that social media has become the new instrument of combat and wherever it is used in a planned way to influence public opinion through a ‘covert’ operation, Intelligence will be required to get into its roots and identify the adversary behind the scene operating from

within the country or outside.

There are laws against the misuse of social media but Intelligence is now needed about the elements and forces who could be directing an ‘information warfare’ using this medium for false propaganda, fake news and ‘radicalisation’.

A new phenomenon -- going beyond the problem of NGOs with a hidden agenda -- is the advent of sponsored civil society forums and tinted writings designed to turn public opinion against a democratically elected dispensation. They sometimes acted in concert with the anti-India lobbies at home and abroad that played up vague issues like ‘majoritarianism’, ‘authoritarianism’ and ‘minority’ rights to destabilise a constitutional set up. Intellectualism could even become the new tool of politics by proxy. This facet of civil society activity adversely impacting on the national security belonged to the deeper layers of ‘unconventional war’ in which even an open challenge to national integrity and sovereignty and ridiculing of the idea of paying respect to national flag and national anthem, were sought to be legitimised in the name of freedom of expression and democratic right. This is what NSA Ajit Doval warned against while addressing the IPS Probationers at Hyderabad recently.

All of this however, does not detract from the fact that a large number of NGOs in this country are engaged in purposeful social and philanthropic endeavours to

the benefit of India as a nation.

Last but not the least, a potent strategic threat to national security of India now is attributable to the Sino- Pak military alliance -- an axis of a Marxist state and a fundamentalist regime -- that rests on a huge ‘give and take’ made by the two adversaries of India at the cost of the latter.

These two hostile neighbours have a certain capability of playing mischief on India’s domestic front and are expectedly acting together even more closely following the scrapping of Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir, by Indian Parliament. The anti- India lobbies have also become active in this period encouraged to an extent by the leaders of the valley-based parties who always interpolated Pakistan in the equation between the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir and the Centre -- they never said a word about the terrorist violence instigated by that country from across the PoK using faith-based motivation to recruit terrorists.

The policy of ‘terror and talks don’t go together’ has been appreciated by the world outside. In the fitness of things Centre should initiate measures to deter those who promoted pro-Pak separatism in Kashmir.

Apart from an examination of the needs of individual Intelligence agencies for organisational expansion and added resources, the matters of coordination -- in both operational and long term endeavours -- within the entirety

of national security set up covering civil, military and technological segments, may have to be given special attention. Moreover, the internal security front has made the police an important first responder in many situations and the collaboration between the Central security agencies and the State Police has therefore acquired a new-found importance.

As threats to security like terrorism translate closer to the ground, the role of state and even District Intelligence has come into sharp focus. The recent DGPs conference demonstrated how the Centre- State cooperation in the sphere of Intelligence for national security could be kept above party politics. The Prime Minister’s call for establishing a National Technology Mission for Policing under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister, paves the way for advancing in this direction.

Comprehensive arrangements for Centre- State coordination can be evolved for serving the national objectives considering the fact that Police responsibility now goes beyond maintenance of law and order to include active participation in the safeguarding of Internal Security. Also, an important point for national security is to ensure that our Intelligence agencies attract the best of available talent from within and outside of the government.

D.C. Pathak (The writer is a former Director of Intelligence Bureau)

The Dragon’s long shadow on Sri Lanka

or some South Asian countries like Sri L a n k a , M ya n m a r and Bangladesh, the ‘China Nightmare’ is no longer just a bad dream. It is a living reality, which continues to threaten the countries’ national interests, and eat away at their very sovereignty.

Sri Lanka’s fall into the dragon’s trap was triggered when China, taking advantage of the souring relations between Colombo and the Washington, started its aggressive courting of the Mahenda Rajapaksa government from the time he assumed office in 2005.

B y 2 0 0 7 , t h e wa r against the LTTE was raging, and the island nation was facing increasing international criticism over human rights issues.

The US significantly reduced its foreign assistance package, and neighbour India’s assistance was

constrained by the Tamil sentiments back home.

The dragon, which was closely watching, swooped in with a $37 million deal for Chinese ammunition and ordnance. This was followed in 2008 by the gift of six F7 fighters, JY-11 radar and anti-aircraft guns. By the time the war with the LTTE ended in 2009, relations with China were upgraded to a ‘strategic cooperative partnership’. However, the deadliest move made by China in its strategic game was made in 2007 itself, when it got Rajapaksa to lease land at Hambantota for construction of a port at a cost of $1 billion.

By 2014, Chinese aid and loans to Sri Lanka had exceeded a staggering $6 billion, which included the Colombo Port City Project (CPCP), the South Container Terminal at Colombo Port, an Exclusive Invest-

ment Zone 35 miles from Colombo port, and a railway project. The net had been cast. It now remained for China to commence reeling it in. President Xi Jinping, in his September 2014 visit to Sri Lanka, did just that, and an agreement for Chinese companies to operate the by now bleeding Hambantota port was signed.

Having snared its prey under a debt trap, Beijing then commenced leveraging its might into arm-twisting Colombo to get CCP Navy submarines to dock at Sri Lankan ports during their deployment to the Indian Ocean. These submarines, which are accompanied by submarine rescue ships, have been entering the region more frequently in the recent past, and find Sri Lanka to be a convenient port of call.

What is interesting to note here is that Sri Lanka is the only country in the

Indian Ocean besides Pakistan, where these submarines have entered during their deployment over the last seven years. China’s shadow has also loomed large over Sri Lanka’s politics and elections. After 2011, China had also been influencing Sri Lanka’s foreign policy decisions, having established a firm grip over the government through the bourgeoning debt traps.

With Sri Lankan debts to China in excess of $8 billion, the room for manoeuvre for the government of the day was already quite limited.

And of course, Chinese diplomacy has always been very nimble to adjust its front to changing dynamics.

In the aftermath of the 2015 elections, China commenced courting not only the political parties, but also prominent Buddhist clergy in the island nation.

This development was

through the realisation of the influence of these religious figures in Sri Lankan domestic politics.

Certain other factors threaten to push Sri Lanka deeper into the dragon’s trap. Last year, the IMF prematurely ended the $1.5 billion loan programme to the island nation. This was accompanied with the Covid pandemic, which delivered a terrible blow to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

This ‘double whammy’ ended any thoughts that Sri Lanka may have been nurturing of salvaging its situation against China.

In March this year, Sri Lanka announced a $1.5 billion currency swap with the Chinese Central Bank.

It also declared its partnership with China in developing two irrigation reservoirs in the Sinharaja Reserve Forest, which is a UNESCO-protected heri-

tage site. In June 21, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) bagged a project for construction of a 17-km elevated highway in Colombo, the terms of which provide full ownership to the company for revenue and profits for 18 years.

This is the same CHEC, which is a subsidiary of the China Communications Constr uction Company (CCCC) that is leading the Hambantota Port Project, Mattala International Airport and the $1.1 billion Colombo Port City.

For the 2015 elections, payments totalling to $1.1 million were linked from CHEC to Rajapaksa’s election campaign supporters.

Today, the situation is grim to the extent that the Chinese squeeze is resulting in Sri Lanka backing off from deals with other countries.

Sumit Kumar Singh, IANS

Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Creator of ‘Sulli Deals’ app arrested from MP: Delhi Police

NEW DELHI/INDORE, JAN 9 (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man believed to be the creator of “Sulli Deals” app from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Sunday.

This is the first arrest made in the “Sulli Deals” app case, police said.

Hundreds of Muslim women were listed for “auction” on the mobile application with photographs sourced without permission and doctored.

Accused Aumkareshwar Thakur (26) did his BCA from IPS Academy in Indore and is a resident of Newyork City Township, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO) KPS Malhotra said during preliminary interrogation, the accused admitted that he was a member of a group on Twitter and the idea to defame and troll Muslim women was shared there.

“He had developed the code on GitHub. The access of GitHub was with all the members of the group. He had shared the app on his Twitter account. The photos of the Muslim women were uploaded by the group members,” the officer said.

Investigation has re-

Aumkareshwar Thakur

vealed that the accused had joined the group on Twitter by the name of ‘Tradmahasabha’ in January 2020 using the handle @gangescion.

During various group discussions, the members had talked about trolling Muslim women, the police said.

“He admitted that he had developed the code/app on GitHub. After the uproar regarding the Sulli Deals app, he had deleted all his social media footprints,” the DCP said.

The Delhi Police said that further analysis of technical gadgets is underway to find out the codes/images related to the app.

Earlier in July, a case was registered by the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police after it received a complaint about an unidentified group uploading photos of Muslim women on an app.

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NATIONAL

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Delhi Police PRO Chinmoy Biswal had earlier said, “Acting on a complaint received on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal regarding ‘’Sulli Deals’’ mobile application, a case under section 354-A of the Indian Penal Code has been registered and investigation taken up.”

The Indore police on Sunday said their Delhi counter par ts have not shared any information with them about the arrest.

However, Indore’s Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra told PTI, “We have come to know only from the media about the arrest of Thakur from Indore by Delhi Police. The Delhi Police have not shared any official information with us in this regard so far.”

Mishra also said that the Indore police will consider starting an investigation into the matter after the Delhi Police share with them details of the case.

In “Bulli Bai” case, the Delhi Police on January 1 had registered an FIR in connection with an online complaint submitted by a city-based woman journalist against unknown persons for allegedly uploading her doctored picture on a portal.

Father of ‘Sulli Deals’ accused says his son is framed

Akhilesh Thakur

INDORE, JAN 9 (PTI): The father of a 26-year-old man, believed to be the creator of the ‘Sulli Deals’ app and arrested by Delhi Police from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, claimed on Sunday that his son was being framed in the case.

Akhilesh Thakur, the father of accused Aumkareshwar Thakur, told reporters here that he does not know anything about the app concerned and after his son got the BCA degree in 2018, he started webdesigning work from home.

He said two Delhi Police personnel in plain clothes came to his house on Saturday afternoon and after identifying his son, they took the latter to the national capital by a flight in the evening. The police also seized his son’s mobile phone and laptop from their house, he said.

Maha records 44,388 fresh COVID cases

MUMBAI, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Maharashtra on Sunday reported 44,388 new COVID-19 cases and 12 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 69,20,044 and the death toll to 1,41,639, the state health department said, reports First Post.

A day earlier, the state had reported 41,434 coronavirus cases and 13 deaths.

With 15,351 patients discharged on Sunday, the number of recoveries rose to 65,72,432 in Maharashtra, which is now left with 2,02,259 active cases, the department said in a statement. The state added 207 fresh cases with the Omicron variant of coronavirus, taking the number of such patients to 1,216. The case recovery rate in Maharashtra now stands at 94.98 percent and the fatality rate is 2.04 percent, the department said.

Mumbai on Sunday reported 19,474 COVID-19 cases and seven fatalities, taking the city’s tally of infections to 9,14,572 and the toll to 16,406, the city civic body said. A day earlier the city had reported 20,318 coronavirus infections and five deaths. Of the 19,474 cases reported on Sunday, 15,969 (82 percent) are asymptomatic. In Mumbai, a total of 1,240 patients were hospitalised during the day, the civic body’s

health department said. It said that 7,432 of the total 34,900 beds (21.3 percent) have been occupied. A total of 8,063 patients were discharged after treatment, which raised the tally of recoveries so far to 7,78,119 in Mumbai, leaving the metropolis with 1,17,437 active cases. Mumbai’s case recovery rate now stands at 85 percent. The doubling rate is 41 days. With 68,249 new tests, the cumulative number of tests in Mumbai rose to 1,42,03,805.

While the number of cases continue to increase, there is no immediate need for imposing lockdown in Mumbai as the bed occupancy rate, oxygen requirement and number of COVID-19 deaths are low, municipal commissioner Iqbal Chahal has said on Friday.

However, on Sunday, state health minister Rajesh Tope said that the state government will gradually bring curbs at places of worship and other sites, including liquor vendors, that attract crowds to control the coronavirus pandemic.

He told reporters that the medical oxygen demand in Maharashtra for COVID-19 and other patients went up from 270 metric tonnes to 350 metric tonnes recently, though this is just a fraction of the 1,700-2,000 MT required when the pan-

demic was peaking during earlier periods. The state government on Sunday revised the COVID-19-related restrictions for gyms and beauty salons, allowing them to operate at 50 percent capacity from January 10 midnight.

Only those activities that do not require removal of mask by anyone shall be allowed, the order read.

Only fully vaccinated people shall be allowed to use such services and all staff engaged in operation shall be fully vaccinated, it said.

Gyms will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity subject to use of mask while performing any activity, the order said.

Tightening restrictions in the face of surging COVID-19 cases, the state government on Saturday prohibited movement in public in groups of five or more from 5 in the morning to 11 at night, effective January 10 midnight.

Further, no movement will be allowed in public from 11 pm to 5 am except for essential services, the government circular had said.

Schools and colleges will be closed till February 15 except for activities required to be undertaken for class 10 and 12 students and administrative activities of teachers, it said.

NEET-PG counselling from Jan 12: Mandaviya NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): The NEET-PG counselling will commence from January 12, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Sunday.

The Supreme Court on January 7, in an interim order, allowed resumption of medical counselling for NEET-PG admissions for the year 2021-22.

It also upheld the validity of 27 per cent OBC and 10 per cent EWS quotas.

“As assured by the Ministry of Health to the resident doctors, following the order of the Honourable Supreme Court, the NEET-PG counselling is being started by the Medical Counselling Committee from January 12, 2022.

“This will give more strength to the country in the fight against Corona. My best wishes to all the candidates,” Mandaviya said in a tweet in Hindi.

The NEET-PG exam was held on September 11, 2021, after being rescheduled twice in January and April.

Its results were declared in the last week of September following which students for nearly 45,000 postgraduate seats had been waiting for the counselling to begin.

Pak boat with 10 crew members apprehended off Gujarat coast BJP slams Punjab CM for briefing

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): A cordial relation between the Bar and the Bench is absolutely necessary for smooth running of the administration of justice in the courts, the Supreme Court has said.

A bench comprising Justices M R Shah and B V Nagarathna made the observation while disposing of an appeal filed by a lawyer, who had made derogatory comments against a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court.

Noting the conduct of the petitioner advocate, the high court had referred the matter to the Bar Council for taking action against him.

T h e a dvo c a t e h a d

approached the top court against the judgement of the high court.

“For smooth running of the administration of justice in the courts, a cordial relation between the Bar and the Bench is sine qua non and is a must. No advocate is benefited by unruly behaviour in the Court. “Ultimately it spoils the atmosphere in the court room and ultimately may spoil the case of the litigant and the litigant may have to suffer for no fault of him,” the bench said. The lawyer practising in the Uttarakhand High Court tendered an unconditional apology for what happened before

the high court due to which the impugned order came to be passed. He tendered an unconditional apology and filed an affidavit undertaking before the apex court that in the future no such untoward act shall take place at his behest.

The top court then asked the lawyer to appear before the judge of the high court and tender an unconditional apology and requested the high court to take into consideration the apology. “We are happy to note that the learned single judge has shown the grace and has accepted the unconditional apology tendered on behalf of the petitioner.

Anything can happen, govt sources on India-China standoff as talks inch closer

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): As India and China prepare for yet another round of ‘Corps Commander Talks’ to resolve a 20-month standoff in eastern Ladakh, the situation on the ground is uncertain and “anything can happen”.

Top government sources told CNN-News18 that 60,000 fully armed Indian troops were spending a second winter in the freezing heights of eastern Ladakh.

So are an equal number of PLA soldiers. A top source said things had been stable for a while but “China cannot be trusted with anything”.

The source also said there was not much to be optimistic about the upcoming talks, where corps commanders of India and

China will meet to talk about stalled disengagement process in Hot Springs, Depsang and Demchok.

Last year’s 13th Corps Commander Talks in October had ended in a stalemate. The Indian Army has said the “constructive suggestions” it made were not agreeable to the Chinese side, which also could not provide any “forwardlooking” proposals. The Chinese had released a press statement calling India’s demands “unreasonable”.

No third party mediation: top sources As China and India continue with infrastructure development at the Line of Actual Control at breakneck speed, sources also cleared the air about third-party mediation. Top government sources told CNN-News18

that there was no question of a third country playing mediator between India and China. The top source said a friendly third country had requested to sit on the talks table but was politely refused.

The Indian and Chinese defence ministers and external affairs ministers met early in September 2020 at Moscow on the sidelines of the SCO summit. This is when tensions were peaking after India, in a move that stumped China, had occupied the strategic Kailash Ranges in South Bank on August 29 and 30, 2020.

After India’s actions, the situation was “close to war” as the Chinese had moved forward to dislodge Indian troops. For the first time in 45 years, there was firing on the LAC.

“By order dated December 24,2021, while accepting the unconditional apology tendered on behalf of the petitioner, the high court has recalled its earlier order,” the bench said.

“In that view of the matter, no further order is required to be passed by this Court, more particularly, when the learned single judge who has passed the impugned order has now recalled his earlier order by accepting the unconditional apology tendered by the petitioner. “Under the circumstances and in view of the above, the present proceedings shall stand disposed of,” the bench said.

she to be kept in loop regarding Prime Minister’s security? Channi Saab... be truthful.. you must have said to her ‘work is done... what you asked for, has been done’!”

BJP National General Secretary, C.T. Ravi, said: “Sonia Gandhi’s Chief Minister did not respond to Prime Minister Modi but briefs some Priyanka Vadra. Just curious to know who Priyanka Vadra is.”

Channi had maintained that there was “no threat” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Punjab on January 5. However, Ministry of

Home Affairs (MHA) said that the Prime Minister had to cancel his scheduled visit due to a security breach and has sought a detailed report from the state government for the same. The MHA has also asked the Punjab government to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: “The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a detailed report on today’s security breach in Punjab.

Such dereliction of security procedures in the Prime Minister’s visit is totally unacceptable and accountability will be fixed.”

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dp-59/22

Cordial relation between Bar & Bench necessary: SC

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (IANS): The BJP on Sunday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for briefing Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security. Talking to Twitter, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra questioned the need to keep Priyanka Gandhi in loop regarding the Prime Minister’s security.

He said: “A sitting Chief Minister briefs Priyanka Vadra on Prime Minister’s security! Why? What constitutional post does Priyanka hold and who’s

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the ICG said, adding that the boat is registered at Keti Bandar in Pakistan. The apprehended boat, with the ten

Priyanka Gandhi on PM security

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dp-119/22

stop and apprehended, said the ICG. Around 2,000 kg fish and 600 litres of diesel were seized from the boat,

ternational maritime boundary and enter Indian waters during fishing expeditions.

There has also been a rise in cases of such boats being used to smuggle contraband drugs through the Gujarat coast. The Indian Coast Guard had on September 15 last year apprehended a Pakistani boat with 12 crew members in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast.

On December 20, a Pakistani fishing boat with six crew members on board and carrying 77 kg of heroin worth around Rs 400 crore was apprehended in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast by the ICG in a joint operation with the state Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS).

DP-100/22

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel with 10 crew members of the Pakistani boat ‘Yaseen.’ (PTI)

crew members, is presently being towed to Porbandar for detailed investigation and joint interrogation, it said. “Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Ankit’ during an operational patrol at the Arabian Sea apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat ‘Yaseen’ along with 10 Pakistani crew, operating in Indian waters during the intervening night of January 8, 2022,” the ICG said in a release.

During the initial boarding, PFB Yaseen registered at Ketibandar was found in possession of approximately 2000 kgs of the fish catch along with 600 litres of diesel, the ICG added.

Sometimes, Pakistani fishing boats cross the notional in-

k-49/22

AHMEDABAD, JAN 9 (PTI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat with ten crew members in Indian waters in the Arabian sea off the Gujarat coast, it said on Sunday. The boat, named ‘Yaseen,’ was intercepted by the ICG vessel ‘Ankit’ during the operational patrol on Saturday night.

When the crew members of the boat failed to justify their presence in Indian waters after being questioned, the ICG ship apprehended it, the ICG said in a release. The boat tried to flee towards the Pakistani waters, but due to the quick response by the ICG ship, it was made to

KAKURO

No. 3793 Yesterday’s solution No. 3792

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crore account holders were women as of December 29, 2021. During the first year of the scheme 17.90 crore PMJDY accounts were opened.

As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guideline, there is no requirement of maintaining minimum balance in Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts, including Jan Dhan accounts.

Depending upon transactions carried out by a Jan Dhan account holder, the balance in any Jan Dhan accounts can vary on a day-to-day basis, and may even become zero on a particular day.

As of December 8, 2021, the total number of zero balance accounts was 3.65 crore, which constituted about 8.3 per cent of the total Jan Dhan accounts, the government had informed Parliament last month. Objectives of the government’s flagship scheme include ensuring access to financial products and services at an affordable cost.

Benefits like scholarships, subsidies, pensions, and COVID relief funds are credited to the bank accounts, including Jan Dhan Accounts, through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

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DP-115/22

No. 4769 Yesterday’s solution No. 4768

ACROSS 4. Postage labels (6) 7. Mexican pancake (8) 8. Vulnerable, sensitive (6) 10. Subside (5) 13. Ticket money (4) 14. Abominable snowman (4) 15. Traffic marker (4) 16. Wager (3) 17. Rip (4) 19. Tea, slang (4) 21. Woodworker (9) 23. Food fish (4) 24. Singlet (4) 26. Corpulent (3) 27. Let it stand (4) 29. Single entity (4) 32. Ruminant mammal (4) 33. Backbone (5) 34. Guides (6) 35. In company or conjunction (8) 36. Emergency (6) DOWN 1. Homeless dog (5) 2. Big (5) 3. Sagacious (4) 4. Devil (5) 5. Skin problem (4) 6. Favour (6) 9. Builds (6) 11. Beseech (3) 12. Very strong person (5) 13. Without end (7) 15. Head covering (3) 16. Exclude (3) 18. Pencil rubber (6) 20. Angry, excited (3,2) 21. Incision (3) 22. Mesh (3) 23. Hard deposit on teeth (6) 25. Rubbish holder (3) 28. Tries out (5) 30. Dark period (5) 31. Boy’s name (5) 32. Lairs (4) 33. Garden hut (4)

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): Deposits in bank accounts opened under the Jan Dhan scheme, launched about seven and half years ago by the government, have crossed the Rs 1.5 lakh crore mark. As per the latest finance ministry data, the total balance in over 44.23 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts was at Rs 1,50,939.36 crore at December end, 2021.

PMJDY, the National Mission for Financial Inclusion, had completed seven years of implementation in August last year. It was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2014.

As per the finance ministry data, of the total 44.23 crore accounts, 34.9 crore were with the public sector banks, 8.05 crore with regional rural banks, and the rest 1.28 crore with private sector banks.

Also, 31.28 crore PMJDY beneficiaries were issued RuPay debit cards. It may be noted that the number of RuPay cards and their usage has increased over time. As per the data, 29.54 crore Jan Dhan accounts were held in rural and semi-urban bank branches. Nearly 24.61

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DP-97/22

No. 10147 Yesterday’s solution No. 10146

Jan Dhan deposits cross Rs 1.5 lakh cr

k-34/22

Goyal asked the officials to work with a motto to increase the share of weavers/artisans in consumer spending as done by Amul for milk producers.

The minister advised the officials to properly implement SAMARTH, the skill development initiatives of the ministry. He emphasised on the use of technology for effective monitoring for better outcomes.

He also reviewed the works of the PLI scheme for textiles and directed for the finalisation of the scheme guidelines for PM MITRA quickly so that proposals can be invited from state governments.

Mandarin Oriental New York has global recognition and has won several influential awards, including AAA Five Diamond Hotel, Forbes Five Star Hotel, and Forbes Five Star Spa, among others. It had revenues of USD 115 million in 2018, USD 113 million in 2019 and USD 15 million in 2020, according to the Reliance filing.

“This acquisition will add to the consumer and hospitality footprint of the group. The group already has investments in EIH Ltd (Oberoi Hotels), Stoke Park Limited in the UK and is developing a state-of-the-art convention centre, hotel and managed residences in BKC Mumbai,” it said.

The closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur by the end of March 2022 and is subject to certain customary regulatory and other approvals and the satisfaction of certain other conditions.

“In the event that the other owners of the hotel elect to participate in the sale transaction, RIIHL would acquire the remaining 26.63 per cent, based on the same valuation used for the acquisition of the indirect 73.37 per cent stake,” it added.

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DP-111/22

Su doku

(IANS): With special focus on the livelihoods of those involved in handloom and handicraft sectors, Union Textile Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday called for putting more focus on implementation of schemes for these sectors, stressing on the need to link weavers and artisans through e-commerce platforms and leveraging of technology.

During a review meeting of the functioning of the Ministry of Textiles, its autonomous bodies and PSUs under its administrative control, Goyal stressed on the need for further simplification of processes and called for an effective online dashboard-based monitor-

DP-114/22

Crossword

N E W D E L H I , JA N 9 (IANS): Oil marketing companies kept the prices of diesel and petrol unchanged across major Indian cities on Sunday. It is important to note that oil marketing companies have kept prices of fuels untouched since November 3, 2021, the Diwali eve, when the Centre and some states reduced duties on the fuel. Accordingly, diesel and petrol prices in Delhi stood at Rs 86.67 per litre and Rs 95.41 per litre on Sunday, respectively. In Mumbai, the rates were unchanged at Rs 94.14 and Rs 109.98 per litre.

Prices also remained static in Kolkata at Rs 89.79 for diesel and Rs 104.67 per litre for petrol.

per cent stake in Mandarin Oriental New York, one of the premium luxury hotels in New York City for an equity consideration of approximately USD 98.15 million,” the firm said in a stock exchange filing late on Saturday.

This is the second acquisition of an iconic hotel

by Reliance in less than a year. In April last year, Reliance acquired Stoke Park Ltd in the UK - an iconic locale that’s been the setting for two James Bond films.

The two iconic locales add to its current stake in Oberoi hotels and hotel/managed residences in Mumbai that it’s developing.

The latest marquee acquisition for the oil-totelecom and retail conglomerate marks its pivot toward consumer offerings. Flush with Rs 2.6 lakh crore in cash, Ambani is helming a transformation as he seeks to build the digital and retail business into equal-sized pillars for Reliance, paring dependence on profits from its traditional oil refining business.

Over the past five years, Reliance has announced USD 5.7 billion in acquisitions with 45 per cent in TMT and 23.6 per cent in new energy.

DP-44/22

ality will assist taxpayers in calculating the interest applicable for delayed filing of returns. Taxpayers will have to verify and discharge the correct interest liability as per law, as payment of interest is a statutory compliance,” it said.

As per Goods and Services Tax law, 18 per cent interest is charged for failure to pay tax liability on time, while 24 per cent interest is levied for undue or excess claim of input tax credit (ITC) or reduction of output tax liability.

This functionality will be made available on the GST Portal shortly, the advisory said, adding it will improve ease in filing return.

DP-74/22

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): GST Network, which provides technology backbone for the indirect tax regime, will shortly release interest calculator functionality in monthly tax payment form GSTR-3B to help taxpayers in calculating interest for delayed tax payment.

This new functionality will compute the minimum interest applicable on the basis of the values declared by the taxpayers in GSTR-3B for a particular tax period, GSTN said in an advisory.

“To facilitate taxpayers in doing self-assessment, the new functionality of interest calculator is being released in GSTR-3B. This function-

Diesel, petrol Govt stresses on linking weavers, prices remain artisans through e-com platforms steady on Sunday NEW DELHI, JAN 9 ing system for transparency.

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): Mandarin Oriental New York, the premium luxury hotel a subsidiary of Reliance Industries is acquiring, is known for its much-in-demand ballroom, five-star spa and eating and drinking venues, including MO Lounge. Liam Neeson and Lucy Liu are among regular guests.

Set up in 2003, 248-rooms-and-suites hotel towering over Central Park is an iconic luxury hotel located at 80 Columbus Circle, directly adjacent to the pristine Central Park and Columbus Circle.

Mandarin Oriental New York occupies floors 35-54 and is known for its much-in-demand ballroom, five-star spa and eating and drinking venues, including MO Lounge. Liam Neeson and Lucy Liu are among regular guests.

“Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited (RIIHL), a whollyowned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (“RIL”), has today, entered into an agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of Columbus Centre Corporation (Cayman), a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and the indirect owner of a 73.37

DP-23/22

GSTR-3B : Interest calculator soon for late payment

hike in input raw material costs and logistics cost has been a concern.

“We have tried best to absorb the same through cost innovations but prices need to increase for business sustainability,” said LG Electronics India Vice President, Home Appliances and Air Conditioner Business Deepak Bansal.

Terming the price increase “inevitable”, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Chairman and Managing Director Gurmeet Singh said brands will hike prices up to 10 per cent in phases by April on account of an increase in input costs including that of raw materials, taxes, and transportation.

prices of raw materials fall, there is a chance that we might see prices coming down in April or May,” he said. “We are being optimistic and hopeful that eventually the commodity prices will stabilise due to reduction in global freight and raw material costs and this should have a positive impact on consumer demand.”

Companies such as Sony and Godrej Appliances said they are yet to take a call.

“Price correction is not on the cards at the moment,” said Sony India Managing Director Sunil Nayyar.

Godrej Appliance Business Head & Executive Vice President Kamal Nandi said going forward, the company will evaluate taking any further hike, given the current drop in demand due to increasing coronavirus infection rate.

Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd (SPPL), which has branding licence for international brands, including Blaupunkt, Thomson, Kodak and White-Westinghouse, said the consumer electronics industry has been observing price hikes on various levels at the backend of things.

DP-105/22

Panasonic, which has already increased prices up to 8 per cent for ACs, is considering hikes further.

It is also mulling a similar move for home appliances.

“Air Conditioners have already seen a price hike of around 8 per cent and this may further go up depending on rising costs of commodities and supply chain.

We can also see a reflection of price hike for home appliances too in near future,” said Panasonic India Divisional Director, Consumer Electronics Fumiyasu Fujimori.

South Korean consumer electronics major LG, which has also increased prices in the home appliances category, said a constant

“In a phased manner, up to April, prices will go up by at least 8-10 per cent.

Prices have gone up from around the same time last year December to this year by nearly 6-7 per cent,” he said adding “the onslaught of Cost Up is continuing and now with anti dumping duties being imposed on aluminium and refrigerants, we see another increase by 2-3 per cent”.

This will be over and above the actual commodity increase on these items and is inevitable, he added.

CEAMA President Eric Braganza said:”The industry had postponed the price increase due to the festive season. However, currently, manufacturers have no other option but to pass on the price hike to customers. We expect the industry to do a round of price hike from January to March in the range of 5-7 per cent.”

The implementation would vary from company to company as some of the manufacturers have already hiked prices and some are in the process of doing it, Braganza said.

“Nonetheless, if the demand is sluggish and the

Reliance buys New York’s premium luxury hotel Mandarin Oriental for USD 98.15 mn

DP-112/22

Consumer durables prices to go up 5-10%

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (PTI): Prices of air conditioners and refrigerators have shot up in the new year as consumer durables makers pass on the impact of rising raw material costs and higher freight charges to customers, while home appliances like washing machines may witness 5-10 per cent price hike later this month or by March. Companies including Panasonic, LG, Haier have already reviewed prices upwards, while other makers such as Sony, Hitachi, Godrej Appliances may take a call by the end of this quarter.

According to the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA), the industry make hike prices from January to March in the range of 5-7 per cent.

“With an unprecedented surge in the cost of commodities, global freight and raw materials, we have taken steps to increase prices of our products by 3 to 5 per cent in the refrigerator, washing machines, and air conditioner categories,” Haier Appliances India President Satish N S told PTI.

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

BUSINESS

DP-125/22

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Chinese FM Wang meets top Lankan leadership UK records ‘terrible toll’ of 150,000 Discusses issues promoting tourism, investments COLOMBO, JAN 9 (PTI): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday met Sri Lanka’s top leadership and discussed a host of issues, including the debt crisis faced by the island nation, investments, promoting tourism and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as the two countries marked the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Wang, who arrived here on Saturday from the Maldives on a two-day visit, first met the senior of the Rajapaksa brothers - Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa - who took to Twitter to announce that he had a “very pleasant meeting” with the Chinese State Councillor.

“Had a very pleasant meeting with the Foreign Min of #China. Discussions centered around the logistics of facilitating the return of the many #lka med students to China. Also discussed were a host of

Chinese FM Wang Yi before his meeting with Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, Jan. 9. (AP/PTI)

issues inc Tourism, investments, #COVID19SL relief & post Covid preparedness,” Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Twitter. He also thanked the Chinese government for its continued support to Sri Lanka.

“I thanked #China and her people for the continued support to #lka. As both our nations celebrate 65 years of bilateral relations, I am hopeful that this relationship we share will only grow & be strengthened in the years to come,” he said in another tweet. After his meeting with Mahinda Rajapaksa, Wang declared open the Port City Marina

Promenade to the public built with China’s assistance on reclaimed sea - which is a major infrastructure Chinese project here.

The port city which is yet to become fully operational has a financial district which has been dubbed the new hub between Singapore and Dubai - with a marina, a hospital, shopping malls, and 21,000 apartments and homes. Later, Wang met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who told the Chinese leader that Sri Lanka would be much helped if consideration could be given to rescheduling of its external debt.

Ex-RBI Governor Urjit Patel appointed Vice President of AIIB BEIJING, JAN 9 (PTI): Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel has been appointed as a Vice President of the Beijing-based multilateral funding institution AIIB, according to sources in the bank on Sunday.

India is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with the second highest voting share after China. It is headed by former Chinese vice minister for finance Jin Liqun.

Patel, 58, will be one of the five Vice Presidents of the AIIB with a threeyear tenure. He is expected to take over his posting next month.

He will succeed outgoing Vice President D J Pandian, who is in charge of sovereign and non-sovereign lending of the AIIB

Urjit Patel

in South Asia, the Pacific Islands and South-East Asia, AIIB sources told PTI. Pandian, who has previously served as the chief secretary of Gujarat, is set to return to India later this month.

Patel had taken over as the 24th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) succeeding Raghuram Rajan on September 5, 2016.

Patel resigned in December, 2018 “on account

of personal reasons”, saying “I have decided to step down from my current position effective immediately”.

Prior to taking over on September 6, 2016, he was a Deputy Governor overseeing the monetary policy department at the RBI under Rajan and was known as his “inflation-warrior”.

Patel has previously worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Boston Consulting Group and Reliance Industries among other organisations.

Patel’s posting to AIIB is regarded as significant as India has emerged as its biggest beneficiary by obtaining USD 6.7 billion funding for 28 projects, Pandian said in his farewell luncheon interaction on Saturday.

COVID-19 pandemic deaths

It is estimated that Sri Lanka owes debt payments to China in the region of USD 1.5 to 2 billion this year.

The international rating agencies have expressed doubts over the island nation’s ability to meet its international sovereign bond payments of USD 1500 million, the first USD 500 million of which falls next week for payment.

The Lankan President also said that if a concessional trade credit scheme could be obtained for imports from China, it would enable industries to run smoothly. Wang’s visit is taking place at a time when Sri Lanka is facing its alltime worst foreign exchange crisis. By December, the reserves position had plummeted to just one month’s imports or a little over USD 1 billion. However, by the end of the year, the Central Bank announced that the reserves position had improved and the cash realisation was believed to have come from a previously agreed currency swap with China.

In the recent months,

the public has experienced shortage of many essentials due to the foreign exchange crisis.

Import restrictions to save dollars have threatened cooking gas and fuel supplies in addition to the looming power cuts.

With the realisation of a currency swap from China the reserves topped USD 3 billion by the end of last year.

During his meeting with Wang, the Lankan president was also appreciative of the Chinese Covid-19 vaccination support by ensuring continued supply of the Sinopharm vaccine.

Wang’s visit marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations and the 70th anniversary of the Lanka-China Rubber Rice Pact.

Signed in 1952, the Rubber-Rice Pact was a trade agreement between Lanka and China under which Colombo supplied rubber to Beijing in exchange for rice, leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations and expansion of trade between the two nations.

Armed bandits kill 58 in Nigeria

Kazakhstan says 164 killed in week of protests

LAGOS, JAN 9 (IANS): At least 58 people were killed by armed bandits who attacked villages in northwest Nigeria’s Zamfara state, an official said Ibrahim Bello Zauma, a spokesperson for the governor of Zamfara state Bello Matawalle, told Xinhua news agency that the attacks took place on January 5 and 6 in the villages in the Anka and Bukkuyum areas. “ We r e c o r d e d 3 6 (deaths) at Bukkuyum and 22 (deaths) in Anka so far,” Zauma said.

He said the state Governor has visited the affected areas to condole with the people over the tragic incident of bandit attacks in the areas. According to local media reports, at least four villages were burnt down in the attacks which started on January 5.

MOSCOW, JAN 9 (AP): Kazakhstan’s health ministry said Sunday that 164 people have been killed in protests that have rocked the country over the past week.

The figures reported on the state news channel Khabar-24 are a significant rise from previous tallies. It is not clear if the deaths refer only to civilians or if law-enforcement deaths are included.

Kazakh authorities said earlier Sunday that 16 police or national guard had been killed. Authorities previously gave the civilian death toll as 26.

Most of the deaths — 103 — were in Almaty, the country’s largest city, where demonstrators seized government buildings and set some afire, according to the ministry. the country’s ombudswoman

LONDON, JAN 9 (PTI): The UK crossed another grim COVID-19 milestone after recording 150,000 deaths since the pandemic hit the country in 2020, even as the Omicron variant surge continues with a further 146,390 daily infections and 313 deaths on Saturday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the coronavirus pandemic has “taken a terrible toll on our country” as he renewed his appeal for people to get vaccinated and thanked the National Health Service (NHS) for its life-saving efforts.

“Each and every one of those is a profound loss to the families, friends, and communities and my thoughts and condolences are with them,” said Johnson.

“Our way out of this pandemic is for everyone to get their booster or their first or second dose if they haven’t yet. I want to thank everyone in the NHS and all the volunteers who have come forward to help with

A health worker closes the door of an ambulance outside of the Royal London Hospital in London. (Reuters)

our country’s vaccine programme,” he said.

Opposition Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer described the figure as a “dark milestone” for the UK. “Our thoughts are with all those who have lost someone and we thank everyone for supporting the vaccination effort,” he said.

He also reiterated calls for a public inquiry to take place to “provide answers” and ensure “lessons are learned”.

It comes as the UK’s Education Secretary, Nad-

People walk past cars, which were burned after clashes, on a street in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Friday, Jan. 7. (AP)

for children’s rights said that three of those killed were minors, including a 4-year-old girl.

The ministry earlier reported more than 2,200 people sought treatment for injuries from the protests, and the Interior Ministry said about 1,300 security officers were injured.

The office of Kazakhstan’s president said that

about 5,800 people were detained by police during the protests that developed into violence last week and prompted a Russia-led military alliance to send troops to the country.

President KassymJomart Tokayev’s office said Sunday that order has stabilized in the country and that authorities have regained control of ad-

him Zahawi, became the first Cabinet minister to suggest further cutting down the seven-day selfisolation period for mild COVID cases to five days as the country was on the road from “pandemic to endemic”.

The US recently shortened the self-isolation period to five days, but Zahawi pointed out that it was important to remember that in the UK isolation begins when you get symptoms while in the US it starts from when you test positive.

ministrative buildings that were occupied by protesters, some of which were set on fire.

The Russian TV station Mir-24 said sporadic gunfire was heard in Almaty on Sunday but it was unclear whether they were warning shots by law enforcement. Tokayev on Friday said he had authorized police and the military to shoot to kill to restore order.

A l m a t y ’s a i r p o r t , which had been taken by protesters last week, remained closed but was expected to resume operating on Monday.

Protests over a sharp rise in prices of LPG fuel began in the country’s west on Jan. 2 and spread throughout the country, apparently reflecting discontent extending beyond the fuel prices.

6 IS terrorists gunned Omicron scare in Tianjin close to Beijing ahead of Oly 3 Turkish soldiers killed in down in Pakistan explosion on Syrian border The IS terrorists led

by Samalani were located at a hideout near the QDA graveyard on Eastern Bypass, Quetta.

The forces team was approaching the hideout when the terrorists attacked it with grenades and indiscriminate heavy fire on Saturday. In the ensuing exchange of fire, six militants were found dead while four to five others escaped.

Search is underway to find the remaining members of the network.

Apart from weapons and ammunition, a motorcycle fitted with IED meant to target the sensitive installation was also recovered, the report said.

A worker sprays disinfectant as residents line up for the coronavirus test in north China’s Tianjin municipality. (AP)

transmitted confirmed cases were infected with the Omicron variant, the municipal headquarters for COVID-19 prevention and control said on Sunday.

Tianjin was the first Chinese city to report a few

US State Dept says ‘deeply disturbed’ by attack on Sikh cab driver at JFK airport N E W YO R K , JA N 9 (PTI): The US State Department is “deeply disturbed” by reports of an attack on an Indian-origin Sikh cab driver at the JFK International Airport and condemned any form of hate-based violence, saying perpetrators of hate crimes should be held accountable for their actions, no matter where such crimes occur.

The Sikh taxi driver was assaulted by an unidentified man, who knocked off his turban and also used expletives against him outside the JFK International Airport here, according to a video on social media.

The undated 26-sec-

ond video was uploaded by a Twitter user, Navjot Pal Kaur, on the microblogging site on January 4, showing a man assaulting the Sikh taxi driver outside the airport. She said the video was shot by a bystander at the airport.

State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), in a tweet on Saturday, said: “We are deeply disturbed by reports of an apparent attack on a Sikh cab driver at J.F.K. airport, captured on video last week. Our diversity makes the U.S. stronger, & we condemn any form of hate-based violence. “We all have a

responsibility to hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable for their actions, no matter where such crimes occur”. The State Department’s reaction came after the Indian Consulate General in New York termed the assault on the Sikh taxi driver as “deeply disturbing” and said it has taken up the matter with US authorities and urged them to investigate the violent incident.

“The assault against a Sikh taxi driver in New York is deeply disturbing.

We have taken up the matter with US authorities and urged them to investigate this violent incident,” Con-

sulate General of India in New York tweeted on Saturday. In the video posted

by Twitter user Kaur, the person can be heard allegedly using expletives against the Sikh individual.

He repeatedly hits and punches the Sikh man, knocking his turban off.

Kaur tweeted, “This video was taken by a bystander at John F. Kennedy international Airport. I do not own the rights to this video. But I just wanted to highlight the fact that hatred continues to remain in our society and unfortunately I’ve seen Sikh cab drivers get assaulted again and again.”

cases of Omicron in midDecember but not much was heard of its spread since then while major spike in cases was reported from the tourist city of Xian and a few other cities, prompting officials to resort to mass

testing.

Besides the two Omicron cases, 18 other infections in Tianjin are mainly students and their family members related to a daycare centre and a primary school where the first two cases were reported, Gu Qing, director of the municipal health commission, said at a press conference.

This prompted the local officials to resort to mass testing of all the 14 million people before its spread to Beijing as the capital city is set to host the much-advertised Winter Olympics from February 4. The coronavirus has spread for at least three generations in the latest resurgence, and more cases may emerge, said Zhang Ying, deputy director of the Tianjin city’s centre for disease control and prevention.

Nepal makes vax card mandatory for visiting public places KATHMANDU, JAN 9 (IANS): The Nepal government has decided to make vaccination cards compulsory to enter in public places like government offices, hotels, restaurants, cinema halls, stadiums, domestic flights, banks and other public places from January 17.

The decision has been taken to tackle the fast spreading Omicron virus.

Nepal has witnessed a sharp rise of Covid cases in the last one week.

The country recorded an alarming surge in the coronavirus cases with the daily count reaching 1,167 in the past 24 hours.

A high level Covid

Crisis Management Centre whose chairman is Prime Minister of the county on Sunday, released its several decisions to curb the Covid pandemic inside the country.

The CCMC has decided to shut down all schools till February.

A meeting of the CCMC held on Sunday, made the decision effective for the primary and secondary schools. Sunita Nepal, spokesperson for the CCMC, said the meeting has decided to close the academic institutions till January 29. “The step is expected to break the chain of infection at this end,” Nepal said.

ANKARA, JAN 9 (IANS): Three Turkish soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded on the country’s border with Syria, the Defence Ministry in Ankara said.

The improvised explosive device planted by “terrorists” on the borde in Akcakale district, the Ministry said statement without providing more details.

The explosion occurred when a military vehicle was passing by Syria’s northern border town Tal Abyad, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Tal Abyad town has been under control of Turkish forces and Turkeybacked rebels since Ankara launched Operation Peace

Spring against a Syrian Kurdish group in October 2019.

The Turkish ar my launched Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, Operation Peace Spring in 2019 and Operation Spring Shield in 2020 in northern Syria, in order to eliminate Syria’s Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) along its border with the neighbouring country.

Turkey sees the YPG group as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Turkish forces and the YPG members in the region often exchange fire on the Syrian border.

FELICITATION

The Diezephe Students' Union takes immense pride to congratulate Mr. Chuyalo Kath on being promoted to Gazette-II post of Statistical Investigator-I, Directorate of Census Operations, Nagaland : Kohima.

The Union wish you the best in future endeavour and hope to see you achieving greater heights.

Vekuseyi Lohe President, DSU

db-21/22

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Chukitong Range Sports Association (CRSA) express our sincere gratitude to each and every individual and well wishers who extended their helping hands for the successful conduct of the 73rd Edition of CRSA Sports Meet 2022.

The Association conveys special thanks to: 1. Hachio Patton Sr. Ps to Dy. CM - ₹1, 00,000. to CRSA and extended additional financial assistance to all the programme participants at the inaugural session.

2. Kuzonyi Vadeo SDO Suruhoto - ₹ 20,000 3. Dr. Chumdemo Kikon Wokha - ₹ 10,000 4. Chumben, Dy. Commandant (CISF) - ₹ 8000 5. Khozamo Ovung Dimapur - ₹ 4000 6. Chichanbeni Patton CDPO Chukitong - ₹ 5000 7. Yanpvuo Jungio, CAO Lotha Region (GPRN/NSCN) - ₹ 5000 The Association regrets the inadvertent printing error.

ZUMCHIO KIKON CRSA, CHAIRMAN

LONGSHITHUNG KIKON CRSA, GS

db-20/22

NEW DELHI, JAN 9 (IANS): Six Islamic State (IS) terrorists were gunned down in Pakistan’s Balochistan, including mostwanted militant Asghar Samalani who carried a reward of 2 million PKR, The News International said in a report.

He was reported to be planning a major attack against a sensitive installation in Quetta, the report said. A long soughtafter militant by the law enforcement agencies, Samalani was previously an active member of Lashkare-Jhangvi that carried out serious sectarian attacks in Balochistan as well as across the country.

BEIJING, JAN 9 (PTI): China on Sunday scampered to test 14 million residents of Tianjin as the port city near the capital has set off alarm bells ahead of the next month’s Beijing Winter Olympics by reporting a cluster of COVID-19 cases, including two with the dreaded Omicron variant.

Thousands of people commute between Tianjin and Beijing as it takes hardly 30 minutes by the highspeed train.

Officials said that Tianjin, a municipality that neighbours Beijing, has decided to start a citywide nucleic acid testing after 20 people tested positive for COVID-19. The infections were reported on Friday and Saturday in Jinnan district and the gene sequencing found the first two locally-

10

Health Benefits of Ginger

Fights Germs Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body ward off germs.

They’re especially good at halting growth of bacteria like E.coli and shigella, and they may also keep viruses like RSV at bay.

Keeps Your Mouth Healthy Ginger’s antibacterial power may also brighten your smile. Active compounds in ginger called gingerols keep oral bacteria from growing. These bacteria are the same ones that can cause periodontal disease, a serious gum infection.

Calms Nausea The old wives’ tale may be true: Ginger helps if you’re trying to ease a queasy stomach, especially during pregnancy. It may work by breaking up and getting rid of built-up gas in your intestines. It might also help settle seasickness or nausea caused by chemotherapy.

Soothes Sore Muscles Ginger won’t whisk away muscle pain on the spot, but it may tame soreness over time. In some studies, people with muscle aches from exercise who took ginger had less pain the next day than those who didn’t.

Eases Arthritis Symptoms Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling. That

may be especially helpful for treating symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. You might get relief from pain and swelling either by taking ginger by mouth or by using a ginger compress or patch on your skin.

Curbs Cancer Growth Some studies show that bioactive molecules in ginger may slow down the growth of some cancers like colorectal, gastric, ovarian, liver, skin, breast, and prostate cancer. But much more research is needed to see if this is true.

Lowers Blood Sugar One recent small study suggested that ginger may help your body use insulin better. Larger studies are needed to see if ginger could help improve blood sugar levels.

Eases Period Pains Got menstrual cramps? Ginger powder may help. In studies, women who took 1,500 milligrams of ginger powder

once a day for 3 days during their cycle felt less pain than women who didn’t.

Lowers Cholesterol A daily dose of ginger may help you battle your “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking 5 grams of ginger a day for 3 months lowered people’s LDL cholesterol an average of 30 points.

Protects Against Disease Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.

Relieves Indigestion If you live with chronic indigestion, also called dyspepsia, ginger could bring some relief. Ginger before meals may make your system empty faster, leaving less time for food to sit and cause problems.

Melinda Ratini, DO

INFOTAINMENT

J

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Judas Priest won’t quit making albums

udas Priest have no plans to stop making albums. Frontman Rob Halford has insisted recording new music and performing it live is what “sustains” the heavy metal band.

Although there is no release date for the followup to 2018’s ‘Firepower’, the 70-year-old rocker has reassured fans that it’s on the way at “some point”.

He said when asked if they will ever quit the studio: “Look at the Stones, look at Aerosmith, look at Elton - you know, it’s what defines us.

“Your music defines you.

“And what’s impor-

tant is that your music has to define you at the place that you’re at now.

“So, the material that we have now, that we’ll be working on, again, will be a reference point.

“This will be Judas Priest in 20-blah, blah, blah

... when it’s released.

“This is a reinforcement of everything that you know about us and love about us, but in a new presentation.

“But at the core of the heart of it will be a connection that threads all the

way back to sleeping in the van, because we couldn’t afford the day shift, at the Rocka Rolla studio.

“And that’s the joy that’s the joy of it.”

Rob insisted they could quite easily sit back and become a heritage act, but making new music fuels them to carry on.

He added to Goldmine magazine: “Look, we don’t need to make another album.

“We haven’t needed to make another album because you’ll hear, ‘If you don’t play ‘Breaking The Law’, I’m going to tear the roof off the building.

If you don’t play ‘Living After Midnight’ or ‘Pain-

killer’ ...’

“So, we have the songs.

“We’ve always had the songs for a long time now, but the thrill for us is to take these - as of right this moment - unheard tracks, we cook them, we finish them off, record them, and we can’t wait to show them off live at some given point in the future.

“We need that. We need that part; it sustains us.

You know, Picasso never stopped painting until his final days.

“You can’t put a plug into the creative force. It’s just the wrong thing to do.”

(Contactmusic)

Timbaland compares The Weeknd to Michael Jackson

P

rolific music producer Timbaland, who worked on Michael Jackson’s second posthumous album ‘Xscape’ in 2014, has compared rapper The Weeknd’s new album to Jackson’s ‘Thriller’.

Speaking on Instagram, he said: “This album’s different, yo. This s*** right here, this on some ‘Thriller’ s***. Trust me when I tell you. And the way he dropped this s***, yo… congrats. This s*** is amazing.”

‘Dawn FM’ features Tyler The Creator, Oneohtrix Point Never’s Daniel Lopatin and Lil Wayne, along with narration from actor Jim Carrey on the album’s outro, reports female-

first.co.uk.

He can be heard saying: “You are now listening to 103.5, Dawn FM. You’ve been in the dark for way too long. It’s time to walk into the light and accept your fate with open arms.”

Speaking about the album, Jim said on Twitter: “I listened to Dawn FM with my good friend Abel @theweeknd last night. It was deep and elegant and it danced me around the room. I’m thrilled to play a part in his symphony.”

The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, replied: “Thank you for being a part of this. It’s kismet. Full circle.”

(IANS)

Timbaland, The Weeknd & Michael Jackson

NASA’s Webb Telescope unfolds primary mirror, set for big action

N

ASA’s James Webb Space Telescope team has successfully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations in deeper space.

A joint effort with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency, the Webb mission will explore every phase of cosmic history -- from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.

“NASA achieved another engineering milestone decades in the making. While the journey is not complete, I join the Webb team in breathing a little easier and imagining the future breakthroughs bound to inspire the world,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“The James Webb Space Telescope is an unprecedented mission that is on the precipice of seeing the light from the first gal-

axies and discovering the mysteries of our universe,” he said in a statement late on Saturday.

The two wings of Webb’s primary mirror had been folded to fit inside the nose cone of an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket prior to launch.

After more than a week of other critical spacecraft deployments, the Webb team began remotely unfolding the hexagonal segments of the primary mirror, the largest ever launched into space.

The world’s largest

and most complex space science telescope will now begin moving its 18 primary mirror segments to align the telescope optics.

“Webb’s successful deployment exemplifies the best of what NASA has to offer: the willingness to attempt bold and challenging things in the name of discoveries still unknown,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate in NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Soon, Webb will also undergo a third mid-course

correction burn -- one of three planned to place the telescope precisely in orbit around the second Lagrange point, commonly known as L2, nearly 1 million miles from Earth.

This is Webb’s final orbital position, where its sunshield will protect it from light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon that could interfere with observations of infrared light.

Webb is designed to peer back over 13.5 billion years to capture infrared light from celestial objects, with much higher resolution than ever before, and to study our own solar system as well as distant worlds.

(IANS)

dc-19/22

A

n algorithm that can accurately predict the risk of developing severe complications due to Covid-19, including hospitalisation and death, has been developed by Dutch researchers.

The algorithm can be applied to identify persons with highest risks from data in the electronic health records of general practitioners.

The Covid algorithm performed well to predict the risk of severe complications of Covid-19 in K Y M C

the first and second waves of Covid-19 infections in the Netherlands, the team from VU University Medical Center Amsterdam (VUmc) wrote in the peerreviewed British Medical Journal.

The algorithm was developed from a training data set comprising 70 per cent of the patients and validated in the remaining 30 per cent.

Potential predictor variables included age, sex, chronic co-morbidity score based on risk factors for

Covid-19 complications, obesity, neighbourhood deprivation score, first or second Covid-19 wave, and confirmation test.

The team collected information from a database of Covid-19 diagnoses and co-morbidities in the country.

Some 264 general practitioner practices reported 6,074 Covid-19 cases between April 10, 2020, and January 21, 2021.

About 291 patients had severe complications, 181 of these were hospitalised, while 59 were treated in a nursing home and 51 died.

According to the researchers, the algorithm can be used to identify persons at especially high risk of developing severe complications based on medical records, which could help prioritise these persons for vaccination.

However, they added the caveat that “the regression estimates can and need to be adjusted for future predictions”. (IANS)

dc-02/22

New algorithm can predict Covid complication risk

K Y M C

11

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Chelsea crush Chesterfield 5-1 in FA Cup Ash Barty wins Adelaide International

LO N D O N, JA N 9 (AGENCIES): Romelu Lukaku scored for Chelsea in a 5-1 FA Cup thirdround victory over minor league Chesterfield on Saturday -- his first goal since upsetting manager Thomas Tuchel in a television interview.

Lukaku struck in the 20th minute to put his side 3-0 up after goals by Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi had put the European champions in control at Stamford Bridge.

Andreas Christensen made it 4-0 before halftime and Hakim Ziyech scored from the spot in the second half before Chesterfield’s travelling fans were rewarded with a consolation goal for Akwasi Asante.

Record signing Lukaku was dropped for last Sunday’s Premier League draw with Liverpool after comments he made in an interview recorded three weeks ago, saying he was not happy with his role at the club and would like to return to Inter Milan.

After holding clearthe-air talks with Tuchel he returned for the League Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Tuchel made several changes to his Chelsea side as he juggled a hectic

Chesterfield’s Laurence Maguire in action with Chelsea’s Ross Barkley during the FA Cup third round match. (Reuters)

schedule and COVID-19 infections, giving debuts to keeper Marcus Bettinelli and youngster Lewis Hall.

But his side were still too strong for Chesterfield as Chelsea made it 24 wins in a row in the FA Cup third round.

“I’m happy with the attitude and how we started,” said Tuchel. “We started strong and decided the match very early. This is what we wanted.”

Chesterfield manager James Rowe said Asante’s goal gave the club something special to remember.

“Great to get the goal at the end for us and the supporters and what a proud day to be a Spireite,” he said.

“Halftime was about recollecting our thoughts.

We focused at halftime and drew the second half 1-1.”

Newcastle United suffered a humiliating 1-0 home defeat by third-tier Cambridge United but holders Leicester City began their defence of the FA Cup by trouncing Premier League rivals Watford 4-1 in the third round on Saturday.

Premier League strugglers Newcastle flexed their new financial muscle by signing England full back Kieran Trippier from

T20 WCC: Juggernauts, LCYO win

Unity cricket Cup from Jan 14 in Chümoukedima

Nagaland Cricket Association secretary, Hyuninlo Anilo Khing being introduced to the players on January 9.

DIMAPUR, 9 JAN (NPN): Juggernauts and LCYO have won their respective matches at the ongoing T20 Winter Cricket Challenge at local ground Wokha on January 9.

The first match played between Juggernauts and Imperials; Juggernauts won the toss and decided to bat first and made a target of 152 runs losing all wickets in the 19.3 overs, where Anil Sharma’s 38 runs and Lijanbemo Patton’s 34 runs contributed to the team score.

Shahid Islam of Im-

perials in 4 overs, 24 runs claimed 4 wickets.

Imperials in the second inning of the first match lost to Juggernauts where they were restricted to 101 runs, all out in 17.6 overs.

Arijit Das’s 23 runs and Mhathung’s 14 runs could not help Juggernauts to secure victory. While Anil Sharma collected a wicket in 2 overs 4 runs, Mhachamo 3 wickets in 4 overs providing a room to collect only 16 runs to the Imperials batsman.

Juggernauts won by

Newcastle humiliated by Cambridge

51 runs in 17.6 overs where Man of the match was claimed by Anil Sharma.

In the second match, Kohima Hornbills locked horns with LCYO; winning the toss, Kohima Hornbills decided to bat first and could only collect 52 runs losing all wickets in 14.5 overs.

Tapitu’s 18 runs and Potozu’s 10 runs managed a double digit for Kohima Hornbills, while Thechamo of LCYO in 4 overs 9 runs and Phyodemo’s 3 overs 13 runs collected 3 wickets each.

L C YO q u i c k l y claimed victory in just 3.5 overs losing five wickets, where Renjanthung with his English willow hit a magnificent 23 runs for LCYO. Vikato of Kohima Hornbills claimed a wicket in his one over consisting of 12 runs.

LCYO won the match by 5 wickets in 3.5 overs and the man of the match award was handed over to Thechamo Odyuo.

MONDAY’S MATCHES 1st match: Hurricanes Vs Dynamic CC 2nd match: Lancer ‘B’ Vs Blackcaps Tseminyu

DIMAPUR, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): The 7th Unity Cup, Tennis Ball cricket tournament organised by Nepali Baptist Church Chümoukedima Youth Sports Ministry will begin from January 14 at local ground, Chümoukedima Town. The Last date of submission of form will be Janury 12, after which no team shall be entertained.

The champion will walk home with a cash prize of `30,000/- along with running trophy and certificates; runners-up will receive a cash prize of ` 20,000/- along with certificates and more individual prize `10,000/-.

Tournament entry fee is `3,500/-.

Forms are available at Little Hut Chümoukedima Town, Kiran Sports Dimapur and Nepali Baptist Church Chümoukedima Town.

For further details, interested teams and clubs may contact the organisers at 8413002017 or 8787325274.

Atletico Madrid on Friday and he made his debut in front of an expectant St James’ Park crowd.

But humble Cambridge were undaunted as Joe Ironside fired in a second-half goal and keeper Dimitar Mitov made a series of saves to deliver a fairytale win their 5,000 visiting fans celebrated in ecstatic fashion.

Bulgarian keeper Mitov made an incredible save in stoppage time to deny Joelinton an equaliser and Eddie Howe’s side were booed at the final whistle as Newcastle’s season went from bad to worse.

L e i c e s t e r, w h o stunned Chelsea in last season’s final to win the competition for the first time, welcomed back former title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri but showed him no sympathy in a dominant display interrupted only by a floodlight failure.

Youri Tielemans put them ahead from the penalty spot and James Maddison made it 2-0. Joao Pedro replied for Watford but second-half goals by Harvey Barnes and Marc Albrighton sealed Leicester’s place in the fourth round draw.

C A N B E R R A , JA N 9 (IANS): World No.1 Ash Barty had a perfect start to the new season ahead of the home Grand Slam -- the Australian Open --, winning the Adelaide International in dominant fashion by crushing world No. 14 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-2 in Sunday night’s final.

This was Barty’s 14th career singles title and second in Adelaide. The victory underlined Barty’s status as the favourite to win the Australian Open, where she is aiming to become the first home-grown champion since 1978.

Barty, 25, beat American prodigy Coco Gauff, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and 2020 French Open winner Iga Swiatek of Poland en route to the title in Adelaide, without dropping a set or a service game against Rybakina, Kenin or Swiatek.

It takes Barty’s record against fellow top-20 players to 17-1 since the start of 2021 and means she has won 21 of her last 25 matches on Australian soil.

“It’s been a challenging 18 months, two years for all of us and it’s so nice to be here to enjoy a fantastic week,” she said on court after the match.

“You guys, the fans have

Ash Barty

made this week exceptional for me, you’ve made it so much fun and you’ve brought that spark back to my tennis and I thank you so much for that.” Reigning Wimbledon champion Barty was challenged early but didn’t look back after breaking Rybakina’s serve at 3-3, closing out the first set in 29 minutes. Having seized the advantage, Barty

was at her dominant best in the second set, racing to a 4-0 lead and going on to win the final in 64 minutes.

Barty and Storm Sanders will face Darija Jurak Schreiber and Andreja Klepac in the Adelaide doubles final before she heads to the Sydney Tennis Classic, ahead of the Australian Open on January 17.

Bopanna and Ramanathan win doubles title

India’s doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan defeated top-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Brazil’s Marcelo Melo 7-6 (6), 6-1 to win the Adelaide International title on Sunday.

Coming into this tournament, the Indian duo had played just one Davis Cup match together against Finland. World No. 43 Bopanna claimed his 19th tour-level title while Ramanathan, No. 144 in the ATP rankings, captured his first tour-level crown. The first set was a see-saw affair as the Indian pair had to dig deep for a 7-6 set win. In the second set, the Croatian and Brazilian pair succumbed to the pressure and gave away the set and the match 6-1 without much resistance.

Bundesliga Dortmund snatch comeback win over Frankfurt FRANKFURT, JAN 9 (IANS): Borussia Dortmund reduced Bayern Munich’s lead in the standings after rallying back from two goals down to beat passive Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 in the 18th round of Bundesliga here. The “BVB” started powerful into the encounter as Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp had to tip Thomas Meunier’s dangerous shot around the far post in the second minute before Erling Haaland headed into the arms of Trapp two minutes later.

Frankfurt couldn’t gain a foothold into the clash but it was still the “Eagles” who broke the deadlock against the flow of the game as Filip Kostic’s free kick into the box allowed Rafael Santos Borre to stun Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the 15th minute.

Dortmund were shocked and things went from bad to worse as Frankfurt made it two after Borre dispossessed Marco Reus inside the box before slotting his brace past Kobel with 24 minutes gone, Xinhua reports. The hosts should have made it three at the half hour mark but for all that Jesper Lindstrom hit only

Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud scores their third goal.

the side netting following a counterattack. Dortmund showed a sign of life in the closing stages of the first half as Donyell Malen rattled the woodwork following a rebound from very close range.

Frankfurt started brightly into the second half, but Lindstrom couldn’t triple the lead with only Kobel to beat from inside the box.

As the match progressed, Frankfurt handed over control, allowing Dortmund to halve the deficit in the 71st minute when

Haaland set up for Thorgan Hazard, who made no mistake from the edge of the area.

Marco Rose’s men pressed frenetically and levelled the score through Jude Bellingham in the 87th minute before Mahmoud Dahoud utilized a rebound to slot home the decider in the 89th minute. “We didn’t put the result beyond doubt and retracted with the lead. Dortmund gained momentum and punished us for our passiveness,”

Frankfurt’s head coach Oliver Glasner said. Elsewhere, Hoffenheim bounced back against Augsburg and secured a 3-1 win to capture the third spot in the table.

Leipzig crushed Mainz 4-1 by courtesy of Andre Silva’s brace. Freiburg was held to a two-all draw by bottom side Arminia Bielefeld. Bayer Leverkusen shared the spoils with Union Berlin following a 2-2 game and newly promoted Greuther Furth played out a goalless draw with Stuttgart.

Latham slams 186, Conway 99 as NZ in command on Day 1 Hot from long distance, Heat pound Suns

HAGLEY OVA L ( C H R I S T C H U RC H ) , JAN 9 (IANS): New Zealand skipper Tom Latham struck a fine unbeaten century, while Devon Conway played a superb innings of 99 not out as the duo helped the hosts post 349/1 on the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh here on Sunday.

On a day when Bangladesh bowlers toiled without success, Latham brought up his 12th Test ton halfway through the day, hitting a staggering 28 boundaries around the wicket in his 278-ball stay at the crease.

The 29-year-old Latham is now only 14 runs away from a double century.

Putting on 148 for the opening wicket with Will Young (54), Latham was accompanied by Conway, who was one short of reaching three figures himself (99 not out) when stumps were called.

Conway will be on strike for the first ball, as the hosts look to post a mammoth first innings total.

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New Zealand’s Devon Conway and Tom Latham celebrate during the second Test match against Bangladesh here on Sunday.

wickets as Bangladesh secured a historic win with Ebadot Hossain claiming six second-innings wickets on Day 5 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

It was Bangladesh’s first win against New Zealand in New Zealand in any format of the game with the tourists breaking the hosts’ 17-match unbeaten streak at home.

On Sunday, New Zealand made the most of the opportunity of being asked to bat first, capitalising on some poor discipline with the ball and in the field, almost scoring at four runs an over in the morning session.

The opening pair made 92 runs in the 25-over morning session, with Latham bringing up his half-century in just 65 balls. Bangladesh

were bereft of ideas with the ball, and not backed up in the field, ruing missed opportunities.

Litton Das dropped Young after the lunch break, and the batting pair moved to the 100-run stand, the first opening partnership of three figures in the first innings of a Test in New Zealand since 2012. Young moved to fifty in emphatic fashion,

hitting Mehidy Hasan Miraz over the top, though was dismissed by Shoriful Islam for 54.

It turned out to be the only joy Bangladesh enjoyed during the day, as Conway joined Latham to pile the pressure on. Latham’s century came off 133 balls (the fastest of his dozen), mixing power with touch and use of opposition pace bowling.

Conway also neared his century as the day came to an end, with the hosts in command at 349/1.

Fo r B a n g l a d e s h , Mahmudul Hasan Joy was ruled out due to a hand injury, with Mohammad Naim replacing him as opener and becoming Bangladesh’s 100th Test cap.

Mushfiqur Rahim was also a late withdrawal, succumbing to a groin injury in the warm-up.

For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindran was replaced in the side by Daryl Mitchell.

Brief scores: New Zealand 349/1 in 90 overs (Tom Latham 186 not out, Will Young 54, Devon Conway 99 not out) vs Bangladesh.

PHOENIX, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Tyler Herro scored a game-high and season-high 33 points, and Duncan Robinson added 27 points as the Miami Heat knocked off the host Phoenix Suns 123-100 on Saturday night.

Herro’s 33 were two short of Miami’s franchise record for high-scoring game by a reserve. Herro made 12-of-20 shots, including 3-of-4 on 3-pointers in 34 minutes. Robinson made 8-of-16 from behind the arc, also off the bench, and his 27 points were also a season high.

The Heat, who shot a scorching 50 percent from 3-point territory, also got 14 points and a game-high 13 assists from Kyle Lowry.

Teammate Omer Yurtseven added a game-high 16 rebounds to go with eight assists and seven points.

The Suns fell to 17-5 on their home court. They were led by Devin Booker, who scored 26 points but made just 5-of-15 shots from the floor. Phoenix also got 20 points from Mikal Bridges, and star point

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) guards Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the second half.

guard Chris Paul was held to nine points and seven assists, making just 3-of-9 shots.

Grizzlies 123, Clippers 108 Ja r e n Ja c k s o n J r. scored 26 points, Desmond Bane shot 5-of-8 from 3-point range and scored 23 points, and visiting Memphis used a dominant second quarter to overwhelm Los Angeles. Memphis began the first leg of a weekend back-to-back in

Los Angeles with leading scorer Ja Morant sidelined due to a thigh injury. Without Morant’s production (25.0 points, 6.6 assists per game), the Grizzlies struggled early and fell behind by as many as 12 points in the first quarter.

A 10-0 run early in the second quarter sparked a 38-20 period for Memphis, and the visiting Grizzlies never trailed in the second half en route to their eighth straight win.

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12

SPORTS

NAGALAND POST, DIMAPUR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

beats Cressy to claim Melbourne Kerala Blasters beat Hyderabad FC 1-0 in ISL Nadal title; Halep claims women’s single title knocking on the door but HFC’s Kattimani pulled off a brilliant save in the 24th minute to deny Jorge Diaz.

As the match progressed, both teams tried to carve open a clear-cut chance before Vazquez helped Kerala Blasters nose ahead. A long throw-in was met by Sahal Abdul Samad who flicked it behind in the danger area where Vazquez struck a sweet volley to beat the keeper.

Hyderabad FC came

Kerala Blasters FC players celebrate after scoring against Hyderabad FC on Sunday.

VASCO, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Kerala Blasters FC brought Hyderabad FC’s unbeaten run to an end and jumped to the top of the table with a 1-0 win in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.

Alvaro Vazquez’s 42nd minute goal eventually proved to be the winner as KBFC stretched their unbeaten streak to nine

games, moving to the top of the points table with a better goal difference than Mumbai City FC, both being on 17 points from 10 games.

This is the first time that Kerala Blasters are top of the table in seven years.

Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, saw their eightgame unbeaten run come to an end as they dropped to the third in the table with

16 points from 10 matches.

HFC had a chance to take the lead early on when Edu Garcia’s free-kick was deflected onto the crossbar

by Prabhsukhan Gill after the ball was curled expertly over the wall.

Bar tholomew Ogbeche of HFC was shown his fourth yellow card soon after, meaning he will miss the next match.

Kerala Blasters kept

Real Madrid cruise to win; Barcelona held in Granada

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his second goal during the La Liga soccer match. (AP/PTI)

MADRID, JAN 9 (IANS): Real Madrid recovered from last weekend’s defeat to Getafe with a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Valencia. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr both scored twice as the duo again showed their importance to their side against a rival that disappointed once again in the Bernabeu.

Benzema opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Casemiro was controversially adjudged to have been brought down after a slight contact. The striker hit a powerful shot into the corner of the net.

Vinicius made it 2-0 10 minutes into the second half after skipping through some half-hearted challenges and the Brazilian added a third after Asensio’s shot was parried into his path.

Goncalo Guedes pulled a goal back after Thibaut Cour tois had blocked his initial penalty, but there was still time for Benzema to add his second of the night two minutes from time.

Luuk de Jong’s second goal in two games looked as if it was going to give Barca a 1-0 win away to

Granada in what ended up being a bad-tempered game, Xinhua reports. The big striker headed home a Dani Alves cross in the 57th minute, after seeing another header ruled out for a narrow offside before halftime.

Barca youngster Gavi was sent off for two yellow cards in the 78th minute and after pressing hard for an equaliser, Granada claimed a point when Antonio Puerta fired a leftfoot shot into the corner of the net following a corner.

Mikel Oyarzabal’s 13th minute goal ended Real Sociedad’s six-game run without a win as they beat a disappointing Celta Vigo 1-0 in the Reale Arena. Aritz Elustondo had a second effort for the home side ruled out for a tight offside.

Goals from Roberto Soldado and a late finish from Jose Luis Morales gave bottom of the table Levante their first win of the season in a game where Levante keeper Aitor Fernandez saw a penalty and Fer Nino had a goal ruled out for Mallorca with the score 1-0.

Sunday’s games see Atletico Madrid visit Villarreal, while second-place Sevilla have to overcome a host of absences when they entertain Getafe.

close through Ogbeche on the cusp of half-time but the Nigerian shot wide.

In the second half, Hyderabad FC tried to up the ante but failed to muster any real opportunity in front of goal barring one, where KBFC skipper Jessel Carneiro kept his side in the lead with a goal line clearance.

MONDAY’S MATCH

Mumbai City Vs Bengaluru FC Time: 7:30 pm

STANDINGS POS

CLUB

M

W-D-L GD

PTS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Kerala Blasters FC Mumbai City FC Hyderabad FC Jamshedpur FC ATK Mohun Bagan Chennaiyin FC Odisha FC FC Goa Bengaluru FC NorthEast United FC SC East Bengal

10 10 10 10 9 10 9 10 10 10 10

4-5-1 5-2-3 4-4-2 4-4-2 4-3-2 4-2-4 4-1-4 3-3-4 2-4-4 2-2-6 0-6-4

17 17 16 16 15 14 13 12 10 8 6

England’s Ben Stokes bats against Australia during the fifth day of their Ashes cricket test match in Sydney, Sunday. (AP/PTI)

overs to deny Australia a win at the SCG. Earlier in the day, resuming on 30/0, England made merry early on with Zak Crawley playing some big strokes to kick start the mor ning. However, the opening partnership itself did not last too long with Haseeb Hameed dismissed in single digits for the sixth successive time.

While Crawley (77 off 100 balls) flourished, Australia managed another breakthrough from the other end, with Nathan Lyon cleaning up Dawid Malan.

Root, England’s highest

run-scorer in the series by a long way, walked in to join Crawley. The England opening batter compiled his first fifty of the tour and first since February 2021 to give England a reasonably solid start to the day.

But the partnership did not last long as the latter was trapped in front for 77 by Cameron Green’s yorker. Despite Crawley’s enterprising knock, at 96/3, England’s morning didn’t quite go to plan. Ben Stokes and Joe Root took the team to lunch with England’s chances of pulling off a draw not too slim.

Rafael Nadal

Simona Halep

Nadal immediately shut down a potential comeback with a break of his own to bring the set back on serve.

The Spaniard then broke again to lead 5-3 and held serve to claim the title.

Earlier on Sunday, former world number one Simona Halep stormed past Veronika Kudermetova 6-2 6-3 at the Melbourne Summer Set 1 final to claim her 23rd career title. Kudermetova began the contest strongly, breaking Halep’s serve to take a 2-1 lead in the first set, but the two-times Grand Slam champion broke right back in the next game and then twice more

to clinch the first set 6-2.

The second set unfolded in similar fashion, with Kudermetova taking the lead and Halep rallying to level the set at 2-2. Halep broke a few games later to make it 5-3 and then held to love to secure the win.

American Amanda Anisimova battled through injury to beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5 1-6 6-4 and claim her second WTA title in the Melbourne Summer Set 2. Anisimova, who took a medical timeout for treatment on her left thigh in the second set, showed great resolve to fight back from 3-0 down in the deciding set.

Djokovic did not have guaranteed entry to Aus: Govt MELBOURNE, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): The Australian government had not given tennis star Novak Djokovic an assurance that a medical exemption that he said he had to enter Australia without a COVID-19 vaccination would be accepted, government lawyers said in a court filing on Sunday.

The filing ahead of a court hearing on Monday was in defence of the government’s decision to bar entry to the world number one player over his COVID-19 vaccination status.

Djokovic is hoping to win his 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne on Jan. 17. But instead of training, the Serbian player has been confined in a hotel used for asylum seekers and is challenging the decision to cancel his visa after being stopped on arrival at Melbourne Airport early on Thursday.

The drama has rocked world tennis, caused tensions between Serbia and Australia and become a flashpoint for opponents of vaccine mandates around the world.

Himself a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates, Djokovic had declined to reveal his vaccination status or reason for seeking a medical exemption from Australia’s vaccination

Novak Djokovic

rules. But his legal team said in a filing to the court on Saturday that the player had been granted an exemption due to having had the virus in December.

Djokovic’s legal team said he had the necessary permissions to enter Australia, including an assessment from the Department of Home Affairs that responses on his travel declaration form indicated he met the conditions for quarantine-free arrival. The government disputed this.

“This is because there is no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia.

Rather, there are criteria and conditions for entry, and reasons for refusal or cancellation of a visa,” the government’s filing said.

It said the department’s email was not an assurance “that his socalled ‘medical exemption’ would be accepted”, and his responses could be questioned and verified on his arrival.

England clings on for a draw in dramatic 4th Ashes Test

SYDNEY, JAN 9 (IANS): England tail-ender Stuart Broad hung on for 35 deliveries on the fifth and final day of the fourth Ashes Test to miraculously draw the game along with Jimmy Anderson to deny Australia a 4-0 series lead at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Sunday.

Staring at an almost certain defeat with Australian quicks Pat Cummins and Scott Boland running riot, Broad negotiated the final hour of play with utmost concentration, holding on for a good 50 minutes for his eight runs (35 balls) as the Joe Root-led England have something to look forward to going in the fifth Test at Hobart from January 14.

England’s score in the second innings read 270/9 in 102 overs.

In a tense final hour at the SCG, Australian skipper Cummins had to turn to Steve Smith’s leg breaks as the skies darkened and he delivered with a wicket, his first in six years, to leave England needing to play out two overs with just one wicket left. Anderson and Broad then held on for two

6 5 10 5 2 -3 -4 -4 -2 -7 -8

MELBOURNE, JAN 9 (AGENCIES): Top seed Rafael Nadal beat American qualifier Maxime Cressy 7-6(6) 6-3 to win the Melbourne Summer Set 1 ATP 250 event and build up momentum heading into the Australian Open.

The Spaniard, playing his first competitive tournament since August, was largely untroubled as he wrapped up the win in an hour 48 minutes. Cressy was put under serious pressure by Nadal from the off, having to defend three break points in his first service game, but there was little to separate the two for the rest of the first set, which required a tiebreak.

Nadal stepped on the gas late in the tiebreak, saving a set point at 5-6 down and then earning a set point of his own with a forehand winner, which he converted to take the first set 7-6(6).

Cressy responded by breaking first in the second set to take a 2-1 lead, but

DC-07/22

The visitors started strong after the break with Root and Stokes finding a boundary apiece in the first three overs. The latter pulled Mitchell Starc for a six and soon followed it up with a drive through cover off Green.

The duo took England past 150, but once again, it was Scott Boland who brought Australia back in the game. For the third successive time in the series, Boland had Root, leaving England in a spot of bother at 156/4.

Stokes and Jonny Bairstow resurrected the innings with a promising stand that lasted more than 15 overs. But just as it seemed like England had found a way to survive the day, Lyon struck.

Stokes edged him to Steve Smith in the cordon after a vigilant 60. To compound England’s problems, the new ball was due soon and Australia made it count. Jos Buttler and Mark Wood were dismissed by Cummins in the same over, the former with a superb in-swinger that crashed into his pads.

Brief scores: Australia 416/8 declared and 265/6 declared draw with England 294 and 270/9 (Zak Crawley 77, Ben Stokes 60, Jonny Bairstow 41; pat Cummins 2/80, Scott Boland 3/30, Nathan Lyon 2/28).

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